Blessy on ‘Aadujeevitham’: The filmmaking process itself became a test of endurance and resilience for the cast and crew

‘Aadujeevitham’ directed by Blessy, featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role, is set to hit the big screens tomorrow, March 28. The film, which is based on Benyamin’s best-selling novel, is inspired by true events. ‘Aadujeevitham’ follows the story of Najeeb, a man who leaves behind his wife, mother, and unborn child and goes from the lush green lands of Kerala to a desert country in the Middle East in search of a better life and a better future. However, destiny had something else in store for him.

In a note shared on the official website of ‘Aadujeevitham’, Blessy speaks about how the filmmaking process was a testing time for the entire cast and crew, drawing parallels between the lives of Najeeb.

“In our world, towering sanctions and barbed wires confine the dreams of those dwelling in lands like Myanmar, Syria, Afghanistan, Palestine, and countries from the continents of Africa and South America. They have been marred by distressing events that have had a profound impact on the world. Many of them leave their home lands, resort to crossing borders, and face ethnic conflicts and political and communal interventions in their efforts to seek employment abroad to improve their lives. Behind every single person who ventures with grand aspirations, countless tearful eyes await their return to their homeland. Occasionally, people disappear amidst the harsh realities of exile, and their tragic tales deeply resonate with many. It's a time when justice appears distant, as individuals grovel before others just to secure a meager piece of bread. Unfortunately, even in this modern era, there are places where a few wander into the desert, losing themselves and meeting their demise due to thirst. In contrast, my homeland, Kerala, a state in India, is a place teeming with inspiring life stories where individuals have ascended from humble huts to magnificent palaces,” Blessy’s note reads.


Speaking about how the 16-year journey itself was a huge challenge for the film, he expressed, “Among these vibrant narratives, ‘The Goat Life’ (Aadujeevitham) stands out as a poignant journey of a man who clings to his last breath while striving to reclaim his life. The filming of The Goat Life (Aadujeevitham) commenced in 2018 and concluded in 2022. During this period, a dedicated crew spent approximately sixty-five days in the desert, enduring quarantine measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The filmmaking process itself became a test of endurance and resilience for the cast and crew, mirroring the themes of survival that run through ‘The Goat Life’.”