Aattam

The story unfolds in contemporary times within a modern theatre milieu. The troupe pursues opportunities like a European tour, heightening tensions between ambition, finances, and ethics. The events expose how power dynamics and gender bias operate in a current-day artistic community.

Set inside Arangu, a theatre group of thirteen members (twelve men and one woman) who stage a satirical play about the male gaze. The intimate rehearsal space doubles as a social microcosm, where power, labor, and reputation are contested. The setting highlights the intersection of art, gender, and ambition within a contemporary Indian theatre scene.

♀️ Gender Inequality

Anjali's experience in Arangu exposes a system where the woman is relegated to traditional duties and denied equal artistic credit. The group’s decisions are influenced by male gatekeepers who minimize her contributions. The narrative uses her arc to critique objectification, victim-blaming, and the erasure of female agency in creative spaces.

🔥 Ambition

Fame and advancement drive the troupe, often at the expense of ethics and solidarity. Hari's rising star brings financial benefits but also envy and manipulation among the members. The pursuit of a bigger stage reveals how ambition can corrupt judgment and collective responsibility.

🎭 Art as Liberation

The theatre acts as a space where truth can be confronted, even when the group falters. Anjali reclaiming her voice on stage signifies art's power to challenge a hostile culture. The final act suggests justice can emerge through performance rather than through failing institutions.

💔 Trauma

The groping incident and ensuing distrust expose the real harm caused by misogynistic behavior. Victim-blaming and gaslighting within the group illustrate how trauma is dismissed when it threatens reputations. The story centers on healing, accountability, and the limits of communal protectiveness.