Biriyaani

The story unfolds within a Muslim family milieu in Kerala, India, with religious spaces like mosques and shrines shaping community norms. It references the broader Muslim diaspora through returning Malayalees from Saudi Arabia, highlighting how cross-border tensions influence local life. Kashmir is depicted as the site of the brother's death, adding a geopolitical dimension to the family tragedy. The setting centers on home, religious spaces, and the social networks that police women's behavior.

⚖️ Patriarchy

Khadeeja is married off into a loveless arrangement where she is treated as an object. The control of her sexuality and the blame she bears for not conforming to expectations expose how patriarchal norms govern women’s lives. The divorce by text and pressure from in-laws show how social rules enforce submission. Her struggle to claim autonomy unfolds against this rigid framework.

🕌 Religious Hypocrisy

Religious spaces and leaders are shown as morally compromised, with the priest Bijil embodying hypocrisy and self-indulgence. The community’s excommunication and the shrine’s inconsistencies reveal how faith can be weaponized to police women’s bodies. The story contrasts acts of charity with moral double standards. It questions whether religious authority truly serves those it claims to protect.

📰 Media and Public Scrutiny

Journalists and news panels frame the family’s story, shaping public perception and potentially stoking fear of radical influence. The panelist’s rhetoric contributes to the sense of threat and fuels social paranoia. The media’s role reveals how sensational reporting can complicate justice and personal tragedy. The film critiques how information can be weaponized in communal judgment.

💃 Agency and Sexuality

Khadeeja’s longing for personal autonomy is depicted through her attempts to experience pleasure and redefine her body. She rejects a conservative identity and navigates precarious paths to survive, including prostitution, highlighting the desperation born from oppression. The narrative ends with her imagining a future where she controls her own body, a stark assertion of agency amid societal constraints.