One night, in the high boundaries of Kerala, people wake up from voices that were attached to the sounds arising from the bottom of the earth. Jhanjhari, they are scattered about what will follow, uncertain about it. When these events keep repeating, they are threatened to great peace and stability, people are forced to leave their homes and migrate to “safe” places.
But where are these “safe” places? The first film asks director Srikanth Pangapattu, whose film, Boothlam (Hidden Traveers), which is based on the life of these climate refugees, will be screened as the only Malayalam feature film entry in the 44th Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF).
“We, in Kerala, are facing ecological disaster one after the other. Where are the safe places? Where do we go from here?” Srikanth asks.
Still from the film. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Manifesto Center on ordinary people living in environmentally delicate fields and how they navigate through their land and challenges created by their lives. As they struggle with great ecological grief, they also have to deal with their personal crises. The film, written by Srikanth, discovers ideas of loss and existence in an unstable world.
From Kanjirappalli, Srikanth has experienced himself these tremors, he says, and being in nearby places such as Chenppadi and other mountainous areas in Kerala. “Thundering sound is unnecessary. Geologists explain that they are caused by subtle seismic changes (which measure up to 2.1 on the Richter scale), but for a common man, they can be terrible.”
Srikanth Pangpattu | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Over the years, climate change and irregular development plans have affected the land and its people, observing Srikanth, an architect by profession. (Srikanth’s own firm, PG Group Designs, is located in Kanjirappali).
A writer, with six short-story collections for his credit, Srikanth gave the title of one of his stories, which was titled MuzakkamOn this seismic innings incident. “I wanted to see it further, whether my re -discovery – talking to geologists and environmental experts. I wanted to understand the plight of people living in a disaster -prone land, struggling with various types of uncertainty. Manifesto“He says.
The film also includes theater actors NS Thara, Kalabhavan Rahman, Manuraj, Babu Manpalli and Babu Sebastian in important roles by Indrason. Srikantha says, “There was a conscious option for Indras role as his style and methods were perfect for the character. The audience would be easily related to it.”
Cinema, a passion
Cinema is not foreigner for Srikanth. Before starting his architectural practice, he was part of the team of production designer Sabu Cyril as an assistant. “Cinema is my passion. I was curious about it and as a medium, it is a continuous source of inspiration for me,” Srikanth says, who directed three short films.
He wrote for the script Manifesto In 2024, and things were taken out faster than expected. The shoot was completed in 25 days. 3,500 feet above sea level, shot at Meladukkam in Kottayam district, the place faced himself many challenges. Srikantha says, “Climate was unfavorable and we often had to deal with thunderous and electricity during shooting.”
While Nikhil’s Praveen has handled Cinematography, The Editing Vishal VS. Rajesh Chalitram’s sound effects and Eric Johnson’s background score added the poignancy of the theme. The 88 -minute festival is performing its festival round and will be displayed in VIFF in October.
Published – 04 September, 2025 08:16 pm IST
