Watch Jalam

Jalam is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by M. Padmakumar and starring Aliya, Ponnamma Babu, and Prakash Bare in lead roles. The plot of the film centers around a family of fishermen who are struggling to make ends meet due to environmental problems and the modernization of fishing methods. The movie begins with the introduction of the main characters - Aisha (Aliya) and her family, who live near the coast of Kerala. Aisha's father is a fisherman, and her brother is a young man with a dream of becoming a sailor. However, their family's fortunes take a turn for the worse when they discover that the fish population in their area is dwindling due to pollution.

As they struggle to find a way to survive, Aisha meets Prakash (Prakash Bare), a young man who comes to their village to conduct research on the environmental impact of fishing. Prakash becomes attracted to Aisha’s beautiful and kind nature, and the two eventually fall in love.

As their relationship blossoms, the family faces more challenges when Aisha's father falls seriously ill. Aisha and her brother are forced to take up odd jobs to pay for his medical treatment.

Meanwhile, Prakash’s research uncovers some alarming facts about the effects of modern fishing methods on the marine ecosystem. He tries to bring this to the attention of the authorities but is met with resistance from powerful lobbies and corrupt officials.

The movie takes a serious note as Aisha and her family are affected by the changes happening in their environment. The director makes the audience aware of issues concerning ecological imbalance and disbalance caused by human modernistic attitude towards fishing that bring forth troubled times for local fishermen.

The story culminates into a tragic climax, as the family's situation becomes increasingly difficult, with their fate left hanging.

Jalam is a movie that captures the harsh reality for traditional fishermen and their struggle with the changing ecology caused by human intervention. It presents a realistic depiction of the hardships faced by marginalized communities in the coastal areas of India due to lack of financial support and poor implementation of existing policies. The movie is a poignant reminder of the urgent need for action to address environmental damage and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities.

The performances of the actors are striking and realistic, with Aliya delivering a standout performance in the lead role of Aisha. Ponnamma Babu as Aisha's mother is also impressive.

The cinematography captures the beauty and cruelty of nature, portraying the ocean as both a source of livelihood and a formidable force that can take lives. The background music set a perfect tone that underscores the emotional depth of the movie.

Overall, Jalam is a thought-provoking and powerful movie that sheds light on the struggle of marginalized fishing communities and the need for action to protect the environment from further damage. It’s a must-watch for those who care about social and environmental issues.

Jalam is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.