Biriyaani

Biriyaani

Khadeeja endures a loveless marriage, where she is treated as nothing more than an object for her husband's pleasure. When she seeks her own pleasure, he rebukes her, blaming it on her incomplete circumcision, reinforcing the belief that women should not experience sex. She has strained relationships with her in-laws, while her mother, plagued by anxiety, struggles with her mental health. Though Khadeeja is only educated up to high school, her brother is an engineer who recently returned from the Middle East. His sudden departure triggers another breakdown in their mother, which Khadeeja soothes by promising a feast to commemorate their father's death anniversary. News reports warn of radical Wahhabi influence spreading through Malayalees returning from Saudi Arabia, fueling extremist activities. Soon, Khadeeja and her mother are investigated due to her brother's alleged ties to terrorism. Under pressure from the community, her husband divorces her via text, forbids her from contacting their son, and abandons her. Seeking answers, she visits Abubakar, her brother's handler who refuses to help, warning them to stay away. The mosque soon excommunicates them. Later, Abubakar brings money from her brother, which she rejects, demanding his return. In a letter, her brother urges her to take their mother to a shrine for healing. At the shrine, they meet Bijil, a priest who tells them faith alone won't heal her mother—most visitors come for free meals.

Director

Sajin Baabu

Release

2020

Run time

96 min

Language

Malayalam