‘Mumtha,’ Kerala’s first all-women crew film, completed its filming on International Women’s Day. The movie, directed by Farsana Bini Asafar from Kasaragod, is part of the Kerala State Film Development Corporation’s (KSFDC) women’s cinema initiative, which aims to empower women in the film industry.
The shoot took place in and around Badiyadukka and Kumbadaje in Kasaragod, highlighting the region’s landscapes and culture. The film marks a historic achievement as Farsana becomes the first housewife from North Kerala to direct a feature film.
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A story of survival and cultural richness
‘Mumtha’ tells the story of a mother and daughter struggling against societal constraints. The movie is set in the dry grasslands of Puthrakala in Kumbadaje, metaphorically linking the barren landscape with the hardships of underprivileged communities in Kasaragod’s inner villages.
Reflecting the district’s linguistic diversity, ‘Mumtha’ incorporates all seven regional languages spoken in Kasaragod, along with unique dialects. The film also showcases traditional art forms like Yakshagaanam, Kozhipoor, and Dafmuttu, as well as local customs, food, and attire. A significant part of the story revolves around Suranga (tunnel), a traditional water conservation method, paying tribute to tunnel expert Kunjambu.
The central character, Mumtha, is played by child artist Dhanalakshmi, a 10th-grade student. The supporting cast includes Santosh Keezhattoor, Navas Vallikkunnu, Sibi Thomas, Pradeep Cherian, Manoj Kumbala, and Nandini. A goat named Munna plays a symbolic role as Mumtha’s companion.
National award-winning cinematographer Fauzia Fatima (‘Mitr My Friend’) has handled the camera, while Ratheena PT (‘Puzhu’) serves as the line producer. The editing is done by Veena Jayaprakash, with art direction by Dundu Ranjeev, costumes by Femina Jabbar, make-up by Irene Joseph, music by Anita Sheikh, and sound by Manasa.
Director Farsana Bini Asafar credits her husband, filmmaker Dr. Bini Asfar, for his unwavering support throughout the project. The film, one of four selected from 85 scripts under the KSFDC initiative, was developed through workshops led by film experts Amit Tyagi, Priya Krishnakumar, and Atul Theikshe.
Background and film launch
The shooting of ‘Mumtha’ began on February 17, 2025, with MLA M. Rajagopalan inaugurating the project at Bela Government Ayurveda Dispensary. District Police Chief D. Shilpa gave the first clap, with dignitaries such as KSFDC Director Sherry Govind and actor Santosh Keezhattoor present at the event.
With ‘Mumtha,’ Kerala’s women’s cinema project has taken a significant step forward, setting a precedent for more women-led film productions in the future.
