There are still many Fathimas in our society

Parvana KB’s film Feminichi Fathima, which recently screened at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), explores the lives of Muslim women in her hometown of Ponnani. The film, which features a relatively new cast, has resonated with audiences and sparked conversations about religious conservatism and patriarchy.

- PARVANA KB

How did you ensure the protagonist's evolution felt organic and relatable to the audience?

I'm not saying anything beyond imagination, nor is it something on a grand canvas. It's simply about what I observe when I see a Muslim woman at home – her thoughts, her conversations. That's the core of the movie. I connected the story with my own home and the Muslim women I have seen. It's a very local story. It feels relatable because it was filmed in a way that's close to home, with familiar faces and environments.