Documentary on GROW Vasu's life of revolt and resilience draws attention on YouTube

"I was truly shocked to realise that even the Naxalite movement had infiltrators, deceivers, and casteist attitudes, and even police agents," says GROW Vasu, his deeply lined face a map of decades of struggle and resistance, on YouTube.

- LAKSHMI ATHIRA @Kozhikode

The 94-year-old veteran activist's remarkable life is now at the centre of a documentary that is steadily drawing public attention.

Released on May 1, the film chronicles the extraordinary journey of Ayinoor Vasu—known widely as GROW Vasu—from a prominent communist leader in Kozhikode to a relentless human rights activist and founder of the GROW (Gwalior Rayons Workers' Organisation) union, a platform advocating for scheduled castes and tribes and minority communities.

"Vasuettan (brother Vasu) is a familiar figure in Kozhikode. Some know him as Naxal Vasu, others as GROW Vasu, and to some, he's the umbrella maker," director Arshaq tells TNIE. "When we thought about making a documentary, he was our natural first choice. Initially, we planned a short video showing him in a heroic light, to quench our fanboy desires. But when we approached him, he insisted it had to be real."