Iyer in Arabia is a film directed by MA Nishad starring Urvashi and Shine Tom Chacko. Now political figures like KT Jalil and VN Vasavan have come out praising the film. It is doubtful whether there is a medium as good as cinema to deal with the misunderstandings and misconceptions of the present. After 2014, it is a reality that the sense of self-respect in India in general is crossing the line. After that, the softness and lack of harshness of Indian visions gradually disappeared.
Stupid superstitions influenced even the educated. A kind of estrangement began to be reflected in neighborly relations. “Matham” shifted from the lead role to the villain role. Even though such notions were not popular in Kerala in general, we have come to know with distress that a fundamental change in social relations has been evident in the lands where caste consciousness has not taken root. Although cow urine and dung candy are not widespread, they are also loved by the Malayalis. From the dairy tradition of rearing cows for milk, things have progressed to the level of caring for idols. All over the country there are organized movements to inculcate the sense that anything un-Indian is not acceptable. The idea that sister civilizations and cultures are inferior is rapidly gaining popularity in society. The suspicion that even going across the sea in search of livelihood is not advisable has plagued many pure souls. At least some people are allergic to the Arabic language and Gulfoonads.
“Iyer in Arabia” is a work of art that presents the Keralan background through a sharp mockery of the growing reactionary trends in the country. The film is a declaration that while those working in the arts rush to swim with the current, there are people who swim against the current. The film “Iyer in Arabia” presents human emotions in a straightforward manner. Flat complexes in towns used to be multifaceted. But that routine has been disrupted. There should be a name to promote diversity. The story revolves around the head of the family who lives in such a living environment and is infatuated with the tail of “Aiyarenna”. Srinivasa Iyer's wife Jhansirani is a history teacher with right convictions.
Their firm belief is that the history that is being corrected is not the real history. When the “prominent” try to inject caste poison even in the veins of the knowledgeable by presenting a distorted history, Iyer's wife, a teacher, demolishes it with facts and is very relevant in the new times. Srinivasa Iyer is a real family man. The wife and son have realized the beauty of the multi-colored society through their life experiences. In “Iyer in Arabia” it is interesting how Jhansi makes fun of and tries to correct her husband's misperceptions through small humorous dialogues without losing her husband's love at all. When his son, an architectural engineer, shows interest in going to Dubai, Srinivasa discourages Iyerath, fearing that the “purity of Indian culture” will be tarnished. His question of why not go to Nepal if you want to leave the country will spread laughter in the audience. While Iyer makes a last ditch effort to defeat his son's desire, the Jhansi teacher defeats it all with maternal love. So Rahul flew to the beautiful Dubai in Manalaran. Dubai is a land where all diversity is inextricably integrated into one small pot.
There is no better place than Dubai to see the faces of all the people in the world in one hand. Different faiths and cultures are intermingled there. A land where religion does not create barriers for relationships and friendships. Rahul arrives there and enjoys life with his friends including Freddie and Faisal. Srinivasa Iyer understood every movement of his son through his friend. After learning about the romance between Rahul and his classmate and colleague Zubair Haji's daughter Zaira, Iyer took a flight to Dubai with his wife to bring their son back home. Arriving there, Iyer was amazed to see a multi-ethnic society, maintaining the land, language, culture and faith for the first time in his life. During his trip to Dubai, Iyer went to a Pakistani restaurant to eat with his friend. Iyer's attempt to leave the “green” hotel without eating was stopped by his friend saying 'there is no other hotel nearby'. Thus, for the first time, Srinivasa Iyer ate from the canteen of the “Kankanda” enemies of Indian culture. Iyer was really shocked when he met the supplier at the Karachi Durbar. The same “prominent” who taught the glory of Indian culture in the 'Dharmopadesha Class' of the local resident association is standing in front of him in the role of a waiter! When he says without hesitation that he had to leave the country because there was no other way to support his family, the heads of the “sanghis” who work and run business in the Gulf countries are sure to bow. Iyer and his friend seek the help of Zubair Haji to dissuade Saira from falling in love. The pressure was tight on both sides. The Muslim “Conversion Promotion Committee” also came to tell Zubair Haji about the fate of marrying a daughter to a foreigner. They let Faisal out of the flat, who busted their hoax. Iyer's wife, Jhansi, was very impressed with Saira. Under the impression that Freddie and his friends had deceived his son, Srinivasa Iyer went to Freddie's establishment and scolded him. Rahul fights with his father after knowing this. Iyer was really weakened when Rahul revealed the fact that he had abandoned Poonul's dignity to his father. Realizing the gravity of the occasion, Jhansi quickly turned from her mother into a true wife. The teacher slapped the son as if he had said something he shouldn't have said to the father. It is a scene that reflected the entire chemistry of the husband-wife relationship. Amma's slap was not on Rahul's face, but on his heart. Overwhelmed with grief, he took his car and left for the desert. He was stranded in the sand forest without knowing the way. What happened next can only be watched with bated breath. The transcendental friendship of men and the green realities of life freed Iyer from the prison of monolithic culture. “Iyer in Arabia” ends with Srinivasa Iyer becoming a social being who exudes diversity in his walk, sit and dress.
