Rajesh Madhavan’s directorial debut, Pennum Porattum (2026), stands out as one of the finest social satires in Malayalam cinema. The film meaningfully integrates freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness along with Viktor Frankl’s concept of the will to meaning that persists even under conditions of oppression and suffering.
Although Malayalam cinema has produced numerous social satires, this film distinguishes itself through the narrative of a dog observing, interpreting, and reacting to human behaviour. At its core, the film resembles Jallikattu (2019) by Lijo Jose Pellissery, where society collectively chases an animal, gradually revealing that humans are capable of greater cruelty than any animal. However, LJP adopts an intense and chaotic tone while Rajesh Madhavan employs a more light-hearted and satirical existential approach, using humour to expose moral failures.
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The dog in Pennum Porattum functions as a powerful metaphor for individuals trapped within oppressive familial and social structures. Much like the dog that begins questioning its treatment, humans who challenge inequality and attempt to distance themselves from dysfunctional systems are often labelled as “mad” by society. In the film, this is symbolically represented through the attribution of rabies to the dog, an illness that calls for elimination without moral hesitation. This metaphor extends seamlessly to contemporary India, where speaking against dominant political or social narratives is frequently labelled as “anti-national”, thereby justifying silencing and exclusion.
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The film also addresses gender dynamics, highlighting the discrimination and unequal treatment faced by women in a patriarchal society. Interestingly, it also critiques how certain women may reproduce conflict unnecessarily, driven by ego or internalised power struggles. Men are not portrayed as great here; they are the ones who harm others for their narcissistic pleasures.
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Towards the end, the collective departure of animals in search of peace is a symbolic rejection of a human world filled with jealousy, resentment, inequality, and violence. Despite belonging to different species and habitats, the animals choose coexistence, solidarity, and authenticity, values that humans increasingly fail to uphold. This transition from the inauthentic to the authentic self through multiple hardships mirrors existential responsibility, where beings recognise their freedom and choose meaning despite suffering.
Ultimately, Pennum Porattum becomes a cinematic revolution. Through the perspective of an animal, the film reminds us that while suffering may be unavoidable, our attitude toward it remains a choice. In this sense, the film powerfully resonates with Frankl’s idea that meaning is not found by escaping pain, but by responding to it with dignity, awareness, and ethical responsibility.
