Survival drama The Goat Life, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, crossed the Rs 100 crore mark in worldwide gross collection within nine days of its release. Directed by Blessy and based on the 2008 bestselling novel Aadujeevitham by Benyamin, the film follows the real-life story of Najeeb, a Malayali immigrant labourer forced into slavery as a goatherd in Saudi Arabia. Despite the film’s significant success, controversies are now beginning to surface.
One particularly contentious issue revolves around a scene depicting Najeeb, isolated and disoriented, engaging in intimacy with a goat. This incident is detailed in Benyamin’s novel about Najeeb, and at a public event promoting the movie, Benyamin suggested that the eyebrow-raising scene of bestiality was part of the film.
However, when questioned about the scene, Prithviraj denied its existence, stating, “Never shot it, Sir. It was the director’s call that the character arc of his Najeeb wouldn’t do that.”
Describing his approach to portraying Najeeb, Prithviraj shared, “In 2008, when Blessy first told me about doing this movie, my first thought was, how do I approach this character? Do I come down and talk to you about who you really are, or do I try understanding the character Najeeb that Mr. Benyamin wrote, or the Najeeb that Mr. Blessy has in his mind, do I try to understand him? This was the confusion I had. Finally, Mr. Blessy and I decided that, from the novel Aadujeevitham, and the Najeeb that Mr. Blessy visualised, the Najeeb that I visualise in my mind should be the one I play in the movie, so you’ll see that Najeeb in the movie.”
Sound designer Resul Pookutty, involved in ‘The Goat Life,’ commented, “There is a scene in the book where Najeeb makes love to the goat…. All these crazy people were waiting to see that scene in the film. But director Blessy avoided that rather uncomfortable moment in the film adaptation… So that’s only loose talk that’s going around, a fantasy being spread by kinky basket cases.”
Meanwhile, celebrated ISRO scientist and Padma Bhushan awardee Nambi Narayanan said he hopes the film wins an Oscar, considering it one of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s standout works. Through an Instagram video, Nambi Narayanan said, “It’s an excellent film, they have done their job extremely well. I must mention Prithviraj, he has added life to the movie, especially with his expressions. He has surpassed all his past movies. In all, I hope the film may get an Oscar Award. All the best! (sic)”
News18.com gave the film a 3 star rating and wrote, “Acting, cinematography, story, and screenplay, everything makes it a cinematic experience you should not miss out on.” The film had been in the making for almost 16 years. It was first conceptualised in 2008 by Blessy and Sukumaran had agreed to play the part later that year.
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