Malikappuram (2022) [Hindi-Malayalam]

Malikappuram is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language action-adventure drama film[1] directed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar and starring Unni Mukundan, Deva Nandha and Sreepath in the lead roles.

Malikappuram was released theatrically on 30 December 2022. The film received positive reviews from audiences. 8 year old Deva Nanda from Panchalimedu village is unhappy that her pilgrimage to Sabarimala is delayed and decides to go with her friend. The story is about the intense desire of Kallu, an 8-year-old girl, to visit Sabarimala Temple. The context of the plot is that the principal deity of the temple, Lord Ayyappa, is celibate, and consequently women in their reproductive ages (nominally 10-50 years of age) are not allowed to visit the temple. The protagonist of the movie, a young girl of eight years, is immensely attached to Lord Ayyappa, but has only a dwindling window of time to make the pilgrimage given her age. Events in her life make it very unlikely that she can do the journey, and the storyline is about how she and her cousin attempt to overcome many risks to make the pilgrimage, receiving unexpected help in their journey.

In the lore of the Sabarimala temple, the pilgrimage typically starts 41 days before the commencement of the actual journey to the remote temple located deep in the forest, when the pilgrim whether males (of all ages) or females (under ten or over fifty) commit themselves to the journey by wearing a sacred garland, wearing black, going barefoot everywhere, eating only vegetarian food, and generally following a life of austerity. Pilgrims address each other as Swamy (for males), or Malikappuram (for females). In essence, a pilgrim who has committed themselves to the journey becomes divinities themselves.

Malikappuram, short for Malikappurathamma (“Goddess of the Manor”) is a general term of address for all women pilgrims to the Sabarimala temple, inspired by the goddess who is one of the deities the Sabarimala temple.