Breaking barriers: All-woman crew makes history with ‘Mumtha’

Kochi: On International Women's Day, in a remote village of Kasaragod, a group of women filmmakers is set to wrap up filming of their movie Mumtha. Produced under Kerala State Film Development Corporation's (KSFDC) Women's Cinema initiative, the project marks a historic first — a feature film directed, written and shot entirely by women.
At the helm of Mumtha is Farzana Bini Asafar, a homemaker from Kasaragod, who until recently never imagined calling the shots behind the camera. Her screenplay was one of just four selected from nearly 85 submissions after an eight-month-long script development workshop led by industry veterans. Farzana's husband Dr Bini Asafar played an key role in helping shape the screenplay.
"This is the 19th day of our shoot and we're thrilled to be completing the film on Women's Day," said Farzana, adding, "Women from Kasaragod don't often get opportunities like this. Without KSFDC's support, I might never have left my home to pursue filmmaking."
Mumtha is set in the arid landscapes of Puthrakala in Kasaragod and explores the entrapment of a mother and daughter within rigid social and traditional structures. Their struggles mirror those of rural Kasaragod's impoverished communities, their aspirations stifled by the same harsh environment that surrounds them.
Ratheena TP, the film's line producer, has been in the Malayalam film industry for nearly 14 years. She previously directed Puzhu, a critically acclaimed drama starring Mammootty. "This initiative is transformative," she said, adding, "There were times when I was the sole female crew member on a film set. But here, we are making history and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of it."
Beyond its all-woman production, Mumtha is also a linguistic and cultural mosaic. The film is a testament to the region's rich diversity, incorporating seven different languages spoken in Badiyadka. It also showcases Yakshagana, a classical folk dance-drama; Duff Muttu, a traditional Muslim art form; and Kozhi Poru, the controversial yet deeply rooted practice of cockfighting.
The film meticulously captures local life — from culinary traditions to Suranga wells, a unique water conservation system used in the region.