Irumudi Has Nothing To Do With Sabarimala: Shiva Nirvana

A simple thought from his surroundings eventually evolved into the foundation of Shiva Nirvana’s Irumudi. The filmmaker says the idea began with something deeply familiar to him- the Ayyappa temple near his home and the devotional sounds he grew up hearing.

Shiva Nirvana has a distinctive approach to writing. He says he often starts with one small, beautiful or cute incident from his life and gradually develops it into a screenplay. Irumudi, too, originated from such a personal thought.

“I wanted to write a story for a hero, and I thought about the 41-day Deeksha. The protagonist is vulnerable and far from perfect. He has a drinking habit, but after taking the Ayyappa mala, he has to completely give up alcohol for 41 days. That was the core point. The film, however, has nothing to do with Sabarimala. The Ayyappa Deeksha is simply an important phase in the hero’s life, used to establish his character and generate conflict.”

At its core, however, the film remains a family story. A strong bond between the father, his daughter and his wife forms the emotional foundation of the narrative. The father undertakes the 41-day Deeksha because of his daughter, giving this personal relationship an important role in the protagonist’s journey.