Aparichithe

By Susmita Sameera

Set in a remote forest village, Aparichithe follows the journey of Geetha, a schoolteacher who accepts a posting to a government primary school that no one else is willing to take. Arriving nearly six months after the academic year has already begun, Geetha — who is close to retirement — is determined to ensure that the children of the village do not lose access to education.

The school itself is in a poor condition, and student attendance is equally disappointing. Refusing to give up, Geetha takes it upon herself to visit every household in the village and personally encourage parents to send their children to school. During this process, she notices something unusual: there are only boys in the village, with not a single girl child to be seen.

As she investigates further, Geetha learns that no girl has been born in the village for more than a decade. Her search for answers slowly uncovers a disturbing illegal abortion racket operating in secret. What follows is her fight against a deeply rooted social evil, despite her age and limited support.

The film features a respectable supporting cast. Senior actor Srinath appears as the Deputy Commissioner, while Rohith Srinath plays Rajesh, Geetha’s younger brother. RJ Nikitha appears as Deepa, Rajesh’s girlfriend, and Sindhu Loknath plays a police officer.

While Aparichithe deserves credit for addressing important subjects such as education and female foeticide, the film struggles in its execution. The screenplay feels outdated, and several scenes lack proper logic and emotional depth. Moments that should have carried weight and urgency are treated too lightly, reducing the impact of the story.

The performances, although sincere, often feel staged rather than natural. The film’s treatment of such a serious issue needed stronger writing, tighter direction, and more convincing emotional tension. Despite its intentions and social theme, Aparichithe falls short of delivering a truly powerful cinematic experience.