Tayavva is a pivotal film about female infanticide: Geetha

Kannada film Tayavva, which is produced by Amara Films and releasing in theatres today, focuses on female infanticide. “Devoid of fight or song sequences, it delivers a powerful message: every child, regardless of gender, deserves the right to live,” say the film’s makers. The film’s trailer was launched recently by Kannada superstar Kiccha Sudeep. Interestingly, Sudeep’s very first movie was also titled Tayavva. Bangalore Times speaks to actress Geetha Priya, who will be seen in the lead role, and to Pradeep, of Out Of Syllabus fame, who was also one of the first few people to watch this new film. Read on:


THE FILM DRAWS ATTENTION TO THE WISDOM OF SULAGITTIS: GEETHA PRIYA
Geetha Priya, who plays a sulagitti (midwife) in the film, suggests that these women have a spiritual connection. “Beyond their skill and knowledge of Ayurvedic remedies for delivery, they possess a ‘sixth sense’ about the baby’s gender. Delivering a baby is inherently painful; however, women in the past were consistently active with chores. They did not need modern medicine. This kept their bodies agile, facilitating easier births compared to today, when many women spend much of their time in front of a computer and are not accustomed to physical exertion.”


‘THE FEMALE CHILD SHOULD BE CELEBRATED, NOT SHUNNED’
Geetha recounts the joyous celebration that accompanied her own daughter’s birth. “We saw her as our little angel. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality in many rural parts of our country. For some, a girl child is seen as an expense. However, a child’s gender is determined by chromosomes from both parents; it’s not solely the woman’s fault.” Pradeep adds, “Tayavva effectively tackles the misconceptions that surround a girl child being a curse. It delivers the crucial message that all children are valuable, regardless of their gender. I hope this movie leaves a lasting impact and convinces people that female children deserve a chance to live.”



'WOMEN ARE CAPABLE OF DOING EVERYTHING MEN CAN’
In today’s world, men and women excel equally in all aspects of life; nothing is limited by gender. “The movie delves into the impact of X and Y chromosomes, a concept we learn in high school. While we know the science of it all, truly understanding its implications is the real challenge,” says Pradeep. Geetha adds, “Women are undefeatable. Be it as a scientist or an athlete, women are excelling in every field. Films offer a powerful medium to educate the audience and impart important messages, which is what we aim to achieve with Tayavva.”

Check out our list of the latest Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada movies. Don’t miss our picks for the best Hindi movies, best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films.