Thayavva Movie Review: Bold Questions, Safe Answers

By Susmita SameeraThe film opens in a classroom where students share typical aspirations—engineer, doctor—but Pallavi’s unexpected response, “I wish to be a boy,” immediately sets the tone. From the very first scene, the film directly addresses gender discrimination, highlighting how casual, everyday remarks like “This isn’t your house, you’ll marry and leave,” “A girl should learn to cook from a young age,” or “Your father spends too much on your education” can make a girl feel like a burden rather than a valued individual. These microaggressions, common even in urban, educated households, create lasting stress and guilt in young girls. The story follows Pallavi’s journey and then shifts to her friend Spoorthi, whose educated doctor parents send her to a village during the holidays. There, Spoorthi meets Lakshmi, a village girl, her pregnant mother Savithri, and the local midwife Thayavva. Through their lives, the film explores the struggles girls face from birth to old age—female infanticide, child marriage, denial of education, and being labelled “unlucky” or “iron-legged” for misfortunes beyond their control. While the film’s intention is commendable, the execution at times feels predictable and drawn out. In both Pallavi and Lakshmi’s stories, grandmothers are portrayed as the primary oppressors, which limits the narrative by overlooking broader societal structures and systemic neglect. The film also misses an opportunity to show consequences or accountability for those who harm or discriminate against girl children—diluting its potential impact. Even in an urban household like Spoorthi’s, where her doctor parents appear to provide an unbiased upbringing, gender inequality subtly persists. Her mother, also a practising doctor, is shown coming home after a long day, only to cook and manage the house, while her father remains uninvolved. Including at least one example with shared responsibilities and mutual respect, even at the household level—not just professional equality—would have added a necessary layer of hope and balance. Technically, the cinematography is thoughtful and complements the subject well. Thayavva’s folk songs lend authenticity, anchoring the story in its cultural context. Notable moments include a scene where a TV show celebrates women achievers in the background while a young girl is forced to do chores during her study time. Thayavva’s metaphor about voiceless animals—used only for labour—delivers a powerful message about the importance of speaking up. Despite its flaws, the film courageously addresses crucial issues of gender bias, particularly within familial and cultural contexts. With tighter storytelling and more nuanced representation, its impact could have been even stronger.