Indian film ‘The Goat Life’ makes stirring debut in Oman
The highly anticipated Indian film Aadujeevitham - The Goat Life was screened in Muscat on Thursday, attracting a large audience.
Featuring the talented Omani actor Talib al Balushi sharing the screen with Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran, it also has Jihad al Raisi lending his voice to an Arabic track, titled Antal Hadi, composed by Bollywood legend A R Rahman.
Aadujeevitham is adapted from a critically acclaimed novel by Benyamin, which is based on the true story of Najeeb Muhammad, an Indian migrant in Saudi Arabia whose dream of a better life is shattered when he is forced into a near-slave existence, herding goats in the desert.
The film delves into themes of human endurance, resilience and survival, portraying the harrowing journey of Muhammad's captivity and eventual escape from his oppressive kafeel (sponsor) in the Saudi desert.
Shows at VOX and Star Cinemas were houseful throughout the weekend, earning rave reviews for the film’s powerful narrative and performances.
Balushi, cast in the role of the kafeel, shared his experiences of the challenging conditions during filming in the desert in Jordan in 2019, highlighting the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather. "Working on this film was thrilling and challenging. It has been an honour to collaborate with renowned figures of the Indian film industry."
Filmgoer Lovel Balakrishnan praised the film for its unique storyline and emotional depth. "From start to finish, The Goat Life captivated me with its intense narrative of survival. It stands apart not only as a film but as a profound human-interest story. The participation of talented Omani artists in such a significant project is a proud moment. The cinematography and storytelling are particularly commendable," he said.