Blessy's Aadujeevitham (English title: The Goat Life) is one of the better Malayalam movies of 2024. Even though its subject and screenplay are heartrending and often troubling to watch, the treatment given to the film is on a scale never before seen in Malayalam Cinema, with AR Rahman scoring the music. Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Najeeb in Aadujeevitham, a Malayali immigrant, who goes to Saudi Arabia with his cousin (KR Gokul) for a job but is tricked and trapped into unpaid and arduous slave labour in a desert camp. The movie follows his terrible living conditions at the camp and then his gruelling escape to civilisation and back home. Aadujeevitham even won the actor, who underwent a shocking physical transformation to look the part, the Kerala State Award for Best Actor as well as Best Director for Blessy and seven other wins. 54th Kerala State Film Awards: Aadujeevitham Shines With Multiple Wins, Including Best Director for Blessy and Actor for Prithviraj Sukumaran.

Aadujeevitham aka The Goat Life features actors from Jordan (where the film was shot) and one such actor has now disowned the movie. Akef Najem has a small but important role as an unnamed rich man driving a Rolls Royce who helps Najeeb get to the city after finding him on the road and offers him water. He was the only Saudi Arabian character to be shown in a kind light, and that's exactly what bothered Najem. Even before Najem's statement, Aadujeevitham was criticised for showing Saudi Arabia in a bad light, even though the movie was inspired by real-life events.

Akef Najem's Statement on Instagram on 'Aadujeevitham'

In a statement issued on his Insta profile, Akef Najem claimed that he was only told of his role and not the entire script, which prompted his participation. He wrote (translated into English): "In this brief statement, I would like to clarify to the esteemed public in general and to our people in Saudi Arabia in particular, that my participation in the Indian film #TheGoatLife, which has sparked controversy and differing opinions and interpretations, was motivated by my desire to present our dear sister nation, Saudi Arabia, and its noble people in the best possible light. I did not read the entire film script; I only reviewed my role. I was informed that the film’s protagonist gets lost in the desert for several days, nearly to the point of death, and is then saved by a noble Saudi man, which is my role. This is what prompted me to accept the role, as it reflects the nobility and humanity of the Saudi people." Aadujeevitham aka The Goat Life Movie Review: A Committed Prithviraj Sukumaran Invokes Mix of Nausea and Awe in Blessy's Gruelling Survival Drama.

He claims that he was only aware of what the whole movie was when he watched The Goat Life later. and he would not have been a part of the movie had he known the whole deal for which he apologised.

The post continued, "However, like many others, I was surprised when I saw the film to discover that, in addition to my ideal character, the film portrays some negative Saudi examples. Honestly, under any circumstances, I would not have participated had I known the full details. I apologise to the brotherly Saudi people, with whom we have always shared bonds of brotherhood, kinship, and lineage, both leadership and citizens. You will always remain dear to my heart and the hearts of all Jordanians."

Akef Najem's Apology Statement on Instagram

Earlier, there were rumours that Saudi Arabia had banned Omanian actor Talib Al Balushi, who played the main antagonist in Aadujeevitham, from entering the country. However, the actor has refuted the rumours while speaking to a news channel.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 28, 2024 01:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).