In March this year, the Indian Malayalam film The Goat Life was released and performed well at the Indian box office.
The movie has a 7.1 rating on IMDb. Directed by veteran Malayalam filmmaker Blessy, who also produced the film alongside American filmmaker Steven Adams, the story is claimed to be based on true events. It follows a young Muslim man from Kerala, India, who travels to Saudi Arabia in search of a better life.
The production was a collaboration between Indian and American companies, and filming took place not only in Kerala but also in the deserts of Algeria, Jordan, and Oman. The Goat Life is based on the novel Adujeyotham by famous Malayalam writer Benjamin (Benny Daniel). The protagonist, Najeeb, is a typical Muslim youth, and the entire plot revolves around his journey. While the film avoids depicting Indian Muslims as terrorists, it subtly critiques Hindutva ideology and Hindu extremism, which may have contributed to its success in India.
The story focuses on Najeeb, an uneducated young man from rural Kerala, who leaves his newlywed wife and heads to Saudi Arabia with his friend Hakeem in search of a better job. Neither of them speaks Arabic or English, and they rely on a local man who represents their company. But their lives take a dark turn when the man abandons them in a remote desert and forces them to herd goats without pay.
The film explores Najeeb’s struggle as he endures harsh treatment and barely survives on minimal food. Over time, he begins to see himself as part of the goat herd. After three and a half years, he reunites with Hakeem, and they escape with a black Arab servant while their captor is away. They wander the desert, but Hakeem dies from heat and thirst, and the servant disappears.
Najeeb eventually makes it to a highway, where a kind-hearted Arab helps him get to the city. There, he meets a fellow Keralite who takes care of him while he recovers. However, Najeeb is later arrested by the police and detained as an illegal immigrant. After some time, various Saudi sponsors come to the detention center to reclaim their employees, including Najeeb’s sponsor. Though the sponsor recognizes him, Najeeb cannot legally return with him because he is not registered as his employee. Eventually, Najeeb is deported back to India, where he returns to his village.
The film portrays Najeeb’s struggles in the desert, a true story with added dramatic twists. In reality, Najeeb was arrested for killing his sponsor, Khalil, during his escape. While he couldn’t pay the blood money for the crime, Khalil’s sons covered the cost, sparing Najeeb from harsher punishment.
The Goat Life presents only one side of the story, a tactic known as “framing” in media. Indian filmmakers used this framing to portray Muslims and Saudi Arabia negatively. The film industry, often influenced by Hindutva ideology, uses such narratives to target Muslims, especially at a time when Saudi Arabia is preparing for major global events like the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Under the Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party government, the Indian film industry has frequently promoted Hindutva ideology for financial gain. By creating anti-Muslim films, they cater to an audience eager to see Muslims, particularly those from Arab countries, portrayed as historical invaders. This trend fuels tensions between Hindus and Muslims and is now extending its reach to Arab Muslims as well.
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