IDSFFK 2026: Malavika VN’s ‘Viraamam’ deals with the world of film projectors

Footage from the documentary Viraamam | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“Film projectors are like candles. People enjoy watching the movies we show while we slowly hide.” This quote by Vincent Joseph, a film projectionist at Radha Theatre, Kozhikode, is all one needs to understand Viraamam (At the End), a documentary by editor Malavika VN.

Screened in the competition (short documentary) section of the ongoing 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK) in Thiruvananthapuram, Viraamam traces the lives of filmmakers in the state — those who have adapted to changing times and others who have decided to leave the industry due to various circumstances. While some remember enjoying world classics from their rooms, one of them feels emotional holding the carbon rods of the 35mm projector he was working on.

The sixteen-minute documentary was actually Malavika’s final year project as a visual communication student at St Joseph’s College, Bengaluru 10 years ago. “We students had to master every department – production, direction, editing, etc. I was not satisfied with the final product and wanted to present it as a proper work. When I started working as an editor, I finally got into the right mental space and was able to give meaning to the footage and create a story out of it,” says Malavika.

Malavika VN | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Some time ago, she returned to the project with her husband, filmmaker Goutham Soorya. “We worked on the visuals from scratch, reworked them and created a brand new work,” says Malavika, editor of films like Madhura Manohara Moham and Vishesham, web series Porul and Priyapettavan Piyush, besides documentaries and music videos. She adds: “A lot has changed since I created this project. Even I have a different perspective on the whole process.”

Malavika recalls that she was introduced to film projectors only after one of her teachers, Johnson Rajkumar, introduced her to the world of film conservation and restoration. “I wanted to explore how technological advances affected their lives, so I did the project.”

Looking back at her meetings with the projectors in 2016-17, she recalls how happy they all were to welcome her into their workspace. “It was the first time anyone came forward to learn more about what he was doing and they were amazed. What struck me the most was the love and passion everyone had for this work. Those emotions stayed with me and I wanted the audience to feel the same through the documentary. I wanted to bring home an element of nostalgia and a sense of loss, while at the same time inspiring the audience to do Malakavi National Film what they do to make love. Archives India and later two worked with the Film Heritage Foundation for years.

Published – 26 Sep 2026 17:15 IST