Affectations of Imposed Heterosexuality: Kaathal- the Core: A Review

Kaathal- The Core is a Malayalam courtroom drama directed by Jeo Baby, which was released in November 2023. The film discusses how forced heterosexual relationships negatively impact not only homosexual individuals but also their heterosexual spouses, especially in a conservative community. The film revolves around Mathew, a retired bank manager and a leftist candidate in a Gram Panchayat by-election, whose candidacy is jeopardized when his wife Omana files for divorce, citing his homosexuality and failure to fulfill marital duties. As Mathew struggles to conceal his sexuality, he faces both ridicule and support from various factions. The plot gradually reveals how Devassy, his father, forced him to marry a woman despite knowing that his son was gay. The film takes a significant narrative shift when Devassy overcomes his dogmatic beliefs, supports Mathew's coming out, and facilitates Omana's pursuit of legal separation. The film challenges embedded heteronormative social norms while leaning into sentimental storytelling, making it both a bold statement and an emotional drama. It criticizes the stark enforcement of heterosexuality, marital oppression, and societal hypocrisy. The director strategically casts Mammootty and Jyothika, two highly acclaimed South Indian actors with immense stardom and widespread appeal, to broaden the film's reach and impact.