Aadujeevitham intimate scene, involving Najeeb and a goat, was cut to appease censors

If you were aware of the novel Aadujeevitham, also known as The Goat Life , before the film's release this week, chances are you were also aware of a highly controversial scene in the novel. The scene in question explores the loneliness of the protagonist Najeeb Mohammed in the most unexpected manner as he gets intimate with a goat in a moment of sheer desperation.

Those who had read the novel and studied writer Benyamin's celebrated work as part of their graduation course in college were curious to see how director Blessy and lead actor Prithviraj Sukumaran might have navigated this highly delicate part of the narration.

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Controversial 'goat scene' in Aadujeevitham

Blessy had apparently shot the controversial scene with Prithviraj, only it didn't make the final cut. In a recent interview, Benyamin revealed that the scene was nipped to appease the censor board's sensibilities.

"We had written that in the script and even shot it. That scene was the soul of that movie. But, the censor board doesn't know that, right?," noted Benyamin.

Also, omitting the scene in question completely would have made more sense for the producers from a business point of view. They might have also considered the risk of that one scene overshadowing the entire movie and distracting audiences from the masterful work of the technical crew and star cast.

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It's noteworthy that the discussion around Aadujeevitham was built around the debate over this controversial part of the novel. For years, people argued about the merits and demerits of the scene from multiple points of view, including animal abuse and unnatural acts. There were also some profound discussions on the symbolism of that scene and the themes like isolation, desperation, and the loss of humanity in harsh conditions that it represented.

Literature often employs controversial elements to push boundaries and compel readers to confront uncomfortable truths, a practice that is not uncommon. However, in a mass medium like cinema, such efforts may not always have the intended effect on viewers, and the liabilities involved may outweigh the benefits.

Aadujeevitham opened in cinemas on Thursday and has garnered a lot of critical acclaim.

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