Draped in a sari, adorned with jewels, and lips painted a bold shade, the protagonist fixes a defiant gaze on the viewer out of the screen. Muhammed Asif Cherachen, at just 24, is no ordinary model. His androgynous visage is but a facet of his identity; an identity that he has fought to master and mold on his own terms.
Vighnesh A Bhaskar, in his nine-minute short film titled “Society Barks,” harnesses the power of cinema to shine a spotlight on a harrowing but often overlooked issue: the abuse of boys. Bhaskar, a student at the Neo Film School in Kochi, embarked on this project as a requirement for his course that necessitated the direction of a character portrait—an endeavor that led him to Asif’s stirring narrative as featured on a well-known Instagram account.
“I was moved by his struggle to overcome the trauma he had suffered as a child. I had no idea where he lived or if he would agree to act in a film. There are people who assume that only girl children are vulnerable in society,” Bhaskar reflects, touching upon the severe lack of awareness and acknowledgment of male victimization.
By a stroke of serendipity, Bhaskar was introduced to Asif through a mutual friend. Asif instantly resonated with Bhaskar’s vision and what he intended to convey through his film. Bhaskar then crafted a visual language for the film employing a highly stylized color palette where Asif, in the first person, shares his tale—the trauma and the road to claiming his voice.
The film, embodied by a powerful poster, extends beyond entertainment or artistic expression. It is a vessel of representation and a catalyst for difficult but necessary conversations. During the filming process, however, the gravity of the subject matter was palpable. Asif relived his anguish and wrath as he recalled the painful incidents of his past.
As an introspective young boy, Asif admits he frequently encountered bullying and, subsequently, the abuse only compounded his torment, forcing him to retreat further into his shell. He underscores his participation in “Society Barks” as a bid to challenge societal norms—to shake the very foundations of how people are judged based on their appearances, their expressions, and attire.
It wasn’t until the age of 18 that Asif found the fortitude to unpack the weight of his trauma with his elder sister. Today, he stands hopeful that this cinematic endeavor will carve out a space for increased awareness, advocating for the protection of all children, irrespective of gender. “Perhaps my story might help someone like me to find the courage to speak up,” Asif states, envisioning a ripple effect of resilience and recognition.
“Society Barks,” now accessible on YouTube, transcends beyond its format as a student film. It beckons audiences to confront uncomfortable truths and to reconsider preconceived notions about vulnerability and victimhood. With Asif’s story as the anchor, the film is a testament to both the individual’s plight and the power of sharing one’s journey—an impetus for change in how society perceives, responds to, and ultimately prevents child abuse.
As the end credits roll, the message looms clear and urgent—a child’s cry for help knows no gender, and silence can no longer be the default. It is a clarion call for awareness, understanding, and adjustments in cultural attitudes that could, one story at a time, lead to a more compassionate and empathetic world. “Society Barks” may just be a nine-minute film, but its echoes are bound to resonate far and wide, reminding us of the innumerable voices yearning to be heard and validated.
