The 2024 release Malayalam film The Goat Life (original name: Aadujeevitham) is a vibrant and heartwarming biographical survival drama directed by Blessy. The film is based on renowned Malayalam writer Benjamin’s 2008 bestseller novel “Aadujeevitham”, which depicts a true incident. The story revolves around a Malayali migrant worker named Najeeb Muhammad who goes to the Gulf in search of a better life but ends up living as a slave goat herder. Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the lead role of Najeeb to great effect in the film.
Najeeb’s tenacity and hope in the face of difficult circumstances, mental struggles and physical suffering form the core soul of the film. The film’s cinematography, A.R. Rahman’s music and Blessy’s direction make it a wonderful cinematic experience. The Goat Life is not just a biography but a soul-stirring tale of human struggle that keeps the audience captivated till the end.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Goat Life |
| Original Title | Aadujeevitham |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Biographical, Survival Drama |
| Director | Blessy |
| Screenplay | Blessy |
| Story by | Benyamin |
| Based on | Aadujeevitham (2008 novel by Benyamin) |
| Producers | Visual Romance, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Steven Adams |
| Production Companies | Visual Romance |
| Distributed by | Prithviraj Productions |
| Release Date | 28 March 2024 |
| Running Time | 173 minutes |
| Country | India, United States |
| Budget | ₹82 crore |
| Box Office Collection | ₹158.50 crore (estimated) |
| Lead Cast | Prithviraj Sukumaran, Jimmy Jean-Louis, K. R. Gokul, Amala Paul |
| Music by | A. R. Rahman |
| Cinematography | Sunil K. S. |
| Editing | A. Sreekar Prasad |
| Filming Locations | Wadi Rum (Jordan), Sahara Desert (Algeria), Kerala (India) |
| Notable Recognition | Included in Deadline’s Global Breakouts of 2024 |
| Box Office Rank | 5th highest-grossing Malayalam film of all time; 2nd in 2024 |
The Goat Life Story
The Goat Life is a Malayalam film based on a true incident, which is a film adaptation of the famous novel Aadujeevitham by author Benjamin. The film is a heart-wrenching story of a Malayali migrant worker named Najeeb Mohammed, who goes to Saudi Arabia in search of a better life, but fate lands him in a situation where he is forced to live as a slave herder.
Najeeb and his friend Hakeem reach a Gulf country with a visa, but at the airport itself an Arab man takes them with him due to misunderstanding. Najeeb is left alone in the desert to take care of goats. There he has no contacts, no knowledge of the language and no way to escape.
For several years he struggles with hunger, thirst, heat and loneliness. During this time he meets Hakim again and then with the help of Ibrahim Khadiri from Somalia, the three plan to escape. They escape by taking advantage of a wedding, but on the way Hakim dies and Khadiri also goes missing.
The only survivor, Najeeb, somehow manages to reach the city with the help of an Arab man, where he finds shelter in a Malayali restaurant. However, he lands in jail for not having valid documents. Eventually, he gets a chance to return home.
The film depicts Najeeb’s physical, mental and spiritual journey. The Goat Life is not just a survival story but an example of human courage and hope.
Movie Review
Aadujeevitham, translated as Goatlife, is not just a film but a living saga of human survival, struggle and hope. The film is based on the true story of an extraordinary man – Najeeb – who struggles with inhuman conditions as a migrant worker in the Gulf countries, but does not give up.
The film is directed by renowned director Blessy, who took 16 years to make the film. He has presented Najeeb’s life journey with such sensitivity and realism that the audience can feel every scene. Every frame, every scene feels like watching a live painting. Blessy’s direction makes the film not just a story but an experience.
Prithviraj Sukumaran has displayed the highest level of acting in the role of Najeeb. His dedication, physical transformation, and every emotion – be it fear, hunger, hope or despair – is presented with such depth that the audience forgets that they are watching an actor; They start feeling Najeeb straight away. Many viewers believe that Prithviraj has transcended the limits of acting and has internalized this character.
AR Rahman’s music blends seamlessly into the film. The music flows with the scenes like the wind blowing in the desert – sometimes calm, sometimes intense, but always resonating. Rasool Pookutty’s sound design makes the audience feel the heat and loneliness of the desert.
Amala Paul’s character is also special in the film. She is the inspiration in Najeeb’s life, and her presence emotionally binds the audience. The love between her and Najeeb, which is never shown but made to be felt, becomes the soul of the film.
This film forces the audience to think about what conditions a person can go through when he leaves home and family to go abroad for his dreams. This is not only the story of Najeeb, but also of millions of Indian workers who are struggling for their identity, dignity and humanity every day in the Gulf countries.
Movie Trailer
Conclusion
Aadujeevitham (Goatlife) is a film that touches the hearts and minds of the audience deeply. It is not just the story of a migrant worker but a triumph of the unwavering strength of the human spirit, resilience and hope. Prithviraj’s acting, Blessy’s direction, Rahman’s music and the dedication of the entire team make it a memorable cinematic experience. The film shakes the audience, makes them think and inspires them to look at life from a new perspective. Goatlife is a masterpiece that every cinema lover must watch.
