Eko: Why Sandeep Pradeep’s Malayalam thriller is also a feminist film, Bahul Ramesh explains

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, writer Bahul Ramesh explains the feminist angle in the Malayalam thriller film and the poetic justice served in the climax. Eko is streaming on Netflix.

Biana Momin, Sandeep Pradeep star in Eko, penned by Bahul Ramesh

The lack of strong female characters in Malayalam cinema was much discussed in 2024 after hit movies, including Manjummel Boys and Aavesham failed to feature any prominent women. But even amid the clamour, actress Parvathy Thiruvothu maintained that strong woman characters should be organically part of the movie and not be added forcefully. The 2025 Malayalam thriller film Eko, starring Sandeep Pradeep, has achieved this to some extent as we get the female character Mlatthi Chettathi, who quietly asserts her power and seeks vengeance on her husband Kuriachan for the grave injustice he committed against her. In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Eko writer Bahul Ramesh explains the feminist angle in the thriller film and the poetic justice served in the climax.

What is the feminist angle in Eko?

Sandeep Pradeep’s film starts off as a moody thriller as cops and criminals search for the mysterious dog breeder Kuriachan (Saurabh Sachdeva), who is believed to be hiding in the hills. But it is revealed later that Kuriachan is, in fact, trapped by Mlatthi Chettathi (Biana Momin), using his own dogs. The film is not the usual female-centric tales that we are offered, but grows to become a quiet reclamation of space by a hurt yet strong-willed woman.

Explaining the underlying theme of Eko, Bahul Ramesh says that the master-slavery subject is explored in the film. “Since the core characters are male and female, organically it got a feminist angle. We developed the narrative through the perspective of Mlaathi Chettathi, and by showing her character development through various stages, her actions get substantiated in the end. There is a solid reason for her actions, and yes, there is poetic justice,” explained Bahul, who is also the DOP of the film, directed by Dinjith Ayyathan.

Eko completes Bahul Ramesh's Animal trilogy after Kishkindha Kaandam and the investigative series Kerala Crime Files Season 2.

Also read: Eko is yet another validation that filmmakers do not have to be insecure: Bahul Ramesh | Exclusive

How Mlatthi Chettathi took revenge on Kuriachan

The Malaysian woman, Mlatthi Chettathi, married the Malayali dog breeder Kuriachan after he rescued her from a fiery set of dogs and her first husband’s ‘death’. But when she realises that this was a ploy by Kuriachan to win over her, Mlatthi Chettathi is shattered because she left her entire life in Malaysia for him.

Initially, we see Mlaathi Chettathi as a frail woman, needing the assistance of the youth Peeyoos (Sandeep Pradeep) as she lives on a windy hilltop. As the plot unfolds we realise that she is no meek woman, but a highly shrewd and astute woman who has learned the tricks of the trade from her husband, winning the loyalty of his dogs and turning the canines against their master. In a chilling climax, it is revealed that Kuriachan has been trapped in his hideout, as the ferocious dogs prevent him from stepping out, on the instructions of Chettathi.

Even when Peeyoos, a Kuriachan loyalist, seeks to eliminate the elderly woman, he is spooked by the presence of the dogs who ominously turn up behind him. The story comes full circle as Mlaathi Chettathi is the master now, and Kuriachan is left in her mercy, and that too because of his own dogs. The film's theme, protection and restriction - they both look the same, attains a deeper meaning by the end of Eko.

The Malayalam movie Eko is currently streaming on Netflix.

Also read: Enjoyed Eko? Explore other animal-related Malayalam movies and where to watch on OTT

Eko movie FAQs

Q. What is this Eko?

A. Eko is a 2025 Malayalam film directed by Dinjith Ayyathan and written by Bahul Ramesh. Actor Sandeep Pradeep plays the lead role in the mystery thriller.

Q. What is the meaning of Eko?

A. The Malayalam movie Eko means Echo. The makers gave the phonetic spelling for the title to give it a different touch.

Q. Who is the actress in Eko Malayalam movie?

A. The actress in the Malayalam movie Eko is Biana Momin, who plays the elderly Mlaathi Chettathi. The younger version of her character, Soyi, is played by Malaysian actress Sim Zhi Fei.

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