Narivetta on OTT: What is the true story that inspired Tovino Thomas’ Malayalam film

Narivetta: Tovino Thomas’ Malayalam film is inspired from a real-life incident in Kerala, known as the Muthanga stir. Here’s a look at the true story of Muthanga in 2003 that led to two fatalities.

Narivetta on OTT

Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas’ latest film Narivetta recently made its OTT premiere on SonyLiv and OTTplay Premium. The gritty film, helmed by director Anuraj Manohar, revolves around an agitation by tribals, seeking land allocation, and the subsequent police action. But did you know Tovino Thomas’ film is inspired from a real-life incident in Kerala, known as the Muthanga stir. Here’s a look at the true story of Muthanga in 2003 that led to two fatalities.

True story of Muthanga that inspired Tovino Thomas’ Narivetta

The 2025 Malayalam film Narivetta, starring Tovino Thomas and actor Suraj Venjaramoodu as cops, takes us to a northern district in Kerala, which is witnessing tribal protests. This mirrors the actual events that unfolded in the Muthanga forest region in Wayanad district of the state in 2003.

The tribals were protesting against the delay in land allocation, which was promised to them by the state government in 2001. Even this promise was made after social activists CK Janu and Geethanandan led a protest for nearly 50 days, following several deaths that were reported in tribal colonies caused by starvation. But again, no concrete action was taken to rehabilitate the tribals.

Also read: Narivetta movie review: Tovino Thomas, Anuraj Manohar lead a haunting call to remember the marginalised

As their demands for land and other rehabilitation steps were not met even after 1.5 years, the tribal association of Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha went on a protest path. The tribal people occupied a part of the forest region, setting up huts and declaring it as their area in February 2003.

The police were deployed in the area, and after wildfire was reported. On February 19, the police led the charge into the area, occupied by the tribals, who also put up a resistance by hurling stones, wielding sticks and other rudimentary weapons. A police constable, KV VInod, and a forest personnel Sasidharan were taken hostage by the tribals. Vinod was killed, while Sasidharan survived with serious injuries. A tribal, named Jogi, was also shot dead by the cops. The tear gas was fired, and their huts were set ablaze.

How Narivetta differs from Muthanga

In Narivetta, the film does show a tribal protest and the police action but it is not a factual account of the true story. In the film, cop Basheer (Suraj Venjaramoodu) goes missing while on a search in the forest and is later found dead. Tovino’s character Varghese finds out that Basheer was killed by one of the security forces. They orchestrated the crime to put the blame on the tribals and that becomes the trigger for the police action. In the end, Varghese becomes a whistleblower and exposes what actually happened during the protests. He proves that as many as five tribal people were killed. As per records, the Muthanga protest led to two deaths.

Despite the differences and cinematic liberties, Narivetta remains a realistic film that brings back the focus on the fight for justice by those marginalised in society.

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