Is the Malayalam Movie Athiran a Copy of Shutter Island?

Over the past few months, questions have been raised regarding the similarity between the Malayalam movie Athiran and the Hollywood film Shutter Island. This article aims to explore the extent of these similarities and whether the claims of copying are valid.

Similarities in Narratives

While Athiran and Shutter Island share some common thematic elements, such as the presence of a mental institution and protagonists uncovering dark secrets, it is important to note that these are not unique to either film. The narratives of both movies involve a protagonist delving into the mysteries and uncovering hidden truths at a mental institution, making it easy to see why viewers might draw comparisons. However, these similarities alone do not necessarily indicate a direct copy.

Arbitrary Comparisons and Criticisms

A recent review alleged that there had been a significant number of scenes and characters taken directly from Shutter Island. For instance, the scene between Fahad and Surabhi's characters was cited as a verbatim copy, and the costumes and climax twist were believed to have been heavily influenced by the 2010 film. In total, it was claimed that approximately 60% of the movie's content was a direct copy of Shutter Island.

Another source suggested that Athiran was loosely based on Shutter Island but was actually inspired by a film called Stoneheart Asylum. This dispute highlights the complexity of attributing originality in film and the difficulty of proving direct copying. Moreover, claims of plagiarism without concrete evidence can often be criticized and used as a tactical move to generate controversy rather than to engage in meaningful discourse.

Debunking Misconceptions

Several statements made by the filmmakers and critics clarify that Athiran is not a direct copy of Shutter Island. They claim that the film is based on Stoneheart Asylum with some scenes reminiscent of Shutter Island. This indicates that while there are similarities, they are more aligned with Stonehearst Asylum. The core storyline of Athiran is drawn from Stonehearst Asylum, while scenes like the protagonist arriving to investigate the mental hospital and the presence of an off-the-record patient evoke memories of Shutter Island.

The directorial approach seems to have incorporated elements from both films, blending them to create a unique narrative. As such, the similarities between Athiran and Shutter Island are best understood as convergent themes rather than outright copying. This is not an unusual phenomenon in the film industry, where creative inspiration can lead to similar storytelling techniques or themes.

Conclusion

While Athiran and Shutter Island share some thematic and narrative elements, the claims of direct copying appear to be exaggerated. The movie is heavily inspired by both Stonehearst Asylum and Shutter Island, but it cannot be classified as a copy of Shutter Island alone. Critics and viewers alike should be careful to differentiate between similarities that are common in certain genres and actual copying. The film stands as an original and engaging product in the Malayalam cinema landscape, embodying its own unique narrative and aesthetic.