Cho / Chokkammal : my latest documentary!

Cho / Chokkammal

Dir : Amudhan RP; 75 min; Tamil with English subtitles; Documentary; India; 2026

Women workers are encouraged in this post-liberalised world by governments and corporate companies across the Global South. Women are trained and expected to be responsible, accommodating, hardworking, and self-sacrificing by their families, society, the media, the educational system, and traditional cultural values. 

This dynamic suits both employers and family members, who effectively compete with one another in exploiting these women as mothers, spouses, and siblings. In this unjust system, women work endlessly to support their loved ones. 

Cho / Chokkammal is one such woman: she not only toils to run her family, but also sweeps the streets, managing garbage and waste. This film documents the double shift endured by the female protagonist—one of millions of Indian women who are lionised as Sakthi (power), yet ultimately expected to remain submissive.

சொ / சொக்கம்மாள் 

இயக்கம் : அமுதன் ஆர்.பி.; 75 நிமிடங்கள்; தமிழ்; ஆவணப்படம்; இந்தியா; 2026

தாராளமயமாதலுக்குப் பிந்தைய உலகில், பெண் தொழிலாளர்கள் மூன்றாம் உலக நாடுகளில் அரசாங்கங்களாலும், தனியார் கம்பெனிகளாலும் ஊக்குவிக்கப்படுகின்றனர். 

பெண்கள் தங்கள் குடும்பங்களாலும், சமூகத்தாலும், ஊடகங்களினாலும், கல்வி முறையினாலும், பாரம்பரியப் பண்பாட்டு மதிப்பீடுகளினாலும் விட்டுக்கொடுக்கவும், கடுமையாக உழைக்கவும், தியாகம் செய்யவும் பயிற்றுவிக்கப்படுகின்றனர். 

இந்த அமைப்பு முறை, முதலாளிகளுக்கும், குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்களுக்கும், வசதியாகப் போய்விட்டது. இருவரும் தொழிலாளியாக, தாயாக, மனைவியாக, சகோதரியாக, மகளாக பெண்களைச் சுரண்டுவதில் போட்டி போடுகின்றனர்.

இந்த அநீதியான சூழலில் பெண்கள் தமது பிரியமானவர்களை ஆதரிக்க முடிவின்றி உழைக்கின்றனர்.

சொ என்ற சொக்கம்மாள் இத்தகைய ஒரு பெண் ஆவார். அவர் தமது குடும்பத்திற்காக கடுமையாக உழைப்பதோடு, தமது நகரத்தின் தெருக்களைச் சுத்தமாக வைத்துக்கொள்கிறார். குப்பைகளை, கழிவுகளை அகற்றுகிறார்.

இந்தியாவில் சக்தி என்று கொண்டாடப்பட்டு, ஆனாலும் கீழ்படிந்து நடக்க எதிர்பார்க்கப்படும் கோடிக்கணக்கான பெண்களில் ஒருவரான சொ - வின் இந்த இரட்டை வேலைப்பாடை இந்தப்படம் பதிவு செய்கிறது. 

KINDLY CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY AND SUPPORT OUR NON PROFIT MEDIA ACTIVISM.

OUR G PAY : 9940642044

Phone / WhatsApp  : 9940642044 / 9444025348

Click here to watch the film 

Why no space for Docs @ Chennai Literary Festival?

Why no space for Docs @ Chennai Literary Festival? - Amudhan R.P.

"Any country without a documentary culture is like a family without a family album " 

- Patricio Guzman, a veteran filmmaker from Chile

A documentary can be thought of as equivalent to a PhD or a research project as so much research, thought, time and effort is invested in its making.

It is definitely an art form. It gives a unique intellectual experience to the audience, equal - if not more - to that of reading a book. You feel the place, people and action closely, directly, and in detail, better than in fiction films as the latter have the duty to have drama. ( That's why a fiction film with less drama is equated to a documentary).

Interaction with a documentary filmmaker would be an enriching experience for any audience as she / he / they can show their expertise, share their mind, reflect on the themes of the film, offer stories on the making, and discuss craft. Documentary filmmaking is not just a recording of events, rather it is an audio visual commentary on contemporary history.

Probably that's why it dangerous to make and screen a documentary film in India these days. It is an independent and brave medium and it can touch the nerves of the ruling class.

Documentary filmmaking is also a "special child" within filmmaking in India. It is chronically endangered and needs greater attention and recognition.

The form and the reality it represents is difficult to handle for the fascists, such that the Films Division of India which is part of Union Government of India, and one of the biggest producers of documentaries in the world, is being (clandestinely) shut down by the Modi regime.

It is, for all these reasons, sad, therefore, that such an extravagant literary festival in Chennai, organised by the TN government, involving so many people from different walks of the life, has no space for a session on documentary films and filmmakers.

Are the organizers even aware that we have a wide range of film-making practiced here in Tamilnadu?

It is not too late to invite us, show us your sincerity!

Note : I understand that Left artists and intellectuals in Tamilnadu have played a major role in designing the literature mega-event.

"Vultures Don't Fly Anymore" - our 21st film!

VULTURES DON'T FLY ANYMORE: Our 21st film!

Hello all!

As we are starting our new (21st) documentary, on Working Women, I would like to request you to support the film financially towards meeting the production (shooting) expenses. As we have always made our films with the support of our friends and well wishers we take this opportunity to approach you.

The film :

The documentary is about four working women from Thirukazhukundram, a small town near Mamallapuram, Chennai 

The Backdrop :

Thirukazhukundram known for its hill and Shivite temple is a typical Indian town with feudal and caste equations and hierarchies demarcated in terms of land holding, social and political power and economic growth. 

90's saw rapid industrialisation in nearby towns and cities such as Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram and Chennai which encouraged thousands of 'skilled' and 'unskilled' women from in and around Thirukazhukundram to work in manufacturing units and various small and large scale factories facilitating a social mobility for women.

The protagonists :

The film records the stories of 4 working women from 4 different castes involved in 4 different occupations. Dhanalakshmi is a tailor in a readymade garments unit. Sokkammal is a sanitary worker with the local town administration. Valli is a domestic worker. Vennila is an aspiring social worker. Based on their experiences the film looks at the changing equations in gender and caste relationship and the way masculinities are questioned paving way to various negotiations and compromises both within and outside the families. 

The Structure :

The film will have two threads flowing parallel to each other. The first one talks about the town, its cultural history, the changes that have happened recently and the responses they receive locally.  The second thread observes the daily routine of the 4 protagonists and their world view. 

The treatment :

The film would combine observational and cinema verite style of filming, deliberately staying away from certain situations and purposefully intervening on particular moments with an aim to build the argument and to facilitate dialogue with the audience. 

The timeline :

The research work and pre-production for the film are almost over. We are planning to start the shooting with a small crew from 10th January 2022. The tentative plan is to shoot for 20 days to start with. 

The film will be simultaneously edited and the post production should be over by May 2022.

Duration of the film : 75 minutes 

Language : Tamil with English subtitles

The budget :

The expected budget for the production (shooting) is Rs 2 lakhs that include travel, stay, food, remuneration for the associates and equipment rent. 

How can you contribute?

We invite individuals to contribute Rs.5,000/- (Rs. Five thousands only) as a contribution. Friends who want to donate less or more are also welcome. 

Title : VULTURES DON'T FLY ANYMORE

Thirukazhukundram (Thiru - holy /  Kazhu - vulture / kundram - hill in Tamil language) town is also known for the vultures that used to visit its hilltop every noon for centuries. The visit gained a religious connection over the years as the temple priests started to feed these vultures every day. The vultures had stopped visiting the town or had disappeared around the mid 1990's for unknown reasons which is perceived as a bad sign by the believers. 

The title is a reflection on the social changes the town has seen over the years and the responses they receive. 

I request you to support the film. I will solemnly acknowledge you in the credits of the film. 

My bank details : 

Account name : R.Amudhan 

Bank : Indian Overseas Bank

Bank address: 80 feet road, Madurai 625020

Account number : 213301000011705

IFSC : IOBA0002133

Thank you 

Amudhan R.P.

camera, sound, editing and direction 

Produced by MARUPAKKAM