How a Malayalam Film Is Changing Kerala's Classrooms

It’s not every day that a movie’s climax jumps right off the screen and into our daily lives, but that's exactly what happened in Kerala. A heartwarming Malayalam film, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, has sparked a quiet but powerful revolution in classrooms across the state. The film, which tells the story of an upper primary school, is now inspiring educators to rethink the very way our kids learn, starting with where they sit.

Key Highlights

• ✓ A Malayalam film, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, inspired a real-world revolution in classroom seating arrangements.
• ✓ At least eight schools in Kerala and even one in Punjab have adopted the new semi-circle seating model.
• ✓ The primary goal is to eliminate the concept of "backbenchers" and ensure every student gets equal attention.
• ✓ The first school to implement the change was RVV HSS, Valakom, managed by Kerala Minister K B Ganesh Kumar.
• ✓ The concept isn't entirely new; it was first suggested in the 1994 District Primary Education Programme (DPEP).

A Spark from the Silver Screen

The film's director, Vinesh Viswanath, probably didn't set out to start a statewide movement with his debut feature. The movie itself, starring Aju Varghese and Johny Antony, faced a tough journey. It was released after a year-long delay, had a short run in theaters despite good reviews, and only arrived on the OTT platform Saina Play after a seven-month gap.

At the heart of the film is the titular character, Sreekuttan, an unassuming backbencher who, after facing insults, challenges a frontbencher in the school elections. During a science fair, he proposes a radical idea: a semi-circular seating arrangement to bridge the divide between students. In the movie's finale, the school adopts his idea, and it's this very scene that captured the imagination of educators.

Vinesh, who based many characters on people he knew and even incidents from his own school days, mentioned that he used to sit in a similar arrangement in his primary classes at Government LPS, Pedikulam. Yet, the film's success in translating this idea into reality was completely unexpected. It’s a testament to how a simple story can have a massive social impact.

💡 What's Interesting: As director Vinesh Viswanath himself said, "But when we placed that as the climax, we never expected it to reach so many schools." It just goes to show you that a powerful idea can take on a life of its own.

From Reel to Real: The First Ripple

The first domino to fall was at Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVV HSS) in Valakom, Kollam. This happened thanks to a pre-release screening for K B Ganesh Kumar, Kerala's Minister of Transport, who is also part of the school's management. He was so impressed with the concept that he discussed implementing it with the teachers.

Sunil P Sekhar, the headmaster of the school, explained that they agreed to try it in one class initially. "The results we got were very positive and we introduced them to all lower primary classes," he said. The school couldn't publicize the change right away, though, because it would have spoiled the movie's climax! They only made the reveal after the film started streaming online.

According to Sunil, this U-shaped or V-shaped setup, with single-row seats along the walls, ensures every student is essentially in the front row. This enables teachers to give equal attention to everyone and monitor the students more effectively. It also helps young students get rid of the "taboo of sitting on the backbenches" from the very beginning of their educational journey.

A Movement Begins to Grow

What started at RVV HSS didn't stop there. The idea spread like wildfire, with at least eight other schools in Kerala adopting the model. The movement even crossed state lines, with a school in Punjab implementing the change after the principal saw the movie on OTT. Vinesh Viswanath expressed his happiness, saying, "I am happy that it got national attention."

Other schools that joined the wave include Pappinisseri West LP School and Andoor ALP School in Kannur, RCC LPS East Mangad in Thrissur, GHSS at Tholanur in Palakkad, and NSV VHSS in Valacode, Kollam. In many of these schools, the class strength is under 20, which makes the layout highly feasible. As Bindu MV, head of Pappinisseri West LP School, noted, "Since we have only a few students, we found it feasible."

Voices from the Classroom

The change was often championed by proactive teachers. At Pappinisseri West LP, it was teacher Amal C who suggested it. He happily reported, "The children and teachers have liked it. The classroom looks more spacious now." Similarly, at Andoor ALPS, teacher Athul MT, who started the school's film club, put forward the idea. His headmaster, Sajesh PC, was receptive, saying, "We were open to breaking conventions."

At Andoor ALPS, they've implemented the system in all classes except kindergarten and even screened the film for the students. What's truly fascinating is that this idea isn't entirely pulled from thin air. Aalbert Christin, a teacher at RCC LPS, East Mangad, pointed out that the concept had been discussed in teacher training programs before. "The movie has inspired us to make it permanent," he added.

Not a New Idea, But a Renewed Purpose

Here’s the thing, the concept of flexible, student-centric seating has been around for a while. It was actually suggested back in 1994 as part of the Central Government's District Primary Education Programme (DPEP), which was launched in six states, including Kerala. However, over time, most schools drifted back to the traditional row system.

Professor Amruth G Kumar from the Central University of Kerala’s School of Education sheds some light on this. He explains that classroom seating used to be U-shaped until education became more widespread. As student enrolment swelled in the 19th century, schools shifted to the more space-efficient row system. This movie, it seems, has simply reminded everyone of a good idea that was lost along the way.

The benefits are becoming clear. Teachers have noticed improved focus, better posture, and a greater sense of equality among students. The layout makes learning more engaging and clutter-free, bridging the physical and psychological distance between the teacher and every single student. Of course, not everyone is thrilled. As Aalbert Christin cheekily remarked, "The ones who enjoyed being the backbenchers now cannot escape the eyes of their teachers!"

Conclusion

What an incredible story, right? It’s a powerful reminder that inspiration can come from the most unexpected places. A debut director's heartfelt film, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, managed to do what years of educational policy couldn't: reignite a passion for creating truly inclusive and interactive learning spaces. By simply rearranging furniture, schools are breaking down long-standing barriers and ensuring no child feels left out.

From the vision of Vinesh Viswanath to the decisive action of leaders like K B Ganesh Kumar and dedicated educators on the ground, this is a beautiful example of art influencing life for the better. It's a small change with a huge impact, proving that sometimes the best way to move forward is to come full circle.