Thala () is a 2021 Indian independent children’s film written and directed by Khais Millen. It was produced by Better Earth Entertainment in association with Mania Movie Magix International. The film stars Surabhi Lakshmi in the lead role.
Thala premiered at DIFF-Newyork and was shown at the NIFF-New Delhi, SIFF Sweden, and Pan African Film Festival Nigeria. At the 52nd Kerala State Film Awards, the film won Best Child Artist (female).
Premise
An abandoned human head (in Malayalam 'Thala' means 'head') is found by some slum kids.
Cast
The film is mostly a child actors production. Most of the cast is therefore composed of newcomers. The producers claim it introduced 333 new faces to the cinema industry, all of them originating from local slums.
Accolades
Music
Songs
The songs were composed by Ankit Menon, produced and arranged by Ankit Menon.
Original version
Thala
Impact
In an interview with the New Indian Express, inhabitants of the Rajaji Nagar colony explained, that the film had brought them two reasons to rejoice: "The first is, of course, the award which they believe would advance the teenager’s career. The second is the hope that the honour would help them collectively move further away from the infamous past of the colony, earlier known as Chenkalchoola."