Distinguished Malayalam writer Karur Neelakanda Pillai’s classic short story ‘Pothichoru’ is about a principled teacher who struggles to make ends meet. Award-winning film director Rajiv Nath’s feature film Headmaster is based on that story, set during a period when hunger stalked homes in Kerala and consumerism was still an unknown phenomenon in the State. It was also a time when teachers were underpaid, and only their dedication made them stick to their vocation. The film’s theme assumes significance in today’s world when teaching and the student-teacher relationship have seen several changes over the years.
During a conversation, the director, who who makes his comeback to cinema after overcoming a serious illness, had said that the story had been on his mind for more than 20 years. When he found a producer, Rajiv put everything aside to make the film.
