Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In a society marked by gendered violence, Arushi (9) and Milena (21) reclaim space through Kalari—the world’s oldest martial art. Our film follows their fight for self-empowerment and the freedom to be the women they chose to be.
New heroines in a country where violence against women is both historical and a daily reality: Arushi and Milena. Followed in direct cinema style, the film shows how one of the oldest martial arts can be a tool for self-empowerment for women in India.
Precocious Hindu primary school pupil ARUSHI (9) is an avid learner of the sacred moves, waiting to be old enough to dance with the swords. Meanwhile, she has to get her anger under control: after using martial arts against her mother, she is banned from participating in the legendary Kalari Festival, she had been eagerly awaiting. With the guidance of her trainers, ANSHIFA and ARIFA (23 and 26) – Muslim sisters and Kalari champions – Arushi learns to master her emotions, and finally earns her place at the festival. Young Christian farmer MILENA (21) loves the fields with its cows almost as much as her Kalari training. She is forced to move to the city to become a nurse. Here, Milena feels lonely and lost, until she understands that she can be of help with her knowledge of Kalari. Nurses are often attacked by angry men, but now Milena is able to bring Kalari to the city by training the nurses for self defense. Despite her unprivileged background Dr. BINNY (34) has risen to be the Head of Department of History at the prestigious Kannur University where she fights for women rights, giving us social and political context in the film. She herself struggles with cyber mobbing. All these women look into a brighter future as they take their space into their own hands.
A First Hand Films Production
A film by Maria Kaur Bedi & Satindar Singh Bedi
2026 © Licensed by First Hand Films
In a society marked by gendered violence, Arushi (9) and Milena (21) reclaim space through Kalari—the world’s oldest martial art. Our film follows their fight for self-empowerment and the freedom to be the women they chose to be.
New heroines in a country where violence against women is both historical and a daily reality: Arushi and Milena. Followed in direct cinema style, the film shows how one of the oldest martial arts can be a tool for self-empowerment for women in India.
Precocious Hindu primary school pupil ARUSHI (9) is an avid learner of the sacred moves, waiting to be old enough to dance with the swords. Meanwhile, she has to get her anger under control: after using martial arts against her mother, she is banned from participating in the legendary Kalari Festival, she had been eagerly awaiting. With the guidance of her trainers, ANSHIFA and ARIFA (23 and 26) – Muslim sisters and Kalari champions – Arushi learns to master her emotions, and finally earns her place at the festival. Young Christian farmer MILENA (21) loves the fields with its cows almost as much as her Kalari training. She is forced to move to the city to become a nurse. Here, Milena feels lonely and lost, until she understands that she can be of help with her knowledge of Kalari. Nurses are often attacked by angry men, but now Milena is able to bring Kalari to the city by training the nurses for self defense. Despite her unprivileged background Dr. BINNY (34) has risen to be the Head of Department of History at the prestigious Kannur University where she fights for women rights, giving us social and political context in the film. She herself struggles with cyber mobbing. All these women look into a brighter future as they take their space into their own hands.
A First Hand Films Production
A film by Maria Kaur Bedi & Satindar Singh Bedi
2026 © Licensed by First Hand Films
