Is too much news good for you?

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Have you ever felt bored or even tired of the 24x7 news channels that bring you live images of tragic accidents, murders and bloodsheds? If it’s an aye, then this short film would interest you. ‘Thoottal - A socio-political dysentery’ highlights the common man who suffers from an overexposure to the media, said Pramod S L, who scripted and directed the short.  ‘’The media, especially the news channels, is creating fear among the public. They spread negative vibes through hours-long broadcast of tragedies, scuffles, deaths and what not? People are losing confidence in the world they live in,’’ said Pramod. The short is about a young man who is fated to run to the toilet whenever he comes across a gory news. Shot on a Canon 550 D camera, the movie has already won accolades in its YouTube release.  Aromal T, who plays the lead, said that their aim was to ring an alarm. ‘’The media, in the run for sensational and exclusive items, is forgetting its bigger responsibility,’’ he said.  ‘’The people are often left with no other choice. In fact, the media has cultivated a habit or developed a mass culture in which negative news has more takers,’’ said Pramod. And why this rather weird title? ‘’I felt no other word would suit more. For many, the news forced upon them by the media is just indigestible,’’ he said. Sarath Venugopal, who handled the camera, has done a brilliant job. Anand Ramdas, visual editor, and Anup P, sound editor, together build up the mood of tension all through the film.  Pramod, Aromal, associate director Aravindan, assistant directors Rahul Raj, Sheethal Jayaraj and Ramyasree are alumni of the Institute of English. The first screening of the film will be held at the Institute soon.