What is varthamanam?

Varthamanam (Malayalam: വർത്തമാനം, meaning "news" or "current affairs") is a 2021 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Sidhartha Siva and produced by Benazir V.P and Aryadan Shoukath.

The film tells the story of a research student, Fathima, from Kerala who is pursuing her PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. It explores themes of student politics, social justice, and the challenges faced by minority communities in contemporary India. The film faced controversy and initial denial of certification by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) due to alleged anti-national sentiments, before being cleared for release after a revision committee review.

Key subjects covered in the film include: