Ben 2015

Ben (Gourav Menon) is an outdoor-loving, free-spirited boy who is not particularly interested in academics but finds immense joy in the simple countryside life. Ben’s mother, Asha (Anjali Nair), has high ambitions for her son. She frequently clashes with the joint family setup, feeling that their relaxed lifestyle and doting relatives are spoiling Ben and hindering his academic progress. Driven by the desire to make Ben a top-tier student, she forces his father, Justin (Suraj Venjaramoodu), to relocate the family into a nuclear household.

Shortly after, Ben is enrolled in an expensive, highly demanding IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) school against his wishes. The shift from his joyful, play-oriented village environment to a cutthroat, highly competitive school environment takes a severe toll on him. Ben struggles to fit in, cannot cope with the crushing academic pressure, and begins losing his natural childhood enthusiasm. Obsessed with her social standing and the grades of other children, Asha pushes Ben to his breaking point. Her relentless nagging and unrealistic expectations drive the boy to the brink of a mental breakdown, highlighting the societal pressures and toxic parenting methods that often strip children of a happy childhood.

As Ben’s mental condition worsens, the narrative serves as an eye-opener for the parents. It forces Asha and Justin to realize the negative consequences of their pressure, ultimately delivering a poignant message about prioritizing a child’s happiness and mental well-being over academic perfection. Ben’s world is his family and friends.