Sesham Mike-il Fathima 2023

Fathima Noorjahan [Kalyani Priyadarshan]“Pathu” is an educated, principled young woman from a middle-class, orthodox Muslim family in Malappuram. Her father Muneer [Sudheesh], mother Noorjahan, brother Asif [Aneesh G Menon], and grandmother form a close-knit household that values tradition even as they watch Fathima chase a personal dream. Since childhood, she has loved commenting on cartoons and live football, imagining a future where her voice could shape the game more than the dinner table talk. When an opportunity arrives through Asif, Fathima seizes a chance to try live commentary during a local football tournament, and her natural flair instantly captivates the audience, earning genuine appreciation.

Her family’s relief is short-lived as a marriage proposal is arranged for her, only to be cancelled because of her outspoken, talkative nature. A letter arrives offering an internship at a biotechnology lab, and Fathima leaves for Kochi, stepping into a new world where her ambitions begin to take shape. In the city, she crosses paths with Ramya Aavani [Femina George], a journalist who was her senior in college. Fathima confides her dream of becoming a football commentator, and Ramya becomes a steady ally, helping her navigate the sports world. Through Ramya, Fathima meets Jayesh Nair [Sabumon Abdusamad], the president of the Kerala Football Federation, to explore chances of commentary in the Indian Football League (IFL). The duo also learns about Shiva Narayanan [Gautham Vasudev Menon], the deputy broadcast director of the IFL, a key figure in the decision-making process.

Their circle widens when they encounter Sports Minister Beena Johny [Sminu Sijo], though the political route to support remains elusive. Ramya then helps Fathima land a job as an administrative assistant in Catherine’s sports academy [Maala Parvathi], where she is fast-tracked for a chance to join the commentary team. Solomon Margarete [Shaheen Siddique], a once-banished footballer and co-founder of the academy, recommends Fathima for the Kerala School League, signaling a significant vote of confidence in her abilities. At the tournament, Jayesh Nair undermines Fathima by declaring that football commentary is a male-dominated field, and a female voice would not be suitable for the league, creating a tense obstacle for her early in the journey.

Vijay John [Vijay Menon], a prominent member of the IFL, approaches Solomon and Fathima with a promise to push the matter with Shiva, who is en route to an organizing committee meeting. Fathima’s ambition collides with gatekeeping when Jayesh’s security team blocks her from meeting Shiva, but Solomon steps in to defend her. Catherine later reveals that Solomon had been banned by the anti-doping agency, and there are allegations linking Jayesh to the cheating scandal, complicating the power dynamics in Kochi.

Back in Malappuram, Fathima receives an invitation to call the inter-district school tournament final, a chance that rekindles family tension and prompts a return trip. Jayesh’s harassment intensifies, and Fathima confronts humiliation once more before Ramya helps arrange a path back to Kochi. Ramya also provides Shiva’s Instagram ID to Fathima, opening a channel for direct contact in ways that could influence her career. In a twist of fate, Fathima’s interview with crime reporter Alex Kurian exposes that Solomon bore responsibility for Jayesh’s assault, a revelation that escalates media scrutiny and extends Solomon’s ban by another two years. Solomon’s despair leads to a suicide attempt, and Fathima carries the weight of the ensuing news, acknowledging her role in the reporting.

A lighter, hopeful moment arrives at a children’s programme where Ramya invites Fathima to break new ground with Tom and Jerry commentary. A chocolate given to Fathima conceals a note about a meeting in the IFL stadium conference room, and she, along with Muneer [Sudheesh] and Asif [Aneesh G Menon], travels to the venue to confront the opportunities waiting there. Shiva explains that the invitation to the conference room had been seeded by his daughter, and Fathima’s approach continues to evolve as she improvises, speaking in regional slang to connect with the audience. When Deepika, the scheduling director, cautions about the risk of hiring a newcomer over seasoned voices, Fathima’s rapid grasp of the game and the science behind Roberto Carlos’s famous free kick earns her a measure of respect from both Shiva and Deepika. Her perseverance pays off as she is invited to join the commentary team for the big match between Kerala Blasters FC and Mumbai City FC, a milestone that marks the culmination of her arduous journey.

The following day, Fathima joins Shaiju Damodaran [Shaiju Damodaran] and veteran commentator I. M. Vijayan in the booth and begins delivering live commentary with growing confidence and presence, signaling the arrival of a new voice in Malayalam football broadcasting. The path she treads—balancing ambition with cultural expectations, navigating gatekeepers, and building alliances—paints a portrait of determination, resilience, and the evolving role of women in sports commentary, set against the vibrant backdrop of Kerala football and its devoted fans.