Kettiyollaanu Ente Maalakha (2019), directed by Nissam Basheer, is a Malayalam film that explores the life of a naive and innocent man, Sleevachan, who navigates his way through the institution of marriage. While the film was lauded for its portrayal of a simpleton husband who learns to care for his wife, it has also sparked considerable debate for the way it normalizes marital rape, particularly within the context of the socially accepted boundaries of marriage in a patriarchal setup. From a politicosocial perspective, the film glosses over the severe and complex issue of sexual consent within marriage, subtly perpetuating dangerous gender norms while packaging it as a heartwarming tale of self-awareness and growth. Sleevachan, played by Asif Ali, is a man raised in a protective and conservative environment. Having little experience with women, he marries Rincy, played by Veena Nandakumar, a confident and modern woman. The central conflict of the film arises when Sleevachan, unaware o...