Taylor’s University has just released a new film project titled Vaadakaikku Alla/Not For Rent, in conjunction with Deepavali this year. The film not only acts as a way to wish their festive greetings towards Indian-Hindus in Malaysia but is also used as a way to raise awareness about the social reality of housing discrimination that Indians of all faiths endure in Malaysia. It is a well-known insidious practice of racist landlords in Malaysia to not permit Indian tenants to rent their properties because of the racist and prejudice ideas they hold in their hearts and minds. This critical short film reveals the humiliating and painful experiences Indians face during house hunting. The film also highlights how with racial unity this discriminatory practice can be stopped.
The film’s main characters, Mr. Chandran, the Indian tenant played by Loganathan Kanabathy, and the Chinese property agent Miss Amy played by Mei Fen, helped bring out the very real social realities of both the Indian tenants and the Chinese landlords. The film begins with Chandran, a father and a husband, just trying to find a home for his family. The intimacy and desperation of Chandran who just wants to provide for and protect his family were beautifully portrayed by Loganathan.
Instead of accepting his faith and simply suffering because of the rigid and dehumanising system of racist housing policy, Chandran dares to stand up for his humanity. When Miss Amy, the property agent, says that the owner of the house does not want Indian tenants, Chandran demands to know why that is. He makes a clear statement that he too is human and that he and his family deserve to feel safe and protected and have the basic needs of a shelter met. It also must be noted how the film brilliantly highlights how the name Mr. Chan, the name Mr. Chandran used in disguise to get a house showing, bears more respect and superiority than Mr. Chandran. The name Mr. Chan is what allowed Mr. Chandran to get a chance to see the house he wishes to rent; it shows how in Malaysia, racial identities and markers such as name, religion, caste, skin colour, and nationality are used to distinguish how much a person is worth.
Chandran makes an important statement: he doesn’t want his daughter to grow up in a world without equality and harmony. He makes a point to express that he could have tried to find a house in another area, but he chose to remain here because this is his home, directly alluding to his attachment to the land of Malaysia. Chandran represents the hope that Malaysian Indians have that, with unity, respect, and understanding, all forms of discrimination can be brought to an end and Malaysians of all ethnicities and fates can live together in peace. In the end, his gripping speech made Miss Amy, who herself was complicit in the system of housing discrimination, have a change of heart and she began to help Chandran. The film ends on a positive and hopeful note that, with a collective effort of understanding and basic humanity, backwards and dehumanising social practices can be overcome.
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