"The Goat Life" (originally titled Aadujeevitham) is based on the real-life experiences of Najeeb Muhammad, whose story was first told in Benyamin's novel Goat Days. The film, directed by Blessy, recounts Najeeb’s harrowing journey after being deceived into forced labor in Saudi Arabia.
Najeeb, an Indian migrant from Kerala, is tricked into working on a remote goat farm in the Saudi desert. Isolated from human contact, he endures years of abuse, starvation, and dehumanizing treatment by his employer, referred to as the "Kafeel." Najeeb is stripped of his dignity, treated as less than human, and gradually starts identifying with the goats he cares for, losing his sense of self in the process.
The film focuses on Najeeb’s desperate attempts to survive in an unforgiving environment, where escape seems impossible. Along with a fellow worker named Hakeem, he hatches a plan to flee with the help of a fugitive named Ibrahim Khadiri. However, the escape is perilous, and only Najeeb survives the harsh desert, eventually finding his way to safety with the help of local Indians.
The movie emphasizes survival, suffering, and hope amidst unimaginable hardship. It portrays the emotional and physical toll on Najeeb, brought to life by the lead actor Prithviraj Sukumaran’s intense performance. The narrative avoids a conventional heroic arc, opting instead to present a raw and often difficult depiction of Najeeb’s endurance
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