CHALLENGING PERCEPTIONS: ATHIRAN THROUGH THE LENS OF DISABILITY STUDIES

Autism research has become a significant aspect of disability research. In this paper, the notion of autism, rather than a disability but as a different kind of ability, is examined through the lens of the Malayalam film Athiran.The Nithya’s character problematizes the societal constructs of autism as a disease, leading to a reconsideration of neurodiversity. Based on disability studies theory, the paper analyzes the way the film represents autism and its unseen strengths, including unusual cognitive abilities and differing modes of experiencing the world.The research attempts to demarcate the change from disabilities to capabilities, encouraging a more equitable and knowledgeable understanding of autism in cinema and society.