Ontological Reconfiguration of Human: A Posthumanist Reading on the Movie Anbe Sivam

Abstract: The paper focuses on the positioning of human through a posthumanist reading on the Tamil movie Anbe Sivam (2003) directed by Sundar. C. The paper argues that the film works as a catalyst to elucidate the ontological social change beyond the mere activisms. The film decentres the notions of autonomous human and presents the relationship of human with another human and animals. Though the movie echoes humanistic perspectives apparently, it brings out the relationality of the humans. Consequently, the paper demonstrates the interconnectedness that nurtures the existence of humans. Through a close reading, the paper centres the discussion on the representation of immanence on the ground of interdependence as the film posits love, compassion and empathy. It draws the theoretical concepts of Rosi Braidotti, Gilles Deleuze and other few theorists to support the study as the south Indian film is placed in the western contemporary concept posthumanism.