The plot revolves around Saraswati, a young girl who disappears from school, thrusting her mother—portrayed fiercely by Varalaxmi—into a nightmare. From pleading at police stations to navigating a skeptical legal system, the trailer lays bare the frustrations of a system that fails the vulnerable. Prakash Raj shines as the reluctant lawyer who steps up for the courtroom showdown, yet justice slips away.

Tension builds through poignant dialogues and stark imagery, culminating in Varalaxmi’s transformation. Arming herself, she proclaims, ‘Every woman isn’t Saraswati. Sometimes, she has to turn into Kali.’ This powerful metaphor drives home the theme of self-reliance for women facing adversity.

The ensemble cast, featuring Priyamani, Radhika Sarathkumar, and Naveen Chandra, adds depth. With South cinema increasingly championing female directors and stories, ‘Saraswati’ arrives as a timely powerhouse. The trailer’s gripping narrative has sparked discussions on child safety and maternal strength, positioning the film as a potential award contender.

Through a post managed by her parents, Deva Nandha shared a clip of Prakash Raj’s statements and added her perspective. She argued, “Close your eyes to the kids, but don’t say it’s dark all over here. Children are also part of this society.” She felt the jury’s announcement for the 2024 Malayalam Film Awards ignored the future generation of filmmakers and artists.

Nandha emphasized that children are integral to society and the film industry. She highlighted recent films featuring young actors, such as ‘Sthanarthi Sreekuttan’, ‘Gu’, ‘Phoenix’, and ‘Ajayante Randam Moshanam’ (ARM). She believes that instead of omitting the awards, the jury should have used them to encourage more child-centric productions. “If it had been given to two children, it would have become energy for many children,” she stated.

She further expressed her dismay that the jury chairman, who had previously spoken about providing more opportunities for children and acknowledging their societal role, overlooked the rights of young performers. Deva Nandha urged the media, filmmakers, and the public to engage in a discussion about this issue, advocating for change and the protection of children’s rights within the industry.

The 55th Kerala State Film Awards, announced on November 3, 2025, had a seven-member jury chaired by veteran actor Prakash Raj. During a press conference, Raj explained the absence of Best Children’s Film and Best Child Artist awards, stating, “This year, we did not give awards for Best Children’s Film or Best Child Artist because we didn’t find any film or attempt that truly represented children. Directors and writers must realise that children are also part of society.”