Vol. 21, Issue 1, Jan-Jun 2026
Page: 107-116
Between Ambition and Amorality: Examining Narcissistic Traits and Professional Ethics in Mukundan Unni Associates
Avandhik S Ashok, Sandeep P, Deepthi
Received Date: 2026-03-03
Accepted Date: 2026-05-15
Published Date: 2026-05-20
Historically, South Indian films worked as mere entertainers with a similar plot and began to change over a period. New writers and directors in the industry started breaking the usual cliches and traditions. One of which is the moral values that are inherited by the leading characters. These heroes are typically portrayed as divinely good, selfless, courageous, muscular, humble, empathetic, and morally upright. However, there is a shift in story telling, where contemporary filmmakers challenge the typical hero archetype and introduce complex, flawed and morally ambiguous characters. This shift prompts questions about the very nature of heroism, the role of morality in storytelling, and the interplay between political correctness and artistic expression. The contemporary filmmakers proved that the morally ambiguous characters in films won't affect the film’s ideology or politics. In this context, this study aims to examine the portrayal of a morally ambiguous hero in the Malayalam film, Mukundan Unni Associates (2022), highlighting how the complex characters in the film challenge traditional norms of heroism in contemporary cinema. The study analyses the protagonist of the film to look into how characters personify moral ambiguity and bring down conventional heroic archetypes. Additionally, the study explores the interplay between political correctness and heroism. Further, the research seeks to understand how the film reflects and critiques contemporary cultural and political attitudes towards heroism. The study aims at contributing to the ongoing conversation regarding the transformation of heroism in South Indian cinema by analysing the ethically ambiguous lead characters in "Mukundan Unni Associates."
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References
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- Avandhik S Ashok and Sandeep P are the postgraduate students in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Central University of Karnataka.
- Dr. Deepthi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Central University of Karnataka. Her specializations are Film Studies, Gender and Media, and Community Communication.
