No more front vs backbenchers? How a Malayalam film sparked a classroom seating change

In a move that's both innovative and nostalgic, schools in Kerala are phasing out traditional backbench seating — a setup long associated with either mischief or mystery. The new plan? A U-shaped classroom layout that puts teachers at the center, ensuring every student gets equal visibility and attention.

This fresh arrangement is designed to promote inclusivity by eliminating the physical and symbolic divide between frontbenchers and backbenchers. With no one left behind — quite literally — the model is gaining traction not only in Kerala but also drawing attention across the country.

A Malayalam children’s film has ignited a quiet but powerful revolution in classroom design — and it’s spreading beyond Kerala. Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, modestly released in November 2024, is inspiring schools to rethink seating systems to promote equality and inclusivity among students.

The movie features a classroom scene with benches arranged in a U-shape — a reference to director Vinesh Viswanath’s own experience with the now-defunct District Primary Education Programme (DPEP). Since its release on OTT platform Saina Play, at least seven schools in Kerala and one in Punjab have adopted the format. Tamil Nadu is also reportedly considering a similar policy change.

Among those intrigued by the change is industrialist Anand Mahindra, who praised the idea on social media as an “intriguing experiment.” While applauding the initiative’s focus on equality and engagement, he also confessed to a nostalgic fondness for the “backbencher” label.

Mahindra shared that he often gravitated toward the back row — by choice or by default. In business school, the last row, nicknamed the “skydeck,” was his go-to spot for introspection and the occasional harmless mischief.

Leading the transformation is Ramavilasom Vocational Higher Secondary School (RVHSS) in Valakom, Kollam — run by the family of Kerala Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. The school has arranged benches along all four walls of classrooms, ensuring that every child is in the “front row.” The change enhances visibility and teacher-student interaction.

RVHSS has also earned academic accolades. It recently celebrated alumna G.P. Nandana for securing All India Rank 47 in the UPSC Civil Services Exam.

Other schools that have followed suit include:

Most of these classrooms have fewer than 20 students, making flexible seating possible.

“I never expected this scene from my debut film to have such a real-world impact,” director Vinesh Viswanath told PTI. Inspired by his school days in Thiruvananthapuram, he said, “It’s not a new idea — the DPEP introduced this decades ago. But we lost it somewhere along the way.”

He revealed that a school in Punjab adopted the layout after its principal watched the film online and screened it for students. “That’s when we realised the movement was going national,” he said.

Stanarathi Sreekuttan joins the league of Malayalam films that create meaningful impact. “This is more than just a film. It’s about reimagining our schools in ways that make every child feel seen and heard,” Viswanath said.

As more schools embrace this bold approach, it’s clear that one classroom scene has triggered a national conversation — one seat at a time.

The film’s climactic scene — showing a circular layout — has struck a chord with educators. Its message is simple yet powerful: no frontbenchers, no backbenchers — just equal opportunity to learn.

The movie follows four mischievous students in an upper primary school and stars Aju Varghese, Saiju Kurup, and Johny Antony. Though Sthanarthi Sreekuttan was pulled from theatres after the release of Pushpa 2, it has found a new audience online. Since its OTT release, viewership has surged, driven by coverage of its real-world influence.

While some educators have voiced concerns about applying the seating model in overcrowded classrooms, Viswanath counters that such conditions violate existing norms. Rethinking these standards, he argues, is both necessary and overdue.

The Malayalam children’s film Sthanarthi Sreekuttan is now streaming on Saina Play, following its late 2024 theatrical release.

Set in a rural school, the feel-good film follows a witty seventh-grader and his three classmates as they hatch light-hearted plans to fool their teacher — leading to hilarious, yet insightful outcomes.

Starring Aju Varghese, Sreerang Shine, Johny Antony, and Saiju Kurup, the movie blends humour with a powerful social message on equality in education. Directed by Vinesh Viswanath, the film is a charming, family-friendly watch — now just a click away on Saina Play.

Curious about Sthanarthi Sreekuttan? Watch the trailer here: