The Cane Cutter, a Durban produced film soon to hit the big screen at theatres across the city including NuMetro and Suncoast CineCentre, tells a tragic love story rooted in both the past and the present, set against the backdrop of South Africa’s journey of nation building, where Indians played and continue to play a colossal role.
The title pays homage to the first major occupation held by South African Indians upon their arrival in the country.
The story begins in 1911. Two Indian teens fall in love on the last indenture Ship, the Umlazi. a symbolic setting for a ship to the Global South, one that partially transported labourers to work in the cane fields of Natal. Generations later, this historical experience resurfaces in modern form.
Dr Dianna Moodley, a Sociolinguist – Faculty of Arts and Design Research Coordinator – was deeply involved in the archival research and writing for the film. She emphasised the film’s timeliness in a climate where social ills are at an all-time high, “Within the context of utter decay and corruption of present-day South African government, we need to make a clarion call to our youth to draw from the resilience of our forefathers in re-building the nation. This could provoke a rebirth of activism towards improving the lives and livelihoods of our people,” she said.
“History is important,” she continued. “It provides remarkable insights into the social and political struggles of the past, including the fight for human rights, democracy, equality, and justice. By understanding the struggles and achievements of previous generations, young people can develop a sense of social responsibility. History can inspire individuals to engage in positive change and contribute to the betterment of society”.
She also highlighted an important underlying message in the film, “By studying the history of their own culture and the cultures of others, young people can develop a sense of belonging, pride, and empathy. This fosters cultural diversity, tolerance, and mutual understanding. From history one can analyse complex events, interpret conflicting accounts, and form reasoned arguments – and all of this based on available data. These skills are essential for navigating the complexities of our modern world. Understanding the challenges people faced in the past and how they overcame them can motivate individuals to continue pushing the boundaries of knowledge and progress.”
Dr Moodley added that, “This work is used as a clever device (a documentary masterfully integrated within a movie) to captivate and engage youth in internalising their history, embedding it as an appealing love story with a dark ending – the stuff that feeds millennials’ obsession. Reflecting on the development process, she shared that the team approached the project with great care. “The decisions that were made were strategic, the concepts and thoughts behind it were scientific and factually based, from archival inquiry to narrative accounts based on semiotic and intertextual examination, to aesthetic interpretations.
Eubulus Timothy, the director and writer behind the film, revealed that the original working title was “I Am A Cane Cutter,” but the final version, “The Cane Cutter,” felt more focused. attempting to drive the point that everybody who came because of the cane, the Indian tribe, whether they came here as endangered labourers or they came here as paid passengers, we should all be aware that if it were not for the cane cutter, we would not be here, and colonialism would not exist the way it does.
During the interview, Timothy also pointed out the extensive research that went into capturing the Indian community’s story in Natal over many decades. “There was a lot of work done to tell the stories of who we are and what we have achieved as a tribe of South Africa and we have got to be very mindful that in-spite of all that had happened, Indians were the last race to be accepted by the apartheid government as a real race – initially, only Blacks and Coloured were accepted as South Africans. Only in 1961 did the apartheid government accept Indians and they opened a department of Indian Affairs,” he shared.
Dr Kajal Lutchminarian, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon by day and actor by night, plays the lead female role of Amisha. She described her character as a deeply layered woman living through difficult times. “Amisha is a very complex character the one thing about her is that she has been though a lot of trauma in her life and I think that like anyone trauma will definitely shape you. I think the one thing that audiences can expect from Amisha is that she is definitely a woman who embodies a lot of different hats. She is fighting generational curses. She is trying to be the best mother that she can be. She is trying to fight for her independence, she is also trying to protect what she has in terms of her identity, in terms of who she is and her own truth,” Dr Lutchminarian said.
She also believes the tragic love story has universal appeal, offering something relatable to all South Africans across racial and cultural backgrounds, especially in a country that continues to evolve through nation building.
Lead actor Razeen Dada shared that he found the role both rewarding and demanding, noting that being a lead comes with responsibilities that go beyond just learning lines. “I think playing a lead actor is always a responsibility. And I think you always try to lead by example and that means showing up there early, staying late. Having a good general vibe on set and also putting your best effort in and knowing your lines are what matters,” Dada said.
In the film, Dada plays Dev, a modern-day man whose story is deeply intertwined with both the past and future. The Cane Cutter ultimately tells a broader story about the Indian community’s contributions to South Africa’s national development and the generational legacy of those efforts.
The film premieres on 17 November 2025 nationwide.
Pictured: DUT’s Dr Dianna Moodley with Ela Gandhi, granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, a prominent South African peace activist and former Member of Parliament who was born in South Africa and continues her grandfather’s legacy of nonviolence and social justice.
Nkosingiphile Dladla
