-Hey you! How long do we wait? -How long? You just came!
Do I look like a fool to you?
-You want a queen's treatment! -Dare you say that!
Move! They talk as if only they have chores to do and not me.
Wait, I'll deal her. Move. We must not let her off so easy.
Excuse me, my husband's other wife!
were you awake all night and planning to spark this fight, while fetching water?
When my husband and I were newly married,
who do you think was awake all night? You or me?
It was after seeing your face, my husband died else he'd have lived long!
Shut up you wretch! My dear husband died because of you! You let him smoke a lot!
Men will drink! It's the wife who must control her man.
Instead she must not give him company, like you!
You seduced my husband and made him drink, smoke pot and tobacco!
You're the witch that killed my husband!
Come on, it's either you or me! Let's face off!
Fine, let's see! Come on!
-I will show you, your place today! -As if I'm scared of you!
-Let go! -You let go!
My husband died because of you!
He married me because he didn't like you. You are the third wheel!
I should have jumped into the well and died the day my husband died.
Why must you die for my husband? I must die!
What is it?
What? What is it?
I don't understand a zilch he's saying.
Oh my God! He's trying to kill me!
Oh God! He's trying to kill me. It's all because of you, you wretch!
What?
Mom, did you cry on your wedding?
Of course. I couldn't sleep the whole night.
My face was swollen from all the crying.
Didn't your parents try to make you feel better?
What can they do?
At that age, we will obviously feel like crying.
As we grow, we'll understand everything.
So didn't you have the desire to study, play.. etc.?
All a woman needs is a good husband. What else does she need?
You can play, sing and run all you want...
...but for how long?
-Get lost you fool. -Finishing arranging this.
Hey! Stop!
Fool.
Dad!
Hey, what happened?
-Dad... -Can't you walk carefully?
Come on, dear.
-Dad, don't touch. It hurts. -Nothing to worry.
-Dad! -Nothing to worry.
Just be quiet.
It's a minor injury and so it's fine.
What if it was a major injury?
Who will take you and run to the hospital in the town.
Why didn't anyone in our village become a doctor, dad?
In our village?
Our men are rough and tough but not intelligent as much.
Then how anybody will become a doctor.
Why didn't any of our women become a doctor?
My teacher said that nowadays women are getting educated and becoming doctors.
If we educate women, they can also become doctors. Isn't it, dad?
Life is all about living with respect.
We have our own practices and traditions.
We have our own discipline.
Living by those is what earns us respect. Understand that.
Don't listen to strangers and confuse yourself. Understood?
Go.
When you attain puberty...
...you will see your dad's true colours.
More than their own children, their dignity is what matters to them
Don't have any desires.
It'll never come true.
After you attain puberty,
your whole world will turn upside down.
It won't be the same like now.
It will be a hell.
Neither my father nor my mother,
nobody is going to support me.
I want to study.
I want to study and become a doctor.
Don't you bless us with the boon of puberty?
Give me the boon to get educated.
And for that, I must not attain puberty.
I shall stay a kid.
Just make sure I remain a kid. That is all I ask.
If you don't grant me this wish...
...then I won't consider you a Goddess!
"AYALI"
The work seems to be in full flow.
Time to white wash.
Subramani, mix the distemper and bring that here!
Boss...
Here you go.
Who are you?
I've been noticing since morning.
You are toiling hard and suffering all by yourself.
Is there not a single soul around here to help you?
They would be but only if they are paid wages on time.
We came four to five days ago for this work.
Four to five days ago?
But I don't see a sign of any work done at all.
Oh, come on. We had to first finish the work at church treasure's home.
On top, he insisted on painting his bedroom sky blue.
Only then the heart will be at peace it seems. They come up with new theories!
After the finishing the work,
he wrote down those expenses as church expenses.
After finishing the work at his house, we have just started scrapping here.
You too, treasurer sir?
Fine.
"Ask for it and you shall receive"
Hey Pandi!
-There's Rs. 1500 in this. -Okay.
Then 25 rupees in change.
If you pay me, I'll be on my way.
-Who are you? -Who am I?
I'm the head mason.
I've been doing painting work for a week here and you don't know me?
But I've never seen you.
Didn't you see me when I painted your bedroom blue?
Subramani! Use sandpaper and scrap properly!
Then we'll be blamed if the paint doesn't stick well.
Quick, pay up. The other workers want to go to their native.
Listen, let's thoroughly inquire about him before paying. Yes.
Are you doubting me?
I hear you added your bedroom painting expenses under church expenses.
Fine, I'll get the wages from the priest himself.
-Priest, greetings. -Hey, wait.
You! Give me that money!
It's the Church money, right? Why count it? I'll do that.
Looks good?
I bought it with the money I got from white washing.
Actually some other painters were doing the white wash.
I white washed them!
Nice. Good.
Please, quiet down. Please.
The world is not like it used to be.
It has changed a lot.
Town lifestyle is ruined and very worse!
That is why other village people look at us in awe.
They ask "How come your village is so strict and disciplined?"
I say this today! If the Whites come to Veerapannai, guess what they will say?
What will they say?
"This is the best village in this whole nation" That's what they will say!
Who is the reason behind this pride and success?
For thousands and millions of years...
...we have been sticking to our culture and tradition. That is the reason!
We must follow that forever.
Nodding your head won't suffice.
We must also ensure that none in our community ever bows their head.
What say Mr. 'Silent' Karuppiah? Didn't your youngest one attain puberty?
It's been a year now and she still lives at your home! What's going on?
The rules of the village won't bend for you!
So make a decision right now, right here.
Or else your situation will become a wrong example for all.
You will just do as you wish...
...and you want us to bow down our heads in shame, in front of the world?
A human must have some discipline, isn't it?
Who would want to live an undignified life?
Do you all understand what he is saying?
He's saying "Respected seniors, please mind your words"
"Do you think he is keeping his daughter at his home on purpose?"
"He has three daughters"
"Didn't he sell off his wealth, took loans and marry away his two daughters?"
"Now he is left with no money and hence his plight is sad"
"Where were you all during this past one year?" That's what he is asking.
Neither do we intend to break our practices and traditions...
...nor do we want to shame our village's reputation.
His bad time that he has to stand quite as we judge him!
-Thavasi is right. -He has a point.
First let's help Karuppiah then we can discuss the rest.
-It's easy to talk on the dias. -What can you do for Karuppiah?
If he cares so much, why doesn't marry off his son to Karuppiah's daughter?
Blame it on fate. He was doing well once upon a time.
No, I don't agree.
-Marry off your son. -You marry off your son!
Listen, dear elders.
You all have a fair point...
...but just answer my question.
Right now, he has no wealth or money.
Who is ready to forgo the gifting ritual and marry of your son to his daughter?
You guys applauded when he boasted about our village, didn't you?
Now why are all the kings who have princes, so quiet?
So this gathering was to just question the helpless and poor?
Is this why you came all the way to the town?
And all you do is just boast around!
Murthy...
Show me your hands.
Donate.
Get from everyone.
Karuppiah sir, please come here.
Take it.
This is what it's all about.
This unity is what...
This unity is the biggest pillar of strength for our community.
No matter what happens,
we must stay united.
Only then we can save our own community.
I thought you will earn us name and power through the association...
...instead you are donating jewels?
Every daughter's marriage is her father's responsibility. It's his duty!
Didn't expect this from you!
Like you said, the world is not the same anymore.
As of today, the one with a huge following will be the leader.
Your ideology will only split the group!
Saw how your in-law spoke?
He'd have buried us all for good!
Don't we know to conduct this meeting in our village?
Why did we conduct it in the town?
Only then outsiders will notice and know we have a following.
That will earn us respect!
Dad, more than having a following,
we must ensure it doesn't dissolve or split up.
Our followers must always be in our control.
That's very important.
Sakthivel, you are great; just like scholar Chanakya!
I aspire to become like him, soon.
So you're the one instigating him?
Murthy, did you donate any jewel?
You wouldn't have! Instead you'd only snatch from others.
Come on, sir. How can you say that?
I'll obviously say that because that's how your actions are.
Hey uncle! Hey!
Uncle!
Uncle, why didn't you tell me that you've a daughter of marriageable age?
Fool! Stop talking rubbish. I'm your paternal uncle!
Paternal uncle?
-You are my distant maternal uncle. -But I'm your close paternal uncle!
Instead of being a responsible brother and help me get my daughter married...
...you're messing up the relationship!
So your daughter is like a sister to me?
So this is also spoiled?
Peter is a little boy, who lived in Holland is...
Come on, sir. It was our ancestors who invented computers.
The whites robbed us of it.
Airplanes were invented recently.
Our people used to fly in Pushpaka Vimana ages ago.
It is mentioned in Ramayanam.
Mr. Science, you are very smart.
You seem to know everything.
Well, what's the use sir?
I have no value or respect at home
Sir, my wife's sister is adamant about going to college.
I suggested that instead of shelling out college fee, save it for her marriage.
You said the right thing!
But my wife and her sister tried attacking me for saying this.
Why don't you marry your sister's wife?
College fee will be saved.
My wife's qualification is 8th grade, that too she failed in it, sir.
She demanded a groom who is a teacher.
Her sister aspires to go to college. She will demand an IAS groom!
Girls these days are brats, Mr. Science.
Don't we know what's best for them?
All they have to do is obey their parents,
get married, have kids and lead a silent life.
Sir, your village is the perfect place. I'm planning to shift to your village.
Come but we won't let you enter.
Have you seen any students from outside our village study in this school?
We won't let outsiders to study here, do you think we'll let anybody move in?
Don't you have any real men in your village?
All the men gather up and take a decision.
Like our village, bring in rules and regulations in your village.
Humans must follow some discipline!
Stop China! Don't run!
Don't run, girls. I've got hold of the stick, so stop!
-America! -China is gone.
-Nope, didn't hit me. -You're next.
No, you didn't hit me. The stick didn't fell on me.
Stop! Stop!
Everybody stop! Tamil...
...I'm taking aim at you.
So stay put and don't you run.
Tamil! Don't move after I said 'Stop'
India is out! I'm going to conquer India!
Out! Out! India's out!
Tamil... Tamil!
Instead of doing chores at home, you are playing here?
How long have I been screaming my throat out? Now come!
You are going to get nicely from me, with a piping iron rod!
Tamil, what's taking you so long? Come here!
Hey listen!
Hey... Hey you, Tamil!
Hey! I am calling you!
Come here.
Why are you walking away as if you can't hear me?
You're just walking away as if you can't hear me?
Come here.
Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?
Go and fetch me that! Go!
That one, right on the top. Get me that.
Hey! What are you doing?
Tamil?
Nothing to worry. You go home. I'll take care of this.
Hope you are not hurt.
You first leave. Go home.
If people see you, they'd mistake this for something else.
It's just ink stains.
Why do you look so scared for after all this?
Don't worry. Be brave. I'll make sir understand.
Thank you, teacher.
-Now go home. Come to school tomorrow. -Okay, teacher.
Thank you, sir!
"I am dreaming again but this time it feels new and real"
"Out of the blue, on an ordinary day, I am turning into a storm"
"I was lost for directions as I was tied up with a blindfold earlier"
"But now I'm leaping away as I can see everything clear"
"In a village that believes in superstitions..."
"she is going to weave a magic with ink stains"
Dear, what happened?
It's just ink, grandpa.
"She is flying high"
"She is all brightened up"
"She is taking control of her life"
"Oh my gosh"
"I am dreaming again. This time my dream will be realised"
Dear Tamil...
...what's this?
Just ink, aunt.
Oh my God!
"Unlike a tied up kite..."
"...she has spread her wings and started to fly"
"All the so-called logics of the land are proven to be wrong now"
"Her world has just brightened up"
Oh my God! What happened?
What is this?
It's just ink, mom.
Move!
You could've washed the clothes in the pond, on your way home.
Why'd you play with ink?
I was worried for a moment there. Now, go!
Go and bathe from head to toe!
"What a surprise turn of events!"
"She has brightened up"
"I am all smiles"
"Oh my gosh!"
What's with the fishy look?
Did that sir say something?
Not at all. He's a very good person, mom.
Since when he's a good person?
Why are you nagging her?
You eat, dear.
Not happy with the food?
Shall I ask mom to prepare something else?
You better eat what is prepared!
Eat, dear.
Here.
Eat quickly. It's time for bed.
Even my parents couldn't find out.
On my way home, the whole village believed that it was just ink stain.
Even Savitri teacher couldn't find out.
I don't feel any change at all.
So...
...nobody will know until I reveal it.
So it'll stay a secret until I want it to.
I won't reveal it to anyone.