Baaram (2020)

"Baaram" is a 2020 Tamil drama film by writer, director, and editor Priya Krishnaswamy. Under the banner Reckless Roses, the film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil at the 66th National Film Awards in 2019. It was the sole Tamil film to win the event. It released on the screens on 21 February 2020 and premiered on Amazon Prime Video in March 2020. It is the tale of "Karuppasamy", a night watchman who is a widower living in a tiny town in Tamil Nadu with his sister Menmozhi and his three nephews Veera, Mani, and Murugan. Karuppasamy has an accident one morning after he returns from his night job and fractures his hip. His anxious nephews plan to have him treated in town, but his estranged son, Senthil, surprisingly intervenes. Senthil is adamant about bringing his father back to their ancestral village, stating that a traditional healer will be the best course of treatment. But Karuppasamy dies eight days later. At his funeral, an old woman made a very surprising statement: she believed that Karuppasamy was killed. Her words have developed suspicion and brings us the main enigma of the film: Who assassinated Karuppasamy? What was purported to be an unfortunate mishap turned into an in-depth pursuit of the veracity surrounding his death. Baaram is an uncompromising social drama about revealing the aged yet controversial method of "Thalaikoothal" (a style of involuntary euthanasia). Through simplistic narration and real-life performances, the movie gives a strong message regarding family, ethics, and societal norms. "Baaram" is a great film ever produced in the history of Tamil cinema, thanks to its intriguing narrative and depth. It also poses significant questions regarding human values, making it a must-see film for viewers who are fond of idea-based cinema.