Marina Puratchi

“Marina Puratchi” is a 2019 Tamil drama film directed by MS Raj and produced under Pasanga Productions. It stars Naveen Kumar and Shruti Reddy, based on the historic Jallikattu protests in Tamil Nadu. The film has been feted by the Norway Tamil Film Festival and Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America (FETNA).

Two aspiring journalists, Parthasarathy (Naveen Kumar) and Sukanya (Shruti Reddy), come walking for an interview into a private news channel. Panel members seem to feel they had no idea what Jallikattu is and have never heard of such a protest going on related to the issue. They instead hire the pair of applicants, keeping them at their office for two weeks and returning them once fully armed with correct knowledge of the matter.

Parthasarathy and Sukanya begin their journey to explore the history and cultural significance of Jallikattu, determined to get the job. In exploring further, they find out about the strong relation Jallikattu has with Tamil culture and how it was banned, leading to one of the biggest youth movements that have happened in Tamil Nadu. They interview farmers, activists, and common people, understanding their feelings and situation.

They also learn about how Jallikattu is not only a game but a way of life about protecting indigenous breeds of cattle and being a source of Tamil pride and self-reliance. During their research, they see firsthand the solidarity and resilience demonstrated by the Tamil population during the protests and the role and power of the media and disinformation in such public sentiment. It changes their journey, and they start realizing the value of authentic journalism and unbiased reporting.

The film ends with them presenting before the interview board, where they present why Jallikattu matters and how the protests gave voice to an entire generation. The panel is impressed by their hard work and dedication, which turns out to be a career-changing moment for them.