Paramu (2019)

“Paramu" is a 2019 Tamil horror romantic comedy directed and written by Manickam Jai, featuring Manickam Jai and Chitra in major roles. The movie combines psychological horror, romance, and dark humor, culminating into an unexpected climax. The novel traces the life of Paramu, a carefree and irresponsible college student who comes from a poor farming background. His father is a farmer, and his relatives work in factories to sponsor his studies in the city. Paramu, however, does not take life seriously, frittering away his time in college rather than studying. With the passage of time, Paramu acquires Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and Schizophrenia. He starts to see and talk to non-existent individuals but keeps it a secret from everyone lest he be judged. To divert his attention, he engages in casual relationships with his classmates. He also starts a relationship with his landlord's sister, which later turns out to be a real love affair. Paramu makes a trip to his village one day but becomes cut off from his environment and family. His people believe he has forgotten them and abandoned them altogether. Meanwhile, Paramu's girlfriend's family finds out about their affair, and her brother and his crew plan to kill Paramu for having betrayed their trust. But Paramu defends himself and manages to escape. At home, his family, grieved by his selfishness, resolves to take their own lives together, thinking that Paramu has left them. They all commit mass suicide by poisoning their food, hoping to liberate themselves from misery. In the city, Paramu is still fixated on marrying his girlfriend without knowing what happened to his family. When his friend finally breaks the news to him, Paramu dismisses it callously, stating that his family was never significant to him. But after he returns to his bedroom, he starts feeling hallucinations from his dead relatives. His very own DID personality taunts him, telling him that he cannot change and smacks him in the face. The film thus ends on this chilling note with the viewer being left with a shivering message about selfishness, guilt, and what lies in store if family is left out.