Paruthiveeran

"Paruthiveeran" (2007) Ameer’s romantic action drama features Karthi and Priyamani as star-crossed lovers and became a runaway hit, launching the careers of both lead actors. The story follows a charming, aimless young man and his beautiful cousin who fall in love with each other. Because of strict caste rules governing relationships, the lovers’ ill-fated and ultimately fatal attempt to elope and marry one another is heartbreaking.

In the Tamil village of Paruthiyur, Paruthiveeran (Madhavan), or Paruthi for short, is a hot-headed young man who boasts of his fearless lawlessness. Born to a woman who is shunned by society for her inter-caste marriage, Paruthi is brought up by his uncle, Chevvazhai, who supports him. While he is sometimes caught and imprisoned in his own reputation as he promises to turn into the most feared criminal, his life takes an unexpected heartfelt twist when his cousin, Muththazhagu, reveals her strong affection towards him, an affection she has nurtured quietly from childhood. Though he initially tries to dodge her advances, Paruthi eventually warms to her love. Muththazhagu’s father, Kazhuvathevan, an upper-caste man, is vehemently against their relationship.

Paruthi bravely professes his love and asks for Muththazhagu’s hand in marriage only to be shamed and rebuffed. Desperate to avoid being separated, the couple elopes, only for their fledgling romance to descend into tragedy. Muththazhagu is arrested, tortured, and eventually left gravely injured by her relatives. As she is dying, she pleads with Paruthi to put her out of her misery. In the heart-wrenching climax, Paruthi realizes that she can’t live without honour and fulfils her last wish by disfiguring her to save her from dishonour. Shortly thereafter, even as she is grieving for her loss, Paruthi herself is hacked to death by her outraged kin.

"Paruthiveeran" is a brave and searing film that brings complex realities of caste, love, and violent patriarchy in rural Tamil Nadu to vivid and unforgettable life. Karthi is riveting in a muscular debut as the intense, rural Paruthi and Priyamani deservedly won a national award for her ferocious Muththazhagu. At the end of the film, its realist mode, emotional gravity, and shocking climax coalesce to create a permanent indelible mark.