Sukran

"Sukran" is a 2005 Tamil action thriller film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar, featuring his son Ravi Krishna and Anita Hassanandani in lead roles. Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by John Grisham, the story follows an interracial young couple whose love is tested by racist, corrupt local forces and an idealistic, mysterious attorney who comes down to fight for their justice.

Ravi and Sandhya, star-crossed college kids in Dindigul, are madly in love, but Sandhya’s sadistic stepmother forces her to wed her uncle, who’s a real piece of work. When their relationship is found, Ravi’s father supports them in relocating for safety to Chennai, where he is subsequently killed by Sandhya’s stepmother. Ravi is framed for the murder by a crooked cop, Mahesh, and thrown in jail. Sandhya’s quest for justice is met with the horrific collusion of three powerful men, Mahesh, Judge Needhi Manikkam, and Tamil Kumaran, who gang-rape her and shatter her life. Ravi is freed by an incorruptible policeman and hurries to save her but is captured, battered, and left for dead. Broken and hopeless, Sandhya decides to kill herself, and Ravi decides to die with her.

Just at this point, an attorney by the name of Sukran shows up, rescues them from suicide and inspires them to resist. He inspires them to begin again, and they re-create their lives, get married, and attempt to live a normal existence. Yet no sooner are the same criminals booked than they come back to abuse them, and Sandhya is wrongfully arrested herself on grounds of prostitution. Driven to the extreme, Ravi murders the perpetrators and runs away with Sandhya. Sukran once again comes to the rescue, offering to defend Ravi in court and saving the day by establishing the truth. In a shocking twist, Sukran murders the corrupt minister Janardhanan in court and surrenders to the police, confessing that while the man should’ve been killed, murder in court was unacceptable.

"Sukran" is a political, dramatic, emotionally charged film that portrays the horrific abuses of power and the need for justice. Despite the technique of shock and awe being heavily exploited, the film is packed with a solid social message, and Vijay’s intimidating cameo as Sukran makes it heavy. It’s a stark, courageous, and beautiful retrospective.