A tale of two souls- Meiyazhagan

Actor Karthi (Left) and Arvind Swamy (Right) enjoying a cycle ride

After a long time, I finally watched a feel-good movie that truly resonated with me. The plot was straightforward and the cast was minimal, yet it conveyed several meaningful messages through its simple narrative.

Set in 1996, the story follows Arulmozhi as he departs from his hometown of Tanjavur after his ancestral home has been divided among relatives. He returns after 22 years to attend his younger cousin's wedding. During this visit, he encounters a nameless man who becomes his unexpected companion throughout a pivotal night. This encounter profoundly impacts Arulmozhi’s life.

The nameless character embodies innocence and a childlike spirit, always eager to help others without expecting anything. He is married to Nandhini, who is three months pregnant with their first child. After missing his bus back to Chennai, Arulmozhi finds himself staying at the nameless man's home due to the unsatisfactory conditions of local lodgings. This stay leads him through a whirlwind of emotions of happiness, sadness, and guilt, as he grapples with the kindness shown to him.

Arulmozhi feels remorse for taking advantage of the nameless man's generosity while pretending to know him. The nameless man has cherished memories of Arulmozhi since childhood and is thrilled to host him, unaware of the inner conflict Arulmozhi faces.

As the night progresses, Arulmozhi searches the house for the nameless man's name but ends up feeling lost and overwhelmed by guilt, prompting him to leave abruptly. Despite giving a false phone number, fate intervenes when Arulmozhi's daughter discovers the nameless man's contact information. She reaches out, allowing them to share their feelings openly.

During this emotional conversation, Arulmozhi recalls the nameless man's name but chooses not to reveal it. The following day, Arulmozhi visits the nameless man's home in Tanjavur and calls out his name,“Meiyazhaga.” The film concludes with Meiyazhaga opening the door with an innocent smile, leading to an emotional reunion between them.

This movie taught me invaluable lessons about human connection and empathy. It beautifully illustrated how something seemingly insignificant to one person can be profoundly important to another, potentially changing their life entirely. It evoked nostalgic feelings reminiscent of visiting grandparents during summer vacations and enjoying quality family time.

Additionally, the film highlights Tamil culture and touches on the controversial sport of Jallikattu and its implications following its ban in Tamil Nadu in 2015. The slow-building narrative kept me engaged as I eagerly anticipated discovering the nameless man's identity.

It's been a while since a movie moved me to tears, and this one certainly did. Kamal Sir's voice in the songs added an emotional depth that enhanced the overall experience. The character of Meiyazhaga made me want to be like him. Such a naive person yet a person with a heart full of love.

If you're looking for uplifting films, I highly recommend adding this one to your list.