Sometimes our secrets will reveal itself without our knowledge.
How will you hide this?
You keep your mouth shut. That's enough. Now, move!
-Welcome, Pandi. -Greetings.
-Why so late? -Had to wrap up today's work.
Who hid inside the hay stack on the night of her marriage? It was you!
Who gave our husband four babies in four years? Was it you or I?
For the man my husband was, I would have given him eight babies, you wretch!
You oldie! Isn't this your family function? Be quiet.
Tell that to her. Get lost!
-Do you girls need anything. -No, thanks aunt.
Call me if you need anything.
Mythili looks so beautiful in this saree.
-Is it too tight? -No.
You were so cranky all the time.
Now you look so happy.
Shut up. All these days I was having wrong impression about my mom.
Come to think of it, they only mean our welfare.
All that hard work I did here...
...will pay off when I lead a happy life at my in-laws.
It's only striking me now.
So finally they brain washed you too?
Shut up.
My darling. Oh God, cast away all the evil eyes on her.
Brother, your fiance now looks marriage-ready!
So, your wedding is also round the corner.
Look, Sakthi is blushing.
It is not so easy to keep this a secret.
This is what I've been trying to explain.
But you keep giving it back to me.
You just follow what I say.
I was so looking forward to drape you in half-saree.
You'd look so beautiful in it.
Now, I feel so sad. I can't even express myself about it to others.
Mom, my wish coming true is the real beauty. Now, get done with tying it.
You saw Mythili's plight, right?
She attained puberty and they stopped her schooling.
Now she is married. Everything's over for her.
It all started with how all this made her look so beautiful.
I don't need that.
What is wrong with Mythili's life?
What do you mean by "everything's over for her?"
Don't you know about her groom Ramesh?
He gets drunk and wasted every single day.
He will change once they get married.
He is no exception compared to other men.
No parents would want their children to suffer.
Mom, not so tight. Loosen it a bit.
To keep it a secret from others,
we are suffocating ourselves here.
We can't even breathe a sigh of relief.
Mom, is it really you talking?
Tell me something, mom. Is a girl's life all about her body?
Are we not allowed to think beyond that?
They made it the norms, isn't it?
Tamil!
You have changed. You're talking like an adult.
"AYALI"
Mom!
Mom! Mom!
Oh, it was you. So what did my grandson send me?
He sent these slippers. Would you like to eat it? Your grandson, my foot!
You just reached and you're throwing tantrums already?
Have you gone crazy?
Yes, you old hag and it's all because of you!
You wretch, it was your decision to marry of me to that drunkard!
My life will never be good until you are around!
You filthy wretch, you have ruined my life!
Stop yelling and get inside.
I'll be back for you!
Are you back to live off my son again? Didn't you mom eat up enough?
With so many of us here, our family's time is up!
Both mother and daughter are acting oversmart!
Now tell me why were you yelling out for everybody to listen?
He's yelling at me in front of everybody!
He hits me in front of everybody!
All villagers are just mute spectators. All that you told me was a big lie!
You ruined my life, isn't it?
Dear...
...how could you blame me just like that?
Do you think that is what I want for you?
That filthy wretch who is sitting inside,
I did all this so that you could escape from her and lead a good life.
You filthy wretches, are you still sitting there?
You! I'll be at peace only if I finish you off!
-Wait, let my son come home. -Leave that!
-Let her yap away her gums! Sit down. -Wait, I'll finish her off!
Dear...
...please listen to mommy.
This is quite common in every house.
We must adjust and behave accordingly.
Look at me. Don't you know how rogue your father was?
Tell me. He became quiet only after you were conceived.
That too only till you were inside my womb.
Didn't I manage to lead a life here?
Look here, my darling. Just keep a control on your tongue.
Then everything will be fine.
Please listen to me.
I mean only your welfare. Please.
-Dhandapani -Present, sir.
-Muthurajan. -Present, sir.
Naganathan.
Must be finding his way to the class.
Namashivayam. Namashivayam!
-Present, sir. -What world are you lost in? Sit!
-Prakash. -Present, sir.
-Ramesh. -Present, sir.
-Santosh. -Present, sir.
-Saravanan. -Present, sir.
Tamilselvan.
Oh, you? Sit!
Sir, I've a doubt.
Doubts are all you got.
What is it now?
Well, I am in the 10th grade now,
...should I just learn the formula or should I start solving the sums?
Silence!
Jerks! Sit down!
Tamil is the first girl in our village to make it to the 10th grade.
Our teacher said we must also strive to study like her.
-So, we must also make it to10th grade? -Can't we? Let's do it.
How old would be Kuruvamma's daughter? Say 14-15 years old?
Oh, come on! She and Rani were born on same new moon day of Tamil month Aadi.
But Kuruvamma's daughter is yet to attain puberty.
Wonder what curse has fallen upon her.
What's Tamil's fault here?
"The sins committed by parents affects their children"
Our ancestors didn't say it for nothing.
Only God knows.
You're youngsters and yet you're so weak.
-He says it as if he is in his youth. -Obviously.
His daughter is yet to attain puberty. He is never growing old.
He'll stay young forever. You mind your job now.
Do you know what the villagers are talking about you?
Ignore them, mom.They and their words are worth nothing.
They even judged you and dad.
How are you able to bear all this?
-Even I find it very hard. -I don't have time for all that, mom.
Only jobless people will peep into other's life.
If we keep turning around and mind them, then we can never progress in life.
Is that all in this book here?
Here. Read it.
Thank God!
Quick, go and take bath.
Don't step into the house without bathing. Okay?
Okay.
Mom, now this never crossed my mind!
What didn't cross your mind?
You are always grazing the cattle and drying the cow dung.
But you drape the saree like my teacher.
Who is that teacher? Might be, she is copying my style
Don't lie. Who else drapes the saree like this here? Only my teacher.
And you copied her style. You better accept the truth.
What's so funny?
Well, the fact you said that I copied her style.
It reminded me of my past.
What mischief did you do, that was so funny?
Back then we only had education till 5th grade, in our school.
Tree shades were our classrooms back then.
I was never able to grasp that language of English.
But I was very fond of our English teacher.
During her classes, I never took my eyes off her.
One must drape a saree like her. There's no competition!
She'd perfectly groom her hair with proper partitioning.
She'll show up with a moon sized bindi on her forehead. A sight to behold!
She is so beautiful that we could look at her all day long.
One day, out of the blue she announced a class test.
She'd hug and give a tight kiss to the student who scores the highest mark.
I was so desperate to get a kiss from her.
The smartest student in my class was Parimala.
So, I came up with a plan.
Cheeky girl, she refused to show me the answers.
But I didn't give up.
I copied all the answers seeing her paper.
Ramu.
Everything looks good. Here.
Ilango.
Next time you must do even better, okay?
Parimala.
All of you give a round of applause for Parimala.
All the answers are correct. She has secured full marks.
Here.
Who is yet to receive the answer slate?
So, it was you. Come here.
You have copied the answers and you've failed in doing that too!
You even copied her name! Fool! Fool!
Do you think I'd have written her name if English was so easy for me? You fool!
Kuruvamma! You better learn to write your name before entering my class.
I am not coming to school hereafter! Get lost!
Mom, you really did that?
I ran away for once and for all. I never went to school after that.
See, I sensed it. You have forgotten your teacher, isn't it?
Or else would you have let me study here?
Then how did Parimala's future turn out?
She got married and had kids.
What else could have happened?
What's going on?
Since when is this going on?
You call yourself a woman?
Answer me!
How can you let a girl child touch your sanitary cloth?
Can't you do it?
Don't you have sense? How can you dry it in the open sun?
Haven't I warned you many times? Now look, your dad's scolding me!
Why are you telling her that to her?
You do it!
If I ever see it happen again, you'll be done!
Look at her face.
Her eyes have teared up.
Dear, if she makes you do such chores again...
...come and tell me. You shouldn't be doing all this.
Tomorrow we have a 'well digging' ritual in our farm.
Now how can we pray to God as a family on this auspicious day?
All this will occur to you only at such time, isn't it? Useless!
Mom!
Mom, for a moment I had my heart in my mouth.
You are indeed my Ayali, mom. Thank God you saved me!
But I'm in a mess now.
What do you mean?
He is under the impression that I'm on my periods.
But it's only due next week. What will I do then?
That's your problem. You handle it.
Mother Ayali...
...my well must never run dry.
Dear, light up the lamp.
Where are you going?
Like a nut!
-You light up the lamp, dear. -Oh God!
You shouldn't. It's a sin.
Auspicious hour is almost over. Come on, dear.
O deity, please forgive me. Please don't punish her.
Please forgive her.
Please don't abandon us, O deity.
We can cure her, dad.
Sister, bless she must have a son and apply the sandal and kumkum.
-Mythili, are you hungry? -No.
So, if you have a son will he be the groom to my daughter?
Like it's a big deal. Fix it right away!
Aunt, that's all? Can't you gift her more bangles?
Why is there such a huge crowd here? What are you all doing here?
-So happy that you came. -Move!
I'm the son-in-law of this house, show respect and make way!
Darling...
O deity, you must be with us and take care of everything.
Let me shower loads of flowers and bless you.
Hey, I know the custom better than you all!
Next, bangles. Right?
Done.
My dear braveheart, is your mom scolding you?
Are you?
Come out soon, okay?
We'll thrash and put your mother in her place, together.
What's this red fruit? Wow, a red guava fruit!
Daddy's hungry dear.
Why are you crying? You better deliver a healthy son!
Why are you pushing me? If not for me, would she be pregnant?
Is it really very tough?
Our mothers; in the name of prepping us,
teach us a lot of things.
It is of no use at all.
But one thing,
they torture and get used to it.
That is why we are able to endure all the pain.
They warn us from standing out, bending down and what not!
Won't they raise their sons the same way?
He cannot stay sober at all!
He drinks and lies wasted here and there.
To express his love towards his parents,
does he have to do it by thrashing me?
So, I don't have a place in his family?
I'm not stopping him from showing love towards his parents.
Can't he show some love on me too?
Hey...
There is no use pondering now.
My life is ruined.
There's nothing more left in my life.
You leave now.
Tamil...
...your friend's life is going to be filled with happiness hereafter.
Make her realize that.
I shall leave now. See you.
Once the baby is born and when you see the baby...
...you will forget all the sufferings.
Just trust me.
Okay.
This is the hall ticket.
Only if you carry this, you'll be allowed to give the exams. So, keep it safe.
Make sure that your name makes it on to this board.
Okay, teacher.
Come on.
-Do your exams well. -Okay, teacher.
-All the best. -Thank you, teacher.
-Study well. -I will, teacher.
-Your name must come in this board. -Sure, teacher.
Keep the hall ticket safe.
-Study well. -Okay, teacher.
Teacher...
You have made it so far...
...but this is the first step towards success in your life.
When the world celebrates you, the village will start to celebrate you too.
I know you will make it.
-Thank you, teacher. -All the best.
What is it?
Dreaming?
No matter how high a sparrow flies, it can never become an eagle.
Didn't your headmistress teach you that?
Why does a turtle worry about flying, sir?
Will you show you power only here, at this farm house?
Thavasi's daughter Tamilselvi is stirring up a storm in the village.
You seem to be chilling here sipping up a tender coconut.
Why are you so riled up?
Do you know that Tamilselvi is about to appear for her 10th board exams.
Let her. What's the big deal?
You keep proving that you're just an 8th grade failure!
It's 10th grade... Government exams... She is heading to town to write it.
To the town?
This issue might appear to you as just a tiny drop.
But she's poison. If it spreads, it will prove fatal for all of us!
It'll be an embarrassment for you in the future.
Mom... mom...
Look, this is my hall ticket for 10th board exams.
I'm about to appear for 10th grade exams,
and I'm headed to the town to write it.
-It's a reputed school. -Town is out of bounds for us.
I am supposed to go there for the board exams.
No need to appear for that.
Nobody is asking you to appear. I'm the one going.
Has any girl from our village ever stepped out for education.?
Has any girl from our village ever made it to 10th grade?
Go and say this to your father.
Dad is here. I will tell him myself. Get lost!
Stop! Hold on!
Listen to me. Don't get beatings from him.
-He will thrash you. -I will tell him. Mind your business.
Don't tell him. It'll become an issue.
Dad, look at this. My hall ticket.
What is it for?
-What is this? -My ticket to write 10th grade exams.
I see.
Do well.
I told the same thing to mom. She's creating a scene.
What's her problem?
Do you know where the exam centre is?
In a reputed school at the town.
-In the town? -Yes, dad.
No need, dear.
-But why, dad? -No need. You won't understand.
-Dad, but why? -You won't get it. End of discussion.
Please, tell me why.
Stop talking back.
Don't rile me up unnecessarily.
I am the only girl who made it to 10th grade, in this village.
Won't it make you proud, if I appear for the exams?
You heard me.
You have no idea what we are already going through.
Everywhere I go, I've to bow down my head in shame.
What is supposed to happen is delayed.
I wonder what sin did we commit.
Nothing's going our way. Move.
True, dad.
I am the flawed one.
You are embarrassed because of me, aren't you?
This birth is a sin for me.
You sound just like these villagers.
Dad, you're despising me. Isn't it?
Why did you sire me, dad?
Dear, look at me. Dear...
-Look at me -Fine, I won't go anywhere.
-Let me die in this village -I didn't mean that.
Dear, you are my everything.
I wouldn't say such a thing.
-But you did just now. -When did I...
It's the villagers who speak such things.
-I won't hurt you, dear. -What did you mean then?
I will never... Stop gawking and tell her!
Just tell her. Tell her, I didn't mean it.
-Tell her. -I tried my best...
Dear, look at me. I will never hurt you.
-Dad, leave me. -Dear, what did I say?
Look at me, dear. Don't cry.
Now, what did I say?
Didn't you tell me not to appear for exams?
It's not about the exams. You don't need to go to town.
Please listen to me. For my sake.
-Just leave!. -Dear, look at me.
What do you want now?
Do you want to write exams?
Do you really want to do it?
Yes, dad.
Don't let him speak. I will do the talking.
You cheated me, didn't you?
None of your plans will work! I will kill myself.
Why are you panicking?
Even I'm confused.
Stop acting. Then why are they here for marriage gifting ritual?
You must have told them.
Don't shout. Wait.
Even I'm worried.
-Greetings, in-law. -Hello, in-law.
How are you dear?
Dear, daughter-in-law...
It's me, your Tirupathi uncle. I can see the wedding glow on your face.
In-law, why do you look so confused?
-Looks like a gifting ritual.. -Obviously it's a marriage proposal.
Didn't you hear the news?
Do you think I'll come with such simple arrangements for marriage proposal?
I bought three kilos of Jalebi.
They had it on the way and we are left with only a little now.
Are you looking at the band people?
They were off to town for some program.
This is a good cause. So, I asked them to join me here.
And thus I brought them along.
Do you think I'll make the gifting ritual so simple?
I'll bring an ocean of procession!
Don't you think so?
I bought the sweets for the kid and thought I'll have a word with my sister.
Bring something for them to drink.
Their manners seem to go down the drain!
In fact so down, till the town!
The whole village knows your family's true reputation now.
Shut up! I'm going to break your jaws!
Dear in-law...
...I heard Tamil is headed to town to write her 10th grade exams.
We don't practice that at all, in our village.
No girl in our village had made it to 10th grade in the past.
We have a school inside the village. So, we let your children study in there.
What's with she crossing borders to appear for exams?
This is not at all our tradition.
On top of that...
My son didn't make it past the 8th grade.
What if it creates an ego clash between them, after marriage?
What can we do then?
It is said in ancient scripts that educated women are not fit for family.
That's the most critical issue every great leader is addressing now.
Do keep that in mind.
My daughter wishes to write this exam.
So that means she will go wherever she wants, is it?
Has any girl made it to the 10th grade so far?
What does the tradition dictate if they do?
Neither you nor I know that.
I have not broken any rules of the village.
So just mind your own business.
Well...
Thavasi has gone weak beneath his knees.
So he wants to send his daughter to the town, get her educated,
then send her off to a job and then he's planning to live off her.
Not many girls from any village has ever gone to the town for education!
Apart from that, who ever went there...
...are spoiled and wander around like glam dolls!
I will chop you down!
Don't you dare preach me traditions?
I live with my dignity and self respect!
Ask the villagers and they will tell you about my reputation!
Once the girl attains puberty, then her schooling must stop.
Isn't that our tradition?
Has my girl attained puberty? No, right?
Tell me. Has my daughter attained puberty?
My daughter will go to school and continue her studies!
No one has the right to interfere.
I will send a word when there is a good news. Now leave!
In-law...
Bring reputed elders while coming for a proposal.
Don't come with jerks like him.
Was that too hot to handle?
Yes, it's scorching hot out here, isn't it?
True, I was talking about the sun.
Don't try to become the villain. You look pathetic.
Wait.
Don't try comedy either. It's worse.
Leave!
Trying to act smart!
Dear...
Don't feel bad for what that jerk spoke.
Have you ever heard him speak sensibly?
Well, it's not that...
So far...
...I have never gave anyone the space to judge me.
That's why...
Is it because of me, dad?
Not at all, dear.
Then what's bothering you?
No, she has to go write her exams. Isn't it?
My work keeps me busy and I'm always away from here.
How can she go alone? She has got her exams too.
Somebody must ensure she reaches there on time. I'm worried about it.
What?
What is it?
No way! I am not taking her!
-I will never do it. Leave me alone! -Look how she took off!
To hell with you and your daughter. Leave me alone!