Dhwani 1988

Ongallur Sadasivan, a Kerala minister, K P Ummer is drawn into a dam-construction scam that rattles the state’s political foundations. A Judicial Commission, led by an upright judge, Prem Nazir Rajasekharan Nair, is summoned to sift through the evidence, weigh the testimonies, and separate fact from rumor. Behind the scenes, Vettukuzhi, a crafty political kingmaker Thilakan, pulls strings to shield Sadasivan and safeguard his party’s reputation, while Sadasivan’s son Dr. Dinesh Suresh Gopi watches a widening web of illicit ties with growing unease. The mounting pressure seals a painful fate for Dinesh’s love life as his engagement with Sunitha Rohini is called off, crushed beneath the weight of scandal and suspicion.

At the heart of the tale lies Shabari Jayaram, a young, thoughtful writer who is lodging at the local government guest house while he pursues a novel. The Commission’s arrival disrupts the quiet, forcing Shabari to give up his room to accommodate Justice Nair and his family, which includes his wife Malathi Jayabharathi and their daughter Devi Shobana. Devi, a gifted dancer, communicates through movement rather than speech, and her silent world draws Shabari into a quiet, growing connection that transcends words. Their shared appreciation for art blossoms into a tender affection, even as they hardly know each other beyond their mutual artistry. Justice Nair and Malathi warm to the idea of this unlikely pairing, while Shabari’s own family watches the situation with a mix of hope and concern.

As the relationship deepens, Shabari learns of Devi’s inability to speak and the implications it carries for a future together. Though he confides in his parents, they stand firmly in opposition to the marriage, torn between family duty and the chance for happiness. Justice Rajasekharan, a friend from Shabari’s past, makes a heartfelt but ultimately unsuccessful bid to persuade Shabari’s father to approve the union, signaling how entrenched loyalties and social expectations complicate personal dreams.

When the Commission finally submits its report and Sadasivan resigns, Devi’s family remains bereft yet resolute, preparing to leave the Guest House. In a poignant turn, Shabari’s kin arrive the next morning and urge Rajasekharan to accept Devi, who has mysteriously vanished. A frantic search unfolds, and a weary Devi is found by the riverbank, her strength renewed by love and perseverance. The reunion is quiet but resolute, and the lovers’ commitment endures. In the end, the couple’s union is celebrated as a hopeful, uplifting beacon, bringing a sense of peace after a season of tension and upheaval.