Ka/Pae. Ranasingam 2020

The film opens with Ariyanachi preparing for her daughter’s ear-piercing ceremony, while her husband, Ranasingam, is in Dubai supporting the family. As the ceremony unfolds, a storm of grief hits the household when Maayi, Ranasingam’s sister, learns that he died during a protest in Dubai. The family is left in shock and heartbreak as they scramble to bring his body back to India.

In a carefully structured flashback, we learn that Ranasingam is a water dowser hired by Ariyanachi’s father, Thirukannan, to locate groundwater on their land. Ariyanachi initially dismisses him as a pretender who is merely playing tricks, even as she begins to fall for him. The moment arrives when Ranasingam identifies water as if by magic, predicting rain on one side of the land and not the other, a feat that proves his skill and slowly wins her trust. This early sequence sets up a romance rooted in practicality and a shared desire to improve the family’s fortunes.

Back in the present, the family’s hope to recover Ranasingam’s body is dashed when relatives abroad reveal a different version of events: Ranasingam died in an industrial accident, not a protest. Confronted with this new narrative, Ariyanachi turns to the police, only to find themselves doubting her without solid evidence. Undeterred, she pushes the case forward in court, where officials appear more interested in protecting reputations than uncovering the truth, and the legal process drags on without a clear resolution.

The story then returns to the couple’s engagement and wedding, which occur against the backdrop of police-imposed curfews. Their union is quietly celebrated, and Ariyanachi expresses a desire to build a home for the family. Ranasingam is depicted as a man deeply involved in addressing people’s problems, a trait that earns him both admiration and enmity from authorities who see him as meddling in matters they’d rather control. As Ariyanachi continues her fight to bring Ranasingam home, she remains determined, no matter the obstacles.

Ariyanachi and Ranasingam’s bond deepens even as she learns of her husband’s affection for her: when he travels to Dubai for work, he sends a tattoo of her name on his hand, a constant reminder to stay connected and faithful, visible to everyone he shakes hands with. This symbol of devotion reinforces her resolve to fight for him, even as the system resists.

Her efforts reach the ears of political voices. She reaches out to the local MLA, [Namo Narayanan], and to higher authorities, hoping for accountability and closure. The struggle intensifies as the family endures months of uncertainty. Ten months pass, and a desperate act—standing atop a dam in a plea for justice—draws the Prime Minister’s attention, [C. V. Kumar], and spurs renewed attempts to recover Ranasingam’s body. The family finally participates in funeral arrangements, yet a troubling doubt lingers: the body being brought back does not bear the tattoo of Ariyanachi’s name.

In a quiet, painful moment of candor, Ariyanachi speaks to a photograph of Ranasingam and asks for forgiveness for not being able to bring him home. The film closes on a somber note as the truth about Ranasingam’s death unfolds: his body, eventually found, is shown floating in the ocean, signaling that his end came in an accident and that his remains were discarded rather than returned to those who loved him.

Throughout, the story is told with a restrained, empathetic lens that emphasizes the human cost of grief, the rigidity of institutions, and a widow’s unwavering determination to honor her husband’s memory, even when most paths to truth feel blocked. The performances, especially in scenes blending flashback romance with present-day legal battles, create a steady, somber rhythm that invites reflection on resilience, faith, and the price of seeking justice.