Katha Parayumbol 2007

In Melukavu, a small village in Kerala, Balan works as a barber and struggles to support his family of three. His wife, Sridevi, is beautiful and hails from a high caste, a fact that adds to their social challenges since they eloped. Balan’s shop faces stiff competition from a new air-conditioned beauty salon opened by Sarasan across the street. Without a license or a loan, he sinks into debt, meals become scarce, and school fees feel out of reach.

One morning, the village wakes to news that a Malayalam movie is going to be shot in Melukavu, with Ashok Raj as the hero. The ten-day shoot sparks excitement as the community prepares to greet the star. Rumors spread that Balan and Ashok Raj are childhood friends, and the barber—once the town’s laughingstock—becomes the center of attention. People bend over backward to help him meet the star and secure favors, even as the pressure to deliver grows.

Under the bright spotlight, Balan feels crushed by the crowd’s expectations and the sense that others depend on his friendship with the superstar. He makes a real effort to reach Ashok Raj, but heavy security and his modest status block his path. When it becomes clear that he cannot actually help, some villagers turn on him, doubting his tale of friendship and ridiculing him even more.

Ashok Raj is invited to a function at the local school, where he delivers a ceremonial speech about modern life, the state of good people, and the changing values of the village. He then reveals, in a moving moment, that Balan was indeed his best friend—the first to recognize his acting talent—and tears up as he admits how much he has missed him.

That evening, Ashok Raj visits Balan at his home, and the barber—once the village’s mockery—becomes an overnight hero in Melukavu. The events offer a quiet reflection on friendship, dignity, and the human desire for recognition, reminding the community that truth and loyalty can realign priorities and elevate even those who seem most ordinary.