Mee Sreyobhilashi 2007

A heartfelt drama that unfolds in Hyderabad, the story begins with a compassionate man named Rajaji, who comes across various individuals scarred by life’s hardships. Among them are an old couple, Raghuram and Lakshmi, who are neglected and yearning for companionship; Rama Krishna, a cancer patient fighting a losing battle; Chitila Chinna Rao, a chit-fund company owner burdened by financial troubles; Vinod, a young man devastated by unrequited love; Amala, who suffers through ongoing dowry-related harassment; a pair of love birds, Kiran and Sandhya, whose relationship faces disapproval from their elders; and a boy named Chandu, a student who has failed to succeed academically.

Rajaji is seen sitting on a bench at Tank Bund when he encounters a film producer, Surya Prakash Reddy, who is on the verge of committing suicide due to bankruptcy. Demonstrating his empathy, Rajaji decides to bring him along, and soon, all the troubled souls that he has met are summoned together—each wrestling with their own despair. To their shock, Rajaji devises an extreme plan: to undertake a massive suicide by traveling to Srisailam and jumping from its highest cliff. He calls for them to arrive by the next day with this intent in mind.

However, not everyone is convinced, and Ramakrishna protests, accusing Rajaji of being a murderer. Rajaji responds with a sense of calm, insisting he aims to save these individuals from their pain. That night, as circumstances unfold, Rajaji takes Chitila Chinna Rao in for the night, revealing his own tragic past. Rajaji’s life has been marked by intense love and loss—his daughter Swapna, whom he cherished dearly, sacrificed her own happiness for love, leading Rajaji to feel her pain deeply. Her act of selfless love broke him emotionally, and now, he views death as a release from his grief. His life has been a series of sacrifices, and his desire to die stems from a deep sense of peace that he cannot find elsewhere.

In the early dawn, the group boards a bus, with Chalapathi Rao as the driver, who also shares a desire to end his suffering due to personal issues. Their plan is to carry out the suicide ritual, but Ramakrishna unexpectedly dies in a tragic accident en route, a detail Rajaji conceals from the rest of the group to prevent panic. As the journey continues, Ramakrishna’s diary, which documents their plan, falls into the wrong hands and sparks media attention, prompting the government to intervene.

The authorities appoint ACP Sunil to stop the impending tragedy, and as the group stops at various locations, Rajaji employs clever tactics to help them see life’s positive aspects—its beauty, joy, sorrow, and the valuable lessons that come with every experience. He intentionally stirs conflicts among them to emphasize that, despite struggles, life’s ups and downs are what make it meaningful. As they reach a halt, they learn about Ramakrishna’s death, which exposes their scheme—forcing them to go into hiding from the police.

Throughout the pursuit, Sunil slowly uncovers Rajaji’s true intentions and location, leading him to hijack a helicopter in a desperate attempt to save the group. Meanwhile, Rajaji and his companions reach their destination, but many are reluctant to go through with the plan. Rajaji finally reveals that his motive for orchestrating this journey was to bring about a transformation in their outlook on life—to help them realize its true worth by experiencing its nuances firsthand. With this revelation, the group begins to rediscover hope and gratitude.

However, tragedy strikes when the bus’s brake system fails, plunging the vehicle out of control. Rajaji heroically shields everyone, risking his life. As he falls from the cliff, fate intervenes—Sunil, who has arrived just in time, notices Rajaji hanging from a tree and rescues him. The others, meanwhile, are overwhelmed with relief and joy, having narrowly escaped death thanks to his sacrifice.

The film concludes with Rajaji once again back on his bench, symbolically reinitiating his journey of compassion and hope. The final message resonates strongly: “Hardship may pass like a passing cloud, but once life is lost, it cannot be retrieved.” This enduring truth underscores the enduring value of life, reminding viewers that even in our darkest moments, hope and purpose can be rediscovered.

Throughout this poignant story, the characters’ struggles and Rajaji’s unwavering belief in the potential for change serve as a powerful reminder that life, with all its complexities, is worth fighting for.