Oru Kuppai Kathai 2018

Kumar, a poor garbage collector from the slums of Chennai, dreams of finding a life partner who understands and accepts his passion for collecting waste. Despite facing rejection from many women because of his profession, his genuine love remains unwavering. His life takes a surprising turn when he meets Poongodi, a girl from a middle-class family in Valparai, whose father falsely claims that Kumar is a clerk. Believing this false story, Poongodi decides to marry Kumar and move to Chennai, optimistic about starting a new life together.

However, the bliss of their early days together quickly diminishes when Poongodi discovers the truth: Kumar is actually a garbage collector and not a clerk. This revelation breeds resentment and hatred towards Kumar, straining their relationship. Determined to make amends and provide a better future for their newborn daughter, Kumar moves his family from the slums into a modern apartment. There, he befriends his neighbor Arjun, a [software developer], who offers help and guidance during the transition.

As time passes, the relationship between Poongodi and Arjun intensifies, and they eventually begin an extramarital affair, despite Kumar’s efforts to keep their marriage intact. In an act of love and sacrifice, Kumar decides to resign from his job as a garbage collector to support Poongodi’s happiness. He plans to surprise her with this news, but his world is shattered when he learns that Poongodi and their daughter are missing from their home. A watchman informs Kumar that Poongodi is having an affair with Arjun and might have run away with him, leaving Kumar overwhelmed with shock and despair.

Kumar’s search for Poongodi leads him to her childhood hometown in Valparai, where he hopes to find her. Unfortunately, she is not there, and her absence cuts off the last threads of hope he clings to. During this tumultuous period, Kumar struggles to cope with the grief of losing his wife and the recent death of his mother. Meanwhile, Poongodi, believing she is escaping her troubled marriage, moves in with Arjun in a bid to start anew.

However, the facade of their relationship quickly disintegrates when Poongodi uncovers Arjun’s true nature as a playboy who has no intention of marrying her. When Arjun’s father intervenes, urging Arjun to send Poongodi back to her husband, Arjun falsely promises to do so but instead leaves her with his friend. This friend, lured by greed and with malicious intent, attempts to assault Poongodi. When she resists, he insults her and later attempts to rape her, further compounding her trauma.

In a critical turn of events, Kumar arrives at Poongodi’s house and witnesses the chaos unfolding. He reunites with his daughter and gently reassures Poongodi that he’s not there to take her away. During the confrontation, Kumar notices a blood-stained knife and soon finds a man in the kitchen who has been stabbed. Poongodi then confesses that she stabbed Arjun’s friend in self-defense during the assault attempt. Recognizing her bravery and suffering, Kumar devises a plan: he will surrender to the police for the murder, allowing Poongodi to return to their humble home in the slums with their child, supported by the community that has always accepted them.

Poongodi, overwhelmed with remorse and gratitude, falls at Kumar’s feet and agrees to his plan, promising secrecy about the incident. Kumar, in turn, surrenders himself to the authorities, accepting responsibility. Poongodi goes back to the slums, where she is welcomed with kindness, and in a poignant closing scene, she is shown wearing Kumar’s garbage collector’s uniform, sweeping the streets of Chennai—symbolizing both her remorse and her acceptance of her life and responsibilities.

This story not only explores themes of love, sacrifice, and social acceptance but also highlights the resilience of a woman in the face of betrayal and hardship, and the humility of a man devoted to his duties and family.