Nerkonda Paarvai 2019

Meera Krishnan, [Shraddha Srinath], along with her friends Famitha Banu, played by [Abhirami Venkatachalam], and Andrea Tariang, are three spirited young women living together in Chennai. They share a close bond and often indulge in social outings, such as attending lively parties where they seek to enjoy themselves and celebrate their independence. One evening, during a night out, they have a fun night but are disturbed by the chaos that follows. Meanwhile, two wealthy youth, Vishwa and Venkatesh, played by [Adhik Ravichandran] and [Ashwin Rao Pallaki], are seen rushing their injured friend, Adhik Ramajayam, to the hospital after he is beaten and bleeding due to a confrontation. Despite his injury and the serious situation, the boys decide not to involve the police, choosing instead to keep everything under wraps. The women return home in distress, visibly upset over something that happened that night but try to put it behind them and continue with their daily routines.

The story further unfolds with a focus on Bharath Subramaniam, a character played by [Ajith Kumar], who is a former successful lawyer and a kindly, caring man living in the neighborhood. Bharath is depicted as someone who, after losing his wife Kalyani Bharath, a woman portrayed by [Vidya Balan], due to pregnancy complications, has retreated from his active professional life. His grief affects him deeply, leading him to retire from law and struggle with depression, which he manages through medication. Bharath notices something troubling during his morning exercise when he observes Meera with concern, sensing that she is harboring some emotional pain. Memories of Kalyani evoke a sense of loss and longing within him.

Things take a darker turn when Meera decides to file a complaint against Adhik and his friends for causing harm to her friends and disrupting their peace. This decision sets off a chain of events. In retaliation, Adhik formulates a sinister plan, assembling a gang to kidnap and attempt to molest Meera, while coercing her to withdraw her complaint. After the ordeal, she is left at her home but is soon falsely accused of prostitution and attempted murder by Adhik. The accusations are based on dubious assumptions and false narratives.

Bharath learns of Meera’s suffering from her friends and is determined to seek justice. He confronts the gang working with Adhik, captures their main goon, and turns him over to the police. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Bharath offers his legal expertise to help the women by representing them in court. The trial becomes the central focus of the story, with Adhik’s lawyer, [Rangaraj Pandey], presenting a version of events that portrays the women as promiscuous, implying that they were seeking trouble after a night out. His defense rests on allegations that the women, specifically Meera, and her friends, were involved in immoral activities, based on superficial observations: Meera living alone despite having a family, Famitha having a relationship with an older man, and Andrea moving from North India to Chennai.

In contrast, Bharath staunchly defends the women, emphasizing their rights to make their own choices and to say no to unwanted advances. He and [Rangnaraj Pandey] interrogate witnesses and individually examine the women, which ultimately leads to the truth surfacing. Bharath’s investigation reveals that the women were assaulted, not at all engaged in wrongful behavior, and only defended themselves when faced with violence. During the trial, Bharath points out the societal double standards, criticizing the attitude that women are responsible for their victimization if they enjoy nightlife, drink, or are independent.

A pivotal moment occurs when Adhik, in an arrogant display, claims that “girls born in good families don’t party or drink.” Bharath counters by showing a photograph of Adhik’s sister enjoying herself at a party, which causes Adhik to lose his composure and curse the women. In a shocking revelation, Adhik admits to attempting to rape Meera, a confession that deeply unsettles everyone in the courtroom. The case concludes with Bharath condemning societal stereotypes that judge women harshly for their choices while absolving men from accountability.

The verdict results in the arrest of Adhik and his accomplices, bringing justice for Meera and her friends. The film closes on a note that underscores the importance of respect, equality, and understanding in society, challenging regressive views and advocating for women’s rights to live freely and safely.