Pranchiyettan & The Saint 2010

Chirammal Enashu Francis, better known as Pranchiyettan, is a wealthy and successful businessman living in Thrissur. Despite his prosperity, he is still rooted in simplicity and appears more interested in elevating his social status than academic achievement. His life revolves around ambitions to attain fame, respect, and a better reputation, which stems from a desire to shed his humble origins as the son of rice traders. Although he has expanded into various industries like jewelry, real estate, and finance, he remains somewhat uneducated, having not cleared his SSLC exams, and dreams of becoming a celebrated figure.

The narrative opens with Francis engaging in a dialogue with Saint Francis of Assisi, which sets the film’s tone—blending humor with heartfelt introspection. The story then flashes back to his younger days, revealing a rivalry with Jose over their mutual love interest, Omana, played by Khushboo. During their school years, Francis had a romantic attachment to Omana, but Jose’s scheming forced him to relinquish his love. Years later, Jose and Omana are established as successful professionals, leading independent lives, which adds a bittersweet layer to Francis’ nostalgic reminisces.

Throughout the film, Francis’s relentless quest for recognition drives many of his endeavors. His friend Vasu Menon, played by Innocent, frequently guides him in various pursuits. Francis fights in a local club election but loses to Jose, and he organizes events like honoring an Oscar-winning actor, Gafoor Chekutty, a humorous parody of Resul Pookutty, with the hope of gaining admiration. His obsession to earn a prestigious medal like the Padmashree leads him to bribe politician Ajay Nambiar, played by Balachandran Chullikkadu, with a hefty sum of Rs 15 million. However, this corruption backfires, leaving Francis disillusioned and frustrated.

Just when he considers giving up, a young woman named Padmashree, portrayed by Priyamani, arrives from Mumbai for an inauguration. Their initial conflict—caused by misunderstandings—gives way to a genuine friendship, and eventually, romantic feelings grow between them. Francis helps her fight to save her ancestral home from sale, but his love remains unspoken, and she departs for Mumbai once again. This unresolved affection symbolizes his ongoing longing for recognition and love.

Meanwhile, Francis’s friend Antony Master, a school principal played by Shivaji Guruvayoor, shares his concern about his failing students. Francis, moved by his friend’s plight, takes it upon himself to help a troubled boy named Pauly K. J., played by Ganapathi S Poduval. The boy struggles academically due to his traumatic past, having witnessed his mother and teacher murdered by his biological father, Joppan, played by Biju Menon, who is serving a life sentence in prison. Francis’s efforts to guide Pauly to academic success are initially unsuccessful, leading to disappointment, but he remains committed to helping the boy.

As the story unfolds, Francis learns the harrowing truth about Pauly’s biological father and the trauma that has haunted him since childhood. Joppan, suffering from terminal liver cancer—a fact kept hidden from Pauly—was responsible for a horrific act of violence involving the murder of Pauly’s mother and teacher, driven by alcoholism and rage. Francis, feeling compassionate, seeks to adopt Pauly, turning to Deena Dayal, played by Jagathy Sreekumar, and prays for divine help.

The spiritual sequence includes Francis seeking the Saint’s blessing, during which he is shown three symbolic visions: Omana and Jose cheating on each other, Nambiar’s arrest for corruption, and Padmashree openly confessing her feelings for Francis and planning to propose to him. The Saint’s message, conveyed through these visions, reminds Francis that success is often elusive, and setbacks are part of life’s journey—what may seem lost can often be regained in future. Reassured and hopeful, he asks for the Saint’s blessing to adopt Pauly.

Ultimately, when Francis and Pauly return, they find the boy missing. Despite this, Pauly affirms that he also saw the Saint in Francis, symbolizing his faith in his guardian’s goodness. The film concludes with the father and son making a promise to pass their SSLC exams together the following year—highlighting themes of hope, perseverance, and the possibility of redemption despite life’s hardships.