Ayothi
Ayothi ( is a 2023 Indian drama film directed by newcomer R. Manthira Moorthy, starring M. Sasikumar, Yashpal Sharma, Preethi Asrani, Pugazh, Anju Asrani and Master Advaith Vinod in the lead roles. The music was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan with cinematography by Madhesh Manickam and editing by San Lokesh. The film, primarily in Tamil, contains significant Hindi dialogue. It was released on 3 March 2023.
Plot
Balram is an orthodox Hindu living in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh with his wife Janki, daughter Shivani, and son Sonu. In November 2021, he plans a pilgrimage to Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu along with his family. Their train arrives at Madurai Junction railway station on the eve of Diwali, and they hire a cab for Rameswaram.On their way, Balram picks up a fight with the cab driver Kanagu, leading to a crash. As a result, Janki is heavily injured and admitted to a hospital's ICU. She immediately requires to be shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai to ensure survival. Balram and his children are helpless as they can't understand Tamil language. A friend of Kanagu witnesses their helplessness and decides to help. He drives the ambulance to GRH, but Janki passes away en route. Citing religious faith, Balram opposes a post-mortem on his wife, and insists that the family be dropped off at the Madurai Airport so that they may airlift Janki's body back to Ayodhya.
After reaching the airport, Kanagu's friend is stopped by the airport authorities and the police, while the latter takes them to a police station in Perungudi for an inquiry into the death of Janki. They are proven innocent and are taken to the mortuary for the post-mortem. Kanagu's friend leaves the family, but immediately returns after being moved by the helpless children. He gathers money for the flight and is able to book a ticket for Shivani. He also manages to get the embalming done, despite protests from Balram. Balram is rebuked by Shivani for his attitude towards his wife when she was alive, and his hypocrisy for hoping for her to reach heaven by interfering with all the legal procedures required to reach home. Balram has a change of mind, and for the first time mourns his wife's death.
All the tickets for the flight to Lucknow have been booked and Shivani has no choice but to reach Ayodhya alone along with the remains of her mother. Kanagu's friend explains the situation to the passengers and requests that any two of them withdraw their tickets. An elderly couple yield to the request, allowing Sonu and Balram to board the flight.
At last, it is revealed that Kanagu's friend was a Muslim named Abdul Malik. Balram lets go of his intolerance and hatred and thanks Abdul Malik for his timely help. He and his children then board the flight and leave.
A few months later, Abdul Malik helps a stranger back in Rameswaram perform the last rites of her mother.