Nandhan

“Nandhan” is a 2024 Tamil drama film directed by Era. Starring M. Sasikumar and Suruthi Periyasamy, the film is about the strong narrative of caste politics, suppression, and one man's struggle for dignity in his village.

In Koppulingam village, Vanangankudi, a powerful caste leader, has been village president for two terms. When the panchayat is reclassified as a reserved constituency, he is no longer qualified to contest. To keep power, he manipulates his faithful househelp, “Koozhpaana”, a Scheduled Caste individual, into becoming the new village president. But Koozhpaana soon finds himself a puppet, as Koppulingam still makes all the decisions.

Koozhpaana is humiliated at every turn. On Independence Day, Koppulingam gets to hoist the flag and not him. When his grandmother dies, Koppulingam and his henchmen refuse her a decent burial, compelling Koozhpaana to dig a grave in the rain. In search of justice, Koozhpaana goes to the Block Development Officer (BDO), “Marudhudurai”, who gives government land for a cremation ground. But Koppulingam, ever plotting, appropriates the land as his own and makes Koozhpaana resign in return for allowing villagers to remain on their land.

When Koozhpaana's resistance increases, Koppulingam becomes violent. His henchmen beat up Koozhpaana and his wife, “Selvi”, and drove them out of their house. In the meantime, “Marimuthu”, father of a killed SC leader, is forced to run in the elections. But Koozhpaana does not yield and submits his own nomination. Koppulingam, in fear, coerces villagers to withdraw their sponsorship. But in a turn of events, the BDO comes across Marimuthu's withdrawal letter, declaring Koozhpaana as the unopposed victory with the support of the masses.

“Nandhan” is a taut, emotionally charged drama that drives home the brutal ruthlessness of political manipulation and caste oppression. Sasikumar delivers a completely moving performance as Koozhpaana as he transforms from a timid worker to a rebellious and fearless leader. Raw and realistic dialogue, backed by a solid script, makes it a must-see, identifying a much-needed social cause of justice vs. self-respect.