The Magic of Meiyazhagan

Have you watched Meiyazhagan yet? If not, make it your weekend watch, please.

In a period where violence, sexual content, scandals, and controversies draw in viewers, Meiyazhagan appears as a refreshing alternative. Karthi portrays innocence and a desire to please, all while upholding his respect and belief in humanity.

As Karthi begins to stimulate Arul’s memories, he takes him back to his teenage years, when Karthi, then a child, visited him with his family. Arul, who has no memory of ever meeting Karthi, is astonished to find that the kindness and affection he showed to young Karthi influenced the way that child chose to live as an adult. The warmth and generosity of a teenage Arul inspired the child Karthi to look up to him and model his life after him.

A bitter Arul finds himself lowering his defenses and encountering the version of himself that Karthi recalls so vividly.

When Karthi shares his plan to name his soon-to-arrive child Arulmozhi, Arul feels his final defenses dissolve, even as the shame of not knowing Karthi’s name becomes apparent. Karthi then asks Arul to bless him and his wife by mentioning their names the next morning, leaving Arul feeling remorseful. In response, he quietly slips away into the night without saying farewell to the sleeping Karthi or his wife.

This heartwarming film makes one realize that our egos nurture our demons, keeping them alive while they consume us. Distrust leads us to overlook the goodness in others and in good people. Grudges not only weigh us down, but the burden of them distorts us into unrecognizable beings who cannot find their place. Hatred forms chains that bind us to those we are trying to distance ourselves from. Forgiveness is vital because it liberates us. A pure heart recognizes purity in every heart.

Meiyazhagan was a wonderful viewing experience. It made me smile, it made me laugh, it left me teary-eyed, and it prompted introspection. The lessons I gleaned from this film will linger with me for a long time. My most significant takeaway from Meiyazhagan was that an act of kindness is never forgotten.