Vallamai

I'm Saravanan.

I come from Puthur Ariyalur district.

I lost my parents when I was still a kid.

Bharathiyar wanted a barren land.

Same way, my parents had left behind a land for me.

I earned my livelyhood by farming in that land.

Kalaiselvi was one of my worker.

We met, spent time, spoke a lot, and then we liked each other.

Not having any one beside us might be difficult at times.

But sometimes, it's a boon.

And that's because we don't have to ask permission to do things we like.

I married Kalaiselvi.

I always asked her if there was anyone happier than us in this world.

And she replied immediately.

"Yes, dear. It'll be our baby."

Those colorful dreams shattered too soon.

Kalaiselvi fell into a well while taking bath and died.

After her death…

I fell sick for almost 20 days.

A few things happened without even knowing why it happened.

That's how I became deaf when I was sick.

We think memories give us happiness.

But it's not always true.

It's easier to live in hunger, rather than others take pity on us.

I was pushed to a situation where everyone around me saw me with pity.

I didn't want my daughter to go through the same.

I shifted to Chennai with my daughter,

with big dreams to give her good education and career.

We've just come to Chennai. Do you know any house for rent?

Even I was without help when I shifted to Chennai.

I started out with pasting posters and then later bought this auto.

I'm not sure who we can ask at this hour.

Finding a house is not that easy.

You know the place in our village where sack bags are kept?

It’ll be a tiny space under the stairs, like those areas,

and they’ll charge 4,000-5,000 for it.

Government fixes a rate for electricity. But these people never follow that.

It's so costly that even electricity will be shocked.

There's a dialogue which every owner will keep repeating,

"Be here if you agree to this, or you can leave."

People who come to Chennai to make a livelihood

work so hard all their life just to pay rent.

-This house won't suit you. Come along. -Okay.

I know a smaller house. You might like that.

-I'll take you there. -Okay.

I asked, "do you know who you are?"

That's when he woke up.

Not just him, all of us are the same.

We know who we're dealing with.

But we don't know who we are.

Who are we really?

-This is the place. Get down. -Okay.

-This is the house I told you about. -Oh, okay.

Mind your steps.

The house is upstairs.

It's not a great house. But this is the best for now.

This is the house.

-Come in. It is a small house. -No problem.

But it should be enough for the two of you.

This is the kitchen.

-The bathroom is outside. -And the water facility here?

There's no problem.

There's a tap here, if not you can pump from downstairs.

-Okay. -Rent is 3k. And the electricity will be 500.

Come.

-Do you like this house? -Come, dear.

It's nice. I really like it.

Neem tree, unpainted walls, and no roof,

It feels like our village.

What do you mean?

If you want that feel, why did you come to Chennai?

You think Chennai will fill you with money and happiness?

We saw many house and people from morning.

Did you see the worried look on their faces?

Did you see one happy person?

It's been 20 years since I moved to Chennai.

I couldn't save peanuts.

My children have grown, so have my debts.

I can neither go back to my town…

nor live here peacefully. Just living for the sake of it.

Let me not scare you.

You've brought along your daughter with faith.

I hope Chennai will keep up your hopes. Are you okay with the house?

Yes, absolutely. If you could get me that poster pasting job…

-It would be very helpful. -Sure. I'll try my best.

-And a school for her… -Don't worry about that.

Alright, I'll leave now. You take rest. See you morning!

-Hey! -Move, move.

A guy will come in search of me. Tell him you didn't see me. Got it?

-Who is he? -God knows. He came--

Where are they?

Did anyone come? No?

I haven't seen you around.

-What? Are you here to rent this house? -Who are you, boy?

Father and daughter, is it?

Where's your mom?

Shut up! How does that matter to you? Who the hell are you?

What now? Why are you being rude?

I live with my grandpa in the next house.

That doesn't mean we should give you details.

-Get going. -I just wanted to know since we’ll be neighbors.

-Get lost! As if you are… -Damn you!

He looks like a rogue.

You'll find people like him everywhere.

We can't keep shifting houses but be careful.

Take care of her. We'll talk about your job in the morning.

-Yeah, okay. -See you.

We wouldn’t have come here if Mom were still alive.

We could have stayed back in our village and lived happily.

Why did God do this to us?

Let me tell you a small story.

A man was walking happily in a garden.

God was by his side as well.

As days passed, he came to the end of the garden and entered a desert.

The desert was hot, filled with sand, and he found it difficult to cross.

After walking a distance, he turned back.

He realised he only saw one pair of foot print.

He got angry and shouted,

"God, you walked by me when I was crossing the garden.

But now you've let me cross this desert all by myself."

At that point, he heard God's voice.

"Hey, man. The foot print you saw is not yours.

That's mine."

"You’re being carried on my shoulder,

and I’m taking care of your worries and problems."

What lesson did you learn from this?

When we face problems,

God takes special care of us.

Very good!

Come on.

Careful!

-How you doing, Madan? -Ravi brother!

-How are you? -I'm fine. Where's Muthu?

Muthu! He's inside.

-Muthu! -Coming.

Auto driver ravi is here.

Welcome, Ravi!

-Greetings! -Didn’t I mention them?

-I've informed him. -Alright!

He has spoken about it all, and suggested them to meet you!

-Do the needful. -Is he familiar with putting up posters?

He needs to learn it.

-Will you learn it? -Yes, I can learn it.

-That won’t be a problem. -Great, then let him join us.

-They come from Ariyalur. -Sure!

She’s his daughter. Look after them well.

-Let’s provide them with whatever we can. -Alright!

-Isn't brother here for us all! -We have an old vehicle around.

Right! Is it the one parked downstairs?

We’ll get it serviced.

-It will all be adjusted in the salary. -Sure, go ahead.

-Your salary will be deducted, understood? -Be here early in the morning!

The posters should be put up across Kodambakkam.

It must be put up perfectly!

Do you remember Kodambakkam? That’s where we looked for a house!

I also showed you Ilayaraja sir's studio.

It's new for you. But you'll get used to it soon.

-Teach him and be by his side for two days. -I'll take care of it all!

Hey, where's the key?

-Brother? -The bike key…

-Give it to me! -Here.

Take it.

I've handed over the bike to him.

-Come on time tomorrow morning! -Sure!

Please follow up, the timing is crucial.

-Most definitely! -Alright! See you soon.

-Thank you! -Greetings!

I'll get going.

I got you the job you wanted!

Since the government has tightened rules on putting up posters,

some have turned to driving autos.

That’s the only way everything will be balanced.

Alright, don’t you drive an auto?

-Yes, I do. -What else then?

Give it a few days.

You should also get an auto

manage both activities,

and earn some money.

-This way, you can lead a peaceful life. -Okay.

When we dwell on something non-stop,

it becomes our whole world.

And that’s how my daughter became my everything.

One day,

Something happened that…

turned my life around completely!

Hi!

How did school go today?

Hop on.

All set?

-Dad… -What is it?

This afternoon,

I noticed bleeding when I went to pee.

Are you serious?

What are you saying?

Yes, dad.

After lunch today,

I went to the bathroom and that’s when I noticed it.

Fine!

Hop on.

Come on.