‘Kottukkaali’ Movie Ending Explained And Recap: Did Meena Get Cured Of The Evil Spirit?

The Stranglehold of Tradition

The Journey Begins

In a small rural village in South India, a tradition-bound family is about to embark on a journey that will test the boundaries of societal norms. Pandi, the soon-to-be groom, and his fiancée Meena are on their way to meet a swamy, who claims to have the power to cure Meena of her "evil spirits." Meena, however, has other plans – she’s in love with a man from a lower caste and refuses to give him up.

A Forced Journey

As they make their way to the swamy’s abode, Meena’s body language and gaze betray her resistance to the journey. Her mother, Shanthi, and father are joining the trip, along with Pandi’s family. Rani, Pandi’s sister, is less than thrilled about the prospect of Meena marrying into their family. Meena notices a rooster tied to a rock, a symbol of her life – stuck and unable to break free.

A Caste-Based Society

Pandi’s sister Rani begins to curse Meena, referring to her as the "Kottukkaali," or the Adamant Girl. Meena’s love for a man from a lower caste is seen as a transgression, and her family believes a ritual must be performed to make her forget her lover and accept Pandi as her partner.

A Pit Stop and a Prayer

The family makes a pit stop at a local shrine, where they offer prayers before proceeding with the rituals. Meena remains quiet, while Rani is forced to stay outside due to her menstrual cycle. The rituals are crucial, as Meena’s family believes they will bring about a positive outcome.

A Symbolic Procession

On their way to the swamy’s, the family comes across a young girl’s first period being celebrated. The event is used to glorify the role of the mother’s brother in taking care of his niece, a practice that is centuries old. Pandi, Meena’s betrothed, has been raised on these traditional values and believes that marrying Meena is the natural order of things.

A Violent Outburst

As they follow the procession, Meena hums a song that sparks Pandi’s rage. He beats her up in the autorickshaw, claiming that her wandering eyes and thoughts are responsible for her predicament. Pandi’s violence is met with silence from Meena, who refuses to let her emotions get the better of her.

Theories and Speculation

A group of cousins join the family, speculating that Meena might be pregnant with her lover’s child. They believe this is the reason behind her insistence on marrying him. The family chooses not to involve the police, preferring to handle the situation in-house.

A Bumpy Road

The family encounters an ox on the road, which refuses to budge despite their attempts to move it. Meena sees this as an opportunity to delay their journey, while the ox is eventually moved by a compassionate farmer’s daughter. The scene highlights the way women are often exploited and controlled by men and other women.

A Silent Rebel

Meena remains quiet throughout the journey, refusing to give in to her family’s demands. She knows that she will never change her mind about marrying the man of her choice. As they reach the swamy’s, Meena’s father threatens to kill her if she doesn’t forget her lover, but Meena is undeterred.

A Ritual of Control

The family witnesses the swamy conducting rituals on another woman, who is married. The woman remains silent and immobile, while the swamy touches her inappropriately. The scene is a stark portrayal of how women are treated in rural regions, with no agency over their bodies.

A Turning Point

Pandi is deeply affected by the ritual he witnesses, and begins to question the swamy’s intentions. He may realize that Meena can never truly love him, and that their eventual marriage would lead to resentment. The movie ends with Pandi deciding not to join the rituals, leaving Meena’s fate uncertain.

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