Chidambaram

Chidambaram

Year: 1985

Runtime: 103 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Govindan Aravindan

Drama

Adapted from a short story by Malayalam author C. V. Shriraman, the film unfolds as a richly symbolic study of desire between a man and a woman, tracing how their attraction spirals into betrayal and leaves both characters mired in a lingering purgatory of guilt and remorse.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Chidambaram yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Chidambaram (1985)

Trace every key event in Chidambaram (1985) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Muniyandi asks for wedding money

Muniyandi, a cattle worker on the vast government estate in the Western Ghats, tells Shankaran that he is getting married and needs funds. Shankaran agrees to help him with money, hoping to ease his burden. Jacob, the supervisor under Shankaran, is not enthusiastic and warns that Shankaran should return to the farm once the wedding is over.

before the wedding Farm estate, Western Ghats (Kerala–Tamil Nadu border)
2

Drinking incident reveals class tensions

Shankaran invites Muniyandi to drink with him at the estate. Jacob arrives and refuses to join, resenting the company of a 'menial.' The moment underscores the rigid social hierarchy on the farm. The tension foreshadows the strain to come between the men.

evening Farm estate
3

Muniyandi shows reverence to Shankaran

Muniyandi falls at Shankaran's feet and sings a Shiva hymn in repentance. The gesture highlights a complex bond of loyalty and subservience within the estate hierarchy. It foreshadows the emotional stakes surrounding Muniyandi and Shankaran.

shortly after the drinking scene Farm estate
4

Wedding journey and photography

Shankaran travels to Muniyandi's village to attend the wedding and volunteers to take photographs. The couple then returns to the estate, first by bullock cart and later by jeep, marking their entry into married life on the estate. The journey underscores the transition from village to estate life.

around the wedding Muniyandi's village; farm estate
5

Shivakami explores the farm and is awed

Shivakami is captivated by the farm's lush landscape and discovers a flower garden. She eagerly shares her discoveries with Muniyandi, who becomes wary and urges that she not wander the farm alone. The scene reveals tension between curiosity and possession in their relationship.

after returning from the wedding Farm garden
6

Letters and evolving openness

Shivakami asks Shankaran to write the address on a letter home in English, and he photographs her as she relaxes her usual reservations. Her growing ease around the estate men shifts the social dynamics she initially maintained. The moment marks a turning point in her adaptation to life there.

post-wedding Farm estate
7

Visit by actors and a provocative picnic

Nedumudi Venu and Innocent visit the farm for an event, and Shankaran throws a picnic that Jacob joins. During the gathering, Jacob makes a crude remark about Shivakami's character, which enrages Shankaran and prompts an attempted punch. The incident deepens the undercurrents of jealousy and power.

event day Farm estate
8

Shivakami relegated to night shift

Against Muniyandi's wishes, Jacob assigns Shivakami to the hay-making unit and moves Muniyandi to the night shift. The forced role reversal heightens tension and fuels mistrust among the workers. The new arrangement sets the stage for a tragic night.

night Hay-making unit, farm estate
9

Night confrontation turns deadly

That night, Muniyandi hears a motorbike approaching the hay-making unit and suspects an affair with Shivakami. He discovers Shankaran instead and, overwhelmed by deceit, slashes Shivakami's face and hangs himself. The double betrayal shatters the stability of the estate.

night Hay-making unit, farm estate
10

Shankaran flees to the city

Shankaran escapes the estate and hides with two colleagues who do not understand what happened. He eventually moves to the city, where he becomes an alcoholic and finds work in a printing press. His flight marks the fragmentation of his former authority and life.

after the tragedy Estate surrounding area; city
11

Alcoholism and search for redemption

The alcohol takes a toll on Shankaran's liver, and a doctor advises him to seek religious discipline to cure the addiction. He attempts to read Hindu scriptures, but those efforts fail, and the doctor suggests pilgrimages as an alternative path. The saga pivots from medicine to spirituality as a remedy.

following relocation City; temple pilgrimages
12

Reunion with Shivakami in Chidambaram

On a visit to the Thillai Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram, Shankaran encounters Shivakami again, now living as an alms-seeker with her face slashed. The reunion starkly reveals the enduring consequences of the earlier events. The story closes on the somber note of their divergent paths.

later Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:46

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Chidambaram

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