Kaathal - The Core

Mathew Devassy, a retired bank manager, lives a respectable life with his wife Omana, daughter Femy, and father Devassy in a village. Their life appears peaceful until underlying tensions and secrets are hinted at, setting the stage for future conflicts.

Thanks to his father's support for the CR Party, Mathew gets a chance to contest in the Local Village Body elections. His candidacy marks a notable point in his life, bringing increased public scrutiny and personal pressures.

Mathew discovers that Omana has filed a divorce petition accusing him of being homosexual. Omana reveals she filed the petition two months earlier, which shocks Mathew and raises questions about their marriage.

The couple approaches the Family Court for a speedy trial on the divorce petition. During the hearing, Omana claims that Mathew failed to fulfill her marital obligations despite raising a family together.

In court, Omana states they had only four instances of intercourse over twenty years, which leads to questions about the authenticity of her claims and the state of their marriage.

The respondent's lawyer mentions that under IPC 377, Omana might have accused Mathew of a crime earlier had she filed the petition sooner. Mathew denies any sexual relationship outside his marriage and with his alleged partner Thankan.

Thankan, accused of being Mathew's partner, admits his sexual orientation and states his driving school mostly caters to women. Kuttayi, Thankan's nephew, faces harassment at school, highlighting societal pressures.

Devassy, Mathew's father, admits that his son has been a homosexual since childhood and that societal pressures led him to marry. He feels responsible for his son's struggles and emotional distress.

Devassy breaks down, expressing remorse for his role in pressuring Mathew into marriage. Mathew apologizes to Omana, revealing his fear of societal judgment and his desire to be true to himself.

As they sign the divorce papers, Mathew publicly comes out as gay. His honesty marks a turning point, leading him to campaign openly for the elections and face societal prejudices.

After winning the election, Mathew works to rebuild his life. He seeks a potential groom for Omana, with Thankan now accepting his relationship with Mathew, indicating acceptance and a new beginning.