Kannathil Muthamittal

Kannathil Muthamittal

Year: 2002

Runtime: 137 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Mani Ratnam

WarDramaMoving relationship storiesHumanity and the world around usTouching and sentimental family stories

A gentle drama about a young girl who discovers she is adopted. Determined to find her birth mother, she convinces her family to journey to Sri Lanka. There they encounter the harsh reality of the civil war and the Tamil Tigers, challenging both their personal bonds and the political backdrop.

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Timeline – Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)

Trace every key event in Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) 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

Shyama and Dileepan wed as War rages

In Mankulam, Shyama marries Dileepan as the Sri Lankan Civil War rages around them. Dileepan joins the LTTE and fights the government while Shyama becomes pregnant, anchoring their hopes for the future despite the danger nearby.

During the Sri Lankan Civil War (late 1980s) Mankulam, Sri Lanka
2

Dileepan goes to the forest; Shyama flees

As government troops close in on their village, Dileepan tells Shyama to flee. He stays behind in the forest to fight, while she escapes with the villagers seeking safety.

During a government offensive in the forest Forest near Mankulam
3

Villagers escape to India by a fragile boat

With the village in danger, Shyama and others escape by a fragile boat. The crossing is rough and fraught with fear as they set course toward India, hoping for safety for the unborn child.

Same period Sea crossing between Sri Lanka and India
4

Shyama gives birth in Rameswaram and leaves the baby behind

Shyama gives birth to a baby girl during refugee processing in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu. Overwhelmed by hardship, she makes the heart-wrenching choice to leave the newborn behind and return to Sri Lanka, clinging to the hope that her husband survives.

Shortly after arrival in India Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
5

Nine years later: Amudha grows up in Chennai

In Chennai, Amudha grows up with her engineer father Thiruchelvan, her mother who is a newscaster, and her two younger brothers. On Amudha's ninth birthday, Thiruchelvan reveals that she was adopted, shattering her sense of belonging and triggering questions about her origins.

Amudha's ninth birthday Chennai, Tamil Nadu
6

Origins of Amudha: Thiruchelvan's early life and adoption efforts

Earlier, Thiruchelvan, a budding writer and engineer, travels to refugee camps and writes stories inspired by the people there. He wishes to adopt the newborn girl but faces barriers as a single man, leading to his eventual marriage to Indira and the adoption of Amudha.

Earlier years before Amudha's birth Sri Lanka refugee camps; Chennai, India
7

Amudha is adopted by Thiruchelvan and Indira

Thiruchelvan marries Indira and formally adopts Amudha, naming her with Indira's suggestion. A few years later, Indira bears Vinay and Akhil, expanding the family.

After their marriage Chennai, Tamil Nadu
8

Amudha seeks her birth mother

Amudha remains unsettled by her adoption and seeks to meet her birth mother. She secretly travels to Rameswaram with her cousin, discovers her records, and pressures her family to uncover the truth.

Before Sri Lanka trip Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
9

Trip to Sri Lanka; meeting with Wickramasinghe; Shyama revealed as LTTE sister

Thiruchelvan, Indira, Amudha, and Wickramasinghe travel to Sri Lanka, where they are guided to a meeting with Shyama and the LTTE leader Pasupathy. They learn that Shyama is Pasupathy's sister living in hiding.

During their visit to locate Shyama Sri Lanka
10

Park encounter and army clash

A park meeting is arranged, but a battle erupts as the Sri Lankan army attacks the LTTE base. Indira is shot in the arm during the escape, and the family manages to flee and seek medical aid.

During the park confrontation Park in Sri Lanka
11

Return to India and plan for a reunion

The group returns to India via the airport, but they decide to revisit the park for a final meeting with Shyama. An emotional reunion unfolds, with Amudha presenting a photo album and asking questions that Shyama can only partially answer.

Following the Sri Lankan army clash Airport/park in Sri Lanka
12

Partial reunion and hopeful farewell

Shyama arrives for a tearful reunion, but she declines to join them in Chennai immediately, explaining she has duties to attend to and that they will meet again when the land is war-free. The moment ends with a touching farewell among the family.

At the end of the trip Park in Sri Lanka
13

Final embrace and kiss

Thiruchelvan, Amudha, and Indira share a warm hug as Shyama leaves. Amudha kisses her mother in a complex, hopeful gesture, underscoring the fragile thread of reunion that remains tied to a war-free future.

End of the trip Sri Lanka/En route to Chennai

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:33

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