Paadam Onnu: Oru Vilapam

A mother who endures public shaming and legalistic traps rooted in dowry culture. She navigates a constrained world with quiet resolve, attempting to protect her child while resisting the system that seeks to confine her. Her experiences reveal the emotional and social costs of patriarchal control.

Razia's friend who wishes to continue her studies but is pressured into marriage. Her defiance against traditional expectations underscores the conflict between personal ambition and communal norms. She experiences manipulation, fear, and moments of tenderness that reveal her complexity.

Shahina's mother who earns a living by selling rice dumplings, representing the economic precarity faced by women. Her sacrifices and eventual death underscore the toll of societal pressures on families and communities. She embodies maternal endurance in a hostile environment.

A married man seeking a second wife to fund his trip to the Middle East, he uses dowry to manipulate and control others. He fails to consummate the marriage, showing a lack of empathy for Shahina's trauma. His violence and chauvinism trigger the central crisis and its consequences for the family.

Rasaq's first wife who shows compassion toward Shahina and challenges the idea that women are expendable. She offers a rare human connection within a hostile setup. Her stance highlights resilience in the face of exploitation.

Rasaq's daughter who forms an innocent bond with Shahina, offering a glimmer of hope amid turmoil. Her presence emphasizes the impact of patriarchal decisions on the next generation. She embodies innocence and a fragile hope for change.