A single father tries to raise his daughter, who has cerebral palsy, even as she is beginning to wake up to her sexuality.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Peranbu (2018), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
The film unfolds in well-paced chapters, centering on the life of the devoted father Amudhavan and his daughter Pappa. Amudhavan works abroad in Dubai, while his wife Stella stays in India with their 14-year-old daughter, who battles a muscular health condition that leaves her dependent on daily care. The story begins with Stella reaching out from afar, asking him to take responsibility for their child and then walking away from the family, a decision that prompts Amudhavan to return home after a decade to raise [Pappa] in person.
The return to a life in India is anything but simple. Amudhavan finds it hard to bridge the gap created by years spent abroad, and their presence in the neighborhood draws cold shoulders and whispers from neighbors who fear Pappa’s illness. A move to his brother’s house with his own family seems like a fresh start, but even there, misunderstandings fester. His sister-in-law, gripped by unfounded fear for her own child, insists they should leave, making the couple feel unwelcome and vulnerable. They end up back at their own home, where a steady, quiet fight unfolds as locals pressure them to sell the house and abandon the neighborhood they’ve called home for years. Through these pressures, the bond between Amudhavan and [Pappa] thickens, and their fragile world slowly begins to feel more like a shared refuge than a burden.
A turning point comes when Pappa begins menstruating, a moment that brings both fear and tenderness. Amudhavan comforts her with patience and practical help, seeking guidance from a woman named Vijaylakshmi. The figure who appears as a source of support is Viji, who moves in to lend a hand and meet basic needs in exchange for a promise of care and companionship. What starts as reliance gradually deepens into companionship, and the two adults find themselves drawn to one another, leading to a wedding that binds Amudhavan and Viji. Yet the happiness is fragile, because Viji’s true motives soon come to light: she’s not only interested in helping but also in taking ownership of the house by any means, even attempting to harm [Pappa] by pushing her into a well. The revelation that Viji is already married reinforces the heartbreak, and Amudhavan, overwhelmed and betrayed, leaves the house and tries to resume life apart from them, taking on work while enabling [Pappa] to stay behind.
As illness returns to the foreground, Pappa is diagnosed with a fungal infection, and Dr. Dhanapal suggests that she should spend time in a specialized home designed for children with her condition. The decision weighs heavily on Amudhavan, who agrees, torn between caretaking and his own livelihood. On this somber path, he encounters a trans woman named Meera. A kind-hearted Meera offers warmth and practical assistance, helping him search for a new home and providing a glimmer of hope when the future seems bleak. Yet tragedy interrupts their progress: during a visit, Amudhavan learns that Pappa was assaulted by workers at the home, leaving him to grapple with anger and fear for her safety.
In the darkest moment, Amudhavan contemplates ending both their lives and, that night, walks toward the sea with Pappa. They are saved by Meera, whose presence becomes a lifeline in that cruel hour. The final turn of the tale shifts from despair to renewal: Meera teaches Amudhavan about love in all its forms, and the pair ultimately marry. The family adjusts to a life built on trust and mutual care, with [Pappa] thriving under the steadfast love of her father and her stepmother, Meera, who have created a home where she can be supported and cherished. In the end, the story closes on a note of resilience and tenderness, with the family reconciled and the future bright for a girl who has weathered many storms.
Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:03
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Stories where a parent's love is tested by unimaginable challenges.Discover movies like Peranbu that focus on the powerful bond between a parent and a child facing extraordinary challenges. If you were moved by the father's unwavering devotion amidst societal prejudice, you'll find similar heartbreaking and hopeful family dramas here.
Narratives in this thread typically follow a caregiver, often a single parent, through a series of escalating hardships. The journey is defined by external societal pressures, internal emotional turmoil, and moments of profound crisis that test the very core of the parent-child relationship, ultimately leading to a hard-won solace or redemption.
These films are grouped together because they share a central focus on the extreme emotional weight of caregiving, a steady pacing that allows for deep character immersion, and a bittersweet tone where glimmers of hope are earned through immense struggle.
Journeys through profound pain that ultimately find a glimmer of light.If you appreciated Peranbu's journey from betrayal and tragedy to a hopeful resolution, explore these similar films. They feature characters overcoming deep trauma to find redemption, focusing on emotional healing and resilience in the face of devastating events.
The narrative pattern involves a protagonist facing a life-shattering event that dismantles their world. The story unfolds methodically, exploring the fallout and the character's struggle with despair. A turning point, often through an unexpected connection or inner strength, leads them toward a fragile but meaningful redemption, leaving the scars visible but no longer defining.
Movies in this thread share a high emotional intensity, a steady pacing that respects the weight of the subject matter, and a consistent bittersweet emotional arc. They are united by their focus on the process of healing from profound wounds rather than avoiding them.
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