Ratha Kanneer

Ratha Kanneer

Year: 1954

Runtime: 151 mins

Language: Tamil

Directors: R. Krishnan, S. Panju

Drama

Mohanasundaram, a philanderer and drunkard, gets married to Chandra after he returns to India. Though he has a wife, he develops a relationship with Kantha, a prostitute.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Ratha Kanneer (1954)

Trace every key event in Ratha Kanneer (1954) 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

Mohan returns to India and marries Chandra

On returning to India, Mohan is married to Chandra, a cultured and conservative village girl. The marriage marks the start of a life he soon abandons for pleasure. This domestic arrangement will be tested by his reckless behavior and lack of respect for family.

early in the timeline India (village)
2

Mohan begins an affair with Kantha

Mohan begins an affair with Kantha, a prostitute, signaling a sharp turn from his marriage and social pretensions. The romance grows as Kantha's influence seduces him, despite warnings from his friend Balu. Mohan's obsession with Kantha begins to pull him away from his wife and family.

early in the affair City
3

Balu counsels Mohan, Mohan ignores

Balu, Mohan's best friend, tries to counsel him and mend his ways, urging him to end the affair and reclaim responsibility. Mohan turns a deaf ear to the advice and continues pursuing Kantha, refusing to change course. The friendship strains as the rift widens between them.

during affair City
4

Moh an neglects his mother's post-death rites for Kantha's mother's birthday

Shortly after his mother's death, Mohan skips the post-death formalities to attend Kantha's mother's birthday function. This callous decision shows his preference for Kantha over his own family. The act foreshadows the ruin of his relationships and his descent into moral decline.

shortly after mother's death Mohan's home
5

Mohan loses wealth and loved ones to Kantha

Mohan surrenders all his riches to Kantha, wagering everything on their relationship. With the wealth gone, he loses every loved one in his life, including his wife and mother. The dream of wealth and security collapses, leaving him exposed to hardship.

as obsession deepens Kantha's residence
6

Mohan contracts leprosy and is locked up by Kantha

Mohan contracts leprosy and is struck down by the disease, losing control of his life. Kantha and her associates treat him as an untouchable, locking him up in a room. Isolated and humiliated, he begins to confront the consequences of his choices.

after wealth loss Kantha's house
7

Kantha expels Mohan and he begins to lose his eyesight

Kantha eventually expels him from her house, and Mohan's health continues to decline as he rapidly loses his eyesight. He wanders the streets as a blind, penniless man, a shadow of his former self. The world that once bowed to his wealth now rejects him.

post-lockup Kantha's house and surrounding streets
8

Mohan wanders as a leper and reunites with Chandra and Balu

As a poor leper, Mohan wanders the streets begging for food. He encounters his estranged wife Chandra, who now lives in hardship, and they do not recognize each other due to disfigurement and their own misfortunes. He also reunites with his old friend Balu, setting the stage for reconciliation among the trio.

late in his wanderings streets; Chandra's modest home
9

Balu informs Mohan that Kantha died in an air crash

Balu breaks the news that Kantha died in an air crash, shattering the last bridge to his past. The revelation deepens Mohan's sense of remorse and the possibility of redemption. The tragedy accelerates his shift toward caring for others.

after reunion Air crash site
10

Mohan arranges Chandra's marriage to Balu

Before his own life ends, Mohan arranges for Chandra to marry Balu so she can be cared for by a better man than he could ever be. The act represents his final attempt to repair the harm he caused and to ensure her happiness. This act underscores the theme of seeking restitution for his misdeeds.

late in life Chandra's home
11

Mohan's last wish for a leper statue

As a last request, he asks that a statue of a leper be raised in his likeness to stand as a warning against philanderers. The gesture is meant to symbolize accountability and to deter others from repeating his mistakes. His wish reveals a moral aspiration born from hardship.

late life Public square
12

Statue erected and Balu sings about righteousness

Some time after Mohan's death, a statue is erected in his likeness, fulfilling his request. Balu breaks into a song about righteousness and the value of life, offering a hopeful note for the future. The ending presents a moral lesson about transformation, forgiveness, and the perils of vanity.

some time after his death Public square

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:26

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