Seethakathi

Ayya dies during Sujatha's Oonjal performance, and his death triggers a shift in the troupe's priorities. His assistant Parasuraman and the company decide to stage plays more frequently to honor his legacy and revive the dwindling theater audience. This marks the beginning of a concerted effort to bring back live performance audiences.

During Panjali Sabadham rehearsals, Parasuraman notices Saravanan delivering a performance far beyond his earlier work. Saravanan bows to the audience even when the curtains are closed, which Parasuraman interprets as Ayya's spirit acting through him. The troupe grows convinced that Ayya's presence still lingers on stage.

Thyagu, a film director, is persuaded by Parasuraman that Ayya's spirit guides Saravanan. He signs Saravanan for the male lead, hoping the act would be powered by Ayya's presence. The film becomes a hit, making Saravanan a sought-after star.

It is revealed that Ayya acted in the film because he genuinely liked the story. The revelation reframes the phenomenon as a conscious artistic choice rather than a mere possession. Audiences and makers alike begin to see Ayya's spirit as a collaborator in filmmaking.

Saravanan secretly signs a film without Parasuraman's knowledge, prompting Parasuraman to curate scripts with a focus on content and potential Ayya-driven performances. He starts selecting scripts that would showcase Ayya's influence through Saravanan. The industry begins to hinge on this altered partnership.

During director Sundar's shoot, Ayya's spirit unexpectedly stops acting on cue, creating a rare moment of silence. The abrupt pause prompts investigators and audiences to realize that Ayya's influence was tied to the right circumstances. It is later explained that Ayya had acted in films featuring Saravanan as lead.

With multiple producers approaching Ayya and Parasuraman curating scripts for his films, Ayya ascends to a superstar status in Tamil cinema. The collaboration is framed as a revival of Ayya's artistry through Saravanan's performances. The industry watches as Ayya's influence expands beyond the theater into film.

Producer Dhanapal seeks Ayya's seamless participation and introduces action and song sequences without full disclosure. He hides these changes from Ayya's circle, exploiting the myth of Ayya's presence to drive box-office numbers. Parasuraman and Ayya's family grow wary of the manipulation.

Parasuraman uncovers Dhanapal's deceit, and Ayya chooses to stop acting permanently. Dhanapal intensifies pressure on Parasuraman and Ayya's family to continue production, threatening ruin if they resist. The troupe faces a moral and financial crisis as Ayya's absence becomes painfully felt.

The Producers' Council alleges that Ayya never acted, branding the group as fraudsters. The legal battle spreads to the courtroom where evidence and witness accounts begin to surface. The case centers on whether Ayya's artistry can be proven to be part of the films.

The court is shown footage of Dhanapal's film, which he claims was stolen. The judge watches the act sequences and asks Dhanapal to perform a scene; Dhanapal refuses, implying Ayya's involvement. The judge treats acting as inseparable from the artist, signaling a pivotal turn in the case.

The judge concludes that a man cannot be separated from his art, acknowledging Ayya's enduring presence through his performances. The verdict frames Ayya as inherently part of the films he inspired, even if not physically on screen. The ruling cements the idea that art sustains the artist beyond life.

Following the case, a statue commemorating Ayya is consecrated in front of his theater, symbolizing a lasting tribute to his artistry. The community embraces the legacy of his theatre and film contributions as part of Tamil cinema history. The ceremony marks a public rebirth of Ayya's legend.

Elsewhere, a school play shows the lead actor bowing for an unusually long time, an explicit nod to Ayya's lingering spirit. The performance becomes a subtle tribute that suggests Ayya's influence continues to guide young performers. The imagination of Ayya persists in the next generation of theatre.