Thalaikoothal

Thalaikoothal

Year: 2023

Runtime: 142 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan

DramaFamily

A man faces significant financial hardship while tirelessly caring for his father, who is in a coma. As his family considers euthanasia as a solution, his determination to restore his father to health is profoundly challenged. He must fight to maintain hope amidst difficult circumstances and the pressure of his family's suggestions.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Thalaikoothal (2023)

Trace every key event in Thalaikoothal (2023) 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

Pazhani cares for his comatose father at home

Pazhani juggles caring for his bedridden father Muthu with night shift as an ATM security guard. His wife Kalaiselvi grows increasingly angry as Pazhani's attention is pulled away by his father's needs.

early part Pazhani's home
2

Debt and medical expenses strain the family

Pazhani borrows a large sum from a local moneylender to fund Muthu's treatment. The lender's constant harassment and the low family income heighten the pressure on Pazhani and Kalaiselvi.

early Home and moneylender's office
3

In-laws push for thalaikoothal while Pazhani resists

Pazhani's father-in-law suggests performing thalaikoothal to end the burden of a comatose father. Pazhani strongly disagrees, insisting he will care for his father instead of killing him.

midpoint Home
4

Pazhani consults a demigod for a cure

Seeking hope, he consults a local demigod who promises blessings if his father's condition improves and even suggests a ritual to mobilize the village's support.

before improvement Home and demigod's place
5

Muthu regains awareness; village feast planned

Muthu opens his eyes and recognizes people around him, bringing Pazhani joy. To celebrate and to fund ongoing care, Pazhani borrows again to arrange a feast for the village.

after improvement Home and village
6

Pazhani pledges house documents to the moneylender

To cover mounting expenses, Pazhani pledges the house documents to the moneylender, signaling how precarious the family's finances have become.

after improvement Home
7

Flashback: Muthu's youth and Pechi

Non-linear flashbacks reveal Muthu's past romance with Pechi, a lower-caste washerwoman. They plan to marry, but Pazhani's grandfather attacks them and Cuts Pechi's finger, forcing them apart.

past Muthu's village (past)
8

Memory triggers another coma

The painful memory surfaces, and Muthu sinks back into a coma. Pazhani's relief turns to renewed worry as the crisis deepens.

later Pazhani's home
9

Lender returns; Kalaiselvi discovers the pledge

The moneylender arrives to measure the house for sale, but Kalaiselvi interrupts and learns that Pazhani had pledged the house documents without telling her. She leaves with their daughter.

present Home
10

Pressure to perform Thalaikoothal escalates

In-laws and the swami pressure Pazhani to perform thalaikoothal as the burden continues. Kalaiselvi threatens to leave unless he protects his father.

rising Home
11

Attempted care turns into murder via thalaikoothal

Under immense pressure, Pazhani agrees to the ritual and participates in the oil bath, coconut water, and sleeping on the floor. When Muthu remains alive, a killer injects poison, killing him instantly.

night of the ritual Home
12

Funeral and Pechi's appearance

Muthu's death is arranged as a natural cremation, and Pechi attends the funeral, appearing briefly but remaining unseen by the family.

shortly after death Funeral site
13

Banyan tree planted with the remains

A devastated Pazhani retrieves part of his father's remains from the grave and plants a banyan tree over them, creating a living memorial.

after death Grave site
14

Relocation to the city; daughter learns the truth

The family moves to the city for work. On a bus, the daughter confronts Pazhani with what she learned from a friend about the thalaikoothal incident.

years later City and bus
15

Years later: under the banyan tree

The story closes with Pazhani and his now-grown daughter spending time beneath the banyan tree, the memorial tree symbolizing their past and their future.

years later Under the banyan tree

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:22

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Thalaikoothal

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