Varthamanam

Varthamanam

Year: 2021

Runtime: 150 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Sidhartha Siva

Drama

The film follows the experiences of students in northern districts facing displacement based on their religious affiliation. Forced off campus, they choose to resist, determined to challenge the situation. The narrative explores whether their struggle will spark a wider revolution and what challenges they will face along the way.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Varthamanam (2021)

Trace every key event in Varthamanam (2021) 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

Faiza joins Delhi University and begins her research

Faiza Sufiya joins Delhi University as a research student, focusing on Abdurahiman Sahib, a freedom fighter from Malabar. She quickly connects with Amal and a group of politically active students. Tulsa, her roommate, is introduced as the first person from her scheduled caste to pursue higher studies.

Semester start Delhi University campus
2

Campus protests for Rohan's rights

A group of activists and anti-fascists organize protests for the rights of Rohan, a student from a scheduled caste. Faiza becomes involved, aligning with Amal and the others. The campus grows more politically charged as the movement gains momentum.

Early term University campus
3

Tulsa's brother's wedding

The friends attend Tulsa's brother's wedding, bridging personal life with their political commitments. The celebration reinforces their camaraderie and shows that activism and family life intertwine in their university world.

Mid-term Tulsa's brother's wedding
4

Faiza's seminar angers the fascists

Faiza conducts a seminar that sparks strong reactions from the fascists on campus. The fascists attempt to discredit her and shut down dialogue, signaling a harsher turn in campus politics. Her actions mark a turning point in the students' willingness to challenge authority.

After seminar University lecture hall
5

Cow killing sparks tragedy and unrest

The killing of Tulsa's brother over a cow triggers grief and unrest on campus. Protests erupt as the tragedy deepens the community's resolve to confront injustice.

Soon after seminar Campus and Tulsa's home
6

Solidarity for Tulsa amid tragedy

In the wake of the tragedy, Faiza and her friends lead the entire student body in support of Tulsa. Even as most students rally to the cause, the fascist faction maintains their opposition. Tulsa has returned home to mourn.

Following the incident University campus; Tulsa's home
7

Plan for a skit with Pothuvaal

With backing from Pothuvaal, they decide to stage a skit that highlights the struggles of backward communities. The plan aims to raise awareness, provoke empathy, and mobilize opinion across the campus. They choose a central campus venue to reach a wide audience.

After incident Campus venue
8

Faiza targeted by fascists

As other members cannot be attacked, Faiza becomes the target of the fascists. They fabricate accusations that she is anti-nationalist, attempting to tarnish her reputation.

During skit planning Campus/streets
9

Faiza branded anti-nationalist and goes on the run

The smear campaign escalates, and Faiza is branded anti-nationalist worldwide. The group goes into hiding to protect her while planning a legal and public response.

Shortly after accusations Various locations; media orbit
10

Arrest of Faiza

Despite their best efforts, Faiza is arrested by the police, though the arrest is not officially recorded. The event shocks the group and becomes a catalyst for mounting media attention.

During crackdown Police custody
11

Search for Faiza by allies

Amal, Aadarsh, Pothuvaal, and Faiza's grandfather—himself a former freedom fighter—join forces to locate her. They coordinate with allies and explore avenues to secure her safety and rights.

Following arrest City and police stations
12

Media pressure leads to court appearance

Mass media pressure forces the police to reveal Faiza's arrest, and she is produced in court. The public exposure increases pressure on authorities and galvanizes support for Faiza.

Soon after arrest Courtroom; media outlets
13

Last-minute arrestsaim to stop the skit

In a last-minute bid to stop the skit, the fascists orchestrate arrests of the skit members. The move aims to derail the performance and silence the protesters.

Last minute before skit Campus stage
14

Partial skit carried out by Amal and Aadarsh

Despite the disruptions, Amal and Aadarsh manage to stage part of the skit, delivering a powerful message. The audience witnesses a partial performance that maintains the protest's core critique.

During disruption Campus stage
15

Faiza completes the skit on stage

At the crucial moment, Faiza arrives on stage and finishes the skit, delivering its final message. The completion of the performance, despite opposition, underscores the group’s resilience and resolve.

Climax Campus stage

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:25

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Explore Movie Threads

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.

Defiant student movement movies like Varthamanam

Stories of student activists risking everything to challenge powerful, unjust systems.If you liked Varthamanam, explore more movies about student activism and political resistance. These films share a tense, high-intensity mood, featuring young protagonists who organize against oppressive systems, facing threats and personal tragedy while building movements of solidarity and hope.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a group of students who become politically awakened by injustice. The narrative escalates from initial protests to severe retaliation from authorities, often involving personal loss and imprisonment, culminating in a defiant, public act of resistance that tests their resolve but reaffirms their cause.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their core conflict: youthful idealism clashing with rigid, oppressive power structures. They share a consistently high emotional weight and tense tone, driven by the urgent, high-risk nature of the protagonists' activism and the heavy theme of fighting for justice against overwhelming odds.

Movies about hope after tragedy like Varthamanam

Characters endure profound personal tragedy but find strength in collective action.For viewers who appreciated the emotional journey of Varthamanam, this section collects films that balance heavy themes of loss and trauma with an ultimately hopeful and resilient ending. These movies explore how personal tragedy can fuel a collective fight for a better future.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a triggering personal tragedy that deepens the protagonist's commitment to a larger cause. The story navigates the raw pain of loss while methodically building towards a cathartic act of resistance or healing, proving that hope can persist even in the darkest of times.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their specific emotional arc: they subject characters to immense sorrow but ultimately celebrate the human capacity for resilience and hope through unity. The shared experience is one of enduring heavy emotional weight while being carried forward by a steady, determined pace towards a meaningful, positive resolution.

Unlock the Full Story of Varthamanam

Don't stop at just watching — explore Varthamanam in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Varthamanam is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Varthamanam Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Varthamanam, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Varthamanam Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Varthamanam

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Varthamanam. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Varthamanam

Varthamanam Spoiler-Free Summary

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Varthamanam Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Varthamanam

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