# Ayothi

Ayothi (transl. Ayodhya) is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language melodramatic procedural drama film directed by newcomer R. Manthira Moorthy, starring M. Sasikumar, Yashpal Sharma, Preethi Asrani, Pugazh, Anju Asrani and Master Advaith Vinod in the lead roles. The music was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan with cinematography by Madhesh Manickam and editing by San Lokesh. About 50% of the film is filled with Hindi dialogues.
The film was released on 3 March 2023 to positive reviews from critics praising the performances, screenplay, emotional weight of the story & direction.

## Plot

Balram is an orthodox Hindu living in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh with his wife Janki, daughter Shivani, and son Sonu. In November 2021, he plans a pilgrimage to Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu along with his family. Their train arrives at Madurai Junction railway station (in Tamil Nadu) on the eve of Diwali, and they hire a cab for Rameswaram. On their way, Balram picks up a fight with the cab driver Kanagu, leading to a crash. As a result, Janki is heavily injured and admitted to a hospital's ICU. She immediately requires to be shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH), Madurai to ensure survival.
Balram and his children are helpless as they can't understand Tamil language. A friend of Kanagu witnesses their helplessness and decides to help. He drives the ambulance to GRH, but Janki passes away en route. Citing religious faith, Balram opposes a post-mortem on his wife, and insists that the family be dropped off at the Madurai Airport so that they may airlift Janki's body back to Ayodhya.
After reaching the airport, Kanagu's friend is stopped by the airport authorities and the police, while the latter takes them to a police station in Perungudi (in Madurai) for an inquiry into the death of Janki. They are proven innocent and are taken to the mortuary for the post-mortem. Kanagu's friend leaves the family, but immediately returns after being moved by the helpless children. He gathers money for the flight and is able to book a ticket for Shivani. He also manages to get the embalming done, despite protests from Balram. Balram is rebuked by Shivani for his attitude towards his wife when she was alive, and his hypocrisy for hoping for her to reach heaven by interfering with all the legal procedures required to reach home. Balram has a change of mind, and for the first time mourns his wife's death.
All the tickets for the flight to Lucknow (in Uttar Pradesh) have been booked and Shivani has no choice but to reach Ayodhya alone along with the remains of her mother. Kanagu's friend persuades the passengers that any two of them should withdraw their tickets and explains the situation. An elderly couple, among the passengers, understands the situation and withdraws their tickets, allowing Sonu and Balram to board the flight.
At last, it is revealed that Kanagu's friend was a Muslim named Abdul Malik. Balram lets go of his intolerance and hatred and thanks Abdul Malik for his timely help. He and his children then board the flight and leave.
A few months later, Abdul Malik helps a stranger back in Rameswaram perform the last rites of her mother.

## Cast

* Sasikumar as Abdul Malik
* Yashpal Sharma as Balram
* Preethi Asrani as Shivani
* Pugazh as Pandi
* Anju Asrani as Janki
* Master Advaith Vinod as Sonu
* Chetan as the terminal manager
* Pondy Ravi as a cargo manager
* Bose Venkat as Chithirai Pandian
* Kalloori Vinoth as Durai
* Thaman Kumar as Kanagu
* Sai Ramani as a Paramedic
* Mathichiyam Bala as a petty thief
* Uriyadi Suruli as Security

## Production

Manthira Moorthy made his directorial debut with the film. The film's title was announced on 22 November 2021, and the shooting started on the same date.

## Music

The music of the film is composed by N. R. Raghunanthan.

## Release
### Theatrical

The film was released in theatres on 3 March 2023. The makers unveiled the trailer of the film on the occasion of Pongal on 15 January 2023.

### Home media

The post-theatrical streaming rights of the film were bought by ZEE5. The film digitally premiered on ZEE5 on 7 April 2023.

## Reception

The film was released on 3 March 2023 across Tamil Nadu. Logesh Ramachandran of The Times of India who gave 3.5 stars out of 5 stars after reviewing the film stated that, "Ayothi is a movie that constantly emphasises love over religion, and it's worth watching". A critic from Maalai Malar mentioned "He has skillfully worked among the characters. Although there are logical violations in the film, they do not seem to be major." Chandhini R of Cinema Express rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "This Sasikumar-starrer is full of heart and yet, marred by melodrama". Gopinath Rajendran of The Hindu wrote that "Ayothi points out the cracks in the walls of such constructs that are crumbling under the weight of their own ideologies, and in due course, asks the all-important question."