The story begins with a student(Ramya Krishnan) visiting a mental institution to prepare a research thesis. Walking with the nun in charge(Neena Gupta), away from the hilarious antics of the other inmates, the student comes across Swami Aravindan(Mohanlal),a calm and serene, who refuses to be photographed. The film thus beautifully and smoothly takes us to the central character.
His talks on religion and his philosophical thoughts leave one spellbound. The student had found her case study.
Then begins her relentless probing into every aspect of the Swami's life. The pained and serene aspects of the Swami's personality are well reflected in the divine songs 'Nanni Nyan Aaroda Cholenda' and 'Nirangale'. Somewhere in the midst of this turbulence, the flower of love blooms in the Swami's heart.
The student meanwhile hears taped recordings of Aravindan revealing his past under hypnotism:
"A neglected child of working parents, he holds his father responsible for the suicide of the fly of their servant-the only person who poured love on Aravindan-who was sent to the gallows by his father.
He grows up to be an eccentric human, wearing his school uniform to work,etc. He marries a free spirited girl(Urvasi) who refuses to toe his whims, thus stirring the animal within. Afraid of losing what he'd got after years of longing-Love-jealousy for her friend(Suresh Gopi) makes him violent, a mishap that follows puts her in coma.
He tries to find love in another woman but is unfulfilled. She becomes pregnant. This, coupled with his guilt and loneliness, makes him schizophrenic. His mind designs it's own escape from pain as Aravindan begins seeing his wife's illusion. He murders the pregnant lady at it's beckoning. Meanwile, his wife dies in coma. Everything snaps...."
The changes in the swami does not stay hidden from the nun's view. The swami expresses to the student his love for her, but she only sets herself free from his embrace. The nun and the swami have a calm talk in a scene that is not to be missed. They conduct the marriage of the student with the person she loves.
That night, sitting in the open air to cool his burning heart, Aravindan sees his wife again. He cries out to her asking why she left him. She wipes his tears and takes him by the hand....
The next morning Aravindan is found near the choir bell he'd ring everyday. He had hung himself....
The highlight of the movie is the depth and veratility of Mohanlal's performance, which leaves the movie etched in memory.
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