Kandeelu, The Ray of Hope

Directed by Yashoda Prakash Kottukathira

Seeba, a poor farmer, dreams of owning a farm and a house for his family but struggles to make ends meet. He sends his son abroad with hope of fulfilling his dream, but is shattered when his son tragically dies abroad. Determined to perform his son's last rites and bring his mortal remains back home, Seeba, along with his wife and daughter, exhausts all possible options. And to his dismay, those he looked up to, turn a blind eye to his plight. As the village festival approaches, Seeba, who is a custodian of a specific ritual, is torn between conflicting emotions of duty and sorrow. The movie revolves around socio-political issues faced by vulnerable, the conflict between heart and mind, and the healing power of nature's love.