A mob of Southerners and Northerners is on the verge of a fistfight over the ownership of the very first toilet ever built in their village. As adversaries from two distinct castes shout at each other, the veteran politician brought in to cut the ribbon becomes confused by the outrage surrounding him. Suddenly, a stray dog, having just relieved itself in the brand-new toilet, emerges and stares at the crowd, leaving them bewildered. Soon, the local barber, an untouchable known as "Elichavayan," is forced to clean the mess for the elderly to obnoxiously inaugurate the latrine. However, the fate of the urinal is short-lived, as the agitated throngs end up brawling and quickly demolish the lavatory, leaving it shattered and dysfunctional. Will it be rebuilt? What triggered this futile combat?
"Mandela," directed by Madonne Ashwin, is a comedy-drama that portrays the political atmosphere during elections in an ordinary village on the outskirts of Tamil Nadu. The story revolves around Nelson Mandela, the local barber played by Yogi Babu, whose vote could determine the election's outcome between rival candidates, whose respective caste votes end up in a tie. Sensing an opportunity, Mandela capitalizes on the situation for his own benefit, accepting fortunes from both parties, knowing his vote guarantees them victory. Soon, Mandela, initially seen as an untouchable and a disgrace, becomes a VIP, if only temporarily.
However, this newfound status doesn't last long, as the rivals reclaim their gifts and assault him, keeping him under duress. The fear of losing his precious vote ultimately forces them to release him. Realizing the true power of his vote, Mandela decides to use it for the betterment of his village. He retaliates by pledging his vote to the party that promises to rebuild the village’s collapsed infrastructure. As the election approaches, candidates are compelled to renovate schools, restore roads, improve water supply, and enhance other local institutions. In the end, Mandela’s decisive vote unites the community and transforms the village, leaving the question of who won the election hanging in the air.
Though the director narrates the story humorously, he does not shy away from addressing the caste-based politics that plague not only rural areas but also more developed regions of the country. His bold attempt to expose the vested interests of corporations seeking to exploit the land of the poor under the guise of development serves as a powerful political statement. Despite the open climax and some intentional exaggerations meant to convey the political satire, "Mandela" is an exemplary work that will entertain you until the very end and likely prompt viewers to reflect the next time they enter the polling booth
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