Before it became Kerala,
our land was...
...a dense forest inhabited
by plenty of snakes.
Throwing his axe into the sea,
Parasurama regained this piece of land...
...and gifted it to people to atone for
his sins of k*lling scores of kshatriyas...
When people started settling there...
...snakes, the old inhabitants of
the place, began hurting people.
The people went to Parasurama
and explained the situation.
Scared of the curses of people,
a worried Parasurama...
...headed to Mount Kailasa and
started praying to Lord Shiva.
Following the instruction of
Lord Shiva who appeared before him...
...Parasurama returned to Kerala...
...and started meditating on
Lord Vasuki, the king of serpents.
Soon, the serpent king
appeared and offered help.
Serpent king Vasuki ordered his reptilian
subjects to stay away from humans.
He advised Parasurama
to make groves...
...around each house
to rehabilitate them.
Eventually, they became
sacred serpent groves.
People worshipped Lord Vasuki
and Lord Anantha here.
Thus our Kerala became the
suitable abode for snake deities.
That's one of the myths.
Mom...
Mom...
Are you crazy?!
Where are you heading to
in this rain?!
Go inside and dry your hair.
If you fall sick...
Come back, dear.
Oh... no.
Get back quickly, dear.
Go inside, Mom.
Let me save this kitten
from dying. I'll come.
Come... Come...
Dear, Come back soon.
Don't I always tell you not to
do things that make you ill?
Listen!
Sitting here, we'll not know
how the rain will be.
It might be like last time.
Jagan will come here with people.
Shall we just leave before that?
No.
I'm not coming anywhere.
Mom, the rain has eased off.
Let's start now itself.
Give it to me.
Come, get up.
Come on Mom.
No. I'm not coming anywhere.
Remember last time?
Just get into the canoe and
sit with your eyes closed.
Won't our kitten and
dogs be left alone?
If water doesn't rise up much,
we can return soon.
I'm not taking many clothes, okay?
Mom... Come.
It's raining heavily again. Hurry up.
No dear...
You used to row alone in the past.
Come, I'll give you a hand.
Mother, please get in.
- Please hurry up, Mom.
- Let's not go dear.
Okay then,
let's not leave.
It's not that I like going to
the relief camp at that school.
Don't you remember how Jagan came with
the Councillor and scolded us last time?
I wanted to avoid it this time.
It's up to you.
Seems like the rains are done.
It's very uncertain unlike in the past.
It could pour in extreme heat as well.
Please guard us,
Oh snake deities.
It's past the time to do ritual
Kalamezhuthu and pattu.
Mmm.
Looks like a lot of lice in your hair.
I'll pick them when I return.
Here.
These won't work.
That's fine.
Have it for now.
I've never seen you
around here...
Where you from?
Here it is.
A bit of it is left.
Will do it later.
Mom, let's collect it
after I'm done.
OK.
Those stuff come from
the cursed Island.
Don't risk your health
for some small profit.
They need to survive too.
Were you crazy to sell it there?
I would have sold it here.
It's not for sale.
It's for the home, to cook.
- Keep it inside.
- Brother, one cigarette
I thought the water will rise again
seeing the last two days of rain.
But the rains just stopped abruptly.
But people say the rains aren't yet over.
Hey, don't get stuck there saying
your mom is scared of water.
Don't you forget last time.
People had to come and bring you.
Water doesn't come inside
our house easily.
In case it happens,
you first come here.
Then, we'll bring your mother.
You just refuse to buy
a mobile phone also.
- I tried to bring mom here yesterday.
- Mm.
She just couldn't.
How can I come alone?
Yesterday it was
new moon day too.
We also took our things and fled to camp
yesterday due to the flood warning.
Couldn't you have sold the plot to
Aashaan for building the resort?
Wheat 2 kg,
Rice 2 kg.
Wheat 2 kg,
Rice 2 kg.
Instead of struggling there
with your ailing mother...
...you can buy a good plot and
house here with that money.
- Can I get some 200 coconuts?
- Yes.
It's for Viswanathan to
offer at the Ganesha temple.
Okay, will bring.
- I need oil and wicks.
- Sure.
Hey boy...
Here it is.
Kannan, take this jack fruit
home and ask to boil it.
She's sacrificing her life
for her mother. Poor girl!
Who's there at that home
to marry her off?
Everybody knows what happened
to her in her childhood.
Who will accept her?
They were such a prestigious
family once!
When I was home last time,
I had come here.
But I left right away when
I saw you with Chandran.
I'll leave tomorrow.
I had to come at short notice
as her grandfather passed.
Didn't you bring your daughter?
She has exams in her school.
Left her at my brother-in-law's
home in Sharjah.
Are you okay here?
Yes.
What about your old nightmares?
Not as much.
You could have come away
with me back then.
You feel that only
when you meet me.
You know I can't be
without my mother.
This is enough for us.
You've been repeating this
for the past twenty years.
- Mom, want coconut palm leaves?
- Yes.
Can you fly this high?
Do you see the beauty of this land?
We spend a fortune on
touring foreign countries.
But, we often neglect beautiful spots
in our own neighbourhood.
I'm coming here after a long time.
Didn't these places exist
here before, brother?
This guy is realizing this
only after mobile phones came.
Look, there a woman is
rowing a canoe all alone.
We can see many hardworking
people like her in this place.
Here is a strong local woman,
getting here on the canoe.
Let's ask her what's up here.
Sis...
What's your opinion about
this place and life here?
Looks like she isn't used to
speaking on camera.
So, friends...
- It's all there, right?
- Around ten short.
- Huh?
- I'll bring the rest.
Viswanathan has to give it to
the temple. Please don't delay.
- Sure... Sure.
- OK.
What's this?
- Oh... No idea.
- Is it wasp sting?
No. It was an insect
never seen before. It bit me.
- An insect?
- Yes.
Apply some turmeric or salt.
- Mmm.
- Don't let it be.
Mmm.
His father left after getting
a government job and never came back.
Hey...
If you are that fond of this land,
marry somebody and settle here.
Forget locals, do you even
know your relatives here?
Bro, you think I make these videos
for the locals? Let the world watch.
Beauty of our land and the people.
You know, how many people visited
Munroe island following my video?
I watch your videos.
I saw the Insta story you posted
yesterday at many places.
Do you follow me, brother?
Bro, many people are sharing that video.
It might be the most
popular video on my page.
But I couldn't see her clearly
as I took the video from far.
That's why I told you earlier that
you should visit us once in a while...
The woman climbing the coconut tree
in your yesterday's story...
...is the one standing there.
Meera.
The one who came here earlier?
Why didn't you tell me before?
Here.
I couldn't recognize you earlier
as the one in my video.
- I'm off.
- OK.
Hey, she is simple soul.
Leave her alone.
Why is she like this?
A lot of people have commented
on my video asking for her identity.
- Brother...
- Uh.
I came here to make a vlog
on the beauty of this land.
- Watch this video.
- Where?
Aha.
Everyone's keen to
know who she is.
Uh..Uh.
If you help me, I can get
a video byte from her.
- Any chance, brother?
- No...
She is very reserved.
What can I do?
Here, take it back.
I'm a little busy, son.
What happened to you, dear?
I'll make a paste of turmeric, tulsi
and neem to apply where it itches.
I don't know what bit me.
The whole body is itching.
An insect can cause
this much itching?!
I don't know, Mom.
I really don't know what it is.
Come...
Hey... No.
Why? You don't want me
when your old lover is around?
Do you know how much
I struggled to come here?
I said, leave me!
Oh Snake deities,
please guard my child.
My snake deities...
Protect us!
I have to give the coconuts
to Jagan, mom.
Let it cure first.
Will give it later.
I'm not able to bear it.
- Dear...
- Mom... I can't bear it in water also.
- I'll die, Mom.
- Oh... no... My child.
Oh... My child.
I'm very ill, Mom.
My dear...
We are short by ten.
Please take these for now.
- I'll bring it before you go to the temple.
- Don't get late.
- The amount?
- Don't bother about it. I'll take it later.
- Brother...
- Huh?
She hasn't shown up yet.
It's unusual.
She is very punctual.
She seemed a little
out of sorts yesterday.
Shall we go there and check?
Even if she agrees,
we need to go there.
I must edit and release
the video tomorrow.
Hey Kannan,
I'm going to the island.
Greetings, friends...
On this fantastic day, I'm travelling
through a very beautiful village.
How many of you have had the chance to
row home in your own hand-made canoe?
Now we are travelling in a canoe hand-made
by Jagan who is rowing it himself.
Brother...
Hi...
We are going to a beautiful island now.
A surprise awaits you there.
I loved this journey more;
No noise or air pollution from vehicles...
...moving from one place to
another itself is a pleasure.
- Isn't it brother?
- Yes, yes.
Hey friends, we are
stepping onto the Island.
Now, it's time for surprise.
Don't you remember my last video liked,
commented and shared by many of you?
We are at the lone house
on the island which belongs to...
...the woman who
climbs the coconut tree.
Many of you were curious about her.
Even in this era, in a beautiful place
like this only a person with...
...a lifestyle in tune with nature
can climb trees so easily.
[Prayers to Snake Gods]
"It's a sacred grove where snakes live"
Mother, where is Meera?
Is she alright?
She is affected by some curse.
She isn't answering the door.
Curse?
What curse?
Come, Mother.
Let's check.
Meera...
Meera...
Meera, open the door.
Stop it.
Meera, open the door.
Let's go to hospital.
Can... can you hear me?
Meera...
Please open the door.
Councillor here...
We need to bring a patient
there from the Illickal Island.
We'll reach there soon in a canoe.
Ambulance should be ready on time.
Don't worry, Mother. We'll soon
be back from the doctor's.
Okay? Come.
Friends...
Are you watching? In this day and age,
it's not easy to lead an isolated life.
All of this effort and time to take her
till an ambulance to the local hospital.
- Please sit, mother.
- You hold from the other side.
This is the situation here.
Slowly... Slowly...
Don't you see her plight?
Start it, Rajesh.
They say that no Government has
taken any action to protect...
...these two ladies since
they only constitute two votes.
Ask the elders in your family
to know of such hardships.
Just think about it. An isolated
island with just these two ladies!
Without even a telephone,
they live here...
...ignoring all dangerous animals
including insects and snakes.
Can you see a sacred grove
behind me?
They lived here in harmony with
the nature, lighting the lamp daily...
...protecting our heritage
and worshipping our Gods.
What about us?
We sit in AC rooms and show off
our love for culture and nature...
...through films, literature
and social media.
We enjoy such privileges at
the cost of the lives of these people.
Friends, this is the sacred grove.
Hello... I'm a little busy.
Okay. Okay.
- Are you with the patient?
- Yes.
Listen, the patient's BP
and temperature are high.
We tried all possible treatments for
insect bite. But symptoms continue.
Sir, could it be a snake bite?
Their place is full of snakes.
Snake bite leaves a mark on
the body. That's not there.
We've send the blood samples to another
lab as we don't have such facilities here.
We don't have much
time left. Better to shift...
...her to a better place
at the earliest.
If you can afford the expenses,
take her to a good private hospital.
Why so, Sir?
This is a government hospital.
We have only limited facilities.
You'll get good facilities there.
What about City Medical College?
Shall we shift her there?
You could have,
but now it is too late.
This is a rare case. She is already
ripping off her blisters now.
She has been sedated.
If the wounds get infected,
it might even affect her survival.
So, the patient should always be
under in sterile condition.
Brother, don't they have
any relatives who might help?
Their plot can yield a good sum.
Relatives are there,
but won't help them.
They left many years ago
citing this curse.
We can't sell that plot so easily
soon after this incident.
It was the most prestigious
family of this locality.
Look at its plight now!
Meera's father used to help many families
here, including mine in the past.
No point speaking of that now.
Shall we inform Aashaan?
After all, they are family.
He made money selling the
tragic story of his own brother!
I have no hope.
We can't let her die also.
Brother, I have an idea.
We'll create a video explaining
their current situation.
Many are already willing to help them
after watching my latest video.
Is it practical?
You are not aware of
the strength of social media.
Crowd funding has been
beneficial to many people for...
...their education, treatment
and even for travel.
Member must be aware of it.
But we don't know how much is
needed for Meera's treatment.
I have only one thing to say.
Doctor has asked us to shift her
to a good hospital immediately.
- That's what we should do now.
- Won't it cost a lot?
For now, let's do a video
highlighting their current situation.
In the next video, we'll update
about the rest, including expenses.
For the time being,
let's go ahead with this.
We don't have much time left.
Let's do it.
Alright.
Hello friends, many of you had asked
about the current condition of Meera.
Meera is at a government hospital now.
As you can see, she is sedated.
We are doing as much as we can,
but things are not that easy.
Doctor has advised us to shift her to
a private hospital as soon as possible.
She has nobody except her mother.
- Did you have something?
- Let's go.
All of these are of no use.
It might not be an insect,
it could be a snake bite.
We have remedies there for
everything. Let's go home.
I.. I'll buy the medicines and come.
Since they don't have a bank account,
the bank manager is here to help.
Sir...
As you know, this family is
going through a difficult phase.
So, our bank has taken an initiative
to open an account for them.
Now, we need each of your support.
Hey buddy, tell me.
Hey Manoj... did you know, superstar
Mohanlal has shared your video?
With his women's day message, your video
of the lady climbing the coconut tree....
Yes... yes.
He shared it along with your post!
Oh... that video of her
climbing the coconut tree?
Exactly.
You are such a big shot now, a
superstar is sharing your video!
I'll call you back, buddy.
Mom...
Had your pills?
I couldn't pick the lice
as well that day.
How do you feel now, dear?
It's itching so much, Mom.
I can't even move a bit.
It's the wrath of the serpents.
You'll be cured if we perform
the rites at our sacred grove.
Jagan!
Hey, I spoke to the charity wing
of our organisation.
They say, if she's in a government
hospital they can do something.
If it's a private hospital, there'll be
questions from higher ups.
Let's see what happens with
Manoj's social media campaign.
Then we'll decide what to do.
You are taking care of
all the expenses here, brother.
There's a limit to it.
- Let's do one thing.
- Ugh?
Shall we go and meet Aashaan?
- I'm coming from hospital now.
- And?
Meera is your brother's daughter.
You are the only one to help them.
I've been telling them for years to sell
that plot and shift to somewhere convenient.
Now, nobody will be interested also.
I don't have money
to help them either.
- I'll call you back.
- Okay.
After Mohanlal shared
the video, it's going viral!
Listen, as per the lab report
it's a rare condition.
The skin infection is worsening.
We must shift her to a
sterile room immediately.
Chances of getting the medicine
for this in India is extremely rare.
Oh no.
I think it's better to shift her to
a private hospital with better facilities.
I spoke to my medical college batch mate
today- Dr. Reshma Varghese.
She is a specialist in
tropical and infectious diseases.
She knows Meera's condition well.
She'll definitely help you.
Dear, let's return to the island.
We can cure this only by applying
the herbs we have there.
Nobody here takes my words seriously.
She can't even talk.
Look at her state even
when not sedated.
Don't put her life at risk for
the sake of your superstitions.
Do what's needed to
shift her to that hospital.
It's a big deal to even
get an admission there.
Thanks to people who discuss about
Meera on Facebook and other sites...
...you got an easy admission
in a private hospital.
Mom... Let's go.
Hope you are aware of
Meera's current condition.
Her face is completely swollen.
Due to the infection that
got into her blood steam...
...we are shifting her to
a better hospital for her safety.
See, we have now entered
the High Tech Hospital premises.
We are travelling in
a modern ambulance with...
...medical facilities that can
deal with any emergency.
We have brought Meera and her mother
with the highly qualified medical staff.
She will be moved to a special
sterile room to avoid infection.
Very few hospitals in
Kerala have this facility.
I am hopeful, friends.
She will return home soon
in full health with Saradamma.
Moreover, all these are possible only
if you extend your love and support.
Please be mindful about it.
The support from well wishers among you
has helped us take her to this hospital.
Finally, we have reached the hospital.
Please continue supporting us.
Please share this video with your friends,
relatives, neighbours and chat groups.
Please ask them to
be part of this mission.
Details of her bank account are given
in the description box below this video.
This is also available on my Facebook,
Insta, Twitter and Snapshot accounts.
Please like and share
this video widely.
Don't forget to subscribe to
my channel for more updates.
Mom...
Mom...
You can't get in.
This is a sterile room.
Anyway it'll be too cold
for you to sit inside.
Sit there, please.
Today, this woman's plight
may be unbelievable to you.
She is Meera, the woman
in the recent viral video.
Look at how easily she used to
climb this coconut tree.
On a small island full of
venomous snakes and insects...
...she lived for years in harmony
with nature in a solitary house...
...with her mother and
rescued dogs and cats...
...far from the hustle of modernity,
leading a traditional lifestyle.
Back then, anyone bitten by venomous
creatures was taken to this famed family.
The very same Meera is now
requesting us for our support...
...for her very expensive treatment after
being bitten by a rare venomous insect.
Since it is a rare case...
...a special, inter-disciplinary team
of doctors are with us.
In Meera's test reports,
there's a presence of a...
...venomous toxin. That is, she
has been exposed to Diamphotoxin.
Now, this has triggered an
auto-immune response in her body...
which is accelerating rapidly
and needs to be arrested at once.
The antidote to this toxin
is only found in the antibodies...
of a rare species of frogs
found only in Madagascar.
And not just that, only one
pharmaceutical company in the world...
...-one in USA- have been developing this
medicine extracting these antibodies.
And by the way, this is one of the
most expensive medicines in the world.
Such cases have a higher
chance of a Domino's effect.
And by that I mean, Meera
can go into septic shock.
Meera's skin can get necrotic.
Plus her internal organs can
start shutting down one by one.
The most important point for
all of us to remember here is...
...that this medicine must
reach us in the next three days.
Treatment has to be started.
Otherwise, we'll lose the patient.
Won't you help save
Saradamma's dear daughter?
Please click the link below and help us
raise 7.5 cores for her treatment.
We don't have much time left.
Though many are
sharing my videos...
...raising such a big amount in
such a short period is beyond us.
So, to reach more people, we chose
Collective app, based on its past success.
Also, we noticed many fake social media
accounts misusing this to scam people.
Please make sure that
you donate only through this app.
Time is crucial.
We need to collect 7.25 cores more.
We have a large population.
If 7.25 Lakh people
contribute 100 rupee each...
...we can bring Meera back to life.
It was already late when
Meera was brought to us.
So, diagnosis also took some time.
So, basically the medicine should be
administered within the next 64 hours.
Mom...
Meera, please don't strain
yourself too much.
- I want to pee.
- Please pee into the tube.
- I want to use wash room.
- You are too weak now.
Just do it.
Don't hold your urine for long.
- Please eat.
- My mom...
Did she eat anything?
Don't worry about your mother.
We're taking good care of her.
Have it.
I'm in so much pain.
I'm feeling really itchy.
You may want to do it,
but don't.
It'll only add to
your worries, okay?
I know how frustrating it is
to be bed-ridden like this.
The myth says that once when the snakes
wandering the human lands...
...moved to sacred groves on
the orders of snake king Vasuki...
...many serpents and snake deities
chose the grove at Illickal as their abode.
There, the snakes and serpent goddesses
brought their sacred rubies...
...and other jewels, buried them
underground and settled down forever.
- So, those snakes won't hurt you?
- No way.
Aren't we the ones who
moved to their home?
If we're careful not to hurt them,
they won't harm us.
Neelakantan Vaidyar, from
the only family in Illikkal island...
...was a traditional venom healer
recognised even in foreign lands.
Patients bitten by venomous
creatures of any sort...
...always rushed to consult
with Neelakantan Vaidyar.
He was a gracious man who
never even charged his patients.
He was even skilled in the techniques that
made the snake to extract its own venom.
Have you seen this act of making
a snake extract its own venom?
- Did you like Grandma's stories?
- Yes.
Once Vaidyar had to perform
that rarely used technique...
...knowing that serpent curse will haunt
the next seven generations of his family...
That day, a snake slithered in
the Illickal family courtyard...
...writhed in pain, banged its head,
split into two and died.
Many across the river still
remember witnessing this.
As for the patient whom he did this for,
risking his and his family's lives...
...many rumours still circulate
among the villagers.
- Dear...
- Yeah.
I want to see my daughter once.
You aren't allowed to enter there.
I'll be in trouble if I do
something without permission.
They have CCTV cameras there.
We are still in the hospital.
Doctors aren't saying much.
Will you treat there if we come?
Reiki healing can be done
from there as well.
In 1937, after accepting an invitation
from the ruler of Travancore...
...Sri Chithira Thirunal, Mahatma Gandhi
came to Thiruvananthapuram...
...and visited the Padmanabhaswamy Temple
accompanied by ten harijans.
However, only a few know,
that afterwards, Gandhiji...
...and a few companions continued
onwards by water to Kollam.
All I have to say is that the whole of
the Independent India, including us...
...owe much to an incident from
that day, unrecorded in history.
That same day in Kollam,
unaware of Kerala's geography...
...Gandhiji took a solo walk at night and
was bitten by a highly venomous snake.
The great Neelakanta Vaidyar,
a renowned venom doctor...
...broke his ancestors' promise to
Vasuki, the King of Serpents...
...despite knowing that
his family be ruined.
For the common good, that
great man summoned the snake...
...that bit Gandhiji and extracted
the venom, and saved his life.
- But the locals say something else.
- Yes.
My program is on the other stage.
I'm going over there.
Meera...
Are you still scared?
It'll be fine. Don't say anything to
anyone. Remember, I'm your teacher.
Mom!
Hey... Why are you loitering here?
No one's permitted here.
- I want to see my daughter.
- There's a visiting time for that.
- Go now and return at 10AM.
- I must see my daughter!
Oh this is such a bother!
Please leave without lingering here.
Please leave.
What happened, mother?
Lost your way?
Come, I'll take you to the lobby.
Sister, I'll be in the ICU.
In this day and age, would anyone
believe the ridiculous tale...
...of making a snake bite again
to take back its venom, son?
We grew up hearing the stories of
that Vaidyar family of snake-bite healers.
If these curses were true,
a well-known landlord...
...in the area wouldn't have
married Saradamma.
Then when Meera was born,
despite the restrictions of Emergency...
...he celebrated her birth
with a grand feast.
Heroes of the Emergency like
George Fernandes attended that function.
That was the only reason
Meera's father was branded as...
...a Naxalite and arrested by
Indira Gandhi's Police force.
Police arrested that landlord
in front of this temple.
I've heard that he was an active volunteer
of the right wing group RSS.
Many here still don't know
how Indira Gandhi's police...
...harassed many RSS volunteers
during Emergency.
In those days, a prayer meeting
of over 3000 RSS volunteers...
...was conducted there with the help of
Meera's father, the respected landlord.
Even George Fernandes discarded them
when he became a Minister later.
The dangerous mix of
politics and superstition...
...is the reason behind
their current situation.
It's not any snake curse as people say.
That's why people didn't support them when
such an incident happened in her childhood.
Why didn't this eloquent speaker
support them back then, huh?
All these party men are lying.
Would George Fernandes come to
his house if he was an RSS worker?
He was a rich landlord with some
modern and liberal ideas, that's all.
Hello everyone, right now
I'm at a Charity Walk...
...hashtag #WalkForMeera organised by
Trivandrum SBS Corporation.
Hello.
It's a small contribution from me.
Call me if you need anything.
Consider me as your son.
Okay, then.
Keep it, Mother.
- Bro, a photo...
- Of course.
Don't you want to see Meera?
I took permission. Come.
- Thank you.
- Okay, see you.
Friends, what we see here
is a lot of people come and...
contribute to Meera's mother
as they can.
It's no small deal we have collected
this big amount in a short period.
The main problem we have is...
We all know our dear daughter
Meera from Illickal island...
...is affected by a rare disease.
That daughter needs huge
financial support for her treatment
We should help her
to the best of our ability.
[Devotional song]
Sit...
Mom...
Mom...
I'm slowly getting better, Mom...
With the blessings of
our Snake Gods...
...I'm going to get
a beautiful new skin.
Don't touch her, Mother.
She will get infected.
Oh... snake gods,
save my child!
We should invite everyone and
conduct a grand ritual as in the past.
Are you taking your medicines?
You should apply oil
in your hair, daughter.
It's a matter of few days.
Once the medicine comes from US,
you can apply oil and bathe her lavishly.
The whole world is praying for you.
Dear, I don't understand anything.
Many people come and give me things.
Then they look at the gadget they carry,
say something and smile.
Don't worry Mother.
Just play along, that's all.
Everything is for your daughter.
Dear, are you able to sleep?
6.17 crores in 48 hours!
Will we able to make this huge amount
through this campaign in this short time?
Maybe possible.
But, in a country where so many
people live in poverty...
...is it justifiable to spend
7.5 crores for a single person?
To be honest, Meera is like a sister to me.
No... she is my sister.
There wouldn't be any other
option if people hadn't helped her.
Whoever might help them,
these obstacles won't go away easily.
That family should do the
traditional rituals.
Don't you know no men
exists in that family to do rituals?
It's been a while since they
have made her do the serpent ritual...
There was an old incident that
happened at the school
What school incident?
During the school cultural fest,
a teacher...
The 'Sarpam thullal'
should only be done by virgins
What is it?
Again... bad dreams, Mom.
Are they coming back?
I had forgotten everything...
Now... they are back.
I didn't send you to school
because I was scared.
Everything will be fine
when we return to our island.
Mmm.
Do you have any relation
to the campaign here?
Oh... Meera. She had relations with
many people in the locality.
How can you talk like this?
Ask anybody around here.
She is no Virgin Mary.
Aren't you ashamed of
talking about a woman like this?
Not like that. Everybody here
knows she's not a pure woman.
What do you mean by pure woman?
What is the meaning of the word?
Pure woman... means
she's not that good, that's all.
So, are you a good man?
Do you think so?
Just think about it
To live your life,
if you are in a bad path
How will you react if you know
that bad rumors are spreading on you?
Our culture...
our tradition...
...our life style, our identity...
Two women protecting all these.
They are completely alone.
I just want to let the world know that...
We brown women... we exist.
We deserve to be seen.
[Folk song worshipping snakes]
Grandpa always sang
this for you, no?
Your father too used to like it a lot.
We don't have anyone left now, Mom.
Our relatives isolated us
and took everything we had.
Some complete strangers
are helping us.
If my father and grandpa were alive...
They lived for the country.
Don't you have me, dear?
Didn't I tell you
not to enter here?
Not even wearing a PP kit...
I told you to see from outside.
- Daughter..
- I'll lose my job if somebody sees this.
Meera is fighting for
her life in hospital now.
At this time also, some people are more
interested in talking about her sexuality.
They are using that
to try to humiliate her.
This is how a woman becomes objectified,
with no respect for her personality.
This is a time when our entire
society is united to help Meera...
...irrespective of religion,
caste or gender.
You can see the countdown on the timer.
There's very little time left.
Our target is still far. We need
to cover a huge distance.
So, Mr. Anudeep, an NRI and
the head of Heal India Foundation...
has come up with a new idea to help us.
Welcome Anudeep..
Could you share your idea with
all of us?
I am a Social Entrepreneur.
Heal India Foundation is a CSR
initiative by Joy Constructions.
We work in the social sector.
For the next 3 hours,
for every Rs.5000 that...
...any of you donate to
Meera's medical fund...
...Heal India Foundation
will contribute 5000.
Post the screenshot of your donations
on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter with...
...#savemeerachechi
#healindiafoundation and...
Namaste! Thank you all
for gathering here.
We are actually running a campaign
here in London to save Meera.
In fact, Meera is my cousin.
I still remember in my childhood...
...going to the Illickal island
to make offerings at the grove.
So in saving the serpent grove,
we were involved as a family.
This is a primitive form of conservation.
Here, I request you all gathered here...
See, people in other countries
are praying for our Meera.
See this...
Isn't this our Aashaan Govindan's son?
- Who's that?
- Oh. Meera's father's younger brother.
Dear, can you please take me to Meera?
It's not easy to go
there often, Mother.
They'll scold.
I just want to see her, dear.
Someone says something, people
believe them and give money.
But the doctors and politicians
are also asking to help them.
How can we trust what
the doctors are saying?
If so, every toothpaste brand here
should be No.1 as per their ads!
Well, Meera's condition is a bit tricky.
Hold on...
One second.
- Aren't you Meera's relatives?
- Yes.
- Ma'am, we came here...
- You don't have to worry about Meera.
We are doing our best to save Meera.
- Doctor...
- About the medicine...
Yes, please make sure
you bring it quickly.
Excuse me, I have an emergency,
I'll come back and talk to you... Please.
Meera... can you bend your neck?
Just bend your neck.
It's nothing... nothing.
Doctor....
Dear...
Sajin Baabu - 10,000 rupees
Shyam Prakash - 5000 rupees
My grandmother has donated to this.
She prays day and night
for Meera's recovery.
Don't get me wrong if
I ask you something.
If something happens to her...
Suppose, Meera dies...
...will they return the money to
those who have donated?
My daughter...
In the last 3 hours, we have
received 45 lakh rupees.
Heal India Foundation has
also donated the same amount.
So we have received 90 lakh rupees.
So on behalf of all, we express
our gratitude to Heal India Foundation.
They have promised to extend
their support in future as well.
- Thank you so much Anudeep.
- All the very best.
Hello...
Hello Ma'am, good morning. I'm
calling from Heal India Foundation.
Are you free to talk
for two minutes, Ma'am?
What's the matter?
Ma'am, hope you've heard
about Save Meera Campaign.
Is that the lady in the snake island?
On behalf of Tourism
Development Association...
we are donating 2 Lakh
rupees that we have...
...collected for Meera's treatment fund.
Along with that, Meera...
What happened?
Please don't feel bad, Mother.
Doctors are inside.
Please let me inside, I just
want to see my daughter.
- What happened to her?
- Come out please.
Mother, please stand outside.
Can you please allow her to see?
It's been so long.
- Please don't stand there.
- Don't push her, she'll come.
Friends...
Told you that a miracle would happen.
Yes it has happened.
There are angels
among humans too.
We received 1 crore 25 lakhs from a
single anonymous donor from the US.
That too through this crowd funding app.
I'm so excited.
I don't know what to say.
I'm lost for words.
To be frank,
I can't believe we made it.
We reached our target amount.
Thank you so much.
"From Illikkal island, with star sign
Pooram and name Meera..."
To lift the curses of
the Illickal grove and...
...cure Meera's illness we have
to perform rituals at the grove.
But we are restricted from going there.
So we are doing those rituals here.
Please don't stand here.
Go and sit in the lobby.
How long I'm saying this!
- Manoj has told you everything, right?
- Yes
- Medicines will reach immediately.
- OK.
Manoj, meanwhile we are moving Meera to
the ICU as a precautionary measure, okay?
Doctor, please talk to me,
what happened to my child?
Don't worry Mom, we are
taking care of Meera very well.
Then, please show me my daughter.
Manoj, please make
her understand that...
...any contact with outsiders
is a risk to her life.
We absolutely cannot allow that
to happen at this point, please...
Mother, we can move from
here and stand there...
...or we may give her
some infections.
- Oh... isn't that Meera?
- Yeah.
Mother...
Come
Doctor, can we see once?
Daughter..
Daughter...
Please offer prayers for Meera Chechi.
Hello friends, I'm here in
the hospital with mom.
She's missing her daughter so much.
Thanks for all your support till now.
You have helped Meera
as much as you can.
But more help is needed from
all of you at this point of time.
Your love and prayers are needed for the
medicine to have its effect on Meera.
We hope the medicine
will reach us tomorrow.
To prevent delays, Zyncho Pharma
is sending a special employee.
Why so much import duty on high cost
life-saving medicines in India?
Why can't we manufacture
such medicines in India?
You may be aware of an RTI
I filed with these questions.
So far no response has been
received from the government.
How long can "Self-reliant India" rely on
other countries for life-saving medicines?
Friends, as expected the medicine
has arrived on time at the hospital.
Doctors are preparing to
give this medicine on Meera.
This is our collective victory.
Hope Meera gets well soon.
- Increase FiO2 to 70%
- OK
Oliguria is setting in.
We might need dialysis.
Mother, please have tea.
Please have this tea...
It'll get cold.
Please drink it.
Today is new moon day.
She has had that illness before.
Has it come back?
Come.
Please stop it.
Can't you see her mental state?
She just has Meera, right?
Not sure whether
she'll live or die.
Okay, come.
Come on.
Please have it.
Meera..
Meera..
Nothing...nothing
Doctor...
Don't worry.
Very good evening everybody.
This entire episode is a
perfect example to show us...
...how much medicine needs society
to become a complete success.
I'm immensely happy to tell you that...
...we administered the medicine to Meera
and she has overcome the critical stage...
She's recovering very well...
And... saving Meera from
this critical condition...
...is nothing short of a miracle.
Thanks to my team of doctors here.
Doctor, how could you bring
medicines so fast in this case?
Normally, the shipping itself takes a week.
But, we prepared the paperwork
between our hospital...
...and Zyncho Pharm
company beforehand.
Also we took clearances from
Union Finance Ministry and...
...CDSCO too earlier itself.
So this saved us a lot of time.
Mother, no need to worry. Meera is
showing good improvement. See...
Oh no, not now.
Please wait for some more time.
I'll take you to your daughter.
Now we have designed a
specialized recovery plan for Meera.
This will help her come back to
normal life as soon as possible.
Ma'am, when can she go back home?
That... will take another 3 to 4 weeks.
Until then, she'll be under our
strict care, guidance, and supervision.
Then after complete recovery,
Meera is free to...
...go to wherever she'll be
happy, healthy, and safe.
Dear, I'll have peace of mind
only if I take her back to the island.
Everything will be fine
once we reach there.
Yeah, everything will be okay.
Was the cash collected
as donation only for...
...the medicine or does it cover
hospital expenses too?
Uh... sorry but I'm not the right
person to answer that question.
Even now, many are sending
money to our account.
I promise that we will use
all the money for noble causes.
After paying all the hospital bills...
...the remaining amount will be used for
rehabilitating Meera and her mother.
We'll use the remaining
money to help patients...
...suffering from
life-threatening diseases.
I'm sharing messages and
happy moments from...
...contributors and supporters
who helped Meera.
I can't believe that we saved Meera.
We saved our beloved Meera's life.
Real patriots are those who protect
the culture and traditions of our country.
- My dear...
- Mother, not now.
She might catch an infection.
Let her skin heal.
Give her a week's time.
Then you can hug and kiss her.
I'm...
I'm very tired, mother.
Don't worry, dear.
We can go back to our island
after a few days.
We will do the rituals
for the snake Gods.
You must do that.
After that, we'll do the rituals
and everything will be fine.
Would it be right for me to do
the snake worship ritual, Mom?
Mother...
Is it safe to go back
to the island so soon?
If not to our island,
where will we go?
Snake Gods will guard us.
It's been so long since
I lit the lamp at the temple.
I saw on TV that Aameda temple is adopting
deities abandoned by such smaller temples.
'VICTORY OF GOOD SAMARITANS.
OUR SOCIETY SAVES MEERA!'
[Folk song worshipping Snake Gods]
Thank you
I was pleasantly surprised myself.
Okay.
You rocked.
Not only this, I've done
other work too.
Among all of us, he benefitted
the most from this.
He collected 25 lakh followers
in such short time, didn't he?
Madam...
Your new house is amazing.
Thanks
Madam, we are leaving.
I've some work...
Manoj, don't take their taunts to heart.
You relax, enjoy
and go later, Manoj.
See, not everyone gets such opportunities.
You should use it to the maximum.
If that celebrity actor hadn't shared
the video, nobody would've known.
Meera wouldn't have survived.
Exactly. The most important point
for us to remember is that...
...we brought back our patient to life
from an extremely critical condition.
Manoj, it's nothing short of
a miracle. Right?
Everyone has contributed to that.
And isn't it good if we get
some benefit out of it?
The world works like that.
Make hay while the sun shines.
Consider this as the perks of our jobs.
In countries like ours,
all pharma companies...
...give commission for
prescribing their drugs.
This is like that.
It's all about luck and fate.
That's it.
And there's nothing wrong in aspiring
for a better standard of living, right?
- Cheers! Have a good time.
- Enjoy gentlemen.
Good luck with
your YouTube channel!
Through the massive
online funding campaign...
...that the world celebrated
until two weeks ago...
...#SaveMeeraChechi,
we could save Meera's life.
She has fully recovered and
is fit to leave the hospital.
As a charity social media activist,
what do you have to say, Mr.Manoj?
I realised that our life
becomes meaningful...
...when we help others
and see their happiness.
I started this charity foundation to help
those who suffer with no one to support.
Manoj was of great help to you, right?
When Manoj came,
it was being support to them
- Shall I leave then?
- OK.
Meera, you should
take care of yourself.
Call me if you need anything.
I'll come.
- Will you call?
- Yes.
Bye then.
- Are you leaving?
- Yeah, I've been here for a while.
- Jagan...
- Hey.
Member...
Meera, you look fit to
climb a coconut tree!
How are you now?
Much better, Jagan.
Did you visit the island after that?
Worried how the cats and dogs
manage to eat without us.
I've moved your canoe to our side.
You look so energetic today, Meera.
Doctor, now that she has recovered,
can we go home now?
Everything will become normal
once we are back at the island.
Meera, that insect is still a risk.
Government has put restrictions.
Nobody is allowed in the island.
Our house, temple, snake Gods...
everything is on that island.
We have to go, dear.
Don't worry, mom.
We'll find a way.
Meera, returning to the island
is a risk to your body and life.
I won't say anything more.
If this happens again,
nobody can guarantee anything.
Don't be sad. We will set
everything right. Don't worry.
Your island is the hot topic everywhere.
They say it's bad for the whole community
if you don't perform rituals in the temple.
Ameda temple accepts idols from
abandoned temples, it seems.
Some say we should try that.
Why don't you do that?
Devotees of our village
will be happy.
No... never...
I won't allow that.
Meera, don't stress yourself too much
thinking about all these.
You have a lot of time
to settle all these.
I'm sure we can find a solution.
Focus on your recovery for now, okay?
Heard what the doctor said?
You should make your Mom understand.
If you don't get a buyer for
the island due to the insect risk...
...I'll try to buy it in
the name of my company.
I don't think all the
board members will agree.
But, I must help you
in such a situation.
After all, you are my niece.
What are you blabbering?
Where were you all these years, uncle?
I remember mom saying that you had
visited a couple of times after dad died.
That's all even I remember.
You alone are responsible
for this snake curse on you.
Immediately after your birth,
my brother...
Dear, let's call the temple performers
and prepare for the rituals at the grove.
Forget singers, the police won't allow
anybody onto that cursed island.
Then how are you going to do the
rituals with virgin girls.
Dear, you must take a vow of
abstinence for a 41-day period.
You've already done it for some days.
You must do the rituals yourself.
No need of virgins.
Snakes are living Gods that
mortals like us can see.
Don't insult them.
Unfortunately, my brother married you
due to his progressive nonsense.
That was his fate.
She was the problem even then.
Don't make me bring up things.
Is it her fault that a teacher
molested her when she was a child?
Everyone knows there's
no smoke without a fire.
None of this would've happened
if she had done the ritual then.
That's an old story.
What about now?
People know everything.
The Gods who know us can also
understand the needs of our bodies.
Don't invite more curses with your idiocy.
Those villagers won't tolerate it.
Doing stupid things?
We must do it, dear.
We are figuring out ways to
take you back to the island.
But it'll take some more time.
Till then, you have to move
to a temporary place.
How long can you continue
in the hospital? It's expensive too.
Now we'll move you to
the hospital guest house.
You can go to the new place
tomorrow itself.
Meera, trust me.
It's only for a few days.
We'll find a way.
Don't tell mom anything.
I'll slowly explain everything to her.
We'll shift from here tomorrow.
- How's the new room?
- Hmm..
Have you started packing?
Did you forget us, now that
your dad came from Dubai?
My duty today is almost over.
Hmm.
Your last dose of medication
is also today.
You won't be here
when I come tomorrow, right?
When you return home, you'll meet
the snake Gods who are waiting for you.
Like you said, they'll take care
of everything, right?
Wherever they are, the snake Gods
will protect them, dear.
Mother...
Meera, take good care of your health.
You both must take good care.
Time to leave, girl.
Come, dear.
Mother...
Bye
- How much is this?
- Rs 180
Sister, it's 180 rupees.
It's 100 rupees.
'RESTRICTED AREA.
ENTRY PROHIBITED.'
Mom, untie that knot.
"Oh my serpent king!"
Now, spread the turmeric powder.
"Oh my serpent king!"
"Oh my serpent king!"
'This grove is the abode of snake gods
dancing to the Pulluvan's song'
'Where the snake gods rule'
Now, go bathe and come in wet clothes.
Pour the holy water.
"Oh my serpent king!"
"Oh my serpent king!"
"Oh my serpent king!"
"Oh my serpent king!"
"Oh my serpent king!"
(folklore song on serpents)
My dear girl!
This is a shocking example of
the unpredictability of life.
Meera, who was in the news recently
for receiving a rare and expensive ...
...life saving drug through
a huge crowd funding campaign...
...and her mother were found in
this state, in their own Illickal island.
Following this, entry to this
island has been restricted.
This incident has happened
after reports of Meera...
...being rehabilitated
in some secure location.
Authorities said they went missing
the night before her scheduled discharge.
Though the cause of death
is not yet known...
...it is suspected to be m*rder.
From the restricted island where
nobody except these two women lived...
...men's shoe prints and beer bottles
were found, according to the police.
Meera and her mother were the last
members of the famed Vaidyar family...
...and with their death,
the lineage has ended.
A lot of people go there at
night to drink and smoke up.
That could be the footprints.
When it was known that there are
venomous insects in that island...
...why were they allowed
to return to that place?
I can't believe that they are gone.
Her mother wanted to
invite everyone for...
...a grand 'Sarpam thullal' and
'Kalamezhuthu paattu' ritual.
The ritual isn't done the way they did,
this would bring God's curse.
The thing is, only virgin women
should do this ritual.
She wasn't a virgin. This is the
punishment for not obeying Gods.
Don't take my opinion
as an insensitive one.
I go back to my earlier point...
...that we could have
saved the lives of...
...several children, with
the money spent on one person.
It is believed that God Ananthan
himself will carry the souls...
...of those who die during
the rituals to eternal liberation.
Maybe, the souls of these
two women are liberated.
The world prayed for
Meera's recovery days ago...
[Overlapping news clips]
Was it all just a drama, then?
Did the medicine worth crores of rupees
take effect on her body, after all?
Or is it the work of a lobby, looking for
ruby and precious coral in the island?
Meera was like my own sister.
They both were my family.
I'm not able to believe
that they are no more.
It has been such a shock.
Let us go to the latest updates.
Police located another dead body
from a deserted area on the island.
Police have identified him as Karthik...
...who was undergoing treatment
for narcotic de-addiction...
...in the same hospital as Meera and...
...was discharged only two days ago.
Police have also found a bag
of money near the dead body.
The culprit Karthik rowed from this
very spot to the island at night...
...to k*ll those poor women
in this cruel manner.
We need to ask, if Karthik can afford
de-addiction treatment in a big hospital...
...why would he need to steal
something from those women.
Is it because he was abandoned by
his family due to substance abuse?
Or, is it to find money to buy drugs?
Is there any other vested
interest behind this m*rder?
In this situation, a lot of conspiracy
theories are doing rounds.
But the most important thing
is the m*rder of two women.
The same people who said the women's
deaths were due to God's curse...
...justify Karthik's death
from snake bite as natural.
It just baffles me.
Several big hospitals
have close tie-ups...
...with the donation drive platforms
who appear as good Samaritans.
This was a conspiracy by hospitals and
online channels in the name of medicine.
These crooks will create a situation
where nobody helps the needy.
When I met them yesterday, they
were ready to start a new life.
We tried to help them
settle down comfortably.
But they were brutally m*rder*d
even before we could do that.
They must get justice.
First, when donations were sought, we heard
many speculations about Meera and family.
Now there are multiple stories
circulating about their death.
What really happened to them?
What is the reality?
In this age, is reality too a myth?
You can see a group of Policemen
stationed there blocking visitors.
Two women who led their lives
here fighting against all odds.
It has been so many hours
since the m*rder...
...why has the police not revealed
any details of the investigation?
Police suspect that the bag
belongs to Meera or her mother.
The cause of death is still
being determined.
Only a detailed investigation can bring
to light the motive behind this m*rder.
These donations drives are
part of a big conspiracy.
Preliminary investigation shows
that Karthik died of snake bite.
[Overlapping news clips]
[Indistinct chatter]
- Welcome... Welcome to my beautiful resort.
- Oh... thank you! So nice...
Please...
Welcome!
- Please.
- Thank you, Vivek.
It's a beautiful island you have here.
Yeah, it particularly reminds me
of the Epstein island.
In terms of the isolation
and immaculate beauty.
Thank you,
thank you so much.
(folklore song on serpents)
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Theatre: The Myth of Reality (2025)
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