The recently released film Thiru Manickam received acclaim from both critics and
audiences for its strong social message promoting honesty and moral values. The
writer-director of the movie, Nanda Periyasamy watched the movie along with nearly
350 rural underprivileged children, destitute elders and staff members at Sevalaya,
Kasuva village in Tiruvallur district on 2 Jul 2025. Sevalaya’s donor and well-wisher
V Rajamanickam, who approached Sevalaya with the idea for the screening, presented an
award on the occasion to Nanda Periyasamy. Speaking on the occasion, Nanda Periyasamy
addressed the children and said, “I have no words to express my gratitude to the love
and affection shown by you. Many celebrities had called me and appreciated me for the
movie- but this down-to-earth reception by you all feels very special. From your applause
I could clearly see that you related a lot to many scenes that are close to my heart. The
message of the movie is that a costly mistake that one makes in their life can never be
rectified. The movie is inspired by a one liner I read in Ananda Vikatan about a real-life
incident about an honest lottery seller. I made this movie because I wanted this message
to reach children like you. We keep reading news reports about honest auto drivers and bus
conductors returning cash left by passengers.Students like you should keep reading and
expanding your worldview. I expect many more Manickams from Sevalaya because
Sevalaya’s Founders Muralidharan Sir and Bhuvana Madam have brought you up well”. He
also added, “Thiru Manickam was listed in the Top 20 movies and won the Best Director
award at the Norway Tamil Film Festival. We have also applied for the National Award for
the movie.” He also interacted with the students after the movie and answered their
questions. He also promised to donate 10% profits from his next movie for Sevalaya’s
charitable activities and perform the pooja for all his upcoming movies at Sevalaya. In
a heartening moment, a student shared that they will go back home and share the message
of honesty from the movie with their friends and family. Sevalaya’s donor Rajamanickam in
his speech said, “I chose to celebrate this movie because such movies with a good message
for the society are becoming increasingly rare. I wanted the next generation of children
to learn good values through the movie and wanted to encourage the director who made it.
I also wish that the media and journalists can share this message with the filmmaking
fraternity to produce more such movies.” He also shared that he would institute an award
in collaboration with Sevalaya titled ‘Best Tamil Film Promoting Social Values’ which will
be awarded every year to the writer- director of the best Tamil film promoting social values
that year. Earlier V Muralidharan, Founder and Managing Trustee, Sevalaya welcomed the
gathering and briefly explained Sevalaya’s activities. He shared that Sevalaya has presence
across India in 50+ centres and provides free services in the domains of education, destitute
welfare, healthcare, disaster relief and rural development. He also shared that Sevalaya had
provided flood relief in Idukki district, Kerala where the film was shot. Abirami P, Art Teacher,
Sevalaya who was rescued as a child and admitted in Sevalaya’s Children’s Home
entertained the audience with a song performance. The song ‘Aararo’ from the movie that is
sung by an orphan child addressing his foster parent, moved the Chief Guests and audience
alike. Kingston A A, VP-Development, Sevalaya delivered the Vote of Thanks. Mementos were
presented to the Chief Guests. A week ago, after watching the movie, V Rajamanickam
approached Sevalaya with a wish to present an award to the writer-director and also
screen the movie for Sevalaya school children. Sevalaya approached Nanda Periyasamy
who kindly agreed to attend the screening along with school children and accept the award from the donor V Rajamanickam.
