In a small Tamil village, eleven-year-old Karpagam prays in the temple, longing to be seen and chosen. Each year, one girl is selected for a sacred ritual to stop Goddess Parvati’s tears from cursing the village with illness and despair. When Karpagam’s wish is granted, her mother wraps her in a red bridal sari, adorns her hair with jasmine, and stains her palms with henna. The villagers rejoice, believing Parvati has taken her form. As drums thunder and the divine wedding approaches, Karpagam waits, proud and uncertain. She knows her groom will be a living symbol of Lord Shiva himself. Yet when the moment arrives, divinity proves to be less radiant and far more slippery than she ever imagined.
Inspired by true events MAPPILLAI (The Groom) is a real-life fairytale about a girl whose wish to be chosen reveals that every blessing carries its shadow.
