The Last Farmer|Feb. 11, 2022|India|145 Min.|n/A
Genre: Crime;Drama;Reality;South;Indian
Description: “Kadaisi Vivasayi,” released in 2022, follows the story of Mayandi, an elderly farmer in his eighties living in a small Tamil Nadu village. Known for his frugal lifestyle and minimal communication, Mayandi is entrusted with providing the first grain for the village temple’s annual ceremony, as he remains the sole farmer in the area. The rest have sold their lands to financiers for development projects. While cultivating a new batch of paddy, Mayandi discovers a dead peacock and two peahens in his field. Believing them to be sacred symbols of his favored deity, Murugan, he buries them.
However, another villager witnesses this act and reports it, leading to Mayandi’s arrest for allegedly killing the peacock, India’s national bird. The incident ties back to a past event where peafowl were killed in the village, but no witnesses came forward, leaving the police frustrated. Determined to settle the score, the police fabricate a case against Mayandi using a biased witness. During the trial, the magistrate, Raichal Rebecca, reprimands the police for filing a false report, as the witness only saw Mayandi burying the birds, not harming them. She orders a revised report but mandates Mayandi remain in jail for 15 days due to legal procedures. Mayandi expresses concern for his newly planted crop, prompting the magistrate to assign a constable to tend to it.
Despite the magistrate’s instructions, the police delay filing the corrected report and neglect the field. Mayandi’s relatives, sympathizing with the constable, eventually take over the responsibility of watering the crop. The film portrays the struggles of a traditional farmer in a rapidly changing world, highlighting themes of injustice, community, and resilience.
Cast director: M. Manikandan
Cast actor: Nallandi, Vijay Sethupathi, Yogi Babu, Muniswaran, Kaalaipandiyan, Raichal Rabecca Philip
Original name: கடைசி விவசாயி