Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal: The 3 Male Leads Mirror Three Different Kinds Of Men In Our Society
Thatha and Santosh’s overreaction to Lakshmi meeting Harikrishnan is an example of the regressive thoughts prevailing in society. Meanwhile, Harikrishnan proves how he is a true gentleman.
The Tamil show Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal is known for its relatable characters. The serial shows the good in people and the wrong thoughts that prevail in society. In the latest episode, we saw Santhosh and Thatha mistreat Harikrishnan instead of welcoming him as a guest. Thatha and Santhosh, who was already convinced that Harikrishnan was trying to get close to Lakshmi escalated this thought when they saw him at their flat. The duo’s ill reactions had no logical base other than the fact that they both believed in it. However, Harikrishnan chose to apologise even though he wasn’t at fault, showing us how different he was from other men.
It all started when Thatha found out that Lakshmi visited Harikrishnan at his restaurant and lied to him about it. When enquired about being late, she told him that she took some extra time to find some fruits. The lying infuriated Thatha. Meanwhile, Santhosh came in to find the gift box that Harikrishnan had given to Lakshmi. Both, Thatha and Santhosh overreacted to the situation, started verbally attacking Lakshmi. Both Lakshmi and Pavithra were made to stay quiet and take their bashing.
Source: ZEE5
Now, Thatha is someone from the older generation. He is from the time of peak patriarchy who believes that women belong in the kitchen. For him, Lakshmi going out and meeting new people is like a sin. He thinks that Lakshmi is weak and probably knows nothing about other men. Taking things completely out of proportion, he also believes that Harikrishnan is trying to make passes at Lakshmi. Thatha’s thoughts come from a generation that doesn’t have much acceptance of today’s world. But his stubborn attitude won’t ever accept how much the world has changed.
Worse of the lot is Santhosh, who is being overprotective for no reason. Despite being a young employed person who values women, Santhosh doesn’t accept the fact that Lakshmi meeting a male friend is normal. Santhosh is put off by the fact that Hari fixed the camera without Lakshmi asking for it. He believes that fixing the camera and gifting it is a way of trying to get close to her. We later see him trying to silence Pavithra when she makes a point, showing us that he is not that pro when it comes to equality.
Source: ZEE5
Meanwhile, Harikrishnan being the accused one comes to visit Lakshmi just to return her phone. For Hari, Lakshmi is a mere acquaintance who helped him in multiple ways, helping him find inspiration to teach him new recipes. Him being a gentleman tried to return the favour by gifting her the repaired camera. However, he is mistaken by the people at Lakshmi’s home. Even though he knows that he isn’t at fault, he apologises to Thatha and Santhosh. He tries to defend Lakshmi and listens to the scoldings from her family without reacting.
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Even though unacceptable, Thatha’s reactions are somewhat understandable taking his past experiences into consideration. Having grown up without a father, Santhosh has watched and learned Thatha all his life and has got some wrong lessons from him too. He has not accepted women being equals yet and this shows in his actions. However, Harikrishnan is a true gentleman who understands and respects all women. Now, all three of these men shows us how different men in our society think and work. We need people more like Hari while finding ways to stop people like Sanhtosh from turning into people like Thatha.
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