பாரம் – BARAM is an emotionally resonant Tamil short film, officially released by the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF), that brings to the screen a deeply personal and universally relatable dilemma—caring for aging parents when love alone is no longer enough.

Written and directed by DK Suriya Narayanan, the film follows the inner conflict of a brother and sister who must decide whether to place their physically handicapped mother into an old age home. The choice is not driven by neglect or indifference, but by exhaustion, fear, and the harsh realities of modern life. Yet, the emotional toll of this decision weighs heavily on them, becoming a burden they struggle to carry.

The film delicately explores themes of familial duty, guilt, responsibility, and emotional fatigue. Through restrained performances and realistic situations, BARAM captures the silent pain experienced by families who love deeply but are forced to let go in order to preserve dignity and care.

Set in Bengaluru, the narrative unfolds within intimate domestic spaces and an old age home—locations that become symbols of transition rather than abandonment. The mother’s presence anchors the film emotionally, reminding viewers that aging is not a failure, but a phase deserving of compassion and respect.

பாரம் – BARAM does not offer easy answers. Instead, it invites reflection. It asks whether love can exist alongside difficult decisions, and whether letting go can sometimes be an act of care rather than neglect.

DPIFF presents BARAM as part of its mission to promote socially reflective cinema—stories that spark empathy, conversation, and awareness around issues that are often spoken about in whispers, if at all.

🎞 Film Credits

Title: பாரம் – BARAM
Writer & Director: DK Suriya Narayanan
Cinematography: Anil Singamsetty
Editing: Senthil Kumar, DK Suriya Narayanan, Vihaan
Music: Prasanna Sivaraman

📍 Location: Bengaluru, India