Witness is a poignant tale of Indrani (Rohini), a middle-aged single mother, who is devastated by the loss of her college-going son Parthiban (Thamizharasan) to the cruel and barbaric practice of forced manual scavenging. In her quest for justice, she confronts a formidable array of powerful adversaries, ranging from the apartment owners to the contractors, sub-contractors, and corrupt policemen. However, in the midst of this struggle, she discovers a glimmer of hope and support from a few benevolent souls who come to her aid.

One such person is Petharaj (Selva C), a communist union leader, who uncovers the sinister plot behind Parthiban's death and extends his unwavering support to Indrani's cause. Additionally, Shraddha Srinath portrays the character of Parvathy, a spirited and outspoken young woman who lives in the same apartment complex where Parthiban met his tragic end.

Despite opposition from her neighbors, she stands by Indrani and helps to secure justice for the deceased. Finally, the magnificent Shanmugarajan plays the role of Sivaprakasam, a skilled lawyer who passionately advocates for Indrani in court and leaves no stone unturned in his pursuit of justice.

Cast

Shraddha Srinath portrays the character of a free-spirited and sharp-tongued young woman named Parvathy, while Rohini plays the role of Indirani, a middle-aged single mother who loses her son Parthiban (played by Thamizharasan) to forced manual scavenging in the movie Witness. G Selva portrays the role of Petharaju, a communist union leader who supports Indirani in her legal battle against the responsible parties, including the owners of the apartment, the contractor, the sub-contractors, and some corrupt cops. Azhagam Perumal plays the character of Ganapathi Subramaniam, while Shanmuga Raja is seen as the fiery lawyer Sivaprakasam. Rajeev Anand plays the character of Sibi, while Srinath portrays Ramanathan. Subatra Robert is seen in the role of Kalpana.

Release date

The motion picture was unveiled on the digital streaming platform SonyLIV on 9th December 2022. 

Reception

Witness, through its screenplay, appears to be a legal whodunit, yet the film essentially functions as a socio-political drama, deftly navigating the complex nuances inherent to cases involving manual scavenging in India. The film wastes no time in elucidating the socio-political dynamics at play, notably the privileged exploiting the disenfranchised with impunity, as exemplified by the landlord character portrayed by Srinath. The castist subtext imbued within the dialogue, the Tamil slang employed by the characters, and the subtle depiction of certain classes and locales serves to illustrate the identity of the oppressor and the oppressed.

Although the film takes certain liberties, including the fact that Parvathy, the swimming classmate of Parthi who coincidentally lives in the same apartment where the tragedy occurred, discovers crucial evidence, these do not detract from the overall viewing experience of Witness.

In terms of its narrative, Witness presents minimal struggle but maximal heart, never shying away from delivering powerful blows that provoke contemplation. Undeniably, the film carries a message, and its delivery lacks subtlety. However, the message's rawness is the movie's raison d'être: to present the story as genuinely as possible and ask questions that reflect reality. Furthermore, the film abstains from exploiting sudden tragedies for the sake of emotional manipulation, considering that each occurrence in the film is a tragedy in its right. The movie doesn't include any overdramatized scenes featuring Parthiban, which would insult the audience's emotional intelligence. Note how the film employs a beautifully written and composed song ('Paravayaai Naam Parakkirom') to convey much about Parthiban, his love for his mother, and the values he fights for. With the fantastic subplot for Shraddha Srinath and Rohini — both delivering outstanding performances — the film illustrates how the system created by men impacts women more, and how some men's personal and professional decisions can have long-lasting effects on women.

If one believes that they are impervious to the events depicted in the film, one must pause to consider the following: Have you ever pondered the scenario in which your landlord hires an individual to carry out the unhygienic task of cleaning your septic tank? Would you jeopardize your tranquil lifestyle by confronting the landlord on this issue? Or would you emulate the brave actions of Indrani or Parvathy and stand up against this injustice? Witness, while not crafted with utmost sophistication, succeeds in implicating all parties, particularly those who choose to remain silent observers.