Anukoni Prayanam Story

The film begins in [[Bhubaneswar]], [[Orissa]], where migrant laborers from different regions work in a construction company. Among them are two inseparable friends, Rajendra and Ramu. Rajendra views the world with cynicism, while Ramu firmly believes in the value of human relationships. Ramu’s family lives in a small village near Rajahmundry—his wife, widowed daughter, and grandson eagerly await his return. One day, their co-worker Nagulu celebrates the birth of his baby girl but is denied leave by the supervisor. Soon after, the sudden outbreak of the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India]] forces the government to declare a lockdown, and all the workers prepare to return to their native places. As Nagulu rushes home, he dies tragically of an electric shock. Bound by restrictions, the contractor refuses to send his body back. That night, Ramu tells Rajendra that he wishes not for such a lonely death but for a funeral surrounded by mourning loved ones. The next day, Ramu suddenly dies of [[Cardiac arrest]] at a bus stop. Shocked and heartbroken, Rajendra pledges to fulfill his friend’s last wish by carrying his body back home. Even bandits, moved by his loyalty, let him go unharmed. Despite passengers abandoning him in fear of the pandemic, Rajendra sets forth with Ramu’s body on his back.

With grit, Rajendra crosses state borders—sometimes aided by strangers, like a truck driver and a tempo driver who mistakenly assume Ramu is unconscious. Along the way, he is robbed of his money and phone but meets an Ayurvedic doctor, Sudhakar, who consoles him, shares his own grief, and provides chemicals to preserve the corpse. Continuing his journey, Rajendra cleverly disguises Ramu as a patient to avoid a ruthless cop, even rescuing the cop’s wife from goons, earning safe passage to [[Vizag]]. Later, he meets a compassionate nurse, Kasthuri, at a government hospital. She is moved by his story, helps with medical procedures, and arranges an ambulance. During this time, Rajendra develops admiration for her kindness. When confronted again by the cop, Rajendra is released out of respect for his unwavering camaraderie. At last, Rajendra reaches Ramu’s village with the body, leaving the family devastated. Yet, due to the fear of [[Coronavirus|Corona]], no one dares to attend the funeral. Determined, Rajendra stirs humanity within the villagers and ensures Ramu’s funeral is performed with dignity, as he had wished. The film closes with a poignant tribute to friendship, loyalty, and the resilience of the human spirit.