The scariest part of any story was never the monster. It was the door you chose to open. There's a heavy dread that comes with choosing, what if you make a wrong decision? Most stories let you off easy in that regard. They do the choosing for you. Thiruppam doesn't let you off easy.
You won’t just watch this story unfold, you’ll steer it
Created and performed by Deepika Arun, one of the most recognisable voices in Tamil audio storytelling, Thiruppam is a live immersive audio drama where the audience votes at every turning point and the story obeys the majority. Remember 12B? That beautiful film built entirely on a missed bus. Remember the old Goosebumps choose-your-own-adventure books you'd read under a blanket, sneaking peeks at both pages before committing? Now imagine that experience is live, shared, and the person sitting next to you may have voted the complete opposite of you.
"Thiruppam is really about choices," Deepika says. "Sometimes things move because of the people around us, not because of what we personally want."
There are three major voting moments across the experience, each one branching the story into a different direction. The result is eight possible climaxes, each emotionally complete, each earning its own ending.
This particular story is called Kuyili, and it's a thriller. But Deepika is careful to say it doesn't stay in one emotional register. "Some endings lean into paranormal thriller territory. Some are emotional. Some are unsettling in quieter ways." The climax you get depends entirely on the room you're in that night.
The experience is built entirely on sound. No screens, no spectacle, just voices, original music, a composed original song, and the particular electricity of a room full of people all making a decision together.
"I want people to come, enjoy the experience, and later maybe sit somewhere quietly wondering: what would've happened if the other choice had won?"
Rs 299 onwards. On May 31 from 4 pm. At Punch-The Unpaid Therapist, Alwrpet.
Email: shivani@newindianexpress.com
X: @ShivaniIllakiya
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