Muttrugai - Check Mate

Story deals with the strained relationship of a husband and wife. Seetha is
Vasu’s orthodox Hindu wife, who is only a ring away from attending his
needs. She takes care of the household chores without much of complaining as
the husband loiters around with other women in parties and clubs. The
character of the husband is very well established as a playboy husband who
married Seetha only to fulfil his parents wish. He is a successful
independent business contractor and he dint take much help from his father in
setting up or advancing his business.
The story begins with Vasu waiting for a woman whom he met at the party
the night before in his chamber of the house. The woman hasn’t showed up yet
and he is becoming restless as he feels he has been turned down by her. He
dint ask for her name the night before, but he remembered that she said that
she was a chess champion to which he invited her to his house to try out a
game. He looks at the laid out chess board in his veranda as he desperately
waits for her. After two hours of no show he gulps down some whiskey and
falls on the sofa.

He calls his wife who has started playing veena in the chamber below and
inquires about the misplaced visiting card. After fetching the card he
commands her to read it out for him. After which he asks her to sit down on
the sofa. It is only now does he take a good look at his wife. He starts
questioning himself on why his wife hasn’t questioned his ways so far. He
teases her by asking if she knows what chess coin she is holding and calls her
for a game of chess. He commands her to arrange the coins. He engages on a
conversation with his wife for the first time throughout the game. Seetha wins
the game. We learn that his friend has arrived late but he asks Seetha to
send her off and calls her for another game of chess.
Vasu – independent, misogynistic, rich, ultra modern,egoistic, self centered,
liberal minded person.
Seetha – orthodox Hindu girl, who considers it is her duty to serve her
husband. She doesn’t mind if the other person doesn’t reciprocate her love.

The relationship- the marriage is done only to please Vasu’s parents. The
parents think Vasu’s way of life will change once he marries. They also
consider that if the marriage doesn’t work out it is none of their business and
it is Seetha’s problem to finish off things.