It's been a year since we were trapped in jail.
Our tongues have gone numb from eating so much junk.
We aren't even aware of the flavors anymore.
We were eating merely to survive.
We got used to it.
That's when…
Warder Saleem's words brought us immense happiness.
You'll be paid for the work you've done in jail.
What's wrong, sir?
Don't you pay attention to what your guys are doing?
Chinna, tell us what happened.
Don't just stand there like scarecrows!
Tell us what happened! Come on!
Speak up!
What are they going to say? Idiots!
They're bluffing, saying they didn't do anything!
At least you tell us what they did, sir.
They're going discreetly to the docked ships at sea.
We're saying it's not us! You've mistaken us for someone else.
How dare you pretend to be innocent!
This guy is the prime witness!
Why are you making excuses?
I've suspected for a long time
that you were involved in this kind of mess.
Sir, these boys don't have the brains to do this on their own.
Someone else is behind it.
In that case, ask them to confess who's giving them orders.
Speak up!
Listen, Ganga,
if the police get to know about this, they'll put him behind bars.
Then we won't be able to get him out.
Hey, Chinna,
you know our father is already in jail, right?
If you end up in jail too, how will we manage?
You know how much we're suffering because Dad's not around.
What will happen to Mom if you're gone too?
Swear on me that you won't get involved in this kind of illegal activity.
Do it!
Letters have arrived from Pakistan.
-Come. -Is there any letter for me?
Wait.
Hey! Letters from Pakistan have arrived.
The postman is here!
-Really? -Yes!
Let's go.
Addadi Kavitha.
-That's me! -Here.
-Ambali Ravanamma. -Yes, that's me!
-Thota Mahalakshmi. -That's me!
-Akka Venkateswarlu. -Give it here, sir.
-Poothala Poleramma. -That's me.
-Paida Mary. -She went to the hospital.
-I'll give it to her. -Here.
-Papadi Rangayya. -Sir, give it to me.
Jeeva Kumar.
Neelamani!
Is there no letter from my Narayya?
How would I know? I've handed out everything I have.
Auntie,
-they say Narayya passed away. -Narayya!
My son!
Oh, God!
Narayya!
Chinna!
What?
Chinna!
What?
A letter from your father has arrived. Read it.
Ganga, hurry! Your father wrote a letter.
"Polee,
we didn't expect to be trapped here like this.
I think about you all a lot.
In the beginning, we suffered a lot,
but eventually, we got used to it.
I don't know when I'll return,
but I'm confident that I will.
Ask Ganga and Chinna not to worry.
Chinna is now the head of the family.
Ask him to be responsible!
My whole life rests with him."
Mother!
Don't cry, Mother.
When will the bus come, Mother?
It'll come.
How are you, Mother?
-She's the one. Ganga. -Oh.
We're fine, dear.
The people in our village got letters from Pakistan.
Did you get one?
Yes, we did! Our brother sent us a letter too!
How's he doing?
He's doing well, it seems.
He didn't mention you in his letter, Ganga.
Goodbye, dear.
We're so happy to receive letters from Pakistan.
How long has it been since your husband and others were trapped in Pakistan?
It's been over a year, sir.
We hadn't heard anything until we got this letter.
It feels like my husband spoke to me directly through it. I'm very happy.
Did he mention the hardships he's facing over there?
We're hardworking people.
No matter where we are, difficulties are inevitable, dear.
Did you receive any information about your son?
Aren't you angry at Pakistan for killing your son?
Tell us, ma'am!
Do you regret sending him out to fish?
Speak up, ma'am.
Share your sorrow with us!
Why are you walking away?
Answer us, ma'am.
We'll question the government!
Stop it, will you?
Auntie!
Don't you have any humanity?
She's mourning the loss of her son,
and you have the nerve to question her like this?
Get out of here!
What did I ask that was wrong?
Fine, let's go.
Are you here to quantify her misery?
Nothing significant has happened here
for you reporters to rush in for interviews!
Auntie, don't cry.
You're Ganga, right?
Your hard work has finally paid off. Aren't you happy?
I didn't do anything.
That's not true.
Everyone's talking about how you've been fighting
for the release of the fishermen from your village.
Have they been released?
No, right?!
You might gain from turning these few letters into sensational news,
but it's of no use to us.
If you really want to help with their release, do something meaningful.
Otherwise, goodbye!
Ganga!
Several NGOs are working for the release of fishermen held in Pakistan.
If you contact them, you might get results.
Everyone's full of advice.
No one actually helps.
That's not what I meant, Ganga. I'm just saying…
Hey, Badiri,
here's the letter.
You dropped it.
Give it to me.
Brother, Mom and I are concerned about your survival in Pakistan.
When you left, it felt like we became orphans.
I had to drop out of school because we couldn't pay the fees.
Mom's health is also deteriorating.
I'm helping her by working on the sewing machine.
In your absence, none of the villagers are supporting us.
Dorababu won't even lend a single paisa.
I don't know how or when you'll return, but I believe you will, someday.
What's the use of reading that letter over and over again, Badiri?
Our lives will end up within these walls!
-Madam! -Tell me, Badiri.
Madam, can I meet Hanief sir once?
Why?
I need his advice about our release.
Okay, I'll inform him.
Okay, madam.
My whole life rests with him.
Chinna is now the head of the family.
Tell him not to be mischievous.
Ask Ganga and Chinna not to worry.
Why did you call me so many times?
What happened?
Uncle.
When my father was around, I used to wish he'd leave for work.
But now that he's not coming back,
I'm not able to handle it, uncle.
Don't cry.
What else can we do except pray to our Goddess Gangamma?
Besides, your sister is still here, isn't she?
She'll bring your father back somehow.
Why are you being so sarcastic, uncle?
What else should I be?
Didn't I go all the way to Delhi for their release trials?
Do you think that's a small task?
It's expensive.
That's why I came back.
Actually, this is not plain sailing. It requires a lot of money.
Can this problem really be solved with money, uncle?
Is there any country in this world where money can't fix things?
Don't people live there too? Don't they have needs?
The only difference is,
it takes more money to get things done over there.
How much would it cost, uncle?
Well, to begin with, 200,000 might get things started.
We have a lawyer there.
We need to pay him and explain the situation.
I'll give you the money, uncle.
Please get started.
How will you pay?
You'll only have money if I give it to you.
And you told me you wouldn't do the harder jobs, only the menial ones.
No matter how difficult the task is, I'll do it, uncle.
I want my father to come back.
Please, uncle.
-Please do something. -Is that so?
But without support from our police, it'll be tough.
That doesn't matter, uncle.
I'll do it for my father.
What's up, Hanief ji? I hardly see you these days.
Court proceedings are ongoing. There's always something to handle.
Is that so?
Forgive me, I'm a little busy.
Badiri is waiting for you over there.
You can go and meet him. Okay?
-Thank you. -Okay, you're most welcome, sir.
Goodbye, son.
-See you. -Sir!
-How are you, Badiri? -I'm fine, sir.
Tell me, Badiri.
Sir,
we thought we'd never see Chenchaiah again.
But you brought him back.
Just like that,
we need your help to get us out of this country too.
Badiri, you're wise,
so I'll tell you the truth.
Sir.
Your government is doing its best to bring you all back,
but the situation in Pakistan is not favorable.
I understand, sir.
Sir,
if getting everyone released is difficult,
then at least try to get the elderly out first.
If any one of your documents falls short,
it will be extremely difficult, Badiri.
Sir, if the paperwork is right, can it be done?
None of us has a criminal record.
Please think about it.
We're just fishermen, sir.
-Okay. -Sir.
-I'll try my best. -Okay, sir.
But if I need a few documents,
is there someone in your village who can help?
Yes, sir.
My Ganga.
Then, do you remember her phone number?
Note it down, sir.
To listen to the concerns of victims like us,
there are NGOs in Pakistan like Mulk-e-Dosthi.
They work solely for people's welfare, without national barriers.
I found out about them after meeting Mr. Hanief.
From where?
Oh, I'm extremely sorry. I was speaking in Hindi.
I work for an NGO in Pakistan called Mulk-e-Dosthi.
Some people from your village are in jail in Pakistan, right?
Yes, sir.
We need help, sir.
Please, sir. They've been in jail for more than a year.
I will. I'll help you.
But I'll need a few documents from your end.
Can you please write them down?
Okay, sir.
Please note.
Tell me, sir.
Aadhaar card.
Okay.
Voter ID.
Okay.
Collector's affidavit and a no-crime certificate.
Okay, sir.
Could you please fax these details to me as soon as possible?
I'll text you the fax details.
Okay, sir. Sure, sir. Thank you.
It seems they need documents just to prove that we are alive.
They say we need proof of existence.
Only papers define our identity.
Ganga was determined!
Somehow, by arranging the documents,
Ganga is doing her best to bring us home.
-SI sir. -Tell me.
I need a few signatures on the documents for the fishermen's release.
I'm not authorized to sign them. Meet CI sir.
Madam.
I need CI sir's signature on these documents!
Are they all from your village?
They're all from the same district, sir.
Do you know each one of them?
Put the stamp on it.
Thank you, sir.
-File those papers and send them to me. -Okay, madam.
Ganga, what are you doing here?
I've been waiting to meet you for two days.
I need a few signatures.
-Shouldn't you have told me? -You've been busy, madam.
Come with me, Ganga.
Uncle!
-I need to send a fax. -It's over there. Go ahead!
Sir, we have received a fax from India.
-Ahmed! -Yes, sir.
Organize these documents and send copies
to the Pakistan Interior Ministry
and the Human Rights Commission right away.
Yes, sir.
-Hey, Joga. -Yes?
What are you doing here?
Go and help uncle.
-Go. -Okay.
Nanaji,
even though you have a bad opinion about Badiri,
he always thinks well of you.
You wrongly promised to marry your daughter to Sekhar.
Maybe you made a mistake.
Badiri is not as great as you all think!
What a waste!
Haven't you understood his character yet?
Sure!
If you want to understand someone, you need to understand their nature first!
What's there to understand?
Let me ask you one thing. Just answer me.
-He's in love with Ganga, right? -Yes, he is.
We've been writing to our families for six months, haven't we?
Has he written even a single letter to Ganga?
Aren't you the one delivering the letters?
True. He hasn't written one.
Then that means he doesn't care about my daughter, right?
So,
you're saying he was faking it all along?
Of course. All that glitters isn't gold.
Don't try to lecture me.
Badiri.
Do you still think about Ganga?
You've been writing to your family for six months,
but not one letter to Ganga!
Badiri, that side is leveled.
Why aren't you answering?
What should I write, Chenchaiah?
I don't know when or even if I'll return.
If I don't write to her,
she might eventually forget me,
marry Nanaji's choice, and live a peaceful life.
I wanted to treat Ganga like a queen.
After paying off all my debts from the fishing trip,
I planned to ask Nanaji for her hand formally. But then…
we got trapped here.
Who am I kidding, though?
Ganga is a queen, wherever she is.
No matter how much I suffer,
I want her to be happy.
I didn't want to ruin her life by keeping her hopes alive with a letter.
That's why I didn't write to her.
Nanaji,
did you hear that?
We may be older than him, but he's wiser than us.
People may misjudge him, but he won't do wrong.
Even I misjudged him once, just like you.
Ganga!
I have great news for you!
What is it?
Why are you laughing? Just spit it out!
The minister has asked to meet us.
His PA called me. They're planning to release our people!
-Is that true? -Yes.
-Really? -Yes, really!
I'll spread the news to everyone!
Yes, go ahead! Tell everyone.
This is truly wonderful news. I'll inform Netra right away.
Today she held your hand.
Tomorrow, she'll have you tie the wedding knot with the same hand!
Badiri getting stuck in Pakistan turned out
to be a blessing for you, didn't it?
No.
I can't even imagine marrying Ganga anymore.
Hey.
What are you saying, man?
You liked her a lot, didn't you?
Even her father declared before the entire village that she'd marry you.
So what's the problem?
Badiri is no longer an obstacle!
If not today, then someday soon,
-Ganga will be your wife. -Hey!
Even though her father said so, Ganga never saw me as a husband.
She always saw me as an enemy.
If she's going to marry me just because of her parents' wishes,
the smile we saw on her face today
wouldn't be there.
Ganga is fighting day and night for people who aren't even related to her.
And I…
I never even asked her if she wanted to marry me.
I'm nothing compared to her.
This is for the best.
Yes, this is for the best.
Hey!
Hey, brother!
How's your family? Are they doing well?
-Yes. -Thanks to God.
Sir, they're here.
You called for us, sir?
Yes!
This gentleman is from the Indian High Commission.
Mr. Swaroop, Assistant Commissioner.
-Greetings, sir! -Greetings.
Due to constant pressure from the Indian High Commission,
the Pakistani government
has responded positively.
They've agreed to support us.
I'll now call out some names.
If your name is on the list, please step to that side.
-Okay, sir. -Okay.
Got it?
Addadi Jogarao.
Rolu Paidayya.
Kempe Chenchaiah.
Paida Joseph.
Ambali Subbayya.
Koppadi Srinu.
Poruballa Somaiah.
Nuragala Badiri.
That's me, sir.
The government has ordered your release.
You all are being freed.
Sir…
-Any paperwork required for the release -Badiri…
will be handled by the Superintendent.
Sir.
Sir, if we're being released, why are they being held back?
What did we do wrong, sir?
One man from your boat tried to escape and was killed.
Until that case is fully investigated and resolved,
the rest of you will need to stay for a few more days.
Don't be afraid.
-Nothing will happen to you. -Sir…
What do they have to do with his mishap?
We're all just fishermen, sir.
I understand your pain.
But we don't have answers to all your questions.
The Indian High Commission is doing everything it can to secure your release.
Please be patient.
Sir,
then let Nanaji uncle go in my place.
His health is deteriorating.
Hey, your family must be waiting eagerly for you.
Just go!
I'll go later, uncle.
Oh, God!
We don't know when the next chance will come.
Just go.
Sir, he talks nonsense.
Don't pay attention to what he's saying.
-Uncle, let me speak. -Wait…
-Hold on! -Sir.
It doesn't work that way.
You can't switch places with someone as you wish.
We have to follow the government's rules strictly.
Did you understand?
-Mr. Sharief, I'll take my leave now. -Okay.
-Goodbye. -Goodbye.
Don't worry. Everything will be fine.
Come on, everyone. Head back to your barracks.
You'll all be released soon.
We need to load this stuff into that auto.
-Hey, they look like new guys! -Yes.
What are you mumbling about? Just load the boxes.
Are you new to this business?
I haven't seen you around before.
Why? Do you want my Aadhaar card for verification?
Open the boxes first.
Open the boxes?
No one's ever asked us to do that before.
-Hey, Chinna. -Yes, uncle?
Bring the goods back safely and properly. Our party isn't coming today.
-The police are near the location. -What are you saying, uncle?
Give me the phone. Hand it over!
-They're the police! -Run!
-Police? Run! -Police?
Hey! Stop!
Hey! Run, run!
Sir! I don't know anything.
Please let me go.
-Hey! Stop! -Please let me go, sir.
I don't know anything, sir.
Please let me go, sir.
Brother, please let me go!
-Brother, I really don't know anything. -Brother…
Please let me go!
You don't need to fight for space anymore.
We'll be leaving soon, and this barrack will be spacious again.
-Enjoy yourselves! -Look at that arrogance!
Every person who leaves mocks us,
and we just sit here like fools.
Hey, knock off the whining.
Why wouldn't we?
You're leaving after betraying us.
Badiri, tell us the truth.
You planned all this with Saleem, didn't you?
You only lobbied for your release, didn't you?
Do you still doubt it?
That's why they're releasing them and keeping us here.
Hey, shut up.
Do you even know what you're saying?
You know about Badiri, don't you?
Shut up, man.
You hated him until yesterday. What changed overnight?
-He wants Badiri to marry his daughter. -Exactly.
Don't talk rubbish just because you're angry.
Don't lecture us after doing all this!
Hey, stop crying.
If you keep crying over someone else's good luck,
you'll be crying forever!
You need luck in life, man!
You'll understand once you're stuck here like me!
This is all his fault.
-Hey, stop it. -Hey!
-Stop! -Why are you creating a scene?
Is it because you're staying or because we're leaving?
The news that half of us are being released
is why this started.
Just when we were beginning to get along, forgetting our grudges,
this news lit a fire between us.
We can't blame anyone.
Everybody is suffering!
The sorrow of being left behind made them say those things.
-Badiri. -Sir.
A vehicle will be here soon to pick you up.
Wait right here.
-Okay? -Yes, sir!
-Saleem, come with me. -Yes.
-Now! -Yes, sir!
Beware!
This is Colonel Shabaz Alam, a war hero.
Sir…
How many prisoners are here?
612, sir.
As far as I know, there should be 620.
Did you forget to count?
Sir, there were 620 until last night.
Eight inmates are scheduled for release today.
I'll decide who stays and who gets released.
I want the details of all the inmates.
Not just them, but also the staff.
I'm in charge of this prison from today.
Who are these people?
They're the eight inmates scheduled for release today, sir.
They don't look like Pakistanis.
They're Indians, sir.
Indians?
Wonderful!
They're just fishermen, sir. They accidentally crossed the border.
The government has already issued their release orders.
The government?
-Sir, here are their release orders. -Verify them!
No one leaves this place.
Sir, what are you doing?
These are their release…
-Suleman! -Sir!
Put them all back in the barracks.
That's an order!
-Sir… -Sir, but this is…
-Sir! -Sir…
Sir…
One man's patriotism is another man's terrorism.
In Shabaz Alam's eyes, we were anti-nationals.
Our release now felt like an illusion.
We who had crossed the country's border so easily,
were unable to cross these four walls. r so easily,