Every piece of machinery is imported.
And it was fully functional too.
We bought all of this 20 years ago.
Even back then, it cost 40 lakhs. Today it'll cost at least 20 crores.
And the building, raw materials, stock...
Loss of production due to fire.
We can't put all that in the FIR. We can only file for damages.
The rest you'll have to negotiate with the insurance company per your policy.
Regina, did Shanmugam say anything?
I really feel he had this well planned and executed.
Sir, about that... We can't hold him in custody for long.
It might lead to an inquiry. We need evidence against him.
Then find it.
The problem with fire is it destroys all traces of evidence.
We're looking into it.
But there's nothing against him besides your word.
Handle it, Regina.
-Sir. -That's your job.
-Vadivelu's account. -Yeah.
Vadivelu, have you booked a bike for your son?
Was the money enough for down payment?
Sir, I didn't ask for your money.
You insisted on giving it to me.
You didn't ask for it.
But you didn't refuse it either.
-Ma'am. -All I'm saying--
-Wait, Sakkarai. -It's urgent, ma'am.
Find the proof.
A kidnapping?
That's what it looks like. An opportunistic crime.
When we were thinking she ran away in anger...
Per CCTV footage of the town intersection at 10:15 PM--
Sure it was Nila?
Confirmed. Her ID was found at the bridge.
Is Shanmugam not aware?
No. I've told all to keep this quiet until you say the word.
-[man on radio] What's the car number? -Won't we say if we know.
But what was she doing at the bus stop alone at that hour?
Sakkarai, where's the video technician?
Muthu is bringing him over.
Ma'am, DSP is on the line.
Good morning, sir.
Yes, sir. Shanmugam, the union leader.
His daughter, 15 years old is missing.
All right. Yes sir.
I went over the security footage.
She was alone at the bus stop, some thugs must have abducted her.
It looks like a crime of opportunity.
I'll send an all-points bulletin to all the stations.
Okay. Thank you, fine.
-File it. -Sakkarai.
Ma'am?
Round up all suspects and bring them in.
All those rascals should be here for the festivities.
We'll get them. The footage is here.
Pause it.
Zoom in.
-Can you clean up this image? -I'll try.
-Make it fast. -Give it a couple of minutes to render.
-This is no good. What else can be done? -Ma'am.
Check this out.
The license plate has been smeared with mud.
Yes, sir.
-So? -Doesn't look like a crime of opportunity.
It was premeditated.
Illusions and deceptions
Wounds many, the vortex reveals
Endless and relentless
Many wail, the vortex rains
Won't life triumph?
Won't grief cease?
O vortex!
Swirling within, shadows Dark shadows
Riddles within, will you unravel, O God?
O vortex!
Swirling within shadows Dark shadows
Riddles within, will you unravel, O God!
What happened?
-Where'd you find this? -Town junction.
Do you know why Nila went there that night?
Nila...
Does she have her own room?
It's that room.
What happened to Nila?
Sakkarai, I asked you a question.
Tell me what happened to her.
How did this tag get there?
Are you hiding something from me? Please answer me.
Is this Nila's?
Is she on Facebook or Twitter?
Yes, she is.
But she isn't very active there. She's quite reserved.
She has only a few friends. Why do you ask?
Is she close to you? When did you last see her?
I spoke to her last Sunday.
-Why, my boy? What happened? -Does she talk to you often?
We talk every Sunday.
-How does she call you? -From her phone.
-Does she have a mobile phone? -Yes. Why?
Does she share her problems with you?
She tells me. If there's any she'd definitely tell me.
Give me her number.
98410236...
Why do you ask?
Please don't keep anything from me.
Nila was at the bus stop at the town junction on Tuesday night
as per the CCTV footage.
She was abducted from there in a minivan.
Nandini.
[gasping]
-What happened? -Nandini.
Don't cry. If their goal was ransom, they'd have called by now.
Do you suspect anyone?
-Please tell me. -I don't know.
Maybe it's someone hostile to her father.
An FIR was filed this morning.
Every station in the vicinity has been informed.
Everyone today--
This could've bloody well been done yesterday.
I'm being freaking civil with you.
Think you can do anything because you're a cop?
-Let go of me! -[Vadde] Why harass Shanmugam?
Mr. Trilok filed a complaint against him.
Of course! I know your deal with him.
He joined the factory the day it was inaugurated.
He's already distressed. Is now the time to be hostile?
Release him now. Go look for his daughter.
Tsk. [sighs in exasperation]
I'll handle it.
[car honks]
Hello, Mr. Vadde!
Wait.
Heard from the police already?
Why did you release him?
Shanmugam's motive to burn down our factory is clear.
He will confess if the cops put the screws on him.
The papers will go through and we can collect the insurance.
The company ran all along as per your wishes.
Now I'm the Managing Director. Why jump in now and muddle it up?
-Who'll respect me then? -Respect does not come from demand!
Dad!
Don't go all soap opera on me.
Go out and smoke.
Mr. Vadde!
I'm Kothandaraman. Ex-fireman.
Fire specialist.
-So? -So...
I'm the chief consultant for General Insurance.
Insurance claims get paid only based on my report.
Shanmugam is a brother not just to Guna but to all of us! Give your best.
Not a big sum, but best I could muster.
Sakkarai, what are you doing here?
-Uncle! -I'm your uncle, right?
Everyone here is like a brother to you, right?
Then why go against us and work with those bigwigs?
-That's my job, Uncle. -Some job!
You know how you got posted in your own town.
Yes, you put in a word with the MLA...
On my own, I'd have been worth squat.
Only after Shanmugam stepped in, you got the job.
All right, Uncle. Please hear me out.
I'm here on an inquiry about his missing daughter.
-What inquiry? -Does he have any enemies here?
Definitely none among us.
Just cops like you in khaki uniforms.
-[Uncle] Get going. -[sighs]
Dad, did they hit you?
Nila...
Nothing will happen to her.
She'll come home soon. Come in.
-Eat before you go. -It's okay. Your father needs help.
-Fine. Then come by evening. -All right.
Hey, why are you still here?
You're the only one worried about our missing child?
I'm her mother. Wouldn't I be concerned?
Didn't you abandon them and run off to the ashram?
-You weren't concerned then? -Did I go?
You separated me from my children. Sounding high and mighty now--
-Quit babbling. You're pissing me off-- -Stop it.
Can't you stop bickering even now and focus on your kids?
Yes, Sakkarai?
Nandini.
From my inquiry, your father has no enemies.
Who'd have done this?
[Sakkarai] I'm going to Nila's school.
-Can you make it there? -I'm on my way.
I'll wait outside the school.
I'm not comfortable bringing family members into an investigation.
As it is, the girl is very emotional.
We'll try this one time. If it doesn't work, we'll cut her off.
Where's the tracking report of Nila's cellphone?
Ansari's working on it, ma'am.
We're cops, sir. Open the gate.
If you're cops, should I open the gate right away?
No men allowed in here.
Stop it. He's only doing his job.
I'll go in alone.
Ma'am, Nandini has come. Please wait.
Thought you'd come alone.
Men aren't allowed in. Only you and Mrs. Regina can go in.
Nandini, to find Nila we must understand her world.
At her age, friends are her world.
Not just school, her kho-kho team too.
Yes, I saw the pictures.
Can I call you back, Lakshmi?
Nila goes to a coaching center at Nadavoor every day.
Coaching? How would I know this if you don't tell me?
-There would be boys at the center. -Sakkarai!
-Is she coming? -All right, you go ahead.
-When was this school founded? -Seventy-five years ago.
-How many students are there? -There are 1,400 students.
-And how many teachers? -Eighteen to 20.
[school bell ringing]
[indistinct chatter]
[slow instrumental music playing]
Who are you looking for?
-Is Nila in this class? -Yes she is. Why do you ask?
-Is she your friend? -My classmate, but we're not that close.
Where does she sit?
Over there.
Sister!
[whistling and cheering]
It makes me feel sad.
Nila's really a good girl. Quiet. Studies well.
We expected her to do very well in this year's public exams.
Did you notice any change in her behavior?
Nila was in my class last year too. She was always the best student.
But she's been distracted since the 10th grade.
She lost focus on her studies.
-Her grades declined. -Do you think there's a problem?
Nila seemed a little scared, sister. But I don't know who she was scared of.
-[muffled] You left me alone, sis. -Nila?
I'm scared.
-Nila? -First, it was mom who left. Now it's you.
Hold my hand tight. Please don't leave me.
-Nila? -Where are we going?
Nandini!
Shall we leave?
What happened to you?
[murmuring]
I'm teaching here, aren't I?
-I need to leave for a wedding. -What?
-I need to leave for a wedding. -Go!
Those who have finished writing can leave.
Salutations, Pushparaj!
-I'm Sub-Inspector Chakravarthy. -I know nothing about Nila.
-I didn't ask you. -That's what you're here for, right?
Nila sits here and leaves when the class is over.
I don't know anything else.
How do you know Nila's missing?
-What? The boys told me. -Which boys?
The losers downstairs! They'll eye every girl who passes by.
Nothing happens without their knowledge.
They show up after 6:30 p.m. Go question them.
Then come along. Let's go question them.
Sir, that's not my job. I'm leaving.
[cell phone chimes]
Mom! We're staying at Clement Country Resort.
Munnar is awesome, Mom!
You, me and Dad should take a trip here. Okay?
Hey there!
What does the Goddess have to say?
The crowd at Mayana Kollai keeps increasing every year.
Quite a crowd in there!
-Here's the offering. -My hands are dirty.
I'll feed you, dear.
Son's out of town, too. I need to take care of you, right?
Hm? Mmm.
Get off, guys.
Dheena! Butter biscuits. Take some.
-How are you? -You wanna have?
-How is it? -Pretty good.
Got a lighter?
Boys your age are smoking.
While you sit here eating butter biscuits.
Silly punks. Why are you sitting here?
-To score with girls who pass by? -Who the hell are you?
Talking like some kind of big shot? Hey, I asked you a question.
What are you looking at?
Do you know whose name is written here?
Raju! Is that you?
-You're Playboy Raju? -Dude, Raju!
Is it really you, brother? I've heard a lot about you.
You made scoring with girls look easy! How?
No matter what you do, it must be done sincerely.
Who's the hottest chick at the coaching center?
Our Sumathi!
Don't talk her up just because she smiled at you.
Malar's the hottest.
She's only fair, chump! Like a flour ball!
A hot girl must create a sensation.
That would be Nila, right?
Nila? Who's that?
Hey, I'll smack you.
You forgot her name already?
You feckless git! You were always drooling over her.
Nila's a very good girl, brother. She talks to no one.
Just comes and goes. She's like a sister to me.
Sister?
Admit it.
You nurse unrequited love for Nila, right?
Even that's all right.
A guy came by.
He said, "Nila's mine. Anyone else who eyes her is a goner."
All pumped up, our pal here stood up to that guy!
The other guy beat him up in all the wrong places. [laughs]
-Who's that man? -Not a man.
He's our age. We don't know him. He's from out of town.
Did he come back after that?
You're asking too many questions. Are you Nila's relative?
I'm a cop, kiddo.
Sir!
Is it true what they say? Is Nila missing?
He must have nabbed her.
-Definitely him. -Why do you say that?
He kept following her, Sir.
Poor girl.
-Didn't you do the same? -I loved her.
I gave her a love note. But never followed her.
I respect girls. But he's a creep. He'd go after them with lust.
There's a word for that, too!
-Stalker. -That's the one.
Do you know where he's from?
As far as we can tell, he comes from a lot of money,
or he wouldn't be this bold.
He'd brag about taking a firebrand from the pyre
and torching the entire town. He behaves like he was some here.
During Mayana Kollai?
[temple music playing]
DAY 2: MAYANA KOLLAI: STREET PLAY
Day two of Mayana Kollai. Angalamman street play.
TRADITIONAL STREET PLAY GROUP
On this divine evening, we've come down from Melmalayanur
to this town of Sambaloor,
the home of Goddess Angalamman, whose story we'll stage today.
We pray that you be with us,
and with no fault or flaw the play proceeds, Saviour Ganesha!
By the grace of the God of Wind, the God of Wealth and God of Fire,
the insects, birds and all beings that are born on this planet,
despite not thriving together in an awesome manner
were living together adequately.
Suddenly, one day making the world quiver,
and its beings shiver,
soaring tall between the sky and ground in flesh and blood, there stood a demon.
[folk music playing]
[man screaming]
Hey! Let the child go.
[gasps]
[folk music intensifies]
The people were terrified and prayed to the Goddess...
She sent over her best soldier, the incomparable warrior Pavadairayan...
Asking, "Who's that little kid, that so-called demon?"
The majestic Pavadairayan arrived.
Pavadairayan is here
[folk music continues]
Not him, sir.
It's the police.
Move quickly.
Tsk.
[constable] What are you people doing here? Move.
-[boy] We're leaving, sir. -Get out of here.
Keep moving and don't look back.
[folk music playing]
[artist screams]
Did you hide away in fear?
Did you hide away in fear? Did you?
-[screaming] -Did you hide away in fear?
Did you hide away in fear? Did you hide away in a crow's nest?
Did you hide away in fear? Did you?
[artist screaming]
[indistinct shouting]
[men shouting]
Move aside.
Move.
-Who is it? -Brother!
Hey, come here.
-Is it him? -No, brother.
-Check if it's him? Come here. -Not him too.
Get lost!
Oh Goddess!
I searched far and wide, but could not find the demon.
Clear out, everyone. Go!
Quit standing around. Move.
[folk music continues]
[man screaming]
[both screaming]
Oh, Warrior!
What sins have you committed, Oh demon?
You tortured my people. You tormented my devotees.
You who live in the confines of cemeteries as a disgraced being
will be reduced to common vermin.
I will vanquish you here and now once for all.
Move, everyone. Move!
-I'll see you later. -Clear out.
Already leaving? Not waiting for the racy dance after the street play?
I've work to do. You leave now.
It isn't safe for women now. Most of these guys are drunk.
-Come here. -I can handle myself.
Fine. Carry on with your work. Tomorrow, we go to the fair to buy saris.
-Okay? -Deal.
Who's she, brother?
She looks stunning. Your girlfriend?
Fiancé.
Listen up. None of you leave town until the festival is over.
What was the name of Nila's friend you mentioned?
Malar.
Madam,
the photos from the spot, evidence material,
statement of those who reached the spot first,
the police's first information report, and your--
Why must I give those?
You're not in our department.
-Ma'am... Only with them can I-- -[cell phone ringing]
Yes, Sakkarai?
Ma'am, Nila had been stalked for a long time.
Didn't you find who he is?
No, ma'am.
But Nila has a close friend, Malar. She might know.
Malar?
She's the village councilor's daughter, right?
[Sakkarai] Yes, that's right.
Don't go alone. I'll join you.
-Okay. I'll be at the town intersection. -Yes.
Sorry, Mr. Kothandaraman. I'm busy.
Come by in the morning. We'll discuss then.
-Muthu! -Ma'am!
-[tires screeching] -Sakkarai.
Ma'am.
The night she was lost, I wondered why she was here at that hour.
The councilor lives just 100 meters away.
So she came to meet with her friend.
And Malar is the last one to see her.
Get in.
[dogs barking]
[growling and barking]
Tie up the dogs, Mani.
Don't just stand there.
-Tie it tightly and feed them. -[Mani] Alright, Dad.
What brings you out here at this hour, Mrs. Regina?
-Get us all coffee, Naachu. -That won't be necessary.
We're here on a small inquiry.
Your daughter's friend Nila has been missing for two days.
I'm aware. Shanmugam's daughter.
My daughter's not eaten or slept since, been worried sick.
Dude. The cops are here. I'll call you later.
-We need to speak to your daughter. -By all means, go ahead.
Is it gone? Miserable bastards. Always cut the power at odd hours.
-Naachu. -I'm coming.
The town's curse began when people quit farming and the factory took over.
-What has that got to do with this? -Everyone's forgotten.
The factory was opened in 1990.
A girl went missing that day.
Yes. I remember that.
The entire town looked for her, but was she found?
No, she wasn't.
You remember, don't you? Your father investigated the case.
He was the inspector back then.
The factory has burned down now and another girl's missing.
What are you getting at?
I pleaded with the people back then to not sell their land.
Did they listen? Besides me, everyone sold their land.
It's easy for you to say that. But think of their plight.
You own plenty of farm land. You can rely on farming.
But most people here barely own half or one acre of land.
Every meal is a struggle.
Since this factory came up, people earn a regular salary, don't they?
Sir.
The night Nila disappeared, two nights ago,
Tuesday night, this was the last place she had been to.
I'm not aware, my boy.
[tumbler clattering]
[Naachu] Be careful, kid. What are you doing?
Watch your step, ma'am.
Don't be nervous.
Why should we be nervous?
What are you implying?
Wait outside, Sakkarai.
Please ignore him. He's just a youngster.
I need to talk to your daughter. I have some questions about Nila.
-Can I see her? -She's already a bit rattled.
Please be gentle with her.
Malar?
-Malar! -Malar?
[Naachu] Ma'am wants to ask you something. Answer her, dear.
I just want to talk to you about Nila, my dear.
Malar, isn't Nila your friend?
Malar, dear?
She's missing. Should you not help the police find her?
Malar. Malar!
It's not your fault she's missing. Please understand that.
What the hell are you thinking?
If you want to talk to her, get a written order.
[dogs barking]
-Sakkarai. -Ma'am?
Malar definitely knows something.
-Shall we question her tomorrow at school? -She seems to run at the sight of cops.
I'll ask Nandini to talk to her.
-All right. Call Nandini. -Ma'am?
Muthu, go with Sakkarai. That man will throw a fit if he goes there alone.
Got it.
Good night, ma'am.
I wasn't here that night. I'd gone for the festival.
Hold on. What's the rush? I'm still not done yet.
Look over there. All kinds of colors.
I can make a few bucks there.
-All right, get going. -I don't have change. Is that okay?
Like you'd give it to me if you had some.
-Isn't that Trilok? -Yes, it looks like his car.
Don't waning movie actresses marry industrialists like him?
Indeed, sir.
With Trilok's status and looks, why not marry one and settle down?
[Muthu] Why restrict yourself?
This way he gets to experience variety every week...
-Nandini's coming this way. -Let her come.
Where is he taking his son at this hour?
-[Sakkarai] Pick up Nandini and follow me. -Go ahead. I'm coming.
Madam!
-What's wrong? -Get going.
-What's wrong? -Go straight ahead. I'll fill you in.
[thrilling instrumental music playing]
Hey!
Step on it.
Head to the estate.
Hey, stop the vehicle.
[tires screeching]
What the hell?
Where are you taking your son at this hour?
Who are you to question my business?
You know you're being investigated?
Investigation? You've the nerve to investigate me?
Get out of my way. Get back inside.
-Drive! -Mr. Counsellor!
You want to deal with this here or at the police station?
-Get the vehicle started, man. -What's wrong, Sakkarai?
-Malar! -Nandini!
-Stop! -Malar!
-Hey, hold it. -Shit!
Did you hear anything about Nila?
She'll be back to us safely, won't she?
It's all in your hands, Malar. You know Nila's a reserved girl.
She doesn't talk to anyone.
Even if she's in trouble, she won't tell anyone.
I haven't been around, either.
A teenage girl can't say much to her father, too.
I know, sister. I know.
But you've brought the cops here. That's why...
Malar, watch what you say!
Sir, you please be quiet.
This isn't right, kid.
Please tell us, Malar.
Listen. We know you've done no wrong.
If you want to say anything, do so without fear.
Guys at the coaching center said Nila was stalked by some creep.
If you know who he is, tell us.
Only if you tell us who he is,
can the cops find Nila.
The cops?
Good grief! Please tell us, Malar! Please.
That creep...
That Inspector Regina? It's her son, Adhisayam.
[opening theme music playing]