Listen to me!
He has brought the whole town with him, madam, to create trouble.
Listen to me, Regina. Go back inside.
Go inside, Regina. Look here. Regina!
[horn honking]
Stop it.
Stop it I say!
Step out, boys.
The feud between you two is the cause of this.
The boys told us everything.
-Do you know what happened? -Adhisayam--
Dad! No one abducted anyone.
You both were at each other's throats, the kids couldn't open up to you.
Adhisayam wasn't stalking Nila.
Nila and Adhisayam were in love.
It seems they're somewhere in Bombay.
Enough! Everyone go mind your own business. Go.
[theme song playing]
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!
[somber music playing]
To evade us for at least a couple of days,
he'd given recorded messages to his friends to be sent to you.
He has a folder titled "Nila" on this phone.
He told the boys to hand it to you after a week.
What's in the folder?
Play it loud so we can all hear it.
[Adhisayam] Mom?
Mom, you'll forgive me no matter what I do, right?
This folder has some voice notes about Nila.
Once you hear them, you'll understand.
We often don't realize how a single day or a moment in life
can be so significant.
No one suspects that such moments will turn their lives around.
Only when we look back, do we understand.
The day I went to Mount Flower sports meet was one such moment.
-[indistinct chatter] -[whistle blowing]
[man cheering]
Nila! Thirty seconds left.
[man] Hurry up, Nila.
-[woman] Come on, Nila! Run! -[man] Hurry up!
[woman 2] Take them out, Nila. Come on!
Run, keep running.
-Malar, kho! -Malar, make it fast. Get 'em
Malar! Get 'em.
Kho!
-Go to the left. -Kho.
[crowd cheering]
-Kho! -Come on, Nila.
[man] Nila, you can do it. Come on!
Yes!
[all cheering]
[blows whistle]
[all cheering]
Hell yeah!
[principal] We're going to announce the best captain of the series.
And the winner is Nila Shanmugam!
We request Mr. Trilok to distribute the prizes to the kho-kho team!
The winners are Mount Flower Sisters Convent!
[all cheering]
Congratulations! you played well.
Three cheers to Mount Flower Convent!
-Hip Hip... -Hooray!
-How about a treat? -After the next tournament.
-We just won here. -We'll see next week.
-Are you sure? -Yes, I'm.
-Bye! -Bye!
Hey, control!
-I watched the match. -Hey, man!
When girls play kabaddi and kho-kho,
guys turn up in droves to look at their legs.
Hello, I'm not such a guy.
All of Sambaloor knows the kind of guy you're, Adhisayam.
You even know my name?
Inspector Regina's son, right? I know.
Oh, you know so much, huh?
You're quite a genius.
The way you attacked the opponent at the last moment?
Head full of brains!
Are you trying to flatter me?
[Adhisayam] Mom, when we truly desire something,
the entire universe conspires to make it happen.
That's how it was when I saw Nila again at the theatre.
He doesn't know who I'm...
[all panting]
Four tickets, brother.
[friend 1] Keep moving.
[friend 2] All except the heroine sport a beard in the poster.
-[friend 1] We're screwed! -He doesn't know who I...
Won't let it happen, will we?
Check out this swag!
[men hooting]
Those crazy guys won't let us watch the movie in peace.
Hey, I don't care. You're the one who likes this movie.
Hey, where the hell did you go?
Popped to get a soda at Papa John's.
Why did you beat up the cop?
Because he asked for a couple of sips of my soda.
Be silent and watch the movie.
When you beat up someone, the cops come looking for you.
-But when you beat up a cop... -His mom comes looking for you!
-What the hell do you want? -Want the girl in the front row.
[hooting continues]
We must stop it.
Don't be afraid of anyone.
There's no one who's stronger than you.
There's no force stronger on this planet than a mother.
-Get the tokens here. -How much for the wheel chips?
I asked you a question.
-Get the token. -What do you want?
-Ice cream. -For him?
A puff.
Ice cream?
-Give me that. -What do you want ice cream for?
One puff, brother.
Met up just the other day. Lost interest already?
-One ice cream. -Coming.
-Who? -A puff...
-No trailing or following me. -Hold it.
-That flavor. -That?
-No, only a creep would do all that. -Then what are you?
-Rowdy. -Rowdy?
I saw your rowdy behavior in action.
Saw what?
Saw you whimpering at that mother sentiment!
Hey, if anyone hears this, I'll bloody smash your nose in.
No one should know.
It'll cost you. Cool with it?
-No problem. -You can buy me ice cream to silence me.
From RK Bakery?
The Popsicle cart under the tamarind tree?
The biggest shop in town, Milky Way.
Where the hell else then?
A secluded place.
We're still talking ice creams, right?
Hey... hey!
[Adhisayam hooting]
[Nila] Be quiet, dude.
[Adhisayam continues hooting]
[Nila] Hey, don't yell, man.
-[Adhisayam] Do you like this place? -[Nila] Yes.
[Adhisayam] I thought of taking you to the quarry.
-Next time. -[Nila] Yeah.
[Adhisayam] This place is so peaceful, isn't it?
[Nila] Yes. Even ghosts seem to have deserted this old cemetery.
[Adhisayam] Hm.
[Nila] Thanks for the ice cream. I'll get going. It's getting late.
-Getting late for what? -To go home.
-And what will you do there? -Study.
-Study for what? -A test tomorrow.
-And by taking the test? -I'll get grades.
And with those grades?
High school, college...
-And then? -Job. I need to find a good job.
After that? Marriage and children.
-What comes next? -Meaning?
-I'll grow old and die. -Precisely.
You'll grow old and die.
-So what? -"So what"?
That's all there is.
You can eat ice cream all your life and die happily.
[gasps] There's more ice cream?
You could've told that before. Why blabber so?
[clicks tongue] Blabber, is it?
What do we do if someone sees us now?
If they do, loosen up and rock it with your head held high.
[whispering] Inspector Regina's dear son.
Hanging out with Sambaloor's superstar is a big deal.
[whispering] No need to rock up. Let's stay low-key.
[knock at door]
Sir, this arrived from the Cyber cell. I need to give it to Ms. Regina.
Give it to me. I'll pass it on.
Details of the phone calls of your son and Nila.
I know. Give it to me.
[Adhisayam] You're aware that dad and you are my life. You're my everything.
But I can't hang out with only those you approve of
and shun those you don't throughout my life.
Don't I have a point, mom?
-Alright dear. Do you want flowers? -Yes, dad.
-Here. Buy as much as you want. -Okay.
Give her fresh flowers.
-[Shanmugam's cell phone ringing] -Go ahead, comrade. Don't you worry.
I'm on my way. That arrogant hag...
Run along, dear.
-Anything wrong? -Yes, dear.
Plenty, ever since Regina got promoted as inspector. Hop on.
Please listen to me, ma'am.
Sir is here, ma'am. Please listen.
On whose orders are you arresting Dayalan?
-None of your business. -Like hell it isn't!
-[Regina] Hello? -I'm the union leader.
-[Regina] Look... -Despite that, you do as you please.
[Regina] Spare me all of this, Shanmugam.
Whatever, come to the station. Or just go to court.
[somber music playing]
[birds chirping]
[goat bleating]
[Adhisayam] Are you afraid?
Afraid? It's much worse than that. I feel like I'm deceiving my father.
Maybe I should stop seeing you.
What did I do? Why don't you want to see me again?
What you said about your mother being everything to you?
It's not the same for me.
I'm everything to my father.
He has no one else.
-If he knows I'm seeing you... -I get it.
Everything'll be all right. Trust me. They won't be fighting all their lives.
Even if they do, I'll make peace between them.
You're just a kid. I doubt they'll listen to you.
Trust me.
Because trust will never go bust.
Now check this out.
[song playing on speaker]
Your eyes speak love, O darling
You kindle desires many in me
Your eyes speak love, O darling
You kindle desires many in me
I ache away in thoughts of you
Every night I delight in you, in my dreams
You're the only one, who's my life
I long to live with you
Take a good look around. All done?
Hm.
-Now what do you see? -The cremation platform.
And now?
-Cement factory. -And now?
Protective demon. Another protective demon.
Come here.
Not so tight.
So you can still peek?
I barely notice cows in daytime. In the dark, how do I--
You'll see buffaloes. Is that what you're calling me?
You donkey!
You buffalo!
So you're following the sounds of my voice.
What if I don't speak?
Hey.
I'm scared.
Adhisayam, that's enough. Come out.
[exclaiming, grunting]
You creep!
I'm sorry, Nila. I came because you told me to.
Yeesh.
[sniffles]
Nila?
Nila, are you all right?
Why do you look upset?
I'm not coming close.
Are you unwell?
I'm sorry.
Come here. Is this what you want?
-You're just another guy, right? -Get away.
I wouldn't have minded if you'd scolded me!
But what you just said!
Made me out to be some kind of creep!
You make me feel disgusted.
[on recording] Nila is a riddle.
One second, she'd be really close with you.
But the next, she'd push you away.
You can tell if a mango is ripe.
So too, a banana.
But she's like tender coconut. Can't tell if she's ripe or not.
I wouldn't have reacted that way with my eyes open.
You jumped at me when my eyes were tied, that is why.
I got scared.
I lost it and took it out on you.
I'm sorry, okay?
Still mad?
I apologized, didn't I?
[clicks tongue]
Say something, Adhisayam.
Dude!
I got ice cream when you said you were coming.
As you kept talking on and on, I finished it myself.
What the hell? Is this the age for all this?
She'd never talk like this. Your son coerced--
Your daughter did too.
She's yet to complete 10th grade. She's a kid.
Easy, dad.
Don't be hasty.
[Adhisayam] Factory workers all over town. Her relatives everywhere.
Nila was always scared someone would notice.
She doesn't understand.
Sometimes you've got to play the fool.
It's the only way to fool the fools who take us for fools.
You want a soda?
-Salt or sweet? -Salt and sweet.
Hm.
-Brother, two salt and sweet sodas. -Hey.
Why always pay for mine too? We split okay?
-Does it matter who pays for it? -That's only after we start earning.
[horn honking]
That's my father's friend. He'll rat me out.
[tense music playing]
Nila, slap me. Do what I say! Slap me!
-Adhisayam... -Slap me.
-Creep! -What's wrong dear?
Yell at me.
-Nila? -Uncle?
-Can I drop you at home? -No, uncle. I have my scooter.
Okay. Ride safely, dear.
I don't like this at all.
Why? You'll see, this will work out.
This town easily believes that I'm a creep.
That's what I don't like. No one must think that of you.
-Why care for what anyone says? -Shit.
No matter where I go in town, there's always someone I know. [scoffs]
-Everyone knows everyone. -Are we frogs to be stuck in the well?
We can go wherever we wish!
Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta...
London!
London?
No one would know us there?
We could be anonymous and free.
Until then, I'm rowdy, my dear.
You know, he sits in the first bench. Why sit with him?
-What are you thinking? -Nila?
Brother, what the hell, brother?
Let me go, brother.
I'm taking a shot just like you.
Nobody takes a shot at my girl.
-Alright. -Understood?
-Okay. -What's your name?
-Dheena. -Dheena.
-Tell the other Romeos hanging with you. -Okay, bro.
-What will you say? -She's like a sister.
-If not? -I'll be whooped.
You'll be whooped.
Beat it!
[Adhisayam] Nila didn't like it, but also kind of liked it too.
I began to be known as a creep, wastrel and rowdy in town.
That suited me well, mom. I felt like a macho!
[Nila giggling]
I've told all my friends about us. Why won't you tell Malar about us?
[clicks tongue] Don't feel like it.
Just get it over with.
That white stork stares like she's gonna peck me.
-[vehicle approaching] -[Nila grunts]
Speak of the devil and here she is.
Oh, no. What do we do?
Will prove I'm rowdy.
-Why is Nila's bike here? -How'd I know?
Come along.
Start.
Let go of me.
Oh, no! Please let me go.
-Let me go. -Hey, let her go.
Creep!
Let's go.
[Adhisayam] When life's great, a fear will surface.
How long will this last?
That's when you think of Romeo and Juliet, Layla and Majnun,
Salim and Anarkali.
And why such love stories always ended as dreadful tragedies.
They never could make it because of the family feud just like ours.
-When did you learn to drive a jeep? -You think I'm still a kid, mom?
Well, how is my son all smiles and sugar of late?
I'm like a jackfruit. Rugged only on the outside.
But very sweet inside.
Pull up around the corner.
Good morning, sir.
[man] There have been many complaints about you.
About me? By who?
You take money from Trilok and harass the workers.
-Sir. -First, the workers complained.
Now, Shanmugam himself says so.
-Sir, I-- -Try to understand me.
Trilok's my friend, too. Be favorable to him.
But be subtle about it.
If you're too brash, things will get worse.
Shanmugam is a union leader. He spoke to me directly.
-I want no further complaints! -Okay.
-Hang up. -Okay.
I'll take care of it. Okay. Thank you.
I'll drive.
Mom, deals are to be done under the table.
-But if you knock off the table... -What the hell do you know?
I didn't mean it like that, mom.
Last week, I got word of workers selling cement on the black market.
Investigation showed it had been going on for a while.
I took pity on them for the sake of their families
and begged Trilok to let them off with just a warning.
But they pay me back by giving me a hard time.
[Regina] I don't care who you complain to I won't go easy next time!
[Shanmugam] Don't show your authority. Hold your self-respect.
Don't you understand, Shanmugam?
Hey, get going! Play your tricks in your station.
-It doesn't work here. -[Adhisayam] Hey.
-Adhisayam! -Hey.
Is this how you speak to an unaccompanied lady?
If you bring your dad from next door, then you can fight as a family.
-Adhisayam! -Go ahead and ask your mother!
What favors she does for Trilok's money.
-Beat it! -Back to the car!
Shanmugam!
[intense music playing]
You've made things worse.
Couldn't you control your temper?
I did go quietly. It was your father who behaved cheaply.
You tell me to my face my father was cheap?
Didn't I see how your mother acted? You never spoke about it.
Why? How was she in the wrong?
-She's always cultured. -Cultured?
-She acted like a brute! -Say one more word against my mother...
Stop sounding like a big shot!
You're her son. That's where you get your arrogance.
Hey, you're pushing your limits.
What do you know about my mom?
She's the original lady superstar.
Why are you laughing? Women like my mom in this world...
Well, if someone bad-mouthed me, would you defend me, too?
Yes.
Even if you bad-mouthed yourself,
I won't spare you, as I'm a real big shot, you see.
[clicks tongue] What is it?
Come what may my father and your mother will never get along.
This isn't just a problem because of us.
The whole town's equally split between the two of them.
What do we do?
Shall we elope?
[Adhisayam] I realized silence was deafening to her.
Probably why she always listened to music.
When she wanted to have a talk, there was no one to listen.
[line ringing]
-Hello, sis! -[Lakshmi] Yes, Nila.
Are you busy?
-Shall I call later? -Nila, I'm at the office.
-It's alright. Tell me. -When are you coming home?
-I want to see you. -There is so much work.
[clicks tongue] You come for holidays here.
Hey, hold on. Another call coming in. I'll call you back.
[Shanmugam] We can't accept that, comrade.
What negotiations? How long do we negotiate with these vultures?
What you say isn't practical, comrade.
-Tell me how? -What are you saying?
To make ends meet...
-Dad. -...without letting go of their dignity.
-All philosophy... -Dad!
What is it?
[indistinct chatter]
Nothing.
We were in a discussion, and suddenly you've gone there.
Answer. I said what you suggest won't fly.
[man] Why won't it fly?
[Shanmugam] For eons, philosophers have sermonized keeping with the times.
Based on the predicament we're in, we need to adapt.
Adhisayam, you were right.
[Adhisayam on recording] Even if I suggested running away on a whim
when the moment came, I didn't know what to tell her.
I meant we could run away after we finish our education.
When we talk to our parents, and there's a problem, we could elope.
[Nila] Why not just run off now? We can be together, right?
Only when I'm with with you, do I feel safe.
If we run away now, you won't feel safe.
Where'd we go? Where'd we stay? How?
I don't think beyond this town.
[clicks tongue]
You said the world is within our reach. Be it Delhi, Bombay, London!
[music blaring]
-Why this damn music while talking? -[music turns off]
Yes, I did.
[music turns on]
So what?
There's a certain age for that.
Then you should've fallen in love at that age.
-[clicks tongue] -All that talk the other day!
[clicks tongue]
Good God, stop it with that thing. Give it to me.
[music turns off]
What is it that you want?
Why are you crying?
Don't cry.
Please don't cry.
[Nila sobbing]
Nila.
[clicks tongue] Here you go. Listen to music, if you wish.
But please don't cry. [clicks tongue] Don't cry.
Please! Here. Go ahead and listen to music.
Please! We can run away if that's what you wish.
[Nila continues sobbing]
In a kho-kho game, Nila strategizes one hell of a game plan.
She did the same here.
She planned the next few days where we'll go, how, and when perfectly.
She had me say I'll go to Munnar with friends for my birthday.
She booked the train tickets.
She even planned expenses for the first few days.
She's quite a genius like you.
You won't need it anymore.
Rattled?
Nothing like that. I didn't think they'd be here.
What couple ever eloped without friends' help?
They're actually going to Munnar to celebrate my birthday.
Feel proud, don't we?
This doofus used to hang out with us. Fell in love with a girl, cinched her too.
All grown up now?
Hey, don't screw up.
All of us at the train station will raise suspicion.
Drop us off and get going.
-You're really sharp. -[Adhisayam] Not just that.
She had me record voice messages for my mom for three days!
-[clicks tongue] Brilliant. -Yes.
Eloping with inspector Regina's son would have them on high alert.
We bought ourselves two-three days.
Good point. You could have left after Mayana Kollai.
No issues, buddy. All the best!
[tires screech]
Thanks, guys. Come by soon to see us.
-Bye, guys. -Bye.
Mom, I don't know how I'll be without you.
Worse still, I don't know how you'll be without me.
But I still need to go. We're leaving.
Have you reached home, mom?
I'll be back.
Hang up.
Hang up now.
Found her ID card here.
I know Adhisayam really well.
I've never heard him speak so eloquently.
The punk always talked about cricket, PUBG,
movies, and comedy memes.
But now, he strings words deftly like a poet.
Perhaps being in love gives them the swagger.
Hm.
A teensy love story in a tiny town.
As though they are Romeo and Juliet.
Is Regina and Shanmugam's feud that big?
Kids these days are melodramatic.
I understand Nila's feelings.
I was desperate too, to leave this place when I was young.
I didn't know if it was the town or the factory.
I used to feel suffocated.
I never thought that way about this town or the factory.
-Because this is your world. -True.
But it doesn't feel wrong to me.
I know how the people here think and act.
I value that knowledge. I can't get that elsewhere, can I?
You'd have seen me in school, suffer from attacks.
You'd have fits, right?
Not fits. Doctor said it was anxiety attacks.
But,
as soon as I left this place, the attacks stopped.
[dramatic music playing]
-[drums beating] -[crowd vocalizing]
[all chanting]
[drums beating]
[inaudible conversation]
[cell phone ringing]
Hey, Viji!
Did you take Adhisayam's clothes?
Viji.
-Who told you to wash his clothes? -They reeked of sweat, ma'am.
Touch anything in my son's room again, and I'll kill you.
Regina!
Because of all the fights you pick in town, he ran away.
What did you say? My son ran away because of me.
Yes! Your problems with Shanmugam--
We have problems. But he has you. A father who's like a friend.
He could have told you about his love.
Why didn't he?
Because you're a wimp, aren't you?
[somber music playing]
What time is the train?
At 8:30 PM, dad.
Must you leave today?
What'll I do being here, dad?
Okay, I'm leaving, dad.
Whether I knew it or not...
I've made a lot of mistakes.
[man] Day 4: Mayana Kollai. Goddess will be immersed.
In honor of the new statue of the Goddess, the old statue will be immersed in water.
One by one, keep going.
Move aside!
-[drums beating] -[all chanting]
[all vocalizing]
[crickets chirping]
[officer] What is it, sir? How are you?
-[Railways employee] I'm fine. -Just that, four days ago,
on Thursday night, what trains went this way?
Only towards Coimbatore.
And two trains to Ooty cross here everyday.
Alright. Just a case of teenage runaways.
-Which trains cross here after 10 PM? -Sir, you're still investigating this?
We need to follow up and cross-check, don't we?
Check that board. It has lists for the entire week.
-With the names of passengers. -This board?
Yes.
Where does this train go?
That's the train to Coimbatore.
It says GW, doesn't it?
They booked tickets to Guwahati.
Switched trains at Coimbatore.
"Guwahati"? But the boys said they were going to Mumbai.
Really?
Sir.
This girl and this boy. They'd be around 15 years of age.
Were they here that day?
Think well and tell me, sir.
I didn't see them here.
The night the Mayana Kollai flag was raised, right?
An elderly couple got on the train.
No one else boarded the train.
-[drums beating] -[all chanting, vocalizing]
The two of them never got on that train.
-Any other copies of the passenger list? -No. This is the only copy.
-Try to remember, sir. -Pick up!
Hello? Sakkarai?
I can't hear you! Speak louder!
What?
Can you hear me? Sakkarai?
It vanishes into thin air
Everything vanishes into thin air Without a trace
It dissolves in darkness