Sakkarai sir?
A criminal with the murder weapon at the crime scene.
An open-and-shut case, right?
The cupboard the girl was in, was locked from outside.
Noticed that?
How could she have killed Chellappa and locked herself from outside?
True, sir.
Amar?
She couldn't have done this alone.
She must have an accomplice.
Who was it?
The case is getting more complicated.
SUZHAL-THE VORTEX
Illusions and deceptions…
Wounds many, the vortex reveals
Endless and relentless…
Wails many, 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?
For her name, put it down as "Unknown."
For age… Between 25 and 30.
Here. Upload it to the computer quickly.
Sir?
Okay, sir.
Hey! Everyone out!
Out!
Move faster! You heard me!
I'll be inside. Call if you need anything, sir.
You sit on this side! You sit on that side!
What happened?
Tell me.
What's your name?
Why did you go to the cottage?
What happened there?
Didn't we catch her with a gun at the crime scene?
The blood on her person must be that of Chellappa.
As soon as forensics matches the bullet, we'll charge her and put her in remand.
If she didn't do it, she'd be pleading her case right now.
Look at her arrogance!
A whack is what she needs!
Don't think the charges will go away if you stay silent.
You're young.
If you go to jail, your life will be ruined.
Don't think everything will be alright if you stay silent.
If a male cop lays hands on a woman, human rights and such crap will come up.
We'll toss you into prison.
It's all women in there.
Don't take them lightly.
They're all hardcore criminals.
They'll eat you alive.
The cupboard you were in was locked from the outside.
Who locked you in there?
Listen up. I'm not as humane as this young man here.
If I leave out the locked closet in the report…
and say you were caught at the scene with the gun…
you will have to rot in prison. Remember that.
What do you say?
If you can't speak, can you write it down?
I'm asking for the last time.
Who is your accomplice?
She seems to be in shock.
Sir?
She doesn't strike me as someone capable of murder.
She looks innocent.
Doesn't look like a criminal.
Here's what I learned in my last case.
If you use your intuition to judge people, you can easily go wrong.
We should investigate thoroughly.
That's the only way.
"Anybody is capable of a great evil."
Even if she doesn't look like it…
there is a chance that she did it.
- That is all. - Tea, sir.
Oh, well, sir.
She knows the case won't hold in court if she doesn't speak up.
We need to find out who she is.
Ask Malathy maa or Sundar--
I sent Geetha over to them with the girl's photograph.
They don't know who she is.
He thinks I know nothing.
Sir!
She's definitely not from around here.
You saw the crowd at the festival, didn't you?
Thousands of people gathered there.
How can we find anything amidst such a crowd?
Cigarettes, bidi, tobacco, liquor bottles…
Bring in any of that stuff and you'll get thrown in prison!
Move in an orderly fashion! Don't bump into each other!
Vimala. Vimala. How are you?
Mom! Sister! Are you doing well?
We're good, but why have you lost so much weight?
I'm good, too.
- Sister, this is my best friend Nandini. - Tell me, dear.
This is my mentor. My mother.
That's my elder sister. And those two brats are my younger sisters!
Mythili and Shalini.
He's the one who takes us out in the auto-rickshaw.
Bhaskar brother.
"Brother?"
Hey!
What's with the flying kiss?
Just because you wear a sari, you think that makes you a woman?
Shut up! I'm as much a woman as you are!
You dare talk back to me?
As if you are a real woman!
You should've been jailed with the men.
You wouldn't last half a day. They'd make you scream!
Come on out, you pot-head! I'll crack your head open!
Get going!
- You talk too much! - Who is she?
Get going, you!
- Bhanu! - We know…
Won't you leave us in peace for even ten minutes?
Thanks, ma'am.
Don't mind her, sister.
Why is Bhanu like this?
Ignore her!
She's always like that.
Never mind… How do you like my family?
They are nice.
Wondering what kind of family is this?
No, Vimala.
To be honest, I am terribly jealous.
My sister is dead.
My father is in prison.
My mother is in an ashram.
Oh, please! Cut out the sob story.
You at least have a family, don't you?
My situation is different.
I must have been twelve.
When no one was home, I tried out my sister's sari.
Just then, my father brought over relatives
to discuss my sister's wedding plans.
He was shocked to see me in a sari.
What then?
What else?
My sister's wedding got called off.
He said I could live with them if I stayed a man, or else I should leave.
I was twelve then.
I may have looked like a boy, but inside, I felt like a girl.
I thought it was best to leave.
I met many people like me.
You saw my mentor today, didn't you?
My mother. I met her.
Through her, I found my sisters and a family to call my own.
Why don't you look for one too?
You'll find a new family too.
Along with that cop friend of yours.
Doesn't matter if I'm in here or out there.
- Hey! What's going on there? - I'll kill you!
Let go, bitch!
Let go, I say!
Who are you messing with?
You're dead meat!
- Let go! - Stop it, you kids!
Why fight like this?
She stole my fryums !
- You stole my cigarette last week! - Let go!
- Right? - Who are you messing with?
Fighting over cigarettes and fryums ?
Let go!
You make trouble out there to come in here and ruin yourselves!
They always do this!
Take them away!
Let go!
Listen carefully, everyone!
Those seeking permission to put up toy shops and utensil shops…
please wait by the sea!
Write faster! I'm running late for my play!
Look! It's Sakkarai sir!
Sir!
Sakkarai sir!
Go, go, go!
Eswaran.
What are you doing here?
There is Mayanakollai at the start of the year.
Then, the Koovagam Koothandavar Festival.
After that, it's our dance drama at Kaalipattinam.
This is our life!
What are you doing here, sir?
Sambaloor must be in shambles without you!
I'm here on business.
We're doing a play tomorrow. Since you are here…
please join us, if you can.
We're doing a different kind of play this time.
Using reapers, we're building a very strong stage!
We need police permission for that.
That's what we are waiting for.
If you can help…
Nazir!
- Yes, sir? - They need to put up a stage.
I know them well.
What's the procedure?
Geetha's handling it.
You can go ahead. I'll inform her.
See you, sir.
Saroja seems to have a clear head.
So why is she in jail?
Her husband was an MLA.
He passed away.
Arasu, the present MLA of Kaalipattinam was next in line and got that position.
Fearing Saroja might win the election if she contested…
MLA Arasu made up some false charges and put her in jail.
She'll be out soon.
When she gets out, she's going to make the guy's life hell.
Saroja is very clever.
A businesswoman.
Do you know she runs a training center inside the prison?
What kind of training?
W5, REMAND PRISON
Hey! Aren't you part of B Block?
What business do you have here?
Get going!
Ma'am?
Let them through.
They're here to see me.
I have complained many times…
- but it's not happening - You have told her, right?
It'll happen now.
Hold that side.
You hold this side tightly.
Now weave it real tight.
Keep pulling!
Bend it.
There you go! Correct.
Just like that!
I didn't figure they were the type to make handicrafts.
This is nothing.
See her over there?
Her alcoholic husband brewed illicit liquor
at home and would make a ruckus.
She beat him up, killed him, and cooked him in that illicit liquor!
Oh, my God!
Like troublesome teenagers.
Like how they're made to take up sports?
They easily fall in line.
Take a look, sister. I'm done.
Nice!
Ma'am, please take my complaint, as well. I have been waiting since morning.
- Quiet! - Hey! Always bugging!
Hey, where are you going?
Hey, who's that?
Is that Muthu?
Muthu!
Why are you here, dear?
Hey!
Do you know her?
She's a dancer with the "Senthoora Poove" troupe, sir.
Her name is Muthu.
Her stage name is "Madhubala."
Why isn't she talking, sir?
Hey.
She's Madhubala?
She's quite the erotic dancer on stage.
It's hard to recognize her without her make-up.
Sir…
As soon as she gets off the stage, she becomes a different person.
A nice girl, sir.
She's silent and kind.
Why was she arrested?
Where does she come from?
From where?
I don't know, sir.
Don't hide it assuming I'm a cop and the girl is in trouble.
Not at all! I trust you, sir.
What was the dance troupe's name again?
"Senthoora Poove," sir.
They've disbanded, so I don't know who she is with now.
But there was another dancer in the troupe.
Her name is…
Yakshi!
I even have her address!
POLICE
So many prostitutes on one floor?
O sumptuous hottie
You twirl so naughty
Will the mat and pillow suffice?
Lie next to me and rejoice
O sumptuous hottie
You twirl so naughty
Will the mat and pillow suffice?
Lie next to me and rejoice
Are those your tresses or a swing?
My mind is in a zing
Is it pleasure or pain?
I fear to attain
Are those your tresses or a swing?
My mind is in a zing
Is it pleasure or pain?
I fear to attain
Is she a sculpted statue so cute?
Or a luscious slice of fruit?
Her tresses that she flicks Surely, firecracker wicks
O sumptuous hottie
You twirl so naughty
Will the mat and pillow suffice?
Lie next to me and rejoice
O sumptuous hottie
Excuse me! Did no one out there tell you?
I can't help you today. Go see someone else!
We're not here for that.
Do you know this girl?
Are you cops?
But we're not here to make trouble.
Tell us about the girl.
We'll listen and leave.
We used to dance together.
When we were done, she'd change and leave, much like any office job.
Always kept to herself.
Did she ever act suspiciously?
I said she minded her own business!
What can be suspicious about that?
Unnecessarily…
Listen, sir. I don't know what she's done.
Nor do I care to know.
She's alive, isn't she?
I asked her many times if she would come with me.
She flatly refused.
I have no idea what she's up to and how she makes a living.
It is hard, sir.
What is hard?
A few years ago…
when Muthu and I were dancing…
the police arrested us and sent us to the Sataiyur Sub-Jail.
Only then did we come to know about the new law
banning such dances at temple festivals.
Since then, troupes and dancers like us have had it hard.
Strapped financially, too.
Everything has a price, doesn't it?
Many of us went into the flesh trade.
But Muthu wasn't like that.
She cut all ties with us and left.
Back then, Madhubala… Muthu, that is…
When she danced, the crowd would swell.
They'd fling 50 and 100 rupee notes at her!
Sons of scoundrels!
Muthu was locked up at the Sataiyur Sub-Jail.
How did that not catch your attention?
For a while now,
if anyone was arrested for prostitution…
they'd be held in a sub-jail for a day or two before being released.
Or they'd be sent to a reform home.
In such cases, no FIRs get filed.
What she said about the government banning such dances at temple festivals…
Do you know who filed the litigation in court to enforce that ban?
Chellappa sir?
Who else?
From that angle, Muthu has a motive.
Correct, but it's hard for her to have pulled this off by herself.
Sir…
I get that she's a woman.
But Geetha ma'am is with us, right?
What if she swung her baton?
The girl will spill it all, won't she?
In my experience, all this third-degree torture is of no use.
Sir…
The cupboard Muthu was in was locked from the outside.
Even if she pulled the trigger, she needed an ally.
An accomplice.
Who else besides dance troupes did this ban affect?
Thiruvengadam sir!
He used to organize these dance shows and made a fortune with them!
What if we questioned him?
It'll lead to trouble!
Easy for you to say, as you're an outsider.
Thiruvengadam is a real big shot here!
We can't get near him so easily.
Dragging him in without solid evidence is a recipe for disaster!
The Law and Order division will have us bend over…
You know I can't bend over as much as I once could.
Alright, sir. What do we do then?
First, we'll set up an appointment over the phone.
Then, we will go and see him.
That would be respectful.
We'll first take him high and then hit him on his head!
KAALIPATTINAM ASHTAKAALI AMMAN FESTIVAL
What's wrong? The same dream?
Did you get up this time at least?
I should first fall to get up.
What if there's no ground under to fall or get up from?
Malathy maa?
Come, Sakkarai.
Not out of bed yet?
Six years into our marriage, we had a small fight.
They say love grows deeper after such marital disputes, don't they?
From then on, we formed a playful routine.
We woke up seeing each other's faces.
It's been thirty years.
Not once did we slip up.
"For thirty years?"
If he went out of town?
I'd always go with him.
If I could not go, we saw each other through video calls.
To know we can never have that again…
keeps me from getting out of bed!
I don't know how to comfort you.
But I feel like giving you this.
Sakkarai!
Oh, my!
Do you know what this is called?
A shell!
To protect the little creatures that live in the sea…
it grows over them.
Even after the creature dies, the shell remains, as a symbol of that life.
Even if our loved ones leave us…
their memories…
their soul… stay behind in our hearts.
Just like this shell.
Even though your father's no more,
he will be with you.
Take it.
Come on! Let's go and swim for a while!
Come on, Sakkarai!
Come on!
When my father died…
my mother had a stroke.
She could not speak.
My life was shattered.
Chellappa sir was my rock.
He's like a father to me.
During my school days, I always wore this around my wrist.
But he's not around anymore.
What would Chellappa sir say if he were here?
"Think like a cop.
Not as if someone died."
Let's believe he's still with us in some form.
But only you can find out what happened to him, Sakkarai.
Mother!
Sir is gone, Mother!
Does Dhamu know?
The D.I.G. asked not to tell anyone.
Dhamu is like family, Sakkarai.
We can trust him.
I don't know what happened.
We are dealing with it.
We are investigating it.
Sir!
Don't trust Moorthy, Sakkarai.
Prayamvatha, the lady who runs the school?
Knowing that she had grabbed farmland to build her school…
Chellappa filed a suit against her.
But Moorthy took a bribe and threatened the farmers.
The case turned weak.
Would Chellappa ever let it slide?
He filed a private suit against Moorthy and got him suspended for six months.
He still holds that grudge.
He must have resumed active duty recently.
Chellappa sir got a call that night.
Wasn't it from Prayamvatha?
Yes.
Listen to me, maa.
I cannot carry out this investigation without help from the local police.
But I'll remember what you said.
Sundar has left for work already?
Sundar!
What are you doing here?
Even if Malathy maa doesn't say much, she really misses you.
Without Chellappa sir around--
What will I even tell her, Sakkarai?
Tell me.
Actually, I came to talk to you about Thiruvengadam.
Did Chellappa sir and Thiruvengadam have a dispute over the erotic dancers?
It wasn't only Thiru Uncle's business that was running at a loss.
The townsfolk always compared him unfavorably with my father.
He used to be fond of me.
But later on…
even a casual chat with him wasn't easy.
Earlier?
Were they close?
How do I put this?
Thiru Uncle was my father's first cousin.
They were classmates in school.
My father told me they were good friends when they were kids.
You said they were close friends.
What happened?
No need. You can come by the office tomorrow.
Chellappa!
Okay, I'll call you back.
Hey!
You're sticking your nose everywhere!
This doesn't concern you!
Who the hell are you to say erotic dancing would desecrate the festival?
Why are you laughing?
Hey.
Don't bring your activism into this.
I'm warning you!
I'm curious!
Did the Goddess herself tell you this?
Thiruvengadam…
This has nothing to do with sanctity or the Goddess.
There are families coming to the festival.
How can they come if there's such dancing?
- What about the dancers' livelihood-- - I'm not finished.
It is for their good, too.
They have no choice, but for the pittance you pay them…
they perform these indecent dances!
Hey.
You say you're fighting for them but you're destroying their livelihood!
With no revenue, they'll be pushed into worse!
Thiruvengadam…
You know it. I know it.
This isn't about the girls' income.
This is about your income.
He has a point, doesn't he?
Despite them being close friends, I feel uncle was jealous of my father.
That isn't Thiru Uncle's fault.
Why do you say that?
My father was like a hero.
Growing up together, Thiru Uncle was always compared with my father.
Wouldn't that make anyone mad?
I get it.
My father was like the sun.
The sun lights up the entire town.
Go near it, you get burnt.
Sir!
Look at this, sir.
Advocate Chellappa is dead.
Did he die from natural causes? No.
He was murdered.
He was found brutally murdered at his cottage near the sea.
Who is the murderer?
The murderer has been caught red-handed at the scene of the crime.
Can you believe that the murderer is this twenty-something girl?
We learned that the police have arrested the girl and are interrogating her.
Who is this mysterious girl who killed Chellappa?
Until the last two years, with the stage name "Madhubala"…
she entranced men. Her real name is Muthu.
Sir! Come here, sir!
Look at this atrocity, sir!
We have recently learned that business shark Thiruvengadam…
who brought in erotic dance troupes to Kaalipattinam up until two years ago
and made a fortune out of it, is suspected to have instigated the murder.
Is this why it happened?
Or was there another issue between Thiruvengadam and Chellappa?
- The answer lies with the police. - Bloody Maarappa!
Hello?
- Sir? - Moorthy!
- Chellappa's death is all over the news! - What are you saying, sir?
Someone from your station must have leaked it!
How did you let this slip by?
It won't happen again!
- Spare me this crap! - I'll handle it.
- I told you to keep this confidential! - Alright, sir.
- You are answerable for this! - Alright, sir.
- Find out the leak and report it to me! - Yes, sir.
- I'll see to it, sir. - Dad!
Put on a shirt, Dad! You look disgusting!
- Hang up! - Okay, sir…
Sorry, sir.
I don't know how it was leaked.
I'm heading to the station now. I'll look into it.
Why are you twisting around like a python after its meal?
Weren't you fine yesterday?
Upon seeing the news leak, the D.I.G. called me and raised hell.
He chewed me out too.
We cops will just have to take it all in our stride.
Did I not tell you last night…
to call in Thiruvengadam for questioning?
Did I not tell you last night why that'll cause us trouble?
You do understand, don't you?
I didn't know then there was going to be a leak!
Now Thiruvengadam is alert.
Not being able to interrogate him is driving me crazy.
How could I have known?
What are you saying?
Sakkarai!
Do you think I leaked it?
Do you think so or not?
Moorthy!
- Come in, sir. - I have come to file a complaint!
Against whom?
Who else?
That shithead Maarappan!
About what he said about you on his news channel?
What else? That jealous mongrel--
He always goes off the leash! And I have to deal with his shit!
You must have interrogated him even before I came here about it!
Did you?
- Like hell you would! - Sit.
Sit down, sir. Let's talk.
Who is this?
Something's off about him.
This is Chakravarthy. Sub-Inspector of Sambaloor.
He's the I.O. on Chellappa's case. Investigation Officer.
This is Mr. Thiruvengadam.
I'm aware.
I saw him at the festival.
Where did you go after the flag hoisting that day?
Where else would I go?
The festival! Once that was done, I went home!
Is there any eyewitness for it? Your wife or anyone else?
What? "Eyewitness?"
Why do I need a witness for being at home?
He's new, Moorthy!
You've been stomping around this damn town for many years!
Are you not aware of who's who in this town?
You have this young upstart question me?
Nothing like that, sir. He's the Investigation Officer.
Answer me, sir.
Do you know who she is?
The main dancer of the "Senthoora Poove" troupe you used to book for the festival.
Madhubala.
Madhubala alias Muthu.
So?
I understand you and Chellappa had a big fight over these dancers.
As far as we're concerned, that's a clear motive.
So that's how it adds up for you!
Well, sir…
Did you and dancer Muthu kill Chellappa together--
Hey.
Sir, don't!
Mind your tongue!
Bloody rogue!
I knew you'd be here after our fight!
Same game with you every time!
Life is a game, buddy!
A different game each time.
Everyone plays to win.
But you lost!
Chellappa…
You try not to lose even in the smallest thing.
When I want to win, I want it to be big!
In your drunken stupor, you keep repeating the same.
Just watch my flow of thoughts.
Don't cross-examine me as if I'm on the stand!
Cheers!
Shall we do one more round, buddy?
"One more round?"
So many more rounds to go, buddy boy!
Let's do it!
- Know something? - What?
You give me the courage to petition for everything, you schmuck!
I'm hale and hearty.
You don't have to sing my praises.
When…
When we were studying in a Tamil medium school…
the ruckus I caused with the English teacher…
You remember that?
- I remember it well! - Do you remember?
That was then!
That old mindset hasn't changed.
I'd be in favor of farmland.
You'd support the Seafort School in the name of new frontiers and growth!
You’re the one responsible for making the Ashtakaali festival this big!
You say this, and yet you put a stop to the erotic dancing!
Correct!
For the town to thrive, both our insights are necessary.
Like the Chinese yin-yang!
Hold up! Hold up!
Never mind the Chinese now!
The townsfolk are itching to watch
those erotic dancers perform!
If you were to be so kind…
Why do you need girls for that?
Am I not there?
Shake it!
Shake it hard!
Chellappa was my only friend.
He's gone.
The dead are gone forever.
Damn it.
We needlessly hurt a good man.
Be it the girl or Thiruvengadam…
there are no good guys or bad guys.
Anyone can commit a crime.
Our job as cops is only to ensure the guilty are punished as per the law.
It's not our job to classify who is good and who is bad.
Hi! What do you think about our festival?
It's so beautiful over here!
There are so many--
What have you done?
Your crap has landed me in soup!
Sorry, brother. For the viewers' sake…
- "For the viewers," it seems! - Brother…
So you'll do anything?
What do I tell Malathy maa?
- Thiruvengadam will never forgive me! - I'm sorry--
The whole town saw your half-boiled nonsense!
THE YOUNG WOMAN WAS ARRESTED AT THE SCENE
ADVOCATE CHELLAPPA MURDERED
Kaalis, the Eight Goddesses of Fury Born to the Snake Goddess
The Kaalis born here in Kaalipattinam All to protect us, the people
O Kaalis…
Kaalis, the Eight Goddesses of Fury Born to the Snake Goddess
The great Kaali Born from the eighth egg
Is the Kaali Gaandhari With piercing, dark eyes
Dark-eyed Kaali Gaandhari
From the seventh egg
Came our Kaali Muppidari With three faces
Three-faced Kaali Muppidari
From the sixth egg
Came our Kaali Ulagamman With a trident
Trident Kaali Ulagamman
From the fifth egg
Came our Kaali Shenbagavalli The peaceful one
Epitome of peace Shenbagavalli
CONFLUENCE OF THE ASHTAKAALIS
As the fourth Came our Kaali Sandhanamaari
Shower of fragrance Sandhanamaari
As for the third
Came our Kaali Veeramakaali The furious one
Veeramakaali The furious one
A doe-eyed beauty with flowing tresses And a slender waist
Came in as our second
Azhagu Naachi Resplendent with beauty
The firstborn Is the pearl-like Goddess Muthumaari
Muthumaari Muthaaramman
Muthaaramman
The proud, strong, and determined… Mutharamman
Muthaaramman Muthaaramman
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Who is in charge of this station?
Worship the Eight Kaalis
- Sir? - Worship the Eight Kaalis
Madam?
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Sir?
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship from the heart
I killed Chellappa.
What?
I killed Chellappa.
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship from the heart