Amma!
Why do you keep coming up here?
You don't take your medicines on time.
Amma!
I'm still alive!
Amma…
I know how you must be feeling today.
You're constantly thinking of appa, right?
It's been a year already.
I know you're putting up a tough front for my sake, Amma.
You wish you had joined appa even in his last journey.
I know you well.
Oh, my! Looks like he will personally parcel me to heaven.
-Amma! -What, dear?
Get up and go to your room.
-Why should-- -Please.
Go to your room.
Please don't strain yourself today.
I'll send whatever you need to your room.
Alright?
This is for her son.
-Bala. Kettai nakshatra. -Kettai nakshatra.
Please offer prayers to ensure my son studies well.
What grade is your little boy in?
No. He's all grown up. He's working.
Please offer prayers so that he should study well if he chooses to do an MBA.
This is for her husband.
Rajaratnam. Bharani nakshatra.
His cholesterol must fall below 180.
His shoulder pain should go away.
And this is for her Aththai.
-Sundari. Hasta nakshatra. -Hasta nakshatra. Sundari.
Aththai hasn't come to the temple in three months.
In these three months, her HbA1c is stuck at 13.
I feel it's because she hasn't been visiting.
So, I'm here on her behalf.
By the grace of God, everything will be fine.
Condoms?
Shall I bill that too?
I asked if I should bill that too.
No! I don't want that.
This will do.
No prayer for your daughter?
No matter how many times I ask, she refuses to come to the temple.
Come to think of it, she doesn't go anywhere with me.
I pray she gets good sense and good health.
Don't stress too much on the left ankle, Nivi!
Good!
Take a break for ten minutes.
Then back in net two.
Good shot.
Looks like madam is the coach's favorite today as well.
Look who's talking!
How is your ankle?
I’m scared to put my weight on it.
Try getting up.
What's this?
A bribe?
Correct. A bribe.
Now tell me.
You'll come over this evening, right?
You expect me to show up after merely sending me a text?
Of course I do.
I expect you to show up in a sari and these lovely earrings.
Karthik…
Nivi…
It's just a housewarming party.
Consider it as an opportunity to meet my relatives.
Let me show you off! For once!
That's exactly my problem!
I'm ready to meet your family.
But a party…
I don't want to come if people are going to be looking at me and judging me.
Don't you want to see my new house?
My room?
It could end up being our room.
Come here.
My cousins… my aunts…
they should look at you and be floored.
Will you introduce me as the girl who clean bowled you last week?
Okay.
I'll come.
But this? No guarantee.
-Bala! You're back! -Hi, Amma.
How are you?
-Yeah, Ma. I'm fine. -I called you so many times,
but you hardly spoke to me.
-Did you eat well? -Do I look starved, Amma?
I'm back from Manali.
-And all you can ask me about is food? -Oh, stop!
Manali, it seems! I don't care about all that.
You need to be healthy and strong! That's what I want.
"Strong"? Am I a three year old?
-Appa! -He's left for work.
-What do you need him for? -To tell him about the trip.
Tell me about it. How was Manali?
-Did you take any pictures? -Yeah, Amma.
You can hear all about it when I tell appa.
I can't keep repeating it.
You can see the photos then.
Alright. Go shower.
Goodness! Such dirty clothes!
-Shall I make puris? -Please turn on the heater too!
Very well.
Hi.
So pretty.
Hey.
Come.
Hey, all the best to you.
What?
To us. All the best to us.
Amma!
-This is Nivi. I mean… Niveditha. -Hi.
Now I know why he is still dawdling here.
-Hi, Niveditha. Glad you could come. -Hi!
You have a lovely home, Auntie. Congratulations.
Give me that, Amma. I'll take care of it.
Here, Nivi.
-Nivi. -I got this, Auntie. You must be busy.
Thanks, kanna.
Hey.
Listen. You handled that pretty well.
The next ball's going to be hard.
Even if not a sixer, at least hit a four. Please.
At the state level, if Karthik can maintain his batting average,
then anything is possible.
The IPL. The Indian Team.
Why not? Praise be to God.
The coach has high hopes for Karthik's spin bowling, Uncle.
He told him to not give up on that.
My friend.
I'm Niveditha.
-Hi. -How do you know so much
about Karthik's cricket, Niveditha?
I see him play, Auntie.
The coach says so too!
You go to the ground too?
She saw it when she came to interview me, Amma.
You're a journalist? I thought so!
Which publication?
Freelance, blogs. She's just starting out, Appa.
Your interview? When? Where?
-I'll let you know, Amma. -What is he saying?
-He sounds weird. -Did he tell you?
-Any problem, Karthik? -None, Auntie. Enjoy your food.
You messed up.
Why talk about cricket?
Why did you say I was a journalist?
As the proverb goes "Even a thousand lies granted, to make a marriage happen."
Can't you do just this for us?
This was intended to be my parents' room.
It's my room now.
Our room.
Do you like it?
Why did you say that, Karthik?
Okay.
Yes, I lied.
No harm in lying if it's for our good.
So we must hide the fact that I play cricket?
Does this seem right to you?
Won't they learn the truth someday?
If it's the truth you want, let me come to the point.
Women's cricket is just not there yet.
Sorry. It's just not there.
Who watches it on TV?
Who pays to watch it at the stadium?
Nivi…
it's not a real career, Nivi.
Who'll manage the house if we both are away playing cricket?
My parents won't agree to it, Nivi.
Is that what you want?
Nivi…
I thought you would realize yourself that my chances are better.
I guess I was wrong.
No. I'm the one who was wrong.
I just never understood you.
I'm sorry, Nivi. But…
I'm just stating the facts.
Just tell me this.
If I took you home and introduced you as an auditor, would you be okay with it?
What do you want me to do?
Shall I tell everyone out there you're a cricketer?
You should believe that first, Karthik.
I'm leaving, Karthik.
What does the star cricketer have to say?
-Bala! -Oh, no!
Why do mother and daughter look so grumpy?
Mind your own business.
Is that so?
Okay!
But yours truly is aware of everything that goes on in this house!
Touch my headphones and I'll chop off your hand!
I invite you to try!
Hey, Bala!
-What is it? -Tell him to return my headphones, Amma!
Good God! He just got back home today!
You're at it already?
Yes, your son is always right! I am always wrong!
-Leave me alone! -Listen!
It's dinner time. Give me a hand.
I'm not hungry.
Your future mother-in-law will blame me.
For not teaching my daughter about any of this.
We'll cross that bridge when we get there.
Do you know who Indira Gandhi is?
She was our Prime Minister.
Even she used to cook for herself!
She never disobeyed her amma. Remember that!
That's what you got from Indira Gandhi?
Hello? Vatsala?
It's me. Are you doing good?
I was sleeping, Sundari!
What is it? You were sleeping?
What time is it there?
You don't reply to my texts, but call at this hour?
Shall I call back later?
-It's been a year, right? -Correct.
You remember it better than me.
My son thinks I'm wallowing in grief.
But I'm dying to step out of the house. Truly!
Let that be.
Have you heard anything from there?
That's what I thought!
-Any call? -No… but that's why you called, right?
Oh, very well. Okay.
Well, I…
Don't take this the wrong way, but I want the address.
I need to go in person.
Even a phone number will suffice--
-Amma. -Coming, dear.
-My son's at the door. Like a warden! -Poor guy.
Dinner's ready. Shall I bring it here?
Wait. I'm coming.
Alright. Come quickly. We're waiting!
Get the address for me.
-I'll try. -Please do me this favor.
Okay? Thank you very much.
I have to go!
Appa, Kasol is a mini Israel, it seems.
-What? -I just learned of it!
-Seriously? -Yeah.
-And… -Hey!
-Guess who I met there! -What?
-Mridhula! -Yeah.
Oh my God! Look at her!
She still looks 30!
We should go on a trek together, Appa.
Super idea!
Let's all go together!
-Let's do it! -Sure! Why not?
-Oh God! -You carry your paati, Bala.
I'll carry your amma.
Imagine the two of them draped in saris with rubber slippers on…
and waddling through the trek!
Very nice!
What do you say, Chandra?
Then we needn't go trekking.
Let's all go together to some nice place.
My job entails traveling all year.
We'll do it some other time.
It's hard getting time off work, Amma.
Then…
maybe only we ladies can go.
You men are busy.
The three of us will go.
Great idea. Superb!
-The three of you, alone? -Yes.
Please tell me, who'll take care of my amma.
As usual, me.
Excuse me? No one has to take care of me.
I'm pretty solid. Eat.
Please don't encourage her, Amma.
At your age, you should relax here.
All other stress and strain is unnecessary.
What if something happens to you?
Hey…
your coddling isn't going to keep me happy.
It'll drive me crazy.
I'm fine. I'm not going to die.
Let me be.
Look what you did, Kaveri.
You know what day it is today. It is a hard day for her.
Why are you upsetting her further?
I swear I'm not upset. I'm perfectly fine.
You all take good care of me. I'm really happy.
Say something, sweety.
Let's go!
-What? -The three of us can go!
-What? -Let's go! Great! She said it herself!
Say we'll go.
Quit blabbing and say it!
-Tell him we'll go. -Let's go, Amma.
Tell him we'll go!
We'll go.
-The three of you ladies, all alone? -We will go! Yes.
-Don't ask for trouble. -We'll be fine.
Chandra is only a child. My amma is grieving.
Don't you know better?
I can't even eat in peace!
Dear.
Walking out on a meal. This is what grieves me!
-He never understands! -Very bad, Nivi.
Buzz off!
What about you, dear? Always trailing his father!
Don't get upset, kanna. To hell with him!
Kaveri…
Don't get angry, dear.
Don't get upset, kanna.
Look. A nice spicy side dish for your meal.
See?
It makes you want to leave, doesn't it?
Shall we go?
Shall the three of us go? Take a good look at this!
I always feel like I'm alone.
Neither of the kids want to be around me.
They're always fighting.
Can I ask you something?
When you're away traveling, do you think about us?
Tours…
All the pages in my passport are blank.
Do you know that?
But you? You've traveled the world!
But I get a bottle of perfume from every place you visit.
What do I do with so many bottles?
Can I bathe in them?
Why do I need perfume for the kitchen and grocery store?
But I'm going to the bank tomorrow.
I'll definitely spray half a bottle!
This is hilarious!
Give me that, Paati.
The last piece is mine!
-I'm not having much! -I want it, Paati!
-Let me go. -Give me! Please.
What's going on here?
O Lord Muruga…
I seek you out everywhere
What's up?
Why are you both prowling like a cat at 2:00 a.m.?
-I couldn't sleep. -Same here.
Me too.
Why not?
Tell the truth. No bluffing!
What is it? Indigestion?
Or you came up with a great idea that died instantly.
-What idea? -What?
Wasn't it you who suggested the three of us go on a fun trip?
The moment you suggested that, this diabetic body felt alive.
And then I was disappointed right away.
Just to be clear…
are the women in this house mere puppets on strings?
I just want to go.
Where?
Anywhere.
Anywhere that's not here.
Same here.
Earlier with appa, I said "let's go" just for argument sake.
But the more I think about it, the more I want to get away from here.
You make good points, Nivi.
It sounds good in theory.
But didn't you listen to your father?
This will never happen.
It must happen.
Kiddo…
it's your time to see the world.
Time will pass… in the blink of an eye.
You'll be dumped with responsibilities.
Then, you won't be able to move
an inch as you desire.
You get it, right?
It won't be fun to go alone.
What do you say, Kaveri?
Let's leave.
Let's leave!
Let's just leave!
What "leave"? How? Where?
The time for talking is done. Get your suitcase!
A road trip. Just the three of us!
Oh stop! Quit talking crazy!
And you're just egging her on!
How the hell can we do this?
What will I tell your son?
This can't be done.
I can't do it.
This damn woman!
Your son and mine have grown like trees!
Will you be serving them for the rest of your life?
Is that all there is to life?
Don't you wish to do something for yourself, Amma?
Just for your happiness?
Try to understand, Kaveri.
I've gotten old. It's not long before my time is up.
If the three of us have a fun trip together…
I can hold on to those joyful memories when I leave, right?
Hey! Come on, just tell me!
Decide quickly! Are you in or out?
-I know it! -Yes!
You are just pranking me!
-Amma! -Do you think
we have nothing better to do at 2:00 a.m. than to prank you?
Amma, I'm being serious.
Alright…
I'll let you know.
Let's head back to sleep!
Go to sleep!
I know her very well.
She definitely won't come.
We will make her come.
Come to my room.
Come to my room!
Right now!
We've discussed what needs to be discussed.
No more dilly-dallying.
Listen up! The three of us have to establish some ground rules.
Rule number one!
No one outside the three of us should know about our plan.
No one else should know!
Everyone else is our enemy!
Understood? Get it through your head!
We leave in three days.
We start to pack right away.
We leave in the dead of the night.
I'll be driving. We'll take my friend Swetha's car.
I've some money stashed away, Kutty.
The two of you scrap together whatever you can.
I know how much you have.
You need to cover expenses. The two of us have nothing.
We'll handle that. Let's fu--
Sorry… forget everyone else and do this for ourselves.
Deal?
Is the dosa ready?
The plans for packing… Oh snap!
The plans for packing must be in stealth mode!
These men can catch even the smallest whisper.
Be careful!
Paati.
Appa called. He asked you to take your medicines.
Yes, I will. You go.
Sit down!
Rule number two!
Listen carefully.
The two of you leave your phones behind.
Only one call allowed per day.
And it must be made from a public booth!
Got it?
Kutty?
No Instantgram!
No Snoopchat!
No Whatsup!
No FB!
-At least you got one right! -Okay!
The sky above. The road below. Us in between!
We're going to have fun!
It'll be a blast!
Okay… where are we going?
Goa!
Rule number three!
I get to call it!
No one else is my responsibility.
You each take care of yourselves.
You don't get to order me around to make you coffee or dosas.
Amma!
Alright.
Here's rule number four!
I swear I will not abandon my comrades, no matter what!
No saying I'll quit halfway. Got it?
We leave together. We return together.
Deal?
Deal!
-Amma. -What?
Must I join in?
Amma!
That's it!
Hello!
Rule number five!
"Rule number five?" What's that?
I'll tell you when the time comes.
What if amma doesn't come?
Will just the two of us go?
Your amma will come.
She definitely will!
I need to tell you something.
I shouldn't though.
What is it?
We…
aththai, Nivi, and I…
were planning to go on a trip.
Oh, stop with the stupid trip!
Turn off the light and sleep, Kaveri!
Quit blabbering!
You're bound to be upset that I didn't give you my permission.
But whatever I say is for your own good.
"Permission."
You can't manage by yourself, dear.
Especially someone like you.
"Someone like me?"
Yes.
You've always been protected and sheltered.
No exposure to the outside world.
You made no effort, either.
If I let you go by yourself,
you won't last one day out there.
"I won't last even one day by myself."
Because you take such good care of me, don't you?
Yeah.
Yeah!
Thank you, dear.
What's this now after all these years?
No need to thank me. Just make hot puri masala tomorrow!
That'll do.
Kaveri!
The tube is empty! Didn't you notice?
Amma!
-Appa. -Where's amma?
No "kolam" at the entrance. Where is she?
Not your amma! Mine!
Her saris are gone. As is her medicine box.
-Nivi's missing too. -Nivi too?
Where did they go so early in the morning?
Appa!
"You've done enough taking care of the family, Rajaratnam.
Now, just take care of yourself. Kaveri."
-Morning, coach. -Good morning.
Where's Nivi, Swetha?
-She's out of town. -Really?
She didn't tell you?