She will fade and fall. It is but a lie!
She will crumple and cry. It is but a lie!
She will relish your leftovers. It is but a lie!
She will claim to die without you. It is but a lie!
Her eyes, more fatal than arrows…
Her thoughts, scheming and deceiving…
Those, she holds in her thrall…
have fates worse than miserable curs.
IRRESPONSIBLITY
Irresponsibility.
The characters in this story…
are not fictional.
They are real.
Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead…
is purely intentional.
Especially you.
Velonie!
She will fade and fall. It is but a lie!
She will crumple and cry. It is but a lie!
She will relish your leftovers. It is but a lie!
She will claim to die without you. It is but a lie!
Her eyes, more fatal than arrows…
Her thoughts, scheming and deceiving…
Those, she holds in her thrall…
have fates worse than miserable curs.
RUMOR: THE FABLE OF VELONIE
Dealing with Mamtha and Mr. Ravi every day is soul-sucking, Ganesh.
Do you know what he did yesterday?
He bought a watch worth two lakhs…
and took me along to gift it to her.
"Two lakh rupees?"
It's a day's cost of production.
He refuses if you ask for two extra lights.
Such a pricey watch for her?
Guess what happened? She snubbed him and sent him away.
She had told the front desk not to let the producer up to her room.
I had to call her and say… "I'm also with him, Mamtha.
We just want to talk to you. "
Only after that, she let us in.
What next? He gave her the watch?
She's real sly!
"Give this to your wife, Mr. Ravi. She'll be very happy. "
With that quip, she burst his bubble!
Good morning, sir.
Good morning.
-Call the art director and make-up man. -Okay, sir.
Listen to me, Ganesh.
Things didn't end there.
He came down the steps looking upset.
In the film Marudhamalai
Vadivelu "took position" near a window before an emotional monologue, right?
Similarly, he was leaning against the wall.
When I went up to him to see what was up…
he was in tears!
He looked up at me sadly…
and tearfully asked "Is this how love is, Shakti?"
Asshole!
He's 46!
Like he's just out of college and fresh in love!
I felt like slapping him!
Looks very real, doesn't it?
Vinod's a real pro!
Here's the first shot, Ganesh. Listen carefully.
We start with a wide shot.
The body will be in the foreground.
In the depth, there'll be villagers, yellow ribbons and police jeeps.
Let's keep it wide.
Shall we start from here?
How about from here? Is it okay?
It seems okay.
-Let's check with the cameras. -Okay.
Good morning, sir.
Hello, Vinod!
-You grow dapper every day! -Thank you, sir.
Body will be here in the foreground. Not there.
That dummy looks excellent, Mr. Murthy! You aced it!
-Is the dead body here already? -Not yet!
What the hell do you mean?
Then, what's over there?
Mr. Shakti!
I sent a car to pick up Mamtha at 5:00 a. m.
She didn't come down even after 6:00 a. m.
She didn't pick up my calls either.
When I went to the hotel to check,
her assistant said she wasn't there since last night.
No clue where she is.
That's the heroine!
Both hands were tied.
Hello?
Sir!
They've come from Chennai for a film shoot.
It's a murder mystery.
-They assumed the corpse was a dummy. -I see.
When they learnt their heroine had been missing since last night…
they realized the corpse wasn't a dummy, but was real.
-Is this under Adarvazh Malai limits? -No.
-Magastheeswaram's limits, then? -It falls in the middle.
There is a tussle about whose control the place is under.
How can we take up this case?
This isn't under our purview.
Who informed our station?
The Superintendent's office gave them permission to shoot here.
She played the daughter in Superstar's last film.
Now, she's the heroine.
So, I took special permission…
-Alright. Are the formalities complete? -Yes.
Okay. The manager's there, right?
-Bring him over. -Alright.
-Whose film is it? -It doesn't have a title yet.
The production company is Yellow Pictures.
Reality TV star Anand is the hero.
Is the heroine from Tamil Nadu or elsewhere?
She's from Karnataka, but stays in Chennai.
Is any of her family here?
No, sir.
Here's the thing, sir.
This does not come under our jurisdiction.
But, we'll follow the protocol.
I'll inform the SP's office.
I need a list of names and phone numbers of the entire crew
who are here for the shoot.
Until I say so, none of them leaves for Chennai.
-Got it? -Okay, sir.
Send the body to the government hospital for post-mortem.
-Yes, sir. -Call me once the inquest report is ready.
-I'm heading to the SP's office. -Okay.
Hey! Stop that van!
-Stop the van! -Tell him to stop!
Hey! Stop the van!
-Hey! Get down! -Get down! Come!
Mongrel! I'll skewer you! Ride up front!
There are three people there! So I went in the back.
I know damn well why you did! Go!
She's decayed. There's nothing I can do to her.
Hey! I'll kill you! Go!
Get going!
I've got to write the inquiry report, Mallika.
-Want to come? -Sure, sir.
You won't be spooked, right?
-You might feel faint. You are young. -No, sir. I'll be brave.
Alright.
You said you're brave, right? Put this on.
Actresses usually look different outside of movies.
She's looks very different in this state, right?
Write what I say.
The face is swollen…
and appears slightly deformed.
Why are you crying, sir?
Are you a fan of hers?
"Crying"?
I wasn't crying.
Nothing like that. The tears came on its own.
This is science. Aren't you aware of it?
The body has begun to decompose.
When it does, the bacteria in the body causes tears to flow involuntarily.
I did admire her, though.
She acted so well in that movie, you know?
Write it down.
Popular Tamil film actress Mamtha has been mysteriously murdered.
Mamtha, known for her work in superhit films like Nodi and Achcham
had gone to Kanyakumari for a film shoot.
Under mysterious circumstances, she was found dead at the shooting spot.
This has shocked the Tamil film industry and the public.
Acclaimed and endorsed by several leading actors,
she was a promising upcoming actress.
-How are you related to him? -I'm his sister.
The girl's popular, isn't she? So, this news has spread.
The culprit will be on high alert!
There's a jurisdictional problem as to where the body was found.
This case falls under the jurisdiction of Adarvazh Malai. But, they refused.
In that case, the Magastheeswaram police must take it up.
But, that's a small station.
As the girl is famous, even if they do take it up
it'll soon be transferred to another station.
Do you understand what I'm saying?
Yes, sir.
One of her family members must come to identify the body.
Get someone here soon for that.
Also, one of you head to the office of the Superintendent…
and check if they're taking up the case, or if they want to pass it to Chennai
and proceed accordingly!
Do all of you get what I'm saying?
Mamtha!
Hello? Mamtha?
Shakti! What the hell is this? What kind of a sick joke?
No, Mamtha--
I just ran away. I didn't die!
-Mamtha, there's been a big mistake here! -Cool. Calm down.
Was this Ravi's damn idea?
It must be. I know he's capable of that!
For you and for my career, I didn't want to file a MeToo case on him!
There's been a small confusion.
What the hell confusion?
-Hey! -We found a body in that spot.
We thought it was you! It looked so much like you!
Want to eat some, Mallika?
I'm good, sir.
Are you married?
Not yet, sir.
And you look it too!
You need to eat well and keep up your strength, okay?
If you look fragile, some foolish officers might mow you down.
I'm not such a guy.
I'm aware, sir.
Sir?
Alright.
Yes, sir.
I'll handle it, sir.
It's like this,
"If you ask where thunder fell, it's granny's pestle, they tell!"
Did you get to know, Mallika?
That corpse wasn't even Mamtha.
She ran off with a guy to Bangalore.
How then did they say it was her?
This sounds crazy!
Check if Dr. Paulraj has come for the post-mortem.
I'll finish this up and join you.
-Okay, sir. -Go on.
Doesn't this strong odor give it away?
She's been dead for about three days.
The windpipe was squeezed by the middle and forefinger.
She suffocated and died.
She had a whole life ahead.
She must only be around 19 or 20 years of age.
Her limbs were bound tightly with thick rope.
There are plenty of bruises on the body.
But there was no sexual assault.
Her face looks deformed beyond recognition.
Indeed.
She will look very different from her photograph.
That's why I didn't open her head.
-Bring over a sketch artist to draw it. -Alright.
-Then, I'll proceed. -Alright.
Someone might come for this from Thakkalai.
Don't choose him.
There's a chap in Tirunelveli.
-Call him over. -Alright.
He smokes a lot of weed, but draws well.
Dear boy!
-Are you coming? -Just a minute, sir.
Turn on the light.
Tell me when you're done. I'll be outside.
Hallelujah
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
Hallelujah
In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen!
The mass has ended.
Go in the peace of Christ!
Blessed assurance
Jesus is mine
Oh, what a foretaste
Of glory divine
Heir of salvation
Washed in His blood
This is my story
This is my song
Praising my savior
All day long
This is my story
This is my song
Praising my savior
All day long
-How did you manage to woo her? -Shut up and come.
Come on, Tony! Tell me!
-She signals you to come home. How? -That's love!
What do you two do in the terrace?
What's it to you?
Hey!
She's using the back entrance! Shall I come along?
You scared me!
Liar! I know you didn't!
Did anyone see you while coming up?
No, I don't think so.
Anyway, my mother is not here.
Wait. Let me help you with that.
That was lovely!
I mean…
it was really, really lovely!
Then… don't just say by words.
Lucky bastard!
Hey! It's just me, Velo.
Did I scare you?
Okay. Open the door.
Hey!
Open the door, I say!
Velo!
Open the door, Velo!
Come, open the door.
Come here.
Hey! Come here!
Hey! Velo!
Open the door!
Open the door, Velo!
I can't come in if I'm drunk?
You won't let me in if I'm drunk?
Hey! Open the door!
Will you open it or should I break it?
Hey, Velo!
Open the door! Hey!
Velo!
Auntie, can I have a cup of tea?
Velo…
I was too wasted last night, wasn't I?
Bugger off.
Velonie, stop being so rude.
Do you know what he did last night, Mom?
And stop complaining!
Early in the morning! After all, he's your fiance!
It's not my wish.
You're forcing it upon me.
If I don't force a lot of things on you,
you'll become a characterless, spoilt girl.
Stop saying that, mom!
I don't like him coming into my room drunk!
First, say sorry to him!
He does everything for you.
Even though you are so rude to him!
Velonie! I said, say sorry to him.
Sorry.
It's alright.
Get ready.
I'll drop you off at college.
Mom!
Just drop her off at the bus stop.
You still owe me 300 rupees.
She's here. I'll check with her.
-Sister! -Don't forget to turn off the motor.
Where is the accounts book?
-We need to pay for the water cans. -Wait.
Did room number 12 pay up yesterday, Jones?
No, ma'am.
Go get the luggage.
Hey, Jones!
Please listen to me! Give me my bag!
Please listen to me!
300 rupees, ma'am.
Tell him to return my bag, sister. I'll pay up by dusk!
-Lock the room, Jones. -Please, sister!
Please don't lock the room, sister! Jones!
Listen to me, Jones! Don't send me out, please.
Please, sister. I'll pay up by this evening--
Spare me the sisterly crap!
She's raising hell so early!
-No more excuses! -Yes.
Please, sister!
-Is she here? -Not yet.
-I gave you an entire week! -Sister--
Please, sister…
-I'll surely pay up! -Pay up and take back your bag!
-I know you're here to ogle. -Don't waste my time!
What's the deal with the newspaper in hand?
What if she thinks I'm a wastrel like you?
Buzz off or I'll whip your ass!
I'll not tolerate this!
-Don't beg! I don't want any explanations! -A little compassion, please--
No point in begging me!
I've already given you ample time!
Enough!
Don't make me repeat myself! Okay?
I have told you, you have to pay it on time!
Don't make me shout!
-Are you listening to me? -Please--
-Don't make me shout before everybody! -Please just give me my bag.
No! Your bag will remain here…
-until you pay your rent! -I beg of you!
Velo!
I'll pick you up in the evening.
No need. I'll find my way back.
-Hi! -Hi!
-Been waiting long? -No, I just got here.
You've drawn beautifully.
If she truly was this beautiful…
What a pity!
It is all a waste.
Had an ugly person died, would it be okay to you?
I see ten deaths every day.
Dead is dead. What can be done about that?
She looks well-endowed. No one got a taste, right?
So…
Just because you see death every day, life means so little to you?
What if this had happened to your friend or your family?
Would you sound so casual?
Is this what the girl looked like?
I don't know, sir. It's about 60% accurate.
She is very beautiful!
Hold up, dear boy. Collect your pay and go!
I just said she was beautiful. What did I say wrong?
I went home and asked your mother where you were.
She said you went to the church.
I thought you lied and went elsewhere, but you really are here!
Why? What happened?
When did you last see Velonie?
-Why do you ask me that? -Just answer me.
Two weeks ago.
Look at this.
Mamtha. What about her?
You can't read Tamil, right?
I'll read. Listen up.
"Murder of Actress: A lie that spread like wildfire!
Confusion Cleared Up!
Actress Mamtha stated on social media yesterday that owing to disagreements
with the film crew, she ran off to Bangalore
and that she was not the one murdered.
Today, the Kanyakumari Police released a sketch of the victim.
A reward will be given to one who comes forth and identifies her.
So what?
You heard what I read, right?
Look at this.
Velonie?
You thought that too, right?
Same thing occurred to me!
No.
It can't be her.
It is her!
Weren't you two in love?
What went wrong?
Things fell apart.
It looks like her.
But, it's not her.
Where are you going, Tony?
Wait!
POLICE STATION
Just a minute, sir.
This chap came here as he saw the sketch we put in the newspaper.
He knows who she is.
-Is that so? -Yes, sir.
Come on in.
Have a seat, kid.
-What's your name? -Edward.
Alright then.
Who's the girl in the sketch? What's her name?
Velonie. Her mother runs a mansion called "The Angel Lodge", in Eraniel.
Is she your friend? How do you know her?
She's not my friend.
We go to the same church. That's how I know her.
Alright. Give me your number.
Is there a cash reward, sir?
What?
I asked if there is a cash reward of some sort…
Like you, four other people have identified her.
We'll pay the money once we conclude the legitimate one.
-Got it? -Yes, sir.
-Ganapathy! -Sir?
Here's what you do. There's a mansion called Angel Lodge in Eraniel.
-Go there. -Yes, sir.
Check if the name of the owner's daughter is Velonie.
Check if she's at home and get back to me.
-I'll check and let you know, sir. -Alright.
Tell me, kid.
Go on, Ganapathy.
The girl's name is indeed Velonie.
She's been missing for three days.
Very well.
-Do one thing. -Yes, sir.
Bring her mother to the Asaripallam Government Hospital.
Yes, sir.
-Is it them, Ganapathy? -Yes, sir.
You alone come in, son.
Don't cry, Auntie. Everything will be fine.
-Don't be afraid. -Come on.
I want to see my daughter…
I want to see my daughter!
I want to see my child!
My child!
On Sunday, at noon…
Velonie…
went to visit her aunt…
in Rajakkamangalam.
She asked me to pick her up
around 7:00 p. m.
After she left, I started to booze a little.
It got a little out of hand…
and I got wasted.
It was raining heavily that day too.
Aunt Ruby does not like Velonie staying out.
I convinced her to let Velonie be.
When I went there the next morning to pick her up…
they told me she had not come there.
After looking all over for her for three days…
we thought she'd come back.
Never imagined this would happen, sir!
The girl was missing for three days.
Why didn't you tell the police?
A few months ago…
when I first came to the mansion…
Velonie went missing like this.
Eventually, she came back.
We were supposed to be married this year.
With that coming up…
and not wanting any trouble with the police…
we didn't file a complaint.
Don't cry.
You can take her after finishing the formalities.
Be with me
My beloved Lord
The light has faded
Darkness has fallen
The aid of everyone else
Even if it failed me
-Thou art my true friend -Velonie…
Be with me
Akin to a drifting bubble on water
-My life is uncertain too -You're sleeping, no? Get up now.
-From this world departs -Get up, my child. Velonie…
-My life and joy -Velonie… open your eyes, baby.
O death
Where is your
-Pain and triumph? -My child…
Where is your triumph?
Thou unfailing Lord
Be with me
It's tragic. Such a young girl.
She was such a lovely child.
She's gone.
Are you a close relative?
How are you related to her?
Velonie is my younger brother's daughter.
In the end…
she went to the same place he did.
The word is she came to your house that day.
Impossible!
It's been years since she came to my house.
Ruby doesn't like it if she comes to my house.
She'd never let her go to my house.
In fact, she never let Velonie go anywhere.
Alright.
If she was coming to my house, she'd have definitely told me.
Now she's gone.
Did she call you that day?
-No? -No.
Please don't cry. It's okay.
The aunt tells me the girl hasn't been to her house in years.
If she had planned to go, she'd definitely have called ahead, to let her know.
But the girl's fiance says she said she wanted to go her aunt's house
and she wanted him to pick her up around 7:00 p. m.
If the girl planned to go elsewhere, why ask her fiance to pick her up?
In my opinion, the aunt sounds truthful.
I think there's something wrong with the fiance.
Alright, sir.
"Therefore, we have been buried with Him by baptism into death.
So that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father.
so we too may walk in the newness of life. "
-Sir? -Vetri!
Is this what you call coverage? You are totally useless!
Why have you moved the news on Mamtha to page seven?
-The buzz about that has died down-- -"Died down"?
You moron! Did you see the picture of Velonie?
How does she look?
This photo isn't large enough. I need another.
Ask for a bigger one.
Run this piece on the second page.
"Velonie, the girl assumed as Mamtha". Put out such a bold headline.
Got it?
Okay, sir.
God of mercy and compassion
Look with pity upon me
Father, let me call thee Father
This thy child that returns to thee
Jesus, Lord, I ask for mercy
Let me not implore--
Sir wants to see you.
Come on in.
You wanted to talk to me, didn't you sir?
Why did you bring me here then?
What did you do to that girl?
No lies. Spill it.
What are you saying, sir?
I've been telling you I did nothing. Yet, you keep asking the same--
Sir asked you a question, right?
Mind your tone.
Tell us what you did to that girl.
I didn't do anything, sir!
The culprit is roaming free and yet, you question me like this?
-I told you-- -Droning on like a broken record, are you?
Velonie's murder case has brought a lot of publicity to your film, hasn't it?
Hold it, Amalraj!
We don't consider this as publicity for our film.
But the good thing is that Mamtha agreed to return to our film.
Anything you wish to say, Mr. Producer?
We will dedicate this film to Velonie.
The ones responsible for her murder must be punished.
So, we'll continue pressing this issue until the cops find her killer.