Hey. You want to do this?
Okay. Start!
Why did I do Diwali shopping just for you and not for me?
-Why? -Because I love you!
Not just that! Look at this!
What? You got a tattoo?
Not that. I bought bangles and shades that you like. Do you know why?
Because you love me, right?
She stole my heart!
She craftily got hold of my very core!
She turned hard candy into ice cream!
Okay.
Play it.
Velo, a guy waved at you the other day in the bus.
Who is he?
Tony?
Who is he?
He's a scoundrel. Don't talk about him.
Is he in love with you?
"Love"? Vignesh won't spare me if he finds out!
Are you going to marry Vignesh then?
Why do you bring it up now?
-Give me your phone. -You never reply!
You're very secretive, Velonie!
RUMOR: THE FABLE OF VELONIE
-Good morning, sir. -Good morning.
Been missing your walks, Anil? I haven't seen you lately.
Yes. There was a hectic arbitration.
I had to stay late at work and couldn't wake up early.
No matter how late I sleep, I always get up early for a walk.
I cannot stay in bed longer.
It's impossible to be disciplined like you, sir.
Did you read the news on Mamtha?
No. What news?
There's an actress named Mamtha who went to Kanyakumari for a film shoot.
They found a girl's body at the shooting spot.
Everyone thought it was her!
Even after the cops arrived, the body wasn't removed for four hours.
The postmortem said the girl had been dead for two days.
The body was lying there for two days.
No one had reported it.
No wonder the crime rate is up.
Look how lazy the police are!
Here's a photo of that girl.
She'd only be around 19 or 20.
MAMTHA MISTAKEN FOR VELONI
Sir!
Why so much slackness in this case?
We are not slack, sir. We are working on it.
It doesn't seem like it.
-Has there been any lapses? -No, sir.
The state has taken a Suo Moto on this case.
A 19 to 20 year old girl.
It's a matter of public safety, right?
Follow it up quickly and nab the accused.
Okay, sir.
Greens!
Brinjal, okra, beans, carrot!
-Inside the court? -Yes.
Inside the court compound.
It's alright. We'll handle it.
Don't laugh!
He could be suspended for two years for what he did!
Why did this moron have to be so impulsive?
Hey! Why beat yourself over this?
There was this guy called "Psycho Shankar" near Salem.
A lorry driver.
In 2015, he and his cleaner abducted, raped and killed Selvarani…
a lady constable, who was handling security for the Chief Minister.
PCs Selvaraj and Chinnasamy of Dharmapuri arrested him
and when they took him to the court, he escaped.
Only then the police learned there were 13 rape charges and eight murder charges
against him in several places since 2008.
Unable to bear the guilt of having let such a criminal escape…
Chinnasamy shot himself.
The escapee committed eight more rapes and nine more murders.
Finally, they caught up with him at Erode and finished him.
Let's discuss our situation, Vivek!
Why speak of random psychos now?
I told you about Psycho Shankar's cleaner, right?
Yes.
He is the Mani your son killed in the court!
I called the stations at Salem, Dharmapuri and Erode last night
and collected all the case details.
Take them from the station and submit it to the court.
There won't be any problems.
They will not suspend him, brother.
Vivek…
Forget it, brother.
Cops must be up to date on what happens, and remember what had happened. Right?
Jebin?
Good job.
Jeeva darling! Still sleepy?
Are mommy and daddy bringing the baby over?
That's enough.
We're coming there, right? We'll talk then.
Hold on, Sis! Just a little bit more.
Hey! He woke me up at 4:30 in the morning!
Now he's asleep.
Only if I rest now, shall I be alive when I get there.
There's coffee for you in the kitchen, dear. Okay?
What's mom doing?
The little one's all awake to look at his auntie!
Apuchi!
Calm down.
-Who's on the phone? -The SP.
-Hello? -Good morning, sir!
Your brother-in-law got a call.
Yes, sir. I am on leave for two days.
I have to visit my wife's family.
Take a leave next week, Vivek. There's an important case.
Oh, no. I've already told my wife.
Everything's packed and ready.
Is it a very important case, sir?
Yes. There's a Suo Moto case taken up at the Madurai Court.
I'm right here too.
Head to the Cape station right away.
-I'll brief you about it. -Sir!
Okay, sir.
Listen up! There are twelve Sub-Inspectors in Kanyakumari!
If the SP calls me over them,
it means he holds me in high regard, right?
What have I told you?
Never send me alone to my parents' house!
I'm not sending you alone!
Isn't Apuchi going with you?
Can't you drop us off, stay a bit and then head to work?
The SP has cancelled my leave.
He's told me to call him from the station at 10:00 p. m.
How can I drop you and get there in time?
Alright.
I'll come to bring you back.
If I don't, you can stay there. Okay?
Listen up!
Don't you dare walk away from me when I'm talking to you. It pisses me off!
Did you not hear--
Sir?
This has the FIR copy, site markings,
photos, the phone's memory card and other papers.
I'm SI Ramar.
-You're coming with me, right? -Yes.
Where are you going?
We're going to the lodge, right? I'll get changed.
I haven't eaten all day.
Pull over someplace for tea, alright?
The inspector will neither step up, nor will he let others do so!
I said it was a huge case and asked him to file an FIR.
He thought it was too messy to get involved.
After the SP handed the case to you…
he said "Aren't we any good? What the hell can the new guy accomplish?"
These were his words, sir.
I'm just telling you what he said, sir.
We'll need at least two constables.
Will he provide them, or must I ask the SP for that too?
I'll get them.
We can choose Amalraj. He's a good worker.
Tea.
It appears the girl was an easy one.
What makes you say that?
She was eighteen.
Like actress Lakshmi in the film Julie
she was wearing a short skirt and a tight shirt.
They say she was always in the company of boy.
-So? -There's nothing wrong with it!
I feel she might have been of loose morals.
Even her fiance seems a bit suspicious.
So, we have him in custody.
-Where? In a lodge? -Yes, indeed.
-Why not at the station? -I have my suspicions about him.
But I don't have enough evidence to interrogate him at the station.
Then, how can I interrogate him at the station? Don't you know?
What's your suspicion based on?
What he said did not correlate with what our investigation revealed.
So, we put the screws on him. He keeps repeating the same thing though.
"I have nothing to do with this", he says.
Then why the hell did he have to lie?
Come, sir.
You get started.
I'll be right in.
-Hello? -Have you reached your mother's house?
Concerned, are you?
Just answer the question.
Are you going to keep sulking?
How many times will you ask me the same thing, sir?
I already told you what I was doing that day.
Answer me properly!
No matter how many times we ask, you answer!
Do you think this is a joke?
Your fiance has been murdered!
What were you doing that day? Speak up!
Sir…
on Sunday…
at about 2:00 p. m…
Velonie left the mansion.
She told me to pick her up at 7:00 p. m.
I agreed to do that.
After she left, I started to booze.
I got a little too drunk and fell asleep, sir.
Sir…
I was at the mansion that entire day.
Are you speaking in circles or am I crazy?
You keep repeating the same thing.
Listen up, Vignesh!
Mr. Ramar!
Sit on the bed.
Drink some tea.
Have it.
Where do you work?
I do RO installations.
But not in the last six months.
Why?
As I was helping aunty at the mansion…
I couldn't manage both.
Here's the thing, Vignesh.
You said Velonie asked you to pick her up at 7:00 p. m.
If she planned to go somewhere else, and not her aunt's house…
she wouldn't have asked you this, correct?
So, she intended to go to her aunt's house.
But, her aunt says…
Velonie never went there,
and that she'd have called, if she had wanted to go.
So, someone must be lying.
Is it you or Velonie?
Sir…
I swear that was what Velonie told me.
I'm not lying, sir.
Couldn't her aunt have lied?
That is a possibility.
We'll look into it.
Until we believe what you have to say…
we'll keep questioning you and you'll have to keep answering us.
Past noon, on March 20…
tell me the truth about what happened. Don't lie to me.
Sir…
I'm not lying, sir.
That day, around noon on Sunday…
Velonie left for her aunt's house.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners.
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen!
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women.
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners.
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen!
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women.
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners.
Now and at the hour of our death. Amen!
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women.
Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners.
Sorry.
Do you suspect anyone?
Ma'am…
did Velonie love someone?
I mean… a boyfriend? Lover? Anyone like that?
She's just a small child!
Did you see her photo?
How beautiful she is!
Wherever she went, there were boys behind her.
She'd talk freely to everyone.
It was my big fear…
that her life might get spoiled.
In fact, that was the reason why I planned to get her married soon.
Now, I don't know what I'll do.
Ma'am…
Ma'am?
Do you suspect Vignesh?
No. I don't.
He's a good boy.
That's why I planned to get her married to him.
On Sunday, the 20th…
where did Velonie go? And at what time?
Her aunt's house is in Rajakkamangalam.
She wanted to visit her.
I usually don't allow her to go.
I told her I'd call her aunt and ask her to come.
But she said she wanted to give her a surprise.
I asked her to take Vignesh along.
But she said it was enough if he came to pick her up.
"I'll go myself. "
There are guests who stay for a month.
And some who stay for two to three days.
Velonie is very fond of me, sir.
If you start talking with her, she'd get chatty very soon.
I just thought she was an easy one.
Velonie talks nice to everyone.
If I was ill for a couple of days, she'd come home to see me.
She was a very good girl, sir.
Many a times, she'd be on the terrace crying.
If I asked what was wrong, she'd start chattering about other things.
She'd smile at everyone, sir.
She'd often go up on the terrace.
I've seen her go there even at 10 or 11:00 p. m.
Brother!
What is it?
-Brother! -Alex!
You said you'd come over after exams. What happened?
My mother is unwell. She hasn't gone to work for two weeks.
So, I've been covering for her for two weeks--
You could've called if you wanted money!
This is Alex.
He is a good kid.
-He has studied criminology. -Oh!
I use him sometimes for technical support.
That's a good thing.
Why are you doing this job if you have studied criminology?
Sad! It's hard to get work that befits one's education.
There's a number here, Alex.
Track the locations of calls on this number on March 20th.
This girl?
Her name is written on the other side.
Check her social media accounts and let me know.
Isn't she the girl who was killed? I have a video of hers!
How did you get it?
It was just a forward, brother. It's gone viral.
Bring me my phone, Juliet.
Why did I do Diwali shopping just for you and not for me?
-Why? -Because I love you so!
Not just that! Look at this!
What? You got a tattoo?
Not that. I bought bangles and shades that you like. Do you know why?
Because you love me, right?
She stole my heart!
Forward this video to us both.
Yes, sir.
Keep this.
Check it out and let me know.
Yes, brother.
Sir, please come here.
The windmills are spinning fine but there's no electricity!
See that stick?
That's the place.
Is this where the body was found?
Yeah.
Yes.
-Isn't this a dangerous place? -Yes.
Only creeps of the first order roam about here, right?
Yes. Even they come here rarely.
It's quite a deserted place.
Won't it take about an hour and a half to get here from Rajakkamangalam?
Yes.
Did someone kidnap her on her way to Rajakkamangalam and kill her here?
Or did she come here with someone she knew and got killed?
What's your analysis of this?
So, what I have analyzed is that…
when I put all of it together…
nothing strikes me, sir.
Seems like I should fear him more than my wife.
-What? -I am analysing, sir!
That's an old cloth, sir.
Doesn't this belong to that girl?
Really?
What "really"?
The same spotted skirt as the photo!
Don't you remember that much?
I'm sorry, sir. You're right.
-It'll be around a 100 feet apart, right? -Yes.
The body is over there. The cloth here--
The wind could've brought it here.
When you came here that day?
We checked for about 40 or 50 feet.
You would've seen it if the wind brought it here, right?
This side…
-Where does this path lead? -Ottapparai.
-Let's go. -Where?
Ottapparai!
-Sir! -What?
There's not even a tea shop over there!
Why are you so fixated on tea?
What are you saying, sir?
This town's tea and snacks gives more pleasure than a wife!
-Sir! -I'm hungry, sir!
Yes, Amalraj.
Hold on.
He wants to know how to proceed with Vignesh.
We can't hold him any longer. Let him go.
Send him away, Amalraj.
Now what?
What was the name of that guy who first identified the girl?
Eddy.
Bring him to me tomorrow.
Okay, sir.
Taking on the hue of a beet, the sky was all in red.
There lay her body.
Her body, loved by some, lusted by many.
But the only one that got lucky…
was the dusty hand of the sand on which the windmills stood.
I know Father Gerald very well.
-Really? -Yes.
You know Father Gerald?
He recommended your lodge to me.
I asked for a simple, beautiful place.
He picked the right one.
Indo-Saracenic style.
You're maintaining it well.
Thank you.
I'm a writer.
So, I would like an airy, calm, serene--
There's a room on the second floor.
Take a look.
If you like it, take it.
You're a writer?
-You write stories? -Yes. Short stories and novels.
No. Not this.
Velonie!
Even after calling you, you didn't start immediately, did you?
-I did! -Don't lie to me!
I told you Jones is not coming today, so come soon!
As soon as I come, you have to shout, is it?
God knows what you're up to, today!
Take this uncle to the second floor, corner room!
Mom, I'm hungry! I've just come back!
Don't make me mad, Velonie. Go now!
Good.
Okay. I'll take this.
I hope my boss is not rude to you too.
"Boss"?
Isn't she your mother?
She is…
but Monday to Friday, she's my boss.
Oh.
Weekends, she's my mother.
That too, only if she feels like it.
-Here. -Thank you.
Velonie!
Just stop!
Are you going to listen to me or not?
Just leave me alone! Go away!
Stop talking to me like that, Velonie!
Then stop complaining about me all the time!
What's gotten into you right now?
The devil, is it?
Yeah! I'm an evil person. The devil!
What more do you want to add?
You are making me say such things!
Stop irritating me, Mom!
Stop screaming, Velonie! You will wake up ten houses!
I didn't have a life and that's why I'm trying to give you a good one!
Just let me be! Then, I'll have a good one!
Yeah. With all the flirting you do,
I know how good it will be!
I don't flirt. Stop saying that!
And stop back-answering me!
And don't walk away from me!
Velonie!
Open this door!
Velonie!
Did I scare you?
It's just you, right?
If it was my mother, I would've been scared.
What?
I thought you were going to come and talk to me.
Are you so scared of your mother?
Not like that.
But, kind of like that.
Not sleepy?
Don't take this the wrong way.
Was there any trouble today between you and your mother?
It's just that, I heard the two of you arguing.
Is everything okay now?
It'll never be okay.
Why?
Because…
it just is.
I really loved my father.
He died when I was six.
Since then, my mother has had a lot of responsibilities.
But, amid all of that…
she forgot she has the responsibility of being a mother too.
And now?
She wants me to marry Vignesh.
It's really hot, isn't it?
If you don't want to get married…
you can speak up to your mother.
I'm ready to marry anyone to escape from my mother!
Now, even if you were to propose to me, I'd agree and run away with you!
If I were to marry Vignesh,
I'd have to stay with my mother.
That's why I don't like it.
After your father died…
did your mother not remarry?
Why?
You intend to propose to my mother instead of me?
Do you know Velonie?
I'm not a friend of hers.
We went to the same church. That's how I know her.
I've seen her around, but never spoken to her, sir.
Was she in love with anyone you know?
No, sir. I don't know anything about that.
Really?
I don't know, sir.
I checked that number and got a list, brother.
On the 20th, she received twelve calls and made seven calls.
All from the same cell tower at Eraniel.
What about social media?
There's nothing on her social media.
What about that video?
It was posted from an account called "Rosie 2000".
It's not her account.
-Okay. I'll call back. -Yes, brother.
LOTUS POND
Hey.
Get off.
She's burning up.
I asked her to visit the doctor, but she doesn't listen.
Why did I do Diwali shopping just for you and not for me?
-Why? -Because I love you!
Not just that! Look at this!
What? You got a tattoo?
Not that. I bought bangles and shades that you like. Do you know why?
Because you love me, right?
She has mesmerized me
Forward.
Stop.
Rewind.
Keep rewinding.
Stop. Zoom in.
Zoom in further.
Come on over.
Sir?
Who is this?
I don't know, sir.
Sir!
Sir…
Now do you recognize him?
I swear I don't know, sir.
-Very well. -Very well…
Sir!
Now?
Sir! His name is Tony, sir!
You speak up only when you get a few smacks!
"T" for Tony.
He may not be involved in the way you think he is, sir.
He ran away out of fear.
We're calling everyone up and looking for him.
Listen up.
If he shows up by himself, there'll be no trouble.
If we raise a suspect alert, he'll be in huge trouble.
If we think you're in on it,
you will be in trouble too! Mind it!
Alright?
Sir?
-Is Nedumkandam your native place? -Yes. How do you know?
There's cardamom in the tea.
Yes, sir. It came from our garden.
Thank you.
Sir!
Do we put the house on surveillance or send Amalraj to Nedumkandam?
-Not necessary. -Why not?
He truly doesn't know where his son is.
How can you be so sure?
When he spoke, I could sense the truth in his voice.
This is from last year, sir.
This is this year's.
Sir?
When do we get it back?
I don't know, man.
Hello, sir?
What is it, Vetri?
-Reached Angel Lodge? -Yes, sir.
-Have you booked a room? -Yes, sir.
Is it good? Air-conditioned or not?
The room's good, sir. But it's non air conditioned.
Fifteen rooms in total, sir. All are non air conditioned.
Bloody bastard!
Did I send you on a honeymoon?
Fifteen rooms and all non air conditioned it seems!
Collect some sensational news about Velonie!
-Got that? -Yes, sir.
Find the station that's handling the case and get a constable in your pocket.
"Velonie is a good girl.
She goes to church every Sunday. She studies well. "
Don't pay them a damn thing for such crappy sound bites!
I don't want any of that!
Find something interesting!
Was she in love with someone?
Was he young or old?
What's her character like?
See if you can find something negative.
Dig into that. Got it?
Anandhi!
Come!
-See you, father-in-law. -Okay.
Darshini!
Get Apuchi!
See you, mother-in-law.
Hey!
See you, Darshini.
-See you. -Easy there!
I saw that girl's photo.
Darshini showed it to me.
I felt bad.
Who could have done this to her?
Who knows?
If I knew, there'd be no case to solve.
They all say different things about her.
I can't tell the truth from the lies.
A beautiful girl, right?
I guess many guys were in love with her--
Why did I do Diwali shopping just for you--
ACTION WILL BE TAKEN ON THE TRESPASSERS
You suggested going to Ottapparai that day.
I'm sorry I turned you down, sir.
How did it occur to you that we'll find something there?
Never mind that.
Who tipped you off that something'll be found there?
Let's not go there, sir. There's an issue with that.
Let's first check if it pans out.
Isn't that the girl's dress?
Something happened there.
They have washed it out.
Freshly collected dust.
That's why you can see the floor.
This dust has accumulated for months.
It can't be scrubbed off.
-Call over Velraj from forensics. -Yes, sir.
I could only get this bucket of bolts as a ride.
Why did I even bother?
Damn! I'm aching all over, sir!
What's up? Found a body?
No, Mr. Velraj.
-This place needs to be scanned for clues. -Oh!
A girl's body was found in Adarvazh Malai, wasn't it?
Yes. Velonie.
It's about that case.
-There's some dust there-- -Sir!
What is it, Amalraj?
This lady lives up there.
This whole place belongs to them.
Ma'am…
this girl was killed around two to three weeks ago.
This is her picture.
Have you ever seen her?
At one time, we owned all of Ottapparai.
But most of it has been sold now.
People only come and go occasionally.
Only my three sons and I live here.
They've gone uphill and will be back in the afternoon.
Down in the foothills, we rent out parking space for vehicles.
Young couples tend to come by here at times.
If I see such couples, I shoo them away.
Wild animals could attack them, right?
You showed me a girl's photo, didn't you?
She and another man went all the way up there.
I warned them of the dangers and sent them away.
When did you see them?
Probably around two weeks ago.
What did the man look like?
He was…
a little dark and tall.
I gave them water to drink before they left.
Got a picture of Tony?
Ask his father to send one.
See that tree over there? You will get a signal there.
He looks like a young boy.
The man I saw was much older.
Sir!
Check out the blood.
Here and there.
Something happened here.
Mr. Velraj?
-Send it to the lab. -Okay, sir.
-Get to it. -Sir?
It was a good tip.
A mystery that plays out like a thriller film.
April seventh.
In the Adarvazh Malai windmill farm near Nagercoil…
on the 20th of last month, a young girl's body was found.
It created a lot of sensation as it was believed to be actress Mamtha.
Later, it was found to be a girl from Eraniel, Kanyakumari…
named Velonie, a twenty year old student.
Obituaries with Velonie's photograph have taken over social media
making them go viral.
The Fourth Column reporters have joined hands with the police
to investigate the motive for this heinous crime.
The investigation has opened up a Pandora's Box.
It raises questions on Velonie's character.
It is speculated that two men, Tony and Vignesh, were in love with Velonie.
Keeping them unaware of each other, Velonie had been seeing them both.
That being so, on the fateful day
the cops have learned that at Ottapparai,
Velonie was sighted with a third man.
Velonie, who knew to easily lure men with her beauty…
became a victim of her own device, speculates the police.
The third man's identity remains a challenge for the cops.
Yes, Vivek! Any updates?
I sent over blood stains found in Ottapparai to forensics.
If it turns out to be Velonie's…
the murder could not have been at Adarvazh Malai.
So it's Ottapparai then?
Yes, sir.
The man she went with to Ottapparai, must be her killer.