RUMOR: THE FABLE OF VELONIE
Character assassination is a common thing today
when it comes to crimes against women.
Tonight, we look into the murder of Velonie.
A student from a small town in Kanyakumari.
Tonight, we'll look at a very specific question.
"Whose fault is it?
Is it the fault of the media or is it the fault of the police?"
So, that is the question we are asking tonight.
A very, very simple question.
And I do believe that it is time for some of us at least in the media
to step back and retrospect and ask if we're doing our job responsibly.
Joining us on the show tonight is one of our panelists, Mr. Sethuraman.
A senior journalist.
And also Mr. Hemant K.
A senior advocate from the Supreme Court.
And also Mr. Jagan Rao.
Former DIG of Police, Andhra Pradesh.
So Mr. Jagan Rao, I'd like to start with you.
Whose fault do you think it is?
Well, to answer that question…
I would say that the media did not cover itself in glory.
In fact, a section of the media went overboard.
Right. I don't think Mr. Sethuraman agrees with that.
Let's see what he has to say.
I don't completely agree to what Mr. Jagan says.
Let me tell you.
I come from the old school of journalism.
Where I was taught…
we are not supposed to pass judgments.
We are not supposed to…
Do you believe in God, Mr. Vivek?
I'm asking this because even I always pray before taking up a case.
"O Lord Jesus, please point the accused to me. "
I plead sincerely!
And I end up finding some clue.
I don't insist you to pray to Jesus.
Pray to any God of your liking.
I'm done, dear.
Really, Mary?
Shall I turn off the stove?
I tell him to pray, too.
He isn't much of a believer.
Why is that so, Mr. Ramar?
Enough of your lecture. Let's go, sir.
He never listens!
She's like that, sir.
Always spinning tales about God!
Let me ask something.
How does praying to Jesus send evidence your way?
Just eat!
What I am saying is,
if a case wants to be solved, it will give a lead.
If not, even if you bend over backwards, you won't find any.
Such is its fate!
True that, Mr. Ramar.
If a case is meant to be solved, it will give us a lead.
Despite that, if a person can't solve the case…
then fate alone cannot be held accountable.
What else can it be?
It is because he ignored the lead while gorging down on tea and snacks.
What are you getting at, sir?
It's just that…
without the SP's support, we can't question those three brothers.
True.
But I don't know if you can question them even with the SP's support.
They have some great backing.
They've sure done something. But we don't know what.
Once we figure that out, it might lead to something.
Here's your notebook.
I wanted to give it two days ago, but I forgot.
-See you, sir. -Very well.
-See you. -Travel safe!
Call me whenever you can!
This is for you, Santosh.
Take it along when you leave.
What does GK usually want?
He just wants mutton and beef for every meal.
All three meals?
Can he eat like this at his age?
He doesn't care about that.
I think he's here.
Stay here, Santosh.
Good evening, sir.
What's up, Santhakumar?
-All okay? -Yes, sir.
I've sent away the workers.
Only the chef is here.
Santosh has come.
He's come, has he?
What about my stuff?
They are here too. They're inside.
Buddy?
Get down!
Get the turmeric and pepper. Rub nicely.
Brother!
-Santosh! -Sir.
How are you?
All good, thanks to your grace.
What did you snare?
A "kooran".
A "kooran"?
That's what we call it here.
In English, it is called…
A mouse-deer, brother.
A mouse-deer!
A mouse-deer, sir.
-A fawn? -No. It's an adult.
It only grows that big.
I tried getting it for you last time.
But I couldn't find one. Got to go deep into the jungle.
You can hunt it only at night.
You don't see them in the day.
Alright. Cook it nice and neat!
-Also… Santosh. -Yes, sir?
Try not to get busted often.
If you go to prison, who will bring me varieties of delicacies?
Take care.
The quest for a illusion Will make one soar
It is but a fantasy
It torments slumber
Shall I hug you? Shall I kiss you?
Shall I embrace you like never before?
Come to me
Yes, Ramar.
Yes, Mr. Vivek.
You said something yesterday.
You said if a person can't solve a case, it's because he ignored the lead.
Right.
On April 16, we went to Ottapparai.
But on April 3, during inquiry…
Velonie's mother told me about having seen Velonie talking to someone.
She said he was tall and dark.
It is in my notes. I didn't notice this earlier.
Now I've found the lead!
I think we might get something if we question her mother again.
You scapegoated Vignesh and closed the case.
Why are you back?
You don't believe it was him.
Neither do I.
If you help us…
we can find the real culprit.
Why must I help?
Look!
We have to close down the mansion!
Guests have stopped coming!
No one's coming forward to take it up on sublease either!
It's all because what you had them write about my child!
After all that, you dare ask me for help?
Do you know how many families depend on this mansion for income?
You've come here many times for inquiry.
I've told you everything I know.
I don't want my daughter becoming gossip for everybody's entertainment!
I want them to forget my daughter.
If you can help with that, please.
Don't ask me for help.
Usually victims run behind
the cops seeking justice.
Here, I'm fighting for your daughter.
Whether you help me or not,
I will continue working on this case.
If you choose to help, it will be easier for me.
For your daughter.
Just a minute.
The Sunday Velonie left…
when I had asked earlier.
You said you both went to church.
Velonie had later wanted to visit her aunt.
You said you initially refused, but eventually let her go.
Isn't that what you said?
But, to SI Ramar,
you mentioned seeing Velonie talking to someone.
You didn't tell me anything about it.
Maybe you forgot.
Maybe it slipped your mind.
I suspect the man you saw,
was the one who took Velonie to Ottapparai.
What did you see? Who was it? Do you recall what happened?
The mass has ended.
Can you think back and walk me through what happened?
Go in the peace of Christ!
Thanks be to God
The Lord is my shepherd
There is nothing I shall want
Fresh and green are the pastures…
Velonie!
Why did you come out so fast?
Why didn't you wait for the final blessing?
It is nothing!
I was thirsty. I came out to get some water.
-Who were you talking to? -No one.
Even before I can finish my question, you're rushing to reply.
Who were you talking to?
Mom…
are you trying to play detective now?
I need to talk to you.
About what?
Not here.
Another lecture, is it?
Come on, Mom!
Can I not tell you anything?
I need that bag!
Please, Mom.
I don't want another lecture.
I said "not here. "
You won't have to deal with me after today.
What did you say?
-Take this bag upstairs, Sister Rani. -Sure.
Where did you go after giving the bag to Rani?
Nowhere. I was here only.
I came and saw. You weren't here.
I was on the phone, Mom.
After that, I came back to my room.
You weren't on the phone, either.
Velonie…
me being strict with you is not to make your life miserable.
It is for your own good.
But you are doing it!
You don't trust me.
You suspect everything I do.
Mom, is it my fault if guys come behind me?
You always blame me!
Then why do you encourage them?
Is this what you want to talk to me about?
I won't be strict with you anymore, Velonie.
But I'm saying this for your own good.
Please act responsibly.
I've heard this so many times, Mom.
You have to trust me, Velonie.
Then will you let me go to Aunt June's house today?
Today? Why? No need.
See? I know you won't let me go.
Then take Vignesh with you.
Let him drop you.
If he drops me, can I go?
I'll inform him.
Didn't you inform Vignesh to drop you?
I did.
Then why is he sitting around drinking?
You have to ask him that, mom.
Now please don't stop me from going.
It's not my fault that he's drinking.
Ask him to come pick me up.
In the evening, I asked him why he didn't drop Velonie
but was drinking.
He said Velonie only told him to pick her up.
She never told him anything about dropping her off.
When I questioned Vignesh, he told me the same thing.
Is it possible that Velonie lied?
I don't know.
But I believe my daughter is not a liar.
You said she denied speaking to someone at church, right?
Doesn't that mean she lied?
I thought I saw her talk to someone.
Sometime we feel that we see something.
But later we are not sure about it.
It was like that.
What she said might have been true.
But you had particularly told SI Ramar
that she spoke to a tall and dark guy.
It's been a long while.
I don't remember having said that.
They said someone called her often.
Do you know who it was?
Did Velonie tell you anything?
She never shared anything with me.
Not even when I asked her.
But once on a call…
She said "KI Sebastian. "
"KI Sebastian"
Sir.
Like to see KI Sebastian's other books?
No need.
KI Sebastian's other novels are even better than this.
His last three novels were social dramas.
Not very engaging. That's why I ask.
-Is this his latest book? -Yes.
Then this will do. Bill it.
-Brother, 3-3? -8-0-8.
Kaanal Publications.
Hello? Kaanal Publications?
I'm from Nagercoil Government Arts College.
My name is Alex. I'm the Cultural Secretary at my college.
We'd like to invite author KI Sebastian to our college program.
Can I get his number?
9-8-8-4-2-1-3-2-1.
Okay, sir. Thank you.
9-8-8-4-2-1-3-2-1.
Brother, was this girl hanging out with this old crone all this while?
What do you say? Do we call him right away?
First, gather the call records on that number.
I went over the records thoroughly.
Alex…
Velonie was killed in March, right?
The November before that, KI Sebastian first came down to the mansion.
He stayed for three days.
He's 55.
Even after his visit, he called the mansion several times.
Several calls were made to him from the mansion's landline.
Each call lasted over 20-25 minutes.
It seems wrong, brother.
Given their age difference and the call length,
something's not right.
It's puzzling me too.
Velonie died on the 20th.
Per railway records, KI Sebastian came to Kanyakumari on the 19th…
and left on the 21st.
Is that right?
Here's the most confounding thing of all.
Velonie left the mansion at 2:30 in the afternoon.
Do you know who called her five minutes before she left?
KI Sebastian?
The guy came, but didn't stay at the mansion.
He called from outside.
The girl left, never to return.
What do we do, brother?
Call KI Sebastian.
What if he gets alerted?
Isn't that good?
That'll confirm he's the one.
Here.
KI Sebastian?
This is Sub-Inspector Vivek from Kanyakumari.
It got cut.
Did he hang up?
He cut me off again!
Try again, brother.
He turned off his phone.
Let's go to Coimbatore.
What if he makes a run for it after our calls?
The Tamil Nadu Police is quite capable.
We'll dig him out no matter where he hides.
He can't get away so easy.
We'll wrench him apart, won't we?
Hello?
Okay.
KI Sebastian has come to Kanyakumari.
Who told you that?
He did.
When you called, I was on the train.
I couldn't get a clear signal.
So, I didn't take your call.
Why did you call me?
Never mind why I called you.
May I know why you are here?
You closed the case claiming Vignesh was the culprit.
I was disappointed with that.
Unlike others, this wasn't just a piece of news to me.
Velonie deserves justice.
So I came here to tell you that.
Velonie isn't a family friend of yours.
Nor is she a blood relative.
-So why-- -Why am I so concerned, you ask?
To you, Velonie is just a victim in a case you're working on.
You haven't known her or been friends with her.
You wouldn't ask me this if you had.
She was poetry.
I am a novelist.
She didn't have a father.
I don't have a daughter.
Our relationship…
friendship… blood relation…
it's beyond all of that.
Have you been to Ottapparai?
Ottapparai?
I called you regarding this case.
As far as the public and the press are concerned, the case is closed.
You realize I'm still working on the case.
Whatever you came here for is already on the roll.
Velonie's killer…
I don't care where he is or who is protecting him.
I won't stop until I find him.
I should've come earlier.
But it took me a while to get over the shock.
I still can't believe it.
I stayed here only for a few days…
but Velonie was fond of me…
as my own daughter.
I'm not sure if you knew…
but she used to call me every week.
My wife wanted me…
to invite her home for a few days.
But Velonie was afraid to ask you.
She has mentioned you.
But the two of us…
We've never had the kind of closeness…
most mothers and daughters share.
I know.
Velonie told me about it.
She loved you a lot.
She said that you stayed single because of her and had to suffer a lot.
She used to feel guilty.
I told her many times
to talk to you about it, instead of me.
I'm sorry.
Not at all.
I had never griped to her about my lot.
Anytime we argued, she'd run off to the baking room.
That was her world.
Just like her father.
Is that baking room still the same?
What the hell, brother? The guy came, spoke, and walked out.
Are our suspicions wrong?
I'm not sure.
Why, brother?
Alex…
two opposing human emotions manifest the same way.
Humans cry when they're either too happy or too sad.
A very good man and a very bad man both act similarly.
That's why it's hard to read anyone accurately.
It's been six months since Velonie's case was closed.
If he really cared, he must have come a whole lot earlier!
He shows up just when we seek him out.
Maybe he knew we were on to him?
Something's not right.
How does one achieve their dream?
Dream?
What kind of dream?
Like an aim in life?
Like a goal?
How do you achieve them?
What is your goal?
"Velonie Bakers and Confectionaries. "
That is my dream.
Can I show you something?
A wood fired oven!
It belonged to my father.
Do you know how many years this has been with my family?
-More than sixty years! -Oh!
Do you bake in this?
Of course!
My father taught me even when I was a kid.
He used to say, working on a 240 degree oven…
alongside a glass of beer was his idea of heaven.
The feel of the dough and the smell of baked bread…
I love it so much.
I really want to start my own bakers and confectionaries.
Then why don't you?
That needs a lot of money.
I don't have that, do I?
You could ask your mother.
I don't want to ask my mum.
What's the problem between you two?
Try these. I made them today.
Don't change the subject.
What's between you and your mom?
About a year back…
I ran away from home.
Because…
Sir? Sir?
It's ma'am.
Ma'am's here.
I'm going to the church.
I came to let you know.
There is another important reason for my visit.
Dear, why are you drinking so much?
I did not listen to you.
"Why did you not listen?"
I'm scolding myself!
What are you saying?
What happened?
What did you say when we first got married?
"I don't like your police work.
Can't you find another job?"
You told me that, right?
I should've listened to you.
Why are you talking like this?
I don't understand.
What happened to you?
Every cop gets one such case in his life
which means really important to him.
His personal life
gets tied up with it…
and there's a tussle within.
And that is when…
the bastard will struggle to solve the case for his own peace.
If he solves it, he's fortunate.
If he can't?
There will be no peace for him.
I did not ask the SP for this case.
He called me and handed it to me.
Poor girl, isn't she?
Velonie!
Was she good or bad?
Was she responsible for her own death?
Or did they kill an innocent girl?
Without knowing any of this…
he expects me to frame a guy and wrap up this case.
How can I do that?
He doesn't accept that, does he?
He asks me what kind of a cop am I if I can't figure this one out.
She may be dead.
But someone inside of me
begs me to save her.
One here, asks me. Another here, asks me too.
What do I do?
I will kill the murderous bastard--
Everyone says something different!
Why do they believe any falsehood?
She's a girl.
A young heart.
What does she like? What does she dislike?
What makes her angry? What makes her happy?
They should know that.
Her mother doesn't know.
Her classmates don't know.
Neither do her relatives nor her fiance.
Who does know?
Is this a movie where it all gets revealed in the end?
If she can drive me crazy from beyond the grave…
One point.
She's a good girl.
Or another…
Like all these fellows claim, she's a tease.
Let me know for sure.
I will not get drunk then.
Here's the crazy thing, Alex.
More than wanting to know who killed her…
there's a guy inside strangling me
asking who was in her heart.
I can't take it anymore, man!
Velo--
Anandhi!
Sis!
What happened, sis? Why are you crying?
Mom!
Come here, Mom!
What is it?
Anandhi is here?
I don't know what happened. She walked in crying.
Anandhi?
What happened?
Anandhi?
Why are you crying? Tell me!
-What happened, sis? -Dear?
What happened, dear? Don't be scared. Tell me everything.
Don't ask me anything!
I won't go back there again!
You walk in here with your son but without my son-in-law.
Won't people wonder why?
Tell me why you are crying.
Great son-in-law!
Your son-in-law is in love with another girl!
What are you saying?
Dear?
Hold on.
Let's talk to our son-in-law.
Add the rock salt.
Turn around, Mom.
I won't.
I said, turn around.
I won't! Tell her to leave!
Stop this crap! There's no one here!
Santosh and Sanjeev are furious at you! Now turn!
I won't!
Is she still on about the ghost girl?
-Tell her I'll wring her neck! -Shut the hell up!
If she's not up in two days, we need to take her to the hospital!
No bloody need for that!
What's in the bag?
A bat. Make a soup of it for her.
We want it to be a major scandal.
As soon as the video gets released, we need a strong cover story out.
We have a funding ready for the same.
What do you say?
Whose idea is this?
Let's not go there.
No need for names.
Let's only talk about the video.
Arumugam.
I know you don't work for the opposition.
The minister and I are not on friendly terms.
Yet, I tell you this from a political angle.
This is wrong strategy.
Just tell me how much you expect.
You don't understand.
It looks like the ruling party will be re-elected.
You are not digging your minister's grave, but your own party's grave.
You won't make it without him.
Tell this to the person who sent you here.
Destroy the video.
Mom is blabbering crap since her head injury.
What do we do?
She might not last when we return tomorrow afternoon.
Why worry?
Hey! Don't talk like that!
She's my mother too! So what?
At her age, she's bedridden after wounding her head!
Isn't it good if she dies like this on her own?
Game hunting is our only source of income now.
Let's think about how to come back without being caught by the rangers.
That should be our concern.
Take good care of mom!
Don't leave her alone.
We'll take her to the hospital once I'm back.
We'll be back by tomorrow afternoon.
If something happens to her, just stay put.
Don't bring someone over and screw things up.
Don't speak crap! Don't you know what things to say!
What if there's someone about when we bring back deer meat?
Use your head!
-Hey, Kanni! -Take care.
Come on, Kanni!
Come, Kanni!
Come on!
Sevvandhi!
I'll tell them everything! I swear I'll tell them everything!
What's wrong?
-Sevvandhi… -What's wrong?
Call them, Sevvandhi.
-I'll tell them everything! -Alright.
-Call them! I'll tell them everything! -I'll call them!
-Call them! -I'll call them! Now sleep!
-Call them! -I will!
-I'll tell them everything! -I'll call them! Sleep!
-I'll tell them everything… -I'll call them!