'This is our earth'
3 4th water'
'And 114th land'
'With 7 continents'
'This is the continent of Asia'
'Here China, Japan, Korea, Singapore...'
'...and many such countries exist'
'This is India'
'...with states like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Karnamaka, Tamil Nadu'
'This is Kerala'
'And this is Ernakulum'
'25 minutes from the jetty at Ernakulum High court will take you...'
'...to a place called Mulavukad'
'H ope you understand now...'
'...how insignificant Mulavukad is in our world'
'In Mulavukad this is Cheramanthuruthy house'
'When Gothuruth village was devastated by floods...'
'...one of the couples sought refuge in Mulavukad'
'Chauran chetan and his wife Pleamena'
'This is their house'
'They have 4 children'
'The eldest son was Jero'
'Worked in a ship'
'Drank himself to death'
'He had 2 children'
'Stebin and Stace'
'And their mother Annakutty'
'Annakutty works in General Hospital So they live in Ernakulam'
'They rarely visit Mulavukad'
'This is their 2nd son Jibu'
'Elsey is Jibu's wife They have a daughter'
'Chiku.
'Jibu owns a grocery store near the Ponnarimangalam jetty'
'Elsey is a nurse in Kottayam at a private hospital'
'They visit Mulavkadu once in a while only'
'This is their 3rd son Justin and his wife Asha'
'Justin is a welder near the Panchayath jetty'
'Their 4th son and the youngest is Joby'
'Joby's wife is Tensy'
'Joby is a small time money lender'
'Asha and Tensy are unemployed'
'Cheramanthuruthil Chauran became a grandpa for the 4th time'
'A baby boy Ben was born'
(baby endearments)
(lullaby)
"Apple of my eye Darling little boy"
'He deciphered 1 word out of the entire babble of voices'
'Ben
"Even as you sleep with sweet dreams"
"When angels sing as you're dreaming"
"Sleep gently, my darling"
(more endearments)
Mother
Grandma
Aa'cheta
'And then slowly papa mama, grandma, Aa'chetan...'
'...became familiar members'
'The very first inoculation in his life'
"Softly, silently, son Sleep my little one"
Jesus Christ! What happened?
Wham is it, father? Girls come here
- Good Lord! -V\Iham happened, father?
What is it, grandpa?
What's happening to him?
If he died now Jibu'chetan and his wife won't be able to come
Lord! The shuttle has also gone by now
No one will come from Kottapuram Monday is a working day, right?
Shut up, girls
Lord! Save us all
Don't worry Everything will be alright
You feel better, don't you?
Bring the ayurvedic concoction
Quick
Look, he's feeling better
You are breathing easily now, aren't you?
Are you feeling better, father?
Get me the medicine, quick
God!
This is the nth time father is doing this
Nothing is wrong with him
I got urgent summons last time I borrowed money and rushed
And he was on the doorstep smoking a 'beedi' happily
Most unfair!
Father only raises our hopes each time
But nothing happens
I have vowed to pray to St Anthony for 9 weeks
8 weeks have gone by I have full faith in our saint
How often will father do this?
He thinks it's a joke
I managed to take leave somehow
My workshop gets new orders today
If father dies on aworking day...
...I'll be in a real soup
Don't think I'll lock up my shop if anything happens
Mondays bring in most profits
Ideal if it had been last Monday Shops were closed due to the protest
Remember our friend Dinesh? His father died on a 'hanal' day
Everyone could come and we had fun
If anything had happened today our movie would've gone for a toss
Don't say that
It's a film starring all our favorite actors
Is that so?
Sure! All of them star in the film '20-20'
That fellow Jose said it's a fantastic film
Hero Mohanlal is a poor innocent guy to begin with
Shut up!
Don't narrate the story and spoil it for us
'So on a Sunday when it was convenient for everyone to attend...'
Ben's grandpa died'
Wham a wonderful man he was!
Father
Somebody's gone to fetch the Reverend
My God!
How wonderful he was Loved his kids more than life
Look who has come, grandpa!
Why don't you take me with you?
Don't worry, grandma
He'll take you with him soon, okay?
Jesus!
Didn't you leave me behind to look after things here?
Brother, the money for the coffin?
Father
He will go only to Heaven
I will ensure he does
Come fast
Look! They have come all the way from Dubai
Who are they?
Ben's mother's brother and sister
Where is our father?
Over there
Father!
She has met him only once
Maybe she is very emotional
I can't bear this, father
Don't cry
Look at our father lying so still
Dear brother!
What is this, my dear?
Mother will be really upset
Take it easy You are asthmatic
Don't cry, please!
My hair!!
Your duties on earth have been completed
We have until today followed you
Be quiet!
What does he want?
He wants to sleep in this pit
In the name of the Father and the Son-
Don't cry, we will throw stones
Don't cry, my dears
Father will go to Heaven
Don't cry
I lost so much of my hair
I saw with my own eyes the day Jose'etan's mother died
I was praying with rosary bead in my hand
A ladder dropped down from Heaven
And I saw his mother walk right up to Heaven
Really?!
Lord Jesus!
Pleamena, don't worry
You can now pray to your husband
He will convey it to St Varghese
And St Varghese will tell Mother Mary
Mother will pass it on to Lord who will answer your prayers
Tell me, my child Who is this?
- Tell, my dear Ben - Tell Reverend who that is
He knows He said it even recently
He can tell for sure
Come on, tell, my boy
Boogeyman!
Good Lord!
Actually he knows Maybe he has forgotten
Go play, my b°Y
Justin, do you see that shoe?
Cost me 30 dinars
Bought it at Salalah
Do you know how much it is here?
- No - Rs 5000
Do you know what is special about it?
E EMS
Very strong
Here, try some peanut
Wham do you get slogging in your workshop?
8 grand
Rs 8000!
Why don't you go abroad?
I find it difficult to leave my near and dear ones
I can't stay away from Ben even for a single day
I got used to this sea breeze
I have only one life
Instead of being a slave to someone...
...better to live like a king with what I get here
Uncle!
Give some to Justin
Give it, I say
What?
Give it, I say
Give some to Justin
Give Justin?
I don't want
Let uncle drink
He wants you to have one
So drink, man
- I really don't want -No harm in 1 drink
Drink it, man Very good stuff
Enough
What is it, son?
Have you seen a boat on the waters?
Yes
Like this
That shoe is also bobbing like a boat
Isn't it, Papa?
Justin, that shoe is 5000 bucks!
Don't laugh
Dude, it is made of snake skin I got from Salalah
What's wrong with this boy?!
He needs a good spanking
Hey! It's floating away
Snake skin shoe! Wham are you staring for?
Son!
Trying to scare me with your glare?
Son Sit quietly
I want to drink milk from you!
I want to drink milk from you!!
Help!
'Wonder if it was Ben wanting Jose to nurse him..'
'...that made Jose and his wife return to Dubai!'
It's not as if I want him to study only in this school
We can even get admission in a school in the town
But crossing over the bridge is so difficult
There are plenty of autos plying
Why don't you send him?
My husband's a laborer I can afford only this school
Justin and my husband go by the 8:10 am shuttle
Save me, please!
Mummy'
Take me home
'ls there any sorrow time does not erase?'
'Sitting on different benches in various grades...'
'...laughing and playing as time passed by'
Sit down
Oh mother!
Please, come in and sit
Children, let me tell you some good news
This year I am..
...your class teacher
Antappan sir is an expert in spanking
Children, I can read the joy in your faces
Because you know there is no other teacher...
...who can cracks jokes and make you laugh
He never jokes!
This year will be different from last year
This year will be the beginning of many new things
The reason for this change in attitude...
...is a meditation course I attended recently
I was able to take a few new decisions while I was there
It was a great course A novel experience
Master has changed for the better
This is a class of 'frank talk'
The changes I must make from the classes I took last year...
...must be expressed openly
Be frank
Open your heart, please
- You tell him - No, you tell
This is an open class
You tell him if you want
Open your heart
- Tell him, dude - Tell me
- No, I won't - Say something
- You tell him - Say it, please
You tell him
Yes, tell me
Sir, we are now in the 4th grade
Yes
- You must not beam us anymore - What did you say?
Since we aren't in 3rd grade any longer...
...you must not beam us hereafter
I love your open mind
All of you give him a big round of applause
But who are you to tell me that?
'Who are you?
I am the one to decide what and how to teach
Come here
M aaaa!
Now get out
Open minded opinion!
Does anyone else have anything else to say?
This is an open class
Weren't you sent out of class?
It wasn't my fault
Antappan sir asked me to be open
Where is my cane?
Look here, my dear
No beating children in this house
You are the reason this fellow is spoilt like this
I can't even beat him What will be his future?
How will I teach him?
I am going to play
- Don't go - Chaami
Chikuchi Chaami
Let's play with Pluto
Pluto... come!
"What son of a life is this really? A dog or a cam why aren't we?"
"Wham kind oflife do we lead? Why not be a dog or cat indeed?"
"We can loiter around carefree Care two hoots really"
"Not answering anyone's query"
"What son of a life is this really? A dog or a cam why can't we be?"
"Wham kind oflife do we lead? Why not be a dog or cat indeed?"
"Just eat whatever whenever Even steal to ease hunger"
"Sleep wherever and whenever Not stress about today or day after"
"Because"
"Every puppy has a bright future It becomes a dog when it grows bigger"
"Every kitten has a bright future Becomes only a cam when it gets older"
"We need never be tensed you know as to what we will become tomorrow"
"What son of a life is this really? A dog or a cam why can't we be?"
Pluto Study!
"No shower in the morning so early"
"No heavy school bags to carry"
"No angry remarks from anyone"
"Nor will we be stubborn"
"No obstinacy even"
"No rebellion"
"Tanned our skin won't be by the scorching sun's fury"
"Get wet in rains forever but not be down with fever"
"We won't bother if big shot or pauper"
"Not be stiff and stubborn"
"No obstinacy even"
"No rebellion"
"Because"
"Every puppy has a bright future It becomes a dog when it grows bigger"
"Every kitten has a bright future Becomes only a cam when it gets older"
"We need never be tensed you know as to what we will become tomorrow"
"What son of a life is this really? A dog or a cam why aren't we?"
"What kind oflife do we lead?"
"Why not be a dog or cat indeed?"
Walk around
- Now who are Wu'? - Ben
No, you are Pluto
What does it mean if you say Pluto turns around?
Listen carefully Now keep rotating
- Who are you? -I am Pluto
- And who am I? -You are my mother
I mean earth... no, the sun
How long will you, Pluto take to go around the sun?
I am still going around
So what does it mean?
Pluto takes 248 years to rotate the sun
So tell me how many days does Pluto take to go around the sun?
But aunty...?
How long will our Pluto take to do the same?
“Mat?!
How long will our dog Pluto take to go around the sun?
Big deal!
Pluto, don't keep rotating in your own cage
I'll show you how!
Someone is at the door
There goes the study session!
Aa'cheta!
Hi Chaami
We came by boat
E E-
Chikuchi, how's everything?
Oh God!
There goes the power
It's so bloody hot
\Mll it come back soon?
"A small breeze and rain It's power cut again"
- Aa'cheta? - Tell me
VWII you take us to the beach?
I'll take you
I am not coming
I've been there when I was a baby
You are still a baby
You can't become smaller than this
'Have you tied up Pluto? Or he might bite someone'
'Pluto is already asleep'
There's something else you should know
What is it?
Power will increase
What?
You know the winnow we use in the kitchen?
You know the Indian winnow
If we use it to fan ourselves our power will shoot up
E- H
As you fan yourself, I swear...
...it makes your body move up and down
The exercise makes you really strong
Oh really!
Don't lie, Aa'cheta
Stop lying, 'cheta' Stupidity
Do you know how many have experienced it?
It's really powerful
A guy in London did it and he gained strength
Another guy Beckingham in the US
Do you see? Chaami is smart
I want muscles
Understood!
Muscles are already here
Chaami! You got it so fast!
I too want muscles
Don't fight
Everyone will get a chance
Upward!
Now give it to me
Chikuchi! Give it back soon
Enough Now it's my turn
Ben? How is it?
Nothing has happened But there is 'something'!
Here, but give it back later, okay?
So many mosquitoes!
What are you doing, Chaami?
It was so hot last night
If only it had rained yesterday!
I slept like a log last night
I stopped fanning up and down when my hands started sweating
I didn't add any muscle and my hands ache
Me too
You dumb kids! How did you fall for his story?
It was his idea to sleep peacefully
Aa'cheta, you fooled us, eh!
I was just joking You were foolish
We will take revenge for this
Really?! Go ahead
I'll take revenge too
- Me too - You?
Revenge!
We will get back at you
- He's killing me... run -What the heck...!
Won't allow me to crap in peace
That was the only peaceful place
Now even that's ruined
'Genie-Superman Vatyathava'
Stand still Wear your pants
'How many legs does a bullock have?'
Be quiet, Chaami Stop it
Do you want me to slap you?
Come and eat breakfast, quick
Come and eat
'Genie-Superman'
It's like this
'Superman' is higher pitch, okay?
Ben?
Chaami, come fast
What is it?
I was very excited
Actually, only when I browsed in Facebook did I realize..
...it was your birthday, Aleena
Marykutty aunty, Stace'chechi visit us here to actually meet us
But do you know why Aa'cheta comes?
HWY? E
This girl?
Where do you work?
Bombay?
No, in Ernakulam
Puttencruise Kadavanthra
Oh! You mean Puthenkurishu
Something is going on between those two
Fan, vapors, gas!
Don't be nasty
Ben, this is the best time for Chaami to show his talent
How is that?
Chaami, from now on Aa'chetan is our sworn enemy
Enemy!
Let us bless him and send him there
Genie-Superman Give him the strength
Give him all the strength possible
Go now!
Sorry, 'Shaktimaan'
When I saw your photo in Facebook-
Your eyes...
...they are beautiful
Tell, Chaami
He's so cute, isn't he?
Chaami, do it
What's your name, cutie pie?
Tell your name, baby
You farted You passed gas
Ugh! Bad smell!
- What did you say? - It was nothing
You farted You passed gas
Ugh! Bad smell!
What is it, my dear?
Leave me alone
You farted...!
See you
HES E
Come here
Taste these
Sweet offerings from God
You'll become more brainy Offerings of God Balaganapathy
Eat
Chaami, don't piss in your trousers
That was long ago when I was a baby
Go
Go only to school Nowhere else
Chaami, shall I tell you something?
If you piss in the classroom our family will be put to shame
I won't do something as stupid as that I swear on myself
If you do, you will have to wear a skin
I have finished mine
Ben, please don't laugh in Antappan's class, okay?
We can't bear to see you get beaten up
It doesn't matter I think of things like...
...car accidents and Fast and Furious episodes
You do that? So do I
Give me a high5!
I don't have a problem
I just drop my pencil and laugh under the bench
Clever chap
Sit
We know-
What is it, boy?
You called me My name is Vinu
I said 'we know'
You are Vinu
Sit down
We know-
What is it, boy?
You called me
Sir, I'm Vinu
I said 'we know'
You are Vinu
Understand?
Show me your hand
Vi nu! My foot!
We can't see it with our naked eyes
So... so... so negligible
We can't see it with our naked eyes
We can't see it
Why are you laughing?
Why?
Why are you laughing?
I remembered a joke in an old film and laughed
ls the classroom meant to laugh remembering films?
Its
Gel UP
No one wants to study
Take out your home work books
- How was it? - Good shot
Vinu, get your home work book
Vinu, he's calling you
Not me
He is saying 'we know'
Vinu, the home work
He's asking you again
It's not me" not me It's the other word!
Bring it here
Come here
Go
Ben, bring your book
Ben, bring it
I haven't done my homework
Why didn't you?
We had power cut
The whole area should have suffered from power cut then
How is it only your house had no electricity?
Our supply is from a different line
its
- Why, sir? - Come this side
Turn around
Maaa!
Him E
Take it out
I took it out
Get out
E Em
Don't do this again
Wham is all this?
I got into trouble I pissed!
What is he up to?
Mother, the other day when I circumambulamed the church...
...and went to a pharmacy
...after buying medicines I turned around and saw
...all the women from the church lined up behind me
People blindly do stuff when they are distracted
- Gas, fan, vapors! - Chaami, I'll spank you
Mother
He has become this bad because you insist he shouldn't be beaten
I have raised 5 kids I've never hit any of them
Exactly, that's why 1 son is a welder One son is a mechanic
Another son is a shopkeeper
And the only educated one drank himself to death
It's only because his wife has a job they manage somehow
- Chechi, please be quiet - You shut up
Unfit for anything but eat
Eldest son! But wasting time with an advertisement job
Do you contribute even 1 rupee to this family?
Do you?
Let him be He will study
Do you know what he does all the time?
Have you seen his social science text book?
Look! This is his text
There's more
This is how he studies Did you see what he's done?
All smoking cigarettes
He does not know what the term 'minus' means
a Em
See... she knows!
The school is to be blamed
Do you know what he did today?
He stuffed cardboard inside his trouser's bottom
Didn't you? Didn't you do it?
- Hey! Stop it -You can't beam him
Then you bring him up!
Smarty pants!
- I'll bring him up - Go ahead
You come in here Come inside
You are uneducated
Do you want our son also to become like you?
Do you?
Molly chechi, this is me
Tell me, Asha dear
Remember what Jose'etan suggested the other day?
Yes that's the one
Justin is fed up here with his workshop job
I also thought it's better if he takes a job abroad
You are my dearest prince
I will take care of you, okay?
I wasn't really crying
This was just to fool my mother
Smarty pants!
You must remind Jose'etan once again
Emmy a
Okay, I'll call back later
You better go to Dubai at the earliest
Enough loitering around here
I will have peace of mind only if I live away from here
Look at that
A shooting star!
Isn't it lovely?
There... there... it's gone
When Aa'chetan described the beach to me"
...I didn't think it would be this beautiful
Here, catch
Come away
Come here
Is it because you don't know to add and subtract...
...your mom is shifting you to another school?
I know to add numbers
But I get into trouble when it comes to subtraction
If he is asked to subtract 45 from hundred...
...he goes bonkers
mum did you say?
I know to add
145, right?
What?
How much is a 100?
It means there are hundred things
So you do know to count, eh?
Go bring some pebbles
- What pebbles? - The white ones
Quickly, okay?
Count them as you pick, okay?
I'll do it first
Go look there On the other side
Did you get?
I got lots
I got some more
Now come back
Coming, Aa'cheta
Come here
Now arrange it here in a line
Here?
One by one
You must give me the exact count
20
Okay, now wait
The sea is fooling us
Let's wait
Sea" come
How many stones did you keep there?
20 stones
How many did the waves take away?
12 of them
So how many are left?
8 stones
That's all subtraction is about
Go bring more stones
Come here
'But Ben's mother was not satisfied'
'She was bent on transferring Ben to another school'
'She completely stopped supervising his studies'
Mother, who is Kerala Gandhi?
I know who he is
He's a man from Mulavukad
I swear I know He belongs to the North
'The house now had 2 kitchens'
When did you buy fish, my dear?
This is for us
Look Chikuchi, fish fry
Don't we get fish fry?
Take
Eat
- What is all this? - I made this fish fry
They cooked only some lentils in gravy
Who asked for fish now?
Eat if you want to
Chaami, hide the fish Or she'll see it
I swear! This fellow
How come Chikuchi and Chaami are eating the fish I made for you?
You eat what you are given
Their father will get them what they need
Why are you getting angry? After all just a fish fry
You don't interfere in this
Pranchi, get the vehicle and come to the jetty
We'll soon be there
We have already started Yes, at the north jetty
Have you taken your ticket?
Meet you there, Pranchi
See you later, dad
Ben, study well
Or your mother will take you away
You are my dearest prince
'That year Ben did well in his class tests'
'But his mother did not appreciate it one bit'
Mother I scored 35
35150
Vibgyor school?
Sure, the signal is fine here Tell me, I am able to hear you
Justin is very happy after going abroad
Thank you for everything
You have made all this possible
Hope Jose'etan is okay? Convey my regards
Okay, chechi See you
'And so Ben was admitted in Vibgyor school in Ernakulum'
Yaay! We don't have to get up early tomorrow morning
'Ben and his friends parted with promises to meet next year'
Mother?
I don't want to join this school
Be quiet!
- Ben Justin - Come
It will be tough for you to study the ICSC syllabus
What you are doing is actually foolishness
I took up this case only because Molly and Jose recommended
Answer her
Go, wait outside
E a Em
'His mother begged and pleaded and ensured Ben joined there'
It's fully furnished
We usually don't rent it out
But since my papa and Jose uncle are friends-
'They rented a house close to the new school'
You must try not to be noisy
People living around are very finicky
'Ben's mother decided to shift from Mulavukad the very next day'
I don't want any of you to visit me there
Let me educate my child in peace
I want you to tell the others also
Smarty pants!
Look, listen to your mother
Do as she says, okay?
You must study well
You must become successful and look after her, okay?
I will pray to Lord Jesus
Now go
Now walk
This outfit looks good on you
Do you like it?
Come
Walk in front
Mother, I'll be right back
I said, wait!
E E eomefimjy
E Em E
Here, have this
You must study well, okay?
See you, chechi
Ben
Coming
- Where the heck were you? - To meet Shameena'chechi
Come and stand right next to me
a , a
See you, my dear nephew
Asha aunt has told us not to visit you
Nothing like that
You must come, Chikuchi
If it was a TV soap, everyone will be weeping now
The boat is here I am going
Mother, I don't want to leave
Do you like this house?
Shall I tell you something?
Which grade are you now in?
In 5th
Hereafter it will be a little different
This is a big school Your syllabus will be ICSC
Sol have a brilliant idea
What idea?
You can study in a lower grade
Then?
You will remain in 4th grade
But I was already promoted to the 5th
That was in your old school
This is new
Here it is a different syllabus
You will find it very difficult
But I had already told...
mgrandma, Chikuchi and my friends I am in 5th grade
I am responsible for your education
I don't have to convince others
But my friends Jithu, Tony will be in the 5th grade
Won't they think I failed the 4th grade?
Let's go back, mother
Be quiet! Just listen to what I say
Chikuchi! My foot!
We are spending so much only for your future
Look at this smoke!
Don't you know it's about to rain?
Go down
Trying to find excuses not to go to school
Come down
Drink water only from your bottle, okay?
Your lunch box is old Take it for the time being
I'll buy you a new one later In any color you like
Shall we go?
You must obey your teacher
Hope you have your pencil box
He's very innocent
When I saw him go today I too felt a little sad
- Poor child! - That's alright
He'll get over it in afew days
If we had stayed back he'd end up a boatman
- Is he very upset? - He'll get over it
- Is he going by a vehicle? - It's walk-able distance
He usually falls sick in a new place and new water
You are so mistaken
Water is very good unlike our place
Jose'etan and Molly'chechi are such good people
Helped us get a house here, isn't it?
They are very affluent
Yes, not like yours
ldikulla Matthew
Ma!
Grandmaa!
Mom?
How was your day?
It was alright
What did they teach?
Plenty
From where did this come?
I don't know, ma
How did it get into your bag without you knowing?
I don't know, ma
Didn't I tell you I'll buy you a new box?
I don't know, mother
Did it come flying to sit inside your bag?
I swear I don't know
You must give it back tomorrow to whomever it belongs to
Understood?
You are behaving worse than a kid
Don't come back here now
My job at the work shop was better than what I do here
I had to beg Jose'etan to get you this job
- I want to see my son - You have seen him for 8 years
You won't die if you don't see him this year
I can't stay here I'm coming back
I'll commit suicide
lam trying to make our lives better
Wham we need most is money
Understood?
Make it first
E E
What is this?
Didn't I tell you I'll buy you one?
Didn't I tell you I'll buy you a new one?
You stole it, didn't you?
Didn't I tell you I'll buy you a new one?
You will steal? You will lie to me, eh?
Why did you steal?
Cry softly
- I don't want this school - Don't want school?
After all that trouble you don't want that school?
How easily you can say it
I told you not to cry loudly
Stop it
I'll show you
I'll stop your crying Stubborn boy!
Now cry loudly
I warned you not to let the neighbors hear
Didn't you hear me?
Be quiet!
Cry loudly
Shut up
Don't open your mouth
Take your hands off
Be quiet!
March!
Come here
Now cry
You want me to be labeled a robber's mother?
You want me to come to jail and see you
You want me to be labeled a robber's mother?
Tell me
It was my son who took it
My husband struggles in Dubai to send him to a good school
We can't even afford his uniform
But he's our only son We want him to have the best
Now he's doing this to me
Do you know how many others we suspected because of you?
I bought him a tie for Rs 450!
He isn't even wearing it!
Regarding fast running
He is always sleeping at home
Ben, run around once before you get into class
(whispered muttering)
Fantastic!
'Genie-Superman'
How many legs does the bullock have?
What is all this, Ben?
Is there a character like this...
...in history texts of other syllabi?
Is there?
What is his connection to a bullock?
Don't feel bad
But his IQ is quite low
There are schools for kids like him
Nothing to worry Plenty of schools around
And that too under our church
What will I do now? Please don't forsake me
Can you afford a tuition teacher?
- Who is it? -I am Ann Maria
Angela teacher sent me here
Is this how you solve a problem in Math?
Is this how you do it?
When asked to find the largest number...
...how can you subtract?
Wham is the formula?
Subtraction itself is wrong
Do it
Do it correctly
Come on, do it
If you don't know, open your mouth and tell me
Show me your hand
Show me, I say
Fold your fingers in
I said fold them
Remember this when you make a mistake
Don't make a sound
Hello aunty, I'm Chaami
Can I speak to Ben?
Okay, Aunt}!
My dear chechi, I don't understand what's happening
What shall I do?
Listen to me
Go for a meditation session to Father Jose Murukkumpuzha
Okay, chechi
Just a prayer by touching Ben's head will solve the problem
Father always stays in our house when he comes to Oman for meetings
People say they actually feel the touch of the Lord
Take your son and go meet him
0K3?'
Everything will become alright
"Mother who showers goodness"
"Praise be to the Lord"
Let us pray invoking his blessing
Raise your hands
Mother, request the Lord to forgive our sins
Touch us and bless us, Mother
She loves us
She comes here... here
Let us pray with raised hands
Sing and pray, my son
"Our savior from above Perpetual stream of love"
Praise the Lord
Now is the time for 'touch'
All those who want the 'touch' of our Lord, raise your hands
Lord!
Your migraine will vanish Persisting issues will disappear
HE will 'touch' you Who will it be?
Those who want to be touched raise your hands
Raise both your arms
Pray, He will touch you soon
Praise the Lord
Close your eyes and pray
All those who want His touch, ask Him
Touch... touch... touch
Lord! Please 'touch' me
Touch me, Lord
Oh Lord!
The Lord is touching a lady wearing a white saree
A lady with heavy heart He 'touches' her
The Lord touched me!
A brother with migraine is cured by the Lord
Here's a lady blessed by our Lord
Do you see how the Lord intervenes?
Tell us about it, lady
I felt I was struck
...by an electric shock
My husband is ill
He is bed-ridden
HE said, 'your husband will soon be up'
'My dearest daughter, don't worry'
I heard Him say so, Father
The Lord has blessed her
How did it feel when our Lord touched you?
It was like...
...the touch of a child's hand
The Lord came as Infant Jesus
Young men and women
The Lord is among us
Where is your house?
In Saudi
The Lord has touched this lady who has come all the way from Saudi
He has made her come here to participate in this session
Where are you, in Riyadh or Dammam?
No, Father Near Thoppumpady local Saudi
Praise the Lord
All glories to our God
- Praise be to the Lord -Amen
What is your name?
Tell him, dear
Ben
Which grade are you in?
I should be in the 5th
My son, the Lord has something to tell you
Close your eyes
Take it
The page he opens in this Bible randomly...
...is the message from our Lord
Understood?
Close your eyes
My boy!
First close your eyes
Now open
Open the Bible
Close your eyes
Open
Now read
It is what the Lord is telling you
Read it out for him
Give it to her
'You are now with child-'
Those lines are not meant for him
Read the lines below
You must name him Jesus
Read below that
He will become a great man
My dear, he will become a great man
But Father, he is not intelligent enough
He isn't as clever as the other kids in his class
His IQ is low it seems
Father, please pray for him
Come here, my dear
Lord!
Lord, please give this child enough intelligence
What does it matter if the child has less IQ?
Lord, You have plenty
Please share some IQ with this child
Fill him with IQ!
The Almighty has blessed you
Nothing to worry
Just Pm'!
Prayers will solve everything
Come, son
Tuition teacher asked me to stick them on the walls
They are lessons you must learn
Isn't the answer to this stuck on the walls?
And still you haven't got it into your head?
You must study it right now
Answer as you move on your knees
Repeat it
My dear Asha, you must go meet the Father personally
Okay?
If you meet him personally you will get individual attention
Father will be at Provident House You take the child there
I'll call and talk to Father
0K3?'
Are there any Muslims staying nearby your house?
Not very near
Wham about Hindus?
Not here
But back home at Mulavukad we have Hindus living close by
Does he visit them?
Yes, he used to visit them
Who is there?
What do you mean?
I mean the idols worshipped or figurines-
They have an idol with atrunk, afat idol
Ganapath?'
No, Balaganapathy
- What?
So that's the culprit!
His 'Holy Communion' is over, isn't it?
Then how can you"?
How can you permit such things?
That is wreaking havoc within him
It will make him run around madly
It will even make him feel like committing suicide
Were you accepting blessed offerings from them?
Ye; I did
He must be made to vomit
Everything must come out
ls there any medicine?
Medicines won't help
This must be dealt with prayers from all 4 sides
The spirit will be exorcised
It will go out of its own accord
I would have done it myself
But I need to fast And I'm diabetic
Wthout prayers and fasting it cannot be exorcised
The Lord has said so Otherwise it will trouble him again
There are professionals who do it
Nuns are experts at exorcism
They are used to regular fasting and prayers
Go and wait outside
Go
Father, is he possessed by some spirit?
In away you can call it that
He wasn't talking
It was the spirit answering
Remember he said Balaganapathy?
I noted it right then
You must ensure the spirit leaves him totally
Otherwise it will take your child from you forever
I'll give you a letter addressed to the nuns who will do this
Go at the earliest
Spirit! Go away from here
Leave her body
Mother
- I am scared - Nothing will happen
Let's go home I don't want this mother
Come
I am scared
Mother! Let's go back
Come
What's your name, son?
- Father asked us - Father has already told us
Why don't you g0?
I like her very much
I won't go
Go away Spirit of the serpent
Don't be scared
Jesus!
Come, your mother is with you
Come
'Who are you?
Go away... leave his body
He is the child of Father Joseph, Mother Mary and Infant Jesus
You have no rights here
Leave his body
Vomit it out
My child!
Take her away
Let go of the child
Go away
Take him inside
Leave his body
I'll call a taxi for you Take him home
He's not completely rid of it But it has subsided
When he wakes up it will become stronger
So let him sleep alone
0K3?'
It might become violent at night
Let me go
Go
Open
Where are you going, Ben?
There's nothing to be scared about
Why are you scared?
Wear your t-shin
Come
Go and wear
Open... open the door
Open the door
- What will I do now, chechi? - My God!
What can I do all by myself here?
'My dear Asha, being possessed is nothing to worry these days'
'There are plenty of people to exorcise the spirit'
'I know of a Father Anthony'
'He lived in a dark cell for 4 years and attained powers'
'Don't worry, my dear I will call Father Anthony'
'This is the time to hold on to our faith in our Lord firmly'
'Don't try any Hindu temple or astrology to cure him, okay?'
Angela!
You possess this boy because you like him, right?
You can't
He's a small boy
Didn't you do it?
This isn't a Ganapathy
It's an Anglo-Indian spirit
Miss Angela
All are correct utterances
Even God Almighty...
...cannot save him
My Lord! Save me
When Molly'chechi called me I never imagined it to be so critical
Anyway pray to Goddess Chottanikkara
Goddess of Cho-tta-ni-kkara
The problem is not with the kid
It is the house
Curse of the forefathers has now passed on to the child
As per numerology...
...you must change his name to Benin
Everything will be solved
Benin... got it?
I will write out instructions how to appease the goddess
It's Balaganapathy, right?
Biju Pastor Psalm 91
This is black magic
I see the child's uncles are involved in this
There was an expert in Madavoor
He would have solved your problem
But he died
There was a professional in Kanjiramatom
But he's also no more
There is a ritual where eggs are buried in 4 corners of the house as a spell
But that is impossible here
Why?
This is an apartment
Can I ask you something?
When this boy was conceived...
...was your husband drunk?
Don't pray to our Mother Pray to our Lord
He will definitely be cured
The knots will loosen!
"Nothing is impossible for God"
"There is nothing that Jesus can't do"
Let there be realization
Praise be the Lord
Genie...'Vamyamhavu' I'm scared
This 'Vatyathavu' is an evil spirit
It must have got him when he was very young
Difficult to exorcise
Prayer is the only way
Strong prayers
'Vatyathave' go
'Genie-superman, go away'
'Vatyathave' go
Him.
Open the door
Let's use our weapons
(chants)
You say he's been like this after returning from school
Did he have any issue in school?
Did the kid see something that terrified him?
Grandma, Chikuchi, Chaami are crying
Did you enquire at his school?
Did his classmates trouble him?
He is a little weak hearted
I don't know, brother
My suggestion is to take him to a hospital
That's true
That makes sense
But how do we do that?
He's always screaming
He won't allow us
We are more in number We'll tie up his hands and legs
We'll call for an ambulance
Paynkulam mental hospital is good
Don't cry, my dear
I am here with you
Over
My child!
Sleep
You have to leave now
Only 1 person can stay back
There are many mentally afflicted male patients here
We can't allow a child to sleep here alone
He might be sexually abused
1 person can stay back
I will stay
Okay, that's fine
Asha, let's go
Let's go
Call us if you need anything
Shall we leave?
Come
0K3?'
I'll come later Okay, my dear?
Let's go, Aa'cheta
Aa'cheta, there are ghosts here
I want to go out
Do you want to go out?
Ghosts
Pray to Jesus and lie down
Jesus
Jesus... Jesus
Save me, Jesus
Doctor?
Why does he look listless?
It's just the effect of the medicine
What medicine?
Sedation
Wham does that mean?
It's a medicine to make him sleep
He'll feel weak
You call that treatment?
It will only subdue him, isn't it?
That's how it works
In psychiatry, it's the treatment for hyperactivity and violent nature
The effects will last till early morning
You can inform us We'll give him another dose
Did we bring him all the way here just to make him lie lifeless?
What can we do about it?
Adchetaaaa!
I am hungry'
We'll lie down, okay
Ben? Baby?
Ben, wake up
Gel UP
Come
Look
Eat
You also eat
This child is very hungry
Who is he?
My brother
Eat Eat it all up
Spicy... very spicy
Kuili!
Bring him some water
Give it to him
Drink
Drink it all up
Why are you here?
We came to the hospital down there
The hospital down there?
Eat, my dear
In which grade is your daughter in?
She isn't going to any school
I have many goats
She won't go anywhere leaving them
I haven't studied either
She has studied till 3rd but discontinued after that
Wham about your job?
I help in building roads and cutting down trees in the forest
Plenty of fish in the rivers and enough tapioca on land
The forest is full of vegetables
The Govt gives us free rice
We are very haPPY
Eat
Aa'cheta!
I want to see grandma, Chikuchi and Chaami
I'll take you to Mulavukad to meet all of them
Come quickly
Where the heck were you?
Where did you take him?
Where did you take my child?
To kill him, eh?
He wanted to go out-
You do know he is a sick child, don't you?
He's much better now
You hardly got through 10th grade and talking like a doctor, eh?
Come, son
No, I won't
Give the child to me
He has to undergo treatment Come with me
One of you help me
Take him inside
Get lost
Let me go
I have given him a double dose for the night as well as day
I am Ben's father
To get over suffocation in the room we have made him..
...sit in the park for some fresh air
He has been sedated
So he may not respond to you
"You are the apple of my eye true"
Your Justin is here
"Now am I half of you?"
"Even as you sleep with sweet dreams"
"When angels sing as you're dreaming"
"Sleep gently, my darling"
What are you saying?
He is sick
We are here to treat him and cure him
Wham treatment!
Softly!
There are people around
lam taking him away from here
Jusfln
We can't make him lie here like this anymore
But the treatment is good here
I won't allow you to take him away from here
Taking him away will be foolishness
I won't come from here without ensuring he is cured
I will take him away
Then I won't come with you
I will go back to my house
I don't want anyone
I'll take care of him all by myself
This is foolishness
Sheer stupidity
My dear
Let us now pray that our Lord will call him back soon
Let me go
Jesus... Jesus
My son"!
Jesus... Jesus
My dear son Don't run
My son?
He was such a playful kid at home
It's all my fault, chechi
My fault
I could not study in such a school myself
I thought at least he should study in a good school
Junior Reverend I want to confess
If an in innocent kid ate God's offerings of another religion...
...what can happen, Reverend?
It isn't what goes into one's body
But what comes out that makes one tainted
Isn't that what our Lord has said?
Does our belief allow this?
What belief?
We have confined God who creamed this universe...
...within clay figurines and meager sacred offerings
The Lord was born to bring peace and not to destroy it
Think how many lives must have been ruined by your misdeed
Now pray for all of them
W“ the Lord forgive me'?
Hasn't He said for 7 sins you can be forgiven 70 times
Don't worry
Don't take him anywhere
We'll take him back to Mulavukad
Yes we go straight back to Mulavukad from here
It's okay if he doesn't go to school
Doesn't matter if he does not study
Let him live the way he wants to
What's the use of making money if I am unable to look after my child?
I'll work hard here and take good care of him
My child is most important for me
How can you say that?
We got admission in that school after so much trouble
He can study in our own place
One goddamn crappy school
English! My foot!
Chikuchi
Chaami
I am Chaami of Mulavukad
His memory is perfect!
Grandma!
'Chikuchi, Chaami and grandma's love...'
'...changed his life for the better'
'Just as Ben's life changed lives of others also changed'
I am Allen Mathew I live in the U.S
This is my daughter Tina
For some time now she is unable to focus on her studies
Her grades are rock bottom
Refuses to listen to anything my wife or I tell her
Many people say it is the curse of our forefathers
You think that's the problem?
An astrologer we consulted said...
sins of last birth would lash back at me through Tina
You think that's possible?
I am totally lost, Father
We even went to Chottanikkara and performed the required rituals
So also at Vallarpadam church
We visited Enlvadi Dargah also
My dear What's your name?
Ann Maria
What's up there?
The sky
What's below?
Earth
This knowledge is enough to live on this earth
Why do you want any more knowledge?
You are the one who needs treatment
You are the one possessed
True!
You are right
I thought so too
Sorry, dear
Parents like you and a community which takes advantage of superstitions"
...will always exist in this world
Do you understand, doctor?
If that's the case...
...with your hand just a slight 'touch' on my head
Just a small one with the tip of your fingers
I've come all the way from USA
\Mth the tip of your finger
Get out
Just 1
Clear out!
Just once
Get outttt!
"No shower in the morning so early"
"No heavy school bags to carry"
"No angry remarks from anyone"
"Nor will we be stubborn"
"No obstinacy even"
"No rebellion"
"Tanned our skin won't be by the scorching sun's fury"
"Get wet in rains forever but not be down with fever"
"We won't bother if big shot or pauper"
"Not be stiff and stubborn"
"No obstinacy even"
"No rebellion"
"Because"
"Every puppy has a bright future It becomes a dog when it grows bigger"