'THAAZHVAARAM'
Raju! - What?
No matter where you hide
I will find you. - Don't kill me, Balan.
Have mercy! - You paid me for all the mercy
I ever showed you, didn't you, Raju?
Don't kill me! - This is for Kanaran.
Balan! - This for my Raji.
And this is for me.
A score has been settled.
"Hail, Lord Vishnu.. - Hail, Lord Rama.."
"Hail, Lord Rama!"
"Hail, Lord Rama.. - Hail, Lord Vishnu.."
"Hail, Lord Vishnu.."
Kochootti, I shall have the main course later.
Get me some starters first.
The dinner is ready.
There is no need for another main course, Father.
Now he will groan all night long.
Since it is good liquor that Raghavan brought from the valley
I just had a taste.
That is how it begins.
Now you have a reason to keep Raghavan company.
Why didn't you tell me that you were going to the valley?
I needed some things.
I didn't plan on going there.
I'm going there tomorrow as well.
We are out of 'Poppadom'. I need a bar of soap, too.
And? - Nothing else.
Who has built a fire on the southern mountain, Father?
Where?
Have the coal merchants started to come here as well?
Where are trees here for that?
Let me have a look, Nanu.
It must be the Irulars cooking something.
Have a seat.
Didn't you give a petition at the Block Office? - No.
I made some enquiries.
I heard through the radio that the government is generous.
Why are you wasting that away? - Yes.
You only have to go to the valley for that now.
When we started cultivation here
we needed to go all the way to Palakkad for almost everything.
Sit down.
Since father is joining you every night
you have made this a habit, haven't you?
No.. Isn't Nanu having his own produce every day?
I thought of letting the man have something different.
No matter what they call this, it's sugarcane.
The only difference is in the high price. Isn't that so, Raghavan?
Father, don't forget to give Raghavan money.
'Poppadom' and some soap. Anything else?
I'll name the sum later.
You spent some money the previous time as well.
Did you pay him back, Father? Did you enquire about it?
Here we go again!
Isn't it cheap to take these silly things into account?
Is he a stranger to us?
Don't worry, Kochootty.
I'll name a price in total.
If that was the case, shouldn't I be paying you
for all the food you serve me?
That is different.
Your crops haven't started getting yields yet.
So you'll be in need of money.
That is why I'm telling you. - Money comes and goes.
I don't take it seriously.
Ready the dinner.
This is good. - Yes.
No wonder Avarachan drinks only this.
Avarachan can have that luxury since he earns a fortune.
If you try to imitate him..
Hothead. Her mother's character was the same.
Raman, only three are needed.
People come when you don't need them.
And when you do, you can't find anyone.
Who are you? - Isn't Raju awake?
Which Raju? - The one who lives here.
Father!
He is looking for a guy named Raju.
I don't recognise you.
Isn't Raju here? - They told me that he's been here for a while.
Raghavan! That's whom he is asking for.
Yes..
We call him Raju back home.
I see. So you're from his place, aren't you? - Yes.
Come.
Over there.
Raghavan! Aren't you awake yet?
You have a guest. - I'll call him.
It was late when we slept last night.
Nagamma has been gone for around four days, hasn't she, Kochootti?
She'll be back once she is broke.
Isn't that her usual routine?
Isn't Raghavan awake?
There's no one there.
He had told us that he'd leave in the morning.
But he never leaves this early.
Maybe.. Sit.
Go away, hen!
Go!
Didn't you see Raghavan? - He is not there.
Where did he leave to this early?
Maybe he went to check on the mines.
We have no one to visit us.
Thank God Raghavan has a few friends.
What was your name again? - Balan. - I see.
The difficulty is in reaching here, isn't it?
It's all okay once you reach here.
What did you feel? - Nice place.
Did you come by a lorry or a jeep? - I came by jeep.
All the drivers of the coal trucks know me.
Most will give you a ride if you say you want to see me.
I was the first resident here.
I'll come back later.
Why are you saying that?
Are you going to leave without seeing him after coming this far?
Raghavan is no stranger to us. Kochootti!
Couldn't you have informed him that you're coming?
What good will it do, Father? Will the postman come this far?
He'd deliver it to the market downhill.
It's difficult for him to walk this far.
It's also a fact that we don't get any letters.
Were you a neighbour of Raghavan's? - Yes.
This is no-man's land, isn't it, Balan?
It will seem so for fresh eyes.
People reach here as a part of destiny.
How else do we put it?
Did anything happen to your home?
What? - Raghavan's fate was terrible.
To lose his house and everything else in a flood overnight..
We can rebuild houses and earn more money.
But, losing one's mother and siblings..
He was saved because he was at his workplace, wasn't he?
Yes.
Avarachan, Thomas and Naicker.
This valley is filled with people now.
All of them bought land here after me.
When I first came here, foxes and boars
used to come to the market downhill even during daytime.
Now, there is a row of shops.
See?
Would you like some more tea, Father? - No.
Shouldn't we put paddy to dry, Kochootti?
Do you have a farm back home? - Not now.
The wages there will not let us earn anything through farming.
The hard work you do here will yield well.
But you must be interested.
Your friend is not so enthusiastic.
He has simply bought some land here and left it idle.
Sometimes I tell him that his interests vary with time.
Have a seat.
There is a regular maid.
She is of no use, though.
She eats a fortune worth of tobacco, doesn't she, Kochootti?
That's okay.
But she is the idle type. That is what angers me.
I'll meet him in the market or the valley.
Have a seat.
Your friend will return through some other route.
When a friend of Raghavan's is here..
Do you fancy a bath? Our stream is that way.
The water is awesome.
Do you need a towel? - No.
I'll take a walk.
Go on.
There's no harm in starting the work, Raman.
Go.
He has some hidden agenda.
Isn't that so, Kochootti? He's the silent type.
You don't give room for anyone else to talk.
Maybe that's why he is silent.
Your mother used to call me by a name.
Chatterbox.
I won't stop talking.
Isn't that why she set out to this place with you?
That never ceases to amaze me.
Don't.
How do you think I looked when I was young?
You can't blame your mother for falling in love with me.
Really? Is this how Cupid looks when he is old?
Nagamma, did you feed the cows?
How much land does Raju.. No.. Raghavan own here?
Two acres. He got it for a low price.
The church bought the valley and increased the price afterwards.
Raghavan is not sure whether to settle here
as a farmer or go to Dubai.
His ideas keep changing.
I wonder what he'll get by paying a fortune and going to Dubai.
Did he pay? - Not yet.
Can't he build a small house with that money?
That is what father advised him to do.
When I ask him not to impose on people
he won't listen.
Is Raghavan that rich? - My father got him two acres cheaply.
He hasn't spent all his money.
What amazes me is him finding this place.
It was my father's advice.
When they met at the market, he forcefully brought him here.
He can't help advising people.
You too, shall be a recipient of it. Wait and see.
Raghavan's arrival was a big help for Nanu, wasn't it?
Yes. But Raghavan doesn't know to make people work.
'Hindi songs are over.'
It's 9 a.m. Let me boil the rice.
How do you know the time perfectly? - It's the radio timing.
We cook rice once the Hindi songs are over.
Raman.
Give this coffee to everyone.
Didn't Kurumban come?
He is not well.
He now owes us. We paid him because of you.
That amount will be deducted from your pay.
Tell him not to take this for granted.
Father, Kotha's daughter received Rs. 5 extra. Remember that.
I won't give you. What did you do with the Rs. 10 you borrowed?
Didn't I tell you? I bought an undershirt.
I drank tea for Rs. 2.
Won't a trip to the town lead to expenses, Raji?
Do you know how much you gave for savings this month?
Well, Rs. 400.
Wrong. Didn't you give Rs. 600 and take Rs. 25 from it, you thief?
And you took Rs. 60 in bits and pieces.
Don't try to fool me.
Oh! It's true. I forgot about it.
Did you? If you keep spending like this
you'll own a lorry and get rich only in your dreams.
This will do for now, won't it?
Don't you want to know the balance? - Aren't you keeping count?
That's fine. I don't want to know.
You must. I have the Rs. 20,000 from the land sale as it is.
You only add Rs. 200 at the most to it every month.
If this goes on, you'll be old before you finally buy a lorry.
That's true. There's only one way to make it quick.
Ask your father to liquidate the dowry and chip in.
You don't have to wait until marriage. What do you think?
If someone asks him whom he married his daughter off to
isn't it bad for him to say it was to a woodcutter?
Balan, the lorry owner, sounds much better.
Won't he feel proud to say that?
Then let this be here. - Hey! Raji!
Balan! - Hey!
I won't give..
Give it. - What is this?
She won't even give me Rs. 10, Kanaran.
He doesn't save much. Then why give money to me?
She is exactly like her father.
The money she saves can't be liquidated.
Balan, the roof will be built in a week.
Will we get the best wood? - The chieftain said that he'd give it.
The carpenter is making some. I'll give it to you.
Thank God your father decided that we can't live in behind a tea shop
all our lives.
She thinks of even that as an unwanted expense, Balan.
Are we not living here now? - Is this enough?
Don't you need a room?
Will you two adjust in a corner after marriage?
Ask him. Can you even chit-chat in this small place?
Do you understand what she meant by that?
Stop it, will you?
Can't he give dowry even after building the house?
He charges a lot for tea and meals.
He is making a lot.
He might have some money with him.
Yes. He might.
That money will become my ornaments.
You won't even get a dime from it.
Raji! Stop!
Go and iron my clothes.
I'll wear them when going to the festival.
If you're neat enough, you can come with me.
My friends shouldn't think that I married a tribal woman.
What did you say.. Tribal? - Yes.
Will you repeat it? - Sometimes. - Hey!
Will you repeat it?
Ow! - Will you?
Will you repeat it?
The taste of mangoes.
"The touch of the naughty wind."
"A shore far away."
"In a corner of the shore, occurs solstice."
"The drum beats that announce the festival."
"The touch of the naughty wind."
"In a nest where love birds sing."
"Atop the hill filled with crimson clouds."
"In the dawn clad with raindrops"
"wake up to cherish it, my dear."
"A shore far away."
"In a corner of the shore.."
Are we out of salted fish? Couldn't you have fried some?
I made a curry. There was a piece left.
She follows her mother's footsteps.
She cooks meat and fish but never eats them.
I wonder where Raghavan went.
He has many plans but won't disclose any of it.
What do you do currently?
I was a woodcutter in the depot.
Now I am exploring options.
What about your family? - I have no one in particular.
I have three elder brothers. They are working in many places.
Don't you own land back home?
I had 16 cents in my name.
I sold it earlier.
And didn't you do something with the money?
I wanted to buy a lorry on instalments.
I made enough money for it. - And?
That.. I lost that money.
You lost it? This is the problem with you youngsters.
You'll jump into anything to make a quick buck.
And then, you lose everything in the end.
You'd have made the same mistake, right?
How did you spend it?
One should be smart even to lose money.
I didn't spend it. It was stolen.
Who stole it? How did it happen?
Didn't you file a police complaint? - Oh.
There is no point in pondering about what's lost.
Does Raghavan know about it? - Yes.
I see. Misfortune is something that haunts everybody.
In Raghavan's case, it was the flood.
I guess the Almighty is putting us to the test.
Serve it.. People over here have good appetites!
You should see the workers having their food.
Rice is all they want.
Fill up their plates with rice and they will be really happy!
It's been a while since a pig ran over a mine, isn't it, Kochootti?
It's a bit brutal, Dad.
I often tell Mr. Raghavan not to do it.
Why do you think it's brutal?
Raghavan is an expert at placing mines.
We already killed a couple of pigs.
The pig dies
when it mistakes the mine for food.
I saw one. Oh, my!
One pig can destroy an acre of crops. So, we've got to kill them.
I heard that noise scares them off.
Why kill them when we can scare them off?
What deserves to be killed should be killed.
If we show mercy, it would later cause an even bigger problem.
If something proves to be harmful, we should
kill it when we get the chance.
That's the rule of the land. Am I not, Balan? - Yes.
We should kill.
Here.
It has been a while since you last came here.
Oh. I do pass by here from time to time.
But there would be some lorry parked here.
Why does that matter? You could have called me.
Do you think you are a beauty queen to make me wait..
I've always wanted to ask you this.
Where do you work on the hill? - Coal mine.
Abu said that there are people who want to ply the same trade.
I know.
You may do it after having lunch, Kochootti.
It's almost dry.
My wife was a Warrier.
Have you heard of the Vellilakavu temple?
We lived near the temple.
We were neighbours.
My father was a stone worker.
That's how it happened.
It was just banter at first but things got serious in the end.
People started gossiping about it.
'Respected audience..'
I hadn't even touched Amminikutty back then.
But those morons saw us talking and they wrote
'The Warrier girl'
'is having an affair with Nanu' on the temple compound wall.
Those pigs!
She was humiliated.
We tend to make hasty decisions at that age.
I asked her whether she had the guts to come with me.
She said yes.
She was one courageous woman!
They are taking a rest after lunch.
She used to work her fingers to the bone.
Avarachan often told me to learn from her!
She never slowed down.
She didn't quit even when our lives became settled.
She said she was working for the sake of our daughter's future.
She didn't need anything for herself.
She didn't even let me buy good clothes for her.
She wanted to buy three sovereigns of gold every year
for our daughter. Do you want to sleep for a while?
No, I.. - If I don't go over there, the workers might even sleep!
"Bless us, Lord Shiva! - Lord Shiva!"
"Bless us, Lord Shiva.."
"Bless us, Lord Shiva!"
I should get going now.
Don't you want to meet Mr. Raghavan?
I'll try to meet him on the way.
I have to reach my hometown.
If you want to reach there today.. - I have to.
You'd have to go to the valley now to catch a bus.
Then again, returning without meeting him..
I shall come some other time as I know the place now.
Even if I don't visit again
I'll always pray to the Gods to bless you
with prosperity and happiness.
See you.
I have some plans for the future.
Though I know you are close to Raghavan, I can't
help asking you this.
How is his character?
Isn't he a good man?
Yes.
We've never spoken about it
but Raghavan knows what's in my mind.
I was thinking of doing it at the Guruvayur temple.
I'm not being naive, am I?
Why are you silent?
Nothing.
He is on his own as well.
I guess it was God's will that he came here, right?
Yes. - Is it urgent
that you must meet him? I almost forgot to ask you.
Nothing. I just..
I just wanted to meet him.
One.
Two. That's it.
One.
I can't believe you left early without telling us.
Two. You may leave.
I had promised to be at the agricultural office.
But the officer didn't come.
We would have.. - One. - ...to call you Raju from now!
That's enough. - What?
You are known as Raju in your village, aren't you?
Who told you? - I came to know of it.
Your friend reached here at daybreak and was waiting for you.
He left a while ago as he wanted to reach his hometown today.
Didn't you meet him on the way? - Who?
Balan.
We served him lunch.
He is a close friend of yours, isn't he?
He.. How did he reach here?
I insisted him to stay but he said he would visit again.
Was he alone?
Yes.
I guess Balan figured that the soil here is fertile.
You are neighbours, aren't you? - Yes.
He is worried about something.
What did he say?
What could the poor soul say?
Dad told me that a thief had stolen all of Balan's money.
He was staring at the road the whole time.
I reckon the cops are useless.
That thief should be beaten to a pulp.
I wish I could place mines to kill men like him!
Damn!
Balan, what's past is past.
Let me.. Let me live.
Balan.
I.. I'll do anything to make amends.
What I did that day was due to sheer indiscretion.
It was a blunder, Balan.
Balan.
Please don't kill me, Balan..
Balan, please don't kill me. Balan..
Stand up.
Now, walk. - Where to?
I saw a police station in the valley.
Walk.
Think of a way to get away from me.
That'd give me a chance to stab you. - Balan.
Walk.
Balan..
What are you going to lose if you let me live here?
You'd feel sad to bid farewell to the resources here.
I've been waiting all along for this opportunity.
Resources? Didn't you see my struggle?
Having some savings as a result of 25 years
of hard work, you'd have thought
of it as a resource. - I.. - You feel sad to leave it behind.
You'd have thought of his daughter as another resource.
Aren't they strangers to you? Why do you care?
Yes, they are.
But they served me some food.
I'd always be grateful for it. You won't understand it, reprobate!
Balan.. Please listen to me. I have two acres of land.
You wouldn't need it anymore.
You only need six feet of land once you are hanged to death.
How will handing me over to the cops benefit you now?
Exactly, I've been thinking of the same.
Wouldn't the trial be an expense for the government?
Don't educated men say
that the government's money is our money?
Let's solve this case on our own. Keep walking.
Balan, weren't we more like brothers?
Why didn't that occur to you then?
I shall go far away, Balan.
Please let me go, Balan. You can take my property.
Balan.. I'm begging you.
Please let me go, Balan. Please listen to me.
We should harvest it. - What? - Krishnankutty
speak to the workers beforehand.
Don't complain that you couldn't hire them at the time
of the harvest. - Okay.
What? It's really hot.
Hello, Raghavan. What are you up to?
Nothing much. I was just trying to track the footprints of the pig.
Mr. Nanu said you needed some ginger. Why didn't you come there?
I'll visit soon. - Come along with us to the fields.
I shall come later.
"I wish if the guest would"
"adorn my long hair, which emits"
"the scent of gingelly oil, with jasmine flowers."
"I wish if the guest would"
"adorn my long hair, which emits"
"the scent of gingelly oil, with jasmine flowers."
"In the month of 'Dhanu'.." - Where is Raghavan?
Raghavan, come and have supper.
"I had this wonderful dream."
I thought you'd fallen asleep. Don't you want to have supper?
"The alluring moonlight.."
Let's go to the valley tomorrow.
Let's visit the agricultural office and the bank
and be done with all the formalities in a single day.
I know all the people there.
Okay. - Why should you neglect what the government is offering you?
The secretary of the bank is a good friend of mine.
I deposit some amount at the bank every year.
We are on good terms.
Kochootti.
Serve the supper.
Sit.
"The trees.." - I'm going to the valley tomorrow, Kochootti.
Please make a list of everything you need.
Don't complain later that you need something.
"It's spring.."
It's been a while since Kochootti wanted to visit Guruvayur temple.
You may have to take care of the place for two days.
There isn't much to do.
Why not? I shall do so.
Though we never had trouble from thieves
it's always best to be cautious.
"The alluring moonlight.."
We have some gold which we bought with our hard-earned money.
Hence, it's best to be careful. Isn't that right?
"The alluring moonlight.."
Don't you know what happened to Balan?
Yes.
Will he come tomorrow when we won't be here?
No. He won't come.
Why is that?
There is nothing urgent for him to come here.
He may show up later.
Why do you sound dull?
I don't want it.
I'm not feeling well.
Have it.
Why do you have to force him, Dad?
In a way, you are lucky, Mr. Raghavan.
Someone came looking for you.
No one has come to see dad during all these years.
Yes, that's true.
I believe you'd leave only after having breakfast. - Yes.
Did he sleep? - Yes.
Father drank all the remaining liquor.
Don't bring more of it. - Wait, Kochootty.
It's true that I listen to your dad.
But, what's the point in farming here?
That's what I'm thinking.
It's not wise to leave the land barren.
This place doesn't have any facilities.
What do we lack here?
Haven't you ever felt the urge to see a lot of people?
Aren't there people here?
Haven't you ever wished to go for a movie?
Oh, I did watch a movie once
when we went to Athali. I didn't like it.
Wait, let's talk.
I've warned you several times that I don't approve of this!
All you do is give me false hopes, right?
Come with me.
I talk to you as I see you every day and we've provided
you with food and shelter. Get off me!
How dare you do this just because I talk to you!
In that case, all the workers should be doing the same!
Oh, is that what you think of me?
Don't you know that you'd be married to me some day?
What about then? - I'll think of it then!
Oh, my God!
Raman. - Yes.
Look at this, Raman.
What? - The fox has taken our hen.
It's not a fox but a wild cat, ma'am.
You had fixed its door earlier. Look at it now.
The hen had just started to lay eggs.
I can't believe it.
Stop!
Stop, I say!
Stop, Manikutti!
I am so fed up with you.
Don't run!
You are so disobedient!
You won't get your mother's milk if you mess around.
I'm going to teach you a lesson.
Stop!
Oh, God! She'll get hurt if she falls!
Oh, God!
What happened?
Shall I throw down this rope for you? Will you be able to climb?
Yes.
Grab this.
Come on.
What happened?
I fell down. - How?
I tripped and fell
into that abyss. - God!
And?
I got stuck in a creeper
and hence survived. - God's grace.
Oh!
Ouch! - Will you be able to walk?
You can rest at home. - Okay.
Ouch! - Oh!
My leg hurts. - Don't put pressure on your legs.
You can take my support.
Why did you walk along that path?
Were you holding onto the creeper the whole night? - Yes.
Nobody would even hear your cries here.
Yesterday
Raghavan came home after you left. - Okay.
It is not yet time for my death.
That is the reason you saved me, Kochootti.
"Oh, Lord Subramanya! The one atop the hills."
Didn't I tell you
that the bank secretary is very close to me.
We need to meet the manager
and submit the receipt of payment.
That would do. - Yes.
You have been behind this for so long.
It is all sorted now.
Let us drop in the police station as well. - Why?
The policemen here are very friendly.
Let us just drop in.
You should get to know them as well.
I.. I need to buy something.
You can go and meet them, Mr. Nanu. - Okay, go on.
"We worship you with all the offerings."
"Oh, Lord Subramanya! The one atop the hills."
"Oh, Lord! You are the protector of all. The one atop.."
Ouch!
Is it too hot?
No.
When I hear your replies
I feel you are disinterested in all this.
Do you feel that you should not have bought the plot?
Do you feel so, Raghavan? - No. - Tell me if you feel so.
I will buy it from you.
I didn't say that I don't want the plot.
What happened?
What happened? - He tripped and fell into the abyss.
He is not severely hurt.
Look who is here.
With God's grace, he got stuck and hung onto a creeper.
I just happened to cross that path.
Do you know why that pit is called as an abyss?
The people used to chase
wild goats and make them fall into the pit.
Others would then collect the dead goats from below.
God saved him.
Why did you even walk along that path?
Anyway, forget it.
It's a relief that you are safe.
I will not die
so easily.
He has high fever.
Let me see your leg. - Ouch!
Ouch!
You have just got a sprain. The bones seem to be intact.
We can move him there.
No. - No need.
Let him lie here itself.
Don't move his injured leg.
You are having fever. Have some porridge.
I have kept your food ready.
Slowly get up and sit.
Can you get up yourself? - Yes.
Dad, will you repair that hen shed?
Otherwise, we will lose all our hens one by one. That's it.
Lie down.
Don't worry.
I thought you would break down in front of them
and reveal everything.
We need to fight and solve this ourselves.
Isn't it?
I know that you will never do it.
You are brave.
I thought you would run away.
Why didn't you leave?
Why?
All my loved ones are here.
Why should I run?
Oh! Do you want to replace me?
Just consider this as me playing by the rules
as we did as children.
Just consider it to be so.
Sleep peacefully.
But on one condition.
You should promise me that you will keep your mouth shut.
I will not harm you here.
That is my promise. Okay?
Nobody will even believe you here.
They would just think it as
a cooked-up story by a stranger.
Do you accept my condition?
Drag it!
Come on! Come on, elephant!
Yes! Pull it, elephant!
Come on! With more force!
Come on! Drag it with force!
Ready, please.
Smile.
Hey, grin. - What? - Smile.
Smile means you need to grin like this.
Hey, stand straight, elephant.
He is engrossed in playing.
Balan, when are you buying your own lorry?
I have collected enough money.
You will see me driving a lorry very soon.
But how did you get to know this?
I heard the mahouts speaking about it.
It is cheating. - We cannot tolerate cheating here!
Just keep the money back! - This is his usual trick.
Hey! - Keep the money! - Come on!
We will not let you go! - You will pay for this today! - Hey!
Balan, don't interfere in this! - Hey, move!
Hey! - Don't interfere, Balan! - Leave him!
How dare you cheat us? - Hey! - We will beat him up!
He should be beaten up! - Move! Come here.
Hey! - Please stop it. - You should not have interfered.
Just go!
How dare you? - Raju!
We will take care of the scoundrel! - Rascal!
Why are you laughing?
They will never ever forget me.
They will not see this going in and coming out.
That is a trick.
Rubbish! They would have beaten you black and blue. Me, too.
Oh! I lost my handkerchief.
Sir, two teas, please.
Hey, Balan. I know a prostitute there.
We can settle her cheaply. Come on.
If we don't find a bus to return, we are done. - Hey, come on.
I am not coming.
We were supposed to reach our work place yesterday itself.
If they find other men
we will have to return back. Are you coming or not?
If not a bus, we will find a lorry for sure. Come on.
I am not coming!
If you create a scene there, I will not come
for your rescue.
Are you coming?
I know this place very well.
Just see her once.
Do whatever you want but don't expect me.
He is good for nothing!
Two strong tea.
Get us something to eat as well.
Oh, no! Save us! Please rescue us!
Oh, no..
Oh, God! Please save us!
Please save us! Oh, God!
We are left with no one now!
Oh, no! - Run, Balan!
Run fast!
Hey! - Run faster! - What happened?
What is it? - Let me go, Balan!
Hey, Raju! You..
Damn! I didn't know that she had a husband now!
What happened?
He was about to strike me. So, I stabbed him.
I didn't have an option to escape.
Damn! Is he all right?
Stop talking and give me the money you have!
What? - Give me whatever you have!
Are you trying to trap me as well?
Balan, just give me what you have!
Let me escape from here.
Hurry up!
Give it to me! - Hey!
Tell me! Where is he?
I don't know. - How dare you?
Tell me! - We will make you say it!
Spit it out!
Where is he? - Come on, tell us!
Tell us! - I don't know.
Can you make a trap to catch the culprit, Dad?
Nothing can get through this door now.
When I asked you to kill a chicken, you never agreed.
But this hen was laying eggs, Dad.
The one who caught the chicken was lucky to eat it
if not me.
Your greed has killed that chicken!
Balan, there comes your girl.
Come on, elephant.
Move fast!
What do you want? - Sawdust. Why else would I come?
Why didn't you send that boy?
He has gone to the market.
Will you make fish for dinner, dear? - I don't know.
We will be forced to eat bland fish curry, right?
Balan, tell Mr. Kanaran that we all curse him for his food.
Enough, Balan. - Balan will have special items to eat.
So, he won't understand our plight.
How much money did you lose gambling yesterday?
Who won, Mr. Appunni?
Hey, you have collected the sawdust, right?
Leave now.
Stop roaming around here and leave! - Ouch!
Okay.
Balan. - Yes? - She wants to know the cost of this lorry now.
She really likes you.
Why have you bought these?
By the way, I saw you roaming amidst the workers
when they came for lunch. Don't repeat it again.
What is wrong in helping others? - It is wrong.
I just don't like it.
Raji! Come here.
Listen, these people are not as innocent as they look.
They might get attracted to you.
Is that your reason?
What if they get attracted?
Don't you feel attracted to me? - Hey! - Oh!
Raji..
Raji.
Ra..
Oh!
I..
Who is Raji?
I thought you were calling out for Raju.
You would have been dreaming about Raji, right?
You were telling something else as well.
But, I could not understand.
Is Raji in your hometown?
Raji is not there anymore.
Then where is she?
She is no more.
The body temperature is going up and down.
He will soon be fine.
He was blabbering till now.
Am I troubling you, Mr. Nanu? - Not at all.
We need to help each other.
Just think that this is your own house.
Shall I get Ravunni?
He does physiotherapy.
Here, have this medicinal drink.
His fever has reduced.
What happened?
Nothing.
Why are you not talking to each other?
You are close friends, right?
We were friends.
Are you not friends now?
If you feel thirsty, you can have water from this. - Okay.
He is walking into the front yard.
Will he faint?
Where is Raghavan?
Don't walk in this condition.
If you want to urinate, you can do it here itself.
It is not safe to go out in dark.
"Oh, Lord Ganesha!"
- Do you know the gramophone?
Will we get to buy that in town?
Did you understand, Balan? It is called a gramophone.
Why do you need it now, Dad?
It was there in our ancestral house.
Her mother had always wished to buy one for herself.
It is now replaced by another device, Dad.
We can use it as a radio and play cassettes as well.
Even the cassettes will have songs.
During 'Onam' festival, we used to have celebrations at home.
Even her mother used to sing.
She finishes all her chores at night
and I used to slowly walk up to her.
If she is in a good mood, she would sing for me.
When I listened to her song
I tended to forget
that we had abandoned everything
and were far away from home.
I am tired. Let me sleep.
He will go and cry now.
He keeps thinking about mom.
If I think about it, I will also feel upset.
We should not think much about
the ones who are dead.
When loved ones think about the dead
their soul tend to wander on the earth.
That is trouble for them as well.
So, it is better to not remember them.
By the way, Raji..
In spite of saying all this, I am only asking you.
Who was that girl?
It's all right. You need not tell me.
There was one Mr. Kanaran
who arranged work for us.
Raji was his daughter.
I worked in that place for three years.
You liked her a lot, isn't it? - Yes.
If she was alive now
you would have married her, right?
We had got married.
Did she die after marriage?
On the day of our marriage.
The same night.
Oh, my God!
How? How did she die?
Didn't you sleep, Balan? - Not yet.
It is very windy at night.
Here, shield yourself with this.
It will keep you warm.
Raghavan would have slept at Avarachan's place.
When I saw this Raghavan for the first time
he was scared to even go out in daylight.
I tried my level best
and forced him to come over here.
It's all fate.
By the way, before you leave
I want you to talk to him about what we spoke. - I will.
Does Raghavan have any relatives?
Why don't you find other proposals?
One cannot hope for
an alliance with employed people here, Balan.
Her mom is from a reputed family.
Good status and well known people.
But when they ask about me
I don't have a reputed family to speak of.
When a person like him lands up here
isn't it good luck?
Oh, Lord Krishna!
I have lost my sleep thinking about random things.
Before you leave, we need to make a decision.
Okay, Balan? - All right.
Dad.
No.
I was not going to drink.
I was just checking if it was closed properly.
If kept open, it will lose its essence.
Were you still awake? - Good try!
I had gone to give a blanket to Balan.
And some secrets as well.
I overheard your conversation.
Why? Did I say something wrong? - Yes.
What did you say? - You are wrong!
People would think that you were
waiting for someone to come here
to give me away.
I was just enquiring about Raghavan.
I just told from the listener's point of view.
Talk softly.
What is wrong with Raghavan? He has no strings attached.
Only the ones with no family tend to end up here.
Have you ever thought about it, Dad?
The new entrant outside is also the same.
And you are the best example for that.
I am not really impressed.
I have always wished to stay
with a family with new members to look up to.
I wish to mingle with people, too.
But he has no family. So..
Dad, just remain silent for now.
Sometimes, he behaves as if he
has already got rights over me.
He will obviously show affection
towards the girl he is going to marry.
Why are you taking it so seriously?
Don't you joke around, too?
I am just being humane.
Anybody would do so.
Mom has taught me to feed people
who are hungry. That's it.
What is wrong with him? - Nothing.
But you don't give him an false hopes right now. That's it.
Oh, Lord Rama! Oh, Lord Rama..
Take this Rs. 50 and leave. - No need.
I didn't come here for money. - Then?
I have realised my mistakes.
I want to earn a living here. - Here?
Do you want me to get beaten up by the police again?
Just leave. - Nobody will come in search of me.
Nobody even knows me here.
I need to earn a living.
Go somewhere else.
I am not finding any work. This is the only work I know.
Tell me.
Nobody will come in search of me, Balan.
Believe me.
I saw a young girl at your worksite today.
Even at the verge of death, you will never give up
your dirty behaviour, right?
I was just kidding.
Oh! Is this the girl you were talking about?
Hey, Balan. Do you have a 'Bidi'? - No.
Are you going to buy a lorry?
Who told you? - I got to know.
I even know that you have sold the plot in your hometown.
When you buy the lorry, won't you need a helper?
Should I take you as a helper?
You had better go
and surrender before the police saying that you just
did it to protect yourself.
Then you will get only a mere punishment.
I should have done that before.
That is actually the truth.
It was just a mistake.
But what was the result?
A man lost his life.
Let me work here as long as I can.
I have no other option.
It is all my fate.
If the police come, I will escape.
They might have even disposed of that case.
Who knows what is in store for me?
Hey, I will tell you one thing.
We are all working here in this forest
with a feeling that everybody supports each other.
But, how can I take someone like you amidst them?
Balan, I will not create any trouble.
I am tired of starving.
I have stopped gambling.
I don't drink liquor now.
It is because I have no money.
But, I will not drink anymore.
I swear upon you.
Please, Balan.
If you tell that I am from your hometown
nobody will question me.
Mr. Kanaran is from my place.
He doesn't know you.
Then tell them that I am your acquaintance.
Just introduce me with a different name.
Don't call me Raju.
Damn! I should take my own advice.
I had introduced myself as Ramankutty to that prostitute.
So forget that name.
Balan, please help me.
Where else will I go seeking for help?
I have no other place to go.
If you don't behave yourself here
I will tie you up and take you to the Police for sure.
Remember that. - Okay.
Come on.
What is it? What happened, Balan?
What was that noise?
I just tripped and fell.
Did you fall down? Are you all right?
You should have called me.
I was just going to sleep.
Gosh! This is a strange night.
People would now be fasting to visit Sabarimala, right?
Yes.
I wish to visit the temple.
But, I don't want Kochootti to be alone here..
It'd be okay if there are workers.
She isn't scared to be here alone.
But, I'm reluctant to go.
Have you ever visited the temple? - Once.
I heard that buses would now reach Pamba.
What? I think the wound has opened.
I'll be right back.
The festival of the sacred grove is approaching.
Let it be. There is still time for that.
Why are you people hesitant to show up for work because of that?
Raghavan..
Raghavan, how come you are still asleep?
When did you come last night? We didn't know you were home.
I.. - Avarachan didn't let you leave, did he?
I knew it. - I..
You aren't sober yet.
Get up and take a bath.
Come to the fields. - Yes.
Shouldn't we see the officer? - Yes.
Raman. - Yes, ma'am.
Meeting him would mean we're done with all the formalities.
It's up to them to sanction the funds. - Give it to him. - Okay.
It's been a while since I met the officer.
You should see the fruits in the jackfruit trees there.
We'd crave for it!
How are you feeling, Balan?
Oh, I'm okay.
Move.
What happened?
Mr. Nanu, I'm having a headache. Let me lie down for a while.
This is what happens when you drink too much.
What about meeting the officer?
Let's meet him later. - Okay.
They'd build the road right up to Avarachan's property.
Buy a jeep.
I actually want us to buy a bullock cart.
If we repair the path, we could ride the bullock cart here.
Raghavan..
Raghavan!
Wasn't that the sound of the mine exploding? Let's see what it is.
Let's do it in the morning.
How could you be so stupid? The foxes will devour on it.
Come on.
Move. - Faster. - Take it. - Come on.
Over there. - It troubled us for two nights. - It'll be there.
Move. - Walk towards the north. - That way.
Haven't you slept yet? - No.
Careful.
Poor thing. - What?
Even after its skull explodes
a pig runs quite a distance before finally dying. - Oh.
Move. - Careful..
How is the fever? - It has subsided.
Don't you have any relatives?
I have my dad but I don't visit him.
He gave us all a share of the property and cut off
all ties with us as he wanted to get married again.
What about.. Raji's family?
My in-laws sold everything
they had for cheap and left the village.
Where? - I don't know.
I never tried to find their whereabouts.
We can't say when dad would return.
You may go to bed. - Okay.
Chant the Lord's name when you lie down.
The fever won't go away unless you get a good sleep.
I will sleep tonight.. I will sleep peacefully.
I suggest you don't take
a head bath until the wound heals. - Okay.
Oh, God!
Careful! - It's all right.
Why didn't you bathe him?
Just leave.
Shouldn't we go and collect the receipt?
I'm not borrowing money and I'm not farming.
What are you saying?
If someone is willing to buy my land for what I paid for it..
I bought it, I'm leaving this place.
Why this sudden change of mind?
I've realised that I'm a nuisance to you.
I never had that thought while telling you to do things.
In a way, meeting you is..
I might not be a nuisance to you but..
I see.
If Kochootty has said something out of anger, just ignore it.
There are some plans in my mind.
Balan will tell it to you.
Balan? - Yes. - You now need him to even communicate with me.
No, Balan is.. - Hoodwinker!
He is pretending to be sick so that you'll feel sorry for him.
You don't know what he is made of.
Neither does your daughter, whom you hail as smart.
Balan? What are you saying?
If he gets the chance, he will steal anything.
He was a friend of mine but if I don't
reveal his true colours to you, I'd feel guilty.
Oh, God! Kochootty is alone at home..
Don't worry. He won't have the guts to steal anything as I'm here.
It's not thievery that we've to be wary of.
He has bigger plans in his mind.
What?
I've seen him flirting with Kochootty.
He is capable of deceiving anyone with his words.
Didn't he manage to convince you that his money was stolen?
That's how deceptive he can be.
He'll tell more fake stories.
Was he lying? - How could someone steal from someone penniless?
He might even try to convince your daughter to elope with him!
He could do things even worse!
My daughter? No one can get wrong ideas into her head.
I have no such worries.
Yeah, right. Your wife's family would have thought
the same in the past, right?
I know what to do.
I shall ask him to limp away right now!
I was just being kind to a strangers but..
No. Keep it in your mind for now.
I shall send him away once he is able to walk.
I shall give him some money.
That's what he came for.
Don't give him a penny more than the bus fare!
Let him make money on his own.
We can never read people's minds.
How innocent he looks!
Don't let him know that I've told you this. I have an eye on him.
"Oh, children! It's the day of celebration!"
"Oh, Goddess Kali! You killed Darika."
"You danced the cosmic dance of destruction."
What happened to Odayan? - He is sick.
They are celebrating some festival at the sacred grove.
None of the workers will come today.
Where did Mr. Nanu go? - He probably went to see the officer.
Dad is still upset that
he couldn't find the pig despite searching for it the whole night.
I've heard that
the 'Shivaratri' celebration at the Keezhkavu temple is grand.
I've been to the temple. - Really? - Yes.
I've worked at a manor near the temple for three months.
I've never been there.
Dad has agreed to visit
Keezhkavu temple on our way to Guruvayur.
Will you be just visiting the Guruvayur temple? - No.
We'll be performing an offering of jaggery as mom wanted to.
We'll visit our hometown, too.
Who do you have there?
My aunts and cousins will be there.
But
we won't go to mom's home.
We've no idea about the nature
of those who live there now.
I don't know if grandmother is still alive.
Grandmother liked mom a lot.
What if they rebuke us because of what happened in the past?
We won't go there.
Why do you want to go there then?
Just like that.
I can see the place and mom's home.
I can just stare at it from a distance.
We don't need their permission to visit the Keezhkavu temple.
What caused that explosion earlier?
Should I serve him porridge or rice?
His temperature has gone down.
Give him what there is.
Ask the servant to do it.
Why should you bother to do everything? - Who else would?
Why have we hired servants then?
Don't you know that I wouldn't say so without a reason?
Raghavan! Please sit.
What is it?
Kochootty, he has bought some tasty freshwater fish!
Shall I make a drink?
No, Mr. Nanu. Not at this time of the day.
How is the land next to mine?
It's fertile black soil! They've planted sugarcane.
If we become friendly with the steward of the manor
we can buy it for cheap.
Sit..
Please wait. I'll get ready soon.
"Oh, Lord Krishna.."
"Oh, Lord Krishna!"
"You are blue complexioned and wear an alluring garland."
Where are you going? - Let me visit their sacred temple.
Nagamma has invited me.
Do you have to wear these ornaments to go there?
The festival is insignificant.
They'd all be drunk.
"Oh, Lord Krishna.."
Listen, it's enough. - "Oh, Lord Krishna.."
It's not really good to wear these ornaments.
Why did you buy all of it then? - Lower your voice.
"Oh, Lord Krishna.."
Understand that there is a reason why I said so.
I'm not asking you to remove the ones you're wearing.
But it's enough.
Times are bad.
We can never trust anyone.
Oh. - "A garland of tulsi leaves.."
Where is Balan, Mr. Nanu? - "Oh, Lord Krishna.."
Isn't he outside? - No.
Let him leave if he wants to.
I was just telling her not to wear all of her gold ornaments.
Some people would get wicked ideas when they see it.
"Oh, Lord Krishna.."
Have you tamed the calf?
She is one of the reasons why you saved me.
I was just thanking her for it.
Which God do they worship?
I don't really know. They offer toddy and chicken.
Am I not right, Nagamma? - Yes.
Then again, it's a sacred grove.
"The wind whispered to the stream."
"Get all the instruments ready for it's the day of celebration."
"Let's rejoice and perform the rituals."
"The wind whispered to the stream."
"Afar from us, lies the other shore."
"We could celebrate the solstice if we reach the other shore."
"People played instruments in the sacred grove."
"The wind whispered to the stream."
Hey!
Turn around.
The way you've worn the sari is awful.
This is more than enough. - No.
I have some things to teach you. - Balan!
Balan! - Yes.
Hi.
There would be a lot of people at the temple.
That's why I didn't come there. - Okay.
Your father-in-law wouldn't throw a house-warming party, right?
There is still some work left.
You're one lucky man!
I've been sober for a year.
Ask your wife to bring two glasses. - Let's not..
No way. We've got to drink for the sake of my happiness.
Hey! - Yes. - Bring two glasses and some water. - Okay.
When would we drink if not today?
Who knows where I will be in the future?
She won't say anything.
Don't worry about that.
Have it.
Consider it as my treat.
I won't wait until our current work is completed.
I'm thinking of going to Tamil Nadu. - Okay.
Have it.
We won't be drinking together again. Come on.
God answers the prayers of some people, right?
I heard that Setu loaned you the money to buy the lorry.
I still don't have enough to pay the first instalment.
Won't your father-in-law give the rest?
Have it.
I..
Have it.
Hey!
Cut it out!
I can't believe you got drunk today!
Doesn't your father drink? - But, this is different!
Don't you like me drinking? Okay, I won't drink again.
I don't really like it.
But, he insisted.
I can promise that I won't drink again..
Hey! - Gosh!
It was fun, wasn't it? - You haven't seen a festival like this.
It was crowded. - Yes.
You may go now. - Okay.
How was the festival?
Why are you acting so distant nowadays?
You enjoy listening to him, don't you?
You take care of him all the time.
It's too much.
Let me go! - You hate only my touch, don't you?
It's late. I'm leaving.
The newcomer will go when his stories don't hold up.
He'll be gone one fine morning.
Only I will be there for you and your father.
Understand that.
I've told your father all about him.
Ask him if you want to know.
Why did he come here looking for you?
For money, obviously. He'll come to me whenever he is broke.
And you give him the money! - I scold and advise him.
He knows that I'll give him something in the end.
That is what's wrong.
These people deserve no mercy. Never.
I'm sleeping outside.
The doors are not strong enough.
We won't even know if someone gets in while we sleep.
Didn't Raghavan tell you?
It's very warm inside.
It's winter, for God's sake!
"Hail, Lord Ayyappa!"
Your gait.. - I can manage to walk.
I'll leave. Don't worry.
I didn't ask because of that.
It's good that your father started sleeping outside fearing me.
Now I can sleep knowing that he won't kill me
while I'm asleep.
While he threw me off the cliff, he thought I died.
Even then, I..
I may not be that easy to kill.
He'll try to kill me again.
And I, to survive.
Who? What are you saying?
Who is trying to kill you?
I just don't get it.
What?
Why are you talking about murder and death?
If you understand.. No.
I just need to know one thing. - What is that?
Your father spoke about the desire to see a wedding
at Guruvayur Temple.
I just want to know whether that is your wish, too.
Apart from him saying that, I..
It's a person's freedom to decide whom they shall marry.
Those who showered me with love and kindness..
I don't want any harm to befall upon them.
That is why I asked you that. - What harm?
Tell me. What harm?
You or your father experiencing what happened to Raji..
What about Raji?
Raji didn't just die. - Then?
She was murdered. - By whom?
Him, whom your father chose for you.
It was him!
A flood no one's ever heard of.
And you, who believed it!
Was it all a lie?
He will steal, lie and even kill if needed.
I know Raju. - This Raghavan?
To kill? - He calls them mistakes.
There is a case against him for killing a man.
I was about to be his next victim.
He couldn't get the job done.
Tell me. What happened? Tell me.
I-I'm getting scared.
I didn't finish.
Don't. I don't want to hear it.
What do we do now?
We.. - Kochootti!
Can you walk now? - Yes.
Then, don't waste time. Walk away!
Keep this for the bus fare.
Balan is not well. He is not leaving now.
What do you care?
Go inside and attend to your duties!
Don't go..
I'm asking you not to!
When the police arrives, we will be arrested, too.
And you believed it?
No wonder Raghavan said that he can influence people.
He will say much more to stay here.
And you shall believe him!
He is a mere woodcutter. He is worth nothing.
Understand that.
Is a mason better than a woodcutter?
Don't make me say things, Father!
I did what I shouldn't have done.
I know that. No one knows it better.
What good did it do? I am stuck in this god-forsaken place!
You said it at last!
Well done!
Don't you want lunch?
What is it?
I heard a noise, Balan.
It's probably nothing. Get some sleep.
Must be a rat or something.
No! Thief..
Balan!
What? - Thief! - Stop! - Come!
Balan!
You! Raju! - Balan!
No!
You! Keep it there!
Do you see now?
What did you say when I told you that he is a thief?
See? Keep it there!
This is my money!
I struggled to make it!
This is the money Raji stored!
Keep it there!
You thought of skipping town with his hard-earned cash
didn't you, you dog?
Nanu!
Haven't you had enough?
Didn't we feed you?
I'm not handing you over to the police just because of that!
Get out! - Nanu! - Get out!
Kochootti, what I said is true.
Who knows if it's true or not?
We were living a peaceful life.
Get lost! Let both of them get lost!
Let it be just us here, Father. Let the others go away!
Let's say that I didn't believe you completely.
But, God showed it to me. - What is it?
It was my mistake not to believe you completely.
What are you saying?
The thief was caught in the act.
Keep your money safely inside
or deposit it in the bank in the valley.
Thank God you didn't lose anything.
He took your money and I caught him red-handed.
Where is he, then? - Don't worry.
He couldn't get a single dime.
Tell me where he is!
If you take legal action, it will waste our time.
I let him go. Let him go to hell. - Where is he?
He left. Your money is safe, isn't it?
When did he leave? - I threw him out at noon.
We shouldn't make a mistake again, should we?
I have safely kept your money in a strong box inside.
Let me check.
Didn't I tell you? He couldn't touch a single dime!
Come and count if you want to. Come.
Here.
Count. - Okay.
No!
Raghavan! No!
Father!
Raghavan!
Don't move!
Don't suffer the same fate of the previous girl I robbed from.
I will only be hanged once, no matter how many I kill.
Raghavan, you did this to me..
Utter another syllable and I'll slit your throat!
Balan!
No!