(tense music)
- (Tarunika sighs) - (door creaks closes)
- (keys jingling) - (footsteps)
- (door creaks opens) - (music intensifies)
(door creaks closes)
(Tarunika exhales)
- Coffee? - Taru.
You took revenge on me by sleeping with him, right?
Excuse me?
You took revenge on me by sleeping with Hari, right?
Disgusting!
Aren't you ashamed to say this?
What is this?
We went to collect evidence.
But your filthy mind assumed we went to sleep together, right?
You're no different from a stranger commenting online.
You're all made of the same thing!
Bloody men!
- I'm sorry. - Fuck you!
Even if it did happen, you're still not worthy to judge me.
Do you understand?
(music intensifies)
(music fades out)
(opening music)
Kayamma, your broomstick is doing all the cleaning and sweeping.
Did you teach maths at school? (chuckles)
Just kidding!
Good morning, ma'am.
Keep it inside.
May I come in?
Go on, Umar.
There's a social media influencer called Kilika Pashpanathan.
She has a million followers.
Someone released a fake video accusing her of a scam to ruin her reputation.
She approached us to represent her, ma'am.
Good.
I prepared a press release stating that we are representing her.
If you review it, she will share the information this evening, ma'am.
Are you informing me after preparing everything?
- Ma'am, it's not like-- - I'm just pulling your leg, Umar.
Good job! Does she know you from before?
Ma'am, to be honest, I desperately texted her to get high-profile cases.
And I'm not much of a social person, ma'am.
I don't have many contacts. That's why.
So, you know your weakness and are working around it.
- Good. - Thank you, ma'am.
Okay.
Hi, I'm sorry, I just saw your call. How can I help you, sir?
Bharath, come to the drive-in with the case files.
I'll also ask Joseph to come there.
Sir... I'm telling you this.
You have to see this from a different angle.
Why are you speaking in riddles? Say it clearly.
- (intriguing music) - (Bharath inhales)
Sir, I really don't know how I can be any clearer than this.
Sir, I'm extremely sorry.
- I can't represent you anymore, sir. - Hey, idiot!
What are you saying? Do you have a brain?
Were you acting all these days just to betray me before the hearing?
No, no!
- Due to personal reasons-- - What are your personal reasons?
So, how much did you get from Thillai?
- Sir... - How dare you bail on me, you sellout!
(gasps)
(tense music)
Why do you look so down?
I never thought Bharath would betray me at the last minute.
Don't worry.
I've got your back.
This is our office.
- Hi, good morning. - Good morning, sir.
- It's a pleasure to have you here. - Thank you.
Hi, you have a lovely office!
How are you?
- Welcome, Guna. - Thank you.
As I messaged you, we've very little time for the trial.
- But-- - Buts are only for others, Tarunika.
You are a part of us now.
This case is one of our firm's top priorities.
And we will create a support team at once.
Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
- Hari. - Thanks a lot.
- Show him to your cabin. - Please come, Guna.
- I'll see you. - Okay, sure.
Have a seat.
- Hari will take it from here. - Yeah.
- Do you want anything to drink? - I'm good. Thank you.
Okay, I'm just here.
- Thanks, Lavanya. - Sure, thanks. Bye.
I've seen all the key witnesses on the prosecution's side.
I'll repeat it once.
- Can we do a quick run-through, Guna? - Sure.
Escort Tina, who was involved in the scandal,
claims she offered herself as a bribe.
The second witness says you carried out a cash transaction
for the drug kingpin. His accountant, Madhesh, confirms this.
But, according to your side, the person who handled this
was Sneha Merlin, who worked for you.
- Is my understanding right, Guna? - Yeah, it's right.
The judge may allow extra time due to the change in counsel.
So, we should be prepared.
Sure.
(exhales) I finished packing.
What do you mean?
What happened?
Have a seat. I'll tell you.
I'm a prosecution witness, right?
Since our firm has taken on Gunaseelan sir's case
there's a direct conflict of interest with me.
It would be ideal to take a break until I testify.
I'm... I'm so sorry, Sneha.
You're facing a lot of trouble because of me.
No, not at all!
Actually, it's been so long since I saw Guna sir.
So, I just thought I would say hi.
But it would be better if I didn't see him until I testify.
I'm really happy that our firm took his case up.
- So, it's a win-win for everyone. - Yes.
Your Lordship, I've just taken over as counsel.
So, I need some time to prepare.
Set a date within the week.
Hari Deepak, you should not ask for an adjournment then.
- I'm warning you. - No, sir.
We will be well prepared.
Ma'am, there are only a few days left until my six-month probation ends.
So, I want to know where I stand...
To be honest, when I first met you, I didn't have any opinion of you.
Forget good or bad, I thought you were a spoiled, entitled diva.
But, in a few days, your hard work, determination
and sincerity have changed my opinion of you.
But there's one thing.
We need a committed and responsible candidate at ALH at the moment.
You can take Umar as an example.
He is not married.
He didn't have any responsibilities, like children or a family.
Whenever I call him, he will be available.
I don't even have to call him. He just lives here.
We need someone reliable like that, Tarunika.
Have I never been reliable in any way?
Tarunika, the reason you came here is due to a stopgap arrangement.
Let's be honest about that.
You had to become the breadwinner for your family.
Am I right?
If you're patching things up with your husband and going back,
you won't need this job, right?
Isn't that right?
I'm sorry. Did I offend you?
Excuse me, ma'am.
Lavanya, how can you talk this way?
- You're so insensitive. - Why?
I was just being professional, Hari.
Did you talk to Mr. Rajan from Suguna Gears?
I'm emailing him.
Hmm.
Even after knowing him for so long, I never thought Bharath would do this.
But you made the right decision by bringing Guna into your law firm.
It's a very good move.
Do you see how people are getting us into trouble?
It's going to be a complicated legal battle.
The preparations are underway there, keeping all the risks in mind.
Good.
We would like to call Ms. Tina, my next witness.
(introspective music)
(music turns tense)
I swear I'm Tina. My ID number is ADPPJ67J.
Due to my family situation,
I agreed to provide my services to Mr. Gunaseelan.
- Do you usually meet him at a hotel? - Yes.
To convince his wife that he was busy, he would open the window
and talk to his wife so she could hear the traffic noise.
(scoffs)
How long did it happen?
Our arrangement continued until a week before his arrest.
Does he know that you were getting paid
by someone else for meeting him and providing your services?
He was handling the legal matters for Drug Meth Maharaja.
So, they kept sending me as a reward to make him happy with my services.
When he was the Additional Advocate General of Tamil Nadu,
did you provide your services to him even then?
Yes.
You were sent by Meth Maharaja as a bribe to him.
- Objection, Your Lordship! - Sustained.
Your witness.
Thanks, My Lord.
You said Gunaseelan knew that you were paid by someone else
for providing your services. Am I right?
- Yes. - Then why did he pay you too?
Your Lordship.
This is the bank statement of Ms. Uma Rani.
That's your name, right?
Even though this bank account is closed,
the transaction list is clear.
₹20,000 was often deposited into this account.
And I've also provided Gunaseelan's bank statement.
There's evidence showing that ₹20,000 was withdrawn
from that account.
On the same day or the next, after Gunaseelan withdrew cash,
Uma Rani deposited ₹20,000 into her account.
Also, I've attached the details of my client
making an online transaction.
Tina... No, I'll address you as Uma Rani.
You took an oath, but you lied to the court about your name.
Did you receive money from Gunaseelan or not?
No, no! I receive payments only from Meth Maharaja.
My client, Gunaseelan, didn't know
from whom you received payments or for what.
He paid you for your services.
So, you're not a gift or a bribe.
Am I right, Uma Rani?
You could've fabricated the statement however you wanted.
It's not possible, Ms. Uma Rani.
That's all, Your Lordship.
The case hearing will be continued tomorrow at 10 a.m.
(Guna) Hari Deepak did an awesome job!
He exposed Tina's true colours.
(laughing)
I'm seeing you happy today, after a very long time.
Who all wants rose milk?
- Order one for each. - Okay.
Hey, I need two. I'm so happy today.
Okay, uncle. I'll order two then.
Tina's carelessness with her finances turned out to be an advantage for us.
- Yeah. - Madhesh is the main witness tomorrow.
I'm really anxious about his testimony.
His evidence won't hold up in court.
Anyone can tamper with the ledger and fake a cash transaction.
He doesn't have anything that can directly implicate me.
It all rests on his testimony.
He could become credible, you know.
He must have been involved in shady deals for so long.
He's not Tina.
He knows exactly what to say and what not to.
(breathes deeply, sighs)
(tense music)
Why are we still waiting, Ayyappan?
Your Lordship, we are waiting for a witness named Madhesh.
So, shall we wait all day?
I'm sorry, Your Lordship.
How long will it take?
Your Lordship, I apologise.
(tsks) Ask him where he is.
Call him soon.
(dial tone beeps)
(automated voice) The number you are calling is currently not reachable.
Please try again later.
I couldn't reach him by phone, Lordship. That's why.
What should I do?
Raja, your boss is in hiding and hopping between countries.
You have a property in T. Nagar, and an ED raid will take place there.
Also, do you remember the owner's sister?
Can you check if all your erotic chats with her are correct?
Sir, sir! Please, sir.
Please don't leak this, sir.
Your Lordship, we request an adjournment to a later date.
(tsks)
The defence delayed the proceedings significantly at first.
Is it now the prosecution's turn?
Shouldn't you have followed your witness properly?
I'm sorry, My Lord.
I can adjourn the hearing until this afternoon.
If he still doesn't come, you can skip to the next witness.
I'm sorry. I apologise.
- (footsteps approaching) - (tense music)
State whatever you know in your testimony. Do you understand?
Confess everything about the laundering you did for him.
I'll confess all that I know and did.
(Ayyappan) Miss Merlin.
How do you know the defendant, Gunaseelan?
I initially joined him for legal work.
But he thought I didn't fit into his posh setup.
So, he gave me some freelance work.
What kind of freelance work did you do?
Finding witnesses, following them
gathering evidence and tasks like these.
But he didn't pay me a monthly salary.
He'd pay me in cash as a conveyance fee.
Will illegal matters come into this as well?
It would be like bending the law a bit.
Oh! Is it like turning black money into white?
I didn't do it much. I might've done it twice.
Miss Merlin, when Gunaseelan had dealings with Meth Maharaja
you handled the cash transactions, right?
Sorry?
- They both don't have a link? - I don't know about that.
So, Gunaseelan didn't receive money from Meth Maharaja? Is that it?
I'm saying that I don't know.
(scoffs) Your Lordship, she's twisting the story.
Ayyappan, do you have any more questions to ask her?
Nothing.
(music intensifies)
(bustling traffic)
It's deeply distressing
that some serious accusations have been levelled against
a senior officer of our judiciary.
Nevertheless, the case brought forward by the prosecution
can only be determined as weak or incompetent.
I hereby dismiss all charges against the defendant, Mr. Gunaseelan.
You're free to go.
Thank you, Your Honour.
(triumphant music)
I would never take you for granted.
Thank you, Hari.
I'm forever indebted to Lavanya and you.
- Thank you so much. - I just did my job.
Why are you thanking me for that?
Thank you.
We have won, Guna!
Come.
Come on.
- (bag zipping) - (Tarunika sighs)
(chuckles)
(exhales)
Hi.
Hari, what a day, right?
I never thought this day would turn out like this.
I'm really happy.
Thank you so much.
- Tarunika... - What happened?
I don't know how to say this.
The firm's decision is to retain Umar.
I'm very sorry.
Why should you apologise?
I sensed this when Lavanya spoke to me the other day.
Umar is a deserving candidate.
I'm saying this for real.
When you started practising after a break,
did you know how you shone?
I'm so proud of you.
No matter where you go to practise,
you'll rock, Tarunika.
This is a collective decision of the firm.
I couldn't do anything.
I understand.
Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Like Guna said,
I owe you a lot.
Okay, I'll leave.
(footsteps retreating)
(melancholic music)
(handbrake creaks)
(bustling traffic)
(Lavanya) Sure, Mr. Joseph Antony. I will do the needful.
It's truly nice to see you again, without any heaviness.
Thank you so much, Sneha.
If you hadn't turned hostile, it would've been so hard for us.
Madhesh didn't come to court.
That's why I could turn into a hostile witness.
Anyway, it's all for the good!
Okay, it's time for me to leave.
Keep in touch.
Umar.
Congratulations.
Thank you.
- (bag zipping) - (footsteps)
Are you ready to leave?
Yes, ma'am.
So, after Gunaseelan's acquittal, we've been receiving many calls.
They are mostly from political clients.
What we're trying to say is
our firm will be able to afford two junior associates.
So, you don't need to be relieved.
- Congratulations, Tarunika. - Thank you, ma'am.
- Welcome to ALH. - Thank you so much!
Thank you, Hari.
The same to you too, Umar.
Congratulations.
Thank you, ma'am.
Congratulations.
- Thank you, ma'am. Thank you so much. - You're welcome.
(liquid gurgling)
(ice cubes clink)
(footsteps)
You're wasting your talent at ALH, Umar.
Join me.
I'll help you reach great heights.
(suspenseful music)
(doorbell rings)
- Thalaiva, greetings! - Come on.
Come on! Come on!
- Come on, Chinna! - So happy to see you.
- Come on, come on! - (phone vibrating)
Excuse me.
Excuse me. Just a minute.
Just a minute. Excuse me.
Yay!
- Awesome! - Hi, anna.
- (phone continues vibrating) - (door bangs shuts)
Hari.
The Bar Council President is holding a felicitation for Guna.
There's a press conference after that.
I will also be there.
If you come there as his counsel, it will be really good.
I'm sorry, Tarunika.
After yesterday's trial, my business with Guna is finished.
I believe I fulfilled my duty as an advocate of my client.
Now,
for some time, I want to talk to the Tarunika I've known.
I can't live with the regret for the rest of my life
that I haven't told you this even now.
Even after my family and friends insisted so much,
do you know the person because of whom I'm still unmarried?
You!
My love for you
hasn't changed.
Do you understand that?
Do you understand what I'm saying from my heart?
Hari.
Did you forget that I'm married?
Marriage!
You can fool the world
into thinking you're happy
and in a perfect marriage.
I know you completely.
You can't cheat me, Taru.
I've seen it in your eyes.
You're not happy.
(Guna) Taru!
(door creaks opens)
- Give me two minutes. - Okay.
(door closes)
Hari.
My kids are my entire world.
I was happy that my job got confirmed.
I'm happy that my husband really realised his mistakes.
I finally feel like I have a hold over my life.
Please change your thoughts.
Taru...
(bustling traffic)
I welcome all the media friends who have joined us today.
The world is within your grasp!
I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse.
You can file a fake complaint against anyone using the internet.
And you can defame anyone. When things are like this,
this man disproved all the fake allegations against him.
And Gunaseelan is here, acquitted and victorious.
I request him to give a speech.
- Thank you. - (all applauding)
Sit down.
(phone vibrating)
(suspenseful music)
Here you go.
Get an auto and leave.
I forgot to tell you.
I've worked with your husband.
First, our congratulations to you, sir.
- Thank you. - Will you become an AAG again?
You have to ask that question to the government.
Sir, there's a rumour your wife is divorcing you. Is that true?
(camera shutter clicks)
Joseph.
(suspenseful music rises)
Taru, come on.
(phone vibrating)
Come on.
Dear, Guna is calling you. (voice echoes)
(music turns melancholic)
- (camera shutter clicks) - (pensive music)
(shutter continues clicking)
(notification beeps)
(Hari) I understand you made this choice for your kids' well-being.
But just remember this.
If what you consider a hold in your life
leaves you in some situation,
no matter how or when you come to me,
I will accept you, Taru.
Just know that I'm there for you.
Just for you.
(music rises)
(music fades out)
(Closed Captions by Planetcast Media)