[drums beating]
[announcement over radio]
[trumpets playing]
[upbeat music playing]
[over radio] Please don't crowd.
Anandhi.
Anandhi!
- Hmm? - I have to give medicines to Rahul.
You take him home.
I'll come once the procession is over.
Okay, I'll leave now.
Okay.
Take care.
[folk music playing]
- Praise be to Goddess! - [bells chiming]
Praise be to Goddess!
[fireworks crackling]
- Grandpa. - Yes.
Where are Jacky's mom and dad?
I don't know.
- You don't know? - Yes.
From whom did you buy him?
I didn't buy him.
One day, it was raining heavily.
I found him on the road, so I brought him home.
On the road?
Did anybody know that you brought him?
Won't Jacky's parents search for him?
Poor him, Grandpa!
- Is that so? - Yes.
Okay. Shall I send him back to where I found him??
No, not required.
No, right? Come on then.
- Grandpa! - Yes.
Why doesn't Jacky bathe?
Do you know why?
- He observes you. - Hmm.
- You don't bathe. - Ah.
So he doesn't bathe either.
- Grandpa! - Hey! Jacky!
Stop pulling the leash. Wait!
Jacky, you're a good boy. Come with me.
- Hey, wait! - Come on, quick!
Jacky, sit!
Are you hungry?
Wait, I'll bring it.
- [opens mouth] - Slowly. Don't spit it out.
[water pouring]
[vessel clatters]
[door creaks open]
Here you go.
Don't just eat the meat and waste the rice. Okay?
You must finish it up.
[soft music playing]
[dog barking in distance]
Hey!
[dog barks in distance]
Hey...
- [dog barks] - Hey! What is it?
- Why are you barking? - [dog whines]
Do you want to go inside?
Come on.
[dog whines]
Come on.
Go.
[door rattles shut]
[lock creaks]
[bottle thuds]
[animal howls in distance]
The crowd was less compared to last year, right?
It's raining and very muddy.
That's why the crowd is less.
What were you discussing with Sudha?
She was asking about the house.
It is for our daughter and son-in-law to stay when they visit.
Tell her that it's not for rent.
Someone seems to be lying there.
Where?
Stop the vehicle!
- God knows what happened. - Oh my!
Go and check who it is.
Oh! There's a pool of blood!
Oh!
It's Solomon.
- Solomon? Oh my! - Solomon!
Solomon!
Wonder what happened! Solomon!
Call someone immediately.
Okay. Hey, Velu!
Esther!
Hey, Ramu!
- Esther! - Somebody help!
Esther!
She is also not to be found.
[pants]
Anandhi!
[knocks on door] Anandhi!
[knocks on door] Brother Bhaskaran!
- Bh-- - [door creaks open]
- What happened? - Brother,
Solomon is lying in a pool of blood.
- Please come. Hurry up. - Solomon?
Yes, he's lying on the ground.
Downstairs!
- Where? - Come on!
- Come quickly. - Hey.
- Solomon! - Oh my!
- Please check on him, brother. - What happened? Solomon!
- Brother! - Hey, Solomon!
Look here!
- On our way back from the temple, - Wake up!
we saw him lying on the ground.
I don't know what happened, brother.
- Pulse. His pulse is very low. - Huh?
What are you saying?
I just saw him near the temple.
How did he...
Solomon!
Look here!
[autorickshaw whirring]
Go!
Be careful! Hold him tightly.
Be quick!
Please drive quickly.
[autorickshaw whirring]
Malathi!
Bring Esther to the hospital.
[birds squawks]
[phone rings]
Hello, yes, tell me.
I've been waiting for a plumber.
Just a moment.
Hey! Where's the plumber?
Sir, I've asked him to come at 12 p.m.
He'll be there by 12-12:30 p.m.
Hmm.
Will you come home for lunch?
I'll come if possible.
I'll send the driver to bring the lunch.
- Okay. - Okay.
[car moving]
- Sir. - Yes.
It's here, sir.
Get in!
[car door opens]
Where is the Inspector?
He's at a crime scene.
Is there another case?
Nothing much, sir.
Since it's festival season, they got drunk
and got into a fight as always.
That's not a problem though.
This is the only pressing case at this point.
[grunts]
Hey!
[car revving]
Sir, it's muddy.
You know that it's stuck.
Then what's the point of pressing the pedal?
Go on!
[brake clacks]
You come here.
[car door opens]
- Brother, hold the steering. - Come on, man!
Go on.
Let's go!
Go!
Keep pressing! Don't stop.
Go ahead.
[car brakes squeal]
Can you be careful while pushing?
Wash your face and come.
Hmm.
- [siren wails] - Madam, think hard.
- No, sir. - Anybody new in this village?
Tell me whatever you remember.
- Okay, sir. - Sir, the car is here.
Step aside!
Step aside, madam.
Won't you obey? Go on!
Why are you crowding here?
Stay behind.
- Sir! - [car door closes]
- Why is it so crowded? - Hey!
Clear the crowd.
Head Constable, clear it!
- Please move away. - Which house is it?
The one on top, sir.
[suspenseful music playing]
How old was he?
Must be 40, sir.
Who lives in this house?
An elderly couple lives there with their grandson.
Oh.
Where's the sniffing dog?
- Our district just has two dogs. - Hmm.
Both are busy with important theft cases.
Besides, there's no point in bringing it four hours later.
And it's already over eight hours. That's why I ruled it out, sir.
Who is the first witness?
The lady living downstairs.
Madam, come here.
Repeat what you told me.
- What's your name? - Malathi, sir.
Tell me.
Around 9:30 p.m last night,
a procession of the Lord's idol was passing through the streets.
We had just arrived home.
It looked like someone was lying on the ground.
When we checked,
Solomon was lying motionless, sir.
I immediately rushed to his house to inform them, sir.
But nobody was at home.
Where is his wife?
They're coming from the hospital.
[dog barking in distance]
Where was she yesterday?
She had gone to church, sir.
She shouldn't have trusted her daughter with an alcoholic, sir.
Who knows what happened to that child, sir!
Sir, that girl has been missing since last night.
Her name is Mercy. She is 12 years old.
Who saw the girl last?
Sir.
His name is Bhaskaran.
He is a pharmacist at Padappur Hospital.
They live upstairs.
Hmm.
My grandson and I were returning from the temple...
[autorickshaw whirring]
Mercy!
- Is Mercy back? - She'll be back soon.
Mercy.
Papa.
Has Mercy come?
Where is she? Is she upstairs?
No, well...
- Is she back? - She'll be here.
- She will come. Sit down. - Come on, Esther.
Have they found her?
- Is she not back yet? - Go on, dear.
- Please take her with you. - It's okay. Come!
Sir, where is Mercy?
- Sir, I searched all night. - Please sit down, madam.
- She must be nearby. - Get her some water.
- Sit down, dear. - They will find her.
Please ask them to look, sir.
- Bring some water. - Sir...
She must be around, sir.
She must have gone to some friend's house.
I'll also come and look for her, sir.
Sir.
Esther, drink some water.
- Drink some water. - But Mercy...
Have water. She'll be back.
Stay around and take care of her.
Hmm.
I'll go home and change my clothes.
Where did she go?
She was at home when I left.
- She'll come back. - Jacky!
- Be careful. - She'll be back.
- They are looking for her. - Sir, come here.
- Sir. - She'll definitely come.
When and where did you see her?
Yesterday, while returning from the temple, my grandson and I
saw Solomon, sir.
As usual, he was drunk and headed somewhere.
Mercy came soon after him.
Are you looking for your dad?
No. I'm going to the church, Grandpa.
Church?
Where's your mom?
Mom's at the church.
She told me to come there.
Oh, okay.
Okay, be careful.
Okay.
What time was it?
Around 8:30, sir.
Did you see Solomon after that?
No, sir. I didn't.
My grandson is unwell.
I gave him medicines and soon fell asleep.
I woke up to Malathi's knocks later.
Solomon was lying wounded.
When I checked, his pulse was low, sir.
Then, I handed over my grandson to Malathi
and accompanied him to the hospital.
Hmm. Okay.
When did you go to church?
Around 8 p.m., sir.
Did you ask your daughter to come?
Yes, sir. I told her that I'm going ahead
and told her to come later.
Will you ask a little girl to go alone at night?
She always goes to church alone.
How would I know that this is going to happen?
When was the last time you saw your husband?
He was fine when I left home, sir.
I don't understand what happened to my husband.
- Mercy hasn't returned, either. - Esther...
I wanted to find and bring her home,
- so I searched all night... - Sit down.
- I... - They will find her.
Sit down first.
- Huh? - Sit down, ma'am.
Sit down, madam.
I don't know where she is, Papa.
When she left for the church at 8, Solomon and the kid were fine.
Poor woman!
At 8:30, he saw the girl near the church.
Solomon died at 9:30.
In between...
Sir, please wait.
- Within an hour and a half... - Sir!
Just a moment, sir.
Sir.
Huh?
I have to take my grandson to the hospital.
Okay, leave.
Thank you, sir.
Just a moment. Come to the station
and record your statement.
- Okay? - Sure, sir.
- Hmm. - Thank you.
Kumara.
- Yes. - Record her statement.
I'll get it.
[bike starts]
What’s the cause of Solomon’s death?
Sir, he had a very bad head injury.
He had lost a lot of blood.
We will get more details after the postmortem report.
Does he have any problems with the people in this town?
It doesn't seem so.
Sir, he has a brother named Venkat.
They have some differences due to a property dispute.
He doesn't care about his brother's family and speaks ill of them.
That turned into a family feud.
- Sir. - What is it?
Three years ago, two girls went missing.
This case could be related to it.
Hey!
How are they related?
Huh?
In that case, only the girls went missing.
And here, the father is dead.
Someone saw his missing daughter outside.
If two people from a family are harmed,
someone who hates the family must have done it.
Find that Venkat!
I'll enquire, sir.
Most importantly, look for Mercy.
- That's more important. - Okay, sir.
Hmm.
[car engine whirs]
[bike passing by]
[footsteps]
- It's not much. Don't be scared. - [woman groans in distance]
Bear with it, dear. We're almost there.
We're here.
Dear, it's nothing. Don't be scared.
- Don't be scared, dear. - Please bear the pain.
- It will be over soon. - [woman groans, cries]
[woman groans]
Mother! [cries, groans]
[screams]
Mother!
- It will be over soon. - Don't worry, dear.
- Please bear with it. - [woman screams]
God!
Sir, please wait outside.
[rain pelting]
Oh!
Oh, god!
Dear! Oh my! [cries]
- [cries] - [wails]
God!
Oh my!
Oh my! [cries]
My child, Selvi!
[wails] Oh, God!
[wails] My child!
- [cries] - What happened to my child?
[screams, cries fade]
Don't you understand what I'm saying? You can't come inside.
The cord is wrapped around the child's neck.
- Oh, god! What are you saying? - We will need a lot of blood.
Go to the blood bank quickly
- and arrange for B negative blood. - Okay.
It's an emergency. Quick!
- Let's go quickly! - Come on!
Is this your house?
It's my house, sir.
Whose dog is it? Does he bite?
Him? He's a real coward.
He is named after Jackie Chan.
That man who works at the hospital...
Mr. Bhaskaran, it's his dog.
What kind of person is Bhaskaran?
He's a gem of a person, sir.
The hospital is far away, so, if anyone falls sick in this town
they consult him.
Oh.
His grandson is an orphan and is unwell.
That's why he keeps running between home and hospitals.
How is the relationship between these two families?
Mercy was always at their house, sir.
He used his contacts to get Mercy enrolled in school.
Oh.
He treats Esther like his daughter.
The missing girl, his grandson, and this dog,
used to play in this area all day.
Have you seen this girl?
No, I'm not sure, sir.
So many people visit the temple.
How can we remember?
Did you notice any suspicious vehicle or person at the festival?
Nothing like that, sir. It was mostly our people.
- How's Mercy at school? - She's very quiet, sir.
She appeared dull over the last few days.
Have you seen this girl?
No, sir. I haven't.
Please take a good look and tell me.
No, sir. I haven't seen this girl.
She's a good girl, sir.
She studies well and is quiet-natured.
I don't know if she was sick
but she didn't come for tuitions the last three or four days.
I asked the other kids if they knew anything.
No one knows anything, sir.
Will you at least find this girl, sir?
Sir, like our daughter,
don't keep looking for this girl for 3-4 years.
What keeps you so busy, sir?
Go and buy these vegetables. Okay?
It won't leak anymore, right?
Open the valve and check it, sir.
This won't be needed, sir. You can get a refund for this from the shop.
[watching videos on forensic study]
The patient is a 9-year-old boy, okay?
Okay.
Under a POCSO case, one has to enquire in casual clothes.
Doesn't a policeman know this basic procedure?
- He's a kid. He got scared. - And then?
I declared the patient as medically unfit.
I asked them to return next week
- and sent them away. - Hello, doctor.
Come in, sir.
Come in, madam.
- Greetings, doctor. - Come in.
[Xray film rustles]
Uh.
Okay.
Sir, did he faint again?
No, he didn't faint but complained of headaches and dizziness.
It's better now, Doctor.
Okay.
Rahul, are you taking your medicines on time?
- Yes, doctor. - Good boy.
Sir,
I'll prescribe you one week's medicines.
Okay.
But we have to perform the surgery after that.
I spoke to Mr Ramanathan.
- As soon as possible, - Here it is.
he has promised to arrange the retirement money.
Sir, this is Dr. Manoj.
- Greetings, sir. - Greetings, Doctor.
- My friend. - Greetings!
Hello.
Do you know Sky Hospital in the city?
He's a neurosurgeon there.
Small hospitals, like ours,
don't hire such surgeons.
It is a matter of an important nerve that connects with the brain.
Advanced technology is available for this treatment now.
That's the only reason
I'm suggesting a private hospital.
Take it.
Okay, sir.
I'll get it.
Hmm.
- Bhaskaran sir. - Hmm.
It's your last working day!!
Yes.
- Wish you all the best. - Thank you, Doctor.
- See you. - See you, madam.
- Listen. - Yes.
Rahul will get cured, right?
He will be fine.
Bhaskaran sir.
Doctor?
- Wait! I'll be back. - Okay.
Just because he doesn't faint anymore doesn't mean he's better.
It can get triggered anytime.
Had the money been arranged,
we would be ready for surgery.
Since I'm about to retire,
nobody is willing to give me a loan.
My health insurance
doesn't include him since he's my grandson.
I decided to build a house and settle down.
So, I used up my savings to start the construction.
I decided to finish the rest with my retirement benefits.
But my grandson fell ill.
We can manage it, Doctor.
Once the money is here,
we'll get the surgery done.
Did Mercy visit you?
Grandma.
Tell me, dear.
When will we go home?
Mercy invited Jacky and me to come and play.
We'll leave as soon as grandpa comes.
Keep playing until then.
Okay, Grandma.
[soft music playing]
Esther's family belongs to our congregation, sir.
Mercy is a very pure soul, sir.
If people from small congregations like ours write their wish down,
then the church pastor in town replies to them.
Mercy, as per your wish,
your Dad, Solomon, with Jesus' grace,
will get over his alcoholism and turn into a good soul.
If her Dad quits drinking, the family will be fine.
She believed so, sir.
I don't know if it's my place to speak,
but you can ask his father for some money.
When my daughter passed away,
he handed over the infant to us and left.
He never tried to find out
if he's alive or not.
He got married again.
What can I ask him?
Tsk!
Children bear the brunt of their elders' sins.
Similarly, his father's sins
are being borne by this innocent child.
- Hey, what are you doing? - Grandpa, I'll inject you.
- What? - [hisses]
Okay, are you done? Go on!
Go and sit with your grandma.
You've messed it up here. Go on!
He knows that it can be cured.
But he's afraid.
Our life revolves around him.
I'm scared too.
Don't be scared. All will be well.
- Okay? I'll leave now. - Hmm.
[gentle music playing]
'Just because he doesn't faint anymore doesn't mean he's better.'
'It can get triggered anytime. Had the money been ready,'
'we would be ready for surgery.'
You told me that you'd buy it for me.
Drocin, 13 boxes, sir.
Sir!
Are you done?
Done?
Yes.
Sir, there seems to be some property dispute between
Solomon and his brother, Venkat.
Yes.
Nobody has seen Venkat since yesterday, sir.
What kind of person is Venkat?
Sir, Venkat does masonry work.
He often takes people to work with him. I've accompanied him too.
He is very devout.
He goes out of his way to arrange the yearly fests.
He was the priest at our temple.
- Yesterday, there was a festival. - But he wasn't around all day.
He hates his brother, sir.
- [door knocks] - Who is it?
[bangs on door]
Who is it?
Sir, you're entering with
- your shoes... - Wait, madam!
Sir.
Sir, what is it?
Where is your husband?
Sir, he is out of town for work.
What does he do?
Where has he gone?
Sir, he is a mason.
Sir, he left for some plastering work on buildings
and will be back in a few days.
Your husband also works as a priest, right?
But yesterday was the annual temple festival.
Did he go to work despite knowing that?
Sir, we don't earn from that.
We have mouths to feed too.
So, he takes up any kind of work that he gets.
What's the matter? Please say something, sir.
Sir, at least you...
Sir, remember those two girls who went missing three years ago?
A few days before one of those girls went missing,
Venkat went to their house for some renovation work.
We questioned him in that case as well.
Hmm.
[crowd chatter]
[crying and wailing]
- Be careful. - [crowd chatter]
Step aside.
Make way!
Why did you go?
Sister.
Ask them to go away.
No, Esther. You must not behave like that with your parents.
It's wrong, Esther.
For our brother, Solomon...
let us all pray.
Holy Father.
Amen.
[emotional music playing]
Esther.
Where are you going?
[emotional music playing]
Sister.
Did you see my daughter?
She must be this tall.
Did anyone come alone?
We didn't see anyone like that.
Sister.
Did Mercy come here?
No, she didn't. Go home. She'll be back soon.
Do I have to tell you everyday
to change your uniform as soon as you return from school?
Kayal.
I am trying not to scold you as it is your birthday.
- Okay, Mom. - Kayal.
Come in, Esther.
Did Mercy come here?
Don't worry. She'll be back.
Did she tell Kayal where she was going?
She talks to Kayal the most.
Would you please ask her?
Uh-huh.
Hmm.
I spoke to the doctor who performed the postmortem.
There are no other wounds on his body.
Just the blow on his head.
- What about Mercy? - We're investigating, sir.
What about Venkat?
We are seriously searching for him. We'll update you soon.
Sir, this is the balance from the payment of the tap.
- Sir, here is an extra tap. - Hmm.
I'll return this and get the refund.
Hmm.
May you have a healthy and happy retired life.
So, thank you for your service.
[audience clap]
[siren wails]
Oh, no!
You should've come earlier today.
I had work.
- Hi! - [balloon bursts]
Happy birthday!
Are you angry with your father for coming late?
I knew that...
you wouldn't be there when the cake was cut, dad.
No, I had some work.
Okay. Guess what gift I have got for you.
- Dad. - Yes.
I want something. Will you do it?
What do you want?
You are a policeman, who beat criminals and catch thieves.
I have a friend named Mercy.
Mom knows her too.
She has been missing since last night.
Please find her, Dad.
Is that girl from your school?
Yes, dad. She is my classmate.
Her father passed away.
Please, Dad.
Sure.
I've told all the policemen to find her as soon as possible.
Really?
Yes.
I visited her house today as well.
I have ordered other policemen to find her quickly.
Okay. Unwrap the gift and see.
We'll have cake together. Okay?
[phone rings]
Sir.
Collect Solomon's postmortem report from the station now
and bring it home tomorrow morning.
Okay, sir.
How long will you hide the truth from her?
I'll go to the station and be back.
Dear, I'll drop the car and come.
Okay, Dad.
What are you doing?
The DSP asked me to collect Solomon's postmortem report.
They asked me to wait for an hour.
- Ah. - What's in your hand? Are you sick?
That's nothing.
I have anaemia.
The doctor told me to take pills.
Are you writing a grievance letter again?
Yes.
How long will you keep submitting an unwilling petition to be transferred
to station duty instead of driver duty?
What's your problem here?
Are you going to catch the thief? Are you going to find the murderer?
Or are you going to stop the murder from taking place? No.
Just drive the DSP around.
Pick up and drop his kids to school.
Run his petty domestic errands. Why do you want to suffer?
Like every other policeman,
you get paid on the 30th of every month, right?
Then why...
Hey, no matter how many grievance letters you write
or petitions you file at the SP office,
it won't bring any results.
Such is the system.
Don't forget that this system is the reason you are in this situation.
Hey, Gautam, come here.
Sir.
She is the victim and witness of an important case.
It's your job to safeguard her and escort her to the court tomorrow.
- Understood? - Okay, sir.
Do you still believe that they will get you out of this?
Learn to adapt to your destiny.
If you want things to change,
only a miracle can help.
Understood?
[footsteps]
Hmm. Come on.
Sir, I need to buy A4 sheets and ink pads.
Give me Rs. 500.
I signed the requisition form two days ago.
It's not available in the store.
They just lie.
Don't bother spending a penny from your pocket for this station. Huh!
Take it.
Huh!
Sir.
Take a seat.
Write down what you told me in the morning, on that paper.
Okay, sir.
[pen clicks open]
Sir?
Yes.
A person died near your house.
You were right there. Didn't you hear any noise?
No, sir.
I was slightly drunk yesterday.
Oh.
I quickly fell asleep. I didn't hear any noise.
Hmm. Write it down.
Sir.
Did you find any information about Mercy?
Esther's husband was horrible.
Her child means the world to her.
Poor Esther!
Everyone in this world has problems.
We are poor too.
We'll find out soon.
Hmm.
- And? - Huh?
Did you find anything suspicious when the girl spoke to you?
No, nothing like that, sir.
[suspenseful music playing]
Sir, while I was talking to Mercy,
there was a guy staring at us in the dark. He was drinking.
Who was it?
I don't know who it was, but, someone was standing there, sir.
- Write it down. - Okay.
[bike whirring]
- Hey. - Yes.
Hold him. I'll check on Esther.
Hmm.
[effort grunts]
She left for church only after Solomon came home.
- Esther. - Nobody had imagined...
Mom!
I searched everywhere but still couldn't find Mercy.
I've looked everywhere.
Nobody has news of her.
I'll surely find her, right?
You'll surely find her.
She must be safe.
[door creaks shut]
[lock rattles]
I just got back from the police station.
They are searching too.
[eerie music playing]
Where could she have gone?
She must be around.
[lock clicks open]
[suspenseful music peaks]