Even animals that kill and devour other animals...
are unable to commit such an act toward their own kind.
Given that,
how are humans able to do this?
As a cop,
even if I capture that animal
and punish it legally,
the horror of what has happened cannot be reversed.
How can it be erased?
How can it be forgotten?
Do I take pride in being a cop?
Or...
do I consider it a curse?
RUMOR: THE MYSTERY OF MANI
A well-attired belle
A bejeweled maiden
A luminous, radiant damsel
A vivacious, glittering charmer
A music-playing fairy
A pristine enchantress
Do you not sense the truth in her words?
HEADLINES
Here's Minister Ma. Sethupathy, talking about
the unfortunate incident during the inauguration
of the Chennai-Madurai eight-lane highway--
The eight-lane highway is a central government initiative.
Following its announcement, there were several protests all over!
But the state government did not support these protests.
That the state govt. had demanded the return of the land
seized by the central government for this project,
which was the reason for the inauspicious incident,
and it was nothing but a staged stunt by the state govt., says the center...
The incident at the eight-lane highway inauguration
is labelled a lowly stunt of the state government--
Hello, everyone! Today, we will cover last week's incident
at the inauguration ceremony
of the central government's eight-lane national highway project.
The central government says this was a premeditated plot by the state government.
The state government denies any involvement in this incident.
Both sides are clashing with each other.
What really happened? What is the incident?
What accusations are being made by the central govt. against the state?
And vice versa?
We're about to cover the allegations from both sides.
This video will not rush to judgment as to who is right and who is wrong.
It will simply cover the facts.
Central Minister Maan Singh
came to Madurai for the eight-lane NH inauguration ceremony.
The state government's Highways Minister and the public were present.
The plan for the inauguration ceremony
involved the land being dug out by means of a bulldozer
so that Minister Maan Singh could lay the foundation stone.
When the mud was dug out by the bulldozer,
a skeleton came to the surface with it.
This project is an ill-fated project!
As in, full of bad omens, predicting misfortunes.
To make people and the media believe this, the state government staged this
- accuses the center. - Brother!
- This show will cover... - Brother Mohan!
- the progression of this case-- - Brother Mohan! I'm talking to you!
What is it?
Where is the SI?
It's Friday, right?
He must've gone to the mosque.
- What do you need him for? - I want paper bundles! That's why!
I've been asking for two days now. No one heeds me!
Hey!
Light police stations only get two paper bundles for three months!
If we need more, we must buy at our own expense!
Porchelvi!
Today's not Friday.
It's Thursday.
Sir's case is due in court, right?
He's gone for that.
Sub-Inspector Moosa Raaza of Light Station!
Call him quickly! Ma'am has to leave for lunch soon.
What? Did he not come?
He has come, ma'am. He was around just now.
Is he coming, or do I move on to the next case?
Get him here quickly!
He's in the middle of his prayers, ma'am.
Why do you oppose the Chennai-Madurai Highway? Answer that question first!
10,000 acres of farm land will be lost.
Isn't agriculture important to you?
So, roads mustn't be laid?
You don't want us to provide infrastructure for vehicles to ply on?
What matters more? Food or highway?
Farming can only be done in that land parcel, is it?
Food or highway? Please answer that first!
The highways are excellent in Singapore, they say.
The very people who praise the roads abroad are the ones
taking a regressive stance when the same infrastructure is brought to Tamil Nadu.
They sabotaged the inauguration with skeletons to torpedo this scheme!
This isn't true.
The state government has ordered an investigation into this matter!
Hasn't it?
Heard the story around this case, sir?
They want us to find out whose skeleton was dug up in the wasteland!
The IO assigned to the case is dead meat!
You're not handling the case, right?
Then what's your problem?
Hey! Turn off the TV!
You got distracted by watching TV all day and took on the wrong case!
A complaint was filed over the theft of 1.2 million rupees. Didn't you check?
The pawnbroker was claiming his money was stolen.
Maari asked if we should take up the case.
I failed to notice the price of the item on the record.
Our station handles theft cases
- only up to 500,000 rupees. - Okay, sir.
Anything beyond must be transferred to the DSP.
Tell them to meet the DSP.
Yes, sir.
Here.
- Buy those paper bundles. - Yes, sir.
Get lost.
Wonder why I'm putting in my own money?
I can't run the station with under-the-table dealings.
It may be a punishment posting,
but can I run the station in a don't-care manner, Mohan?
- Porchelvi? - Sir?
Drain the water from the soaked rice.
- Here. Wash this. - Okay.
Eating meals you prepare personally is a true ecstasy, sir!
What an aroma!
For this alone, I could stay with you!
Your wife is very lucky!
So you say.
But she feels worried.
After eight years of marriage,
Praise be to God,
we were able to conceive.
She is three months pregnant.
During this time, she wants to stay with me.
I tried to find a place here for us to stay,
but I can't find one.
You know how no one here rents out houses to cops.
And my name is so very Muslim!
Getting shot down on two counts!
Don't worry, sir!
For your kind heart, everything will work out well.
We'll find you a house!
What happened with the case yesterday, sir?
I was praying when my case was called.
As usual, it got postponed.
By Allah's grace,
all will be well.
That case you brought up this morning?
Yes, sir. The skeleton in the wasteland case.
Yes.
Rather than be caught like a deer in the headlights, in these thorny cases,
I'd take a punishment posting any day!
That is so true, sir.
There are innumerable cases on record with unidentified corpses!
At least those corpses have faces. This is a skeleton on a highway.
Several trucks run from Goa to Kanyakumari.
God knows who did it! No name or address to go with!
Above all, if this is government drama like the news claims, that's it!
It would stay unsolved forever.
It will be ready in five minutes.
Set the plates.
Let's eat.
Sir?
Put your leg up here. A snake might bite you.
What is it, Maari?
A snake?
Yes, sir!
Despite this being neither a pyre area nor a private burial ground,
a skeleton was found here.
That's why a question has come up as to whether the protestors did this.
Only by identifying this skeleton via a neutral investigation
does the government feel we can ascertain the truth.
That's what we are working toward.
The SP is here.
The SP?
Inform the SI!
Clear the tea glasses, kid!
- Get over here! - Yes.
Hold on!
Go, go, go!
- Ma'am! - Raaza.
Must be a complete change since your transfer from a buzzing place, right?
That may be true, but I wouldn't entirely agree, ma'am.
There are quite a few challenges here.
Raaza,
I'm not like your previous SP.
You can talk openly with me.
Ma'am,
since you said I can speak openly...
You know this is my punishment posting.
I want to do my job properly, without taking shortcuts.
I'm taking care of many small things at my own expense.
I get what you're saying.
I'm aware.
What can I do to help you?
If you were to speed up the reimbursement, it would be really helpful.
I'll have a word.
I'm thinking of giving you the authority to lead an investigation.
Which investigation, ma'am?
When Central Minister Maan Singh came for the inauguration ceremony.
You're aware of that issue?
The investigation to identify the skeleton that was discovered--
Why did you smile?
Sorry, ma'am.
Didn't I tell you upfront that you can speak openly with me?
Since you said I can speak openly...
I'm still on punishment duty.
In the event that this investigation goes wrong,
there has to be someone to take the fall for it, right?
It's not that, Raaza.
I've kept track of your career.
I asked you to take the lead only after going over your records.
If things go wrong, all the blame will fall upon me.
Don't think I'll point fingers at you.
Sorry, ma'am.
Yes, or no?
Yes, ma'am.
But I have a request.
What is your request?
Yes, Moosa!
Just a minute, Moosa. I nodded off. I was up all night.
Where are you now, Ramar?
- Where are we, kiddo? - V.M. Chatram.
V.M. Chatram, it seems.
We just crossed it, Moosa.
- You'll be in Lakshmipuram in ten minutes. - Okay.
I'm waiting near Mahesh Water Supply on that road.
- Get down there. - Okay.
Were you two close since your SI training days?
I can't answer that.
Okay, sir.
Can you let me know once we reach Lakshmipuram?
Sure!
MAHESH WATER SUPPLY
Peace be upon you, Moosa!
And upon you, be peace! Welcome, Ramar!
I was minding my business in Anjugramam, and you summoned me here in one day!
My sister-in-law told me last week,
"I see a change of scene for you!"
Her blessed mouth deserves sweet jaggery! Somehow, you dragged me out here.
Are you glad I brought you here, Ramar? Or are you bummed?
Cops are always bummed!
Fine, get in.
- Ramar! - Yes?
- This is Head Constable Mohan Kumar. - Sir!
- Get in. - Either move aside or enter first!
- How else can I get in? - Sorry, sir. Come, sir!
What, Ramar?
- You only brought this many clothes? - I'll wrap up in two days and leave.
You're so confident?
What case do we have here, Moosa?
It's been on the news for ten days. Didn't you watch?
The inauguration of the eight-lane highway?
Goddamn! The case with the skeleton?
Exactly, Ramar.
It's caught in a tussle between the state and central governments.
We need to identify whose skeleton it is.
All of Kanyakumari is buzzing about that case!
Even guys in our department are all over it!
Really? What are they saying?
Which IO's head would roll in this tussle between the central and state government--
Oh my! You are that IO!
These aren't my words, Moosa.
Just telling you what I heard.
That's all.
Looks like he'll rat me out!
Here I was thinking the case would be done in two days!
Hell's bells!
You and Vivek were muddling through that case for two years, right?
Think you can solve this in two days?
That was a corpse. This is a skeleton. How do we solve it?
Is this where the skeleton was found?
Yes.
Very well.
According to the post-mortem report, how old could the skeleton be?
Around 2 to 2.5 years.
But they've been unable
to deduce the gender and the age of the victim at this time.
To put it simply,
the body was not disposed of here to create a scene at the ceremony.
They disposed of it much earlier. We need to find evidence from it.
Am I right?
That's the case.
Here are the questions.
Is the victim male or female?
Did they die here or elsewhere?
If they were killed and buried here, the government is telling the truth.
They have nothing to do with this.
But if they died elsewhere and were only buried here,
we can suspect this was a conspiracy by the state government, right?
We can't be certain of that.
The question ought to be,
when did they bury the victim?
When the victim died two and a half years ago,
or was it recently?
If it was recently,
we can assume the government has a hand in this matter.
Sir!
Shouldn't we also consider if this was a murder or not?
There's that crap, too?
A picturesque wasteland.
Therein is a skeleton!
No creature or human has any business there!
No idea if the guy was murdered or died naturally!
Did they bury it here originally?
Or did they kill somewhere else and bury it here?
No clue there, either!
Who do we ask?
How do we begin to investigate?
This truly feels like my head is being twisted into knots!
As per the post-mortem report, the skeleton was missing one hand.
That, too?
What does that mean?
Was it a one-armed dead guy? Or was he missing an arm when they dug him up?
We'll need to look into it.
If it is a one-armed guy,
we'll need to look into missing persons’ cases
of one-armed men that were filed in the last two years.
If his arm was hacked, we need to find out if that was the cause of death.
Where have they stored the skeleton?
Mejura Hospital!
"Mejura"?
Do you still call "Madurai" as "Mejura"?
What era is he from, Moos--?
I was thinking I lost just last night's sleep.
From now on, no sleep. Period!
GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL, MADURA
Half the arm is missing.
Was it lost while digging him up, or did he not have it to begin with?
We're not sure.
- Could it be a natural death? - Only the doctor can confirm that.
Were you able to find out if this was a natural death or murder?
No, we have not.
So, all you've found out is that this is a skeleton?
Are you mocking me?
Look how damaged it is!
Run a DNA test on it!
It might tell us something!
Until then, as you said, this is just a skeleton!
That's all you will know!
- Stay back to help them, Subbaiah. - Yes, sir.
He must be a real Dr. Cranky! He keeps blowing his top!
What's this?
Why is it like this?
It's fecal matter, sir.
It wasn't stated in the report.
I asked the doctor if I should mention it.
He said it's not a big issue, and we could leave it out.
What is fecal matter?
Human waste.
Are skeletons capable of taking a dump, sir?
You are going to remain a constable for life!
That was a field, right?
How could human waste be there, at such a depth?
He must've dug a hole to shit in because it was comfy!
- Ramar! - Then what?
Didn't Dr. Cranky say we needed a DNA sample to find more information?
What else to say?
What do you call this?
- Fecal matter, man! - Fecal matter.
Hold this, sir.
This is that place.
Over here,
there are no drainage pipes or canals.
If there were a drainage pipe here, how deep would it be?
- Four feet. - This place used to be a field, right?
It was used for farming.
Any record on who this land belonged to?
You'll need to check with the sub-registrar's office.
Terrific.
Sir!
We found it!
One second.
Yes, Raaza?
I have an update on this case, ma'am.
The doctor said there was human waste on the skeleton that was found.
Based on that, given where the skeleton was found,
I used the survey number of the land record
and verified what it used to be at the sub-registrar's office.
There used to be an orchard
and a motor room.
There was also a well. Twenty-two feet deep.
It was transformed later into a septic tank.
The skeleton was dug out in the same place where the septic tank used to be.
We've dug up around six feet. Think we can dig further.
What do you think we will find? if we dig further?
The skeleton is missing half an arm.
Did it go missing when it was dug up?
Or did the guy have only half an arm?
Or was it hacked off?
Knowing that will really help the investigation.
Okay.
Go ahead with it.
Thank you, ma'am.
Keep going!
Go by the right side!
Head straight! Keep going!
Go in!
Get in! Keep going!
Go in!
Keep going straight!
Go on in!
That's it! Keep going!
Keep going!
One of you hold him!
Only one of you--
One of you hold him! The whole lot of you don't jump at him!
Just one of you go hold him! A "Rapoosal" Chera Naachiyar bull.
Just one man! Don't hold the tail, the horns, and don't tie the legs!
That's it! Excellent! What a great bull!
Look at him go!
What a bull! Clap your hands! Get an almirah ready for the winning bull!
The one who wins gets a huge vessel and a silver coin.
The winning Chera Naachiyar bull! What a beast it is!
Get that kid out of here. Call the ambulance, please! Next!
Congrats to that bull's owner!
Step up, next team!
The bull will be let out!
Congrats to all bull fighters who came by, made trouble, or tried to tame!
Next up, the team of Modakkathan!
We'll see if you guys snare this one
or turn turtle like the guys before.
Clap your hands and motivate them!
This is a tremendous bull! Undefeated so far!
Here it comes! From the district of Thanjavur--
Quite a formidable bull! It hasn't met its match yet!
Snare it if you can, kid!
Excellent! Great going, young man! Just this one man!
Evenly matched bull and bullfighter! Superb!
Applaud and motivate them!
Bring over that precious warrior! He did it!
What a player! Look at him go!
Bring over that precious chap!
Award him with a cash prize of 50,000 rupees and a bicycle!
Get over here, champ! Let's hear it for him!
What a fantastic player!
Great going! Congratulations!
- What's your name? - Mani.
Congrats, Mani! Great going!
Congratulations, Champ!
- Mani! - Over here!
Hey, Mani!
Over here, buddy!
This kid seems to have a fan club of his own!
Look here, Mani!
- Mani! - Over here, Mani!
- Great going! - See that, buddy?
See how I ruled it! Come on down!
Come on, Praba!
Have a round!
No thanks.
That bull was my forever dream, Teepu!
I wanted to snare it somehow!
For 21 days, I slept on the floor, refrained from meat,
and didn't even look at girls or eat outside!
I'd just smear holy ash from our family deity's temple!
God spoke to me, Teepu!
Showed me all kinds of dreams!
On the final morning, I set out to snare the bull.
Just then, a bad omen! A woman standing with her hair loose!
I dashed back home, guzzled down a pot of water,
and went straight to the family temple!
Bought a cheap blade to lightly slit my finger, let some blood drip,
and went, "O dear Goddess!"
"Let all my misfortunes end with this drop of blood!"
I prayed for only good things to happen
and then went and stood strong in the arena!
The bull was just strutting along!
I expertly locked him down and brought him back home.
Indeed!
Who caught the bull? Who, indeed?
Mani!
Mani, they call him!
Praba?
What's gotten you so glum?
Have some booze and chow down some meat!
Quit adding fuel to the fire. Don't need that!
Drink, I say!
Drink up and tell me what's eating you! Go ahead!
A bit of a muddle, buddy!
I have seen muddles plenty!
- Spill it! - Let's hear it!
Hers is an “okayish” family.
My brother knows them pretty well.
One day, they casually tell my brother, "Today is my niece's birthday."
"Let's go out for biriyani!"
They invited everyone, so I went too.
Just stood in the corner.
She just popped by without warning! I was floored!
She looked gorgeous!
Ensuring no one was looking, I ogled at her.
- Natural, right? - Yes.
We just started singing "Happy Birthday."
Suddenly, her father tells me to click a photo!
- Okay. - He took my phone number, too!
Never mind what her father did, buddy!
Tell us what happened with the girl!
Turned out she was ogling at me too!
Stop bullshitting!
This is the truth and nothing but the truth!
Two days later, she texts me on WhatsApp. "Hi! How are you?"
I replied, "Who are you?"
- What a knock! - She asked if anyone was around.
I said, "No. Who are you?"
"Ravi's daughter," she replied.
"How'd you get my number?" I asked. "Stole it from my dad's phone," she said!
I said this will land us both in trouble!
She goes, "What's the big deal? We're just being friendly!"
Soon, she fell for it hook, line, and sinker!
I became a different person just then!
But we haven't talked in a week. Her phone is off.
That's why I feel off.
Hey!
You call this a problem?
Shrug it off and strut on!
Feel off, he says!
We've snared Karuppudurai's bull!
Eat some meat and enjoy, you dumbo!
Moron!
After that, in today's bullfight,
you snared a fierce bull and won the game!
Weren't you scared at all?
-How did you get so brave? - Brother!
Assume our bike meets with an accident. Does that mean we stop riding bikes?
This is just like that!
For three bullfights,
I waited patiently to snare that bull. And here you are!
Every year, this bull has pierced and punctured every man
who tried to snare it! I've seen it happen for three years!
As soon as it is let loose, it just takes down guys left and right...
Don't be on the phone day in and day out!
It's a goal of mine--
The sun's coming up. Dry the tamarind and grind the chutney!
If you want it done fast, do it yourself. I'll be a while.
It's a goal of mine to snare a bull like this!
-My grit stood high with the bull's hump? - Definitely!
Bullfighting is my life!
- Catch you later? - Sure.
Viewers! Mani's courage--
"8825905--"
Mom! What did you say you wanted?
- Harini! - Stay here. I'll handle this.
You threw the phone away as soon as your brother came in?
Changing your bark then and now!
Turn the dried tamarind and bring them over.
GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, RASAIYAPURAM
CHILDREN'S DAY, 2022
The leader with a rose
Who is the gem among the people?
The leader with a rose
Who is the gem among the people?
The one with a compassionate heart A proponent of non-violence
Who is the one Who lived for the world?
It's his birthday today Celebrated as Children's Day
He fills our life with joy
The leader with a rose
Who is the gem among the people?
The leader with a rose
Who is the gem among the people?
Venba!
What's with the needless tears?
You danced well!
Nobody noticed you flub.
Will you listen to me or not?
Poorni! Go console your friend!
A real dimwit, this one!
Okay, ma'am.
No one noticed you flub, dumbo!
Then why are you crying?
But I know about it, right?
Why did you flub?
Take this! Come!
Hello?
- Divya-- - Divya?
Divya who? This is Mani.
Hello?
Can you hear me?
Mani?
Yes.
Mani, right?
Yes, the very same!
First, tell me who you are!
I know you. That's all. Don't ask me any further questions!
I called just like that.
Don't you have a name?
Okay, sister. What do you want?
Don't ever call me "sister"!
I like you! That's all.
Who are you? Calling at this hour to say you like me?
The number you are calling is currently busy.
The number you are calling is currently switched off.
Careful!
Hoist it up!
Careful!
Hoist it up!
- Watch it! - Come on!
Hoist it up!
Easy does it!
Hoist it up!
Lift it slowly!
Careful!
There's so much water, sir!
Go about it gently!
Careful!
We've dug up to eight feet! Do we go even deeper?
Let's go even further.
There's plenty of water, too.
If the machine gets stuck, there'll be trouble!
Just a little more.
Let's just go a little deeper.
Go.
Hoist it up!
Are you standing guard for the light? Turn it this side!
Slowly!
Wait! Don't pour it!
Moosa!
Come here fast!
Appears it was someone local who had this design custom-made by a goldsmith.
How can you confirm it's local?
At the moment, this sort of thing is not highly popular.
Karup design, fancy design, Tendulkar design...
And all these are machine cut.
Most of these bear the seal of the TCPL.
Tamil Nadu Chains Private Limited.
But this neither looks machine cut nor does it bear the TCPL seal.
I suggest you meet the town's goldsmiths.
Or try checking in Salem.
The locality of Panangadu in Salem is a major hub for silver.
This is a good lead, ma'am.
We have a clue that strongly suggests the guy is local.
I've requested the details of every goldsmith in Madurai.
Once we know who crafted it and which shop it was made in,
I think we can identify the person.
Okay.
Moosa Raaza!
You won't sleep until you find the truth.
But must everyone else lose sleep for that? Let's go!
Shall we have tea, Ramar?
Even kings need to sleep at night.
Tea will keep that from happening. I need to sleep first!
Drive.
I can track down gold, sir.
But tracking silver is difficult.
It needs to be done exactly like this? You got it!
This is a regular design. Anyone can do it.
I'm not asking you to do another one. Did you make this exact one?
Why that, sir? I'll make you a new one.
You needn't do anything! Leave me alone!
How can I tell just by the picture alone?
Did you bring the bracelet?
We couldn't bring it.
The letters "SSJ" were engraved on it.
We checked every jewelry store with that name.
But they claim it's not theirs!
Did you check with Sevarkodi Silver Jewelers?
- No. - Where is it?
At Thalakankulam, there is a shop called Sevarkodi Silver Jewelers.
I've made one just like this for them!
I think you have a lucky mole somewhere, Moosa!
- Why do you say that, Ramar? - Why wouldn't I?
So many cops struggle to identify unclaimed corpses for months on end!
You identified a two-year-old skeleton in just two days!
You must have that mole!
Maari's waiting there. Pull over.
- Where's the shop? - It's been closed for 18 months!
Way to jinx it, Ramar!
Spoke the truth, didn't I?
What happened to the shop?
Did you look into the owner?
I did, sir.
He lives close by.
He hasn't vacated, right?
- Should shut my mouth! - Lead the way!
Okay, sir.
The shop was robbed a year and a half ago, sir.
Business went down!
To this day, you guys still haven't found that thieving son of a gun!
Figured that's why you're here!
That's why you are all fenced up around the house?
A bracelet was sold by your shop.
I want to know who bought it.
I said the shop is finished!
How can I find that out?
Take a look at this bracelet.
Goldsmith Thangappa said it was part of an order from your shop.
This one?
We didn't sell it!
What then?
2022!
It was a sponsorship gift given for the Avaniyapuram Bullfight!
Louder! I can't hear you!
The arena must shake! Excellent, kiddo!
Clap your hands to motivate them! This player has aced this game! Come!
Jersey number 309! Karan!
Congratulations to our dear brother Karan!
To felicitate him,
we present a silver bracelet, courtesy of SSJ Jewelers of Thalakankulam!
Applaud and show your love! Can't hear you!
Next up, number seven, Vellamuthu!
Courtesy of SSJ Jewelers from Thalakankulam,
we present a silver bracelet!
Step up, dear boy!
A silver bracelet! Clap and show your love!
Step up, Number 29, Mani! Come on!
Clap your hands and show him your love!
A cash prize of 50,000 rupees, and a silver bracelet!
A silver bracelet, courtesy of SSJ Jewelers!
Clap and show your love!
A silver bracelet, courtesy of SSJ Jewelers from Thalakankulam!
Congratulations, dear boy! Superb!
Hats off to our dearest Mani!