A big fight broke out in the factory between Gonu Lal and the supervisor, sir!
I was watching everything!
I'm coming!
I won't stop till I kill you!
Let go of me!
I'll kill you! You think you can slash my face?
I'll kill you, bastard!
- Mongrel! - Look, sir!
- You want to fight with me?! Come on! - Hey, Punniyamoorthy, stop!
Punniyamoorthy!
Everybody, leave!
Sack him first, sir!
If not, all of us will refuse to work!
Don't make me swear!
Anyone who refuses to work can just leave!
Don't try to scare me!
What's your problem?
Lunch break for everyone is at 1:00 p.m.! But he left to eat at 12:00 p.m.!
When I told you to return to work, you tried to slash my face? Come on!
Come on! Try slashing me!
- Don't lie! - I dare you to slash me!
Stop lying, Punniyamoorthy!
You've had it in for him since the day he started here!
What's your problem with him?
I saw you hitting him on his head, asking him to get back to work!
He starts working at 2:30!
His daily output is more than anyone else's here!
And you hit him on the head?
Is he your servant?
If you want to, quit! I won't sack him!
Leave, everyone!
- Leave, I say! - Get going!
- Go on! - Get back to work!
- Get going! - Return to work!
Leave, everyone!
- Get going, all of you! - This is how they act in the eating area?
- Go on! - Leave!
Get back to work.
Why squeeze yourself in that tight spot?
Sit here.
Brother!
Sit here!
Come on!
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?
All the cases are in the South District.
Yes, sir.
You wanted to investigate a case that was convicted at the Sessions Court.
Now, you're bundling all the cases here and want to pass off apples as oranges!
Who do you think you are?
What's your link to that suspect?
None, sir.
But I firmly believe he had nothing to do with these murders.
So? Think I'll buy some serial killer story you're trying to spin here?
Not a story, sir.
The six victims aren't connected at all.
But the same DNA was found in all six crime scenes.
That's why we insist this is the work of a serial killer.
You've brought it to my notice, right?
I'll take it from here.
Get going.
Get going, I say!
- Leave! - Yes, sir.
Sir?
We already have a court order to investigate the Mani case.
If the other murders are linked to this case,
doesn't it mean we must investigate those, too?
- Raaza... - Hey!
You have any idea who you're talking to?
The Inspector General of the South!
Need I remind you of that?
Bloody fool!
Don't assume you can do anything because you were praised for the highway case.
Aren't you the one who filed a case against the department?
I can't rein in both of you either!
Investigate this case as you did with Mani's case.
No need to expand the team. Keep the case sealed.
Ensure there are no leaks.
Got it?
Yes, sir!
Yes, sir.
Just a minute.
You step out.
What did the IG say, ma'am?
He'll be the one who should answer when questioned tomorrow, right?
That's his fear.
More importantly, he can answer them only if he knows what those answers are.
That's his concern.
He consented to continue the investigation, right? That's enough.
No, Raaza. It won't suffice.
We can't find out anything if it's just the two of us working on it.
We need more manpower.
Ramar, Mohan Kumar, and Maari. We can manage with them, ma'am.
Each person must do the work of two.
They're ready to do that, ma'am!
Isn't that all that matters?
Mohan Kumar wasn't always so sharp.
But now, even he's trained enough to handle this!
Ask your questions, and I'll reply naturally. Got it?
Right, brother!
- Frame looks good? - It's perfect!
- Do I look good? - Yes.
- Shall I begin? - Proceed!
Tell us about the Mani murder case, brother.
The new information you've found--
Hey, hey, hey! Stop!
- Why, brother? - Don't call me "brother"!
Refer to me as "Sir"!
Only then will it seem authentic!
Got it! One more time from the top!
Turn it on!
Tell us about the Mani murder case, sir.
And the new leads that have arisen from it.
Greetings.
I am the Head Constable Mohan Kumar at the Padambathur station.
You must all be familiar with the Mani case.
You must've read articles about the re-investigation of the same.
In this murder,
and a string of other murders-- No...
A serial killer seems to be involved.
That's what I-- sorry-- we have found.
This killer has committed six such murders and shows no signs of stopping.
Mani! I've given 700 rupees to the canteen!
Collect it from them!
Why did you do that needlessly, Mom? I told you not to!
You might have expenses. If you had cash, you could get what you want, right?
That's not it! You said you gave 1,000 rupees last time, didn't you?
They still haven't given me that!
They'll take it for themselves!
They'll take this too! That's why I told you!
I feel bad seeing you wait here and undergo such hardships, Mom!
Stop coming here!
Why say such a thing, dear?
I'm able to go on only because I get to see you once every week!
Why do you want to take that away from me, Mani?
How is Kaari, Mom? You didn't mention him at all!
I did want to tell you about him!
Someone came by wanting to buy Kaari!
I can't stand to watch that poor mute creature suffer!
- Time's up! Leave! - Shall I sell him?
- What the hell, Mom? I'll die if you do! - Time's up! Leave!
Swear to me! Did you sell him already?
No! I wouldn't do it without telling you!
- Time's up! Leave! - But I can't manage him!
- Don't do anything like that, Mom! - Why must he suffer too?
Tell the truth! You haven't given him away, right?
No, I haven't!
Please don't do such a thing, or I'll lose all interest in living!
Get going!
Complaints filed on the Minister of Law and Order...
over illegal phone taps on high-ranking politicians.
Minister Vellappan and his wife--
You must all be familiar with the Mani case--
The Governor and the Chief Minister must follow their conscience!
You must all be familiar with the Mani case.
You must've read articles about the re-investigation of the same.
And a string of other murders-- No...
A serial killer seems to be involved.
Wring these even harder before hanging them up!
I said I'd get Sultana or my mother here to help you out.
You won't listen.
Spread those clothes wider!
The Mani case just keeps on escalating with no end in sight.
I can't reduce focus on that, right?
They'll come anyway for the delivery, right?
Why bother them needlessly at this time?
So you've decided you'll give birth here?
Where else?
It's not like you'd take leave and join me if I were giving birth at Kadayanallur!
Of course! Why would I not join you?
You'd say you would join me.
But your work can't be trusted.
When the due date draws near, I don't want to be worried about that.
So, let me give birth here.
The cloth-pegs box is in there.
Please get it.
Yes, Ramar?
Saw the video I sent, Moosa?
No. What video?
- Don't let anyone in! - Wait here!
We'll have a Q and A, if need be.
Please wait here! Please wait, sir!
What the hell have you done, Mohan?
You have ruined the respect you had!
Why would you be so irresponsible?
Don't you know what a cop can or cannot divulge?
Answer me!
You think keeping a sorry face can erase what you did?
Had it been anyone else, I'd have ripped him to shreds!
In a flurry, I did it without thinking, sir.
We deleted the video.
- But it still spread-- - How could it not?
Are you really that naive?
There's an article about Mani and this case every day!
And the thing you leaked?!
It's like throwing a skeleton to a ravenous beast. Will they let go?
- Ramar! - Who told--
It's ma'am.
Hello, ma'am?
On my way, ma'am.
A meeting with the Commissioner.
She wants us to join.
If what you just did...
causes this investigation to slip away...
and leads to Mani being in prison for life,
that sin will be on you, Mohan.
Who's this new chap?
I asked you a question!
Sir!
I ordered tea from another shop, assuming you'd get mad if we continued with Dilip.
Should his livelihood be ruined because of your foolishness?
- Get him back! - Yes, sir.
I wish I had stayed at Nagercoil.
Thanks to that "Mejura" Mohan, I have to face this!
Moosa?
Ma'am?
Sorry, ma'am. Never imagined Mohan Kumar would do something so foolish.
Not just you, Raaza!
I am personally invested in this case, too!
How can we respond to this?
The IG already said he'd handle this case from here.
This one mishap is enough to cut us out of this investigation!
No idea what the Commissioner will say!
Ma'am?
This isn't your fault.
I'll take full responsibility.
I know you didn't expect this to happen, either!
Please don't say anything.
Whatever they say, I'll handle it.
You come with me alone.
- Sir! - Sir!
Come!
Useless people!
The Southern Commissioner and the Central DGP are all over me!
Asking how something even they didn't know has leaked out!
How do I respond to that?
Sir...
The leaking of the news is a grave error, I admit.
But we had already brought it to your attention.
Don't talk nonsense, Rathika!
The credibility of the case of the serial killer is still not conclusive.
What will I answer my superiors? Tell me!
Admit your mistake to the Commissioner and apply for the transfer yourself!
I'm going to give you bad remarks on your report!
Nonsense!
Sir!
- At ease! - Sir! Please.
As I explained over the phone,
we're pursuing the angle of a serial killer.
But nothing is conclusive.
But before that, a member of his team leaked this out.
Unfortunately, sir.
It happens.
No case can be investigated without people being in the know, right?
Despite that, if news still leaks out?
- Nothing we can do, right? - Sir.
What's this serial killer angle? Please elaborate.
Well, sir--
You're well versed with this case, right?
Fill me in.
Moosa Raaza.
Sir!
In the Nilavathi and Venba murder case, with the prime suspect Mani,
we found a third DNA sample.
It might've belonged to the real killer.
To ascertain the identity of the DNA, we were conducting an investigation.
We learned that from 2022 all the way to now, March 2025,
the same DNA was found in four murder scenes at Trichy, Tenkasi,
Aazhigudi in Tirunelveli, and Sankarankoil.
The victims don't know each other.
No links whatsoever.
Going by that, and as the murders occurred in different places,
as well as the same DNA being found everywhere,
we firmly suspect this is the work of a serial killer.
Which station are you from?
Padambathur, sir.
How did you know the same DNA was found at crime scenes in different districts?
Don't hesitate. Tell me how you found out.
It was a stroke of luck, sir.
That's true.
One also needs luck to solve a case.
And this is a very big case.
I'll sanction a large team for you.
I'll grant permission to access all the records you need.
Have a full dossier ready to be sent to the Director General.
I'll bring up the funding for this at our next meeting.
- Thank you, sir. - Thank you, sir.
For now, we only have this room.
I'll clear all this out. It's pretty spacious, ma'am!
This will do, ma'am.
I've selected three SIs and six constables, ma'am.
All from the Crime Branch.
Sub-Inspectors David, Muthu, and Luda.
Constables Thamaraichelvi, Jebin, and Kuzhanthai.
The suspect we're after is a serial killer.
Though the crimes occurred in different cities,
we have strong evidence that suggests the same individual is involved.
First, contact every Sub-Inspector assigned to these cases to gather data.
Sub-Inspector Raaza will apprise you on how to proceed further.
Yes, ma'am!
I was working at the Nochiyam station in 2022 when this case came up.
We got a call about a body being found on the Kaveri riverbed.
A public school teacher. Her ID card was in her purse.
They filed a missing persons case on the area councilor's wife.
I was in Chennai.
I called the station from Chennai when the kids said their mother was missing.
A week later,
we found the body at the Theni bypass.
The townsfolk said this guy did it.
Poor thing. A nineteen-year-old girl, sir.
Rape and murder.
Even today, her parents
keep coming to the station.
So what if you're cops? Aren't you human too?
How can you act without a conscience?
My daughter's undressed corpse was lying in the canal!
They refused to let us bring her up!
Some people just stood by and watched!
Won't they have the thought to cover her with some cloth?
All the surveillance footage for these three cases are in this hard disk.
No suspects were questioned in the cases of teacher Devi and the councilor's wife.
None in nurse Devaki's case either.
But in the Nilavathi and Venba case, a suspect was arrested and convicted.
What are you saying, Mr. Muthu?
The false conviction of Mani led us to discover the serial killer!
Don't try to press forward and rewind at the same time!
Sir!
In the Amudha case, two suspects are in remand.
There's also a suspect in remand in the school burglary case.
Mr. Raaza!
If we've already identified every suspect in this case,
what does the suspect we're seeking have to do with this case?
Either the ones in remand are associates of our suspect.
Or they must have nothing to do with this case.
Moosa!
If we knock around these old suspects a bit,
we can squeeze info out of them.
They'll sing like birds, won't they?
- And who can get it out of them? - Jebin over here!
Wow! Lunch has arrived!
Moosa?
Mohan was very apologetic.
We can forgive him, right?
Tell him to join in.
We're short on manpower, aren't we?
- Don't even post selfies! - I won't!
Pretend to keep busy whenever Moosa is around!
Sir!
He isn't buying it. Lower your hand!
There goes your job!
- Mohan! - Sir?
- Put this on the notice board. - Yes, sir!
Went over all the footage, Desingu?
Yes, sir. I've combed through the entire two months of footage.
Nothing out of the ordinary!
A serial killer, you say?
Yes.
But why kill two innocent girls?
Such killers have no particular reason to do what they do!
This case is taking me on a never-ending loop!
But we won't give up.
We'll definitely solve it.
But there's one question that keeps running at the back of my mind.
Why did Nilavathi and Venba leave that day without you?
Come with me, Venba.
That's the same question that bothers me to this day, brother!
She asked me to return early, saying she wanted to visit the Azhagar temple.
But I have no clue why she left before I got back.
Even if we suspect it's this guy who killed them,
the answer to how they got trapped by him lies within this question!
That's why this question keeps running in my head.
Brother?
There's something I want.
Can I ask you for it?
Yes, Raaza.
How's the investigation going?
It's difficult, sir.
Having trouble retaining personnel.
We've switched teams twice!
It's slowed down our investigation quite a bit.
Can Mani make bail if we apply for it?
You want to bail him out?
It must either be a thief or a murderer.
Or a thief who killed for his loot.
But the one we're looking for doesn't fit anywhere. That's the confusion.
So far, we've logged 3,360 man-hours.
We've scoured 4,000 hours of surveillance footage.
But we haven't noticed anyone who raises suspicion.
Different suspects were remanded in custody on three cases.
But none of them were able to leak out anything about this guy.
I can't tell if they're acting out of fear or loyalty.
Are you suggesting the killer is working with different groups?
Our investigation revealed as much, sir.
Kind of a very strange serial killer slash thief.
It's a real shame to our department that he never popped up on our radar!
- Do one thing, Rathika. - Yes, sir.
There's a retired suspect profiling expert in Palakkad. I'll share his number.
Talk to him.
Also, come up with a suspect profile from the DNA evidence.
Okay, sir.
This mysterious killer has to be found at any cost!
The box news on page seven, Mathi!
"The cops are looking for a serial killer in the Mani case."
Who wrote that article?
That's my article, sir. I wrote it.
Come to my cabin right away!
Okay, sir. Yeah.
- Be back in two minutes. - Yes, sir.
Your article, indeed.
But who wrote it?
I wrote it, sir.
Don't insult my talent and experience again by claiming you wrote this.
I know the age of every word that is printed in my paper.
Tell the truth.
Who wrote it?
Aishwarya. An intern who recently joined.
Is she pretty?
Damn it!
Why stop with the article? Why not give her your chair too?
Sorry, sir.
UTubers had a field day with that particular story.
We're the only ones who didn't put out anything on it.
Figured we could feature it as a tiny box news--
Moron!
Even if UTubers pick that story clean,
it's just a rumor as far as the public is concerned!
It's only the truth if the Fourth Column publishes it!
Do a full-length splash about it on the front page!
Got it?
Okay, sir.
This is no mere article.
It's a scoop!
It should read as such!
A news piece from a tea boy's channel, which has zero subscribers, went viral.
But spin it like a story for the public.
A hero. A villain.
Go with that angle.
Got it, sir. The police department is the hero.
The serial killer is the villain. Must we present them as such?
Like hell, you got it!
That's the usual story!
What's sensational about it?
Present the serial killer as the hero.
Turn the police department into the villains.
"Does such a killer really exist?"
"Or because the cops couldn't solve this case,
did they create the narrative of a serial killer to pin all this on?"
Understood?
Okay, sir.
What will be the title?
Why so angry over that paper?
It's not just a mere paper.
Bad enough that a mass murderer is joyfully roaming free with no remorse.
Worse monsters are freely spinning crap in the media to just make a buck!
What do I call this?
The kid can hear you.
Don't get mad.
Put on this shirt.
Don't get me wrong.
I didn't expect I'd be stuck in such a case during a time like this.
It's best if you go to Kadayanallur for the delivery.
I'll ask my mother to come take you there.
You could've mentioned this earlier.
Why say it just as you're heading to work?
I need to wait twelve hours to even ask you why you said that!
Forgive me, Sumaya.
You needn't go.
By Allah's grace, all will be well.
IS THE POLICE HUNTING A GHOST OR A GHOUL?
Based on the DNA profile, we've digitally rendered the suspect's appearance.
Forward it to all the stations.
Send them copies of the DNA reports we have, too.
If anyone has seen this face...
If word comes that anyone resembling him was arrested on any case,
tell them to inform us right away.
Check if this person resembles anyone in our list of convicts.
Got it?
Okay, sir.
Son?
Never mind digitally rendering such sketches.
Can I say something from past experience?
For three-- sorry, four cases prior to this,
we had an astrologer take a look on a betel leaf.
That revealed how the suspect would look and where he'd be exactly!
Shall we call that astrologer?
I have a lot of respect for you, brother.
Please don't come to me again with such ideas.
- Go on. - Son!
I'm scientifically well-versed, too.
We've seen plenty of cases!
Here, a man's DNA sample is found as evidence for every murder.
In my experience, I've never seen a killer leave no trace so meticulously like this.
That's what I'm saying.
Sir?
I'm not big on Mr. Sekaran's suggestion of an astrologer, either.
But I think this case is linked to some kind of supernatural spirit.
Please don't get mad.
I'll show you something.
Take a look.
I was up for three nights straight,
combing through the CCTV footage of the teacher.
Her body was found at the Nochiyam riverbank.
Upon thoroughly checking both camera angles at the river bank...
She crosses it at 7:05 a.m. at this angle.
But she doesn't show up in that angle.
I went through footage from 7:05-8:00 a.m. of the following day.
She never turned up.
If you look carefully, after she crosses this camera at 7:05 a.m.,
at 7:09 a.m.-- Look at this.
See that?
- See that? - See what?
- I didn't see crap! - No, brother!
I'll slow it down and show you.
Hey!
Notice a black form?
It's a woman, sir.
That's why I think this could be the work of a ghost.
Read the paper this morning?
That's not why I'm saying it's a ghost!
So you have read it.
Ever come to me again with this astrology or ghost-ghoul mumbo jumbo,
I'll complain to the SP!
Get back to work!
Go!
Did you hear, Moosa?
I got Mani out on bail.
He wanted to talk to you.
I'll put him on. Here, talk to him.
Hello, brother?
Made bail, Mani?
Yes, brother. Thank you very much.
I was too busy, so I couldn't make it.
I'll visit you tomorrow.
It's okay, brother. You went through a lot of trouble for me.
I don't know how I can ever repay you.
Don't worry about that.
We'll talk tomorrow.
Yes, brother.
All done?
Going straight home, or should I call someone?
No, sir. Home.
Doesn't seem like a Tamil face, right?
I'm the fire mason at this brick kiln.
A corpse has been disposed of here.
We noticed only four hours after the fire was lit.
Fully charred, sir.
Hello.
This audio is specifically for Mr. Moosa Raaza.
I've spoken to Dilip, the head of the Tamil Nadu Drivers Association.
Can I ask him to come in today?
This audio is meant to be general information for all.
I've viewed all the footage on the Amudha case.
I've marked up footage for two days.
I'll show it when you come, sir.
Hello, sir. This message is communicated by SI David.
I've viewed all the CCTV footage relating to three cases.
I've flagged the important clips. Will show them to you when you get here.
- Hello, sir. A report came in today. - Hold on, I got it.
Near Trichy, at the--
Peace be upon you, Moosa.
Peace be upon you, Dad.
- Peace be upon you. How are you? - And upon you, be peace.
- Doing well, Sumaya? - I'm doing really well.
- Praise be to Allah! - Peace be upon you, Sumaya.
You managed solo for five months.
How are Sultana and Nasreen?
They're doing well.
I'll get you some hot water, Dad.
The house may be small, but thanks to Allah, it's blessed.
Would you like to eat now, father-in-law? Or just have coffee and eat later?
I'll eat later.
Go take some rest.
Your mother-in-law will see to it.
What are you doing?
I asked you a question, Sumaya.
You are going to send me off to Kadayanallur, right?
Who'll pack my clothes?
I must do it, right?
Why? Would you like me to do it?
Are you crying?
Dummy!
It's to help you out. I asked my mother to come.
My father came along with her.
Had I told you earlier, you'd have refused.
But can I leave you alone?
Dummy!
You've packed up your clothes so quickly?
Unpack. Okay?
Near Trichy, at the Laargudi kiln, a murder has been reported.
We heard that the Inspector at Trichy S2 tried to contact our special team.
He didn't elaborate.
But he said it had to do with the DNA we sent.
This message has been communicated by Anandraj.
What is it?
The Inspector's phone is still unreachable.
Why'd you come here straight away, sir?
Couldn't you have called first?
We came in person because they weren't clear over the phone.
We need to know who the victim is and when the murder happened.
The circular we sent had it listed as "High Priority".
- Didn't you see? - Sir!
I was on leave for a week and resumed duty only yesterday.
The Inspector went to Chennai for forensic work.
His phone fell in the water and isn't working.
He told me to call the number in the circular and check. I did that.
You need to check with him about the victim's details.
I don't know when he'll be back.
When he calls back, I'll collect the data and let you know.
Come in.
Let's go, Anand.
Sir!
Pull over, Anand!
The Inspector called!
Some case you stumbled upon, Raaza!
This has been growing since the highway skeleton case.
Yes, sir.
Not sure if you believe in all this.
But this is what I believe.
When a case comes our way, that case has specifically chosen us.
Similarly, whenever the case chooses to go, only then will it be solved.
For example, when Ms. Rathika formed a special team,
I got the order to be a part of it.
I refused.
But somehow, the case dragged me into it.
Don't get me wrong, sir.
All that's in my mind right now is the murder victim.
Thought we'd find the serial killer before he struck again.
But I can't digest the fact that another murder has occurred.
I understand that.
You'll understand why I said what I said in a little while.
The corpse isn't that of the victim.
It's the serial killer you seek.
Is the murder victim the serial killer?
Yes. Don't be hasty.
The Laargudi brick kiln belongs to MLA Kalapathi Raja.
The body is fully charred.
We can't identify it.
They didn't want to keep it and offered to bury it.
So they suggested getting a forensic team...
and collecting DNA samples on cotton swabs.
If the next of kin were to turn up, we could match it with the DNA sample.
While doing that,
we learned the DNA matched the one in the circular you gave.
So, according to you, the case has been decided to leave me.
- Correct? - Please let me finish.
I think you're in the middle of bad times.
I don't think this case will wrap up anytime soon.
Why do you say that?
We double-checked the DNA sample.
The same results.
Male DNA.
A perfect match with the sample you sent in the circular.
But what we have...
is a female body.