- Mani? - Mom!
My dear Mani!
Mom!
My dear!
Mani...
I asked you something when I visited you in jail.
You still haven't answered me.
What did Sundaresan tell you, Praba?
Nothing, Mani.
But he chewed me out for having misjudged you.
He asked, "Is this the depth of your friendship?"
But I feel something isn't right.
He kept it from both of us that he was trying to woo your sister.
Do you suspect him, Praba?
I don't know, Mani.
But even you know he's an odd type.
He's normally a reserved guy.
But back in eleventh grade, he tried to stab the PT teacher with a pen!
The entire class tried to stop him, but couldn't.
You've seen that side of him too, right?
Praba...
When Nila and Venba went out that day,
Sundaresan and Teepu were with me at the canal.
Only after we got home did my mother say the two of them had left.
He's just as important to me as you are.
Can I say something?
Sundaresan didn't tell me anything.
But I said he's hiding something, right?
I still feel the same way, Mani.
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?
Please wait here. Let me check if sir is at the lab.
Hello, Raaza.
Surprised to see me in a lungi?
Nothing like that, sir.
Sometimes, even we say "enough is enough" and relax at the station in a lungi.
Not wanting to go home or get sleep until I figure this out...
I stayed back here.
Found anything new, sir?
I went over the test results several times
to check if there were any mistakes or if we messed up while testing.
Everything's in order.
Were you able to do the postmortem like I asked?
Are the reports in?
Yes. I brought them over directly.
Oh shit!
What's wrong, sir?
How is this possible?
Yes, ma'am?
Nothing, doctor. I just came out of a meeting with the Commissioner and IG.
They said, "Set aside your search for the killer.
What's the explanation for the male DNA in a female body?"
They asked whether this would be possible if the victim were transgender.
Based on what I knew, I said it wasn't possible.
But I still wanted to check with you to see if what I said was right.
No, you're right.
In the male body of a trans woman, the DNA would also be male.
Meaning, it's a male by birth.
Similarly, in the female body of a trans man, the DNA would be female.
Meaning, it's a female by birth.
What if they had done sex reassignment surgery?
Even so, if a male had become a female, the body won't have ovaries in it.
I just went over the postmortem report Raaza brought over.
This body has ovaries in it! Meaning, it's a female by birth!
Then how do we explain this, doctor?
I don't know, ma'am.
Just give me some time.
I'll wait for your call.
What's our next move, doctor?
How can this be, sir?
Self-immolation?
The body is heavily burnt.
No, sir. It was a brick kiln.
A postmortem was already conducted in Trichy for the internal organs.
Now, we need to extract a femur bone.
But I wanted to check if it's useful to extract the tooth first.
The cutting pliers, Dharmaraj.
No, sir.
Extract the femur bone.
Okay, sir.
Get the brass grip and the hacksaw, Dharmaraj.
Let's wait outside, Raaza.
Are we taking another sample for testing, sir?
A sample will be taken.
But we'll only know later if it's usable or not.
The bone will be useable if it's up to 200-250 degrees centigrade.
But in brick kilns,
the average heat temperature is 800 to 1,200 degrees centigrade.
So, I'm not very optimistic.
The doctor's calling you, sir.
I've opened it up.
Analyze it and let me know.
Neither is it white...
nor has it gotten yellow.
It must have burned at a temperature of 300-350 degrees.
Think we can find a useable bone.
I've authorized the rapid testing method.
We'll have results in an hour.
What are we trying to find out with this test, sir?
To the best of my knowledge, this is our last move.
We learned that this body has the same DNA that was found in the other crime scenes.
But it's male DNA in a female body!
It's mysterious!
So, instead of using swab samples,
I'm going to extract DNA from bone samples.
If the DNA matches, I'll call it quits!
I can't explain this.
I'll admit I can't solve this.
How can you give up, sir?
If it were within my domain, I'd do everything I could at my disposal.
But this is a different field!
You need to be able to figure it out!
I'm not God!
At one point, we must accept our limitations!
There was this case I had while working with the Delhi CDRF.
A simple open-and-shut case.
I found semen samples in the body of a rape and murder victim.
We identified the DNA.
We knew with absolute certainty it was the suspect's DNA.
Within two days, the suspect was arrested.
But?
The DNA we identified in the lab didn't match the suspect's DNA!
No one could understand it!
The rapist laughed at us as if we were idiots!
But you know where the bloody mistake was?
A simple human error!
My lab assistant had been matching the suspect's DNA with the victim's DNA!
This mistake was a huge lesson for me.
Since then, I've been very careful to avoid any such silly mistakes!
If that's so, would I allow such mistakes to happen?
Impossible!
Look, if there is a DNA match...
only God can explain this!
Sir!
I'm a devout believer.
We'll definitely find the answer to this.
I think you're in the middle of bad times.
I don't think this case will wrap up soon.
They said, "Set aside your search for the killer.
What's the explanation for the male DNA in a female body?"
This body has ovaries in it!
Meaning, it's a female by birth!
If the DNA matches, I'll call it quits!
But you know where the bloody mistake was?
I think there is some kind of supernatural spirit.
Then how do we explain this?
What does our suspect have to do with this case?
A simple human error!
Raaza!
Test results of the bone sample.
It's not a match.
This lady is not the killer you're after.
I found the man I'm hunting, sir.
Will you come to take a sample?
Yes, Raaza?
Ma'am, have you heard of PharmaNu India Private Limited?
No. Where is it?
In Tirunelveli.
I'm there right now.
We had assumed the third DNA we had
belonged to the serial killer, committing these murders, right?
The one whose DNA this is works for this company.
But he has nothing to do with these murders, ma'am.
He had nothing to do with it?
Then how was his DNA found in several crime scenes?
Because the cotton swabs we used to collect the DNA samples
already had his DNA in it.
Even if the cotton swabs are sterilized,
he was handling them without gloves during the packaging process, ma'am.
Oh shit!
That's where the bloody mistake was, is it?
Human error?
So everything we assumed all this time,
the case we built, the serial killer angle...
It was all human error, huh?
For wasting the department's time, resources, and manpower
in this investigation, they'll blame both of us!
After causing panic among the public by claiming a serial killer's in play,
how can we believe you now when you say there's no serial killer?
As your department couldn't find the killer,
are you saying this to cover up your incompetence?
The fact that you used contaminated swabs is such a significant negligence, sir!
Who will take responsibility for this, sir?
This isn't the incompetence of the police.
The fact that such an error with a defective forensic apparatus
was uncovered is very commendable.
This error made us give special attention to those six cases,
and we've issued orders to complete investigating them.
We'll update the Law and Order Minister about it.
So, there's nothing more we can share at this time.
Sir! Just one last question!
Over here!
The serial killer angle is what claimed Mani was innocent.
As there's no serial killer,
Mani's innocence is now under scrutiny, right?
No further comments.
Please answer the question, sir.
Please answer me, sir!
Sir!
You'll regret this a lot, Rathika.
Stop it with the long face, Raaza.
I'll handle this problem.
But can I ask you just one thing?
Even now...
do you believe Mani is innocent?
Mani!
Brother! You're here?
On my way!
I've been meaning to come see you.
But you turned up yourself!
How did you know I'd be here?
I'm a cop.
Isn't that my job?
Why'd you want to meet me?
To thank you once again in person.
For the first time in two years, Kaari got to see me!
But he still remembers me!
The moment he saw me, I knew how much he'd been longing for me.
Why do you look upset, brother?
Didn't you watch the news?
No, brother.
Your case has been overturned.
There is no serial killer.
The matter of your innocence is once again under scrutiny.
No.
I still believe in you.
Once the bail is up, go back to jail.
If not, Mr. Sukumaran says
our investigation and our attempts to prove your innocence will be weakened.
I'll go back in, brother.
Even my mother will understand.
Only Kaari can't bear the separation.
Forgive me.
Brother.
Hold on, Maari.
Mani?
Drive.
Praba!
Do you call this fair?
You made a cop come looking for you at your place!
What's the matter, sir?
What's with the child-lost-in-a-carnival look?
Can't I come by your place?
Nothing like that, sir.
Come along.
Let's take a walk.
So...
how's your romance going? Any hiccups there?
It's going well, sir.
Sir!
What does he have to say, Ramar?
His romance is going steady, Moosa!
Is that so?
I saw you and Mani near that pond, Praba.
When and how did you patch things up?
It's nothing, sir.
I ran into him, so I started a conversation.
Nothing major, sir.
Why are you bluffing?
You met him in prison!
And you say it's no big deal?
- What are you hiding? - Hey!
Come clean! There's no use keeping anything from us!
I swear to God I know nothing, sir!
I think Mani and Sundaresan are hiding something, sir.
Besides that, I swear I know nothing.
Moosa.
Don't get me wrong.
You have a soft spot for Mani.
That's why you don't suspect him!
But he's hiding something from us.
If he was at fault...
he’d have made a run for it when he was released, Ramar.
When I told him he had to go back to prison,
he agreed to that without a second thought.
No, Moosa.
I think if we string him upside down and wear him out, we can get the truth.
What do you say?
Bring him over.
But he's not the one to be strung upside down!
I'm begging you, sir!
Please let me down!
I can't bear it!
Let me down, sir!
I'm begging you! Please let me down, sir!
I can't bear it, sir!
Sir! I'm begging you, sir!
Please let me down! I can't bear it!
Please, sir! I can't bear it!
Tell him to let me down, please!
Sir!
- Hey! - I didn't do anything!
- Let me down! - Don't lose your life over this!
- I can't bear it! - Spill it, you dolt!
- Let me down, sir! - Look there!
He's sitting without a care!
- Sir! - Ramar!
Tell him to let me down, sir! I can't bear it!
Sir!
Please tell him to let me down, sir! I can't bear it!
Quiet! Squealing like a pig in a trap!
Tell him to let me down, sir...
Your pal Praba said you and Sundaresan are hiding something.
You didn't come seeking my help on your own.
Even when I asked you to go back to jail, you didn't refuse.
Even if you are hiding something...
I believe you're not doing so to protect yourself.
But even if you are hiding something,
there is no reason to do so beyond this point.
I swear I'm hiding nothing, brother.
Send me back to jail.
They said I did it, right?
I'll go back to jail. Please let me do that.
We need to squeeze him dry, Moosa!
Sir! Mani...
I can't do that!
He'll be hanging until you tell me the truth!
If I strung you up, I know you'll be able to bear it.
- That's why we strung him up! - I can't take it anymore, Mani!
Tell them to let me down!
You don't mind seeing him endure such pain?
Are you okay with it? Tell me!
I can't bear it anymore!
Tell them to let me down, Mani!
I'm begging you, sir!
- Let me down! - Please trust me!
I swear I'm not hiding anything!
I'll tell you, sir!
I'll tell you everything, sir!
I'll tell you everything!
He's blabbering because of the pain! There's nothing to say!
Let's tell the truth, Mani!
I lied because you asked me to!
I lied only for your sake!
Shut up, Sundaresan!
We're not hiding anything!
Please be quiet, Sundaresan!
It's the pain talking! Not you!
Don't blabber nonsense!
- We're hiding nothing! - No, sir!
I'm not blabbering!
We lied about being in the canal when Nilavathi and Venba left home!
Mani told me to say that!
- Please let me down! - Please don't say it, Sundaresan!
Don't hurt him, brother! Quiet, Sundaresan!
I'm begging you, Sundaresan!
I'll even fall at your feet! Please don't say it!
Please don't do it, Sundaresan!
Please don't say it, Sundaresan...
Please don't say it...
Start talking.
Come along, Poorni!
Come quickly, I say!
This is why you wanted me to hurry up, huh?
Hey! Isn't he your brother's friend?
Does your brother know about this?
- That this guy is following you around? - How would I know?
Would you mind walking me home?
Tell the truth. You want me to do that because you're scared of him?
I don't like it that he's following me around!
Seeing his face makes me furious!
Then why don't you tell him that?
Why should I go and tell?
Once my brother finds out, it'll resolve itself!
You idiot!
Why leave your hair loose after the lamp is lit?
Ask her what's up, Mom!
Hello?
Aren't you Mani?
I've been hearing you're in love with my sister.
Just back off!
If you don't, I'll skewer your entire family!
Think I'll just stay put when you do the skewering?
Yes! Your sister and I are in love!
If I ever get married, it'll be to her.
What gives?
Why threaten over the phone like a wimp? If you're a man, face me in person!
Okay. When's the first bus?
4:30? You sure about that?
Fine, I'll be there by 3:30.
Don't leave me hanging.
It'll wreck me.
- You come by-- - What's in this bag?
Dirty clothes, Mom.
Get some water, you idiot.
Who is this girl?
Mom...
I intend to marry her. We're in love.
Her family beat her up.
See this?
There might be trouble!
I'll handle that.
Water.
From now on, she'll stay here.
Drink up!
Goddess Meenakshi will handle everything.
Go to sleep.
We'll talk in the morning.
Don't invite any trouble, okay?
Don't you know there's a young girl at home?
I said I'll handle it!
It's all red!
Goddess Meenakshi...
please take good care of everything.
Come on out here!
- Come on out! - Quiet!
Send my sister back!
- I'm here, right? - Get out here!
Get back in!
- Go back in! - Who is it?
Go back in! I said I'll handle it! Go!
- Go in, Nila! It's okay! - What's wrong?
- Get back in! - Okay!
Take her inside, Mom!
You come to my house and yell at me?
- What are you doing with my sister? - You dare hit a girl?
You've got my sister here! I'll hack you!
- Hack me if you can! - Mani!
- Quiet! - Hack me up!
- Listen to me, Mani! - Get back in, Mom!
- Send my sister back! - Shut up!
Hold up! Back off!
Come in, young man.
Send my daughter home.
What is it? Do you not believe me?
Ask my daughter.
She'll tell you.
My brother has done a lot for me.
Still, he'll never let go of his honor.
But my father's word can be trusted.
Even if I do, I won't send you alone.
I'll send Venba along.
That too, only after two days.
Your daughter will return home only after two days.
I'll only send her along with my sister.
Let me know if that works for you.
Venba? Can I talk to you?
You don't approve of my relationship with your brother?
Or are you mad at me for running away from home and giving you trouble?
Whatever it is, tell me openly.
You haven't said a word to me since I got here.
Even when I come to talk to you, I feel you don't want to talk to me!
I really like Mani, Venba.
He is my life.
When we fell in love, he'd only talk about you and your mother!
I enjoyed hearing that.
I may not have spoken to you earlier,
but I thought we'd become good friends and get along like sisters!
You and I are pretty much the same age. Know that?
I'm just two years older than you.
I'm spilling my guts out here!
Please talk to me, Venba!
Are you mad at me?
Don't you like me?
Are you mad at me? Say something, Venba!
What the hell is this?! What have you done?!
What happened?
You needn't say anything to me!
Please just leave!
At least let me die in peace!
I'll get your brother!
Why go to him? Don't!
What have you done, Venba?
So much blood loss! What happened? What is the problem?
Because I came here?
At least tell me what the problem is!
Do you love someone?
Did he abandon you?
What happened to make you want to slit your wrist?
I can't stop the bleeding!
We need to go to the hospital!
I'll call your brother!
I told you not to call him!
I'd rather die than do that!
Fine.
I won't call him.
Now tell me.
Who are you in love with?
Poorni!
He saw us, Poorni!
Hold on!
He'll go tell my brother, Poorni!
Hold on, Venba!
If he tells my brother, we're dead meat, Poorni!
Never mind your brother! He doesn't even have the guts to confess his love to you!
Like he'll tell your brother this!
Let it go. We'll handle it. He'll stop pursuing you now, right?
No, Poorni! He saw--