(panting)
YEAR - 1978
(panting heavily)
We are finished, Soman!
I don't think I will ever be able to live in peace anymore.
I am sure about that.
Stop being so negative!
Get lost, you!
He knows everything now!
He won't leave without catching me.
If we get caught, we'll be put behind bars for sure!
Though my heart tried to stop me each time,
I made mistakes one after the other,
and I'm standing on top of a huge pile of mistakes now.
I have no other option but to jump down from there!
I'm ending it all, Soman!
-Let me go! -Don't jump! Come here!
Hey! Come here!
Let go of me!
What was the point of all our hard work if it was going to end like this?
You will cross the sea.
(enthralling music)
Don't we both have to prosper in life?
One last time.
Just one final time.
We must do it!
(theme music)
(rooster crows)
Ugh! God! (sighs)
(rooster crows)
(fire crackling)
(rooster crows)
(devotional music)
O, Lord Murugan!
(grinding stone clanks)
-(tea pours) -(spoon clinking on glass)
(snoring)
(grunts)
(snores)
She leaves the window wide open
even though she knows the sun blazes right in.
(playful music)
Walk fast, man!
(spits)
She boils water for me,
but never keeps it inside the bathroom.
(coins rattling)
(hens cackling)
Ah, what's up, Nagendran?
You are early today!
Didn't get good sleep.
What's today's special?
Today's special is porotta.
And mutton chops as usual.
Then there's dosa, puttu... Didn't you see?
(chuckles)
What should I give for this?
The most I can give is three dosas.
Can't serve you mutton chops or porotta.
That will do.
(footsteps approach)
Can I get tea as well?
No way!
Didn't I give you three dosas?
I can give you some black tea if you want.
(spits)
(hums popular romantic song)
(romantic music)
Look who's here.
Rosie.
(whistles)
(giggles)
(whistles)
(man) Hey, you!
(news on radio) Argentina wins the World Cup.
In the FIFA World Cup final held in Italy,
Argentina defeated Netherlands for a score of 3-1
and became the World Cup champions for the first time.
The match that got extended to extra time...
-Soman! -Hey!
Ever since losing to West Germany in 1974,
(cycle bell rings)
this is the second time Netherlands...
What the hell is this, Soman?
You're bringing the milk when it's time for lunch!
What can I say?
It was almost dawn when I returned after the play in Kollam.
I dozed off.
(sarcastically) Hmm!
(playful music)
What a pain!
My regular customers had to drink black tea.
Here.
If you don't bring the milk on time from now on,
there are other milkmen too!
Isn't this Soman a humble soul with no parents?
Please forgive me for this one day, my dear Gopi.
-Do you want tea? -No.
Didn't our Nagendran come?
There he is, lying on that bench.
Take him away, Soman. It's lunchtime already.
Or he'll just keep drooling at the food if he stays here.
Nagendran...
-Nagendran... -(gasps)
Are you sleeping at noon, moron?
How did yesterday's play go?
Your performance?
Inspector Murali.
I killed it!
I delivered
seven pages full of dialogue in one go.
Even Sivaji Ganeshan will not overthrow me.
Oh! The applause I received!
Due to my brilliant performance yesterday,
we got four new bookings.
-Wah! -And the troupe raised my pay by ₹15.
That's great!
Come.
Let's go to Puthussery Mathai sir's house.
Someone is coming from Varkala to see his daughter, Sara.
I arranged it.
Oh... I'm not coming. I'm feeling so tired.
It's not tiredness. It's the lazy bile!
Because you sit idle.
Come, man.
If you come,
you can have lunch with some yummy chicken curry.
Then I'll also come.
(both laugh)
-Gopi, we are off. -(Gopi) Okay.
-See you tomorrow morning. -(Gopi) Okay, okay.
Why are these people always working?
Is that Sulochana?
-Eh? -I don't know any women.
Why so, Nagappan?
(woman 1) What will we do for tomorrow's test?
Nagappan.
There comes your uncle's daughter, your bride-to-be, Jaanaki.
Do you understand anything they teach?
Please don't stop.
-Eh? -I said not to stop.
(hopeful romantic music)
How can I not stop? It won't look good!
You must be returning from your typewriting class.
-(Jaanaki) Yes. -(Soman) Okay.
(Jaanaki) You girls carry on.
Is Auntie at home?
No idea!
I haven't seen her in a long time.
I thought about dropping by if she's around.
I left home in the morning.
Mom might be back by now.
Even yesterday, Dad talked about
meeting Auntie and deciding things.
He wants to conduct the wedding
at least by August-September.
Whose?
Mine and yours.
Get lost, girl! Wedding, it seems.
You people don't like me living a peaceful life, do you?
Dear...
Look...
I need my peace.
If a girl comes into my life, that will be over.
I know well what my father endured.
Marry someone else.
-Go on, pedal. -That's enough, man.
You made her cry.
Just get going. Didn't I ask you not to stop?
(melancholic music)
(sobs)
(noisily licks fingers)
(Soman) Here. Have it.
-I'm off. -Okay.
Come, man.
(crickets chirping)
-Nagappan. -Yes?
You ride the cycle.
Let's go straight to Ammini's.
I sensed when you got a parcel of clam curry
-that you would be going to Ammini's. -(giggles)
Come on, get going.
(crickets chirping)
Go in.
Hey!
Do you want to come along for some company?
(chuckles) No.
Then why are you living with "that" hanging down, huh?
Go and come back soon, Soman.
Know what will happen if that Chettiyaar comes. He's got a gun.
Soman gives zero fucks about Chettiyaar.
Man, ever since I started visiting her
and paying her with a pack of beedis,
I know Ammini very well.
Look!
Chettiyaar's arrival and him preventing her from meeting others,
those things happened only recently.
Whatever the case, I still have the first chance with her.
You go, man.
Don't fall asleep there like the last time.
(knocks) Ammini!
Hey, Ammini!
(mischievous music)
What a beauty!
Here!
Steamed tapioca and clam curry.
I got it, especially for you.
(sniffs)
Oh, that smile is the only good thing he's got!
Come on. Get in.
Don't kick off my day by showing the ominous broom, old hag!
Put that away!
Great first sight!
If you don't want to see the broom,
you better get home and hit the sack before midnight.
Now you are beginning to show the true colours of your father.
Didn't he finally flee the town, unable to tolerate you?
I'll also leave, just like him!
-Huh? -What?
And you will beg around to eat, right?
What rubbish did you say to that girl yesterday?
She couldn't control her tears when she came here.
I only said I couldn't marry her.
Of course! If a girl comes, you will have to feed her.
Then you will have to go to work every day.
But His Highness can't do that!
I should be blamed for feeding you!
-My dear son... -What?
What's wrong with her?
Isn't she a good girl?
-Please agree to the wedding, dear. -Then you go ahead and marry her.
You rot here like this!
Nice guys will come and get her.
-Let them. -Huh?
-(smacks) -(grunts)
Get up from there!
(goat bleats)
Such a pestering mother.
(epic music)
(stick taps)
Sir!
(laughs)
How is my Inspector Murali?
-Huh? -Great. My heart just skipped a beat!
ROOPAVANI THEATRES VERDICT
We are coming back from a play. Our whole troupe is here.
It's our own shop. Be comfortable.
Gopi bro, serve lunch.
-Do you have fish? -Yes, fresh ones.
Come on, sit.
Shall I ask him to get milk for you, Lalita?
-No. -Why?
What's that, Soman?
Is all the milk and nail polish reserved for the heroine?
(chuckles)
Inspector Murali, don't forget the fact that Ms. Julie is a murderer.
(chuckles)
Listen...
our Paulose has returned from Kuwait.
-Paulose? -Yes.
-When? -I just saw him on the way.
Near the chapel.
A taxi with lots of luggage on it was parked there.
He was putting money into the offering box.
-Then? -It's been 8 years since he left.
He hugged me so tight. (laughs)
He asked about you as well.
He has invited us to pay him a visit tonight.
Shall we go right now?
Shucks! It was 4 a.m. when the play at Kottarakkara got over.
We came straight from there.
Won't I be tired?
Let's go in the evening.
See.
He gave me this.
(sniffs)
(alcohol pours)
Hey! Don't ruin it by adding water.
There's a certain way to drink this.
Take it.
Take it, Nagappan.
I don't drink.
Shucks!
Take it, man.
Come on, take it.
Cheers!
Touch the glass, man.
-Cheers! -Cheers!
(crickets chirping)
(Paulose chuckles)
This is brandy.
Not the stuff you get here.
Have you ever had it?
Nah, my first time.
First time!
Come on, drink.
Come on, pour one, and drink. Don't hesitate.
(matchstick burns)
What happened?
When you went abroad...
you turned out well.
You smell amazing, man!
That's a jasmine perfume.
I'll pass it to you when it's almost finished.
(hopeful music)
I was adamant, man,
when I boarded the flight to Kuwait.
Even though I couldn't attend,
I married my three sisters off
by giving them a good dowry.
Now, my mother has
two maids to help with the household chores.
The power of money!
So, what is your plan now?
I will let you know gradually.
But before all that,
I need a favour from
Matchmaker Soman.
-Oh! -(Paulose and Nagendran laugh)
Wedding, right?
Yeah. But not just a simple marriage.
Then?
Velikkal Chacko Mappila's youngest daughter,
-Rosie. -What?
(romantic music)
But will they agree?
Why wouldn't they?
How many guys
do we have in this town now
who share the same status as him?
Also, Chacko Mappila
is not as charming as he used to be. (chuckles)
If you have such a desire,
I will get into it.
I will get it done.
I will also get you a good dowry.
Will that do? Huh?
(Soman chuckles)
(humming popular song)
(sniffs)
Let this fragrance cover you!
(sprays)
(suspenseful music)
Oh, no. It's Chettiyaar.
(tense music)
Pasupathy.
Tell her I'm calling. Tell her that we will go to the dam.
Okay, master.
(loud thudding on door)
Sister!
-Ammini... -Who's that? What's it?
-(Pasupathy) Sister! -Seems like Chettiyaar's here.
-That is Chettiyaar's driver. -What will I do now?
Shush!
(Pasupathy) Can you hear me?
Sister?
(tense music)
Why is he coming alone?
Where is she?
Master, there is someone inside.
Asshole!
-What are you saying? -Yes, master.
-There is a pair of slippers outside. -What?
There is someone inside.
That wretched whore!
See she has shown her real colours!
Am I paying her
to do business with someone from the outside?
I will...
I will kill her!
Hey!
-Stop him from escaping through the back door. -Okay.
-I'm coming. -Okay, master.
That bloody woman!
He will kill me if he learns I've got other clients coming here!
Don't tell him my name.
-If he gets you, he will kill you too! -Oh, no!
Come.
Open the back door.
Come on, open.
-(knocking on door) -(Ammini) Oh, no!
Who is inside?
Hey! Open the door, man!
Open the door!
Can't you hear me?
Are you going to open or not?
(Chettiyaar) Hey!
Open the door, woman!
(banging)
Hey! Are you going to come out or not?
-(Ammini) What will we do now? -I warned you not to invite others here!
-(Ammini) Oh, no! -Are you going to come out or not?
Otherwise, I'll kill you along with whoever you've got inside.
(Paulose) Oh, Jesus!
(pants)
Open the door!
(glass bottle shatters)
(exclaims)
(Chettiyaar) Hey, Pasupathy!
Somebody put a bomb in the car.
Come fast and check it out, man!
Huh? They broke the windshield.
Damn it! Hey!
Who was that? Come out!
(Nagendran) Paulose! Paulose!
If you are man enough, step outside!
Nagappan...
(Chettiyaar screams) You!
(gunshot)
Come.
(dramatic music)
(Paulose) Ooh!
(Nagendran) Gosh!
(both panting)
Nagappan...
(both laugh)
You...
It's you
who saved
my life and my honour.
What do you want?
Anything you ask,
I will give it.
What do you want? Tell me.
Ask me.
Do you need money?
Then?
What do you want?
Ask me anything.
I will get it done.
I want to go to Kuwait.
Kuwait?
Yes.
I want to become a big shot like you.
(laughs slowly)
(laughs louder)
Done!
(hopeful music)
I will get it done, man.
Kuwait, right?
It's on me!
I will get it done, man.
It's done, man!
(laughs together)
Nagappan...
-Will you take me for sure? -Yes.
I'll take care of that.
I'll take you to Kuwait, Nagappan.
-That's enough, man. -Right, Nagappan.
(engine idles)
It's slightly drizzling.
Get in here.
-(Soman) Nagappan. -(Paulose) Mom!
Let's take them inside, then?
(Paulose) Get in. Be careful.
-Is the tea and coffee ready? -(Soman) Everything's ready. Go in.
Everyone! Please have some food.
Do eat before you go.
(rain pattering)
What a performance
by my father-in-law, Chacko Mappila today?
Hugging me, taking pictures with me,
bragging about his Kuwait-returned son-in-law!
(spits) Scumbag!
Still, the girl you have yearned for
-is in your house now. -Yeah!
That was Soman's word.
But you...
You haven't given me the brokerage yet.
I will give it, man.
If not, I will follow you to Kuwait and get it.
I am...
not going back.
(uneasy music)
What do you mean when you say
you are not going back?
I should look for something here.
A textile store.
We don't have anything of that sort in our region.
Readymade textiles.
Won't that require a lot of money?
Do you have anything with you now?
Nothing as of now.
But her father, Chacko Mappila,
will come tomorrow morning with the dowry.
Ah! (chuckles)
Start looking for a good location for that.
In the junction.
Let's pay the advance amount on Friday.
And, Nagappan,
be ready to cross the sea.
(music turns light)
Yes, man.
I have talked to my Arab master and arranged a job for you.
You don't have to suffer in the heat or in the dust.
Good food.
Lucky man!
Three months.
You have to arrange your passport
in three months.
And the money required for a visa.
They will send you the ticket.
When you say the money required for the visa...
Around...
₹16,000 to ₹17,000.
Soman...
Money will come, man.
We'll find a way, man.
(curses loudly)
₹16,000!
Of course, that's just lying around here!
(scoffs)
Let me see.
Mom, I know you don't have any.
Please ask Mr. Pillai to lend you some.
After all, you have been working there for some time.
We can repay him once I'm abroad. Then what's the issue?
Of course you will!
You can't even be bothered to burn the dry leaves.
And now you are going abroad to work?
Please find some way to get me--
If you don't want to get whacked, just leave, Nagendran!
Damn it! Hah!
He's going to Persia, it seems!
Damn! I shouldn't have been born to this hag.
I should borrow money for someone who even steals from the piggy bank.
(water splashes)
(buffalo snorts)
(Soman spits)
Man.
Rather than feed you by doing dishes
and cleaning floors in others' kitchens,
who will lend money
if Naniyamma asks?
Who else will I ask, then?
If I had gotten this,
I could have saved myself from this damned land.
Soman, can you do anything about this?
It's about saving someone's life.
Great!
Even after performing on different stages,
getting booed off with eggs and slippers,
milking these creatures,
going around, licking others' asses,
fixing weddings and collecting commissions,
at the end of the day, what's left
won't be enough to pay at the toddy shop or for a pack of beedi.
Man...
My piles are in the worst shape ever!
If I think of going to town and seeing a doctor,
I won't have enough for the transport and doctor's fees.
So, I'm suffering through it.
And you're asking me for money.
There is a way.
Your bride-to-be, Jaanaki...
marry her.
What?
(clicks tongue) Yeah.
Man,
how did our Paulose get the courage
to decide not to go back to Kuwait?
(intriguing music)
Dowry.
Even though it won't be much,
you also will get some money if you marry Jaanaki.
And some gold.
If you sell that gold,
won't you get enough for the visa?
We can make the rest.
-Huh? -But marriage means
won't I have to take care of her then?
Nagappan,
you will cross the sea
in three months.
What do you have to take care of after that?
You can return
maybe after five to eight years.
If not, you can continue there...
with no wife and kids,
in peace.
But...
Man,
don't hesitate.
It's a common practice.
Nagappan,
if you go abroad,
then you can take me as well.
Or else I will end up in the hands of some loan shark.
Don't we have to escape from this doomed land?
Eh?
(ceremonial wedding music playing)
(glass shatters)
Didn't you tell me you would deal with the matter of dowry?
Look how you're standing there after dumping her on my head.
Better drop her back to your brother.
(melancholic music)
Control your wicked tongue and get lost, scoundrel!
Don't make her cry.
A man is someone who goes to work and feeds his wife.
Not someone who grabs her gold and cash!
Do you hear me?
Just get lost.