The very first time I saw this letter,
Hareendran... Devan...
these names sounded very familiar to me.
But I couldn't recall them.
In Palakkad, where the NPF has a strong base,
one of their most popular senior leaders was
Hareendran Kupleri.
And his only son, Devan Kupleri.
When NPF was striving hard to find a foothold in state politics,
their trump card was...
Devan.
Many national-level movements the NPF initiated
had a prominent face in Kerala, Devan's.
An extremist when it comes to his views,
instigating controversies and brickbats,
Devan had grown into mainstream success at lightning speed.
However, exactly a week after Merlin received Bibin's second letter,
that is...
on June 5th, 2017,
on his birthday,
Devan killed himself.
A suicide.
The huge issue that led to Devan's suicide,
that controversy, do you know what it was?
While blasting out with his friends on his birthday,
he was seen consuming alcohol and meat. That video leaked, right?
Exactly.
Devan, a leader of a fundamentalist party like NPF,
partying hard and getting wasted with his friends.
That single video looted everything off Devan.
Even his own life.
But my prime concern now
is not Bibin's involvement in Devan's death.
And even if he is involved,
then why Devan?
Of the 1000-plus babies Sarah interchanged amongst their parents,
Devan is also another victim, just like Bibin.
Why Devan?
To find that truth, let's have a look at Suneer first.
Hareendran's own son.
Among the 1000-plus babies in Sarah's swapping list,
why did Bibin choose Devan?
If we can crack that,
we will start getting to know him.
(traffic bustle)
(crowd hustle)
(shop owner giggles) Suneer...
Don't sweat it. Not a chance today.
I will pay you when you deliver meat tomorrow.
Majeed, you've been fooling me for 4-5 days by not paying me.
I've been running around in circles. This has to stop.
My dad lashes out at me because of you, that too with nasty blasphemy.
If the money doesn't reach him today,
you'll be the one who's gonna face it.
He's gonna storm in here. Don't stir up the hornet's nest!
(shouts) I want my money right now, Majeed!
Calm down, Suneer.
Koyappu, get a strong tea for Suneer.
I don't want your tea.
Just give me my money.
Loosen up a bit, Suneer.
(glass thuds)
- You supply meat here? - Yes.
It's good quality meat.
I come here often for steamed rice cake and meat curry.
We supply more of buffalo meat.
- Oh. - Hmm.
Huh?
Suneer, I'm from the police. I have some questions for you.
Come with me. Come.
(camera clicks)
Don't be afraid, Suneer.
- Sir... - Hmm?
- Suneer? - That's me, sir.
You run a meat stall, right?
It's my father's business. I assist him.
Did Anzari say we are the police?
Yes, he told me.
Hmm.
You need not fret.
We haven't come to arrest, interrogate or charge you with anything.
If it won't be troublesome for you,
we need a little help from you.
Some information about a person Suneer might know personally.
Only if you know him.
Who are you talking about, sir?
You might not recognise if I tell you his name.
You might not know him by the name he goes by.
This is the guy.
Do you know him in any way?
I know him. Naisam. He is my friend.
Sir...
(rousing sting)
(knife slicing through)
- I need half a kilo only. - Okay
- Please don't add fat and bones. - Okay.
- Suneer... - Yes, Father.
Take it off the hook and hand him the shank.
Let him cut the way he likes it.
(knife stabs hard on wood)
We don't sell pure meat only for half a kilo's buy.
These bones and fat are off this buffalo only, not of our boners.
What are you saying, Father?
Shut your trap, you swine! This is my shop! My business!
Understood? Grow a fucking pair of balls!
You get me? Son of a bitch!
How many kilos should I buy only for meat?
I'll take any quantity you say. Would that even it up?
You tell me. How much is it?
Eh?
(Bibin scoffs)
(spits hard in contempt)
My father is really foul-mouthed.
A leopard can't change its spots. He is my father anyhow.
(waves crashing)
(pigeons cooing)
What did you do with the money you got from Rahath?
You think you can stab me in the back, earning from my shop?
(crying) Father...
Spit it out, you filthy swine!
I had told you, Father.
- (grunts) - Jabir's college fees were due,
and I paid tuition fees to Zulfi ma'am too.
- (grunts angrily) - I had asked you, Father.
- (grunts loudly) - I had informed you!
(belt swishes)
I won't let you exploit me, you dirtbag!
Not for any bloody tuitions. Understand, you moron?
I had asked your douchebag brother to drop out and work for me.
He doesn't obey me!
But that prick is adamant to pursue his studies, you lowlife dogs!
Let him study, Father.
Let him secure a job and a good life.
Sure! There are jobs kept for idiots holding out crappy fire hoses!
(grunts harshly)
(spits strongly)
(angrily swears under his voice)
Those who are here to buy meat can stay back.
The swines who came to enjoy the show can bugger off now.
(quaint music)
(train horn blares)
- (water splashing) - (both exclaim, laugh playfully)
(both whoop)
You're terrified of your father, aren't you?
(scoffs)
Scared...
He is terrorising.
I'm not worried about myself.
If I retaliate even a little,
he'll beat the pulp out of my mother.
Trample her...
He thrashes my younger brother too.
I hold my horses to avoid all that.
If it's that unbearable,
why don't you finish him off?
(laughs)
I can find another job somewhere else and save myself.
I'm competent enough in what I do now.
I'll be able to earn enough to take care of my wife and kids.
But if I leave,
my mother and brother will have to bear double the brunt.
He will make sure they suffer.
(Bibin) Hmm.
Shall we go then?
Suneer, I forgot to tell you.
- What is it? - I'm off to Palakkad the day after.
- Really? What's happening? - I have some work there.
- Ah. - I need a favour from you.
Tell me.
I have Rs. 3 lakh cash with me.
Please keep it with you.
Okay? I'll take it when I need it.
Uh... What will I do with it?
What's money for? You may use it for your expenses.
- Would it be okay? - I don't need it right now.
Don't have any second thoughts about spending this for your needs.
Okay.
I'll let you know when I need this back.
All right.
I'll make a move then. I will call you when I'm back.
Okay.
Come, Daddy's cutie pie.
(strains) Mother, Sheeba!
Naisam is leaving.
Okay then.
- I shall see you soon. - Fine.
- Peace be upon you. - And upon you be peace.
(gentle music)
Mother... Sheeba...
(Bibin) As we are all here, shall we take a selfie together?
Okay? Come.
(kisses baby)
- (toy drops) - Did you drop it? Did you?
- Alrighty. Come. - Look here.
Sheeba, don't hide behind. Mom looks great.
Suneer, where's Jabir?
- Jabir... - Call him over.
Jabir... bro...
(coos to baby) Shall we take a pic?
Come. Let's take a photo.
Jabir, come in front. Let me click a snap.
- Come forward, stand here. - Everyone together, come.
Mom, please smile.
(camera clicks)
(sighs)
Devan and Suneer.
Two lives Sarah interchanged destinies with.
We now know about Suneer's life. It's dark.
Maybe the darkness in Suneer's life triggered Bibin against Devan.
(chuckles)
So, we've almost arrived at an answer to the question: Why Devan?
When we have more information about Devan,
we may reach a final answer, finding the rest of the missing links.
Hopefully.
We need to figure out how when we start out for Devan.
But...
One major roadblock we have here is
that Devan was a known political figure.
The way we located Mohan sir and Suneer,
it won't be that easy to penetrate into Devan's circle of contacts.
For one question of ours, they will shoot ten back at us.
It'll be detrimental to the secrecy of our investigation.
(sighs thoughtfully)
At this stage, we can't afford that.
Sir, if I may suggest,
the cover-up we are on right now, ANI, can't we use that?
Yes. That's it.
(ethnic music)
BODHI LIBRARY AND STUDY CENTRE
Excuse me, sir.
Ah...
Aji Kurian. ANI.
Oh.
I was expecting you.
Shall we sit over there?
(ball thuds)
By the way...
to have an investigation directed by the ANI,
what's the new mystery here?
Mystery... is of the past, sir.
As to reveal what it is...
you know the procedures.
(chuckles)
Please proceed with your job anyway.
What do you want to know?
Mainly about
the last days of Devan, the activities he was involved in,
about the people around him,
things like that.
After finishing his studies at the NSS,
Devan started showing interest in politics.
He followed me and entered my stream of politics.
NPF.
I was just a torchbearer.
He knew how to tread his way ahead.
He used to deliver intense speeches,
was nonchalant about controversies.
As he kept climbing, stepping over one controversy after another,
I slowly stepped back.
I was oblivious to his world and friends afterwards.
Hmm.
The biggest conspiracy of all was that video.
But still, no proper investigation was carried out on that angle.
Even the NPF
didn't demand an inquiry or condemn the act.
What's your opinion about it?
More controversial than Devan's suicide
was the cause for it.
It was a huge embarrassment to the party.
Like you said, beyond the conspiracy,
what agitated the party was that Devan did that despicable act.
That's why they blamed the media who ran this news aggressively.
No point in blaming them either.
The party had to safeguard their image.
(sighs)
Do you recall anyone who was always with him?
(clears throat)
I remember a Kalesh from Chittoor-Kannankara.
I can't quite recollect anyone else.
(percussive instruments playing)
(car doors close)
(machine roller whirring)
Two for you, right? Coming right up.
- Is your name Kalesh? - What?
- Kalesh? - Yes.
Are you from the police?
Oh. You're good at identifying the police.
I had a hunch,
and it was confirmed when you called me by my name.
- Mmm. - Oh.
(machine stops)
Kalesh, do you remember Devan? Devan Kupleri?
How can I ever forget my brother?
I shadowed him round-the-clock.
I can never forget him.
Do you recognise this guy?
Er...
Naisam Ali and his family.
(suspenseful sting)
- (grunting in trance) - (drum beats increasing in pace)
(percussive drum chorus)
(speaker on stage) ...reminding you, I conclude my speech.
I now invite onto the stage our most admired leader
and Palakkad's dearest son Devan Kupleri to speak a few words.
(audience applauds)
(mic beeps)
(Devan) My dear ones...
Don't let them go, however grave the situation is.
Mr. Devan's speech is on now.
I'll run this by him after his speech.
He will have a last word on this matter.
(Devan) We are here talking about colonisers.
(clapping)
(shouts) Who are they?
Those who renounce our glorious sacred ancestry,
the outlanders who tried to ransack this supreme cultural heritage,
we need to combat those traitors and raise our voices against them
by isolating them...
(Devan) Sir...
(crowd applauding)
Namaste, ji.
The nascence of all technological and scientific developments
the new world has achieved,
is from our sacred texts, the Vedas and the Upanishads.
Astrology, mathematics, philosophy, atomic science, everything
originated on our own land.
These outsiders looted what's precious to us.
They cunningly infiltrated us!
Our country's tears run black endlessly because of such unholy mergers.
To wipe her tears, to erase those blemishes,
as a true patriotic son of Bharat,
I vow in front of you that I am ready to sacrifice my life for my Bharat.
(loud claps)
- (claps continue) - (drums playing)
- Namaste. - Please be seated.
Next, I cordially invite our respected leader
and party president, Mr. Bharat Mishra onto the dais.
(claps)
(classical vocals)
(intriguing tense music)
(indistinct chatter)
- So, it's them? - Yes, brother.
- Where are the girls? - They're inside the toddy shop.
(shouts, slaps) How dare you make girls sit there, you son of a bitch!
(chair rattling)
(scoffs)
What have you worn, dears? Basic modesty is called for.
(scorns)
Are you clowning around with those clowns? Huh?
If you stoop down to shoot and roam around with those wretched boys,
the locals won't tolerate it.
(slams table) They are our friends!
We came here for work, to shoot some photos for a modelling project.
- Please don't-- - We took their permission.
(tsks annoyed)
That's when they made an unwanted ruckus saying photo, camera, whatnot.
- Stay quiet. - Let me speak.
They haven't done anything wrong.
Please stop harassing us. Leave us alone.
What I'm coming at is, they have many dirty tricks up their sleeves
to deceive our girls and forcefully convert them.
We'll put an end to it.
(old man mutters) That's what I said.
If you're onto stage this buffoonery, the locals will have to interfere.
(screams) Do you understand?
- (screams) Hey! - Devan bro...
Take these girls straight to their parents and get them to call me back.
Yes.
I'll give them a piece of my mind later.
(shouts) Snap to it!
Trying to justify this ridiculous clownery!
Come.
Come on, both of you.
What's your name?
- Manaf. - Sahal.
Look at me!
Bring your mother and sisters to wear short dresses for your shoots,
and do whatever the fuck at any hellhole!
Don't you ever dare come near any of our girls!
I'll slit you into pieces and drown you in the dam,
you motherfucker.
You treated them enough, right?
Oh, yes, brother. We've given them enough already.
Hmm.
If I ever see you in this vicinity, I'll beat the living daylights out of you.
- No, brother. - Get lost!
Brother, our camera...
Hey, give them back their camera,
just that it shouldn't be in one piece.
They shouldn't be taking any more photos of girls! That's it.
Done, brother.
Call a cab for the girls. Don't delay!
Okay.
- Don't waste time. - Okay.
Brother...
- What is it? - One minute, please.
Hmm. Is that clear?
One guy has filmed the whole thing.
Get a copy of that, share it on all our groups,
and hype it up. Let everyone watch.
- Sure, brother. - Get the car.
Kalesh is still there.
Hey, Kalesh, come quick.
You guys carry on. I'll bring this guy to the office.
Who is that?
I... I'll come with him, Devan.
- Eh? - There's something to discuss!
Oh, is it? Okay.
One day his father got so drunk that
he burst into the mosque and thrashed the Ustad.
The secretary who came to defend him was also knocked down
and got punched in his face.
Now the whole family is expelled from the mosque.
None of his people supported him.
His sister's wedding had to be called off
because the mosque authorities denied sanction.
And in shame, the girl hung herself. Died, yes!
There's no news about his father now.
He and his mother, the elder brother and his family,
his younger brother, seven people in total,
they're ready to do this.
His younger brother came across a speech of yours on YouTube.
He showed it to him,
and that's how he ended up here.
Devan...
Dear Kalesh,
if what you just said is true,
in the next assembly elections,
Palakkad NPF posters will have my photo on them.
As a candidate!
I saw his family photo and Aadhar card copy,
- Is it? - (bangs table) I am doubly certain.
Then let's not lose him and keep him close.
No one else should know about this other than our close confidants.
We shall organise a mega event adjoining the election campaigns
and publicly announce it there.
An entire family
converts their religion under the officiation of Mr. Devan Kupleri.
It is Devan Kupleri's big win! (laughs out loud)
Isn't that great?
My dear Devan, I can't wait to paste your posters on the walls.
Just be ready with the glue, Kalesh.
The seat is mine.
Call him in. Let me have a talk.
- Okay. - (thuds)
Naisam Ali, your mother is getting old.
Once we do all the preparations for this,
what if your mother gets cold feet
and changes her mind for the fear of your God?
(scoffs)
If there was a God like that, my sister wouldn't have hung herself,
my brother's kids wouldn't be starving.
My mom is convinced.
There is no such God for us anymore.
I've been following you for some days now
to discuss this in person.
I was reluctant.
(snickers)
Naisam Ali, we are all equals here.
You are not doing anything wrong to be hesitant to talk about this.
(slams) It is for a greater cause.
From now on, we'll be there for you and your family.
Let your folks be there. You may join us in our activities here.
It should be a huge blow to the people who harmed you.
Your religious conversion.
We shall plan it out properly.
Okay, sir.
Not "sir." Call me "brother."
(chuckles)
- Okay, brother. - Hmm.
(indistinct chatter)
(laughs)
Attention, everyone.
Today we kick off a week-long birthday celebrations
of our dearest brother and beloved son of Bharat.
(cheering and clapping)
- Devan bro, have a shot. - Really?
Go for it, brother. (laughs)
(claps, cheers)
(licks, clicks tongue)
My darling buddies, for the next seven days, we are setting aside
our nation's rebuilding and party work and celebrate to the fullest.
(claps, cheering)
Until the 5th.
I'll decide and let you know what the plans are for my birthday.
Amidst this enjoyment, we should prepare for that as well.
- That's about it. Let's have a ball! - (cheers, claps)
Kalesh, make sure you replenish stuff for them, shouldn't be running out.
- They are my children. - Don't you worry. I got this.
- Naisam Ali, come inside. - Yeah.
(sinister sting)
- (pouring) - (bottle thuds softly)
- (both laugh) - Drink it up.
Uh...
- Kalesh, where's Unni? - He's downstairs.
Have a shot. It's not forbidden to us.
No, I don't drink. Not because it's taboo.
I don't care about all that.
(gulps, grunts)
Dude, Kalesh, we need to come up with an event for the 5th.
Be serious about it.
We'll skip orphanage visits or almsgiving. That's overused.
- We need something new. - What could be different?
Er... June 5th is World Environment Day,
Is it?
Why don't we plan to plant some tree saplings?
I remember studying this for my PSC exams.
That's a great idea! We can make use of it.
"As a part of Devan Kupleri's birthday celebrations,
"on the scorching roadsides of Palakkad,
"saplings are planted for tomorrow's shade."
Kalesh, we are gonna have a real blast this time!
I will plant the first sapling.
My children will then plant in every nook and corner of Palakkad.
Naisam Ali... (blows kiss)
(giggles)
Kalesh, let's do another round.
Chug it, brother.
(gulps)
Kalesh, I'm peckish after the chugs. Don't we have anything special here?
Dude, bring that stuff.
Okay.
- Hmm. - Oh!
(Devan chuckles)
Naisam Ali! (laughs)
(chortles)
(sniffs in deeply, sighs)
Are you sure this is buffalo meat?
Yes, I confirmed it while buying.
(chomping)
(moans loudly)
Oh, my! It's super delicious. Did you cook it?
- Yeah. - Wow!
Kalesh, savour some with the coconut bits.
You'll see the heavens, the heavens!
(gulps)
- (glass clinks) - (exhales sharply)
(smacks lips) Oh!
Dude, hope those boys won't burst in now.
No.
To be frank, Naisam Ali,
it's not wrong to have this. Multitudes of them are eating.
But...
if Devan Kupleri eats beef, they will make a huge hue and cry!
We just gotta be discreet.
That's all.
One shouldn't be sawing off the branch he's sitting on.
Right, Naisam Ali? (laughing aloud)
(chuckling)
Yes, it will be done.
Just arrange some tree saplings and some of our guys to plant them.
It's planned for the day after tomorrow.
Alrighty. Laters.
(continuous messages ding)
What's this, Unni?
Our group is suddenly being bombarded with a lot of messages.
I'm also getting a lot of notifications.
Who leaked these videos?
What videos?
- Holy fuck! - What happened?
- What to do now? - Tell me what happened.
Unni, pull over. (shouts) Stop the car.
Yes, brother.
(tyres screech)
- Unni, is it posted anywhere else? - Let me check.
Someone has posted it on Facebook.
(exclaiming) Facebook? Oh, my good God!
(laughing mockingly)
- (jeering) - (laughing)
Allow me to speak, friend.
It's our party's strict policy not to eat meat.
If a person satisfies his cravings, you don't have to make it a big deal!
(man 1) Our traditional culture doesn't permit having all these.
It is prohibited! You shouldn't eat meat. That's our party's sentiments!
(man 2) What if I show you some of your own people having meat?
(heated debate continues)
Devan brother...
Please calm down. We'll find a way out.
What way, Kalesh?
The whole world has watched it already.
Every other channel is airing debates on this.
The party and even my father have forsaken me.
Those who had only words of praise are insulting me publicly!
It is true.
I'm guilty of it.
A moron from our own gang betrayed me!
It's over now!
My political life, career and future, all down the drain!
(sniffles)
- Devan brother... - Huh?
Shall I take the blame?
We'll say that you were ignorant that it was beef
and that the audio was doctored.
I'll take the blame.
(cries, sniffles)
Naisam Ali...
Kalesh, what's the scene at the office? Is anyone there?
- No. - (scoffs)
Unni also walked out on me, right?
(laughs sadly)
They tore the entire office down.
Get in. I'll drop you off at the office.
You must be exhausted. Get some rest.
Kalesh, you should be careful.
Hmm.
What are you going to do, Devan?
I need to do something about this.
I won't surrender to failure.
I need to be back in the game.
I'll decide on what's next and call you.
Get some rest until then.
Naisam Ali, give me the key.
(ominous music)
(indistinct hubbub)
(cop) Move aside. Clear out.
(nut remover whirring)
Sir...
(tools clanking)
Sir, the circumstances are favouring a suicide.
Bibin might be involved in leaking the video.
But doesn't Devan's death look like a suicide, sir?
If that's the case, the letter Bibin sent to Merlin
a week before Devan's birthday. What does it imply?
And again,
even if Bibin hatched the plot of Devan's death on June 5th,
how can he make sure Devan kills himself on his birthday?
Why not June 6th or 7th?
(horn blares)
Consuming alcohol laced with a pesticide
classified as extremely hazardous is the cause of Devan's death.
And you know what?
The police report doesn't mention where Devan got that pesticide from.
But, sir, Naisam, I mean Bibin, was with Kalesh that night.
They both received the death news together.
How can that happen if Bibin killed him?
Bibin was not outside the room when that video was shot either.
He was present inside the room along with Devan and Kalesh.
Yet, the video was captured.
Devan's murder also would've been set up in the same manner.
Anzari, there are many answers that need clarity.
But now we have the right questions.
If we connect all the questions carefully,
one thing we can be sure of is...
Bibin is not running solo.
He is not alone in this game.
And that makes him more dangerous.
Deadly dangerous.