'A study says that 20 minutes after you quit smoking,'
'your blood pressure is normal.'
'In a few days, the nicotine level in your body decreases.'
'In 12 months, the risk of heart diseases decreases.'
'Smoking increases the risk of a heart attack.'
'Every puff of a 'beedi' and a cigarette is deadly.'
'Quit tobacco today.'
'For help, call 1800-11-2356.'
'My husband consumed 'khaini' from the age of 18.'
'I didn't know it would have such a bad effect on our lives.'
'He has been diagnosed with the deadly disease called cancer.'
'He is the sole breadwinner of our family.'
'I lose my sleep thinking about our future.'
'Khaini' has destroyed our lives.'
'Khaini', 'gutka', 'zarda', 'paan masala' destroy families.
'Quit tobacco today.'
'For help, call 1800-11-2356.'
'Tamil People's Army.'
'An organisation that launched an armed rebellion'
'against the state government,'
'operating out of 3 most backward, poverty-stricken districts.'
'Owing to which, the government couldn't start new factories'
'or initiate development drives there.'
'Due to militant activity,'
'existing factory owners moved out of those districts.'
'All the companies were closed.'
'Two years ago, the government granted a license'
'to a private mining corporation to extract minerals'
'from the mountains of Armapuri District.'
'In a district that hadn't seen any progress until then...'
'The people were assured 10,000 new jobs'
'by the government through the setting up of this corporation.'
'The People's Army opposed it.'
'This resulted in repeated clashes between the government'
'and People's Army.'
'Both sides suffered losses.'
'To deal with the People's Army, the police'
'set up a special force in Armapuri District.'
'Hundreds of policemen were posted'
'along the mountains of the district.'
'Checkposts were set up near the mountains'
'and camps were set up at the villages on the foothills.'
'The special forces prevented People's Army'
'from roaming free in the region.'
'To defend the mountain village of Selliyamman Durgam,'
'E-Company, a special task force, was posted there.'
'After they set up base there,'
'the People's Army's activity noticeably decreased in the region.'
'The People's Army continued with their plans secretly.'
'Deciding that the opening of mines will no longer incite trouble,'
'the government announced'
'a commencement date for the project.'
'The next day...'
'Railway Authorities have announced'
'that the express train set to arrive at Armapuri this morning'
'has crashed on a bridge.'
'Railway authorities confirmed'
'that the railway coaches fell into the river'
'and that several lives were lost in this accident.'
'Our news correspondent reported'
'that rescue operations are underway'
'and that further information is awaited.'
'The Railway Minister and senior officials from Delhi'
'have arrived at the spot.'
'State Welfare Minister, Ilavarasu, has arrived at the spot as well.'
'It's reported that many people are injured.'
'They are being taken to the hospital.' - Hello, sir.
- Greetings. - Greetings, sir.
- Hello, sir. - Hello, sir.
The area has been secured.
We've called for additional forces
and requested emergency medical support.
- Look at this, sir. - Move back.
Let him go.
Hey! Move them away.
- Come on. - Move.
Move back.
- Look. - Don't come forward.
- Look, what happened. - Let us do our work.
Shoo that guy away!
What are you doing here?
Sir, this way.
Send that photographer away.
Wait! Wait! Don't jump! Listen to me!
Stop! What are you doing?
Wait! Wait! No. No.
Don't jump! Don't jump!
Don't jump! We'll do something to get you down.
Oh no!
He's done for.
Hey, listen! Help him!
- Pick him up. - Bring water. Hurry up.
- Hurry up. - Here's water.
- Pick him up. - Drink it.
- Careful. - The coach is unstable.
Evacuate those people immediately.
- Here you go. - Come on.
- Hurry up. - Come on.
Some people are lying there.
Quick!
Bring it here. Quick.
- Come on. - Yes.
- Move. - Don't worry.
Be careful!
Careful. Careful.
Come on, take him.
Check if there are any people there.
All the arrangements have been done.
- Come, let's inspect there. - Hurry up.
Quick!
- Please come, sir. - Careful, careful.
The engine and five coaches were derailed, sir.
The Railway Department evacuated the other coaches.
The Fire Brigade has arrived too.
- Sir, this way. - Be careful.
- Sir, the Collector is here. - Come on!
Sir, what is this?
This is the work of those who don't want the mining corporation here.
They've claimed responsibility in the poster.
That's not conclusive evidence. Anybody could have used their name.
The incident happened because of land subsidence.
So we know nothing?
Sir, they had planted two bombs. One of the bombs exploded.
Thankfully, the other one didn't go off.
Had it exploded, the damage would have been far worse.
The forensic department has secured that bomb.
We'll issue a press statement soon.
My child. My child is trapped inside.
Please help me.
Look inside that coach.
Yes, I'm looking.
Tell all our men to get here as soon as possible.
Several injured people in there. Hurry up!
It's going to be okay. Be careful.
- Careful. - Hold on! I'm coming.
Just wait.
- Okay, okay. I'll bring it. - Be careful.
- Careful. Careful! - Quick.
Yes, yes.
- Quick! - Hurry up, sir.
- Come here. - Give me your hand.
- Give it to me. - It's a baby. Be careful, sir.
Look that side. There are many people.
We have to get everyone down.
Be careful.
- Come on, move back. - Sir, this is a major accident.
- Why aren't you doing anything? - Look.
The Collector and SP have arrived within an hour of the incident.
I'm here.
So many cops, railway police, doctors are all here.
Stop politicising everything!
So many people are fighting for their lives.
Is now the time to prove that we are not doing our jobs?
Hold this.
Oh my God!
Careful.
That's it. It's almost done.
Come on. Easy.
Come on, hurry up.
- Pull. - Quick.
Make sure no one is left behind.
Move away from there.
- The coach will overturn. - Move!
- Hurry up. - Move away. Move away.
Move away.
- Get down. - Hurry up...
- Quick. - Oh my!
Hey! It's falling.
- Careful. - Move away.
Stay away from it.
Move away from it.
- Hey... - Move back!
'The injured have been admitted to government and private hospitals.'
'Several of the injured are in critical state.'
'It is feared that the death toll may rise.'
The Railway Bridge bombing was carried out
to destroy the sovereignty of our nation
by the People's Army.
Sir, that is obvious from the posters on the bridge.
- Yes. - What have you done to catch them?
- We are trying. - Listen to me.
It's not about what we have done.
It's time to address what all of us must do.
When journalists write about this organisation
and its leaders...
Not all journalists, but some of you...
it feels like you are glorifying them.
Please avoid it.
So what if a few reporters write in their favour?
What one reporter writes is read by thousands.
Even if a handful of readers
were to look up to that criminal as a mentor or a revolutionary,
even the neutrals will start switching to their side.
If that happens, it gets difficult to handle the situation.
So please write responsibly.
There is this man called Perumal.
You call him 'Vaathiyaar', a mentor.
He is their saviour.
You refer to this other man as T.A.
Refer to those involved in terror activities as terrorists.
Don't turn them into heroes.
A journalist's job is not to follow your instructions.
We exist to question the government.
Please go ahead and question us.
No one is stopping you.
Ask the right questions.
Don't forget that twenty-five people have died.
Over a hundred are critically injured
and fighting for their lives.
How could you justify such an act?
No one is trying to justify anything.
Of course, they should be punished.
They used a detonator to blast the bridge from 100 metres away.
How did you fail to collect any evidence from the spot?
When there is theft in a wealthy household,
you rush to the spot with sniffer dogs,
but not at such a major accident site?
You get away with writing conspiracy theories with no proof.
A government can't work in that way.
Talk to the engine driver who survived the blast.
- He'll tell you what happened. - We spoke to him, sir.
You three are with the opposition, huh?
You say that anytime we speak the truth.
- Truth? What truth? - Your government is inefficient.
Leave my government out of this!
Don't run your mouth.
This is wrong.
How dare you say that!
Get out of here.
- Hold on. - Answer the question.
Please keep quiet.
A horrific attack of unprecedented proportions
has taken place in the state.
To eliminate the terror outfit behind it
and to arrest the leaders of the People's Army
and to discuss what they stand to gain
is the point of this press meet.
We are doing that.
So let's stick to that.
The first-level leaders of People's Army,
TA, Engineer Ramesh...
Murthy and their Mastermind Perumal.
Our target is to catch them. Dead or alive.
You can't capture Perumal in a photo.
How will you catch him?
This is no laughing matter.
Until now, anti-terrorism laws
were used only against members of the People's Army.
Henceforth, anyone who helps them, even in a small way
or conceals information about them...
Please make a special note of this.
Anybody who writes in support of them will be charged and arrested
under TADA Terrorists Destructive Activities Prevention Act.
This operation is to arrest Perumal.
Some of you refer to him as 'Ghost'.
We have decided to call this operation Ghost Hunt.
Young man. I want to spit.
Okay.
Are you new to town?
Never seen you around before.
It's my first time here.
My daughter-in-law fought with my son,
took my grandchild, and went to her folks'.
I'm going to bring her back.
- Why, what happened? - You seem nice, so I'll tell you.
My son and his friends stole four motor pumps.
The police kept coming home to arrest him.
She felt humiliated and left for her mother's.
I am going there to mollify her and bring her back.
A man and wife may have their issues,
but I miss my grandson.
- It's not my fault. - Pull over.
I'm his grandfather.
Get down. This is a police checking.
- Get out of the back door. - Why?
- Just get down. - Why?
- Should I take my bag, sir? - Leave it there.
I don't know what's going on.
Saravana, check inside the bus.
Okay, sir.
Come on, get down.
Hey! Raise your hands.
Are you hiding anything?
No, sir.
- Hey, come outside. - Come on.
Raise your hands.
- Why are they checking everyone? - I don't know.
- Come on, keep moving. - Come here.
- I am getting late. - Five minutes.
- Come on... - Sir, E-Company...
- Sir, I'm a cop too. - Move it, man.
Check him thoroughly.
Please hear me out.
I don't want to hear anything. Let me do my job.
Whose trunk is that? The locked one?
Mine.
Yours? Come here.
Bring that man down here.
Open it.
Hurry up.
Don't run! Catch him!
Stop!
- Sir. - Move back.
- Stop! - Stop!
Hey, he is running away. Catch him.
Stop! Stop!
Hey, you're a policeman?
Yes.
I am here to report to TNSF E-Company.
'The sight of a man, who was on the bus just moments ago,'
'now lying dead'
'instilled in me the fear,'
'that anything could happen to anyone anytime out here.'
I've come here to join duty.
Go and meet the officer.
'To not scare you at the time,'
'I only wrote that I was safe and joined duty.'
Go meet the OC.
Had we caught him alive, we would've figured out
why he was carrying explosives.
If you'd seized the map before he tore it,
we'd know their plan.
Handing guns to the likes of you... What else can we expect?
Hey, come.
Sir, I aimed for his leg but he tripped...
Excuses, excuses.
What about the other fellow who ran?
Sir, we've detained him and his family members.
We've started the interrogation.
They shot my company driver and got away.
I ordered the raid to catch them, not shoot.
- Who is he? - That's the new driver, Kumaresan.
Ask SI Ramasamy to give him the border checkpost supplies.
You show him the way to all checkposts.
Let him begin tomorrow.
Do you have experience driving on hilly terrains?
Yes, sir. I used to drive trucks carrying cardamom in Kerala.
- Which route? - Devaram Sakkulaturmedu.
- Ramakkalmedu route. - Attention!
No wonder they recruited you as a driver in this company.
This is the first checkpost to enter into the forest.
Hail India, sir.
What's new in the village?
Azhagesan's daughter is getting married.
So? - Her maternal uncle has come here for the ritual.
Make sure he leaves by tonight.
The ceremony is at dawn.
You let him in every time
and I'm the one who gets into trouble!
I will arrest any outsider who stays the night.
Then it's all on you.
All eight checkposts on this route are guarded
by the E-Company police.
This is the last checkpost.
Give him a turn-out.
Attention. Slope arms.
1, 2, 3. 1, 2, 3.
Salute!
- Hand this to him. - Yes, sir.
- Respect your superior officers. - Okay, sir.
Things won't always be the same.
I don't need to go, sir. You carry on.
This is the way. Come on.
Okay.
What?
Nothing, sir. I slipped.
Be careful. These rocks are covered in moss.
Come.
A short walk into the forest
and we have a checkpost on the state border.
I can't get over the way you chased after the man and shot him dead.
How are you so casual about it?
I don't understand as I've never done it before, sir.
Well, it's not that.
It wasn't my intention to kill him,
but then I am not sad that he's dead.
Every time I lost one of my colleagues,
my heart grew numb.
Six months here, and it will become a habit,
and even you'll begin to feel
there's nothing wrong in killing these people.
'Short walk to the checkpost', you said.
How far is it, sir?
Is there a long way to go still?
Yes. Come.
Did the driver before me quit
because he couldn't climb these mountains?
No.
He died.
- Kumaresan. - Right behind you, sir.
Only slopes from here. Come.
Going down slopes is easy enough.
I'll be the judge of that, sir.
Bala!
Sir? Yes, sir?
I don't know the way. Come and get us.
Coming, sir!
Sir, do I need to come all the way here to deliver food every day?
Whoever is on duty brings supplies once a week.
Sir... Water...
Inside.
Kumar, there's flour in the bag.
Knead some dough for rotis.
There's no water to knead the dough.
- Where are you from? - Chinnapudur.
What do your parents do?
I don't have a father. Just a mother.
- How many siblings? - It's just me.
This is no place for an only child.
- Why? - You will see.
Go down that path.
Are there North Indian officers here? - Why do you ask?
You seem to have splashed dye and celebrated Holi.
- You think that's dye? - Yeah.
It's blood.
That's the uniform of the driver who was here before you.
'That's when I found out what the SI meant'
'when he said, He is gone. I was scared.'
'Who would take care of you if that were to happen to me?'
Sir.
What's the procedure to be transferred to a different location?
You've barely started. Thinking about a transfer already?
Get to work.
Why are you chopping so much bottle gourd?
Don't use up 3 days' worth of ration on a single meal.
- What's this, Sankar! - It's not sufficient for 60 people.
Don't I know that?
Don't let the rice get mushy.
No more than three scoops of rice.
- Not too much gravy. - Yes, sir.
'Though it's dangerous to drive in the forests,'
'I was happy to be delivering food to everyone.'
We've been eating when the locals gave us food.
We'll get to eat on time now.
I'll make sure your food reaches you on time.
Okay?
Mahesh, the food is here.
There's pickle in the jar.
Greetings, sir!
Bottle gourd again?
Yes, sir. We've got sacksful of it.
We'll be eating bottle gourd for another three weeks.
Three weeks is fine.
He's been feeding us the same crap for a month now.
- Where are you, child? - I am right here.
- I am right here, grandma. - Easy.
- Please hold my hand, child. - Nothing will happen to you.
- Please hold my hand, child. - I will. I will.
I'll take care of it. Go on.
What happened? I'm talking to you.
What happened?
- A bear attacked her in the forest. - What!
You won't make it on foot!
- Put her down. Come here. Hurry up! - Yes.
Hurry up! Unload the boxes.
Come on. Hold on.
Take them out.
- Careful. - Lift her up.
Don't cry. Your grandma is going to be fine.
- Come on. - Get her into the jeep.
- Easy. - Quick.
Come on.
- Careful. - Hurry up.
Yes, sir.
Wait. Fold her legs when I shut the door.
Please hand over the food at the next checkpost.
I'll inform them.
I don't want to leave you alone in this world.
I wish I'd got you married.
What are you saying?
You must get well and get me married.
I've left your food by the twin rocks.
A local will bring it to you. Please collect it from him.
An old lady was bitten by a bear, I'll drop her off at the hospital.
The OC asked you to leave her here and report to the base.
It's an emergency. I'll drop her off at the hospital.
- It's the OC's orders. - I'll just be back.
- You'll get into trouble. - He will understand.
You don't know him! Don't do this!
Sir, please hurry up. Come here.
Careful. Careful.
Come on.
'I was glad I got an opportunity'
'to be a good policeman on my very first day.'
'I was feeling good.'
'I learnt on the same day'
'that being a policeman wasn't only about that.'
Why did you slap me, sir?
What's more important than following a order?
Sir, the poor woman was fighting for her life.
She would have died if I hadn't taken her to the hospital.
What if the villagers, out of hatred for the police,
- had poisoned our food? - That didn't happen...
Don't talk back to the OC!
- Would you have taken responsibility? - No, sir.
- Leave it, sir. - I'll look into it, sir.
- Put him on punishment duty. - Sir.
Did you see the consequences of arguing with the OC?
He is new. He won't understand now.
He made a mistake.
He's new to the job, he got carried away.
Forgive him, sir.
A policeman from my company defied my order
heard by everyone over the radio!
- You want me to forgive him? - It was a mistake, sir.
Shouldn't he be punished for my humiliation?
Don't get angry while you eat.
I want everyone in the company
to see what happens when my orders are defied.
Left, right, left, right, left. Left.
About turn. Double march.
Left, right, left. Left, right, left.
Faster!
- Left, right, left... - Faster.
- Left, right, left. - Faster.
- Left, right, left... - Rifle down.
And half turn.
- Left, right, left... - Rotate, rotate, rotate.
- Stop. - Left, right, left...
Left, right, left... Left, right, left...
- Left, right, left... - About turn.
Fast, fast, fast. Stop.
Rifle down. Sit down.
Jump start.
Fast, fast, fast.
Come on.
About turn.
Jump, jump, jump.
Stand up.
For the first time in eight months
our company has been at this camp site.
PC 1563 displayed bravery in saving a villager's life.
It is commendable.
A round of applause.
As punishment for defying orders,
he'll be cleaning our toilets from now.
Another round of applause.
- What? - As you command, sir.
The OC uses that toilet.
Scrub it till it sparkles.
Make it shine so that he can see his reflection.
It may help abate his anger.
Look, you missed a stain there. Scrub the toilet bowl.
We created publicity for 'Ghost Hunt'.
In the last two months,
you've arrested only 4-5 members of People's Army
with explosives or electronic devices,
- but they are just pawns. - Yes, sir.
The Chief Secretary is asking for results.
We have intel that Perumal and TA have been spotted
in Selliyamman Durgam forest region.
- Raghavendra, increase the patrol. - Yes, sir.
Arrest anybody suspicious.
'I deliver food to checkposts every day.'
'I get tower duty four times a week to keep me from sleeping.'
'That night, I halted to catch some sleep,'
'and that changed everything.'
'That was a strange night.'
- Who's that? - It's the police.
Stay calm.
Ramesh, you step back.
The police knows your face.
Nagaraj, you talk to him.
Why are you out at this hour?
Returning from Selliyamman Durgam.
You don't have the body of mountain-folk.
We are just visiting.
Came here to discuss a marriage proposal for my sister.
We were hoping to get the last bus,
but we missed it.
Okay, get in.
I'll drop you at the junction.
No, we will go by foot.
Why trouble visitors? Get in.
Don't bother yourself, sir.
It's the sight of other policemen that bothers me.
Are you new to the job?
Yes. How did you know?
You still wish to help people.
Many of us policemen live to serve the people.
Why are you coughing? Would you like water?
- We'll get down here, sir. - Here?
We'll walk past the temple.
That path will be slippery from the drizzle.
- I know, sir. - Go past the checkpost
- and you'll hit the main road. - Yes, sir.
Why take inexperienced folk down this path?
Nothing will happen, sir. We'll be safe.
- You can go, sir. - Be careful.
'According to latest intel reports, the police say,'
'terrorists from the People's Army'
'have infiltrated three districts in the state,'
'and are planning to carry out major terror attacks there.'
'The police said...'
- Kumar! - Yes?
A woman was waiting all day to meet you.
To meet me?
The old lady you admitted to the hospital?
Her granddaughter.
Her grandmother has been discharged.
- She wished to speak to you. - Okay.
Ramu, hurry up.
Give this to the chief.
- Greetings. Thanks for coming. - Greetings.
This is great timing, just like in movies.
Keep this inside.
Welcome, young man. Meet everyone.
- Keep it inside. - Come, dear.
Hello, grandma. How are you?
I'm well, all thanks to you.
What's special? - My granddaughter is getting engaged.
- We'll get him to hand the garland? - Oh yes, you must!
No, there are so many elders around.
We owe this happy moment to you.
You saved my life.
She agreed to get married only because I pleaded.
It is only right that you hand her the garland.
We'll fix the wedding date next week.
So, has the wedding date been fixed?
Yes, but I am not happy.
What happened?
I accepted so that grandma would agree to go to the hospital,
- but she went ahead and fixed a date! - Buy me tea.
Get yourself tea. I will pay for it.
You should get married.
Who'll take care of grandma when I'm married? - Kumar!
Offer me a better price. One moment.
I need to speak to you in private.
I heard you were punished for taking grandma to the hospital.
Who told you? Not at all.
The man who cooks, Periyasamy,
has married into our village.
He told us about it.
You got into trouble for helping us.
It's no trouble.
Don't dwell on that.
Listen to your grandma
and get married to the man your family has chosen.
I don't know whom to call family.
The boy's family says they spent a lot to raise him.
So they want a huge dowry.
Should I call them my family for being related by blood?
On the other hand, a total stranger,
- who's in trouble for helping us out. - It was no trouble!
Refuses to speak a word about his troubles,
but asks me to get married and lead a happy life.
Should I call him my family?
If not for your timely help that day,
I'd be all alone now, with no one to call family.
Your name is on the list.
You have been given tower duty.
- Kumar - Yes?
You had tower duty. Did you go somewhere?
It can't be. I was on duty last night.
Go and see the chart.
- I'll talk to the SI. - What is it?
Sir. I've been on tower duty three nights in a row.
There's been a mistake. My name is on the list again.
There's no mistake.
I was asked to assign you till the OC says otherwise.
I'm on tower duty everyday! Give me some other task, sir.
Every task is important in the police force.
If you don't deliver food on time,
our men won't have the energy to work.
I'm good at firing, sir.
Give me a chance.
I can help the force.
The culprits will be caught,
and the innocent villagers will be freed.
You think everyone here is an idiot
and that you're the only one with talent?
First, a policeman must learn obedience.
- Go away. - As you command, sir.
- Kumaresan. - Sir?
You don't know him. He expects an apology from you.
- Apologise and be done with it. - That old lady...
You did save her life. Would it kill you to apologise?
No, sir. I haven't done anything wrong.
Not five days,
you'll be on tower duty even after 50 days.
You're unfit to be a policeman. Go away. Leave.
When he summons you tomorrow, ask for forgiveness
or you're a dead man.
You'll get more punishment.
- Kumar! - Yes, sir?
- The OC has summoned you. - Coming.
Don't walk, run, or he'll punish you.
Okay.
Do you get it now?
That it was wrong to disobey your superior's orders?
Yes, it was wrong,
but in that situation, it was the right thing to do.
A policeman's job is to save people's lives.
How could that be wrong? Why should I apologise for it?
Is he actually naive, or is he pretending?
What's so funny?
Finish your meal!
He seems really angry!
- Good morning, sir. - Who cares?
A new recruit's done what none of us could.
- He's the man. - Don't praise him!
It's all fun and games for us.
A memo for defying orders.
- Sir. - Leave it, sir.
Should we issue a warning?
Did I ask for your opinion?
Reply within 24 hours.
Salute.
So, Ramasamy, what's for lunch today? - Yes?
Meat, sir.
Sir, will I get into trouble?
I'll ask Chandran to draft your reply. It will be fine.
You've been slapped with a memo
for taking money to drive villagers to the hospital.
- I did not take money. - I know that.
What do you want me to write?
It's the duty of the police to help people in trouble.
That's what I did, sir.
Why should I be served with a memo for that?
Should I just write that?
No, sir. Don't write that.
Word it in a manner that would make sense to them, sir.
You know best.
You fool!
I've written, 'I apologise for my mistake.'
Sign here.
- Sir. - Just sign it.
It's for your own good. Hold on to your job.
People in high places have their eye on you.
They say it's good to have men with a conscience around here.
I'll meet the OC.
Meet me there in ten minutes.
'If I'd handed him that letter, the OC would have forgiven me.'
'I could have worked freely at that camp'
'like all the other policemen.'
'I would never have forgiven myself for admitting a mistake,'
'something that I knew in my heart to be right.'
This isn't the work of those boys, sir.
The boys will pay 75 rupees a month if they are asked to.
It's Amudan goading them.
He says, 'They don't give us good food for 50 rupees, why pay 75?'
Should we say such things, sir?
Just the sight of him irritates me.
He's not worth it, sir.
I'm the OC here!
He is the last PC in my company.
He performs every punishment task
and then he performs the next task.
He won't even reply to the memo! Who does he think he is?
What would you have done in his position?
Sir...
Tell me. What would you have done?
Wouldn't you have apologised?
- Yes, promptly touched your feet. - He won't!
He's new. He's just afraid.
I'll make him.
I'll make him apologise to you within three days.
Kumar, what are you doing here?
I just got done with duty, sir.
You should have informed me. I would've kept some food.
Is there no food, sir?
Look, we've washed all the vessels.
Report to your tower duty.
Kumar. Wake up.
You have tower duty. Hurry, he's getting annoyed.
Are you returning from the market?
Yes.
- How's your grandma? - She's upset.
Because you refused to marry?
We refused to pay dowry,
they got his wedding finalised with another girl.
Grandma is feeling bad, but I'm happy.
Please help me.
- What's wrong? - Nothing.
Are you not eating well?
Everyone's got problems but don't stay hungry.
Here, eat this.
I get food at the camp.
You only eat bottle gourd every day at the camp.
Eat a home-cooked meal. It will do you good.
Eat it.
The basket won't come up by itself.
- I'll see you. - Okay.
Don't just stand there gawking. Eat.
Let me know if you like it. I'll bring you food every day.
Kumar, what are you doing?
- Go and ask the price of gourd. - Yes.
Come and buy it. The vegetables are fresh.
- Come. - Fresh vegetables.
Hey, listen. Give us four sacks of potatoes.
- Let's take this. - We'll take that as well.
No, you have to buy it in dozens.
It's costly.
- This is the final price. - Show that one.
Pack all of the bottle gourds.
You people are the reason bottle gourd sells so well.
Nobody suffers a loss.
You didn't tell me if you liked the food.
It was great.
Do I have to ask?
I was going to, when I returned the container.
- Okay! - Come on.
I'll pay you 75 rupees.
- Give me the green bangles. - No.
- That's the cost of 5 sets! - No, miss.
Fine, we'll go to another stall.
Okay. As you wish.
This is the only bangle stall in the whole district. - Hey.
- Which one did she want? - This one right here.
- How much? - Rs 90.
Hey!
Hey, your container!
- Listen. - The policeman is calling you.
Why would the policeman want to talk to her?
Why would you talk to me in front of everyone?
Talking to policemen is looked down upon in my village.
Okay, don't be mad. I didn't know.
I wanted to return your container. Here.
The food was great.
I am a good cook. Nothing new.
There's something in there. You'll like it.
- Take a look. - I'll see.
Hey! Don't you want to go home?
- It's getting late. - You go. I'll join you soon.
- Kumar. - Yes.
You look happy.
- What's the matter? - I'm cheerful
- as I'm meeting someone. - Who?
Someone special.
- Why so late? - Don't be mad.
I can't be late!
Come on, Kumar. Hurry.
- Why did you stop? - Keep going, I'll come.
Wait, let me walk ahead.
Hey!
Yes, I'm telling you.
Wait. Why are you walking fast?
- You told me to keep walking. - Get lost.
We'll go when the rain stops.
Doesn't look like it will stop. Get in, I'll drop you.
See you.
Don't send all of the money home.
You have to treat us. Company rules.
Okay, I'll hold on to some money.
Here, madam.
- I didn't buy any. - He sent them.
- Which house? - I'll tell you.
- How are you, grandma? - I'm fine, son.
- When is the next doctor's visit? - Next week.
You've turned into one of us, huh?
I wish I could.
Are you going to the camp? Can you deliver this for me?
You've got a letter.
Listen.
Shall we get married?
Why are you asking me?
Ask an elder from your family to come and talk to grandma.
I told my mother. She said she'd come.
I wanted to check with you first.
Grandma, I like him. He is a good man.
He said he'd bring his mother and talk to you.
Even if he's a good man, he's a policeman.
When he finds out about your uncle, think he'll let it slide?
You know well
that the police kill our people every other day.
Will they spare your uncle?
Do you want to ruin your life?
If you marry a policeman and he finds out the truth...
If these villagers find out who we are,
we won't be able to live here.
Try to understand.
Mannaiputhur Checkpost to E-Company. Over.
Hello, sir. E-Company receiving.
I found three suspicious men loitering with guns.
I'm holding them at the checkpost. Inform the OC. Over.
Sir, message received.
- Inform the SP's office. - Yes, sir.
- Let's take them where the SP says. - Okay, sir.
Get down. You work at the camp.
You come here.
- Stop! Stop! - Come on.
Get out of the Jeep.
- Hey, didn't you hear us? - Hurry up.
- Come on, hands up. - Guns down, hands up.
Move to the side.
Stand together.
- Come on. - Come on.
Hands up!
- Don't move! - Act smart and I will kill you.
Get out. Come on!
You imprison people in their homes under the guise of protection.
We won't allow your government
to give our resources to that corporation.
- You should go too. - Follow them.
After them!
Hey! Catch them!
Oh, no. Raghu.
I'll take care of him. Go and get them!
- Go! Hurry up! - Yes, sir.
Hurry up! Catch them!
Follow them.
- Follow them. - Quick!
Come on, easy.
Come on, come on.
I hear gunshots up there.
Raghu. Don't worry.
It hurts so bad.
- I am going to die. - Don't say that!
Don't worry.
You will be alright, Raghu. You will be fine.
I'll do something.
He's bleeding profusely.
I will die.
Nothing will happen to you, Raghu.
I have small children.
Nothing will happen to you, Raghu. Have courage.
Don't give up, Raghu. I'm here.
You will be fine. Sir, his heart rate is dropping.
Raghu.
'All India Radio State News. Read by Vijaya.'
'Three terrorists were arrested near Armapuri forests.'
'While on the way to interrogation,'
'they were intercepted by members of the People's Army with guns,'
'who fled with the suspects.'
'In the shootout that ensued,'
'the terrorists shot a policeman to death'
'and fled from the scene.'
'The police have launched a hunt in the surrounding forests'
'and villages to find the escaped terrorists.'
'They are searching other places too.'
'They believe they are hiding somewhere around.'
Sir! There's no one in this house.
Keep looking, they must be around.
No one in here either, sir.
There are many houses here, and all of them are empty.
They must be around, keep looking.
- You two, look in the forest. - Go there.
Check thoroughly.
Don't make a sound. They will be gone soon.
Be quiet.
Sir! Over here.
Hey!
Who gave you the order to shoot?
- Couldn't you see it was a child? - Why would she run?
She's one of them.
- Open your eyes. - You don't have orders to shoot.
- Why did you shoot? - She's still alive.
Let's take her to a hospital.
What if someone had come and shot us?
I was trying to save us.
- We'll be answerable for this. - Move!
Why don't you understand? He was doing his duty.
Sir, who will be answerable?
All of us will be questioned.
It's his fault, sir.
- What have you done? Move away! - What happened?
Just make sure we don't face an enquiry.
Sir, he shot her with a .303 rifle.
- File a non-incriminating report. - How?
Say a wild elephant or a wild animal killed her.
Easy for you to say!
I will get fired.
Didn't you fabricate a report earlier?
He was a criminal, sir.
Hey, you! Be quiet!
Move back.
Sir, this woman belongs to the culprit's family.
- Take her away. - Come!
- Take her. - Don't trust the local police.
Let's not leave the body behind.
It will be a problem if the villagers find it.
Kumaresan, bring two sacks of sugar from the canteen.
'The mother's curse rings in my ears to this day.'
'All of her dreams for her daughter turned to ash that day.'
'In the end, nothing was left.'
What is happening to Operation Ghost Hunt?
Our special team raided
Selliyamman Durgam village in Armapuri district.
There was a civilian casualty during the firing.
It was a teenage scheduled caste girl.
They claim the OC and officers of E-Company burned her body.
The public are protesting, demanding the officer's arrest.
The OC is a relative of SP Nataraj.
What action have you taken?
I have initiated a police enquiry, sir.
No, no, no.
Why would anyone trust an enquiry
where your department investigates your relative?
It has to be a proper 145 PSO.
Initiate a very transparent RDO enquiry.
- They want permission to protest. - Whose?
- The opposition party's. - Where?
All the district capitals.
Let me check with the superboss.
He'd just say, 'Go ahead with the protests.'
We'll have to deal with the stress!
Recommend it in the capital city, sir.
An intelligence report says they plan to instigate a riot here.
When the opposition stages a protest, there will be problems.
The affected people will feel comforted
that someone's speaking up for them.
If we obstruct that, they will get irritated,
and harbour resentment against the government.
- Yes, sir. - They will get irritated
and start putting pressure on us.
Gradually, they will start gravitating
towards terror outfits like People's Army.
- Yes, sir. - We'd end up helping them recruit.
We have made no significant progress in this case.
In fact, we still don't know what Perumal looks like.
Look, the boss's deadline is about to end.
For the mining company to come here, we have to catch Perumal.
Or they will stop their funding.
But what is the benefit is that,
we have a valid reason not to go after Perumal for some time.
Due to these protests.
Whatever happens, it should happen
between the ruling party and the opposition,
within the ambit of the constitution.
So allowing the opposition to stage such protests is to our advantage.
At the same time,
it's a problem if the people believe that the opposition is right.
To strike a balance...
Sunil Menon, who has successfully executed
anti-terror operations in Bengal and Andhra
has been appointed as the head of Operation Ghost Hunt.
Sunil is a charming officer.
He knows how to handle the press
and he can get ruthless when he wants to.
The press will have a constant supply of good stories.
Everybody, attention!
Sir, thirty-two present. Five officers.
Fifty-five on guard duty. Fifteen absentees, sir. - Okay.
They bought 100 kg of rice at the mill,
claiming there was a feast at home.
Upon enquiry, we found there was no feast.
He was distributing anti-state flyers on a bus.
We've brought his family in for interrogation.
It's likely they know Perumal's whereabouts.
If we interrogate the woman, she will talk.
Have you given them anything to eat or drink?
Sir, they are refusing to eat.
You can leave if you answer their questions.
Sir, I don't understand their questions.
You can talk to him.
Tell them to give us our clothes.
Officer, return her clothes.
Sir.
These people will co-operate only if they are treated this way.
We can't get one word out of them if we give them clothes.
Don't misuse power to suit your perversions.
Do as I say.
Sir, we don't let them go outside to use the toilet.
We treat them inhumanely.
Is this how your company operates, Raghavendra?
Sir, three men from our company
have been killed in the last three months
and four are in hospital.
Our boys watch these terrorists shoot their colleagues and get away.
The locals help them.
It's only natural for our boys to feel angry.
This is how they vent their anger.
How could I stop them?
Please consider their feelings too.
No, Raghavendra. My question is,
why aren't the locals giving us their support?
Sir, well, they are scared, sir.
They don't support us out of fear of People's Army.
Out of fear of them? Or us?
- Yes, sir. It's us they fear. - Exactly!
If we participate in their day-to-day lives,
they will stop fearing us.
- They will co-operate. - Sir.
Yeah?
- Tell me. - Sir.
They organised a kabaddi tournament in the village three months back.
I sponsored the prize money.
I attended the prize distribution too.
The boy who organized it can be of help to us.
The temple festival is coming up in two weeks.
- Let us... - Toll their bells for them?
Sorry, sir. To them, a rock under a tree is a temple.
No, he is right.
Let me know what they need for the festival.
We will support them.
- Is everyone fine? - Yes!
I've made arrangements
for electricity to be provided in the village.
We've spoken to the Electricity Board.
They will set up a transformer here,
but on one condition.
- What is it, sir? - I'll tell you.
There is no school in any of the 11 villages in the vicinity.
You have to go far to attend school.
The government has agreed to build a middle school here.
But then...
What, sir?
An old woman was bitten by a bear last month.
Her life was saved by a policeman who took her to the hospital.
We know, sir.
Just yesterday, a woman died from snake bite.
She could have been saved if you had a hospital here. - Yes.
The government has agreed to build a hospital here,
on one condition.
What is it, sir?
People's Army.
Some of you believe, they are doing good for the people,
but that's not true.
They are funded from outside the country.
Their goal is to divide this country.
They've killed hundreds of innocent people like you.
Don't trust the People's Army. Trust your government.
Trust your Chief Minister.
Trust the people who work on his behalf.
- You saw the movie, didn't you? - Yes, sir.
- Hasn't he done a lot of good? - Yes, sir.
We are ready to solve all your problems.
We only ask for one thing.
Perumal, TA, Engineer Ramesh, and others from the People's Army...
Share any information you have about any of them.
Whoever comes forward with correct information
will be rewarded 10,000 rupees.
Clap!
Hail India!
Brooms for sale! Brooms for sale!
I was hoping to talk to you last night after everyone left,
but... - I've been driving in and out of the forest,
but you were nowhere to be seen.
Grandma created a scene at home.
I'll tell you about it later.
Grandma, do you know who he is?
You made him carry your basket?
Yeah, he is a load-man.
He was loading vegetables onto the police truck.
I asked him to help and he agreed.
Is this how you treat a policeman for wanting to help the elderly?
You don't look like a policeman at all.
Definitely not when I'm carrying your basket.
Which house?
It's right there.
- That one? - Yes.
You can leave it here.
Want some water, young man?
No, grandma.
I'll see you.
How are you?
Maybe he's forgotten.
Who are you? Have we met?
You've forgotten too?
I gave you a ride the night of your sister's engagement.
You got off before the checkpost, remember?
I am the only child. I don't have a sister.
You've mistaken me for someone else.
Strange! I was sure it was you.
We don't have the right clothes to wear in the forest.
They can spot our khaki uniforms from miles away.
We tire our boys out in the name of parades.
They don't get nutritious food. We only feed them bottle gourd.
For six months now, they've been sleeping under tin sheets.
We don't have many weapons.
We can perform well if you could fix these for us, sir.
We are working on it.
I've asked the government to provide us with the same gear
that the Assam and West Bengal police force use.
You'll receive it soon.
Meanwhile, we'll have to manage.
See, this is our last checkpost. This is the state border.
We haven't set-up new checkposts in the last six months.
Sir, the elephants are a real menace in these forests.
We can't enter.
These elephants didn't stop the People's Army. Just the police?
Sir, they've got support from the locals.
We get no help from the Forest Department.
I dislike people who make excuses.
Don't ever point the finger at others again.
Your company has arrested over 100 people in the last ten months.
Yet they managed to bomb the train.
- How is that possible? - Sir, may I?
We've only captured grassroot-level workers.
Vaathiyaar, 'the mentor', is the actual leader.
Sir, he radicalises youngsters.
Unless and until we get hold of him,
we won't be able to curb the growth of People's Army.
Unfortunately, we don't have any intel on Vaathiyaar.
The department has been after him for 25 years,
but we don't even have his photograph.
No one knows about his movements.
He operates like a ghost.
- Sir, Vaathiyaar's anonymity is... - Hey!
Stop calling him that. He is not our CM!
No, sir. He is an actual teacher.
Are you being cocky with me?
Sir, he used to teach at a school.
That's why everyone calls him Vaathiyaar.
- So... - He does not have a name.
Refer to him as Perumal.
Being policemen, you call him 'Vaathiyaar'?
That's not good.
Since we don't have an image to his name...
Perumal will continue being a mentor, a ghost, a deity.
To change that, we need to put a face to his name.
Unless we make the locals realise he is a mere mortal, just like us,
they won't cooperate.
Interrogate everyone you suspect might have seen him.
Get all the details.
Get them to describe him.
Sir. What have I done, sir?
What did I do, sir? Don't hit me.
- Kumaresan, bring that file. - Yes.
I want every company and local station
to gather information and bring it to me.
Using common features, we'll try to get a face for Perumal.
Hurts when I pluck your nail out?
Didn't think about pain before bombing the train?
Hold him still.
- Sir. - I only have one question for you.
- Answer me. - It's hurting, sir.
The man who bombed the railway bridge...
and killed countless people... Perumal.
Tell me what he looks like, and you can go.
I promise I don't know him, sir.
I don't know anything.
Can you interrogate his daughter-in-law? - Yes, sir.
- I don't know them. - Bring her here.
We'll strip her naked before him.
Sir... - If he sticks to his story, let them go.
Sir, E-Company, G-Company and SI Chelladuram,
SI Velmurugan who head the local stations
have all submitted reports with descriptions of Perumal.
Sketches are being made based on them.
I've told the SP we can do a press release in a week's time.
So, be ready.
But of course, we need to get approvals first.
Let's go.
Sir, I've seen a man who looks exactly like him.
- Like whom? - The man in the sketch.
I've seen him. - I've seen about 100 men who look like him,
but I don't go around claiming to have seen Perumal.
- Sir... - Greetings, sir.
I'm sure it was him.
Just can't place him yet.
Remember when SP asked us
to strengthen manpower at checkposts?
That night, I dropped this man and four others,
thinking they were locals.
About 3 days ago, I helped an old lady
carry her bags home from Kilamparai market.
I saw the same gang in a house next to hers.
They pretended not to recognise me.
I didn't understand then.
Stop. Where are you going?
- I'm going to tell the DSP. - Will you never learn?
The OC is already mad at you.
If you tell the DSP now, the OC won't spare you.
- I'll tell the OC then. - Yes, good.
I'll let you know back at the camp when the OC is in a good mood.
Tell him there. Then he will stop being mad at you.
Kumaresan, we joined the police force to fight poverty.
Without the monthly salary,
we can't afford our children's school fees.
Or our parents' medical expenses.
Without us, our families would be out on the streets.
Aren't we here to serve the people?
They are murderers.
I saw them in the flesh. TA and Vaathiyaar.
- 'Hey! Take your guns. - Hey!'
- 'Hey! - Close the door.'
- 'Open up! - Open up!'
'Look for the keys. Find the keys!'
- 'Leave me. - Find the keys.'
'Hey.'
- 'Let them go. - This is wrong.'
- 'Where are the keys? - I don't have the keys.'
- 'Check everywhere. - I don't have them.'
- 'Where are the keys? - You can kill me.'
- 'I told you I don't have them - Hey! Give it.'
'Don't you understand?'
'Hey, you...'
'How dare you threaten me!'
'I'll kill you. I'm telling you.'
'Let everyone go or you'll suffer the same fate.'
'Let everyone go.'
'Go, go, go, go, go.'
'Go, go, go.'
- 'Look there. - Come on!'
- 'Go, go, go, go, go. - Hurry up!'
'Hurry up! Go!'
- 'Come on. Get out of here. - Hurry up.'
- 'Hey! Did you arrest anyone else? - No.'
- 'No. No. - Come on, tell me.'
'Take the gun. Take it.'
- 'Careful. - Come on.'
'Come on.'
'Get out of here.'
'Please don't hurt me.'
'I am going to have a baby next week.'
'After 17 years, I'm going to be a father.'
'Torture me all you want.'
'The news of my death will kill my wife.
'Please spare my life for the sake of my wife and my unborn child.'
'Please. Please spare me.'
- 'Please don't kill me. - Hey!'
- 'Why are you letting him talk? - Spare me.'
I have seen Perumal, I claim to not remember his face
because they will mercilessly slaughter anybody
who speaks against them.
If you identify him now...
not just you,
they will find your mother and kill her too.
If you want to stay alive,
don't say anything about him.
Or you won't even get a chance to regret.
Why risk your life for this job?
Sir, to endanger so many lives, just to protect my own...
- It's wrong. - Fine!
You clearly won't listen.
I'll tell you once the OC arrives this evening.
- Tell him then. Okay? - Okay, sir.
I'll get a cup of tea.
One tea, please.
Is he in Kilamparai?
- No. - Our company driver saw his sketch
and promptly identified him.
He'll get caught now.
Tell him to shift base immediately.
The driver would identify him no matter where he goes.
- We can't let him live. - Kumaresan.
- Sir? - Have some tea.
Ganesan. Add two teas on my tab.
Anbu.
He is our company's driver. Remember what I said?
- Greetings. - He'll be coming often.
Serve him well.
Sir, we processed all the information
and shortlisted these sketches.
- That guy Sunil is good, huh? - Yes, sir.
Once you get the CM's approval, we can publish these, sir.
We should plaster his image
in every lane and at every crossroads.
- Only then will it be of use. - Sure, sir.
When the mining corporation delegates arrive here,
the posters would give them the impression
that the state's only priority is to arrest him.
When they visit, we are planning something like,
'Development today, hope for tomorrow.'
I think that will be better.
Paste such positive posters all over the state.
We're going to make our state look like the safest place to invest.
Just till the mining corporation delegation is here,
we'll hold back this image.
I shall inform the super-boss that we have a face for Perumal.
He won't leave until he's stopped
the mining corporation from being set up here.
Now a policeman claims to know his location.
We must annihilate him even if Perumal forbids it.
If we kill a policeman, the government won't spare us.
That is only if we kill a top-ranking officer.
The government doesn't care about an ordinary policeman?
Moreover, why make it look like a murder?
We will make it look like an accident.
Let's drop rocks and stop the policemen.
We'll kill them there.
Sir, may I meet the OC now?
He left for Mayilagundu with the DSP this morning.
It'll be a while before he returns.
Meet him in the evening after delivering food to the checkposts.
Sir, they could get away by then.
Don't you trust me to act in your best interests?
- Yes, sir. - Then leave now.
Kumaresan, which route will you be taking?
Through the twin rocks, sir.
I heard that a mad elephant is roaming there.
Take the holy rock route instead.
Kaliamma, going to the village? Get in.
She wanted to talk to you about something important.
Meet her at the banyan tree near the temple tomorrow morning.
Okay.
The posters would make the investors anxious.
Don't talk like them.
Those sitting in air-conditioned rooms
don't know the struggles of ground workers.
We know Perumal is in the district.
If we publish his photo now, we can definitely catch him.
we need to create a false image.
If we do that, then...
- Stop the car! - Careful!
Get them! Don't spare them!
- Stop them! - Go, go, go. Into the forest.
- From there. Catch them. - No one should escape.
- Sir. I know this terrain well. - Don't spare them.
Why risk it? Let's get out of here.
Convince me this is an accident, and we'll go back.
This is to keep you from interacting
- with the villagers. - What should we do then?
What happened, sir?
They pushed the rocks down
and blocked the route to the village to keep the DSP from visiting.
- We will have to walk for 8 km. - Sir.
Yes?
- I can drive over the rocks. - What?
He says he can drive the Jeep over this.
You can't do the job assigned to you.
Now this? Go on.
Sir, we can drive the left wheel over the rocks.
Stop that nonsense! Just do your job.
- Raghavendra. - Sorry, sir.
Go on. Try it.
Very well, sir.
Careful.
I drive through this path every day, sir.
Watch it.
Keep going, keep going.
Watch out! Keep going!
Go, go, go.
There's a rock down there.
Yes. Take it from the side.
Very good. Very good. Left. Left. Take left.
Just back up.
Sir, please give me a moment, so I can do my job.
Don't change the gear. Keep it in the first gear.
Yes. Come on.
He's done it!
Very good. Very good. Come on.
This needs to be cleared by the time I'm back.
- Okay, sir. - Okay.
What's your name?
Kumaresan, sir.
Good.
That's acceptable on off-duty hours! Can't hold it against them.
Yes, you said the right thing.
- Head Constable, thanks a lot. - What happened?
Something good happened, thanks to you.
The People's Army rolled down rocks to kill the DSP.
His vehicle was trapped.
Oh, no. Is everything alright?
Everyone's fine.
The DSP was on the way to the village,
their road was blocked, and they were stuck.
I drove the jeep over the rocks.
Head Constable? Sir?
The DSP said 'Good job'.
Sir.
Shall we discuss our thing with the DSP?
- He'll stop being mad at me then. - What's the matter?
No, you see...
Let's tell the OC first.
He will tell you.
'DSP Sunil Menon, while on his usual rounds,'
'was subject to an attack by unidentified terrorists.'
They tried to kill a DSP. We can't take this lightly.
Sir, if we do this, everything will be ruined.
That will create a negative image among the public.
We need the public to trust us. We need their support.
Let's work towards that.
- How many men have we got? - I've arranged for ten men.
They are all youngsters who came here for police selection.
These men have quit the People's Army,
turned in their weapons, and surrendered to the police.
They will be given a light sentence
for their involvement with the People's Army.
At the end of their sentences,
the government will make arrangements
to facilitate their rehabilitation
and help find jobs best suited for their skills.
Sir, they are on their hit-list.
They are notorious criminals.
Why aren't you taking action against them?
Should we turn into killers like them?
The job of the police is to reform criminals.
Let me use this opportunity
to make a request to the leaders of People's Army.
The weapons you use to carry out your terrorist activities,
please don't forget we've been trained to use those weapons.
The outcome of trying to fight us with weapons is fairly obvious.
Don't betray the youngsters who believe in you.
The best way you can serve them is to surrender.
I request the public to come forward
with information about the People's Army
and let us do our work.
'Some members of People's Army have surrendered to the police.'
'It's a great achievement for the police.'
I must tell you something important.
Tell me.
I know Vaathiyaar's hideout.
I was to tell you the other day.
The sketch they drew at the DSP's office...
I've seen that man.
I asked sir to tell the OC.
He told me to wait for the right time.
What if they get away by then?
Should the two of us tell the OC about it?
We can't tell the officers unless we know for sure.
People here are punished for bad intel.
Kumar, you've been punished already.
People with memos to their name will be sent back home.
I don't want to go home.
I'll get into trouble.
'The clash between People's Army and the police'
'is causing trouble for common people as well.'
'The police is trying to catch the leader of the People's Army,'
'but they fail every time.'
'Even the locals are not supporting the police.'
'That has increased the problems for the police.'
What happened?
You wish to apologise?
I must tell you something important.
How dare you approach me directly!
- Chandran! - Sir?
- Come here! - Coming.
Get out!
- Sir... - Get out!
I know Vaathiyaar's...
- Sir, near the checkpost... - Get out!
Didn't I tell you he can't talk to me except to apologise?
Leave!
- Sir, Vaathiyaar... - What have you done?
I said I'd tell you when the timing is right.
What was the hurry?
The more we delay, Vaathiyaar is likely to get away.
It's true that catching Vaathiyaar is crucial.
You can't do it if you get fired.
The OC is looking to get you suspended because of your memo.
You won't get to talk to him unless you apologise.
Tell me you'll apologise, and I'll take you to him right now.
Take him out of the picture soon.
I can't keep a watch on him round the clock.
I have other work as well.
Our district committee did attempt to take him out.
They thought we had attempted to kill the DSP.
So the leadership has forbidden us from targeting any policeman.
They have forbidden us from annihilating the driver.
Perumal has seen him twice.
I guess, he...
I think he empathises with him.
The government is stepping up efforts
to start the mining corporation's operations.
To convince the Central Government,
the locals are lending support,
They've started laying roads.
They will kill anybody who gets in the way.
Ask Vaathiyaar to watch out.
We've told him countless times.
He said, 'I went underground to serve the people'
'and it is not my job.'
He's valuable, not just to your movement.
Take care of everyone who is alive.
Make sure Kumar doesn't talk.
I'll handle the rest.
I saw it on my way up. It's pretty.
Why do you like me?
I don't understand.
You must have met several women before you came here.
Of all the women, why choose a girl from a mountain-village
controlled by the police?
I don't know how to answer that.
I don't know what to say.
When I am upset, I thought
only my mother could tell, without my saying anything.
The food you gave me... That felt like mother's love.
It reminded me of my mother.
When the job gets overwhelming, I wish to just run away,
but then I wouldn't be able to see you.
That's harder than any punishment they could assign.
Which is why I complete all their tasks.
Why do you look so sad?
Today is my father's death anniversary.
It's been 13 years since he died.
My father worked out of town and brought home 50 kilos of rice.
Detaining him for carrying 50 kg of rice for a family of three,
they took him to the station for interrogation.
My mother went to the station to look for him.
We didn't hear anything for the next three days.
The People's Army were conducting a medical camp
in the neighbouring village.
- My uncle took me along... - 'What is the matter?'
- and went to meet them. - 'Greetings.'
'My brother-in-law was taken in for questioning three days ago.'
'They think nobody can question them.'
'We will give them a punishment.'
'They trouble women on the pretext of interrogation.'
'Come what may, I will not spare them.'
'Muthu, where is your wife? Muthu.'
'Take him.'
'Okay.'
'It's okay. Don't be scared. It's alright.'
'It's alright. Look here. It's over. It's over.'
'Don't be afraid. Come.'
'Come on. Come on.'
'Hey! No.'
'Nothing will happen. Everything is fine.'
'Everything is fine. Come on.'
'You can go home to your baby.'
'Muthu, you, and the baby can live happily.'
'Okay?'
'I am having a baby next week.'
'I'm going to be a father after 17 long years.'
'Please spare me. Don't kill me.'
- 'Tell me. - You can hurt me if you want,'
'but please spare my life.'
'Spare me. Please spare me.'
'What's the point of talking to him?'
'No... - Your child is better off with you dead.'
'Kill him. Finish him off.'
My father fell really sick from the police beating.
Six months later,
- he passed away. - Oh, no!
After my mother returned from the station,
she'd hit any policemen she saw.
She'd ask them, 'Are you a cop?'
'You are evil.'
Grandma kept her chained at home.
One day, when grandma had gone to my uncle's place,
my mother looked at me with tears in her eyes and said,
'Am I not okay now?'
'Why have you chained me like an animal?'
She seemed fine.
So I unchained her.
She saw me off when I left for the farm.
When I returned home that evening, mother was missing.
In a neighbouring village,
we found her sari, petticoat and blouse. - Listen. Don't cry.
Nobody knows what happened to her.
After that, when the police take in women for questioning,
they never detain women in the station overnight.
They are afraid of People's Army turning up.
The fear that People's Army instilled in the police
gave hope to youngsters like my uncle.
They started working with People's Army.
Your uncle is part of People's Army?
To keep me and grandma out of trouble,
he stopped coming home.
It's been eight years since we last saw him.
I miss him, but I can't meet him.
Why didn't you tell me your uncle was a terrorist?
I just told you my mother and father were killed by the police,
but you're more bothered by the fact
that I didn't tell you about my uncle?
That's not what I meant.
Your uncle is with People's Army.
I'm a policeman.
I fear that us being together will lead to problems.
That's it.
By revealing this information,
I don't know
the repercussions or damages I could cause.
I'm afraid I'd lose you.
I'll get going now.
Wait!
It's clogged. Let's go into the forest instead.
Step aside if you don't want to go.
There are three 'idlis' in a box.
I'm packing it properly.
The boss yells at me.
Is everything packed properly? Take them.
'For someone who believed what the press'
'and the department said about People's Army,'
'the moment I got to know'
'why those two policemen were killed...'
'I understood that we shouldn't believe'
'everything we read in the papers.'
Hey!
- Kumar! - Yes?
Catch her!
Back to your tower.
These things happen.
Get to work.
Hey! Such things keep happening.
- What... - He doesn't understand anything.
He's new to the job.
He'll get used to it.
Look, our company made it to the news!
- What? - The OC's photo is published!
Members of the special task force led by Inspector Raghavendra
Ramaswamy, Amugam, and other constables, during a search mission,
pulled terrorists out of their houses and attacked them.
The police retaliated bravely
and two members of People's Army were shot dead.
'News like that, right before the minister's visit'
'would inspire the policemen who worked there and did their duty.'
'So, the senior officers don't bother to verify the news.'
I was warned, 'Don't come here. There's a threat to your life.'
Our leader asked us to be brave and here we are.
- We won't be scared. - Are you well?
Yes, I am well. - I didn't come into politics to lead a safe life.
There are countless ridges under our mountains.
Countless mineral resources are inside these ridges.
We need to get them out.
- Not obtained by digging... - Kumar wants to talk to you.
- 'Machines will be used to dig.' - He's said enough.
- 'Everyone will get a job.' - I don't know, go talk to him.
I don't want to.
I told the American engineers that this is our land.
Only the equipment belongs to Americans.
You may ask, 'How will you benefit from these mines?'
You have every right to ask.
Isn't that why you voted us into power?
- 'The mine will create...' - Just talk to him once.
'at least 10,000 new jobs.'
The leader said,
my people should have world class education.
- We'll build schools for you here. - Hey!
- Yes, tell me. - I'll go take a leak.
Okay. Go on.
We'll give you jobs.
We will develop the entire area.
We'll build new roads here through American technology.
So that you all don't face any problems.
What do you have to say? I must go back.
Hurry up.
I can tell you don't wish to speak to me.
Why would I be here then?
I knew you'd come as the minister's security detail.
That's why I came.
I grew up without a father.
I can imagine how horrible it must be to not have both parents.
If such a thing had happened to my parents,
I'd never forgive any policeman.
Now that it has happened, there's no point thinking about it.
You agreed to marry me, a policeman.
You have so much faith in humanity.
As we all should.
I don't possess such love and faith.
Or I wouldn't have walked away or stayed silent.
When you shared your sorrow with me, I was selfish.
I was confused.
I will never leave you, ever again.
If I leave you, I won't be able to live.
I was wrong.
I only wanted to apologise.
Grandma would worry. You should go.
I told her I was going home.
- Will you walk me home? - I will.
- Is this going to be a problem? - No, no.
They'll look for me only to drive in hilly terrains.
All of these policemen can drive on tar roads.
Let's go.
Listen.
What is your name?
No, it's Tamizharasi.
That's a nice name.
My grandmother told me not to tell my name to cops.
You just did.
You're not just a cop anymore.
This is where I last saw my mother.
I sit here whenever I miss her.
I hope someday when I come here,
she would be waiting for me.
Never felt like sharing this with anybody before.
I felt like telling you.
I'm sure she's safe. She will definitely return one day.
I'll go. See you.
A voice recording of the terrorist T.A,
'Deception in the name of development.'
Don't be negligent that it's just guard duty.
Laying roads is a crucial step towards curbing People's Army.
T.A. has sent a tape to the SP's office challenging us, saying...
'Bring on your entire army to lay roads,'
'and we will drive them all away.'
This will be a matter of shame for us.
- Command fall out. - Squad! Fall out.
One, two, three, one.
Kumar, why did you bring food?
SI Ramasamy told me to.
Why did you bring lunch?
I've arranged for 'biryani' through the contractor.
Sir, he told me to bring food.
Policemen, drop your guns!
Stop the vehicle. Get down.
We've surrounded the hills.
If any of you fire a shot, none of you will get out alive.
All of you will be dead.
- Lower your weapons. - Listen. We are going forward.
Plant bombs in the vehicles.
A forest village inhabited with just over a hundred families
is not getting a 100 feet road for the welfare of the people.
It's to loot the natural resources that are rightfully ours.
Everywhere in the world, governments lay roads.
Here, they snatch people's rights,
and loot people's resources for the super-rich.
We must protect our forests.
Only the people of the region must utilise it.
We must not let outsiders to loot it.
Be it the government or anyone else.
Only the villagers have the right
- over everything here. - Hey!
Drop the gun.
We must conserve it and pass it on to future generations.
This time, you will only suffer a loss of materials.
- I won't do this again. - Comrade, burn the vehicles.
Burn the vehicles.
Armapuri SP office to all companies,
checkposts and police stations.
Kindly note. Four of our policemen
have been martyred in a terrorist attack.
The district supervisor will hold a meeting at 6 pm,
to mourn their passing.
Over.
Sir!
- How many? - Four, sir.
Wait, let me cover them.
How am I going to gather these parts and send them home. I don't know.
A mother waiting for her son to be an officer.
A child waiting for his father to return home for holidays.
How do we send severed limbs to them
and tell them it's their son or father?
We'll make them pay for these four lives with forty of theirs.
They are asking us to wait until the elections.
Their deaths will translate into votes.
So they will give us a free hand.
These men laid their lives for politicians to govern in peace.
They didn't die for personal reasons.
If we don't hit back,
cops will be terrified to point their guns at People's Army.
They will hesitate to stand behind me.
I can't allow that, sir.
People's Army, their allies,
the allies' allies, anyone who collaborated with them,
I will kill them all.
Stop.
What's your name?
Bhaskar.
Arrest anybody suspicious.
If they resist, kill them.
- Sir... - Kill them!
- Sir... - That's an order! Follow it!
- Hey. Come on. - What did I do, sir?
I haven't done anything, sir.
Leave me.
- Get in the car! Move! - Sir.
Come on.
- My child. - Get in!
I know you have nothing to do with People's Army.
We will let you go if you point us to their location.
I don't know.
- Come on. Speak up. - Come on.
Speak up!
Come on, speak up.
- Speak up. - We didn't do anything, sir.
Interrogate the other two now.
Kill the others.
Clean up this mess.
A message from Q-Branch district office to the DSP's office.
We've received information that Perumal and few other leaders
are hiding in the hill settlements of Kilamparai and Kamboor.
We'll keep you posted.
Over.
Sir, message received. Over.
We've received information that Perumal and other important leaders
are hiding in the hill settlements of Kilamparai and Kamboor.
Should I alert E-Company?
Order G-Company to investigate.
Our company has been camped here for 11 months now.
We've toiled
to curb the People's Army without basic facilities.
We lost four men.
Looks like the DSP will use G-Company to catch Perumal,
TA 'Engineer' Ramesh.
The point is to catch them.
It's good if they are caught, right?
It is, but better still if our company does it, right?
We are waiting, hoping for awards, when the operation is over.
What are we supposed to do?
If only we had a solid lead for the DSP...
Sir, our station has received new information.
One of the main leader's family lives in Selliyamman Durgam.
If you say, we can take control over the entire village. - Really?
Will he just surrender upon knowing they are being tortured?
Let's detain the family and kill some of them.
They will come to see the bodies.
We can capture him then and pass on the intel to DSP.
They are planning to capture families of the main leaders.
You do know what the DSP will do when he gets wind of it?
- Yes, sir. - Is there someone in your village?
Yes.
Ask the family to go away for a few days. - Okay.
Why do you want to leave town at night?
The police know about us.
We could be taken any minute.
I told you not to talk to the cop.
He has nothing to do with this. Leave him out of it.
Where are you going at this hour?
- Uncle... - We are just taking a walk.
Don't tell anybody where we are going.
Okay.
Let me try and get our chit-fund money from Rani.
Wait here.
Why are you going alone?
- I'll come along. - No, dear.
It will rouse suspicion if we go together.
Wait here. I'll be back.
You like being the policeman's wife
when you go to the cinema or temple, right?
You mind my night shifts?
Go, go, go.
Who are you, woman? Why are you sneaking around?
I came to collect my chit-fund money. - At this hour?
- Which village are you from? - Selliyamman Durgam.
Selliyamman Durgam?
- Yes. - What are you doing over there?
Come here.
- Hurry up. - What happened, sir?
Take her in, let's question her.
Grandma.
A police Jeep crossed me
- when I was waiting at the bus stop. - Ramu, come here!
Hurry! Ramu, come here!
Ramu!
Ramu, come here!
Ramu!
Come here!
What happened?
I don't know what happened.
She was lying at the crossroads.
Seems like someone electrocuted her.
Grandma! No!
- What happened to her? - Grandma!
Grandma! You promised me you'd come back.
What will I do now?
I don't know how I will live without you.
What will I do now?
You know I'm scared of being alone.
How will I live?
You've left me and gone.
I have no one now.
Why did you leave me?
Please come back.
You promised me. Please come back.
Grandma, wake up.
Grandma.
They've done this to three people in the last six months.
This is the fourth instance. They must pay, comrade.
We won't sit quiet!
- Why is the policeman here? - Who?
He is at the checkposts. He is just visiting.
Young man, please leave.
Let me stay for a while.
There's talk that the police have done this.
If they see you here, there will be a problem.
Uncle, who has a problem with him being here?
- Listen to me, dear... - No, don't say anything.
Nobody wants to listen! I'll go!
Listen.
Don't think you're alone.
I'll always be there for you.
I'll be by your side.
Duty parties, attention!
Everyone has assembled in their uniforms, sir.
You were right. One of the main leaders' family
lives in Selliyamman Durgam. Sit.
Thank you, sir.
My informer told me.
This is big...
but we don't know which family exactly.
Detain the whole village.
- Come, get out. - The child is crying, sir.
- We know everything. Come out. - Leave me, sir.
- Sir. - Come on.
Come on, get everyone out.
- Hey. - Come on.
Don't leave anyone behind. Take everyone.
- Come on. - Come on.
- Get inside.
Come on, get in.
Come on.
- What are you doing? - Hey.
Come on, get everyone down.
- Come on. - Come on.
- Hey! Come on. - Come on.
- Why are you hitting us?
Sir, please let us go.
Please don't hit us, sir.
- Take them. - Listen.
- Why are you detaining them? - Come on.
Someone from the village is related to a leader of the People's Army.
If the family has nothing to do with the People's Army,
why detain them?
Don't teach me my duty. Do your work.
Move it. Hurry up.
Without interrogation, they won't say anything.
- That's why everyone is brought here. - Come on.
- They deserve no mercy.
They won't budge if we are nice to them.
They should be treated like this.
- Stand in a line. - Come on. In a line!
Stand in a line. Hurry up.
Women, come this way. Men to this side.
Sir, we swear we don't know anything about them.
Please let us go.
Telling me what to do?
Please don't hit us, sir.
I haven't done anything.
I don't know anything, sir. Please let me go.
My family and I don't know anything. Please don't hit me.
What happened?
Sir,
they've rounded up all the villagers in the name of interrogation.
Why are you getting worked up? This is nothing new.
We do it all the time.
They've rounded them up to find Vaathiyaar's location, right?
Sir, didn't I tell you?
That I saw him while carrying an old lady's bags?
If we share the information now, will they let these people go?
But you can't be sure it was him.
What if it turns out to be wrong information?
You're in trouble already.
One more mistake and you can lose your job.
They will interrogate everyone, detain only those with information
and set the others free.
I've seen what our men do during interrogation.
No, sir. Please, sir.
Just be grateful your sisters, mothers, or aunts aren't in there.
There's a girl I know.
I understand.
There is no place for emotions in our job.
She's a good person, sir.
- Walk faster. - Faster.
- Come on. - Where are you taking us?
- Come on. - Come on.
- Go over there. - Come on.
- Sir. - Come on, everyone.
Hurry up!
Go. Get inside.
- Come on. - Come on.
Stand there.
- Stand in a line. - Move back.
Be quiet!
You can keep us here.
- Please release the pregnant lady. - Who was that?
Who said that?
Step forward.
What's your name?
Tamizharasi.
No wonder she's got a big mouth.
Hit her.
- Don't hit me. - Speak up!
- Don't hit her! - How dare you!
How dare you!
Please don't do this, sir.
Try talking to him. The OC listens to him.
Sir, SI Ramasamy here. Message received.
Sir? - I'll inform the OC and have it organised.
Sir?
- Yes, sir. - Sir.
What now?
Sir, they've detained someone I know.
Please put in a word to the OC.
You want me to get gutted by him.
- Speak up. - Come on.
Speak up!
She is a good girl.
Without their clothes on, they all seem like good girls.
This is different, sir.
Different how? Is she made of gold?
- Are you angry? - Yes, sir.
So you'll hit me?
I will, sir.
Listen. Cut their nuptial threads.
Only then will they understand!
Sir, forgive me. I spoke in anger.
She is such a good girl.
She has given me food, helped me.
If they get Vaathiyaar's location, will everyone be released?
What use are these people if we get him?
We will set all of them free.
I will arrange for it, sir.
- Sir, I know Vaathiyaar's hideout. - So?
If we can catch him, we can send them away!
I had told Chandran.
- Turn around. - That I knew his location.
He told me to wait.
- Just give me ten policemen. - Go to the canteen
and get chilli powder.
Cover their faces.
Sir, she is pregnant. Please let her go.
- Shut up and do it. - Sir.
- Sir! - Hey!
If you don't obey him, he will take it out on the women.
I know Perumal's hideout.
If you can send ten men with me.
Get out of here.
- Sir, I know where he is. - Don't you understand?
I know where Perumal is, sir.
- The situation is bad here. - Just shut up.
- Sir. - Leave!
- You will get into trouble. - Please let them go, sir.
Sir, this is so wrong.
Get out.
Why don't you listen to me?
Get out!
Stop!
I went to the DSP's office and they said he was here.
Leave now.
- What happened? - Hey!
- Sir. - Wait. Come here.
- Sir. - Where are you going?
- I need to see the DSP. - Leave.
- I'll only need a minute, sir. - I said, leave!
The Collector and SP are here and you aren't in uniform.
- Leave now. - 'They are preventing us'
'from building roads and factories...' - Leave!
How does it matter that I'm not in uniform?
- These excuses just won't fly. - Where's your uniform?
Sir, I'm doing my duty.
- Does the uniform matter? - Get out of here.
Sir?
Sir.
Sir, I know Vaathiyaar's whereabouts.
Just give me ten policemen, I can capture him right away.
- Aren't you a constable at E-Company? - Yes, sir.
The day your Jeep was blocked on the way to the village?
- I drove it that day. - Kumaresan?
Yes, sir.
Sir, I do know Vaathiyaar's whereabouts.
They are torturing the villagers rather than catch him.
Leave now. The authorities are here.
- Let's talk tomorrow. - Sir, can you give orders now?
It's important.
They are torturing the villagers, sir.
- Someone you know is in there? - Yes, sir.
Okay, go now. I'll have them release the person.
They are treating the women badly, sir.
- Where did you see him? - Kilamparai.
- Didn't you tell your OC? - Sir.
- You told him? - Yes, sir.
- Hey. - Sir?
Go with him.
Take whoever is available here.
Take as many men as you can.
- Okay, sir. - Go.
Sir, up there. Come, sir.
This way.
It's the last house.
This way. There's another way too.
Don't go! You are not armed.
Listen to me. What are you doing?
Which house?
Over there.
It's the last house, sir. You see that window?
Cover, cover, cover.
Why did you shoot?
No, sir. I thought it was one of them.
That's why...
Sir, there's heavy firing.
So he was right.
One of their main leaders must be there.
Maybe even Perumal. Go after him.
Sir, we've got two men down already.
Surround their hideout.
- I'll send backup immediately. - Okay, sir.
Cover me.
You don't have a rifle. Don't go to the front.
Hold!
Forward.
Fire!
Surround the house.
Back, back, back.
Sir, it's Vaathiyaar we are after.
Why are we running after these men?
He is trying to escape by diverting our attention.
- Should I go up and have a look? - Fine, go.
Forward. Cover me.
Hold, hold. There is a man up there.
Sir.
Sir! Where are the police?
Sir! Police! They are going that way.
Comrade, the driver is the one leading them to Perumal. - Sir.
Sir! Police!
Sir, that way...
Sir, they went that way.
Kumar, I can't keep up!
You stay here. Let me go and look.
Send them to the other room.
- Move forward. - Come on.
The police are here. Come on, fire.
Keep going. Take off in different directions.
Don't worry about me. No villager should be harmed.
They help us.
Sir! Sir!
- There they are! - Where? Which direction?
- Make sure no one is harmed. - Right there.
- Tell the people to go inside. - Hurry up.
They are running away from there.
Sir, we can catch them.
Hurry up. Or they will escape.
Sir.
Which of you is related to Engineer Ramesh?
Sir. Just surrender, sir. Please.
They are torturing the villagers because of you.
Sir, please don't try to escape. Come with me.
Sir. Don't try to escape.
Don't do this. Or...
Police! Please come here. I caught him.
Sir, I can't leave without you.
Please come with me.
Come on. Let's check there.
- May I come in? - Yes, please come.
Ma'am, please let me go.
Nothing will happen to me. Let me go. - Is everything okay?
I'll be fine.
All of you will be in trouble if I stay.
Sir.
Come here! Hurry!
- Do not step out. I'll be fine. - Don't go.
- Please listen to us. Don't go. - Please don't go.
- Who is he? - Please step aside, ma'am.
- No. - No.
- Don't kill him. - Step aside!
I'll shoot.
Don't harm anyone. I am coming out.
- No. - Please let me go.
- They won't harm me. - Don't go.
I'll be fine.
We won't let you leave.
Please wait.
- Perumal. - Perumal.
- Come on. - Move.
- Move away! - Move away.
Come on, move!
- Move back! - Move back!
- Move aside. - Move back.
- Move aside. - Come on.
- Move aside. - Don't come out.
No one should come out.
- Kumar, you did this single-handedly. - Thank you.
- It was amazing. - Thank you so much.
Go inside.
Kumaresan, you will surely get a medal.
- Move back. - Go inside.
How is it possible?
- Go in. - 'Vaathiyaar was caught.'
'Tamizharasi and the villagers won't be harassed anymore.'
'The policemen won't have to fear for their lives anymore.'
'They will return home to their families'
'and live peacefully. That's what I thought,'
'but I didn't realise then'
'that capturing Vaathiyaar would cause countless problems'
'and that my life would take a whole new turn.'
Kumar.
The OC has summoned you.
Where are all the women who were detained here?
For your act of insubordination
and for failing to respond to the memo,
you are suspended.
I'll ensure that you get no credit for Perumal's arrest.
Go.
The people are not politically literate.
The moment their linguistic or cultural identity is threatened,
they will fight back.
A long time before inequalities like caste,
religion, class came to be,
people were bound together, on the basis of language.
You derailed a train with a bomb.
The 28 people who died weren't people to you?
You are hunting us down
because you've got one version of the Rail Bridge bombing.
Let me tell you another.
We can put him in jail, but he won't stay put!
He will write his autobiography.
They will smuggle it out and publish it.
Through the text,
they will inject their ideology into the next ten generations.
Ten generations down the line,
if someone resonates with his words,
it would mean that the system hasn't fixed the problems.
Whose fault would that be? Men like Perumal?
Or the youth who read them?
Is this the truth, sir?
You knew some facts about the bombing.
Now I've told you something else.
It's up to you to discover the truth for yourself.
Vaathiyaar will escape somehow.
We have a man in the OC's team.
None of you will make it alive out of here.
Violence is not our language,
but we can speak that language too.
We will respond to you in the language of your choice.
If people start fighting for their rights,
they can topple the most powerful of governments.
No authority will match up
to a spontaneous insurgence of the people.