Eko (2025)

[bunniefuu]

Hey, I couldn't get "The Times of India".

"The Hindu" would be okay, right?

Hey, what room is Mohan Pothan in?

In 203.

Mohan Pothan sir?

- Appootty?

- That's me.

Thomas sir asked me

to be here by eight.

Oh, sharp!

- Had anything to eat?

- Yes, I ate before I came.

- Fine. Shall we get going?

- Sure.

- Go ahead and put these bags in the jeep.

- Okay.

You've heard of the Brahmagiri forests

in Karnataka, haven't you?

The place you mentioned,

Kaattukunnu hills, is right opposite it.

So you can see Karnataka from there.

You bet!

You know what a cogwheel is, right?

That area is like

a cogwheel of mountains.

They're all intertwined.

If one hill is in Kerala,

the next one is in Karnataka.

Then again, you're back in Kerala.

How did you come to know

about this place, sir?

From an old acquaintance.

We used to work together.

He always used to say he had a house

and plenty of land there.

Whose land and house could that be,

if not Kuriachan's?

I was talking about Kuriachan himself.

Breeder Kuriachan?

That's right.

Oh! So you two are friends? I see!

Oh no!

Oh no!

What's in there, sir?

A lion?

Take the bags

and go ahead, Appootty.

I'll bring this one.

No ghost's going to

jump out, Appootty.

No need to be frightened.

It's just a dog in heat.

- A b*tch.

- Got it, got it.

LEENAMOL

I must say, sir,

this is quite an unusual idea.

What?

This whole scheme to produce

an illegitimate offspring.

Plenty of folks come by

to watch or to lay traps,

saying the dogs up in

Kaattukunnu hills are thoroughbreds.

As if any of their tricks

would work on those beasts!

It was a breed once native

only to Malaysia.

They look just like our strays,

but they're a whole different stock.

Kuriachan and I once went

to Malaysia to study them.

Seriously, is there any place Kuriachan

hasn't gone looking for dogs!

All the ones here are descendants

of the dogs he brought back from Malaysia.

These days, you won't find

the pure breed even in Malaysia.

- How come?

- They've all been cross-bred.

Now, only your Kaattukunnu hills

still have the true-born kind.

Kuriachan usually has a knack

for ruining everything.

At least this breed of dogs survived,

thanks to him!

Should we go any further?

This is as far as

the public land goes.

The 150 acres uphill from here

belong to Kuriachan.

No, let's not.

Let's not trespass on

anyone's private property.

- Appootty, go ahead and unload the stuff.

- Okay.

Besides, it's better

we don't go any further.

No point startling that lady

for no reason.

Which lady?

Mlaathi Chettathi.

Kuriachan's wife from Malaysia.

So you two are close

and you haven't met his family?

How many of them

am I supposed to meet?

I've met his wives

in Thiruvalla and Thrissur.

I heard he hasn't kept

in touch with them much

since the Malaysian one came along.

Yeah, that's the power

of Mlaathi Chettathi.

You could say Kuriachan's fortunes

really turned after he married her.

Rumor has it that she knows

a bit of Malaysian black magic.

So, how's the search for Kuriachan

coming along?

Oh! What search?

It's been what

five, six years now?

There was a newspaper report once that

he'd gone to see his woman in Perumbavoor.

Here, all she ever gets are letters.

Wherever he may be,

Kuriachan can vanish long before

the police even catch his scent.

She's a beauty,

isn't she, Appootty?

Won't she be enough to drive

every stud around here wild?

I know nothing at all

about the mating science of dogs.

Are you planning to stay

in the forest till she's "loaded", sir?

If I'm not here to see it,

how will I know the job's done?

And what about food?

I've brought enough supplies

for three weeks.

Besides, the forest always has

fruits and berries.

I'm well accustomed

to that kind of lifestyle.

Anyone who's spent time with Kuriachan

is bound to have some of

that wind rub off on them!

EIGHT MONTHS LATER

Doctor, if we climb any higher,

the engine will give up.

- You or the engine first, Chetta?

- Zip it.

Just get it over with and

send the doctor back.

We need to get down

the hill before dark.

The house is about 100 meters

from that tamarind tree.

What about the 200 meters

just to get to the tree?

I'll be right back.

He really is a doctor, right?

Absolutely!

Anyway, stay with Chettathi

while he examines her.

Okay.

Still getting used to

this place, are you?

Yes.

I figured.

Most people posted here

are from down south.

Feeling breathless?

From the sound of it

what do you think?

We're at a pretty

high altitude, right?

You need more Vitamin E.

Eat butter fruit and papaya.

Just look at me.

I see.

Hey!

Move!

Are they yours?

No, they just hang around here.

Your ears don't feel blocked, do they?

I had some bread soaked in milk.

Alright.

You'll be fine.

Don't turn on your side.

Just lie flat on your back, alright?

Everyone calls me Mlaathi Chettathi.

- You asked my name, right, doctor?

- Yes, yes.

- So it really is an ear balance issue?

- Yes.

She doesn't normally have

hearing trouble, does she?

Hearing trouble?!

I'm too scared to even

think anything bad about her.

She's got supersonic hearing.

Okay then.

I'll just walk the doctor to the jeep.

Okay.

I know the way.

I'll be fine.

No, I'll come with you.

The dogs might be around.

They can be a bit aggressive

with strangers.

They're calmer when

Chettathi or I'm around.

At this altitude, even high blood

pressure can cause ear balance issues.

Right.

She's had heart surgery, right?

- Two of them.

- I see.

With all her ailments,

living in a place like this

- Doctor

- Yes?

- For the jeep?

- No, I already paid him at the stand.

You need to pay the full

fare upfront to get here.

They won't even

start the trip otherwise.

Please lift this up.

Siby? Who's on the line?

Siby, can you hear me?

Yeah, Appootty Chetta.

Shajan here. Go ahead.

Right, Shajan

I've just started heading

downhill from here.

Departed at 7:15.

At 7:15. Okay, come.

Over, over.

Okay, over, over.

What's this all about?

It's a system the

police have in place.

- Did you hear me say that we left at 7:15?

- Yes.

If the jeep doesn't

reach the base by 8:00,

the folks down there

are supposed to notify the police.

Here you go.

Oh, I couldn't get the rock candy.

It slipped my mind.

I was rushing to get the doctor

before he left for the day.

I'll bring it the day after tomorrow.

Why the day after tomorrow?

I'll be going to the post office

the day after tomorrow.

She has been like

this since morning.

Is something wrong?

She'll be giving birth soon.

That's why.

- Chettathi! Hey! Chettathi!

- What?

Call me if you need

to go to the toilet.

You don't have to seat me on your

lap like a child to make me pee.

Don't treat me like a bedridden hag

just because I felt a little dizzy!

Good morning!

Oh, you are up?

I'll get you some

coffee right away.

ANGEL

Hey, Peeyoos!

Hasn't the new issue of

"Lustful Flower" come in, Chetta?

I had ordered ten copies.

They sold out before I even

got the kettle boiling.

That's how horny your townsfolk are!

Yeah, right! As if you came in here

asking for herbal medicine!

By the way,

Pappachan sir was looking for you.

- What's the matter?

- You think he'd tell me?

He just poked his head

out of the car and asked.

If he comes around,

just tell him I'm at the post office.

Hey, is it payday?

Yes.

Who is this boy?

That's Peeyoos.

You know that Malaysian lady,

Kuriachan's wife?

Their children hired Peeyoos

to take care of her.

They feared those coming

after Kuriachan might harm her.

If anything happened to her,

the land and property would get

stuck in legal mess, right?

And that twig's supposed

to protect her?

Here.

Here you go.

Is your imagination getting a bit heavy?

You'll need a bigger stamp for this.

Who on earth reads this stuff?

Don't be so scornful.

Go home and check

under your father's mattress.

You'll find every single issue

of this magazine.

Appootty Chettan gets the first copy

whenever a new issue hits the stands.

Does my dad know you

write this stuff?

I haven't told him.

If I tell him, he probably wouldn't

let me talk to you anymore.

- At least you've got that much sense!

- Of course!

I just do it for some pocket money

and for the thrill of it.

I don't even use a pen name.

Here you go.

- It's Pappachan sir.

- What? Is it?

Over here.

- Okay. Fill this out and send it.

- Will do.

Fifty to home, and 75 to Unni.

- Pappachan sir.

- Where've you been?

Chettathi wasn't well

for two days.

- Is she alright now?

- Yes, she's fine.

Word is, you're hanging out

with some burly outsider?

Come with us.

Sir has some questions

about Kuriachan.

He's from Mangalore.

- Isn't he a cop?

- He's from the Navy.

- What's this about?

- Hey, stop the interview and get in.

- But Mlaathi Chettathi

- What about her?

I mean rice for her food

- Is there no rice left?

- There is.

Then she can make her own food.

Get in the car.

Don't you already know

everything I know, sir?

So why don't you

just tell him yourse...

- Get in, you son of a

- I'm getting in!

Peeyoos, where's your native place?

- You mean my hometown?

- Yeah.

Pathanamthitta.

And how long have you been here?

By June, it'll be six months.

Not really. Chettathi didn't

actually want anyone as help.

Her children are away, one in Bombay,

and the other in the Middle East.

It was the younger son

who told an acquaintance

that they needed

a person for the job.

Does this Mlaathi Chettathi

speak Malayalam?

Yes. It's been so many years since

she came from Malaysia, right?

She speaks better than we do.

There was a time when sailing to Malaysia,

Burma, and Singapore was routine,

to work at plantations,

railways, timber mills, and so on.

Remember how some even went to

join the Indian National Army?

Some would marry local women

and settle down there.

Others would bring their wives back

and settle down here, just like this.

Kuriachan, Mlaathi Chettathi

How did they get together?

Well, she never told me that.

You didn't ask?

Chettathi gets uneasy

even when her children are spoken of.

So if I start asking too much

about her personal life

My salary comes by money order

every month, right on time.

And that's all that matters to me.

Oh no!

Does Chettathi get letters

from Kuriachan?

Over the six years that

Kuriachan's been absconding,

Chettathi has received

fourteen letters from him.

They're always censored by the locals

and the police before she gets them.

- The contents?

- Just pleasantries.

"Is it raining?", "Is it sunny?",

"Take your medicines", and so on.

We could only tell from the postal codes

that they were sent from various places.

Has anyone else approached you before,

asking about Kuriachan?

Well, the police and the

Crime Branch have been here.

Pappachan sir knows about it.

Anyone besides the police?

Besides the police

Yeah, about a week after I started

working here, a group of men came by.

They didn't give me any names.

But they seemed like a shady bunch.

They gave me the address

of a magazine in Kozhikode

and said I should write to them if

I hear anything about Kuriachan.

They came to take him out,

that's for sure.

It's a magazine run by this guy Eldhose,

an acquaintance of Varghese

and Ambu Master.

A local publication.

It was shut down by the government

in '71 for printing Naxal articles.

Naxals?

- Peeyoos

- Yes?

If you get any details about Kuriachan,

would you inform those men?

I'd inform the police.

Why is that?

Well, the government has

announced a reward, right?

What will I get for turning him over

to a bunch of Naxalites?

And they roughed me up so bad,

I couldn't move my neck for three days.

No way I'm giving them anything!

And it's a risk anyway.

So, isn't it better to take

the risk that pays, sir?

In that case, let me tell you

about a more profitable risk.

If you bring that information to me,

I'll give you the government reward,

plus, a little extra.

What do you say?

What is this Navy guy's game?

And from Karnataka,

of all places!

They say Kuriachan used to supply

puppies to the Navy in Mangalore.

Does the Navy even have a dog squad?

The Army does, apparently.

So the Navy must

have one too, right?

Does the Navy have

an official dog squad?

Maybe it's just something

they call in for emergencies.

Damn, look how far his

breeding business has reached!

If the police manage

to find Kuriachan alive,

some of this navy guy's

dirty secrets will come out.

That's what Pappachan sir said.

So his visit is

probably not official.

Exactly.

He has been suspended

for a while now.

Any idea what that case is about?

That case

It's something that will land the navy

man in deep trouble if Kuriachan talks.

That's all I know.

He'll lose his job,

maybe even do time.

Kuriachan always had connections

with big players.

That's how he stayed

out of trouble for so long.

But once you get caught up in

one case, this is what happens.

The very people who stood by you

could try to finish you off.

Many more will come

looking for him.

Didn't I tell you about Mohan Pothan

who went into the forest a while back?

- Mohan Pothan?

- Yeah.

Well, that was before

you came here.

- Don't you remember, dear?

- I do.

I'm sure he was also

here for Kuriachan.

Your detective work for the navy guy

is all well and good

But make sure you take

good care of Chettathi, alright?

Stop this childish behavior.

All sorts of people

are lurking around.

Kaattukunnu hill is nothing

but a windswept wilderness.

No one would even hear you scream.

What?

This morning,

as I was getting into the car,

I heard a sound like

a light bulb shattering.

Yeah, it looks broken.

That's it.

What is it?

He must have dropped it.

If he'd dropped it by accident,

wouldn't it have landed

in the bushes right below?

How did it fall on that rock,

eight feet away?

Hey, don't suddenly turn into a super

detective

just because of something I said.

So now it's my fault?

Hey!

Chettathi!

Chettathi!

Chettathi!

Chettathi!

Chettathi!

Oh!

Look, Peeyoos

She gave birth.

Did anyone come by, Chettathi?

Here?

Yeah, I saw someone

heading down the hill.

Where else would he

be going around here?

Why didn't you ask him?

I called out,

but he didn't stop.

No one came to the house.

Maybe the dogs scared him off?

What did he look like?

I saw him from a good

hundred meters away.

And it was when he started running

that I got suspicious.

How did Kuriachan end up

on the Naxalites' radar?

You still haven't told me

how he got on your radar, sir.

So this is a barter system?

We're in this together, aren't we?

Isn't that how it should be?

I have a nice smile, Pappachan.

And a gentle way of talking.

My mother taught me to be polite.

But don't take my politeness

as an invitation to get too familiar.

I didn't come all the way

from Mangalore

hoping to find an accomplice.

So, no questions.

Just answers.

And only if you feel like it.

Through all my years in service,

I'd always wished to see

Kuriachan get caught.

Now, if you're the one

who's going to make it happen,

Pappachan will be

right by your side.

I don't need a commission for that.

Kuriachan has estates and assets

spread across several districts.

At first, I thought that's why

the Naxalites were after him.

Isn't it?

You've heard of the Kakkayam

police camp, I suppose?

Around the time of the

Thayissery police station attack,

Kuriachan had quite a few

friends on duty at that camp.

Whenever he got bored

with his life here,

Kuriachan would visit the camp

with one of his dogs.

Back then, many were detained,

labelled as Naxalites.

After being beaten into submission,

they'd be sent into a room,

one at a time.

The door would be locked

from the outside.

Inside, it was just the prisoner,

Kuriachan, and his dog.

As you know, Kuriachan was

an exceptional dog trainer.

His dogs would do anything

he commanded.

What Kuriachan said,

or what that dog did,

only those who were in that room

know to this day.

I was working as a driver there

during that time.

The brakes aren't holding, Pappachan!

Looks like the cable's been cut!

Sir!

It's all downhill from here!

I'm not leaving without

you, Kuriachan!

- Shut your eyes! The glass will shatter!

- What?!

I know you're here,

b*stard!

Oh, my God!

Don't sneak up on me

like that, Chettathi.

Do you know any black magic?

Black magic?

Yeah, Malaysian black magic.

That's the rumor.

Yeah, right! I've been here

for so many years now.

Even if I knew anything,

I'd have forgotten it by now, right?

But you'd remember

at least a little, right?

Things like that keep

memories of home alive, right?

Chettathi!

Feeling nostalgic?

Since coming here,

haven't you ever felt like going back?

What's the point of wanting to now?

You could visit all your old spots.

You don't have to worry

about children who never visit.

Full freedom!

Sell off a bit of your land,

and use the money

to fly back to Malaysia.

When you get there,

all your old friends will greet you,

calling out, "Oh, my dear Mlaathi!"

You think that's my actual name?

You fool,

the locals just gave me a name

that was easy for them to pronounce!

"Malaysian lady" first became

"Malaathi lady".

And then, just "Mlaathi".

So, what's your real name?

Chettathi!

Chettathi!

Are you flying already?

- A little bit to the right.

- She is ready.

Look here. Look at the lens.

Yeah, good, good.

Smile.

Ready!

Hey!

Who's that?

Is collecting your pay

all you care about?

At least recognize

the man who pays you!

Oh my!

So, that's Joppan Chettayi?

How are you doing now?

As you see me.

That's not what I meant, Mom.

Are you asking if it's time

to dig my grave?

When the time comes,

someone will send a telegram.

No need to trouble yourself by

coming all this way to find out.

Peeyoos

I'm the one Unni Chettan sent.

Okay.

Aby Chettayi had called last week.

Oh.

He called to discuss about Dad.

Hey, step outside for a minute.

He'll stay right here!

Or I could get some coffee.

He can grab coffee

on his way back.

Just say what you came here

to say, Joppan.

Mom, the thing is

If someone's been missing

for so many years,

they can be legally presumed dead.

We just have to publish it in the

government gazette, as a formality.

After a month, there won't be

any issues with the paperwork.

I mean, for this house

and the property.

Aby Chettayi says it's best we do it

before any of Dad's other families

come claiming their share.

Kuriachan left this house

and land to me in his will.

That's true.

But what if someone

files a legal heir objection

and the property

gets tied up in court?

Any delay in the transfer

would be a problem, right?

Joppan,

I know how to handle things here.

My children can mind their

own business

and keep living your lives,

as you always have,

in Bombay or the Middle East,

wherever suits you.

And when the telegram

about my death arrives,

don't trouble yourselves

to come if you're too busy.

Come on! What do you take me for?

You think I'm deliberately

not taking her with me?

Mom's got the same stubborn streak

and temper as Dad.

What would she do if there's a

sudden emergency up on this hill?

That's a good point.

I got really worried when

she felt dizzy the other day.

See? That's what I'm talking about.

But she's stable now.

But what if she doesn't become stable

the next time?

But she won't listen

to anything I...

Just give her a gentle nudge.

Come here.

If she doesn't want

to live with us, fine.

We'll get her a house in town.

She can stay there.

No no need.

Keep it, man.

Where's the mother dog?

No idea.

Did she leave them here

and wander off somewhere?

Just because she's had pups

doesn't mean she should neglect herself.

This is what I was saying.

What?

That we should feed them.

Feeding them is like claiming ownership.

How long will she have to

nurse these pups?

A month and a half would be ideal.

Shajan Chettan keeps asking

if she's had the pups yet.

Why is he so curious

if she's had her pups?

He asked if he could

have one to raise.

If you're so keen,

you go and live with him.

He can't take any of these.

But hold on,

these aren't even your dogs.

She just happened to give birth here.

Don't argue, Peeyoos.

He wanted to raise it as a pet.

"Raise" it!

He'll either lock it in a cage

or keep it chained up.

Isn't that what "raising" is?

Isn't that how you're supposed

to raise a dog?

Well, that's not how I raise them.

How can you lock up a dog that

should live freely, like a criminal,

in a cage or chained?

If you don't want to give them, fine.

Forget it.

Did Joppan give you any money?

I asked if Joppan bribed you.

No!

Let me see your face.

He forced it on me.

How much?

Shameless miser!

When it comes to such things,

he doesn't take after his father.

Joppan Chettayi and Kuriachan

aren't exactly on good terms, right?

Well, that's how he was brought up.

For Kuriachan, nothing in this world

mattered more than his dogs.

He saw me for the first time

when he came looking for these dogs.

Do you know that?

What's that story?

This breed

it had a name in Malay language.

In those days, this breed was native

to just a few parts of that country.

Never mind the name.

Some people kept

them on their estates

to ward off thieves and wild boars.

So, how did these Malaysian dogs

end up on our Kaattukunnu hills?

They ended up here

the same way I did.

Back then, it was quite common.

Travelling back and forth to Malaysia.

Ships sailed to Malaysia from Madras

and Nagapattinam every couple of weeks.

Yeah, I've heard.

Back then, many people from Pathanamthitta

went to Malaysia to

work on rubber estates.

The place is a lot like Kerala, isn't it?

In many ways, yes.

Most people who went there

worked in timber mills or on the

rubber and tea estates.

But Kuriachan came

for a different line of work altogether.

The Japanese forces are facing heavy

resistance as allied forces press forward

capturing key towns and supply routes.

Rice rationing is already in effect

in Malaya to conserve supplies.

Meanwhile, in Europe,

Hitler has ordered

intensified air strikes,

pressing his campaigns across the Balkans.

Here

Soyi!

Soyi!

I met them in Taiping.

They're from India.

Kurian.

Mohan.

How did this happen?

This is Soyi.

Your daughter?

- My wife.

- Oh, sorry.

I I just

No problem.

People can be judgmental.

Don't know who makes these

age rules in marriage.

But it can be an advantage, too.

Even though she is my wife,

I take care of her

like my daughter.

Why don't you take care of your wife

as if she's your wife?

Please, come in.

Come. Come inside.

They've picked up quite a bit of Malay.

How come the dogs

didn't bark at them?

That's because I was with them.

Come, come.

Sit.

They are dog experts.

They have come to study

about Malaysian dogs.

- Study?

- Yes.

Their job is to study about dogs

and develop new breeds.

They even supply dogs to

the military and police in India.

She is wondering

what a strange job you do.

When the w*r broke out,

farming went under.

No one to buy.

No money, no price.

Most people sold their farms and left.

Now, the nearest house is five,

maybe ten kilometers away.

As for me,

I want to save up some money

and move to a house in the city.

That's what this whole

dog business is for.

Only one week old.

It's been two weeks since

we reached Malaysia.

We've wandered

through every village,

and this is the first time

we're seeing a pure-bred.

But the price you asked

is still a bit too high.

Sir, sir

Listen to Kurian sir.

My dogs are very very pure.

My father, my grandfather

We've been breeding

dogs for generations.

They don't even look

at outside female dogs' faces.

Very disciplined.

No crossing!

No need for fencing.

They know their territory.

They have built a fence in their minds.

You seem to have put on

some weight since last time.

Well, it's been two months, hasn't it?

Sir!

Your camera

Film balance?

Why?

She has never been photographed.

Can you take a photo of her?

A good photo will be a good memory.

Well, I can. Yeah.

Go and put on a nice dress.

A nice dress?

No, no.

You bought this for your sister.

You should only take new clothes home.

I'll buy another one.

It's okay.

Alright, sir.

She's ready.

Straight, straight.

Up.

Straight. A little bit this side.

A bit to the right. Yeah.

Yes. Perfect.

- Yosiah?

- Outside.

He is giving food to dogs.

First, the dogs will eat.

Then Yosiah will eat.

Yosiah's hand

What happened?

He must have asked you

not to tell me, didn't he?

The w*r outside is dangerous.

I'm afraid Yosiah might

get into some danger,

wandering around

trying to make money.

Maybe he wishes to take care of you.

Your this sale

Say it in your own language.

If this sale goes through

for a good price,

we'll get the money.

If he has enough money,

Yosiah could stay home for a while,

without having to wander.

She's asking for more money!

He jumps into things too fast.

Here comes the parcel!

The bottle is over.

I'll get some more.

Okay.

I've heard this part of the country

is not at all safe at night?

Yes, yes.

Dacoit issues, robbery.

Heard a lot.

Don't worry, sir.

My dogs are like military.

This country is not safe.

But my house is very very safe.

In the past,

you'd just find logs, bicycles,

and furniture floating

down the river.

But ever since the w*r began,

this is the situation.

The Japanese won't leave

until they've destroyed this land.

What a great time

to have come to Malaya!

If you were only going

to stay one night,

why did you even come back?

What am I supposed to do?

Just sit here and hug you all day?

We need money to live, don't we?

Is making money

the only thing that matters?

Don't we also need to live our lives?

Hey! You are also coming?

Yes, sir.

I need to meet some

people in the city.

Don't worry.

Another month and a half.

By then, they'll be

all grown and lively.

So, did Kuriachan come back

after a month and a half?

Tension is mounting as the allied planes

b*mb ports

and supply facilities in Malaya,

while the Japanese forces

answer with harsh measures

Conditions remain severe,

with reports of intensified patrols and

harsh punishments under Japanese command.

Go! Go! Go!

Move!

Shut up! Shut up!

- Be careful!

- No! No! No!

Quiet! I said, quiet!

Damn it!

Come

Kuriachan, careful!

Careful!

- No, no!

- Careful, careful!

Hey!

Come!

These are a deadly breed,

just like he said.

He must've roamed free,

trusting these beasts to guard his place.

It's just their initial show of force.

Haven't we handled enough dogs before?

These mongrels aren't like

any we've dealt with before.

Anyway, how can we leave

without telling her?

Then just shout it from here.

Is this the kind of news

you shout from a hundred feet away?

Soyi! Come!

Come here!

Come back

Hey!

Without him,

these mutts won't let us inside.

Look, they're arranged in wings,

two in each.

They're not the sort to flinch

if you throw a stone.

Hey! Hey!

Where are you going?

Damn!

Our only option is to

tell her from here.

Isn't there a proper way

to inform such news to her?

Is it right to inform a woman

about her husband's death by yelling?

Man, people die here every day

from bombs and b*ll*ts.

There's never a right way

to inform such things.

Instead of doing what

we came here for,

you're just wasting time!

Come with me if you want to.

I'm leaving.

Pothan, are you suggesting she should wait

in this hut forever, hoping he'll return?

And what if these dogs

won't let her leave?

What if she ends up trapped here

like a prisoner?

Let her be.

It's the protection her husband

set up for her, isn't it?

Let her deal with it.

I'm sure of it

He must've suspected

she'd run off with someone.

Remember what he said

when he was drunk?

"A b*tch and a woman

are the same when they're in heat.

Both need to be locked up!"

If you can make it to Palang by

five tomorrow, we can leave together.

If a b*mb goes off near the port,

there won't be any ships

going home for a long while.

Fine, you stay here,

break the news of his death,

be there for the last rites,

and then come.

I'm leaving.

Hey!

Pothan!

You

The way the dogs behaved

Nothing like that

had ever happened before.

It was as if they had gone mad.

Perhaps that's how Yosiah trained them.

Those were tough times.

Back then, in many homes, women had

to suffer many

So, how long did Kuriachan wait there?

How long?

You should ask how many days!

When it comes to sheer stubbornness,

no one can match Kuriachan.

Even the dogs took turns

standing guard.

Soyi!

Soyi!

Are you okay?

Say something!

Can you hear me?

Soyi!

Soyi!

Are you fine?

Soyi!

Can you hear me?

Soyi!

And then?

Have you never noticed

the pictures on this wall, Peeyoos?

Sorry.

Dogs can be taught anything.

It's the master

who must have the wisdom

to choose what to teach.

Now see what these dogs

had to go through.

In a family,

trust is everything.

Guarding dogs, protection setup

exceptional!

But sometimes,

protection and restriction

They both look the same.

I can understand posting dogs as guards

to protect someone from harm.

But why would he train them

not to even let you step outside?

Heard Yosiah saying this

to a local dog breeder.

"If she's in heat, she must be caged.

Be it a woman or a dog."

Anyway, no point in judging it now.

If you have any relatives somewhere,

I can take you to them.

I can't let you stay here alone.

I don't have anyone.

And then?

She didn't say anything else.

She just went to bed.

We can confirm it's the same Mohan Pothan

from her story who came here, right?

Yes, 150%!

Didn't Kuriachan have his own car?

He has two cars.

He keeps them in Thiruvalla

and in Perumbavoor.

That's where his kennels

and dog business are based.

Even if he brought them here,

only a jeep can make it up to his house.

He usually gets me to drive him

for local errands.

You know Kuriachan's friend

Mohan Pothan, right, Appootty?

Know him might be too strong.

I've only met him.

What's the difference?

You can meet a man.

That doesn't mean

you truly know him, does it?

Different people want different things

at different times.

And that's what brings trouble.

The idea was quite crazy!

Getting an illegitimate pup from a

breed that's nearly impossible to catch.

They use different methods to get what

they want, depending on where they are.

There was this Tibetan Rottweiler

at the Madras Naval Base.

Tyson.

They somehow bred it

and brought it in from who knows where.

It hurts to think that I was the one

who dropped him off there.

It was only when he still didn't show up

at the foothills even after four weeks

that we went looking for him.

By the second evening, his body was found

at the foot of the cliff,

roughly 300 feet below.

The cause of death was

a head injury from the fall.

The body was around three weeks old.

What about his dog?

The dog's body was

estimated to be a week old.

No signs of external injury.

The cause of death was starvation.

Once Pothan was gone,

there was no one left to feed it.

Oh.

And since it was tied to a tree,

it couldn't have gone looking for food.

Poor thing.

Were you aware of this?

That was before I got here.

I've heard about it

from Appootty Chettan.

Chettathi never mentioned it?

You think Kuriachan had

anything to do with it?

From the way he talked,

they didn't sound like enemies.

What about the Malaysian woman?

Mlaathi Chettathi's house is quite far

from where Pothan sir had set up camp.

And she rarely leaves the house.

Don't people around here say

she knows some Malaysian black magic?

So she wouldn't even need

to go there herself, right?

"Black magic" is just an easy

excuse people come up with,

when they've got no other way

to explain something, isn't it?

Anyway, who even believes

in black magic these days?

What exactly can't people explain?

It's about those dogs

on Kaattukunnu hills.

Suppose a stranger starts

climbing that hill

Every hundred feet or so,

a dog will suddenly appear from

the woods and block his path.

It sizes him up for a while.

It might bark or growl to scare him.

If he's the cowardly type,

he'll turn back right then and there.

But those who've got the courage

to keep going can try their luck.

But another hundred feet up,

another dog will be waiting.

You have to pass through several of these

check-posts to reach Kuriachan's house.

Is it really the way he says it is?

- I'll get the kerosene.

- Okay.

A bar of soap and a matchbox!

Hey, what's up?

You never go to your hometown?

ANGEL

Hey, Peeyoos!

All you ever do is run errands like a

servant, fetching rice, and kerosene.

Don't you ever think of your

hometown or your family?

Damn it!

What was the name of that place?

What was it?

- Konni

- Konnithazham.

Yeah, that's the one.

Last time, we went to

Pathanamthitta to pick up a load.

To a timber yard near Konnithazham.

That's when I remembered that

your hometown is Konnithazham.

I asked around,

hoping to meet your family

and let them know

how you're doing.

By "asked around",

we mean we rented a room and

spent two days asking around town.

We showed your name in

both English and Malayalam,

but no one there had

heard of a Peeyoos.

What's your intention?

What intention?

Your intention behind lurking

around this place.

I never asked why you're

lurking here, did I?

We told you that already,

even without you asking.

You did.

Now let me go.

- Getting angry?

- Hey, Soman! Soman!

Soman, let go, let go.

Let go, Soman.

Listen, kid

We know you're not here just to

massage that old Malaysian hag's feet.

I don't need to know your real name

or where you're from.

And I'm not asking either.

If a hundred people want Kuriachan dead,

each would have their own reason.

Here, we're all aiming

at the same goal post.

So that makes us teammates.

And that's why we decided not

to tell anyone what we found out.

Last time I asked for your help,

you refused.

- But the next time I ask

- He won't say no.

Right, he won't.

That scoundrel Kurian never went

to Perumbavoor or Kothamangalam.

He must be right here

on this bloody hill.

We must catch him

before the police get to him.

Otherwise, he'll just bribe his way out.

And even if he doesn't, he'll

probably get luxury treatment in jail.

We should be working together, Peeyoos.

Just remember that

when the time comes.

Get going.

Hey!

Was it you who finished off

that Mohan Pothan?

The heater's not working.

If you're staying longer,

there's a room downstairs

getting vacated tomorrow.

- I won't be.

- Room 208.

Mohan Pothan sir?

- Appootty?

- That's me.

KAILASH LODGE

If heights make your head spin,

don't come any closer.

That's a 300-foot drop down there.

You'll be splattered to bits

if you slip.

They'll have to dig through the dirt

to gather what's left of you.

I expected you to make your move

at the lodge.

Sit down.

Sit, man.

You came by the stream yesterday,

didn't you?

I noticed the grass was trampled

when I got back from my bath.

If you waited patiently despite

all those chances to confront me,

you're not here just for me.

There's someone else

you're after, right?

If it's a case that would make someone

come after both Kuriachan and me

The Kollam and Kovalam ones

are long dead and buried.

That just leaves the Coimbatore guys.

But Kuriachan took care of that

himself, paid them off and settled it.

Then there's that veterinarian

from Chengannur.

That scoundrel!

But once he lost his

leg in the accident,

he said he had no complaints.

So, which case are you here for, son?

If this is payback for something

Kuriachan and I did when we were together,

shouldn't you have

shown up much earlier?

Taking out just one of you

won't be enough, right?

I know one will lead me to the other.

Those days are long gone, my boy!

That was back when

we were like Mickey and Donald!

That b*stard set me up in a case meant to

throw me in jail for four to five years,

before he vanished.

He doesn't need much time

to turn someone into an enemy.

He makes us do exactly what he wants,

without us even realizing it.

We think the choices we made

were our own.

It hits us only after

we're already trapped.

Where is Kuriachan now?

I've searched the whole damn place.

No luck.

My search began right here.

A long time ago

About ten, twenty years back,

there arose a situation when Kuriachan

had to disappear, just like this.

It was a case involving

an attack on a forest officer.

He vanished without a trace.

He resurfaced only after the settlement

was made and the case was dropped.

No matter how much I asked, he never said

where his hiding place was.

But once, I managed to corner him

and make him talk.

And I got it out of him.

A narrow burrow, hidden somewhere

in these hills or the jungle.

That means, a crack

between the rocks,

something like a cave.

It has its own 24-hour

freshwater spring inside.

He had trained dogs to guard the entrance

and fetch him fruits

from the forest.

Turns out, he had set up

that place to live off the grid,

in case he ever needed to.

Back then, I assumed it was

just a fantasy story he cooked up

to get me off his back.

But after all this

time searching for him,

I'm beginning to wonder

if there was some truth to it.

Didn't you notice the dog

I brought with me?

She's so much in heat right now,

practically on fire.

She's been tied up here for days.

Not a single stray has shown up,

not even to sniff around.

There's only so long

a dog can resist mating, right?

If the ones here can resist

past that point,

it means they're still

under a master's command,

keeping them in line.

That right there is proof

that Kuriachan is here.

A 1500-acre estate.

An army of dogs serving as his sl*ves.

And him at the center,

their commander-in-chief.

That was the dream Kuriachan

used to rave about when he was stoned.

From the looks of it,

he seems to have pulled it off.

Aren't there people living

beyond these mountains?

Halfway up the mountain,

the Brahmagiri Reserve Forest begins.

Beyond that stretch is Karnataka.

It's completely uninhabited.

Besides, which corner of which mountain

would you even start looking?

It's a maze of mountains and ravines.

I believe he visits that Malaysian

woman on the hill every now and then.

But we can't simply go up there

and catch him.

The dogs will alert him long

before we even get there.

And he'll disappear again.

Don't imagine you can bring

Kuriachan down on your own.

But if we join forces,

we might succeed.

Wouldn't it be wiser to

settle our score after that?

What is it?

HOTEL PEARL VIEW m*rder CASE

It's just a lousy movie.

They're fooling people, claiming it's

based on a real incident or news story.

How come you asked me to come here?

Have you watched this film, Pappachan?

It's based on the

Pearl View case, isn't it?

It's a classic.

The guest house staff said

you had gone to Kochi.

Yeah, I have some friends

in the police force there.

What's your opinion on this Peeyoos?

What about him?

As soon as his salary

arrives by money order,

he splits it and sends it

to two other people.

One share goes to Unni,

who was hired by Mlaathi Chechi's son

to bring in a house help.

The other goes to the home address

of the Peeyoos arranged by Unni.

But that Peeyoos isn't our Peeyoos!

It's by paying the real Peeyoos and

Unni a commission every month,

that our Peeyoos got

in here as a replacement.

So all those stories

he told about Pathanamthitta?

All lies!

The fourth accused in the Pearl View case

disappeared midway through the trial.

Manikandan.

He approached the producers

who turned that story into a film,

demanding life rights

and a share of the profits.

From what I heard, he has the

exact same build as our Peeyoos.

No photos or sketches exist

to confirm it, though.

To verify that lead,

we need to begin with Appootty.

He's the one Peeyoos

is closest to, around here.

I'm starving.

Could you get me something to eat?

Sure, I can.

What will you give me in return?

Hey, fix your moustache, man!

It's coming off!

Shut up and get out of here, man!

Will he cause us any trouble?

That's why I asked you

to stop fooling around.

Let's wrap up what we came here for

and get out of here.

Yeah, wrap it up.

Who's stopping you?

Hey,

I need you to get that old woman

out of there for a few days.

How am I supposed to do that?

Slip something in her food

to give her an upset stomach.

That'll give you a reason

to admit her to the hospital.

- Yeah, right!

- What?

That old woman tests everything,

even plain water, on ants and roaches

before she drinks it.

Even if I manage to get her away,

what do you plan to do?

We want to search the house

and its premises.

There's nothing there, Chetta.

He is definitely

not in the house.

I've already spent several days

scouring below that cliff.

There's not a spot I haven't checked

in these past few months.

They don't maintain a guest register.

Mohan Pothan stayed

here for one day.

Soon after, a young guy came

and checked in.

Pothan was in Room 203,

the other guy in 208.

From the description, he sounds

a lot like Peeyoos.

When did he check out?

The same day Pothan left with Appootty.

- Let's go.

- Okay.

- Chettayi!

- What?

Remember that guy Cheenu in 6371?

In 6371?

That truck from Udupi?

That's the one.

Remember the cleaner

on that truck?

Cheenu, with the reddish hair.

Oh, yeah.

His uncle used to be a forest watcher

in the Brahmagiri forests.

I've heard him say that during raids,

the weed farmers hide their stock

in a mountain crevice.

On this side

of the forest border.

That means, in Kerala.

This was 10-30 years ago.

That area is deserted now.

Could that be the mountain

Mohan mentioned,

the one with the caves?

But there are many

mountains there, right?

How would we know which one?

Kuriachan can't possibly control

the dogs from here

if he's on a mountain

that far away.

So we can rule out anything

past Kokkamala Mountain.

But that still leaves

five or six mountains, right?

There's supposedly a giant rock

on this mountain's summit,

shaped like a bilimbi fruit.

That's what I remember Cheenu saying.

Well then, why don't we

go check it out?

Here's what you do.

Leave your truck back in your

hometown and take a bus here.

Why?

It's better not to leave

any trace that you've been here.

But we're not even...

No, Soman.

He has a point.

Another hazard to note

are the dogs.

Instead of going too high, we should

descend along Madakkupaara's slope.

The higher we climb, the deeper

we'll be in the dogs' territory.

If they smell something wrong,

they won't let us through.

We have someone with experience

right here. Just ask him.

Right, Chetta?

You must've realized that

when you climbed the hill that day, right?

How did you know it was me?

You just admitted it.

Now I'm certain.

ANNAPURNA

What's up, Appootty?

Applying for a government job?

A government job?

At this age?

What are you up to?

Nothing!

I just stopped by to post

a letter back home.

Did you really have to cross the border

into Karnataka just to post a letter?

Now it'll have to go through

the entire interstate mail system

before it reaches Kerala, right?

- No, I didn't come here only for this.

- Right.

- I was hired for a trip nearby.

- I see.

When it suddenly crossed my mind,

I figured I'd post it

while I'm here.

Let me guess, you quickly wrote

this letter on the jeep ride here, right?

At 12:30 p.m.

What? What's this about?

What do you mean by 12:30 p.m.?

TO SOYI KURIAN

Sajan Paul.

Soyi Kurian.

Soyi Kurian.

Josutty.

Ravi Shenoy.

Before going into hiding, Kuriachan wrote

these letters himself and gave them to me,

to mail out every few months

if he didn't return soon enough.

Did he write all these letters and hand

them over the last time he vanished?

No, not at all.

Some of these letters go way back.

Kuriachan's had this system

in place for ages.

It's not just for Chettathi.

There are letters for

many others as well.

You wretched man!

Because of people like you, we can't even

be certain if he's alive or dead!

Tell me at least now, Appootty.

Where is he?

I don't know.

- Dad!

- Oh no!

You better stop your double game!

He's already tricked me enough

with his smiles and friendly acts.

I don't need the same from you!

I don't know!

Dad!

Talk!

SIX YEARS AGO

I got totally soaked, Appootty.

The plan was only to scare him.

I never imagined the boy

would actually stab him.

He must have snapped for a moment.

But isn't it good to have

someone like him around,

like a personal bodyguard?

Still, I need to cool

his head a little.

So what happens with this case now?

It's all on me.

Can't the DySP make it go away?

No one's doing me any

favors this time.

They have no stake in it.

And that's not all.

There are plenty of people waiting

for a chance to screw me over,

including close friends.

Speaking of which

You don't have

any such ideas, do you?

What? Me?

Good for you if you don't.

So what next?

Are you heading to Thiruvalla?

No. No way!

Those scoundrels will sniff me out there.

You mean the police,

or the other guys?

They're all scoundrels,

aren't they?

So you're off to that

old forest hideout you used

during the forest officer case.

Do you know where it is?

No, you never told me.

Good.

You don't need to know that.

Not that I don't trust you.

Whoever comes to make you talk

might not be gentle.

If you know it,

you'll end up giving it away.

Take this.

He packed a few essentials from home

and left that very night.

I dropped him off myself

at Thovalpatti.

He never said where

he was going after that.

- You haven't seen him since?

- No.

Who's this "boy" Kuriachan mentioned?

- I don't know.

- Is his name Manikandan?

I've only ever heard Kuriachan

call him "the boy".

All I know is,

he was his right-hand man.

They're not letting us through,

Chettathi!

Come.

Take this.

- Hey!

- Sorry, I slipped.

It nearly hit my head!

- Sorry, Chettayi.

- Screw you!

"Kerala's Breeder duo

sets new canine standards."

He's with the police.

He's the new officer handling

the Kuriachan missing case.

What about Peeyoos?

Where is he?

- He went home.

- Went home?

He didn't tell me.

Do you know this Mohan Pothan?

Yes.

Does he come here?

He visited once.

When was that?

Five or six years ago.

You haven't seen him after that?

No.

He died after falling into a ravine

near this Kaattukunnu,

eight months ago.

Yeah, I know.

The police questioned me quite a bit

about this back then.

I haven't seen him.

Would anyone really take all this trouble

to come and stay here, just to breed dogs?

Well, people like them have

their own ways, don't they?

That's true!

Kuriachan has pulled off

quite a few stunts himself.

And from what I've gathered,

Pothan was involved in all of them.

What exactly was this

deep connection they shared?

He never spoke of it.

And even if he had,

I don't think I could have

made sense of it.

Gradually, things went sour

between them.

Yes.

Any idea what happened?

All I know is, it had something

to do with a police case.

From what I've heard,

Kuriachan framed Pothan in that case.

Maybe.

So you think Kuriachan

betrayed Pothan.

It was Mohan Pothan

who ended up in jail.

But that doesn't tell you

who betrayed whom.

That's just how they were.

How did Kuriachan treat you?

He was normal.

No quarrels?

No.

Sorry, I didn't mean

to get personal...

I haven't k*lled Kuriachan.

That's what you're getting at, isn't it?

The officers before you

asked me the same thing many times.

I haven't k*lled him.

Pass me the water.

Don't finish it.

That's the only bottle we've got.

You damn moron!

You think you saved millions

by not bringing one more bottle?

I forgot.

"Forgot!"

Here, man.

I have another one.

Here you go.

It was a good idea

to climb down the cliff first.

Saved us the trouble

of dealing with those dogs.

Don't let your guard down yet.

We might still run into them.

Even if they come,

you are with us, right?

Speaking of which Peeyoos,

why do the dogs have

a soft spot for you?

What soft spot?

They just got used to me

once I started staying with Chettathi.

When I first came here, they wouldn't

even let me step on the ground.

What happened?

I just told you.

They wouldn't let me step on the ground.

Unfortunately, Chettathi wasn't home

when I got there.

She'd been in the hospital

for two days with troubled breathing.

Scram!

Like anyone could've heard me!

There wasn't a single soul around.

So what did you do for two days?

Stayed up that damn tree!

What else could I do?

Those sons of b*tches

just wouldn't leave!

They took turns, keeping watch

right below me.

But when those dogs kept me

stuck up there for two days,

one thing became clear to me.

If they were behaving like

they were trained for it,

then Mohan Pothan was right.

Kuriachan had to be nearby.

So I swore I'd see this through,

right there on that tree branch.

So how did you finally get down?

Chettathi came back after two days.

You said Mohan Pothan came here

five or six years ago.

Was Kuriachan here then?

No.

Where had he gone?

Do you men tell your wives

everywhere you go?

And even if you do,

is it ever the truth?

Fine. So Pothan came that day

and then?

He inquired whether Kuriachan

was here and left.

So Pothan must've been arrested

in Kothamangalam soon after he left here.

Word was, Kuriachan was

the one who set him up.

I was his partner

in every dirty deed,

and in the end, he set me up,

didn't he?

He's not here.

No way I'm going down alone.

I told you, he's not here.

I already did a sweep of Perumbavoor

and Thrissur before coming here.

Those women would have told me

if they knew.

That's about how loyal they

are to their dear husband.

I can't keep dodging the cops

like this forever.

If you know something,

you need to tell me.

I don't know.

He always cared for you

a little more than the others.

You're the one he went through

all that trouble to bring from Malaysia!

No matter who else betrays him,

he probably still believes

you never would.

If you know that, why are you still here?

Funny how some things hit

right on point, you know?

No man can judge another

as precisely as a dog can.

Your ex-husband said that.

Do you ever think of Yosiah?

Yosiah was right about everything.

His dogs could judge a man

just by looking in his eyes.

That's why they never let Kuriachan

near the pier.

Kuriachan is the kind

who'd k*ll a man without blinking,

but he'd never harm a dog.

For him to go that far,

to sh**t and k*ll them

It wasn't just lust for you.

That whole act your Malaysian husband put

on with his dogs. Calling it "protection".

He couldn't stand that sight.

Once Kuriachan targets someone,

he knows exactly how to trap them

and put them behind bars.

Look at the state I'm in.

That's how he got Yosiah locked up

back then.

I came up with the idea

when he kept ranting about

how he had to have you.

All that talk about bombs exploding

was just a story.

And the World w*r provided

a convenient cover.

We even agreed to share you

if we managed to get you.

But when he finally got you,

he showed his true colors.

As usual!

Anyway, whatever.

I was the one who gave him the ideas for

all his crazy schemes and supported him.

When he comes back,

just ask him casually.

Anyway, it's all pointless now!

Before Yosiah got out of

jail after his remand period,

we had already set sail here with you.

He might still be

looking for you back there.

Or maybe he's long dead and gone.

Either way,

this is your destiny.

Life imprisonment,

right here in Kuriachan's custody!

Life imprisonment!

I'm dead tired, Chettayi!

Give me some water.

Damn it!

Oh no!

I think there's a stream nearby.

Don't you hear running water?

Really?

Hey, Soman!

Go fetch some water.

Give me five minutes.

Let me just catch my breath.

I'll go check.

Take this.

Give it.

How many days after Pothan left

did Kuriachan arrive?

A week later.

Appootty told us everything up to when

he dropped Kuriachan here that night.

Did Kuriachan say

anything in particular to you?

Like he had to meet someone,

or was going somewhere?

He didn't say anything.

Just packed his clothes and stuff

and left that very night.

Even Appootty has no idea

where he went.

But you remember that case

The one from 10-20 years ago, when

Kuriachan stabbed that forest officer?

Appootty knew he went

into hiding back then,

somewhere like a cave.

A gap just wide enough

for one man to crawl in or out.

Trained dogs to stand guard

and assist him.

More dogs stationed farther out

for surveillance.

- Have you heard about this?

- Yes.

He told me the exact same thing

back then.

Knowing the kind of

stories around Kuriachan,

we can't dismiss it outright, right?

So you've started

drinking alone too?

If you want the European stuff,

it's on the bottom shelf.

You don't have to answer

to anyone for a few days.

You're the queen of this castle.

I need to lie low for a few days.

If the cops or anyone else shows up,

you know nothing.

That's true.

I don't know anything.

Right.

So just tell them that.

Mohan Pothan was here.

Yeah, I heard.

He won't be bothering us

for the next five or six years.

A few days back,

the police arrested him

from Kothamangalam.

I'm the one who got him locked up.

Just like you had Yosiah

thrown in jail back then, right?

It's been so many years.

I don't think there's any point in

discussing this topic anymore.

That's right.

Haven't I served my life

imprisonment here already?

I kept hoping none of

Pothan's words were true.

That was the only time

It's the only little lie

I've ever told you.

You call that little?

I did it

Out of love.

Once this problem is over,

I'll come back.

We'll talk then.

Send the jeep in for repairs

and lie low for a week.

Okay.

Chettathi

Chettathi.

Chettathi!

We heard your younger son visited.

You should discuss with him

and do the needful.

He's ready to take you with him,

or get you a house in town.

In any case,

you shouldn't stay here all alone.

But I'm not alone here.

That's the main reason

I'm bringing this up.

Peeyoos, who's staying with you

Everything he told you about

his home and village is fake.

Of all those who wanted Kuriachan dead,

only a few are still alive today.

Many have died at

different times and places.

Some fell to their deaths,

like Mohan Pothan.

There are those who

drowned in the river.

Some slit their wrists,

others died in accidents.

Every car involved

in those "accidents",

had its brake cables cut.

I had a brake failure myself

when I got here.

Maybe Kuriachan did it,

or maybe someone else did it for him.

Even in that case from six years ago,

that forced Kuriachan into hiding,

he wasn't the one who did the stabbing.

It was a young man

who was with him then.

Manikandan

If your game is over,

shall we go?

My guess is,

the love and respect

Peeyoos has for Kuriachan,

is far greater than what your

sons have for their father.

Maybe because he

was raised that way.

For a trainer like Kuriachan,

raising a loyal and obedient

dog like him, isn't hard.

I've had my doubts for a while

that you were Kuriachan's bodyguard.

When I dangled the bait

about a non-existent cave,

you bit.

And now this

Just seals it.

I only wanted to see if you really knew

where he was hiding.

Only when I got closer

did I realize the disciple too

was sincerely searching for his master.

But that's a good thing.

While everyone's out

to bring Kuriachan down,

at least you're trying

to save your master.

You're in deep trouble, son.

This time you'll learn how to spell

"Kerala Police"

in both English and Malayalam!

Untie him.

Shouldn't we get going?

The DySP and his team are waiting.

Go after him, sir!

Don't worry about me.

Here, take this.

Hey!

Hey!

In case Peeyoos shows up here

before we catch him,

pretend everything's normal.

He shouldn't know

that his cover is blown.

If he senses you suspect him,

he'll become alert.

We will handle this from here.

Sir!

Sukumaran sir!

Sir!

Five Give me five minutes.

What is it?

Just checking if there's

still a last ray of hope.

It's an Elayadikattan.

The viper's granddaddy, you could say.

Since your body is quite warm,

the venom will spread instantly.

In 20 seconds,

you'll feel it kick in,

like smoke pouring from your ears.

Already feeling it, aren't you?

I'll let you go.

Help me, man.

Who's letting who go?

Please, do something!

I was six when

I first visited Trivandrum.

My father and mother took me there

to pray at the temple.

We rented a room at a lodge

near Chala market.

After scraping together ten paise for

a fruit juice, they handed it to me

and went into the room,

locking the door behind them.

The story goes they were lying

there, hugging each other.

When I came back after having the juice,

all I saw was dust and smoke everywhere.

The roof tiles had been blown off.

During their final embrace, they had a

stick of dynamite pressed to their chests.

My last memory of them

is mattress cotton and bits of flesh

splattered across the walls of the room.

I turned to stone that day,

inside and out!

Since then, I haven't felt

a single ounce of sentiment

For anyone

Or anything!

Don't Don't go!

Please!

Hey! Don't go, man!

Hey!

Help me before you go!

Were we a bit late in going to see

Mlaathi Chettathi, Paappachan?

Why do you say that?

Did you notice those

mountains across the way?

Wouldn't they have such

caves and crevices?

What are you getting at, sir?

This whole mystery around

Kuriachan's disappearance

That kind of a bizarre hiding place

Like a cave

I remember reading somewhere that

Jim Corbett once hid in a quarry

To ambush a tiger.

Take a look.

Be it from Kerala or Karnataka,

no one can access this area.

So?

You think Kuriachan's been

hiding out in some rock crevice,

with a pack of dogs guarding him?

And that too, all these years?

Chettathi!

Chettathi!

Yes?

Since you'd gone home anyway,

you could've stayed back

for a week or two, right?

And leave you here all alone?

What's with the binoculars?

Just enjoying the view.

Right.

Kuriachan has seen

every breed of dog there is.

Yet he always complains

he's never found the perfect one.

Is there any breed

Kuriachan couldn't find?

He used to say, if he couldn't find

the perfect one,

he'd train one that showed promise

and make it perfect.

And did he ever make one?

I thought he never did

Until I found out who you are!

Not even his children were

this devoted to him.

There are loyal dogs, too.

How long do you plan

on staying here?

Until I finish what I came here to do.

We went to Chettathi's house

looking for Peeyoos.

What for?

Hoping for a lead to Kuriachan.

Actually, the answers we were looking for,

were right there, weren't they?

Do you intend to do anything to me?

There's no need for it

until a reason comes up.

And if a reason comes up?

Some dogs have

only one master, Chettathi.

You remember Peeyoos's story about

being chased up a tree by the dogs

when he first came here?

He climbed the tree on his own.

Right?

But to get back down,

he had to sit on that branch

until Chettathi arrived.

We saw today just how obedient

those dogs are to Chettathi.

Your hunches and guesses

are all fine, sir.

But you have no idea

what Kuriachan is really like.

Kuriachan isn't the type

to stay cooped up in a cave,

suffering as if he were tied up.

If it's only for a few days,

that's believable.

He might have gone

into hiding willingly.

Just like you said. For a few days.

But what if the dogs Kuriachan

counted on to guard him

Aren't actually under his control?

What if the one deciding whether

he gets out of that cave or not

Isn't Kuriachan?

But sometimes,

protection and restriction

They both look the same.