Original subtitles

Hallo…

[on phone] Called to see if you are up early morning…

Don’t you need to go to the program today?

One needs to sleep to wake up, right?

Am tense thinking of today’s program, dear!

Wasn’t able to sleep!

Oh! Didn’t sleep at all?

Yeah, slept alright! But for some time, at dawn!

I had a dream then, Elsa.

Oh, a nightmare?

Hey, this was a good dream!

Must have been our wedding.

Not that! Our movie! Hoardings of our movie!

Dreams don’t have much logic.

The heroine was you!

Aha..

My Dad and Mom were in good supporting roles!

The villain was, of course, your Dad!

hah.. My Dad, your villain…

So, who is the hero?

If you are the heroine, who else but me would be the hero?

Yeah, feel-good indeed!

What’s the movie called?

The movie didn’t have any name as such.

But something else… was written in big caps….

[Elsa] [on phone] What?

[Chukles]

A Ronaldo Film….

68… 69…

70… 71…

72… 73… 74…

Look, will know today... if doing a movie is possible this year.

Mmm…

Did you pray as you should at the church?

Yeah… of course!

What did you pray for?

One is not supposed to say that.

Hey, I need to know if you prayed right!

What did you pray for?

Hey, kid, I did pray!

Look, you hold fast to your faith first!

The Lord will not forsake us!

But again, do tell me… what did you pray for?

That… my son, Ronaldo Mathew…

Yeah…

… should be able to do a movie this year.

My dearest Mom… for the last four or five years…

…this is exactly what you have been praying

Yeah.

Is this what I told you to do?

You move a bit…

Is this what you promised to do, Mom?

I should win first place at today’s short film fest…

Only then will they produce our movie…

So you should pray for our short film to win first place…

- Dumb guy! - Yeah…

God knows everything…

Yeah, god knows!

Once the program starts at eleven today… dunno when it concludes...

Mmm…

Any cash to spare for lunch?

Here… give it there and ask for yourself…

Why do you hesitate? He gives when he can spare it. Go.

Dad!

Tea!

Some cashhhh…

Vazha…[banana plant… euphemism in Malayalam for good-for-nothing]

What’s the program in town today?

Something to do with cinema?

Yeah...

Will this work, kid?

This year, I will make it…

Considering my frail health …

looks like it's lights out for me too, this year!

Kid, need cash?

No

Can give!

I have…

- Don’t need? - No… no…

Well… you have a two hundred?

- Should I wear it? - Yeah...

Okay!

These days I never take my vehicle from the workshop at all.

You said you wanted a pedal… so I brought this…

…saying I needed to show it at the workshop

Your Daddy believed that? He usually doesn't!

In the morning, when I said the vehicle needed repairs,

He did a body check-up for this… for some 6-7 minutes

Had a narrow escape because Daddy is no mechanic.

Dude, he still has no trust in me.

You had such confidence when you confessed everything!

Now bear the consequences!

Let that go… you are confident, right?

Once you win, you will be making a movie this year!

What’s the use of my being confident?

I am not in a wrestling match; it’s a short film contest.

You move faster!

It was in large letters… “A Ronaldo Film”

The name is heavy-weight, eh?

Got the name from Dad’s friends abroad.

Ronaldo!

When my Dad refers to you, he never uses a name.

He talks about that ‘loafer who earns nothing’!

The people who are into movies may have no income.

But never call them loafers.

We work very hard… and are often cheated too…

The daily stress has made my hair turn grey…

You know how many scripts I have written at this young age….

And still…

Don’t go over the top… it’s not me, it’s Daddy who said this.

Yeah, Daddy!

I need to go to a shop here.

Don’t let’s go together, it's a danger zone.

Here, take the keys.

Need something more to eat?

No.

So, all the best! Go and win!

After the win, I am coming straight to your house.

To see your Daddy!

Ride safe!

[music starts]

One day we will rise like the night stars

The golden clouds, capricious,

One day we will rise like the night stars

Are the memory of laughter in us

What’s the name?

Ronaldo.

Sir, is your short film being shown?

Yeah…

Ronaldo, is it?

Yeah.

What was the name of the short film?

Vasoori [smallpox]

It’s not Vadhoori… it's Vasoori… the ‘s’ sound.

Okay!

That time too will pass

As you dream about it

That moment will fly away

Through the way you seek

We will raise one day, like stars at night

Dense clouds will embrace us lovingly

Sri P K Aravindan, the one and only organizer of this short film festival,

I invite him to the podium to address us.

Making a movie has been a long-time ambition.

I approached some senior directors and writers…

But the cinema and the budget in my mind…

were not what they envisaged.

None of it came together…

And then, I had this idea.

To offer a theme, ask to create a short film on that…

Take that as an entry…

And make a movie with the best among those.

The admirable movies created and sent in attest to the success of the idea.

We had shortlisted ten entries and have invited their crew here.

We intended the jury would select the best short film from this.

But in the opinion of the jury, some of the organizers and myself,

There are three short films that are the best among them.

The question is, who will choose the best film from this?

Who will choose it?

The audience!

We have invited them here.

They will watch each of these short films.

And award marks, which will decide the winner.

Eh?

Filmmakers are not allowed to vote.

[What decisions, indeed!]

The theme we had allotted for short films was Love and Revenge.

Yes, I know there is no connection between love and revenge.

Let’s consider it’s like saying ‘Friends and Enemies’!

Today, we screen here, instead of ten short films,

only the three short films I mentioned earlier…

Before we announce the selected short films,

we request the film-makers in the front row

to vacate the seats for the respected audience

Oops, that’s also gone…

The short films which reached the last round are being announced.

The first one is Sangeerthanagal, directed by Alex Thattayil.

The second is My Balcony, directed by Neetha Kumar.

And the third...

is Vasoori, directed by Ronaldo.

Oh God!

Hello!

Things are not like what we thought.

Including ours, three short films have been selected.

The jury is a totally unknown set of people.

No idea what’s going to happen!

But why is it so?

Now, is it going to be screening?

Yeah.

I have this icy feeling within me.

Dunno if it’s that frozen feeling just before death!

Don’t be scared! Look, you are basically a film lover.

So?

Watch the movies being shown there, and enjoy them.

Don’t think about the prize.

What is due to us will come to us!

Let’s see.

Thanks.

Thanks.

Since some days, this has been my daily occupation every morning.

Talking to falling flowers, just like that…

Since they listen very well, I keep talking.

I am Nikki. My real name is Nicholas.

Great name, right?

Still, when I was put into the neighborhood school, no one calls me by that name.

[reverberating, fading] "The sick child…"

[reverberating, fading] "The kid with an illness…"

[reverberating, fading] "Poor thing…"

[reverberating, fading] "The kid in the wheel chair…"

No one knew my name.

They need not call me Nicholas….

Couldn’t they address me as Nikki?

Didn’t call me so.

No one called me so.

[Nikki] One day I told Mom…

What I liked so far in school was the first period in the first week, Mom.

Why is that, son?

Initially, the teacher used to call out my name from the attendance book.

And now?

Now, everyone has a number.

Son, you didn’t like the school?

Isn’t there a school only for kids like me?

Some people say that.

That’s far away.

Son, can you live away from Mom?

I haven’t even got over Papa moving abroad…

Can’t even think of more…

Nikki…

May I look for a home tutor for you?

A teacher who addresses you by name?

Is that okay with you?

[Nikki] Hmm..

I am growing

I am shining

I am charming

Every way!

You’re the angel

You’re the reason

I haven’t seen another teacher as beautiful as her…

[joyful laughter]

Its vacation time now.

In June, during the rains, the teacher will come.

Waiting…

Not just the teacher, am waiting for Papa too…

I tell Papa that in my letters too…

Mom must be writing to Papa now.

Dear Husband…

Went to the church for the Holy Mass.

From the time Holy Mass commenced…till it concluded…

He was looking closely at the altar.

As the kids of his age were kneeling and sitting down…

Only our son was like a doll… sitting still…

I am not able to bear this, my dear.

What sort of illness is this?

What sad destiny do we have?

I am not able to get along with anything.

I have lost my love for God.

Even prayers now, that’s just for him.

Don’t you want to send your news to Papa?

Yes!

Tell!

Yesterday, Sunday, as we were returning from Holy Mass…

We went into the new shop.

Papa, there were two dolls which were alike.

In spite of asking so many times…

Mom brought me only one of them.

Kid, you want me to write this, huh?

Go on and write. It’s only true!

Papa, just think!

Two dolls which are alike means they are twins.

So, if we buy only one….won’t both of them become lonely?

The sorrow of being without friends…I know that very well!

Even then…. I never let my doll be alone.

Every evening, the doll and I…

We go and sit behind our house…beside the wall

On the other side of the wall the children play cricket… we can hear them out loud.

Papa, it’s so good to sit and listen to that!

We only listen… we never go.

Papa, you know…other children don’t mingle well with me.

[Kids yelling excitedly while playing cricket]

Do you also hear?

[Kid] What’s the score?

[Kid] Thirty six…

[Kid] So, only a four more needed?

[Kid] Yes…

[Kid] A four, right!

[Kid] Will show you now…

[Kid] Throw it at the stump, buddy!

[Kid] Keeper, just watch on!

[Kids cheering] Yeah!!!

[Kids shouting victory and celebrating]

[Kid] I will bat first in the next game.

Son! What happned to you?

Son!

Son!

Son!

Sister! Will you throw that ball back?

[murmering] Trouble!

[Mom] Son! Open your eyes

Buddy! Come, come…

They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and cobra; you will trample the young lion and serpent.

Because he loves Me, I will deliver him;

We heard the God’s words…

We heard the God’s words…

Let us praise the Lord.

Son, are you still in pain?

A little.

Close your eyes, you will fall asleep.

I am not feeling sleepy.

Son, you felt really unhappy today, right?

Mom, why do you ask that?

Mom knows.

Children can never hide anything from Moms.

I saw you crying during prayer.

Then you are wrong, Mom.

I didn’t cry because I was sad. It was for joy!

Their ball hit me too.

Like it happens to them during the game…

My forehead was also bruised.

When I thanked Jesus out of joy…

I had tears in my eyes… and you saw that, Mom.

Mom, will you take me to the other side of that wall tomorrow?

[Children conversation] Hey, where’s the money?

Here…

-Is this from you both? -Yes, the two of us…

-Give it here. -Let me count.

-I will count the rest of it. -Then take it.

This guy has a temper….

Enough… give the money…

Whose money is this? Yours?

Jaison, take your cycle and go and buy it.

Give the money.

Here…

Come..

Me too..

You also want to go? Then go.

I will ride when we come back.

When the game starts let’s be one team.

Let’s see.

Hey...

Take it. It’s yours.

I kept it yesterday because I was angry.

What are your names?

My name is Godwin.

My name is Saneesh

My name is Kevin

My name is Vishnu

My name is Herlicks Stephen.

It’s a great name

We call him Tutumon…

[laughter]

Go buddy!

[laughter continues]

Did you get it, buddy?

Yes, got it!

Come!

We shared money to buy this.

We were scared yesterday.

We had seen your doll was broken.

Our plan was to buy him this and get our ball back.

But…

Children, you go and play…

Ah!

Tata…

-I will bat first! -Me second.

If you hit for a six, from now you will be out.

That’s it…

May I ask something?

Mmm

Why are you sad, Mom?

Sad?

I am not unhappy, Mom.

Truly so.

They are such good friends.

This doll is so nice.

Mom is so nice.

Papa is so nice.

So, the God who gave all this, is so nice.

I am not unhappy, Mom.

Don’t you be worried!

The lesson taught by those children and our son…

I have never learnt such a lesson, dear Husband.

I had this hatred… to so many I didn’t even know.

Now it’s not like that…

It’s all serene… everything is beautiful.

[Nikki laughing]

Heave ho!

They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. - Psalm 92:1

Oh!....

Was it good?

They could have made it better.

Ronaldo…

It was good.

Which is next?

I don’t know.

[Announcement] Next short movie, Vasoori, written and directed by Ronaldo.

Let me go, will call later. It’s our number.

Why are you so scared?

Not scared, you cut the call!

Operator, will you push the treble up a bit. There is too much bass.

It’s your short film?

Yes.

Okay

Is the focus out…mmmmm

My dear bro… go and sit somewhere there.

No chair here.

Then stand.

It’s only for a short while.

This, is short.

Hey, hey, there… Yadu’s grandma.

-Grandma… -Grandma get in here.

No, I will get in behind.

I couldn’t not attend the wedding of you both, children.

Never mind, Grandma.

I told you about Yadu’s condition.

I cannot go anywhere leaving him alone.

I am scared.

I came out seeing him fast asleep.

We had all planned to come together.

But then we became busy with these folks’ wedding.

Even now, Grandma, we came because you said it was urgent.

We cannot take a sabbatical together…

Because we work in the same company, you see?

I know you are all very busy.

But I couldn’t think of anyone else to help me in this.

If I mention this to his parents…

They will only try to take him to the U.S.

And he is not interested at all in that.

Grandma, how is he now?

Oh!

When you are home, I cannot speak like this in his hearing.

That’s why I waited on the road.

He is totally broken.

I too didn’t think that girl would cheat so.

She has sought my blessings so many times, as my grandchild.

A girl with no prick of conscience.

The wedding is tomorrow!

And then a great life in America!

Is all this a game for these children?

I don’t have the ability to make him understand the situation.

You are his friends.

You must talk to him.

Console him sharing a lot of jokes.

Please save him.

Can’t believe it! How much they had loved!

Love!

Come!

Come buddy!

I have told him never to close that door.

Poor thing, never does that too!

Son, see who all are here!

Ah!

I meant it seriously.

Buddy!

Only I know what my condition is!

If she had hated me and left, or had bid me good bye…

Perhaps I wouldn’t feel this bad.

When she hates me or says good bye, I am at least a person.

Now what am I? A thing?

Something she discarded when she no longer wanted it.

Buddy, but wouldn’t you know a reason for this?

Ah!

America!

America?

Look, buddy, I want to live and die here, in this place.

But it was not so for her.

Because my parents were in the U.S….

She too thought my future was over there.

She was the one who proposed…

A deep love affair of 3-4 years.

And when she was convinced I would not go to the U.S.

She decided I was not a good match for her.

With a better option in hand, she left.

No good bye,

nothing said,

changing her number, blocked

me everywhere…

It’s a type of cheating…

I know her parents are in this with her.

You all had seen her engagement pics…

how happy she looks.

Buddy, It would be that way, right?

It’s only in the movies that the heroine marrying another guy acts gloomy.

That’s all for the benefit of the audience to get a feel of it.

But in life, is it an effort to show some happiness?

Its real happiness, buddy.

Look, I am not asking you why you cannot be happy!

But why are you so miserable?

I don’t know Archana.

I would like to sit and talk with her and her family.

And make them understand some things.

But, I am in that sort of hassle which makes this impossible!

Why can’t you go and talk? Go there directly.

If not being able to do it is why you are miserable and your Grandma is in tears…

Then go ahead and do it.

Tomorrow is the wedding, right?

Yes.

Then she will definitely be at home.

Are you scared to go?

Not at all.

Then you should go.

When your elegance shines with your gentle smile, moonlit eyes

Your lover longs to touch you gently with his fingertips

As he waits for the dawn

Two lovebirds build a nest in the snow

Dude, what’s your plan after getting there?

Need to prove some things.

Sometimes, one might fail in that!

But even if I fail, I will be happy.

I need to talk to you three.

We’ll sit upstairs.

Bolt from below too, Ammu.

You know how it is.

It opens at a mere knock from someone.

Yadu, what do you want?

Something cold, please. I had a cup of tea on the way.

Child, Ammu…

Oh, never mind.

Can manage without it. Had a cuppa anyway.

What do you have to say?

Why are you tense, Dad?

Mom too?

I did not come to make a disturbance.

The last two months, I was not working. Was at home.

Why? What happened?

Small pox. It was small pox.

Ammu, come and sit here.

My small pox will not infect you in anyway.

I will stand here.

Yadu, please speak your mind, and fast.

Indeed I will.

Why did you come here now?

It’s her wedding tomorrow.

That’s why I came.

4 years, 5 months, 2 weeks, 3 days…we were in love.

[Deep sigh]

I was really sad, when I was avoided.

Sad meaning…extremely sad.

My Grandma asked me…why bother about people who don’t want us.

I replied, will we be sad if our purse is stolen?

Yes. But what makes us sad there?

Is it about the pickpocket? Or the purse?

About the purse, indeed.

It’s only that!

The value of my purse and what was in it is what I said earlier…

4 years, 5 months, 2 weeks, 3 days.

Never mind.

Uncle, was this marriage a decision made after serious thinking?

Not just serious thought.

It’s a decision made after detailed queries, and much thought.

They are an exceptional family. The boy is settled in the U.S.

And of excellent character.

I know them well through my best friend.

We haven’t met after that. That’s why I wasn’t able to tell you.

I will not hurt you in any way.

I don’t need it either.

You must give me a minute.

Just a minute.

You must remain silent for that one minute.

Until I finish talking to that bridegroom, before you, with the speaker phone on.

You must be silent.

Just one minute.

For what?

It’s not possible.

Considering the four and a half years of time I spoke about…

Isn’t this minute a small period?

At least Ammu will have understood after being with me so far,

That I am not a person without integrity of character.

If I wanted to create a problem, I could have called him otherwise.

This is not merely my need, but yours too.

[Sangeeth] Hallo…

Hallo…

[Sangeeth] Hallo…

Is this Sangeeth?

[Sangeeth] Yes, this is Sangeeth.

Sangeeth, I am from Ammu’s house.

[Sangeeth] Ok, ok, ok, tell me.

I'm someone close to them. Yadu…

[Sangeeth] Ah, Yadu, tell me.

I had to tell you something.

I am making this call because Ammu’s Dad has difficulty in saying this.

[Sangeeth] What happened? Is there any problem?

[Sangeeth] There is a slight shortage in the gold promised for the wedding.

[Sangeeth] Shortage?

[Sangeeth] Shortage…

[Sangeeth] How much?

A thirty percent…

[Sangeeth] Huh… thirty percentage shortage?

It’s not thirty percent shortage…

-[Sangeeth] Then? -There is only thirty percent of it.

[Sangeeth] What?

The shortage is seventy percent.

[Sangeeth] This is called cheating.

[Sangeeth] Why are you all like this?

[Sangeeth] Earlier too, there was an incident like this.

[Sangeeth] But we were able to avoid it because it was before the engagement.

[Sangeeth] Are you people queueing up to cheat?

Sorry, please do adjust.

[Sangeeth] Adjustment!

[Sangeeth] Why did you offer if you could not do it?

[Sangeeth] This is a conscious game, isn’t it Bro?

Hari Uncle and Usha Aunty are listening to this.

[Sangeeth] Let them listen.

[Sangeeth] It’s because they offered more gold that I said no to the car.

[Sangeeth] Now it’s neither that nor this.

[Sangeeth] And then, our family!

[Sangeeth] It’s because you don’t know about our family. The best…

We know your family is very elite.

[Sangeeth] So you know.

[Sangeeth] I had to wash even the white man’s underwear to reach where I am.

[Sangeeth] Don’t let me go back to that circumstance.

[Sangeeth] You either meet the offer made. Or leave this altogether.

[Sangeeth] I had decided early on that I won’t give up a life for a wife.

[Sangeeth] Not just that, if I marry on such adjustment, can I even love her?

Sangeeth, if you cannot love her without it, we’ll give the offered gold somehow.

[Sangeeth] Really?

Once you get it, you can love her well, can’t you.

[Sangeeth] Of course. Sure.

That will do.

[Sangeeth] Oh..

So Uncle will call you directly in some time and settle things.

[Sangeeth] Okay, okay. Nice, thank you.

Give what you offered.

He will love her.

If possible give some more. He will love some more.

Will love her definitely!

Will love her definitely!

I am leaving.

At least you should not cheated in the name of love, like I was.

It’s pain that one cannot convey by words.

Do you know what the mistake that happened between us was?

Ammu, it was you that I loved.

And for you it was America.

I cannot become America.

It’s a huge country.

Yadu, please go.

Bye.

Bye.

Yadu, dude… how do you feel now?

Like I had a bout of chicken box and just came out of it and freshened up.

So now where do we go?

To the Bar or the beach?

Neither place. I want to go home. Grandma is waiting.

Yay! Move the car!

How was it?

I liked it!

Was there applause?

Yes, there was applause alright.

But one cannot judge by that.

Look, on the way, you get down at the church.

Give an offering and pray!

Do you hear me?

Yes!

OK., then

[Loud wailing of lady]

Why did you take this extreme step, child? Tell us.

You could have told us if there was a problem.

Why did you do this, child?

It so happened, Papa.

[Fast breathing noises]

Hi Chaithanya, Biji, Sandra…

I am saying this to all of you. It’s an urgent matter.

All of you should come to our room around 8-8.30.

Sunitha will probably wake up by then.

All of you please do come.

Don’t cheat me please by going away on a holiday.

It’s that urgent.

See you then? Ok, bye!

We’re super girls on our way Move away!

Super girls on our way, Show the way!

Yeah we behave, We cause a wave!

You misbehave, Yo heart you save!

We girls are wow You’ll see that now!

Yeah super girls, Su-super girls!

Oh, tea! I just suffered from not drinking a hot cuppa.

What happened to everyone?

Please.

Why are you pampering her so much?

What’s her intention? Break-ups are common these days.

Yes.

Rahana, this is just not good!

This is not about being sad about my breakup with Shafiq.

It was I who rejected that flirt.

It’s not that.

Then what’s the issue?

He had sent me a video yesterday.

What video?

I had gone to his flat one day… [Slow hesitant tone]

Ah, great! [Sarcastic undertone]

And, what happened?

Nothing like that happened. I didn’t allow it either.

But I lay on his bed and spoke in a flirting mood….

He had taken a video of that.

Since it wasn’t anything vulgar, I consented to that.

Yeah, say you gave it all to him. [Sarcastic undertone]

Hey… buddy [other girls hushing her]

So what happened?

What is he saying he will do with the video?

That he will upload the video at midnight tonight.

If he is not to do that, I should continue a relationship with him.

Says he has turned over a new leaf. And then this threat!

What’s this about midnight?

Yeah he is a night flirt!

I called you all because I had no idea what to do.

-You get up… -Eh?

-Get up! -Why?

Go straight to the police station. Give a complaint.

They will deal with it.

That fool, anyway, grated you enough time for all that.

Proof too.

That fraud thought we wouldn’t reveal this to anyone.

Sweetheart, will you stop being hyper and sit here?

It’s no use telling you anything.

Yes, there’s something more, let me explain.

He says, if I share this with someone, and make any noise…

Then it would be someone else who uploads this.

Who else?

He has arranged for someone else to do it.

He could be bluffing too.

Still, I am nervous.

I should also think of my Mom and Dad.

I have done only things that have made them anxious.

I was improving in that angle. And now his video!

I am very worried.

It’s people like you who embolden such guys.

Even if he upholds that video, what’s going to happen?

It’s not me who is doing it!

I don’t like others knowing that someone cheated me.

Not just that, it’s going to ‘Big Trouble’ if they know at home.

We might even have to leave home.

Mom might even take an extreme step! [Anxious tone]

My Dad is such a nice guy.

Why aren’t you all saying anything?

Tell me a way out?

What way out?

You suggest it!

I will die!

Here, you mean?

No, after going home.

I want to see Mum and Dad.

I want to touch their feet and apologize, when they are asleep.

I will then go and die!

Yeah, they are a couple, sleeping with their door open.

Are you planning to die?

I will jump from my balcony.

I will jump from my balcony.

If you jump from there, you might get a broken spine, that’s all.

And you will be laid up for life.

Huh.

If one jumps as one should, things will work.

How?

I will show you.

Hold your hands like this as you are preparing to jump.

Aim at a spot, then.

As you jump, spread your hands like this.

And your head directly to that spot.

Your head will hit down for sure.

You will die on the spot.

Good idea.

Then you jump from the terrace.

No, that won’t work.

Why not?

When it’s from the balcony, people will think it an accidental fall.

It should be that way… [In undertones]

Are you planning your death and afterwards right in the morning? [Angry tone]

Will anyone but you allow such uncomfortable videos digitally possible?

And she is wailing away! [Angry undertones]

Hey, it’s not she who did it, it’s he.

Oh!

Was it done without her consent?

Let me weep for a while.

Buddy, look here…

Ah, so you are filming?

Feeling shy?

I know! If I leave you, you will threaten me with this, right?

No… am I not a nice guy?

We’ll watch this together on our wedding night.

Definitely.

Enough, please switch off the camera.

Look, I will run away.

Hey, don’t go. Stop there.

You go…but I will come after you.

Ah, so you are filming?

Ah, so you are filming?

Cinema cinema cinema cinema

Hey, here we rule. We'll rule and we're nothing but we're cool

Get goin' and get in your way

So girls, we're there, hurray!

A spark blazes in our souls

It burns like a hot tide

Caress us gently, O wind

Chaithanya, buddy.

Mmm?

You have been wanting to do a short film since some time, right?

Yes. So?

Do that. I’ll produce it.

Give you a script too. And act in it too.

You’d said you want to act but don’t do it because you are scared of your family.

I am not thinking about that now.

The short film should be completed today itself.

The other challenge is the location.

Where?

Flat

Shafiq’s flat!

In this situation, let me confess something.

Your flirt Shafiq has been flirting with me on Instagram.

I didn’t want to worry you, so didn’t say this before.

He doesn’t know we are friends.

He doesn’t know her as well.

So, we’ll manage to get the keys of the flat.

It will take 2-3 hours for the scooter to get repaired.

And I don’t have any friends around here.

That’s why I disturbed you, Shafiq.

What disturbance?

Frankly, I was waiting for this day.

Your Instagram pics!

Wow! What a damn beauty!

I am addicted to you… your pics.

The keys to his bike and his flat are on the same chain.

If we can access that, we can start our stuff.

We can.

The jungle is burning, winds ablaze, without anybody noticing

The embers reach the soul like a never-ending curse

As plans fumbled, we ended up in this mess

Gotta act fast if we value our lives

Before the beast hurts us with its claws

We set traps for it, though pointless

The jungle is burning, winds ablaze, without anybody noticing

The embers reach the soul like a never-ending curse

The past is pulling us down

Gotta do whatever it takes

Else, a hidden arrow will hit you

As soon as you get the keys, Sandra…

Move asap to the key duplicating shop.

How can I go fast without anyone with me?

I don’t know how to ride either!

What does a non-rider do in such a situation?

Run?

Yes, run!

We need someone with us who knows the technical side…

Need someone who knows editing.

There is a wedding studio on the way.

There would be an editor there.

Get him also, then.

Gotta get new attires of fate

and act quickly

There's no time to waste

Is this a mere gamble?

Or a scary battle?

Who decides the fate here? A slave or a king?

It's all an act of deception

Your eyes… really nice.

Everything we had is slipping away from our hands

It's a tough situation

The words hit even the ones dear to us

Like a sword that kills

Even if a demon comes to us as a curse

We will defeat it on our way

We shall sort out ideas without facing the fate

The course of our future can change ultimately

Spot editing? I can’t come. There’s plenty of work here.

Plenty of work?

And you?

Don’t brag!

We’ll give you what you want.

If it’s money, I get much from here.

Sisters, move on.

Boss is in a temper anyway, right from the morning.

I will talk to your boss. Is he in?

He is at Guruvayoor today querying for work.

What’s your name?

Manish.

Manish.R.

Manish, Please show some consideration.

Why don’t you understand what I am saying?

Is there just one editor in this world?

Right… right…right.

Hey, wait!

See, it’s not about any editor. Sir, it’s about expertise.

That’s true, but I will lose my job.

I get 900 daily.

Aha! We will give 901.

900 is enough.

The jungle is burning, winds ablaze, without anybody noticing

The embers reach the soul like a never-ending curse

As plans fumbled, we ended up in this mess

Gotta act fast if we value our lives

Editor Sir. The short film will be in continuity of this video.

Watch the video Sir.

This can be done.

Need an AC room.

What?

The system will heat up.

I will switch the AC on. Come.

The lime juice can wait for ten minutes.

need anything else?

Let me open my laptop, I will then tell you.

That's my laptop!

Focus…focus…focus

It’s focused alright. Wipe your specs and check again.

Okay…Take a slow sip…

Mind that exposure too…

Where’s the button?

Be professional, Manish.

In that case, you will need to call someone else.

Dude, this isn’t really the time…

Okay, calling bell!

Eh?

You are dot on time!

What’s this? The camera in place of the eye?

Looks good!

I have never seen such a baddie in my life!

In a normal situation, would have whacked him long back.

Did he paw you?

Yeah…

Where?

The leg kiss…

Rehana had mentioned legs are his weakness.

Whassup there? Shoot over?

No, going on. Some more to do.

Did you eat something?

Nothing heavy.

No need for sympathy.

Bijimol, you are the best tucker-in among us.

Don’t you give up that reputation!

Look, I’ll run away, I tell you.

Enough of looking at me like that!

Hey, how many eyes do you have?

It’s not two!

Gosh!

How many eyes are these I see?

Hundred?

Thousand?

Ten thousand?

Why do you have so many eyes?

Close them. Shut those eyes.

Hey, only two eyes have shut!

The rest of the ten thousand are still open.

The eyes which are shut are only yours.

I don’t recognize the rest of them.

Close them… please…

Close them… please…

My body is paining.

Please close them.

The tens of thousands of eyes are asking me to shut my eyes.

Oh, eyes, its rape that you are doing now!

Oh, eyes, its rape that you are doing now!

Please remain open!

Even if I burn down, or rot away, remain open!

[Weeps loudly]

Cut!

Will have to edit even if it’s into the wee hours!

How can we take this Manish into the room?

The rule forbids the male touch and visit!

Will find a way!

God! Wonder what that would be!

Yay!

[Happy laughter]

Ah, so you are filming?

The camera in place of the eye?

Shut the eyes.

Pleaase close.

Oh, eyes, its rape that you are doing now!

Rape?

My Cadaver!

Go!

Rahana’s House.

If you mean to act in any odd film and get a bad reputation…

Don’t bank on coming back to this house.

As your Uncle I do have the right to say this.

My God! What bigger curse can befall this family?

Mom, don’t say that!

Child, did your Grandma raise you to be this way?

Have you seen your Dad’s misery?

Rahana, if this is your way forward, we won’t be with you.

She actually has talent, my dear.

Folks from the office are calling up with good comments.

I don’t think now that she did wrong in acting so.

Aha! Man, if you are fine with it, then why would I be upset?

You were upset when you watched it at first…

That’s why I made so much noise when she came in…

Watching her lie there with cotton in her nostrils…

Wouldn’t I be upset, Ramla?

Oh, so that was it?

I was indeed upset!

If we don’t stand with her in her interests, our child will become isolated.

Yeah…

At whatever price, we should be fine with that!

Tell her that she should choose her characters with care.

I will tell her.

No more death scenes. I will pass away seeing that.

That result has now reached my hands!

A good director for my first film.

The anxiety and toil I endured to reach this name is in no small measure.

I proudly announce the winner.

One name… just one name…

The Movie...

"My Balcony"

Script and Direction: Neetha Kumar.

Hallo?

Ah, just a minute.

I told you a lie in the morning.

What?

The dream had the billboard of our movie alright.

The heroine was you too.

The hero was not me.

There was no hero.

Sometimes I may…you…

So we didn’t win?

Uh-uh…We didn’t!

It’s my fault! I should have done a short film with more gravity.

This was not the movie in my mind.

What’s the use of saying that now?

You go… escape somewhere!

You say this every time you are frustrated.

It’s not frustration, its realization.

In any case, my passion is working and earning.

So when you become my husband, you are safe.

You can pursue your passion with daring!

If you so feel, do some work that you can!

Cinema! You can do that when you are 30 or 40!

Till then?

Till then, I will bear your expenses!

Hey! No!

[To himself] Why not!

You should pursue cinema. Because your mind is in that!

One day, a hundred thousand screens will scroll ‘A Ronaldo Movie’….

In that fact, I believe more than you!

Is that so?

Yes!

Okay, then. See you tomorrow.

Definitely!

I will do it, Sir.

Night, right?

Okay!

Mom?

Yes, kid?

Good news!

mmm…

Who is going to the first film for P K Aravindan Company?

Who?

Me, Ronaldo!

But you had lost!

There is no success or failure in art!

The girl who came first doesn’t want to do a movie.

The second guy doesn’t want to do a film in the theme Sir suggested.

Then it’s me!

God heard my prayer!

-It’s not fully confirmed! -Eh?

Sir will call at night. And give a theme.

If one of my six scripts matches the theme, I am in!

God!

Mom, pray for the theme and the subject to be the same.

Kid, God knows it all!

Love and Revenge!

What, Sir?

Love and Revenge! That’s the theme.

My dear Sir, you have already triggered so many short films with this.

It’s been done to life.

It lies in not what’s been said, but how it’s been said.

A theme narrated by everyone,

If you cannot present it differently from what others have said…

Then what sort of a scriptwriter are you? What director?

I will give it a thought Sir.

The problem is with the subject for such a theme.

I am not sure I can do it, but I will try my best.

You can! Try!

If you cannot, let me know fast. I can look at other options.

I can bear the mockery of friends and other people.

Mom is actually anxious about me now.

Why do you have so much hope in me?

Can’t you get away?

Why do you say that every now and then, Ronaldo?

It’s not a pleasant thing to hear.

Will you bear it if I say this to you?

You think calmly. You will get a good story.

Will you bear it if I say this to you?

Will you bear it if I say this to you?

The short film which came first got some good criticism.

It was debated well.

Most of the criticism was about

How the girl should have submitted the character Shafiq to the police.

My short film also had a lot of criticism, Sir.

I said only one thing.

That, my characters are not from your unreal dreamland.

I didn’t comment further.

I am at Peace.

Varghese, I will call back.

Before I listen to the story, let me remind once more about my demands.

About, the role, right?

Mmm

There’s a role, Sir. But…

There’s no pair, I suppose?

Ah…

Need a pair. That’s a must!

If that’s so, the character for you is the heroine’s Dad.

But there’s a certain inaptness…

Ronaldo, imagine your movie has the characters of a business tycoon and producer…

Tell me frankly, will you, by your convention, cast me in that role?

No, Sir.

No match…

[Laughs dryly]

But, in real life, I am all these, Ronaldo!

We should smash all those epitomes of imagination of the film folks.

Isn’t that heroism?

Isn’t that revolution?

Understood, Sir

Then tell me… do I have a role in this?

You have.

Do I have a pair?

You have, Sir.

Then start your narration.

Okay!

Look, don’t go in, stop there.

Stop, stop, stop here.

Looks like rain. Get that umbrella.

Park a little away somewhere. I will call you.

You shouldn’t have taken the trouble to come in the rain.

Father, you are speaking to a police officer… about this light rain.

Tommy.

Hadn’t I told you to let me know if he ever called on you?

There are reasons for that. He is angry with you.

This is something I have found from a serious investigation.

I have not felt that way.

He is my foster son.

If he is Christ, I am Joseph to him.

He is not Christ.

That’s the issue here.

Tommy’s relationship with that girl…

It was not I who separated them.

It could have happened only that way.

It was such a relationship.

He still believes … that Father Wilson is one reason behind this.

I have always been interested in Tommy.

You know that, Father.

That’s why I kept a tab on him even after he went to the Gulf.

I was scared he would commit suicide.

If the information I have received from there is correct…

He won’t try that now.

But he is very angry, with many people.

With her, her husband, and with everyone who caused their separation.

So, shouldn’t we be cautious about that?

These are facts of about four plus years ago….

He would have forgotten all this.

Considering his background, and his fascination for her…

Forget four plus years, even after four plus decades…

His inner wounds and anger should remain.

Frankly, I came to this presbytery on this rainy night…

To assess him…Tommy, you know.

[Clock strikes the hour]

[Priest] It’s the time he said he would come.

Ah, you are wet. I forgot I had an umbrella.

This is not the first time that I get wet and had you look on, eh?

Ajay Sir?

Praised be Jesus Christ, Father!

Long time since we met!

Now and Forever, Amen!

Yes, it’s been very long!

Hey… Here, eat!

Mmm…

One day, I saw a dream.

This world…full of your children…

many generations… all identical to you!

Dream, right? You go ahead and dream, Father.

My life… whatever may be said…. It will be alone.

Tommy, are you happy now?

Now meaning, right now or totally?

Totally, are you happy?

Not happy!

Mmm?

But very relaxed. At peace, calm!

Hope you pray regularly?

-I pray well every day, Father! -Ah!

Earlier when talking about getting wet…

Uhh?

I thought, Tommy, you had not forgotten old matters.

[Tommy Laughs]

I was just doing a rhyming effect.

I have left all that behind long ago.

Ah! Do you know?

After she left me, her life has had nothing but tears.

That’s why I did not have any contact with anyone.

If any acquaintance asks me just for the sake of asking…

Hey, dude, are you still okay…

I get anxious. I then ask myself…

Am I okay… am I not okay…like that!

Why!

So, a few days after I reached the Gulf, I took a decision.

No Facebook, no Whatsapp, only Life!

Now, I am okay!

Whatever anyone may ask, I am okay!

I have a friend near her marital home.

Manoj, he is a mechanical engineer.

He is a guy who helps at orphanages.

I come to know her news when I call him.

I became friendly with him because he lives next-door to her.

He is nice guy, but. So that friendship is now a genuine one.

Her guy was not like what she imagined.

He is on drugs, has other relationships…

Aren’t these enough to make hell of a girl’s life?

Initially, my time was spent in my sorrows.

That was a terrible time. You both know!

After knowing about her troubles…

My thoughts turned to her grief.

I then forgot about my miseries.

You pray… for Lijina…

I do pray, Father!

Forgive our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us…

Lead us not into temptation

And deliver us from evil

[The book Tommy reads is a translation of ‘Poem of the Man-God’ by Maria Valtorta]

Father, I need to go tomorrow.

I need to go to Manoj’s house.

I have planned a small trip from there.

As I leave after the sabbatical, I will come and see you, Father.

I will leave only after seeing you.

What happened?

Nothing!

Tommy...

your mom was a pious lady.

An innocent woman, who hated no one even after suffering so much.

When she went off to the nunnery at Andhra for work and treatment…

She knew she would leave this world without delay,

And that you would be alone in this big world.

She bequeathed you into my hands.

Let me be frank…from then till now… it was a tense period.

You should get into a good position…

you should live as a virtuous man.

I know I will definitely have to account to her one day.

At a difficult time, I have been alarmed…

That you would lose your way and lose your soul…

But now I am relieved…

you are a good human, Tommy!

Those who have been hurt by love are all good humans.

Bye.

[Tommy] Manoj… as I was coming here… I was thinking…

[Tommy]Of that last day I saw my Mom alive.

[Tommy]Life at the orphanage.

[Tommy] Among the children who visited…

[Tommy] the fair, slim, tall girl…Lijina.

[Tommy] She got me as her Christmas friend.

[Tommy] The gift she sent was a miniature of Baby Jesus….

[Tommy] And a letter alongside.

[Tommy] That letter was the beginning of everything.

[Tommy] The… till she left me…

[Tommy] I had kept that letter.

[Tommy] How miserable her life has turned out to be.

[Tommy] She made a mistake.

[Tommy] Manoj…If it had been me, I would have looked after her like a princess.

It’s been a terrible tragedy!

She must be suffering for the arrogance with which she treated you.

Can’t she divorce him?

He has threatened to kill her if she even mentions divorce.

People say one can recognize those in drug abuse, that’s not right!

Take a look at him, and you cannot find a fault with him.

But his behavior…is crappy.

He doesn’t smoke weed just like that.

I suspect he burns it in a bundle and inhales it.

One gets a whiff of a peculiar smell like that…

If one opens the window to the south.

Is it?

Yeah…

Then, he resorts to really horrible acts like verbal and physical abuse.

Manoj, who are you talking about?

Nothing Mom, were you not cooking meat?

The meat will cook itself in the cooker.

Tell me who you were talking about!

Mom we were talking about Joby next door.

Joby? What is wrong with him?

Dear Mom, will you please go away?

The meat will be over cooked!

Kid! Don’t you cook too much!

What nonsense where you talking about that gem of a guy?

Mom, don’t you have to go the meeting in the evening?

I will drop you. You need not walk.

Who is the weed smoker you mentioned?

A decent guy who works for a living…looks after his wife…

And is a good loving neighbor….

Is it such a man that you bad-mouth?

Listen Tommy.

A woman must be that blessed to get a husband like this.

See, if we go there even today, we feel they are newly-married.

They are so fond of each other.

They call us in for his birthday.

It’s so refreshing just to watch them together.

Tommy, why are you silent?

Nothing….

This guy is jealous.

He burns because he is still single at his age.

Manoj, you are crossing the limits.

Oh…my meat!

Look, Tommy, you recovered fast because I told you all that, right?

You lost your sorrows, right?

Are you okay?

Manoj, I am not okay!

I am not okay…

not okay at all!

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread….

As we forgive those who sin against us….

[VO] Sex… is not the stamp paper on which I have signed an agreement to marry you…

As we forgive those who sin against us….

[VO] Sex… is not the stamp paper on which I have signed an agreement to marry you…

As we forgive those who sin against us….

[VO] The husband I envisage is not like you…

As we forgive those who sin against us….

[VO] Your type of physique is not what I want in my life partner.

[VO] Sex… is not the stamp paper on which I have signed an agreement to marry you…

[VO] Your type of physique is not what I want in my life partner.

[Heavy breathing indicating anxiety and stress]

I had thought she passed her days thinking of me.

That belief held me up all these days.

I want to do something, Manoj.

I won’t let her be in peace.

If I do that, she will forget me.

Bro… a soda please.

Bro, five paracetamol tablets. Never mind, make it six.

Mmm.

Joby in the next house… is it possible to see him now?

He just left.

OK

Then get me a Moods. [Condom brand]

Muraleedhara…

Yes, what’s it Bro?

I was visiting Manoj, next door. Thought I would see you too.

You were somewhere in the Gulf, right?

Yes, came last week. I was with Father Wilson.

Is your husband home?

He just left.

Then I will come back later. I shouldn’t be causing a problem.

What problem?

You need not leave thinking that, Tommy.

Come inside.

Okay.

Everything is for one’s good, Tommy.

I got a good life, in every aspect.

How is Father Wilson?

Father is doing well.

Joby is a good guy. Good means really good.

He is like a kitten.

I am so lucky to have him.

I got the man I had been wishing for.

He never gets angry.

Joby is a good guy.

Everything is for one’s good, Tommy.

We are so happy.

[echoing] I got the man I had been wishing for.

Give me some water.

Not juice.

Let me leave now.

I’ve been here for long.

Are you returning to the Gulf?

Right now I am not going to the Gulf,

But to Manoj’s house.

Ah!

I will be there for a few days.

Oh! forgot about the vehicle

What mayhem have you created, dude?

What?

I asked what you did at her house.

Oh, so you also came to know?

Damn! Tell me what you did!

What do the locals say about it?

The locals are saying much in many ways!

But that Joby…he says only one thing.

What says he?

That he will break your limbs, right today!

Umm…

He is the husband… must be upset.

How about her?

Go on watching!

Look, I had told you the whole truth yesterday.

I told you they were very much in love.

-[Tommy grunting in mock-agreement] -What did you think?

That their family would break up with this fourth rate business?

Dude, they trust each other.

[Grunting in mock-agreement]

Pretty sure fate is just getting beat up by life.

Anyway, your mischief did them a favor.

What?

There was some pandemonium in a function in their house.

And their respective families were not on talking terms.

[Grunting in enquiry]

Now they have joined forces at least to beat you up!

All of them are in the Bar right now.

They will come over after that.

You should leave before that.

Where do I go? We are going to Goa tomorrow, right?

We can go to Goa only if our limbs and life are intact, dude!

They will be here pronto.

I cannot do a broad-chested defense!

[In undertones] broad chest?

There’ll be a problem only if you are here.

[Irritated]Tell me where I should go?

Eh?

Is this a place where someone committed suicide?

Not yet!

Still, the vibes here are negative! Could have looked at a lodge.

They are people with plenty of clout, Tommy.

Ah!

Their range won’t come up till here, for sure. You come!

[Grunting agreement]

It may not be comfortable, but you won’t need to worry.

Belongs to a distant cousin.

It was a storehouse for various brooms.

[Grunting agreement]

It didn’t click, so they stopped.

They come and stay here now and then.

Oho?

There’s also a bed.

[Grunting agreement]

You don’t expect more please.

[Grunting agreement]

Still how can I be here, dude?

Never mind, we leave tomorrow.

Ah..

And…

dude, here is something for the bed.

- Okay? - Mmm.

You should leave now. Come tomorrow evening.

Mom is alone at home.

I will come ready for the trip.

There is some grub in the bag, make do with that.

Mmm.

And…

although what you did was dirty, don’t you fret over that.

Don’t do anything more, Tommy.

Why do you want to fail and be shamed, again and again?

[Sigh]

Let that go!

Mmm.

Okay?

Mmm.

Why are we parting ways?

Is our relationship that flippant?

Don’t you understand my condition?

I didn’t expect all this.

What has happened to you?

Baby!

Let go, Tommy!

I don’t want any flirting from you now on.

I find it irritating.

Look bloke, this is definitely a decision to be taken jointly.

I came here to discuss that.

I have become a ‘bloke’ now?

You have never addressed me in that manner!

What mistake have I committed? Eh?

Tommy, when I couldn’t choose a dress or sandals that fits

It was at such a naïve age…that I chose you as life partner.

We did grow up together…

But physically, you have not grown as much as I did.

You are an inch and a half taller than me. Mmm?

If it had been vice versa, I would have been happy!

Even if vice versa, a difference is a difference! Right?

It’s not like that!

Are you a feminist or a pseudo-feminist?

Liji, who do you want to prove to…

…that the man should be taller than the woman?

It’s a personal choice… why drag feminism into it?

Liji, after my mom, for me it’s you…

Stop it, Tommy. Such sentiments will not work with me now.

I want to think for myself now.

I want to make decisions for myself.

I cannot marry anyone out of sympathy.

So what about what happened between us?

What?

Has nothing happened between us?

Has nothing happened between us?

Tommy, did you mean sex?

Sex… is not the stamp paper on which I have signed an agreement to marry you…

If I had said this. Would you have agreed?

Yes, I would agree.

If I had given you a pregnancy, would you still agree?

Look… look…There’s patriarchy in this very statement.

Is pregnancy something you ‘give’?

Pregnancy is that which happens or should happen between a man and a woman,

when in a mutual relationship, in a healthy contact…

It’s like that, Tommy.

Right!

Like you said… in a mutual relationship… in a healthy contact…

We have a baby.

When our baby is in your abdomen, suppose I say sex is not a stamp paper.

Will you be able to bear it?

Will you say it’s alright?

Or will you make me eat an unda? [Ball-shaped food item euphemism for prison food]

What did you say, you want unda?

Bro, do you serve unda?

If I had known you will make a noise, I wouldn’t have come.

I would have wrapped everything in a message.

You still don’t have answers to what I ask.

What answers? Your questions are all unreal!

What answer can I give to all that?

I have expressed my lack of love for you for some time.

I have even body-shamed you.

You take everything in jest.

Aren’t you still say all this in jest?

Aren’t you?

No, Tommy!

These are things I have wanted to tell you.

I was alright with you initially.

But when I matured…

Your type of physique is not what I want in my life partner.

What I am saying might be painful to you…

But I need to speak out.

Tommy, my future children…

even when I see them in my dreams…

They are fair, plump…

I want them just like that!

There’s just one life!

My love…it has been from childhood.

Before you conclude everything with words…

And leave me alone…

I will pay the bill and exit.

Maybe, that way, I won’t feel terribly sad!

Liji?

Uh?

Please take good care of your child.

[Tommy VO] My mind was very hurt thinking of those old matters.

[Tommy VO] The next day, Manoj came to pick me up for Goa.

[Tommy VO] And following him came the folks of Joby and Lijina.

[Tommy VO] That way, my body also got hurt.

Hey...

Catch him...

Stop I say...

Come, There he is

You stay there.

Don't loose him.

Don't think you can escape from here.

Will teach you lesson today.

Catch him

Beat him...

Hey...

Don't beat him.

Tommy..., Run...

I'm right behind you...

Still, will someone come and beat one up without any reason?

There must be a reason, eh?

There were some small reasons, Sir.

It so happened.

Then why did you say no to a complaint?

I don’t want to be shamed further, I was well-beaten up.

And running here and there, I broke my limbs too.

I don’t want to fail before her again.

Don’t ever go that way! Do you hear?

And stop all friendship with this one!

He must be the one who instigated you into this.

Not at all, he is innocent of this.

Be careful.

Take care of your body. You are on medicines.

What do you have if you don’t have health!

Tommy, don’t destroy your soul.

You should not have hatred towards anyone.

Hatred is the poison we swallow when we create trouble for another.

It won’t affect them.

If you hate, the entire effect of it is on you.

It’s said in the Bible ‘the evil will flourish like a palm tree’.

In which Bible did you see that?

This may appear in the Bible of a senseless film maker.

Other than that, no Bible in this word bears these words.

I will recite what is there in the Bible.

The first is Corinthians 13: 7-8

Love bears all things,

believes all things,

hopes all things,

endures all things.

Love never ends.

You think this out.

According to the Word, was yours love?

May I come and stay with you, Father?

For some days?

How can you come over when the treatment here is not concluded?

I can’t come and stay here either.

Coming June, we have a youth meditation there.

There are a hundred seats. I will book one seat for you.

You please pray well.

Everything has returned to the old order, Father.

I am not able to pray.

I tried much.

But am not able to…

I will hand you over to someone here.

Please don’t raise any objection.

Don’t be anxious.

Just think you are going to be introduced to a new friend.

Okay.

I know him well. He is a good doctor.

There will be a spiritual approach.

You must talk to him about everything openly.

Okay, I will

Then, you must pay attention to what the doctor says!

You must specially mention the difficulty in prayers.

Father Polachira! How come you here?

I came here to…his…

Oh, do you work here Dr. Velayudhan?

Yes… oh, Father, don’t get up seeing me.

I will sit down.

I am at the Gynec here.

What happened to your limbs?

That…

He had an accident.

Oh, the mental trauma after that!

Don’t worry, Dr. Simon is a great doc.

He will mend you.

Any need of my services? Let me know?

No issues.

Oh!

We are in the need of canvassing these days, Father.

Earnings are not as good as it was at Lotus.

And my house is being built too.

It’s a huge house.

Those beggars, the locals, should be shocked seeing it!

Look, Father, would you have some funds to spare?

Church renovation, festival or cemetery fund…

For a few days’ adjustment? Eh!

Not at all!

Father, I asked this in full gravity!

[Father sighing]

You mean, no?

Tommy!

So you parted?

It’s been 4-5 years…

What was Tommy’s condition after your separation?

Did you weep a lot? Eh?

I was sad…

and moreover, I was angry.

But, even though she ignored me and rejected me…

I could not let her go.

If I did that, I would have become an orphan again.

So…

Can’t we discuss one more time?

Tommy, there’s no need for that.

Come with your friends…

My friends and cousins support me fully in this.

They are the ones who give me so much courage.

Your lawyer friend, Haritha, what about her?

She is my biggest support.

Earlier, when there were problems between us…

Wasn’t she the mediator?

This time…

This time she suggested that you let me go, eh?

Yeah!

I did say. And I don’t feel that’s wrong.

What may be your reason behind that? [Sarcastic tone]

A relationship should have love and not constant conflict.

Tommy, there’s always trouble between you both.

And I know that fact.

Yeah we fight, but that means there’s no affection between us?

I see, what else does that mean?

That guy I introduced you to…

Sivadasan bro, working in Padmas…

Has he any dispute with you, Haritha?

What dispute? No!

So does that mean you are in love?

Haritha, you have mentioned you have issues with the Mom here.

Does that mean you have no love for her?

Yes, It is.

So, yours is love.

And ours is nonsense!

It’s time for you to leave, right?

Yes.

May I say something more?

A small matter?

Tell me.

February 21st was her birthday.

Liji and I went to the beach that day.

We walked together for long, kissing and touching.

The sun set early that day.

The hangover of love had not subsided even when we reached our home.

We talked on phone for a long time, from our beds.

Liji kissed me right from my forehead coming down...

As she kissed me each time, I called her, Baby.

Then she slowly…

Stop it…why are you pushing these things into my ears?

You are irritating.

Oh! So it’s irritating for you to listen to acts of love.

And when we have snags, you listen to her for hours in silence.

Then you instigate trouble and make us fight.

You folks…. [Angry tone]

This is not what I thought about you, Tommy!

What’s it?

Did you picked a fight with Haritha?

What did she do wrong?

She called and spoke an hour with me on phone.

But I talked to her for just five minutes.

Isn’t that enough?

Tommy… don’t go and meet my friends in my name.

But I too know Advocate Haritha.

So you went on a legal consultation.

Then do one thing.

File a complaint at the police station too.

Bring this to a full circle.

[The police officer hiccups]

Sir, water.

This hiccup has been recurring since morning.

-That file I gave you yesterday? -Yes…

Bring that.

What charge can I bring in here?

No strong arguments at all.

Don’t file a case and put her in jail. Just scare her a bit.

She will mend her ways.

Bro…

On what basis shall I build the case?

Nothing much has happened! Has it?

If ‘the defendant’ has physically assaulted me…

And made me lose my health…

Can’t we make a case?

Yeah, we can. For sure!

If ‘the defendant’ has disturbed me mentally…

And made me lose my mental health…

Can’t we make a case?

[The police officer hiccups again]

That’s not how it is.

I am not getting the sections for the case strongly.

‘The defendant’ has been body shaming me for some time.

By body-shaming you mean you’ve been teased and called nicknames?

Yes. That’s it.

I need to make a study of this.

These sections and law…

So you are leaving now, right?

No, I am not leaving, Sir. I need to know the decision. Right now.

Hey, you. Talk carefully. Or we’ll put you inside.

No, no.

Go.

So you have sections for that? Uhhh.. Sir?

Other than body shaming… have you been insulted by caste-names?

No…no…

Okay, so I will convene a meeting of both families.

But without the girl’s consent, I cannot do anything.

Sir, I grew up in an orphanage.

I don’t have anyone to speak of.

Can’t we make a case accusing of rape after promise of marriage?

I had a desire that only one woman should know my body.

Honestly, Sir, I did.

That has been shattered.

Then, for the last few days, I have suicidal tendencies.

Can’t we make a case for abetment to suicide?

Eh?

Sir please file a case and counsel her.

Nothing else is required.

She will mend her ways, I am sure.

[The police officer hiccups]

Hallo, Haritha!

[Agitated] Are you free now?

Tell me what I should say.

I came to the kitchen on the pretext of drinking water…and called.

Uhh..

No, Mom is here.

Dad is not in town. I am very upset.

Mom is much scared.

Mmm…

Uhhh.. Uhhh

Uhhh.. Uhhh

Drank water?

Mmm.

Sit down.

Am Good.

These things are common now.

But thinking of the boy’s background and his current condition…

I had a cousin like this.

Younger to me.

He had even got admission in the IIT.

He had a somewhat similar problem.

It was a suicide.

The postmortem documents the injuries at death.

We never inquired about the bruises on his mind prior to death.

That was the reason.

When Tommy came to see me, I was reminded of him.

If he is a decent guy, if his character is acceptable,

If you are sure he will be affectionate,...

Can’t you consider it?

Tommy’s case, I mean.

I mean…

Sir, everyone has the right to make changes to such decisions.

Hmmm.

I had troubled my folks in the name of this relationship.

I cannot do it again.

And, Sir,

My...

I am getting married.

It’s just that I have not mentioned that to Tommy.

After getting into police service, I have seen some cases like this.

There’s justice on both sides. And mistake too, on both sides.

So one gets confused.

Which side should one take?

So I do one thing. I check who is losing more.

That’s why I spoke for Tommy.

Let me leave now.

I will inform Tommy about the decision.

I will also hint about the marriage.

The news about Lijina's marriage was devastating for me.

I thought of all possible ways to not let her become anybody else's.

I went to their home with Father Wilson.

I even had to tell them that we had crossed all barriers in our relationship.

But nobody took it seriously.

Tommy, you should think more broadly. This is the modern age.

I teach many youngsters.

I am speaking from that experience.

This too will pass.

This is not like that.

This is not easy, Dad.

[In a dismissive way] Call me Brother.

What I have to say is…

When our daughter gets a good future…

Tommy, if you love her, you wouldn’t be a barrier.

Really? I will be a barrier alright!

I will file a case in court.

I will bring you all before court.

After filing a case, will you marry her?

And after that, will you have children and be happy?

Is that possible?

Lijina, do you have anything to say?

Father, haven’t my parents said everything?

Come, we’ll go.

Thank you for the tea and biscuits.

We are leaving.

Hmm, get up.

Father, I have burnt some the letters he had sent her.

If Tommy has given you any gifts, please return them.

Don’t keep anything.

Mom is leaving and very unwell now.

Even if you don’t see me again, don’t be too sad.

Keep this with you at all times.

Remember your Mom.

Tommy, you should forget me.

My Dad left my Mom when I was in her womb.

That way, I too must have shared my Mom’s sorrow.

Meaning, Joseph Bro, my pain of being left behind…

That started for me even before I was born.

It’s a habit now.

It won’t pass or be cured.

O angel child, the one who ascended from the skies onto my lap

I have nobody but you, forever

Forever and ever

You grew up as I watched

You will reach new heights in the future

Yet, I want to see you as my child

You

Though your eyes are shiny

The world will only give sorrows

Learn to conquer the world with love

Even when your soul is filled with a sea full of sorrows

Even when the whole world stands against you

Jesus will protect you forever

Forever and ever

Don't wither, my child, You are like a fresh bloom

To stop disturbing those people who pass on leaving us behind…

And to respect their decisions…one need not be a saint.

You need just one thing…

courtesy.

You didn’t show me any courtesy!

Hallo?

Hallo?

Is this Joby?

The fiancé of Lijina Joseph?

My name is Tommy.

Ah, Tommy. Liji had told me about you.

What has she told you? That we had been in love?

Yes.

Then listen! More has happened between us. Many things.

You mean sex?

Eh? Ah, yes, that!

That’s something I could have guessed, Tommy.

But calling me and saying this is not good.

You didn’t love her.

So, you have no problem marrying her, even after knowing all?

Huh?

No, dude.

She is my property!

Tommy, you do one thing.

You give a police complaint, saying I have confiscated your property.

Let them put me in jail.

Huh!

I will trip and fall on the barren land

Unable to fight against my fate

Don't lose hope, my child

Remember that the heavens are close to you

Forget your wounds

Don't cry, my dear child

You are my child forever

[Tommy VO] Frankly, right then I wanted someone who loved me completely!

[Tommy VO] What did I get instead?

What did I get instead?

A good job in the Gulf, good salary.

That was the end of everyone’s responsibility.

The doctor said the mistakes started there.

Which doctor?

The psychiatrist.

What I don’t understand is… the treatment lasting 2-3 months…

What issue do you to require this?

Revenge.

You let that go.

She has no idea where you are.

Your phone was also switched off.

They are happier now.

Lijina is pregnant.

Tommy, I am asking you again.

Is there a need to go to that warehouse again?

Yes, I want to go.

The meditation starts on Sunday. I need to reach there only by then.

That godown…that’s just passing time for me till then.

There’s a special vibe there, Manoj.

His phone has been switched on.

I have an alert message.

Whose phone?

Tommy’s.

Oh, let that go.

We are happy now, right?

After becoming pregnant, our prestige issue has been resolved.

It’s now that I am at peace.

Don’t get all that into your mind again.

Shouldn’t have beaten him up.

Shall I call him and talk?

I have no issues with the thrashing.

I was due to get a wallop.

Where were you all these days?

I was in treatment for lunacy. I think I am better.

Hey! I am okay.

You are? Ah!

She is pregnant.

I heard that from Manoj.

Look, can I meet you in person?

We can discuss and settle everything.

Yes, come alone.

Tomorrow…

Friday!

Where should I come?

Why do you have an affinity for such a place?

This place was also left behind by its owners.

Because there was no profit.

Did you see that saree?

Go and take that.

I had gifted this to Lijina once.

Then why is this with Tommy?

Gave it back.

I wanted to see you for nothing but this.

Sorry for everything. And congratulations on the good news.

Thank you.

I have stopped troubling you folks.

I have peace of mind now.

I had considered revenge as a heroic act.

I understood only recently that it’s a disease.

It’s okay.

Then please go Joby.

What else do we have to talk now?

Sorry.

Okay.

[Tommy VO] Looking forward in Life, there are no reasons to stay alive.

[Tommy VO] Looking backward, there are many reasons.

[Tommy VO] To die.

[Tommy VO] Manoj, you know the biggest charity you did in your life?

[Tommy VO] You extended my life for 4-5 years with your lies.

Tommy.

That was his name.

That I should talk to you about him, was his demand.

He had written so in the letter he sent me before his death.

[Tommy VO] Dear Father, Ajayan Sir, Dr.Simon…

[Tommy VO] At the end of everything, I have gone away.

[Tommy VO] When you read this, I will not be in your world.

[Tommy VO] I wasn’t able to give anything in return.

[Tommy VO] This letter is just to thank you a lot.

[Tommy VO] It’s not when I didn’t have anyone to love me…But…

[Tommy VO] When I was not able to love anyone…

[Tommy VO] that I really became an orphan.

[Tommy VO] At the moment of death, I am an orphan.

[Tommy VO] Father, you have looked after my soul, and loved it a lot.

[Tommy VO] Dr. Simon, you have taken meticulous care of my mind for so many days.

[Tommy VO] Ajayan Sir constantly used to say, mind your body, take care of your health.

[Tommy VO] But…there was no one to love me totally.

[Tommy VO] Father Wilson, when I say this, what would you have said in response?

[Tommy VO] That, you must say to the others.

No one can love us totally, but God.

[Tommy VO] You can definitely put a name to how revenge and hate destroyed a life.

[Tommy VO] Tommy!

Mysterious Death of Youth: Accused Joby in Remand for Fourteen Days.

The matter is serious,

Tommy has put a noose around your necks.

There is proof that Joby has gone there on the day of the event.

And also how your cousins beat him up.

As if this is not enough, proofs of the relationship between you and Tommy.

The fingerprints on that saree.

Go and take that.

I had gifted this to Lijina once.

The fingerprints on Tommy’s body.

Congratulations on the good news.

The confusion on how he hanged himself from such a height

Without the help of someone as tall as Joby.

[Heavy breathing and weeping]

Totally, he has set such a booby trap for you.

And I don’t know how I can pull this off.

I have talked to the senior lawyer.

Some way will open up.

It’s all my mistake.

See, he did all this to make you say this one sentence.

You said a No!

He, the locals and the community

Weren’t they all trying hard to make you say Yes?

And then he took psychiatric treatment for months.

And what happened?

Did he get better?

You can cry.

But don’t cry with regret, Lijina.

Be bold thinking of at least Joby’s child.

Post!

[Tommy VO] Lijina, this is me, Tommy.

[Tommy VO] When you read this letter, I will not be in this world.

[Tommy VO] If my calculations work out, your husband also will not be with you.

[Tommy VO] Just you and the baby within you.

[Tommy VO] I heard many opinions on what’s happening to my mind.

[Tommy VO] But I too had a cognizance.

[Tommy VO] Lijina, I have never loved you.

[Tommy VO] I just gave you importance.

[Tommy VO] That’s why I insisted that I be given importance in your life.

[Tommy VO] Planned that.

I had told you earlier. IVF.

Depositing another person’s sperm in your body and conceive.

It’s expensive. But I don’t see another way for an immediate result.

[Tommy VO] At last, I used all the money I had earned working 4-5 years in the Gulf.

[Tommy VO] To get my baby space within you.

[Tommy VO] Yes, Lijina, the baby growing in you is our child.

[Gasping in shock]

[Tommy VO] When my craziness soars again, I might come again with more claims.

[Tommy VO] I am going away to avoid that.

[Tommy VO] I have never cried like when I heard my mom died.

[Tommy VO] But I have been hurt even more than that, when I heard another thing.

Tommy, my future children…even when I see them in my dreams…

They are fair, plump…

I want them just like that!

[Tommy VO] Don’t show this letter to anyone in case you don’t like that.

[Tommy VO] Father Wilson has another letter of mine.

[Tommy VO] That should suffice to prove my death is a suicide.

[Tommy VO] Let Joby get his freedom with that.

[Tommy VO] Good bye Lijina.

[Tommy VO] I say adieu.

Liji, please do look after your child.

[Quiet weeping]

Liji, please do give our child good care.

[Tommy VO] Years ago,

[Tommy VO] I was there for you to love.

[Tommy VO] Later, you had Joby to get married to.

[Tommy VO] Finally, when it was time to have a baby,

[Tommy VO] I realized that you were seeking a third person,

[Tommy VO] and that's when I became the gravest sinner of this world.

[Tommy VO] It's not for anything else, Lijina.

[Tommy VO] May that other person in your life

[Tommy VO] be nobody else but me.

Hey, don’t make it late.

The tea they made will get cold.

It’s good.

I made the tea. Not she.

You didn’t say anything.

What do you wish that I say? Eh?

Inviting three people, serving them tea…

And making a well-thought decision…

Within the time they drink the cuppa?

A decision on my daughter’s marriage is not such a matter!

Then, shall I serve another round of tea?

Hey, what a donkey!

Look, since they are in such a situation…

What situation?

[Mocking laughter]

Look,

you come here.

Go!

What’s this?

It’s the bride and groom who have conversations away from everyone.

I saw your short film and movie.

You may become someone even bigger in the future.

But…

there is absolutely no match between you both!

Whom do I say this to? Who will understand?

Ronaldo, this is not right…

this is not right.

Suppose I marry her off to someone else…

I know you will not let her sleep in peace.

That’s the only reason…

That’s the only reason, out of sheer helplessness…

That I am consenting to this marriage.

Don’t you even imagine that…we can make a show…

Of being father-in-law and son-in-law!

So let that be… let that be…

Everyone says my film is a hit…

I now think it’s a super hit.

Daddy!

-Let go… -I won’t!

I have eaten a lot…

Then eat this also…it’s very tasty!

It’s been 2-3 years since we met.

This is the first time we have given each other company without alcohol.

Why did you stop it suddenly?

While shooting…one day…

You go.

Mmm.

A friend suggested during the shoot.

Who, our Ronaldo?

No! Don’t spoil my mood mentioning him.

We are on slightly bad terms.

He didn’t like my taking on a role in the movie.

He mentioned that confidentially to the controller Soman…

Who mentioned that confidentially to me!

What’s it about needing 35 takes?

I have done the role neatly, right?

Yeah!

He did not also like it when I put out posters and hoardings as I wanted.

Leave that. The picture is a super hit, right?

That’s for the public. For me this movie is a mega hit.

That too before the movie was released.

How’s that?

Varghese, why have I not married?

Why have I made kids make so many movies on Love and Revenge?

I too had a love affair.

But it didn’t work out.

They didn’t make it happen.

Those who should have made it happen…

Saw that we were not well-matched…

That we were not well-suited physically.

I didn’t have a nick name.

But every slim guy thereabouts had my name as their nickname.

Varghese, we loved each other so much.

Still, no one saw how compatible our minds were.

It was those old times. And she was a naïve girl.

She married someone else.

I didn’t think about anyone else.

Luckily, I didn’t become crazy like our Tommy.

I made money.

But my revenge was to the public.

To my family.

So when I decided to make a movie…

I sought out her number. And called her.

After 25 years, we heard each other’s voice.

Varghese…

that moment…

it was a golden moment alright.

In real life, we could not be husband and wife.

But can you act in a movie, as my wife?

Just one day.

I will come.

She came.

And acted as my wife a whole day.

To extend that day, I went into 35 takes.

[Happy laughter]

Am a fool, do you think?

[Happy laughter]

The pain was heart-wrenching.

Those days when I came to know I would not get her…

I became alone.

We wanted to frame many photos of us together…after marriage

And hang it across the house.

That didn’t happen.

Instead…

Varghese, instead, I hung it right at Edappally Junction.

[Gentle laughter]

I did it, Varghese.