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1960 EACHANARI, COIMBATORE

Mr. Naidu, are you giving us
a hard time looking for you?

Do you realize hiding like this
is punishable by law?

The government's 90-day grace period
for you to pay up ended yesterday.

To recover your unpaid taxes
and penalties,

the government will confiscate
80 percent of all your assets.

Here is the official order.

- Mohan, please proceed.
- Yes, sir.

You have to hand over
your title deeds immediately, sir.

You must provide 52 documents in total.

Pillai.

Give them what they want.

Okay.

Please wait, I'll be back.

1984
TAMIL NADU EDUCATION BOARD, MADRAS

This is unfair, sir.

Padma is a young girl.

So what if she doesn't sign?

Haven't the majority of us signed?

Our protocol has changed, ma'am.

Even if one member doesn't sign,
the syllabus won't be approved.

Oh, God! We've been discussing the same
for two weeks over tea and snacks!

How much longer
will you drag this, sir?

What do you want me to do?

I'm helpless.

We have to finalize the syllabus
by the 9th and send it to print.

She still hasn't signed it.

What can I do? Outrageous!

Sir, for the salary we earn

and the snacks we eat here, we should be
at least a little bit fair, right?

Just to print the same
syllabus every year,

why do we have this
redundant committee?

I have only one question.

Why shouldn't our students learn
about a deserving individual?

That "deserving individual"
she's talking about…

He cheated the government
without paying taxes.

In his old age, he went crazy
and bombed his own building.

He is a thief, a terrorist and a lunatic.

We don't have time to discuss

whether to include such a man
in our syllabus.

Sir, at least all of that happened
later in his life.

Leave that aside.

He didn't even complete Grade Three
in school.

He threw mud at his teacher's face.
If we make our children learn

about such a person, it's a shame for us.

You have a silver tongue, ma'am.

But shall I share something?

Whatever the truth is,

only the writers decide
what gets recorded in history.

If a lion pens the story of a hunt
without the hunter,

that history will be warped!

The meaning of bravery will also change.

The reason I delayed signing the syllabus
for the past few weeks is this.

I request all of you
to read this from cover to cover.

Even after reading it,

if you are of the opinion
that G.D.N. is a terrorist,

anti-national and a tax evader,

you don't have to wait for me.

I will resign on my own.

G. D. N.
G. D. NAIDU'S BIOGRAPHY

1914 KALANGAL, COIMBATORE

You are the rhythm
My dreams longed to find.

You awakened the music in my heart.

I lived all alone in a town unknown…

Don't char it too much.

- Hey, the motorcycle has stopped.
- So what?

Kathavaraya, take the kerosene
and the cutter.

- Why?
- Take it.

My Lord!

My Lord!

My Lord!

- Who are you?
- This is for you!

- Don't hit me…
- What do you want?

The kerosene. It's for you.

When your motorcycle stopped in Sulur
the other day,

you used kerosene to clean it, right?

Sulur?

It happened last year.

Have you been following me since then?

No, no, no.

I didn't follow you.

I followed the motorcycle.

- You like motorcycles this much?
- Yes.

Our cart moves only when
two strong bulls pull it.

But such a small motor
makes your motorcycle move!

That really fascinates me.

Hand me the lamp.

And remove the spark plug.

See? Carbon.

Now clean it using
the kerosene and the knife.

You see this hook?

And now…

Throw that cap back on and you are done.

- Take this.
- I don't want money.

What else do you want?

I like… your motorcycle.

Will you sell this to me?

Do you have 250 rupees?

Yes, I do.

What?

250?

Yes.

What's your name?

You are a British "Dorai".

I am a Tamil Dorai.

Gopalaswamy Doraiswamy Naidu.

Alright, Doraiswamy.

Come see me when you have the money.

I'll come tomorrow.

- Chellamma.
- Tell me.

Where are you off to
so early in the morning?

- I told you about a motorcycle, right?
- Yes.

That British man agreed to sell it to me.

I am short by 20 rupees.

- I'll handle it.
- Wait, dear.

- Are you also coming to buy it?
- Come on, dear.

Climb on.

When I look at you, love is in the air.

A wondrous spell beyond compare.

Without you near, my smiles fade.

My heart is lost in sorrow's shade.

Hey! Shameless fellows!
Step out of the field!

Hey! Shut your mouth!

The landlords won't even peep in here.

Revolt and rot right there.

Let's continue with our work.

It seems the lunatics are revolting.

What is it?

Everyone has gone
into the fields to work.

- Sit down.
- It's alright, sir.

Did the landlords agree to your requests?

Not at all!

Even if we work all day,

the men get paid 3.5 annas
and women get paid only 2.5 annas.

The yield is very good this time.

But the landlords refuse
to increase even one Anna.

Look at our menfolk.

They are shamelessly working
without even heeding our protest.

Ask them to step out.

Hey, Vellaya!

What are you doing there?

Dorai.

You listened to her
and you're yelling at me, huh?

- I'll handle this.
- Hey, Deivanai!

If you utter one word more,

- I am warning you…
- Don't worry, Deivanai.

It's been a week
since they started protesting.

Not one landlord paid attention to this.

I don't have a single penny on me.

What do you want me to do?

Hey.

Vella, a protest is like
grabbing a tiger's tail.

You shouldn't let go
until they raise your wages.

If we loosen our grip,
that's the end of our story.

Do you want all our wives
and children to die of starvation?

- I am prepared to die.
- You go ahead and die!

- But why do you kill my baby in your womb?
- Hey.

Here, take this.

Oh, no!

- Dorai…
- Take it!

Why do I need so much money?

- There's no need.
- Just keep it.

Dorai, why give us money?
We'll manage.

Keep quiet, man.
Listen, all of you!

This amount is for all of you.

If you don't plant seedlings
for two more crop seasons,

those landlords will come down
from their high horse.

How can you give away so much money?

Don't we have to return it?

All of you are protesting
for justice and fair pay.

Don't let go until they agree.

You can use this money
for your expenses until then, right?

My husband means well.

Doraiswamy.

God bless you, my boy.

God bless you, Doraiswamy!

If he gave the entire amount
he had saved to those poor farmers,

didn't he buy that motorcycle, sir?

He didn't buy it then.

"But in order to buy
the motorcycle he desired,

he moved away from his wife and children

"and went to Coimbatore."

"There, he worked as a server
in a restaurant for three years."

"He toiled day and night

and saved money
to make his dream come true."

The amount you specified.

Good Lord, you managed it.

Do you know how to ride a motorcycle?

I can learn if I see it once, sir.

You lit my mind with love anew.

You made my heart bloom just for you.

My day is filled with dreams.

Flowing like honeyed streams.

As I walked by your side.

My soul rejoiced and bloomed inside.

When our dreams entwine.

The whole world shines divine…

Listen, my dear.

Dear!

Yes?

Our daughter wants to go
for a ride on your motorcycle.

Shall we get ready?

For keeps, for eternity
You are the love that embraces me.

Come what may, even if far apart
You are always close to my heart.

Despite distant shores we see.

You will always be a part of me.

What is this?

You dismantled it?

It isn't enough to learn
how to ride it, dear.

I should learn how it runs.

That's the reason I bought this bike.

You could have fulfilled our child's wish
and then done this, right?

It echoed within me.

As ragas in melody.

In rhythmic rhapsody.

Playful games on love's pathway
Youth bursts forth in glad display.

Now you are here
You stole my heart, dear.

Though silver moonlight fades away
Though dreams are clouded with dismay.

Our hearts heaven-made
Will such a love ever fade?

Without you, not even a blink
My heart won't sleep a wink.

Knowing you are next to me here
My heart blossoms with cheer.

Your beauty shines bright and true
Even those gods can't resist you

I will look at God eye to eye
And make them flee and fly.

The whole village stops to stare
You're a beauty beyond compare.

Endless tales of you begin to bloom anew.

All day long, as I walked by your side.

My soul rejoiced and bloomed inside.

When our dreams entwine.

The whole world shines divine.

As I walk with you right here.

My soul rejoices with cheer.

When our hearts and dreams align.

The whole world begins to shine…

Chellamma.

Shall we ride the motorcycle?

I won't come.

Why?

Look over there.

Dorai, your new motorcycle
looks terrific indeed.

Like it? Take it for a ride.

I had enough rides last night.

Then let's go.

Where?

I've asked a mill owner I know
to give you a job.

Who did you ask?

I'm going to Coimbatore city
to work in a garage.

It seems your wife doesn't want you
to go to the city.

Oh!

My uncle and my wife are ganging up?

Uncle, I can earn money
only if I go to Coimbatore to work.

If I had stayed in this village,
could I have bought this motorcycle?

Dorai.

Cotton farming is our family occupation.

Only if you supervise it from here

will our relatives help you
if there's a problem.

Listen to me.

Earn well from the trade you know

and invest that money in a trade you love.

Then you'll become
a successful businessman.

Okay, in which mill
have you got me a job?

DHANALAKSHMI COTTON MILL

- Is he your candidate?
- Yes, madam.

He is the first person to come here
on a motorcycle asking for a job!

Take off your turban.

He is so clueless!

Take it off
and tie it around your waist.

Madam.

Will he bend his back and work hard?

Stand with your hands folded.

He will go the extra mile.

I'll hire him because he is your nephew.

Listen, boy, there are some rules
to be followed if you work here.

You must report for work early.

You should not take leaves
without a reason.

You should not gossip
with your co-workers.

You will get a monthly salary
of five rupees, understood?

I also have a few rules, madam.

Hey!

I'm here to train as a mill worker.

I will be here only for two years.

After learning the ropes of this job,
I intend to start my own mill.

Are you out of your mind?

You're being upfront.

- Ramasamy, how many will be so frank?
- Madam?

Thavasi, take this boy
and teach him the job.

- Yes, madam.
- Thank her.

- Go.
- Come with me.

Go, dear.

Rooted deep in their native soil
Countless hands here honor the toil.

Unity is our power so strong
Supporting us lifelong.

For those who toil away.

No loss will come their way.

Just believe you will achieve.

Where work is plentiful all around.

The clever never lose their ground…

Doraiswamy, go to Vairavan's shop
and buy soap nut powder.

Pluck some neem leaves on the way back.

This child has lice all over her head.

The wisdom that you gain and seek
Will lift you to the highest peak.

Clash with mountains, never yield
Display courage which is your shield.

Let your heart lead the way
Take each step to a brighter day.

Learn the ways of the wise
Change your tactics and rise.

Let your passion rise within
Let your grit and guts kick in.

Madam.

Can you teach me English too?

Madam.

What is this?

- What is this?
- Eggplant!

Very good.

The way you remove the nits
with a lice comb

the same way, this machine

separates the cotton fiber from the seeds.

Good Lord!

How amazing!

TWO YEARS LATER

G. D. GINNING MILL

- Hey! Remove all the carts from there!
- Dorai!

All the bigwigs are waiting
for the mill's inauguration.

- Won't others take care of this?
- Uncle, did you see Chellamma?

Chellamma? She was right here.

Chellamma?

Chellamma?

Deivanai?

Did you see Chellamma?

She felt unwell, so she is taking rest.

- She is unwell?
- Yes.

Hey!

Chellamma!

- What happened?
- It's nothing.

- I was feeling tired.
- You are saying you feel tired.

But you're burning up with a high fever.

- Lingam?
- Sir?

- Get the cart ready to go to the doctor.
- Sure, sir.

We fixed an auspicious date and invited
all the VIPs to inaugurate the mill.

If you are not here, it won't be right.

You go there.

- I can go to the doctor by myself.
- Hey.

How can today be auspicious
if you are unwell?

Keep quiet.
Lingam, bring the ox cart!

Chellamma?

How are you?

- Are you feeling better?
- Yes.

Are you churning buttermilk
so late at night?

Not buttermilk, Deivanai.
Add those onions to it.

What is this?

It has diced the onions so finely.

My husband made this

so that my eyes don't tear up
when I cut onions.

He really bends over backward
to make sure you're happy.

You are truly blessed.

That is the problem.

I am unable to accept it.

Deivanai, he has such big dreams.

Many people have to benefit
from his dreams.

G. D. GINNING MILL

- Bravo.
- Wow!

That was great!

Very good.

I hear the French are coming
to our aid on the Western Front.

Led by the British army, of course.

It's the French who need our help.

Naturally.

And soon,
Germany's dominance will be broken.

I'd like to raise a toast
to victory over Germany.

And for the Great War to be over soon.

Stanes?

I've been toying with the idea
of starting cotton farming.

Since that's your forte,
I'd like some guidance.

Yeah, well, actually, I know someone
with far more expertise than I do.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Mr. and Mrs. Naidu!

Oh! Speak of the devil!

Who the hell is this fakir?

He is one of the most intelligent
and enterprising gentlemen I've ever met.

Quite simply, he is a genius!

Oh! Really?

- Madam?
- No, thank you.

Excuse me, ladies.

I'm afraid I have to steal
this gentleman from you.

- I'm sorry, ladies.
- Of course, Stanes.

Mr. Stanes, I see the crutches have gone.

My Siddha medicines
have worked their magic.

Blimey! Your English has improved
by leaps and bounds.

Well, I had good teachers.

Mrs. Stanes and you taught me
with so much affection.

It's our pleasure.

Won't you join us at this table?

- Thank you. Very good evening, gentlemen.
- Good evening.

Naidu, may I present Winston Smith?
Promising young merchant.

- Oh! Nice to meet you, Mr. Smith.
- Nice to meet you.

And this is Henry Adams,
Commissioner of Income Tax.

Oh! Such an honor
to meet you, Mr. Adams.

Mr. Smith would love to get
your expert opinion on cotton farming.

Oh! You're interested?

Yes.

I have cross-bred high-yield cotton plants

with pest-resistant,
low-cost cotton varieties

that produce the highest yields
and I've preserved those seeds carefully.

Oh, my!

Can I have some of your seeds, please?

Definitely.

But I won't give them away for free.

I'll sell them.
That too, at my price.

Where did you earn
your degree in botany, Mr. Naidu?

Mr. Adams.

My enthusiasm teaches me
many things that education couldn't.

The audacity of this uneducated man

to come and sell his seeds to us!

How are you qualified to sell them to us?

You entered our country as mere traders.

If you think you're qualified
to rule this country,

I'm slightly more qualified than you are.

Naidu.

Are you aware of where
and whom you are talking to?

You will soon understand which country
you're in and whom you're talking to.

We'll see.

Naidu, why are you doing this?

I am worried.
Think about your family.

My dear Mr. Stanes.

A shrewd industrialist should know

whose feet to fall at
and whose ears to tweak!

Family…

Do you know where Chellamma is?

Chell…

Excuse me.

- Shanmugam, did you see my wife?
- Sir?

I offered to drop her
in our horse carriage.

She said no
and walked back to the cottage.

Bring my vehicle!

Chellamma.

Chellamma, what happened, dear?

Are you unwell?

Nothing of that sort.

When I take you to parties like this,

it bothers me
that I make you feel uncomfortable.

Will you promise me something?

Only I will speak now.

You should not interrupt me.

Okay.

How hard did you work to save money
to buy your dream motorcycle?

But you gave the entire sum
without batting an eye

to those protesters in Kalangal.

You have a heart of gold, dear.

It will not change.
Nor should it change.

By manufacturing indigenous products
for the people of our land,

your dream to end British rule
is a really big challenge.

It will benefit our country
and our people immensely.

In such a crucial phase in your life…

"Will my wife be alright with this?"

"Will she settle down happily
if we move here?"

If you have to worry about me like this,

I may be keeping people
from benefiting from those advantages.

Chellamma.

I don't want
to shoulder that blame, dear.

I know very well
how much you love me.

If I ask you to follow me
leaving behind your dreams,

you will agree in the blink of an eye.

But after that,

I'd be weeping that you couldn't serve
our nation because of my selfishness.

You'd be feeling sad
that you couldn't achieve your goals.

Our life will turn sour.

I can think of only one way.

What is it?

Marry a girl who will stand by your side
sharing your many dreams.

Chellamma, have you lost your...

Don't worry about our children.

I'll raise them well.

I didn't decide this overnight.

A calm decision made
after deep deliberation.

You will eventually realize
that it's better this way.

Uncle.

Are you mad or what?

How can I marry such a young girl?

Why does it bother you
when she has consented happily?

How can she think
with clarity at that age?

If you reject her now at the altar,
her family and life will be ruined.

She may take drastic measures.

Dorai, bend and give in right now.

Otherwise, Ranganayaki will
make you bend to her will.

Are you crying?

No.

What happened? Tell me.

I'm bad luck for you.

What?

All this happened to you
only after you married me.

Hey! What misfortune has befallen us?

When you were with your first wife,

you were the king of the cotton trade.

Just one year after I came into your life,
we've been reduced to this state.

We've sold all our assets
and sunk to this level of poverty…

You crazy wife of mine!

If we've been reduced to this state,
it's because of me!

I should have gone to Bombay
and stuck to the cotton trading.

Listening to some random chap's advice,

I'm the one who lost everything I earned
in cotton gambling.

I gambled. I lost all the money.

But did I become a drunkard and rot away?

Come here.

Ranganayaki, in Snakes & Ladders
when we cross 90 and keep moving,

a huge snake will bite us suddenly
and we'll come sliding down.

But even if we slide down
to the rock bottom,

we'll still remain in the game.

We don't get pushed off the board.

Listen to me.

Won't we get another ladder to climb?

If it doesn't come our way,

I will make it appear!

Lovely lunatic!

How can you be silly enough
to cry over this?

Naidu, Good Lord!

Is that really you?

Mr. Stanes.

I heard that you're hiring a mechanic
in your garage.

Can you give me that job?

Look, I understand you had to swallow
your pride to come and ask me for a job.

It takes a lot of courage
to do that, Naidu.

Most men couldn't do it.

And I'm in awe.

Mr. Stanes.

Pride cannot pay my bills.

True as that may be, my friend,

I cannot take advantage of you
at this time.

So here's what we are going to do.

Take one of my buses.

Run it.

Start again.

And I'm sure that in no time,

you will turn that bus
into a whole fleet of buses.

On that day, you can repay me.

Thank you.

Yes.

Of course, my old friend.

Now, what do you say?

Shall we go get us a pot of tea?

Oh! I am dying to.

- Thank you.
- Yes.

Your house looks the same.

Ah, yes.

Listen, dear.

Your uncle said that he has
arranged for a driver.

- Did you talk to him?
- I did… I did.

Who did you hire?

COIMBATORE - UDUMALAI - PALANI

Are you planning to drive it yourself?

Yes.

Proprietress.

How much will you pay this driver?

I can't pay this driver a salary.

This driver knows how to get a salary
from his beloved proprietress!

Doraiswamy.

Your love-bus is on the go.
When will this bus leave?

It will leave shortly.
First, get in.

- Come on.
- Uncle, he's driving for the first time.

Ask him to check the auspicious time.

- Okay… fine.
- My proprietress princess.

Should I look for auspicious time
or keep my eyes on the road?

Sarcastic wit runs in your veins!

Shall I take my leave?

Shall we go?

G. D. NAIDU BUS STATION

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

Mr. Hurtis, why did the bus
from Ooty start five minutes late?

- The bus was only half full.
- No, it doesn't matter.

Even if there's only one passenger,
the bus has to leave on time.

Discipline is more important than profits.
I'm sure you understand.

- Very good, sir.
- Are we set?

- Yes, sir.
- Let's go.

Respected bus owners who honored
our invitation and are here with us,

on behalf of Mr. G. D. Naidu,

G. D. Bus service and its proud employees,

I extend a hearty welcome to one and all.

R. P. BUS SERVICE

The bus service
which we run in South India

is no less than those in China, Japan
and Russia.

- That is not an exaggeration.
- Definitely.

He is absolutely right.

Only our G. D. Naidu runs a bus service
that has left the British speechless!

Look at that advertisement.

He is writing his own history!

If a man gets into his bus
clad in crisp white cotton attire,

he can be assured of alighting
without a spot of dirt or crease.

Whether it's advertising boastfully,

or maintaining the buses,

no one can beat Naidu.

Then how can we not appreciate him?

Thank you.

The reason we've all assembled here...

But…

Can we run a bus company
so efficiently like him?

Impossible, because he owns
more than 200 buses.

Money keeps rolling in.

We own one or two buses
and find it hard to make both ends meet.

If we charge two paise for four miles,

you take passengers at half the price
for the same distance.

Then how do we cope?

Sir, we can think of only one solution.

You don't drive on our route
and we won't drive on yours.

BUS OWNERS' CONFERENCE

No.

You cannot dictate which routes I can
drive on, nor can I do the same to you.

Because this is beyond business.

This is about service to the people.

Without competition,
there will be no growth or progress.

But that growth should not stop.

It's growth only if it spreads
in all directions.

Otherwise, it's called swelling.

Sir, you have understood
the problem clearly.

But your solution

resembles the British's scheme
of divide and rule.

It's called a chariot
only if the villagers join hands.

Or else it's just carved wood.

This town should unite in harmony.

I have a fantastic plan.

Lend me your ears with patience.

Our suggestion is for all of us
to start a cooperative bus company.

As far as this company is concerned,

everyone here is the boss.

Does he think all of us are blockheads?

You'll add your bus to our company.

Depending on how many buses you add,

we can share the profits accordingly.

The name of this bus company
where we unite for profit…

Is United Motor Service.

Our UMS, for short.

The customers will be our bosses.

Their comfort is our top priority.

Only then can we survive
and grow in this business.

For that sole reason,

we have planned
some special schemes for our people.

Separate, clean toilets
for men and women.

A rest area for travelers
and a canteen functioning for 14 hours.

If a passenger wants to go
to Nagercoil from Coimbatore,

all he has to do is buy one ticket.
It will be valid for four days.

Even if he stops in any town
along the way,

he can continue his journey
on any other UMS bus.

MADURAI - TIRUNELVELI - NAGERCOIL -
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - TRICHY - THANJAVUR

Spare parts expenses,
profit and loss statements

will be transparent and updated properly.

Anyone can check anytime they want.

Your idea seems very good on paper.

Let's say after we attach
all our buses with UMS,

if any repairs are needed,

should we take care of the expenses?

Or will the company cover them?

Very good question.
That's very pertinent.

Mr. Naidu plans to open a garage
that runs 24/7 at his own expense.

Since we are manufacturing
our own spare parts,

the service costs, breakdown costs,
expenditure on repairs…

You don't have to worry
about any of these expenses.

UMS will take care of it.

But have you ever wondered
why our buses break down frequently?

Because we drive our buses
on unpaved roads with great difficulty.

But taxes for roads
that have never been built

are collected by the British
government without any shame.

Does it stop there?

Customs duty, income tax, property tax…

Taxes on the salt
we harvest from our sea…

And not just on salt.

If we let this continue,

they'll even tax the loincloth we wear!

Scoundrels!

You are right.

But can a single person challenge
all these atrocities by the British?

Not at all.

But if we stand together as a federation,

we can grab them by the collar
and boldly demand answers.

We can refuse to pay taxes
if proper roads aren't built.

This is how we can change our destiny.

Now tell me.

As a cooperative,
shall we start this company?

United Motor Service.

Shall we start?

Sir, congratulations.

R.P. BUS SERVICE

- Sundaram.
- Sir?

Did Ramaiah Pillai add his buses
to the company?

Not yet.

- Why?
- He had an emergency.

The poor guy had to sell
the only bus he owned.

But it was well maintained.

That's why we bought it
at the price he quoted.

- He sold his bus?
- Yes, sir.

Ask him to come upstairs.

Greetings, Naidu.

I do not intend to change my mind.

The bus I sold you remains sold.

I plan to use that money
for my daughter's wedding.

- I'll take your leave.
- Sir… Sir, please come.

Come here.

Get your daughter married happily.

But don't get me wrong
for asking you this.

Will your life come to a standstill
after your daughter's wedding?

You sold the only bus you owned.

What will you do for a living?

Sir.

He called you up here
to discuss a job with you.

What work can you do?

Tell us your educational qualifications.

Educ...

Education?

Are you trying to be funny?

I didn't even finish elementary school.

But…

My bus has taught me many things
that a school couldn't.

- Are you skeptical?
- I didn't mean it that way.

I know you still have doubts.

Send for your drivers now.

Just summon them.

In this bus, there is
no oil in the spring leaf.

That's the reason for the groaning sound.

There is no other problem.

The second cylinder's spark plug is bad.

That's why it is screaming.

R. P. BUS SERVICE

There won't be any problem in this bus.

Because it is mine.

R.P. Bus Service.

But now this bus… belongs to you.

Our bus.

Listen, Ramaiah Pillai.

Let me ask you face to face.

This organization needs
a well-qualified foreman.

I'll be extremely happy
if you accept this responsibility.

Sir, please don't turn me down.

How can I...

Come on!

KOVAI - UDUMALAI - PALANI

Long live, Father Periyar!

Long live, Father Periyar!

Mr. Smith, meet Mr. Bhupendra.

Bhupendra is a leading figure
in north India's steel industry.

And a prominent business tycoon.

Glad to meet you, Mr. Smith.

Glad to meet you, Mr. Bhupendra.

The game is about to begin.
I'll see you at Divot Stomp.

- Right you are.
- Right you are.

Adams, can I have a word with you?

Certainly.

What "big tycoon"?

You gave me your word.

A foothold in the south.

And on your request, I brought
Naidu down with that cotton gamble.

And yet here we are, years on.

And he's still ahead.

Now you let this happen.

And I am not going to be
the one paying the price.

Believe me, Bhupendra, I tried.

But his books are clean.

And he is working within the system.

What do you mean by the system, Adams?

You are the system.

Nothing is going to stand in your way.

Do you think laws can't be bent
if his books are clean?

Soil them.

Ravi! Bring my horse!

TAX PAYERS

TAX EVADERS

Sir, I have changed G. D. Naidu's records
as you instructed.

Mr. Palanisamy.

Naidu has stockpiled
tons and tons of steel.

Sir, he has paid the sales tax
for all that.

Mr. Collector, he melted
raw materials and made spare parts.

Shouldn't he pay tax for that?

For example,

Naidu has paid tax only for the paddy.

When the grain was harvested
and it was cooked as rice,

no tax was paid.

When the name and usage
of a product change,

he has to pay manufacturing tax.

Sir.

Only when the cooked rice is sold
in restaurants, he has to pay tax.

Do we have to pay tax
to just boil and eat it?

Sir, G. D. Naidu is manufacturing
spare parts only for his personal use.

He is not doing business with all this.

Can you prove it?

Sir…

These clever businessmen will
have multiple books of accounts.

Actual accounts will be different
from what they show us.

Do you get it?

Do you want to say anything?

No, sir.

Thank you, sir.

Imbecile!

Yeah, very good.

Sir.

Tell me, Killi.

I know one man who is ready to enforce
all your orders without any fear.

Salem Income Tax Officer.

His name is Ambalapara Krishnan.

I know this Krishnan.

Do you call him by some nickname?

Yes, sir.

Lion of Salem!

Get lost!

Hey…

I'll get even with you!

Let's bring that lion to Coimbatore.

G. D. NAIDU

Sir, you've added Mr. G. D. Naidu
in the tax evaders list.

Mohan.

What is ALP?

- Arms-length principle, sir.
- What does it mean?

It's wrong to sell a product at a lower
price to friends and family, sir.

Why?

If they show less income,
they can pay less tax, sir.

Naidu has chosen exactly
that fraudulent route!

For farmers' welfare...

What do the records say?
It's a clear case.

Clear evidence of underinvoicing!

- Am I right?
- Yes, sir.

He hasn't paid manufacturing tax.

He has cheated on import duty.

Follow the paper, Mohan.

Okay, sir.

Who is he to decide which taxes
he will pay and which taxes he won't?

Is he the government?

He's just a trader.

Who was here
before I took up this position?

Palanisamy, sir.

Why?

He won't take any action against Naidu?

Is he related to Naidu?

No, sir, he has high regard for...

What bloody re... Respect.

He's making millions via UMS.

He has started many
polytechnic engineering colleges

and is charging huge fees.

Any industry he starts
is only making profits.

But paying the tax promptly leaves
a bitter taste in his mouth, does it?

- Perunkilli.
- Yes, sir.

Get the papers ready
to seize his imports and exports.

Okay, sir.

- Sir, but he is...
- Mohan!

It's an order.

- Go.
- Okay, sir.

Pillai, not a single machine
will be delivered.

Why so?

An Income Tax Officer has come from Salem,
a real pain in the neck!

He has seized all our shipments
at the harbor.

Not only have they imposed ridiculous
taxes on our various inventions,

they have also piled on false penalties.

Those corrupt bandits
are cooking up ideas to take bribes…

We've never encouraged that.

They can't take even one Anna as a bribe
from our company.

Naidu is well aware
of how to treat these buggers.

Arrange a village council meeting
tomorrow evening.

Okay, sir.

Passengers to Government Hospital,
Pappampatti Junction, Sulur, get in.

Get in, sir.

Get lost!

Why are you being so rude?

- Has everyone got down? Start the bus.
- Go away!

Why are you walking in this rain?

Can't you see?
The bicycle is broken.

- You could've taken the bus.
- Can't do that.

All the buses are owned by UMS.

I won't contribute even a penny
to that tax evader.

I don't like your attitude one bit.

If you don't favor the idea,
you shouldn't go.

If you go to the inauguration of an arts
college and say you want to demolish it,

will anyone keep quiet?

What's wrong with what I said?

Tell them we need
more engineering colleges.

Why would you say that we should
demolish all the arts colleges?

Let us talk a bit practically, Naidu.

I am talking about "practical" too.

What can be taught in four days
with the help of a machine,

your curriculum is like a rubber band
stretched with four years of theory.

Before he passes his exam,
even the technology will change.

You have reduced the polytechnic course

in your college to two years.

Then why this misplaced anger?

Doraiswamy, you tend
to think ahead of your time.

Society will move at its own slow pace.

Like Arthur Hope College,
open more such polytechnic colleges.

Open colleges for women.

Make students of all castes
sit together as equals without bias.

You should be the one to bring about
the change you believe in.

And toss that darn cigarette.
Put an end to this nasty habit.

Why are the cops here?

Hey! Did you take
all the items I mentioned?

- Why is this here? Remove it, quick.
- Okay, sir.

Hey! Why is a car parked there?

- Sir, should that car be removed?
- Yes.

2802, remove that blue car.

Mohan, are you done?

- They're numbering it, Killi.
- Quick, clear it.

Bring all the items here.

- What is happening, sir?
- I tried to stop them.

But they ignored me and started
taking everything out.

Oh, no.

They are taking away everything.

What are you doing?

It was bought for children's education!

- Why are you taking this?
- Hey!

Hey, wait.

If you don't pay your taxes properly,

this is how we will take your stuff away.

Sir, they plan to auction off everything
they seized from your house and college.

Naidu.

Shall I look into it?

Don't get involved, Giri.

People will shamelessly claim that
I befriended you for selfish gains.

No one should taint our friendship
because of this issue.

I can handle this myself.

Ladies and gentlemen.

A once-in-a-lifetime chance
to witness such an auction.

Whoever wins this auction
is the luckiest man on earth.

This is not an ordinary auction.

A very lucky collection.

Look over there.

Rows of fancy cars shining bright.

Exquisitely crafted gold ornaments.

Eye-catching sparkling diamonds.

Imported state-of-the-art machinery.

Machines that cannot be found
anywhere in India.

Once-in-a-generation opportunity.

By bidding and paying the winning price,

who will be fortunate enough
to live like royalty?

Ladies, persuade your husbands.

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Its total value will be
well over several million rupees.

But the opening bid…

Is only one rupee!

Sir, why are you offering items
worth millions for just one rupee?

Don't we have to collect
the tax Naidu owes the government?

Rajangam, if someone
bids for more than 100,000 rupees.

Naidu need not even pay the penalty.

But if everyone bids for one rupee,

the balance has to be paid by Naidu.

Why are you humiliating him
like this, sir?

It's the collector's order.

The highest bidder doesn't take home
just this rare collection of riches.

You will be taking Mahalakshmi,
the Goddess of wealth, to your house.

The first man has stood up.

Sir, open the bidding.

I'm going to pee, sir.

Ladies, you can't even dream of all this.
Bid the lowest price for this fancy car.

The time when luck will bless you
is just around the corner.

Do not have second thoughts.

Mohan.

We've been sitting here for three hours.

Not a single person has placed a bid.

What?

Strange, no one here wants to bid?

Somehow this doesn't seem right to me.

Sir.

Not only are they insulting us
by auctioning our possessions,

but they are selling
all the items for just one rupee.

But look, sir.

Not a single person
raised their hand to bid, sir.

This is your final chance.

One rupee and three-quarter Anna.

I am bidding
for one rupee and three-quarter Anna.

Sir, owners cannot bid
for their own belongings.

Don't you know the law?

The bidder's name is Ramaiah Pillai.

Yes, sir.

One rupee and three-quarter Anna.

His bid is
one rupee and three-quarter Anna.

Is anyone else topping his bid?

- One rupee and three-quarter Anna.
- Hey!

No one here will bid in this auction.

What your government
could not do for 20 years,

our Naidu has helped us tenfold!

She is right.

Cheap guys disgracing him!

One rupee and three-quarter Anna.
Going once.

Going twice.

Going thrice.

I have two rupees.

Please return the balance without fail.

Long live, Mr. Naidu!

Long live, Mr. Naidu!

Long live, Mr. Naidu!

Unbelievable respect
for a tax-dodging fraudster!

These days, people can't tell
a gentleman from a con artist.

All those who do business like this
swim in the same murky pond.

Just to avoid paying tax,

they give away some money
to the poor in the name of goodwill

and hide their true and ill intentions.

"Beloved people of this land!"

"This Naidu has not paid tax in millions
for many years."

If we announce it like that,
you think they will believe us?

Because people do not have
a good opinion of our own department.

The fact that Naidu is a tax dodger
should come from the press.

People should read that news.

People should gradually
lose their respect for him.

- Mohan.
- Sir?

Find a journalist today who is honest

and ask him to start writing

the truth behind Mr. G. D. Naidu
as a tax dodger.

Okay, sir.

Achudhan.

Achudhan?

- Mohan?
- Sir.

Why did Achudhan come to our office?

He collected the documents of Mr. Bond

who has paid income tax
for the past three years.

Hey! Will you hand over whatever
to anyone asks you for?

I didn't know, sir.
He showed Bond's ID as per protocol.

- So I gave it, sir.
- That is fine.

I want to know why Naidu's men
are asking for Bond's documents.

Sir?

A man with a dog is here
creating such a ruckus.

I said dogs are not allowed inside,
but he refuses to listen, sir.

Pillai, take the dog out.

The collector is in a meeting.
He'll be mad if he finds out.

Let the collector come out.

Sir, shall we?

No, I'll take care.

The collector is here.

Greetings, sir.

We are meeting frequently nowadays.

Did someone from your office
collect Mr. Bond's income tax documents?

Yes, we did.

Mr. Bond is a minor.

I am the guardian.

He has been paying income tax
promptly for the past three years.

You must have checked the documents.

If he is a diligent taxpayer,

why didn't he come and meet me directly
in my office?

Why send people like you here?

Exactly, that's my opinion too.

But they refused
to allow dogs in the office.

I want to know, is this the respect
you show to perfectly prompt taxpayers?

What are you trying to say, man?

This is Mr. Bond!

Bond, this is a British loyalist.

An integrity-conscious income tax officer.

His name is Mr. Ambalapara Krishnan.

He follows what's on paper to the T.

Greet him.

Oh, no! Bond.

You have a short fuse.

We have been paying taxes promptly
for the past three years, sir.

But the department is unaware
if the taxpayer is human or an animal.

They have this one-track mind
to snatch the tax.

If you ask, they will justify
it is their rules and protocols on paper.

What the hell can we do, sir?

Ramaiah Pillai.

This is a government office.

If you create a scene here,
I will be forced to call the police.

If I ask for justice, will you
accuse me of creating trouble?

Mr. Naidu started questioning you
only after you began levying unjust taxes.

Till then, he was a prompt tax payer.

When he started questioning you,
you piled a penalty on him.

Then heaped more penalties unjustly.

Naidu understood that
you had begun to loot.

That's why he began serving
the nation and its people directly.

File as many cases as you want
against him.

Bring in your men to confiscate his assets
as many times as you want.

But you can't touch Naidu's pet dog,
let alone Naidu himself.

- Perunkilli.
- Sir?

If this man utters one more word,

- call the police.
- Yes, sir.

Oh, no!

I won't utter another word, sir.

But, I will write.

In whichever paper you intend
to defame Mr. Naidu's reputation,

in that same newspaper
and the same page…

"Income tax officials who claim
that Mr. G. D. Naidu is a tax dodger

are not the least bit concerned about
a dog paying tax for three years."

"They have been pocketing
that money happily."

That's all I will write.

Let the general public read both the news.

Then let us see whether
their respect for Naidu increases

or whatever shred of respect
they have for you vanishes.

Are you trying to tarnish my integrity?

Oh! Integrity?

Your Naidu has to answer to this.

I will make him apologize to me
for all his wrongdoings.

I will ensure he pays the tax he dodged.

I'll tear off the fake mask he wears

to fool innocent people
into thinking he's a good man.

Words from a pure heart
will come true, man.

Mark my words.

From today, your Naidu
will not get to sleep peacefully.

Well done, dear Bond.

A dog was paying tax, it seems.

Did you accept it with intent
or were you ignorant?

Sir, we now doubt whether the taxes
you collected from us were justified.

Sir, I'm asking you.
Please respond, sir.

What are you gaping at?

N. S. Krishnan and M. R. Radha
are traveling in G. D. Naidu's car, sir.

Prototype.

Can this car be driven on the road?

Sir, to drive that car, a separate
practice ground has been allocated.

Driving on this road is wrong.

Go straight to the police station.

Okay, sir.

- What do you think, NSK?
- Spectacular.

Make a film that teaches students
the importance of education.

Mr. Naidu.

Cinema should have
two fight scenes, four songs

with celestial nymphs like Menaka
and Rambha dancing enticingly.

Only then the audience will come
to the theaters to be entertained.

Now that will make the bosses happy,
and we can make some money.

But you want children
who don't study in school

to watch a movie
in a theater for education?

Which age are you living in, Naidu?

Why do you nod your head
so vehemently, Krishnan?

- Naidu?
- Huh?

Isn't that a police car chasing us?

Oh, yes!

Naidu, is it a laughing matter?

Didn't you say we should laugh
when trouble comes chasing us?

That's the biggest boomerang, I swear!

The police and us are never
on the same side, Mr. Naidu.

Got a gun or something on you?
We'll finish them off and flee.

No need for such drastic measures.
I have a testing permit.

That's a relief.
Why not show them the permit?

Let them first catch up with us.
Then we can show them.

Faster!

-Go…go, man.
-They are catching up, Naidu.

They are closing in, Naidu.

They are catching up.

Naidu, this is rocket speed!

Go, go, go!

- Naidu, they are catching up.
- Speed up!

Speed up!

We can arrest him
only if we nab him while driving.

Speed up to catch him.

Careful…

Oh, no! Naidu.

They are hot on our heels, Naidu.

With your act of defiance, looks like
even your permit won't save us today.

Worry not, NSK.

Our prototype is a four-wheel ride.

They are coming, Naidu.

They are closing in on us.
Speed up, Naidu!

- Mr. Naidu.
- Huh?

Not just the car,
that khaki uniform bit the dust too.

Mr. Naidu.

Don't assume the police have given up.

They will sniff us out like hounds.

Dirty fellows!

He brought the comfort of bus travel
to people who used ox carts.

They created problem then.

Now Naidu's goal is for
the common folk to travel by car.

To make cars affordable,

he has assembled a prototype.

Those wretched fellows
have landed here too.

Sir, car means affluence, right?

How can it be made cheap enough
for the common man to afford it?

- It is possible.
- Huh?

You know Hitler from Germany?

He used this same method
to build low-cost cars.

There's a rumor going around that he plans
to make it available to the common man.

The two of us are planning
to go to Germany.

If we can prove that their
cars can be manufactured

in our country at a cheaper price,

they will set up their factories here.

We will also get to know the techniques.

Then next step?

We will also manufacture cars
at an affordable price

and offer it to our people.

Mr. Pillai!

These British fellows don't like Germans.

Nor do they like our Naidu.

But you're saying you will join hands
with the Germans and do business?

He won't let you go out of this country.

Only God can help you get
the stamp of approval, Mr. Naidu.

Radha, we have an idea for that.

You know the razor blade
Naidu has invented?

UMS blade.

- What was the name of that place again…
- Leipzig.

Leipzig.

We'll attend a trade fair in that city

to showcase the blade over there.

We have got the nomination

and the invitation too.

We go to display the blade

and seal the car deal at the same time.

Remarkable!

You're doing this
for the good of our people.

Everything will be for the good.

Forget the good outcome.

Look at the trouble
coming right behind you.

They are here?

Sir, we saw you driving
a prototype car this morning.

- It's illegal.
- Car, huh?

Mr. Naidu, why haven't you
taken us for a drive yet?

Wouldn't he have taken us for a drive
if such a car existed?

What are you saying, officer?

Are you acting funny with me, sir?

Are we his friends or family
to pull his leg?

Constables, search!

Search thoroughly.

I've been searching for the past two days.
It seems to be playing hide and seek!

You couldn't find such a big car?

Sir.

It took us only one hour to locate him.

But by then, he had dismantled
the car and removed all traces of it.

We were unable to catch him
with the car intact, sir.

Constables.

Sir, look at this.

G. D. Naidu's new scheme
to build a house in 24 hours.

He has invited V. V. Giri
to inaugurate the foundation.

He built the house in just one day
and even invited V.V. Giri

to inaugurate it the very same evening.

He has gone way beyond our grasp.

Trying to nab him is
becoming tougher by the day.

- Killi.
- Sir?

A man is piling up a list of wrongdoings.

How far can he go?

Let me wait and watch.

EN ROUTE GERMANY.

Shall we place
that chassis blueprint on top?

Yes.

Mom, it's broken.

- What, Sundaram?
- Sir?

Your body is moving forward
but your eyeballs are reversing!

Sir, we have spent 30 days on this ship.

My eyes can see only miles of blue sea.

That was just a simple act
of appreciating beauty, sir.

Sundaram, please bring that over here.

What… Oh, this?

Thank you, madam.

In broad daylight?
That too in front of our boss?

That's alright.

Is that whiskey?

It is whiskey but not for drinking.

- Then for what?
- For this nick.

How did that happen?

Sir, I used our UMS blade.

Even after 20 shaves,
it stayed sharp as ever.

But the rocking of this ship
caused this mild cut.

When you shave,
there should be no cuts or nicks.

We need a blade
that glides softly as butter.

Imagine the satisfaction you will get.

You should not use a butter knife
to slice a loaf of bread, Louisa.

Use the knife with serrated edges.

Only then will it cut smoothly
and perfectly.

Sir, I told you
only because I nicked my throat.

You've attached a motor to shave now.

Now I'll have scars all over
like shovel marks.

Don't worry.
Nothing will happen.

This is a small sacrifice to see
if your boss's invention works.

When new drugs are discovered in the West,
scientists experiment on lab mice.

This is the same situation.

Mice?

He has a better beard than mine.
Why not experiment on him?

I've taken a vow for Lord Murugan.

You can't tamper with it.

Okay, first you try.

Lord Murugan.

Sir.

Not even a single nick on my face.

Your skin is as soft as a baby's bottom.

Sir, if Hitler tries to shave
with this razor,

he will be astounded by your invention.

Sir, we must definitely send this
to the next trade fair competition.

Sir, I found out
the meaning of your words.

Rasant means fast in German.

- A wonderful name for our razor.
- Yes, Pillai.

Rasant razor which we will
manufacture and sell

should be the first cost-effective
vibrating electric shaver in the world.

Yes, Naidu, we can find
good electric motors in Germany.

We can buy this handle from Switzerland.

Then this steel required
to make the blade…

We can import it from Sweden.

We can set up a factory in Coimbatore.

Brilliant idea!

He's here. He's here.

- Should we also raise our hands?
- No, no need.

One second.

- No…
- Just one photo.

One photo.

Hey! Let go.
Where are you taking me?

Let go of him.

Sir…

All of you, go that side, quick.

What, sir? What is the matter?

Search and seizure operation.

- On what basis?
- Based on suspicion.

The machines Naidu used for counterfeiting
and the fake notes are hoarded here

according to the information
we have received.

Do you have any factual evidence
for your assertions?

You acted on some random tip
and decided to raid us.

We got word of unaccounted cash
and gold being stashed here.

- Who the hell said so, man?
- Hey!

- Mohan.
- Sir.

Where is the Accounts room?

No one should move.

Those of you outside
should not enter.

Those inside should not exit.

What's the use of being flustered now?

Excuse me, madam.

They want access to our Accounts room.

How can we do that?

I can seat them in the meeting hall
and get the docume...

Mr. Achudhan.

Just give whichever room
they need access to.

We should be scared
only if we are hiding something.

At a time when the boss isn't here…

Even if he had been here,
he would have done the same.

POLICE

What is this city, sir?

Will they arrest us
just for clicking photos?

- Sundaram.
- Sir?

I heard they don't allow
anyone to utter a single word.

Only their guns do the talking, it seems.

Our Naidu lets his tongue
run when riled up.

- Wonder what is happening.
- Sir.

Why? Let us think positive.

Wishful thinking.

Can you arrange
for his release now?

- Sure.
- Henrick.

No need to be scared.

He is right here.

Come with me.

They released him.
But he refused to leave.

What is going on in his mind?

Whatever wretchedness
only he has to blurt it out.

Oh, no!

What is this, Pillai?

I thought you would take
at least two months to track me down.

But here you are in two days.

Sir, what is this?

Be practical.
It's freezing cold outside.

If I ask for a vegetarian meal,

without making a face, they serve
unlimited, piping hot food.

I have an idea.

Why don't you both
finish all the work?

I'll stay here a couple of days.

Is this your idea of a joke?

Our blade is being awarded
a prize at the Leipzig Fair.

How can we receive it without you?

- Is that true, Pillai?
- Yes.

Come on. Don't dawdle.

I'm going.

Don't eat anything offered to you
by anyone at the raid venue.

- Everything is arranged by us, Mohan.
- Okay.

- Mohan.
- Sir, I've checked.

No black money or gold
is hoarded inside, sir.

Where were you
all this while, Mr. Mohan?

Checking the locker room downstairs...

Hey! Police!

Call the fire force!

Sir, I am sure this is their doing.

Ladies and gentlemen, a huge round
of applause for Mr. G. Doraiswamy Naidu

for winning the prestigious
third prize at this year's Leipzig Fair.

LEIPZIG TRADE FAIR

Pillai.

This is an air-cooled engine.
I told you, right?

- So cheap and efficient.
- Sir.

We have got an appointment
with the Benz authorities.

- Shall we go?
- Come…

I've got a new idea
for the valve lock technology.

I'd like to show...

Naidu is here.

Naidu?

Mr. Naidu.
Congratulations on your award.

Danke schoen.

You are manufacturing
foreign spare parts in India.

Their business is being severely affected.

How is that possible, sir?

If car manufacturers don't hike the price
of spare parts for excess profit,

why would I manufacture them myself?

Don't get me wrong.
I meant it as a compliment.

We would like to collaborate with you.

Why don't you send us a proposal?

Oh, my God, sir.
I will be delighted to.

- I didn't expect this.
- Of course.

Thank you.

Mr. Rudolph, about this
valve lock technology…

Later…

Come for coffee.

Yes.

MADRAS HARBOR.

Hello, G. D. Welcome back.

Hi, Doctor. How are you?

I am good as always.
Ranganayaki is waiting for you.

How are you, dear?

I'm good. How are you?

I am good too.

How is everyone at home?

They are doing well too.

You jinxed everything.

Such a downpour on our grove.

We didn't get a single mango.

And our house help, Devi,

has not come to clean the house
for more than a month.

Hey! Did you bring down the rice fritters
I had dried on the terrace?

- Yes, I did.
- Your favorite…

If they burn our documents,

we cannot prove that they levied
false tax penalties on us.

They made sure there is
no evidence whatsoever, sir.

They have set the fire, right?

No one can extinguish that fire hereafter.

Come on.

Greetings, sir.

Ramaiah Pillai,
say what you want to say and leave.

What is this, Sundaram?
Aren't the British our enemies?

We should actually be opposing them.

But our own people
seem to be our enemies.

To traitors like you,

we will appear like enemies, Pillai.

Your wit is commendable!

The Industrial Revolution
in our Kongu belt

will transform into our nation's growth.

We have been planning
with foresight, you see.

Yes, we are traitors.

If diligent taxpayers say this,
we can listen with due respect.

You are so confident because
the tax documents are burnt, right?

Hey, my dear boys.

Bring in all our documents
they assume they have burnt.

Look at them coming in a line.

Like a millipede.

Come at a brisk pace
and put them down in one swift motion.

Look how they dropped it
stirring a cloud of dust.

What are you staring at?

These are our original documents.

You burnt the copies.

Our Naidu takes four copies
of every single document.

Be they documents, office letters,
personal letters, and…

He takes copies of love letters too.

All the documents are original, sir.

Scan the files thoroughly.

Our boys, sit down.

Let's see if the documents
burn or float today.

Sir, please, you are not
permitted to sit like this.

Then I'll change my position.

Mohan.

Let them be.

These documents.

Start checking them.

- Yes, sir.
- Call our entire staff.

What is this?

Why are you humiliating me like this?

Naidu's papers and accounts
are in perfect order.

Then how are our documents
showing such stark differences?

What?

What have you been up to?

Respected honest officer.

Will you fight among yourselves
or listen to what we have to say?

Not just UMS.

Our factories,
educational institutions,

all our records will be perfect.

Open it for inspection
for anyone at any time.

I chose not to pay the penalty
your government unjustly enforced on me.

Instead of learning how
to burn records using phosphorus,

you can learn why your government
is targeting me repeatedly, right?

Let me repeat your golden words.

People cannot be trusted.

Only papers speak the truth.

Our papers have revealed the truth to you.

Who will you suspect now?

I'll take leave.

Naidu ironed out the alleged creases of
his papers and crumpled Krishnan's policy.

G. D. NAIDU HONORED IN GERMANY

Sir?

- Did you read this news?
- Yes.

Sir.

We have applications
for new business ventures.

Your signature is required.

Hereafter, if someone
wants to start a business,

you should tell them
to meet me personally.

They'd start a business in the names
of their pets and bring me trouble!

Hey, sit down. Sit and eat.

Sir, Naidu is claiming
to be a true Gandhian

and is refusing to pay tax to the British.

But he has manufactured and sold
a mica capacitor for their Ham radio.

Is he for or against the British?
I don't understand.

Sir, I have an idea.

For selling mica capacitors
to Hitler and the Nazi regime,

we can file a complaint framing him
and convince the Governor General.

He will be labeled a national traitor
and jailed. End of story.

Why should we take the crooked route?

Because we've been unable
to touch him directly till now.

He keeps growing,
stacking up his inventions…

He keeps opening factories, sir!

EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITION

INDIA'S FIRST ELECTRIC MOTOR
BUILT IN COIMBATORE

Ranga.

Ranganayaki.

Hey, Doctor.

What are you doing on my wife's lap?

Come here!
GD, you have to hear this.

No.

You have to see this.

DAIMLER-BENZ PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

My dear.

Congratulations.

To you too, madam.

I'm leaving for Germany tomorrow night.

Hey, I will be back
in just two months, right?

STUTTGART, GERMANY

The tender number SMH 0139

has been awarded
to Mr. G. Doraiswamy Naidu.

United Motor Service,
Coimbatore, India.

Bidding for the tender is closed
for the next two years.

- Thank you.
- Congratulations, Naidu.

You Madrasis are bagging all the tenders.

- Mister…
- Bhupendar.

Bhupendar.

Next time, bring a solid
airtight proposal.

I'll withdraw my bid for you.

Whichever fellow-citizen
gets this order, I'll be happy.

Shall I take leave?

We got it as planned.

Krishnan!

Look at this.

This Naidu fellow has dared
to send me an invitation

to the National Electric Works
Factory inauguration.

Now, he's in Germany on a business trip.

This tax defaulter Naidu
is expanding his business everywhere.

What are we doing here, Krishnan?

Sir, for the past ten years,

Mr. Naidu has been
on our income tax red-list.

So his manufacturing license
can be easily cancel...

Krishnan, you don't understand.

How many red-listers
can you take action against?

We need to write to the Lieutenant General

stating that Naidu is doing business
with Germany and the Nazis

against the interests of the Crown.

This is treason.

Sir.

Prepare the necessary documents
to put a hold on his bank accounts.

- Now!
- Sir.

Madam.

That businessman Bhupendra
and Adams are responsible for all this?

Did they go to such lengths
to hinder someone's progress?

Yes, sir.

They branded him a national traitor
and froze all his bank accounts.

So all his factories had to be shut down.

World War began in Germany
before Naidu could return to India.

He was stuck over there.

In India, Ranganayaki was distraught,

unable to answer
the families who trusted her.

The Second World War intensified
in Germany, so he was unable to leave.

He was penniless and fainted on the road
due to starvation.

Thanks to his good fortune.

At that crucial moment,
Gottlieb Stoll and his wife, Berta Stoll

rescued Naidu from the jaws of death

and extended all the help possible
to send him back to India.

Sir, I don't even know
when this World War began.

When I saw the Industrial Revolution
initiated by Hitler,

I thought he was developing
Germany to greater heights.

But I never imagined he would turn
into a bloodthirsty beast like this.

Mr. Stoll.

Do me one last favor, please.

My wife is pregnant.

I have to get back to India immediately.

If you can somehow arrange my return…

Because of the war, there were
no passenger ships to India.

So he had to travel to Italy from Germany,

then to America,
and from there to Japan.

And from Japan to India via Rangoon.
It took him more than a year to return.

The whole town is sure
that he will not return.

Turn your heart to stone
and accept the reality, dear.

You haven't even named your baby.
You are sitting here totally depressed.

I just can't bear to see you
in such a distressed state.

Will you please be quiet and go inside?

Hello?

R-Ranga.

How are you, dear?

How is everyone at home?

Your son and I…

We are fine.

Son?

What have you named him?

Who is it?

My dear. Come here.

Without you returning,
how will I name him?

Alright.

Tell baby Gopal

that his father will be there soon
to play with him, dear.

As soon as Naidu returned from Germany,

he started working at full throttle
to set up the Benz car factory.

He bought acres of land in Eachanari
and started work there too.

He was filled with excitement
that his lifelong dream was coming true.

People were eagerly looking forward

to the Benz factory in the Kongu belt
as a hallmark of Tamil Nadu.

I was at peace thinking
that Naidu was dead and gone.

Now he has bought land
to set up a car factory.

He has imported raw materials.

Adams.

I gave you everything you asked.

Could you put an end
to Naidu's winning streak?

I listened to your bloody advice

and lodged a treason case against him.

He filed a complaint against me
with the Governor

and I had to face a lengthy reprimand.

Listen.

Mountbatten is here early
to take us back home.

And it's official.

India is getting its independence.

Naidu will rejoice

imagining that all his troubles
will be over once the British depart.

He shall be informed, however,

that he must continue
to bear the penalties

that have been levied against him
by the British

even after India attains her independence.

He will remain pig-headed.

Arguing that these are unjust penalties
foisted upon him by the British.

He would demand a justification

and refuse to pay the penalties

until he receives a special dispensation.

This very obstinacy, you see,
will be his undoing.

I think… I've got the right man
for the job.

What did you say that man's name was?

G. D. Naidu.

If the money reaches the right hands,

your wish will be fulfilled.

On the occasion
of India's seventh Independence Day,

business prodigy G. D. Naidu has organized
a grand agricultural exhibition.

I welcome all of you
to enjoy this experience.

What is this, Naidu?

Started experimenting
with agriculture also?

Yes, Mr. Raman.

You studied physics.
So you experiment with physics.

I didn't even pass Grade Three.

So I can experiment with anything, right?

I agree to that, Naidu.

You are a man in a million.
You can do it.

Thank you very much, sir.

See that water tank over there?

- The land behind it...
- Sir, can I take a photo?

Yes.

Get back.

Stand back!

Shut this.

Thank you.

Mr. Raman.

He is Kurt Stoll.

My husband is alive today
thanks to his parents.

True, sir.

I am forever indebted to his family.

You could call it
a rough patch in my life.

You won't be facing any more hardships.

The British have left, right?

In Independent India,

you will achieve your dreams
and live life like a king.

Thank you, sir.

Roll down the shutter.
I'm telling you to move back.

Everyone, step back.

Go back, all of you!

Sir, I need to talk to you.

I'll be right back.

- Come.
- What is it, Pillai?

They have sent a notice
to seal four of our factories.

Wretched fellows!

- What?
- Yes.

Not only that.

The no-objection certificate
we require to collaborate with Benz…

The IT Department has refused to give it.

What is this, Pillai?

I thought we were in for good times.

Can't we talk
to the government regarding this?

To this government?

I begged them for an Inquiry Commission
to prove

the tax penalties levied on me are fake.

But I got no response.

Now they have forcibly
shut down my factories

and sealed them.

What is the point of talking to them?

Hello?

- Hello, Mr. Naidu.
- Hello.

Hello, Mr. Rudolph. How are you?

The letter you sent explaining
your situation reached us very late, sir.

We are very sorry.

Thank you for your...

Thank you for your concern, Mr. Rudolph.

Thank you very much.

- Mr. Naidu.
- Yes?

Mr. Rudolph expresses his regret
for failing to collaborate with you.

He is asking this out
of utmost regard for you.

Now that we are unable
to collaborate with you,

he's asking which Indian company
you can recommend for this.

Thank you for the respect
you have for me, Mr. Rudolph.

Very kind of you.

According to me,

the right name to collaborate
with your company…

Tata Moto...
It's Tata Motors company.

Tata Motors.

Thank you very mu...
I wish you all the...

I wish you all the very best!

Thank you.

You know what a big deal it is
to manufacture Benz cars in Coimbatore?

…has been awarded
to Mr. G. Doraiswamy Naidu.

DAIMLER-BENZ PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY

Where is this Ambalapara Krishnan?

Hey, Krishnan!

True to your word, you've robbed
our Naidu of his sleep.

Look here.

Sealing his factory or sneakily
withdrawing the Benz company order

is not why he lost his precious sleep!

Thousands of workers lost their jobs.

You hit them
where it hurt the most, you see.

That is why he lost his sleep!

As per the papers, your Naidu
has not paid tax for many years.

The day he pays up,

I will decide how to treat your Naidu!

Why do you keep harping "papers"
all the time?

The British wipe their butt
with that same paper!

I want to know.
Aren't you human too?

Thousands of people
lost their jobs because of you.

Won't your conscience nag you?

Won't it prick you?

I'll wait and watch.

Let me see how you sleep soundly.

Sir, don't worry.

All this time, you were with us.

No matter what you decide,
we will support you.

Yes, sir.

We are with you, sir.

Greetings to everyone.

We have done nothing wrong.

Those who are jealous of us
are trying to topple us down.

But if they close one door,

we will open a hundred more doors.

Those who go in search of opportunities
will feel bad if they don't succeed.

But to those who create opportunities,

the word "regret" never exists!

All of us belong to one family.

If our family faces a problem,

will we give in and back down?

None of you need to worry about anything.

Until our factories are opened again,

all of you will be paid your due salary!

You will have jobs too.

For the steel factory
to be set up in Podanur

and the car factory in Eachanari,
our boss has bought land, right?

We will turn those lands
into agricultural lands.

We will get knee-deep into farming.

We will create our own job opportunities.

- Mr. G. D. Naidu!
- Our pillar of strength!

- Mr. G. D. Naidu!
- Long live!

Mr. G. D. Naidu!

- Mr. G. D. Naidu!
- Our inspiration!

Mr. G. D. Naidu!

- Mr. G. D. Naidu!
- Our beacon of light!

- Mr. G. D. Naidu!
- Long live!

How unfair, sir!

In India, for the first time
in Coimbatore,

Mercedes-Benz factory
should have been set up.

We lost that golden legacy, sir.

We missed a glorious chapter in history.

It would have created a revolution.

Our own people crushed
Naidu's dream, sir.

Why feel bad, madam?

If one business is closed,
he launches a new venture.

As soon as the Benz contract
slipped from his hand,

he turned the very same land
into a productive farmland.

Even the British couldn't do anything.

How can our politicians stop him?

But they did.

After plotting for eight years, they
finally unleashed their ultimate weapon.

EIGHT YEARS LATER

All I wanted was to secure
that automobile contract for myself.

But Naidu gave it on a platter
to someone else.

The amount of hardship I am
going through because of him…

He must suffer a thousandfold or more

and end up on the streets.

To complete this task,

Krishnan has been promoted
to a dummy officer.

I have given you power
that goes with your position.

I have given the money you wanted too.

Killi.

- How many children do you have?
- Three, sir.

Make sure they do not end up as orphans!

Sir?

You have entrusted it to me.

I will not break your trust.

Sir. They plan to confiscate
80 percent of his assets?

Yes.

Even if they charge
atrocious amounts of interest,

even if his penalty is genuine,

we can legally seize
only 13 percent of his assets.

Sir, how is this fair by any standard?

Mohan.

The system I respected
with all my heart…

The papers I signed with due respect…

They have tarnished everything totally.

Tampering with the account documents,

fabricating a link between
Naidu and the Nazis,

foisting a false case without
a shred of shame or regret,

burning all his legal documents
using phosphorus…

They needed a Perunkilli
to do all their dirty work!

Sir, because of the atrocities
within our department,

I don't feel it is right for someone
like Naidu to bear the brunt of it.

We should take some action, sir.

Whatever is on paper,

I am used to executing only those orders.

My life has become like that.

Whatever you think is prim and proper,

please carry it out.

Sir?

Mohan.

Whatever you think is correct…

Execute it exactly like that.

They have decided
to destroy me completely.

First, they snatched
my dream from me.

Now they are targeting my assets.

Sir?

What are you doing, sir? Why are
you planting a bomb in our own office?

They are coming
to seize the building, right?

Then they need a building to do so.

- Sundaram?
- Sir.

Don't even ask me permission.

If they come to confiscate my property,
ask our people to evacuate.

Then press this, understood?

- Sir?
- Please.

Don't ask me questions, Sundaram.

Just do as I say.

- This is for you.
- Everyone, help yourself.

Please take it!

Take it.

Take this for your daughter's wedding.

Everyone, help yourself.

Enjoy, be happy.

Your daughter is getting married.
Spend this for her.

Invest this in your daughter's name.
Keep this for your son's education.

Keep this.

Sir, why are you giving away
all your title deeds?

Are you from
the Income Tax department?

I have paid my tax.

- Go…
- Sir.

The revered father of our city.

Mr. G. D. Naidu plans to smash
and break all his inventions.

Assemble to witness
this rare event.

Welcome one and all.

Entry is free.

All are welcome.

Stop… Enough!

Hope you are all doing good?

You know how happy I am
to see all of you here?

The same pictures on your shirt
are on my sari too.

Hero, heroine, celebrities…

Cinema news, local gossip,
juicy rumors, everything…

Looks beautiful, no?

But when I went to Japan,

naive, ill-informed students had Physics
and Chemistry formulas on their shirts.

Periodic table, mechanical drawing,

the world map too.
Height of aesthetic sense!

Those Japanese students.

Look at all of you.

Actors and dancers on your t-shirts!

Buzzing with vibrant vibes.

You are the next generation
of our nation.

Makes me feel so proud!

I stupidly thought this would be
a useful item for you and I brought it.

Shall I break that first?

Huh? Come… come along.

Play now!

Stop the music!

Dorai!

Stop it!

Listen to me! Dorai!

Stop it, Dorai!

Mom.

Mom.

He has given away everything he owned.

He has given away the buses
to drivers and conductors.

He has given all the title deeds
to passers-by, Mom.

People are saying
that he has lost his mind.

I feel terrible.

You know that my dream is to build
a 5-star hotel in Madras.

I went to Delhi and met
the concerned architect.

I have even got the license
to import the fixtures for the hotel.

But you gave away the land to others
without even telling me.

Your father gave his word to Periyar that
he'd give that land to Adithanar, Gopal.

What about his word to me?

Mr. Gopal, forgive me.

I didn't know it was your land!

Hey!

You have no right
to ask me such questions.

That land was bought by my hard work
and my earnings.

I will give it whenever
and to whomever I please.

Understand?

True.

He did everything.

We did not help in any way.

As far as you are concerned,
this world revolves around you.

Do you know how selfish it is to expect
everyone to follow your whims and wishes?

Didn't we put up with all the mad deeds
you carried out in front of everyone?

Why, may I ask?

Can't your near and dear ones
have their own dreams or aims in life?

Our son curses himself daily
for being born in a family like this.

You behave so badly.

- Mom…
- Hey! Shut up.

Gopal has the right to dream too.

Knowing your true nature,

your first wife, Chellamma, left you
thanking God for her freedom.

Harsh reality is dawning on me only now.

I do not wish to live with you any longer.

I want a divorce.

If you are able to, make the necessary
arrangements for my divorce.

Otherwise I can handle it.

"For more than 30 years,

Mr. G. Doraiswamy Naidu has not remitted
the tax payable to the Government."

"The outstanding tax amount, along
with the applicable interest and penalties

should be paid within 60 days
from the date of this notice."

"Non-compliance
within the stipulated period

will lead to the confiscation
of 80 percent of his assets

on the 90th day from the date
of this notice... ".

- Sir?
- Mohan.

Continue to type.

This is an order from the higher ups.

Type fast, Mohan.
I need to get home soon.

"Action will be taken
to confiscate 80 percent of his assets."

"We hereby give you a final warning
through this notice."

Type his name.

Don't forget the seal.

Sir, sign the order.

To compensate for all your unpaid taxes
and penalties,

the government will confiscate
80 percent of all your assets.

Here's the official order.

Hand over all your title deeds
and documents, sir.

52 documents in total.

Pillai.

Give them what they want.

Okay.

Wait, I'll be back.

Only two documents are here.
What about the rest?

As the years sped by,
Mrs. Naidu got mad at his mad doings

and filed for divorce.

Your wife has filed a petition
for divorce.

Do you accept it?

- I do.
- Your wife

has asked for 98 percent
of your assets as alimony.

Are you willing to give it?

I agree.

Doesn't matter if she filed for a divorce.

She claimed an alimony amounting
to 98 percent of Naidu's assets.

You are answering clearly after
understanding everything I asked, right?

Yes.

Divorce granted.

Alimony settled.

Case closed.

We had no other place to live, sir.

This forest land of 30 acres
was all we had left.

And this thatched hut.

You have come to seize 80 percent of this.

Take the wood land around us.

If you leave the hut for us to survive,

it will be useful for both of us to relax
stretching our feet in our old age.

This is the divorce document.

This is the partition deed.

Killi.

You got what you wanted.

Let's head back.

One minute.

After we sent you the income tax notice,

you can't divide your assets
even if you get divorced.

It is against the law.

Your mad antics made us
the laughing stock of everyone.

We have teenagers at home.

How can we face our society?

You already have grandchildren.

At this age, you have
divorced each other.

If you can't see eye to eye,
adjust within these four walls.

Proprietress.

After sharing my life all these years,

if you abandon me on the streets,
where can I go?

We are leaving.

At this age, we do not have to go
through this kind of heartache.

Lost all your assets
out of sheer stubbornness.

Committed high-handed outrageous acts.

Also got labeled as a lunatic by everyone.

You divorced Ranganayaki and now why
come and stand pathetically here?

Did you ever once spare a thought
for your family, Doraiswamy?

Why are you upset, dear?

Don't cry.

What is happening here?

Is his madness infectious?
You are as mad as he is now.

I can't contain myself.

You tell them, dear.

You could have held back your laughter
a little while longer, right?

You burst into a cackle too soon.

Only you can act this well.

I can't compete with you, dear.

Dad, what is all this drama?

Hey!

What did you think of your father?

I want a divorce.

Divorce… granted.

Alimony… settled.

Listen, I think I'll go crazy!

My dear uncle.

The government issued a notice to seize
80 percent of my hard-earned money.

In return, I gave them a notice
that Ranganayaki and I got divorced.

This notice also holds legally, right?

They tried to destroy me
with mere paperwork.

In response, I turned the same paper
into my weapon

and razed their conspiracy to the ground.

Sir, I checked the documents.

They got divorced
one week before we served the notice.

How is that possible?

Killi.

Can we leave now?

Come on.

Dumbo.

Huh?

How dare you call me a dumbo?

For calling a government officer a fool,
I can file a case against...

Sir… Sir, hold on.

He didn't mean you.

His favorite pet dog.

We call him Dumbo.

Dumbo, come here.

You can leave.

Dumbo?

Hey!

Did you think you had a bone
in your mouth?

That is just an ordinary stick.

Come, Pillai.

What? Don't you understand?

Simple.

Which law stipulates a divorced couple
cannot live under the same roof?

The assets I earned by shedding
my blood, sweat and tears…

The tender love and care
of my family and bloodline…

Neither paper nor any man can negate
or invalidate it!

My dear son, Dorai.

You are not G. D. Naidu.

You are Genius Naidu!

Naidu, all of you smile.

A FEW YEARS LATER

Sir.

Sir.

Here's the sacred offering.

Priest.

Pack that offering in a paper for him.

Whatever it is,
he likes to see it on paper!

Oh, God..

Thank you, sir.

Gayathri.

You have never liked me, right?

As Income Tax officer Krishnan,

I have never neglected my duty
in my entire career.

The same holds true in your case too,
Mr. Naidu.

What I couldn't tell you
as an Income Tax officer,

I would like to share now.

I am and will always be your ardent fan

for all your ingenious inventions
and the way you respect your profession.

I have retired now.

Happily retired
with a sense of total fulfillment.

Can I ask you something now?

That penalty is a pittance to you.

If only you had paid it promptly
and been done with it,

you would have reached greater heights
in your business than you have now.

How many people…

How many people would have benefited?

You could have done much more
than your current service to the nation.

Am I right, Mr. Naidu?

Mr. Krishnan.

Personally, you hold me
in such high regard.

I am fully aware of the extra efforts
you took to save me in my times of crisis.

What you told me just now…

Even if your action was justified,

the ethics are debatable.

Shall I elaborate?

At one time, in our motherland,

art, culture, science, medicine,
trade and commerce,

astrology, astronomy, philosophy…

Peaceful life…

Flourished as examples
for the entire world.

Foreigners invaded our land
with their armies

and when they left,

they did not loot only our riches
and resources.

But also our cultural heritage,

system of education,

our identity…

They made us forget everything.

But they did something
even more atrocious.

The feeling of solidarity
as inhabitants of the same soil…

They eradicated it completely.

Religion, language,
caste discrimination…

They planted these poisonous seeds
deep into our soil and left.

That has grown into a dense forest today.

How to raze that forest to the ground?

That will be the biggest challenge
for the now-independent India.

But let me tell you
something now, Mr. Krishnan.

A sudden generation will rise
to destroy that forest.

They will be a force to reckon with
in ways beyond our expectations.

To that breed of enlightened young minds,

religion, language, caste, color
will hold no significance at all.

This world will look up
to the changes that they bring.

The world will applaud
with absolute awe and affection.

To that progressive generation,

on hindsight,

how can I set a bad example
to them, Krishnan?

Just for my personal efforts
and selfish gains,

if I had paid up the wrong tax
imposed by those wretched Britishers,

it would mean
that I had compromised my principles

and given in to their unfair policy.

You would have retired as an officer
with clean hands and integrity intact.

But the palm of my hand
would have been stained!

In what way is that
fair or just, Krishnan?

I don't want that story
as part of history.

The way you are retiring
with total fulfillment,

my heart is filled
with the same contentment.

With my head held high and a strong
sense of pride, I stand before you.

Tell me now, Mr. Krishnan.

Am I right?

Oh, no! Not my feet!

Come here.

Sir.

Do our nation's politicians
lack complete foresight?

No aspirations for our country
to progress and prosper, sir?

G. D. Naidu was a visionary
in every aspect, sir.

The first electric motor in India
was invented by him.

He founded the first polytechnic college.

He pioneered a revolution
in agricultural yields.

He introduced people to the healing power
of Siddha medicine.

A practical engineering curriculum
can be completed in just two years.

He proved it and recommended its adoption.

But we overlooked his major contributions
to humanity

and painted him to be a villain
in the eyes of the world, sir.

They have branded
such a noble man as a traitor?

If that is the case,

Mr. Gandhi, Mr. Ambedkar,

eminent political leaders,

renowned scientists,

celebrated thinkers,
revered religious leaders…

Would they have visited his house
as guests if he had been a traitor, sir?

All these years, we've been living
in a state of blissful ignorance.

We have been reading
distorted versions of history, sir.

I feel ashamed, sir.

Humiliated.

Even after knowing all this,

if we don't include the history
of G. D. Naidu in our syllabus,

history will never forgive us.

Ms. Padmavathi.

Please pardon us.

DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION
GOVERNMENT OF TAMILNADU

I'll take leave, sir.

Excuse me.

Are you related to G. D. Naidu?

No, sir.

My father is a retired Income Tax Officer.

His name is…

Ambalapara Krishnan.