Nandhan (2024) Movie Script

1
'Respected elders
of the village, listen'
'Dalit, Muslim'
'From the tribal clan'
'Anyone can become
the President of our nation'
'But in our village, only a member
of our caste can hold that title'
'Only that enhances our pride and
endorses honor to our caste and community'
- 'True
- Main reason'
'Panchayat board election
is scheduled for next month'
'Koppulingam who has been president
for the past 10 years'
'He has set aside
Rs 2000000 as welfare fund'
'And contesting the election'
'If anyone wishes to contest opposing him
kindly register your name'
'We can write the names on a chit
and accept as per divine oracle'
'Goddess, guide us'
'Apanadha from Malavaraya clan'
'Why fight between close relatives?'
'Apanadha, you want the title
let me know, I'll drop out'
'Kinship is more important
to me than title, name or fame'
'Only man who played politics
equal to your father is Koppulingam'
'He is giving in graciously
Why are you being stubborn?'
'Take a pond on auction'
- 'Don't butt in to compete'
- I will withdraw, leave me, sir'
'Can't voice a single opinion'
'Can no one oppose them?'
'Mirasdar!'
'My foot, mirasdar!
More likely threadbare'
'That chap ran away unable to afford a gift
for a function wants President's post?'
'Better sit down'
'Hello, don't shoot off your mouth
because you feel indebted'
'We ruled this village'
- 'Our generosity made us poor!
- To your mistress?'
'Shut up!'
'Is this a debate for a TV show
to talk all kinds of rubbish?'
'This is a temple'
'Panchayat needs a person
willing to spend'
'That being the criteria, this time too
let Koppulingam contest the president post'
- 'Am I right?
- His stooge is speaking!'
'Whatever sir says is
equal to a divine oracle'
'Is anyone prepared to
even flout and contest?'
'He will be the president
for the 3rd term now'
'He is the right person
to hold this post'
[chatting in low tone]
Nandhan
M. Nandhan
Won't you write my name as contestant?
Are we choosing workers
for 100 day scheme?
You are coolly suggesting
names unworthy of the post
Hey clerk!
In all these years, none of our people
have been elected even once
Discussing like this and deciding
Opting for divine oracle
Wrong selection tactics
Conduct a fair election
Whoever wants can contest and win
The cattle owner aspired for cows alive
The drummer wanted the dead cow's hide
Hello! What did I ask
and what is your reply?
Nandhan, stand right there
Will your community consist
of 10-15 families on the whole?
There are 2000 families
belonging to our caste
You think you can contest and win?
'Just turn back and go'
Or else I'll break your skull into two
Hey! Sit down
You shouldn't talk like that
Anyone in our village
has the right to contest
Aren't you Marimuthu's son?
Your question is justified
But we have enough problems
even within our group
We can think about it
in the next election
- Leave now
- 'Why should I?'
- Give me a proper answer
- Hey! Leave, boy
- Get out
- What temerity!
Making trouble in our temple!
- Obey us
- Go, I say
Wait, am I not handling this issue?
You leave, my boy
Why don't you walk with him to his house?
Instead of using your fist
you're resorting to sweet talk
If my fist talks, he will go
straight to the police station
He will file a PCR
Are you prepared to walk
to and fro to court?
A ghost can be exorcised
But this fellow?
'Nandhan'
Show me your tongue?
Grandpa, you won
Your tongue is redder than mine!
I always win
- Let's see tomorrow who wins
- Try your luck
It's getting late
I'll go and look in on my sir
Chew this too
Tomorrow I'll win
Koozhpaanai, not you
Even your lord and master
can't defeat this Karuppan
As if you are an Olympic medalist!
Don't over dose on your tobacco!
Hear me out
Just because you think you're royalty
you can't wash with a gold mug!
Have we leased out
our village to Koppulingam?
Tell me
- I'll contest against him this time
- Go ahead
Even the rooster in my house that picks
on garbage will die in a cock-fight!
I am ready to contest
If Shiva wants to become strong
let him choose the right Shakti
- Don't simply get an edge in
- Let's see who wins
Lord Shiva, bless me
Finally we have 2 contestants
Koppulingam and Pudhiyaprasu
Clerk, write down their names
Clerk, in cahoots with this chap
I know only too well
what you'll stoop to
You write down
only Koppulingam's name
I will write my name myself
Nandhan, is 'aiya' in the temple?
Why did you slap me?
All I asked was
where is our master?
The elders insist on writing
the name of the next president
They are deriding our clan
Should I be the only one
to validate our caste?
Can't you speak up for us?
Are they writing down names
for Divine Oracle to decide?
- Get lost!
- Wait, anna
Brother!
Why buy trouble in high places?
Focus on your studies
Nondisamy, our Guardian deity
I have never asked You
for any special favors
You bestow even before I ask
'Tell me what I should do for You'
'Should I appease You
by offering a rooster or a goat?'
'Do You want anything else
beyond these offerings?'
'Tell me in my dream
and I will abide duly'
But I don't know how
You will fulfil my wish
The chit that's chosen
should have my master's name
My master should become
the President this term too
I stupidly thought you were
praying for our family's welfare
Enough of praying
for your great master
First drop our son in school
I have to go buy cashews
in Gandharvakottai
I have some important work to do
You consider this as work?
Take this
Forever obsessed with your 'master'
- 'What kind of crappy job!
- God, forgive my stupid wife
Silly fool, spoke in ignorance
Dear deity, somehow make
my master the village President
I vow to tonsure
my son's head
God, I am in no way connected to this
Let my father tonsure his head as a vow
Don't be so rude
He is our greatgrandfather
Not just our God
Our greatgrandfather?!
"Here comes the bull so bold"
"Temerity filled gait manifold"
"Bellows with confidence untold"
"Shaking its hump, lo and behold!"
Sir
Koozhpaanai, we got the seat
Hattrick, da
Why depend on a mere chit?
If our God could speak
He would only select you
"Here comes the bull so bold"
"Temerity filled gait manifold"
"Bellows with confidence untold"
"Shaking its hump, lo and behold!"
"We rule the roost every season
always; for many a generation"
"I won't give in to anyone
whatever maybe the reason"
"Move aside, helter-skelter
run far away and scatter"
"Just wait and watch, man
Win hands down, sure we can"
"Here comes the bull so bold"
"Temerity filled gait manifold"
"Bellows with confidence untold"
"Shaking its hump, lo and behold!"
When your name was written on my chit
even I thought it was an ordinary idea
That child picked up
the chit with my name
If my name had been written on that chit
I would have been the village President
If that was the case
I would have killed you too
And occupied the President chair
'You are quite capable of doing so'
You know that boy Mari who tried
to create trouble in the temple
You gave a befitting answer
They won't hesitate to
file a PCR case
He has gone up to the collector
to insist on a proper Panchayat election
I heard about it
Attend to that too
He is just a pipsqueak
I can handle him with ease
"Our lineage continues for generations"
"Courage in our blood has no reservations"
"Know our history if possible
We are known to cause trouble"
"If you create any issue
we are warriors out to get you"
"Who can beat us hollow in your view?"
"We kill a youngster or toddler
or even at 100 or older"
"If you try to oppose foolishly
dust you'll become, trust me"
"We rule as lord of all we survey
With a whip in our hand we play"
"If you shower love on me
like Jesus I will be"
"I am a warrior proud
with no stones unturned"
"If you have the guts, come
Face off with us, welcome"
"I can cross barriers speedily
Even jump over fire steadily"
"I will butt into my foe
if he touches me, you know"
Hey, wash this room
after he leaves
Why are you asking
your wife to clean?
I can do it myself
When I can clean the porch here
won't I know to mop your room, huh?
I'll do it, sir
'I like that!'
He will clean you up
I will clean up the room
Why do a double job?
If we throw you out
job done and dusted in one swing
Lying here and giving me grief
instead of passing away
Urine had collected
like the water in our canal
I'll drain the bag
Hey! My life
Aren't you having a tough time?
You have to strain to pee
It is free flow for me
Are you pitying me?
Get lost!
- 72
- Untie that calf
Fat lady and a duck, 82
Welcome
Vanakkam
What are you staring for?
This is my master's...!
'He eats just 4 idlis'
5 cigarettes to poop
Imagine the strain
on the body, huh?
Sir, you have visitors
'Come, is it Kalingarayar?'
'Neo-rich!'
'Real estate income overflowing'
- 'Come...come'
- What a welcome?
Do we come into the toilet?
'Your usual sarcasm is intact'
'I believe you have printed my name
in the 4th place in the invitation?'
'Union and township
are more important now'
'Will you print my name below
a random fellow from a nameless caste?'
Our partymen tend to
misunderstand, uncle
That was why-
So does it mean
I won't misunderstand?
Only half a coconut earns respect
in our family deity's temple
The fight turns bloody
as to who is the first recipient
Self respect is life
Fine, whatever
All said and done
you are my son-in-law
Come inside
Welcome
'I thought Anjana
will come along with you'
Aunt, she wanted to take you
saree shopping to Saradha's
Uncle, join us
Shouldn't let food get cold
You enjoy our spread
Koozhpaanai
'Eat, enjoy your meal'
Coming, sir
Sir...?
Come in
Just come, I say
I've cleaned your father's room
Stop pampering him
Come inside
Sir, how can I enter?
I'm inviting you in, right?
- 'Will you come in or not?'
- Okay
- How can I disobey you?
- Eat here
- Okay, sir
- Where are you going?
Sit down and eat
'I told you to sit'
I usually sit on the porch seat
How can I eat in your dining room?
They are part of my family
Sit and eat with them
No, sir
- Eat, I say
- My master has 101 valid reasons
My first time
at the dining table
'My dear'
Why are you glaring?
Enjoy the feast
What is this new habit of yours?
'Your grandfather used to
follow me holding on to my sari'
I am telling him to join Modi's scheme
and he is refusing point blank
I have no idea what
he keeps writing all the time
In present Whatsapp times,
he is writing a love letter
Hey catch it
Out!
Aiyaiyo!
Wait, I'm coming
Oh God!
Hurry...quick!
Oh gawd! He is hurt badly
What happened?
- Who are you?
- Who?
What happened, brother?
Which village are you from?
- Whose son are you?
- Looks like a college student
His whole body is hurt
Come quick, help us
Call the ambulance service
'There's been an accident
Come...come and help'
'Hurry up'
- Who is he?
- Is he hurt?
'What happened?'
'My dear son'
'Sir, look at my son lying lifeless'
'Open your eyes wide'
"President is here
to see you, my dear"
'My precious son'
Keep this for funeral expenses
First attend to all the rites
'Accident case'
'You should not delay
the cremation, do it immediately'
Sir, we came and
paid our respects
Why did you give him money?
Is this an election
to grease palms for votes?
We have no opposition in any case
Sir
- District councillor
- Okay...okay
District councillor, I wanted to call you
The black beads around my neck
worked in my favor just as you said
I will be President now
for the 3rd consecutive term
- Looking forward to your presence
- Hey! Shut up
You are unaware
of my predicament
I got information just now
from Collector's office
Your Panchayat village has been
changed in favor of reservation
In your Panchayat hereafter
Only a Scheduled Caste
candidate can contest
'What do you intend doing?'
Councillor, can't this ruling be revoked?
Not me, even our minister
can't do anything about this
All this is because of the antics
of Election Commission
Tell me about it!
God knows what else is in store!
This is so unfair, sir
Among so many villages, why choose
only my Panchayat as Reserve?
Did you plan this revenge on me?
Nothing of that sort, man
Wanting to improve the lives of Dalits
won't 10-15 Panchayats be changed?
'Sadly, your Panchayat was
jinxed enough to be chosen'
'This cannot be changed, man'
Why not?
Like I did in Pappapati
and Keeripatti
I'll compel our people
to boycott the election
You think you can get away with it
Burning buses, boycotting are measures
that succeeded 10-15 years ago
Media has a stronghold now
5-6 Parties play politics
instigating them to butt their horns
These chaps are no better
Combat and defeat Yama
'Raise their voices in protest'
Get lost!
You have to pipe down till your village
becomes Common Panchayat as before
Understand?
'I know to retain my chair'
Didn't those who went
behind bars for corruption
...place a dummy in
Chief Minister's chair?
Similarly I will also find
a dumbo dummy for my chair
Dalit, reserve, bull shit!
If they occupy a post
can they equal us in status?
Then is Scheduled Caste
president of this village?
We are done for!
Hey!
This is my post, my Panchayat
Whoever comes into power
has to obey my orders
All of you step back
I'll handle everything
You can't twirl your mustache
with pride hereafter, shave it off
[funeral chant]
Hold this damn thing
Give me a fresh betel leaf
Here, sir
Blessing in disguise
I attended this funeral
I can select a slave right here
Yes, president
We prayed many years for a son
Hey...hey!
Will that Govindaraj fellow be suitable?
That butcher?
'He will fit the bill, sir
He won't cross the line you draw
Only disadvantage when he is drunk
he will show his beastly nature
Wrong choice
I can't tolerate lion and tiger!
Sir, what about that chap Madhi?
He is like your pet dog
for the past 40 years
He won't get tanked
nor raise his voice at all
He may be the right choice?
Don't think he is just SC
He has passed SSLC
We must never trust
an educated fellow
Look at an aged candidate
'Aged?'
This fungal eared fellow?
You'll have a by-election
sooner than intended
He is a weirdo!
Sir
Sir, did you see my sister's son
lying lifeless here?
Yuck!
Not only is he good
at falling at sir's feet
He's adept at
being subservient
He is perfect
I know what a subservient chap
is capable of, just shut up!
Get up
Get up...up
- My poor sister
- Go...go
Given a chance
he will even lick my feet!
You there, Koozhpaanai
Sir...?!
'We forgot this slave'
'He'll implicitly obey you
and sign on whatever trash!'
He won't enter
any temple or tank!
Why just our village?
We can elect him
as world-president!
Sir...?
You've been here
for far too long
My father's bag must be full to the brim
- Just peep in
- Sir...?
Before the funeral procession
go, check and come back
'Go, I say
Listen to me'
Okay, sir
I'll make him president
Who will wipe and wash
my father at home?
My eldest grandson
What is it, grandma?
Tell me, I have to go
to our master's house
I don't think he died a natural death
It was a planned killing
just like they killed my husband
Complain to the police
even if they demand a postmortem
Don't talk like a lunatic
I have to attend to sir's
urine bag, I'll be back
I wonder how many will fall
under their revengeful hands?
That rotten chap Panneer
He won't be a mere slave
But a lifetime slave
He will be perfect
Hey Panneer?
- Come here
- Sir?
Come my dear heir
to my political career
Greetings, master
Yours truly, Vanangamudi
Wait, 1 minute
Hey, should I tell you exclusively?
Greetings, sir
Sir, did you see my nephew?
I am not the President
of this village hereafter
Oh God! What do you mean, sir?
Didn't he want one of you
to occupy the President's chair?
We can burn him to cinders
But his wish?
Sir...?
So one of you will be
President for this term
Our leader excels in politics
- Panneer will be an ideal choice
- Sir...?
Why do I need all this fame and name?
His soul has to rest in peace
He wanted someone like you
to represent our village
How can I do justice?
Venus is butting you in your but-
Clerk, when is last date
to file the nomination?
7th of this month
Be ready and waiting in your house
I'll come and take you
- Do you agree?
- Okay, sir
Big packet is Rs 300
Small packet is Rs 100, sir
Are you quoting Rs 100
for such a small packet ?
Cashew is roasted by hand, sir
No adulteration at all
First eat and then tell me
if the rate is exorbitant or reasonable
I'll be back, sir
Gawd! It's getting charred!
Sir, taste it
Taste and tell me
This cashew packet
is Rs 100 it seems
Sir...sir
Sir...sir!
Sir, stop
Sir
'80 year old, a nominee
for Panchayat election'
'...was opposed by her own
daughter-in-law as contestant'
'Deadline for nomination of
Panchayat election closes in 2 days'
'Someone from our caste
has always occupied that chair'
'Now you have chosen
a chap from a lower caste!'
'Only today I regret
being bedridden, son'
'I would have burnt down
this entire village'
'Has God given me a lease of life to
witness all these wretched developments?'
Didn't you ask for water
for a sponge bath?
It is luke warm
Is that alright?
Hey! Am I the father of
this son you gave birth to?
'If he were my real son
he would have erupted in rage'
'How will I face my father
in heaven when I die?'
Your mustache resembles
ex-DGP Devaram's!
- Sir?
- Car is here
Good morning, sir
I'll come, please wait for 5 minutes
Sir
Sir
Sir...sir
Sir...sir
My wonderful husband
Where the hell are you?
Why can't you drop in
at my shop when you have time?
One chap in a car swindled me
of Rs 100 today
I am so stressed
Forget it
I am equally stressed
Master is asking me to stand
in the election for President
What are you saying...huh?
- President?
- Hahn!
'But Panneer uncle was
their choice the other day'
I thought so too
But now my master wants me
to contest the election
'He showed me some paper
and asked me to sign'
I refused to do all that
Are you mad or what?
Hey! You are the one
who is mad, not me
It is such a prestigious post
How can I usurp his place?
Isn't it disgusting?
Listen, your master didn't give up
his seat to you, okay?
Our village has changed
into Reserve it seems
That's the reason
Village peon told me
- You stand, dear
- Hey! Hang up
- I thought sir is confusing me
- Don't burst crackers here
You are worse than him
Hey...listen
Pcccht!
My dear
You are asking to stand for President
Foolish fellow is refusing
If he had said 'yes'
My antenna would have gone up!
You heard him say 'no' vehemently, no?
I want only him
You beat our 'ma hollow
in selecting the ideal stooge!
Hey Koozhpaanai
- Sir?
- Come here
Sign on this nomination paper
Sir, how can I stand in the place
that's rightfully yours?
So...can I change
from my caste to yours?
Will you take me?
Come, you silly fool
'Where are the nominees
for Kattunaval Panchayat election?'
'How many times to call?
Hurry up'
- 'Real estate' is here
- Yes, sir
Welcome, my dear son-in-law
Actually I wanted to call you
Get down, da
Good lord! Karuppan is arriving in a car!
You humiliated me by
making me eat along with this fellow
I'll return your insult by making
this chap contest against you
That's all
Does it make you happy?
Hey Koozhpaanai
- Sir?
- Go
'Maapilai'
This isn't our family function
for you to do tit for tat
Election
- Divine oracle chose me
- Thank God I'm out of it
Then you should be contesting?
- They sent you away too?
- Why are you sitting here?
You said your lineage
will continue as president forever
'You are going back on your word
Keeping a promise is a must for our clan'
Listen, Panchayat has become 'Reserve' now
You are nominating the chap
who wipes and washes your father
I am nominating the chap
who grazes our cows
Do you know why
he has brought you here?
What do I know?
I was happy with my cattle-grazing
When he said, 'Karuppaiya, get into
the car', how can I refuse?
He wants you to contest
the Presidential election
My goodness!
No one will even call me
to cast my vote!
Don't you know when
to just fool around?
Even I thought my master
was playing the fool
You know what they say
What is that?
- Aiyo!
- What?
When a car stops because of no fuel,
some word is used, no?
Hahn! Reserve
Our village has been changed as Reserve
instead of regular Panchayat system
That means?
My master cannot contest
this election it seems
Only someone from our caste
has the right to contest
So my master has made me the nominee
'You are the chosen candidate
by your employer'
Now the contest is between you and me!
Then you and I should come to blows
Why are all of them fighting?
I'm telling you, no need
What about my self respect?
What is your final say, son-in-law?
Putting a spoke in my wheel?
I am not inviting trouble, uncle
Just as a matter of pride
My grandfather replaced
his good tooth with a golden tooth
Won't I continue that tradition?
What do you want from me now?
I must apologize to you, that's all?
Why are you being so formal
to your own son-in-law?
Our lineage fights for mutton and then
unites for chicken, but our bond is strong
Give me just the pond contract
You will always be
the president of this village
Whomever you nominate
will be the president
- Don't forget the contract, uncle
- Okay, son-in-law
- Karuppa, come here
- Koozh, I am the president
Don't forget our clan
once you get elected
- Greetings to all the elders here
- Koozhpaanai
Go back to your grazing!
How brainy is this 'real estate'
He used Karuppan as bait
to secure the contract!
- Come to sir's house tomorrow
- Yes, anna
He thinks this is a great honor!
He won't reform
even in his next birth!
Will you get a better
opportunity than this?
Why are you in a bad mood now?
I thought you were being greedy
when you told me to accept
But when my master
insisted a couple of times
I realized it must be for our good
and I signed the form
Are you serious?
Is it really true?
I signed for the President's post
Honestly?
Do you know how prestigious
that post is, dear?
I don't know all that
Sir asked me to sign, I did
- My dearest
- Hey...hey!
Put me down
- My 'dhoti' will slip off
- Super news, dear
- My darling husband
- Look, my 'dhoti' has loosened, go
Go...go
Selvi, romancing
when the sun hasn't set?!
- Get me coffee
- Don't fall on him too much
- Obey the president!
- My brother-in-law can't take it
"Like a cat standing tiptoe to see"
"Like the elephant trunk
swirling he lures me"
"Slightest excuse, to apply sandalwood paste
he circles me, my beloved soulmate"
"Like the breeze caressing gently
the scented buds of 'nirgundi' dainty"
"My glances he reciprocates
fiery fervor filled with haste"
"Like water merging with red soil here
I am entwined in my love for you, dear"
"He came with a specific love-vow
His tongue to flirt with my nose now"
"His beard to mingle with my tresses
I yearn but I hesitate in shyness"
"Like a cat standing tiptoe to see"
"Like the elephant trunk
swirling he lures me"
"Slightest excuse, to apply sandalwood paste
he circles me, my beloved soulmate"
"Like the lice carefree
strolling on my sari"
"Like buttermilk fresh and cool
I dissolved in his healthy gruel"
"He teased me with his love so true
stamping ownership like his tattoo"
"Up and down, alluringly he sized me
I offered myself as a coconut to my deity"
"Like plucking spinach keezhanelli-apos for keezhanelli
with his glances he feasted on me"
"Like alum in water he dissolved me
I became the queen bee"
"He laughed amusedly; ridiculing me
I bowed my head shyly, twisting my body"
"Like a goat he grazed happily
on the pastures of my sari"
"My darling, in youthful vigor
you took my breath away forever"
"Like a cat standing tiptoe to see"
"Like the elephant trunk
swirling he lures me"
Pudukottai district
Kandharva Kottai Union
"My beloved soulmate"
As Panchayat president
I take up the responsibility
Fantastic, sir
He has offered
apple garland for our deity!
'He is our president
now and forever'
'Toilet contract is his for sure'
'Wait, my dear
Will you go in this attire?'
'What's wrong with this 'lungi'?'
'How can you go
in your usual dress?'
'So what? Should I wear
a crown on my head?'
'Will you drape this or not?'
'Hey! How can you threaten
our president like this?'
'President of India is
the First Citizen of the country'
'You are the first citizen
for our village, dear'
'Hold, drape it'
'I'm telling you'
- 'Listen to me
- Don't fidget, dear'
'Hey...hey, give it to me'
'Aiyo! Stubborn woman!'
'Now look at yourself in the mirror
What a transformation!'
'I will be the laughing stock'
'I feel like laughing too'
Haven't you gone to work?
What are you doing here?
Your make-up is shining bright!
- She smeared layers of powder, uncle
- You are looking so smart, dear
Did you listen to my protests?
- Is it okay now?
- You dazzle like a foreigner
'Uncle'
Bless me
May you always be happy
Nephew, I will carry you
in a procession
How can our president walk?
Lift him, give a hand
Don't be silly
Lower me down
'You have made our community proud'
Don't gang up with them
Lower me, uncle
You lift a goat when dead
Why should a man
lift another man?
- Let me stand on the ground
- You make us proud
Let go of my father
He will repay his loans for sure
Please let him go
- No one is hurting him
- Let go of my father
Uncle, you'll get it from me
My son is getting scared
Gently...lower him now
He is looking so smart in white
Let us escort him
to Panchayat office
Come, walk with him
Why are you following me?
- Attend to your work
- I'll drop you, brother
Did I go in a bike all these years?
I'll walk as I usually do
I can go to the office by myself
You don't have to accompany me
Aunt, leave now to work
in the 100 day scheme
Go and attend to your work
Why are you holding
the betel leaves in your hand?
I'm telling you, go home
I can go, no need of any company
- Our beloved leader
- I am on my way to see him!
All this water being wasted?
Neelu, I'll levy a heavy penalty
if you don't turn off the tap
What are you rejoicing for
with one foot in the grave?
My husband was stabbed to death
for wearing a white 'dhoti'?
My beloved grandson
is clad in white and white
Wait, let me ward off all evil eyes
For me?
I am the one doing
this for everyone
I'll safeguard my grandson
from negativity
Cast away all evil eyes,
green-eyed monsters, envious eyes
Careful, you may fall down
unable to hold the pumpkin!
Enough of toiling so hard
Our Koppalingam sir
has changed it seems
Then why strain so much?
Our Koozhpaanai is president now
Let's go then
We can watch 'Edhir Neechal'
on the phone without disturbance
Men can avail very soon
Ayyadurai, look at this sight
Vanakkam, anna
I'm going to the office to see our sir
You want to come along?
Oh! Will you come later?
Then I'll wait in the office
'You take your time
I'll manage'
'Is that our Koozhpaanai?'
Koozhpaanai, why are you clad
all in white like this?
Who will work in 100 days scheme
Only if I go to the office
and sign you will get your wages
If you are simply sitting
I will mark all of you as absent
We won't work
We will simply sit here
- Sign and get us our wages
- First go and buy tea for us
What? Even I worked along with you
in our Govt's 100 days scheme
You can't fool me
like you fool our master
You have to pull out weeds around
the banyan tree and dredge the lily pond
Uproot all the invasive thorny mesquites
So many thoughts are
swirling in my mind
He is going ahead of Modi!
All of you are sitting around
happily gossiping
Go and do your work
Only if you work
you get your wages, that's final
What a changeover!
Such a shocker from Koozhpaanai
Given a chance
he will become MLA
With him as president
even rain will abstain!
15 calls till now
He is calling nonstop
I consider even saving his number
on my phone as untouchability!
The chap who came in to file
his nomination in his daily wear
'He is clad in style
in white today'
If he stands by your side
people will think he is your relative
Hey weaver, wait
Will you make bonded laborer sit
on the same chair your family occupied?
Don't give him so much importance
[vendor selling vessels calling out]
Your father isn't here?
Thank God she didn't see me
She would have ridiculed me
for guarding a locked office!
Why is sir coming on a bike?
- Good morning
- Shining like a star!
Vice-president, vanakkam
Why are you looking at me like that, sir?
I was here promptly at 8'o clock
You are the one who is late, sir
'I have called the clerk
some 18 times'
No reply at all
Come in, sir
Come in, sir
Sir
Lord Muruga, bless me
I have never stepped into
this office till now, sir
This is my first time
'That too, by your grace and kindness'
Come in, sir
What are you saying?
Imbecile!
I'll send someone
What is it, sir?
Sluice gate in the west has broken
and the fields are getting flooded
Fertilized field of crops
Just go and check it
I'll take care of
good and bad here
Only you can supervise over there
True, sir, no one knows what to
I have to go in person
I will take care
Don't worry
Sir, you be here
I'll deal with it
How was my plan?
Sir is heading to his chair!
How cleverly you sent him
to the fields on a bogus call!
You are Chanakya of politics, sir
My son played games on the street
You are doing the same on your cell
Have fun!
Did I make you study
till 8th grade for this?
'If one constituency needs 40 crores'
'40 areas is 1600 crores
which is 16 billion'
'Does hero Vijay have
that kind of money?'
'That is a question raised'
'Only now he's getting a whopping sum
of crores starting with 3 digits'
'Earlier his salary was crores
starting with only 2 digits'
- What are you writing?
- Your president's name
Only Koppulingam is our president
Stop it!
We have been sent from Union office to
write the newly elected president's name
We are just obeying orders
So will you write the name
of that low-life?
Call our sir
Periyasamy anna
Stop...stop
Drop me at
the 3 road junction
Speed up
Rev the engine
I'll break his limbs
and burn him alive
Our leader is here
You'll get it now
Welcome, sir
Look whose name he has written
to humiliate our village pride
Ambed or some animal
They let him off easily
Should have killed him
Stop...stop, brother
Why is sir here?
Hey! Shut up
What happened, sir?
Look, he is coming
He is the village president
- Sir, why are you-
- Hey! Shut up
Only his name has to be painted
My dear boy, get up and write
If you are writing this name
...we don't even need
this board in our village
Shut up for God's sake
You have to write
only his name
'Honor his name
with M.A B Ed'
You intend to insult us
you might as well do it royally
You write his damn name
But first wipe out my name
as vice president below his
I said, wipe it
My name below yours is fine
But beneath his is beneath my dignity!
Disgusting
Don't magnify such a trivial issue
- Koozhu?
- Sir
- Ambed, supervise
- Okay, sir
Move aside
Go...disperse
We thought you'll scold him
Instead you're shooing us
Jobless, expecting mediation!
Write bold and broad, brother
'President: Ambed Kumar
Vice President: Periyakaruppan'
No one will call me by
my nickname 'porridge pot'
Will they change it to 'rice-pot!'
Don't be sarcastic all the time
Our village will be proud
- See for yourself
- See what?
Take a look at our village board
Get down and take a good look
Selvi, don't have a heart attack
seeing my name-
'Ambed Kumar'
- Is it your master's doing?
- Of course not
He fought for me
and made him write my name
How will he-
Bless us, Lord Shiva as Soleeswara!
Koozhpaanai will agree
not to have his name written
But won't his kith and kin
instigate him to protest?
BDO is new and he is
said to be troublesome
That's why I asked our people
to smear cow dung all over that board
'All that is fine'
'Next week is Independence Day'
'Will you be hoisting the flag
or will he do the honors?'
- 'He will
- Seriously, sir?'
Most of them own a phone
to click photos or snitch
Wow! You are Chanakya of politics
What does it matter who hoists the flag?
'I hold his tuft in my hand!'
She slipped in the field it seems
Why did she work at this-
Is this the age to work?
Aunt
Look who has come to see you
Grandmother
You don't worry
When have I been worried?
Your name has been written
on the board in our village limit
I am so proud of you
What more can I ask for?
'My heart is overflowing with joy'
'Wish your grandfather
was alive to share this joy'
On that name board-
Don't tell her, she won't
be able to take it, poor soul!
Kumar, they ridiculed you
about your roots
All kinds of horrible nicknames
and you cried your heart out
My husband told your headmaster
to change your name to Ambed Kumar
We are familiar with
our guardian deity Aiyanar
All of us laughed asking
'who is that Ambedkar?'
'Foolish people!
Don't you dare laugh!'
He said, 'only this name will
make my grandson a big shot'
Now you have made his dream come true
Even if I die now I'll get salvation
Why are you thinking of death now?
Even without any title or post
you'll go out of your way for me
To top it all
you are the president
In a stormy weather
won't you take me ashore?
He will ensure your demise
at a ripe old age will be celebrated
Only wish of mine is to watch you
hoist our national flag and then die
'This is not the same village
you were born and brought up'
'Our village has progressed so much'
I must go up and tell my husband
That is my only wish
Hoisting a flag seems to be an easy task
Salute!
My humble salutations
to my people and children
President-
Chee! He will be here
Salutations to president sir
who made me president
I am not
Used to addressing a gathering
Don't deride me
if I say something I shouldn't
Once I stole some money
and my father caught me
A contented mind is comfort satisfying
Poverty is the thought that keeps wanting
My father branded me with
a hot iron rod and dinned it into my head
This lesson he taught me
is embedded in my mind and heart
Therefore I won't commit any blunders of
accepting bribes orresorting to corruption
I have no desires to
take anyone's money
I will always be a source of support
and lend my helping hand to all of you
I will work for your welfare
Jai Hind!
[applause]
Father, that was a terrific speech
Soooper, my dear
My dear husband
I didn't know you had
such clarity of thought
My precious treasure!
Appa, you said 'Jai Hind' at the end
that gave me goosebumps, pa
Who taught you to speak so well?
How many times I've watched this on TV?
You think your father
is like you both?
I am really clever!
Our flag pinned onto a clean white shirt
Even you look prim and proper
My wedding shirt, sir
Move...move aside
Careful
Lower her gently
Now the president of our Panchayat
will hoist our national flag
Bhuwana, watch my dad hoist the flag
Give
'I care two hoots
who uploads a video?'
'I won't give up my right'
'Salute'
Order
'National anthem'
'Mankind is equal in circumstance of birth
Diversity of work lends each his worth'
'Kural 972
Tamil poet Valluvar'
'Jaya he'
Broom stick
Broom stick!
[vendor calling out]
Azhaga, why are you sitting here
without going to school, son?
I'm talking to you
I don't like to go to school
Why, my son?
What happened?
My classmates are ridiculing me
If you don't go to school
they will ridicule you even more
- Come
- Appa didn't hoist the flag, no?
- My friends are teasing me
- Why are you so stubborn?
I'm not coming
- I'm telling you
- I don't want to go to school
- Let go of me, ma
- Like father, like son
- Don't beat me
- Are you trying to bunk school?
Don't hit me, ma
I'll stay home
You'll only be respected if you study
If your father had studied
would he have been humiliated like this?
Why are you beating me?
Why didn't you ask appa to hoist the flag?
'Let that husband of mine come
I'll brand his butt with a hot rod!'
'Spineless fellow'
You made my mother
beat me this morning
You'll get it real hard from me
Die...die
into the dust
Good riddance!
Sir
You've been out of sorts
from the flag hoisting day
No, sir
My grandmother is unwell
So I decided to be here
My father is unwell at home
Who will take care of him, huh?
He has been asking for you
Okay, finish all this and come back soon
- Take care of your grandmother
- Okay, sir
Let's go
"I am singing a song true
In remembrance of you"
"My dear Senthamarai; on this day
why did you forget me and go away?"
"In memory of you
I sing this song anew"
"Our gold studs safe at home; precious
Your ear-rings in the pyre turn to ashes"
"Our jewelry under lock and key
Into the pyre her gold studs will be"
Forced to obey our sir's orders
we have to attend this wretched funeral
Do the needful
Grandmother is getting drenched
Lift her up...lift her
- 'Bring her inside'
- 'Where are you taking her?'
'Hey! Get out'
Will she dissolve in the rain?
We will leave as soon as the rain stops
Don't you know
you are not allowed here?
I told you to get out of here
Will you change your caste and rites
because you are president?
- It's raining
- Clear out
Take your corpse and get out
Have we ever stepped
into your graveyard?
My grandmother is
getting drenched in the rain
We'll leave as soon as
it stops raining
- Go away!
- They not allowing us?
- What temerity!
- No fear at all
This is our graveyard
None of you take a single step in here
Your graveyard is 15 feet away
Go there and cremate her
Barging in here as if
it is your graveyard!
If sir gets to know about this
'He will skin you alive'
If we hadn't come
you would have cremated her here, no?
It is fortunate we came here
Listen, after the rain stops
cremate her in the area reserved for you
Otherwise I'll burn all your huts down
As if they will find out
where we cremated her?
They are not letting her rest in peace
Why should we listen to their words?
We'll cremate her inside
and carry the ash outside
Wait for sometime
I'll ask our president's permission
You are the president of this village
Why should you go and ask him?
Come here and hold this end
For the sake of one death
the village should not become a graveyard
Do you understand?
Uncle, I am sure my master
will agree to my request
I'll ask him permission
and come back immediately
Till then, wait here
Sir
Aiya
Sir?
- What, da?
- Sir
- Rain hasn't stopped yet
- So...?
So we wanted to burn her in your graveyard
You moron!
What rubbish is this?
'If you burn her in that graveyard'
Where will you burn me?
Wretched fellow!
Why has death ignored you?!
Listen
Wait until the rain stops
and then cremate her
If the villagers will get to know this
you will be burnt to cinders
Go
- Please, sir
- I'm telling you
- Go
- I came here trusting you
Coming here
straight from the graveyard
Aiya!
What did the president say?
What did he say?
'Why are you digging over there?'
'Our tradition is to burn, not to bury'
Will the dead soul spring back to life?
What's the difference if we burn or bury?
Come soon
Bring my grandmother here
'Even without any title or post
you'll go out of your way for me'
'Now you have
become the president'
'In a stormy weather
won't you take me ashore?'
Why did you place so much
faith in me, grandmother?
What a degrading way
of bidding you the final farewell
'Long live, Tamil'
- Sir
- Tell me
- I am from Vanangankudi village
- Tell me
Regarding the graveyard of our village
What you need to do is
meet your Panchayat president
I can help you
only if you come through him
I am the president, sir
Come inside
Sit down
- It's okay, sir
- Sir, please sit down
That's your seat
Please sit down
Tell me
We can fight without any means of survival
But we fighting without
a dignified way of dying
My grandmother carried me
in her arms and raised me
We had to bury her
in slush and mire yesterday, sir
Please give us at least 2 cents
of land for our graveyard, sir
Which village did you say?
Vanangankudi, sir
- Near Adhanankotai?
- Yes, sir
In every village, there is unowned
or empty land owned by the Govt
3.5 acres
We will take 10 cents
and make a graveyard for you
Later, Govt will also
grant some money
With that, you can make
arrangements for burning and burying
Okay?
Thank you, sir
Thank you very much
Welcome
Hey!
Didn't I kill and bury you?
How did you grow again?
- Amma
- Tell me
Look at this
'Wild mesquite'
This will grow all over the place
This did not grow on its own
I killed this and buried it here
You always talk
beyond your years!
It's a crime to have misused un-assessed
Govt land not meant for private purposes
Our sir has come
Talk to him now
Sir, they want to
bulldoze your fields
Sir, please don't mistake us
This is Block Development Officer's order
He was the one who met BDO
and asked for a graveyard
BDO asked us to
take action immediately
I asked him for Govt land
Not my master's property
This is un-assessed Govt land
Your sir won't have a document
to claim ownership
So will you raze the crops to the ground?
Hey, stop it
Stop it now
- Sir, this is wrong
- Be quiet
Officers, please come here
Anyone who usurps 'poramboke' land
is committing a crime
I own 70-80 acres of land
I dont have the need to grab
such lands and benefit by it
My workers thought they were doing me
a good turn and added this to my assets
That fact did not come
to my knowledge
You have every right
to clear this field
I will not interfere
or hinder your action
A mistake is a mistake
Sir, we can't leave it like that
Hey! Reverse your bulldozer
I won't allow it
You are a great performer!
You will call the concerned officers here
Then you will act
like you are stopping them
Wonder what else is up his sleeve
- Be quiet
- Sir, don't get me wrong
- Come here
- I did not do it
What if I lose this field?
Will I lack food on my table
for my next meal, huh?
Let them do their duty
Only now you have become
a responsible president
You go ahead
Let's go home
Get the bulldozer
into the field, hurry up
Whether they are into agriculture or not,
they are good at creating problems
Aiya
What, Bagyam?
Looks like you are
getting a new graveyard
'Go and happily rest in peace there'
Listen, I cleared the land
I held in my possession
Now you are occupying land
which is legally mine
If you are on my land illegally
isn't that also land-grabbing?
When will you vacate this place?
What are these blank stares in aid of?
When are you leaving?
Sir, we have been living here
for the past 30-40 years
Suddenly if you ask us to leave
where will we all go now?
Where to go, eh?
Ask your president
Listen, you only have 2 days time
Before that, you have to
vacate this entire area
Otherwise the same bulldozer
and same bokline will land here
Move the car
- 'You have to clear out by this evening
- Where can we go, sir?'
Sir, I swear from the bottom of my heart
I didn't do anything deliberate to hurt you
'Trust me, sir'
You got the courage to
meet BDO all by yourself?
What should I do
as repentance now?
Resign your post as president
I gave you that post, da
Doesn't it hurt when I take it back?
That is called power
Power of authority!
Hear me loud and clear
If he resigns, all of you
can continue living on my land
If not, I'll wipe out all of you
Start the car
- Lived here for 40 years
- He wants us to vacate
You are so blessed
to be born this way
No school, no teacher
You're enjoying a carefree life
Will your father close the door?!
As if this is a palace!
They will loot it bare
'Francolin' and 'My fair bunny', tata
Hey! My wild mesquite, tata
- Amma, 1 minute
- Where are you going?
'He is such a pain'
You've grown taller than me
And buds are flowering too
I'm eating rice
I'm eating 'idli'
I'm eating beef too
All you drink is water
Then how did you grow so tall?
Amma, 1 minute
I don't want to go to school
Because everyone is making fun of me
You are the only friend
who doesn't ridicule me
I'll be back to continue our chat
Tata, bye
'Where do you think
your father has gone?'
Only last week you came
and asked for a graveyard
In so short a time
have they decided to bury you?
No, sir, I am resigning
of my own free mind
I am unwell, sir
Are you really unwell
or is someone threatening you?
Why should I threaten him?
He looks like a wholesome pumpkin
But he is diabetic
He has to take Viagara
to even pee!
He is himself accepting
he can't take the strain
Instead of accepting his resignation letter
you are questioning him?
You are treating the president with
disrespect right in front of my eyes, huh?
Get out
Get out of here
I know how to get
his resignation letter
Leave
I TOLD YOU TO GET OU- Please sit down
- No, sir-
Sit and we can discuss
Sir, please sit
Do you know what Reservation means?
For people like you to walk
with your head held high
Many people revolted
to give you that right
You know how many
lives were lost, huh?
You are playing a game
of dice with that precious right
I am well aware
I am well aware who pressurized you
and compelled you to resign
If you name him
I'll put him behind bars
Sir, don't misunderstand me
Even our fart will stink!
I feel maybe we were
a bit rash and impulsive
Sir, by now that BDO would have
extracted all the information
That chap would have blurted everything
including the flag hoisting
Yes, whether he resigns or not
We are lucky if he
doesn't file a complaint
Why are you looking at me?
Filing Protection of Civil Rights
is a fashion nowadays
This is your right
Don't give it up
Fight for your right
I will support you
Why are you blocking the way?
Chairs are meant for sitting
- Go and sit
- We will manage
Hey! Sit
Sir...sir?
He is bringing back the letter
'That means he has not resigned'
If we compel him to resign
It will boomerang on us
You patch up with him now
We'll wait for a better opportunity
'He has no other option'
What now? Didn't BDO
accept your letter of resignation?
Don't worry
In a way that's good too
- What do you feel?
- Right, sir
Even I thought about it
You blundered unknowingly
I should not have asked you
to resign because of that
I'm telling you now
I have no issues if you
get back to being the president
Just this
All I expect from you
is your old loyalty
Fate of our village
Is this Koozhpaanai chap
back to being president?
All this is the cruelty of Time
What can he do
if that BDO didn't accept it?
'I, Ambed Kumar'
- He has resigned
- What are you saying?
Hey! Get into the car
I misunderstood you
listening to their opinions
You proved your loyalty to me
Have I ever told you
to sit in my car?
Get in
You resigned despite BDO's advise
You proved you are
truly loyal to me
Sir-
BDO sent us out and asked you to sit
How dare you think you're equal and comply!
- Kill him
- What temerity!
Sir, BDO insisted I sit
You have the gall to be seated
just because he asked you to sit!
- Didn't I comply with your order?
- I'm standing and you are coolly sitting
I'll slit your butt, add salt
and roast it to blister
This is reason enough to kill you
We are standing out there
How dare you sit on that chair!
I should have killed you
when you walked clad in white!
- That post has gone to your head
- I have resigned
Blessed minister's post
And sir made a huge sacrifice!
'Our fault to have
offered that post to you'
- Beat him to a pulp
- What temerity!
What will that BDO do now?
Get lost
Sir...aiya, what wrong did I do?
What more should I do?
Why are you hitting me?
'Aiya...forgive me'
If you utter another word
I'll skin you-
I'll handle him
Demolish his hut and
bash his wife and son
Let's go
Sir, spare my wife and son
Please don't hurt them
'Begging you, sir'
What is the problem, uncle?
Is this chap refusing to resign?
You might as well have accepted
my candidate Karuppan
That fellow would have
signed any damn document
I already resigned, sir
How dare you sit!
Only if I teach you a lesson
other chaps will tuck in their tails!
Sir, it was wrong on my part to sit down
I won't sit even at home, sir
Ungrateful scoundrel!
We have pinned you down as bonded laborers
just to be bashed, beaten, bruised, killed'
'You got this post through
your reservation quota'
'You'll mediate royally and
we must abide by your rules?!'
Kill him, son-in-law
'Will you forget your roots
if you get a title to your name?'
How dare you retort?!
You saw that, uncle?
He has the audacity to teach us a lesson
when we gave him the power!
Beat him
Bash him up
Strip him of all his clothes
Don't hit me...please stop
What right do you have to
gloat over his position?
We gave him this pride of place!
'Don't break all our things'
'Let go of my mother'
Don't hit me
Don't destroy our house, hey!
APPA
AMMA!
Don't, please don't
Aiyo! Don't hit me
It hurts, don't, sir
Please don't hit me
I can't bear it
We will go away somewhere
and earn a living
Poor wild mesquite!
- Let go of me, da
- I am begging you, sir
You bloody die, da!
Our guardian deity, save me
Amma...get up
Let us leave this place
Amma, hurry
Hold my hand
Aaaah! Amma!!
You showed me your true colors, no?
You'll pay for it
How dare you eat the food
I gave you and betray me!
My husband
Aiyo!
Move your feet, oh gawd!
You bloody fellows!
Embed this in your mind
If you oppose me
you will share his fate
How did you suddenly
become so gutsy?
'I will skin you alive'
Tell me, you won't have
a single hut left in your 'colony'
I'll burn down all your huts
You had better obey
and surrender to my wishes
Please get up, my dear
How long will it take for him
to use his strength and hit you back?
He tolerated all your atrocities
with will power, I salute him
You think he lost and you won!
Get lost!
Considers himself a big shot
I should have given birth
to him instead
Don't be offended I'm saying this
You went slightly overboard
Killing a chicken doesn't mean
anger over that bird
We want chicken gravy
on our dining table
Now he has resigned
We have to select someone next
We have no other choice
but to choose a man from their clan
Now they are petrified of the repercussions
if they go against my wishes, right?
Whichever candidate we select
For a lifetime he has to fall at our feet
That's why this loyalist
was beaten to a pulp
'Let us go back to
our home, come, ma'
'Azhaga, that house is not ours'
'If we had a house of our own
who could have driven us out?'
'If we don't earn and buy atleast 5 cents
of land we will be nomads for life'
Hey! Wild mesquite
You have sprouted leaves again?
I didn't come to see my home
I came only to see you
You are immortal, you know
'Wait, I have to tell my parents'
Ma...?
Why have you come
running breathless here?
What happened?
What is it?
Appa, mesquite has sprouted leaves again
It symbolizes we will also
survive wherever we go, pa
Hey Mari! Why are you crying?
You are our next president
Sir, please don't misunderstand us
After our son's death
we are like corpses barely alive
We don't need all this title and post, sir
Don't compel him, sir
You should consider yourself blessed
that our sir has selected you, Mari
So many beg him or
try to bribe our sir for it
They even stoop to kill!
You are better off quietly signing
Sir, please choose someone else
In my last phase of life
I don't want to be
blamed for any misdeed
- Hey! Simply sign
- Sir, forgive me
I beg of you
Leave me out of this, sir
Get up!
I'm telling you to get up
Please leave me out, sir
All your tears are fine
Sign and then continue crying
Enough of 1 accident
per house, sign now
'I, Marimuthu who is president
of Vanangankudi Panchayat'
'I resign from my post
due to personal reasons'
'Yours truly
Marimuthu'
Aiya, I pleaded not to make me president
Why all this, sir?
Don't get me wrong, Mari
When I asked that Koozh fellow
to resign from his post
He dragged it giving me a hard time
I wanted to ensure
you don't follow suit
Now sign the nomination form
Sign
Sign here
They killed my son and now
they are garlanding him!'
'Like a cow offered to fulfill a vow
you fell at their feet in total submission'
But you surrendered even your duty
as president at their feet, you know?
I just could not bear that
What do you want me to do?
'Who asked you to resign, I say?'
'That's why they plan to
replace him in your post'
'70 year old man'
If anything untoward happens to him
I will strangle you to death, I swear
Listen, talk to someone
Do something about it
Marimuthu
You got angry I showed disrespect
Let me reiterate the same
He...this fool is the president
2 days remaining
for the deadline
How can I conclude he is President?
Village with perfect discipline
following this tradition for 40 years
Without competition
No contestants is not a matter of pride
A democratic healthy competition
is the jewel in our crown
You are roaming around, not able to
differentiate pride and problem
We know all about pride and buffalo hide@
You attend to your work
Don't keep staring at his mouth
Get out of this room
- Hey!
- A special serf!
Lie at my feet like a faithful dog
for the next 4 years
Like this Koozhpaanai-
Uncle, forgive me
I am also contesting for the post
- Who has instigated him, huh?
- I don't know
He is registering his nomination
He needs 2 imbeciles
as witnesses to sign
How can he find anyone?
Not a single soul!
Success and defeat come later
You wanted to compete, no?
You won at that very moment
Sit down
Sir, my wife and son
Please come inside
Come
No way he decided this
of his own accord
Someone has instigated him
So be it, even then
how many votes can he get?
Me, my wife
And my witness Panneer
signing for me now
I'll be happy if I get 3 votes, sir
Then why the eff is he contesting?
To win
But not me
My father's brother uncle Marimuthu
their candidate should win
If he wins without any opposition
The post will be regarded as charity
and they will have the upper hand
But if I lose
and my uncle wins
He would have won
with a margin of over 600!
Then it will be his sole victory
Only that will make him
hold his head high
I explained so clearly
to you that day
You didn't pay heed
and resigned to please them
But today, understand truth as it is
You are contesting
But bear this in mind
Be steadfast in this decision
I won't change my mind, sir
I will stay determined
Feather in our cap
is no competition at all
We should not lose that
All that won't be lost
Hey clerk! You are the first and foremost
reason for the downfall of our village
Punyakodi
Wait, he will set everything right
'A low life nobody
has the gall to oppose us!'
You were too kind to him
by just driving him away
You should have killed him
Will that fellow withdraw
his nomination today?
Our village has its own protocol
You promised yesterday
to make him withdraw
Today is the last day
He has to withdraw
before 5:00 p.m, right?
It is my duty to safeguard
the dignity of this village
He will definitely withdraw
I will do something
that will give him no choice
Police force is a mere dummy-piece
We are the oppressed clan
They have razed our huts to the ground
and destroyed all our belongings
We have no roof over our head now
Our family is on the road
bruised and battered
You should not suffer
because of my action
I left our area
I was driven out
What should I do now?
Not for my personal victory
I want you to win
'Panchayat Union Office'
- Sir?
- What about that loyalist?
- I don't understand, sir
- I meant Ambed
'Sir, they have threatened him to withdraw'
'They are waiting for him to come here
after ruining their habitat to rumbles'
I don't think he will withdraw
'He is strong in his stand, sir'
Children and all the women
have been bashed up brutally
Where can we go?
We have been ordered to evacuate
If I am the cause for all your suffering
I am ready to withdraw my nomination
I will withdraw
Aiya...!
Your hammer-blow has made
the 2 goats for slaughter come bleating
- Look
- I told you, sir
Look at the desperation
and despair written on their faces
No one can underestimate me
Such is my political mindset
- Let's go down
- You are Chanakya of Politics!
Uncle, are they coming
or shall I kidnap them here?
Come
Don't say a word, follow me
What were you doing
till 4:45 p.m?
Where did you get this temerity from?
- Making us wait for so long?
- Taking us for a ride
- Go
- Bloody rogues!
- What were you doing for so long?
- What is this 'slow motion' walk?
- You won't reform
- Go in there
Clerk, well hit!
How will you sign
behind our back?
Wait, let him be
Good he had a change of heart
Good evening, sir
Give it to sir
Despite my sound advice
you will never reform, eh?
'Are you so spineless?'
They will trample you lifelong
and you will suffer and die
'Border Development Officer'
No, I refuse to
accept your resignation
- Time's up
- You have 5 minutes
It is legally wrong to refuse accepting
a candidate's withdraw petition
Will you accept it or not?
'Call the collector, I say'
'Only 3 minutes remaining'
Are you resorting to delaying tactics?
Sir, aren't you a straightforward officer?
'Why can't you accept his withdrawal?'
You are giving this lowlife
too much importance
'Take the letter and
throw him out, sir'
Hey! Give it to him
Ask him to accept
- Accept it
- All of us are telling you
He is willing to give, just take it, sir
'Why are you refusing, sir?'
Sir, accept it for my sake
- He is giving voluntarily
- Take it, sir
- 'How does it affect you?
- Just do your job'
'Uncle, ask him to
stamp the seal immediately'
Close it with a seal
Do it right now
- Don't delay
- That's your duty
- Seal it, sir
- Go on, do it, sir
'You crucified him!'
'Social justice it seems
or some bloody crap'
Selling salt to the sea!
You saw how the officer
had to zip his lips?!
You are Chanakya of Politics
What 'knack'ya?
Chanakya?
Who?
You can never be reform-
'From
Marimuthu'
Hey! What is this?
How did this happen?
'I will withdraw my nomination'
Why should you withdraw?
Let my husband withdraw
I sacrificed my only son
for their greed for name and fame
I am telling you now
You should be the president
- 'You should win
- True'
They tortured you
in the most inhuman way
They won't hesitate to
torture him in a similar fashion
They have already tricked me
into signing a resignation letter
What is the use of me contesting?
You become president
They will bash us brutally
And thrash us ruthlessly
Worst case scenario they will kill
Is there anything new left for them to do?
We can face whatever atrocity
Go and stand boldly
- You have to stand
- Don't think twice
- You must represent us
- Don't hesitate
We remained segregated assuming
authority is needed only to rule
But only now we realize, sir
We need that power
for even basic survival!
That's why we decided unanimously
- Sir?
- I'll manage
S.Ambed Kumar
President of Vanagankudi Panchayat
Do not bow your head for anyone
Using your post and power, do all the good
you can for people's welfare, no full stops
But be impartial
Attend to your work, go
'How much longer will you
continue this drama?'
Hey you!
Are you playing political games with us?
You are an old hand in
political games for decades
We have just entered this sphere
Hereafter this is how it will be
Let's go, uncle
Wretched fellows of the lowest order
who are dependent on us in life and death!
They smeared defeat on our faces, uncle
Why should I stick with you now?
I am better off being with them
'Ambed anna, brother
I can drop you home in my bike'
'Do you have anyone to support
if we dissect you to pieces?'
'We fed you and you stab us
behind our back, huh?'
What audacity to oppose us!
Spineless fellows!
Aspiring for the Panchayat!
'No court can put us behind bars'
'What the eff can you do
opposing our superiority?'
Trying to act smart with us?
'Will we let you enter
the Panchayat office?'
'You have to lie at our feet
for your lifetime'
'You think you can revolt?'
'Our caste rules
Our word is law'
'I don't consider myself a male
if we don't hang you from a tamarind tree'
'Occupy the seat of power'
'That is our solution forever'
said social reformer Ambedkar
'But despite occupying a seat of power
many are unable to hold their head high'
'Success is possible
maybe in reel world'
'But in the real world...?!'
After becoming the president
I intended serving the people
I took up this post
But that post is giving me
only strife and struggle
You had better sign or else
we'll remove you from President's post
For the only reason of being
born in the lowest caste
They prevent me from hoisting a flag
even though I have won the election
Who respects a president
from a Scheduled Caste?
If I go to the Panchayat office
'As if she is a leader and we have to
listen to all the nonsense she speaks'
This is how I am treated by them
Even the police department
doesn't take us seriously
Even senior officials
don't respond properly
Whichever police station I go to
I'm asked, 'you, huh?'
'You call yourself a president?'
Which village can justify this?!
I was tortured to this extent and needed
8 stitches as an emergency case
I was admitted in the hospital
No officer enquired about my well being
We have constructed
a new Panchayat office
More than 6 months
since it was built
It has not been inaugurated
just because we will occupy the seat
Occupying the chair is an issue
Getting work done is an issue
If we cross those hurdles
we have to face issues with the officers
Respect is essential in life
The day I became President
I lost my self respect completely
Why do you give
a constituency to a Dalit?
Why give and then squash it?!
Wishing for such a post
we lost our dignity and prestige
My life is full of strife
My daughter's life is ruined
My son's education is spoilt too
I have lost everything
and become a living corpse!
Which community should I have
been born to serve the people well?
I have thought for many years
but couldn't share with anyone
I wanted to tell someone my angst
We have been denied basic rights
because we belong to this community
It is a horrible way of existence
I can't raise my head high
as president even in 1 street!
I have been humiliated often
subtitled by rekhs