Prathichaya (2026) Movie Script

1
[suspenseful music builds]
[eerie, ominous tones playing]
[music intensifies]
[protesters shouting slogans] A surging,
roaring protest I also want to go with her.
Be careful on the way.
Okay, Mom.
[music rises dramatically]
[chanting slogans continues]
[ON PA]:
A protest rally organised by the CPNM
against the State Government's bar policy
is currently underway here.
We extend a warm welcome
to State Secretary Comrade Gopalan
and State Secretariat member
Comrade Kannur Jayadevan to the stage.
[music intensifies]
Under the leadership of the CPNM,
a fierce protest is erupting
against the State Government's move
to grant licenses
exclusively to five-star bars.
Thousands from every corner of Kerala
have gathered,
turning the Secretariat premises
into a sea of red.
If this continues, the capital
city will grind to a halt by noon.
Political Kerala is watching closely to see
how Chief Minister KN Varghese,
who has so far faced
allegations and controversies
with remarkable political agility,
will weather this storm.
- How is it going?
- Everyone's on edge.
They've come fully prepared.
A government surviving on a
razor-thin majority of just two seats,
one that could collapse any moment, this
protest is nothing short of a trial by fire.
Sir, things will escalate.
The CM will be under immense pressure.
If the crowd turns violent,
the police shouldn't react immediately.
Let them vent.
Stoke their anger.
Then use whatever feels right,
rubber bullets, tear gas, water cannons..
If possible, turn this into
another Koothuparambu or Muthanga.
I don't need to spell it out, Soman.
The media and social media
- should be on fire.
- Sir.
Comrades, friends,
So now, it seems bars in Kerala
must all be five-star only!
We all know our Chief Minister KN Varghese's
undying obsession with five stars!
[sloganeering escalates]
Long live the revolution!
Long live SFY!
Isn't the Chief Minister, along with his
elder son, Rajya Sabha MP Tobin Varghese,
busy looting Kerala dry?
Has Kerala ever seen a Chief
Minister as shameless as KN Varghese?
I say this with complete responsibility.
The Chief Minister and his son together
have pocketed over a hundred crores, squeezed
out of five-star hotel owners across Kerala!
Before we leave this ground today,
KN Varghese will be forced to resign!
What's happening, man?
How is it? Is it getting wild?
Anyway, send the boys in.
What can sixty of them really do, stuck
in the middle of five thousand people?
Ah, send whoever's available!
They've got the stuff with them, right?
Tell them to provoke the crowd.
Yeah, I'm on my way.
[Knocks] -Hey.
- WOMAN: Yeah?
What is it, Tobin?
You freshen up, have breakfast,
and then come.
Okay. I'm heading out. Where to?
The Secretariat siege is heating up.
Need to shake things up a little.
Got to give Dad some backup.
You've got the spare keys, right?
Yes. Will you call me?
Calling might take a couple of days.
I'm pulling this SIM out right now.
[door shuts]
[tyres screeching]
President, we should float a rumour
about a resignation.
The media is on our side.
Mallu Voice has already gone active online.
Thattel Prasad pinged me on WhatsApp.
The Excise Minister is rattled.
He's creating a scene
in the cabinet meeting.
Call Delhi and inform them we're
withdrawing our group's support.
Don't rush it.
Let Varghese reach the Secretariat first.
I'll call after that.
[phone ringing]
It's ACP Baiju.
Ah.. yes, Baiju. Tell me.
Oh, at a time like this?
I see.
What is it, sir?
The CM has gone to pay his respects
to the late IT Secretary, Cherian.
Instead of rushing to the Secretariat,
all tense and rattled,
the man's gone to Chaakka Junction
for the funeral rites!
[triumphant intro score playing]
He doesn't think or act like us, man.
He's a fox.
The craftiest fox
Kerala has ever seen.
[music playing]
Prasad sir and Basheer ikka
seem a little shaken.
If the pressure builds,
more people might jump ship.
There's talk that the Delhi high command
might cut you loose, sir.
Let's see, man.
Haven't we seen this before?
And don't fan the media flames right now.
Hmm.
[dramatic score escalates]
Varghese, even flaunting a mere two-seat
majority needs a bit of dignity, you know.
[crowd applauding]
[suspenseful score playing]
- Sir, the situation is unpredictable.
- We'll see.
- How much staff do we have?
- Very few, sir.
Today we've no other plans.
Sure, sir.
Make way! Make way!
Keep it aside.
Yeah, I haven't forgotten.
The day after tomorrow, right?
I'll be there.
Pappachan, take care of everything
needed for Rahel's daughter's wedding.
Okay. Alright.
[warm, soothing score playing]
[heroic, dramatic title music playing]
[warm, soothing score playing]
[heroic music playing]
The protest outside is getting fiercer.
They're calling for a complete shutdown
by afternoon.
There's talk everywhere that I'll
be kicked out of the chair today.
So..
we're taking a decision now.
We are shutting down
all the bars in the state.
[suspenseful music builds]
Forget star ratings and classifications,
shut down every single one!
What?! How will that even work?
Didn't he already take bribe
from the five-star hotel lobby?
Didn't Mathew sir object to this?
And what about Thattel Prasad?
CM, you can't take such a call
in this kind of haste.
Wasn't it you who insisted until last night
that there would be no compromise on this?
Prasad, isn't politics all about
changing your stance overnight?
Even then, you should hear
the Excise Minister out.
Take a call after that.
I'll listen to you, Prasad,
but in my office.
The decision, however, will be made..
right now..
right here!
The revenue loss from shutting all bars,
didn't I submit a note on this, CM?
How am I supposed to run the state then?
Mathew sir..
This is a political decision.
Then it must be discussed in the Cabinet.
You must also consult
the coalition partners.
Abdul Rahman Sahib,
what's your stand on this?
Thangal called me.
He said you've already discussed this
with him.
So we stand with the CM.
If Thangal and I agree,
that settles it for the Front.
Isn't that right, Mathew sir?
For four years, I've been running this circus,
surviving on a majority of just two seats.
And now, at the peak of this real well-of-death
stunt, how can we simply step back?
Shouldn't we survive this, sir?
So, let's face the media.
After all, the comrades
have an afternoon train to catch.
Protesters: Inquilab Zindabad.
This is a historic day.
From today onwards,
there are no bars in our state.
And when I say this,
I can already see the smiles
on the faces of thousands
of our sisters and homemakers.
Our massive people's movement
has tasted victory.
[applause]
We have just one thing to tell Varghese.
This struggle will not stop,
not until your misrule comes to an end.
Hassan ikka,
you need to be a bit more careful.
When we avoid chemical fertilisers,
the care has to double.
This isn't neglect, not intentionally.
I don't know why, but rot and
pest attacks are worse this time.
This isn't about profit for me.
It's pure passion.
After all the running around,
coming back here brings peace.
I know, sir.
See the workers. The moment you
look away, they slack off.
Let me go meet my mother,
take my usual scolding, and leave.
[soft, menacing score playing]
[music intensifies]
This isn't a knee-jerk reaction
to the Secretariat siege.
Wasn't I accused of taking bribes
from five-star hotel owners?
Has that story lost its sting?
Are you leaving?
Yes.
The next two months will be hectic, Mom.
I won't be home often.
I can't keep slogging it out here,
in this godforsaken place.
I'm shifting to the flat.
I was wondering if you'd forget
to bring this up today.
Can you really leave this place?
[eerie, ominous music playing]
The government has taken a decision more
revolutionary than even the Land Reforms.
Isn't that an exaggeration, CM?
Not at all!
If you doubt it,
ask your father, Elizabeth.
Today's decision rests on the prayers and
sacrifices of many Gandhians like him.
Happy now, after him
insulting your father?
Scram!
[sharp, sinister intro music playing]
So, CM Varghese survives!
I spoke with Mr. Purushothaman.
He sounded rather desperate.
Not the first time, goddamn it!
Ishaan ji, we're running out of time.
Why don't we give up Kerala
and go for the other states?
No. We'll stick with Kerala.
For strategic, economic, and..
socio-political reasons.
Besides, it's the decision from the top.
He doesn't listen to us.
He dictates.
[suspenseful score playing]
[doors shut]
What the hell is wrong with them?
Are they seriously planning
to shut down everything?
You may leave.
If Mom shows any asthma symptoms,
take her to Dr. Ramankutty.
Devasia uncle..
Ah, it's you, Ravi?
Why do you look so upset?
My dear, Ravi,
I don't mind standing in the BEVCO queue.
But the whole bar vibe, blue lights,
Hindi songs.. drinking there was pure joy.
You can't match that joy
even with Scotch at home!
All those lights and songs will be back.
It's politics, after all.
Things will change.
The Panchayat wanted me to ask you, Ravi,
Fixing the road to your house
would help many people.
Once it rains, it's a mess.
Kids can't even get to school.
Isn't going to school in the rain fun,
Devasia uncle?
Some things should stay
just the way they are.
So, see you on my next visit.
Okay.
[dark, low music playing]
[eerie, sinister tones playing]
[car siren wailing]
[gate closes]
[child weeping]
- Why are you crying, my dear?
- I'll call you back.
Who made my child cry?
She was watching TV.
She got scared hearing people say
things about you in the news.
Grandpa..
Why's my little one scared?
Rosa aunty's dad said..
that you died, Grandpa.
But your grandpa's right here, isn't he?
It was Comrade Jayadevan on News Time.
He said Varghese's political death
happened today..
It's alright, dear.
That uncle was just joking.
He buys chocolates for you, right?
Tobin, did you send some
youth wing boys to the protest
site with crackers and red ink?
Yes, I did.
It would've been more dramatic if
the comrades had clashed with them.
Sadly, that didn't happen.
You drew the curtain too quickly, Dad.
No matter how hard you try,
you're just not able to grow
beyond student politics.
[slow music playing]
Dad, tomorrow is Mariya's birthday.
If we host it on the lawn here,
it'll be convenient for everyone.
Of course, dear.
Aren't you the queen here?
You plan everything.
I am sleeping with grandpa tonight.
Tonight, she's all love for her grandpa.
My child loves her grandpa every day,
right, dear?
Rosa, dear..
isn't John closing the deal today?
The signing is done, Dad.
He's at the after party now.
Did he tell you how much it was?
Would he tell me if he hasn't told you?
Oh..
BANGALORE
Data drives the modern world.
Vulnerability defines it.
Ironveil delivers
intelligent security solutions
designed to protect
critical information at scale.
[upbeat music playing]
[applause] Thank you. Thank you.
I'm so happy that
we're celebrating this together.
Hey John!
- Congrats buddy.
- Thank you.
- Hi Eric.
- Hello.
Such a big day for our buddy, John.
- Congratulations to you too, Eric.
- Thank you.
But today..
it's all about our mate, John Varghese.
You've made your fortune by building..
firewalls, stopping breaches,
erecting digital walls..
and all the while he's preaching
about digital freedom,
truth and data democracy.
A walking bundle of contradictions.
Just a minute, Sukesh.
Eric.. Please excuse me.
I'm going to speak a bit
in my native tongue.
Okay.
To those of you who don't know..
You must have heard of.
F-News, the channel that ran sting
operations on three central ministers
and forced them to resign.
He owns it. Sukesh Pandey.
He's been my friend for a long time.
But he's a nasty guy.. A moron!
Yes, I'm dirty, John.
But tell us one thing.
Why so secretive about the..
Eric deal?
Why can't we know the price tag?
Take it as a challenge.
And find out!
Party time, guys!
[upbeat music playing]
Is Pandey going to cause trouble?
He will just keep sniffing around.
[music swells]
- Cheers!
- Cheers.
Bro, be careful.
She's Poonam.
Niece of the central minister.
And her intentions aren't good.
So, be careful.
[music swells]
What's up?
Let me make a call..
Just want to speak to my wife.
- Wife?
- Yeah..
I always speak to her..
when anything great happens.
What the..
Transparency is important.
You can also call your boyfriend.
I don't have any boyfriend.
Really?! [heavy punch lands]
Who's that?
I'm her boyfriend.
No way. We broke up.
We broke up?! You ditched me!
Doesn't matter!
Bro.. Bro.. Bro!
Easy.. Easy, bro..
Breakup means break up!
[ominous music playing]
Are you sick?
You can drink this.
Tai Chi champion. Two times.
This guy?! [heavy punch lands]
[glass shatters]
SFY union secretary.
Three years.
Are you okay? Nice.
[phone ringing]
Is the party over?
[music rises]
What happened, dear?
Dad, it's John.
If it's about the deal,
can't he call in the morning?
Tell me.. How much did you get?
Oh, I got plenty.
How's your relationship with
the Karnataka CM now?
I'm at..
Kengeri police station now.
Police station?!
It's a small case..
involving a woman.
What a dirty mess!
If the media gets wind of this..
Hang up the phone.
Let me contact the Home Minister.
Quickly, please.
[humorous music playing]
I never thought
he'd do something like this.
I knew he would.
[music rises]
Salutes to the CM!
Make way for the CM. Move.
Sir.
We'll accept all requests.
Give it one by one.
Here.
We'll sort it out.
It's regarding the drinking water scheme.
Don't crowd up..
We'll accept all your requests.
Madam, go in front.
Go stand there so that sir will spot you.
There's no point standing here like this.
Come on. Make way.
We can fix it in a month.
- We'll sort it out.
- Move.. move..
Please drink this, sir.
On Time has called you for an interview.
What should I tell them?
The vigilance report
will be out the day after, right?
- Let's do it then.
- Alright.
[music rises]
- Madam..
- Yes, sir.
The department enquiry is on going.
Sir..
Did you join? Not yet, sir.
I thought I'll see you first..
- Then go to Trivandrum and take charge. - Yes, sir.
I'll see you tomorrow evening.
- There's something I want to discuss.
- Okay, sir.
- Thank you, sir.
- For what?
- I mean..
- Go on..
Yes, sir.
Sir, we had kept her on the sidelines
without assigning any posting.
Give her the posting.
- In Crimes.
- Should we?
She's a troublemaker.
It's for a slightly nasty affair.
She's perfect for it.
Sometimes, it's good to give
the job to the honest ones.
[upbeat music playing]
Hey, man! How are you?
- Hi..
- Look over there.
Is your course over?
- Hey, man!
- Hi, man. How are you?
Rosa..
Where's John?
John will definitely come.
He'll be here in some time.
Let me go to the stage.
Alright, Mom.
- Hi..
- Hi, I just got here now.
Thank you. [Music swells]
- John, don't ruin it.
- Get lost!
Greetings.
Mom and Rani are looking.
Who cares! Come on! Let me go.
Dear, please make way.
- All good?
- Yes. Let me go, John.
Just stop it.
People are staring!
Isn't that John?
Why are you standing there?
Come here.
Tonight, let's drink to all the bars
you've shut down, Dad.
You are a corruptive force.
Like you've nothing to do with corruption!
- Stop it, you!
- John.
Why did you pull that stunt
in the middle of the party?
Isn't this how you make kids happy, Ichaya?
Some good fun!
Yeah, what a funny guy!
My friends from Dubai were
asking about what you were up to?
You've left a terrible impression.
Why didn't you just tell
those guys what he does?
See.. you should show
this to those guys.
Then they'd be queuing up
to meet my little one.
- Right, dear?
- Of course!
Queuing.. As if!
- Stop it!
- Here you go, Ichaya.
I don't want.
Rani, get me black tea with lemon.
- Feeling squeamish.
- Tobin.
Yes, Dad.
Why are those foreigners
still hanging around?
It's been a few days now.
Dad.. They..
They are here for a project..
Don't shake hands without making sure
who they are and what it's about.
And don't stash all that foreign currency
they give you under your bed.
Apparently, MP Tobin Varghese
is struggling to convert
around three million euros
and five lakh dollars.
I got this information from
ADGP of Intelligence.
Listen.. Taking bribes..
is an art.
You need to learn how to do it properly.
Dad, you've only ever had
contempt for me.
When will you ever appreciate me?
How can I set a date and time for something
you've got to earn through your own actions?
[ominous music playing]
John.
Now, it's your turn.
You said you had something to tell me.
What is it?
That's..
Dear, why is he getting so nervous?
Dad, John has taken up a new assignment.
It's in St. Petersburg.
He has to leave the day after.
What is this?
Out of the blue,
you say you're going abroad?
For how long..
is this assignment?
Now you'll tell me it's for a few days.
Then it will become permanent, right?
What about you?
I'm trying for a
post-doctoral programme there.
Hmm.
So, a complete uprooting, isn't it?
When growth opportunities come my
way, how can I turn them down?
And shouldn't we see the world too?
Who told you you've got to
go abroad to see the world?
What about where we live?
Isn't this part of the world, too?
The world isn't outside us.
It's within.
Let me speak with him.
Come, son. [Soft music playing]
John..
Tobin..
He's an idiot.
Politics isn't for him.
But you..
You're my son..
You've got my genes.
My successor..
But now, you're just trying to run away
from yourself.
Dad, you know..
I'm not meant for all this power politics.
My interests are different.
The things I want to do are different too.
I won't stand against your decision, dear.
After my BA exams,
my father asked me to
join him at his fertiliser shop.
I couldn't bring myself to say no to
him, so I just stood there, confused.
The very next day I left for Trivandrum.
The next time I went home was
after I became the Youth President.
Go to bed.
And pour me a drink
tomorrow night too, alright?
[soft music rises]
- John..
- Hm?
Are you hiding something from me?
Something related to
your professional life?
Weren't you the one who said you
didn't want to know about the deal?
I wasn't asking you
how much money you made.
It's alright.
No matter how much you love your partner,
there'll always be some things you can't share.
Just make sure that when it all comes out
someday, the other person isn't hurt too much.
Hey..
Don't say anything.
[upbeat music playing]
[traffic rumbling]
[applause]
Thank you for inviting me here.
Truly, it's an honour.
You're all waiting to hear about
my success story.
But am I successful?
Honestly, I don't know.
If my success is starting a start-up and
selling it to a multinational corporation,
then I agree.
Success can sometimes be defined
by your designation or pay package.
But is that really it?
No matter how many steps you
climb, there will always be more.
The corporate hierarchy
is an infinite ladder.
I feel that a success story begins when
your life touches the lives of others.
That's why the salt Gandhi made back then
still has more value than
the branded ones by Tata or Ambani.
Because..
it was the salt of freedom,
not of slavery. [Applause]
Were Gandhiji, Nehru,
EMS and AKG
successful men?
Or were they failures?
The ones branded as failures
are sometimes the real winners.
And the so-called great winners..
carry the greatest failures.
[applause]
Hey, I'm outside the Secretariat.
There's no parking here.
The cops will nab me. Come fast.
Come here, dear. I'll get it for you later.
Sister, such a good bike, right?
Hey, don't touch it!
- Let me touch it once.
- No, mom will scold us.
Here, have this.
No, thanks. Come on.
Your speech was superb.
It's all over Instagram, stories and reels.
Some even shared it on FB and X.
Did you really like it?
Your usual weird, cringe stuff..
as always.
But beyond that, I sensed honesty in it.
Oho!
[subtle tense music playing]
We don't need this, sir.
If the children ask for it tomorrow,
where will I get it from?
We're not sitting here
to receive sweets once in a while.
Sorry, chechi.
[sombre music playing]
[motorcycle engine rumbling]
We can't blame her.
They've been living in that hut
for 151 days now, as part of the protest.
Talk to your father.
Ask him to arrange a job for her.
I'll try.
[news report about cm
varghese playing on tv]
Didn't I organise
all this just two days ago?
You've messed it up again.
Only then you'll keep coming back here.
So, John, you're leaving tomorrow?
When exactly?
In two months..
If Rosa comes with me,
then Comrade, you.. Hey, no.
Don't even think like that.
I enjoy being alone.
[TV news reporting
allegations against the CM]
It's just that..
once she leaves,
this room will stay messy forever.
John..
I've been criticising your father
quite strongly.
He's heading down a dangerous path.
He's become synonymous with corruption.
After all, you once raised
our party's slogans.
Can't you talk
to your father at least once?
Comrade, no one can correct my father.
He listens only to himself.
Hmm..
In a way, it's good
that you two are moving away.
The conflict in our politics could
spill into your personal lives..
if not today, then tomorrow.
No, get up, dear.
Tomorrow..
I'm busy tomorrow.
I'm not sure I can make it.
That's why I came today.
You came and blessed my daughter, sir.
That itself is more than enough.
Paappachan..
- Did you like it?
- Thank you.
After the wedding,
come and see me with your groom.
Alright, I'll take my leave.
God bless.
[warm, uplifting tones playing]
[police sirens wailing]
Your flight is at 12.30 tomorrow, right?
I asked you to come along so that
I could spend some time with you.
So, how does it feel
sitting in the No. 1 State car?
Too many jerks and jolts.
Not smooth at all.
Good. That was sharp.
Your visit to the bride's house will
be in your own paper tomorrow, Dad.
"Minister Blesses,
Rahel Smiles With Gratitude."
I didn't do it for publicity.
I've known Rahel for thirty years.
I made her sweeper job permanent.
She's been through a lot.
[soft, sombre music playing]
Then why can't you give a job
to the woman protesting at the Secretariat?
No.
She's filed six cases
against the government.
Let her sit there with her hut.
Why hold such grudges
against people like her, Dad?
I will!
I'll show love and compassion
where it's due.
And I show vengeance
where that's deserved too.
The Nedumbassery land case verdict
is tomorrow, right?
Will you have to resign?
Oh, I've resigned
countless times already!
What do you even know about Varghese?
A thief. A bloody thief!
Get lost!
[dramatic score playing]
John,
there's a Cabinet meeting tomorrow morning.
The Vigilance Court
will deliver a favourable verdict.
Then a live interview
to flaunt my moral high ground.
With Aravindan from On Time News.
He's been abusing me
for the last three years.
Tomorrow, I'll tear him apart.
There are no individuals in politics,
only images and perceptions.
Your father's 'man of the people' act,
the mass contact programmes,
skipped meals, odd eating hours,
my smiles, my hand on every shoulder,
forcing supporters into cars..
that's the performance
the media and public crave.
The trick is knowing that,
and using it well.
Dad, isn't all this just dishonesty?
Haven't you ever felt regret, Dad?
Even a sting of conscience?
You only see your father's flaws.
That's why you're asking this.
Thousands like Rahel, the woman we met
earlier.. there are many like her.
I see their pain and wipe their tears.
There are no black cats around your father.
Only people.
Anyone can approach me anytime
with their problems.
If it's something I can fix, I will.
I don't bother too much of the law then.
When I do a hundred wrongs,
I also do a hundred rights.
And when I lie down to sleep,
I only count the rights.
In my head, I go..
one, two, three, four..
Bam! And I fall into deep sleep.
But tonight, I will struggle to sleep.
You leaving..
drifting further and further away..
I couldn't sleep.
It hurts.. really badly.
How often will we even..
get to see each other like this in life?
[pleasant, emotional music playing]
"Salutations to CM K. N. Varghese,
purified through trials of fire."
Sloganeering:
Salutations! Salutations!
[News] In the Nedumbassery land deal case, CM K.
N. Varghese has been cleared of all charges.
The Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court
delivered the verdict.
The ruling came after
a three-and-a-half-year trial.
And with that, Varghese
emerges stronger in the ruling front.
Dad's scored again.
Won't you call your father
before boarding?
Of course.
Dear, don't feel bad that
I'm not coming to the airport.
It's Sally aunty's housewarming today.
If I don't go..
Chechi, it's okay. Don't worry.
All this drama and Amma's tears
feel like I'm leaving forever.
Shut up!
Mom, it's St. Petersburg,
instead of Bangalore. That's all.
I'll visit every three or four months.
Or why don't you come along
when Rosa comes there?
Vodka, Russian ballet..
we'll have a blast!
I won't go anywhere without your father.
It's okay if you don't call me every day,
but do call him.
He's crazy about you.
So you're not crazy about me, Annamma?
Enough. Leave for the airport now.
[soft, heartwarming music playing]
[car door shuts]
We're having a celebration
and a meeting for Dad's victory.
I just came to see you
before you leave.
Call once you reach.
Have a blast!
Brother..
Spend some quality time with Dad.
He likes that.
I'll try.
He doesn't like me much.
But he's going to miss you.
Take care.
[tense music builds]
Greetings, CM. Congratulations.
A brilliant verdict. Thank you.
You and your channel crucified me
relentlessly over this corruption case.
So I thought..
let's draw the curtain here.
Despite all our criticism, your
media-friendly attitude commands respect.
Today's Face to Face
is my tribute to you.
- Please, come in.
- Thank you.
Hello.
- Thank you. - Okay.
Alright, you may leave now.
Isn't Rosa Luxemburg
suffering from pain of separation?
Not at all. Oh! Alright then!
John..
I know you won't remember me
once the Russian girls enter the frame.
But at least remember Lenin,
still lying there in the dust.
The Russians aren't what they used to be.
Most are class enemies.
Don't have any alliance with them.
Well.. I'll try!
The Kerala CM has
no political influence in Russia.
Copy that.
- Lal Salaam!
- Lal Salaam!
Bye, Pappachan Chettan. Oh..
Fix a drink for my father once in a while.
He drinks only with you, dear.
Okay.
[soft, warm music playing]
Listen, Aravindan.
In the last four years, how many
corruption allegations were hurled at me?
At least one..
Did you manage to prove
even a single one?
No, CM.
Today, the court has declared
me not guilty.
Did journalists like you show even an
ounce of remorse for your earlier stance?
When an allegation surfaces,
debates rage day and night!
When I'm acquitted,
it's a ten-minute scroll.
Is that fair, Aravindan?
Constant criticism, constant
suspicion, constant questions..
Isn't that exactly
a journalist's job, CM?
Absolutely!
But criticism shouldn't come
with an agenda.
It must come from conviction.
I accept that criticism, CM.
So you firmly believe
this government will continue?
Even the opposition believes that.
Alright, CM.
We'll return after a short break.
Sir, you're on fire.
You're not giving me
any space to defend.
Oh.. I give strong answers only because
you ask strong questions, Aravindan.
May I make a call? Yeah, sure.
Hello. Did you check in? Yes.
And congratulations!
You got the verdict you wanted.
Okay. I'll call after the interview.
Alright. I'm watching it live.
Okay.
That was my younger son.
He's flying to St. Petersburg today
for some assignment.
Let's begin, sir.
We have a sharp ten minutes left.
Of course. Let's start.
Three.. Two.. One.. Go!
CM, I'm now raising
a very serious issue.
A grave allegation never
before reported by any media.
In fact, it's not just an allegation.
It's a victim's desperate plea.
I'm presenting it to you now.
What is it?
Please watch the video, sir.
[ominous music builds]
My company has permission
to import white sand.
To use it at the construction site,
government clearance is required.
I personally met the CM several times.
Where did you meet him?
At his office.
When nothing moved,
I called the CM directly.
He asked me to come to his
residence on the 23rd, after 7 PM.
Did you go?
Yes.
Alone?
My driver came with me,
but stayed in the car.
When I went inside, Pappachan Chettan told me
the CM was in his room and asked me to go in.
I entered that room.
Then..
What happened next..
What nonsense is this?
It's not over yet, CM.
There.. he forcefully..
[tense music builds]
That wasn't the man
the world knew.
He threatened me.
I was terrified.
He.. Are you saying the CM
threatened and sexually exploited you?
Yes. [Music intensifies]
Please don't misunderstand,
didn't you scream or resist?
You can never understand
that kind of intimidation.
I was completely shattered.
I stayed silent, fearing humiliation.
I was cheated..
in every way.
The trauma became unbearable.
Finally, I decided..
the world must see
the real face of CM Varghese.
That's why I spoke out.
I want justice.
I'll go to any extent for it.
What? What rubbish is this?
Would anyone who knows me
believe this?
Nisha Chandrakumar.
She insisted that when this footage airs,
her face must not be masked
and her name stated clearly.
You know her, CM? Yes.
Many approach me with grievances.
She was one of them.
Her issue had legal complications.
And her allegation?
That's my question.
Would anyone who knows me believe it?
Aravindan, do you believe this?
This isn't about my belief, CM.
It's for you to prove
the allegation is false.
Only you. That's the law.
Two things must be established.
When and where.
That date is recorded in my diary.
You may verify it.
We already did, CM.
You were at your residence
from 6.30 PM onward.
You didn't step out.
Your family was at a wedding
reception in Kottayam that evening.
Only your personal staff were present.
I have never met this
woman at my residence.
She's lying. Then look at this.
[tense music builds]
These visuals show her entering your residence
and speaking to your aide, Pappachan.
Her driver recorded this randomly as proof.
We verified the date and time.
Both are accurate.
Which means, CM.. you lied..
to the people of this state.
[dramatic music playing]
Kerala's Chief Minister lied while
denying a sexual assault allegation.
In solidarity with the survivor!
That is our channel's stand.
So the answer to your earlier question..
We don't believe you, CM.
And it won't stop with me.
The public will think the same.
When you rule this state as its sole authority
and supreme ruler in all its pride,
will the police under your command investigate
a crime the victim says you committed?
Who will ensure
that helpless woman gets justice?
That's for you to answer,
Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala.
The state now awaits for your response.
[fast-paced music continues]
An impartial investigation
will be conducted.
I'll ensure it.
After this, I'll meet
the Party President
and then address the public.
[low, foreboding music playing]
In the wake of the assault allegation
against CM Varghese Antony,
he is heading to meet
Party President Purushothaman.
For sure this may
signal resignation. Yes!
Kerala CM Varghese Antony is resigning!
A historic victory
for fearless journalism.
[music playing]
Pappachan..
Water.
"Rapist CM, step down!"
Kerala Chief Minister KN Varghese is facing
serious allegations of sexual misconduct.
This is the biggest riot Kerala has ever witnessed,
with CPNM activists in a state of rage.
One question on everyone's mind.
Widespread protests by CPNM members
erupt across the state.
Although the Chief Minister attempted to deny
the allegations by trying to bury the truth,
it was On Time News'
careful and responsible reporting
reporting that brought
many hidden facts to light.
Sir, it's best that the
CM doesn't come here now.
There's a chance of mob violence.
Sir.. Yes, sir.
What can I do?
CM's already on his way.
Control the crowd.
Move! Come on! Move!
Clear the way!
[tense music playing]
[protesters shouting]
I'll meet you.
I won't leave without seeing you.
[heavy smack] Oh, no! Sir!
Sir.. [ominous music playing]
[protesters shouting]
Start the car.
[protesters chanting slogans]
Start the car!
[ominous music playing]
What a useless police force!
Is this how you protect a CM?
Step back! Move!
Today is a dark day in
the history of democracy.
After a sexual allegation was made against
him during an interview with a media outlet,
KN Varghese was ready to
resign immediately.
For the wounds he suffered here
today, for the blood that was spilled,
we will seek retribution.
Sir, will the CM resign immediately?
Yes, he will.
[tense music playing]
- Aunty..
- Yes?
I had gone to your house.
But a lady there told me you'd be here.
That's why I came here.
Who are you, son?
- Aunty, don't you recognise me?
- No.
I'm Vinod.
I worked here about ten years ago.
For.. almost six months.
Then, sir took me abroad.
Sir asked me to give this to you.
- That's why I came.
- Alright.
I'm leaving now, aunty.
My wife just gave birth..
to a daughter..
I need to go and see them.
Ah, today is Makam.
That's a good star for girls.
- That's right.
- It's a lucky star.
- Alright, then.
- Okay, bye.
DUBAI
Yeah, you can look around 600
million as an initial investment.
[phone ringing] Excuse me.
Tell me, Vinod.
I've handed it over to your mother.
Alright.
By the way, I heard you've had a daughter.
Yes, sir.
She's got a gift coming from me.
Thank you, sir. Thank you.
[typing on keyboard]
[tense music playing]
[engine sputtering]
[heavy thud on road]
[ominous music playing]
Yes! World's biggest casino will be
opening by 2027 in Alberto island.
The whole world will be here.
[car siren wailing]
[emotional music playing]
P.. E.. N!
- Pen! - Aha!
What are you doing, dear?
- Are you studying?
- Mm..
She has quite a lot of homework to do.
Come, let's go inside and complete it.
[emotional music playing]
Here.
Aren't you taking a bath?
Annamma.. You must've heard..
I've given in my resignation.
Why are you upset?
Don't I know you?
At least you could've told me..
he'd cancelled his trip.
I told Mom not to tell you.
Thought I'd give you a little surprise.
You shouldn't have cancelled your trip.
If you don't arrive on time,
won't things get held up?
Oh, that's manageable for a few weeks.
Dad, go freshen up and come.
Let's have a drink. Okay?
[soft music playing]
Why aren't you drinking, Dad?
Two stitches.
I've taken lathi blows, pushes
and pulls from the police before.
It's the first time
I've been hit by a stone.
They arrested the guy.
Oh..
I told the DIG not to charge him
with anything major.
The fellow did what any spirited young man would
do if he got his hands on a chief minister
who assaulted a woman
at his official residence.
Why did you lie about that woman
not coming here?
When they started showing her footage,
I got anxious.
I realised the interview was a trap.
I thought denying it in the interview..
saying she never came here would be enough
and I could just prove it later.
I thought I could manipulate it
and manage it.
I've dealt with crises the same way before.
But.. this time..
I failed.
I met her here for barely ten minutes.
I consoled and told her
I'd do what was needed and sent her back.
Son, I've done many bad things..
But this.. this I didn't do.
Do you really think I'd do this?
Dad.. What is this?
I am with you.
Let's face it..
Right?
Not just face it.
You should fight it, Dad.
We must fight.
We need to find who set you up.
Then finish them..
in the usual Varghese style.
Okay?
Even the biggest corruption charges
can be survived.
But.. when it comes to cases involving
women.. the stain never washes off.
Even after you die, while lying in a
freezer, people will see only that stain.
[emotional music playing]
Tobin is lying inside,
unconscious and drunk.
He told Mom
that his political future was over.
He must find it hard to face me.
When you stand with me like this,
I feel strong.
Let's fight. [Music rises]
That's my dad.
Goodnight, Dad. Goodnight, dear.
[cameras flashing]
I was cheated..
A grave allegation..
There.. he forcefully..
- Yes..
- Which means, CM.. you lied..
to the people of this state.
Wake up, John.. John! Get up!
John, wake up.. John..
get up please!
What's wrong?
Just come with me..
What's the matter?
[ominous music rises]
[annamma wailing]
Wake up, dear..
Dear..
Dad..
John..
Dad..
[emotional music playing]
[emotional music playing]
Kerala has woken up to
tragic news this morning.
We regret to inform our viewers that Chief
Minister KN Varghese has passed away.
Did the bright sun slip into
The dark night without a word?
The delicate flower weeps,
Droops, and fades
That guardian flame has vanished
In the night winds
Like fiery thorns burning all over,
The depths of my soul ache
Oh, endless pain.. pain..
Left all alone
Without a shoulder to lean on
Aching silently
Like clouds holding back rain
Did you come back
As a gentle breeze of love
A SHAMELESS EXIJust to touch me once
And leave without a word?
Left all alone
Without a shoulder to lean on
I am here to bring you details
of an extremely tragic event..
news that not just affects Kerala,
but the entire country.
I am now standing in front of Cliff House.
There is no other leader in Kerala's history
who worked so closely with the people.
His resignation following sexual allegations
and his death the very same night,
have left many questions unanswered.
As stated by the Chief Secretary a
short while ago, after the post-mortem,
the Chief Minister's body
will be kept at Cliff House for one hour,
and later at VJT Hall,
for the public to pay their last respects.
Are the fingertips that guided me Through
the scorching forest slipping away?
Is the tender, gentle warmth
of your heart Gone forever?
I will guard every single word of yours
Deep inside me
I will forever string together
These memories of yours
Like fiery thorns burning all over
The depths of my soul ache
Oh, endless pain.. pain..
Left all alone
Without a shoulder to lean on
Aching silently
Like clouds holding back rain
Did you come back
As a gentle breeze of love
Just to touch me once
And leave without a word?
Left all alone
Without a shoulder to lean on
[tense music rises]
Twelve days have passed since
the death of CM Varghese Antony.
Sharp divisions and bitter factional power
struggles have erupted within the NDC
over the choice of the next Chief Minister.
Gentlemen, please cooperate.
Whether you say it in English or Hindi,
our answer is the same, CK.
We cannot accept Purushothaman!
"Farewell to the People's Leader!"
Your father used to say,
after his burial,
people would flock to his grave
with flowers and candles.
He never imagined being forgotten,
left alone without a single soul.
But now, it's just us here.
To the world,
your father is now branded a criminal.
I can't bear this, my son..
[sobbing]
[soft, melancholic score playing]
[music intensifies]
However, this is ultimately
a game of numbers and majority.
The situation clearly favours Tobin.
So, shall we draw a conclusion?
Tobin will comfortably win the by-election.
Besides, that constituency
accepts only Varghese and his family.
But.. before you take a
call, watch this once.
This is Sukesh Pandey.
We are breaking a story
with serious financial
and political consequences.
John Varghese,
the second son of the late Kerala Chief
Minister, who died amid a sex scandal
is under a cloud over the sale of his
tech start-up, just as his elder brother
prepares to inherit the political mantle.
John Varghese,
the second son of late CM KN Varghese,
has allegedly been involved in black money
transactions amounting to nearly 125 crore rupees.
The revelation has sent shock waves
across the state.
For the first time in history,
central investigating agencies have stormed
the official residence of a Chief Minister.
For the past two hours, an ED raid has been
underway at the CM's official residence.
John, the prodigal son of KN Varghese, faces
allegations of a 100 crore rupees FEMA violation.
With this, the Varghese family finds
itself relentlessly chased by controversy.
"Confusion. Uncertainty."
[suspenseful music builds]
The ED has gathered enough evidence.
Sources say John Varghese may be
taken into custody any moment.
But the red flags are real.
And they are serious.
Money, legacy, power collide.
The public deserves
answers and the truth.
[sad, emotional music playing]
Even now, the question of who the
next CM will be remains unanswered..
[tense music builds]
Sir.. sir.. sir..
Sir, what's your response?
Give us a moment of peace!
Sir, will your brother be arrested soon?
Haven't you witch-hunted
our family enough already?
Sir, how do you respond to this crisis?
Isn't all this chaos because you refused
to vacate the official residence?
Don't get smart.
Never.
Let's go.
[uneasy, tense music playing]
Don't come.
Media everywhere outside.
There are three vigilance cases
against you.
Will the next probe
reach you as well? Who?
Who are you people, anyway?
Tobin! We'll go inside, talk it out,
come back and see you. Isn't that enough?
- Move. Move.
- Sir, sir..
Sir! Sir!
Get in. - Officer.. - I want to talk to him.
- Not possible. Sorry.
I want to talk to him!
Brother..
You've destroyed everything.
I was to take oath as the Chief
Minister of Kerala in five days.
Me, Ramakrishnan sir, everyone who
stood by our father.. we're finished.
Brother.. I.. You've driven
the final nail into our coffin.
Enough. Enough. Please come.
[music continues]
John Varghese's money-laundering scandal doesn't
just corner the Varghese family or the NDC.
It also pushes the CPNM
into a serious crisis.
As we all know,
John Varghese is married
to the daughter of MP Jayadevan,
a senior CPNM leader
with the image of an untainted,
staunch communist.
How Jayadevan and the CPNM respond to
John Varghese's money-laundering case
is what political Kerala
is watching closely.
Sir, this is Samuel.
From Mallu Voice. Go on.
I'm about to drop another big one.
Alright.
I'm stepping into a meeting. Okay.
Step out only as Chief Minister.
Sources say the ED has uncovered
fresh evidence against John Varghese.
One after another, central agencies are
stepping in with new investigations.
The noose tightens
around the Varghese family.
From "female" to FEMA violations,
the fall is dramatic.
Dig deeper into the crimes
John is accused of,
and at the very end,
loom the dark, powerful hands of Varghese.
With central agencies launching
their probe,
the roots of this corrupt family
have been shaken.
All that remains to be seen now is where
the father and son have hidden the money.
My dear..
Aren't you going back?
It would ease John's mother's mind
if you were there.
Dad, John would never agree
to any shady deal.
I know, dear.
There's a conspiracy behind all this.
Nothing will happen to John.
If you've nothing to hide,
you've nothing to fear.
Go home, dear.
It's been two days since John
Varghese was taken into ED custody.
I'm not discussing the circumstances
that led to Varghese sir's death.
Stop it, President.
It's been 72 hours my brother's
been held without an arrest.
Has the Party raised
even a single protest?
Tobin, sit down.
I said, sit down!
I will not speak
for anyone involved in financial fraud.
Never.
Tobin, please control your temper
and show some respect.
While factions play the numbers game,
calculating strength and loyalties,
governance stands paralysed.
We still don't have a Chief Minister.
How long will this uncertainty continue?
Kerala will not forgive
this political impotence.
CK, your response?
I've explained the situation
to the Party President.
Madam's position for now is
not to consider Tobin as CM.
[suspenseful music playing]
We need PP's profile on air, now!
Call everyone you can.
Get reactions. Sir.
I can't agree to a one-sided decision.
How many MLAs in the Party
actually back Purushothaman sir?
Forget the numbers, Tobin ji.
Your entire family
is now tainted by corruption.
You also have
three vigilance cases against you.
Don't forget it, Tobin.
Anyone who questions the Party President's
call has no place left in the Party.
So what I'm saying is.. as Kerala's
next Chief Minister.. Hold on!
Switch on the TV.
The enquiry was about how the 96
crore rupees Mr John Varghese earned
from selling his start-up
was accounted for.
Some of you may have heard of the Samyojitha
Trust for Child Care, based in UP.
The Trust focuses on education
and social security
for girls from Dalit, Adivasi,
and minority communities.
Mr John Varghese donated 80 crore rupees
to this Trust.
We have verified
and cross-checked everything.
The remaining 16 crore rupees was
donated to an organisation called.
Movement for Data Freedom and Democracy,
which works for democratic transparency.
Sir, sir.. Sir,
how do you respond to these allegations?
Is this a conspiracy,
Mr John Varghese?
As you may know, Movement for Data Freedom
and Democracy has exposed nearly 18 scams,
including the arms deal scam
making headlines now.
I only did my part to support
their fight against corruption.
The one who stood by me
while I took these calls..
who patted my shoulder and said,
"You're doing the right thing.."
was my father..
[music intensifies]
Former Chief Minister Varghese.
My father was my mentor..
my hero!
[revelatory dramatic music playing]
A meteoric rise in Kerala politics.
The second son of the late
Chief Minister K. N. Varghese,
is now everywhere, across news channels
and all over social media.
Among students and the youth,
John Varghese is the new sensation.
His Y Talk reels have already crossed
eight million views.
"Varghese sir's family is corrupt," right?
That's what everyone kept shouting!
But that political witch-hunt is over now.
What remains is pure numbers.
Ramakrishnan sir will talk on our behalf.
If you try to sideline me at this crucial
moment, I won't let it slide, sir.
No chance! Tobin, act your age.
John has become a symbol now.
Both mainstream and social media
are celebrating him.
The latest poster boy
of a smear campaign and witch-hunt.
He even has that living martyr's glory now!
We need to capitalise on that.
What political experience does he have?
We once made someone
with zero political experience,
someone who was literally flying
in the sky, our Prime Minister.
At 32, I was State President.
At 36, I became Chief Minister.
John is around that age now.
Eighteen MLAs still raise their hands
when I ask them to.
Don't forget that.
Enough, Tobin.
I've spoken to everyone.
Our group stands firmly with John now.
If he takes charge wholeheartedly, the youth
across the state will rally behind him.
Please cooperate, Tobin.
Sir..
you played me too, didn't you?
In politics, loyalties aren't to people.
They're to circumstances.
The one who taught me that..
was Varghese sir.
John, won't you say something?
How many times have you told dad
you'd never enter politics?
This shouldn't become a grudge
between us, John.
- Ichayan..
- Tobin!
It won't be John,
I will speak.
John will accept the responsibility
the Party has entrusted him with.
[tension-building music playing]
Mom, let me speak. Ichayan..
I told you to stay quiet.
There will be
no more discussion on this, John.
[music intensifies]
So.. the swearing-in is tomorrow!
[intense, dramatic score playing]
Rosa.. Hey..
So, the decision's been made?
I was trapped in that strange situation.
I understand the pressure you're under.
I also know your state of mind
since Dad passed away.
John, I too have a father.
He's still alive.
I have to face him.
When we decided to live together,
there was one condition.
Just one!
That neither of us
would enter active politics.
John, what's your decision now?
There are politics and values
that we both believe in, John.
I know.
But we never expected things
to turn out like this.
Right now,
I can't say no to Mum.
Leave that, John.
You and I have come this far by saying
no to our parents when it mattered.
I won't be by your side for the
swearing-in or the Raj Bhavan tea party.
I don't know why..
but I see your father in your eyes now.
[dramatic heroic theme playing]
Elizabeth, that's Sukesh Pandey.
He broke the story against John.
Oh!
What's he doing here?!
The ocean of fury is split open
He is a lone ranger
Dark shadows have vanished
Da - Dapper - Danger
The relentless rain strikes down
- He is a lone chaser. Leader!
- Leader!
The barricades are shattered
He is a rule breaker
The truth within shines clear
Damn! Haymaker!
The very ground is overturned
Da - Dazzle blazer Leader!
Leader!
Eyes on the dawg he a master of legacy
Comin back with haze in his eyes
He's a Legatee
Walking like a king
He is owning the Prophecy
He be dropping bombs in the way
He a Trenchancy
People looking out for the King
Better Run the checks
He be watching out for his kingdom
He is on the Decks
Sacrificed the nights for the people
Keeping border checks
King on the chess board
Better be a mass flex
"The swearing-in ceremony of
Mr John Varghese."
Come, come! The ultimate hero!
Come, come! The master of the game!
Let the days of ultimate truth arrive!
Come, come! The ultimate protector!
Come! Come! Leader of the masses!
Let the world-renowned glory overflow!
Becoming the burning ember
Becoming the endless ocean
Now standing at the absolute peak
Of the land
Undivided, multiplying into many
Marching in endless rows behind you
You are the law and
the limit from now on
Nothing will soar above your head
Nobody will stand in your way anymore.
The ocean of fury is split open
He is a lone ranger
Dark shadows have vanished
Da - Dapper - Danger
The relentless rain strikes down
- He is a lone chaser Leader!
- Leader!
The barricades are shattered
He is a rule breaker
The truth within shines clear
Damn! Haymaker!
The very ground is overturned
Da - Dazzle blazer
Leader! Leader!
Do you know what you're asking me to
publish will destroy my credibility?
I know.
You're the only one who can help me.
A fake scandal to build a clean hero?
I want power, Sukesh.
You know why.
I'm risking my name.
Thank you, Sukesh.
Thank you so much.
You said it was urgent.
Sukesh is about to break a story
on my start-up deal.
I want a raid to follow it,
at the CM's residence.
So, you're manufacturing innocence.
I'm manufacturing credibility.
Once Delhi says I'm clean,
the whole party will turn me.
Well.. is this about power?
Yes.. badly!
- Come, come!
- The ultimate hero!
Come, come! The master of the game!
You'll have the backing of sir's group.
But how will your name
even be considered?
It will be, sir.
You just set things in motion.
Come, come! Leader of the masses!
Let the world-renowned glory overflow!
Becoming the burning ember
Becoming the endless ocean
Now standing at the absolute peak
Of the land
Undivided, multiplying into many
Marching in endless rows behind you
[car siren wailing]
[music rises]
Greetings.
Welcome, sir.
Thank you. Please..
Greetings..
I was with my father when he visited
your home before the wedding.
I hope your daughter
and son-in-law are doing well?
Yes.
Shall I?
Jesus will be with you..
I will pray, son..
Sir.
Don't call me sir.
Call me as you did before.
[music rises]
[soft music playing]
[music rises]
Greetings to everyone.
I have no previous experience
in politics or governance.
I will need all your guidance and advice.
CM! None of the earlier Chief Ministers
ever wore black.
Why did you decide to wear it?
What's wrong with black?
Black carries many meanings.
You'll understand it in time.
CM, was MP Tobin Varghese
pushed aside completely?
What will be your first steps
as Chief Minister?
Since you've all got enough visuals,
could you please leave?
Please leave the room.
Everybody, please exit the room.
Please.
Chief Secretary and DG, please stay.
Please remain seated, Ramakrishnan sir.
John, you shouldn't announce
in front of the media
that you have no prior experience
in politics and governance.
It makes us look weak.
But isn't it true, sir?
John, not every truth
should be said out loud.
Pass me that file.
[tense music playing]
These are the profiles of four people.
Advisors to the CM.
Appoint them today itself.
Abdul Khader..
He's the head of our party channel.
He can serve as the CM's media advisor.
Then Jacob Cherian,
ex-deputy director of the IMF, is best
suited to be the financial advisor.
Next, former DGP Sreevalsan
can handle the Home Ministry.
I don't need them to advise and correct me
during my rule, sir.
I need just one person.
Sir..
I only need you by my side..
[music swells] - Francis sir.
Yes, sir.
- You should do me a favour.
- Yes, sir.
This is the first decision.
I'm going to make from this chair.
JUSTICE TO ANIRUDHAN
WHO DIED IN JUDICIAL CUSTODY
The government will take responsibility
of these children's education.
I have instructed the
Department of Public Administration
to check vacancies suitable to
Mrs Santha's qualifications.
Heard there is also a plan to pay the welfare
pension arrears and increase pensions?
There is. Let's see.
That and this job promise..
when you read it all together,
isn't it really about
building an image for yourself?
If I do nothing, I'm seen as incapable.
If I do something,
it's called image-building.
Also, these images you talk about..
Who builds them?
Idols are built and destroyed
based on market demands.
And you're the ones who do it!
There are no individuals in
politics, only images.
This is not my line..
It was my father's.
[music swells]
Political Kerala is now watching
closely to see
whether KN Varghese's successor, John Varghese,
has the same ability and political acumen
to coordinate and lead the
communal organisations in the state.
Eyes on the dawg, he a master of legacy
Comin' back with haze in his eyes,
He a Legatee
Walkin' like a king,
He is ownin' the Prophecy
He be droppin' bombs in the way,
He's a trenchancy
People looking out for the King
Better Run the checks
He be watching out for his kingdom
He is on the Decks
Sacrificed the nights for the people
Keeping border checks
King on the chess board
Better be a menassq Flex
[heroic music playing]
Greetings, sir.
Greetings! Sit down.
Good that you gave Santha a job.
She had been protesting for a while.
I had mentioned it to Varghese sir
many times, but he never listened.
John, you've realised his stand was wrong.
That's good.
Whatever wrongs we can undo,
we should. Right, sir?
In fact, Ramakrishnan sir and I are
here to discuss a few corrective steps.
What is it, CM?
Do you have a cabinet
reorganisation in mind?
I say this because of your
lack of experience, CM.
Cabinet formation is a web of equations.
Caste, religion,
alliances with powerful interests.
Our positions are determined
by these very dynamics.
So, merit and efficiency
are not the determining factors?
Was that sarcasm?
No.. it's an observation.
We would like to talk
only with the President.
Alright.
Go on.
[music continues]
You want to push three veterans out and
bring in novices, that can't happen.
Also, if we go by this list, all the equations
Konniyoor spoke of earlier will go for a toss.
I still have to pass through
Changanassery and Alappuzha.
The people on my list are
talented and capable youngsters.
Including them in the Cabinet
will have a positive impact.
I'm hoping to do this
with your consent as well.
Sir, you know, the people of
Kerala are like Naranathu Branthan.
Every five years, they shift from one side
to the other.. choosing the right one time
and after five years,
swinging back to the left.
If you think along that logic,
we'll fail in the coming elections.
Sir, then you can place all the blame for failure
on me, the one in charge of this final term.
On the contrary,
if my experiment succeeds,
the public will think otherwise
and history will change.
We'll win again. [Music rises]
And you still stand to gain.
Sir, you'll be leading
the upcoming election.
Kerala's next CM.
There will be no objection
from my father's group.
That's my word.
Sir, think of this
as a political balancing.
Varghese sir has gone.
You may lead, Purushothaman.
There's no dispute.
We will need to discuss regarding
accommodations and portfolio distribution.
Sir, you need not worry about me.
I won't be in this scene
in the next election.
I am just a stop-gap..
arrangement.
I didn't expect the president to give in.
That's quite a change.
This isn't about change, sir.
The ministers have to back
the decisions I make.
Come, come! The ultimate hero!
Come, come! The master of the game!
Displaying political resolve on par with, if
not exceeding that of his father, KN Varghese,
Chief Minister John Varghese
returns from the party headquarters
after securing approval
for the entire list he proposed.
Kerala politics is now witnessing
the rise of another powerful leader.
Come, come! The ultimate hero!
Let the world-renowned glory overflow!
Becoming the burning ember,
Turning into the endless ocean,
Now standing at
The absolute peak of the land
Undivided, multiplying into many
Marching in endless rows behind you
From now on,
You are the law and the limit
Nothing will soar above your head
Nobody will dare
Stand in your way anymore
[car siren wailing]
- Sir.
- Come in. Yes, sir.
Nisha Chandrakumar is a single mother.
She relocated to Kerala two years ago.
Till then she was living in Mumbai.
After submitting his resignation
at Raj Bhavan,
it was around 8 PM that
Varghese sir instructed the DG
to register the crime and file an FIR.
The DG called me immediately and
placed me in charge of the SIT.
That same night around
9.30, I had called Nisha.
I informed her that I would send
a DySp and two women officers
the next day to record her statement.
She said fine.
Both the DG and I decided to
file the FIR after her statement.
My father passed away the next morning.
And you didn't proceed further?
That's right, sir.
As per the DG's report, the day after Dad
died, she left for Dubai with her child
on an early morning flight.
And from there to London.
She has a UK visa valid for ten years.
She booked her ticket to the UK at 7.40 AM.
About an hour and a half after
the media reported Dad's death.
It was a hasty move.
A panic.
Maybe she feared public wrath.
We reviewed Nisha's call dump.
Nothing interesting.
My father gave you this posting
two days before his death.
Yes, sir.
I was totally surprised.
I was not in his good books at all.
Dad told Ramakrishan sir that he
brought you in for some complicated job.
Any idea?
No, sir. No idea.
Okay, madam.
Let the investigation continue.
Yes, sir.
Sir.
Tobin and Rani took Mariyam
and moved to the flat.
Rosa also said
she will be back after a few days.
She is at Comrade's.
[emotional music playing] Okay.
For now, let's not to do anything that could
fuel John's animosity towards our channel.
In fact..
Wherever possible, applaud him.
Sir, with all due respect,
the ruler,
no matter how much good he does..
we still need to hurl a few abuses.
Even if it's not certain,
simply accuse him of corruption.
Stir up some smoke.
Only then will the news taste spicy.
Don't you want ratings
and capture the market?
If you keep smearing sweetness,
only flies will swarm around.
Our BARC ratings will nosedive.
When that happens,
don't blame the editorial team.
Give me that assurance.
Don't call and lash out at us.
[music rises]
No wonder he's our news anchor
with the highest ratings.
He opens his mouth..
only to spew venom.
Isn't that good?
Purushothaman called.
Tomorrow evening, 4 o'clock.
It's confirmed.
The chief investor should come in person.
That's John's demand.
This time, you'll have to come.
[sinister music rises]
Ravi Madhavan.
I know. Ishaan Tejas.
He's India's most renowned
business advisor.
The corporate guru.
My condolences.
Please sit.
When that story about Varghese sir
aired on my channel that day,
I never imagined
such a tragedy would follow the next day.
I still feel quite guilty, CM.
Guilt has no place in journalism.
I didn't take it personally.
I'm sure my father didn't either.
Didn't I tell you?
John is one hundred percent professional.
He runs this government like a CEO.
Let's come to the matter.
Ishaan, please. Sure.
This is a proposal that could
revolutionise our IT sector.
It's a plan that ensures
free internet access
for everyone in Kerala,
every household,
educational institution, government
and semi-government
body, without compromise.
[tense music playing]
So far, four state governments in India
have agreed in principle to this project.
We're planning to announce it at the upcoming
Trivandrum IT conclave which is a few days away.
That's your brain child, right, CM?
Our dream is a future where internet
access becomes a fundamental right.
And we want that dream
to begin in Kerala.
And that's Mr Ravi Madhavan's
decision and his wish.
CM.. This is your chance to change the narrative
about the many investment opportunities
the state has lost over the years.
CM, we have a headline
for this vision
that will dominate India.
The first page of this folder
holds that headline.
[tense music continues]
Two days back they met me in
Mumbai and gave me this proposal.
See, this person in the
churidar leads this project.
His name's a bit complicated.
Ishaan Tejas.
His real name is Mathukutty K Avaran.
He is from Teekoy.
A complete fraud.
Calls from influential people followed.
Since it's related to the internet,
I thought I'd discuss it with you.
Now tell me, is this any good?
Dad, look at this.
"One Nation, One Information".
Could there be a more fascist tagline?
Today, the most powerful thing
in the world isn't oil,
currency, gold or atomic energy.
It's data. Information.
That is the new-age capital.
This is an attempt by this fraud
corporate guru to monopolise it.
A major corporation is pulling the strings,
using Ishaan Tejas as the front.
The question is, who's the corporate giant
funding Mathukutty?
Mr Ravi Madhavan,
are you the one funding this project?
To be exact,
it is a consortium,
headed by RM,
Ravi Madhavan Group of Companies.
Thank you.
Let me study this.
You're a proven technocrat yourself, CM.
So, you'll understand its
possibilities better than anyone.
Of course. All possibilities.
So, CM..
please take a good look at it.
And give me a call with the happy news.
Alright.
Alright then, we're off.
We shall take your leave.
May good things happen.
Yes..
May good things happen.
[music rises]
Corporates now control the world
through cyber manipulation.
Dad, have you heard of the
2018 Cambridge Analytica scam?
It was a coup that turned
every social media like into a vote.
That's what happened
in the recent election in Kenya.
If algorithms decide issues and shape public
opinion, that is the end of the democracy.
Between 2022 and 2024, global tech giants
began setting up data centres here.
Many believe that was the first step
towards taking control of the country.
Dad, if you sign a deal like this,
these corporate agencies can freeze
our networks whenever they want.
Kerala will come to a standstill.
Dad, freedom isn't about connectivity.
It's about having the right to disconnect.
The phone in our hands and turn into
our greatest enemy and impersonator.
Politics and human life
will become programmed.
By letting their fibre-optic cables and
internet reach every home, school, college,
hospital and government office..
this is what will happen.
Data theft, profiling and AI infiltration.
What our children should learn, what we
should eat, what medicine we should take,
what we should think
and who we should vote for..
All of this
will be decided by corporations.
[tense music playing]
Dad..
When various changes
happen everywhere else,
some things remain the same in Kerala..
In every crisis,
we showed the world what Kerala truly is.
What the real Kerala story is.
This is an attempt to
rewrite that Kerala model.
Hey, I'm sharing something.
Just take a look.
Nisha Chandrakumar
and her daughter, Aswini Chandrakumar.
They landed at Heathrow Airport
on 23rd October.
Flight number EK0008.
Find her. Spare no expense.
Give me a day.
BIRGANJ, NEPAL
[soft, folksy melody playing]
[upbeat music builds]
Can I please speak to him once?
Please.
She's really unwell.
Madam, this is the autopsy report
of IT Secretary Cherian sir.
It lists cardiac death.
But the alkaloid levels
in his blood are abnormal.
Alkaloids were present in the medicines Cherian
sir was taking for his heart condition.
But after expert consultation, the report
says this variation is unnatural, madam.
Poisoning? Possible, madam.
Madam? Sir,
there have been developments.
Sir, your suspicion was right.
Varghese sir was planning
to assign me a case.
Maybe that's why I was transferred
the very day Cherian sir died.
And he was right.
Since Cherian sir died before reaching
the hospital, an autopsy was conducted.
The forensic report found
a cardiac glycoside called Digitalis.
It can cause a cardiac failure quickly.
Sir, by the way, the person who filmed
Nisha entering the CM's official residence,
her driver Vinod,
died in an accident,
at 3:35 p.m., the same day
the allegations against Varghese sir broke.
[slow, tense music playing]
Madam, let's sit there. Sir.
My father had assigned Cherian sir to follow
up on the project Ishaan Tejas submitted.
They made Cherian sir
a massive offer.
Even after Dad froze the project, Cherian sir
wrote to the CM eight times supporting it.
I've seen the files.
There couldn't be any loose ends
in their plan to trap my father.
So they eliminated Cherian sir.
Driver Vinod was another loose end.
Understood, sir.
So, one murder..
[score intensifies]
One accident..
one disappearance..
and the kingpin is..
Ravi Madhavan.
[music continues]
He's too big, sir.
You know he owns
three major media houses.
Plus seaports, airports,
mining, oil, and gas.
When we target someone who controls
core sectors.. I know, madam.
He's a tough target.
Or, he must be exposed.
But I don't know how.
[unsettling music playing]
[stylish, upbeat music builds]
You look excited. Yes.
Look. I got an email from the CM's office.
They've responded
very positively to our proposal.
He's asked me to follow up
with the IT Secretary.
This is the guest list from the party held
when John Varghese's startup was acquired.
Look at the names I've highlighted.
Sukesh Pande..
Isn't his portal the one
that broke John's FEMA case?
Yes. And the second
name, Poonam Mattal.
The Central Home Minister's niece,
you know her.
No one influences him
more than her.
Our team was tracking both.
Sukesh Pande, a man who never slips,
suddenly publishes a fake story.
And Poonam shows up right there.
A staged Central Agency raid
at the Kerala CM's residence.
Within 72 hours, John Varghese becomes
a youth icon and political hero.
A perfectly scripted narrative
takes over social media.
Google optimisation at its crazy peak.
John is sharp.
A very sharp player.
He weaponised the media
and manufactured an image.
His game mirrors ours,
constructing truth.
Don't get rattled.
We can still strike a deal with
someone who understands power games.
I don't think so, Ravi.
If it were Purushothaman or
Tobin, we'd have full control.
And we would have had a puppet CM.
But him..
He's unpredictable, and far too clever.
The X factor we never saw coming.
Damn Varghese sir's death!
Unnecessary collateral damage!
Something wrong?
No. Something is right.
It's an old incident.
Back in 1986,
there was a custodial death
at Keezhthadam Police Station, Idukki
an estate worker.
He was accused of stealing
ten sacks of cardamom from Plackal Estate.
The case was filed
by the local feudal lord, Vakkachan.
Out of blind loyalty to him, the SP and
his men beat the poor fellow to death.
When the labourers found out he died in
custody, they surrounded the police station.
When the enquiry started going
too close to the truth,
everyone,
from the SP down to the SI, closed ranks.
And the blame was pinned
on a poor ASI who was on night duty.
Poor man!
Terrified of losing his job
and facing arrest,
he ran for help..
to Varghese's right-hand man,
the then Home Minister, MLA Ramakrishnan.
I took him to Varghese sir.
The pressure on him was enormous.
The Chief Minister, Home Secretary, the DGP,
everyone.. to save the SP and his men,
sacrificed one ASI.
So Varghese sir abandoned him.
He lost his job and was arrested.
My mother and I used to visit
my father in jail.
He would just stand there,
staring at us, silent.
Then he would cry.
My mother would cry too,
once we stepped outside.
I'd feel tears welling up, but it was
hunger that hurt me more than grief.
My mother fought the case by borrowing money,
pledging, selling, everything she owned.
My father got bail on the 86th day.
He came home.
The next day, I was playing with a friend.
I saw my father walk out of the house,
into the rain.
When he didn't return for a long time,
my mother took me along to search for him.
We didn't have to go far.
[gloomy, dark music playing]
I never felt hatred or a thirst for revenge
towards Varghese sir for abandoning my father.
When he gave up under political pressure, he never
imagined my father would take his own life.
In the same way, when I trapped
him, even I didn't know..
that shock would kill him..
that he was so fragile.
The score is settled now.
But one thing is certain,
whether I want it or not,
the one destined to fall by my
hands will fall by my hands.
In today's India, corporations like the RM
Group, which controls multiple media houses,
stand taller than a Chief Minister.
If they decide to go all out,
nothing is impossible.
Isn't Varghese sir's downfall proof enough?
Ravi Madhavan is a corporate criminal.
You must be extremely careful with him.
He's beyond what we can handle.
Sir, you know him better than anyone.
What about me?
I know, you're Varghese sir's blood.
The last thing he told me was,
"Let's fight."
And then he went to sleep.
I need to visit him, light a candle
at his grave, and tell him he won.
He should know this, the dead Varghese
is far more powerful than the living one.
The senior-most leader of CPN and the very
symbol of indomitable resistance, P. Jayadevan,
is out of the Party leadership!
Today, Party Secretary M. Gopalan
personally called Jayadevan
and informed him of the Party's decision.
Satheesh Chettan,
wasn't it you who got this news?
Yes.
Didn't Comrade Jayadevan tell the Party
Secretary he'd step away voluntarily?
That's the truth.
But what he is reporting now is the news.
[unsettling music playing]
Can you please come to the room?
Mom..
Come in, dear.
It's been so many days since I saw you.
I came to see both of you
and to say something.
Rosa.. I..
I called Comrade
the moment I heard the news.
He didn't pick up.
For what?
What would you tell him?
I've been waiting all these days,
Thinking you'd tell me something
that would make sense to me.
It's a tragedy to keep calculating
what's on your partner's mind.
A terrible state to be in.
I know you will respect
whatever decision I make.
I'll call you.
I'm leaving, Mom..
[sombre music playing]
Pradeep will come from the Party Centre
to drop me at the station.
Don't trouble yourself.
I'm coming with you, Dad.
I got a ticket in Tatkal.
It's been a while since I visited home.
Dear,
do you want to tell me something?
I don't think things will work
between John and me anymore, Dad.
He's still not talking to me properly,
even now when you are in a crisis.
Don't worry about me.
I spoke to Gopalettan and
asked him to remove me from the committee.
He didn't agree.
The Party has given me charge
of the Kerala Yatra
starting on the 9th of next month,
against the state government.
I'll be leading the political campaign
against John.
But that's not the only issue, Dad.
A day before your mother passed away,
she asked me something for the first time.
That you shouldn't feel lonely
amidst my busy schedule.
Since then, I've tried
to be your best friend.
You should tell me how much I've succeeded.
[music continues]
There's helplessness
in John's silence, dear.
Give him some more time.
He'll talk to you.
Listen to him first,
then decide.
There's nothing harder to
bear than the sense of loss.
I miss your mother so
much whenever I am alone.
[music continues]
Hi. Any leads?
Yeah, she and her kid were taken
to Nepal on October 21.
Nepal?
Couriers moved them
straight from the airport,
then a local gang took custody.
The mother and daughter
were forced into Nepal,
and now they're being held
somewhere around Lumbini.
Just find them.
And extract them?
No.
Ravi Madhavan will do it for me.
[suspenseful music playing]
Everyone's gone through the note on the
IT policy we plan to roll out, right?
So, shall we proceed?
CM, this comes with a massive
financial burden.
And on top of that, it completely sidelines
the project Ravi Madhavan
is launching at the IT conclave.
Not to forget, he's ready to invest
25,000 crores in the very first phase.
CM, there's absolutely no need
to hand over information technology
entirely to private players.
I stand with your vision.
This will bring us massive
public support, CM.
So we're agreed on this, then?
This IT policy will be completely free for
ordinary citizens below a fixed income bracket.
Kerala will become India's first state
to guarantee unrestricted data freedom.
Understood?
He played us perfectly!
The government's free internet scheme!
So what's our next move?
John Varghese won't be the CM
to announce that scheme.
More details at the conclave.
CM..
No changes to the IT conclave
curtain-raiser programme, right?
No changes.
That's the assurance I gave you.
And, congratulations.
Even if competitors allege the new TRP
ratings were rigged, I won't believe it.
Thanks.
[foreboding music playing]
Welcome, Ravi ji.
- Everything okay?
- Yes. All good.
Please come. Let's go inside.
[music playing]
Her fever has subsided.
Why are you treating
me and my daughter like this?
Have I ever been disloyal to you?
I did everything you asked.
And an innocent man died because of us.
Everything between us
was purely transactional, Nisha.
You followed my instructions.
And you were paid for your services.
You promised me a good life in the UK
once this was over.
I believed you.
That was my mistake.
I should never have trusted you.
Exactly.
After knowing me for six years,
you should've known better, Nisha.
Or did you imagine
there was something emotional between us?
That exceptional talent of yours,
convincing people..
I need it one last time.
You'll have to travel to Kerala again.
Alone.
I'll tell you what needs to be done.
Until then,
they'll take care of your daughter.
If you pull this off,
that life I promised you,
it will happen.
No.
I'm done.
You can kill me.
Kill you?
You're far too valuable.
[gunshots]
Take the kid away.
Transport Nisha immediately.
She should reach Kerala
by tomorrow evening.
[unsettling, foreboding music playing]
- Come, girl. - Mom..
- Mom.. - Come.
Let go of me. Mom.. Mom..
Sir, as instructed, the child has
been moved to a safe location.
Nisha has also been taken to the airport.
Alright.
[unsettling, tense music playing]
Nisha, tell me what's going on.
Why did you come here now?
Why did you call me here?
This is dangerous.
Extremely dangerous.
If anyone sees us together..
I know.
This is their doing, isn't it?
Ever since that ugly stunt
with my father,
I cut off all contact with them.
So what the hell is happening now?
[collision]
Hey! Hey! Come quickly!
- Oh, no!
- Come fast!
- An accident!
- Try opening the door!
Hey, move aside.
They look familiar!
Open the door!
[tense music playing]
[News] To the shocking details of a story
that has shaken Kerala.
The survivor who accused former Chief
Minister and mass leader K.N. Varghese
was seen boarding a flight to
London on the very day of his death.
And today, she was spotted
travelling in a car with Tobin Varghese,
MP, eldest son of K.N. Varghese,
and brother of the current CM.
Everyone, please wait outside.
I need to speak to the CM.
Tobin Varghese's role
in both the sexual assault case
and Varghese's death
has now come to light.
- Sir, please sit.
- Don't tell me to sit!
Did you see this?
Because of you and your family,
the party has hit rock bottom.
The woman who accused the father
is seen with the elder son.
And the younger son's police force
moves in to "protect" them!
On what grounds did the police detain her?
And then what?
They help MP Tobin Varghese
escape straight from the hospital!
Brilliant!
It's the police's duty
to protect that woman.
Both of you better end this dirty
game, now, at this very night!
Once they said I framed Varghese.
Now the world knows,
his own sons destroyed him.
Protect your brother who pimped
for your father,
and you won't sit in that chair, John!
I'm willing to resign, sir.
Give me time till tomorrow morning.
Like I always say,
I am just a stop-gap arrangement.
[dramatic, unsettling music playing]
You left the country
the same morning CM Varghese sir died,
without informing anyone.
Am I right?
If you say it was due to
fear of public reaction,
we can understand that.
And now you've returned
to Kerala from Nepal.
You were in Nepal for the past 37 days.
May I know what's your Nepal connection?
May I know why you're detaining me?
Am I an accused?
Your allegation is that the former
Chief Minister sexually assaulted you.
Yet, the moment you landed in Kerala, you got
into the car of his son, MP Tobin Varghese.
Shouldn't that be investigated, madam?
And where is he?
You're protecting him?
[tense music playing]
What's the relationship
between you and Tobin Varghese?
No matter what I say,
you'll have your own version.
His mate. His illicit relation.
His keep.
Even if the media calls me a survivor,
your version will be different.
I raised the allegations against
the CM because Tobin told me to.
He promised me
he would become the next CM.
But he didn't come to power.
So, he ditched me.
And I said I'll expose him.
After that I was contacted by
the current CM, his brother.
He called and said
he would settle everything.
Only now did I realise it was a trap.
You must produce me before the court.
I want to record a 164.
[car siren wailing]
- What's up?
- Madam.. The CM's family is inside.
He asked you to wait when you arrive.
No matter how hard I try to defend you,
I've strong evidence regarding Nisha.
From the time Ishaan Tejus
connected you to her in Dubai,
to meeting her secretly
at your Palode house
on the day the opposition marched
to the Secretariat.
It's been going on
for two years, hasn't it?
[emotional music playing]
Whatever you're saying is true.
But.. I didn't betray Dad.
I swear on God.
The great MP Tobin Varghese didn't even
have the basic sense to realise
she was trying to trap Dad.
Ever since her allegations
against Dad surfaced,
I've been trying to contact her,
but couldn't.
I was terrified all this time.
Then she called me the other day,
said she was coming here
and wanted to see me.
She pressured me so much.
I couldn't get out of it.
I was the one who introduced her to Dad.
That's why..
I couldn't face Dad that night..
Save your tears for later.
One Nation, One Information.
Were you involved in that project, Ichayan?
No.
Ishaan ji told me he'd consider me
if it went through.
Ishaan ji, huh!
You were nothing more than
a useful fool to them.
They set Nisha up to frame Dad if he suspects
something is off about their project.
They built a relationship
between you and her
so they could use you to prove Dad's
involvement if an allegation ever came up.
They even had the President
in their pocket.
They hold the strings
no matter who's in power.
When they saw me standing up to them, they brought
Nisha back and exposed your relationship.
Now, they're running a smear campaign
to discredit me.
I'll confess everything.
I'll make sure
nothing happens to you, dear.
[sharp slap]
Do you even know
your father died of heartbreak?
Aha!
My darling's here!
Go tell your mother goodnight
and come back.
Tonight, Grandpa wants to sleep
hugging my dear Mariyam.
What are you waiting for?
Go tell your mother and come.
No! I won't come.
I'm not going to sleep with you
ever again, Grandpa.
Why, sweetheart?
Are you angry with Grandpa?
Isn't your grandpa a poor old man?
No, Grandpa, you're bad!
They said so on TV and in this too.
And Mamma said the same on the phone!
Mamma told me I should only sleep
with her and Papa from now on.
Mamma said not to sleep with
Grandpa ever again.
Grandpa is bad!
[ominous music playing]
Annamma..
What did she just say..?
She said it without knowing anything.
- But still.. why would she say this?
- Come, let's go to our room.
I can't believe I had to hear that..
Please don't cry.. I can't watch it..
Your father didn't sleep that night.
He kept tossing in bed all night.
And sometime between, I fell asleep..
When I woke up..
he had..
You killed your father!
YOU! [Music rises]
Dear..
You kept this distance from my son..
because he became
the Chief Minister, right?
I told him that no matter what,
he must sit in his father's chair.
That was my decision.
I also told him not to let anyone..
responsible for his father's death
walk free.
If he could turn into a bad person
even in front of a small child,
what would those who sang hymns at his
funeral and kissed his hand in farewell
have said about him in private?
I told John not to tell anyone
until the truth came out.
For his father's sake,
please forgive my selfishness, dear.
[emotional music playing]
John told me this morning
that that wretched woman
would be coming here.
I told him not to show you any mercy.
Even though I knew
you'd be with her
when she was arrested.
It was my decision.
This is Varghese's wife,
Annamma, taking her revenge.
Tara Vijayan is waiting outside.
You'll have to go with her.
[music rises]
Mom.. Don't say a word.
Just go.
[music swells]
I haven't changed.
What can I do?
I love my father..
I love him a lot..
Chief Minister John Varghese has placed
his strongest focus on the IT sector.
Which is why today's conclave is crucial.
An announcement is expected
that major IT companies
will launch projects worth
billions of rupees in Kerala.
However, since yesterday,
the situation has grown unclear.
Now, the political survival of Chief Minister
John Varghese appears to be under threat.
Sir, the government has announced
the Free Internet scheme
as an alternative to your
One Nation One Information scheme.
How do you see it?
This is a free market.
There will be competition.
We are also prepared to extend government
benefits worth 25000 crore rupees to the people.
I believe the people and the media will
understand the reason behind rejecting it.
[heroic music playing]
There is no doubt that this IT conclave marks
a major step towards Kerala's development.
Kerala accounts for 71 percent of
India's IT workforce.
This conclave was conceived and organised by
Kerala's young Chief Minister, John Varghese,
who is himself an IT expert.
Big congratulations to you.
[applause]
Thank you, CM, for taking the time to speak
to On Time for this face-to-face interview
at this inauguration venue.
I should be the one thanking you.
For giving me a platform
to say what I have to say.
The 90 days you've completed since assuming
office have raised great hope in Kerala.
Your steps against corruption,
giving priority to youth in the cabinet,
and the new IT policy have all stood out.
But things are no longer
so straightforward.
You are now facing a major crisis.
The return of the woman who made
sexual allegations against your father,
and the questions surrounding her
relationship with your brother.
Taking into account the statements they
are believed to have given the police,
you seem to be in a tight spot, CM.
[tense music playing]
This isn't just my assessment..
it's a view shared by the public as well.
Whatever you said is right.
I agree.
Wasn't it your brother, Tobin Varghese,
who facilitated the alleged relationship
between the late Varghese
Sir and the survivor?
Who protected her after she left for
London following Varghese Sir's death?
What promise did he make to her?
There is no doubt that
person was Tobin Varghese.
A fallout between them may have
brought her back to the capital yesterday.
Let me go. Mom.. Leave me..
[gunshot]
[continuous gunfire]
[gunfire continues]
[music swells]
[suspenseful music playing]
Sir, the child is still in our custody.
Just like you asked us to.
Nisha has been taken to the airport.
Everything has been done
as per your instructions, sir.
But an unexpected accident threw both
your and your brother's plans off course.
Though you stepped in to contain
the damage and close all loopholes.
The survivor was taken into police
custody, for reasons still unknown.
And the whereabouts of MP Tobin
Varghese remain unclear as well.
Isn't that true, CM?
It's not true.
Why do you say so?
That accident was planned.
Exactly one minute and ten seconds
after the accident,
your channel was already on the scene.
How?
Nice one, CM.
Is it wrong for us
to report an important incident?
But that's not what happened.
You knew an accident would happen.
That's why your team was already positioned
just metres away from the accident site.
You told them
it was to cover a police combing.
Yes, our team reached there
anticipating such a news.
We broke an exclusive that shocked Kerala.
Where is the conspiracy in that?
The conspiracy lies in a phone conversation between
you and your channel owner, Ravi Madhavan,
at 6.53 PM that day.
A conversation saying the survivor has
told Tobin Varghese exactly where to wait
and asking you to handle the rest.
That phone call!
What the..
What nonsense are you saying?
If you have conviction, if you have
nothing to fear, if you have the nerve..
Play this.
It's a recording of the phone call
between you and Ravi Madhavan.
Aravindan, call theft isn't a big
deal for someone who knows his job.
And one more thing..
The statement the survivor gave the police
is not the one you're expecting.
I can produce you in court.
But watch this video before that.
Ashwini Chandrakumar, aged 9, has been
safely.. Your daughter is rescued.
And she's safe.
She's at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
She's presently safe and secure.
Necessary coordination is underway.
Mom!
This is an orchestrated move.
A helpless woman has been
subjected to state terror.
And you are forcing her to
give a statement to the police
against a media house that upholds high values
and is committed to ensuring justice for her.
CM, you're playing with fire.
Then why don't you just play this USB?
I'm challenging you.
I'm the Chief Minister of Kerala.
I'm responsible for
all the audio visuals in this.
If this is fake..
I will announce my resignation
right here, right now.
[music rises]
Let's play this, Aravindan.
- Is the team ready?
- Yes.
The police are combing the area
for three wanted goons.
That's good.
You'll be informed five minutes
before the lorry hits.
Okay.
[music swells]
You call victims..
survivors..
I'm not a survivor.
I'm a victim.
A victim of corporate tyranny.
Behind many big corporate projects,
there is the silence of victims like me.
And tears.
For the past five years,
Ravi Madhavan has used me
in many of his operations.
I'm paid.
And promised a good life.
But that wasn't the reason I did
what he asked me to do.
It's fear and..
fear is his capital.
I did what he told me to.
A false allegation against the former CM
Varghese sir.. [emotional music playing]
One Nation One Information,
a project that is designed to enslave
an entire nation through cyberspace.
For rejecting that proposal, he became a
victim of Ravi Madhavan's corporate terror..
My father..
KN Varghese.
Ravi Madhavan..
I came here far more prepared than you.
Every decision you took..
was mine.
I was controlling you.
When corporate criminals own the media,
truth turns into fiction,
and fiction becomes the narrative.
Breaking a story means
breaking the truth.
Let me speak, CM.
Now, I will speak..
And so will they..
And you'll listen. [Applause]
You can say anything about anyone.
Fabricate evidence.
Defame people.
Drag them down.
Destroy lives.
Pronounce judgments.
Manufacture consent.
Post truth!
That's your privilege, isn't it?
The media is meant to be society's
greatest strength and its corrective force.
That is what journalism should be.
But do not abuse the privilege of speaking
in the name of the people.
You know what's worth more than the 500,000
US dollars he dumped in your Fiji account?
One honest line of news that
exposes the burning truth.
[music rises]
My father's image was
destroyed in twenty-two minutes.
And your 300 million-dollar empire..
in fifteen.
[crowd jeering]
[music rises]
Madam.
There used to be a newspaper in Bombay..
Midtown News.
It carried the news of my arrest in two
columns, for the first and last time.
When I got out on the 14th day..
I bought out that newspaper.
That was also the beginning of
On Time News.
By that logic, when I come out I'll
be buying your government, John.
There isn't much time left.
After all,
you're just a stop-gap arrangement.
I've let it all go.
Now I only have one identity.
Successor..
I'm here to deliver my father's response.
His successor..
The tree your dad hanged himself..
is waiting for you.
You're too old-fashioned.
I have no father, son, no holy spirit.
I'm not even human.
I'm an algorithm you'll never decode.
Keep your firewalls ready.
I'll be coming.
Bring it on. [Music rises]
I will appear before the court
and tell the whole truth.
Ravi Madhavan's conspiracy
against the present Chief Minister,
including the false allegations
against former CM Varghese.
He treated me with nothing but respect.
I unknowingly became the reason
for the death of a man like him.
For that.. I apologise..
[soft music playing]
You should fight it, Dad.
We must fight.
THIS MAN WAS TRULY RIGHTEOUS
Dad..
isn't alone anymore..
[music rises]
Today's Varghese sir's resurrection.
No one else has stood by their father
the way you have.
Sir, you must now stand by
the people who loves him.
No one understood my dad
the way you did, sir.
Sir, you must step
forward and lead them.
I'll submit my resignation.
Dad will understand me..
May you become immortal
May you always stay close to me
You are the boundless sky
That my soul's eyes are searching for
The ocean of fury is split open
He is a lone ranger
Dark shadows have vanished
Da - Dapper - Danger
The relentless rain strikes down
- He is a lone chaser Leader!
- Leader!
The barricades are shattered
He is a rule breaker
The truth within shines clear
Damn! Haymaker!
The very ground is overturned
Da - Dazzle blazer Leader!
Leader!
Eyes on the dawg he a master of legacy
Comin back with haze in his eyes
He's a Legatee
Walking like a king
He is owning the Prophecy
He be dropping bombs in the way
He a Trenchancy
People looking out for the King
Better Run the checks
He be watching out for his kingdom
He is on the Decks
Sacrificed the nights for the people
Keeping border checks
King on the chess board
Better be a mass flex
Come, come! The ultimate hero!
Come, come! The master of the game!
Let the days of ultimate truth arrive!
Come, come! The ultimate protector!
Come! Come! Leader of the masses!
Let the world-renowned glory overflow!
Turning into the burning ember
Becoming the endless ocean
Now standing at the absolute peak
Of the land
Undivided, multiplying into many