EXAM (2026) s01e03 Episode Script
The Faceless Shadow
Who's there?
Who's there?
If you tell Ms. Shantiamma
it's the fisherwoman's son, she'll know.
-Can you please tell her?
-Okay.
First, tie up the dog!
Ma'am!
What brings you here so early, son?
My mother always used to say
there should be no fish stench around me.
She'd ask me to study always.
All my body reeks of now,
is that stench!
The stench of fish.
When I became the district topper,
they draped me with a shawl.
Awarded me with a shield.
And said they'd see to everything.
But I'm not even able to see
any of them now.
When my ex-classmates mention
they are in this college or that…
tears well up in my eyes.
Even if education is not
an option anymore,
I still have to take care of my sister.
Please find me a job somewhere.
Anywhere, far away from this town.
Are you okay with Ramakkal?
What's your name, dear?
-Sara.
-Sara?
-Ma'am doesn't look like a married woman!
-But she has such a big child!
Ma, how come you're here
all of a sudden?
Here's some chocolate!
Ms. Maramalli has gone
for an underground operation.
She said she told you everything.
Didn't she?
-She did. But--
-Just a minute.
-Want an ice cream?
-Dear!
Please go do the job
I asked you to do, Shakthivel.
Okay, ma'am.
What job did she give me?
What should I do?
Let me go and clean the car!
How are you doing?
Same goes for all of you.
Get back to your work!
My name is Vijaya, ma'am.
I'm the sub-inspector here.
Ms. Maramalli and I are handling
this operation together.
The cops here seem to be informants
to the prime suspects.
Let's discuss the rest outside.
I've informed Ms. Maramalli
that you're here.
She'll call you at any time.
Let's go, ma'am.
Shakthivel!
How come you were able to find
the file now?
Always search thoroughly!
Hello?
Yes, just a minute!
Please wait in the car.
I'll be right over.
Yes?
Just that my mother dropped by
out of the blue.
I'm taking her to the temple.
She'll be leaving tonight.
Kid's got school tomorrow, right?
Yes.
Can I call you back later?
-Ma'am?
-Give me the car keys, Shakthivel.
Just let me know where,
and I'll drop them!
That's okay.
It's personal work. I got this.
Didn't I tell you, ma'am?
Ms. Maramalli just texted.
"Will call you in the night."
Here you go.
She says she'll make
a video call to you tonight.
The food is organic in the lodging.
She has arranged for you.
Therapy, massage-- All awesome!
We're here, ma'am. Come.
Let's go.
Bharathi?
That's me!
Ma'am's family.
She called and asked to take care
of them. I'll handle this.
Please call if you need anything, ma'am.
Bye, dear.
Come, ma'am.
The fasting therapy and mud bath therapy
are terrific here!
-Hello?
-Jhansi…
I tracked the phone of Kumaresan
of the Tea Estate School, like you asked.
The most calls he had were with Nataraj,
a tutor at his institute.
Another number happens to be--
It is based out of Chennai
and is registered to a lady named Sathya.
Every night, Kumaresan has had long calls
with that number.
At night?
He's not even married!
It might be an affair or something.
Check thoroughly!
Do this.
Can you check if he has
an alternate number?
-Sulochana!
-Thirumeni!
Praveen?
I had someone at the cybercrimes division
trace out Akash's phone.
His phone was last active at
the cell tower near the police quarters.
That night, he followed the DSP
when she left the station.
What if it was the DSP he was pursuing?
-Why do you seem off?
-I'm fine, Mom.
The climate isn't agreeable.
Where are you?
At the Sadhilar Jurisdiction
for a secret operation.
It will take me at least a week
to come to Thykara.
Go home.
You keep harping on
about a secret operation.
I'm scared, dear!
No matter how long it takes,
I won't take another step
without seeing you.
Please understand, Mom.
Put the kid on the phone.
How are you, sweetie?
When are you coming back, Mom?
I'll be back soon, okay?
Had dinner?
I don't like the food here at all, Mom.
The Bang Bang chicken I love
is not available here at all.
I'll get you that as soon as I'm back!
Have you blocked all the numbers?
People are calling me!
There's no network here, Mom!
An urgent call is coming in.
I'll call you back later.
Ma'am?
Pull over to the left!
Where are you coming from, sir?
From Novur, sir.
-Your name, sir?
-Jagadeesan.
-Who is the lad?
-My son.
What do you study, son?
I finished my degree last year.
-Can you give me your number, please?
-Sure.
963…
-550. Okay, sir. Go on.
-Okay, sir.
Hello, sir?
Marimuthu?
Learn to make "Bang Bang chicken"
from YouTube.
For my dearest Marimuthu…
this was brought in from America!
Marimuthu?
How are you, ma'am?
Don't you recognize me?
Inspector at the SP's office.
You came by the other day
to take charge.
-Of course! Are you well?
-Yes! What brings you here?
Just some personal work.
-Okay, ma'am.
-See you later.
-Sir? Go ahead, sir.
-Vasu?
My massage and therapy sessions
are over, and I'm on my way out.
I'm at the entrance, sir.
-Be right there.
-Okay, sir.
Ms. Maramalli is here, too!
-Here?
-Yes, sir.
Where?
She's wearing a black shirt
and is on her way in.
Hold on. Let me check.
Hello?
You are…
Ms. Vijaya!
What brings you here?
I came to buy a kit for Ma'am.
A friend of yours?
No. I'm sorry.
-Almost had a heart attack, didn't you?
-Zip it!
-How are you, ma'am?
-Tell me…
Just as you said, my neck pain went away
as soon as I got here!
Look what I've got for you!
Yes! Bang Bang chicken!
Dig in!
Tasty?
Did Malli call?
She called last night to say she spoke
to you. Hung up right away!
She called this morning, requesting
Bang Bang chicken for her daughter.
Hung up in seconds!
Sorry, dear.
Why are you saying sorry, Auntie?
-Have a great day, sir.
-Thank you.
Welcome, sir!
How can I help you?
I'm Elangovan.
I work at the DSP's office in Thykara.
In connection with a case inquiry,
I'll need some details from your resort.
From this date up until Sunday the 24th--
Please forward the details of everyone
in this resort…
for every night, to a number I give you.
I can't give that without the permission
of the Managing Director.
Fine, give me your MD's number.
I'll talk to him directly.
Sorry, sir.
-Hello, sir.
-Mr. Elangovan!
How are you?
Where are you at?
I'm good, sir.
I'm at the Royal Resort.
A resort, you say?
A party of sorts?
Don't start, sir.
-Remember? Ma'am asked me to gather data?
-Omelet, dear!
Yes, I do.
Some kind of special operation, right?
Yes, sir.
Very well, Elangovan.
Which resort was that again?
Thykara Royal Resort, sir.
Okay, Elangovan.
Carry on.
Okay, sir.
Thykara Royal Resort…
Hi--
Don't I know you from somewhere?
You came by our institute
the other day!
-I pulled over when I saw you!
-Thank you!
I need to get somewhere.
It's urgent. Can you please drop me off?
-Yeah, ma'am! Sure! Get in!
-Thank you.
Come in for a cup of coffee.
No, ma'am. I'm running late.
I need to go.
No, you must come in for a cup of coffee!
There's an important person
I want you to meet. Come.
-What's up, doctor? Making coffee?
-Yes!
Two black coffees for us!
Sit down. I'll get it!
-Come.
-Okay.
Thank you.
Take it.
Please.
What's your Managing Director like?
Him? He's a good guy, ma'am.
On the day I dropped by
at your institute…
What did the two of you discuss?
I don't understand, ma'am.
Us? Discuss something?
You didn't talk about keeping
your guard up around me?
No, ma'am!
Black coffee's delicious, doctor.
Thank you.
Shall we demonstrate
your military treatment to ma'am?
What scam are you pulling
at the Group 1 exam this year?
I swear I don't know, ma'am!
The next time I pull your head out,
you'll be a bloody corpse!
One night, sir called me in.
After giving me the Group 1 applications
of twenty students,
he asked me to register them in a way that
their roll numbers appear in succession.
I mentioned millions of applications
come in from all over the state.
I asked how our students alone
can be batched together in succession.
He asked me to file these applications
at around 3:00 a.m.
Chances of people applying at that hour
were slim, he said.
I followed his instructions.
The roll numbers of students from
our institute were in succession.
I only knew part of the plan involved
having them sit in the same exam hall.
Was the exam center of those twenty
in Udhagam Malai or Thykara?
Thykara.
Which exam hall
will those twenty be seated in?
What's your plan?
How do you intend to make them pass?
I swear I don't know, ma'am.
How much did each of them pay you?
I don't know that either, ma'am.
Is that so?
Fine. I believe you.
Call your MD to say
you're taking two days off.
You'll stay here in the interim.
Hello, sir?
For how many students to pass the exam,
have you paid the bribe?
Ten, sir.
You dare lie to me?!
Do you want to say how many,
or should I?
Sir-- I'm sorry, sir!
Twenty people!
You've taken bribes from twenty people.
You've paid bribes for ten of them.
How do you intend
to make the other ten pass?
Sorry, sir!
I'll refund the other ten, sir!
Hello? Sir?
Hello?
Not so fast!
-Out!
-Not out!
-Not a run out!
-Just bowl!
Aim the ball at the stump
or in a way a fielder can catch it!
Out!
-You're out!
-Out!
Hit the bricks!
-You're out!
-I bat next!
Hit a sixer, you're out!
You hit the ball!
Go get it!
That mute guy shouts at me
if I go in there!
No can do!
Go get it!
-I'm batting next!
-No, me!
-Give the bat to Shyam!
-Keep watching that side!
The mute guy's coming to get us!
Run!
Please, kid!
Pass that key!
What are you staring at?
Pass me that key!
I'm the original DSP!
She's an impostor!
Please pass me that key!
Why'd he leave the door open?
Marimuthu!
Marimuthu!
What have you done to him?
Marimuthu!
You'll be okay!
I'm here!
Hey!
What have you done?
It's okay!
I'm here!
Stop, kid!
Stop, I say!
Stop running!
Stop!
Stop!
Don't run!
Stop!
Daddy!
-Open the door!
-Daddy!
-Elangovan!
-What's wrong, son?
-Listen, Elangovan!
-Ma'am!
-I don't follow!
-Open the door!
-This lady isn't the DSP!
-Hey!
She's got another woman chained up
inside her house!
Nothing like that!
-That lady slit the mute guy's throat!
-The kid's blabbering!
-Blood all over!
-Open!
No!
Open up, please!
Hey!
I had my suspicions about you!
Now, it's confirmed!
Please listen to me!
Open the door!
Who's there?
If you tell Ms. Shantiamma
it's the fisherwoman's son, she'll know.
-Can you please tell her?
-Okay.
First, tie up the dog!
Ma'am!
What brings you here so early, son?
My mother always used to say
there should be no fish stench around me.
She'd ask me to study always.
All my body reeks of now,
is that stench!
The stench of fish.
When I became the district topper,
they draped me with a shawl.
Awarded me with a shield.
And said they'd see to everything.
But I'm not even able to see
any of them now.
When my ex-classmates mention
they are in this college or that…
tears well up in my eyes.
Even if education is not
an option anymore,
I still have to take care of my sister.
Please find me a job somewhere.
Anywhere, far away from this town.
Are you okay with Ramakkal?
What's your name, dear?
-Sara.
-Sara?
-Ma'am doesn't look like a married woman!
-But she has such a big child!
Ma, how come you're here
all of a sudden?
Here's some chocolate!
Ms. Maramalli has gone
for an underground operation.
She said she told you everything.
Didn't she?
-She did. But--
-Just a minute.
-Want an ice cream?
-Dear!
Please go do the job
I asked you to do, Shakthivel.
Okay, ma'am.
What job did she give me?
What should I do?
Let me go and clean the car!
How are you doing?
Same goes for all of you.
Get back to your work!
My name is Vijaya, ma'am.
I'm the sub-inspector here.
Ms. Maramalli and I are handling
this operation together.
The cops here seem to be informants
to the prime suspects.
Let's discuss the rest outside.
I've informed Ms. Maramalli
that you're here.
She'll call you at any time.
Let's go, ma'am.
Shakthivel!
How come you were able to find
the file now?
Always search thoroughly!
Hello?
Yes, just a minute!
Please wait in the car.
I'll be right over.
Yes?
Just that my mother dropped by
out of the blue.
I'm taking her to the temple.
She'll be leaving tonight.
Kid's got school tomorrow, right?
Yes.
Can I call you back later?
-Ma'am?
-Give me the car keys, Shakthivel.
Just let me know where,
and I'll drop them!
That's okay.
It's personal work. I got this.
Didn't I tell you, ma'am?
Ms. Maramalli just texted.
"Will call you in the night."
Here you go.
She says she'll make
a video call to you tonight.
The food is organic in the lodging.
She has arranged for you.
Therapy, massage-- All awesome!
We're here, ma'am. Come.
Let's go.
Bharathi?
That's me!
Ma'am's family.
She called and asked to take care
of them. I'll handle this.
Please call if you need anything, ma'am.
Bye, dear.
Come, ma'am.
The fasting therapy and mud bath therapy
are terrific here!
-Hello?
-Jhansi…
I tracked the phone of Kumaresan
of the Tea Estate School, like you asked.
The most calls he had were with Nataraj,
a tutor at his institute.
Another number happens to be--
It is based out of Chennai
and is registered to a lady named Sathya.
Every night, Kumaresan has had long calls
with that number.
At night?
He's not even married!
It might be an affair or something.
Check thoroughly!
Do this.
Can you check if he has
an alternate number?
-Sulochana!
-Thirumeni!
Praveen?
I had someone at the cybercrimes division
trace out Akash's phone.
His phone was last active at
the cell tower near the police quarters.
That night, he followed the DSP
when she left the station.
What if it was the DSP he was pursuing?
-Why do you seem off?
-I'm fine, Mom.
The climate isn't agreeable.
Where are you?
At the Sadhilar Jurisdiction
for a secret operation.
It will take me at least a week
to come to Thykara.
Go home.
You keep harping on
about a secret operation.
I'm scared, dear!
No matter how long it takes,
I won't take another step
without seeing you.
Please understand, Mom.
Put the kid on the phone.
How are you, sweetie?
When are you coming back, Mom?
I'll be back soon, okay?
Had dinner?
I don't like the food here at all, Mom.
The Bang Bang chicken I love
is not available here at all.
I'll get you that as soon as I'm back!
Have you blocked all the numbers?
People are calling me!
There's no network here, Mom!
An urgent call is coming in.
I'll call you back later.
Ma'am?
Pull over to the left!
Where are you coming from, sir?
From Novur, sir.
-Your name, sir?
-Jagadeesan.
-Who is the lad?
-My son.
What do you study, son?
I finished my degree last year.
-Can you give me your number, please?
-Sure.
963…
-550. Okay, sir. Go on.
-Okay, sir.
Hello, sir?
Marimuthu?
Learn to make "Bang Bang chicken"
from YouTube.
For my dearest Marimuthu…
this was brought in from America!
Marimuthu?
How are you, ma'am?
Don't you recognize me?
Inspector at the SP's office.
You came by the other day
to take charge.
-Of course! Are you well?
-Yes! What brings you here?
Just some personal work.
-Okay, ma'am.
-See you later.
-Sir? Go ahead, sir.
-Vasu?
My massage and therapy sessions
are over, and I'm on my way out.
I'm at the entrance, sir.
-Be right there.
-Okay, sir.
Ms. Maramalli is here, too!
-Here?
-Yes, sir.
Where?
She's wearing a black shirt
and is on her way in.
Hold on. Let me check.
Hello?
You are…
Ms. Vijaya!
What brings you here?
I came to buy a kit for Ma'am.
A friend of yours?
No. I'm sorry.
-Almost had a heart attack, didn't you?
-Zip it!
-How are you, ma'am?
-Tell me…
Just as you said, my neck pain went away
as soon as I got here!
Look what I've got for you!
Yes! Bang Bang chicken!
Dig in!
Tasty?
Did Malli call?
She called last night to say she spoke
to you. Hung up right away!
She called this morning, requesting
Bang Bang chicken for her daughter.
Hung up in seconds!
Sorry, dear.
Why are you saying sorry, Auntie?
-Have a great day, sir.
-Thank you.
Welcome, sir!
How can I help you?
I'm Elangovan.
I work at the DSP's office in Thykara.
In connection with a case inquiry,
I'll need some details from your resort.
From this date up until Sunday the 24th--
Please forward the details of everyone
in this resort…
for every night, to a number I give you.
I can't give that without the permission
of the Managing Director.
Fine, give me your MD's number.
I'll talk to him directly.
Sorry, sir.
-Hello, sir.
-Mr. Elangovan!
How are you?
Where are you at?
I'm good, sir.
I'm at the Royal Resort.
A resort, you say?
A party of sorts?
Don't start, sir.
-Remember? Ma'am asked me to gather data?
-Omelet, dear!
Yes, I do.
Some kind of special operation, right?
Yes, sir.
Very well, Elangovan.
Which resort was that again?
Thykara Royal Resort, sir.
Okay, Elangovan.
Carry on.
Okay, sir.
Thykara Royal Resort…
Hi--
Don't I know you from somewhere?
You came by our institute
the other day!
-I pulled over when I saw you!
-Thank you!
I need to get somewhere.
It's urgent. Can you please drop me off?
-Yeah, ma'am! Sure! Get in!
-Thank you.
Come in for a cup of coffee.
No, ma'am. I'm running late.
I need to go.
No, you must come in for a cup of coffee!
There's an important person
I want you to meet. Come.
-What's up, doctor? Making coffee?
-Yes!
Two black coffees for us!
Sit down. I'll get it!
-Come.
-Okay.
Thank you.
Take it.
Please.
What's your Managing Director like?
Him? He's a good guy, ma'am.
On the day I dropped by
at your institute…
What did the two of you discuss?
I don't understand, ma'am.
Us? Discuss something?
You didn't talk about keeping
your guard up around me?
No, ma'am!
Black coffee's delicious, doctor.
Thank you.
Shall we demonstrate
your military treatment to ma'am?
What scam are you pulling
at the Group 1 exam this year?
I swear I don't know, ma'am!
The next time I pull your head out,
you'll be a bloody corpse!
One night, sir called me in.
After giving me the Group 1 applications
of twenty students,
he asked me to register them in a way that
their roll numbers appear in succession.
I mentioned millions of applications
come in from all over the state.
I asked how our students alone
can be batched together in succession.
He asked me to file these applications
at around 3:00 a.m.
Chances of people applying at that hour
were slim, he said.
I followed his instructions.
The roll numbers of students from
our institute were in succession.
I only knew part of the plan involved
having them sit in the same exam hall.
Was the exam center of those twenty
in Udhagam Malai or Thykara?
Thykara.
Which exam hall
will those twenty be seated in?
What's your plan?
How do you intend to make them pass?
I swear I don't know, ma'am.
How much did each of them pay you?
I don't know that either, ma'am.
Is that so?
Fine. I believe you.
Call your MD to say
you're taking two days off.
You'll stay here in the interim.
Hello, sir?
For how many students to pass the exam,
have you paid the bribe?
Ten, sir.
You dare lie to me?!
Do you want to say how many,
or should I?
Sir-- I'm sorry, sir!
Twenty people!
You've taken bribes from twenty people.
You've paid bribes for ten of them.
How do you intend
to make the other ten pass?
Sorry, sir!
I'll refund the other ten, sir!
Hello? Sir?
Hello?
Not so fast!
-Out!
-Not out!
-Not a run out!
-Just bowl!
Aim the ball at the stump
or in a way a fielder can catch it!
Out!
-You're out!
-Out!
Hit the bricks!
-You're out!
-I bat next!
Hit a sixer, you're out!
You hit the ball!
Go get it!
That mute guy shouts at me
if I go in there!
No can do!
Go get it!
-I'm batting next!
-No, me!
-Give the bat to Shyam!
-Keep watching that side!
The mute guy's coming to get us!
Run!
Please, kid!
Pass that key!
What are you staring at?
Pass me that key!
I'm the original DSP!
She's an impostor!
Please pass me that key!
Why'd he leave the door open?
Marimuthu!
Marimuthu!
What have you done to him?
Marimuthu!
You'll be okay!
I'm here!
Hey!
What have you done?
It's okay!
I'm here!
Stop, kid!
Stop, I say!
Stop running!
Stop!
Stop!
Don't run!
Stop!
Daddy!
-Open the door!
-Daddy!
-Elangovan!
-What's wrong, son?
-Listen, Elangovan!
-Ma'am!
-I don't follow!
-Open the door!
-This lady isn't the DSP!
-Hey!
She's got another woman chained up
inside her house!
Nothing like that!
-That lady slit the mute guy's throat!
-The kid's blabbering!
-Blood all over!
-Open!
No!
Open up, please!
Hey!
I had my suspicions about you!
Now, it's confirmed!
Please listen to me!
Open the door!