Suzhal - The Vortex (2022) s01e01 Episode Script

-Don't deceive!
-Don't deceive!
VADDE CEMENT FACTORY, SAMBALOOR
-Don't deceive workers!
-Don't deceive workers!
-Don't deceive!
-Don't deceive!
-Don't deceive workers!
-Don't deceive workers!
-We are not slaves!
-We are not slaves!
-We are the workers!
-We are the workers!
-Don't deceive!
-Don't deceive!
Hang up the phone. Brother?
Wanna have cement bags?
-Inspector Regina is coming!
-But paying wages, you'll not!
-Don't deceive!
-Don't deceive!
-Don't deceive workers!
-Don't deceive workers!
-Don't deceive!
-Don't deceive!
-We are not slaves!
-We are not slaves!
-We are the workers!
-We are the workers!
-Down, down!
-Down, down!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
-Down, down!
-Down, down!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
-Down, down!
-Down, down!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
-Down, down!
-Stop it, folks!
-Stop it!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
-Down with CEO Trilok!
A couple of trains won't take long
to mow you down.
This is our final offer!
If you agree, stay on!
Or I'll bring in other and leave!
Hey! How dare you talk like that?
Just try bringing in other!
The factory'll be in fire!
Down! Down!
Down with CEO Trilok!
Down! Down!
Down with CEO Trilok!
Down, down! Down with CEO Trilok!
Down with CEO Trilok!
They're throwing stones, sir!
Why are you hitting me? You dogs!
Why are you hitting me?
I won't spare you!
Down with police brutality!
Dayalan!
Down with police brutality!
Shanmugam!
Back off!
Move aside.
Realize who you're messing with?
Uncle, get up!
-Go home. Listen to me!
-This's wrong.
Let's go.
They want to run the factory
without raising labor wages!
When will their tyranny end?
Let it go, comrade!
When one thing ends,
something bigger will begin!
Is there ever an end
to protests and revolutions?
Keep it, bro.
What happened, brother-in-law?
Nothing's new to us!
Is Nila back home?
She had some milk and is now studying.
Can I give you hot herbal tea?
No, thank you.
-You've to go to the temple tonight?
-Yes.
The procession.
The flag raised at midnight. Why?
Want to see the lawyer?
No You go ahead.
Call if you need anything.
Selvi. Get me some tea.
Nila!
Nila?
Always with the music and dance!
Above all, this damn speaker!
Why are you dancing after flunking
two subjects in the model exams?
-Dad?
-Shut up!
You even flunked Tamil,
and yet you're here dancing.
You're in the 10th grade.
At this rate,
you'll screw up the board exams too!
I'm sorry, Dad.
I'm sorry!
You're hurt!
Don't change the subject!
What other work do you have
other than to study?
And those extra classes!
Money down the drain.
You were studying well.
What the hell went wrong?
Always on the phone and boombox.
-Blame it on me for buying you these
-I'm sorry.
Until you score well again,
you're grounded from all entertainment.
I'm sorry, Dad.
I'm sorry.
-Get out of my sight.
-I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, Dad.
Ratnam, starting tomorrow,
you and Arunagiri
watch over the entire Mayana Kollai event
like hawks for the next nine days.
All the vermin in town
will be itching to take their revenge
during this crowded festival time.
Mom, Sakkarai called. The bride's family--
I know! They'll come at 5:30 p.m.
We'll get fruit and flowers on the way.
-Get the barricades up. I'll join you.
-Okay, ma'am.
Pick up, ma'am. It's just 60 bucks.
Sixty bucks?
Yes. It's festival time.
Take it or leave it.
It's daylight robbery.
Buy here, ma'am. Only 50 bucks.
Why make a show of wanting to buy?
-Wasting my time.
-Who do you think you're?
-Who?
-You're from out of town, right?
-Yes.
-Wait.
-Adhisayam.
-I'll shut you down!
Let go!
Let it go.
Let it go, I said!
What's with the sudden bursts of anger?
I get it all from you.
-Well. I'll get going.
-Okay, okay.
It's already 3:45 p.m. When will you come?
I'll be there by 5 p.m. Drive safely.
Come soon!
Be safe!
Don't worry about the compensation.
I'll handle that. Okay?
See you later.
Running late, Regina honey?
I needed to see Adhisayam off.
He'd have tagged along.
We'll buy him a motorbike
after he starts college.
We already talked this over.
I feel we're pampering him.
He already picks a lot of fights around.
Young boys must stay sharp!
Do you expect him to be
a nerdy numbers guy like you?
Didn't this lady cop chase
one such nerdy numbers guy?
Hey, Muthu!
If a word of this reaches the station,
I'll skin you alive!
Did Mr. Trilok give you a down payment?
Yes. What bike did he ask for?
Why? It was a KTM Duke.
I don't want to get the wrong one
and see him disappointed on his birthday.
But this doesn't seem right to me.
Not even about the bribes.
It feels we're going against the workers.
At least I'm part of the police
and take bribes.
But, aren't you
the very management that pays?
Despite being in white-collar jobs,
we're both still blue-collar workers.
Churidars, cotton saris,
and blouses are available here!
Tend to the customer quickly.
How many times must I say?
What are you seeing, kiddo?
Yellow suits every occasion.
White is fit, pink is glamorous.
-He won't let me shop in peace!
-Go on.
-When did you get here, sister?
-Just now.
I was heading over there
but came by as soon as I saw you here.
-How are you?
-Good. How about you?
Super.
You came by at the right time.
Does this look good?
Everything looks good on you, honey.
You want something?
Pick that yellow, kiddo.
I've my tailored.
Who makes readymade clothe for us?
Tailoring for her size and figure?
-Who asked them to come here?
-Wait and watch.
I'll be a designer, open a boutique,
-and make you all kinds of designs.
-Lovely!
-Much obliged.
-Do your work.
Flowers bloom all over town
The maternal uncle bearing gifts
To make this match
Look who's here, Mom.
-Greetings, ma'am!
-Lady cop!
Why fix the engagement at the groom's?
You're right, Granny. These things
happen at the bride's place.
But Sakkarai didn't want one
his mother couldn't be at.
Is it easy to find a son like him
these days?
Easy, loudmouth!
Look at the hype my mom's giving you.
Speak sweet nothings
Find a way to his heart
Hug your beau tight
Never let him go
Mom!
Meet Lakshmi. She's a nurse.
She's the bride Mrs. Regina found me.
Way out of my league, right?
I'll take care of my mom.
She won't bother you.
When I'm on duty,
the attendant will care for her.
I can do that too!
Hey, buddy!
Oh, Sakkarai, hug Lakshmi tight
Never let her go
Don't do it.
Speak sweet nothings
Find a way to the heart
Oh, Sakkarai, hug Lakshmi tight
Never let her go
Speak sweet nothings
And find a way to the heart
The marriage of Mr. A. Pachamuthu
and Govindammal's son,
Chakravarthy, also known as Sakkarai,
and Mr. Perumal and Periya Gauri Ammal's
daughter Parameshwari, aka Lakshmi,
is fixed for the first of March.
-The year is 1990.
-All right, ma'am.
Yeah. That's right. It was 1990.
-The film Vyjayanthi IPS released.
-Starring Vijayashanti.
-Have you seen it?
-Yes. Excellent movie.
It gave me goosebumps.
That was when I decided to become a cop.
I too decided to become a cop after
watching Kadamai Kanniyam Kattupaadu.
Pillars of justice
in the glorious past!
But now, we've become soggy biscuits
soaked in tea.
Why? What's wrong now?
Now we work
even for free booze from Trilok.
That's life.
We all come in with noble dreams.
After reality sinks in,
a few of us compromise.
Ditto for a few politicians.
She still seems to be in the ancient past.
For most of the recruits,
the principle is pillage.
How about you, Mr. Sakkarai?
I wasn't mesmerized by movie cops
like you were to join the force.
One needs to either be rich or wield power
to gain respect in this society.
That's it.
Didn't I say kids these days
are really sharp?
-Sundaram!
-Sir?
Thanks, sir.
Being sharp is how I got
the junior Vadde Trilok in my pocket.
Here you go.
S.I. sir, I'm heading downstairs.
For what? To smoke, right?
Feel free to light up here.
Even if you go there,
it'll waft up here.
-Hey.
-Yes.
Is this neat?
Go for it, ma'am.
Okay
Hold on. I'll call.
What's up, dude? Is the inspector wasted?
As it is, the inspector's busy
with all kinds of tension.
So she's a little tired.
Is that why they call you Sakkarai?
For your honey coated word?
-Hey!
-Mom?
Come along.
-Let go.
-Oh, man.
Come.
Really tanked, aren't you?
Not tanked. Just tired.
You're going to Munnar
with your friends?
Yep. I leave in half an hour.
As a birthday treat.
-Come, Mom!
-Let go!
-Come, Mom.
-Hey.
Go to Munnar, book a room,
party and sleep it off. Leave it at that!
Don't get bitten by hogs
in your stupor.
Who? Us?
Watch this.
You know foreign alcohol doesn't
suit you, right?
Then, why try?
Have the local booze and be at ease.
I'll be back in three days.
She's in no position to hear me.
She'll be much better in morning.
Let's go, Mom.
-Let go of me.
-Chill Mom, come.
Why're you inviting me into my own house?
It's your house, Ma. Come on!
DAY 0: MAYANA KOLLAI
FLAG HOISTING
Today we hoist the flag
as the festival is tomorrow.
The Mayana Kollai festival
of Sambaloor goddess Angala Parameswari.
Gone to bed?
No, I haven't.
Hello?
Hello?
Hello! What's the matter?
The priest and Eswaran
are carrying a skull.
Who? The priest?
Why would he
Never mind that. Can we meet tomorrow?
I'm on duty tomorrow.
Hey, doe-eyed darling,
you're lying to a cop?
Can't hear.
I'll call you when I'm out of here.
I'll go home and call you.
They're hoisting the temple flag,
and you guys are burning crap?
We're done. We'll be leaving now.
-Let's go soon.
-Muthu.
You're drinking tea all by yourself,
ignoring others.
Sir, sir?
Phone's ringing.
Does a chain snatcher
really need to tell me this?
Can't I hear it myself?
Pick up then if you hear it.
Hey, pick it up quickly!
What is it?
What are you saying?
Trilok!
Trilok?
Ganpath!
Move aside. Get back.
Spray to the left.
Raise it higher.
Spray on the left. That's it!
Has Mr. Trilok been informed?
Call the ambulance quickly.
Why is it taking so long? Back off!
Brother!
Old man Muthusamy went to pee.
-I don't know where he is.
-Hey!
Stop, sir.
-Move aside.
-Who let him in?
The tank!
Dad!
Dad, are you okay?
You put Shanmugam on a pedestal,
didn't you?
He burned it like he said, Dad.
He kept his word.
Dad.
Dad!
Electrical short circuit?
This wasn't an electrical fire.
We put it out with water.
This was not an accident.
It's arson.
Sambaloor is a small town.
And has such a big factory.
Who could've set it on fire?
Nila?
Nila!
Nila.
Is Nila ready?
She's late for school.
Ask her yourself.
Nila.
-She's upset 'cause I scolded her.
-Same old business.
Just like her mother.
She's hypersensitive!
Open up honey. It's getting late.
Nila.
Nila!
Dear?
Where is Nila, brother?
She's not in her room?
No. Doesn't look like
she slept here last night.
It is all neat. Not at all like her room.
She hasn't been home since last night?
I looked all over the house.
I got home at 4:30 a.m. after
seeing Muthusamy.
I didn't want to wake her
as I went to bed.
You didn't peek to see if she was in?
So Nila's been missing since last night?
She isn't missing.
She probably went somewhere
to cool her anger.
Where?
Her scooter's still here, brother!
She doesn't go out anywhere without it.
What are you trying to say?
What if she got mad at you
and went to her mother?
Why would she go there?
Despite we fight,
she's my daughter.
Go get the keys.
Get the scooter keys. I'll go check.
Don't worry. She wouldn't have
gone anywhere. I'll look around.
Hello? Malar?
Is Nila with you, dear?
No, Uncle.
When did you last see her?
Yesterday, after tutoring.
All right dear.
Hello.
What has God taught us?
He told us to be righteous. Do good.
Do only good.
Take the right path. That's what he says.
Let us meditate for a minute.
Hare Rama Rama hare, hare
Devi, there's a phone call for you
from Sambaloor.
-Hello.
-This is Selvi, sis.
Did Nila come by the Ashram?
Nila?
Why would she come here?
What happened to her?
Nothing, sister.
Call me If you hear anything.
Can I call you back?
-Guna!
-Yeah, brother?
-Can you hear me?
-Yeah.
Kodhai was the last one
saw Nila yesterday evening.
I'll check the market.
You check the tutoring center.
-Did Nila come here, ma'am?
-What?
Did Nila come here?
Nila? No, she didn't.
-Veera, did you see Nila?
-See who?
-My niece.
-No, I didn't see her.
Shall I come along?
Nila didn't come here, Uncle.
Brother-in-law.
What happened?
I'll call back.
Greetings, Brother.
Maybe she went to Nandini's house?
Why'd she go to Coimbatore
without inform me?
The last time you left her with us
while you were away
she went to Nandini's house
without telling me.
But she called me from there!
If I call Nandini
and tell her Nila's missing,
she'll throw a fit.
-Have you eaten?
-What's up?
-Did you call me to ask that?
-No
Did Nila come there?
Nila? Why would she come here, Dad?
Why, what happened?
Hello? Dad?
Tell me what's going on?
Nothing.
She went out without telling me.
"Went" where?
I thought she was with you.
She must be at some friend's place.
I'll call you later.
Okay, Dad.
Wait. An auto's coming.
Why are you here?
I'm her mother.
A mother's one who's there for her child.
You asked me to leave, and said
you can take care of the kids yourself.
This isn't about us.
What happened yesterday?
Did you scream at her?
Answer that.
-What did you tell her?
-Her report card had come.
She failed two subjects.
I didn't scold her that much.
That's what you think.
As it is, you're kind of stern.
And when you're angry, all the more so!
You know that Shanmugam
set fire to the factory.
Why won't you arrest him?
Please understand, Mr. Trilok.
We can't arrest him base on your word.
We need some proof, hard evidence.
He threatened me yesterday.
-Won't that suffice?
-Trilok!
-Dad.
-How is Muthusamy?
Did you see him?
No, Dad. They told me
it's not life-threatening.
Your factory worker's in that ward.
What are you doing here with the cops?
Put this in the car, Muthu.
In a sari, you looked ravishing.
Even in this outfit,
you look hot and bewitching.
This is my uniform.
I can see that.
How do I look?
Not so good. Yesterday you were
a stud in your white shirt and dhoti.
Well, I can't go chasing after thieves
in a dhoti, can I?
Where's the fire accident patient?
Muthusamy?
Mr. Muthusamy.
Muthusamy.
How are you doing?
Please rest.
Don't worry. Everything will be fine.
One lakh.
Ask me if you need more.
-This is Vadivelu.
-Contact me for any emergency.
-You have my number?
-Yes.
You look tired. Do you want some tea?
No need.
Get her some water, Muthu.
The factory's CCTV footage is all burnt.
The CCTV room is in ashes.
I've asked for CCTV footage from nearby.
That might yield some clues.
It must have been around 12 to 12:30 a.m.
when I reached there.
Shanmugam's bike was at the gate.
It was at the side gate,
not the front gate.
I saw it myself at the front gate.
-No. I saw it on my way home.
-Hold on.
When'd you go past it?
Probably around 10:15 to 10:30 p.m.
10:15 p.m.?
He's created a ruckus already?
Who informed the cops?
Come with us to the station, Shanmugam.
Why? He won't go with you.
We can't send him 'cause you asked.
Why must he come to the station?
In the morning he said the factory
will burn and it burned.
Now you put together a gang
and get all macho.
Did you plan all this
to the tiniest detail?
I was just venting
and you're trying to use it to arrest me?
No! I saw your bike last night
at the factory's side gate.
Where else do you expect him to park?
Your backyard?
We're worried of a missing girl.
You make a scene?
We're searching for the missing girl.
You think you can scare us?
-His younger daughter's missing.
-The younger one?
His elder one skipped town, right?
Shanmugam!
Why didn't you report the missing girl?
It's only been since this morning
that we haven't seen her.
You don't need to answer.
When that Trilok tosses biscuits,
you dogs all jump for a taste.
Arrest Shanmugam
and put him in the Jeep, Sakkarai.
Arrest whoever gets in your way.
Shall we go?
Down with police brutality!
The man says his daughter's missing.
And we're
Muthu, did you notice
the women's faces when
talking about the missing girl?
And Guna's wife?
"Yes sir. We don't know
where Nila has been all day!"
Shanmugam must've scolded her.
She must've been upset
and gone to somebody's house.
Escape from home
is their family disease.
-What are you saying, sir?
-Oh, come on!
Shanmugam's wife left home
to join an ashram.
His elder daughter Nandini
was my school classmate.
She'd go often to the ashram
to stay with her ma.
She never stayed long. Always return.
You can't always blame the kids.
The father is an atheist.
The mother's a saint.
Caught in such games, what will kids do?
Right. As it is,
Madam and Shanmugam are at odds.
And he got soundly busted on this.
-What gives, Sakkarai?
-Ma'am
-Where is that elder girl?
-Who? Nandini?
The boys mentioned
she has some IT job in Coimbatore.
Down with police brutality!
So you won't talk?
Release Shanmugam!
-What? Did he spill anything?
-No, ma'am.
Nothing works like a couple of blows.
If I roughed him up just a little bit
No need.
The man's a workers' union leader.
I'll talk to him alone.
What's your problem?
Just confess.
I need to find my daughter.
Let me go.
I'll handle the
Mayana Kollai duty tonight.
Find some evidence from the CCTV footage
with Sundaram and Muthu.
We can't hold Shanmugam
for too long without cause.
Hello?
What do you mean he can't be bailed out?
Nila is missing too.
If he can't get bail,
must he remain in jail?
I don't know what to do.
Have our guys look for her.
By God's grace I wish
Nila returns on her own.
Sister?
I know you don't believe
in the rituals of Mayana Kollai.
But I'll tell you what's on my mind.
If you pray to the Goddess and promise
to eat blood-rice on the eighth day,
our wishes come true.
What are you getting at, Selvi?
It is bad times for our family.
Shanmugam is in prison.
We don't know where Nila is.
-Why can't we pray to the Goddess?
-Selvi.
I'm a pure vegetarian.
After going to the ashram,
I even stopped eating onions and garlic.
Here's what I don't understand.
Shanmugam doesn't believe in God.
What about you?
You only believe in vegan Gods!
Angalamman is our own Goddess.
Does she not measure up to you?
Today's the festival's first day.
The Goddess will be decked up
at the temple.
For my peace of mind, I'm gonna pray
for Nila and get a holy amulet.
Day one of Mayana Kollai
DAY 1: MAYANA KOLLAI
PROCESSION OF THE GODDESS
Goddess Angalamman's procession.
If somebody beats someone up,
the police will find that person.
What if a cop beats anyone up?
Hey! What are you doing? Who are you?
Shanmugam's elder daughter. Nandini.
She's a little worked up.
I'm not worked up.
A girl's missing and you
laze around watching TV.
-Mind your tone.
-Nandini,
I understand. But you can't
What do you understand?
You act like you know me.
It's me Sakkarai.
Your classmate. Don't you remember?
Classmate? Does that mean
you know me well?
That's the problem with this town.
You all know everyone.
Forget all that. My sister's missing.
Can you find her?
Your family must file a complaint.
Only then we can proceed.
A man tried to do that, but was framed
and arrested on an arson case.
Never mind. I'll file a complaint.
-Write it down.
-Hold on.
Missing cases
are after fights at home.
They all return back.
-We can't entertain
-Don't deal with this lunatic.
-She's from a family of loons.
-Hey.
-Who's a lunatic?
-Why not?
Nila's your sister and
didn't you run away from?
Sundaram. Don't talk unnecessarily.
Nandini.
Nandini.
-Dad?
-Hold it, Nandini.
-Dad.
-Why'd you come here?
Be brave, Dad.
-We'll find her.
-Nandini.
You're crossing the limits.
Women can't be here after 6 p.m.
-Take it up in the morning.
-You go.
-Go, I say!
-Go.
-Dad.
-You go.
Nandini, leave.
Leave.
No point in being considerate
Nandu.
What's happening, Ma?
This thing keeps going on and on.
Like a never-ending saga.
How can this help find
who set fire to the factory?
Sub-inspector,
I can't do this anymore.
I'm sleepy as hell.
How long can we stare at the road?
Surely I'll see it in my dreams!
Is this of any use, sir?
Nothing was caught on camera.
If someone crosses the road nervously
or walks with a bag in hand,
can these be taken as
serious evidence of the crime?
Sundaram, it needs to be done.
We'll hit upon something unexpected.
I'm getting sleepy, sir.
You guys get going. I'll handle it.
-Me too?
-Changing the tapes is child's play.
Get going.
You wanted to grow a beard
for Mayana Kollai?
-The D.S.P approved it.
-Keep it in the safe.
-Call me if you need anything.
-Get going.