Suzhal - The Vortex (2022) s01e02 Episode Script

Every piece of machinery was imported.
We bought all of this 20 years ago.
Back then they cost 40 lakhs.
Today they'll cost at least 20 crores.
We can't put all that in the FIR.
We can only file for damages.
You'll have to talk with
the insurance company for payment.
Regina, did Shanmugam say anything?
I really feel he had this well planned
and executed.
Sir, about that
We can't hold him in custody for long.
It might lead to an inquiry.
We need evidence against him.
Then find it.
The problem with fire
is it destroys all traces of evidence.
We're looking into it.
We have only your word against him.
Handle it, Regina.
Vadivelu's account.
Vadivelu, have you booked
a bike for your son?
Did my money help with the payment?
Sir, I didn't ask for your money.
You insisted on giving it to me.
You didn't ask for it.
But you didn't refuse it either.
-Ma'am.
-I'm saying--
-Wait, Sakkarai.
-It's urgent, ma'am.
A kidnapping?
That's what it looks like.
An opportunistic crime.
Here we were thinking
she ran away in anger
CCTV footage
of the town intersection at 10:15 PM--
Sure it was Nila?
Yes. Her ID was found at the bridge.
Does Shanmugam know?
No. We're waiting for your go ahead.
-What's the car number?
-We don't know.
But what was she doing
at the bus stop alone at that hour?
Sakkarai, where's the video technician?
Muthu is bringing him over.
Ma'am, DSP is on the line.
Good morning, sir.
Yes, sir. Shanmugam, the union leader.
His daughter, 15 years old.
All right. Yes sir.
I went over the security footage.
She was alone at the bus stop,
some thugs must have abducted her.
It looks like a crime of opportunity.
I'll inform all the stations.
Okay. Thank you, fine.
-File it.
-Sakkarai.
Ma'am?
Round up all suspects and bring them in.
All those rascals should be here
for the festivities.
We'll get them. The footage is here.
Pause it.
Zoom in.
-Can you clean up this image?
-I'll try.
-Hurry up.
-Give it a couple of minutes to render.
-This is no good. What else can be done?
-Ma'am.
Check this out.
The license plate has been
smeared with mud.
Yes, sir.
-So?
-Doesn't look like a crime of opportunity.
It was premeditated.
Illusions and deceptions
Wounds many, the vortex reveals
Endless and relentless
Wails many, the vortex rains
Won't life triumph?
Won't grief cease?
O vortex!
Swirling within, shadows
Dark shadows
Riddles within, will you unravel, O God?
O vortex!
Swirling within shadows
Dark shadows
Riddles within, will you unravel, O God!
What happened?
-Where'd you find this?
-At the intersection.
Do you know
why Nila went there that night?
Nila
Does she have her own room?
That's her room.
Is she all right?
Sakkarai, I asked you a question.
Tell me what happened to her.
How did this tag get there?
Are you hiding something from me?
Please tell me.
Is this Nila's?
Is she on Facebook or Twitter?
Yes, she is.
But she isn't very active there.
She's quite reserved.
She has only a few friends.
Why do you ask?
Is she close to you?
When did you last see her?
I spoke to her last Sunday.
-Why? What happened?
-Does she talk to you often?
We talk every Sunday.
-How does she call you?
-From her phone.
-Does she have a mobile phone?
-Yes. Why?
Does she share her problems with you?
She does. If there were any
she'd definitely tell me.
Her number?
98410236
What is it?
Please don't keep anything from me.
Nila was at the bus stop
at the intersection on Tuesday night
It's on CCTV.
She was abducted from there in a minivan.
Nandini.
-What happened?
-Nandini.
Don't cry. If they wanted a ransom,
they'd have called by now.
Do you suspect anyone?
-Please tell me.
-I don't know.
It may be an enemy of her father's.
An FIR was filed this morning.
Every station in the area
has been informed.
Everyone today--
This could've
been done yesterday.
I'm trying to be civil with you.
Think you can do anything
because you're a cop?
-Let me go!
-Why harass Shanmugam?
Mr. Trilok has filed a complaint.
I know all about your deal with him.
He's been with us
since the very beginning.
He's already distressed.
Is now the time to be hostile?
Release him now. Go look for his daughter.
I'll handle it.
Hello, Mr. Vadde!
Wait.
Heard from the police already?
Why did you release him?
Shanmugam's motive
to burn down our factory is clear.
He will confess
if the cops put the screws on him.
The papers will go through
and we can collect the insurance.
The company was run
as per your wishes.
Now I'm the Managing Director.
Why jump in now and muddle it up?
-Who'll respect me then?
-Respect does not come from demand!
Dad!
Don't be so dramatic.
Go out and smoke.
Mr. Vadde!
I'm Kothandaraman. Ex-fireman.
Fire specialist.
-So?
-So
I'm the chief consultant
for General Insurance.
Insurance claims get paid
based on my report.
Shanmugam is a brother not just to Guna
but to all of us give your best.
This is all we could collect.
Sakkarai, what are you doing here?
-Uncle!
-I'm your uncle, right?
Everyone here
is like a brother to you.
Then why are you going against us
and siding with the bosses?
-That's my job, Uncle.
-Some job!
You do know how you got a
posting in your home town?
Yes, you put in a word with the MLA
I couldn't have made it on my own.
You got the job only after
Shanmugam stepped in,
All right, Uncle. Please hear me out.
I'm here on an inquiry
about his missing daughter.
-Investigate?
-Does he have any enemies here?
Definitely not amongst us.
Just amongst cops like you.
Get going.
Dad, did they hit you?
Nila
She must be safe.
She'll come home soon. Come in.
-Eat before you go.
-It's ok. Your father needs help.
-Fine. Then come by evening.
-Okay.
Why are you still here?
Are you the only one worried
about her?
I'm her mother. Shouldn't I be concerned?
Didn't you abandon her
and run off to the ashram?
-You weren't concerned then?
-Did I go?
You separated me from my children.
Acting all high and mighty--
-Quit babbling. You're pissing me off--
-Stop it.
Can't you stop bickering even now
and focus on your kids?
Yes, Sakkarai?
Nandini.
I don't think your father has any enemies.
Who did this?
I'm going to Nila's school.
-Can you make it there?
-I'm on my way.
I'll wait outside the school.
I'm not comfortable bringing
family members into an investigation.
As it is, the girl is emotional.
We'll try this one time.
If it doesn't work, we'll cut her off.
Where's the tracking report
of Nila's cellphone?
Ansari's working on it, ma'am.
We're cops, sir. Open the gate.
I'm not opening the gate for anyone.
Even cops.
No men allowed in here.
He's only doing his job.
I'll go in alone.
Ma'am, Nandini has come. Please wait.
Thought you'd come alone.
Men aren't allowed in.
Only you and Mrs. Regina can go in.
Nandini, we must understand Nila's world
to find her.
At her age, her friends are her world.
Not just school, her kho-kho team too.
Yes, I saw the pictures.
Can I call you back, Lakshmi?
Nila goes to a coaching center
at Nadavoor every day.
Coaching? How would I know this
if you don't tell me?
-There would be boys at the center.
-Sakkarai!
-Is she coming?
-All right, you go ahead.
-When was this school founded?
-Seventy-five years ago.
-How many students are there?
-There're 1,400 students.
-And how many teachers?
-Eighteen to 20.
Who're you looking for?
-Is Nila in this class?
-Yes she is. Why do you ask?
-Is she your friend?
-My classmate, but we're not that close.
Where does she sit?
Over there.
Sister!
It makes me feel sad.
Nila's really a good girl.
Quiet. Studies well.
We expected her to do very well
in this year's public exams.
Did you notice any change in her?
Nila was in my class last year too.
She was the best student.
She's been distracted
since the 10th grade.
She lost focus on her studies.
-Her grades declined.
-Do you think there's a problem?
Nila seemed a little scared, sister.
But I don't know who she was scared of.
-You left me alone, sis.
-Nila?
I'm scared.
-Nila?
-First, it was mom who left. Now it's you.
Hold my hand tight.
-Nila?
-Where are we going?
Nandini!
Shall we leave?
I'm teaching here, aren't I?
-I need to leave for a wedding.
-What?
-I need to leave.
-Go!
Those who have finished writing can leave.
Greetings, Pushparaj!
-I'm Sub-Inspector Chakravarthy.
-I know nothing about Nila.
-I didn't ask you.
-That's what you're here for, right?
Nila sits here and leaves
when the class is over.
I don't know anything else.
How do you know she's missing?
-What? The boys told me.
-Which boys?
The losers downstairs!
They stare at girls passing by.
They know everything that happens.
They show up after 6:30 p. m.
Go question them.
Then come along. Let's go question them.
Sir, that's not my job. I'm leaving.
Mom! We're staying
at Clement Country Resort.
Munnar is awesome, Mom!
You, me and Dad should
make a trip here!
Hey there!
What does the Goddess say?
The crowd at Mayana Kollai
keeps increasing every year.
-Here's the offering.
-My hands are dirty.
I'll feed you, dear.
Son's out of town, too.
I need to take care of you, right?
Get off, guys.
Dheena! Butter biscuits.
Take some.
-How is it?
-Pretty good.
Got a lighter?
Boys your age are smoking.
While you sit here eating butter biscuits.
Silly punks. Why are you sitting here?
-To score with girls who pass by?
-Who the hell are you?
Talking like some kind of big shot?
Hey, I asked you a question.
What are you looking at?
Do you know whose name is written here?
Raju Is that you?
-You're Playboy Raju?
-Dude, Raju!
Is it really you, brother?
I've heard a lot about you.
You made scoring with girls
look easy! How?
No matter what you do,
it must be done sincerely.
Who's the hottest chick
at the coaching center?
Our Sumathi!
Don't praise her
just because she smiled at you.
Malar's the hottest.
She's only fair, chump! Like a flour ball!
A hot girl must be sensational.
That would be Nila, right?
Nila? Who's that?
I'll smack you.
You forgot her already?
You idiot!
You were always drooling over her.
Nila's a very good girl, brother.
She talks to no one.
Just comes and goes.
She's like a sister to me.
Sister?
Admit it.
You've feeling for Nila, right?
That's all right.
A guy came by.
He said, "Nila's mine.
Anyone else who eyes her is a goner."
All pumped up,
our pal here stood up to that guy!
The other guy hit him
in all the wrong places.
-Who's that man?
-Not a man.
He's a boy. We don't know him.
He's from out of town.
Did he come back after that?
You're asking too many questions.
Are you Nila's relative?
I'm a cop, kiddo.
Sir!
Is it true that Nila's missing?
He must have nabbed her.
-Definitely him.
-Why do you say that?
He kept following her.
Poor girl.
-Didn't you do the same?
-I loved her.
I gave her a love note.
But never followed her.
I respect girls. But he's a creep.
He'd lust after them.
There's a word for that, too!
-Stalker.
-That's the one.
Do you know where he lives?
As far as we can tell,
he has a lot of money,
That's why he's so bold.
He'd brag about taking a firebrand
from the pyre
and torching the entire town.
During Mayana Kollai?
DAY 2: MAYANA KOLLAI: STREET PLAY
Mayana Kollai's day 2.
Angalamman street play.
TRADITIONAL STREET PLAY GROUP
This evening,
we've come from Melmalayanur
to this town of Sambaloor,
the home of Goddess Angalamman,
whose story we'll stage today.
We pray that you be with us,
the play proceeds with no fault or flaw,
Lord Ganesha!
By the grace of the Gods of Wind,
and Wealth and Fire,
the insects, birds and all beings
born on this planet,
existed together, if not in harmony
but at least in relative peace.
Suddenly, one day making the world quiver,
and it's beings shiver,
soaring tall between the sky and ground,
in flesh and blood, there stood a demon.
Let the child go.
The people were terrified
and prayed to the Goddess
but at least in relative peace.
Asking, "Who's that little child,
that so-called demon?"
The majestic Pavadairayan arrived.
Not him, sir.
It's the police.
Move quickly.
What're you doing here? Move.
-We're leaving, sir.
-Get out of here.
Keep moving and don't look back.
Move aside.
Move.
-Who is it?
-Brother!
Come here.
-Is it him?
-No, brother.
-Check if it's him?
-That's not him either.
Get lost!
Oh Goddess!
I searched far and wide,
but could not find the demon.
Clear out, everyone. Go!
Quit standing around. Move.
Oh, Warrior!
What sins have you committed, Oh demon?
You tortured my people.
You tormented my devotees.
You who live in the confines of cemeteries
as disgraced beings
shall be reduced to common vermin.
I will vanquish you here
and now once and for all.
Move, everyone. Move!
-I'll see you later.
-Clear out.
Already leaving? Not waiting
for the sexy dance after the street play?
I've work to do. You can leave now.
Women are not safe here.
Most of these guys are drunk.
-Come here.
-I can handle myself.
Fine. Carry on with your work.
Tomorrow, we go to the fair to buy saris.
-Okay?
-Deal.
Who's she, brother?
She looks stunning. Your girlfriend?
Fiancée.
Listen up. None of you leave town
until the festival is over.
What was the name of Nila's friend?
Malar.
Madam,
the photos from the spot,
evidence material,
statement of those
who reached the spot first,
the police's F. I. R,
and your--
Why do you need this?
You're not in the police.
Ma'am I can only--
Yes, Sakkarai?
Ma'am, Nila had been stalked
for a long time.
Do you know who he is?
No, ma'am.
But Nila has a close friend, Malar.
She might know.
Malar?
She's the village counsellor's
daughter, right?
Yes, that's right.
Don't go alone I'll join you.
-I'll be at the town intersection.
-Yes.
Sorry Mr. Kothandaraman. I'm busy.
Come by in the morning.
We'll discuss then.
-Muthu!
-Ma'am!
Sakkarai.
Ma'am.
The night she was lost,
I wondered why she was here at that hour.
The counsellor lives 100 meters away.
So she came to meet with her friend.
And Malar is the last one who saw her.
Get in.
Tie up the dogs, Mani.
Hurry up.
-Tie them properly and feed them.
-Alright, Dad.
What brings you out here
at this hour, Mrs. Regina?
-Get us all coffee, Naachu.
-That won't be necessary.
We're on an investigation.
Your daughter's friend Nila's
been missing for two days.
I know. Shanmugam's daughter.
My daughter's
been worried sick.
The cops are here.
I'll call you later.
-We need to speak to your daughter.
-By all means, go ahead.
Is it gone? Miserable bastards, always
cut off the electricity at odd hours.
-Naachu.
-I'm coming.
The town's curse began when people
quit farming and the factory took over.
-What has that got to do with this?
-Everyone's forgotten.
The factory was opened in 1990.
A girl went missing that day.
Yes. I remember that.
Everyone looked for her,
but was she found?
No, she wasn't.
You remember, don't you?
Your father investigated the case.
He was the inspector back then.
The factory has burned down now
and another girl's missing.
What are you getting at?
I pleaded with the people back then
not to sell their land.
Did they listen?
Everyone sold their land except me.
It's easy for you to say that.
But think of their plight.
You own plenty of farm land.
You can rely on farming.
But most people here
barely own half or one acre of land.
Every meal is a struggle.
Since this factory came up,
people earn a regular salary.
Sir.
Two nights ago when Nila disappeared,
On Tuesday night, this was
the last place she'd been to.
I'm not aware of that.
Be careful, kid. What are you doing?
Watch your step, ma'am.
Don't be nervous.
Why should we be nervous?
What are you implying?
Wait outside,
Please ignore him. He's just a youngster.
I need to talk to your daughter.
I have some questions about Nila.
-May I see her?
-She's already a bit rattled.
Please be gentle with her.
Malar?
-Malar!
-Malar?
Ma'am wants to ask you something.
Answer her.
I just want to talk to you
about Nila.
Malar, isn't Nila your friend?
Malar, dear?
She's missing.
Shouldn't you help the police find her?
Malar. Malar!
It's not your fault she's missing.
Please understand that.
What the hell are you thinking?
If you want to talk to her,
get a written order.
-Sakkarai.
-Ma'am?
Malar definitely knows something.
-Shall we question her tomorrow at school?
-She seems scared of cops.
I'll ask Nandini to talk to her.
-Okay. Call Nandini.
-Ma'am?
Muthu, go with Sakkarai. That man
will throw a fit if he goes there alone.
Got it.
Good night, ma'am.
I wasn't here that night.
I'd gone for the festival.
Hold on. What's the rush?
I'm still not done.
Look over there. All kinds of colors.
I can make a few bucks there.
-Okay, get going.
-I don't have change. Is that okay?
As if you'd give me some.
-Is that Trilok?
-Yes, it looks like his car.
Don't waning movie actresses
marry industrialists like him?
Indeed, sir.
With Trilok's status and looks,
why doesn't he marry one and settle down?
Why restrict oneself?
One gets to experience
variety every week
-Nandini's coming this way.
-Let her come.
Where is he taking his son at this hour?
-Pick up Nandini and follow me.
-Go ahead. I'm coming.
Madam!
-What's wrong?
-Get going.
-What's wrong?
-Go ahead. I'll fill you in.
Hey!
Step on it.
Head to the estate.
Stop the vehicle.
What the hell?
Where are you taking your son
at this hour?
Who're you to question me?
You know you're being investigated?
Investigated?
You've the nerve to investigate me?
Get out of my way. Get back inside.
-Drive!
-Mr. Counsellor!
You want to discuss this here
or at the police station?
-Get the vehicle started, man.
-What's wrong, Sakkarai?
-Malar!
-Nandini!
-Stop!
-Malar!
-Hold on.
-Shit!
Did you hear anything about Nila?
She'll be back with us safely, won't she?
It's all in your hands, Malar.
You know Nila's a reserved girl.
She doesn't talk to anyone.
Even if she's in trouble,
she won't tell anyone.
I haven't been around, either.
A teenage girl can't say much
to her father.
I know, sister. I know.
But you've brought the cops here.
That's why
Malar, watch what you say!
Sir, please be quiet.
This isn't right, kid.
Please tell us, Malar.
Listen. We know you've done no wrong.
Don't be scare to talk to us.
The guys at the coaching center said
Nila had a stalker.
If you know who he is, tell us.
You must tell us who he is,
so the cops can find Nila.
The cops?
Good grief! Please tell us, Malar! Please.
That creep
That Inspector Regina?
It's her son, Adhisayam.