Suzhal - The Vortex (2022) s02e02 Episode Script

1
Sakkarai sir?
A criminal with the murder weapon
at the crime scene.
An open-and-shut case, right?
The cupboard the girl was in,
was locked from outside.
Noticed that?
How could she have killed Chellappa
and locked herself from outside?
True, sir.
Amar?
She couldn't have done this alone.
She must have an accomplice.
Who was it?
The case is getting more complicated.
SUZHAL-THE VORTEX
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?
For her name,
put it down as "Unknown."
For age…
Between 25 and 30.
Here.
Upload it to the computer quickly.
Sir?
Okay, sir.
Hey!
Everyone out!
Out!
Move faster!
You heard me!
I'll be inside.
Call if you need anything, sir.
You sit on this side!
You sit on that side!
What happened?
Tell me.
What's your name?
Why did you go to the cottage?
What happened there?
Didn't we catch her with a gun
at the crime scene?
The blood on her person
must be that of Chellappa.
As soon as forensics matches the bullet,
we'll charge her and put her in remand.
If she didn't do it,
she'd be pleading her case right now.
Look at her arrogance!
A whack is what she needs!
Don't think the charges will go away
if you stay silent.
You're young.
If you go to jail,
your life will be ruined.
Don't think everything will be alright
if you stay silent.
If a male cop lays hands on a woman,
human rights and such crap will come up.
We'll toss you into prison.
It's all women in there.
Don't take them lightly.
They're all hardcore criminals.
They'll eat you alive.
The cupboard you were in
was locked from the outside.
Who locked you in there?
Listen up. I'm not as humane
as this young man here.
If I leave out the locked closet
in the report…
and say you were caught
at the scene with the gun…
you will have to rot in prison.
Remember that.
What do you say?
If you can't speak,
can you write it down?
I'm asking for the last time.
Who is your accomplice?
She seems to be in shock.
Sir?
She doesn't strike me as someone
capable of murder.
She looks innocent.
Doesn't look like a criminal.
Here's what I learned
in my last case.
If you use your intuition to judge people,
you can easily go wrong.
We should investigate thoroughly.
That's the only way.
"Anybody is capable of a great evil."
Even if she doesn't look like it…
there is a chance
that she did it.
-That is all.
-Tea, sir.
Oh, well, sir.
She knows the case won't hold in court
if she doesn't speak up.
We need to find out who she is.
Ask Malathy maa or Sundar--
I sent Geetha over to them
with the girl's photograph.
They don't know who she is.
He thinks I know nothing.
Sir!
She's definitely not from around here.
You saw the crowd at the festival,
didn't you?
Thousands of people gathered there.
How can we find anything
amidst such a crowd?
Cigarettes, bidi, tobacco,
liquor bottles…
Bring in any of that stuff
and you'll get thrown in prison!
Move in an orderly fashion!
Don't bump into each other!
Vimala. Vimala. How are you?
Mom! Sister!
Are you doing well?
We're good, but why have you
lost so much weight?
I'm good, too.
-Sister, this is my best friend Nandini.
-Tell me, dear.
This is my mentor.
My mother.
That's my elder sister. And those
two brats are my younger sisters!
Mythili and Shalini.
He's the one who takes us out
in the auto-rickshaw.
Bhaskar brother.
"Brother?"
Hey!
What's with the flying kiss?
Just because you wear a sari,
you think that makes you a woman?
Shut up!
I'm as much a woman as you are!
You dare talk back to me?
As if you are a real woman!
You should've been jailed with the men.
You wouldn't last half a day.
They'd make you scream!
Come on out, you pot-head!
I'll crack your head open!
Get going!
-You talk too much!
-Who is she?
Get going, you!
-Bhanu!
-We know…
Won't you leave us in peace
for even ten minutes?
Thanks, ma'am.
Don't mind her, sister.
Why is Bhanu like this?
Ignore her!
She's always like that.
Never mind…
How do you like my family?
They are nice.
Wondering what kind of family is this?
No, Vimala.
To be honest,
I am terribly jealous.
My sister is dead.
My father is in prison.
My mother is in an ashram.
Oh, please!
Cut out the sob story.
You at least have a family, don't you?
My situation is different.
I must have been twelve.
When no one was home,
I tried out my sister's sari.
Just then,
my father brought over relatives
to discuss my sister's wedding plans.
He was shocked to see me
in a sari.
What then?
What else?
My sister's wedding got called off.
He said I could live with them
if I stayed a man, or else I should leave.
I was twelve then.
I may have looked like a boy,
but inside, I felt like a girl.
I thought it was best to leave.
I met many people like me.
You saw my mentor today,
didn't you?
My mother. I met her.
Through her, I found my sisters
and a family to call my own.
Why don't you look for one too?
You'll find a new family too.
Along with that cop friend of yours.
Doesn't matter if I'm in here
or out there.
-Hey! What's going on there?
-I'll kill you!
Let go, bitch!
Let go, I say!
Who are you messing with?
You're dead meat!
-Let go!
-Stop it, you kids!
Why fight like this?
She stole my fryums !
-You stole my cigarette last week!
-Let go!
-Right?
-Who are you messing with?
Fighting over cigarettes and fryums ?
Let go!
You make trouble out there
to come in here and ruin yourselves!
They always do this!
Take them away!
Let go!
Listen carefully, everyone!
Those seeking permission
to put up toy shops and utensil shops…
please wait by the sea!
Write faster!
I'm running late for my play!
Look!
It's Sakkarai sir!
Sir!
Sakkarai sir!
Go, go, go!
Eswaran.
What are you doing here?
There is Mayanakollai
at the start of the year.
Then, the Koovagam Koothandavar Festival.
After that, it's our dance drama
at Kaalipattinam.
This is our life!
What are you doing here, sir?
Sambaloor must be in shambles
without you!
I'm here on business.
We're doing a play tomorrow.
Since you are here…
please join us, if you can.
We're doing a different kind of play
this time.
Using reapers,
we're building a very strong stage!
We need police permission for that.
That's what we are waiting for.
If you can help…
Nazir!
-Yes, sir?
-They need to put up a stage.
I know them well.
What's the procedure?
Geetha's handling it.
You can go ahead.
I'll inform her.
See you, sir.
Saroja seems to have a clear head.
So why is she in jail?
Her husband was an MLA.
He passed away.
Arasu, the present MLA of Kaalipattinam
was next in line and got that position.
Fearing Saroja might win the election
if she contested…
MLA Arasu made up some false charges
and put her in jail.
She'll be out soon.
When she gets out,
she's going to make the guy's life hell.
Saroja is very clever.
A businesswoman.
Do you know she runs a training center
inside the prison?
What kind of training?
W5, REMAND PRISON
Hey!
Aren't you part of B Block?
What business do you have here?
Get going!
Ma'am?
Let them through.
They're here to see me.
I have complained many times…
-but it's not happening
-You have told her, right?
It'll happen now.
Hold that side.
You hold this side tightly.
Now weave it real tight.
Keep pulling!
Bend it.
There you go!
Correct.
Just like that!
I didn't figure they were the type
to make handicrafts.
This is nothing.
See her over there?
Her alcoholic husband
brewed illicit liquor
at home and would make a ruckus.
She beat him up, killed him,
and cooked him in that illicit liquor!
Oh, my God!
Like troublesome teenagers.
Like how they're made to take up sports?
They easily fall in line.
Take a look, sister.
I'm done.
Nice!
Ma'am, please take my complaint, as well.
I have been waiting since morning.
-Quiet!
-Hey! Always bugging!
Hey, where are you going?
Hey, who's that?
Is that Muthu?
Muthu!
Muthu!
Why are you here, dear?
Hey!
Do you know her?
She's a dancer with the "Senthoora Poove"
troupe, sir.
Her name is Muthu.
Her stage name is "Madhubala."
Why isn't she talking, sir?
Hey.
She's Madhubala?
She's quite the erotic dancer
on stage.
It's hard to recognize her
without her make-up.
Sir…
As soon as she gets off the stage,
she becomes a different person.
A nice girl, sir.
She's silent and kind.
Why was she arrested?
Where does she come from?
From where?
I don't know, sir.
Don't hide it assuming I'm a cop
and the girl is in trouble.
Not at all!
I trust you, sir.
What was the dance troupe's name again?
"Senthoora Poove," sir.
They've disbanded,
so I don't know who she is with now.
But there was another dancer
in the troupe.
Her name is…
Yakshi!
I even have her address!
POLICE
So many prostitutes on one floor?
O sumptuous hottie
You twirl so naughty
Will the mat and pillow suffice?
Lie next to me and rejoice
O sumptuous hottie
You twirl so naughty
Will the mat and pillow suffice?
Lie next to me and rejoice
Are those your tresses or a swing?
My mind is in a zing
Is it pleasure or pain?
I fear to attain
Are those your tresses or a swing?
My mind is in a zing
Is it pleasure or pain?
I fear to attain
Is she a sculpted statue so cute?
Or a luscious slice of fruit?
Her tresses that she flicks
Surely, firecracker wicks
O sumptuous hottie
You twirl so naughty
Will the mat and pillow suffice?
Lie next to me and rejoice
O sumptuous hottie
Excuse me!
Did no one out there tell you?
I can't help you today.
Go see someone else!
We're not here for that.
Do you know this girl?
Are you cops?
But we're not here to make trouble.
Tell us about the girl.
We'll listen and leave.
We used to dance together.
When we were done, she'd change
and leave, much like any office job.
Always kept to herself.
Did she ever act suspiciously?
I said she minded her own business!
What can be suspicious about that?
Unnecessarily…
Listen, sir.
I don't know what she's done.
Nor do I care to know.
She's alive, isn't she?
I asked her many times
if she would come with me.
She flatly refused.
I have no idea what she's up to
and how she makes a living.
It is hard, sir.
What is hard?
A few years ago…
when Muthu and I were dancing…
the police arrested us
and sent us to the Sataiyur Sub-Jail.
Only then did we come to know
about the new law
banning such dances at temple festivals.
Since then, troupes and dancers
like us have had it hard.
Strapped financially, too.
Everything has a price,
doesn't it?
Many of us
went into the flesh trade.
But Muthu wasn't like that.
She cut all ties with us
and left.
Back then, Madhubala…
Muthu, that is…
When she danced,
the crowd would swell.
They'd fling 50
and 100 rupee notes at her!
Sons of scoundrels!
Muthu was locked up
at the Sataiyur Sub-Jail.
How did that not catch your attention?
For a while now,
if anyone was
arrested for prostitution…
they'd be held in a sub-jail
for a day or two before being released.
Or they'd be sent to a reform home.
In such cases, no FIRs get filed.
What she said about the government banning
such dances at temple festivals…
Do you know who filed the litigation
in court to enforce that ban?
Chellappa sir?
Who else?
From that angle,
Muthu has a motive.
Correct, but it's hard for her
to have pulled this off by herself.
Sir…
I get that she's a woman.
But Geetha ma'am is with us, right?
What if she swung her baton?
The girl will spill it all, won't she?
In my experience, all this third-degree
torture is of no use.
Sir…
The cupboard Muthu was in
was locked from the outside.
Even if she pulled the trigger,
she needed an ally.
An accomplice.
Who else besides dance troupes
did this ban affect?
Thiruvengadam sir!
He used to organize these dance shows
and made a fortune with them!
What if we questioned him?
It'll lead to trouble!
Easy for you to say,
as you're an outsider.
Thiruvengadam is a real big shot here!
We can't get near him so easily.
Dragging him in without solid evidence
is a recipe for disaster!
The Law and Order division
will have us bend over…
You know I can't bend over as much
as I once could.
Alright, sir.
What do we do then?
First, we'll set up an appointment
over the phone.
Then, we will go and see him.
That would be respectful.
We'll first take him high
and then hit him on his head!
KAALIPATTINAM
ASHTAKAALI AMMAN FESTIVAL
What's wrong?
The same dream?
Did you get up this time at least?
I should first fall to get up.
What if there's no ground under
to fall or get up from?
Malathy maa?
Come, Sakkarai.
Not out of bed yet?
Six years into our marriage,
we had a small fight.
They say love grows deeper
after such marital disputes, don't they?
From then on, we formed a playful routine.
We woke up seeing each other's faces.
It's been thirty years.
Not once did we slip up.
"For thirty years?"
If he went out of town?
I'd always go with him.
If I could not go,
we saw each other through video calls.
To know we can never have that again…
keeps me from getting out of bed!
I don't know how to comfort you.
But I feel like giving you this.
Sakkarai!
Sakkarai!
Oh, my!
Do you know what this is called?
A shell!
To protect the little creatures
that live in the sea…
it grows over them.
Even after the creature dies, the shell
remains, as a symbol of that life.
Even if our loved ones leave us…
their memories…
their soul…
stay behind in our hearts.
Just like this shell.
Even though your
father's no more,
he will be with you.
Take it.
Come on!
Let's go and swim for a while!
Come on, Sakkarai!
Come on!
When my father died…
my mother had a stroke.
She could not speak.
My life was shattered.
Chellappa sir was my rock.
He's like a father to me.
During my school days,
I always wore this around my wrist.
But he's not around anymore.
What would Chellappa sir say
if he were here?
"Think like a cop.
Not as if someone died."
Let's believe he's still with us
in some form.
But only you can find out
what happened to him, Sakkarai.
Mother!
Sir is gone, Mother!
Does Dhamu know?
The D.I.G. asked not to tell anyone.
Dhamu is like family, Sakkarai.
We can trust him.
I don't know what happened.
We are dealing with it.
We are investigating it.
Sir!
Sir!
Don't trust Moorthy, Sakkarai.
Prayamvatha, the lady who runs
the school?
Knowing that she had grabbed farmland
to build her school…
Chellappa filed a suit
against her.
But Moorthy took a bribe
and threatened the farmers.
The case turned weak.
Would Chellappa ever let it slide?
He filed a private suit against Moorthy
and got him suspended for six months.
He still holds that grudge.
He must have resumed
active duty recently.
Chellappa sir got a call that night.
Wasn't it from Prayamvatha?
Yes.
Listen to me, maa.
I cannot carry out this investigation
without help from the local police.
But I'll remember what you said.
Sundar has left for work already?
Sundar!
What are you doing here?
Even if Malathy maa doesn't say much,
she really misses you.
Without Chellappa sir around--
What will I even tell her,
Sakkarai?
Tell me.
Actually, I came to talk to you
about Thiruvengadam.
Did Chellappa sir and Thiruvengadam
have a dispute over the erotic dancers?
It wasn't only Thiru Uncle's business
that was running at a loss.
The townsfolk always compared him
unfavorably with my father.
He used to be fond of me.
But later on…
even a casual chat with him wasn't easy.
Earlier?
Were they close?
How do I put this?
Thiru Uncle was my father's first cousin.
They were classmates in school.
My father told me they were
good friends when they were kids.
You said they were close friends.
What happened?
No need.
You can come by the office tomorrow.
Chellappa!
Okay, I'll call you back.
Hey!
You're sticking your nose everywhere!
This doesn't concern you!
Who the hell are you to say erotic dancing
would desecrate the festival?
Why are you laughing?
Hey.
Don't bring your activism into this.
I'm warning you!
I'm curious!
Did the Goddess herself tell you this?
Thiruvengadam…
This has nothing to do with sanctity
or the Goddess.
There are families coming to the festival.
How can they come if there's such dancing?
-What about the dancers' livelihood--
-I'm not finished.
It is for their good, too.
They have no choice,
but for the pittance you pay them…
they perform these indecent dances!
Hey.
You say you're fighting for them
but you're destroying their livelihood!
With no revenue,
they'll be pushed into worse!
Thiruvengadam…
You know it. I know it.
This isn't about the girls' income.
This is about your income.
He has a point, doesn't he?
Despite them being close friends,
I feel uncle was jealous of my father.
That isn't Thiru Uncle's fault.
Why do you say that?
My father was like a hero.
Growing up together, Thiru Uncle was
always compared with my father.
Wouldn't that make anyone mad?
I get it.
My father was like the sun.
The sun lights up the entire town.
Go near it, you get burnt.
Sir!
Look at this, sir.
Advocate Chellappa is dead.
Did he die from natural causes?
No.
He was murdered.
He was found brutally murdered
at his cottage near the sea.
Who is the murderer?
The murderer has been caught
red-handed at the scene of the crime.
Can you believe that the murderer
is this twenty-something girl?
We learned that the police have arrested
the girl and are interrogating her.
Who is this mysterious girl
who killed Chellappa?
Until the last two years,
with the stage name "Madhubala"…
she entranced men.
Her real name is Muthu.
Sir! Come here, sir!
Look at this atrocity, sir!
We have recently learned that
business shark Thiruvengadam…
who brought in erotic dance troupes
to Kaalipattinam up until two years ago
and made a fortune out of it, is
suspected to have instigated the murder.
Is this why it happened?
Or was there another issue
between Thiruvengadam and Chellappa?
-The answer lies with the police.
-Bloody Maarappa!
Hello?
-Sir?
-Moorthy!
-Chellappa's death is all over the news!
-What are you saying, sir?
Someone from your station
must have leaked it!
How did you let this slip by?
It won't happen again!
-Spare me this crap!
-I'll handle it.
-I told you to keep this confidential!
-Alright, sir.
-You are answerable for this!
-Alright, sir.
-Find out the leak and report it to me!
-Yes, sir.
-I'll see to it, sir.
-Dad!
Put on a shirt, Dad!
You look disgusting!
-Hang up!
-Okay, sir…
Sorry, sir.
I don't know how it was leaked.
I'm heading to the station now.
I'll look into it.
Why are you twisting around
like a python after its meal?
Weren't you fine yesterday?
Upon seeing the news leak,
the D.I.G. called me and raised hell.
He chewed me out too.
We cops will just have
to take it all in our stride.
Did I not tell you last night…
to call in Thiruvengadam
for questioning?
Did I not tell you last night
why that'll cause us trouble?
You do understand, don't you?
I didn't know then
there was going to be a leak!
Now Thiruvengadam is alert.
Not being able to interrogate him
is driving me crazy.
How could I have known?
What are you saying?
Sakkarai!
Do you think I leaked it?
Do you think so or not?
Moorthy!
-Come in, sir.
-I have come to file a complaint!
Against whom?
Who else?
That shithead Maarappan!
About what he said about you
on his news channel?
What else?
That jealous mongrel--
He always goes off the leash!
And I have to deal with his shit!
You must have interrogated him
even before I came here about it!
Did you?
-Like hell you would!
-Sit.
Sit down, sir. Let's talk.
Who is this?
Something's off about him.
This is Chakravarthy.
Sub-Inspector of Sambaloor.
He's the I.O. on Chellappa's case.
Investigation Officer.
This is Mr. Thiruvengadam.
I'm aware.
I saw him at the festival.
Where did you go after the flag hoisting
that day?
Where else would I go?
The festival!
Once that was done, I went home!
Is there any eyewitness for it?
Your wife or anyone else?
What? "Eyewitness?"
Why do I need a witness for being at home?
He's new, Moorthy!
You've been stomping around
this damn town for many years!
Are you not aware
of who's who in this town?
You have this young upstart
question me?
Nothing like that, sir.
He's the Investigation Officer.
Answer me, sir.
Do you know who she is?
The main dancer of the "Senthoora Poove"
troupe you used to book for the festival.
Madhubala.
Madhubala alias Muthu.
So?
I understand you and Chellappa
had a big fight over these dancers.
As far as we're concerned,
that's a clear motive.
So that's how it adds up for you!
Well, sir…
Did you and dancer Muthu
kill Chellappa together--
Hey.
Sir, don't!
Mind your tongue!
Bloody rogue!
I knew you'd be here
after our fight!
Same game with you every time!
Life is a game, buddy!
A different game each time.
Everyone plays to win.
But you lost!
Chellappa…
You try not to lose
even in the smallest thing.
When I want to win,
I want it to be big!
In your drunken stupor,
you keep repeating the same.
Just watch my flow of thoughts.
Don't cross-examine me
as if I'm on the stand!
Cheers!
Cheers!
Shall we do one more round, buddy?
"One more round?"
So many more rounds to go,
buddy boy!
Let's do it!
-Know something?
-What?
You give me the courage
to petition for everything, you schmuck!
I'm hale and hearty.
You don't have to sing my praises.
When…
When we were studying
in a Tamil medium school…
the ruckus I caused
with the English teacher…
You remember that?
-I remember it well!
-Do you remember?
That was then!
That old mindset hasn't changed.
I'd be in favor of farmland.
You'd support the Seafort School
in the name of new frontiers and growth!
You’re the one responsible for making
the Ashtakaali festival this big!
You say this, and yet you put a stop
to the erotic dancing!
Correct!
For the town to thrive,
both our insights are necessary.
Like the Chinese yin-yang!
Hold up! Hold up!
Never mind the Chinese now!
The townsfolk are itching to watch
those erotic dancers perform!
If you were to be so kind…
Why do you need girls for that?
Am I not there?
Shake it!
Shake it hard!
Chellappa was my only friend.
He's gone.
The dead are gone forever.
Damn it.
We needlessly hurt a good man.
Be it the girl or Thiruvengadam…
there are no good guys
or bad guys.
Anyone can commit a crime.
Our job as cops is only to ensure
the guilty are punished as per the law.
It's not our job to classify
who is good and who is bad.
Hi!
What do you think about our festival?
It's so beautiful over here!
There are so many--
What have you done?
Your crap has landed me in soup!
Sorry, brother.
For the viewers' sake…
-"For the viewers," it seems!
-Brother…
So you'll do anything?
What do I tell Malathy maa?
-Thiruvengadam will never forgive me!
-I'm sorry--
The whole town saw
your half-boiled nonsense!
THE YOUNG WOMAN WAS ARRESTED
AT THE SCENE
ADVOCATE CHELLAPPA MURDERED
Kaalis, the Eight Goddesses of Fury
Born to the Snake Goddess
Kaalis, the Eight Goddesses of Fury
Born to the Snake Goddess
The Kaalis born here in Kaalipattinam
All to protect us, the people
O Kaalis…
Kaalis, the Eight Goddesses of Fury
Born to the Snake Goddess
Kaalis, the Eight Goddesses of Fury
Born to the Snake Goddess
Kaalis, the Eight Goddesses of Fury
Born to the Snake Goddess
Kaalis, the Eight Goddesses of Fury
Born to the Snake Goddess
The great Kaali
Born from the eighth egg
Is the Kaali Gaandhari
With piercing, dark eyes
Dark-eyed Kaali
Gaandhari
Dark-eyed Kaali
Gaandhari
From the seventh egg
Came our Kaali Muppidari
With three faces
Three-faced Kaali
Muppidari
Three-faced Kaali
Muppidari
From the sixth egg
Came our Kaali Ulagamman
With a trident
Trident Kaali
Ulagamman
Trident Kaali
Ulagamman
From the fifth egg
Came our Kaali Shenbagavalli
The peaceful one
Epitome of peace
Shenbagavalli
Epitome of peace
Shenbagavalli
CONFLUENCE OF THE ASHTAKAALIS
As the fourth
Came our Kaali Sandhanamaari
Shower of fragrance
Sandhanamaari
Shower of fragrance
Sandhanamaari
Shower of fragrance
Sandhanamaari
As for the third
Came our Kaali Veeramakaali
The furious one
Veeramakaali
The furious one
Veeramakaali
The furious one
A doe-eyed beauty with flowing tresses
And a slender waist
Came in as our second
Azhagu Naachi
Resplendent with beauty
Azhagu Naachi
Resplendent with beauty
Azhagu Naachi
Resplendent with beauty
The firstborn
Is the pearl-like Goddess Muthumaari
Muthumaari
Muthaaramman
Muthaaramman
Muthaaramman
Muthaaramman
Muthaaramman
The proud, strong, and determined…
Mutharamman
Muthaaramman
Muthaaramman
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Who is in charge of this station?
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship the Eight Kaalis
-Sir?
-Worship the Eight Kaalis
Madam?
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Sir?
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship from the heart
I killed Chellappa.
What?
I killed Chellappa.
I killed Chellappa.
I killed Chellappa.
I killed Chellappa.
I killed Chellappa.
I killed Chellappa.
I killed Chellappa.
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship the Eight Kaalis
Worship from the heart