THANK GOD
SPECIAL THANKS RAM (DIRECTOR)
TO THE GOD WHO AWAKENED ME FROM THE TANGLED DREAMS
TO THE OLD ADVERTISEMENT THAT GAVE THE SEED OF THOUGHT
TO THE FILMMAKERS WHO HAVE TURNED THEIR MESSY LIVES INTO STORIES AND CHARACTERS
Hey!
Johny, get up man!
We have to start early.
Come on.
Hey!
James!
James, it is morning already. Get up!
Get up!
Damn it!
Hey, Monayi! It is already late.
Come on, get up.
Hey, get up!
Hallelujah!
My lord has arrived
He took me whole
Like a young peacock…
Hallelujah!
Praise you… Praise you!
How beautiful is your grace
How beautiful is your love
Get up! We are already late!
Hey, Johny, get up man. I've to open my shop.
Can't you go to sleep?
You've been pestering me for a while now.
I've to open my shop in the morning! Wake up and get moving!
These imbeciles don't listen!
James! Get up!
Damn!
You didn't sleep yesterday, either?
See, you better forget it.
Nowadays, even film stars are not getting girls!
Then what chance do you have?
Listen…
How about Monica? What do you say?
She has only one daughter.
Shall we give it a try?
Now go and get ready.
Wake your brother up and ask him to get ready as well.
Johny, go and call that man!
As if that would work.
Wherever we go, he gets in only at the last minute.
Hey! At least you both get inside.
-Come. -Let him take his own sweet time!
Hello, Johny bro.
Are you still hungover after last night's bash?
To hell with that.
You go and get James.
I'll show you.
-Let me… -I'll show you myself.
No, leave it!
-Why are you not showing me? -I will show…
-Show! Then let me see. -I will.
Let me see.
Throw it away.
What are you doing there? Come in.
Yes, I am coming. You keep quiet.
Then, come.
Ram bro, come here.
Is it paining?
I told you, not to do it.
You and your vows!
Why are you being so callous?
I took this oath when our child was five years old.
I have been asking you for all these years.
It wouldn't have been this hard back then.
If you wade on your knee to the church, no matter what age, it is bound to hurt.
Here, show me your leg.
Why are you so annoyed?
I wanted to take everyone on a pilgrimage
to Velankanni before the peak season.
I have no clue how to account for these expenses.
I most definitely won't pay for their booze!
That is going on their tab.
-Does it burn? -A little.
Why do you inhale all this?
I have the flu, right?
Come on, dress up fast.
We bought a lot of dates and sweets. You can have some, Monica.
I'll give her the dates and sweets.
You better sit on this side.
No, I'm comfortable here.
I'm asking you to sit on this side.
Now, get up.
-Hey, Monayi. Can I have some dates? -Yeah, sure! Sure!
Monica.
Did you put any offerings?
Yes, I did.
What happened to that proposal from Malabar?
It didn't work out.
Eight rooms.
And two extra beds as well.
Did you get late?
No.
The others looked ready to leave.
Yeah.
Didn't you sleep at all last night?
No.
I don't know why…
If you take shower before you go to bed, you'll get good sleep.
I usually have no such issues. I don't know what happened yesterday.
What is written here?
“Death is sinking into slumbers deep. Birth again is waking out of sleep.”
-What?! -To sleep is to die.
And to wake up from sleep is birth.
It is from Thirukkural.
Oh, Thirukkural! It would make a good title for a play.
Isn't his statue there at Kanyakumari, near the Vivekananda Rock?
When the Tsunami hit, the waves were crashing over it.
There is no wave that can rise above it.
Here it is.
Hey!
Give it to me.
Don't create a ruckus, man!
Hey, it is already noon. I've to get back and open my shop.
Will you settle the hotel bill, then?
You've squeezed everything in, where do I put this now?
-Are you sitting here? -You come and sit here.
Drive slowly, okay?
Around here, people come at you and hit you head-on!
Leaving their abodes, there they go In search of a place that's not there
Wandering hither and thither Oh, dear wise one!
Leaving their abodes, there they go In search of a place that's not there
Wandering hither and thither Oh, dear wise one!
For they do not know better Oh, dear wise one!
Leaving their abodes, there they go In search of a place that's not there
Wandering hither and thither Oh, dear wise one!
For they do not know better Oh, precious wise one!
You dwell in their hearts Where they keep the truths
But alas, forsaken by their own Oh, dear wise one!
You dwell in their hearts Where they keep the truths
But alas, forsaken by their own Oh, precious wise one!
What do I tell you of their fate Oh, precious wise one?
Oh, precious wise one!
Leaving their abodes, there they go In search of a place that's not there
Wandering hither and thither Oh, dear wise one!
For they do not know better Oh, precious wise one!
In their heart of hearts They've betted love on their land
In their heart of hearts
Hey, Monayi!
Can you get me some bun and milk?
This looks like a shabby place.
There is no other place nearby.
Here they serve good rice.
-Bro, can you get me some bun and milk? -Get lost!
He does this all the time!
He probably gets a commission.
He orders fries and crisps as he pleases and I've to pay for all that!
I'd like to have some fries and crisps as well.
Even if you don't want to.
Listen, it is already 2:00 p.m.
If you come now, you'll get something to eat!
James, can you buy me some bun and milk?
Bun and milk?! Are you a fricking toddler?
Go and eat whatever you get!
FEMALE
Have you finished?
-God, it stinks in there! -You're done, right?
-Whoever wants to go should go now. -Yes.
Or else, remember what happened on our way back from Triprayar after the play?
We all had to take a piss out in the open!
Yes! And ran out of the shrubs when the headlights fell on us.
Oh, dear, let me go in.
What are you all laughing about?
We were talking about what happened at Triprayar.
Hurry up, pour me one more. I've to open my shop.
We've heard enough of that, Babu brother! You and your ration store!
You can open it by evening as well.
You don't know our people!
The day when my father died, I couldn't open the shop.
A scoundrel comes home, barking at me,
asking if people should go without groceries because your dad died!
-Hey, come and have a drink. -No, thanks.
He is in depression.
Let him be.
What kind of a youngster is he?
Hey, come and have a drink, man. Nothing will happen to you.
These are all diseases that lazy bums have come up with.
You all are great devotees and churchgoers!
But the moment you leave the church, you start boozing.
If someone criticizes it, you write them off as a nuisance.
Hey…
How come your son-in-law is like this?
You always criticize devotees and churchgoers.
Then why were you eager to go on this pilgrimage to Velankanni?
So, there is something in all this!
Who said there is nothing in it? But who are we to say anything?
I rarely go to church, but whenever I do, I do it the right way.
Is he even a youngster, man?
Uncle, do you think we are oldies?
Look at him.
His daughter is studying in college.
He is going to marry her off next year.
Is it our fault that you have passed your expiry date?
Pour me one more!
I'm not saying this because he is my father-in-law…
Give me some more.
He is a rare species. His dad Durveppu, wouldn't die even at the age of 120!
Finally, the Britishers, claiming that he would become a challenge to science,
took him into the forest, offered him tobacco, and shot him there.
It is true!
I can't stand this Tamil food at all!
What the hell is this?! Sugar syrup?
Don't nitpick, just have it.
Too much sugar!
Just leave it.
Hello?!
See, I have paid for my fried fish, okay?
Okay.
Good! Keep it up!
My son!
Where is my son?
After meeting your dad for the first time in 17 years.
Is this what you want to ask?
Let me look at my son till my eyes hurt, to my heart's content.
I have never seen my daughter-in-law.
Is she doing good?
Where's my son? What happened to him?
Where is my son?!
My son…
My son is right in front of my eyes.
-I'm not here to listen to your jokes. -Johny!
Johny, please…
Bro, play something racy, man!
Monayi, sing a song.
-Will you sing along? -Of course!
-Will everyone sing along? -Done deal.
Now sing.
-Off we go! -Off we go!
-To the golden forest! -To the golden forest!
-And in the golden forest! -And in the golden forest!
-We catch a golden songbird. -We catch a golden songbird.
-What do we do with the golden songbird? -What do we do with the golden songbird?
-In a pan, we fry and fry! -In a pan, we fry and fry!
-And after we fry -And after we fry
With wine, we snack it up!
-Stop it! -With wine, we snack it up!
Bloody song and dance!
Sit properly.
-Learn to hold your booze! -Leave it, no!
Am I wrong?
I'm the wave in the stream That flows over the levee
I'm the tiny koel singing With an open heart
I'm a musician, my thousand wishes…
Play some Malayalam songs for God's sake.
Oh, you foolish cosplayer
-Who forgot to sing -Couldn't you find anything older?
Something from before Malayalam cinema came into being?
Oh, you foolish cosplayer
Who forgot to sing…
Keep your eyes on the road man!
What are you looking for?
Your flute…
I saw! I came!
I saw gold, but not the girl
What do I even say?
Do I even have to say?
Where her face is I saw a flower
What do I even say?
Do I even have to say?
Is there a God?
The man asks
If he exists in the world
…have enough strength!
Won't the unattained wealth Come to you now?
Won't the river of honey Flow through the land?
-In the land where a swell stream flows -Stop the bus.
These plows will work forever And our chariots run forever
Wearing a green-colored sari Embrace me
Girl, you have blossomed!
Why do you shy away, girl?
Four are your brothers mighty Ask them all that you wish
He came in the night And gave me a lovely flower
Who is that mystic Krishna Who took me away?
Beautiful Song!
The almighty comes Not during the day, but by night.
How far and high has our art traveled, Kantha?
Should we really have danced to those songs yesterday?
I neither liked the songs nor the dance from yesterday.
Those songs were about workers' plight.
They sang and danced. They fear the labor strike.
Who wants to listen to that?
By then, most people had left.
Why have we stopped?
Is the tire punctured?
I have no clue.
He stopped the bus and left.
Along the city streets of angels, and the waterways of Naples,
where you glide on boats with your apple-blushed beauties,
that is when you can forget about the world.
Boss! Why are you unnecessarily provoking her desires by explaining everything?
Hey, Rama! Shut up and leave!
Black man! Get away!
See, Kaandha! In India, these blind people can't appreciate my art.
If we together could remodel our traditional culture
into something suitable to our contemporary modern world.
We could create something monumental for the arts of our land.
-Hey. Go away! -Rama, what is it?
The God of Art has come seeking the treasure!
Who is the watchman here? Who let these lepers in the garden?!
Who is the health officer of this nasty municipality?
How can they let these lepers in the town? They should be taken away and shot down!
You've ruined your own lives and you're now pestering us!
-Boss, why do we bother? -Get out. Nonsense!
He's been gone for a long time.
Why don't we go and look around?
You have done many things for us. Please do this as well.
Why not, Pullaivaan? I'll do it with all my heart.
That is…
You see…
After ten o'clock tonight, the stars are aligning in our favor.
The Moon will appear.
And they align so perfectly.
It's a grace on us!
Who else can make such an observation but you?
The priest is always right. Let's do as he says.
Not just that, the moon sign is at its peak.
See, Moon… 1, 3, 10, 15…
Hey!
Is this a bungalow or a ballet hall?
Don't you have any brains?
Why did you let these silly laborers into our bungalow?
Get out! Take them all out!
Son, he is your uncle. And he is a priest.
I'm sorry, Mr. Pillai. I'm sorry.
Why are you holding all these? Go throw them in the waste basket.
Go!
Do what I say! Go!
Mr. Pillai! I am sorry for shouting at you, Mr. Pillai.
I did meet you at the wedding. But I can't even recognize you now.
Yes, my mother had told me that you are the girl's…
What?
I mean, the girl's father.
What are these marks and lines on your body?
Son, holy ashes!
What?
Holy ash. It signifies our caste.
And what is this around your neck?
-Those are holy beads. -Holy beads?
Hey! Who are these lads inside? Who let these imbeciles in the bungalow?
-These are our relatives. -Hey!
You stupid! Relatives!
You bring these bloody bumpkins to the bungalow,
they eat all those plants,
bounce on the sofa… Who is going to control them?
Take them all out. Get out!
Son, your uncle wants to discuss something important with you.
He wants to talk to me?
No time.
I got no time to talk. Ask him to write me a letter instead.
Son, these are no matters to be written on letters.
-This has to be spoken in person. -Then, speak.
Speak.
You need to do something after ten tonight.
Today night? No.
Tonight?
With whose permission?
Poonkuzhali.
You lie down, I will make you some coffee.
I don't care if it was the priest or anyone else.
Nothing will happen in this house without my permission.
Brother!
Bro!
You idiot! I've told you many times not to call me in Tamil.
Come, boss. Sister is asking for you.
Poonkuzhali, my dear, there is nothing left in here.
You have finished everything?
After 10 tonight,
Moon and Jupiter will be moving to their own places.
So, it has to happen tonight itself.
-Mr. Pillai, how about this? -Who is inside?
Ask those fellows, Moon and Jupiter to take a day off tomorrow.
Ask them to meet me during the day and catch the train in the evening and leave.
-Kuzhali. -Who are this Moon and Jupiter?
Who are they to the girl? Brothers or what?
-They are the planets. -Planets?!
Oh!
Cigarettes?
-Hey! -Hey, dear.
You've only prepared soup?
Groceries are finished too!
One, two…
You could have prepared some tamarind curry at least.
You better be back. Or else, she will be upset.
Can't find the sugar or water.
You could have told me, right?
How many times should I tell you?
You wait till the very end, to tell me that there is nothing left.
There is no feed for the cow as well.
What?
Are you out of your mind?
So, cotton, oil cake,
then…
rice, pulses, and cattle feed.
Do you need any other groceries?
Hey, who are you?
Shanmugham, is the marriage invitation ready?
I went to the society office yesterday.
They have asked me to put a revenue stamp on the papers
and sign it and get the money.
Kuzhali, has Mariappan returned our pesticide sprayer?
Not yet.
He has made it a habit now!
Brother, I'll be on my way then.
Will you have food?
When did he come?
He came and left without staying.
Where are you going?!
Hey, someone is taking our bike!
Did you eat?
It is our bike!
Let's see. Go! Run!
Hey, stop!
Stop the vehicle!
Hey, stop the vehicle, man!
Hey!
-Stop the vehicle! -Stop the vehicle, man!
Stop!
-Uncle, stop him! -Come, quick!
-Stop him. -Why are you running?
Why is this woman playing with dung in the middle of nowhere?
To burn dead bodies.
You can also cook rice with it.
Granny.
Granny, did anyone pass this way?
Many people have passed this way. Some have even passed away.
Who are you asking about?
-The woman is just blabbering. -Wait a minute.
Stand there.
Look, did a tall, stout, handsome man pass this way?
I don't know.
-Stop teaching her Malayalam and come. -Stop that bike.
Hey!
-Hey, who is it? -Come out.
What happened?
Hey, woman! What are you doing in the middle of the road?
The street is humming and singing! I want music
-Who are you all? -Why are you getting into this?
There is some problem. He took someone's bike and left.
-When? -Just now.
But we didn't see him!
You also go with him.
Go with him.
-Go! -Brother!
Brother!
It is total confusion there.
He has taken off with someone's bike!
Brother!
Brother! Go there. It is an utter mess!
Brother, stop!
Who are you?
That man is my brother-in-law.
Okay, come let's go.
I thought he got off to go to the toilet.
Was he talking in Tamil?
I don't know. Some gibberish.
-This is the thing. -Who stole it?
Listen, my dear sister.
We are people leading honest, good lives in our place.
What would we gain by stealing your bloody scooter?
We've come here after leaving a much bigger vehicle unattended on the road.
-He will be back. -Grandpa.
Sali, is there something wrong with him?
They are chasing him.
He can't get away.
Sali, come here.
You go there…
By the way…
Did he forget to take his blood pressure tablets in the morning?
You come here.
Look, this is my daughter. She's that man's wife.
His only wife.
You speak to them.
How sad that his mind never changed till the very end.
He has squandered all the wealth.
All that is left is this house and my ornaments.
That woman sitting there is the wife, she has a daughter too.
-Come here. -What is it?
There was a bike at their house.
You were all here, didn't anyone see?
Oh, dear.
Girl…
It must be because of the sun. Have some water.
Brother, you're mistaken.
He is by no means a troublemaker.
We don't know what happened to him today.
There was nothing wrong with him.
Did someone pass by on a scooter?
Yes, this way.
Let go.
Have you come here before?
Nope.
-What about that man? -He hasn't either.
Why did you ask?
Damn, I was planning to pluck this bugger tomorrow,
but it has already gone bad.
Who is it? Is it your father's property? Get lost from here.
Brother!
-Brother! -Hey!
Brother!
Hey!
Brother!
Stop!
Brother!
Muruga!
-What did he say? -He blabbered something and left.
Let's go!
I am sure he is going to the temple.
You see, he will be there.
The waves of the sea have been tamed
Into the saint's oblong water pot
The saint is a sacred born
The pot is made of the earth's soil…
Selvam, you promised to finish the temple's work within a year, isn't it?
Some of the workers didn't turn up, sir.
Why is that my problem?!
You promised to finish it in a year. Didn't you?!
I have a reputation here!
If someone is enslaved to the words…
Looks like our vehicle.
Hey, Shanmugham!
-Who is it? -That's what I am looking for too.
Go fast!
What are you all gawking at? Get back to work! Go!
…praised the earth
He is the temple committee head.
We couldn't find the stones for the temple.
He arranged it through the collector's office
Did he?
Brother, that way.
No, let's go this way. He must be in Manickan's shop.
Dad!
Now, what the hell is this?
Everywhere we go, something goes wrong.
Where do we go now to look for him?
Come fast, man.
He couldn't have gone too far. He must be somewhere around.
Even I was shocked.
He looks different, but he speaks and behaves just like him.
Bro, we have no time for your stories.
We have to find him somehow.
Our women and children are waiting on the bus
-You are from Kerala? -Yes, from Muvattupuzha.
-Is it near Sabarimala? -Yes, of course.
Very close by, at a peeking distance.
These damned questions!
To hell with this man sneaking into someone's house.
We'll all get thrashed by these Tamil morons!
Not that way for sure, there are just some shrubs over there.
-Let us go this way. -Okay.
Babooty.
Granny, did anyone go on a bike this way?
-Didn't see anyone. -You didn't?
No, we haven't.
-Hey, didn't we just go past this way? -No, that was another street.
Kuttappi, come here!
There are child-grabbers here.
If they catch you, they will maim and blind you,
and make you beg on the streets.
Come.
-Both of you get into the bus now. -Let's go.
Running helter-skelter in this sun!
What to say, man?
That day, we were sitting in front of that shop.
Too broke to even buy a cup of tea, puffing a beedi.
At peak noon.
-Am I right, Mandaya? -Yes.
There was not even a stray crow in the market.
It was then I spotted a lorry around the corner.
Manikam, one tea.
Yes.
In slow motion, it comes and stops just in front of me.
Yellow color, number KL 15 3425.
A Malayalee lad.
I whispered to Mandayan, whatever you ask him, he will say, "ask the owner."
-And what did he say? -That he'll ask the owner.
At one glance you can make out that he's a loser.
Dressed top to toe in white,
with a golden watch on his wrist, and stone-studded rings on his fingers.
He asked, "Annachi, how much for the entire stuff?"
I said, "Brother, except for Mandayan's, everything is sold out.
And the owner has gone to bring the vehicle."
Hearing that, he got tense.
He said he will take the whole stuff for 6,000.
And I said, not a penny less than 10,000 bucks.
Wait.
-Who is this man telling these stories? -Yes, who is this man?
That is what I am wondering.
Dude, I'm not diabetic.
Shall I order tea for you?
I am taking a fritter.
Like a sacred mark, you put me On your scarlet forehead
-Hey, stop your tomfoolery! -Well done!
Why would you say that?
And then, I said, let us settle on 8000.
Shall I order tea?
Sir, the marriage invitations are already printed.
I will buy the revenue stamp by tomorrow. You will give the money, right?
We finally settled at 8000 rupees!
Once the goods were loaded,
I told him, this poor Mandayan has been standing here the whole day under the sun.
Please give him something as well.
You should have seen Mandayan's acting, all weak and withered.
He would give even Sivaji Ganesan a run for his money.
Come on, sing the song now.
Like a sacred mark, you put me On your scarlet forehead
Mother… who gave birth to me.
Did you return me to the earth knowing that you have given birth to a girl?
Did you know even then that this man would destroy and throw away…
this tender bud as it blossomed with little regard to its gentle being?
Even when I was humiliated and harassed,
I still maintained the purity of my heart.
Yet I am called a whore!
The one who was supposed to hold me close,
called me a whore, Mother!
Instead of living amidst this injustice…
better to be away from this world in peace…
Yes.
Death is the only way out for the likes of me.
Dear, rope!
You've come to put an end to all my miseries, my darling!
For this fragile lady, who is withering away…
You are the strength!
Fool!
Are you breaking the wall because you cannot paint it?
-What grade are you in? -12th.
If your husband goes to others for pleasure,
do you have to suffer like burning coal?
Is there a world where you can live without
your lover, suppressing your feelings?
Is there a generation that has not shot the arrow of love?
Why are you fooling yourself?
What are you asking me to do?
Don't lose the happiness the world has given you.
It will give you someone who will shower love over your sobbing heart.
Don't hesitate. This is nothing new.
…and excitement of chocolate! Mommy will never say no!
Mommy, one more?! Please…
If the children get whole nutrition, what's there to be anxious about?
Introducing the new Bournvita! Now comes with an RDA-balanced formula!
Subbayya.
-What happened? -Call him.
Brother, he is calling you.
Anna, the pump set is sent to Coimbatore for repair.
Not that.
Did a tall, fair guy go this way on a bike?
He was here. Cracked some jokes and went that way just now.
-Did he speak Tamil? -Yes, very fluently.
Johny, come here.
-Did you see him? -No. You couldn't find him either?
They say he left this place just now!
This is turning into a shitty business!
How long have we been searching for him?
Tiny little desire. Flapping desire
Brother, where else do we look for him now?
Listen to me, as far as I know, he comes home by 7:00 p.m.
Let us go and wait for him there.
We will catch him there.
Wow! Well, those who are that devoted can go wait there.
Come, let's go back to the bus.
I've to open my grocery shop tomorrow morning!
What happened?
Mom!
Who let that man inside the house?
You gave him dad's bike too?
Grandpa, go and get the vehicle!
Mom has no sense, but why did you let him take it?
Look dear, he was here only for a little while.
He came and said something, but we couldn't make any sense of it.
Then he took off with your dad's bike.
I heard you served him coffee and all.
Don't you watch the news on TV?
There are a lot of fraudsters around.
News is there to watch, no?
Everyone watches it.
Why don't you too just watch?
Hey!
-It's bleeding. Bring me some cotton. -No cotton for you. Get lost.
You traitor…
One must have gruel and cotton in life.
Did you inform Uncle?
No, dear.
Then I will tell him!
Ask her not to worsen the situation.
Don't do it, dear. He has a short fuse.
-Shanmugham has already gone after him. -I know how to get the vehicle back!
Were you all sleeping?
Uncle, ask Elangovan uncle to call the police.
Please keep quiet dear, his folks are all here.
What if they are here?
Johny, it is getting late.
This is a godforsaken place!
You somehow return that scooter and bring him back!
What can I do?
Look, we don't know this place!
We have women and children on the bus.
If it were only us, it wouldn't have been this bad. But they are here as well.
Yeah! People here would run into our vehicle to rape us.
Did you mean "attack"?
Do not mince your words now.
Damn it! There's no point talking to you.
Listen, this looks like a shady village.
-Hey, come here. -What?
Tell me.
Has she ever mentioned any illness that James may have?
She's a really reserved person.
After all, she's from Changanassery!
Babu, don't talk shit.
He and I were together in Qatar for three years.
He was quite normal.
Every penny he earned, he sent it home. He didn't even drink.
He's been with us for a long time. Have we ever faced such an issue?
What else do you need? Isn't this enough?
Yeah, right. Whatever!
Get back on the bus. Don't stand here.
It is too hot inside!
What else can we do?
I warned you not to let everyone join the trip!
I have to open my shop tomorrow!
For heaven's sake Babu, please don't harp on it!
This is the human plight.
One can never predict what will happen to whom or when!
Everything can change in a minute!
Has it happened to anyone else you know?
I've never heard of it!
Were you expecting a memo?
There is no network here. That is why I didn't call.
What?
Everything's a mess here!
I think we will have to tranquilize him.
-Like a yonder bird, should one live -He went to a Tamilian's house,
and took their bike.
-Like swelling waves, should one dance -Hey, Jackson! There he goes.
Hey!
-Come! Hey, stop! -In the same sky…
-Stop! You… -On the same land…
-Shit! -I want to sing the song of rights
He's gone!
We already know that this is a Rajnikanth movie.
Uncle, do you think what you did was right?
What did I do wrong? I took some holy water, that's all.
I was not talking about you having holy water.
I was talking about you trying to save a criminal despite knowing what he did.
Isn't that wrong?
You fool!
It is the court that decides whether he is a criminal or not.
It is in saving him, wherein lies my honor.
You talk like this because you think you're indomitable, right?
Why can't you win against me?
If you can't win against my strength, you can win by exploiting my weakness.
And you know very well what my weaknesses are!
Try and win using that!
What does that mean?
That justice should not exist in this world, while you are here?
Is this not what you desire?
Uncle, I beg you. Please don't interfere in this case!
If you do, I will have to argue against you as the government pleader.
So you have decided to argue against me as the government pleader?
Yes. For the sake of this case.
Then what is the difference between the court and home?
The moment our principles conflict,
we should not stay in the same house.
Kanna, do one thing. Leave this house.
-Uncle… -Get out!
Uncle…
-Are you serious? -Yes!
I always stand by my principles and you stand by yours.
So, you get out!
You have asked me to get out!
-I am going. -You, get out!
I will keep on going. I will keep on going.
The bird I nourished with milk and fruits That green parrot
Why did you go there while he was drinking?
Doesn't matter if he was drinking.
Sir leaving this house is the issue.
Kanna, don't change your mind because aunty said something.
You have not ignored the elders' words till now.
Muthu, darling.
Hey Muthu, can't you hear your dad?
Why isn't she talking to me?
Hey.
Chew well and eat it all up.
What are you doing inside?
Have you opened your books at all today?
That day at school, do you know what your class teacher Sister Angel Mary said?
Not to you, to me.
All this running and jumping is alright…
but studying is more important!
Hey Sevele, didn't she say that?
Wait.
Here you go.
The bird I nourished with milk and fruits
That green parrot
Brother, come.
Come. Let's go.
Hey.
It's late already. Come. Let's go.
They are all waiting on the bus. Come.
Brother, listen to me. Please come.
We don't know what kind of people these are!
Come, let us go.
James, come get on the bus.
People are saying all kinds of things.
If we go now, we can reach home by morning.
What are these people yapping in Malayalam?
-Who are you guys? What do you want? -Hey, cut the crap.
James, what do you think you're doing? Making fools out of us?
Enough with your act!
It is not your family alone that is here.
We all have to get home!
When you stopped the vehicle, we thought you had rushed to the toilet!
Let us all drag him into the bus!
James, stop this nonsense!
The kids are crying on the bus.
Come and get on the bus!
What are you all saying? Who are all these?
-Leave him. -Look, they are calling you. Go home.
Shanmugham, but why should I go with them?
Who are they?
Are you drunk?
Can't you see them calling?
Go!
Brother, don't shout.
Son, your people are calling you please go with them.
So, am I not from here?
You don't belong here, you came here on a tour.
Oh, God! What is this? If I don't belong in this place,
then who belongs here?
This is my place!
Hey, Mani, do I not belong here?
Will your father or mother say otherwise?
Hey, Kalimuthu, had your father been here, would he say that I am not from here?
Will she, the woman I married, say that I don't belong here?
Shanmugham, will you say I am not from here?
Tell me.
I belong here!
I won't leave this place!
Try me if you can!
Even my blind mother wouldn't say that I don't belong here!
I belong to this place and I won't leave this place!
Look, this is not your place, man! Come on, take him to the bus!
-Come, get him! -Come here.
Come here!
Leave me.
Get in the vehicle!
Come.
Don't you dare touch me.
You come here to my place, and how dare you touch me?
You won't leave this village alive!
I will bash your faces in.
What do you think, bro?
Come if you dare!
You all dare to touch me in front of my own house?
I am all alone, and these outsiders have come to get me.
And all our people are standing there watching the show.
You gang up with these Malayali guys and want me to leave my place?
Do I not belong here?
Uncle, your Kannan is here.
Uncle, your Kannan…
Varadhan bro, when you were away, didn't I look after your family?
When your daughter had labor pains,
I was the one who called the midwife, right?
Do I not belong in this place now?
Lakshmana, when there was no water in your field
did I not provide it for you?
Say from your heart…
Do I not belong in this place?
This is my home!
Father, don't I belong here? Am I not your son?
Father, please tell them!
Darling, Muthu, didn't you hear? They say I don't belong here!
I belong to this village!
I belong here!
I was born and brought up here!
This soil belongs to my grandfather and forefathers!
And I will be buried here, in this land!
This is my land.
That also came true…
Oh, what will I do? Uncle, this happened to you!
Uncle!
Hey, Sevele…
do I not belong here?
I belong here!
I belong here.
Washing powder Nirma!
Whiter than milk, you get from Nirma
Colorful clothes become even brighter
The play is about to begin, come.
Sundaram, come, the play is about to begin.
Very little powder But a whole lot of foam!
All clothes in the house Turn pristine in a jiff!
When Lord Siva and Sati were going around the earth…
Indran.
Lord!
How beautiful is this earth!
Who is this? Sage Durvasa?
Welcome.
Who did you say he was?
He is my daughter's husband.
This is my daughter.
Her son is inside.
Two years ago, Palani's son, Sundaram, went to the Oddanchatram market.
He never returned.
We searched everywhere.
We even filed a police complaint.
It was before the temple construction had started.
When was it, Varadhan?
Today, it has exactly been two years since he went missing!
Your husband behaves exactly like him.
The way he walks and talks.
It really feels like Sundaram has returned.
It isn't safe to be here anymore.
Come,
let's send him away.
Oh, Indrani!
Oh, Lord Indra!
Poor lady! She has been sitting like this since morning!
Yes. Grief is grief.
Whether it is yours or ours, it is the same.
-Forgive us. -Please be seated!
We apologize for this confusion.
Bad things can happen anytime to anyone.
We have to find ways to manage it.
Sir.
We have to take him home at the earliest.
There is a bus full of people waiting.
There is not even a lodge nearby.
You have seen his condition, how would you take him?
Let him take rest and sleep then you may take him.
Palani, everything is for the good.
God has sent him to your house.
Let him sleep in your house tonight.
Shanmugham, let Kuzhali and her child sleep in your house.
Okay.
Have you eaten?
Sister, Kumar uncle wants to speak to you.
Hello.
What is happening there?
Have you gone deaf?
-Are you there or not? -Give me the phone. I will speak to him.
Uncle.
Should I learn about this from other people?
Uncle, nothing like that.
You came back from a pilgrimage, right?
These kinds of things happen.
Don't worry. Everything will be okay.
I'll take your leave now.
Okay.
Will the folks on the bus agree to this?
What else can we do in this condition?
If anyone has urgent work, let them leave.
I've arranged everything for you at my risk.
Please see that nothing untoward happens.
We will keep watch during the night.
We will take him back in the morning.
No problem.
Will see you later.
Mother, are you tired?
Stop the car.
-Where to? -Ernakulam.
-Do you have space? -We can accommodate two.
I'll be back in a minute.
Okay then, as we said…
you will deal with the rest, right?
Come, let us go.
Come on, get in.
-Don't you remember seeing me? -Call me if there's anything. Okay, bye.
In our troublesome dramatic youth
Don't you remember seeing me?
In our troublesome dramatic youth
Short were the days we spent together
And you forgot my heart
See, how that came about!
He is repeating what he did at that camp in Payyannur.
-In our troublesome dramatic youth -Come.
Brother, do you have any mosquito coils inside the bus?
At the shore of the bluest river
You stood at dusk
At the shore of the bluest river
You stood at dusk
I came singing a melody
We spent a few moments together
Don't you remember seeing me?
In our troublesome dramatic youth
Short were the days we spent together
-And you forgot my heart -What happened?
Must be because of the long day in the sun and the lack of food.
-It is okay. You go ahead, we will follow. -Come here.
-You stay here, I will go with them -Let's go.
Do you have any spare clothes?
No, we don't have any.
I don't understand this nonsense!
Why can't they just ask him for Christ's sake?
What new-fangled disease is this that one suddenly forgets his family?
My husband would recognize us even by our shadows.
He is acting!
He must have come here earlier for sure.
Is that so?
Of course. Otherwise, won't they shoo him away?
And there is one more thing.
Look at her! After all this uproar, sitting there unfazed!
Yeah!
Sister, why do you say such things?
You shut up.
You'll only know the pain when it happens to you.
Bro, what is it? Not feeling sleepy?
No, bro!
I was thinking…
Did any of us think there would be a place like this?
Did any of these people think they would have to meet us?
Now we are all staying together.
Unbelievable!
Haven't you heard, "The whole world is a stage"?
That is what this is.
You know, you are really smart!
Bro, this is a silly case.
I have a plan to take him back with us.
I didn't spend three years at a nursing school in Bangalore for nothing!
I just have to go to town in the morning.
-Then you'll leave early in the morning. -Yes.
He who fulfills the wishes of his devotees
Whose twinkling anklets Produce melodious sounds
He who approaches me In slow and graceful steps,
He who fulfills the wishes of his devotees
Whose twinkling anklets Produce melodious sounds
The rider of the mighty peacock
Comes unto me, in a calm grace
Come and protect me with your Vel
Welcome to Thee, Lord of the Vel
Beginning with Inthiran The Devas of all the eight directions
Pay their obeisance to you Wielder of the mighty Vel
Son-in-law of Thevendran
Welcome you, who are in the mind Of the loving tribal maiden
Oh, our Lord, who is older than the oldest.
Oh, Lord who exists in novel ways.
What a beautiful description!
Assume that there is something valuable in our house.
That has been there for ages.
In some houses, they say,
"Look at this cycle, it has been used by my grandfather.
Then by my father and then by my elder brother, and now by me."
Dad!
Where is the scooter?
Dad.
He is asking for the vehicle, tell him.
And thus its value increases.
If you look at it like that, what is the most valuable thing in this universe?
It is nothing but the supreme being.
For every…
If you all have decided,
then why are you asking me?
Don't look at it that way, Sali.
You saw what your relative Monayi did!
When he had a chance, he scooted.
Then you have to beg and bring him back.
He has always been like that.
I still remember what happened at Payyanur camp…
Well, don't make me go there!
Johny,
don't say such things.
We will all be scared in a situation like this.
Sali,
we think this is the only solution left.
He may be an idiot, but we're lucky that he's here with us.
And he has also studied nursing.
Sali, say what must we do?
I don't think it will work. I don't trust him.
Look, Ishoppa, don't play on both sides now.
We all came together as a team.
Now you are turning your back on us.
You keep your mouth shut!
If your wife and kids were on the bus would you talk like this?
What the hell are you saying?
-What is this? -Hey, leave him alone.
I have already informed the bus owner.
He said it is okay.
Now, what the hell is your problem?
Can you stop this ruckus?
Stop now!
We are standing right in front of their house.
You sit here.
Yes, Sunny.
She is here. She'll tell you.
Hello.
Brother, nothing.
Nothing.
Hey, here he takes off again.
Don't you see?
Don't say we didn't stand with you when we had a problem on the way.
Sali, please tell us what we should do?
Whoever wants to go, please go.
I have my son with me.
That is enough.
Johny, keep quiet.
Sali, don't worry.
We will return only after we find a solution.
Don't cry, dear.
Don't worry, he will go supply milk to a few houses,
then head to the tea shop, chat there for a bit, and will return after that.
He will return soon. There is nothing to worry about.
Dear…
Sister, milk.
Yesterday, it was someone else. I don't need it.
No. It was me.
No, we don't need milk.
You can carry on.
Sister, milk.
No need, we are buying from someone else.
You can go!
-Who is this man? -We don't know.
-Who is he? -He's here to deliver milk.
-He has come to deliver milk! -We don't know who he is.
We don't know who he is.
Dad!
If some fraud comes pretending to be your son,
you'll just let him into the house?
Where is he?
Wait, man.
No one is here.
There is a young girl in this house, don't you have any sense?
Listen, the village people gathered and discussed.
What discussion?
-What if it had happened in their house? -Come, let us talk in peace.
-No, what were you all doing? -Let's talk.
-Come. -Watching the show when some stranger
-comes and sleeps in my house? -Look, it was suggested by Elangovan.
Who is he to decide about my house?
Are you guys responsible?
Kuzhali…
Will you let anyone in?
-Why are you shouting at her? -Don't you have sense?
Let us go inside and talk.
As the community head, he should look after the temple's work.
No need to interfere in this!
Better take him back with you now. Otherwise, you will regret it.
You go inside. I will come now.
Who called him?! He'll create a ruckus!
-He could have called us. -What is this, Muthu?
I heard your dad had returned, like in the movies.
Get lost!
What a disgrace!
The lord is conducting a divine sacrifice just to humiliate me.
I told you not to worsen the situation!
Hey, Samiyappa, don't you know that I hate chutney?!
How would I know?
Eat, and get lost!
Dear, you are running and skipping around while your father is toiling hard.
Grandma, can you keep quiet?
Dear, go and give this to them.
I won't.
-I am asking you to do it. -And I am telling you I won't.
Sister Lakshmi.
Come, Muthu.
-Did your mother send you over? -Yes.
Aunty, don't worry. Everything will be okay.
The power is back!
Have it.
Sister, I am leaving.
Mariyam, are you angry?
Did I do anything wrong?
I am wrong!
I am the one who is wrong.
How much ever wrongs you may have committed, it will all be pardoned.
-Till the one to pardon… -Are you satisfied?
…says I'm pardoned,
I will not be at peace.
You may please leave now.
-Got it? -Yes.
Please go.
I am a degenerate!
I degenerated myself!
I need to escape this darkness and embrace the light!
Brother, please leave.
You all pin him down and I will inject.
He will wake up only after eight hours.
This is not going to work. It isn't possible to hold him down.
He is strong like a bison.
If something happens, people will blame us.
This sounds like the climax of our play "Five Star Hospital."
We don't have to worry about what people would say.
James' wife and son are here, his father-in-law is here too.
Leave the injection.
This is another medicine,
if this is consumed, he'll be knocked out for ten hours.
Are you sure he'll wake up?
Come on, bro!
What the hell did I learn nursing in Bangalore for?!
You are making it seem like it is my responsibility.
Look, do whatever you want, but can you just get him inside the bus?
Then we can put him in a hospital.
Come.
Let's go.
Give this.
Sir, can you give me a pen?
What is this?
Will it work?
Let them take him away somehow.
Swami, we have got to take him back somehow.
I somehow don't feel very good about taking him away after sedating him.
It is their man, let them sedate or poison him, why do you care?
-Why should you bother? -Keep your mouth shut!
Do we solve the problem we have or create a new one?
I apologize, he is a bit short-tempered.
After Sundaram went missing, he has been taking care of the family.
He loves Muthu like a daughter.
He hasn't even married yet.
We've made some plans for him.
Had it been in Kerala, we could have done something.
But here, we don't have anyone.
Please don't say that! We are here for you.
Instead of driving them all out of the village,
he is chit-chatting with them!
Take your hands off me!
How dare you forge someone's signature and claim money?
Get lost!
Look here, this man is asking for money after forging a sign.
How can I give the taxpayer's money to such frauds?
He's a forger! Thief!
Get lost from here!
Will you leave or shall I call the police?
-Leave! -Fraud! Get lost!
He faked a sign!
I have seen many like him.
Go!
Tell me, sir.
I will talk to them, sir
I will call you later.
What happened?
He went to the society office and asked for money, signing as Sundaram.
The manager called me.
Does that mean trouble?
I will manage it.
How will you give him the tablet?
We have to mix it in his food.
But we don't know how to do it.
It will be easier for someone from their house to do it.
Who will do it?
Tablet, right?
Give it to me. I will manage it.
What are they building here?
The temple's construction is going on.
Temple?
But nothing was here till yesterday!
The work has been going on for ages. You're from here, and you don't know this?
What is there to think? Just give it to him.
You were all very hospitable towards him. Why not give this too?
Mom, go and give it.
Why? Why don't you do it?
You all talk! But I have to do it.
I was just lying down, by myself.
Suddenly, someone comes in, talks just like him, and walks like him.
I felt like my husband was calling me.
What shall I do? I too am a human being.
You all discuss and decide on something.
And do I have to do it?
Is there any value for my words in this house?
I want to know now.
Uncle!
Where are you coming from?
I can't stay here anymore without meeting my relatives.
Rajani, my brother, is making arrangements for you to leave.
Sister, really?
Palani, when did Sundaram usually come for lunch?
Around 2 - 2:30 p.m.
Okay. You just mix the pill with his food then.
No, that won't do. You can't mix it with food.
We have to make him swallow it whole.
Does he sleep after lunch?
After lunch, he sleeps for a while.
When he wakes up, he will take a cup of coffee.
Fine, give it to him then.
Yeah, if we start by around 4 p.m.,
we'll be able to reach there by early morning.
Does she know about this?
We have already discussed this with her.
-Is it so? -There are two types in it.
-This medicine is made from… -Come, let us go.
Eat!
Ten types of nutrients?
How is it?
Go!
Do you want to kill me or what?
Is it slumber or is my mind in a slush?
Too much confusion at heart?
Is my life in a state of shock?
Is it slumber or is my mind in a slush?
Too much confusion at heart?
Is my life in a state of shock?
Lives are of myriad sorts
And at every curve A new pain awaits
Lives are of myriad sorts
And at every curve A new pain awaits
And grief withers
Not with worry
If you wilt and stop They don't go away
But with a heart to endure
Peace would prevail
Is it slumber or is my mind in a slush?
Are you new to this place?
Where is Mayilsaami?
There he is. It's been six months since he died.
MAYILSAAMI PASSED AWAY ON 20.12.2011
Come and have food.
The same old thing.
Wherever he is and whatever he may do,
Manikkam is our son.
-We have to… -I have served food, come eat.
Go dear, go have food. It will give you strength.
Son, go and have some food.
Then only you'll become strong. Go.
God,
my grandfather, and my grandmother pray to you every day.
You please somehow get into my father's mind,
and stop him from going to court.
-Or else, do something to… -Be seated.
-Okay. -Grandad!
He is not even sensible like this kid.
Alright,
come let's go home.
-Hey, Kumar, don't go. -Leave me!
-Listen to me. -Hold him back.
I talking to you. Listen to me.
-Leave me! -Kumar!
-Let him go! -Stop him!
-Didn't you hear what he said? -Calm down!
-Go away, man! -Hey, Kumar!
You are feeding this fraud?
Have your fill and get lost, you scoundrel!
Why are you fighting with your brother?
Don't fight with him.
Why don't we all get involved and resolve it for him?
Dad, why did my brother talk like that?
He is like that.
You eat.
Do I have any problem?
Why do you think so? You have your food.
No one is talking to me anymore.
Mayilsaami is dead!
Suddenly, there is a temple!
I don't understand what is happening.
Please, eat.
-Where is my child? -She has already eaten.
But she always eats with me.
You please eat.
Muthu, you ate without your dad?
Come, at least serve him some soup.
Grandpa, take this.
Take this.
Drink some water.
Grandpa, were you leaving without telling me?
I am leaving, my child.
Say you'll be back, Grandpa.
Eat, child.
Don't cry while eating.
Eat.
Gone! All my plans are gone in vain!
I didn't get a single gold medal in the army.
I didn't get to shake hands with the king either.
He betrayed me for a penny.
And gave all his wealth to Parvathi.
Nobody should know that I told you this.
Because lawyer Kailasam asked me to keep it a secret.
Dad, do you know something?
When your son-in-law asked his brother, he said he won't marry Chitra!
He said that?!
Uncle and my father joined hands to topple me down!
Come, Manikkam. Did you see what your father did to you?
Fooling you and your brother, he gave all his wealth to Parvathi.
What? Is that true?
Yes. Your brother didn't listen to your stepmother and said no to the marriage.
-It's all her doing. -How does he know about it?
She knows very well that he is a fool.
She cleverly fooled you both.
What is it, Manikkam?
Is your heart tick-tocking like a clock?
So you are wondering how to sign the power of attorney?
Just sign it.
Shall we go?
Let us go.
The game's you've played
The words you've spoken
The wealth you've sought
The crowd you've pulled
But for when the soul parts the body
All those stays back
Your folks would come till your house
Your wife, till the street
Your son, till the graveyard
Who would see you off unto eternity?
Your folks would come till your house
Your wife, till the street
Your son, till the graveyard
Who would see you off unto eternity?
We keep on playing till the game lasts Juggling a thousand things
But the crowd that gathers to cheer Would they mourn around your pyre?
Your folks would come till your house
Your wife, till the street
Your son, till the graveyard
Who would see you off unto eternity?
SARATHY THEATRE'S
SARATHY THEATRE PRESENTS AT ONE PLACE WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY THILAKAN