Bougainvillea (2024) Movie Script
When the crescent moon
appears on the blue-lit sky
It showers us with love
and make us yearn
May there be a lover,
a paramour
Who can quench the
desires of the heart
When the crescent moon
appears on the blue-lit sky
It showers us with love
and make us yearn
[Horn blaring loudly]
[Shattering crash reverberates]
[Metal crunching and glass shattering]
Ryan, you woke up late today again!
If you don't wake up on time tomorrow,
you'll be in trouble!
Nah, Mama.
I woke up only five minutes late today.
It was Emma who made us late.
Ryan, I'm gonna smack you!
Don't blame me, okay?
Emma, we're gonna miss the bus, dear!
Aren't you a good girl?
Even Papa isn't here to drop you
if you miss the bus.
Oh no! I forgot to say
'good morning' to Papa!
It's okay. We'll call him tonight
and say 'good night.'
Come on, honey!
Bye. Bye.
- Bye, Mommy.
- Bye.
[Engine revs as school bus pulls away]
[Repeated bell honking]
Ryan, I'm gonna smack you!
Don't blame me, okay?
Oh no! I forgot to say
'good morning' to Papa!
[Foreboding music plays]
Rema!
Rema!
Yes, ma'am?
Where are the kids?
Have they left for school?
Yeah, they did.
Give it to me.
Who sent them off? You or me?
It was you.
They left ten minutes ago.
I see!
Freshen up and come.
Gotta eat breakfast, right?
"ROOTS - REETHU, THIS IS ABOUT YOUR
ORIGINS. READ IT AND KEEP IT BACK."
"NAME: REETHU, HUSBAND: DR ROYCE THOMAS
KIDS: EMMA AND RYAN, IN-LAWS: NONE"
"YOUR MEMORY ISSUES ARE FROM 'RETROGRADE
AMNESIA' DUE TO OUR CAR ACCIDENT."
[Shattering crash reverberates]
[tyres screeching]
O oblivion, speak to me
Will the dragonflies of my
sorrow-laden memories
Find rest upon
the petals of bougainvillea?
O wounds, answer me
Will the flames gleaming in moonlight
sever themselves from their shadows?
I search for my name
in the petals of these flowers
The world transforms into
a scripture unknown
The silhouette crumbles,
dissolving into nothingness
As the pages turn to another realm,
the lines grow cryptic
Fallen leaves consume these pathways
Ashes obscure the fading footsteps
Time escapes without a whisper
As the rain subsides,
leaves glow in streams of sunlight
O oblivion, speak to me
Will the dragonflies of
my sorrow-laden memories
Find rest upon
the petals of bougainvillea?
O wounds, answer me
Will the flames gleaming in moonlight
Sever themselves from their shadows?
ROYCE: Every day,
when I leave for the hospital,
she watches me from the gate.
If she doesn't recognise me when I return,
we'll know she has lost her memory.
And then it takes her a couple of days
to get back to normal.
Everything will be alright, sir.
I wish so.
We were just recovering from
my parents' death,
and then this accident happened,
leading to Reethu's present condition.
Don't let it get you down, sir.
They say 'hope for the best, ' right?
How long have you been here?
It's been 3-4 years now.
Is this your first posting, doctor?
Nope. I was at
Kottayam St. Mary's Hospital earlier.
Compared to that place,
it's a bit too boring here.
Well, if you're free tomorrow,
shall we meet at Kottayam IMA?
Sorry, no. Sunday is the only day
I get to visit our farmhouse.
Gotta fetch
some fruits and vegetables from there.
Since they're pesticide-free,
they spoil quickly.
So, you and ma'am go there in the morning?
No, Reethu usually doesn't come with me.
I go by myself.
By the time she returns home
after the second Holy Mass,
our maid will be there.
I usually leave shortly after.
That's my resort...
and my only weekend relief.
I don't want an injection!
Oh-no! Who's crying?
She's not letting me give her an injection.
- What happened, dear?
- No.
Don't want an injection?
Okay.
Give it to me.
Let's keep all this aside.
Please move, nurse.
Here you go!
- What's your name, honey?
- Alankrita.
Alankrita?
Such a dashing name!
Can I check if you have a fever?
Please breathe in.
Once again.
Okay.
You don't have a fever.
And yet you were trying to
give her an injection?
Let's do this.
See that tiger?
Shall we make it bite the nurse?
Come on. Take the tiger along.
- But I'm innocent! I didn't do anything!
- No, you're not innocent!
Or better,
shall we get the mama cow to bite her?
Get the mama cow.
Don't want either?
Okay. Done. That's all!
Give me a hi-five.
That's more like it!
- Do we have many outpatients today?
- No, sir. Only 5-6 patients.
Six...
Hopefully, I'll be able to leave
by 2 PM, I guess?
How is madam doing, doctor?
Can't really say she's doing okay.
But she's happy when I'm around.
Sometimes I think about
quitting this job
so I can always be with her.
Shall I call the patients in then?
Are you sure she had no memory issues
before the accident?
Yes. I am sure.
But why do you ask so?
Reethu is showing symptoms of amnesia.
She's showing symptoms of
both 'Retrograde' and
'Anterograde' amnesia.
I can't say there's nothing to worry about.
Not just that.
Reethu may even need life-long care.
Are you not ready yet?
We gotta go, don't we?
Didn't you apply 'Kohl'?
Let me help you with that.
If I don't help you with these things,
sir is gonna scold me.
To be honest, you are really lucky.
Sir is incredibly caring.
Why don't you grow your hair?
Sir cuts it for you every time, right?
Let your hair grow to this length,
and then get a haircut at a salon.
It'll be so elegant.
Really?
You bet!
Biju is here. Let's go.
Why do you smoke like this, Biju?
Are you trying to kill yourself
with smoking?
I'd rather choose death than be with you.
- Good morning, ma'am.
- Good morning.
Oh! Madam is here!
I was planning to call you
if you hadn't come today.
I got a call from that resort
yesterday also.
You're paying us
just 3000 rupees this time as well?
Business is quite dull, madam.
What about the call from the resort then?
Ma'am, your paintings are really in demand.
But I feel like he's trying
to cheat us on the price.
He's offering just 3000 rupees.
No, he wouldn't do that.
You won't believe me,
but I can totally tell he's a con artist!
What are you thinking about?
Well, Rema...
I've been wondering
who's spending so much on my paintings.
[Suspenseful music plays]
[Dogs barking at a distance]
We got first-class cassava this year, sir.
It's all about the soil, Thambi.
Mary, how's your mom?
She's bedridden, sir. Quite unwell.
She used to be so active, sir.
They took her to
the miracle healing prayer,
and she ended up being sick.
She says she wants to go see her mom
next week.
But didn't you visit her last week?
But she's my mom, sir. I have to.
This is awesome.
Sir, it's made with
fresh green peppercorns.
- Can I pour you a drink?
- If you insist.
- Shall we go, Thambi?
- Yes, sir.
Dry the peppercorns in the sun, okay?
Sure, sir.
- See you next week.
- Okay.
Alright.
[Loud wailing]
[Crying intensifies]
[Calling bell rings]
It's been quite a while.
That's why I called you, sir.
Hold this.
Hey...
Reethu...
Come, get up.
What's wrong?
Royce...
No matter how much I try,
all I can draw is this damn bougainvillea.
I'm done with this.
I don't want to draw any more.
Is that it?
Get up.
Come.
Don't cry, okay?
It's alright.
Stop crying.
It's alright.
[Sombre music playing]
[Door shuts]
[Sound of water running from a hand shower]
Did you slip in the tub again?
I slipped and fell, Royce.
Come, let me dry your hair for you.
Why do you always keep the tub
filled with water?
How many times have I stopped you?
Are you okay now?
Here, take your pills.
Say your prayers and go tobed.
Neither of them have slept.
They're discussing
what they want to be, when they grow up.
Have they come to a conclusion yet?
Long odds!
They've even considered being a pilot.
Maybe they see you as their example.
Being a doctor isn't even on their list!
What's wrong with being a doctor?
There is nothing wrong with it, I swear!
Hmm?
Looks like you too have started
showing your age, okay?
Are you saying I'm old?
Then it's time to prove you wrong!
[Low, menacing growl]
What happened?
Did you have a nightmare?
I'm worried about you and our kids.
Isolated houses like this
are easy targets for thieves.
I heard about it in the news.
Oh, so that's the issue.
Let's do this then.
Let's install CCTV
and a security system here.
During the day,
it's just you and Rema here.
Don't be scared.
Sleep now.
Say your prayers and go tobed.
Both of you get ready fast.
Mommy, do I really have
to go to Sunday school today?
Of course, you have to.
They call Sunday a holiday,
but still make us attend classes!
Enough, get going.
Shouldn't we pick up the kids?
I'll get them
after their Sunday school classes.
Hurry up.
Why are you rushing, Royce?
Remember I told you the other day about
setting up the security system
and CCTV at home?
Did you forget?
They're coming today.
Rema is on leave today, after all.
Please come in.
Sir, I'm Amala Kurian.
I'm the sales manager.
Here's my card.
Get them something to drink.
Please come in.
I'll be right back.
[Ominous music builds]
[Stirring intensifies rapidly]
[Clamour of voices in the background]
[Ear-piercing shriek]
[Shriek continues]
Reethu...
It's okay.
Reethu.
Reethu, don't panic.
It's fine.
It's fine. Calm down.
Reethu!
Carry on with your work.
This is fine.
It's normal.
[Drill buzzing]
Sir, what happened to madam?
She got a bit scared
seeing so many of you at once.
She is okay now.
We too got frightened.
The CCTV installation is almost done now.
We can set up the security system
within the next couple of days.
Okay. Send me the invoice.
Sure, sir.
[Tense music plays]
This isn't that bad.
Still, better we dress the wound.
No need.
She'll get scared if she sees it.
That's why
I didn't dress it that day either.
Didn't you file a police complaint?
But the thief didn't steal
anything from us.
Then there's no point in filing a complaint
and inviting more trouble.
Huh?! That's cool.
How's madam now?
She was terrified.
Otherwise, she's fine.
Lately, I've noticed some changes in her.
As if she's trying to recall old memories.
Isn't that good?
Yes.
Royce...
Our car?
It needs a minor repair.
Gave it to the service centre.
What's wrong with it?
Nothing's wrong,
just gave it to get it serviced.
Ma'am, I'm off.
I've left the oats for sir in the fridge.
Okay.
Come.
Our car?
It needs a minor repair.
Gave it to the service centre.
What's wrong with it?
Just gave it to get it serviced.
[Bee buzzing]
'DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH
AFTER PAINTING'
'DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH
AFTER PAINTING'
Ma'am...
Did the kids come back from school?
No, it's still lunchtime.
Do you have a headache?
Let me get you a coffee.
[Song playing on TV]
[NEWS ON TV]
A complaint has been filed about
the missing daughter of Karthikeyan,
the prominent TMK political leader
from Theni.
Chhaya Karthikeyan,
a final-year BBA student
at Kuttikanam Marian College,
has gone missing.
A complaint has been filed about
the missing daughter of Karthikeyan,
the prominent TMK political leader
from Theni.
[Suspenseful music plays]
[Music intensifies]
What happened, ma'am?
What's wrong?
I've seen this girl they're talking about.
She's gone missing now, it seems!
I'm pretty sure I know this girl.
I've even talked to her.
Yeah, remember the other day
when we were at the market?
Didn't a policewoman show us
a photo of this girl?
And she asked us to report
if we saw the girl?
Did she ask me?!
Of course!
Have your coffee, then go take a shower.
Come, get up.
Come on.
[News report playing on TV]
And what did I say?
You said you didn't know the girl.
[News continues]
[In Tamil]Chhaya Karthikeyan, daughter of
Karthikeyan, the prominent leader from Theni,
has been reported missing.
She was pursuing a BBA at Marian College...
I know this girl!
But where did it go?
There's no place left to search now.
Really sad!
It was the bracelet Royce gave me!
'Can U come little early?'
You look happy today!
What's up?
- Did you have your lunch, Royce?
- Nope.
Can I give you a surprise before you eat?
Oh, yes, please.
Come with me, Royce.
That's superb!
Awesome!
New items, huh?
Once the paint dries,
let's hang them in the kids' room.
- Whoa!
- Wow!
Batman is for Ryan
and rabbit for Emma, okay?
Okay.
- Bye.
- Bye.
[Suspenseful music swells]
[Doorbell rings]
- Royce Thomas?
- Yes.
I am Kuttikanam SHO Suresh Rajan.
And he is...
Good morning, doctor.
I'm David Koshy.
Assistant Commissioner, Theni.
Good morning.
Do you know this person?
Yes, sir. She is my wife.
[Dramatic music plays]
Is this your own house?
No, we're tenants here.
How many years have you been here for?
Around 5-6 years.
Five, or six?
Five.
Can you please call your wife?
What's the matter, sir?
Will you call her
only if you know what the matter is?
I am David Koshy.
Assistant Commissioner, Theni.
Aren't you the one in this photo?
Yes, it's me.
Where is this place?
You're the one
who should be telling us that, madam.
Do you know anybody
who studies at Marian college?
No.
Then who are you waiting for
in front of the Marian College hostel?
Me?!
Sir just showed you
the photo of you standing there.
Suresh!
What happened to your face?
She slipped and fell.
Do you know this girl?
I've seen her somewhere.
I'm unable to recollect.
She's been missing for several days now.
Where did you last see her?
I'm talking to you, madam.
Sir, please.
Can you please come with me for a moment?
Copy the CCTV visuals, Suresh.
Sir.
She has been a patient of Dr. Manu Philip,
the psychiatrist in Kottayam,
for the past 8 years.
No matter how much you ask,
she'll keep saying things like that.
Sorry, doctor.
The missing girl is the daughter of
Karthikeyan, TMK district president of Theni.
It's a high-profile case.
So, we are under pressure.
Could you please bring your wife
to the police club tomorrow?
Nothing much. We'll just have a chat.
Okay.
I've copied the visuals, sir.
Okay.
- Alright then. Thank you, doctor.
- Okay.
Doctor, please bring your wife's
medical reports when you come tomorrow.
Sure.
Okay.
You please wait here.
Please come, madam.
Please sit.
I am David Koshy.
Were you able to recollect why you
were in front of the college hostel?
[Motorcycle engine growls]
Oh, sorry.
Please have coffee.
Do you remember this girl?
What I remember is
a woman talking to this girl
in front of the hostel.
Who?
When?
Sir...
I guess the woman who was with that girl...
was Rema.
[Suspenseful score grows louder]
It's Rema, sir.
Who is Rema?
She's been my house help for a while.
My dear Reethu...
Given your memory issues,
how could you mention Rema's name?
She's your only support,
and yet you reported her to the police?
How do you know Chhaya?
Do you even realise what you're doing?
I've told you countless times
not to say things you're not sure about.
Don't you know that you're unwell?
Listen, doctor.
This is the police club, not your home.
Suresh Rajan sir?
That's me.
You wait here.
Rema, come.
My husband's cousin's wedding was
on the day you mentioned.
We left to Thrissur
on the previous day itself.
If you don't trust my words,
my husband is waiting outside.
You may ask him.
Why did you run away
when you saw us yesterday?
I'm scared of cops, sir.
Rema and my mother are not on good terms.
She initially refused
to go for the wedding.
She later agreed after I brought her
a bangle that I had pawned.
It was my aunt Mangala's daughter
Ambili's wedding, at Mala.
What was your job before this?
I've been a driver.
You may go now, Biju.
After that accident,
her memories and behaviour are
a bit messed up.
Rema joined us as a help for Reethu.
Around four years ago.
She can recognise
Rema, Biju, and a few others
without much struggle.
She forgets people she doesn't see often.
And when she's unable to
recollect something,
she would fabricate answers
that satisfies her.
As far as I know,
her mentioning Rema
could be one of those cases.
Did a thief break into your house?
We saw the CCTV visuals.
Yes.
Why didn't you complain to the police then?
Nothing was stolen.
So, we didn't complain.
Doctor...
I already told you.
We're facing intense political pressure
over this missing case.
The only lead we have
is the CCTV footage
of your wife following Chhaya.
Not just that.
We are convinced by your wife's statement.
We shouldn't be overlooking
any possibilities.
You feel so because you don't know
much about her health condition.
In that case, shall we do this?
Shall we bring in somebody
who knows well about her condition,
perhaps a criminologist,
to interrogate your wife?
Okay.
Is it gonna be today itself, sir?
Let's do it tomorrow.
You both should be here at 10 AM tomorrow.
We let you go this time
only because your wife was worried
about the kids coming back from school.
Thank you, sir.
Sir.
I want to tell you one more thing.
We...
We don't have kids.
It's just her hallucination.
Hello?
Hello, Vidya.
[In Tamil] How are you?
Did you have food?
What happened?
Why do you sound dull?
Nothing.
I am okay.
It is evident from your voice.
Just tell me what it is.
No, Vidya. It's about the case.
It's been four days.
Couldn't find any leads till now.
We're under immense pressure.
My mind is also not working.
Full confusion.
Did you smoke?
No, Vidya. I swear.
Okay, okay.
Go have a smoke then.
Everything will be alright.
You're joking, right?
You're so upset that
you'll feel that way.
Hang up then.
Let me go have a smoke.
Good night.
Good night, Vidya.
You got a smoke?
I mean, a cigarette?
Yeah.
- Here you go, sir.
- Thank you.
Who do you have in your family?
My wife and a daughter, sir.
- What does your daughter do?
- She's doing her graduation.
She must be 17-18 years old, isn't it?
Can you get a list of girls
who visited Kerala,
or say this area as tourists
and went missing?
Sure, sir.
I'll need some time for that.
Around two and a half lacs of tourists
visited this place
during the last Deepavali.
Do you know Meera Yashodhara,
who runs 'Happy Health Centre'
at Kuttikanam?
Yes, sir.
Isn't she a criminal psychologist?
You're right.
We need to call her.
She has helped me in a case before.
After her mother's death,
she moved to Kuttikanam with her father
and takes care of their estate now.
Please call her once.
Sure, sir.
Meera?
Coming.
Are you late, dear?
It's alright. I've informed Lakshmi.
Something seems missing.
Really? I too felt so.
You didn't splutter mustard.
Oops! I forgot!!
If you can grant me five minutes,
I'll get it ready.
Don't forget your pills like this.
One day, I got a leg injury
at the orphanage,
and went to the hospital.
I met Royce there.
When Royce met mother,
the orphanage in-charge,
and expressed his interest
in marrying me,
she too agreed.
From Rema and Royce's discussion,
I got to know that
I painted something new this time,
after quite long.
Seeing my painting of the sunflower,
Royce appreciated me.
Chhaya Karthikeyan went missing
on November 11th.
We couldn't find any recordings about her
before or after that day.
Perhaps I didn't record those events.
But you said you knew Chhaya.
Not just that. In the CCTV visuals,
you were seen around her hostel,
and following her.
I don't know.
Don't you make voice recordings every day?
No.
I don't do it every day.
Do you write a diary, Reethu?
I note down...
important things.
Are you able to recollect anything
about Chhaya?
The news about her missing case...
I remember seeing that on TV.
So, you made the sunflower painting
after that?
Is that linked to the missing case?
You have to tell us that.
I'm unable to recollect, sir.
Why do you paint only bougainvillea
every time?
I don't know why.
Why did you
go near that hostel several times?
Why did you go there?
Have I gone there several times?
To be precise, seven times.
It was during the seventh visit,
that you followed Chhaya.
It was here that
the world saw Chhaya Karthikeyan
for the last time.
Yes.
It's you, Reethu.
The same day when you said
you saw Chhaya and Rema talking.
Can you try to recollect it
once again, Reethu?
Anything you can think of?
Any specific smell or sound?
We are sure that it wasn't Rema.
Rema and Biju were on the way to Thrissur
to attend the cousin's wedding
on the next day.
This is the photo of them crossing
Paliyekkara toll plaza.
Okay, Reethu.
We'll see you later.
Take care.
[Intense music swells]
We ran off to this godforsaken hill
to escape from all the police trouble
back in town.
What should we do
if the same thing happens here?
Biju... that...
Rema...
You know about her condition, right?
I've never had
to step into a police station,
even for the trouble he's caused.
Do you have any idea
about the things they asked me?
Sir, she's really scared of madam.
Also, I'm afraid of the police.
You've got money and connections.
If something goes wrong, you'll get away,
but we'll be in trouble.
Please find somebody else for house help.
None of it will happen again, Biju.
Please think of it as
the result of a misunderstanding.
She's in a tough spot
since Rema isn't there with her.
She's sitting in the car
because she can't face Rema.
It's been three days
since I went to the hospital.
The decision is yours to make.
If something like this comes up again,
don't come back here seeking help.
[Uneasy music plays]
It's nice, isn't it?
It's very nice.
Where did you get this from?
I ordered it online.
I gave your house address for delivery.
I also want to buy something online.
A new bracelet?
Where is my bracelet?
It's gone missing.
We searched a lot that day
but couldn't find it.
Did you lose it at the hospital
when you went there?
We haven't looked for it in the car yet.
Car...
Didn't sir take the pickup truck
to go to the farmhouse?
It's nowhere here.
Wasn't the car sent for service
after the hospital visit?
Do you remember?
What if it's lost there?
Shall we go there and check?
Call Biju.
In case if I forget, please remind me.
Also, let's not tell Royce
about the missing bracelet.
Got it. No matter what,
we'll find your bracelet!
Madam, please...
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Can I help you?
Well...
There's something...
Okay.
Last week,
when her car was here for service,
there was a bracelet in it.
It's missing now.
Can you ask your staff
if they found a bracelet?
There's no chance of that, ma'am!
There's definitely a chance!
That's why we're here.
Ask the guys who serviced the car!
Then you'll get a clear picture.
Lower your voice, Biju.
Can't they just check it?
Can you tell me the date
when the car was brought here?
It was last week.
I can't remember the exact date.
That's okay. Just give me the car number.
KL 5AZ 6842
Yeah.
Owner, Royce Thomas...
Yes.
This car hasn't been here
for service this month, ma'am.
It was brought here
for routine service four months ago.
Shall we go?
Thank you.
New headaches keep popping up!
On night duty today?
I've been on night duty
today, yesterday, and every day.
With all the snow and cold,
I'm fed up!
Leave it.
Didn't Dr Royce and his wife come here
for an emergency the other day?
It was last week, right?
- Yeah, last week.
- What's the issue?
Her bracelet might have fallen
somewhere around here.
Did you get it?
Why are you asking me?
You should ask her, not me!
She's the one who drove the car that day.
She can't drive a car.
What? She can't drive?!
She's an excellent driver.
I was the one who sent her
to the casualty that day!
You might be mixing things up
since you were drunk!
I was neither drunk nor mixing things up!
If you have any doubts, come with me,
and I'll show you.
- What?
- Who drove the car that day! Come.
- Rewind it!
- Come on, rewind.
- This one?
- Yeah.
Rema...
do I know how to drive?
I'm also surprised.
Do you know how to drive?!
Fasten the seat belt.
- Where's Reethu?
- In the room.
Shall I take your leave then?
Reethu...
What happened?
Where did you take our car for service?
At our regular place,
the Indus Service Centre.
The car hasn't gone there.
Why are you lying to me, Royce?
I wasn't lying.
I didn't take the car there
because it had blood stains.
I gave it to a local workshop nearby.
Can I drive a car?
What?
Tell me! Do I know how to drive a car?
- Yeah, you do.
- How?
How do I know to drive a car?!
Don't shout, Reethu.
Yes, you know driving.
I taught you how to drive.
What is the problem now?
I went to the hospital
looking for the bracelet you gave me.
I saw the CCTV footage of
me driving the car that night.
What happened to us that night?
Tell me, Royce!
What the hell happened that night?!
When I opened my eyes,
I saw you unconscious on the bed.
I didn't know what to do,
so I grabbed the bedside lamp and hit him.
See, this is a new lamp.
Maybe you don't remember.
After I hit him, he ran away,
and we followed him in the car.
He ran and jumped off a bridge.
Then I started feeling dizzy.
So you took over driving,
and we went to the hospital.
That's what happened that night.
I've even told you all this
a couple of times before,
but you keep forgetting.
Royce...
sorry!
I'm sorry, Royce.
It's alright.
Do you remember seeing Chhaya Karthikeyan?
Yes, I do.
Did you see her in front of the hostel?
Yes, that's what I remember.
But you said it was your maid Rema
who saw her?
That...
Maybe she was with me that day.
Look, Reethu,
it's hard to swallow what you're saying.
First, you said that
Chhaya Karthikeyan seemed familiar.
Then you said it was Rema who saw her.
After that, you said you saw her on TV.
Now you're saying you saw her
and that Rema was with you.
I suspect that you are
deliberately trying to mislead us.
Suresh!
Ask her to leave, and call her husband.
Sir.
Madam...
Please come.
Come, doctor.
Reethu is hiding something, Royce.
She can only hide things
if she remembers them.
That's not the case.
There's some connection between
Reethu and Chhaya.
May be, she might have seen
Chhaya somewhere.
She might have even spoken to her casually.
After I leave for the hospital,
Reethu often goes out with Rema.
They shop and run errands
along College Road and all.
Maybe she has met Chhaya
somewhere around there.
Also, it can be none of these.
It might just be confusion she created
after seeing Chhaya on the news.
Listen, doctor...
Reethu knows what happened to Chhaya.
We are quite sure of that.
Ma'am...
Can you get me the laundry from your room?
Please take the kids' clothes
and bed sheets as well.
I'll come in a minute.
Did you take all the clothes?
Take that, please.
'ROYCE CHASED AWAY THE THIEF
WHO BROKE INTO THE HOUSE.'
[Loud crash]
'I KNOW CHHAYA KARTHIKEYAN.'
[Music grows intense]
[Doorbell rings]
- Isn't Reethu home?
- Yes. Shall I call her?
No need. Isn't that her room?
Hello?
Hi. You didn't go to work today, doctor?
No.
Where's Reethu?
In her room. She must be painting.
Why does this room have a name?
It's not just this room,
Reethu has named every room here.
She's quite creative
when she's in a good mood.
- Shall I call her?
- No.
She might have forgotten meeting you guys.
We can't predict how she might react.
I am David Koshy.
Assistant Commissioner, Theni.
I wanted some information from Reethu.
Have you ever seen the man in this photo?
Don't just rant about
whatever comes to your mind
Think well and tell us.
No, sir. I don't know him.
Who is he?
He was a notorious criminal
around Kambam-Theni area.
He's dead now.
Also,
did your bracelet go missing?
Bracelet?
This one.
But I have my bracelet here.
Why did you ask so?
Oh. Nothing.
[School bus honks]
The kids are here.
Please wait. I'll be back in a moment.
Is this a daily routine?
Yes.
Reethu lives in her own world.
Only she knows what she sees.
We went through two miscarriages.
She started getting such hallucinations
after that.
Doctor...
what's the deal with that bracelet?
The guy you showed us earlier
was the one who broke into our house.
But we thought nothing was stolen.
Reethu's bracelet went missing that day.
It was my gift to her
for our first wedding anniversary.
When I saw her searching for it
and getting panicked,
I bought her a replica.
Now she is fine.
I forgot to ask you something last time.
After the thief left,
you both took the car and left.
Where did you go?
We were slightly injured that day.
So, we went to the hospital.
Okay.
[Water running in the shower]
[Music grows tense]
Oh, no! You could've called me.
I have a slight headache.
I thought I'd have a cup of coffee.
Let me make it for you.
Rema...
can you please call this person?
Ma'am, is everything okay?
No issues, I hope?
Yes, yes. Everything is okay.
It was a theft attempt.
He fled when he saw Royce.
[Reethu coughing]
Did you slip in the bathtub again?
Yes, Royce...
Why do you always fill up the tub, huh?
It's okay. Let me pat your hair dry.
Okay now?
Sir.
I already told you about
Reethu's situation.
Why do you want to bother her again
for the same thing?
Look, doctor.
We're not intentionally bothering
your wife.
It's not just one girl who's missing.
This investigation is about
multiple missing girls.
Yet, we don't treat you
or your wife harshly
out of consideration for her.
Please, doctor. Please call her.
Here are the other two girls
who went missing, like Chhaya Karthikeyan.
Trishika,
Jennifer.
Trishika has been missing
since August 19th,
and Jennifer has been missing
since September 28th.
Have you met these girls, Reethu?
No.
Don't you remember anything about
meeting them?
No.
Please wait outside, Reethu.
When Reethu's condition gets severe,
you take her somewhere
for treatment, right?
To Dr Manu Philip, I guess?
Where is that facility?
[Dramatic music builds]
Some elderly men with memory issues
reside in this home.
Along with their treatment,
Father Francis suggested to help with
the treatment of people
with psychiatric issues around this area.
I liked the idea.
The Cardinal was quite supportive as well.
That's how this facility was started.
Reethu stays in this room
whenever she comes here.
They come here almost every month.
Is there a history of Reethu
getting violent while being here?
No.
She'd mostly be under sedation from pills.
And when she is not,
she'd be reading or painting.
So, where are her paintings?
Paintings...
Must be somewhere around here.
Or they might've taken them along.
[Eerie music plays]
Have you seen any of these girls here?
No. I haven't seen any of them here.
Never?
Apart from seeing them on news,
I have never met them in person.
Is there a chance that
Reethu might have met any of them?
I don't know that.
Do you use hypnosis on Reethu, doctor?
Only when the situation is
extremely severe.
Do you take Reethu
or any other patients out?
I sometimes take them on a stroll.
Just to talk to them and stuff like that.
Shall we leave then?
- Thank you, doctor.
- Thank you.
Okay.
[Suspenseful music builds]
What's wrong, ma'am?
I feel somebody is following me, Rema.
No, you're just imagining it.
[Suspenseful score grows louder]
Why did you want to meet me?
I would like to try
a psychological analysis on Reethu.
I mean, an EMDR therapy.
Reethu knows something about
the missing girls.
Her health condition is a bit weak.
I know.
But I don't have a choice.
Moreover no dead bodies,
no clues, no ransom calls.
The police are completely confused
about what to do.
Anything that could save those girls
would be of great help.
Trust me. I'm on your side.
Please be careful about
one particular thing.
Please don't tell her that we have no kids.
It's that belief that keeps her alive.
So, let's start?
What are we gonna do?
Eye movement desensitization
and reprocessing therapy.
Don't get nervous, Reethu.
It's a method to bring out memories
stuck in your subconscious mind.
Why don't you just hypnotize me then?
If I do so, all I'll get is
your constructed memories.
Can you please take your spectacles off?
Think about something that makes you happy.
Keep looking at this moving light
until your mind calms down.
I will ask you some questions in between.
Just answer them.
Simple.
[Sounds of kids]
What do you feel
when you hear the name Chhaya Karthikeyan?
[Dramatic music plays]
Trishika?
[Dramatic music continues]
Jennifer?
[Dramatic music grows]
[Loud splash on hitting the water]
I think she is in a mind palace.
Do you know the pond she mentioned about?
I'm not aware of such a pond.
It could be a pond from her childhood.
We need to take Reethu to the places
from where the girls went absconding.
Let's see if she recollects anything
from those places.
She knows something.
When I ask about each of those girls,
Reethu gets quite perturbed.
And that's not natural.
Alright. Let's do that.
CCTV footage shows
Trishika leaving from here.
But nobody knows where she went after that.
Have you been to this place, Reethu?
No.
Jennifer was last spotted here.
I am Meera Yashodhara, the criminologist.
Madam?
Do you know them?
Yes, madam.
They said some resort folks buy
their paintings.
Which resort is that?
Who comes and buys the paintings?
Madam, actually...
it's not the resort folks
who buy her paintings.
It's a doctor who buys her paintings.
He pays me
around 1000 rupees per painting.
Is something wrong, madam?
Reethu.
Where could Dr Royce be, now?
Hi.
Hello, doctor.
What's your deal with the art gallery guy?
He pays 3000 rupees for Reethu's paintings.
I pay him 4000 rupees in advance.
A deal of 1000 rupees.
Can I see Reethu's paintings?
Is this your own property?
My grandfather,
Madathani Puthenparambil Devassia,
bequeathed this property to me.
A child's hero is often their father.
But for me, it was my grandfather.
Do you stay here at night?
No.
You know Reethu's situation, don't you?
Can I get you a drink?
No, thanks. I have to drive back.
Yeah.
Isn't this the bougainvillea
from Reethu's paintings?
Could be.
She's got this fixation with Bougainvillea.
During the early days of our marriage,
we used to come here often.
Now it's all reduced to paintings only.
[Scary growl]
What's that noise?
Do you have pigs here?
Not just pigs,
we have got goats, chicken,
and all of them.
Alright then. I'll see you.
[Music intensifies with tension]
'I HANDED OVER THE BATMAN LOGO, THE RABBIQUOTE, AND THE SUNFLOWER PAINTING TO MEERA.'
'DECEMBER 6 - MEERA CAME OVER. SHE'LL COME
TOMORROW TO TAKE ME TO THE FARMHOUSE.'
'MEERA SAID THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY KIDS.'
[Suspenseful music builds]
'I HANDED OVER THE BATMAN LOGO, THE RABBIQUOTE, AND THE SUNFLOWER PAINTING TO MEERA.'
'DECEMBER 6 - MEERA CAME OVER. SHE'LL COME
TOMORROW TO TAKE ME TO THE FARMHOUSE.'
[Strange, laboured grunts]
[Gags and retches]
[Water running from the tap]
[Laboured breaths and water thrashing]
Automated voice message: The number
you are calling is out of network...
The number you are calling
is out of network...
[Footsteps drawing nearer]
Royce...
why are you here?
Just like that.
What are you looking for, Royce?
Nothing.
Once the kids grow up,
shouldn't we move them to separate rooms?
Yeah.
A few things are
missing from our house, Reethu.
Really?
Missing?!
What's gone missing?
Yeah.
The drawings you left in the kid's room-
the white rabbit
and the Batman logo-
are missing.
Meera took both of them.
Aha!
Why does she need them?
Ah! Whatever!
Go and take a quick shower.
Then let's have food.
Okay?
Come.
[Dramatic music builds]
[Doorbell rings]
- Good morning, doctor.
- Good morning.
Suresh, check the CCTV visuals.
Sir.
Good morning, Reethu.
I'm David Koshy,
the assistant commissioner of Theni.
I know.
When was the last time you saw Meera?
I think it was the last day.
When was that?
In the afternoon.
In... the evening.
Do you remember what Meera said to you?
No, I can't remember.
Reethu said she tried calling Meera
but couldn't get through.
What's the matter, sir?
Meera is missing.
According to Meera's father,
they heard a car's honking
last evening,
and Meera went outside right then.
Nobody has seen her after that.
Sir.
Yes, Suresh?
[Suspenseful music plays]
Are you sure
Meera didn't tell you anything?
I don't remember, sir.
What was in Meera's hands
when she left from here?
I guess it's one of my paintings.
So you came home after Meera left, doctor?
Yes, sir.
Where did you both go at night?
We went out for dinner.
Where?
Open Kitchen restaurant in Kuttikkanam.
Did you copy
all of these footage, Suresh?
Sir.
Come.
- Okay, doctor. Will call you.
- Okay.
Why hasn't Rema come yet?
I took a day-off because
someone is supposed to come by
to collect the black pepper.
Rema will be here soon.
You can go, Royce.
I can manage here alone.
Hey, no.
Hey, I am alright.
You can go without any worry.
She will be here soon.
It's alright. I'll wait till she comes.
[Sound of vehicle approaching]
I think she's here.
[Sound of car driving away]
[Dramatic, suspenseful music plays]
[Dogs barking]
Bella...
Stay.
Good.
[Music grows tense]
Come inside, girl.
Who did you ask before entering this place?
Kick him out and lock the gates.
S... son...
[Door opens with a creak]
Who's that?
[Bicycle bell chimes]
- Does it hurt?
- Yeah.
It will be fine.
I warned you
not to come over here, didn't I?
Get up, you! Come!
I've told you several times,
but you don't get it!
Is your wound better now?
Yeah.
All of this is yours.
Just don't be like your father.
[Ritualistic howls]
[Loud gunshot]
We have cleaned a golden lamp,
Filled it with oil, and lit it up
The lamp at the decorated holy tent,
I pray before you
Please let me go!
Why are you crying?
I said let go of me!
Please, no!
- Come here!
- No! No!
Lord Ram has arrived,
Sitting on Hanuman's shoulder
Please, no!
Lord Ram has arrived,
Sitting on Hanuman's shoulder
On a day at the beginning of time,
Lord Shiva adorned with the moon
On a day at the beginning of time,
Lord Shiva adorned with the moon
Let go of me!
On a day at the beginning of time,
Lord Shiva adorned with the moon
Come here, you!
When the clock struck midnight
Just take her away from here!
When the clock struck midnight
When the clock struck midnight
After wandering through
the earth and sky, so bemused
After wandering through
the earth and sky, so bemused
Hey!
Go to the junction and collect the rent.
While the beautiful maiden laid still
While the beautiful maiden laid still
in a deep slumber
While the beautiful maiden laid still
in a deep slumber
He approached the door and requested
He approached the door and requested
Please open the door gently
Please open the door gently
Please open the door gently
Please open the door gently
Who is it now,
So restless at this midnight hour
Who is it now,
So restless at this midnight hour
Waiting at the door of
The supreme lord?
Waiting at the door of
The supreme lord?
What makes you call
me out so fearlessly?
What makes you call
me out so fearlessly?
Speak without fear,
And I shallopenthedoor
Speak without fear,
And I shallopenthedoor
Speak without fear,
And I shallopenthedoor
Speak without fear,
And I shallopenthedoor
[Suspenseful music intensifies]
[Loud scream]
What happened?
What's wrong?
Wasn't it yesterday evening
that Meera came here?
I don't know.
I left home early yesterday evening.
Really?
Biju came to pick me up early,
so I asked sir to come back early
from the farmhouse.
Try to remember, ma'am.
When sir came and I asked if I can leave,
you gave me permission.
Whenever I try to remember,
it feels like I'm drowning deeper.
You record your daily activities
on the phone, right?
I can't find any of my voice recordings.
The photos I click are also missing.
Don't be so upset.
If you want to know what's happening here,
just check the CCTV footage.
How can we check it?
Do you remember the girl
who came to install it here?
Her name was... Mala Kurian.
Not Mala Kurian,
It's Amala Kurian!
[Dramatic, suspenseful music plays]
I wrote down everything Meera told me
and kept the notes under the mattress.
It was here in the morning, I saw it.
When did Royce come back yesterday?
Meera ma'am came here after we left,
so sir probably came after her.
[Suspenseful music plays]
[Music intensifies]
Where is Royce now?
Sir took the truck and left,
so he must be at the farmhouse.
Ask Biju to come here.
Stop the car, Biju.
What happened?
Reverse the car.
That is Meera's house.
Let me go and check.
[Dogs barking]
[Eerie, unfamiliar sounds]
Ma'am...
Meera madam's dad said that
she heard a car honking
and went to check it.
[Suspenseful music]
[Sound of vehicle approaching]
[Dogs barking]
[Barking continues]
Royce?
Royce?
- Royce!
- What happened?
Meera is nowhere!
They say she's missing.
Where could she go?
You both go sit inside.
Sit.
Come inside.
Be seated.
I'll meet Biju and be right back.
[Locks the door]
[Dark, foreboding music plays]
[Desperate screams and sobs]
[Tense, ominous music builds]
[Door glass shatters]
[Suspenseful music builds]
Rema, go!
Escape!
[Retches and coughs]
Do you recognise me?
Royce...
Your Royce.
Let's...
go sit inside.
It's too chilly outside.
[Door creaks open]
Sit.
You okay?
Lie down.
Say prayers and go to sleep.
[Whimpering]
[Dogs barking]
[Uneasy, sinister music swells]
I hope she's doing activities
such as stitching,
music, chess or similar things
to enhance her brain activity.
She's only showing interest in painting.
If that's what she likes, let her do it.
It's also a right-brain activity.
Just ensure that
there are no more drowning accidents
as the shock and trauma
could impact her memory.
[Crying loudly]
[Heavy, ominous music]
[Music grows louder and intense]
Damn her painting!
Why do you keep remembering that room?
[Gasping for breath]
[Coughs]
Did you slip in the tub again?
[Suspenseful, eerie music plays]
[Music intensifies]
Hi, I am Trishika.
Could you please drop me
at the next bus stop?
[Phone clatters to the ground]
[Dramatic music swells]
Looks like
that girl is all alone on the road.
You want us to drop you somewhere?
We're headed that way.
[Electric saw whirring]
[Dogs barking]
[Pigs squealing and snorting]
Why are you here at this odd hour, Reethu?
Come, Meera.
[Gate creaks open]
[Dogs barking]
[Folk song playing in the background]
[Dramatic, suspenseful music plays]
[Dogs barking]
[Whistles]
[Music continues]
[Gun fires]
[Gun fires again]
[Water splashing]
[Dog growling]
Bella!
Bella, no!
Stay!
[Gun fires]
I thought
I wouldn't let you see any of this.
Anyway, you'll forget all of it tomorrow.
Sit there.
But it's fun to know that
you'll never really recover
from the trauma of seeing all this.
Take it and inject it into yourself.
Just do what I said, Reethu!
Take it, you scum!
Inject it into yourself.
Come on!
I said do it!
[Dramatic music swells]
Reethu... run!
Call the police!
Number?
Dial 100.
Reethu...
What are you doing?
Reethu, shoot him!
She is insane!
She's a psycho!
She...
she came to kill me and our kids.
What I said is true, Reethu.
You don't have any kids.
Have you ever seen a kids' room
this organised and tidy anywhere?
MEERA SAID THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY KIDS.'
Reethu!
[Tension builds]
I don't have any kids, Royce!
[Gun fires]
This is all it takes, ma'am.
[Dogs barking loudly]
[Slow, emotional music fade in]
MEERA:When I visited Royce's farmhouse
and looked around,
I had some suspicions.
I sensed that between the rooms,
the bougainvillea outside the window,
Reethu's paintings,
and the missing girls,
there was some strange connection.
There was also something strange
about Royce's behaviour.
I was just about to call you
to suggest searching the farmhouse
when I heard the car honking
and went outside.
What happened, dear?
I didn't expect Reethu there at that hour.
I'll be right back.
Reethu is the one who solved this case.
Sorry, Meera.
We were really incompetent.
Sorry again.
I never once doubted Royce.
We were focusing on
your memory and hallucinations.
And we kept thinking
he was trying to save you.
He was too convincing as a doctor...
and as a...
husband.
Perhaps that accident happened
when Reethu tried to escape from him.
Or perhaps, that accident might have
happened for real.
We have recovered the accessories
of the 13 victims he kept as trophies.
Among the 13 girls he abducted,
Reethu is the sole survivor
whom he didn't kill.
That might be because
he saw your memory loss
as an advantage for himself.
You were the bait for all the abductions.
You were the bait he used
to trap his victims.
He figured that
if he dunked you in the bathtub,
you'd never get your memory back.
You must have spent
a lot of time at his farmhouse.
That's probably why
you could only draw bougainvillea.
Royce manifested a fake world around you
with everyone involved.
Rema, Biju,
Dr Manu Philip, and everyone else
believed his lies
and parroted his words.
In reality, your name isn't Reethu.
You are Esther.
Esther Emmanuel.
[Sobbing]
Okay, Suresh. See you.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you.
[Engine revs]
DAVID KOSHY:
Royce was never a usual suspect.
The greatest trick
the devil ever pulled was
convincing the world he didn't exist.
[Footsteps approaching]
This is the person I mentioned.
Oh.
Hello,
Esther Emmanuel.
Hello bard!
I pray your memory withers!
Say your prayers and go to bed.
[Upbeat music plays]
You flow through my veins
You are omnipresent
You are the wind, the shade
You are the burning wound within me
You are my right and my wrong
My dream, my fable
It's all nothing but you
When you engulf my body and soul
I gasp for breath, I tremble
Your words and your gaze
slowly drain the life from me
I melt away
I'm weary-what can
I offer in return?
To slay you with love
Let me fire a bullet
from the gun that is my lips. Amen!
A memory to last you till death
A memory to last you till death
Praise be to the Lord
who created this world
Praise be to the Lord who created love
The one who keeps bougainvillea flowers
and my memories alive within you
Praise be to that Lord
Praise be to the Lord
who created this world
Praise be to the Lord who created love
The one who fashioned serene forests,
green meadows, pristine skies, and you,
Praise be to that Lord
When you engulf my body and soul
I gasp for breath, I tremble
Your words and your gaze
slowly drain the life from me
I melt away
I'm weary-what can I offer in return?
To slay you with love
Let me fire a bullet
from the gun that is my lips. Amen!
A memory to last you till death
A memory to last you till death
A memory to last you till death
appears on the blue-lit sky
It showers us with love
and make us yearn
May there be a lover,
a paramour
Who can quench the
desires of the heart
When the crescent moon
appears on the blue-lit sky
It showers us with love
and make us yearn
[Horn blaring loudly]
[Shattering crash reverberates]
[Metal crunching and glass shattering]
Ryan, you woke up late today again!
If you don't wake up on time tomorrow,
you'll be in trouble!
Nah, Mama.
I woke up only five minutes late today.
It was Emma who made us late.
Ryan, I'm gonna smack you!
Don't blame me, okay?
Emma, we're gonna miss the bus, dear!
Aren't you a good girl?
Even Papa isn't here to drop you
if you miss the bus.
Oh no! I forgot to say
'good morning' to Papa!
It's okay. We'll call him tonight
and say 'good night.'
Come on, honey!
Bye. Bye.
- Bye, Mommy.
- Bye.
[Engine revs as school bus pulls away]
[Repeated bell honking]
Ryan, I'm gonna smack you!
Don't blame me, okay?
Oh no! I forgot to say
'good morning' to Papa!
[Foreboding music plays]
Rema!
Rema!
Yes, ma'am?
Where are the kids?
Have they left for school?
Yeah, they did.
Give it to me.
Who sent them off? You or me?
It was you.
They left ten minutes ago.
I see!
Freshen up and come.
Gotta eat breakfast, right?
"ROOTS - REETHU, THIS IS ABOUT YOUR
ORIGINS. READ IT AND KEEP IT BACK."
"NAME: REETHU, HUSBAND: DR ROYCE THOMAS
KIDS: EMMA AND RYAN, IN-LAWS: NONE"
"YOUR MEMORY ISSUES ARE FROM 'RETROGRADE
AMNESIA' DUE TO OUR CAR ACCIDENT."
[Shattering crash reverberates]
[tyres screeching]
O oblivion, speak to me
Will the dragonflies of my
sorrow-laden memories
Find rest upon
the petals of bougainvillea?
O wounds, answer me
Will the flames gleaming in moonlight
sever themselves from their shadows?
I search for my name
in the petals of these flowers
The world transforms into
a scripture unknown
The silhouette crumbles,
dissolving into nothingness
As the pages turn to another realm,
the lines grow cryptic
Fallen leaves consume these pathways
Ashes obscure the fading footsteps
Time escapes without a whisper
As the rain subsides,
leaves glow in streams of sunlight
O oblivion, speak to me
Will the dragonflies of
my sorrow-laden memories
Find rest upon
the petals of bougainvillea?
O wounds, answer me
Will the flames gleaming in moonlight
Sever themselves from their shadows?
ROYCE: Every day,
when I leave for the hospital,
she watches me from the gate.
If she doesn't recognise me when I return,
we'll know she has lost her memory.
And then it takes her a couple of days
to get back to normal.
Everything will be alright, sir.
I wish so.
We were just recovering from
my parents' death,
and then this accident happened,
leading to Reethu's present condition.
Don't let it get you down, sir.
They say 'hope for the best, ' right?
How long have you been here?
It's been 3-4 years now.
Is this your first posting, doctor?
Nope. I was at
Kottayam St. Mary's Hospital earlier.
Compared to that place,
it's a bit too boring here.
Well, if you're free tomorrow,
shall we meet at Kottayam IMA?
Sorry, no. Sunday is the only day
I get to visit our farmhouse.
Gotta fetch
some fruits and vegetables from there.
Since they're pesticide-free,
they spoil quickly.
So, you and ma'am go there in the morning?
No, Reethu usually doesn't come with me.
I go by myself.
By the time she returns home
after the second Holy Mass,
our maid will be there.
I usually leave shortly after.
That's my resort...
and my only weekend relief.
I don't want an injection!
Oh-no! Who's crying?
She's not letting me give her an injection.
- What happened, dear?
- No.
Don't want an injection?
Okay.
Give it to me.
Let's keep all this aside.
Please move, nurse.
Here you go!
- What's your name, honey?
- Alankrita.
Alankrita?
Such a dashing name!
Can I check if you have a fever?
Please breathe in.
Once again.
Okay.
You don't have a fever.
And yet you were trying to
give her an injection?
Let's do this.
See that tiger?
Shall we make it bite the nurse?
Come on. Take the tiger along.
- But I'm innocent! I didn't do anything!
- No, you're not innocent!
Or better,
shall we get the mama cow to bite her?
Get the mama cow.
Don't want either?
Okay. Done. That's all!
Give me a hi-five.
That's more like it!
- Do we have many outpatients today?
- No, sir. Only 5-6 patients.
Six...
Hopefully, I'll be able to leave
by 2 PM, I guess?
How is madam doing, doctor?
Can't really say she's doing okay.
But she's happy when I'm around.
Sometimes I think about
quitting this job
so I can always be with her.
Shall I call the patients in then?
Are you sure she had no memory issues
before the accident?
Yes. I am sure.
But why do you ask so?
Reethu is showing symptoms of amnesia.
She's showing symptoms of
both 'Retrograde' and
'Anterograde' amnesia.
I can't say there's nothing to worry about.
Not just that.
Reethu may even need life-long care.
Are you not ready yet?
We gotta go, don't we?
Didn't you apply 'Kohl'?
Let me help you with that.
If I don't help you with these things,
sir is gonna scold me.
To be honest, you are really lucky.
Sir is incredibly caring.
Why don't you grow your hair?
Sir cuts it for you every time, right?
Let your hair grow to this length,
and then get a haircut at a salon.
It'll be so elegant.
Really?
You bet!
Biju is here. Let's go.
Why do you smoke like this, Biju?
Are you trying to kill yourself
with smoking?
I'd rather choose death than be with you.
- Good morning, ma'am.
- Good morning.
Oh! Madam is here!
I was planning to call you
if you hadn't come today.
I got a call from that resort
yesterday also.
You're paying us
just 3000 rupees this time as well?
Business is quite dull, madam.
What about the call from the resort then?
Ma'am, your paintings are really in demand.
But I feel like he's trying
to cheat us on the price.
He's offering just 3000 rupees.
No, he wouldn't do that.
You won't believe me,
but I can totally tell he's a con artist!
What are you thinking about?
Well, Rema...
I've been wondering
who's spending so much on my paintings.
[Suspenseful music plays]
[Dogs barking at a distance]
We got first-class cassava this year, sir.
It's all about the soil, Thambi.
Mary, how's your mom?
She's bedridden, sir. Quite unwell.
She used to be so active, sir.
They took her to
the miracle healing prayer,
and she ended up being sick.
She says she wants to go see her mom
next week.
But didn't you visit her last week?
But she's my mom, sir. I have to.
This is awesome.
Sir, it's made with
fresh green peppercorns.
- Can I pour you a drink?
- If you insist.
- Shall we go, Thambi?
- Yes, sir.
Dry the peppercorns in the sun, okay?
Sure, sir.
- See you next week.
- Okay.
Alright.
[Loud wailing]
[Crying intensifies]
[Calling bell rings]
It's been quite a while.
That's why I called you, sir.
Hold this.
Hey...
Reethu...
Come, get up.
What's wrong?
Royce...
No matter how much I try,
all I can draw is this damn bougainvillea.
I'm done with this.
I don't want to draw any more.
Is that it?
Get up.
Come.
Don't cry, okay?
It's alright.
Stop crying.
It's alright.
[Sombre music playing]
[Door shuts]
[Sound of water running from a hand shower]
Did you slip in the tub again?
I slipped and fell, Royce.
Come, let me dry your hair for you.
Why do you always keep the tub
filled with water?
How many times have I stopped you?
Are you okay now?
Here, take your pills.
Say your prayers and go tobed.
Neither of them have slept.
They're discussing
what they want to be, when they grow up.
Have they come to a conclusion yet?
Long odds!
They've even considered being a pilot.
Maybe they see you as their example.
Being a doctor isn't even on their list!
What's wrong with being a doctor?
There is nothing wrong with it, I swear!
Hmm?
Looks like you too have started
showing your age, okay?
Are you saying I'm old?
Then it's time to prove you wrong!
[Low, menacing growl]
What happened?
Did you have a nightmare?
I'm worried about you and our kids.
Isolated houses like this
are easy targets for thieves.
I heard about it in the news.
Oh, so that's the issue.
Let's do this then.
Let's install CCTV
and a security system here.
During the day,
it's just you and Rema here.
Don't be scared.
Sleep now.
Say your prayers and go tobed.
Both of you get ready fast.
Mommy, do I really have
to go to Sunday school today?
Of course, you have to.
They call Sunday a holiday,
but still make us attend classes!
Enough, get going.
Shouldn't we pick up the kids?
I'll get them
after their Sunday school classes.
Hurry up.
Why are you rushing, Royce?
Remember I told you the other day about
setting up the security system
and CCTV at home?
Did you forget?
They're coming today.
Rema is on leave today, after all.
Please come in.
Sir, I'm Amala Kurian.
I'm the sales manager.
Here's my card.
Get them something to drink.
Please come in.
I'll be right back.
[Ominous music builds]
[Stirring intensifies rapidly]
[Clamour of voices in the background]
[Ear-piercing shriek]
[Shriek continues]
Reethu...
It's okay.
Reethu.
Reethu, don't panic.
It's fine.
It's fine. Calm down.
Reethu!
Carry on with your work.
This is fine.
It's normal.
[Drill buzzing]
Sir, what happened to madam?
She got a bit scared
seeing so many of you at once.
She is okay now.
We too got frightened.
The CCTV installation is almost done now.
We can set up the security system
within the next couple of days.
Okay. Send me the invoice.
Sure, sir.
[Tense music plays]
This isn't that bad.
Still, better we dress the wound.
No need.
She'll get scared if she sees it.
That's why
I didn't dress it that day either.
Didn't you file a police complaint?
But the thief didn't steal
anything from us.
Then there's no point in filing a complaint
and inviting more trouble.
Huh?! That's cool.
How's madam now?
She was terrified.
Otherwise, she's fine.
Lately, I've noticed some changes in her.
As if she's trying to recall old memories.
Isn't that good?
Yes.
Royce...
Our car?
It needs a minor repair.
Gave it to the service centre.
What's wrong with it?
Nothing's wrong,
just gave it to get it serviced.
Ma'am, I'm off.
I've left the oats for sir in the fridge.
Okay.
Come.
Our car?
It needs a minor repair.
Gave it to the service centre.
What's wrong with it?
Just gave it to get it serviced.
[Bee buzzing]
'DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH
AFTER PAINTING'
'DON'T FORGET TO TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH
AFTER PAINTING'
Ma'am...
Did the kids come back from school?
No, it's still lunchtime.
Do you have a headache?
Let me get you a coffee.
[Song playing on TV]
[NEWS ON TV]
A complaint has been filed about
the missing daughter of Karthikeyan,
the prominent TMK political leader
from Theni.
Chhaya Karthikeyan,
a final-year BBA student
at Kuttikanam Marian College,
has gone missing.
A complaint has been filed about
the missing daughter of Karthikeyan,
the prominent TMK political leader
from Theni.
[Suspenseful music plays]
[Music intensifies]
What happened, ma'am?
What's wrong?
I've seen this girl they're talking about.
She's gone missing now, it seems!
I'm pretty sure I know this girl.
I've even talked to her.
Yeah, remember the other day
when we were at the market?
Didn't a policewoman show us
a photo of this girl?
And she asked us to report
if we saw the girl?
Did she ask me?!
Of course!
Have your coffee, then go take a shower.
Come, get up.
Come on.
[News report playing on TV]
And what did I say?
You said you didn't know the girl.
[News continues]
[In Tamil]Chhaya Karthikeyan, daughter of
Karthikeyan, the prominent leader from Theni,
has been reported missing.
She was pursuing a BBA at Marian College...
I know this girl!
But where did it go?
There's no place left to search now.
Really sad!
It was the bracelet Royce gave me!
'Can U come little early?'
You look happy today!
What's up?
- Did you have your lunch, Royce?
- Nope.
Can I give you a surprise before you eat?
Oh, yes, please.
Come with me, Royce.
That's superb!
Awesome!
New items, huh?
Once the paint dries,
let's hang them in the kids' room.
- Whoa!
- Wow!
Batman is for Ryan
and rabbit for Emma, okay?
Okay.
- Bye.
- Bye.
[Suspenseful music swells]
[Doorbell rings]
- Royce Thomas?
- Yes.
I am Kuttikanam SHO Suresh Rajan.
And he is...
Good morning, doctor.
I'm David Koshy.
Assistant Commissioner, Theni.
Good morning.
Do you know this person?
Yes, sir. She is my wife.
[Dramatic music plays]
Is this your own house?
No, we're tenants here.
How many years have you been here for?
Around 5-6 years.
Five, or six?
Five.
Can you please call your wife?
What's the matter, sir?
Will you call her
only if you know what the matter is?
I am David Koshy.
Assistant Commissioner, Theni.
Aren't you the one in this photo?
Yes, it's me.
Where is this place?
You're the one
who should be telling us that, madam.
Do you know anybody
who studies at Marian college?
No.
Then who are you waiting for
in front of the Marian College hostel?
Me?!
Sir just showed you
the photo of you standing there.
Suresh!
What happened to your face?
She slipped and fell.
Do you know this girl?
I've seen her somewhere.
I'm unable to recollect.
She's been missing for several days now.
Where did you last see her?
I'm talking to you, madam.
Sir, please.
Can you please come with me for a moment?
Copy the CCTV visuals, Suresh.
Sir.
She has been a patient of Dr. Manu Philip,
the psychiatrist in Kottayam,
for the past 8 years.
No matter how much you ask,
she'll keep saying things like that.
Sorry, doctor.
The missing girl is the daughter of
Karthikeyan, TMK district president of Theni.
It's a high-profile case.
So, we are under pressure.
Could you please bring your wife
to the police club tomorrow?
Nothing much. We'll just have a chat.
Okay.
I've copied the visuals, sir.
Okay.
- Alright then. Thank you, doctor.
- Okay.
Doctor, please bring your wife's
medical reports when you come tomorrow.
Sure.
Okay.
You please wait here.
Please come, madam.
Please sit.
I am David Koshy.
Were you able to recollect why you
were in front of the college hostel?
[Motorcycle engine growls]
Oh, sorry.
Please have coffee.
Do you remember this girl?
What I remember is
a woman talking to this girl
in front of the hostel.
Who?
When?
Sir...
I guess the woman who was with that girl...
was Rema.
[Suspenseful score grows louder]
It's Rema, sir.
Who is Rema?
She's been my house help for a while.
My dear Reethu...
Given your memory issues,
how could you mention Rema's name?
She's your only support,
and yet you reported her to the police?
How do you know Chhaya?
Do you even realise what you're doing?
I've told you countless times
not to say things you're not sure about.
Don't you know that you're unwell?
Listen, doctor.
This is the police club, not your home.
Suresh Rajan sir?
That's me.
You wait here.
Rema, come.
My husband's cousin's wedding was
on the day you mentioned.
We left to Thrissur
on the previous day itself.
If you don't trust my words,
my husband is waiting outside.
You may ask him.
Why did you run away
when you saw us yesterday?
I'm scared of cops, sir.
Rema and my mother are not on good terms.
She initially refused
to go for the wedding.
She later agreed after I brought her
a bangle that I had pawned.
It was my aunt Mangala's daughter
Ambili's wedding, at Mala.
What was your job before this?
I've been a driver.
You may go now, Biju.
After that accident,
her memories and behaviour are
a bit messed up.
Rema joined us as a help for Reethu.
Around four years ago.
She can recognise
Rema, Biju, and a few others
without much struggle.
She forgets people she doesn't see often.
And when she's unable to
recollect something,
she would fabricate answers
that satisfies her.
As far as I know,
her mentioning Rema
could be one of those cases.
Did a thief break into your house?
We saw the CCTV visuals.
Yes.
Why didn't you complain to the police then?
Nothing was stolen.
So, we didn't complain.
Doctor...
I already told you.
We're facing intense political pressure
over this missing case.
The only lead we have
is the CCTV footage
of your wife following Chhaya.
Not just that.
We are convinced by your wife's statement.
We shouldn't be overlooking
any possibilities.
You feel so because you don't know
much about her health condition.
In that case, shall we do this?
Shall we bring in somebody
who knows well about her condition,
perhaps a criminologist,
to interrogate your wife?
Okay.
Is it gonna be today itself, sir?
Let's do it tomorrow.
You both should be here at 10 AM tomorrow.
We let you go this time
only because your wife was worried
about the kids coming back from school.
Thank you, sir.
Sir.
I want to tell you one more thing.
We...
We don't have kids.
It's just her hallucination.
Hello?
Hello, Vidya.
[In Tamil] How are you?
Did you have food?
What happened?
Why do you sound dull?
Nothing.
I am okay.
It is evident from your voice.
Just tell me what it is.
No, Vidya. It's about the case.
It's been four days.
Couldn't find any leads till now.
We're under immense pressure.
My mind is also not working.
Full confusion.
Did you smoke?
No, Vidya. I swear.
Okay, okay.
Go have a smoke then.
Everything will be alright.
You're joking, right?
You're so upset that
you'll feel that way.
Hang up then.
Let me go have a smoke.
Good night.
Good night, Vidya.
You got a smoke?
I mean, a cigarette?
Yeah.
- Here you go, sir.
- Thank you.
Who do you have in your family?
My wife and a daughter, sir.
- What does your daughter do?
- She's doing her graduation.
She must be 17-18 years old, isn't it?
Can you get a list of girls
who visited Kerala,
or say this area as tourists
and went missing?
Sure, sir.
I'll need some time for that.
Around two and a half lacs of tourists
visited this place
during the last Deepavali.
Do you know Meera Yashodhara,
who runs 'Happy Health Centre'
at Kuttikanam?
Yes, sir.
Isn't she a criminal psychologist?
You're right.
We need to call her.
She has helped me in a case before.
After her mother's death,
she moved to Kuttikanam with her father
and takes care of their estate now.
Please call her once.
Sure, sir.
Meera?
Coming.
Are you late, dear?
It's alright. I've informed Lakshmi.
Something seems missing.
Really? I too felt so.
You didn't splutter mustard.
Oops! I forgot!!
If you can grant me five minutes,
I'll get it ready.
Don't forget your pills like this.
One day, I got a leg injury
at the orphanage,
and went to the hospital.
I met Royce there.
When Royce met mother,
the orphanage in-charge,
and expressed his interest
in marrying me,
she too agreed.
From Rema and Royce's discussion,
I got to know that
I painted something new this time,
after quite long.
Seeing my painting of the sunflower,
Royce appreciated me.
Chhaya Karthikeyan went missing
on November 11th.
We couldn't find any recordings about her
before or after that day.
Perhaps I didn't record those events.
But you said you knew Chhaya.
Not just that. In the CCTV visuals,
you were seen around her hostel,
and following her.
I don't know.
Don't you make voice recordings every day?
No.
I don't do it every day.
Do you write a diary, Reethu?
I note down...
important things.
Are you able to recollect anything
about Chhaya?
The news about her missing case...
I remember seeing that on TV.
So, you made the sunflower painting
after that?
Is that linked to the missing case?
You have to tell us that.
I'm unable to recollect, sir.
Why do you paint only bougainvillea
every time?
I don't know why.
Why did you
go near that hostel several times?
Why did you go there?
Have I gone there several times?
To be precise, seven times.
It was during the seventh visit,
that you followed Chhaya.
It was here that
the world saw Chhaya Karthikeyan
for the last time.
Yes.
It's you, Reethu.
The same day when you said
you saw Chhaya and Rema talking.
Can you try to recollect it
once again, Reethu?
Anything you can think of?
Any specific smell or sound?
We are sure that it wasn't Rema.
Rema and Biju were on the way to Thrissur
to attend the cousin's wedding
on the next day.
This is the photo of them crossing
Paliyekkara toll plaza.
Okay, Reethu.
We'll see you later.
Take care.
[Intense music swells]
We ran off to this godforsaken hill
to escape from all the police trouble
back in town.
What should we do
if the same thing happens here?
Biju... that...
Rema...
You know about her condition, right?
I've never had
to step into a police station,
even for the trouble he's caused.
Do you have any idea
about the things they asked me?
Sir, she's really scared of madam.
Also, I'm afraid of the police.
You've got money and connections.
If something goes wrong, you'll get away,
but we'll be in trouble.
Please find somebody else for house help.
None of it will happen again, Biju.
Please think of it as
the result of a misunderstanding.
She's in a tough spot
since Rema isn't there with her.
She's sitting in the car
because she can't face Rema.
It's been three days
since I went to the hospital.
The decision is yours to make.
If something like this comes up again,
don't come back here seeking help.
[Uneasy music plays]
It's nice, isn't it?
It's very nice.
Where did you get this from?
I ordered it online.
I gave your house address for delivery.
I also want to buy something online.
A new bracelet?
Where is my bracelet?
It's gone missing.
We searched a lot that day
but couldn't find it.
Did you lose it at the hospital
when you went there?
We haven't looked for it in the car yet.
Car...
Didn't sir take the pickup truck
to go to the farmhouse?
It's nowhere here.
Wasn't the car sent for service
after the hospital visit?
Do you remember?
What if it's lost there?
Shall we go there and check?
Call Biju.
In case if I forget, please remind me.
Also, let's not tell Royce
about the missing bracelet.
Got it. No matter what,
we'll find your bracelet!
Madam, please...
- Good morning.
- Good morning.
Can I help you?
Well...
There's something...
Okay.
Last week,
when her car was here for service,
there was a bracelet in it.
It's missing now.
Can you ask your staff
if they found a bracelet?
There's no chance of that, ma'am!
There's definitely a chance!
That's why we're here.
Ask the guys who serviced the car!
Then you'll get a clear picture.
Lower your voice, Biju.
Can't they just check it?
Can you tell me the date
when the car was brought here?
It was last week.
I can't remember the exact date.
That's okay. Just give me the car number.
KL 5AZ 6842
Yeah.
Owner, Royce Thomas...
Yes.
This car hasn't been here
for service this month, ma'am.
It was brought here
for routine service four months ago.
Shall we go?
Thank you.
New headaches keep popping up!
On night duty today?
I've been on night duty
today, yesterday, and every day.
With all the snow and cold,
I'm fed up!
Leave it.
Didn't Dr Royce and his wife come here
for an emergency the other day?
It was last week, right?
- Yeah, last week.
- What's the issue?
Her bracelet might have fallen
somewhere around here.
Did you get it?
Why are you asking me?
You should ask her, not me!
She's the one who drove the car that day.
She can't drive a car.
What? She can't drive?!
She's an excellent driver.
I was the one who sent her
to the casualty that day!
You might be mixing things up
since you were drunk!
I was neither drunk nor mixing things up!
If you have any doubts, come with me,
and I'll show you.
- What?
- Who drove the car that day! Come.
- Rewind it!
- Come on, rewind.
- This one?
- Yeah.
Rema...
do I know how to drive?
I'm also surprised.
Do you know how to drive?!
Fasten the seat belt.
- Where's Reethu?
- In the room.
Shall I take your leave then?
Reethu...
What happened?
Where did you take our car for service?
At our regular place,
the Indus Service Centre.
The car hasn't gone there.
Why are you lying to me, Royce?
I wasn't lying.
I didn't take the car there
because it had blood stains.
I gave it to a local workshop nearby.
Can I drive a car?
What?
Tell me! Do I know how to drive a car?
- Yeah, you do.
- How?
How do I know to drive a car?!
Don't shout, Reethu.
Yes, you know driving.
I taught you how to drive.
What is the problem now?
I went to the hospital
looking for the bracelet you gave me.
I saw the CCTV footage of
me driving the car that night.
What happened to us that night?
Tell me, Royce!
What the hell happened that night?!
When I opened my eyes,
I saw you unconscious on the bed.
I didn't know what to do,
so I grabbed the bedside lamp and hit him.
See, this is a new lamp.
Maybe you don't remember.
After I hit him, he ran away,
and we followed him in the car.
He ran and jumped off a bridge.
Then I started feeling dizzy.
So you took over driving,
and we went to the hospital.
That's what happened that night.
I've even told you all this
a couple of times before,
but you keep forgetting.
Royce...
sorry!
I'm sorry, Royce.
It's alright.
Do you remember seeing Chhaya Karthikeyan?
Yes, I do.
Did you see her in front of the hostel?
Yes, that's what I remember.
But you said it was your maid Rema
who saw her?
That...
Maybe she was with me that day.
Look, Reethu,
it's hard to swallow what you're saying.
First, you said that
Chhaya Karthikeyan seemed familiar.
Then you said it was Rema who saw her.
After that, you said you saw her on TV.
Now you're saying you saw her
and that Rema was with you.
I suspect that you are
deliberately trying to mislead us.
Suresh!
Ask her to leave, and call her husband.
Sir.
Madam...
Please come.
Come, doctor.
Reethu is hiding something, Royce.
She can only hide things
if she remembers them.
That's not the case.
There's some connection between
Reethu and Chhaya.
May be, she might have seen
Chhaya somewhere.
She might have even spoken to her casually.
After I leave for the hospital,
Reethu often goes out with Rema.
They shop and run errands
along College Road and all.
Maybe she has met Chhaya
somewhere around there.
Also, it can be none of these.
It might just be confusion she created
after seeing Chhaya on the news.
Listen, doctor...
Reethu knows what happened to Chhaya.
We are quite sure of that.
Ma'am...
Can you get me the laundry from your room?
Please take the kids' clothes
and bed sheets as well.
I'll come in a minute.
Did you take all the clothes?
Take that, please.
'ROYCE CHASED AWAY THE THIEF
WHO BROKE INTO THE HOUSE.'
[Loud crash]
'I KNOW CHHAYA KARTHIKEYAN.'
[Music grows intense]
[Doorbell rings]
- Isn't Reethu home?
- Yes. Shall I call her?
No need. Isn't that her room?
Hello?
Hi. You didn't go to work today, doctor?
No.
Where's Reethu?
In her room. She must be painting.
Why does this room have a name?
It's not just this room,
Reethu has named every room here.
She's quite creative
when she's in a good mood.
- Shall I call her?
- No.
She might have forgotten meeting you guys.
We can't predict how she might react.
I am David Koshy.
Assistant Commissioner, Theni.
I wanted some information from Reethu.
Have you ever seen the man in this photo?
Don't just rant about
whatever comes to your mind
Think well and tell us.
No, sir. I don't know him.
Who is he?
He was a notorious criminal
around Kambam-Theni area.
He's dead now.
Also,
did your bracelet go missing?
Bracelet?
This one.
But I have my bracelet here.
Why did you ask so?
Oh. Nothing.
[School bus honks]
The kids are here.
Please wait. I'll be back in a moment.
Is this a daily routine?
Yes.
Reethu lives in her own world.
Only she knows what she sees.
We went through two miscarriages.
She started getting such hallucinations
after that.
Doctor...
what's the deal with that bracelet?
The guy you showed us earlier
was the one who broke into our house.
But we thought nothing was stolen.
Reethu's bracelet went missing that day.
It was my gift to her
for our first wedding anniversary.
When I saw her searching for it
and getting panicked,
I bought her a replica.
Now she is fine.
I forgot to ask you something last time.
After the thief left,
you both took the car and left.
Where did you go?
We were slightly injured that day.
So, we went to the hospital.
Okay.
[Water running in the shower]
[Music grows tense]
Oh, no! You could've called me.
I have a slight headache.
I thought I'd have a cup of coffee.
Let me make it for you.
Rema...
can you please call this person?
Ma'am, is everything okay?
No issues, I hope?
Yes, yes. Everything is okay.
It was a theft attempt.
He fled when he saw Royce.
[Reethu coughing]
Did you slip in the bathtub again?
Yes, Royce...
Why do you always fill up the tub, huh?
It's okay. Let me pat your hair dry.
Okay now?
Sir.
I already told you about
Reethu's situation.
Why do you want to bother her again
for the same thing?
Look, doctor.
We're not intentionally bothering
your wife.
It's not just one girl who's missing.
This investigation is about
multiple missing girls.
Yet, we don't treat you
or your wife harshly
out of consideration for her.
Please, doctor. Please call her.
Here are the other two girls
who went missing, like Chhaya Karthikeyan.
Trishika,
Jennifer.
Trishika has been missing
since August 19th,
and Jennifer has been missing
since September 28th.
Have you met these girls, Reethu?
No.
Don't you remember anything about
meeting them?
No.
Please wait outside, Reethu.
When Reethu's condition gets severe,
you take her somewhere
for treatment, right?
To Dr Manu Philip, I guess?
Where is that facility?
[Dramatic music builds]
Some elderly men with memory issues
reside in this home.
Along with their treatment,
Father Francis suggested to help with
the treatment of people
with psychiatric issues around this area.
I liked the idea.
The Cardinal was quite supportive as well.
That's how this facility was started.
Reethu stays in this room
whenever she comes here.
They come here almost every month.
Is there a history of Reethu
getting violent while being here?
No.
She'd mostly be under sedation from pills.
And when she is not,
she'd be reading or painting.
So, where are her paintings?
Paintings...
Must be somewhere around here.
Or they might've taken them along.
[Eerie music plays]
Have you seen any of these girls here?
No. I haven't seen any of them here.
Never?
Apart from seeing them on news,
I have never met them in person.
Is there a chance that
Reethu might have met any of them?
I don't know that.
Do you use hypnosis on Reethu, doctor?
Only when the situation is
extremely severe.
Do you take Reethu
or any other patients out?
I sometimes take them on a stroll.
Just to talk to them and stuff like that.
Shall we leave then?
- Thank you, doctor.
- Thank you.
Okay.
[Suspenseful music builds]
What's wrong, ma'am?
I feel somebody is following me, Rema.
No, you're just imagining it.
[Suspenseful score grows louder]
Why did you want to meet me?
I would like to try
a psychological analysis on Reethu.
I mean, an EMDR therapy.
Reethu knows something about
the missing girls.
Her health condition is a bit weak.
I know.
But I don't have a choice.
Moreover no dead bodies,
no clues, no ransom calls.
The police are completely confused
about what to do.
Anything that could save those girls
would be of great help.
Trust me. I'm on your side.
Please be careful about
one particular thing.
Please don't tell her that we have no kids.
It's that belief that keeps her alive.
So, let's start?
What are we gonna do?
Eye movement desensitization
and reprocessing therapy.
Don't get nervous, Reethu.
It's a method to bring out memories
stuck in your subconscious mind.
Why don't you just hypnotize me then?
If I do so, all I'll get is
your constructed memories.
Can you please take your spectacles off?
Think about something that makes you happy.
Keep looking at this moving light
until your mind calms down.
I will ask you some questions in between.
Just answer them.
Simple.
[Sounds of kids]
What do you feel
when you hear the name Chhaya Karthikeyan?
[Dramatic music plays]
Trishika?
[Dramatic music continues]
Jennifer?
[Dramatic music grows]
[Loud splash on hitting the water]
I think she is in a mind palace.
Do you know the pond she mentioned about?
I'm not aware of such a pond.
It could be a pond from her childhood.
We need to take Reethu to the places
from where the girls went absconding.
Let's see if she recollects anything
from those places.
She knows something.
When I ask about each of those girls,
Reethu gets quite perturbed.
And that's not natural.
Alright. Let's do that.
CCTV footage shows
Trishika leaving from here.
But nobody knows where she went after that.
Have you been to this place, Reethu?
No.
Jennifer was last spotted here.
I am Meera Yashodhara, the criminologist.
Madam?
Do you know them?
Yes, madam.
They said some resort folks buy
their paintings.
Which resort is that?
Who comes and buys the paintings?
Madam, actually...
it's not the resort folks
who buy her paintings.
It's a doctor who buys her paintings.
He pays me
around 1000 rupees per painting.
Is something wrong, madam?
Reethu.
Where could Dr Royce be, now?
Hi.
Hello, doctor.
What's your deal with the art gallery guy?
He pays 3000 rupees for Reethu's paintings.
I pay him 4000 rupees in advance.
A deal of 1000 rupees.
Can I see Reethu's paintings?
Is this your own property?
My grandfather,
Madathani Puthenparambil Devassia,
bequeathed this property to me.
A child's hero is often their father.
But for me, it was my grandfather.
Do you stay here at night?
No.
You know Reethu's situation, don't you?
Can I get you a drink?
No, thanks. I have to drive back.
Yeah.
Isn't this the bougainvillea
from Reethu's paintings?
Could be.
She's got this fixation with Bougainvillea.
During the early days of our marriage,
we used to come here often.
Now it's all reduced to paintings only.
[Scary growl]
What's that noise?
Do you have pigs here?
Not just pigs,
we have got goats, chicken,
and all of them.
Alright then. I'll see you.
[Music intensifies with tension]
'I HANDED OVER THE BATMAN LOGO, THE RABBIQUOTE, AND THE SUNFLOWER PAINTING TO MEERA.'
'DECEMBER 6 - MEERA CAME OVER. SHE'LL COME
TOMORROW TO TAKE ME TO THE FARMHOUSE.'
'MEERA SAID THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY KIDS.'
[Suspenseful music builds]
'I HANDED OVER THE BATMAN LOGO, THE RABBIQUOTE, AND THE SUNFLOWER PAINTING TO MEERA.'
'DECEMBER 6 - MEERA CAME OVER. SHE'LL COME
TOMORROW TO TAKE ME TO THE FARMHOUSE.'
[Strange, laboured grunts]
[Gags and retches]
[Water running from the tap]
[Laboured breaths and water thrashing]
Automated voice message: The number
you are calling is out of network...
The number you are calling
is out of network...
[Footsteps drawing nearer]
Royce...
why are you here?
Just like that.
What are you looking for, Royce?
Nothing.
Once the kids grow up,
shouldn't we move them to separate rooms?
Yeah.
A few things are
missing from our house, Reethu.
Really?
Missing?!
What's gone missing?
Yeah.
The drawings you left in the kid's room-
the white rabbit
and the Batman logo-
are missing.
Meera took both of them.
Aha!
Why does she need them?
Ah! Whatever!
Go and take a quick shower.
Then let's have food.
Okay?
Come.
[Dramatic music builds]
[Doorbell rings]
- Good morning, doctor.
- Good morning.
Suresh, check the CCTV visuals.
Sir.
Good morning, Reethu.
I'm David Koshy,
the assistant commissioner of Theni.
I know.
When was the last time you saw Meera?
I think it was the last day.
When was that?
In the afternoon.
In... the evening.
Do you remember what Meera said to you?
No, I can't remember.
Reethu said she tried calling Meera
but couldn't get through.
What's the matter, sir?
Meera is missing.
According to Meera's father,
they heard a car's honking
last evening,
and Meera went outside right then.
Nobody has seen her after that.
Sir.
Yes, Suresh?
[Suspenseful music plays]
Are you sure
Meera didn't tell you anything?
I don't remember, sir.
What was in Meera's hands
when she left from here?
I guess it's one of my paintings.
So you came home after Meera left, doctor?
Yes, sir.
Where did you both go at night?
We went out for dinner.
Where?
Open Kitchen restaurant in Kuttikkanam.
Did you copy
all of these footage, Suresh?
Sir.
Come.
- Okay, doctor. Will call you.
- Okay.
Why hasn't Rema come yet?
I took a day-off because
someone is supposed to come by
to collect the black pepper.
Rema will be here soon.
You can go, Royce.
I can manage here alone.
Hey, no.
Hey, I am alright.
You can go without any worry.
She will be here soon.
It's alright. I'll wait till she comes.
[Sound of vehicle approaching]
I think she's here.
[Sound of car driving away]
[Dramatic, suspenseful music plays]
[Dogs barking]
Bella...
Stay.
Good.
[Music grows tense]
Come inside, girl.
Who did you ask before entering this place?
Kick him out and lock the gates.
S... son...
[Door opens with a creak]
Who's that?
[Bicycle bell chimes]
- Does it hurt?
- Yeah.
It will be fine.
I warned you
not to come over here, didn't I?
Get up, you! Come!
I've told you several times,
but you don't get it!
Is your wound better now?
Yeah.
All of this is yours.
Just don't be like your father.
[Ritualistic howls]
[Loud gunshot]
We have cleaned a golden lamp,
Filled it with oil, and lit it up
The lamp at the decorated holy tent,
I pray before you
Please let me go!
Why are you crying?
I said let go of me!
Please, no!
- Come here!
- No! No!
Lord Ram has arrived,
Sitting on Hanuman's shoulder
Please, no!
Lord Ram has arrived,
Sitting on Hanuman's shoulder
On a day at the beginning of time,
Lord Shiva adorned with the moon
On a day at the beginning of time,
Lord Shiva adorned with the moon
Let go of me!
On a day at the beginning of time,
Lord Shiva adorned with the moon
Come here, you!
When the clock struck midnight
Just take her away from here!
When the clock struck midnight
When the clock struck midnight
After wandering through
the earth and sky, so bemused
After wandering through
the earth and sky, so bemused
Hey!
Go to the junction and collect the rent.
While the beautiful maiden laid still
While the beautiful maiden laid still
in a deep slumber
While the beautiful maiden laid still
in a deep slumber
He approached the door and requested
He approached the door and requested
Please open the door gently
Please open the door gently
Please open the door gently
Please open the door gently
Who is it now,
So restless at this midnight hour
Who is it now,
So restless at this midnight hour
Waiting at the door of
The supreme lord?
Waiting at the door of
The supreme lord?
What makes you call
me out so fearlessly?
What makes you call
me out so fearlessly?
Speak without fear,
And I shallopenthedoor
Speak without fear,
And I shallopenthedoor
Speak without fear,
And I shallopenthedoor
Speak without fear,
And I shallopenthedoor
[Suspenseful music intensifies]
[Loud scream]
What happened?
What's wrong?
Wasn't it yesterday evening
that Meera came here?
I don't know.
I left home early yesterday evening.
Really?
Biju came to pick me up early,
so I asked sir to come back early
from the farmhouse.
Try to remember, ma'am.
When sir came and I asked if I can leave,
you gave me permission.
Whenever I try to remember,
it feels like I'm drowning deeper.
You record your daily activities
on the phone, right?
I can't find any of my voice recordings.
The photos I click are also missing.
Don't be so upset.
If you want to know what's happening here,
just check the CCTV footage.
How can we check it?
Do you remember the girl
who came to install it here?
Her name was... Mala Kurian.
Not Mala Kurian,
It's Amala Kurian!
[Dramatic, suspenseful music plays]
I wrote down everything Meera told me
and kept the notes under the mattress.
It was here in the morning, I saw it.
When did Royce come back yesterday?
Meera ma'am came here after we left,
so sir probably came after her.
[Suspenseful music plays]
[Music intensifies]
Where is Royce now?
Sir took the truck and left,
so he must be at the farmhouse.
Ask Biju to come here.
Stop the car, Biju.
What happened?
Reverse the car.
That is Meera's house.
Let me go and check.
[Dogs barking]
[Eerie, unfamiliar sounds]
Ma'am...
Meera madam's dad said that
she heard a car honking
and went to check it.
[Suspenseful music]
[Sound of vehicle approaching]
[Dogs barking]
[Barking continues]
Royce?
Royce?
- Royce!
- What happened?
Meera is nowhere!
They say she's missing.
Where could she go?
You both go sit inside.
Sit.
Come inside.
Be seated.
I'll meet Biju and be right back.
[Locks the door]
[Dark, foreboding music plays]
[Desperate screams and sobs]
[Tense, ominous music builds]
[Door glass shatters]
[Suspenseful music builds]
Rema, go!
Escape!
[Retches and coughs]
Do you recognise me?
Royce...
Your Royce.
Let's...
go sit inside.
It's too chilly outside.
[Door creaks open]
Sit.
You okay?
Lie down.
Say prayers and go to sleep.
[Whimpering]
[Dogs barking]
[Uneasy, sinister music swells]
I hope she's doing activities
such as stitching,
music, chess or similar things
to enhance her brain activity.
She's only showing interest in painting.
If that's what she likes, let her do it.
It's also a right-brain activity.
Just ensure that
there are no more drowning accidents
as the shock and trauma
could impact her memory.
[Crying loudly]
[Heavy, ominous music]
[Music grows louder and intense]
Damn her painting!
Why do you keep remembering that room?
[Gasping for breath]
[Coughs]
Did you slip in the tub again?
[Suspenseful, eerie music plays]
[Music intensifies]
Hi, I am Trishika.
Could you please drop me
at the next bus stop?
[Phone clatters to the ground]
[Dramatic music swells]
Looks like
that girl is all alone on the road.
You want us to drop you somewhere?
We're headed that way.
[Electric saw whirring]
[Dogs barking]
[Pigs squealing and snorting]
Why are you here at this odd hour, Reethu?
Come, Meera.
[Gate creaks open]
[Dogs barking]
[Folk song playing in the background]
[Dramatic, suspenseful music plays]
[Dogs barking]
[Whistles]
[Music continues]
[Gun fires]
[Gun fires again]
[Water splashing]
[Dog growling]
Bella!
Bella, no!
Stay!
[Gun fires]
I thought
I wouldn't let you see any of this.
Anyway, you'll forget all of it tomorrow.
Sit there.
But it's fun to know that
you'll never really recover
from the trauma of seeing all this.
Take it and inject it into yourself.
Just do what I said, Reethu!
Take it, you scum!
Inject it into yourself.
Come on!
I said do it!
[Dramatic music swells]
Reethu... run!
Call the police!
Number?
Dial 100.
Reethu...
What are you doing?
Reethu, shoot him!
She is insane!
She's a psycho!
She...
she came to kill me and our kids.
What I said is true, Reethu.
You don't have any kids.
Have you ever seen a kids' room
this organised and tidy anywhere?
MEERA SAID THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY KIDS.'
Reethu!
[Tension builds]
I don't have any kids, Royce!
[Gun fires]
This is all it takes, ma'am.
[Dogs barking loudly]
[Slow, emotional music fade in]
MEERA:When I visited Royce's farmhouse
and looked around,
I had some suspicions.
I sensed that between the rooms,
the bougainvillea outside the window,
Reethu's paintings,
and the missing girls,
there was some strange connection.
There was also something strange
about Royce's behaviour.
I was just about to call you
to suggest searching the farmhouse
when I heard the car honking
and went outside.
What happened, dear?
I didn't expect Reethu there at that hour.
I'll be right back.
Reethu is the one who solved this case.
Sorry, Meera.
We were really incompetent.
Sorry again.
I never once doubted Royce.
We were focusing on
your memory and hallucinations.
And we kept thinking
he was trying to save you.
He was too convincing as a doctor...
and as a...
husband.
Perhaps that accident happened
when Reethu tried to escape from him.
Or perhaps, that accident might have
happened for real.
We have recovered the accessories
of the 13 victims he kept as trophies.
Among the 13 girls he abducted,
Reethu is the sole survivor
whom he didn't kill.
That might be because
he saw your memory loss
as an advantage for himself.
You were the bait for all the abductions.
You were the bait he used
to trap his victims.
He figured that
if he dunked you in the bathtub,
you'd never get your memory back.
You must have spent
a lot of time at his farmhouse.
That's probably why
you could only draw bougainvillea.
Royce manifested a fake world around you
with everyone involved.
Rema, Biju,
Dr Manu Philip, and everyone else
believed his lies
and parroted his words.
In reality, your name isn't Reethu.
You are Esther.
Esther Emmanuel.
[Sobbing]
Okay, Suresh. See you.
Thank you, sir.
Thank you.
[Engine revs]
DAVID KOSHY:
Royce was never a usual suspect.
The greatest trick
the devil ever pulled was
convincing the world he didn't exist.
[Footsteps approaching]
This is the person I mentioned.
Oh.
Hello,
Esther Emmanuel.
Hello bard!
I pray your memory withers!
Say your prayers and go to bed.
[Upbeat music plays]
You flow through my veins
You are omnipresent
You are the wind, the shade
You are the burning wound within me
You are my right and my wrong
My dream, my fable
It's all nothing but you
When you engulf my body and soul
I gasp for breath, I tremble
Your words and your gaze
slowly drain the life from me
I melt away
I'm weary-what can
I offer in return?
To slay you with love
Let me fire a bullet
from the gun that is my lips. Amen!
A memory to last you till death
A memory to last you till death
Praise be to the Lord
who created this world
Praise be to the Lord who created love
The one who keeps bougainvillea flowers
and my memories alive within you
Praise be to that Lord
Praise be to the Lord
who created this world
Praise be to the Lord who created love
The one who fashioned serene forests,
green meadows, pristine skies, and you,
Praise be to that Lord
When you engulf my body and soul
I gasp for breath, I tremble
Your words and your gaze
slowly drain the life from me
I melt away
I'm weary-what can I offer in return?
To slay you with love
Let me fire a bullet
from the gun that is my lips. Amen!
A memory to last you till death
A memory to last you till death
A memory to last you till death