Poacher (2023) s01e05 Episode Script

1
Bitoo
- Yes, Ma'am?
- Why isn't the AC on? It's hot in here.
- I'll turn it on.
- And what's this mess - clean it up.
- Hello.
- Hi, is this Poonam Verma?
- Who's this?
- I'm calling from Cityphone.
Congratulations, you've won
a bumper lucky draw
Not interested.
- So?
- We are on.
- Let me know if I can help.
- Hmm.
- Yeah, go ahead.
- Time for a field trip.
The address is on the
shipment receipt I sent you.
It's an art gallery that
Verma runs. Meet me there.
Finally, I can get
out of this dungeon.
Same here, I'm always stuck
at my marketing desk.
Did your guy clear it
with my boss?
Yeah, it's all done - you'll get
the official order shortly.
Okay great, coming.
- What time is it?
- 2 pm.
- I don't remember coming home.
- What do you remember?
The last thing was getting into
the car at the guest house.
- How did I get here?
- Vijay Babu brought you home.
You were barely conscious,
like you were drunk.
Vijay said you were
just exhausted.
And you kept saying 'sorry',
and that you 'could be dead'
and then you finally passed out.
It wasn't easy to change you.
You were like a dead body.
What happened?
I did something stupid.
You do that all the time with
your late night jungle strolls.
Ma, there's nothing more dangerous
in the jungle than humans.
- What happened?
- It's better you don't know.
This case is a hard one.
How is it different from ones
you've dealt with before?
It's the first time I'm working
on something of this scale.
It's like I'm dealing with
an entire gang of Papa's.
He wasn't a bad man.
Ma
What was he like, when he was
poaching? I remember so little.
He was a real character.
Confident, arrogant.
He knew the forest
like it was his home.
He could track any animal,
and he killed everything.
Even his ancestors were hunters.
And when they banned hunting,
he didn't stop.
He just worked in the shadows.
But over time, his confidence faded.
The thought of being arrested and
separated from us frightened him.
He knew you were
ashamed of him.
But he thought you would
grow to forgive him
because he didn't
know any different.
And when the authorities
went after him
he decided to leave this world.
Sometimes I wonder
if he was still alive,
would he have reformed?
- Reformed? Like Jim Corbett?
- He had so much knowledge.
- He could have used it all for good.
- He was too set in his ways.
And fundamentally,
he didn't respect nature.
He thought it was something
to overcome, to defeat. He
killed 21 elephants,
19 tigers, 14 leopards.
Plus exotic birds, mongooses, bison,
and all of their future generations.
I was going to say,
he loved you very much.
But when you were 3, you screamed
at him for killing an elephant
he knew then that he'd never
live up to your standards.
And he was baffled as to how
you could be his daughter.
But now I see so
much of him in you.
Those same hunter-instincts,
that led to his demise.
You may think
You may think you have to
make up for your parents' sins
I don't know.
Maybe you're right, but
Ma, I'm fighting
against extinction.
I just don't want to find your
head in a box someday.
Call Vijay.
He's a kind man.
Hello - are you okay?
I've been calling all morning.
Yeah, fine. Tell me
Neel Sir's here.
We heard what happened
with Poyya - everything okay?
Sir, I was just exhausted.
But Poyya is in custody,
that's all that matters.
So we still have one more
on-the-ground poacher
left in the gang,
that Aruku named.
Ivan Das.
And we're starting surveillance
in Delhi on Poonam Verma.
We may have to
move on her soon.
Sir, Alan found one more link
here that we should pursue first
if Poonam is
staying put for now.
Are you sure you
want to delay?
Yes, Sir - I think so.
This guy's name is Sasi Illampally.
I think he's dealing ivory.
And I have a feeling he may be able
to lead us to more powerful contacts.
Sir, I'm on my way.
Come fast.
- She'll be okay?
- Yeah, she's just a bit rattled.
She'll be fine, she's tougher
than all of us.
Yeah, that's why I
wanted her on this.
- You?
- UmmI'm okay Sir, personally.
- My wife is
- Yeah, I get it.
I've spent years at a time
away from my family.
Actually, when I'm away it's fine.
It's when I'm back in Kerala,
and not going home, then
Achala has a problem.
It's a lifelong battle:
wildlife protection versus family.
It's all family, Sir.
I am inching back into
her good books, though.
Her cousin's getting
married tomorrow
I'll have to attend.
Yes, you must.
Do whatever it takes, quickly,
to fix things with your family
or you'll become like me.
These days my wife has
stopped asking after me.
That's the worst.
Let's go.
- Hello Ma'am.
- Hello.
Uh, can we speak
to the owner?
We have questions about
purchasing in bulk.
The owner?
Yes.
Ma'am, someone
wants to meet you.
- Hello, uh Ms
- Yes, I'm the owner.
Hiwe're decorating a farm house
with a dozen rooms. Can you help?
Surely, Bitoo here
will help you.
- Bitoo
- Yes Ma'am?
- Take good care of them.
- Yes, Ma'am.
Come.
Come, Ma'am.
What would you like to see?
Shall we start with the paintings?
I've seen Sasi Illampally's CDRs.
Everything is clearly logged in it.
He would speak to Morris, meet him
the next day, and then return home.
Do you want to talk
about last night?
There's nothing to talk about.
Everyone has their own demons.
So if you ever do want to talk
Thank you.
- Hey, do you know Sasi Illampally?
- Yeah.
Where does he live?
We're old school friends.
He lives straight ahead.
It looks like he went to Sri Lanka,
right after Aruku's news came out.
Good alibi.
Are you okay to do this?
Hello.
- We're looking for Sasi Illampally.
- Is he your father?
Papa!
- You're Mala, from the Forest Department.
- Yes.
I have nothing to do with
elephant poaching any more.
Doesn't matter.
Your number was found in a prime
suspect's CDR, we need to question you.
Papa, you promised you
stopped everything illegal.
I swear I haven't
done anything wrong.
You can't do this to me. I stopped
poaching after my prison term.
I'm clean now. If you have
questions, ask me here.
This is not an arrest,
we just want to talk.
- Nothing will be filed officially.
- He's not going anywhere.
- It'll be okay.
- No, you said they hurt you.
We don't have time for this.
- Ma'am!
- Papa!
Please don't create a scene.
Why are you pulling him?
Listen to me
Mala calm down,
we'll take him in.
What will happen to my father?
If he hasn't done anything
wrong, he'll be fine.
We just need to
clarify a few things.
Soif he's telling the truth,
everything will be okay.
Alan
- You handle this one.
- Come on.
We're going in with him.
It has to be a private questioning.
Wait out here, or go home.
So, Sasi, how have you
been these past few years?
Staying clean, Sir.
Making sure my daughter
studies well, that's all.
Last I heard, you were dealing ivory
just to pay for her education.
That's right.
And after Mala Ma'am caught me,
and put me in jail, I did my time.
After getting released
I got into farming,
to take care of her.
She has the highest
marks in her class.
I don't want to
screw up her future.
- I'm a good citizen now.
- You go to church every Sunday?
That's between me and God.
Why did you go to Sri Lanka
at the end of May?
Family vacation.
Really? A day after the news
broke about this poaching case?
I don't know anything about that case,
other than what I saw on the news.
Don't you have any leads yet?
Is that why you've
come to me?
Please let my father go.
He works in the fields every day.
All I do is study, so that I can get a
good job and take care of my family.
Everything is going well.
You already put him in jail once.
What more do you want?
You have nothing to worry
about if your father isn't lying.
- He isn't.
- Are you 100% sure?
Would you bet your life on it?
Dear Lord
please save my father.
He's reformed.
Watch them.
Why were you talking to Morris?
- He called me.
- I can see that. But why?
He would call regularly,
and ask if I had tusks to sell.
He was soliciting - that's how
he motivates the market.
He'd call and say he
wants to buy raw ivory.
That's what would have
made me poach in the past.
But this time I told him
that I had nothing.
- And yet, you travelled to meet him?
- Just a casual visit, Ma'am.
When I learned he was in the area,
I just wanted to get him off my back.
Then why did you go all the way
to Trivandrum to meet him?
Was that necessary?
I never did, Ma'am.
Look carefully.
This is Morris's CDR,
and this is yours.
Do you see these two entries?
They put both of you in Trivandrum
under the same mobile tower.
Sir, I met him once there.
Just once.
What for?
Sir, I haven't done
anything wrong.
Prove it!
Am I being recorded?
No, it's just us.
Please keep my
family out of this.
We can only help you
if you tell us everything.
I sold three tusks to Morris.
But I didn't poach them.
And I don't know anything
about who poached them.
How did you get the tusks?
Someone called and told me he
had tusks, and asked me to sell them.
- I couldn't say no.
- Why?
You have to promise me you're
not recording this. Swear to God.
I do go to church
every Sunday.
I swear to God, it's just the
three of us here, no devices.
It was Prabhas Peradi.
- The politician?
- Yes.
Prabhas called me, said he possessed
tusks, and asked me to sell them.
He knew of my past
that I had contacts.
I couldn't say no.
That kind of guy can do
anything to meto my family.
I didn't have a choice.
Alan?
It fits.
They've talked a lot.
Come outside.
Back off.
- He's scared to death. Now what?
- Go after this politician?
His house would be fortified.
We'd have to get to grab him before
he makes a single phone call.
And if he got away after that,
we'd be totally exposed.
So many things could
go wrong, it's a huge risk.
- Fuck it.
- Fuck it.
Sasi, there's a way for you to
not be charged as an accused.
But you have to help us.
I'll do anything, but you
have to protect me
and ensure that my
Bhavana will be safe.
I promise you she'll be safe.
Show us where Peradi lives.
It is fortified.
If we get any closer,
we'll be spotted on camera.
Guard dogs.
If they bark, he'll make a phone call,
and easily wiggle out of this.
What I said earlier, that you
wouldn't be arraigned
it's contingent on us catching this fucker.
Can you think of any other way?
I don't know his movements,
or how he operates.
Did he ever mention any other
interests, outside of ivory?
He loves cars.
He once asked if I knew
any buyers for a vintage car?
- What car?
- I think it was an old DeLorean.
- When was this?
- Last month.
Okay. So call him and tell him you have
a potential buyer who wants to see it.
- My Phone
- Not now! First thing tomorrow.
Arrange for a place where
both parties can meet.
That's our chance.
- So I can go home now?
- No.
Why not - I'm cooperating
I'm not in official custody.
We can't take a risk
of this leaking to Peradi.
Do you think I would sabotage my
chance to avoid prosecution?
I want you to catch him.
If we keep him, his wife will spread
the news that he's in our custody.
- And that could reach Peradi's ears.
- He's right.
My wife can't keep her
mouth shut. Let me go home.
I'll make sure nobody talks,
I promise.
- This night never happened.
- What if they flee overnight?
Madam, I can't even imagine what
that would do to Bhavana's future.
If you do run off,
I'll hunt you down.
And like the elephants you slaughtered,
I'll rip your teeth out from your skull.
- And Bhavana
- That's enough, I understand.
Nothing hereMa?
NoI know
I saw it somewhere.
- Found it.
- Got it?
This will do.
- How are you?
- Evidently, not as good as you.
That's an understatement.
You were a wreck
the other night.
I wasn't sure whether to take
you home, or to the hospital.
Wise choice.
You broke that night,
into a million pieces.
And it was all I could do to hold you
togetheryou need to take a break.
- Have you been talking to my mother?
- I didn't have to.
I saw the look on
her face, when I left.
She was inconsolable.
I appreciate everything
you've done for me.
- But I have to finish what I started.
- I know what you're doing.
This is the biggest
poaching case of our lives.
And if you nail these guys
it will be a huge credit against
your father's lifetime of debits.
But it's not about tit-for-tat.
There are other ways to give back.
I survived that night,
and now I know my limits.
Your limits are simple -
you want to live.
Thank you for
stating the obvious.
Mala, I'm also vested in
catching these guys.
But I'm not doing it for the
elephants - I'm doing it for you.
That's why we never made it.
You're forgetting - you're
crawling up a poisonous tree.
Ma'am
Come in, Shyam.
Alright then.
- You found a writing sample?
- Yeah, it's a ledger my uncle kept.
Great
A copy of Raaz's suicide note.
See if they match.
- John, finish your breakfast.
- Yeah, I will.
So you can catch a cobra,
but you still can't iron a dhoti.
- This is where you need my help.
- Finished!
- Yeah, I'm coming.
- I'll take it from here.
- Ma'am
- Ahh, you're back.
I spoke with Prabhas
he's going on a fishing
trip today, for two weeks.
But about the DeLorean - he's agreed
to meet if we can do it this morning.
Tell him that Alan will meet him in
an hour. We'll set a meeting point.
Asma, have him
seated elsewhere.
Hey, what's up?
Peradi's going on a
fishing trip later today.
So you have to
meet him in an hour.
No way, I can't - I'll be
free in the afternoon.
He'll be gone then -
we have to move now.
I'd go myself, but you're
the car expert.
Don't leave me hanging,
we're so close.
We're here - let's go.
Come.
- Hi, Papa.
- Hi, Son.
Catch any interesting
snakes recently?
Actually Papa, Alan is doing
more than just catching snakes.
He does the Wildlife Trust's
photography, administration
- and even designed their website.
- Sounds like the work of an assistant.
How are you, dear?
You're my only ray of hope.
- Why did you stop me?
- What's the point?
I can't do this.
I need to get out of here.
Just try.
I can't take this negativity.
I'll be at the back.
Fernando! Start the car.
Listen, I'll give you 500 rupees to
keep quiet about this entire trip.
- Yes, Sir.
- Not a word to Achala.
- Is it another woman?
- No, but it's just as bad if she finds out.
Yeah, I'm out.
What's the plan?
Call Peradi, set a meeting point,
and we'll grab him there.
- I've sent you the number.
- Okay.
- Hello
- Hello, ummPrabhas Peradi?
- Yeah, Alan?
- Yeah, I'm calling about the DeLorean.
Fine, meet at the Kothamangalam bypass
bus stand, opposite Bishop's House.
- Sure, in30 minutes?
- Great, we'll go see the car then.
Okay, okay. Oh, and one thing -
what colour is the vehicle?
- Silver.
- Okay, perfect. See you there.
Yeah.
Sending you the
meeting place now.
Once I get there, Peradi will likely
take me elsewhere to see the car.
We'll grab him there.
When a member of our
communityour family
moves on to the
next phase of their life
it's a proud moment for us.
We are all gathered here today
to witness that evolution
in the presence of
God almighty.
They accept this sudden change,
with all of their hearts
and declare that they
have found their soulmate.
- I'm here.
- Okay.
- Hello, are you here?
- Yeah, just reached.
- Getting out of my car, in a pink shirt.
- Yeah, I see you.
We'll follow you.
Actually, it's easier if I come
with you, and my driver leads.
The place is tricky to find.
- Sure.
- Okay.
Okay.
- Are you a vintage car collector?
- Not yet, but I want to be.
Follow him.
I studied in the UK.
Now I'm making lots of money,
and need a place to spend it.
Well, if you have money to spend,
I may have some opportunities for you.
Great.
I'd like to know more.
I have to pee.
Where is your father?
- I'll take him, I have to go too.
- Thank you.
I can barely hold it
these days.
But politics,
it's the best job.
People complain about it,
but I love it.
They say we're corrupt
but look at politicians
in other countries.
How they livein palaces.
But we walk with the people here.
Those countries have wealth,
but no spirit.
No connection with themselves,
or with nature.
That's what I love
about this place.
I'm about to go on a fishing trip.
I know an amazing place, remote.
If you ever want to go,
just say the word.
One second.
Stop the car.
Something wrong?
What is it?
Hey, what is this?!
- Let go!
- Hey!
I'm being kidnapped!
Help - I'm being kidnapped!
You've made a big mistake.
What do you want?
Say something!
You want money?
We're from the
Forest Department.
Not a word to anyone,
understand?
Okay.
- Where's Papa?
- He's pulled a disappearing act again.
There he is
Alan, where were you?
I stood in the back, where Papa
couldn't see me. It was really nice.
But when she dropped the ring,
my heart stopped.
She was nervous,
it's to be expected.
Achala's not as
superstitious as I am.
Stay with Papa, I'm going
to the restroom. Be right back.
- Thank you.
- You owe me big time.
- Do you have any pain killers?
- I think Cheeni does.
- Can you get it?
- Okay.
Papa, why do you owe him?
You're quite the nosy parker.
Johnny boy, come -
let's have lunch.
- Are you coming?
- I will, soon.
Come then.
- Herelet's eat.
- Coming.
What are you doing,
John?
Taking photos, Papa.
Let me see.
Give it.
Papa, why are you sad?
I won't tell anyone.
Do you notice something about
these photos you took?
Among these animals,
what I find amazing
is the honesty you captured.
Your photos,
just like these animals -
never lie.
Because they don't
know how.
This should be the only kind of
shooting allowed in this world.
Mala.
That wasn't very pretty.
Yes Sir,
but we did get him.
And they're reporting it as a
kidnapping all over the news.
Good that you wore a mask.
Get what you can from him quickly.
We don't have much time
before it all goes to hell.
- Ma'am, can I go home?
- No, not yet. Go in.
Go in.
So let's talk about elephant poaching.
Where did you get the tusks from?
What tusks?
The tusks you tried
to sell last month.
I have no idea what
you're talking about.
I'm not answering anything
until my lawyer comes.
And if you lay a finger on me,
I swear you'll regret it.
We have Sasi Illampally
in custody.
So what?
I don't know him.
He just tried to help me
sell my car, that's it.
Ready?
- Tell me!
- I don't know anything!
Please don't hit me!
Okay Ma'am,
I'll tell you everything!
Peradi called and told me about
the tusks that he possessed.
So I sold them to Morris Finn
from Trivandrum.
It's all in my call logs.
I never poached - I'm sorry Ma'am!
I was just the middle man!
His call logs won't lie.
Would you like to speak now?
- Alan
- Hmm.
- What do you think?
- Looks good.
Isn't it nice to take
a break from work?
Not having to worry
about snakes, or bad guys?
It is, but I have
some work pending.
After the wedding,
if that's okay?
I only asked for the wedding,
then you're off the hook.
Hican you
make me a plate?
Heywhy don't you
give up this wildlife stuff?
Focus on something that
can get you a bigger house?
I handed you the best computer
science training in the country.
And what do you do with it?
You squander it on some NGO.
- You forced me into it.
- Grandpa, Papa loves small houses.
Because we don't have
an inch of unused space.
He doesn't like big houses like yours,
which waste a lot of space.
Small houses are
better for the Earth.
Simple living, high thinking.
You've brainwashed the boy, too?
Nothing to do with simple living,
Papa, it's just common sense.
Well, common sense has
changed in my lifetime then.
When I was your age,
a big house and a big car
were symbols of a
man's prosperity
if he earned them with his
brains, and hard work.
Look at what you're doing now?
You had opportunities in life
and now you're insulting those
who didn't have the same.
Let's go.
I only did it once.
And it was just the two tusks,
they landed on my lap.
Meaning?
I didn't go to the jungle and
poach the elephants.
Then who did?
Raaz and his gang?
No, this has nothing
to do with that case.
Then?
I can't help you with the damage
your political career will take.
But I can help
with your jail time.
And you have my word -
help us, and we'll help you.
This can't go public.
And it never came from me.
Or my entire family will be at risk.
I'll ensure it stays private.
The gang was from Munnar, they've
been poaching there for two years.
What?
- What?
- Another active gang, under our noses.
The forest department's
grown lazy.
You're not patrolling
where you should be.
Anyone can go into
these areas and poach.
Who's in this gang?
Where do they operate from?
Give us the details.
It's the only way
to protect yourself.
Give me a pen and paper.
- You're 100% sure?
- I'm not an expert
but I swear on my mother,
I'm damn sure about this.
- I need to talk to someone in charge.
- Where are you from?
It doesn't matter, it's about
the case with Raaz.
Sign in.
- I need to speak to someone first.
- 'Someone' who? Who the hell are you?
This is the first we're hearing
about this new gang.
Peradi's written everything
he knows about them.
But that means
another full investigation.
But we don't have
the bandwidth for that.
Sir, I also believe the suicide note
was not written by Raaz.
Why?
I did a handwriting comparison -
it's not even close.
Someone had reason
to get rid of him.
How much poaching is
happening under our noses?
For now, focus on this
gang first, then the others.
Though it'll be hard to follow your
hunch, since Raaz's case is now shut.
This is why I wanted to keep this
investigation tight. I kept saying
once things go inter-state,
the links break.
If only Raaz had stayed
in Kerala.
Sothen how do we deal
with Poonam Verma in Delhi?
Sir, someone to see you.
- Who?
- I think it's someone important.
Come in.
Sir, my name is Ivan Das.
I was in Raaz's gang.
I want to turn myself in.