Balan - The Boy (ബാലൻ - The Boy)

Far away, on a quiet hillside, there stood a house.

A tiny house with a tiled roof, painted bright white.

A father, a mother and their little boy lived there happily.

The father was a jeep driver.

One day, when the father went to the plantation to carry a load,

an elephant trampled him to death.

And just like that, the mother and child were left alone.

Neither the villagers nor their own relatives cared about them.

Blame and poverty were too much to bear...

so, they left that house one day...

and got into a lorry bound for the city.

A lorry?

Oh no, not a lorry... a bus.

A blue one.

There were trains and buildings that touched the sky...

cars and scooters of a kind we had never seen before.

Mom, look! A scooter!

Bath time?

Okay.

What the hell!?

Be careful!

How do I look?

So, you're leaving without telling me?

No...

I was coming to see you.

Call me once you're out.

You’ve no idea what I went through to cut down your sentence.

I even had to actually go around begging people.

Forget the lawyer's fee.

Consider it part of the advance.

We can earn it back once we're out.

It won’t be like jail...

Out there, 'Shamnatha' won’t be around to save you.

But just relax.

Shamnatha will be out soon enough.

You may leave now.

Hey...

I said you may leave!

Hey!

Make sure you call me.

Put in a pinch more salt.

Here are your belongings,

along with the salary you’ve earned so far.

Take good care of the child, okay?

This is the NGO I mentioned.

If you go there, they'll arrange a job.

I've already spoken to them.

Why don’t you eat something before you leave?

No...

his uncle will be waiting for us outside.

Which uncle? Has any of them cared so far?

I shouldn't have to explain this to you.

Start living responsibly.

It’s these innocent kids who suffer for the wrongs you’ve done.

Puppy!

It's a dog.

Dog!

'SHAMNATHA'

Ticket? Ticket?

What is this, Mom?

I’ll tell you later.

Where to, huh?

Hmm?

Where to?

You don't even know where to go?

'BALAN-THE BOY'

- Sudheer... one tea, please. - Oh, tea?

You want tea?

Sudheer, how long does it take to get some chutney?

Oh, chutney.

170 rupees.

Brother...

we don’t have any money.

No money?

And yet you gobbled up everything in sight?

We were hungry.

You can go.

Brother, can I get some work here?

Work?

Yeah... I’ll do anything.

Well, I barely earn enough...

to get by.

I don’t need wages, brother...

just something to eat.

I’ll sleep anywhere... on a bench or something.

We’re from Idukki.

When his father...

went to the plantation to carry loads...

an elephant trampled him to death.

Left with no one,

we had no choice but to leave home.

We wandered from place to place.

I don’t even know where to go now.

What’s your name?

Indhu.

And his?

Abh-- Abhijith Kumar.

Abhijith Kumar...

I’ve already explained my situation.

I can’t help you here. Better you go.

I’ll do any work...

I can wash plates or sweep...

Please leave for God's sake, dear.

I'm already pretty tied up.

- Why are you late? - I overslept.

Oh, is it?

Who’s this lady, Brother Sudheer?

Whoever she is, she’s someone dear to me, Sunny.

And what’s the name of this “dear” person?

Indhu.

What now?

Nothing.

By “dear,” do you mean you married her?

No...

If that happens, you’ll get an invitation!

Didn’t you get what you asked for?

Go on, go!

Lucky old man!

Indhu...

You don’t have to sleep here anymore.

Come home...

Be my daughter and grandson.

Here you go.

Indhu?

Indhu?!

Abhijith, dear?

Mom, why did we leave that grandpa’s tea shop?

All we need is each other.

No one else in between.

Hmm?

Hmm.

Seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve...

Twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-five...

How many boats did you see?

Twenty-five.

Mom...

what’s our new story?

I’ll tell you.

And what’s my new name?

Adhiseshan.

Did you like it?

Yes, super!

Your ID card still hasn’t come from home?

Don’t you dare show up without it!

Understood!?

Get it done fast.

Too hot, isn’t it?

How about a beer?

Blood!

Hey!

Your mom's crazy!

Once again.

Mom...

how many more stories do I have to learn?

Plenty...

you still have many to learn.

Hmm... do I have to remember all the stories I learn?

All those stories...

Didn’t I warn you already?

Don’t talk about us to anyone.

And certainly not the police.

Got me?

There’s my aunt’s son.

He's a divorcee.

Shall I see about an alliance for you?

Think it through and let me know.

If you’re willing...

I’ll take care of you.

And him too.

Like my... own son.

Not done yet?

Move that a bit.

Hello?

Hello!

Are you working here now?

Don’t you recognise me? We’ve met at Sudheer bro’s tea shop.

Super! That didn’t work, Sunny!

Wait, wait! I know her.

Is it true, Mary?

Mary?

Oh really? You said you know her?

Yeah… it wasn’t Mary. It was some Hindu name.

Then you’ve got the wrong person.

No way, brother. That boy was with her too.

Where were you working before this?

Nowhere.

Why not?

It's only now that I've had to start working.

Brother...

Something feels off about this.

Stop overthinking. Unload the goods and leave.

Wait, wait. This feels fishy. Repeat your name.

Mary...

Mary Luca.

And the boy’s name?

Benny.

Show me your voter ID. Come on!

Damn… that’s what she lost in the landslide.

Landslide?