Enkitta Mothathe (எங்கிட்ட மோதாதே)

My friend and I draw movie cut-outs for a living.

I draw Rajini. And he draws Kamal.

'DON'T MESS WITH ME'

TIRUNELVELI, 1988

When the heroes enter the screen, we'd whistle and cheer for our heroes.

The fans worship our hand-drawn cut-outs and burst crackers. That's our reward.

The cut-outs outside each and every cinema...

seal the bond between the movie star and his fan in blood and flesh.

A fan will never tolerate anything that tries to break that bond.

To be precise...

I won't tolerate it.

This cut-out has made me enemies and held me at knife-point.

It's left them hunting after me with blood lust.

It feels as though all the cut-outs I've created till now...

were painted with blood.

It is sniffing after my scent, like a hunting dog.

And human blood is a deadly thing...

But I must paint before the blood dries out. That is my job.

That's what I shall do now.

A FEW MONTHS BACK...

NAGERCOIL, TAMIL NADU

Why are you out so late? - Night duty, sir.

Who are you? - I'm here to unload goods.

Don't loiter. Go home. - But, sir...

Just half an hour...

I'll file a case and lock you both behind bars. Get going!

Sir, please... - I'll beat you up.

Sir, he's my first client... - Shut up.

Shall we go, then?

Okay.

Think you can ride with ME?

Let's find an auto-rickshaw.

You'll ruin my reputation.

Any mention of the film "Moondru Mugam" must remind people of my auto-rickshaw.

Hey, bring your vehicle over.

I'm getting it painted. It'll take some time, sir.

Paint it later. Come now.

He's a sought-after artist. Hard to get hold of him, sir.

Mani... Hand me the paint, man.

I said, come here. Want to paint, huh?

How dare you? You ruined my hero's picture!

I'll get you!

Ravi, don't! He's a cop.

Who cares?

Got a beedi? - Want a cigar?

Why did I bother asking you?

Son!

Got half a buck for a beedi?

Ask me money to buy something to eat. Not to smoke.

Then give me five bucks to buy some food.

Being cheeky?

Sodaku... - Mind your job.

Come here.

He plays a Kamal song, and shows off like Rajini!

What have we got?

Three orders today.

Actor Sivaji's cut-out for Parvathi Cinemas.

Sidhanathan Holy Products for Palani.

And 'Silk' Smitha's for Vadaseri liquor store.

Get Nalla Perumal here. - Right away.

Nalla Perumal... Boss is calling you.

Yes, boss?

This one is for Parvathi Cinemas. - Okay.

Sidhanathan Holy Products for Palani. - Okay.

What size? - Forty feet, as usual.

Will do. - Here.

Silk's picture.

It's for the liquor store.

I'll be back only tomorrow evening. - Okay...

Let the client know once it's done.

Okay, boss.

Perumal, finish it quickly. It needs to go to the cinemas.

I'll send it by evening.

Careful, that's a picture of 'Silk'.

Don't poke a hole in the banner.

Shut up, guys.

Sir, I could do the Sivaji poster. I can draw cut-outs, too.

Nalla Perumal has been with me for eight years.

You've been here for just two years. What's your hurry?

Sodaku has been here for fifteen years. You could have given it to him!

Mind your job. I know whom to assign what job.

Go prepare the canvas. - Been doing that for fifteen years now!

He's teaching me how to assign work!

Sit.

Boss.

Yes? - They called you at the police station.

What for? - The new inspector wants to meet you.

Tell him I'll be there.

See? Everyone respects me.

Give him a couple of movie cut-outs, too. Always yelling at him...

Tie it higher up.

Don't put that near my hand!

I told you not to put it here. Brainless oaf.

Who let him up here when I was trying to paint the job?

Darn!

Perumal, you painted yourself instead of the cut-out?

Brainless oaf.

Rascal!

I'm cleaning here.

Go away!

Ravi, come here.

Check if this shade is alright?

This mix is not Sivaji Ganesan's complexion. It is Gemini Ganesan's!

Really?

Eight years with Dhanu, haven't you learnt from his palette?

Let me see you do it! - Move aside.

Sivaji Ganesan, the greatest of actors!

Tie it higher up.

Doesn't he look majestic!

I've worked under him for years! We should start on our own.

It won't work out.

Why not? I know I can do it.

I can't spend my entire life like this.

I know the craft, and I believe in myself.

I know I am right. - Really?

In all these years, I've never seen someone paint Sivaji so well.

He's just nailed it.

Dhanu Arts is simply the best.

Dhanu Arts? You know who drew this?

Who? - He did.

Really?

I thought it was Dhanu all this time.

He's surpassed his mentor! Excellent job.

Pour some.

Pour it. - It burns!

What happened?

Someone painted on an auto-rickshaw and signed with his name...

The cop...

Hold on... - Move aside, woman.

Who was it?

Going around telling people that you painted the cut-out?

If you're that talented, do it on your own.

We never said that.

I heard it at the cinema.

We accidentally dropped the palette you gave us.

Is that right?

Go inside!

So, you're a great artist now?

Out with the truth, who among the two of you painted it?

Don't, Ravi.

I painted it, boss.

I'm really happy.

I saw the cut-out at the cinema.

Brilliant!

It made me believe that I've groomed a good craftsman.

Sivaji's face was so lively!

You should start your own business.

But not in Nagercoil.

Tirunelveli, Madurai, Trichy... Some place like that.

Such a nice boss.

You see, there is already too much competition here.

Got it? - Yes.

That's smart.

Bless me, boss.

You shall prosper. - May I take over the cut-outs, then?

Think you can just replace him like that?

First, learn respect from him.

How much will that cost?

How dare you disrespect me?

Shouldn't have hired a cocky Tirunelveli guy... Get out of my sight.

Leave my place immediately.

I told you the other day, we should start our own business.

We'll start up in your home-town. We shall make it big.

Don't worry. We'll rock it.

Of course!

Ravi, I'm counting on you! Handle it, man...

How did he even buy your lies?

I guess I have an innocent face!

Tickets. Where to?

Two tickets to Tirunelveli.

TIRUNELVELI, TAMIL NADU

Sodala, Chidambaram is calling you. - Be right there.

Mind the shop.

Greetings.

Long time no see!

How is your business going?

It's alright.

I was planning to visit you myself.

Including interest, you owe me about 13,000 already.

What's the plan? - Don't get me wrong...

People who've loaned me more are still waiting.

Give me three months' time.

I'll pay it in installments.

You're a kin, after all.

Yes, indeed. So hand your canteen over to me.

We'll handle the rest later.

Brother...

The money from the canteen is my only way to repay all other debts.

Please understand my situation.

Look here...

I own the canteens in three of the four cinemas in town.

I gave you this canteen for your own good.

What if someone else snatches the canteen because of your debts?

He'll become my competitor.

Just listen to me.

Hand over this canteen to me and leave. Got it?

Chidambaram, you may be with Mr. Mandiramurthy in politics. But don't forget your past.

I'll return your money in two weeks.

Stop talking this way.

I was being nice because we were kins. You dare to raise your voice at me?