Vadhandhi (வதந்தி)

Even animals that kill and devour other animals...

are unable to commit such an act toward their own kind.

Given that,

how are humans able to do this?

As a cop,

even if I capture that animal

and punish it legally,

the horror of what has happened cannot be reversed.

How can it be erased?

How can it be forgotten?

Do I take pride in being a cop?

Or...

do I consider it a curse?

THE MYSTERY OF MANI

A well-attired belle

A bejeweled maiden

A luminous, radiant damsel

A vivacious, glittering charmer

A music-playing fairy

A pristine enchantress

Do you not sense the truth in her words?

HEADLINES

Here's Minister Ma. Sethupathy, talking about

the unfortunate incident during the inauguration

of the Chennai-Madurai eight-lane highway--

The eight-lane highway is a central government initiative.

Following its announcement, there were several protests all over!

But the state government did not support these protests.

That the state govt. had demanded the return of the land

seized by the central government for this project,

which was the reason for the inauspicious incident,

and it was nothing but a staged stunt by the state govt., says the center...

The incident at the eight-lane highway inauguration

is labelled a lowly stunt of the state government--

Hello, everyone! Today, we will cover last week's incident

at the inauguration ceremony

of the central government's eight-lane national highway project.

The central government says this was a premeditated plot by the state government.

The state government denies any involvement in this incident.

Both sides are clashing with each other.

What really happened? What is the incident?

What accusations are being made by the central govt. against the state?

And vice versa?

We're about to cover the allegations from both sides.

This video will not rush to judgment as to who is right and who is wrong.

It will simply cover the facts.

Central Minister Maan Singh

came to Madurai for the eight-lane NH inauguration ceremony.

The state government's Highways Minister and the public were present.

The plan for the inauguration ceremony

involved the land being dug out by means of a bulldozer

so that Minister Maan Singh could lay the foundation stone.

When the mud was dug out by the bulldozer,

a skeleton came to the surface with it.

This project is an ill-fated project!

As in, full of bad omens, predicting misfortunes.

To make people and the media believe this, the state government staged this

-accuses the center. -Brother!

-This show will cover... -Brother Mohan!

-the progression of this case-- -Brother Mohan! I'm talking to you!

What is it?

Where is the SI?

It's Friday, right?

He must've gone to the mosque.

-What do you need him for? -I want paper bundles! That's why!

I've been asking for two days now. No one heeds me!

Hey!

Light police stations only get two paper bundles for three months!

If we need more, we must buy at our own expense!

Porchelvi!

Today's not Friday.

It's Thursday.

Sir's case is due in court, right?

He's gone for that.

Sub-Inspector Moosa Raaza of Light Station!

Sub-Inspector Moosa Raaza of Light Station!

Call him quickly! Ma'am has to leave for lunch soon.

What? Did he not come?

He has come, ma'am. He was around just now.

Is he coming, or do I move on to the next case?

Get him here quickly!

He's in the middle of his prayers, ma'am.

Why do you oppose the Chennai-Madurai Highway? Answer that question first!

10,000 acres of farm land will be lost.

Isn't agriculture important to you?

So, roads mustn't be laid?

You don't want us to provide infrastructure for vehicles to ply on?

What matters more? Food or highway?

Farming can only be done in that land parcel, is it?

Food or highway? Please answer that first!

The highways are excellent in Singapore, they say.

The very people who praise the roads abroad are the ones

taking a regressive stance when the same infrastructure is brought to Tamil Nadu.

They sabotaged the inauguration with skeletons to torpedo this scheme!

This isn't true.

The state government has ordered an investigation into this matter!

Hasn't it?

Heard the story around this case, sir?

They want us to find out whose skeleton was dug up in the wasteland!

The IO assigned to the case is dead meat!

You're not handling the case, right?

Then what's your problem?

Hey! Turn off the TV!

You got distracted by watching TV all day and took on the wrong case!

A complaint was filed over the theft of 1.2 million rupees. Didn't you check?

The pawnbroker was claiming his money was stolen.

Maari asked if we should take up the case.

I failed to notice the price of the item on the record.

Our station handles theft cases

-only up to 500,000 rupees. -Okay, sir.

Anything beyond must be transferred to the DSP.

Tell them to meet the DSP.

Yes, sir.

Here.

-Buy those paper bundles. -Yes, sir.

Get lost.

Wonder why I'm putting in my own money?

I can't run the station with under-the-table dealings.

It may be a punishment posting,

but can I run the station in a don't-care manner, Mohan?

-Porchelvi? -Sir?

Drain the water from the soaked rice.

-Here. Wash this. -Okay.

Eating meals you prepare personally is a true ecstasy, sir!

What an aroma!

For this alone, I could stay with you!

Your wife is very lucky!

So you say.

But she feels worried.

After eight years of marriage,

Praise be to God,

we were able to conceive.

She is three months pregnant.

During this time, she wants to stay with me.

I tried to find a place here for us to stay,

but I can't find one.

You know how no one here rents out houses to cops.

And my name is so very Muslim!

Getting shot down on two counts!

Don't worry, sir!

For your kind heart, everything will work out well.

We'll find you a house!

What happened with the case yesterday, sir?

I was praying when my case was called.

As usual, it got postponed.

By Allah's grace,

all will be well.

That case you brought up this morning?

Yes, sir. The skeleton in the wasteland case.

Yes.

Rather than be caught like a deer in the headlights, in these thorny cases,

I'd take a punishment posting any day!

That is so true, sir.

There are innumerable cases on record with unidentified corpses!

At least those corpses have faces. This is a skeleton on a highway.

Several trucks run from Goa to Kanyakumari.

God knows who did it! No name or address to go with!

Above all, if this is government drama like the news claims, that's it!

It would stay unsolved forever.

It will be ready in five minutes.

Set the plates.

Let's eat.

Sir?

Put your leg up here. A snake might bite you.

What is it, Maari?

A snake?

Yes, sir!

Despite this being neither a pyre area nor a private burial ground,

a skeleton was found here.

That's why a question has come up as to whether the protestors did this.

Only by identifying this skeleton via a neutral investigation

does the government feel we can ascertain the truth.

That's what we are working toward.

The SP is here.

The SP?

Inform the SI!

Clear the tea glasses, kid!

-Get over here! -Yes.

Hold on!

Go, go, go!

-Ma'am! -Raaza.

Must be a complete change since your transfer from a buzzing place, right?

That may be true, but I wouldn't entirely agree, ma'am.

There are quite a few challenges here.

Raaza,

I'm not like your previous SP.

You can talk openly with me.

Ma'am,

since you said I can speak openly...

You know this is my punishment posting.

I want to do my job properly, without taking shortcuts.

I'm taking care of many small things at my own expense.

I get what you're saying.

I'm aware.

What can I do to help you?

If you were to speed up the reimbursement, it would be really helpful.

I'll have a word.

I'm thinking of giving you the authority to lead an investigation.

Which investigation, ma'am?

When Central Minister Maan Singh came for the inauguration ceremony.