Shadow Kill (നിഴല്‍ക്കുത്ത്)

Early 1940s Before India became independent

Death by hanging was a common punishment...

in the princely State of Tiavancore, South India.

The State had its own professional executioner...

traditionally the head of a designated family.

Placed in a border village, he was kept away...

from mainstream society.

The Maharaja granted him many privileges...

and monetary benefits with every hanging.

The rope for the hanging was made by...

the inmates of the central jail.

Once used, it was kept with the Hangman...

in his pra er room.

The rope, when ritually burnt, was used as holy ash to heal the sick.

Adoor Gopalakrishnan & Joel Farges Present

SHADOW KILL

Oduvil Unnikrishnan Sukumari

Murali Jagathy Sreekumar

Nedumudi Venu Vijayaraghavan

Ravi Vallathol P.C. Soman

Reeja Thara Kalyan

Sunil Sivakumar

Sivaji Prof.Aliyar

Indrans M.K.Gopalakrishnan

Production Controller Kettidathil Vijayan

Production Coordinator K.N.Shaji

Chief Assistant Sajeev Pillai

Art Rateesh Babu

Stills Razzak Kottakkal

Costume Satheesh SB

Make-up P.N.Mani

Editing Ajith

Music Ilayaraja

Sound Recordist Harikumar

Sound Editing : Dominique Vieillard Harikumar, Krishnakumar

Effects & Mixing Dominique Vieillard

Image Ravi Varma, Sunny Joseph

Produced by Adoor Gopalakrishnan Productions

Co-produced by Artcam International, Paris

Story, Script, Dialogue & Direction Adoor Gopalakrishan

Do you know what he said when I put the rope on his neck?

"Don't kill me - I'm innocent", they all say so.

You are mistaken. He actually was innocent.

Why talk about it now? It was long ago.

He really was innocent. I came to know much later...

too late, I could do nothin.

My hands are stained with sin.

Is Annachi home?

Can he apply holy ash on m child?

Why bring the child in this rain?

He has a fever. Please apply the ash.

O Mother Goddess--

O Mother. You... Who have come to end our woes.

You, the kind and the fierce, Oh Goddess Kali - my Mother...

You who slayed Daruga the Demon..

You who created everything, Bless me, Mother, O Goddess.

You can go home now. He'll be well by morning.

You'll catch cold with your wet head.

You need me for everthing.

Romancing... at our age?

Change your damp clothes first. I'll serve you rice gruel.

Hey you, stop!

Aren't you the Hangman's son?

Yes. I am Kaliyappan's son.

They say you're a freedom fighter.

You and Gandhi will win us our freedom?

Tell the Hangman to see me today.

Little know it all Maharja feeds them and the son has ideas of freedom.

It's been a while since the last hanging.

Only the poor get sent to the gallows.

That's how it is. What can't money and influence buy?

Heard of the famous case? The attorney got pumped full of lead.

Super. Who hasn't?

It was sensational. In the end, the real culprit got off!

And that stupid kid got the noose.

Who's that? I've never seen her before.

I think she's new around here. Maybe she's married to one of the farm workers.

What's the use of chasing her? I'm not up to it now.

Giving up so easily?

Time should not be wasted without seeking the truth.

Death is a certainty. Accept it as a reality.

People keep planning and plotting...

Never a thought that they will die one day.

Should the thought occur...

they don't see it happening in the next 100 years.

In our short life span, we don't think about our own death...

which strikes unexpectedly.

We imagine that a tragic end is for others.

It is only when you make the pain of others your own...

that you become human.

Do you see how well the honored poet expresses this...

Sir, this girl is bleeding.

What?

- Can the ritual begin? - All the guests are here. Here's Vasu.

[CELEBRATING THE ATTAINMENT OF WOMANHOOD]

Why leave so early, Vasu? You're always in a hurry.

It's been two days now. Who will care for my oxen?

Then let Madhavi stay a few days.

I can't do that, Auntie.

Can't spare your wife ever for a short while?

Can't spare yoi even for a short wh ile'

Mallika! Mallika!

Why aren't you dressed yet? Not going to school today?

Father doesn't want me to go to school any more.

Our teacher was asking about you.

What are you waiting for? We're not sending her to school.

My respects to you.

Amma (mother)... Brother is here.

Here are some sweets for you, take it.

- What's this, brother? A spinning wheel - look.

When we take the spun yarn to the Khadi store they'll exchange it for more raw cotton.

When we collect a lot of yarn, we'll exchange that for cloth.

With that we'll stitch you a new skirt.

I'll learn to spin too.

My darling son, do you know how long you've been gone?

Not that long, Amma, barely a week.

Why couldn't you tell us about your plans?

Your father worries about you.

I'll explain it all to Appa(father).

Look at you a skeleton!

I'll cook a lamb soup for you.

Don't. I've given up eating meat.

Really?

Fruits, tubers, leaves.. there are other things to eat.

What's wrong with my son?

Are you going to put on your holy robes and renounce the world?

Hear you're moving around a lot... Involved in the freedom struggle.

Fine!

But there's one idea of Gandhi's that I can't agree with.

Know what that is?

This!

Come on.

I cannot agree!

I had a dream last night. Good or bad?

Not that good. Then don't tell me about it.

- Why? - Dreams sometimes come true.

Is it deep?

- Up to the Knees. - But it's very slippery.

You want to cross?

Is there a bridge nearby?

A mile away. Not a bridge really... The trunk of a coconut tree.

It shakes when you reach the middle.

Don't look, just keep going.

Try but you can't help looking down.

Why think so hard? Come with us. We'll get you across.

Careful, you may slip.

Trust us, you'll be okay.

Have courage-- you'll be there soon.

You're a brave man! Now relax.

Who did you come to see?

Is the Hangman's house nearby?

On the other side of this field.

You could've gone there by road.

- Is the Executioner in? - No.

Where has he gone?

I know where he is.

What is it?

- I was told to get you. - Who asked you?

The Official.

What?

It is hereby ordered by His Highness, the Maharaja of Travancore, that..

as the Court of Law has proved, beyond doubt, that one of his subjects..

has committed the heinous act of pre-meditated murder..

the sentence of death by hanging is to be executed on...

Friday, the 7th of September, 1941.

So, it is hereby ordained that the Hangman, Kaliyappan.. ined that a nan

son of Chinnappan, residing at East Street, Nagarcoil...

should proceed to cleanse himself with penance and prayers...

and be fit to carry out the execution.

Sir...

I am not well at all. I'm too old and sick.

I won't be able to stand the strain.

Can another person take my place?

Doesn't His Highness look after you giving you food and clothing?

Hasn't he granted you a house and farmland, tax-free?

Don't you know that His Highness's orders can't be challenged?

You who alleviate our pains, Mother Kali.

You who reveal yourself in various forms.

The all-pervading power and force O, the spirit of the universe...

You the fullness of being.. O Mother Kali.

You who appear in tantrik charkas. Bless me.

You, fierce one, wielding the holy trident...

seated under the sacred palmyra tree...

You, the one with three faces..

Shelter me, Mother Goddess.

MANUFACTORY, CENTRAL JAIL

What's new, Kaliyappan?

Is it true that there will be an execution soon?

Yes, master.

Are you all right?

I haven't been well, master.

Every hanging brings him more benefits.

Even so, ho seems depressed.

Understandable - tightening the noose around someone's neck!

Look at it like this. You do a job and you're paid for it.

The last hanging - something, went wrong.

Within ten days, his first wife died in Childbirth.

He's afraid that he sinned in hanging an innocent man.

How could this sin be blamed on the executioner?

Question! Who bears the sin in a hanging?