01x05 - The Kidnapping

[bunniefuu]

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 g*ng 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 k*lled 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

k*lled 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 k*lling 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 g*ng,

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 ill*gal.

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.

- f*ck it.

- f*ck 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 f*ck.

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 K*llers?

- 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

sh**ting 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 g*ng?

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 g*ng was from Munnar, they've

been poaching there for two years.

What?

- What?

- Another active g*ng, 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 g*ng?

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 g*ng.

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

g*ng 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 g*ng.

I want to turn myself in.