01x04 - What Lies Beneath

[bunniefuu]

Will the false images shown by the heart

Break in front of the eyes?

Will time solve this clueless puzzle?

As the depth of eerie silence

Echoes all over

Will this wild run after the shadows

In the dark, stop?

Will the unresolved legends

Unearth the truth

And the apparitions

Of the mystery die away?

Hello, Uncle Sathya!

-Uncle Sathya!

-Uncle Sathya!

-Hello!

-Hi, Uncle.

-Why didn't you come yesterday?

-Ameer!

Come here.

Don't climb on

the government vehicle!

Get down carefully.

So Uncle, what did you get for us today?

I brought you Karonda fruits.

Nice!

Freshly picked from my garden.

And for me?

Wow! A flowering plant?

Barleria prionitis.

Barle Priya What?!

What's this name, Uncle?

It's so hard to pronounce.

What do we call it here?

The common name

for this is "Semmulli."

You can take its petals,

stick them on your nails,

and decorate them.

Wow! Really? That's so cool!

Sathya, hurry up!

The food is getting cold.

Come in, all of you!

Come, Uncle.

Let's go and eat.

By the way, how did

you do your exams?

Will you pass in

Maths at least this time?

Wow! Wow! Wow!

It looks delicious!

No one can beat

Faria Ma's fish curry!

You've put raw mangoes too?

-Yes. I know you will like them.

-Some more?

-Enough, enough!

-Eat well.

Here, have a little more.

-Serve him a piece.

-Okay, Auntie.

Sathya can enjoy my cooking

only until he gets married.

So, when are you getting married?

When you lured him

in with your fish curry

I knew that this

was your agenda!

Keep quiet! Let him eat.

I am talking to him.

What's bothering you?

He deserves a good family life

with a wife and kids, doesn't he?

He is not getting any younger.

How long will he

manage as a bachelor?

The old bat does have a point.

Why don't you get

married at least once?

Oh no! Brother

I don't have such a plan at all.

I have enough responsibilities

on my shoulders.

Did you hear that oldie?

Now shut up. Let him eat.

Hey! Stop calling me

an oldie again and again.

As if you're a young stud!

Look at him.

He is seven years older than me!

Sathya, the whole village knows that.

Listen, don't rush off to work

as soon as you finish eating.

I have got holy talismans from

a priest in the Nagore Dargah.

Wear them on your wrists first.

What for?

You both have to go

to the forest every day.

Everyone is saying that

the Ratchi is roaming there!

Scares the hell out of me!

I need to be at peace

here, isn't it? That's why.

Look here don't gossip

around with the village women

and then dump those rumors over here!

Got it? Leave them there.

There is no Ratchi

or Mohini in the forest!

The only ghost that I ever saw

is her!

Don't you!

I'll pour this hot

curry on your face!

Don't pour it on the face,

pour some over this rice.

No more curry for you.

Give it to me.

Let your taste buds die.

Sathya, here.

Take another piece of fish.

Enjoy your meal!

You want some?

-It's not for him!

-You have it.

It's only for you.

Hurry up! These three

statues should be sent to Delhi.

Sir, is Singapore's special order,

the eagle statue, ready?

It's ready. Ask them to pay first.

Okay, sir.

Hey, Kanika!

Sir seems to be packing his clothes.

Is he threatening to move out

of the house?

Does he think I'll change my mind

and accept that girl?

-It's not what you think.

-Then what?

He is going to stay in Thaenkaadu

for a few days, for some case.

-Have you started?

-I am packing right now.

Call me once you settle there. Okay?

What?

Are you not coming? Why?

No. Sir asked me to attend to

the pending paperwork at the office.

My hands will be full with them.

He is deliberately splitting us up.

Deliberately? What are you saying?

It's called divide and conquer.

Didn't you learn this

in your history subject?

I understand

when someone else takes

your place and orders you around,

it is annoying.

But please try to get along with him.

If you always carry a long face

and keep focusing on him,

how can you focus on the case?

Madam, are you done?

Or do you have any

other advice to give me?

Alright, you leave now.

I will meet you later.

-Bye!

-Okay, okay. Bye.

You seem to have

something on your mind.

You don't have to tell me

if it's personal.

But if it's something about the case,

then tell me your thoughts.

Do you believe in

supernatural phenomena?

Why do you ask?

Well

there are a few unexplainable

things in this investigation.

Like the behavior of the sniffer dogs

They were barking crazily.

Then suddenly, they got scared of

something and became totally silent.

And those odd sounds that

echoed everywhere in the forest.

We don't have an explanation

for any of these!

And those webspinner insects

building a cocoon over the dead bodies.

Sir, do you think the m*rder*r carries a

sack full of webspinners,

wherever he goes?

Last night, I was reading

about Demigods and Evil spirits.

All the civilizations in the world

give importance to animals

in their spiritual beliefs.

The Greek God, Zeus

and his eagle,

the cats in the tombs in Egypt,

and the snake and fox from

the Japanese culture.

Even our Gods have used

animals as their vehicles.

Lord Shiva has a bull,

Lord Pillayar has a mouse,

and Lord Muruga has a peacock.

Similarly, webspinners

are Vanaratchi's minions.

According to this book,

after the Vanaratchi kills a person

these insects appear and build

a cocoon over the dead body

much like a final act.

Are you seriously saying that the Ratchi

committed these murders?

Are you going to write that

in the police reports?

Ayyanar, you are an investigative

police officer in the CBCID.

Start thinking like one!

Behind every mystery,

there will be a logical, rational,

and scientific explanation.

But we won't get

those answers at first.

It is our job to find them.

Welcome, welcome!

-Paraman.

-Sir?

-Bring their luggage from the car.

-Okay, sir.

What's this?

A bad omen right as we enter.

It's just a loose connection.

It's a really old building,

built during British rule.

Now it's being used as a guest house

for government officials.

Ayyanar, you can

take a room on that side.

-Okay, sir.

-Take them to the room.

Alright, sir.

Rishi, you may take this room.

Inform the caretaker about your food

preferences and he'll prepare them.

Alright, I will take leave now.

Thanks!

I didn't expect that you would come

in person and arrange everything.

No trouble at all.

Sathya I want to ask you something.

I heard about the incident

where one of your guards

stepped on an animal

trap and injured her leg.

Apparently, she is claiming that

the Vanaratchi came to k*ll her.

Is that true?

I am wondering why you

didn't tell me about this.

This is crucial information.

I need to know what type of victims

are being targeted by the K*llers.

This isn't an isolated incident, Rishi.

Ratchi sightings are being

reported by many people in the village.

That is why I didn't inform you.

What about you?

Have you seen the Vanaratchi?

Not yet.

But if I do see her

I'm gonna catch her

before you get a chance.

Sir, you called for me?

I asked for Punitha.

Where is she?

She has been assigned

duty at Vadakapalayam.

So, Irfan sir sent me.

Why aren't you in your uniform?

Sorry sir I was on leave.

Irfan sir said that it was urgent.

So I just rushed here.

This is Beat Officer Kathryn.

If you want to go into the forest areas,

she can guide you

If you want to meet anybody

in the village, she will arrange it.

Basically, for any assistance

you may need in this investigation,

she will be at your disposal.

Sir!

Pack your things

from your quarters.

I've arranged a room

for you here itself.

Get the key from the caretaker.

Okay, sir.

Okay, I'll take leave now.

Tell me.

Hey!

Didn't think you'd pick up.

Were you sleeping?

Did I wake you up?

Just say what you

have to say and hang up.

Calling you every night

and telling you about my day

has become a habit.

In the last two years, I've never gone

to sleep without hearing your voice.

No matter what problems

I encounter in life,

I am someone who can face them with ease.

The pressures of work,

the tantrums of my parents

all these don't affect me much, Yamuna.

But you being mad at me

and not talking to me

I'm crumbling, Yamuna.

Please don't completely

shut me out like this.

Just felt like telling this to you.

That's it.

Good night.

sh*t!

-Hey, Hira!

-Hey!

-What's up?

-Hi, Chithu!

Sorry, I made a video call

without thinking.

Are you busy with work?

Should I call later?

No it's okay. I'm at home.

Oh, alright then.

I meant to call you sooner.

Actually, I've been thinking about you.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Okay.

I need a little help.

I've got a job interview

in Coimbatore, next week.

My parents are a bit busy

and they won't be

able to accompany me.

They won't allow me to

stay alone in a hotel either.

So, if you don't mind

may I stay at your place

for a couple of days?

-Sure, Hira. Come.

-Sure?

Just come.

So sweet, Chithu. I can't wait

to meet you and catch up.

Same here.

-Yeah, bye!

-Bye.

Robert was m*rder*d deep

inside the forest.

But Ekambaram was abducted

right from his home in the village.

The K*llers are getting bolder.

Their next attack could be anywhere.

They could've k*lled Ekambaram

in his house.

Why didn't they do that?

Why take such a huge risk to kidnap him,

carry him to the forest,

and then m*rder him there?

I think they are conveying

that the murders

are connected to the forest in some way.

Sir!

Sir, I'm supposed to drive you around.

Keys?

Where to, sir?

Ekambaram Constructions.

-Do you know where it is?

-I do, sir.

It's about ten kilometers from here.

If we take the Nelliyampathy route,

we'll reach in 15 minutes.

Are you from this town, Kathryn?

Yes, sir. I am from this town.

How long have you been

working in the forestry?

Since 2019.

Before that?

After completing B.Sc. Botany and B.Ed,

I worked as a teacher

in a government school.

In 2019, I heard that

female forest guards

were being recruited in

Tamilnadu for the first time ever.

I applied for it immediately.

Oh, right!

That was the first mass recruitment,

right?

I heard in the news that 190 female guards

were recruited from all over Tamil Nadu.

Yes, sir.

We were trained at

Coimbatore Forest Academy

and Theni Forest Training College

for six months.

Then I got posted here itself.

Kathryn, Guard Selvi said that

when she got caught in the animal trap

you were with her.

Yes, sir. We both went for

the night patrol duty together.

Selvi said that you also saw the Ratchi.

No, sir! It looked like

some kind of a shadow.

It could have been

a panther or a bear.

It was not clear in the dark.

These are the projects we

took up in the last five years.

The files of the projects before these,

are in the storage room.

Shall I get them too?

Not for now. We'll ask if needed.

Where is Ekambaram's phone?

It must have been with him.

It was on his bedside table, sir.

We took it as evidence.

That was his personal phone.

I checked that.

It only had the contact numbers

of a few relatives and friends.

I am asking about his second phone.

The one he used for work.

I don't know if he had another phone.

Even if he did, I have

no idea where he kept it.

We'll have to question

all your staff members.

-Okay, sir.

-Please inform them.

I'll tell them, sir.

The contract is to lay

a new road here, sir.

-Okay.

-From this spot

it's supposed to connect to the highway

two kilometers north of here.

Alright!

But I don't see any workers.

Is there no work happening today?

Actually, this project

may not happen at all.

-Why?

-Though we got the government order,

since this is Ekambaram sir's own company,

no work will happen without him.

Now they have to initiate new tenders,

then kickstart the bidding.

The whole process might take

eight to nine months, at least.

There would've been other bidders

for this contract, right?

-Yes.

-I need that list.

Okay, sir. I'll get

it from the office.

And we need to talk

to your workers too.

-Arrange for that too.

-Sure, sir.

-Alright. Shall we leave?

-Yeah, okay.

The road was supposed to

be laid through here, right?

Yes, sir. This is the path.

Go there! Hide behind that tree!

Sir! Sir!

-What is it?

-No idea, sir.

Sir

I signaled you from there.

Didn't you notice?

Do you see a shelter over there?

You can go there. Hurry!

Sir

Sorry, sir.

I didn't know.

It's okay.

-Chitra, what happened?

-Sir.

How is she?

Sangeetha regained consciousness

but unfortunately, the

baby died in the womb.

The doctors couldn't do anything.

-When did this happen?

-Just a while ago.

She is frozen in a state of shock.

She k*lled my husband!

She took my baby too!

Why did you spare me?

k*ll me too! k*ll me!

You are the curse

Of a burning heart

You are the root of

A never-ending w*r

You are the depth of the screams

You broke me

And I crumble to pieces

What? You called off the wedding?

Please! Let's not talk about it.

This is one of their usual fights.

They'll patch up tomorrow.

You wait and see.

They always do that!

Not this time.

It's been two months

since I saw her.

It's over.

What happened this time?

Hey! Can we drop this topic?

Are we here to discuss my love life?

There seems to be no way out of this

The love, as fragile as glass

Threw a stone into my eyes

It morphed into poison

And imprisoned my heart

Chandru said he'll be here by 9:00 p.m.

Where is he?

He must be stuck in the rain.

He'll be here any moment.

If it's Viji, please attend the call.

Rishi, just talk to her.

Otherwise, she'll keep calling.

Pick up and talk to her.

Listen, this is not a good time.

How can you do this to me?

All these years we were together.

Don't they mean anything to you?

Viji, we already talked

about this many times.

We can't keep going in circles!

So, that's it?

Yeah!

My life is completely shattered!

You've ruined my life!

I'm sorry. I need to go.

Is drinking with your friends at the pub

more important than talking to me?

How do you know that I'm at a pub?

Viji! Answer me!

I need to meet you Now!

No, I can't come.

How do you know

that I'm in the pub?

If you don't come out now,

I'll jump in front of the traffic.

What?

Where are you?

Damn it! Do you always creep up

on people like this?

Sir. Sorry, sir.

The caretaker had to urgently leave

and go home.

So, I got you food from the hotel.

The door was open

but I still knocked.

I called out a few times

but you didn't respond.

Sorry for the disturbance, sir.

No, no. Wait.

I'm sorry.

I was too rude.

Thank you for bringing the food.

I often get this migraine.

The pain makes me irritable.

But I shouldn't have

taken it out on you.

Sorry.

It's okay, sir. Would you like some

black tea with ginger and lemon?

It's very good for the headache.

Wow!

This is really nice.

Have you added something

other than ginger and lemon?

I've added some

lemongrass and palm jaggery.

-Is it too sweet?

-No, no, it's perfect.

If you don't mind,

can I ask you something?

You want to know about my eye.

Yes. How did it happen?

There was an incident three years ago.

It was a g*nsh*t.

The b*llet went through my eye.

I fully lost sight in this eye.

Oh!

But how do you manage?

It took a while to adjust

in the beginning.

With just one eye, I have

no depth of perception.

I used to dash into things.

I had to relearn everything.

To walk without falling, to run,

to drive

Basically, I had to learn to do everything

with just one eye.

Careful

This isn't easy!

Since you lost partial vision,

did your sense of hearing

and smell get heightened?

To an extent, yes, but

it's not like getting superpowers.

-Hey!

-Sir.

What are you guys doing?

Why is it taking so long?

The parts were all rusted, sir.

We had to buy new ones

from the town to replace them.

-How long will it take?

-Two hours.

-Finish it soon and call to inform me.

-Okay, sir.

Dear, are you still in the factory?

This is your third call.

I told you I'll come home

when my work is done.

The priest is already on his way.

He was very upset about burning that doll.

He said we should conduct the ritual

at our house tonight itself.

Alright, I'll be there. Hang up now.

What is it now, you dimwit?

I have texted you some things

to buy for the ritual.

Isn't Jagan at home?

Why don't you send him?

I've sent the kids

to my brother's place.

I don't want them at home

during the ritual.

Fine! I'll get them myself.