[Multiple female voices] Dear Thalaivar, my family
was killed in a raid last year...
...by the Sri Lankan Army.
I am an orphan. I have no one in this world.
All my dear ones have been killed.
Give me one chance...
...to free my brothers and sisters from this oppression.
One chance for me and my people to walk...
...in a free land and live without fear.
Please give me one chance to fight the enemy wherever...
...they are and whoever they are
to create our own glorious Tamil land.
[Woman 1] 'On your knee.'
'Aim.'
'Shoot.'
Your time has come.
You three Black Tigresses have been chosen...
...for the biggest mission in our history.
Thalaivar, we won't let you down!
Are you ready
to avenge your brother?
Yes.
All the best.
God will ensure success.
[Title montage]
[Politician delivering a speech]
[sirens wailing]
[tense music]
[crowd cheering]
- Please stay back. - Madam, just two minutes!
- I just want to seek his blessings! - No.
- Not possible. Move back! - Please.
It's okay. Let her come.
Please.
[tense music]
You did a complete dry run on May 12th...
..and nine days later, successfully repeated it with Rajiv Gandhi.
We conducted two dry runs.
First one at Marina Beach where election rallies are usually held.
But we were not able to get close to the leaders.
And the second one at Nandanam where Dhanu proved...
...that she could penetrate the security and touch VP Singh's feet.
Subha Sundaram paid me...
...to click photos of the VP Singh rally.
Sivarasan used this footage to convince Thailavar...
...that the impossible could be done.
Fortunately for you, Rajiv Gandhi showed up in Madras.
- Hello, Sir. - Hello.
- Hello, Ma'am. - Hello.
The on-ground reports are very positive.
Congress will win with a majority. A clean sweep.
Excellent.
In the Tamil Nadu campaign, Rajiv ji wants to include...
...Maragatham Chandrasekar's constituency as well.
Why?
They share a relationship like family.
Rajiv ji refers to her as his aunt.
Indeed, I know, but at the moment, Jayalalitha ji...
...has a strong hold over Tamil Nadu.
Chandrasekar aunty will definitely win.
The state party president Ramamurthy has also faxed us.
'Has Rajiv ji not received it?'
He did receive it.
It clearly states that there is absolutely...
...no need for Rajiv ji to campaign in Tamil Nadu.
Although it's not necessary, he still wants to go.
See, what Rajiv ji has written on the fax.
Okay.
I'll include Sriperumbudur in the program for May 21st as well.
Okay.
Rajiv Gandhi is coming day after tomorrow...
...to campaign in Sriperumbudur.
[Sivarasan] 'We will not get a better chance than this.'
Rajiv Gandhi's Madras itinerary was published...
...in the newspaper on May 19th.
Which is two days before assassination.
Why did you conduct two dry runs 10 days in advance?
Sivarasan always liked to be prepared.
How is it possible...
...that all of you rehearsed his assassination here in Madras?
And he ended up here too.
[Kaarthikeyan] 'Okay, tell me about the bomb.'
The bomb was Sivarasan's original design...
...compact enough to fit in a regular salwar kameez.
[Saleswoman] 'Do you like this one?'
Not this one. Show me this.
- I'll take this orange one. - [Saleswoman] 'Good choice.'
I'll take that green one.
Congress's colour.
Keep it loose.
More loose.
Yeah.
It's because of the heat.
Sivarasan was clear that the kameez should be two sizes larger.
To sneak the bomb in, right?
[ominous music]
It's perfect.
No one will make out the vest at all.
How are the spectacles, Brother?
I thought it would help with the disguise.
[Sivarasan] 'Good.'
- [Man 1] 'Everyone ate well?' - [Woman] 'Enough brother'...
[indistinct chatter]
Taste the fish curry and tell me how is it?
Listen.
The three of us cooked Dhanu's favourite dishes.
That's not true, she did very little.
Shubha and I cooked everything.
It's very tasty.
[video playing on TV]
[laughing]
[ominous music]
It's a beautiful night.
My grandmother said that our martyrs are never forgotten...
...because they live on as stars.
See the gap there?
You can look for me there from the day after.
Let's talk about May 21st.
Hello, Brother.
It's good.
Make sure the pictures are really good.
Be careful.
Okay, Brother.
[tense music]
[ambient noise]
You and Shubha sit in the women's enclosure.
We'll go to the VIP enclosure.
- [Anusuya] Is your name Velayudham? - Yes.
[Anusuya] How many people, sir?
He will meet the VIP'S here.
- Which city are you from, sir? - [Man] 'Madras city.'
- Okay, thank you. - [Man] 'Thank you, Ma'am.'
Ma'am, this section is for VIPs.
Only those with the pass are allowed.
Remember to speak Indian Tamil.
Do you have a VIP pass?
Madam, I've come all the way...
...from Coimbatore just to see Rajiv Gandhi.
I don't care where you're from.
You can't be here. Go back.
Madam, I'm a press photographer.
- She is with me. - Yes, Madam.
[Haribabu] 'Ma'am, if you can please help.
Nobody is allowed in this section without a pass.
- [Haribabu] 'Madam, listen to me.' - Madam, please.
Get out.
- [Anusuya]'Please leave now, sir.' - Okay, ma'am.
So, what do we do now?
You go.
I'll think of some way to get in.
[girl practising a poem]
The poem is really nice.
Sister, is this your daughter?
Yes.
She wrote a poem for Rajiv Gandhi.
She is a huge fan.
Really? So am I.
Rajivji promised me that I could...
...bring Kokila to see him the next time.
'She has been rehearsing non-stop so she doesn't make any mistakes.'
Keep practicing.
She is going to read it to him tonight.
I've come all the way from Coimbatore to garland him but...
...that inspector pushed me out of the enclosure.
Okay, I'll take your leave now.
[Lata Kanan] 'Wait a second!'
You can come with us.
- Oh really? - Yes.
You can meet him personally.
Thank you so much, sister.
Kokila, do you need some water?
She's totally focused.
It's already ten. Why hasn't he arrived?
Be patient.
[Bhagwan Singh] 'Hey, Hari!'
Hello Hari! How are you?
I'm fine, Bhagwan.
- Madam, please. - Sir, you're not on the list.
- Madam, it's a request. - I can't do anything, sir!
Sister, I hope she doesn't send me away.
Don't worry, I'm a senior Congress worker. I'll take care.
Hey!
Sir, one minute. Hey, what are you doing there?
Didn't I ask you to leave?
Ma'am I know her.
I already told you!
Ma'am, I'll take care of it.
[Guy on stage] 'Our beloved leader has arrived.'
Our guru, our hope, our light, Mr. Rajiv Gandhi has come.
[crowd cheering]
[performer singing on stage]
- Greetings, sir. - Greetings.
Sir, this is my daughter Kokila.
She wrote a poem for you.
Oh, I see! Which class do you study in?
[Kokila] 'Eighth.'
How many times should I tell you? Go back!
Move back!
'Move.'
Madam, I just want to garland him and leave.
No. Go back!
It's...It's okay.
Let her come.
[ominous music]
How these things happen, no?
How everything kept connecting...
...with the help of destiny for Rajiv ji's assassination.
- Hi! Sri. - Hello Sir!
- Welcome. - Sir!
Gentlemen, This is DIG, Sri Kumar, joining our team from today.
- Amit. - Sri Kumar.
Among all the people in our custody...
...I'm sure someone will lead us to Sivarasan.
Form separate teams and let's restart the interrogation.
- [All ] 'Yes, Sir.' - Okay. Let's get on with it.
A lifetime's work just gone.
It seems like Jaffna has abandoned us.
I'm not sure if they want me back home any more.
Pakya, there was a plan in place to get you out.
It got foiled.
It happens in war.
Well...
I spoke to Shanmugam.
'He sent two guns for us.'
[gun click]
I am leaving Neru with you.
I promise, I will return with a plan at the earliest.
Sir, one name keeps coming up repeatedly...
...in all these interrogations that is Mahalingam.
Mahalingam operates from Nagapattinam...
...and assists in the movement of LTTE operatives to and from Jaffna.
Sir, in fact, I've also heard rumours...
...that in early May, Mahalingam himself took Sivarasan...
...from Nagapattinam to Coimbatore.
Okay.
- Take him into custody. - Yes, sir.
Sir, that senior journalist Subha Sundaram....
Surveillance has been ongoing on him for quite some time. But...
Pick him up too.
This will send a strong message...
...that whoever is connected to the LTTE, we are after them.
[All] 'Yes, sir.'
In fact, if there is even a bit of suspicion on everyone....
...pick them all up.
You really want to arrest me?
You know I am a journalist...
...and a founding member of the Press Club.
You are neither a journalist, nor the Tamil Tiger you think you are.
[Amit] 'Let him be, sir.'
Talk to me.
Oh, you speak Tamil?
Should I not speak?
Do you know...
...if the news spreads that I've been arrested,
then there will be hundreds of journalists...
...protesting outside your Malligai office.
'Do you want that?'
Look, sir.
We have a lot of evidence of you supporting the LTTE.
Can I see this evidence?
Yes, of course.
Until then, why don't you stay with us for 30 days?
Judicial order. 30 days Police Custody.
[Amit] 'Our hospitality is very good.'
If you give us any information...
...we will be considerate.
Whether you are able to catch the people or not...
...they have succeeded in their mission.
Injustice has been avenged.
See!
You have so much sympathy for the LTTE!
They have so much of sympathy for the LTTE!
It's clearly visible.
So much sympathy for people from another country...
...but no hesitation for killing your own.
Why, sir?
Their fight is not with you!
Why are you getting involved?
The day they killed our leader...
...in our own land, we got involved!
What did he say?
He is saying that you have nothing to do with...
...this. Why are you interfering in between?
The day they killed our leader in our own land...
We got involved!
Explain this to him in Tamil.
Exactly this is what I said.
I made him understand, sir.
- Mahalingam? - Yes, sir.
- Thank you so much SI. - It's my duty, sir.
Sir, I wanted to talk to you about something. Can we talk in private?
- Yes, sure. Come, Ragothaman. - Sure.
Please!
Sir, I'm saying this completely off the record.
Go ahead.
Sir, Mahalingam is just a small fish.
He's just a pawn.
The one we need to catch is Mahalingam's boss, Shanmugam.
Sir, judging by your reaction, it seems you...
...might not have heard Shanmugam's name before.
I'm sure none of the ones we've arrested...
...so far have mentioned his name....
...because his influence is far-reaching.
He's the biggest smuggler in the coastal area, operating...
...in Nagapattinam, Vedaranyam, and Kodiyakarai.
He calls himself The king of the coast.
Both the police and politicians work under his payroll.
He became a millionaire by smuggling...
...gold and weapons for the LTTE.
Sir, just imagine, his network is so strong...
...that as soon as I arrested Mahalingam...
...he went underground immediately.
Sir, it's very important for you to talk to this man.
He's the one who will lead you to Sivarasan.
[gun click]
Sit there!
Answer the questions!
Sir...
No need for violence, sir. I will cooperate.
Wow!
You have such a good heart.
[Amit] 'Okay. Tell us what you know.'
[clears throat]
My job was to move the LTTE operators...
...who land in Nagapattinam and Vedaranyam.
Operators like?
Murugan, Santhan, Payas, Jayakumar, Sir.
Sivarasan?
I know who he is but have never met him.
I've only been reading about him in the papers.
Tell us about your boss, Shanmugam.
Who are you talking about?
The same guy who's a smuggler.
That Shanmugam.
I don't know who that is.
Give us Shanmugam and you'll go free.
I just told you I don't know who that is. What can I tell about him?
I don't know, sir.
Durai.
Sir. One Minute.
I told you everything.
No need for violence, sir.
Tell us about your boss Shanmugam.
- Sir, that was…. - Get up...
Sir. Sir.. Sir…
We've tolerated a lot from these b******d!
- I won't tolerate it any more. - Sir!
Talking kindly to you all doesn't work, does it?
Sir! Please, sir
- You push us to the edge. - Sir...Sir...
Sir, leave me!
I'm done with this circus!
- Sir, don't do this! Please! - Ragothaman!
Run.
I told you! Run!
What are you doing, sir?
Sir, Sir... We will talk Sir Sir...
If I ask you a question, you smile.
If I hit you, you smile.
What happened now?
- Laugh now. - Sir, no sir. Please! Don't!
Show me your teeth.
- Sir, Sir... - Show me your teeth, you dog!
Sir, Sir, Sir, Sir....
Since you said you don't know anything, you are of no use!
No, Sir! I'll tell you everything!!!
Yes, sir.
I know Shanmugam
See, why did you have to make it so difficult?
Okay.
Tell us in detail about what happened on May 1st.
[Mahalingam] 'I brought the nine-member hit squad'...
...'from Jaffna to Kodiyakarai on May 1st.'
[Mahalingam] 'They brought gold to finance the assassination.'
[Mahalingam] 'They also brought guns and explosives for the bomb.
They have many safe houses all along the coast.
We bring in injured cadres, house them for a bit...
...'and then move them all across the country.'
This should be enough.
I'll get the cash to you in Madras.
RDX?
In case you run short, I have enough supplies.
Good.
[Mahalingam] 'Shanmugam is connected directly'
to the top people in Jaffna.
Where is Shanmugam now?
He has many houses scattered all over Tamil Nadu.
I only know the one in Vedaranyam.
- Sir! - Come in.
I need your help, sir.
Shanmugam has a clear link with Sivarasan.
'He knows all the top bosses in Jaffna.'
We've been trying for two days, but we...
...haven't been able to talk to anyone.
Everyone in Vedaranyam knows where he is.
But no one is ready to speak up, sir.
I'll call up Delhi. I'll try to put pressure through higher-ups.
Sir, please do it as soon as possible.
I'll Amit.
Mahalingam was arrested.
'If he gives up Shanmugam, that will mean'...
...'the end of our sea route.'
It is not safe for you in Tamil Nadu any more.
This is Vigneshwaran.
Call me Vicky, Brother.
It's an honour to meet you.
Vicky's friend Dhanasekaran owns an interstate trucking company.
'We'll use one of his truck to get you out.'
I will personally oversee everything.
What kind of trucks does Dhanasekaran own?
Oil and Petrol trucks.
Okay, here's what I want you to do.
[tense music]
[Kaarthikeyan] 'Thank you for coming in voluntarily.'
As a good citizen it is my duty.
Oh, is it.
Then why did your lawyer post...
...anticipatory bail before you came in?
One must be careful, sir.
You know how the police trap innocent sometimes.
No, we don't.
What do the police do?
They'll say I have connections with the LTTE.
It's true that I am guilty of smuggling goods.
But I have absolutely no connection to the LTTE.
Your assistant Mahalingam has told us...
...that you're connected to the top brass in Jaffna.
This is the problem, sir.
I took him in as a refugee and this is how he repays me.
Did you understand, Ragothaman?
We believed Mahalingam and picked up...
..an innocent man.
Arrest him.
You can't arrest me.
We got your anticipatory bail squashed.
We are arresting you under TADA...
...and we can do what we want with you.
Hey, you can't touch me!
I'm connected to the top politicians.
Looks like they don't need you.
We have spent the last two month cracking tough LTTE Tigers.
You are just a cat.
Have a cup of tea, sir. We'll break him by then.
Okay, thank you.
Okay, I'll cooperate.
Hmm.
What will I get for speaking?
Depends on what you give us.
[Amit] Be alert and drive safely.
Okay?
Hello.
This is Dhanasekaran, owner of DK Transporters.
Shall we check? Come.
Whatever you asked for is ready inside.
There are mattresses, pillows, reading lamp, towels,
coffee thermos, water, snacks and medicines
Good.
What is it, Santhan?
Shanmugam is in police custody.
They are headed to Vedaranyam.
Things are out of control.
You must leave Madras tomorrow.
Where have you hidden the weapons?
I'll show you.
Here.
And here.
[indistinct chatter]
- Excellent work, Amit. - [Amit] 'Thank you, sir.'
Sir, there was a huge operation going on...
...under Shanmugam's supervision.
He definitely knows where Sivarasan is.
I think, we should interrogate him again.
- Okay, bring him back here. - Yes, sir.
Okay, sir.
I repeat, keep him in the lock-up. We'll take him at eight in the morning.
- Got that? - Okay, sir.
Be careful.
- Sir, enough? - Yes.
- Ragothaman? - Sir.
When was the last time we had a drink together?
Sir, when was the last time we slept?
- Thank you. Cheers. - Cheers.
I wanted to ask you something.
We've been working together day and night ...
...for the past 60 days.
Everyone always hear what I think about this case...
But you always stay silent.
As a Tamil...
...what's your personal opinion about this case?
I want to know.
Sir, I'm just a soldier.
I just follow orders.
That was a diplomatic answer, Ragothaman.
Sir, do you remember...
...what Sukumar said?
What did Sukumar say?
One man's hero is another man's terrorist.
[phone ringing]
- Hello. - [Man 2] 'Sir'...
...'I'm calling from Vedaranyam.'
'Shanmugam has fled.'
What?
[Man 2] 'Please come to the circuit house. It's urgent, sir'
Okay, we'll be there in 10 minutes.
- What happened, sir? - Can you believe it?
- Shanmugam has fled. - F**k!
What are you guys doing here?
We were on the way back when I got a call from my superior.
Which superior?
What's his name?
Okay, what was the call about?
I was ordered to take him to the circuit house...
...and give him a good meal.
Good meal?
Didn't we order you to take him to the lock up directly?
Okay.
What happened after that?
[police van approaching]
Sit here and eat.
[indistinct chatter]
[ominous music]
The food was good!
[indistinct chatter]
Hey, Shanmugam!
Let's go to the other side!
Hey, what are you looking at? Go, catch him!
You're telling me...
...with two Inspectors and eight constables...
...he escaped?
You said he went to wash his hands after dinner?
- Isn't this Shanmugam's shirt? - Yes, sir.
[smirks]
Ragothaman, can I ask a silly question?
Why would a man remove his clothes before fleeing through a wall?
Arrange for a search team.
Hey, get the torches.
Okay, sir. Come on.
This case isn't a case, it's treasure chest, damn it.
Shanmugam, we know you're hiding here somewhere!
[Amit] 'You cannot escape!'
A bloody road.
Shanmugam has received internal help.
I'm sure there was a car waiting for him here.
[Man 3] 'Sir...Sir...'
This way, sir.
Sir...
For sure there is somebody who doesn't want us to catch Sivarasan.
[Vicky] 'All the best, brother!'
Remember, tap twice if you're stopped by the police.
And four times if the police insist on checking.
Don't forget.
Otherwise, I'll shoot you as well.
What a mess it's been today, man.
[phone ringing]
Hello.
[Sukumar] 'Can I speak to Ragothaman sir?'
Okay, one minute.
- Hello. - It's Sukumar, sir.
Tell me, Sukumar.
I have some solid information.
LTTE is planning to move Sivarasan out of Madras tonight.
Where are they moving him?
No idea.
Come on Sukumar, this is what you call solid information?
I can't shut down all roads, trains...
...and airport with only this information.
Sir, I'm truthfully passing what I heard.
You can take it or leave it.
What else…
[call disconnects]
[tense music]
- Greetings, sir. - What are you carrying?
The usual petrol, sir.
You're our man. Asking as if we're unaware
[taps on the truck]
I carry the same thing every week, sir.
Sir...
[Vicky] 'The usual petrol, sir.'
[taps]
It sounds empty.
Sir, the thing is…
Sir, please take the money…
It will be double.
Sure, sir.
You could have asked this earlier.
Keep it, sir
Hey, open it!
I'll take your leave.
Go, go, go...
[tense music]