Crabby...pinky pinky crabby.
Pinky pinky crabby.
[Kid]: Wow! Boat!
[Grandma]: Oh no! It's raining.
-Hands inside! -Let go Grandma!
-It's raining dear! -Grandma, don't roll it down
-It's raining heavily! -Grandma!
Let go Grandma!
-I don't want you to get wet -Grandma
Why are you worried? I'm the one getting wet
Why are you being naughty Paru?
Just like that.
Go to sleep now.
Tell me a story now.
Once upon a time there lived a king--
That's an old one, tell me something new.
Okay.
What other story?
Once upon a time there lived a fox in a forest
Damn! Always 'That fruit is sour' story!
What is your name?
She's asking you. Tell her your name.
[kid groans]
Pccht! Tell her
Parvathy
Oh!
No, it's Paru.
-She likes to be called Paru. -Oh!
Her horoscope states that she is a shy girl.
So I wanted her to say it.
Are you going to Visakhapatnam?
No, Narsipatnam.
Medical camp
-Is she a nurse? -Yes
Shall I ask her to give you an injection?
[groans naughtily]
Naughty minx!
She wants an injection.
Okay, no need. Sweet girl
Would you like me to tell you a story?
But only if you ask me for it. Only then I will.
Okay, tell me a story.
Once upon a time there lived a soldier.
Usually a story starts with a king?
Shh!
But weren't you complaining the king and fox stories were old?
[Paru giggles]
This particular soldier was very special.
He could never be killed
'The bravest of brave'
Or the most powerful weapon could not kill him.
That's because...
There was one secret no one knew about that soldier.
What secret?
You know what?
His soul was not with him.
He had locked it up inside a fish.
Every time he went to the battlefield and got back home safe and sound
A loud sound from a conch will be heard
This fish will be waiting for that sound holding on tight to his soul
[train honking]
You heard it?
But poor thing
This time the fish couldn't hear the conch being blown.
Before the sound of the conch
there was a terrible storm in which along with cattle, birds and huts
...this fish was flown away too
And later?
Paru...
Don't disturb aunty.
Not a problem
Close your eyes and listen.
Rest.
The soldier whose soul was in the fish...
...decided to find the fish by all means.
He left with the conch in his hand.
As he was crossing huge rives,
one of the rivers asked him where he was going.
He narrated the story of the fish,
The river understood his need and gushed ever more fast.
A narrow mountain stream asked him what was his urgency.
The montain opening broke into tears loudly after it heard his story,
it took him to the sea with a sense of urgency.
Unable to search for it in the 7 seas and floundering,
the soldier failed to find the fish.
He stopped a solitary cloud passing above his head and asked
'Did you see my fish?'
'No, But if I do, I will personally tell you' said the friendly cloud.
And the cloud sped past him.
He continued his lone hunt blowing the conch aloud
and kept searching for the fish.
On the other hand, time kept passing.
The soldier was shrouded in sorrow without any means to even die.
One night, the cloud which went on a mission to look for the fish returned
Conveyed a message to the soldier in the form of a heavy downpour.
The soldier blew his conch as soon as he heard the message.
[conch blowing]
Suddenly, as if the moon was following him in that darkness,
...a glow spread all around
That glow slowly turned towards our soldier.
The fish which was the soldier's quest from the bottom of his heart...
...was finally within his grasp a few feet away.
Our soldier's joy knew no bounds in finding his lost soul.
And the sea danced along with him in happiness.
With its mission fulfilled, the conch returned to its birthplace, the sea bed.
All of a sudden, churning the sea,
a giant wave rose.
MAARA
What happened, mother?
One minute
-Anyone has a key bunch with them? -Keybunch?
Formal wedding announcement.
On the 4th of the Phalguna month of Sarvari year morning 9:09AM
'Bala, son of Ramanathan and Mala'
-Priya, daughter of Mani and Saraswathi. -Paru...
Have you heard grandma talk?
-Yes, I did. -When?
When I was your age.
Is that so, grandma?
Did you tell Paru about Kishore?
Er...I didn't
-Why? -Oh...
How is the groom?
[Lady whispers] His family likes her, don't know if Paru would accept.
He's standing there, Kishore He's your prospective groom
Are you leaving as we have brought this match for you?
Why didn't you tell me earlier?
And why didn't you?
You pop a face out of the blue and ask me to marry him!
Don't keep fiddling with that stuff, come here
Aunt, maybe Paru has a boyfriend already.
The problem is solved if such a man exists.
She doesn't end up liking anyone.
Look... some prince has to jump out of these books into real life!
Are you even being practical or sensible?
I don't even understans what you want.
You keep wandering around historical monuments and broken temples.
-Mom, it's called 'restoration' -Whatever!
Are you the slightest bit worried you're getting older by the day?
I will blame it all on her grandma.
You keep rejecting all prospective grooms.
Mom, why didn't you invite Mary aunty?
Don't change the subject.
Aunt, why are you getting stressed out? She knows what to do, let her be
She doesn't know what she wants.
That's the problem actually.
Yes, Mom, I don't know.
But I know what I do not want!
What do you want now?
I must talk to that boy, right?
I'll talk to him, okay?
But I have to leave now.
Why this tearing hurry?
Which temple would you restore in these four days?
Aunt, you don't start again!
She agreed to talk to him, right?
Paru, looks like Kishore is ready to marry you tomorrow!
I give you one week.
-One week, huh? -Let's go, Aunt.
For what?
-What? -If I kick you, it will all be fine
-What did I do? -Get lost!
Paru, is this also you?
That's your grandma.
Just because he is good-looking and has a well-paid job
...can I get married to him?
What are you upto? Come here.
I'm leaving.
Take care of everyone till I come back.
Paru, where are you going?
Asking me, huh?
Tread through dense forests...
climbing huge mountains and cross all the seas...
I am going to a faraway place.
"Who is this calling me?"
"Whose voice is this?"
"Why does it ring in my ears clearly?"
"My lips refuse to shoo away this voice in my ears"
"It's traveling holding this voice's finger"
"It's the lullaby sang by the swinging eyelids"
"My breath has transformed into a rhythmic rhapsody"
"My body drenches in this downpour"
"Mind will search for a place special to wander and chill, cool and casual"
Hey!
You said it will take one week and escaped here?
Did you runaway here scared you'll get hooked?
You said 'no' to him, right?
You'll never change!
Why do you have to hunt for a place?
Stay with me.
We can ask for an extra mattress.
How can I stay in a hotel in such an exotic place like this?
Must stay in the center of this town.
[boat bell rings]
"Till it is reached, the anticipation of not knowing one's destination"
"How to stop the sound of waves till then?"
"A story stopped midway incomplete in its own way"
"Who will fill up the blanks in the story if not searched to solve the mystery?"
"The twist that reveals the dream in the swinging heart"
"Those who toil will be rewarded fine"
"The treasure they find will be a gold mine"
"Isn't the only untamed wanderer the wind?"
"Who is this calling me?"
"Whose voice is this?"
"Why does it ring in my ears clearly?"
"It's traveling holding this voice's finger"
You are Paru, right?
Hi, I'm Afzal.
-Hi. -Hey!
Isaac 'cheta' told m-
Don't try too hard to speak Malayalam, it's okay.
-Don't you speak Telugu? -Yeah.
Then let's converse in Telugu.
This part is Muslim area The food ain't great here.
That side is Jew town.
Slightly expensive but good place.
Behind that is Gujarati street.
In the center is Telugu area That's where I live.
Though different kinds of people live here, we believe in one almighty.
So, Paru, what kind of house do you have in mind?
I don't have any specific preference.
Just a decent place.
Okay, let me make it simple for you
Choose a key among them.
Okay
This one
Great choice! It's right here.
You showed me a bunch of keys.
How can you remember exactly which home does which key belong to?
I don't want to brag about myself
I'm blessed with this gift from childhood
Memory power!
It's the right key! I think they've changed the lock.
Let me go in and check, wait
[humming]
-Hold it firmly, my dear. -You look straight and ride.
Won't get caught anywhere!
Be careful
'Kite is gone!'
Come...come
Hurry up!
'Paru'
-Afzal, this painting- -Oh! Here!
All I knew was now and then he used to sit here and dabble with his paints
This man...
He has painted for his eyes only!
-Who is he? -Maara
You are in his house now
Actually why can't you stay here?
-Stay here? -Heritage building
Safe house, art all over the place...
You'll love the view too.
You said someone else lives here.
You mean Maara? Even when he was here he had guests staying from Germany, Nepal
Now he isn't visiting himself.
You'll have fun here. I'll leave your bag in there
No problem, suppose you don't like this place, you can shift later
Okay
Maa-ra... what if Maara returns?
Don't stress about whether he will come or not.
-Don't you like this place? -I wanted just one room.
This is such a big house
Oh! Come on, give whatever you'll pay for 1 room, that's enough, okay?
No problem Rest up.
And anything you need you know who to call
Okay.
Hello. Won't you even call to say you reached safe?
-How is the office quarters over there? -It's good.
As soon as your work is over come back home soon.
Okay
Then please call up that boy Kishore
Don't be adamant.
Did you hear me or not?
I am coming/i>
One minute, Paru
Grandma is ringing her bell
Hello?
Hey Paru.
Are you still there?
Hello?
Mom, I'll call you later
Alright.
[telephone ringing]
Make yourself strong & empowered within before every fate for you is written
The lord himself is forced to ask you
...what your desire or want is.
Hello, who's speaking?
A Telugu girl?
I thought it was Muzafir.
So Afzal brought you?
Yes
I left the house in a mess, sorry.
If it is too much of a hassle you can trash it
Otherwise no other problem.
The plant will drink water of its own accord
-Then...-Who is speaking?
Asking me who I am?
The great warrior Narasimha Reddy here!
Who else could give you such detail about that house?
-Maara? -That's me!
Hello, can you hear me?
You painted-
I need a favor from you.
Can you check in the kitchen if Kasturi has enough feed?
Please!
Will you go to the kitchen? I'll tell you what to do.
Please, sorry to disturb you.
Okay
Can you see a switchboard over there?
There must be a can of pepper next to it
Salt right next to it.
Next is the pickle.
Behind that.
Did you find it?
Yes.
Just a min-
Hello... Are you okay?
-Hello?-Oh crap.
Hello?
Hello, can you hear me?
Got disconnected?
Thank you, brother
Hello, can you hear me?
[hang up beep]
Who are you?
Where is Maaran?
I'm asking you where Maaran is!
Drop your 'dhoti'
Is this the way to treat a lady?
Forgive us, madam
Maaran sir... oh no! Do you know where he is?
I don't know.
Telugu!
No problem, madam!
My daughter is missing for past 2 days.
We came to ask Maaran sir for help to trace her.
[giggles]
No problem
Madam...
This is my business card My phone number is behind it.
Take it, madam.
Thanks.
Please ask Maaran sir to call me, okay?
Come from a side.
Okay, madam
Hey! Come this side
No problem, madam
The knife-
Yeah..
Madam, when we touched the door the lock broke somehow.
No problem, madam!
Come
Stolen Moments
If you go straight you'll reach the kitchen.
You'll find booze and appetizer there.
Bring them here.
Hey!
[untensils clanking] [man screams]
Cheers!
[Maara laughing]
After a long time I feel so happy as if I'm in my hometown, brother.
What?
I said, 'after a long time I feel so happy as if I'm in my hometown'
Do you go deaf when you drink?
Are you checking out what you can loot from here?
From here?
Me?
With the sole intention to steal, I broke in, brother
But this place looks like a go-down loaded with stolen goods
What kind of job do you do, brother?
What is all this?
This baldie here Who is he, brother?
Forget this man
You are sitting with me and drinking on New year's day
Don't you have a girlfriend some glam doll you're dating?
Why not, huh?
You have all kinds of skills in the palm of your hand
Good-looking fellow too
Even so-so faces have 2 or 3 girls hanging on their arms, eh?
How many do you have?
Hey!
-You mean I look so-so? -No...no
2 pegs down your throat taking a dig at me?
-Punch you -Tell me
Why rake up all that now, brother?
It's okay, tell me. Don't have anyone?
I have, just 1
-Wife -Wow!
Fell in love and got married?
Oh! They nailed you formally at home, huh?
Forget it. It's another story
Tell me your story
You're such a pain!
For about 2 years
I followed her day and night
Then it's a love story, right?
Allow me to tell you
These films spoil your mind! You asked me, right?
Okay, go on
2 years
I went behind her like a spirit or a love-sick pup drooling over her
Suddenly one day
Her friend came to me and said
Meghana wants to talk to you
-Meghana? -Even I didn't know then
Her name is Meghana it seems
I said okay and went to meet her
In the blink of an eye she hugged me, man
She hugged me tight and started crying loudly
I knew you were following me for these past 2 years
I love you the same way too
But my parents are looking for a groom for me
'Marry me somehow' she said and cried inconsolably
Seeing her cry
[incoherent words]
What...what?
Seeing her cry, my heart broke and I had tears in my eyes too
Asking me to repeat everything
So you hugged her back and said 'I love you too'?
Did I say that?
Did I say I love her?
-Okay, no -Did I tell you now I love her?
Did I express my love to her? Did I tell anyone?
I didn't even see her face properly in those 2 years you know
Then why did you stalk her for 2 years?
Should love be the only reason to follow a female?
Then what?
Shouldn't the heavy gold chain around her neck be the reason?
Hey!
Hey, come on-
Okay, it is 2:00 a.m
Let me start the new year with a theft
Nice meets, man
-I'll accompany you -To steal?
Go and sleep. Don't be funny
Hey!
I'll come with you
You want to come with me, that's all?
Okay, fine
Why are you looking up?
Looks like it may rain.
Rain, huh?
You can't be afraid of it. It just calls for some alcohol.
I think the booze made my mouth stuffy.
Let's attend to the job, come
It's raining cats and dogs Even a dog won't step out
Will anyone work in this rain, huh?
Look there
Kulfi... kulfi... kulfi!
Kulfi... chilled kulfi
-Hey -Sir, kulfi?
-Kulfi, come here -You want kulfi, sir?
-You come here -Me?
Come here
Why trouble yourself trying to sell icecream in this pouring rain?
How can this be a trouble?
I have to succeed in life
This is just a drizzle
When we had floods earlier
...people didn't have drinking water, electricity, milk or basic necessities
But everyone had a kulfi in their mouth!
You know who sold that kulfi?
That was me...only me I have to come up in life
Hey...okay, fine
Why are you so hyper?
-Go...eat your kulfi -You don't want to buy
-Chill, man -This isn't for me, I want to sell
-Kulfiseller! -Yes, sir.
Come here.
How many kulfis will you sell before dawn?
-Five of them sir. -So give me five.
Hey! What's up with you?
You carry on. Go and win, sir.
You must succeed in life, sir
Wait, buddy.
Give me five kulfis.
Here, sir
Hello
-I'm notworking today. -Doesn't matter
Kulfi
Help yourself.
Okay, Happy New Year
So that's what you were looking for?
I thought you'll whisk her and you're back.
-Money -Here's your cash
The rain stopped, let's go.
-I got lucky -Come...come
Inky pinky ponky King queen-
Hey! What are you doing?
Gold, silver, copper, brass No space in the cupboard, boss.
Here
This is the chosen house
You call yourself a professional!
Scared stiff of dogs Don't know to tiptoe on tiles
Okay, follow me
Don't be so loud We may get caught
What are you up to now?
The inmate is awake Let's go elsewhere
-So what? -Listen to me, else we'd be caught.
Don't remove the tile!
What is she doing?
[lady shivering in fear]
Hey! [shot fired]
-So yeah -This is David.
-Okay -This is our Muzafir.
Ammani.
The others I have seen somewhere
But I can't place them Why do you want to know?
I want to meet Maara
Why?
I want to know about him
-Why? -Why?!
Because
The story only I know
...some fellow has painted all over the walls of this town
Yeah, I...of course I want to know...who it is
On top of it, he looks so smart
-Am I right? -True that
Can you help me?
Definitely
This is Usman bhai. We can meet him.
Okay
It will fetch a handsome price
Antique for sure
After another 200 years
My foot, antique!
You're the one who looks a 400 year old antique piece
Go and sit outside
Get out
Trash of a tramp!
Give it to me, it's mine
Thieves steal idols from temple this one is trying to con me with new stuff.
How come, Bhai?
It looked just like an antique
You knew within the click of a finger
You'll fill my shoes if I tell you my secret
That's a good point
Hello, how may I help you?
Bhai, didn't I tell you a Teluguian girl is staying in our Maara's place?
That's her Meet Paru
In his house?
Why are you looking at him?
Those who stay in his house are like the idiot who came now
Without a hair cut for 300 years
That category
What brings her here?
You know the old Govt building in the neighboring village
She is planning to apply putty to the walls and then paint afresh
Apply putty and paint, huh?
No
Usman bhai
To maintain the antiquity of old buildings
Oh! Restoration architect
May Allah bless you What a wonderful art!
And you call that putty-
I get it
Even if I was a pet dog of the British
I won't speak English
Bhai, we came to ask you about Maara-
We will discuss that
Go and order some tea for us
Tea
-I'll order, bhai -Go now
Talk to him
You are interested in all these artefacts too?
-Bring tea -Yes, Usman bhai
We can talk about it
Your parents are in their hometown, eh?
He has done his homework noted everything and drawn it
He used to bring antiques now and then from Arunachal Pradesh and Bangladesh
Why bring that up now?
What do you want to know about Maaran?
I want to know the meaning of one of his paintings
Meaning?
There's a slum 2 streets away almost 200 years old
Govt issued an order wanting to demolish it
We were running from court to police station to get a stay order
You know what Maaran was busy doing then?
I asked my husband if he will take me on a sight seeing tour of the city
He was not at all keen
I asked my son
He was least bothered
But now when the Govt is ready now to take me around free of charge
I'm not interested
How cheeky!
Hey Maara Is this the scent bottle?
Try your hand at it
Hey...hey, you minx!
Welcome, bhai
Bhai, good to see you What did the judge say?
He conveyed his best regards to you!
You don't stop Paint the whole town red!
Hey Arjun, our bhai is in angry mode Spray some scent on him
Hey! Don't Off you go
Tell your parents to find alternate accommodation
Smart Alec!
Relax, bhai
This is like king Nero playing his veena when Rome was up in flames
Not veena, bhai, fiddle
Yes, that's most important now!
What is happening here?
In 4 days we'll be forced to evacuate You are busy painting with the kids
Even if the verdict goes against us at least let them be happy these few days
They have lived here all their life They want to leave their signature behind
When the bulldozer brings it down
...your signature and fate lines will be immaterial
Big shots like you will prevent it You'll handle it very well
Come with me, bhai Let us spray some paint
Waste of paint and time!
-Where now? -Spray here.
Express it from within you
Govt wanted to demolish this place as it was a hindrance to tourists
When tourists made a line to see this as part of their sightseeing tour.
...officers left it as it was.
Sometimes to save us from some dangers.
We don't need a brave person.
It is enough if we have an artist.
Art will do.
Actually I have met Maara with David.
David, he and his beach shack, jeep
Awesome chap!
[mobile ringing]
-One minute -No...no, chill
Hey James, what's happening?
-Hello? -Hi Mom.
Done with your work?
-It's going on, Mom. -Okay
Did you talk to Kishore?
I spoke
You actually did?
What did he say?
I can't tell you all that.
You've given me 1 week's time, right?
Forget about that time.
Won't you know if you like him or not as soon as you spoke to him?
His parents had called me even yesterday
Mom!
I think even your grandma approves of him
Shall I give the phone to her? Will you talk now?
I'll talk to her tomorrow, okay? Bye
Hey, Paru
This is...the man from Pirates Club
Do you know him?
Not specifically
But definitely he belongs to the Pirates Club
[overlap of voices]
Afzal... come here...
Hey Paru!
Afzal, what happened?
You a cop? You stalking me?
Sorry... sorry
Let go of him, sir. Please!
You with him?
He will say come and go But he won't step out of his house.
Hey! You-
He will say come and go But he won't step out of his house
Who is he?
Sorry, please let go of him
Tongue is the answer!
Tongue, man Got it?
Will you tell me why you followed me or shall I pull your tongue out?
I'm to blame, sorry
We'll leave right away, plase
Afzal
Go
Okay
Do you...know who he is?
Who is this?
-Prostitute -What!
-Telling you let's go -Whore!
Where's the booze, da?
Hey! You said you'll bring it and now you're asking me?
I want booze now
-Even I want to drink -I want booze now
[door opens]
[woman graons and gasps]
Is it you who got her?
Hey Chokku
What are you doing here?
What are you doing in my boat?
Off you go. Get off my boat!
You bring me to mid sea when I am sleeping
Are you asking me what I'm doing here?
Aiyo! When this innocent babe was simply twiddling her thumb
...I kidnapped her
Hey!
Aren't you 'Kulfi' guy?
Here... hold this.
Why did you end up here to drink?
My father used to take me in his boat when I was very young.
Only 1 day in a year, on my birthday.
I was reminded of that.
Ah! Wonder!
Does that mean today is your birthday?
"Like a snake with a tattoo branded"
"Winner in this game singlehanded"
"Right time, roll the dice in your favor"
"Chase, purse, grab by the collar"
"This is the climax of her story Time for the actor to rewrite history"
"Stop...drop, time is right now on top"
Hey! The bottle!
Hey! Shucks!
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you Selvi.
-'Did you see this? -What?'
That lighthouse
'Where is Selvi?'
'Where has Selvi gone?' It is searching, can you see?
But only that will look for me
No one else will search
Your husband won't?
That Loki, huh?
I have stopped that age old profession, right?
Why will he search for me?
Beyond the light from that lighthouse
Run away with him somewhere far away
I dreamt we would both see the world together
Do you know what he told me the first time he set eyes on me?
I don't want your body
give me only your heart, he said
But I didn't realize then
...that would by itself become my profession!
Whatever he may have done
...he gave me Rani.
He like Rani dearly.
Rani also loves him more than she loves me
Hey Chokku
Let me ask you a riddle
Go ahead
Selling salt to the sea! Go on, ask me.
'If it is there, you will feel like sharing'
'When shared it won't be there'
What is it?
-If it is there, you'll feel like sharing -'Selvi!'
-When shared it won't be there -'Come here'
What is it?
Booze
Wrong. Think again.
I got it Chastity.
Am I right?
Wrong again. Keep thinking.
Wrong, huh?
Come here
You can't see the shore from here
The beacon of light from the lighthouse won't search for you
Steer wherever your heart tells you
Damn you, drunken female!
[Maara]: Happy birthday, Selvi!
What is the answer?
Hey! She asked you, right?
So you tell me
I accept defeat Now tell me?
-Ssssh! -Huh?
Secret
What's secret about this? Simply share it with me
Hey
Answer is 'secret'
Check with her if it's right
'If it is there you'll feel like sharing When shared it won't be there'
Hey Selvi I know the answer
Where is she?
Selvi...?
Selvi
Where did you disappear?
Where did you-
Maara!
Check if she is over there?
Secret.
She was suffering from some terrible disease it seems
She would have anyway died it seems
She died happily that night
Daughter?
What happened to her daughter?
She was at her uncle's and her Mother was dead.
What will be her plight?
Huh?
She went to school
He was the one
He admitted her in a school
[whistles]
Untie me!
Hey!
Untie me now
Afzal!
Untie me.
-Hey -Come...come
Untie me!
Hey!
Chokku... Chokku...
Chokku, wait please
What?
What is it?
Please
Do you know where Maara is now?
Oh!
Please!
Maara... Maara?
Maara
Maara...Maara?
There he is...Maara!
Maara was nowhere
Now here... somewhere here
Maara... Maara...
Maara?
Maara!
OBITUARY MAARA
Brainless bum!
What is this game?
-Venkaiah, when did you come? -Shut up!
What is this game you're playing?
Will you play with death?
Let me explain. Don't get mad at me.
You think I'm a lunatic not to lose my cool even for this?
Look at this gang.
Total bad influence on you.
They know no etiquette
Yov! You branded us as mad, right?
Then what's this new mudslinging?
You'll get a tight smack on your mouth!
'Venkaiah, just ignore him'
-You are the bad influence on him -Hold it, 1 minute
What is your problem now?
The fact we announced he was dead?
Or the truth he isn't dead?!
What did you say? Good-for-nothing oafs!
Don't hit him
-I'll chop you to pieces -Stop hitting him
-Listen to me -What is he saying?
Calm down.
Just shut up, man
What big crime did he commit? Tell me what he is guilty of.
Look at this oldie boiling with rage.
Stop now.
Okay, relax
Ah! Why this outrage of rage, huh?
Many people die orphans at sea or near garbage.
What is wrong if he wanted to die in the company of a few good men like you?
Don't rub it in now
Zip your bloody lips or I'll slap you dead.
Ignore him. Come with me.
Just come with me
Sorry, guys
Come and sit down
Watch your step
I am fit as a fiddle, right?
Just let it pass
Venkaiah
Whether they quarrel or shout or be angry...
All of them are good hearted people.
And among such good people, we held a procession for Selvi
What's wrong with this?
What would you've done if something had happened to me seeing this?
As if you'll die!
Given a chance he would've killed me
Do what you want!
Shut up!
-Venkaiah, listen to me -Where are you off to?
You just shut up.
Venkaiah
So you turn angry too?
Listen to me.
What harm can come to me when you are by me?
We know the list of guests who will wish us on our birthday
But do we know who will be attending our funeral?
But he saw that!
Cheeky bugger
Do you know where Maara is now?
That was the last time I saw him
I got up in the morning
He was missing
Where will he disappear like that?
Sometimes he will come back really tanned with a few foreigners
Or he'll come back with frostbites on his nose
He'll sport a beard and long hair and come like a godman or seer!
I've never asked him where he's going
Neither has he told me
Is Maara aware such a beautiful girl is looking for him?
"How do I search for you?"
"How do I trace you out?"
"How do I spend time in your thoughts?"
"How can I stand your memories taunting me?"
"I wrote letters without your address"
"Don't know which way would lead to my destiny"
"How do I search for you?"
"How do I trace you out?"
"How do I spend time in your thoughts?"
"I'm here and you are far away"
"Yet I invite you with my arms wide open"
"An unknown secret world"
"awaits us like a bridge"
"You are the destiny of my life now"
"Even when you stay on a faraway land"
"How do I search for you?"
"How do I trace you out?"
"How do I spend time in your thoughts?"
"How do I search for you?"
"How do I trace you out?"
"How do I search for you?"
"How do I trace you out?"
Yes?
You know Maaran?
-Do you know where he is? -I don't know
I'm sorry
Is there any way I can help?
This child has been missing from school since yesterday
Maara had entrusted her to us
We are teachers from the nearby school
If you can find something about her
Or know something about her
Can you please help us?
Okay, sure, ma'am
-Thank you so much -Sure
Hey!
Where is Rani?
Rani, huh?
Rani isn't here
-Where is Rani? -I know
Room number 207.
Hey! Take her outside
Let's go
Do you have children?
Tell me
One daughter
What is she doing now?
Tell me.
She's off to her dance class.
Dance class
You'll send your daughter to learn dance
And the daughters of others?
[man screaming in pain]
[girl crying]
Let go! Let go of me!
[groans]
Attacked him.
-Where is he? -He's coming
Are you here with sir, my dear?
I was looking all around for you.
Come... let's go
Come, dear
She is my daughter, sir. It's alright.
Why do you poke your nose into such matters, sir?
Why don't you take it easy?
Loki
I'm taking Rani with me
From now on Rani will live the life her mother Selvi intended for her
If you come looking for Rani-
[groaning loudly]
"All around town"
"turned into a floral garden by you"
"My heart is dumbstruck in awe"
"Being a mystical river..."
"I crossed the 7 seas to search for you"
"My feet still wet I stand here now"
"you alone..."
"are the answer to my question!"
"Can't I meet you..."
"Just once..."
"searching all the mountains and sea I will meet you soon"
[train honking]
Hey...hey
Why this sudden dashing madness? You knocked everything down.
Sorry... sorry.
you knocked them down?
Not his fault, sir. My box just fell down
Don't be so forgiving Just look up, sir
He has scribbled all these silly doodles
Travelling without a ticket and thinks he's a celebrity artist!'
Couldn't he get any other place to draw?
He seems very talented, sir
Sir, are you supporting him?
You didn't buy a ticket, right? Pay up the fine.
Sir, how do you expect him to have money to pa-?
He has, huh?
Enough?
Name Maara...
Lovely name.
Has no home of his own Doesn't know his home town
You are roaming around like a wanderer?
Are you a retired postman?
Are those letters you never delivered?
Letters that were returned
Oh! That's why they all had a seal with 'Return' on it?
You noticed that too?
Why are you writing over it?
-It's fading, right? -Whose letter is it?
-My letter ofcourse -Oh! This is also 'returned', huh?
To draw
The vowel marker is missing in the letter 'ka'
Neither was it written earlier
You can at least rectify it now
To even read someone else's letter is height of unrefinement
You're finding faults in it too!
Even at this age you have 20/20 vision
Even if the letters are faded you over-write so clearly
Even if this fades completely
...I won't forget till I die every single letter and line here
Oh! Love letter, huh?
Where are you going now?
8000 feet from here
In between the sky and the clouds
A beautiful hill-town
I own a farm over there
A property I inherited.
Will I get a job there?
You can't get a job as an artist there!
Any job is fine with me
Oh! You don't mind any job?
Not like that
Either the job should be new
Or the town, that's enough
Will you employ me, huh?
Okay, come
Hello?
Hello!
Hey! Hello...hello!
Here... here...
You-
Aren't you a thief?
[thief screams] [utensils clatter]
This is Maara
This is me!
Awesome!
Looks great!
Did you draw this?
That's okay. Sir must have drawn it.
-What happened after this? -I know
Why didn't he draw what followed?
Only after this, surprising events followed
Let's look for it Must be here somewhere
I need to know what happened after this
-It isn't anywhere here -Is that so?
I was the one who climbed up first
You know I usually climb however high in a jiffy
I went up
Maara was coming behind me
I removed the tile kept it aside and peeped in
Hey!
Oh no! Please Let go of the gun
Anyone home? Hello... madam.
Wait! Please stop!
Hello! Don't run!
Excuse me! Please stop!
She should have died that night.
Just missed.
From that day on, I gave up my profession as a thief
I meant I gave up robbing tiled houses!
Okay, show me that house please
Oh no!
Go there again, huh?
There's a gun in that house
And a lunatic carrying it all the time
What are you saying?
Is that you?
Okay, fine, if you want I'll take you there tonight
Now
How can we go now?
I won't know the route during the day
Inky pinky ponky
King, Queen, Jackie
Er...nothing
'Gold, silver, copper, brass No space in the cupboard, boss'
This house...this one
I am sure it's this house. You can go!
Okay
Hello! Your coolers
-It's yours now -Oh!
How do you know Maara sir?
I don't know him as yet
Oh!
"One room is yours, one room is mine the door between belongs to both"
"One wave is yours, one wave is mine the sea that joins them belongs to both"
"One end is yours, one end is mine how can both our lands meet?"
"One dream is yours, one dream is mine both are same like a meet up?"
One story is yours, one story is mine Will this riddle be solved soon sometime?
"I see before my eyes nowadays 100 hues and 100 gateways"
"I turn into and fly as a nightingale crossing many a hill and vale"
"A house came into my view through grey clouds and skies blue"
"I saw a swing gently sway which any wayfarer can swing and play"
"Floral breeze blows through like a counterpane to cover you"
-Rani? -Yeah?
How do you know my name?
I just know.
What do you want?
Oh! Where is Dr Honey?
You'll find her near that nursery
Okay... okay.
[kid]: I found Nithya Out... out!
-Ramesh -Sir?
Just sprinkle water on the new saplings over there
-Over there? -Next to it also
Sir, someone has come
Whom do you want?
Can I meet Dr Honey?
Dr Honey, huh? She was here
-Honey? -Yeah.
Someone has come in search of you
-Your name? -Paru.
Oh... Paru!
Here she comes.
Honey?
Hi, I'm Paru
Hi
I went to your house in search of you
Sorry
1 minute
Have you come this far in search of this story?
Honey! Let go Venkaiah!
-Come with me. -One minute
Don't drag me like an accused!
You are an accused.
You gave tablets to Sampath because he is unwell, right?
You know what he did? He gave him a bottle of brandy
He doesn't even drink, poor thing.
But Brandy works too!
Is brandy a medicine?
Booze is booze, drunkard!
-Tell him your verdict -Don't do this hereafter, Selva.
Not how we drink, dear.
Just one small shot
He's over reacting for that!
Not how we drink, huh?
Honey dear! You too?
I should be knocked down for asking you to mediate!
Venkaiah, daily add a stiff drink as night cap to your diet.
Only then you won't need this scarf and this sweater
You guzzle a few extra pegs and strip all this
No problem
'Here...all yours'
Okay?
Be steady!
I'm steady.
You just can't be reformed, I swear
Is she your friend?
Look...how it flies Coming...coming
Move... move!
This is...Paru
He is Venkaiah.
Hey!
-Who is- -Oh no!
-Hey Mithra -What, Venky?
One of these days I will shoot it down like a sparrow
Chill, Venkaiah
Go...great escape!
If I ask him to sprinkle fertilizer on my land, he does it from a flight!
Venkaiah is all-in-all here
How can a single man do all this?
I have a lot of support
Why did you keep your bag over there?
Take it inside
-I have to go -Go-
You came just now and you want to leave right away
How did you come?
-By bus -In the afternoon bus, right?
The same bus comes here tomorrow at noon
Forget that, you can take the same bus day after tomorrow
Okay?
Don't you agree with me?
Lingam?
Lingam, come here
Sir?
Listen, look at me
Don't we have a room facing east?
Get that room cleaned up for our guest
Take her bag in
-Why are you hesitating? -Maara-
No, sir, if Maara bro comes-
He comes once in a blue moon like a fig tree blooming!
Can we keep that room empty always?
Just do as I say He is Lingam
-Namasthe, madam -Her name is Paru
Our doctor madam's friend
Take her bag inside
-I can take it -That's okay
Listen, Paru
You can ask any help you need anytime from anyone here, no worries at all
"Going to war!"
Tada!
"It's going to be tough now!"
Let me go check on him
"Going to war!"
Tada!
Let's go inside, madam
Take rest, I'll meet you at dinner
-Oh! I would've served myself -Please sit
What brings you here?
What will you do knowing that?
Came on a sight-seeing tour?
No, Kamalamma She got lost in a story
She's here to look for it
What is that story?
Shut up!
Here... have some fruits. Ah! Good boy!
Listen, Paru
Don't even by mistake tell these old men you're here for a story
Listening to stories is like eating a dessert for them
Especially this man Venkaiah.
If he starts talking about Meenakshi
Hi Venkaiahyya
I thought I heard you mention my name
When I came you suddenly zipped your lips
And greeted me What does that mean?
I've become old, right? Thought it's better to speak less
-That's good...good decision -'Thank you'
Is Paru married?
Not yet
I'm not married either I'm a bachelor too!
-Where are you from? -Vizag.
Oh!
Guntur is my home town.
Where in Guntur?
Arundalpet.
Near Meenakshi Amman temple.
Look how he somehow managed to bring in Meenakshi's name!
I know a Meenakshi too.
Oh!
Why is money changing hands?
Nothing, Venkaiah
Within 2 minutes of sitting at the table
...you'll bring up Meenakshi's story with Paru, was their bet
Lingam has won!
Has my Meenakshi's story become a gambling game for you?
Not like that
Venkaiah, why are you getting angry about this?
Paru, I told you to be cautious
Thanks to you I've lost Rs 20 now
Who is Meenakshi?
Meenakshi was our Venkaiah's girlfriend in his past
Hey, what do you mean by girlfriend in my past?
-Listen, dear, she is- -'Eat, Venkaiah'
We will tell her What do you say, Mithra?
'Of course we can tell'
'Alangulam is a town'
A river flows in the middle of that town
This side of the river bank was Venkaiah's house
On the other side
Meenakshi's house
With Venkaiah looking out of his window
And Meenakshi looking out of her window
Love floated in mid air to and fro
Height of love!!
Venkaiah sir will keep Meenakshi's photo under his pillow and you should see
the way he romanced
Oooh...aah...aww!
Venkaiah.
Why don't you show that photo to Paru?
Just show it, she won't become less beautiful!
Hey...!
Can my Meenakshi's beauty be confined to a mere photo?
Then where else can it be fitted into?
Hey, stop it!
Irritating that poor man
Listen to the rest of his love story, my dear
Even though it was a classic, epic love
...our Venkaiah hasn't uttered a single word to that girl
When this love was in process
One day
...he decided to express his love
Our Venkaiah erected a stage in the middle of the town just for her
And staged a play That's our dear Venkaiah for you
[singing a dance-drama song]
Oh Lord Shiva!
Grandpa, I beg you to stop singing
Get up, devotee
Blessings?
And then?
Just as I expected
Meenakshi came to watch my play
Whatever I wanted to tell her I spoke as dialogs in my drama
Her family came to know of it and it became a major issue
Along with that problem...
a torrential downpour followed.
When it rains, visibility across the river is bare minimum
So window love vanished into thin air
I was in such a tizzy not able to meet her for a week
I somehow managed to bring the courage and wrote her a letter
I took that letter with me
I stood outside her house after the rain stopped
The whole town was submerged in the flood
People took their belongings and evacuated the place
-Then? -Then what?
Meenakshi got her golden chance for a 'great escape'!
Till date, he is hell bent on giving her that letter
I am determined, man.
I will stand waiting for the next 7 births!
Why is it troubling you?
Stand all you want
Hey, they are teasing you and you are taking it to heart?
Take it easy
All of you finished eating?
Okay, let's leave now.
Okay, get up now.
There's a pleasure mixed with the pain in waiting
No one understands until they experience it
Sister...?
Done
-It is over -Thank you, doctor
-That's it -Thank you
Bye!
Paru, where are you?
Your mobile is unreachable.
Your friend is covering up for you.
You lied to me saying you spoke to Kishore.
What is your problem?
Whatever! Your wish.
Hello, how are you?
[kid]: We'd be punished for sure
Your friend is here! Didn't you notice?
No sis.
-Hey -Hi
Sorry, I'm late, more patients than normal
-No problem -Would you like to have some biscuits?
Sure
Thank you
When I first met you, I thought you are another reporter
Reporter?
Yeah
Until now my photo has been published twice in the newspaper
Once when I came first in the State in school level
Another time was when I killed a baby!
When I came 1st in the state
...the photo was me with a frown
But the photo published 2nd time
I was smiling ear to ear flashing my teeth!
Headline next to that photo
'Lady doctor who killed a 10 year old girl'
I insisted, fought with my Chief doctor And this was my 1st operation
It was a very simple case
But I killed a young girl
All her dreams in life
I snuffed with a minor mistake of mine
That guilt
I was angry with myself
All these emotions multiplied
I went to the brink of committing suicide.
Hey! [shot fired]
[groaning]
Madam, what is your problem?
Hey... hey.
-Listen to me. -Who are you?
Put that gun down. Let's talk.
Relax!
Listen to me. Lower your gun
Oh no! Listen to me.
Let go of the gun please.
Let go Okay...just leave it
Okay fine...fine.
No point in holding that gun as the bullet is with me.
Whatever it is, we can discuss, right?
Tell me what your problem is
Hello...hello...?
Hello, is no one at home?
Hello, please stop!
Please stop!
Hello, why are you running away?
Let's sit and talk it over
Hello...?
Please stop, hello
You ran all the way just to come to this place?
Doesn't look that special a place to me!
What do you want now?
I'll hand you over to the police [cracker bursts]
You broke in to steal, right?
Do you want a hefty sum for saving my life?
I have nothing with me! [cracker bursts]
Hey, do you think you are a hero or what?
Then you shouldn't have saved me at all
If you know what I did you'll do the honors yoursel-
Stop it... stop it... stop it!
Once you decide to die
Do you know how difficult it is to go that extra mile?
I don't know who you are and what your problem is
You don't have to tell me either
Because you'll regret it after that.
Entire town knows what I did
How does it matter whether you know it or not?
Whatever it is
Let's assume you die today
Whatever the mistake you decided to take your life
Won't that become your identity?
I don't even know your name
I don't even have the right to say you can't die either
But knowingly or unknowingly I've delayed your death a little bit
After this it's your call
But just in case you change your mind
I will be the most happiest person in this world!
Because after this the same world will look very different to you!
I'm actually jealous.
Why don't I walk you home, just like that?
I'm not going home
Then shall we have tea together?
Best tea in this world.
Amid the mountains, huh?
My name is Maara
Honey.
Nice to meet you, Honey.
"Oh damsel, come with me with your shy smile"
"Your anklets chime and make the flowers bloom"
"Makes me smile"
"Oh dear girl, your voice is so sweet"
"You have hid the smile in your beautiful eyes"
"You've brought in grace"
"O' wild wind carefree"
"Distant waves caress feet this is a river of magical feat"
"Porch is sprinkled with clouds yielding this is rain pure and pristine"
"Time says stop the slow pace"
"Heart asks you to put a stop to pain"
"When a house reaches out immediately with a warm welcome compassionately"
"What other boon can you wish for?"
"O' wild wind carefree"
"Preventing happiness available from bursting like a bubble"
"One who brings people together provides shelter from rough weather"
"Time has made you strong and presented to the world"
"Even in dreams a rarity this magic happened in reality"
"You are different from him"
"Yet the silent travel"
"This time in which you hear the song of seas"
"Oh damsel, come with me with your shy smile"
"Your anklets chime and make the flowers bloom"
"Oh dear girl, your voice is so sweet"
"You have hid the smile in your beautiful eyes"
[door knock]
Good morning!
Let's go
Honey...
You can stay here as long as you want
No one will question you
From here you can go any direction you want
Can leave whenever you want to
But when you leave don't inform them
They won't let you to go
Then... a small favor
There's a village nearby
Name is Malaivaasal
In case of any emergency
Villagers have to travel 20 km
So... whenever you are free
When you have the mindset
If you can, please visit that village
I'll really appreciate it
Okay
I have to leave now
Bye, see you later
Hey, where are you going?
To your town
I promised a beautiful 80 year old girl I'll draw her sitting near a window.
She will be waiting for me, bye
Maara entering each person's life is predestined says everyone.
Venkaiah says is predestined!
That day whoever saw me would have saved me too
But a second chance like this
With such endearing people
I doubt if I would've got it!
Maara's visits here have been few and far between this year
Every now and then he'll call
Last time he came was to leave Rani here and he left immediately
Is she asleep?
Yes, she's fast asleep
If this is home to Maara
...where else will he go without living here?
No idea
He will wander around for 2 or 3 days happily
Then all of sudden
As if he remembered something
He will just leave
But everyone will miss him like crazy
Hey!
Venkaiah's birthday in another 2 days
Everyone is getting geared up
Oh!
Why this tearing hurry? You can stay a few more days
I came all this way only to know the epilog of your story
I have to leave now
You came this far just in search of my story?
I think Maara will come for Venkaiah's birthday
I think you should stay
Okay, shall we have dinner?
Yeah
-I'll refresh myself and come -Okay
Will Venkaiah go or not?
Why is he still sitting here tonight?
Sir, shall we go?
I am not going anywhere I'm sitting tight right here
Carry on if you have any important work
Shall we go?
Oh! Let's escape then
-Leave then -Shall we go?
Leo, come
-Sir, let's go inside -Come...come
Sir, come inside
Come here.
Watch it now!
Don't gaze too much. Do so in moderate measures!
They are all rushing off to get sloshed
Out of a semblance of a tiny bit of respect they didn't want to announce
-I am going to booze -Go
Want to join?
How did you manage without speaking a single word?
What?
With your Meenakshi
In our days it wasn't that easy for lovers to meet alone or chat
As a drama artiste I wanted to meet and talk to Meenakshi a lot
True, I've enacted many dramas
In a way we met often and we spoke a lot
But not just the two of us, that's all
Where is Meenakshi now?
I don't know
You never met her after that?
No
Didn't you search for her?
What a question!
I got the job as a postman only to look for Meenakshi!
Return Letters Office
I should deliver letters without any address
In various villages and small towns
27 years
Every door I knocked, I'll think 'won't my Meenakshi open the door?'
And my heart will race a marathon
I went from many a village to innumerable towns
I landed up here in the end
It's almost 50 years since I saw her last
'Whichever corner of the world you are in I will come in search of you'
I've uttered these dialogs in a play for her
Hey!
Why are you playing with electricity so late at night?
Nothing!
Don't be such a strict daddy, Venkaiah We will take care of ourselves.
Strict daddy, huh?
I had a strict disciplined upbringing
My father would yell at me if I went to a theater
If he had known my plays were only for Meenakshi
I wonder what he would have done?
May be he knew
That's why he called me once
And slapped me twice for no reason
May have happened
I don't remember clearly
I'm forgetting my past
More than the fact I haven't found Meenakshi
I am too scared I'll forget her
And that really crucifies me
Can I see Meenakshi's photo?
That? That's Maara
You haven't met him, right?
He'll be here all the time
Now and then he will vanish into thin air
These are old photos of Maara and me
This is-
You asked to see
Meenakshi. Look at it.
'Photo is old and may be faded here and there'
'But she is a true beauty'
Should we throw in another log?
I'll do it
It is said love has the power to take a man to places he has never visited.
I went too
Whether I got back my beloved or not
This place
These lovely people around me
Meenakshi is the reason for my present comfortable life
Hey!
Why are you meddling with electricity there?
Oh my!
I told you to fix the plug before you switch it on
-You are a big pain. -Old man has come here also
He will make me freeze to death
I told you right then to stop working
What do I do?
Ruining my sleep
Who asked you to meddle with it-
Yeah, it's back!
We were just testing it
You go sleep, Venky.
You don't worry about my sleep If your job is done?
-Why take this trouble? -Let me test, safety sake
Aiyaiyo! Maara is coming
He'll get flustered if he sees me with this
Keep it here We'll check later
Catch...catch him
Don't say anything in front of him
-Hi... hi! -Hi!
-Why are you running so fast? -Emergency Venkaiah.
-Did someone stay in my room? -Yes, bro
Doctor's friend, a girl came here
She just left and you walk in
My God!
-How are you? -Top of the world!
-How are you? -Good. I'm fine, thank you.
Some friend of yours came it seems
She came
But not my friend
She said she came looking for me
She lied
-She came looking for you -Me?
You've spoken to each other over the phone it seems, huh?
Why did she com-
Why did she come?
I don't know
I really don't know
I went back to my studio a few days ago
Everyone said the same thing you are telling me now
A girl is looking for me
But she came this far in search of me?
Does she have some problem?
Only if she has a problem should she come in search of you?
Nothing of that sort
He thinks everyone is waiting for him to come and save them
Hey! That's not fair I didn't mean that
Hey!
How did you get this?
-My hand -Sorry
Though a weirdo he is a good artist
Don't dirty it
Wow!
This brought her here
But she came in search of you
To come this far for a story
I haven't seen a loony female as bad as you until now
Maara!
Come and check on Venkaiah.
What happened?
-He didn't have lunch either.-What?
'He has spread out all those letters and staring blankly at them'
How many more times will you repeat this?
What happened to you?
Venkaiah!
Maara
Find out what's upset him
Venkaiah.
Bro, can you get me some hot water and a towel?
I'll bring it
Venkaiah.
What has upset you?
It has all faded in this letter
What has faded? Show it to me
Oh no!
You know this letter by rote
The ink has faded But what if I forget?
How will you forget?
We can always rewrite Where...give it
Nothing to worry
Sit here, I'll come Where is your pen?
Tell me
I, Venkaiah.
...am writing
...am writing this letter to my beloved Meenakshi
That is all! Simple.
Why get worked up about it?
Am writing this letter to my beloved Meenakshi
Next line?
Yesterday when people had gathered like waves in the sea
In the auditorium
-Next? -In the midst of that huge crowd
-I saw your lovely fish-like eyes -Oh! Wow!
I saw your love-
I saw your lovely fish-like eyes from the stage
We spoke with our eyes
Right
Venkaiah is fine
Blood pressure is normal
Can't you believe the diagnosis of a doctor?
Just a nightmare Bad passing phase
Nightmare, doctor?
Can a stethoscope find all that, huh?
Okay, if you are so concerned
...why don't you spend more time with him?
Not knowing where you go or when you'll be back
...you want that man to keep waiting for you?
Even I have no clue where I go or when I take off, Honey
Seriously I don't know
He just adopted a wandering tramp he knew nothing about, raised me
He gave me a roof over my head and a family to belong to
Who will do all this, Honey?
This man did for me
I told myself, 'I will find your Meenakshi for you, old man'
I went down this same road with a lot of bravado 20 years ago
But till date I haven't found Meenakshi
Okay, Maara
But even if you find Meenakshi-
I don't know
But my responsibility will be over, right?
I don't have to see him daily like this, yearning to see her
Honey, if there was a woman called Meenakshi
...something must have happened to her, right?
Was she swept away in the flood?
Or did she escape?
Or is she happily married to someone and named her grandson Venkaiah?
Or just like him
Is she mooning over her past sitting and crying in a corner?
Or is she dead?
Any news like this? Any grain of truth?
I'm in deep anguish daily hoping I can convey some news to him about her, Honey
Because of your quest
Can this become your life, Maara?
Right
You are 100% right
But when I sit there on that hilltop with my friends
Or when I am in bed with a beautiful girl
Whenever I find pleasure in such precious moments
I am unable to enjoy it in every sense of the word
Something keeps nagging me in some corner of my mind and heart
I can't focus on anything
'I'm in fact scared, Honey'
In this world which flings aside as trash something that's treasured as precious
With just one hope...
Plus preserving an old and faded photograph
If a man can't betray her even by a fleeting thought
And is waiting for her for 50 years
Think about it, Honey
Can't I help this man retrieve his peace of mind?
All I did was hunt high and low Visit every town that gave me a lead
Ended up as a lunatic scribbling on the walls of our hill-town!
Many, many happy returns, Venkaiah.
[All]: Happy birthday, Venkaiah.
Is this an age to celebrate my birthday?
Then why are you tip-top ready like this?
-You call this 'tip-top'? -Of course
-Happy birthday, Venkaiah. -Thank you, dear
-Did you see Maara anywhere? -No, I didn't
Did you see him?
He said he was going to the church this morning
Church, huh?
What work does that devil have in the church?
'Your dear devil...has gone to buy wine'
Shut up
Let that child at least step into a place of worship
Spreading atheism all the time!
He took a bundle and said he was giving a gift to someone
He is distributing gifts on my birthday, huh?
Why not give it yesterday or tomorrow?
What's special about today? Thinks he's Santa Claus
Will he give the whole year around?
What are you searching?
I wanted a twine to tie this firm-
On that 2nd shelf there is a cup on the 3rd spot
Look in there
You are right
-Look! A white car -Let's see who has come
-Visu, wait for me -What, Lingam?
A big car for our big shot is here?
Let's see who it is
I thought as much.
When you said Maara and church
Today is your birthday, right? They have come to bless you
I thought about it too.
Maara will go out of his way to do something I don't like
-I'll give him a piece of my mind later -Venkaiah, wait
Not knowing who they are why get annoyed?
-They may get offended -Let them be
As if I called them!
Were are you all off to?
Where the hell are you going?
At least tell me and then go
Wait, old man We'll come and tell you
Happy birthday, Venkaiah.
Paru! What a surprise
When did you come, dear?
Just now
Those-
They have come with me
Oh!
What, my dear?
What happened?
I heard a story when I was very young
That story brought me here to all of you
In the story you relentlessly narrate to everyone here
You often talk of the play you enacted
But no one knows the story of your drama, right?
Except one person
Having lost the fish
A quest, crossing forests, climbing mountains, cruising the high seas
Sepoy's story
Mary aunty shared the same story with me
She went from village to village serving the needy through medical camps
She had no address to call her own and decades sped past like this
She was born in a small village
Araku.
Her parents had named her
Meenakshi.
Meenakshi?
"I was waiting... awaiting eagerly"
"To hear your footsteps lead towards me"
"I was searching here, there"
"Till the farthest distance my eyes could glance"
"I'm tired looking for you"
"Day and night are alike to me and life is tough"
"Unable to express my agony, my heart has gone silent"
"I was searching here, there"
"Till the farthest distance my eyes could glance"
"Like the first letter without an address"
"Written by a dream on a paper of air"
"I knocked many doors longingly unknown faces looked out at me"
"My eyes looked for you"
"100 stories untold within me when I could share spontaneously"
"Soulful words sitting tongue-tied on the brink my lips just died"
"I became silent inside"
"Time will freeze to a standstill Winds will cry, tears spill"
"If this second I died, I consent gladly"
"In the rain of tears soulfully seas will ripple dolefully"
Meenakshi.
Our Venkaiah's Meenakshi
Maara!
In a small village called Amaravarthi
Hey...hey!
There lived a man named Venkaiah
He was acting in plays for many decades
One day...
To meet him and to enjoy his play
A beautiful girl came there it seems
What did Venkaiah do?
As he was acting...
...his eyes were only on that beautiful girl.
That sepoy
How did he get his fish in the end?
In your drama
How did the soldier in the end get his fish?
That...that I don't remember
But in the play, it was found in the next 5 minutes
Today is my birthday.
What?
Happy birthday, Venky.
Maara?
My Meenakshi
That's my Meenakshi.
Hey Mithra Come...hurry up
How?
Paru brought her.
If only they had met much earlier
...by now they would be having grandchildren our age, right?
If not your age...
At least in mine
But this place, these lovely people and I
We would have been elsewhere leading different lives
Neither would I have wandered off on my own
And stand here holding hands with a man who didn't even tell me his name!
Hey!
Manimaran.
You can call me Maara.