-(bustling traffic) -(birds chirping)
(footsteps)
(man 1) Sir, please do it somehow.
(man 2) Come tomorrow. I'll get it done.
-I have no choice. -Come back tomorrow.
Hey!
-Where are they? Will they come? -They're on the way.
You've been saying that for half an hour.
Sir will leave at 5:00.
-Can he wait till he comes? -Not going to work.
Sir, please.
No point trying this trick after 5:00.
It's a government thing. It'll go as per the rules. Ask them to hurry.
(tense music builds)
(vehicles whirring away)
(Pappan) You'd be assuming that
this is a love story.
Well, it is a love story.
But not the kind of love story you expect it to be.
(suspenseful music)
(title music)
-(bustling traffic) -(crows cawing)
(on phone) Hooliganism in the name of moral policing in Kerala.
A young man and woman, chatting in a park,
fell victim to moral policing.
(typing) "Very good.
"Kids these days...
"deserve such treatment.
"Public with high moral values...
"should act against such behaviour. "
(exhales)
Such lewd behaviour in the park.
(toilet flushes)
(shower running)
(phone ringing)
-(phone slips, plops into water) -(water bubbling)
-(phone vibrating) -(comedic music)
Argh!
(water gushing from tap)
Hello? Tell me, Vinod.
Let me go check. He might be taking a bath.
Coming for the foundation ceremony of the house?
Oh, no! How can we do it without you?
Can't you get leave for a couple of days?
-(banging on door) Hey! -(Pappan) Coming.
He'll be out soon.
-Let me know if you're coming. -(door squeak opens)
I want you to bring me a gas stove.
It's Vinod. Couldn't reach you on the phone, it seems.
My phone fell into the water.
Dip it in rice. It'll be fine.
Hey, Vinod.
I had kept my phone next to the toilet.
Your call made it vibrate and fall inside.
I took it out. What else?
Your phone fell into the toilet, and you want me to dip it in rice?
-(chuckles awkwardly) -(playful music)
What were you saying?
I only need to be at the hospital by afternoon.
Doctors will be at the OP in the morning.
They'll let us in only after that.
Call me after office hours.
I'll look into it. Okay.
Mom...
Did you wash your hands with soap?
(chair screeches)
Why did Vinod call?
A revenue department overseer is visiting his site today.
Just a formality.
To go through the house plan and stuff.
So, he asked me to go there.
You know how things will be if Uncle deals with it alone, right?
Hasn't it been four years since Vinod went to the Middle East?
He's already building a house.
Look how the tables are turning.
When they lost all their wealth in that legal case back then,
they borrowed money from us umpteen times.
-It's too salty, Mom. Can't eat it! -(utensils clanging)
Let me try it.
-No! -No?
Gone, son. Your system is all gone.
You're skipping marriage to run around as a medical rep.
Your whole system is gone, my dear.
How many times have I told you
to go to Dubai with Vinod and get a life?
Sindhu is looking for brides for him.
He's an NRI; he'll get brides.
You'll just rot here.
It's you who rejected all prospective brides I like.
(chair screeches)
Liking them is enough?
What about horoscope matching?
-This horoscope thing will... -(water gushing from tap)
What are you murmuring?
Horoscope is a pseudo-science, Mom.
Pseudo?
People are still stuck in the 70s.
Listen, I'm leaving.
You may get an autorickshaw if you want.
As if you drop me every day. Scram, you!
(upbeat, playful music)
Ugh!
(bike engine revving)
(cheerful music)
(bike glides with a steady roar)
(indistinct chatter)
-Sir... -Stop it, Jiji. Don't lie.
That's in there.
Where were you, Pappan? You weren't reachable.
My phone fell into the water, Aunty.
-It's dipped in rice now. -Nice!
How are things?
I don't know.
I saw him arguing with the overseer.
I hope she doesn't get irritated and leave.
-Will it go that way? -Nope, it won't.
Vinod is so restless.
-He's been calling non-stop. -He called me too.
Pappan, this is contractor Jiji.
Jiji, this is my nephew, Pappan.
-Jiji. -Padmarajan.
-How's it going? -It's all good.
She'll be leaving now. Did you tell him about what I said?
Oh, it's not going to work, contractor.
-(exhales heavily) -We have to bribe her, it seems.
(exhales) You're asking this to the wrong person.
Listen... She doesn't go anywhere at the right time.
She agreed to come here
only because I begged her, telling her it was an NRI's house.
So, she will be expecting something in return.
What's so special about an NRI's house?
You don't know, Pappan.
People view an NRI's house from a different perspective.
That's why I said
-it has to be luxurious. -Of course.
When people see the house,
they should say that he's earning well.
I'll make them say that
just by looking at the walls of this house.
Okay?
Let's enhance the richness to the maximum, madam.
I'm planning to get a Krishna idol and three concrete egrets.
I'm thinking about a lawn as well.
Oh, no! We've already taken a loan.
(laughs) Not that loan, madam. I'm talking about the meadow.
The one like a garden.
You got quite some plans, huh? A garden and stuff?
Things are all okay here.
-Call me once the construction's done. -Okay.
If any minor modifications are needed, we'll do them then.
Madam is very supportive.
-Thanks a lot, madam. -My pleasure.
(playful music)
All right then.
Three thousand bucks.
Does she take bribes?
No, not with her hands.
Just keep it inside her car. She'll take it along.
Such a genuine person. (chuckles)
-Sir, three thousand... -What?
-Three thousand... -(scoffs)
Why should I bribe her for doing her work?
You wish!
This man... Madam?
Padmarajan sir?
So, I better tell her that
we'll pay it all together in the end, huh?
I hope she agrees.
Madam!
Pappan! We need a house nearby until the construction is over.
I can't drive and come all this way. My knees hurt.
A 2 BHK flat is vacant in our apartment.
Shall we check it out? It's nearby.
We're building a house because we can't live in a flat.
It's just a matter of some days. Why can't you adjust?
(repeats in a mocking tone)
Really? Always mocking me.
Hey! Come here!
Did you do what I asked you to? Come here!
It's all as per your plan, sir. Just two extra egrets.
Bug off with your egrets! Here, hold this.
(Jiji) This is the 16x16 modular bedroom.
A big one.
(upbeat music)
Hey, Pappan.
I just left the office.
How are things there?
Only God knows if Aunty and the contractor
are building a house or a palace.
Be a bit watchful about the money spent.
You know, right?
It's their long-time wish to have a house of their own.
Let them build it the way they like. It's okay.
How's contractor Jiji?
His exaggerated humility suggests
that he's a big-time fraud.
Just wait and watch. He'll loot us for sure.
Oh!
Please have an eye on the progress whenever you get time, Pappan.
Can you please update me on the progress?
-Well, any luck with your phone? -(chair screeches)
It's still dipped in rice.
Had it got a mouth, it would've screamed.
Hey, aren't phones cheaper in Dubai?
Can you send me a phone if anybody's travelling here?
Something within the 20k range?
I'll pay you.
I don't want your money. I'll get you a phone.
Hey!
Get me a phone
only if you're ready to take the money.
Let me ask around if anybody's travelling from there. Okay?
-Oh, okay. -All right then.
(upbeat music)
Okay, so this is the upcoming project,
-which will be located on... -One sec. -Yeah, sure.
(phone ringing)
-Pappan. -Hey, Vinod.
Gouri, the daughter of our flat's secretary, is in Dubai.
She's travelling to Kerala next week.
You may send me the phone through her.
Gouri...
-Is she married? -I don't know.
I haven't even seen her.
I got to know about her from Mom.
I'll send you her number on WhatsApp.
Oh, you already got her number?
Mom got it for me. How else would I get it?
Aunty must've gotten her horoscope as well.
Most probably your life will be set with this phone.
Hey, Mom won't...
Mom won't do such stupid things.
Girls like her live all by themselves in Dubai.
We don't know how these girls are.
So don't entertain her much.
Okay, fine.
They're loose girls, man.
All right then. I'll call you later.
(notification beeps)
(sweet, dreamy music)
So, you were saying?
(siren blaring)
(pleasant music)
(phone rings)
Hello?
Hey, I'm here.
-Where are you? -On the second floor.
-Please turn around. -Huh?
Hey.
-Hi. -Hello.
Vinod.
-Sorry. -It's okay.
Did you win a Dubai lottery?
My friend's wedding is due. Half of this stuff is for her.
Shall I give you this as well?
That's what I'm here for. You may put it in here.
Where do you live in Dubai?
Al Quoz.
I live in Barsha Heights.
Oh, it's quite close.
Have you got any shopping left to do?
Nope. It's been three hours since I started.
I've got to eat something now.
Even I'm starving.
I came here straight from my office.
-And I was waiting here for a while. -(laughs)
So, shall we go to the food court?
Let's eat something.
-What do you think? -Okay. Yeah.
-You want me to carry a bag? -No, it's okay.
How long will you be in your home town?
Only two days. I'm travelling just to attend this wedding.
Pappan will come and collect the phone.
Sure. I'll keep it at home.
Do you know him? He's quite active there.
I don't know many people there.
(music fades out)
(indistinct chatter)
I didn't go to my home town this time.
I've been so busy at the office.
-Is the work too hectic? -It's not that.
The moment I take leave,
they may replace me with somebody else.
(both chuckle)
A promotion is hanging around the corner.
But the competition is tight.
It might work if I make them think I'm working hard.
Do you travel back home frequently?
Nope.
It's my first time travelling ever since I came to Dubai.
So, if you don't travel back home,
won't your family make a fuss?
Of course.
But it'll be worse if I go.
Did you flee from India after committing
some online fraud or bank robbery?
(laughs)
Not so bad as you said,
but yes, I fled from there.
So, I guessed right.
One of my cousins, who's just 22, got married recently.
My peace of mind has been ruined ever since.
Is your family too strict?
(slow, emotional music)
Strict is an understatement.
It's only after coming here that I got a space of my own in life.
To Dubai.
Yeah. To Dubai.
A couple of my friends travelled to Canada and Australia
and are asking me to move there.
I said I'm not going anywhere. I'm all set here.
Canada and Australia miss that vibe.
It's too chilly there.
There's a kind of life you can live in Dubai only.
That's another level of fun.
-(laughs) -(comedic music)
Where do you go for massages?
(both laugh)
Well, there are two massage parlours near my place.
If you want, I can give you the addresses.
Massage isn't so good at Al Quoz.
Huh? Are you a regular?
Sometimes.
Hey, you're meeting me for the first time.
Can't you at least pretend that you're a decent guy?
What for? I'm not going to marry you, right?
How are you going back? I can drop you off.
Well... Okay.
(bustling traffic)
(engine whirring)
Forget about a relationship or a marriage,
I don't even feel the need to have a partner now.
I've had a relationship in the past.
It was fun in the beginning.
But he turned more controlling as the days went by.
Kinda "alpha" mode.
(both chuckle softly)
I was so deeply in love
I couldn't recognise the red flags then.
I am like that.
Once I'm emotionally invested, I'm all in.
Later at one point, I realised that it was a toxic loop,
(tsks) and I just let go of it.
You have only one story, right?
I've got two stories.
My first love was when I was in school.
Same class.
True love.
I was adamant that I'd marry only her.
Later on, we joined different colleges
in different cities.
I even tried meeting her on weekends,
taking a bus from Chennai to Bangalore.
Wow!
-I did it a few times. -And then?
It didn't work out.
I recovered from that depression
when I met Mary Thomas during my third year in college.
True love.
-Again? -Again!
(chuckles)
-I told my parents about her. -And?
When I asked her to present this to her family, she said
her dad would get a heart attack
if I don't get converted to her religion.
So, that too was done for.
We often think that things will be pretty easy
after the first break-up.
Not at all!
My family is searching for a bride for me.
But I'm not interested right now.
My sole aim now is to finish the construction of my house.
Well, has the construction begun?
Just starting.
You don't seem like someone who wants to settle down in Kerala.
Why are you building a house there then?
When I was a child,
we got into trouble and ended up losing our house.
It still haunts me as a trauma.
Ever since, I have wished to build a house
for my parents once I get a job.
They still live in a rented house.
Isn't it an old-school thought
that living in a rented place is shameful?
From a financial point of view,
investing in a house at this age,
I don't think it's a wise decision.
And yes, of course. It's all fine if you have surplus money.
(laughs) It's not because I got surplus money.
But to many people,
a house of their own is an emotion.
Especially old folks.
We can't really apply mathematics there.
Anyway, congratulations.
I'm sure your parents are very proud of you.
(chuckles)
(soft, pleasant music)
(car engine halts)
When will you return?
On Sunday night.
Thank you. It was really nice meeting you.
Hey!
Once you return, call me when you're free.
(smiles)
Good night.
♪ You come near me On a beautiful dawn ♪
♪ Did you become my other half Without me knowing? ♪
♪ Slowly, our two hearts are ♪
♪ Searching for the other shore On this way ♪
How are you?
♪ Hey, this city stands witness ♪
What did Pappan say?
Got the phone, thanked me and left.
The thing is he's a bit shy.
He's a noob in talking to girls.
The older brother seems different from the younger.
♪ Let's see the magic ♪
♪ We knit together ♪
♪ You come near me On a beautiful dawn ♪
♪ Did you become my other half Without me knowing? ♪
♪ Slowly, our two hearts are ♪
♪ Searching for the other shore On this way ♪
♪ Hey, this city stands witness ♪
♪ Let's see the magic ♪
♪ We knit together ♪
♪ The eyes are talking ♪
♪ And the fingers embrace ♪
♪ I am eagerly waiting ♪
♪ For a nod from you ♪
(music fades out)
What happened? You seem lost.
Well, the thing is...
Will you make fun of me if I say something?
What is it?
I really love you.
(warm, heartfelt music)
I mean, I know that you too love me.
But it's not like that. Well, I...
I've often felt that I'd even like to marry you.
Listen.
I just expressed what I felt.
Don't take it to heart.
Well...
I remember someone saying
he had no plans to marry me when we first met.
This is why I asked you not to make fun of me.
I shouldn't have said anything.
Hey!
-Shall I tell you something then? -Yeah?
I was about to tell you the same thing.
But I held back,
thinking that you'd just run for your life
once you hear the word "relationship. "
(both laugh)
You've already gone through two flopped relationships.
They say "two leads to three. "
(chuckles)
(sweet, romantic music)
(indistinct chatter)
(Pappan) Give me that chair.
Give me the chair.
Son! Is your marriage fixed?
Nope.
Are you moving out?
Nope. My cousin is moving in.
Are they related to Sudha, your mom?
She's her younger sister.
Where are they from?
Hey! Careful!
They'll be furious if something breaks.
Who'll be furious? Sudha's sister?
This old hag is too nosey.
Huh? What?
What do you want to know? Don't you have work at home?
I'll get to know even if you don't tell me.
(fun, peppy music)
Everybody's like this.
(melodramatic dialogue from the TV)
Can't they just lower the volume a bit?
We better finish the house fast and move out of here.
Let's get a new set of furniture.
Nobody uses such old stuff anymore.
Everyone uses cushioned ones these days.
Will you make me wear shorts then?
(exhales) Well, you too gotta get updated.
Really?
Sir, they're not letting us carry our things in the lift.
-Who? -The people here.
There's a small problem. Please come downstairs.
Go on. I'll join you.
We've barely moved in, and it's already started.
It's not my sole call. It's the association's decision.
I know that. But it was a last-minute plan.
-What's the problem, Pappan? -No problem.
He's Abraham sir. The treasurer of the association.
-Sudhakaran. He's my uncle. -Hello, sir.
They say we can't take our things in the lift?
-The thing is-- -Well, sir...
People are going to the office and school now.
We've got a complaint that it's causing
inconvenience to them at this hour.
I received no complaints.
They complained in the association's online group.
It's okay, sir. You may use the lift in the afternoon.
But please cooperate for the time being.
So, who will pay the labour charges till then?
-Uncle, their rule-- -It's the association's decision.
Ask the association to pay the charges then.
Otherwise, ask them to move the things. (chuckles)
They can't just sit there and order stuff.
If anybody's in such a hurry, they may use the stairs.
No, sir. We'll wait till the afternoon.
-They won't wait till then. -I'll talk to them.
Please carry on. I'll manage this.
-Pappan. -Carry on, sir.
My dear Uncle!
You'll be here for only a few months.
Don't create trouble.
Really? Is it me who created trouble?
It's them.
You add me to their online group.
-You sure? -Yeah.
I too have some complaints.
(playful music)
-Come on. Do it. -Doing it.
-(buzzing traffic) -(footsteps)
(phone ringing)
Oh, no! Pappan is video-calling me. Stay quiet.
Why?
I haven't told him about us hanging out.
I'll tell him later. Keep silent for now.
Hey, Pappan.
(Pappan) Where are you? Outside?
Yeah, I'm outside. I'm a bit busy.
Anything urgent?
Well, we've moved the household stuff.
Did Dad like the new flat?
Yeah, he said there are a lot of people to start a fight with.
He's excited about that.
While moving, he had a tiff with the treasurer here.
He created a scene in their association's group as well.
Oh, no!
And he had an argument with the secretary in the evening.
He's happy anyway.
Do you know who this secretary is?
He's my dad.
Remember the girl who brought me the phone?
Yeah.
-Her dad. -I see.
An annoyance.
Someone who annoys even annoyance.
-Such a-- -(laughing)
I don't wanna say more.
Who's that?
Nobody, Pappan.
Hi, Pappan!
I overheard you badmouthing my dad.
But it's okay as it's somewhat true. (chuckles)
Vinod. Pass the phone to Vinod.
Oh. Sure.
Tell me.
Hey, put the phone on speaker.
I mean, turn off the speaker.
I want to talk to you personally.
What is it?
Haven't I told you not to entertain her?
What are you doing with her in a car at this hour of the night?
I'll call you later, Pappan.
Isn't it already 8 p. m. there?
Drop her off at her hostel. Go.
All right, Pappan. I'll call you later.
What did he say?
He asked me to drop you off at your hostel asap.
Huh? At my hostel?
(both laugh)
Looks like he's quite caring?
A caregiver?
He's quite old-school.
(Sindhu) Hey, son. Listen.
As the first floor is built, the house looks beautiful.
And, in the list Jiji gave,
he mentioned vitrified tiles for the kitchen.
But I would like to have granite instead.
Just the slab.
Okay, go ahead.
It's gonna be a bit more expensive, I guess.
Don't worry about the money.
Do as you like.
And yes, tell your dad about this as well.
Otherwise, he'll argue with me.
All right then, carry on with your work.
Will call you later. Okay?
-All right then. Bye. -Bye.
(woman) Sir. DM is calling you.
-Sir? -Yes.
Hi, Vinod. How are you?
Good, sir.
Okay.
Do you know the reason why you're here?
As you're aware, the company is going through some restructuring.
There are some board-level changes.
And because of that, some decisions are being made.
We're promoting some people,
changing the sections of some others,
and we have no choice but to fire certain staff.
Unfortunately, Vinod, your name is on the last list.
Sir, what do you mean?
(low, suspenseful music)
We have to let you go.
Sir, but...
I don't understand.
Well... this decision was not personal.
And it was not an easy one.
Your full and final settlement will be done in one to two weeks.
Well, sorry to let you go, Vinod.
(melancholic music)
Mom...
Once I grow up and get a job,
I will build you a house.
(melancholic music continues)