(prayer echoes)
Are you worried about finishing your house construction?
House construction will happen somehow as we have taken a loan.
But I have to find a job to repay that.
Can't you manage for a few months?
Then we can find a new job soon.
Since it's a termination, I won't be able to find a good job, Gouri.
Even if I find one, the salary will be very low.
I'll have to go to some other country.
(prayer echoes in distance)
(soft emotional music)
May I tell you something?
Let's pursue the Canada plan.
But you have a good job here.
That's fine.
There will be good openings there as well.
I really think we'll have a good life there, Vinod.
In that case,
before that, we'll have to...
Yeah, I know.
Even I thought about it.
I'll take a long leave.
We both can go home.
And let's tell things at home.
It would be a huge scene.
But in this situation,
I think it's the right thing for us to do.
Hey...
Are you really ready for this?
Let's see.
And it won't be easy at home as you think.
Your father, right?
I'll charm your father to the max, sweep him off his feet,
and toss him in the backwaters.
Let's see who will throw whom.
-Let's see. -(phone ringing)
Damn!
It's from home.
(tsks) For how many days will you dodge their calls?
Pick it up and talk normally.
(exhales)
-Ah. -Hey, see this.
Did you see this?
Your dad liked it.
But I didn't like it at all, dear.
-Oh. -Did you see this?
I like this one.
But this one has the word "Dubai" on it.
Hey, man, that's just a sticker.
Where are you even looking?
Mom, can't we just make it minimal?
Why do we have to spend money and make it minimal?
This will look good. Shouldn't we do it neatly when we do things?
All right, do as you wish.
Yeah, see.
-What do you know? -I'll hang up now.
Okay then. I'll call you.
All right, dear.
(music builds up)
(theme music)
(phone rings)
(laughs)
It's my cousin from Dubai. Vinod.
We lost the flow, didn't we?
(chuckles)
How many marriage proposals have you had like this?
This is my first.
Yours?
Second.
-Hmm? -No.
(playful music)
Come, come here.
Cute girl.
You know how to cook well, right?
My mom is not healthy like before.
Also, that old lady...
(music continues)
I don't really like what Mom cooks.
Have you seen the movie The Great Indian Kitchen?
No, no. I don't like such sob stories.
I like action films.
Lucifer, KGF, Empuraan!
Gotta be packed with fights.
(phone ringing)
One minute.
Vinod.
Is it important?
How about after an hour?
-Okay. -(bangles tinkling)
It was Vinod.
Damn!
So, what else?
Nothing else.
They had mentioned they only had five cents of land
and 50 sovereigns of gold right at the start.
If we need a goat, we should go big and ask for an elephant instead.
I only need the girl.
Then go ahead and ask for her mother.
This girl has two younger sisters.
Then their marriages will be on his head too.
I'm worried about that.
Here she goes.
Listen, she's the eighth potential bride I've met.
The horoscopes of the good ones aren't matching.
I have lost faith in horoscopes.
Look.
The last two were really good.
What about the girl before this one?
That proposal wasn't quite right for us, Uncle.
When I checked her social media,
she had two accounts.
One is very decent.
Pictures of flowers and other normal stuff.
But the other one,
she's wearing very short shorts.
Not only that but pictures of many boys with their arms around her.
What all needs to fall into place for a wedding to happen?
We learnt the struggles
only while searching for a bride for Vinod.
Yeah, he called.
He asked me to come to the work site.
-Is that so? -Gotta take a dump
before I can go anywhere.
No need to come, Uncle. I'll drop you off and leave.
-Speed up, man! -(changes gear)
(truck honking)
(upbeat music)
I'll go to the site and come back.
Okay.
-Sindhu? -Yes?
Let me go and tell Manju about the proposal details
-before she starts rumours. -Okay.
(Sudhakaran) Sindhu!
(footsteps)
Yeah, this would be on top whenever you're in some emergency.
Couldn't you have done this at that house itself?
I didn't want to spoil his marriage by pooping there.
(lift doors open)
(stomach gurgling)
-(lights blinking) -(comical music)
Oh! Such a damned place!
I did tell you not to rent a flat!
It's all because of you
we ended up here.
Don't squirm, man. The generator will turn on now.
Call that security on his number.
Why would I keep his number?
You should have saved it.
Oh, yeah! I'm old now.
I would've tried if I were younger.
(Sudhakaran) No power cuts or issues in the association guys' block.
Let them come to me this time.
I'll show them.
(serial playing on TV)
(lift doors open)
(TV playing in background)
Don't play around. Come.
Do you need my escort even to poop?
Why didn't you keep the keys with you?
-Bring it here. -Nothing stops you from mocking me.
(car comes to a halt)
Jiji.
Binu.
(door thuds)
Huh? No one is here?
(Vinod) It's just me here for now.
-Ah, hey! -(cheerful music)
When did you come?
You didn't even say a word.
I wanted it to be a surprise.
The moment I reached, I felt like seeing the house.
-So, I came directly here. -Good.
-By the way, Pappan. -Huh?
Why aren't the workers here?
Don't I tell you whenever you call me?
The work here isn't happening properly.
That contractor, Jiji, has hundreds of reasons.
He might have started a new work at some other work site.
-They all must be there. -Try calling him, Pappan.
He won't pick up the call today for sure.
-(tsks) -If he needs money,
he'll come on his own.
You can see him in person now.
How long is your leave?
I'm not here on leave.
Then?
(whimsical music)
Aunty is already worried about the construction getting delayed.
If she gets to know that you lost your job...
I won't tell her that, Pappan.
I'll say I'm here for a country exit since I got a job in Oman.
Will the construction come to a halt?
Do you have money?
(exhales)
I'll finish this work for sure.
I have almost Rs. 10-12 lakh as savings.
But I can't use that now.
Why?
There's no point in staying in Dubai anymore, Pappan.
Canada is the new Dubai.
-We have plans to apply for PR there. -(comical music)
"We" as in?
Gouri and I.
She has also come.
She took a long leave.
When we apply for PR,
some Rs. 6-7 lakh
will have to be kept in the account for six months.
And to apply, we need another Rs. 2 lakh.
We need to reach Canada before we run out of money.
Otherwise, I'll not be able to repay the loan.
You both are working in the same company there?
(laughs) No, no.
For married couples,
it is easier to get PR.
Oh!
Since we have decided to marry,
we thought of doing it without any delay.
Marrying?
Not a grand wedding or anything.
If we do it with the housewarming, both get done together.
Have you gone crazy?
It's not like how you play around in Dubai.
It's your marriage.
It's about bringing a girl to your house.
These types of girls are not for us to marry.
-He's fallen for her beauty. Fool! -Pappan.
First, you get to know her.
Why are you so prejudiced against someone you don't know?
What do I say to her after getting to know her?
I have seen her on the phone and in person.
Man,
how long have you known her? Huh?
I loved a girl here for three years and she ditched me in a second.
-Tramp! -That is because of your actions.
-Pappan. -What?
You need to see the world more.
So, what I see right now is not the world?
Our family, our surroundings,
and our society. That should be our world.
When Uncle gets to know this...
Oh, God!
Nothing will happen.
They're a good family.
Moreover, the caste is also the same.
That's what their main worries are.
Vinod, it's not enough that the caste and religion match.
People say, "A good-looking fruit won't be tasty. "
That's all I have to say. The rest is up to you.
One more thing.
Your dad and her annoying father
are fighter cocks in the association group.
Don't forget that.
These are silly things.
Everything will be fine when they meet in person.
Don't be so negative, Pappan.
(whimsical music)
(security guard) Anna, the pump is on.
-Oh! -Be watchful.
-Are you sleepy? -Not at all.
-Shall I leave then? -Okay.
(voice message) I've told you about the lift many times.
Who will be responsible if I get stuck in it, choke and die?
Do you have anything to say? To whom should I say this?
You're taking money for maintenance every month.
You've no issues with that.
Whom should I say this to?
Irresponsible fellows.
-What the-- -(beeps)
Sir, we do maintenance on time.
But we don't work for the electric company.
We don't know when the power will go and come back.
Even if it goes,
we need some time to switch on the generator.
It's a machine, sir.
-(beeps) -Sir, if you were trapped in the lift,
I apologise.
See, the secretary job is till March.
Then I'll drop it.
Let whoever else do it.
I don't care!
Who is that?
Who knows?
His DP is Lord Vishnu's photo.
The food is served. Come.
Call madam, too.
Hey, try this Aviyal.
It's made of fresh veggies from home.
Oh, I get much fresher veggies there.
We know that you get everything there apart from a mom and dad.
Since you don't need those,
you wouldn't understand.
If you want your parents,
you should come home at times.
You came only once in these two and half years.
Why don't you ask her how long she's here for this time?
Hey, try this curd-based curry.
You stayed in Dubai for two years.
That's enough. Don't go anymore.
I'll go.
Hey, try that Olan, too.
-Here is Olan and here's stir fry. -(utensils clanks)
Don't utter a word.
How can you always have things your way?
I'll decide what you should do now.
What's your issue, Dad?
Is it about my marriage?
If that's the case, don't worry.
I won't dodge that.
And don't bother finding a guy for me to marry.
I have got it ready.
In fact,
I'm here to tell you about that.
(tense music)
(TV playing in background)
In this flat?
Yeah.
Who? That Christian girl from college?
She got married and has two kids.
That tall girl?
Hmm?
-No? -Is this all you've got to do?
(TV serial plays) "Love is all about emotions--"
Can't those losers lower the TV's volume?
(on TV) I don't want to marry now, Dad.
(Gopakumar) ... just because you have a few bucks in hand?
Isn't that the secretary who is shouting?
(indistinct shouting)
-Isn't that him? -Yeah.
She made him stay under my nose in the flat where I'm the secretary.
What's his name?
Huh?
Vinod.
(Gopakumar) Where is he from?
I would say you're also part of it.
(Thushara) How will I know?
(Gopakumar) She'll marry as she wishes.
Let's see what she does.
Was it for this?
You made us stay here saying there's no other place available?
Dear Uncle, I have no role to play in this.
It's after you moved here.
It's after that... this...
I won't...
Don't you know that he won't help with such nasty things?
(comical music)
Be calm.
Nevertheless, she told us everything.
Let's meet the boy's parents first.
What if they're good for us?
Invite them here on Sunday.
Who knows what kind of people they are.
Anyway, you ask her what's his job and all.
Let me enquire.
What is the point of enquiring now?
Do we know how they used to live in Dubai?
Marriage would be the only thing left to do.
There's no point in turning a blind eye to this, Sindhu.
Let's do it.
And there's no point in being sad, too.
But no one in our family had a love marriage, right?
I'll go then.
(snoring)
(comical music)
How's the sugar in tea?
It's not too much.
(slurping)
-(clearing throat) -What, sir?
-Hmm. -Okay.
I was in FCI for 25 years.
We settled here after my retirement.
If it was earlier, we would have met already.
Now people have contacts only through phones.
It's not so long since we moved here.
Our house construction is going on.
Yeah, she told me.
We started building the house foreseeing his marriage.
We used to get good proposals.
Same here.
There are other good proposals.
(music continues)
Did you like the stay here, sir?
No way!
The lift isn't working, and there are power cuts always.
This flat is like the pay ward of some government hospitals.
One above the other.
I wanna leave this place as soon as possible.
And there's an association.
Good for nothing fellows!
Ugh!
I am the secretary of this association.
I think we both had a chat in the group.
No. You don't mind it, sir.
I am used to it.
Every Tom, Dick and Harry are on to me.
Because I am the secretary.
Anyway,
people here have too many complaints.
So, you're not from here?
No, no. We're from Kottayam.
My wife's house is in Irinjalakuda.
We've been here for the last 10 to 17 years.
After living here for 17 years, you're saying you're not from here?
(chuckles) You've already become the disciples of Lord Padmanabha.
(laughs) We don't like it here much.
First of all, with marriage proposals itself,
we had only considered ones from Kottayam and the north of it.
"If you see a cobra and a man from the south... "
-Don't you know that saying? -(laughing)
But when the cobra bit a man from the north,
the cobra died. That's the story that runs here.
People from the north won't say that. Don't you know?
The north-south divide is only here.
When you're abroad, everyone is a Malayali. That's all.
What's your future plan?
I...
To go to Canada...
Dad.
We...
have a plan to go to Canada.
Canada?
We'll think about it.
There are good opportunities there.
-That's what they say. -So what?
Nobody is living here?
Nowadays all the kids are going abroad.
Why do they have to live as a second-class citizen
in unknown countries? It's all foolishness.
If you consider that,
there are many living here from other districts.
Does anyone treat them as second-class people?
That's the same in Canada as well.
That's because our job is here and we have no other option.
Otherwise, no one is living here out of their own will.
(laughs) One should get a transfer and go if they're not interested.
Lurking around here otherwise
is because the facilities and the place are better here.
-(chuckles) -It's similar in Canada, too.
It's not enough to consider the place and facilities.
We should consider the people, too.
Of course, we should consider how the people are.
Dad...
Huh?
I mean, Uncle.
It is said that the standard of living is high there.
But what security do you have?
Like you lost your job in Dubai,
what if the same happens in Canada?
(tense music)
Hey!
You lost your job?
I... Dad...
Hey!
-(scoffs) -(tense music continues)
Hey, do we've to know about you losing your job from someone else?
You've already made an alliance with your girl's family?
Seeing me shocked, he was laughing.
I was so ashamed.
Vinod, I am not ready to become family with him.
Let him search in the north itself.
The son is lying in his own house.
-Best family! -True.
Ugh! Dirty family.
This girl is not a suitable type for our kid.
Pappan told me that in the beginning.
I don't know what's in Vinod's mind.
Can't Vinod get another job in Dubai?
I don't know.
How fate turns suddenly.
You think like this because of your initial excitement.
This won't work at all.
It's very difficult to live with them, dear.
Dad,
whatever you say,
my decision is final.
Whether you agree or not,
I'll only marry Vinod.
Gouri--
(doors slam shut)
She won't listen to us at her age.
I am worried that she would do something in without thinking.
We should not let her move at all.
Keep an eye on her always.
-Understood? -Yes.
(banging on door)
Vinod.
(banging on door) Hey!
(door opens forcefully) What is it?
Many have their evil eyes on you.
(tsks)
Spit.
Spit thrice.
Let me ask you something.
Hmm?
If you don't have a job,
will the construction of our home be delayed?
Mom,
whatever happens,
I'll finish it on time.
Also, I can find other jobs.
If this Canada plan works,
everything will be all right.
The salary I earned in Dubai,
I'll make double that in Canada.
Really?
Of course.
Mom, go and make Dad understand.
Ask him not to spoil anything.
Then you go to Canada.
Go to Canada and save yourself.
I'll find another superb girl for you, my son.
(comical music)
Go.
Go, Mom.
Go now.
(door shuts)
-(water spattering) -(humming a song)
(scoffs)
-(in Hindi) Want to keep this here? -Yes.
(machine whirring in background)
(in Hindi) Brother, get the cement from outside.
(man 2) Yes, I'll.
-(camera clicks) -(man 1) Where is he?
Bro, when will this plastering be over?
Just 5-6 days.
Here.
(in Hindi) Take the cement upstairs.
Take it.
Hey, bro!
(metal crushing gravel)
-(tapping feet) -Hi, sir.
Watch your steps, the floor is full of nails.
More than nails, there are so many smoked beedis here.
(laughing)
Sir, I am Binu. I am the mason here.
How's our work? Isn't it good?
Work is fine.
But it's too slow.
How won't it be?
Jiji doesn't pay on time.
How will the workers come without getting paid?
I give him money on time.
Of course, you're giving it, sir.
But he is just rolling the funds.
And, sir, you're not in town.
And your mom is a naive soul.
-Sir. -Huh?
He's a fraud, sir.
-Jiji? -Yeah, can't you see it?
Sir, he'll come now. You scold him now.
Then you will understand.
(lilting music)
Yeah, I'll take care of it. You carry on.
Okay, sir.
Come.
Take it.
(machine whirring)
-(engine whirring) -(car comes to halt)
-(comical music) -(car door closes)
Be confident.
(grunts)
(water splattering)
-Where's sir? -He's there.
Hi, Vinod sir.
Hi, greetings.
Hmm.
It was a surprise visit, sir.
You didn't tell me that you were coming when we spoke last week.
It was a sudden decision.
I couldn't tell anybody.
(machine whirring in distance)
Sir, I'll be upstairs.
Hmm.
Sir.
Don't get too close to that mason.
He's a bit phoney. That's why.
-Jiji. -Yeah.
When I came here in the morning there were no workers here.
Sir, that's because urgent wall work came up at another site.
So, I shifted some there.
It's a small work.
You do a wall or well, I don't care.
There shouldn't be any delay here.
-No. -One month.
All the work should be done in a month.
For sure, sir.
Sir, there won't be any delay from my side.
And since we do it taking so much time, it looks so nice.
If we rush too much,
we won't get perfection like this.
Hey, what the heck is this?
-That... putty-- -Apply putty properly and level it.
Okay, right.
I should take care of everything.
They won't work otherwise.
When are you returning, sir?
I am returning only after the work is done.
Oh, no!
Sir,
I'm here to tell you about an issue,
to be honest.
Issue?
But that might not be a big issue for you, sir.
By the time the house is finished,
we'll have spent Rs. 8-10 lakh more than estimated.
Rs. 8-10 lakh?
Yes.
That's not what you said when we started.
Sir, it's not my mistake.
When your mom visits,
she has many suggestions and I agree to it.
She wanted to build a swan on the toilet door and I did that.
She wanted a lotus flower on this arch,
I did that, too.
Now she says the floor should be covered with teak wood.
She says it's an NRI's house.
Otherwise, it will be a shame for her.
So, it all added up and became huge.
Oh, no.
Don't be upset, sir.
All house constructions are like this.
Haven't you heard?
It's during one's tough time that people decide to build a home
or get married.
(playful music)
(Jiji) Hey, don't dance around. Do your work!
(Pappan) I expected this.
We can't just blame the contractor.
Aunty wants even the toilet to be luxurious.
All my calculations will turn upside down, Pappan.
I can't use the money in my account.
Canada will be delayed.
Damn your Canada!
You should be blamed.
You should've been really careful while blindly following her words.
I wasn't expecting this at all.
When an unexpected issue comes up,
only you're there to run after that.
Where is she? I can't see her.
She is helpless, Pappan.
Tell me if there is any other way.
Don't panic.
We can top-up that bank loan if needed.
It'll take a week.
Then let's do that.
(scoffs)
Should I arrange something else till then?
-No. -(phone ringing)
I'll adjust it.
We're on the terrace. Come upstairs.
Who's that?
Gouri.
She wants to see you, Pappan.
Why would she want to see me?
I don't want to see anyone.
Not that, Pappan.
We need to tell you something.
She really wants to be here when we say that.
(tsks) Let her come.
-Come. -Hi.
Pappan.
What's up?
Oh, nothing is up for now.
Why didn't you come home the other day?
It was really nice, wasn't it?
That juicy episode was my side dish for dinner that night.
-Give me. -Pappan...
It's okay.
Do you smoke?
It's been two days since I smoked.
I can't smoke in peace when I am at home.
-It's not like Dubai here. -Yeah.
It's not like Dubai.
Did you tell Pappan?
Huh? Ah!
Pappan.
Both families are stubborn.
If we wait till they change their minds,
her leave will be over.
If her leave is over, Canada will be delayed.
We can't delay Canada, right?
Pappan,
the sooner we reach Canada,
the sooner we can settle there.
Our lives are going to get wasted because of people's egos here.
No one here thinks from our point of view.
We only got you, Pappan.
What can I do about it?
Pappan...
We have no other choice.
We've decided to register our marriage.
-Huh? -(music builds up)
You should stand by us.
You should make it happen.
And sign as a witness.
See, there's no history of anyone eloping
and doing a registered marriage in our family.
Who is eloping?
All marriages have to be registered.
So, we first register,
-then the wedding. That's all. -That's all.
Don't get married then.
But...
-Vinod, you try anyone else-- -Pappan...
-I can't do it. -Let me explain.
-Pappan, just a moment. -No, no.
(Pappan) Don't touch me, okay. Let go of my hand, girl.