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-[crowd cheering] -[crowd chanting] Arjun! Arjun!

-[crowd cheering] -[crowd chanting] Arjun! Arjun!

-[crowd cheering] -[crowd chanting] Arjun! Arjun!

[man] Life is like a game.

Its beauty lies in the rules.

Rule one, and probably the only rule.

You have to enter the field and play. You don't have a choice.

[crowd cheering]

The moment you understand this, your test begins.

[dramatic music playing]

[eerie music playing]

[cheering fades]

[news reporter] One last test match in the series of Chennai

[bat thuds]

[woman on TV] Arjun Venkatraman's form is on everyone's mind.

Dada! How could you lose so badly?

If you would've played aggressively, we would have definitely won the match.

-Yeah right, like you're a big coach. -[mobile phone rings]

Get going. You're gonna be late for school.

[phone continues ringing]

[man 1 rejects call]

[news report continues indistinctly]

What's wrong?

Why didn't you stay at the hotel with the team?

[tense music playing]

If you had informed me, I would have sent the car.

[woman on TV] The captain is not in favour

of the star player's presence in the team anymore.

Manoj, you know exactly what he is like.

Don't argue with him when he gets here.

Sir…

I've told you what to do. Now, it's up to you, Manoj.

[Manoj] It's very important, sir.

[tense music playing]

Good morning, sir. Should I send an official email

to the team manager about last night?

[news report continues indistinctly]

[man 2] Please mute this TV.

It's going on and on since morning. I'm sick and tired of it.

-[exhales] Okay. -And for Appa?

Why? Are you planning to kill me or something, huh?

Right, at least that way you won't have to spend on insulin.

Dada, my birthday is coming up in two days.

You remember, right?

[Arjun's dad] Why're you calling him Dada?

Call him Appa. Or he might forget he is your Appa.

Okay. Appa.

The match is over, Appa.

Look at me.

[clicks tongue] Adi, don't irritate me. Move aside.

[woman] Arjun.

It's a big day for Adi. First selection match.

[light, playful music playing]

Good luck, Adi.

Play well, okay? And play fair.

-Thanks, Dada. Bye, Thatha. Bye, Ma. -[woman] Bye.

Sir, there's an informal committee meeting at the pavilion café this evening.

They want you to attend it.

[tense music playing]

[woman on TV] The veteran player has been struggling for runs,

failing to score a century in over two years.

[news report continues indistinctly]

[temple bell rings]

[woman 1] Oh, hello! I let you take one bucket of water

and now you're taking it for the whole village!

Don't try to be smart. Okay?

[temple bell rings]

[intro music of news segment]

-[remote thuds] -[groans]

[man 1 on TV] Now the pressure is no longer on us. It's on Pakistan.

Madam, I think we need to give Arjun a chance.

But the question is, will this be Arjun's last match for India?

[man 2 on TV] It should be! I don't think he should be playing after this match.

[man 3 on TV] I'm sorry. How can you just dismiss a legendary…

-Good morning. -[clicks tongue]

[woman 2 on TV] There's strong opposition to Arjun playing for India. What do you…

Looks like it's game over for the legend, huh?

[latch rattles]

[news report continues indistinctly]

God knows who'll save test cricket now.

Didn't you say you didn't wanna talk to me?

[man] You were the one who said no to biryani and went to bed upset. Not me.

-I wasn't talking to you? -Correct! You shouldn't be talking to me.

Arjun averages 61.2 in test cricket.

India's most successful batsman ever!

Successful. Understand?

[news report continues indistinctly]

It pisses you off when I talk about your ex-boyfriend?

[romantic music playing]

I've fixed the doctor's appointment for 6:30 in the evening today.

-Isn't this what the drama's for? -Not bad! You actually remember.

Of course, I do. You had your medicine?

[music continues]

Do I get biryani tonight at least?

-Biryani? Even I want some. -[laughs]

You're getting late for school.

You should leave. I'll see you at the clinic.

[news report continues indistinctly]

Arjun. Schoolmate. Not ex-boyfriend.

-How are you, Bharani? Long time! -I'm fine. Thank you.

-Actually, I had gone to Tirupati. -[woman 2] Okay. Please have something.

Idlis are kept on the table.

-Have some. Okay? -Okay, okay.

[gasps] Uh, Bharani, the main door doesn't shut properly.

-Please remind him, okay? -Yeah, sure. I'll remind him. Bye!

[woman 1] Hey, Kumudha!

I told you to go to the Putlur Amman Temple on Friday.

-Did you go or not? -[hesitates]

-I'll make it a point to go this Friday. -[woman 1] I keep reminding you.

You cannot keep complaining about not having a baby

and do nothing about it.

I'm only trying to help.

[sombre music playing]

Sara, why aren't you ready yet? Vivek has been calling me.

-Hold on, I have to show you something. -[Bharani] Oh, it's here?

Yeah, it's here. I finished the final assembly just last night.

You spent all that money on this?

Hey, don't talk to me like an idiot.

Focus on the bigger picture, not the expenditure.

It won't just change our lives, it will change the whole country.

Yeah, whatever. Let's hurry up and go meet Vivek.

Hey, don't worry about it. Just sit. Sit down.

[man 4 on TV] All they want to do is bring him down.

[woman on TV] The curtains will close on a dramatic test series

between India and Pakistan

at the MA Chidambaram Stadium…

-[man 2] How's the canteen doing, Bharani? -Uh, it's doing well, sir.

[man 1] Then why haven't you paid us the interest for nine months?

Sir, we had to buy new equipment to upgrade the canteen

and we are running low on funds--

Bloody bastard!

You sell the canteen to someone and brazenly lie to us.

What do you think? I'm a bloody idiot?

-[man 1] Hello. -Please be respectful.

We have only taken a loan. Haven't run away with your money.

Hey, just try running away.

Kutty.

[sighs] Saravanan, right?

[ominous music playing]

That scientist who is making petrol from water? Hmm?

Hydro fuel.

You took money from us to upgrade your canteen.

But used it to get your project approved by Industries Secretary, Meiyappan? Hmm?

[tense music continues]

I know exactly where our money goes.

I keep track.

[man 1] Bhaiya, they are here!

[sighs] Close their account right now. Make sure you get me the money.

Sir, that Mylapore property?

-Once this project gets approved I-- -[man 2 grunts] Kutty, you know me.

You know I don't do business with people who lie.

Take care of this.

-Namaste, Dimello. -[Kutty, in next room] …playing games?

How are you? Uh, tea, coffee?

Thank you.

Sorry, Dharmesh ji. I got here a bit early.

No problem, sir. Tell me.

India-Pakistan. Last test match.

There's no bigger game than this in the entire sporting world.

[Kutty] …what I'm capable of! Don't try my patience.

There's a lot of money to be made here.

-[Kutty] I want my money right now! -One spot-fixing is worth 500 crores.

There are three players that our team has identified.

[Kutty continues his threats]

Try to set one of them up.

-I gave you money for the canteen-- -Hey!

Why are you screaming over here? We can hear you from inside.

You guys leave now.

Sir, they're angry because I asked about the property.

Sir, we took 25 lakhs. Now he is asking for 50?

Kutty, money or property, I don't care.

You brought them here. You take care of it.

Settle the dues in two days.

[tense music playing]

[indistinct chatter on TV]

[man 1] This guy is really amazing.

A great player.

-[man 2] Who is great? -Arjun, sir.

[man 2] He was.

[tense music continues]

-Not anymore. -[man 3] Good morning, sir.

As per your orders, I spoke to the Bombay team, sir.

In the last 2 weeks, there have been four murders, sir.

And one of the victims is the head of the Chennai betting syndicate, sir.

Dimello's man.

That means they'll need a new head for the Chennai syndicate.

Dimello will definitely come here.

-Keep me posted. -Sure, sir.

[man 4] It will be a deal worth 50,000 crores.

This test match is going to be a big test for all of us.

-[crowd cheering] -[cricket bat taps ground]

["Arena" by Yogi B. playing]

[man] I'm a soldier, sir.

-[song ends] -[crowd chanting] Arjun! Arjun!

[kids] Come on, Adi! You can do it!

Come on, Adi!

-[woman claps] -[indistinct chatter among kids]

Where are you going to get the money from?

Sara has changed now, Mary.

He has let go of his project.

The canteen is also doing well.

-[Kumudha winces] -[kid 2] Oh, no!

Okay. I'm leaving now.

After you see the doctor, give me a call.

-[kid 3] Sir. -[man] Leave him alone.

-[Arjun] Okay, okay, that's enough. -Go away! Come on. Go!

-[train horn hooting] -[train chugging]

[phone rings]

Dada! Dada!

Tell me, Javed sir.

You should also get out like your father.

You can win this for us!

-[kid 4] You can do it! -[kids cheering Adi]

-Yay! Wicket! -[team groaning]

[kids cheering loudly]

-[Arjun clicks tongue] -[kids continue cheering and celebrating]

Hmm? There's only two days to go for the test.

What's the purpose of this meeting?

[kids continue cheering and celebrating]

Okay. I'll be there.

-[train horn hoots] -[train chugging]

Hello, Arjun sir.

You haven't come to our school ground for so long.

Is everything okay?

-I'm fine, Arumugam. -[grunts]

This place is very lucky for you.

Now in the next match, you will be back in form.

You'll score a century and those Pakistani boys,

one by one, you'll knock them all out.

I'm telling you.

You played well. You had the right idea. Keep working on your backfoot game.

-Hmm? -Adi, hmm.

Don't feel bad.

This is only your first selection match. Hmm?

-Simple matter? -Salt water!

Thank you, miss.

-Bye, miss. -Bye.

[light music playing]

[Arjun] Who's this new coach?

Seems to think you played well. Hmm?

Your team lost because of you.

Go on.

The big man wants to play a reverse sweep.

[Saravanan] Fuel cell stack technology. We call it hydro fuel as well.

Put in simple terms, we are getting energy from water.

So, the vehicle won't emit any smoke at all.

Only clean, pure steam.

Zero pollution.

So within three years, our state's per capita carbon footprint

will be the lowest in the country.

There was someone else who claimed something similar in the past.

No one knows what happened to him.

Now, you're showing us a strange battery.

-Mr. Meiyappan. -Sir.

Why don't you let him finish his presentation?

-He's a double doctorate holder from MIT. -[phone buzzes]

Let him finish.

-Please go ahead. -Ah, thank you, sir.

Now, to run a two-wheeler, the monthly average cost for petrol

comes around 2500 rupees to around 3500 rupees.

With the use of this technology, we can bring it down to 500.

Tamil Nadu will be the leader in fuel cell technology in the country.

Maybe even the world.

Very impressive. If you make it a reality, the future looks very bright.

-Are you ready for it? -I'm absolutely ready, sir. We're all set.

Mr. Meiyappan, complete the documentation and formalities in two days.

-We'll announce the project on Thursday. -[Meiyappan] Yes, sir.

Thank you, sir.

[indistinct conversation]

What do you think about it?

-Looks good, right? -[keypad clacking]

-Did they give you a due date? -No. Not as yet.

[low, tense music playing]

[woman 1] Kumudha Saravanan, you can go in.

[tense music playing]

[woman 2] The treatment has worked well for both of you.

His sperm count is also good now, and your PCOS is under control.

So, when can we do the procedure, doctor?

Anytime. Discuss it with Saravanan and let me know.

Uh, we can do it next Monday.

Okay.

They'll inform you about the formalities outside, all right?

Thank you, doctor.

Kumudha.

The treatment has taken almost nine months to work

because of your previous miscarriage.

I'm not sure if it will work again.

Supplements and hormone injections must not be missed.

And most importantly, try not to take on any stress.

This might be your last chance.

[sombre music playing]

Sir.

-[Arjun] Hmm? -They are all here, sir.

-RS? -He's here, sir.

-[train horn hooting] -[train chugging]

[crowd cheering]

[crowd clapping and chanting rhythmically] Arjun! Arjun! Arjun!

Arjun! Arjun!

[chanting fades out abruptly]

[man 1] Sorry, dada, I had to take a personal call.

Why did you ask me to come, sir?

No doubt, you've been one of India's best batsmen for so many years.

But it looks like, uh,

for the last two seasons, you've been out of form.

We think it's best you retire.

[tense music playing]

Are you finished, sir?

Did you know about this?

Yes, the decision was unanimous.

What about my captain?

That Ajith kid has averaged 70-plus this domestic season.

And he has sat it out for two series!

I have to be fair to the young chap, and the media is piling on the pressure.

Media pressure?

Do you remember what I did for you when you were failing?

I demoted myself, I changed my position, I gave you my spot.

You're here because of me, RS.

I didn't expect you of all the people to do this, RS.

-Dada! -[clicks tongue] Not like this.

Not after everything I've done for you.

For this team. For my country.

[man 2] Please try to understand, Arjun.

Don't, uh, get emotional about this.

[tense music continues]

Fine.

Then why wait till the end of the match?

Gentlemen, I quit right now.

-I'll inform the press myself. -Dada, please.

It will become a big issue if you go to the press.

-Arjun, listen to me. Arjun! -[committee clamouring]

This will give Pakistan a psychological edge. You know that, right?

You should have considered that before doing all of this coach.

I'm being too emotional, is it?

How can you people do this to me?

On my ground?

In my home?

[tense music continues]

[music fades out]

[bike approaching]

[Saravanan] Hey, Kumudha! What do the reports say?

I had an important meeting.

-That's why I got late. I'm sorry! -[grunts]

-You think I wanted to be late? -Of course! You did this on purpose.

You don't really wanna be a father, right?

Listen, I'm sorry.

I'm really sorry.

Kumudha. Kumudha, please. Sorry.

Sorry. Really sorry.

[chuckles nervously]

You know exactly what this means to me.

I… I know. I know.

Please. [laughs nervously]

[light music playing]

What did the doctor say?

She said we're ready for the procedure.

Day after tomorrow.

-Wednesday is the first extraction. -Done.

We have to pay five lakhs on Thursday.

I've told them we can do the procedure next Monday.

[laughs nervously]

-We have to pay on Thursday? -Yeah. Why?

No, no. We'll pay on Thursday. [laughs nervously]

And there's one more thing.

once this is done, let's move to my dad's house.

I feel like staying there.

Of course! Why not? [chuckles]

Why are we keeping it on Monday? Is that day auspicious or something?

[clicks tongue] As if that matters to me.

That's when the test match ends.

Cricket crazy! [chuckles]

[both laugh]

[light music playing]

[music fades out]

So which country are father and son planning to save?

-Ma, I'm not going to school tomorrow. -Why? What happened?

My classmates are always teasing me. They say India lost because of Appa.

You got out playing a stupid shot, Adi. That's why they were teasing you.

That was not a stupid shot, Dada.

-There was nobody in third man. -[phone chimes]

I knew he was gonna bowl on the leg side. That's why I tried the reverse sweep.

You've never played T20. How would you know?

Getting too big for your boots?

You're gonna teach me?

My mistake, I should have slapped you and raised you.

Shut up and eat.

[sombre music playing]

You need to be home for that, Arjun.

[cell phone rings]

[sighs and blows raspberry]

Even I should have slapped him when he was a kid. [sighs]

[suspenseful music playing]

-Hmm? Tell me. -[coach] The meeting just got over.

-Your drama really worked. -Meaning what?

As soon as you left, RS made a U-turn.

He doesn't want any changes until the series is over.

But let me tell you one thing,

the way you behaved in the meeting was unacceptable to the committee.

We are going to choose the final Playing XI in this Wednesday's meeting.

Until that happens, your position is not guaranteed.

Clear?

[tense music playing]

[hangs up]

Sir, the agency called.

They want to renegotiate the terms of the endorsement deals.

Also, a Vivek from the High Court Lawyers Welfare Association--

-Get the PRO on the line, will you? -Okay, sir.

[footsteps receding]

[tense music continues]

[birds chirping]

Is Appa still angry with me, Ma?

-[tender music playing] -[woman 1 chuckles]

Adi, he is not angry with you.

[Arjun] Good morning, Adi, my boy.

-Do you have cricket practice today? -No, Appa.

[Arjun] Hmm.

-Have a great day, okay? -Bye, Appa.

[Arjun] Hmm.

Everything's set, sir.

[tense music playing]

[reporters clamouring]

[woman 2] There are rumours that there is a misunderstanding

between the Board and Arjun. Is that true?

There are lots of fans who are shocked to hear about his retirement.

What is the answer for them?

-Get coach on the line. -[woman 3] Can you give us the reason?

All his fans want to know whether this is really true.

What do you have to say about that?

What's going on, sir? Who did this?

-Have you spoken to anyone? -[Arjun] Why would I speak to anyone?

Then how did the press find out about it?

How should I know?

-Somebody in the committee must've leak-- -Arjun, what's going on?

-[coach] Don't jump to conclusions, Arjun. -[Arjun] I'm sorry, sir.

I have to go to the press.

Let the public know how the Board is treating me.

Don't do anything stupid. Let me investigate.

-Give me some time. -I don't have time.

[woman on TV] We're receiving reports that legendary cricketer Arjun…

Hey, looks like your classmate is retiring.

100% fake news. Not a chance.

No. Look at the TV.

[woman on TV] …final test match of the India-Pakistan series.

The scene here is chaos…

[clatters loudly]

These reporters don't have any sense?

They don't even spare a child.

[helmet clatters]

Wait, hold on!

Listen, are you… Are you okay?

-Please just sit for a minute -[Kumudha exhales sharply].

What does it matter to us who retires?

You can't let small things like this stress you out, Kumudha.

Kumudha, let me ask you something.

And I want you to be honest. Okay?

Do you actually know Arjun?

[light music playing]

No, no. I… I mean, does Arjun even know you?

You claim to know him for years. And you're such a huge fan.

But I still haven't met this man.

So I have my doubts.

I've been thinking maybe the way I know Aishwarya Rai, you know Arjun.

[both laugh]

Understood, Mr. Scientist.

Good job.

I'm calm now.

-Okay. I'll see you later? -Eat and go.

-No, I have an important meeting-- -[clicks tongue]

[temple bell rings]

All right. I'll eat and go.

-Glad you're scared. -I'm petrified.

-[train horn hoots] -[train chugging]

[sighs]

I'm going to turn 34, Mary.

The doctor said if it doesn't happen now, it never will.

This is my last chance.

Kumudha, is Sara okay with the procedure?

Sara doesn't have a say in this. I'm doing it no matter what.

I'm done waiting. I can't do this anymore.

His only job is to arrange for the money.

I'll take care of everything else.

[boy] Come on, guys. Let's play.

Hey, Prem. And me?

-You're not playing today. -Why not?

Because you're a coward just like your loser father.

Don't say that about my father, Prem.

He retired because he is too scared to play against Pakistan.

You should also retire. [laughs]

-[Arjun] Hey! -[Prem grunts]

-Say sorry! Say sorry to me right now! -Adi!

-[man] Adi! Hey! -I won't let you go.

-Say sorry to me! -[man] Adi, stop it!

-Your father is a coward. -[whistle blows]

-Adi, I said, stop it. -Don't say that. He is not a coward.

-Come here. I'll slap you. -Sir! What are you doing?

-You're gonna hit a child? -[man] But I didn't hit him.

You would have if I wouldn't have stopped you.

[man] You're overreacting. This is my class. I'll take care of it.

-You don't need to interfere. -I will, sir. What are you gonna do?

Come, Adi. He'll hit a child and I'm supposed to ignore it.

[Prem whispers] Loser, loser!

[kids whisper] Loser, loser, loser!

[Bharani] Sara, the thought of Kutty--

[Sara] You keep whining about the same thing again and again.

They have to wait until we get money.

You are underestimating these people. They are extremely dangerous.

[tense music playing]

Hey! How many times do I have to call you?

-Bastard! You don't answer my calls. -Sorry, sir, I was just a little busy.

Bullshit! You're busy and you switch off your phone?

He said we will pay you back in two days. Why are you yelling?

Hello, Scientist! No one's talking to you.

You're completely worthless. I know.

-Just sit down. -Hey! Who are you people?

Why are you shouting and creating a nuisance over here?

Whatever it is, go to the canteen and fight.

Or should I call the police?

[mockingly] Canteen?

Mr. Scientist, you're a good conman, huh?

-You fooled the entire town. -We told you we will pay you back.

[laughs] Look at that. The scientist is getting angry and all.

I told you to leave, but you are still arguing with him. Get lost.

-You get lost! -[woman] What did you say?

-Where's my phone? Give me my phone. -Ass!

-[woman] Idiots! -Bharani.

I trusted you and gave you the money.

The money has to be returned tomorrow.

If not, the property papers. Understand?

And answer my calls. Huh?

[tense music playing]

Hey, let's go.

-[car engine starts] -[car door closes]

[woman] How many times do I have to warn you?

You're dropping children home, buying them ice cream, chocolates.

Why do you keep doing this all the time?

Ma'am, how is this relevant? Tell me.

The PT sir was about to hit a child and you're questioning me?

It is relevant.

The parents have sent a complaint about it, Kumudha.

What are you saying, ma'am?

We should be affectionate to children only if we have given birth to them?

Exactly! To the students, you are only their teacher, not their mother.

[sombre music playing]

[sighs] Kumudha.

Please sit.

I know how much you have suffered because you lost your mother.

I also know how desperate you are to become a mother yourself.

But there is a limit to this.

[sombre music continues]

-[train horn hoots] -[train chugging]

[Aditya] Miss. Sorry, miss.

The principal scolded you because of me.

Students are not the only ones who get a scolding.

-Teachers also get it once in a while. -But you got a big scolding, miss.

Adi!

Simple matter…

[Kumudha chuckles and sighs]

Salt water.

-Your car is not here? -No, it's still not here.

Here, call your mother.

Miss, the driver is always late to pick him up.

She's not answering.

Uh, okay, come on. I'll drop you home.

What? Now, you also wanna give me some advice?

Let's go.

-Want some chocolate? -[Aditya] Hmm.

[Kumudha] Hmm.

Thank you, miss.

Hey! Don't forget your bag!

[tender music playing]

-[Kumudha] Should I open it? -[Aditya] Hmm.

-Should I? -Yes, miss.

Yay! Six. I win!

-Cheating, miss! Cheating! -What cheating?

-[Arjun] Careful, Appa. -Thatha.

-What happened, Thatha? -Nothing, son.

Your father tried to give me coffee yesterday.

Just side effects!

Oh, Kumudha! It's been so long since I saw you.

-How are you? -I am good, Uncle.

I hope you're doing okay.

Just dehydration. I'll be okay. Sit.

-Thatha! -[Thatha] Hmm?

You know Kumudha miss?

She's my first-grade teacher.

-My favourite! -Do I know her?

I have known her since she was as old as you are.

Her father and I were close friends. His name is Mr. Manickam.

Miss, how come you never told me about all this before?

So, Arjun, I'm sure you've forgotten about him.

[Kumudha] Uncle, it's been 14 years since we last met.

When he hit his first century at the Lord's Stadium,

you came home to present the bat to my father.

That's when we met.

What? First-century bat?

-Can I see it, miss? -Definitely.

-Promise? -Promise.

I'm sorry, Kumudha,

the other day when I saw you at school, I didn't recognise you.

-Schoolmate. -What did you say?

Adi, Mr. Manickam was the first coach ever to recognise your father's talent.

Now, his daughter is your first-grade teacher.

[cell phone rings]

[Arjun] It's all because of you.

-You're the reason for Dad's situation. -[sighs]

Sorry, he's a bit preoccupied.

Uh, don't… don't worry about it.

-I'll leave now. -Okay.

-Thank you so much. -No problem.

I'll see you at school tomorrow. Okay?

Anything that happens to my father, it's on the committee. You got it?

It's on the committee.

[tense music playing]

[temple bell rings]

[woman] If you can switch it on, you can switch it off too.

How many times do I have to tell you? Hey, what about this?

[latch rattles]

-[door rattles] -[sighs]

I told you to get the door fixed.

Let's just go to the temple before that woman sees me again.

-[water running] -Pay the clinic day after tomorrow.

Let's leave the same night and go stay in Putlur.

Let's finish the pooja in the morning and go directly to school from there.

-[Sara] Why did you switch off your phone? -I didn't. The battery died.

Can you guess where I am coming from?

What's up? Why so quiet?

Kumudha, please just come here.

I went to my ex-boyfriend's house.

That's why I'm late.

-What? You don't believe me? -[sighs]

Just sit down. I want to talk to you.

Don't panic and hear me out!

Why? What's wrong?

I just said don't panic and hear me out.

Okay, tell me.

[clears throat]

There's an issue with the canteen licence.

-We have to pay 50 lakhs in two days. -What did you just say?

We also need to pay for the IVF, right? What the hell is going on, Sara?

We can keep your father's Mylapore property as collateral.

Both our problems will be solved.

-Kumudha, please. -[Kumudha groans]

[angrily] My father warned me but I didn't listen to him.

[unsettling music playing]

[coach] I know you will do everything possible to play cricket, Arjun.

But on the other hand, the game you're playing with the media,

that's not right.

The sad truth is that you have lost your form.

Your time in cricket is over.

Accept it.

[waves crashing]

Cricket is my whole life, sir.

I don't know anything else other than cricket.

So what?

Are you going to play till the end of your life?

Look, Arjun, you have achieved everything.

But everybody's career comes to an end.

But that day hasn't yet come.

I'm not ready to leave cricket yet.

As a loser?

I just can't.

I need one more chance to make India win, coach.

For India to win or for you to win?

No cricketer can answer this question honestly.

On the battlefield, does a soldier fight to save his country?

Or does he fight to save his own life?

[upbeat music plays]

I'm a soldier, sir.

They're both the same to me.

Coach, I have to play this test.

[upbeat music continues]

[light music playing in the earphones]

[Aditya] Dada, where's my gift?

-Happy birthday, Adi, my love. -Thanks! But where's my gift?

-Huh? -[Padma] Shall we give it, Arjun?

Yay!

What's this, Ma? Wow!

Special-edition World Cup bat.

The whole team has signed it.

RS also!

Thank you, Ma. Thank you, Dada. Best gift ever!

Thatha, look at my gift.

Happy birthday, Kumudha.

You wanted this. Take it.

[sighs]

This is our last chance, Sara.

[tender music playing]

You really know how to set things right.

[cell phone rings]

Hello? Yeah, tell me.

Adi is being very insistent.

Can you come to the birthday party for a little while, please?

Thank you for inviting me. I'll be there. Okay?

-Happy Birthday, Kumudha! -Thank you, Bharani.

I'm going to Arjun's house for Adi's birthday party.

I'll send you the address.

-Pick me up from there in the evening. -[Sara] Mm-hmm.

-Do you believe me now? -Uh-huh.

I'll come there, see him, and then I'll believe you.

Okay, then tonight, our biryani plan is cancelled.

That's not right, Teacher. Why are you so strict?

Huh? Hello! Why do I have to struggle for biryani?

Hello! [whistles]

We've tried to pressure Arjun from the High Court Association.

But he's refused to meet us.

He's not taking calls from any unknown numbers.

-WhatsApp? Telegram? -Mm-mm.

Please let it go. It's too much of a risk.

If we mess this up, the Syndicate will kill us.

[sinister music playing]

A 100 crores, Vivek.

This is our chance to play in the big league.

You said let it go?

I can't let it go.

Do whatever it takes to find out his private number.

[man] Dharmesh. He owns a jewellery shop.

We have no information on him so far, sir.

We didn't find much during our investigation, sir.

Just some money laundering business, that's all.

But we don't really know why Dimello came to meet this man, sir.

[tense music playing]

They've got a head for the Chennai syndicate.

Start tracking all their calls.

Who they talk to, where they stay,

what they eat, where they sleep. Everything.

-I want to know everything. -[both men] Yes, sir.

-[slow, Tamil song playing] -[water sloshing]

Sara, I gave the property papers to Vivek.

All our problems will end today.

You have no idea how stressed I was.

Sara, tomorrow, we'll meet the minister, sign and announce the project.

Then we'll get the money from Pramod. We'll settle Dharmesh's loan.

Return the property papers to Kumudha.

And then pay off the clinic and we'll be done.

Then we'll celebrate with four rounds of rum!

[laughs]

You know what my father told me before he passed away?

Why do you have to dream so big? Just find a job for yourself.

You know, except for Kumudha, everybody else thought I was crazy!

-Sara, don't think about all these-- -No, no!

I'm crazy to think that I don't want a kid, a big house, and a fast car.

[scoffs] Struggling to make ends meet, dragging yourself to office every day,

working only to pay off loans, rent, school fees.

Is that a way to live life?

Huh? [clicks tongue]

But this world really needs crazy people.

If it wasn't for them, we would still be living in a forest,

striking stones to make fire.

[screams exultantly]

[loudly] Like Kerouac said,

"The only people are the mad ones." [laughs]

It's only the crazy people who can see the future today

and imagine what tomorrow should be.

[uplifting music playing]

[Saravanan] One day it will come.

[loudly] My day will come!

And on that day, we will be there! On the top!

In that house in the sky.

And when Kumudha looks down upon the world from there,

I will really relish it. [laughs]

[Bharani] Sara, you need to pick up Kumudha.

[in normal voice] Holy shit. What's the time, man?

Why didn't you tell me?

[all] ♪ Happy birthday to you! ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you! ♪

♪ Happy birthday, dear Adi! ♪

♪ Happy birthday to you! ♪

[all clapping]

[light music playing]

-Arjun. -[Arjun] Hmm?

[tender music plays]

[cell phone rings]

I really don't know what to say, Kumudha.

Look, I am not a coach to comment on your form.

But if my father was here, he would have never given up on you.

I hope everything works out for you, Arjun.

Okay, bye.

[sighs]

Kumudha.

Thank you so much for this.

When I came to meet Sir at home that day, he didn't say a word about my century.

[indistinct conversation]

He'd made a list of all of my mistakes and he…

started reading them out to me.

I found it very hurtful.

As a result, I got really angry.

I never spoke to him after.

That's why when he passed away, I…

I should've been there, Kumudha.

I'm really, really sorry.

[sighs]

Today, the whole world is after me and my mistakes.

Why don't you ask my son?

He has a long list of them.

[Arjun scoffs]

If coach was alive today, he would've given me good advice.

[kids talking indistinctly]

I used to ask my father,

"Why is Arjun so special?"

You know what he used to tell me?

"Many people play cricket.

Money, status, fame. Everyone has a reason to do it.

But it is only Arjun who plays for the love of the game.

The best!

One crore, one bullet, and one ball.

If you throw all of this at him,

he will be blind to all that money,

he will let the bullet pierce through his heart,

and the only thing he will focus on is the ball…

because cricket is his life."

[pensive music playing]

My father said that he had to give up on cricket because of a crisis.

"But Arjun will never give up on cricket,

and cricket won't give up on him."

That's who I used to be, Kumudha.

I don't know if that's who I am today.

Sometimes I don't even know why I'm playing.

[Kumudha mutters] Sara.

Sara?

-Arjun, my schoolmate. -Hey!

-[grunts mockingly] -[light, playful music playing]

-Saravanan, my husband. -Pleasure.

Hey, pleasure to meet you too.

Kumudha and her father, they talked about you all the time.

In fact, she is your craziest fan.

So you're not a fan then?

I don't have time for cricket.

Uh, we met the first time when we had come to see one of your test matches.

2007, Chepauk.

Oh! A college romance?

-Ah! -[Arjun] Hmm.

RD 350! I get it. That's why he hasn't changed his bike yet.

-Sentiment, sir. -Hmm.

But this, on the other hand, 2981 CC petrol engine

that generates 444 horsepower, with 530 Newton meters of torque,

with a max speed of 308 km/hour, right?

Man of the Tournament prize from the sponsors.

Then it has to be around three years old.

[discordant music playing]

[light music playing]

Spot on.

Actually, it's time to retire her as well, you know?

All petrol engines, all fuel engines.

Are you an expert?

Alternative automotive fuel tech, fuel cell.

-Interesting. -Yeah.

Where did you graduate from?

[scoffs] MIT.

-MIT? Manipal campus? -[unsettling music playing]

Massachusetts.

Boston? Wow!

What are you up to these days?

Actually… [sighs]

-Uh, he runs a canteen. -Interesting.

-[Arjun] Uh! -[unsettling music continues]

Shall we?

-Hi. -Padma and Adi.

-Hey! Happy birthday. -[Aditya] Hmm.

-What are you supposed to say? -Thank you.

-[Arjun] Hmm. -Spot on.

All the best for the match, Arjun.

Thank you.

If I get to play.

Javed sir just called 2 minutes ago. You are playing tomorrow.

Yay! Congrats, Appa.

[hopeful music playing]

Hey, congratulations. Lady Luck is still with you.

Hold on to her this time.

Come. Let's go.

-Thanks again for this, Kumudha. Really. -[bike engine starts]

Take a look. Lovely, right?

-[Padma] Bye. -Adi, this is Appa's coach.

[suspenseful music playing]

[music fades out]

[Saravanan] Arjun is such a lucky man. He has got everything.

[Kumudha] Hey! You have me. Don't you?

We will also have everything.

I truly believe that.

I have complete faith in you.

[Sara chuckles]

You really know how to set things right. [laughs]

["Hope" by Shakthisree Gopalan playing]

May I take your order, sir?

Two mutton biryanis.

[server] Sir, this is a coffee shop. We don't serve biryani here.

[song continues playing]

Hey, why are you hiding? Who are you hiding from?

-Oh, her! Karpagam! -[Kumudha] Hey!

-Karpagam! [chuckles] -Just stop it, okay?

-[song continues] -[cricket commentary running on TV]

[song ends]

[commentator 1] Good morning, a historic day dawns upon us

as India and Pakistan prepare to lock horns

at the hallowed ground of Chepauk stadium in Chennai.

Welcome to this epic showdown, the Freedom Series final.

The series stands in perfect balance, a thrilling 2-2 deadlock.

This is it! The grand finale.

And the stakes couldn't be higher.

This rivalry transcends sport.

-It's history… -So you're not going to school today?

[commentator 1] …and national pride, all rolled into a single cricket match.

[commentator 2] Absolutely, Ravi!

Twenty-five years, a quarter of a century has passed

since these two Titans last clashed here.

The echoes of that legendary match still reverberate.

[Ravi] It's the home ground of local hero Arjun Venkatraman.

He's under a lot of pressure,

but his record in this ground is phenomenal.

Kumudha, not going to your class?

[Ravi] …young Veer is making his debut today.

Hey, not you too.

[Ravi] …as they step onto the sun-baked pitch for the all-important toss.

[crowd cheering]

We'd like to bat first.

[BHarani] Hello! Stop watching the match and make the tea first.

[commentary continues]

[commentator 1] Today, history hangs heavy in the air

as a new generation of heroes take the field.

[Ravi] Who will seize the glory?

Who will light their name in fire

upon this momentous occasion? We're about to find out.

Maqsood and Wazir stride out to open the innings for Pakistan.

They're well-known for their aggression on the pitch.

[commentator 1] It's the debutant Veer with a new ball for India.

What a moment for him to remember!

Here comes the first ball of the Freedom Series decider.

First ball away and a booming cover drive down the ground.

Oh, dear! A misfield from Arjun. The ball skirts away for four runs.

A disappointing start for India in the field.

Wazir pulls with all his might.

An excellent shot. The ball races for the boundary.

[upbeat music playing]

Wazir comes down the track. A massive six to end a breathtaking over.

[Ravi] The momentum is clearly with Pakistan right now… [fades out]

[Vivek] We can't do anything with this.

Your father-in-law has put a clause that you can't sell the house.

But we didn't want to give this as collateral, sir.

It's because you asked for it.

We had absolutely no clue there was such a clause until you mentioned it.

Hey! It's his wife's property, right?

Didn't he know about this clause?

Bastard! When will he become a father and when will I get the property?

-Hey! -Hey!

Kutty.

This is a complete waste of time.

Just get me my money back and get them out of here.

Uh, Dharmesh sir.

[tense music playing]

See, I have a very important meeting this evening.

Once it's done, the money will come.

A meeting?

With that secretary, right?

Yes.

[Dharmesh] Okay. [sighs]

I'll give you one more day.

You have to pay us back tomorrow.

Without settling our account,

your project will not get approved.

Make a call to that secretary.

[tense music continues]

[commentator 1] Welcome back after the tea break.

Pakistan are 195 for no loss.

And they have dominated the first two sessions.

[Ravi] Veer from the pavilion end. And clean bowled!

The Pakistan captain walks back, a stunned expression on his face.

[commentator 1] Edged and gone, Nitish strikes a brilliant delivery.

And that's a poor shot from Sharjeel.

[Ravi] A bouncer and an easy catch for Veer.

Bowled! Karthik gets his man.

This is a dream spell for the Indian bowlers.

[commentator 1] What a dramatic turnaround to Day 1.

Pakistan were so good in the first two sessions,

but India fought back brilliantly in the final session.

Pakistan are 280 for 4 at the end of Day 1.

[clapping]

Kumudha, your problems aren't going to go away

unless you visit the temple.

We're going. See this. I am waiting for Sara.

Oh, wow! You finally made up your mind.

Have a safe journey.

I just want you to know

Sara is hanging out with all the wrong people.

[tense music playing]

[Saravanan] Sir, we've submitted the project reports, files and everything.

What's the problem?

50 lakhs for a 5000-crore project?

What are you trying to say?

Five crores. Start putting the money together.

[tense music continues]

Sir, I've put my whole life on hold for this project.

Please. Where am I going to get five crores from?

What do you want me to do, Sara?

To move files in Delhi, this is what it takes.

But, sir, isn't this unfair?

You can't do this to me at the last minute!

I want to help you too. Don't get a useless project--

-You think this project is useless, huh? -Sara, calm down.

No problem, sir. Let's drop this project for now.

Get all the clearances yourself and then let me know, okay?

Sir, wait…

[tense music continues]

[loudly] Hey, who the hell is he? Huh?

My project can change the fate of this country!

And he discarded it in a second. [scoffs]

That bloody crook!

-Huh? He thinks my project is useless? -[Bharani] Sara--

Hey! He thinks my project will stop because of him. Huh?

I'll go to Delhi. I'll go to every damn minister in the country.

Please stop yelling, Sara. What are we going to tell to Kutty, now?

I don't know man. I really don't know. Don't ask me. I don't know.

[Bharani] Please listen to me. Let's go back to our hometown.

You should leave tonight with Kumudha.

You know the day I went to America,

I really thought I would change this world like Steve Jobs did.

You want me to give up on that?

Kumudha stood by me all her life, waiting for me to win.

You want me to go and tell her that we are running away?

Please understand and listen to me, Sara.

Kutty won't spare us.

[Saravanan] You go, Bharani.

I can't run away.

[tense music continues]

[music fades out]

Is he asleep?

Thank you for arranging his gift, Paddu.

[tender music playing]

I, uh, completely forgot.

As usual.

-[Padma] It doesn't matter, Arjun. -[Arjun] Hmm.

I didn't do it, right?

[sighs]

You're the one who does everything.

You're the reason this family is still a family. [sighs]

[soft music continues]

Did you notice?

-Mine is the only sign missing. -What?

[sombre music playing]

Maybe it's a sign.

[Padma] What happened?

It was a really tough day today. [sighs]

The youngsters somehow saved the day.

They're all ready to give their lives for the team.

Just like me.

My team is in good hands. [sighs]

[sombre music continues]

For the first time in my life…

I feel afraid.

What do you mean by that?

I don't know.

I'm not sure.

[music fades out]

Maybe it's time.

[clock ticking]

[sombre music playing]

[sniffles]

[knocking on door]

[clicks tongue] Wait, I'm coming. [ gasps]

[clicks tongues]

[loud knocks on door]

[loud clatter]

[dogs barking outside]

I've told you a million times to get that door fixed.

We had to pay the clinic today, Sara. Where the hell were you?

I called you so many times.

[pages rustling]

Are you drunk?

Are you drunk? Answer me!

I am. I am. I am drunk. What will you do?

When the teacher orders, I must stand. When she orders, I must eat.

When she orders, I must become a father.

What did you say?

[chuckles]

No, no. Why are you running away? Wait. Wait.

You wanna hear a joke?

Let's talk tomorrow. Move.

-I want to tell you a joke. -Sara, let's talk tomorrow.

Your father's a very smart man, Kumudha.

He said he'll be reborn as your child, right? That's it.

That's why he has willed his whole property to himself.

[laughing]

[laughter echoes]

["Hope" by Shakthisree Gopalan playing]

[song ends]

[temple bell rings]

[commentator 1] Maqsood and Wazir stride out

to open the innings for Pakistan.

-They're very well known… -[Kutty] What a shithole? [scoffs]

There is only one door over here.

[commentary continues on TV]

Who're you people? What're you doing in my house?

Look at him, sleeping there like a king. We are here for him.

-Hey! Wake up. -Hey, hey, stop.

-Get up. -[man 1] Oh, look at him.

-Looks like he is still drunk. -Sara.

-This noise is very irritating. -[commentary stops]

Bharani trusted this man to escape with him.

He is such a fool.

Listen, how do you live with such a bloody fraud?

Hey, watch your mouth, okay?

[Sara gasps, grunts]

What do you people want?

[Sara grunts]

Hello, Scientist. Looks like your wife is as annoying and inquisitive as you are.

[Kumudha] Sara, what are they talking about?

-Who are these people? -Don't worry about it. You go inside.

Don't worry, huh? Kumudha, I'll tell you what's going on.

You know that project where he is making petrol out of water?

-I've given him money for that. -For the project?

[sombre music playing]

Not for the canteen?

[Kutty] Yeah, you hit the nail on the head.

It's been nine months since he closed the canteen.

He's made a fool out of us and you too.

[whispers] Sara…

[Kutty] Oh, no. Don't give him that look. It's a waste of time.

This man is not worth anything.

When your father made his will, he was very well aware of this fact.

-[Sara grunts] -Hey, stop jumping around.

Only you're coming with us.

She's safe.

At least, for now.

-Let's go. -[man 2] Hey, don't move.

Sara, we have to pay the clinic today, Sara.

Oh, yes, of course. You have to deal with that too.

First, hand over the 50 lakhs that he owes me,

then take your husband and have your child.

Let's go.

["Hope" by Shakthisree Gopalan playing]

[ambulance siren blaring]

[song ends]

[Manoj] Sir, we are late.

[indistinct news report on TV]

You can watch TV later.

-Your father will get upset. -Leave.

Today, Arjun might be facing his final chance.

His last--

Dada, Dada, can I come to the match today?

Are you kidding me? No.

You didn't go to school yesterday.

-[phone rings] -You better go today.

-[hangs up] -[Aditya] Please, Dada.

I want to watch you play on the ground today.

Adi, don't irritate me. It's a big day for me.

You know Thatha is not feeling well. Appa needs to focus on his game today.

-I don't have time for this, okay? -Please, Appa.

-[phone rings] -Appa, please.

[clicks tongue] Hey! You're going to get it from me. Enough already.

Shanthi, please get him ready for school.

-Adi, let's get ready for school. -Wait, Akka.

-Please, Appa! -[phone rings]

-Dada… -[Arjun] Hmm.

[Shanthi] You can't talk to your father like that.

-[Arjun] Hello. -[Dharmesh] Arjun sir?

-Yeah, who's this? -I'm calling from Mumbai.

Sorry, who's speaking? Where did you get this number?

Actually, I have a proposal for you, Arjun sir.

Whatever it is, please speak to my manager after the match.

Unfortunately, after the match, this proposal will be useless, sir.

The proposal is only for today.

Hey, who the hell is this?

[Dharmesh] I suggest you think about it. Your time is almost up.

Everyone knows this is the last match of your career.

-So if you play the cards right-- -What the hell!

Bastard!

[tense music playing]

Shall I take my kit and put it in the car?

-Do your bloody job, man. -Appa, match?

-[Arjun] Adi, we'll see in the next game. -Please, Appa.

Adi, stop annoying me. Go to school, please.

-Get him ready. -You don't love me, Appa?

-[Arjun] What're you blabbering? -Then why're you lying, Appa?

-[Shanthi] Adi, you'll be late for school. -Wait, Akka.

Isn't this your last match?

Adi, enough.

You're going to retire like my friends told me.

Adi, shut up! Nonsense.

Are you a coward, Appa?

-[Arjun] Adi! -[grunts]

[Arjun] Your nonsense never ends.

[melancholic music playing]

Kumudha?

How much money do you have in your account?

Around 50,000 rupees, I think.

Can you go and withdraw it immediately?

I have around one and a half lakhs. What about the other three?

[Mary] Are you not worried about Sara?

I need to pay the clinic by 4:30 today. I don't have time for this nonsense.

They've taken Sara away and you're going on about money?

What do you want me to do?

Do you have 50 lakhs?

No, right?

[tense music playing]

You still want me to trust him?

You go withdraw the money and give it to me.

I'll speak to the principal about a PF loan.

[commentator 1] Welcome to the exciting Day 2

of the India-Pakistan test match.

Pakistan starts at 280 for 4.

And Rishav will start with the ball for India.

[crowd cheering]

[Ravi] What a delivery! That's a massive blow for Pakistan.

Rishav Singh strikes early. That's the exact start they needed.

That's in the air.

And Abhinand takes it! That's a big wicket.

It's the last over of the session before we break.

And that's a poor shot, and what a catch by Arjun in the slips.

What a collapse this has been for Pakistan.

Pakistan are bundled out for 369.

Veer definitely deserves a lot of credit for his…

[man] Sir.

Sir, Dharmesh made a call to Arjun.

[crowd cheering in the background]

-From his regular number? -[man] Yes, sir.

-[Isaac] Where is Arjun right now? -At home, sir.

At home?

Arjun's not at the team hotel?

No, sir. His father is not well. So he made a request to the management.

Something is off.

Use this as a base, and ask for permission to tap Dharmesh's phone.

[man] Yes, sir.

[tense music playing]

[Vivek] Sir, we've tried our best to fix Arjun. But it's not worked out.

[Dimello] The match's already begun. You've lost your chance.

-Don't do anything else. -Shit!

[tense music playing]

Why the hell have you brought these people back here, Kutty? Idiot.

I've told this idiot's wife to get us the money.

Let him be here till she comes with it.

Kutty, this is your problem. You have to settle it.

Why should I settle it?

If the deal gets screwed up, how is this only my problem?

-Aren't you people partners in this? -We didn't want this from the beginning.

You only did this to get your hands on that property.

-Now, you handle it. -Okay, I'll handle it.

-Give me my money. Where is my money? -Hey, Kutty.

[clamouring]

Hey, Vivek, just stop him.

-Give me my money! -Kutty!

-[Kutty] I want my money right now-- -[grunts]

How dare you hit me?

Who do you think you are?

[clamouring continues]

-Let go of me! -[clamouring continues]

Oh, wow!

We have some very special people here.

Kutty, from a small-time criminal to big-time politician?

[laughs nervously] Nothing like that, sir.

They borrowed money and are not giving it back, that's all.

Yeah, so? You decide to play the judge here?

Both of you leave.

Dharmesh Agarwal.

Looks like what you're making

from jewellery and money laundering is not enough for you anymore.

And you're trying to do some betting or fixing in the world of cricket.

Right? Don't even think about it.

Or you're a dead man.

-Clear? -[tense music plays]

[music fades out]

Sir.

What is Kutty doing here?

Start keeping an eye on him too.

[tense music playing]

You dropped Aditya home even after I warned you not to do it.

Sorry, Kumudha. I have to place you under suspension.

[tense music continues]

[woman] We're calling from Kana Fertility Clinic.

You have to clear the payment

for the Monday IVF procedure by this evening.

When will you be here?

[cell phone rings]

[Saravanan] Hello, Kumudha, Kumudha.

It's… it's become a big problem. Listen, just don't come home.

Do you hear me? Don't come home. Don't come… Kumudha…

Hello? Hel…

[phone call drops]

[indistinct chatter]

[sombre music playing]

[priest chanting hymns]

[tender music playing]

[music fades out]

Adi, what are you doing here? Why haven't you gone home?

I don't want to go home, miss.

What happened, Adi?

My father hit me because I wanted to watch the match.

He doesn't love me, miss.

I'm never going to go back home.

[clicks tongue and sighs]

Looks like we are both having a very bad day.

Let's make it better. Hmm?

[commentator 1] It's a hot day at Chepauk.

Pakistan put up a score of 369.

Abhinand Shankar and Sanjay Sharma are out at the centre,

opening the Indian innings.

Zafar will have the honour of bowling the first over with the new ball.

A thick edge. Shankar manages to edge the ball for a streaky double.

A lovely start from the Indian opener.

[crowd cheering]

[Ravi] Bowled!

Zafar gets the breakthrough. Pakistan strikes early.

[commentator 1] Faizal Ahmed walks in. Sanjay Sharma on strike.

Cleaned him up.

A beauty of an inswinger from Humayun, and Sanjay Sharma is clean bowled.

An excellent start for Pakistan.

India is in deep, deep trouble at two for two.

They really need Arjun to play a good innings here to save them.

[upbeat tune playing]

[crowd cheering]

[Ravi] And here's Arjun. Finally walks out, bat in hand,

and the weight of the world on his shoulders.

He hasn't been in the best of form lately.

And his performances in the last tests weren't good.

You can hear the reaction from the Chepauk crowd.

The cheers stinged with trepidation.

It's been a long road back for this legend.

He faces up to Wazir. First ball.

And it's a push and misses.

Arjun is still missing his rhythm.

There's visible tension in the Indian dugout

and in the faces of Chepauk fans.

[crowd cheering]

[commentator 1] He misses again! He's facing some good pace here.

And those first few deliveries aren't finding the middle of the bat.

The nerves are definitely showing for Arjun.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is charging with confidence.

Remember, this is a man fighting for more than just runs today.

He's fighting for his career and maybe his entire legacy.

And that's going to be an uphill task for him,

considering the determination of the Pakistani bowling attack,

[fading out] now in the form of Zafar and Humayun.

But don't forget, Ravi, this is a man

who has played over a hundred test matches for India,

and he cannot be discounted at any situation.

[Kumudha] "Many people play cricket.

Money, status, fame. Everyone has a reason to do it.

But it is only Arjun who plays for the love of the game.

The best!"

[uplifting music playing]

[commentator 1] A glorious cover drive for a four.

A flash of the old Arjun. The crowd erupts for their homeboy.

There's a flicker of hope ignited.

[upbeat music playing]

-[commentator 1] That's a great shot! -[crowd cheering]

He has hammered the ball into the crowd.

[commentator 2] Here comes the last ball of the day.

And nicely defended.

India are 93 for 2 at the end of day two.

Arjun remains not out at 48, and Ahmed remains not out at 37.

[upbeat music continues]

[Ravi] Certainly, Sanjay.

That's the end of Day 2. And this is what we've been waiting for.

Arjun is back!

A statement innings in the making against an old enemy,

under impossible pressure.

[fading out] This is the stuff legends…

[music and claps fade out]

[train chugging]

Sara, go tell Kumudha everything. She will understand.

And both of you leave town.

I'll talk to the lawyer and call you in the morning.

[bag thuds]

I'm sorry, Kumudha. I shouldn't have started my project without telling you.

But I just couldn't have given up on my dream.

When your family abandoned you,

my poor father sold everything to set up the canteen.

His lifeless body lay right there.

You went and sold off the canteen even before he was cremated.

How selfish can you be?

[tense music playing]

Forget it. [sighs]

-[Sara] Forget about-- -Don't touch me.

[tense music continues]

[exhales slowly]

Can we please talk about this later?

-Let's just go. -[sighs]

You go.

Get lost forever, Sara.

What are you saying?

Who do I have other than you? Where will I go?

I don't care where you go.

[Kumudha] Please.

Leave me alone.

[loudly] Stop blabbering, all right? It's not safe for us to be here.

-Let's go. -Don't shout.

Adi is sleeping.

Aditya?

What is he doing here?

-All right, come, let's drop him home. -I'm not going anywhere.

[Saravanan] We shouldn't be here.

This is my house and I'm not leaving.

I'm gonna continue living here.

[tense music continues]

-[opens fridge] -[Sara] Let's not be here.

Please listen to me. Just trust me this one time.

[exhales]

I trusted you when I was 24.

I married you with that trust.

Since that first night, you've gone out of your way

to make a fool out of me again and again.

[sombre music playing]

I can't trust you anymore.

[loudly] Just be a little patient and hear me out!

[tense music playing]

You want me to be a little patient?

Be a little patient while you yell at me.

For what?

For trying to save the country with your stupid fuel

and sending your father to his grave, huh?

Or then?

For all the days you drank yourself silly

and let everyone humiliate me and call me infertile woman?

I don't get it.

[tense music continues]

You're absolutely right.

[Kumudha scoffs lightly]

But let's not talk about it now.

It's time for you to take your medication.

[tense music continues]

Oh!

It's time for my medication?

Is that why I'm behaving like a crazy woman?

Yes, I am crazy.

I'm gonna behave crazy.

[loudly] What are you going to do? What can you do anyway?

Kumudha, please don't.

Have you ever asked yourself why I take that anxiety medication?

It's because of all the stress that you and your project give me.

Some Steve Jobs you are!

Big-time achiever!

I saw everything this morning.

Some bloody lowlife goons

threaten to take your wife away and you just stare at them?

You do nothing to stop them?

And now you want me to run away?

-Just let it go. -Don't you have any shame?

-[Saravanan] Kumudha, don't… -[laughs] Look at that.

You said Arjun's story is over. Look at how he is winning.

[tense music continues]

It's not enough to dream about wanting everything.

You have to win.

Only winners have talent. Only the winner is great.

I sacrificed my dream for ten years for the sake of your dream.

I'm crazy! I'm crazy!

What have I ever asked you for?

[Saravanan] Stop it.

Our own child.

[loudly] It's all I ever wanted and you can't even give me that!

-And you call yourself a man?! -[both grunt]

[tense music fades out]

[unsettling music playing]

[ominous music playing]

[ominous music continues]

[discordant music playing]

-[ominous music playing] -[Padma breathing heavily]

Because of that, you slapped him?

Why did you do that?

He ran away from home because you raised your hand.

[sobbing]

I'm really scared.

Arjun, let's talk to the Commissioner.

[sighs] If we go to the police then,

it will just unnecessarily become a media circus.

What the hell is wrong with you?

I'm losing my mind because our son is missing,

and you're bothered about the media?

Are you out of your mind?

-I'll talk to him. -Okay, okay, okay, okay.

I'll speak to them.

[ominous music continues]

[phone buzzes]

-Hello. -[Saravanan] Arjun sir?

-Who's this? -Your son Aditya is with us.

[exhales]

Where is he, and you are?

If you play like I tell you in the match, nothing will happen to your son.

Listen!

-Do you even know who you're speaking to? -[Saravanan chuckles]

Listen sir,

the real test is about to begin.

[suspenseful music playing]

Hello.

-[suspenseful music continues] -[exhales]

[ominous music playing]

[music builds up, fades]

[glass shatters]

[discordant music playing]

[glass clatters]

["Broken Glass" by Akshay Yesodharan playing]

[song ends]

[temple bells ringing]

-[phone keypad clacking] -[line ringing]

[phone ringing]

Hello, Sara. Why aren't you answering my calls?

-Have you left town? -We're at the Mylapore house.

Mylapore house? What the hell are you doing there?

Hey, hold on. Just listen to me.

Bring a bottle of rum, food for three people

and get here right away.

What three people?

-Hello, Sara. Hey… -I'll talk to you later. Just get here!

-[banging on door] -[Kumudha] Sara! Sara!

-Wait, wait, wait. Don't yell. I'm coming. -[Kumudha] Sara! Sara!

-[banging on door] -[Kumudha] Sara!

Sara, what the hell are you doing?

Good morning.

Why have you locked the door? Where is Adi?

Look at that! Your legend!

[tense music playing]

Back in form, huh?

Wow, what a player!

Only winners are great, right?

Let's see how much greatness your winner is able to achieve today.

What is this nonsense?

What's wrong with you? Have you gone crazy?

[laughs]

"The patient will rule the world." Isn't that right, teacher? Hmm?

Today, just be patient and watch what happens.

[clicks tongue] Sara!

What are you doing, Sara? Open the damn door.

[low, tense music continues]

I've given your number to the local station.

They will call you if they get any information.

Paddu, if anyone asks anything, tell them Adi's gone to a friend's house.

Are you gonna tell me what's going on?

What's the matter with you?

Our son is missing.

And you're leaving to go play a match.

Adi will come back home soon.

-[phone buzzes] -Trust me.

-[phone buzzes] -[Arjun rejects the call]

I can't afford to miss this match.

I think you'll understand.

[phone buzzes]

-Who are you? -I'm a big fan, sir. [laughs]

-[Arjun] Where is Adi? -You saw the Telegram message I sent?

[ominous music playing]

You've tied a helpless child up.

What kind of a man are you?

-You want money, right? -Yes, I want money.

Because money is everything!

People don't have any value. [laughs]

Tell me what you want.

What is it that I want now?

[Saravanan] I want to win.

[ominous music continues]

Sara! Who the hell are you talking to?

Hey, hey, hey! Don't panic, my love.

Stop acting crazy and open the door, Sara!

First, let me sort all this out and then you can lecture me, okay?

Here. Have some chocolate.

[Dimello] Are you guys stupid? Why did you contact the player directly?

We first tried to contact him on WhatsApp and Telegram.

[sighs] But no luck.

-And then, under pressure-- -[Dimello] Okay.

The police only know that you called and spoke to him.

They don't know the conversation.

Stop everything and don't contact me anymore.

[Vivek] Bhaiya! Our 50-crore deposit?

Sir, why have you debited 50 lakhs from my account?

I have bigger problems, Kutty. Don't come to me with these petty things.

Sir, 50 lakhs must be a petty thing for you.

This is not right, sir.

[phone rings]

[loudly] Hey, you are a dead man, okay?

I'll find you, wherever you are. And I'm going to bloody kill you.

Shut up and give Dharmesh the phone.

You good-for-nothing son of a bitch. You're ordering me around?

[laughs] Hey, shut up. Give him the phone.

Need to have a chat about fixing the match.

Sara.

Saravanan, you think I'm some small-time pawnbroker you can fool?

I've set up Arjun.

He will get out in the first over.

Just watch the match.

-[tense music playing] -[temple bells ringing]

[diabolic music playing]

[Ravi] Welcome back to Day 3 of the action-packed showdown

between India and Pakistan.

We've got a treat for you today.

India is 93 for 2.

Arjun, the talismanic batsman, is in scintillating form,

[distorted] taking on the Pakistani bowling attacks

-with finesse and precision. -[commentator 1] Absolutely, Ravi.

[Ravi, normal] Arjun seems to be seeing the ball

[echoes] like a football out there, leaving the Pakistani bowlers

scratching their heads,

with his impeccable judgement and shot selection.

And India is on the driving seat.

[commentator 1] Absolutely. It's a master class in batting from Arjun.

[in normal voice] He's been in complete control,

patiently waiting for the right balls to attack.

And dispatch them to the boundary with ease.

[Sanjay] And here comes Zafar!

Arjun takes his guard, eyes focused and

[echoes] ready.

[ominous music playing]

[crowd cheering]

Oh, he leaves it!

It's a well left delivery. A perfect outswinger.

But Arjun lets it go with confidence, knowing that his off-stump is safe.

[Ravi] It's a classic setup from Zafar.

We can expect an inswinger in the next ball.

I'm sure Arjun knows it well.

-[ominous music playing] -[crowd cheering]

[Ravi] Zafar charges in.

[commentator 2] What's this? He's bowled.

It's an inswinger.

Arjun mistook the line, and the ball sneaks through his defence.

-He's been clean bowled. -[crowd groans]

[Ravi] But what a turnaround, Sanjay. Arjun was looking so solid out there.

But the Pakistani bowler

[distorted] has outfoxed him

[in normal voice] with a clever change of pace and line.

That's cricket for you. Unpredictable and unforgiving.

[Sanjay] What have we just witnessed here?

Arjun Venkatraman departs, and a hush falls over the Chepauk crowd.

You could hear a pin drop.

[Ravi] A good knock brought to a sudden halt.

Arjun Venkatraman, who was batting like a man possessed yesterday… [fades]

Why are you so quiet?

-What happened to your great man? Huh? -[phone buzzes]

-[Bharani] Sara. -Yeah, wait. I'm coming.

-[knocks on door] -[Bharani] Sara! Sara!

[Kumudha] Bharani!

-Bharani, open the door. -Sara, why have you locked her in there?

-[shushing] Just go open the door. -[Kumudha] Bharani, let me out!

[Dharmesh] How did you fix him?

[sighs]

Now do you believe me?

-Answer my question. -Why do you have to care about that?

I have set him up.

Shall we make a deal?

Hmm. Go ahead.

Arjun will follow one of your orders when he goes out to play tomorrow.

For that, you close my current loan and give me 50 lakhs.

That's way too much.

[laughs] That's half a percent in your 100-crore deal.

That's not too much. [laughs]

Five lakhs in advance. And the rest after the match is fixed.

Oh, and my property papers that you have, you can send it across to my lawyer.

Thank you.

So? What do you think?

Now do you understand what I'm doing?

Come on. Let's eat. I'm very hungry.

Sara, do you have any idea what you are doing?

-[Sara laughs] -Sara.

-You better listen to what I'm saying-- -You don't get to say anything.

Five lakhs is all you want, right?

Just watch the circus.

-Will you stop acting crazy? -Yeah, I'm the one who is crazy.

I've always been crazy but just like you said to me.

[deep voice] "Are you a man?" [laughs]

[Bharani] At least give me a clear idea of what your plan is.

[Saravanan] Yeah, ask me like that. I'll tell you.

What we want is money. What Dharmesh wants is Arjun.

Who controls Arjun? We do.

So we control Arjun, for the money.

Our problem is solved. How do you like my master plan?

[Bharani] Sara, we are not criminals. We'll get caught.

There's no chance we'll get caught. And even if we do get caught,

we'll say Dharmesh took our property papers

and he forcefully made us do this. Simple.

That's fine. But Adi…

-What if we get caught because of Adi? -Yeah, but he never saw us, right?

When this is over, we'll say Adi and Kumudha were kidnapped by somebody,

we don't know who, and we'll maintain that story. What do you think?

Sara, please just listen to me.

He's only a child. Let's drop him back to his parents.

-[Aditya] Miss! Kumudha miss! -Adi!

-Sara, let go of me. -Just stop it. Don't say my name.

-Sara-- -What are you--

-Move! -[Aditya] Miss, please let me out!

-[tense music playing] -[Aditya] Please help me!

[Kumudha] Sara! Sara!

Adi, I am right here. Don't be scared.

-[Kumudha] Sara! Sara! -[Aditya] Kumudha miss, please help me!

[Kumudha] Bharani, please tell him to open the door.

-[Aditya] Get me out of here! -[Kumudha] Sara, what's wrong with you?

Sara!

Sara, don't do this.

[Aditya] Take me back home! [Kumudha] Sara! Sara!

-[Aditya] Please, miss. -[Kumudha] Sara, open the door.

[discordant music playing]

[Ravi] Pakistan is trying a spinner for a change in this over.

-First ball up and over. -[crowd cheering]

Rajat Valmiki lofts one over mid-off for a six.

Shot! Sweetly driven by the captain. He picks up another boundary.

[crowd cheering]

Edged and taken! Sharp catch from the skipper.

Imtiaz Ahmed is having a wonderful time in Chennai.

[Sanjay] It's the end of Day 3,

and India have lost all their 10 wickets for 302.

Rakesh Sharma played really well and remains not out at 106.

[player] Terrific innings, Captain!

[tense music playing]

[Isaac] Arjun!

Isaac Aghilan.

-Assistant Commissioner of Police. -Actually, I…

Aghilan, Don Bosco Under 16,

right-hand bat, medium pacer, right?

Not bad.

You're a cop now? How come?

Fate, maybe.

Never mind that. Why dig up the past now?

Actually, my dad's in the hospital.

-I really have to go. -Hold on.

Did someone named Dharmesh call you?

Dharmesh?

No.

You sure?

Nobody by that name called.

I really have to go. It's nice seeing you, man.

-[tense music playing] -[car engine starts]

-[car door shuts] -[car receding]

[temple bell ringing]

[phone buzzes]

[exhales]

Look at this.

Kumudha. Look at this. Five lakh rupees.

-See, I am winning. -[Kumudha crying]

Now do you believe me?

[tense music continues]

[sighs]

Adi hasn't eaten since morning.

He won't eat anything I give him.

[door latch opens]

[phone rings]

[Saravanan] Well played, Arjun sir.

I did what you told me to.

I want to see my son.

[Saravanan] Yeah, but this is not a one-day match, is it? It's a test.

You follow my instructions tomorrow as well.

And you can see Adi the day after.

[tense music playing]

[sighs]

[Arjun] Is your name Dharmesh?

Why are you asking?

[Arjun] The police were enquiring.

-Did you say anything? -Why would I say anything?

Good.

Don't talk to the police and make it a bigger issue.

[chuckles]

Now we control Dharmesh as well.

[tense music continues]

[door opens]

[Aditya whimpers]

-Adi. -[Aditya straining]

-Adi. -[Aditya mumbles]

-Adi, Adi. [sobs] -[groans] Miss!

Miss, why have you tied me up, miss?

No, no, Adi, I… I haven't tied you up.

Your father's enemies have trapped us… trapped us here.

[voice breaking] I am really scared, miss. [sniffles]

I want my Ma and Appa.

-I just want to go home. -It's… it's okay, Adi.

Don't be scared. Just trust me.

I will take you home.

Eat something first, okay? Just eat something.

I've got something for you to eat, okay?

[Aditya] Is Appa in trouble because of me?

No, no, it's not your fault.

Don't think like that, okay? Your dad will sort everything out.

No, miss. I don't feel like eating.

Eat a little bit, Adi, please.

[both crying]

Please, Adi.

Simple matter.

-[melancholic music playing] -[sobbing]

Salt water.

[sniffles]

Please, Adi.

[music continues]

[sobbing]

Listen.

Our loan is settled.

And on top of that, we are getting paid.

This is our time, man.

You think a man like Kutty is going to leave us alone?

He's going to kill all of us.

It's not too late even now. Let's drop him home and leave town.

Shut up.

I've already told you. If you want you can leave or keep quiet.

Let's see what Kumudha has to say.

Kumudha.

Kumudha. Am I a winner or a los--

Hey, what are you doing?

-[line ringing] -Kumudha, who are you calling? [grunts]

-Sara! Give it back. -Don't do it. Listen to me.

Sara!

Kumudha, I'm telling you, don't do it. Just listen to me.

-Sara! -Give me the phone!

-[Kumudha gasps] -[Bharani] Kumudha!

Have you lost your mind?

Sara, please. [whimpers]

What has he done? Let him go.

Sara, it's not right to torture a child [whimpers]

because we are going through problems, Sara.

How are we torturing that child?

We are struggling for a child like that too, Kumudha.

He doesn't have any problem here.

You're here for him.

[tense music playing]

Won't you care for him like a mother?

[sobbing]

[Saravanan] Kumudha, Adi is the solution to all our problems.

Think about it.

Our loan problem is gone.

We can move into this house like you always wanted.

We can bring up our child here.

Look at this.

Just like you asked for.

See, I've paid the clinic.

Believe me now, Kumudha.

[phone rings]

Just this one time.

[phone continues ringing]

Hello.

[Padma] Hello, miss. You tried calling me?

Um, Adi was very upset yesterday.

He told me that Arjun had hit him.

[Kumudha] I… I wanted to know if Adi is okay now.

[tense music playing]

Adi is fine.

He is at… [inhales] a friend's house for a sleepover.

I'll ask him to call you once he's back.

[tense music continues]

[line disconnects]

-[sombre music playing] -[sobbing]

-[tense music playing] -[Padma sobbing]

Did you talk to the police?

[Arjun] Huh.

I spoke to them.

They said they still haven't found anything.

[specs clatters]

Don't lie to me. They said you haven't filed any complaint.

What do you mean they said?

Who did you speak to?

-I told you I'd take care of it, right? -Why did you lie to me?

Oh, God, Paddu, why did you speak to the police?

If the police finds out, everything will get messed up.

If the police finds out, then the media will find out.

And the media…

[splutters]

Call the police.

-Tell them Adi has come back home. -[gasps]

Stop this bullshit, Arjun?

Cricket is more important to you than Adi?

Just listen to me.

Are you even human?

Our son is missing since yesterday.

We have no clue what happened.

[voice breaking] How can you act like this and pretend like nothing has happened?

For all these years,

I put up with your obsession and your madness.

[shrilly] I did it only for Adi!

Stop playing games with my son's life.

You bastard!

-[grunting] -Paddu.

-Paddu! -[grunts and sobs]

-Paddu! Adi has been kidnapped. -[grunting and sobbing]

[sobbing] Kidnapped?

-He's been kidnapped. -Kidnapped? Kidnapped!

-[Paddu sobbing] -[tense music playing]

[mumbles] Kidnapped… Kidnapped

[grunting and sobbing]

[Arjun breathing heavily]

[tense music continues]

Please let's go to the police, Arjun.

-Please let's go to the police. -We can't go to the police, Paddu. [sighs]

If we go to the police, we don't know what they'll do to Adi.

As long as I do whatever they tell me to,

they've promised me that they won't do anything to harm Adi.

Listen to me.

Listen to me.

[melancholic music playing]

The responsibility of bringing our son back home safe and sound is mine.

Trust me.

["Lullaby" by Shakthisree Gopalan playing]

[song ends]

Arjun, think about it one last time.

I want to know if you're going to the police.

The only way for us to save Adi

is for me to do exactly what they tell me to.

Have you taken the other phone?

I think you should make a video call and talk to Adi.

I…

We need to know.

[sombre music playing]

[Arjun] Hmm.

Yesterday, when you got out?

Betrayal.

[sombre music continues]

Arjun,

you are doing the right thing.

It doesn't matter if we lose the match.

We need Adi back. That's it.

[music fades out]

[temple bell rings]

[birds chirping]

[door opens]

Adi has a fever.

-We need to take him to a doctor. -[hesitates] We can't do that now.

If Kutty's men see us, I'm telling you, they will all kill us.

Then go get some medicine for the fever.

[tense music playing]

Carefully.

[tense music playing]

[door opens]

-[door shuts] -[phone buzzing]

[sighs]

-[Kutty] Hello, Sara? -What is it?

It takes you so long to answer? Very busy, huh?

Hey, I have a wife to nag me.

I don't need you to do that.

Hello, Sara! So much arrogance is not good.

Okay fine, then I'll hang up.

You handle this Arjun matter yourself.

-[loudly] Hey! -Shut your trap, man.

-What are you-- -Kutty! I'll talk to him.

Oh, really?

If you make any mistakes, I'll be in trouble.

-That sounds about right. -[Dharmesh] What do you mean?

The police already know that you were the one who called Arjun.

So if I make a mistake, you'll be in trouble.

So you need to be very careful.

[crowd cheering]

[Ravi] Happy Sunday, everyone.

It's Day 4 of the final match, between India and Pakistan.

We are at MA Chidambaram Stadium at the heart of the action.

India were bowled out for 302 on Day 3.

[commentary continues indistinctly]

Sir! Dimello came back to Chennai last night, sir.

[Ravi] India will be looking to bundle up Pakistan cheaply today.

It will all come down to the opening pair of Maqsood Hussain and Wazir Ahmed

to provide a good start for Pakistan, yet again.

The captain is sharing some final thoughts here.

as senior pro Arjun Venkatraman joins the huddle.

The stage is set for the second innings

of what promises to be an action-packed day.

[commentator 1] Three slips in place.

Veer Rao to start the proceedings for India.

[crowd cheering]

[Ravi] Veer Rao comes charging in.

It's a sharp bouncer, and it hits Wazir! And both the players get in a tussle.

Words fly like sparks, raising the tension on the field.

[Sanjay] Arjun is switching positions with Sanjay.

Looks like he's trying to tighten up the fielding at the slips.

[commentator 1] Veer with the next ball. That's in the air!

Rajat Valmiki goes after it.

And there is Arjun heading in the same direction as well.

And what is gonna happen? Oh no! Dropped!

Arjun Venkatraman clashes with Rajat here.

They have spilled a sitter.

Come on, you have to take them.

At this level, this is terrible, terrible coordination between the players.

Rakesh Sharma is not happy.

[upbeat music playing]

[crowd cheering]

[commentator 1] Excellent stroke from Wazir.

Ball runs to the boundary.

This partnership between Wazir and Maqsood is flourishing.

And they are putting India under some pressure. [fades out]

[door opens]

What if Arjun files a complaint with the police?

He won't do it.

-I'll make sure of that. -[phone buzzes]

Bharani.

It's… it's come.

-Kumudha. -[knocking]

-[knocking] -[Saravanan] Kumudha. Kum--

[whispers] What? Adi is sleeping.

[exhales]

The balance amount of 45 lakh rupees has been deposited in our account.

And the property papers for your parents' house

have reached our lawyer's office.

Now do you believe? Huh?

Are you happy now? Huh?

Kumudha is happy, Bharani. [laughs]

[Bharani] Okay now that we have the money, let's go drop the boy back home.

[Saravanan] I've told him, we'll drop him at school tomorrow.

That's the safest for us.

-[Bharani] It's better if we drop him now. -We will drop him tomorrow.

[suspenseful music playing]

Adi is fast asleep.

Let his fever come down.

We'll drop him tomorrow.

Let him stay with us tonight.

You too, Kumudha?

We'll handle it.

[suspenseful music continues]

[commentator 1] Almost at the end of Day 4.

And Veer Rao on the ball.

It goes in the air!

And it's a catch!

Veer Rao to end Pakistan's innings with that.

[Ravi] Pakistan end their innings at 250.

That dropped catch has proved costly for India.

Will this come back to haunt them?

They will have to chase 318 in the final day.

[tense music playing]

-[phone buzzes] -[Sara sighs]

I need to see my son. Get on a video call.

[Saravanan] Talk to him in person tomorrow.

Listen to me.

I've done everything you told me to, right?

You don't have to.

You have a choice, Arjun sir.

You can go to the police if you want.

But I know you won't do that.

Because our story is somewhat like the story

of the thief and the scorpion.

The thief knows that he shouldn't scream.

And the scorpion knows why the thief won't scream.

-Don't forget that. -[hangs up]

[tense music continues]

[waves crashing softly]

[police sirens blare indistinctly]

Sir, I just got a call from Kailasam.

Kutty has ordered a hit on three people. Saravanan, Bharani and Kumudha.

That's not our department.

Inform the Harbour Station about it.

[man] Okay, sir. One more thing, sir.

A complaint was filed at the station that Arjun's son is missing.

Three hours later, they took the complaint back,

saying he has come back home.

[tense music playing]

-[train chugging] -[temple bell ringing]

[TV news on mute]

Don't think you won, Sara. It will come back to bite you.

Let it come.

Let it bite me.

We are already drowned in it.

What does it matter if it is an inch or a foot?

Like we are drowning in this booze.

-It's all just mathematics. [chuckles] -[phone buzzes]

[phone buzzes]

-[whispers] No, Sara. Don't. -Yeah.

[clears throat exaggeratedly]

Hello, Dharmesh bhai. How's it going?

[Dharmesh] One more big deal. Can you do it?

Sara, don't do it.

First, tell me what the deal is, then I'll let you know.

[Dimello] We'll let him know tomorrow.

I'll tell you tomorrow.

Oh, yeah? Then I'll tell you tomorrow as well.

[Saravanan] Whether I can or I cannot.

Sara, please don't go ahead with this. It doesn't feel right.

What?

"It doesn't feel right"?

Some guy out there throws a ball,

and another guy hits it with a piece of wood,

and some random guys pay 43,000 crores for it.

And the guy who wants to do good for everyone,

nobody gives a damn about him.

Does that feel right to you?

Come on, tell me.

Sara! Let it go, Sara. Just put an end to this.

You and Kumudha should go back to America.

You'll find plenty of good jobs over there.

Hey, this is my country.

My project will work out.

The whole world will notice me.

[loudly] Stop talking like a fool!

In all these years, has your project worked out, huh?

Dump your project in the trash and stop all this nonsense.

[Bharani grunts]

[breathing heavily]

[Saravanan] Get out! Go!

Go live and die in the gutter like a common man.

That's where you belong.

I don't know why I have kept you by my side.

No wonder I've always been struggling.

[sobbing]

Get out! Keep walking.

And don't ever come back.

[mumbles] Bloody idiot!

-"Doesn't feel right." -[door shuts]

Who asked him? Asshole.

[tense music playing]

-[knocks lightly] -Kumudha.

-[knocks lightly] -Kumudha?

-[door opens] -[Saravanan] Hey…

What?

Biryani.

[sombre music playing]

[chuckles softly]

I'm sorry, Kumudha.

I've put you through a lot of trouble.

But you'll see tomorrow,

how our lives are going to change.

[sombre music playing]

[Kumudha] Let it go.

Go sleep.

We'll talk tomorrow.

[clicks tongue] Sara, what are you doing?

Sara!

We have our procedure tomorrow.

[tender music plays, fades]

What is it?

Don't overthink.

I've never wanted too much from life.

I just had one dream.

A small house of my own.

A loving husband.

A child to call me mother.

That's all.

[sombre music playing]

[Kumudha] I just had one dream.

A small house of my own.

A loving husband.

A child to call me mother.

[Kutty] Hello, scientist. You are completely worthless, I know.

[diabolic music playing]

[Kumudha] This is our last chance, Sara.

[discordant music playing]

[Bharani] In all these years, has your project worked out?

Dump your project in the trash and stop all this nonsense.

[Kumudha] It's not enough to dream about wanting everything.

You have to win.

Only winners have talent. Only the winner is great!

[Saravanan, loudly] "The only people are the mad ones."

[ominous music playing]

[phone buzzes]

[phone ringing]

[tense music fades out]

[phone rings]

-When are you dropping Adi? -There is a change of plans.

[suspenseful music playing]

What?

Dropping Adi is the only plan for today.

[whispers] Arjun, police.

Listen to me very carefully.

Until the last ball of the match today,

my game,

my rules.

Hello, Arjun.

[Arjun] Aghilan.

Tell me. What can I do for you?

Had you filed a missing complaint for your son?

Oh, about that. [chuckles softly]

It was just a small confusion.

He finished cricket practice and came home late from school.

She panicked and filed a complaint.

Sorry about that.

Where is he now?

[Padma] He's at his friend's place for a sleepover this weekend.

He'll be going to school directly from there.

I've got to go, Aghilan. It's match time.

Good luck. India is really counting on you.

I hope you can handle the pressure.

Please.

[suspenseful music playing]

-Where the hell have you disappeared? -[door shuts]

[latch slides]

Oh, you're ready, Sara?

[chuckles] Ready.

Then I'll get ready too.

[phone buzzes]

[Saravanan] If you want Arjun to do what you're saying, five crores.

[suspenseful music playing]

You're getting greedy now.

[Dimello] Hmm.

Okay. Tell me.

Good.

Go and hand over the five crores

to your friend, Secretary Meiyappan personally.

Tell him to get my project signed and approved

and get a press release done.

I want a signed copy on my WhatsApp in 15 minutes.

[loudly] You bloody bastard! Who the fuck do you think you are?

A hero.

[upbeat music playing]

[commentator 1] It's Day 5 of the Freedom Series finale.

And the atmosphere here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium

in Chennai is electric.

Sanjay and Abhinand, India's openers, walk out to the middle.

A mammoth 318 on the board for Pakistan.

A seemingly impossible chase for India,

and a packed house hungry for a thrilling finish.

[Ravi] Zafar, Pakistan's fiery pacer, steams in with the new ball,

ready to rip into the Indian batting lineup.

[crowd cheering]

[commentator 1] Bails went flying! That was an absolute ripper!

Abhinand is gone. Pakistan…

From now on, I won't do anything you tell me to.

What will you do?

Are you willing to take that chance, Arjun?

[inhales sharply]

[phone clatters]

[suspenseful music playing]

[Ravi] Humayun comes into the attack.

It's a strong appeal from the Pakistan players!

And he's given out!

Pakistan is pumped up and next on the Indian lineup

is Arjun Venkatraman,

who walks up to the centre.

[commentator 1] He faces up to Pakistan's spearhead, Humayun.

And Arjun hammers the ball down the ground.

[Ravi] There was no stopping that ball once it hit that bat.

-[muted conversation] -[commentator 1] It's a sharp bouncer.

That's a great comeback from Humayun after that shot.

[muted]

[Sanjay] Arjun pushes for a quick single.

-[crowd cheering] -[upbeat music playing]

Last ball of the over.

[commentator 1] And he's clean-bowled him! What a way to go!

[Ravi] It's the Indian captain coming next to bat.

They desperately need a partnership now.

A delightful cover drive races to the boundary.

[crowd cheering]

[Sanjay] Arjun is phenomenal out there! The old duo is back.

India 134 for 3 at the lunch of Day 5.

[tense music playing]

-[phone buzzes] -[clears throat] What happened?

[Dharmesh] The secretary has signed it.

Check your WhatsApp.

-[tense music continues] -[exclaims]

[exhales sharply, breathes raggedly]

But the press release will take some time.

[Saravanan] Okay. You have one hour to do it.

What do you want him to do next?

-[train chugging] -[train horn hoots]

Sir, Saturday is a holiday.

He was last here on Friday.

On Friday?

[suspenseful music playing]

Why did they file the complaint on Saturday?

May I speak to the teacher who dropped him on Friday?

She is under suspension.

-And what's her name? -Kumudha Saravanan.

Kumudha Saravanan.

[suspenseful music playing]

[crowd cheering]

[tense music playing]

Listen to me.

Let my son go.

Please stop it. I can't take it anymore.

Why are you doing this to me?

What are you getting out of this?

[laughs maniacally]

And what do you get when you play well?

Will the world stop spinning? [laughs]

Have you ever taken a moment and thought about your success, Arjun?

For one man like you to win,

there are millions of men who lose every day.

You have no idea.

[tense music playing]

The world doesn't exist in binary, Arjun.

It's incredibly unreasonable.

Damn right.

Fucking unreasonable.

Why else would a champion like me

be dancing to the tunes of a pathetic loser like you?

A loser?

Wow!

You don't even know who I am.

But you have already decided that I am a loser.

See that's the privilege your success provides you.

Do you know I didn't go to see my mother when she died?

I'm privileged, is it?

Do you think I reached this position in life so easily?

I've sidelined my family, my wife, my child for cricket.

I've sacrificed every small happiness

a common man can hope for, just for cricket.

My struggles, losses, my sacrifices,

how would a man like you even understand?

I understand one thing.

Winning and losing are two sides of the same coin.

Fine. [sighs]

You can be the hero. I'll agree to be the villain.

But let the villain win today.

Please.

[suspenseful music playing]

[Kumudha] Sara.

[man] Dada.

[Kumudha] Sara.

[suspenseful music fades out]

[temple bell rings]

[commentary on TV]

[Kumudha] My amma's wedding saree.

I wanted to wear this saree for the procedure.

-[sombre music playing] -[chuckles softly]

[commentary continues]

Okay, let's go.

You fixed the procedure today, so you could see Arjun play, right?

Hmm? Your boyfriend's under pressure.

Let's watch the game and then we'll leave.

[commentator 1] Well, I couldn't agree more.

They rotated the strike beautifully in that first over,

putting the Pakistani bowlers under pressure.

This partnership is crucial for India's lead.

[Ravi] Here comes the first over of the second session.

And that's a good shot. That's right off the middle of the bat to the covers.

Off they go for a quick single and they push hard for a second!

There's a confusion! What's happening?

-He's gone! Rakesh Sharma is gone. -[commentator 1] Oh, dear!

What happened here?

[Ravi] Arjun called out for a second but then pulled out at the last moment.

Rakesh was left stranded halfway down the pitch.

That is a terrible mix-up.

Rakesh Sharma's gone just when India were looking so good.

[commentator 1] A huge blow for India, Ravi.

Rakesh was batting beautifully, building a crucial partnership…

[discordant music playing]

[echoes] The crowd is stunned into silence…

[indistinct commentary]

[echoes] Now, Vijesh Patil walks in to bat.

[Arjun] Life is like a game.

Its beauty lies in the rules.

Rule one, and probably the only rule.

You have to enter the field and play. You don't have a choice.

[discordant music playing]

The moment you understand this, your test begins.

Today is my test.

[ominous music playing]

[commentator 1] Oh no! That looked nasty!

Arjun goes down immediately.

The ball catches him flush on the grill.

[Ravi] We're holding our breath here. The umpires are looking concerned.

This looks serious. The players are gathering around him.

There's an eerie silence across Chepauk right now.

And the physio is rushing out there.

[commentator 1] Looks like a terrible blow, Ravi.

We can see blood gushing from Arjun's cheek.

[Ravi] Physio's having a word with him. A very dramatic few minutes there.

The team management will need to closely monitor him…

[laughs mockingly] Retired hurt!

-[Ravi continues commenting] -[scoffs menacingly]

[Ravi] Looks like Arjun will be going off the pitch for the moment.

Definitely not a good sign for India.

[Sanjay] India came in with two set batsmen with brilliant touch.

They had a lot of positives,

but it just took two deliveries, and everything went upside down for them.

But for the Pakistan side, they have a strong upper hand right now.

[suspenseful music playing]

[Sanjay] If the Pakistanis maximize this situation and succeed,

India will be in deep, deep trouble.

[suspenseful music continues]

Nothing will happen to your Appa, Adi.

-He's going to be fine. -This is Appa's last match.

I heard him when he told Ma about it.

I wanted to be on the ground and see Appa win the match today.

You are also his fan, right?

I hope you understand how I feel.

Please, miss. Please take me there.

-[melancholic music playing] -[Kumudha sighs]

Look at me, Adi.

I'll take you to the ground. Don't worry, okay?

Promise, miss?

Simple matter.

[Aditya] Salt water.

[tense music playing]

First, I want the announcement to happen.

Everything is ready,

but if it gets done, you won't do what I tell you.

[inhales sharply]

Dharmesh,

I really don't have anything to lose here.

I'm ready to do anything I need to.

Just don't try to mess with me.

Look, I won't lie to you.

The minister will definitely make the announcement today.

And when it happens,

it will be good for us too.

Don't you get that?

This is the end.

-What do you want? -[Kumudha] Sara.

Where's Bharani? Let's go.

[tense music playing]

Sara, where's Bharani? Let's leave.

He won't be coming. You should go home.

Go home? And who's gonna drop Adi home?

I will drop him.

What are you talking about? What do you mean you will drop him?

It's his father's last match today. I'll drop him to the stadium.

Hey! His father's retirement might be the number one problem on your list.

[emphatically] But I don't care!

Do you get that?

Just go home. Get ready and get to the clinic.

I've got work to do.

[tense music continues]

Sara.

This is enough. Please.

You should know that the secretary has signed off on our project.

This is the last one.

Only the announcement is left.

I'll finish this and come.

Sara, we've already lost a lot because of this project.

Let it go, please.

[Saravanan] You're right. We've lost a lot.

So what?

[tense music continues]

You want me to give it all up?

I can't do that.

Because now is the time for me to have the life I wanted.

[whispers] Sara… [sniffles]

This is enough for us.

No, it's not.

This life that you think is enough for you is not going to be enough for me.

I want it all.

-You can go. -[Kumudha sniffles]

I won't go without you.

Won't go without me?

Me? [chuckles]

[tense music continues]

I'm not even a man, remember?

You decided to go ahead and have a child without me.

You went ahead and fixed the time for the procedure without me.

Sara, the things you are doing are really disgusting.

This is disgusting?

You seem to think very highly of yourself.

Are you a nice person?

When I handed you the phone the other day,

you could have told Adi's mother the truth, couldn't you?

But you didn't.

You were the one who made the choice that day.

You didn't realise you were being selfish then?

"Baby, baby, baby." This mad obsession that you have. [inhales sharply]

Look at what you've turned me into with all that pressure.

You want 5 lakh rupees.

He said he wants 50 lakhs.

Another guy asked for 5 crores.

What's the difference between those criminals and you, Kumudha?

When I couldn't pay the clinic,

you didn't even care if I was alive.

When Kutty's gang beat me up and took me…

you didn't even make a phone call.

So whatever is happening, you are also a reason, Kumudha.

-[tense music playing] -[inhales sharply]

[Kumudha sobbing]

[sobbing]

[Aditya] Miss. Please take me to the match.

[Saravanan] Hey, get inside.

Get inside. Hey, come on.

-Please, Uncle. Let me go. Please! -[Saravanan] Shut up, get in. Go.

-[Aditya] Help me, miss. -[door slams]

-[Aditya] Help me, please! -[sobs]

[Aditya] Please let me go.

It didn't hurt when you slapped me.

But the truth hurts, doesn't it? Of course, it does.

Have you ever thought about why

I didn't want a child, Kumudha?

You haven't, right?

The way you see me right now, the whole world sees me as a loser.

[voice breaking] You think my child should see me like this?

That's it.

You're running late.

You should leave now.

[tense music continues]

[tense music continues]

[Karpagam] Sir.

Do any of their relatives live around here?

[Karpagam] Kumudha's father has a house somewhere in Mylapore.

In fact, she goes there quite often.

They don't have any other relatives or family, sir.

[suspenseful music playing]

[line ringing]

[crowd cheering]

[phone buzzing]

Pick it up, you bastard! [breathing heavily]

[tense music playing]

[phone buzzes]

Dharmesh, I've been trying to call Arjun.

-He's not taking my calls. -[Kutty] Not my problem.

If you want your dream project to be announced,

do what you're told.

Where is Dharmesh?

Forget Dharmesh. Do you know what happened to Bharani?

Kutty, if anything happens to Bharani or the project,

you and Dharmesh are dead.

I will go to the police.

My project announcement has to happen today.

If you want the announcement, make Arjun do what we want.

If you go to the police, forget the project.

[Saravanan] Kutty, listen to me. Kutty! Kutty!

[inhales sharply]

[tense music playing]

[keypad clacks]

[phone buzzing]

[screams in frustration]

[tense music continues]

[ominous music playing]

-[whimpers] -Adi…

-Say hi to your Appa. -Hi, Dada.

[Adi grunts]

-[ominous music playing] -[whimpering]

[Aditya sobbing]

Hi, Dada. [sobs, grunts]

[ominous music continues]

[sobbing]

-[knock on door] -[man] Dada.

[sobbing]

[music playing faintly]

[line ringing]

[phone buzzing]

[tense music playing]

He's my little baby.

[voice breaking] How fucking dare you?

I understand your anger.

But I've already lost a lot today.

Whatever you do, please don't try to win today.

I swear to god, I will kill you, bastard!

I still have your son.

You better not make me think like you do.

It is best for the both of us that we don't cross the line.

You cannot go out to play now.

India has to lose.

[sombre music playing]

[phone thuds, clatters]

[sobbing]

[knocking on door]

-[man] Dada! -[muffled sobbing]

[inhales sharply]

[suspenseful music playing]

[rummaging for phone]

-[line ringing] -[exhales sharply]

[Padma] Have they dropped Adi?

Say something, Arjun.

I'm to blame for everything.

They are telling me now that I can't play anymore in this match.

That India should lose.

How am I supposed to choose?

[Padma] Arjun.

[sobbing] Our child…

The child I gave life to…

or cricket, that I love more than life itself?

[tense music playing]

[crowd cheering]

[Sanjay] India are 308 for 8, and Rajat is on strike.

He goes big! It goes all the way to six!

[crowd cheering]

[Ravi] Rajat comes down the track, and that's gone!

-India loses its ninth wicket. -[spectators groaning]

[Ravi] And Pakistan are inching towards their victory.

[commentator 1] What a session this has been!

We can clearly see that the Pakistan team is impatient

and the captain is not happy.

[Ravi] The tension is thicker than the Chennai humidity here at Chepauk.

India has just lost Rajat. That's the ninth wicket down for India.

Can they hold on for a draw?

Or will they push to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat?

[commentator 1] The crowd's in a frenzy, Ravi.

They are chanting Arjun's name.

There's a discussion going on…

[phone buzzes]

Hello, scientist. You're nothing but a big bloody fraud.

You kidnapped the son of India's best player and locked him up, huh?

Bharani told us everything. Taking Aditya hostage was a big mistake.

Kutty.

Do you have any clue about the syndicate's rules?

You never go after the players or their families.

You did that. Now you're dead.

Hey! How many more people are you going to sacrifice for your project?

-Vivek, Dharmesh… -[gunshots]

…then your friend, Bharani.

Now all you have left is your beautiful wife, Kumudha.

Don't do it, Kutty. Please.

She's wearing a beautiful red Kanchipuram saree.

Red is an auspicious colour, right?

Going to have your child?

Please, Kutty, don't.

Do you want your wife or are you willing to die for your project?

[tense music playing]

[line ringing]

[voice breaking] Please, Kumudha, pick up.

[cell phone ringing]

[tense music continues]

[auto engine whirring]

[tense music continues]

It's me you want.

-I still have Arjun's son. -[brakes screeching]

Just leave Kumudha out of this.

Give me the address right now.

[temple bell rings]

[Kumudha] I am always there for you.

[temple bell continues ringing]

[pensive music playing]

[phone buzzes]

[sobbing]

S… Sara, Sara, just listen to me, please.

If we want to live as a family, this is our last chance.

Don't say anything.

Get the procedure done and just go away, Kumudha.

[voice breaking] Please never come back to me.

-[temple bell rings] -[sombre music playing]

[sobbing]

[music fades out]

[crowd cheering]

[Sanjay] Arjun is walking out.

The whole stadium has erupted.

The Chepauk crowd roars in approval.

[Ravi] This is incredible, Sanjay.

Arjun, clearly injured, is walking out to bat for his country.

What a show of guts!

[commentator 1] You can see the determination in his eyes, Ravi.

The Indian team is on their feet, cheering him on.

This is pure drama unfolding here.

The man is putting his body on the line for his team.

The crowd goes absolutely berserk.

[continues faintly] This is what test cricket is all about…

-[crowd cheering] -[indistinct commentary]

[uplifting music playing]

[Arjun] On the battlefield, does a soldier fight to save his country,

or does he fight to save his own life?

I'm a soldier, sir.

[uplifting music continues]

[Arjun] In this game of life,

whether you're a king or an ordinary man,

you will be pushed into the depths of the sea and tested.

That's when you find out who you really are.

A hero? A villain?

A winner or a loser?

Life sets a price for every decision you make.

And you have to pay that price.

[Aditya] Dada…

I want to watch you play on the ground today.

If you would have played aggressively, we would have definitely won the match.

[sombre music playing]

[Aditya] There was nobody in third man.

I knew he was gonna bowl on the leg side.

That's why I tried the reverse sweep.

[Arjun] You're gonna teach me?

[sombre music fades out]

[ominous music playing]

[laughs hysterically]

[music continues]

I wanted this world to look at me as a hero.

[unsettling music playing]

-[door rattles] -But the world thinks

that the man hitting the ball with the bat is the real hero.

You know even my wife thinks that your father is the real hero.

[loudly] For everyone I am a zero!

[unsettling music continues]

Your father messed up all of our lives and he chose cricket over everything.

Look at the stadium.

Look at how they are celebrating that murderer over there.

[crowd cheering]

[Sanjay] India needs four runs to win.

Arjun has put everything on the line and walked out to bat for his country.

[inhales sharply] What do I do?

What am I supposed to do?

How can a father decide to do what your father has done?

-[Kumudha] He'll never give up on cricket. -My appa will never give up on cricket.

[Kumudha] And cricket will never give up on him.

[thuds]

[commentator 1] It's a reverse sweep! He smashed it! It's sky bound!

And it goes for a big, big six!

With that, India win the Freedom Series in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.

-[melancholic music playing] -[crowd cheering]

[crowd cheering]

[sombre music playing]

[Kumudha] We should love only our own children?

[Arjun, crying] I'm sorry, Adi. I didn't have a choice.

[sombre music continues]

[Saravanan] Winning and losing are two sides of the same test.

In every victory, there lies a defeat.

And in every defeat, a victory.

[sombre music playing]

[woman on TV] The government of Tamil Nadu has announced the launch

of a groundbreaking hydro fuel project in the state,

helmed by the visionary scientist Dr. Saravanan from MIT.

This will have a dramatic effect on air quality… [fades]

[sombre music continues]

[music fades out]

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