Original subtitles

Around 800 years ago, the

Sultan who ruled Madurai,

like many kings before him,

enforced heavy taxes

and enslaved the people.

With nothing left,

the Paambarai people

migrated to the Western Ghats.

As they journeyed

through the Ghats,

they faced many hardships

and untrodden paths

until they found a place to

live and made it their home.

Since the valley

was nestled among

mountains, the

people named it Gevi.

They took to farming and hunting

to survive and

started life afresh.

In the 1800s,

during British rule,

PS Watt gathered a team to look

for cool havens

across Tamil Nadu

because the heat

was too much to bear.

The group split up

and searched through

the forests of Tamil Nadu.

One team, after days of travel

through Periyakulam and

Kumbakarai Falls in Theni,

discovered Gevi, a place

unknown to mankind.

PS Watt then

discovered another hill

that stood taller than Gevi.

With no roads in sight,

they relied on the doli

the cradlelike ride of the Gevi

folk, and made their own way.

Thanks to the

help of the people,

that onceunknown land is

now the renowned Kodaikanal.

Years passed since British rule

faded. Gevi was

renamed Vellagavi,

but the dolic

continues to be their

only passage through the forest.

Governments have come and gone,

schemes have been

launched and forgotten,

but their way of transport

remains untouched.

Today, Vellakavi…

Hello, hi, and namaste!

You’re listening

to Kodai FM 100.5.

The election date’s coming

out at the end of this month.

All parties are rolling

up their sleeves

and getting deep

into campaign mode.

Word is,

the ruling party's

expected to win.

Hey, Shankar!

Hey, Shankar!

Is anyone in the field, man?!

Hey! Can someone hear me?!

Brother!

The vehicle crashed

in Kanakku’s field!

Our people are stuck in there!

Come quick, guys!

Seems people are

stuck in Kadukka's field!

Come on, everyone!

What’re you saying?!

Only if we hurry can

we see what happened!

Grab them ropes!

Let’s go, people!

You got it?

Yeah, come on!

Take the rope, let’s move out!

Faster, y’all!

I don’t even know what

might’ve happened!

Hey, it’s our

folks! Come quick!

[chaos ensues]

See who’s stuck down there!

Look if someone’s

caught under the dirt, man!

Let's lift them up!

Come on, folks!

What are you

staring at?! Lift him!

Get him up!

Easy now!

Lift him up.

Come this way.

Careful!

Lift him up.

Carry them safely!

Uncle, step aside!

Tie the rope, pull hard, man!

Lift him up.

Grab his leg, don’t let go!

Now, everyone together, LIFT!

Pull him up!

Hold him properly!

Grab his shirt.

Hold tight, everybody!

Lift him, quick!

First thing, get

him to the hospital!

Go now!

Watch your step!

To our Sir who's

here to fight corruption!

God bless him! God bless!

To our Sir who's

here to fight corruption!

God bless him! God bless!

The one who

stood against caste!

Live long! Live long!

The party that stands

for women’s rights!

Sir?

After the election, please

help with my promotion.

Yes yes I’ll handle it.

Sir.

We’re not even sure if

we’ll get those 350 votes.

You still don’t

understand people.

Political leaders like

me, know them best!

Narasimha,

they’re like hungry stray dogs!

They bark only

until they’re fed.

That’s true, Sir.

Hey, Nagu?

Yes, sir?

Like a dog wagging its

tail at the sight of a bone,

likewise…

If we give a thousand or two

thousand, they’ll

vote without asking!

What else can they do?

Come on, everyone, hurry!

We have to save him somehow!

Let's keep at it.

Why are you taking him to

the village and

not the hospital?

Arumugam is dead!

Save him at least!

Quick, get him to the clinic!

Run faster now!

Move! Go, go!

Don’t stop, keep going!

Run faster!

Go, go. Keep going.

Before we reached the border,

he had lost half his breath.

We couldn’t save

even one, Uncle.

Let’s at least save this one.

Move quick!

Come quick.

Hurry, folks!

Hold him tight! Don't let go.

Let's hurry up!

Come on, everyone!

Hurry!

The light of our children!

Long live, long live.

The hope of the poor!

Long live, long live.

The guardian of the hills!

Long live, long live.

The son of this soil!

Long live, long live.

The pride of our land!

Long live, long live.

[indistinct murmurs]

Your vote means everything!

KMK!

The party that

will end poverty.

KMK!

The party the people trust.

KMK!

Narasimha, go check

what’s happening.

Come with me.

He’s lying there, not moving.

What do you mean?

Muruga, wait!

Everyone, hold on!

Check if there’s

still life in him.

Maniya! Hey, Maniya!

He’s not breathing.

He’s gone.

Maniya left us too soon.

Welcome, all of you.

Did you come here just to watch

how many lives are buried here?

Unjustly, five men

were killed by the soil!

Now tell me, what

can you do about it?

When you were in power,

our village was

invisible to you!

Now that elections are

near, you finally see us?

How will anyone know?

Our lives are like

tender greens,

they get plucked and forgotten!

Malaiya, I understand your pain.

But it was nature’s doing.

Why blame Sir for this?

It isn’t fair to do so.

I agree, landslides are natural.

If we had a hospital here,

we could have saved those

still fighting for their lives.

Malaiya!

Because of this, we’re

grieving almost every day.

I understand your anger, man.

I’m telling you…

We’ll handle everything!

We lost five people

and you'll are

still handling it!

Malaiya…

Crossing the line now, are you?

We will figure something

out and make it happen.

Okay? Come along.

Don’t create a scene

during the election!

This matters more to

you than our lives, right?

Do what must be done.

I’m saying we lost lives

Come with me!

Get your hands off me!

He raised his hand on my leader!

Charles, hold on!

Sir!

Hey, you!

Sir, please spare me!

How dare you lay

your hand on the MLA?

I didn’t do it on purpose.

While we gave you a place to

stay and spoke to

you with respect,

and you still don't

know your place!

Hear me out, sir.

You’re doing the

wrong thing, sir!

Don’t say that, sir…

I’ll make sure

you cease to exist!

Who do you think you are to

lay hands on someone like him?

Please leave from here, sir.

GEVI

Those forsaken

vermin of the forest…

…had the nerve to lay

hands on me, a police officer.

Wait till the

elections are over,

see how many in

that village survive, sir!

What are you saying?!

We could’ve sorted

this out quietly.

Why make a fuss

right at election time?

Look, Narasimha.

If you move on your own and

that ruins my politicial career,

I’ll kill you.

Just do what I tell you.

I don’t care about the dead.

I just wished it happened after

the polling day.

Could've helped me.

But, sir…

I was the one who got hit with

slippers in front of everyone.

And now you’re

asking me to let it slide?

Didn’t you want that promotion?

Then take a hit when it counts.

It was only a slipper.

But spared your life, right?

Nagu?

Yes, bro.

Let's go.

What are you waiting for,

Mani? Get it moving now!

Kumar, start the vehicle.

Shanthi sister, get in.

He didn’t care about

how you felt, sir.

They’re like that, sir.

If they’re in trouble,

we must save them.

But if it were about us, they

wouldn’t even show their faces!

We’ll handle

this, sir, trust me.

This isn’t just about

respect anymore.

They’ve lost the fear

they once had for me.

Those guys used to

bow at the sight of me…

Now, they’ve got the guts to

raise their voice against me?

I’ll teach them what

real fear means!

Hey, what's

the use

of grieving them?

Get back to minding

your own businesses.

Go on, people.

Didn’t I tell you already?

Why are you standing frozen

like that? Come on, move.

Come, Malaiya.

" Oh great hill,

Our god of the hills "

" In your lap, Our

very breath rests "

" Oh great hill,

Our god of the hills "

" In your lap, Our

very breath rests "

" One blood, one

caste, we rise as

one, Tied like kin,

under the same sun "

" One river, one

path, unites every heart

In this shared life,

none stand apart "

" Like worms, our life crawls

away, Fading day by day "

" The fading lives of our

people, Will they

ever survive? "

" Amidst the

bamboo’s gentle sway,

Does the thorn just

stay and stay? "

" Hollows, hills,

stones and thorny

ways Will these

hardships ever erase? "

" Even if the lord does say,

Will the ration come our way? "

Why do you look so down?

Well…

I don’t know how to take

care of my pregnant wife.

If her parents were around,

they would’ve looked after her.

Why worry so much?

If anything happened

to her, I'd uproot this hill.

What brother?

You definitely would!

Why are you laughing, bro?

He’s the kind

who’d really go for it!

Sumathi sister, do hand over

the pension money

to her, please.

" With no path to follow,

The donkey carries its load "

" When life is gone,

People just let time fly "

" From the hill's womb we came,

Were the past ones

in the same game? "

" Are our paths all bound, By

grief that wraps them round? "

" The wind and

rain dance with joy "

" As at home, We

enjoy our feast, oh boy! "

" The wind and

rain dance with joy "

" As at home, We

enjoy our feast, oh boy! "

" The pain we’ve

borne, this bitter tide

Will these hard days

fade and slide? "

" Will a straight path emerge

From these slanted hills? "

Hubby?

Yes, love. What is it?

When our baby is born,

you must be the first

to hold our little one.

Hey, nutcase.

Of course, I will!

Come on, let’s go.

" Oh great hill,

Our god of the hills "

" In your lap, Our

very breath rests "

" Oh great hill,

Our god of the hills "

" In your lap, Our

very breath rests "

" One blood, one

caste, we rise as

one, Tied like kin,

under the same sun "

" One river, one

path, unites every heart

In this shared life,

none stand apart "

" Like worms, our life crawls

away, Fading day by day "

Hubby, go ahead a bit.

Did you bring the report?

Yes, madam, I have it.

We also need to show

the doctor our scans.

Okay, please

wait for your turn.

Shall I go ahead?

Make sure to ask

the doctor everything.

I’ll be here.

Where’s your husband?

He’s waiting outside, doctor.

You shouldn’t

keep it inside, dear.

Just one more month to go,

you’re about to have a baby!

Before your delivery

date, make sure to visit

the clinic behind the

Chola Estate within a week.

Understood?

I don’t know where

that is, doctor.

You don’t?

Hey, you!

Yes, madam?

Tell her where the clinic is.

Sure, madam.

I’ll take leave, doctor.

Hey, where is that girl?

Madam?

She’s attending

to patients, madam.

Attending to patients?

She’s only been in

training for two days…

And now she thinks

she’s a doctor?

She's dead meat.

You go ahead. I'll join you after

delivering some mail

at Thiruvallur Nagar.

Sure!

Watch your step, love.

Be careful.

Hubby?

Yes?

Just because it’s

our first child, don’t

go borrowing money

to have a bash!

Don’t talk like that.

I’d love to see you

in the Kora saree,

your hair full of jasmine and

your wrists jingling

with bangles!

Careful, Mandhaaraii.

Try lunging to climb up.

Is it tiring you?

Rest here for a while.

It’s fine, hubby.

Let’s go.

Hey, are you kidding me?

Our home’s still a long

way off. Let’s sit for a while.

Be careful.

Be careful when you sit.

Here, have some water.

You know, I’ve walked this

same path so many times before.

I’ve carried so many

loads on my shoulders.

But I never really saw the

weight of it all, back then.

Despite everything

we’re going through,

I want to do something

special for you

and our little one.

Something as in?

As in…

I wish I had the power

to lift you like these hills!

You may carry this hill,

but I’ll be the one

carrying our son, Alright?

Okay, it’s getting dark,

should we head home?

Alright, let’s go.

After all this, they have the

nerve to hold

elections tomorrow!

We're the ones affected.

Is that for your

sister, Kadukka?

Yep, that's the one.

Let’s wait and

watch what happens.

Oi, Kadukka!

Yes, uncle.

Time to search for a bride for

you after your

sister's function.

I’d rather hang out with

this horse forever, Uncle.

What an idiot!

Mandhaarai, shall

we get your cousin

Lakshmi to help

until your delivery?

Come on. Why are you

panicking for nothing?

Not like that,

dear. If I head to

the forest, she

can look after you.

Hi, dear, how are you?

I'm fine, aunty.

What did the doctor say?

They said everything’s fine.

I’m tired from

walking. Going to rest.

Go on, dear.

Alright, aunty.

Malaiya!

You go ahead,

dear. I’ll join you.

Tell me, Aunty!

Did they say anything else?

Nothing to worry, it’s all fine.

She should be careful

as due date nears.

Hi!

What did the doctor say?

They gave me

tablets for weakness.

Bought them?

Yes.

What is all this?

We may be close,

but as the uncle of your child,

I’m doing this on

behalf of our parents.

There goes the waterworks.

Stop getting so emotional.

Your hubby's here.

Hello, Kadukka!

Brought her gifts, I see?

Yes, yes.

You've brought

quite a lot for her.

Looks a bit loaded.

Yeah, little bit.

But I can handle.

I've ordered vegetables

at the Periyakulam Markrt.

I’ll go and get them.

You look tired.

You stay here and

take care of her. I'll

bring them once I'm

done with an errand.

Those coffee beans?

Will you get

Marudhu to dry them.

Okay, I’ll go then.

Open the door for me, please.

Freshen up and then leave.

Grandpa was looking

for you, Seeni. Go!

Come.

Come slowly.

How come you got off so early?

My vegetables didn’t sell

before it became cloudy.

All over again tomorrow, huh?

Yes. Are you heading

towards the river?

Yeah, dude.

Tomorrow, Mandhaarai's

baby shower.

Heading to the market

to get a few things.

Alright, dude.

Careful, dear.

Malaiya, did you

invite everyone?

I did, uncle.

I'll see you then.

Sure.

Aunty, you too,

come in the morning.

Definitely, we'll come.

I’ve got work, I’ll go now.

Move slowly.

Go go.

This way. Come here.

Come along.

Come on.

Come on.

Walk fast.

Go on…

Keep going…

Careful, girl.

Wait for me, please.

Move, please.

Tell your child that this

is from her granddad.

Will do!

He's here, sir.

He mustn't get

through the night.

Noted, I'll take care of it.

Ask Palani to come

to my place at once.

On it.

I'll see you.

Okay, bye!

See you, sir.

Alright. Give my

regards to Mandhaaraii.

Sir, they've already lost a lot.

Why bother him?

Just let him be.

Let him live. Please.

And?

You want me to

bootlick them for life?!

I'll show them who I am.

A single death will

cost each of them.

Are you for real, Palani bro?

I wonder how you're so

calm after all that happened.

My blood's boiling

looking at them.

[in Malaiyalam] Sir, we

must hack them to death.

Let's not, sir.

Seems like the music for

the temple fest was on point!

Yes, brother.

All the arrangements

were amazing!

We actually joined hands

with the folks of Kallupatti

and brought in

dancers of Mayilaatam,

Oyilaatam to make

it this happening!

No wonder it was a blast!

Sir, the auto's here.

Is he in it?

Yes, sir!

Let's go, sir!

Come, Palani bro!

Come along!

What is he doin

Hey! Kill the lights!

Do it!

Taken everything?

You're welcome.

Yes. Okay, thank you.

Sorry for making

you wait so long, dear.

Our family is getting

a new member.

I cannot stop thinking

about it, you know?

We'll go home?

Come along, you.

Quick, quick.

Pass the weapons.

Grab it all!

He mustn't make it tonight!

Let's get him!

You…

Nab him!

Bring in the fire torch!

Douse him kerosene by then.

Hey, kiddo.

Acting so feisty

like your dad, huh?

Your kick's as powerful as his.

Please let me go.

Chinnamalaiyaan,

you cheeky fellow!

I'll tell your dad that

you're kicking me.

Oh, no.

No, I won't tell him.

He’ll expect me to

bring you out soon.

That's why.

Alright, enough!

It hurts!

Hubby?

Kadukka!

Kadukka!

It hurts!

What's the matter?

What happened?

It's paining!

Is the child okay?

It's hurting me so much!

It must be unserious.

Let me fetch Granny.

Please bear with it for a while.

I'll go get her. It

shouldn't affect the baby.

I'm scared!

Don't be!

I am freaking out!

Be by my side!

Let me fetch Granny for you.

I'll be right back.

Don't worry! Can't believe

he hasn't returned yet.

I wonder why she's

crying out loud!

Hang on a minute.

Looks like she’s in labor.

Please look after her, Aunty.

Go safe.

What’s happening, Mandhaaraii?

It’s hurting, Aunty.

You must be in labor.

Her due date's near too.

You’ll be okay, dear.

Catch hold of him!

Sir, please let him go.

Sir, he could

get seriously hurt.

Enough with it, boys! All of

you are acting so stubborn

that no one will hold

you accountable!

Just go away, man.

He’ll die if this goes on,

sir. Please let him go, sir.

You've hit him enough,

sir. Now, spare him.

This is too cruel.

Please let him go.

Sir, you're going

over board! Don't

become a criminal for no reason.

Just leave him, sir.

Catch him tight, brother.

My dear…

Bear with the

pain for now, dear.

Your body will loosen up

soon. Stay strong, dear.

It’s hard for the first

child, bear with it.

Stay strong,

everything will settle.

Don’t worry, you’ll

have your baby soon.

I hope it’s all fine, Aunty.

Granny’s handling

it, no need to worry.

It’s night already, why

hasn’t Malaiya come?

He’s not a kid, he’ll be back.

Bear with it for a while,

dear, all will be good.

It should be a good

delivery, isn’t it?

I will be fine, right?

Breathe in, dear.

Take deep breaths.

It's paining! I can't bear it!

Granny…

Why are you outside? All well?

Will the baby come out fine?

Hold on.

Looks like the cord is

wrapped around the baby.

If she’s not taken to

hospital, baby won’t survive.

Alright, all of you leave now.

Assemble at the

temple. Hurry up.

Move quickly.

My wife’s alone,

sir. Please spare me.

I beg you.

Please let me go, sir.

Please leave me, sir.

Want me to burn

him right here, sir?

He’s suffered enough,

sir. Please let him go.

Go away, you!

Burning him will

kill him in a flash.

Don’t let him go so easily.

Torture him slowly…

…till his life

flashes before him.

He should regret…

crossing us before he dies.

Now, he’ll know

who we really are.

I was driven by my

rage at the lives lost.

I did nothing else wrong!

Please let me go.

Where did they all go?

They were just here.

Brother, call him as well.

I’ll go get Moorkan.

Go on, quick.

Listen, Kadukka…

Mandhaarai fed us all before.

We’ll save her, don’t worry.

We’re all here.

We will take care.

We know these

paths well. Be brave.

Kadukka, people are making

arrangements Bring

her to the temple.

Uncle, go that way.

You come this side.

Watch the road, rain

will make it tough.

Come fast, Uncle.

Check if the first lot are

there. We'll be right with you.

Alright, I will take care of it.

[indistinct chatter]

You’re heading the wrong way.

It’s hard to see in the dark.

Come fast. Hurry up.

Bro, is the doctor coming?

They’re not picking up.

Continue what to do next.

Did you talk to

the doctor, brother?

I’m scared. Will she come?

Will she?

I’m on call with

her. You go first!

I’ll bring her. Go, Kadukka.

Shall I…

Brother…

You go ahead.

I’ll manage here.

Hello, who’s this?

Is this the town hospital?

Is the doctor there?

I’m calling from Vellagiri town.

Chief doctor is on rounds.

It’s urgent, a woman’s in labor.

Emergency, huh?

Yes, brother.

Sister?

Tell me.

Where is the chief doctor?

They’re still on rounds.

Alright.

What's the matter?

Tell me what it is!

You fool, why are

you falling on me?

Sorry, ma'am.

Are you blind?

What the hell is this?

Emergency from

Vellagiri, doctor.

Hello?

This is the postman here.

A woman got a

labor pain and cord

has been wrapped

around baby, doctor.

We’re worried for the

baby. Please come fast.

Are you joking?

Look at the time!

You want me to cross

the forest at night?

They always

warn you to stay

uphill, why don’t

you people move?

Why do you trouble us?

You want me to die to save her?

Look here, this is your problem.

If possible, bring the woman.

I will save her if she is alive.

Or else, just bury

here somewhere.

Please cut the call.

Hello…

Hello, doctor…

Hold this.

Come fast, man.

Hold it, madam.

Hey, look

here.

Yes, ma’am?

If you get any calls

for emergencies,

don’t pick up.

If it’s any local issue,

send them to our clinic.

Got it?

Sure, madam.

Madam…

Take this.

What?

There’s a girl’s family visiting

tomorrow for my wedding match.

I need a holiday, madam.

Oh, my!

For you, eh, Meenakshi?

The girl's family

isn't well off.

Nothing like that sort, madam.

How else did she say yes to you?

Just happened, madam.

You’re good for nothing here.

At least, do your

guard duty properly.

Please, madam.

Can't believe

you're going to get

married. Like you'd

be useful after that.

What will he even

do after he’s married?

Just a day off,

madam, that’s

all I ask.

Go away, useless.

Bye, madam.

Don't mind her.

You come.

Will the doctor come, brother?

What did the

doctor say, brother?

The doctor will

come, Kadukka. We’ll

get her to the town

hospital meantime.

Alright then.

Let’s head to Vannanthurai

and get everything set.

Come fast.

Mandhaarai’s having stomach

pain. Please hurry, dear.

Hold it carefully.

Malaiya’s not back yet. I’ll go

tell people to pass

the information.

We’ll send a few

people to check.

Not necessary.

I'll tell the women.

We need our men to carry her.

Get up, carefully.

Find your grip and

then try standing.

Hold us tight, don’t panic.

Don’t be scared, hold on to us.

Slowly move.

Stay calm and move slowly.

Hey…

Set him on fire, man.

Hold the head firm.

Grab that rope and tie it.

Keep it firm and tie well.

Bind it as tight as you can.

Push the rope in this space.

Tie it firm, no gaps.

Ponnuthaayi, bring

the girl here gently.

Don’t worry, Mandhaarai.

You’ll reach safe.

We're going too far.

Someone get Mandhaarai’s

clothes from her house.

Keep your leg there slowly.

No need to be scared.

You guys, step aside.

Move aside, dude.

How brutal you all are!

What did he even

ask for you to do this?

He only wanted a

road for his people.

He’ll ask what’s

needed for his place.

For your work, you

shamelessly bend to him.

If they ask,

you call it a problem

and show your power.

You work for me…

or for those village idiots?

You useless!

I’m the one who got

beaten with slippers.

Don’t lose your life for them.

I don't mind killing you.

Listen to me…

Now get out. Just disappear.

Look at him advocating!

Burn him alive, man.

Sure, sir.

Sir, he’s missing.

Where did he escape to?

Begin searching, quick.

He’s right there, catch him!

Grab him.

Hold steady, dear.

Keep her down

slowly, she’ll be fine.

Careful, Mandhaarai.

Make sure her neck’s right.

Stay calm and lie down.

Karupaayi, stretch the

cloth to keep air moving.

Step aside a bit.

Stay strong for now, Mandhaarai.

Grip it tight, dear.

Brother, handle

the head properly.

Pull it and ensure

she’s fine before tying.

Tie it firm.

Don't get scared, Mandhaarai.

Everything will be alright.

The doctor will come

anyway, right? Hurry up, man.

Hubby?

While watching the

raindrops fall, one by one…

it feels like our baby is

kissing me from the skies!

I can’t find a

nicer way to put it.

To me, it feels like…

…my baby’s peeing on my face!

Come on! Hurry!

You’ll be okay.

Please hang in there.

You’ll be okay We’ll

get to the hospital soon!

Keep pushing!

Don’t let her go!

Keep it going.

Let's go!

What happened to my baby?!

Someone tell me, please!

Come on, guys!

Why isn’t anyone

saying anything?!

Mandhaarai…Hold on.

The baby’s coming!

We’re almost there.

Just hold on, please!

Suruli bro, I can’t…

Kadukka! Kadukka!

At least you tell me what

happened to my baby?!

Baby's fine, sister.

They said the

doctor’s on the way.

Just hold on through the pain.

Stay strong, sister.

You’re going to be fine.

I’m scared…!

We're here. We must

make a detour here.

Careful, careful!

Please give us some space!

Hold her! Hold her tight.

Come on! Move!

Hey, Suruli, stop!

Her water just broke, man!

Stop! Please, stop!

Hey! Stop right now!

Her water just broke!

Hey!

That swine couldn’t

have gotten far!

He must’ve taken the

Thondekuchu Route.

He wouldn’t have started

climbing the mountain yet.

You go through

the Melkaatu route.

And you take the

Keelkaatu route.

Search all through Thondekuchu!

Okay, Sir.

Come with me!

Dear?

Hey, Mandhaarai!

Look at me, Mandhaarai!

Granny, what about Mandhaarai?

Granny…

she’s okay, right?…

Guys, over here!

Her water just broke!

She’s struggling to breathe…

The baby isn’t getting

enough oxygen!

If it takes any longer,

we might lose them both!

Find out where the doctor is!

Find out where the

doctor is! Call her, please!

They must’ve crossed the

check post by now, right, bro?

Please make the call.

Why are you just standing

there?! Call her, bro! Please!

Call her, bro!

No one’s coming, Kadukka!

The doctor said

she’s not coming!

What are you saying?!

She said, "If she

survives, I’ll save her…

If not, bury

her on the way!"

What do we even do now?!

Mandhaarai's screaming in pain…

I can’t take this anymore!

Trusting God, I asked

all of you to carry her!

Is there no one left to

save my family’s child?!

Is this how it ends?!

Give me the phone,

please! At least let me try!

It’s already too

late! Make the call!

Hello? Yes, tell me.

Hello

I’m calling from Vellagiri.

Is the doctor available?

Yes, just a minute.

Tara! Tara!

What, bro?!

Just a minute.

You look tense. What happened?

It’s an emergency. Please talk!

Who should I speak to?

It’s an emergency.

Please, talk!

Hello?

Hello

Bro, can you hear me?

Doctor, can you hear me?!

Hello?

Hello, Doctor?

Yes, I can hear you. Tell me.

Doctor?

What happened?

There are two lives at stake,

my sister's and her child's.

Both of them are

fighting to survive.

They said her water broke!

And the cord is wrapped

around the baby’s neck!

Please, doctor, save

my family’s child!

She’s lying there,

gasping for breath!

Please come quickly, Doctor…

Okay, don’t cry.

How long will it take

to reach the hospital?

It’ll take about six hours.

What are you saying, bro?!

Please come quickly!

At least take her

to a nearer hospital!

Can’t you understand

what I’m saying?!

Hello?!

Hello?! Can you hear me?!

Where would we even go

now in this godforsaken path…

to a hospital?

I get what you’re saying.

But how can we wait now, when

the umbilical cord's

choking the child?!

Hello?! Hello?!

Doctor!

Hello?

Are you still on the line?!

Hello, doctor!

Hello?! Can you hear me?!

Someone who can’t feel your pain

will never come to

help you, Kadukka…

If this child is to be

saved against all odds,

only God must come down!

To save us from here on,

there's no one else but you!

Save us somehow, Lord Karuppa!

Why are you worried, brother?

This mountain that

cradles a thousand species…

Won’t it carry this

one small life, too?

Before sunrise, we'll

separate the mother and child!

They’re in critical condition…

Ask them to head to

the nearest hospital fast!

But there are no other hospitals

nearby. The only

one in the town is ours.

Only if we go, there’s a

chance we can save the child.

They’re all rich folks! They’ll

never show up when we need them!

This is a real

emergency. Do something!

What else can we do now?

Let the doctor come or not.

We can’t wait any longer.

She’s in pain, lift her up!

Doctor already

said she won’t come!

We’ve had two or

three emergency calls.

We informed the chief doctor,

but she didn’t

care. She just left!

Now it’s up to us.

We have to act.

What else can I do now...

Okay, where’s the compounder?

He was around here somewhere…

We’re taking the

baby to the hospital…

Not a second should

be wasted, man!

Let’s go! Yes!

Our Bhairavi god

will take care of it!

Let’s go! Move!

Okay, you check

that side. I’ll see here.

Okay, doctor.

Compounder bro?

Compounder bro?

Compounder bro, where are you?

Compounder bro?

Hey, what are you doing here?

Don’t you know

she's looking for you?

Which woman?

The one who's walking

this way, that one.

Compounder bro?

Oh, her?

Bro, there’s a

serious emergency.

They just called about it.

Please call the doctor.

Which case is it?

They said it’s for Gevi, bro.

Looks like they’re

bringing her in now.

Oh, that case?

Yes, bro. It’s

urgent. Please come.

Just go do your job!

Why are you talking like this,

bro? They’re

fighting for their lives!

You just joined here, right?

It’s only been two days.

Don’t you know how Madam is?

They've already informed

her about this case.

Madam went back to her clinic,

saying she won’t

attend this case.

Even after all that,

are you really going to step in?

Two lives are hanging

by a thread, bro!

Talk to the doctor. Can’t you

see she’s begging for help?

It’s up to us to

save them now, isn’t

it? It’s fine even if

Madam doesn’t come.

Let’s just go. Come on.

I know that village too well.

Every month, two cases come

in. One survives,

the other dies.

Don’t break your head over it.

Just do your job.

How can you say

that so casually?

Two lives are struggling

right now, and you're

Why are you even begging him?!

But…

I’ll come with you!

You know how many doctors

have come and left this place?

But this is the first time I’ve

seen someone as bold as you!

Do you know how many

places I got job offers from?!

But I didn’t take

them. You know why?

Because I can’t have a

baby of my own, right?

But in this hospital, a baby

is born every single day.

I think of every one

of them as mine.

You know how

happy that makes me?

In that operation

theatre, the floor’s

always stained

with newborns’ blood

and wiping it all up, even if I

die doing it, I’ll

die with a smile!

Every child born here…

I’ve held them with

these very hands.

Even that baby, they'll be

born with my hands, too.

Now, just because I’m stepping

in… I’ll lose this job, right?

Let it go to hell!

You have a daughter, don’t you?

Someday, she’ll

become a mother too.

Only you must be happy, right?

There’s a woman in

there right now, isn’t there?

You just keep nodding

along to whatever she says!

You come with me. Let’s go!

Come on, guys!

Don't let go!

Please bear the pain, dear…

We're almost there.

Wait, let me carry you.

Slowly…

Come on, let's go!

Sister!

What are you two staring at?

What about him?

I was thinking about

what you both said.

I don’t know if you’ll be

able to save that child or not…

But you’re trying

to save it, right?

Even I have a little

humanity left in me.

How will you two get through

this darkness without a vehicle?

That’s why, after

talking to my cousin,

I asked him to keep the

vehicle ready

behind the hospital.

What are you two waiting for?

Come on, let’s go!

Okay, bro. Let's go.

Tara Doctor?

They’ll be contacting

us through this phone.

Listening to that

woman’s condition,

even I feel like

running over to help…

but with my body's condition,

I won’t be able to make it.

My body just won’t cooperate.

Please go and come back safely.

It’s all right. You take care.

What are you thinking about?

Go bravely!

I'll handle whatever

problems come up!

Listen…nothing would’ve

happened to that woman, right?

I don’t know, Sister.

She’s in critical condition.

Oh no!

We’ll only know

once we get there.

Raja, stop the vehicle

here. We’re getting out.

Why? What happened, bro?

Morning’s the election.

If we get caught at the check

post, it’ll cause

unnecessary trouble.

Let’s cross the river this way,

We’ll get to the other side,

board the jeep and go, alright?

Sure, bro.

Sure, Uncle.

I’ll meet you at the

check post, alright?

Time is 1:30 a.m. and you're

listening to Kodai FM 100.5.

"Then kinnam" Here's

a song coming up from

"Aatha Un Kovilile"

movie, music by Deva.

["Othayadi Padhayile"

from Aatha Un Kovilile plays]

Wait, wait! There seem to

be men at the check post!

Sir, shall I take my leave?

Yeah. See you, Raja.

Switch off the headlamp, man!

Raja, did they ask

anything at the check post?

No, Uncle. It’s my usual

route, so there was no trouble.

Okay, hurry up!

Close that jeep

door properly, please!

" Oh, my soul! "

Catch him!

" We're the pride

of Tamilians! "

" We bought it to

you! Oh, my dear! "

" Let's leave out this ego "

Get going, men! Make way!

Walk a little faster!

" And now I'm abode

the golden chariot! "

Walk a little faster!

Hey, hold her tightly!

" She’s a gem, pure and true

A proud daughter

of Tamil soil! "

" Oh, precious

one, we brought you

here, Just like gold,

pure and priceless "

" We begged and begged,

Not to lose her

like the last one "

" Oh my precious

one, is that your blood,

Your sacred blood,

staining the ground? "

Brother!

She's profusely bleeding!

" …Looking in that direction! "

Catch hold of

him, he's escaping!

Inspector, quick! Please come!

" At the top of the mountain… "

" She kept waiting for him! "

" My dear baby,

my precious one! "

" My dear baby,

my precious one! "

Hey, Mandhaarai… Come

on, take deep breaths.

Hey, Kadukka, don’t cry!

Let him cry.

Only then will his

ego calm down.

Careful. Walk slowly.

Watch your step.

Granny…

Tell me what happened!

Kadukka, the head's

slowly peeking.

I'm unable to get

it out completely.

I don’t know what to do.

Mandhaarai, don’t worry, dear.

It’ll be okay. Stay strong.

She’s carried that

baby with so much love.

Sister…

I’ll try everything

I can to save you…

Kadukka, I’m scared!

I knew no one would come.

Tell Malaiya about this.

Please, save my baby somehow!

Don’t lose hope, sis…!

Granny…

My child will survive, won't it?

No, no, no!

You silly girl! What

could happen to you?

Your child is going to grow up,

and buy this old

lady betel leaves!

Would I let your baby slip

from my hands so easily?

Even if this soil

swallows my life,

please, Granny, just bring

my child safely into this world.

Don’t panic, dear. We’ll

try for a natural delivery.

I'm sorry I'm

unable to help you!

All of us have been

let down by the doctors!

All these years,

you’ve carried the

weight of this village

on your back! You’ve

been our goddess.

Please save the

little life of this home!

Hey, Muthaiyya!

We’ve carried this

pain for generations.

My father, me, and now my son.

Every bone in my body

is worn to the bone!

But our spirits never wavered.

All we’ve ever had is hope…

But how much longer

must we go on like this?

Don’t we deserve a

new beginning too?!

Has this road been

patchy always, brother?

Why hasn't the

government taken action yet?

Come on! They

realize this village

exists only when

it's election time.

The villagers protested

against voting last time.

And?

And nothing.

Nothing changed.

They somehow convinced them, got

them to vote, and

won the elections.

They haven't come here since.

I feel bad for that baby…

It's having to endure so much

even before entering this world.

Wonder what sin

that baby committed!

Call them and

ask where they are.

[phone rings]

Hello.

Hello?

Hello?

Doctor…

Yes, brother.

Can you hear me?

Yes, I do. How's she now?

The baby…

The baby's head…

Hey…

Hey, Kadukka.

Kadukka!

Doctor…

I'm ready to do

anything, Doctor.

The baby's head is out.

I'm clueless about what to do.

What do we do now?

I'm really scared, Doctor.

Bro… Please

relax.

Is there any female with you?

An old lady is there.

Alright.

Relax and

give the phone to her.

Lady, the doctor is on call.

She wants to talk to you.

He… Hello,

Grandma!

Can you hear me?

Yes, go on.

How is she now?

The umblical cord is

around the baby's stomach.

She's struggling in pain.

The baby's head is out already.

I'm not sure how to help her.

Don't worry, Grandma!

Just follow my instructions.

Okay.

Grandma…

Place your palm

on the baby's head.

Okay. I've placed it.

Good. Now…

Reverse push, Grandma.

What is that?

Uh… I mean…

You need to push the

baby back inside the womb.

Are you serious?

Isn't there any other way?

No, Grandma.

Pushing the baby back is the

only way to keep

them both alive.

If you don't, it's

dangerous for both of them.

Please bear the pain, dear.

You still have

sometime to deliver.

For a little longer, dear.

The baby just came out of your

womb. It's coming back in again.

Hold tight.

Grandma… Is she okay?

Grandma…

Please come soon, Doctor.

We'll come as soon as

possible. You

don't stop anywhere.

Hey, pray to God.

Let's go.

Grandma is calling.

Come on, quick.

What happened?

What's wrong, Grandma? Come on.

We need to take her. Let's go.

Get the bamboos.

A pig cries and screams

when it gets trapped.

And thinks it can escape.

But it doesn't realize

there's no way out.

You're just like

that trapped pig.

Doctor, the girl and the

baby will be fine, right?

I'm not entirely sure.

The mother's determination

is why that baby is alive.

She's so determined even now.

Why shouldn't we risk?

" Not a word you

speak, yet here you

stay A lifeless form

to whom we pray "

" Was it sin to

trust in none but

you? In faith we

knew no other view "

" We asked for

light, we read the verse

And gave you worship,

blessing, purpose "

" Is it right, O

Lord, to turn away To

close your door and

leave me astray? "

" When ancient

debts weigh down my

head Who will keep

this life from dread? "

" These weary roads

break my spine Will

this poor soul lose

the fight in time? "

" Storms keep striking

my weary head "

" The world just runs,

Leaves me for dead "

Malaiya… Malaiya? Look at me.

Get up. Slowly!

" The garden stays

in bloom till when "

" I join Yama’s realm,

beyond all men "

Malaiya?

You're covered in blood.

Who did this to you?

" This body sways

on life’s last swing "

" When the story ends,

No soul takes wing "

Your wife went into labor.

The villagers have taken

your wife to the hospital.

Grandma said they won't

survive more than two hours

since the umblical cord

is around the baby's neck.

Why would this

happen to you now?

Oh God!

I prayed for this to not happen.

But in vain.

Ask our men to take

the Rettakelai route.

Come on, boys!

" While rainclouds

drizzle soft and low

My feet still chase

where sunbeams go "

" And when the

sun beats bright all

day They long for

rain to wash the way "

Will we be doing a

cesarean for her too?

Do you think it's

safe in this forest?

I really don't know, sister.

We need to save that baby.

That's all I know right now.

Medically speaking,

what I'm doing is wrong.

Still…

I wish… We should

leave it in God's hands.

" Who will come

with silent tread? "

" Fall in the

grave, they’re lost

instead Stagnant souls

among the dead "

" Storms keep striking

my weary head "

" The world just runs,

Leaves me for dead "

Madam, this is the place.

Brother.

You sure this is the place?

Yes. They should

be here already.

Let's wait.

" Oh my soul! "

Did you see that, brother?

An entire village is coming.

Come. Let's go.

My sister…

I was the one who called.

Okay, relax.

We'll figure this.

Careful, brother.

Slowly.

Compounder, keep

the oxygen ready.

Kadukka…

It’s been such a tough road… and

yet, we’ve managed

to save lives.

I'm sure we can save

your sister and the baby too.

Don't give up hope.

Doctor…

Forget me…

Do whatever it takes…

just save my child.

Don't worry. Nothing will

happen to you or your baby.

Please, sir.

Let me go!

My wife is in labor.

Let me go, please!

Please, sir!

I beg you, sir!

Let me go!

Before you fall on my feet…

"Sir, what I did was

wrong. Forgive me, please."

Beg me with these words.

Got it?

What are you

thinking? Go on. Beg.

Sir, sir…

Sir…

Please, sir!

Let me go, sir. Please!

Don't give in, sir.

[in Malayalam]

I’ll splash him with

petrol and strike

the match myself.

They all look down

on us because of him.

They don’t fear us

anymore. Let’s remind them.

You thought begging at

my feet would save you?

You're making a mistake.

Don't. Listen to me.

I'm telling this for your good.

Let me go!

I want to see my wife.

Leave me!

You're going to die.

You think your

wife will survive?!

How dare you?

Leave me!

I said leave me!

Let go of my hand!

Don't do anything, please!

Please!

Yeah, that’s how you

push your baby out.

Still a bit more.

You need to push on your womb,

That’s right!

Don’t delay…the baby

will come out. Push hard!

Push well! Yeah, just like that.

Why are you men hitting

me like you're beating a dog?

What wrong did I do?

If I stand against you,

and question you,

would you all just hit me?

Is it wrong to

ask for our rights?

Why did I get angry?

Tell me.

I planned a baby shower

for my wife with so much love

and came to this

village… only then I learn

they took her to the

hospital to give birth.

On their way, the

baby in her womb,

and to my wife, I don’t

know what’s happened!

Don’t worry, dear. Your

child’s life will be is safe.

He has a strong life force.

Listen, dear, don’t lose hope.

Your water broke too, and the

baby has been in

the womb too long.

Please cooperate

as long as you can.

Oh, no, Doctor…

I’m scared, Doctor.

If only we had a

hospital in our village,

why would we come

here to the town hospital?

If only we had a road…

Why would we tie a thread?

People like you’d never

understand our pain!

If I have to only see my

wife again after

killing you all,

I won’t spare a

single one of you!

With all that

authority you wielded,

didn't you address

him as "swine"?

If that swine gets angry,

did you witness what

happened to your authority?

Let them be, Malaiya.

You go ahead.

Once our baby is born,

you must hold him

first in your arms!

Hey, you silly girl, where

would I even go without you?

You may bear this mountain,

but I’ll be the one bearing

our child. Understood?

" I came running to

sing you a lullaby "

" I came running, and running… "

" You’re my golden light "

The child isn’t breathing…

Please, look at what’s wrong.

What's happened?

Sister…

Because the child consumed

motion, its lungs are blocked!

Oh, no! My God…

Bro, please get the

oxygen pump ready!

Get it ready quickly, man!

Just give me the oxygen pump!

Make it quick!

The oxygen’s run

out of the pump!

Bro!

All the kids born

in this hospital,

I’ve held them with these hands.

Even that baby…

I'll hold it in my own hands!

The child is dead!

Oh, no!

What will I tell my sister?

I don't know how to console

him if my brotherinlaw comes!

Let me go! Let me go!

Leave me alone, Uncle!

Let me go!

Please don't go there…

Don't go there…

Don't go there,

listen to me.

Malaiya…

Don't look at it…

Let me go!

Let me go!

Get lost!

Mandhaarai…

Mandhaarai?

Mandhaarai!

Didn't you claim that only

you would bear our child?

Look at what God did to us.

Didn't you say I should be

the first to hold our child?

You made me do it!

Even when I had the

strength to bear this mountain,

yet we weren't granted the

strength to bear our child!

We made our child bury it!

Hubby…

Weren't you the one

who saw our child?

Did the child look

like you or me?

He was like you, my love…

Hereafter, what do we do, hubby?

We sacrificed our only child!

Mandhaarai…

I'll go check on our

baby and be back.

I'll go check on him.

My baby!

Didn't you promise

you'd pluck the

roots of this whole

mountain for our child?

Please bring my son's life back!

More than the love

you had for this child,

more than your wife's love,

even more than the

gods' love on him!

That's why he took your baby

as soon as he saw him, with Him!

Ask him to come!

Let's check whose love

is greater, mine or his!

Ask him to come, I say!

Hey, Granny…

This is the hand that

brought dying

lives back to life!

Only to save my child's life,

you call that hand

a joke, do you?

Tell me, Granny!

Please forgive me…

Malaiya…

Go away…

Malaiya…

To all the Gods we prayed to…

Didn't I think of it as a god?

I've always paid my tithes! You

took my child's

life as your tithe!

You shouldn't be holding

the baby for too long…

Give it up…

Why must this happen to me?!

We counted our days

to see you but in vain!

My poor baby!

My curse is never

ending, I suppose!

" Like a mountain

collapsing, falling "

" The world stands still "

" My love, my dearest, You’re

buried deep within my heart "

" We took immense care "

" On these two shoulders

My child finds rest "

" But my arms still

cannot Carry this grief "

" In the forest’s heart,

where Fox and doe give birth "

Hey, stop, man!

Malaiya!

" No trail is laid

for her to find "

" Yet she carries

a life behind "

Oh, no, my baby!

Don't go there, listen to me!

Hold him back! Hold him back!

Hey, Suruli! Get that doli cloth

we used to carry Mandhaarai!

Hey, Kadukka!

Please show the baby's face

one last time to

its father, please.

Also, it's the first

son, let him see!

" The tears we shed

The river took away "

" Carried by currents,

They couldn't stay "

" The breath we

took, so deep and

strong, Carried away

by the wind along "

Mandhaarai…

This forest, this

mountain, this path,

everything has

betrayed us, my dear.

" Without being

cradled in the cradle,

You left before we

could even hold you "

" You left before we

could even hold you "

" Our future now burns Like the

furnace our present set for us "

" How many more

young lives must fall "

" For dreams we

barely own at all? "

" The grain is gone "

" But five or six

coffins have arrived! "

" Now comes the ballot box "

" Once in five years! "

Is this why you

asked me to bring

gifts to send you

off than see you?

Hey, Kadukka, give the baby!

Hey, take the

child, it's getting late!

Hey, even we’re bringing the

voting machine

once in five years…

but nothing ever changes here!

Poor people, sir!

GEVI

Across this world, from

towering hills to

hidden valleys,

other than the ballot boxes,

no form of livelihood or

support ever reaches them.

Whose pain is never documented,

and whose names

are never spoken,

this film is dedicated to you.

Due to the lack of an approach

road in the mountain hamlet,

a woman’s body had to be

carried in a makeshift doli,

then carried on foot for around

eight kilometres

to her final rites.

In Vellore’s hill hamlet,

with no access road,

a pregnant woman’s body was

tied in a doli

cloth and carried.

In Vellore's

Nikkana hill hamlet,

a pregnant woman in labor

had to be carried in a doli

because there were no roads.

My name's Shanmugam,

my village is called Vellagevi.

It's a seven kilometer walk

from here to Kodaikanal.

From Vellagevi to Periyakulam,

we go via Kumbakarai Falls.

From there, it’s another

seven kilometers.

Then, there’s still

nine kilometers left and

we’re forced to walk

nearly 16 kilometers.

Because there’s no

hospital in or near our village,

a woman who gets pregnant,

faces a lifethreatening

ordeal just to give birth.

When she’s carried on a

doli for seven kilometers,

four people aren’t enough.

Only if there are twenty people

can we even attempt

to take her to a hospital.

Many women have lost

their lives on the way itself!

And to this day, we’ve never

had the privilege of justice.

If you ask what the root of the

problem is, it’s the

lack of a proper road.

If there were a road,

a jeep could come in,

we could take it and

get urgent medical care.

If we get this road, like

the stories you heard of us…

When healthcare and education

reach our village

from the outside,

our people, too, will finally

get the chance to thrive.

Because of circumstances

beyond our control,

If this road is built, it will

be a turning point for us all!