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'This is the world.'

'This is Kuttikkanam.'

'This is me.'

'Vineeth Madhavan.'

'This is my story.'

'But, what you are about to see now...'

'is not my story.'

'Twenty-five kilometres away from Kuttikkanam,'

'in the hills of Vagamon, lives...'

'Kerala's most popular writer'

'and my favourite horror novelist,'

'Vaikom David, and his son Sachin Vaikom David.'

'This is their story.'

WITH LOVE, TO NEETHU

VAIKOM DAVID

- Sachin David! - Huh?

Metals used for electroplating... Which are they?

Chromium, Gold, Silver.

Oh... Okay...

Then, define electroplating.

The process of depositing a layer of desired metal

on another by using electricity.

Teacher...

- Huh! - Sachin David is being called.

Hmm... Go!

Are you into writing, like your father, Sachin?

- A little bit. - I see.

I've been saddled with the charge of the school magazine this year.

The stories and poems we've received for the Malayalam section are quite weak.

That's when I thought of you, Sachin.

After all, when Vaikom David sir's son writes something,

it cannot be bad, right?

- I will give it a shot, Teacher. - Good. Don't waste time.

It must be submitted by next week.

- Get it done quickly. - Okay, Teacher.

Teacher!

Should I write a short story or a novel?

Oh goodness, we don't have that kind of space!

A short story would do.

[knocking on the door]

Mangalam weekly or Manjadi?

Manjadi.

- Peter! - Yes?

- Manjadi. - Okay.

Here you go.

Oops. I'll get that.

That's okay.

Devil's Island!

Hey, there's this one too!

- Venu Chetta... - Hmm?

Would you publish a horror novel in your children's magazine?

The last four or five pages...

are reserved for the kids' section.

If it's a short story, we can certainly publish it there.

I'm already writing a short story for the school magazine.

But this is a novel I've been planning for a long time.

If it's written by Vaikom David sir's son...

then even if it's a horror novel,

Manjadi will consider it.

What's the title?

"The Black Hands!"

- Nice. - Teacher!

Aha...

Celebrating your birthday is fine.

But if you don't submit your article by tomorrow,

I'm sending the magazine to the press without it, mind you!

- I'll definitely give it, Teacher. - Alright then.

Neethu...

Happy Birthday!

- This is the first printed copy. - Thank you!

'Devil's Island'

- Teacher, for me! - Wait... wait...

Don't rush!

- I'll call out the names... - I...I want one.

- Sachin, I got it. - I'm fed up with these kids.

- Come! - Hey... Everyone go and sit down!

Didn't you hear what I said? Go and sit.

Did you see my book review?

THE LAST BOOK I READ: DEVIL'S ISLAND - NEETHU CHERIYAN

'A small kid's story'

'Where have you gone?'

Regarding your story, Sachin...

As a first timer, it's definitely a good attempt.

- But... - But??

It doesn't quite have the standard to be published in our school magazine.

Maybe we can publish your next one instead.

Now, that doesn't mean...

that you lack talent,

or that the story itself is bad.

With a little more practice,

you can write very well, Sachin.

Keep trying!

Perseverance is everything.

Pick up your father's books and read them once more.

Learn from the best!

If it's written by Vaikom David sir's son...

then even if it's a horror novel,

Manjadi will consider it.

After all, when Vaikom David sir's son writes something,

it cannot be bad, right?

After all, when Vaikom David sir's son writes something,

it cannot be bad, right?

After all, when Vaikom David sir's son writes something,

it cannot be bad, right?

Son, could you give these to your dad?

These copies of "Devil's Island" have a printing error.

Fortunately, they were only sold from a single book store in Kottayam.

We're going to recall them and get new ones printed.

Alright, then.

Sachin... Here you go!

After all, when Vaikom David sir's son writes something,

it cannot be bad, right?

It doesn't quite have the standard to be published in our school magazine.

After all, when Vaikom David sir's son writes something,

it cannot be bad, right?

Pick up your father's books and read them once more.

After all, when Vaikom David sir's son writes something,

it cannot be bad, right?

It doesn't quite have the standard to be published in our school magazine.

I had given it to Neethu.

'Devil's Island'

Dad, I wrote a novel.

[Thundering clouds]

It's good.

But this isn't horror.

This is pure comedy.

[hapless agony]

[sudden power outage]

It's good.

But this isn't horror.

This is pure comedy.

Teacher!

Should I write a short story or a novel?

[kncoking on the door]

Sachin!

Open the door!

I gave it everything I had.

But I can never match my father's genius.

To live as my father's talentless...

and incompetent son...

I just can't do it anymore.

Well, of course you can't.

Because, you are my son.

Out of the 232 novels I've published, not a single one is actually mine.

I had a lover who took her own life out of heartbreak.

My batchmate from C.M.S. College,

Anuradha!

'ANURADHA'

After the funeral was over,

and her family came to clear things out,

I packed up and sent all her hostel belongings back with them.

Save for a single exception.

The novels she had written.

'THE DETECTIVE ANURAJ MYSTERIES'

She had an incredible knack for terrifying people with her prose.

I published every single one of those novels under my own name.

'THE DETECTIVE DAVID RAJ MYSTERIES'

By the time her manuscripts finally ran dry,

I had accumulated enough wealth and fame...

to hire people to ghost-write for me.

So, I began scouting for destitute literary talents whom I could easily exploit.

Now, the manuscripts I give you

to hand over to Mangalam or Manjadi every evening...

aren't written by me either.

They're actually his.

Peter's.

David Sir...!

What happened?

There's nothing to worry about anymore, David Sir.

We managed to recover eight copies sold from the Kottayam Manjadi Book store.

- How many copies were sold in total? - Ten.

Only two more left to find.

Did your dad take those two to his grave?

Without me even noticing, Peter left me a little parting gift.

In the manuscript of "Devil's Island" that I gave you to send to press,

he named the villain after me,

and named the heroine Anuradha.

Now, if people actually read this,

anyone with a bit of wisdom and maturity...

could piece together my entire life story.

And that was exactly his intention.

But what if the truth comes out?

Have you ever thought about that, Dad?

Who wrote 'Romeo and Juliet'?

William Shakespeare.

"The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet." by Arthur Brookes.

It was based on that poem...

that William Shakespeare...

created his famous masterpiece, "Romeo and Juliet."

Back then, when intellectual property and copyrights didn't exist...

this was common practice.

But in this day and age,

it would be dismissed as plagiarism or cheap copying.

Can you even fathom framing the great William Shakespeare

as a mere plagiarist?

- No. - You can't.

Because... in reality, beyond the art itself,

and surviving across centuries,

what defines his greatness...

is the reputation he has earned.

The fact that their favourite novelist cheated...

is something people simply don't want to believe.

If the creation is good,

they will deify whoever takes credit as the creator.

They don't even like to hear that it was someone else's blood and sweat.

Only the final result matters here.

[phone rings]

- Hello? - Sir!

We've traced one more copy.

That's nine out of ten.

That's not enough.

We need to issue a press release immediately.

"The novel is being withdrawn due to a technical error."

"If the book is returned to any nearby Manjadi book store,

"readers will receive double the amount as a refund."

Understood, sir.

Not a single copy of that novel should remain in circulation.

Okay, sir.

You have a high IQ...

If you put in the effort, you could easily get into an IIT.

You could draw a six-figure salary anywhere in the world...

and live a comfortable life.

Now tell me...

Do you really want this cursed life of mine?

I do.

I want the world to know me.

I want them to admire me.

Just like my dad.

No, scratch that. Not like you.

I want to become even greater than you.

To do that, you needn't struggle this much.

Trust me, the world is full of fools who will happily struggle for you.

What you should strive for,

is not to create your art.

It is to create your value.

Your greatness lies in protecting your own value.

Once you are established as a great man,

even if your past mistakes are one day revealed,

the greatness you have achieved will be your shield.

"Chase reputation... and greatness will follow."

Guard that reputation even to your grave.

Reputation!

That is the only weapon you need.

'The very last copy of "Devil's Island"...'

'that Vaikom David was so desperately searching for,'

'is right here with me.'

'And this is where my story begins.'

Vineeth!

Now do you see how he fell from his bed and broke his arm?

He's always reading horror novels,

or watching some horror film.

And then, he dreams of it and wakes up startled,

falls off the bed, and breaks his arm.

- Correct! - Huh?

- Oh...! - You, keep quiet!

You mess around too, but when the exam results come...

you always manage to score above 90%.

But his case is different.

For the last exam,

he barely managed 55%.

Hey! Come on!

Uncle, will you buy me a Frooti?

Would one be enough?

"Those who believe in the false illusion...

of a beautiful and fragrant life,

should not read this novel!"

Vineeth, when you grow up,

what do you want to be?

You must have an ambition, right?

Doctor...

Doctor, it's not like what my father said.

I didn't fall because I was scared.

Then?

Someone throws me to the ground.

- Who? - I don't know!

But he comes every night.

Have you actually seen him?

Just once!

But...

But?

- He has no head. - What?!

He jumped in front of a train, and committed suicide.

That's what he told me.

Don't be scared, Doctor!

I was just kidding.

- Oh! - I dream every night.

Sometimes I do get a bit frightened.

Sometimes I just lose my balance...

and I end up falling.

This happened the same way.

I'm taking this with me.

You can't do that!

I haven't finished reading it yet.

I won't be able to sleep without knowing its climax.

Is that so?

Then for the time being, you needn't know the climax.

You should be focusing on much more important things now.

You need an aim in life, son.

Decide what it is, by the time

you come back to remove your cast.

Only then will I give this back.

'To find out how "Devil's Island" ends,'

'now I have to wait until this cast comes off.'

'And I have to come up with an "aim" in life too.'

'This was a total betrayal.'

Uncle and I...

will drop you off and head out quickly.

Just make sure you give him his food and medicine on time, okay?

Consider it done, Aunty!

It's not like I have anything better to do anyway!

- Dude? - Yeah?

Shall we go watch a movie?

Mom gave me fifty rupees to buy snacks for the school trip.

As soon as your parents leave,

we'll head straight to the theatre.

[whispering] Which movie?

- "Mummy"? - Just come with me!

The special effects are incredible.

Phew!

Didn't I tell you the special effects would be incredible?

That scene where Imhotep swallows the helicopter...

Oh my god!

The sound was even coming from behind us!

I've found it!

Found what?

Aim!

I didn't get you!

I want to scare people!

I want to terrify everyone using DTS!

[SUNIL VIDEOS]

"Akashaganga" [cult horror film in Malayalam]

- Vineeth! - Suniletta...

Do you have "The Mummy"?

Oh, no, I don't.

I only had two copies...

and both are currently out.

But I have something else for you.

It hasn't even been released in India yet.

In America, it's a bigger hit than "Titanic."

"The Sixth Sense!"

Does this have DTS?

It was recorded from a theatre in America that had DTS,

so it's bound to have it!

[News on TV] Malayalam's beloved writer, Vaikom David, has passed away.

The end came at approximately six o'clock this evening at his own residence.

With over two hundred and fifty...

'This setup isn't good enough at all!'

'I need to equip this house with DTS!'

'I know how to do it.'

Sorry, Grandpa.

I really need to watch this movie.

'Welcome to Madhavan DTS!'

'5.1,'

'Kuttikkanam.'

Wow!

That's quite the setup you've got here!

It's no use, man.

Sunilettan totally ripped me off.

The DTS effect isn't working at all.

Well, that's Sunilettan for you. He's bound to cheat.

It's a great book, Grandpa.

I have no idea why it flopped.

People don't deserve you!

As per my genetics,

I expected a grandson with a scientific temperament like you.

And what did I end up with?

A boy who breaks his arm falling off the bed reading a Vaikom David novel!

"The Sixth Sense"?

Where have I heard that name before?

No, you wouldn't have heard it.

Wait...

Its director is actually a Malayali.

Get out of here! This is a Hollywood movie.

Bruce Willis is the hero.

The hero might be Bruce Willis,

but the director is definitely a Malayali.

Manoj K. Jayan!

It's Manoj Night Shyamalan!

Born in Mahe.

Brought up in Pennsylvania.

Grandpa, you are a genius.

People don't deserve you!

'Grandpa is more than I gave him credit for.'

'He really is a genius.'

'But how on earth did Suji know that?'

[whispering] How do you know this?

Just watching movies isn't enough...

You should try reading the newspaper once in a while.

'Yes, I've found an aim in life.'

'Now, I need to get this cast off and finally read the climax of Devil's Island.'

Try shaking your hand a little.

Does it hurt?

No.

Now, try writing something.

- What should I write? - Anything that comes to your mind.

'Everyone is going to be shocked when they read this.'

'Grandpa will be happy.'

Aim.

I have finally decided on my life's aim.

I want to be a Hollywood director like Manoj Night Shyamalan.

- What? - The book!

'The climax of Devil's Island'

'was nothing like what I had expected.'

'It was pretty terrible.'

'So, that chapter of my life is officially over.'

Dad, will you buy me a video camera?

A video camera will be far too expensive, son.

If you'd like, we can stop by Sunil Videos on the way and rent a cassette.

But Sunilettan said it only costs Rs 27,000.

"Only" Rs 27,000?!

Hey!

If we had Rs 27,000,

we could buy your mother a brand-new washing machine.

- And you want a video camera? - [laughs]

So, did you finish reading it?

I didn't like it one bit.

Stupid "Devil's Island".

When a talented man's treasure,

is snatched away by the talentless one,

he can either console himself by calling it his destiny,

or he can set out... to rewrite that destiny himself.

This is the story of one such man's...

incredibly adventurous and epic journey.

So, did the talented one get the treasure?

No, he didn't get it in the end.

The talented man lost... and the talentless man won.

- What a terrible climax! - That's what!

This is what happens when you carry impossible desires in your heart.

Manoj Night Shyamalan grew up in America.

You grew up in Kuttikkanam.

Listen...

There's no Hollywood here.

In this small state of Kerala, we only have a 'small wood.'

Mollywood!

So, Vineeth...

Just forget about the handycam!

Damn it!

It won't start!

It's time to buy a new car.

- This has been happening frequently now! - Huh!?

Hey, Vineeth!

Get in the car!

Hey!

What is he doing?

"Malayalam's first DTS horror film!"

Fine. Mollywood would do!

I'll make high-class horror films right here in our little Kerala!

Best of the best, in DTS!

After Director Vinayan,

it'll be Vineeth Madhavan!

I'm going to terrify everyone!

'And no one can stop me!'

'Because,'

'God will be with me,'

'always!'

'Mollywood Times'

O Goddess!

O Goddess!

[soundtrack from "Akashaganga"]

Please don't kill me!

O Goddess!

What happened? Did you break it again?

Huh?

No, Dad! All okay!

Then get ready!

Let's go get your mark sheet!

'This is the world.'

'And this is my Orkut profile.'

'I have five friends on Orkut.'

'Dad, Mom,'

'Grandpa, Suji and Sunilettan.'

'I've sent friend requests to M. Night Shyamalan, RGV and Vinayan sir.'

'They haven't accepted them yet.'

'But one day...'

'One day, they will.'

'And then, they'll personally reach out to Vineeth Madhavan.'

'Waiting for that day!'

- Happy? - Maadhavan?

Teacher, there aren't two 'A's in "Madhavan," only one.

- 62%. - Nice!

- You barely passed in Maths. - As usual!

And that's only thanks to the teachers here.

Next year, for the board exams, don't expect such leniency.

You'll definitely fail!

Grab that one too, Bhasietta.

- Dad... look, "Chakrabhoomi." - Oh!

Have you started reading newspapers now?

Hmm... good!

Wait...

Did you see this, Dad?

A Rs 5000 discount on the handycam!

We can get it for Rs 20,000 now.

I've been asking you for five years, Dad.

In the meantime, you bought a new mixer,

a new washing machine,

and you even bought a vacuum cleaner!

The price is really low right now.

Can't you at least buy it for me now?

By this age, M. Night Shyamalan had already made 22 short films, Dad!

I need to start making movies now if I have to be a master filmmaker.

- Vineeth Madhavan? - Yes. It's me!

He passed his tenth grade with a distinction.

So, just sharing the joy!

Sweet Jesus!

If you score above 80% in the upcoming board exams,

I'll take a loan and buy you that handycam.

What?

Wait, really?!

I mean it.

Will he actually pull it off?

'When you want something,'

'the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.'

'Paulo Coelho.'

'Eighty percent!'

Greetings! I am Anand Sudhakaran.

This week, two Malayalam films have hit the screens.

Both are star-driven vehicles, and both are commercial successes.

However... I am disappointed.

Now, don't reach for your stones just yet!

Let me remind you once more,

...film criticism is not about simply echoing public opinion.

If the critics who came before me had done only that...

cinema today would still be nothing more

than the circus-tent gimmicks started by the Lumière Brothers.

If the state of Malayalam cinema is to change...

we need new-age cinema and fresh talents capable

of elevating the audience's aesthetic sensibilities.

Hey!

I'm coming to save Malayalam Cinema!

[Grandpa] So Vineeth Madhavan is going to become a film director, is he?

Yes. So everyone's heard the news, then?

Surviving in the film industry is not so easy.

Genetically speaking, he simply isn't capable of doing it.

[Madhavan] Do you honestly think he'll manage to score 80%, Dad?

He's never going to do that.

I only said that so he'd at least study something under that pretext, Dad.

But what if he does score 80%?

Will you actually take out a loan?

He won't.

Genetically speaking, he just isn't capable of it.

'Grandpa is no more my friend.'

'I'm going to unfriend him.'

'Bye-bye, Grandpa!'

'Just you wait and see.'

"Exam Coacher" "Labour India"...

Yes, let me take this one, too!

"Has he returned?"

"Has the old man arrived?"

"Has he returned?"

"Has the old man arrived?"

"What happened to him? Did it catch fire again and again?"

The moment the results are out,

Dad will reluctantly go to State Bank and take out a loan.

Grandpa will never see it coming.

An unpredictable turn of events...

just like a Manoj Night Shyamalan film.

Then, he'll drive all the way to Kottayam...

buy a brand new 3.5-megapixel Sony handycam from High Range Electronics,

race back up the pass, and hand it over to me.

Dad will be in tears.

Grandpa will be bawling his eyes out.

A total sob fest!

And I will be there to witness it all.

"Has he returned?"

"Has the old man arrived?"

"What happened to him? Did it catch fire again and again?"

- Hey, Maniyan! - Get lost!

Listen, there are no reservation quotas in the tenth grade!

- Suniletta! - The cabins are all full.

Give me your roll number, I'll check and let you know.

Okay!

Hey! Scared you!

Listen, as soon as I get the camera, we're going to shoot a horror short film.

And you'll be the hero.

Me?

It's the middle of the night...

You're bored at home alone, so you call up a friend to play some chess

Hello?

As you wait for him, you start setting up the pieces on chess board.

Just as you finish,

the power goes out.

Suddenly, the doorbell rings!

- Huh? Errr... - What?

If the power is out, how can the bell ring?

Then there's a sudden knock at the door!

You walk through the dark,

open the door,

and welcome your friend inside.

You both start playing chess.

Since it's pitch dark,

there's only the glow of a single candle.

Total darkness!

Just as you call out "Check",

the power suddenly comes back on.

You look up and...

- there's no one sitting across from you. - Whoa!

Just as you start to panic,

the power goes out again.

Suddenly,

you hear the sound of a piece moving on the chessboard.

You look down,

and someone has made a move right in front of you.

Checkmate!

Trembling with fear,

you pick up the candle,

and slowly try to see the person's face.

As you move the candle closer towards him,

it's clear that no one is there!

Right then, there's another knock at the door.

As you take the candle,

and slowly open the door,

there stands your friend smiling at you!

Suddenly, his smile fades.

He looks behind you, paralysed with shock.

He sees in the flickering light of your candle,

standing right behind you,

a headless figure!

Cut! Title card:

"CHEKUTHAN" [DEVIL]

A Vineeth Madhavan Film!

- Whoa! - Huh?!

That's an awesome concept!

Total Ram Gopal Varma style!

That's exactly how I'm planning to shoot it... in complete darkness!

- Nothing but candlelight. - Awesome!

Eighty-eight! Fifty-seven!

- Wait, what? - 88 percent!

And 57 percent!

- That'll be Rs 20. Don't forget to pay. - We will pay.

And there I was, dreaming of becoming a hero in vain.

'So that handycam I dreamed of,'

'I'm never going to get it now.'

'I'm shattered like a beautiful piece of glass.'

Here, Suniletta, 20 Rupees.

I hope everything goes well for you.

What's wrong? Didn't you pass?

Yeah.

3.5 megapixels with Carl Zeiss lens.

Rechargeable batteries and Mini DV tape.

To shoot your short film,

won't this be enough?

- Thank you, Suniletta! - You're welcome!

Six hundred per day.

The tape will cost an extra hundred.

You're not going to finish shooting this in a single day.

But if you do manage it,

you'll become a great director one day.

Back in the day, I.V. Sasi used to wrap up a whole Malayalam film

in just eighteen days.

Six hundred plus a hundred...

Seven hundred total!

- Done. - Okay.

You're the one paying for this.

Wait, what? Me?

88 percent!

Today, your dad will give you anything you ask for.

'Devil'. 'My first masterpiece.'

'Grandpa is too embarrassed to even look at me.'

'Science has failed.'

'Man has triumphed.'

'The power of manifestation!'

'A fitting retort for my Grandpa who doesn't believe in God.'

Wait!

- It needs to be completely dark. - Oh!

I've planned your intro to look like Amitabh Bachchan's intro shot in "Sarkar."

Only half of your face should be visible.

This candlelight is perfect for that.

We need to block out all the outside light completely.

Yes!!

Whoa!

What's wrong? All okay?

I don't know what went wrong.

When I checked it during the day, it seemed perfectly fine.

This is just a handycam.

Your nighttime experiments won't work on this.

But doesn't it have 3.5 megapixels?

It has ONLY 3.5 megapixels.

Even with a tube light on at night, the footage will be full of grains.

And here he is, trying to shoot with a candle!

T...this won't work, Suniletta.

I need a camera that can actually shoot at night.

In that case, you'd need an HD cam.

But you wouldn't be able to operate that.

You'd need an operator, lights... And with the daily allowance for everyone,

it'll cost you around Rs 4,500.

Do you have that kind of money?

- 4500?! - Listen!

Take this back.

Try shooting something in daylight.

The quality will be decent enough.

Think along those lines.

You might actually get better results.

Huh?

Huh?

But who could that be...

Huh?

Ah!

Huh?

Check!

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

Huh?

'DEVIL'

It was really good, son. Very beautiful to watch!

- Hmm. - Right?

Yes. Making a film like this at such a young age,

is not something just anyone can do.

It definitely requires a special talent.

- Yeah. - It's nice, isn't it, Dad?

Ghosts are a grand lie.

Nothing more than human fantasy...

regarding life after death!

I simply cannot bring myself

to enjoy or be frightened by such things.

Sorry!

Good job, son!

Even though it's a short,

you've proven that you can become a director.

That said, don't slack off on your studies!

Oh!

You must take the entrance exams seriously. Got it?

- Come on, let's eat. - Okay!

Son, don't you worry about him.

Whether he studies or not,

simply because we are his parents,

he'll manage to get a seat in some college.

But it's not the same for you.

'He's right... it's not the same for me.'

'But even so, it's wrong to talk about Suji like that.'

'Unlike me,'

'he's actually brilliant at his studies.'

'Even without reservation,'

'he could get admission into any college.'

'But because of his social background,'

'he receives absolutely no appreciation.'

'So, whatever little anyone says about him, is enough to make him happy.'

You were really good.

Even though there weren't any dialogues, your expressions were superb.

'But... for me, that's not enough!'

Dude, we should show this to everyone at school tomorrow.

- No! - Huh?

No one else should see this!

- Why? Everyone liked it! - No!

They were only complimenting my effort.

Not the short film itself!

People should be terrified when they watch my film.

They should be paralysed with shock at the climax.

Did anyone here look shocked?

If this were a scene in an RGV film, what would you have said?

This is not quite at that level, but it's okay.

I want to achieve that level.

Let's do this again.

Dude, is that really necessary?

Nobody is going to call this bad.

It's just going to be a lot of extra work.

Masters aren't born in an instant!

It is constant practice

that makes one an expert in his field.

To achieve a certain level of mastery in any field,

it's estimated that you need at least ten thousand hours of practice.

While we were still playing in the mud,

people like Spielberg and Shyamalan

were already shooting short films on 8mm cameras.

That's because they were born in the U.S.

And we were born in India.

Why wouldn't they be masters then?

I dreamt of being a filmmaker back in 5th grade,

and released my first short film only in 11th grade.

I don't want to be just another filmmaker, Suji!

I want to be the best in my field.

The best horror filmmaker Malayalam Cinema has ever produced!

Let's reshoot!

Vineeth, there will always be obstacles.

One should never be stubborn about perfection.

I will be.

Just finish the shoot somehow with the available facilities and budget!

That is a director's true duty!

For the time being, I'm not fulfilling that duty.

I want an HD camera. No matter what.

- For two days. - In that case, it will cost Rs 9000.

I don't have it here.

I'll have to rent it from Ernakulam.

- Let's rent it. - When?

I need a little time to get the rent ready.

I need to wait for my next Vishu gift money.

Then there's my auto fare until then,

movie tickets, egg puffs, cumin soda...

I'll save money by avoiding all these!

Fine... how much time do you need?

- Hmm? - One week?

Two weeks?

Three weeks?

Four weeks?

'DEVIL'

Cut!

I like it!

'DEVIL'

Will you really shock me?

See for yourself just how shocked you get.

Just for records!

'Judging by the desperate way he's blowing, it's obvious that balloon is going to pop'

'And Sunilettan is going to get shocked.'

'Both will happen at the exact same time.'

'The moment is here.'

'My calculations were completely wrong.'

'The balloon didn't pop, and Sunilettan didn't flinch.'

Don't you worry!

I'm just like this by nature.

I don't get startled all that easily.

I'm simply built this way!

'The one I expected to pop was the white balloon!'

'But the one that actually popped... was the red one!'

'Build-up and misdirection!'

'In other words, diverting the audience's attention.'

Hey, didn't I just watch it?

Try watching it once more!

How is it like this now?

It wasn't like this the first time!

Build-up and misdirection!

- That was missing earlier! - Oh...!!

Now, we need to buy 53 CDs.

We'll burn the copies...

and distribute them in class.

Everyone has to see this.

But... I'm short by Rs 500.

I won't get a single penny from my house.

Don't worry!

Today, my dad will give me whatever I ask for.

- Dad? - Huh?

It felt like watching a proper movie!

You've really improved.

To distribute CDs of this film in my class...

could you give me Rs 500?

I'm not giving you any money.

But the movie is good.

- Right? - It's good.

It's great, isn't it, Dad?

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

'This is...C.K. Parameswaran.'

'Age: seventy-five!'

'A seeker of truth who has read more books and watched more movies'

'than anyone else in the entire universe!'

'And today, watching my film,'

'he dropped dead!'

- He's still breathing! - Let's get him to the hospital.

'Well, he's not dead yet.'

A ghost could appear before him, and the man wouldn't even flinch.

And you put that old man in a coma.

Coma?

You've proven your talent.

Don't bother with entrance exams.

Cinema is where you belong!

Once you complete 12th grade, I'll get you admission for Visual Communication.

It's not like you're going to achieve anything great by studying anyway.

Here...

Here's Rs 1000.

Not fifty...

buy a hundred CDs!

And then...

scare everyone to death!

Teacher...

'I dreamed of becoming a filmmaker back in fifth grade,'

'yet, by the time I finished my very first short film, I was already in twelfth grade.'

'That means...'

'60,000 precious hours of my life...'

'during which I should have perfected my craft through practice...'

'I've wasted them all.'

'But I won't waste any more time.'

Company...

Godfather...

Chekuthan...

[KUTTIKKANAM'S PRIDE, VINEETH MADHAVAN]

'Manoj Night Shyamalan was twenty-eight when he made his first film.'

'RGV was twenty-eight,'

'Scorsese was twenty-five,'

'and Spielberg was twenty-four.'

'Vineeth Madhavan...'

'By the time I finish college,'

'I'll be twenty-one.'

'Give me one more year to write and shoot a feature.'

'Then Vineeth Madhavan will be...'

'twenty-two.'

'The youngest hitmaker of Malayalam cinema'

'Perfect!'

'Masters aren't born in an instant!'

'So, for the next three years,'

'which is twenty-six thousand, two hundred and eighty hours,'

'I will polish and refine myself.'

YAKSHI [Vampire]

'I don't want to be just another filmmaker.'

'I want to be the best!'

Cut

I like it!

- Huh! - Hi, Vineeth.

I have received an offer to act in a Tamil film.

I will become a superstar pretty soon.

Marrying me would be a huge step up for you.

I'm into you.

Sorry!

I'm not interested.

'That was a lie.'

'I was interested.'

'But right now, my focus'

'is on just one thing.'

'Directing my debut feature film at the age of twenty-two!'

'Three years!'

'Three short films!'

'All of them went viral.'

'Orkut is dead, replaced by Facebook.'

'And yet, Grandpa still hasn't woken up.'

'But if he ever wakes up,'

'the first thing he should see is my apology.'

'Within those three years, just as Hana told me,'

'she conquered Tamil cinema and became a superstar.'

'The power of manifestation!'

'I'm done with college, but Suji's still at it.'

'He is studying medicine.'

'He's a top rank holder, too.'

'Yet the brilliant townspeople still claim he got his seat through reservation.'

'As always, that fills him with absolute resentment.'

'Suji is not happy at all.'

Where has Sunilettan disappeared to?

This is the problem with inviting random older uncles.

He's probably stuck in the bathroom reading some film magazine.

Come on, let's just go in.

Man, I can't see a single thing through these glasses!

Should we just take them off for now?

We need to wear it only when we get inside, right?

- Yeah, keep 'em off till we're inside. - Yes!

'MY DEAR KUTTICHATHAN 3D'

- Got it! - What?

My first film.

Mollywood's first monster movie!

An extension of my short film.

But, do you really need a monster?

A feature film is not like a short film.

Wouldn't a normal horror film do? Something the audience here can digest?

Just any movie won't do, Suji.

I want my first film to be remembered forever.

And for that, simply scaring the audience isn't enough.

That fear should create history!

And that history must be celebrated.

'MY DEAR KUTTICHATHAN 3D'

This is the second re-release of 'My Dear Kuttichathan',

which originally came out back in 1984.

So many other 3D films hit the screens after that,

but nobody even remembers them.

First will always be recorded and remembered in history.

One can't achieve anything in life without taking risks, Suji.

I'm a horror filmmaker who put even my rationalist grandfather into a coma!

Malayalam cinema's very first monster film must have my name stamped on it.

Fine, believe whatever you want!

Just stop bragging that your short film is what put Grandpa in a coma!

I still don't buy that.

He is a scientific man!

Huh?

Read!

Read what? Where were you?

Read the back page!

Kazhcha Film Society Short Film Festival, 2011.

Entry Fee - Rs 500.

Read what's written below that.

The winner's debut feature film will be produced

by Kazhcha Film Society, in association with Harris Basheer Group.

Harris Basheer?

Will this actually happen?

Look, kid, Navodaya Appachan isn't going to come knocking on your door

just because he saw the view count on your little short films.

If you want to make it, you're the one who has to go knocking on doors.

Dude...

I don't see a photo of Harris Basheer anywhere.

But he's a big deal.

He has a lot of companies in his name.

So there's a chance this is serious.

Of course!

Shall we send it?

- Send it! - I already sent it.

What!

I sent all four of your short films.

That's why I got late.

Now don't waste any more time, Vineeth.

You need to get the script ready at the earliest.

And it needs to be a hit.

I'll make it a blockbuster!

'MRUGAM' [Animal]

'Hard work.'

'Passion.'

'Talent.'

'If you have these three, you can achieve anything in this world.'

'I have observed five common elements'

'in the successful novels of Vaikom David here in Kerala'

'and the films of Manoj Night Shyamalan over in Hollywood.'

'One,'

'a hero who saves the world from evil.'

'Two,'

'good things happen to good people.'

'Three,'

'emphasis on empathy of humans.'

'Four,'

'everything is connected.'

'Five,'

'a hopeful climax.'

'In short,'

'no matter how much you terrify them,'

'the audience should never lose hope towards life.'

'That is the responsibility of an artist.'

'I will fulfil that responsibility in my film.'

'Mrugam' [Animal] will not just be another movie.'

'It will be a landmark in Malayalam cinema.'

"A day will come, O world, just see"

"When all the world comes chasing me"

"The stars that fill the endless sky"

"I'll forever spin them on my palm held high"

"I'll reach the peak no one has known"

"And burn all sorrow down to bone"

"I'll make time freeze at my command"

"And draw all eyes with just one stand"

"I'll build a kingdom, claim my throne"

"Images will find a voice of their own"

"My Friday will come"

"It will come, it will come"

"My Friday will arrive"

"All my dreams will come alive"

"My Friday will come"

"It will come"

"My future will shine through"

"All my dreams will come true"

"From my village childhood, I dreamed of distant cities"

"I stitched wings to cross those endless distances"

"I whispered for a boon into God's own ear"

"I fought for this one goal I held most dear"

"Welcome to this pitch-dark abode"

"Come witness the visions I unfold"

"Fear is my aim, to shake you to the core"

"An illusion that lights the silver screen galore"

"My Friday will come"

"It will come, it will come"

"My Friday will arrive"

"All my dreams will come alive"

"My Friday will come"

"It will come"

"My future will shine through"

"All my dreams will come true"

- Hello? - Hello?

- Hello? - Hello?

"My Friday will come"

"It will come, it will come"

"My Friday will arrive"

"All my dreams will come alive"

"My Friday will come"

"It will come"

"My future will shine through"

"All my dreams will come true"

Why are there two copies?

I'm taking this one to the Mookambika Temple to get it blessed.

Haven't you already done everything you had to do?

The remaining half is not in our hands, Vineeth.

For that, we need the Goddess's blessings.

And Harris Basheer's, as well.

The short film festival is tomorrow, right?

'RAKSHASAN' [Monster]

Congrats!

- All the best! - Thank you!

'The mastermind behind 'Aakashaganga' and 'Vellinakshatram', the great Vinayan sir'

'will be presenting me with this award.'

'Now, he will definitely accept my friend request.'

'This is the day I've been waiting for my entire life.'

Hi!

Magnificent work, Vineeth!

Without question, it is the best work I've seen at this film festival!

Today, we witnessed highly diverse, creative works from fifteen young talents...

hand-picked from a massive pool of over two hundred applicants.

The name of the best artistic creation chosen by the jury from among them

is written on the slip of paper I'm holding right now.

The reward awaiting the winner

is no mere consolation trophy or cash prize.

It is the title of the director for the first Malayalam film

produced by Kazhcha Film Society in association with Harris Basheer Group!

I will not prolong this further.

So, the best short film award goes to...

the director of 'Chekhov's Gun', Arjun Haridas!

To present the award, I humbly welcome

our very own Vinayan sir.

- Thank you, sir! - Sir is in a hurry.

He will be returning immediately after this award presentation.

Those who wish to take photos may do so outside.

Arjun... a few words?

Oh, no, no, no... No!

Thank you! Thank you!

Second best short film, 'Monster'!

Director, Vineeth Madhavan.

Without any music, relying solely on ambient sound design, he terrified us.

He truly has a style of his own.

Without question, it is the best work I've seen at this film festival!

'I truly believe that my short film is the best.'

'That's exactly what Anand Sudhakaran told me.'

'Is it possible Anand Sudhakaran was just lying?'

'No.'

'The audience clearly loved my film the most.'

'My short film is absolutely the best.'

To present the award, I invite to the stage

renowned film critic,

Mr. Anand Sudhakaran!

You'll face even tougher competition out there in the film industry.

You won't always be able to come first.

Just a second. Just a second.

Sorry... I know I'm interfering,

but I really can't help saying a few words right now.

Sorry... sorry.

To be honest,

I've only watched a handful of classic films.

I don't know if anyone will believe this,

but the very first time I stepped into a theatre to watch a film

was after my tenth-grade exams.

Coming from that kind of family background,

the courage and confidence to make my first short film, 'Chekhov's Gun',

came entirely from Vineeth Madhavan here and his short films.

That's how much...

That's how much he has inspired me!

Since I'm such a big fan,

I even sent him a few messages on Facebook,

but I never got a reply.

But anyway,

being able to stand on this stage at a moment like this,

and winning first prize for my film while competing alongside Vineeth himself...

I truly look at it as my destiny.

So,

I would love to dedicate this award to Vineeth Madhavan himself.

Thank you!

Bye!

Man!

Love you, man!

Sir!

'I still don't get it... instead of giving the award to me,'

'why did they give it to Arjun?'

Don't overthink it.

The awards were definitely rigged from the start.

It has nothing to do with talent.

Everything in this industry is handed out based on connections.

But you were definitely the one who deserved first prize.

So what if I didn't win first prize?

The audience clearly loved my film the most.

You heard the applause, right?

But didn't he walk away with all the applause in the end?

He doesn't look up to you as an inspiration.

And he definitely hasn't sent you a single Facebook message.

But he's got a real way with words.

He knows how to crack jokes.

By calling you, the runner-up, his big inspiration...

and joking about you being the guy who doesn't reply to messages...

he instantly became the underdog...

and painted you as the arrogant one.

For those who know how to wield humour,

there's honestly no weapon more lethal than that.

"The humble underdog rose above the arrogant snob"

That's the narrative he fed the audience.

And it's that underdog who got the final standing ovation.

The audience always roots for the underdog.

Your short film is genuinely good.

You really know how to terrify people.

That's the one thing guys like me just can't seem to pull off.

I'm making a movie based on the novel 'Chithra'.

'Chithra'?

Yeah, I know that one.

It's Vaikom David's novel.

Yes.

Hana Shahjahan is locked in as the heroine.

We're having some issues with the script though.

Hana isn't completely satisfied with it.

Could you take a look at it?

I tried working with a couple of reputed writers in the industry already.

They might turn it into a successful film.

But that's not what I'm looking for.

I want a debut that no one will ever forget, even a hundred years from now.

Greatness!

That's what I'm after!

And only a pure, unadulterated talent like you can deliver that.

I'm ready to provide whatever pay or facilities you demand.

Sorry...

'Chithra' is one of my favourite novels.

But... my priority right now is to make my own movie.

If I push it back, my concept might lose its exclusivity.

Alright then... All the best!

If you ever need any help, you can call me.

- Yeah. - Keep in touch!

- Mm-hmm. - We're already friends on Facebook.

Just search for Sachin Vaikom David.

Huh?

'Meeting Sachin was a blessing in disguise.'

'He cleared up all my confusion.'

'This guy is an absolute phony.'

'Everything happens for a reason.'

'Now I can finally see him for what he is.'

'I can clearly hear every thought passing through his mind.'

'Hey, Vineeth, you loser...'

'I'm the humble one here,'

'and you're just the arrogant prick!'

'Go and make the short film!'

'I'm off to make my movie.'

'He's not Arjun Haridas.'

'He's "Humble" Haridas.'

'And there's no way I'm letting this slide.'

- Hello? Vineeth? - Yeah. Hello, Sachin!

- Vineeth, tell me. All good? - Yeah.

I read the script. It's terrible.

I'll do the rewrite.

But I don't want your money or any perks.

What do you want instead?

Just name it, Vineeth.

You have to produce my debut film.

Deal!

Welcome to Mollywood!

My father bought this British bungalow in Vagamon years ago.

I actually grew up here.

When I said I wanted Hollywood-quality visuals for the film,

it was my cameraman who actually suggested this place.

My film...

It shouldn't feel like a regular Malayalam film, Vineeth.

That level of quality must reflect in the writing too.

We have zero time left.

Hana will arrive on the 20th, as soon as her Tamil film wraps.

The script has to be done and approved by her before that.

I'm facing a lot of pressure from Wox's end.

Come to Vagamon this weekend.

I'll send a car for you.

Finish reworking ten scenes and bring them along when you come.

We can discuss the rest there.

The guy glued to his camera phone? That's our cameraman.

The one in all white... is our Production Controller.

The guy spinning around right now... that's Fayaz.

He's the Regional Head of Wox, and our co-producer.

Has the face of a rat, but the brains of a ruthless fox.

- Is this the new writer? - Yes. Vineeth Madhavan.

He's a short filmmaker.

Can I read what he has written?

Well, he has just started writing.

No!

The full script is ready!

Why did you hand over the full script to Fayaz?

He asked for it, so shouldn't I give it?

Look, you are literally the fourth writer to come on board this project.

Hana hasn't approved a single draft yet.

If this one falls through too...

Fayaz will lose all trust on this project.

Sachin!

I was expecting one or two major corrections.

But now, the entire script has changed!

Where is Hana in all of this?

Wait, what?! Hana's not in it?

It was solely to capture Hana up close and personal with my lens,

that I even walked away from Superstar Swaroop's movie to come here!

This is an absolute betrayal!

Fear of the unknown...

The primal fear... that humans feel toward the dark.

The person standing right next to you.

The pure anxiety of not knowing who that really is...

That was missing in the draft you sent me.

Because, right in the very first scene,

you reveal that the heroine is the ghost.

Plus, you've thrown in a flashback right at the start of the second half.

So, the audience will be prepared.

At that point, all you can really do is startle them with cheap jump scares.

You cannot terrify them.

And our job is to terrify them!

They need to be frozen with fear.

To achieve that, the audience must live in anticipation...

right up until the climax.

Until then, the true form of the ghost must never be revealed.

So...

in this film,

there is no heroine!

Who exactly is making these decisions?

Sachin, I don't have time to waste, and neither do you.

It's solely because we have Hana's dates locked

that the entire business for this film has been finalised.

To change it based on his whims, this isn't some amateur short film.

Okay... forget about Hana for a second.

What about the location then?

Your script takes place... in the city, doesn't it?

How are we supposed to film that up here?

It cannot be shot here.

Sachin, throwing away a Hollywood-level location...

after we finally found it is sheer stupidity.

Mind you!

This story takes place in Trivandrum city.

If we shoot in Trivandrum, it'll just look like any regular Malayalam film.

Sachin's entire vision is about an international aesthetic.

And we can only pull that off over here.

Right in the heart of Trivandrum city...

on a crowded street where people live packed together,

eleven members of a single family

commit mass suicide in one night.

This...

The sheer dread you feel just reading that

is the core selling point of this story.

You can never replicate that in a lonely house on a hill station,

no matter how many people kill themselves here.

We need to root this terror in everyday reality,

making the audience feel like it could actually happen right next door.

That is the USP of this film.

If we force it into this bungalow,

there is absolutely nothing left to this story

than just another typical haunted house movie.

Alright, enough with the art class...

Let me remind you about the actual business.

Sachin Vaikom David is just a title on the producer's credit line next to Wox;

he's not investing a single penny.

Harris Basheer is the one bankrolling everything.

If Hana is out of the picture,

Harris Basheer is out too.

That three- crore deficit?

You'll have to sell your ancestral home to cover it.

So, Sachin, it's a simple choice...

Do you want to keep your family estate...

or do you want his "art"?

I'm convinced about the location and the heroine.

I don't care if I lose my house and my property...

The film that Sachin Vaikom David makes...

will be based on this script.

Are you out of your mind?

I just need one month's time.

I'll arrange the funds on my own.

I'll undertake the financial partnership of this project.

I'll buy out Harris Basheer's three-crore share myself.

Well, if this is how you want to play it,

then this project will no longer have any backing from Wox.

We are terminating our agreement.

You might as well fund the entire six crores yourself.

Sachin, you can't just raise this kind of money overnight.

These things take a lot of time.

I don't care how long it takes.

I'll produce 'Chithra' myself, without making a single compromise.

Years from now, when they look back at the history of Malayalam cinema,

the name Sachin Vaikom David must hold a permanent place in it.

Vineeth,

don't worry.

I'll have everything sorted out within two months.

The moment we wrap production on my film...

I'm going to produce your film!

You have my word.

Vineeth...

It's going to take at least a year

for Sachin to scrape that money together and actually get on set.

Is your own script complete?

Your rewrite is absolutely brilliant!

It's a sure-shot blockbuster.

But if I piss off a massive star like Hana,

who has the highest market value right now,

I'll lose all my credibility in this industry.

As Wox India's first independent Malayalam production,

I'd like to produce your movie, Vineeth.

Are you in?

- And? - And?

And what?

I turned him down.

- Why? - Why?

What else could I do? He was playing a dirty game.

Sachin was the one who brought me into this project in the first place.

For this guy to scrap Sachin's film

and offer me a deal behind his back...

That's just pure backstabbing!

So when is your movie actually going to happen?

Sachin's film will wrap production this year.

And immediately after that, my film will start.

He has given me his word.

To be a good director,

you first need to be a good human being.

Yeah... fair point.

'Vineeth Madhavan!'

'Age, twenty-three!'

'Still the youngest!'

'Still sexy!'

'Within one month,'

'I will have the final draft of 'Chithra' ready.'

'Fayaz was right.'

'Forget one month...'

'It's been an entire year, and Chithra still hasn't gone on floors.'

Make it fast, Chetta.

'Meanwhile, on the flip side...'

'Arjun Haridas has already wrapped his film,'

'and it's gearing up for release.'

'After Party.'

'Sounds like a cheap underwear brand!'

Hey Vineeth, are you busy?

The final edit of my film is ready.

I'm just not able to judge it objectively.

Before I lock the final picture,

I want to get a third party's opinion.

Could you watch it? I'll come over.

What's the genre of the film?

That's a surprise.

It's been two years since I finished writing this script.

Oh...

But it was always missing a solid USP.

I was breaking my head trying to crack it...

and that's when I stumbled onto your short film.

That's when

the idea of adding a monster angle to this narrative...

first struck me.

After that, everything just fell into place.

If the final output has turned out the way I think it has...

this is going to be a completely fresh concept for Malayalam cinema.

- Ready to go? - Is it time?

Yeah, it's time for the flight.

Just a minute, babe. I'm coming.

- Okay. - So...

Just sit back and watch the film in peace.

I'll drop her at the airport and head straight back, okay?

By the way, Vineeth...

I've actually tried to adapt your aesthetics a little in this film.

And for the horror sequences,

your short films were my primary reference point.

You'll see what I mean when you watch it.

Just let me know what you think.

Only then will I be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

I'm expecting one hundred percent honesty from you.

Whether you love it or hate it,

you have to tell me straight.

- Okay? - Yeah.

You have my passport, right?

Yeah, I've got everything.

'I want to scare people!'

'I want to terrify everyone using DTS!'

Cut! Cut!

Got it!

My first film.

Mollywood's first Monster movie!

An extension of my short film.

'First will always be recorded and remembered in history.'

Are you done watching?

How is it?

It doesn't feel like your work.

It looks exactly like something I would direct.

My visualisations,

the cut points,

the colour palette,

the sound treatment without using music,

you ripped off every single thing!

There's no way I can ever make my own film now.

"Yet another filmmaker trying to imitate Arjun Haridas..."

That's the tag that'll be waiting for me down the road.

What are you implying right now?

That I stole your story?

If you had only stolen my story,

it would have been a standard betrayal.

But with this, you've destroyed me.

My dear Vineeth, listen to me!

These things happen all the time...

I wrote this script two years ago.

Adding that monster angle was the only new change I made.

And the fact that I got to make it first...

is just down to my destiny.

It's as simple as that.

I'll say it one more time.

Plagiarism isn't just about the story.

Stealing a filmmaker's signature style...

especially from a debutant who hasn't even made his first feature,

is like murdering him.

I know I can't prove a single word of this in court.

But you should always know what you did.

Hey!

Seriously, Vineeth, what are you...

This movie is going to be a massive blockbuster.

Even if you doubt it, I know it for a fact.

Because the core soul of this film...

originated entirely from my own vision!

It's my conviction!

Congratulations,

and please get out of here!

A debut director completely shaking up Malayalam cinema

with such an incredibly fresh style and sheer craftsmanship,

it's truly unprecedented.

With just a single film,

you could say Arjun Haridas has already established himself as a brand.

[Sachin] Arjun's film was your creation, right?

'MARANAM' [Death]

What is this?

It's a short story from a literary contest my father once organised.

'Chithra' is a good script.

But if we want to beat Arjun,

we need something much more than just a good script.

We need a real USP.

We don't have to use this exact story,

but the kind of USP I'm talking about is right here in these pages.

If you can work your magic on this,

it'll take things to the next level.

And the fund is ready, Vineeth.

If you finish writing this,

we can roll cameras next month.

I'm not reading it.

Vineeth...

If the creation is good,

people will deify

whoever takes credit as the creator.

They will even find reasons to justify it.

Nobody wants to know that it was built on someone else's blood and sweat.

Arjun Haridas, who ripped you off...

Look at where he stands today, and you'll see what I mean.

In the end, the result is all that matters.

'Sachin was right.'

'Arjun Haridas, the one who ripped me off,'

'never faced any backlash for what he did.'

'His career has only skyrocketed.'

'Everything I believed in until now was wrong.'

'But just because of that, I won't cross the line.'

'I will not participate in plagiarising another person's effort.'

[Arjun] Some things are just meant to be.

If you desire something intensely,

the entire universe will conspire to help you get it.

I truly believe in destiny.

Thank God!

'Destiny!'

'Fortune!'

'Fate!'

'If this is what my destiny looks like,'

'then I don't believe in destiny anymore.'

'Nor in the God who supposedly designed it.'

'Just because you desire something intensely...'

'the universe isn't going to look out for you.'

'From now on, my own decisions will forge my fate.'

'Not God!'

'My loyalty to Sachin...'

'That wait cost me an entire year!'

'That's where I went wrong.'

'From now on, my loyalty belongs to no one.'

'I don't trust a single soul anymore.'

'I refuse to ever let myself be exploited again.'

'My own destiny...'

'I will carve it out myself.'

'I will become the youngest and the finest horror filmmaker in Malayalam.'

[Fayaz] Hello?

Sir, if that offer of yours is still open,

I'm ready.

But I have two conditions.

I'm listening.

First...

Apart from me, no one else in the crew gets to read

the full script of my film.

They won't have any access to it.

Only the specific details they absolutely need to know

will be briefed by me personally.

I don't trust anyone anymore.

Second...

From day one of shoot right down to the final cut...

every single decision will be mine alone.

No interference from the studio side.

Okay.

I have Swaroop's dates locked in.

If you have a subject that suits him,

I'm ready to accept all your conditions.

'Everything will be under my control from now on.'

'I'm forging a new identity.'

'The old Vineeth Madhavan is dead. This is someone entirely new.'

'Because everything I believed in until now was a lie.'

[The hero who saves the world from evil.]

'This world is unfair.'

'And from now on, that reality will be reflected in my films too.'

'My destiny is dictated solely by my decisions.'

'That is the truth.'

'That is the only truth that matters.'

'MANUSHYAN' [Human]

That harness snapped during the final shot and I sprained my ankle.

Being stuck on bed rest cost me

the villain role in Mysskin's film.

I've spent every day since then absolutely cursing this film.

But after watching this film,

I only have one thing to say, Vineeth...

At the age of twenty-three,

you have just created a masterpiece.

And thank you for making me a part of it.

This is a game changer.

Once the heat from today's new releases cools down,

we can drop our first look poster on Monday.

Go ahead and lock the edit.

There is nothing left to question.

Sir, the person we sent to check the audience response for 'Chithra' is back.

Could you give us a minute, sir?

One minute, Swaroop.

'Finally, 'Chithra' is releasing today.'

'Apart from some other minor film,'

'there are no other significant releases.'

'Not until my movie drops, anyway.'

What did you think?

It's good!

Good, right?

Yes, it's good.

It's good, dude!

Why are you talking in that tone?

Give it to me straight.

Did you guys get scared?

Yeah, we were terrified.

So you didn't like the story?

No, the story is fantastic.

Then what are you holding back?

There's no issue at all.

Let's just ignore 'God'.

Yeah. Forget 'God'.

God? Which God?

Heard anything about 'God'?

Which God are you guys talking about?

Err...

We couldn't get tickets for 'Chithra'...

so we got in for a movie in an empty theatre right next door.

'Deivam' [God]

We expected it to be some amateur trash...

- but the film is actually good. - Dude, it's just that...

That film is pretty similar to yours.

Don't get stressed.

'Human' is definitely the better film.

I just want to find a quiet corner and cry my eyes out.

'Coincidence!'

'Coincidence!'

'A remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances'

'without apparent casual connection.'

'A.k.a., the mess-ups that happen in our lives for no reason.'

'Because of this coincidence,'

'not only has my film become irrelevant...'

'but Sachin's film, which was guaranteed to be a blockbuster,'

'has turned into an absolute disaster.'

'But 'God' isn't to blame for that.'

'The fault lies entirely with Sachin.'

'He simply doesn't know how to do his job.'

A low-budget Malayalam movie that opened in just 25 theatres

is now playing in 150 screens.

Even Sachin's 'Chithra' couldn't hold its ground against it.

He's quitting films and heading back to Mumbai

to rejoin his old law firm.

So, my film is definitely going to tank.

Vineeth... don't get stressed.

There's no denying the two films have similarities.

But we can easily fix that on the editing table.

This is exactly how many world classics were born.

This is the master access card for Wox Studios.

You can come here whenever you want.

Make whatever changes you feel are necessary.

But at 7 PM the day after tomorrow,

we are releasing the first look poster.

Until we reach a decision on this,

all our promotional work and post-production must be put on hold.

What decision is left to make about this?

Re-shoot!

You think this is funny?

Plenty of films have done re-shoots

because sets collapsed or accidents happened.

We are facing a similar crisis right now.

Can't any of you see the severity of this?

Vineeth...

a re- shoot is completely out of the question!

I'm not putting

a single extra rupee into this project.

You have to trust me on this.

If we go for a re-shoot, I guarantee...

you will benefit from it even more than I will.

What benefit?

If we put this movie out as it stands, it's a guaranteed disaster.

But if we re-shoot, the opposite will happen.

Do you want a five- crore loss,

or spend fifty lakhs more

to pull in a ten-crore profit?

Do me a favour, go grab a smoke from outside.

What percentage of the film needs to be re-shot?

Thirty percent!

Ten days...

More than that, I can't allow--

Hello!

A car accident!

Who was in it?!

"Support me, support me support me from the street"

"Spinning around, spinning around lost my way, at the end of the day"

'My destiny is dictated solely by my decisions.'

'That is the truth.'

'That is the only truth that matters.'

It's been a while since 'After Party' was announced.

- When will it release? - No comments.

Is the film even happening?

- Hello? - Shall I bring the wreath, sir?

Yeah, bring it.

Any update on "After Party", Arjun Chetta?

Please.

'Shouldn't the script be ready before he can give any updates?'

'To get there, he needs my signature style.'

'And he just doesn't have it.'

'Poor Sachin.'

'Once 'Chithra' bombed at the box office,'

'Vaikom David became completely irrelevant.'

'Now he doesn't even get the basic respect his father's legacy used to guarantee him.'

'But none of this bothers me.'

'Because they aren't responsible'

'for the bizarre coincidence of 'Deivam' releasing a week before 'Manushyan','

- 'or for Swaroop's sudden death...' - Car accident.

'or for anything else, for that matter.'

'It is an unknown force on this earth that I just cannot control.'

'It's destiny.'

'So, destiny is my enemy.'

'But...'

'I am not backing down.'

There's no problem at all.

I did a rough charting of the scenes.

Swaroop appears in every single scene of the 30% we need to re-shoot.

We can re-shoot that portion, plus the additional 10% of his balance scenes,

by casting another hero instead.

We will definitely get the exact result I envisioned.

Lucky...!

Congrats!

Your time has finally come.

Vineeth...

You're completely missing the bigger picture here.

We just hit the ultimate jackpot.

You are officially the director of Swaroop's final film now.

[indistinct arguments]

Saw that? Even if the movie is an absolute train wreck,

it'll still become a blockbuster under these conditions.

You're already the director of a hit film, Vineeth.

I won't allow that to happen.

Look, I know...

you have this crazy obsession with this movie.

But...

I will never get a business opportunity this massive ever again.

Sir...

'A guaranteed super hit fell right into your lap, huh?'

Your movie is going to be a super hit

simply because this guy died in a car crash.

But true greatness...

I never managed to achieve it.

And you won't achieve it either.

That much is confirmed.

Rest in peace!

'I don't want a super hit that just falls into my lap like that.'

I won't approve this.

I'm the deciding authority of my film's final cut.

And I refuse to approve it unless we go for the re-shoot.

Are you sure?

Absolutely.

Then go find yourself a lawyer and file a lawsuit,

claiming that we violated the terms and conditions.

You are officially off this picture. Your role here is done.

This isn't child's play, Fayaz.

- This film is my life! - It's nobody's life.

This is just show business, plain and simple.

You need to wrap your head around that first.

'Over my dead body!'

'I refuse to let a story the whole world has already watched...'

'to be released under my name.'

'I have absolutely nothing to do with this film anymore.'

'And I want the whole world to know it.'

[I wish to humbly state that...]

[I have nothing to do with this film anymore.]

- It's Fayaz. - Put it on speaker.

'Vineeth, at least you can call yourself a director right now.'

'If you don't take that post down immediately,'

'your name will be completely wiped out'

'from the history of Malayalam Cinema.'

'There is a dark side to me that you haven't witnessed yet.'

'A side that commands absolute power and authority over this industry!'

'If I decide you're blacklisted in this industry, you are done. End of story!'

'Your only other alternative is to delete that post'

'and re-share it with the caption I'm sending you now.'

'I know...'

'your film won't get the kind of grand reception you had mapped out in your head.'

'But...'

'like I told you before,'

'you've already become a hit filmmaker.'

'I'll produce your next film.'

'You can make it however you want.'

'Some things are simply beyond our control, kid.'

'No one can stop destiny.'

'You only have one choice left.'

'Just accept it as your destiny, and move on.'

'No way in hell am I yielding to fate and walking away!'

'I am the only one who controls my own fate!'

"Greatest of all time"

"Coming for the throne now"

"Defining Mollywood"

"Better than the stalwarts"

"My thought and throat have a killer flow"

"My hope and my scope have a brilliant glow"

"Even if you bury me deep in the dark"

"I'll sprout right back up like a living spark"

"I will not be confined by fate"

"I will not stay behind its gate"

"Even if destiny blocks me, I won't hesitate"

"I don't knock knock the door for a room"

"I go 3-2-1, boom boom Ka-Boom"

"I will rock on my roll, man"

"Moonwalk on my track, man"

"I'll create my own fate, man"

"I will never abandon my dreams"

"Beyond my goal, no salvation gleams"

"Shyamalan, Chris Nolan, Senior Scorsese"

"If my name joins that list one day, That would be pure ecstasy"

"My ethical values will get me there"

"I'll show the world I'm beyond compare"

"I'll shatter the bar set by the Oscars far"

[social media reactions by celebrities against Vineeth Madhavan]

'Reverence'

"A steady mind and iron will, Proper and poised, supreme still"

"Though the age is filled with grief, The soul stands firm beyond belief"

"Along the path of righteous war, Stands one who knows his duty sure"

"A peerless soul that never tires, A man born only for victory's fires"

Honestly, we can't really blame him.

When I saw the final cut of 'Chithra',

I also felt an overwhelming urge to set my own film on fire.

I didn't have the guts to do it.

But he went ahead and actually did it.

Either way,

this officially closes the chapter on Vineeth Madhavan

in the Malayalam film industry.

And...

I'm happy for that.

I'm happy for that. I'm happy for that. I'm happy for that.

Hey, take it easy.

Doctor...

How much time do I have left?

Huh!

Is it blood cancer?

It's nothing that serious at all.

You were admitted because your BP shot up and you passed out.

Who are you?

A man named Fayaz Muhammad has filed a complaint against you

at the Kadavanthra police station.

We've been ordered to arrest you

and bring you before the court at the earliest.

But is this really a criminal case?

No.

It's not physical property that was destroyed here,

but intellectual property.

Their legal team claims the damage is close to three and a half crores.

There's no rush on this right now.

It can wait until the hospital discharges you.

I'll call you. I'll be around.

Vineeth...

It would've been better to have no aim than to end up like this!

"You alone are the blazing star"

"O Fire, fierce and lethal you are"

Cinema isn't the work of one individual.

It's a collaborative art form.

That's the point I really want to emphasise.

In one overnight fit of ego,

Vineeth Madhavan destroyed the dreams, sweat, and hard work

of countless artists and technicians.

"Let rookies come in and make their art"

"Ride on pure luck and break the chart"

"No matter how many enter the game chasing fame, making a name"

[We want to watch "Manushyan"]

"I'm the greatest of all time"

"Even if you throw a thousand schemes my way"

[Vineeth, are you even "Human"?]

"Even if you drag my aura down all day"

"The knowledge of cinema living in me"

"Gives my mind its clarity"

"I've learned to take every blow and woe, I'll cross raging seas and steal the show"

No matter how he tries to justify it,

Vineeth will never find forgiveness in the court of conscience.

Following the deletion of footage from late actor Swaroop's final film, 'Manushyan',

by director Vineeth Madhavan from a studio in Palarivattom...

protests against him are intensifying.

You really had the nerve to delete Swaroopettan's film, huh?

'Under extreme pressure like that,'

'not everybody is actually capable'

'of making the right decisions.'

Reports suggest the Directors' Union and Producers' Association

might issue a joint ban to stop Vineeth Madhavan from ever working again.

One thing is absolutely certain.

If I had been in his position,

I would never have gone to such extremes.

Because...

I went through a lot of struggle

to complete my first film.

What's your take on the ban imposed on Vineeth Madhavan?

'I completely respect the union's decision.'

- Hello? - I'm not afraid of any stupid union ban.

'Those bans only affect people who have to mortgage their houses to produce movies.'

'I don't have to deal with that mess'

'because I'm filthy rich!'

'I'm going to produce your next film, Vineeth.'

- Who are you? - 'That doesn't matter.'

'You are Vineeth Madhavan and that's what matters!'

'The only reason I'm reaching out to you'

'is because I saw your masterpiece.'

- "Manushyan"! - 'When?'

'One hour before you deleted it.'

'I'm impressed.'

'You have some talent, Vineeth.'

'And some amazing skills!'

'Now screw my brains with some ideas!'

Hang up and get lost!

Who was it?

Some nutcase!

Vineeth, look at the absolute mess you've made!

When thousands are out there struggling to make just one movie,

you just went ahead and destroyed yours!

It's good to have ambition.

But don't let it turn into pure greed!

If this is greed, then so be it.

I don't want to be just another filmmaker, Dad.

I want to be the greatest filmmaker India has ever seen!

And I'll go to any lengths to make that happen.

Vineeth, that's all well and good.

But if the association bans you,

you'll never get to direct a Malayalam film ever again!

The association is not going to ban me.

Fayaz says he lost 3.5 crores...

I'll pay him his 3.5 crores!

- Any update on "After Party"? - Please...

Why are there two copies?

I'm taking this one to the Mookambika Temple to get it blessed.

'Even if I never get the chance to turn this script into a movie,'

'today, it's worth my entire career.'

'I will control everything that is within my power to control!'

MRUGAM [Animal]

What is this?

My first film. The one that got shelved because of you!

An entire year of my hard work!

If you rework the script just a little bit,

you can easily get a sequel that is vastly superior to the first part

out of this!

After Party

Part Two!

My signature style...

It won't be easy for you to recreate it.

Plagiarising it would be way easier for you.

Right?

But this comes at a price.

Fayaz, you can take over "After Party"...

My project with an eight-crore pre-sale value, completely for free.

But in exchange, I need just one favour from you.

The union cannot go through with this ban on Vineeth Madhavan.

You must withdraw your complaint.

And if you're willing to offer me a profit share instead of my remuneration,

we can sign a written agreement right away.

Look, I completely understand.

It's not like I don't know the kind of losses you suffered.

I'm literally pulling this project away from Harris Basheer

and handing it over to Fayaz for free.

The kind of loss I'm going to suffer on this is huge.

So don't you ever come chasing me over this matter again.

The outside world must never know that this was your creation.

That is exactly what this NDA is for.

So...

congratulations!

And get the out of here!

Aren't you back at your old job?

No.

I had some outstanding bills and payments to clear first.

I put my trust in people like you and made a movie, didn't I?

Did they ban you?

We worked out a compromise.

Vineeth, we're ready.

Come to the conference room.

How did that happen?!

Harris Basheer produced the first part, right?

- Yes. - Didn't he sign the NOC?

Sir, he's waiting out in the lobby.

He said he'll come sign it.

Should I ask him to come in?

No, it's fine.

I'll go out and meet him myself.

There are some pending payments from his previous film.

Let's not insult him.

So,

since we've settled on a compromise,

shake hands and let's call it a day!

The Malayalam film industry should function like one big family.

Alright then.

Money has to be answered with money.

So, the ban is officially settled.

But nothing between the two of us will ever be settled!

You've been shadow-banned.

An unannounced, unwritten ban.

Don't let their fake smiles fool you.

No producer is ever going to work with you again.

Not a single star will ever act in your movies.

When I chose to trust you back at Sachin's bungalow,

despite the fact that you had zero film background,

I had only one reason for doing it.

Your talent!

But...

your talent didn't earn me a single penny.

So I am sure as hell not letting anyone else profit from it either!

While you become the most despised man in Malayalam cinema,

people who don't have half your talent are going to be celebrated here instead.

You are never making another movie.

Even if you manage to start one, it'll never be completed.

Even if you complete it, it'll never get released.

Even if it gets released, it'll never succeed!

Surviving in the film industry is not so easy.

Genetically speaking, he simply isn't capable of doing it.

'It's only now that I truly understand'

'the seriousness of what Grandpa said that day.'

'When he claimed I didn't have it in my genes,'

'he wasn't referring to my filmmaking capability.'

'He meant I lacked the temperament to survive'

'in an industry completely stripped of any empathy.'

'I've inherited my grandfather's genetics.'

'And my grandfather was an absolute rebel.'

'That exact attitude is what made him a failure.'

'And now, I have failed too.'

'Nothing is in my control anymore.'

'Goodbye, Mollywood!'

'I know you will miss me!'

'Wait!'

'What is that, out in deep space?'

'Something is flying.'

'Is it a bird?'

'Or is it a plane?'

'No!'

'It is indeed a man!'

He's going to make his movie.

It will be completed,

released,

and it will play to packed houses!

I don't give a damn about any union ban.

They only affect people who have to mortgage their houses to produce movies.

I don't have to deal with that crap,

because I am filthy rich!

Your next film...

I'm going to produce it.

Harris Basheer.

Give me the paper. Where do you want me to sign?

I didn't recognise you at first.

There isn't a single photo of you available anywhere.

Amateurs seek the sun and get eaten.

Power stays in the shadows!

Hana wants nothing to do with Arjun anymore,

be it professional or personal.

Go live your life!

My sister wants to talk to you.

'Hana Shahjahan.'

'Harris Basheer's younger sister.'

'My last four movies weren't just regular flops.'

'They were disasters.'

'The likes on my FB profile pics plummeted from 40K down to 4K.'

'Joy Alatt axed me as their brand ambassador'

'and replaced me with Samantha from that housefly movie!'

'"After Party-2" is my only shot at a comeback.'

'But I have zero interest in working with Arjun.'

'Now it all makes sense.'

'Hana didn't become a superstar due to manifestation.'

'It was due to her privilege.'

'He had the guts to break up with me!'

'So I am not going to crawl back and beg him for a comeback.'

'I deserve more!'

'I need a really strong comeback, Vineeth!'

'And I want to make that comeback through your movie.'

'And that film has to become a blockbuster.'

'You should become successful.'

'Nothing will hit Arjun harder than that!'

'Come on, Vineeth.'

'Let's mentally destroy Arjun together!'

[Hana] You should become successful.

Nothing will hit Arjun harder than that!

Now screw my brain with some scary ideas!

'Second chances aren't something that everyone gets in life.'

'So I will make the most of it.'

'My destiny is still within my control.'

'I'm not particularly fond of Hana.'

'But I have to accept this offer.'

'Because I don't have a choice.'

'No one except her will work with me right now.'

'The script of "After Party 2" is your creation as well, isn't it?'

'I'm not going back to a regular job, Vineeth.'

'I don't care if my wife ends up divorcing me over this.'

'I'll sell my house and property to make a film.'

'Greatness...'

'I will absolutely achieve it!'

'This is my vow!'

'Greatness!'

'I am going to achieve it too.'

"The doors will open, truth hits like a stone"

"I'm gonna explode and shake you to the bone"

"Shutting your trash mouths, making you bleed"

"God's got my back, and I'll take the lead"

'A fresh thought that hasn't dawned on anyone else in this world...'

'will take birth in my head.'

'This will be my masterpiece!'

'Writer's block!'

'Forget fresh thoughts,'

'I can't even come up with a terrible one right now!'

Oh Goddess!

'I need a catalyst.'

'I want to get scared.'

'Huh!'

'What's so scary about this movie anyway?'

'Am I missing something?'

'That guy is hiding behind his bag and clutching it in fear!'

'Another guy is playing peek-a-boo behind his own hands!'

'Strange!'

'The entire theatre is terrified by this film,'

'but it doesn't scare me one bit.'

'I am in danger.'

'Looks like it'll take a classic film to actually scare me.'

"Tomorrow in Mollywood's glittering maze"

"I'll be the star of its golden days"

'The classics aren't helping either.'

'All of them are total snooze-fests!'

"A twinkling star, a total wonder, a total surprise"

"Aura at a hundred, an all-in-one rise!"

Sir, could you please hand this over to the next room?

I rang their bell, but nobody is answering.

Okay.

Wait a minute.

Nobody actually lives there.

No, sir. The number is correct. I received the call from there.

Can't you see that the room is locked from outside?

'There is neither God...'

'nor a Devil in this world.'

'But fear is a fact!'

'Fear is the only ultimate truth!'

Thank you! 'This isn't a typical horror movie.'

'But it definitely has a ghost in it.'

'This story revolves around a food delivery boy'

'who exploits the hoax of ghosts for his own selfish gain.'

A movie like this...

has probably never been released in India yet.

"Pizza"

This story is about a food delivery boy

who exploits the hoax of ghosts for his own selfish gain!

Don't worry.

This is just a small, low-budget movie.

Both the director and the hero are newcomers.

Nobody is even going to watch this.

I mean, look around.

The whole hall is empty.

They're lucky we showed up.

"Lightning struck my head and left me in a fix"

"Fear sparked a fire, but I blew out the wicks"

'Karthik Subbaraj!'

'Who the hell is he?'

'Doesn't he go to college anymore?'

I got kicked out of college.

I haven't told my folks yet.

I don't have the guts to tell them.

Some juniors set me up in an old ragging case.

Why? Are you still doubting me?

What have you been doing on this laptop all these days?

Were you watching adult clips?

YUDDHAM [War]

Unpredictable turn of events!

But not like a Manoj Night Shyamalan film!

YUDDHAM

Will you make this into a film?

'No build-up.'

'Only pay-off.'

Because of my ST reservation quota,

no matter what my academic achievements are, nobody gives them any value.

Everyone is just trying to write them off

as mere privileges handed down to the underprivileged!

A success that doesn't rely on any such considerations...

That's the first thing that attracted me to cinema.

Here, it doesn't matter whether you are a Nair or a Cheruman...

If your product is bad, the audience will brutally reject you.

And if it's good, they will accept it.

Cinema is all I want now.

Huh!

This story deals with highly relevant political themes.

Real politics born directly from the circumstances

in which you were born and raised.

It's a powerful combination of slavery and gothic mythology.

And because of that,

it has every chance of becoming a hit and winning critical acclaim.

But once you strip away all the politics and shock value,

as a piece of cinema, this is a worthless piece of trash.

This script is mediocre.

Greatness...

I won't settle for anything less than that.

'Something that would terrify even an atheist...'

'who believes in neither God nor Devil.'

'Something that isn't a ghost or some supernatural force...'

'The one thing every human genuinely dreads!'

'That is exactly what I need to find.'

'Where the hell are you guys?'

'Can't either of you answer your phones?'

My phone was on silent, Uncle.

'Call your mother right now.'

'Your grandpa woke up and he's talking gibberish.'

'Grandpa woke up?!'

[SORRY, GRANDPA]

Had I known you were so faint-hearted,

I would have never shown you my short film.

Please forgive me, Grandpa.

- Grandpa? - She wants you there right away. Call her.

'Would Grandpa have actually seen my "sorry" by now?'

My mom's calling, Uncle.

Your mom looks really stressed.

What happened, Mom?

It's Grandpa. He just went completely still.

Didn't you call the doctor?

We did.

But it's late. It's going to take him a while to reach.

Come in, both of you.

I feel responsible.

Could you step outside for a minute, uncle?

Okay.

Come.

Lock the door.

I think your grandpa is dead.

You "think" so??

I'm 99% certain.

I need you to verify that remaining 1% for me.

Don't look at me like that.

This is my first solo death verification!

What am I supposed to do?

You don't have to do much.

Just check exactly what I tell you.

- It's easy. - Hey, but...

- Huh! - Wear this.

Can you feel a heartbeat?

- No. - Okay.

How about now?

Do you feel a pulse?

No.

Okay.

What about neck pulse?

Neck pulse?

Can you feel any kind of beat?

- No. - Okay.

Huh! That's it?

Not yet. There's one final step.

Yeah!

Check for any movement in his pupils.

The pupillary reflex is the final test.

Even in a paralysed body, flashing bright light triggers a reflex.

Lifeless eyes won't show any reaction at all.

Watch his pupils closely.

Huh!

Huh!

- Grandpa... - Oh no!

I didn't get scared because of your film.

Then what was it that scared you, Grandpa?

Evil dead!

After I die,

my last rites must be performed.

Okay.

My ashes...

must be taken to Rameswaram and immersed there.

Sheesh!

I need to attain salvation.

Huh!

Rather than facing the truth,

it's better to die believing a lie!

Oh no!

Did he just die again?! Oh no!

He's gone.

Didn't I tell you?

Grandpa would never get scared by your short film.

But this man,

who spent his whole life believing in science

died just like any other ordinary person.

That genuinely saddens me.

This man who spent his whole life believing in science

died just like any other ordinary person.

I didn't get scared because of your film.

Then what was it that scared you, Grandpa?

'So, one thing is certain.'

'The truth that Grandpa spent a lifetime seeking...'

'was inside that novel all along.'

'Something that would terrify even an atheist...'

'who believes in neither God nor Devil.'

'Something that isn't a ghost or some supernatural force...'

'The one thing every human genuinely dreads!'

'The true definition of horror!'

'Vaikom David's...'

'Devil's Island!'

'When a treasure earned by a talented man through sheer effort'

'is snatched away by the talentless one,'

he can either console himself by calling it his destiny,

'or he can set out... to rewrite that destiny himself.'

'This is the story of one such man's...'

'incredibly adventurous and epic journey.'

'I finally understand the climax...'

'the one I hated when I first read it.'

'Now, I actually love it.'

'There is nothing in this world more terrifying than the truth.'

'And this story holds that truth.'

'The truth of a man who tried to rewrite his fate and failed.'

'I guess my frontal lobe had to fully develop to finally understand this.'

Found it!

Found what?

Fear!

Huh!

I got scared.

Real, genuine fear.

The novel that terrified my grandpa, a scientific genius!

Want some tea, son?

No.

My first film!

'Now, I have to secure the rights for this novel.'

Phew!

This is way too dark!

If you adapt this into a film,

it'll drain whatever little joy the audience has left in their lives.

Even my script is better than this.

No wonder this novel was withdrawn!

This novel is dangerous to society!

It's dangerous.

Not to society, though...

but to Vaikom David himself!

Huh?

Read the very last page.

"I ghost-wrote fifty novels for Vaikom David, including this one."

K.T. Peter

Huh!

If you approach Sachin for the rights to this novel, he'll kill you.

Nope!

I don't need Sachin to get the rights to this.

[MANJADI PUBLICATIONS]

Hey...

My face is pretty familiar to the media now.

They're going to swarm me with annoying questions if they spot me.

You go inside and find out details about the novel's rights.

Okay.

Dude, he wrote me a check for fifty thousand!

- Fifty thousand? - Yeah, man!

He made me sign an agreement

promising not to utter a single word about this book.

- Wait, where's the book then? - He took it.

- Who? - That guy.

- Which guy? - Hey!

How dare you park right in front of the gate?!

Get lost, boomer!

- Move your car! - Tell me, who was that guy?

- That's him driving off! - Huh!

Stay here. I'll be right back.

'Just like in old Hitchcock films,'

'the hero, spying through a window pane'

'stumbles on to a new plot point from the villains.'

'An exciting twist!'

The last surviving copy of "Devil's Island" in the world!

I never got the chance to give it to David sir.

So I'm handing it over to his son instead.

Thank you, Venu Chetta! Thank you!

Where are you off to? Taking a long trip?

Where are your wife and daughter?

Oh, I forgot to tell you.

I sold this ancestral home to Harris Basheer for two crores.

When she heard that, my wife took our kid,

filed for divorce, and walked out.

All okay?

'Sachin's obsession'

'is spiralling into madness.'

'He is in danger!'

Forget all that.

I read a script that's beyond extraordinary, Venu Chetta.

I immediately paid ten lakhs and blocked it.

Otherwise, it'd have slipped through my fingers.

I have to turn it into a movie somehow.

The budget is six crore rupees.

Sachin, are you okay?

Huh?

- I'm okay, I'm okay! - Alright.

So what if the house is gone, Venu Chetta!

I will make this film by any means necessary.

I don't want to be like my father.

I want to become far greater than he ever was.

Otherwise, I'd rather die.

Even if I have to kill for it,

I must arrange four crore rupees.

Vaikom David...

isn't just some ordinary novelist today.

He's a legend in Malayalam literature.

That reputation he built over years...

must remain exactly as it is.

There should be absolutely nothing in this world...

that damages my father's reputation.

'The last copy of Devil's Island has also been destroyed.'

'So convenient!'

'Eighteen years after its publication,'

'this original thought that no one else could even dream of,'

'now exits...'

'only in my head!'

'To turn this into a movie,'

'I no longer need anyone's permission.'

'I have no intention of defaming the great Vaikom David,'

'or plagiarising his story.'

'All I want...'

'is the truth that terrified me in Devil's Island.'

'And I will turn that into a film.'

'"Nidhi" [Treasure]'

'Screenplay and Direction,'

'Vineeth Madhavan.'

'Story,'

'K.T. Peter.'

'The greatest horror script ever written in Malayalam!'

'My destiny...'

'I am going to rewrite it!'

'And so, the script is complete.'

'Now, we need to start shooting.'

'And since Suji decided that cinema was his calling,'

'he joined me as an assistant director.'

'[Fayaz] I heard you're starting your new film.'

'Get ready to delete that one too.'

'Because this time, no matter how original your idea is...'

'I'll make a film on that exact idea and beat you to theatres.'

'I won't let you have any peace of mind.'

'Take my word for it!'

My film's scri--

No one besides you gets to read it, right?

- Done! - That's not enough.

- Huh? - We need to buy our own printer.

I don't even trust

Xerox shop owners anymore.

Absolutely nobody reads the full script.

The character notes and script notes required for each person...

We'll prepare them ourselves.

Even the producer should only get to read that.

No problem!

If it's a script by Vineeth Madhavan, I don't even need to read it.

All I need to know is one thing,

and one thing only.

Is it scary?

Yes, sir.

Nothing in this world is more terrifying than the truth.

And this script carries that truth.

The truth of a man who tried

to rewrite his destiny, and failed.

Will a climax about a failed man work for the general audience?

In this world, there are far more people who have failed

than those who have succeeded, Hana!

They are the true majority out there.

And those are the exact people my film needs to reach.

And if it reaches them exactly how it should,

this film will be a massive hit.

But, at the same time,

if it's marketed the wrong way,

I can give it to you in writing...

that this film will be a certified flop!

Balls and brains!

You've got to shed at least eight more kilos.

Shit!

This character battles the forest

to survive out in the wild for seven or eight days without food.

I am absolutely not going to compromise on this!

She'll shed those kilos.

She's my sister.

And that's my word!

Hana, that's your last chips!

Vineeth... Baby, look at me.

Now let's make a scary movie!

Yeah.

A sequel that surpasses the original film

is a rare occurrence in cinematic history.

The Godfather Part II and Terminator 2

are probably the first two examples moviegoers think of.

It can be said with certainty that Arjun Haridas,

who redefined the narrative of Malayalam horror with his debut,

has achieved an even greater milestone

with 'After Party - 2'.

But if you observe closely,

you'll find that this film shares numerous similarities

with Vineeth Madhavan's short film, 'Rakshasan'.

'I honestly thought I'd never have to deal with Arjun again in my life.'

'Thanks to this single review,'

'every ounce of his insecurity must have erupted.'

Oh no!

'Now he'll come after me.'

'He'll go to any lengths'

'to sabotage my film.'

If we choose to ignore that,

no word short of 'perfection'

can describe this film's world-class screenplay.

'Thank you, Anand Sudhakaran!'

'Thank you for everything!'

Isn't the shoot still ten days away?

I can easily drop five kilos by then.

Scene One, Shot One, Take 22!

Clap Out!

Action!

- You exhaled! You let your breath out. - Huh?

Cut! Retake!

It's completely obvious on camera.

Can't we just fix that in VFX later?

No!

First class...!

That's enough, Vineeth.

We're already 22 takes deep.

If Hana holds her breath anymore, she's literally going to pass out.

This is the opening shot of the movie.

The anxiety in this dream sequence will work

only if it's a long take.

I need a minimum of 15 seconds.

Take that light out!

Scene One, Shot One, Take 33!

Action!

Cut! Retake!

Scene one, Shot one, Take 43!

- Scene one, Shot one, Take 57! - Action!

- Scene one, Shot one, Take 65! - Action!

- Scene one, Shot one, Take 69! - Cut!

Retake!

Scene one, Shot one, Take 72!

Action!

Cut! Cut! Cut! What is it?

What happened?

Give me the phone.

What's the issue?

Huh?

Ten days break! The rest of the shoot can wait.

- Pack up! - Hana...

Arjun getting engaged is no excuse, Hana!

I have nothing more to say.

I simply can't shoot like this. Sorry!

I don't care about his marriage!

I don't give two flying... about it!

You have nothing to lose, Vineeth.

Think about my image!

My career!

You wouldn't understand any of that, Vineeth.

No one likes you.

I'm not putting myself through this hell just to work on your film.

I've decided to give my dates to Sachin.

Sachin?

Hi, Vineeth! All good?

I read the script for Sachin's new film.

Brilliant!

Sachin wants to shoot me looking exactly like this.

So... if you can't shoot me like this,

I'm going to give my dates to Sachin.

Madam, the latest draft has been emailed to you.

Thanks, Meljo!

You know Meljo, don't you?

He's a writer.

Meljo is the one who wrote "Deivam."

'A film by Sachin,'

'starring Hana Shahjahan,'

'written by the writer of "Deivam",'

'Meljo!'

'Deivam... Meljo...'

'Bad news!'

'Just by looking into his eyes,'

'I can tell his honesty messed him up the exact same way mine ruined me.'

'I can already predict the route'

'his thoughts will take.'

'Coincidence...'

'It's going to happen again.'

'But Sachin had no funds at all.'

'Who suddenly came out of nowhere to back him with four crores?'

Vineeth, you can leave now.

'Come what may,'

'I cannot let this project happen!'

'Fayaz?!'

'Is it Fayaz the one who is funding Sachin?'

'He will stop at nothing to ruin me.'

Vineeth!

Sorry, man!

I read your character note.

I saw it lying around inside the van,

and I couldn't control my curiosity.

And... wow, man!

It's incredible!

I got an absolute high the second I read it.

I know one thing for certain.

If anyone watching this film has any joy left in them,

this film will destroy it!

Don't let anyone else read this script.

Especially Arjun.

He's been snooping around, trying to find out what it's about.

If he gets his hands on it, he'll definitely leak it.

And one more thing...

Sachin's film is actually being funded by Arjun.

'Of course. Who else would pull a stunt like that?'

Sachin was running around desperately hunting for funds,

and Arjun suddenly offered him four crores.

But on one condition...

Hana's dates!

And he'll release the funds only if she shoots this exact month.

'I can't shoot until Hana loses weight.'

'If I don't start shooting, Sachin will snatch Hana's dates.'

'And after that, she'll never do my film...'

'because Meljo's script will give her the comeback she's desperate for.'

'Then I'm of no use to her!'

Hana has no idea about this.

If she did, she'd never act in this movie.

I know what I'm doing is a betrayal.

But honestly...

I just really want to sit in a theatre and watch your film.

'So Arjun's plan'

'is to completely wipe me out of this industry.'

Man, that guy Fayaz is out of his mind!

He said he'll produce my film.

But then he started digging for details about our film.

Wait, did you tell him anything?

The script is safe with me!

Huh!

What happened?

- Huh? - The script is missing!

Shit!

It's lunchtime.

Please head over to the food counters on your left and right.

I only give my opinions on films after analysing them deeply.

And besides...

Oh, come on!

Hey! Where's my script?

I signed over all that shit just like you wanted, didn't I?

So what the hell is your problem now?

Is this guy's crappy review your problem?

Hey!

What happened?

You seem pretty worked up!

Hey, don't worry about it.

He's a friend.

Sir, could you come upstairs?

Let's get some food and talk in private. Come on.

Come, sit down.

Now tell me.

Even after deciding to produce Sachin's film,

what the hell is your vendetta against me

that you had to announce this wedding out of nowhere

and push Hana into depression?

Vineeth, this is Shreya.

- And Shreya, this is Vineeth. - Hi.

Look, why don't we find somewhere private to talk?

Chetta...

Can we take a photo with you, chetta?

Oh, absolutely!

- Happy? - Yes, thank you!

Thank you!

See that?

No matter where I go,

there are so many people who adore me.

If I crack even a simple joke,

they're all ready and waiting to laugh.

At functions like these,

they always reserve a chair for me,

right in the front row.

But despite everything I've achieved...

it's only when I stand in front of you like this...

that I feel insecure.

You fear no one.

You fear nothing!

This obsession of yours...

That's my problem!

Terrified that you'd become successful someday,

I've dragged myself through every single day

in a state of constant anxiety.

I know you won't do anything to me.

In fact, there's nothing you can do to me.

But I'm completely exposed before you.

What I'm thinking... what I'm plotting...

You know everything!

Even when I fake a smile,

you can still hear exactly what I'm saying about you inside my head.

Someone who knows me this well

shouldn't exist in this industry anymore.

Otherwise...

the doubt Anand Sudhakaran felt today...

many more will feel the same tomorrow.

Then, they'll be ready to hear what you have to say.

And that will be the absolute end of me.

Vineeth...

You'll never succeed!

No matter what the hell you do...

I will never let you succeed.

This is enough.

As for your stupid script...

I don't have it.

But trust me, if I did,

I would've leaked it long ago!

Heard me?

The similarity you're noticing now...

didn't you feel it while watching "After Party 1"?

I did.

Then why bring it up only now?

In Part One, he only imitated your signature style.

But in this one,

it extends right down to the content,

which crosses the line.

So, I felt compelled to speak up.

That said, if you make a film tomorrow,

I am never going to support it.

I'll certainly destroy it.

Someone as deeply selfish as you

deserves no recognition!

Just having raw talent

doesn't give anyone the right to just delete a completed movie!

That is nothing but pure selfishness.

A film doesn't belong to just one person.

It's the collaborative effort of many people.

The art of collaboration!

My assistant directors joined three months before the shoot began.

The art director, costumes, and makeup teams came on board

just one month before rolling.

The cameraman joined

ten days before the shoot.

And after we wrapped,

the editor, sound team and VFX teams worked for three months.

The music director spent about two months on it.

Every single one of them

worked on my film with utmost sincerity.

But sir,

none of them have put in the kind of labour I have.

I spent months locked in a room, starved of sleep,

tearing my mind apart,

draining my sanity with endless thoughts,

reaching borderline madness just to write a good script!

Mentally and emotionally drained,

I don't just work on a film

for a few days.

When people finally see my work

that I spent months dreaming about

and agonisingly writing into existence...

all I get is satisfaction.

And as long as I don't get that...

nothing else matters to me, sir.

My own self...

that's important to me, sir.

It is far more important to me than anything else!

Unfortunately,

we live in a world today

where the only way to get recognition

is by pretending to be selfless.

But I have absolutely no intention

of playing along with that facade!

I am selfish.

Accept me for who I am... or don't!

It's easy to preach idealism, Vineeth.

Someday, if you actually manage to finish a film...

I'll listen to the rest of your speech.

'That's right.'

'I have to finish my film.'

'Not to prove anything to him,'

'but for my own sake.'

'I'm running out of time.'

'Now that the script is missing,'

'I need to wrap this shoot and release the movie immediately,'

'before someone uses it to screw me over.'

'There's only one way I can pull this off.'

'I have to tell Hana that Arjun is behind Sachin's film.'

'That'll screw Sachin over.'

My father, Vaikom David,

is a famous underdog who rose from humble beginnings,

very much like Arjun Haridas.

But I, Sachin Vaikom David,

was born into privilege.

For a long time, I tried imitating my father's underdog journey.

That's absolutely impossible.

You can never imitate an underdog.

You must become one!

For that, you have to hit rock bottom first.

You have to build yourself up from there.

If Arjun is backing Sachin's film,

there's no way I'm doing it.

But I'm also done changing my plans based on your every whim.

Vineeth,

I've already made this clear to you.

You have exactly one option left now.

You can take it if you want,

according to my terms and conditions.

Can we make her look slimmer with VFX?

If it's just for a few shots, we can manage it.

But doing it for an entire movie is risky.

- Hey, call the artist. - Okay.

All set. Let's go for a take.

- Where's Hana? - She was right here.

Show me the footage again.

Where's the artist?

Who went to fetch her?

Suji!

Hey...

there's a problem.

I don't have time for problems! Where is the artist?

Dude, you have to listen to me.

My parents went to my college

and found out that I got expelled.

Vineeth...

There's a problem.

What the hell is the problem now?

Hana is missing.

Missing?

What the hell!

So gross!

I know that you're producing this film

only because Hana is in it.

But, if the shoot has to move forward,

I only have one option left.

We'll have to replace Hana!

Hello!

Renowned director Arjun Haridas

and actress Hana Shahjahan have tied the knot.

Following a long-term relationship,

the two got married today at the Thrikkakara Registrar Office.

Let's hear from them directly.

We've been in a relationship since we did "After Party."

But then, we had a small misunderstanding.

And all of you know exactly what went down during that phase.

Actually,

they say you only realise the value of true love

when someone else steps into your life, right?

The grain of rice with my name on it...

found its way to me.

You're currently shooting Vineeth Madhavan's movie, right?

- Yes. - So, now that you're married,

do you plan to continue your acting career?

Definitely.

But it won't be in Vineeth Madhavan's film.

I'd rather go to the Tamil industry and get beaten up by Pala...

than deal with a Vineeth Madhavan movie.

According to Vineeth, someone as "fat" as me

isn't apt for the role in his film.

Vineeth Madhavan isn't just obsessive,

he's fat-phobic too.

What triggered this sudden register marriage?

- Err... Okay... Thank you! - Thank you!

Good luck making your film now, Vineeth!

Go die yourself!

I was dead wrong about Arjun.

I actually produced his debut film.

He is a textbook definition of a wolf in sheep's clothing!

He manipulated Hana into doing her last four films...

and every one of them bombed miserably.

Now she's powerless.

And I think

he may have even orchestrated those failures on purpose,

to gain control over her.

He can't stand anyone becoming more powerful than him.

Hana is blinded by love!

So trying to talk sense into her now, is a waste of time.

She will realise it soon and divorce him.

I'll wait for that!

But your movie cannot wait, Vineeth.

What the hell did he think?

That if he just went ahead and married her,

he could sabotage your film?

Rascal!

I'll produce your film with a brand new heroine,

and turn it into a massive success.

Nothing would hit Arjun

harder than that!

Cast a new heroine.

Let's...

rule!

Scene one, Shot one, Take two!

Action!

Cut it!

Take okay.

Break!

'[Fayaz] Good morning, Vineeth.'

'I've got some good news.'

'The official announcement for my next film is dropping.'

'"War," directed by'

'Sujith Raj V.'

'Honestly, I don't even know if your best friend knows filmmaking.'

'But with a good associate director and a solid editor,'

'I'll finish this film.'

'And I'm going to release it on the exact same day as yours!'

'Let that sink in.'

Hey...

My folks found out about the expulsion,

and it blew up into a massive issue.

I had to go back home.

They told me...

not to continue my studies.

When it finally came down to me taking over Dad's shop,

I didn't give it another thought.

I called Fayaz.

Instead of Sachin, I am the one directing Hana's next film.

Now that Arjun has married Hana,

he doesn't need Sachin anymore to halt your movie.

So, giving Hana's dates to me,

Arjun decided to direct Meljo's script himself.

So Sachin is out of that film.

At first, even I found it hard to believe.

But it's actually happening.

I won't be part of this film anymore.

They liked my story.

Our shoot starts immediately.

Did you rework the script?

Someone like me...

will never get an opportunity like this again.

It's for this exact moment

that I've put in all my effort till now.

I just can't afford to waste any more time.

Vineeth Madhavan,

why should the audience watch your film?

Give us one reason.

My film is the greatest horror film ever made in Malayalam cinema.

You're really that confident?

I am confident.

Are you worried about how audiences will react?

Not in the slightest.

They're going to love my film.

The reason you deleted your debut feature is still a mystery.

Looking back at all that public backlash,

how do you feel today?

No comments.

Do you feel any sense of guilt?

I'm the one who gets to decide my own destiny.

Nobody else.

So, will you rewrite your destiny with this movie, Vineeth?

YUDDHAM [WAR]

Hello, Suniletta.

His film's posters are everywhere!

But there isn't a single poster for your film in sight.

Isn't your film really releasing the day after tomorrow?

'It's almost as if there's a quiet sabotage happening behind the scenes.'

'Everyone in the industry'

'has shared the poster and trailer of Suji's film.'

'My movie has gone under without a trace.'

'On top of that, there are rage-bait articles actively targeting me!'

[My film is the best film in Malayalam so far - Vineeth Madhavan]

[hateful comments flooding the feed]

It would have been better if you hadn't uploaded that interview at all!

I just need to know one thing.

Who is behind this? Fayaz or Arjun?

NIDHI [Treasure]

What?

What are you guys trying to do?

Sit down, Vineeth.

Not a single soul will step into the theatre after seeing this poster!

Who authorised these designs without my approval?

Give us a minute.

Vineeth...

I manage at least ten film productions a year.

Half of them

are shot with the sole purpose of becoming commercial hits.

Whether they turn out to be hits or flops just depends on their luck.

But the other half...

has a different purpose!

Harris Basheer Group's annual profit is roughly 500 crores.

About 30 percent of that goes straight to the government as tax.

That means 150 crores in tax alone from his profits.

Since Harris Basheer Group's last two films were blockbusters,

there's additional tax liability.

This is exactly where

a film's financial loss becomes a blessing for them.

So, they find a script that needs heavy VFX and elaborate sets,

spend 10 crores, but show it on paper as a 35-crore big-budget film.

Then they intentionally ensure it tanks

by doing no promotions at all.

And then they declare the full 35-crore budget

as a loss.

So from Harris Basheer Group's total revenue,

they only have to pay tax after deducting those 35 crores.

So, the higher the loss,

the lower the tax.

Vineeth, your film won't get any publicity at all.

You won't get good theatres.

You won't even get a decent show count.

This film was destined to die before it was even born!

There's nothing you can do about it on your own.

Sorry, Vineeth.

None of this was part of my plan.

Honestly, I was trying to help Hana.

That was my sole intention.

The moment you said you wanted to replace Hana,

I seriously considered shelving this project.

But you know, I'm a good businessman.

Didn't you tell me that if it's marketed the wrong way,

this film will be a certified flop?

That statement was my greatest assurance.

No one has ever told me anything with such confidence!

Once everything is over,

I have a very special reward waiting for you!

'My film releases tomorrow.'

'Normally,'

'any director would be losing sleep out of sheer anxiety.'

'But I don't feel any kind of stress.'

'Because...'

'my destiny...'

'is no longer in my control.'

'My film...'

'isn't just one of the best Malayalam horror films.'

'It IS the absolute best horror film!'

'This is my promise!'

'Come...'

'Experience it...'

'And be terrified!'

I just dropped by to wish you all the best.

I don't know if you're aware...

Arjun has hijacked my film.

The same man who gave me a second life

has now snatched it right back.

When I ran completely out of options,

my wife was the only one who came back.

So, I packed up...

all of my grand dreams...

and used whatever money I had left...

to buy back my Dad's house and property.

It's incredibly tough to survive in this world

cursing yourself for all your bad decisions and shattered dreams.

"Your eyes will see it all, don't blink away"

It's going to take you a long time...

to accept the reality of being a failure.

"The tides of time will join your path that day"

Alright then.

We will meet again in Losers' Paradise!

"Your world will find its way to you tonight"

"Right by your heart..."

Today, I've finally accepted something

I never ever wanted to acknowledge in my life.

That I'm a failure!

"This life will not wane, it keeps moving forward again"

There's quite a crowd!

They're not here for my film.

"A magic wonder, shining bright, Where silence speaks into the night"

Are you Vineeth's parents?

Yes.

I'm Harris Basheer, the producer.

Oh!

Oh, please sit. Please sit. Let's talk after the show.

Okay.

Son, the producer is here.

I just came to make sure nobody actually showed up.

Now I'm relieved.

'I'll make time freeze at my command.'

'And draw all eyes with just one stand.'

'I'll build a kingdom, claim my throne.'

'Images will find a voice of their own.'

'Fear is my aim,'

'to shake you to the core.'

'An illusion that lights the silver screen galore.'

Huh!

What a movie, man! I got really scared!

[indistinct chatter]

Hey...

It's really good!

I was terrified!

- It's good, right? - Yeah, it is.

My heart nearly stopped.

I think my heart actually stopped!

What on earth have you made, man?

Right, Madhavetta?

But the public is never going to see this film, Dad.

- Says who? - Yeah.

- Let's ask the producer. - Yes.

Did you like the film, son?

Son...

- Harris Ikka? - Chetta!

- Mr. Producer? - Are you asleep, Chetta?

Huh!

Oh no!

'This is Harris Basheer.'

'Age 40.'

'Physically fit.'

'The biggest corporate con man on the face of the earth!'

'And today, he dropped dead watching my movie.'

Prominent businessman

and owner of 'Harris Basheer Group', Harris Basheer,

has passed away following a heart attack.

In a shocking turn of events, noted businessman...

Famous businessman and owner of 'Harris Basheer Group', Harris Basheer,

has passed away following a cardiac arrest.

Reports suggest that several viewers in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur

also became unwell after watching the film.

Viewers are calling "Nidhi" one of the scariest films ever made.

Several theatres have now deployed standby ambulance services.

Ashwin, who was admitted to Thrissur Medical College

after collapsing inside the theatre, joins us now.

Ashwin, can you hear us?

Are you feeling okay now?

Err... we've just lost Ashwin.

[Harris Basheer] 'I'm checking out too.'

'But this is not a goodbye.'

'I will not leave you, Vineeth Madhavan!'

'I will come back and haunt you!'

'I'll make high-class horror films right here in our little Kerala!'

'Best of the best in DTS!'

'I'm going to terrify everyone!'

Scare everyone to death!

I don't want to be just another filmmaker, Suji.

I want to be the best in my field!

And for that, simply scaring the audience isn't enough.

That fear must become history!

'And that history must be celebrated.'

It's a hit.

It's not a hit.

It's a blockbuster!

'Devil's Island'?!

- It's too late to do anything now. - Huh?

[Sachin] 'So now, I am truly alone...'

'in losers' paradise.'

'There's nobody left here with me.'

'Alone.'

'But...'

'whether I choose to stay in this hell...'

'is my choice and mine alone.'

Cheers!

[phone rings]

Hello?

Do you remember the review

I wrote for our school magazine's Malayalam section that year?

[The last book I read: Devil's Island]

No one is going to believe a single word he says after this.

The reputation he just earned from this current success...

will be utterly obliterated by this.

The moment this becomes public, he'll be branded as nothing but a thief.

Success without reputation is of no use.

Reputation!

That is the only weapon you need.

Filmmaker Sachin Vaikom David,

son of the legendary late novelist Vaikom David,

has level led serious plagiarism allegations

against Director Vineeth Madhavan!

Every piece of evidence I have

is right here in front of your eyes.

Sachin alleges that the film 'Nidhi' is a scene-by-scene copy

of Devil's Island, a novel penned by his late father years ago.

'Anyone who actually reads that novel will understand'

'that I've adapted only its core truth into my film.'

Vineeth registered this story

under the fake name K.T. Peter to evade any legal backlash.

'But I have no way to prove it.'

'There isn't a single copy of Devil's Island left in existence.'

You want Meljo's script back, I suppose?

Yes. I want to make it into a movie.

You have to produce it.

Vineeth's film is essentially about

a hack stealing a treasure a talented man worked hard to find.

When it turns out that very story is someone else's creation,

isn't Vineeth the real thief who stole the treasure here?

Life imitates art.

Art imitates life.

Stealing from someone is easy.

But the struggle of the one who actually discovered it...

can only be understood by someone who has lived it.

MAHAAN [Legend]

'With that, I didn't become a legend,'

'and no one sang praises for my film.'

'Today, I'm just Vineeth Madhavan.'

'I've been trying to write again.'

'But I'm just so exhausted.'

'My mind is totally blank.'

'Nothing's coming to me.'

'I can't even bring myself to write a single line.'

- Hello? - I watched your film, Vineeth.

'Without a doubt,'

'it's the finest movie to come out this year.'

'But "War" will sweep the awards this year.'

'Sujith Raj comes from a very humble, struggling background.'

Oh.

'I felt he was the one who deserved my support.'

- So I backed him. - Okay.

'But I'm giving you an award too.'

'Best debut director.'

Okay.

'Make sure you come and receive it.'

Thank you, Govind.

Who doesn't love to dream?

For gifting that wonderful song

to Malayalis who love to dream, thank you!

Let's move on.

Indus Star Finance presents

12th Chakrabhumi Film Awards,

powered by Nila Rice and Grains.

The Best Director award goes to...

Sujith Raj V,

for "War".

See?

Mediocrity is the new greatness.

You know...

I didn't make some masterpiece.

It only passes as great...

because of my background.

Even here, the applause wasn't for the work I did.

It was for my identity.

I would've been better off studying medicine.

This film industry is nothing like what I imagined.

Next, the Best Debut Director award goes to...

Vineeth Madhavan!

'Pin-drop silence.'

'Not even a murmur from the audience,'

'let alone applause!'

'They despise me that much.'

While you become the most despised man in Malayalam cinema,

people who don't have half your talent are going to be celebrated here instead.

Understood?

Vineeth...

a few words, please.

"Greatest of all time"

"Coming for the throne now"

"Defining Mollywood"

"Better than the stalwarts"

"My thought and throat have a killer flow"

"My hope and scope have a brilliant glow"

"Even if you bury me deep in the dark"

"I'll sprout right back up like a living spark"

My esteemed producer...

who unfortunately died of a fatal heart attack after watching my film,

the man who funded this project solely to launder his black money...

the late, prominent industrialist,

Harris Basheer.

The man who gave me my first break in this industry...

the son of that legendary literary icon

Vaikom David, who never penned a single line of his 232 novels,

Sachin Vaikom David.

The producer of my unreleased film,

which I myself deleted

when he tried to exploit Swaroop's fans just to line his own pockets.

Mr. Fayaz Ahmed.

The one who imitated my identity

that I earned over years through my short films

and made the blockbuster "After Party"

and the industry hit "After Party-2" using my own script.

Arjun Haridas.

Thanks...

to all of you!

Everything I said here is the truth.

But you, the audience,

won't believe a single word of it,

because...

you only hear what you like.

You only see what you like.

So, yeah...

Likeability!

Unfortunately,

since my personal likeability

is far lower than the people I just accused,

you wouldn't want to believe what I'm saying,

even if I'm proven right.

Simply because you don't like me.

That's the only truth.

So finally,

the hack didn't manage to steal

the treasure earned by the talented through sheer effort.

However...

they made the world believe he was never worthy of that treasure!

'But...'

'I'm not going to sit back...'

'and accept this as my destiny.'

'I'll keep setting out to rewrite my own destiny.'

"O you who graze through this world of illusion"

"O you who behold each age in succession"

"To travel the endless distance before, O seekers of the inner fire evermore"

"O you who graze through this world of illusion"

"O you who behold each age in succession"

"To travel the endless distance before, O seekers of the inner fire evermore"

"A steady mind and iron will, Proper and poised, supreme still"

"Though the age is filled with grief, The soul stands firm beyond belief"

"Along the path of righteous war, Stands one who knows his duty sure"

"A peerless soul that never tires, A man born only for victory's fires"

'I'll keep setting out to rewrite my own destiny.'

"Let rookies come in and make their art"

"Ride on pure luck and break the chart"

"No matter how many enter the game chasing fame, making a name"

"I'm the Greatest Of All Time"

"Even if you throw a thousand schemes my way"

"Even if you drag my aura down all day"

"The knowledge of cinema living in me"

"Gives my mind its clarity"

"I've learned to take every blow and woe, I'll cross raging seas and steal the show"

Vineeth is nothing like the directors I've worked with so far.

He is a visionary filmmaker.

He is more mature than many senior directors.

To be honest, it's excruciating to work with him!

In all my years of experience, no director has pushed me this hard.

He'll keep shooting

until he gets what he wants,

even if we end up with broken limbs.

I'm so grateful to be a part of his film.

Thank God!

[Harris] 'Karma is for real.'

'Vineeth Madhavan has lost.'

'The world doesn't operate the way he thinks it does.'

'People like us control everything.'

'And yet, there are things that happen completely at random in this life.'

'For example...'

The mystery surrounding superstar Swaroop's fatal accident has taken a deeper turn.

CCTV footage recovered from the scene now reveals that

the crash happened when a middle-aged man dropped a matchstick

while trying to light a beedi and bent down to pick it up.

'That middle-aged man is none other than'

'Varkeychayan, who runs 'Varkey's Catering' in Kuttikkanam.'

'But Varkeychayan has another name.'

- Peter! - 'K.T. Peter!'

'The true author of 'Devil's Island'!'

- Found it! - Found what?

The novel that terrified my grandpa, a scientific genius!

Want some tea, son?

- No, thanks. - My first film!

'Thrilled to hear that his novel was being turned into a movie,'

'he snatched the script from a sleeping Suji on the shooting set,'

'with no ulterior motive other than to read it.'

'But before he could read a single line,'

'the beedi K.T. Peter enjoyed smoking in the middle of the road'

'ended up betraying him!'

'So, in short,'

'nothing happens according to our plans.'

'Nothing is truly in our control.'

'Everything is random.'

'It all comes down to luck.'

'And luck has no sense of justice!'

Vineeth's case is truly unfortunate.

Despite being an underdog,

despite coming from humble beginnings,

despite struggling so much,

and despite possessing undeniable talent,

he still couldn't reach the place he dreamed of.

Sad reality!

"Lightning struck my head and left me in a fix"

"Fear sparked a fire, but I blew out the wicks"

"Fate tried to park me, but I kept my stride"

"I rewrote the story and blew minds nationwide"

"Lightning struck my head and left me in a fix"

"Fear sparked a fire, but I blew out the wicks"

"Fate tried to park me, but I kept my stride"

"I rewrote the story and blew minds nationwide"

"Tomorrow in Mollywood's glittering maze"

"I'll be the star of its golden days"

"A twinkling star, a total wonder, a total surprise"

"Aura at a hundred, an all-in-one rise!"

"Tomorrow in Mollywood's glittering maze"

"I'll be the star of its golden days"

"A twinkling star, a total wonder, a total surprise"

"Aura at a hundred, an all-in-one rise!"