Dridam (ദൃഢം)

Yes, uncle.

Where did you reach?

Just past Mundaykkal.

From now on… it'll take about two hours to reach.

The station you're going to take charge of

is in a trouble-free area.

It's the best place to start your career.

The ASI who worked with me during my service is there,

Krishnan, a smart guy.

Okay.

Uncle, to be honest,

I was really stressed when I got the posting order.

I did some research about this place and the station.

That's good.

Just don't underestimate your colleagues

thinking they're regular policemen.

They're all very experienced.

You have to make use of that.

But don't coddle them too much either.

That's where you should be smart.

And don't get too friendly or drink with them.

Keep your respect.

Oh uncle, I don't drink anyway.

Uff! My boy!

Don't try that good-boy act with me.

Alright, call me when you get there.

-Okay? -Okay, uncle.

WELCOME TO KUZHINILAM

Bro, where'a the police station?

Go this way, turn to the left.

It leads straight to the station.

Okay. Thank you.

Inspector?

Inspector isn't here. What's the matter?

I'm the new SI coming to take charge. My name is Vijay.

Oh, sorry sir. I didn't know.

-Isn't Krishnan here? -He's inside sir, I'll call him.

You may go. Please come.

Sir.

He's handsome!

Shut up!

Sir, how do you know my name?

Retired D.Y.S.P Rajeev Kumar is my uncle. He told me about you.

He's like a mentor to me.

Come inside, sir.

Sir,

this is Balan,

-Hello sir -He's a senior constable

He's been at this station for 6 years.

Balan is from Kottayam.

Satyan…

Sir, this is Satyan. He's a local guy.

Satyan, how long have you been here?

Three years.

-Sir, this is Bibeesh -Sir.

He's been in service for 5 years, right?

Yes. I've been here for the past 2 years, sir.

Where's Bibish from?

Pathanamthitta, Adoor.

Sir, this is Remya, and this is Vidya.

They joined together and have been here for 2 years now.

Both are from Alappuzha.

Then there's one more guy, sir, Anand.

He's on leave today and tomorrow.

His mother is bedridden.

She has some check-up or something at the hospital.

He's from this locality.

Krishnan, how long have you been here?

I've been here for 3 years, sir.

I have about 4 more years of service left.

I wish to retire at a station in my hometown.

I'm trying to make that happen.

That's good.

Where are you from, Krishnan?

Thiruvananthapuram, Vanchiyoor, do you know it?

Yeah, I've heard of it.

P26 control calling.

-Bibeesh, check it. -Sir.

P26

P26 control calling.

P26 answering, sir.

Take note of P26.

Isn't the inspector here?

No sir, after the old inspector and SI left,

a new posting happened here only after 7 months.

Really?

That's probably because this place has no history of crimes.

Sir, the call was from the control room.

The Finance Minister will pass through the road tomorrow

they asked to clear the road.

Time will be informed later.

Ah! So we'll get to hear all the villagers yelling then!

Sir, your family?

I'm from Palakkad.

At home, it's just my father, mother, and me.

Since there's farming at home, my parents didn't come along.

Krishnan, where's my accommodation?

Sir, we've quarters behind the station.

Balan, Bibeesh, Remya, Vidya, and I are staying there.

Sir, how did you come? -I came by car.

Let the car be here.

We'll take your luggage and go to the quarters. -Okay.

You go with him, I'll bring the key.

Sir, please come.

-Krishnan? -Yes?

Our Vidya has a doubt.

This sir, is he married?

And guess what!

His eldest kid failed the SSLC exam!

Come on!

Krishnan, I have a doubt.

Since there's no inspector here, who do I report to now?

Sir, this is a rural area, so we report to the DySP office.

Then I'll freshen up and come. Shall we go together?

Oh, sure sir.

Balan, is the jeep ready?

Ready, sir. Got a call from the workshop this morning.

-Ah. -What happened to the jeep?

Sir, one of its headlights is broken.

It needs to be replaced.

Come in, sir.

Sir, facilities here are limited.

That's not a problem.

The only problem is,

water availability here is very low in summer.

Usually, water is brought in by tankers and stored.

As for food, there's a hotel nearby.

If needed, they can deliver it here.

For now, I plan to cook myself and see how it goes

If it fails, I'll order from the hotel.

You may go back to the station, I'll freshen up and come.

Okay, sir.

Come.

Sir, he wasn't home yesterday

when you came for the police verification.

That's fine.

Krishnan…

This is regarding yesterday's passport verification.

Ah, send him here.

I'll mark it with a seal.

Sir, here's your tea.

Listen…

Need an extra tea from tomorrow onwards.

The new SI sir has joined.

Alright, sir.

What's your name again?

Midhun Manoharan.

Midhun Manoharan.

-Do you have your Aadhaar card? -Yes, sir.

Sir, banana fritters.

Keep it here.

Are all your cases cleared?

Cases? I don't have any cases against me, sir.

Balan, even though he's a young boy,

he looks sharp in the police uniform.

Yes, yes.

Vidya!

Enough ogling! He's gone inside.

Saji, get us two teas.

One medium, one strong.

Two teas, one medium, one strong!

What's up, Sabu?

Why are you here so early in the morning?

I need to meet the MLA.

I have one or two meetings.

Saji, our station has a new SI.

A young boy.

Really? Did you talk to him?

No, I was just serving everyone tea when he showed up.

A banana fritter please.

Yeah, in a minute.

Sabu, aren't you going to meet the new SI?

Ah, maybe I'll go meet him tomorrow or the day after.

Who's that?

Oh!

They're riding so fast!

That's Madhu's son, right?

I heard he's always high on weed.

He deserves a couple of solid smacks.

One day I'll get my hands on him.

You joined today, right?

Yes, sir. I joined this morning.

This is your first posting in service, isn't it?

Since the inspector hasn't been posted,

-you'll take on the inspector's duties. -Yes, sir.

You be with him and explain everything.

Oh, okay sir.

Okay, Vijay.

-All the best -Thank you, sir.

Sir,

after this bridge, it's Chelakkad station limits.

Ah, so this bridge marks our station boundary.

It's lunchtime.

here's a place on the way that serves great home-cooked food.

-Bibeesh, don't you know it? -Of course.