Khaakiyin Vettai is a 2018 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by debutant Shaji Padoor and written by Haneef Adeni. The film stars Mammootty and Anson Paul in the lead roles, and Kaniha, Tarushi, Renji Panicker, Yog Japee and Kalabhavan Shajon in pivotal roles. Shot in Ernakulam, principal photography began on 5 January 2018 and ended in March. Gopi Sundar scores music to the film and editing is handled by Mahesh Narayan. The film was released on 16 June 2018.
There is a series of murders involving 8 victims. ASP Derick Abraham, after another person is killed, figures out that the serial killer is a hard-line Christian, using the killer’s note, and those being targeted are atheists. He captures the killer: Brother (Christian) Simon of the local seminary. Bro. Simon tells him he will definitely reach his target of 10 people. When Derick leaves and comes back, Bro.Simon is found dead with a slash on his throat and a knife in his hand, presuming he committed suicide, revealing the tenth person was himself. Derick is suspended due to this.
His family consists of only his younger brother Philip Abraham, who is a training as a sharp shooter. Their parents died in a car accident when they were young. Philip is later accused of killing his girlfriend Aleena while drunk, and is severely beaten up by Derick’s senior officer, Narayana Sethupathi. Derick is forced to arrest his beloved brother as the evidence is against him. Philip pleads that he’s innocent and has been trapped. Unable to cope with his brother’s arrest, Derick becomes a drunkard.
Meanwhile at the jail, Phillip starts to hate him and vows to kill Derick once he’s released. Dinesh, the jail warden, hears this and tells him he can assist with the escape to settle his personal score with Derick. The latter had once arrested Dinesh’s and Narayana’s sons in a kidnapping case. Narayana’s son kills himself before being arrested, so these two have a grudge against Derick. Philip, with the help of Dinesh and Narayana, later escapes prison.
Philip’s close friend Nisam meets Derick and discloses the events that occurred on the night of the murder of Philip’s girlfriend. On that night, Philip was with Nisam and two of his other friends, Arun and Salman. He was intoxicated and fell asleep. Aleena called to meet him at the beach but Arun answered the phone and reached the place with the others instead. They physically assault her and she was killed in the process. Derick, on realizing this, now wants to convince the police department that Phillip is innocent. However, the next day Nisam kills himself.
Philip, in the meanwhile, attempts to kill Derick in a supermarket but fails. Derick finds Arun and Salman at a car wash and tells them to surrender but they refuse and fight him instead. The child of Derick’s ex-girlfriend, Diana, is kidnapped and despite her hatred towards Derick, is forced to seek his help and he accepts. To avoid any harm to her, the ransom money of Rs. 100 million is arranged and Derick goes with the police keeping a safe distance. The kidnappers are shown to reach the place and take the money but they don’t release the kid. The police follow and catch them, but on inquiring and learns that they were paid to be the decoy. CI Sukumaran, who was Derick’s close acquaintance, tells Diana, Dinesh, Narayana and SP Shahul Hameed, the head of the investigation, that all this is part of a plan by Derick and Philip. It was their plan to escape prison in the first place, make the others believe that there was hatred between them and kill Arun and Salman: the real culprits. Derick wanted to get Philip out of the country for his safety and secure his life, with the help of Issac, so the ransom amount was used for this purpose. However, all this was done without leaving any evidence.
Derick emotionally bids farewell to Phillip as he leaves. At the police station, DYSP Johnny mocks Derick for his suspension three years ago. However, it’s revealed that Derick actually killed Brother Simon and cleared up the evidence.
Directed by Shaji Padoor
Written by Haneef Adeni
Produced by TL George & Joby George
Starring Mammootty, Anson Paul, Kaniha, Tarushi
Cinematography Alby
Edited by Mahesh Narayan
Music by Gopi Sundar & Serin Francis
Production Goodwill Entertainments
Distributed by Goodwill Entertainments
Release date 16 June 2018
Running time 131 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil
