Andha Naal

On 11 October 1943, Japanese forces bombard Madras, throwing the city into wartime chaos. This backdrop of danger frames Rajan's life and the upcoming investigation.

The next morning, Rajan is found shot dead in his own house, apparently by his own handgun. Neighbour Chinnaiya Pillai heard the gunshot and informs the police, triggering the investigation.

Purushothaman Naidu arrives to head the inquiry and is soon joined by CID Officer Sivanandam. Together they begin questioning relatives and friends around Rajan's house to uncover the truth.

Naidu suggests the killer might be a thief seeking Rajan's money, but the bank passbook with a matched withdrawal undermines that theory. Sivanandam remains unconvinced, sensing a deeper motive behind the murder.

Rajan's wife Usha is the first to be questioned, but she is grief-stricken and largely unable to speak. Her emotional state makes it difficult for the investigators to glean reliable information at first.

Chinnaiya Pillai points to Pattabi, Rajan's younger brother, arguing a family dispute over property may have driven him to violence. He recalls a confrontation where Pattabi demanded a share Rajan refused, adding tension to the case.

Pattabi is questioned and shows remorse for how he treated his brother. He recounts the earlier property quarrel with Hema and hints that she could have killed Rajan for money when anger took over.

Hema is interrogated and reveals Rajan's extramarital affair with Ambujam, who is pregnant with his child. Hema suggests Ambujam could have killed Rajan, given the volatile dynamics around the pregnancy.

Ambujam accuses Chinnaiya of murdering Rajan, saying he grew frustrated and wanted her to stay away. She explains their complicated relationship and how Chinnaiya's control and anger could have led to violence.

During questioning, Usha recounts how she and Rajan fell in love. Sivanandam also demonstrates a trick by asking her to press a leaky fountain pen to collect fingerprints.

In a staged exercise, suspects are asked to shoot Rajan with revolvers loaded with fake bullets. Chinnaiya, Pattabi, and Hema comply and shoot as instructed, while Usha hesitates and breaks down.

Sivanandam explains Rajan's past as a radio engineer who turned spy, selling India's military secrets to Japan. Usha reveals she tried to reform him but ultimately fired the gun, albeit accidentally, and is left devastated.

Sivanandam reveals that Usha's fingerprints match those found on Rajan's boots, linking her to the crime. When Usha returns to Rajan's room to fetch papers, a moment of silence is followed by a gunshot, and Sivanandam cries out her name.