Nibunan

Nibunan

Year: 2017

Runtime: 137 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Arun Vaidyanathan

ThrillerCrimeAction

A seasoned police officer and his small team find themselves hunting a serial killer whose actions are deeply unsettling. When they discover the identity of the killer's next target, the officer races to track down the assassin, piecing together clues to prevent further violence and bring the perpetrator to justice.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Nibunan (2017)

Trace every key event in Nibunan (2017) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Team tasked with high-profile five-criminal operation

Ranjith Kalidoss, a DSP in CB-CID, is paired with Inspectors Joseph and Vandana to tackle a powerful group of five criminals whose political and economic influence makes them hard to prosecute. His superiors demand a direct, hard-hitting takedown, but Ranjith argues for a riskier, more strategic approach. The assignment sets the tone for a tense, high-stakes investigation that will test the team.

Day 1 CB-CID HQ
2

Haunting doll clue arrives at the station

A parcel lands at the police station containing a small horse doll hanging on a noose, its figure marked with four holes and no other clues. The clue is easy to overlook, yet it surfaces again as the killer’s taunts begin. The team notes the ominous clue while planning the pursuit of the five criminals.

Day 2 Police Station
3

Shivanand disappears and is found murdered

Shivanand, a local communist leader, goes missing and is later discovered in a warehouse, hanging from the ceiling with his face covered by an animal mask. The grisly scene shows the killer’s escalating cruelty and signals a broader deadly pattern. The investigation widens to connect these murders to the earlier case files.

Day 4 Warehouse
4

Ranjith is diagnosed with Parkinson's disease

Ranjith receives a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, a condition that slows his reflexes and dampens his usual efficiency. The news strains his personal happiness and threatens his professional effectiveness. The team must adapt to his changing abilities as the case grows more dangerous.

Week 2 Clinic/Home
5

Killer taunts by killing and clues

The killer continues to taunt the team by sending clues while killing Vishnu, a lawyer, and Dr. Ramya, a pathologist. Each murder sharpens the sense of danger around the investigation. Ranjith trails a clue toward the killer, but his tremors hinder progress at a critical moment.

A few days after Shivanand's discovery Various locations
6

Ranjith is slowed by tremors and the killer escapes

Despite following a key lead, Ranjith's Parkinson's symptoms slow him down just as he closes in on the suspect. The killer knocks him out and escapes, leaving the team frustrated and more determined. The personal risk to Ranjith deepens the emotional stakes of the pursuit.

Same night City streets / Unspecified location
7

Next target predicted and a dead body found

Back at the station, the team informs Ranjith of a dead body in one building, but Ranjith already senses and describes what they will find. He concludes that he himself is the killer’s next target, heightening the urgency of the investigation. The scene marks a turning point in his self-deduction and resolve.

Same day CB-CID Office
8

Old case connection: Emmanuel family

Ranjith reopens a case from years earlier involving Emmanuel and his wife, a wealthy architect couple, and their missing caretaker Mariadas. He spots anomalies—like a new golf club—that tie the past to present killings. The investigation leads to a confession about Catherine and Mariadas, revealing a deadly family secret that ends in suicides.

Days later Old case location / Emmanuel's house
9

The past murder revealed and suicides occur

Emmanuel and his wife confess the truth behind Catherine’s death and Mariadas’s murder, explaining Catherine’s puberty-triggered distress. In a final twist, the couple hang themselves after the confession. Dr. Ramya handles Catherine’s autopsy as the prosecutor prepares for court, confirming the gravity of the case.

Same timeframe as the confession Emmanuel's house / Pathology lab
10

Christopher surfaces as the prime suspect

The investigation points toward Emmanuel’s nephew Christopher, who has motive, means, and pharmaceutical knowledge. Immigration checks confirm his recent arrival in India, raising his profile as a potential serial killer. Meanwhile, anticipation grows as the team closes in on further connections.

Days after confession Immigration office / Christopher's residence
11

A cop is killed while investigating Christopher

A cop is dispatched to Christopher’s residence to gather evidence but is killed before he can report back, escalating the danger and complicating the case. The team realizes Christopher is a dangerous and possibly trapped target. Tension peaks as the hunt intensifies.

Shortly after immigration check Christopher's House
12

Ranjith confronts Christopher at the warehouse

Ranjith leaves the hospital to confront Christopher at a warehouse. He finds Joseph and Vandana on the floor with nooses around their necks during a tense confrontation. After a long struggle, Ranjith overpowers Christopher and hangs him, transforming the warehouse into a dramatic showdown scene.

Climax Warehouse
13

Christopher declared a victim by the press

As reporters converge on the warehouse, Ranjith tells them that Christopher is another victim of the serial killer, shifting public perception. The press captures the moment, adding gravity to the revelation. The line between killer and victim becomes a central twist of the investigation.

Climax Warehouse
14

Ranjith's final plan revealed and executed

A few days later, Joseph and Vandana confront Ranjith about why he did not inform the press that Christopher was the serial killer. He reveals his overarching plan: kill the five criminals and frame the serial killer as the culprit. The plan succeeds, presenting a chilling twist on justice and vengeance.

Post-climax Ranjith's House / Press

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 13:06

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