Paappan

Paappan

Year: 2022

Runtime: 162 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Joshiy

Echo Score: 70
ActionDrama

Abraham Mathew Mathan aka Paappan, a voluntarily retired S.P. from the Crime Branch who is unwillingly reinstated to the force for investigating a long-standing murder case.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Paappan yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – Paappan (2022)

Trace every key event in Paappan (2022) 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

Discovery of Ravi Varman's corpse

The corpse of Ravi Varman is found in the Pulimala forest, triggering an urgent police response. The Kerala Police, led by ASP Vincy Abraham, launches a full investigation and zeroes in on Ravi's driver Bullet Rajan due to his criminal history. They also learn Ravi is missing, suggesting a staged crime or further danger.

Day 1 Pulimala forest
2

Postmortem clues and Ravi's affair

During the postmortem, investigators determine Rajan was murdered in a way that mimics a heart attack. The evidence also shows female prints in Ravi's car alongside Ravi's and Rajan's, hinting at involvement beyond a simple accident. Ravi admits to an affair with actress Hiranmayi, complicating motives.

Day 2 Forensic lab / hospital
3

Rajan's farmhouse lead and a killer identified

Rajan had dropped Ravi and Rajan at his farmhouse and then left to meet someone in Pulimala. He is shocked by news of his own death when it breaks. A riddle marked 26 on Rajan's toes and a double-edged Bull's eye dagger point to Iruttan Chacko, a recently released criminal, as the killer.

Day 3 Rajan's farmhouse / Pulimala
4

Paappan re-enters the investigation

Former CI Paappan, dismissed years earlier for fabricating evidence, is unofficially asked by SP Bhaskar Shenoy to investigate alongside Vincy. This marks his reluctant reentry into the case and sets up a contested mentor-mentee dynamic. The team begins connecting dots that members of the police once trusted may be involved.

Day 3-4 Police Station / On the case
5

Soman is murdered in Trivandrum

The next morning, CI Soman's corpse is found in Trivandrum, killed in the same manner as Rajan. The killer has numbered the victim with an 8 on Soman, reinforcing a serial pattern. The investigators start tying Soman's death to the larger chain of killings led by Chacko.

Day 4 Trivandrum
6

Chacko revealed as the serial killer

It is revealed that Iruttan Chacko is the serial killer Paappan pursued during his service. Chacko had previously murdered Paappan's wife Nancy when she tried to save him, deepening Paappan's personal vendetta. The investigation pivots to extracting Chacko's location and motive.

Day 5 Unspecified / linked to prison
7

Dagger crisis and Paappan's downfall

The famous dagger used by Chacko goes missing amid the investigation, prompting Paappan to fabricate a new dagger to pin the murders on Chacko. The ploy is discovered during the trial, resulting in Paappan's dismissal from service. The court pronounces severe consequences for the scheme.

Day 6-7 Court / Police Station
8

A stranger at Sherly's house and suspicions widen

A stranger sneaks into forensic doctor Sherly Somasundaram's house, prompting Vincy to suspect Chacko. Through footage, Vincy learns Paappan had met Chacko in prison, fueling suspicions that Paappan may have arranged the killings. The investigation expands to the possibility of a larger conspiracy.

Day 8 Sherly's house
9

Press meet to trap the killer

Paappan advises Bhaskar to hold a press conference falsely naming Chacko as the killer to provoke the real killer into revealing themselves. Bhaskar goes ahead with the press meet, and the case is prematurely closed under false pretenses. The strategy creates new tensions and misleads the police.

Day 9 Press conference venue
10

Rahasya ceremony and a new target

Siddharth receives an invitation to a book ceremony for Rahasya and a torn page hints at a date 26 August. The investigators zero in Dr Priya Nalini, known as Draupadi, only to learn her husband Adv. Jayashankar becomes the killer's target and is killed in a car explosion during the ceremony. The twist shifts attention to new suspects.

Day 10 Ceremony location
11

Old Pulimala past connects Simon and Bennitta

Paappan, using an old Pulimala school photo, traces Simon who was accused of absconding after stealing a golden cross. He uncovers Bennitta Issac's past, including a fixed marriage on 26 August 1996 and mysterious family deaths. The search ties the present murders to a long buried history.

Day 11 Pulimala / local church records
12

Bennitta revealed and Sherly's true identity

Sherly Somasundaram is revealed to be Bennitta through age progression, and Bennitta's family crimes are revealed. Bennitta admits she secretly killed her family as retribution and recounts the backstory of Simon's death. Paappan interrogates Bennitta and confirms the truth behind the honour killings.

Day 12 Interrogation room
13

Solomon's involvement and Vincy's kidnapping

Paappan learns that Solomon, Bennitta's brother, also colluded with Bennitta. Solomon abducts Vincy and tries to force Paappan into a trap. Paappan tracks Solomon to the Pulimala church and engages him in a tense confrontation.

Day 13 Pulimala church
14

Final confrontation and Paappan's surrender

In the confrontation, Paappan kills Solomon with Chacko's double-headed dagger to save his children and Vincy. He then surrenders to the authorities for the killing. The act closes the major chase but leaves Paappan facing justice.

Day 14 Pulimala church vicinity
15

Three years later: release and reunion

Three years later, Paappan is released from prison and reunites with Vincy and his family. The family appears to have found a fragile but hopeful peace after the long battle. The resolution frames Paappan's legacy and the cost of his devotion.

Three years later Home / Vincy's home

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:22

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of Paappan

Don't stop at just watching — explore Paappan in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Paappan is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Paappan Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Paappan, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Paappan Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in Paappan

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Paappan. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Paappan

Paappan Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Paappan that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Paappan Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Paappan

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Paappan: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Paappan

Similar Movies to Paappan

Discover movies like Paappan that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.