Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Paappan (2022) movie poster

Timeline

Paappan (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 162 mins · Malayalam
Echo score 70
Directed by
Joshiy
Starring
Shammi Thilakan, Ajmal Ameer, Kaniha, Chali Pala, Vijayaraghavan, Sreejith Ravi

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.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (15)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like Paappan
  5. 5 Every angle

15 events in order · contains spoilers

Paappan Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Paappan (2022) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  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.

    When
    Day 1
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 2
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 3
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 3-4
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 4
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 5
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 6-7
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 8
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 9
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 10
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 11
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 12
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 13
    Where
    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.

    When
    Day 14
    Where
    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.

    When
    Three years later
    Where
    Home / Vincy's home

Last updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:22

Was this helpful?

Timeline questions answered

Paappan Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Paappan (2022): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why was Paappan dismissed from the police force?

Paappan was dismissed for fabricating evidence. During his pursuit of Iruttan Chacko, he created a fake dagger to pin the murders on Chacko and secure a death sentence. The deception was uncovered during the trial, leading to his dismissal from service.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in his career, Paappan's obsession with catching Chacko led him to desperate measures.

  • paappan dismissal
  • police corruption
  • iruttan chacko
  • fabricated evidence
Q2

Why does Iruttan Chacko kill Rajan and Soman?

Chacko operates as a serial killer who leaves numbered clues on his victims. He killed Bullet Rajan and CI Soman Nair as part of his killing spree, marking Rajan with number 26 and Soman with number 8. The murders are connected to his broader pattern of targeted executions.

Foreshadowing: The riddle marked on Rajan's toes and the double-edged dagger point to Chacko's signature killing method.

  • iruttan chacko
  • serial killer
  • bullet rajan
  • soman nair
  • murders
Q3

Who is Dr. Sherly Somasundaram really?

Dr. Sherly Somasundaram is actually Bennitta Isaac Puthenpuraykal. Using age-progression technology, Paappan discovers that Bennitta assumed a false identity after faking her death. She became a forensic doctor to hide her true identity while orchestrating her revenge.

Foreshadowing: The old school photo from Pulimala and the mysterious family deaths hint at Bennitta's hidden past.

  • bennitta
  • dr sherly
  • identity reveal
  • age progression
  • pulimala
Q4

Why does Bennitta kill her own family members?

Bennitta killed her family members, Rajan, Jayashankar, Soman, and Fr. Bennet, because they murdered Simon, the man she loved. Her family opposed their relationship and killed Simon on the eve of their arranged marriage in 1996. Bennitta orchestrated their deaths to avenge Simon's murder and expose the truth.

Foreshadowing: The 1996 fixed marriage date of 26 August and the mysterious deaths of Bennitta's parents and brother provide the backstory.

  • bennitta revenge
  • simon murder
  • family killing
  • honour killing
  • pulimala
Q5

What happened to Simon and why was he killed?

Simon was Bennitta's lover whom her family杀死 (killed) in 1996. Simon was accused of stealing a golden cross from the Pulimala church, but the truth is that he was murdered by Bennitta's own family members, Rajan, Jayashankar, Soman, and Fr. Bennet, to prevent their arranged marriage from being disrupted.

Foreshadowing: The missing golden cross and the church records reveal the tragic connection between Simon and Bennitta.

  • simon death
  • bennitta
  • golden cross
  • pulimala church
  • 1996
Q6

Why does Solomon kidnap Vincy?

Solomon, Simon's younger brother, kidnaps Vincy to get revenge on Paappan. After learning that Bennitta orchestrated the murders to expose the truth about Simon's death, Solomon decides to target Paappan's family. He takes Vincy hostage to force Paappan into a dangerous confrontation.

Foreshadowing: The revelation that Solomon is Simon's brother connects the past tragedy to the present-day revenge plot.

  • solomon kidnapping
  • vincy
  • revenge
  • simon brother
  • paappan family
Q7

Why does Paappan kill Solomon in the end?

Paappan kills Solomon during the confrontation at the Pulimala church to save Vincy, who had been kidnapped. Faced with a life-or-death situation where Solomon threatens Vincy's life, Paappan uses Chacko's double-edged dagger to stop Solomon and protect his daughter. He then surrenders to authorities for the killing.

Foreshadowing: The tension builds as Paappan must choose between saving his daughter or capturing Solomon alive.

  • paappan kills solomon
  • vincy rescue
  • surrender
  • justice
  • final confrontation
Q8

What is the significance of the book Rahasya in the investigation?

The book Rahasya, the killer has a past, serves as a crucial clue. Siddharth receives an invitation to its ceremony along with a torn book missing pages 95 and 96. The book points toward Dr. Priya Nalini (Draupadi), whose husband Adv. Jayashankar becomes the killer's target. The missing pages and the ceremony date of August 26 connect to the broader murder mystery.

Foreshadowing: The torn pages and the 26 August date link the present killings to the 1996 tragedy.

  • rahasya book
  • draupadi
  • jayashankar
  • car blast
  • 26 august
Q9

How did Chacko kill Paappan's wife?

Iruttan Chacko murdered Paappan's wife Nancy when she tried to protect him. This personal tragedy occurred during Chacko's original crime spree years before the events of the film. The murder deepened Paappan's vendetta against Chacko and motivated his obsessive pursuit that ultimately led to his dismissal from the force.

Foreshadowing: Paappan's personal connection to Chacko explains his willingness to use illegal methods to secure a conviction.

  • nancy death
  • paappan wife
  • chacko murder
  • personal vendetta
Q10

What is the connection between Paappan and Vincy from childhood?

A devastating twist reveals that a five-year-old Vincy was present during a critical event in Paappan's past. Paappan could not save both Vincy and another person in time, resulting in the child being put at risk. This haunting memory from Paappan's past drives his motivation throughout the film and explains his protective relationship with Vincy.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at a painful memory from Paappan's past that continues to haunt him.

  • vincy childhood
  • paappan past
  • memory
  • rescue failure

Movie threads

More Movies Like Paappan, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Paappan tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Heavy Cold Case Investigations like in Paappan

Haunted investigators reopening old wounds to hunt a long-buried truth. If you liked Paappan, explore more movies about tense cold case investigations. These films often feature a seasoned investigator, a deeply personal connection to the crime, and a fast-paced narrative where reopening the case reveals explosive secrets and moral complexities.

  • tense
  • gripping
  • brooding
  • urgent
  • suspenseful
  • melancholic
  • Tone: tense, brooding
  • Pacing: fast, urgent
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a flawed but determined protagonist, often with a personal link to the case, as they meticulously uncover a web of lies. The investigation is not just procedural; it's a catalyst that resurrects trauma, challenges moral boundaries, and leads to a climax where justice comes at a significant personal cost.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are grouped by their central narrative engine: a high-stakes cold case investigation. They share a tense, brooding tone, fast pacing driven by urgent discoveries, and a heavy emotional weight stemming from the irreversible consequences of past actions.

Movies with Bittersweet Justice like Paappan

Stories where solving the crime brings closure but at a profound personal price. Find movies like Paappan where the pursuit of truth leads to a bittersweet victory. If you enjoyed the complex emotional payoff where justice is served but comes with significant personal loss, these stories of costly redemption and moral reckoning will resonate.

  • bittersweet
  • tense
  • melancholic
  • gripping
  • heavy
  • redemptive
  • Tone: tense, bittersweet
  • Pacing: fast, driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The journey is driven by a protagonist seeking to right a wrong, often tied to their own trauma. The story builds to a resolution where the central conflict is resolved, but the ending is shaded with melancholy. Victory is achieved, but it's tempered by sacrifice, prison time, lost relationships, or the sobering weight of the truth uncovered.

Why they belong together: These films are connected by their emotionally complex conclusions. They blend the satisfaction of a solved mystery with the sorrow of personal cost, creating a poignant and heavy viewing experience. The tone is consistently tense and the emotional weight is heavy, leading to an ending that feels earned but somber.

If you liked this

Movies Like Paappan

Similar movies to Paappan: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Paappan (2022) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Paappan in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app