Paappan

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.