Year: 1998
Runtime: 129 mins
Language: Malayalam
Director: Shaji Kailas
The Truth deals with an investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) involving the murder of the Chief Minister of Kerala in bomb blast.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of The Truth (1998), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Bharath Patteri, Mammootty, a respected Brahmin astrologer, lends his insight to a police operation aimed at cracking a notorious temple robbery that casts a long shadow over Kerala politics. The scheme centers on the powerful Chief Minister Madhavan, Balachandra Menon a steady hand who launches a hard-line crackdown on corrupt officials. With a crucial by-election looming, Madhavan must keep his grip on the office, while his own party plots to undermine him. In a chance encounter with the CM, Patteri senses a grim omen about Madhavan’s political future and clings to hope that the by-election might be averted, even as the tensions around power and allegiance intensify.
Meanwhile, a mysterious and seductive woman enters the story, meeting an accomplice as they scrutinize the plans for an assassination they intend to execute soon. On the eve of Madhavan’s next election rally, DGP Hariprasad IPS, Murali voices concern about an anonymous threat call, prompting DYSP John, Saikumar, to stay close to Madhavan and provide protection. Yet tragedy strikes: a deadly explosion claims Madhavan, John, and several others on the stage. SP Meena Nambiar, Vani Viswanath, takes charge of the initial inquiry from the debris-strewn scene, her team balancing public spectacle with a painstaking hunt for truth.
With a CCTV fragment recovered from the wreckage, Meena’s investigation circles around the enigmatic killer—a woman who slipped into the venue with a forged reporter pass. Authorities trace her supposed residence and arrest the homeowner and his family, only to discover they were misled by the real culprit. The case looks to stall because the evidence appears muddled and the judge grows restless at the lack of solid leads. The volatile mix of sensationalism and media attention spurs the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), and the case moves to a higher level of scrutiny.
From New Delhi, the SIT arrives led by DIG Bharath, the son of Patteri, setting up a tense dynamic with Meena. As Bharath digs deeper, he faces threats and assassination attempts, even inside the IPS headquarters. He grows convinced that the killer is not a lone female operator but a more complex, inside job within the police and political circles. The photograph of the killer proves to be a decoy, and the team learns the real target is male, a clue that shifts the entire investigation. By manufacturing a male version of the suspect’s image and publicizing it, they close in on the truth and apprehend the killer’s accomplice, only to discover Bose is already dead, leaving the case with more questions than answers. A prior misstep in a similar attempt hints at a broader conspiracy at play.
As the investigation deepens, Bharath uncovers a web of motive: John had been unraveling an explosion at a fireworks factory connected to a powerful explosive license holder, Poozhimattom Thomachan, a political heavyweight with far-reaching influence. Thomachan’s operations appear to fuel terrorist activities, and John’s findings threaten to expose a wider racket. In this tangled plot, Madhavan’s murder serves as a distraction to cover up the more extensive crimes at hand, and the team discovers a fearsome pattern of corruption that extends beyond the surface.
The most startling revelation arrives when the puppet master and the silent partner behind the explosive deals emerge: Hariprasad, the DGP who had steered the investigation from the start, manipulating evidence and steering outcomes to safeguard the larger conspiracy. Hariprasad’s long game involved several attempts to silence Bharath and to keep the protracted schemes under wraps. The SIT’s final report pins both Hariprasad and Thomachan for their roles in the illegal explosives network, delivering a verdict that mirrors the complexity of a case built on deception, power, and redacted truths. In the aftermath, the SIT returns to Delhi with a promise of advancement for Pothuval, acknowledging his crucial help in untangling a case born from political ambition and personal gain.
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 10:47
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Tense investigations into corrupt systems where the hunter becomes the hunted.If you enjoyed the relentless investigation and pervasive corruption in The Truth, explore more movies like it. This collection features high-tension thrillers about political assassinations, cover-ups, and detectives uncovering dangerous truths within a corrupt system.
Stories typically follow a methodical investigation that begins with a major public crime, like an assassination. As the protagonist digs deeper, they uncover layers of deception, face threats from unseen forces, and realize the conspiracy reaches the highest levels of power, often implicating their own allies.
These films are grouped for their shared focus on exposing systemic corruption, their tense and paranoid tone, and their complex narratives that keep viewers guessing. They deliver a consistent experience of high-stakes, politically charged suspense.
Gritty crime stories where solving the case reveals a profoundly broken system.Fans of The Truth's heavy tone and complex police investigation will find similar movies here. These stories feature detailed procedural elements but often end with a somber or ambiguous feel, highlighting the lasting impact of corruption and crime.
The narrative follows a police or special investigation team working on a high-profile, complex case. The journey is meticulous and demanding, but the conclusion is not a clear victory. Instead, it emphasizes the enduring nature of the problem, leaving characters and viewers with a sense of costly revelation rather than triumph.
Movies in this thread share a methodical pacing, a heavy emotional weight, and a complex narrative structure. They are united by a focus on the procedural details of crime-solving and a tone that is ultimately cynical or bittersweet about the possibility of true justice.
Don't stop at just watching — explore The Truth 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 The Truth is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of The Truth with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Truth. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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