Vandanam 1989

Jailbreak with Raghu

Professor Kurian Fernandez escapes from jail with his cellmate Raghu. Officials scramble to plan a capture after the escape, and they suspect Fernandez will head to Bangalore to meet his daughter Gaadha. The escape sets off a city-wide hunt across state borders.

Police outline a Bangalore target

Authorities quickly draw up multiple contingency plans to trap Fernandez and Raghu after their escape. They believe Fernandez will travel to Bangalore to reconnect with his daughter Gaadha. The focus shifts from a chase to covert surveillance and strategic placement.

Bangalore assignment begins

Unnikrishnan and Purushothaman Nair are dispatched from Kerala to Bangalore to monitor Gaadha covertly. They team up with Peter, a college mate who is now a Karnataka Police inspector, forming a makeshift unit. Purushothaman struggles with Kannada, complicating the operation while the others push ahead.

The stakeout across Gaadha's home

The police set up an apartment opposite Gaadha's residence to keep her under watch. Unnikrishnan and Peter bond over casual diversions while Purushothaman tries to keep focus on the mission. Gaadha and Maggie aunty become part of the observers' circle, unwittingly drawing the investigation closer to her daily life.

Crush and friendship

Unnikrishnan slowly develops a crush on Gaadha and tries to win her attention. He also makes efforts to befriend Maggie aunty as part of the undercover outreach. Over time, Gaadha and Unnikrishnan grow closer, blurring the line between assignment and affection.

Revelation of Fernandez's contact

The police confirm that Fernandez is in the city and making contact with Gaadha. Unnikrishnan decides to use Gaadha as a conduit to reach out to the professor. Gaadha shares details about Fernandez and his past grievances against the authorities.

Fernandez's past revealed

Gaadha recounts Fernandez's history as a once beloved college professor who challenged corruption. His activism against political heavyweights drew powerful enemies within the administration and police. He and a female student Mercy faced brutal retaliation, with Mercy raped and later killed herself after being blamed.

Mercy tragedy and false conviction

The retaliation against Fernandez escalates as authorities manufacture evidence to convict him. Mercy's rape and the ensuing suicide become the spark that fuels Fernandez's thirst for revenge. Unnikrishnan and Gaadha realize the depth of the professor's vendetta.

Opportunity to go abroad

Gaadha secures an opportunity to work abroad, forcing a choice between staying for the case and pursuing her future. She deepens her bond with Unnikrishnan as his affection for her grows. She also meets Unnikrishnan's mother, signaling a possible life together if circumstances permit.

Professor's revenge escalates

Fernandez begins his campaign by killing the sons of the commissioner and the MP, along with a dishonest lawyer who helped falsify evidence. He then plans to bomb the city stadium during a football match. Raghu, unsettled by Fernandez's deteriorating mental state, decides to leave and is killed.

Stadium threat and defusal

The professor plants a bomb in the stadium and the police corner him just before it detonates. Unnikrishnan successfully defuses the device, saving thousands of spectators. News of the incident leaks to the public, triggering chaos and a larger manhunt.

Final confrontation with the professor

In the ensuing chaos, Fernandez escapes briefly and fatally stabs the MP. The police ultimately capture him after a tense pursuit. The city breathes a sigh of relief as order is restored and the threat passes.

Rescue and plan to flee

Unnikrishnan rescues Gaadha from police custody and protects her from continued danger. They decide to leave for Kerala together to marry and build a life away from the cities' turmoil. Circumstances, however, keep them from a decisive reunion right away.