EXT. CITY – MORNING – AJAY’S HOUSE – HYDERABAD
Camera pans across a peaceful morning. Birds chirp. Ajay, in his early 30s, is seen lighting an incense stick in front of a small home altar. A framed photo of his recently deceased father hangs above.
AJAY (softly)
(Praying)
Appa… this year’s trip is for you. Bless us.
His phone buzzes. It's KIRAN (Video Call).
KIRAN
Hey traveler! Packed up or not yet?
AJAY
(laughs) Almost. You all better be ready.
KIRAN
Sneha’s already at the station. Ramesh… well, still stuffing idlis into his bag.
EXT. HYDERABAD RAILWAY STATION – LATER THAT DAY
All four friends meet with hugs and excitement. Bags, trekking shoes, and a spiritual vibe surround them.
SNEHA
This is more than a trip. It's a cleansing yatra. I feel it.
RAMESH
Only if there’s biryani at the end of it.
KIRAN
Stop thinking about food for once, da. We’re heading to one of Kerala’s oldest hill temples. No shops. No signal. Just nature and prayers.
AJAY
That’s the point. Detach and reconnect—with the divine.
EXT. TRAIN – MONTAGE
The train chugs through scenic routes. Lush greenery outside.
Devotional songs play softly in the background.
Ramesh takes selfies.
Sneha meditates by the window.
Kiran checks his GPS and route plans.
Text on screen: “Next Stop – Pamba, Kerala”
EXT. PAMBA RIVER GHAT – EVENING
They arrive at a small village near the Pamba River. A gentle temple bell rings from afar.
VILLAGER (OLD MAN)
You going to Shankara Giri Temple?
AJAY
Yes, Swami. We heard it's only a few hours uphill.
VILLAGER
Take the marked trail only. Don’t wander past the banyan grove… even animals don’t go there.
RAMESH
Why? Tigers?
VILLAGER (grinning eerily)
Worse than tigers, child. Lost souls.
Everyone goes quiet. The villager walks away with a chill in the air.
EXT. FOREST TRAIL – NEXT MORNING
They begin their trek early morning. Morning mist lingers. Devotional chants echo faintly.
SNEHA
Do you feel it? Like… the air is watching us?
KIRAN
That’s paranoia. Or altitude sickness.
AJAY
No. She’s right. The air here is… thick.
Suddenly, Ramesh stumbles on a broken milestone.
RAMESH
Ow! Hey... what’s this? [reads] “Pathalapuram – 2 KM”
KIRAN
That's not on the map. Wait… even Google has nothing.
EXT. BANYAN GROVE – MIDDAY
They unknowingly take a wrong turn. A dense banyan tree looms ahead, its roots hanging like serpents.
AJAY
Let’s check this path. Feels older. Might lead faster.
SNEHA
I don’t like this place. Look at the birds—they're all flying away.
RAMESH
Guys… where’s the trail?
They look around—trees now feel closer. The path has disappeared.
EXT. PATHALAPURAM – ABANDONED VILLAGE – AFTERNOON
They arrive at a ghostly village. Crumbling houses, old wooden doors, faint sound of temple bells… but no people.
KIRAN
Did people just vanish?
SNEHA
This place feels like it's stuck in time.
A small, dusty temple lies in the center—locked shut. A crow caws loudly and flies away.
RAMESH
We need to turn back. This isn't right.
AJAY
We’ll rest for 10 minutes. Then find a way back.
INT. ABANDONED HOUSE – EVENING
The group enters a small hut. Dust everywhere. Torn calendar shows year 1974.
SNEHA (whispers)
There’s someone watching us.
Suddenly, a child's laughter echoes from outside.
RAMESH
NOPE. That’s it. I’m out!
They rush outside—nobody there. A swing tied to a tree is gently moving.
EXT. VILLAGE TEMPLE – NIGHT
They try to open the temple door—won’t budge.
KIRAN
I swear I saw a face inside.
Ajay finds an old board in Malayalam etched into a stone:
> “Whoever breaks the ritual shall not return. Complete the chant. Bring light.”
SNEHA (reading softly)
It’s an unfinished ritual…
A deep thump echoes from inside the temple.
