Eko: What is Peeyoos’ backstory, was he behind the mysterious deaths in Sandeep Pradeep’s thriller?

The latest Malayalam thriller Eko, penned by writer-DOP Bahul Ramesh, continues to spark discussions as viewers seek to decode all the mysteries that the film apparently left unresolved. A riveting mystery thriller, Eko centres around the enigmatic Kuriachan (Saurabh Sachdeva), who goes into hiding after a crime is committed. Years later, the youth Peeyoos (Sandeep Pradeep) turns up to take care of his wife Mlaathi Chettathi (Biana Momin) in the hilltop. If you are wondering who exactly Peeyoos is and how he connects to the mystery, OTTplay breaks down the plot for you… Read on if you have already watched the film Eko, streaming on Netflix.

Who is Peeyoos in the Eko movie?

In the Dinjith Ayyathan directorial, Peeyoos is introduced as a young lad entrusted to take care of the elderly Mlaathi Chettathi, the wife of Kuriachan. A skilled dog breeder, Kuriachan, went into hiding after getting involved in a stabbing case, six years ago, and is yet to resurface, even as cops and his enemies try to track him down. But several of his enemies met with mysterious deaths, including his friend-turned-foe Mohan Pothan. But Peeyoos turned up at Mlaathi Chettathi’s house only six months ago, while Kuriachan has been hiding for years. So why did Peeyoos turn up now and how is he connected to the deaths?

Breaking down Eko's mysterious plot

The film, third part in Bahul Ramesh’s Animal trilogy, looks at themes of master-slavery which extends beyond the obedient dogs that Kuriachan had trained for surveillance and protection.

Amid the pursuit of Kuriachan, it is revealed that Peeyoos is not who he claimed himself to be. The youth, now revealed to be Manikandan, intercepted the message for the real Peeyoos and took his place. Manikandan was left orphaned when he was just six years old after his parents killed themselves in a dynamite explosion. It was Kuriachan who took care of him, ‘trained him’ to be loyal and it was eventually over the stabbing case that Manikandan committed which forced Kuriachan into hiding.

Manikandan was probably waiting for an update on Kuriachan, and when he did not return even after a long period, the youth went looking for his ‘master’. In this dogged pursuit, Manikandan also kept an eye on his master’s enemies and eliminated them along the way. While some died in car accidents after the brake failed, some others drowned in rivers, and yet certain others were found dead with their wrists cut.

There is a beastly power in the lanky Manikandan and a fierce loyalty, akin to the dogs that Kuriachan trained, making the youth the perfect ‘breed’ which Kuriachan was on the lookout for.

Also read: Eko is yet another validation that filmmakers do not have to be insecure: Bahul Ramesh | Exclusive

He relentlessly follows every possible lead, including Mohan Pothan, but learns from him that Kuriachan could be hiding in the caves with dogs guarding him. Within hours of Pothan making this statement, he too is pushed off the cliff by the dogs. Though he is shocked to witness the 'perfect' murder, Manikandan is convinced that Kuriachan is in the area, and decides to pretend to be Peeyoos and take his place to keep a close watch.

What happened in the Eko climax?

However, in the climax, it is revealed that Kuriachan went into hiding on his own accord, but was imprisoned in the hideout after his own dogs turned against him. The canines shift their allegiance to Mlaathi Chettathi, who takes revenge on her husband for cheating her years ago and upending her life in Malaysia. Though Manikandan eliminates the cops, he realises that he cannot get past the dogs to reach Kuriachan or harm Mlaathi Chettathi in any way. Thus, with a delayed yet poetic justice for Mlaathi Chettathi, Eko wraps up its tale.

Also read: Eko: Why Sandeep Pradeep’s Malayalam thriller is also a feminist film, Bahul Ramesh explains 

Eko follows the thriller film Kishakindha Kaandam and the series Kerala Crime Files Season 2 to complete Bahul Ramesh’s Animal trilogy.

Eko movie FAQs

Q. Who killed Kuriachan in Eko?

A. Kuriachan has not been killed in the movie Eko, but has been trapped in his hideout as he is unable to step out as dogs guard the place.

Q. Is Eko a scary movie?

A. Eko is not scary, but the Malayalam mystery thriller promises a gripping watch.

Q. Is Eko a trilogy?

A. Yes, Eko is part of writer Bahul Ramesh's Animal trilogy, following the film Kishakindha Kaandam and the series Kerala Crime Files Season 2.