Original subtitles

'17th October, 1953, Saturday.'

Get in, Raman.

It will rain any minute.

Great thunder!

Yes. - Even God knows to beat drums very well.

Won't getting the 'Chenda' wet ruin your livelihood?

The lives of Kathakali artists like me will never be fruitful.

That is good.

'VANAPRASTHAM'

Father.. Wake up, Father.

Father. Wake up, Father.

Wake up, Father.

Father.. Wake up.

Father, wake up..

Father, wake up.. - Sarada!

Wake up, Father.

I made a mistake.

This 'Chenda' was supposed to be played till it broke

while Kunhikuttan immortalised

the role of 'Poothana' yesterday.

It got damaged due to a mistake I made.

What to do for the performance at Sasthamkotta tomorrow?

I don't have the money to get it repaired.

I find it hard to arrange a spare 'Chenda'.

Kunhikuttan will be shifting to male roles

starting tomorrow.

He plays Nala on the first day.

Is father.. Is father Poothana?

Your father played that role well yesterday.

Who is Lord Krishna then? - You.

Who else will be your father's Lord Krishna?

Sarada!

Poothana's breasts are filled with poison.

Do you want some of it as well?

I have seen a 'Chenda' in the manor.

It is laid to waste in the attic of the outhouse.

I'll take it.

Who told you it is wasting away?

You need lord's consent to take it.

Hey!

What is he saying, Raman?

He says that it can be taken without permission.

That he will take it.

It must not waste away without getting played.

Though it is an instrument, it will find its solace

if someone plays it.

In the outhouse..

Raman made a mistake.

His 'Chenda' is damaged.

I have a performance at Sasthamkotta tomorrow.

How can I do it without the rhythm?

I was saying to Savithri's father that I need the old 'Chenda'

that is wasting away in the attic of the outhouse.

Kindly give it to me.

It's only a matter of acquiring the money for the repairs.

I'll put it back then.

What role are you playing now?

Kunhikuttan is not simply called by his name now, sir.

After his last performance, the people started calling him

'Master Kunhikuttan'.

Where are the keys to the outhouse?

I have them.

Doesn't our school usually start teaching from the origin, Kunju?

Who is playing 'Ravana' at this time?

It is the master.

He is giving a demonstration.

Do the students enact it? - Never.

They have a long way to go in order to reach there.

Narayanan.

Vasudevan.

Pachu.

It's time to go.

Unni.

Sivaraman. - Come on.

Aren't you coming?

Who is he?

Who is this wretch?

He is Kunhikuttan.

Bhageerathi's son, Kunhikuttan.

What?

Oh, God!

Stop!

Why are you crying?

Come. Let's go.

Bhageerathi sent Kunhikuttan to the school

because the master approved of it.

Bhageerathi believes

that if he learns Kathakali, it would alleviate

their poverty.

No.

I can't let him learn the art along with the high-born.

Her physique doesn't suggest

that they endure poverty, Kunju.

After her eldest son died of smallpox

Kunhikuttan is all she has.

She does all the chores

of the manor. If Kunhikuttan starts to learn Kathakali..

Touch the lord's feet.

He doesn't even know how to show respect.

Such a disgrace!

The lord has shown the benevolence to let him learn the art. - Really?

Are you reluctant to teach him?

If yes, please tell me.

I shall do what's necessary for him. - Okay.

He is talented and I really mean it!

Let go of what happened. Don't worry about it.

Here. Have this for lunch.

I shall save the rice for you after it is offered

to the Gods, every day.

"I shall"

"convey"

"your.."

"...will to Arjuna"

"who is on the battlefield."

Oh, God!

Oh! - What happened?

What is it? Did something bite you?

Master once threw a billet at me. It still hurts.

The master himself revealed it to me

that you'll be playing male characters from now.

One should be fortunate to have the ability

to play male characters.

You'll conquer more heights.

But I've got to tell you this.

No matter what character an artist plays

he'd only be given two annas and one Dhoti.

It still hasn't changed.

As your earnings are barely enough to support your family, don't waste

your money on liquor like the other artists.

Always think of your daughter.

I don't want to lie that I'd be sober.

But I'll always take care of my daughter.

Father, did you get the 'Chenda'?

Tell me, dear! Would I have?

Tell me. - Father.

Mother said that you wouldn't get it.

Grandmother, father is here.

What's with your demeanour?

I can't help it.

All of you made me like this.

Do you want me to change my demeanour?

Father.

No! - Father!

Is Poothana going to sleep now?

No, dear.

Poothana is bowing before Lord Krishna in reverence.

What if Lord Krishna drains the life out of her

and puts her to sleep once and for all?

Don't you ever worry, dear.

Let me sleep as well.

'21st March, 1955, Monday.'

He is sound asleep. It's not right to wake him up.

We are coming from Cherukunnu. - Irrespective of how far

you have come from, you've to wait.

Which part of Cherukunnu are you from?

The festival of the Goddess Annapoorna temple is coming up.

The committee is desperate

to have Mr. Kunhikuttan perform at the festival.

Let me see.

Mother..

He is sound asleep.

I've been seeing him perform for almost eight years now.

There isn't anyone who plays

the soul of the character better than Mr. Kunhikuttan.

We want him to play Bheema from the story of the White Ginger Lily.

Do you know any role he could perform while he is asleep!

If yes, tell it and he will play it for you!

It's been a while since I wanted to visit the temple.

Tell them I'll come.

Give it.

The Goddess has given you something

to quench your thirst!

What are you doing, Father?

The mangoes preserved in the brine smells good!

Grandmother, this smells good too.

Let me hand him the decoction. Let me do it. - Give it.

Are you travelling that far to drink this decoction?

Dear.

Yes.

Please give me the bottle.

Father, is this the decoction that makes one intoxicated?

What are you saying, dear?

I don't drink anything that would make me intoxicated.

I'm travelling to Thiruvananthapuram

to perform at the 'Painkuni' festival.

His Majesty will be present to witness the performance.

Do you want to come to see His Majesty?

His Majesty will be holding the sceptre

and will be wearing the royal attire and the beautiful crown.

Do you want to come to see His Majesty? - No.

Why? Don't you want to see His Majesty?

I already have. - When?

He is right in front of me!

I searched everywhere for you.

It's time for your make-up.

Show me your face.

"Oh, elegant one!"

"Oh, son of Nanda!"

"Oh, elegant one!"

"Oh, son of Nanda!"

"Come to me"

"happily."

"Come to me"

"happily."

"Oh, elegant one!"

Splendid, isn't it?

If anyone praises you for performing well

tell them you didn't.

If I had that stick with me

I'd have thrown it at you.

I'm the Diwan's messenger.

He wanted me to tell you that it was a good performance.

I'm glad.

Very much glad.

Strangers shower me with praises.

While the ones who know me, punish me.

It hurts so much! Won't it, Raman?

The Diwan's daughter-in-law wants

to see you perform 'Subhadraharanam'.

Who is this daughter-in-law who gives me

a spot amidst the stars?

I can thank her for now.

I won't perform for her.

"The gentle breeze in the moonlight"

"with the sound of flute and Veena."

"The gentle breeze in the moonlight"

"with the sound of flute and Veena."

"With beautiful flowers"

"and many a beautiful stimulus."

I think singing in this raga adds to the beauty

of the verse.

I didn't mean to correct you.

In the happiness of seeing your performance

I sang with all my heart.

If you don't mind, introduce yourself.

My name is Subhadra.

I'm the Diwan's daughter-in-law.

My grandmother used to say that rules of the art

does not apply to the greatest performers.

Was it wrong of me to sing it differently?

No.

"The gentle breeze in the moonlight"

"with the sound of flute"

"and Veena." - True. You sang correctly.

"The gentle breeze in the moonlight"

"with the sound of flute and Veena."

"The gentle breeze in the moonlight"

"with the sound of flute and Veena."

Will this do?

Is this tune enough? - "With beautiful"

"flowers"

"and many a beautiful"

"stimulus." - Now? Are you able to recollect her?

"Oh, dear ones!"

"Oh, dear ones!"

"Not seeing you for a while"

"gets me distressed."

What about now?

"I feel happy now."

"I feel happy now."

Kunhikuttan.. Whatever!

Where do I find him?

Is he that good a performer?

Do you know someone called Master Kunhikuttan?

Thank God! Are you that man?

No!

He is the King's messenger.

He didn't say his name. He's here to meet you.

Speak.

When the King gave the order

I thought he would be a well known

performer.

But upon reaching here, no one seemed to know you.

I realised something.

A diamond will shine even while covered in dirt.

Or else why would the King specifically ask for you

who has performed for only once at the 'Painkuni' festival

to perform at the palace?

A great honour.

Isn't it? - Definitely.

"Lord Vishnu"

"I bow at thy feet."

Exceptional. Really good!

It was simply outstanding!

You're truly the epitome of acting.

I want to give you something

but I don't have anything to. Lord Vishnu!

I don't know what to give you.

I should give him something, shouldn't I? - Yes, you must.

Master Kunhikuttan, your performance

was so good that I'm in a state where I've forgotten every single

performance which I've ever seen.

I'm delighted.

This is neither a gift nor a present

but something that symbolises the respect I have

for the performing arts.

Let me ask you something.

Is your prowess helping you earn enough to support your family?

I wish I could paint a better picture.

But I can't.

We're struggling to keep our body and soul together.

The families

of every single artist face the same plight as mine.

Such a pity.

I still can't believe I've been gifted this!

Didn't you get one as well? - Yes. - I see.

Lord Vishnu!

Who drew these paintings?

Would it be her?

"Abigail, I met"

"the man of my dreams."

"Abigail, I met him."

The messenger only mentioned

that you are the Diwan's daughter-in-law.

I never knew that you are such a gifted writer.

Writing is a habit of mine.

I don't know when I started it or how much I've written till date.

This script is not complete, is it? - No, it isn't.

My favourite story in the Puranas is the 'Subhadraharanam'.

It's a great dream of mine to write

a script that accentuates every bit of Arjuna's valiance.

The reason for the adoration I have for Arjuna and Subhadra

is my grandmother.

Also, the circumstances that I grew up in, played a part in it.

You were invited to perform here because I insisted.

I admire you as I've heard a lot

about how well you portray Arjuna.

It was a dream

of mine to witness

that visual spectacle at my humble abode.

It came true today.

When a knowledgeable

intellectual and gorgeous woman like you

invites me to her exquisite home

and converses with me..

I'm left speechless!

I remember Mr. Sharadi's words that the greatest honour that an artist

can get is to witness the spectators

being mesmerised by his performance.

I'm really grateful to you.

"His eyes are more intense than lightning."

"Even the mighty sky is nothing when compared"

"to his manliness."

"My desires will be fulfilled."

"Despite reading my mind"

"why are you hesitant?"

"I won't change my mind."

"Abigail, I met him."

'16th November, 1958, Wednesday.' - We're proud of it.

The labourers of the country

are delighted about it.

I'd anticipated that it would turn out to be like this.

I was spot on.

My expectations have always.. - Grandfather.

...come true and it always will.

You claimed that I was fantasising

and refused to marry him.

It wasn't a fantasy but a forecast based on my experiences.

This title deed states that the Lord

has bequeathed an acre and 24 cents of the property

at the south of the manor to Kunhikuttan.

This is how deep the blood relations are.

What is it, Mother?

The title deed shows that the Lord has bequeathed

some land to your father.

The land belongs to us now!

Did father get it because he is a great Kathakali artist?

Are you praying, Bhagi?

Who are you praying for? Is it for the Lord?

"I feel content"

"when he is with me."

"Sorrow looms over me"

"when he isn't."

Why didn't you come last night, Father?

We heard that you caused a commotion.

Why did you do it?

Grandmother was worried and she was awake all night.

As if this is the first time

that she had a sleepless night!

'Smoking causes cancer.'

Grandfather brought this.

He asked us to give it to you.

What does this mean!

I don't know whether it's right or wrong.

Let's hope that the Gods will have mercy on him.

It is the title deed

to the property he bequeathed you. - No!

Don't tell me such sinful things!

I won't be able to bear it!

His soul won't attain liberation

no matter what he does.

To attain that, one must have humanity.

You could've been brave to say it to him back then!

Your father felt pity for me as he thought

I could no longer look after the family.

Isn't this the profit you get

for choosing to marry me?

Killing me would have been a better option

than this.

Father, please don't do it.. - Move!

Sinners!

How long will I have to live amongst these sinners

who are under the delusion

that all their sins are noble deeds, Lord Krishna?

I didn't know who my father was while growing up.

I, who grew up without a father.

My mother, who cast many unknown faces in my father's role..

A piece of land

in return of all the grief that my mother and I had to endure!

He became a nobleman in the eyes of the society

by bequeathing

a piece of land to his son.

And I became an arrogant man even in the eyes of my Sarada.

Oh, Lord Krishna, is this the blessing

that you had in store for me?

I don't want this blessing.

I can't take it.

I can't take this anymore.

I just can't!

Is the master's condition better now?

There is no cure for paralysis.

The Almighty might have thought that it was time for the master

to retire.

I guess He was jealous of his brilliance!

It's all down to fate.

At least he was lucky enough to teach a brilliant student like you.

Which story are you going to perform next? - The Gita.

Arjuna is going to see Lord Krishna to clear some of his doubts.

People say only He can offer us peace of mind.

Lord Krishna!

Oh, God!

Lord Vishnu!

I searched for Subhadra based

on what you told me.

But I couldn't find her.

It's been almost six years since I last saw her.

I guess she would have changed!

It looks like you are more eager than Kunhikuttan to see her!

Of course!

We can only sing about the state of happiness that Subhadra

was in when she saw Arjuna.

We aren't capable of doing anything beyond that, are we?

Only he can give life to those legendary characters!

What happened?

I'm not running a temperature. It's just the cough.

I never expected

to meet you here.

Come.

That's Arjuna's fate.

Arjuna's life

is all about his actions and not his expectations.

I was not referring to Arjuna, a character of Mahabharata.

I'm talking about myself, the artist who plays Arjuna.

Like the mighty mountain

Arjuna stands in the chariot along with Lord Krishna.

Arjuna was the only man

who'd the fortune to be considered

equal by Lord Krishna, the source of all wisdom.

I feel as if I'm looking right at him.

My next performance is at Thrippunithura.

If you come there, it would mean a lot to me.

I have a lot to write.

I know.

I'm just an artist who portrays Arjuna with his limited knowledge.

To be honest, he is still an enigma to me.

It will be a privilege if you could show the magnanimity

to be there and point out the mistakes in my performance.

"I have to save"

"our next son for he has to offer.. - Salvation"

"to the world. If I can't.."

"I'll sacrifice myself in a pyre." - 'Santhana Gopalam.'

"Burn the body."

"Death is the ultimate truth."

It seems like your mind is somewhere else.

I'm in some other world.

I fell in love with the Arjuna you performed some time back

and got lost in it.

Did you see the lamp of heaven?

Krishna must have informed Balarama

about the incident where Arjuna

came as a saint and kidnapped Subhadra

by dancing in front of this lamp of heaven. Isn't it?

You might be thinking ditzy

as you have the same name of the character.

Maybe.

When my grandfather used to call me Subhadra

I had no knowledge about Arjuna.

I used to read all the time.

We had almost all the books.

Those books introduced me to Subhadra.

There is no one as lucky as Subhadra.

She fell in love and made love

to the epitome of masculinity, Arjuna.

The son of Lord Indra.

He defeated the demons who were trying to conquer the heaven

in the form of a human.

He obtained 'Pashupatastra'

by battling with Lord Shiva.

A saint.

He is an epitome of righteousness found by Lord Krishna.

I am not just trying to love him

I'm evoking him in my mind and experiencing him in my soul.

There is an old manor in Mavelikkara.

In the memory of a great personality

they conduct Kathakali every year.

I am performing Arjuna this year.

On the 17th of the 'Chingam' month.

Even though I was not born there

I always read, studied and dreamt about that place

till the age of 17.

How can that manor vanish from my heart?

I knew about this program.

It's the script that I had shown you when you came home.

It's done.

Yes.

My Arjuna in this play kidnapped me

with the kind of manliness

which I have never witnessed before.

Will you perform this play

on the coming 17th of 'Chingam'

at my house in Mavelikkara?

I will try.

That's all I can say.

You shouldn't just try. You should become my Arjuna

through the words I wrote

just for me.

You should make me Arjuna's Subhadra.

I want to enjoy the pleasure which I thought I wouldn't

be able to experience in this life.

That is my wish.

My only wish.

Will you fulfil my wish?

"Oh, Arjuna."

"You are brave."

"Oh, Arjuna."

"You are brave."

"Aren't you at your brother's mercy"

"all the time?"

"Aren't you at your brother's mercy"

"all the time?"

"Pull the string of the arrow, warrior."

"Pull the string of the arrow, warrior."

"Isn't that the duty of our clan?"

"Isn't that the duty of our clan?"

Go fast.

This is pure camphor.

It was mixed with rose water.

My throat feels uncomfortable.

It's vital that I use this

as I'll have to sing until the show is over.

I was only thinking about you.

Have you been here for long?

It has been quite long.

I was waiting outside for you to get dressed.

I have something to tell you

while you are in this attire.

It is Abhimanyu.

'28th February, 1960, Sunday.'

You have a visitor. - Who is it?

Mr. Kunhikuttan.

There is no point in arguing with us.

We're appointed here in order to restrict

unauthorised entries.

I've been here for 16 years and him for 32 years.

How dare you speak to him like that?

Kindly inform Subhadra that Kunhikuttan is here.

I did. She says that she isn't expecting him.

Not just that

we have never heard anyone call out her name before. - Hey!

I see that we did something foolish.

It's okay. Forgive us.

Didn't you understand what she meant?

I don't have the required attire.

It was my mistake

that I came here as a simple human being.

Kindly give this to her.

Please don't tear it away if she refuses to take it.

Burn it.

'I'm not sure of how many letters I have written to you.'

'Neither do I know if you are reading them'

'Subhadra.'

'Even then I'm writing to you.'

'And I'll continue to write to you.'

'I played the role of Arjuna today at Mavelikkara.'

'My mind was lost in the thoughts'

'of our son and you the whole time.'

'I lost my rhythm.'

'Is this silence'

'fuelled by the arrogance of bearing Arjuna's son?'

'Or by the happiness'

'of depriving me of my son?'

'I'll be performing as Arjuna at the Aluva manor'

'on the coming 17th.'

She is here to see you.

Subhadra. She said, she will wait for you backstage.

Oh, yes.

Here I am watching my son

and his father together.

This was the only way

it could happen.

A few other incidents also occurred in my life.

My husband died in a plane crash.

I'm not just Abhimanyu's mother now

but a widow too.

Even though I don't want to

I'm ready to be a widow by all means

for the sake of my son.

My son and I

will never come to visit you again.

Even though I have not read

many of the letters you wrote to me

I have not destroyed anything.

The letters you write to me

will never reach me again.

I will consider him to be the child

born to Arjuna and me.

He is not Kunhikuttan's son.

You should never

consider him your own.

You don't have a son like him.

What is it? Why did they leave?

That performance is over.

She did not love me or yearn for me

but my disguise, Raman.

I am not human.

I am just a disguise.

Just a disguise.

Here. I have given you my head.

From now onwards, I don't want to portray calm emotions.

I want to portray the aggressive ones.

Only the aggressive roles.

The performance will get cancelled, Kunhikuttan. - No.

The performances won't get cancelled.

No performance will be cancelled

even if we desire it.

Lord Krishna.

'1st April, 1965, Thursday.'

"Bali, my brother."

"Bali, my brother."

"With respect, I.."

"With respect, I.."

"...touch your feet."

"...touch your feet."

"Help me.."

"Me.."

"Help me.."

"With you.."

"I.."

"With you, I find strength."

"With you, I find strength."

"Forgive my sins."

"Forgive my sins."

"Oh, young King!"

"Oh, young King!"

Are you not well?

I find it difficult to breathe.

I had to stop mid-way, Lord Krishna.

What is it?

It is nothing. My throat is dry.

She gave me water mixed with dried ginger.

Now I can sing. - No.

Five performances have been completed.

Not even one was good.

You are lying here devoid of your disguise.

I am suffering

unable to get rid of my disguise.

"Why did you"

"not talk?"

"In sleep.."

"Why did you"

"not talk?"

"In sleep.."

"Why did you"

"not talk?"

"In sleep"

"you lie hereon."

"Do so."

"Like a rock"

"you lie."

"Like a rock"

"you lie."

"Is that not you"

"oh, fine woman?"

"Are you fine"

"dear?"

"Are you fine"

"dear?"

The desire to see you perform 'Sukhamo Devi'

has come true in this 'Painkuni' festival.

I feel that you have something to say. Is it?

Take this back

and as a reward

kindly treat my Namboothiri.

He is not well.

He is very sick.

He is bedridden.

Don't worry.

I will do what I can.

No.

He has grown taller.

He is plump.

They have not reached yet.

I can't say when they will arrive either.

The next time..

It's okay.

This.. This is a letter.

Give it to Subhadra

when you feel like she has returned.

This pen is a gift of mine for her.

When I went abroad, I bought this for her.

I shall give it to her.

I'll give it to her right away.

The doctor said that he needs laser treatment.

God gifted him with this voice.

When that is taken back from him..

"Though he is ferocious.."

"Even though he is ferocious.."

"He is ferocious."

"The mighty.."

Move. Let me ask him.

What just happened?

How can you stop in the middle of the final act?

I can't act on your terms.

Whether I play Rama or Ravana

it's the mind that controls it.

My mind can't take this anymore.

I acted all these years

listening to a great artist who took the art

of 'Sopana Sangeetham' to the pinnacle of greatness.

He is bedridden at his home

without even being able to chant.

It saddens me that even you, who bargains for the quality

of performance, didn't even bother to visit him.

Wasn't he aware of all this when he wasted his life away in booze?

You dog, did alcoholism

give him throat cancer?

The real enemy of God-gifted artists like him

is the ignorance and savage mentality of people like you.

To hide your cruelty that blemishes an artist's name

you use some liquor.

You and your generation are not gifted enough

to acknowledge the greatness they showered in this age.

You may rather blind yourself!

Pisharadi.

Pisharadi.

It has been five months since he left.

He had come here saying that he was going to Kashi.

As the end nears

no one is able to carry the burden

of their sins.

Shouldn't they unload it somewhere?

He was with me whenever I felt weak.

If he has gone to Kashi

where else am I supposed to go?

I'll follow him.

To Kashi? Are you going to become a sage?

Not only to see him

but also to find peace.

That is why I am leaving for Kashi.

Assume that I have an ulterior motive too.

I'll be back.

You must take care of my family until I return, Raman.

Don't we have many performances to give?

Shouldn't we do them all, Raman?

No.

You must not do it, dear.

It's a sin to perform a Namboothiri's funeral rites.

A grave sin!

If that is a sin

let my father suffer that too.

But I cannot.

When a son calls for his father

he can choose to ignore or deny it

only while he is alive.

Once dead

the soul cannot help but respond.

I will call him.

I will call him while performing his rites on the banks of Ganges.

You are not a sinner to cry, Mother.

I love my mother with all my heart.

With all my heart.

Pisharadi!

Kunhikuttan!

Pisharadi.

Good Lord!

If the father is a Namboothiri, only the son

born to a Namboothiri woman shall serve his rites.

The son born to a woman of another caste is not allowed to do that.

That's their rule.

"Om!"

Isn't it true that I am a son to someone?

My father denies that I am his son.

After giving birth to my son

a mother says that I am not his father.

Relationships such as father, mother, son and daughter

are mere gestures for a Kathakali artist.

There are no discriminations for gestures.

They only have divinity.

I am a mere human.

I need my father.

Subhadra is not letting me have or see my son

whom she turned

into the son of Arjuna.

The aim of this ritual is two-fold.

As a son to the father

and as Abhimanyu to me

I shall perform the funeral rites in the peaceful Ganges.

'My desire to have a handful of my ashes'

'thrown into the Ganga at Allahabad'

'has no religious significance, so far as I am concerned.'

'I have no religious sentiment in the matter.'

'I have been attached to the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers in Allahabad'

'ever since my childhood.'

'And as I have grown older'

'this attachment has also grown.'

'I have watched their varying moods as the seasons changed.'

'Dear Subhadra'

'I, yet again, am writing another letter.'

'Seeking a son who doesn't need his father'

'I came here.'

'Which sin created a father whom his son doesn't need?'

'I can't continue this journey of sorrow all my life.'

"I bow to Lord Shiva."

"I bow to Lord Shiva."

On the dawn of the eclipse.

I was with him when he took his last breath.

Namboothiri sang a few lines as a tribute

to you from Subhadra's work.

I know how to read his lips.

I really heard him.

Both of us are in mourning now.

I have grown a ritualistic beard.

I won't allow this.

Let me see if she will disobey me and perform.

Are we that poor to send her for performances?

If that's the case, set everything on fire.

Let everything burn.

Enough, Mother!

You are always like this.

I wonder why you didn't ask me to do this all these years.

I too, must learn Kathakali.

Not only must I learn, I must perform with you too.

If you apply yourself, all you need is nine months.

Can you do it?

I'll send her

to Vellinezhi Madhavan's school.

Parukutti is there too.

I'll feel at ease

if she stays there and studies.

Isn't that better?

Mother, I will only be back after bathing and going to the temple.

The coast is getting clear, Raman.

With a peaceful mind, I must do one more thing.

After editing 'Subhadraharanam' written by Subhadra

I must play the role of Arjuna for one last time.

When my daughter debuts after nine months

we must perform that act.

My daughter will play Subhadra.

One must seek absolution on his own.

My daughter should not be used for that.

After performing all these years

all he could ever earn

was a child born to a noblewoman.

I too, know everything.

Should he fulfil his vengeance towards her

by using our daughter as a pawn?

His vengeance is not towards her but towards me.

Couldn't you have told this to him?

I'll try.

No. He won't listen.

Even if he listens, my daughter won't.

Things have progressed that much.

I am a mother.

Not a father.

No matter how you put it, I won't be able to accept it.

No one knows a language that can express

the sorrow of a burning heart.

That's why people get lost within themselves.

Sarada's mother has a point.

No matter how simple you make it

she will think that a father

is romancing his own daughter by making her the female lead.

Whether onstage or not

if a mother says that it is wrong

I will agree to it for sure.

'Is it wrong? If so'

'I have a solution for that too.'

'21 years.'

'Amidst all the curses and hatred'

'I am yet to discover love.'

'The good I have done only amounts'

'to punishment, Raman.'

Ask them to punish me.

I heard everything you said.

What you're doing is a grave sin.

Did you suffer all these years or did I?

You won't understand that, Father.

I had obeyed you when I was supposed to.

I can't anymore. I shall stay there.

I shall die there!

I didn't hear anything she said.

It's better that I went deaf with age.

Would you like anything to drink?

Kavalappara Sankarankutty

received the King's golden ring this time.

Kunhikuttan's 'Keechaka'

wasn't up to the mark this time.

That is a wonder though.

The King took his time and watched Kunhikuttan's 'Keechaka'.

Upon leaving, he asked whether he started drinking too much.

It can lighten anything.

In the end, nothing would be left.

What was the name of the Muslim kid who sang? - Abdulkhader.

Yes. - Even if Lord Indra comes and honours him

he will never come closer

to Kunhikuttan's glory.

No one will reach that greatness

within a festive season.

Your face is the first thing that comes to my mind

whenever I set foot in this place.

Wasn't he the one to lead the way? How can one forget that?

You must be paying a round of visits.

Even the King said that 'Keechaka' failed to impress

and that my drinking has taken its toll

didn't he?

It crossed the limit.

Not only my drinking

but also my every virtue.

Now, I only see emptiness ahead.

What that is empty

shall get filled. Isn't that how it is?

I too, am anticipating

that beautiful moment where all my happiness

and sorrows would devour me.

Nothing bothers me now.

What you heard are just rumours.

I believe God intended for us

to meet here.

So I feel like informing you something.

I have to perform as Arjuna for one more time.

In the place where I first saw my son, Abhimanyu.

The story is Subhadra's 'Subhadraharanam'.

I shall edit it and play Arjuna

while my daughter plays Subhadra.

"My love.."

"Thoughts.."

"Dreams.."

"My love.."

"My heart.."

Is she Subhadra, Father?

"Desires bloom"

"with your tender touch."

"Desires bloom"

"with your tender touch."

"Your hug is the music"

"composed by the moon himself."

"The kisses you shower"

"all over me."

"The kisses you shower"

"all over me."

"Your beauty"

"fills my mind with bliss."

"Your curls unwind"

"slowly.."

"Your love"

"oozes slowly."

"My love.."

"Dreams.."

'My dear daughter..'

'A daughter as Subhadra and her father as Arjuna'

'acting in front of this mother'

'shall be explained as..'

A man is here to see you.

Who is it? - He didn't say that.

Son.

I heard that Mr. Kunhikuttan collapsed in front of a temple

on his way back from the performance

last night.

Before his daughter could get hold of him

he stopped responding, they say.

I heard his heart had stopped.

'Dear Subhadra'

'I, yet again, am writing another letter.'

'I can't continue this journey of sorrow all my life.'

'Whose sin gave a father, a son'

'whom he cannot have?'

'A son who begged for a life to his father'

'was destined to never see his son.'

'I must find a way to put my mind at ease.'

'What I have with me'

'is only my daughter.'

'My dear child.'

'Her father's pain about her little brother'

'shall be depicted to his mother'

'by her becoming my Subhadra onstage.'

'If I fade away in this role of sin'

'by romancing with my own child'

'I will consider even that as a boon.'

'If my daughter could give salvation'

'to her father, who lived a life of sorrow'

'I will be indebted to her.'

'You must never see Abhimanyu, who was denied'

'of his father, as a child of sin.'

'You must tell him that the son of Arjuna'

'is pure and complete.'

'Shouldn't this life end someday?'