Original subtitles

Sir, a telegram has arrived for you.

Om!

Shivapramadha ganaadipa!

Hail to the supreme mighty one Bearer of the trident!

O Bhadra Mallanna! None can stand against you

Anantapur, once ruled by kings, A fortress where chieftains strode

Bravo, O warrior, come forth!

Your words worth It's weight in gems, my son

Bravo, O warrior, come forth!

O spotless Singanamala This is the land where valor was born

Bravo, O warrior, come forth!

Your word is our glory, my son

Bravo, O warrior, come forth!

There it is, you see it? Singanamala Hill…

\Up in that cave two hundred years ago, a holy ascetic entered eternal meditation.

\He who still watches over this village our Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

\- This is no ordinary tale. - This is a tale of the unexpected.

\A story brought to life and penned by Bhadramallanna himself.

A tale of a god who took human form to destroy the demons.

When famine-struck lands were haunted by spirits,

he took up his sword, cut down the wicked,

\and fed the hungry across the land. This is the tale of Kalabhairava!

Shall we begin?!

Get up, son.

Wake up, son.

O God Bhadra Mallanna!

I'm not sure if I gave birth or death to my child.

He's the last seed of this lineage which deeply worships you.

You should save the life that took birth under your watch.

You must save him!

You must save him…

Rajamma…

I can foresee a grand purpose

that he is destined to fulfill.

That's why

I sustained him with life borrowed from time itself,

and postponed his death for 24 years.

Once the time comes and his purpose is fulfilled,

he'll go to his grave.

Born under this sacred hour, of this noble bloodline,

I bestow upon him the name

of the great slayer of Surasimha Tarakasura,

Ranabaaleesa, whom I deeply worship.

Ranabaali.

She built a new temple in the foothills for the old man who saved her child.

Rajamma performs the sacred ritual every year,

offering a sacrificial bull to pray for Ranabaali’s long life.

There's just one year left for the deadline set by the old man.

Sister!

- What is it? - How long will you keep praying?

They're bringing the bull.

Get started.

Kobali!

Kobali! Kobali! Kobali!

O God Bhadra Mallanna!

Accept our sacrificial offering!

May rains fall and our lakes fill.

May our crops flourish.

And may our children live happily for a hundred years.

Bless us, O God!

Glory to Bhadra Mallanna!

Listen up! Go in all four directions,

Pray to Goddess Poli and scatter it all along the borders!

Take care of the sacred offering.

- Our festival's sanctity depends on this. - Okay, sir.

Poli! Poli! Poli!

Poli! Poli! Poli!

Poli! Poli! Poli!

Po--

- Watch out! A wolf. - Hey!

The thieves may have tried to rob the offering.

If the offering crosses the border, it'll bring us bad luck.

- We'll be cursed with drought. - Cross it? How dare they?

Who dares steal the spiritual merit we earned through devotion?! Let them try!

Vaanekka!

This is fort Singanamala.

Do thieves have the balls to steal from us?

Who do you think is guarding the border?

Hey!

The festival has just begun!

Follow me!

Our lad will take care of the thieves. You guys get the chariot ready!

Hey!

When you're at Singanamala festival, you bow down to our God Bhadra Mallanna,

and you feast on the meals we offer.

If you dare to cross the border with our offering…

you will become a sacrificial bull under my sword.

I’ll hack you to pieces, you scoundrels!

- Go get him! - Hey!

I swear by God Bhadra Mallanna, who resides on the hill.

Mark my words! As long as I stand guard, not a single grain shall cross the border.

I didn't come here for the offering, brother.

But for the tiger guarding it!

I'm Boya Veeranna.

A Reddy hired me to hunt you down.

I can't go back until you are dead.

We don't have any enmity between us.

Forgive me, brother.

Go ahead.

Muni!

You think I'm an easy prey to get caught by measly hunters like you?

This is Singanamala's Bobbili Ranabaali!

You scoundrel!

I'm built different, you morons!

Hey!

Hey!

You…

Who sent you? Speak up!

I can’t tell you that, brother.

It's against my work ethics.

It's also against my work ethics to leave you in one piece.

Brother,

I have no right…

to ask you to spare my life.

My life is at your mercy.

I have a daughter.

Chinni.

She's only four.

I understand…

I'll never see her face again.

I can't even remember the last time

I fed her full.

That's the only reason I agreed to this.

Can you send these to my family, please?

I'll be indebted to you!

Brother! What is this?

How can a body speak without its head?

Shouldn't we find out who sent him?

Glory to Bhadra Mallanna!

Our god is enraged that the ritual offering was stolen.

The chariot won't move forward, even if elephants pull it.

We must behead another bull and place it under the chariot wheel.

There is no need to sacrifice another bull.

O God Bhadra Mallanna!

Come on, guys, beat the drums!

When the thunder strikes Won't the horizons shatter?

While the night burns with fury

Won't grief start to rise?

To deal a death that echoes Give me strength, O Lord of Fate

As the golden chariot Charges wild

We storm the streets O Bhadra Mallanna!

Is not your blessing A lethal weapon?

To leave the whole world awestruck!

Possessed by Pothuraju’s spirt This land will dance in fury!

Whoever hides within the shade

Spare no enemy from the blade!

Let darkness shroud the skies

Every throat be severed and fall!

Born from the breath of Death itself

The warrior of the land is here!

Spilling blood screams out in grief

The heartbeat sounds a battle horn!

Narasimhulu!

Sister-in-law.

That doctor's daughter's marriage proposal has come.

- Yes, yes. - Finalize it.

Marriage?!

All of a sudden…

You never know what might happen.

Stop arguing and do as I say.

It's gone.

Brother!

The man who sent Veeranna to that festival…

It's Penugonda Munireddy!

Vaanekka!

Hey!

Hey, Munireddy!

Where the hell are you?

You son of a gun!

I came to your home.

It's your chance to kill me.

Hey!

Hey!

Hey! Raise a mighty war cry

- Make the wicked run for their lives! - Hey! Stop!

One fierce glance From those piercing eyes

Will make them burn from head to toe!

Roar like a mighty tiger

Let your thunderous voice Echo far and wide!

I crave a clash of arms Where none dare challenge my might!

Once the sword is drawn A blood sacrifice is inevitable

Twirl your mustache Unleash your rage

What a dreadful fate!

Even the fiercest demon Will bow before this blazing inferno

Rudra himself bears witness To this fire that rages within!

Will you not defend your pride

Even if you must pay with your life?

Born of the breath of Death itself

He is the warrior of the battlefield

Let the blood thunder like a war drum

Let the heart roar the battle cry!

Grandpa! Who are they?

God Bhadramallana!

When the demons step into our territory,

God Bhadramallanna will come as Pothuraju and slay all those demons.

They're all Bhadramallanna's army.

What, grandpa?

While we're holding a grand festival down there for you

what are you doing up here?

Are you really doing it for me?

You're doing it for your village.

How long are you going to stay in this old cave?

Didn't we build a new temple in the village?

- Can't you live there? - I've been staying here for 200 years.

I'm not going anywhere.

Anyways, this isn't a cave.

A tunnel…

it's a way for humans to become divine.

I dug it in the Mughal era.

It goes all the way to the temple below.

- It runs through the entire vill-- - Who asked for your fairy tales?

What's happening?

When will it rain?

Hope this won't turn into a famine.

It's not that this land has never seen a famine.

Famine isn't what you should be worrying about.

But the famine demon.

From the west,

the famine demon is about to enter our land.

Be careful.

These are hard times.

Cruel times.

A disaster is looming upon us.

I hear the anguish of countless souls.

There are many paths you must walk.

The lands you need to cross.

And shores that you should reach.

I'll signal you when it's time. Be ready.

Good afternoon, Sir Theodore Hector.

Welcome to the Madras Presidency.

I am Robert Malthus. Chief revenue officer.

I also speak the native tongues of

Telugu… Tamil and even a bit of Kannada.

May I say that we are truly honored--

State the affairs of the port, Malthus.

Yes, of course, sir. Thank you.

The cargo just arrived at Machilipatnam Port, sir.

140 bags of Spices.

1,600 bags of Cotton.

The total inward cargo stands at 3,604 bags.

The outward cargo of 3,602 bags is ready for dispatch, sir.

What happened to the two missing bags?

Two bags?!

I mean, we could hardly call them missing.

I mean, it'd be impractical sir, to account for every single grain.

No sir, No sir!

I beg you. Please forgive me, sir.

Please forgive me.

We can't afford to lose even a single grain.

Load them.

Bloody thieves!

Can't trust you with a kernel.

Wait, sir.

We only took a handful of grain to feed our hungry children.

We're not thieves.

You're hitting us as you wish.

Hey! Hold it!

You're treating us like donkeys, since we're under a contract.

You're treating us like slaves.

How long must we suffer like this, sir?

Every grain bears the name of the one destined to eat it.

Sir, such acts of violence could provoke rebellion.

So what's wrong with eating harvest of our own lands?

Good evening, gentlemen!

Good evening, sir.

It's really hot in Madras, isn’t it?

Let's welcome a distinguished guest this evening.

Be seated.

Serve him.

Serve everyone.

Eat.

Eat!

Cheers!

To your worthless breed of governance.

I do beg your pardon, Commissioner?

British wars demand double exports.

Bombay complies.

Bengal complies.

Only Madras fails.

Unlike Bengal or Bombay, Madras suffers droughts.

The land is cracked, the rivers are dry.

We cannot conjure grain from thin air.

Eat.

You're incapable of rational thought.

If you push people too hard, they will definitely revolt.

I've heard that you were welcomed at port by a rebellion.

I'm sure that is the last thing you'd want, right?

Eat.

Forget about doubling the exports.

We cannot even reach half of last year's quota.

I do wish you have a plan.

I said eat!

Do you think your name is written on your food?

I say it is my queen's name that is written on every grain

born in the womb of this land.

Be it rodents or Indians.

I shall not spare who touch my collections.

And yes…

Rebellion…

is the last thing I want.

Gentlemen! I come before you on the queen's business.

Drought, is no bar to duty.

Double the taxes.

Plunder the reserves.

Burn down the presidency if you must.

Whatever it is,

I shall remain until the ships sail fully laden.

That's the plan.

Madras will now serve for the nourishment of London.

I don't want to see sand on that beach.

Only sacks of grain.

\THERE'S NO GRAIN

What happened?

The whole village rebelled against the taxes.

The Commissioner found out and sent the army.

They destroyed the whole village.

It's Hound Army, they say.

Amen!

Manikanta!

- Sir! - Sir!

- Sir! Manikanta! - Oh, God!

The entire Presidency trembled at the famine demon's atrocities.

What's happening down in Singanamala?

Our Jayamma, pure as fresh turmeric.

She will take it from here.

She entered Rajamma's home

Put your right foot forward and come inside, dear.

When it comes to this household, our grandfather, Bhadra Mallanna,

makes the decisions, good or bad.

He's the one who sent you, too.

Give this lineage an heir soon…

it's your responsibility to carry the family name forward.

- Rajamma! - Yes.

What should we sing?

Have you seen my daughter-in-law? She's so fair, right!

Does anyone around here have such a complexion?

Oh my! Look how proud Rajamma is

of bringing home such a fair daughter-in-law.

- Sing the 'Fair Maiden' song. - The Fair Maiden song?

O Fair maiden Your husband has come

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

Oh fair maiden, oh fair maiden

Ah, fair maiden Your husband has come

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

Oh fair maiden, oh fair maiden

O Fair maiden Your husband has come

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

He comes to you He tries to hold you by the waist

He comes to you He tries to hold you by the waist

He comes to you He tries to hold you by the waist

Did he bring a silver belt For your waist?

Or did he just come to talk sweet?

Did he bring a silver belt For your waist?

Or did he just come to talk sweet?

- Hey! Come here. - Fair maiden…O fair maiden

O Fair maiden Your husband has come

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

What is this?

Is there no formal talk?

What's that smell?

- Do you drink? - Damn, how dare you push me?

Stop!

- Ah, he comes to your feet - Hey!

- And admires your feet - You…

Ah, he comes to your feet

Oh god! Why are you like this?

Ah, he comes to your feet

On her wedding night,

any woman wants her husband to accept her lovingly,

not pouncing like a maniac.

Love on wife? Seriously?

I am your husband.

Shut your mouth and get into bed. You wretched woman!

Chusinam Po!

He comes to your neck He caresses your neck

He comes to your neck He caresses your neck

He comes to your neck

- Come here, you… - Mother-in-law!

Or did he just come to talk sweet?

Did he bring a pearl necklace? Or did he just come to talk sweet?

Hey!

Oh fair maiden! Oh fair maiden

O Fair maiden

- Your husband has come - Wicked woman!

Look how handsome he is He's a sight to behold!

I'll kill you. Open the door!

Chusinam Po!

He comes to you He holds you by braid

He comes to you

He'll kill me!

Did he bring jasmine flowers For your braid…

Where will you run off to?

- Damn you… - Mother-in-law!

Did he bring jasmine flowers For your braid?

Or did he just come to talk sweet?

Where the hell are you all at? He's killing me!

- Look how handsome he is… - Mother-in-law!

- Mother-in-law! - Stop singing!

If you come near me, I'll jump into the well.

Forget that. I'll kill you myself.

Get down first.

I came here to be your wife, not your mistress.

You get down first!

I'll show you what being a wife is.

You're full of nonsense. I'll whack you.

Chusinam Po!

Thinking you were from a respectable family,

I rushed into the marriage.

And I ended up with someone like you.

You're not even here for a day

and you're already talking ill about the household?

I'll kill you, wretched woman.

What is this attitude towards her?

You numbskull! Get out.

- Mother-in-law… - Dear! Get down, dear.

Mother-in-law! I won't come, if he's in the house.

I'll go back to my parents.

Send her away first. I don't want her.

Where did you find this wretched woman?

- Hey Narasimudu! - Yes.

Take him away.

Yeah, come on. Let's go.

What happened?

You morons had to get him drunk today too?

The second line faded out.

Let's go inside, come. Watch your step, dear.

What are you looking at? Go to your homes!

Show me that.

This is so nice.

Hey!

Get lost!

You wretched woman!

Hey!

I'm Singanamala King Ranabaali…

Oh, no!

The documents are soaked in oil.

The writing will fade.

Hey, go fetch Ranganayakulu!

Let's get new ones written.

Come and eat, brother. You can write them later.

Okay, I'm coming.

Jayamma, what have you cooked? It smells so good.

Mutton curry and country chicken, Uncle.

You nailed it! Serve me more.

Have some more, brother. Here.

I don't eat meat, Jayamma.

Oh, then…

- have some eggplant. - Hey, Ranganayakulu!

You're being shy now? You're not an outsider.

Of course not. I'm not used to eating meat.

You should be fortunate to taste Jayamma's cooking.

Jayamma!

You served everyone food. Won't you serve me?

I'm starving.

I set your plate half an hour ago.

Are you going to eat out there like a stranger?

Come on up, brother. Sit here.

You can eat hot--

What's wrong?

Do you need a special invite?

We need to leave, don't we?

Come on.

Go on, have it.

You want some more?

Fine.

- Hey! - Brother!

What are you staring at my face for, you idiot?

Go get the veterinary doctor from the nearby village.

Right away, bro.

What happened?

What do you mean, what happened?

Can't you see all this blood?

Oh no, he'll make a huge fuss about it now.

Come, sister, let's go inside.

It's not the first time she got hurt.

She will be fine.

- Uncle… - Yes.

Go get the booze. Now!

She'll feel at ease after drinking.

- Also call the shaman. - Yeah, got it.

Hey, woman!

Yes, you!

Go get some turmeric and jaggery.

There you go… it's done.

Good girl. Here.

Eat the jaggery. Go on.

It's nothing.

To protect this household that has no man,

I placed a sword in my son's hand when he was fourteen

and made him kill his maternal uncle.

Since then…

Singanamala has been peaceful.

Though he grew up in harsh circumstances,

your husband is not a bad man.

A man who loves an animal so much…

won't he love his wife the same?

With a little patience, I hope you can change him.

Fortune telling! Oh fortune telling!

I shall read your fortune, ladies.

Speak, O Goddess, speak the truth.

Give me your hand, Jayamma.

Oh Jayamma!

Of all people, you went and married a fierce man.

He carries a terrible anger right on his nose…

but you won't be able to tame him.

Through much struggle, you will bear his child.

But this man wasn't born for just one household.

Following a divine path, he will leave you…

and go far away. Keep this in mind.

Where will he go? Why would he?

Go to the colony of the hunters…

who were widowed by your husband's sword.

Those women will tell you.

The wails of their dead husbands and children won't go in vain.

One's sins will always catch up to them.

Do what you can and leave the rest to God.

Bravo!

Bravo!

That photo would travel a long way, sir.

By the way, the collections are unprecedented, Sir.

We took everything from people.

But…

I'm afraid this will result in a great famine.

A famine is an opportunity for us, Malthus.

So, spare me your fears

\and tell me, why these districts yield so little?

These are the back districts.

Bellary, Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa.

The problem is not the collection, sir. It's the terrain.

It's the rocky terrain.

Transportation is almost impossible to get there.

Then we bend the rocks…

and finish the lines between Arcot and Raichur.

\Grain shall flow all the way to the Madras port.

323 miles.

We shall require no fewer than 10 camps

\and no less than 10,000 laborers to complete the job.

\Where shall we find such labor?

It was once a country of Palegars.

Men who blood before they bowed.

Africa, Australia, Ireland…

Do you think they did not resist?

How does a tiny island rule them all?

Hunger!

The one religion all creatures bow to.

Nations that don't fall by war…

kneel by starvation.

That is how you produce labor.

I want no region spared.

What is this place?

The temple is on the other side of the village.

They say you must settle your debts before asking God for more.

We owe a debt to someone here.

Wait here a moment, I'll be back.

What?

You even have a debt in a place like this?

What is the name of this village?

I don't know either, brother.

Sit down.

Is this yours?

It's broken.

Hey, don't cry. It's not made of gold.

Go make a new one.

Oh god!

Don't cry. Come here.

Here. Keep this money with you.

Do you like horses?

Come, forget a toy horse…

I'll let you ride a real one.

What's your name?

- Chinni. - She's Munniamma.

Hey Munni!

- Want to get on? Come on. - No.

- Uncle, no. - Don't be scared, dear. I'm right here.

- I'm scared. - Don't you like horses?

- I do. - Then what?

- Come, sit. It's fine. I'm right here. - No, Uncle.

- No, Uncle. - Alright, never mind.

Do you live here?

- Where's your father? - Chinni, come here.

I'm not kidnapping her.

Don't be afraid.

If not for you who else should we fear?

Without even letting his wife and child…

have one last look,

you sent back a headless body.

You sent back his hacked body.

She's the wife of Boya Veeranna, who died at your hand.

Alivelu.

Brother, why did you do such a thing?

It's just our wretched fate…

No matter how many times I told him not to,

he agreed to work for that man, just for the sake of our child.

No, brother… I can't.

No!

Don't say no, Alivelu.

Without any help, how will you survive this famine?

Where will you go?

As long as there's strength left in my body,

I will work and feed us.

But I will not accept help from the man who killed her father,

and raise my child with it.

Please try to understand.

He was hired by Penugonda Munireddy to kill your husband.

Did you know that?

I won't spare you either.

How dare you make me stand in front of the house of the man I killed?

You have quite the arrogance!

When the earning hand is gone, how long can the family survive?

That's why I wanted to help that family--

Is she going to accept our help? Tell me…

I'll care for her like my own sister.

She flatly refused our help, didn't she?

What more do you want from me?

Fine, I'll do one thing.

Next time someone comes to kill me,

I'll sit around wondering if he has a son or a daughter.

Then he will take my head,

and it'll be good riddance.

Isn't that exactly what you want?

You never liked me from the very beginning.

Just say it to my face.

Say that you don't like this brute of a man.

I swear I would never look at you again.

I don't lack such self-respect.

As Lord Hector said, Officer Malthus toured the ceded districts

and finally arrived in Singanamala.

He's done for.

How are you, brother?

Come here.

- Munsab sir. - Hurry up.

- Sir is coming to our village. - Yes.

I've been asking you for a while.

Please recommend me for that accountant position, sir.

An opportunity like this won't come again.

Hold up, you bugger!

You're talking as if the British came to our country just to give you a job.

Go. Go clean the chair.

Go!

It's about time he comes.

Everyone sit down. Sit down, everyone.

Sit down. Please sit down.

Our Revenue Officer, Sir Malthus.

- Munsab! - Yes, sir!

How many bags of tax are due from this village?

Well sir, from the fort side forty bags…

From the settlement Eighty and altogether…

There are 45 households in the fort, and 25 in the settlement,

making it 70 households in total.

Even at three bags per household, according to my calculation,

a total of 210 bags of tax arrears are due.

He's our guy, sir. He's our guy.

- Carry on with your proceedings. - Yes, sir.

Listen up, everyone. Unlike before…

excuses like poor harvest or no rain won't work anymore.

The new commissioner has brought new rules.

Combining the new taxes and old arrears, everyone must pay in the form of grain.

Otherwise, the government will seize your lands.

Did anyone tell you that it's actually raining in our village?

Where are we supposed to get the money to pay the tax?

Are you the only ones paying? The other villages pay it too.

We know the state of the villages that paid you tax.

We barely scrape by on what little we have.

If we give it all to you, how are we supposed to survive?

The government foresaw this and established camps.

There are camps thirty miles from here.

If you go there and work,

you'll be provided three meals a day.

Every village is making its way to the camp.

What rubbish are you talking?

You expect us to abandon our village and work as laborers under you?

It's not labor work, Rajamma.

His majesty has arranged this out of concern for your welfare.

Wasn't this misery brought upon us by your majesty?

When the land is used for commercial crops instead of food crops,

what else can come of it but famine?

They filled our mother earth with poison by growing opium.

The soil has lost all its fertility.

Yes, that's true!

Silence!

Let me clear the confusion here.

First of all,

You think all the land in this region belongs to you.

No.

Get out of that illusion.

The Hyderabad Nawab gave this entire stretch

of wasteland to the British Company long ago.

Hence, these lands belong to us.

Ceded districts.

These lands aren't your inheritance.

Shut it and do as you've been instructed.

Otherwise, neither you nor your village will be spared.

Vaanekka!

Who is the Nawab to cede these lands,

and who are you Englishmen to take possession of them?

Ranabaali! Who do you think he is?

What's going on here? Why did everyone gather?

They came armed to collect taxes.

We need to pay tax?

You came here begging with sweet talk.

Now you're ordering us around and demanding taxes?

- Hey Maddhi! - Yes, brother.

Pay them the tax.

Was that enough, or do you want more?

What business do you white men have here?

Should we also come to your land?

- What do you think, Maddhi? - Brother.

Let's go have a look at their land.

You're looking for a bride, aren't you?

You want me to talk to Malthus about that?

You could've told me earlier.

We can't go asking for a bride

right after smearing chili powder in their ass.

Hey!

This is Ranabaali's territory.

We won't pay a single grain in tax until it rains.

If I see you around here again,

if you talk trash like this anywhere near

I'll hack you from head to toe, you scoundrels!

Get the hell out of here!

All packed. Have a safe journey

Don't stop anywhere except for food. Head straight there.

- Hey. - Yes.

I vowed to visit Aluru Kona if you got married.

I'm leaving her with you.

I'm scared. Look after her--

God save me from you and your daughter-in-law!

Take your time, go ahead. I have nothing to do with this.

Scared of me? Like I'd eat her. I couldn't care less now.

I'm leaving now, Jayamma. Look after the house.

Oh my love, Why is the moonlight Pouring down so lavishly tonight

What magic have you worked To make it overflow its banks

Who perfumed the breeze

With such sweetness Who intoxicated this passing hour?

Has this restless heart Been kept awake by love?

Damn it, you got an itch too? You're acting quite like a lunatic!

Come.

Did you marry me or that damn horse?

I came here to be your wife, not to become a monk.

If you keep ignoring me, I'll jump into well.

Screw you!

No, no, no!

- Ever since you came, - No, no, no.

- all you say is you'll jump into a well! - No, no!

- Why bother jumping? - No, no!

I've been drenched In thoughts of you

I'm shimmering With love's glow

Lost in your mischievous dreams I've forgotten yourself

I've been drenched In thoughts of you

I'm shimmering With love's glow

Lost in your mischievous dreams I've forgotten myself

Even when you tease me Even when you leave me tingling

Even when your touch stings It melts into sweetness

The spark between us Still burns the same

That fire from our younger days Has never faded for you

You may have grown strong You may look tough as ever

But inside your heart You're softer than butter

The sacred black beads around my neck Carry the bond we share

I'll wear them with pride Treasuring them for you

You're delicate as a jasmine bloom Be a little patient with me…

- You said you'd make me a beaded chain! - Let Aashadam get over first.

Choosinam po! You always have some excuse

Let your arm be my pillow And let me sleep there

Till the night turns into dawn

I've been drenched In thoughts of you

I'm shimmering With love's glow

Lost in your mischievous dreams I've forgotten myself

I've been drenched In thoughts of you

I'm shimmering With love's glow

Come here.

Hey, come!

Stay right there, I'm coming.

Where are you running to? Hey!

Stop.

Don't you dare move, or you'll pay for it!

- Sister, look! - Yes.

The vow made at Kona has been fulfilled.

Thirty miles from here, you'll find Gooty camp.

No need to worry.

You'll get two meals a day.

Go! Go on.

\You're our Lord who sees All living beings as equal

With folded hands, I beg you…

Please give us alms, sir!

Only these stories earn us some grain.

But in this famine, no one has time for my story.

Sir, as a patron of the arts, you must save us!

How can I support so many people?

I'll give you half a sack.

And take your daughter in.

That's one less mouth for you to feed, right?

Let's go.

Brothers are starving, Dad.

Accept His will, and earn His grace.

Defy Him, and face the sword.

Dead. Clear.

Work!

Work!

Make way!

The commissioner is approaching!

Faster!

Faster!

Work, work, work, work!

The bell’s rung. They'll serve the food. Come on.

Tell me.

Can this runt lift a bar, dig a trench, cut a log?

Then why are we squandering my rations

on mouths that produce no labor?

Remove them all.

Sir, please! He's just a kid. Let him go!

Please, sir! Spare him!

Dad!

Mom!

- Suri! Chinni… - Mom!

If they cannot work, they do not eat.

Mom!

Less.

Less.

Hunger makes dogs obedient.

Works on them too.

Dad!

I'll take care of it, Dad.

I'll leave for Delhi,

as Her Majesty ascends as Empress of India.

When I return, I want this railway crawling to the coast.

- No delays. No pleas. - Yes, sir!

What happened? Why are you here?

Brother!

Please save my daughter!

What happened, Alivelu?

What happened to her?

Damn!

Hey, stop! Don't go! Hey, boy!

You dirty rats!

- Suri! Suri! - Suri!

- Sir! Sir! Please let them go, sir. - These rodents are trying to steal.

He's just a kid! Suri.

They're just kids. Please let them go, sir.

- Suri! - Please let them go, sir.

- Suri, Suri. - Sir!

- Suri, Suri. - Sir!

Please let them go, sir.

- Chinni. Chinni. - Suri.

- Suri! - Chinni.

Sir!

String up these brats on the part of that

- fence that is compromised. - Mom!

And use these ones as a bloody example!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

Mom.

Mom.

Sir… Sir!

Mom!

Sir! Someone save her!

- Chinni! - Mom!

Brother, save my child!

His fury burst into flames

And up he sprang With a thunderous roar!

Like a streak of lightning flashing

He leapt forth in a dazzling blaze

As his charging steed Kicked up a storm of dust

He crossed the fields Of golden cassia blooms

Across the villages Across the rivers

Over the hills Through the mountain passes

The white caravan rolled on

A fearless warrior Terrifying in battle!

Hail, the wielder of the trident! Hail, Rudra, in Your fearsome form!

Hail, Veerabhadra, mighty warrior! None can stand against You anymore!

Hail, the wielder of the trident! Hail, Rudra, in Your fearsome form!

Hail, Veerabhadra, mighty warrior! None can stand against You anymore!

Hey, kid!

Hey, kid!

Oh no! My son!

Suri!

My son!

Suri…!

Chinni.

Suri!

Chinni!

It's your uncle, dear.

Hey, Chinni!

Chinni.

Uncle…

Crap!

What are you afraid of?

Uncle's here.

You! Surrender.

Hey!

Guards!

From its sheath, the sword comes flying Sparks of fire rain from the blade!

Heads of the whitemen fall Before Dhoorjati, the blazing one

Skulls are shattered into pieces Brains scattered across the earth

The enemies lie dead in heaps Slaughtered like cattle by butcher

Chunks of flesh and streams of blood Become a feast for the wild dogs!

Clashing, slashing, and smashing He tears through them in a frenzy!

With bloodcurdling Cries of “Poli! Poli!

He roars and charges into the fray!

I swear upon Maddhileti Saami!

Those white-skinned mongrels Died like dogs!

Hail, the wielder of the trident! Hail, Rudra, in Your fearsome form!

Hail, Veerabhadra, mighty warrior! None can stand against You anymore!

Hail, the wielder of the trident! Hail, Rudra, in Your fearsome form!

Hail, Veerabhadra, mighty warrior! None can stand against You anymore!

Hey!

Hey!

- Chinni. - Mom…

Chinni!

Chinni!

He’s the one, brother.

Muni!

It's the first time I've seen Ranabaali.

My whole body trembled with fear when I saw him.

Who are you, man?

Like Mighty Lord Narasimha,

you tore these demons to pieces!

These… British lords.

They won't spare you.

This… won't stop here.

It won't.

Who is that "Lord"?

And to whom?!

Let this flame spread wherever it goes!

Let them come, no matter how many!

I'll snap their necks, pile up their corpses,

as a blood offering to my parched Mother Earth!

Let them come, those mongrels!

And so, Ranabaali came to the camp to save Alivelu's child.

There, he saw people living like slaves and asked in disbelief.

Why do you let your children die and toil in these camps?

Brother!

Why don't you go back to your villages?

Which villages are you talking about, son?

They have all turned into graveyards!

Roads that lead to our villages are covered with corpses.

Mom!

Mom!

Oh no!

Oh god!

Mom!

Oh god!

Oh god!

This is a worse punishment than death, son.

In a few more days, all the villages will face the same fate.

Unable to bear the hunger, they ate roots and bark.

They ate dirt and even feces.

Now we hear they are even eating corpses.

In the entire Madras Presidency, lakhs of people have died.

And those who survive will need generations to heal from this suffering.

\Meanwhile, Queen Victoria…

hosted a seven-day feast for 68,000 guests…

\…and declared herself Empress of India.

\Very soon gentlemen, we shall not merely rule India…

We shall own it!

Hector.

I've been hearing quite the stories from the Madras Presidency.

A quarter of the population perished?

Famine is nature's way of bringing balance to a country

that breeds endlessly.

The Empire bears no responsibility in this matter.

- Laissez-faire! - Your Excellency.

Then we must ensure that this is not recorded by history

as a man-made famine.

This country is very poor at remembering its own past.

In fact, future generations shall praise us for the railways we lay.

Tell me then Hector. What is it you truly wish to pursue?

Five hundred thousand tons of grain!

The ships may be dispensed forthwith.

That will be a record in the annals of the British rule.

If you can achieve that, Hector, you may consider yourself

to be the next Governor of the Bombay Presidency.

Yes, I know you've had your eye on it.

Pardon me, sir?

Something that matters?

No, Your Excellency.

But I must take leave.

Are you even a mother?!

If you can't feed them, why birth so many children?

How can you just stand there watching, like a barren cow with no milk?

Is this deadly hunger the fault of the famine…

or is it yours?

Ranabaali…

She is already mourning her dead children! Why are you blaming her?

This is the land of abundance. How can there be a shortage of food?

A demon in disguise, who crossed the seas,

has stolen our food and is trying to flee!

I'm only protecting you to keep my promise, to this heartbroken mother.

I protected you so that you will save a million more lives.

That's the purpose of your life.

Rise, Ranabaali, rise!

It is not the village's border you should be guarding, but the country's.

What happened to all the crops you harvested last year?

They're rotting in our village Nawab's warehouses.

His granary holds enough grain to feed ten villages.

Son…

Do you see what's hanging above that gate?

\That's the head of our Renadu warrior, Narasimha Reddy.

\It's been there for 30 years.

No one had the courage to take it down!

Let its gates rise like mountains,

let a million hounds guard its walls,

let its ruler be a venomous cobra, baring its bloody fangs…

You think you can just walk into the fort? Get out.

I'll tear those gates down…

Lost your way, you bloody stray?

Or are you a thief?

Hack him into pieces!

I will snap the necks of those hounds…

I will pull out the fangs of that cobra…

And then I'll feed you all.

This is Singanamala Bobbili Ranabaali's word!

Come on! Take them all.

Take them.

Come on. Come.

Load them.

Who said the warriors perished from this land?

Look who has arrived!

The true warrior.

Locate every warehouse like this, guarded by the Redcoats.

I'll make them pay for every single grain!

There's Badvel Fort to the east and Kadiri godown to the west.

Brother, look!

- Years of burning ache - Load them all.

Within our chest

King's warehouse in Siddipet.

Will our cry pierce The high heavens?

- and the Reddy fort - Piercing pitch-darkness

- in Rajampet. - Will the lightning

- Sir, if we lay down our lives for you, - Shine twice over

- then our deaths won't be in vain. - And strike true?

We'll fight alongside you, brother.

- Until this war is over, - Mother earth

- Gandikota will be our stronghold. - When lives are taken

- Train our men. - Did the thunderbolt rise upward?

Amidst the hoods Of venomous black cobras

- To end hunger, drop the plough. - Will you stand guard for us?

- Pick up a weapon… - In this realm of endless trials

- and rise against your enemy. - Will you stand firm like a warrior?

In the gaze of tear-filled eyes Will you shine as our shield?

This burden on our flesh is growing

- Officer Malthus bungalow - We can bear it no longer!

is nearby, brother.

Brother…

Damn…

This liquor of white men, it tastes so damn good and sweet!

- Sir… you? - I am Ranganayakulu, sir!

From Singanamala. Sir, I'm good with accounts.

I'd be grateful if you appoint me as the accountant, sir.

Get me down, you idiot!

Now!

Hey, Multhus!

How have you been?

- Hey, Maddhi! Your in-law is here. - In-law?

- You're leaving without greeting him? - Who the hell are you?

- Hey, Malthus… Malthus… - Ranabaali.

He's the new commissioner.

He's the cause of all this misfortune.

He's built like a bull. Wonder how many blows it'll take to bring him down!

A single strike.

Want to bet?

Ranabaali, come hither Our eyes that await you

Ranabaali

Rise as a raging fire and roar!

Ranabaali, oh brave one

We walk step-for-step with you!

Ranabaali, hero End our scarcity and win!

Enduring hunger Has become our familiar tale

Even a morsel reaching our lips Has become a dry memory

Whose agony Did the Lord hear in His heart

To change our destiny and rescue us?

- You are our tomorrow's king - Brother!

Ultimately becoming our god

Ranabaali You are the very will to live for us!

Ranabaali, we will not let you go Until the very end!

Ranabaali, our lord

- You fed our hungry children. - Other than you, there's no guardian!

Live a long and healthy life,

- with our blessings, my child. - Ranabaali, end the famine and win!

They say some nobleman, Ranabaali, is feeding the hungry.

Don't wander around. Go straight to him!

Are you well?

Ranganayakulu, where is he?

He couldn't come, Jayamma. He said he'd visit for Shivaratri.

He stood by the hungry and weak in this famine.

- How is he? - Brother is doing fine.

But the people are struggling, Aunt.

That's why he couldn't come and asked me to deliver the news.

How long has he been gone?

- Did he at least once-- - He'll--

- Hey, Jayamma! - Jayamma!

Jayamma!

Oh, Rajamma! Your daughter-in-law is pregnant.

Hey, priest! Spread the word throughout the village!

Okay, Rajamma.

- Who did this? - A savage, sir.

His name is Ranabaali.

Just one man?

Sir, don't underestimate him just because he's one man.

He raised an army and raided our granaries.

Now he's feeding the hungry.

I don't care what you heard about him.

I want his head on a pike!

No man lays his hands on my collections

and lives to tell the tale.

No man!

Summon the hound army…

And hunt him to the bone!

Oh God! That's a little bit bland.

Need some salt?

Sir.

Come here, Vladi. Come and have some Uncle Duke's scottish soup.

You little ungreatful pet.

Get in there!

Oh no! My kid!

Please don't!

Oh God!

God!

Sir! Sir!

Where… is Ranabaali?

Go tell those bloodthirsty fiends my whereabouts.

I swear by Kasapuram Anjaneya Swamy!

I will beat the madness out of those bastards

and let's show them what Shivaratri is like!

- Burn them all! - Hey, I know where Ranabaali is.

Belum caves, which look as if Nallamalla Forest has opened its mouth.

That's where he is. Let's go!

Come on. Come.

Ranabaali's inside.

Go on. Go.

Be careful.

On Shivaratri, the Srisaila Swamis are at their fiercest.

Ranabaali!

Where are you?!

Shoot them all!

Fire. Torches.

When the time of death approaches And the terrifying messengers of Yama

Reaten, strike And inflict severe suffering

O Lord Shiva Shankara Who resides in my heart

Along with Goddess Uma

Please remove my sins And free me from all suffering

When the time of death approaches And the terrifying messengers of Yama

Reaten, strike And inflict severe suffering

O Lord Shiva Shankara Who resides in my heart

Along with Goddess Uma

Please remove my sins And free me from all suffering

Ranabaali!

Sir, the goods train was due this very day and yet, we found this when we arrived.

He's sheltered in the hills, sir.

That's his stronghold.

Our men cannot trail him there!

He's using the ground to his advantage.

Then let us strike at his disadvantage.

Let not a single grain remain within his reach!

Move everything to the Madras port!

Let the famine soften him…

Before I break him.

Hey, keep your mouths shut! I said I'm coming.

You're hurting my ears!

You have no patience!

It's like serving you is all I'm here for.

Jayamma!

Let's go visit the temple.

Let's pray for your husband's wellbeing.

There is no need to pray for a man who doesn't care about his own household!

There's a wife at home waiting, bearing his child.

Yet, he couldn't care less to visit us.

- Let him die, why should I care? - Jayamma!

Don't say such hasty things without knowing about him.

Mother-in-law…

You're angry because he's ignoring you.

That is not his fault.

I am the one who wronged you…

for the sake of this family.

Please forgive me.

What is this, Mother-in-law? What are you talking about?

Please explain clearly.

Your husband is not destined for a long life.

I offered his life to gods at his birth.

With this month, the 24-year deadline set by God expires.

Only God knows what will happen after that.

A husband's life hangs on his wife's longing.

Don't give up hope on him.

Brother, all the warehouses got emptied all of a sudden.

Can't find a single grain anywhere.

It's the same news from all directions.

There is no grain to be found!

Any word from Goudappa from the east?

They haven't returned yet, brother.

- Where are they taking all the grains? - To Madras Port.

From there, to their country through ships.

Then let's go to Madras and get them back!

Where do you think Madras even is?

The Tamil kingdom.

It lies at the very edge of the earth. Everything beyond that is ocean.

Even our horses can't travel that far.

Then how are those white bastards taking the grain that far?!

Through cargo trains.

Why do you think they're making us lay tracks in the camps?

It's all for these trains.

They can't move grain from a country this large using just bullock carts!

So…

They made us lay tracks and steal our food through them?

How cunning these white men are!

Precisely. What else did you expect?

Brother…

I told her not to.

But she didn't listen.

Why are you staring at me like that?

When I looked from afar, everyone was becoming skinny.

I wondered who this woman was, looking so healthy.

I carry you in my heart and my womb.

This burden,

I've been waiting so long to share with you.

Didn't you think of coming home, even once?

At least to see if I was dead or alive?

Not a day goes by without thinking of you, Jayamma.

I wanted to come back to you so many times,

but circumstances held me back.

Chusinam po!

But…

My heart was full of pride, whenever I heard praises of you.

You've done enough for people.

Let's go home now.

I lose my sleep worrying about you.

Just having you with me means the world.

Let's go now.

Ranabaali… Come here once.

Son.

Who among you is Ranabaali?

That's me.

Who are you all, old man?

Son,

they say your arrival puts an end to hunger.

We're from the villages of Nellore district.

Knowing that you were here…

we walked all week to reach you.

Please feed us a little, son.

God will bless you.

We gave away everything we had.

There's nothing left with us now.

Brother…

The little ones…

They are crying of hunger.

Please, feed them at least.

If they have nothing, how can they feed us?

We're destined to die by starving.

We don't have the strength to go on anymore.

If this life must end,

let it end here with you.

Let it end here with you!

What's this? What are you doing?

The baby is crying out of hunger and he might die at this rate.

That's why I'm feeding him a drug so he wouldn't feel hungry all the time.

It feels kinder to end their suffering than watch them starve in this drought.

Drive away the drought demon with these stones!

When darkness gathers all around

Come be the lamp that lights our way

O Lord, come rescue us In times of need

And when hunger calls Come as our bread

When darkness gathers all around

Come be the lamp that lights our way

O Lord, come rescue us In times of need

And when hunger calls Come as our bread

We might have a short life, so what?

Let every moment of our lives Be offered for others goodwill

Though life may burn Like a funeral pyre

And all who seek You walk through fire

Be our courage

You're the strength we lean on

When darkness gathers all around

Come be the lamp that lights our way

Will sorrow ever change our fate?

Can tears alone quench our thirst?

When the wind blows hard And brings the whole shelter down

The tender vine does not lose heart

It clings to the young branch And keeps reaching on

When fierce winds rise And launch their attack

The flame of courage never dies

A true warrior keeps fighting on

Though wounded He never lets go of his sword

We are human And our hearts beat as one!

Come, let us become one for another And walk as one

O wondrous mother Who knows no evil intention

You gave us the breath of life

Nine months have filled your womb

Enough of hardship, it's enough

To give birth to a little child

Is a blessing bestowed upon us

For every woman who becomes a mother

Is born anew herself

With wishes for A hundred years of joy

We celebrate your Seemantham

May blessings be yours

May victory be yours forever

Brother, Goudappa is here.

It's the smoke demon.

It stuffed its belly with all our food,

and slithering off like a hungry snake, honking.

It's not a demon, Goudappa. I told you, didn't I? It's a goods train.

It's going to Madras.

- Where have you seen that? - At the Renigunta godown, brother.

It has already left.

Then let's ambush them at the Gurram Konda hills.

We must catch it before it crosses Seema.

We need to get to Singanamala before it gets dark.

I came here to take you back home.

But what you're doing here is God's work.

I just can't bring myself to stop you.

But be careful, dear.

What could possibly happen to me, you mad girl?

You go home without a worry, Jayamma.

I'll go, but…

You must be by my side during the labor.

I'll leave on that condition.

All right. Go.

Promise me.

You stubborn woman.

I swear on Lord Bhadra Mallanna.

I'll come.

Brother, this compartment is just filled with cotton!

Brother, there's no grain in this one either.

Yes, brother, it's all cotton.

There's nothing here.

Tell me where all the food sacks went!

They sent all the grain ahead to ship everything from Madras.

This train is just carrying cotton and hemp to Madras.

There's no grain in it, brother.

- Please spare us, brother. - Brother!

Brother! Brother!

Brother!

Singanamala is being destroyed! The army has arrived!

They're tearing it down, brother!

Brother, Jayamma! Hurry!

Hey!

Mom…

Mom…

Mom…

Come on, hurry!

Hey!

Jayamma! Get up! Come on!

Jayamma! Stay behind me!

Hey!

Come on, Jayamma!

Mother-in-law!

Jayamma!

Jayamma!

Leave!

Hey!

Alivelu!

- Mother-in-law! - Mom! Mom!

- Mom! - Chinni! Chinni!

Lord, she's Ranabaali's wife.

We thought all along the goddess of famine had cursed us,

so we simply starved.

While innocent children were dying,

we grieved, believing the Goddess wanted a sacrifice.

But now I understand.

This famine is not God's doing.

It is because of a beast, who ravaged and devoured our land.

Only when our Pothuraju beheads this beast in the heart of our village…

will the famine finally end.

That Pothuraju is my husband.

And you are that beast.

That is the problem with courage. It's contagious.

So, before it spreads like a plague across this land,

I shall behead your husband.

As a reminder for the generations to come,

not to raise their heads against the empire.

The lord says he'll cut off your husband's head.

Chusinam po!

The ship is arriving at the port.

Time to go!

Don't worry, I'll take good care of your husband.

Jayamma!

Jayamma!

Jayamma… What happened to you?

Jayamma, get up, my love.

Jayamma, I'm here.

Do something… There's so much blood.

Jayamma! Come on, open your eyes. Look at me!

Did you come, dear?

Jayamma, my dear, I'm here.

I was afraid I'd die…

Without seeing you.

Stop it already.

Don't talk nonsense.

I'm not leaving you. I'll stay right here with you.

- You'll be okay. - What happened?

My love.

I held on…

for our child.

I can't take it anymore.

Doctor! Where's the doctor?

Where's the doctor? Go get him.

Get the baby out.

Jayamma!

- Get the baby out. - What? What are you saying?

If I die, the baby will stop breathing.

I can't hold on anymore. Do it quickly.

- I can't, Jayamma. - Get the baby out!

I just can't, I can't.

Save our child.

Save our child.

Oh God!

Brother… no!

Brother!

Jayamma!

Jayamma, what happened?

I-- It's a boy.

Why aren't you saying anything?

He's crying. Hold him in your arms.

Jayamma.

Jayamma! Jayamma!

Why aren't you talking?!

What happened to you? Why won't you talk? He's crying.

I brought you… b-- black beads.

I brought you black beads.

Jay-- Jayamma, please get up.

Jayamma.

Jayamma.

Jayamma…!

Jayamma!

I knew this would happen!

Look what happened now.

The village has turned into a graveyard.

They're not humans. They're monsters.

- They're monsters. - In a few more days ,

we'll all die of hunger anyway, brother.

Isn't it better to die now in this pyre?

It's not our turn to die anymore.

Let's get to the ends of the earth.

Ready the carts!

We're awaiting the final consignment, sir.

With this next shipment, you'll have exported a record-breaking

five hundred thousand tons of grain to London.

Congratulations! Governor of Bombay, your Excellency.

See it done. Let the viceroy play his part now.

Sir!

I'll be in my prayers.

- Do not let your guard down. - Don't worry, sir!

Can those fools really come this far on their starving horses?

Impossible.

At last, speak of the devil.

Unload it once, quickly.

Come on!

Crap.

- Hey! - No, no… Please!

Good God!

Company! Advance!

Every single grain here is equal to a child's life.

Don't leave a single sack behind.

It's not just us…

Even our swords are starving.

Ready!

Your arms.

Whoever gets in our way…

Let's sacrifice those buggers to our Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Fire!

Our day has finally come. Let's go!

England! England! England!

Not these lambs.

Where the hell is the beast?!

Where the hell is it?!

Hail Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Ranabaali.

Brother! The Commissioner!

Grain by grain by grain.

I've wrung all this from your wretched land.

And you stand here on my coast, in my port?

Thinking you can tear down my life's ambition in a single day.

Barbarian!

I will break your neck and nail your head to my ship.

And send every damn grain out to sea.

I've come this far hunting the beast that ravaged our villages.

And you hide yourself at the edge of the earth, you coward!

Are you the drought demon, my grandfather warned us about?

I'll rein you with my waist cord

and paint the Madras shores red with your blood.

If I don't cut down you, your queen, and her entire race,

in the streets of Puttaparthi…

Vanekka!

I'm not Singanamala Bobbili Ranabaali anymore.

As long as this Pothuraju stands guard, not a single grain will cross the border.

No.

No! My ambition! My work!

Come on, you bugger!

Savage!

Who is that?

Ranabaali.

Ranabaali… Muruga.

Ranabaali Muruga!

All the grain hauled in from Madras Port,

Ranabaali distributed to every starving village.

It ended the drought in those villages.

Hail Ranabaali!

Thus ended that sacred duty.

But what happened to the deadline Grandfather gave Ranabaali?

Bhadra Mallanna,

though the time you granted has passed,

you protected my child through every danger

and brought him home.

Don't take his father away, too…

As long as Singanamala exists,

I'll celebrate your festival.

They almost died, due to lack of feed.

You know what happened in Ballari?

About twenty men attacked the Collector's bungalow.

When asked who they were,

they identified themselves as Singanamala Ranabaali’s men.

And they took away everything.

They wet themselves when they heard your name.

Ranabaali.

I'll take him to his mom's village and invite everyone to the festival.

I'll be back by evening.

Get the cart ready.

Why don't you eat?

Isn't it already late?

I'll eat once I return from the temple. You go on.

You get moving.

Muni!

- Appanna uncle. Did you see Muni? - No, son.

- Brother, are you searching for Muni? - Yes.

I saw her go up the hill. Go to the top. You'll find her.

He takes after his mom.

Hey, what do you mean? He takes after his dad.

Those eyes, that nose and his moustache…

- everything's-- - You saw moustache too?

You exaggerating fool!

I'll teach the boy everything, including horse riding.

He'll outshine his father one day.

Maddileti!

Turn the cart around.

What happened, Aunt?

Just do it!

What have you done, God?

What have you done?!

Muni!

Muni!

Muni!

When did you come here all by yourself?

Easy there.

Wait, I'm untying you. Who tied you here?

You pathetic cowards!

You don't even know how to kill? Just dancing around.

What Grandpa?

So you're taking me back?

I've been waiting for this too.

Send me to Jayamma.

My job here is also done.

I have no heart to live on.

I'll lie in Jayamma's lap…

and rest.

Hey!

What are you looking at?

Just finish it.

Just tell me the reason before you kill me.

Who are you all?

Hey, Ranganayakulu.

What is this, brother?

What do you think of yourself?

Who do you think they are?

They are Britishers.

The entire world is under their control.

Even the our future rests at their mercy.

That's why…

I begged everyone, hoping to get a government job.

Please recommend me for that accountant position, sir.

Go dust off that chair.

Sir, I'm good with accounts.

Please appoint me as the accountant, sir.

Get me down, you idiot!

It didn't work.

Instead of begging everyone,

I joined hands with the Commissioner directly.

You thought you killed the Commissioner in the port, didn't you?

He's not dead. He's alive.

Sir…

no matter how many soldiers

or armies you send,

none of you can kill Ranabaali, sir.

You know why?

He's guarded by the God Bhadra Mallanna.

But, sir…

Even the god's time has a deadline.

I know when that day comes.

I'll kill Ranabaali for you, my lord.

Will you make me an accountant?

I'll kill Ranabaali.

Make me an accountant.

Ranabaali.

What? You're surprised how I came to know your birth secret?

One day…

Rajamma called me over to rewrite some documents.

I sustained him with life borrowed from time itself,

and postponed his death for 24 years.

Come and eat, brother. You can write them later.

Okay! I am coming.

Such a noble birth!

If not him, someone else will.

They'll take you and half the village with you.

Since the deadline has passed, your death is certain now.

If you die…

by my hands…

The Commissioner said he'd come here for your head.

He said,

Not just an accountant, but he'll make me the Tahsildar!

Please die, brother.

Please for my sake.

Brother! Brother! Let's go check up on the hill.

Hey! Someone's coming. Let's get out of here!

Let's go.

Brother!

Brother! What happened?!

Who did this to you?

Brother!

You're bleeding a lot.

Go find them.

Brother! Brother!

What happened to you, brother?

Brother, look at me.

Brother!

To feed the hungry…

In the battle with the famine demon…

The warrior Ranabaali

Has sacrificed his life

Oh God!

He was a green leaf But fell like a withered leaf

Oh divine lord!

After his purpose is fulfilled, he'll go to his grave.

Oh divine lord!

Without Ranabaali, Singanamala is left desolated, O mother!

Oh divine lord!

SINGANAMALA BOBBILI RANABAALI BIRTH - 1854 DEATH - 1878

Ranabaali!

Legend of the cursed land.

I want his head!

Dig! Dig!

Dig! Dig!

Sir, that's not a grave.

That's a passage.

What?

This isn't a cave. It's a passage.

It's a way for humans to become divine.

But when the demon crosses our borders,

Lord Bhadra Mallanna will come as Pothuraju

and claim the demon as a war sacrifice.

Hey!

Hey!

You miscalculated, you traitor!

Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Brother!

- He's not dead, Maddi. - He's alive.

The Commissioner said he'd come here for your head.

To kill him and save our village,

the only way is

the burial.

Only when our Pothuraju beheads this beast in the heart of our village…

will the famine finally end.

That Pothuraju is my husband.

And you are that beast.

Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Lord Bhadra Mallanna!

Ever since, whenever injustice befell that land,

Ranabaali's horse would neigh.

Perpetrators were mercilessly beheaded!

In the British lord's records, Ranabaali is listed as having died long ago.

To the wicked, he's nothing short of a nightmare.

Those trains didn't just race across the land.

They ran straight through British hearts!

Even today, no one knows

if it was a god or a mortal who came that day.

And with that, the story ends.