Original subtitles

SALT AND CAMPHOR LOOK ALIKE BUT WHEN TRIED…

“Om Namah Shivaya”

“Sri Rama Jai Rama Jai Jai Rama”

“Sri Rama Jai Rama Jai Jai Rama”

Hmm?

Hmm…

Hmm!

Hmm? Hmm…

Mm-hmm.

The bearer of this letter is my student, Rama Krishna.

He will be helpful in solving the problems of our village.

Yours, Venu Gopalam.

Hmm! This guy, Venu Gopalam…

He keeps sending someone or the other every day.

Seen enough like you.

Stay here for today and leave tomorrow.

-Er… Priest… -Hmm?

I am staying for three or four days.

Hmm.

Mm-hmm.

“Lakshmi, daughter of the king of milky ocean, and the deity of Srirangam”

Priest!

Where can I take a bath?

Hmm!

Go jump in the pond.

Huh?

Have you finally come, lord? Have you arrived?

For a 25 year old question, you are the Goddess sent answer.

The lord is here.

-Devaiah, what are you doing here? -Are you here finally?

-Go! -Huh!

I am going to proclaim this. It should be proclaimed on a tom-tom.

Take good care of him. Huh?

Lord has arrived. Lord has arrived.

Lord has arrived. He has arrived.

-Lord… -Let me.

Who is that guy?

He is a crazy fool.

Hmm. Bless you.

-Priest… -Hmm?

Why are so many locked up in that room? What happened to them?

Er…

Look, Rama Krishna!

I say this in your best interest. Go your way.

Why get involved in this mess?

There is something evil in the forest.

Even the police are unable to find out.

Oh!

Where is the police station in this village, priest?

“O, son of Anjani with a pleasant countenance”

“and a lustrous body who is bestowed with all glory,”

-Huh? Sir, all the villagers are coming. -POLICE STATION, AMARAGIRI

Hmm?

Hmm… come, come.

Huh!

-Sir… -Hmm?

The revenue collector is coming.

Is he now?

I wanted to listen to his radio but how snobbish he acted?

True, sir.

Today the sound of the TV in this station shall wash away all their pride.

-Right, sir. -Hmm.

Hmm.

Hmm?

Hmm.

Sit down.

Hmm.

Hey, turn it on.

Hmm?

Huh?

Hey, why is it not working?

Huh?

Huh?

Hmm?

Hey, damn you! If you don’t function, I'll lock you up.

Hey, who are you?

You don’t seem to be from our village.

And why are you laughing like a mad fool?

What do I say, Patel?

You think it's a person to be afraid of jail? It's just a machine.

Machine? Is it not TV?

You seem to know more than I do.

If that’s true, make it sing.

It doesn’t sing. It only shows.

Huh?

Then, show me how.

Or I will lock you up too.

Oh!

Whoever can weigh Sri Krishna, He will only be loyal to them.

is that okay with you?

Drink this. It’s date wine.

It is amazing.

Hey, I don’t want it.

Hey, drink, brother. You saved our department’s honour.

Is it because I didn’t offer alcohol?

Hey, I am not in the habit.

Humph...

Okay.

Why did you come to our village?

Ah… uh…

I heard going into the forest at night is making people go mad?

That’s true, brother.

This is quite a problem.

It’s been three months since I joined.

For the past two months, this is all that’s been happening.

Very close to this village, in the forest, there is a Devathala Gutta.

Nobody has been going there for twenty-five years.

Just two months ago, a girl and a boy went into the forest at night.

That's when it all had started.

Whoever goes into the forest at night, lose their minds.

-That’s why the government has sent me. -Huh?

-The government? -Hmm.

Does that mean you are from our department?

Uh… are you my senior or junior?

I am not from your department.

Then?

Detective.

What is that?

Detective… spy… Haven’t you heard?

Hmm… that new guy.

What’s his name?

Ah! Krishna!

-He only does this kind of movies. -Hmm.

Yes, I have seen them. They are good.

I also have the king’s permission.

Is that so?

I have no update on this.

-If you don’t believe me, let’s go ask him. -Hey, hey…

Sit down. Sit down, brother.

You’ve saved our department’s honour. How can I not believe you?

Has all this started three months ago?

Yes.

They go into the forest and they come back deranged.

And then?

CAUTION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DO NOT ENTER

Huh?

(ululating)

Daddy…

Daddy…

Narsaiah, a blacksmith.

Lacchanna, a potter.

We made the deranged sit in front of their professional tools.

Yet, they couldn’t recall their past.

The report says thirty two people.

But there are only thirty one in the temple.

What happened to that one person?

Oh, that’s Rathamma. She is a sex worker.

They can't lock her up in a temple, can they?

She is left outside the village.

She had also gone to the forest to meet someone.

And lost her mind.

She gave pleasure to a lot of people.

But doesn’t remember a thing now.

Mm-hmm.

You seem to be very upset about Rathamma.

Oh, stop it, Ramayya.

I need to see these people.

Then let’s inform the king and go.

Nobody is allowed near the premises where the sacred threads are tied.

Panchayat’s decision.

Let’s not go then.

Are there any sacred threads tied where they were found?

No. You can go there anytime during the day.

Come. Let’s quickly go there.

Huh?

CAUTION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DO NOT ENTER

Hmm!

What are these flags for?

This is where those deranged people were found.

These flags are fixed here to identify the location.

-Was there no evidence? -No.

-Blood? -No.

-Weapons… objects? -No.

Not even animal footprints?

No, not even a drop of blood.

Somebody is doing a fool-proof job. Without leaving any evidence.

Not somebody. It’s the Goddess.

What do you mean goddess?

Didn’t I tell you it’s a curse from Mother Goddess on Devathala Gutta?

I see. Does your Goddess’s curse work only at night?

Doesn’t it work during the day?

I want to meet the victims at the temple.

I might find something.

I told you they are all cooped up, Ramayya.

Without the king’s permission, we won't be allowed.

Then let’s meet the one who is outside the temple.

Outside the temple?

Hey, I am talking about Rathamma.

You said she is held outside the village.

If the locals see us tomorrow they will make a ruckus.

Then let’s go tonight. Come. Hmm.

Bah! He is stuck like glue on my shoe.

Uh-huh!

-Walk this way… -Not that side?

Wow! The priest is great at this. Lemon rice smells so good. Sniff it.

Tsk. I told you I can’t smell.

-You can’t smell? -Hmm.

Something is wrong.

Be done with it quickly, Ramayya.

Hey, somebody is here. Come away quickly.

-Tsk. Hey, who could it be? -How do I know?

Come fast. Let’s hide here.

Lakshmi madam… What is she doing here?

-Oh! -Ah… I stepped on it.

Damn you, Patel!

Who is that?

Come out right now.

Come out!

Did you come at this hour just to feed her?

I got to know about her only this evening.

It broke my heart. That’s why I have come.

What is it?

Uh… nothing.

You know where her house is, right?

Hmm.

Let’s go.

Hmm.

Ah… stay right here. I will go change her clothes.

Hmm.

Give that to me.

Please, wait outside.

Rama Krishna!

There was a scuffle here.

Hmm?

Look at that broken door.

Huh!

Somebody made a forceful entry.

Huh?

So, it must be the same guy who made this gash.

He didn’t make the gash, Patel.

Then?

She did it herself.

When someone comes to kill you, he will slit your throat, not leave a mark.

For a sex worker, the most valuable asset is her body.

Making a gash on her valuable body, she was trying to convey a message.

What was she trying to convey?

Maybe Rathamma knew something about him.

He has been following Rathamma,

Yet she wanted to expose him to the village residents.

But how?

She didn’t go to school. She doesn’t know how to write.

That’s why she made a gash on her body.

We must find out its meaning.

I changed her sari.

I will bring her three meals from tomorrow.

Why should she come to change her sari? I could do it too.

-Shh… can you be quiet? -Hmm.

Thanks, madam.

If everyone was nice like you, there would be no problems in this world.

If there were no problems in the world, what would detectives like you do?

Er… well…

Anyway, why are you taking so much trouble for our village?

The king of this dominion…

Specially called me to solve the problems in this place.

Back there in Hyderabad I am an extremely busy person.

Huh! Why didn’t you stay put there in that case?

Er… I was going to do that.

But the king was so desperate about this problem,

-he literally begged me to come. -Huh?

He is an elderly man. I couldn’t say no.

I see.

Good for you, Rama Krishna.

I will take your leave now.

Er… alright, Ms. Lakshmi.

Master, the kids are comfortable with you.

What will happen to them now?

What about me, sir?

Thirty-two people have lost their minds and collapsed.

Nobody has the slightest clue what is happening to this village and why.

-Hmm. -Hmm?

How come Lakshmi is here?

Hmm. Move it.

Why did you bring me here?

The king has sent for you.

The king?

Come.

Hmm.

Grandpa…

Grandpa?

When did you come, dear?

Just the day before, grandpa.

I came here only today.

God dammit!

Who is that guy?

He is a detective, grandpa.

He is investigating the problem of our village.

Didn’t I ask you to leave?

Er… sir…

I requested him to stay and solve the problem, grandpa.

He is a very intelligent man.

I don’t want to lie to an elderly man!

A lie?

My mother is very ill, your majesty.

If I solve the problem here, I will make some money,

I need it to save my mom. That’s why I am here.

Hmm.

I will instruct the clerk.

He will send you a money order for your mother’s treatment.

You can go back.

I don't touch money unless I have worked for it.

That’s my nature, sir.

I will solve the problem of this village.

Thirty-two people have already lost their minds.

Do you want to join them too? Huh?

Fighting an invisible enemy is very dangerous.

We don’t even know whether it is God or the devil or a beast.

What will you find out?

If he is afraid to show himself, he must be one among us.

The god we created will never destroy us.

If it is the devil, God Himself will take care of it.

Not a drop of blood is shed. So, it can't be a beast.

Someone more dangerous than all these three has done this.

A human being.

Give me one chance to get to the bottom of this.

Consider giving him a chance, grandpa.

I give you forty-eight hours.

Find out by then.

Hmm? Hmm.

Or else… leave the village.

Thank you, grandpa.

-Take care, darling. -I will take your leave.

Let’s get going.

Please, forgive me, my king.

With your permission, I would like to leave the village.

I am not able to keep my own people from harm.

How can I force you to stay here?

Go!

I hope you won’t let me down.

You have placed your trust in me. I will keep that up.

-Thank you, madam. -You’re welcome.

Hmm?

-We shall get going, Ms Lakshmi. -Hmm.

What nasty things you are making a policeman do!

Look at me using the back gate and breaking the lock!

-Patel… -Hmm?

-Pass me the stone. -I see.

Hmm.

I myself couldn’t do it!

Huh?

Huh?

Ramayya, if someone sees me here, I will be jailed.

KAVITHA SAMPUTI

Collection of poems!

A pole star manifested on Earth

Making Niagara blossom like moonlight

Your eyebrow is like the wave of a blue sea

Your smile brighter than the ray of sun

A nectar not found on the nine planets

Milky white is the beauty of your body

You are pure magic! My Rathama!

Yours, Venkata Ratnam.

Rathamma?

What an affair the master had run.

No wonder I first met him at Rathamma's house.

He lied he was from the neighbouring village.

-Hey, Patel! -Huh?

What are you both doing here?

How could you enter my house without my permission?

Get out right now.

Fine, we will go.

Last night, why did you come where Rathamma was held?

I went nowhere.

I could see the lamp on your cycle in the dark.

What are you hiding?

What’s happening in this village?

Why should I talk to you? I am leaving this place anyway.

Where are you going?

Your girl is hanging between life and death, and aren’t you ashamed of walking away?

What are you talking about?

I have just read your poem.

You loved her with such intensity.

You adored her so deeply.

How can you walk away from her? Like a coward?

I am a coward.

But when I saw you and Madam Lakshmi there, I was emboldened.

That you will take good care of Rathamma.

Huh!

That’s why... I took one last look at her.

Before leaving for good.

If you tell me what’s going on here, I will save you and Rathamma.

I cannot answer your questions here.

In Amaragiri, the walls have ears and the trees have eyes.

Exactly at the midnight hour,

come where the stream and the river meet.

I will show you what is happening in this village.

Hey, don’t get dramatic.

Tell us the truth or I will lock you up.

Patel, let’s get going.

What is happening in this village?

Everybody seems to be wary.

I told the king a man is behind this but who could the man be?

Could it be MLA Raghupathi who ordered to throw me out as soon as he saw me?

Hey, throw him out!

Or is it the priest who faltered when i asked about the victims bound?

Or is the king who says there is no problem in the village at all?

There is no problem here.

-Have you come, lord? Are you here? -The mad man, the master...

something is happening.

I will find out soon. I will.

I waited all night at the river for the Telugu teacher.

Didn’t he turn up?

Should I lock him up?

Your jail seems to be pretty vacant.

-You want to lock up anybody and everybody. -Huh?

That teacher wants to tell us something.

After we hear him out, do whatever you want.

By the way,

there was a boat in the river in the middle of the night.

Any idea?

A boat… uh, it belongs to the engineers from the Srisailam project.

They use a boat. That must be it.

-Ever since the project started… -Officer…

What is it?

-Look there. -Huh!

“Lord Ramachandra, who won the heart of the daughter of King Janaka…”

I saw rope marks on the teacher’s wrists.

His hands were tied before he was left in the forest.

This is done by a person.

And yet he is locked up in the temple!

Will he be cured if he is tied up here?

I am only a devotee, Ramayya.

I am not superstitious.

I only have spiritual power.

No administrative authority.

That’s why we simply follow the orders of our MLA, Mr Raghupathi.

It’s on his orders that all the deranged are locked up in the temple.

We cannot defy his orders and survive here.

Have this sacred offering.

Goodbye.

Raghupathi?

Yes.

MLA Raghupathi it is.

Why are you getting into all this?

I asked you to leave, didn’t I? Huh?

This place is cursed by the mother Goddess.

‘This is British Cantonment. This is Secunderabad.’ Why do you make it sound like a dictum?

Tell me why your own goddess will curse you?

This is all I know.

I don’t know anything else.

So, don’t ask me.

“Sri Rama Jai Rama Jai Jai Rama”

“Sri Rama Jai Rama Jai Jai Rama”

Let’s eat this prasad and go to the forest tonight.

Go to the forest?

-FOREST AREA -This is Devathala Gutta.

25 years ago... Because of Mother Goddess's curse

DEVATHALA GUTTA

More than a hundred died due to incessant rains here.

That’s why the locals believe the Goddess has cursed them.

There was no government formed then.

They initiated investigation after a few years.

This is the report made by them.

During the temple fair on Devathala Gutta, it suddenly began to rain heavily.

Including twenty-two children, a total of hundred and six lives were lost.

Even after years of investigation on the incident at Devathala Gutta,

no evidence could be found.

As the deity on Devathala Gutta was desecrated,

the infuriated Goddess caused sleets of rain killing several.

Considering this belief and fear of the locals,

we call off the investigation.

The temple of Mother Goddess on Devathala Gutta and the place around it…

will remain closed from today.

Huh?

Oh, Ramayya…

Don’t go, Ramayya.

I will accompany you in the morning. Don’t go now.

Oh, Ramayya!

Hey, who is that?

Why are you here in the night?

We are bringing firewood, sir.

We spotted a tiger and took the round way about.

It is quite late.

Go back to the village quickly.

Right, sir.