Those were very hard times. The land was afflicted by drought.
Not a drop of rain had fallen for 10 years.
Every day, hungry people from the villages left the kingdom in despair.
There was but one hope left A Great Royal Fire Sacrifice.
That would appease lndra, Lord of Gods, custodian of rain.
A Great Royal Fire sacrifice.
lmpossible! Chief Priest Paravasu will never agree.
Did someone call me?
Yes, my Lord. There's a troupe of actors at the city gates.
They want to stage a play in honour of the fire sacrifice.
l thought the famine had eaten up all the troupes.
This one small troupe survives That's their manager.
Say whatever you want from where you're standing.
But don't look at the sacrificial enclosure, or you'll pollute it.
Your Royal Majesty!O Chief Priest! O Brahmins!
Brahma, Lord of all Creation gave birth to the art of drama.
He handed it over to Lord lndra, who then gifted it to us humans.
So if we wish to please lndra and rid the land of this long drought.
We can't depend only on prayers The gods need entertainment too.
So l humbly request you to let us perform a play here.
lf lndra likes it, he might grant the land rain and salvation.
You called me to decide this little matter?
My Lord, there aren't enough actors to perform the play.
He wants to bring someone new Your brother, Arvasu.
l told him: Arvasu's forbidden to step in here, get anyone but him.
But he says he has a special message for you from your brother.
Greetings, dear elder brother!
You once said to me. The very first actors in history were Brahmins.
But they lost their caste because of their profession.
You said, if l valued my high birth l should not touch this profession.
All these years l have obeyed you. But today l am branded a criminal.
l have killed my father, l'm a disgrace to Brahmins, l've no caste.
So can't l be an actor now, according to your own rules?
l trust you won't stop me.
Paravasu, you have conducted the sacrifice flawlessly for 7 years.
Let's finish it. Let it rain. The celebration can come afterwards.
As a sacrifice approaches its end, evil spirits gather in the shadows.
We must be careful! -Besides, you yourself called Arvasu a demon.
Perhaps every sacrifice needs demons before it can be complete.
lt's a bond we can't break.
Let's have the play, we shall all watch.
Arvasu! Your brother has agreed!
Paravasu said yes!
We can do the play! l'll get everything together. -Come.
He's agreed, Nittillai. He'll watch our play.
l know you'll come, too. You had promised me.
Just a month ago you and l were so happy.
My heart is swaying to the tune. Of the songbird in the wood.
Clouds now gather in the sky...
The weather changes mood..
ln welcome of a waking dream, l wait excited, eyes agleam.
Hear, my dear, the singing breeze.
Listen to the rustling leaves, my dear.
As we saunter hand in hand, The love-note echoes through the land.
Romance has brought such melody, My anklet bells respond in key.
ln welcome of a waking dream l wait excited, eyes agleam.
Today l look at you a new My body filled with raging thirst.
Your gaze is piercing through and through.
l feel my heart's about to burst.
Your presence is like heady mead. A tavern-full won't slake my need.
Never talk to tribals. What's to worry about, Arvasu?
The village elders will ask a few questions, you answer them.
After all, every young man getting married does it. Just declare...
Sure, just say: l want to marry her l'm potent, l can satisfy her needs.
Yes, more or less that.
And in public!
Obviously. What's the point of saying it to yourself?
Don't worry, its nothing.
Might be nothing to the young men of your tribe. But l'm a Brahmin.
To say all that in Public! No chants to drown out one's voice.
No sacred smoke to hide one's face How awful!
Will there be many people?
Only the whole village... And people from the villages around.
Are your elders very brutal?
Of course not! But the young men could be...
What young men?
Your friends, my brothers and the rest. They love pulling the groom's leg.
l'm not coming.
Why?
Don't say that, Arvasu. What if some evil spirit hears?
Father has told the young men not to get carried away. He likes you.
But have you faced your people? Have you told them about us yet?
You haven't? Why not? Are you ashamed?
Ashamed? l'll show you who's ashamed.
You ruffian! Let me go! What're you doing?
Don't l have any rights?-No.
The groom doesn't touch the bride till the wedding. That's our custom.
l'm about to jettison my caste, my family, all my traditions for you.
Can't you forget one small custom?
lt's a wise custom, made by our elders.
All these days l kept away because Brahmins don't touch other castes.
Now you won't touch me.
Are you sure someone won't think of something else once we're married?
Listen... it's Andhaka baba Let's go tell him our news
Go, slowly. What's the hurry...wait...
Andhaka Baba is waiting for my cousin since a long time lonely.
Why alone?
Now that he has returned. Andhaka Baba must be happy.
He's not alone. We come every day to be with him.
Wait.
Who's that?
Ah, ha! Arvasu!
May lightning strike your ears!
He thinks he's a great actor But you're too smart to be fooled.
They all try, but l can always tell.
Just like you recognize a man by his face, l can tell his footsteps.
l'll fool you yet!...Watch!
May God grant your wish But in the meantime...
You two have cheered my heart with your good news.
The world doesn't like such mixing of blood, it will treat you cruelly.
That's why he's only talked to my family, not to his own.
One good thing about the famine... -Don't say such horrid things.
l know. But the famine has made all my people run away.
And they've taken their daughters.
So l'm free to marry whomever l want.
Actually, l was thinking...
Okay... trying to think.
l'm a fool, l know l'll never be learned like Father or Uncle.
Can't be Chief Priest like Paravasu nor do penance like cousin Yavakri.
All l want is to dance, sing, act... and be with Nittillai.
lt won't matter a flake of cow dung to my father if l'm alive or dead.
My sister-in-law Vishakha lives in a world of her own.
That leaves only my brother.
Paravasu is a hard man He won't be crossed.
Hard? Never to me.
To me, he's been a mother, father, brother, nurse, teacher all in one.
He taught me to win at marbles, to play tunes on bamboo pieces...
What if he forbids you now?
l'll tell him, l can't give up Nittillai She's my life.
l can't live without her l would rather be an outcaste.
Beautiful! Marvellous! Such moving words.
But Paravasu is not one to be easily moved, l warn you
l'm only waiting for the sacrifice to end before speaking to him
And he's the Chief Priest.
l won't be good to disturb him now with this matter.
But, he's sure to hear that you're seeing Nittilai's tribal elders today.
l didn't expect her father to hold the council so soon, nobody asked me
So Father's to blame? Do you know why he's called the elders so soon?
He says, these high-caste men only want to bed our women, not wed them.
All right! Let's wed now, then we can...
Your cousin Yavakri will be so happy. That's why, he wants to meet you.
Yes, he's asked me to meet him exactly at noon... where is he?
Let me go, Yavakri.
You speak at last! l've waited here 4 days to hear your voice.
Please, Vishakha. There's nobody in your house, what's the hurry?
My father-in-law returns tomorrow Say what you want to him.
l haven't waited so long to speak with him. He doesn't care about me.
l can't stand here chatting with a stranger.
A stranger! That's good!
l'm a married woman. - l know.
lt was the first piece of news l got upon my return.
That you had married Paravasu. l was shaken.
But it was silly of me not to have expected it.
10 years is a long time and 10 years of silence is longer still.
Can't we just talk?
10 years ago l swore that l wouldn't ever look at another woman.
l have kept my word. - That time is past now.
l don't regret it. But surely l still have the right to say.
Put your pot down and talk to me for a while, please...
Vishakha, after 10 years in solitude, l am hungry for words.
They say you pleased lndra so much he granted you Universal Knowledge.
l'm not worthy of exchanging words with such a learned man.
Universal knowledge! How good that sounds!
Now, it looks funny.
But, it's true, l did go looking for some such grandiose thing.
You put it so simply in that one sentence. So beautifully.
You go to the jungle to do penance. You stand in a circle of fire.
Your austerities force the Gods to grant your wish, and it's yours!
Universal Knowledge! Victory! But it wasn't like that at all.
Leeches, beetles, the relentless heat.
Not demons, but poisonous snakes to terrorise me!
Life in the jungle is hell.
But you got what you wanted.
l don't know. When God appears, you'd expect something earth-shaking.
A concrete experience. lndubitable.
l think lndra came to me several times, but l was never certain.
l don't know how long l sat there Another year, perhaps two...
He appeared again, another trite exchange of words...
You can't master knowledge through austerities, Yavakri.
But that's what l want.
An ocean is just drops of water, the sun is made of rays of light.
But you want the entire ocean and the whole sun, fully formed at once.
You're right, l want it all! Universal Knowledge! Here, now!
Your obstinancy reminds me of a story.
Once a man set out riding his donkey.
Someone saw him and asked, Where are you off to, my friend?
The man replied: l've lost my donkey, l'm out looking for him.
You get my point, Yavakri?
But l won't give up.
That's your foolishness.
Then one day you returned.
Yes! One day l decided l had won. So, l came back.
l can't quite remember why l arrived at that conclusion.
l guess l learned something, but l'm not really any wiser.
May be that understanding itself is wisdom, right?
l've got a few tricks l didn't know before. - Some magic, some mantras
You'll see for yourself soon. - Me? No, thank you!
But the strangest part is, so much inside me hasn't changed at all.
Do you remember, before leaving for the jungle l came to say goodbye.
You led me to your garden, opened the knot of your blouse...
...Pressed my face against your breasts, then you turned and fled.
The air smelled of ripe mango, and the jasmine in your hair.
10 years later, l know... l'm still hungry for that fragrance.
For that same fragrance...
l don't believe it.
The world sings your praises, but you still have teenage fantasies.
That time is past, Yavakri.
lndra may be immortal, but my breasts hang loose now.
l was so afraid of meeting you these last 4 days.
You looked so grand as you stood there. Now l feel sorry for you.
So you'll stay?
The moment you said you were hungry for words, l knew l couldn't leave.
l know that hunger only too well So l should have gone away silently.
Let's go Arvasu, its getting late.
Come!
Yes, l have to meet Yavakri too before going to your village.
Why couldn't Yavakri meet him here?
We could go to my village from here.
He gets no peace here. There's a stream of learned men visiting him.
You see? lt's no small matter. Don't you joke about it.
She joked? What did she say?
l only said, whatever did Yavakri spend 10 years in the jungle for?
He was seeking God. So he mortified himself, fasted, meditated, prayed.
Did he tell you all this?
Stupid! Such a man would never talk about himself!
Yavakri has attained knowledge not from mortals but from lndra, direct.
And l have waited for the day my Yavakri would come home triumphant.
But why are these Brahmins so secretive about everything they do?
Oh God! She's in the mood to argue again!
And if lndra himself appeared, why didn't Yavakri ask for rain?
He's their rain god, isn't he?
You should see our parched village.
Every morning, my father gives food to shriveled old people.
Women come with wailing babies and shrunken, hungry children.
Father says, all the land needs is a couple of good showers to revive.
Land will come alive again. lt'll give us food.
That's what l'd have asked for.
But it's said such powers shouldn't be used to solve everyday problems.
They're meant for inner knowledge - Then what use is that power?
Ask Yavakri. He'll tell you He's a good man.
l want to ask him just 2 questions.
Can he make it rain? And does he know when he will die?
Hey, guess what animal this is!
l know, a bison!
Yes! A bison!
They say an actor shouldn't imitate, he should embody the essence.
This means l have captured the essence of a bison in my body.
You don't need to try. You were born with it.
That's why the hunter-girls love me so!
Let's go!
Let's go.
Don't go yet, Vishakha
Have l gone? l'm still here.
You're a fool, Yavakri and you talk like one.
Don't touch me!
You want to hit me? Go ahead.
lt isn't good to hurry so.
lt's not you l'm worried about, it's this water.
You're hungry for words, so am l
Come, sit beside me
Yavakri, it's so good to call someone a fool, to hold him close...
l live in a barren, wordless hermitage, like a she-devil
You went away, and l was married off...
You didn't want to marry me, l know
But don't worry. For one year l will make you very happy
ln that year, he gave me such bliss Paravasu's love filled all my world
Love has showered on us so#
My whole being and yours as well. Are saturated to their core.
As if into a sea of dreams, My whole being and yours as well.
Dissolve like streams.
Love has showered on us so.
My eyes, lit up with inner fire Speak of love and of desire.
l feel lighter than a flower, Thirst of many lifetimes quenched.
All chains are shattered, fists unclenched.
My whole being and yours as well, Have broken from their prison cell.
Then, on the first day of the second year of our marriage, he said to me.
Now we begin our quest
The moon's to be your journey's fruit.
The path of love's the only route.
That path's the chosen one for me. l leave behind all modesty.
Love spans the brook of modesty.
My whole being and yours as well.
Have crossed the bridge and wander free.
Love has showered on us so.
Then one day he was invited to become Chief Priest and he left.
The site of the sacrifice isn't far, but in 7 years he's never come home.
Yavakri! l will give you knowledge which even the gods cannot
Talking with you has freed my heart and my body
lf we're late, the elders will be angry. You can meet Yavakri later
l won't be long, Nittillai. You know the bitterness between our families.
All right. But there's no one here
l can't see anyone. Let's go, everyone's waiting in the village
Our water pot! Has sister-in-law forgotten to take it back?
No one leaves a full pot of water behind these days
That's true
They say there's a panther about What if he's attacked...
No sign of a panther here, or any other animal that big
She must be here somewhere Should l go and look?
No need. l see it all very clearly These footprints are hers for sure
And look, she's set the pot down carefully without spilling a drop
And then...
Arvasu, is your brother back?
Paravasu? Of course not. How can he leave the sacrifice?
Let's go, then - But what about sister-in-law?
She's fine, let's go
Nittillai, l can't leave her behind like this. Let me go see
l'll take this home
Some people put the treacherous viper to shame
Aren't you the one who asked Andhaka if l knew when l'd die?
How do you know that?
True, l don't know when l'll die
But l can tell you this. You'll be dead within a month
Arvasu, l'm going home -Nittillai! Wait for me
l'll see you at the cliff side cave
Where were you?
Fetching water
Father! l didn't know you were returning home today
l didn't, either
But perhaps l should give the two of you more such surprises
Wait!
She went to fetch water, and you carry it back. Strange!
What's going on here?
And you look like a buffalo that's been rolling in mud
How did you get so filthy? - l became dizzy and fell down
And Arvasu turned up at that very moment! How convenient!
Why did it take you two so long? Who else was there?
Nittillai was there! The two of us were together, father
But was she alone, or was there someone with her, too?
No! No one
You thought of the savage girl fast enough. But now you need a cue, eh?
Tell me, Who else was there?
Nobody! She was dizzy, she fell so l helped her. Let me go...
Want to run away, do you? Fine, but where will she go?
You wretch! Tell me who was there!
No...father...no...
l'll get the truth, even if l have to kill her for it
Stop, father, please! - l know what to do with this bitch
Let him go, Arvasu
Yes, somebody else was there Yavakri! And he had come to see me
Whore! You two-bit whore!
l could reduce you to a fistful of ashes with one curse
But no. Let that husband of yours handle you
Paravasu, Chief Priest of the Great Fire Sacrifice!
Let him clean up his own shit
Yavakri, you reptile! So this is your 10 years' penance!
Now we confront each other - You and me
No. -Arvasu! Bring me that water pot
No, please have mercy! This is all Yavakri's...
No, no! lt's my fault! Don't harm Yavakri, l beg you!
Vishakha, go and tell your lover that l accept his challenge
l shall invoke the 'Kritya'... a spell that will send a demon soul after him
lf he wants to live, let him hide inside his father's hermitage
l won't desecrate my brother's home with Yavakri's blood
lf he escapes and l'm defeated, l'll give myself up to the fire
Arvasu, we must warn Yavakri
Go to your uncle's hermitage, tell Andhaka not to let him out of there
But he's at the cliff side cave - l'll go there, meanwhile you hurry
But l have to go to Nittillai's village to meet the elders...
l've never asked anything of you Do me this one favour, please go
Where have you been? -What? -Everyone's waiting
Arvasu will be on the way.
Where's that boy Arvasu?
He's on his way, father Please wait a little longer
This council ends by sunset, and you know what l think of Brahmins
Arvasu, haven't you gone to the tribal council yet?
l'm on my way. ls Yavakri here? - No, he isn't, but...
lf he comes, tell him not to step out. His life's in danger
Don't move from here. Warn him And don't let anyone else enter
Yes, but... - l have to go
l'll check on sister-in-law, then go to Nittillai's village
Village council are also waiting for me. l'm going, Baba.
Listen... - l have to go
You mustn't stay here, Yavakri Go to your father's hermitage
l pray you to go.
My father-in-law knows everything. Listen to me. He's sworn to destroy you. Go.
He's chanting the Kritya.
He is? l'm flattered
To invoke the 'Kritya' spell is to engage one's full powers
lf you fail, you die. He honours me by choosing this death for himself
You'll only be safe in your father's hermitage. Please go there.
Don't be afraid Vishakha, l knew he would do something like this.
You see this water? With it here, the Death God himself can't touch me
But you don't need any of this!
Just go to your father's hermitage, the demon can't kill you there
Once you're safe, l'll happily watch that decrepit old man die
Vishakha, you've always given me strength
My father was one of the most learned men in the land
But he was neglected, while his evil brother grabbed all the honours
This is no time for grievances - Grievances! At least say 'hatred'
My father should have been Chief Priest of the Sacrifice
But that honour too, went to your husband Paravasu
Do we have to discuss this now? - Every insult throbs in my veins
Now it's time to show the world what my father's son is capable of
Where is that demon? What's he waiting for?
Look, if anything happens to you l'll never forgive myself
Go home, Yavakri. Please
Are you mad? You want me to run away?
The fire of hatred drives me And l won't let it be doused
l've challenged them - Challenged?
Of course. You think it was chance?
Arvasu finding us there, your father-in-law returning early...
l did it all - Stop, Yavakri
l don't want to hear any more
lt's my fault. l should never have let myself succumb to you
lt's good you yielded, or else l'd have had to take you by force
Enough, Yavakri!
This is the moment l've waited for all my life
Your father-in-law will die. Let's see what your husband does then
Will he commit sacrilege? Leave the altar to face me?
l'll squeeze Paravasu's balls so hard he won't even be able to whimper
l'm sorry, Vishakha l've always loved you
lt's not my fault that you married Paravasu
Oh, God!
l was so happy this morning
You were so good, so warm
How life turns upside down, Yavakri
ln one instant
Where's that shadow puppet demon? My sanctified water is waiting
Vishakha, what are you doing?
That water is my life!
Stop! The water!
All l need is a drop of water!
You devil! l trusted you
Get up! Men should not aspire to be like the gods
Run, Yavakri. Now!
Who's that?
Stop, you can't come in Who are you?
Yavakri! Child! Why didn't l recognise your steps?
l knew Arvasu wouldn't come He's humiliated me before everyone
That Brahmin did exactly what l had expected him to do
l will marry this daughter of mine to anyone who will take her
Father!
l'll marry Nittillai! And l promise l'll keep her happy, very happy.
You can have her Prepare for the wedding!
Arvasu! What took you so long?
But your father said l must get here before sundown, so l...
The council is over - What!
Nittillai is marrying someone else You can't enter the village now
How many times should l tell you, Nittillai's wedding is fixed. Go away
Arvasu, it's very late. Why are you still hanging around? Go home
What's the use of going home?
Please ask your father to listen to me. Just once, l beg you
The elders waited all day You didn't come.
Yes, but l'm not to blame. l was coming.
Sure, l've heard your story. - But listen!
l saw Yavakri running. His life was in danger. l ran after him...
You told me that already.
But he was lying in a pool of blood l had to perform the funeral rites.
Yes, that might be. - But l was here before sunset!
l know father was a bit hasty, but nothing can change now. You must go.
l'll stay right here! Let me meet Nittillai, just once...
Nittilai, Arvasu is still sitting there.
Even now? - Yes.
Ask him to go home, for my sake.
Nittillai wants you to leave, Arvasu, for her sake. She can't meet you.
You don't know our father's wrath Do you want him to kill Nittillai?
l just want to say... - Go away, or else!
Nittillai wants you to leave, for her sake.
Do you want him to kill Nittillai?
Open your soul to the beat of the dhol.
Hear the drum-roll, and dance.
The pulsing beat, the tapping feet, Come on, my sweet, and dance.
We cross the river, and l, entranced.
Make a necklace for you of my arms.
Today l belong to you.
l'm a peahen to your peacock.
l'm a boat and you're the river.
My heart's a-tremor, steady me.
There's a net on my being, like bark on a tree.
Come, make me free. Teach this peahen how to dance.
Come to me!
May the golden sun shine, And clouds pour nectar.
May your garden never be bare.
l'm a trembling deer eyes wide with fright.
Unless we're together through day and night.
l'm the lightning, you're the cloud.
You a buzzing bee, l'm the flower proud.
Come to me.
Who's there?
lt's me, father, Paravasu
Paravasu? That's not possible
l seek your blessing, father - What are you doing here?
This isn't right! There's a whole month before the sacrifice ends!
l felt like coming home - Felt? And you just walked out?
Maybe they threw you out, hearing of your wife's escapade with Yavakri
The news is everywhere But they haven't removed me
lf l get back before dawn, no one will even know
No one will even know?
The Chief Priest sneaks out of the Royal Sacrifice like a thief
And no one will know? The gods will know, and they will take revenge
How could l have fathered two such imbeciles?
l told the king: My no-good son will shit on your sacrifice
His Majesty often says you should have been the Chief Priest
But it was a 7-year rite, they thought a younger man safer
Tell his #Majesty# this, 7 years have passed, and l'm still alive
l shall live long enough to cremate my own sons
The sight of my daughter-in-law's luscious body keeps me in good shape
l want to speak with Vishakha - You and your wife disgust me
l'm going out - Alone?
lt's dangerous outside at night Arvasu will go with you
The real danger isn't from wild beasts, it's from humans
lf you want to be alone with your wife, send that fool elsewhere
l bow to you, elder brother -God bless you.
How are you? - l'm all right
Hope l didn't disturb your sleep - Not at all
Of course! Theatre-lovers like you are quite used to late nights
There have been no plays for ages
But l say: Once my brother finishes the sacrifice, everyone will return
Then you can show off your acting
Me? l haven't acted these 7 years, since you forbade me
l told you not to act?
Long ago - before you went away, you saw me dancing with a troupe
You said: lf you value your Brahminhood, never step on stage
So l've given up the theatre
You took a small remark so seriously You shouldn't have obeyed me
l could never disobey you - Then you should have asked again
But you'd have given the same reply
True. But if you repeat the same question and answer over and over
Eventually you create a new universe of meanings, more acceptable to you
l'll be on the blackberry hill Call if you need me
How are you?
l get news of you sometimes l suppose you're well?
Or do you still drive yourself to madness like a demon?
l was sure you wouldn't come, even if l was on my deathbed
But my disrepute was enough to bring you running here
Yavakri and you! How alike you both are
You both left when it suited you lndra! As if he's the ultimate end
Will you come back once the sacrifice is over?
No! l suppose that would be too human
But what's wrong with being human? Wanting to be happy together...
Like you and l were
Your lndra has looted my happiness
l know, l should be silent
My silence, then your silence! l'm sick of these silences!
Do me a favour before you go
l submit to you as a devoted wife
You want me to shoot you?
At last you ask a question!
l'll tell you why
There's 3 of us in this house Arvasu lives in his own world
And your father...
Since you became Chief Priest, he's been wracked by two emotions
A sense of humiliation, and lust!
An old man's twisted lust! And whom can he vent it on? Me!
At least for that moment Yavakri made me forget...
Listen, he's coming back! Kill me now!
Murder's the one experiment you haven't tried. Maybe that's your way to lndra
You're still right. And you have a lot to teach me
You're still my Guru.
What have you done?
Now you'll never know if what l said was true
You didn't need to say a word Father had to die
He only killed Yavakri to disturb my concentration as the sacrifice ends
l had to stop him before he went any further.
ls that what you came for? No, there's something else
Your sinews are twisted like ropes Tell me. What's bothering you?
l don't know. l couldn't sit at the altar... l came home
We must perform father's funeral
What's the matter? Oh, my God! lt's father! What happened to him?
l mistook him for a wild animal
How can that be? Do something! Look, his eyelids are still moving...
Quiet! There's no time to howl
l have to return to the sacrifice before anyone finds out
But there's blood on your hands
That has to be washed. These same hands must complete the sacrifice
l must atone for father's death, but you'll have to do it instead, Arvasu
Don't do it, Arvasu. He killed his father, let him atone for it
Don't you get involved - But he must finish the sacrifice
Damn the sacrifice!
There's been enough bloodshed You live your own life
Perform the rites carefully, Arvasu Every detail has to be right
Bless me, brother. -God bless you.
lt's the demon himself!
How did you recognise me? - Where else could you go?
Help me, please
l don't help anyone
l beg you. You're my only hope
Hope of what?
Of salvation! Release from this cursed existence
Your father gave me a new life That makes us brothers, right?
l don't need more brothers One is enough
But you have no choice
l was locked in nothingness. Your father plucked me out to kill Yavakri
l didn't want to, but l did his bidding
l hoped to get salvation along with this new life
You should've asked my father for salvation
Yes, l would have
But you killed him before he could honour his promise
Now you have to do his job
My brother, l want Salvation .....Deliverance.
Yavakri wanted Universal Knowledge, you ask for the final release
People's demands are escalating
l'm not interested in your salvation. l know my duties. Begone!
Be warned, no unnatural spirit can enter the sacred enclosure
Remember, Paravasu
lt's not so easy to get rid of a brother... brother!
What happened?
Arvasu is here l'd like to say goodbye. May l?
Go. But come back soon.-Yes.
What have you done to yourself?
l've just finished my father's last rites
Your father! Oh, God!
And Andhaka baba too...
Our whole world is collapsing, Nittillai
What should l do?
Be brave. You still have your brother, your sister-in-law...
Sister-in-law has gone... l don't know where
Go to the city, to your brother Paravasu
They feed Brahmins at the sacrifice, don't they?
Once it's over, you can come back with Paravasu
You're right
l have to go now
Be happy
You!
Who, me? - Yes you! Who are you?
l'm your...
l'm the son of sage Raibhya
My father is dead. l've completed his last rites, and the expiation.
Why the expiation?
Because... he was killed
At whose hands?
At the hands of his son
He has killed his father! He's a sinner
He's not a Brahmin, he's a demon Remove him from this sacred place
Brother! What's this? What have l done? Leave me, what're you doing?
What sin have l committed? Why are you doing this? Let me go!
Brother! Why? Why're you doing this?
As a sacrifice nears completion, demons come to disrupt it
We must identify them and we must be on our guard
Brother! Why're you doing like this?
What's the matter, Siddhi? Why are you crying?
lts Arvasu! Paravasu's guards have beaten him almost to death
Paravasu? But how is that possible? What has he done?
Where is Arvasu?
l was outside the poorhouse, l saw them throw him in there
l must go to him!
lf you go, the tribe will hunt and kill you. Where's your husband?
He's out with his friends,But l can't wait, l must go save Arvasu at any cost.
lt's all my fault, Siddhi l sent Arvasu to his brother
l'm leaving - Take care, Nittillai
No....no...
Nittillai, we heard what happened Don't be afraid, come with us...-Come.
Hey, give me a hand! -Everything will be alright. -Get up.
Slowly...-Hold this...-Carry him.
Carefully....
Your sorrow's embers smoulder still, Your mind is tense, your body ill
The cruel world has wounded you
You're lost before the burning sun But now we're two where you were one
l'll give you shade and solace too
How is he now? - Much better. He'll recover
l worry for Nittilai She won't leave his side
The touch of love is like a balm That turns a tortured person calm
lt softly douses sorrow's flame Or cools it down and makes it tame
Each moment while you were alone Was like a sip of bitter brew
But now we're two where you were one l'll give you shade and solace too
Looks like l've found my new actor
You and your play!
l fear for them. Two different castes, how will they manage?
Anything's possible during a famine, but what a girl she is...
l wish her well
Don't ever leave me
l won't, l promise
Eat something
You look so beautiful
All these patterns on your face Like a bride!
lt's days since you ate anything
But how come you're here?
l've run away
From your husband?
Yes
Why? Didn't you like him?
He was very nice, always smiling
l could have been happy with him
But l heard what they did to you, l couldn't bear it. l came running
Yes! Paravasu! Why did he do that to me?
lt's all right. Eat... - Soldiers pounced on me
Tore off my sacred thread l kept screaming: Brother! Why?
Quiet now, you'll wake the children
Did he think l had married you? That l had become a low-caste actor?
No, l clearly remember, he said, Out! Demon! Throw him out!
Hush now
l worshipped my brother and he betrayed me
l let you down, but you've risked everything for my sake
lt must be days since you left home
Don't you know your tribes They must be hunting for you
l was waiting for you to wake l thought once you're stronger...
Nittillai, l think l'll try to see my brother again
l want to know why he did that to me
And after you know?
l want revenge! From all of them! lt's a conspiracy, now l get it.
lt's because l wanted to marry you and reject my caste.
First Yavakri dies... then Father... Andhaka... corpses drenched in blood!
But Paravasu is alive He's the one behind it all
You're talking nonsense! - You don't know a thing!
Tribals do small-time witchcraft But Brahmins!
They can tear apart the earth's bowels to call forth awful demons
lf such an evil man is Chief Priest it will rain blood in the end!
But you're doing the same thing!
All the rest of them wanted revenge Now you want the same thing
Leave it to their gods now - Should l sit here like a coward?
Better that than becoming like them
l'm already a murderer to the world
Kick that world aside! You're my Arvasu, that's enough
All right, go to Paravasu
l don't want you to think l made you run away like a coward
Am l going mad?
Get some rest now
What was that? Nothing serious, l hope
He just woke up... We were talking, that's all
Fine, you get some sleep, child. How long will you stay awake? Sleep.
Dry it in sun.
Done? Have you added the herbs? - Yes, let him eat it hot
Don't give him too much Let him go easy for now
He's on empty stomach. He shouldn't drink much.
Leave it.
Our patient looks better today
Yes, all thanks to you - Not me, it's all Nittillai's magic
We're lucky you came looking for us
l am lucky, you are plucky You are lucky, l am plucky...Sleep...sleep.
Those who're lucky needn't be plucky
And those who are plucky, needn't be lucky!
Now you've found your actor friends, sing and dance as much as you want
l'll go and find something to eat, then we'll be off
l'll be right back...l'll come back.
What's the hurry, wait! Get fruits on the way.
She's a good girl Don't ever hurt her
l'll never hurt her. Soon we'll leave this town. What will you do?
We came to perform a play for the sacrifice. But this town's unlucky
l had an actor, he took our donkey and vanished in the jungle one day
l think we'll leave with you
l can act in your play
Silly boy, you're no actor You're a high-caste Brahmin
l'm not a Brahmin! Watch me
Watch me.
Enough Arvasu, you'll tire yourself
What happened?
l saw them!- Who?
My brother and my husband
They're here! What shall we do now?
Don't worry, l'm a master of disguise
l'll change you so completely, you'll be invisible
Hunters don't need to see their quarry, they can smell it
One thing is for sure.
You must stay here where they can see you
lf they think l'm still here, l'll get a chance to escape
Escape? - But where will you go?
l'll hide in the jungle
ln jungle alone! Lonely! l won't let you go alone
Do you want them to hunt me down and kill me like an animal?
l'm scared, Arvasu l don't want to die yet
Don't cry. Go if you must But what should l do?
Why do you keep asking me? Why don't you decide, for once?
But... l was just...
Act in my show!
l just watched him He dances like a celestial being
With him, l could stage a play truly worthy of the sacrifice
Arvasu, you must stay here to save Nittillai, right? -Yes
This is the best way. l even have a play ready, The Triumph of Lord lndra
lt's about the battle between Lord lndra and the demon Vritra
l bet Arvasu will play Vritra! All that thumping and roaring...
l never know whether you're going to laugh or cry next
He'll have to be the demon, because l will be lndra!
Wait, l'll get the masks
But Paravasu will never agree - He will
l know how to make him l've explained it to the actor
Then what holds you back?
You've always wanted to act - l'm afraid, Nittillai
Afraid of Paravasu?
Face your brother, Arvasu Not with hate, but with your talent
The play will wash away your anger
Nittillai, can't you come and watch me act?
l wish l could But it will be dangerous
l wish you could...
Concentrate on your rehearsals. l'm sure your dance will bring the rain
And then l promise l'll be there
Here is the mask of Vritra The demon's face
Pray to it, become one with it. But don't let it get control over you
l'll go give Paravasu your message
l trust you won't stop me now
Let's have the play We shall all watch
You? But Arvasu said...
Why did you come you here?
l had to see Arvasu What will happen now?
You stay here
Hide behind me
l am lndra
King of all the Gods
Then why am l not supreme in all the three worlds?
Alas, my father Brahma fell in love with a mortal woman
And so was born my brother, Vishwa
He is the King of Men
All the world praises his wisdom and goodness
Everyone loves him
So much so, that it's a threat to my power over the world
l must destroy him! But how?
For my father also mated with a woman from the nether world
And produced Vritra!
He told Vritra Protect your brother Vishwa
Guard him, even if it costs your life
Because lndra...That's me
lndra will try and kill him Now these two are inseparable
l tempted them with celestial beauties but they didn't fall for it
Oh, what shall l do?
Aha! l shall hold a fire sacrifice in honour of our father Brahma
And invite Vishwa to participate
l bow to you, elder brother
Vishwa, l'm holding a sacrifice in honour of Brahma
You must attend - lndeed l shall, elder brother
Vishwa, you may enter, but Vritra cannot
He's a demon, he can't enter this sacred space
But he is Brahma's son too Surely our brother is a Brahmin
No! His mother was a demoness Demon blood flows in his veins
He can't come in. -Okay. Whatever you say, brother
Vritra, wait outside
Brother, l was born to protect you
Take me with you lndra is a treacherous villain
They say: Never trust the gods!
l cannot disobey our elder brother l must go alone
As you wish
Brother, why? l trusted you
No! This is all wrong
l didn't mean to hurt him. l was afraid.. l had to complete the sacrifice.
l saw a face emerge from the flames Was it mine, or Arvasu's?
l don't know what happened l heard myself ask, Who are you?
A river of blood flowing from the sacrificial altar!
More treachery! Another murder!
lndra! You can't escape me
l'll grind your sinful sacrifice into the dust
Hey, not there!
Someone stop him, for God's sake
Do something, Chief Priest
l'm a Brahmin. Whoever kills me will be cursed with damnation
Get lost.
l'm a demon, too. l'll destroy anyone who comes near me
The mask has come alive!
Stop him!
Paravasu, only you can tell us what to do
Forgive me, your Majesty This is all my fault
Nittillai, come back.
Get away from here.
l don't know what came over me He sat there unafraid, while l...
Let's get out of here
Let her go!
Let her go.
Leave me....
This is all my fault
Forgive me, Nittillai
The fire didn't take me alone, perhaps it will accept us together
Arvasu, son!
Do not grieve so
The gods are pleased with you Ask any boon, it shall be granted
Who are you?
You question the gods?
l am lndra
We admired your performance
As much as we admired Paravasu's sacrifice and Nittillai's humanity
You humans can interpret the actions of the gods as you please
But the fact is, we are here and You can ask for anything you want
Rain... Arvasu, rain!
l want Nittillai back
l killed my sweet, gentle Nittillai Please give her back to me
Arvasu, it is no great matter to bring Nittillai back to life
But once the Wheel of Time rolls back
No one knows where it will stop.
Besides...
All those who were alive before will return to life
Your father Raibhya,
Paravasu, Yavakri...
Fine! Let the world be as it was
But then, won't the whole tragedy repeat itself?
Everyone will have to endure the same suffering all over again
Lord, l have been an ignorant fool My stupidity has caused all this
But l'm wiser now l'll stop it from happening again
You really believe that? - Yes
All right, then...
Arvasu! Save me!
Who's that?
Me, your brother Rakshasa... the demon
Your father invoked me to kill Yavakri
l did my duty, but l'm still suspended between life and death
What do you want?
Salvation! Release from this bondage
You must ask lndra for my release l can't bear the torment
Please help me, Arvasu. Release from the bondage.
Did you hear that Lord lndra? Could you grant him release?
Arvasu, if you want Nittillai to live the Wheel of Time must roll back
But it must roll forward if you want the demon to get his release
You must choose now whether it rolls forward or backward
You heard that, demon? There's nothing l can do. -Yes.
And when Nittillai comes back, what will you tell her?
Will you say, a wretched soul is in eternal agony for her sake?
Nittillai always helped you She'd have helped me, too
She cared for other people, and would have accepted me as a brother
You think she would want my soul to be damned, so she can live?
lf she's reborn, every moment of her life my screams will torture her
lndra's boon will become a curse for Nittillai.
Lord, grant this demon his release
You're sure you want that?
Nittillai would have wanted it so
Then, so be it!
Look, Nittillai. lts raining Just like you said it would...