♪ Whenever and wherever ♪
♪ There is a downfall of dharma O descendant of Bharata ♪
♪ As adharma prevails ♪
♪ I descend and reincarnate myself On this abode called Earth ♪
Case number 1062/1982.
Boy, what's your name?
(ominous music)
I'm asking you, boy. What's your name?
Sir, his name is Das.
(hums in disapproval)
Listen, Das. You have to answer the questions.
Did you commit this crime?
If you stay silent, it will be seen as an admission of guilt.
I'm speaking to you. Do you understand?
Is there anything you'd like to say?
(ominous music builds)
Why is there discrimination among people?
(judge) After reviewing the details and examining the witnesses of the case,
it has been determined that Das intentionally committed the murder.
He is sentenced to 14 years in prison.
However, since Das is a minor,
under the Juvenile Justice Act,
he will be treated as a minor
and placed in juvenile custody.
This court rules that he shall be released upon turning 18.
- (eagle screeching) - (men laughing)
(Appanna) Hey, Raghava!
They say she's not just a midwife. I heard she gets around.
Our SI, too, must have hooked up with her.
Not just our SI, dude.
- Everyone from our station... - Even you?
(both cackling)
What, boy? What are you looking at?
Will you kill me? Are you going to break my head?
Hey!
What did you ask the judge? Ask me now.
I'll answer your question.
Why is there discrimination among people?
Some live within the village. Others--
It's all because of your birth.
- (emotional vocals) - You filthy, low-class scum! (spits)
(Raghava) Why do you speak like that to such a little boy, Appanna?
How dare you look me in the eye?
Huh?
I'll gouge your eyes out!
(Raghava) Leave the boy alone, Appanna.
You wretched low-life! (exclaims in disgust)
(emotional vocals continue)
Hey, Raghava.
(suspenseful music)
Touching this idiot has made me impure.
Stop the vehicle. I'll wash my hands.
Touching this idiot has made me impure.
Stop the vehicle. I'll wash my hands.
(Raghava) Maisayya, pull over for a bit.
(suspenseful music builds)
- (blade swipes) - (screaming)
(gasping)
(choking)
(gasping)
(gasps weaken)
(laboured gasps)
(opening theme music)
HARI'S STORY I SHALL APPEAR IN EVERY AGE
(typewriter clacking)
- Sir, tea. - (Virat) Jai Hind, sir.
I captured the prisoner from the photo you sent, sir.
Right now, sir?
Okay, sir.
All right, sir. Okay.
Hey, it seems the SP is attending a family function.
They are sending some officers.
We need to hand him over. Get the papers ready.
Yes, sir.
(woman) "Get the papers ready."
But cancel plans for those who are ready.
(soft music)
Everyone has time for family functions,
except for us.
- (chuckles) - (gasps)
Happy birthday, home minister.
- Let go. - (cop 1) Why two lunch boxes today?
Hey... It's ma'am's birthday today.
That's why she brought more food.
- Serve him, too. - Okay, sir.
Oh! Is this your new duty?
- Happy birthday, ma'am. - Thank you.
Ma'am, may you be together for a hundred years.
What! With your sir?
A hundred years?
That's difficult!
- Hmm? - Hmm.
(phone rings)
- What's up, dude. - Hey, dude!
Why didn't you make it to the engagement?
She told you already?
Hey, I had an important task today.
You did?
We know you too well.
Hey...
I missed only your engagement, not the wedding.
I've planned to be there ten days before the wedding.
- Is that true? - If you don't believe me, ask her.
Don't. Don't believe him.
He might skip your wedding if duty calls.
Do you know what he said the other day?
(tense music)
(Naxal 1) Tell the high command our comrade hasn't been moved yet.
Comrade, our guy is still inside.
We have to rescue Comrade Kotesh before he's taken to the SP.
(man) Comrade.
Don't forget. We're targeting the police station,
not the officers.
(Naxal 1) What did he say?
(Anjali) Whenever I ask him to take me out, he talks me out of it.
So our guy is a good storyteller.
(Anjali) Yeah! Cops and these stories.
When you get married, you'll also spin the same stories to Swathi.
Hello...
- I'm not as sincere as him. - (man shouts) Sir!
- SI sir! - I'll be back, Anjali.
Someone's here.
Give me.
Hi, sister. Wish you many more happy returns of the day.
- Thanks. - I forgot!
Happy birthday, Anjali.
(Swathi) I thought we'd celebrate your birthday and my engagement.
What's this? You're celebrating your birthday at the police station?
- That's terrible, sister. - That's life as a cop's wife.
- Is it? - (tense music rises)
Since you didn't show up, I thought he took you somewhere special.
Planned anything special for this birthday?
You've been married for six years.
- It is... - Is it not special anymore?
That's all, sister.
These men chase us until we fall for them.
And once we do, it's our turn to chase.
Well, I'm not a good person like you.
I told Bharat I should come before his job.
- Please come quickly, sister. - Sure.
You're bringing Sweety along, aren't you?
- I've got a lot... - (Bharat) Please listen to me once.
- ...to tell her. - Please try to understand.
- Sister, please stay on the line. - I can't help you with this.
(tense music intensifies)
She won't listen.
(chuckles)
- Our daughter... - Oh! Leave, then.
- (gunshot) - (gasps)
Anjali!
- (gunshot) - (grunts)
- (tense music) - (gunshot)
(shots firing)
(gun firing intensifies)
(gunshot)
(Virat) Get down!
(tense music continues)
(shots firing)
(glass shattering)
Hey!
(firing)
(glass shattering)
(firing)
(glass shattering)
(Virat groans)
(metal lock clangs)
(gasps)
(metal lock clanging)
(gunshot)
- (lock clangs) - (gun clangs against door)
(electric sparks crackling)
(electric whizzing)
- (Virat grunts) - (table creaks and scrapes)
(gasps)
(gun clicks)
Virat!
(gunshot)
- (lock clangs) - (gun fires)
- (thuds) - (papers rustle)
(Virat grunts sharply)
(grave music)
(loud thud)
(melancholic music)
(eagle screeching)
(camera clicks and whirrs)
(jeep approaching)
Move aside, everyone. Make way for SI sir.
Clear!
Move aside!
Greetings, sir.
We called the divers because of the pungent stench.
The body must be half decomposed by now, sir.
Search around here. You might find a clue.
Okay, sir.
(wailing)
Who are you? Don't record.
You can't use a camera here.
I'm Lisa from BNC. I'm here to record the news.
You're just a stringer. You're not a reporter yet.
Don't you know you shouldn't be at a crime scene? Out!
How long do I remain a stringer?
If I can report on a crime like this,
that's my chance to become a journalist.
- Please, sir! - Look,
don't drag our peaceful village into the news for your own gain.
- (disturbing music) - (Lisa gasps)
(terrifying music)
(rope creaks)
Who could've killed them so brutally, sir?
(sinister music builds)
So you say it's our men?
(Bharat) The tattoo on Veeranna's arm
and Sudhakar's burn mark
confirm that...
Their wives have also confirmed it, sir.
Who could've killed them?
(sinister music intensifies)
They're your men, right?
Your enemies must have killed them.
Write what you want,
and I'll do what I need.
I heard you're getting married in ten days.
Be careful.
(sinister music intensifies)
(constable) Found a weapon here, sir!
(dark music)
(man) Here comes my brother-in-law.
(door opens)
(together) Greetings, sir.
What's the meaning of these deaths in this peaceful forest, Mr. Raju?
Does it look like a regular wood-cutting axe?
It's huge, like Parashurama's axe, brother-in-law.
Sir, think about it.
It'd be better to visit Devaramma once.
- Yes. - Mr. Shastri is right.
- Yes, brother-in-law. - Yes.
- Yes, Mr. Raju.
It'd be best if you did this for the good of our village.
- All right, make the arrangements. - Okay, brother-in-law.
Devaramma?
(dancers vocalising rhythmically)
(drum beats)
(thrilling music)
(Devaramma grunts)
- (jingling, bell tolling) - Mother!
(everyone falls silent)
(Devaramma's gasps echo)
(tense musical sting)
(sword slashes with a sharp echo)
(blood gushing)
Mother.
(distorted voice) The village is doomed!
The forest has been cursed.
(grunts and chokes)
The deities are angry.
God has begun slashing!
(heavy breathing)
The peace in the forest will be disturbed.
A burning fire rises to the skies. And a shade shrouds the water.
Horrid darkness pierces like a sword.
The curse engulfs you in all directions!
The deity is not at peace.
The benevolent deity has turned red with anger.
God is thirsty!
(grunts)
Thirsty!
God is bloodthirsty!
(intense music)
All our people in Araku Valley have gone to visit Devaramma.
She's blind, and we are idiots with eyes.
- These morons are a morning menace! - Look at her sprinkle!
This good-for-nothing guy is on the streets early in the morning!
Aah!
- And she covered it. - Goofball!
What a shame!
I'm watching the same movie again.
Huh?
Wow! What a wonder!
A new movie in town!
Oh, dear, who is she?
She's like a basket of fresh fruits.
(exulting)
Hey!
- Can't breathe, man. - One tea.
You mean her or yourself?
Good heavens!
Oh, my God!
She's exceptionally beautiful and bold.
Hey, Kasi.
Would she be interested in a tango?
I heard she's a reporter.
If you meddle in her business, you'll become the headlines.
Stop it, you pessimistic idiot!
Hey, at least invite Mandakini.
The bed should rock tonight!
You may be here to rock it, but she isn't in town.
(woman on speaker) Come one, come all. Watch it today!
Rangachary Theatrical Troupe presents
Bhakta Prahlada, the play, to be staged in our village today.
Young, old, men and women can watch and enjoy this play.
Bhakta Prahlada, the play.
Watch it today.
Show us, and we are ready to watch.
Oh, there! The bird's flown away.
Move it! What are we doing here?
Let's watch the play to pass the time.
Let's go.
(singing devotional prayer)
(applause)
(live harmonium music)
(queen) My Lord,
I'm longing to see our son, Prahlada.
Yes, dear.
Even I long to see our son.
I've sent a message to bring our son.
I'm blessed, my Lord.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Your son, Prahlada, is waiting for your audience.
Let him in. Bring him right now!
(laughing)
Greetings, Father.
(in unison) May you live a long life!
Son, you have learnt the essence of the scriptures,
haven't you?
Please explain that essence to us as well.
♪ The essence that conquers The body's glow ♪
♪ The essence that states Devotion is the only cleverness ♪
♪ The essence that captures The strength of the shoulders ♪
♪ All that essence resides In Hari's philosophy ♪
♪ Salutations to Father ♪
Stop it!
Stop your praise of Lord Vishnu.
- Commander! - My Lord!
Until he stops chanting Hari's name,
- take him away and imprison him. - As you say, my Lord.
My Lord, have mercy on this child.
- Listen to-- - Oh, stop it, my dear.
(king) If he doesn't stop praising my enemy,
punish him in as many ways as possible.
What's the matter, Chamanthi? Why are you so late?
What do I do? Mandakini's back in town.
All the women
were asking me for medicines
to keep their husbands away from her.
By the time I gave medicines to everyone, it got this late.
Sir, today is your lucky day.
You're right, Kasi. What am I doing here?
I need to tango. The bed should rock tonight.
(suspenseful music)
Where is your Hari? Where can I find him?
Is he on this ground?
Is he in that sky?
- Son! - Or is he in this pillar?
Where is your Hari?
(Prahlada) Do not doubt his omnipresence No matter where you look...
This one always gives up when I go to tango.
(crickets chirping)
I'd better leave this bike and take a shortcut.
♪ In the depths of the ocean In the winds that blow ♪
- (howling wind) - (birds calling in panic)
♪ In the vast expanse of the sky In the womb of the Earth ♪
(wind roaring)
♪ In the directions of fire In the days and nights ♪
- (leaves rustling) - (animals howling)
(tense pounding music)
♪ In the sun and moon In the stars that gleam ♪
(fiery whoosh of fireball)
(screaming)
♪ In the sound of Om In the three Gods' forms ♪
♪ In every gender of creation In every atom ♪
♪ Everywhere you are, O Lord My father! ♪
Is that so?
Then ask your Hari to come out of this pillar!
(intense drum beats)
(mace clangs)
- (intense drum beats) - (conch blares)
(gasps)
(intense devotional chant)
(roars)
(groaning)
(conch blowing)
(thuds)
- My Lord! - (screams)
(groaning)
(painful groaning)
(intense devotional chant continues)
(whimpering, gasping)
- (devotional chant stops abruptly) - (conch blowing)
My... Lord... Appanna... Swa...
(crickets chirping)
My Lord!
Appanna Swamy!
My Lord!
- Have you come for me, my Lord? - Huh!
- Appanna Swamy! - Huh?
Did you appear for me, my Lord?
Appanna Swamy! My Lord!
What splendour! What glow!
You showed me your form, my Lord!
Appanna Swamy! Appanna Swamy!
My life's blessed, my Lord!
I told him not to go out for wood on Tuesday.
He didn't listen!
Who knows what he saw or did there?
He hasn't touched the plough or the spade.
He's just chanting.
Maybe it's something he ate!
He could've really seen God!
Who knows!
Whether he ate something or saw something,
who will take care of my kids if he loses his mind?
What's with your ranting?
She's preparing the medicine. Have some patience!
Hey, Chamanthi! Come fast!
He might die if we don't give him the medicine!
(tranquil music)
(liquid pouring)
Hey, Chamanthi, please come fast!
Look at your brother.
He's muttering madly.
- Hold his limbs tightly! - Okay.
Hey! Hold tight!
- It's almost done. - Oh, dear!
- Hey! - You!
Enough! I saw Appanna Swamy!
My Lord! His glow!
He appeared for me!
I'll show all of you.
- Come with me! Come! - Honey! Honey!
- Hey, Veeru! - Honey, wait!
- Wait, dude! I'll come with you! - My Lord is waiting!
- My Appanna Swamy! - I'll also come with you!
(tense music)
- Appanna Swamy exists! - Wait!
- I'll show you all! Come! - Wait up, Veeru.
(tense music builds)
Oh, dear! Wait for me.
(tense music swishes, fades)
(man) They beheaded two persons over there,
and pulled out another's guts over here!
We are finding a corpse every week!
- This is the third one! - Who's behind this?
What's all this?
Sir, who could be committing these gruesome murders?
Do you think this is connected to the recent murders?
Somehow, I don't think that's true.
How many times should I tell you?
How long will you keep these murders under wraps, sir?
We don't have to hide the truth.
Narasimha Murthy!
Simhadri Appanna!
- Hey, Veeru! Wait, man! - My Lord!
- We are coming, wait! - Come on.
- You nitwit! Come! See this! - Hey! Stop!
- I said stop! - Look! This is where I saw him!
Right here!
- What did you see? - I saw the Lord kill!
I saw him kill this guy!
Glowing in blinding light, a lion's head and golden locks.
So tall!
I witnessed him! I witnessed him!
God exists!
My Lord was here!
I'm the witness!
I'm the witness.
I'm the witness!
(suspenseful music)
I saw him with golden locks.
I saw him with my own eyes. I saw him!
How dare you pluck my Lord's hair?
- Dear, don't! - Hey! Stop that!
- Vaman Rao, take him away! - Stop it now. Come with me now!
God, he says! Killing people, he says.
The prophecy of Devaramma is coming true.
It looks like God is killing these people!
Veerababu also says that he saw God!
God, he says! Killing them, he says! God is killing them!
(suspenseful music)
(liquid pouring)
The killer keeps killing, and his victims keep dying, you see.
There's no one to catch him!
That's why the entire village is worshipping the Goddess.
SUSPICIOUS DEATHS IN ARAKU
(drum beats)
(vocalising)
(loud scream)
- Dad! - The North is rumbling!
Drum sounds from the grave.
A black, ash-covered body dances into the village.
- Here you are! Look! - Driver! Move it!
- Let's go! - Watch God's dance of death.
Witness the deaths.
Watch!
What Devaramma said is coming true!
- Hi! Welcome to Araku! - Hey, Sweety! Come!
- Hi, Aunty. - Hi, little lady! Doing good?
- I'm good. - Go inside with Aunty.
- Shall we play? - Let's play.
Buddy, this is a forest. It's not like your city.
These beliefs are common around here. Let's go, man.
(suspenseful music)
(rooster calls)
(cow mooing)
(Lisa) As part of our documentary, Extinct Natakarangam,
today we're meeting a troupe
that's 40 years old in Araku Valley.
The stage alone has been their livelihood.
We're meeting Rangachary Theatrical Troupe now.
Let's meet these artists now
and learn more about their lifestyle.
- Hello, Grandpa. - Hello, dear.
- Hi, sir. - Hello, miss.
Hello!
Greetings, ma'am!
Greetings, my dear.
You were magnificent as a queen on the stage a few days ago.
And now you are...
That was onstage, and this is off-stage.
It's an artist's duty to justify the role we play.
It's our duty. Isn't it?
At night, you are worshipped as God,
and yet during the day...
Salutations, sir!
May I know why you chose the theatre as your profession?
(soft instrumental music)
Theatre is not just a means of livelihood for us.
A stage play is a bridge that connects the past with the present.
Our job is to describe all of Lord Hari's incarnations
in an easy way for the public
and make them understand their responsibilities.
Art is to console those who are broken by life.
(serene music)
(birds calling)
(Swathi) Sweety!
(child giggling)
(soft instrumental music)
(child giggling)
(pleasant vocalisation)
(both giggling)
Sweety!
(both giggling)
(water cascading)
(mystical music)
(birds calling)
- Wow! - Hey!
(both giggling)
Look, Dad! Look!
(Sweety giggling)
(soft instrumental music)
The sound-receiving system in Virat's brain is damaged.
He gets disturbed by loud noises.
Sometimes he can even hear sounds that we don't.
(birds calling)
Dad!
(Sweety crying)
- Dad, come! Please! - Hey! Sweety?
(barking)
Sweety! Hey!
Go away!
(growling)
(barking continues)
(ominous music)
Hey!
(clicks tongue)
(Chamanthi shushes)
(dogs whine)
Sweety? Don't cry, dear.
They went away.
You look like you're not from around here. Who are you?
I'm visiting SI Bharat's house.
Did you hurt your ears, sir?
Did the noise make you bleed?
Tell me, sir. How did you know?
It's my skill.
I'll give you medicine. You'll be fine.
They said there's no way to cure it.
There isn't any disease that can't be cured, sir.
Some problems might not have medicines in your city, sir.
But the forest has a cure for everything.
Put this in your ears, sir.
It'll help you cool down.
Try it for six months. You'll see the difference.
(pleasant music)
(announcer) Come one, come all! Watch our show!
Rangachary Theatrical Troupe presents
Varaha Avatar, the play!
Dad, what is a play?
It means they will assemble everyone
and narrate a nice story.
Just like your mom does during bedtime.
(cries) Mom! Mom!
Mom!
Dad, I want Mom!
(crying)
Use this medicine.
I'll give more if you run out.
You can meet me here in case you need something.
- Thanks. Huh? - Mom!
(suspenseful music)
Where did she go?
Swathi!
- Swathi! Where are you? - In the kitchen!
- Look! - Hi, little lady!
Is it nice?
Very nice! Who put it on you?
- Swathi. - Oh, Swathi?
It darkened well.
Hey, anything hot to eat?
Araku special Bamboo Chicken.
- Bring it, then. - Okay. Come, dear.
(fire crackling)
(crickets chirping)
- Dude. - Yeah?
You, Swathi and Sweety...
You are a family, dude.
Whether I'm here or not.
(exhales)
My man! You, I, Swathi and Sweety...
It's a family only if all of us are together.
Virat,
we'll make sure our girl doesn't feel the emptiness left by Anjali.
(announcer on speaker) To the kind attention of our patrons,
Rangachary Theatrical Troupe presents...
Dad, can we go to watch this play?
Sweety, no, dear. Dad will struggle with the loudspeaker's sound.
- No, dear. - But it's only him. Not us, right?
- We shall go, okay? - Okay.
Go inside and bring my jeep keys and a shawl for you.
Okay? Go.
- Yay! - (giggles)
Buddy, Sweety is my responsibility from today.
Forget about it and booze.
Okay? Enjoy!
(melancholic music)
(doctor) Nervous system damage is not the real problem.
It's the blood clot in your brain.
When that clot blocks circulation, you will...
Dude! Give it to me straight.
Start searching for parents for your girl.
You only have two years.
(melancholic music)
(giggling)
(giggling echoes)
(giggling)
(melancholic music continues)
(Rangachary) For impeding Brahma's Manasaputras
from taking Lord Vishnu's blessings,
they were cursed to be born as Vishnu haters in three lifetimes.
Having been cursed thus, the doorkeepers of Vaikuntha
in their first life...
- Hello! - ...were born as Hiranyaksha...
- Slowly! - ...and Hiranyakashipu.
Thus, after the complete destruction of life on Earth,
when the new era began,
to restart creation again,
Brahma started his plans once more.
But, because of the destruction,
Goddess Bhudevi was struggling as she was stuck underwater.
Lord Brahma, who noticed this,
created a couple called Svayambhuva and Shatarupa,
and sent them to protect the lifeforms on Earth.
When they went to assess the situation,
Earth was somewhere in Patala Loka.
They didn't know what to do then.
So they prayed to Lord Vishnu.
Hearing their prayers, Lord Vishnu
appeared in front of them in the form of Adi Varaha.
- (plays harmonium) - (applause)
(Sweety) Yay! (giggles)
Thus, Lord Vishnu, in his third incarnation,
appeared as Lord Varaha.
Hearing their cries,
to bring the Earth back and place her in her orbit,
Lord Vishnu went to Patala Loka.
(plays harmonium)
- They did a good job, right? - Yes! Amazing job!
But the one who tormented Bhudevi
and forced her to hide in Patala Loka
was one of Vishnu's doorkeepers,
who was born as Hiranyaksha in this life.
(suspenseful music)
Upon hearing that Lord Vishnu was coming to Bhudevi's rescue,
he decided to fight with Lord Vishnu
and went looking for him!
- Vamana Rao! - Sir?
Drop Swathi and Sweety home.
- Give me your vehicle key. - Okay, sir.
(suspenseful music)
(scooter engine starts)
Where is he off to at this time?
(suspenseful drumbeats)
(scooter rumbles)
(panting)
(footsteps on grass)
(crickets chirping)
(suspenseful music)
(footsteps on grass)
(suspenseful music stops)
(crickets chirping)
(suspenseful music continues)
(suspenseful music builds)
(animals growling)
(dramatic whoosh)
(suspenseful music intensifies)
(wild boars snorting)
(screaming)
- (screams) - (clatters)
(thuds)
- (screams) - (thuds)
(Bharat screaming)
(tense music)
(screaming intensifies)
(rattling and hissing)
(eyeball bursting)
(intense music)
(Rangachary) The man who attains salvation through Vishnu's grace
in this lifetime is Hiranyaksha.