All language subtitles for 23 [Iravai Moodu] (2025)_track3_[eng]

In my lifetime, I have been
a witness to three mass killings.

The 1991 Tsunduru massacre...

The 1993 Chilakaluripet bus burning incident...

And the 1997 Jubilee Hills car bomb blast...

All the victims faced the same fate.

But, did all the perpetrators face the same fate?

Are you blind?

Sorry.

You intentionally stepped on
our girl's feet, don't act innocent.

I said sorry, brother.

Brother? Were you born
to my father or what?

Mind your manners. I already apologized.
Don't you dare bring up my birth.

How dare you raise your voice.

Please don't fight.
Sit and enjoy the movie, bro.

Stupid management is letting
these lowlifes into the balcony.

Yes, we're born from the ground.

- Were you born from thin air?
- How dare you say that!

-Please stop.
-That's enough now.

- Hand me that bottle.
- Here you go, brother.

File a case that he was drunk
and misbehaved with our women.

He beat me like an animal,
for no fault of mine.

They filed a false case against me,
and you want me to apologise?

How could you ask this of me?

Can anything be more unjust than this?

This won't end with just you.

They'll punish our whole community.

If they stop hiring us, we'll starve.

Why can't you swallow your pride?

How can you—

For all of us...
just one word...

This shouldn't have
happened, but it did.

I talked to them.

They are waiting outside and are ready to apologise.

Let's move on for everyone's sake.

We can't just let this go easily.

Last year, they picked a fight
in the train and apologized.

Recently, they let their cattle
into our fields and then apologized.

Now, they're insulting my parentage.

If we let this go,
they'll invade our homes.

Father, they are escaping!

Let’s hack down whoever we catch!

Father...

They're searching all of our houses.

They'll catch us soon.

We're equal in numbers to them.

Let's find any weapons we can and fight back.

The neighboring villages’ landlords are also joining them.

Finding an escape is our only chance at survival.

We found them here as we thought.

Let's go!

Dump them. Thoo....

Our lives are ruined now!

Oh God, our babies are all gone. Please have mercy!

Sir, the bodies are rotten and decomposing.

These are my people.

I could've been a corpse with them.

One day you will understand,
there are traps beyond the fences.

And you will wish I was wise.
But in the night of that day,

you will remember me, feel me

and you will breathe out a smile.
And on that day, I will resurrect.

Blood spilled In Tsunduru

On August 6th 1991.

Blood spilled In Tsunduru

On August 6th 1991.

Tsunduru, a burning tumor.

Don't call me a victim, I am immortal.

I am immortal.

I am the fluttering flag of defiance.

I don't think we will get any
justice in the Tsunduru case.

The public prosecutor isn't aware
of the caste discrimination.

Let's ask for a different prosecutor.

What do you think, Tharakam?

How about our Chandra, Katti?

Only those who face discrimination
can understand the pain.

I mean...

I don't doubt Chandra's abilities.

But still, he's not...

I might not have the lived experience.

But I am fully aware of the struggles Dalits face.

Chandra's qualification is his honesty.

We should fight our own battles.

No doubt about it.

But if others want to lend their hands,
we should accept them.

Correct.

Your honour! Not just eight innocent Dalits have died.

After seeing the rotten, bloated bodies,
the doctor who did the postmortem

wasn't able to bear the sight,
and committed suicide.

That is the ninth.

To make sure future generations don't forget such horrors

they wanted to bury the bodies in the middle
of the village, and the police fired at them.

And Ravi, another innocent man, died as well.

That is the tenth.

Ten total deaths, sir.

This is not on impulse.

It's a pre-planned, pre-meditated, cold-blooded massacre.

Your honour...

Please consider this as one of the rarest cases

and give the harshest verdict to these criminals.

I humbly beg the court.

All of the victims belong to a downtrodden community.

Not just for their lives, they can't even
fight for their basic human rights.

Therefore, as per section 302...

This court sentences all the accused
in the Tsunduru massacre case

to life imprisonment.

Muthu Reddy...

Couldn't you find a more incompetent lawyer
who could have gotten me the death penalty?

Idiots.

This isn't over yet sir.
We will fix this in the high court.

You better.

Do you think I did all this pointlessly?

I did this for all of you.

If we spare them, they'll enter our houses,
steal our women, and impregnate them.

Then you will understand the consequences.
Shameless idiots.

Ask all the landlords to pool a big sum
of money, and get the best lawyer.

-Let's go.
-Wait.

Unlike these people, we don't go
to prison just for free food.

Let's go now.

Every girl in the village has eyes for my son.

Yes, as if he is an IAS officer.
Girls are just dying for him.

Let me get rid of the evil eye on you.

I prepared brinjal mutton curry for you.

Can't you settle down and get married
instead of roaming around?

There's a marriage prospect.
Why don't you give her a chance?

-Right, because that's the only thing I'm lacking.
-No, you're lacking everything.

Where you going without eating?

Where else? To meet with his
"high-achieving" friends.

Looks like Das is on fire today.

Do you think this is a govenment office
that you can come and go to at will?

Who will keep score for us?

I'm already pissed off.

Even people who pay salaries aren't this demanding.

Hey, Sagar!

Do you know how many people
are begging to keep score for us?

We let you keep score just because you're our friend,
and the only one who passed 10th grade.

-Yes, that's right.
-You idiots.

Come closer.

Oh great. He sees all my cards,
then tells them to his best friend.

Rogues, both of you!

Oh, I forgot to mention.

Sagar wrote a love letter for my girl

and she gave me a flower this morning.

Sagar, recite the poem.

"If you love me..."
Come on...

Tell us!

"If you love me, then I will be your wedding ring."

"If you forsake me, then I will be dirt under your feet."

Wow. That's so poetic.

So true!

Anyway, any update on starting
your rice cake business?

The broker said that I'll get the loan soon,
under the Prime Minister's unemployment plan.

The broker has been bullshitting for the last year.

As if the PM will invite him to New Delhi
to personally give him the loan.

Das has a point.

Give this up and try your luck in Madras.

Maybe your luck will change.
You might become a famous poet.

He's already delusional.
Don't make it worse.

Did I say I'd do any of that?

You all talk rubbish.

Damn this life!

Constant nagging at home and here too.

Sagar, who will keep score now?

He has a good hand today.

Dad, get up.

Look at how handsome our superstar, Chiru, is!

Suseela, the film 'Muta Mestri'
is in theaters. Shall we go?

My father won't let me.

I hear Chiru wears a blue shirt and dances so well
to the song 'Ee Petaku Nene Mestri'.

It is a red shirt not blue!

Oh really?

Then I wonder which girl went
with Sagar to the morning show.

Move on!

Hey, Suseela...

I have two tickets for 'Muta Mestri',
in the back corner. Will you join me?

Not interested.

How much you toil, O tobacco!

How much you toil, O tobacco!

How can I ever praise you enough?

How much you toil, O tobacco!

How much you toil, O tobacco!

Around the towns Chirala and Perala...

The ones who plucked and carried you...

The ones who tied and stacked you high...

Oh my mother, you pay us wages by shedding leaf after leaf.

How much you toil, O tobacco!

How much you toil, O tobacco!

Suseela, are you eating plain rice?

Come to the storeroom.

I will feed you Subhani Pulao.

Not interested in pulao, but

Sagar and his friends are slaughtering a goat for biryani.

Why don't you join us?

For finely cut meat.

Oh no! My stupid slipper broke.

You guys go ahead.

I'll mend my slipper and catch up.

Funny, her slippers always break right here.

Let's just go!

All the flowers on the ground have become letters.

All the colors in the sky have become papers.

For us, the whole world has become a love poem.

These moments in love have become eternal.

What more can I ask?
What more do I need?

With you by my side, nothing else is needed.

If someone asks me if beauty
can exist without gold ornaments

I will show you as the proof.

If someone asks me if happiness
can exist without wealth

I will show you as the proof.

I will ask you something

and pretend to forget and be upset.

Let me stand still watching you.

Let me forget everything else.

I don't want anything else.

Having you is enough.

That's all...

Make sure to close the door.

-This tobacco smell is intoxicating.
-Your crazy fixations...

Let me freshen up.
We'll see after that...

At this rate, dinner will never
get done and we'll starve.

Before I die, I'll cook the
costliest 'hilsa' fish for my beauty.

Beauty must be my curse.

Why else does everyone harass me?

Who? That supervisor?

I'll finish him off today.

And after that?

Should I starve to death without a job?

Wherever I go, these things will continue.

Should I just keep quiet then?

Listen, dear.

Listen to me.

As soon as we open
the rice cakes business

I'll kick that man's ass and quit.

Look at me, dear.

Tell me what you like about me.

Like malpuri kova, how can I narrow it down
to just one thing when it's everything?

I like everything about you.

I like your cheeks...

Your nose...

Your eyes...

This is the Prime Minister’s unemployment plan.

Subsidy 15%.
My cut 10%.

How is your idli business going?

Business? When did I even get the loan?

You haven't gotten the loan yet?

Oh no! The loan officer didn't keep his word.

That damn loan officer!

Every time, you have some new story.

Give back my 1000 bucks.

I have nothing to lose if you don't want the loan.

I'll tell them to take your name off the list.

Come tomorrow to take your money.

You've hit the jackpot.

I'll replace his name with yours.

What could've taken 2 months,
I'll make happen in a week.

Sir, if it's a week, I can wait.

It's urgent for me.

That damn supervisor...

What supervisor?

Never mind sir, but really,
I need that money urgently.

For 500 bucks more, I can
get your loan in a day.

Five hundred bucks more, sir?

It's okay, sir, I can wait a week.

By the way, that supervisor broke his kneecaps.

Was that you?

It has nothing to do with me or Das!

You guys are going overboard.

Happy birthday!

"Will you grant me a smile from the pyre—"

Not someone else's words...
Something special just for me.

Like the sun emerging from the eclipse...

I will become your diamond nose pin.

Like an ocean intoxicated,
I will become a flood of love.

Where have you been roaming around today?

Not roaming — I'm coming from the town center.

You don’t earn a penny
but no lack of arrogance.

There's a loading job at the ginning mill.
You should go tomorrow.

I've told you a million times,
I won't work under someone else.

Right, because the prince's crown
will fall if he works under someone!

Because of bad company like
Das, you're wasting your life.

I told you I'm setting up my rice cake center.

Enough of your business ideas.

Your teak wood business failed
and I'm still repaying the loans.

I was wondering why
you haven't brought this up yet.

The owner of that teak trees pyramid scheme ran away,
and I got screwed because I was their agent.

That's exactly why I won't work for anyone again.

Son...

Everyone's talking about your affair
with that Relli girl, Suseela.

Swear it's not true.

Reply to her!

Instead of ruining our reputation,
please give us poison.

Reputation? When did we have that?

Everyone has their place in the hierarchy.

Our Telugu teacher, whenever the
words 'lower caste' came up

used to look at us hintingly.

I wanted to gouge his eyes out with my pencil.

And you have the audacity to look down
on a subgroup of our own people?

Him and his stupid leftist nonsense.

When the chickens feathers are being plucked

the chicken says it's getting a fine shave.

The chicken says it's getting a fine shave.

Oh, what a cheeky chicken!
It blabbers and blabbers.

The moment its head is chopped away,
instead of clucking, it sings and sways.

It says it's going to heaven.

Oh, what a cheeky chicken!
It blabbers and blabbers.

Bro...

I heard there was a big commotion
when your parents found out about Suseela.

Shut up already!
You too Das?

Don't get agitated now, relax.

Come on, let's have a drink.

How much do you have on you?

Don't worry, brother, I'm here.

One minute, I'll go in and be right back, OK?

It's damn hot outside, stay cool inside.

Why don't you join me then?
Let's chill together.

Sir...

Das, why didn't you come yesterday?

I was a little busy sir.

Busy with your extracurriculars
at the village outskirts?

Nothing like that sir.

Sir, I still haven't been paid for the previous case.

Get lost! Come back tomorrow.

Sir, it's urgent.

Is the money your inheritance?

Get lost before I get angry.

Sir, I'll get your boots repaired.

Here.

Sir, this is only half the money.

What?

Instead of taking what I give,
you're demanding more?

-Sir, sorry sir!
-Get the hell out!

-Bro?
-What?

Why do you work for them as a false witness?

Those are all unjust cases.

The people they put in jail
are usually our people.

That too, for a meager amount?

To hell with that!

A guy who can't afford a quarter
bottle is preaching to me?

They're using you, bro.

Everyone uses us.

They treat you worse than an insect.

What about your self respect?

Everyone who scraped through 10th grade
thinks they're a writer like Ushasri.

Self respect?

Self respect won't buy a quarter bottle.

I'm leaving.

Do what you want, I don't care.

When we were 14 and stole that radio,
if I had disclosed your name when I got caught

this burn mark would be on your hand too

and there would be two false witnesses.

At midnight in juvie, the shorts
the warden pulled down...

They would've have been yours too.

Anyway...

Why talk about such things now?

What are you going to do about Suseela?

Bro...

If I had 10,000 rupees...

We'd set up our rice cake center and live happily.

Mr. Businessman!

For your own good,
stop daydreaming.

For 500 rupees, we have so much hassle.

Who's dumb enough
to give you 10,000 rupees?

Let's go.

Where are you guys coming from?

Even under prohibitory orders,
you guys are drunk?

Get lost, you drunks!

Naxalites (communist extremists)?

Yes, it's Naxalites.

They burnt a bus
and left all these pamphlets.

May the poor of Karempudi
be victorious in their fight for land.

Stop the bourgeois government's extortion of the people.

They're right.

No matter how much we shout,
the powerful don't listen to us.

If the Naxalites show a gun,
they'll piss themselves in fear.

You know what happens to those of us
who join the Naxalite movement?

I have an idea that'll solve all of
our problems like 'Sapat' lotion!

What if we pretend to be Naxalites and rob a bus?

Hey Das!

I'm trying to settle down with Suseela, and you
propose an idea that will land me in prison.

Good night to you, sir!

Why the hell did you come here?

Please don't be mad at me.

I'm begging you.

What if someone sees us and tells my mom?

She'll go insane.

You're so scared at the thought
of just your mother knowing about us.

What if the world found out about my problem?

People will spit on me.

What happened darling?

I...

-I'm pregnant.
-What?

What did you say?

I'm pregnant!

What are you even talking about dear?

I was working on your request all night.

Not even a drop of this should be left.

Another thing...

All of these should be fully eaten in one go.

It will cause heavy bleeding.

An extreme stabbing pain in the stomach.

There's even a chance of death.

In this country, rather than being unwed and pregnant

it's better to die.

A woman's life is wretched.

If my mom was still alive
to tell me right from wrong...

I wouldn't be in this mess now.

My dad isn't much help.

The poor guy doesn't understand the world.

This herbal concoction...

It could kill you.

Took you this long to realize?

Did you ever even ask me if I wanted a baby?

I wanted this after we got married.

I didn't want to use this pregnancy
to force you to marry me, so I kept quiet.

Your parents...

They're already telling the whole
village that I trapped you.

I can't even buy underwear
without my dad's money.

I got scared at the thought of providing for a baby.

The moment I found out I was pregnant....

I was so afraid.

I have no idea what to do now.

Bear with me just for a month.

I'll do whatever it takes.
I'll pawn my head if I have to!

Your stubborn, arrogant head?

Who in their right mind would want that?

Come rain or shine...

Or if darkness engulfs you...

You must fly.

You must fly.

Break free from yesterday’s cage.

Spread wings for tomorrow.

You must fly.

You must fly.

Quickly move, this way or that way.

Be alert, until a path unfolds.

Come out of your daze,
realize the truth.

You must fly.

When your own gaze stares at you...

When your own shadow questions you...

Instead of sitting idle...

You must fly.

I will throw up.

Please, for baby's sake.

When your heartbeats keep asking "when?"...

When life silently questions you...

As an answer...

Fly away.

As life itself...

Grow up.

Bear with me just for a month.

I'll do whatever it takes.
I'll pawn my head if I have to.

What's wrong bro?
Why are you upset?

If you don't tell us,
How can we help?

Isn't it obvious?

It'd be about his rice cake center.

You still trust that loan broker?
How naive of you.

What's up?

I'm done with you!
Give me my money back!

Don't raise your voice at me.

This involves bureaucracy.

Be patient.

How much longer?
Until everyone knows about my problem?

-Get out.
-Hold him.

You're a wolf in sheep's clothing.

I'll let Das deal with you.

Why are you here?

This isn't low stakes.
100 rupee minimum.

Come sit.

Show.

One more round.

Play.

Damn!

It's hard to beat him.
Quit before it gets worse for you.

Bro...

Please lend me 1000 rupees.

Damn!

Listen.

If you don't pay up by tomorrow, I'll come to
your house and make your dad pay.

Got it?

What?

I wasn't serious, I was drunk.

It's not easy like wiping your ass.

You too bro?

Banks need guarantors.

Money lenders charge high interest.

You're not getting how dire this is.

I'm out of options.

The three of us should kill ourselves.

Why do you always bring up suicide?

Wait, who's the third?

Any day now...

Suseela's pregnancy will be obvious.

Can't hide it anymore.

Just one more night and all
of our problems are going to end.

Wow! Are we getting the loan?

Such wonderful news
and you're not excited at all.

My head hurts.

Oh no!

Let me massage your head.

We've waited so long...

Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel.

The bus has arrived.

Driver, I smell petrol!

Long live the revolution!

Let the revolution thrive!

We are Naxalites!

They're trembling...

They're thieves, not Naxalites.

We won't harm anyone
but if anyone tries to act smart...

Empty your satchel.

Give me higher denominations!

-I don't have the bigger denominations.
-Give!

-I'm warning you, cough up the rest of the money.
-I don't have more sir.

Give them!

I'll light the match if you don't let him go.

I'll burn this bus! Let him go!

Leave him.

I'm warning you guys, leave him.

He might burn the bus.
Let them go.

Stop him!

Leave him!

How much is it?

650 Rupees.

It's severely burnt.

I will fetch a rural doctor.

No, brother.

Some of the rural doctors
are police informers.

I will at least get Burnol ointment.

Now for the news headlines...

There's been a burning
of a bus in Chilakaluripet.

Twenty-three innocent people lost their lives.

It has sparked widespread public protests.

They're saying some people got burnt.

23 burnt to death.

Idiot! Why the hell did you
throw the lit match?

I didn't throw it. I lit the match
to scare them into letting you go.

I blacked out after that.

I shouldn't have listened to your stupid plan.

What?

You remembered my stupid, drunken idea.

I repeatedly said we can’t rob a bus
and that you don’t remember right?

You remember what's convenient for you.

Yes, I planned all of this for my whore.

Who are you calling a whore, you bastard!

You prick!

Sagar, let go.

I'm giving you one last warning.

What have we done!

Confess, bastard!

It was an accident sir.

Why did you do it?

Hey Das.

You bastard!

We took good care of you.

No matter what, you people are like that.

Confess!

Sir his back is burnt. Leave him.

Leave them?

We should take these two to that bus
and burn them alive.

Good riddance.

No wasting time with court.

We'd be doing the public a favor.

Those monsters burnt 23 innocent people alive.

I've never seen such an atrocity in my life.

Worse than animals.

These kind of monsters
should be stoned to death publicly.

Our bar association proposes

that no lawyer
should represent them.

They're devils quoting scripture.

When our folks were massacred in Tsunduru...

did they command
that no lawyer should represent them?

Now they are acting all righteous.

You are right, but they're so angry now
that we'll be misconstrued.

Chilakaluripet police,
Sagar, Das come in.

Where is your lawyer?

Will you defend yourselves?

Why didn't you arrange
for their free legal aid?

Sir, the bar association
is furious at the accused.

They passed a resolution to prohibit
their members from defending them.

So...

They decided the case before the trials began?

Then why am I needed and
why do we need a constitution?

Ask them to void Article 22 as well.

Your honour!

With your permission, I will represent them.

OK.

Thank you, sir.

Raju, one strong coffee.

They cancelled your membership and
asked me not to allow you inside.

Do you realize what you have done?

You have stripped away my dignity.

That too, for doing the right thing?

You know what?

For centuries, they were ordered
to live at the village outskirts.

Imagine their plight.

We hang the portrait of the
father of our Constitution.

We garland and worship him.

But...

We are behaving against his ideals.

Article 22: the right to legal representation...

You are denying them their fundamental right!

I'm ashamed to explain this
to a senior lawyer.

This is his house.

This will be our headline tomorrow.

Are you the parents of the guy
who killed 23 people?

We should've killed him at birth.

Stone him to death, he's no son of ours.

This is all because of that loose woman.

She trapped my son.

This was all her evil plan.

All this is because of the illicit affair between them.

They're lucky they got caught,
or we would have skinned them alive.

Now, let's violate and kill her.

And then hang her body from a tree.

We should teach them a lesson
so they don't dare to do this again.

That tramp!

She escaped from the back.

Monsters...

Hey, fresh meat!

One for you, one for me!

Hey, you two idiots!

Come here.

Sit there.

Tell us.

Where did you hide your loot?

What money sir?

We don't have a rupee on us.

Hey...

Do you know who you're talking to?

I am the don of this barrack.

Raju Bhai!

Sir!

I was telling them about you.

Please sit.

Money?

These guys don't have any money.

For their mistress, these guys
killed 23 in a botched robbery.

How dare you stare at me?

For calling her a mistress?

-Question...
- Yes, bro...

What do you call a lady who gets
pregnant before marriage?

A mistress bro.

Then why is he getting angry?

Question...

Will the baby look like this guy
or this dark skinned guy?

Bro, what if that baby
looks like some other guy?

How stupid are you?

Even I keep my mouth shut in front of them.

Poor guys.

They don't have anyone to bring them clothes.

Give them some of what we have.

This is just the start.

Wear your underwear tight.
Here, you have to be afraid in your sleep too.

Mom, please don't cry.

Dad will come home, I know it.

Hey bro...

Talk to me.

I only lit that match
because they were hitting you.

Please believe me.

I wish that door wasn't jammed.

The windows were open.

A few could've lived by jumping out of them.

They should've broken the rear glass window.

I should've sprinkled just a little petrol for effect.

Instead I poured all of it.

Hey!

As a Brahmin, aren't you
ashamed to defend murderers?

We'll call a carpenter in the morning.

It's always noble to help the downtrodden.

But by taking this case

you've invited trouble to our home.

Twenty-three innocent people died because of them.

Taking their case doesn't mean
I'm justifying their actions.

Every person deserves a fair trial,
the Constitution makes it a right.

I'm defending that right.

When all doors are closed,
all that remains are the courts.

How can lawyers and the courts abandon them?

Go to sleep.

Sir, sir...

Please open the door, sir.

Sir, please open the door.

This is about Sagar and Das...

Please come inside.

Please sit.

Sit on the chair.
-Oh I couldn't!

Don't worry, sit on the chair.

All of this is my fault, sir.

If I didn't tell him I was pregnant

he wouldn't have robbed in the first place.

None of this would've happened.

He's a very good person.

Please believe me.

How old are you?

Eighteen... this Dusshera.

Sir...

Somehow, please free Sagar.

Take my mother's gold earrings as payment.

That's not needed,
please keep them with you.

Please take a bath and freshen up.

Come.

Sir...

Sagar will be freed soon right?

I'll try my best.

You are my only hope sir.

I'll leave now.

Where will you go at this late hour?

I survived by picking left over cotton
from already harvested fields.

I'll survive somehow.

Please stay here tonight.

Please let me through.

What's that wound?

Did something happen in the village?

I'm done with that village.

How is it fair to punish you for my crime?

If I hadn't insisted on keeping the baby

you wouldn't have resorted to this crime.

The crime isn't just yours.

I could have done manual labour
and taken care of you and our baby.

I wanted to give you and our baby a good life.

I wanted to do something.

But I ended up here.

It's OK, don't worry.

Chandra sir is one of the best lawyers.

He'll get you out somehow.

Until then, I won’t give up.

My dear...

Please get me out somehow.

Once I'm out, I will work to the bone
to take care of our family.

Please trust me.

Take care.

Who are the new inmates?

These two are full of themselves.

Let's tame them.

Hey Raju.

-They're your caste, right?
-Yes.

Go clean the toilets.

-Also Raju...
-Yes?

You're taking their side, right?

Not like that, brother.

You also clean with them.

You idiots couldn't keep your mouth shut.
Now, I'm also being punished.

Ugh... You take this.

Clean it.

Take this, and clean.

What are you looking at?

Scrub harder.

-Raju, how is it going?
-All good. We are cleaning.

Harder, harder.

Please sit.

Tell me exactly what happened.

Truthfully.

Sir...

They were hitting Das, so I lit
the match to threaten them.

I blacked out after that, sir.

I don't have any family.
I am an orphan.

So I can understand the victims' loss better.

But I don't deserve your kindness.

You are in a prison.

I am in a prison.

Yours is a life without freedom.

Mine is a freedom without life.

How will we both break free?

How will we both break free?

You are in a prison.

I am in a prison.

-Sir, can I go to the prison?
-How can you skip work every week?

Fine, just this time.

I know you can't come.

But, I still wait for you.

I know you can't listen.

But, I still cry for you.

I know you can't come.

But, I still wait for you.

I know you can't listen.

But, I still cry for you.

Weighed down by your memories...

Weighed down by your memories...

I've grown heavy.

I've grown heavy.

Taking hesitant, languid steps...

Stumbling forward with weariness...

I've become a walking wound.

I've become a walking wound.

Everyone's rotating chores, but I've been
stuck with cleaning toilets for six months.

I can cook. I'll ask for kitchen duty.

We're "lucky" to be born in our caste
and we landed this "dream job."

Our fate is the same, outside or here.

These are jail rules.

Have you read the rules?

If I could read,I would have
become warden and lived in luxury.

I will read jail rules.

You barely passed 10th grade,
but your swag is that of lawyer, Jetmalani.

After the barracks are locked,
I am the jailer and it's my rules.

Get hold of him.

Lay low for few days,
and don’t pick fights.

Chandra sir said that he will
file another petition for your bail.

Forget about me, what did the doctor say?

Labour could be any day now.

My horrible fate...
I can't take care of you now.

Don't worry about me,

Chandra sir and his wife are taking care of me.

Like the radiance of the black night...

Like lightning slicing through midnight...

Like a raging torrent in a flood...

It's a baby girl!

Like a child sprinting toward school...

Like clenched teeth of a will so strong...

Like unwavering pride that stands so tall...

My little baby, weary and asleep...

My black lotus… sleep.

Sleep, oh my little baby, sleep.

Sleep, oh my sweetheart, sleep.

Sleep, oh my little baby, sleep.

Sleep, oh my sweetheart, sleep.

Your father sowed his sweat into the soil.

Your mother’s voice, across
the fields, cooed with love.

Born of nine months of labor’s toil...

Our firstborn, our precious dove...

Oh my loving dark cloud...

You are the rain drawn from lightning’s glow.

Sleep, oh my baby, sleep.

Sleep, oh my sweetheart, sleep.

Sleep, oh my baby, sleep.

Sleep, oh my sweetheart, sleep.

Like the infant smiles behind your closed eyes...

Like the waves in your mother’s worried heart...

Please let me pass.

This is my daughter?

Suseela, she's a part of me.

Look at her cute fingers and nails.

Unbelievable, dear.

See these eyes...

She's looking at me
like she's known me forever.

Suseela dear.

Even if I die, I will live through my baby.

Oh, my dear.

Before, I used to get
intoxicated smelling your fingers.

But now my baby's smell...

I can't put it into words.

Oh dear...

Oh dear...

It's me, your father.

Are you the one who poured petrol in the bus?

Yes, sir.

Did you light the match?

Yes, sir.

Did you throw the lit match
on the petrol-doused bus?

Yes or no?

Yes or no?

Yes or no?

You agree that you are responsible
for the death of 23 innocent lives?

Right?

Milord, 23 innocent lives, including kids...

Because of these monsters,
they were reduced to ashes.

Because of them, so many kids became orphans.

Wives became widows, families became destitute.

Animals like these who exist among us humans
should be awarded the strictest punishment.

That would wipe the tears of the victims.

Thank you.

Milord, there is evidence that they lit the match.

But there is no evidence that
they thew the lit match.

Some witnesses say there were
four accused and some say two.

The accused voluntarily confessed to
the crime so it became easy for the prosecution.

Otherwise, it would have taken years and years.

And if things went their way,
they could have gone scot-free.

Your honour, I understand the
anger of the mob outside.

But let's proceed according to the law
and not by mob mentality.

I am not claiming they are innocent.

But they aren't cold blooded murders.

They don't have personal hatred for the victims.

They were strangers to them.
Sagar doesn't have any prior criminal record.

Sagar's girlfriend is pregnant.

All of us know the plight of unwed, pregnant girls.

Under those difficult circumstance,
unable to find a way forward...

They resorted to crime,
resulting in this tragedy.

Milord, the laws everywhere are
designed to reform the criminals.

More importantly, they have accepted
their crime and are remorseful.

Kindly consider all these factors
before giving the verdict.

The accused showed no compassion.
They were unmoved by the cries of little children.

This monstrous crime is a blot on humanity.

Under sections 302 and 120B...

Mekathoti Sagar and Gangolu Das...

Suseela!

I am going away forever.

It's all over.

If a life for a life is justified...

The politicians who engineered riots
that caused hundreds of deaths...

The landlords responsible
for the Tsunduru massacre...

Bank management who stole
people's money and caused their suicides...

Did the courts hang all of them?

The hangman's noose is prejudiced.

It protects the money launderers
and sexual predators.

Its venomous fangs will kill Sagar and Das.

The hangman's noose hangs only
the downtrodden, the untouchables.

All these months.

We lived side by side.

I feel bad that they're being shifted
to the convicted prisoners barrack.

But imagine if they are hanged.

They're idiots.

But they're good guys.

They should be punished, but killing them?

Bro...

Chandra sir is going to appeal in the high court.

Why the appeal?

We killed 23 people.

If not us, who else should they hang?

Do whatever you want.

But for me, the death sentence is deserved.

Cold blooded murderers are
lying and getting away.

Did I ask you to lie?

Hey, take your hands off.

Take them off!!

Instead of dying everyday waiting for
a pardon that might never be granted

it's better to hang once and be done with this.

For my baby's sake...

Please.

Please, brother.

Sir.

Please tell me frankly.

What are our options now?

We have to find a good lawyer and
fight till the High Court & Supreme Court.

It will be years and years of hell.

My baby is born to an unwed
mother and a murderer father.

She has to grow up bearing that stigma.

To get her out of this hell...

I have decided to give her up for adoption.

Have you thought through it properly dear?

I'm heartless, aren't I?

I haven't fully sung a lullaby.

I haven't fully breastfed to your heart's content.

I'll ensure she's adopted by good people.

I haven't fully played with you in my lap.

I haven't fully been drenched
in the joy of your laughter.

Some cruel curse has taken you away so soon.

And with her head bowed, this
mother trembles in sorrow.

I haven't fully played with you in my lap.

I haven't fully been drenched
in the joy of your laughter.

The nine months I carried you feels so recent.

The pain of childbirth hasn't healed yet.

Where is my darling?

I gave her up.

What are you saying?

I have given her up for adoption.

Who the hell are you to give her up?
I am the baby's father.

Do you know why I have given her up?

I know why.

As I'm going to die, you want to get
rid of her so you can find someone new.

Just shut your filthy mouth.

I loved you, so I did everything
you asked me to without complaint.

I even became pregnant before marriage.

Society called me a
whore for being with you.

If you were a real man, you would've
even chopped wood to take care of us.

My mom was right.

She warned me against girls like you.

How dare you!

I will kill you!

Fine, abandon me Suseela!

What else is there to lose?

My parents abandoned me.
My best friend Das as well.

What else is left?

Suseela, believe me.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

I beg you to forgive me.

I behaved worse than an animal.

Not only did I destroy your life

but I insulted your character.

I spoke nonsense.

Forgive me.

Brother, talk to me.

Which week is this?

At least tell me if it is day or night.

Brother!!

What the hell are you going
to lose if you talk to me?

Hey, Sagar.

You ruined everything.

How did you kill so many people?

I don't know anything.

I didn't do anything.

Oh really?

The match lit itself and fell on the floor by itself?

How many times do I have to tell you?

We didn't have any intention to burn the bus.

Excuses.

Don't torture me.

After committing such a sin,
aren't you ashamed to eat?

Shut up.

You did all this and blaming me for it.

I thought of earning some money
and starting a rice cake shop.

You came up with the evil plan.

Go to hell.

Shameless.

I lit the match to save Das.

It was an accident.

I remember lighting the match,
but I don't remember throwing it.

All this because of that loan broker.

I shouldn't have dropped out of school.

Twenty-three people died because of my actions.

Who is this prisoner in solitary?

His name is Sagar.

Why?

Three months ago, he made
a scene in the visiting hall.

The previous SP told us to
keep him in solitary.

Our job is not to hit the prisoners
or keep them in solitary confinement.

We have to reform them.

Bring this to my office.

All new officers are noble initially.

They talk about reforms, but after a few days
they become more cruel than us.

I've barely looked my daughter in the eyes,
and I'm suffering without her.

Your father was supposed to be back soon,
only to never return home.

How heartbroken you must have been.

Because of my atrocious act

your life was destroyed.

How much ever I cry or repent,
I can't bring back your loved one.

Forgive me, dear.

What did you do to yourself?

I don't have the right to live.

For my disgusting behaviour towards you...

For killing 23 people...

I shouldn't live even for a second.

I didn't want our baby to suffer
for our wrong deeds.

I know I should have talked to you first.

But if I did

would you have agreed?

Put your hand on your heart and swear.

I'm already half dead after giving up our baby.

If you also die

for whom should I live?

Why are we fighting this battle?

In the hope that, at least for a day,
we can live happily together.

Now tell me.

Tell me that we will fight together.

Tell me that we should live together dear.

I was 12 years old then.

It was the 7th grade annual exams.

"I will come home soon sweetheart."

He promised to bring me a Pilot pen for the exams.

He didn't return.

When it's time for exams,
the wounds become fresh again.

I shiver at the sight of a bus, even if it's far away.

But today, I mustered courage
and came here by bus.

Do you know why?

You are the cause of
unimaginable pain for my family.

And you sent me this postcard
to rid yourself of guilt and sleep peacefully?

I came to tell you that
you won't get forgiveness so easily.

You should feel the wrath
of the 23 victims' loved ones.

I agree.

My sins won't wash away,
even if they hang me 223 times.

But please don't lose your sanity
because of anger towards me.

What did you expect?

That she would praise you for what you did?

I thought that I devastated 23 families.

But after meeting her, I've realized...

Her unhealed trauma will be
passed down to future generations.

How many more will suffer?

Who is Sagar?

Why did you attempt suicide?

What was the reason?

Not all criminals are born that way.

When Das stole 75 pennies for an ice pop

instead of publicly thrashing Das like a dog

Ii they had punished him in private for his first strike

he wouldn't have quit school.

Did you write all this?

Yes, sir.

You have empathy.

If you write more, we can make a book out of it.

Who knows?

The book might inspire some to not end up here.

Why would anybody read my writing, sir?

Sagar.

Many unemployed youth...

They might resort to theft or robbery.

If that desperate youth reads your book

they will learn how one crime ruins a life.

Very good.

The library has been closed for many days.

Open it.

Okay, sir.

Sagar will take care of it.

After so many days, you seem peaceful.

If at least one person reads my book

and doesn't step into the world of crime...

What better purpose can there be for my life?

I'm happy for you.

One more thing.

Mrs. Chandra's paying for me to go to 10th grade.

Really?

It's been so long since
I've heard such good news!

I don't know if I can pass 10th grade.

But ma'am gets mad at me if don't study.

Having overcome so much,
this won't be difficult for you.

Brother, please come to the library.

Crazy books guy!

Brother.

When did you commit your first crime?

Why should I tell you?

It might help someone.

Will you give me ganja?

Cigarette?

Beedi?

Get lost!

Milord, the victim's lawyer is severely sick.

Kindly postpone the hearing.

How long should the accused rot in prison?

I want to decide the case today.

No further adjournments.

Milord...

This massacre was preplanned and intentional.

The accused have prior criminal records.

They have wealth, caste and influence.

They don't fear the law.

They should be awarded the
strictest punishment to uphold justice.

Letting them go would be empowering casteism.

Their next generation might follow the same path.

Please punish them to the
maximum extent possible.

The public prosecutor has failed to prove
the time and place of the murders.

The accused weren't identified with certainty.

Therefore, I am acquitting all the accused.
I also direct the police to keep them safe.

Sister!

-Sister!
-Yes?

What is it?

It's my 10th grade results.

I'm so anxious.

You please check my exam results.

Congratulations!

You passed in the second division!

You shouldn't stop at just 10th,
continue higher studies.

-Okay, Suseela madam?
-Yes.

My mother died after giving birth to me.

That's why I always dreamt to become a nurse.

With your support, I will
definitely become a nurse.

I will always be here for you.

Sit down.

I wish he was with me today.

I hope the High Court will be
compassionate tomorrow.

In the Chilakaluripet bus burning case...

The accused are responsible for
the death of 23 people.

This court agrees with the judgement
passed by lower court.

This court rejects the accused's appeal.

In the hope of being freed one day

for years and years, we've
been walking the courts.

It's been a frustrating, agonizing, hellish experience.

The committed sin is not minor.

But...

The price has been paid.

I have to atone for the sin I committed.

But it's naive of you to hope
for light in a closed room.

Please move on, get married, and live your life.

If I want to get married
and live my life, I will do it.

Leave the decision to me.

One more thing.

A lot of people are protesting
against the death sentence.

They say that we will definitely
get justice in the Delhi court.

Ban the death penalty!
Release Sagar and Das!

Everyone, stop!

Stop!

You're all very kind and generous.

But do you know anyone who was on that bus?

Any of you?

I was there.

They removed my leg
because it was burned.

It's not just my leg that was burnt.

My livelihood...

My self respect...

Just to survive a day

I have to beg for help.

What are you saying?

Shouldn't those monsters
be sentenced to death?

None of you are the victims.
Who gave you the right to forgive them?

Right.

Those murderers should be released.

And then...

They should burn another
bus with all of you on it.

You should all become crippled like me.

Then, with your hands out,
pitifully beg on the streets.

You should all beg.

Twenty-six innocent people have been
killed in a car bomb blast in Jubilee hills.

Pratap and Suresh's rivalry
might be behind this blast.

What a brilliant plan!

Just missed!

Or else they would have exploded to pieces.

It's not fair to set a bomb off in public brother.

What do you mean?

Was it fair when a bomb was planted
in a TV in Suresh's house?

Twenty-six innocent people have been killed.

Why isn't anyone talking about them?

Collateral damage is common in faction wars.

What will be Pratap's next move?

That is the question.

I think they'll kill Suresh in this jail.

Who knows?

What are you doing?

Some deaths are discussed.

Some are ignored.

They know exactly when and
what to plant in people's minds.

Bye, sir.

Stop doing such degrading work.

Come to the library with me.

If I massage him, I will get a pack of ganja.

What will I get if I read your books?

These walls can imprison our bodies.

Books gives us the wings to cross
these walls and fly to new worlds.

They can take away our
materialistic pleasures.

But the joy we get after
reading a book?

No prison can take that away.

This is the problem with you.

You read a couple of books and
preach about birds and batshit.

Go and leave me alone.

Get lost.

How the hell should I explain you?

Every waking moment, all I hear and see is

Fires, screams, cries...

Children and women crying for help...

To forget these hellish thoughts,
I need a pack of ganja everyday.

You should have talked to me.

How much more burden will you carry?

It's stupid of you to write a book.

Even stupider to think
someone will benefit from it.

But I wish I had a purpose
in life like you, even if it's stupid.

You found peace in your crazy purpose.

It would be nice if I had that too.

I'll tell you a story written by a
Russian author, Chekhov.

Which is better, the death penalty
or life imprisonment?

A young lawyer and a wealthy
businessman debated this question.

The businessman took a knife and went inside.

The lawyer was missing.

He left just five hours before the end of the bet,
but he left a letter for the businessman.

After acquiring knowledge
for years, I've learned a truth.

Money and worldly pleasures are all temporary.

Real happiness is in knowledge.

The lawyer left saying,
"I don't want your money."

Sagar, can you teach us how to read?

So we can read those books too.

Absolutely.

Hello Suresh, I am the Home Minister speaking.

Why is my name not on the release list?

Suresh, please understand.
I tried my best.

The elections are close.
The party leaders didn't agree.

Didn't this occur to you when you took my money?

If you can't help me while you're in power...

What if another party wins the next election?

Should I rot in jail for another five years?

I'm not asking for a free favor.

I've paid you.

Brother, we let you out on parole multiple times.

We got you a phone and A.C.

We bent all the rules for you.

Please understand us.

It's not just one or two.
Twenty-six people died.

Imagine the plight of the victims.

Victims?

Who's the victim?

I'm the victim here.

They killed my mother.

They blew up my brother
and his wife to pieces.

Shouldn't I be responsible for avenging them?

Am I not justified to take
six lives for the three I lost?

Do you think this gives me pleasure?

Okay.

My bad luck made me miss my real target.

Instead of just throwing a crude bomb at him

I trusted some high-tech, remote bomb.

That stupid plan got me stuck in here.

I don't care how you do it.

But my name needs to be on the next release list.

Or else, your name will be on mine.

That's a promise.

After careful consideration
by a special committee

Suresh, responsible for the
deaths of 26 victims of a recent bomb blast

will be freed on grounds of good behavior.

The Home Minister informed media that a
government order will be issued to release Suresh.

Sagar, you're always saying we should change.

You're right, we should.

But Suresh killed 26 people
and was let go for good behavior.

Shouldn't the society
that lets him off the hook change?

A society that doesn't stand up
for the victims or their families...

Shouldn't that society change?

This is how the world is.

Please sir!

-Don't release me!
-What?

-Please don't release me sir.
-What happened?

I'm having crazy thoughts, it's
better for everyone if I stay here.

Please understand sir!

Sir, please sir!

Please understand, sir!

What's the case?

He's a child rapist, sir.

His name is Kannada Mani.

He served his time,
but he doesn't want to leave.

Hello?

Sir

The prisoner we released today
raped a child again.

What happened?

A prisoner we released today raped a child already.

He grabbed my legs and begged...

"Sir, don't let me go."

This is my fault.

How is this your fault?

The cops who arrest, the judges who sentence,
and we who oversee their sentences...

We all think we've done our duties.

If an unreformed convict commits
crimes again, whose fault is that?

-Hi Shiva.
-Hello Professor.

Good to see you.

Good to see you ma'am.
Please sit.

So now I have to call you 'sir'.

It's our uniform that earns us respect.

For us students, you're a
respected professor forever.

Thank you.

As I said on the phone...

Prison reform is not my area of expertise.

And in two weeks I'm going
to Harvard for a fellowship.

Since you've requested help so many times

I thought I'd visit you as a courtesy.

Ma'am...

In the forests of Mahabubnagar,
my family and I herded sheep.

Once, forest guards asked my father for a huge bribe.
He couldn’t pay, and they kicked him until he died

I endured many hardships and became an SP.

I thought I became a big police officer.

But what I do here....

It's the same job of herding sheep.

There is no real difference, ma'am.

We released a criminal who isn't reformed.

He committed a grave crime.

He needed psychological help.

I can't do that for him.

I need the help of a psychologist like you.

Please think about it.

Good, Shiva.

A criminal reform initiative.

But I can't help you now.

Maybe after I come back.

I understand, ma'am.

Please drink some tea.
And in the meantime...

Please skim through this book.

I will be back.

'My math teacher in 11th grade said that
those who eat beef can't grasp math.'

'Humiliated, I quit school, but if I swallowed
my pride, I would have had a different destiny.'

'Now I cry every night.'

'If I knew how suffocating life would be,
I would have endured every insult.'

'All these are reasons for my crime,
but none justify the crime I have committed.'

What, Shiva?

Using the psychology tricks I taught against me?

This is interesting.

We make many mistakes.

But when was the last time we
apologized wholeheartedly?

Rarely.

To sincerely apologize to the victims' families...

This Sagar has lot of empathy.

True.

The goal of finishing this book is what keeps him alive now.

When he finds his purpose, he endures
and moves forward, no matter the difficulty.

We can empathize with the lives of
prisoners and their circumstances.

But we're outsiders.

This Sagar is one of them.

Let's design a workshop with Sagar as the bridge.

Wonderful, thank you so much.

Today is not Dussehra,
Independence Day, or the Naga festival.

And they are treating us to samosas and dil pasand?

Something's fishy!

In my ten years in prison, this is the first time
they've seated us in chairs instead of the floor.

That too in comfortable chairs.

Sagar is whispering something to ma'am.

Probably the same annoying
"Make them read books, practice writing alphabets."

What's harder to bear?
Sagar's book torture or Chinna Bhai's beatings?

It's between a rock and a hard place.

Let's enjoy the snacks while we can.

Has everyone eaten?

We've never been asked if we'd eaten or not.
How nice of ma'am to ask.

First, I want to thank Sagar.

He organized and facilitated this
meeting and brought you all here.

Thank you, Sagar.

Let's start.

Okay.

One of you tell me three of your best qualities.

Good qualities?

If we had good qualities, why would we be here?

What's your name?

Raju, ma'am.

How many of you know Raju?

Nice, a lot of you know him.

Can anyone tell me one good quality of Raju's?

We came to jail with only the
clothes we were wearing.

Raju gave us some of his own clothes.

Nice.

Any more?

Yes ma'am.

Tell me, dear.

My back was fully burnt when I came here.
Raju gave me ointment and helped me.

Very nice.
Did it heal?

Yes

Raju saved us from Chinna Bhai's
beatings through his wit and humor.

Wow, you are a comedian too Raju?

Good job.

Please sit.

Sagar will give you all some chart papers.

He will also give you old newspapers.

There will be many pictures in that newspaper, right?

You'll cut out some pictures from those newspapers.

What kind of pictures should you cut out?

What did you want to be before you
committed a crime and came to prison?

A picture related to that.

Now that you are in jail, how are you now?
What's your mental state? A picture for that.

What do want to be after you are released?
A picture for that too.

Cut these pictures and glue them
on the chart paper that Sagar gives you.

Write a sentence or two about the pictures and your feelings.

For those who can't write, Sagar will help.

-What is your name, dear?
-ATM.

He went to rob an ATM, dozed off because
the A.C. was nice and cold, and got caught.

What is your real name?

Ramesh.

Good job, Ramesh.

Isn't this the same Cognitive Behavioral
Therapy you taught us in college?

Almost, but the plan of
action is slightly different.

These pictures and their writings
give us an insight into their minds.

We can see if their goals,
their destinations, are realistic...

If their plans of earning after
getting out are legitimate...

We can understand their emotions like anger and aggression.

More importantly, we can see if they're
remorseful and feel guilt for their actions.

Now, we can't give everyone the same plan.

We need to give each person customized plans.

That's going to take some time.

Look at this.
How well-written it is.

Nice, ma'am.

Remember the third picture I cut out this morning?

If my life turns out like that after I get out...

I'll be so happy.

She fed us heart shaped snacks,
and then won our hearts.

We completely forgot that we have humanity.

I don't remember the last time I heard,
"Raju, you're a good person."

Those weren't ordinary chart papers.
Our fate, how we got here, how we're living...

What will become of us after prison?

I can see my life in front of my eyes.

Madam taught us that we can write our own fates.

Let's change ourselves.

We have to set our
goals realistically...

Madam, do you think this is your university?

Preaching nonsense.

This is a jail.

They're all animals.

They have to be tamed like animals.

We're experts in that.

I'll give you 24 hours
to take down your circus tent.

If not...

Thanks for the 24 hours.

Do one thing.
Join us for our next game.

I'm warning you.
No matter how hard it gets, you can't quit.

Okay, madam.

You should only play if you have the guts.

I have lots of that.

Okay.

Name the three people in your
life who you love the most.

My mom.

My brother.

My sister.

You killed someone, didn't you?

How?

I stabbed them with a knife.

Pick someone from this list.

Visualize exactly how you stabbed your victim.

Now imagine killing the person
from your list exactly like that.

What are you saying madam?

I warned you.

You should only play if you can handle it.

My sister.

Tell me another name.

My brother.

Only your mother is left.

With the same knife, in the same manner, imagine...

Now, kill your mother.

What the hell!

What kind of game is this?

I told you, just useless nonsense.

Let's get out of here.

The person he killed must've been
number one on someone's list.

Do you know why I didn't argue
with Chinna bhai and his gang?

Because if I argue, then this workshop will end.

In the future, you'll be released.

The world will keep reminding
you that you are criminals.

If you react angrily about it

you will end up right back here.

Raju, who is your best friend outside?

Malli, ma'am.

Who is trying to get your bail?

My wife.

In that case, shouldn't your
wife be your best friend?

Right.

If you can't distinguish
between good or bad company

or if you leave and fall back in
with the same bad friends

you'll come right back here.

You should all have one goal.

You should never come back here.

Okay?

Sir...

Everyone inside regrets getting caught.

Securing bail...

That's all they worry about.

They barely think about
the people they've harmed.

Sir, when I came here, I knew I harmed 23 families.

But I was able to fully understand the magnitude
of the pain I caused only after talking to them.

If you bring a victim here to speak of their pain...

They will understand what they have done.

Actually, that's a brilliant idea.

It's very difficult and a major security risk.

Shiva, I have a gut feeling
that this will work out.

OK, somehow I'll manage it.

When I was five months pregnant...

They all raped me.

Not just me.

My mother...

And the other women in the family...

And my 3 year old...

They held her down by her feet
and smashed her head against a rock.

They killed many others in my family.

I knew the 11 people who did this very well.

I used to address them as my brothers and uncles.

I begged them to stop, but they didn't listen.

I was devastated that they destroyed me.

But it pains me even more that I am still alive.

When Madam asked me to come
and speak in front of everyone, I was scared.

I was even more afraid to
speak in front of a bunch of men.

If at least one of you,
even just one person...

If you change after hearing my story

my tears will have some meaning.

Somewhere, a woman like me will be spared my fate.

Because of how hard you all have
worked, here's a special meal.

Thanks, madam.
You helped us immensely.

We're sorry that your trip to America
was cancelled because of us.

It's fine, dear.

Madam, they say the prisons
in America are very nice.

They say they're fully air conditioned,
and they have soft beds.

You couldn't survive even one night
in the American prison system.

Norway and Sweden are better than America.

Madam, don't give him any ideas.
He might actually go there.

Raju won't do any of that,
because he's the new facilitator.

Even if I'm not here, he'll run the workshops.

Everyone, take a plate of rice cakes.

This is so good!

What restaurant is it from?

It's Sagar's magic.

One hand writes, the other hand cooks!

How impressive!

What's your secret ingredient?

There are two secrets...

But I'll tell you one.

I mix ice apples into the batter.

Ice apples?

The other secret is just for Suseela.

Okay if it's just for Suseela,
then we won't ask further.

The credit goes to you for this
workshop being successful.

Because you're such a good writer,
give the workshop a name.

Unnati (progress).

Unnati... very nice!

We have another surprise for you all.

We've arranged a special visitation tomorrow.

If you all get reformed, then
who should I sell my ganja to?

Chinna bhai, please, I beg you to stop.

That's my book!

I beg you, please stop.

How dare you ruin my ganja business?

Please leave me, let me go!
Chinna bhai, please stop!

Five years of my hard work, all gone!

My daughter's photograph...

If you don't report their names,
there's nothing I can do, Sagar.

The way I turned 23 people to ashes...

Five years of hard work
has turned into ashes.

The ganja dealer will think
he is right from his perspective.

On that fateful night when I burned the bus,
I was reckless and was out of my mind.

He is in that same state.

Write again, Sagar.

Maybe the next version will be even better.

Your daughter...

The adoptive parents are government employees.

They treat your child preciously.

Sagar...

Stop Sagar.

Sir, she takes after her mother.

Look at her nose.

What did the doctors say?

I said that he is my guardian.

They said they would take care
of the chemo and other expenses.

If he could live another 10-20 years...

He could've helped so many more people.

What happened, sir?

I can only think of my regrets these days.

I should've spent more time with my wife.

I should've been more polite and affectionate
to my parents when I was growing up.

My biggest regret...

That I couldn't help you.

In the years I've been working as a nurse

I have seen many people
fighting their last battles.

I've seen people looking down on others,
even on their deathbeds.

They'll never change.

The other day, I gave a sponge bath to an old man.

He asked me what my caste is.

I didn't get angry.
I felt pity for him.

There's another type of people.

Role models for humanity...

Despite doing so much for others,
they feel they haven't done much.

The expected happened, Sagar.

They refuse to publish your book.

They'll only let political prisoners write,
not criminal convicts.

If not everyone, at least a few people
would read this book and avoid prison.

Do something, sir.

I've tried my best, Sagar.

It took me seven years to write it.
Did they even read my book?

Probably not.

They think a book is only as
valuable as its author's reputation.

We thought the President might grant clemency.

That was our last hope.

Is there no other way?

Presidential clemency is the last hope.

It's all over.

The cold blooded murderers of the Tsunduru
massacre were sentenced to life imprisonment

but they escaped by appealing to the High Court.

The Jubilee Hills bomb blast mastermind Suresh
made the government release him for good conduct.

Without caste, power, or money, people rot in prison
even after reforming, even when the crime was unintentional.

We have orders to hang them the day after tomorrow.

Sagar at 5:00 AM...

Das at 5:30...

Start making arrangements.

The last execution in this prison was 20 years ago.

That executioner is dead now.

I'll talk to the IG to get another executioner.

Start the trial run according to the prison manual.

Okay, sir.

The last time I came here, it was to curse you.

I've been living in this anger for years.

My father was the type of man
to cry for others' sadness.

He would have forgiven you if he was alive.

That's why I forgive you.
So that my father's soul rests in peace.

The Buddha has showed you the right path, dear.

On my last day, this is the best gift I could get.

I hope you're blessed with a happy life.

If I had managed to get a loan
to set up your rice cake shop

this tragedy wouldn't have happened.

This is all my fault!

You did much more than what you needed to, Dad.

You even paid for my losses
from the teak wood scam.

And what did I give you in return?

Humiliation, and now this sadness...

I thought I would die without meeting you.

Please don't get angry at Suseela, Mom.

Let's go, ma'am.

We should have come earlier.

I can't see you cry.

Please send me off with a smile.

Tell me...

What do you like about me?

Like malpuri kova, how can I narrow it down
to just one thing when it's everything?

I like everything about you.

I like your cheeks...

Your nose...

Your eyes...

Let's go, ma'am.

Your heart, darling.

That's what I like the most about you.

Hello, madam.

Today when you are presented with the Jnanpith Award

please hand over my letter
to the President.

Please.

Even if it's been rejected,
it can be resubmitted, madam.

It can be given.

Please.

Please, forgive me if I've ever hurt you guys.

What is darkness?

What is light?

What is life?

What is death?

What is virtue?

What is sin?

What is hell?

What is heaven?

What is truth?

What is untruth?

What is fleeting?

What is eternal?

What is monotheism?

What is polytheism?

What is cause?

What is effect?

O great soul...

O great saint...

What is white?

What is black?

What is song?

I feel pain in my heart, brother.

You are expressing it.

I am not.

What is ethical?

What is unethical?

Yesterday’s dream

is today’s truth.

Today’s sorrow

is tomorrow’s melody.

One radiance...

One peace...

O great soul...

O great saint...

It's not possible to bring a small child
to a place like this, Sagar.

Even if it's possible, it's not right.

If a kid sees this prison environment

it could be traumatic for them.

I understand your situation, sir.

But still, that is my last wish.

Sorry, I got delayed.

What grade are you in?

I'm in sixth grade.

Very nice.

Don't you get scared when you see them?

-Don't say things like that.
-It's alright.

Have you ever felt like taking
something that doesn't belong to you?

My friend has the American
version of a "Harry Potter" book.

It has some really cool pictures in it.

That's why I felt like taking it.

Everyone makes mistakes, dear.

It's the circumstances.

Of course some convicts are dangerous.

So we put them away.

Anyway, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Doctor? Engineer?

I want to be a writer and write good books.

That's nice.

Sagar...

You should have slept at least a little.

My eyes have been closed my whole life, sir.

And soon they will close forever.

One last request, sir.

Please tell.

Sir, I want to walk to the gallows looking at you.

My eyes that will soon shut forever...

The last image they see
should be a compassionate person.

His Lordship, the Chief Justice of India,
will see you now.

I will call you back, thank you.

Nithya, the President has already
rejected the mercy petition.

What else remains?

Your Lordship...

Mahasweta Devi has submitted a fresh petition
to the Honorable President of India

just a few hours ago,
at the Jnanpith Award ceremony.

And the Honorable President of India
has yet to decide the petition.

Hence it is still under consideration.

Your Lordship, may stay the execution.

Stop the execution!

Happy birthday!

Today, a new prisoner came to our cell.

Young kid...

He asked me what I accomplished
rotting in this prison for 30 years.

How can I explain it to him?

At least once a week, I breathe the
same air that blows over you.

How do I explain to him such
an amazing experience?

Whatever little life that's left in me...

When I touch your fingertips
through these iron bars...

It's like a rebirth for me every week.

How can I explain that to him?