All language subtitles for 8 Vasantalu (2025)_track6_[eng]

How did the past eight years&

of my life transform
into eight beautiful springs?

RANI MALINI
SANJAY

FALL DOWN SEVEN TIMES, GET UP EIGHT

Position!

You can go to your position.

If anyone in this dojo defeats me,

you can have my iPod.

Karthik, back off.
He's just a fresher.

-I know.
-Oh!

But that iPod offer is very tempting.

I will fight.

THE EMPEROR IS ON THE BATTLEFIELD

Just a fresher?

Fight with me.

What happened?

I don't fight women.

Your body is weak.
I can't take advantage of that.

Leave my hand.

You said anyone in the dojo, right?
Come on then.

Go and compete in some cooking
or embroidery competitions.

Martial arts is a man's thing.

Tomorrow, someone will come.

Her name is Shuddhi Ayodhya.
Fight her, stand your ground, and…

then tell me if martial arts
is only for men.

Shuddhi? A girl?

Shuddhi Ayodhya.

Can a girl defeat me?

Bullshit.

That's it?

No one?

You spoke so highly about someone.

Wait…

Shuddhi Ayodhya.

Where is she?

Shuddhi.

Happy Birthday!

I told you about someone
yesterday, remember?

It's him.

Oh! So it's you?

Come on, let's fight!

But I heard you don't fight women.

Yeah.

But they say big things
about you.

-So, I want to see your strength.
-It's not about proving to you on the mat,

but not being provoked by your words.

That's what I think is true strength.

All words?

No action?

Still… no action?

Gear is for amateurs like you!

I am the Texas Under-19
Taekwondo Champion!

-Hello. Please, have a seat.
-Hello, sir.

Thank you for coming. Please sit.

Last year,

I stumbled upon your
poetry book RAYS.

While reading it randomly,
I came across the chapter on death.

You wrote about the loss
of a loved one in such a vivid way.

Exactly one month before that,
my wife died of a heart attack.

Every time I read that chapter,
I felt an unknown relief.

When I searched for the author,
they told me…

a 17-year-old girl wrote it.

I was astonished.

I wanted to meet you at any cost
and thank you.

Thank you.

At such a young age,

how did you write
about such a deep emotion?

My father.

He was an Indian Army sniper.

He lost his life in a frontline
ambush at Siachen.

His death pushed me
into an ocean of tears.

For days…

Our life felt like a shattered Hiroshima.

To cope, I poured all my feelings
onto paper.

And that's how the book happened.

Your words gave me great comfort.

As a token of gratitude,
please accept this small gift.

Please.

Please.

Thank you very much for coming.

The travel you planned for your next book…
don't postpone it for me.

Master, how can I leave you
in this condition?

The doctor said a maximum of three years.

You've got to leave then, right?

We all came here just to live,
not to stay here forever.

If I leave now, it will take me two years
to complete my next book.

But if I stay, I can take care of you
and prepare for my black belt.

Until I train you for your black belt,
I won't leave this world. Okay?

Please.

I'll leave.

Did you consider B.Tech yet?

I already told you.
I love shoe designing.

I won't do anything else.

Did you hear that?
He wants to sew shoes!

If your shoes wear out,
don't ask me to buy new ones.

Ask him, he'll make them for you.

Not sewing shoes, designing them!

It's a billion-dollar industry.

As long as we believe our shoes
only belong under our feet,

we believe that our life too
is always under someone's feet.

Hey! Hey, son!

Hi.

Hi.

I searched all bookstores
for Shuddhi's poetry book RAYS.

They say it's out of stock.
Do you have a copy?

I got her autograph on this.
Be careful with it.

Give it back after reading.

Thank you.

A fellow writer once joked that…

my book RAYS reached so many people
only because I was beautiful.

She may have said it playfully,
but it made me think deeply.

Because when hardworking women
happen to be a little beautiful,

the world often overlooks their dreams,
struggles, determination, and tears.

People assume that all success
comes just because of their looks.

But what actually is beauty?

It is not appearance, color, or adornment.

It is not someone's judgment or opinion.

It is not a poet's praise
or a painter's vision.

Then what is it?

Beauty means "character."

As a woman, I say this, "I don't want
people to call me beautiful."

Instead, say…

"You have a hardworking spirit."

"You are compassionate."

"You are courageous."

"You are intelligent."

That will make me happy.

Address us by our qualities.

M.S. Subbulakshmi stands
for devotion, not beauty.

Mother Teresa stands
for compassion, not beauty.

Ayn Rand stands
for philosophy, not beauty.

Saraswati means knowledge.

Durga means courage.

Gauri means penance.

Lakshmi means prosperity.

Every goddess is revered
for her qualities, not her beauty.

Your qualities become your signature,
not your beauty.

That's why, more than this world and men,

women should look at women beyond beauty.

When you look beyond beauty,
you will see an ocean within a woman.

You will see a goddess, full of qualities.

So, seek the Goddess in you.

Goddess in You.

That is the title of my second book.

Can you give me her number?

I want to text her an apology,
for being an idiot at the dojo.

She doesn't use a phone.

Just wait till she comes back.

When is she coming?

December.

You have asked enough about us.
Now tell me about yourself.

I'm from Texas.

We came here to sell our properties
as part of my Dad's business.

I finished my 12th and
am on a break right now.

Just trying to figure out
what I really like.

As of now, it's music.

Thank you. Thank you,
everyone, for coming!

And for supporting me and my band,
Nostalgia, every weekend.

I love Indian music.

If I made any mistakes, I'm sorry.

I'm learning.

Anita.

You played the guitar really well.

Everyone clapped for Varun,
but you're just as good.

Thanks.

I love you.

You, Shuddhi, and I grew up together.

These feelings aren't new.
They've been there for a long time.

This won't work, Karthik.

I'm telling this to you now with a smile,

so that we don't have
to part in tears later.

The rest is up to you.

Karthik.

There's a Telugu singing competition
called Goldmedal Nightingale Championship

on New Year's Day.

You have to sing from the list
of songs they provide.

I picked one, but I don't understand
the meaning. Can you help?

I'll try.

"Vidhatha Thalapuna."

From the movie Sirivennela?

Back in tenth grade, we had a contest
named "Read Between the Lines".

Students had to interpret
the lyrics of great poets

like Aatreya, Veturi, and Sirivennela.

And guess who got the first prize?

Shuddhi Ayodhya.
For this song itself.

She'll be here in a month.
Good luck.

Dad, where's Mom?

She went to your aunt's place.

Pavan got a seat in America.

He's really talented.

Your uncle is throwing
a big celebration for him.

Oh!

They invited me as well.

But how do I show my face there?

They'll ask what your son
is doing with his life.

Should I tell them that my son wants
to sew and polish boots,

the same ones that they leave
outside their house?

-Hi.
-Hi.

What happened?

Did you get this run over
by a road roller?

Angry with my father,
I once slammed it to the floor.

Even when I had to tie
my long hair in school,

I didn't use this many rubber bands.

You've got a new fan.
You'll be shocked to know who it is.

A fan? Who?

Once more.

-Once more.
-Once more.

-Okay, okay, fine.
-Once more.

This is dedicated to someone
very special in the crowd.

That's it for tonight.
Thank you!

Let's go.

Hi, Karthik.

Hi, Shuddhi.

Hi

Karthik, Mom must be waiting.
It's already late.

Bye.

Hey, Varun.
Your Dad is calling.

Despite a gap of one year,
your reflexes are still the same.

Lightning fast!

All credit to my master.

He taught me well.

How's your health?

I'm so healthy and fit that I am ready
to challenge the doctor's claim

that I have just a couple of years left.

Don't I look like that?

I hope and wish with all my heart,

that the doctors are wrong in your case

Shuddhi.

I had said that I'd give this iPod
to whoever defeats me.

I put it there and left.
But you didn't pick it up. So…

That wasn't a competition
and this isn't a trophy.

When you were troubling that boy,
I had no choice but to step in.

Shuddhi,

I won't sleep until you take this.

Then please die from insomnia.

Good luck!

God!

Her resistance is like gravity.

It keeps pulling me towards her.

So, how are your
music classes going?

Berklee isn't as tough as
you think, Dad.

Don't worry, I can crack it.

I believe in you.

And for Christmas,
Uncle Anand invited us for dinner.

His daughter Mallika is back
from Australia.

You know what?

She also loves music.

She's preparing for Berklee as well.

So, don't make any other plans
that day. Okay?

Please.

-Good night
-Good night, Dad.

Good night.

I may not show it, but…

this whole Berklee thing
is very stressful.

Mom, how fair is it to force
your dreams on me?

You're driving a Mercedes at 19.

Why?

Because he couldn't.

You're spending lakhs
on your favorite things.

He never questioned you about anything.

Why?

Because he couldn't.

He tried a lot to get into Berklee.

He failed.

That's why he wants to see you there.

Not just comforts Varun.

Dreams should be shared too.

Good night.

I love you.

Oh, you say that now.

But one day, someone else will come
into your life with love and marriage.

And then you'll forget your mother.

I'll forget them for you,

but I won't forget you for them.

Let's see.

Let's see.

Thank you, man.

The moment I asked, you gave
me five crores without a question.

In a couple of years, I'll pay
you back with interest.

Cool.

Not a big deal.

I have a cold. It could also be a fever.

You might catch it.

Hey, phone.

What's up, brother-in-law?

You only remember me
during Christmas?

My brother.

He works in the Massachusetts Senate.

If Mallika gets into Berklee tomorrow,
she'll be staying with him.

Mallika, come and eat.

Dinner is ready.

Coming, Mom.

That's my number.

I'd love to be in touch with you.

-Thank you. Thanks for coming.
-Thank you.

Thank you so much.

Bye.

Varun, where are you
going at this hour?

Just a small errand
with my music band.

No, Varun. You're not well. Stay back.

I'll be back in 20 minutes.

Dad, please.

Okay.

Turn on the heater
and come back soon.

-Thanks, Dad. I love you.
-Okay?

Love you too. Take care.

Hey.

It's very cold.
Can I drop you off at home?

I'm not going home.

My friend's Christmas party is in Coonoor.

Karthik's bike has a flat tire.

He asked me to wait here
because of this dress.

He'll be here soon.

It's already 11:00 p.m.

An auto left the moment I arrived.

It's not safe, I guess.

I know you can protect yourself.
I've personally seen it.

But is it necessary
to do that in this dress?

Do you know how beautiful it looks?

I don't just mean the dress.

You also look really beautiful.

Did you just smile?

Please.

Let's call Karthik midway
and inform him.

Please, stop offering
jackets or sweaters.

It's done to death.

And only if you don't force me
to take that iPod,

I'll get in.

I read your poetry book.

Beautiful stuff.

Thank you.

How's your next book coming up?

Great.

It's coming out next year.

-Hey, Varun, tell me.
-It's me.

I was alone,
and Varun offered me a ride,

so I got into the car.

I'm telling you, I'll kill you!

It's been an hour since you left.

I was freezing to death.
That's why I got in.

I'm almost there.

You just shut up and come too.

I heard you don't use a mobile phone
or social media.

How can one contact you then?

They have to struggle!

Yeah.

Who would know it better than me?

It took me a whole year
to get an appointment with you.

Take a right from here.

We have a singing competition
on New Year's Day,

I chose the first song
from the movie Sirivennela.

Karthik told me…
about your school prize.

Can you help me with that?

Give me one reason
why I should help you?

With all your ego and arrogance to others?

What ego?

You already took away whatever I had.

After that day at the dojo,

I haven't been the same Varun again.

This is the house.

Thank you.

Shuddhi.

Karthik told me that
you're leaving on the 31st.

I want to meet you once more…

face to face, maybe in a coffee shop?

I don't know if that's a good idea.

But as of now,
you can join us if you want to.

I have a bit of a fever.

My head is splitting.

So, I can't. I'm sorry.

Are you crazy?

Then why did you even come?

What should I say to you now?

To stay or to leave?

I feel so guilty, Varun.

I feel happy that you care.

Happy birthday and Merry Christmas.

You brought me this far,
even when you aren't well.

I want to return the gratitude.

About the Sirivennela song, I'll help you.

I'll come back in a year.

Take care of yourself
and get ready for my black belt.

The song's meaning.
Give it to Varun.

Do you know how long
he waited for this?

It would've been better
if you gave it to him yourself!

This is for you.

How long will you use your
broken phone with rubber bands?

I wouldn't have won that
first prize without you.

That's why I'm dedicating it to you.

Not to me.

Dedicate it to Sir Shastri.

By the way, what are
you doing here?

You don't use phones or Facebook.

If I wanted to see you or talk to you,
I had no choice but to come.

I chased Karthik to get your address
from your mom and give it to me.

He said you'd be back in four months.

But for me, the thought
of not seeing you…

I felt like it would explode.

I'll see you for lunch.

Yeah.

-Hi.
-Hi!

What's special about Kashmir?

You asked what's so special
about Kashmir, right?

This is!

Nowhere else in India
is the fall season this beautiful.

Everyone thinks Kashmir is all about snow,
mountains, and cold weather.

But you should see it in autumn.
It's heaven on earth.

Look at all these yellows and oranges.

We're not in Amsterdam or Canada.

We're in India.

It should be on everyone's bucket list.

The thing is, this season only lasts
for two months a year.

I've been traveling for my book
for the last one and a half years,

and I happened to witness this beauty.

Were you able to sleep last night?

Did you sleep well last night?

Yes, I did.

What about you?

Yeah, I slept too.

But now,

it feels like I have been burdened
with a 50-kilo dumbbell…

hanging from here.

I know. Farewells suck.

Which day of the week
will you be free?

-Sunday.
-See you on Sunday then.

Beautiful dress.

The first time I saw you,
you were in white.

At the dojo that day.

-Yeah.
-Yeah.

See, I remember every
little thing about you.

But do you remember
anything about me?

Black, blue, red, and blue stripes,

white, and navy blue.

The colors of the shirts
you've worn so far.

Oh beauty, oh beauty!

Do you belong to me?

Oh life! Please decide for me

Is this a bond or a bondage?

Meeting you

Is a moment of wonder

Your sight

Is a celebration

Your presence is my comfort

Dear love, will you walk along with me?

Is it possible for me?
To even exist without you?

Oh beauty, oh beauty!

Do you belong to me?

Oh life! Please decide for me

Is this a bond or a bondage?

In the middle of the night
When I wake up with your thoughts

Your smile embraces me like a sunrise

Even in my dreams, my heart paints

Your form so colorfully, like a rainbow

I await you with the doors
Of my heart open

My eyes are weighing down with your dreams

When either of us doesn't open up
Who will finally speak about the love

That is burning inside me
Like an incessant fire

Seeing the beautiful moonlight

In your eyes

I wonder if all this is real

Or surreal or a dream

Your words

They're like music to me

Your visits
They're like spring coming to me

I finally get to walk along with my love

Are they for real?
All these moments with you?

Oh beauty, oh beauty!

Do you belong to me?

Oh life! Please decide for me

Is this a bond or a bondage?

I'm sorry I didn't see you last week.

I had my Berklee exams.

Did you miss me?

Whether I missed you or not…

Let's just say, that because of you,
I missed seeing the Taj Mahal.

How about me…

making up for your loss by booking
the next flight tickets for us to Agra?

No, thanks. I'm cool.

Hey…

you look so beautiful with that nose pin.

Thank you.

I love nose piercings.

If a girl with a nose ring proposes to me,

I wouldn't even think twice
before saying yes.

-Shall I ask her if she's interested?
-Hey, not her.

Can't you get one pierced?

I'm scared of needles.

How are you managing to come here
every Sunday for the past three months?

I told them I'm learning
classical music in Chennai.

Won't all this running around me
affect your real music classes?

I love you.

I love you, Shuddhi.

Hey, did I say something wrong?

No.

I've never been in love, Varun.

After my father's death,

I built so many walls around me, Varun.

To see me, he used to wait…

an entire year to return home
from Kashmir.

And now, you're waiting an entire week
to come to Kashmir from your home.

Seeing all this makes me
feel special and beautiful again.

But also, vulnerable.

What if this love leaves me as well?

That's why…

when you suddenly proposed,

my eyes filled with tears.

I need some time for this.

I'm a very practical person.

I am not expecting you to reply back
on this immediately.

And I don't have such an ordinary mindset
to think about what might be her response.

The feeling that I have when I'm with you…

It's different.

It's like reading a beautiful poem.

It's like listening to intense lyrics.

For me, it's unique and rare.

That's why I felt like saying it.

And I said it.

I'll be back in a month.

Don't miss me so much.

This time, you're the
one who will be missing me.

I spoke what I've been holding.

I feel free now.

You're the one who is holding back.

So I dare you not to miss me.

Berklee isn't as tough
as you imagine, Dad.

Don't worry, I can crack it.

Hello.

Hey, Varun.
Did you come home?

Yes, Dad.

What about the Berklee results?

Yeah, Dad.

Even I'm waiting for them.

Where are you?

Since we got buyers for our Bengaluru
property, we suddenly had to come here.

If we sell this off,
we can go back to the US.

Dad…

What if I miss Berklee?

What?

What do you mean?

Nothing, Dad.

I'm just joking.

Oh, my God!

Never do that to me again, Varun.

You take care.

Yeah, Dad. Take care.

I'm sending my designs
to a Japanese shoe company.

If they like it,
I'll get their internship.

And six months later, I'll land a job.

Sudha, a cash bundle is missing.

Of 10,000 rupees.

When and where?

For two days.
I had put it in the bag.

I searched the whole house
but couldn't find it anywhere.

Tomorrow, I'll search the entire house.

If it was lost in the house,
we will find it.

How will we find it?

Your son got a new phone a day
after the money went missing.

Have you lost your mind?

Shuddhi gave it to him a year ago.

He started using it on his birthday.

Dear, it was just a…

He called me useless.

I didn't protest.

He called me a cobbler,
and I tolerated it.

How can he call me a thief, Mom?

Listen to me, son…

What did I do, Mom?

Why does he look down on me?

I just dreamed something for myself.
Is that wrong?

He said it because of a misunderstanding.

He must have lost it somewhere, drunk.

Or must have lost it at some poker table.

Your Mom called me ten times

since last night to find out
if you are here.

I wasn't feeling good
so I was out all night

Your Mom told me
what happened last night.

I dreamed of being a shoe designer.

What is so humiliating about it?

He mocks me calling me a cobbler.

Are only doctors
and engineers respectable?

Who is making our clothes?
Who's harvesting our food?

Who's cutting our hair?
Who's cleaning our streets?

Everywhere else in this world,
there's dignity in working itself.

Only in our country, is dignity
based on what work you do.

They say your fate is written
by the Almighty, but in our country,

it's written by the parents.

Our fates are written by ourselves,
not by anyone else.

Do whatever you want to do
by staying right here.

Do it proudly.

Why aren't all parents like you, Auntie?

Then people like you won't have
struggle stories to tell the world.

Come, freshen up.

Finish your breakfast,
then we'll go and pick up Shuddhi.

She'll be arriving soon.

So, I heard you're leaving
for the US this month?

Yeah, Uncle.

-All the properties are sold.
-Good.

Dad's work is almost finished.

Then you need to be happy.

Why are you so dull?

Is it because you'll miss India?

Or is it because you missed Berklee?

Two days ago,
Rahul told me that

the only thing he is looking forward
to is your Berklee results.

But last week itself, Mallika called me
and said that she had cracked it.

I felt something was fishy.

But don't worry.

I didn't tell him anything
about Mallika.

I lost it, Uncle.

I don't know how to face my dad now.

I don't understand what to do.

Let me get straight to the point.

Do you remember my brother-in-law…

the man who works
in the Massachusetts Senate?

I can get you admitted…
where you failed.

Without anyone finding it out,
not even my daughter.

I can send you there.

Mallika likes you.

My family also likes you.

So, let's call it an alliance.

After your studies,
let's talk about marriage.

But remember,
I'm not forcing this idea on you.

Think about it,

if you are okay with it,
just text me.

I'll take care of the rest. Okay?

Shit!

Ramulu, come here.

There is a girl outside our gate.

Don't let her come in.

If she asks about me,
lie to her that I went outside. Go!

Is Varun there?

Varun sir went out.

Oh. How long will it take
for him to come back?

Evening maybe.

Okay. Once he comes back,
let him know that Shuddhi came for him.

Okay.

Why did we come here?

Get in and I'll tell you.

Are you the one who called?

Yeah.

Oh!

What is happening here?

-I am getting a nose piercing
-Nose piercing?

Why did you want to get
the piercing all of a sudden?

Why don't you get pierced?

Just shoot it!

Ramulu, don't let her know that
we're leaving for the US tomorrow.

Go.

Why did she get her nose pierced?

She's had a fever since last night,
and she's shivering with chills.

Because of the export work,
I have to go to the estate.

Drop me off and come
back home quickly.

Happy birthday!

Thank you.

Where's the party?

Let's meet for dinner.

I have to invite Varun as well.

Varun? But they're leaving
for the US today.

What do you mean?

I saw them loading luggage into the car
when I was heading to the market.

When I asked,
his father said the same.

Varun, stop the car.

Dad, she's a desperate girl.

She's been after me for two years.

I don't care what happened
between you both.

She is standing in the rain.

It's not right.

We still have time.

Go, talk to her, and get back.

Shuddhi, I can't believe you
got so serious about me.

Whatever happened between us,
it's just a youthful attraction.

Hormonal overdose.

Actually, it is a stupid crush,
which is a complete waste of time.

Did I ever take advantage of you
or ask you for anything?

No, not that I remember.

If anything, I lost a lot!

Like my chance at Berklee.

All because I kept following you around.

That's why I avoided you,

didn't reply to your messages,
and ignored your calls.

I thought you were smart
enough to understand.

But you showed up at my house yesterday.

And again today.

And I'm only worried about tomorrow.

That's why I came here.
To give you closure and leave.

It would be better if you didn't
cross my path ever again.

Varun.

Do you think I'm a fool?

Or do you think all women are like this?

A woman knows when she's being bluffed.

It's her instinct.

I never asked you to follow me.

I never asked you to come
to Kashmir every Sunday for me.

I never asked you
to neglect your passion for me.

And still today, you're saying you
lost everything because of me?

The truth is, no one loses anything
because of anyone, Varun.

People just hide something,
too afraid to tell the truth.

They close doors, shut out people,
and leave them behind.

I…

I feel like puking, man!

My head is spinning.

I feel like cursing you.

Grabbing your collar and screaming at you!

But I won't.

Because my mother
raised me like a queen.

And a queen…

even at a funeral,
mourns with dignity.

Even in tears,
she doesn't lose her grace.

I don't know what happened
in your house or in your head,

but the way you're treating me
is unacceptable, Varun.

It's not about doing things right
when you're loving someone.

But even when you're parting ways,

you should be able
to maintain your dignity.

And that is truly having character.

That's why, no matter how much
my heart wants to curse you…

I am telling my mind not to.

And what did you say?

Yesterday, I was at your house.
Today, I'm here

and tomorrow, where will I come?

Who chased whom, Varun?

If I decide I don't want you.

Not me,

even the clothes I wrap around me…

won't move in your direction.

I won't let it.

Goodbye.

Sir, a girl has been waiting outside
for the past two hours.

We told her several times that she won't
be allowed in but she wouldn't listen.

She has even offered us
her gold chain to let her in.

Listen, girl.
Women shouldn't light the pyre.

They are not allowed
to conduct any funeral rites.

Not allowed?

When we can give birth to them,

can't we liberate them
by conducting the funeral?

You must get your head shaved
to conduct a funeral.

Can you do that?

Dear, wait! Get up.

Is he your dad?

Your uncle?

Or any relative of yours?

My teacher.

Teacher?

Why did you let her in, sir?

Isn't it a bad omen for her and us, both?

These days,
when jokes are hurled at teachers,

she is ready to get her
head shaved for her teacher.

I told you three years ago
that this day would come.

Sorry to say this,
but you have just six months left.

I may die without preparing you
for the black belt.

I am sorry.

I should have trained you
when you asked for it.

Now I regret it so much.

Do you really want to train me?

Then I won't let you
leave this world in regret.

Now I wish to live.

Punches.

One, two, three, four.

Chest.

Five. Six.

Now, upper blocks.

One, two, three, four.

If you won't block,
you'll get hit on the head.

Block it!

What's wrong with you?

Why is your focus so wavering?

No, I am alright, Master.

You are someone who channels
all your spirit into your movements

and now, it's stuck somewhere.

There is something that's
troubling you inside.

No, Master. I am alright.

Draw a circle with that brush.

This is called "Enso".

It's a circle in Japanese calligraphy.

This is the reflection of your mind.

Look how wavering it is.

Are you withholding any
emotion forcefully within you?

That might be the reason
for your lack of focus and this wobbling.

Never suppress sadness or anger, Shuddhi.

They are very destructive emotions.

We should only let them out gracefully
and never suppress them inside.

So whatever it is you are trying to deny,
accept it first, and free yourself.

Don't you know that
I don't have much time left?

So get back my old Shuddhi to me ASAP.

Better. What did you do?

Instead of installments,
I cried it out, all at once.

Come on, Shuddhi. Faster!

You are training your body and mind,
but what about your soul?

This is the solution to that.

Come on, Shuddhi. Get up.

As body, after I die,
I'm just a memory to you.

But as knowledge, I will always
remain with you, Shuddhi. Always.

I don't have anyone as valuable as you.

So you alone are enough for my funeral.

Only you should light my funeral pyre.

If possible, you should immerse
my ashes in the Ganges at Kashi.

Now you're ready for the black belt.
It's not just a belt, Shuddhi.

It's the beginning of a long
responsible journey.

I am so excited to see you
in the black belt tomorrow.

Master!

Master.

Master.

Master…

Madam.

Madam.

Sir took care of all this
from his expenses.

Take your teacher's remains.

And your gold chain.

This, to me, is the gold
and that, the dust.

Sell that off…

and feed as many people
as possible in his name.

Raghunandan.

What happened?

My dad brought a match for me.

The day after tomorrow
is my engagement.

Anita, I just got an internship in Tokyo.

I wanted to tell you personally.

I will get a job in six months
and I will earn well.

I still value you, Karthik.

That's why, even though it's difficult,
I made an excuse at home

and came here to tell
you all this, by myself.

You don't need to know all this later
from Snapchat or a Facebook post.

I told you this won't work
but you never listened to me.

So, you think about who is responsible
for the pain you are feeling right now.

I'll leave.

I know both of you very well
I also know your families very well.

I believe your decision will do good
for both of you eventually.

No matter what happens,
I'll never leave either of you

It's okay.

You have to move on.

It's inevitable.

Do you think it's that easy?

Do you even know how it feels
when love is going away from you?

I don't know. Will you teach me?

Everyone has their own hidden storms.

Some show it and some… never!

That's the only difference.

Unlike many, she told you
the truth before leaving.

She must be respected for that.

Love is only a phase in life.
It's not the purpose of life.

What do you want to do
about that Tokyo opportunity?

They offered me the accommodation
for six months.

But I'll have to cover the airfare
and food expenses.

I don't have a penny.

Even if I kill my self-respect
and ask my dad, he won't give me a dime.

I feel I'm just an inch away
from giving up my dream…

and accepting that I'm a loser.

Pawn it for how much
ever money you need.

I'll tell Mom and get it back later.

Isn't this the diamond ring
that Arjun sir gave you?

People share the load of the corpse itself
while carrying it to the grave.

And when a person whom we believe in,
who has so many hopes and dreams for life…

Do you think we'll abandon
that person just like that?

Don't think much about this.

Start preparing to leave
for Tokyo from tomorrow.

Don't feel bad about
your father not coming.

I would've felt bad if he came.
Good that he didn't.

SHIV SHANKAR SHASTRI RAM CHANDRA
PATHAK BHAVAN K4/76, GAI GHAT THEATER

The Pandit's family
has shifted to another house.

Four lanes away.

Give me a minute,
I'll take you there.

The aarti is about to start soon.
Where are you going now?

There are still 20 minutes for that.

I'll be back by then.

You carry on with the rituals.

It's late.

It's not safe for you to go alone,
I'll come with you.

Don't be too late.

We'll have dinner together.

Okay.

Baba!

What is this place?

How long will it take?

Just a while more.
Just around that corner.

Come.

Come.

You are trapped.

Don't try to run or cry for help.

Look around,
they are terrible people.

So, if you cooperate,
you can go back soon after I'm done.

Otherwise, we'll hold you up for one week
and crush you like a sugarcane,

extract all we want from you,
cut you into pieces, and bury you.

So, leave your bag there and come
and stand in front of me.

If I don't get out of here…

to mix your ashes in the Ganges…

Please forgive me, Master.

What is it that you're saying to yourself?

Come soon.

I trusted that not all men are the same
and accompanied you.

Now, I'll leave only after showing you
that not all women are the same.

Come on.

What happened, you idiot?

Why did you ring the bell?

She's a stubborn one.

She isn't listening to me.

She choked me.

Can't you handle a girl?

Go. Drag her to me by her hair.

Get up, Arjuna!

Pick up your bow and start fighting.

If you live, you're a victor.

If you die, you're free from all
worldly sufferings and attachments.

Either way, it's a win-win for you.

Get up. Stand on your feet.

Where are you?

My aarti is done.

Forget that, I witnessed
Goddess Durga live here.

Madam, do you need a guide?

A man's love has proofs like

monuments in marble and cities
named after his lover.

What proofs are there for a woman's love?

Except for those memories
that are buried within her heart.

Hi, Sanjay.

Hi.

She's my friend.

Shuddhi.

You thought Telugu writers
don't read English books?

I read your books.
Brilliant stuff.

Glad to meet you.

What's happening?

The back door swung open,
spilling out all the coal.

The poor old man was struggling alone,
so I'm helping him.

Can we also help in any way?

No, it's okay.
We're almost done. Thank you!

Okay.
Nice to see you.

Who is that guy, Anita?

Sanjay, a Telugu writer
who recently came to Ooty.

If he writes words with love,

they feel like wet roses.

If he writes them with rage,

they go off like grenades.

Young Telugu readers
are crazy about his writings,

and I'm the best example of that.

Don't you think you're boasting
about him too much?

Read his book Rani Malini once
and then tell me if I'm boasting.

I'll take your word for it.

That's Writer Sanjay.

-Right.
-That's Sanjay.

-That's him.
-Come on.

-Hello, sir.
-Hi, sir.

-I really like your books.
-Thank you.

-I like…
-Thank you very much.

-Your stories are very interesting.
-Thanks.

Thank you.
Thank you very much.

Sir. Autograph?

RANI MALINI

RANI MALINI
SANJAY

Back in our times, Chalam had such
a fan following among women.

And now, I'm seeing it
for this man, Sanjay.

Of course, he deserves all of it.

He writes remarkably about love.

His writings make a dry heart feel like,
it's being dipped into glycerin.

He surely must have had many love stories.

Otherwise…

one doesn't get such a grip on love.

Has everyone received
the autograph, as asked?

RANI MALINI

Her name is Malini.

One night, a young man
approached her for pleasure.

For him, it was an addiction.
For her, it was a profession.

He came again.

He wanted to start a conversation,
so he asked if she had eaten.

She was moved by that.

No one had ever asked her that question.

That night, along with her body,
she gave him her heart as well.

She began to await his arrival
with eagerness.

No matter who she was with,
her heart always thought of him.

He came again, but this time,
he seemed very disturbed.

She asked him what was wrong.

He said he had lost all his money
in some betting.

She couldn't bear to see him like that.

With her money, he got out of trouble
and also made some good money.

One day, she decided
to leave her profession

and expressed her love for him.

Have you gone mad?

Love?

How could you even
imagine such a thing?

You are a prostitute.

A man would crave your company
only on his bed, not in his house.

Society has given a name to those
who sell their body, that's why

you could call me a prostitute.

But those who sell their character
have no specific names

that's why, I am unable
to call you anything.

Didn't you know who I was
when you took money from me?

Take it.

It's not about money.
It's about character.

Despite being in a place like this,
I truly loved someone.

I gave away everything that I had.

My body might be a swamp,
but my heart is a pristine lake.

So not you, even God himself
can't question my character.

He can't take away my dignity from me.

Go!

He walked away with shame.

But Malini stood there
with her head held high.

At that moment, Malini
seemed like Queen Malini.

Hi.

I read your book Rani Malini.

When Anita told me about it,
I thought she was boasting.

But after I'd read it,
I felt she was right.

Incredible stuff!

If this were in English,
the whole world would've read this, right?

I am not proficient in English
to write it with the same depth.

While keeping Malini in a profession that
could make people question her character,

in the end, you glorified her
character with just four lines.

Did you start the story
with a climax in mind

or did you get the climax
after starting the story?

On a train journey,
when I told a girl that I was a writer

she told her sister's story
and asked me if I could write about it?

That sister was Malini.

In that story, he humiliates
her love and leaves.

She couldn't take it
and committed suicide.

I was moved.

And angered too,
at the thought of her ending her life.

Just because someone rejected her.

But then, I felt sorry for her.

I told her…

that I will write this story
but I will change the climax.

Fact or fiction,
if we cannot ignite hope…

in the hearts of our readers,

what's the point of us being writers?

RANI MALINI
SANJAY

I am dreaming things that
Even my eyes don't know

I am seeing the morning
That I never saw before

This snow cloud

Is turning into a storm

That touches my heart
And creates magic in it

The memory of our meeting lingers

Inside my heart like a scent
That never leaves

How can I hold these thoughts

That are rising high in my heart?

Each path I cross

Is asking me the details about you

Have you heard your heart
Saying not to leave him, ever?

The confusion in my footsteps
Is it because of him?

Every place that I go
Is it his memory?

Will he be my companion?

The memory of our meeting lingers

Inside my heart like a scent
That never leaves

How can I hold these thoughts

That are rising high in my heart?

The girl who'll end up in your life,
whoever it is, is a lucky woman!

You are pulling my leg.

Girls prefer empathetic men.

Those who wipe your tears
rather than those who wage wars.

That's why I said, she's lucky.

Hi, Anita.

I wanted to invite you for food donation
but Shuddhi said you're out of town.

How smart are you!

I introduced him to you,
and you asked me about him.

But instead of telling me about your
feelings, you spoke all of it to Karthik.

Finally, you proved that
he is your best friend.

I asked you not to praise him too much.

How could I then praise
him in front of you?

That's why, I didn't tell you anything
and told all of it to Karthik.

There's something deeply
magnetic about Sanjay.

Definitely not in a physical way.

It feels like, we have had
a deep connection for years.

It's a wonderful feeling.

What do you want to do then?

Propose.

But before saying anything to Sanjay,
I want to tell my mom about Sanjay.

But doesn't she want to marry you off
to a huge joint family?

I remember reading in an article
that Sanjay is an orphan.

Will Auntie agree to this?

I am worried about the same.

But only if I tell her,
I'll know the result.

Mom!

Mom!

Mom!

She is out of danger but,
she is still very weak.

BP and hormone levels are too high.

So, you must be careful with her…

for at least a year,
make sure she won't be stressed.

I thought I'd die without
marrying you off.

I want to get you married
to a big family as soon as possible.

Are you eating well or not?

-Don't neglect your health, okay?
-Mom!

Mom, I kept the flowers in the basket.

I also kept the curry on the table.

Okay. Karthik called to
wish you on your birthday.

Happy Birthday!

Thank you.

What's that mask?

It's some virus called "Covid."

It has spread across China,
so it's mandatory here to put on a mask.

Okay, I'll call you later.

I got a call from the estate, Mom.

Buyers came from Bengaluru
for the tea leaves.

They are waiting.
I have to go.

-Bye.
-Bye.

Bye, Mom.

That's the matter.

For the past year,
she hasn't let me do any work.

I feel very guilty.

She should've been
happily married by now,

but she's stuck here looking after me.

How is your mother?

She's fine.

If you tell me where you're going,
can I drop you there?

Sanjay asked me many times
about you and your mother.

Then, you wanted him.
But now, you are pushing him away.

Why?
Can't you meet him?

If I meet him, I'll develop
new feelings for him.

Right now, there should be
no other thoughts in my mind

except my mother and her health.

Okay, you don't want new feelings
but what about the old ones?

I'll suppress them.

Thanks, but no thanks. I'll walk.

You used to be very happy
and comfortable with me

but now, something is bothering you.

If I did anything wrong, I am sorry.

And… happy birthday.

Bye.

Sir! You?

My grandson, Vikram.

He is a neurosurgeon
at Chennai Apollo Hospital.

We came here to ask for
your Shuddhi for him.

He saw her somewhere already.

Since then, he has made up
his mind to marry only her.

I told him that she's a strong woman.

And it doesn't matter to her
if you're a doctor or an actor.

So I asked him to keep his hopes low.

Let's first go and ask them.

She's lucky to have received a proposal
from a huge family like yours.

I don't have any objection.

It's not you or us,
but she should like this.

If she likes the proposal,
let us know.

You'll find all the details
in that envelope.

This envelope came as an answer
to all my prayers.

Even while leaving,
he said it's not you or us but

let us know only
if Shuddhi likes this proposal.

I knew how rich they were, but today,
I know how good they are.

You must be so lucky to get
into a family like that.

What do you say?

If this makes you so happy…

I don't have any objections.

Take this.

No need.

You have seen him, right?

Are you mad?

Why are you even accepting their proposal?

I'm talking to you!

Nothing is more important to me
than the smile on my mother's face.

So, you're sacrificing
your love for your mother?

Compared to my mother's long dream
of getting me married into a huge family,

my months-old love feels very little.

So I don't feel I'm making a sacrifice.

In return for a mother's selfless love,
I want to be a selfless daughter.

However, my love is one-sided.

Unintentionally, it happened.

If I try intentionally, it will go away.

Bye.

Hey…

Compared to my mother's long dream
of getting me married into a huge family,

my months-old love feels very little.

You all seem to have grown up a lot.

Should we stay silent
to all your sacrifices?

She came to inform you that night, Auntie.

But she left everything
after your heart attack.

And chose your health
as her only priority in life.

Whatever! My daughter
will marry only the one she loves.

Sorry.

It's okay.

Maybe God chose him for her.

Sanjay? I'm Shuddhi's mother.

Please come inside.

She put aside her love for my health.

Now for my happiness,
she chose to sacrifice that love forever.

Crazy girl! She likes you a lot.

So much so that,

she spent the last six months
translating your book into English.

I came here myself to ask
if you like her as well.

You should know about
the next book I'm writing.

Because your daughter
is the main character in it.

The story I've heard inside
has neither unicorns nor monsters in it,

but still, it is no less than
a fairy tale.

It's a tale that makes you
respect love and humanity.

Mom, did you take your tablets?

Shuddhi, I'm thinking of
saying yes to them today.

Should I?

Yeah.

Read this first and tell
me your opinion again.

What's that?

First, go and read it.

Dear Shuddhi,
when do you think you first saw me?

That day, when I was helping
that old man in the rain?

No.

We met eight years ago,

in 2013. At the dojo.

You held my hand
and stood up for me.

But before going into that moment,
let me brief you about my life a little.

I don't know if my parents
abandoned me or sold me.

By the time I grew up,
I had nobody in my life.

I didn't even know my name.

I must be ten years old,
I was part of a petty gang.

They used to make us pick pockets
and smuggle weed.

We had to do something useful for them.

Only then would we have…

food and bed for that day.
Otherwise…

Get that knife and cut his finger.

Please, brother.

Let me go.

It was a mistake.

That fallen blade had given me a moment

to decide whether
to be a fighter or a victim.

Hey!

Later, I roamed like a dog
because of hunger.

That's why today I try my best
to relieve others' hunger.

I did all sorts of things just to survive.

Like rallies,

protests…

and I don't know how five years passed.

That's when I named myself.

When hundreds of people used
to hail someone,

I used to like that sound, that vibration!

So I named myself, "Jay."

One day, someone asked me to go
to a neighboring state for a task.

Later, we found out that
it was a child trafficking group.

The police mistook us for victims
and distributed us to orphanages and NGOs.

That's how I came to Ooty.

They would write a lot on the blackboard.

No matter my efforts,
I couldn't understand anything.

But, it took a lot of patience to teach
a 15-year-old everything from scratch

I was going crazy unable to understand
what's in those books and then,

an angel walked into my life.

Ms. Sandhya.
A volunteer in my orphanage.

I noticed the teacher beating you
because you were bad at your studies.

Should I teach you?

She would dedicate
an hour every day to help me.

She diligently and patiently
taught me how to write.

I found an insatiable
hunger for books.

I would read any book that I see,

like a hungry elephant
that enters a sugarcane field.

In four years, I learned
to read and write.

In that process…

"You are the nine-holed bag
that'll die when the time comes.

You are the wheat colored sari,

your soul keeps changing
every hundred years.

You are born on Shiva's order.
And you'll die on Yama's call."

Did you write this?

Jay, it seems writing itself chose you.

Don't leave it, ever.

Along with writing, I had an interest
in one more thing. Action films.

Especially, martial arts films.

Ms. Sandhya told me that
there was a Karate center nearby.

And that's how I landed at your dojo.

Imagine, a 19-year-old teenager
witnessing action not on the screen,

but in real life, that too,
from a girl who saved him.

How will it be for him?

It was very deep.

You are stuck here.

But I never had the courage
to approach you.

Because I know what my life was.

I used to admire you, from afar.

But, God planned
something else for me.

Lack of funds forced our orphanage
to move to Kanyakumari immediately.

I was about to travel on your birthday.

So, the night before, I wanted
to see you even from afar,

and was coming to your home
and you appeared at the bus stop.

A year later, I came from Kanyakumari
to see you on your birthday again.

Even though I didn't have the
courage to give it to you personally,

I thought I'd place a rose bouquet
at your gate.

I know that I don't deserve
to call you my own but still…

that visual hurt me
a little too much.

While walking away,
I saw something in the nearby dustbin.

That gave me a direction, in my life.

Until then, I used to feel very
inferior looking at you.

What do I even have in me
to stand next to her?

But, that moment
when I found that you're a writer,

I knew there was something in me too
that could bring us together. My writing.

I then decided,
if I ever see you again,

it'll be only after I become a writer.
And walked away.

It was 2016, the year that turned
my life upside down.

Ms. Sandhya had a major accident.

After three months of coma, she died.

Though I was a lonely guy,
I never actually felt it.

But that day, when I saw the flat line
on the EEG monitor, I felt it.

Loneliness crashed into my heart,
like a bullet train.

The orphanage without Ms. Sandhya
felt like a graveyard to me.

Without thinking anything further,
I just left that place.

Ms. Sandhya is a goddess who turned
a scrap of paper like me into a painting.

How can I ever repay her in gratitude?

She is dead to the world,
but she'll be alive in my heart.

And she should!

I wanted everyone to remember her name
before calling my name

So, I changed "Jay" to "Sanjay."

Ms. Sandhya said,
"It's not the lack of parents

but the lack of purpose
that'll make you a true orphan."

Bringing out the writer in me
became the sole purpose of my life.

I decided to see more and more
of this world, life, and books

I did any job that came my way.

Once I got used to that job,
I would leave that and move elsewhere,

find something else to do.

I never stayed in one place,
both mentally and physically.

I was always on the go.

From Kanyakumari to Kashmir,

I lived many lives
and completed many books

But no matter where I was,
and how I was,

I used to write, every single day.

And 18 months later, in 2017…

Look at the destiny!

I saw you at the Taj Mahal!

Madam, do you need a guide?

I worked there as a guide for three months

but that day I realized,
Shah Jahan's love for Mumtaz.

I wanted you to look at me
the way I look at you.

I was bloody sure I was going
to meet you again. Because,

I had already started writing
Malini's story as a book.

Day and night, I worked for it.

And a year later, one day,
it finally happened.

Even though in our first meeting
I had a soiled face,

our second meeting was…

exactly like I had envisioned,
in all my glory!

You know it all from there.

Instead of thinking about
owning you, I focused on

enjoying the moments you
were there in front of me.

I don't know if you'll be mine or not.

And the ending of this story
certainly need not be that.

Good love stories aren't about lovers
getting united in the end or not.

They are about
how much love changed those lovers.

That love which inspired a nobody like me,
to make a name for myself.

Successful love is not
about uniting the lovers

but being inspired by each other,
becoming better in each other's company.

Making beautiful memories together.

Being together or being apart, still,
moving ahead with great experiences.

This is the essence of true love.

If measured in numbers,
365 days are called a year.

But if those 365 days
are measured in experiences,

it can be called a spring.

Not one or two, because of you,
I have eight spring seasons.

Eight Spring Seasons.

Love isn't a destination to reach.
It's a journey we must keep going.

I'll keep watching you from afar
and continue this journey forever.

With love, Your Sanjay.

WITH LOVE, YOUR SANJAY