Original subtitles

Getting hot huh, midget?

Greetings.

It is my undeserved honor to bow and welcome..

Our esteemed Landlady Mrs Rama Devi.

To say that, long ago, she was the greatest of Kuchipudi dancers..

To say that her fame was unmatched, would be like..

Calling the peacock's plume a crow's tail.

Thank you.

I declare this program open.

Hear, hear. Forgive my errors made in good faith

As Dusasana dragged Draupadi into court..

And began disrobing her..

She began wailing..

Oh my 5 husbands, am I a duck or a goat that I shouldn't matter?

Help. I am being disrobed.

Pray to the Lord, Oh queen.

He is Lord of life and soul.

How ignorant I am.

As Draupadi prayed to the Lord, He gave her infinite robes.

Evil Dusasana grew so tired of disrobing her that he fainted.

Then Draupadi swore that...

Oh criminal, I will not tie my hair again until I have smeared your blood on it.

I swear!

Excuse us.

Who? Come.. Come..

Your names?

Vanaja

Lacchi

How sweet.

We came to return your bell.

What can I return? A kiss?

Read your palm?

I'll speak a Sodi.

I'll tell a truth.

The future, the past..

If I say you'll have a 100 sons, what will you give me?

Nothing.

Only Goddess Parvati will rival you in dance. Then?

Still nothing.

You'll get tons of money.. Then?

I'll give you half.

You won't. You'll forget this Padma.

Anyway, keep the bell.

Lacchi, have a pencil?

Vanaja, are you talking?

No teacher.

Talk in English.

Did you buy textbooks?

Lacchi and I will sharing.

Come here.

I'm giving you one more week.

Tell your father.

Go back. Sit down.

Did you thank Lacchi?

Hold on, Vanaja.

1 kg Brown Sugar.

Lacchi, will the Landlady teach me dance?

She doesn't dance now.

Girl, did you tell your father?

If he doesn't return our money, I'll break his bones.

He'll return it.

Damn coward.

Want some ointment..

for your tool?

It'll start working.

We'll have the police thrash you.

That's it?

Yes.

Too many trawlers.

Father..

Ram Babu wants his money back.

He'll get his damn money back.

Bastards. Perfectly bloody bastards.

Do you like school?

Yes. Why?

Want to keep going?

If you want me to work, I will. But..

But?

Only at the Landlady's house.

Why only there?

Just like that.

Move.

Greetings mistress.

My daughter, mistress.

Perhaps there's work in your house for her.

Anything.

She works hard. Reads and writes.

In Telugu and English.

Has she tended buffaloes before?

No, but I can milk goats..

Cook..

Climb trees..

What?

To pluck fruit in your orchard.

Have you stolen my fruit?

Were you fighting with the boys that day?

Which boys?

She can't even lie. That's an asset now-a-days.

Maybe.. But she resembles you in your youth, mistress.

Alright. You'll get 500 per month..

Food and a room.

Damn you!

Your father..

And your grandfather..

Who taught you to dance so well?

I learnt by myself, mistress.

I can tell. Get back to work.

Mistress...

Someone told me I would be a great dancer.

But I don't know how to learn.

First learn to work.

Do normal people shoot pistols at chicken?

I was only trying to get them into their cages.

Really?

That's it?

It's a lot.

Watch it girl!

I'll have the mistress send you to the buffaloes.

Go! Ask if they need to be finer.

Up!

I knew someone was watching.

Mistress, shall I slice them finer?

Mistress, your singing was so beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes.

Really? Not the onions?

No mistress.. It was your music.

You want to learn music now?

No mistress, dance.

First you need to learn your status. Not dance. Not music.

Who's winning?

Mistress. Who else?

I know how to play too.

Then go play with yourself.

I can beat you.

How dare you! Cheeky thing!

Shut up both.

How do you know you'll beat her?

She's not even ashamed mistress!

Want to bet a weeks pay and play against the mistress?

Sure.

But if I win.. I know I won't, but if I do..

Will the mistress teach me dance?

And music.

She's sharp.

Alright, sit.

Oh no, mistress!

Mistress is letting you win.

Good! Make dumb moves, and you won't ask to play again.

She's anything but dumb. She knows perfectly well when and how to lose.

We'll start with music.

Don't pretend. I know what you really want to learn.

Sit.

Shut up and listen.

You taught yourself dance, but completely forgot about music?

Again.

What happened?

Let's go to the mistress.

She'll put something on it. Don't cry.

What happened Vanaja?

Silly girl was practicing notes while cutting a coconut.

She's not silly. This blood will speed her learning.

You can take off today, but just for the afternoon.

Does anyone even stand like that?

Chest out.

Legs properly.

Fix your hands - legs go. Fix your legs - hands go.

Watch.

Do it.

I've never seen such an irritating girl.

My legs are hurting, mistress.

Good. That means you're learning, again.

What's that? Want to send your hands to Hawaii?

No point teaching her mistress.

We'll see.

Better. Hands faster now, and change the mudra here.

We'll start another jati.

You too.

Good.

Lacchi, has your friend gotten better?

Really good, huh?

All due to you, mistress.

Not at all. But it does take much patience and willpower.

And I had those right from childhood.

All these years, they forgot me. What a dancer I was!

I'll show them now. She'll have the best musicians.

They'll sit at my doorstep begging to play for her.

Vanaja, a gift for your Kuchipudi dance.

They're beautiful mistress.

They're artificial. Quite cheap, really.

“Dance Competition”

I desire only you.

Make me yours, divine Lord.

Toddy... palm toddy...

Father, what happened?

Our boat's gone.

Ram babu's father had it sold.

My boat's gone!

Let go.

I won 300 rupees, we can save for another.

Mistress' son is coming from America.

She'll give us a bonus, and I'll bring that too.

Do they feed you well?

Yes. Why? Am I getting fat?

Why do you get so irritated?

Why do you get so drunk?

Don't worry. With all that effort, you'll be the first...

that Shekhar Babu will notice.

I got ready to go to the temple.

But why are you wearing a clean sari - today?

This? Cheeky thing! I've known him as a baby.

I carried him. Bathed him, fed him!

Shekhar Babu's come!

Vanaja?

Yes mistress?

Is Shekhar's bath ready?

Yes, mistress. I'm going now.

Add Neem Paste

Alright, Mistress

Master?

Can I make your bath?

Master, I forgot neem paste. May I bring it now?

Dally not, my love.

Come, admire my beauty.

I taught the peacock its dance.

The swan its gait.

Could even the Gods describe my perfection?

What happened?

Nothing.

What have you decided?

I want to stand, but I'm not sure if we'll win.

Are you crazy?

What do you think I've done all these years?

How many party men came to greet you at the station?

I hear we can't get more than 40% votes.

6 parties in the run. Why do you need more?

Watch! Our Shekhar will be a Chief Minister one day.

Why are you slouching?

Master is still watching.

Post!

You!

Yes me. They changed my route.

You've grown really well there.

You notice everything don't you?

How old are you?

15. You?

You're looking really good. I have to say.

Want to see them?

What are you doing?

Someone might see.

Come.

Where to?

What are you doing?

Show me yours first.

No. You first.

Fine. I'm leaving.

We'll do it together.

Fine.

But, how?

What do you mean, how? Open your buttons.

Quick! Someone could come.

What's this? Looks like a dried prawn.

Found it in my father's boat?

Take your clothes off.

Snake... Snake!

Run... Run...

Right there... a huge python!

Where?

Wait. Wait...

Don't want to do dirty things?

Shorty, shut your mouth!

Will you do something dirty or not?

Or I'll tell the mistress.

Go ahead. Do it.

Want your ass whipped with a cycle chain?

Mistress, they're trying to do something dirty.

Shorty, you're in for a thrashing.

For the last time..

Shorty, shut up.

One.

Watch it!

Two.

If I catch you, that's it!

Three.

I'm going.

Yadgiri, wait..

If this gets out, how many boys will want to marry you?

Yadgiri, want to marry her?

Mistress, they took my father's boat, so I..

If you want revenge, do you go around opening your blouse?

How many girls would?

Radhamma, would you?

How well I've treated this girl.

Would anybody else?

Mistress..

Outside, they wouldn't even look at her.

Tell her again mistress, she thinks you're telling me.

Should people call you a slut?

Go to your room and think about it.

This way mistress.

Get up. Mistress is coming, Get up!

None of you deserve this bonus.

But since Shekhar Babu's coming is such a happy occasion..

I'm forgiving you.

200.

Sit there.

300.

That side..

Shekhar, how much have we given?

19,500.

Nine hundred!

Vanaja, come here.

Did I ask you to talk?

Count again.

I just did.

Count.. There must be a mistake.

19,500.

If you make mistakes counting, it's not a crime. Right?

But to lie to conceal it, that's different.

Pluck me that one.

There are so many on the ground master.

You eat those.

Then you could climb yourself.

What did you say?

I asked you a question.

Whom am I talking to?

Get up.

I said get up.

For the last time.

Want to get thrown out?

That's it.

You're out.

Don't step here again.

Understand?

Why haven't the dogs been fed?

Radhamma feeds them.

Don't talk back.

I didn't.

Feed them now.

If I leave this, mistress will scold. I'll go when I'm done.

I said go.

Up!

Give them these tablets.

Start now.

Mistress..

You love exposing yourself, right?

May I do it?

Who's that?

Vanaja, what happened?

Who did this?

Farmhands?

Outsiders?

Tell me the truth.

Shekhar Babu.

Don't lie.

Don't cry. I know of a balm..

I hate this myself.

I never had anyone to do this for me.

At least I'm there for her now.

This burns too much.

Don't cry.

Why go to the police? The Landlady's too powerful.

If others hear of it, you won't get married.

I'm going home.

Father?

Are you drunk? Where did you get the money?

Have you no shame?

What did you sell? My dance money?

Why should I give you my money?

What do you do, except drink and sleep?

And feel sorry for yourself.

You know...

When you were born..

I told your mother that you looked like a crow.

But to me..

You were the most beautiful crow in the whole world.

How happy I was.

I gave your mother my word..

That I would never touch liquor again.

How many times will you tell me this stupid story?

I try to stop..

But I can't.

Want to come? 10 minutes. Max 15.

There are buffaloes there. Go ask them.

Sell your calf and buy a good fat hooker.

Then swing happily in my father's boat.

I thought I'd try to get one for free.

Lacchi?

How did you know it was me?

Your footstep.

I just heard something..

I'm sure it's a lie..

I don't want to hear.

Ram Babu's saying that your father's promised you to him.

His father'll then forgive yours his loan.

Really? What was my price?

Did they get a discount?

Why a discount?

Do you like work at Landlady's?

You mean - I should stop working at the Landlady's?

Not at all.

But it would be good if you settled down.

You mean - I should get married?

Absolutely not.

But a good family.. That would be different.

True.

But the boy should be handsome.

And slim..

And dark..

And tall..

More like Ram Babu?

Exactly!

I wasn't even thinking of him!

How come we both thought of him?

If everyone takes off like this, how will the house run?

Is your father feeling better?

Really? Don't try to cover for her.

If he really was ill, why didn't you say so before?

You weren't even sure if she was coming back.

Do this again, and that's it for you.

Radha pines for you.

Cooling balms burn her.

So fiery is her longing..

That even moon-beams sear.

Her flower sprinkled bed..

Is only for you.

Thus she awaits you.

What's the matter?

Whom are you portraying?

A love lorn maiden.

Why such sharp looks?

Can we begin again?

From the beginning.

I'm thinking of fielding our Shekhar from Sanga-reddy.

The opposition has Ram Reddy there.

They have a disadvantage in him.

He's a crook, a womanizer. We have a lot of dirt on him.

What do they have on our Shekhar? Nothing!

Mistress is calling.

I'm not feeling well.

She knows.

About what?

Everything?

After you vomited, I had to tell her.

Is this what I taught you?

What would your father have done?

She's a child! Have you no shame?

Look.

Why didn't you come to me? I don't understand.

You're having an abortion right now.

Vanaja, where are you going?

Slowly you devil. Want to break my bones?

Sure, but where are they?

Somayya! Come, come!

Filling up on liquor?

I came to ask something.

I need a place to hide Vanaja.

Why?

Completely crazy! Whose plan was it?

Mine, But she agreed too, so both, you could say.

If people find out.. Or the landlady?

Never mind, but I have money for Vanaja's stay.

Somayya, I think you should get rid of the child.

Why? They'll buy it.

How about justice for her?

What of her future?

Better than now.

Why come to me?

I thought of hiding her in your forest shelter.

I can't handle this now. I have my prayers.

Lacchi bring everything.

Yagnesh, wait.

Lacchi, we need your help.

Is this what you really want?

What's this?

Brown sugar for the elephant.

Move.

Father?

A pregnant elephant is auspicious right?

Yes. Why?

Why not see if she blesses Vanaja.

Then decide.

Father! Look!

Somayya, she's blessed your daughter!

Lacchi, start the pooja.

Does she know she's pregnant?

Why not abort and get back to school?

I won't.

Not until they're punished.

I wonder..

When this is all over, who'll be hurt more. Him or me,

You, I think.

That's fine.

As long as he cries first.

Ever wonder..

Why we consider some animals so much uglier than others?

Shut up and eat.

Do frogs consider their babies beautiful?

Eat.

Do they ever want to eat them?

What's wrong with you?

Instead of growing fat, you're getting skinny.

Why don't you talk normally?

Every time I eat, I feel I'm feeding his seed.

Then why not abort?

I can't.

Why?

When it moves, I know it's mine too.

Hold on.

Get up! It's started.

I'll heat water, call the midwife.

Father, stay!

Bear with it.

How handsome he is.

He'll have a 100 wives.

10 would be enough.

He's not at all like me.

He's just like me.

He's so sweet.

You've come!

I've got him. Look to your work.

You didn't want to abort. Now you don't want to feed.

Shut up! I'm not feeding because I can't.

If you really loved him, that would never have happened.

Dumb superstitions.

You say they're not true?

This is supposed to be a threat?

No mistress.

I thought we could settle this so easily.

So easily, if you get money- or is it- so easily that you could get money?

Anyway, I'm giving you a choice.

500,000 rupees.

Shall we make it 6?

Six.

Six.

Or you can go to the police..

The collector..

You can even go to hell.

But remember-if you take this money..

You will lose all rights to the child.

Understand?

Go.

The Landlady wants him immediately.

You're already here!

Can he handle such a long journey?

Get up.

Careful.

Father wait.

Three months-he's grown so heavy.

Careful.

Isn't this your towel?

It's his now.

You have to forget him now.

If he cries, I'll feed him.

He won't. He sleeps after his bath.

Go! Don't just stand there and stare.

Mistress, Vanaja wants to return.

Come forward.

What am I to tell people? What do you think I did?

You ran off with some guy.

I'll say the same, mistress.

I'll say that I ran off with that postman, Ram Babu.

Mercy, mistress.

I'll think about it. Go.

He's sleepy mistress. Can I..

Can I, what?

Put him to bed?

I'll touch your feet.

Don't.

Radhamma, give him.

He's grown so much.

See how happy he is to see me.

Radhamma, I put a towel under him. Do you have it?

What kind?

My baby towel, From When I was a baby.

I haven't seen it.

What are those monkey jumps? You've forgotten everything.

What little you knew, you've forgotten.

I feel she danced beautifully.

Talk when you know something.

I'm only saying...

What did I say?

What are you laughing about?

Again.

Why not go ask your father for milk?

He'll buy you clothes.

Send you to school.

Take you abroad.

Show you off to people.

I'll be your Radhamma.

I'll call you master.

Master?

I could bathe you.

Play with you.

Maybe even scold you.

When you grow big, I'll leave too.

And find myself a good husband.

I have to think about myself too, right?

I used you.

Can you believe it? Your own mother used you!

Disgusting!

Give him here.

Radhamma, Isn't he just like me?

He's little dark master.

He should have been a little fairer. No?

Should have told me earlier.

Take him inside.

Watch your mouth.

If he wasn't with you, you know what I would have done?

What?

What are you doing here?

Mistress sent for your signature.

What happened, Shekhar?

I'm fine, mother.

Why didn't you take him to a doctor?

He wanted to come home mistress.

How did it happen?

Opposition thugs attacked his car mistress.

Who were they?

I'll tell your chief and have your entire department on this case.

Understand?

Vanaja, Shekhar Babu's calling you.

Why?

What do I know? Go ask.

You called master?

Come.

Come in.

Don't be afraid.

Mistress!

You know why I called?

When they were beating me, you know whom I was thinking of?

Can you tell?

You and the baby.

What are you doing?

Look, I get very angry.

I do a lot of bad things

But I also do good.

Right?

So?

So you shouldn't provoke me.

I'm trying to take good care of you.

But you should first understand that I'm not bad.

Are you saying that you want to marry me?

Did I say that?

Next week is my announcement of candidacy.

There'll be a celebration.

I'll buy you a sari.

You won't marry me because I'm low caste?

If I spoke English well?

I don't want to quarrel.

If I was a great dancer?

Don't talk back.

What sari do you want?

A wedding sari.

Mr.Rao, Ram Reddy has a lot of political clout.

Why worry, sir? We're there for you.

You know English?

Are you going to school?

You should.

Hey girl.. Here!

He's better now.

After his mother died, he refused to feed for almost two days.

He used to be fairer too.

Quick. I don't have all day.

Put some life into it.

How? You yourself said I was dead.

Silence!

How dare you talk back!

I'm only repeating your words.

Never talk to your guru like that. Okay?

I had to say that.

How else to explain it?

Do you want to come, or shall we stop today?

You're drying your clothes on the mistress' line?

I'm not at your level.

You're now high class, huh?

Great dancer?

Not yet. But I will be.

When you grow, you know what will get bigger?

The size of this bundle.

I dance better than you.

Want to see?

Good?

Can you put some life into it?

Life, huh?

If you were so much taller, you could have been a rat.

I can thrash you with this!

Watch it.

Try that again with her, and I'll throw you out.

Mistress wants guavas. Go, pluck some.

When Yadgiri talked back, know what Shekhar did? He fired him.

Shekhar Babu's now Shekhar huh? Watch your place girl.

You still work under me.

Try talking to me like that in front of him.

And I don't work under you, I care for my child.

Care. Care.

Mistress wants these cut.

What are you looking at? Scram!

I wonder what it must be like to suckle.

I feel it would calm me a lot.

It certainly seems to calm them.

Do you know when you look most beautiful?

When you wince in pain.

Sometimes I want to hurt you.

Because..

How should I explain?

So that, I can then protect you.

Vanaja, something's wrong with your father.

He keeps falling.

Take these to the landlady.

Father?

Where did you get this?

Everybody's talking about you.

You're boasting that the landlady's child is yours?

Then, tell me..

Tomorrow, who'll marry you?

Forever, you'll be a servant in that house.

If you really want to help, stop drinking!

I have a nice plan for you.

Another stupid plan?

That too when your health is bad!

I'll worry about myself.

I'll do it - and then die.

Why do you go on and on about dying?

How do you know you'll die?

We all do.

But does anyone go on and on about it?

It's been at least a week since I brought it up.

Respected Mrs. Rama Devi, we have come to know that..

Your son has fathered a child through a minor servant girl.

Please be assured that unless he steps down from elections.

And marries said girl, we will be forced to go to the police.

Who went to them?

Who went?

Just this.

Bury it. It'll bring luck.

We'll get the baby back. Don't worry.

We'll take the first bus to Ram Reddy's house.

Where do you get such strength?

Not from me.

Or your mother.

You have her looks though.

Those eyes, that nose, that temper.

Temper is not a look.

It shows on your face.

Was mother always angry?

Sometimes. But you know what I'd do then?

I'd creep up behind.. And tickle her.

How she would scream!

Then she would forgive you?

Not yet. She'd have to first beat me then start crying.

Wasn't she happy when I was born?

The only thing I remember of her was..

She beat me because I broke an egg.

Only that once. Remember how much I spanked you?

After she died, I never did.

When I'm gone..

When I'm gone! When I'm gone!

Hush now.

How can we meet Mr. Ram Reddy?

Greetings sir.

After reading the letter, the landlady had us thrown out.

I know. Why not go to the police?

That would be good.

If you could help with the police, we will.

I can't meddle in Rama Devi's household matters.

But why can't you go?

Come father.

Shekhar has stepped down. The Landlady's already called him.

Be warned!

Why will this fellow help?

Slut!

You deserve what you got.

Quick! I'm about to die.

We know father. Hold on.

Vanaja, here is your son.

My baby towel!

Fisher girl!

We're low caste.

He'll be a chief minister.

The ropes won't come off.

Don't forget me when I'm gone. Vanaja!

Father...

Yagnesh, how about some liquor?

First tell me, can't their hand be forced?

Radhamma won't testify?

She considers Shekhar her own.

Nobody heard anything?

Heard nothing?

What?

Nothing.

I'll bring a doctor.

Yagnesh come back.

I'm okay. It must have been the journey.

Look to your work. Go.

I need to leave early tomorrow. Will you stay with father?

Sure.

What?

I need to talk.

Come to the door.

Your father?

Out on Pilgrimage.

Remember I talked to Shekhar Babu, near the goats?

So?

I want you to testify that..

You heard us talk as if we were the child's parents.

You're really foxy.

But to tell you the truth..

I heard you but I couldn't make out your words.

Doesn't matter. Just lie.

Will you sleep with me?

As many times as I want?

Can I do it hard?

I saw you dancing once.

Do the same now.

But keep removing your clothes.

I need music.

Imagine it.

Come.

Take it off.

Dance.

Do it.

What are you doing?

Invoking Goddess Parvati.

You're doing this deliberately.

Get out.

Just listen.

Enough.

Kuchipudi is always like this.

I'll see.. But why put my neck on the line for you?

I'll do anything you say.

Last words?

He said he was tired.

Nothing about me?

Can I?

Put your hand in mine. It'll be okay.

I'll do whatever you want.

I'll tell you a small story.

A monkey was eating a nice ripe mango..

When a crow came by..

And decided to steal it. So he made a plan.

He said, "Oh monkey, your mango is poisoned!"

"Throw it away, or you'll thrash about and die."

The monkey promptly fell down and thrashed about.

The crow, thought his words had had a profound effect.

He moved in to grab the mango.

What did the monkey do?

Caught the crow, and ate him alive.

Why am I telling you this?

If you're not smart when you lie, you'll get eaten.

Did you hear them above the goats' bleating?

I can have the police test it right now.

Tell the truth.

No mistress.

Say that you did.

Let go.

Where is her father?

Died yesterday mistress.

Radhamma, take her inside.

Let her go.

What is that?

Which?

Both.

This bell - a Burra Katha dancer gave me.

This is my father's tooth. I get to keep it thanks to you.

How did he die? It wasn't because I hit him was it?

Did I ever tell you that he looks like a crow?

If only he had been fairer he could have been a dove.

Radhamma, apply this. No one should guess my grandson's caste.

My baby crow. My Sweetheart crow.

You're dark. May you become fair.

Vanaja, how can you sleep so long? They're here.

Remember I taught you Igiri Nandini?

Remember how Durga kills the demon Mahishasura?

Come.

Radhamma look to him.

Goddess of the Igiri hills. This is your tale.

When sages were at prayer.

Demon Mahishasura attacked.

Sages ran to the Gods seeking help.

The Gods combined powers to create you.

You took 9 forms, growing over 9 days.

On 10th became Durga.

Battled him with arrows.

Swords..

Maces..

Finally with Trident.

Vanaja Look outside. What do you see?

What should I say?

That you'll be a great dancer one day?

I just want to take my child and get out of here.

Where to?

Anywhere as long I don't become another Radhamma.

Radhamma, take him. These are bad words for him.

She doesn't listen.

She's unpredictable.

She'll always hate you.

Sit.

Just think.

His future is best here.

Education. Status.

He could be a chief minister one day.

It's difficult for me to say this.

But if you leave, I'll promise you that..

When he's big, I'll tell him about you and send him to you.

If you tell him, he'll never forgive me. Or you.

When she marries, what then?

Will her husband accept him?

Yes. Maybe we shouldn't.

Shall we go buy anklets?

Come.

Remember that Burra Katha dancer gave you a bell?

Padma?

I gave that bell and my father's tooth to the Landlady.

When he grows, she'll give them to him and send him to me.