Original subtitles

NALLAMALA FOREST AREA, AMARAGIRI MEHBOOBNAGAR DISTRICT

"As you pass by the Palamuru fort and reach the Nallamala forest"

"Watch her come before you that dainty beauty"

"Watch her come before you that dainty beauty"

Take the kid and go home. I will follow soon.

Where are you off to now?

Why do you drink everyday like a ritual?

You know she longs to see you as soon as she wakes up.

Just take her home. I will have a few sips and come.

"She doesn't even look back..."

Dad is going to bring you orange candy.

Go with mom and sleep quietly. Okay?

Okay, dad.

My precious child.

She has no problem. Get going now.

"She didn't even look back that dainty looking girl"

What’s up?

You look excited?

Are you going to win at least today?

Place your bet.

Hmm!

This one.

Luck is not in your favour but you will win, some day.

You are up to some foul play. That’s why you always win.

Is that so?

Fine.

Leave this game aside.

Let's play a new game.

I don’t want anything if you lose.

Give me this quarter rupee. That’s all.

If I lose,

There! You can have mine.

-I will get your ram for four annas? -Hmm.

Tell me about this game.

This midnight,

go to Devathala Gutta and flash this lantern.

Hey, move it.

It’s time to close the shop. It’s not safe these days.

You are a worker from another district who has come to reap paddy…

You have been here only for three months.

Not a soul has gone up that hill in the past 25 years.

And you are wagering on sending me there?

No!

You wanted my ram for four annas just like that?

That’s on you.

In that case, I will take Subbi and Obulesh with me.

Take whoever you want.

If you show this lantern, you have won.

Go.

DEPARTMENT OF POLICE, AMARAGIRI CAUTION - ENTRY FORBIDDEN

Hey…

I am scared, man.

Should we go back?

No!

Let’s go ahead.

Here, take it.

VIKATAKAVI

"May the hands be purified"

"Let me offer this to Lord Keshava"

"Let me offer this to Lord Narayana"

"Let me offer this to Lord Madhava"

"I bow to Lord Govinda. May the hands be purified."

It’s been twenty-five years since his son died.

He is still not over it.

He has stopped coming to the village.

God knows when he will recover from this.

"I offer the flowers"

"May there be cosmic peace"

"He who has countless heads, countless eyes countless legs and is beyond human mind"

Father-in-law…

Hmm?

The people of our village have come to talk to you.

Srisailam project is almost finished.

Very soon this village is going to be submerged.

According to Governament GO

the jobs and the compensation due to us haven’t been released yet.

You probably need to have a word with the minister.

Hmm.

I will talk to him.

-Sir… -Hmm.

Just bringing to your notice.

It’s been more than two years since we had the temple fair.

The Chaitra Pournami festival is approaching.

Please, keep our village in mind.

Maybe we should hold the fair at least this time

and light a sacred lamp at Devathala Gutta.

Many families in our village are already tormented.

They feel the Goddess who should be protecting us is in fact cursing us.

Under such circumstances, it’s better not to plan any fair, priest.

Let’s think about it next year.

Sir, the count has gone up to thirty-two.

Father-in-law, I will take care of it. You can proceed.

Hmm.

Sir, my husband too…

To the East of that Fort…

What’s in our king’s hands?

Except the pain of losing everything?

We need to join hands with the police and the government,

and resolve these issues ourselves.

Our people and our village…

We should protect them both at any cost.

Don’t worry about it.

We will find a way out.

We will find a way.

I got on your cycle thinking you were heading to the university.

But where are you off to Rama Krishna?

Hurry up, Rama Krishna. Sir is enraged with you.

Rama Krishna, it’s time for class.

Classes run every day, sir.

Murders don’t happen every day, do they?

Huh! Murders?

All his family is in Dubai.

He lives here alone with the workers.

Apparently, he is a close relative to Azamkhan sir.

We are under pressure from our higher officials.

Please crack this case quickly, Rama Krishna.

When Mr Sheikh was sleeping in this bed last night,

somebody was trying to steal something, which woke him up.

He tried to stop them.

Mr Sheikh recognised the intruder.

The thief realised he was recognised.

Picking up the fruit knife next to Mr Sheikh’s bed,

he stabbed him again and again.

Hey, Rama Krishna!

Is it a movie like ‘Gandi Kota Rahasyam’? Why add your sound effects?

But he managed to crawl four feet...

from here to the map there and marked Pakistan in blood.

Why would he do that?

This noise must have woken him up.

Huh?

If he hid something in his clothes…

Was it money or gold?

We’ll find out.

If he stole what’s hidden inside, the thief must be an insider.

How many workers are in this bungalow?

All of you! Tell me your names.

Ramulu…

Sultana…

Moizuddin…

Durgabai…

Qasim…

Yaqub…

Iqbal…

What do you say, Rama Krishna?

They are all innocent, sir. This is an outsider’s job.

Mr Sheikh got murdered in this bungalow.

There will be no work for you till we get to the bottom of this.

You can come when the police call you. Go now.

Huh?

-See you, brother. -Khuda Hafiz!

-Khuda Hafiz! -Khuda Hafiz!

BHAGYALAKSHMI JEWELLERS

-Salaam Alaikum, sir. -Huh!

Sir, when can I expect the money?

I will give you by tomorrow. Don’t worry.

I need it quickly, sir.

Police are suspecting us.

I must flee to Nanded.

Okay. I will give you by this evening.

-Alright, sir. -Hmm.

Huh!

I have come to meet a friend, sir.

Hmm.

We will put you behind the bars now.

-Hmm, move it. -Sir, sir…

-Hmm! -Sir!

-Sir… -Keep going.

My payment…

Meet me at the bungalow.

Sir, sir, sir… Leave me, sir. -Move. Move!

-Sir, sir, sir… -Go. Move it.

Sir…

-Hmm. -Hmm?

Two blows and he readily confessed.

How did you know it was him?

Quirk of fate! We have our own theory, sir.

Why don’t you tell me? I am curious.

Mr Sheikh recognised him.

I had a hunch he left us a clue through marking on the Pakistan map.

I threw a stone in the dark and it worked.

But how did you know?

Give me two paisa and I will tell you.

Hey! I am just a teacher, Rama Krishna.

For free?

You get your salary every month, don’t you?

Tell me now.

What did he say his name was?

Qasim.

Twenty years ago in Hyderabad, there was a Qasim Rizvi.

Any idea?

Hmm.. no.

Qasim Rizvi was a Razakar leader.

Stalling Hyderabad from joining the Indian union, he resorted to filthy crimes here.

After Hyderabad became a part of India, he was the first man to get banished.

Then he got back to Pakistan and died there.

To prompt his name, Sheikh sir marked Pakistan.

My goodness!

Got to be careful with you.

Let’s go.

Wait, sir. They need to pay me.

I have to buy a saree for my mom.

Inspector, how are you?

Very well, sir. Please come.

Salaam alaikum!

-Salaam! -Who is that?

Don’t you know him?

Take classes and go home to sleep.

I know nothing else.

Hyderabad politician, Azam Khan.

-One of the workers from the bungalow did it, sir. -Hmm.

-He has caught him. -Oh!

Rama Krishna, come. Come here!

Have we met before?

No, sir.

Oh…

I didn’t think you would find the killer so fast.

-Thank you. -Hmm.

-Khuda Hafiz! -Thank you, sir.!

Good job.

GADWAL SARIS

Help me find a nice sari, sir.

What would I know about saris?

Okay, what colour does your mother like?

Ah! Blue.

-Show us blue colour saris. -Sure, sir.

Sir…

-It is pretty, right. -Hmm.

-It’s good quality. -Huh?

-How much? -It’s thirty rupees, sir.

Huh? Are you joking?

-How can it be thirty rupees? -Yeah…

I will give you fifteen…

How can you pay only fifteen, sir?

Give me a better price.

Okay. To be fair on both the sides, I am ready to pay sixteen.

-You look educated, sir… -Final.

I am educated. That’s why…

-Rama Krishna! -Hey!

How much, brother?

Fifty rupees.

The situation in our village is not at all good.

The count has reached thirty-two.

-Sir… -Huh!

Ah! Sorry, sir.

I realised later that I didn’t pay. Come. Let's go, pay.

Oh, did you pay already? That’s good.

Keep quiet.

The way the shopkeeper looked at me, I wanted to drop dead.

Oh!

You are so smart!

Why would you steal?

Ah! I was not stealing sir.

It’s called ombrophobia.

Is it a disease that makes you leave without paying?

No, not at all, sir.

It’s fear of rain.

Oh! You are too young to have such a damned disease.

-Not me, sir! -Then who?

My mom.

Huh?

Mom? Mom!

Mom…

Mom…

Mom…

I am back.

I am right here. Everything’s fine.

Mom…

-I knew even as a child, -Mom! my mom is terrified of rain.

When the doctors saw her, they confirmed ombrophobia.

That’s why when it started raining, I had to rush, sir.

She had an attack last night too.

I admitted her in the hospital.

The money I get from helping the police…

and from other side jobs is for taking care of my mom, sir.

-Hmm? -Hmm.

I am not a douchebag to take money for free.

You remind me of a saying.

One who has no broth to drink, claims he owns the Golconda Fort.

-Rama Krishna… -Hmm?

There is something I want to share.

Tell me, sir.

I came to Hyderabad from the Nallamala region.

Before 1948, it was the dominion of Amaragiri.

We all hold our king in high regard.

He is like God to us.

Do one thing. Go there and meet him.

I will write a recommendation.

He will definitely give you money.

I don’t go begging for money.

Tsk! It’s not about money.

It’s for mom...

-and that’s not begging. -Then what?

We are facing a problem back home.

I firmly believe you can solve it.

Hmm...

Why don’t you go?

You can save your mom.

-Nallamala… -Hmm.

-Amaragiri… -Hmm.

Stop joking with me, sir.

Hmm?

HYDERABAD TO SRISAILAM

Where do you need to go?

Huh? Amaragiri.

My name is Rama Krishna.

I am from Hyderabad.

A student of Osmania University.

I was told Amaragiri has some problem and I am on my way there.

I am a detective.

I heard of conductor and a doctor. What is this detector?

Not detector. It’s detective.

I am sure your madam knows.

I unravel cases that are extremely hard to crack.

That’s why I am fondly called ‘VIKKATAKAVI’ in my university.

Er…

what is your name?

You are a detective, right? Find out.

Hmm.

Made a fool of myself.

We have to go straight from here.

Take a right and walk three miles to get to Amaragiri.

Oh…

Thanks for the lift, Ms. Lakshmi.

How do you know my name?

I told you I am a detective.

Some Mir Osman Rizwana had sent a card for your birthday.

It was lying under the front seat.

Hmm.

You are a student of Psychiatry, right?

Hmm?

You are reading “Sense and Logics in Psychology”.

18th century London psychologist written this book

Books like this are usually read by psychiatrists.

Giri, let’s go.

AMARAGIRI 3 KILOMETRES

We will find out soon what is happening.

If you stop working because your husband is ill,

what will happen to your child?

Come back to work from tomorrow. Go.

Okay, sir.

Uh...

“Most respected King!

My student, Rama Krishna, is very intelligent.

I have the faith that he can be of help with the problems our village is facing”

There is no problem here.

Professor said there was some problem.

I am a detective, sir. I can solve any kind of problem.

-In Hyderabad… -Hasty fellow.

He has misunderstood.

You may leave.

No, sir. You are hiding something.

Hey, who are you?

Who let you in?

Hey, kick him out.

Raghupathi…

He is a guest.

Offer him food and send him.

I am a detective.

-They call me vikkatakavi. You… -Go away.

You bloody fool.

Why did they kick me out?

Yadagiri Narasimha, all my dignity has gone to dogs.

I must go thrash the professor first.

As if he is a P. V. Narasima, he wrote me a recommendation!

I won’t step into this village in my life again.

Never.

Give me one tea please.

-Hmm. -And a bun too.

When is the next bust to town?

How can you expect a bus here, brother?

It is almost evening.

Wait for a while. You will get a cart.

You can take a ride to the town.

-Hmm? -Mm-hmm.

-Hmm? -Mm-hmm.

What do you want?

You told the king you could solve any problem, didn’t you, uncle?

I have a problem. Can you solve it?

This is what my life has come to.

What is your name?

Chitti.

What is the problem?

My dad has forgotten us, uncle. Can you help him remember?

Hmm.

What do you mean he forgot?

Yes, uncle. It’s been ten days.

My mom and I sit in front of him every day and cry.

Yet he doesn’t recognise us.

Really?

Yes, uncle.

My dad doesn’t come home,

and when I wake up at midnight, I get scared, uncle.

I want my dad, uncle.

-Mom! -Hmm?

In school today, my master asked me what I want to be when I grow up. -Hmm.

-I said I want to be a detective. -Oh!

I heard a detective can track missing people.

I will find dad, Mom.

I want my dad, Mom.

-O, brother… -Huh?

The carriage to the town is here.

Yadanna, please wait.

-This gentleman will go with you. -Okay.

Will you make my dad recognise me, uncle?

Get in fast.

Hey, brother! Are you coming or not?

It’s been many days, uncle, since I spoke to my dad.

Giddup! Heigh, move, heigh!

Where is your dad?

Come, uncle. I will show you.

Look through that window, uncle.

A few days ago, he went to the forest, uncle.

They say the forest makes you go crazy. And you forget everyone.

-Huh? Sir, all the villagers are coming. -POLICE STATION, AMARAGIRI

Hmm?

Hmm… come, come.

Huh!

-Sir… -Hmm?

The revenue collector is coming.

Is he now?

I wanted to listen to his radio but how snobbish he acted?

True, sir.

Today the sound of the TV in this station shall wash away all their pride.

-Right, sir. -Hmm.

Hmm.

Hmm?

Hmm.

Sit down.

Hmm.

Hey, turn it on.

Hmm?

Huh?

Hey, why is it not working?

Huh?

Huh?

Hmm?

Hey, damn you! If you don’t function, I'll lock you up.

Hey, who are you?

You don’t seem to be from our village.

And why are you laughing like a mad fool?

What do I say, Patel?

You think it's a person to be afraid of jail? It's just a machine.

Machine? Is it not TV?

You seem to know more than I do.

If that’s true, make it sing.

It doesn’t sing. It only shows.

Huh?

Then, show me how.

Or I will lock you up too.

Oh!

Whoever can weigh Sri Krishna, He will only be loyal to them.

is that okay with you?

Why did you come to our village?

Ah… uh…

I heard going into the forest at night is making people go mad?

That’s true, brother.

This is quite a problem.

It’s been three months since I joined.

For the past two months, this is all that’s been happening.

Very close to this village, in the forest, there is a Devathala Gutta.

Whoever goes into the forest at night, lose their minds.

-That’s why the government has sent me. -Huh?

-The government? -Hmm.

Does that mean you are from our department?

Uh… are you my senior or junior?

I am not from your department.

Then?

Detective.

What is that?

Detective… spy… Haven’t you heard?

Hmm… that new guy.

What’s his name?

Ah! Krishna!

-He only does this kind of movies. -Hmm.

Yes, I have seen them. They are good.

I also have the king’s permission.

Is that so?

I have no update on this.

-If you don’t believe me, let’s go ask him. -Hey, hey…

Sit down. Sit down, brother.

You’ve saved our department’s honour. How can I not believe you?

Has all this started three months ago?

Yes.

They go into the forest and they come back deranged.

And then?

CAUTION FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DO NOT ENTER

Huh?

(ululating)

Daddy…

Narsaiah, a blacksmith.

Lacchanna, a potter.

We made the deranged sit in front of their professional tools.

Yet, they couldn’t recall their past.

The report says thirty two people.

But there are only thirty one in the temple.

What happened to that one person?

Oh, that’s Rathamma. She is a sex worker.

They can't lock her up in a temple, can they?

She is left outside the village.

She gave pleasure to a lot of people.

But doesn’t remember a thing now.

Mm-hmm.

You seem to be very upset about Rathamma.

Oh, stop it, Ramayya.

Wow! The priest is great at this. Lemon rice smells so good. Sniff it.

Tsk. I told you I can’t smell.

-You can’t smell? -Hmm.

Something is wrong.

Be done with it quickly, Ramayya.

Hey, somebody is here. Come away quickly.

-Tsk. Hey, who could it be? -How do I know?

Come fast. Let’s hide here.

Lakshmi madam… What is she doing here?

-Oh! -Ah… I stepped on it.

Damn you, Patel!

Who is that?

Come out right now.

Come out!

Did you come at this hour just to feed her?

I got to know about her only this evening.

It broke my heart. That’s why I have come.

What is it?

Uh… nothing.

You know where her house is, right?

Hmm.

Let’s go.

Hmm.

Ah… stay right here. I will go change her clothes.

Hmm.

Give that to me.

Please, wait outside.

Rama Krishna!

There was a scuffle here.

Hmm?

Look at that broken door.

Huh!

Somebody made a forceful entry.

Huh?

So, it must be the same guy who made this gash.

He didn’t make the gash, Patel.

Then?

She did it herself.

When someone comes to kill you, he will slit your throat, not leave a mark.

For a sex worker, the most valuable asset is her body.

Making a gash on her valuable body, she was trying to convey a message.

What was she trying to convey?

Maybe Rathamma knew something about him.

He has been following Rathamma,

Yet she wanted to expose him to the village residents.

But how?

She didn’t go to school. She doesn’t know how to write.

That’s why she made a gash on her body.

We must find out its meaning.

-Hmm. -Hmm?

How come Lakshmi is here?

Hmm. Move it.

Why did you bring me here?

The king has sent for you.

The king?

Come.

Hmm.

Grandpa…

Grandpa?

When did you come, dear?

Just the day before, grandpa.

I came here only today.

God dammit!

Who is that guy?

He is a detective, grandpa.

He is investigating the problem of our village.

Didn’t I ask you to leave?

Er… sir…

I requested him to stay and solve the problem, grandpa.

He is a very intelligent man.

Fighting an invisible enemy is very dangerous.

We don’t even know whether it is God or the devil or a beast.

What will you find out?

If he is afraid to show himself, he must be one among us.

The god we created will never destroy us.

If it is the devil, God Himself will take care of it.

Not a drop of blood is shed. So, it can't be a beast.

Someone more dangerous than all these three has done this.

A human being.

Give me one chance to get to the bottom of this.

Consider giving him a chance, grandpa.

I give you forty-eight hours.

Find out by then.

Hmm? Hmm.

Thank you, grandpa.

-Take care, darling. -I will take your leave.

Let’s get going.

Please, forgive me, my king.

With your permission, I would like to leave the village.

I hope you won’t let me down.

You have placed your trust in me. I will keep that up.

-Thank you, madam. -You’re welcome.

Hmm?

-We shall get going, Ms Lakshmi. -Hmm.

Ramayya, if someone sees me here, I will be jailed.

KAVITHA SAMPUTI

Collection of poems!

A pole star manifested on Earth

Making Niagara blossom like moonlight

Your eyebrow is like the wave of a blue sea

Your smile brighter than the ray of sun

A nectar not found on the nine planets

Milky white is the beauty of your body

You are pure magic! My Rathama!

Yours, Venkata Ratnam.

Rathamma?

What an affair the master had run.

No wonder I first met him at Rathamma's house.

He lied he was from the neighbouring village.

-Hey, Patel! -Huh?

What are you both doing here?

How could you enter my house without my permission?

Get out right now.

Fine, we will go.

Last night, why did you come where Rathamma was held?

I went nowhere.

I could see the lamp on your cycle in the dark.

What are you hiding?

What’s happening in this village?

Why should I talk to you? I am leaving this place anyway.

Where are you going?

Your girl is hanging between life and death, and aren’t you ashamed of walking away?

What are you talking about?

I have just read your poem.

You loved her with such intensity.

You adored her so deeply.

How can you walk away from her? Like a coward?

I am a coward.

But when I saw you and Madam Lakshmi there, I was emboldened.

That you will take good care of Rathamma.

Huh!

That’s why... I took one last look at her.

Before leaving for good.

If you tell me what’s going on here, I will save you and Rathamma.

I cannot answer your questions here.

In Amaragiri, the walls have ears and the trees have eyes.

Exactly at the midnight hour,

come where the stream and the river meet.

I will show you what is happening in this village.

Hey, don’t get dramatic.

Tell us the truth or I will lock you up.

Patel, let’s get going.

-FOREST AREA -This is Devathala Gutta.

25 years ago... Because of Mother Goddess's curse

DEVATHALA GUTTA

More than a hundred died due to incessant rains here.

That’s why the locals believe the Goddess has cursed them.

There was no government formed then.

They initiated investigation after a few years.

This is the report made by them.

During the temple fair on Devathala Gutta, it suddenly began to rain heavily.

Including twenty-two children, a total of hundred and six lives were lost.

Even after years of investigation on the incident at Devathala Gutta,

no evidence could be found.

As the deity on Devathala Gutta was desecrated,

the infuriated Goddess caused sleets of rain killing several.

Considering this belief and fear of the locals,

we call off the investigation.

The temple of Mother Goddess on Devathala Gutta and the place around it…

will remain closed from today.

Huh?

Oh, Ramayya…

Don’t go, Ramayya.

I will accompany you in the morning. Don’t go now.

Oh, Ramayya!

Hey, who is that?

Why are you here in the night?

We are bringing firewood, sir.

We spotted a tiger and took the round way about.

It is quite late.

Go back to the village quickly.

Right, sir.

Should I tie him up in the temple too?

Ramayya?

Ramayya!

Huh!

Huh?

Huh?

See?

He was such a smart guy and now he is looking lost forgetting his past.

How hard for you, Ramayya!

-Oh, stop it, Patel. -Huh?

I saw four men last night.

Where are they?

Huh!

Everybody who went there lost their minds.

How come you remained sane?

There was not a soul around.

I didn’t see anybody.

This is a curse from the Goddess.

What’s happening, Patel?

It’s been three months since you were posted here.

Haven’t you still understood the norms of this village?

Everybody who went to the forest last night came back insane.

Except you.

He seems to be a wizard himself, sir.

Hey, what makes you laugh?

Your innocence.

I am neither a wizard nor a sorcerer.

Your eyes are closed by superstition and I am here to open them.

no matter who tells me, even if it is your Goddess from the hill,

I won’t budge from here.

Hey, wait. Stop it, all of you.

Huh? Ramayya…

Stop it.

Move! Move back!

(all clamour) Move away.

Lakshmi!

Are you hanging out with that townie?

You have disgraced me in front of the whole village.

Why are you going around with him anyway?

Don’t misunderstand me, dear.

You know the situation.

If something happens to you, being your dad can I bear it?

Okay, never mind.

We are going to Srisailam today.

Go pack your mom’s clothes and yours.

It’s full moon tonight.

I made a vow to Lord Mallanna that I will conduct anointing tomorrow morning,

For mom’s better health.

Madam!

Rama Krishna was hit with a stone at the panchayat.

Take mom inside and let her sleep. Start the car.

Okay, madam.

A pole star manifested on Earth

Niagara blossoms like moonlight

Your eyebrow is like the wave of a blue sea

Your smile brighter than the ray of sun

That’s amazing. Who wrote it?

Who else? It was me. I wrote it.

Do you recite such poems to girls in Hyderabad too?

No, no. I don’t do that.

Anyway, I am a detective. Not a writer.

Oho!

Aren’t you involved with any girl in Hyderabad?

Er… I used to be.

But then the girl left me.

Huh?

Er…

I have a small issue.

Er…

Hey, it’s not what you are thinking, madam.

Then?

I… cannot smell.

What?

It’s called anosmia.

I cannot smell anything.

Oh!

What makes a person go haywire in the head making him forget his past?

Hmm…

There could be many reasons.

When there is a head injury.

Sometimes when a loud sound is heard.

Or from smelling something in the air.

Which means because I have anosmia, nothing happened to me yesterday.

But you can smell…

Ms. Lakshmi…

Ms. Lakshmi…

Lakshmi…

-Sir… -You are from this village, right?

Yes.

-Get in the car. -Huh?

Get in quickly.

Okay, sir.

Is there an RMP doctor in this village?

Or do we have to go to the next village for a hospital?

Huh?

Huh!

Lakshmi…

This is Raghupathi sir’s daughter.

That’s why I was asking for RMP’s address. Or do we have to go to the city?

No.

Take me to my hut. I will give her a herbal medicine.

Trust me, son.

There is no other way.

Turn the car around.

Yes, right here. Please, stop.

You mentioned some medicine?

You will be fine.

Was it you who hit me with a stone in the panchayat?

What the heck are you doing here?

Who the hell are you?

It's full moon tonight.

The air from the tree tonight... will circulate through the entire village.

The whole of Amaragiri will lose their memory and become mindless.

That includes you.

Goodbye, detective Rama Krishna.

Rama Krishna!

What were you doing in the forest last night?

I went to find out what’s going on there.

Huh!

And you went away leaving your village behind.

Your daughter went with me into the forest to save the village.

Rama Krishna,

I need to speak with you in private.

Hmm.

Rama Krishna, I want to tell you something.

In 1948…

I wished to be a part of the Indian Union Government to establish a democratic rule.

Things were getting out of hand.

The fear that Hyderabad would become South Pakistan…

making my people turn into religious fanatics didn’t leave me in peace.

Just when I thought it was all over, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had arrived.

Just how you showed up now.

Unfortunately for me, Rama Krishna, problems always come in pairs.

One from the village and the other from my own home.

I have a personal problem.

Can you solve it?

My son’s name is Mahadev.

I sent him to London for higher education.

He returned and married a tribal girl.

One year had passed.

Then I suddenly received a message one day...

that my son was about to die.

His last words to me were…

To the east of the fort.

To the east of the fort.

For the last twenty-five years, in the east of the fort,

we left no stone unturned to search every nook and corner

but sadly, we couldn’t decipher it

In a few days, this village is going to be submerged.

River Krishna is going to make it a part of the past.

What happened to my son?

What did he tell me back then?

Can you find it out, Ramayya?

Oh, here you come! Give it to me.

-The king said you will stay here from today. -Brother…

Give me.

-Brother… -Hmm?

Everybody says you have come to save our village.

Please, do something to save my husband, brother.

I am already on the job.

-What’s your name? -Manga.

Are there no pictures of the king’s son in this palace?

Ah! Yes, there are.

Earlier, the pictures were in the hall, brother.

But the king was grieving looking at them.

Raghupathi sir asked us to move them to the bunker.

It’s such a huge fort! Does the king live alone here?

Yes, brother.

His daughter and son-in-law live in their bungalow in the town.

Oh!

This way, brother.

Devarajula Mahadeva.

BIRTH 30-06-1921

DEATH 12-09-1949

Huh?

Nothing will happen, mom!

I heard a detective can track missing people.

I will find dad, Mom.

I want my dad, Mom.

Easy…

-Hey, Narasimha! -Huh?

-Seethaiah! -Sir?

-Leave the jeep at the station. -Sure, sir.

Sir, Ramakrishna is here.

You asked me to hurry. What is it?

Veeranna’s body is missing.

We looked everywhere around.

We couldn’t find it.

Another thing.

His hut is also gutted to the ground.

(Man) More… wrap around it more.

Take it around.

Pull it!

Pull it hard!

Huh! Why is the chief coming here?

Hey, come on.

-Greetings, Chief. -Greetings, Chief.

Greetings, Chief.

Who is he?

Pashupati… chief of the hamlets around.

Oh!

Chief, it was this tree that made our people go crazy.

When the culprit is a person, why do you blame a tree?

Huh?

For every mishap in this village, the royal family is the reason.

Where is your king?

Won’t he step out of his fort?

His son Mahadev’s blunder cost a hundred lives on the hill.

How hard did I plead to stop the wedding?

No one paid heed.

The forest has been peaceful all these years.

I thought Mother Goddess’s curse was finally lifted.

But three months ago, it started all over again.

Until this village is submerged in water,

maybe Mother Goddess won’t be pacified.

Mallanna, go get some leaves and herbs from the forest.

Let’s give me the sap.

Greetings, Chief.

What is it, officer?

What brings you here?

Uh, nothing, Chief.

This city boy wanted to meet you.

-This is Rama… -Rama Krishna.

Huh?

Hey! Hmm!

I am getting it, Chief.

Please, be seated.

Sit.

Why are you propagating that the tree is responsible for all the issues in the village?

What is going on?

Huh?

Why are you deceiving the villagers saying the Goddess’s curse is making them mad?

What do you mean deception?

All this is Veeranna's doing.

It wasn’t some deity or devil.

When there are thousands of villages in this country,

why did he choose ours for all his nasty acts ?

That is how the Goddess’s curse works.

Why would your Goddess curse you?

The king’s son, Mahadev, married one of our girls from the hamlet.

Also, he breached the code of this hamlet.

Mother Goddess cast a curse.

She rained fire on Devathala Gutta.

Let us assume your story is true.

Mother Goddess punished hundreds for one man’s fault.

Hmm?

In my opinion,

she is no Goddess at all.

Huh?

Huh!

Ramayya! Keep quiet.

What are you blabbering? Are you mad?

(all clamour)

Stop!

-Officer! -Sir?

Take him away.

Huh. Ramayya! Let’s go.

You came all the way from Hyderabad only to bury me, didn’t you?

What did I do to you, Ramayya?

Hey, nothing of that sort, officer.

Why do you want to mess with the old man?

The hamlet has its own belief system.

Why do you want to finger everyone?

For what someone had done, why blame Gowri and Mahadev?

They would, Ramayya. They would say a hundred things.

Why are you getting worked up about Mahadev and Gowri?

As if they are your parents!

Or this village is your grandpa’s!

Why don’t you speak?

Huh?

When you are his grandson,

why don’t you bring your mom and inform the king?

This village is dangerous in some way, officer.

That is why mom never wanted to come here.

She didn’t want me to either.

Mother Goddess caused a torrential rain here.

My mother is dead scared of rain there.

A hundred people dying from rain on Devatahala Gutta 25 years ago,

and people going crazy in this forest now are both somehow connected. I believe it.

If we got to find out how…

Whoever sent the masked man...

Who is he working for? And why? We must find out that first.

Who are you talking about?

Raghupati.

Huh?

Raghupati sir?

What are you saying, Ramayya?

Yes, officer.

Raghupati’s man is following me.

Sir! The king has sent for you.

The government has granted funds for the rehabilitation of our villagers.

-I will distribute the funds in four or five days… -Enough.

-and will send them word. -Good.

Please, find some time to come, father-in-law.

-The minister is also coming. -Hmm.

Sit.

-Serve him too. -Hmm.

So, you met Pashupati?

How is Pashupati?

As usual. Very angry with you.

Two men from their hamlet were here. To complain against you.

I believe you disrespected the Goddess? Huh?

What was the task I assigned to you? And what are you doing?

Hmm?

They have been abusing your son, Mahadev.

Did you ever question them?

Rama Krishna!

Sure, we are at the same dining table. But don’t take liberty.

Forget the residents of this village.

For whatever is happening here…

Do you also believe your son and daughter-in-law are responsible?

Why would I believe that?

I went there to find out about Mahadev and Gowri.

To decipher Mahadev’s last words,

I must first know about him.

How he behaved and how he spoke.

When young, he was aggressive and walked around with a gun.

When Mahadev was 15 years old, I sent him to London for higher studies.

He grew up away from home for many years.

In 1948, my son returned home.

(crowd ululating and shouting)

How are you, father?

Great, son.

Pashupati! How are you?

I am good, sir.

Where is my younger sister?

How are you my brother ?

How are you sister?

Iam good brother.

Come inside.

One minute, father.

Wait I will bring my luggage bag

Brining the bag sir.

How were your studies?

Quite well, father.

Hmm.

I am done with my research.

I am not here because you wrote to me.

I want to use my education for our people and our dominion and so here I am.

Hmm…

Good.

This region has been under our rule for decades.

River Krishna on one side and the Nallamala on the other.

Shaiva temples all around.

The virtue collected over several lifetimes…

gave our family the opportunity to rule this region.

Some want freedom.

Some want to join the Indian Union.

A few others suggest being a part of Hyderabad Kingdom.

The future is uncertain.

I want to gather the courage, leave things to God Mallanna…

and write to Sardar Patel to merge our dominion with India.

If we slip into the hands of religious fanatics, like Kolkata,

we might also face a ‘Direct Action Day’.

Why didn’t you write to him till now?

Because of the fear that we many not forestall the Razakars.

The other day, they attacked Singota temple and dropped beef on the deity.

Be brave and write it, father.

If necessary, let us hand over Amaragiri to the Indian Army as a base camp.

This Trilinga dominion situated in the centre of three Lingas,

shouldn’t become another Pakistan.

I will instruct the clerk to get the letter ready.

What’s the matter, father?

Why are you still preoccupied?

I always get problems in pairs.

You have emboldened me regarding the village issue.

Will you stand with me in a family issue too?

Family issue?

Hmm.

Your sister was studying in Osmania and she fell in love with a boy.

He is a revolutionary.

She is educated.

Wouldn’t she know good from bad?

You say he is also educated.

The world is changing, father.

We must change too.

The decision you are going to make now shall be exemplary to our people.

You must show equality.

My dominion was merged into India.

My daughter got married.

One love got me a son-in-law.

Another love took away my son.

Pashupati was here one day.

To complain against my son.

King!

We have our own traditions.

You must give them due respect.

The girls of our hamlet marry only our boys. It is our tradition.

Mother Goddess will be pleased only then…

and giving us timely rains will protect us and it is our belief.

I have strong faith in your belief system.

What is the problem? Be open.

Lord!

Keep your son under control.

He is eyeing Gowri, a girl from our hamlet.

Hey! What are you blabbering?

Raghu…

I can sense what they say is true.

You said you have come back to make the village better.

You don’t have to make it better.

But don’t introduce your foreign culture here.

Leave the girl alone.

I am in love with Gowri, father.

I promised her.

Why can’t you stay here and study?

Why should you go so far?

Will you come back?

Or stay there permanently?

I will come back.

Promise?

Promise.

Is your love greater than their customs?

If I have to choose between my son and my village,

I will always choose my people.

If I have to choose between love and customs,

I shall always stand for love.

Like Srirama who left Ayodhya to live in the jungle,

my son left this bungalow for his love,

went to Nallamala and lived there for a year.

Until my grandson was born, I didn’t see my son.

-Yashoda! -Hmm?

During the fair tonight,

you must light the sacred lamp before Mother Goddess.

You know better and how can you say this, Pashupati?

As long as my mother was alive, she was lighting the lamp every year.

This time, as the daughter-in-law of the house,

my sister-in-law, Gowri, will light the lamp.

I was worried my son may not get Mallanna’s symbol.

You are very kind.

Thank you, Chief.

This child carries the blood of our clan.

All rituals shall be conducted as per our customs.

I will make sure of it.

It is my responsibility.

That doesn’t mean I am not angry with you.

(Sanskrit incantations)

Oh, no. It’s done, Young Lord.

Gowri!

How can you pierce an infant with needles?

Have you lost your senses?

This is his christening day, lord.

It is our custom to tattoo Mallanna’s symbol.

Don’t stall it, lord. It spells calamity.

Why should my baby suffer for your customs?

Our baby needs love. Not tattoos.

Don’t rub your superstitions on the baby.

Let’s go, Gowri.

Lord! Breaking a custom midway, spells doom.

Please, understand!

I cannot organize a fair, where you are disrespected, Mother.

Please, forgive me.

My son’s transgression that day,

just as Pashupati foresaw,

might have made Mother Goddess curse us.

That same night during the fair on the Gutta,

it rained, and a hundred people died.

That night,

I found my son hanging between life and death.

Mahadeva! Please, speak.

Deva!

Hey, please, speak!

Hey, Deva! Deva!

Deva, please, speak.

To the fort’s…

East side.

To the fort’s…

East… east… east side.

East…

Oh, no! Deva! Deva, please, speak.

Hey, Deva!

That day…

I lost my son.

Till today…

Raghupati,

like a son…

stood by me.

I should go to Palamuru tomorrow morning.

-I take your leave, father-in-law. -Hmm.

The night that the rain killed a hundred people,

was there an eyewitness?

There was one.

Is there no other way?

It’s been 25 years since he lost his memory.

This is the only way to regain it quickly.

Grandpa… grandpa, what is your name?

Devayya

Hmm?

Huh?

My name…

De… Devayya

When it rained on Devathala Gutta,

you were there, weren’t you, grandpa?

Grandpa…

Do you remember what happened that day?

(people screaming in pain)

Son, that night on Devathala Gutta…

you were there too.

Your naming celebration happend that day.

Devarajula Rama Krishna Patwari.

That day when you were bathing in the pond after spending a night,

I saw your half-done tattoo of Mallanna and knew you were Mahadev’s son.

Are you here, lord? Have you arrived?

The lord has come. The lord is here.

Forgive me, grandpa, for troubling you.

Please, don’t mind.

Lakshmi, I wanted to tell you about me.

Lakshmi…

I am sure you have your reasons for keeping this from me, Rama Krishna.

I can understand.

But don’t hold back anything from me ever.

However big the danger may be, let’s face it together.

I will make a move.

Send me word if there is anything.

I had asked you to leave.

If you really had left,

all of us would have had to drown in river Krishna with tears.

We are all indebted to you, Ramayya.

My mom and dad hail from here.

How can I not do even this?

Yes. True.

This village, the forest and the river... this soil…

And the four directions stand testimony to your parents’ love.

Is there an important place to the east of the fort?

Hmm?

To the east of the fort?

What is there?

There are houses here and there.

Then there is the river beyond them.

There is a forest on the other side.

There is a huge, old well that no one has used in thirty years, Thats all.

Old well.

To the east of the fort, There is an old well.

That was a rendezvous for your parents.

It was there that Pashupati found them.

A well to the east of the fort…

I searched the entire forest. Only the well is left.

I must search it.

Sir, sir!

Ramayya climbed down into the well on the east.

RAMA…

I cannot confidently say it was for this.

I need some more time.

These documents must be kept safe till then.

-Take it and deposit it in our locker room. -Hmm.

When I could discover your past,

can’t I guess you will come for the papers?

How long will you hind behind the mask?

Raghupati?

How many times will you obstruct my way?

You think I will sit watching?

Hey!

Break his bones but find where the documents are and then kill him.

Huh?

Run. Hey, run!

How dare you touch my grandson?

-Grandson? -Huh!

Wait, my King! Wait.

Devayya, who got his senses back, met me.

Your grandson is here, King! He is here.

When the whole village is in angst with broken hearts,

how can you be silent?

If you sneaked in masked in the middle of the night,

those documents must be very important to you.

I will tell you where they are.

But I should know the truth first.

Let me ask you again.

Who are you working for, uncle?

Azam Khan.

Who is Azam Khan?

A business tycoon from Hyderabad.

How are Azam Khan and Amaragiri connected?

25 years ago, your dad introduced him to me.

Mahadev, where have you brought me?

Do you know about this place?

Ah.

I heard people say.

Whenever the Nawab went hunting to Nallamala,

he would eat the soil from here.

Mahadev!

What are we doing in this place?

We must leave for Hyderabad right now.

Salam aleikum, sir. This way.

Deva!

Why don’t you tell me at least now where we are?

Azam Khan… a big businessman.

What Jamshed Tata is to India, he is to Hyderabad.

Mahadev! Amaragiri’s prince!

Thank you for your time, sir.

The pleasure is mine.

I have heard a lot about your dominion.

Please, have your tea.

Wow!

Master’s Degree from a university.

Excellent.

Thank you, sir.

I want my education to be of use to my country.

I need your support for it.

Sure, Mahadev.

But what sort of support are you looking for?

I want to rent your flight at Begumpet for a day.

What?

I could have asked the government but it is yet to be formed.

That’s why I am asking you.

But why?

A majority of people in our country live on agriculture.

Though the farmers here have lands,

since there is no water, they depend only on rains.

But when rains don’t come in time, they kill themselves.

Farmers are hailed as kings.

But they are dying of starvation.

There have been hunger deaths in my dominion too.

To stop these deaths and drive away famine and hardships,

I want to make an experiment.

Experiment?

I will make it rain.

Artificial rain.

Irrespective of the season.

I will create artificial rain.

What are you saying, Mahadev?

Rain is a part of nature.

Only God can make it happen.

How can a man create it?

Cloud seeding.

Modification of clouds.

Countries like America and England have already done cloud seeding.

But they couldn’t get the results they hoped for.

I made a study of why they couldn’t.

And I have come up with a formula.

The formula is called Varuna.

And then?

Varuna is in its last phase.

I need your aeroplane to execute the formula.

Sounds good, Mahadev.

But where will you conduct this experiment?

The first experiment will be done in the lab.

If it is successful, we begin the actual cloud seeding.

With the help of the aeroplane,

we release the Varuna formula into the cloud.

A few minutes after that condensation begins.

The cloud becomes heavy.

After some time,

the water in the cloud will precipitate in form of rain.

Sir, give me a chance.

If this cloud seeding succeeds,

we will be helping our country and our farmers a lot.

Your idea has substance, Mahadev.

Hmm. You can go ahead.

Do whatever you think you should.

You will always have my support.

When it comes to the welfare of the country, Azam Khan always steps forward.

Thank you, sir.

-Thank you so much. -Hmm.

-Let’s go. -Thank you.

God bless you.

A week after we left Hyderabad,

I received a letter.

Azam Khan asked me to meet him in private.

Join hands with me.

I will make you king of Amaragiri.

Hmm.

What do you want?

Varuna…

Mahadev’s cloud seeding formula.

A young scientist.

Joseph! Meet this gentleman, Raghupati.

He will explain everything to you.

Thus, he introduced Joseph to me.

Joseph alias Veeranna.

Sir, sir! The huts on the south are on fire.

Huh?

Rama… let’s go fast.

-Officer! Accompany grandpa. -Okay.

-I will stay here. -Sir, please, come.

Rama Krishna!

Lakshmi… Lakshmi…

What happened?

Someone came and took off with dad.

Mom, Professor Venugopal will meet you.

He will bring you here. I will be waiting for you.

Yours, Raama.

What place is this, son?

Amaragiri.

Why are we here, son?

We shouldn’t have come here.

We shouldn’t be staying here. Come. Let’s go.

-Mom! -Hmm?

I used to tell you when I was a kid.

Do you remember?

That I will become a detective and find dad.

I have become a detective, mom.

I found out what happened to dad.

What are you saying, Rama?

Let’s go from here.

-Don’t annoy me. Come. -Mom!

DEVARAJULA MAHADEV

Once we moved into the hut after our wedding,

no one from the royal family would come to see us except Raghupati.

Your dad was always experimenting something and was engrossed in it.

One day, Raghupati introduced a stranger to your father.

I saw him.

He followed your dad around helping with all his experiments.

Your dad totally trusted him.

What is that?

A secret.

A secret?

Cheers to your 'secret formula'.

Cheers!

What next?

I want to hand over the Varuna formula to the Indian government.

And experiment cloud seeding at a bigger level.

Everyone should know our country has developed this first.

Dad was always thinking for this dominion and this country, mom.

But he was badly betrayed…

By Rghupati.

Mahadev, everything is ready as planned.

Okay, Joseph. Let’s go through the plan.

There is a forest area 15 kms away.

It takes about four to five minutes to reach there.

Okay!

We will inject the clouds there with the Varuna formula we are carrying on board.

Alright?

The weather seems congenial.

-And the wind is moderate. -Yeah.

There is a possibility of increased speed.

The process will be completed in twenty to twenty-five minutes.

Hmm.

-Don’t take any risk, Joseph. -Hmm.

-Stay safe. -Don’t worry.

See you.

Bye.

Commander! Keep the flight ready.

We’ll take off exactly in two minutes.

Mahadev…

-Mahadev! -Huh?

What happened?

The flight is going in the wrong direction.

Joseph, come in.

Joseph, come in.

Joseph come in.

Joseph, you have deviated from the path.

The plane is going towards right.

We are supposed to go left.

Joseph, respond.

What’s happening there? Is everything alright?

Calm down, Mahadev.

Something went wrong, sir.

The flight is not following the plan.

Yes.

Everything is going as per plan.

The plane will fly to Devathala Gutta now.

Not to the forest.

Joseph has slightly altered your Varuna formula, Mahadev.

Why are you doing this?

I want the cloud seeding formula.

You are not an easy man to get it from.

Why do you want it?

If you are ready to kill so many, I am sure you have wicked plans.

What do you want?

South Pakistan.

I will pull back my country merged with the Indian Union.

To form South Pakistan, I will gift weapons to West Pakistan.

First Hyderabad.

Then Kashmir.

Then we will change this entire country to Pakistan.

Huh?

Give me the formula.

Just give me that bloody cloud seeding formula.

I have developed this for people.

Hmm.

Sit.

Sit!

Look, Mahadev! Think with a cool mind.

Just give me the formula.

Not even at the cost of my life, Azam.

If I kill you, how will I get the formula?

Hmm?

Joseph! Joseph!

Sir?

Five minutes. In just five minutes…

If he doesn’t hand over the formula, begin the process.

Okay, sir!

No, Joseph. Please! Don’t do it.

Sorry, my friend.

Azam Khan… Azam Khan!

Take my life.

Spare my people.

Raghupati!

You are betraying not me but Amaragiri.

Tell him!

Mahadev! You don't seem to understand.

I want to see India turn into ashes.

There is a fair going on at Devathala Gutta.

Your people, your wife and your son... they are all there.

Save them, Mahadev.

Just give me the formula.

Raghupati!

Respect my sister’s love for you.

Don’t deceive her.

I value power more than love.

Don’t kill innocents for the sake of power, Raghupati.

That’s in your hands.

He wants some formula. Why don’t you give it to him?

If they get their hands on it, our country will be destroyed.

If my idea transforms into a weapon, the country will get into trouble.

That shouldn’t happen.

Mahadev!

I must stop this.

-Joseph! -Yes, sir?

Start the process.

Okay, sir.

We will see the final result.

Raghupati…

I want that formula under any circumstances. That’s it.

Hmm.

I will get it.

Huh!

Oh, no!

Gowri!

Gowri! Gowri!

Gowri…

Stay right here.

Greetings, sir.

Take my wife and kid to the other shore.

There is a train due in some time.

-Put them on the train. Okay? -Okay, sir.

Here. Keep this.

Gowri, go to this place in Hyderabad.

There are a few things I must wind up here.

Take care of the baby.

Rama Krishna.

Rama Krishna.

For us,

and for the sake of our son,

don’t come back here until I tell you.

Promise me.

Promise me, Gowri.

Hmm.

Get out of my way, Raghupati.

Deva, tell me where the documents are.

Raghupati!

Step out of my way.

Deva!

If you stay alive, you will be a threat.

I will find the formula papers myself.

Hey, let’s go!

Make it fast.

Deva!

Hey, Deva!

Deva.

Hey, Deva!

Speak!

Hey, Deva!

Deva…

Deva, please, speak.

I committed a sin, lord.

Forgive me.

Gowri, I humiliated your love.

I disrespected Mother Goddess too.

Grandpa!

If my guess is right,

Azam Khan will attack the village with his men tonight.

I am sure they have guns.

What are you planning to do, Rama?

Go to the Ghaf tree that has weapons.

Pandavas hid weapons there eons ago. Now, the Kauravas are hiding them.

Do you know where the tree is?

No idea.

On Rattamma’s arm.

In the form of half moon gash.

Teacher Venkata Ratnam asked me to meet him at the river.

Rattamma and Venkata Ratnam both wanted to tell us the same thing.

The boat.

Veeranna is hiding something in the boat.

Rattamma and the teacher somehow discovered it.

My love!

Huh?

Rattamma! Let’s go.

Let’s go.

Hey, go on.

That’s why he made them lose memory.

Let go!

What do we do now, Rama?

We must organize a fair.

Reorganise the fair that was stopped 25 years ago on Devathala Gutta.

Gowri, light the sacred lamp.

My daughter-in-law will do it, Pashupati.

As you say.

Hmm. Detective Rama Krishna.

Do you recognise me?

After discovering all that you've done, how can I forget you?

When the cop was glorifying you in Hyderabad,

I didn’t consider it much.

But you are cleverer than I thought.

But Rama Krishna, man’s cleverness should have some limits.

Otherwise, along with him, even those around him…

Oh, my baby!

Will land in trouble.

My daughter. Brother, brother…

-I beg you. -Your dad up there knows this better.

Hey!

My baby! Brother…

Let go of her. I beg you.

Let go of me. Let go!

Let go!

Azam Khan, let the girl go.

Sure, I will.

Not just the girl.

I shall spare every single person standing on the hill now.

I only want Mahadev’s cloud seeding documents.

Let go of me. Let go.

Documents, Rama Krishna.

Underneath Mother Goddess's feet...

You can go and search.

Mom!

Joseph! It’s a trap.

Antidote.

What is this, lord?

The chemical that destroyed our village.

When I was little, my father would often talk about a verse from Bhagavadgita.

“Yatha yatha hi dharmasya Glanirbhavati Bharata”

“Abhyuddhanam adharmasya Tadatmanaam srujamyaham”

It means…

Whenever the world is burdened with sin and vice takes over spreading darkness,

God will manifest Himself again and again.

Like how breaking through the darkness spread by these demons

to save our village, Ramayya appeared.

These monsters made a weapon and fell prey to the same.

Whereever Ramayya had lost his sense of smell as a baby,

using as a cosmic weapon at the same place, he marked the end of these monsters.

Their history that melted into the darkness, never saw light again.

Giving the antidote to all our people affected by the chemical,

he sent them to the district hospital.

Uncle!

I can still remember the joy in Chitti’s eyes when she saw her father.

Wars were fought over kingdoms and over religion.

But Ramayya, to free his mother... from Ombrophobia,

waged a war.

He gave his mother courage.

Srisailam project was completed.

River Krishna took into her fold not only Amaragiri, but this story as well.

But to me… this is not a story. It is a journey with my Ramayya.

A great experience in my life.

That’s why I am recording this story in a book.

The title I gave this book is Vikatakavi.

Ramayya is called by the same name in the university.

Vikatakavi denotes Tenali Ramakrishna.

He was not just a great poet.

Like my Ramayya, a detective too.

He stopped a war between the Mughals and Krishna Deva Raya.

That’s why I call this book Vikatakavi.

-Officer! -Huh?

What are you up to?

You were not here. So I was writing a book.

How come you moved to pants from a dhoti?

Oh, that! I resigned from my job.

Huh?

Ah! I want to help you solve cases.

Hmm.

I have been bone-idle with no work.

How can I offer you a job?

Hello?

Detective Rama Krishna?

For you.

Hello?

Hello… Rama Krishna?

Huh.

You must come to Delhi.

Delhi?

Yes. Because you foiled their Amaragiri operation,

ISI is looking for you.

Rama Krishna!

You must come to Delhi immediately.

Hello?

What is it?

We must go to Delhi.

Delhi?