[Jeep engine revving]
Hail our Village Empowerment Minister Rami Reddy!
[Crowd chanting excitedly]
Wait!
Not here. You should sit there.
How does it matter?
You're older to me, you sit there.
That won't do. You're now a minister and our district-in-charge.
We should show due respect to our minister.
Sit down. Please sit.
Son!
He is Aadhi Narayana Reddy from Penagaluru.
- Greetings. - He is Konda Reddy from Venkatapuram.
Greetings, sir.
- And he is Eswar Reddy from Badvel. - Greetings, sir.
Just because my father converted to Christianity
and got my sister married into a lower caste family
the entire Reddy caste ostracized us.
How are the conditions in our district?
The communists are wreaking havoc.
They are planting their flags in our farms and encroaching them!
They are putting up posters that they will kill
all the Reddy politicians.
They are stopping the labour from working for us.
Every fool in the village is calling himself a Naxalite!
The situation is dire!
Sir, their influence has reduced after Veera Raghavayya’s death.
They operate only in small pockets now.
We are in control, sir.
What the hell are you saying? Have you lost your mind?
Just the other day Veera Raghavayya’s son flung an axe at Boggu Narsimhulu!
They are roaming around freely issuing death threats.
And instead of shooting them down, You are twiddling thumbs doing nothing.
What's the point of being in power, if we can’t eliminate our enemies?
Take that uniform off and wear a saree.
Give us the names which are on their hit list and we will provide protection.
Who needs your protection?
Do you think we don't have men to protect us?
Calm down. Sit.
Look, Rami Reddy, you have a great future ahead.
If you want the support of the entire Reddy community
you must ensure the police is doing their duty properly.
Or else we will take care of those bastards ourselves.
[Chair crashes to the floor]
Poor Man's Army is banned by the government, right?
Yes, sir.
Then what's stopping you?
[Intense dramatic music playing]
[Cell door creaks open]
[Man grunts]
Sign this.
[THREATENING] Sign this!
Can you please read it out for me?
Why? Can't you read?
[Sad, emotional music Playing]
On the 3rd of December 1973,
we were introduced to the Poor Man's Army, a banned organisation.
Sign!
All my family members, including father, brother, sisters and mother,
are important part of that organization.
This is false, sir.
Just sign it, you fool!
[Man groans in pain]
Sign it, idiot.
[Man coughs]
Let me read, sir.
Our family was personally responsible
for the deaths of seven people from Reddy community.
[Emotional music swells]
I don't even have a grudge against my father's murderer.
I don't hate any caste.
I'm living for my family.
I'm earning a living by farming.
Please let me go.
please let me go, sir.
Maybe you're making an honest living by farming.
What about your brother?
I don't know where he is.
I have no connection whatsoever with him.
Then sign this.
We'll bring him out of his hiding.
Sir!
Sign it!
Do it!
Sign! Sign it!
I have to get my sisters married.
I'm living only for them.
I won't sign this.
I won't sign.
There is no point in filing a case here. Let's go home.
- Hey! - Sir!
What do you need?
Someone stole our sheep, sir.
'Are you humans or demons? What did these girls do to you?'
Let them go! No! Their reputation will be spoiled!
Don't you have sisters at home?
You'll pay for your sins!
What did they do?
They stole sheep.
Whose sheep? Who stole them?
You bloody old hag!
You talk too much!
Go complain to whoever you want to!
[Woman wailing]
[Jeep engine starts]
Mom! Mom!
[Woman wailing]
[Jeep engine revs]
Go to the police station with our lawyer, Mom.
We'll secretly surround the station.
He better accept the bail and release my brother and sisters.
Or I'll make him pay!
[Melancholic music plays]
Let's go, Mom.
Mr. Lawyer, get them released at any cost.
I'm worried for my brother and sisters.
That inspector will go to any extreme to catch us.
Don't tell anybody that we met.
You be careful, son. Take care.
Mom, please don't worry. Don't panic.
[Bus approaching]
[Tense, suspenseful music builds]
Brother,
there are Police in the bus.
[Gunshot]
[Intense gunfire] [Screams] [Thuds]
Mom!
[Loud explosion]
[Woman gasping]
[Tense, pulsing music]
[Gunshot]
[Rapid gunfire]
[Gunshot]
You stay here, mom. I'll just be back.
Where are you going, Satthi?
Satthi! Son, Satthi!
[Gunshots]
[Tense score builds dramatically]
[Gunshot]
[Rapid gunfire]
[Loud explosion]
[Mournful male vocalizing]
[Woman crying loudly]
Hey Lawyer!
Oh no, Sathi!
Bail is accepted.
[Mournful vocalizing continues]
Satthi?
- Brother! - Brother!
[Uncontrollable wailing]
♪ In the ocean’s serene womb, ♪
♪ how many blazing infernos lie hidden? ♪
♪ In the blackened sky, ♪
♪ how many suns lie hidden behind drifting clouds? ♪
♪ In the ocean’s serene womb, ♪
♪ how many blazing infernos lie hidden? ♪
♪ In the blackened sky, ♪
♪ how many suns lie hidden behind drifting clouds? ♪
♪ In the ocean’s serene womb, ♪
♪ how many blazing infernos lie hidden? ♪
♪ For Earth to be born, how many celestial flames have fallen? ♪
♪ For this human form to rise, how many ages of evolution have passed? ♪
♪ To crown a single king, how many heads have bowed in sacrifice? ♪
♪ Into the mazes of caste and creed, how many pure souls were left behind? ♪
♪ In the ocean’s serene womb, ♪
♪ how many blazing infernos lie hidden? ♪
♪ For mankind’s rise, how much blood was staked in silent hope? ♪
♪ In the death-dance of war, how many tender lives were claimed? ♪
♪ In eyes torn by womb-born grief, sorrow lingers, deep and raw. ♪
♪ To the depravity of the wealthy, how many lives have been burnt to ash? ♪
♪ In the ocean’s serene womb, ♪
♪ how many blazing infernos lie hidden? ♪
♪ A world without hunger, without orphans—how far lies that eternal dawn? ♪
♪ When will the world be free of famine and drought? ♪
♪ In the dreams behind a sleeping infant’s eyes, what vast futures are sealed? ♪
♪And in the hearts of wounded poets...♪
♪ And in the hearts of wounded poets, how many verses remain unsung.. ♪
[Flames crackle as the pyre burns] [Unbearable wailing in the background]
[Sharp musical sting]
[Powerful drum beat]
♪ An eternal war sought our blood. ♪
♪ Each day, we strive toward the light of truth. ♪
♪ When shackles break, we rise as one, To strike the dark that dares to rise. ♪
♪ Come forth. ♪
[Instrumental music]
♪ Brother.. O brother.. ♪
What's this, Reddy?
Being a district-in-charge doesn't mean you can
order encounters on behalf of your caste.
COMRADE SATISH DIES IN A POLICE ENCOUNTER
He's a Naxalite. A menace to the society.
To which society?
Your Reddy community?
He belongs to a banned rebel group!
Should they be running the government instead of us?
The landlords are running the government. Not us.
That’s why those communists are out in the forests,
armed and fighting for their rights!
He was not killed because he was fighting for the poor.
He was going around the village committing murders.
The real murderers are the people from your caste.
We witnessed how Satish’s father was murdered
just because he opposed the corrupt landlords!
Did you forget that?
The police filed a false case on their family!
Now tell me.
Who is a menace to the society?
Any person who defies the law and chooses violence is a menace the society!
It's funny that you are talking about the law and the violence, Reddy!
In that case, they should start encounters with your family!
Sit down, Naidu.
You see this as a fight between landlords and the peasants.
But I am seeing it as a fight between two castes for dominance.
You will sympathize with your caste.
I will sympathize with my caste.
So this has nothing to do with justice?
Look at what’s happening in Bejawada!
You'll see oppressed people suffering under your caste's domination!
Why don’t you go preach about justice to them?
Nonsense! This is about justice. Why are you bringing up caste?
I'm not talking about caste, Naidu!
We are like frogs living in the quagmire of caste.
We may change our religion but..
We still call ourselves Robert Reddy, Richard Naidu, and Thomas Choudhary!
We were born in this quagmire, we grew up here, and we'll die here!
So caste is paramount to you?
Let me do my job as the district-in-charge, Naidu.
I didn't think you would get stuck in this -
quagmire of caste so soon, Reddy.
You too were born and grew up in the same quagmire, Naidu.
All the people from your caste voted for you.
Why?
So that you can represent them.
It's your duty to represent your people and it's my duty to represent mine.
If you can't accept the truth, you'll have no future in politics!
This caste issue shouldn't destroy our friendship, Naidu.
Let it go.
You wanted to discuss Chittoor District municipal election strategy, right?
Let's talk.
That's my district! I'll handle it.
Sir, today's schedule!
You attend high tea with secretariat employees at 11:30 AM.
Lunch at 1:30 PM.
Rest from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
India-Pakistan cricket match is going on.
I will arrange a TV if you like to watch.
I am not interested.
Civil contractors arranged a felicitation program for you
at 4:30 PM at Ravindra Bharati.
And then at 7:00 PM, you have a dinner party
at the Governor's house for the new council of ministers.
It’s been six months since I swore in as minister.
Why are we still doing parties and dinners?
Sir, you are a young and smart looking minister.
That's why you are this busy.
The rest of them have nothing to do with their time.
Take a seat.
There are more than 20,000 villages in our state.
It’s 21,843, sir.
More than half of them don't have electricity or roads.
That means farmers are still watering their crops with buckets!
That's correct, sir.
I don't understand.
Did you become an IAS to gather statistics? Or to solve problems?
Sorry, Sir!
Miss Sudha,
I knew I wouldn't have enough power as an MLA
so I used every trick in the book to become a minster.
I didn't do it for felicitations and tea parties.
Sir, the welfare initiatives announced decades ago
are yet to see the light of the day.
No one bothers about them. And you're talking about new initiatives.
No matter how hard you try,
nothing in the government will move forward.
Whom should I woo to move things along?
For that, we need to get funds from the finance ministry.
And that portfolio is with the Chief Minister.
[Dramatic sting]
What’s with all these expenses?
Those were from our madam’s visit from Delhi
for transporting people to the meetings,
meeting venues, facilities, security, and for...
We could pave the roads in the entire district with this money.
The people haven't yet given us the confidence
that they will vote for us if we pave the roads.
Didn't the court disqualify her for misusing public money like this?
Yes, sir. But the people elected her once again
Chanting the slogan "Ira is India, India is Ira."
[Dramatic sting]
The judge who disqualified her back then Is permanently “disqualified” now.
But not many people know about this.
Whatever..
What happened to the proposal I sent to the CM
about installing new TV and radio towers?
[Forced laugh]
[Phone ringing]
Look, your development proposals were excellent!
But development is not my top priority at this moment.
I must safeguard my position.
You know how it is, right?
If a lower caste member gets into a powerful position,
People from the higher castes always try to bring him down.
Currently, I'm fighting that battle.
If I help our party in winning the upcoming
municipal elections with huge majority
that witch has promised to give me a free hand in governance.
I will approve your plans then.
Alright?
Hang up and get on with the job.
You're invited as a chief guest
to the 'Kondarayudu' film silver jubilee celebrations.
Should I confirm it?
Actress Anu Harika will be attending as well, sir.
[Phone ringing]
Hello?
I know you don't need help with your district strategy.
But I need help with my district strategy.
Come help me.
I'm going to RCR's event.
If you write a speech praising him
I will come help you.
I will write the speech even if you don't help me.
I am his ardent fan, after all.
If you want to understand culture and tradition of a race,
You just need to observe their stories and art forms.
Cinema is the art that combines both stories and art forms.
Here’s someone who brought glory to our Cinema.
Our RCR!
[Crowd cheering wildly]
Our RCR is the undeniable King of the silver screen
be it in the past, present, or the future!
[Upbeat, triumphant music] [Crowd cheering]
Favorite star of Andhra
Crown jewel of Telugu cinema
Our matinee idol!
Our RCR!
[Crowd cheering and chanting] RCR Zindabad!
When he dons the role of Lord Ram on the screen
we all swoon with devotion.
We jump with joy when he smiles and our hearts melt when he cries.
We all feel the love when he romances on the screen
and our blood boils when he fights injustice.
RCR! RCR! RCR! RCR!
Our homes may or may not have photos of Gods
but you will definitely find RCR's photo!
[Audience applauding and cheering]
To be honest, we're fortunate that he did not enter politics.
Or we would have lost all our deposits!
Mr. Rao, he's from our caste.
Coming to this film's success celebration
and speaking on this stage
Is my dream come true.
Our film industry showcases RCR's endless talent.
As the minister responsible for this industry,
I will do all I can to move it from Madras to Telugu capital, Hyderabad.
Thank you!
[Uplifting, grand music builds]
[Crowd erupts in chants and cheers] RCR! RCR! RCR! RCR! RCR!
[Crowd cheering and chanting “RCR!” repeatedly]
- Excellent speech, brother! - Thank you, sir.
Raja Rao just told me that you're “one of us”.
You must come to my house for dinner tomorrow!
Sure sir, thank you.
He's my friend, Rami Reddy.
- He's the Minister of Rural Development. - Hello sir.
– He’s a big fan of yours! – That’s right, sir.
He's the one who wrote this speech, sir.
- Do join us for the dinner. - Sure, sir.
- Let's go, Sir. - Move.
[Upbeat, triumphant music] [Crowd cheering]
Thank you!
RCR! RCR! -Move.. Move..
Just as you predicted, we both met on the same stage.
Congrats!
Just like me, you achieved what you wanted.
I did not use your methods.
We'll see.
We'll be meeting very often.
Enjoy the dinner for now.
She's my better half, Bhavani.
- Greetings! - Greetings!
They are all my children.
Greetings!
We should have started the vasectomy drive with him.
Children are God's gift, brother!
Who are we to refuse?
[Laughter]
Sorry about that.
Great people like you can have as many children as you want.
[Laughter]
Mr. Reddy has a good sense of humor!
And he is Eshwari's husband, Valluri Chalapati Rao.
He is a vasectomy enthusiast like you.
I mean he's a doctor too!
[Laugh]
Please sit.
Serve food.
May I have one more?
[Anklets chime softly]
No please, I don't eat sweets.
I can’t possibly finish all this.
Try it, brother.
Young men should have good appetite.
Even at this age, I can finish an entire chicken for breakfast.
Your generation is made of stronger stuff, sir.
She is your second daughter, isn't she?
Yes.
What does her husband do?
She's not married yet.
We are looking for a good match.
I see.
How is your life under the Queen Bee’s dictatorship?
What can we do, sir?
It's very unfortunate!
No opposition party can stand up to her either in the state or in the country.
That's why the whole country is
still living under aristocracy even after Britishers left.
It's not that there's no opposition, brother.
She's getting rid of all the opposition.
She is fooling innocent voters by scheming and plotting,
ruing over us like a dictator.
More than your acting, I'm a big fan of your candidness.
You must be a fan of TNR then?
I meant...
I hope you don’t drink and smoke
like the drunkard character he plays in his movies?
No.. no.
No, he doesn't even drink tea or coffee.
He belongs to an honest farmer's family.
He completed education with a scholarship
and came up in life with sheer hard work.
Also, he's from your caste.
Tell us if you know of a good marriage alliance for him.
We'll get him married.
- Rameshwari. - Dad!
Get the desserts ready.
Ok, dad.
Bhavani, serve the food.
As if finding a bride for you wasn't enough
I'm also teaching how to wear a dhoti!
I'll use your father-in-law for the election campaign
I have as much right as you do.
You have all the rights as his diehard fan, Reddy!
'May I speak to Krishna in private for a minute?'
What are you guys doing there? Go!
This is a love letter I wrote to you in college.
It's your wedding gift.
Our heart’s desires are often trampled by what the destiny decides for us.
I grew up giving dance performances in the streets
Life taught me this hard lesson at a very young age.
Why are you giving this to me now?
Love is not pleasure for people like me. It’s punishment.
I'm giving this to you because you are part of that punishment.
Now it's just your punishment.
I've suffered enough for all these years.
[Dramatic music swells]
[Chanting mantras]
Welcome!
Happy that you are here!
Our Karnataka, Andhra bond should continue forever like this.
- Most certainly, brother. - Please come.
Hello!
- Welcome! - Hearty Congratulations!
Krishna is a great catch!
You will get all kinds of subsidies and plot for the studio.
Now that your son-in-law is a politician
it's like you're entering politics too!
Fine!
Greetings!
- Please come... - It's fine...
Babu Rao.
Looks like your caste is getting stronger by making alliances.
Enough about me. Look over there.
That clown!
While two dogs fight over a bone a third one runs away with it.
Let’s take care of him first.
Don't worry. It will be sorted in just four months. Right, Jagga?
If all of us gang up in the upcoming local body election
we'll have a new chief minister!
Play the wedding drumrolls.
[Chanting mantras]
[Ceremonial wedding instruments playing]
All of you are seasoned politicians from upper castes.
You have loyal support in your districts.
Without your guidance, support and blessings
I won't be able to win even a single seat.
Even if you have our guidance, support and blessings
the real kingmaker is this guy.
I'm sure you know.
I thought I would serve my term without taking any bribe.
But I had to allot the Srisailam project to these guys to get election funds.
You guys figure out your share
among yourselves.
That's the reason we took the bribes too.
What did the party accomplish by replacing us with you!
[MLAs laughing]
Please.
Please help me win the elections with huge majority.
I'll convince madam, and get some work done before my term ends.
This is going to be our life even if we become the CM.
We voted for you last time because you promised to build roads.
Now you're bribing us with 2,000 rupees for our 800 votes.
Why should we even vote for you?
[Suspenseful sting]
Who else will you vote for?
Maranna, I heard all your caste people are planning to vote.
[Man laughing]
Why does your useless caste want to vote anyway?
You were born in the low-caste quagmire. You'll stay there.
You can’t crawl out of it no matter what. You'll only sink further.
Who will you vote for this time?
- Who else sir, your party! - Your party, sir.
No. Vote for independent candidates this time.
You’ll get diddly squat if you vote for independent candidates.
There's no way you're going to vote. And if you do, we will make you pay.
So, keep quiet.
[Coins clatter onto the floor]
Take this money and stay home.
They won't get even 2 rupees per vote.
We should give them at least these 2,000 rupees, sir.
Let there be a record that we gave them something!
Why waste the 2,000 rupees?
What if they end up voting for us?
Just do as I say!
[Dramatic, intense music]
INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES SWEPT THE LOCATION ELECTIONS
'Indian Democratic Party faced humiliating defeat'
'in Andhra Pradesh local elections.'
'In an unexpected result, the independent candidates’
‘ended up winning in majority of the seats’.
'Except for Chittoor and Kadapa districts,
'IDP candidates everywhere else faced humiliating defeat, losing their deposits.'
'The local leaders are blaming it on Kannayya's incompetent rulership.'
'Some others feel that internal clashes in the party led to this.'
'Mrs. Iravati Basu and her second son Rajesh Basu'
'are set to arrive at Tirupati to visit the Tirumala temple.'
Everyone is eagerly waiting to see how she responds to this loss.
'Chief Minister Kannayya arranged some'
'cultural events for their grand welcome to the state. '
[Wheels screech as plane lands]
[A soulful Banjara folk song]
Greetings, madam.
These results aren't my mistake.
The party leaders conspired against me.
They took party’s money but made sure nobody voted for us, madam.
Sir, at least you tell her. I just...
Get lost, you buffoon!
And stop this ridiculous show!
Sir, Are you okay?
Let me help...
[Car engine starts]
[Melancholic music plays]
KANNAYYA STRIPPED OF HIS DIGNITY
The growing disappointment in the state regarding Delhi's rule
has reached its peak with this incident.
This is the right moment.
People are looking for an alternative.
Babu Rao has the most political experience among us.
If we win, I'll be the first ever CM from our caste.
You'll have 100% media and financial support from me.
All we need is a glamorous film personality that can stir up people..
Somebody like you!
We just need you to campaign for us for three months.
Disgusting!
Despicable!
It was an utter humiliation for every Telugu person born in our state.
[Dramatic, tense music begins]
She changed 4 chief ministers in 4 years!
[Tense music continues]
She is treating our chief ministers like British Queen treats her viceroys.
Is this the freedom we fought for?
For the sake of power,
Our leaders pawned away the self-respect of our Telugu land.
and the dignity of our Telugu people
to that merciless dictator!
Those spineless low lives!!
[Dramatic music swells]
Do we not have a single leader in our state
who can crush her hubris?
[Dramatic music ends]
All you have to do is join our campaign.
We will surely win in the upcoming elections.