"India.." ""2500 years ago, Buddha took birth to spread the message of peace."" "Ajatshatru reigned in Magadh on the banks of the Ganges." ""To the north was another kingdom, Vaishali."" "Where the people ruled themselves." "What is Vaishali?" "A small kingdom!" "A token army?" "We mustn't underestimate the enemy's powers." "You forget the strength of your own army!" ""Your Highness, our army has fought many wars for 6 years."" "Waging war is a soldier's duty!" "They need rest and preparation." "They only need victory." "All this time we have won." "It will continue in the future!" ""We won Kausambhi, defeated Prasanjit."" "Now it's the turn of Vaishali." ""Your Majesty, wait for awhile."" "We attack Vaishali immediately!" ""His Highness, Ajatshatru.."" ""Queen Mother, bless me."" "To go where storms of blood and fire will rage?" "Man combats those storms and is considered valiant." "Valour that separates mothers from their children is futile." "Are you worrying about the mothers of Vaishali?" "Because you are from Vaishali?" "Don't forget you are the Queen Mother of Magadh!" "Your honour is with us." "Our victory is your victory." "And it is my duty to give my life for both these." "It is also your duty to learn from your father's folly." "Twice he attacked Vaishali and was defeated." "My father's soul will find peace.." "When I turn his defeat to victory!" "It is impossible to defeat Vaishali's army in war." "Because they don't battle to maintain a king's powers." "It fights to protect democracy." "To protect their self-esteem!" " You can't defeat them." " Queen Mother!" "Have you forgotten the prediction?" "Ajatshatru will rule the earth!" "Don't waste time." "Bless me." "A message for the people from the Prime Minister." ""Citizens of Vaishali, you are hereby informed.."" ""Ajatshatru, monarch of Magadh has attacked Vaishali."" " Glory to Mother Kali!" " Glory to Mother Kali!" "Goodness!" "Look at them saunter." "Like brides." "Will you run when the enemy enters your homes?" "Move fast!" ""Sire, these are Som's war apparel and weapons."" "Prepare to see off the soldiers." "Man kills man to protect his principles." ""ln a way, this is a war of virtue. when does one kill?"" "High ideals are like the earth." "Giving life though it's not a mother." "Swallows without teeth." "But time is changing." "Saturn enters Ajatshatru's horoscope" "And descent of the sun." "Forget this balderdash." "The enemy will never enter Vaishali!" " Advance the army." " Advance!" ""Let one party attack from the hillside, the other from the river."" ""Favoured God, don't let Vaishali be dishonoured."" "Bless it with victory." "Our army will be victorious." "You prayed for the country and the army." "Won't you ask God to bless this artist?" "I would if you were merely an artist." "But at this moment you are Shiv incarnate." "I ask of you." "I will give you whatever you ask for" "Gift me Ajatshatru's chopped head!" "Attack!" "Surround them." "They mustn't get away." "Climb down." "You are badly wounded." "Don't worry about me." "Return to the battlefield." " How can I leave you?" " Follow my orders." "My soldiers must not know I am wounded." ""Veer, go." "Immediately."" " Go!" " As you command." ""Sire, mother says, Ajatshatru is horrifying."" "He eats up children without salt or spice." "Will Ajatshatru die if I pray to God to kill him?" "It's not so easy for Ajatshatru to die." "Soldier.." "Soldier.." "Has Vaishali lost?" "No." "Has Ajatshatru lost?" " No." " What do you mean?" "Vaishali won." "Vaishali won!" "Vaishali won!" "Vaishali won!" ""Soldier, you are wounded."" "Come with me.." "We are victorious!" "His Majesty's apparel.." "Maybe His Highness went towards Vaishali." "Send a message to Bhadrasen to obey all his commands." " Goodness!" "This..." " Don't worry." "The piercing of the arrow didn't kill me neither will removing it." "Take it out." "Hold this between your teeth and shut your eyes." "I'll shut my eyes just once." "Wipe your perspiration." "And burn the wound." "Soldier..." "What is your name?" " Soldier" " Soldier?" "That's it?" "A soldier's fate is to fight and die anonymously." "You didn't tell me your name." ""l am Amrapali, the disciple of Kulpati Mahanaam"" " Beautiful." " May I say something?" "You are very brave." "May I also say something?" "You are beautiful." "I haven't lost!" "I will win." "Positively." "Get back immediately." "What are you doing?" "Got the fodder?" "Feed the cow and listen.." "Wake him up." "He's still sleeping." "Sleeping as if he's home." "Wake up." "The sun has risen." "Ask the slave to sing." " Goodness me!" " What's wrong?" " He's calling you a slave." " What does he want?" "Sing a song." "He'll wake up tossing to a classical tune." ""Commander-in-chief, thy slave sings the Milky Tune."" " Like the tune?" " I'll sentence you to death!" "As if he's a monarch!" "Soldier rising up the ranks!" "Let me see how you'll hang me" ""Forgive me, for my thoughts were clouded with sleep."" "I don't know what I said." ""Even in the night, you mumbled, Mother, I haven't lost." "I'll win."" ""Tell me, if Vaishali won, to whom did you lose?"" "To whom did I lose?" "I won't tell you." " Come on!" " Where?" "Long live Mother Vaishali!" "That's him." "You'll die if he gets away." "You may go." "Good day Your Highness." "What do you mean?" "Accept my greetings." "I've arranged for you to live in Chetak woods outside the city." " When will the ministers meet?" " After the celebrations." "Push the proposal to reduce the military." "Assure the others that such a large army isn't needed." " As you command." " Turn them to song and dance." "Drown every man in wine." " And then.." " Magadh will attack." "Definitely." "Soldier..." "What do I get for saving you from Ajatshatru?" "I thought I'd have to wait for another war to meet you." "It's not necessary that I'll be wounded next time too." "No." "How is the wound?" "You did burn it but it hasn't healed." " How are you?" " Your life was at risk." ""You tell me, how was the war"" "Not too good." "I couldn't get you Ajatshatru's head." "I won't talk to you." "Doesn't matter." "I'm happy my teacher's son is safe." "What's the matter?" " Let's go home." " No..." "Message from the Prime Minister to the people." "The Prime Minister will address the people in Vaishali Public Hall" "Vaishali's new royal dancer too will be chosen tonight." "Suppose I am chosen..?" "First my doll has to dance." "Glory to Lady Chandrasena!" "Glory to Prime Minister!" "Glory to Vaishali!" "Brothers and friends..." "I congratulate you on our victory." "I also request you not to consider this a victory." "Today you celebrate that... we won and our enemy lost." "True victory is when man burns the hatred in his heart.." "...not consigning the enemy's effigy to flames." "Real victory will come when every arrogant monarch gives up the sword" "And like Siddharth sets out to win the heart of mankind." "Let us pledge as we celebrate our victory.." "we shall use the powers we have only for human welfare." "We won't rest in peace till.." "...war is erased from the world." "Glory to Vaishali!" "Let the festivities begin." "That's not right." "The speed isn't right." """ " But she's doing it wrong!" " Calm down, lady."" "Tradition is that only the teacher can find fault." "And then prove it." "If another person can't find the mistake.." "he shall be punished." "Either this lady must prove the error or she be punished!" ""Lady, you must prove the error."" "Play the tune." "Exquisite." "That was exquisite." ""Lady, come forth and face the citizens."" "Your teacher..?" "Your name?" " Your mother?" " Vaishali is my mother." " Father?" " Vaishali." " Glory to Vaishali!" "Vaishali is blessed with citizens like yourself." ""For the next 3 years, the talented artists of Vaishali.."" "..have chosen citizen Amrapali as the royal dancer." "Hail Royal dancer Amrapali!" "Don't worry..this is what I hear for so many days." "Nobody can harm His Highness as long as Bhadrasen is around." "Don't try to reassure me." "How can I forget..?" "He's in enemy territory." "His life is in danger." ""But what's the reason, why is he staying back?"" " What's in his heart?" " That he doesn't tell." "Now what can it be?" ""Queen Mother, an emperor has suffered a massive defeat."" "He possibly wants to understand why he lost." "I hope this defeat turns to a pure victory." "Hope a worthy truth awakens his consciousness." "Hope somebody shows him the lamp of love." "The entire city showered flowers on you." "What's special about this one flower that you love it so?" "My life is in that flower." "Flowers wither away." "So do memories." " Not love." " Then why hasn't he come?" "He will surely come." "To see my first dance." "Love finds excuses to dress up." "But can't make its' own excuse." "The one who hasn't come as yet won't come today either." "He will come." "What do you mean?" "Vaishali could not have won without the miraculous weapons." " Miraculous weapons?" " Yes." "They were used in this war." " I know that." " They're searching for the art... that will rain fire and stone." "Then the handful army will ruin all." "Where are these weapons made?" "There's a secret spot in the Prime Minister's palace." " Possibly there." " Possibly here or there!" "Never once did you say this is how it is!" "This information is for sure!" "The Prime Minister will come to watch Amrapali dance tonight." " Is that right?" " Positively." "Where are you lost?" "In the shade of the blue skies... day and night embrace each other" "My heart takes wing" "I am lost" "In the shade of the blue sky.." "Day and night embrace each other" "My heart soars like a bird" "I am preoccupied" ""The blossoming of a bud brings the whiff of my beloved"" "A shiver runs down my spine" ""The river of memories rises in spate"" "I flow with its' tides" "The heart takes flight" "Taking my attention" ""The brilliance of dawn says Something special is coming"" ""His sight will bring succor to my thirsting eyes"" "When leaves rustle in the wind.." ""With a start, my eyes scour the path"" "Soldier..." ""Sire, he's the soldier who chased Ajatshatru till the banks of Ganga."" "He also saved me from the burning effigy of Ajatshatru." ""ls that so?" "Brave soldier, come here."" "Sit beside me." "Leave your weapons here." "Sit beside me." "May fame be yours." ""Soldier, meet me in the school of war after 2 hours."" ""As you order, sire."" "Why did you have to create a scene to see your beloved?" "What does this mean?" "Picking up a fight!" "What do you think you are?" " What do you think I am?" " A little boy!" " Really?" " Want to know how I'd treat him?" "Like this!" "Has the wound healed?" "How do you feel when you wound somebody?" "I don't know." "I just attack." "Who survives and who dies.." "Who thinks of that?" "The sword and the arrow do not carry any names." "But the one who inflicts wounds does have a name." "You too must have a name." "Tell me." "What good is a name?" "I have many names." "Some get caught in a bond of love." "While another drowns in some depths finding some secrets." "One tells every corpse when it wanders on the battlefield.." ""Mind you, my war hasn't ended."" "Someday if all my egos return.." "My body won't fit in any palace of Vaishali." "But it will fit in my heart." "Soldier..." " You?" " You're risking your life." "Don't go there." "I think they suspect you." "Their doubts will be confirmed if I don't go." " Don't worry." " As you command." ""Salutations, oh sire."" ""Come in, soldier." "We were waiting for you."" ""A few moments ago, I realised you are quite useful."" "Absolutely the same." "Have you seen Ajatshatru?" """ " Yes, sire." " And yourself too?"" " Yes." " what did you see?" "I hear Ajatshatru is not in Magadh." "If you are taken prisoner in the war school of Vaishali..." "What will Magadh feel?" "Vaishali won't be felicitated for imprisoning an unarmed man." "But it is politics." "You didn't understand the significance of my statement." "We can use that form of yours that resembles Ajatshatru." "Use your face...?" "For what?" "What..?" "That's what we need to find out first of all." "What does the Prime Minister have in mind?" "We can find out from his special advisers." "And that's no easy task." "That will take time." "So I have one request." "Don't meet anyone till then." "Not even me." "I will somehow keep you informed." ""For God's sake, don't meet Amrapali"" "You are right." "It will be done." "I won't meet anyone." "Not even Amrapali." ""I'll be thinking of you all through the night"" ""You have stolen the sleep from my eyes"" ""I'll be thinking of you all through the night"" ""You have stolen the sleep from my eyes"" "Thinking of you.." ""My heart has settled in an unknown city"" ""My heart has settled in an unknown city"" ""lt looks for something lost in the alien path"" ""Poor me feels afraid in this lavish palace"" ""Pull me out of this pyre of separation"" ""Pull me out of this pyre of separation"" ""lnvite me in your dreams if you can't come here"" "Don't torment me" "My love is inexperienced" "Take care.." "Gently.." "Put it down." "Where were you all these days?" "I'm so mad with you." "Will you hear what I have to say to you?" "Hearing and speaking out of question." "Don't shut your eyes." "Here.." "No." "What is it I can't see?" "How long will you stand in front of me?" "I'm getting tired." "One Amrapali stands before another." "Both made of stone." "Divine." "Is this a dream?" "It's the fulfillment of a dream." "I dreamed of a beauty with open eyes." "From the time I first chiseled stone.." "to witnessing the end of a horrifying war.." "The dream was with me." "I was separated from my dream when this sculpture was completed." "An artist separated from his dream." "And Amrapali was separated from her beauty." "Your beauty is immortal like truth or Lord Shiva." " Make another figure" " One Amrapali is enough." "Amrapali is insignificant compared to the complete man." "The man whom you'll sculpt." "If I could cross your soul to become a stone.." "I don't know what my soldier will turn to under your art." "His face will have the glow of a 100 sons." ""when you see him, you'll say Pali was right."" "You won't realise when the man will reach into your soul." "And the stone sculpture starts breathing." "Why are you worried?" "For your soldier has to be immortalised in stone." " Stop right there." " Who are you?" "Why have you come here?" "To carve your sculpture and make you immortal." "So stone will be the reason and cause for my immortality" """ " Clay?" " No, it will be Amrapali."" "A woman?" "No woman will be the reason for my immortality." "I'll write my name on the white pages of history with my actions." ""l repeat, other than Amrapali there's no way you'll achieve that."" "The coming generation will decide" "Go away." "The decision is in my hands." "I asked you to leave." "Leave my path." "So this is the castle where your body fits." "Keep in mind..." "That's just what I can't do." "A royal dancer remembering a soldier..?" "One who has no name.." "you're playing with fire." "I wouldn't throw caution to the winds and come if I feared fire." "Tormented night and day" "Aching for no reason" ""Beloved, tell me what I'm suffering from"" "Please tell me" "Tormented night and day" "Aching for no reason" ""Beloved, tell me what I'm suffering from"" "Please tell me" ""Without any reason sadness encompasses me"" "Tiring me out" "Every limb starts to ache" "Every limb starts to ache" ""What are these bonds that I can't undo?"" ""Why don't the clouds of despair rain and melt away?"" "Let them melt away" ""Don't despair, Queen Mother."" ""Trust me, His Highness will soon be back."" ""Son, these are false stories."" "I know everything." "I am his mother." "I had but one desire to see him well once." "Just once..." "Don't lose hope." "I swear by your feet..." "I'll soon bring His Majesty back to Magadh." "Permission..." ""What worries you, my son?"" "My hands carved countless idols." ""But for the first time, my hands won't carve this face."" "My mind is confused." "I feel the face was before me right now.." "But it has vanished." ""lnstead of worrying, go and see the face again."" " Want to ask something?" " Today I come to say something." "Without being asked?" ""Before somebody asks me, I personally want to tell..."" "Why do we have a bond?" "What bond do we share?" "Why are we..what will we be?" "I and..." "Tell me.." "I'll come to your chambers tonight to answer these." "You'll find me standing to receive you." "You're so cruel." "The night will dawn after many years." "Your subjects know you are not in Magadh." "Tomorrow the people here will find this truth." "Imagine the risk to your life." "I fear nothing." "Amrapali is a woman" "I hear a great man is under her spell." "That great man doesn't learn lessons from his employee." "But the employee can remind the great man of his principles." "Protecting Magadh is our joint duty." "I'll think of every way to fulfill that duty." "My duty is to worship my master." "And I'll fulfill it." "You are associated with a dancer" "Any moment she'll hand you over to the administration." "Every woman of the world can toy with my life." " But not Amrapali." " That's what you think." "I believe in it!" "Smouldering through my soul like an ember." "Magadh is fortunate that the ember is still hidden." "Or it would have incinerated your kingdom!" "Impossible!" "My Amrapali will love my kingdom as much as.." "I love it or you love it." "Tonight I go to tell her.." "I am Ajatshatru." "Before His Majesty meets the dancer... we must terminate her." " Good Lord!" " What's wrong?" " I forgot Pali's scarf." " Not yourself?" "Get it pronto." "The Queen Mother is no more." " Who is that?" " You." "Is this me?" "These ornaments..and attire.." "How ugly I look!" "What will he think when he sees me?" "You are more beautiful than the fairies in Lord Indra's court." "I hope he won't return from the gate." "He promised to come by evening." "Go and take a look." "You are not you." "You have no rights over yourself." "Now you belong to him." "Him alone." "Your angel." "The prince of your dreams" ""Lady, somebody to see you."" "You..?" "What an opportune visit!" "Is the statue ready?" ""Pali, this is the moment you face the truth."" "Why are you standing between me and the truth?" """ " But this is.." " Yes, it is him."" ""Do you remember, you said, get me his head."" "What did you ask for and what I have got." "The death of your love." "I couldn't help it." "I can't falsify the truth." "It in nobody's hands." "I take leave forever." "One thing is strange about you artists." "You talk of eternity whatever be the occasion." "What is wrong?" "I wondered why my Amrapali won't talk to me." "I was talking to your idol." "A great artist made you with 5 ingredients" "Another artist carved you out of stone." "I too come to carve an idol." "Of our joint destiny." "Attack me." "Attack me." "Why did you stop?" "You can't attack me not because you're a coward." "But because you love me." "You love me..." "You didn't even hear what I wanted to say." "You didn't even ask what I am..." "From today you are the Queen of Magadh not a dancer." " Go away." " I will." "I won't leave alone." "You'll go with me." "I'll seat you on the throne of Magadh" "That's impossible!" "I'll die but never leave Vaishali!" "You will leave." "For me!" ""l said, I won't go alone." "I'll destroy the universe!"" "The flames of my anger will raze your Vaishali to the ground!" "Raze my Vaishali to the ground?" "No!" "Never!" "Where are you going?" "No!" "I won't go to Magadh without Amrapali." " You will have to go." " My orders are to be obeyed." "I beseech you." "Your presence in Magadh is necessary." "You don't know what has happened in the palace." "What fire has taken place?" "The Queen Mother is no more." "Mother..." "Grant your unfortunate daughter the strength." "Give her support." "Lift her above the dust." ""Help me, oh kind one."" "Good day Your Majesty." "The subjects of Vaishali have lost their ideals." "Our army is ready to attack." "We wait for you." "Waiting for a lost man?" "No." "Waiting for an emperor." "Give the command." "We won't get a better opportunity." "Your armies will destroy the palaces of Vaishali." "Somebody lives in the palace of Vaishali." "Don't advocate war because you are the commander-in-chief." "An emperor is also human." "He can have desires in his heart." "Today I'm no emperor." "Just a man." "A lover." "If you don't act soon your hopes will die." "The palanquin is ready." "Nothing is lost yet." "Give it another thought." "Don't reject God's kindness." "Who am I to reject anything?" "I scaled the peak of honour and wealth.." "I lived in a beautiful palace." "And I was destroyed." "No more can I live here." "I'll die!" ""lf you get permission, let's go back home."" "No." "Now I'll go where I won't remember anyone." "Will you run away from your own self?" " Who are you?" " I'm Ajatshatru's messenger." "I don't even know the man whose name you take." "The man you loved with your body and soul.." "No longer is he in your memories?" "Not even in my heart." "Because he was in your heart." "Have you come with a message or to trap me with your words?" "I come to beg for the emperor's happiness." "He looks like he's dead." "He looks alive only because his pyre hasn't been lit." "My country and the king can benefit only.." "if you become queen of Magadh." ""ln other words, I turn traitor and betray my nation"" "You are knowledgeable." "What do you think..?" "Is Vaishali a barren land that can be exchanged for love?" "No!" "My Vaishali is a civilisation." ""Part of my culture, upbringing."" "Part of my being." "My Queen Mother." "She thinks it is ignoble to conquer land and beings." "Can I have an alliance for life and death with her murderer?" "No!" "Never!" "I hate him!" "Is this idol a symbol of the hatred?" "And hatred makes you keep it so close?" "Are these weapons a symbol of that hatred?" "This shouldn't be here." "It'll torment you." "Your peace lies in my taking it away." "Go away!" "You're burning between the fires of love and duty." "How will you live life?" "There's only one way." "Kidnap Amrapali." " Make arrangements." " As you command." "Face the members." "Amrapali wants to give up the post of royal dancer." " But why?" " who can take her place?" "Who else loves her motherland as much?" "I beseech the representatives of the people.." " Accept my plea." " Never!" " I beg you" " We don't accept it." "Why won't you accept her request?" "Don't you agree nobody is more patriotic than her?" "Do you remember Amrapali once said in this meeting..." "Vaishali is her mother." "Vaishali is her father." "The lady who considers loving Vaishali her duty.." "Today the same woman pleads with you" "And you don't want to accept her request." " Why not?" " What troubles her here?" "Why does she want to surrender her post?" "Who surrenders such posts?" "One who has found love and affection from people.." "Wealth and fame.." "Can any patriot be discontent after achieving all these?" "Amrapali is a patriot." ""lf she wants to give up all and leave, there must be a reason."" " What reason?" " Tell us." "What is the reason?" " Tell us.." " What is wrong?" "Why don't you speak?" "She can't tell because women feel shy." "Our country has this tradition.." "The royal dancer can't marry." "I'm not giving up my post to get married." "Then why?" "The Prime Minister knows.." "All the members are aware" "The brave soldier is your lover." ""Trust me, the reason is not marriage." "I want to leave."" "I have no peace here." "I want to go faraway." ""Friends, she wants to go away."" "There can be nobody more patriotic." "She won't accept the love that takes her away from her duty." "She'll keep burning in the fires of separation." "But she won't get married." "Can you bear her sorrow?" "No." "Don't worry." "Nobody is more patriotic than her." "She won't trouble her countrymen." "We'd like to see you as a bride." "where is your valiant soldier?" "He..he left." "Where did he go?" "We'll bring him back." "Where has he gone?" " Why don't you answer?" " Where is he?" ""Why are you quiet?" "Tell us if you know, where is he?"" "She probably doesn't know." "Doesn't know?" "Who is this?" "The soldier?" "Swear on Vaishali and say have you met him earlier?" "Yes." "The man Amrapali met is the chief of Magadh's army!" ""Yes, Magadh's army."" "The man Amrapali loves is the monarch of Magadh!" "She loves our enemy." "She's a traitor not a patriot!" "No!" "Don't call me a traitor!" "I have done no wrong." ""I'll say this honestly, I have loved him."" "But I haven't betrayed my country!" "I sacrificed my love because of my motherland!" "I even refused to be the Queen of Magadh!" ""Sure, you must have."" "Do you know this sinner met the prisoner this morning?" "And in the evening she wants to leave Vaishali!" "Don't you understand where she wants to go?" "She is a sinner!" "Where is the commander-in-chief?" "Lady Amrapali has been imprisoned." " Crime?" " Love for Ajatshatru." " Sentence?" " Death on the full moon night." "I have come." "Your soldier is here." "Open your eyes." "I am a traitor." "Who says you're a traitor?" "Now you're queen of Magadh and Vaishali." "My queen!" "I destroyed Vaishali that maligned you!" " Destroyed?" " Yes!" " Destroyed Vaishali?" " Yes!" "Recognise all of them." "These were the people who wanted to take Ambe away from me." "Putting up obstacles in our union." "This was to be their end!" "This was the Prime Minister of Vaishali." "He wanted you dead." "Today he is no more." ""Like this, not hands folded."" "Take a good look." "My love has won!" "I won." "You have won." "So much destruction..for me?" "For one woman?" "For a lover." "Our love." ""This is selfishness, not love."" "Lust made you do this." ""No, this was the only way to get to you."" "War." "I waged war for love not for victory." "I did this to get you." "This is a war of virtue." "Virtue doesn't need blood." "Nor are corpses strewn on the earth to express love." "I had to destroy Vaishali!" "They killed Veer." "Tried to burn you alive!" "What else could I do?" "Lived with my memories." "Like I had your memories in my heart." "If you'd loved my memory after I was no more.." "This day wouldn't have dawned." "But now all has ended." "No." "Our life is about to begin." "I'll give you every joy of life." "Because you gave me the best joy." "Love." "Now we'll always be together." "No..no!" "How can I live with the man who widowed many women for one woman?" ""Who snatched sons from mothers, brothers from sisters.."" "Piled corpses in the name of love!" "No...no..." "These are the blood stained hands of a killer not a lover." "A murderer..." "Don't look at me with such hatred." "Hatred..?" "I don't hate anyone." "There's so much hatred around that I want to go far away." "Far..where I can find peace." "Where will you go?" "Where...where..?" "Forgive me."