Chhaava (2025) Movie Script
While people in other parts
of the world fought for their survival,
in India,
a mighty civilization was being forged.
A place where people
of all faiths lived like one family.
But this temple soon fell victim
to aggressive invasions.
In the 16th century,
after winning the battle of Panipat,
the Mughal Empire's flag soared
high over the throne of Delhi.
In those dark times, countless rulers
and kingdoms fought for survival.
For the next century, no one in India
could bring down the might
of the Mughal Empire.
In the 17th century,
the most powerful, ruthless,
and merciless Mughal Emperor,
Aurangzeb, sat on the throne,
imposing unimaginable tyranny.
But whenever terror
and cruelty rise on earth,
a great soul is born to protect it.
And that fated moment dawned,
when the very essence
of Goddess Bhavani and Lord Shiva
was born from the womb of Mother Jijau,
within the family of Shahajiraje Bhonsle.
Har Har Mahadev!
The one to protect this land
from the atrocities of Aurang,
the one who ignited the flame of Swarajya
and founded the Maratha Empire,
was none other than
the great hero of this land
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!
His fight was never against any religion.
His struggle
was against oppression and tyranny.
Fearing his growing power,
Aurang launched numerous
attacks on Swarajya,
but every time, he was defeated.
Swarajya!
If anyone on this earth could challenge
Aurangzeb and his merciless empire,
it was the lion of the Deccan,
the brave, the valiant
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
RED FORFrom Bengal,
Shaista Khan sends a royal gift, my Lord.
In the war in Tibet, the Mughals
have emerged victorious, Your Majesty.
-Wonderful!
-Amazing!
-Superb!
-Wonderful!
-Amazing!
-Superb!
May the Lord's greatness
continue to ascend!
We have received urgent news
from the Deccan, Your Majesty.
The Shiva of the Deccan,
the Chhatrapati of the Marathas,
has passed on to the afterlife!
-Glory be to Allah!
-Glory be to Allah!
-Glory be to Allah!
-Glory be to Allah!
Upon hearing this,
I can already imagine the Mughal flag
soaring over Hindustan!
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
With Shivaji's demise,
the Deccan will inevitably fall
under our empire's control!
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
While imprisoned in Agra,
he managed to escape
both death and Your Majesty's grasp.
Since then,
we have failed to conquer the Deccan.
At last,
Your Majesty's only unfulfilled
dream has been realized today.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
My eager ears still long for good news,
yet none comes, even today.
A foe like Siva
comes once in a lifetime.
Oh, Allah, this grievance with You
shall linger in my heart forever!
Keep the gates of heaven wide open
the lion is coming!
Celebrate!
Make the poor people rich!
Celebrate the fall of the Maratha Empire!
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
BURHANPUR
JANUARY 1681
Sire Khan Zamaan,
the taxes collected from the non-Muslims
are quickly filling the treasury!
-Wow!
-That's amazing!
Since Shivaji's death, people,
gripped by fear for their lives,
are willingly offering us their wealth!
Glory be to Allah!
Glory be to Allah!
Glory be to Allah!
That's why I'm getting a massage, Kakkad!
My bones are stiff
from a lack of movement!
Unfortunately,
there's been no battle
or pillaging lately.
May God keep your strong body fit
and healthy, Sire!
Burhanpur is like a gold mine, Sire!
It is the lifeline of the Mughal Empire.
You never know when you might have
to defend it from someone's prying eyes!
Who would dare attack us?
The Rajputs are busy guarding
their own empire!
And the Marathas
have been left without a leader.
My advice is to sip some
kahwah and stay alert.
For death's summons
and uninvited guests
always arrive without a warning!
Sire!
Mar Mar
What are you saying?
The Maratha army is fast approaching!
Close the gates!
Be on guard!
The Marathas are here!
Charge!
Charge!
Let them come!
We will turn the Burhanpur border
into their tomb!
Indeed, Sire!
Not a single Maratha
will be able to set foot inside!
Sire!
The Maratha army has breached Burhanpur!
Har Har Mahadev!
Har Har Mahadev!
What are you waiting for?
Har Har Mahadev!
Har Har Mahadev!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Mother!
Mother!
My son!
Someone save him!
My son!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Raje!
Shields!
Khan Zamaan,
tell your master
the lion may have fallen,
but his chhaava
still prowls these forests!
We will tear the Mughal Empire apart
if it dares challenge the Marathas!
We make no noise!
We swiftly hunt our prey down!
-Hail Goddess
-Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Fasten it well, Dhanaji!
It's bleeding heavily!
Uncle Yesaji, let it bleed a bit.
Every drop of blood spilled
for Swarajya sanctifies this Mughal land!
Well said!
Secure, seal, and send the treasure
to Raigad, Santa.
Understood, Father.
But hauling all the treasure
will be a challenge.
The hunger isn't for the treasure,
but for defeating the enemy, Santa.
Aurangzeb should only see
the ruins of Burhanpur!
As you wish!
-Anta?
-Yes?
What's happening?
Why is our Crown Prince's favorite
Kavi Kalash dining alone here?
A poet's heart is a friend to all
He embraces blooms, birds
And nature's call
He welcomes all with love to share
He's not the selfish kind
Who just decorates the air
Amazing!
How can anyone leave such
a person alone?
I'm a man from the Mughal lands
living among the Marathas.
Tell me, Antaji,
why would anyone want to share
a meal with me?
You have a point.
Does this not make you sad?
If the Lord is pleased
There is neither shame nor fear
After all, this Kavi Kalash's friend
Is Sambhaji Shivraj!
Well said!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Yes, Shambhu?
Abasahib!
When will this smoke clear, Abasahib?
As long as the flame
of Swarajya burns bright,
this smoke shall rise, Shambhu!
Crown Prince.
Uncle Hambir, please call me Shambhu.
My ears yearn to hear "Shambhu."
I see your father's image in you,
perhaps, that's why I hesitate.
And I get the strength of Abasahib
and Aaisahib's blessings from you!
Even when I face a thousand enemies,
I know your eyes
are always watching over me!
I am
not as great as
you make me out to be, Shambhu.
All I know is that every drop
in these veins
is ready to be sacrificed for you!
Uncle!
Let's go.
Everyone is waiting for you.
This is not just a victory,
it is a roar
that will reach Aurang's ears
and proclaim that
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
is still alive!
This is not the end of the Marathas,
but the beginning
of the Mughals' downfall.
We will march forward in this battle,
honoring all religions,
for this war is not against
a particular sect.
This war is to establish Swarajya,
a land where people
of all faiths can live in peace.
A nation where everyone can walk
with their heads held high, like kings.
And if Aurang or devils like him
dare to challenge
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Swarajya,
then I swear by Goddess Jagdamba,
we shall erupt like a volcano
and turn them to dust!
We will crush every challenge,
shatter every conspiracy,
and we will not stop until
Abasahib's vision is fulfilled!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Har Har Mahadev!
Har Har Mahadev!
RAIGAD
The royal throne is being prepared
for the other Chhatrapati, Annaji.
I heard that the Crown Prince
left Burhanpur in ruins!
He turned their celebrations
into mourning!
Shambhu has shattered our dreams as well.
He pardoned our past misdemeanors
and gave us a second chance,
but for what?
To suffocate in silence or
to live a life of restraint?
This new life will be in vain
if I cannot see Ramraje crowned
as Chhatrapati!
The reign will be ours.
But this Sambha
Once he ascends the throne,
our existence or demise
will no longer matter!
Since childhood,
Sambhaji has been like a thorn
in my side,
constantly tormenting me.
He was of the same age when
after escaping Aurangzeb's
imprisonment in Agra,
His Late Majesty
and the Crown Prince
were wandering from place to place.
Every Mughal soldier was ordered
to arrest any father-son pair in disguise!
They parted ways
to protect each other's life.
To save the Crown Prince
from being captured,
His Majesty even staged his own funeral.
To deceive the Mughals,
the entire Deccan mourned.
So, how can one who is destined
to hide,
to run,
and die
ever claim the throne?
No matter who is crowned,
my son, Ramraje, is the true king!
You know it, and I know too
You were my world
And it still holds true
I want to dwell
Dwell in every breath you take
You are my beloved
You are my beloved
You know it, and I know too
You were my world
And it still holds true
These breaths
What meaning do they bear?
They come and go, with no care
You are my world
Maharani?
You were, and always will be, eternally
You know it
-What happened here?
-And I know too
It seems we must ward off
the evil once again!
Dharauma has raised me to be a man
who cannot be harmed
by any sword or spear!
Mother, how can anyone cast
an evil eye on the one
upon whom
the entire Swarajya's hopes rest?
Shri-Sakhi!
Can I ask you something?
Usually, when kings and emperors
return from battle,
their queens pretend to be angry,
to show their love and concern!
But look at me, I can't stop smiling!
Would it be fair to push someone,
who just returned from battle,
into another fight?
How do you always answer
before I even ask?
Because I am not just your wife,
but your Shri-Sakhi!
And as for this smile,
rumors say that not just in the Deccan,
but if any woman in the North
hears Sambhaji Bhonsle's name,
she can't help but smile!
You know more about me
than I know about myself.
These are just hearsay.
It is easy to keep track of them.
I even know what hides in your heart!
I see!
Then tell me,
what am I thinking about right now?
Right now, there's only one thing
troubling you.
But don't worry,
I've already made your dream come true!
What?
This kingdom is nothing
but the will of the divine, Shambhu!
The one whose blessings
you've longed for
has been here all along,
waiting to bless you!
He's seeing his dreams
being fulfilled through your eyes!
Sometimes, I feel you care more
for Hindavi Swarajya than I do!
I think the way you think!
Because this Sakhi
doesn't live in this palace
but in her Shri's heart!
In a place where the Lord
once controlled everything,
now faces a different fate.
The Marathas left only dust in their wake!
The Marathas?
Their claws have been permanently clipped!
How could they attack?
Especially a place like Burhanpur!
Was Khan Zamaan
even in his right mind
when he wrote this letter?
Another storm has risen
from the Deccan, my Lord!
And its name is
Sambhaji Bhonsle.
Why is Siva not here, Ramsingh?
It's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Maharaj is not well, my Lord.
He is down with a high fever.
Do you never get a fever, Crown Prince?
I don't, but many others
catch a fever because of me!
Siva is gone,
but he left behind his vision.
Oh, God, don't let me fall
into despair again!
Protect Sambha's life
until I reach the Deccan!
O Lord of Lords
O Essence of all
O Mighty One
O Commander of Armies
O Invincible Lord
O Beloved One
O Supreme Man
O Ultimate Being
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
The era stirs with a thunderous cry
The storm rises, shaking earth and sky!
In saffron's glory the sky ignites
The storm is here blazing bright!
One eye holds tears, the other, desire
The storm has come raging like fire!
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
-Congratulations, Sambhaji Maharaj!
-With storms that surge in veins untold!
-Hope Raigad is taking good care of you.
-Oh, yes.
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
O Lord of Lords
O Essence of all
O Mighty One
O Commander of Armies
Come, and take the throne
Come, and claim it as your own
O King Shambhu
Come, the Supreme King
The throne is made for service grand
It is the seat where Gods command
The one that bears responsibility
The one who serves faithfully
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
The era stirs with a thunderous cry
The storm rises, shaking earth and sky!
In saffron's glory the sky ignites
-Maharaj!
-The storm is here blazing bright!
Puissant and valiant,
the Fort Destroyer,
born of the Kshatriya clan,
the Lord of Thrones,
the King of kings
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj!
All praise to thee!
-Hail
-Goddess Bhavani!
O Ultimate Being
Brave and strong
With sword and spear
A Maratha warrior, with no fear
In battle, your skill is unmatched
Throughout the fight
Sounding the conch
As you claim your right
A ruler of the people
You are like the sun's glow
With Goddess Jagdamba's blessings
Your power will grow
O Chhatrapati
O friend Sambha!
-Wonderful!
-Amazing!
A true friend is like the sun
Shining bright
No one compares
To the poet's light
One day
One day, I shall compete with you
in poetry, Chandogamatya!
In that too,
the victory will be yours, Maharaj!
At times, I cannot understand
whether you are a friend, a servant,
or my shadow, Chandogamatya?
I am like salt, Maharaj.
You may use me whenever
and wherever needed.
Then I shall use you
on my enemy's wounds, Chandogamatya!
It will be my pleasure!
By the grace of Goddess Bhavani,
all transpired with harmony and serenity.
Now, with the Maharaj's permission,
we were thinking of returning to Girkan.
Stay for a few more days, Ganoji.
You are no longer just your sister
and brother-in-law's guest,
you are now the guest
of the Maratha Chhatrapati!
Uncle Hambir, this is his sister's home!
He will feel hesitant to stay here!
I had a request.
On the day of the king's coronation,
you are meant to fulfill Maharaj's wishes.
Yes, not the other way around!
Ganoji and Kanhoji are also my family.
They can ask for whatever they wish.
It's their right!
Please, tell me.
We want the administration of Girkan
to be handed over to us.
If we have the entitlement to our land,
we can make our own decisions
about its development
and we won't need to trouble
you each time, Maharaj!
Ganoji, you should be thinking about
the development of the Deccan,
not just Girkan.
You are right,
but
your father promised to give
Girkan's entitlement to my father.
But Abasahib was against
giving entitlement!
In fact, he used to say that
if we start giving special privileges,
people will only think of themselves,
and our own people will destroy our dreams
of Swarajya right before our eyes!
Forget saying that, Abasahib
wouldn't even dream of it, Brother!
This means that either
our father was a liar,
-or your father-in--
-Ganoji!
The Lord of Thrones,
the protector of Swarajya!
Glory to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj!
This proclamation must have echoed
within your palace, too, Rajmata.
Right?
He has become the Chhatrapati of Swarajya!
Just imagine,
if your own brother,
Army Chief Hambirrao Mohite,
had stood by you
our vow would have
certainly been fulfilled!
But what now?
Seeing Ramraje as Chhatrapati
seems impossible.
Doesn't that sadden you, Rajmata?
Harboring pain only leads
to anxiety, Annaji.
Anxiety breeds restlessness.
Restlessness brings forth worries.
Worries steal away one's sleep,
and with it, all dreams perish!
After Shivaji Maharaj's death,
whenever I sought to capture Shambhu,
Hambirrao stood by him,
and not with me.
So, to turn political dreams into reality,
never expect anything from family!
In such times,
it is strangers who are more useful.
Forgive me, Rajmata,
but when he was just a crown prince,
far from the throne
all your efforts had failed even then.
Now, he is the Chhatrapati,
the king of the Marathas!
Any mistake now,
and disaster will strike.
With the king gone,
who will hold us accountable?
Balaji,
begin writing the final chapter of
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's biography!
Chandogamatya,
why does Prince Mirza Akbar
wish to meet me?
Akbar wishes to reveal
the reason only to Maharaj!
All I know is that
Akbar seeks to claim the Mughal crown
while Aurangzeb is still alive!
Aurang's son certainly has fire in him.
There must be an important
reason behind this!
Otherwise, why would he request
to meet the Maharaj in person?
There must surely be a conspiracy
behind his intentions, Maharaj!
Nilopantji is right, Maharaj!
Akbar is, after all, Aurang's blood!
Forgive me, Yesaji,
but until we meet him,
we can only guess
about Akbar's true intentions!
I believe
any enemy of Aurangzeb
can be useful to us!
If you begin trusting
the Mughals, Kalashji,
we will start losing faith in you!
If he can betray his own father,
how can we expect loyalty from him?
Letting Akbar get close to you
is like playing with fire.
The one who is eager to come
is the very one
I personally sent an invitation to!
Burhanpur is the pillar
of the Mughal Empire!
Though weakened,
Aurangzeb is quickly marching toward us!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Chant the name of Lord Rama and Hari!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Tell me, Bahirji.
Greetings, Maharaj!
Did you catch a glimpse of Aurang?
Raje, not just Aurang,
but an army of 800,000,
fifty thousand horses,
thirty thousand elephants,
and treasures in millions.
Perhaps for the first
and last time in history,
a force so mighty has been sent
in search of someone!
Bahirji, stay close to Aurang,
like his shadow.
If he veers off course even slightly,
steer him back towards us
by any means necessary!
In the meantime,
I shall attend to his son!
Shri-Sakhi!
Right from the youngest Maratha soldier
to the army chief, Uncle Hambir himself,
everyone is worried.
Why?
Because I am going to meet
Prince Akbar without my army!
I don't see a trace
of concern in your eyes!
I am worried,
but not for you.
I'm worried for poor Akbar.
On the day of the wedding,
Jija Aausahib told me
that all men of the Bhonsle family
are like mountain storms.
If even the mountains
cannot withstand their fury,
who else can dare to challenge them?
Sometimes, even storms lose
their strength, Shri-Sakhi.
Maharaj,
please have mercy and refrain
from saying such things.
Someone is eagerly waiting to meet you.
I feel
it's a boy!
Another mountain storm is coming!
I'll meet him alone.
But Raje
Glory be to Allah!
Glory be to Allah!
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,
you are exactly as I imagined.
While I waited for you
in my tent, sword in hand
you come here
unarmed, to meet me.
I respect my sword.
Moreover, here,
we don't catch a serpent's offspring
with a sword,
we seize it with our fingers
and crush it in our fist!
I simply wanted to see
if the man I sought
would meet me himself
or send an imposter.
Even my imposter
would have swept the floor with them.
Now tell me,
why come as my uninvited guest?
A piece of news has spread
in the North, Maharaj,
that soldiers of the Deccan fear no one!
So I journeyed from my land to yours,
to fulfill my mission with the help
of your brave warriors.
Strange!
Has the North not yet heard
that the warriors of Swarajya
do not fight for the Mughals?
You have taken offense.
I thought you would be easier to convince!
You and I
are quite alike.
New generation, new passion,
new ideology, new enthusiasm!
I want every Indian to sit
on the throne of Swarajya
and you want to kill your father
to take his crown.
There's a vast difference between
my battle and your war, Prince.
That's the nature
of this throne, Raje.
It forces you to spill the blood
of your own kin.
You are only recounting Mughal history.
Look into the Maratha history,
and all you will hear
are stories of bravery!
Do not respect me,
but at least do not insult me, Raje!
Rebellion isn't a trait
of my family alone,
it runs in yours as well!
Welcome to the Deccan, Prince Akbar.
Your enemy is Aurangzeb,
and mine is Sambhaji Bhonsle.
If you aid us in defeating Sambha,
every Maratha will fight beside you
to defeat your enemy.
Once we have both claimed victory,
you may point to any land
on the Deccan map,
and we will give it to you,
beginning a new chapter
in our long-lasting relationship.
Waiting to hear from you.
Rajmata Soyrabai.
I cannot help you,
but I can make this promise
As long as you stand on Deccan soil,
Aurang can never lay a finger on you.
Maharani!
The beautiful script in which I hoped
to record the successful history
of Swarajya,
you used it to craft a proposal
that would make Maharaj history?
Maharani,
it was indeed written by me,
but the thoughts were not mine.
Forgive me, Maharani!
Just as making mistakes
is a part of being human,
similarly, it is also our duty to forgive.
Forgive me!
Please forgive me, Maharani!
It is not my fault.
I had pardoned your past mistakes
because Swarajya needed your wisdom.
But now,
your greed has outgrown your wisdom.
And your mistakes
have now become a crime!
And to forgive a criminal
is itself a crime!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Yes, Shambhu?
Abasahib,
what do these enemies look like?
Why do you ask, Shambhu?
You will never face them.
Your strength is so great
that they will only dare
to attack you from behind.
They will never dare to face you!
I never truly felt a mother's love.
Seeing Soyra Aaisahib's love
for Ramraje,
I realized there are no limits
to a mother's love!
I must have seen my Aaisahib but,
before I could engrave
her face into my memory, she
I closed my eyes and tried countless times
to find her in my memories.
I even sought her in Soyra Aaisahib.
You know everything,
don't you, Shri-Sakhi?
Please, tell me,
what must my Aaisahib look like?
How could I ever see
what you cannot, Maharaj?
But I will pray to Goddess Jagdamba
that in the next life,
you are born of my womb.
So that,
I may fulfill both the joys
and shortcomings of this life,
as your mother.
My father, Shah Jahan,
had planned to crown
my brother, Dara Shikoh.
So, I beheaded him.
I adorned his head
and sent it to my father as a gift.
I did not kill Shah Jahan,
I imprisoned him.
For eight years
For eight long years, he languished,
gazing at the Taj Mahal
through his prison window,
as his life slowly faded away.
Now, a 24-year-old boy
has turned my most beautiful city
into a graveyard
and left.
No
Spare me! Spare me!
How dare you survive?
Sambha has given refuge to Prince Akbar!
Abbahuzur,
Sambha has given refuge to Prince Akbar!
I claimed this crown by stepping
over the dead bodies of my own kin.
Now I will wear it again
only when the screams
of that arrogant Sambha
ring out across Hindustan!
Wherever you see saffron,
stain it red with blood!
Decorate every fort
in the Deccan with gifts!
Let our guests be welcomed
-with grandeur and festivity!
-We completely agree, Army Chief.
The disagreement we had over
the entitlement last time,
we trust that no doubts remain
about our commitment now!
Doubt is for foes,
for our own,
there is nothing but love, Ganojiraje!
It is said that an uncle
is doubly vigilant than a mother!
And my children are fortunate,
for they have not one, but two uncles!
I trust you will always watch over them.
Don't worry, Maharaj!
We will stand like a shield
against anyone who dares to lay
their evil sights on Swarajya!
I wish Aurang were standing
on that mountain right now!
It feels like a storm is approaching.
Let us go home.
Come on, move, come on.
You can sense it beforehand, right?
Then why didn't you tell me?
Come on, move.
Come on
Help!
Help me!
Help!
Help!
Raje, almost half of the Mughal army
has reached the Deccan!
My heart trembles
at the sight of their power
and the monstrous cruelty
I have witnessed!
The trees were draped
with more bodies than leaves.
The river ran red with the blood
of our people,
far more than the water itself.
The Mughals have drowned our children,
suffocating the future that once echoed
with laughter and hope!
Get lost!
Mother!
Where do you think you are going?
Wherever Aurang stepped foot,
nothing remained but devastation, Maharaj!
The dust stirred by His Majesty's steps
must have already reached Raigad!
-God willing!
-God willing!
They have only 25,000 soldiers.
And that's just the number of cooks
in our army alone.
Indeed, Zeenat!
And half of our forces
have yet to reach the Deccan.
Now, even God cannot stop my Lord!
Ravage the Deccan
so completely that
when I see it,
it feels as if it never even existed!
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
Until now,
Aurang has advanced like a swift arrow,
but now, he will attempt to surround
us from every side.
His next targets will be
Kalyan,
Bhiwandi,
Jalna,
Nashik, Pune, Satara,
Kolhapur,
Konkan,
and Karnataka!
Raje, we are just 25 thousand,
but our strength
is no less than 25 lakhs!
Just give us the order to charge forward!
We must meet Aurang's
vast army not just with force,
but with strategy, Rayaji!
Just as we bind a wound after
a snake's bite,
the same way, we must
secure the entire Deccan
and hold it firmly!
We will attack
in ways they never expect!
The Mughals will not only face our army,
but they will also have to contend
with our land itself.
Indeed, Army Chief,
neither their soldiers
nor their horses are accustomed
to our rugged mountain roads
and dense forests.
In the dense jungles of the Konkan,
we will strike
like the Monkey Brigade, Maharaj.
We will give them a tour
of our shifting fields.
We will make them taste the sweetness
of Satara's sugarcane.
Raje, we will ensure that the waters
of Nashik turn against them.
We will devour them like crocodiles.
Yes! And in Jalna, we will make
the Mughal army don blood!
We will bury them
in Kolhapur,
like the fury of an earthquake!
I swear by Goddess Bhavani!
We will reduce Aurang's pride
to ashes!
We must draw them
in like a raging cyclone.
They are here because
we have pulled them here,
and they will leave only
when we decide.
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
I will pray to Goddess Jagdamba
that all your desires come to fruition!
KONKAN
Send word to every fort commander
to be vigilant of the wandering
Mughal forces nearby.
And Nilopantji,
ensure that in every confrontation,
our army is never short of weapons,
armor, or supplies.
Only the Mughal numbers must dwindle.
SATARA
Don't hurt him!
Spare him!
Do not hurt them!
Spare them!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Har Har Mahadev!
Uncle Hambir,
if you would permit
your daughter Tara Rani
to marry into the Bhonsle family,
then Ramraje
JALNA
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
KOLHAPUR
Let him go!
-Move!
-Let her go!
-Move!
-Let her go!
No
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
The era stirs with a thunderous cry
The storm rises, shaking earth and sky!
In saffron's glory the sky ignites
The storm is here blazing bright!
One eye holds tears, the other, desire
The storm has come raging like fire!
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
O Lord of Lords
O Essence of all
O Lord of Lords
O Essence of all
O Mighty One
O Commander of Armies
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
The era stirs with a thunderous cry
The storm rises, shaking earth and sky!
O Mighty One
O Commander of Armies
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Our army is now only half
of what it once was.
The royal treasury is draining fast.
Find Sambha at once,
or soon enough,
he will turn your beds into graves
and leave without a trace!
It has been many years
since we left Delhi, Your Majesty,
yet not once have we set foot
on a street that Sambha ever crossed.
NASHIK
With a weapon in his grasp
The warrior strikes his foe deep
In the forest
He approaches, his challenge
Echoing through the pack's roar
Swift as the wind
Har Har Mahadev!
He moves in silence beneath the sky
Master of deception
Here he comes
Man of valor!
Mighty Sambhaji!
Man of valor, Sambhaji!
Mighty Sambhaji!
Sambhaji! Chhatrapati Sambhaji!
With a weapon in his grasp
The warrior strikes his foe
Deep in the forest
He approaches, his challenge
Echoing through the pack's roar
Swift as the wind
Sambhaji! Sambhaji!
Chhatrapati Sambhaji!
There is no power or strength
except for Allah!
There is no power or strength
except for Allah.
We have found Prince Mirza Akbar!
If Allah wills, we shall hear good news
before the morning prayer!
Just like Akbar,
there must be someone in the Deccan
who feels trapped in his own house.
Find that person!
Abbahuzur,
the Mughal swords had reached
Akbar's neck, yet,
unfortunately, he's still alive!
But we have found a way
to locate Sambha!
We have found someone
close to Sambha,
who has felt like an outsider
for many years.
Welcome to the Emperor's sanctuary.
Remarkable!
Truly remarkable!
Yashwantji,
the way you and Sampathji
are managing the affairs
of Karnataka and Konkan,
even this poet
cannot find enough words
to praise you today!
What greater fortune
could there be than easing
the burden of Maharaj?
With you there,
I have no need to turn my gaze
in that direction.
Pardon my intrusion, Maharaj,
but the situation is such
that I find myself compelled
to appear before you, uninvited!
I have decided to leave Hindustan.
Prince,
we are so close to achieving our goal.
We did not expect you to leave
at such a critical moment.
I have long harbored this grievance
against the Mughals, Chandogamatya.
They never seek to walk alongside,
they are always fixated on moving forward.
The goal was to march
side by side, Your Majesty.
But right now,
my departure is essential
for me to live a long life.
Why, Prince?
Before the Mughals could lead you
to the gates of heaven,
the Marathas sent them
to the gates of hell.
But for how long, Maharaj?
How long will you be able to protect me?
Your Swarajya
means more to you than my life.
Allow me to say goodbye.
Think it over once more.
You will not be able
to witness Aurang's downfall.
Maharaj, the news of your victory
will bring me immense joy,
even from afar!
Dhanaji!
Yes, Raje?
Ensure that Prince Akbar's plans succeed.
As you command, Maharaj.
Raje!
Raje!
Raje!
What happened, Mhaloji-baba?
Raje,
the army chief is no more.
In the battle of Wai,
while fighting the Mughals,
Army Chief Hambirrao Mohite
breathed his last.
WAI
DECEMBER 1687
The cannon fired
by the defeated Sarja Khan
has breached the walls of Swarajya, Raje.
Accept the final salute
of this soldier of Swarajya, Raje!
Hail Goddess Bhavani.
Goddess Jagdamba!
Shambhu, you must learn to wield a sword
as deftly as your fingers.
Your blade should strike the enemy
with the force of Lord Krishna's
Sudarshan Chakra!
Well done!
Uncle Hambir, please call me Shambhu.
My ears yearn to hear "Shambhu."
Raje
Yes, Bahirji.
Yashwantji of Karnataka,
Sampathji of Konkan,
Sadanandji of Amravati,
Parshuramji of Goa,
Vinayakji of Kudal
One by one,
they are falling into Aurang's trap, and
abandoning Swarajya, Raje.
Where is Aurang now?
He has pitched camp in Akluj!
Bahirji, spread the word
among the Mughals,
that 10,000 Maratha soldiers
are marching towards Akluj
via Pune!
Yesaji.
Yes, Raje?
Send a message to every regional chief
in the Deccan to meet me
in Sangameshwar!
Why Sangameshwar?
Maharaj chose Sangameshwar
to unite all the Marathas.
With a full army,
he will quietly advance through
the dense jungles,
marching towards Aurang.
Meanwhile, the Mughal army spread nearby
will be eagerly waiting
for the 10,000 soldiers in Pune,
who never left Raigad in the first place!
Young Prince?
Bhavani?
Aren't you coming with me
to the temple today?
First, ward off the evil eye
from Maharaj, Dhara.
He is going to war again.
When will this cursed Aurang die?
How many more battles
must you fight, Maharaj?
I hope this is the last one!
I know the pain you all endure
because of it!
To be away from your family for so long,
months turn into years
Children become unrecognizable!
Maharaj, my brother,
whether you accept it or not,
this time,
I too shall join you
in this fight for Swarajya!
You think I am not ready, right?
If I had doubts,
would I have left the entire Raigad
in your care, Ramraje?
Your presence here is more crucial
than my going to battle, Ramraje!
May you live long!
Shri-Sakhi!
Yes?
I am going to face Aurang!
Aren't you worried?
I am,
but not for you.
I am worried for Aurang.
The whole Maratha empire,
including myself,
has been waiting for this day.
To see Aurang's defeat
and the triumph of Abasahib's dreams!
I don't just believe so,
I know so beyond doubt.
With your trust in me
Battles turn to festive displays
Remember, the kingdom's guardian
Must be kept alive always
SANGAMESHWAR
If someone is willing to stoop
to any depth to spread fear,
it is only natural to be afraid of him!
If you have no choice but to follow
the enemy's commands to protect yourself,
I can understand your predicament.
But there is one thing
I cannot comprehend!
Since when did the Marathas start
thinking only about their own security?
Yes?
Every time a Maratha laid down his life,
it was to protect Swarajya,
for the glory
of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!
A head that bows only to its motherland
how could it ever bow before the enemy?
Blood of great warriors
runs through our veins!
Aurang does not possess
the strength to spill it!
How can a man
capable of killing his father, brother,
and son for a throne,
ever win our loyalty?
We are Marathas!
This throne of Swarajya
has been built through
the sacrifices and blood
of countless Marathas!
Swarajya is not the desire of one man,
it is the will of the Almighty
to protect every soul!
This kingdom is nothing
but the will of the divine!
The time has come
to rid Hindustan of this monster!
Now, we make our move!
Every blow we strike
will honor our fallen martyrs,
it will be in the name
of Army Chief Hambirrao Mohite!
I command every regional chief
Every Maratha soldier
of Swarajya must be in Sangameshwar
by tomorrow's sunset.
In the dead of night, the Maratha army
will advance towards Aurang
via Amba Ghat, like raging fire!
We will reduce Aurang
and his hollow empire to ashes!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Praise be to the consort
of Goddess Parvati!
-Har Har Mahadev!
-Har Har Mahadev!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Yes, Shambhu?
Abasahib,
when will this tunnel end?
This tunnel has no end, Shambhu!
But you shouldn't stop!
PANHALA FOROh, wow!
You seem happy, Father!
It's not happiness, Santa,
this is pure excitement!
Aurang's end is now inevitable!
Maharaj has already
decided the Mughals' fate.
Once the order is given, we will strike!
Did Maharaj forget
to give the orders, Father?
The army is moving out
via Amba Ghat.
What happened, Father?
We have been betrayed, Santa!
-It is the Mughal army!
-What?
They are marching toward Sangameshwar,
heading straight for Maharaj.
We must reach Maharaj
before they do, Santa!
We must hurry!
-Har Har Mahadev!
-Har Har Mahadev!
But Father
The shortest route to Sangameshwar
is through Amba Ghat!
How did the Mughals know that?
We are advancing
with a force of 5,000 men,
filled with hope.
If we don't find Sambha
in Sangameshwar, imagine
what 5,000 frustrated souls
will do to you.
We too have lived with broken
hearts for years, Muqarrab Khan!
Why would we do that to anyone else?
Capturing Sambha
will fulfill both our dreams!
Trust me,
Sambha is in Sangameshwar.
That too, with just 150 men by his side!
Glory be to Allah!
Not just Girkan,
we shall gift you
the entire Konkan after this!
Har Har Mahadev!
Inform Maharaj at once, Santa!
Har Har Mahadev!
-Har Har Mahadev!
-Maharaj!
We are under imminent attack!
-The Mughals are here!
-Who?
Kanhoji and Ganoji.
Charge!
Raje!
Raje!
Who stabbed me in the back
and struck at the heart of Swarajya?
It was Ganoji and Kanhoji.
Goddess Jagdamba!
Depart immediately
to ensure Raigad's safety.
I am weary of the suspicious
gazes upon me, Maharaj.
This is my chance to prove my loyalty,
once and for all!
A faction of 20 warriors stand ready
to escort you safely to Raigad.
-I beg of you, leave at once!
-Chandogamatya!
Have you ever seen a chhaava
fear dogs and run for its life?
I feel the urge to roar,
like a beast in the jungle!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Anta!
Anta!
Raje, accept my final greetings
Maharaj!
Raya!
Raya!
Raya!
Father!
Father!
Santaji!
Leave for Raigad at once
and deliver this to the Maharani!
No, Maharaj! I cannot leave your side!
It is my command!
But what should I tell her?
She will understand.
No, Maharaj! No!
Go!
Go now!
This is outrageous!
Even thousands of soldiers
cannot subdue a single man?
This king is fiercer
than the king of the jungle!
As long as his hands remain free,
nothing will be able to overpower him.
Raje!
Raje!
Raje!
Raje!
Take this royal gift to the Emperor!
Say it again!
It is true, Emperor.
Sambha is in Mughal captivity.
Oh, God,
your world has been saved
from total annihilation!
I will go to rescue my brother,
the Maharaj!
Come with me!
No matter which path you choose,
the enemy will be waiting to strike!
Raigad
The Mughals have surrounded
Raigad on all sides!
So, are we to remain here and do nothing?
Time is of the essence, Crown Prince.
Swarajya is at risk,
and Maharaj
is in Aurang's custody.
Until now, Aurang was far from Maharaj,
yet our Maharaj made him suffer endlessly.
Now, Maharaj will face him directly!
Aurang will beg for death itself!
Pray that men like Ganoji
and Kanhoji never be born
even in the enemy's house.
My Lord
Let me
savor this moment, Khan.
Nine years
For nine long years, in every prayer,
I have pleaded with God
to let me face him.
Chandogamatya,
I know this is not the grand court
of Raigad, but still,
you must do your part
and share a few pearls of wisdom
to please the Emperor.
Elephants, horses, cannons, swords
Your army's strong and vast
But my King, though chained
Remains a force to outlast!
Let us feed his meat to the dogs
and end his lineage here and now!
You should feed our meat
to your dogs only.
At least your dogs
will get a taste of loyalty
and their future generations
will be blessed!
This fails to amuse me.
Now,
before I extract
your soul from your body,
I must ask you one question
What is this Swarajya,
for which you are willing
to give up your life?
Yes?
And where is your Swarajya now?
It is in the mountains of Sahyadri,
in the flowing waters of the Godavari,
in the soil of Raigad,
in the streets of Jalna,
in the winds of Nashik,
in every corner of Konkan,
at the feet of Goddess Bhavani!
Swarajya dwells in the very veins
of millions of Marathas!
The Swarajya you wish to destroy,
Aurang, is not just a kingdom.
It is the vision
of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!
Nothing has changed, has it?
You stand here,
bound before an Emperor,
yet your eyes still blaze
with that same fire,
that same passion ruling your mind.
Much has changed, Aurang.
I once saw arrogance in your eyes,
a crown on your head,
but both seem to be missing today
Emperor!
Inflict unbearable pain upon him,
so that when he begs for death,
all we hear are his screams.
I dance to the rhythm of death, Aurang!
You cannot intimidate me with death!
From my death,
a new Siva and a new Sambha
will rise in every Maratha home!
But when you die,
the Mughal Empire shall fall with you!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Forgive me, Chandogamatya.
You have had to endure
this pain because of me.
In this very pain lies
the joy of life, Maharaj.
What sorrow can Sudama know
When compassionate Krishna walks in tow?
Where are you taking him?
Are you releasing him?
His words are like weapons
That change on call
At times, they become arrows
At times, a sword
Chandogamatya!
Do you recall when I said I would
compete with you in poetry?
And I responded that
you are victorious
without a contest.
The one who masters the mind
Will thrive
The one who succumbs to it
Won't survive
Those who yield without a fight
Bringing upon themselves
Shame every time
Shame on those
Who fail to dream and strive
For the right to dream is our birth-right
For the sake of our own
We must act today
We must make Swaraj eternal
And immortal, come what may!
You are a child of the earth
Not just dust or grain
You will change the times
And write history
Do not forget this claim!
You are the first star of dawn
The voice of change
This darkness is fleeting
Soon the world will be yours to claim!
Accept your
servant's final greetings, Raje.
I leave now
To dwell in the wounds of your foes
I am salt
Maharaj, I told you so!
You are not salt, Poet
You are sandalwood
You are the pride
I adorn upon my forehead!
Raje, with that, the contest ends
In the end
Victory is yours as I had said
A ruler of the people
You are like the sun's glow
With Goddess Jagdamba's blessings
Your power will grow
O Chhatrapati
O friend Sambha!
I am salt, Maharaj!
I am salt!
You are not salt, Poet
You are sandalwood
You are the pride
I adorn upon my forehead
Raje
Tear every nail from his fingers!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Goddess Jagdamba!
We have torn off all the nails,
yet there is no trace of pain
on Sambha's face.
Shri-Sakhi!
Yes?
Since when did you start
worrying about me?
Do you question my abilities?
Or do you doubt my bravery?
I don't just trust my mountain storm,
I take immense pride in him.
I might doubt my own existence,
but never your bravery.
Why do you have such unwavering
faith in me, Shri-Sakhi?
There must be a reason
I have yet to understand.
There is another thing Jija Aausahib
shared with me on the day of our wedding
That just as Lord Shiva performed
the tandava on the Himalayas,
Shambhuraje too will
rule the forts of the Deccan.
He will illuminate all of Hindustan
with the flame of Swarajya!
By the way,
Jija Aausahib also mentioned
something to me
She said, "Shambhu,
Yesu is no ordinary woman.
She is the very reincarnation
of Goddess Parvati!
Just as Lord Shiva cannot exist
without Goddess Parvati,
similarly, this Shambhu is incomplete
without Yesu!"
That is why this Sakhi is always
in the heart of her beloved Shri!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Goddess Jagdamba!
He stands there, drenched in blood,
yet not a single scream,
not even a whisper
of pain escapes his lips!
The one who delivers
the blows trembles, my Lord,
but in Sambha's eyes,
there's not a flicker of fear!
His eyes!
What is it that you are gazing at?
Your eyes.
And what do you see in them?
Love, reverence,
and unwavering pride for Swarajya!
And for you?
Only and only love.
The same love Lord Krishna bore
for Mother Radha in His gaze!
You know it, and I know too
I long to live in your love so true
My eyes are caught in the gaze of you
I yearn to hold your words, like glue
You are my world
At least, close your eyes, Sire.
-You were, and always will be, eternally
-What are you waiting for? Gouge them out!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Abasahib.
Yes, Shambhu?
When I meet Aaisahib,
how will I know it is her?
I do not even remember her face!
But she remembers you, Shambhu.
Even in the deepest darkness,
if you call her,
she will recognize you
by your voice alone!
You cannot intimidate me with death!
From my death,
a new Siva and a new Sambha
will rise in every Maratha home!
But when you die,
the Mughal Empire shall fall with you!
Why do such flowers not bloom
in our desolate land?
Align with us.
Side with the Mughals.
Your life will change for the better.
All you have to do
is change your religion!
Align with us!
Side with the Marathas.
Your life will change
for the better and
you won't even need
to change your religion!
Aurang, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
is known as the lion,
and his cub is known as
chhaava!
Sever his tongue!
With your trust in me
Battles turn to festive displays
Goddess Jagdamba!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Puissant and valiant,
the Fort Destroyer,
born of the Kshatriya clan,
The King of kings
All hail Chhatrapati Ramraje Maharaj!
With your trust in me
Battles turn to festive displays
Remember, the kingdom's guardian
Must be kept alive always
Goddess Jagdamba!
Sambha passed,
rejoicing in his own death,
while we are left behind
to mourn our lives!
Word has arrived from Raigad.
The Chhatrapati of the Marathas
lives on!
Mujtaba!
My Lord.
If only I had a child like Sambha!
Just one child, Mujtaba.
Not only Hindustan,
but the entire world
would have been mine!
There burns a fierce envy within me,
for that Siva, Mujtaba,
who fathered such a chhaava!
VADHU
11 MARCH 1689
Your shadow with us
Will always thrive!
May it always thrive
Aaisahib?
Yes, Shambhu?
READY TO SACRIFICE
FOR HIS DUTY TO HIS LAND,
THE CUB OF SHIVA
MIGHTY AND GRAND.
A WARRIOR OF VALOR
BOLD AND TRUE,
NONE OTHER THAN KING SHAMBHU.
of the world fought for their survival,
in India,
a mighty civilization was being forged.
A place where people
of all faiths lived like one family.
But this temple soon fell victim
to aggressive invasions.
In the 16th century,
after winning the battle of Panipat,
the Mughal Empire's flag soared
high over the throne of Delhi.
In those dark times, countless rulers
and kingdoms fought for survival.
For the next century, no one in India
could bring down the might
of the Mughal Empire.
In the 17th century,
the most powerful, ruthless,
and merciless Mughal Emperor,
Aurangzeb, sat on the throne,
imposing unimaginable tyranny.
But whenever terror
and cruelty rise on earth,
a great soul is born to protect it.
And that fated moment dawned,
when the very essence
of Goddess Bhavani and Lord Shiva
was born from the womb of Mother Jijau,
within the family of Shahajiraje Bhonsle.
Har Har Mahadev!
The one to protect this land
from the atrocities of Aurang,
the one who ignited the flame of Swarajya
and founded the Maratha Empire,
was none other than
the great hero of this land
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!
His fight was never against any religion.
His struggle
was against oppression and tyranny.
Fearing his growing power,
Aurang launched numerous
attacks on Swarajya,
but every time, he was defeated.
Swarajya!
If anyone on this earth could challenge
Aurangzeb and his merciless empire,
it was the lion of the Deccan,
the brave, the valiant
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
RED FORFrom Bengal,
Shaista Khan sends a royal gift, my Lord.
In the war in Tibet, the Mughals
have emerged victorious, Your Majesty.
-Wonderful!
-Amazing!
-Superb!
-Wonderful!
-Amazing!
-Superb!
May the Lord's greatness
continue to ascend!
We have received urgent news
from the Deccan, Your Majesty.
The Shiva of the Deccan,
the Chhatrapati of the Marathas,
has passed on to the afterlife!
-Glory be to Allah!
-Glory be to Allah!
-Glory be to Allah!
-Glory be to Allah!
Upon hearing this,
I can already imagine the Mughal flag
soaring over Hindustan!
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
With Shivaji's demise,
the Deccan will inevitably fall
under our empire's control!
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
While imprisoned in Agra,
he managed to escape
both death and Your Majesty's grasp.
Since then,
we have failed to conquer the Deccan.
At last,
Your Majesty's only unfulfilled
dream has been realized today.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
My eager ears still long for good news,
yet none comes, even today.
A foe like Siva
comes once in a lifetime.
Oh, Allah, this grievance with You
shall linger in my heart forever!
Keep the gates of heaven wide open
the lion is coming!
Celebrate!
Make the poor people rich!
Celebrate the fall of the Maratha Empire!
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
BURHANPUR
JANUARY 1681
Sire Khan Zamaan,
the taxes collected from the non-Muslims
are quickly filling the treasury!
-Wow!
-That's amazing!
Since Shivaji's death, people,
gripped by fear for their lives,
are willingly offering us their wealth!
Glory be to Allah!
Glory be to Allah!
Glory be to Allah!
That's why I'm getting a massage, Kakkad!
My bones are stiff
from a lack of movement!
Unfortunately,
there's been no battle
or pillaging lately.
May God keep your strong body fit
and healthy, Sire!
Burhanpur is like a gold mine, Sire!
It is the lifeline of the Mughal Empire.
You never know when you might have
to defend it from someone's prying eyes!
Who would dare attack us?
The Rajputs are busy guarding
their own empire!
And the Marathas
have been left without a leader.
My advice is to sip some
kahwah and stay alert.
For death's summons
and uninvited guests
always arrive without a warning!
Sire!
Mar Mar
What are you saying?
The Maratha army is fast approaching!
Close the gates!
Be on guard!
The Marathas are here!
Charge!
Charge!
Let them come!
We will turn the Burhanpur border
into their tomb!
Indeed, Sire!
Not a single Maratha
will be able to set foot inside!
Sire!
The Maratha army has breached Burhanpur!
Har Har Mahadev!
Har Har Mahadev!
What are you waiting for?
Har Har Mahadev!
Har Har Mahadev!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Mother!
Mother!
My son!
Someone save him!
My son!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Raje!
Shields!
Khan Zamaan,
tell your master
the lion may have fallen,
but his chhaava
still prowls these forests!
We will tear the Mughal Empire apart
if it dares challenge the Marathas!
We make no noise!
We swiftly hunt our prey down!
-Hail Goddess
-Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Fasten it well, Dhanaji!
It's bleeding heavily!
Uncle Yesaji, let it bleed a bit.
Every drop of blood spilled
for Swarajya sanctifies this Mughal land!
Well said!
Secure, seal, and send the treasure
to Raigad, Santa.
Understood, Father.
But hauling all the treasure
will be a challenge.
The hunger isn't for the treasure,
but for defeating the enemy, Santa.
Aurangzeb should only see
the ruins of Burhanpur!
As you wish!
-Anta?
-Yes?
What's happening?
Why is our Crown Prince's favorite
Kavi Kalash dining alone here?
A poet's heart is a friend to all
He embraces blooms, birds
And nature's call
He welcomes all with love to share
He's not the selfish kind
Who just decorates the air
Amazing!
How can anyone leave such
a person alone?
I'm a man from the Mughal lands
living among the Marathas.
Tell me, Antaji,
why would anyone want to share
a meal with me?
You have a point.
Does this not make you sad?
If the Lord is pleased
There is neither shame nor fear
After all, this Kavi Kalash's friend
Is Sambhaji Shivraj!
Well said!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Yes, Shambhu?
Abasahib!
When will this smoke clear, Abasahib?
As long as the flame
of Swarajya burns bright,
this smoke shall rise, Shambhu!
Crown Prince.
Uncle Hambir, please call me Shambhu.
My ears yearn to hear "Shambhu."
I see your father's image in you,
perhaps, that's why I hesitate.
And I get the strength of Abasahib
and Aaisahib's blessings from you!
Even when I face a thousand enemies,
I know your eyes
are always watching over me!
I am
not as great as
you make me out to be, Shambhu.
All I know is that every drop
in these veins
is ready to be sacrificed for you!
Uncle!
Let's go.
Everyone is waiting for you.
This is not just a victory,
it is a roar
that will reach Aurang's ears
and proclaim that
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
is still alive!
This is not the end of the Marathas,
but the beginning
of the Mughals' downfall.
We will march forward in this battle,
honoring all religions,
for this war is not against
a particular sect.
This war is to establish Swarajya,
a land where people
of all faiths can live in peace.
A nation where everyone can walk
with their heads held high, like kings.
And if Aurang or devils like him
dare to challenge
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Swarajya,
then I swear by Goddess Jagdamba,
we shall erupt like a volcano
and turn them to dust!
We will crush every challenge,
shatter every conspiracy,
and we will not stop until
Abasahib's vision is fulfilled!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Har Har Mahadev!
Har Har Mahadev!
RAIGAD
The royal throne is being prepared
for the other Chhatrapati, Annaji.
I heard that the Crown Prince
left Burhanpur in ruins!
He turned their celebrations
into mourning!
Shambhu has shattered our dreams as well.
He pardoned our past misdemeanors
and gave us a second chance,
but for what?
To suffocate in silence or
to live a life of restraint?
This new life will be in vain
if I cannot see Ramraje crowned
as Chhatrapati!
The reign will be ours.
But this Sambha
Once he ascends the throne,
our existence or demise
will no longer matter!
Since childhood,
Sambhaji has been like a thorn
in my side,
constantly tormenting me.
He was of the same age when
after escaping Aurangzeb's
imprisonment in Agra,
His Late Majesty
and the Crown Prince
were wandering from place to place.
Every Mughal soldier was ordered
to arrest any father-son pair in disguise!
They parted ways
to protect each other's life.
To save the Crown Prince
from being captured,
His Majesty even staged his own funeral.
To deceive the Mughals,
the entire Deccan mourned.
So, how can one who is destined
to hide,
to run,
and die
ever claim the throne?
No matter who is crowned,
my son, Ramraje, is the true king!
You know it, and I know too
You were my world
And it still holds true
I want to dwell
Dwell in every breath you take
You are my beloved
You are my beloved
You know it, and I know too
You were my world
And it still holds true
These breaths
What meaning do they bear?
They come and go, with no care
You are my world
Maharani?
You were, and always will be, eternally
You know it
-What happened here?
-And I know too
It seems we must ward off
the evil once again!
Dharauma has raised me to be a man
who cannot be harmed
by any sword or spear!
Mother, how can anyone cast
an evil eye on the one
upon whom
the entire Swarajya's hopes rest?
Shri-Sakhi!
Can I ask you something?
Usually, when kings and emperors
return from battle,
their queens pretend to be angry,
to show their love and concern!
But look at me, I can't stop smiling!
Would it be fair to push someone,
who just returned from battle,
into another fight?
How do you always answer
before I even ask?
Because I am not just your wife,
but your Shri-Sakhi!
And as for this smile,
rumors say that not just in the Deccan,
but if any woman in the North
hears Sambhaji Bhonsle's name,
she can't help but smile!
You know more about me
than I know about myself.
These are just hearsay.
It is easy to keep track of them.
I even know what hides in your heart!
I see!
Then tell me,
what am I thinking about right now?
Right now, there's only one thing
troubling you.
But don't worry,
I've already made your dream come true!
What?
This kingdom is nothing
but the will of the divine, Shambhu!
The one whose blessings
you've longed for
has been here all along,
waiting to bless you!
He's seeing his dreams
being fulfilled through your eyes!
Sometimes, I feel you care more
for Hindavi Swarajya than I do!
I think the way you think!
Because this Sakhi
doesn't live in this palace
but in her Shri's heart!
In a place where the Lord
once controlled everything,
now faces a different fate.
The Marathas left only dust in their wake!
The Marathas?
Their claws have been permanently clipped!
How could they attack?
Especially a place like Burhanpur!
Was Khan Zamaan
even in his right mind
when he wrote this letter?
Another storm has risen
from the Deccan, my Lord!
And its name is
Sambhaji Bhonsle.
Why is Siva not here, Ramsingh?
It's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Maharaj is not well, my Lord.
He is down with a high fever.
Do you never get a fever, Crown Prince?
I don't, but many others
catch a fever because of me!
Siva is gone,
but he left behind his vision.
Oh, God, don't let me fall
into despair again!
Protect Sambha's life
until I reach the Deccan!
O Lord of Lords
O Essence of all
O Mighty One
O Commander of Armies
O Invincible Lord
O Beloved One
O Supreme Man
O Ultimate Being
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
The era stirs with a thunderous cry
The storm rises, shaking earth and sky!
In saffron's glory the sky ignites
The storm is here blazing bright!
One eye holds tears, the other, desire
The storm has come raging like fire!
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
-Congratulations, Sambhaji Maharaj!
-With storms that surge in veins untold!
-Hope Raigad is taking good care of you.
-Oh, yes.
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
O Lord of Lords
O Essence of all
O Mighty One
O Commander of Armies
Come, and take the throne
Come, and claim it as your own
O King Shambhu
Come, the Supreme King
The throne is made for service grand
It is the seat where Gods command
The one that bears responsibility
The one who serves faithfully
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
The era stirs with a thunderous cry
The storm rises, shaking earth and sky!
In saffron's glory the sky ignites
-Maharaj!
-The storm is here blazing bright!
Puissant and valiant,
the Fort Destroyer,
born of the Kshatriya clan,
the Lord of Thrones,
the King of kings
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj!
All praise to thee!
-Hail
-Goddess Bhavani!
O Ultimate Being
Brave and strong
With sword and spear
A Maratha warrior, with no fear
In battle, your skill is unmatched
Throughout the fight
Sounding the conch
As you claim your right
A ruler of the people
You are like the sun's glow
With Goddess Jagdamba's blessings
Your power will grow
O Chhatrapati
O friend Sambha!
-Wonderful!
-Amazing!
A true friend is like the sun
Shining bright
No one compares
To the poet's light
One day
One day, I shall compete with you
in poetry, Chandogamatya!
In that too,
the victory will be yours, Maharaj!
At times, I cannot understand
whether you are a friend, a servant,
or my shadow, Chandogamatya?
I am like salt, Maharaj.
You may use me whenever
and wherever needed.
Then I shall use you
on my enemy's wounds, Chandogamatya!
It will be my pleasure!
By the grace of Goddess Bhavani,
all transpired with harmony and serenity.
Now, with the Maharaj's permission,
we were thinking of returning to Girkan.
Stay for a few more days, Ganoji.
You are no longer just your sister
and brother-in-law's guest,
you are now the guest
of the Maratha Chhatrapati!
Uncle Hambir, this is his sister's home!
He will feel hesitant to stay here!
I had a request.
On the day of the king's coronation,
you are meant to fulfill Maharaj's wishes.
Yes, not the other way around!
Ganoji and Kanhoji are also my family.
They can ask for whatever they wish.
It's their right!
Please, tell me.
We want the administration of Girkan
to be handed over to us.
If we have the entitlement to our land,
we can make our own decisions
about its development
and we won't need to trouble
you each time, Maharaj!
Ganoji, you should be thinking about
the development of the Deccan,
not just Girkan.
You are right,
but
your father promised to give
Girkan's entitlement to my father.
But Abasahib was against
giving entitlement!
In fact, he used to say that
if we start giving special privileges,
people will only think of themselves,
and our own people will destroy our dreams
of Swarajya right before our eyes!
Forget saying that, Abasahib
wouldn't even dream of it, Brother!
This means that either
our father was a liar,
-or your father-in--
-Ganoji!
The Lord of Thrones,
the protector of Swarajya!
Glory to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj!
This proclamation must have echoed
within your palace, too, Rajmata.
Right?
He has become the Chhatrapati of Swarajya!
Just imagine,
if your own brother,
Army Chief Hambirrao Mohite,
had stood by you
our vow would have
certainly been fulfilled!
But what now?
Seeing Ramraje as Chhatrapati
seems impossible.
Doesn't that sadden you, Rajmata?
Harboring pain only leads
to anxiety, Annaji.
Anxiety breeds restlessness.
Restlessness brings forth worries.
Worries steal away one's sleep,
and with it, all dreams perish!
After Shivaji Maharaj's death,
whenever I sought to capture Shambhu,
Hambirrao stood by him,
and not with me.
So, to turn political dreams into reality,
never expect anything from family!
In such times,
it is strangers who are more useful.
Forgive me, Rajmata,
but when he was just a crown prince,
far from the throne
all your efforts had failed even then.
Now, he is the Chhatrapati,
the king of the Marathas!
Any mistake now,
and disaster will strike.
With the king gone,
who will hold us accountable?
Balaji,
begin writing the final chapter of
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj's biography!
Chandogamatya,
why does Prince Mirza Akbar
wish to meet me?
Akbar wishes to reveal
the reason only to Maharaj!
All I know is that
Akbar seeks to claim the Mughal crown
while Aurangzeb is still alive!
Aurang's son certainly has fire in him.
There must be an important
reason behind this!
Otherwise, why would he request
to meet the Maharaj in person?
There must surely be a conspiracy
behind his intentions, Maharaj!
Nilopantji is right, Maharaj!
Akbar is, after all, Aurang's blood!
Forgive me, Yesaji,
but until we meet him,
we can only guess
about Akbar's true intentions!
I believe
any enemy of Aurangzeb
can be useful to us!
If you begin trusting
the Mughals, Kalashji,
we will start losing faith in you!
If he can betray his own father,
how can we expect loyalty from him?
Letting Akbar get close to you
is like playing with fire.
The one who is eager to come
is the very one
I personally sent an invitation to!
Burhanpur is the pillar
of the Mughal Empire!
Though weakened,
Aurangzeb is quickly marching toward us!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Chant the name of Lord Rama and Hari!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Vasudev is here! Vasudev is here!
Tell me, Bahirji.
Greetings, Maharaj!
Did you catch a glimpse of Aurang?
Raje, not just Aurang,
but an army of 800,000,
fifty thousand horses,
thirty thousand elephants,
and treasures in millions.
Perhaps for the first
and last time in history,
a force so mighty has been sent
in search of someone!
Bahirji, stay close to Aurang,
like his shadow.
If he veers off course even slightly,
steer him back towards us
by any means necessary!
In the meantime,
I shall attend to his son!
Shri-Sakhi!
Right from the youngest Maratha soldier
to the army chief, Uncle Hambir himself,
everyone is worried.
Why?
Because I am going to meet
Prince Akbar without my army!
I don't see a trace
of concern in your eyes!
I am worried,
but not for you.
I'm worried for poor Akbar.
On the day of the wedding,
Jija Aausahib told me
that all men of the Bhonsle family
are like mountain storms.
If even the mountains
cannot withstand their fury,
who else can dare to challenge them?
Sometimes, even storms lose
their strength, Shri-Sakhi.
Maharaj,
please have mercy and refrain
from saying such things.
Someone is eagerly waiting to meet you.
I feel
it's a boy!
Another mountain storm is coming!
I'll meet him alone.
But Raje
Glory be to Allah!
Glory be to Allah!
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj,
you are exactly as I imagined.
While I waited for you
in my tent, sword in hand
you come here
unarmed, to meet me.
I respect my sword.
Moreover, here,
we don't catch a serpent's offspring
with a sword,
we seize it with our fingers
and crush it in our fist!
I simply wanted to see
if the man I sought
would meet me himself
or send an imposter.
Even my imposter
would have swept the floor with them.
Now tell me,
why come as my uninvited guest?
A piece of news has spread
in the North, Maharaj,
that soldiers of the Deccan fear no one!
So I journeyed from my land to yours,
to fulfill my mission with the help
of your brave warriors.
Strange!
Has the North not yet heard
that the warriors of Swarajya
do not fight for the Mughals?
You have taken offense.
I thought you would be easier to convince!
You and I
are quite alike.
New generation, new passion,
new ideology, new enthusiasm!
I want every Indian to sit
on the throne of Swarajya
and you want to kill your father
to take his crown.
There's a vast difference between
my battle and your war, Prince.
That's the nature
of this throne, Raje.
It forces you to spill the blood
of your own kin.
You are only recounting Mughal history.
Look into the Maratha history,
and all you will hear
are stories of bravery!
Do not respect me,
but at least do not insult me, Raje!
Rebellion isn't a trait
of my family alone,
it runs in yours as well!
Welcome to the Deccan, Prince Akbar.
Your enemy is Aurangzeb,
and mine is Sambhaji Bhonsle.
If you aid us in defeating Sambha,
every Maratha will fight beside you
to defeat your enemy.
Once we have both claimed victory,
you may point to any land
on the Deccan map,
and we will give it to you,
beginning a new chapter
in our long-lasting relationship.
Waiting to hear from you.
Rajmata Soyrabai.
I cannot help you,
but I can make this promise
As long as you stand on Deccan soil,
Aurang can never lay a finger on you.
Maharani!
The beautiful script in which I hoped
to record the successful history
of Swarajya,
you used it to craft a proposal
that would make Maharaj history?
Maharani,
it was indeed written by me,
but the thoughts were not mine.
Forgive me, Maharani!
Just as making mistakes
is a part of being human,
similarly, it is also our duty to forgive.
Forgive me!
Please forgive me, Maharani!
It is not my fault.
I had pardoned your past mistakes
because Swarajya needed your wisdom.
But now,
your greed has outgrown your wisdom.
And your mistakes
have now become a crime!
And to forgive a criminal
is itself a crime!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Yes, Shambhu?
Abasahib,
what do these enemies look like?
Why do you ask, Shambhu?
You will never face them.
Your strength is so great
that they will only dare
to attack you from behind.
They will never dare to face you!
I never truly felt a mother's love.
Seeing Soyra Aaisahib's love
for Ramraje,
I realized there are no limits
to a mother's love!
I must have seen my Aaisahib but,
before I could engrave
her face into my memory, she
I closed my eyes and tried countless times
to find her in my memories.
I even sought her in Soyra Aaisahib.
You know everything,
don't you, Shri-Sakhi?
Please, tell me,
what must my Aaisahib look like?
How could I ever see
what you cannot, Maharaj?
But I will pray to Goddess Jagdamba
that in the next life,
you are born of my womb.
So that,
I may fulfill both the joys
and shortcomings of this life,
as your mother.
My father, Shah Jahan,
had planned to crown
my brother, Dara Shikoh.
So, I beheaded him.
I adorned his head
and sent it to my father as a gift.
I did not kill Shah Jahan,
I imprisoned him.
For eight years
For eight long years, he languished,
gazing at the Taj Mahal
through his prison window,
as his life slowly faded away.
Now, a 24-year-old boy
has turned my most beautiful city
into a graveyard
and left.
No
Spare me! Spare me!
How dare you survive?
Sambha has given refuge to Prince Akbar!
Abbahuzur,
Sambha has given refuge to Prince Akbar!
I claimed this crown by stepping
over the dead bodies of my own kin.
Now I will wear it again
only when the screams
of that arrogant Sambha
ring out across Hindustan!
Wherever you see saffron,
stain it red with blood!
Decorate every fort
in the Deccan with gifts!
Let our guests be welcomed
-with grandeur and festivity!
-We completely agree, Army Chief.
The disagreement we had over
the entitlement last time,
we trust that no doubts remain
about our commitment now!
Doubt is for foes,
for our own,
there is nothing but love, Ganojiraje!
It is said that an uncle
is doubly vigilant than a mother!
And my children are fortunate,
for they have not one, but two uncles!
I trust you will always watch over them.
Don't worry, Maharaj!
We will stand like a shield
against anyone who dares to lay
their evil sights on Swarajya!
I wish Aurang were standing
on that mountain right now!
It feels like a storm is approaching.
Let us go home.
Come on, move, come on.
You can sense it beforehand, right?
Then why didn't you tell me?
Come on, move.
Come on
Help!
Help me!
Help!
Help!
Raje, almost half of the Mughal army
has reached the Deccan!
My heart trembles
at the sight of their power
and the monstrous cruelty
I have witnessed!
The trees were draped
with more bodies than leaves.
The river ran red with the blood
of our people,
far more than the water itself.
The Mughals have drowned our children,
suffocating the future that once echoed
with laughter and hope!
Get lost!
Mother!
Where do you think you are going?
Wherever Aurang stepped foot,
nothing remained but devastation, Maharaj!
The dust stirred by His Majesty's steps
must have already reached Raigad!
-God willing!
-God willing!
They have only 25,000 soldiers.
And that's just the number of cooks
in our army alone.
Indeed, Zeenat!
And half of our forces
have yet to reach the Deccan.
Now, even God cannot stop my Lord!
Ravage the Deccan
so completely that
when I see it,
it feels as if it never even existed!
-Let it be so.
-Let it be so.
Until now,
Aurang has advanced like a swift arrow,
but now, he will attempt to surround
us from every side.
His next targets will be
Kalyan,
Bhiwandi,
Jalna,
Nashik, Pune, Satara,
Kolhapur,
Konkan,
and Karnataka!
Raje, we are just 25 thousand,
but our strength
is no less than 25 lakhs!
Just give us the order to charge forward!
We must meet Aurang's
vast army not just with force,
but with strategy, Rayaji!
Just as we bind a wound after
a snake's bite,
the same way, we must
secure the entire Deccan
and hold it firmly!
We will attack
in ways they never expect!
The Mughals will not only face our army,
but they will also have to contend
with our land itself.
Indeed, Army Chief,
neither their soldiers
nor their horses are accustomed
to our rugged mountain roads
and dense forests.
In the dense jungles of the Konkan,
we will strike
like the Monkey Brigade, Maharaj.
We will give them a tour
of our shifting fields.
We will make them taste the sweetness
of Satara's sugarcane.
Raje, we will ensure that the waters
of Nashik turn against them.
We will devour them like crocodiles.
Yes! And in Jalna, we will make
the Mughal army don blood!
We will bury them
in Kolhapur,
like the fury of an earthquake!
I swear by Goddess Bhavani!
We will reduce Aurang's pride
to ashes!
We must draw them
in like a raging cyclone.
They are here because
we have pulled them here,
and they will leave only
when we decide.
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
I will pray to Goddess Jagdamba
that all your desires come to fruition!
KONKAN
Send word to every fort commander
to be vigilant of the wandering
Mughal forces nearby.
And Nilopantji,
ensure that in every confrontation,
our army is never short of weapons,
armor, or supplies.
Only the Mughal numbers must dwindle.
SATARA
Don't hurt him!
Spare him!
Do not hurt them!
Spare them!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Har Har Mahadev!
Uncle Hambir,
if you would permit
your daughter Tara Rani
to marry into the Bhonsle family,
then Ramraje
JALNA
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
KOLHAPUR
Let him go!
-Move!
-Let her go!
-Move!
-Let her go!
No
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
The era stirs with a thunderous cry
The storm rises, shaking earth and sky!
In saffron's glory the sky ignites
The storm is here blazing bright!
One eye holds tears, the other, desire
The storm has come raging like fire!
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
O Lord of Lords
O Essence of all
O Lord of Lords
O Essence of all
O Mighty One
O Commander of Armies
He's Narsingh, fierce and bold
With storms that surge in veins untold!
The era stirs with a thunderous cry
The storm rises, shaking earth and sky!
O Mighty One
O Commander of Armies
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Our army is now only half
of what it once was.
The royal treasury is draining fast.
Find Sambha at once,
or soon enough,
he will turn your beds into graves
and leave without a trace!
It has been many years
since we left Delhi, Your Majesty,
yet not once have we set foot
on a street that Sambha ever crossed.
NASHIK
With a weapon in his grasp
The warrior strikes his foe deep
In the forest
He approaches, his challenge
Echoing through the pack's roar
Swift as the wind
Har Har Mahadev!
He moves in silence beneath the sky
Master of deception
Here he comes
Man of valor!
Mighty Sambhaji!
Man of valor, Sambhaji!
Mighty Sambhaji!
Sambhaji! Chhatrapati Sambhaji!
With a weapon in his grasp
The warrior strikes his foe
Deep in the forest
He approaches, his challenge
Echoing through the pack's roar
Swift as the wind
Sambhaji! Sambhaji!
Chhatrapati Sambhaji!
There is no power or strength
except for Allah!
There is no power or strength
except for Allah.
We have found Prince Mirza Akbar!
If Allah wills, we shall hear good news
before the morning prayer!
Just like Akbar,
there must be someone in the Deccan
who feels trapped in his own house.
Find that person!
Abbahuzur,
the Mughal swords had reached
Akbar's neck, yet,
unfortunately, he's still alive!
But we have found a way
to locate Sambha!
We have found someone
close to Sambha,
who has felt like an outsider
for many years.
Welcome to the Emperor's sanctuary.
Remarkable!
Truly remarkable!
Yashwantji,
the way you and Sampathji
are managing the affairs
of Karnataka and Konkan,
even this poet
cannot find enough words
to praise you today!
What greater fortune
could there be than easing
the burden of Maharaj?
With you there,
I have no need to turn my gaze
in that direction.
Pardon my intrusion, Maharaj,
but the situation is such
that I find myself compelled
to appear before you, uninvited!
I have decided to leave Hindustan.
Prince,
we are so close to achieving our goal.
We did not expect you to leave
at such a critical moment.
I have long harbored this grievance
against the Mughals, Chandogamatya.
They never seek to walk alongside,
they are always fixated on moving forward.
The goal was to march
side by side, Your Majesty.
But right now,
my departure is essential
for me to live a long life.
Why, Prince?
Before the Mughals could lead you
to the gates of heaven,
the Marathas sent them
to the gates of hell.
But for how long, Maharaj?
How long will you be able to protect me?
Your Swarajya
means more to you than my life.
Allow me to say goodbye.
Think it over once more.
You will not be able
to witness Aurang's downfall.
Maharaj, the news of your victory
will bring me immense joy,
even from afar!
Dhanaji!
Yes, Raje?
Ensure that Prince Akbar's plans succeed.
As you command, Maharaj.
Raje!
Raje!
Raje!
What happened, Mhaloji-baba?
Raje,
the army chief is no more.
In the battle of Wai,
while fighting the Mughals,
Army Chief Hambirrao Mohite
breathed his last.
WAI
DECEMBER 1687
The cannon fired
by the defeated Sarja Khan
has breached the walls of Swarajya, Raje.
Accept the final salute
of this soldier of Swarajya, Raje!
Hail Goddess Bhavani.
Goddess Jagdamba!
Shambhu, you must learn to wield a sword
as deftly as your fingers.
Your blade should strike the enemy
with the force of Lord Krishna's
Sudarshan Chakra!
Well done!
Uncle Hambir, please call me Shambhu.
My ears yearn to hear "Shambhu."
Raje
Yes, Bahirji.
Yashwantji of Karnataka,
Sampathji of Konkan,
Sadanandji of Amravati,
Parshuramji of Goa,
Vinayakji of Kudal
One by one,
they are falling into Aurang's trap, and
abandoning Swarajya, Raje.
Where is Aurang now?
He has pitched camp in Akluj!
Bahirji, spread the word
among the Mughals,
that 10,000 Maratha soldiers
are marching towards Akluj
via Pune!
Yesaji.
Yes, Raje?
Send a message to every regional chief
in the Deccan to meet me
in Sangameshwar!
Why Sangameshwar?
Maharaj chose Sangameshwar
to unite all the Marathas.
With a full army,
he will quietly advance through
the dense jungles,
marching towards Aurang.
Meanwhile, the Mughal army spread nearby
will be eagerly waiting
for the 10,000 soldiers in Pune,
who never left Raigad in the first place!
Young Prince?
Bhavani?
Aren't you coming with me
to the temple today?
First, ward off the evil eye
from Maharaj, Dhara.
He is going to war again.
When will this cursed Aurang die?
How many more battles
must you fight, Maharaj?
I hope this is the last one!
I know the pain you all endure
because of it!
To be away from your family for so long,
months turn into years
Children become unrecognizable!
Maharaj, my brother,
whether you accept it or not,
this time,
I too shall join you
in this fight for Swarajya!
You think I am not ready, right?
If I had doubts,
would I have left the entire Raigad
in your care, Ramraje?
Your presence here is more crucial
than my going to battle, Ramraje!
May you live long!
Shri-Sakhi!
Yes?
I am going to face Aurang!
Aren't you worried?
I am,
but not for you.
I am worried for Aurang.
The whole Maratha empire,
including myself,
has been waiting for this day.
To see Aurang's defeat
and the triumph of Abasahib's dreams!
I don't just believe so,
I know so beyond doubt.
With your trust in me
Battles turn to festive displays
Remember, the kingdom's guardian
Must be kept alive always
SANGAMESHWAR
If someone is willing to stoop
to any depth to spread fear,
it is only natural to be afraid of him!
If you have no choice but to follow
the enemy's commands to protect yourself,
I can understand your predicament.
But there is one thing
I cannot comprehend!
Since when did the Marathas start
thinking only about their own security?
Yes?
Every time a Maratha laid down his life,
it was to protect Swarajya,
for the glory
of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!
A head that bows only to its motherland
how could it ever bow before the enemy?
Blood of great warriors
runs through our veins!
Aurang does not possess
the strength to spill it!
How can a man
capable of killing his father, brother,
and son for a throne,
ever win our loyalty?
We are Marathas!
This throne of Swarajya
has been built through
the sacrifices and blood
of countless Marathas!
Swarajya is not the desire of one man,
it is the will of the Almighty
to protect every soul!
This kingdom is nothing
but the will of the divine!
The time has come
to rid Hindustan of this monster!
Now, we make our move!
Every blow we strike
will honor our fallen martyrs,
it will be in the name
of Army Chief Hambirrao Mohite!
I command every regional chief
Every Maratha soldier
of Swarajya must be in Sangameshwar
by tomorrow's sunset.
In the dead of night, the Maratha army
will advance towards Aurang
via Amba Ghat, like raging fire!
We will reduce Aurang
and his hollow empire to ashes!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
-Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Praise be to the consort
of Goddess Parvati!
-Har Har Mahadev!
-Har Har Mahadev!
Aaisahib!
Aaisahib!
Yes, Shambhu?
Abasahib,
when will this tunnel end?
This tunnel has no end, Shambhu!
But you shouldn't stop!
PANHALA FOROh, wow!
You seem happy, Father!
It's not happiness, Santa,
this is pure excitement!
Aurang's end is now inevitable!
Maharaj has already
decided the Mughals' fate.
Once the order is given, we will strike!
Did Maharaj forget
to give the orders, Father?
The army is moving out
via Amba Ghat.
What happened, Father?
We have been betrayed, Santa!
-It is the Mughal army!
-What?
They are marching toward Sangameshwar,
heading straight for Maharaj.
We must reach Maharaj
before they do, Santa!
We must hurry!
-Har Har Mahadev!
-Har Har Mahadev!
But Father
The shortest route to Sangameshwar
is through Amba Ghat!
How did the Mughals know that?
We are advancing
with a force of 5,000 men,
filled with hope.
If we don't find Sambha
in Sangameshwar, imagine
what 5,000 frustrated souls
will do to you.
We too have lived with broken
hearts for years, Muqarrab Khan!
Why would we do that to anyone else?
Capturing Sambha
will fulfill both our dreams!
Trust me,
Sambha is in Sangameshwar.
That too, with just 150 men by his side!
Glory be to Allah!
Not just Girkan,
we shall gift you
the entire Konkan after this!
Har Har Mahadev!
Inform Maharaj at once, Santa!
Har Har Mahadev!
-Har Har Mahadev!
-Maharaj!
We are under imminent attack!
-The Mughals are here!
-Who?
Kanhoji and Ganoji.
Charge!
Raje!
Raje!
Who stabbed me in the back
and struck at the heart of Swarajya?
It was Ganoji and Kanhoji.
Goddess Jagdamba!
Depart immediately
to ensure Raigad's safety.
I am weary of the suspicious
gazes upon me, Maharaj.
This is my chance to prove my loyalty,
once and for all!
A faction of 20 warriors stand ready
to escort you safely to Raigad.
-I beg of you, leave at once!
-Chandogamatya!
Have you ever seen a chhaava
fear dogs and run for its life?
I feel the urge to roar,
like a beast in the jungle!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Anta!
Anta!
Raje, accept my final greetings
Maharaj!
Raya!
Raya!
Raya!
Father!
Father!
Santaji!
Leave for Raigad at once
and deliver this to the Maharani!
No, Maharaj! I cannot leave your side!
It is my command!
But what should I tell her?
She will understand.
No, Maharaj! No!
Go!
Go now!
This is outrageous!
Even thousands of soldiers
cannot subdue a single man?
This king is fiercer
than the king of the jungle!
As long as his hands remain free,
nothing will be able to overpower him.
Raje!
Raje!
Raje!
Raje!
Take this royal gift to the Emperor!
Say it again!
It is true, Emperor.
Sambha is in Mughal captivity.
Oh, God,
your world has been saved
from total annihilation!
I will go to rescue my brother,
the Maharaj!
Come with me!
No matter which path you choose,
the enemy will be waiting to strike!
Raigad
The Mughals have surrounded
Raigad on all sides!
So, are we to remain here and do nothing?
Time is of the essence, Crown Prince.
Swarajya is at risk,
and Maharaj
is in Aurang's custody.
Until now, Aurang was far from Maharaj,
yet our Maharaj made him suffer endlessly.
Now, Maharaj will face him directly!
Aurang will beg for death itself!
Pray that men like Ganoji
and Kanhoji never be born
even in the enemy's house.
My Lord
Let me
savor this moment, Khan.
Nine years
For nine long years, in every prayer,
I have pleaded with God
to let me face him.
Chandogamatya,
I know this is not the grand court
of Raigad, but still,
you must do your part
and share a few pearls of wisdom
to please the Emperor.
Elephants, horses, cannons, swords
Your army's strong and vast
But my King, though chained
Remains a force to outlast!
Let us feed his meat to the dogs
and end his lineage here and now!
You should feed our meat
to your dogs only.
At least your dogs
will get a taste of loyalty
and their future generations
will be blessed!
This fails to amuse me.
Now,
before I extract
your soul from your body,
I must ask you one question
What is this Swarajya,
for which you are willing
to give up your life?
Yes?
And where is your Swarajya now?
It is in the mountains of Sahyadri,
in the flowing waters of the Godavari,
in the soil of Raigad,
in the streets of Jalna,
in the winds of Nashik,
in every corner of Konkan,
at the feet of Goddess Bhavani!
Swarajya dwells in the very veins
of millions of Marathas!
The Swarajya you wish to destroy,
Aurang, is not just a kingdom.
It is the vision
of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj!
Nothing has changed, has it?
You stand here,
bound before an Emperor,
yet your eyes still blaze
with that same fire,
that same passion ruling your mind.
Much has changed, Aurang.
I once saw arrogance in your eyes,
a crown on your head,
but both seem to be missing today
Emperor!
Inflict unbearable pain upon him,
so that when he begs for death,
all we hear are his screams.
I dance to the rhythm of death, Aurang!
You cannot intimidate me with death!
From my death,
a new Siva and a new Sambha
will rise in every Maratha home!
But when you die,
the Mughal Empire shall fall with you!
Hail Goddess Bhavani!
Forgive me, Chandogamatya.
You have had to endure
this pain because of me.
In this very pain lies
the joy of life, Maharaj.
What sorrow can Sudama know
When compassionate Krishna walks in tow?
Where are you taking him?
Are you releasing him?
His words are like weapons
That change on call
At times, they become arrows
At times, a sword
Chandogamatya!
Do you recall when I said I would
compete with you in poetry?
And I responded that
you are victorious
without a contest.
The one who masters the mind
Will thrive
The one who succumbs to it
Won't survive
Those who yield without a fight
Bringing upon themselves
Shame every time
Shame on those
Who fail to dream and strive
For the right to dream is our birth-right
For the sake of our own
We must act today
We must make Swaraj eternal
And immortal, come what may!
You are a child of the earth
Not just dust or grain
You will change the times
And write history
Do not forget this claim!
You are the first star of dawn
The voice of change
This darkness is fleeting
Soon the world will be yours to claim!
Accept your
servant's final greetings, Raje.
I leave now
To dwell in the wounds of your foes
I am salt
Maharaj, I told you so!
You are not salt, Poet
You are sandalwood
You are the pride
I adorn upon my forehead!
Raje, with that, the contest ends
In the end
Victory is yours as I had said
A ruler of the people
You are like the sun's glow
With Goddess Jagdamba's blessings
Your power will grow
O Chhatrapati
O friend Sambha!
I am salt, Maharaj!
I am salt!
You are not salt, Poet
You are sandalwood
You are the pride
I adorn upon my forehead
Raje
Tear every nail from his fingers!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Goddess Jagdamba!
We have torn off all the nails,
yet there is no trace of pain
on Sambha's face.
Shri-Sakhi!
Yes?
Since when did you start
worrying about me?
Do you question my abilities?
Or do you doubt my bravery?
I don't just trust my mountain storm,
I take immense pride in him.
I might doubt my own existence,
but never your bravery.
Why do you have such unwavering
faith in me, Shri-Sakhi?
There must be a reason
I have yet to understand.
There is another thing Jija Aausahib
shared with me on the day of our wedding
That just as Lord Shiva performed
the tandava on the Himalayas,
Shambhuraje too will
rule the forts of the Deccan.
He will illuminate all of Hindustan
with the flame of Swarajya!
By the way,
Jija Aausahib also mentioned
something to me
She said, "Shambhu,
Yesu is no ordinary woman.
She is the very reincarnation
of Goddess Parvati!
Just as Lord Shiva cannot exist
without Goddess Parvati,
similarly, this Shambhu is incomplete
without Yesu!"
That is why this Sakhi is always
in the heart of her beloved Shri!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Goddess Jagdamba!
He stands there, drenched in blood,
yet not a single scream,
not even a whisper
of pain escapes his lips!
The one who delivers
the blows trembles, my Lord,
but in Sambha's eyes,
there's not a flicker of fear!
His eyes!
What is it that you are gazing at?
Your eyes.
And what do you see in them?
Love, reverence,
and unwavering pride for Swarajya!
And for you?
Only and only love.
The same love Lord Krishna bore
for Mother Radha in His gaze!
You know it, and I know too
I long to live in your love so true
My eyes are caught in the gaze of you
I yearn to hold your words, like glue
You are my world
At least, close your eyes, Sire.
-You were, and always will be, eternally
-What are you waiting for? Gouge them out!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Abasahib.
Yes, Shambhu?
When I meet Aaisahib,
how will I know it is her?
I do not even remember her face!
But she remembers you, Shambhu.
Even in the deepest darkness,
if you call her,
she will recognize you
by your voice alone!
You cannot intimidate me with death!
From my death,
a new Siva and a new Sambha
will rise in every Maratha home!
But when you die,
the Mughal Empire shall fall with you!
Why do such flowers not bloom
in our desolate land?
Align with us.
Side with the Mughals.
Your life will change for the better.
All you have to do
is change your religion!
Align with us!
Side with the Marathas.
Your life will change
for the better and
you won't even need
to change your religion!
Aurang, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
is known as the lion,
and his cub is known as
chhaava!
Sever his tongue!
With your trust in me
Battles turn to festive displays
Goddess Jagdamba!
Goddess Jagdamba!
Puissant and valiant,
the Fort Destroyer,
born of the Kshatriya clan,
The King of kings
All hail Chhatrapati Ramraje Maharaj!
With your trust in me
Battles turn to festive displays
Remember, the kingdom's guardian
Must be kept alive always
Goddess Jagdamba!
Sambha passed,
rejoicing in his own death,
while we are left behind
to mourn our lives!
Word has arrived from Raigad.
The Chhatrapati of the Marathas
lives on!
Mujtaba!
My Lord.
If only I had a child like Sambha!
Just one child, Mujtaba.
Not only Hindustan,
but the entire world
would have been mine!
There burns a fierce envy within me,
for that Siva, Mujtaba,
who fathered such a chhaava!
VADHU
11 MARCH 1689
Your shadow with us
Will always thrive!
May it always thrive
Aaisahib?
Yes, Shambhu?
READY TO SACRIFICE
FOR HIS DUTY TO HIS LAND,
THE CUB OF SHIVA
MIGHTY AND GRAND.
A WARRIOR OF VALOR
BOLD AND TRUE,
NONE OTHER THAN KING SHAMBHU.