Champion (ఛాంపియన్)

This is the story of a village that time could not erase.

Enough with the costumes.

The audience has waited long enough. Let's begin the play!

A tale of land and its people that history will remember forever.

August 15th, 1947.

Everyone knows India gained independence on that day.

But how many knew that the state of Hyderabad, right at the country's core,

hadn't?

Because the Nizam who ruled it,

declared that they would remain an independent country.

His army was made up of demons known as Razakars.

Those demons were led by Qasim Razvi.

Why was I summoned to Delhi?

I wanted to know your decision regarding Hyderabad State, Mr. Razvi.

The Nizam has decided that Hyderabad will be an independent state, like Pakistan.

We will not tolerate any further interference by the Indian government.

I will not allow the nation to be divided.

The only sensible course here…

Is to integrate Hyderabad with India.

Tell your Nizam I said so.

You are forgetting something.

You may be India's Home Minister, but not ours.

To protect our state,

we are ready to give our lives

or take others!

May God be your protector.

Mr. Nehru,

the situation in Hyderabad is highly unstable.

Before it's too late,

we must send the Indian army

and take action.

Listen, Mr. Patel.

The world will see India as the aggressor if we send in the army.

We cannot forsake our citizens, to appease the rest of the world.

No, Mr. Patel.

Let us be patient until the right moment.

The Government of India

is seeking to integrate Hyderabad by force.

We will not let this happen.

If that happens,

not only…

Would the Nizam incur a loss…

But all you zamindars will be at risk.

What do you say, Mr. Pratap Reddy Deshmukh?

We've always been the Nizam's slaves, Mr. Razvi.

We stand ready to execute your orders as law.

Well done!

We just want to be an independent state, like Pakistan.

And to achieve this goal, we are going to the United Nations.

If anyone speaks against our command,

we'll answer with our swords!

- Free Hyderabad! - Free Hyderabad!

- Free Hyderabad. - Free Hyderabad.

- Free Hyderabad! - Free Hyderabad!

While the rest of India is celebrating its hard-won freedom,

we're being crushed under the feet of the Nizam and the Deshmukhs.

Now along with them, the blood-hungry and brutal Razakars

are raiding our villages and taking our honor and our lives.

Let's wake up now.

We must break free from this wretched life.

We must face them bravely, like Bhairanpally.

What happened, dear?

What happened?

- Looks like they know I'm here. - What now?

Stay inside with the kids no matter what.

- Please don't go outside! - Don't come out!

- Stay inside. - Please stay, dear! Dear!

Someone, please help!

Sir! Please let him go, sir.

Oh, God. Dear…

Dear!

Please save him…

Dear!

No…

Why are you siding with those Communists, Bikshapathy?

If only you'd continued to serve by the landlords' feet,

you wouldn't face all these troubles.

How long do we stay under your feet like dogs, Patwari?

Hey!

Tell me.

What gives you such courage?

The very name of the village chills your spine, Patwari.

You worthless fool!

He's not a man,

but a monster.

Why should I fear anyone?

Do whatever you want!

We have a lot of work left for you, and we need you alive,

not as a corpse.

Why would we kill you so soon?

Dear!

Mom?

Mom!

Mom! Mom!

Mom!

Dad!

While many villages bowed to the Razakars' tyranny,

one village stood up to them.

Dad!

That village is Bhairanpally.

Careful.

Chari, Krishnaiah, go that way.

- Bapu and I will search here. - Okay.

Bikshapathy? Bikshapathy!

Bikshapathy!

- Hey, Balraju. Over here. - Hey, come.

Be quiet.

Let's do whatever it takes to rescue Bikshapathy.

Come on.

- Hey! Stop. - Stop.

Bikshapathy? Hey, Bikshapathy.

Bapu, there's no one here.

Hey! Who the hell are you all?

Hey! Come here!

The police are here!

Push the cart!

- We got him! - Hey!

We're servants who get paid to do as they say.

Spare us just this once.

We're not demons like you to kill the helpless.

We are farmers.

Even though the Nizams harassed us all these years,

we quietly accepted it as fate.

We're coming soon to smash their fort walls and shatter these shackles!

Warn Razvi and his stooge Deshmukh!

Sir, we fled here after they burned down our village.

Rajanna, Sundarayya is back from Vijayawada.

Sir! Sir!

Sir…

We couldn't rescue Bikshapathy.

But don't lose courage.

We will see him returned to you safely, at any cost.

Sir!

They tossed young boys into a dry well and burned them alive!

They violated our daughters!

They left no grain to feed the children

and burned the entire village to ashes!

- How are we supposed to live, sir? - Sambaiah.

Consider Bhairanpally as your home.

Stay here until things get better.

Stay as long as you need.

Sir!

- Sathi. - Yes, Bapu.

- Take them and arrange for their stay. - Okay, sir.

- Please come. - Come, sir.

Go on.

Mr. Sundarayya.

Qasim Razvi's rhetoric is growing more and more hostile.

There isn't a single village untouched by his demonic shadow.

Even the Nizam has become his puppet now.

Today's strike on their fortress will surely hurt their pride.

The Razakars will surely retaliate.

That's why you need to be extra cautious now.

Darn it!

They must've moved Bikshapathy to another fortress.

That's why we didn't find him.

Bapu, how long can we fight with these old knives and sticks?

If we had rifles,

we'd run Razvi and Razakars out of this place.

You're right, Balraju.

Under the current circumstances, acquiring rifles will be difficult.

They've tightened security near the borders.

Even if we try to bring the guns from Hyderabad,

the whole area is under police surveillance.

There's a party meeting in Vijayawada next month.

We'll discuss the gun issue with the party there.

Certainly, Mr. Sundarayya.

Raji Reddy, just as you inspired this village,

Bhairanpally will inspire other towns ahead.

Keep that fighting spirit alive!

They ruined our fields, violated our women

killed our children, and imprisoned our people!

Remember the vile leaders and their deeds!

Let the flame live on, flickering but fierce.

Strike when the time is right!

Those abusing tongues must be silenced!

Any hand that dishonors a woman must face the fire!

Eyes that wink with avarice shall burn with chili and contempt!

Legs that kicked and crushed will learn toil and dust!

They will be chopped up and left to the crows!

Strike when the time is right!

Today marks a momentous day in the history of the British empire,

as we welcome the esteemed arrival of the highly decorated

and celebrated football player hailing from Hyderabad state.

On behalf of Queen Elizabeth II,

I extend a warm welcome

to Mr. Michael Williams!

He's the Champion…

He's the Champion

Your Majesty, it is deeply my honor.

I'm Michael C Williams,

and I'm really grateful to be here at this moment.

Lift your head, my boy.

I was expecting Queen Elizabeth to receive me.

Why would they bring a kitchen worker like you?

You!

Where are you going in your rented suit anyway?

Rent?

Is this how you talk to a star football player?

I bought it for two rupees at a shop in Abids.