Bajirao Mastani (बाजीराव मस्तानी)

As incomplete as the sun without rays...

And fragrance without breeze...

ls a ruler without his Prime Minister.

The demise of our Prime Minister, Peshwa Balaji Vishwanath...

Leaves us with a pressing question.

Who here considers himself worthy enough to be the next Peshwa?

I would accept the post of Peshwa with great honour, Your Majesty.

Your proposal pleases me, Panth Pratinidhi.

Does the court approve?

Your Majesty...

The only man that can protect..

..the Maratha empire and preserve the honour of the Peshwa's post...

is Bajirao!

Forgive me, Your Majesty but this statement mocks the court.

You appear to be the only one laughing, Minister.

Every man has the right to prove his merit.

A son does not inherit his father's wisdom simply by wearing his turban.

Even a sandalwood tree needs time to age before it produces fragrance.

But even the youngest thorn can prick. What say?

Never doubt the cheetah's speed, the hawk's vision and Bajirao's sword...

They could outwit you at any moment!

I, Bajirao Ballad...

Son of Late Balaji Vishwanath, consider myself fit for this post.

And for that, I am willing to pass any test.

A test there shall be, Bajirao.

But I shall allow Panth Pratinidhi to decide it.

Prove your marksmanship by splitting that peacock feather into two, Bajirao.

Let your weapons speak of your wisdom.

Now let's see some of that cheetah's speed and hawk's vision...

Your Majesty, the challenge was to split the peacock feather into two halves...

And the court witnesses that the feather is still intact.

But shorter than before.

Sift through the mud and you will find the other half there.

That was proof of my marksmanship...

Now for the thought behind it.

That soil is India and that peacock feather is the tree..

..of the Mughal kingdom with its roots in Delhi...

The arrow is...

The Maratha empire.

Strike at the root and even the biggest tree will fall.

You have a brilliant mind, Peshwa!

Behold the pride of the Maratha empire...

The righteous and dutiful...

Peshwa Bajirao Ballad!

Behold!

This story belongs to an era in history...

When King Shahu Maharaj held the reins of the Maratha empire.

And his Prime Minister was Bajirao Ballad.

A sword as swift as lightening... A will as immovable as the Himalayas.

The radiance of his clan on his face... And only one dream in his eyes...

To see the Maratha flag paint the skies in Delhi, saffron with victory.

In ten years, Bajirao had captured half of India with his leadership,..

..political prowess and unmatched battle skills.

Stories of Bajirao's valour made headlines..

..from the Nizam in South, to the Mughals in the north.

We shall fulfill King Shivaji's dream...

..Defeat the Mughals and make India a Hindu state.

Unlike the enemy's jewels and wealth,..

..our treasury is rich with blood, ready for sacrifice.

We owe our every breath to the Maratha empire.

We are the thunder in the face of any storm...

And we are a sea of fire in the face of thunder!

Bajirao Ballad shall break away all shackles of defeat..

..and unfurl the saffron flag in victory.

While Bajirao was wielding his sword to change the map of India...

A magnificent palace, Shaniwar Wada,

..was being constructed in Pune, in his honour.

Kashi, where are you going in the middle of prayers?

Bhanu has come!

Bhanu who?

A dear childhood friend... I'll be right back with her.

Be back soon!

Yes, right away.

When will Kashi ever learn!

Bhanu, when did you arrive?

And why are you out here, you should've come into the prayer service.

That's alright.

It's been a while since we last met. All well, Kashi?

Bhanu, when did this happen?

What happened to your husband?

He was murdered.

BY Whom?

By the Peshwa.

Tread carefully Bhanu!

You are accusing the Peshwa of murder!

He was accused of being a spy...

The Peshwa would never do such injustice.

What's in this?

The Peshwa's justice...

My husband's ashes.

Today you sanctify your home...

While mine burns to ashes.

I ache for my husband, Kashi.

As will you!

My Lord, a soldier has come from Bundelkhand.

He has a message from King Chatrasal.

The soldier wishes to meet you.

Does the King wish to offer me his daughter's hand?

He says Mohammad Bangash's troops have surrounded his fort...

And he needs our assistance.

Are we to fight our own battles or help the king, Tukoji?

We must reach Siraunja.

Send the soldier away.

But Sir, the soldier is insisting on meeting the Peshwa.

Tukoji, leave!

Certainly.

If we take this valley, we will reach quicker.

You cannot meet the Peshwa.

Stop him! No one must go inside...

Panth, please send her away respectfully.

Bundelkhand is in danger.

The Rajput queens and princesses are poised to self-immolate.

We need your help.

When Bundelkhand has a weapon like you, what help should I be?

I cannot help you right now, please leave.

You may lose your life over this!

It hardly matters.

I swore while leaving Bundelkhand that..

..l would return only with Peshwa Bajirao, or not at all.

I put forth a plea believing you to be God, but you aren't even human.

What is your name?

Mastani.

I like your courage and your approach...

Decamp, Panth.

We ride to Bundelkhand!

But Sir, what will we tell His Majesty?

His Majesty will be happy to know that..

..one Hindu monarch is going to help another.

How far is Bundelkhand from here?

It's a five day march.

- We shall get there in two... - That's impossible.

Let the enemy think that way...

Bajirao's fame is carried by his speed, Mastani...

Let's go!

Final warning...

"surrender by daybreak or face dire consequences" - Mohammad Bangash.

No word of help from the Peshwa.

That leaves us only two choices...

Surrender or martyrdom!

MARTYRDOM!!

Ruhani Begum! What's going on?

My king, if enemy breaches the fort walls...

The women shall surrender to this fire, to safeguard our dignity!

My king!

I see torchlights coming in from the East!!

That must be Mastani arriving with help.

General! An army approaches from beyond those hills.

Swerve the cannons!

We've been tricked! About-face... Head back!

There is no army here... It's just cattle!

We have managed to trick them!

Their cannons have been swerved.

Mastani, reach inside the fort through the secret tunnel...

And signal me once inside.

We'll be ready for attack.

Mastani!

The Maratha army is here, father.

- Bundelkhand is forever indebted to you... - There is no debt in duty, father.

Go ahead and declare war, I'll signal the Peshwa.

Attack!

Congratulations on your victory, Peshwa.

I wish you and Mastani the same. How is she now?

Wounded, yet grateful.

I don't know how I can repay this debt.

I seek no reward, dear King...

All I ask for, is the permission to bid farewell. I must reach Siraunja.

I won't hear of it!

You must celebrate this Holi with us!

My lady, it appears you've truly been playing Holi.

And with none other than the Peshwa.

He carried you here in his arms, wounded and unconscious...

But even in that state you were entwined with him as though one body.

Congratulations on this victorious morning, My Lady.

I would like a few moments alone with Mastani Saheba.

Leave us...

These are my personal chambers, Peshwa... Not your battleground.

One needs my permission to leave.

I said... No one leaves without my permission.

Besides, it could be dangerous being alone with you.

ls that so! Do you not trust me, My Lady?

I'm afraid it's myself I don't trust.

My Rajput blood could make me avenge your assault.

You have every right.

I owe you my life.

I owe you my homeland.

I would give even my life for you, Mastani.

It appears this account must be settled in private after all!

You deserve to be praised, Mastani Saheba...

"My sword has never spared a foe on the battlefield,"

..but somehow you escaped its wrath.

I believe your wound is deep.

Let me see it.

Rajputs do not make a show of their wounds.

To others, this may be a battle scar...

But for me, you are the moon bathed in colour.

The poison had to be stopped from spreading.

I've seen your wounds, Mastani...

You are no longer a Rajput.

What you see is merely the mark of your sword.

But it is my heart that bleeds.