Raakaasa (రాకాస)

A story that began ages ago.

This dark tale is told through three warnings.

This is the last warning.

A sacrifice must be made.

When a message from hell arrives,

the sacrifice must reach the fort beyond the village.

2,000 YEARS AGO

The sacrifice here is a human life.

Beyond that fort lies death.

1,000 YEARS AGO

A thousand years later, the tale repeats itself.

Every time the signs appear,

the King and the villagers

always offer a sacrifice.

500 YEARS AGO

This time, the chosen sacrifice was…

An infant!

But King Prataparudra Varma,

wanted to rebel.

This helplessness grips me like cuffs on my hands.

I fear this incapacity shall haunt me all my life, my dear minister.

We must end this.

My lord, I have found a second entrance to the fort.

This is the right time to attack.

The King and his army were never seen again.

Because…

The one inside that fort,

the one they appease with sacrifices,

is no ordinary man.

He's a dark, malevolent spirit.

No one should repeat the mistake your father made.

- Here you go. - The ritual must carry on.

Time will choose the next sacrifice.

It's me. Stop staring out the window.

You look like that place scares the life out of you.

Stop staring. You'll sweat less.

I'm really scared, sir.

I heard no one from your village ever goes that way.

You want all the news, huh?

Stop poking your nose into everything.

You're new to the village, and here for the ceremony, right?

- Ananda? - Yes, Father.

- Here. - Take it.

I've blessed this talisman. Just 150 rupees.

Tie it on your wrist. You can go wherever you want.

- Except that place. - Okay, sir.

And if he goes there?

If he goes there, he won't come back.

The seat will be empty. Next time, you can take it.

- No need. - Father.

It's 150 rupees.

Chari's running a scam, selling threads as talismans.

I feel the same.

Hey, who is that?

- He's figured it out. - Shut your mouth, Ananda.

Hey! We're descendants of royal priests.

Our primary work is astrology. Black magic is only secondary.

With just a talisman, I can snap your wife's mangal sutra.

Like how you used to snap Mother's mangal sutra to drink, Father?

You're good for nothing. Go sell those threa... the talismans.

Father, if we keep fooling people, we'll be caught someday.

Who dares to stand in my way!

EERA BABU U.S.A

SUKANYA WEDS MAHESH

What's up, my homies?

My beloved villagers. Long time, no see.

I'm back, baby.

You won't get more than 150 rupees for that.

It's a good deal. Take it.

Nothing's changed around here. Catch it!

- Let's go. - Why didn't you offer more, oldie?

- PT sir?! - Huh?

Dude, it's PT sir.

Sir, how have you been?

Sir, I've been meaning to tell you something.

That "one arm's distance" rule you drilled into us is completely useless.

Either change it or drop it altogether.

PT sir, keep it, sir!

- Let's go. Hey, it's Subbarao. - You could've said you're not him.

- Pig farm Subbarao. - Yes.

He opened a YouTube channel on pig rearing and protection.

He started with a single pig and birthed thirty more.

I mean, bred them.

Who is this guy?

He's sticking his nose into everything.

He's Borewell Mangamma's grandson.

- I think he just got back from America. - Oh!

So he's from America.

Venkateshwara Rao!

Is that you? He doesn't even recognize me.

It's Eera Babu. He's back from the States.

It's not "Eera Babu." It's Veeru.

Enough messing around. Sit down.

Chari uncle!

You're still alive?!

Could you scooch over a little?

I heard you were the village's first COVID casualty?

- Who told you that? Hey! - It was a close call.

Ever since, he's been running this business on buses.

- Business is great. - Oh, nice!

Hold on, you idiot.

You just landed out of nowhere.

What's the reason?

Well… I'm here because…

I'm in love… with a girl.

- Love? - Love?

You never said anything about love!

Who's that unlucky girl?

Do you know who caught my eye?

And stole my heart?

Do you know who this heart beats for?

Do you know my dad's going to get a stiff neck if you keep this up?

- Oh, sorry. - Just tell us who she is.

Well, her name is…

Just tell us.

I mean, she's a good girl. She's from our village.

Her name is…

- Sukanya. - Huh?

- Our S-Suk... - Yeah!

A HEAVENLY MATCH, AN EARTHLY WEDDING SUKANYA WEDS MAHESH

Hey,

- you still can't read Telugu, can you? - No. Obviously, I can't.

"You still can't read Telugu." That's your takeaway here?

How could you be in love with her?

- It's that girl's wedd... - Shut up!

Don't disrespect her by calling her "that girl."

- That's not what I meant... - She's my future wife.

I always knew you didn't like her.

- Hey. - I heard you harassed her at the temple.

She called me, sobbing her heart out.

Me? Harass her?

- Do you even know it's her we... - Shut up!

She warned me you'd call her mad.

That's why no girl ever looks at you. Ugh!

If you ever want to speak to me again, you must first apologize.

Ugh… Me?

Apologize to you? Because of her?

- She's got you under her thumb. - Don't take it to heart, Balu.

We need to understand him.

It's mad love.

This mad love isn't mine, sir. It's Sukanya's.

She's a mad woman, sir.

She insists I call her "baby!"

If I accidentally call her Sukanya,

she calls me right away, thinking I'm mad at her, and…

She showers me with nonstop kisses.

- Nonstop kisses. - Get lost!

She does that.

So you're the lucky lover getting all the kisses?

Always.

Moreover, she even got my name tattooed.

- Veeru. - Where?

It's here, dude. Right here.

Our wedding procession has to be here.

Why don't you just tell him the truth?

That's friends for you.

You try to tell them something, but they just don't listen.

Once he realizes the truth, he'll come back with booze.

I'll have that conversation then.

Okay, okay.

Let's plan a photo shoot, dude.

Sukanya and I in the Titanic pose.

PILLI FAMILY'S WEDDING CELEBRATIONS

Your Titanic went down a long time ago.

- I'm sorry? - It's nothing.

He's saying you should lift your head and look up.

But why?

Oh, it's for the size?

It's perfect. Exactly what I had in mind.

It's going to be amazing.

Mrs. Mangamma, when did your grandson get back?

Why would he be here? He's somewhere in the US...

- Hey! - Grandma?

What's this, Eera Babu? You didn't even call before coming?

And look at you all dressed up! Where are you off to?

I'll tell you. Just take a look over there.

But why?

PILLI FAMILY'S WEDDING CELEBRATIONS SUKANYA WEDS MAHESH

Baby! Baby! Baby!

The idiot wants to marry her!

Babe. What is this, babe?

Babe? Call me Sukanya.

If someone sees us, they'll get the wrong idea.

God!

Sukanya?

- Why are you here? - What do you mean, "why"?

I thought it was our wedding. Why is it only yours?

I had no choice, Veeru.

- Just look at Grandma. - Oh God.

She could die at any moment.

My marriage… Is her last wish.

Is that so?

I won't, I won't come.

-I won't come to Mumbai. -I won't come to Mumbai

I won't come to Mumbai.

Hey, she's more energetic than a teenager. And she's dying?

You're vibing to the song too, baby?

It's for my parents, Veeru.

I don't like this wedding. I have zero interest.

I've never even spoken to the groom.