Thugs of Hindostan

1795. India.

The East India Company came here as traders.

But now the Company rules over us.

They seized many kingdoms, one by one.

The country is enslaved.

Only Raunakpur remains free.

Protect your home.

Who is this?

Guess!

Raunakpur's prettiest and naughtiest daughter...

...Zafira.

What are you doing?

Pulling out her teeth.

She lost two teeth at Dussehra.

They haven't grown back.

- Who is he? - Khudabaksh.

And me?

Mother and you are resting inside. Aslam is reading.

Khudabaksh and I are guarding the palace.

Can we go home now, brave soldier?

No!

Let's go or else your mother may pull out my teeth!

A wife is not someone to fear.

Come.

- Give it to me. - What are you doing?

- Don't destroy my wares! - Now get away, you stupid old man!

- I am a poor man, sir. - I don't care.

What's going on?

What's this nonsense?

Sire, they're taking my goods without paying.

They say under Company rule they can have anything they want.

The Company does not rule here...

...and never will.

Your Majesty!

Clear off! And never show your faces here again.

Clear off!

God bless His Majesty!

Have you had any word?

No.

Why send Aslam with Khudabaksh if it was dangerous?

I had to send him.

Khudabaksh is a warrior, Aslam is just a boy.

He's my son too.

What was the need?

If we are not courageous now...

...slavery is certain.

Khudabaksh and Aslam travelled to Durgapur to ask for help...

...but they have not returned. No use waiting now.

Ffiends!

We must attack and seize the Company palace.

If we do not act now...

...Clive will enslave us as he has enslaved other kingdoms.

This flag will fly above the Company palace tomorrow.

Your Majesty! Please come at once.

I'll welcome him as a guest...

...but if I give you a signal...

...it means he is not a guest, but an enemy.

Greetings, Mr Mirza, sorry to intrude this late.

Only enemies intrude, Clive sahab.

How can I be of service?

Have you given a thought to our friendship?

You sell slavery in the guise of friendship.

We're traders, Mr Mirza.

Selling is what we do.

While desiring the throne.

In the future...

...traders will be the power behind all rulers.

You're an astrologer too?

No, an opportunist.

I can recognise opportunity. And sniff truth out.

Really?

I know you mask the truth like some words in a poem.

Like your tea cup masks the strong smell of something...

...that's being made in your fort.

Gunpowder.

And the greatest secret of all is hidden in this verse.

"In the afternoon of twin days, on a moonless night...

"Astride a rosewood stallion Comes the peril of sinners."

More than poetry it sounds...

...like a conspiracy.

My son Aslam wrote the poem you have just read.

It's a declaration of rebellion against you.

This book was with him.

It can only mean one thing now the book is with you.

My son Aslam was martyred.

The dice is in your hands...

...and so is my life.

That's why there's something I must show you.

Aslam!

Father.

Let's be friends, Mr Mirza.

My enmity is dangerous.

Treaty.

You've got what you wanted...

...now free my son.

Certainly.

Freedom.

Khudabaksh!

Zafira!

Father!

Ram Khilawan, pull the barrier down.

Don't lift it till I tell you.

This road belongs to the Company now.

Anyone using it must pay one anna. Tax.

One anna per head. How many?

Forty? Pay forty annas.

Stop right there!

Stop!

Can't you see the barrier?

Want to use this road? Pay tax.

Tax?

The road belongs to the Company. Anyone using it must pay.

One anna per head.

Servant or master?

What?

If servant and master are travelling together...

...who has to pay?

The master. Who else?

Sir, then get the money from my master.

Who is your master?

The rose of the garden, a diamond among diamonds...

Nawab Fidruddin Hakimuddin, the great Khan Sahab.

Master, pay and get rid of him.

Nonsense! You calling a donkey a Nawab?

I'll give you a wallop and end your clowning.

Inspector!

What you see is not what it is, what it is - you do not see.

Look here.

He's my master and a Nawab, I'm his servant.

You may not see it, but he is a Nawab.

Since the Company came, many a Prince has been turned into a donkey.

Donkeys they are, but they do not look it.

Inspector, he's witty!

"It's true what you say. My wit is as bright as day."

He has sharp eyes.

- And he is the Nawab of where? - Chamanpur, sahab.

He trusted the white Company...

...and now to use his own road, the Nawab has to pay...tax?

He must pay tax.

Enough now, Darogaji.

We're getting late. Let me pay for him.

Master!

I cannot accept charity.

I'll pay coin for coin.

I'll ride with you. Keep you so entertained...

...the road will feel like a shortcut.

He's an amusing fellow. What's your name?

Firangi Sailor.

Village Gopalpur. District Cawnpore. Awadh.

Hail Lord Shiva!

Good sirs, my cooking will make you lick your fingers.

That's all very well, Firangi.

Nothing more exciting?

When angels hear me play, they float down.

If you're lucky, pretty fairies will appear too.

Don't kill him. Just rob him and let him go.

These thugs are careless louts! They've forgotten his ring.

Better play dead. Or you'll be dead for real.

There were 7 travellers. 5 rupees per man, 35 in all.

Show me 35 silver coins, round little beauties.

And one anna for road tax.

You robbing us?

Everything costs so much. I had to follow them for miles.

20.

32.

22.

We're talking the price of a life, not a sack of onions, Bhurelal.

28. That's it!

30, and those two brass pots and plate are mine.

Count them, sahab. All there?

Yes.

Firangi's word is as good as gold.

I promised 20 thugs. A man more, never a man less.

You're good with numbers.

Sir, one thug is 10 guineas, so 200 guineas.

We agreed 100 guineas.

Sir, think of the many rascals I've handed over to you.

I risk my neck for you.

You should say, "My son Firangi, here's 200. And a 100 guinea tip."

Very well. Wait till my senior arrives.

Sahab...

Even death cannot hold me back. I must leave for Rasoolpur at once.

What's the great calamity?

No calamity, sahab.

My Granny has died.

I gave you my word, so your work came first.

I must perform her last rites now.

Very well!

My sweet Granny!

Granny, why did you abandon me?

Nawab, remind me...

...to give alms in Granny's name.

She always comes in handy. Let's go.

- Look again. - It's blank.

- Impossible! Look again. - Take my word for it.

What's going on?

Sir, he refuses to load my cargo.

- You have the receipt? - It's blank.

- What are you carrying? - This.

Stunning!