Imsai Arasan 23 M Pulikesi

Towards the end of 18th century...

British who entered our country for trade,

gradually they became masters and we ended up as slaves.

Great leaders fought against them and became martyrs for the motherland.

But still some smaller kings like Palayars supported the British empire.

This is a fictionalized story about one of those Palayars.

1771 A.D. - Chozhapuram Palayam

Midnight, Owls howling time

King Mokkayappar

Minister Sangilimayan

Palace Guard

Palace lizard

Brother-in-law, l'm anxious.

Why anxiety King?

ls it because you've lost 22 new born till date?

Or is it because my sister is in labour pains prematurely in the 8 month itself?

What can we do now?

A neighbouring Palayar has bravely launched an agitation against the British.

On the other side Hyder Ali is going on a rampage against the British.

Shouldn't l also fight the British?

Shouldn't l need a heirto it?

Prime Minister, a boy baby is born.

Wow! Happy news! We have a Prince...

Twins? -Yes, Minister.

l can usurp this kingdom if there's only one child who will grow at my command.

Doctor, don't reveal to the King about child birth till l tell you.

Who is there?

Prime Minister, l've studied the horoscopes of the twins.

l'll briefly explain it to you.

Elder one follows orders blindly.

And younger one is sagacious.

Stupid law gives the right to rule kingdom only to legal heirs.

There is no chance for people like me to rule it.

A prince is born.

He must dance to my tunes only.

Blind follower of orders and Sagacious!

To fulfill my plan of usurping this kingdom,

l want the elder one, who blindly follows orders.

Doctor, kill the second child.

Prime Minister!?-What?

Do you want me to kill a baby boy?

This is waxing of moon.

lf you kill a new born child now, it's a bad omen for our kingdom.

Let's dispose the child at unknown location.

Oh! Really?

Doctor... -Yes, Minister.

Leave the child on Vaigai river bank at the outskirts of Pandia's kingdom.

Have it.

Why sweets?

A happy news...

l've committed a sin. Do l need sweet to celebrate it?

Why? What happened?

Our King Mokkayappan had twins.

But Minister Sangilimayan ordered a child to be...

When l went to take bath in the river, Goddess gifted this child to me.

You sinner! -What happened?

What the hell you have done?!

This is the King's child l left it to float in the river.

l'm afraid, if Sangilimayan comes to know about fostering this child...

We are staying 1 8 miles away from the palace.

So?

We are moving to Kanchipuram shortly.

Hubby, we don't have children. Let's fosterthis child.

My dear citizens,

After losing 22 children,

Now God has blessed me with this 23rd child.

He is an answerto umpteen prayers of this kingdom.

Once when l went to meet Hyder Ali,

On the way, l visited 'Pulikesinathan' temple,

offered prayers there wishing for a son.

Since he was born with Lord's blessings,

l give him the name 23rd Pulikesi.

l think an insect has bitten him.

What the hell are you doing without taking care of him?

To keep our prince smiling always,

A man from every home should get slapped. Come fast.

Ouryoung prince is torturing us now. What's in store forthe future?

After 25 years 3 months 17 days and 8 hours...

Same Chozhapuram palayam

Morning office going time You're the Supreme Power.

You're the Ruler.

You're the only one with eternal fame.

You're the mother and the father.

You're my God, who protects me.

My dearfather, as your son,

Bless me to become great warriors like Alexander & Napoleon and Emperor Ashoka.

Oh my God!

Hey, Priest.... -Yes, my lord.

Why did you keep these things here?

l had told you several times to keep them away.

l'll...who is there?

Who is there?

Who is there, man?

You fools! Where were you?

Take this Priest to the cell...

And pour green chili juice into his eyes.

Do it till he loses his eyes.

Oh King!.... - Take him away.

Oh King! - Get lost... Please forgive me. - Get lost man.

Oh my mother! Oh my Goddess!

Oh my brave mother who delivered me preamturely in the 8th month.

Please bless me, mother.

My dear son! King 23rd Pulikesi, long live son.

Thank you, mother.

But my son... - Mother...

Once you sit on throne, you're a different man.

That's worrying me.

l can't help it, mother. Ruling a country isn't a joke.

Royal blood is flowing in my body.

Sword and spear are my eyes.

Battlefield is my playground.

l breath in the pools of blood. Rolling down heads are playing balls to me.

This sceptre and fort were your gifts to me.

l present our enemies' crowns at yourfeet.

l didn't mean that...

lt seems you dozed off for an hour on the thrown yesterday.

l meant that.

Those who have eyes will sleep.

l may have dozed off in tiredness.

Even Lord Vishnu has a bed of snake.

lt seems even great Raja Raja Cholan used to sleep on the horse in battlefield.

Stop it.

You are the only hope of this country.

Don't sleep while on duty. Go...l say go...

Greetings King.

My King ! What is it?

lt seems l dozed off and she's making it a big issue.

ls it?- Let's go, Minister...

Minister... -Yes, my Lord.

Are you all ready?-Yes, King.

Oh King!

You can never catch up with King's speed.

Fools! Are you really warriors?

l don't know when you'll get shredded by my anger.

Great King, Great warrior, Great administrator....

Great King 23rd Pulikesi is coming...

Have you noticed? -What is it, King?

Did you listen to his welcoming notes? - No, king.

You never be alert. Repeat the notes.

Great King, Great warrior, Great administrator...

Great King...

Did you notice now?

l didn't get you King. -Are you a Minister?

He has left 'Great ruler'.

Has he? lt's unbearable. l'll behead him with my sword.

l left my sword at home.

Who is there? Who is there?

Coming, my lord.

You stupid, where were you?

You put him in the jail for week and feed horse gram to him.

One time a day...

Let him practice this slogan properly in the mean time.

Take him away.

Let this punishment start from today.

Great king, Great warrior, Great administrator....

Greetings, my Rajaguru.- Long live.

l was watching your sentences of punishments.

Not as a Rajaguru.

But as your maternal uncle, l'm spellbound by your administrative skills.

Rajaguru, the full credit goes to you.

Sit down.

Oh King! Mr. Nixon is here to see you.

To collect tax, King.

lt's pain that comes on the first of every month

Levy, tax, interest etc.,

Let him come, l'll teach him a lesson.

No, King.

Uncle, look there.

Welcome, my dear ones.

Welcome Mr. Nixon.

How is SirJohn of Chennai pattinam?

He is fine.

He wants to talk to you.

What's this? Why are you standing still?

Come on, let's sit and chat.

What would you like to have?

Milk? - Oh sure.

Please have it. - Don't worry, Sir.

We will always stand by you.

All persons aren't good like you. Some are opposing us.

ls it so?

Tell me their names.

l'll cut the hands that refuse to pay you taxes.

Who else? lt's Veerapandiya Kattabomman.

What? Veerapandiya Kattabomman?!

Why are you struggling to breathe?

King, Kattabomman is in Tirunelveli.

He won't come here.

Even if he dares to come here, l'll chase him away.

You take your seat.

No need, Pulikesi. Thanks foryour co-operation.

lf needed l'll ask your help.

No, That is... - Nephew...

Uncle...

l'll sit obeying your words.

To hell with Kattabomman!

One more important thing...

Few business men from my place want to sell soft drinks here.

You have to give permission to them.

No need to ask permission forthis.