Lenin (లెనిన్)

Mahabharatham.

During the Pandavas' exile in disguise

King Virata hit Yudhishthira with dice.

For every drop of his royal blood, the land would endure a year of drought.

Knowing this, Mother Draupadi caught the falling blood in her veil.

Exposing their identity meant

another twelve years of exile in the forest.

Yet, risking everything, she thought only of her people's survival.

Therefore, the people of Chittor believe that worshipping her

brings rain to this arid land, which was once drenched

in Lord Venkateswara’s own blood.

So, they worship Draupadi every year.

The Mahabharatham unfolds across 18 volumes.

The Kurukshetra war lasted for 18 days.

Reflecting this, the 18-day Bharatham Mitta festival is celebrated.

This is Bharatham Mitta, resembling a chariot.

This holy place has just one absolute rule.

Not a single drop of blood should be spilled on this soil.

This is the story of an orphan who arrived in this land, famished.

Stop talking nonsense.

Eguva Ramapuram hoists the flag. That's the tradition.

If Diguva Ramapuram hoists the flag for a couple of years,

that'll become the tradition from then on.

Sir!

I'm hungry. Can you please give me some food?

How could I?

Both villages are fighting to hoist the flag,

hoping it will bring them good fortune.

The food is offered to the deity only after the flag has been hoisted

and the serving of food begins.

You'd better go stand in line.

It's raining right after the hoisting, for the first time in years!

A good omen.

Kid…

Who are you?

Where are your parents?

I'm an orphan, Mother.

How can you be an orphan when you've called me Mother?

Aren't we all with you?

I'm so hungry, Mother.

Oh, God. Vasanth.

Coming, Mom.

What's your name?

His name…

Come on in.

Where's the jailer, brother?

Apparently, there's a function at his house,

so he's running late.

The jailer arranged your early release because of your good nature.

He'd already signed on your papers.

All these days,

you kept us hooked on the Mahabharata.

Now you're leaving without finishing it?

I'm heading out to finish it, brother.

You're heading out to finish it?

- Sir. - Yes.

- Did the event go well, sir? - It went well, Rajendra.

Sir, about convict number 108…

When asked why he was leaving without finishing the Mahabharata,

he said he is leaving so he can conclude it.

I didn’t get it, sir.

Tell me this,

did anyone come to pick him up?

No humans, sir. Just a dog!

Kannaiah?

Who is that?

How are you, my son?

Nobody even mentioned you were getting released.

I'm really hungry.

Hurry up and bring me some food.

I need you to look into a case.

Of course, sir.

I am sending over the details

and addresses of a few people.

What happened, sir?

Something's about to happen.

Go check on them and see what they need.

Okay, brother.

Brother,

the tables are full.

Looking at this crowd, they won't budge until they're done.

I can get you a parcel if you want.

Hey, Delhi!

Let them be seated at my table.

Attend to them personally.

I'm seeing fear in your eyes for the first time.

Who is he?

Lenin.

Brother,

I didn't see you before. I'm from your village too.

I'm not from your village.

That's exactly what everyone back home says.

What do they say?

I mean…

Whenever your name comes up,

they say you aren't one of us.

Some people,

curse just hearing your name.

While others,

get terrified.

It's the same fear…

I just saw in my boss's eyes.

Who are you, brother?

The whole village claims

your chapter is closed.

If your chapter is truly closed,

why are you back?

They're afraid to even utter the name, the 100th Bharatham Mitta.

What happened there?

The Kurukshetra.

To tell you about the Kurukshetra,

it all begins with the death of our village elder, Nadamuni.

Bharatham Mitta begins only after

this household's woman makes the sacred offerings.

It's all over now.

Death may have struck our home,

but Bharatham Mitta serves the entire village.

The tradition must continue for the sake of people.

We must keep it alive.

From that day, Jayyamma never removes her vermillion

until the festival ends.

The most revered title in this entire festival is

Dharma Raju!

He is the king of Bharatham Mitta.

Every household in the village gets a turn to become Dharma Raju.

After the festival,

they adopt "Dharma Raju" as their surname.

This is the ultimate recognition that everyone craves.

Especially, our uncle Ethirajulu.

I have decided to play Dharma Raju

for this upcoming festival.

That is for us to decide.

When will you decide? When will I ever get my turn?

What is this, sister-in-law?

Who are you calling, sister-in-law?

And who are you calling brother?

You are nothing but my father-in-law's illegitimate son!

When your very birth is illegitimate,

how dare you dream of playing Dharma Raju?

As long as my family lives on,

you will never be granted that honor.

You drunkard!

Get lost!

Mother is generous to everyone.

Ethirajulu is the only one she's strict with.

He is our Neelakantam uncle.

The elder of Diguvaramapuram village.

The man has a heart of gold.

The Shakuni of this Bharatham.

Damodaram.

Brother-in-law,

this wig finally works for you.

Just like me,

Kannaiah came to me starving at last year's fair.

My Kannaiah.

And Balaji.

Srinivasulu.

Dwaraka.

Murali.

They're my whole world.

The auspicious hour is slipping away!

Dharma Raju is arriving with the offerings.

Where on earth are you?

A Ravana descended upon our joyful festival.

- MLA Raghava Reddy. - The MLA's cutout looks great.

What is this, Damodaram?

Why are you dragging politics and cutouts onto this sacred land?

You know we have our traditions, right?

Oh, wow!

Look who's lecturing us on tradition… a widow who still dares to wear a bindi.

Why did you lower your head,

Mother?

The heavens themselves blessed your sacred status with rain.

How can we

just stand by while a good-for-nothing insults you?

We will hold our heads high and crush anyone who gets in our way.

You really think you can take down my brother’s cutout?

Step forward if you dare.

This will turn into a bloodbath.

No blood should spill on this land.

Whether it’s mine,

yours, or your brother's…

Listen to me.

Take the cutout down.

What if I don't?

What will you do?

What?

Who do you think you are?

- What if I don't? - I'll take it down.

Hey.

He says he'll take it down!

You pathetic loser!

What gives you so much confidence?

You think this crowd's got your back?

Go ahead. Touch me.

Let's see who's got your back.

Hey!

You go ahead!

If his strength comes from the position he holds,

my faith lies in the village standing right behind me.