Bajirao Mastani Page #3

twenty-eighth wound...

This ring will protect

you from both the evil eye...

and the enemy's sword.

My Lady, I do not trust

the intentions of those people.

These are no guests' chambers!

It's a strategy to demean you.

If they can put you

up amonst courtesans...

they can ask you to

dance at their court next!

My Lady!

Well, well...

Look at the butterfly!

My lady, it was unwise

to send our soldiers home.

We are in a strange land,

surrounded by strangers.

You never know what

problems might arise.

What kind of people would house

a guest amongst courtesans.

And that too the daughter

of King Chatrasaal.

Swords would be raised in Bundelkhand

if they caught wind of this.

Yet you sit here silently...

I know you feel humiliated, My Lady.

Let us return home rather

than be insulted here.

If he truly loves you, the Peshwa

will come after you, to Bundelkhand.

One more thing,

no matter your efforts...

They will never

let him learn you are here.

And I will never let

them forget my love for him.

My Lord, you are now witnessing the

most beautiful section of Shanivaar Wada...

The Palace of Mirrors.

Whoa, Chimaji...

It's unreal!

While you have been busy fighting

our enemies for years...

Your brother

has been building this.

Chimaji, you have brought

the Taj Mahal to Pune.

And you shall witness the true

splendour of this place tonight...

When we celebrate the New Year.

Truly this is a dreamworld, brother.

The true magic of this dreamworld

lies in the wonder at your feet.

How do you mean?

At this very moment Bajirao,

if Kashi desires...

she can see you and

Nana from her chambers.

Are you saying Kashi can see both father

and son from the comfort of her room?

Therein lies the magic!

That lotus has a

mechanism that makes...

your reflection shine

from these mirrors...

Straight onto the

little window in Kashi's room.

My Lady!!

There's a beam coming

through the window.

Really!

Yes, really, come on, come quickly!

Then traveling through

the glass on the water...

it reflects onto the

curtain in her chambers.

Quickly, My Lady, quickly!

Wait a moment!

Oh! We can see Bajirao here although

he's in the Palace of Mirrors.

It's magic!

Just look at how

handsome our Bajirao is.

Hey! Stop casting the evil eye on him.

A sister can never cast

an evil eye on her brother.

But I've heard the Nawab's wives yearn

to set eyes on him.

I've heard they would gladly pay his

weight in gold for a glimpse of him.

Let them pay his weight in diamonds

if they want...

My Bajirao has never

so much as looked at another woman.

Understood!

Like an angel descended from heaven...

Her tresses exuding

a divine fragrance...

Here she comes... A vision in gold.

I am intoxicated by your love.

My love is no secret.

The world tried to stop me,

but look where love brought me...

They say Mastani is

intoxicated by your love...

First, you wounded my heart...

Then, you healed it with your love...

"Your love has become my identity..."

And loving you is my purpose.

Every corner is illuminated

by your beauty...

You are indeed intoxicated by love,

Mastani...

Your soul is pure and your love,

divine...

You have been aptly named Mastani,

one who dances to her own tune.

I'm surprised but happy

to see you here in Pune.

This paan...

A token of my hospitality.

We shall meet tomorrow.

Your capabilities greatly

exceed my expectations.

You are a talented dancer.

Thank you.

Please pay me a further compliment,

accept my alliance.

Of course I have.

You are now allied with the kingdom

as a court dancer.

Very soon you will dance at

the king's court in the capital.

Do you not like my offering?

I cherish your every offering,

be it an anklet or a son...

The more you try to distance him

from me, the closer I shall get to him.

Then keep trying endlessly.

A dancer's place is always below

the throne, on the court's floor.

I have always been

complimented on my beauty...

Today watching a woman of...

your standing

threatened by it, makes me proud.

Prepare to leave for the Capital.

It appears no one has sobered from

last night's performance.

Look around,

not a soul wishes to work!

What is a warrior before whom a beauty

is not compelled to lower her gaze...

What is a beauty before whom a warrior

is not compelled to lower his sword?

Bravo, Peshwa! Well said!

The brave Chimaji is here!

Chimaji your presence indicates

our campaigns have been audited.

What is the outcome?

Discounting endowments

from Bundelkhand...

none of the three campaigns

have enriched our treasury.

This is where you are wrong, brother.

How have we not been enriched?

First - the glory of victory.

Second - shaming Bangash with defeat.

Third - tolling the

Maratha bell in Delhi.

Fourth - the saffron flag once again

stands strong against the blue sky.

Praise the lord!

And fifth - a lifetime's

bond with Bundelkhand.

And sixth, My Lord, you forget!

A splendid dancer like

Mastani to entertain us!

Chimaji, see to it our hospitality towards

Mastani Saheba is in no way lacking.

Of course... Rest assured I will.

She's lodged at Hirabagh Palace.

Send a messenger to tell her

I shall visit this evening.

That won't be possible.

Why?

Because you must leave for

the capital today, My Lord.

I can do that tomorrow.

His Majesty awaits you, you

must present yourself there on time.

You... Fool!

Reign in your tongue... Understood?

To the capital!

Welcome, Bajirao.

You were impatiently awaited.

You summoned and here I am,

Your Majesty.

Congratulations on Bundelkhand!

I had this sword of Afghan iron

forged in your honour.

I am honoured.

My King, now permit me to use this sword

to bring Delhi to its knees before you.

This is not the right time to attack

Delhi, politically speaking -

My instincts say now is the time,

your Majesty.

Delhi is submerged

in a haze of debauchery.

The Mughal emperor's

court has lost his faith.

We have to appease the Nizam in the

South, to get to Delhi, in the north.

There is such a thing

as political diplomacy.

Minister has a point, Peshwa.

That step must be taken

after much forethought.

We shall discuss other matters

after this evening's soire.

This sword is best

left in its sheath, Peshwa.

Since you won't be going to Delhi,

what enemy's neck would you place it on?

The Peshwa doesn't lack enemies.

Don't move.

Your neck is very valuable...

and more delicate than

this string of pearls around it.

As you already know...

Never doubt the cheetah's speed...

the hawk's vision

and Bajirao's sword...

They can outwit you any time.

Why is Mastani Saheba here?

Your mother has sent her

as tonight's entertainment.

Let the entertainment begin.

You are a court dancer,

here to entertain.

Instead you are

dishonouring the court.

I am not dishonouring the court,

but upholding my own honour.

Who are you?

Mastani.

She is a gift from Bundelkhand.

She lit up the Peshwa's palace

with her performance during New Year.

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