Amrapali

Ajatashatru, the ambitious Maharaja of Magadha, is determined to conquer every rival city. His astrologers forewarn that further campaigns could overextend his exhausted army, while his Senapati cautions fatigue in the army. Despite his mother's protests, he ignores the counsel and marches toward war.

Ajatashatru leads Magadhan forces against Vaishali but is decisively defeated by the Vaishali army. Wounded and in retreat, he escapes capture and his defeat marks the start of a brutal campaign. The loss shakes Magadha and fuels his resolve for a second, more cunning plan.

While wounded, he disguises himself as a Vaishali soldier to hide among the ranks. Amrapali nurses him back to health, unaware that her guest is Magadha's rival king. A wary bond grows as she tends to his injuries and he hides his true identity.

Amrapali and Ajatashatru fall in love, their feelings blossoming in secret away from the court. She remains unaware that her lover is Magadha's monarch, and he hides his ambition behind a fragile romance. Their bond is a dangerous secret in a city torn by looming war.

Ajatashatru teams up with Senapati Badbadhra Singh to undermine Vaishali from within. They plan to cut the number of soldiers, fuel alcohol use, and worsen training and pay to demoralize the defenders. The covert plot sets the stage for Magadha's return to conquer Vaishali on easier terms.

Amrapali wins a dance competition and is crowned Rajnarthaki, the government dancer of Vaishali, revered as a patriot. Her public stature makes her love story with Ajatashatru even more explosive. The people see her as a symbol of Vaishali's identity.

At the height of her popularity, Amrapali discovers the true identity of her lover. She confronts him, breaks off their relationship, and tells him never to see her again. The revelation triggers a political storm, as the court brands her a traitor.

Vaishali's ruler orders Amrapali's life in prison and threatens execution on a full moon night if she persists. The decree marks her fall from grace and intensifies the rivalry between Magadha and Vaishali. The city braces for a drastic punishment tied to the moon's rise.

Enraged by Amrapali's perceived betrayal, Ajatashatru rallies his army and storms Vaishali, burning the city and killing many. The invasion destroys homes and temples, turning hope into ash. He relentlessly presses the assault until the defenders falter.

Ajatashatru frees Amrapali from the dungeon, but the liberated woman is not the same; she is haunted by the bloodshed and is wary of her conqueror. She accompanies him back toward battle, yet the relationship has been irreparably damaged. The reunion is uneasy and strained.

On the battlefield, Amrapali witnesses the scale of carnage her love has unleashed. Horrified, she confesses she cannot live in this world of bloodshed and ruin. She seeks another path and ultimately surrenders to Gautama Buddha.

Ajatashatru follows Amrapali's lead and surrenders to Gautama Buddha, choosing a path beyond conquest. The two acknowledge the futility of endless war and seek a different future. Their joint surrender closes the tale with a fragile hope amid a cycle of power.