Dorasaani

The film opens with Shankaranna, a naxalite, being released from jail after 30 years of false imprisonment. He travels to a village to find any trace of Raju, only to discover that the local memory of him has faded. The village feels changed since his old days, and no one seems to know the man Shankar is seeking.

A man named Siddadu arrives, claiming to know Raju and recognizing Shankar. He identifies himself as the ex-henchman of the dora Raja Reddy and prompts the story to flash back to the 1980s. The encounter sets the stage for the romance and conflict to come.

Raju is introduced as the son of a painter from a lower caste in rural Telangana. His social context shapes his aspirations and the obstacles he will face in love and loyalty. The setting establishes the stakes of the impending romance.

Devaki, the dorasaani's daughter, is imprisoned within her bungalow but longs for freedom and open interaction with villagers. With no mother, she relies on her father and the maid, dasi, for care. Her yearning sets the stage for the forbidden romance.

Raju spots Devaki at a festival and is immediately drawn to her honest, innocent nature. He begins secretly watching her through the bungalow window and later contrives chances to meet her. Their growing affection crosses class and caste boundaries within the village.

Raju disguises himself to visit Devaki and the couple secretly explores the village, careful to avoid alerting Raja Reddy and his henchmen. The lovers' secrecy strengthens their bond but also exposes them to increasing danger. The romance develops amid surveillance and fear.

When Raju drops Devaki back at the bungalow, Raja Reddy’s henchmen beat him and warn him to leave the village, without directly informing their master. The threat of discovery looms large as their romance remains underground. The lovers must weigh their love against the costs of defying the dora’s power.

A 48-hour curfew is imposed by Shankar and his naxalites, trapping Raju in the village and separating him from Devaki. The restriction mirrors the couple’s social confinement and tests their commitment. The curfew forces them into a waiting game filled with risk.

News of the romance reaches Raja Reddy, who immediately seeks to sever the liaison. He uses his influence to have Raju arrested and to pull Devaki away, using the threat of social shame and family honor. The power dynamics solidify the barriers between the lovers.

Raju is arrested as the dora frames him as a naxalite, and Shankar intervenes to help him escape from prison. The escape cements a bond between the two men and keeps the couple’s secret flame alive. The escape also deepens Raja Reddy’s resolve to crush them.

Upon reaching Devaki, the lovers decide to elope and seek support from Devaki’s brother, who surprisingly contradicts his sister's constraining world. He promises to drive them toward Hyderabad, offering a rare glimmer of hope. The plan for a future together takes shape, despite looming danger.

The next day, Devaki's brother drives them to a local police station to lodge a complaint but changes his mind, deciding the process would take too long. He drives them to a desolate stretch, and tragedy follows as he shoots both lovers and burns the car with them inside. The betrayal ends the lovers’ story in the village.

Back in the present, Shankar is devastated upon hearing about what happened to Raju and Devaki. Siddadu confirms that Raju and Devaki still won in a higher sense, having sacrificed themselves for their love. The tragedy casts a long shadow over Shankar and the village.

Siddadu explains that the lovers’ sacrifice was their true victory, a view that helps Shankar cope with the loss. He reflects on the cost of love and the heavy price paid for justice and freedom. The story closes with the weight of their choice lingering in the air.