The Legend of Hanuman (2021–…): Season 2, Episode 3 - Ravan - full transcript

Of all the misfortunes bestowed
upon humanity,

there is none greater
nor as terrible as the rakshasas.

Cursed creatures, they have been born
out of the darkest dreams of the asuras.

The legendary foes of the gods.

And their day has finally come.

Once they haunted
only the most remote locations,

far from the cities of mankind.

Dark forests, dank swamps
and cold caves were their domains,

for these dark places suited
their violent, solitary nature.

For when there is no other prey,

demon will prey upon demon.



For the rakshas,
death is the way of life.

Yet one has risen

who has taken hold
of the ferocity of the demon race

and moulded it into a single,
deadly purpose.

The conquest of the three realms.

A rakshas greater than any
that has come before him.

A destroyer, unmatched in power
and cunning.

The demon King,

Ravan.

It's been a while, Jambhvan.

And yet there's no sign of Hanuman.

Be patient, Angad.

Lanka is a long distance away.
Give Hanuman time.

This delay is making me
more anxious, Jambhvan.



What horrors will he face
when he reaches Lanka?

A city of rakshasas.
The city of Ravan.

My blood runs cold
just thinking of it.

How will he survive such a place?

Do you think
only horrors dwell there?

It's the capital of Ravan's kingdom.
What else could it be?

Perhaps.
Hanuman must tread carefully.

There will be dangers aplenty,
I fear.

So, this is Lanka.

Where are you, Princess Sita?

It's beautiful.

So, this is Lanka!

A city of wonders.

Prince Ram!

Let me carry these for you.

You're royalty.
This work is beneath you.

Let it be, Hanuman.

Sugreev has been generous
to take me and my brother in.

I am a guest of your king,
but I don't want to be a burden.

I will do my fair
share of the chores.

King Sugreev has given you a home
in the heart of his kingdom, Lord Ram.

You could be resting on a soft bed

and dining well from silver plates,
as befitting a prince.

Yet, you choose to stay here,
in a cold, barren cave. Why, my Lord?

How could I rest on any bed
of comfort,

knowing that my love, Sita,
may be sleeping on a bed of thorns?

Besides, I have all the treasures
I need.

Look around you.
Isn't this magnificent?

I don't understand.

There are just trees and rocks
as far as the eye can see.

Look again more closely.

What marble palace or golden fountains
will ever compare to this?

How can the labour of men compare
to the infinite art of the Creator?

But don't you miss
the beauty of Ayodhya?

No, Hanuman.

Leaving Ayodhya taught me
what was truly precious,

and it's not the wonder of palaces.

Ravan must be keeping Princess Sita
in his palace.

Now where would I live
if I were a demon King?

That was easy.

Princess Sita! It must be her!

What do you think, Nethra?
Will he like it, Nethra?

Nethra? Nethra!

Yes, my Lady?

Where is my Lord Ravan?

"My Lord Ravan"?
She is not Princess Sita, but who then?

Queen Mandodari, the King...
I mean he is... he is at...

Sita. He is with Princess Sita.

Did he get my message?

He did, my Queen.
He just... gave no reply.

Tell me, is she so beautiful?

So captivating
that he forgets his own wife?

Get rid of these.
I have no need for them.

What shall I do with them?

Give them to your daughter
for her wedding.

I hope she wears them for someone
who looks at her with love.

You... you are far too kind,
my Queen.

We will cherish this gift.

Whenever my King returns...

He has. In his throne room.
He has summoned his councillors.

I saw your youngest son arrive
earlier today.

Akshay? Give this to him...

and tell him his mother misses him.

At least, he still remembers me.

Prince Akshay!

Your mother asked me
to deliver this to you.

She misses her son.

Thank my mother for this gift,
and tell her I will visit her.

After I visit my father.

Ravan.

Father.

Akshay. Rise, my son.

Embrace your father.

How is your brother, Indrajit?

Indrajit is as sour and cynical
as always, Father.

But he sends you his greetings
and his respect.

There is no one that loves you more
than your first-born son, Father.

That's not entirely true,
because you too...

What now?

My Liege,
I have urgent news of the battle.

I must report that...

That we won?

That we have another kingdom
under our feet?

That we have more kings
and princes in chains?

Again and again.
Again and again the same reports.

Can you see, Akshay? Their pride
at their little victories?

What counts as a triumph today?

The conquest of some mortals
and their hovel-like homes?

Such petty glories
are all that is left to us,

when once we've ravaged
the very heavens themselves.

Is that what you must so urgently report,
General? Another victory?

My King,
it is all as you say, but...

But what?
What was the butcher's bill?

How many rakshasas did you lose?

Frontal assaults are costly,
my King.

These mortals were defiant
till the last.

How many, General?

Four of our battalions.

Yet that pales
in front of what we did to them.

The neighbouring kingdoms
will think twice before challenging us.

Their city and its people
were burnt to cinders!

So, what have you really won
for me?

A kingdom of ash?

Of the dead? Tell me, General,
how is this a victory?

Take your men. All of them.

Leave your weapons at the gates
and take shovels.

I want you to rebuild all that
you have so thoughtlessly destroyed.

I want the fields repaired,
the houses reconstructed,

and I want every orphan,
every widow housed and fed.

And until they are fed,
you do not eat even a grain.

Until the fields are ripe with wheat,
you do not sip even from a stream.

My King, I...

Do you understand me, General?

I... I understand.

Good.

Do not return
until this city you have destroyed

has been returned to its glory.

If he pauses to drink or eat,

cut off his head.

I will make sure the General obeys
your command, great King.

No, Captain. You are the General now.
He works for you.

Go now. Don't disappoint me.

Glory to King Ravan!

You seem confused, my son?

Wasn't the General just following
your orders, Father?

You wanted that city conquered.

Conquered, not destroyed.

Lanka relies on the wealth flowing
from the lands we rule, Akshay.

What use are barren fields or
a starving population to our people?

My demands are little,
yet my gifts are endless.

These mortals will find me
a generous, benevolent ruler.

They will never want, never suffer.

All I ask in return
is respect, trust and obedience.

Obedience is not freedom, Father.

Ask that
to a starving child, Akshay.

Would you rather starve
on the streets with freedom,

or have food in your belly
under a rule of law?

Freedom means nothing to the dying.

So, the good of the many
over the good of the few?

Akshay, one day this kingdom
may all be yours.

You would rule differently
than your brother.

But, unfortunately, the outcome
will be the same.

How so?

He would rule in fear.
You would rule with love.

Both will get you killed.

He will be killed by the oppressed.

And you will be killed
by one of your own.

You can have either freedom
or peace. Never both.

They must give you their freedom
to be led by you, son.

Do you understand?

Or do you have more questions?

No, Father. But how can...

-We are not alone.
-What?

Why lurk in the shadows?
You have come here for a reason.

And I can guess what that is.

You're here for Princess Sita.

Go ahead. Show yourself.