Vaishali (1988)

The film 'Vaishali' is based on the story of 'Risnyashringa' (Mahabharatha) as told to the Pandavas during their visit to the sacred places (Teerthayatra Parvoms). 

Long long ago, long before the time of the Kauravas and the Pandavas, there lived, in the land of Angadesha, a King whose name was loma pada. The royal family consisted of the King, the Queen, and their adopted daughter Shanta.

Angadesha Is passing through terrible times. For twelve years it had not rained in that accursed country. People are either dying from thirst and hunger or leaving the country in search of drinking water. Finally, the Raja guru advises the king that the only way to bring rains to Angadesha is to get Rishyashringa (Son of Vibhandaka Maharishi, a young ascetic brought up by his father without any contact with the outside world) to performa a special 'yogna'. 

Rishyashringa and his father lived in an ashram in the deep forests of a far off land. Vibhandaka wanted his son to become a great Rishi and had ensured that no one comes near his ashram to distract his son from his meditations. The Raj guru knew that nothing on earth neither gifts of gold nor a show of armed might could persuade Vibhandaka, or frighten him enough, to allow his son to leave his ashram. The priest also knew that where every other weapon failed, there was one infallible weapon which could be used to persuade Rishyashringa to come to Angadesha 'stree' And so began the search for the most beautiful girl In Champapuri, the capital of Angodesha.

Vaishali, the girl finally chosen for the mission (again on the advice of the Raj guru) happened to be the illegitimate daughter of the king himself fact hitherto unknown to the king. 

Malini, Vaishali's Mother agrees to take her daughter on this near-suicidal assignment on one condition. All she wants is a promise from Lomapada that on the successful completion of their assignment the king would publicly acknowledge Vaishali as his daughter. The king had no choice. 

Braving the fury of Vibhondaka and overcoming all odds Vaishali and party return to Champapuri with their prize catch Rishyashringa. In the process, Vaishali, the reluctant temptress, has fallen in love with the handsome young ascetic. 

True to the predictions made by the Raja Guru, Rishyashringa is able to please the rain-gods, and, for the first time in twelve years, it rains in Angadesha. People are ecstatic. So is the King. The happiest, of course, is Malini. For sixteen years she had cherished the hope that one day the king will publicly acknowledge her daughter as his own.

That day had finally dawned! And what a day!......  See on the screen.

(From the official press booklet)