COLD OPEN – CITY OF BHATAVAR
[CITY GATES – NIGHT]
Under moonlight, Aryan's banner is raised outside Bhatavar—a major city reclaimed by Kaligarh after a swift and strategic siege. The people cheer, throwing flowers and lighting lamps. But inside the walls… unease stirs.
A shadowy figure watches Aryan from the crowd.
SCENE 1 – CELEBRATION AND WARNING
[PALACE OF BHATAVAR – COURTYARD – DAY]
Aryan sits on a temporary throne, greeting the city's elders. Aasha, Raksh, Shankar, and Ranvi stand at his side. Musicians play, dancers perform. The atmosphere is festive.
Devika approaches with coded scrolls.
DEVIKA (quietly)
We found forged tax ledgers. Someone's been siphoning resources—before and after we arrived.
ARYAN (calmly)
The enemy didn't lose everything in the battle. They're still here… just not in armor.
SCENE 2 – THE FIRST TEST OF HIS INTELLIGENCE NETWORK
[TUNNEL BENEATH BHATAVAR – NIGHT]
Aryan meets with his elite spy group, "The Watchers," now fully operational. The tunnel is marked by etched tiger sigils.
Spy leader NIRMAL steps forward.
NIRMAL
We've identified four high-ranking collaborators within the city guard. Orders?
ARYAN
Let them feel safe. We'll use their greed… to lead us to their master.
SCENE 3 – THE BETRAYAL
[GUARD BARRACKS – SECRET ROOM – NIGHT]
One of the spies disguised as a corrupt guard listens as a city official confesses:
CORRUPT OFFICIAL
…And once Prince Aryaveer is gone during the coastal inspection, we strike. Poison in his drink. Paid by Varundev himself.
SCENE 4 – THE DOUBLE BLUFF
[CITY BANQUET – NIGHT]
A feast is laid out. Aryan toasts, laughs, eats—seemingly unaware. The corrupt official sips his wine, smirking.
Moments later, he stumbles. Gasps. Collapses.
Aryan rises.
ARYAN (to the stunned crowd)
The man was poisoned… by his own wine. The same he meant for me.
Gasps erupt. Guards drag out the other conspirators, already in chains.
DEVIKA (to Raksh, impressed)
How did he know the exact night?
RAKSH (grinning)
He didn't. He just made it happen when they thought they had the upper hand.
SCENE 5 – A LOYALIST EMERGES
[PALACE HALL – LATE NIGHT]
A messenger girl named Leela, barely older than Aryan, confronts him. She wears torn servant clothes but speaks with sharp intelligence.
LEELA
You could've let them hang themselves quietly. But you turned their plan into your weapon.
ARYAN (studying her)
You're not just a messenger, are you?
She bows slightly, then pulls out a tiger-shaped pin from her sleeve.
LEELA
I've watched the kingdom rot from within since I was ten. If you'll have me… I want to help clean it.
ARYAN (nodding)
Then stand beside me, Leela of the fire eyes. The next age of Kaligarh is being written—and every pen needs a sharp edge.
ENDING SCENE – A KING WHO SEES EVERYTHING
[ROOFTOP OF BHATAVAR PALACE – NIGHT]
Aryan looks out over the quiet city. Veer, now larger and more majestic, lies beside him.
He whispers to the stars:
ARYAN
Every kingdom hides its shadows. But from now on… we cast the light.
Cue theme music.