Amrapali (1966)

In an era of unquenchable ambition, Samrat Ajaatshatru of Magadh, a relentless conqueror, remains unsatisfied despite his numerous victories. His insatiable desire for supremacy propels him towards the last unconquered city, Vaishali, despite the warnings of his astrologers, the pleas of his weary army, and the disapproval of his own mother. Ignoring all counsel, he plunges headlong into battle, only to suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of the resilient Vaishali army. In the aftermath of failure, a wounded and disoriented Ajaatshatru seeks refuge under the guise of a Vaishali soldier, finding shelter with a woman named Amrapali. As he recuperates, an unexpected love blossoms between them. Fueled by this newfound alliance, Ajaatshatru conspires with his trusted Senapati Badbadhra Singh, devising an insidious plot against Vaishali. They hatch a scheme to weaken the formidable Vaishali army from within, exploiting vices and deficiencies to pave the way for an easy victory for Magadh. Amrapali, now the illustrious Raj Nartaki (Princely Courtesan), finds herself ensnared in a web of treachery when her clandestine affair with Ajaatshatru is exposed. Punished for her perceived betrayal, she is sentenced to life imprisonment in the city's dungeon. Ajaatshatru, incensed by this, rallies his armies, launching a devastating attack on Vaishali. The city crumbles under the onslaught, consumed by fire and death. Triumphant yet desperate, Ajaatshatru storms the dungeon to free his beloved. However, the woman he liberates is a far cry from the Amrapali he left behind. This Amrapali, hardened by her ordeal, is far from thrilled to see her conqueror lover. She stands as a poignant reminder of the human cost of his victory, teaching him a harsh lesson about the reality of his conquests. Ajaatshatru is left to grapple with the truth that in his pursuit of power, he may have won the battlefield, but lost what truly mattered.

Amrapali is a fantasy movie featuring Vyjayanthimala.

Amrapali is currently streaming on Netflix and Netflix basic with Ads.