Gautami Putra Satakarni Story

The film follows Satakarni, the 2nd-century CE ruler of the Satavahana dynasty from Amaravati, whose lifelong mission is to unite 32 kingdoms under one reign, end internal conflict, and establish peace. As a youth, he swears an oath to his mother Gautami Balasri and begins his campaign at the age of 18, giving rulers only two choices: peace through surrender, or war. After 18 years of conquest, he unites the southern kingdoms. During this period, Satakarni marries Vasishti Devi, and they have a son, Pulumavi.

His greatest challenge comes against Nahapana, ruler of the Western Kshatrapas, who imprisons feudatory princes to protect his stronghold. Against his wife’s objections, Satakarni marches into battle with Pulumavi, assuring the other kings he will safeguard their children. He defeats Nahapana, rescues the princes, and unifies the subcontinent under one banner. Returning to Amaravati with the swords of the 32 rulers, Satakarni’s mother orders them melted into a mighty weapon. Though Vasishti resents his dictatorial approach, she stays at her mother-in-law’s request for the Rajasuya Yagna, where Satakarni honors Gautami Balasri with the Agra Pooja, extolling the greatness of women. From then, he assumes the title Gautamiputra Satakarni, names his son Vasishtiputra Pulumavi, and inaugurates a new era, the Śalivāhana Śaka, beginning on Ugadi.

However, betrayal follows when Kanjira, a feudatory king, allies with the Greek emperor Demetrius, who invades with an army ten times larger. Though poisoned by a Greek emissary named Athena, Satakarni rallies after his mother secures an antidote from a Buddhist monk. Inspired by his vision of unity, the feudatory kings fight on even during his collapse. Recovering, Satakarni returns to the battlefield, defeats Demetrius, and proclaims that “Nobody can destroy the unity of India.”