India/1974/35mm/B&W/Hindi/155 mins/Fiction
This film is based on a folk tale. Charandas, a witty thief, steals from Budhdhoo who becomes his devoted disciple in thievery. To evade the police, Charandas decides to masquerade as a Sadhu's supplicant. The wise Sadhu asks him to first make four sacrifices of his own choice. Charandas concocts the wildest ones that he feels sure would never come his way. He agrees to resist eating from a golden plate, joining an elephant parade, marrying a queen, and ruling a kingdom. The Sadhu adds one more - he is never to tell a lie. Charandas and Budhdhoo become legendary thieves. One day, he is caught when trying to steal from the Queen. Upofi being questioned, he adheres strictly to the truth. The Queen, impressed by his truthfulness, offers him the four boons he has forsworn, and the unhappy Charandas refuses them. The jilted Queen begs him not to divulge the truth about her advances but Charandas refuses. The Queen orders his execution but it wouldn't be so easy!
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