Chander Pahar (Mountains Of The Moon) 2014

In the cinematic tale of Chander Pahar, we embark on an exhilarating journey with Shankar Ray Choudhuri (20), a young Bengali man fresh out of college, as he trades in his mundane life for a thrilling adventure in Africa from 1909 to 1910. Having completed his First Arts graduation and about to take up a job at a jute mill that fills him with dread, Shankar yearns for the great unknown, inspired by the exploits of legendary explorers like Livingstone, Mungo Park, and Marco Polo.

A stroke of good fortune lands him a position as a station master on the Uganda Railway, courtesy of a fellow villager who works there. With an insatiable thirst for adventure coursing through his veins, Shankar seizes this opportunity to immerse himself in the untamed wilderness of Africa. One fateful evening, he finds himself being stalked by a man-eating lion and barely escapes with his life, reaching the safety of his cabin just in time.

The next day, he requests a Springfield bolt-action rifle and carbolic acid from the head stationmaster, anticipating another perilous encounter - this time with the deadly black mamba. His torchlight inadvertently attracts the venomous snake, but Shankar manages to fend it off with the help of Tirumal Appa (played by actor’s name), an Indian serving in the British Army. The two quickly form a strong bond, with Tirumal frequently visiting Shankar at his station.

However, tragedy strikes when Tirumal becomes the lion’s next victim, and Shankar is consumed by rage and determination to put an end to this reign of terror. Donning the persona of bait, he lures the beast out of its den by pouring blood on himself and scattering meat chunks. After a tense showdown, Shankar finally puts the lion down.

As Shankar tends to his wounds, he encounters the middle-aged Portuguese explorer and gold prospector, Diego Alvarez (actor’s name). The seasoned adventurer regales him with tales of his own escapades, including his journey with Jim Carter into the treacherous jungles and mountains of Richtersveld in search of a legendary diamond mine. However, their quest was thwarted by the mythical monster known as Bunyip, which ultimately claimed Carter’s life.

Shankar is deeply influenced by Alvarez’s stories, and their encounter marks the beginning of his own journey towards self-discovery and adventure.

As Shankar (actor’s name) abandons his occupation and accompanies Alvarez on a perilous expedition to relive their past adventures, they are met with an unyielding series of challenges. Their journey is initially thwarted by the fury of a raging volcano, forcing them to pause their quest. One fateful night, they are ambushed by the malevolent Bunyip, a monster that would prove to be their most formidable foe. The beast’s relentless assault claims Alvarez’s life as he sacrifices himself to save Shankar’s. Consumed by grief and desolation, Shankar mourns the loss of his companion, performing a solemn burial ritual before setting sail towards the mystical Mountain of the Moon.

Shankar’s quest for civilization becomes an odyssey in its own right. By chance, he stumbles upon the diamond mines, only to become lost within their labyrinthine depths. With Herculean effort, he escapes the cave, marking his route with carefully placed pebbles and pilfering a few samples as mementos – unaware that each one is an uncut gemstone. His discovery of Attilio Gatti’s (actor’s name) remains yields a cryptic note from the Italian explorer, revealing that the mine Shankar had unearthed was, in fact, the fabled diamond deposit. The note stipulates that whoever reads it may claim the treasure on one condition: they must inter Gatti’s skeleton with Christian rites. Shankar honors this request, claiming the old diamonds as his own.

As he traverses the dense jungle, Shankar’s path intersects with the Bunyip’s lair once more. Seething with a desire for revenge, he devises a plan to vanquish the monster. Gathering sticks from the underbrush, he sharpens their tips into deadly spears and fortifies the cave entrance with sharpened wooden barriers. With calculated patience, Shankar waits for the Bunyip’s arrival, finally emerging victorious as the beast succumbs to his trap.

Shankar’s subsequent journey is marked by a series of trials and tribulations. He becomes lost in the vast expanse of the Kalahari desert, teetering on the brink of dehydration. A fortuitous rescue by a survey team and subsequent hospitalization in Salisbury, Rhodesia, prove to be his salvation. Upon recovery, Shankar liquidates four of his diamonds for a handsome sum, reserving one for his parents with a note instructing them to sell it and use the proceeds to aid their community. With his sole remaining diamond sold and the funds secured, he purchases a sturdy steamer boat, determined to continue Alvarez’s legacy.

Ultimately, Shankar sets his sights on returning to the fabled cave, this time accompanied by a large team of explorers. He resolves to honor the memories of Alvarez, Carter, and Gatti, ensuring that their collective legacy lives on through his continued expeditions.