Chander Pahar (Mountains Of The Moon) 2014

In the cinematic adventure of Chander Pahar, we follow the exhilarating journey of Shankar Ray Choudhuri, a recent college graduate, as he leaves behind his mundane existence for a thrilling escapade in Africa between 1909 and 1910. Awash with inspiration from legendary explorers like Livingstone, Mungo Park, and Marco Polo, Shankar feels a deep yearning to explore the unknown instead of taking a dreaded job at a jute mill after completing his First Arts graduation.

His chance to escape his uneventful life comes when a fellow villager secures him a position as a station master on the Uganda Railway. Driven by an unquenchable thirst for adventure, Shankar embraces the wild essence of Africa. However, one fateful evening, his life hangs in the balance as he faces a man-eating lion, narrowly escaping to the safety of his cabin.

With resolve, he requests a Springfield bolt-action rifle and carbolic acid from the head stationmaster, foreseeing the looming threat of the lethal black mamba. Attracted by his torchlight, the snake finds its way to him, but thanks to the bravery of Tirumal Appa, an Indian soldier in the British Army, the men become fast friends as Tirumal frequently visits Shankar’s station.

Tragedy soon befalls them when Tirumal falls to the lion, igniting a fierce rage within Shankar. Determined to end the lion’s terror, he employs a daring tactic—using himself as bait by covering himself in blood and scattering meat to lure the beast. In a heart-pounding confrontation, he succeeds in putting the lion down.

While recovering from his wounds, Shankar meets the seasoned Portuguese explorer and gold prospector, Diego Alvarez, who shares thrilling tales of his own exploits, including a near-fatal quest in Richtersveld with Jim Carter for a legendary diamond mine. Their ambitions were crushed by the monstrous Bunyip, which claimed Carter’s life. Shankar becomes enthralled by Alvarez’s stories, marking a turning point in his path towards self-discovery.

As Shankar abandons his provincial life to embark on an expedition with Alvarez, they face relentless challenges. Their journey is interrupted by a furious volcano, forcing them to halt their adventure. But on one fateful night, they are ambushed by the very same Bunyip. In a heroic act of sacrifice, Alvarez loses his life saving Shankar from the monstrous creature, leaving Shankar heartbroken and alone. Performing a solemn burial ritual for his friend, he then sets sail towards the mythical Mountain of the Moon.

The quest for civilization transforms into an odyssey as Shankar inadvertently discovers diamond mines, getting lost in their intricate depths. In a desperate escape, he marks his path with pebbles and takes some stones as mementos, unknowingly choosing uncut gems. Discovering the remains of Attilio Gatti, he finds a cryptic note that reveals the diamonds once belonged to a fabled deposit. The note demands that Gatti’s remains be buried with Christian rites before claiming the treasure, a request Shankar honors, securing the diamonds for himself.

As he navigates through the dense jungle again, Shankar’s desire for vengeance against the Bunyip grows. He orchestrates a meticulous plan using sharpened sticks and barriers to trap the creature. After a tense wait, he emerges victorious as the Bunyip succumbs to his ingenious trap.

Shankar’s journey is fraught with hardships as he finds himself lost in the unforgiving Kalahari desert, nearly succumbing to dehydration. Thankfully, a passing survey team rescues him, and after a hospital stay in Salisbury, Rhodesia, he regains his strength. Upon recovery, Shankar sells four of his diamonds for a substantial amount, preserving one to send home to his parents, providing for their community with the proceeds.

With the remaining diamond sold, he purchases a resilient steamer boat, ready to honor Alvarez’s legacy. Ultimately, Shankar plans to return to the legendary cave, this time accompanied by a large team of explorers, resolutely ensuring that the memories of Alvarez, Carter, and Gatti endure through his daring expeditions.