th tamasha script sc # 1 night, interiors grand opera · 24th aug ‘15 tamasha script sc # 1...
TRANSCRIPT
24thAug‘15Tamasha
Script
Sc#1 Night,Interiors GrandOpera Lightsintheauditoriumfadingdown.Thecurtainonthestageisbeinglifted,revealingagrandtheatrestage.
Frontstageisaroboticfigure,walkingonatreadmill.Behindhimisajokersittingonarockwithbacktous,fishing.
Silenceforamoment,thenthereisasmallbeepsoundandthen–Robot Kabhikabhimeredilmeinkhayaalaatahai
Joker Itnizorseaatahaikipantmeinhihojaatahai… Audienceresponse.Robotturnssharplytothejoker,turnsback.Robot KabhikabhimeredilmeinkhayaalaatahaiJoker Tophirdimaghmeinkyaaatahai?(turns)Bolo…Bolobolo…Robot Shutup.Quiet.Silence.
Kabhikabhimeredilmeinkhayaalaatahai(quick)Mainkaunhoon?
Joker (stands)Votomujhepata…Yesyes… Tuvohihaijosubahkoofficejaatahaiaurshamkogharaatahai. Jobosskidaantkhaatahaihahahaparkisikonahinbatatahai. Bayalisseatkibusmeinjoeksaubayalislogchadhtehainunmein
seektuhitohai.Robot Warning–AudienceaachukihaiJoker (sings)Aapandarsekuch,baaharsekuchaurnazaraatehain…
Asthisisgoingoninthefront-stage,lightsbegintocomeoninthebackstage.Manysectionsinthesetcomeintoview,eachhavingadifferentsettingandcharacters.Itlookslikevariousstoriesplayingoutsimultaneouslyonstage.
Ram,SitaandsomecharactersfromtheRamayan,LailaandMajnu,anautorickshawanditsdriver,HelenofTroy,atenyearoldschoolboyatReportCardDayatschoolandafewothers.Meanwhile,withthejokerandrobot–
Robot Getout.Getout.ShoJoker Achcha…?Robot Gogo… Joker Areyterehotemainkaisego?(coy)Apnatotaankahaina…?Janam
janamkaatootbandhan,jeenamarnateresang,dobadanekjaanRobot SOSSOSCharliecomeinCharlieSecurityJoker (turnstoaudience)Henhhenhhenh…Maafkardobechaareko…
Dilkaachchahaiye–aaphikitarah.Magarkyakareindilaurduniyakebeechkahinphansgayahai–aaphitarah.Karnabahotkuchchahtahai,parhaalatsemaarkhaatahai–
Thejokerextendsherhandtotheaudiencemeaning‘Aaphikitarah’
Joker Kintuparantubutmagar…Mainhoonna…yes,mainhoon…iske
dilkiaawaaz…
TheJokershowsafinger,thentouchesittotheRobot’sheart.
Joker TingTheheartbeginstothrob.Therobotgetsworkedupandspeaksin
agitation–Robot Diltopaagalhai Thodakachchahaiji Sheeshahoyadilho Dilcheezkyahai
DilDilDilJoker Maanakidilhaibeqaraar
Isseykhatrehainhazaar… Paraisemachinekitarahjeena–nonsense,bekaar…
Thejokershowsapalm,thentouchesittotherobot’sheart.
Joker TongTheheartbeginstothrobfaster.Thesetbeginstocapsize,thingsfall,
lightsfuse,sparksfly.Therobotbecomesmoredamagedandspeakswithgreateragitationinthebackground– Robot DisruptivetechnologyABtheetabeetagaamazaalimlotion
paanchsaupachchattarmethods,festerorganicgrowthmeasure
successsquareroot74.7tothepowernbytheimpactonLadoSarai,Malkagunj,KingKong,Teriyaki,MonAmor…
Meanwhile,thejokercomesclosertotheaudienceandspeaks–Joker Toaudienceyaaraisahai… Isneyetamashabanayahaitumhaareliye…Dilsebanayahai…to
pasandaayetotaalivaalibajadenayaar…hain…?Aurkoibhool-chookhojaayetomaafkarna…theekhai…?Nana,iskichintamatkarna…mujheiskesaarebuttonpatahain…jhatsetheekhojayegaye…masttamashadikhayegahaan…To…araamsebaitheho?Shurookarein…?
Thenthejokerpicksupafunnyhammer.
Joker Ready,steady…Thejokerrunsandhitstherobot’sheartwiththehammer.
Joker Dharraaang…
Amassiveshortcircuithappensontheset.Therobotbeginstobreakdowncompletely.Sparksflyinalldirections,sirensoundsareheard.Thingsfall.Alllightsgooff.Whenthechaossubsidesthereisonlyonesectionofthebackgroundthatislitandactive. Itisthesetofthereportcarddayinschool.Ateacherisheardcomplainingaboutthestudentboytohisfatherastheboystandswithhisheaddowninshame.{1½mins}
Sc#2 Day,Int/Exteriors SimlaSchool Mid1990s
Theboy’sfaceashelooksdowninshame.Theconversationofthedisapprovingteacherandtheupsetfathercanbeheard.Specialmentionisofthepoorperformanceinmaths.
Manytableslaidoutinaschoolhall.Teachersandparentssittingacrosstables,schoolboysstandinginfrontofthetables.Otherparentandteacherswaiting. Asignboardstandsoutsidethehallsaying–ReportCardDistributionforStd.3,4&5. Theboyiswalkingbehindhisfumingfather,downtheschoolcorridor.Fatherisholdingthereportcard.
Theboy’sheadisstilldowninshame.{1/2min}
Sc#3 Day,Ext/Int SimlaHouse Mid1990s Acardrivesintoanold,largehouseinSimla.
Theboywalksthepassageinthehousewithhisheadhunginshame.Hismotherandsisterareseenlookingathim,goingintoanotherroom.
Helooksbackfurtivelydownthepassage,thenquicklyshutsthedoor.Insidetheroom,hehurriestoadesk,climbsitandgetsontothewindow
sill.Hetakesoutanoldtinboxfromahidingspot.Heopensitandtakesoutsomecurrencynotesfromit.Hekeepsthenotesinhispocket.
Theboycomesatthemirrorhavingchangedhisshirt.
Hecombshishair.Hesmilestohimself,thensaluteshimselfandclickswithhismouthatthe
sametime,tosaybye. Hewalksouttotheporchofthehouseinanonchalantmanner.
Hewalkscausuallytowardsthegate,sneakinglooksupstairs.Hewalkssomemoreandlooksbackandsuddenlyrunsahead.
{1/2min} Sc#4 Day,Exteriors SimlaLanes
Theboyemergesfromthedrivewayofthehouse,runsdownthelane.Heisseenrunningdowntheslope.
Herunsup,turnsintoalane.ThehousesofSimlatownareseeninthe
backgroundasherunsaway.
Anotherboy,slightlyolder,issittinginacorner.Heseestheboycomingup.Theylookateachotherandnodtomakesureallisokay,thentheolderboyleadsandtheywalkon.
Theyrundownapath.{1/2min}
Sc#5 [A] Evening,Exteriors StoryCornerinSimla Mid1990s
Anoldman.Takesasipfromhisoldblueporcelaincup.Theboyswalkupanislandontheroad.Therearesomestallshere,one
sellingteaetc.Theoldmanisseenseatedattheendoftheisland.Theboyswalktowardshim.
Thecurrencynotesbeingcounted.Theoldmanfinishescounting,thensays–
Storyteller Aadhaghanta…Theboyssitinfrontoftheoldman,theyoungeronestillbreathing
heavily.Theoldmanfinisheshistea,looksattheboys,theboysarelookingat
him.Thentheoldmanfacesupandmakessomeinvocation,thenlooksbackatthem,hiseyesbrighternow,andbeginsthestory–
Storyteller Aajsebahotjugpehle…auryahaansebahotkosdoor…
Ekdestha…Anokhades…JosaariduniyameinmashhoorthaApnerajakenaamsenahin,apnerajkumarkenaamseAnokhaRajkumar…jagsenirala…Hardilkidhadkan,haraankhkatara.GaataAyodhyajiskijayjaykaarRajchhodjisnevanvaaskiyasweekarJisnekiyadushtRaavankakaamtamaamJiskanaamhai–
Ramleela[A]
Ram.Intheboy’simagination.Standingwithhisbacktous.OperaticmusicofRamayan.
Theboyisimagining.Ramisstandingatthestoryteller’sspotinthestorycorner.Heisdressed
fortheforest.Therearechantsofhisnamefrombelow.
Heraiseshishandtoacknowledge.
Sita.Risesfrompalatialriches–whichisimaginedinapartofthestorycorner,behindtheboyashelookstowardsthestoryteller,engrossed.
Sitagetsupandwalksout,awayfromluxury. SitawalksuptoRam,inthegardenoftheSahnihouseinSimla.Nowsheisdressedfortheforestaswell.
Ramturnstoher.
SitaandRamlookateachotherinthegardencorner.
Sc#5 [B] Evening,Exteriors StoryCornerinSimla Mid1990s Theyoungboyisfascinatedastheoldstorytellercontinuesthestory–Storyteller ‘BankepagpagmeinkaantehainRani…TuKomalhai,Rajkumari
hai…Jangalterijagahnahin…’ YesunkarrajkumariSitakehtihai–
Ramleela[B] Intheboy’simagination.Inthecornerofthehousegarden.AdevotedSitaprotests–Sita Teenonlokkasaarasukh…Aapkebinadhoolhaimereswami… Aapsaathhon Aapkahaathho Toharkaantaphoolhai. Sc#5 [C] Evening,Exteriors StoryCornerinSimla Mid1990s Theboyarelisteningtothestoryteller.Storyteller SaavdhaanRajkumari…
Inasmallclearingbetweensometreesinthehousecompound,Ramisreadytochasethedeer.SitaandLaxmanlookathim.
Ram SaavdhaanRajkumari… Yebansundarhaijitna,haiutnahibhayanak. Saavdhaan. Lakshmantumhaarirakshakarega.Iskiaagyakabhinataalna. Abmainchala…ushirankeshikaarmein. Sc#5 [D] Evening,Exteriors StoryCornerinSimla Mid1990sStoryteller Bas…hogaya… Theboyisshocked.Boy Kya…? Storyteller Aadhaghanta…Chalojao… Boy Arey…magar…aagekyahotahai…?Storyteller Kahaanikhatam,paisahazam…Chalophuto… Theolderboygetsuptoleave,butthemoreenchantedyoungerboypleads–Boy Achchathodasa…Please…phirkyahotahai…?
Thestorytellerlooksattheboycaustically.
Boy Pleasenaplease…
Storyteller Paanchminute… Theboysettlesquickly.Theolderonesitsdownagain.
Ramleela[C]
Thesameclearingbetweenthetrees.TheLaxmanRekhaisalsoseen.RavandancingaroundSitaandlaughingloudly.Sitaismakingbracinggestures.
Ravanlaughsmore,thenliftsSita.
{1/2min}
Sc#5 [E] Night,Exteriors StoryCornerinSimla Mid1990s Theoldstorytellerispackinguphisstufftoleave.Theboysareseenhurryingaway.{2½mins}
MoneyCollectionMontage
TheSimlahouseinlateafternoon.Theboyiscominghomefromschool. Hecrossesnexttoaverandahwhereayoungwomanisputtingclothestodry.Shelooksathim.AagayeBedu,shecallsouttohim.Helooksatherandnods. Helooksatheragain. Later,theboyispressinghisgranny’slegs,stillinschooluniform. Grannygiveshimtwocoins.Helooksatthem.Boy Bas…?Granny Toaurkya? Theboykeepsthecoinsintheoldtinbox,hecheckstheremainingmoneyinit. Inthecornerofthehousegarden,wherehehadimaginedSitameetingRam,theboyiswalkingupanddowninsomethought.Hesuddenlymakesadramaticpostureoftakingoutthearrowfromquiverandshootingabow,noticesthathisfatherislookingathim,onhiswaytothegardenchairwithhisnewspaperandtea.Theboystraightens,looksdownandcontinuestostroll.
Theboyistip-toeingintohisparents’roomastheysnoozeintheafternoon.
Hecreepsuptohisfather’spantsthatarehangingandquicklychecksthepockets.
Hetakesanote,keepstherestback,movesawayveryquickly. Earlyevening.Theboymovestothemirrorinhisroomandlooksathimself.Boy Maintochala.Ushirankeshikaarmein…
Hecorrectshishair,thensmilesnaughtily.Thenclicksandsalutes,then
leaves.
Theoldhouseatearlyevening.Theboyisseencomingouttotheporchinanonchalantmanneragain,casuallytakingafewstepsahead,sneakinglookupstairsandsuddenlyrunningahead.
{1½mins} Sc#6 LateEvening,Exteriors StoryCornerinSimla Mid1990s
Thestorytelleriscountingthemoney.Theboyisstandinginfrontofhim.Thestorytellerregardstheboyforamomentthenspeaks.
Storyteller Lasttimekahaantaksunaithi…?Boy Vo…badmashRaja..Raavan…aakeRajkumarikouthaletahai… Storyteller (remembers)Haan…
Thestorytellertakesthelastsipfromthebluecup.Theboyquicklysettlesdown.
Storyteller AchchaRajavaapasaatahaitokyadekhtahai…?KeRajkumari
ghayab…DushtRajauseyuthalegayahaidoorsamandarpaarapnirajdhaniTroy.TovofauranUnaankesaareRajaonsemiltahaiaurkehtahai“bhaiyyon…meriraniHelenkoParisnedhokeseagwaahkarliyahai.Humhazaarjahaazsamandarmeinutaarenge,ladhengeTrojanmahayudhaurapnizeenat–apniHelenkovaapaslayenge…
Boy (cuts)E…ekminute…Storyteller Hain…?
Thestorytellerisannoyed.Boy Lasttimeaapmujhekoiaurkahaanisunarahethe…RamaurSita
ki…AurRavanuseylegayatha…Lanka…
Thestorytellerisconfused.Amomentofsilence.Thenthestorytellerspeakssuddenly–
Storyteller Haantokyatakleefhai…?Problemkyahai?Kahaanikahaanihotihai…aurvohikahaaniharjagahchaltihai,harwaqt…Ayodhyamein,Unaanmein…Laila-Majnu,Romeo-Juliet,Sikandarkichadhai,Lankakiladaiaurtumhaarizindagi…Vohikahaani…ekhi…Tosochomatkekahaanaurkabaurkiski…basmazalokahaanika…Dilkholke…Theekhai…?
Theboynodsenthusiastically.
Storyteller Aaraamsebaitheho?Shurookaroon…?Boy (happily)Haan…
Thestorytellerfacesupandcloseshiseyes,invokes–
Storyteller Mahaaththaam…Lechalapnejahaan…Meriawaazmeintubolrani,shurookarkahaani,jahaansebhiteradilchaahe….
{1½mins}/9mins/
TitleMontage
Song#1 Therobotisbackonthegrandoperastage,performingtheopeningofthissongofstories.Andsothestorygoes…,heissinging.Alwaysthesamestory.Thejokerisdancingaroundtherobot.
Titlesbegin.
LatenightamongthemarketsandhousesinSimla,peoplegatheredto
watchalocalRamleelaplay.Ram,Sita,RaavanandsomeoftheothercastofRamayanprancingaround
astheyarebeingintroducedonstage.Thestageisinthecornerofalargeterrace.Peoplearewatchingfromvariousplaces.
Theboyissittingwithsomeothers,lostintheplay. Anotherday,thekidisrunningdownthelanestothestoryteller. Thestorytelleristellingthekidapassionatestory. Thekidisseeingtheyoungwomanoftheverandahinhishouseasshewalksintheeveningfurtively,tomeetsomeone.HeimaginesherasSohnigoingtomeetMahiwal.
TheterracestageinthemiddleofSimla.Peoplearegatheredtowatch.Theboysittingwithsomeothers.TheinfantKrishnainabasket,beingcarriedbyVasudevacrosstheriver.
TheinfantMosesbeingrecoveredinthepalaceofEgyptfromtheNile.
Schoolchildreninanauditorium,watchingatheatreplay.RomeoandJulietbeingperformedonstage–ascenebetweenRomeoand
Juliet.Theboysittingwithhisclassintheaudience.JulietwaitingonherbalconyforRomeo.
Theboyislostintheplay. SitainimaginationwaitingforRaminAshokVatika,imaginedinapartofthecompoundofthehouseinSimla.
Shegetsastartsassomeoneenters.Shelooks. HanumanistearinghischesttoshowtheimageofRam.
Theboyinclass,lookinglonginglyathishistoryteacher.
Theboyintheschoolassemblyinthechapel.Thechoiriswalkinguptheaisle. Thehistoryteacher,whoisSamyuktaintheboy’simaginationiswalkingtowardsthelightatexitofthehall.Storyteller’sV/O KiskitarafjarahihaiSamyukta?Vokaunhaijosamaajke
daayrekebaaharseuskobularahahai…? Thestorytellerandtheboy.StoryTeller Haathmeinvarmaalaliye,yoonhichalte-chalteSanjukta
mahalkebaaharaajaatihaiBoy (corrects)Samyukta… Thestorytellerlooksdisapprovingly.StoryTeller YamunahaiyaJamuna? Theboywonders.StoryTeller JosephhaiyaYusuf,JesusyaEesa,MoosayaMoses?
Batao…?(deeperthought)BrahmahaiyaAbraham…?YaIbrahim?(excitement)HindunadihaiyaIndus,hindhaiyaIndia?
Boy Sanjukta ThestatueofPrithvirajChahuan.Sanjuktalooksatit,smiles,placesthegarlandaroundit’sneck. ThestatueisPrithvirajhimself.HeholdsSanjukta,sheisstartled,happy.Hewhisksheraway.
Amontageoftheboyrushingtoandfromthestorytellerondifferent
days.Thestorytellerisnarratinganotherstorytothekidoneday–
Storyteller Aakhirkaar…jabhojaatihaiLailaQaeskerubarootovokya
dekhtihai…?Keuskaqaesqaesnahinraha…Theboyistellingastorytohisfriendsattherecessinschool.
Boy Gasnahin…Qaes,Qaes…anywayabvoMajnubangayahai…matlabpagal…pagalonkiterehbehavekartahai…Charonhaath-pairsechaltahai,bandarkitarah…
Theboywalksonallfours,likeamadman,hisfriendslaugh.Fancydresscompetitionontheschoolstage.Variousboysdressedas
bandits,kings,jokers,beggars,priestsetc.,standinginline.Themiddleschooliswatching.Teachersarejudging.Theboycomesup,dressedasMajnu.Hetakesposition.Thenstarts
screaming–
Boy Laila…Laila…KahaanhaituLaila…(pause)Laila…Thankyou.
Hebowsslightlyandshylyandwalksback.
HanumanjumpsfromatreeinfrontofSitainAshokVatika.
Sitaisstartled.Hanumanbowsandfoldshishandstoher. Hanumantearstheskinofhischestandshowstheimageoframinhisheart.Sitafoldsherhandindevotion.Twodemonwatch-womenareseenfaintinginthebackground.
Julietonstageintheschoolplay,prancingaroundinthehappinessofthethoughtofRomeo.
Helenaboardtheship,beingtakenawaytoTroy.MenelausmeetsaGreekking,theylockarms.
Theschoolhallwherethereportcardwasdistributedisburningwith
fakelookingspecialeffectfire.Hanumancomestothesideofthemainschoolbuildingwithhisflaming
tailandsetsitonfire,jumpsout.Themainschoolbuildingisseenburninginthefakefire.
JulietlamentingthedeathofRomeointheschoolplay.Julietstabsherself.
Hanumanemergesfromarailing,jumpsup.Behindhimthecityisseenablazeinthethefakefireeffect.
TheRam-Leela–theearthpartsandSitaisgettingswallowedontheterracestageinSimla. Anotherdayatthestorycorner,anotherstory– Storyteller Hohohahahaha…chiraghkajinnAlauddinkesaamne
haazirhogayaaurbola–Hukummereaaqa…
Theboywalksoutofhisroom,goingtoschool.HeisimaginingthegenieofthelampfromAladin’stale.Thegenieisbouncingaround,looking,posturing,promisingandescorting.
Theboystepsoutofthedoorofthehouse,stopslooksinside.Inhisimaginationthegenieisdancingaroundthemagicallampthatis
creatingalotofsmoke.Themagiccarpetstandsbehindhim.Theboyturnsandwalksaway.Insidethedoor,theservantofthehouseis
seenblowingthepoojaincensesomeintheroom. Theboy,nowacollegestudent,doesastand-upactinthecollegeauditorium.Ved Andthegeniesays–Hukummereaaqa…SoAlsays–Listen
jinndude,kuchaisakar…kimain…girl’shostelmeinrehnelagoon…samajhrahahai…?
Laughterfromtheaudience.
Ved Kyaaapkairaadapakkahai…?Pakkapakka…Girl’shostelmeindaaldemujhebas,apnebaaqikearmaanmainkhudhipoorekarloonga…
Whistlesfromtheaudience.
Therobotonstage,makinganinvocationtothemusebeforebeginningthestory–“Takemyhandgoddess,leadtometheenchantedlandofstories.Speakinmyvoice,oprincess,andbeginthestorywhereveryouwill.” Thetitlesend.{3½mins}/12½mins/
ApproachingCorsicaMontage
Opensky,opensea–lookingintothewater. Lookoutofwateratjaggedrocks,unsteadypoint-ofview.Movingthroughtherocksinthesea. Emergingfromacoveinthesea. Approachingacliffonthesea–glimpsesofacity.
Thepoint-of-viewsettlesonthepicturesqueandoutlandishislandofCorsica.
{1/2min}
Sc#7 Day,Ext/Interiors CorsicaTavern
Atavern.Peoplecomeandgo.Attheentrance,agirlisinsomesortofa
squabblewiththeownerofthetavern.SheseemstobemakinganappealinEnglish.HeseemstonotknowEnglishwellandisdisqualifyingher.
Owner (impatient)Nononomoney,no…
Girl Listentome…justlistenokay?Iamnotaskingformoney,Iam
askingtomakeacall…Aphonecall…
Owner Nonophone,go…Girl It’llbeonesecond,okay?I’lljustcallandquicklyaskthemtocall
back.Owner (rudely)NononoGirl Listenpleaseyaa…please…Owner (loud)NononomoneygoGirl Okayfine…
Shesmilesfakely,controllingherrage.
Girl …finesaalejhand-fakeer…sooarkiaulaad…Marjakameenethankyou.
Quickfadetoblack.Titleappears–TejakaSona.
Quickfadein.Wearelookingatthegirlandthetavernownerfrominside
thetavern.Wearebackafewsecondsintime,weseethesameactionfromthispointofview.
Owner Nononomoneygo…
She Okayfine…finesaalejhand-fakeer…sooarkiaulaad.Marja
kameenethankyou.Someoneinsidethetavernreactstotheabuse,looksout.ThisisanIndianmaninmidtwenties.Hehasheardsomethingfamiliar
andunexpectedintheseparts,helooksout.Heseesthetavernowner,comingbacktohiscounterandagirlwalkingawaytothestepsontheside.
Themanwalksouttotheentrance,lookstowardsthesteps,looksatthe
tavernowner.
Themanclimbsthesteps,seesthegirlstandingneartherailing,in
obvioustension.Helooksback,thenwalksuptothegirl.Shelooksathim.
He That…jhand-fakeer…Yousaid? Shecloseshereyes,quicklyexhales,openshereyes.She SeeIwasaskingthat…the…He …soarkiaulaad…She …toletmemakeaquickcall,justforasecond,but… Hetakesouthisphoneandoffersittoher.He Here…
Shelooksathim.She IhavetocallIndia…He Haankoibaatnahin,karleejiye… Shetakesthephone.Hesmiles,takesastepback.Shechokes,looksdown,thenswiftlylooksupandblurtsout–She Merabagghayabhogayaactually…Usmeinpassportthaaur
phoneaurcash,creditcardsshit…vobagjokabhinahinkhotehain…HowcanIbesostupid…?yatochorikarliyakisene…Immideatelyvaapasgayeeferrymein…harjagah…baarbaar,subahseaurispooreCorsicameinekbhiaadmikoEnglishnahinaatibloody…(mumbles)AsterixinCorsica…
Shecloseshereyes,makesashortexhaletocontrolherself.
He Sorry…?
She Asterix…Comics…That’sthereason,actually.AsterixinCorsicamerifavouritethi…Hardinpadhtithi,sketchesdekhtithi…sochtithibadihokarkeekdinvahanjaoongizaroor…YahanParismeinconferencethianddamnmujhesabkesaathvaapaschalejaanachahiyethamagarnahin…maintobadihogayeehoon…aurbachpanabhinahingayamera…
Shecloseshereyesagaintocontrolherself.
He Aap…phonekarleejiyepehle,okay?
Sc#8 Day,Exteriors CorsicaTavern
Heisattherailing,lookingout.Afewminuteshavepassed.Shereturnstohim.
She Hi…Vomujhecallbackkarenge.Isnumberpar–Isthatfine?He Absolutely…She Fiveminutes…Tomainjust…
Shemakeshandgesturestosignifythatshe’djusthangaroundhim.
He Sure,please…Hemakesthesamehandgesturesasher,smiles.Shesmiles.
She Andlisten… Sheturnstofacehimsquarely,shakesherheadingratitude.She Thanksalot,okay…?He Areypleasedon’tdothat…She NoIhavetodoit…Youdon’tknowwhatmyhaalatwas…God
knowsaapnahinmiltetokyahota…Bytheway,(extendshand)mynameis…
He (quick)Stop…She Haan…?He (gesturestvremote)Pause Shelooksathim.Helooksatherforsometime.
He Hmm…Aapapnanaambataengi,mainapnanaambataoonga,humekdoosrekojaanjayenge–kahanrehtehainkyakartehainaur‘ohwow…whatasmallworld’bhihojayega,commonfriendsbhinikalayengeaurmainvohibanjaoongajomainsaalbharhotahoon–ghise-pitejokessunaoonga,aapkoimpresskarnekikoshishkaroonga,decentlybehavekaroonga…decentlybehavekaroonga…?(opensarmswide)Corsicamein…?Ittimightmaarkeyahaanaayahoon,jahaankoimujhenahinjaanta,mainkoibhihosaktahoon,kuchbhikarsaktahoon,kisikopadinahinhai…Don…
HehaslapsedintoDon,hishandisextended.Don Baarahmulkonkipolicemujhedhoondhrahihaiaurmainyahan,
isanjaantapumein,Tejakesonekaintezarkarrahahoon.
Shelooksathiminintrigue.HeisDon.Sheextendsherhandtohim.
Don Auraap?
She Main…?
Don Ji…aap…Koitohongiaap…
She Main…Mona.MonaDarling.MainTejakesaathkaamkartihoon.
Don TomainaapkoMonakahoon,yadarling…?Mona (withdrawingherhand)MrDon…
Donlaughs. Don Ilikeit…Magarisbaatkakyasaboothai…kiSonadarasal
tumhaarepaashai?
Mona Isbaatkakyasaboothai…kitumdarasalDonho?Don (laughs)SabootkanoonkiduniyakakhilonahaiaurDon…us
duniyakebaharkakhilaadi…VaisepoochsaktahoonkiTejakhudkyonnahinaaya?
Mona Vo…MrTejakadentistappointmenttha
Don Isee
Mona Voiswaqt,yahansehazaaronmeeldoor,apnarootcanalkarva
rahehainDon O
Thephoneringsinhispocket.Sheperksup,hetakesthephoneout.
Don Interpol…
Theylookatthecallingnumber.
Mona Mainhandlekartihoon…
Hegivesherthephone,winksather.Shewinksathim.
Don+Mona Hahaha…
Hebacksout,sheturnsandwalksaway,speakingwithattentionintothephone–
Mona Hello…?Yesdad…Nono…Okay…Yes…{2½mins}
Sc#9 Day,Exteriors TownSquare,Tavern AmusicalparadetravellinginthelanesoftheCorsicantown.Fairlikeatmosphere. Theparadewalksupsomestepscomingforward.Musiciansareplaying,greatcheer.
Thesunissetting,theeveningbreezeisblowing.Monaisseenattherailings,speakingonthephone.Theiconsoftheparade.Parademovingwithgreatvivacity.
Nearthetavern,MonacomeslookingforDontoreturnthephone.Thetavernownerwalksuptoher.
Shelooksathim.Hegivesheracard.It’sthecardofarestaurant.Thetavernownerindicatesthatitisinthesquarebelow.Sheflipsthecard.Onthatsideisscribbled–Don(jiskopakadnamushkilhinahinetcetc...)Shesmilestoherself.Inthemeantime,thetavernownerhasreadsomethingfromaslipofpaperandnowsays–TavernOwner (withdeliberation)Mainkuttakabachahoon…She Correct…Shakalsedikhtahai…
Henods.Shelaughsassheturnsawayandwalks.Shelookstowardsthesquare,wherethemusicoftheparadeiscoming
from.{1min}/19mins/
Sc#10 Day,Exteriors TownSquare,Restaurant Monawalksupfromastreet,followingthesoundoftheparade.
Theparademovinginthelanes.
Monawalksintothesquarethroughanarch–theparadeiscrossingfromfront.
Shewalksthroughthefete,phoneinhand,lookingforDonandtherestaurant.Shefindstherestaurant,walkstowardsit.Awaiterseemstohavebeenwaitingforher.Hewalksuptoher.
Waiter Don…? Shesmiles,nods.Heasksforthecardinherhand,looksatit,nods.ThenheseatsMonawithbriskhospitality.Sheisintrigued,looksaround–Donisnotseen.
Amuscat,asalad,abowlofrisottoandabottleofwineareservedtoher.Waiter Allpaid…Bonappétit.
Sheissurprised,looksaround,thenbeginseating.Musiciansintheparadeenjoyingthemusic.Theparadetakesapause,
stopsmarching,morepeoplegathernear–clappinganddancing.Monatakesasipofthemuscat,theneatsfasterassheisterriblyhungry.Sheisinalargesquare,theparadegatheringisseeninthedistance
behind.Monaeatingfaster.Takesasipofthewine.
{1min}
Sc#11 Day,Exteriors TownSquare Alittlelater,Donisseenwalkingupfromonesideofthesquare. Monaisalmostdonewithherfood,looksinthedirectionofDon,finishesthewineintheglass.
Donwalksup,turnstoaprettywaitresswhosayssomethingtohim.Hestartsspeakingtoheratoneofthetalltablesthatsheissettingup.
Monawalksin,bottleofwineinhand.Sheturnsandpourswineintoa
glassonthetableforhim.
Mona Bhookekokhilaanekatouchachchatha.Magarpilaana…Idon’tknow…
Shewithdrawstowardsthesquare.Theparadeisseenontheotherendof
thesquare.Themusicanddancehavepickedup.
Don Kyon?Kyakarnewaalihai…?
Mona Idon’tknowSheisswayingabittothemusic.Hegulpsdownthewineinoneswig–Aahhh…,keepstheglassonthe
table.Then–
Don Ialsodon’tknow
HemovestowardsMona,feelingthemusic.Theyfloatforsometime,takingswigsfromthebottle.Shelooksaround.
Theatmosphereofthesquare–morevibrantnow.Shelooksaround,indisbelief.
Mona Whoa…Whatisthisplace…?Kahanhainhum…?Don Bataoon…?Onceuponatimepar…Mona Haan…?
Heislookingather,asthoughobservinghimselfandherfromthe
outside.Don Ekkahaanishuroohorahihai…
Theycontinuetodance.
Mona Hmm…Achchihogikahaani…?
Don Problemyehaikikahaaniekhihotihaihamesha…Onceuponatime–ekladkaekladkisemiltahai…aurimmediatelylinemaarnishurookardetahai…Jaisekiuskidutyhai–Linemaarnihai,pataanahai…Phirkisibahaanetouchandfeel,pakad-dhakkadchumma-chaati…Mainladkahoon,yemerarolehai…Nibhaoonga…Planningkaroonga,situationcreatekaroonga…yesabCorsica-phorsicagayatellenemaintosirfyehisochtarahoongakikaisetouchkarloon,kaisephysicalhojaoontumhaaresaath…
Mona (regret)Arey…TabtomujheMsTouchMeNotbannapadega…
Safedistancerakhnipadegi,harwaqtcarefulrehnapadega…Aurmainjokarnachahoongi,jomeradilkarega…votomainkarhinahinsakti.No…Mujhetoapneaapkoroknahoga…
Hestopsmovingashesays–Don Nahinnahin…Apneaapkoroknahoga…?VobhiCorsicamein…?
Mona Whattodo?Don Becausesharmisauratkagehna…?
Mona (giggles)Correct…Don Hmm…Chalnahinkaroonga.Mona Kya?Don Kameenapan…Move…nahinkaroonga,matrokapneaapko…
Shelooksathim.
Don Karoongahinahin
Shecranesheadclosertolookathimclosely.Hebringshiseyesforwardforinspection.
Don Dekhle…(pause)Jabaanderahahoonjabaan…Samjhi…?Samjhi
kya…?
Withthathebeginsmovingtothemusicagain.
Don Jabtakhaijaan…jaanejahaan…
Shebeginstomoveagain,smiling,thensays–
Mona Saatdinlagengemerenayepassportkoaanemein
Don Apunbhihaphtabharhaiidhar…Mona Kal-parsontakmerepaiseaajayengeDon Kal-parsuntalakapunkarokdachaljayenga…
Pause.
Mona Tohumekdoosrekonahinbataengekihumkaunhain?Don Koibhihosaktehain…Idon’tknow…Mona Sachmeinnahinbolenge…?
Hestopsdancing.
Don Sachbolengehinahin…Aao,vaadakarein…kihumapnebaare
meinjokuchbhikahenge,jhootkahenge… Shelocksarmswithhim.Mona Aurjhootkesivakuchnahinkahenge…Don AurCorsicakebaad–whoosh…ghayabhojayenge…Magic.Mona Aurphirkabhinahinmilenge…
Shelooksathim,fascinatedattheidea.Don Kahaanimeintwist…Yebanegihatkekahaani…Mona Tojobhihonahai,yaheenhonahai…Andwhathappensin
Corsica… Both …staysinCorsica…
Hewhistlesincelebration,looksather.Theylookateachother,thenhecomesforwardandhead-buttsher.{4min}/24mins/
Song#2
DonandMonastepaway,lookingateachother.Hebeginstoswaywiththemusic,shefollowssuit,areliefsetsoverthem.Shespins,theybegintodance.Musicchangescolour,theparadebeginstomoveinthedirectionofDonandMona.Hebeginstodancemoreandmoreintensely,beginslocaldesidancing.Shelaughs,dancesalong,triestoapehim.Hemakesthedancebiggerandbigger.Andmoredesistyle.Hebeginstosing.Nonsenselyrics.Peoplenotice,fascinated.Hesingsanddanceswithconviction.
Heandshemovearound.Thentheymoveintotheparade.Heclimbsonamake-shiftstageandsings.Shedances.Peoplecheer.They
dothefulloutdesidance.InthemiddleofitsomewhereheswiftlytransformstoDevAnand–and
beginstodotomusicwhatDevAnanddoes.Shelaughs.HesingslikeDevAnandnow.Nooneelsecanseethepointofwhatheisdoing,buthedoesitwithfullconviction.
Later,hemovesaroundthevivaciousatmospherehungontoMonalikea
coat,pilingontootherpeopleonthewayandprancinginandoutofplaceswiththehands’swaggerasDevAnandwoulddo.HeisDevAnand.{4mins}
Sc#12 Evening,Exteriors HarbourOffice
Wipe.Theywalkoutofanoffice.DevAnandiscarryinghisbagonhisback,alsopushingherverylargesuitcasenow.Heleavesthebagsandstepsuptothesea,turnstoher.Dev Baby..mujhepatachalahaikivahaanuslighthousekepeeche..aaj
raatsmugglinghonewaalihai.Tejakasona,kisiDon..naamkeaadmikomilnewaalahaiauriskaam..koanjaamderahihaindilkashnaazneenMonaDarling–naamtosunahoga…
She Tejakhudkyonnahinaaya?Dev Taaza..reportmilihaikivoapnedentistkesaathkisicanal…ke
routesejaldipahonchrahahai.AurmainInterpolkitarafseunsabkoakelaarrestkarneaayahoonnihattha…
Shelaughsdeliberatelyandfakelylikeanoldfimlymoll.Helooksathera
bitdisapprovingly,thencontinues–
Dev Samaarangeenhai,mausamhaseenhai,aurbaby..agaraapkedilmeinyaqeenhaithen..followme…
DevAnandproceedstopushMona’ssuitcaseupthestairs.Monafollows.{1min}
Sc#13 LateEvening,Exteriors UphillLane DevAnandandshearepushingherverylargeandheavysuitcaseupthelane.Hehashisbagonhisback.Hewipeshissweat.Dev Hmmhmmhmmnajaanekya..raazbandhainisbaksmeinjoye
itna..bhaarihai…Moll Itnesebojhsedargaye…?
Shegoesfronttopull,heisprancingandswaggeringaroundabitbetweenthepushes.Dev Interpolkaafsarhoonmain…(notices)aurusnaateaapkoye
bataanamerafarzhaikiaapkehusnkivaadiyaan…iswaqtdikhrahihainjihaan…
Shewonderswhathemeans.Thenlooksathercleavage,coverstheflap,smiles.
Henodsapprovingly,makestopushagain,butshepauses,somethoughthavinghither.Sheremovestheflapthatshehadcovered.Sheopenstheotherflapaswell.Thensheremovesherblouseandchucksitontheroad.DevAnandisreactingtoallthis.Heisnotsureifheisexcitedordisapproving.Thenwithoutsayinganything,sheresumestopullthesuitcaseandhepushes.
Theyareseencrossingastreet,pullingthesuitcaseaway.{1min}
Sc#14 Night,Int/Exteriors Hotel,Room Thehotelownerlookingon,saying–easy,easyinFrench.
Theypushtheheavysuitcaseupthehotelstaircase.Heiscarryinghisbagaswell.
Theywheelthesuitcaseupthecorridor.Heopenstheroom,pushesthe
suitcasein.Shelooksathim,enters.
{1/2min}
Sc#15 Night,Interiors HotelRoom
Sheemergesfromthebathroomwithatowelaroundhershoulders,chewinggumloudly.
Heislookingoutofthewindow,turnstolookather.Shewalkscheaplytohim,sitsonthebed.
She Haan,tokyakarnekahai? Devlooksather,sitsonthechairsaying–Dev Kya..karnekahai…?She Tukaekulaayamujheidharroompe?Sexkarnekona?Dev Kaisibehki–behkibaateinkarraheenaap?Main..Interpolka
aadmihoon.She Interpolaadmikapolenahinhotakya?Dev CheecheecheecheeShe Dekhmainpehlaclearkardetihai–extrakaextralagenga,baad
meinbolnekanahin.*&&%**#kapaanchsauhoyenga,@$$%$^$kadosau,$$#@&*^kahajaaraur*&&^&%&^*nahinletimain.
Throughallthis,DevAnandisgettingfitsinreaction–findingitutterlydistastefulandsayingwordslike–Dekhiye…HareRam…Interpoletc.Shefinishestalking,isshockedforamomentatwhatshehasdone.Shelooksathim.Thengetssuddenlyshy.Dev Kyabaathaikyabaathai…
Heoffersherabottleofwatertakesonehimself.He WelcometoCorsica…
Shebreaksintoloudlaughter.Hewhistles.
Theylaugh.
{1min}/31½mins/
Sc#16 Day,Exteriors CaronCountryRoad Wipe.Carinvastlandscape.
Wipe.Crossingthroughrockyhills.Facesintherockspassing.SheisdrivinganopenroofcarHeisfullyreclinedonthepassenger’sseat,
lookingupatthehills,talkingtothem.
He Bolde…bolde…Batadekyaraazhai,aisemude-tudehuyekyonhosaare–ghussemein…?Waisetobadapyaarhaitumhaaredilmein…Obviously,bilkulpatahai…Haan…Okay…achcha…achcha…Ohhaha…hamaarejailmeinsurang…?
Sheislookingathimfromtimetotime.Helaughs,thenbecomesabit
reflective.
He Patanahinyaar…Areychhodna,yahankyayesab…?Vahanbhitensionnahinhai,basvahi…LakeerkaFakeer…,samjha…?ApraadhiKaun?Tuteradekh.
She Binpherehumtere He BolbachanAmitabhBachchanShe Yebikiniabnahintikni…He Ghaagremeindhoom-dhaam… Shelaughsaloud.Hewhistles.She (screams)Yoohooo…. Cardrivesawayonscenichillroad.{1½mins}
Sc#17 Evening,Exteriors Cliff Therockymountaininsunset. Theyaresittingonacliff,lookingatthevalleyandthehillsinfrontofthem.
Shelooksathim.Heisenthralledbythehills.Heisconnectedtotheterrain.Shelooksbackatthehills,triestoconnectwiththemlikehim.{1/2min}
Sc#18 Day,Int/Exteriors HotelRoom/Street
Wipe.Thenextday.Shehaswokenuponthebed.Shelooksaround,getsup. Heisnotintheroom.Shewalksuptowardshisextracot.Shenoticesabookfallenonthefloor,picksitup,evensitspages.Shenoticessomethinginthebook.
Itisthelogoofabookstore,withthesketchofaturtle.Shecanhearsoundsfromthestreet.Shelooksatthebook.Shemakesto
openthefirstpage–shecansensethathisnameiswrittenthere.Shestopsherselffromturningthepage,shesmiles,thenkeepsthebookontheside,movestothewindow,looksout.
Somekidsareplayingsoccer.Heisthere,playingwiththem.Itisarough
gamewithten–twelveyearoldsandheisfullyinvolved–screamingandcomplainingandbeingasaggressiveasthekids. Afterawhile,shecomestothestreetwithabigmugofcoffee,wearingsunglasses.
Shesitsonthepavement,againstawall,lookingatthesoccergame.Sherelaxes.
{1/2min}
Sc#19 DayExt/Interior SunsetCafe Heandsheenteracafe,lookaround.Theylookateachother,heshowsthumbsup,sheshowsthumbsup.Thentheyquicklyturnandenterdifferentareas. Sheislookingaround. Heislookingaround. Shemovesforward,lookingforsomething,seeshiminthedistance. Heseesher,looksaround.
Theycrosseachother.Shelooksaround.
Heseessomething,shecatcheshislook.It’saprettyFrenchgirlsittingatatable,readingabookandhaving
lemonade.HeleersatherandmovestotheFrenchgirl.Sheisuneasy,movesquicklyintheotherdirection.HeapproachestheFrenchgirlquickly–
He (innocent)Excuseme…hi…Meparle-vousnoFrench…Canyouhelpmeplease…?
Sheisseeninthebackgroundlookingaroundforsomeoneashetalksto
theFrenchgirl.
He HowyousayinFrench–Youareverybeautiful.
TheFrenchgirllooksathim,thentranslatesthatinFrench.Heglancesinherdirectionwithasuperiorlook,looksbackattheFrench
girlandinanaïvemannerrepeatstheFrenchlinetotheFrenchgirl.TheFrenchgirlbeginstosaythathesaiditcorrectlybutthenbecomessuspicious.Heislookingatherinnocently,thenspeaks–He Andhowyousay–Areyoufreethisevening?
Sheisdisappointedinhersearch.Lookstheotherway,atacircularpitwheresomesundecksarekept,noticesaguylookingtowardsher.Theguyhasbeenlookingatherforawhile.Hesmiles,shecallhimurgently–
She Aaja… TheFrenchguytakesamomenttoconfirm.She Aajajalditimenahinhai…Frenchguy (French)Who…?Me…?She Areyaana…
Sherushesuptohim,themanrushestoher,shetakeshisarmandsays–
She Buymeadrink…
Shequicklyturnsandwalksoutwithhim.
He,inthemeantime,isstillworkingattheFrenchgirl.He Andhowdoyousay–Willyoutakemeoutthisevening…?
TheFrenchgirlislookingathim.Helooks,seesthatsheiscrossingfrombehindwiththeguy,lookingathimandmakingabigvictorygesture.Hehaslost.Shepasses.TheFrenchgirlspeaksnow,helooksather.TheFrenchgirlspeakswithsuggestiveinnocence–
FrenchGirl (French)Willyoutakemeoutthisevening…?
Helooksatherforasecond,thenspeaksininaterriblyexaggeratedIndianaccent–
He WelcometoIndiaforSambarvadameiduvadapaavvada…It’s
veryverynice.Namaste.
Heleaves.
Hewalksoutoftheareaintotheopen.Inawhile,shecomesinandwalksalongside,makingjubilantsignsofvictory.Heshakeshishead,walksonlikealoser.{2mins}
Sc#20 Evening,Exteriors TownLane Wipe.Sheandhearewalkingupalane.Sheisdressedup.Heissulking.Hespeakssuddenlyanddramatically–He Kyakaroon,bhikaaribanjaoon…?Bheekmaangoonrasteparde
baba…?She Yetobetlagaanekepehlesochnatha…Dekhodekho,koimehnga
restaurantdikhrahahai…?He (tothesky)Heybhagwaanagartoonemujheladkibanayahota…
tomainaajischauraaheparapniizzatbechkarisbhukkadkapetbhardeta.Abtoohibatamainkyakaroon…?
Sheisgiggling.
He Sunrahahaihaibhagwaan…?
Heseessomething.
It’sachurch.Ithasafrontyardwhichseemstobegettingreadyforalocalfeast.Localfolkintheirformalclothesaremillingabout,greetingandchatting,enteringtheenclosure.He Areybhagwaan…?Aaptotoocoolnikle…
Hemovestowardsthegathering.
He Aaja…She Arey…?
Aviolinistisplayinginthemiddle.Thegatheringofpeoplenearthechurchfoyer–greetingeachother,
chattering,laughing. Heismovinguptothosepeople,shereacheshim.She Plankyahai…?He Kyapata…?She Listen…
Sheholdshimback,hetakesherarmandwalksonsmiling.
Hewalksintothegroupofpeopleandinstantlybeginstogreetand
chatterwiththem–justlikethem.He Bonjour,Bonjour…Hello…Hahaha…CavaBien…Ouiouiouioui…
Hahahaha…(praisessomeone’slook)Magnifik…magnifik…
Theothersarelookingathim,oneortwoaresmiling.Sheistryingtopullhimout.Heintroduceshertothem–He ThisisfamousmoviestarfromIndia…BelleMadhubala…She
makepictureinCorsica…
Theothersbegintogreether.Shebeginstorespond.Henowbeginstoinvitetheotherstogoinfordinner. He Come…Please…Welcome,welcome…
Theygoin.Nearthetable,sheenterswiththeothers.
She (modest)Mercimerci…butI’llbehappyonlyifhecastsmeinhis
nextmovie.(tohim)Whydon’tyoutellthemyourlateststory…? Heislookingstraightather.She Youwill?Bravo…bravo… Shestartsclapping.Someothersstartclappingtoo.She BigmoviedirectorfromIndiawilltelllateststory….Bravo…
Hesmiles,bowstothem.
{1½min}/37½mins/
Sc#21 Night,Interiors
ChurchYard
(PartOne)
Festivedinneratthelocalcommunityhall.Wineandfreelaughtergoingaround.Longtable,heisattheheadofthetable,manyfamiliessitting,standingaround,freelyapplaudingatthestorythatheisnarratingtothem.
He (inflair)…andthenheputtheguntotothethief’sheadandsaidI
amgoingtokillyou,preparetodie…andthethiefsaidmerci,mercibeaucoup…ThankyouGod,youhavefinallyansweredmyprayers…MonsieurBandito…ForoneyearItrytokillmyself…IshootmyselfBang…thechandelierbrokedhhooshhh,Imiss…Itakepoisontodie,nextmorningIwakeupwithhangover…Ohhh….ThenIcutmyvein…Igetinfection,doctorgivemeseveninjectionshotsahhh….myasssore…Nowgodsendyou…s’ilvousplait…hurryupkillme…please,shootrightnow…butwait…Ihavetopeepee…FirstIpeepeethenyoushootme…Ahwhatdoesitmatter,whenIdieInohavetopeepee…Shootme…comeon…butwait…whatifyoushootmeboomandwhooshhhhIpeeonyourshoe…suchlovelyshoeolala…whatbrandshoe…JimmyChoo…?no…Armani…?OhIamtiredoftalking,pardonmeIwantwine…Whereisthewine…?Vin…Vin…
Hetakesasipofthewine,everyonecheers,helookstoaside.Agroupof
younggirlsintraditionalcostumearestandingthere,lookingathim.
He Prettyprettygirls…Ihavemessageforyou…This–BelleMadhubala…Shemenotogether,okay…?Shenogirlfriend…
Shegetsuptoannounce–
She Yes…BelleMadhubalaisfree…BelleMadhubalaavailable…
Thereisapplausefromthemen.
He (tothegirls)Andinmyheart…thereislotoflove…Amor….Iwanttogiveyou…love…Comeclose…come…
Cheerandmusic.SomesevenmencomeandtakeMonaawaytodanceon
theside.Thegirlsmoveinclosertohim.
(PartTwo)
Sometimehaspassed.Sheisdancingwithmanymenofdifferentages.
Thereisgreatcheer,sheishavingagreattime.Shelookstowardshim.Heissittingatthetablewithsomemen,andafewgirlsintraditional
costume.Helooksather.Shesmiles.Hemakesthesamegesturesofvictoryandjubilationthatshewasmakingearlier.Shelaughs,dances,lookstowardshim.
{2½mins}
FeastNightMontage
Firecrackersinthesky,thecityisaglowatnight. Sheandheareonaferry,sittingquietly,lookingatthecity.
CorsicaMontage Apolyphonysinginggroupperformingasonginanoldchurch. Wipe.Sheopensapacketatthereceptionofthehotel.Ithascash.Shethankstheownerofthehotel.Thesoundofthechurchperformancemusiccontinues. Dooropensandsheisshownintohernewroom,thehotelownerhelpingwithherluggage. Theculturalmusicperformanceinthechurch.
Wipe.Goingthroughmarketlanesofthecity.Wipe.GoingthroughlanesandstreetsofaCorsicanvillage.Sheisseen
comingfromadistance.Hecrossesinfront.Anotherlanegoingdown-hill.Theyappear,movingupandcross.Goingthroughanotherlane.Heandsheareseensittinginacorner,
havingadrink.
Themusicperformanceintheantiquechurch. Hillyforest.Heandsheseenracingthroughit.Theyareclamberingonallfoursattimes,fightingtogetaheadoftheother.{1½mins}/41½mins/
Sc#22 Day,Exteriors ForestRiver Ahillriver.Heclambersdowntotheriver,exhausted.Shecomesinafterhim.Hecomestohisknees,thentoallfoursandlowershisfaceashereachesthewater,drinkswaterlikeawildcat.Feelsrefreshed.Shegiggles,comestoherkneesandfoursnexttohim,looksathimforinstruction.Thenshelowersherheadanddrinks.
Thenhecomesuptoagrassypatchandsprawlsout.Shecomesalong,
flopstosit.Sheevensherbreath,lookstowardshim.Heislookingather.Shelooks,hecontinuestolook.Pause.Then–She Kya…?He (lost)Hunh…?
Sheraiseshereyebrowstoask.He Dekhrahahoontumko…She Dekhkarkehikaamchalaanapadega.Vaadajokiyahai.He Kyon…? Heraiseshisfingertoher.Sheraisesherfinger.Fingerstouch.He Ting.Dekha…?She Haan,itnahiallowedhai…He Dukhhorahahai…?Hain…?Terejismkibhookterevaadeko
kamzorbanarahihai?She Magarabkyakarein…He Ekbaarcommitmentdedito…?She Tophiraisehitouchkarkekaamchalaanapadega…Ting…He Niraashnahoraani…tingkyon…?Humtongbhitokarsakte
hain…?
Heraiseshispalm.
She Owow… Shehitshispalm.
He Tong…She Whatfun…!He Funhasjustbegunbaby,kyonkihumbahotkuchkarsaktehain…
Jaiseki… Herisestositting.He Idharaabataatahoon… Shecomesforward.Heinstructshertoopenherarms.Shedoes.Hehugsher.She Yebhiallowedhai…?He Haan,ismeinkyahai...?Allowedtoyebhihai… Hepullshimselfandhertotheirknees,beginstodanceonthekneeswithher.Theyhug.She Yepakkaallowedhai?He Whynot,whynot…BaslinenahincrosskarniShe Matlabmainyebhikarsaktihoon…? Sheholdshimfromhisback.He Auryebhi… Heholdsherfromherneckandwaist.Theyareinposition,theylookateachother.She Linebahotnazdeekaagayeehai…He Magarcrossnahinhogi… Helowershertotheground.She Sure…? Helooksather.Sheislookingathim.Pause.He Jabaandihaijabaan… Hebeginstopart.Theyseparate.Theyliedownseparately,tryingtoeventhemselves.Meanwhile–
She (complainsmelodramatically)Maineaapkodildiya…auraapnedeesirfzabaan?
He IsduniyakadilusduniyameinnahinchaltaZohrabai.She (lament)Hai…
Heisthinking.He Vahaankeniyam,kanoon,rivaaj…(underbreath)sabkuchalag
hai…Alagthalag…
Pause.Theyarestilltryingtosettlethemselves.She Yeghalatkiyahumne…He Yejagahhighalathai…Yahanna…Kuchkuchhotahai…She Tokyakarein…?Bhaageyahanse…? Pause.Thenhesuddenlyrousesand–He Bhaagbhaagbhaagbhaag… Hegetsupandrunsaway,shescreams,runsafter.
Weseethemrunningawayinthedistance.TheStoryteller’sVoiceOverbegins–
Storyteller’sVO Auristarahwaqtbeettagaya,mulaqaatkimohlatkhatm
hotigayee…{3½mins}/45mins/
Sc#23[A] Day,Int/Exteriors StoryCorner Mid1990s Flashback.Boy Tch…Yeaisahikyonhotahaiharbaar?Storyteller (disturbed)Aiyen…?
ThestorytellerhasbeentellingtheboythestoryofSohniandMahiwaal.
Boy Achchatimeittijaldikhatmhojaatahai…Phirvohiulta-seedha,sabtensionhonelagtihai…AisanahinhosaktakiSohnivaapashinahinjaaye,vaheenrukjaaye…?
Thestorytellerhasbeenglaringattheboy.
Storyteller Vaheenrukjaaye?Hain…?Tokahaanibhivaheenrukjaayegiphir,ushidweepparaurtabtusunegakyakhaak…?
Boy Sorry…Storyteller Terimarzisechalegikahaani…?Hain…?YekahaaniSohni-
Mahiwaalkihai,ismeinvohogajoSohniaurMahiwaalkarenge…AbSohnikojaanahai…tojaanahai…
Theboyisnoddinginagreement,sothatthestorytellercontinuesthestory.Storyteller Yehitodikkathaiwaqtki…vobeettajaatahai.
ShoreMontage AwavelashesontherocksofaCorsicanshore,settlesdown.
Sc#24 Evening,Exteriors
VantagePoint Sheandhearesprawledoutnearthepicnictheyhadonahillatsunset.Rooftopsofthetownareseenbelow.Thestoryteller’sV/Oisheard–Storyteller’sVO Shaamdhaltijaatihai…charontarafandheraphailnelagta
hai…Hartarafseishaarahonelagtahai…kiwaqtkhatmhorahahai…
Birdsflyintheeveningsky.
{1/2min}
Sc#25 Evening,Exteriors ThreshingCircle Theeveningskyandseafromadistance. Fromadistanceweseehimandherdancingtoasilentdisco,listeningtomusicontheirheadphones. Comingclose,weseethatthattheyareintheirownspaces.Theyareawayfromeachother,swayinganddancingandmovingthewaytheywantto.Theyareintoxicated.
Shelooksathim.Helooksather,atherbody.Hedropsthedancesuddenlyandmovesquicklytoher,whispersfurtivelyinherear–He Abmujheyakeenhogaya…She Kya?He KiTejakasonaterepaashai…Darasal…
Shegiggles.Hesuddenlybeginstodanceagainandgoawayfromher.Shedanceswithgreathappinessnow.
Theydanceintheirownworlds.
{1min}
Sc#26[A] Day,Int/Exteriors HotelLounge
AEuropeanmanstandsupasshewalkstothehotellounge.Hegreetsher.Agent Bonjour…
Herpassportishandedovertoher.Shelooksatthepassport,looksup.
She Adayearly? Sc#23[B] Evening,Int/Exteriors StoryCorner
Flashback.Thestorytelleristellingthekid– Storyteller Duniya…Duniyasebachnamumkinthodehihai…?Sohni
nabhichaahevaapasjaanatobhikyahoga…?Duniyachaliaaaayegiuseylene…Alaghojayengedono.Phiraagemilennamilein,kyabharosa?
{1/2min} Sc#26[B] Day,Int/Exteriors HotelLounge
Thestoryteller’svoiceoveraboutSohnifadesoutasshelooksather
agentandhisvoicefadesin.
Agent (OC)Therewereafewphone-callsfromtheministryinNewDelhi.Youcantellmewhenyouwanttoflyout.Iwillmakebookings.
Shenods.
{1/2min}
Sc#27 Day,Int/Exteriors HotelCorridor,Staircase,Lounge Sheclimbsthestairsandmovestowardshisroom,butstopsatthedoor.Shecloseshereyes,exhales.Thensheturnsandwalksbackquickly.
Shecomesdownthestaircaseinahurry.Shewalksupthelounge,theagentstands,sheaskshim–
She Whattimeistheflighttoday?{1/2min} Sc#28 Day,Interiors HotelRoom TheStoryteller’sV/Oisheard–Mulaqaatkiisghadimeinkoisukoonnahinhaimujhe…Sirfdarrhai,ghabraahathai–kiyewaqtbeetjayegaaurphirtummerepaasnahinhoge.Toaisewaqtmeinkhushkaisehosaktihoonmain…? Shoesarestuffedintothesuitcase,theflapisclosed.
Shecomesinfrontofthemirror,closesthezipofherdressinahurry.Sheputsherhairback,picksuphershoes.
Sc#29 Day,Int/Exteriors HotelCorridor,Reception,Room,Caronroad
Herdooropens,awaitertakeshersuitcaseout.Sheappears,hurried,carryingherbag.
TheStoryteller’sV/Oisheard–Issebehtartojudaaihai…jismeinkamsekamjudaaikadarrtonahinhota…Tumhinahinhotemerepaas,totumheinkhonekakyakhauf?
Shelooksathisdoor,quicklylooksaway,rushestowardsthestaircase,
climbsdown.
Thetravelagentisstandingatthereception.Agent Thehotelbillhasbeensettled.
Herluggageisbeingkeptinthetaxioutside.Inthelounge,thehotelowneriswalkingherandtheagenttothedoor.
Owner AuRevoir…Haveagoodflight…She Thanks…Bye… Shetakesanotherstep,thenstops.Sheturnsandlooksback,forawhile. Agent Bastiaairportwilltakeexactlyonehour… Pause.She Onesec… Shestridesbacktowardsthestairs. Sherushesupthestaircase. Sherushesupthefinalflightofstairs. Shecomestothedoorofhisroom,enters. Heissleepingonthebed.Sheshutsthedoor,hurriestohim,getsontothebedonherknees,reacheshim,toucheshisface.
Heopenshiseyes,thenrisesinsleepypanic.
He Haan…?She Kabhinahinmilenge…
Sheshakesherhead,thenkisseshimonthelips.Helooksatherinconfusion.Shekisseshimagain.
Shehurriedlyknocksoffhershoesandslidesclosetohim.Theykiss,andholdandquicken.
Sherunsoutofhisroom,leavingthedooropen.
Sheskipstowearhershoesasshemovestowardsthestairs,hurriesdown.
Shehurriesdownthefinalflightofstairs,rushesupthelobby,raisesherhandtothehotelownerasshecrosseshim.
She AuRevoir
Sheslamsthedoorofthetaxishut,sherestsherheadonthebackrest,thetaximoves,sheremainsinthesameposture–heartbeatup,breathuneven.
Boldaccordionplays.{2mins}
AccordianMontage Astheaccordionmusicplays,weseethesmallboylookingatthestoryteller,sad.
SohniandMahiwalpartintheboy’simagination.Insilhouette,atsunset.Sohnihasalargeearthenpotinherhand.Sheismovingtowardsawater-body.
ThesmallboywalksbackhomeinSohni’ssadness.Inaschoolplay,RomeopartsfromJulietasshestandsinthebalcony.FadeOut.
{1/2min}/50½mins/
Song#3(PartOne)
Fade-in.Anemptystageinavillage.Aturbanedmancomesinwithatumbi.Headjustshisturban,takesposture,indicatestocallothers.Fourotherturbanedmencomeinbehindthemanandbegintoplaydifferentinstruments.Thenthefrontmanmakesabigperformancesmiletothecamera,beginstoperform.Theothersjoinin.
Themanbeginstosing–OjiHeerisverysad.Sheissosad…Herheartisbroken,sheismissingherloverandchokingonherfoodandsuffocatingonherbreathandohsheissosad…sheisverysad…
Theyallsmileandbegintomovetheirshouldersinahappydance.
Montageshowingthelifeandtimesofthegirlaftershereturnsfrom
Corsica.ShereactsdifferentlytoherboyfriendattheCalcuttaairport,cannotgetDonoutofhermind,cannotbethewayshewasbefore,cannotbewithanyoneelse.SheissittingatherhomeinCalcuttaonenight,readingthecomicbook–AsterixinCorsica.
Theturbanedmusiciansreturnonscreen,smiling,continuetosing–
Everyoneissayingshehasfallenill,sheisunderaspell,shehaslosthermind,shehasgonecrazy,shehasfalleninloveandsheissad,sheisverysad…Ohsheissosad.Andtheysmileanddance.
Themontagecontinues.Fouryearsgoby.Shecanstillnotforgethim,she
cannotacceptthatshewillneverseehimagain.HerdadsendshertoDelhionalongassignment.
SheiswalkingatamarketplaceinDelhioneday,seesthesignboardofa
bookstore.IthasthesamelogothatshehadseeninhisbookinCorsica.Herheartbeatrises.
ThePanjabimusiciansonstage.Tarawalkstoentranceofthebookstore.Thereisalongcorridorleading
inside.Shewalksdownthecorridor.Sanjuktaiswalkingdownthecorridorwiththegarlandinherhands,asin
thekidVed’simagination.Tarawalksintothebook-store,whichisalsoacafeteria.Shelooks
around.Musicends.
{4½mins}
Catch–22Montage
AcopyofCatch22–thebookthatVedwasreadinginCorsicaisseenona
rack.Tarapicksitupandlooksatit.Smiles.Tarashowsthebookatthereceptiontoborrowit.Shesitsincafeteriawiththebookandbeginstoreadit.Anotherday,afewdayslater.Sheissittinginacorner,havingtea,reading
thebook.Anotherday.Aweeklater.Sheisreadingthebookintheworkstation
areaofthecaféandshelooksup.Sheseeshim.Shelooksdown,closeshereyes.Herbreathbeginstorise,shebeginstogetanxious.
{1/2min}
Song#3(PartTwo)
ThePanjabimusiciansareback,musicandperformancebuilduptoa
crescendo.Atthecafeteria,Taragetsupandstealsaway,beginstoclimbdownthe
stairstogoaway,stops.Shetakestwomorestepsforward,thenturns.Thenwalksbackupafewsteps,stops.Sheturnsaround.Pause.Thenshebeginstowalkdownbutturnsback,shakingherheadwitha‘whoareyoufoolingyouidiot’kindofsmileandwalksuptothelandingofthestairs.Shelooksahead,thencloseshereyes.Thensheevensherself,evensherface.Musicfadesout.Thenshemakesacasualappearanceandwalksinhisdirection.{1/2min}
Sc#30 Night,Interiors Granny’sRoom Flashback.Theboyislyingwithhisgrannyonthebedtosleep.Afteramoment–Boy Dado…
Sheturnstohim.
Boy Mujhepatachalgayahai…kipyaarkyahotahai…Shelooksathim.Helooksather.
Boy Aapkotopatahoga…Badonkopatahotahai.Dado Sabhikopatahotahaipyaar…usmeinkyahai…?Boy (knowinggrin)Vowaalapyaarnahindado…Realwaala…joaap
logbachchonkonahinbataatena,vowaalapyaar…Joladkeaurladkikebeechhotahai…
{1/2min}/56½mins/
TitleonBlackScreen–IshqwaalaLove Sc#31 Day,Ext/Interiors BookstoreCafeteria Heissittingwithtwocolleaguesatatable,talkingsemi-formally.Helooks,seessomeonefamiliar.Shecrosseswithoutlookingathim.Helooksather,thenturnstohiscolleagues.He (tocolleagues)Justamomentplease…(calls)Excuseme…
Sheturns,hestands.Shelooksathim.Hestepsforward–
He Hi…Remember…?Shetakesamoment.Then–
She (realizing)Corsica…Omygod…Theystepuptoeachother.
She Yahaankaise…?
He Areyyahantomainbahotaatahoon…AapDillisehain…?She Listen…Humnetodecidekiyathakabhinahinmilenge…
Heshrugshisshoulder.
He Parabkyakarein…?
She Kyakarein…?Hesmileskindly,extendshand.
He Ved… Shetakeshand.She Ved…?LikeRigVed…?Ved Yeah…She I’mTara…TaraMaheshwari…Ved VedVardhanSahni…
Tara Yerealwaalanaamhaina…? Hesmiles,giveshisbusinesscard.Ved Haan,yerealwaalamainhoon…VedVardhanSahni,Product
ManagerMCMTechShesmiles,looksdown,looksup–
Tara (sudden)Listen,yeco-incidencenahinhaiokay…?Yeah…Abhimainactingkarrahithi…Mujhehintthikitumyahanaatehotomainbaar-baaraanelagi.Calcuttase…yahanassignmentparDilliayeehoon…Mainnahinroksakiyaar,I’msorry…really…
Ved Areyplease,it’sokay…It’sfine.
Tara Sure…?
Ved Haan,sure…
Sheisstilllookingathim.Then–
Tara Aurbhihai… Helooksather.Then–Tara UsdinjabmeinCorsicasenikli…tomujhe…bahot…Parmujhe
lagatheekhojayega,hameshatheekhojaatahaimagarchaarsaalhogayeaurabhibhivohihaalandIdon’tknowwhatitis,youknow…?Yesabloveandall…mainesochaphirlagahowstupidamIandmainhameshaaisehikyonbehavekartihoonjabbhitumsemiltihoon…?
Shelooksdown,embarrassed.Heislookingather.
Tara Vo…Tumhaarefriendswaitkarrahehain…
Helookstowardshiscolleagues,looksbackather.Shelooksdown.
Ved Paanchminutemeinaasaktahoon…?Tara Yeahyeahsure… Hernervesareup.Ved Okay…
Tara Andlistenyaar…Pyschemathojao,okay…?Iknowmainekcrazy
stalkerkitarahdikhrahihongimagaraisahainahin…matlabmainpile-onnahinkaroongiyaar,okay…?Tumhaariapnilifehaiaurtumhaaarikoigirlfriendbhihogiofcourseandit’sallcool…allgood…yeah…
Sheisnodsomemore.Ved Merikoigirlfriendnahinhai.
Shelooksdown.
Tara Ohokay…Ved Yeah… Hesmiles.Tara Okaytumjao…Ved Paanchminute.
Shenods,stilllookingdown.
Ved Achchakiyatumne…Abhiaaya…
Shenodsagain,thenturnsandwalksallthewaytohertableashereturnstohis.Shesits,lookingdown.Afewmomentspass.Thenasmilestartsbreakingonherface.Shelooksdown.Agushisrisinginsideherchest,heartispoundingmoreandmoreandsheissmilingmoreandmoreandshecoversherfaceandtriestocontrolbutshefeelssheisgoingtoexplode.Melodramaticromanticmusic.{3½mins}
LoveMontage
Distressedblackandwhitefilm.IndianCinemaofthe1930’s.TheactressLailaswayingmelodramaticallybetweenartificialtreesofthe
archaicfilmset.Laila…Laila…,saystheactorMajnu,lookingforherintheforest,equallymelodramatically.KahaanhaitumeriLaila…?
Theboyissittingaloneinaroomandwatchingthisontelevision.
Theboylisteningtothestoryteller–
Storyteller …ekfaqtaudkarsaamnepedparbaithjaatahaimagardoosrefaaqtekoLailajaanenahindeti,useyapnichhatiselagaletihai…aurjaisejaisefaaqtekedilkidhadhkanbadhtihai,Lailadedilkidhadhkanbhibadhjaatihai…Lailabhiushiaagmeinjalrahihai…
Laila,intheboy’simagination,standingatherwindowwithafakedove.QaeswatchesfrombelowasLailaisseenatthewindowhighabove.Theboycontinuesthestoryteller’staletohisgrannyatbedtime–
Boy …aurphirLailafemalechidiyakochhoddetihai…aurvophhurrseudkarmalechidiyasemilnechalijaatihaiaurLailabhiMajnusemilnachahtihai…
Dado Kyon?
Helooksathersuspiciously,shekeepsherfacestraight.
Boy Aapkonahinpata?Dado (innocent)Nahin…
Boy Tch…UskopyaarhainaMajnuse…
Dado Oh…
Boy Haan…Pyaar…
Operamusic.Onthegrandstage–Laila,highatherwindow,releasesadove.Shelooksatthedoveasitfliesawaytothetree.Qaes,onthelowerlevel,acrosstheboundarywallwithhishorse,watchesher.ThisspectacleisclearlyinspiredfromimagesofVed’searlyimagination.AlsoseeninthebackgroundisJulietinherbalconyandRomeolookingatherfromthegroundbelow–mirroringLailaandQaes.{1min}/61mins/
Sc#32 Night,Ext/Interiors Apartment,Street Taraatherwindow,lookingdown.
Vedcomesoutofhiscaronthestreetandwavestoher.Shewavestohim,looksathim.Thenaskshimtowait.Shequicklyturnsandrushesandpicksupherpurseandrushestothe
door,opensit,stops,closeshereyes,triestorelaxbygesturingtoherselfwithherhands.Thenshewalks. Tarawalksdownthestairs.{1/2min}
Sc#33 Night,Exteriors Driveway
Aflowerbouquetintherearseatofthecar.ThedooropensandVedtakesitout.Taraisseenwalkinguptothecar.Vedshutsthedoor. Shewalksuptohimingreatexcitement,hegivesherthebouquet.Tara Oh…(stops)WowVed Hi…You’relookinggreat
Shelooksathim,smiles.
Tara Really…?Ved OfcourseTara (giggles)Okay…Ved(reachingforbouquet) Iskomainback-seatparrakhdetahoon…
Hetakesthebouquetbackfromher.Thereardooropensagain.Vedputsthebouquetbackwhereitwas.The
doorshuts.{1/2min}
Sc#34 Night,Ext/Interiors JapaneseRestaurant VedandTarawalkupacorridortoarestaurant,escortedbyastaffmember.
TaralooksatVedasshewalksalongwithhim.Shegetsathrilltobewithhim,towalkalongsidehim.Helooksather,smileskindly.Shesmiles.
Hegesturescourteouslyforhertoenterforward. Anexquisitetable.Aladystewardandawaiterstandingontheside.TheescortisleadingVedandTaratoit./jump/
Chairsaretakenoutwithgracefulhandgesturestosit.Tara(sitting) Thankyou…Ved(sitting) ThanksEscort (withthenapkin)Excusemema’am…/jump/ NapkinplacedonTara’slap./jump/ NapkinplacedonVed’slap./jump/Steward Wouldyoulikeregularormineralwaterma’am?/jump/ ColdorRoomtemperaturesir?/jump/
BisleriorEvian
/jump/
ThestewardistalkingasTaraandVedlookupather.
Steward PleaseallowtogiveabriefbackgroundofFujiyama.MountFujiyama,asyoumightbeknowing,isanactivevolcanoatsametimeJapan’shighestmountainpeak.ThatFujiyamaistheprideofJapanandthisFujiyamaistheprideofJapanesecuisineinDelhi…
/jump/
TaraandVedsitting.Sheislookingathim.Heislookingaround,looksather.Tara So… Vedsmiles.Tara Hereweare…Ved Yeah… Sheislookingathim,amillionthoughtsburstinginhermind.Ved Placeisfine? Tarahadnotpaidattention,nowshelooksaroundbriefly.Tara Yeah…Verynice…Ved ChaloI’mglad…YouknowlasttwoyearsseiskoTimeOutBest
OrientalRestaurantkatitlemilrahahai…Tara (showingrespect)Okay…Ved Yeah
Sheislookingathim.Ved Japanesecuisinekitnapopularhogayahainaaajkal?Tara Hmm…Ved Whatabrand–Japan… Tarasmiles,nods.Ved Countriesarethelatestcompanies,andcompaniesarethelatest
countries./jump/ Theyareeating.Shelooksathim,helooksather.Theycontinuetoeat.{1½mins}
Sc#35 Night,Exteriors ApartmentPorch
Flowerbouquetintherearofthecar.ThereardooropensandVedtakesoutthebouquet,shutsthedoor. TarastandingwiththeflowerbouquetwithVed.Theylookateachother.Pause–Tara So…Ved Okay…Mainkalphonekartahoon…Tara GreatVed Paanchbajekaroon…? Tarasmiles,inasurprisedmanner.Tara Tumtheekhona…?Ved Yeah…Kyon…?Tara No…nothing… Hesmiles.Shelooksathim,then–Tara Whatthehell…wouldyouliketocomeup?Ved Sure…Tara Kehrahehoyapoochraheho?Ved Hmm…?Tara Nothing,let’sgo…Ved Afteryou…Please… Shelooks,smiles,walks.{1/2min}
Sc#36 Night,Interiors Stairs,Apartment TaraandVedwalkupthestairs.
Theapartmentdooropens.Shestepsasidetolethimenter.Hewalksin,lookingaround.Ved Niceplace.Aisechaarapartmentshainyahan…?Tara Haan… Shewalksup,keepsthekeyatthetable,turnstohim.Theyarestandingclosetoeachother,lookingateachother.Pause.Ved So…Tara So…
Pause.Hesmileskindlytoher,thentouchesherhead.Shemillimetres
forward.Helooksather,smiles.Hemovesforward,kissesheronthelips.TShecloseshereyes,theyhug.Thensuddenly–Ved OhSorry…Chotlagi…?
Shelooksathim.
Ved Ghadise…?
Hequicklyremoveshiswatch,looksather.
Ved ShouldIkeepyourbagonthetable?
Shedropsherbagonthefloor.
Ved Onesec…Hetakesouthiscellphone,keepsitonthetable.Looksather,but–
Ved Silentpekardoon… Hepicksupthephoneagain,putsitonsilent.Looksather,ready.Ved Okay…
Theymovetowardseachother.Hesmiles.Theyhug.Theykiss.Asthoughitisprocedure.
{1½mins}
Sc#37 Night,Int/Exteriors Tara’sApartment,Drive
Taraswitchesthelighton.Shemovestothewindow,looksout.Vedstandingnexttothecar,lookingtowardsherwindow.Hewaves,
looksathiswatchashesitsinthecar.Shewavesback.Shelooksathim,wondering.SoundofVed’scardriving
away. {1/2min}/65½mins/
RegularDayMontage#1
Thealarmhooterblows.Vedgetsuponbed,dazedandconfused. Vedbrushesteeth. Vedeatscereal. Vedwearstie. Vedcleanscarwindshield. Vedlooksawayfromtheeunuchatthetrafficsignal. Vedsmilespolitelyashewaitsforfatladytoenterlobbylift. Vedpuncheshiscard,entersoffice. Vedgetsupfromcubicletosay–Goodmorningsir. Vedrattlesoutcorporatepresentationtounimpressedaudience–‘…theseismicfocusoftherecenttradewindsrestsinthelateralshiftinconsumerbehaviour…whichappearsbipolarbutitdoesnottakeanEinstientoco-relatethelifecycleoftelecommunicationtopoliticalclimate.Grantedthatwecannotungoogleourselvesfromthegeometricgrowthofsocialmediabutthegrassroots…’{1/2min}
Sc#38 Day,Interiors OfficeCorridor Outsidetheconferenceroom,aspeopleareseenfilingout,BossistalkingtoVed.Boss Whyyougetnervous?Haan? Vedlooksdown.Boss Nexttimedon’tgetnervousVed Okaysir…Boss Youcandoitboy.Okay?Ved Thankyousir.Thankyou.Boss Yeah… Bosswalksaway.{1/2min}
Sc#39 Day,Interiors Tara’sWorkplace Thelargedigitalclockturns5pmandthephonerings.
Taraatthedesigndeskwithotherslooksatit,looksattheclock,smiles,takesthecall,makinganexcusegesture.Sheturnstotheothersideasshetalks.Tara Hi…Allgood…Meraplan…?Idon’tknow.Vototumdecidekaroge
na…?Hmmhmm…
Shesmilesmore.{1/2min}
Sc#40 Night,Interiors MovieAuditorium Sameday.Popcornetcinhands,Vedpushesthedooropenandentersthecinemahall,turnstolooktowardsTara.Tarahassteppedup,butdoesnotenterthehall.Shestandsinbetween,asVedholdsthedooropen,andlooksathim.Therearepeoplebehindher,sheisholdingdrinks.Vedlooksather,inquestion.Sheislookingathim.Then–Tara Yeah…(nods)Thisisit,isn’tit…?Yeah…Sothisiswhatthey–love
andallthathaan…?Hmm…
Hesmiles.Helooksbehindher,looksather.
Ved Iloveyoutoo…Shelooksathimforamoment,thenshesmiles.
Tara Andwhyarewestandingineveryone’spath?Howsilly…Shewalksup,takeshisarm.Hesmiles.Theywalkaheadinthedarkness.
{1/2min}
RegularDayMontage#2 Tarawavesfromherwindow.
Vedwavesfromthecar,looksathiswristwatch,drives. Thealarmhooterblows. Vedbrushesteeth. Vedeatscereal. Vedcombshairatmirror. Vedlooksawayfromtheeunuchatthetrafficsignal. Vedpuncheshiscard,entersoffice. Vedatofficedesk,keepsitemsatdesignatedspots. Vedgetsupfromcubicletosay–Goodmorningsir. Vedrattlesoutcorporatepresentationtounimpressedaudience–‘…I’dsayGlocal–Globalyetlocal.Thisout-of-the-boxstrategyfollowsaBottom-Upwardapproachyethasathreesixtyperspectiveofthesocio-politicalstrokeculturalclimateintheconsumerbasebecausetheGenesisoftheParadigmShiftinglobaltelecommunicationis…’{1/2min}
Sc#41 Day,Interiors Club Vedislookingfrontinservileattention.Tara,sittingonasofa,turnsandlooksathim,wonders.Vedishalfsmiling,halfbending,waitingforboss’sattention.Then–Ved Sir…Boss(OC) Yesboy… VedturnstoTaraandmakestoquicklybringhertothemasBossenters.Ved Tara…Mainyenahinkahoongakimeetmyboss.Mainkahoonga
meetmyGuru.Tara (smiles)Hello…Boss Hellohellohello…Tara JaantihoTara…MCMTechTelecomaajjokuchbhihai…onlyfor
thisman…Onemanarmy…Hisvision,hisphilosophyhaschangedthefaceofIndiantelecomtotally.
Boss (inbetween)Tch…Areynahinnahin…Oho…Hahaha…
Bossmakesthesemodestsoundsashelapsupthepraise,thenpointsaccusinglyatVed–
Boss Goodhumanbeinghaan…Intoday’sdate…Yes…Keepitup,boy.
HepatsVed’sback.
Ved Thankyousir.Thankyou.
Vedishappyandobliged.TaraislookingatVed,smiling.
{1/2min}/69mins/
RegularByeMontage
Tarawavesfromherwindow.Vedwavesfromthecar,looksathiswristwatch,drives.Anotherday.Tarawavesfromherwindow.TaraandVedwalkinghandinhandupapassageataglitzyfoodand
entertainmentzone.Shelooksathim.Helooksather,smiles,looksaway.Shecontinuesto
lookathim.Theywalkon.Tarawavesfromherwindow.
Anothernight,Tarawavesfromherwindow.{1/2min}
Sc#42 Night,Int/Exteriors Restaurant
(PartOne) Vedcuttingbirthdaycakeatalargetableinarestaurant.AsTara,Ved’scolleaguesandsisterandrestaurantguitaristsing‘HappyBday’.
(PartTwo) Tarareturnsfromthewashroom,comestositinherchairnexttoVed,noticessomethingodd–thateveryoneislookingatherandgrinning.Shemakesaquizzicalface.
Ved’ssisterAbhatakeshercameraout.Taralooksather,atVedasshesits.
Heissmiling,lookingaroundsocially.Shelooksaround,suspiciously,looksatherplate.
Thereisadiamondringkeptthere.Cameraflashes.Taragasps.Reactionfromtheothers.Shelooksatthering,foralong
while.ThenshelooksatVed.Vedsmilesather.Morereactionfromtheothers.Vedpicksupthering,beginstoremovehischairasTarastartsgetting
anxious.Hebeginstogotohisknees.
Tara Onesec,onesec…Ved,ruko…
Abha Ohhh…Nervous…
Reactionfromothers.VedlooksatTara.Herfaceistense.
Tara Hum…dominutebaaharjasaktehain…?Helooksather.Somethingiswrong.Ahushbeginstofallupontheothers.Hestandsupfromhisknees.
Ved Kyabaathai…?Tara (standing)Just…comeout…please…
Helooksather.
Tara Come…
Shebeginstowalkout.Vedlookstowardstheothersathetable,smilesabit.Theothersarelookingathimwithpremonition.
Ved Excuseus…
HefollowsTara.{1½mins}
Sc#43[A] Night,Int/Exteriors RestaurantFoyer Vedcomesoutoftheglassdoor.Heiswondering,lookingtowardsTara,walksuptoher.
Sheislookingdown.Hereachesher.Pause.
Ved Yeah…?Sheturnstohim.Looksathim.
Tara YouknowVed…JabsemainCorsicasevaapasaayihoonna…it’slike…tummeresaathho…samajhraheho…?Mujhetumhaaranaamtaknahinpata,koiummeednahinhaikimaintumsephirsemiloongimagarmaintumhaaresaathhoon…Aurkisikesaathhohinahinsaktikyonkimaintotumhaaresaathhoon…Yepossiblehai…?Aisafeelkarna…?Mujhepehlenahinmaloomtha…
Pause.Vedislookingather,nowhecontinuesthestory–
Ved Aurphirmainmilgaya…Tara (emphaticdisappointment)Nahin…
Vedlooksatherquizzically.Shelooksathim.
Tara MujhemilaekProductManageryaar…joekshehermeinrehtahai…bahotwell-behaved…Polite,decent…
Helooksather.
Ved To…(sniggers)Tara…?TomainhoonProductManager…mainrehtahoonekshehermein…MainDonthodihoonTara…MainvobigIndianmoviedirectorbhinahinhoon…Votoactingthina…?Votomainroleplaykarrahatha…Auryemainrealmeinhoon…Darasal…
Tara (conviction)Nahin…
Hefeelsanger,looksather.
Ved Nahinkyamatlab…?
Tara TumrealmeinDonho…aurInterpolkeafsar…Auryahantumactingkarraheho…Yetumroleplaykarraheho–ekregular
aadmikarole…joeksetpatternparchaltahai…baghairsochehuyejoharkaamvaisehikartahaijaiseuskokarnachahiye…(shakeshead)YetumnahinhoVed…Yenaqlihai…Tumtonadimeinmunhdaalkarpaanipeetehoyaar,jaanwarkitarah…tumpahaadonsebaateinkarteho…TumvohoVed…Kyahogayahaitumko?
VedisstaringatTara.Hehastoproveherwrong.Ved (retort)TumkokyahogayahaiTara…?Haan…?Tumtheekto
ho…?Areykaunvo…?Vokoinahinhai…Vosirftumhaaredimaghkeandarhai…tumimaginekartirahihoshaayadkimainvohoon…(pause)MainyehoonTara…jotumhaaresaamnekhadahai…sirfyehoonmain…
Taraislookingathimanalytically.
Tara Sure?
Hesniggers.Somemore.
Ved Tara…?Haan,mainsurehoonTara.
Shelooksathimsquarely,thenshakesherhead.
Tara Tabtomainkisiaurkesaathhoonyaar…Mainkuchaurdhoondhrahihoon…Yetohaimerepaas…Yetomujhenahinchahiye…
VedstaresatTara.Shelooksathim.Tara Tch…Messhogaya.Bahotkharaabhogayaye.Magarabhogaya. Sc#44[A] Night,Int/Exteriors StoryCorner Mid1990s Flashback.Theboyislookingisindisbelief. Boy Aurvochaligayee…? Heissittinginfrontofthestoryteller,whocontinuesmelodramatically–
Storyteller Jangalkapyaarnagarmeinnachalpaaya…Dhartiphatpadi,dil
aurduniya...phirsejudahonelage…
EarthPartingMontage–1
Flashback.Sita,atthenautankionaterraceinSimla–lamentingthatshe
cannotbewithRamanymoreasisbeingswallowedbytheearth.
Sc#43[B] Night,Int/Exteriors RestaurantFoyer
Tara.Standinginthefoyer,lookingatVed.
Tara Mujhejaanachahiye…BaadmeinbaatkarengeIguess…Magarabhimujhechalejaanachahiye…
Heislookingather.Sheleaves.Vedkeepslookingattheemptyspacein
front. Sc#44[B] Night,Int/Exteriors StoryCorner Mid1990s ThestorytellercontinuesStoryteller …saanseinthamgayeen,hawaeinrukgayeen,harpattakhamosh
hogayaaurdekhtehidekhte…SiyaRamsealaghogayee… Theboyislookingatthestorytellerindisbelief.{1/2min}
EarthPartingMontage–2 Onthegrandmusicalstage–theearthpartsandswallowsSita.ThesceneisspectacularandisclearlyinspiredbythenautankithatVedhadseenasachild.RamandAyodhyaarewatching. Sc#43[C] Night,Int/Exteriors RestaurantFoyer VedislookingindisbeliefasTarawalksout.{3mins}
Interval{1hr14½mins}
SecondHalf
WelcomeBack
Thecurtainofthegrandoperaticstageisbeinglifted.Thesecondactbegins. Aspotlightinthefrontstage.Afigureemerging. Itistherobot.Hecomestostand,thenspeakscasually.Robot Haan,tokahaanthhehum…? Lightchanges.Allcharactersofthestageplayareseensittingaroundinaninformalconference.Majnu Kabkahaanthhe…?Sanjukta Intervalkepehle Prithviraj Yaheenthhe,aurkahanthhe…?Rickstar Matlabkahanimeinkahaanthhehum…Robot Sitaaapkaabductionhogayatha?Sita Kabka…MaintovaapasbhiaagayeeAyodhya…Robot Trojanwarbhihochukithi…?Helen?Helen Egodontcatalavaino…Rickstar (enacting)Troy…ladai…hogaya…? Helen NeNe…Eginepolipalio…Robot Tophir…(toSohni)Toonenadiparkarlee…?Sohni Votokayeebaarkarlee…MaintoSohnihoon,meratoaurkaamhi
kyahai?Robot (toRomeo)Areyoudead?Romeo NoIamaliveRobot (toMajnu)AurMajnupaagalnahinhuaabtak?Majnu Na…
Prithviraj Yemantahikabhaihaikiyepagalhai…?Sanjukta Iskehisaabsetobaaqisaarepaagalhain…Prithviraj …yehieksahihai…Robot HeyRam,dhartiphatchukithhi?Ram Phatrahithi…Sitadehenhorahatha…Robot Correct…vahaanthhehum– Jabkehneaursunnekokuchnahinbachatha. Jabdekhrahethhe…usey…aakhribaar. Alvida…alvidaparthhehum… Goodbye…RabRaakha…KhudaHafiz… {2mins}
Sc#45 Night,Int/Exteriors RestaurantFoyer
TaraandVedstandlookingateachotherinthecourtyardareaoftherestaurant.Silence,thenTaraisheardsaying–
Tara Mujhejaanachahiye…BaadmeinbaatkarengeIguess…Magar
abhimujhechalejaanachahiye…
Tarawalksout,Vedremainsstandingthere.VedislookingfrontindisbeliefasTarawalksout.Pause.Thenhelooks
down.
Ved Hmmm….Henodstohimself.
Ved (soft)Okay…Thenheturnstogoback.
{1min}
Sc#46 Night,Interiors Restaurant Heenterstherestaurantandwalksup,smiles.Ved (toall)Hi…SoIamback…
Thegatheringislookingathim.
Ved Vo…(pause.Thenwithgreateraffirmationandasmile–)Kuchissueshain…jinkotheekkarnahai…So…Aisahai…It’sfine,okay…?Please…let’srelax,okay…?
Abhaislookingathim,helooksather.Ved Sabtheekhai…
Hesmiles.Then–
Ved Maincoursemangvaatehaihain…?
Silencefromtheothersatthetable.Ved (calls)Excuseme…{1/2min}
Sc#47 Night,Interiors Apartment ThemirroratVed’sapartment.SoundsofVedentering.Hecomesinatthemirror,hangshiskeys,looksathimselfinthemirror.Pause,then–Ved Dekhoboss…doraastehain.YatoMajnubanjao,kapdephaadkar
chillaosadakonpar…yastaycool.Topatahaikya…?I’llstaycool…Yeah…It’sallgood.Chalnewaalathanahin…jobaadmeinhonathapehlehogaya,sahihua,tensiongayee…Good.Set.
Henodstohimself.
{1/2min}
RegularDayMontage#3 Thealarmhooterblows.Vedgetsuponbed,dazedandconfused. Vedbrushesteeth. Vedeatscereal.
Vedcombshairatmirror. Vedwearstie. Vedcleanscarwindshield. Vedlooksawayfromeunuchattrafficsignal. Vedwaitspolitelyforfatladytoenterlobbylift. Vedpunchescard,entersoffice.{1/2min}
Sc#48 Day,Interiors Office Ved’scolleaguesinahuddle,turntolookasheenters.
Vedentersbrightlysaying–
Ved GoodMorning…goodmorning…goodmorning…Kyahaalchaal…?Hiscolleagueslookatathim,respond,aresurprisedbyhisupbeat
attitude.Vedwalksawaytohiscubicleenergetically.Hiscolleaguesexchangealookwitheachother.
{1/2min}
Sc#49 Day,Interiors OfficeCubicle Vedkeepshisbagonthedesk,beginstosethisthingsinorder.HiscolleaguesMohitandDhillonwalkuptohiscubicledoor.Dhillon(toVed) Oyaarshaamkofilmdekhnekaplanhai.Kyabolta
hai?Mohit (toDhillonandVed)Aurphirbeermaartehainkahin,haan…?
Vedlooksatthem.Ved Kahaan…?Ushipubmeinjahaanterebreak-upke
baadhumtujhelegayethhe?
MohitandDhillonarestumped.
Ved Whynotwhynot…?Ladkinelaatmaarihaitokoifaydatohonachahiye…Chalosaalon…entertainkaromujhe…
SomeofhisothercolleagueshavealsojoinedMohitandDhillonbynow.
Theyallfeelrelieved.
Mohit Sahi…{1/2min}
Sc#50 Night,Interiors Pub Vedandhiscircleofcolleaguesandfriendsareafewbeersdown.Theyarejokingandlaughing.Then–Mohit Yaarmainsochrahathaterenormalhonekawait
karoonga…partutosaalachhoottehiabovenormalchalrahahai…toyele…
HehandsVedtheringthathehadproposedtoTarawith.
Mohit Restaurantmeinchhootgayeethi…Vedopensthebox,looksathering.Thereisasmallsilenceofconcern.
Then–Ved Laakhonbachgayeyaar…Aishhogayee…
Theyalllaugh,cheer.
Dhillon Oyaarittakhushtomainelifemeinnahindekhahaiisey…Merabhibreak-upkarvadoyaar…
Laughter.
Dhillon (continuous)…mujhebhichahiye…Mainbhimainbhi…
Chadda Simplesibaathai…mainetujhekittibaarisamjhayi…Abey
ladkiizzatdenekinahin…izzatlenekicheezhotihai…Laughter.
Mohit Ehhe… Ved Ishiliyetujhebaaharnahinlaatahoon…Mohit Chheechheechheechheechhee….Ved Kahathanamainemunhmatkholna…Chadda Sarparchadhaegatokaanmeinmootegiaurkya…
Laughter.
Mohit AbeyyaarChaddatu…Kitnagandaaadmihaiyaarye…
Chadda Haantosussukaregi…
Colleauge1 Chheechheechhee
Chadda (stands)Achchato…urinate…?
Hepretendstopee.
Dhillon ChuphojayaartuChaddachuphojabus…Mohit (laughing)Yaariseylejaokoiyahanse…please…Chadda Haanbusnikalhirahehain…(correctshair)Vedbeta,time
aagayahai.Chal…Ved Kahaan…?Chadda Tubaschal…Settinghaiterebhaiki…Dhillon Jabhaija…Ved Areykahan…?Chadda Abeytuchalna…Ved Theekhaichal…Chadda Aursaaleromancenakardeejiyovahaanjakarbataraha
hoon…Ved (touchinghishair)Terikasamnahinkaroonga
Chaddahitshishandaway,correctshairstyle,pushesVedaheadandtheywalkout.Dhillon (callingafter) JaSimran,jeeleapnizindagi…
Laughter,othersaresayingbye,allthebestetc.
{2mins}
Sc#51 Night,Int/Exteriors Lounge Afashionablelounge,after-partyatmosphere. Vedissittingwithagirlnearthebar.Chaddaisseenatadistance,sittingwithsomeothers,providingbackgroundsupporttohim.Girl Ina…neverwanttogivefalsesignal…
Vedshakeshisheadinagreement.
Ved No…
Girl Butguys…it’slike…unheintovohisamjhnahaijounheinsamajhnahai…Onething…Kyonhotehainguysaise…?
Vedmakesaloudthinkinggesture.Shelooksathim.
Girl Tumustypekeguynahinhona…?Hesmilessaucily,says–
Ved Mainushitypekaguyhoon…Shelooksathim,takesattitude.
Girl Mainnahinhoonbutwaisi…Maintobahotpriceyhoon…Ved Matboloaise…varnakoipricepoochlegatumhaari…Girl Stopit…
Shehitshimlightly.
Ved (insync)Haireadaa…Girl Soyouarenaughtyboy…(holdshisear)haan…?Ved Yeah…
Sherestsherhandonhisshoulder.
Girl Tokyakuchnaughtychalrahamindmein…?haan…?
Heplaceshishandonthetablebehindher,looksather.
Ved Kehdoon…?Shesmiles,lookingathim.
Girl Haan…
Ved Pakka…?
Girl Hmm…
Hedoesnotrespond.Heisstrangelyvulnerable.
Girl Kaho…
Heisdistracted.Shelooksathim,wondering.Helooksdown,comesoffherandstands.Sheislookingathiminsurprise.
Ved Excuseme…
Girl (surprised)Haan…?
VedlookstowardsChaddaandgang,indicatestohimthatheiscoming.
Helooksatthegirl,shelooksathimcaustically.Hewalksout.{2mins}
Sc#52 Night,Interiors Tara’sApartment BellringsandTaraopensthedoor.Vedisstandinginthecorridor.Ved Iamsorry…Bahotlatehogayahaiaur…Tara Nahinnahin…Ved Sorry…parmainbus…Tara Andaraao…Ved (strong)Nahin…Zyadawaqtnahinloonga…mainbusyesochraha
thaki…
Helooksather.Shelooksathim.Heisunabletosayanything,isstaringblanky.Shesensessomething.Hetriestobreakoutofhisawkwardsilence–Ved Imeantumko…Insteadof…
Hetrailsoffagain.
Tara (tender)Ved…Lookatme…Helooksather.Silence.
Tara Kyabaathai…?Heissilentagain.Heisjustlookingather.
Tara TellmeVed…Ved (breakinghisblanklook)Areyaisakuchnahinhai…matlab…bada
nahinhaikuch…issue…aisehi…ki…
Helooksatather,away.Tara Tokehdona…Ved (lookingpointedlyaway,speakingquickly)Okay,tobaatyehaiki
Corsicameinalagbaatthi…haina…?kihumnevaadakiyathakijhoothbolenge,paryahan…yahantotumkehsaktithina…?
Tara Kyakehsaktithi…?Ved (blasts,cuttingher–)Josachhai… Sheistakenaback.Vedcontinues–
Ved (almostwhisper)Joasalbaathai…vobatadenichahiyethina…?
Heholdshisheadwithbothhispalms,thenremovesthepalmslookingdown.
Tara Andaraao…Ved (gnashingteeth)Mainandaraanekeliyenahinaayahoon…(then
tryingtorelaxhimself)Tumkehdeti…kimaintumhaarelevelkanahinhoon…
Tara Ved…
Vedcontinuesunheeding–Ved Corsicameintumnemujhedekhaaurpatanahinkyasochakimain
kyahoonparyahanpatachalakinahinnahinmainvaisakuchnahinhoon…maintobaseknormalinsaanhoon,ordinary…
Tara Vedeksecond…Ved It’sokay…It’sfine…Mainhoonordinary…Mujhepatahai…Tara Areyvohitobaathai…Ved Averagehoonmain…jaisekoibhihotahai…vochalterehtehain
nafootpathparbriefcaselekar…vaisahi…Mediocre…Tara (emphatic)VohitotumnahinhoVed…Vohitomainkehrahi
hoon…Mainjaantihoontumkaunho…Ved (suddencharge)Haansaalituhijaantihaimainkaunhoon…aur
koinahinjaanta–meregharwaale,meredost…mainkhudnahinjaantamagartu–saatdinCorsicameintupakkajaangayeekimainkaunhoon…
Hestops,staresatherface.Hecannotbelievehisbehavaiour.Sheis
lookingathim.Hequickyturnsandcovershisface.
Ved (muttersunderhisbreath)Shit…Yekyahorahahaimujhe…?Tara KoibaatnahinVed.Listen…It’sfine…
Ved Noit’snotfineTara…Kaisemaine…?Tara Youknowbetterhaikisabkuchbaaharaajaaye…
Ved (sharp)Kyabaaharaajaaye…?Haikyabaaharaaneko…?
Hecloseshiseyes.Pause,then–
Ved (genuinely)I’mreallyreallysorryTara.Iamverysorryyaar.Tara LetitgoVed…Please…Andaraao…Ved MujheandarnahinaanachahiyeTara…Mainyahan…patchup
karneyavaisenahinaayahoon…Tara Haanmagarbaaharkhaderehnekasensenahinhaina…Derho
gayeehai,logsorahehonge…Ved (flipsagain)Haanaurmainunkojagadoonga…Maintopaagal
hoon…Mainto(screaming)chillaoonoga…shormachaoonga…scenecreatekardoongaabhiyahanpar…tomujhetoandarlejao…,chhupalo…,controlkaroisvehshisaalejaawarko…
Hestops,phews,covershisface,turnsaround,breathingheavily.
Tara (tender)Ved…Humkobaatkarnahai…okay…?Aaramseiskosettlekartehainkyonkilagtahaiki…
Vedwalksawaywithoutsayinganything.Tarastaresathim.
Tara (callingafter)Vedplease… Shegoesafterhim.Tara Listen…Ved…
Heskipsdownthestairswithoutlookingback. Hecomesoutofthegateandwalksawaybriskly.{3mins}/12mins/
Sc#53 Night,Int/Exteriors Autorickshaw
Vedsittinginamovingautorickshaw,lookingfront,tryingnottoseeorthinkanything.Thedriveroftheautorickshawglancesatthemirror,doeshishair,beginstohumatune.Afteramoment,thedriverdoeshishairagain.Vedsuddenlyswitches–Ved Hairstylebadalajawabhaiboss…Driver Hmm…?Ved Hairstyle…Baal. ThedriverlooksatVedintherear-view,nods.Ved Bambaijaanekavichaarhaikaa…?
DriverturnstotakealookatVed.Turnsback.
Driver Haitonahin…haanthajaroor.Ved Tochalejao…Kyaproblemhai?Driver Problemtoekheenhaibhaiyya–haalaat…humsabusiketo
sikaarhain…Haikinahin…?Ved Hai…Hai…Driver Gharwaaleapnakaamkiyekisaadijaldikaradiye,humapna
kaamkiyekidugobachchahogaya,aurphirvohi–samaykachakka,aata-daal-chawal,bachchekipadhai,biwikimaahwaari,yetrafficauryericksaa…
Ved Actinglinemeinjaanathaka?Driver Singinglinemein…Ved Achcha…?Driver Abhihumkodekhkeaapkosamajhmeinnahinaayegasir…magar
Ilahabadmeinjabhumstagepargaatethena…eesabdurgapoojautsaosabmein…bandhjaatithijanta…khatamenahinhonedetithiporaam…
Ved Hmm…Herohotum…?Hain…?Driver Yahantohumriksaawaalehainsahab…
Hedoeshishairagain.Vedislookingathim.Driver Yahankoimaeekalaaldekhnahinpayega,magarandarsena…
humkuchaurhihain…Aurbaaharsemajboor. Thedriverlaughs.Vedisstruckbyamemory.{2mins}
Sc#54 Night,Interiors Sahni’sStudy Early2000s
Flashback.Vedattheageofnineteen.Isnervous,intimidated.Heisstandinginfrontofhisfather,whoisglaringathim.Vedislabouringtomakehispoint–
Ved Maths…mathssamajhhinahinaatihaimujhe.Dimaghmeinjaati
hinahinhai…Sahni Aagebolo…Ved Toengineering…mainnahinkarnachahtaactually…It’snotme
papa…merabilkulinterestnahinhai…to…
Helooksathisfather,thenfallssilent.Sahnilooksathimforamoment,then– Sahni BetajabpartitionkebaadteradadaaayathaLahorese…Jabsab
kuchzerohogayatha,sarchhupaanekochhatnahinthiauraathlogonkapetbharnekizimmedaariunparthi…tabagarunhonekahahotakiisfactorymeinkaamkarnemeinmerainterestnahinhai…it’snotme…maintoactually…bansuribajaanachahtahoon…tokyahota…?Yekhaandaanzindabachta…?Tumheinyemaukabhimiltakitumengineeringkarsako…?
Vedlooksdown,Sahniglaresathim.
Sahni Dosaalmein,hazaartutionlenekebawajood,tumkisibhi
engineeringcollegekaentrancepassnahinkarpaaye.Apnaeksaalgharbaithewastekiyatumne…Abdonationdekartumhaaradaakhilaekengineeringcollegemeinhorahahai…tumheinshukriyaadakarnachahiye,sharmkemaaredoublemehnatkarnichahiye…Aurinteresthaikahantumhaara?Pedkeneechebaithkarkahaanisunaanemein…?Dusrupayeghantekehisaabse…?YaBombayjaakarherobannahai…?Kyacareerplanhaitumhaara…?Haan…?Bolo…Jawaabdo…
Vedislookingdown,squirming,speechless.
{1½min}/15½mins/
Song#5(PartOne)
Flashback.Orchestra.TheautorickshawalaissingingasongonstageinAllahabad.Infullglory,fullstyle.Heislivinghisdreaminthisperformance.
Flashback.Vedwalksupthecorridorafterthetalkwithhisfather.HeentersGranny’sroomandshutsthedoor.Hemakeshugesilentscreamoffrustration.Again.Butthenhestopshimself,controlshimself.Hestandsintheroom,tryingtorelaxhimself.Helooksathimselfinthemirror.
Flashback.Theautorickshawalasingsonstage.Heisenjoyingthe
performanceandhisstyle.
Flashback.ThehouseinSimla.Vedinthehouseanotherday,readytoleavefortheengineeringcollege.
Heisstandingattheterrace,lookingatthetownthatheisleaving.Histravelbaginonhisshoulder.
Vedwalksuptothecarwithhisbag,turnstolooksback.Hisgranny,
motherandsomeothersarestandingintheporch.ThetreeswherehehasimaginedscenesfromtheRamayanplayoutareseeninthedistance.Hewavesgoodbyetothatlife.
Backinthepresenttime.Theautorickshawalaissingingthesongwithoutmusic,atatypicalallnightparathacorner.Vedissittingonthepavementstoneacrosstheautorickshawaala,listeningtothesong.Botharehavingcuttingchai.
{1½mins}
Sc#55[A] Night,Exteriors ParathaCornerAfterawhile,Vedstretchesandreclines,thengetsmorecomfortable,
stretchesmoreandrelaxes,endsuplyingdownonthepavement,lookingupattheskyandlisteningtothesong.Whenthesingingpauses,Vedstartsspeakingintothesong–
Ved Phirkyahua…? Honakyahai...? Vohikahaaniphirekbaar–
Majnuneliyekapdephaad,maartamashabeechbajaarRukkesocha–Aisakyon?Aisawaisajaisataisa…paisa…
Paisa…?
Paisanahotatophirkaisahota…?
Socho…Areychhodoboringbaateinsaali…MastrahoaurjamkekhaoLelopange,chadhlosooliPhaadlokapde,kholdobandhan,gholdolassi,boldokissaSabhijanonkadilbehlao…ShormachaoMaarothumka
Peoplesittingaroundattheparathastallhavebeguntonotice.Vedcontinues–Ved Phenk-bikheromankichandi
Dilkasona,aankhkemotiSabarpithaiAapkikhaatirMainnaukarhoonaapkamaalikTiepehenkar,liftmeinchadhkar,phiraaoongaaapkeaanganVohikaroonga…jorozkiyahai…Vophirsekaroongaphirsekaroongaphirsekaroonga…
Achchabeta…?Kabhiudhartokabhiidhar…?Andarkyahai…?
Cuttoblack.
Titleappearsonscreen–AndarkiBaat
Ved’snarrativecontinues–Andarkyahai…?Kaunserangkadilhaitera?
Kyachahtahai…?
Cutbacktothesongonscreen.Vedisnarrating–Ved Bolo…Jawaabdo…
Sc#56 Day,Ext/Interiors SimlaRailwayStation Early2000s Flashback.Ved’ssend-offtotheengineeringcollege.Anothermanisgoingwithhim.Father,sisterarepresent.Vedtoucheshisfather’sfeet,then–Ved Sorrypapa…Sahni Arey…Ved Yedonation...main…Sahni Tumheinehsaashaiyehibahothaibeta…(hugshim)Iamproudof
youmyson…Tumcollegemeinbahotachchakaroge,mainjaantahoon…Allthebest…Allthebest…
Vedisemotional.
{1/2min}
Song#5(PartTwo) ThesongresumesasVedissittinginthetrain,thinking.Heisgoingtotheengineeringcollege.Thelandscaperollsoutside.Helooksoutofthewindow.{1min}
Sc#55[B] Night,Exteriors ParathaCorner
Presenttime,attheparathacorner.SomemorepeoplehavecomeclosertowatchVed.Therearesomepeoplethatseemtobefromatheatregroup.Theytakespecialnotice.
Kyachhootrahahai…trainkebaahar…?Kuchapnahai…?Yabassapnahai…?
Flashback.VedisclimbingthestairstothehostelblockattheEngineeringInstitutewithhisluggage. Presenttime,attheparathacorner.Vedbreakingoutofthememory,narrates–
Phirseboringbaateinsaali…?Sudharjabandhu,pakadlekona,kholbichhona,daaldechaddarTujhkokyahai?Andarkyahai?
Kyabakwaashaiyaar…haddhogayee…
Helooksaroundathisimpromptuaudience.
Ved Matlabkyahai?Inbaatonka,isduniyakaKyamatlabhai?Aurkisepadihai…?Chhodhyaarmattikar…Sunchhote…Doaurcutting…(totheautorickshawaala)Legana…?Phirchaltehain…
Hestretchesagain.Continues,softly–
Ved Sonabhihai…Monabhihai…
(smiles)Tejakasona…{3mins}/21½mins/
Sc#57 Night,Interiors Apartment Vedstandinginfrontofthemirror,lookingathimself.Hetakesastepclosertothemirror,asthoughtakinghisreflectionintoconfidence.Ved Kya…?Hain…?Pyaarthatujheussey…?Saalefraud…Abeyghanta
diltootahaitera,samjha…?Torelax…Control…OhjicontrolPaahjicontrol…Ved…
Pause.Then–
Ved Hmm…Theekhai…(nods)Cool…Set…{1/2min}
RegularDayMontage#4 Thealarmhooterblows.Vedgetsuponbed,dazedandconfused. Vedbrushesteeth.
Vedwearstie.Hefinishesmakingtheknot.Butdoesnotmoveout.Hestandsthere,lookingatthetie.Helooksathimself,thenremovesthetie. Vedwipesthewindscreenofthecar. Vedlooksawayfromtheeunuchatthetrafficsignal. Vedwaitspolitelyforfatladytoenterlobbylift.Godblessyoumyson,theladyissaying.Youarealwayssokind. Vedpuncheshiscard.
GoodMorning,GoodMorning,GoodMorning,hesaysloudandbrightas
heentersoffice.{1/2min}
Sc#58 Day,Interiors WaitingRoom TheteamisgettingintoapresentationwhenBosssaystoVed–Boss (sharp)Tiekahanhai…?
Vedlooksathim,doesnotreply.
Boss Bhoolgaye…?Thenhequicklylooksattheothers.
Boss Tewari…Ved It’sokayboss…
Boss (charges)It’sokay…?It’sokay…?(barkstoTiwari)Jaldi…
Vedisuncomfortable.Tewarigiveshimthetie.
Ved (smallsmile)Sirtiebechnethodehijarahehain…Boss (pointing)Aaee…
Vedisscaredabit,smilesabit.Bossisglaringdangerouslyathim.
Boss (orders)Pehno…
Vedtakesthetie,proceedstowearit.Theotherslookhereandthere.
Boss Ekladkikyachodhgayeedimaghhikharaabhogayatumhaara…?
Vedlooksattheboss.
Boss Hurryup…
Vedwearsthetiequickly,adeepdisturbanceswellingupinside.{1min}
Sc#59 Day,Interiors ConferenceHall Vedispresenting–Ved …itisfinallyourcorevaluesthatwillharnesstheseismicshift
becausetechnologyepiphaniesarenotaresultofalakeerkafakeerEurekaMomenttheyaresystematicallyproducedandtheDevilisinthedetailkyafarakpadtahaiplustheBlueOceanStrategyiskuchbhiboloIPdrivenandfavoursthebackwardintergrationprocesswhichisblaahblaahbloobasedonknowledgeeconomythatensuresallstructuralchangesbeingsynergized…
Mohithaslookedup,prickedatthefirstboguswords.HehaslookedatVed,atboss.Boss’browsareknotted,helooksatMohit,intrigued.Mohitlooksattheclients.TheclientshavebeenlookingblanklyatVed,doingtheirownthing,oneofthemwasbusypassingcookiestoeveryone.{1/2min}
Sc#60 Day,Interiors
CorridoroutsideConferenceHall VedisstandingwithBossandhisentourage.Ved (straightface)Kyonsir…?Aajtomainnervousnahintha…Boss (tentative)Baatvonahinhai…Ved Clientkhushlagrahahaisir
Mohitisatadistance,doingsmalltalkwiththeclients.BossinchesintowardsVed,asks–
Boss (suspicious)Tukuchulta-pultabolrahathabeechmein…?Ved (innocent)Ulta-pultasir…I..I
Vedbeginstoshakehisheadasthoughhedidnotunderstand.
Boss Anyway…
Heturnsaround.
Ved Okaysir{1/2min}
Sc#61 Night,Exteriors ParathaCorner Vedisnarratingtotherickshawaala,andsomeotherswhohavecomeclosetohear–Ved Mufatkepange Bilavajahke
PetkekeedeYetatvisduniyameinkayeenaamsejaanajaatahaiJaisekhujli…Aurkirmi…Maheenhai…kirmi…Kitanu…Dikhtanahinhai…Godkitarah…Parhotahaijaroor…AajaatahaiKyonaatahai?NooneknowsAurkisepadihai?Andarkyahai
{1/2min}
Sc#62 Day,Interiors ConferenceHallVedpresentinginflow–
Ved …andsectoragnosticthoughitlooksfromtheoutside,fromthe
insideitisnotonlyhellohelloCharlieconsistenttoourcorporateDNAbutalsoorganictothenewdriversofeconomyPatparganjandsinceallpointsofconvergenceareknowntous,itisactuallyano-brainerthattheCharliecomeinCharliegravitionalpullwillbetowardstechnologicalinnovation…
BossperksupasVedsaysthefirstnonsenseword,thenkeepsa
suspiciouslook-outformore.Mohitislookingleftandright,smilingasthoughnothingiswrong.Bossperksupandlooksaroundmorewhenthenextwordcomes,islookingatothersforconfirmation.HelooksatMohit,Mohitlooksaway.Thereisnoreactionfromtheclients.{1/2min}/25½mins/
Sc#63[A] Day,Interiors OfficeWashroomVedislookingathimselfinthemirror.Hesmiles,nodshishead
knowingly,thenaskshimselfinthemirror–
Ved Bahotmazaaaarahahai…?
(answers)Haan,aatorahahai…
Aurjoaagelagnewaalihai…bahotkaraari…?
Vototerilagegina… Hegiggles.
Thenhenodsinresponse.
Ved Saale…
Thenfallssilent,hissmilegoesaway. Ved Yedinaagaye…?(Pause)Ekladkikyachodhgayeedimaghhi
kharaabhogaya…? Musicbegins.Fadeout.
TitleonScreen–Whatislove?(babydon’thurtme…nomore…)
CallingMontage
Tara,withdramaticmusic,callingafterVedatthestaircasewhenhehadcreatedasceneoutsideherapartment.Hehadnotstopped,hadwalkedaway.Shehadtakenafewsteps,thenstoodtherelookingathimgo,unsettled. Tara’seyeswereopeninthedarknessasshewasn’tgettingsleepthatnight. Lateratnight,shehadtriedtocallVed.Therewasnoresponse. Shehadturnedthesideinbedthatnight,thenpickedupthephoneandtexted. Vedhadseenhisphonesittingonhisbedlaterthatnight.ThereweremanymissedcallsandmessagesfromTara.Hehadlookedatthephone,thendeletedthemessagesandhadgotintothemechanicsofgoingtosleep.
Tara’seyeswereopeninthedarknessforalongtimethatnight.{1/2min}
Sc#63[B] Day,Interiors OfficeWashroom
Vedisstandingatthemirror,staringathisphonewhichiskeptontheslab.Helooksatitforawhile,thensuddenlypicksitupwithirritationanddials.Hisfaceissourashewaitsbutchangestopolitenessasthecallistaken.Ved Hello…Tara…? Sc#64[A] Day,Interiors Mall Taraisduckingawayfromthegroupthatshewasindiscussionwith.Thisisthesiteofateakioskatamall.Tara HiVed…Hi…
Sc#63[C] Ved HiTara…Sorry…tumhaaremissedcallsdekhe… Sc#64[B] Tara Tumkaiseho…?
Sc#63[D]
Ved Theek…bilkul…Tum…?
Sc#64[D] Tara Maintumsemilsaktihoon…?
Sc#63[F]
Ved Kyon…?
Sc#64[D] Tara Mainmilnachahtihoon
Sc#63[F]
Ved (shortlaugh)Maineusliyenahinphonekiya…Main…bas
apologizekarnachahtatha…Sc#64[E]
Tara MainmilnachahtihoonVed
Sc#63[G]
Ved Areytumkyasochrahiho…?Maintheekhoon…
Sc#64[F]
Sensingmoreunrest–Tara Abhikahaanhotum?Mainabhiaasaktihoon?
Sc#63[H]
Vedisholdingthephone,listeningtohertalk–Tara (OC)…Mainwaitkarloongiagartumbusyhuyeto…Theekhai…?{1min}
Sc#65(PartOne) Night,Ext/Interiors TurtleCafé Vedispeeping.AtTaraassheentersthecafeteria,looksaroundforhim.Heislookingather.Thenheturnsaway. Sc#65(PartTwo) Night,Interiors TurtleCafe Vedsits,Taraisseencominginthebackground,lookingforhim.Heknowssheiscoming,yetpretendsasthoughhedoesn’t.Tara Hi…Ved Oh…(stands)Hi… Shemovesforward.Theylookateachother,notknowingwhethertohugornot.Vedsuddenlybreaksintoanaughtysmile–Ved Dicey,haan…?(mimicstheirawkwardness)Ummm…shouldwe…?
err…No…Yes…
Shemovesandsits,smiles.Ved Better…phew… Hepretendstowipehissweat.Shelooksathim,smiling.Ved (mockformal)Helloji…
Sheissmiling,nods. Ved Nahin…aajcrazynahinkaroonga…Shit…(coversface)Kyakiya
maineusdin…Tara Ved…Listen…Maintumseyekehneaayihoonkighalatimerihai… Ved (intrigue)Kaise…?Kitumnemujherejectkiya?Tara Nahin…(looksathim)Kyonkimaine…kuchaisakehdiya…apni
smartnessmein…kitumdisturbhogaye…
Heislookingather.
Tara Koicomplexhogatumhaareandar,jiskomainetouchkardiya…Tabhi…
Shelooksathim.Heisstaringather.Tara Tosorrymujhebolnachahiye…
Henods.
Ved Tobolo…
Shelooksathim.Ved Bolosorry…Goon(sharp)sayit… Silence,theylookateachother.Ved Tumhokaun…?Psychiatristho?Mainpatienthoontumhaara…?Tara MainconcernedhoonVedVed Kitnaachchaasarhaitumhaareconcernka…Wow…Mainkitna
achchafeelkarrahahoonaajkal…Great…Thanksyaar…Tara Ved…Okay…I’msorry…Yeah…Mainejobhikahausdin,mainvo
sabvaapasletihoon…Really…Aurvoringkahanhai?Mujhevoringchahiye…
Ved Huh…
Helaughs,peoplenotice,helooksaround.Ved Dekho…dekho…Sabkodikhrahihaimerikhushi…
Helaughssomemore,evennodsatsomeothers,thengetsup,sayingbyetoher.Sheholdshishanddown.Ved Aaoo…Don’tgetphysical…Tara (stands)Vedpleaseyaar…Ved LeavemyhandTaraTara PleaseVed,sitdown…Ved (looksather,smiles)Tujhetopyaarhogayahaipagli…Tara Haan…HaanVed…
Ved Parkisiaurse…Tch…(sings)Tukisiaurkijaageerhaiaejaaneghazal…
Tara (helpless)Ved…Ved Tara,listentome.Mujhenaiswaqtbilkulbharosanahinhaiki
mainkaisereactkaroonga…Tomainchalajaatahoon…Tara Yekyahogayayaar…Yekyakardiyamaine…Ved (bitingsarcasm)OhhkitnimahaanhotumTara…Wow…Dilmein
aatahaitumheinmandirmeinbithakarpoojakaroontumhaari…
Peoplesittingaroundnoticethis.VedsensestheflipinhisbehaviourVed See…see…Yekaunhai…?Yekyabanjaatahoonmaintumhaare
saamne…?Yekyaenergyhaitumhaari?Itninegative?Tara Vedyeekphasehai…Yetheekhojayega…Ved TummujhsedoorrahoTara…Idon’tknow…Ifeelmainkuchkar
doonga…Tara Maintumsedoorhitonahinrehsakti…Mujhetumhaaresaath
rehnahai…Ved hhhhh…Apnesachchepyaarsedhoka?Tara Vedseriously…Ved SeriouslyTara…Yecompromisehai…Haikinahin…?Yemat
karo…Waitkaro…AyegaDonekdin…Hemovestogo,shearrestshim.
Ved (gnashinghisteeth)Tara…Tara Ved…Ipromise,mainsabtheekkardoongi…Ved Tumheinsamajhnahinaarahi…?(loud)Justleaveme…
Hemakestomove,sheclutcheshimstronglyandbreaksdown.Peoplenotice.Tara Mainnahinjaanedoongi…Mainnahinjaanedoongi Helooksather.Sheissobbing,holdinghimdearly,lookingathimdefiantly.
Song#6(PartOne)
TaraandVedstandinthecafeteria,lookingateachother.Peoplecomeandgo. Averysoftsongofinnocentromancebeginstoplayinthebackground. Sothisiswhattheytalkabout.Thatyouloseyourselfwhenyoufindsomeone.Youhavedonethattome.Thereisnomeleftanywhere.Wearetogethernow.
Vedsitsdown.Tarasitstoo,weeping,lookingathim.Heplaceshisheadonthetable.Heiswondering.Sheslowlytakesherhandtohishead.Sheputsherpalmonhishead.Hemelts.Shestrokeshishead.Heturnshishead.Sheputsherheadonthetable,nexttohis,touchinghimalittle.Hiseyesareopen,lookingthatway.Sheislookingathim.Peoplesittingaroundatothertables.
Suddenlyhegetsupandstridesout.Sheisleftalonethere,headontable.
Sheturnsherhead,lifts,beginstosob.Thensuddenlystopsherselfandgetsup,wipinghertears,dashesafterhim.Sherushesdownthestairs. Sherushesoutofthebuildingontothelane,looksaroundforhim.Sheseeshimwalkingawaydownthelane.Sherushesafterhim. Shecomestoacrossroadsinthelane,looksaround.Shecannotseehimanywhere. Shemovesdownalaneandcomestoacorner. Heisonthesideofawall,hidingfromher.Shelooksforhim,cannotseehim.Heremainshiding.Sheturnsback.Hecomesforwardtolook.Sheturnsback,seeshim.Heseesthatshehasseen.Musicstops.{2½mins}
Sc#65(PartThree) Night,Exteriors LanesoutsideTurtleCafe
TaraisstaringatVed,speechless.Helooksaway.Hekeepsstanding.Shelooksathim.
Hedoesnotmove.Shesitsontheground.Heremainsstanding,lookingaway.Thenhelookstowardsher,sheislookingathim.Hewalksout,walks
towardsher.Shelooksathim,looksdownashewalkspasther.Sheislookingdown,sittingonthegroundinthelane,asheisseen
walkingawaybehindher.Heispulsatinginselfrageashehurriesaway.Sheremainsthere.
{5mins}/34½mins/
RingMontage
ThediamondringthatVedhadproposedtoTarawith.Vedislookingatit,stillinbed,stillintheclothesoflastnight.
SuddenlythehooteralarmgoesandinstantlyVedbangsitshut.
Vedbrusheshisteeth.Thereissomethingpulsatingandsourinhim. Vedwearstieatthemirrorandthen–Ved (anger)Theekhai…?haan…?Theekhaisir...?
Vedisdrivinghiscartoworkwhilespeakingonthebluetooth.
Ved Hello…ShamjiJewellers?Jiaapkebuy-backschemekebaaremein
poochnatha.Maineaapseekdiamondringleethivovaapaskarnihai.Haanji…/
Tchheeratoheerahotahai,uskipricethodinakamhojayegi…Haantophirpercentagekisbaatkakaatengeaap…?
TheeunuchwalksuptoVed’scar,whichisstoppedatthetrafficsignal
now.Champa Areykaisaaadmihairetu…?Chhee,kanjoos…Ekrupiyabhinahin
diyaaajtak.Dilnahinhaikyaterepaas?
Vedcontinuestotalkonthephone,payingnoattentiontotheeunuch.Ved …Areytomakingchargesusseynahinlogejiskophirsebechoge? Vedentersofficeandwisheseveryoneveryloudlyashewalkspast–Ved GoodmorningGoodmorningHiHello… Hiscolleagueslookathim,ateachother.Theyhavebeenseeingthechangeinhisbehavior. Vedinhisbedroomanothermorning,inhisnightclothesbutwearingthetie.Heishoveringaroundhisbeside,tip-toeingupwithutmostcareandsilence,holdingsomesortofaclubinhishand.Suddenlythealarmhootergoesandinstantlyheslamstheclubonthealarm. Vedbrusheshisteeth.
Vedwipesthewindscreenofcarenergetically.
Vedislookingawayfromtheeunuchatthetrafficsignalassheisspeaking–Champa Areykabdegatu…?Kuchtodede…AeSona…Raju…Dekhna
hero…AreyO…
Vedsuddenlytakesoutsomethingfromhisbag.Helowersthewindow,handstheringboxtotheeunuch.Theeunuchlooksatthebox.Vedliftsthewindow.Theeunuchopensthebox,seesthediamondring.ShelooksatVedinsurprise.Vedislookingstraight.Theeunuchtakestheringout,looksatitinintrigue,looksbackatVed.
Thetrafficlightturnsgreen,Veddriveshiscarahead.Theeunuchlooksathimgo,walksuptothesideofthestreet.Thecardrivesaway.Theeunuchlooksatthediamondringinthetraffic.{2mins}
Sc#66 Day,Int/Exteriors OfficeFoyer
Vedgettingintotheliftatthefoyernoticesthefatladytoddlingup,she
smilesathim.Hesmilesextrasweetlyather.Sheknowshewillwaitforher.
Lady (walkingup)Godblessyou…suchakindman…Hesmilesmore,pressesthefloorbutton.Shewalksupbuttheliftdooris
shutting,sheistakenaback,looksathim.Hesmilesevenmore.Sheisperplexed.Theliftdoorshutsashecontinues
tosmile.{1/2min}
Sc#67 Day,Interiors ConferenceHall
Vedmakingpresentation–Ved …inthecurrentsocio-politicalclimatewhereconsumeriskingand
companiesarethenewcountriesnightshowPriyaCinemaMCMTechTelecomcontinuestoremainmissiondriven,notmoneydrivenasitrejectsblockandtacklezaalimlotionpaanchsaupachchattarmethods,festerorganicgrowthavoiddisruptivetechnologyABtheetabeetagaama(becominggraduallyrobotic)measuresuccesssquareroot74.7tothepowernbytheimpactonLadoSarai,Malkagunj,KingKong,Teriyaki,MonAmor…
Bossisstaringathim.Theclientissurprised.Mohitislookingdown.{1min}
Sc#68 Day,Interiors Boss’Cabin Vedissittingatboss’sdesk,lookingdown.Bossisglaringathim.Afteramoment–Ved Patanahinkyahorahahaimujhe…Kuch…gadbadhai…Boss (barks)Gadbad…?Gadbad…?Ved (admits)Ji…Butsir…yejob…basyehihaimerepaas,aurkuch
nahinhai…Idon’twanttolosemyjobsir…please…
Bossbecomestender.Silence.
Boss Listenboy…YourbehaviorisalwaysAOne.Kaamteraaveragehai,partooneittesaalsurvivekiyahaikinahin…?Haan…?Ongoodbehavior…You’reniceguy…Decent,polite…everyonelikeyou…andyouaredoinglikethis?Whatareyoudoing…?Andallforthatonegirl…?Haan…?Whatistheresomuchinthatgirl?whatisthere…?
Vedlooksatbossasthoughhewantstosaysomething,butthenlooks
down.Bosscontinues–Boss Weakmomentsabkohotahai…Evenmujhebhihotahaiweak
moment…
Ved (drama)No…Really…?Boss Itellyou…Ihaveweakmoment…Parmainkyakartahoon…?
Ved (likeastudent)Kyakya…?Boss Mainaureffortsdaaltahoon…Aurfocus…focus…Imorefocus… Vedmakesgesturesofbeingveryimpressed.Boss Aurteratobrightfuturehai…Ved Achcha…?Boss Haan…,bastufocuskar…aurthodiworkingimprovekarleapni…
tofiveyearsmeintushayadVPbansaktahai…Ved (drama)Wow…
Boss Yes…Aurphirsabachchaachchahuatokyapataaurtenyears
meintutablekeissidebhiaasaktahai…yes…whynot…?Soch,pandrahsaalmeintumeritarahbansaktahai…
Ved (loud)Ohshit…No…Boss It’spossible…Possible…Ved (melodramatic)Nahin…Aisanahinhosakta…Kehdokiyejhooth
hai…
Bosslooksathiminsuspicion.Vedlooksathim,pointsfingeratboss,suppresseshislaughterforsometimethensays-Ved Nahin… Vedshakeshisheadandlaughsout.Thenstopsabruptly,looksdown.Ved (tohimself)Shit…Stop…
Helooksupatbosstomakeamends.Heseesbossglaringathiminaconfusedwayandinstantlyswitchesagain–Ved Ogod,aapphirchillaanewaaleho…?Okay…
Vedholdsthechairarmstobrace,then–
Ved Nowgoforitboy
Bossisreadytoexplode.Hepicksuptheintercomandspeaksintoit–Boss Securitybhejo…
Vedcloseshiseyes,facesdownininstantregret.
Ved (tohimself)Kyakarrahahai…?Kyakarrahahai…?Hemoveshiselbowstothetabletoputhisheadonhishands.Bossgetsa
start,Vedlooksathim.BosshadthoughtthatVedwasgoingtodosomethingaggressive.Vedlooks,bossisangryagain.
Vedsuddenlymoveshishandsfrontintheair.Bosspanics,looksatVed.Vedcloseshiseyes.
Ved (tohimself)stopstopstop…Sirabhijomaineyesabkiyayetobahotghalathaitokyaaapmujhemaafkarsakteho?(heswitches
todramaticaggressionashespeaks)Bolo…?Maafkarsakteho…?(aggressive)Pleasesir
Hepicksupavaseanddashesittothegroundinaggression.Ved Maafkartehoyanahin…? Bossisscared,waitingforsecuritytocomein.Vedsoftens,smiles.Ved Please… Bossinfuming.Ved Ae…
Vedwinksathim.Thenair-kisseshimtwice,biteshisunderlip.Ved Karnamaaf…Raju…maafnahinkaregamereko…?Haan…? Bossisfuming.
Thedooropens.Twosecuritymencomein.Bosslookstowardsthembut
beforehedoanythingVedturnstothemandorders–Ved Security,isaadmikoofficekebaaharphenkdo…
Thesecuritymenareconfused.BossleapsupandrushestoVed,abusingloudly,grabsVed’scollar,lifts
him.
Boss Youbloody…youbloody….Tabaahkardoongamaintujhe…Tabaah…Teracareerfinish…khatam…
Thesecuritymenquicklyintervenesayingsaabsaab…
Boss mainbhidekhtahoontujheblood…Tabaah…
BossisscreamingintoVed’sface.Vedislookingsurprisinglycamlyasthechaosunfolds–asthesecuritymentrytowresthimaway,asbosscontinuestoshakehimbythecollarandbombardhimwithabuses.{3½min}
Sc#69 Day,Interiors Office Vedisathiscubicle,collectinghisthings.Thesecurityguardsarestandingbehindhim,holdingthebatonout.Theofficeiswatching. Vedcomesoutofhiscubiclewithhisthings,walksthroughtheofficefloorlookingdowninhumiliationasMohit,Dhillonandtheotherswatch.Vedwalksout.{1/2min}
Sc#70 Day,Interiors Apartment ThemirrorinVed’sapartment.DooropensandVedcomesin,seeshimselfinthemirror.Hekeepshisthingsdownandwalksupsoberlytothemirror,looksathimself.Ved (sings)Husnhaazirhai…mohabbatki…sazaapaaneko… Hepauses,looksathimselfagain.Then–Ved (continues)Koipattharse…haan…koipattharsenamaaremere
dhindhin-chakdhin-chakdhadhamdhamdhudhum… Hesilences,looksathimself,smiling.Ved Yehokyarahahaiyaar…?Bygod…
Pause.Hebecomesserious,pained. Ved Pleaseyaar…Mainterehaathjodtahoon,please…
Helooksathimself.Sniggers.Ved (mimicshimself)Haathjodtahoonplease…Drama… Heexits.{1/2min}
Sc#71 Day,Interiors Apartment Thehooteralarmblows.Vedwakesupinhisbed.Heiswearingtheclothesoflastnight.Heinstantlylooksaround,findstheclub,getsonhiskneesonthebedtobatterthealarmbutstops.Helooksatthealarm.Hedropstheclub,thensitsnexttothealarm,listeningtoitwithfullattention. Hesitstherelisteningverycarefullytothealarm,reactingtoit.Thealarmkeepsblowing.{1/2min}/44mins/
Sc#72[A] Day,Int/Exteriors Apartment Silence.Vedissittingonachairinthehalloftheapartment,lookingoutofthewindow.Soundofadoorbell.Helooksback. Thedooropens.ItisTara,staringathisface. Vedstepsbackandopensthedoor,announceshappily–Ved ProductManagergone… Hegiggles.Shemovesin,shutsthedoor.Ved Pyaarmeinkittitaaqathotiyaar…Haan…?Terepyaarnemujhe
badaldiyaTara…Abbetterhaina…?Haan…?Nowyoulikememore…?
Tara Ved…Ved (romantic)Tara… Hecomesclosetoher.Theyareinthenarrowpassage.Sheislookingathim.Hecomescloser,lookingather.Ved Tara…
Hetouchesherface,feelsit.Sheislookingathim.Hetakeshishandbehindherneck,feelsher.Silence.Thenhebeginsto
hardenthegrip.Sheflinches,lookingathim,saysnothing.Hepushesheragainstthewall,herbagfallsdown.Hestaresather,shelooksbackathim.Thenheplungestowardsherandbegintokissheronherneck,roughly.Tara Ved…Ved… Hecomesoffandaskssharply–Ved What…?Haan…?Tara Canyou…takeiteasy…?Ved Abtumkyonactingkarrahiho…?TumyenahinhoTara…Main
jaantahoontumkaunho… Heturnsheraround,triestograbher.Tara (sharp)Ved…Ved…(turnsaround)What’swrongwithyou…?
Ved (grabbingher)RolematplaykaroTara,actingmatkaro… Sheturnsandpusheshimbackwithallhermight.Hehitsthewallwithhisback.Heremainsthere.Sheglaresathim.Ved (mocking)Yekyahogayayaar…Yekyakardiyamaine…Tara YouknowVed…EkdinmujhepatachalathakiSantaClausnahin
hota…Bahotburalagatha…Parkyakarein…?Hotatonahinhai…MeraCorsicabhi…sirfcomicbookmeinhaiaursoulmate,love…kahaaniyaanhainyesab,sachmeinaisakuchhotathodihai…Koimagicnahinhai…isduniyamein…aajtumnebatadiya…sirfloghain…,cheezeinhain…bus…Yesamajhnazaroorithamujhe…
Shemoves,goestothedoor.Ved ThanksforthespeechTara,matlabhamaarakhatam…pakka…?
Shecrossestotheothersideofthedoor.
Ved Yaphiraaogi…chaarsaalbaad…checkkarne…?KidekhoonVedkilifemeinkyachalrahahai…kaheenkuchachchatonahin…?haitoaaoabhiphirsekuchalkekhatamkardetihoonsabkuchsaala…
Sheislookingathim.Tara ThanksVedVed (bowsslightly)Anytime… Vedbangsthedoorshutonherface.Sheisshocked,thenslowlybeginstocry.
Song#6(PartTwo) Vedstandsforasecond,thenwalkspurposefullyintothekitchen.Hetakesoutsomefood,beginstopreparesomethingtoeat.
Taraissobbing,butstopsherself,beginstowipehertearsstrongly,withherfist.
Vedisworkingbusilyinthekitchen.Tarawalksdownthecorridor.Vedisseenbehindinthekitchen.Tara
walksdownthecorridortothelift,pressestheliftbutton.Shewaitsforthelift–breaking,fighting.
Wearetogethernow. Vedsettlesinthekitchentoeat.
Tarastandsatthelift,controllingherselfsomehow.Theliftopens,thereisamaidinside.Tarawalksin,standsthere,keepingherselfstrong.Theliftdoorcloses.Musicends. {1½mins} Sc#72[B] Day,Int/Exteriors Apartment
Vediseating.Hesuddenlypauses,looksdownasarushpasseshishead.Heremainslikethatforamoment.Thenhequicklybeginstoeatagain.Heeats.{3mins}/48½mins/
Sc#73 Night,Interiors ApartmentBedroom Thebedroomlateatnight.Vedissleepinginthedark.Suddenly,hesitsupwithastart.Helookstowardsthedoor.Hefeelsasthoughsomeonetouchedhim.Silence.Hesits,then–Ved Heyrelaxbrother…relax…Easy… Heremainssittingthere.{1/2min}
Sc#74 Night,Int/Exteriors Party ChaddaandVedwalkingdownarampintoahotelwhereapartyishappening.Chadda Bachnaayehaseenon…
HeturnstoVedandstopshim.Chadda Bhaagnajaanaphirsebatarahahoon…Ved Mainephonekarkekahanatujhe…?
Chaddaturns.Chadda Seedhibaathaiapaanshikaarkarneaayehainpartymein…Haan
bhaikahanhaikahanhai
Theymoveforward.
Theyenterthepartyhall.Asocialitemanturnstothem.
Socialite Hello…HowareyouVedbuddy?Ved Fine… Thesocialitemovesclosertothem.Socialite Sowonderfultoseeyou.You’refine…?Hmm…?
Vedtriestomoveaway.Thesocialitepresseson.Socialite Theekhonatum…?Allgood…?Ved (switching)Actuallynahin…maintheeknahinhoon,bahot
kharaabhaalatmeinchalrahahoon…Jobsenikaaldiyagayamujhe–matlabsecuritybulakarbaaharphenkagaya…aurmeraexbossdoosrijagahjobmilnenahindega…Todinbharbaitharehtahoon.Raatkoachanakuthkarbaithjaatahoon…paseeneauranxietykesaath…aisedildhadakrahahotahaiaurlagtahaideewareinpaasaarahihainchaarontarafse,peesdengimujhe…Baithiyena,bataatahoon.
Heseatsthemandown,towersoverhimashecontinues–Ved Meregalemeinna…aiselumphojaatahai…Kyon…?Kyavajahho
saktihai…?Aurkuchdinpehlemaingaadichalarahathakiaiseaansubehnelagemere…mainekahaareyyaarturorahahai…?problemkyahaihuakyahaitujhe…?Yesabmainkisisekehtanahinhoon,aapneitnainterestliyatobatarahahoon…Actuallyjabsemereappendixkaoperationhuahaina,tabhisemujheshakhaikiusseynapaanileakhorahahaitaptaptaptap…aurmeriantdiyonkeandaridhar-udharfunguslagrahihaisabjagah…aurscrotumhotahaina…scrotum…?uskohindimein…
Socialite Nahinnahinnahin…
Thesocialitestands,triestobackaway.Vedchargesinandcontinues–
Ved Aapsamajhgaye…mujhelagtahaimerescrotummeinkayeejamrahihai…Hahahaaisahonahinsakta,jaantahoon,psychologicalhai–
Thesocialitetriestoslinkaway,Vedcatcheshishand.
Ved Areyjakahaanrahehain…?Aapjannachahtehainna?Socialite Ah…nahin,notreally…Ved Paraapnepoocha…?Socialite Yeahmagar…Ved Tosuniye…Jobowelmovementhainameri,jabmainhagneko
baithtahoon… Thesocialitelooksaroundforhelp.Socialite Arey…?Chadda Ved…Chhod…Kyakarrahahai…? Chaddatirestowresthimaway,Vedclutchesthesocialitemore.Ved Iseyjaannahaiyaar…Isnechaarbaarpoocha…(tothesocialite)
hainnasir…?Socialite Areyvotosabpoochtehainna–Howareyou…Ved Hahaha…jaannanahinhotatopoochtekyonhain…veryfunny.
Nahinabtomainbataoonga,abmujhekoinahinroksakta…Aajtomakasamaapkobatakarhirahoongakimainkaisahoon…Nahin
chodoonga,nahinchhodoonga…kuchnahinchhodoonga,sabkuchbataoongasabkuch…
Vedisclutchingthesocialite,asChaddaandafewothertrytowrestlehimout.TheyfinallymanagetoforceVedtoletgoandthesocialitehurriesawaysaying–Socialite He’smad…He’smad…Heassaultedme…Heisdangerous…Itell
you…Hecan’tbewalkingaroundlikethis… Vedsniggers,turnstoChadda.Ved ChalyaarChadda…Chadda Nahinyaar,tuja…
Vedissurprised.Chadda Enough…Chalnikalle… VedsmilesatChadda.Chaddastaresbackcoldly.Vedfeelseyesonhim,thatareaofthepartyhasceasedbecauseofhim.Everyoneislooking.Vedlooksdown,walksoutoftheparty.{3mins}/53mins/
Song#7(PartOne)
Vedwalksoutofthehotelandcomestoawall.Hestopsthere,stands.Slowlyheputshispalmsonthewall,thenrestshishead. Youaresomeoneelse.Thisisnotyou.
Vedwalksdownastreetatnight.
PhotocopiesofVed’sresumecomingoutofthemachine.Vedismakinganapplicationfileatastationeryshop.
Vedshaveshisbeard.
Vedissittinginthewaitingareaofanofficewearingformalclothes.
Vedissittinginthewaitingareaofanotherofficeanotherday.Anotherday,Vediswaitinginthewaitingareaofanotheroffice.
Veddrivesuptothetrafficsignal.Helooks–theeunuchisstandingata
distancefromhiscar.Sheblowsblessingsinhisdirection.Vedlooksaway. Vediseatingaloneatarestaurant.Tearswellupasheeatsbuthemakessuretoholdthemin.Heeats.
Thetenyearoldboysittinginclassroom.Hehasgotanexaminationpaperresult.Heislookingdown,controllinghistears.
Later,theboyissittingaloneintheclassroomandcrying.
Vedinhisengineeringhostelroomtearingthenotebookhewasworkingon,screamingsilently,tearinghisfaceinrage,thenwipinghisbooksandstufffromthetable,thenholdinghishead.Andthenpickingupbooksandresumingthecalculation. Vedwalkingaloneatadesolatestreetatnight.
Afterawhile,hesuddenlyscreamsintothenight–Ved Tara… Hestopswalking,musicfadesout.Hestandslookingahead.Pause.Hecallsagain–Ved Tara…
Thenhelooksdown.Thenheskipsbacktoerectstandingposition,thenfunnymarchesafewsteps,thenwalksstraightandbrisk.Hewalksawayintothenight.{2½mins}
Sc#75 Night,Exteriors ParathaCorner Anothernight,Vedissittingaloneattheparathacorner.Soundsofcar,thentheexcitedvoiceofayounggirl–Girl (OC)Whoareyouman…?
Vedlooksup.It’sagirlhehasseenbeforeattheparathacornerwiththetheatregroup.Othersofhergroupareseenwalkinginbehindher.Girl Really…tumkaunho? Helooksather,then–Ved Abhibataoon… Mainkaunhoon…? Yathodarukkar…? Thodaaurgirjaoon,tootjaoonaurbikharkarrukoonkaheen…
Phirbataoon…? Kabsunnahai? Girl (excited)Mindblowing… Shesitsinfrontofhim.Helooksather.Ved Tumkaunho?Girl (squealy)Maintofanhoontumhaari…Yeah…fangirl…Ved Tomainhoontamasha… Dhoom-dhadaakakadakemotion Dilkiduniyagoingpublic Onlytoimpressyouma’am…Girl (excited,shakingherhead)Iamto…mahaimpressed… Helooksather.Sheislookingathiminexcitement.Girl Sunao… Vedextendshishand.Ved Paisenikalo… Thegirlgiggles.
Ved Yejokenahintha… Thetheaterdirectorcomesforward.Director Achchahumkhaanakhiladengeaapko…sahihai…?(callsothers)
Aajaobhai…come… Hecomesforward,theyallsitinfrontofVedaswell. Vedlooksathemastheysettleinfrontofhim.And–Ved Kyachakkarhai?
KahanchalahaidilkarastaBinkadmonke?Doorkhadisapnonkimalika…Haithodinayaar…Miragehai…Jodesertmeindikhtahai…?HotiraethailagtapaaniUskeliyemainpaapadbeloon?Dokaudiki…DokaudikihastihaiParusseykheloon?PhenkbikheroonApnasabkuchKiskikhatir?KisechahiyeMankasona,Aankhkemoti?KisepadihaiAndarkyahai?HotiraethaiLagtapaaniKyasahihai…Aurghalatkahaan?Kyon,kaun,kidharaurkaiseHatterito–sunokahaani…
{1½mins}
TitleappearsonScreen–
Mirage
Sc#76 Day,Int/Exteriors
Abha’sHouse Ved’sback,ashestandsinfrontofanapartmentdoor.Heseemstentative.Hedoesnotringthebellforsometime.Thenhedoes.
Abha,assheopensthedoor,takenabacktoseehim.Helookslikeaderelict.Heissharplysensitivetoherlook,istryingtoavoidit.Shekeepslookingathimashecomesin,andsuddenlyturnstoher–Ved (charges)Kya…?Haan..?Abha Ghussakyonhoraheho?Ved Kahaanhaidado? Sheshutsthedoor,walksinside.Hefollows,shestopsatthedoortotheroom.Abha Haathmunhdhonahai?Ved (aggressive)Kyon?Abha (sharp)Kyonkipaagallagrahehotum,samjhe…?Dadokesaamne
aisejaogetopatanahinkyasochengi…Ved (cuts)Tumkokyahai,haan…?Tumkokyahai…?Abha KyahogayaVed…?Ved Ae…Chupraho…samjhi…?Abha Kyabaathai…?Ved Mainjaoonyahanse…?Jaoon…?Abha Nahin…
Shequicklycontrolsherself,then–
Abha Aao… Sheopensthedoor.{1/2min}
Sc#77 Day,Interiors GuestRoom ThedooropensandAbhacomesin,smiles.Abha (announcing)Leejiye…Aagaya… Ved’sgrannyissittingonthebed,readingsomething.Shelooksup.SheisshockedtoseeVedinthisstateaswellbutdoesnotbreakhersmile.Dado Idharaaidharaa…Zarashakaldikha… Hewalksin,sheraisesherhandtocallhimcloser.Hesitsonthebed,sheholdshisfaceandlooksathim.Heissensitive,distracted.Dado Badahandsomehogayahai…hain…?Yekaisemumkinhua…? Hesmiles.Abha Beautytreatmentkarvarahatha.Tabhiekmaheeneseaapse
milnenahinaaya.Dado Haantokoinahin…mujhevaapaschhodnetojarahahaina
Simla…Mazekarenge…Ved Main…chhodnejarahahoon…?
Heispuzzled,lookstowardsAbha.Dado Achcha…?Bhoolgayatoonevaadakiyatha…?Ved Kab…vaadakiyatha…?Dado Kyondohazaargyaarahmein…?Jabmainaayithiyahaan… Theylookateachother.Sheraiseshereyebrowstoask.Hesmilesafterawhile,shakeshishead.Ved Kaisihai…?Dado Vahi,pehlejaisi… Hesmilesmore,looksather.{1min}/57mins/
EnteringSimlaMontage Simlaintherisingsunfromamovingcar.Thehouses,lanes. ApproachingtheoldhouseoftheSahnis.Thehouseislookingdifferentnow.{1/2min}
Sc#78 Evening,Interiors Granny’sRoom Seenthroughtheoldmirror–Vedentersasaservanthelpshimwiththeluggage.Dadoissittingonthebed.Dado Teraintezaamishikamremeinkiyahaiisbaar.Yahanturaatko
mujhekahaaniyaanbhisunasaktahai…auraaeenesebaateinbhikarsaktahai.
Vedlookssharplyather.Shenotices.Dado Kyahua…?Yaadnahinhaituusaaeenesebaateinkiyakartatha?
Aurterabaapkehtathakikaisapagalbetamilahaimujhe… Vedlooksatthemirror.It’sthemirrorthatheusedasakid.Dado (meanwhile–OC)Abnahinkartaaaeenesebaatein…? Vedsniggers.{1/2min}
Sc#80 Evening,Int/Exteriors SimlaSitting Ved’sparentsinthesittingroom.Motherlooksupthestairs,hearsVedapproachingandspeaksquicklytoherhusband–Mother Dekhiyezaraaaraamsebaatkeejiyegaussey...Sahni Areyzaahirhaimainaaraamsebaatkaroonga…Kyamatlabhai…? Vedentersattheheadofthestairs,beginstoclimbdown.Mother Haan…Aajao…Sahni Comebeta…Kitnedinhoyahan? Ved Busekdodin…Mother Kya…?Itnedinbaadaayeho,ekdodinonkeliye?Sahni Aurleavenahinmilegi…? Vedlooksathisfather,undecided,endsupstaring.Sahnilooksathim,getssuspicious.Sahni Kyabaathai…? Vedcontinuestostareforamomentmore,then–Ved Kuchnahin…(looksaway)busabmainvojobnahinkarraha…Mother Jobchhoddeetumne…? Veddoesnotreply.Sahniislookingathim,sensingthatsomethingiswrong.Vedisvulnerable.Sahni Doosrijobkarraheho…? Silence.Sahni Kitnedinhogaye…?Ved Hogayekuch…kuchdinhogaye… Sahni Dodin,dusdin,(anger)domaheene…?
Ved (sharply)Chhemaheenehogaye…Dad…aisikoi…tensionnahinhai…
Mother Chhemaheene…?Tochhemaheenonsekarkyarahehotum…?
TheyarelookingatVed.Vedistrapped,restless.
Mother (soft)KyahogayahaitumkoVed…?Kyabaathai?Ved (sharp)Maplease…abdramamatcreatekaro…Sahni (scolds)Dramayecreatekarrahihai…?Chhemaheenesejob
nahinhai,hawameinlatakraheho…Mother Suniye,eksecond…Sahni (continuous)Drugaddictjaisihaalatbanayihuihaiaurkisiko… Vedgetsupsuddenly,cuttingSahni.Ved Mainaajhichalajaatahoonvaapas
Vedmovestothesteps.
Mother Arey…?Sahni Ved…
Vedkeepsmoving. Sahni (loud)Ved…Ved (stops,turns–)Chalajaatahoonpapa…Yahaanvohihonewaala
hai,aapvohikehnewaalehain–kidutykyahotihai,aurmainkabresponsiblebanoonga…
Sahni Tokyamazaaatahaimujhe…kiekhibaatbaarbaarbaarbaar,
zindagibharboltarahoon…?Yehikaamhaimera…?Kitumhameshaultitarafbhaagoaurmainhameshatumheinvaapaskheenchtarahoon…?
Ved (grinninginexasperation)Okaypapa…mainjakarsamaanpack
karletahoon,allright?Sahni Tumheinkyalagtahaimaindushmanhoontumhaara…?Haan…?Ved Areyuskizaroorathikyahai…?Mainhoonnaapnadushman…?
Maintokarhirahahoonkhudkobarbaad…
Sahni YesachbhihosaktahaiVed.Boldiyahaitosochnaiskebaaremein.Jiskizindagimeinproblemhotenahinhainvoapneliyeproblemcreatekartahai.Tumneburawaqtdekhanahinhaina…
Ved (nods)Cool…Super…packkarletahoon,okay…?Dominute…
Heleaves.{2½mins} Sc#81[A] Evening,Interiors Granny’sRoom
Hebangsthebagonthebed,keepsthingsinsideitinafrenzythenliftsthebagandbangsitandbangsitandbangsitonthebedandstandswithhishandsonhiships,restless.Hecatcheshimselfintheoldmirror.Pause.Then–Ved (tohimself)Hogaya…?Abkyakarega? Sc#82[A] Evening,Interiors Granny’sRoom Flashback.Boyatthemirror.Boy Maintochala…parbatkeuspaar…(salutes,winksandclicks)Aaj
patachalegabanjaronkopaanimiltahaiyanahin.Tujhekyalagtahai…milega…?
Sc#81[B]
Presenttime–Ved Kaahanikiduniyasebaaharnikal…idiot…Apnebaaremeinsoch…
Yejoterikahaanichalrahihai,ismeinkyahoga…?Haan…?
Sc#82[B]
Flashback–
Boy Kyapata.(shrugs)Yetokahaaniwalahijaantahaikiaagekyahoga…Vohibataega…
Theboyexits.
QuestMontage
Flashback.Thekidcomestotheporticoofthehouse,looksaround.He
slinksoutandruns.
Presenttime.Vedcomestotheporticoofthehouse.Theservantisenteringthere.Ved Taxibuladena…Doghantemein.
Vedcomesdownthestepsandbeginstowalk. Thekidrunsoutofthehouse.Herunsthelanedowntheslope. Thekidrunsup,andawayasroof-topsofSimlaareseeninthedistance. Thekidrunsupthewoodenstaircase. Vedissittingatthecornerafterthestaircase,catchinghisbreath.Afteramomenthegetsupandwalks. Thekidsrunsawaydownalane. Thekidrunsuptothestory-corner. Vedcomesupthestepsthestepsofthestorycorner,looks.Theplacehaschangedfromthepast.Manyshopshavebeenconstructedhere.Vedwalksup,feelingannoyed.Hecomestowherethestorytellerusedtositbutthereisalargeshopatthatspot.Heturnstoateastalltohisleft.TherearesomeNepalimenrunningthis.Vedwalksuptothestall.Ved Yahaanekboodhaaadmihotatha…Bahotsaalpehle…Patahaikisi
ko…?Uspedkepaasbaithkarpuraanesaamanbechtatha…aurkahaaniyansunayakartatha…
VediswalkingbehindaNepalilookingboyupalane.Vedislookinginfront.Theyareapproachingalarge,dilapidatedbuilding. Theboywalksacrossawoodenbridgeintothebuilding,Vedfollows.Heclimbsupaflightofoldwoodenstairsaftertheboy. AmiddleagedNepalilookingwomanisstandingatthedoor.Ateenageboyisstandingbehind.TheboywithVedsaystotheminNepalithatthegentlemanislookingforbaba.Vedistryingtolookbehindthem,intothehouse.{1½mins}
Sc#83(PartOne) Evening,Interiors
StoryRoom,Passage Vedissittingaloneinadingyroom.Heislookingdown,inthought.
Helooksupatasound.Theladyandtheteenagedboyarebringingtheveryoldstorytellerintothetheroom.Vedstands,looks.Thestorytellerappearsincapacitatedandcrazed,hasanunpleasantscowlonhisfaceashelooksatVedwithgreatsuspicion.TheladyasksVedtosit.Theyseattheoldmanonalowcot.Sheandtheboymoveintotheotherroom.Vedandthestorytellerarelookingateachother.Ved Kahaanisunaenge…?Storyteller Aiyen?Ved (louder)Kahaani…Paiselaayahoonmain.Aajbahotpaiselaaya
hoon… Hegetsupandplacesmanynotesinfrontoftheoldstoryteller.Thestorytellerlooksatthemoney,looksatVed,makesagesture,says–Storyteller Chae…Merichae…Ved Haan…(stands,speakstotheinsideroom)Inkichaeaasaktihai…?
Chae…
Sc#83(PartTwo) Evening,Interiors StoryRoom Theoldmantakesasipoftheteafromthesameblueporceliancup.Vedhasbeenservedteaaswell.Theladyisleavingtheroom.Thestory-tellertakesanothersip,looksatVed.Vedhasbeenlookingathim.Ved Ladkiladkesekehtihaikitumvonahinhojomainesochatha…
Mainetumheinaazaadpanchchisamjha,magartumholakeerkefakeer…aurvochalijaatihai…
Storyteller Hmmm…Ved Ladkaandarsehiljaatahai,ulti-seedhiharkateinkarnelagtahai,
uskonaukrisenikaldiyajaatahai,voakelahojaatahai…Abiskeaagekyahotahai…?
Storyteller (mumbles)Lakeerkafakeer…
Helooksatthebundleofnotesinfront,thenheturnshisfacetothe
ceilingandcloseshiseyessaying–Ma.Thenheopenshiseyes,whichlookbrighternow.Storyteller Ladkasheherchhodkarchalajaatahai…jangalonmein…
jaanwaronkebeechrehtahaivo,pedonsebaateinkartahai…hanstahai…khulihansihanstahaiaurdekhtahaihartaraf…harzarremein,harbootemein–Laila…Laila…
Ved YeMajnukikahaaninahinhai…Storyteller (disturbed)Aiyen?Ved YeVedkikahaanihai…Storyteller Kaun…?Ved Ved…Main…Yemerikahaanihai…Yebandajangalonmeinnahin
chalagaya.Shehermeinhirehtahai… Pause.Thensuddenly–Storyteller Useysabkuchburalagnelagtahai…Sabkuchkharaab…Ved (soft)Correct…Storyteller Uskeaaspaaskeloguseyshakkinazarsedekhnashurookardete
hain…phirusseghussahotehain…kehtehaintumnaalayakho,
paagalhotum…Vokehtahaitumsabpaagalho…Vologusparzulmkartehainaurvochillaatahai–AnalHaq…AnalHaq…
Ved Ekminute…Storyteller (gettingcharged)Useypakadletehainsabmilke…aurdeewar
meinchunvadetehain…Ved Baatsunenge…?Storyteller Zilleilaahikehtahailejaokambakhtkovilayatkisabseoonchi
minaarkeooparaurphenkdoneeche…TaakiyekabhiHeerkoapnishaklnadikhasake…
Ved Rukiye…Storyteller AurHeertadaptihai–MereswaamiRam…heyRam…Magar
saamnebhaktonkibheedmeinkhadaaRaavanpistaulnikaaltahaiaurthhaiyen…
Ved (loud)Areykyabakwaaskarrahehainaap…?Mainkyapoochraha
hoonauraapkyabatarahehain…?Storyteller (crazedscream)Kyapoochrahahai?Ved (loud)Apnikahaanipoochrahahoonmain…Merikahaani…Storyteller (screaming)Areytuhaikaun…?Hain…?Kyonaayahaiyahaan…?
Thewomanandboy comeintotheroom.Ved (softagain)Merikahaanimeinaagekyahotahai…?Storyteller (pointing)Chorhaiye…Chor…(tothewoman)Iskonikaalo
yahaanse…(toVed)Ae…baaharnikal…Chal…Woman (comingcloser)Aaraamse,babaaaraamse…Ved Aagekyahotahai…?Batao…Storyteller (charges)Kyachuraneaayahaitu…?Hain…?Kyalejayega…?
NahinhaiyahansanjeevanibootiyaKohinooryakhuda…Woman Shaant,shaant…(toVed)Iskadimaghthodaoffhai…Ved Aagekyahotahai…?
Storyteller Dartahai…aiyyen…Darlagtahai…?Apnikahaanimujhsepoochtahai…?kaayar…
Vedstaresatthestory-teller.
Storyteller Kissedartahai?Haikaunyahan…?
Theteenagedboyhascomeandheldtheoldman. Boy (holdinghim)Babashaanthojao…
Vedislookingatthestorytellerinraptattention.Storyteller Tubatakyahotahaiaage…Bata…,bolapnikahaani…Kyahaitere
dilkeandarbata…Kyachaahtahaitu…?Ved Mainkyachaahtahoon…?Storyteller DilmeinHeerliyeHeerdhoondheveeraanemein…?Farebi
dhokebaaz…
Vedisstaringatthestoryteller.Silence.Vedtakesouthiswalletandmovesforward.Storyteller (screams)Khabardaar…Hat…Baaharnikal…
Vedtakesoutallthecashfromhiswallet,keepsitinfrontofthestoryteller.Storyteller Baaharnikaaloisey…Policekobulao…Policepolice…
Vedbacksouttothedoor,asthestorytellergetsmoreandmoreworked
up.Theladyandtheboyarepacifyinghim.Woman Achchachup…chup…Storyteller Farebihaiye,thughai…Policekophonekaro…Woman Areygayavo…dekhochalagaya…Shaant…
Vedturnsandwalksoutofthedoor,throughthepassage.{3mins}
ReturnMontage Vedcomesoutofthebuildingandwalks.
Heisshakenup,tryingtocollecthisthoughts.Graduallyhismindstartstoclearup,hestartstowalkfaster.Hesmiles,walksfaster.Hesmilesmore,heruns. Vedrunsupmanypaths.Hesitsatacorner.HelooksaroundatSimla,breathinghardhappily.Theloadisgettingoffhisshoulder.Herunsagain. Vedrunsuptheslope,towardshishouse.Heislaughingasheruns.Heblowsthewhistle,laughsmore.Fadetoblack.{1/2min}/66½mins/
TitleonScreen–
DonReturns
Sc#84(PartOne) Night,Int/Exteriors SimlaDrawingRoom SahniissittingwithMother,grannyandafewothers.Amaidcomesinandannounces–Maid Bhaiyyaaagaye…
Everyonelooksuptowardsthedoor.Vedcomesin,limpingabit.
Ved (breathup)Hi…Hello…
Mother Kyahua?
Ved Aisehi… Hecomestowardsthem.Dado Tutokehrahathaaajchalajayega…?Ved Haantonahingaya…Baapkagharhai.
Helooksathisfatherandsmilesbroadly.Then–Ved Pfffooo…Thakgaya…Aurnervousbhihoon…Papa,mainek
kahaanisunaoon?Haan…? Fatherissurprised.Then–Dado Haanhaansuna…bahotdinhogaye…Ved Okay… Hepullsalowtabletothecentreandsitsinfrontofhisfather,beginstospeak–Ved Bahotpehlekibaathai,jabhindustankapartitionhuatha.Uswaqt
Lahoremeinekaadmirehtatha.
Ved’sfatherisintrigued.Vedcontinues–
Ved Uskanaamtha–Hero. TheyoungBrijMohanSahnistandinginhishouseinLahore,lookingoutintension.
Ved BatwaarekiaagaisiphailikeHerokoraato-raatapnegharwaalonkolekarIndiaaanapada.Saaridaulat-jaaydaadustarafrehgayee.Ekraatmeinapnahero,zerohogaya.
TheSahnifamilysittinghuddledtogetherataRailwayStation.BrijMohansittinginfront.Ved Sorry,mistake…Vozeronahinhua.Votoherotha…Tousnelakdi
kimillmeinkaamkiya,dukaanonmeinkaamkiya,jaanlagadee,apnabusinessshurookiyaaurphirekachchasamakaanbanaya.AbHerokabetaaaya.NayaHero.
FatherlooksatVedfromhiseasychair.
Ved Isnebhimehnatkee.Businesskobadhaya,saathsaathnaukribhi
kee,bachchonkoachchesepadhaaya-likhaayaaurpuraanemakaankoaurbadakiya.
SomephotographsfromFather’syouth.Ved Aurphiruskabetaaaya.AbyeapnaHerohai.Yebhimehnat,lagan,
engineering,management,naukri,office,(graduallytransformstorobotic)system,neechedekho,haanbolo,hanso,ronelago,khushhojao.Ekdin,yahaansebahotkosdoor,dilaurduniyakebeech,apneHerokoeksaathimila.
ThenVedlooksuptotheceiling,closeshiseyes,thenlooksatthegatheringwithbrighteyes. Saathinekaha–Hi… Heronekaha–Hello… Saathinekaha–Kyahaal-chaal,sabtheek…? Heronekaha–Finethankyouhowareyou
Saathinekaha–Yaartumaisekyonbaatkarteho?Kaise?Aise…machinewaaliaawaazmein.Kyamatlab…?(wonder,then–)Matlabyekijo…Areyjakahaanraheho,ruko…Mainruknahinsakta.Rukoongatomarjaoonga.(funnyface)Marjaoonga?Mainracemeinbhaagrahahoon…Aah…okay…(smiles)Tokaunsiracehaiye?Mainnahinjaanta/Sorry/counterclosedforlunchTumnahinjaantekaunsiracehai?Tobhaagkyonraheho?
Kyonkisabbhaagrahehain,tomainbhibhaagrahahoon…
Sc#85 Night,Exteriors
ParathaCorner
Vedisnarratingtothetheatregroup.Itappearsthattheywillbeworkingtogetheronaperformance.Therickshawalaisalsopresent.
Ved Areykyonbhaagrahehainsab…?Koirukkepoochkyonnahi
raha? Kya…?
Kyon Vokyahotahai?
Vokyahotahai…?Areykyon…Kyon.Tchapnakyon…Kyon?Kyonnahinjaante?
Youseemtohavedialedawrongnumber{1/2min}
Sc#84(PartTwo) Night,Int/Exteriors SimlaSitting BackinthehouseinSimla.Vedhasapuzzledlookinhisfaceashisparentslookathim.Thenhechangeshislooktocasualand–Ved Achchachhodojaanedo…Kyafaraqpadtahaikaunsiracehaijab
takjeetrahehain…Firsttoaatehonatumracemein?NoSecond…?NoThird…?NoAbeyfourth,fifth,sixth,seventh…
Sc#86 Night,Interiors SmallAuditorium Amodernstyleplaybeingperformedonasmallstage.Arobotandaclownperforming,clownplayedbythefangirlfromtheParathaCorner,robotbeingplayedbyVed. Robot DialkiyagayanumberghalathaiClown Eighth?Robot Pleasecheckthenumberanddialagain(contd.)Clown Ninth...?Robot Youseemtohaveenteredawrongpinnumber
Theclownthenstartstoholdoutnumberedcardsfromapacktoask,astherobotcontinuestosay–
Robot Gaadinumbersatsauekyaasiaadhaghantavilamb/Stop/Forgot
password?/Dialkiyagayanumber/sincerelyapologizeforthedelay/chashmaqalamkitaabityaadi
Thejokerthrowsthecardsonthefloorandglaresastherobotcontinues. Applauseoftheaudienceisheard.Robot (contd)Insuranceisasubjectmatterofsolicitationpleasereadthe
offerdocumentcarefullybeforeinvesting{1/2min}
Sc#84(PartThree) Night,Int/Exteriors SimlaSitting TheSahnisarelookingatVedinattention.Ved Yaanekebeechmeinkaheenaatehoisracemein…Beechwaaleho
tum… Haanmainmediocrehoon/aamaadmi/regular/ordinary
(snigger)Badaproudfeelkarrahehoyaarmediocrebanke…?Hain…?Walk/Stop/Smileplease/NextMagarmainekbaatkahoon…dilse…?Mujhenahinlagtakitummediocreho(clickswithtongue)Areytumhaaresaathhotihoontomainspecialhojaatihoonyaartosochotumkyahoge…Mainena…lifemeintumjaisanahindekha…Tumheinkhudnahinlagtakitum…kuchho…matlabspecialho…?
Sorry/Wrongnumber Aisakaisehosaktahai?Kabhi,kisinenahinkahatumhein…?
YesunkarHerokokuchyaadaatahai…aurvokehtahai–haan…ektha…jokehtathakimainspecialhoon…Kehtathanakoi…?Kaunthavo?
Sc#87(PartOne) Night,Exteriors OpenAuditoriumAperformanceinnautankistyle,withmusiciansandactorsonstage.A
funnyactorinthecentre–Nayak Areyeksaanpthaoo…Chorus Saanp…?(DrumRoll)Nayak Haan…
Vedisstandingnearthewings,lookingatthestage.Threedancergirlsdressedaspeacocksarestandinginpositiontoenter.Vedturnstowardsthemandchecksthembriskly,thenindictestothemtoflowin.Thedramaonstagecontinuesinthemeantime– Nayak Ohikaratrahaaisiultisultibaat–tumphalaanhochalaanho
heerekikhadaanho…(drumroll,encore)Farebisaala…Patahaiookanaamkatha…?
Werealizethatthecentralactoristheautorickshawala.
Chorus Ka…?Nayak Bataiyen…? Sc#88 Night,Exteriors TicketCounter Posterinthediplayoutsidetheauditorium.Writtenontheposteris–AstorybyVedVardhan.Alsothatthesearere-runshows.Theaudiooftheplayisheard–Chorus (OC)Haanhaanbatao…Batayedeyo…Nayak (OC)Pakkabatayedein…?
Sc#87(PartTwo) Night,Interiors LargeAuditorium
Chorus (OC)Areyhaanbhaiyya…Batao…Nayak Tobhaiyyaookanaamraha–
Sc#84(PartFour) Night,Int/Exteriors SimlaSitting
Vednarrates–Ved Bachpan…
Pause.Silence.
Sc#87(PartThree) Night,Interiors LargeAuditoriumThenautakicontinuesonstage–
Chorus Aiyyeenn…(DrumRoll)Bachpan…?Eekakahrahahai…Arey…?
Vediswatchingtheplayfromthewings.Thepeacockareseendancingonstagenow.Thedramacontinues– Nayak Areybahutjahreelasaanprahabachpan,aiseiyyeinbaag-bageeche
meinmiljayerahil–phoolpattikiaadmein…{1/2min}
Sc#85(PartFive) Night,Int/Exteriors SimlaSitting
Vednarrates– Ved …phannuthaaye,dasnekotaiyyar…Humtobadehotehimaar
daaleusko(funnylaugh)…Kuchaldiyezameenmein…Aisepaaonrakheuskigardanparaurdabadiyesaaleko…Margayasaalaaiyyen…(tongueoutdeadexpression)Abtheekhai…abkoinahinkehtamainspecialhoon…Abmainaaraamseapnizindagijeesaktahoon–Walk/Stop/Smileplease/ordinary/Mediocre
Sc#89 Day,Interiors StageRehearsal
Alargetreeonstage.Agroupofactors,dressedasschoolchildrenstandingasthechorus.Anactorplayingafishistryingtoclimbthetree.Thefangirlistalkingtothethechorus.Chorus Machchliranibhihai
JeevanpaanibhihaiYeekmachchlikikahaanibhihai…
FanGirl Jiskolagtahaivostupidhai…Chorus (various)Achcha…
Isee… HmmHmm… Okay…FanGirl Kyonkiuseybatayagayahaikiuskakaampedparchaddhnahai…Chorus (aloud)Whatthefish…?
Vedgetsupandimprovisesfromtheaudienceseat–
Ved Hello…bhaisaab…(tothefangirl)Yousaytothefish…addthis…Yetumhaarakaamhaihinahin…tumghalat–
{1/2min}
Sc#84(PartSix) Night,Int/Exteriors SimlaSittingVed Tumghalatracemeinbhaagraheho…Rukoeksecond… Nahin,mainruknahinsakta…Rukoongatomarjaoonga…(closes
hiseyes) Whatnonsense…?Areyaankheintokholo… Sorry/Wrongnumber Areytumkhudchoosekaronaapnirace.Phirdekhlenafirstnahin
aayeto…Aasaanisefirstaaoge…guaranteehai…ruko… Nahinmainruknahinsakta… Areydekhoapneaapko…Pehchaano…Ekdinsaariduniya
pehchaanegitumhein…comeonaankheinkholo… Nahinmainaankeinnahinkholoonga… Eksecondruko…dekho,ekbaar… Nahinmainnahinrukoonga,aankheinnahinkholoonga,ishirace
meinbhaagtarahoonga,bhaagtarahoonga,medicorerahoonga,average/Walk/Stop/Smileplease
AuristarahapnaHerozindagibharushiracemeinbhaagtaraha…
aurekdinmargaya.Kahaanikhatam.Mother Kyon…?
Vedturnssharplytowardsher.Ved Vokyahotahai?
Silence.Then–Ved Tokaisilagikahaani?Haan…?
Helooksaround.Noonespeaks.Helooksathisfather.Sahni’seyesaremoist.Ved Endingkharaabhaina…?Hmmm…Endingsahinahinhai…Tokoi
baatnahin…Apnikahaanihai,endingchangekarlenge… Pause.Thenhestands.Ved ThisiswhoIamdad…ThisiswhoIam…Mainmathsmeinachcha
nahinhoon,Iamsorry… Sahnihastearsinhiseyes.Helooksathisson,then–Sahni Yeaakhriwaalaherobesthai…yemerafavouritehai…
Hegetsupandhugshisson.Ved Isracemeinmainfirstaaoongapapa…mainjaantahoon…Mujhe
nahinpatakaiseqadambahdaanehain,kaunsaraastalenahaimagar…
Sahni (cuts-)Raastaterinazronmeinhaibeta…(shakeshishead)Ye
Herotonahinrukega…yetopahonchegahi…Abkoitensionnahinhai…
Vedisoverwhelmed.Hehugshisfather.Grannyspeaksafteramoment–
Dado Achchaachcha…Lapat-jhapathikartarahegayanayeewaaliendingbhibatayega…
Vedlookstowardsgrannyandmother.
Mother Audiencewaitkarrahihaibhai…Dado Tobol…phirkyahotahai…? Vedlooksatgranny,gleams.{5mins}/73½mins/
Sc#90 Day,Exteriors TrafficSignal
TheeunuchonDelhistreet,peersinsideanautorickshaw,comesforward
saying–
Champa Ohero… Vedissittingintheautorickshaw.Hereplies,leaningout–Ved Haanbol…Champa Areykiddarhaiaap,maindhoondhrahihaikabse…Ekminute…
Theeunuchuntiesaknotonhersaree.Thering,asshehandsitovertoVed.Vedlooksatheeunuch.
Champa Aajtakmerekoittabadagiftkoinahindiya…Bahotkhusihuamereko…sachchi…Parabmainiskakyakaregi…?Raatkoneendnahinaatikikoichorikarlega,aurmereseheerakhareedengabhikoinahin…Toaapyevaapaslelo…Mainbahotduaphookihaiiskaoopar…Aapdekhna…aapkadilmeinjobhihaina…yeangoothipoorakaregi…Dekhnaaap…
Vedissmilingatthedestinyofthering.
{1/2min}
Song#3(Interlude) Theturbanedmeninthesmallpanjabistage,backagain.Allinafreeze.Themainmusicianisholdinguphishandforalltosee.Hedoesasilentcountwithhishand–one,two,three,fourand–Hadippa….theyallstartsmilingandplaying.Theyareperformingwithgreatflairandhappiness.
Thediamondringisstrungonablackthread.Vedisstandinginfrontofthemirror,tyingthethreadaroundhisneck.Theringdanglesbelowhisneck.Helooksathimselfinthemirror.Heisready. AndthePanjabimusiciansdance.{1/2min} Sc#91 Day,Ext/Interiors StoryCorner Mid1990s
Flashback.Aatmaekhojayetoinsaankabtakalagrehsaktehain,theoldstory-tellerhadsaidtotheboyinfullglorymanyyearsback.Theyweresittingunderthetreeinthestorycorner.BhatakleRanjhajangal-parbat,karleveeraaniyonsevaasta,magarmiljayegaraasta…chalnelagengepaaon…auraajayegaRanjhaekdin–Heerkegaon.Thestorytelleroffershishandtotheboytohit.Theboyhitsthestoryteller’shand.Thestorytellerlaughs,botharehappy.
{1/2min}
TokyoMontage
AplanefliesoverMtFuji.
ThestoryfliesintothecityofTokyo.Itreachescloser.Weseethecityfromaheight.Carsareseenrunningonthestreets.GoingthroughstreetsofTokyointheday.ManypeopleatacrossinginTokyo.
TheshiningnightofTokyo.Fadeout.
Fadein.ComingclosertoatallbuildinginTokyo.{1/2min}
Sc#92 Day,Interiors SeminarConferenceHall
Titlesignontablereading–‘TaraMaheshwari–Speaker’.Tarastandsupbehindthetableastheconvener’sannouncementisheard–Convener ThediscussionontheBipolarBehaviouroftheMetropolitan
ConsumerwillresumeafterafifteenminutebreakFromtheside,Taraisseencollectingherthingsandslidingoutofthe
tableasanelderlygentlemanspeakstoher–Gentleman Lookingforwardtothesecondpartofyourspeech…Tara Thankyou…Seeyoushortly…
Signsintheconferencehallread–SynodAnnualGlobalMeet:FocusontheFarEast.
Sc#93 Day,Interiors RefreshmentLounge
Tarawalkingup.Sheislookingdifferentfrombefore.Sheislookinghard.Someotherexecutivesareseenstandingorsittingaround,manyofthempreparingnotes. Tara’sbadgeandbagassheplacesthematatable. Taraisseenfromthebackasshecomestoateadispenser,putsateabagintoaglassandbeginstopourhotwater.Shelooksatthenoticeboardsinfront,looksaway.Continuestopourwater.Thensuddenlysheletsgoofthecupandmovessharplyaheadtothenoticeboard. Itisasmallposterreading–DonReturns…
Shequicklylooksback,looksaround.Manysuitedexecutivesinthelounge,someuniformedwater.Nooneelse.Shelooksbackatthenoticeboard.
Shecomesbacktohertable,keepsherteaandtheposteronthetable,
noticessomething.Itisavisitingcardkeptthere.Itwasn’tthereearlier.Shepicksitupquickly.It’sVed’soldvisitingcardinwhichallthematterhasbeencutwithaboldmarkerandwhatiswrittenis–Don…p.t.o.
Shegetsupquickly,looksthissideandthat.Nothing.Shelooksbackatthecard.DonP.T.O,itreads.Sheflipsthecardandthat
reads–Don…p.t.o.
Shelooksupandaroundagain. Justsuitedpeopleeverywhere.Shemovesout.
Shewalksbrisklydowntotheothersideofthelounge,strainingtolookahead.Nothing.
Shelooksback,sheknowsthatheisaround.Shecomesbacktohertableandsits,seenfromtheback.Shepicksupher
teatotakeasip.Shespringsupagain.Thecupthatsheisholdinghasablackthreadtieditandinitdanglesthe
ring.Thesamering.Shetakesthestringout,looksatit.Shesuddenlylooksback,somethingcatchesherattention.Someonemovesoutoftheloungebegindmanysuitedexecutives.Tararushesout.
{1½mins}
Sc#94 Day,Int/Exteriors CorporateBuilding-Landing,Lift TheliftdoorisshuttingasTaracomesintothelandingarea.Sherushestothelift,pressesthebuttonbutthelifthasgone.Shelooksaround.Thensherunstothestairs. Sheskipsdownthestairs.
Sc#95 Day,Int/Exteriors
CorporateBuilding-Corridor,Frontyard
Taramovesintothelongcorridorandrushesup.Shelooksahead,aroundthenbelow.
Onthelowerlevel,amidstmanypeople,thereissomeonewalkingaway.Isithim?Sherunsahead.
Sherunsdownacorridoroutofthebuildingandintothefrontyard.Shelooksaroundeverywhere.Therearemanypeople,walkinginalldirections.Therearecarsonthestreet,atraingoespastinthedistance.Butnosignofhim.
Shelooksdown,wonders.Shewalksback. Shewalksbackintothecorridor,stillwondering.Vedstepsinfromtheside,crossesherfrombehindandbeginstowalkalongside.Shelooks.Don2 Becool,benormal…Sabkinazreiniswaqthamaareooparhain… Itishim–playingcasual,lookingaround,correctinghishair.Sheisgapingathim.Don2 Keepwalking…
Helooksather,noticestheblackthreadwiththediamondinherhand.Don2 Hmm…Toheerekaconsignmentaaptakpahonchchukihai…
Fab…
Sheisjustlookingathim.
Don2 Oh,bytheway… Heextendshishandtoher.Don2 Don2.Baarahmulkonkipolicemujhedhoondhrahihaiaurmain
yahan,iscorporateset-upmeinekpuraanahisaabpoorakarneaayahoon…
Sheisstaringathim.Hetakesherhand.
Don2 Auraap…?
Sheisdazed.Hetakesherhand.Sheislookingathim.
Tara Main…?Don2 Jeeaap…Koitohongiaap… Pause.Thenshespeakswithafake,chineseintonation–Tara Main–MataHari…Naamto…sunahoga…? Theyholdhandsintheshakingposition.Don2 TomainaapkoMatakahoon,yaHaari…?MataHari (pullsherhandback)Aapkuchbhimatkaho.Aapsuno… Shebeginstowalk,hefollows.Don2 Indeedindeed…Bahotkuchsunnahai…kiaapkaisihain…kahaan
raheenitnedin…MataHari DarasalmainissepaileChinameinthi…trainingpar…Don2 Isee…Kaisitraining…?MataHari Chinesetorture…Chinesetorturekatraining….Don2 O…MataHari Haanhaan…Mainevahanbahootsetorturetechniqueseekhe
hain…aurisHeerekabadlemein…vosabtortureaapkodoongi…Ohhowexciting…
Don2 Aaa…Haha…uskikoizarooratnahinhai…MataHari Zaroorthaibahootzaroorthai…Bahootuniquetareekehain
tortureka…hahaha Sheclapsherhandsandlaughsinfrothyexcitement.Don2 Aa…Canwechangethetopic?MataHari Nono…Yemerapasan-deedatopichai…Don2 Ahem…Agarmain(transformingtoDevAnand)aapsekahoonki
mujhsebahotbadibhoolhogayimaafi..dedoto…MataHari Nono…nomaafi… Sheskipsahead. Sheentersafootbridgeandwalks.Devcomesinafterherandcontinues–
Dev Auragarvaada..karoonkisaariumrbasaapkisevakaroongaapne
paapon(nodsvigorously)..kaprayashchitkaroongato..?MataHari (shakesherhead)Ahhmmm…Ahhmmm…Dev Auragarmainaapkeqadmonpargirjaoon(comestohisknees)
auryekahoonkeaapkebeghairmerajeevanbemaanihai,bekaarhai..
Taramovesaheadlookingathim,shakingherheadinrefusal.
Shecomesouttotheexterior,walksahead.Devcomesfrombehindand
grabsherfromherwaistandcontinuestotrailwithher. Dev Aurchewinggum..kitarahchipakjaoonkyonketumhihomeri
badal,bijli,chandan,paani..saansonkisargam..sapnonkigitanjali..
Tara Achchachhodo…chhodo…Dev Sawaalhinahinpaidahotasaaton..janamkabandhanhaiaurjab
haathon..meinhaathhongetokyabaathaikyabaathaibaaton..meindinbeetengeaurraaton..meinkarvataursarpataurhartaraf…harzarremein,harbootemein–Tara…Tara…Tara…
Theylookateachother.
{3mins}/80mins/
Song#7(PartTwo)Weenterthefourthgradeclassroomandreachtheboywhenhehadgot
hisexaminationpaperresult.Heislookingdown,tryingtocontrolhistears.Thenheturnsandlooksintothecamera,hisfacechanges–anaughty
smilebreaksoutandherevealsthepaperaeroplanethathehasmadewiththeexaminationpaper.Thenhegetsupandfliestheplaneawayandrunsoutoftheclassroomashisteacherandclassmateslookathiminsurprise.
Musicbuildsup.Theboyrunsdownacorridor.Thenturnsandrunsouttotheschoolgroundwhereschoolboysaredoingphysicaltraining.TheboyrunsacrossthePTformations,thiswayandthat,disturbingtheexercise.Herunsoutoftheformationasotherkidsturnandlook,losinginterestintheirexcercise.Theboyislaughing.
TheschoolgateopensandVedinthetwelfthstandardstridesoutand
tosseshisexaminationsheetsabovehishead.Thepapersflyintheair.Vedinhisengineeringhostelgetsupandyankshiswritingdesktothe
ceiling.Heisabusingwildly.Hecomesoutoftheroomintothecorridor,screamingloudabuses.He
runsupscreaming,abusingastheotherslookathim.Hedancesacrossaclassroomwherestudentsarebeingtaughtsome
complicatedmathematicalconcept.Allstudentsturnandlookathim,wondering.Vedclimbsthetableintheconferencehallathisofficialpresentation.He
dancescrazilyastheboss,Mohit,theclientsandotherswatchindisbelief. Majnudancesinthewildalone. Majnudancesonthegrandmusicalstage. Thedanceofmadnessinthetheatreplaythattherobotpresentstotheaudience.Ram,Sita,RaavanandHanumandancewildlyonthegrandmusicalstage.Theautorickshawaladances,Prithvirajdances,everyonedances. Apartfromthecharactersoftheplay,nowwealsoseedancersjoininginthedance.
Therobotemergesonstage.Thedancersswarmtohimandsurroundhim.Theybegintoswirlaroundhimasheremainsfrozen.Theysnatchattherobot’scostumeandtearoutapieceatatimeinthedanceandwhenfinallythewhirlwindofdancersleaves,weseethattherobothastransformedintoVed.Anannouncementisheard–“LadiesandGentlemen…presentingthestory-teller–VedVardhanSahni.”
Audienceapplause.Vedstandsinfrontoftheaudience.Theentirecastoftheplayisinafreeze.ThenVedwalksupfrontstage.Theapplauseroars.Vedislookingdifferentfrombefore.SevenyearshavepassedsincehemetTaraatthecorporateseminarinJapan.Vedcomestothefront,bowstotheaudience. Massivecheerandclapping.Standingovation.
Vedlooksup,thentotheside.OnthatsideoftheaudienceisTara,standingnexttothedoorandclapping.Hesuddenlymovestowardsherinacheap,filmymannerthrowingmanyairkissesather.Taraalsomovesupinasimilarmannerthrowingairkissesathim.Morecheerandlaughterandclapping.VedlooksatTaraforamoment,thenbowstoher.Moreapplauseandcheeringfromtheaudience.VedlooksatTara,Taraisoverwhelmed.ThenVedgoesdownonhiskneestoTaraingratitude.Taraisembarrassed,isindicatingtohimtostopit.Veddoesnotstop,heprostatesonthestagetoher.Taragetsemotional,tearsrushtohereyes.Massivecheer.VedlooksupatTara.Shemovestohim.Heclamberstowardsherinallfours.Shereachesout,theylookateachother.Theykiss.Theaudienceandtheplayersonstagecheerwildly.Theyarewitheachotherinthecrowd,thensherunsaway.Leavinghimaloneinallfours,exposedinfrontofthecrod.Hegetsup,smiling,lookingawayfromtheaudience.Thenextendshisarmslikeanaeroplane,likehewoulddoasachild,andfliestothisplaceinthecenterofthecastoftheplay.Hecovershisfacemomentarily,thentakesthehandsofthecastandtheyallraisetheirhandstotheaudienceandbow.Curtainfalls.Thecastbows.{5mins}/84½mins/
MoreRollingTitles{3mins} /1hr27½mins/
<TheEnd>{2hrs42mins}
**********