The premiere of your first film is always special.
But not if Diwali is on the same day.
People are usually busy with celebrations at home.
It's unlikely that all the invitees will turn up,
specially if it's an offbeat film
The Diwali weekends are always for the big box-office releases.
Siddharth, or Bhaiyya as I call him, the director of the film,
knows all this.
Bullshit!
Don't try to tell me that it's more important than your premiere?
It is.
Then tell me...
I won't think you'll...
Because you can't. You know that.
Even if I could, I wouldn't...
...and I don't want you to follow me, alright!
Look at me Shabnam.
Who's the guy?
Do you need to know everything?
Don't tell me who this is.
How long have you been seeing him?
I'm not going to the premiere. Don't look for me there.
You'll make a complete fool of yourself.
Haven't I already?
If you're so keen to go and see the film, go by yourself.
If they ask about me, say you don't know,
Or, I went out for some work.
And yet I won't look like a fool?
Then don't go now! We'll go together, later.
Tell me Shabbu... this is the last time I'm asking you...
I won't ask again.
How long have you been seeing this guy?
I'm going to see a man. That's all I can tell you now.
Okay, is he from the unit?
You promised that you won't ask again...
Can you pass me the perfume please?
Want lavender?
You think he'll like this?
Rajiv! Stop it!
He'll love it, huh?
Is that a car?
Must be the doctor... ...let me see.
Switch on the lights in the corridor, It's very dark.
Don't bother. I'll get off here.
Just a minute, Ma'am.
Why is he taking so long? Just see...
Madam, just come in for a moment.
See... That's not Dr. Mohanty's car.
He's got a white Honda City.
And you of course know what colour and what car he's got.
There! Please go. And I've told you so many times...
...to get his bag in Ivy.
It's you!
Switched off.
Text her. She'll get it when she puts it on.
Did that thrice already. All delivered. No reply.
Complete nonsense these stars are.
Charge like crazy
Heroes don't turn up because they are celebrating Diwali at home...
Heroines don't turn up
Promoting the film is also your responsibility or not?
Venky!
Here!
Hey Mr. D.O. P!
How's it going?
Venky do you have Shabnam's driver's mobile number?
Is he resting?
Isn't that exactly what you wanted?
Played with an old man, dragged him across everywhere...
...actually treated him like a clown, and then dumped him.
Is he resting?
God forbid people from resting like that!
Now what? Come in!
It's all right. I'll...
So, what's all this drama about?
Coming to see a patient with so much perfume on yourself?
We don't care for your filmy antics... go elsewhere.
I was thinking of him a lot in the past few days
Tried calling also, but the phone just rang.
Then thought, how will he pick up the phone?
So I just hung up
If I didn't have to talk to the doctor regularly,
I would have cut the phone line long back.
Rubbish calls from people who have nothing better to do.
You may have nothing better to do, but we do.
Just go now.
I borrowed this book from him Shakespeare's The Tragedy of King Lear
Was supposed to give it back in a day or so
Tea?
Would you like some tea?
But there is no coffee in the house.
By the way...
Happy Diwali!
Sir, did you tell them not to allow anyone inside?
Actually, the press has been waiting for a long time
Please go down once sir...
Sound's still loud.
Sir, I'll manage this... you please go down.
Where's the undertaking?
The bond he signed.
Ask Ramesh... Make xeroxes
And hand it out to everyone.
Go! What will I say?
And how would that make a difference?
As if I am a doctor or something.
Ok, it's fine... Show me reel 5.
I am leaving the door open...
The smoke will come out.
By the way, I don't know your name.
Vandana
I'm Shabnam. The heroine of the film...
Can I please have my car parked inside?
You said you were leaving...
Coming...
For you.
One second...
Sorry. I was with the patient...
Bhaiyya, my friend Kiran. She is with TOI.
Wants to talk to you about Harishji.
Hi, Happy Diwali!
Happy Diwali!
Just take her number and fax it to her.
Fax? What?
Actually... technically speaking, the production...
is really not responsible for Harishji's condition.
We're extremely sorry for what has happened, but...
...you see, we have a document to that effect.
If you want, we can have it faxed to you.
Sorry, but I didn't mean to ask about his accident.
Any questions regarding the film will be answered...
After the premiere at the press conference.
Open the auditorium gates.
I was in a hurry. I was waiting for the press conference...
Her sister's getting engaged today.
She just came to talk to you.
I'm really sorry
Sit.
Every day that call comes, she knows it.
But still she can't finish that call and then eat.
I saw her crying. I think something's wrong.
Nobody can help you if you've asked for it.
I've explained a lot of times to her, but she...
Come here! Just see what the cat has done!
Why can't you finish your food and then make that call?
I made the call or it came? You only took the call.
How dare you argue with me?
You come here.
Have you come here to answer the calls, or look after the patient?
He needs to be given his medicines, it's already 9 o'clock!
Hey! I thought you weren't coming. Why so late?
Puja at home. Just dropped by for sometime.
How's everything? All well?
We're starting a bit late. We were waiting for Shabnam.
Come I'll take you to Bhaiyya.
How's Boss doing?
Hype tense... You know him.
Unnecessary tension. Why make films if you're so stressed?
Any news...
...of Harishji?
Same. No improvement.
Come let's go and see him one day. Will you come?
We two can go any day. But what about your friend?
He went. We begged, pleaded... sent him.
He went. Happily sent the card up
and stayed stuck in the car.
Thank God! Supposing he had gone up
and handed over the card with a straight face...
as if nothing has happened?
After that would we have been able to talk to him?
Want to meet him? He's upstairs in the projection room
No I'll just go watch the film
Thank you Palaash da.
It was good to hear that you're concerned about Harishji.
I've been feeling a bit lonely about this.
After all I was the one who brought Harishji and Bhaiyya together.
That was almost a year ago.
A veteran stage actor had died.
My magazine asked me to write an obituary.
So I started meeting his retired co-actors.
Then someone suggested that I meet Harish Mishra.
Idiot!!
I'll never forget the first time I saw him.
Cheers!
The house was nothing like what it looked from the outside
Nor was the man who sat in front of me
Your reactions please!
What reaction?
On his passing
His?
Yeah... Mr. Patel's...
I told you we're bringing out a special issue on Neerajji.
We know you're one of his very old associates so
You mean her?
Neeraj
Yes Neeraj!
Since when did Neeraj become a he?
Talked like a woman
Walked like a woman, Slept like a woman
Bloody homosexual!
Sorry Sir! We're not here to discuss sexual preferences.
We are not here to discuss anything young man.
We're here for an interview. Questions and answers. No discussions.
Right. And that was not my question Sir.
Well you wanted my reaction. That's my reaction
Now what?
Write. Don't worry, I won't take it back.
When did you work together for the last time?
Worked together for the last time?
Let's see now
'72
Yes that's when she sorry he came to ask me for money.
Money?
760 rupees.
Wait wait don't get impatient.
Seven Hundred and Sixty Rupees in the year of the Lord 1972.
How many years is that?
Thirty four.
Yeah thirty four! Now calculate the interest.
Sorry! Not carrying a calculator.
Did you know him?
As in I know about him.
Haven't met?
No. Unfortunately.
He would have raped you straightaway.
Listen young man...
Why do you think he took money from me?
Must have needed it.
For what?
No idea!
Every month he'd get a new guy.
Take him to the movies...
Feed him. Buy him new clothes and Phooo!
Blew everything he had. 15th of the month,
and we all knew that invariably he would come and ask for money.
You were talking about 1972...
What were you doing then?
I was playing Robin,
you know... Puck
and yeah he was playing... Oberon.
Ok,
Robin and Oberoi.
Oberon.
How do you spell it?
O-B-E-R-O-N. Oberon,
Titania... Which play?
Something Greek?
Oberon,
Titania Hermia Robin?
Robin Hood!
Run him over. Run him over.
What are you watching me for? Go go chase him!
Bloody Idiot!
I could never imagine somebody so insanely obsessed with Shakespeare.
I'm a journalist...
So what if I didn't remember A Midsummer Night's Dream?
Yet this man kept haunting me.
I could think of only one other person like him...
Siddharth my friend.
Almost a brother.
I know this was exactly the sort of person he was looking for.
I decided I would bring them together.
I'm going home.
What?
He's coming to take me. I'm going.
I'll inform the Centre. They'll send somebody tomorrow
And what about tonight?
Don't pay me.
In the middle of the night,
where am I supposed to get another nurse?
Call the Centre tell them to send another nurse...
Then you leave.
You call
I do not have the number, you call
You have the number in the notebook.
Who gives you the number everyday to
call up the centre and complain about me?
I can stay back if it helps.
I'll stay don't worry.
Listen it's really late. I don't know how are you going to get home?
Do you want me to tell my driver?
No. Thank You.
My boyfriend is coming to take me.
I'll go with him
I'll go and change.
Open the Door.
Why are you changing here?
Why? - What do you mean why?
Aren't you ashamed of changing with a man in the room?
Ok. I will change in the bathroom.
When do you have to go?
Where?
To the premiere?
I'm not going.
But you're the heroine of the film!
That's not my problem.
I was never in favour of this premiere anyway.
How can they be doing all this
when the lead actor is...
Ok I understand that they are doing this as a charity show.
They want to raise money for him.
For his treatment.
Who wants charity?
Certainly not us.
I am so sorry.
I didn't mean it like that.
Charity is not the right word.
Look I know you are really stressed out,
But you must keep your cool.
Trust me,
it's only a matter of days,
May be weeks
And he'll be fine.
He won't be.
Doctor said his spinal cord is fractured
So he's paralysed.
But they did some more tests
They say his brain is damaged.
Con... con...
Contusion.
You know?
My father is a doctor.
I know the word.
Do you know what it means?
He'll never be able to move again
He'll never remember anything again
I try... I tell him its me!
He just keeps staring
Doesn't recognise me.
How can he not recognise me?
I'm ready.
You came out?
And you didn't even come in!
It's ok.
Too many people
Why? Would it have been better if it was empty?
Don't put words in my mouth Bhaiyya
You have a light?
Has Ramesh xeroxed the undertaking?
Keep them.
Don't make me feel guilty Gautam.
Why lose your cool, Bhaiyya?
I'm not...
Whatever will happen, will happen in his house only.
You're not involved...
And anyways after all this media hype your film will be a hit.
Wouldn't have been otherwise you mean?
Putting words in my mouth again.
Sorry my friend,
I didn't mean to hurt you.
I was just hoping you would show me your anger...
Let it all out...
And feel perhaps,
a little more peaceful.
Every day you've spent with him must be eating into you...
Starting from that first day.
Who's there?
Hi! It's me. Siddharth.
I've work with you.
Wait. Wait.
You actually rang that?
Did someone tell you?
No. Who would?
You did it on your own?
Why?
Vandana!
Why did you?
What made you? I mean,
what were you thinking?
I didn't see a bell
Needed to get in. Just thought this was the best way.
See... Then how did he know that he was supposed to do that?
I'll just open the living room.
No no don't go
See it works!
Otherwise how would he know?
Yeah it works... and how!
Yeah... she keeps saying all the time get a proper bell get a proper bell.
What for? I mean all you need is bit of imagination.
That's all.
There's a slight problem.
What?
What if there is a strong wind or a storm?
O the dreadful thunderclaps, more momentary.
And sight out-turning were not
The fire and cracks but - The Tempest!
Act 1 Scene 2.
Come unto these yellow sands.
And then shake hands.
Cheers!
Excuse me...
There's something in the water.
Call me Harry
I'm making a film and I'd like you to act in it.
Film?
Yeah. Film.
Not Shakespeare, huh!
Why suddenly think of me?
Well, I guess the way I thought of your bell.
Conviction.
Have you seen me act?
No.
But heard a lot.
I never did radio.
Heard a lot about you.
Is that, if I may ask, the source of your conviction?
In a way, yes.
But now that I see you...
You've seen nothing, young man!
You cannot see an actor like that!
I think you're wasting your time and mine as well.
See, I thought it would be a bit impolite
to ask you for your show reel... but since you insist
Show reel?
Show reel... What is that?
Oh! That's an ad term. It's like a collection of all your work samples.
Work samples?
Yes. It's like picking best moments and compiling them.
You get samples in a fabric shop, not on stage.
You never know when your best moment will happen.
You have to keep on trying.
After all it's a live performance.
But I've always heard that your best performances were in...
The Tempest as Prospero.
Which Prospero?
Bombay?
Madras, Calcutta?
Act V Act II,?
Ye elves of hills, brooks, standing lakes, and groves,
And ye that on the sands with printless foot
Do chase the ebbing Neptune,
and do fly him When he comes back;
You demi-puppets that by moonshine do
the green sour ringlets make, Where of the ewe not bites;
and you whose pastime is to make midnight mushrooms, that rejoice
To hear the solemn curfew;
by whose aid, weak masters though ye be, I have bedimmed
The noontide sun, called forth the mutinous winds
And twixt the green sea and the azured vault
Set roaring war; to the dread rattling thunder
Have I given fire, and rifted Jove's stout oak
With his own bolt; the strong-based promontory
Have I made shake, and by the spurs...
...plucked up The pine and cedar;
graves at my command
Have waked their sleepers,
oped, and let'em forth
By my so potent art.
Wait!
By this, rough magic,
I here abjure
That's brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant!
Thank you.
It ought to be brilliant.
I hope you realise
why you need to see an actor on stage.
Well, I'm confident you'll be as good in cinema
Who ever doubted that?
I shall be good, simply because I can't be bad.
But your cinema...
shall not be good. It'll make me look like a fool.
However well I may act, at the end of the day,
it is merely a series of incomplete moments.
Why that?
You know better.
All your lenses and close-ups and
whatever...
When you see the face, you cannot see the hands.
When you see the face and hands, you cannot see the full body
And when you see the full body, you're so far away
you cannot make out the expression on the face.
When you want to see the face, see the face.
Why the hands?
They'll just distract you.
And who is to decide?
What's to be seen and what is a distraction, pray?
I mean the director...
and sometimes the DOP.
The cameraman, I mean.
And what of the actor?
Well, the actor's the subject
Thank you
Could I have some coffee please? Black.
And, can we have some lights on here?
Why not a window?
Put out the light, and then-put out the light;
If I quench thee, thou flaming minister,
I can again thy former light restore...
Hey you Bastard
What are you doing?
Look at him! Pissing on the wall!
Let me see.
See! Shameless bastard!
I'll deal with it
Hello there!
Up here...
Keeps happening everyday.
Someone's always doing it.
Why do you think I can't open the windows?
Why don't you just put an electric wire along the wall?
Well, if someone decides to go, they'll get a real shock.
Can't do that. It'll... It'll kill them.
So? One of them dies, the rest don't come back.
Problem solved.
Excuse me.
There's no coffee in the house.
That evening our friend sent his driver home.
With a jar of coffee...
'Sir has sent it.'
Tell me one thing...
why do film people have to behave so fake?
I mean, anything for work, huh!
Rob, pretend, steal.
Siddharth is not fake,
I don't quite agree with some of the things he does.
But somewhere there is a conviction.
It may be right or wrong. But it's there.
I don't think its conviction. I just think its arrogance, ego...
Well...
You know, it did become a big prestige issue for him.
Look... 'Here is a man, who normally doesn't do films,
so I will make him work.'
'So what if he doesn't work with anybody else? '
'Its my challenge! I'll create history.'
'So I'll go to his house, spend time with him,
give him gifts'... opportunist!
I'm telling you, you are making a very big mistake.
I've updated everything temperature and pressure readings.
Prescriptions and reports, I've kept in one file
I think you have my mobile number,
but I have written it down
just in case the other nurse needs any help, she can call me.
He calls you, scares you
and you drop everything and you're ready to go with him?
Do you know what'll happen in the future?
He'll make you eat out of his hands.
It's my life, my future...
Thanks for worrying about me
but let me handle it. Please...
Nice meeting you, Madam!
Happy Diwali!
Oh... Mahesh!
Will you be late, Madam?
Have you eaten?
No ma'am. There's Kali worship at home.
I can't eat till it's over.
Oh I am sorry! I completely forgot.
Okay, let's do it this way
You give me the car keys, I'll go on my own.
It's ok, I'll manage
You wanted to have the car parked inside.
You said that Siddharth was sitting in the car...
But didn't come up.
How did you know?
I saw.
You went downstairs?
No. Come
A close circuit TV?
How come? Has there been any theft?
Your director has put it.
They both used to sit and watch people piss on the roads.
Their favourite pastime.
Nobody is doing it today.
Why?
Would you have been happy if someone did?
I think they can see your TV camera from the outside.
Is it possible?
Look there.
There, There, there... quick!
Take his photograph, take his photograph
Won't be necessary.
Disappointing...
Let's play a guessing game.
What do you think he does... the guy in the white shirt?
Does?
As in occupation.
How do I know?
Come on Harry baba... guess. Just a game.
Go on.
Could be anything.
Office job? 9 to 5?
It's 12:40.
Should've been in office then.
Why? He could be a medical representative.
Then he would be carrying a bag.
There comes another one.
He is doing nothing. No work
What made you think so?
Too old to be in college... so, not a student.
And if he's going to office what's he doing on the road? Your logic!
Could be bunking work?
To do what?
To meet his girlfriend?
Or, maybe his prospective employer.
Why should I believe you?
You can check if you want.
Hello young man!
Over here.
One small question.
I know this is an intrusion and you're completely free to reply or reject, but
allow me to pursue my humour.
Sure. Tell me.
I thought thou wert on thy way to pursue a madness most discreet,
love that smoke raised with the fume of sighs.
My friend here is loud with babbling prophecies of altered occupations...
in short, a new job.
We've placed our kingdoms at stake.
It lies at your mercy.
Sorry, you both lose. We both are old friends...
Catching up for a quick beer!
Farewell Signor! Thank you for your valuable time.
You are a liar and slave!
Get it?
Could have been a film by itself
I know!
I have a name.
Life's but a Walking Shadow!
Horrible! Totally not ' happening'.
Nobody will go watch it.
Windows!
Rubbish.
Why?
Windows could mean... view from a window
windows to the outside world, an opening... it works at many levels.
Windows means something else altogether.
You're not into computers, right?
No. Why?
Thought as much.
What's the story of your film?
For quite sometime, Siddharth had been wanting to make a film on someone.
Maybe a performer...
Whose art was gradually becoming irrelevant.
He wrote a script about a popular circus clown, Maqbool.
Whose skills were dying just like the circus.
Thank God he's got a name!
I was getting sick of listening to 'this man', 'this man'.
People flocked to the local cinemas,
while the clowns found themselves out of work.
One day, one of the clowns killed himself.
Grief and rage consumed Maqbool.
It seems he went a bit mad and set fire to the local cinema hall.
Later, he would remember nothing but his scars.
Specially the ones he carried on his face.
One day, in the fog of the morning,
Maqbool and his friends left for an unknown destination.
It is as though they were leaving their homeland...
...and stepping into a world of exile.
Who knows? Perhaps many years back, in their lost childhood,
they had followed the same path to arrive at the circus.
There is some chicken in the house.
You want to have some roti with it or toast?
There are some sweets...
Oh my God! It's ten thirty!
Don't bother. Let's just order something.
What's her name?
Whose?
The nurse.
Ivy.
Is she vegetarian?
Yeah! Please come upstairs.
What do you mean?
Where are you?
You just sent him away.
Sorry Mahesh. If you're nearby, please come back.
I need to order some food.
She's ordering some food.
Nothing for me. Thanks.
Fasting won't help you
Won't make him come sooner.
Give me those.
Go
I won't be able to do it.
Yes, you can.
I can't see without my glasses. I'm blind.
Why? Can't see me?
That's because I know it is you.
Otherwise everything's a blur.
Listen Harry,
You've done stage, not modern plays,
you've done Shakespeare.
Did you do Shakespeare wearing glasses?
I knew my stage like the back of my hand.
Really? - Yes
Which stage?
You've not performed only in Calcutta.
You've been all over. Toured... travelled...
Wherever we've performed,
after the morning rehearsal,
I'd spend two hours
just measuring the stage blind folded.
This much... six steps,
This much... ten steps.
Once I had the measurements, it was easy.
All I needed was
someone to usher me from the wings.
The stage is my ground, young man...
It's my home turf.
What you're asking me to do is not my medium. Give me my glasses.
Okay then, take me back to my room.
Climb down.
I can't.
I'll fall down, I am blind.
This is your house, home turf.
These are your stairs. You know them
If you fall I'll hold you.
What's that thing... What's that thing they do in theatre?
Trust exercise.
They say, every time an actor has to fall on the stage,
he has to trust his co-actor to hold him.
I'll hold you.
Trust me.
Come.
He actually went down,
like an obedient school kid.
Just grappling down the stairs
Didn't ask a single question.
Where's Ivy?
Haven't seen her around.
Must be in his room.
Waiting.
What's wrong with her?
Why is she so upset?
She's completely gone out of her mind.
Here is this man who doubts you like mad.
Calls you up in the middle of the night,
Asks you some weird questions.
Who?
Her boyfriend.
Where are you?
Whose house?
What are you doing?
I don't understand...
why these people so obsessed about night duties?
I mean, if you've to do something, you can do it in the day also.
Can't you?
So, where is she going now?
I heard her telling him once... If you don't believe me, come and check
I said - No.
Why?
If my word is not enough...
if you need physical proof... then you obviously don't trust me.
If you don't trust me, there's no relationship. Over!
Calling me?
Come, sit here.
He's okay?
He's sleeping.
When is your boyfriend coming?
I can't get through.
I think there's no charge in his phone.
Does he know the house?
Has he been here before?
I've explained.
He knows this area. Shouldn't be a problem.
I hope you don't mind... Can I say something?
She's told me about it.
Don't worry! You're not the only one.
Trust me.
I know exactly how you feel.
He was not like that before.
This past one year...
Actually the problem lies with us.
In the beginning we enjoy it...
Think it's love... or concern... or whatever!
He doesn't even realise
how embarrassing it is for me
to go to the Centre everyday and say
I'll do only day duty, can't do night.
How long will they listen to me?
A week, a month, then?
They won't. And why should they?
We're not doing them a favour.
We're getting paid for it
She thinks she is doing something heroic by walking out with him.
You think his doubting is going to stop because of this forever?
I even took your name
I said - She's here, talk to her.
You know what he said?
What?
Please don't mind.
He is not bad, actually...
Tell me what he said.
He said I know them all. These film people themselves are...
And you still called him here?
I am not going to let him in.
You tell him right now... Charge or no charge... Text him.
And tell him not to come.
What he does with you is your business
But he can't insult my guest like that
How dare he?
It's alright. He doesn't even know me.
What about the one who knows me the most?
Oh! You're shooting at night?
Who're you shooting with? Why's your phone off?
Who're you dancing with? What are you doing?
Never stops.
Why do they keep a night nurse, tell me?
Because, the patient-party wants to rest at night,
somebody has to stay awake.
'Give up your job.'
'I'll feed you.'
I never asked you to feed me.
Don't let him see you cry. Okay, I'll go.
The dinner you ordered, ma'am.
But the search for Maqbool had not ended.
To escape the police, Maqbool took a night train to a faraway hill station.
There, at a hill resort, he found work as a gardener.
The colourful days of the circus were now a distant, fading memory.
Maqbool was not the only one who was trying to make a new beginning.
Sanjiv and Mala had also come to the hill resort...
...to try and save their dying marriage.
I have seen you before somewhere.
Long time back, very briefly. You won't remember.
Oberon!
You here?
Siddharth's my friend
Holiday?
Work as well.
Need to do an interview with you, Sir.
Neeraj Patel?
There's a book coming up on the making of this film.
I am in charge of putting the material together.
Thank God!
When can we do the interview, Sir?
I'm at your friend's disposal Check with him, if he's fine.
I'd asked him. He told me to hang around and do it between shots.
Shoot
You've done thirty years of stage...
And nine months.
Thirty years and nine months to be precise.
OK, thirty years and nine months.
This is your first film...
After he reached there he called...
In the middle of the night.
You must be shooting till very late.
So, he didn't get the time.
Your hotel was very expensive, right?
So he went to a phone booth to call.
I don't think I'd met him then.
Otherwise he could've used my mobile.
He was so excited.
Like a small child!
Mountains are so beautiful!
Like in Hindi films.
He knew I've never been to the mountains.
'You should've come here with me.'
'You can see the sunrise from the hotel room directly.'
The sun used to come into my eyes every morning.
I used to get so irritated.
Barely gone to sleep half an hour ago... it's time to wake up.
How would I've know that...
It was the last time I was speaking to him?
That I'd never hear his voice again.
'Its so quiet out here, so peaceful.
'You'll love it here.'
Who told you I'd love it?
This dreadful silence is killing me.
The night before we left, I had a very ugly fight with Rajiv.
I'd gone over to Siddharth's house for rehearsals.
I'd never done a part like this.
The phone was on silent.
I finished and... eleven missed calls.
I called back... and that was it...
Rehearsal?
Rehearsal's in theatre, why film?
What are you doing in his house?
Sick, horrible things about Siddharth and me.
I was leaving the next day, so I couldn't even... So angry and upset...
Went to sleep at four. Got up at six.
Screwed up everything!
Going somewhere?
Not anywhere in particular. Just like that.
Shopping?
Haven't thought about it.
Want to come along?
Very tired.
Went for a long walk.
Should have told me. I would've come along
Deliberately didn't tell you.
Thought I'd better give you some space.
Poor you!
Can't take calls... can't make calls.
Ok, I'm leaving.
Upset?
Don't wait for me. Order your dinner whenever you feel like.
C'mon... I was just kidding.
Move!
Can't even take a joke?
That isn't funny!
You mean too real to be funny?
You're trying to make it too real.
And I don't like it at all.
Cut!
What are you doing Shabbu, why laughing?
You are supposed to slap him.
Can we do one more please?
Take 6!
Need some help?
I can give the cues.
You know,
for an actor sometimes,
hearing his lines is a lot more helpful than reading it.
At least that's what I think.
I know.
But I would rather do it myself.
Are you angry?
Upset?
Why would I be upset?
You look upset.
No, I'm not.
Just a bit unmindful.
Look I have to do my lines.
In peace... It's my problem. And I shall handle it.
It's not actually your problem alone,
It's mine as well. I'm your co-actor
You do a bad job and mine gets affected as well.
What do you want me to do?
Hit me.
Get rid of your anger.
Hit you?
Hit me here.
Or slap me, slap me,
What is wrong with you?
I'm alright, please.
You're not alright
If I can see it, so can the camera. That's it.
I can't.
Look at those hills up there!
Just imagine that you have to speak to someone there.
You know?
You are angry.
Damn angry.
He has hurt you. Humiliated you.
You have to shout back at him.
Shout.
It has to be louder!
He's up there.
He, he can't hear you.
You have to, you have to make him hear you.
You have to say some thing loud out to him.
You've to bring everything out.
Say something, recite something...
Something like this. You have to bring everything out from inside.
Much better
Thank You. It was a very nice dinner
There's a lot left.
If he hasn't eaten, ask him, he can come here.
No need
If you've made up your mind, then don't feel bad about it.
If I want to get in touch with you, how do I contact you?
Take down my number...
If I don't pick up the phone, then text me.
You've cut the lines?
What do you mean?
We had two pages of full description.
Seemed a bit redundant.
Then why was it written in the first place?
We thought it was important.
But now, after coming here,
seeing the location,
I don't think we need the lines.
Yes, of course we need it
This is the place where Maqbool realises...
realises the compassion of nature,
the cruelty of mankind.
I've stayed up all night learning the lines.
What do you mean - 'It's not important'?
What's your problem?
Is the problem that we're cutting something that's important?
Or is the problem that we're cutting something you mugged up?
Soliloquy is good in Shakespeare, not...
Soliloquy!
Yes, is good in Shakespeare,
not in film.
Here we happen to have something called...
Don't you dare say a word against Shakespeare.
Write me one word that is, even a tenth of what he wrote, in your entire script
and then talk.
Why do you've to write this damn script if it's going to be cut?
Please don't get upset, this happens
Why do I have to go through all this?
You give me a bound script and then you go chopping and changing.
It's written in the script 'By the side of a stream',
When I start shooting, I am standing on a bloody staircase!
Tell me is this fair?
He's trying to make a film.
He hasn't had reading sessions, nore workshops.
He is trying to capture every moment.
I know it's a little difficult for an actor.
Please try to bear with him.
What do you mean by 'bear' with him?
Have you seen the script?
It's written there 'Late afternoon'. What is the time now?
Nine thirty in the morning!
Why mention the time at all?
Sir, I
don't know Shakespeare.
In fact I have very little knowledge about his plays.
But I've heard that in his time
plays in London started at 3 in the afternoon.
So?
Just imagine...
Hamlet.
The opening scene
Denmark... Midnight.
But the play is staged at three in the afternoon. That too in the natural light
You give me poetry like that,
I'll do it in broad daylight and it will still look like night.
Excuse Sir, next shot ready.
Next shot? What about this one?
It's taken, Sir.
Taken?
Now you've taking shots without the actor?
Who's done it? Your director?
No, you did it.
And did it superbly.
Come, see.
Manoj, rewind and please show him.
Now, who did it?
You did it.
Superb!
Now you trust me?
Suddenly life seems so beautiful!
Mala's marriage had fallen into disrepair.
When Sanjiv started becoming increasingly suspicious.
Mala tried her best, but Sanjiv could never be convinced.
Meanwhile, Mala and Maqbool became friends.
It's hard to see what drew them together...
Perhaps, she saw the clown in him,
Or perhaps, it was their shared loss and the knowledge...
...that no matter how hard they tried, the past would never return to them.
And you're a lousy actress!
How mean!
When you first feel the scar you should stop.
React... look at me.
You carried on as if you knew.
Like a school teacher cleaning the blackboard!
Thanks for being so wonderful!
You saw it and didn't say anything?
I didn't see anything. Just saw a blur. Felt it.
You could've at least said ' cut'?
' Cut' is a director's word.
For an actor, there's nothing called 'cut'.
From the time you wear your costume till you take it off,
It's one single shot.
Okay, can you give me some easy tips on acting?
What tips?
I don't know.
See, I'm basically a model.
Never thought I'd act.
But the critics don't understand.
They always give me the worst reviews.
You know what makes an actor?
What?
Tell me.
Observation?
The desire to perform.
Nothing else matters.
The first day you walked the ramp, it was difficult for you.
But actually, it's the first day that you performed also.
Shakespeare?
With me?
You're crazy.
You said your Hindi was bad!
But not Shakespeare!
Scared?
For you. Unnecessarily you will get a bad name
It was because of a ' bad name', that I left the stage.
Took a decision overnight.
Now looking back, I think it was a mistake.
I was about to play King Lear.
The role that I've always dreamt of playing.
Got all prepared for it,
Learnt the entire play by heart,
did all my background research,
compared all the interpretations.
And then just a week before, the show was to open,
I dropped everything.
And left the stage forever.
Never got to play Lear.
Now sometimes I wish, I had...
Where have I been? Where am I Fair daylight?
I am mightily abused. I should e'en die with pity,
To see another thus. I know not what to say.
I will not swear these are my hands let's see;
I feel this pin prick. Would I were assured
Of my condition!
O, look upon me, sir,
And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:
No, sir you must not kneel.
Pray, do not mock me:
I am a very foolish fond old man,
Fourscore and upward, not an hour more or less;
And, to deal plainly,
I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
Me thinks I should know you, and know this man;
Yet I am d...
Do you know him?
Who is he?
Then why are you taking his autograph?
That's not good manners
How could you do that? He'd stretched out his hand and you just...
Did they know him?
And they come to him for his autograph!
I think that's extremely insulting.
I don't think so, You should have seen his face.
There was a glow. - I didn't see any glow.
I just saw a lot of pancake.
That's because you didn't want to
If you wanted you would have seen the glow behind the pancake.
How very touchy
Siddharth, it's good to be politically correct,
but not at the cost of someone else's feelings.
What's the time?
The show must have gotten over?
Don't think so.
Otherwise my phone would be flooded with messages...
Oh! It's off
'Brilliant film. Amazing performance.'
'You're awesome.'
'Looking good and what a performance! '
Nothing about him?
I'm with him.
Actually, I'm with two of them!
No, you don't know them... Want to talk?
Sorry guys, Rajiv doesn't want to talk.
Okay, I'm busy now... Busy with what?
C'mon you want me to get into details?
By the way, he loved the perfume...
I told you'd specially put it on me.
And you're a fucked up piece of shit!
You're okay?
Can't keep my phone switched off forever.
I don't have to take this anymore,
I can't keep running away so that we avoid this...
unpleasant conversations.
I lied to you.
I didn't come here because
I wasn't going to the premiere.
I came here because I needed a place to hide...
A house, some address...
where he won't come looking for me
'First half fab. Will call later'.
It's interval.
It's 11:30
Time for his medicine
Congratulations Gautam!
The Sony people are here. They are very interested.
They want all the details, they want us to get back to them
with a very comprehensive marketing plan.
I spoke to them about your book...
They said, 'excellent idea'!
What happened?
You said your first draft is ready?
Ramesh, can we get someone else to edit the book?
Why?
It's my fault, boss.
Each time I look at his interview...
...can't bear to read it.
I feel it's my fault... I made it happen
Can't you take a normal photograph without this scar?
I thought I'd do a separate piece on your make up.
The time it takes and the way the scar is put on.
Once the make up started, he couldn’t eat or drink.
Starve till pack up. And wait till this mess is taken off.
Thanks to Shabnam and this thing,
Atleast I can drink some tea or...
Wait a second sir. Amol da, shoot him with the sipper.
I'd like to ask you one question.
Today's the last day of the shoot...
Are you sure?
Heard you're leaving day after
Oh yes, that's right.
How time flies!
Do me a favour...
Can you check with your friend if anything's left out?
Left out?
Why?
So much time is...
The script is changing,
constant improvisations... so thought that...
Might've slipped his mind...
No harm in checking.
No no. He is very particular.
And more or less I think we are through.
The last shot, in any case, is a dummy shot.
What last shot?
The one... you're shot dead
The cops chase and shoot you and you fall over the cliff.
Someone called Jahangir is doing it...
No, Akbar.
Correct. Akbar.
He's from Bombay, right?
He's supposed to be the best.
He's done some most dangerous stunts.
Incredible! Incredible!
Why don't we start the interview on this note?
Why?
You are an actor,
Primarily as a stage actor,
you've always done your own stuff...
For the first time...
...somebody else is standing in for you.
That too in the climax.
How do you feel?
Harry, go, please... go get some rest.
Try to understand... this isn't about acting
It is.
It isn't.
No it isn't. It's a specialized skill.
This guy is charging us more than you've charged us for the whole film.
You know why?
Because he is risking his life.
Why should anybody risk his life for a part
that I am playing?
'Cause that's his job.
Bullshit!
Harry, this isn't theatre...
This is cinema.
And it's not the same.
But...
Didn't you say that you make realistic cinema?
Yes I did.
And I do.
But not at the risk of killing someone.
Okay, tell me...
Will this chap Jahangir?
Akbar!
Okay... Akbar
Will he be able to get the expression on the face right?
Will he be able to die and fall like Maqbool will die and fall?
You tell me.
It's not important
We'll take a long shot.
Long shot!
When you're going to take the climax in a long shot?
Why?
Just tell me...
No expression
Look at you, Harry.
Just look at you.
You're drunk, sloshed, completely out of your head.
Listen, young man.
I have been drinking before you were born.
So?
Never have I failed to hold my liquor.
Go to your room we'll talk in the morning.
This may be the last time I'll act.
Please let me stay till the end.
I beg...
Harry, what are you doing?
I am your father's age.
This is my last request.
I'll talk to my... legal.
You know what they'll make you do?
They'll you make sign a bond...
You know what that is?
They make you give an undertaking
that you and only you are responsible for this decision.
And this creative decision is your's
and that you have not been pressurised by anybody to do so.
Do you understand that?
What?
Give me the pen.
Why?
Give me the pen. I'll sign.
It will take me a day to prepare the documents.
Go to your room I'll come there.
Give me a blank sheet of paper.
Whatever you want, I'll sign.
I beg you please.
I didn't know anything.
The court papers were apparently typed that night.
Two cameras were specially got down.
And I didn't know a thing!
I thought it was an off day,
He'd be in his room and I could finish the interview.
Went there and found he'd left for shooting.
Sir, look down there.
All the way down only bushes.
If you go out of control.
Grab the bushes. It'll save you.
Ready everybody?
Akbar move from there.
Going for take.
Just one second...
For this shot can you not say 'action'?
But you need some kind of a cue, what do we do about that?
Can somebody fire a gunshot?
The actor wants a gunshot...
Can we have that?
You can come relax, Harry.
Sir, remember those bushes
The ones there.
I can't see a thing without my glasses, I'm blind.
But don't worry, I'll remember.
We are going for a take... Akbar move!
Slate in.
Give me the pistol.
Nothing happened.
It was a perfect take.
Infact the whole unit was clapping
They thought he'd done the most difficult shot.
Where's Akbar?
Akbar?
That motherfucker from Mumbai?
Why? What happened?
We paid him his airfare, flew him down here, for what?
To ruin my shot?
What did Akbar do? Harishji did the shot.
Grab the bushes. Grab the bushes
Why come here?
To fuck my ass?
What happened sir? Any problem?
Send him back to Bombay.
Send him to the airport... asap!
Just tell him to go.
But the flight is in the evening sir.
Let him go and sit at the airport.
Don't give him lunch.
And don't give him any transport also.
How will he go then?
Let him walk. If he leaves now, he'll reach by the evening.
Why is he standing here?
What's wrong Siddharth?
Have you checked the monitor?
No. Why?
That idiot Akbar warned him.
Completely ruined the shot.
Killed all spontaneity.
He knew when the edge was coming.
Go replay, check the monitor. You'll see he was completely prepared.
What a waste!
Don't worry.
You have the lab's number?
Tell them I want to speak to them.
Come in director Sir!
How're you feeling?
Any body pain?
Nothing much, anything for a shot.
I'll be in my room. Please call me when you're through.
Upset as usual?
I don't want to waste my time being upset with you.
You two fighting again?
She's convinced I forced you to do the shot this morning.
Of course not. I went myself and pleaded,
I told you so.
See, being seventy-five has its advantages.
I know. It helps you forgive those who don't deserve it.
You don't have to worry about dying before your time.
Death once dead, there's no more dying then.
We have to do the shot again.
What?
The lab called. They put the stock in the wrong bath.
It's all ruined.
Are you sure?
There is no point getting guilty or pressurised about it.
Harry, you want to do the shot again?
If you do, we can do it tomorrow. Morning. Otherwise...
no big issue... we'll just get Akbar back from Bombay.
But there were four cameras?
I know that.
It's all ruined.
You guys continue with whatever you were doing.
Just let me know by tonight.
I am really sorry about this, Harry.
A distance came between Bhaiyya and me that night,
Like in the past, I thought it would last for only a couple of days.
But the next morning something snapped.
Come here
Yes Venkat, what is it?
What happened to the trees?
Where are the trees?
Don't shout!
Does he know you've cut the trees? You will kill him.
This is no time to argue.
Take the shot.
Kidding? You want me to take the shot?
Then move, I'll take it. - No you wont
Move over!
Okay everyone! We gonna go for the shot.
The show must be over.
Hated it?
Loved it. Wonderful!
It's a very positive film.
And the negatives?
One...
A big one.
What?
It's over two months now...
You haven't gone even once.
No, I'm not talking about the invitation thing.
For all you know, he doesn't even know about it.
Just go.
See him
If you feel bad...
call me.
I'll come again.
The premiere went well. More people than expected turned up.
They said they loved the film.
We heaved a sigh of relief.
But Bhaiyya and I never spoke to each other.
Perhaps, we never will.
Stop the car.
Stop it!
What's your problem, huh? - What's my problem?
Would you like it if I pee on your wall?
Motherfucker!
I came to this house around fifteen...
Yeah... fifteen years ago.
I had walked out of my in-laws'
with just a sari on my back.
I came here to live with my parents in the city.
Didn't like anything.
And then one day Dad took me to the theatre.
He was playing Othello
That's where I saw him.
I still get gooseflesh when I think of him!
Envied Desdemona like hell.
What a way to die!
And in whose arms!
Just packed my suitcase
and came to this house.
Asked, 'Will you let me stay here with you?
Didn't say anything.
Just looked at me and said,
Upstairs, left
Actually, wasn't so passionate.
But on stage
God! He was just
One day he came home early.
Went straight up to his room
locked the door.
I made tea as usual.
Knocked on his door, said, 'The tea is getting cold'.
No answer.
Came down for dinner.
Ate very quietly.
I wanted to tell him something.
His mind was just elsewhere.
Finished dinner and said,
'I’m leaving stage'.
I said, 'Why? What happened?
He was doing King Lear in a week's time.
His most ambitious project.
His dream project.
Didn't answer.
Never went back to theatre
Just like that
Two days later I got to know that
someone had said something bad about me.
So he walked away.
Quietly went and had the abortion done.
Decided not to tell him I was
carrying his child.
That was the first time
I stepped out of this home alone.
I'm so sorry.
I've given him the medicine.
I'll be back the usual time.
You want some tea?
I can make some before I leave.
Feeling bad, he didn't come?
I knew he wouldn't.
But I didn't want to say it and upset you.
Anyway, don't feel bad.
If you need anything, call me.
Okay, I'll call you.
You'll pick up the phone, right?
I should be going.
If you call, please don't hang up.
One person can't talk but the other can.
Wants to.
Harishji
Harry
You remember me?
I'm Shabnam...
Remember?
We did a film
You were a clown
We went to the mountains...
You acted
I'm Shabnam
You don't remember?
King Lear.
Do you know me, Sir?
You're a spirit I know.
When did you die?
Still Still... Still far wide
Where have I been?
Where am I?
Fair daylight?
I am mightily abused.
I should e'en die with pity,
To see another thus.
I know not what to say.
I will not swear
these are my hands:
Let's see;
I feel this pin prick.
Would I were assured
Of my condition!
O, look upon me, sir,
And hold your hands in benediction o'er me:
No sir, you must not kneel.
Pray, do not mock me:
I am a very foolish fond old man,
Fourscore and upward,
not an hour more nor less;
And, to deal plainly, I fear I am not in my perfect mind.
Me thinks I should know you,
and know this man;
Yet I am doubtful for I am mainly ignorant
What place this is;
and all the skill I have
Remembers not these garments;
nor I know not
Where I did lodge last night.
Do not laugh at me;
For, as I am a man,