YATO DHARMASTATO JAYAH
[Param] "Yato dharmastato jayah"
which means victory follows dharma.
[paper sheaves rustling]
[Param] Famous words by Lord Krishna said to Arjun in the Mahabharata.
-[electric rock music playing] -[lawyer] Get him, Pandey!
[Param] Our justice system borrowed it as its motto.
-So original! -[muffled screaming]
[Param] Be it the Mahabharata or modern times,
every conflict ultimately stems from either money, a woman, or land.
But the warriors back then fought with swords and shields for truth.
While today's black coat warriors,
armed with case files, battle only for victory.
Actually, not to win, but to make sure they don't lose…
even if the battle drags on for a hundred years.
But I'm no warrior nor do I like to fight.
But here I am, among these people.
I never wanted to be a lawyer.
In school, our teachers would ask us, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"
-Doctor. -[calm acoustic guitar music playing]
-Singer. -Pilot.
-[music stops] -[teacher] You'll be a lawyer,
just like your father.
-[applauding] -[calm music resumes]
[Param] Those innocent people didn't know the things I had seen.
What do you want?
I have a message for Mr. Mathur.
What is it?
Ask him to drop Tony's case. He's a good-for-nothing lowlife.
[Param] I've seen goons threaten my mother.
[teacher] A lawyer just like your father.
[Param] I've seen criminals received with warmth in my own home.
[funky indie music playing]
[Param] I've seen my father enjoying tea with bigwigs.
While kids my age were caught up in their first crushes,
I witnessed my first murder.
[gasps, breathes shakily]
[Param] When I would wet my bed after night terrors,
who would comfort me?
Mom.
-Papa was never around. -[water gushing]
Did the fear leave me?
I don't know.
But Mom left me.
Leaving behind me, Advocate Harish Mathur,
and a promise that come what may, I'd never be a lawyer.
But who dares defy the God of Sarjanpur court?
He never sought my opinion,
just told me to get my LLB done.
Son, for you, money, power, and status are all just a mirage.
What you're looking for is right in front of you.
Start coming to the court from Monday.
With me, you'll slowly learn everything you need to know.
I have it all planned, son.
[Param] When the High Court passes a decision,
you still have scope for an appeal.
But when your father passes an order,
no matter how many appeals you make,
you're bound to a life sentence.
MACHINE OUT OF ORDER
[funky indie music continues]
[music fades out]
[Suraj] Namaste, Bauji.
We're next.
[Harish] Did you check all the papers carefully?
[Suraj] Yes, Bauji.
So, Param, it's your first day at the court!
Welcome.
You didn't order an orchestra?
-What? -Orchestra?
We'll get an orchestra and dance if you want!
-[Harish] Suraj. -Yes, Bauji.
Check this. Where's the police evidence?
[Param] My grandpa used to say that one should be wary of both
a doctor's white coat and a lawyer's black coat.
My health's fine for now,
and as for the black coat,
a friend has managed to get me a hotel manager's position in Dubai.
All of you can rot here. I'm going to Dubai!
-[lawyer] Harish! -[music stops]
-Oh, Bauji. How are you? -Bless you.
-[Suraj] Namaste, Bauji.
Bless you, son.
-Let me know when we're up. -Yes, Bauji.
That double murder case of yours…
-The Model Nagar one? -Yes, that one.
-Send me the file. Yes? -Sure, Bauji.
I'll have it sent to you.
Bauji, one minute.
Hey, Param.
Bauji, my son has started his practice.
-Oh, that's great! Bless you, son. -Namaste.
Look at you, with that grown-out hair and those black jeans!
People can't even tell whether you're a lawyer or a criminal.
A lawyer should dress sharp and look sharp.
He's young, Bauji.
He'll learn.
Sure. Did he clear his bar exam?
No. There's still two years for that. He can practice law until then. So…
Oh, come on! Don't leave it for the last moment.
Understand? Let him take it and finish it off.
-Yes, Bauji. -Bauji, our file is up.
Come.
-Alright then, have the file sent. -[Harish] Yes, Bauji. I'll send it.
And you, dress sharp.
Bauji is right.
Take the bar exams and get it over with.
Yes? Public prosecutor, tell me.
My Lord, on the night of 28th February, the accused Tony Singh
was attending the victim Shyam Chaddha's sister's wedding.
-They had an argument over something. -[tense music plays]
But the situation got so out of hand,
that Tony Singh threatened to kill Shyam Chaddha
in front of his entire family and all the guests.
On the night of 28th February, Shyam Chaddha
was returning home from his sister and brother-in-law's house,
when Tony Singh ran him over with his car and killed him.
Shyam Chaddha was the sole breadwinner of his family.
His family members are here today.
Look at their faces.
This Tony Singh is a history-sheeter.
He is implicated in four murder cases and one extortion case.
Letting an incorrigible criminal like him be free in our society
is inadvisable, My Lord.
So the state requests
Tony Singh should be punished severely
under Section 304A.
Victim's family also seeks justice from this honorable court, My Lord.
That's it. Thank you.
Defense?
Well said. Good.
Sir, I would like to present four facts about the case.
The rest is all theatrics, which we can also resort to.
Sir, fact number one.
It's not four murder cases and one extortion case.
It's four extortion cases and one murder case.
And in none of those cases has my client been convicted.
Sir, fact number two.
As per the sworn testimony of the guests present there,
what is being called an argument and death threats,
was a mere squabble between two friends
over whose car will be used to send off Gudiya, Shyam's sister.
"Hey, you will die by my hands.
Gudiya will be sent off in my car."
My Lord, I now leave it to the honorable court
to decide whether it was a death threat
or two drunken friends talking.
My Lord, fact number three.
According to the police's charge sheet,
Shyam made a U-turn just moments before the accident.
The sketch of the road is in your possession.
And the photos too, which you have.
But, My Lord, there isn't a U-turn for three kilometers in either direction.
Now My Lord, fact number four.
As per the charge sheet, the vehicle he crashed into
bore the registration "DL10SF."
My Lord, not "SC".
My Lord, that's a two-wheeler, not a car.
So, it's a clear case of negligence…
and poor investigation done by the police department.
-That's all, My Lord. Thank you. -[tense music stops]
[upbeat reggae music playing]
Bauji, I was sure the judge was a goner today,
and your classic style would take over.
But you sorted it out so calmly.
You keep asking me, "Bauji, when will you give me my first case?"
It is a fool who resorts to display of power over nothing.
[Harish] You still need some maturing.
That's why I'm with you, Bauji.
Now Param's also here.
Both of us are here to learn from you.
Yes. Papa has taught lessons to many!
-[music stops] -[phone ringing, vibrating]
Papa… I'm getting a call.
Sure.
Watch where you're going, man.
Hello? Yes, Tushar. What's up?
[Tushar] You can ask me that later, Param.
You still haven't submitted your documents.
[Param] But I sent them to you. Just one--
[Tushar] Where's your degree in Hotel Management?
Bro, that's what I'm telling you. I just need to send you the HM degree.
[Tushar] Hurry up, man.
It's not my family's hotel where I can just hire anyone whenever I feel like it!
[acoustic guitar music playing]
Sir.
Where's the chamber number 108?
Before 109.
[music stops]
[Rafael] Hello? Yes, bro.
Bro, it's Param.
-Tell me, bro. -[Param] How are you doing?
Good. You tell me.
Bro, did you make that Hotel Management degree for me?
Bro, just get the money. I'll make it right in front of you.
That's awesome.
I'll do one thing. I'll drop by around five in the evening.
No, no. I'm unavailable after three o'clock.
Oh, man!
[Param] Would it work if I drop in around 11:00 a.m. tomorrow?
No, the market will be closed tomorrow.
And then I'm leaving for my wedding in the evening.
-I'll be back in a month. -A month!
What is this nonsense?
Exactly! What is this nonsense? Weddings are done in a day!
Well, I've got three weddings…
all with the same woman.
One in a church, one in a temple, and then one in court.
Actually, a month's time is too short.
Consider two.
Dude, listen. Your honeymoon plans will ruin my career.
It'll only take you ten minutes because your work is really top-notch. Please!
You can take this as my contribution to your wedding.
Please, bro!
Frustration.
Alright, fine. Come by at 5:00 p.m. today.
But it will cost you double.
Sure. We'll discuss that.
The bastard!
-[fabric rips] -Oh!
[bass guitar music playing]
[broom sweeping]
What the…
Who put this bench here with that nail sticking out?
Who put this bench here with that nail sticking out, man?
Just register a complaint.
-Where? -At the Bar Association.
[angrily] Go to the Bar Association for this?
It takes two minutes to…
Go to the Bar Association for this?
The problem is, no one here wants to do their job!
My pants are torn.
Namaste.
Oh, hi. Sorry-- Hi.
-[brick thuds] -[music stops]
[sirens wailing in distance]
-Hi. -Are you Mr. Mathur's new assistant?
Yes. No. I mean, I'm also his son.
-Param Mathur. -Oh!
-Param Mathur. -You are?
Give this file to your father and tell him Kagzaatji sent it.
[Suraj] So you met Kagzaatji?
She's a master at guiding the lost.
She's the one who guided me to this chamber.
Remember, Bauji?
Her desk number 55?
Her father used to sit there before her.
[Harish] Yes, Dinanath.
When I was struggling, he was the one who gave me my first case.
A property dispute between two brothers.
Here.
[chair squeaking]
[gentle piano music playing]
[Harish] My first earning.
In the court ruling,
I was overjoyed when I saw "Learned Counsel" next to my name.
Bauji didn't even take his cut.
He said,
"Son, your first income is a glimpse of the prosperity in your future."
I never had the heart to spend it.
Bauji spares no chance to tell us about the note.
[constable] What's with these coats staring me down?
[lawyer] What will you do?
-[constable] I'll lock you up in jail! -[lawyer] Hey!
[constable] I'll lock you up!
[angry shouting]
[indistinct shouts]
[constable] Have you lost it?
[continued angry shouting]
You're lucky, Param. You caught this on your very first day!
Bauji, this happens every day.
Come on.
[whistle blowing]
Sir, I want to meet Mr. Harish Mathur.
Are we 108?
[sips]
Satyavan, I don't take divorce cases.
And my advice is that you should…
talk to another lawyer.
You see, my fees are a bit on the higher end.
Sir…
-[zipper unzips] -[light rustle]
[clock softly ticking]
HOLDER OF THE CARD GETS ONE CASE FREE
Where did you get this?
Sir, I'm a clerk at the collector's office.
So, my boss gave it to me.
Well, Bauji…
you gave this card as gift to the collector on his wedding.
[Harish] Well,
even if the collector showed no respect for the gift, I will stand by my word.
Yes, sir.
Alright, Satyavan. I will fight your case.
Just tell me the details.
Sir, 14 years ago, my grandmother fell really sick.
That pressure led to me being married off to a girl from a nearby village.
Around a month after the wedding,
I headed to the city in search of work.
And the girl I left behind didn't even stay a week.
I mean, she left my house.
The girl surely has a name.
Yes. Ratna.
It's been 14 years now.
I want to marry again.
So I want a divorce from my first wife.
How old were you when you got married?
-Do you have children? -No, we don't have children, sir.
I was 21, and she was 18.
So, your grandma got sick the moment you were of marriageable age?
Well, sir, Grandma is still sick.
Alright, Satyavan, It's a simple case. There are no complications.
The divorce will go through.
Don't worry. My assistant Suraj will fight your case.
[triumphant music playing]
That's wonderful!
Param, please assist Suraj with this case.
[traffic buzzing]
-[music fades out] -[water splashing]
[phone buzzing]
-Yes, JP. -[JP] Advocate Suraj Beriya?
You rascal, you were always following me around in law college!
"JP, buy me drinks! Please buy me drinks!"
Now you don't even have the time to call! You've forgotten your friend.
Come on, JP! Bauji keeps me busy.
I've got work.
Ass-licking Mathur all day won’t get you any free time
or a case, for that matter.
I can't keep on hunting for clients on the street, man.
Will we ever get to turn our dream of practicing together into reality?
You know, the way you talk usually ticks me off.
Not today though. Ask why.
-Why? -[Suraj] Advocate Japtap.
I got my first case.
Bauji has asked me to take care of his case.
First case, JP! First case!
It's amazing!
I'm so happy, I'm getting my bike serviced!
My true ride-or-die!
Fuck you, asshole!
After you're done treating your bike,
treat me to a round of drinks, motherfucker.
Yeah, alright. Drinks on me.
Okay, I have to go. Bye.
Asshole ruined my mood.
[Shilpi] So you're ditching law to be a cook!
You can't even manage instant noodles!
[Param] There's way more to Hotel Management than just cooking.
[Shilpi] Like?
I'll be a manager.
I'll have a room in a five-star hotel in Dubai. And I'll get food as well.
[Shilpi] If a room's what you want, we'll make it happen right here.
[brakes squeal]
Bhaiya…
-I'm scared for you. -Why?
You're getting a fake degree. If anyone finds out, it'll be a huge mess!
And if Uncle Harish finds out, you'll be thrown out of the house!
Shut up, don't jinx it!
-Stay right here. I'll be back. -I have to go to college.
-[playful music plays] -[roadway noise]
[Rafael] So?
-Should I make it 99 in Math? -Bro.
[man] Rifle bhai, no one will believe it.
-Make it 64. -Alright.
And 70 in English.
I know that much English.
-Really? -Yes.
What's my name?
Goldie Singh.
My name, brother.
Oh! Rifle bhai.
My name, man!
Rifle. That's what it says.
I'll give you 40.
[keys clacking]
-[printer buzzes] -[forcefully exhales]
Thank you, Rifle bhai.
[sighs] Frustration, frustration.
What a fucking idiot!
"Rifle bhai!"
Only idiots like him show up here for a fake degree.
Yours is an HM degree, right?
-[Param] Yes, bro. -Hmm.
[keys clacking]
[printer buzzes]
[stamp thuds]
Of course, the money.
[Rafael] Frustration, frustration, frustration.
[constable 1] Where are you coming from? Up there?
-[constable 1] Where are you coming from? -[constable 2] This is a fake!
-You're coming from up there! -[constable 3] Where are you coming from?
-[man] Sorry, sir. Sorry! -[constable 1] What is this?
-[constable 3] Fake marksheets! -[constable 4] You forge marksheets!
[Rafael] Hey, I don't know Hindi.
-[constable 4] You forge degrees! -[Rafael] I don't know Hindi!
[nervous gulp]
Bro, one second. Bro!
-Listen to me! Hear me out! -Wait. Stop!
-Don't run! Stop! -[Param] Listen, motherfucker!
-[music intensifies] -Stop running!
[constable 5] Hey, stop! Stop!
Stop right there!
-Hey! -Fuck! For fuck's sake!
-Hey, stop! Hey! -One second!
-Hey! -[Param] Get away!
-What are you doing, rascal? You'll die! -Wait!
[constable 6] Stop!
-[Param] Get lost! -Hey, stop!
[constable 6] Stop!
Stop!
[Param] Fuck! Stay there! I said, stay there!
[panting] Let me catch my breath!
Two minutes. Stay there.
Let's talk it out.
I'll… I'll jump.
And if I jump from here,
I won't make it alive.
You'll be charged with murder, and all of you can rot in your jail!
Go ahead. Jump.
You think I'm kidding?
He thinks I'm kidding!
[bicycle bell trilling]
Gosh, it's too high!
[heavy breathing]
Hey, wait!
-No, no! Please, one second! -Come on, get in!
[Rafael] One second!
-My father-in-law is a strict man. -Get in!
Are you the son of a cobra? You swallowed evidence!
[constable 6] Huh?
Come on, spit out the evidence!
[thump]
-Who put this in my mouth? -You tell us!
Who put it?
Sir, I had paper dosa.
[constable 6] Come on, I'll deal with you at the police station.
-You hit me so hard, man! -[constable 6] They're so eager…
-[Rafael] What are you doing? -…to forge marksheets!
They'll be straightened out at the station.
-[door shuts] -[Rafael wailing]
[continues wailing]
Please, sir.
Please, sir. Let me go, sir.
My wedding starts in 30 minutes.
[crying] Please, sir.
-[Bhati] Get back. -[Rafael] Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you.
Oh, thank you, sir!
Thank you, sir. Thank you.
Get back in! Come on!
Sir, please listen to me. I did nothing.
I was sitting there, sending invites.
I was sending emails to my friends for the wedding. That's all.
Stop. I never got an invite.
Give me your email. I'll send you an invite.
-Please, sir. Listen-- -Leave that.
Are these two your shahbalas?
[Rafael] What is that, sir?
Shahbala-- Just get away. You won't understand.
-Sir, please, sir. -Sir, I'm not with him. I'm not involved.
-I didn't do anything-- -[Bhati] Of course. Come on.
[Param] Sir, he did it.
There's some confusion, sir. I'm innocent.
-[Bhati] Come on. -[Param] Sir, listen. Sir…
-[Bhati] Come on. -[Param] Sir, this is a misunderstanding.
-I'm from an educated family. -Sure. Lock the door.
-Sir, don't lock me up with them. -Just stay put!
-Quiet! -[Rafael resumes wailing]
-He lets his baton do the talking! -Absolutely!
-Alright then. Okay. -Okay then, thank you, sir.
-Thank you. -[Bhati] Okay, bye then.
Suraj bhaiya, could you drop Param bhaiya home? I'm super late.
Alright, you get going.
I'll drop him off. Go.
-Go on. -[Shilpi] Eat something.
[motorcycle engine whirring]
-[car swooshing] -[motorcycle gunning]
Thank you, bro.
You didn't tell Papa, right?
[gentle music playing]
If he knew, he'd be standing here with his son right now!
Are you crazy or something?
How did you end up in this situation?
Does a lawyer's son also have to be a lawyer?
I don't want to be a lawyer.
You don't want to be a lawyer?
What do you want to do then?
I don't know.
You…
You are…
You're just pathetic, man!
Do you know who your father is?
I know who my father is, and I don't want to be him.
Do you want to be a criminal then?
You’re okay with pissing all over your father's legacy? Seriously?
Look, dude.
Bauji was the first lawyer in his family.
I'm a first-generation lawyer too.
So I understand what the man’s been through
and everything he had to do to get here.
Param, it's not a joke.
Only one in a thousand lawyers can pull this off.
Today, the man has a solid reputation, his own office chamber,
and an impressive clientele.
If he wants his son to have it all, where's the harm in that?
Sitting at home and wasting time isn't benefiting anyone.
Come to the office, practice law, gain some experience.
Bauji would also love it!
The day you figure out what you want in life,
I know for sure Bauji will be there to support you.
Come on now, don't mope.
Come to the office tomorrow, and we'll get to work together. Okay?
And hey, make sure you dress sharp.
Bauji has also organized a neckband ceremony for you.
[rustic harmonium music plays]
[applauding]
♪ Flaunting the outfit, honking away ♪
♪ Thinking the blazing heat Is like winter's chill ♪
♪ Flaunting the outfit, honking away ♪
♪ Thinking the blazing heat Is like winter's chill ♪
♪ In a dapper two-piece suit Showing off everywhere ♪
♪ They've all flown away… ♪
♪ They've all flown away ♪
♪ With what remains What's the use of a comb? ♪
♪ They've all flown away ♪
♪ With what remains What's the use of a comb? ♪
Come what may, I will never be a lawyer!
[music fades out]