[crows cawing]
[Suraj] You read the file, right?
[Param] It's simple.
[Suraj] Simple? Very good!
-Take care of Satyavan's wife, Ratna. -[indistinct chatter]
-Keep her briefed, okay? -[Param] Okay.
Can I tell you something? I'm shitting bricks.
-It's fine. It'll go well. -As Bauji says, "More is less."
Here's your lawyer.
Hello, Ratna ji. Did you explain the case to her?
Bauji, this is Satyavan's friend.
Oh, I'm sorry.
The missus is sitting over there.
On the bench.
Come.
-Ratna ji, namaste. -Namaste.
It's okay. Please sit down.
-I'm Suraj. This is Param. -Namaste.
[Suraj] He is your lawyer.
Did you have any difficulty locating the court?
-No. -[Suraj] Please don't worry.
He will represent you and speak to the judge in court.
He will explain the rest to you. Okay?
Alright. Param.
[indistinct chatter]
-[Param] I pity the poor woman. -[gentle piano music playing]
[Param] How do I tell her that even big shots wear out their shoe leather
dealing with all this?
Oh, her slippers are already worn out.
Water?
No…
I'm good. Thank you.
You seem nervous.
It's routine. Don't worry.
If the judge asks you something,
-just respond to him calmly. -[music fades]
I believe Satyavan must've explained the rest to you.
[attendant] Case number 14!
Come on. Let's go.
-Param, let's go. -Come on, let's go.
What happened?
I don't have any money to pay your fees.
You don't have to. Who knows? You might get some instead. Come on.
Hey, Param! Come on, hurry up.
[intriguing music plays]
[theme music playing]
[music fades out]
[Judge] Yes?
What's the problem?
Your Honor, I'm representing the husband.
My client Satyavan Mishra, along with his wife Ratna,
-has filed a petition for divorce-- -A minute.
-You're representing the wife? -Yes, Your Honor.
You're a lawyer?
-Yes. -Do you think you're a lawyer?
Since when have you been practicing law?
Your Honor, he began practicing fairly recently.
He doesn't have a lot of experience.
Are you his lawyer as well?
No, Your Honor. Sorry.
[Judge] Okay. So, no experience.
-You must have done your LLB. -Yes, Your Honor. I have.
[Judge] Didn’t they teach you in college
that a counsel must wear a neckband in court?
I'm so sorry, Your Honor. One second.
[Judge] "So sorry!"
-Your Honor. -Wear it.
[Param] Yes. Can you hold the file?
Help him.
It's tight.
-Yeah. -[Judge] Hmm.
From here on, respect the court's decorum.
Sorry.
-Yes, Satyavan Mishra. -Yes.
Why do you want a divorce from her?
Sir…
I moved to the city for work just a month after my wedding.
And a week after that, she left my house.
My family reached out to her multiple times, but she never returned.
So, I want a divorce.
Well, Ratna ji… what do you do?
I…
I'm employed at a nursing home.
[Judge] What do you do there?
-Are you a doctor, nurse, or… -No, I'm a ward girl.
I mean, tasks like cleaning up after patients.
-Their waste, including urine and feces. -Alright. Fine.
Is he telling the truth?
Is it true you haven't returned to your home in 14 years?
Yes.
Is everything clear to you? Do you have any demands?
Demands?
Advocate sahab,
won't she get even a small compensation?
It might help her with her expenses.
Your Honor, she is an independent woman.
She's been making a living on her own so far.
She doesn't want money for the divorce.
But he told me outside that I'd receive some money.
-Who did? -Who said that?
He did.
-I did? -Yes.
-You-- -Wait a second. What did I say?
-That I'd get money. -No. Your Honor, I never said that.
I promise, man, I never said anything like that.
I didn't say anything. It's a misunderstanding.
Wait a second. What did I even say? Did I say that you'd get money?
-You-- -Your Honor, please.
-It's a language issue-- -It's okay.
Let me explain. Please, Sir.
-It's okay. -[Param] What…
Advocate sahab, it looks like…
you didn't brief him either. You forgot.
Your Honor, please don't take his words seriously.
-He… he doesn't know-- -Then why did you bring him along?
You should've come to the court alone.
Your Honor, that's not what I meant.
Advocate sahab…
I can see weevils in the rice.
Just because you call them cumin seeds doesn't mean I'll agree, right?
Ratna ji, step forward.
Yes?
Look, this lawyer here…
works with him.
He's not with you.
If you have concerns or requests,
you should consider getting a new lawyer.
Because he's not going to look out for your interests. Understand?
But, Sir…
to get a new lawyer, I don't have money.
The court will appoint one for you from the Legal Services Authority. Okay?
-Okay. -[Judge] Yes.
Now, will you withdraw…
or do I write the order on the merit?
Your Honor, if you could just look at the litigation--
Because it's going to be pretty detailed.
Do you understand that?
-Huh? -[tense music playing]
[chair softly creaking]
Sorry, Bauji. I made a mistake.
[music stops]
Let me try one last time. I'll manage the case.
The time for that has passed.
Now we have to sort things out because you've made it a contested case.
Ghanshyam ji's daughter will be fighting this case.
[door slams]
-Bauji, greetings! -Sit.
-Something important going on, huh? -[chair scraping]
Bauji, I'm sure everything you do is important.
Bauji, it's the birthday of this little child of yours.
So you have to be there.
Everyone has to.
[Harish] Congratulations, Chotelal.
-How old is the child? -Bauji…
a lawyer's true age is measured by his experience.
I learnt that from you.
Bauji, here…
[matchsticks rattling]
[chair creaks softly]
-[Vikas] Awesome, right? -Hmm?
[chuckles] It's nice.
The birthday candle won't be lit without you there.
I'll take your leave, Bauji. See you.
Be there, okay? Brother, you too.
[fingers snap]
[footsteps departing]
[Harish] Alright then…
let's celebrate the child's birthday!
[upbeat party music playing]
[screams] Happy birthday!
[Param] Sorry, Suraj.
Your first case got messed up because of me.
But for you, this was only a case.
Did you ever think about Ratna?
People like Ratna come here looking for justice,
but to you, they're just meal tickets.
The black coat bleeds, brother.
If I don't leave this place soon,
I'll also be tainted by its color.
[upbeat party music continues]
[music concludes]
Mathur sahab, let Param contest the elections too now.
Oh, no.
That kind of stuff is beneath broader minds.
He's going to be a Supreme Court lawyer.
-Oh! -I have it all planned.
-[man] Oh, nice! -Namaste, Bauji.
Namaste, Anusha.
-Bless you, kid. How are you? -I'm good. How are you?
Good.
How are things shaping up for the Satyavan divorce case?
I heard you've been appointed as the amicus.
You're always the first one to know!
Kid, why are you wasting your time on a paltry divorce case?
There's nothing special about it.
We can settle this out of court. Hmm?
Don't worry about it. Suraj is handling the case, right?
Suraj was handling it, but I'm taking over now.
[tense music playing]
You're taking over?
Bauji, then I have to fight it.
People vie to fight cases against you.
It would be like an internship for me.
I will get to learn so much from you.
I'm just starting out, so please take it easy on me in court.
[chuckles softly]
[Anusha] Alright, I'll take your leave.
-Bless you. -[Anusha] See you at the court.
[footsteps recede, Anusha chuckles]
[birds chirping]
-[keys jangling] -[music fades out]
[man] Careful. Do it carefully.
Come on, a little higher.
[sentimental music playing]
[man] No. Well, okay, tighten the ropes right there.
Namaste, Bauji.
[mouths] Namaste.
[Param] Much like Abhimanyu, I'm caught in an inescapable trap…
[files clatter]
[Param] …and I do not know the trick to getting out.
The only difference is that Abhimanyu entered it willingly…
while I was pushed into this one.
[young Param, echoing] Come what may, I will never be a lawyer!
[Param] I wish I could just run away.
But where to, and how…
I just don't understand.
[sentimental music swells]
[attendant] Case number ten!
-[Judge sighs] -[approaching footsteps]
Hmm. Yes, go on.
Ma'am, the defense lawyer cannot make it to the hearing today.
-[glasses click] -[file slaps]
If the defense lawyer can't make it, what brings you to this place, hmm?
I'm here for a date.
Oh, a date! [tsks] I forgot.
So how would like to have the date?
I mean, would you like it in writing? Or is it alright if I text it to you?
Uh, whatever is convenient for the court.
[sternly] You think this is a joke?!
You have turned it into a joke!
You show up here to ask for a date!
Where's the defense lawyer?
-Well, he-- -What? Where's the defense lawyer?
Why didn't he come?
Ma'am, he had an important hearing in the High Court.
So this isn't important? We're not important?
Only High Court and Supreme Court are the be-all and end-all.
This hearing has no importance, right?
Isn't that what you're trying to say?
-Uh-- -[Judge] What?
-This… this is important, ma'am. -What? What is important?
Hearing and… uh--
-court is important. -[Judge] This, yes.
This hearing and this court are important too. Am I right?
This hearing and court are both important. Yes, ma'am.
-It is-- -[Judge] Exactly!
So at our age, we show up here every single day,
never taking a day off,
just to resolve as many cases as we can.
But all of these lawyers seem united.
They step out of their homes every day, yet never make it to the hearing.
Nice!
Who's the lawyer?
Please tell Mathur sahab…
he's a senior advocate.
That's why, this time,
I'm giving you a date.
If he doesn’t show up at the hearing,
whether he's there or not,
I won't bother. I will deliver the judgment.
Alright? Do you get that?
Sorry, ma'am.
[Judge] They've made a mockery of us!
Go on then.
-[sentimental music playing] -[footsteps]
[files thud, rustle]
[Kagzaat] Would you like some pakoras, Mathur ji?
No, I'm sorry.
Be careful.
The neckband is your identity.
Sorry, this--
It fell.
Who lifts the fallen When everyone's face-down in the dirt?
Kagzaat advises to mind your own business For tempers run thin here
So, having fun practicing law?
Yes, a lot.
So what's next? Judge or Jethmalani?
Hmm.
The same old tale
Where a father's dreams Dim the light of his son's life
That's the poetry written on your face.
I see. So…
you read faces too?
[Kagzaat] My nephew had the same story.
His father wanted him to run the shop and sell jaggery.
The son didn't want to do that.
There were fights every day.
The house had turned into a zoo.
-[man] Sir. -Thank you.
-[music fades out] -[man] Ma'am, your coffee.
[Kagzaat] Thank you.
Mind if I recite a couplet?
Go on.
The common gripe around here?
Not enough coffee in the cup
Wow! Nice one, Param.
When the "coffee" God poured feels short,
it's on you to fill the rest.
-Yes. -We came up with a solution that…
turned the zoo back into a home.
-Go on. -Canada.
India's NRI cousin!
You get the PR easily.
Moreover, its per capita income is up here.
Now the nephew earns in dollars!
The son's happy, so is the father.
-And what does your nephew do? -Sells jaggery.
[chuckles]
[Kagzaat chuckles]
-[crickets chirping] -[soft thud of glass]
It's time to stop assisting and start leading your own practice.
-JP. -Hmm?
Don't mix your drinks.
You go off talking nonsense like a moron.
If I stop working for Bauji, will you pay my rent?
It's been eight years, and you still can’t get past rent!
Do this,
assist him for another eight years, and then we'll talk.
And then you wouldn't be talking about your rent.
You'll ask, "Who will pay my son's school fee?"
You got humiliated today.
Soon, you might get used to the humiliation.
Anyway, did your Bauji give you any cases until now?
Bauji gave me this case,
but I wrecked it.
You idiot, you call this a case?
A real case is one that proceeds to trial.
He just sent you there to get a signature.
Just as the case was about to go to trial, he took it back.
I cannot start all over again.
I gave him too much of my time.
I have been with Bauji for so many years.
[sentimental music playing]
Now that the shore's in sight, you want me to jump ship!
If you believe Harish Mathur will get you to the shore,
you're a fucking idiot!
You have to earn your standing, man.
If he helps anyone build a career, it will be his son's,
the one who actually screwed up the case!
Look, I was the senior there, so I'm responsible for it.
-[laughs dryly] Senior! -[music fades out]
[JP] Sure! [chuckles]
Brother…
ten years from now…
you will be trailing Param as his assistant in this very office.
[chuckling]
Nice, man!
[receding footsteps]
[pee trickling]
Look, brother.
Licking your guru's ass
will only earn you shit.
Fucker, if I had even ten percent of your talent,
I'd be pissing fire!
Let's just work together.
We will be on fire!
If you wait any longer…
your light will burn out for good.
[sentimental music playing]
[tuts]
[pee trickling]
-[crickets chirping] -[dog barking in distance]
What happened?
Alright then.
Let's begin our own practice.
But I have two conditions.
[mellow music playing]
First, tuck in those drawstrings.
And second…
never curse Bauji.
Son of a…
I never curse, man!
Come here. Come here, man.
-[music fades out] -[traffic bustling]
Canada!
Wow!
But what will you do there?
I'll earn in dollars!
The per capita income there is up here.
Don't you think you're taking too many risks in life?
Recently, you were at the police station, trembling like a scared chicken.
-You-- -You should have roasted me then!
Saying negative things all the time!
As you head out for something good, mothers and sisters feed you sweet curd,
and you…
Please, don't say something foolish now.
Fine.
[engine halts]
[Param] What? Won't you come in?
This is where the charioteer stops.
-Go on, Partha. Be victor-- -Shut up!
Hey!
I hate you!
[scooter whirrs away]
-[intriguing music playing] -[camera clicking]
Could you edit the pimple out, please?
Don't worry. We'll touch it up before we send it.
-Next. -Param.
You!
Come with me.
[agent] Canada?
-You're from Punjab! -No, sir.
-Then you must be from Haryana. -No.
Are you a rapper or something?
-Kagzaat ji sent me here. -Oh!
Forget Canada then.
America's right next to it. Let's send you there.
For now, just help me get Canada PR. That should do it.
It's very easy to go to Canada.
You just have to take a little exam.
The IELTS one.
But, yes, there's another important thing.
In your bank account,
-you must have eight lakh rupees. -How much?
Eight lakh rupees.
[clock softly ticking]
Alright, sir. I…
I'll do something about it, sir.
[agent] One more thing.
You will need a paper.
PCC.
Police Clearance Certificate.
For that, you go to the police station,
and have it drawn up in no time.
No-- Why police clearance, sir?
[agent] To verify that you're not a criminal.
That you've not committed murders or something.
Well, those Canadians wouldn't know if you're a good man.
Right?
[theme music playing]
-Stop right there! -Are you the son of a cobra?
Spit out the evidence!
POLICE
Quiet!
[Param] Go make more fake certificates!
I'll never get police clearance.
I'm going to rot in Sarjanpur!
-[airplane buzzing] -[theme music continues]
[music fades out]