Look in front.
Stand straight.
Look sharp, girls!
Very good.
No movement.
Stop moving!
No movement!
Sheetal.
Parade!
Attention!
Parade!
At ease!
Parade!
Attention!
Parade!
Forward march!
Left, right, left!
-Eyes right! -Left, right, left!
Left, right, left!
Parade, halt!
Halt!
Idiots!
Pluggy!
Like the new dawn
-Hidden in the veil of night -Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry
A new you
-Hides in the shadow of these halls -Big girls don't cry
Big girls don't cry
Like fireflies…
Like little dreams…
Gleaming in our eyes
Lighting up the paths
That lead us to you
Big girls don't cry
Ma'am, I know this school has helped me a lot.
A scholarship student should be more responsible.
I've already apologized to Ma'am Khanna for the mid-terms,
but I would like to apologize to you personally.
This truly will never happen again, ma'am.
Forty pages.
You have four days.
Strike two, Miss Yadav.
Sorry, ma'am.
This will never happen again.
Just go.
Bitch.
The nerve of that witch Khanna to give us yellow cards!
Can you relax?
Pluggy, you should focus on your GPP delivery boy.
He's coming over on the 12th, right?
Don't remind me, sister.
With my luck,
I'll probably fail at this as well.
No way, babe.
Never.
Just make sure you are waxed and…
You know what detention means, right?!
No chatting, just working!
Whatever.
What's the matter?
Veer.
He hasn't been writing to me.
I don't know what's going on.
Maybe he didn't get your letter.
That Postwal is being a bitch these days.
Relax.
I saw your message.
I knew I had to risk coming here.
What's your issue, Veer?
She's in the NBA, and you're some inter-school player!
Do you even know what league you're playing in?
And for some reason,
you want to pass the ball to me instead of her?
I mean, seriously, Veer?
Why have you stopped writing to JC?
Sort your shit out.
Find your balls.
And if you don't want to talk to her, at least let her know why!
Okay, sorry.
I'll talk to her.
Good.
What will you tell her?
The truth.
What's the truth? What do you mean?
She's my best friend, Veer.
Keep me out of it.
Finally, things were going well in the midterms,
and I swear to God,
if you do anything to jeopardize our sisterhood,
I'll cut you into little pieces, Veer Kapadia.
Do you understand?
What are you doing?
I'll go, just…
Did I really imagine all of this?
I know what I felt, Roohi.
Just tell me the truth.
Was none of it real?
No.
None of it was real, Veer.
You!
Yes, you, Binocs…
Scrub!
Next time I see your shoes dirty,
I'll rip your guts out and make garlands for the monkeys!
Take it easy, Noor.
You take it easy!
It's the 75th year!
Founders is going to be a shit show if these
insects don't get their act together!
Wow!
So?
How's it going with Jojo?
Fine only.
Fine?
Yeah?
Are you ready to sample his biscuits?
What's wrong with you guys?
Your "big bang" is coming and we can't get excited?
But how do we get him in, geniuses?
That we will figure.
Roohi will handle it.
Okay, I've my basketball practice.
I'll see you later.
The debate competition shall resume after a short break.
Hey.
Didn't you get my letter?
-I was saying-- -Listen,
I know I went overboard the other day at Pitchies,
but I said sorry.
-Sorry? -Yeah.
Excuse me, but
nowhere in the letter did you actually write the word "sorry. "
Maybe you forgot how to spell it?
Well, maybe…
Maybe you didn't understand my English?
Or maybe you just don't get any synonyms.
Or…
maybe you just never said sorry
and are spinning your arguments in circles.
As usual.
Listen… wait.
Happy now?
What?
Yeah, why are we here?
We figured out how to sneak Jojo in!
Really?
She's the key.
What? Me?
GPP, bro.
-Oh yeah, of course. -Dude!
No! No, no, no!
Guys, we need to be focusing on Founders right now.
Just please, guys.
Just… no!
To make sure your Pluggy gets plugged,
you first gotta mix your personality into a blender
until all your uniqueness is over.
Natural looks? No.
But real opinion, on the other hand, I would say… never!
And a condom…?
You can never forget that.
Let him do it.
If he can't wear it…
He don't get it.
-Please! I don't wanna do it! -Almost done, bro.
Done, done, done!
After that? Don't worry, babe.
You'll still have problems coming your way.
And be prepared for a peanut, babe.
-Roohi… -You know, all these expectations…?
They're all pointless.
Don't be mean. You're my friend.
-I am your friend, yeah. -No!
I don't want to get plugged.
-It's almost done. -Pluggy!
-I don't… -Swallow it up!
No!
-You don't know what you want. -Almost done.
-Please… -Almost done.
I don't wanna do it!
Roohi!
Good luck! God bless!
I'm the damsel in distress. Save me!
Why should anyone have to save you?
You are capable of protecting yourself.
And position.
Finale position.
And… Kavya!
Warriors, dancers, workers, brides.
Is there no need to pick a side?
Perfect women, we can all be.
There is no need to change, no need to hide!
And cage!
Oh, no!
-Good morning, ma'am. -Morning.
-Girls, give me five. -Okay.
Ma'am, we'll be ready soon.
I read it. It's good.
But this ending is not going to work.
Oh.
We have to be more mindful of how we portray men.
Especially in this institution.
Ma'am, but…
These are the issues our girls are dealing with.
I mean to talk about
gender through the lens of patriarchy… it's important.
That is your perspective, and I value it.
But you can't use our students as your mouthpiece.
Ma'am, I'm not.
Ma'am, we shouldn't be censoring ourselves.
I mean, the goal is to provoke a dialogue.
To encourage our girls to speak up.
They have been rehearsing for months.
If we make last-minute changes… it could be a problem.
We're just changing the perspective of the final scene, Miss Lamba.
Besides, our girls are very bright.
I'm certain they will manage.
If you can't manage it,
let my office know.
We'll find a different way.
-Prachi, please. -Hold on, guys. Silence!
Hold on. One at a time, please.
-Prachi, please. -Here you go.
Hi, Prachi.
-Anything for me? -Hi, JC.
Wait, I think I do have something.
Wait…
But you'll have to pay right away.
Roohi's last letter was urgent.
I have to charge double for that. You know that, right?
Okay, thank you.
Thank you.
Listen, you'll give it to her, right?
We'll adjust the balance against future deliveries.
-Next. -Prachi, please.
Hold on, guys.
One at a time, please.
Stop.
Show me the permission slip.
Go ahead.
Go straight to the dining hall.
Eyes down. Follow me.
Ma'am…
Lata Ma'am!
Some girls are looking for you.
They want to change their subject from…
Home Science to Commerce.
What?!
Those girls have had it!
Pluggy, are you sure you want to do this?
Got this.
Watch your step here, Biscuit.
Okay.
Good Luck. God Bless.
Walk straight
to where your lover waits.
Scoot! Scoot! C'mon!
And now we're gonna see what kind of chemistry
two animals who don't know each other have.
-Hey! -Hi.
This hot, parched land
needs food, clothes, shelter, and
sex…
the most.
You look so beautiful.
I mean… look at those eyes.
They call me Jojo.
It's not that big.
Your hand.
Thank you.
Are you okay?
Yeah.
I gasp,
caught mid-breath,
my heart hammering a million beats.
His fingers reach for my ear,
circling the lobe…
Kavya, no!
-Let me-- -You can't see this.
And I tell him,
Chetak…
Stop.
So,
are you ready?
Tell me you have the keys, right?
No.
Are you serious?
Another one bites the dust!
What the hell happened?
What's the big emergency?
Bro, we had planned everything to the T, and this bloody Pluggy…
She lost the shed key!
I didn't throw it away on purpose.
You guys all know how much I wanted to do it.
Of course not!
You always end up plugging everything accidentally, right?
Chill, Noor. There's no need.
Why?
Does she even know how much shit I got for the march-past disaster?
Noor!
Just forget it.
I'm not wasting one more minute on her.
You shouldn't have lied.
I didn't.
Yeah.
Lying really sucks, doesn't it?
What is that supposed to mean?
Nothing.
So, although Brutus is Caesar's best friend,
he too, joins the conspiracy and stabs Caesar.
Which brings us to this point…
When the dying Caesar says,
-"Et tu, Brute?" -So he's writing to you?
Caesar is shocked. He cannot believe this.
This is his best friend who has betrayed him.
So, whose tragedy is it?
Caesar, who has been betrayed by his best friend,
or Brutus,
who was convinced by Cassius to do this to Caesar?
There's tragedy all around,
and that is what I want you all to feel when you write this essay.
Look at it from both sides of the story.
The essay has to be a minimum of 500 words. Okay, girls?
He's just trying to suck up.
To thank me for setting you guys up.
Why else would Veer thank me?
JC, stop.
Listen, wait…
JC, stop!
JC!
He's so boring, man!
Just keeps on talking about how much he likes you
and how you guys are insanely…
JC, Veer…
Veer is not right for you.
Why?
He…
He gave his necktie to me.
When?
At Socials.
Is that it?
Yeah, of course.
And…
And by mistake…
Say it.
No…
"By mistake" what?
We…
We… kissed.
JC…
How dare you do this to me?!
You kissed him?!
-JC… -You kissed him!
After all those lies at midterms?
-For what? -I didn't lie.
For no reason!
If you want him that bad, I would have let you have him.
But you…
you let me feel bad.
Let me apologize.
When you were fooling around with him behind my back!
That's disgusting!
I don't even know who the hell you are!
JC… it wasn't a lie.
I would never do that to you. I love you--
Shut up!
You don't love me!
You don't know what love is!
You don't know the difference between love and hate, Roohi.
You know what?
It's not your fault.
Your family, your parents, your house…
It's all a big lie.
-Listen… -No!
You did this.
You broke this.
Don't ever talk to me again.
JC…
While my worthy opponent does make some sense, conceptually,
the practical aspect of procreation
and the laws of nature simply do not agree.
I mean, the human species will cease to exist
if individuals do not associate with each other,
copulate, and form families.
The same law of nature postulates
that intercourse between two individuals does not
necessitate any emotional entanglement.
Ladies and gentlemen,
what about…
what about the unexplainable alignment of synergies
multiplying between
two individuals when they share a certain…
in common parlance, "chemistry. "
Chemistry?!
You and I can never have any kind of chemistry, okay?
Manjoree?
Yeah?
Yeah, sorry.
What?
The assignment is due tomorrow.
I was supposed to write 40 pages,
but I only managed to write five.
And it's Jeanette?
Oh, God!
Help.
God.
Be very careful, okay?
It's Miss Jeanette.
And do not involve me in this.
-Okay? -Okay.
And it's done.
Do you think I could maybe get one of Pluggy's books?
You know, just as a…
Yeah.
Shadow left.
Shadow right.
Once again, please.
Shadow left.
Shadow right.
-Jesus! -Sorry.
This is why it is important to be on time, Kavya.
Sorry, ma'am.
Sorry.
Jesus.
Okay… everyone, stop.
Everyone, just gather around.
This is the new climax.
Take one, pass it on, please.
Prachi…
-Yes? -Stage directions, please.
"The shadow tugs on the ropes,
clashing each version of the perfect woman against the others.
Women against superwomen.
Superwomen against women. "
"A shadow controls us!"
"A shadow makes us fight!"
"Let's light the shadow. "
What is this?
Why are we not sticking it to the man?
It… it was feeling gimmicky.
So, no man behind the curtain?
So what are these shadows about?
And what about patriarchy?
It's about enacting change, ya?
Instead of blaming men for the way things are…
It's just a more updated version of the play.
Sanitized.
You mean a more sanitized version of the play.
It's…
It's a more even take on things.
I'm… I'm seriously confused.
You want us to speak up, or you don't want us to speak up?
I agree.
My papa wouldn't have liked the previous version of the play.
Madam, this play isn't meant for your "papa. "
Hey!
What's the point of doing the play
if you're sweeping the main issue under the carpet?
This is not the play I signed up for.
Stop behaving like a petulant child, Dia.
You're belittling your own play, Aliya.
I can't disrespect your writing and your vision like you did.
I'm sorry, but I'm out.
Such a…
I'm your teacher,
not your buddy, that you can behave however you like.
I'm also part of the play, Alia.
I'm not a slave you can boss around.
Listen, I know AV got you to change it.
Is that what this is about?
Sticking it to the man, Aliya!
That's what this whole play is about!
Calling it out! Not censoring ourselves for once!
You know what?
I thought you were here to finally change things,
but instead, you're just…
And you can't leave like this, abandoning your team.
Right.
But you can abandon your beliefs?
You know,
back in the day,
nobody could even think about doing a play like this.
So this is progress.
Dia, you have to stay in the system to change it.
Don't run away and quit like this.
So, time.
Patience.
Wait for the right moment.
How will I know when the moment is right?
You'll just know.
And when you get that chance…
Find that courage.
And make that change.
Yeah?
Yes.
-Yes? -Yeah.
Good.
Okay, now go.
-Come on! -Whisky, brandy, soda, pop…
Who the hell are we?
Zim, zam, zoda…
The Mighty VV!
-Move! -The Mighty VV!
Check.
Whisky, brandy, soda, pop…
Who the hell are we?
Zim, zam, zoda…
The Mighty VV!
Come on!
Keep moving! Come on!
Fucking lesbo!
Shut up!
Who said that?
Who said that?!
What?
What happened at Wood Oak sucks!
Are you okay?
Don't be scared, Ludo.
It's 2023, and we've got your back.
Just be yourself.
-Say whatever you like. -What am I supposed to say?
I…
You can feel safe with me, Ludo.
Come out.
Come out to us, to your dad.
Imagine how your dad will feel
when he finds out you couldn't even tell him the truth.
You…
You are talking about truth?
Noor, for once in your life
just stop it with the "holier-than-thou" bullshit!
You can't even own your own culture,
your own identity!
For God's sake, you dumped your own parents for your goals.
Which is fine!
Frankly, Noor, it is not my business,
which is exactly why I'm not up your ass like
you are currently up mine!
You don't even know what you are talking about, Ludo.
You can fool all of these idiots,
but I saw through you the minute
you proposed that dumbass name idea.
You're wrong!
Don't lecture me about my life and struggles,
when you know nothing about it!
That's exactly my point, smart-ass.
Get out.
Leave!
So what if my eyes are closed
I have seen the world pass by
As I sing para pa, para pa Radhe-Radhe. Pa…
I no longer stand by the truth
I am a prisoner of lies
Who sings para pa, para pa Radhe-Radhe. Pa…
I said it once
I've also heard it from others
But am I really crazy?
I thought twice
Now scared and alone
How do I move forward?
I am not innocent
Not innocent
I am not innocent
Not innocent
I am not innocent
Not innocent
I am not innocent
Not innocent
You will not be the reason I lose.
Keep your personal life private!
Shut the hell up.
Shut up.
I don't want a single word to come out of your mouth.
Or what?
Buzz off!
Yes?
I want to go to Nationals, sir.
Next year, kid.
You need to work harder.
I'm ready now, sir.
Ludo,
control your emotions better,
and your game will improve naturally.
It goes the other way too, sir.
Hey…
Ma'am? The paper.
I'm so sorry, I went over by ten pages.
I hope that's okay.
Quality over quantity.
Why are you standing? Shut the door and go.
Ready for dinner?
Bob!
Why is this here?
Next week,
it will be six years.
Can you believe it?
I know.
I don't need a reminder.
Ani, I was just…
You're so busy with funding your Science Block.
Dealing with Mittal-ji, the board, trying to get into the minister's pockets…
This whole house is a mess.
-I was just arranging things-- -How many times have I told you
not to touch my stuff?
I was just trying to cheer you up.
That's it.
You get so busy when the Founders event is approaching.
It's like you lose perspective of everything that's important.
I know what's important!
I miss her, Ani.
It's going to be named after her.
If Science had been further along then maybe…
maybe our baby would be here with us right now.
She is all that matters, Bob.
She is all that matters.
She is the perspective.
Sorry. ??
I just…
I miss her.
I miss her too.
Where is Princess Simmi headed?
-Sunday off. My parents are here. -I see.
Should I inform our Chief Guest as well?
I think I should shoot AV a letter.
"Sorry, we couldn't get ready in time for the Founders
because Princess Simmi wanted to go on an outing. "
Sister?
With your permission, may we take our Captain for a lunch date?
What are you doing here?
And we're fine too, thank you.
Dad's being facilitated at the Fischen Institution in Oslo.
So we won't be able to attend Founders.
Of course!
So you just showed up thinking,
Noor must be sitting around doing nothing.
We'll just trample all over her Founders Day prep
-and do what we want, right!? -Noor…
Is everything okay?
Seems like your sister is really stressed out.
So let's cancel the lunch,
stay back, and help her with her work.
I don't need your help.
Just… take her and go.
Actually,
you're right.
Just give me 15 minutes and we'll leave?
Yeah.
-She's your kid. -Yeah.
And what's up with you?
What is it? What do you want?
I need a practice session.
Sure.
On what?
Sex.
Jojo's planning to come back, and I wanna be all set this time.
This is ridiculous.
Why?!
Because…
It's ridiculous.
Really?
You are talking about ridiculous?
Why are we practicing sex?
You owe me, Asad.
For what?
I don't know…
For taking the blame for your porn stash?
For hiding you when you were drunk?
Or let me think…
What about that time when you were sneaking around
with that B Block auntie?
And anyway, I don't understand what the big deal is.
It's not like we're banging!
It's just a rehearsal.
Fine…
We can try it.
Maybe.
Not good enough.
Say yes.
Say it.
Right now.
Asad!
Oh, Asad!
Say yes.
Asad, say yes!
-Aa-- -Okay, fine. I'll help you.
I'll do it.
All the juniors are saying
Noor is going to be the School Captain.
Nice.
Did you ever think
we'd parent such a child of the establishment?
Never.
Our teachers couldn't stand our guts. They hated us.
What is it, Noor?
You want us to cancel the trip and come for Founders?
My last name.
Grandpa gave it to me, and I love it.
But I was thinking
of just going by Noor from now on.
Just Noor?
And Hassan?
What about that, Sister?
I'll keep that close to my heart.
Hassan is a beautiful last name, don't you think?
-Absolutely. -And it is our legacy.
Yeah, exactly.
I didn't earn it.
Doesn't feel right.
Of course, it's right.
I mean, given the way our family bled for the country,
it's a badge of honor, Noor, and you should wear it proudly.
The legacy belongs to Dad's parents.
You only claimed it through marriage.
Noor.
So…
But it's not that.
It's not that. It's just…
It's just… I think…
it's kind of an artistic statement too.
Noor.
Honestly, this school is too much sometimes.
They just want everything in writing.
Otherwise, I wouldn't even have brought it up.
-Okay. -What's going on, Noor?
Nothing.
Okay.
Noor, you know I've never meddled in your life.
And I never will.
But now, you have to tell me what's happening.
Nothing, Dad.
Nothing is happening.
I'm just trying to do something new.
Omar, it's a public place. Just…
-Please don't create a scene, Dad. -Stop.
-Then tell me exactly what is happening. -Why?
Do you tell me when you randomly decide to make these plans…
-C'mon! What are you saying? -All that's important is that…
Disrupt our entire lives?
Do you really… want me to tell you everything?
-When you burn your passport… -Oh, please, Noor!
And screw with my future!
Hey…
Can you just stop?
Your future is fine, Noor. Just quiet down.
-How would you know, Mom? -What?
The point is everyone in this family does as they please.
And I want to change my name.
Now, it's for you guys to decide if you want to dictate my life
or if you want me to be the "independent" woman
-you always claim I should be. -Changing your name
-doesn't define your independence! -Sign the form!
-Embrace our identity. Be proud of it! -Sign the form!
I am not going to sign the form!
Please, just stop it. Let it go, Omar.
Let it go, Omar.
And you should know how to talk to your father!
Omar, let it go.
This isn't about us.
Just let it go now.
Noor, always remember,
never give so much power to others' opinions…
that you lose sight of who you are.
I have my sights set on my goals, Dad.
And I know how to achieve them.
Didn't you just say you never meddle in my life?
So, please…
sign the form.
Sis?
Why aren't you eating, Naaz?
Eat.
Pen.