Hit me! Hit me more! Keep hitting me!
But the fire of my love for Laila burns brighter than the sun.
You won't be able to put it out.
Hit me.
Laila, don't interfere in this. No.
-Laila, please leave. Hit me. -One minute.
-Hit me! -Laila won't, but I have to intervene.
Stop it.
What happened?
I am protecting you from yourself.
If you slap yourself so much, the audience will be confused
whether Majnu committed suicide or if he was murdered.
Pal, I am in deep trouble.
What happened?
I have done many plays but will be doing a monologue for the first time.
-I see. -I am playing Majnu.
He has locked horns with Laila's family and the entire society.
-For now, you have locked horns with yourself. -Stop it now.
I am unable to do it already.
Firstly, the male actor fell ill at the last minute.
Just because I had memorised all the lines, I got the role.
Pal, I am thinking of telling sir that I can't do it.
No, pal. Don't give up the role.
Give acting up instead.
-There she is. -Woohoo!
Article Archie in the house!
-How do I look? -Archie, aren't we friends?
Then why be so formal with us?
Shut up, Majnu. I'll be the best article and people will write articles on me.
Tejas, let's go quickly. I don't want to be late on the first day.
-Come on. -I took Shridhar sir's permission
and left early from the morning class.
All the best, warrior.
Become a big star of the small firm.
Thank you. All the best to you too.
I'll try to make it.
You may skip the practice but do attend the play. It's next week.
-Okay. All the best! -Focus on Laila, Majnu!
-Just go! -Focus on your Laila.
So, Ms. Archie-cle.
-Excited? -A lot.
I have been excited for a long for this moment.
It's just articleship
but it feels like my first job.
'In life, for the first time, I will be entrusted with actual responsibilities.'
'I will make my first earnings.'
'Although it will be less,'
'it will be mine.'
'Till now, I have been my own boss.'
'Now, I will work under a boss.'
'I hope there won't be much work in this small firm.'
'Anyway, even if there is, I will get to learn a lot.'
'Dear God,'
'will this articleship go smoothly?'
Welcome, madam.
First day.
Look at yourself. Are you nervous?
Well, the elevator is not working.
Oh! I forgot to tell you.
We must use the elevator of the other wing.
We have been doing that for a week now.
Forget it. Let me introduce you to everyone.
That is Neha.
-Satvik. Swati. -Hi.
And this is Bhumik, our senior.
This is his final attempt at CA.
-Oh. -Hi. Welcome to the articleship.
Let me tell you about this place.
People come here with their own wish
but leave only when the boss wishes.
Bhumik, shut up. This is how he scares everyone on their first day.
I am not scaring her.
Articleship is like a horror movie.
There is a sequel to it.
Pain-inflicting Principal, Harrowing Article,
Dreadful Result and
Last Attempt.
Bhumik, shut up.
Don't pay attention to whatever he says.
Pay attention to that file cabinet.
It has files of all our clients in alphabetical order.
I know India has gone digital but some of our clients are old school.
And so are some of our colleagues.
Well, you will gradually meet all the articles but
there are some important people like Raju.
He is an office boy but he runs this office.
-Thanks, Raju. -Getting a PAN card made, IT submission,
TDS on cases. He can do all of it.
He is extremely multi-talented.
Thank you.
Disha. Partners?
Yes. Partners. Come.
So, in this firm, there are two partners.
One is Ritesh. He caters to the clients.
He doesn't interact much with the articles.
Quite strict. So, it is better if his cabin remains shut.
And the other one is Sourav.
He looks into the firm.
Yeah. I talked to him over the phone.
He sounded nice.
Yeah, he's nice.
Occasionally.
You need to report to him.
-Sourav. Hi. -Disha. Yes.
-This is Archie. New article. -Hello, sir.
Hi. Did you show her around?
Yes. Almost.
Nice. Isn't it your first day?
Get the registration done.
Take forms 102 and 103 and fill them.
Thrice. One for the firm, one for ICAI and one for yourself.
Thereafter, take them for franking.
Legal stamps. Disha will explain.
-Have you got the other documents? -Yes, sir.
Okay. Get started.
Sir.
The work?
In articleship, when work comes, it floods you.
So, for now, get done with all this.
Okay?
Where do I sit? Where is my place?
Sit anywhere you find enough space.
The seats of seniors are fixed.
The juniors need to find one.
So, for now, settle down anywhere you find a place.
If you need any help, I'll come to you later.
I have some work now. Okay?
-Oh! -Hey!
Archie. I forgot to tell you.
That chair is broken.
Sorry.
Sir, please issue this book.
So, it's going to be 200 rupees, renewal fees, plus 37.
Sir, I don't have an exact change.
Young man.
A Greek philosopher once said this.
Change is the only constant.
So, here we go. 100.
200.
300.
40 rupees. You have?
-Yeah. -20.10.10. That's 40.
Hi!
Kavya. Hi.
What brings you here, to Mumbai?
For studies. Final attempt CS.
-I see. -You know, we go to the same coaching institute.
-Is it? -Yes, I saw you there.
You should have called out.
Perhaps, you were in a hurry and you left.
Yes. Possibly.
Done, sir? Yeah.
-Thanks for this. -You are welcome.
All right. You carry on. I'll take your leave.
Hey.
Niraj, we are meeting after seven long years.
We can at least catch up.
How is Day 1 going?
-You are done? -Yes, sir.
Do it again.
What do you mean?
Punch it properly.
Sir. What difference does it make? The numbers are the same.
It makes a difference to the client.
The thing that you people use on social media, #aesthetics.
CAs have been ensuring that for a long time.
We get paid for that.
So, print it again, punch it properly,
file it, then only submit it.
Okay?
Go home only after you are done with it.
I see.
I never imagined that you'd shift to CS.
I hadn't imagined it either.
But when I couldn't crack IPCC in my third attempt,
then I realised perhaps CA is not for me.
Especially, since you too had left from there.
Hey, I mean, I was left with nobody to motivate me.
So, I thought of trying CS.
You know, same-same but different.
Yeah.
But honestly speaking, I am enjoying CS a lot more.
-Is it? -Yes. I find it more interesting.
Nice.
Hey, I heard that we get delicious tea here.
Shall we?
Well, not for now.
Okay.
What happened? Are you okay?
I don't know, Kavya.
Well, after whatever happened between us,
I wonder how you are managing to talk to me.
Niraj.
It's okay. It's been seven years now.
I mean, we are mature adults now.
It's all in the past. We can let it go.
It's not so easy, pal.
And especially,
running into each other, all of a sudden.
You being here.
It's a bit too much for me.
Anyway.
You won't get it.
Why won't I?
In case you are forgetting it, whatever happened,
you were not the only one to suffer.
Okay.
Let's calm down.
Now that we are here, ignoring each other is not the solution.
You don't want to drink tea. That's fine.
But we can sit together in a library and study.
Come on, pal. We can do that.
Okay.
-Bye. -Bye.
I know it's hard to admit.
But now, you can add #aesthetic.
-Call it a day? -Not so soon.
Prepping for a client meeting tomorrow.
You may leave. It's your first day. Enjoy.
How can I enjoy it?
Listen. Does it get so late every day?
Well, my evening classes will start in a few days.
The one who teaches auditing is strict when it comes to time.
The busy season is about to start.
We will get all the more late. This is normal.
-Your exams will also start soon. -Submit it tomorrow.
How will you manage then?
Archie. Done?
Yes, sir.
What do you think?
You must stay back late once a client is allotted to you.
You can go early today.
Early? Is this early?
The idli vendor was about to leave.
I asked for extra chutney and made him stay back.
Your boyfriend tried to stay back for you.
His father pestered him with calls and he had to leave for home.
Will this go on every day?
Mostly. Either classroom or office. I will be late.
This is normal in articleship.
In future, she will get even more late.
How was yours?
It was good. It was my first day.
I had a session of orientation and was taken for lunch.
Each one was given a laptop.
And this welcome kit.
What's in it?
Same old stuff. A sipper, a bottle.
A diary, pen, keychain.
That's cool, Parth.
Yes, but, Archie, it won't be easy for me either.
You see, this is a big company. So, they will make me work a lot.
You know? Some senior articles go home at 11 pm.
Oh. It's going to be extremely difficult for me.
Parth. You need not highlight all that.
I am happy for you.
All right.
The guy working for the Big 4. Pay the bill.
Why should I?
You got a job in a company that is among the Big 4.
You have to pay bills for strugglers like us.
Go and pay the bill.
Mister, collect money from him.
-How much? -120 rupees.
You ate idlis worth 120 rupees?
No. I just had 6 idlis.
What do you think? Was it my fault?
What can I do, Kavya?
Am I at fault for this?
Kavya, I am done.
I am done. I can't take it anymore.
I am done.
I don't want this every day.
I think Saurabh sir's base is very strong.
He teaches really fast.
I can't even take down the notes so quickly.
Kavya.
-Hi. -Hi.
Can we talk for two minutes?
I'll join you.
Okay. Let's catch up in the evening. Bye.
This way.
Tell me.
Okay.
I am sorry but
I really don't know how else to say this to you.
I think we shouldn't get into this friendship once again.
When we were together seven years ago, do you remember what happened?
Then...
How all of that ended...
Well, I suggest...
Let's keep the ending aside, for a moment.
But we can't ignore what happened after that.
Kavya, I don't remember for how many days
I was unable to focus on my studies and work.
And I am sure you went through the same.
Right?
So,
frankly speaking, I can't afford to go through all of that once again.
Okay?
You have your final attempt, in December.
So, all this...
Giving another chance...
To each other...
I don't think it is worth it.
There is nothing bitter.
If you need anything, you can always reach out to me.
But
let us keep things as they are, for now.
Also, you can go to the library.
I found another place for myself.
I will go there.
I hope you understand.
Wow, Cinderella! On a date?
No. Vishal is acting in a play.
I am getting late. Anyway, bye.
-Bye. -Archie!
Change up. We have a review meeting.
Sir, now?
Archie, I sent you an Excel sheet. Get me a printout.
Print?
Sir. Can anyone else go on my behalf? Please?
Excuse me?
Yes, sir. It's just a printout.
Control + P command.
Excuse me?
-Sir, how long will it take? -Can't say.
Sir, it's a simple command.
Really?
Then press Control + P.
Also, bear this in mind.
You are an article.
In order to make you stay late in the office,
I shouldn't have to convince you so much.
Layout.
What?
Sir, the layout...
If Control + P was enough to get things done,
junior articles like you would be sitting with no work.
Fix the layout and get a print.
I want this by tomorrow morning.
My cabin, in 15.
Let me meet Laila for once!
Somebody, please say it!
Somebody should tell them to allow me to meet my Laila!
Hit me!
Hit me.
You don't hit me. I'll hit myself!
Hit me.
-Please give the file. -Yes.
Sir, you don't have to worry about anything
because we'll be putting our best CAs on your project.
While yearning to meet Majnu, Laila's health started failing.
She was breathing her last.
With every passing breath,
she prayed to meet Majnu.
But when Majnu learnt the truth about Laila,
he prayed to God
for one last time.
Majnu.
You played a fine joke on me!
Yes?
Not just You, this world.
These people. All of you have put in great efforts
to toy with the love Laila and Majnu had for each other!
Ever since we gain our senses,
we are told that the best feeling in this world is love.
Affection.
That is what I did!
Huh?
Did I do anything wrong?
Did I hurt anyone?
Did I injure anyone? Then why?
Then why?
Huh?
Will you destroy us?
We will eventually unite.
We are destined to unite.
This story of ours
will live on.
For centuries, these people in Your world,
these very people and the world You created,
they shall narrate our story again and again!
Laila and Majnu may die.
But their story will live forever.
Our story will live forever.
Our story will live forever!
Thank you so much.
We shall meet soon.
-All okay? -Not at all.
I had no work in there.
I was made to just sit and make notes.
Notes of a meeting that went for 1.5 hours
in which 1.25 hours were spent talking unnecessary stuff.
I don't remember when was the last time I met my friends.
They are going to movies without me
and are hanging out.
I missed Vishal's play today.
I want to become a CA.
But I don't want that to be my personality.
I have a life of my own. I am missing out on everything!
Okay. Archie, listen. Stay back for today.
Do I have a reason to leave now?
All of my friends are having fun.
My superstar! Amazing!
-You saw that? -It was fantastic!
Your emotions at the end were terrific.
Thank you, Niraj.
I am happy that you could make it.
Of course. I will. I had to support an actor from my city.
You are the only one to whom I can say
that you did the right thing by quitting CA.
But Archie couldn't make it, right?
She genuinely wanted to.
I got her message but...
There is already enough drama in her articleship.
She couldn't have attended another.
Honestly, I came to see you slapping yourself.
But you stole the show, bro.
I am so impressed.
I mean, what a journey!
From shitting to hugging.
But so proud of you.
Excuse me.
That was my line.
-Stealing the show. -Yes.
In fact, not just me,
our entire team. Our whole theatre group is so proud of you.
-Bravo. -Thank you.
Thank you so much, sir.
-Sir, they are my friends. -Hello.
-Hello. Hi. -The director of our play.
-Pranjal sir. -Pranjal.
-Hi. -My pleasure.
-So, how was the play? -Wonderful, sir.
-Amazing! -Very good.
And our champion?
He is a superstar, sir.
Come on.
Okay, guys. Have a lovely evening.
See you.
Monday, Majnu.
Take care. Bye.
-Nice meeting, sir. -The pleasure is mine. Bye.
Sir!
Thank you, sir.
Sir, when I delivered that monologue on stage,
I understood you gave me this role
not just because I had memorised the lines.
Had you not given me this chance, I'd be busy handling props backstage.
And, initially, I had refused to do this role but
I wonder how sir knew that...
Thank you, sir.
Has anyone of you ever had any regret in life?
Yes.
Enough regrets to inspire another monologue.
Exactly.
And while thinking about every regret of ours,
we think of just one thing.
If we get to live that moment again,
we shall...
But alas!
When such a moment actually arrives,
we are so addicted to the comfort zone
that we avoid it.
Just like our Vishal.
He was refusing to play the role.
Very rarely
does life give us a second chance, upfront.
When it does, grab it with both hands!
So that you carry no regrets.
Carpe Diem. 1989.
A famous actor said this line.
2023.
We are still unable to act on it.
We are all more alike than different.
Now, I understand why you are called a director.
Now, do you know who is teaching me to deliver monologues?
-Thank you, guys. Pleasure. -Thank you so much, sir.
-Thank you. -Majnu. Monday.
Done, sir. Monday. Let's go.
-Enjoy the evening, guys. -Yes, sir.
I dare not forget this word.
-Carpe Diem. -I thrashed you so much
but you learnt nothing.
Pal, this is...
Click a selfie. We'll send it to Archie.
Niraj brother?
It's time.
For what?
You see, although you have joined the articleship
but you did not have a proper orientation.
What?
Five.
Four.
Three.
-Two. -Two.
One.
Hey.
Cheers!
Guys, what's all this?
This is the moment we have been telling you to wait for, all this while.
This is the time when, in a small firm,
bosses go home and the ones who are left behind
are articles like us.
Along with some senior citizens.
But they are still youthful.
Articles! Although for a short period, they become the boss of their life.
Everyone knows that we have a lot of work to do.
Indeed, we do. But who says
work can't be pleasure?
Archie ma'am, pizza should be veg or non-veg?
-Veg. -Thick crust or thin crust?
-Thin. -Cold drink should be orange or cola?
-Cola. -It will be done.
Clients will be charged for it.
Really?
In order to sail through this articleship successfully,
there are four golden important rules.
Rule no. 1. Multitasking is the king.
You must do 50 things at once.
A senior may tell you to do vouching.
That very senior may possibly tell you to get tea for him.
While the tea is underway, he may tell you to get a printout.
But you can't say no.
Which brings us to Rule no. 2. An Article can't say no.
Never to your boss.
Sourav asked you to get a printout and you refused.
Today, you refused to go for the meeting.
Do you remember his expression?
Excuse me.
Never forget that.
No means no works only in movies.
Not in articleship.
Rule no. 3. Make the most of it.
In this articleship, you will gain immeasurable practical knowledge
that can't be acquired in any classroom in the world.
From your boss, you can learn how to work.
From your client, you can learn how to get work done.
If nothing else, learn from Raju how to smile while working.
There is always something to learn.
Rule no. 4. The most important one.
INTB.
It's Not That Bad.
Listen, Archie. The sooner you learn, the better.
This is an articleship in a small firm.
Of course, the workload is too much and the stipend is little.
This will make life miserable for you and
make you miss out on chilling with friends.
Therefore, from time to time, you should keep your worries at bay.
Enjoy with the client's money.
Because even if it's bad, it's not that bad.
I see what you mean.
Finally. Welcome to Articleship.
Your pizza!
I have been waiting eagerly for this day.
-Oh. -Wow.
Yes.
'There was some sense in whatever Disha said.'
'If an article can scan through an audit report of 250 pages'
'and find a flaw,'
'he can very well find some joy in this boring and hectic schedule.'
'Some find happiness in meeting new people.'
'While others find it in reconnecting with old ones.'
What changed?
Nothing.
I realised last night that
I am giving way too much importance to the past.
And now?
Now, I want to try giving a chance to my future.
You didn't get it.
I heard that we get delicious tea outside the library.
Shall I explain myself over a cup of tea during break time?