It's clearly written that he can't do any theatre
until our shooting is done.
But he disagrees.
We offered a package deal, but he wants a monthly check.
We agreed.
But his terms are never-ending.
Jamshed Khan is making it difficult for us.
Ask Mr. Roy to sign candidate number two.
Mr. Roy says Jamshed Khan is far better than any of the top five candidates
for Madan Kumar.
Once Mr. Roy likes someone, he'll go above and beyond for them.
Where is Jamshed Khan?
He is not here.
He is sleeping!
-Motherfucker! -Jamshed Khan.
You've been troubling my lawyers.
Refusing to sign the contract.
What the hell. Fucking shit.
Do you want to be Madan Kumar?
I just wanted to get some terms clear.
Better remuneration.
The freedom to stay outside the studio compound.
The freedom to do a couple of plays a year.
And limited interference in my acting would be appreciated.
You can't get what other stars at Roy Talkies don't get.
Then why don't you cast one of Roy Talkies' stars as Madan Kumar?
Mind your attitude.
Mr. Roy likes you, that's why he sent us here.
Forgive me if I offended you.
But I won't change my terms.
I made this clear to your lawyers already.
I'm not taking advantage for being the sole candidate for Madan Kumar.
You are an artist yourself.
My terms will only help improve my performance for Roy Talkies.
I'm sure you can understand that.
Invoking my pride for your own benefit?
You misunderstood me.
Ask me to perform on the streets for free,
I'll be ready in a heartbeat.
You are ready to do a street play for a lousy drama company,
but not for Roy Talkies that's offering you an opportunity.
Opportunity?
For what?
For living a successful life.
I'm already successful.
Yes, Roy Talkies' films might get me recognition.
But that would be fame... not success.
I have only one measure of success.
Freedom and independence
to do what your heart wants,
when your heart wants.
That's all.
-Mr. Lawyer. -Yes?
Let's find another Madan Kumar.
What about Mr. Roy?
Book some rooms then.
For all of us.
Understood. I'll find an office phone and inform them.
Let me think about your terms.
Come for dinner tonight.
I'll send a car.
I haven't been able to sleep the last few days.
Are you worried about anything, Madan?
Nightmares.
What do you see in these nightmares?
Doctor, a burning motor car.
The ringing bells of a clock tower.
Screams.
The more successful I become,
the worse these nightmares get.
Are you afraid of losing this success?
Why don't you take some time off and go on a holiday?
Sometimes fresh air helps more than medicines, Madan.
-How many shots this morning? -Just one, sir.
-Just one shot? -Yes, sir.
Hey, get me some tea!
Sit down, guys.
Sit down.
Sit down, guys!
Once more!
Hey, sit down. Hurry up. You will get a toffee if you sit down.
Is this okay, sir?
Yeah.
Sit down, guys!
Kids! What are you doing? Everyone, sit down.
Sit in your places! Sit down.
Come here, darling. Sit here. Good.
Give us the tangy candy first.
-Yes, soon. -Orange candy.
-Yes, you'll get it. -I wanna go home.
Let's finish work and go home.
-No, right now! -No!
Let's finish work and go home.
I wanna go home!
Tell Niloufer her shot is ready.
I wanna go home!
Madam, your shot is ready.
Now?
Didn't I ask you to give me a 10-minute heads-up?
-Leave! -Yeah.
Yes, madam. You'll be ready in two minutes.
The kids?
Their backs are facing. It's okay.
-Okay. -Niloufer!
-Do I look okay? -Hurry up.
Roll sound, fucker!
So, kids, today we will learn how Alexander defeated Porus in the war.
Still, King Porus didn't bow down to Alexander.
And do you--
Savitri!
-Sarju? -Savitri!
Sarju, what is this?
Savitri, I'm so happy today. Guess why?
Why?
Because I made a lot of money today!
Did you get a lot of passengers today, Sarju?
Yeah! Look, I got toys and candies for the kid. And...
Kids, who wants to have tangy candies?
-Me! -Me!
-You want to have some? -I want some.
Whose wallet is this?
I want some.
This...
You didn't earn this money.
You stole it.
No, Savitri.
I think someone dropped their wallet in my taxi.
Cut!
What happened?
He's looking at the camera.
All of you must look here. Understood? Don't look back.
Look here.
Let's do it again.
One minute.
We can go for a close-up after this line.
-Why fuss over the kids-- -I want it my way.
-But... -Niloufer's suggestion makes sense.
Had you come sooner,
the kids wouldn't be so restless.
Don't blame it on me.
Stop spreading negativity, Niloufer!
And focus on your work!
Fucking hell.
Let's shoot again.
We've been shooting for one year.
One year.
I wouldn't go so much over budget, even for Madan Kumar.
What about her? She acts like a star!
-You've spoiled her. -Then fire her.
Find someone else. Then resume the shoot.
I won't stop the shoot, Mr. Walia.
Some people are already thinking about leaving.
If I stop the shoot, they will leave for real.
Well,
so you do have some brains left.
Finish the movie.
Don't be like K. Asif.
He has been shooting a movie for the last seven years.
Fussing over each shot like it's his money to spend.
He's fucked up poor Mr. Pallonji.
He has no idea when they will complete the film and release it.
You know what people are calling it?
"Broke-e-Azam, " "Trouble-e-Azam. "
Look, Jay,
whatever happens,
don't make me a laughing stock.
Motherfucker! Who took a dump here?
-Fuck it! -Hey!
Fuck!
Haven't you changed yet?
No, I haven't, asshole!
I had to use the bathroom.
Look at these filthy bathrooms! Free for all to take a dump?
Jay, what are you doing?
-Please, sir, let me. -Leave.
-I was on the set as a spot boy, I... -Go back to the set.
-You're the director. Please don't. -That's what she's upset about!
She doesn't think I can be a director. She got me a driver's job!
I tried to help you when you were broke. Okay? And the tantrum you're--
Let it be, Niloufer. I'm first a poor man.
A refugee who lives in a shabby camp, not in the house of a sugar daddy.
It's done. Go on, it's clean now.
You sure you called us here for the shoot, Mr. Jay?
Well, our star isn't in her costume because the toilet was dirty.
The spot boy was on the set. So I had to step in.
So you jumped right in?
You couldn't control your anger.
Instead of focusing on the shoot, you started cleaning shit?
Khanna Studios' clean toilets won't be onscreen.
Our film will, the one that we're here to shoot.
But you are not interested in it.
You are too busy proving your superiority to this girl.
So, I'll send another cameraman next week.
Okay?
Sorry, madam. It won't happen again.
How cold is it in Mussoorie?
We'll find out when we get there.
Should I wear a long-sleeve sweater or half-sleeve?
Half-sleeve.
What if it's too cold there?
Then you can hold me. And I'll hold you.
-Don't be Madan Kumar at home. Let go. -Mussoorie isn't home.
It's a place for vacation.
Hello, sir, madam.
-You're here, Asghar. -Why is Asghar here?
I am, and I set up my office in the next coupe.
-And, Naren, how are you? -Absolutely fine.
Mr. Madan Kumar, please come with me.
Sure. Let's go.
Wow. You've set the right mood.
All it's missing is a beautiful girl. She would have made the writing go faster.
Asghar, you are writing your first movie.
Use your hands.
To write, and to...
I have a situation in mind.
A stormy night.
Our hero is having nightmares again.
A clock tower bell,
and a wheel on fire.
And a bloodstained face.
And an anguished cry from a faraway valley.
Of a girl.
He wakes up.
He follows the voice of the song.
He can't see the girl.
There's fog. Darkness. Rain.
Well done.
Shera, stop or I'll shoot you.
Ask the projectionist to play it.
It'll do you no good, Amar!
It's about to leave.
I'm warning you one last time as a friend, Shera.
You used to talk big, Amar.
Now have fun with this bloodbath.
Yes, brother?
Come on, boys.
Let's watch his film.
I want to watch the rushes alone.
You own the picture.
I own the theater.
Madan Kumar, motherfucker! He is a real superstar, man.
-The way he shot him. -That's how he shot him.
-It was amazing!
Shyam.
Shyam!
Fucker, Madan Kumar!
"Madan Kumar, motherfucker!"
I've watched Gambler 30 times.
But I just can't get enough.
Raghu.
-Raghu, volume. -Hey, asshole, shut up and watch.
Have you banged the heroine yet?
What nonsense is this?
It's obvious.
It's written on your face, on screen... and here.
Sir, you and your family are most welcome in our hotel.
Sir.
Get the bags.
Come here.
Take Mr. Madan Kumar's luggage to room number 11,
and Mr. Asghar's luggage to room number 10.
-Asghar. -Yes?
-Your room. -Okay.
How did you come up with this story's idea?
The clock tower,
the crackling flames of a burning car.
A friend of mine was in an incident just like this many years ago.
In Calcutta.
He could have saved someone's life.
But,
he got scared and took off.
Fear of what?
I don't know.
But...
is leaving someone to die
and murdering someone the same thing?
Legally, I can't say. But morally, yes, it's the same.
Well, this thought is the basis of this story.
The ghost of the dead man
confronts the man...
who didn't save him.
He has a happy marriage,
a successful business,
but he can't enjoy any of it.
Why are you set on making this film, Madan?
You are a stylish hero with a raincoat and a pistol.
I can wear a raincoat in this film too.
As for the pistol, I can use it in some other film.
That's not an answer.
Who wins in the end? The ghost or the hero?
That's up to you, Asghar. You are the writer.
Think hard. See you later.
"Madan Kumar in Mussoorie valley.
"Away from Bombay's noise. "
Should we go too, Nilo?
We might bump into him.
Madan Kumar is there with his wife.
Why do handsome, successful men have wives?
Who knows.
Just look at him.
Add some of this.
What is it?
There's no shooting today.
Why are you here?
I just...
Leave me alone for at least one day, Jay.
You're not alone.
As they say, the more the merrier. And I brought a friend too.
Look, it's a holiday.
And I smell something mouth-watering.
-Sit. -Leave us alone.
What? Sit down.
The kebabs are delicious.
-Where did you learn to make them? -Praise?
From you?
It's hard to believe, Mr. Director.
Miss Meena,
if an idiot misbehaves with you,
what would you do?
If he is elderly, I'd let it go.
But if he is a young idiot like you,
I'll yell back at him.
And might even...
What if that idiot apologizes with folded hands?
Is this how an idiot should apologize?
He must try harder.
Is this hard enough? Holding ears?
No sincerity in the eyes.
My eyes are brimming with tears.
They'll start flowing unless I'm forgiven.
Like an open tap.
What do you say, Nilo?
Can a young idiot like this be forgiven?
No.
He is apologizing today, when he's in a good mood
after devouring succulent kebabs I made.
You can't trust an apology like this.
Tomorrow, when he's hungry, thirsty, irritable, and angry,
what's the guarantee
that this idiot won't talk rubbish again?
This puppy face and sweet talk
don't work on me.
I'll go get some kebabs.
I'm a jerk, Nilo.
I'm a bad director, a bad actor, and maybe a bad person.
So I get nervous in front of you.
I misbehaved with you the other day.
Please forgive me.
This film is very important to me.
And so are you.
Have some kebabs.
Do you forgive me?
Have the kebabs.
Feed me if you forgive me.
Drama queen.
I wonder if the clouds will go astray
Following you around
No way, no
The clouds aren't as naughty as you
I wonder if the moon would be love-struck
When it lays eyes on your beauty
No way, no
The moon isn't unruly like you
Keep me in your eyes
Like a beautiful dream
Keep me in your eyes
Like a beautiful dream
Let me look at you all I want
Don't be in such a haste
Look how the stars
Are aching to see us as one
No way, no
The stars are not dreamy-eyed like you
Okay, let's see if you are right for me
See if you lack in anything
Okay, let's see if you are right for me
See if you lack in anything
Try me all you like
I am here, and so are you
Then sit next to me
As the waves in the river Are just like us, you see
No way, no
The waves in the river Aren't graceful like you
I wonder if the clouds will go astray
Following you around
No way, no
This looks great.
-That's enough. -Once more?
That's good. Yeah.
...a little more
No more flirting around
Let's be together all year round
If I say no, what will you do
Enjoy the song.
Go ahead. We aren't doing anything. Go on.
-Go on. Enjoy the song. -Come on!
No way, no
You have my consent Take me in your arms now
I wonder if the clouds will go astray
Following you around
No way, no
Hey, bring it.
Here you go. Take these. And be careful.
There are lots of thefts these days.
Are you saying this?
You used to pay me to steal others' film cans.
Very funny, aren't you?
Fucker.
It's nothing. Let's go. Did you count them? All good?
Are you happy?
I'm scared.
I took a loan from the Refugee Department. From Mr. Walia too.
Everything is at stake now.
You started a studio.
With no compromises.
This isn't a theater company on a street corner.
You've given yourself a chance, Jay.
Madan Kumar got his chance thanks to Roy Talkies.
I don't know what's better.
When others give you a chance because it shows your talent is respected?
Or when no one gives you a chance and you manage it all by yourself?
You think too much, mister.
Don't I?
An idle mind is the devil's workshop.
You talk too much too.
Me? I talk too much?
Quiet.
No mindless chatter tonight.
I want to sleep peacefully tonight.
Without any fear.
Okay.
Hey, come here! I'll catch you.
Where are you running?
Don't touch the car.
Hey, come here.
Hey. One second. Step aside.
Move.
-Here's Jay. -Hello.
Didn't you work at Roy Talkies?
I did.
Miss Sumitra is here to ask about Jamshed Khan.
Didn't you meet him in Lucknow? Did he say anything?
Were you in Lucknow when the riots broke out?
Jamshed asked me to wait for him at the station.
He was going to be there.
I had given him his ticket in Awadh Theater.
He never reached the station and...
I boarded the train to Karachi.
Do you have any idea where he could be?
May I be honest?
If Jamshed was alive, we wouldn't need to look for him.
Jay!
He wasn't one to be lost in the crowd, Dad.
Had he been around, Pakistan, India, or overseas...
he would have become a star by now.
So, after leaving Awadh Theater in Lucknow,
you never met him?
Let's go.
No, ma'am.
Translated by Sheela Sijin Mathews
Creative Supervisor: Subbaiah KG