Oddly charming.
This press club must have seen so many stories form and crumble.
-Hi, sir. I'm Rohini. -I know who you are.
But I don't know what you're doing here.
Only old timers come to old places like these.
Sir, the place may be old, but you are not.
Your articles are still considered the gold standard of cricket writing.
I can only imagine how many stories you must have filed sitting right here.
Please, don't patronize me.
You are the Indian cricket team's analyst, not mine.
Madam?
Rum, a quarter. For both of us.
You barely missed a tour in the 80s and 90s.
You were with the team everywhere.
Didn't they call you "the thirteenth man"?
It was a different time, with different players.
They weren't like today's scoundrels.
Bloody entitled, spoiled…
Ew, that's terrible!
You must have had your fair share of original Caribbean rum.
You went on so many tours of the West Indies.
In '83, then '89…
'89! Cricket, rum, dancing…
That fellow, what was his name? He was quite something.
Patterson.
Griffith, sir. Wesley Griffith. 22 wickets in that series.
Yeah, that's him. Patterson was his partner.
That spell of his in Kingston… Oh, my God!
Third test. Second day, post lunch.
12 overs, 6 wickets for 17 runs.
Four slips and a forward short leg.
Do you remember what you wrote?
"The Windies bowlers have our batsmen do Bharatnatyam on the crease."
When you see art, the artist within you stirs.
Especially when you are writing on test cricket.
Why have you come here?
Sir, I'm writing a book.
On cricketers. Actually, on cricket scandals.
Fixing, betting, corruption… you know?
And there are some cricketers that only you can tell me about.
Why, what happened to your internet?
Sir, you don't find everything on the net.
Sir, there's one cricketer you wrote about a lot.
-Who? -Vijay Subramanium.
Sleek, elegant, always in a hurry to score.
What a player he was!
You covered him a lot.
His first game was in Chennai.
The very first delivery he played…
Using his feet to come down to the pitch and defend the ball.
I must say, we were blown away.
What a promising start!
And what a sad, sad end.
Bloody asshole!
Sir, I…
spoke to a few ex-cricketers.
They told me that he didn't seem like a fixer.
And after his accident, even the investigations were shut.
What was the reason for that, sir?
Reason?
In fact, the ICB was nice to him.
Why besmirch a dead man's name?
All these bloody fixers…
Maybe he wasn't a fixer.
It takes a lifetime to understand the difference between
"maybe" and "maybe not".
Won't you help me, sir?
Why take a shot in the dark?
Okay.
Thank you, sir.
Did you analyze the footage?
Sir, I've looked at every angle of every ball that Vijay played in that series.
Very good.
Very good!
Vijay Subramanium looking in form today.
He's playing well-- Oh, it's another beautiful shot!
Last ball of the over…
Azeem Khan drives it to cover…
He's limping to the other end. It's going to be out.
It's close, but the umpire has given it.
Come on, Nishi!
What happened?
So far, I'd been looking only at Vijay's footage.
But I saw the whole match for the first time today.
First ball to the last.
The match was fixed, definitely.
But it wasn't Vijay.
Wow!
Who then?
A disrupted first match, reduced ad rates, opportunity loss…
And now, the title sponsor wants to pull out!
What are we going to do about this?
We've tried everything, but we are at the mercy of advertisers.
Everybody, please excuse us.
You've been granted a rather generous extension.
It's time to cough up, Monica.
Actually, I think it's time to cut my losses.
The series isn't going anywhere.
I'm thinking of selling my TV rights.
In this game, there's no turning back.
Unlike you, I know my limits.
You thought you had the ICB in your control.
-And look where that landed us. -Shut up, Monica.
I am in control of the ICB.
Remember how I made the bomb threat disappear?
The wannabe PC Sorcar returns.
Funny.
I want my money, Monica.
Then I hope you have some new tricks to show me…
Mr. Dhawan.
Any other instances?
Listen, studies have shown that when marijuana was legalized
in Colorado and Washington in America…
the illegal sales dropped by about 90%.
-Yeah that's right. -Yeah.
And look, even for those who gamble with black money,
this legal route is going to be a much smarter idea.
-It's going to be pure white. -Exactly.
-Great. -Yeah.
Once this is done, we must look into legalizing marijuana.
What's next?
I think we should get some politician on board.
Sameer!
-Yes? -You were working on that list, right?
-Yes, I'm still working on it. -No.
After the debacle on Girish's show, we'll need the Prime Minister herself.
-But the Prime Minister-- -That's a good idea.
-What is? -I'll talk to her.
-Talk to whom? -The PM.
Guys, my dad is a politician.
She's a family friend. She's Sumitra Aunty for me.
All my Barbie dolls are from her.
-Seriously? -Yes.
How many do you have?
All of them?
I'll just call her office. Wait.
No, Ms. Mantra, the PM isn't available now.
I'm sure you know the protocol of this office.
Yes, ma'am, I understand. I only need twenty minutes.
It isn't possible on such short notice.
Ms. Mantra, you know what is happening in the country and at the border.
The Prime Minister is very busy with all of that right now.
Next week?
I'll get in touch with you.
-Thank you. -Jai Hind.
Madam Prime Minister.
Yashwardhan Patil's daughter wants to meet you for twenty minutes.
Understood. Don't worry. I'll take care of it.
-She'll call up the PM and tell her… -I don't understand.
So, they're going to get back to me.
Soon, I hope.
Anyway, guys…
let's just go ahead and activate our media plan.
-Let's do it. Okay. -Yeah?
-Yeah, let's do it. -Cool.
Azeem Khan drives it to cover, he's limping to the other end…
How can you be so sure?
Patterns and signals, Imaad. Cricketers are smart.
Of course, they are.
They have their own sign language.
Removing their gloves, taking their helmets off and putting them on,
tightening their pads.
And if their performance changes right after that,
you know, like batting slower, getting out or getting someone else out,
you can deduce what's happening.
But I didn't see any pattern in Vijay Subramanium's batting.
And Azeem Iqbal?
You be the judge.
See, that's a signal.
Last ball of the over.
Azeem Khan drives it to cover…
He's limping to the other end.
Sorry, one second.
Salaam aleikum, Ma.
If you talk to him, he may listen.
I don't want to talk to him, Ma.
He doesn't listen to anyone.
You should see how people look at me here.
As if they're telling me that I'm only here due to nepotism.
Did I ask him to do something like this? I didn't, right?
This too, he has done for himself.
It's all about politics here as well.
What can one say to him?
The SP had come over to warn him not to go to the rally next Friday.
It will be too crowded and providing security will be difficult.
He won't listen to anybody, Ma.
But you don't worry.
Nothing will happen to Dad.
I don't know, Imaad. I just…
Don't worry, Ma. It will be okay.
I have to go now.
Take care.
Bye.
There's been a bit of a surgical strike
for the legalization of betting, spearheaded by Mantra Patil,
who is our guest today.
So, what's your elevator pitch, Mantra?
Okay, so…
I believe legalizing betting is a win-win situation for everyone.
With precise government regulations and citizen support,
it will hugely benefit the country.
If it passes in parliament, it will be a tremendous victory for all of us.
Hello?
Shut your kid up.
Kids are bound to make noise, Hammad.
And parents ought to shut them up.
She will shut up.
Can you guarantee it?
Hammad, the government here bans everything from books to liquor.
They'll never legalize betting.
It will be good for them as well as for us if they don't.
I'll take care of it, Hammad. Trust me.
To hell with trust, man!
Did you think about trust before stroking Ghulam Akbar's balls?
First, you encouraged Imaad. And now, you're encouraging your daughter.
I'm warning you. If I incur any losses, heads will roll.
And I mean that literally.
Crores of rupees in black money are spent on betting every year.
And this black money
then funds businesses like drugs, terrorism and trafficking.
Motherfucker!
Hello, sir?
Did you meet the editor of Khabar Channel?
Yes, sir. I have an appointment tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow onwards, I want to see you in the newsroom of every channel.
Mantra needs to be countered on every point.
Whatever she says, oppose her.
And do it loudly.
Everyone dances when you throw cash at them, sir.
What do you people think?
It's rather easy to say, "Say yes to betting"
while being seated in an air-conditioned room.
Think about slums and villages.
Thousands of people perish due to their gambling habit.
Activate all the influencers. Double the rates from this point on.
#BanBetting should trend at number 1 in India in the next 30 minutes.
The nation is starving, and these people want to change the law
and legalize betting.
Forget about the poor, let's just play more games!
-Down with… -Mantra Patil!
They want us to forget all our traditions!
And forget about the farmers who put food on our plate every day!
And forget the soldiers who stand at the border and protect us all!
We have noted the anti-poor thought of these people.
No matter what you do, we will not let this happen. Do your best.
What the fuck! These guys are everywhere.
I even read a fluff piece on
"How To Ace Ripun Chatterjee's Protest Look".
I'm not kidding.
Just pay these assholes, and they'll do anything!
Well, clearly, somebody is funding Ripun.
Oh, of course!
My father.
Mantra, any reply from the PMO?
No.
Nothing?
I'll try again.
The number you have dialed is currently busy. Please try later.
Nice one.
Rahul!
Sir, guess who I met!
Khalid Contractor. You know him.
But I didn't get any information from him.
He's just a grumpy old man.
Only you can help me, sir.
Sir, can you tell me anything more about Vijay Subramanium?
You were his captain in the '95 Sharjah series, right?
To tell you the truth, I don't like to be reminded of those days.
That was the biggest crisis of my life, and for the Indian cricket team.
People insulted us wherever we went. We had become a joke.
But only one man suffered the consequences, right?
By the way…
I also saw your two run outs.
That was a different time.
The underworld was everywhere. Be it politics, films or cricket.
We were all very scared.
So, you just fixed for free, out of fear?
-You didn't take any money? -I did.
I had to. Everyone did.
Only Vijay got caught.
Why did you just give in?
Someone must have dissuaded you.
It wasn't that easy.
Those were dark times.
Gangsters were running not just cricket,
but the whole world.
Our families were being threatened every day.
In fact, in the '95 Sharjah series, Hammad sat in the stands himself.
Hammad, India's most wanted terrorist. That guy?
But I am no longer that Azeem.
I am being honest to the game.
My daughter Tasneem plays under-19 cricket.
You know, I couldn't be a good cricketer, but I want to be a good coach.
And a good father.
Rohini, if you make this public…
my daughter's career will be destroyed with my own.
If you keep quiet about it, your conscience won't forgive you. So…
do whatever you feel is right.
The government will not understand this.
Ripun, tell us one thing.
What is the problem if the government earns crores in tax by legalizing betting?
Well in that case, why stop at betting?
Let's legalize drugs, prostitution and everything else as well.
The government can earn tax revenue there as well.
Meanwhile, let society and the poor go to hell.
I will bring down the flames of hell…
and light your ass on fire.
Jackass!
Talking through your ass just because you're on TV!
Who made you the protector of India?
-Down with… -Mantra Patil!
You must have never played card games on Diwali.
You must have never played the stock market.
You don't even know how to spell "casino", fucker!
Motherfucker walks around like a social justice warrior!
If you care so much, you should go on the show and make your declarations there!
That might even help the country.
What?
Tell me something, bro.
Are you still banging Mantra or is it a thing of the past?
Is that still a scene?
Stop talking nonsense! What do you want?
Man, you find perversion even when I'm being serious.
I intend to help, not insult.
What?
You know that chump Chatterjee?
I'll put an end to his crap with a bang.
You can stop Ripun? How will you do that?
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!
Tonight, on India Enquires, I have with me a cricketer with a controversial past.
The only one to have confessed to fixing.
Mr. Devender Mishra.
Hello, Devender. Welcome to the show.
First, tell us why you agreed to come on this show.
Well, I wouldn't have come
because, you see, the lights in your studio darken my skin.
And you can see how handsome I am.
But with all the shit being said about betting on your show,
I thought it would be nice to express my views on it too.
Let me cut to the chase, Mr. Mishra.
What do you think?
Should betting be legalized?
Absolutely, one hundred percent…
not!
Why?
Have you ever had piles or hemorrhoids?
What?
The more you scratch the hemorrhoid, the more it bleeds.
Our country has enough problems, why add more?
-But Mantra Patil, who-- -Mantra Patil knows nothing.
Everything is running fine, but she wants to stick her nose in needlessly.
Just wear your makeup and lipstick, take some selfies and enjoy cricket.
Women should behave like women.
Mr. Mishra, this is not the platform for your misogyny.
You cannot say things like that on this show.
Okay, I won't.
The ocean won't dry up if I don't piss in it for a day.
According to a research,
illegal betting funds…
drugs, terrorism, illegal arms business--
Whoring.
Why leave out whoring? Add that to the list too.
Blame it all on betting.
So, we should let things be as they are?
Look, my dear and beloved friend Ripun Chatterjee has said
that things are better as they are. So, that's how it should be.
-But researchers and specialists-- -Fuck researchers! What do they know?
Mr. Mishra, this is unparliamentary!
Well, the parliament is with us too.
And the Prime Minister isn't saying anything either.
So, even if this is tickling anyone's ass,
let it tickle. Nothing will change.
This kind of language is unacceptable, Mr. Mishra!
Do you have any idea that the who's who of the country watch this show?
What's going on here, Anupama?
-Ma'am, I-- -This is getting out of hand.
If these lunatics keep this up,
the matter will escalate out of proportion.
I cannot remain silent any longer.
Vayu, look!
Well played, Devender!
The guy did what he said he would.
Mein industrielles wachstum.
Wachstum.
Push on the back of your tongue.
-Wachstum. -Wachstum.
Correct.
Mein industrielles wachstum.
Yeah, super.
Mantra!
It's been so long!
Hi, Aunty!
Hi. Wonderful!
Oh, my, what a lovely young lady you've grown up to be!
Are you in touch with Raunak?
Yes, I see his updates on Facebook.
There's not much time to talk.
You two were so close as children.
Yeah, I know.
Just brushing up on my German. I have a summit next month.
Oh, wow! How lovely!
Hilda, can we resume in fifteen, please?
-Dankeschön. -Yeah.
Thank you so much for seeing me, Aunty.
It's my pleasure, my dear. Come.
I strongly believe that these are the points that need to be addressed
in order to put spot fixing to an end forever.
As players, we just want to play the game and give it our best.
I get this, Mantra.
But in India, supporting betting means losing elections.
They'll call us the "government of gamblers".
If we can just convey how the benefits outweigh the concerns,
then people will listen to you, as always.
See, you've just won an election,
promising jobs, development, infrastructure.
And to deliver all this, the government needs funds.
Are you giving me funds now?
Even if we go by just the conservative estimates alone,
betting can provide an annual tax revenue of 50,000 crore rupees.
All freshly minted.
Aunty, I know you want to make India more prosperous than China.
Definitely.
And we all know how much the Chinese love gambling.
Yeah.
Yet, their government has ensured that they spend all their money
in Macao instead of Monaco or Vegas.
So, it stays in the country.
That, I know.
We've actually done a lot of research already on this.
Then you should know that people in India
mostly spend black money on betting.
Aunty, legalizing betting can address this problem.
Give betting licenses only to a couple of authorized companies,
and we can ensure that the poor don't get trapped in this.
And anyone who comes under the minimum tax bracket
will not be allowed to bet.
And betting will only happen via Aadhar-linked bank accounts.
Alright, take a breath. Have some tea.
So, what do you think, Aunty?
And this bill will provide employment to lakhs of people.
Thousands of crores will be invested via local companies and FDI.
Tourism and hotel industries will receive a new boost.
In fact, the Sports Ministry is already inviting letters of interest for this.
We had promised to end poverty
and strengthen the economy of our nation.
Today, with this bill, we are making India's path to self-sufficiency
even wider.
-Yes! -Yes!
-Amazing!
This Sports Minister is a sly fox.
When the PM was forming the cabinet,
he tried his best to grab the Home Ministry, but I was in the way.
He was eventually shunted to the Sports Ministry.
But now, he has become a VIP overnight, thanks to the betting license.
If you throw the right morsels, Mr. Hussain,
you'll see that even foxes can be as loyal as dogs.
It's all about giving the…
right offer.
No, he'll back away upon merely hearing my name.
He won't hear us out.
I've made up my mind.
I'll cause a ruckus in the cabinet over the legalization decision.
It will be a bit difficult.
The PM may even be offended but…
it's best to stop this licensing right here.
Or he'll never get off his high horse!
He is not going to help us.
Please.
He won't give us the license…
no matter how much we whet his appetite.
Careful.
Don't think about sex during yoga, Mr. Minister.
Only then will you experience the pleasures of love.
Don't worry, Acharyaji. Your show will be on TV soon.
That's great news!
I'm impressed, Mr. Singhal.
I thought Acharyaji's TV channel announcement was just a publicity gimmick.
-But you-- -There have been many Sports Ministers.
But I want to leave behind a legacy.
I have big plans.
We have a lot in common.
It's way more fun to play on the front foot.
By now…
even the PM must have realized that…
you deserved a lot more than to be a twelfth man in this government.
Right?
Anyway…
you didn't respond to my offer.
You're very stubborn.
Two betting licenses have already gone to more important people than you.
So, there's no point talking about those.
The Finance Minister gave one to his son-in-law as a wedding gift.
And the other has gone to Advani Industries.
One license is still left.
Let's shake hands at 200 crore rupees.
Yes.
I have another interested party.
Some Mr. Dhawan.
He has bettered your offer by fifteen percent.
Give me 24 hours, Mr. Singhal.
Whatever he offers, I'll up it.
Just keep us in mind.
And we'll take care of you.
Of course, of course. Why not?
Bye.
This twelfth man…
can still enforce a follow-on, Dhawan.
Be it 150 or 200 crores…
it's not just about money.
What else can you offer, Mr. Dhawan?
We'll have to pay through the nose for the license.
And if Monica doesn't pay us…
we'll have to do something.
There is one way.
If India loses the second test,
the series will tie at 1-1 and…
the viewership skyrockets to 50 million
for the final game.
Monica can hike her ad rates and…
we get our money.
We combine with the right bets, we've got gold.
So…
who are you going to fix this time?
This time…
I'm keeping it clean.
No fixing.
At least, so it will seem on the field.
I think we're done changing the game.
It's time now to change the players.
The two teams are well-matched.
If a match winner is removed from any one of the teams…
it will affect the result automatically.
That's how we'll roll.
Which may give us…
better odds to bet on.
And the player…
will have to be…
Vayu.
Vayu?
No, Mantra-- Vayu and Mantra! You know about them.
I want to leave Mantra out of all this.
Imaad.
Let's take him out.
The Pakistanis haven't figured him out yet.
He'll be deadly in the second test too.
And if we replace him with a player of our own…
the odds will be in our favor to bet on Pakistan winning and…
We'll easily make the 400 crores to pay Arjun Singhal.
Whatever we make, it has to be more than Dhawan.
Getting a license or not?
Don't worry.
It is a cause for concern, Bhaisaab.
But not for me.
The girl is your daughter.
If something happens to her, you'll suffer the most.
Stop talking nonsense, Hammad.
I have a job for your sleeper cell operatives.
Hello?
Imaad has left. Hurry.
Should we do it now?
Hi.
Oh, shit! Come on, quick.
-How are you, Walid? -Imaad sir, you're early today?
Yeah, man. Just felt like it.
-Do you want me to clear out the gym? -No, no. Let them work out.
Listen, do me a favor. Switch on the news for me, please.
Sure, sir.
Come on.
-Here, sir. -Thanks.
Look, there he is.
Come on, hurry up!
-Can we get a selfie please? -One selfie.
Take it, man.
Thank you.
We've just heard that Ghulam Akbar has been shot at his own rally.
For more information, we will now head to the live spot.
Imaad is out.
We need our player in the team now.
You're going to fix it for me.
I'll take care of it, Bhaisaab.