We have everything except the funding
-for the Science Block… -We'll figure it out.
What about Mittal?
-He's a capitalist… -Meet our chief guest for…
-We just have to flatter him… -Are you sure about it?
We'll have a large piece of the state education fund…
-Are you sure? -I know what is important…
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
Mom!
The 75th Founders Day of Vandana Valley School
is the day when all teaching and non-teaching staff of school students
and management gather under one roof
to celebrate the achievements
-Hi! -of the school…
-Hi! -Hi!
Good morning, Miss Jeanette.
Eyes right!
-Alright, guys, you came! -Hey! Look at you!
I wouldn't be this nervous even if the play was on Broadway.
-Where's Arvind? I'm dying to meet him. -Keep dying.
He's on a shoot in Bombay.
I know how this…
Hi!
-Come on. -Coming.
Hello!
You look healthier than before, Pluggy.
Told you the food here is better than the food at home.
Papa!
Papa, meet my new friend.
The newest member of our gang,
an all-rounder cool kid, Kavya Yadav.
-Hello. -She's also the lead in today's play.
-Greetings. -Her parents couldn't make it.
Your parents couldn't make it? I hope everything's alright back home.
Yeah, Aunty. They had to go to London for work.
-Okay. -How lucky, right, Mom?
-When are we going? -You are a Yadav or a Jadhav?
Yadav, Aunty.
Yadavs from which part of the country, dear?
I might be in the Navy,
but my wife is more interested in geography than I am.
By the way, I have a surprise for the two of you.
-What? -Which subject did you flunk this time?
Mummy! What the hell, man!
-Man? -JC!
All this dolling up, and she still calls me a man?
-Hi. -Hi.
Have you seen my mother?
No.
-Namaste. -Namaste.
I'll just…
You ask the weirdest questions, Mom.
A 10-year-old girl from a convent school
used to ride five kilometers on her bicycle to go to school.
She topped the state board.
She received the President's medal for academics.
She also got an offer to join MIT…
Free of cost.
But she could not accept it.
Because she was a girl,
and girls weren't allowed such privileges then.
So, she picked a local college and completed her education.
Big, reputable companies tried to recruit her and
offered her high salaries,
but she chose a different path.
She preferred to teach at a girls' school
and shape its culture.
The girl I'm talking about is none other than our Dean of Academics,
Miss Jeanette D'Souza.
She's here with us today
because she wanted a better world for the next generation.
We love you, Miss Jeanette!
And that's why any of us are here,
to help you be the best version of yourself.
To achieve your goals,
and to walk on the path of righteousness.
To turn you into the kind of visionaries and leaders
who always stand for what is right,
and not only for what is right, right now.
So, stand on our shoulders. Strive, reach,
fight, and clamor for everything you want,
and then use your power
to give back to those
who do not have your privilege.
And if you can do that,
your time here has been worthwhile,
and all our sacrifices… worth it.
So please join me in singing from the prayer book.
Song number ten.
"In these voices of worship. "
Come. Sit here.
-May I leave? -Princess,
you don't think I wanted your mother to come?
But you know…
Travel doesn't suit her.
Yeah?
Okay.
I'll see you guys later.
Yeah.
Pretty good seats.
Ready, girls?
Yes, ma'am!
-Louder! -Yes, ma'am!
Make me proud, okay?
Yes, ma'am!
Yes! Good luck to you all.
Thank you, ma'am!
-Let's go! -Now,
-Please, after you. -please, a big round of applause
for our Chief Guest.
Hi, Naz!
Hi, Uma.
-Hello, sweetie. -Hi, Aunty.
-Where's Roohi? -Roohi's just gone in--
Backstage. She's part of the march-past.
The school keeps adding her to everything.
Burden of talent. What do you say?
Of course! She's your daughter, after all!
-Have you seen Pluggy? -I'll go look for her.
-Thank you. -How's your walnut business, sir?
Parade!
Attention!
Parade!
Forward march!
Left, right, left!
-Found her? -Nope.
Where does this girl keep disappearing to?
I've been trying to get hold of her for ages.
It's Nandu!
She did it!
How this place changes our girls!
-Oh, my God! She did it. -It changes us too.
Well done, Ahuja!
Let's go, Noor!
-Let's go, Noor! -C'mon, Noor!
Parade!
Eyes left!
Naval Commander Anandita Rawat!
Go, Dolly!
Congratulations.
If every little girl in India had facilities like
the Vandana Valley Science Block
and a principal like Anita,
See his fake smile?
the girls of our country could soar high.
-Sometimes, even I can't tell -Our girls can
-who he hates and who he likes. -reach for the sky.
Then forget slogans like "Save the girl child. "
It is our girls who will lead us into a new era.
-Thank you so much, sir. -Thank you.
So, which era are you girls leading us to?
-Ready? -It is kind of our Chief Minister to…
I am about to get hit with, "Uma, let's get a photo. "
…worthy of the education fund.
We hope that the bond between the State Government
and VVGS grows stronger.
Thank you, sir, for this generous donation for our Science Block.
Vipin-ji, please join us.
-Yes, Vipin, come on! -Please…
You don't have to. I mean…
Uma, come, let's get a photo.
On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of our Founders' Day,
we are proud to present our play,
The Perfect Woman,
directed by our own alumni,
Aliya Lamba.
Tolerance is a woman's weapon.
That's why men can't tolerate women!
You women always get oppressed!
And you superwomen just want to oppress!
Because of you,
women could not move to the fore!
Because of you,
women aren't even women anymore!
Why fight each other…
when you are part of the same clan?
Come together,
and you'll be smarter than any man.
Don't choose.
Don't divide.
Take it all.
Words and the fight.
The art of swordplay, our daughters must pursue.
The benefits of feminism must reach everyone too.
The Bundelas and Harbolas should rewrite their songs anew.
Courage, strength, patience, and love.
All a part of a woman's tale, it's true!
Courage, strength, patience, and love.
All a part of a woman's tale, it's true!
-Help! -Courage, strength, patience, and love.
-All a part of a woman's tale, it's true! -Please help!
Superwomen, please help!
A shadow controls us!
A shadow makes us fight!
Let's light the shadow.
Dia, let's fight it with light.
Dia!
Fight it with light!
I feel sorry for her.
Let's wait.
A shadow's not a shadow until a flame behind it is lit!
The system is broken,
so the system must be fixed!
Call it patriarchy!
Scream it as loud as you can!
Women can never be super until we
stick it to the man!
Stick it to the man!
-No, Dia! -Stick it to the man!
-What the hell! -Stick it to the man!
Stick it to the man!
-No… -Stick it to the man!
Stick it to the man!
Yes?
If you hate men so much,
why don't you try getting your donation from someone else?
Sorry, Anita Ma'am.
I didn't come here to be insulted.
Yes, sir.
Goodbye.
I am sorry.
Thank you.
It's okay.
I wish Vidushi was here. She would have just loved it.
There truly is no perfect woman, right, Mom?
Hello, sir.
-Hello, ma'am. -Hi.
Can I grab your daughter… borrow her?
I just need to talk to her about the Gibson debates.
I'll join you later, you guys carry on.
Thank you.
Good job!
Have you lost it?
You're welcome!
How could you?!
Aliya Ma'am must be devastated, Dia.
Why?
She's the one who told me
to wait for the right moment and change the play.
Kavya, she's gonna be thrilled!
You've lost your mind.
Really.
And if you were going to change the play,
couldn't you have told me?
Don't you trust me even a little, Dia?
Okay, I see.
You're upset because you didn't get to change it.
It takes guts.
-Right, guys? -Right!
It's not everyone's cup of tea, Kavya.
Forget it, Dia.
This is why you don't have any friends.
You deserve to be alone.
What?
Nothing, your specs…
Is that it?
Will you…
Will…
Will you be my sweetheart?
But seriously, did Dia mess up the play on purpose?
Thank God Kavya saved it, and no one found out.
Kavya.
All's well that ends well, right?
Hello, sweetie.
Congratulations.
And who is she?
Oh, my God!
Your mom?
Yes.
Hi, Aunty!
What a surprise!
You made it from London?
-Pluggy! -What?
Not London…
I've just come from home.
Hello.
I've heard so much about all of you from Kavya.
What's wrong?
Guys, give me a second.
-I… -Mom, let's go.
Bye, Aunty.
Nice to meet you.
Kavya?
-Are you dim? -Sweetie?
-Kavya… -I mean, this is just…
Who lies about their parents being in London?
Kavya!
Kavya…
Slow down, sweetie.
Kavya!
Remember…
how you used to ask your grandma to make different costumes
and stage plays for us?
I was reminded of that today.
Why did you come here without informing me, Mummy?
We canceled our plans when you said
you'd be attending the Chemex competition.
But then I got a call from the school.
They said it's mandatory to attend the parent-teacher meeting.
They said they had sent us multiple letters.
But I told them we didn't receive any.
But they…
Are you okay, sweetie?
Yeah?
Kavya?
I'm sorry, Annie.
Come with me.
I need to show you something.
Come.
What is… what is all this?
I know it's not the Science Block,
but…
I made this for you.
I love it.
I'm so happy.
Thank you.
I have a rendezvous
With my dreams
During my afternoon nap
I have a rendezvous
Somewhere
Where our paths meet
Something's amiss, you seem lost
And I'm lost too…
How beautiful it is
This first blush of yours
How beautiful it is
This first blush of yours…
Manjoree Haldar!
Come to Khanna Ma'am's table right now!
Malti, 301,
please collect your sister from lost and found.
In section B. Thank you.
So beautiful! This setup…
Hey careful, beautiful.
Come on.
Yeah, sure.
Mummy, I won't be able to come
to the Founders' outing with you.
The party at Roohi's place…
This time, it's just for kids.
That's not fair.
Why aren't we invited?
What can we do?
No, you are right, Aunty.
Without our elders and their blessings…
I won't enjoy it.
Not one bit!
You're sweet.
This is wrong.
This girl can do anything if she puts her mind to it.
But her mind keeps wandering towards the wrong things.
She's always late.
Her middle name should have been "Late. "
She'll try harder, sir.
When? When will she?
After failing class 12th?
It might be difficult to spell Caesar, but Brutus?
How difficult is that?
Should I go get coffee for both of you?
Ma'am, would you like some coffee?
Look, I didn't want to say it in front of Roohi.
Sometimes I feel as if…
She doesn't even think there is a problem.
It's… It's delusional.
How will she solve the problem when she can't even understand it?
Vipin, we didn't get an invite to this year's Founders' Day party.
-Did you forget about us? -That's not true.
Oh! No…
Sorry, my fault.
-Please. -Excuse me.
There must be so much to do, right?
Please.
Sorry, madam, but
the address on these letters is incorrect.
Don't worry, I assure you it won't happen again.
It's a new school, so she's having trouble adjusting.
Kavya is usually a hard worker.
After two yellow cards,
Kavya was given this assignment.
As a punishment.
Just see how she has completed it.
Kavya cheated to complete the assignment.
I mean, how do you explain that, ma'am?
This sinks below any bar that we have ever set at Vandana Valley.
Cheating, bunking classes, lying…
Kavya's scholarship is being revoked.
-And given your financial circumstances… -Madam…
she'll have to leave Vandana Valley as soon as the term ends.
I would suggest you enroll her in another school.
I'm sorry.
Every year, we get the same complaints,
and each year, I have to take the blame for it.
Dump it on Uma.
The easiest course of action.
Well, I figured since you don't do anything else,
the least you can do is take responsibility for her academics.
But I made a mistake.
Even this is too much for you.
There have been so many mistakes
that I stopped keeping count.
This whole bloody marriage was also a mistake, right?
Let her go to college, then you can get your divorce.
I won't stop you.
Because divorce will fix everything, right?
My biggest mistake was Roohi.
If it wasn't for her, I would've divorced you a long time ago.
Sorry, ma'am.
There's our champion.
Thank you!
Such a godsend!
So, your friends are attending tomorrow's party, right?
I have a terrific menu planned.
Obviously, Uma. It's their annual tradition.
We have all the board members coming,
and we're getting caterers from Bangalore.
It'll be quite the affair.
Yep, Dolly?
Come, let's have lunch now.
Mummy…
Mummy, please just hear me out.
Mom!
It's Miss Jeanette's fault.
She's been targeting me since day one.
Because I'm different from the other girls.
Mummy, she's a bitch!
What did you just say?
You've changed so much.
Your father was right.
I'm the one who gave in to your stubbornness
and sent you to a place you weren't ready for.
-That's not true. -What are we going to do, Kavya?
Which school will take you in the middle of the year?
What am I going to tell your father?
This is what you've been up to instead of preparing for IIT.
-Madam, Gate Pass? -Mummy…
You can't go out without a pass.
Mom!
Mom, please.
Mom, please don't leave.
I'm sorry. Let's just talk this out.
Mom…
Mom, please.
Mom…
Kavya!
Hey!
Don't worry, it's just a scholarship.
To you, Dia.
It's just a scholarship to you.
Greetings, sir.
Which class?
Class 11. But I am 18, ma'am.
-I swear. I've failed twice. -Come on.
Asad, let me go.
-I don't lie, ma'am. I'm 18… -Let's go.
Anandita!
Shut up.
It's a rehearsal kiss.
You okay?
Nice, Pluggs!
It took a lot of practice.
I'm not too heavy, no?
What?
Are you mad?
No.
What happened?
Did I hurt you?
No.
You were doing everything so right.
I had to stop you.
My…
soldier is on "duty. "
Then let him go "off duty. "
But seriously,
I'm ready, no?
Princess…
you're our future.
Worried about your mother?
I know.
I found a naturotherapy center in Bhutan.
It's going to do wonders for her.
It's not cheap.
But we must do it.
Right?
Do you remember?
Your father's coronation ring?
I think it is time.
We will need it.
But that's all we have left of him.
Nothing is cheap these days, Princess.
Everything has a cost.
But…
we will get it back.
We will get it all back.
Trust me.
The ring is in the library.
Beneath the red urn.
You and I…
We will fix everything.
Trust me.
Sister Dolly… they are calling you downstairs.
The dress your mother wants you to wear…
It's ironed and hung in the bathroom.
Please hurry.
Now we'll see how AV doesn't give the captaincy back to me.
You should've trusted me…
instead of judging me,
School Cap.
Just wonderful.
-Hold this. -There you are, my child.
-Looking gorgeous, dear. -Yes.
-Just one second. -Excuse me.
Sorry.
Did you have to wear a jacket?
How's Prachi doing?
Yeah, she's well.
Kids start going crazy once they hit their teenage years.
I swear.
Sometimes, I feel like I don't know my daughter.
Sad.
Sanjay, you're on your own on that one.
Can't help you.
Dolly and I are best friends. Sorry!
We really did luck out
-in the family department, didn't we? -Totally.
Gratitude and manifestation.
That's what I meditate on.
Oh, lovebirds!
Even after all these years of marriage,
their love hasn't faded, Satish.
-Refill? -Thank you.
-Please, serve them. -Uma…
Remember Fatima Siddiqui?
She won the ACAD Cup two years ago.
Sajida Imran, class topper.
Class of 2018.
I made a list of every VVGS girl who applied to US universities.
And then, I separated it
into who got their I-20 visas and who didn't.
Rabiya Hussain.
Mallika Khan.
None of them got a US visa.
Is this why you didn't
want to keep your last name?
You should have trusted me…
instead of judging me,
Sports Cap.
I have made it clear to Vipin,
to get Roohi into any college she wants.
And you know Vipin.
He always does what I want.
Right, Roohi?
You're the luckiest girl in the world, Roohi.
You know that, right?
So, what are your plans for the vacation this year?
Last year you guys went to Switzerland…
Oh, wow! It's such a wonderful city, isn't it?
Don't know when Satish will take me on such vacations.
You really love him, don’t you?
Do you need anything, madam?
Can I get you something?
Aliya?
Aliya, open the door!
Does it matter how we win?
First, we win,
then we will decide if it matters how.
Fuck!
Your name?
Vidushi Mendiratta.
Malti, 146.