This is Srikant Roy...
The owner of Bombay's famous Roy Talkies studio.
He has produced many hit movies.
Mr. Roy comes from a well-off family in Calcutta,
and completed his studies in Germany.
He has a penchant for introducing newbies in his movies,
and turning them into stars.
This is his wife, Sumitra Kumari.
She's a big movie star herself and an equal partner in Roy Talkies.
She takes care of the business matters in the studio.
There's a lot of buzz in Roy Talkies about its new star, Madan Kumar.
Rumor has it that Mr. Roy has found a new face.
But for some reason, he is being kept hidden from the world.
I might have made many mistakes in my life,
but regretting my actions and apologizing is against my principles.
So before I lose my last shred of humanity,
please leave, Father!
Kunwar, you can't!
Just wait and watch!
This is for Officer Verma.
This is for Sujata's husband, Sohan.
This is for the pain that the world has inflicted upon me!
I will shoot each and every one.
And if you get in my way, I will kill you too.
Go ahead. I don't care if you shoot.
But I will kill you before you lay a hand on Sujata.
If that's your wish, then so be it.
Father!
My gun was not even loaded.
I was just trying to scare you...
Yes, Mr. Roy?
Bring a copy of Jamshed's screen test to Empire,
along with Nal Damyanti's print.
Yes, Mr. Roy.
-Please leave, Father. -Kunwar, you can't do this!
You just wait and watch.
Yusuf Sheikh as Madan Kumar.
Jamal Qureshi as Madan Kumar.
Peter De'Mello as Madan Kumar.
Bharat Kaushik as Madan Kumar.
Finally, Nabendu Gupta as Madan Kumar.
You could find God after so much effort.
Did Mr. Roy find his Madan Kumar or not?
When he finds the right fit, he will announce to the world.
I hear that Mr. Roy asked
for Jamshed Khan's screen test at the premiere.
I've heard no such thing.
And neither have you.
I might have made a lot of mistakes in my life,
but regretting my actions and apologizing
is against my principles!
So...
before I lose
the last shred of humanity that I have...
...please leave, Father!
Kunwar, you can't do this!
Just wait and watch!
This is for Officer Verma.
This is for Sujata's husband, Sohan.
And this is for the pain
the world has inflicted upon me!
I will shoot each and every one.
And if you get in my way,
I will kill you too!
There are reports of increased communal tension in Punjab and Bengal.
The fear of riots is growing everywhere.
Since the announcement of Mountbatten Plan about India's partition on June 3,1947,
it is being said that communal violence can spread not only in Punjab and Bengal,
but also to the nearby states.
Lord Mountbatten has assured that
strict action will be taken against violators.
Nal Damyanti
That looks heavy. Need a hand?
No, thanks. I'm used to it.
Jamshed Khan as Madan Kumar.
These bloody journalists!
The press and the nation want to know about Madan Kumar!
If they want to know, then, fine.
Have a drink or a snack.
Yes, Mr. Roy.
In a bit.
It's our party, Binod. Our people must enjoy.
Go! And load the screen test, once you're done.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Walia!
Who is that in the golden sari?
She's married.
She may be married...
But I am Srikant Roy.
Mr. Walia.
How are you?
Sky is the limit for Mr. Roy, isn't it?
Look at him,
he's already reaching for the moon.
Look.
By the way...
Where is Sumitra Kumari?
-I don't know, Mr. Walia. -Really?
You don't know?
You are Mr. Know it all.
You are
one sly bastard!
You know everything, but you don't say a word.
Roy Talkies has 150 employees.
But you're the only worker, who gets to drink with the guests, fucker!
What a life!
The King's loyal soldier!
It's been two months since the announcement.
He released a random poster.
He says he will announce the actor later.
What's that about?
Whoever this Madan Kumar might be,
if he fails to charm the audience,
I won't finance this movie.
It'll turn out great, Mr. Walia.
Is that so?
Go and load the screen test!
Yes, sir.
Asshole!
I might have made a lot of mistakes in my life,
but regretting my actions and apologizing is against my principles!
So before I lose the last shred of humanity,
please leave, Father!
-Kunwar, you can't do this! -Just wait and watch!
Sumitra Kumari is in Lucknow.
This is for Officer Verma, this is for Sujata's husband Sohan.
She left three weeks ago, to fetch Jamshed.
They're having an affair.
If it wasn't for the pressure to announce the actor...
I would've shot him.
You leave for Lucknow tomorrow.
I need my wife, and Roy Talkies needs its star, Madan Kumar to be here.
Bring them both with you.
But, sir...
Is it wise to hire Jamshed in the present situation?
What if they continue their affair even after his return...
Women and wives come and go, Binod.
You don't find such actors everyday.
If I have to choose
between saving my marriage or my studio,
I will save my studio!
Madan Kumar, motherfucker!
Ratna!
-Cake and cookies for Naren. -Wow!
Treats for your brother. And for the wife?
I brought myself.
"Brought myself."
You have no sense of time.
But Naren needs his sleep.
He's running a fever.
-Again? -Yes. Just a mild one.
I got medicine from the doctor.
I leave for Lucknow tomorrow.
Lucknow?
To see a location for the new movie.
Everyone has been saying that Sumitra madam ran away with an actor.
Who all?
The studio's staff and their wives.
Must be true, right?
You never share any gossip!
This business that we're in...
Showbiz,
here everyone loves gossip.
The one who keeps quiet
survives the longest!
Passengers, please pay attention.
Lucknow bound train number 235, Avadh Express,
is running late by two hours from its scheduled time of 2:35 p.m.
Move!
Hear me out.
-Can I wear my clothes? -Move.
You actually saved me.
-Hear me out at least. -Quiet!
What do you want?
You saved me, brother.
That Englishman would've skinned me alive.
It's my first time in first class.
It's boring without the crowd.
You seemed interesting, I thought I could use some company.
Binod Das.
You mean, you're a Bengali mister?
Yes, a Bengali mister.
Jay Khanna.
That's great.
Hey, I owe you five bucks.
No worries. Have a seat.
What do you do?
Drama.
My father has a theater group in Karachi. I work with him.
I know everything.
I'm on way to Lucknow,
to sign an actor for our theater company. Jamshed Khan.
I've been hearing his name a lot these days.
Such actors are very rare, Bengali mister.
His voice echoes across the theater.
And the intensity...
I get goosebumps!
Madan Kumar?
But this is Jamshed Khan.
Khans can't be stars.
So Roy Talkies has changed his name.
-Dammit! -What's the matter?
But I left after receiving Jamshed's telegram.
I have proof.
He wrote that he will accompany me back to Karachi.
This movie thing
must've happened in a couple of days.
Man, he promised me
that he would play the lead in my directorial debut.
I wrote a great role too.
But this...
these movies are a real nuisance.
I'll file a complaint against him in Lucknow.
-For betrayal. -Go ahead.
I'll have to pay for his bail too.
What?
I work for Roy Talkies.
I'm going to Lucknow to get him.
Man, you're a sly one! What a way to deliver the punchline!
I can see an actor in you!
Come here.
I have a show tonight.
And rehearsal before that.
What about me?
The one who left everything behind,
lied to everyone to be here with you.
You're a star.
You have partnership in the studio.
I'm just a poor, ordinary actor.
You will also be a star soon!
Madan Kumar.
I sent a telegram to Khanna Theatre Company in Karachi.
Their son will be here in a few days.
I'm thinking of going with him.
To Karachi?
There's no one between us here.
But, in Bombay...
There will be Srikant Roy.
Your husband...
My boss.
I will have to share you with him.
I won't be able to stand that.
Have you fallen so deeply in love with me, so soon?
I love you so much that I'm willing to elope with you.
I am not scared of any Srikant Roy-toy.
I spoke to Jamshed. He doesn't want to give a five-year exclusive to Roy Talkies.
He won't work for any other studio, but he wants to pursue drama regularly.
In real life?
On stage.
Jamshed comes up with new terms everyday.
He negotiated over the salary, about a house outside the studio, and now this.
It's been going on for weeks.
You're welcome to negotiate with him directly.
I've done my best.
There's call for you in booth one.
Thank you. Excuse me.
Hello?
Sumitra madam? Binod.
Yes, Binod. What's up?
Mr. Roy wanted to know as to when will you be back with Mr. Jamshed.
Tell your boss to call me himself.
There's a telephone directory next to your phone.
There's an envelope under it.
Does Mr. Roy know?
Yes, ma'am.
But he is not angry.
When is he free from his mistresses to find the time to be angry about this?
Mr. Roy is a good man.
Have you slept with him to know that?
Mr. Roy's loyal soldier.
He also knows that Jamshed wrote to the Khanna Theater in Karachi.
And that he's thinking about going to Karachi.
It's better if he goes.
If he leaves, what happens to the studio?
What good has Roy Talkies done for anyone, anyway?
Nal Damyanti.
Twelve annas.
A Srikant Roy movie!
How all occasions do inform against me.
And spur my dull revenge!
A man is nothing
-if his life and his time are meant-- -His time are meant just to eat and sleep.
If so,
then he that made us with such large discourse,
looking before and after, gave us not
that capability and god-like reason
to fust in us unused.
My friend!
Bloody Madan Kumar! You asshole!
-Want to have some tea? -With cookies too.
Come, let's go.
Betraying me after the telegram?
Do you know how much I praised you to Father?
Look, I'm still thinking.
I won't deny this newspaper or that telegram.
I read your script, Taxi Driver.
Well-written.
I even made some notes for my character.
Show me.
I'll never be able to find...
...a fantastic actor and a fake friend like you.
I'm just very confused, my friend.
About what?
Matters of the heart.
I need some time to figure it out.
You have all day.
Father sent your ticket too.
It leaves tonight.
I'll wait for you
till the train leaves.
Jamshed Khan.
As long as you're on stage,
you're Jamshed Khan.
You'll be Madan Kumar on camera.
I'll see you.
What will you do all day?
I'll go sightseeing.
Go to brothel 32.
Check out Niloufer.
You checked her out?
Coming from the connoisseur himself, I'll check it out!
Greetings, sir.
-Give my regards to Mr. Khanna. -Sure.
The Indian Independence Act has been approved by the British Parliament today.
With this decision, the partition of India has become official.
The 15th of August 1947 has been declared as the date of partition.
The division of the country on religious lines
poses a threat of riots in Lucknow, Garhmukteshwar, Rawalpindi, Bihar,
and Noakhali areas in Bengal.
Mohammad Ali Jinnah has assured that
the relations between India and Pakistan will be good in the times to come.
But this partition can render crores of Hindus, Sikhs,
and Muslims homeless and make them refugees.
Srikant knows everything.
About us and about your telegram to Karachi.
You said you'll take me with you, right?
Will you?
Were they just words?
What if Srikant Roy...
...finds us in Karachi?
He will focus on finding a new Madan Kumar first.
And a new Sumitra Kumari.
He won't follow us.
And will you be able to live with an ordinary theater artist?
I will.
And maybe I'll also finally live a little.
I can't breathe in Roy Talkies.
Jamshed...
Jamshed!
Tell me if you're serious.
If this was just a fling,
then so be it.
I'll forget about it.
I don't care about Madan Kumar.
I care about you.
What should we do?
There's no use pleading for love
No use sighing
Over the fate
He was someone else then
It was like a dreamlike spell
Of our love
It was like a dreamlike spell
Of our love
I was someone else then
You were someone else then
It was like a dreamlike spell
Of our love
For which I became crazy
For which you went mad
It was a different season
It was a different place
Which I messed up
That you gave up
Which I messed up
That you gave up
It was a different feeling
It was a different connection
It was a dreamlike spell
Of our love
Wonderful! Marvelous! Wow, wow!
Wow, wow!
Awesome!
Even holding my hand comes at a price, gentleman.
And you went straight for the lips.
A price?
I'll shower all the treasures on you, Niloufer.
Oh, my!
Please go ahead.
The King of Shikargarh
and the Prince of Mirpur are having a bidding war.
Between 10 to 11,000 rupees.
And that too just for one night with this ordinary girl.
Who cares about royalty...
I'm the true king of hearts!
So, this King of hearts
is poor.
But rich at heart!
Wow!
Security!
Yes, ma'am.
Security?
Yes, ma'am?
My dear bouncer...
Were you busy fucking your mother?
Anything could've happened to me by now.
Take him away!
Yes, ma'am.
-Get out, you fucker. -Niloufer!
Get the fuck out of here!
Don't come here again
or I'll break your legs!
-Get out! -Bloody jerk!
-Get out of here! -I'm leaving.
Hey, man. Can you drop me off at Charbagh Station?
Come, sit.
Let's go.
Go, Jamna!
-Jamshed has agreed to our terms. -What?
He'll stay in our premises, and won't do theater for 3 years.
That's great!
Inform Mr. Roy before the train departs.
Sure.
Brother,
do put in a word for me in Bombay.
I can be your personal makeup artist.
Send Mr. Sunder inside.
Sure.
All the best for the last show of Hamlet.
Thank you.
Mr. Sunder!
He's calling you.
Please come.
Thank you for the flowers.
I heard you wanted to meet me?
Yes...
Please come.
Yes...
I am a huge fan of your work.
I saw you on stage in Calcutta once.
Loved it!
Thank you.
I was in Lucknow for some work.
I heard that this was your last show.
So I...
...wanted to meet you.
Actors like me thrive because of admirers like you.
No, Mr. Jamshed.
People like me are able to dream
because of actors like you.
You're very talented.
You deserve to be the Madan Kumar of Roy Talkies.
To rule people's hearts
through cinema.
Very few people get this opportunity.
I read in the newspapers that
you were chosen amongst thousands.
Don't lose this chance.
It's time for me to leave.
Your time
has just begun!
Congratulations, Madan Kumar!
-After you. -Yes.
Excuse me, sir.
-Greetings! -Greetings.
-Sir, great show. -Thank you.
Charbagh Station?
Sir, I won't go there. Riots have started. I'm sorry!
Don't crowd the streets.
Curfew is about to begin.
Charbagh?
Mr. Jamshed?
-Mr. Sunder. -May I drop you off somewhere?
I'm going to Charbagh Station.
You can drop me on the way.
I'm going that way too.
-Please come. -Sure.
Thank you.
I just heard on the radio
that it's bad in Punjab and Bengal.
Yes.
What time is your train?
There's still time.
Bombay?
Karachi.
Karachi?
You gave me sound advice, Mr. Sunder.
But I'm not going to Roy Talkies.
I'm going to Karachi.
I'll stick to theater.
Mr. Jamshed...
Why are you wasting such a good chance?
"Love has rendered me useless"
"Though I was once a useful man"
Well said.
Well, then...
That calls for another celebration.
Come on!
Let's cheers to that?
Thank you.
So...
Where is ma'am from?
Karachi or Lucknow?
Bombay.
She will join me in Ratlam.
There's a matchbox in my jacket pocket.
The right one.
If you don't mind, can I stop to make a call on the way?
The nearest telephone is at the station.
Is it urgent?
No.
-I was just thinking-- -You motherfucker!
Jamshed!
Who's that?
-Jay. -I was going to the station.
The rioters...
They burned my driver.
Jamshed!
Jay! No!
Let's go.
Didn't I tell you that I wanted my wife, and Roy Talkies needed
its star to be back here?
Where is Madan Kumar?
Jamshed Khan didn't want to come.
Convincing him was your job.
He was planning to elope to Karachi with Sumitra madam.
You just had to get him here,
and I would've handled the rest.
We would've lost the studio without her.
We have the studio.
-We can find a star. -Finding a star is not that easy!
If you understood that, you would've brought them both!
You half-assed your job!
Answer me!
I might have made a lot of mistakes in my life.
What the fuck are you saying?
But regretting my actions
and apologizing is against my principles.
What good is your apology?
Our financiers, media--
So before...
I lose this last shred of humanity that I have...
...please leave, Father.
Kunwar, you...
You won't do this!
Just wait and watch!
This is for Officer Verma.
This is for Sujata's husband, Sohan.
And this is for all the pain
the world has inflicted upon me!
I will shoot each and every one.
And if you get in my way...
I will kill you too.
Go ahead.
I don't care if you shoot me,
but I will kill you
before you lay a hand on Sujata.
If you insist, then so be it.
Father!
My gun...
...wasn't loaded.
My gun had no bullets.
I was just trying to scare you, Father.
Translated by Nidhi Thakur
Creative Supervisor: Subbaiah KG