Token number 5?
The guy in yellow looks promising.
That's Nabendu Gupta.
He played a small role in Mr. Sehgal's movie,
as a beggar.
The guy with the suspenders?
Yusuf Sheikh.
He's a radio announcer.
Come on.
Name your candidate and bet a rupee in his name.
The odds of winning are 10 to 1.
Come on.
-Hello, sir. -Hello, sir.
We love your movies.
Hello. Thank you.
Mr. Sharma...
Who are you betting on?
I haven't thought about it yet. You?
My money's on...
Lucknow's...
Jamshed Khan.
What's on your mind?
I placed a bet a few days ago
with Mr. Sharma.
Did you win?
How much did you bet?
One rupee.
One rupee?
You have no brains?
Aren't you ashamed to waste money?
I have no shame.
Wow, you're turned on today.
Bloody Jamshed Khan!
A young, gorgeous Pathan like Prem Nath...
And Binod Das?
He's a bloody dud!
Back when I launched Gayatri Mukherjee and Narendra Kapoor,
you expressed similar doubts.
Both gave me golden and diamond jubilees.
Mr. Roy,
have you seen Jamshed Khan?
He's 6'2" tall!
Then there's Binod. Neither brain or brawn.
The fucker looks like a black, filthy, shriveled ghost!
They'll say that there is carbon all over the silver screen.
Miss Sumitra won't agree either.
I don't interfere in finance and distribution,
and Sumitra doesn't interfere in casting.
Mr. Roy!
The movie will die before the release
if you launch this servant as the lead!
-Yes, sir? -Send him in.
Fucking hell!
Binod?
Mr. Roy's called you.
Oh, my God!
Welcome, sir!
Bloody Madan Kumar?
Is this some fancy dress competition?
You look like an asshole from head to toe!
A servant is a servant, no matter how well dressed he is.
He's a great actor. I've seen him.
Then show us too. Where's the screen test?
We haven't shot one.
Then shoot it!
Let us all see what a great actor he is!
Financial discussions can wait until then.
Screen test?
Don't you trust my word?
Look, Mr. Roy, it's your call.
But I won't...
I won't put my money on this fool!
I agree.
Please make him understand.
He's not making any sense. Listen to her.
Roy Talkies
is not in such a bad shape
that we have to depend on a financer.
If I can't make a movie that I choose in my own studio...
What's the point?
No one is stopping you from making a film.
I am just against casting Binod.
If we don't cast Binod in Sunghursh, the movie won't be mine, unless...
Unless you
manage to bring Jamshed back from Karachi.
Why?
Is Binod not as good as Jamshed?
Roy Talkies has a commitment to Jamshed.
If Binod auditioned before we finalized Jamshed
Binod would've been Madan Kumar.
You're not a woman.
You don't see the difference between them.
That's the quality I admired the most in Jamshed.
A guy who pulled you into his bed,
would surely drive countless women crazy.
I won't be Binod Das' heroine.
You will be Madan Kumar's heroine.
Binod is still Binod.
You're the biggest star of Roy Talkies.
The movie will be safe as long as you're in it.
And if the movie is safe...
the studio is safe.
You're using me as your pawn, Mr. Roy.
-Sorry, to keep you waiting. -That's all right, ma'am.
I've been waiting for you since I was a reporter.
There's a man in Karachi, called Makhdoom Ilahi.
A news editor like me.
He has reporters everywhere covering stories about refugees.
Tell him it's me.
Mr. Ilahi,
What a surprise! How are you?
It's been so long since I've heard your voice!
Sumitra Kumari wants to talk to you.
-Mr. Ilahi? -Yes.
I'm looking for Jamshed Khan.
Roy Talkies was going to launch him as its new star.
Yes, I read about it a few weeks ago.
Jamshed was going to your city...
I mean, to your country.
Karachi.
There's an ocean of refugees here!
Our studio has invested a lot on Jamshed.
This is urgent.
Give me some time.
Should I submit the same photo that was in the papers?
Yes, thank you!
There was a Khanna family in Karachi who owns the Khanna Theatre Company.
Jamshed was going to visit them.
Actually, the rioters burned down their office and rehearsal hall.
No one has heard from the Khanna family since then.
A lot of people ran away.
Maybe they did too.
Any idea where to?
If they survived, then India.
And God forbid, if they were killed
there is no way to know.
Got it. Thank you.
Punjabi brothers, please register only in your camp.
Sindhis have a different camp.
SPECIAL DUTY REFUGEES REHABILITATION ADMINISTRATION
Punjabi brothers, please register in your camp only.
Sindhis have a different camp.
Punjabi camp registration is on the right.
Sindhi camp registration is on the left.
Punjabis, come this way.
The Sindhi camp is that way.
All of you, keep moving.
Jay!
-Yes. Name, please. -Narain Khanna.
-Who's with you? -My wife, Bhagwanti.
My older son, Jay and my younger son, Shyam.
-Where are you from? -Karachi.
Don't use electricity to iron clothes.
-Okay, -It is scarce and expensive.
-Yes, sir. -Water supply only between 4 to 4:30 a.m.
-Okay. -Use only the assigned bathrooms.
-Yes. -Narain Khanna. Number 189.
-Sure. -Thank you.
Come, Jay. Put him down.
Come here, child.
Come.
I'll go get some water.
-All right. -All right?
Ma'am, is this yours? Can I borrow it for some water?
-Sure. -Thank you.
Done...
Hey!
What are you doing?
The officer assigned us...
Listen, this place was allotted to us. Understand?
Sir, you must be mistaken.
Let's talk when his father comes back.
Ma'am, I have an elderly mother.
Please move.
-The kid is running a fever. -Get out!
Get out of here!
Everyone is suffering. Get going now!
Shyam!
Leave him alone!
Jay.
Shyam...
You jerk!
Come here.
Couldn't you wait till I got back?
Was violence necessary?
-They lifted Shyam... -So what?
Everyone lost their home. Everyone is angry and upset.
His mother is handicapped.
Come! Come on, let's go!
Sit over here.
Come on, now. Sit down.
-Excuse me. -Yes?
Yes?
-Can you please help him? He's hurt. -Sure.
This...
-How did you get hurt? -Why?
Will that help it heal faster?
Can't you be polite?
Why don't you answer then?
-Just ignore him, dear. -Okay.
Talking distracts you from the pain.
That's why I asked.
Sit down quietly! That's enough!
Let me finish or else it'll get infected.
Do you know what's great about Jinnah?
Enlighten me.
If someone doesn't give you land,
you take their land, and create your own country.
It's better to fight than to be a slave.
Hey, Jay!
Jay!
Let him go, uncle.
He'll get used to the camp soon.
All this anger and frustration goes away on its own.
Hello, madam.
-Food? -No.
Porter?
Work?
Who are you, sir? A taxi driver?
Or a hotel worker?
Or an office peon?
-Leave me alone. -Rafiq.
My name is Rafiq.
I host performance shows
at Grant Road.
My God! Are you not ashamed?
Offering such disgusting jobs?
I don't force anyone.
You're free to refuse.
Wait!
Don't waste my time asking directions.
Come here.
-Where is the hotel? -It's close by.
What do you get if I go with you?
Just for today or everyday?
Well... my boss will decide that.
Come on, pick up the luggage.
What's your name?
Niloufer.
Stop here.
That way.
-Hey! Aren't you tired? -Not yet. You want to try?
Even since the partition, a lot of girls became homeless.
Some were raped, abused,
found unconscious in the train, or begging...
A woman like you, Miss Niloufer, can light up this place!
Fans will be lining up for you.
Come in!
Nothing will light up this dump. It'll die.
Take me to a better brothel.
I'm not your tour guide
who will take you brothel-hopping.
I have to catch the next train.
I told you, this place is shit...
Hey!
No one likes a whore with an attitude.
-Let go of me! -Get in!
-Let go! -Get inside!
Come on!
Let go of me!
Shut up!
Look, ma'am!
She's worth 200.
I'll tip you another 10 on that, Rafiq!
Impressive!
Give them their money.
And get this one ready.
Where do you think you're going?
-Shut up and stay here! -Let go!
Where are you going?
Have some.
To cool your temper.
You're a healthy guy.
Not a sissy either.
Will you work for us?
I'm only good at drama.
Everyone here is great at drama, bro.
Will you lift goods?
Listen,
all the daily essentials like flour ration, oil, matches
are delivered on the docks.
We fill our warehouses with it, and sell it on the black market.
Nothing against hard work, but...
But give me an honest job.
This is Bombay, brother.
No one makes an honest buck here.
The only way to make money here is by hustling and the black market.
Come to the dispensary if you change your mind.
I live in the tent next to it.
Take care.
Wait!
That's Raghu Jhalani.
Fucker!
The other refugees don't have food
and he smokes English cigarettes.
Is he from Bombay?
He's a refugee.
From Larkana.
Kill him.
Kill?
Hey, the police don't have time
to investigate murders.
Don't worry, you'll be safe.
One fine day, the king of mice
went to meet the chief of elephants.
He said, "Oh, chief of elephants!
"when you and your entourage
"walk towards the blue lake,
"you trample many mice under your feet.
"They die on the spot.
"So, if you and your entourage could kindly change your route,
"we'll be able to live!
"We will make sure to return your favor whenever you're in need."
When the chief of elephants heard this, do you know what he did?
He laughed out loud.
Where were you all evening?
I was out looking for work.
You went out looking for work. Anything happened?
They made me an offer.
Now it's my call.
How are the people? How's the office?
Just like us.
Refugees away from home.
They have a transport business.
How's the pay? Good?
So good that...
We'll be set for life.
I knew it.
God can't be this cruel.
He took our home...
But he must have something planned.
And I have three strong, healthy, men with me.
My life is taken care of anyway.
Where were you?
He had gone to meet someone for work.
Which offices are open this late?
Is he off to find some work again?
Talk to me directly.
If you use your time to help these kids
instead of wandering around mindlessly.
You will hone your craft.
Till when will you hide behind these fictional stories, Father?
These stories don't give us shelter or food.
Fine. Don't do it.
But at least keep working on your script!
Make it better!
This script?
This cursed script.
The script that lost Jamshed,
that burned down our house
our theater.
We lost everything!
We are refugees in a camp now.
Hey!
What is wrong with you?
It'll be shot 1, take 1.
-Hurry up. -Yes, sir.
Move it a little.
Madan, ready?
Action!
I might have made
many mistakes in my life.
But regretting my actions
and apologizing for my actions is against me.
I might have made...
many mistakes in my life.
-But regretting my-- -Cut!
Mr. Madan, look at me.
If you don't look at me, how will I be motivated to deliver my lines?
Right, Mr. Roy?
Mr. Joseph.
I might have made
many mistakes in my life.
But regretting my actions and apologizing...
I might have made...
many mistakes in my life.
-But regretting my actions-- -Cut!
I might have made many mistakes in my life.
-But being my mistake-- -Cut!
I might have made many mistakes in my life.
But regretting and apologizing for my mistakes...
Where did you find him?
Recast him.
I might have made many mistakes
in my life, Father.
But regretting for my actions
or apologizing
is against my principles.
So, before I lose
my last shred of humanity,
please leave, Father!
Kunwar, you can't do this!
Just wait and watch!
All that I can do.
This is for Officer Verma.
This is for Sujata's husband, Sohan.
And this is for all the pain that this world has inflicted on me.
-I will-- -Cut! Magazine ran out.
Madan Kumar!
Motherfucker!
Bloody asshole!
Mr. Madan.
Please, sir!
Sir!
-Calm down, sir. -Fuck off!
I have arranged the finances
by pledging the studio.
In order to make you Madan Kumar, Binod!
This set...
We can't afford to keep it for another day.
-Wow! -That was amazing!
-Great! -Hats off!
-What a performance! -Well done!
Keshav!
-Hello, ma'am. -Hello.
Give me Binod's okay take.
Mr. Roy asked me to take it to the lab.
Sure, madam. Here you go.
Goodnight, ma'am.
Where is she?
-Where is she? -Look there.
Hey! Where's she going?
Where are you going?
Ramdas Jhaveri?
Yes? I am Ramdas.
Nawab Rehmat asked me to give you this.
Just a minute.
Nawab told me that you might not come for a year or two.
These are my life's savings.
I wanted to keep these safe and earn some more.
But it seems like it's time to use them now and earn later.
If you want, I can help get you food and shelter.
Why spend your savings?
I don't sleep around for shelter.
Thank you.
There's an ambulance to take him to the hospital.
Do you have money? You never know what...
-We'll figure it out. -Let's go.
Mr. Narain!
Jay!
I'll kill him.
There's nothing on this roll, Mr. Sharma.
-Keshav? -Yes, Mr. Sharma.
-Did you label it correctly? -Yes, sir.
I handed them over to Ms. Sumitra.
Why Ms. Sumitra?
Sir, she said that Mr. Roy wanted her to take the can to the lab.
-So I gave it to her. -Motherfucker.
Binod!
Listen! You will go complain about her,
and Mr. Roy will get to know about the destroyed roll.
Will he build the set again, or shut the movie down?
Either way, you lose!
-I don't care! -Be smart, Binod!
Mr. Roy has announced a party at the studio on 14th August.
-We have to show the scene! -Binod!
Binod.
I've worked here for 20 years.
But I've never seen someone shift from staff to star quarters.
I've seen you rehearse this, quietly, behind all the cans.
Do you think I never saw you?
-Yes, to prepare for the role. -Not after you got the role.
Before you became Madan Kumar.
When all those actors were lining up for screen tests,
you wanted to be Madan Kumar.
Bloody Jamshed Khan had some other goals in mind,
not Madan Kumar.
Didn't you bet a rupee on him?
This wasn't my bet...
It was my blessing for you.
I picked you that day.
Madan Kumar motherfucker!
What happened?
You guys remember Mr. Desai, the comedian?
The forgetful actor?
Who forgot his lines every take.
They had to cut multiple takes to make the final scene.
I remember every take of mine.
The good, the bad and the ugly.
Should we print all the NGs?
And then...
we'll edit them together.
What do you think?
But Binod, you gave such a great one-take performance in that can!
I don't want to be a one-take artist.
I want to be an artist that's remembered.
Mark this roll at ten feet.
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 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 this world has inflicted on 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 surely kill you before you lay a hand on Sujata.
If that's your wish, then so be it.
Father!
My gun was empty, Father.
I was just trying to scare you...
Father!
My gun...
Srikant Roy!
Translated by Nidhi Thakur
Creative Supervisor Subbaiah KG