I might have made many mistakes in 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!
This is for Officer Verma.
-This is for Sujata... -A pearl like this
You find it, and then lose it.
You know, Father, I'll kill...
He went to Karachi to pursue theater.
I will kill you first...
Jamshed didn't go to Karachi.
He went straight to hell.
Father...
...my gun was not even loaded.
I was just scaring you...
Binod!
It's a sensitive issue.
So I came to hand over the photos and negatives myself.
I'll be leaving.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
has decided to ban Hindi movie songs on All India Radio...
I invested in a recording studio.
I thought we'll record songs.
Use them in movies.
Why don't you ask Mr. Jotwani to figure something out?
He is influential in the radio industry and the government.
I think Jotwani is the one behind this.
So that producers are forced to make Russian propaganda movies.
By the way,
what's the harm in making movies for the Russians?
Why did you refuse them?
Roy Talkies is nobody's slave,
and never will be.
So this is the new empire, which is here to rule India?
He's here to make friends.
Roy and Madan have refused your offer.
A mass hero should be the government's mouthpiece,
Anything the government wants.
Making dams, setting up heavy industry, or waging a war against a country.
A soldier, engineer, selfless doctor,
honest, patriotic freedom fighter, a movie star should have these qualities.
The villains will be corrupt capitalists.
We jam their broadcast signals on a regular basis,
so their programs don't reach the Indian masses.
I can't bring you Madan Kumar,
but I'm willing to be your pawn.
I'm a bigger star than Madan.
Gandhi, Nehru, Jinnah, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Motilal,
they're all men.
Mehboob Khan made a movie
with a female lead, Aurat.
What happened? Super flop.
Why do you want to go against Roy?
To destroy Madan Kumar.
He killed a dear friend of mine.
I can't prove it in court.
But fans are quick to judge such news.
They reject a star in the blink of an eye.
Someday, we can prove it in court, too.
How?
Mr. Jotwani is having special mics made for the intelligence department.
We can place some in Roy Talkies, too.
Just file a complaint to the telephone department that your phone isn't working.
We'll handle the rest.
A program just for Roy Talkies' songs?
No.
The entire industry's songs.
Will you work for me secretly again?
Sure.
You are the only one I can trust.
And now Madan Kumar can't move around without getting noticed.
So be careful.
Loyal!
Take the song spools from music companies
and hand them to Yusuf Shaikh at the office of United States Radio.
Before I play song number seven on "Swarmala,"
let me tell you some interesting facts about the show.
Swarmala is broadcast to you from Ceylon...
...and listeners are growing every day.
Because of the ban on movie songs in India,
this program from Ceylon Transmission Company
is becoming very popular.
Come in.
Ma'am, did you file a complaint about the telephones?
Yes, ask them to check the lines and connections.
Well done.
Yes?
You called saying your phone is not working?
Yes, please come in.
Mr. Walia?
Yes?
Sir, Niloufer sent me...
-Jay Khanna. -Right. Are you educated?
-Yes. -Till what level?
I'm a graduate.
Here. Read it.
Read it.
Read it out so everyone to hear.
There you go.
If it were up to the government, they'd shut our industry down.
They are saying songs are a threat. Soon they'll say movies are too.
After all, who are we? Just slaves of a free country.
That's a good title.
"Slaves of a Free Country." Announce it.
Announce?
-Do you have Dilip Kumar's dates? -I do.
So make a poster and announce it.
-And the story? -Don't worry. We'll find one.
If we can't, we'll sell the title. What's the problem?
You... Take this.
Drop madam at the studio.
Then take the six movie cans that are in the trunk,
and deliver them at this address.
And ask them to make ten copies.
Sorry, I don't understand.
Hey, copies, man. Ten duplicates. They'll get it, go on.
No, Niloufer said...
Niloufer said you're here for the driver's job.
Not the driver, sir. Director.
She must've said director.
I want to be a director.
This is my script. If you could read it...
You want me to read it?
Listen, man!
I don't read scripts.
I finance movies.
Big money on big stars, and no money on small ones.
Take the job.
Drop madam to the studio.
Start frequenting the studio, start networking.
If you're lucky,
your destiny can change.
-May I ask you something? -Yes?
How does a sleaze like Walia make you happy?
He needs happiness, which he gets from me.
I need money. Money.
Here. Read Champak Lal's lines.
We'll get into an accident.
Anyway, I won't work for Walia.
Why did you get the car?
I wanted to take you out.
I took the chance.
Help me rehearse my scene.
Just a second.
"Come, Sunita Devi. You look stunning.
"The rain drops are shining like pearls on your face."
"Some goons were after me, sir.
"I had no place to hide, so I came here to your office."
Right.
"You did the right thing.
"Here, take some brandy before you catch a cold."
"No, thank you. I'm good."
"Just a sip. From my hands."
-"No, sir." -"Just take a sip."
"Let me go, sir! What are you doing?
"Have pity on me! Let me go, sir!
"No one has ever dared to slap Rai Bahadur."
"What has never happened has happened today.
"You should be ashamed
"forcing yourself on a girl your daughter's age."
"I always treated you like my father.
"That's why I came to you in my time of need.
"And you broke that trust!"
How was it?
A little dramatic?
Aren't movie dialogues meant to be dramatic?
Give it back.
"This is Akashvani. I'm Niloufer, your news presenter.
"What never happened finally did today.
"You should be ashamed for forcing someone your daughter's age.
"I always treated you like my father.
"That's why I came to you in my time of need.
"And you broke that trust."
"You broke that trust."
But this was better.
Well, then you learned nothing
even after watching your friend, Jamshed Khan, perform on stage.
Mr. Walia sent this. Ten copies, please.
Wait here.
-Note the car's number. -Yes, sir.
Whose car is it outside?
Someone just walked in. Must be his.
Hey! What's going on here? Show me! What is all this?
Stop!
Stop right there!
Stop!
Here are your keys!
The police probably towed it.
Hey, I hope you didn't rat me out to the police.
I should have.
You should have. It wouldn't matter, anyway.
You would've returned with the car
or gave them the keys and they would send it back.
You better stop bragging.
I would've strangled you if I didn't have a case.
Hey.
What's the point of youth if you don't have a police case?
Listen, kid.
Listen to me.
Making duplicate copies of Hollywood movies is a long-running business.
Buying the rights to them costs a lot of money.
Don't worry about the police.
I'll deal with the police.
Just keep your mouth shut.
What are you looking at? It's a month's salary for a day's work.
You're quite a risk-taker, Mr. Walia.
Then what scares you from investing in a script?
A script is just words on paper, asshole.
A star on a poster
and a government seal on a currency note,
are visible even to the blind.
How come you didn't see Madan Kumar?
Niloufer told you this?
Madan Kumar told me! I've worked at Roy Talkies.
Everyone laughs at you there.
They say Walia's ass is big, but he has no fucking balls.
Fucking Madan Kumar!
Just accept it, you don't have the guts to take a risk.
Like Mr. Srikant Roy does.
He gambled on Madan Kumar. Made his movie.
You just gather your people here and gossip.
Copy movies from Hollywood!
I'm a nobody. Homeless, hungry, broke.
And even I'm willing to take a risk and gamble.
You don't have to gamble. Just give me a loan!
I'll buy second-hand equipment,
get land from the Refugee Department to build a studio.
Stop whining, you idiot.
If you're taking a loan from the department,
then invest it in a good business.
Get a producer to finance your film, and who will pay you well, too!
I'll invest in what I am good at.
And I'll make a movie.
Good or bad,
but I'll own every inch of that negative.
Thosing buying out Jay Khanna can fuck themselves.
-What a dialogue, you motherfucker! -Fuck your ass, Walia.
Wait a second, rookie!
Get Madan Kumar on board.
I'll gamble on you.
I want to make a movie.
With Madan Kumar.
The same script you liked.
But at my studio.
If you want to waste money,
go gamble at a casino.
What if this leaves you broke?
I'll get poorer.
I've made up my mind.
If I've to gamble, I will on my talent and hard work.
I just need your support.
Where did you get this idea?
I want freedom.
I'm tired
of being a yes-man.
Aren't you tired of it?
Madan Kumar, motherfucker!
I need 50,000 rupees for second-hand equipment.
And the land? Studio?
-Punjabi Vikas Party! -Long live!
-Punjabi Vikas Party! -Hello, uncle.
I wanted to speak with you.
This equipment, I'll never get it at this price again.
Shamsher Singh Walia is a financier.
-He is giving me a loan of 50,000 rupees. -So?
If I get land from the Refugee Department, I can build a studio.
I'm making a movie with Madan Kumar.
Very good. Go ahead.
-Punjabi Vikas Party! -Long live!
Uncle, please help me get the land through the refugee quota.
I went to you for help, too. Did you help me?
Why should I help you, my boy?
-Punjabi Vikas Party! -Long live!
Move. Hey, move aside. Move.
Mr. Jotwani, I saw your photo with Srikant Roy and Sumitra Kumari.
When are you getting Madan Kumar for a party?
Soon.
The tally of votes for Sion Koliwada ward has concluded.
The final counting is
Sindhi Samaj Party, 15 seats,
Rashtriya Rakshak Party, 9 seats,
and Punjabi Vikas Party, 5 seats.
Hit it!
Congratulations, Mr. Jotwani!
Keep going!
Here you go, Father.
Why did you iron it so well?
Some creases show a man's poverty.
Sometimes, it's nice to see you like before, Father.
My child, whoever gets married to you
will make my blood boil.
You better worry about your work, not my wedding.
How can a father stop worrying about his daughter?
It would've been different if we were still in Lyallpur.
Father...
Did you decide to help Jay get a loan from the Refugee Department?
Oh, so that idiot is gonna make my blood boil.
Why? Don't you help all refugees?
But my daughter doesn't plead for every refugee.
That's because you are angry at Jay for no reason.
No reason?
Really?
Fine, you may have a reason.
But you're older, you can forgive him.
SINDHI SAMAJ PARTY
Jay, Mr. Pratap has agreed to put in a word for your land
in the Refugee Department.
Really?
But he wants something in return.
Your hand in marriage with Kiran.
Think about it.
If you agree,
I'll give him my word.
Radha Devi looks at the dead body and runs to the main road.
In the background...
Three shadows follow her.
Right then, she bumps into Amit. Cut!
Then trolley focuses on Amit from the opposite angle.
When Radha Devi bumps into me,
do I already know that three shadows are following her?
Yes, but Radha Devi doesn't know that you know.
Excuse me, I've been waiting since morning just for two shots.
Make-up is ready.
Are you new here? Don't you know the stars shoot their scene first?
They need to look fresh.
And you dead.
-Silence! Who is laughing? -Sorry.
Are you crazy?
Seeing a beggar with a five-star hotel card made me laugh.
"Made me laugh." Your Madan Kumar will be there.
What I did to get this for you.
-You laugh at me. -Madan Kumar?
Jay Khanna, he's here to meet you.
Here.
I hope you weren't shooting.
My shot? It will be just before the pack-up.
Sorry.
I have two offers.
First is this.
My movie, the one with Madan Kumar.
He agreed to do the movie.
Really?
Would you be the lead?
And the producer?
I'll tell you everything. But here's my second offer.
What? The role of a corpse instead of the heroine?
Will you marry me?
The role of a living corpse as a wife.
I love you.
I'm not a baron or a prince that can shower you with money.
So I never told you.
But if I wait, it will be too late.
No, Jay.
I don't love you.
I hang around with you because I like you.
Think about it.
I'll have to marry someone else to make this film.
One always has to get in bed with one or the other to make a movie.
Physically or emotionally.
You do it, too.
But make your movie, for yourself.
Not for me.
Do you agree to the marriage?
Kiran, I...
I have no idea where this bomb came from.
-I was trying to make a movie-- -Bomb?
I might drown in debt from head to toe.
You will become a beggar at worst, right? I'll manage.
I love you.
But I don't.
Do you love someone?
Then I'm okay.
Don't come here.
If I need something, I'll come to the refugee camp myself.
What if I need something?
You won the election,
thanks to the votes I secured for you.
Raghu,
I'll resign tomorrow.
Good luck finding another patron.
-Mr. Jotwani... -Stand up before you speak.
Pratap Singh has helped pass a huge loan.
He secured land through the refugee quota to set up a movie studio.
Movies will be under the government in a few years.
Which idiot has taken this loan? What's his name?
Jay Khanna.
Even if he sells the land, he won't be able to repay the loan.
What if the Punjabis get it right and make it big in the film industry?
...as you sway all the way
Please listen to me
Aren't you...
Come out. I need to lock his office.
Sometimes I cry out
The phone is ringing at Roy Talkies.
It's the American Radio Station.
Madan, sir! Hey, Nilo, come on! Madan sir!
POCKETMAAR
Wherever my heart took me I just went along
I left all my worries, my love For tomorrow with no care
Trust me
Wherever my heart felt happy I just stayed there
And settled down, my love Just for a moment there
Trust me
Wherever my heart took me I just went along
I left all my worries, my love For tomorrow with no care
Trust me
It's the way of the world How am I to blame?
As the path took a turn I went along
Neither do I have enemies Nor are there strangers
Whoever caught my eye I bonded with them
Wherever my heart felt right I settled down there
If it feels not so right I just walk out at the first light
-Trust me -Trust me
Wherever my heart took me
I just went along
I left all my worries, my love For tomorrow with no care
POCKETMAAR
Oh, yes
Wherever my heart felt happy I just stayed there
I settled down, my love Just for a moment there
Trust me
I agreed to do Jay Khanna's movie...
...without your consent.
You know what's best for you.
If I hadn't agreed, he would've approached someone else.
Another star could've risen.
Right?
When I came to ask you about Jamshed the other day near the furnace,
I was so furious at you, Binod,
that I would have fired you in a second
because you failed to bring Jamshed with you.
But that day, you saved yourself
by performing a spectacle.
A spectacle of Madan Kumar.
Only Madan Kumar...
...can save Binod Das.
Show the world a spectacle, and they are blind to your mistakes.
I found my Madan Kumar,
so I don't care if Jamshed Khan is alive...
...or dead.
But, Sumitra Kumari cares.
She is still looking for Jamshed Khan.
She even sent her people to Karachi to find him.
To find Jamshed Khan or his friend Jay Khanna.
Jay Khanna.
Son of Khanna Theater Company's owner.
You must have heard them. They were famous before the partition.
The day Sumitra Kumari finds Jay Khanna...
Sir, is this position all right?
Is the background okay?
Play the music. Sir is here, play.
That's not Mr. Madan's car.
-Hello. -Hello.
-They are Jay's parents. -Hello.
-And this is Pratap Singh. -Hello.
And this is my daughter, Kiran.
This is Niloufer, the heroine.
Get in the car. Get in the car.
Break down everything!
They give bribes to get land reserved for quota!
-Our right-- -Hey!
This is private property! What are you doing?
Raghu!
I told you you'll have to pay the price!
Look, it's our launch today.
If anyone lays a finger on my stuff,
I will burn you and your goons right here, fucker!
Fuck you, motherfucker!
-Hey, hit him! -Hey!
Let go! Come on!
Hey, break it up!
Wait a minute, man! Hey!
Listen! Listen to me! The studio will benefit everyone!
You want us to work for them?
No one will work for anyone! Let him go! Let go!
Please hear me out!
Look, the studio will benefit everyone.
And no one will work for anyone.
The camp is so massive.
Can't you open a small cinema hall?
I'll lend you the money.
Sell tickets illegally, man! We'll split the profits.
Doesn't it benefit everyone?
And what if it's a flop?
Why won't it? That's impossible!
Don't you know who the hero is?
Who is it?
There he comes. Look for yourself.
-You are ahead of time, Bengali mister. -Jay.
There.
Shamsher Singh Walia, what are you doing here?
He's our financier.
I won't do his movie.
-Binod... -Madan.
Madan, sir, let bygones be bygones.
A servant can wear a suit, but he'll still be a servant.
Ratna, get in the car.
I have taken a huge loan, Mr. Madan Kumar,
on your word.
I'm ready to do your movie, Mr. Jay.
But get another financier.
He gambled on me first.
I gambled five rupees on you first.
You didn't repay the loan, nor the favor.
Translated by Sheela Sijin Mathews
Creative Supervisor: Subbaiah KG