My Final Prospective Groom
So, she has done her Hotel Management. Does she cook well?
She makes the others do a good job.
She makes the others do it. Also, she is a good cook herself.
How many months did it take to complete the Hotel Management Course?
Not months!
She studied for three years.
Diploma takes three years?
Oh, it is not a diploma.
It’s a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management.
She was trained in Bhaskar Agency for six months.
The college had sent her.
Why isn’t she working in the same hotel then?
Oh, they did offer her a job.
But they wanted her to work in Visakhapatnam.
We didn’t want to send her so far.
Had she gone to Visakhapatnam,
she wouldn’t have attended the wedding at the Kalagas and your boy wouldn’t have seen her.
I wouldn’t have got the opportunity to settle this match.
We all have finished our talks.
Just waiting for you.
Wow! The filter coffee is great!
Uh… do you like coffee or tea?
Tea.
I actually prefer tea.
But when I visit someone’s home, coffee…
Uh… hmm?
Mm…hmm.
The sweet is delicious!
Did you make this at home?
We ordered them from Bhaktanjaneya Sweets.
Of course.
This is multi-layered. It’s difficult to make this at home.
Do you watch films?
Hmm.
Favourite actor? -Nani.
Same here.
Did you watch ‘Pilla Zamindar’? -Seven times.
I watched it eight times.
I somehow feel our tastes match.
I don’t think so.
I think you are forcing them to match.
What was Nani’s name in ‘Pilla Zamindar’?
‘Pilla Zamindar’….
You watched it eight times.
Don’t you remember?
Mahesh.
Rambabu.
No.
Praveen Jayarama Raju.
My turn to ask questions now.
Please answer them.
Uppada Beach or Vizag beach?
Vizag. -Uppada.
Kohli or Dhoni?
Dho…hli…
Kohli! -Dhoni.
See?
Our tastes don’t match.
When India-Pakistan match is going on, whom do you support?
Pakistan…? -India!
Be honest.
Had I said ‘Uppada’, you would have come up with Vizag, right?
Had I said Dhoni, you would have said Kohli.
Why?
I am not interested in this wedding.
You are not interested?
Then… in that case….
you could have told us earlier.
This is earlier.
Earlier than what?
Earlier than now.
Fine, you saw me in some wedding,
Shouldn’t you speak to me, first?
You made a direct enquiry and contacted my people.
I wanted to follow protocol.
Have you learnt it now?
The protocol?
What happened?
Hey!
Do you think I am having fun?
Why do you reject every match?
Mom, you are too much!
I was forced. How come you cry now?
I know.
You don’t care about my problems.
Another couple of years and you won’t even get proposals.
I won’t marry until we get our house back.
What if that wretched court case takes another 25 years?
Pray that it should be finalized this year.
Hmm?
Have some shame!
Just because I rejected your proposal…
Where is your sir?
It’s time. He will be here.
Please, have a seat.
Did you reject him?
Mind your business.
Would you like some coffee?
I don’t want anything.
Oh! You like tea, right?
I forgot.
Tell me.
Just because I turned you down, just when I am striving to stand on my feet,
how can you choose to avenge yourself?
Couldn’t you take it?
Why? Haven’t you met girls with spine before?
Why haven’t I?
My wife.
She finished her B A before the wedding.
And her MA after the wedding.
Gold medallist.
Everyone has 24 hours in a day.
But my wife has 48.
Her patience, her skills…
You come to my mind every day.
Had you said yes, I would have missed her.
I broke no rules.
We didn’t even know it was your bar.
Some Dorababu’s name was listed in the file.
There should be no wine shop within 500 meters of the highway.
I already have all permissions.
There is no highway there.
Sure, there is no highway. But, there is a proposed highway.
We realized it only when someone lodged a complaint.
This is the typical talk of government offices.
Tell me how much you want.
You will have some suggestion box or complaint box, I am sure.
Where is it?
Do you know the one word I don’t like in Telugu?
Lancham? -Bribe…
But that’s an English word.
I don’t even like to say it in Telugu.
I don’t like being offered bribe. I don’t like being asked for it.
PROHIBITION AND EXCISE STATION
Feathers or swords?
Mule! A haughty, stubborn mule.
What happened?
Someone seems to have complained.
Your uncle?
Who knows?
I don’t know if it was uncle or Durgarao.
If he was talking to an MLA’s relative or an MP’s son, would he bring up rules?
Just because I am a girl…
Pig headed fellow! -Siri! Cool it.
What do you mean cool it? I am bristling with rage.
Siri!
Mom, Abhi.
How are you, son?
Do you place me, aunty? -You are Abhi, right?
Come. Have some coffee and go.
I hope you won’t complain to my grandpa that I have lost my way?
Some other time, aunty.
Bye. -Bye.
Hey!
Maybe he would have come in, if you asked him.
He still remembers what I said back then.
Bah! He is not upset.
He is just having fun with his future mother-in-law. That’s a fashion now.
Really? -Yes.
Come. Give me the coffee.
Within five hundred meters is too close.
Outside five hundred meters is far enough.
Which means… the bar shouldn’t be 499 meters from highway.
But it can be 501 meters from it.
So, whoever wants to drink is supposed to think…
‘Oh! The bar is one meter away. ’ and then go back?
How senseless!
What?
He says, ‘I cannot break the rules for you. ’
As if he is out of ‘Tagore’ film.
What do I do now?
The bar is all set for opening.
Am I to shift it to some other spot now?
Siri…
How much?
Five meters.
That was 410 meters and this is five meters.
It’s 415 meters in all.
Hold this.
Hold it tight.
Huh?
120 meters.
Fasten it tight.
They shouldn’t give way.
Grandpa!
I am thinking of staying here.
Here? What do you mean here?
Right here. In Ramarajulanka.
With you. -Here?
What will you do here?
You have a job you love.
You are making good money.
What will you do here giving it all up?
You like it here, don’t you?
I will be fine too.
Abhi! How long before you reach here?
Will five of us fit in the jeep?
Hey! It’s getting late.
Bah! What time is the auspicious hour? -10:20.
Ah, not you.
Mrs Swarnamma is also going with us.
Brother, are you ready? -Yes!
Let me read it.
This is personal.
Hey! What is personal in this?
I told you to write a love letter.
You drafted an sms.
‘I love you. If you also love me, please reply!’
Express yourself.
No ink in the pen.
No cartridge in the printer.
I can’t write more than that.
Hey, stupid!
You don’t need pens, ink and cartridges to write a love letter.
You need a heart.
Please open up.
Mom! Abhi is waiting.
Will he have coffee?
Are you out of your mind?
Don’t think of coffee!
Come quickly! -Okay, okay. Coming.
Aunty! Come fast.
It’s getting late. -Coming.
Come quickly, now.
Come fast! -Ah, grandma.
Move, move.
Why do you guys take so long? -Valli! We will expect you there.
Have you locked the door? -Valli! Make it fast.
Respected Srimathi!
Hmm?
Ah… I was kidding.
My dearest Siri,
Hm? -Hmm.
Let’s take a handful of clay.
Let’s make two dolls with it.
One is you. And the other is me.
Let’s mix them both.
With the same clay, let’s make two more dolls.
It’s you and me again.
You should be a part of me.
And I… a part of you.
I love you.
Oh, my! Where did you hide this skill so long?
Srimathi’s heart will mellow and melt away.
Come, come. It’s almost time.
I just came for the opening.
I never expected you will make me cut the ribbon.
Had you given her a 2000 raise, she wouldn’t have thought of an own bar.
We didn’t give you a raise and you are opening a bar.
If we give you a raise, we will have to close ours.
Why hurry?
Now you are getting into business.
You will understand gradually.
Sir…
Please make a speech.
Speech?
Please, please sir. Just a few words.
Okay.
Today, our beloved Miss Srimathi…
Speak in English, goddamn it!
Today… on this auspicious today, the Saptami day of the Margaisra masa…
I take great pleasure in the ribbon cutting of the opening
the Tajmahal… beautiful name!
Tajmahal!
And I heartly congratulate Miss Srimathi behalf of…. uh… and mainly
the whole coolies of the lifting stones for the nirman of the Tajmahal,
I am appreciating. -He looks ready to stab.
May this bar prosper like three flowers and six vegetables.
Stop the nonsense and cut the ribbon, man!
It attracts both the sectors.
She has planned it quite well. WAY TO LIQUOR
Walk fast.
Yes. Sure.
To taste the first drink in Tajmahal Bar and Restaurant,
I request the gentleman and alcohol lover,
Mr Kurra Somanadham to come forward.
Come. Please, come.
Attack!
[indistinct voices]
SRIMATHI COCKTAIL SPECIALITIES
Here you are, sir.
Mango pickle rice and omelette.
You can’t. Drink here.
Smoke outside.
That looks like the first sari my husband had gifted me.
The same pattern and the same colour.
It looks like…
Did you tie up grandma’s saris?
You should have also tied her up somewhere. What a good riddance it would be.
She charges at every one with her big mouth.
Ah…
Do you really exist?
What do you mean?
I saw you in my dreams some time ago.
Girl!
Please, come here once. -Tell me.
What is she drinking?
Coca-Cola.
She saw me in her dreams just on a coke.
Peanut platter, please!
Here, sir.
Austin fish, sir.
Rice with fish gravy.
Waiter!
Sister! Sister!
Breaking news!
Abhi has grown fond of this place.
He wants to stay back.
If you mess with me, I will break your teeth.
No. I really need my teeth.
I can’t give your wedding guests a toothless smile.
Mom has just asked him. He told her.
Before you leave, please write feed back on the taste of these cocktails.
Don’t forget.
All okay? -Fine, dear.
What will you drink?
Nothing. -Why?
I don’t drink. -Really?
Aunty is around.
How does it matter?
She is my future mother-in-law. -Huh?
Nothing.
Give me whatever you like.
Tell me what you like.
I will later make a list of all the things I like.
You have pina colada, right?
Give me that.
Hey, Keshava! -Huh!
You said your niece didn’t open the bar? But she did!
Have you rushed here to give me this news?
I didn’t come here to give you news.
I came to give you a warning! A warning!
If you want to warn me,
you should be a minimum of five feet eight inches tall.
Or have a fifty-inch chest.
Or at least sport an El Bandito moustache.
You are a ‘none of the above’.
What warning can you give me?
That’s why...
I have brought two men who have ‘all of the above’.
Come on!
What is this?
Why do you need goons to discuss business?
Because you made me so angry!
Satyareddy!
When you are too angry, there is an English cuss word lincandoop.
Use it!
You don’t have to shout.
Just chant it.
Hey, Keshava!
Listen to me carefully.
At two percent interest on fifty lakhs, it's six lakhs for six months for my advance.
Until your house gets transferred to me, make it three percent per month.
You must pay me one and half lakh every month.
If you don’t… Chest pain.
I am getting chest pain. Remove your hand.
-Remove your hand! -Stop your drama.
Hey! Are you here to intimidate me or kill me?
If you want to intimidate me, you have done it. Remove your hand. -Hey!
I won’t care even if you die.
Hey, your advance is stuck with me.
The agreements are not proper. Your choice.
Is he really getting a heart attack?
Hi.
Hi…
What is that?
A letter.
Is it a love letter?
Not here.
Is he mad?
Why can’t he give it himself?
What ‘he’?
Who is he?
Abhi didn’t send this?
I wrote this. -Huh?
Let me read it.
My writing is not very legible.
I will read it out to you.
Dearest Siri!
Your dream project has taken off.
Your hard work is paying off.
Wishing for beer to flow in streams in your bar,
hoping that the crowd here will create a flood,
that to reach the goal you have set yourself,
you possess all the great qualities…
your fighting spirit and your strong marital bond…oh, damn me!
Not the marital bond…
I have struck it off.
Your strong resolve,
your genius, your sense of leadership…
I strongly believe… they will be a wakeup call to the others.
Your well-wisher, your friend.
And your house owner… Jakkampudi Sriram
That’s all for now. See you later.
Thank you.
Here’s your curd rice. Rice with ginger pickle and egg.
If I knew a bar looks so good, I would have visited one long ago.
It looks terrific.
You…? -To the bar…?
Yes! -I know.
Haven’t they all come?
Hello…
Uh?
Who is this?
Who?
About my Keshav? What happened?
-Oh! I can’t hear you. -Let me.
Hello…
Heart attack?
I must go.
Come. Let me take you.
Come.
Hmm. Okay.
RAJAHMUNDRY CARE HOSPITAL
Nurse! -Hmm?
What is By-Pass?
The doctor will tell you.
What about open heart?
The doctor will come and tell you.
What is valve replacement?
The doctor will tell you.
If the doctor has to say everything, what is your job?
If I know so much, why would I become a nurse?
I would also be a doctor.
How sarcastic!
Sister, after the discharge, can my dad cycle?
Royally.
Can he play Badminton? Certainly.
What about swimming? -Hmm.
He can happily swim.
But my dad doesn’t know swimming. How could he then?
Sister!
We got very anxious when we heard the news, Lakshmi.
Mom!
Am I alive only to see this?
I don’t know why you are alive.
But I know why exactly I am going to die.
I am not able to take the pressure.
Your blood pressure is quite normal, sir.
It will go up now.
These two are here.
I want to talk to my son alone.
Can you give us some privacy?
Are you going to pull out all the wires?
Oh, my god!
My life is such a curse!
He went away like that.
Your brother left like that.
Now, you are like this.
Why do you cry now?
You left me and followed her.
She has two girls!
Hey!
Do you want me to talk to Srimathi?
Shall I ask her to withdraw the case?
Not necessary.
Do you want to tarnish my name that I kicked the girls out using heart stroke as a pretext?
She went to court anyway.
Let her get the bad name that she went to court against her own uncle for property and lost the case.
You carry the same surname, son!
Do we really have to be so adamant?
Hey, we may have a common surname.
But the house is in my name.
She caught on to it like a leech.
Or… let’s forget the court.
I am here as an elder.
Promise me that you won’t dismantle the house.
I will convince her.
Oho! Look at the royal emissary!
Hey, a compromise will do good for everyone, right?
I am sick in bed with a heart stroke.
You come here like NTR as Sri Krishna in Dana Veera Sura Karna
and ‘With no regrets will you reach accord…. ’ -Stop it!
Mom! Mom!
Oh, no! -Ah!
What happened?
Oh my…
Nurse! Please, check him.
Oh, no!
Don’t disturb the patient, madam.
Please go out. -Okay.
Mocktails ready!
If you all didn’t stand by me, I couldn’t have opened this bar.
Thanks.
Abhi!
Thanks for staying back for me.
Especially my brother.
But for his great idea, they wouldn’t have removed the seal.
You are great, bro.
Fine, fine. Everyone had a role to play.
Okay, okay. Let’s have a toast to Siri.
One minute.
-Cheers! -Cheers….
Cheers! -Madam…
They are back.
Do you want a tape?
Would you like to measure again?
Already done.
You are quite clever.
Maintain the stock register properly.
Otherwise, I will be forced to visit again.
I did expect a few. But not such a crowd.
Okay, thank you!
Thank you.
Bye, bye. -Bye.
Thanks, Abhi.
Goodnight.
Why did you both leave without telling me?
We were in the crowd after a long time.
I felt nauseous.
I told your mom I wanted to go home.
How are you now?
I am better.
You could have put in a word to me.
You were very busy.
And how busy!
She was taking care of the cash counter, then the kitchen, followed by customers…
and the cash counter again…
What a crowd it was!
There was no time even to breathe.
One guy came all the way from Ravulapalem.
After he had a cocktail… his face was…
He was stunned as if he tasted something surreal.
My dear mom!
You always find fault with whatever I do.
Do you know the profit we made today?
I am talking about profit. Why don’t you ask me how much?
How much?
We can get the gold back in two months.
If uncle saw the business today, his heart would stop.
This is only the first day.
I am confident it will grow further from tomorrow.
Set a good time for our housewarming ceremony, grandma.
Yes. We will see. Sure.
Okay. Enough about the bar.
Did you both eat?
I feel full.
I am hungry, mom.
I am dog tired.
Come. Let me give you some rice.
Stop crying.
Salt mixed with milk tastes nasty.
Why are you angry with me?
I was insisting you tell her but you held back.
What is your plan actually?
What do you want to do?
I thought love is enough.
And a plan is not necessary.
We need an extra half litre today.
Mom wants to make porridge.
Oh!
What is the celebration for?
Is the first day collection extraordinary?
My sister and Abhi’s pair is extraordinary.
My mother is on cloud nine.
Remove this.
You are discussing that already? -Hmm.
Who knows what sort of a guy he is?
What’s the problem with brother-in-law?
He is a pilot, you know?
After the wedding he will take all of us to South Africa by flight.
How does he make such revolutionary decisions?
Love…
Love?
How can we simply stand and watch?
Some outsider is barging in and are we not man enough?
You want me to ask her to give the first preference to locals?
Of course, you should.
It’s all over.
The issue has gone too far.
But one thing has become clear.
What?
Love had nothing to do with her laughter.
Dad! You are being very unjust to me, dad. -Why?
It’s weird to go around with this mark on my face.
How can I tell between you both without that?
People look at me strangely.
Why don’t you put the mark on Phani’s face?
But it’s ingrained in my mind that mark stands for Mani!
Mr Keshava Rao!
How are you?
Are you eating too many bajjis? -From Babai Shop…
Hmm. What about punugu?
Now and then while drinking.
Nurse!
Remove the blanket.
Slowly.
Get down.
Mirchi bajji!
Banana bajji!
Peanut mixture!
Gas! -Huh?
Reduce spicy food.
Forget sour foods.
You will definitely live to be 90. -Huh?
Ah!
Oh!
What is going on at the Bar?
Repeat!
Your attention please!
Shall we check who wins the lottery this week?
The winner of free liquor is…
Chikkala Panakala Rao!
Whatever he drinks tomorrow is on the house.
I went round the bar downstairs.
It looks great. Seriously.
Thank you, sir.
I made a thoughtless remark and hurt you that day.
Are you saying this wholeheartedly?
That’s why I have come this far!
See you, dear.
Master!
If you get a job here, will you do it?
Me?
I need someone to maintain the stock register.
I know you are free.
You will be helping me a lot.
When shall I start?
Has luck stuck to you like gum?
Is kick swaying drunk on rum?
Has joy declared it can't exist without you sitting right next to you?
Is the space filled with people?
Is the cash register sound with profit?
Hey, hey, all that was dreamed, has it manifested before your eyes?
Despite all fears and bad times
Undeterred when you work, Why wouldn't luck walk with you?
All these years we were underpaid.
Now you pay us with bonus.
Watch profit look at you and say ‘repeat’.
Hey! Repeat!
You have hit the lottery and the game is in mode of repeat
Repeat!
Watch profit look at you and say ‘repeat’.
Hey! Repeat for me too!
You have hit the lottery and the game is in mode of repeat
This one is good.
0027…
No. It’s not nice. -0027…
I said it’s not nice.
I said my lenses like it.
It's gone.... yesterday's tension
Here it comes... limitless income
Where is the hardship? It has gone away somewhere
It said it will never come back... The frustration
Day is busy with no time to breathe -Hey, change!
If this is the trend, -Master, the stock is full.
…who can stop you? -Why are you placing a big order?
They will swig it down. Despite all fears and bad times
Undeterred when you work, Not one will be left by tomorrow.
Why wouldn't luck walk with you?
Watch profit look at you and say 'repeat'.
You have hit the lottery and the game is in mode of repeat
Watch profit look at you and say 'repeat'.
You have hit the lottery and the game is in mode of repeat. -Sister!
Srimathi! It’s full even during the day.
Probably, we can open another branch.
I must first get my house back.
You don’t need four months.
In a couple of months…
Throw them!
Shut it down, shut it down! -Tajmahal Bar! Shut it down!
Save us! Save us! -Tajmahal Bar! Shut it down!
Shut it down! -Do you know this is private property?
What is your private property?
My husband spends the whole day here.
Is he also your private property?
Control your husband.
Why do you blame me? -What would you know?
You don’t even have a husband.
Since you have no family, you are out to destroy our families? Wretch!
I didn’t set up my bar to ruin your homes.
I learnt all the rules and set up a business.
What rules are you talking about?
You are causing grief to so many women.
Shut it down, first. We can talk later.
Stop lecturing. We have seen enough world.
You could think of nothing but a bar business?
Hey! Let’s attack! -Hey!
Srimathi!
Stop!
Move aside!
Hey! You are still sitting and drinking here?
[indistinct voices]