Nobody cares if it's real or synthetic.
Looks great. Trust me.
You want me to take a photo of yours next to it?
In a bit.
Arun, if you have any more assignments
that could afford a little bit of time and experimentation, then
-please let me know. -Of course.
I'll keep that in mind.
-I'll see you around? -Yeah.
Madam!
Ashu! Good morning! Or is it afternoon? I don't know.
Okay, three things… please message when you land.
A Mumbai-Guwahati flight must be long?
Also, I went to that art gallery yesterday.
Not one cute guy, dammit.
And like always, it felt weird to see my own work.
How do people not see the difference between real and fake plants, man?
Anyway, fuck it.
What was the third thing?
Yes. I'm going on a date with one of India's 30 Under 30 later today.
Even if the date is a massive fail, I can at least put it in my CV.
Last thing, I'm very proud of you,
you are badass, and I love you, friend.
Okay, I've reached the meeting location. Bye.
So, it's the high, and the downer.
It's simple, really.
People experience peak bliss,
and then we show them how mediocre, noisy
the world is.
That's… kinda sad.
But… interesting.
How do we do this?
So, this is what happens when you step out of the flotation tank.
You feel gravity, you know?
So, you experience weight.
You notice reality differently,
there's a sense of subtle detachment.
So, odorless flowers or plants with an odd texture,
that plastic green grass, you know?
It should look pretty, but…
when you touch it, you feel uncomfortable.
It should mimic life in a sense, really.
And that's why they keep coming back.
Because this experience is different.
It's beautiful.
Being a landscape designer yourself,
would you feel weird about doing this?
I think it's an interesting idea…
but let's do this anonymously.
-It's a small industry, so… -Sure.
Thank you.
Make sure that you're super productive all the time,
whether you all are stuck in a traffic jam or on the pot, I don't care.
Alright? Hustle, hustle, hustle.
Don't be afraid of following your own dreams.
I-I took the liberty of ordering some stuff.
-Oh, yes. -Your house fries.
Thank you.
Pita and hummus.
-Thank you. -That shirt looks so good on you!
Thank you, ma'am.
-Have a nice day. -You too.
-Do you know him? -No.
And you just gave him a random compliment?
Yes…
Hey.
Do you taste cardano?
Cardamom.
Tastes like a bad dip.
You know about this?
I like to think that I care about my future…
or maybe, I just don't want my kids to say…
"My mother was such a dumbfuck…
If only she had bought some ether, who knows?"
Yeah.
Another date after this?
Wow, you're really at it!
Aren't you at it?
Am I?
This want of being with someone is weird, right?
And half of the time, I'm judging myself only.
You know, when I'm buying vegetables or something.
And then I think to myself…
"Am I not happy?"
Because I should be.
Like, this cool freelancer person.
But my mind doesn't shut up.
Mine too.
And…
-when you're 34-- -Thirty-four?
Dude, why are all of you so predictable?
I mean, my teeth have yet to fall out.
I didn't mean it like that. I mean,
it's pretty fucked up for me at 33 and being single as well.
So, what kind of a girl are you looking for?
Okay.
She should be okay going on family trips, but
not wake up too late.
It's not that I don't want her to drink,
you know what I'm saying? Like,
two beers are fine, but three--
Look, two beers are fine, but I draw the line at three.
That's how I am. I swear.
I swear.
This is the last time you're doing this to me, Mr. Ashok!
I'd ordered five-footers,
and the ones you've sent me have shriveled to three feet!
But you'll ask for full payment, of course?
-Zayn, hold it properly. -Yes. Sorry, ma'am.
Do you do this to Zayn and Satyarth as well? Why not?
I'm sending them back to you, and you will be paying even for the fuel!
CUTE, RIGHT?
Are boys like this really available?
Shit, should've filed for divorce six months back!
The space should be just awesome.
It should feel like all the tension is draining from your mind.
Completely relaxing.
One with nature.
Like in Central Park, Washington.
We researched that.
That's how we want it.
No, it's a very nice idea, ma'am. Really good.
Ma'am, I want to show you some references, one minute.
Yes, show us.
Where is it….
COME. C1, BEMYWIFE APTS.
Ma'am, I can't find it.
I'll put it in the proposal.
The brief is a bit challenging, but it'll be fun.
Don't stress. Just send us the proposal.
We're the ones in charge of selection.
Full nature-forest feeling.
Any other notes, anything at all that you'd like to share with me?
Just that. It should have that "nature" feeling.
Nature, nature, nature.
Hey, Parth! Don't you want to say anything?
Hello, ma'am.
-Hi, Parth. -This is Parth.
Our audit officer.
If you're selected,
he will be the point of contact between you and Thane Municipality.
Okay? All the best.
-Thank you, child. -Thank you, ma'am.
The person you're trying to call is not answering.
Please try again later.
Around 15-18 years ago, my friend brought me here.
Now he's making ad films in Sweden.
In fact, he just recently made a great ad for Nike.
But I'm still stuck on the first draft of my script.
It's really nice to meet you.
I had a good time.
Do you want to come over?
No, thanks. I'm a little tired.
Okay, come over just for half an hour. I live nearby.
Anyway, what else are you going to do?
DID THE OLDIE HAVE A STROKE?
The same mindless scrolling on your phone.
Coming over is a much better option.
I've made amazing Goan sausage with bread.
Do you eat pork, by the way?
I'll drop you home, just come over. Why are you killing the vibe, bro?
Why would you drop me if I'm not coming, bro?
I don't want to come.
Well, why didn't you say so three drinks ago?
Fuck off.
Fuck off?
What does "fuck off" mean?
Why did you even swipe on me?
I mean, it's not like you don't have friends.
And it's not like you want to marry me.
So what's the scene?
You like to sleep alone?
Have you ever been ghosted?
I was all dressed up, and…
this dude just didn't show up.
And yes, I didn't want to go home.
And fuck feeling sorry for you.
And fuck you for making me feel sorry for myself.
Sir, will you take our picture?
So, you studied architecture?
You?
BSc.
BSc in IT? Nice.
No, just a BSc. Parshvanath College.
Oh.
So school, college, job… all in Thane?
Have been here since childhood. Vasant Vihar.
Oh, yes. I've parked my car there.
And tuitions? At Bright Tutorials, Naupada, right?
You also?
You were two years my junior.
-I remember seeing you there. -Really?
You didn't mention it earlier.
We're talking for just the second time, so…
So, how come you never left Thane?
I love Thane.
Wide roads,
a national park, a lake,
there are plays, and good food.
I like it here.
Thank you, Uncle!
Why do bottled water companies keep changing their logos?
The water tastes the same.
Yeah, I've always wondered the same thing.
I like my own space, even in public spaces.
-I'm sure a lot of people-- -No, it sounds nice, but
it won't suffice monetarily.
Like, it just won't make sense.
-Hi, ma'am. -Hi.
Hi, sir.
Hey, your parents must be excited about this place.
They'll finally have a place to walk around.
Hopefully.
I don't know how much Mom will use it. She--
There are some issues.
And Papa passed away when I was in school, so.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
How old were you?
Okay, you don't have to talk if you don't want to.
No, no, it's fine.
I was in the seventh class.
How are you now?
I mean, you must be okay only.
Sorry, why am I answering on your behalf?
No, it's fine.
Anyway, it's been a while.
It took me almost a decade to get out of this haze.
I don't even remember…
if I had a good night's sleep or…
a meal that I loved from that time.
But I'm okay now.
Now I just pay more attention to things.
Because for a decade, I just didn't.
Anyway, it's not like these things come with an expiry date.
Are you close to your parents?
Yeah, kind of.
You know, in our Masters, in Landscape Architecture,
they taught us that there is a fourth dimension.
And that dimension is time.
So, with time,
the landscape of a place changes.
-Drive safe. -You too.
-I-- -Rickshaw-safe.
Right.
-See you. -See you.
Hi, Ashu. Hope you're doing okay.
I've got this really amazing project,
and I'm also finally working with real plants.
But guess where it is!
Thane.
My back is screwed from all the driving.
During these rides, I keep thinking about
the only time we ever went to Bandra as kids.
Remember, our dads took us to see the Christmas carnival at Bandra?
I don't know…
It's a little confusing to do this travel daily,
when we did it only once in 16 years.
It's like the world shrinks as we grow up.
Also, we used to think that everyone we knew who lived in Thane
has left it, but
on this project, I met this nice guy, who hasn't.
People like that exist.
He's also not on Instagram.
Anyway, you come back, and we will go for night drives
since we've already exhausted all the restaurants.
And listen, don't worry about the divorce.
The worst is over.
Love you. Always.
See, I have two friends.
I meet them every evening anyway.
I don't need to meet them on the internet as well.
But I was on these websites in school.
It was a lot of fun for about 2-3 weeks, and then I got bored.
And this Indian Badminton blog?
-How and when did you start it? -2007.
It's been 13-14 years since.
I used to play badminton in school with these boys and girls.
But I wasn't good enough, so I thought…
I would track their lives. Could be interesting.
Just like that?
Just like that.
And then it slowly became about badminton in India.
And there are some very promising boys and girls, you know?
They're very good.
I want to find them, I want to talk to them.
You know, there was this boy. Siddharth Srikanth, from Madurai.
He played for India as well, in the under-19 category.
And he won.
Straight sets.
And the boy he defeated? He's World No. 4 right now.
No idea where Srikanth is now.
And ambition?
Or are career and ambition also just for us Instagram people?
No, it is for me too.
I want to do well in my field.
I want to have a strong portfolio.
In the future, if I--
What?
Say it!
In the future, if I become too senior,
then I don't know if I'll be able to resist taking bribes.
They can be quite generous.
And I think about it too. Sometimes during lunchtime.
Okay, then what's stopping you now?
Because I'm a junior.
If at all, people offer small amounts. That's easy to say no to.
Sometimes watches, sometimes perfumes.
But if they're really expensive, maybe I won't be able to…
Okay, one second. Are you being serious, or are you joking right now?
I mean, I'm kinda serious.
But I want to give a good life to the people of Thane. That's the priority.
We had to put up a fight to even get this park approved.
I mean, it's easy to sell the land off to a builder,
make a mall, make money out of it.
But to make a park… what's the monetary benefit? Nothing.
But life breathes here, no?
Right?
I learned how to cycle here.
I actually miss that time.
Did you also cycle here?
No, National Park.
I learned cycling there.
Now, in the mornings at 6:30, I go there for a run.
So I don't really miss anything.
-Did I tell you-- -I spoke to--
Sorry.
Spoke to, as in?
I spoke to two of my friends from the tuition classes.
I told them I'm working with you.
Oh.
And… what, they remembered me?
One did. Didn't say anything.
Nothing?
You don't have to pretend, Parth.
I'm sure your friend must have said it.
Said it? Said what?
They spoke about your friend, Aanchal.
-Aashna. -Aashna.
So, none of them spoke about…
how I was caught kissing a guy in the coaching center
and got expelled?
You were?
No, they didn't.
Sorry, you were saying something before I cut you off.
Yes, I was saying that last year, this time, I
bought a very expensive keyboard.
And I haven't used it.
Not even once.
And…
I've never read a book in my life.
Except in school and college.
I just buy the book online and Wiki it.
Like, Wikipedia.
I know what Wiki is.
Of course!
Sorry.
Yeah.
So, no one knows this.
I don't know why I said all that.
So what?
It's fine. I have read only 98 books myself…
this year.
I like hanging out with you.
I judge myself less around you.
Can I ask you something?
Oh, you're actually waiting?
Please ask.
Are you married…
or maybe you have a boyfriend or something?
No and no.
You?
Are you married or have a girlfriend?
No.
But…
I wouldn't mind it.
Mind what?
All of it.
It's just…
I feel the pressure of time, or…
maybe people make me feel it.
Do you also feel it?
Yeah, I mean, I know what you mean.
Like, there are some things I would never do or
certain things that I would never say anymore.
-Right? -Yeah.
Like…
I don't think I'll ever say…
"Pass me the rubber,"
or "Same to same,"
"Same to you,"
"Back at you with no returns,"
or "So what should I do, dance?"
We can't say all these things at this age now.
What the fuck is, "So what should I do, dance?"
A comeback!
You've never used it?
For example, like,
if someone says, "Today, at recess,
I ate four dabelis." "So what should I do, dance?"
-No? -No.
Yeah.
-Bye? -Bye.
So, every week, we used to give Priyal these tasks…
even when we knew we would never let her into our gang.
This was us in sixth standard.
So horrible.
My own misdemeanor still haunts me.
Really?
Once, without thinking twice, I told the entire class
that whoever comes last, don't talk to him.
-Really? -Yeah.
And because I was the class monitor, everyone listened to me.
Fuck.
Well, the joke's on me now because now that boy owns
my favorite restaurant.
Tell me the name, I'll get it for breakfast tomorrow.
-Really? -Yeah!
Thanks.
Hi, Parth?
Hi, Saiba.
Saiba…
we have to put a stop to this project.
What?
Fuck off, dude!
Okay, sorry.
But you're joking, right?
There's a problem with the funds.
The MLA isn't so sure anymore, so…
So what should I do, dance?
Are you being serious?
But it's common.
It happens, you know?
It happens in the government sector too?
Why, does it happen in the private sector too?
Okay, one second. So, like,
are we supposed to stop working on this project from tomorrow?
Fuck.
No wonder half the teams aren't here.
-When did you find out about this? -Last evening.
Then why didn't you tell me earlier, Parth?
-You should've called us and told us! -Yeah, I just thought that…
I should say this to you face-to-face.
Who comes to Thane for no reason?
I'll start processing your remaining payment also.
I'll add today's too, I'll do something or the other, I'll just--
-Yes, please do. -Okay.
Am I not doing a good job?
We've barely begun the hardscaping, Parth. These things take time--
It's not that.
But it's not in my hands either.
I'm sad too.
But…
this park will happen. At some point, definitely.
But we were just laughing and joking.
Yes, about that…
I was nervous, so,
I thought nostalgic banter would lighten the mood.
Why do I have to keep going through this over and over again?
This self-doubt, humiliation…
I just can't seem to escape it.
It eats into me slowly, making a nice little dent.
Love and the risk of humiliation go hand in hand, right?
Ask me.
When I was signing those papers, I--
Dude, I literally had flashes of all the nice things, nice moments,
from my marriage.
And I was like, "Why? Why now?"
It's not just about romantic love, right? It's about…
how I want to live from this point.
You know last night, at midnight,
I was wondering who was going to call me and wish me first.
Literally, no one called just before midnight, man.
I got so sad, dude.
I was like, "Is this how my life is supposed to be now?"
Always sad, always angry.
Then I got this note.
Slipped under my door. Do you know what it said?
"Happy birthday, ma'am.
There's a surprise waiting for you tomorrow morning.
We request you to meet us at the breakfast area
anytime between 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Have a good day.
Best wishes, the Happy Seven Sisters family."
I read that note, and I was like…
no!
I think I need to give my life another chance, you know?
And I don't want to live through it with indifference and hate.
And be a bitter bitch forever.
Not doing that.
And maybe, to live life through love…
is the only way of experiencing it.
What can you do!
Right, Saiba?
Saiba.
Hi.
I just wanted to say hi…
Okay.
…and that I miss you.
Oh, nice.
I mean, okay, I miss you too.
Thank God.
I was writing you an email last night.
I thought I would proofread it in the morning and send it out.
Okay…
What were you writing about? Tell me.
"Hi, Saiba. How are you?
Just yesterday, the state government sent us a letter.
It said that the newly recognized area of Mumbai,
including Thane, is 751 sq.km.
It made me realize that…
I have only seen 208 sq.km.
The rest of the 543…
I would like to see them with you."
That's it.
You want some tea?
Tea, during my morning run?
I got it because I thought I'd fall asleep, so…
You've been here for a while?
A little bit.
How long did it take you to drive to Thane today?
You know, I didn't really notice the time today.
By the way, nice shorts.
-Thank you, they're new. -Okay.
Can I kiss you?
Just a quick one.
Yeah.
I could use that tea now.
Yeah.