You have no idea how hard I've looked for a gift to bring you.
Nothing seemed right.
What's the point of bringing gold to the gold mine?
Like a sudden breeze…
-New paths shall unfold and surprise us -Or water to the ocean?
New paths
-Unlike the days gone by -Everything I came up with
-was like taking spices to the Orient. -Trepidations shall rise no more
As the rain drizzles The seasons will change
Though clouds sometimes may conceal The light will always pierce through
I wish to live my life As gorgeously as the rainbow does
Every path I tread New stories and adventures arise
We are the limitless sky
Let's live this ephemeral life…
It's no good giving you my heart and my soul.
We are the limitless sky
-Even when going afar -Because you already have these.
Let's live with the passion of fire
-Time shall change -So I've brought you a mirror.
Indeed, it shall
Look at yourself…
and remember me.
Aththai.
They say there's a river nearby.
Three dips in it and all our sins will be washed away.
If we climb ashore, we will find the rat temple there.
We have visited five temples in three days.
When did this become a pilgrimage trip for my salvation?
Excuse you, Aththai.
Didn't you say Lord Murugan came to you in a dream…
and asked to fulfill his wishes?
And Tara, the astrologer?
You had tears.
Why else would we have come here?
As Nivi wished, we could've toured Goa and headed back home.
I don't feel guilty now.
After all, we're here taking God's blessings.
Stay here. I'll find out where she is.
Will you ever overact again?
Sundari, you imbecile!
Oh, Vatsala!
You've sent me on a wild temple chase without even giving me the address.
Please take the offerings.
The offering.
Thank you.
What is it, Amma?
What are you doing?
-Amma. -It's an offering. Why are you taking it?
Kaveri!
Put everything aside and come here!
How long do I wait?
I'm here. Now what?
What's the sweet for?
Did you do something wrong?
I won't forgive you.
Mrs. Rajaratnam, this is your husband's first salary.
It's for you along with the responsibility to run the house.
That's why these sweets!
This… How can I take this--
I'm sorry?
This is 23/4 Sullivan Garden, right?
Am I at the wrong address?
Can I give it to next door Radha instead?
Very well then. I'll give it to Radha instead.
Do you have anything to say?
Or will you remain in two minds over wanting to cry?
This is your amma's department, right?
Just the two of us, for the very first time. By ourselves.
Nobody has trusted me like this.
With money, to run their home, you know…
Hey.
This is your home.
Our home.
Why are you worked up now?
As it is, you have to put up with my face!
Now, one more responsibility to put up with!
Wonder why the odd 20 rupee note?
That's the change from buying the sweets.
This is for me!
This is for you!
This is mine.
It must remain with me.
Okay…
Amma!
This is beautiful!
Thank you so much!
You're very welcome, ma'am.
Call me Sundari.
-Sundari? -Yes.
I'm Robert.
Nivi.
I'm Julia. Nice to meet you ladies.
-Hello. -Hi.
So… looks like you're on a family vacation.
Where are you headed?
Wherever… road… God… takes us.
-Kindred spirits! -Yeah! Looks like it…
-So, is this your first time in India? -No.
It's his fourth.
My first, though I always wanted to come.
So… what do you do?
Meaning in life…
Oh!
We do this!
We just think of a place we want to see and we go.
All we really need are our backpacks.
-And our thumbs! -And our thumbs!
No, I mean work.
W… work.
What work? And then leave?
I mean holidays, vacations…
We just work at the places that we go to.
Bartending, waitressing, the works.
We know how to get by.
Must be great to just take off like that.
-It is. -It's pretty great!
Yeah, we're lucky we're both passionate about it…
and we don't mind roughing it out occasionally.
But trust me, we've seen it go south too!
Yes, we have!
So… where are you headed next? Do you know?
Up north. Manali.
Oh, no!
Manali is in the South in Chennai. Near Ennore.
No no, Sundari.
Ma-naa-li.
Up north. Definitely up north.
-Himachal Pradesh. -Right!
Yeah.
Stop!
Lovely!
We ladies shall have such a great time together!
Hey, maybe we can get Robert to drive.
Yeah! I can drive if you want.
No. Nivi will drive very well!
-Yeah, sure. -Okay.
Wow, Amma. Thanks.
You're afraid they'll steal the car, so I'm a "good driver" all of a sudden!
This trip has become A-rated.
Hey, why is it bothering you?
Take it easy and sit back!
Can you stay on your left, Nivi?
-I think we're almost there. -Yeah.
Where are we going?
B… Ba… Ba…
Bateshwar!
Oh, right! Bateshwar!
Robert says it's an ancient heritage site.
-Wow! -Yeah!
Apparently it's also a super famous temple.
-Temple? -Another temple? Get lost!
Yeah. Trust me, guys. You are going to love this place!
It's amazing.
Aththai.
Actually, Julia and Robert are quite a nice couple, right?
Very cultured! Not like we expected.
What did we expect?
They are visiting temples and praying.
So if they visit temples, they are cultured, is it?
-You know they're not married, right? -Come on.
Within birds who can't fly Lies a desire to touch the sky
-Lovely couple. -Aren't they?
So free and happy. Not a care.
With love on one side And time on the other
An eternal state of elation
Yeah right.
Only until they have a child.
You usually tend to be wrong.
But on this matter alone, I agree with you.
Let us soar high and above
Let us soar beyond this world
They'll definitely not get married.
That won't work for them.
No nuptial thread. No getting yoked.
Let us soar away together
Their culture is different.
Only romance!
Fish!
Let us soar high and above
Let us soar beyond this world
Collecting new memories along this journey…
Let us soar away together
If only I could speak so easily with my mum.
Tell me about it.
Or if I could've bonded with Nana before she passed…
My family could barely make it through Christmas and Easter.
But these ladies?
They're so… connected.
So… close knit.
Genuinely enjoying each other's company.
I guess it's in their culture.
I guess so.
Hey. I'm going to grab something to eat.
Sure. I'll check us in.
Namaste!
How are you?
We have bookings. I'm Robert Ellis.
Kaveri Rajaratnam.
You two are lovely together.
Thank you.
Why don't you get married?
Don't let Jules hear you say something like that!
A free spirit like her?
You… you mention marriage and she's…
She's bound to fly away.
And I… honestly couldn't bear that.
How do you know that?
Did you ask her?
"Ketu paathiya"?
Did you ask her?
Thank you.
Aththai, Nivi, let's go.
Take grandma to the room, Amma.
I'm going for a walk.
I need some me time.
Take care.
-Forgot me already? -Vikram!
Not bad…
What was your name again?
Kavi? Vini?
-Nivi! -What are you doing here?
What are you doing here?
-I thought you'd be drinking Feni in Goa! -Well… we're here.
I won't say where we're going next.
You'll follow us there too!
I was just taking a walk.
Was just going to grab a bite.
I'm pretty hungry too!
Follow me.
Okay.
Vikram…
I don't even know your full name.
Tell me the truth.
What are you doing here?
Following you.
This is a regular pitstop on the bikers' trail.
It's good to see you.
It's very good to see you.
Singh Rathore.
Vikram Singh Rathore.
Since you passive aggressively asked for it.
How's your trip going?
I've come with my amma and paati.
There's a limit to how much fun it can be.
Well… you signed up for it.
Then why complain?
Correct.
If I wanted to have fun…
I will also put on my shades and jacket and ride to Ladakh with my biker friends!
In that case, maybe you should follow me.
Cheers.
Cheers!
Oh man…
What's your problem, man?
Why are you cribbing?
Are none of your friends free today?
Would I sit around like this if they were?
You don't enjoy being around me anymore, do you?
Hey, Bala…
When you wanted to go have a popsicle at the beach on Sunday evening as a kid…
you'd be tailing me from Friday morning!
Remember?
Cheers!
Cheers, Appa.
Beach.
Breeze.
Ice cream.
Song.
Something's missing, isn't it?
Appa…
how many times have I seen you?
You will stealthily smoke as if it's a drug!
Mouth full of mints!
You'd spray four liters of air freshener too!
I have it occasionally and that too when I am stressed.
Don't rat me out to your amma. Or to mine.
You won't rat me out, will you?
Just give me that!
Light.
Bala…
You and I are not buddies.
Just once. Only once.
Forget whatever happens today right away.
You are sounding like amma.
Poor thing, your mom. She's got it tougher.
Don't compare us.
I'm nothing like her.
Do you have a girlfriend?
Are you trying to bait me just because I had one smoke with you, Appa?
What about you know…
Sex and all…
No! No, no, no…
I want no part of this.
Let's try some permitted father-son conversation.
Did you watch the match yesterday--
Hey! Don't change the subject.
Just making sure you don't get into trouble.
Why else would I care?
But how is it you give Nivi so much grief about boys?
That's different.
She is my daughter.
How can it be different? The same rules apply to everyone.
No, son.
She's my baby girl.
My dearest Chandu.
She doesn't even like that name, Appa.
In fact, nobody does.
It's my appa's name.
Even your amma does not like it.
Once they get back…
we should come here often.
It'll be fun. Together.
But…
-except the smokes. -Except the smokes.
Grandma wanted to see the Taj Mahal, didn't she?
It's along their route.
So?
We're supposed to follow strangers?
I told you that I know him already, Amma!
We met at the music festival!
I saw him again last night at the market during my walk!
He's a decent guy.
His name is Vikram.
Dr. Vikram.
Thanks, kutty!
This trip is all thanks to you!
Yes!
Someone seems very happy!
Rarely…
Sometimes, things conspire to bring you to the right place at the right time.
Like now…
it is pre-ordained that we should be here today, at this moment.
It may be pre-ordained,
but one needs to take that first step forward.
Correct.
To the prettiest lady on tour!
Oh! Thank you!
Can you please sit and eat?
Chapatis?
You eat.
-Hi! -Hi, guys!
Hello.
Wow!
The toe ring is beautiful!
Could I get something like that around here?
Yes, you could!
But only if you decide to get married.
Amma!
Sorry?
In India, only married women wear this.
Like how you wear this in your hand?
Us ladies wear on toes.
Okay…
Do you want to get married?
Amma!
Me? Married?
No… I think not.
For someone like me, I don't want to be grounded or rooted.
I'd rather be like this. Flying.
What if there's someone…
who enjoys… like you… flying?
Companionship is good, isn't it, dear?
I mean…
look at you three ladies. You're here without any men.
You seem to be having a perfectly good time.
So…
companionship is good.
Correct. But--
Amma!
Sorry… Did you guys get the tent?
Yeah.
Stop with the free advice.
It may be nothing to you, but they might not like it.
Can't believe I'm saying this, but stick to advising just me.
Amma!
Sleep inside, Amma. I'll be outside in the sleeping bag.
Cricket in the morning!
We have a break day tomorrow, guys.
-Bye! -Get some sleep!
Keep the volume low.
-Hello! -Hi!
Joining us for cricket tomorrow?
Cricket's not my scene.
Disappointed?
Nice, right?
You're not regretting this, are you?
-Okay, then. Good night! -Good night!
Nivi…
No walking tonight?
Yuck, Mom! Good night.
Hello. Good night.
Wow! You sing really well!
I didn't notice. Sorry!
Nivi never told me you were a singer.
No, no. I'm just a music fan.
Lovely voice! Really!
Whatever else has come and gone, music's been a constant.
It's like…
I'm a music fanatic!
Catch it!
What the hell? What are you doing?
She's a cricket fanatic!
So what's the plan today? You are alone?
In that case, can I take you to a place I'm going to?
Trust me. You'll love it.
No, no…don't let them take two! Come on, what is this?
We'll be back before the match ends.
Yeah?
Yes! Let's go!
Kaveri?
What's this?
"Nivi is playing a match. If you need anything, ask Shalini next door.
I'm going to a place with Vikram."
Okay.
"See you in the evening.
If there's any emergency, call Vikram's phone."
The bird has sprouted wings! It has flown away!
Penny for your thoughts?
Back in the day, it was something I loved.
Never thought I'd spend the rest of my life without it.
Why don't you sing anymore?
Why? I do sing.
To the grinder, mixer, frying pan, stove…
They don't know I'm out of touch, do they?
True that.
You speak Tamil so fluently.
We speak only Tamil at home, Auntie.
-My amma is Tamil. -Oh!
So Singh… your father is Punjabi, is it?
Are all Singhs Punjabi?
Are they not?
Where are you from?
Bangalore!
Nivi told me you're a doctor.
Your parents must be very proud of you, right?
Yeah.
At one time, I never even imagined…
that I'd end up doing the one thing in life I won't like.
"At one time?"
Oh, Auntie! I'm old now.
You know that, right?
Then why call me "auntie?
O breeze That knocks open this concealed world
O sky Tat stretches generously and limitlessly
Thank you.
I just need a minute.
I need to check for some directions and stretch my legs.
Cigarettes, right?
Bad boy.
Carry on. I also have a son, okay?
I know how all this works.
O stream that perpetually flows Yet never dries out
O horizon that glows with beauty Like birth and fire
O earth, O life that coalesces as one
In this moment with you
That's my uncle.
Let them finish first!
But like everyone else, I refer to him as "Panditji" too.
His voice was the soundratck to my teenage years.
Get going. Be aware.
Greetings, Panditji.
Bless you.
Namaste.
Panditji, this is my friend, Kaveri Rajaratnam.
She's a music lover.
Namaste!
Any lover of music is welcome here!
And I'm glad you could be here on this special day.
You must listen to the "Sangeet Samrat" sing.
What's this?
Ten minutes, Panditji.
Please come. Take a seat.
On this joyous occasion…
With the blessings of Pandit Surudev Rathod…
Joining us today, is the "Sangeet Samrat", Radhe Rathod!
Welcome! Let's start today's program.
Wake up, my beloved
I always cherish thy comforting visage
O beautiful soul
Wake up, my beloved
It is the crack of dawn And the sun's first rays shine bright
The cowherds go about Their daily routine
Everyone await With bated breath to see thee
Arise, O son of Nanda Maharaja
Wake up, my beloved
I haven't heard something like this in a very long time.
Not here, at least.
I'm Radhe.
And you are, ma'am?
-Kaveri. -Greetings.
But please don't call me "ma'am".
You're the "Sangeet Samrat."
And you're a lady.
Do you learn here?
No.
-I'm visiting. -Okay.
Vikram?
You're Vicky's guest?
Lovely.
Please.
So… did you learn back home?
No.
Back home, I'm just a mother.
"Just a mother."
You know I made the same mistake for a very long time…
thinking that my mother is "just that."
She was always better than us.
Greater than us.
How does it feel to be great?
It's…
exhausting.
But you're doing what you love.
I know it makes a big difference when you love what you do.
But…
it's not like you can escape the discipline… the struggles…
the heartbreak…
Sacrifices that come with it.
It's a life choice.
And you commit to it every single day.
And there is a little bit of a difference between making music your life…
and having an interest in it.
Though having interest in music also has its own joys.
It's a part of you.
It's part of your life when you need it to be.
At the same time, you have enough space to do everything that is important to you.
Like Vikram.
He always preferred it that way.
When did you start learning?
Ever since I can remember.
There's the thing that I say.
"I probably said "Saa…", before I said "Maa"."
Vicky!
-Greetings! -How are you?
All good!
He's the "Sangeet Samrat"!
He's my Radhe!
-Lovely, man. -Thanks.
Can I ask you a favor, please?
Yes, ma'am.
Can I hear greatness just once before we leave?
Ma'am.
Sure. What would you like to hear?
A song about…
missing a loved one.
Without the love of my life I cannot sleep
My eyes are filled with tears On these sleepless nights
I look everywhere…
But the love of my life Is nowhere to be found
My eyes cannot accept that And continue looking
Without the love of my life I cannot sleep
Niveditha! I'm trying to reach you!
Where the hell have you disappeared, Niveditha?
This is not the time to be doing this.
The team selection is in two weeks.
You're the first choice for wicket keeper-batsman.
The coach is asking about you every day.
Call me back as soon as you get this.
And come back.
Could you pull over?
-Vikram! -Yes?
-I want to make a call. -Yeah, sure.
Hello?
Amma?
Amma, is it you?
Amma!
How are you?
You're the best, Amma.
I miss you.
You never said all these things to me before, kanna.
You never left us before either.
Amma… I love you.
Amma, listen.
Don't cry.
It's all going to be okay.
We are all okay.
You also be okay.
And have fun, Amma.
You deserve it.
I love you too, da.
-You had a good day? -Yeah!
I was so scared on that bike ride!
No, you did good.
The Gharana was really amazing!
-I can't thank you enough. -Glad you enjoyed yourself.
Hello! Excuse me!
I told you she'd be upset, didn't I?
Please.
Listen… I compelled her and took her there.
What is she supposed to do alone while you were at your match?
I even left a note.
I went with Vikram only no?
And you know what?
Kaveri might just be a little cooler than you, Nivi.
Wow!
Is that you, Aththai?
Like?
-Cool! Too good! -Like!
Thank you.
A real stunner, is SP.
I don't believe this! Can you?
So went roaming with that boy?
I'll whack you.
He's a good boy. Let's invite him home for lunch sometime.
What's wrong with you? You seem off.
The selection is in two weeks, Amma.
What do you think I should do?
Why are you smiling?
Tell me.
Passion or love?
You look like you know the answer but you're not saying it.
My daughter's asking me for advice!
I feel so proud.
My daughter believes I have the answers.
I don't know if I have the answers.
But it feels great to be asked.
Today is Mother's Day for me!
Amma!
Look…
I'll tell you what I know.
Music was never for me what cricket is to you.
You can think of making a career out of your passion.
We didn't have those choices.
There was no option of making a life out of music.
It wasn't practical.
I could've continued singing for my own happiness.
But I didn't.
There is no point in asking why now.
It is what it is.
That's all.
But…
in all these years…
I've never had any regrets.
"Why didn't I sing? What a life I could have had!"
I have no such questions.
This is me.
This is my life.
No matter what, I am a mother.
That's the truth.
But you know what?
That's enough for me, Nivi.
In the same way, only you will know what is enough for you.
Go.
Go!
Dharamshala!
We are coming!
I want to play cricket, Amma.
That's who I am.
I want to go back for the selection.
I think I'm good.
I want to go home, Nivi.