Draft 1
(work in progress) March 6, 2012
Abhishek Chaubey
#13/602, MHADA Complex, Oshiwara, Andheri west, Mumbai 53
BABBAN
ek maaolavaI saahba baD,o proSaana qao.. ApnaI
taotI sao.. ]nako pak Garanao ka maahaOla
Kraba kr Dalaa qaa kmaja,f- taotI nao.. mauMh
sao esaI gaMdI gaMdI gaailayaaM fUTtI qaIM ik
mauJa jaosaa BaI Sarmaa jaayao.. JaoMpto hue
maaolavaI saahba nao ek idna Apnao daost kaja,I
saahba kao yao baat bata dI.. kaja,I saahba
baaolao ]sao maoro yahaM Baoja dao.. maOMnao dao taoto
palao hOM.. baD,o SarIf hOM.. saara idna Allaa
Allaa krto rhto hO.. sahI saMgat haogaI tao
dao idna maoM ja,baana Aap hI sahI hao jaayaogaI..
maaolavaI saahba baD,o KuSa! ApnaI taotI laayao
AaOr ]sao kaja,I saahba ko Gar CaoD, idyaa..
kaja,I saahba nao taotI kao ipMjaro ko AMdr Dala
idyaa.. jaOsao hI taotI Andr ga[-, ek taoto
nao ]sao ekTk doKa AaOr klamaa pZ,naa baMd
ikyaa.. mauskurayaa AaOr Apnao daost kao baaolaa
ik..
FADE IN:
EXT. KABRASTAN - DAY
Babban squats inside a recently dug up grave. He is dressed in colorful sherwani, like a Nawab from another era. MUSHTAQ watches him bemused, sitting on his easy-chair just above the grave. ARMED MEN stand around.
MUSHTAQ Kya bola?
BABBAN
Bandh kar apni allah allah.. Dua kabool ho gayi hai..
Mushtaq stares at him. Deadpan. MUSHTAQ (to his men)
Dafna do nawab sahab ko..
The men start to shovel the earth into the grave as Mushtaq walks away.
BABBAN (pleads)
Mushtaq bhai yeh to na-insaafi hai! Khalu ki dagaa ki sazaa mujhe kyun de riye ho aap? Agar mere dil me khot hota toh mein bhaag na jaata? Yahan aata hee kyun? Mushtaq bhai please! Mera yakeen karo.. Achcha chalo kam se kam aakhiri khwahish toh pooch lo!
MUSHTAQ Lateefa sunana hai?
BABBAN Nahi.. Afsana..
FADE TO:
CROWDED STREET - DAY FLASHBACK
Khalujan and Babban walk down a street. Laughing, chatting. Slow Motion.
I/E. INAAM ALI DRY CLEANERS - DAY
Two rather ornate sherwanis lie on the table of the shop. Outside is a crowded street.
KHALUJAN
Ek hazaar roz ka? Sherwani ke andar nawab bhi taank rakha hai kya
miyan?
INAAM ALI
Chandpur kr nawab ki sherwaniyaan hain huzoor. Haj pe gaye hain isiliye kiraye pe mil rahin hain. Kar doon dono pack?
KHALUJAN
Nahi ek.. Aur ek koi ghatiya saa angrakha dikhaaiye iske liye.
BABBAN Kyun khan?
KHALUJAN
Nawab ke saath ek khadim lazmi hai. BABBAN
Tum kya ho? Nawab? KHALUJAN Haan khan.
BABBAN Waah khan..!
KHALUJAN
Haan khan.. Tu kuchh bhi pehen le shakal se khadim hee lagega.
Inaam Ali chuckles but stops when Babban glares at him. Khalujan feels the cloth on the sherwani, his hands tremble.
INAAM ALI Kab se kaanpte ho miyan? Babban chuckles aloud.
KHALUJAN (awkward)
Yun hee bas kuchh dino se.. BABBAN
O kyun jhooth bol riye ho Khalu! Kai saal se kaanp riye hain miyan.. Aur abhi toh dhoop chadhi hai,
subah subah toh zalzalaa hota hai zalzalaa.. Main aamlate banane ke liye bedaa pyaali mein tod ke chammach inke haath me pakda deta hoon.. Thar thar thar thar.. Doh minute mein apne aap hee phit jaata hai andaa.. Labalab jhaagdaar...
Babban laughs hysterically. Both the men, much older than him, eye him with disdain.
Inaam Ali puts his arms around Khalujan and walks him inside the laundry.
INAAM ALI
Hamare dadajaan bahot badey hakeem hain. Milna chahenge aap?
Khalujan looks at him apprehensively.
I/E. HARDWARE STORE - DAY
Babban examines a glass cutter up close as the SHOPKEEPER observes him.
SHOPKEEPER Teen hazaar.
BABBAN
Sahi lagaa lo miyan.. Bachchon ke khatne ke liye hai, kasam se.
SHOPKEEPER (chuckles)
Daam toh bilkul sahi hai. BABBAN
(looks at the price tag) Par isme to ek hazaar likha hai.
SHOPKEEPER
Wo daam mistriyon ke liye hai. BABBAN
Toh main kya lagta hoon shakal se? The shopkeeper gestures him to come closer.
SHOPKEEPER (whispers)
Chor..
The shopkeeper laughs out loud.
INT. ELECTRICITY OFFICE - DAY
Khalujan stands opposite a TECHNICIAN handing out cash and instructions.
KHALUJAN
Theek teen baje bandh honi chahiye batti. Aur teeno phase ek saath.
TECHNICIAN (lost in the notes)
Arrey das minute pehle hee gul kar denge huzoor.
KHALUJAN
Kyun? Das minute pehle kyun? TECHNICIAN
Bas, yun hee..
Khalujan punches him hard on the nose. The Technician rolls back a few steps, blood streaming down his nose.
TECHNICIAN (CONT’D) Kyun maar kyun riye ho miyan?
KHALUJAN
(mimics Technician)
Bas, yun hee.. Teim kee izzat karna seekho.. bachcha paida honay mein nau mahine chahiye toh nau hee chahiye.
TECHNICIAN
Main saat mein hee ho gaya tha..
INT. GENERATOR ROOM - DAY
Khalujan sprays diesel on the floor dangerously close to an enormous generator. He pulls a rope puts it all over the spilled diesel. He then ties the rope to the generator. The generator is dripping with diesel.
KHALUJAN (on the phone) Ready..
We follow the line of the rope which travels outside for
about 15 metres to stop at lavatory behind a store. Babban is inside, smoking a beedi.
BABBAN (on the phone) Ready..
He ties the other end of the rope to the ventilator.
EXT. MUSHTAQ’S HOUSE - TERRACE - AFTERNOON
Right in the centre of the a sprawling terrace of his house, Mushtaq relaxes inside a warm bubble bath.
Babban is awkward dressed as a nawab and Khalujan as his khadim sit close to him while Mushtaq’s motley crew watches from the sidelines.
MUSHTAQ Nahaoge?
Babban shakes his head. Khalujan’s head is bowed quietly. MUSHTAQ (CONT’D)
Toh? Hagoge?
Mushtaq’s men chuckle quietly. One of his men opens the door to the loo in the terrace and gestures to the duo.
MUSHTAQ (CONT’D)
Hagna toh tumhe hai hee.. Yahin hag lo.. Varna dukaan mein naayab haar pe ponke maroge..
BABBAN
Iss baar taiyyari mein koi kasar nahi hai Mushtaq bhai.. Inshallah kal sawa teen baje haar aapke kadmo mein hoga..
Babban takes out the glass cutter from his pocket and displays it to Mushtaq. MUSHTAQ Ye kya hai? BABBAN Kaanch katoo. KHALUJAN
Cheeni kaanch katoo.. Chinese.
Mushtaq takes the glass cutter and examines it close. BABBAN
Kaisa bhi kaanch ho, dus second mein kaat ke haath mein de deta hai.
Mushtaq gestures to one of his men who proceeds to put some cash on the table.
MUSHTAQ
Meenari masjid ke peechhe kabrastan mein, saadhe teen baje milunga
main. Aur kuchh bhi gadbad hui to khuda kasam iss baar iss cheeni kaanch katoo se nunni kaat lunga.. Dono kee.
Khalujan and Babban look at each other. MUSHTAQ (CONT’D) Kya kaat lunga?
BABBAN
Nunni. Nunni. KHALUJAN
EXT. JEWELLERY STORE - DAY
Babban and Khalujan ride on a cycle rickshaw. They ask the rickshaw driver to stop before the jewellery store.
They duck behind an old Mercedes Benz parked outside the jewellery store and emerge out as if they’ve gotten off the car.
They enter the store.
INT. JEWELLERY STORE - DAY
Shiny gold jewellery on display. An obsequious STORE MANAGER looks at Khalujan and Babban apprehensively.
Babban looks around at the stuff on display and frowning, shakes his head to Khalujan.
BABBAN
(whispers to Khalujan) Dikh nai riya kahin khalu..
STORE MANAGER (to Khalujan)
Kya hua?
KHALUJAN
Nawab sahab farmaa rahe hain kee aapke haar sade huey hain,
badboodaar.
STORE MANAGER
Kya baat kar rahe hain, Nawab sahab. Ye dekhiye..
Babban, now slightly more comfortable, gestures to Khalujan. KHALUJAN
Jee main abhi bulata hoon driver ko..
(on the phone)
Haan Pervez.. Gaadi andar le aao. Aur AC chala ke rakhna.. Nawab sahab garmi nahi toilet kar sakte hain..
While Khalujan talks, the store manager bends down and takes out a jewellery box from a locked drawer below the display.
STORE MANAGER Ye dekhiye Nawab sahab.
(to Khalujan; whispers)
Asal mein officially hum issey bech nahi sakte..
KHALUJAN Kyun?
STORE MANAGER
Ye Hyderabad, Pakistan wala.. Wahan ke Nizaam ke yahan se chori ho ke aaya hai.. Nayaab cheez hai huzoor magar paisa poora 100% cash mein.. Khalujan looks at Babban who nods.
KHALUJAN Kitne?
STORE MANAGER Pachaas.
Khalujan looks at Babban. He nods again. KHALUJAN
STORE MANAGER Paanch..
Khalujan looks at Babban again. KHALUJAN
Aapka pekhana kidhar hai? STORE MANAGER Kyun?
KHALUJAN
Nawab sahab cash andar chhupa ke chalte hain.. Chaddhi mein..
The manager gestures to his assistant who escorts Babban to the toilet. He keeps the necklace inside the glass display.
STORE MANAGER
Chaddhi mein.. Kitna aa jaata hai? KHALUJAN
Chaar, paanch..
STORE MANAGER Kaise?
KHALUJAN
Do dhai aage.. Do dhai peechhe.. The manager is suitably impressed.
INT. LAVATORY - MOMENTS LATER
Babban is in the loo. He takes out the lighter and ignites the rope. The fire travels to the generator. He looks at his watch and goes out.
STORE
Khalujan looks at the guards near the door. The clock strikes 3 just as Babban walks in. The lights go off. Babban screams out loud. There is hustle bustle everywhere.
The manager barks order to his assistants to put on the generator. As the assistant leaves Khalujan takes out the glass cutter. Suddenly there is a huge explosion, the manager cries out and while cutting the glass Khalujan screams that this is a terrorist attack.
He grabs the necklace and rushes towards Babban. Just when they are about to leave, the manager puts the emergency lights on.
Khalujan and Babban stop in their tracks. The managers stares at them. His eyes widen as he realises that the necklace is missing. Babban has even picked up a few others items.
A quiet moment. Suddenly, Khalujan and Babban break into a laughter. The manager is confused for a second and the duo takes advantage of it. They run for the exit. The manager screams at the guard to stop the two men.
Just when Khalujan and Babban are exiting the premises, the guard fires a shot. Babban turns around to see that Khalujan is on the floor. He has a wound in his left arm. Babban
rushes to his side but Khalujan shouts at him to get away as the guards reach closer.
Babban makes a choice and escapes but is glad to see that Khalujan somehow makes it across the wall onto the other side. Babban screams to Khalujan that they’ll meet at the designated spot in 3 hours.
EXT. KABRASTAN - EVENING
We are back to the setting of the opening scene. The sun is on its way out.
MUSHTAQ
Saadhe paanch baj rahe hain.. Ab intekhab kar le..
BABBAN Kya?
MUSHTAQ Sar kaatoon kee nunni?
BABBAN
Mushtaq bhai.. Mujhe agar Khalu ki gaddari ka ilm hota toh main yahan aata hee kyun? Bhaag naa jaata?
MUSHTAQ Sar kee nunni?
BABBAN
Aap toh insaaf ke liye mash-hoor ho bhai.. Please..
MUSHTAQ Sar ke nunni?
BABBAN (sobbing)
Japan ke underworld mein toh ungli kaat-te hain.. lo kaat lo..
MUSHTAQ Ye India hai be..
(to his man)
Chal be sikka uchhaal.. Head aaya to sar aur tail toh nunni..
One of his men throws a coin in the air. Babban watches with baited breath as the coin lands away from his view.
MUSHTAQ’S HENCHMAN (chuckling)
Tail..
Babban leaps and picks up the coin. It has tail on both sides.
BABBAN (angry)
Ye toh dono taraf tail hai.. Mushtaq bhai, baat kya hai, aap meri nunni ke peechhe kyun pade ho?
Mushtaq doesn’t respond but continues laughing. Babban takes a moment to think.
BABBAN(CONT’D) (bows down)
Lo kaat lo sar..
Babban waits with eyes shut. Mushtaq pulls Babban up by his hair.
MUSHTAQ
Bahot pyaar hai apni nunni se? Babban nods.
MUSHTAQ (CONT’D) Aur mujhe wo haar pyaara hai.. Pandrah dino mein le aa aur apni nunni bachaa le.
BABBAN
(hugely relieved) Ae mere parvar digaar.. He falls on Mushtaq’s feet.
FADE OUT.
MONTAGE
A montage of Babban looking for Khalujan. He goes to their various hideouts, shows his picture around but there is no sign of him. We see him traveling out of town all alone. He carries on with his business of petty thieving through the montage.
BROTHEL - DAY
At the end of the montage, he arrives at a brothel and speaks to the whores trying to find Khalujan. No results. He seems depressed. One of the whores takes pity on him and takes him inside her chamber.
Inside, Babban is making out with the girl when he stops all of a sudden. Straining, he hears what seems like Khalujan’s voice from the other room. The whore carries on faking her moans and Babban puts a hand on her mouth to shut her up. He gets up and shushes the bewildered whore and walks to the adjacent room. He puts his ear on the wall. His eyes widen; unmistakably Khalujan.
KHALUJAN (O.S.)
Yahan koi aayega aur mera pataa poochhega. Teri aankhon mein talaashega, mujhe dhoondega..
Enraged, Babban sprints to the next room. He bursts through the door, hoping to surprise his betrayer.
BABBAN (screams) Khalu..!!
All he sees inside is a little child watching TV. The kid is startled and Babban is mystified. His eyes travel to the TV. On TV:
REPORTER Waah waah!
He sees Khalujan talking to the reporter on TV. Khalujan looks quite dapper in a black sherwani and grins from ear to ear.
REPORTER (CONT’D) (to the camera)
Toh ye thay Chandpur ke Nawab, Iftekhar Hussain aur hum iss waqt khade hain Aminabad ke railway station par jahaan poore mulk ke behtar se behtereen shayar jamaa ho rahe hain, Aminabad kee Begum
sahiba Begum Para ke salaane jalse ke liye.
As the reporter talks, we see various sights and sounds of Aminabad town. The camera travels close to the TV till the image fills the screen :
AMINABAD
REPORTER
Ye jalsaa Begum apne marhoom
shauhar Nawab Meer Khan sahab kee yaad me organize karwati hain. Nawab sahab kee aakhiri khwahish thee kee unke baad Begum umr bhar bewaa naa rahein aur doosra nikaah zaroor kar lein magar sirf kisi shayar ke saath.
Shots of the sprawling campus of Begum’s estate in preparation for the coming event. The corridors of the
mansion, the rooms. Eventually as the camera travels indoor: REPORTER (CONT’D)
Lekin pichhle paanch saalon mein aise kisi bhee shayar ne Aminabad ki sarzameen pe kadam nahi rakha jiska kalaam Begum ke tapte sulagte dil pe saaya ban ke gir sake. Aaiye mil ke duaa maange, yaa allah kisi zaheen hassaas sukhanwar ko iss udaas, khoobsurat sheh ka chaaragar banaa.. Ameen.
Through the reportage we see the camera arrive at BEGUM PARA’s personal quarters. We see her, though only a silhouette, standing against a window.
At the end of the reportage, a car arrives below. Khalujan gets off. He looks up at Begum’s window. She’s not there.
CUT TO:
INT. HAVELI - HALL - NIGHT
A reception in the honor of the poets in Begum’s mansion. A huge spread is laid out for dinner. Yummy mughlai
delicacies. The guests enjoy themselves in wine and conversation. Soft music floats through.
A young woman, Munira Bano alias MUNIYA Banarsi presents herself up the stairs.
MUNIYA
Tavajjo chahoongi khawatino
hazraat.. Khaaksaar ka naam Munira Aslam Zia Ul Bano hai..
ZAFAR ALIGARHI (softly)
Naam toh aise bataa rahi hain jaise khazaane ka pataa bataa rahien ho..
MUNIYA
Thode hee lamhaat mein rashk-e-maah Begum Para mehfil se rubaru honay ko hain.. Chand baatein jinse har mard se gaur karne kee guzarish hai.. Begum se kisi bhee kism ke jismani lams se parhez karein aur aankhon ko naa takne kee hidayat dein.. Begum kaagzi hain, zyaada der tak koi dekh le toh nazar lag jaati hai.. Gehri saanse, thandi aahein aur khaamosh fugaaein, Begum kee maujoodgi mein gair-jaayaz
hain..
As she speaks, sounds of payal mingles with the music. Begum walks through the corridors of the mansion towards the hall. She arrives at the first floor landing and looks to her
guests.
BEGUM PARA Aadaab..
ALL Aadaab..
The room echoes. Khalujan looks at her, fascinated.
MOMENTS LATER
The poets greet the Begum. She walks to each one of them and presents them with a rose. Muniya walks with her, introducing the contestants.
There is talk, smiles and soft laughter but Khalujan is lost in her and the music.
Khalujan stands at one end of the room. Muniya spots him and they walk to him. Khalujan swallows and comes to his senses.
MUNIYA (confused) Nawab... (fumbles) Jee.. Nawab.. KHALUJAN
Nawab Chandpur.. Aadaab..
Begum reciprocates the gesture. She starts to move but stops: BEGUM PARA
KHALUJAN
Yaad aaye to ittala zaroor
kijiyega.. Hum bhi khud ko dhoond rahein hain aajkal..
BEGUM PARA (smiles; to Muniya)
Nawab Jahanpura nahi dikh rahe hain kahin..
NAWAB OF MAULAGARH Kanpur tak toh thay train mein Nawab sahab.. Hamne dekha tha..
MUNIYA (to Begum)
Intezariyon kee fehrist yoon toh kaafi lambi hai magar aakhiri lamhe mein kisi ko bulawa dena achha nahi lagega..
JAAN MOHAMMAD Sirf hamein chhodkar..
They turn around to see a burly man in his forties, JAAN MOHAMMAD.
MUNIYA MLA sahab aap?
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Jee.. Jaan Mohammad Khan, aapki khidmat mein..
MUNIYA (hesitant)
Khan sahab jalse mein shareek honay ke liye shayar hona laazmi hai..
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Kabhi kabaar kehne ki koshish toh toh hum bhi kar lete hain..
Muniya looks at Begum.
ZAFAR ALIGARHI Irshad, irshad..
JAAN MOHAMMAD (clears throat; poetic)
Yahan libaas kee keemat hai aadmi kee nahi.. Mujhe gilaas badaa de sharaab kam kar de..
BEGUM PARA (smiling)
Bahot khoob.. Itnay haseen sher ka matlaa bhee irshaad karein, Khan sahab..
JAAN MOHAMMAD (hesitant)
Jee matlaa.. Kuchh khaas hua nahi hai.. Ham kaam hee kar rahe hain..
BEGUM PARA Phir bhee.. Irshaad..
ALL
Irshaad.. Irshaad.. JAAN MOHAMMAD (strains)
Kuchh yoon saa tha.. Kya thaa..? Pause as people wait expectantly.
KHALUJAN
Sanwaar noke palak aabruon mein kham kar de.. Girey pade huey lafzon ko mohtaram kar de.. The audience cheers.
BEGUM PARA
Mashaallah.. Aapka hai Nawab sahab? KHALUJAN
Aapke rubaru bas nikal giraa muaa zabaan se..
Begum and Khalujan smile at each other. Jaan Mohammad smiles uncomfortably.
INT. JAAN MOHAMMAD’S HOUSE - NIGHT
Nawab of Jahanpura, 50, looks miserable tied up on a chair inside a dim lit room. Jaan Mohammad walks to him and slaps him right across the face mercilessly.
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Sirf sher kyun diya.. Matlaa kyun nahi diya?
NAWAB OF JAHANPURA (pleads)
Matlaa hua nahi hai kasam se.. Gazal ab tak kahi nahi hai..
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Dekho Nawab e Jahanpura kaan khol ke sun lo.. Shaam tak bees nai gazlein chahiye hamein.. Aur aisi ke sun ke kaleja muh mein aa jaye aur dil hatheli pe.. Varna tumhara bheja tumhari zaano pe aa jayega. Bees gazlein, shaam tak..
NAWAB OF JAHANPURA Par shaam tak bees gazlein kaise hongi?
Jaan Mohammad gestures to one of his cronies. Liyaqat, brings a bottle of whisky with a glass and ice. Another one, Rafiq, brings the Nawab a pad and a pen.
Liyaqat makes a drink for the Nawab. LIYAQAT
Barf?
Rafiq takes the glass away from the Nawab. RAFIQ
Pehle harf, phir barf.. LIYAQAT
Waah waah, kya misraa hai..
The others too appreciate the rhyme. Jaan Mohammad slaps him. JAAN MOHAMMAD
Chup bakchod.. Chup!
Jaan Mohammad pulls his chair closer to the Nawab. JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D)
Chalo shuru ho jaao..
They all stare at Nawab. The hapless Nawab looks back. CUT TO:
MONTAGE - NIGHT
Various shots of the poets preparing for the contest
tomorrow. We see different styles of delivery, some mundane, some peculiar, some funny. Last one being Khalujan. He stands in front of the mirror and strikes a pose.
KHALUJAN
Zaraa sambhaal ke miyan.. Kal thoda rehem farmaiyega aawam pe..
He grins like a teenager.
CUT TO:
EXT. HAVELI - LAWNS - EVENING
A time lapse shot establishing the setting of the mushaira. Later, the people have gathered and the contestants are in place. Begum arrives and lights the candle to start the evening’s programme.
As she takes her place the Master of ceremony announces the event schedule and the poets start with the performance. A montage as the poets deliver their poems. There is applause, ranging from the mild to the vociferous. The audience enjoys every bit.
Soon it is Jaan Mohammad’s turn. He takes to the microphone and looks toward the audience with a smile. Silence.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (bowing to Begum) Ijaazat.. BEGUM PARA Irshaad. JAAN MOHAMMAD
Gazal se pehle chand sher pesh karna chahoonga..
Members of the crowd go ‘Irshaad, Irshaad’. Jaan Mohammad clears his throat. Then suddenly, he starts his couplet very loudly and passionately.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D) Yahan ek bachche ke khoon se jo likha huaa hai ussey padhein.. abhi keertan tera paap hai, abhi mera sajda haraam hai..
There is silence for a bit before the crowd erupts in applause. Jaan Mohammad bows with an aadaab.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D) Andaa machhli chhookar jinko paap lagey.. unkaa poora haath lahoo mein dooba hai..
One of the members of the audience turns to his friend. AUDIENCE 1
Pichhle saal ke hindu muslim fasaad mein teen qatl ke FIR darz hain MLA sahab ke naam pe.. Aur sher suno..
AUDIENCE 2
Miya haathi ke daant dikhane ke aur khaane ke aur..
The man gets an unexpected whack on the back of his neck. He turns to see Liyaqat standing behind him. He quickly turns back to the stage.
AUDIENCE 2 (CONT’D) Waah waah.. Mukarrarr mukarrarr.. Liyaqat smiles.
Jaan Mohammad recites another verse on communal discord. Strident and vociferous, he makes a huge impact by the time he leaves the stage, leaving the audiences hankering for more. He struts past Khalujan who offers a salaam to him. He nods slightly.
The master of ceremony takes to the mic. MASTER OF CEREMONY Toh hazreen, Jaan sahab ki
aatishbaazi ke baad main aise hee ek aur shayar ko aawaaz dena
chahoonga jo ki pehli baar apnaa taazatareen kalaam le kar Begum sahiba ke dar pe haazir huey hain.. Chandpur ke Nawab janaab Iftekhar Hussain Khan!
The applause is moderate as Khalujan steps up to the
microphone. The audience looks on, not really knowing what to expect as Khalujan looks at them with a smile.
KHALUJAN (to Begum) Ijaazat chahoonga..
BEGUM PARA Irshaad..
Khalujan gently does an aadaab, then starts to sing his poetry. What is known in Urdu poetry as reading poetry in tarannum.
KHALUJAN
Kabhi yoon bhi aa meri aankh mein kee meri nazar ko khabar naa ho.. Mujhe ek raat nawaaz de magar uske baad seher na ho.. woh badaa raheem o kareem hai mujhe ye sifat bhi ataa kare.. Tujhe bhoolne kee duaa karoon toh meri duaa mein asar naa ho..
Khalujan pauses for effect. The audience stares at him. Begum Para starts to clap. The audience erupts in huge cheers and whistles. Khalujan continues.
As Khalujan starts with his last couplet, the camera moves point of view through the crowd.
KHALUJAN (CONT’D)
Woh mehekti palkon kee oat se koi tara chamka tha raat mein.. Meri bandh mutthi na kholiye wohi kohinoor hai haath mein.. Main tamaam taare utha utha ke gareeb logon mein baant doon.. Kabhi ek raat wo aasmaan ka nizaam dein mere haath mein..
Khalujan’s eyes are shut. Its silence. He opens them to thunderous applause. The audience gives Khalujan a standing ovation.
Khalujan bows slightly and does an aadaab to Begum who is on her feet. Khalujan looks around to the crowd. The crowd
clamors for more.
Khalujan turns, all smiles, to one side of the crowd. He does a double take. Did he spot Babban among the audience? He
isn’t sure.
AUDIENCE Mukarrarr mukarrarr..
KHALUJAN
Main tamaam taare utha utha ke gareeb logon mein baant doon..
As he finishes the first line, he spots Babban again. He goes off key momentarily.
KHALUJAN (CONT’D)
Kabhi ek raat wo aasmaan ka nizaam dein mere haath mein..
The audience applauds. Babban is the loudest of all
Khalujan’s new found admirers. Khalujan bows as he steps back.
Begum is very happy and grins as she claps for him. She turns to looks at Muniya and then the audience. She turns back to the stage. Khalujan is missing.
EXT. BEHIND THE STAGE - MOMENTS LATER
Khalujan is running for his life, unbuttoning the top of his sherwani. Babban is close on his heels, abusing him
incessantly as he runs to catch him.
The chase continues through the mansion premises, in the
corridors, backyard, till they are back in another section of the lawns behind the mushaira stage.
Khalujan stops, his lungs have given way and he can’t run anymore. Babban comes right next to him and bends down, holding his knees with his hands, pausing for breath. Both are panting hard and looking at each other.
BABBAN Thak gaye?
Khalujan nods. Babban pulls him by the collar and pushes him on the road.
BABBAN (CONT’D) Itna jaldi? Bhaago...
KHALUJAN (pleads)
Aur bhaage toh dil muh mein aa jaayega..
BABBAN
Aaney do.. Main wapas ghused doonga seene mein..
KHALUJAN
Mar jaaoonga beta kuchh taras khaa..
BABBAN
Tumne khaya tha? Akela marne ke liye chhod kar bhaag gaye..
KHALUJAN
Bhaage kahan? Ham toh apnee jaan ki hifazat mein lage thay beta.
Babban grabs Khalujan. BABBAN Kahan hai?
KHALUJAN Jaan?
KHALUJAN (CONT’D) Woh toh stage pe padi hai na.. Begum ke kadmon mein..
Babban punches Khalujan hard on the gut. Khalujan doubles over on the ground.
BABBAN
Tumhari nahi meri jaan.. Haar.. Kahan hai?
(bends down) Kahan hai?
Khalujan keeps a finger on Babban’s lips. KHALUJAN
Ek minute ek minute.
He strains to listen to a poet on the loudspeaker some distance away.
POET (distant)
Woh chandni ka badan khushbuon ka saaya hai.. Bahot azeez hamein hai magar paraya hai..
KHALUJAN
Waah waah kya sher hai.. Samajh me aaya?
Babban shakes his head. Khalujan punches him between his legs.
KHALUJAN (CONT’D) Kabhi aayega bhi nahi.. Koodh saala..
Now Khalujan bends down on Babban who is on the ground. KHALUJAN (CONT’D)
Woh chandni ka badan khushbuon ka..? Kya hai?
BABBAN (in pain) Saaya hai..
Khalujan grabs him by the hair. KHALUJAN
Haan! Bahot azeem hamein hai magar? BABBAN
Purana hai..
KHALUJAN
Purana nahi.. Paraya.. Paraya hai..
Khalujan gets up and settles his crumpled sherwani. KHALUJAN (CONT’D)
Haar wohin gir gaya tha.. dukaan ke bahar.. Yaad nahi hum fisal gaye thay?
BABBAN
Toh tum kabrastan kyun nahi aaye Mushtaq se milne?
KHALUJAN
Kyun aate? Nunni katane? (concerned)
Teri toh bachi hai na?
Babban lunges for Khalujan all of a sudden. He pushes him hard. Khalujan stumbles but regains his footing and bolts hard. Babban abuses him and follows.
They run for a little bit before Khalujan turns a corner and freezes, his eyes widening.
Behind him Babban too makes a turn. BABBAN
Khalu saale!
He stops quickly to see Begum Para and Muniya walking toward Khalujan. He pauses for breath and walks to him.
BEGUM PARA (concerned)
Nawab sahab.. Alhamdulillah! Sab theek hai na? Aapki naak se khoon nikal raha hai..
KHALUJAN (touches his nose)
Oh! Asal mein hum daud rahe thay.. MUNIYA
Kisliye?
KHALUJAN (hesitant)
Kasrat ke liye.. Do din se itna khaa rahe hain pee rahe hain naa.. Isilye lagta hai ki nakseer phoot gayi hai..
Begum comes close to him. Khalujan is flustered. Babban watches.
BEGUM PARA
Allah.. Chaliye haveli chaliye.. Hum kuchh laga dete hain..
BABBAN (brusque)
Nahi aise hee theek ho jayega apne aap.
Begum turns sharply to Babban. He is awkward. MUNIYA
Aapki tareef?
Babban is thinking what to say when -KHALUJAN
Hamare khadim hain..
Babban turns to Khalujan, shocked. He looks back at the scowling face of Muniya and tries to smile.
MUNIYA Naam?
KHALUJAN
Arrey Babban miyan, naam bataiye apna. Babban stutters. MUNIYA (smiling) Muhlaggu? BEGUM PARA (laughs; to Khalujan) Aaiye Khan sahab..
Khalujan nods to Babban awkwardly and walks on with Begum. MUNIYA
(to Babban)
Khadimo ke kamre resort ke pechhe hain.. khaane ke baad apna lihaaf, chatai leke aa jana..
BABBAN
Tu bhee wohin rehti hai toh aa jaoonga..
She walks on.
INT. HAVELI - DAY
Begum pours water from a jar and Khalujan washes the blood off with it.
BEGUM PARA
(taking the towel from him)
Laaiye..
(she sees his hands) Hatheli aage kijiye zara..
Khalujan shows his shaking left palm with some shame. BEGUM PARA (CONT’D)
Baanyi nahi daanyi.. Khalujan obliges.
BEGUM PARA (CONT’D) Hmm..
KHALUJAN Kya hua?
BEGUM PARA Ye dekh rahe hain.
(pointing to a line)
Ye dil kee lakeer hai.. Jagah jagah se kati hui.. Ishq mein bahot chote khaanyi hain aapne.. Isiliye itne bheege bheege ashaar kehte hain..
KHALUJAN Aap najoomi hain?
BEGUM PARA Shaukiya..
MUNIYA
Magar peshevaron se bhi peshevar.. Muniya chimes in as she enters the room.
BEGUM PARA Chup!
MUNIYA
Lakeeron se dimaag padhne ki kuvvat rakhti hain.. Zabaan ka niklaa sach hokar hee rehta hai..
KHALUJAN
Hamare baare mein aur bataen na.. BEGUM PARA
Iski baaton mein naa jaayen aap.. Ye bahot badi gapodi hai..
MUNIYA
KHALUJAN Jee bataiye na..
Begum smiles at him and inspects his palm again. BEGUM PARA
Aap zindagi ke sabse achche waqt mein kadam rakhne ko hain.. Jitne bhee jismani aur roohani rog hain sab ka chaara khud ba khud ho jayega. Hmmm.. kuchh bahot hee mehengi cheez chhupaye hain aap apne paas..
Khalujan is alarmed.
KHALUJAN
Ar..er.. Arrey Babban miyan apne phoon se ek tasveer toh utaaro hamari Begum sahiba ke saath..
BABBAN (curt)
Phoon me batery nahi hai.. MUNIYA
Hamare phoon mein hai..
She takes out her I phone and tries to put the camera on but it doesn’t seem to work.
BABBAN
Idhar laao.. I phoon 2.. Kitne ka liya..
MUNIYA
Tohfe mein mila.. Gift.. Babban inspects the phone.
In the other side of the room - KHALUJAN
Shaam ke baad mulaqat kee agar koi soorat ho toh..
BEGUM PARA
Shaam ke baad toh raat hoti hai.. KHALUJAN
Jee mera matlab.. BEGUM PARA
Aur in dino hamari raatein Al Jauza pe munahsir hain..
KHALUJAN Al jauza?
BEGUM PARA
Taara hai chand ke kareeb. Badi paare kee gend sa chamakta hai.. Najoomi ussey dekh kar sayyaron ki jagah ka andaaza lagate hain.. Back to Babban and Muniya.
BABBAN
(checking the phone)
Tohfe wale kee ya toh jeb chhoti hai ya dil..
MUNIYA Kaise?
BABBAN
Aise ki jab bazaar mein I phoon chaar mil riya ho toh I phoon 2 toh koi free mein bhi nahi leta.. Le..
Muniya takes the phone from him and turns to Begum. MUNIYA
Thoda paas paas aaiye.. BEGUM PARA
(whispers to Khalujan)
Kai dino se baadal chhaye rehte hain.. Aasmaan mein aaj raat agar Al Jauza dikhai de toh aap bhi tashreef le aaiyega chhat pe..
MUNIYA Smile please.
Freeze frame of Khalujan and Begum.
CUT TO:
INT. HAVELI - MUNIYA’S ROOM - NIGHT
Muniya logs onto the internet via the old style modem on her ancient PC. She uploads the picture of Begum and Khalujan and singles Begum out on photo-shop. She then attaches it onto her e mail and sends it.
INT. CYBER CAFE - NIGHT
A well built pathan downloads the picture on his e mail account. He looks at Begum’s picture and reads the single word e mail from muniyababy@hotmail.com. It reads - Target.
INT. HAVELI - KHALUJAN’S ROOM - NIGHT
Khalujan leans out at his window, looking at the sky above. KHALUJAN
Arrey harami baadlon.. Aaj raat toh chhatt jaao..
Babban joins him at the edge of the window. He too looks up wondering. Khalujan gets irritated. Babban fishes out two I phones.
BABBAN
Khalu Mushtaq ne pandrah din diye hain.. Ye baadal chaand chhod ke apne pajame pe nazar daalo. Tumhara budhapa khatam honay ko hai aur meri jawani abhi shuru bhi nahi hui hai..
KHALUJAN
(smiles; pulls Babban’s cheeks)
Kyun khaamakha pareshan ho raha hai.. Nikaah ho jaane de hamara phir waise pachaas haar muh pe marenge Mushtaq ke..
BABBAN
Paer kabar mein aur soch garare mein. Khayali pulao pakana bandh kar do tum..
Khalujan gets back to leaning at the window. KHALUJAN
Shhhh.. Chhatt raha hai, chhatt raha hai.. Aa jaa Al Jauza aa jaa..
Behind him, Babban empties a bag full of swanky cell phones on the bed.
BABBAN
Chalo maana ki nikaah ho bhee gaya magar jab ussey tumhari asliyat ka pataa chalega toh kya karoge?
KHALUJAN
Ishq mein jo hoga nek hee hoga.. BABBAN
Kuchh na hoga tumhara.. Laa ilaaj ho tum.. Ab ye batao ke amreeki kon sa aur cheeni kon sa?
Up in the sky, the clouds give way and the resplendent full moon shines on the earth. There is a star visible close by.
KHALUJAN Al Jauza!
He runs out screaming in excitement.
KHALUJAN (O.S.) (CONT’D) Al Jauza!
BABBAN
Oh Khalu! Ruko bhenchod!
Khalujan is gone. Babban throws the phone back on the bed in frustration.
EXT. HAVELI - TERRACE - NIGHT
Begum sits surrounded with ladies from the town nearby. She looks at their palms one by one and advises them.
BEGUM PARA (to a lady)
Hmmm beebi.. Ladki chahiye thee na tujhe? Likha hai, milegi iss baar..
The lady claps her hand once and giggles in satisfaction. Begum moves onto the next woman.
BEGUM PARA (CONT’D) Apne shauhar se kaho ki bhai kee zameen ki ummeed chhod dein.. court mein case haar jayenge.. Vakeel ka paisa bachaa lo abhi bhee..
The woman nods and before Begum can recover another hand comes in front of her. But there is a beautiful necklace on it. She is taken aback and looks up to see Khalujan grinning to her. The other ladies cover themselves with the hijaab. Begum looks at Khalujan and realises.
BEGUM PARA (CONT’D) Hum nahi le payenge Nawab sahab.. Itnaa mehenga nazrana..
KHALUJAN
Toh badle mein hum aapse kuchh le lete hain..
Khalujan picks up her handkerchief. KHALUJAN (CONT’D) Ye aapka rumaal..
Begum chuckles as Khalujan wraps the handkerchief around his wrists. His expression changes.
BEGUM PARA
Haar ke badle rumaal! Mazaak na karein..
KHALUJAN
Please.. Ek baar pehen kar toh dekhen..
Begum looks at Muniya helplessly. MUNIYA
Aap ko pasand nahi hai toh hum liye lete hain..
BEGUM PARA
Chup budtameez.. chal jaa aaeena le ke aa.
CUT TO:
INT. HAVELI - MUNIYA’S ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
Muniya enters her room and stops, surprised. A row of the latest mobile handsets lie on the bed. Babban sits by the bed, two I phones in his hands.
BABBAN
I phoon chaar.. Kon sa legi..? Cheeni ya amreeki?
She snatches both the phones from him. She looks at them wondrously.
MUNIYA Mere liye hai? Babban smiles. MUNIYA (CONT’D) (happily) Gift? Babban nods. MUNIYA (CONT’D) Free mein?
Babban nods again.
MUNIYA (CONT’D) Badle mein kuchh nahi chahiye tujhe?
Babban shakes his head.
MUNIYA (CONT’D) Kuchh bhee nahi?
Babban shakes his head again. She flings the cell phones on his lap.
MUNIYA (CONT’D)
Babbu.. Iss route kee sabhi liney vyast hain.. Samjha?
She picks up a mirror and shows it to him. MUNIYA (CONT’D)
Aaeene mein shakal dekh apni aur chhat pe jaa ke apne Nawab sahab ko bhee dikha de.. Hum sharbat banvaa ke laate hain..
She walks away.
EXT. HAVELI - TERRACE - MOMENTS LATER
Babban arrives on the terrace with the mirror. Begum has her back toward him and while Khalujan faces him, he does not spot him immediately.
BEGUM PARA Ye Muniya kahan mar gayi?
Khalujan sees Babban walking with the mirror. KHALUJAN
Mar gaye..
Begum turns toward Babban. BEGUM PARA Kaun?
Babban does an aadaab to Begum. BABBAN
Aaeena..
Khalujan snatches the mirror from him. All of a sudden he is very uneasy and seems to be in a hurry.
Both Begum and Babban’s eyes widen when they spot the
necklace. Babban, seething, looks at Khalujan who wilfully avoids Babban’s glare. Begum is awestruck.
BEGUM PARA
Subhan allah! Shukriya Nawab sahab..
KHALUJAN
Zaraa aaeena pakdo Babban miya.. Hum camera le ke aate hain..
Khalujan literally thrusts the mirror in Babban’s hand and quickly walks away. Begum, even though lost in the beauty of the necklace, notices the sudden change in Khalujan’s
behavior.
BEGUM PARA Inhe kya hua?
Babban just stares at her. He puts the mirror in front of her again.
EXT. HAVELI - LAWNS - LATER
Babban runs into the backyard of the mansion looking for Khalujan. He carries his glass cutter and there is rage in his eyes.
No sign of Khalujan anywhere. BABBAN
Kab tak andhere mein chhupega buddhe? Main bhee yahin baitha hoon.. Subere tere nau lakh tukde kar ke cheel kauvvon ko breakfast mein khilaunga.. Sun raha hai?
No response. As he moves ahead, Babban’s phone rings out. The display reads Khalujan’s name.
KHALUJAN
Aise kauvvon kee tarah kaaen kaaen karega toh kabhi nahi sununga. Saari tameez tehzeeb itvaar ke penth mein bech aaya hai..
BABBAN
Phoon pe kyun baat kar rahe ho?
Babban looks around and spots Khalujan sitting on top of a tall minaret.
KHALUJAN
Teri incoming toh free hai, paise hamare lag rahe hain.. Hum Nawab hain, ladte bhee hain toh adab se..
BABBAN
Jhooth kyun bola tumne? KHALUJAN
Jhooth kahan bola? Haan sach nahi bataya..
BABBAN
Tumne bola tha kee tum seedhiyon se fisal gaye thay aur haar wohin
dukaan ke paas gir gaya tha.. KHALUJAN
Sach.. Haar wohin gir gaya tha.. Phir hum seedhiyon pe se fisal ke uthe aur haar phir utha liya..
BABBAN
Tum neeche toh aao main tumhe duniya se utha doonga..
Khalujan shows him the rope ladder he has pulled up. Babban glares at him.
LATER
Babban snores at the edge of the minaret. Khalujan steps down quietly from the rope ladder. He pulls out the glass cutter from Babban’s limp hands and puts it in his pocket. He rolls up a leaf and pokes Babban in the ear.
Babban wakes up with a start. He takes a moment to realise then lunges at Khalujan but he pulls out the glass cutter.
KHALUJAN
Dekh.. Sharafat dekh tu meri.. Chahta toh sote mein halaak kar deta tujhe par main tujhe pyaar karta hoon, apne bete kee tarah..
BABBAN
Tabhi mujhe chhakka banane ke liye chhod aaye thay..
KHALUJAN (mimics)
Chhod aaye thay, chhod aaye thay.. Chup! Aur bas sun..
Babban looks at Khalujan.
MATCH CUT TO:
FLASHBACK - INAAM ALI DRY CLEANERS Babban laughs hysterically.
Inaam Ali looks at Khalujan and shakes his head
sympathetically. He then puts his arms around him and walks him inside the laundry.
INAAM ALI
Hamare dadajaan bahot badey hakeem hain.. Milna chahenge aap?
Khalujan looks at him apprehensively.
INT. HAKEEM’S CLINIC - DAY
Hakeem sahab, nineties, checks Khalujan’s pulse. The old man’s eyes are shut in deep concentration. Inaam Ali watches on.
They stay in this position for inordinately long. KHALUJAN
(to Inaam Ali; whispers)
Aadha ghante se oopar ho riya hai.. Kahin guzar toh nahi gaye Hakeem sahab?
Inaam shushes Khalujan just as Hakeem sahab opens his eyes. HAKEEM SAHAB
Muaamlaat ka taalluk dil ki
shiriyaniyon se hai.. Gamzadaa ho barkhurdaar, bachpan kee koi chot, koi qadeem afsos.. Khush-o-khurram raho miyan wohi tumhari dawa hai.. Tum mareeze ishq ho.. Kahin dil-vil lagao saari kanpkanpi gaayab ho jayegi khud-ba-khud..
Khalujan’s eyes light up on hearing the diagnosis.
CUT TO:
BACK TO PRESENT
KHALUJAN
Main aaj tak sirf doosron ke liya jiya hoon.. Kabhi abba, kabhi teri Khala, kabhi Mushtaq bhai, kabhi jiji aur phir tu.. Apne baare mein toh kabhi socha hee nahi.. Phir khayal aaya ke jaate jaate ek baar toh apne liye jee lo Iftekhar
miya.. Main khud ko khush nahi rakhunga toh kisi ko khush nahi rakh sakta.. Tujhe bhi nahi.. Samjha?
BABBAN
(melting a little bit)
Aur hamari nunniyaan? Unka kya hoga?
KHALUJAN
Haar tohfe mein diya hai humne.. Lekin haar koi chori kar le toh hamari zimmedari thode hee hai?
Khalujan puts the cutter back in Babban’s hands and runs his hand through his hair lovingly.
KHALUJAN (CONT’D)
Aur phir hamne suna hai Begum kee tijori dus naulakhe aur hazaar sonay kee asharfiyon se bhari hui hai..
BABBAN
(smiling wickedly)
Apne hee ghar mein chori karvaoge? KHALUJAN
Na na ghar nahi.. Honay wali sasural mein..
BABBAN Khalu I love you..
KHALUJAN
Arrey love you too beta..
CUT TO:
I/E. HAVELI - NIGHT
Dead of the night. The familiar sound of Begum’s payal. Her dress rustles on the floor as she walks alone through the corridors of the mansion. Muniya watches her from the window. Begum walks out of the mansion and arrives at the mazaar of her late husband. She stands before it. Her eyes reveal nothing.
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
A disc flies in the air when a bullet tears through it and breaks it into pieces, falling on to the ground. There is cheer and applause.
In a lovely verdant area, an amateur skeet shooting
competition is in progress. The participants, some of the poets, Khalujan and Jan Mohammad stand beside each other preparing their rifles for the next shot helped by
assistants.
Jan Mohammad has his gang applauding and cheering that bit extra for him. He prepares for his shot and fires as the disc flies. A perfect shot.
Behind one of the tents, standing awkwardly with a rifle, Khalujan is a nerve-wreck.
He says to Babban he is scared to shoot, what if he hits
someone by mistake. The damn shaking! Babban tells him not to worry. He has a rifle too. He raises it in the air and asks Khalujan to do the same. ‘Now when you hear the machine release the disc count to three. Not too fast.. One, two, three. Fire! Just like that. its easy..’ Khalujan nods
uncertainly. Babban tells him he’ll be positioned behind the tent. Timing is critical he reminds Khalujan or they’ll be caught because of the sound.
Khalujan arrives at his mark for his turn. Jaan Mohammad’s men pass snide remarks. He raises his rifle, it shakes. JM’s men laugh. The disc is ready, as it flies.. Babban counts, one. Khalujan whispers, two.. Babban - three.. Boom! Both the men fire simultaneously. The disc shatters to pieces.
The Begum and some of the ousted competitors clap for Khalujan and he raises his rifle in acknowledgement, just like a star. His eyes meet Begum's. A smile is exchanged. Jaan Mohammad fingers his ear and asks Liyaqat what bloody gun makes that kind of sound.
Babban is cussing Khalujan under his breath for taking all the praise alone when looks up at the machaan, where Muniya loads the discs into the machine just before the competitor is supposed to fire. He grins.
MACHAAN - CONTINUOUS
As Muniya loads a disc, Babban climbs up the machaan and joins her. She glances at him but carries on with her task, deliberately ignoring him.
Babban takes out a bar of chocolate and offers it to her. Muniya smiles and accepts it. Babban starts to load the discs.
MUNIYA
Kaha na ke iss route kee sabhi linay vyast hain..
The referee blows a whistle.
MUNIYA (CONT’D) Chal hatt..
Muniya presses the lever and the disc flies out. The Nawab of Maulagarh fires at the disc but misses it. The crowd boos in disappointment and the Nawab lowers his rifle, defeated. Back up in the machaan. Babban stares at Muniya and she enjoys the chocolate.
BABBAN
Shaam ko kya kar rahi hai? MUNIYA
Iraade kya hain tere? BABBAN Nek nahi hain.
MUNIYA Toh anek hain?
Babban chuckles. Muniya smiles. BABBAN
Mere saath chal.. Dinner pe.. MUNIYA
Kya khilaega? BABBAN
Wohi jo tujhe bahot pasand hai.. MUNIYA
Kya pasand hai mujhe? BABBAN Chinese.. MUNIYA (laughs) Achcha.. BABBAN
Haan main jaanta hoon.. Ladkiyan chhipkali se darti hain aur noodal pe marti hain..
Babban chuckles. She pulls him close. MUNIYA
Hum zindagi mein kabhi noodle khayenge toh Shanghai mein.. Aur burger toh New York mein.. Pizza toh Rome mein aur french toast toh Paris mein varna ghar ke choolhe kee daal boti mein faut hona manzoor hai Munira Bano ko.. Samjha?
Down below, the referee blows the whistle. Jaan Mohammad follows the disc and fires and the disc shatters.
Now its Khalujan’s turn as they are the only ones left in the competition. As he preps for the shot, he looks to the tent. Babban is nowhere in sight. Khalujan panics. The time for the shot is arriving fast. Desperate, Khalujan ties Begum’s
The disc flies out, Khalujan aims. Just then his left eye widens. He can see a flock of birds approaching from the far left. By the time he fires, there is a chance he might hit one of them if he misses.
He makes his decision. Instead of firing at the disc, Khalujan fires the shot much above in the air.
Jaan Mohammad and his men are overjoyed and lift him on their shoulders. There is applause all around and Jaan Mohammad looks proudly to Begum. Much to his dismay, she is walking toward Khalujan.
Khalujan is checking the barrel of his rifle when he sees the Begum standing right opposite him. He puts the rifle down and smiles at her. BEGUM PARA Mubarak ho.. KHALUJAN Jee? BEGUM PARA
Nawabon kee nawabiyat se toh hum wakif thay magar roohaniyat pehli baar dekhi hai.. Tashtari ke
peechhe woh parinde hamein bhee dikhai diye thay.. Saraapa dil hain aap huzoor, sirf dil..
KHALUJAN (shy)
Jee.. Main.. Ab main kya...
She smiles and walks away. She passes Jaan Mohammad and cursorily congratulates him from a distance before getting into her car.
EXT. CAR - HIGHWAY - LATER
Khalujan drives a old model Fiat car at an really slow speed. Babban yawns.
BABBAN
Kahan se uthai ye khatara? KHALUJAN
Uthai nahi, khareedi hai.. BABBAN
(surprised) Kyun?
KHALUJAN Ab hum chor nahi hai..
BABBAN Toh kya ho?
Khalujan affectionately pulls his cheek. KHALUJAN
Chor ke khalu..
Suddenly another car behind them, speeds up and rams them hard. The fiat veers uncontrollably and despite Khalujan’s best efforts, crashes onto a tree at the side of the road. The other vehicle, an SUV, screeches to a halt on the
highway. Jaan Mohammad gets out smiling wickedly. His men follow.
Khalujan and Babban stagger out of the crashed vehicle, both of them are bruised. Blood trickles out from Khalujan’s
forehead and Babban’s spits blood out from his mouth. JAAN MOHAMMAD
Sorry Nawab sahab sorry.. Gaadi kaboo se bahar ho gayi.. Aapke dil kee tarah..
He takes out his handkerchief to wipe blood off Khalujan’s nose. Khalujan points to his car.
KHALUJAN
Kya haal ho gaya hai gaadi ka.. JAAN MOHAMMAD
Hamare dil se badtar nahi hua hai.. Khalujan looks at a smiling Jaan Mohammad.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D) Aapke dil ne kitna thonka hai hamein pichhle do-teen roz mein.. Aur phir aapne to kabhi sorry bhi nahi bola..
Khalujan chooses to ignore Jaan Mohammad’s snide remarks. KHALUJAN
Ab paise kon dega?
JAAN MOHAMMAD Kis cheez ke?
KHALUJAN Marammat ke..
JAAN MOHAMMAD Marammat abhi hui kahan hai?
Jaan Mohammad breaks into a laughter and his men join him. Khalujan senses danger but as he prepares to move, Jaan Mohammad punches him hard on the gut. Khalujan doubles over on the ground. Babban moves to help Khalujan but one of Jaan Mohammad’s men keeps a pistol on his head.
Jaan Mohammad carries on with his assault, punching and kicking Khalujan.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D) Badaa ashiqana mizaaj paaya hai.. Hain? Begum se ishq ladane nikle hain? Woh hamari hain sirf hamari.. Samjhe?
(turns around) Liyaqat!
Liyaqat rushes to his boss and gives him an envelope. JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D)
Shatabdi express.. Direct dilli chheh ghante mein.. First AC chair car ke do ticket hain.. Kal subah saat bajkar paanch minute par chhootegi.. Hum chheh baje haveli ke bahar milenge, rukhsati ke liye..
He turns around and walks toward his car. KHALUJAN
Ye ticket to intezari ke hain miya.. Waitlisted..
JAAN MOHAMMAD (turns)
Toh?
Khalujan walks to him, holding out the ticket in his trembling hand.
KHALUJAN
Intezar toh hum apna bhi nahi karte hain..
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Arrey koi problem nahi hai.. Liyaqat!
LIYAQAT
Haan Jaan bhai.. TT se meri khud baat hui hai, chart lagne tak berth ho jayegi..
JAAN MOHAMMAD Pakka na?
LIYAQAT
Arrey haan haan.. Nahi toh VIP quotay mein confirm ho jaega.. koi dikkat kee baat nahi hai bhai..
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Confirm ho jayega.. Hamara waada hai..
KHALUJAN
(tearing the ticket)
Tere waade pe jiye hum toh ye jaan chhoot jaye.. Ke khushi se mar naa jaate jo aitbaar hota..
Jaan Mohammad puts the pistol to Khalujan’s head. JAAN MOHAMMAD
Waada toh phir waada hai, main zeher bhee pee jaoon qatil, shart ye hai koi baahon mein sambhale mujhko..
Khalujan breaks into a laughter.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D) Kya hua?
KHALUJAN
Wo waada nahi baada hai baada chootiye.. Maane sharaab..
BABBAN (laughing)
Kaise piyenge huzoor waada? Paani ke saath ke soday ke saath!
A henchman pushes the pistol on Babban’s forehead. BABBAN (CONT’D)
Nawab sahab bas karo.. Pistaul hai uske paas, maar dega..
Khalujan stops laughing, but only for a moment. Unable to control, he starts guffawing again. Babban rolls over on the ground cackling.
Jaan Mohammad looks at his men, some of whom are smiling. Suddenly Babban takes out a small pistol from his socks and puts it right on Jaan Mohammad’s groin. Jaan Mohammad looks down at Babban in terror and loses focus for a moment.
Khalujan uses the opportunity to snatch his pistol and point it right back at him.
BABBAN (CONT’D)
Bandook haath mein ho toh sher padha nahi maara karte hain..
Almost immediately Jaan Mohammad’s men take out their guns. A few aim at Khalujan and the others at Babban. A standoff.
KHALUJAN
Goli chali toh tu bhee jayega Jaan Mohammad.. Dono me se ek kee to lagegi.
BABBAN
Aur unki lagi to marega, meri lagi toh sochega ki mar jaata toh behtar tha..
JAAN MOHAMMAD (panic stricken)
Oye nahi.. Koi nahi chalaega goli! Ruko!
BABBAN
Inse bol pistaulein phenk de. JAAN MOHAMMAD
Pehle tum phenko! KHALUJAN
Naa.. Pehle tum phenkoge.. JAAN MOHAMMAD Woh nahi ho sakta..
BABBAN
Toh phir theek hai.. Khade raho aise hee..
Jaan Mohammad looks around. His men are alert. So are Khalujan and Babban.
Its afternoon. The men are frozen on their spot.
FADE OUT.
SAME PLACE - LATER
The sun is about to set in the horizon. The birds are leaving for their nest.
The unfortunate men, stuck in the uncomfortable standoff, maintain their position resolutely. Except one of Jaan Mohammad’s men, who shuffles on his feet restlessly.
RAFIQ
Jaan bhai bahot zor se aaya hai.. JAAN MOHAMMAD
RAFIQ
Jaan bhai, kasam se..! Nikal jayega..
Jaan Mohammad looks at Khalujan. KHALUJAN
Pistaul zameen pe rakh aur ja..
Rafiq keeps his pistol down and rushes to relieve himself. Babban stretches and picks up his pistol.
BABBAN
Aur kisi ko jaana hai?
They chuckle. All is quiet for a bit. Suddenly Khalujan strains to hear something. They look at the far end of the highway. The music is clear now. Its the old classic, ‘Ae meri zohrajabeen’.
Khalujan frowns and looks at Babban whose face contorts in terror. They look at the road, a jeep turns a corner and speeds towards them.
The jeep stops close to them. Mushtaq Bhai peers out, surveys the scene and grins. He steps out biting an apple, an
automatic rifle on his shoulders. Jaan Mohammad is unsure of what to make of this.
MUSHTAQ Salaam waleikum..
KHALUJAN (stunned)
Wa.. Waleikum salaam.. Mm.. Mushtaq bhai.. Aap?
Mushtaq walks up closer to them. His men follow, all armed. MUSHTAQ
Hmmm.. Stand off...
(points to Jaan Mohammad) Kaun hain ye?
BABBAN Yahan ke MLA hain..
MUSHTAQ
MLA sahab.. Ye dono hamari amaanat hain.. Aapki hamari koi dushmani nahi hai.. Aap jaa sakte hain.. Goli nahi chalegi..
(to Babban)
Chal be.. Saamaan pe se bandook hataa..
Babban obliges. Jaan Mohammad lets out a huge sigh of relief. His men also lower their guns. Mushtaq gestures courteously to Jaan Mohammad to leave. Jaan Mohammad staggers to his vehicle and his men follow suit.
As Jaan Mohammad’s car drives away: MUSHTAQ (CONT’D) (to Khalujan)
Kaise hain Nawab sahab? KHALUJAN
Alham dulillah aapka karam hai.. MUSHTAQ
Kuchh phal vagairah nosh farmayenge? KHALUJAN Jee? MUSHTAQ Phal.. Fruit.. Khalujan is unsure. MUSHTAQ (CONT’D) Chalo bhai.. Tokri nikalo..
He produces a pomegranate from his coat pocket and shows it to Khalujan.
MOMENTS LATER
Khalujan trembles in fear. He is tied to a tree and the
pomegranate is kept on his head. Mushtaq does target practice with his pistol.
KHALUJAN
Mushtaq bhai! Aitbaar karo mera.. Begum Para ko ishq hai mujhse.. Mera hee intekhab karengi woh
nikaah ke liye.. Phir toh sab aapka hee hoga naa!
Mushtaq shoots and the pomegranate splatters all over Khalujan. He grins in satisfaction. Babban sitting near Mushtaq’s feet claps at the perfect shot.
MUSHTAQ Chal ab chikoo laga.. Mushtaq’s man walks with the chikoo.
KHALUJAN
BABBAN (to Mushtaq)
Iski nunni kyun nahi kaat rahe ho aap?
MUSHTAQ
Kyunki iski expiry date nikal chuki hai.. Hamein shaq hai kee ye katane ko raazi ho jayega..
Mushtaq fires as Khalujan screams. Bang! The chikoo is done with. Khalujan is panting hard.
MUSHTAQ (CONT’D) Angoor.
Babban is hysterical and rolls over the ground laughing when he hears the name of the next fruit.
KHALUJAN (desperate)
Jiji ki kasam Mushtaq bhai.. Jalsa khatam honay tak ruk jao.. Please.. Arrey ek kya waise dus naulakhe aapke kadmon mein rakh doonga.. Mere sar ka vaasta hai aapko..
Mushtaq walks to him as Khalujan pleads. He holds his roughly by his chin.
MUSHTAQ
Main jalsa khatam honay tak yahan rukunga.. Begum ne tujhe shauhar chuna toh theek.. Varna tere sar pe chilgoza rakh ke nishana lagaunga.. Khalujan head bows down in relief.
INT. HAVELI - HALL - NIGHT
A large sheet of paper, which has a drawn out map of the haveli ramparts, is laid out on a table. Muniya's fingers point out to the area in question. The hall they are in.
MUNIYA Hum yahan hain..
It's a large hall across the haveli but within the ramparts. Dim lit with the help of a single bulb atop a table. The faces are dark and focused on the map lying on the table.
MUNIYA (CONT’D) Ye Begum ka kamra hai.. Ye do
raaste peechhe ke hain aur ye aage ke.. Zeena duchhatti pe jaata hai aur ye chhajje pe khulta hai.. Aur agar..
MUSHTAQ Uthana kab hai?
MUNIYA
Woh aapko bataya jayega.. Shayad jalse ke baad.
MUSHTAQ Paisa?
MUNIYA
Total paanch karod.. Ek aapke aur chaar hamare..
MUSHTAQ
Kam hain.. Dedh se neeche nahi.. MUNIYA
Sochna padega.. Mujhe thoda waqt chahiye..
(to Riyaz)
Par mamaji aapne inhay shart toh bataa dee hai na?
MUSHTAQ Kya?
MUNIYA
Agvai bilkul peshevar honi
chahiye.. Begum kee har kharonch pe lakh rupya katega..
MUSHTAQ (to Riyaz)
Oye Mama.. Hamari shart bhee bataa de apni bhanji ko..
RIYAZ
Firauti kee deri ke har din pe aapki Begum kee ek ungli kaat lee jayegi..
MUNIYA
Uski naubat nahi aayegi..
Suddenly they hear a noise. They see a shadowy figure
climbing to the balcony of the mansion in the darkness. Riyaz takes out his pistol but Muniya stops him.
MUNIYA (CONT’D) Aap log jaaiye.. Main sambhal loongi..
As she walks:
MUSHTAQ (to Riyaz)
RIYAZ Nahi durr ki hai..
MUSHTAQ
Toh durr hee rakhna issey.. Bahot harami hai..
INT. HAVELI - CONTINUOUS
Different shots of Babban walking stealthily in the haveli and looking at various spots closets, trunks, storerooms -for the necklace, or anything of value. His search grows steadily desperate as nothing turns up.
He tiptoes into Begum's room and finds her sleeping soundly. He opens the closet and looks over stuff. Nothing.
He swings his arm in frustration and accidently hits a china vase on a table. The vase teeters dangerously and but for his reflexes would have smashed noisily on the floor. He manages to save it awkwardly, heaving a sigh of relief.
He turns around and is struck to see Begum up from the bed and staring straight at him.
BABBAN (pale)
Sa.. Salaam waleikum Begum sahiba.. Main Nawab sahab ko dhoond raha tha.. Raat ke sair pe nikle aur abhi tak wapas nahi aaye.. Phir maine dekha ki ye phool daan girne wala hai.. Main dauda tak bak tak bak aur dekhiye tootne se bacha liya.. Phool daan..
He quietly, nicely puts the vase back on the table. He turns to see Begum walking away.
BABBAN (CONT’D) (confused)
Aap kahan jaa rahein hain itni raat mein.. Aap bhi sair pe? Itni raat ko? Begum sahiba rukiye, mera aitbaar kijiye..
MUNIYA
Zaraa dheere bol.. varna jaag jayengi..
Babban turns around to see Muniya at the other entrance to the room.
MUNIYA (CONT’D)
Naa unhone kuchh dekha naa suna.. Unhe neend mein chalne kee aadat hai.. So raheen hain woh abhi..
Babban walks very close to her. MUNIYA (CONT’D) (whispers)
Magar main jaagi hoon..
Babban takes out his glass cutter in a flash and puts it on Muniya’s neck.
BABBAN
Toh sula doon tujhe? Hamesha ke liye.. Zabaan jabde ke andar
rakhiyo apni.. varna kaat doonga..
Muniya stares at him quietly, silently, for interminably long.
MUNIYA (whispers) Kaat..
Babban's expression changes. She comes close to him and takes her tongue out. Babban breathes heavily. She starts to kiss him.
She grabs him and pushes him with all her might. Babban is dragged along with her and she locks him in his arms while kissing wildly. She throws him on Begum's bed and tears his shirt open.
She makes love to him furiously while he watches. After some time he gathers strength and pushes her down and climbs on top of her and she giggles as he kisses her.
EXT. HAVELI - MAZAAR - NIGHT
Begum stands in front of his husband’s grave. Behind the headstone, leaning against it, is Jaan Mohammed.
LATER
A bar is laid out on the grave with glasses, ice box and snacks. Jaan Mohammad grins and raises his glass. Clink! Begum gulps her drink down and hands over the glass to him to make another drink for her.
BEGUM PARA
Kya kar raha hai? Dhang se bana. JAAN MOHAMMAD
Thoda aaram se Begum. Sharab piyo mat, jiyo. Ahista ahista.
BEGUM PARA
Ghanta.. Doh ho gaye hain par khumari tak nahi aayee hai. Kahan se laya hai botal aaj?
JAAN MOHAMMAD Kahan se kya matlab?
BEGUM PARA
Matlab teri factory ki toh nahi hai?
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Lo.. Bas isi ki kasar reh gayee thee. Din bhar sabke saamne uss Chandpur ke buddhe se chonch ladati ho aur raat mein ye ilzaam ki
bhenchod main naqli sharab pilata hoon tumhe.
Begum tousles his hair lovingly. BEGUM PARA
Tu bahut bada harami hai. Kuch bhee kar sakta hai.
JAAN MOHAMMAD Achha?
BEGUM PARA
Haan.. Isiliye to main tujhpe jaan deti hoon. Suar..
He jumps and tries to kiss her.
BEGUM PARA (CONT’D) Hatt! Hatt..
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Aaj sookha ghar nahi jaaonga.
Begum pushes him away. She leans to one side and coughs violently.
He gathers himself and offers her a water bottle. As she drinks he gently caresses her back. She moves away.
BEGUM PARA Hatt door hatt mujhse..
JAAN MOHAMMAD Kya hua?
BEGUM PARA
JAAN MOHAMMAD (smelling himself) Achha nahi hai?
BEGUM PARA
Muncipalty ke aspataal jaisa sunghayee de raha hai.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (under his breath) Maadarchod Phattan..
(forces a smile)
Wo itar wala Phattan hai na chowk mein, bola ki naya aaya hai Qatar se. Lily Chameli mix, Night Fire. Keh raha tha ki khushboo se baraf ki silli bhee pighal jaayegi. Toh mujhe laga shaayad aapke mood mein bhee aag lag jaaye soongh ke.
BEGUM PARA
Mood ki Ammi ka tota. Ye Lily- Chameli mix laga ke tu Phattan ki le aur mera peecha chhod.
She picks up the rum bottle covering her nose with the dupatta.
JAAN MOHAMMAD Arre Begum suno to..
She doesn’t respond. Jaan Mohammad tears off his kurta. JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D)
Lo.. Dekho, na ab Lily hai na Chameli..
BEGUM PARA Ab mood bhee nahi hai.
She walks on, drinking from the bottle. He follows. JAAN MOHAMMAD
3 mahine se chutia bana rakkha hai. Kabhee tambaaku ki badboo to kabhee itar ki khushboo. Tum badal rahee ho Begum. Aisi nahi theen tum.. Jab se wo Chandpur ka buddha aaya hai, tab se..
BEGUM PARA (turns around)
Tab se..? Darr lagne laga hai tujhe?
JAAN MOHAMMAD (whispers)
Mera naam Jaan hai. (MORE)
Main de bhee sakta hoon aur le bhee sakta hoon.. Jaan..
A beat.
BEGUM PARA Hai meri jaan..
(pulls his cheek)
Meri badmaash laundi.. Meri maashoq raand..
Jaan shrieks in pain and frees himself. BEGUM PARA (CONT’D) (laughing)
Shauhar banega hamara? He nods.
BEGUM PARA (CONT’D)
To phir jeet le humein us Chandpur ke buddhe se.
She walks away leaving him alone. JAAN MOHAMMAD (loudly)
Tum ya to meri hoogee ya kisi ki bhee nahi.. Samjheen?
She walks on, raising her bottle in the air.
TERRACE - LATER
Babban and Muniya are on the terrace, post-coital embrace under the stars.
BABBAN
Zindagi mein pehli baar main tay nahi kar paa raha hoon..
MUNIYA Kya?
BABBAN
Kee aaj maine lee hai kee dee hai..
Muniya laughs and turns to Babban. They laugh for a bit and then are locked in a stare.
MUNIYA Hum chalte hain..
As she moves, Babban pulls her back. BABBAN
MUNIYA Naa..
BABBAN Arrey ruk na..
MUNIYA Nahi..
BABBAN Kyun?
MUNIYA
Kyunki hum rukte nahi hain.. BABBAN
Toh phir..?
MUNIYA Behte hain..
(pauses)
Nadi hain hum, talaab nahi.. Rukay toh.. Khatam..
She walks away.
Babban slumps back on the floor. He looks at the stars, unbelievably happy.
Music fades in.
FADE TO:
HAVELI - CONTINUOUS
To Iqbal Bano’s Dasht-e-tanhai:
Muniya walking to her room in the dark corridors of the mansion. A smile.
Khalujan by the window, gazing at Al Jauza. A kiss on the handkerchief.
Begum walking in the mansion. She passes by the portrait of the late Nawab.
WAQFAA
INT. JAAN MOHAMMAD’S HOUSE - DAY
A life size portrait of Jaan Mohammad, posing as a Nawab. The Nawab of Jahanpura relaxes on an easy chair sipping beer. The tension has eased off his face.
He watches Jaan Mohammad who stands in front of a tall mirror dressed in Nawabi finery. He places a royal turban carefully on his head and Liyaqat gives him a sheathed sword to hang by his belt.
His attire ready now, he turns to Nawab of Jahanpura JAAN MOHAMMAD
Nawab sahab.. Kya kehte hain? NAWAB OF JAHANPURA Arrey kya kehna miyan.. Masha
allah.. Ab ye to bataiye huzoor aap hamein azaad kab kar rahe hain?
JAAN MOHAMMAD
Pehle aap ye bataiye kee hum Nawab lag rahe hain kee nahi?
NAWAB OF JAHANPURA Lag toh rahe hain..
JAAN MOHAMMAD Magar?
The Nawab of Jahanpura is quiet, afraid to say anything. JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D)
Haan? Magar hai nahi..
(chuckles; walks to the Nawab)
Ye shamsheer, paanch sau saal purani, Nawab Siraj udd daula ke birse kee hai.. Dekhiye dhaar chhoo ke dekhiye..
Nawab of Jahanpura looks afraid. He makes a fist and touches the sword ever so slightly. Jaan Mohammad smiles and runs his finger through the blade. The finger cuts in a line of blood.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D) Aapke lahoo ka rang bhee aisa hee hai kya? Surkh?
The Nawab nods.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D) Dekhiye hamare paas Begum ke
marhoom Nawab ke gauhar hain, pagdi hai, shamsheer hai aur hamare khoon ka rang bhee surkh hai, nawabon kee tarah.. Phir kya cheez hai jo
hamein Aminabad ka Nawab banne ke liye hamare paas nahi hai?
The Nawab is looking down, knowing the truth but too scared to say it.
JAAN MOHAMMAD (CONT’D) Boliye.. NAWAB OF JAHANPURA Begum Para.. JAAN MOHAMMAD (laughs)
Durust.. Aur unhone agar hamein chuna toh aap hamari qaid se azaad..
NAWAB OF JAHANPURA Aur nahi chuna toh?
JAAN MOHAMMAD Toh apne jism kee qaid se.. Jaan Mohammad smiles benevolently.
INT. HAVELI - DAY
Begum is on a diwan reading a book in the balcony of her room.
Muniya tiptoes behind her and peers at what the Begum is reading. She smiles mischievously and pulls out the
photograph which the Begum was ‘reading’ with such rapt attention. She looks at the picture of Begum and Khalujan.
MUNIYA
Shaayari padh rahi hain ki dekh rahee hain?
Begum tries to snatch the picture back but Muniya moves away. She tries again but Muniya doesn’t give her the picture.
BEGUM Qabar mein jaa.
Begum makes a face and turns around to lie flat on her tummy. Muniya giggles, sits next to her and starts to untie her
blouse.
MUNIYA
Achha, ek to chori aur upper se seena zori..
Muniya takes the bottle of oil from the side table and starts to apply it on Begum’s back.
BEGUM
Chori..! Bhala kiski..? MUNIYA
BEGUM
Ishq! Kise? Humein..?
Muniya presses her hard, Begum winces. MUNIYA
Nahi humein..
Muniya bends down close to her ears. MUNIYA (CONT’D)
Aapko ilm toh hai na ki aap kya kar raheen hain? Bhool gayeen aap hee kehti theen..
BEGUM Kya?
MUNIYA
Iss sheher ka mausam ishq ke liye durust nahi hai.
Begum smiles and purrs softly as Muniya massages her shoulders.
BEGUM
Apni choli mein jhaanko pehle. Ghanto Nawab sahab ke launde ke saath band kamre mein aayatein padhti ho?
MUNIYA (stops)
Hai..! Aap jaasoosi karvatin hain hamari?
Begum giggles.
MUNIYA (CONT’D)
Aur ek baat jaan lijiye ki hum kisi ke ishq vishq mein nahi hain.
BEGUM To kismein ho?
Muniya bends down, close to Begum’s ears. MUNIYA
(whispers) Hum sex mein hain.
Both women giggle. Muniya bites her ear and Begum squeals. BEGUM
Kameeni! Muniya runs out.
She sprints to the door and sees Muniya scurrying towards her room in the corridor. She shuts her door. Hindustani
Classical is heard coming from somewhere in the mansion. She opens the door. Curious.
I/E. HAVELI - MOMENTS LATER
Begum walks through the corridors and stops outside a room. Music plays from inside the room. She looks at the open latch and opens the door.
Khalujan is on a reclining chair by the gramophone listening to an old recording.
BEGUM PARA
Aapko yahan aane ki ijazat kisne dee?
KHALUJAN Dil ne..
She walks and puts the gramophone off. BEGUM PARA
Chaliye..
KHALUJAN
Nahi.. Aap wapas aaiye.. BEGUM PARA Jee..?
KHALUJAN
Kyun khud pe itna zulm dha rahi hain aap?
BEGUM PARA
Aap kehna kya chahte hain? KHALUJAN
Manvaa bairi julmi jiyara.. yaad hai?
He picks a pair of ghungroos kept on the table and shakes them.
Begum is genuinely surprised now. KHALUJAN (CONT’D)
Yaad hai? Bhopal mein, satrah baras kee rahi hongi aap.. Town haal
aaditorium ke manch par.. Aapke ustad Birju Maharaj bhee aaye thay..
BEGUM PARA Aapko kaise pata?
