On December 31st, 1929,
as the old year yielded place to the new,
Gandhi's historical resolution on independence
and the action to be taken, was passed.
The British Raj has robbed the people of India of our rights
and our freedom.
An important announcement from Bapu for the people!
Hindustan must sever all ties with Britain
and fight for Poorna Swaraj!
Schools, offices, and shops will remain closed today.
Bapu urges all of us to celebrate today as the day of independence!
To give a start to the campaign, January 26, 1930,
was observed as Independence Day.
Long live Gandhi-ji!
Ah, Menon!
Sir!
And what do we have here?
This... uh, Bapu, I mean, Mr. Gandhi has*
Do I need to remind you of the many opportunities you have here?
It would be foolish of you, naive,
to become involved in any political propaganda.
Do you understand me? Have I made myself clear?
Yes, Sir.
Louder, please.
Yes, Sir.
Very well.
Perhaps a change in perspective might clear your head.
Downstairs, I think.
I want you to work up a proposal for the transfer of power.
Factoring in the division of the Punjab and Bengal.
Ensure that all sides are kept happy.
You up for the challenge or not?
Yes sir, I am, absolutely.
Good. Get to it.
Thank you.
Mr. Menon!
-Mr. Menon. -Ah, CM Suhrawardy!
Aye, Nazirul! Come on!
So good to see you!
So good to see you, congratulations!
Huh?
I hear you are in charge of the transfer?
Is there anything you don't know?
Not much, I won't lie!
So, the Chief Minister of Bengal is in Delhi.
What brings you here?
Oh, just to do you a little favour!
I don't understand?
Soon enough, you will!
Actually, I come bearing an offer for the Viceroy!
What offer?
An offer he will be unable to refuse.
Chief Minister!
Chief Minister Suhrawardy!
Mr. Abell.
-Thank you for coming! -Thank you for having me.
The Viceroy will receive you now. Please, this way.
-After you, sir. -Wait and watch.
You see, Your Excellency...
Bengalis and Punjabis don't have that much in common.
Except we're both a stubborn lot.
W-What I'm trying to say is, anyone who thinks they can take both these provinces
and lump them into the same state
is clearly not thinking straight!
And, therefore, your solution is...?
An independent, united, Bengal!
Sir, maybe you should read that.
I see you have support from across the aisles.
Alright.
Talk.
Suhrawardy is a traitor!
-Not only to the League but also to Islam! -Absolutely!
He may be a conniving fox,
but he does have the right idea...
Rather than separating the two halves of Pakistan by a thousand kilometres,
it is better that...
Bengal remains united and independent.
But the League has won the election in Bengal!
The Muslims over there have chosen Pakistan!
Yes, but the Muslims in Bengal will still have an independent state...
which is a victory for the two-nation theory.
But Quaid, the*
As long as the Congress doesn't get a grain of Bengal's soil,
then I am all for an independent Bengal.
And I'm sure
the Bengalis will remain on friendly terms with Pakistan.
I have been watching Suhrawardy.
He came to Delhi, met the Viceroy...
but did not meet Jinnah.
How do you know?
Don't tell me, I don't want to know.
Good morning, sir.
Good morning.
Good morning, sir.
Good morning.
Good morning, sir.
Good morning, Mrs. Chatterjee.
Good morning.
Sit down, gentlemen.
In front of you,
you will find signed treaties between 565 princely states and the Crown.
Please study them carefully.
So good to see us actually laugh for once!
Anyway, I'm so glad we could come to an arrangement.
Now I'll get the office to contact Fatima so we can have some dinner.
I look forward to it.
[Jinnah coughs]
Excuse me.
George...
-Mr. Jinnah sir. -Yes.
We've got work to do.
Well, Jinnah changed his tune. I'm glad to hear of it.
Now, get Menon to work up an alternative Transfer of Power plan.
One that factors in an independent Bengal.
Yes?
Your Excellency, we're conce-
What the bloody hell's going on?
Mr. Menon ha-
Mr. Menon what?
Hastings, will you...
Uh... Your Excellency...
Jinnah can be fickle-minded.
Before he changes his mind,
I suggest we maintain a low profile and we work on this plan between ourselves.
What he means, sir
is that we should work on this other plan... by ourselves.
Fine.
Let's get it done.
Ashutosh, where is the Constitutional Law file?
You and I know that this is utterly unacceptable.
India and Pakistan must accept dominion status.
Our final list of demands.
Half of Punjab and Bengal...
Strong Centre...
Poorna Swaraj?
India will be an independent republic.
Not a dominion.
Poorna Swaraj is non-negotiable.
Yes?
How many?
Well, what was the police doing?!
Where now?
United Provinces.
Ashutosh!
Ashu!
-George! -What-
Is there something I should know about?
My staff and my files have been taken away from me.
Not now, Menon. More killings!
U.P. this time.
Ismay, we have a situation.
This bloodshed will not contain itself.
Dickie should announce his plan immediately.
First we have to find out what the Viceroy is thinking!
How?
Again with that...
do you really want to know how? Hm?
I have ten other things to do.
As if I have all the time in the world and nothing to do...
-I'm stuffed! I can't... -Absolutely not, Menon sahab!
These are special kesar mangoes from Valsad, you must eat at least two more bowls!
Vallabhbhai, is it some auspicious day today?
It can be if you want it to be...
Oh, Mani... Mani, you do know...
that Menon sahab is the seniormost Indian on the Viceroy's staff?
Once he has drawn up the transfer of power plan, just you wait and watch...
He is going to become a household name!
Everybody will name their children after him...
Menon Parekh, Menon Shah,
Menon Gupta...
Menon is my surname, Vallabhbhai...
But one thing is for sure...
you are an inspiration for every child in Hindustan...
With hard work and perseverance,
only sky is the limit!
Well, now that you have sent me sky high,
I might as well touch the stars...
Vallabhbhai...
let's get to the point, shall we...
The point, Menon sahab, is that I want the British to transfer power to the Congress,
along with half of Punjab and half of Bengal, and leave as soon as possible.
Please let the Viceroy know
that barring these three things, everything is up for negotiation.
Alright?
Vallabhbhai, the Viceroy will draw up a plan
that takes into account the interests of everyone, not just the Congress.
The British only account for their own interests.
If you are loyal to them, you will get a salary in return...
not loyalty.
If that sounds hard to believe, just look at our Jinnah sahab.
They used him during the World War to weaken the Congress,
and after their work was done,
they picked him up and tossed him aside like yesterday's newspaper.
That's what the British do... Use and throw.
You may lay down your life,
and still you will have been little more than a tool to them.
Have this sent to London.
And these to their respective addresses.
Bapu...
Namaskar. Work on the transfer of power plan appears to be well underway.
Today, several key Indian leaders have received an invitation from the Viceroy
for an all-party meeting on May 17.
At this meeting, the Viceroy is likely
to declare his plan for the Transfer of Power,
which will hand over governance into the hands of Indian leaders.
In two weeks, the future of India will be declared.
Perhaps for the first time in history,
a handful of people will decide the fate of millions.
This one here. Champagne's here!
I say, Hastings, come join us! We're cracking open the bubbly.
[background chatter increases]
Wait until bloody Churchill sees this, eh?
Stick it to him, that's what I say!
The man that saved India! Bit more of this, and I'll save the marriage!
Well, I guess we'll all have a drop, eh?
-Now- -Cheers to you, sir!
-Oh, cheers! -Cheers! To you!
Honestly, I've never laughed so much in my whole bloody life!
[muffled] I think he's right here!
He already is!
Your Excellency?
Yes!
May I come in, sir?
Of course, come in, come, come!
We're just having a little party.
Sir, I am here to submit the plan that you asked me to work on.
I think it's perhaps time we informed the Reforms Commissioner.
Menon.
George, door.
Forgive me, Your Excellency...
But the Congress will never accept this plan.
I was assured, by Suhrawardy no less,
that the Bengal Congress was in agreement.
With due respect, Your Excellency...
It's the high command that decides.
Regional Congressmen will be put out to pasture
if they go against Mr. Patel or Mr. Nehru.
I would've thought they'd be on side as long as Pakistan doesn't make claim to Calcutta.
No, no, no, Your Excellency! You're horribly mistaken!
I'm mistaken?!
You may leave now.
I'm afraid this time you are, sir.
The thing is, the Congress see themselves as the natural successors to the British.
What Jinnah lays claim to, is theirs. And what he lets go of, is also theirs!
The British Crown
represents everything they've been protesting against, for more than 50 years!
Menon, I don't need a bloody history lesson.
What you do need, Your Excellency, then
is to stop the plan from going ahead to London, anyhow!
Have you lost your mind?
It's too late. Downing Street already has it already.
I mean... they're announcing it to the Indian leaders,
and that's why we're having a bloody party!
I mean I can't take it back now! Think of the precedent that would set.
And we'll all look like bloody idiots!
In that case, Your Excellency,
you must be prepared for the worst.
That is?
The Congress will resort to their age-old tactic...
Spit it out, man.
Mass agitation.
Mass agitation!
Mass agitation.
Well, there's a surprise.
So, Pandit-ji?
Everything alright?
There is an invitation from Dickie...
to visit Simla for a holiday.
No, I'm up to my ears right now, I don't have time for all this rubbish.
It is not for you, it's for me.
But the situation in U.P. is more important, Vallabhbhai...
Don't worry, I'll take care of U.P.
You go take care of the Viceroy.
You see, my friend was of no use.
Perhaps you should go find out...
what your friend plans to reveal at the meeting on May 17th.
Vallabhbhai has sent some mangoes for you.
Iyengar, please have them taken out of the car!
Vallabhbhai is very kind.
I hope your journey from Kalka to here was not very tiring.
I am not tired, just...
concerned about the riots in U.P.
A concrete transfer of power plan is the only solution to all this violence.
I agree with you on that, it is the need of the hour.
And I'm sure the Viceroy... uh,
will come up with a plan which is agreeable to all parties involved.
Well, I certainly hope so.
-May I? -Yes please.
That's my family tree.
Battenberg.
Yes...
we had it changed to Mountbatten during the First World War.
To be more English.
Or to be seen as such.
And to prove our loyalty.
Ironic...
You're the Supreme Allied Commander of South East Asia,
a Viscount,
and the great grandson of Queen Victoria, if that counts!
I know a fellow patriot when I see one, my friend.
-Good to see you. -It's good to see you.
-Now, drink? -Yes, please.
Good!
This is the Viceroy being neutral? This?
Why has the head of only one party been invited to Simla?
Whatever he is doing, why are you bothered?
You have already discussed the plan with Mountbatten *
Bengal will be independent and we will get Punjab.
Something, Fatti, something is wrong.
Your BP!
Now stop overthinking
and please* take your medicines!
There really won't be a problem, it's absolutely fine.
Looking at things from a different perspective?
Oh!
That is yoga for you.
Calms the mind, and relieves stress...
Is the mountain air not enough for you?
I was hoping to see you last evening.
I hope your bedroom's comfortable.
Oh, yes.
It's nice to be here.
I'm waiting on an audience with Dickie.
But he seems occupied.
Well... looks like we both have some time on our hands then...
So, tell me,
what is there for one to do in Simla?
No, Mr. Menon, I did not give Jawa the plan last night.
It's inappropriate. Now-
Excuse me.
Oh! Just like that...
[indistinct chatter]
-You saw that with your very own eyes. -Everyone saw that.
Right there!
[sounds of laughter]
You have to tell me!
I'm serious!
No, that was - that was earlier, I think - before-
His Excellency has asked me to extend his apologies.
The Prime Minister is on the telephone.
But he insists you must carry on without him.
Hm.
Well, it looks like it's just us.
I suggest you get accustomed to it.
Might I be the first to congratulate you, Your Excellency.
It seems Attlee has approved our plan.
He will present it before the House of Commons next week.
Your Excellency, you HAVE to show this plan
to Pandit Nehru before it is presented to the cabinet.
Oh, come to your senses, man. To do so would be a complete breach of neutrality!
Abell is right, Your Excellency.
If people find out, your reputation and credibility would be destroyed forever.
Forgive me, sirs... But I really don't see any other way.
If this goes ahead without Congress approval,
there will be absolute pandemonium on the streets, sir, I don't-
Mr. Menon,
are you quite sure beyond any reasonable doubt, that this so called
Congress High Command will not accept Suhrawardy's plan?
No, sir.
Dear Chinnan,
I trust everyone is well at home.
Once again, I will not be able to come home for Onam.
I miss home and I miss our childhood...
I have felt like an outsider for a long time, at school, at work...
Despite winning accolades like the Companion of the Order...
despite working in the Viceroy's office on the transfer of power...
people still find a way to make me feel like I don't belong.
My mentor, whom I hold in high regard,
tells me I should pay heed to the voice in my heart.
And I know, if I remain silent now,
the consequences of my silence will haunt me forever.
Therefore, today, I must speak up.
...valentine...
It's Clementine!
-Clemen... Clementine! -Someone* excuse me, gentlemen. Excuse me.
Mr. Menon,
will you not join us?
No, Pandit-ji. I am not worthy, perhaps, of being considered among your friends.
I mean, I don't - I don't drink!
You have a good night!
Menon sahab.
I already count you among my friends.
As a common friend would say - what remains now is only to prove the friendship.
It is hard to prove friendships in politics.
Here, those who seem friendly
are not truly your friends.
I have been privy to the "friendship" of the British for 30 years now.
My mother was beaten up by the British.
I missed seeing my own daughter grow up.
I was unable to be with my wife at her deathbed
because I was in prison.
This is not just my story
but the story of millions of Indians...
At the end of the day, home is where the heart is.
As far as friendship is concerned... hate the sin, not the sinner.
Jawa,
may I have a word?
There is something I'd like to show you in the study.
Thank you.
Is that for me?
Not today, Your Excellency.
Good.
Read it.
I will want your thoughts on how Congress is likely to react.
Sir-
What I can say is...
Under the weight of all your ranks and titles, you have forgotten
that before everything else, you are an Indian!
Sir...
What is this?
How can you draft a plan that serves our interests so poorly?
He did not.
I am sorry that you feel this way.
Was I a fool to think that we've become friends?
I have tried to accommodate the interests of all parties-
The only interests this seems to serve are those of India's enemies!
"Each province and princely state will be asked to choose between three options
India, Pakistan, or independence."
Yes, and the independence clause is solely for Bengal!
What if everyone chooses independence?
If these Maharajas are left to their own devices,
India will be divided into 500 fragments!
-It will not come to that. -What if it does?!
After three centuries of "divide and rule",
you will leave us at "fragment and quit"?!
This plan is not only certain to be rejected by Congress,
it will create an irreparable rift
between India and the British.
I've had enough of this.
Jawa!
Let's not lose our heads over this-
Pandit-ji...
Pandit-ji, please listen to me...
As if Bengal was not enough,
now the English are offering independence to the princely states!
Hyderabad is already leaning towards Pakistan!
Kashmir is sitting on the fence.
If this plan is set into motion,
India will be left in pieces.
Is there anything left to say?
Thought as much.
Hello?
Hello, Vallabhbhai, this is Menon...
I hope I didn't wake you.
And I hope I have finally awoken you. Tell me.
Vallabhbhai, I called to tell you that
Pandit-ji has rejected the Viceroy's plan
and is threatening to leave Simla right away.
So, this means that right now,
the Viceroy will do anything to stop Jawahar from leaving, correct?
Yes, and I have a revised plan as well, Vallabhbhai,
which is more in alignment with the Congress's demands.
But...
There is always a 'but' in politics... go on.
If the Congress wants London to accept this revised plan,
we will have to give them a major concession as well.
Yes, go on, I'm listening...
Vallabhbhai, as per my revised plan,
no princely state or province will have the option of independence,
they will have to choose between only two options - India or Pakistan.
But in return, we will have to give the Viceroy
what is most important to him right now...
-Uh... -You understand, right?
Menon sahab, as I told you earlier...
if he protects India's interests, we will protect his. Certainly.
But can you guarantee support from the party?
Leave the party to me.
However,
Jawahar, I'm afraid, will have to be brought on board by Lord Mountbatten.
Hmm?
Hm...
Good night.
I'm afraid I don't see any other way, madam.
Perhaps if you could speak to him...
Were you in on this?
That hurts me that you would even think that.
Well, I can see that you're upset, but this impulsiveness,
it serves no one. Dickie is working on a revised plan.
Of course, you're here to do your husband's bidding...
I am my own person.
But, despite our differences, I care about him.
And he cares about his work.
Jawa, please...
please, tread softly.
For Dickie.
Namaskar... We have just received news
that the Viceroy has suddenly left for London.
Therefore, the all-party meeting scheduled for May 17th
has now been postponed to June 2nd.
This sudden change has prompted plenty of speculation and conjecture.
Now it is really starting to feel like something is wrong.
I know.
When the media itself is the mouthpiece for the government,
nobody can be trusted anymore.
What happened in Simla that made Mountbatten leave for London so suddenly?
That cunning little Peter Pan!
Lord Mountbatten! You have some explaining to do.
This new plan of yours...
No sooner is it on our desks than you expect us to wave it through.
Due diligence...
what makes this one any better than the rest?
A dominion... with me the head of state.
By George, Dickie, you've done it!
Thank you, Your Majesty.
You have the sincere gratitude of the Crown,
the country,
and this very grateful cousin.
Better late than never!
These are Moovandan mangoes from Idukki, Vallabhbhai.
Moonu means three, and antu means year *
the trees bear fruit only once every three years.
Let us get to the point, shall we, Menon sahab?
Sharp as a knife. As always.
You were right, Vallabhbhai...
no matter the sacrifices we make,
we will always be dispensable to the British.
You know how they say,
the chickens of those that choose poorly always come home to roost...
It seems, however, that sometimes, the chickens bring good sense with them.
And mangoes too!
Uh, Menon sahab...
not every Indian has to be up in arms
against the British establishment to be a patriot.
Work with them a little longer...
but as one of us.
Welcome to the Government of Independent India...
in advance!