'My name is Niharika Singh.'
'That wasn't always my name. But now, it is.'
'I live in Delhi.'
'I haven't always stayed here. But now, I do.'
'I'm a lawyer. And truth be told,'
'I'm a little confused between right and wrong.'
'Those who are wrong pay their way to acquittal.'
'And those who are right need the support of those who are wrong.'
'The ones who claim to be legal'
'are the ones who are actually illegal.'
'My story begins in Bangalore.'
'On the day when I was supposed to meet the king of the legal world.'
No!
Leave it just the way it is.
Don't you want me to glue it? - No.
Sir, it becomes apparent that the wig... - I know it's apparent. I know.
But in order to gauge the truth about the person I'm going to meet today,
I need the help of this truth.
Well, Niharika Singh.
I've read a lot about you. But this is the first chance I've had to meet you.
Sir, you stole my line. Now, I don't have an opening statement.
Wow! You conveyed your thought without actually saying it explicitly.
Sir, we can't deny the fact that...
We are both controversial.
You, for the right reasons. And me, not so much.
There's no such thing as right and wrong. Please sit.
Make yourself comfortable totally.
So, Ms Singh, now that we've brought up the topic of controversy,
let's put an end to it.
Tell me. Why does the media call you Mad Lawyer?
Sir, I don't blame them.
What I did was indeed crazy. Only a mad lawyer could have done it.
I thought I wouldn't get a job offer from any decent firm.
And then I got a call from your office. I was really shocked.
Ms Singh, I've been a lawyer for 50 years.
And I understand things which the reporters don't.
I want to hear the whole story from you.
What's the story behind this madness?
Sir, there was a party at my office.
Every six months, we would have PR parties
where the clients and lawyers could get to know each other better.
Let's drink this up! Bottoms up!
Cheers!
This is Sameer Adhikari's party.
I heard Mr Venkat say that he is going to be the next Secretary-General of UN.
One moment. Are you talking about Sameer Adhikari?
That oldie? Doesn't he look like he's way past his use-by date?
Look how he's standing!
He looks constipated... - Stop it!
I can't hear this.
Hello! - Give us water.
Hello. Water, please! - Water!
Thank you. - Thank you.
I'm so sorry!
I'm so sorry.
It's alright. It's okay.
Wasn't that Sameer Adhikari? You just made a move on him.
I dropped water on him!
Come on! The idea of dropping water to start a conversation is so old-school.
I'm leaving. I'm done. - Seriously? Stop being sulky.
I'm just teasing you. I'm going to the loo.
I waited for Tanvi at the bar for quite a long time.
When she didn't return for a long time, I got a little concerned.
Please, sir. - Don't tell me you want to stop.
Sir, I said, please stop. - Fuck.
We're getting to know each other.
Sir, stop!
The male and female signs outside the toilet are confusing.
Very confusing.
See you outside.
Tanvi!
Tanvi, what are you doing?
Thank you.
Please. Please.
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
It's an honour to be hosting this evening
for Bangalore College's Young Leaders Conclave
with our guest of honour who needs no introduction.
Mr Sameer Adhikari.
A brilliant lawyer, writer, human rights activist,
and perhaps the next Secretary General of UN.
Sir, please. - Sure.
Thank you, my dear.
Well... - Sir, I forgot to add something. May I?
Sure.
That was a rather short introduction, wasn't it?
I forgot to add that he's also a rapist.
Despite being so brilliant and smart,
Mr Adhikari couldn't read a very simple sign that said,
Do not enter a ladies' toilet'.
If a woman is screaming and crying, it means
that she doesn't want to have sex with you, Mr Adhikari. - This is outrageous.
Even if she just says 'No', that also means
that she doesn't want to have sex with you, Mr Adhikari! - Shut up, Niharika.
Unfortunately... - Take her off the stage immediately.
Unfortunately, Mr Adhikari is a man. - Not here, ma'am.
That too, an alpha male. - Ma'am...
Rich, entitled and spoilt! - Ms Singh...
Men like him don't understand basic signs! - Ms Singh, please come out.
Do you want to destroy this firm?
Mr Adhikari is going to sue our firm for defamation.
Sir, the first step taken by every rape-accused is a defamation suit.
Are you sure it was rape and wasn't consensual?
Sir, I was there! It's no rocket science to figure out if it's consensual or not.
She was screaming and pushing him away.
Do you have the victim's testimony?
Obviously, sir. I spoke to her... - Do you have it in writing?
Didn't you get a written testimony from her?
Sir, I spoke to her... - Have you done a crash course in utter idiocy?
You're one of our smartest lawyers, Niharika.
Can you give me a guarantee that we'll win the case?
Nobody can guarantee you that. But you are a lawyer,
and... - That's why I know what will happen.
I will be laying myself open to ridicule.
There will be panel discussions about whether I am a victim or a survivor,
what I was wearing, how drunk I was,
whether it was consensual or not...
Even how deep was his finger inside me will be measured.
Why don't you understand I am not trying to save Sameer Adhikari?
I don't give a fuck about him.
I am just trying to save myself.
I tried my best to convince her, but Tanvi disappeared on me.
And obviously, my firm fired me.
But I learnt a lesson from this incident.
Really? What lesson did you learn?
That we shouldn't mix feelings with profession.
It's easier said than done, Ms Singh.
I don't deny that, sir.
Actually, I realised one thing.
That I am not the one to judge what is right and wrong.
It's up to the court to decide.
I just have to represent my client with honesty.
Very true.
Every lawyer has a judge inside him, Ms Singh.
And to be a successful lawyer, that judge has to die.
Absolutely, sir.
Well, Ms Singh. It was a pleasure talking to you.
My office will be in touch with you.
We are meeting some more candidates. So, please give us time until evening.
Of course, sir. Thank you so much for your time.
Please... - It's a pleasure.
Always welcome.
Sir, if you don't mind, I'd like to say something. - Sure. Go ahead.
Sir, I know this is not my place, but your wig has been fixed properly.
I think you might want to fix that.
Yes, maybe I hurriedly wore it this morning and got it wrong.
Thank you very much, Niharika. - You are welcome, sir. Have a good one.
Bye. - Bye.
Did you get it?
You wanted to see whether she would keep mum or tell you about it
after noticing the gap between your hair and wig.
You are absolutely right.
She kept on saying that she has changed,
but she hasn't learnt her lesson.
She has a habit of telling the truth.
And we rarely find such honest people in our line of business, Randeep.
Ask Sukhmani if she has
collected her contact details or not.
Guess what, mom?
You got a call from Janardhan Jaitley's office. Am I right?
How did you know that?
You asked me to guess. There is nothing else to guess, Niharika.
I have a very boring, predictable life.
Is it going to get interesting now?
Yes, they offered me a job. He is crazier than me.
Nonsense.
Janardhan Jaitley is the best criminal lawyer in our country.
He is not a fool.
He must have offered you the job after careful consideration.
He can see that you are brilliant.
Yes, but there is a problem.
His office is in Delhi. So, I'll have to shift to Delhi.
So?
Go.
And you'll be all alone here!
Alone, perhaps! But not lonely, dear.
I have my work here. I have my students. - But...
Maybe I know what the problem is.
You don't want to go to Delhi because you think if you go there,
all your childhood memories will start haunting you again.
But you really have to understand
that even though your dad lives in Delhi,
he doesn't own it.
But mom, it's not like I am scared.
But I... I just feel
that destiny is playing a trick, and I go to Delhi and boom.
I have to deal with my father and all the emotional drama.
Niharika, please stop talking like a character from a daily soap.
There is no trick here.
And as far as all this emotional nonsense is concerned,
that's life, my child.
Wherever you go, you have to face this nonsense.
Didn't you go through the same thing in Bangalore?
Well, I guess you are right.
So, then New Delhi, new life!
So, that's the apartment. That's the master bedroom.
And this one is more like your guest room,
more like another bedroom or whatever you want to call it.
That's nice.
So, I guess that's sorted. Here are the keys. - Thank you.
And here are some papers sent by JJ.
Basically, it's just a write-up on the case
that he wants you to start working on ASAP.
Wow! Already!
Yes, but don't get too excited. It's a pro bono case
with zero billable hours.
The bright side is, JJ is fond of this case.
You have heard of the Meher Salam case?
The quadruple murder, right?
She was given a death sentence 15 years ago,
but she hasn't been executed yet.
She is still in jail, you know.
Forget her. No government has ever executed a woman till date.
Meher Salam!
As I told you yesterday, your death sentence
will be implemented at 7:24 am. Get ready.
Hurry up.
This is your cell, Your Majesty.
This is not the gallows!
What happened?
Come here, you bitches!
You love irritating me, don't you?
Yes. Obviously!
Do you have any last wish? Do you want to send any message to your family?
Rama, she has already killed her family.
They must have formed a welcome committee there.
The biggest advantage of coming to Delhi is meeting you.
Now, don't be pricey. Just move in with me.
Yes, I will. Let's get back to Meher, please.
She was in love with Bilal. Her family was against them.
She killed the entire family.
So, you have sympathy for her. - No, not at all.
How can I have sympathy for someone who killed her entire family?
In fact, no one can sympathize with her.
And that's exactly why I am saying that
that's the best case to argue against capital punishment.
You have a crush on Meher Salam, right?
Sue!
Alright. I am not your number one. Fine, I'll live with it. I'll deal with it.
You are ridiculous, Su.
That's why you love me. - Yes.
What happened?
You get lost in a deep thought every 5 minutes.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
I mean ever since I landed in Delhi, I have had a weird feeling.
You know like something strange is going to happen.
'Why are you cooking the dinner?'
'I thought I'd give Romin a day off today.'
'I could have ordered the food from outside.'
'Rohini, I cooked this with so much love.'
'Romin cooks for me.'
JJ, why do you do this?
Just to make me break down, right?
Why are you so manipulative?
Mom... Mom, calm down.
You didn't take your medicine, right?
That's why you are getting these anxiety attacks.
I can't find my key.
Have you seen my key? - Rohini.
JJ, I said, 'I want my personal space.'
Doctors have said that it's a paranoia attack.
It's not a paranoia attack.
Someone stalks me. He was stalking me today as well.
And whoever is stalking you has stolen your key.
Dad, please.
You are right, mom. That's your space. That's your room.
I am sure your key is in your purse. Please check.
No, Akshay. I told you it is not here. - Please check it.
I am checking it. It's not there.
There you go. It's there.
You were unnecessarily freaking out. It's okay.
Yes.
You are drunk!
Neeraj.
There is Dettol in the dashboard. Take it out.
If you ever call me again like this, I'll break your jaw.
Akshay, tell me something.
Why do you keep a first-aid kit in your car?
Akshay, listen to me. Remember what you'd tell me when we were kids.
You'd say, 'Whenever in doubt, call me.'
Now, when I called you...
Here you go. Have coffee.
Bro, I really appreciate your efforts.
You made coffee for me.
But coffee?
Bro, I just had the best vodka.
Then you almost got yourself arrested.
Not again!
You brought me to the office. I thought you'd give me nightcap, but...
But that's not the case.
Look.
Your drinking habit,
debauchery, creating ruckus...
One day, you will land yourself in such a big trouble
that your influential father, your money...
Nothing will be able to save you.
And honestly, it's frightening the shit out of me, Neeraj.
I'll book Uber for you.
Go home and take rest. And stay out of trouble.
Are you reading the newspaper or meditating?
He is your father, right?
Yes. It's my first day in Delhi,
and Mr Surya Shekhavat is on a magazine cover.
This can't be good. - What do you mean?
Sue, I told mom that coming to Delhi all of a sudden...
This seems like a very bad plan of destiny,
and she was, like, I was being dramatic. And now look at this!
Niharika, this is just a magazine. And he is just a photograph on a magazine.
Of course, you are being dramatic.
Sue, this is a bad omen.
Are you hearing yourself? Bad omen!
Bad omen will be if you reach your workplace late.
It's your first day. Hurry up. Get up.
Make coffee. I am making breakfast.
Hi, good morning. - You are Niharika, right?
Yes. - Please come with me.
You are too early. That too, 25 minutes.
By the way, the boss went upstairs for some work. He will be back soon.
Meanwhile, you can wait inside.
Thank you. - Okay.
Akshay.
Akshay! - Niharika, what the fuck?
What are you doing here? - What are you doing here! I work here!
You were in London. - And you were in Bangalore.
Niharika!
Hey! - Finally!
How's it there? Great, right? Better?
Oh my God! - Cheers!
Did someone scream? - Oh, my God!
Oh, gosh! She is choking!
Someone call a doctor.
Looks like you are having an anaphylactic shock. Are you?
Do you have an EpiPen? - Are you a doctor?
Why? Do you want to open a hospital?
Someone, call an ambulance. - Raj, bring my bag. Calm down.
You are choking! - Raj, hurry up.
Breathe... Breathe...
It's going to be okay. Just calm down!
Just try to breathe.
It's going to be okay. What are you doing?
I am about to plunge her thigh. Do you want to know the procedure?
You took the notes! Now, move.
No, you can't do this.
Look at her. She will slip into a coma in 10 seconds.
You can't do this. - Why not?
Call a real doctor. - I am a real doctor.
She is fine. - She is breathing.
Trust issues, right?
You lie so shamelessly! - Why?
Doctor, my ass!
Why? Do doctors carry an oxygen tank, scalpel and so on along?
Ma'am, has anyone of you called for a taxi?
Yes, that's my taxi.
Oops! Shit!
Oh, fuck! You broke... You broke my phone.
Hold on. Can I use your phone? I have to make an important phone call.
Who do you want to call? Yourself! Then you'll get my phone number.
I mean, it's a great idea! Only if it was 2002.
You genuinely have trust issues. And no, my mom would have got your number.
And if I have to break my phone just to get your number,
then you are also high maintenance.
Sue me.
You broke my phone.
I told you. Sue me.
You know what? I'm actually not a doctor. I am a lawyer, and I am a damn good one.
You said you are a doctor earlier. Now, you are saying you are a lawyer.
After half an hour, you'd say you are Prince Charles.
Psycho!
Driver, stop the car.
Yes, mom. I have talked to the driver myself and checked his background.
You can totally trust him. Yes, okay. I love you too.
Bye.
Can you please call on my phone?
I don't know if my phone receives the calls or not.
Then you will get my number!
I know you're not trying to make a move.
I made a mistake.
I judged you too early. I am sorry.
Say that you have trust issues.
Say it.
Fine. I have trust issues.
Morning greetings.
I heard that you flashed our new recruit.
What rubbish?
Niharika said this!
The whole office is talking about this.
Meher Salam sentenced to death by hanging in 2003 by Tis Hazari Court.
Convicted on the grounds of quadruple murder.
She killed her father, mother, brother and her 10-month-old child.
Lower court, death penalty. High court, verdict upheld.
Supreme court, upheld.
5 years ago, the mercy plea sent to the President also got rejected.
An important thing which is not there in the files. Meher Salam wants to die.
She neither wants our help, nor is she willing to talk to us.
That means she is not our client.
We have taken up this pro bono case
because we are against capital punishment.
We didn't expect that our client would be in favour of her own capital punishment.
So, Ms Singh, this is your first assignment.
We have prepared this declaration on behalf of Meher Salam.
We have mentioned that Meher Salam has already spent 15 years in jail,
which is equivalent to a life term.
And in these 15 years, she hasn't experienced anything but torture.
This declaration lists all the tortures she was subjected to in detail.
We need Meher Salam's signature on it
so that we can prepare a strong case against capital punishment.
Yes, sir. I'll try my best.
Ms Singh, remember one thing.
In this profession, you are paid to succeed,
not to try. - Yes, sir.
Sir, I met Meher Salam.
She is gradually losing her mind in solitary confinement.
So, I think we should just... - So, I guess
we should get her some psychiatric help.
No. In fact, the exact opposite.
Sir, we will wait for a while
until we get solid proof of her insanity.
SK!
Sir, I have seen so many cases of solitary confinement.
Sooner or later, they will declare that she is clinically insane.
If she is insane, her death penalty will be cancelled.
That means we have to wait for Meher Salam to lose her mind.
Sir, it's very plausible.
What is this, SK? - What is wrong with you?
Excuse me! What did you just say?
What is wrong with you? Do you even have a conscience?
Very good. Answer her. - Sir...
How can you talk to me like that? - Guys, I think we should get some coffee.
Coffee can wait for a minute, Akshay. Sir, listen to me. - Right!
Come on, come to the coffee table.
Have you ever heard that someone died because he didn't have a conscience?
It's not underwear. You can say you are wearing it.
Nobody will frisk even if you are not wearing it.
I think you need a better strategy than that not to get fired.
Coffee.
You gave me coffee, and I took it. I didn't throw it at you.
I think that's a good enough strategy not to get fired.
Look, I am just trying to help you out. Okay? It's a jungle out here.
And whatever dad asked you to do, I feel...
Akshay Jaitley. Janardhan Jaitley. Of course, you are his son.
Is your specialisation still the same? Backstabbing!
Sorry, my bad. I asked. I mean, after your speech... I am so stupid.
Well, I was trying to give a context to your stupid outburst. That's all.
Did I hurt you? Are you going to complain to your dad?
No, I'll do it with his permission. I promise.
Hello.
What!
Dad.
What happened? Why are you looking so worried?
Police have arrested Neeraj. - What are the charges?
Rape and unlawful confinement.
Dad, I have known Neeraj since childhood. There is no way he would have done this.
He is being framed, and I have no idea why.
We need our best lawyers on this case.
Akshay... Akshay, rape and molestation cases are very sensitive.
We have to handle it carefully. So, please relax.
Dad, he is in the lock-up.
Media has found out about it.
His life is going to be ruined, and you are telling me to relax.
I expect you to relax because you are a lawyer and behave like one.
Sit down. It's not the time to mess things up because of emotions.
As far as the media and lock-up are concerned, they are bound to happen.
We can't stop these things.
But we can stop Neeraj from getting convicted.
And that is exactly what we will do.
I guarantee you that Neeraj will never do this.
You are being emotional.
You also know how important this merger is for the firm.
That's why I am telling you not to go there to bail him out.
It will change all the dynamics.
Then what should I do? Shall I call SK?
Not SK.
We need a woman in charge.
'Mr Neeraj Shekhavat, the vice president of Hyperion Group,'
'was arrested tonight on rape charges.'
'Neeraj Shekhavat also heads the merger of Elephant Cafe with Hyperion Group.'
'Maybe that will be put on hold now.'
'According to the latest reports,'
'Neeraj Shekhavat allegedly burned the victim's body using a cigarette.'
'As we have already told you,'
'Hyperion Group and Elephant Cafe, a worldwide restaurant franchise...'
'This merger is regarded as the biggest merger in the hotel business industry.'
'The arrest of Neeraj Shekhavat leaves a big question mark on the merger.'
'Surya Shekhavat's son Neeraj Shekhavat'
'was recently listed in the Fortune 500.'
'Some people think that it might be a ploy to tarnish his image.'
'When the stakes are so high,'
'the police will have to investigate all the possible angles of this case.'
'Our channel tried to make contact'
'with Neeraj Shekhavat's father Surya Shekhavat,'
'but he didn't revert.'
'According to our sources...'
Yes, Akshay.
Hi, Niharika.
Dad and I were discussing something. There is a case
that we think needs to be handled by you.
Which one?
Neeraj Shekhavat's case.
No.
What do you mean, 'no'?
I can't take up the case.