Ma'am.
Ma'am, the shot is ready.
Ma'am.
Sh... Shit...
Security!
Ma'am... Ma'am...
Ma'am, hold on...
Ma'am, get up. Hold on.
Ma'am... Have some water.
Ma'am... Is someone here?
Ma'am! Ma'am!
Secu...
Ma'am...
Shit!
And like this, the Sleeping Beauty woke up.
Ma'am... What is this, ma'am?
How can you do this?
Pick up the call. Pick it up!
Yes. Hello.
No, I'm here.
She is ready. Ma'am, please come. The shot is ready.
Yes.
I had told Waheeda that I will take you in my arms,
and you will kiss me like it's a matter of life and death.
Now, she'll have to take me to Marriott for lunch.
Ma'am, please come.
Ma'am, Deepika, Ranbir and Rishi are waiting at the set.
Sanjay is screaming.
Let them scream.
Waheeda was so sure that I won't do it.
She said, I'd rather die than do it.
But when she sees this video, it will be a lot of fun.
Ma'am, you... You have taken advantage of me.
This is not fair.
What difference does it make?
You are gay.
Ma'am, I am not gay. Who told you that?
No one told me, but I know.
But I am not gay.
You poor boy! You don't know that you are gay.
Yes. Yes, I...
What can I do? Can I take her by force?
Ma'am, come with me right away.
Or else I have orders to take you by force.
You wouldn't dare.
Go and tell that boy Sanjay
to come here and escort me to the set.
Ma'am, Sanjay won't come. He is taking close-ups of Rishi.
Close-ups of Rishi!
Go and tell him that Rishi's grandfather
used to come to the green room to escort me.
Uff!
What did you do?
What did I do?
You made me nostalgic.
Ma'am, please.
Okay. Okay.
I know that Sanjay loves me a lot,
and Chintu's close-ups are also important.
Let's go.
I have sent that stupid boy away.
He was useless. He even misplaced my script.
So, what were my lines?
Ma'am, you have only one line. 'What's happening, son?'
No! That's not possible.
That line is gone with Leela Chitnis.
I had told Sanjay to think of something else.
I even sent him an email.
This is the scene before the climax. Read it.
Read it. Come on, read it.
Why me? Why me?
You should get your eyes tested. I think you need glasses.
Here is the email.
'Dear Sanjay.'
'Regarding that family scene,'
'it needs more punch.'
'I am the matriarch, so I should say that lines.'
'With this, the audience will recall the story.'
'See, times have changed. So, we have to make them recollect it.'
It's Sanjay. - Speak of the devil...
Sanjay darling. Didn't you read my email?
Me... I am absolutely ready.
I have been waiting for your assistant director for hours.
But he was busy bonking the watchman.
Okay. Regarding this email, I'll read the lines of the scene.
As this scenes comes in the climax,
I should say these lines...
You read the mail, right?
Okay.
Will I only get to say, 'What's happening, son?'
Nothing more?
Sanjay... Sanjay, we had...
What did you tell Sanjay?
I was bonking the watchman?
This is the truth.
There comes a time in our life
when you face the truth.
Why didn't I think of it earlier?
What am I doing here?
I don't belong here.
I don't want to play this grandmother's role.
I am going back to do theatre.
I have had enough. I am leaving.
Please leave.
Please leave. I beg of you. Please leave.
I don't need this shit.
I even told this to the doctors who wanted me to do chemotherapy.
I am alive and kicking. I am still living.
I don't need this shit.
No matter what,
nobody can take away from you the dances you have already had.
Do you know who said this?
Marquez.
He and I danced in Rome once.
More dances. I need more dances.
No one should ever snatch anything from me.
This van of yours is very small for me.
It is too small. It can't contain my dances.
And your cinema is also very small for me.
Because my life is very big.
I am big and generous.
Only theatre is capable enough to contain me.
This whole place is for you and your feeling of words.
That feeling of words should flow here.
This hall should feel your words.
Until the last seat of the balcony.
And you should lose yourself doing it.
This is the power of this stage.
Wow, ma'am!
Ma'am, take I take one photo with you?
You can take it afterwards.
Remember that you are here to give audition for my new production.
I can show-off all the time.
Now, why are you standing there shell-shocked?
I am going to revive 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam'.
It was the best production of our company.
But, 'been there, done that' is for the present times.
What the youth today wants to see?
I have downloaded some music from iTunes.
Let's see if you can dance to it.
Faster!
Yeah.
Yes. Yes.
Yes.
Ruby darling.
Hello, aunt. How are you?
Don't call me aunt before this girl.
But you are my aunt.
Nazia Sahiba. You can even call me ma'am.
I guess you love being called ma'am.
So, I'll call you Nazia.
You have never called me Nazia. You have always called me aunt.
But you told me... - Yes, that's right.
I want you to call me Nazia.
I hate being your aunt.
I know that.
Can I deal with this girl now?
You must have heard about Modern Indian Theatre.
Yes, absolutely, ma'am.
Who started Modern Indian Theatre?
You, ma'am. Of course, it's you.
I started it with some other people.
Some other people?
Really?
In 1946.
Yes, ma'am. We had read about it in NSD.
Of course, you have.
But I want to do a modern version of 'Abhigyan Shakuntalam' now.
This is the poster that I have designed.
'Shaku'.
Some other people! Nice.
Wow! Modern version. That's amazing, ma'am.
I like these youngsters.
They have nothing to do with the past.
Without baggage.
Oh! Goodbye, my dear.
Thank you for coming. Goodbye.
Come on. - I'm not going anywhere.
We need to talk.
Yes. - And you.
They must have taught you Shakuntala's story at NSD, right?
Of course, ma'am.
Then start the story.
Yes, ma'am.
When King Dushyanta goes hunting,
he sees Shakuntala in the forest.
They fall in love. They secretly get married.
While returning to the palace, as a proof of their marriage,
King Dushyanta gives a piece of jewellery to Shakuntala.
A ring. - Yes, ma'am. A ring.
He gives the ring and leaves.
Shakuntala keeps thinking about Dushyanta.
Once, saint Durvasa asks for water from her.
But she doesn't greet him properly, so he curses her
saying that the person she was dreaming of would forget about her.
I curse you.
You don't exist. Shazam! Boom! Shoo!
Well, I tried.
Continue the story.
When...
When his rage cools down,
he tells Shakuntala
that the curse can be lifted
if she showed him a personal token
that had been given to her.
Shakuntala breathes a sigh of relief.
She thought Dushyanta would recognise her
when she shows him the token.
Do you know? My mother played this role in 1946.
Did you tell her that?
This is very powerful, ma'am.
Ma'am, please. Allow me to play this role. Please.
We'll see.
Your soul gets excited to get a role that's made for you, ma'am.
The soul of every actor gets excited for the role of Shakuntala.
But there is only one fortunate actor
who held on to this role for 40 years and not allow anyone to do it.
Okay.
The good news is, I like you.
But you won't be able to play Shakuntala.
Please, ma'am. I can do anything for this role.
Can you murder anyone?
Yes, ma'am.
This role is to die for. Even to kill for.
That's right.
You can leave. Goodbye.
"Shakulaka baby. Shakulaka..."
You should have shown some decency.
You should have at least said her name.
My age to show decency has passed.
"Shakulaka baby. Shakulaka..."
Will you help me select the costume or not?
"Shakulaka baby. Shakulaka..."
How can you forget... - "Shakulaka..."
That my mom started Modern India Theatre with you? "Shakulaka..."
"Shakulaka baby..."
"Shakulaka..." - For God's sake, she was your sister.
You have made this place a mess.
Look at this. Cobwebs...
I hate them.
I hate cobwebs.
And this... What is this?
For God's sake, do me a favour.
Will you show some courtesy to mention my mother's name?
I know that you will get a lot of publicity.
Nazia to revive the Modern Indian Theatre.
Its new name is Post Modern Indian Theatre.
What is this?
These are my exhibits. I have sent you an invitation.
For what?
Who would be interested to see these old clothes?
The audience will laugh at you.
I am already laughing.
Don't open it. I don't want to see them.
This is history.
Yahudi's daughter.
The brave girl.
Jasma Odan.
And...
Shakuntala.
From where... From where did you get this?
Uncle Suhel gave it to me.
Suhel?
Is that foolish old man still alive?
You are also alive. Old and foolish.
I am old but not foolish.
But he was a fool in his youth as well.
By the way, where is Suhel nowadays?
Go on.
Act as if nothing matters to you.
But it does matter to you.
Uncle Suhel is in an old age home in Delhi.
He can't even walk. He needs help.
Deepti darling.
Send an office boy to my warehouse in Jogeshwari.
There are litter and unwanted things lying here.
You know, some old clothes and many other things.
Yes. No... I don't want them to be thrown away.
I want to burn them.
Burn all of them. Did you hear?
You are a good office secretary.
Love you.
You can't do that.
This is my warehouse, and everything here belongs to me.
I should have done it a long time ago.
This is what happened after I gave the warehouse to you.
Please get out of this jinxed costume,
or I will burn you along with it.
This is my costume.
My mother had worn it.
Didn't she?
Uncle Suhel has given me many other things.
Look at this.
Have a look. Do you remember anything?
I don't think you have to stress on your memory.
This is my mother.
This is Shakuntala.
And this is her costume.
Lahore, 1947.
You are wearing her costume.
But this is not Shakuntala's costume.
I have always been Shakuntala.
Terrified by the drops of rain,
why is honey bee hovering around my face instead of 'champa'?
Oh!
O honey bee! You are very fortunate.
You are looking at an astounding sight.
You are touching this beautiful woman again and again.
You are humming around her ears.
It seems like you are trying to tell her a secret.
Oh God! Why is this thing not leaving me alone?
It has come here as well.
What should I do now?
Girls. Hey, girls!
Help me.
Who are we to help you?
Shut up!
It's the King's duty to protect this forest.
Get lost!
Why don't you call His Majesty King Dushyanta?
Anusuya, you are too much.
What will I do now?
Who will protect me?
All hail the King. - All hail the King.
This honey bee won't trouble you anymore.
Hey! Stop this drama!
Nothing should happen to our Muslim brothers and sisters.
No Hindu should be spared.
Don't worry. You can leave. - Don't spare the Hindus.
All of you, go to the green room. I'll go and see.
Suhel, they are coming for you. You also come with us.
Come on... Hurry up.
Change your costume. Come on.
We shouldn't include any Hindus in our play.
Stop speaking nonsense!
I said the right thing. This place is not right for the Hindus.
Shamim, don't speak another word.
The Hindus should go back to India. - Wear this.
Look. You won't have any trouble because of me.
Hey! Stop this play!
Hey!
Brother! There!
Bring them out!
Hey! Stop this nonsensical play!
I know what kind of play is this.
Hey! Catch them. No one should escape.
Hey, drama company! Who all are Hindu here?
We are...
Everyone here are artists.
Hey! I know what kind of plays you make.
You expose yourself on the stage.
And you go out with this Hindu, right?
Girls like you don't deserve a place in heaven, you slut!
Hey! What did you say? - No...
No. Stop it.
Please leave him for God's sake.
Stop it.
Hit him. Come on.
Oh God!
Nazia, what did you do?
You killed him.
Nazia, they have seen your face.
They will come here looking for you.
All of you go home.
And you?
Give it to me. I'll take blame for this murder. You leave.
No... - I'll deal with it. You go from here.
There is a train to Delhi tonight. Catch that train.
You are not safe here.
Nazia, she is right.
I'll go to Delhi. After reaching there, I'll call you there.
No, that won't be possible. Dad won't let her go.
I will come with you right now, Suhel.
Nazia, there is too much risk.
Let it be. It's better to die with you than live here alone.
I will come with you, Suhel.
Nazia.
Okay. Change the costume. They will come looking for you.
Pack all the things. I'll go and bring a tanga.
As soon as you hear my whistle, come to the back street.
I'll go now...
Nazia, you can't leave. What will happen to the drama company?
Shamim, either come to India with us,
or stay here and forget theatre.
It's your decision.
How can you leave your country like this?
It's evident that you value your country more than the drama company.
But for me, I value our company more.
I don't know, but I don't think you are taking the right decision.
At least fear God.
And what will I get if I come with you?
You won't ever let me play Shakuntala's role.
Nazia.
Father won't let you go, Nazia.
Zareen, we are not going home.
Pack your things. We are going to India.
No. I am not going anywhere.
I will go home. To our parents.
They are trying to get you married to the perfume maker's son.
Do you want this?
No, but...
Zareen.
We will go to India.
We will start our own theatre company there.
We will fulfil all our dreams.
You also want this, don't you?
Yes, but...
We will open our theatre company...
You can play the role of Shakuntala. Okay?
But shall we go home and talk to father once?
Don't be a fool, Zareen?
You are always scared and indecisive.
At least take a decision once which favours you.
Girls like you get married and are trapped there for life.
Look. You will have to decide now.
Either come with us, or be here alone.
Zareen, I have killed someone to save Suhel.
And I didn't have any second thoughts.
Good.
I'll write you letters. Goodbye.
Nazia!
I will come with you.
Come on. Pack your things, Zareen. We don't have much time.
Come, Zareen.
Come on, let's go.
'Post Modern Indian Theatre Presents Shaku'
Deepti darling, these are desperate times.
Do you have any client who can become the sponsor?
Even I thought so.
Okay. Tell the film producer
that I'll play the role of the grandmother for Rs 10 million.
I know no one pays Rs 10 million for the role of a grandmother.
Why don't I hire Deepika for the role of Shakuntala?
All the sponsors will come running to me.
Please Deepti darling. Get me Deepika's phone number anyhow.
Oh, shoot!
I was supposed to shoot with her.
Yes, I have reached. I'll call you back.
You?
I'll call you later. Okay?
Yes. Yes. But please think of something meanwhile.
Ma'am.
I won't leave without taking you with me.
I have strict orders to take you to Vaishno Devi right now.
What am I supposed to do?
Ma'am, it's the climax.
I have to ring the bell, right?
Yes. You have to pray for your grandson's recovery.
And ma'am, Sanjay will be calling you any time.
You better take his call.
And ma'am, I swear, I am not leaving without you.
So, don't leave.
Ma'am... I am warning you, ma'am.
I am really not leaving, ma'am.
Ma'am, why don't you understand?
I will lose my job if I don't take you.
Why are you troubling me, ma'am?
You really want to be an assistant director?
Or are you madly in love with Sanjay?
Ma'am, I am not gay.
You don't know, but I know it.
Ma'am, you don't know it.
I have a girlfriend and she can prove you wrong. - Okay.
How can you think of this, ma'am? Do I even look gay?
Do you really want to assist Sanjay?
No one dreams of becoming an assistant.
I am an actor, ma'am.
FTII, 2002.
And you are hoping that Sanjay will take you in his next film, right?
You think that one day, Hrithik will come on the set late,
and Sanjay will get angry and remove him from the film,
and then he'll say, 'Assistant, now you do the role.'
This is your fantasy, isn't it?
Isn't it?
Fat chance.
It's not possible in films.
But it is possible in theatre.
You can become anything in theatre.
You can dream of anything.
Stick around... What's your name?
What... Vinay.
You are perfect for the role of Dash.
Dash?
Yes, Dushyanta sounds a bit old.
I had thought of Dush, but Dash is dashing.
And...
What will I have to do to get this role?
Just be yourself.
But you are perfect for Dash.
Then will you come to Vaishno Devi?
To ring the bells and to pray for my grandson, right?
We'll decide on that.
No, ma'am. You have to make a decision now.
Ma'am, why don't you finish your old project
before starting a new project?
Ma'am, it's Sanjay.
Look, Dush doesn't know much about Shaku.
Ma'am, answer the call. You can tell me about Shaku later.
Why don't you want to know more about your role?
Ma'am, please... - What kind of an actor you are!
Ma'am, please. - For me, my role is everything.
Worth dying for. - Ma'am, please.
Worth living for. - Ma'am, the most important thing is
to answer the phone and speak to Sanjay.
Later. - Hey...
I want to go forward with Shaku.
Sir, she is here...
Oh, sorry. Hold up.
Ma'am, it's not Sanjay. It's for you.
Who is it?
May I know who is speaking?
Some gentleman named Suhel.
I don't know any Suhel.
She is saying that...
Yes, of course, you heard it.
Actually, sir, she is a little busy. Can I...
He says he is Suhel, your husband.
I don't know of any husband.
He must have heard this as well. So, why don't you just hang up?
Ma'am.
Whatever it is, just finish it.
After the shooting, we'll come back and do the play.
Okay?
You don't understand anything.
You can't just finish things.
She...
She becomes a shadow and hides in a dark corner.
And one day, she pounces on you.
And you crush that shadow again and again
and try to push it back into the dark corner.
You haven't hung up till now. So, hang up now.
Vinay darling, please go and take my purse from the car.
Bring it yourself. Okay? Good boy.
What do you want from me? Money?
I'm not insulting you.
You are ill. You are in a hospital.
So, you might need money, right?
Oh... Okay.
You have sons who would take care of your expenses, right?
Where are they?
You have called me after 50 years
to tell me that both of your sons are in Birmingham.
Hmm.
Okay.
So, you can also read now.
Yes.
I am reviving the company.
Don't drag her into this.
You did what?
If you tell anything to the Press, then I...
Keep her away from this.
Are you blackmailing me?
No, I don't want to meet you.
No.
I...
I don't want to see you in a wheelchair.
And I can't tolerate your stumbling voice.
We are not the people
who we were.
And it's a good thing.
I really wanted to be as much beautiful
as I was before.
And I want that for you as well.
We were so good together.
But now...
Everything is finished.
Cobwebs.
Where is my armlet?
And for God's sake, can you show some other emotions in the scene?
When I express my love for you, you seem frightened.
I don't get frightened.
No man has ever touched Shakuntala before.
Okay.
But you can at least look into my eyes.
No, I can't. Shakuntala is a shy girl.
Yes, she is shy, but...
But what?
Why do I feel that you feel disgusted by me?
What does that mean?
You are saying that... - Leave it, Suhel.
Nazia.
What is it? - Can we please finish the remaining play?
We can talk about it at home.
When?
After the play, you will be with the company.
You will rehearse with them till morning.
And after all the work, you will come home and sleep silently.
When will we talk about the things that are troubling you?
Nazia.
Look at me.
You will have to open up with me.
Look, we have gone through a lot.
I have.
I have gone through a lot.
You haven't gone through anything, Suhel.
I know.
But you don't know that it has affected me as well.
I don't show it because I don't want to trouble you.
I can see that.
I can see that clearly.
Whenever you play Dushyanta's role, especially the court scene,
why do I feel that you are blaming me?
I am an artist.
The character I play blames you.
Maybe I should stop playing Dushyanta's role.
Yes, maybe.
Moreover, Jagan is eager to do this role.
So, do you rehearse with him?
Look.
You can do this role as long as you want.
But you don't want me to do it, right?
Yes.
I don't want you to do it.
And...
You can do this for me, can't you?
After all, I have left my home and my family for you.
Na...
I have left my religion for you.
Fix your 'tilak'. It's fading because of the sweat.
You left Lahore because you knew
that you could fulfil your dream of opening a drama company in India.
You told this to Shamim too, didn't you?
How can you be so cruel to me?
I am working very hard to keep the company running.
I run rehearsals, I apply for brands, I train actors,
I manage the accounts... - Do you care for the company?
Or for the roles that you play?
You choose the script very smartly.
You make sure that you get the main role,
like Jasma Odan, Shakuntala...
And what do we get? It's like we are living at your mercy.
This is the reason I don't talk to you.
Because you doubt everything I do.
You never gave your sister a chance to play Shakuntala.
She was better at this role than you.
The interval is almost over. Get ready.
This is your last performance.
From now on, I won't play Shakuntala if you play Dushyanta.
But is it not true?
Don't you think Zareen would have played Shakuntala better?
Yes, Zareen would have played Shakuntala better.
But Zareen is not here, right? She is not here.
Why are you talking about her?
I will talk.
Had she been alive, would you have given her this role?
No.
It's so easy for you to say it.
'My poor sister. She would have played Shakuntala better.'
'But unfortunately, she is no more.'
You even promised her that you would let her do this role.
Didn't you?
Oh, so you can cry as well.
This is what I want.
Bring some other emotions to your role.
And to your relationships as well.
You are so cruel, Suhel.
Nazia, you should get out of all of this.
Look around yourself. We all are victims of our times.
I sympathise you... - I don't need your sympathy.
I know how you, Rati, Chandra and others look at me.
I don't need your sympathy.
It's very easy to feel pity for someone and put them down.
And you don't miss a chance to put me down.
I don't feel pity for you, Nazia.
I want to help you.
I am so helpless that I need your help.
First, you will help me, and then control my life.
Many girls in the theatre have fallen prey to such help.
They have permitted men to ruin their lives.
But I am not one of them.
Believe me, I don't need your help to ruin myself.
You need help.
For God's sake, move on.
I am trying.
I am trying my best.
But when I look at you,
everything comes back to me.
I can't live Shakuntala's character because of you, Suhel.
When Shakuntala sees Dushyanta for the first time, she looks away.
Because I remember that I have made this mistake.
I have already fallen in your love.
When you kill that honey bee...
I realise that I have committed a murder for you.
When you embrace Shakuntala, I feel disgusted.
But why?
What have I done that makes you feel disgusted?
You haven't done anything, Suhel.
Nothing.
I'm struggling with that.
No, you are not struggling, and you can't
because you don't care what I have gone through.
You are right.
In the royal court,
when you look at Shakuntala with hatred,
the way you look at me, Suhel...
You...
You mean all the words that you say.
And everything comes back.
I feel disgusted when you embrace Shakuntala.
When you refuse to recognise Shakuntala in the court,
I wish to forget you and Zareen...
And everything else.
Whenever I do this scene with you, I die a little.
I can't do it.
I can't pretend to love you.
I wish to put my arms around your neck and strangulate you.
Do you still
hold me responsible for everything that happened?
You haven't done anything, Suhel.
You didn't do anything to stop them.
If you...
Feel like this...
Then I will give this role to Jagan from tomorrow.
I...
I'm leaving you, Nazia.
I'm leaving you.
I'm leaving you alone.
You don't need me.
You want to forget your past, right?
Then I am your past.
Do you know I...
I was hoping that...
We have a great future together.
That would somehow
heal all our wounds.
I am hoping
that this company will give you the solace that you are looking for.
I accepted Islam
to get married to you.
And according to the laws of Islam,
I can leave you.
So...
Divorce.
Divorce. Divorce. Divorce.
Nazia.
You had promised me
that I could play Shakuntala's role.
Shakuntala's child is so charming.
A prince.
No. A princess.
Royal blood.
Blood...
Blood.
That's okay.
You can play Shakuntala's role.
Because I am not present here.
So, you play it.
Play is well.
Take your position.
Nazia.
For once...
Will you call me Shakuntala?
We are waiting for the curtain to rise. Hurry up.
Shakuntala.
Thank you, Nazia.
Thank you.
Now, go.
And play that role.
And listen.
Forgive Dushyanta.
He is a man.
They tend to make mistakes.
Take care of this child.
Rabiba.
It's such a sweet name.
Now, she is yours. Only yours.
Curtain.
Go on.
Your Highness.
I have a message for you from Rishi Vatika.
You married this woman belonging to an esteemed family
as per the Gandharva marriage system
without discussing it with your elders.
So now, you should make this marriage public.
And accept Shakuntala as your wife.
She is bearing your child.
What are you saying?
I don't understand the meaning of marriage.
Emperor Dushyanta, choose your words wisely.
A woman can be very virtuous.
But if she is not accepted by her husband,
the society will pass insulting comments on her.
Especially when she is pregnant.
I am trying a lot,
but I am not able
to remember having
any relationship between this woman
and I.
Look at me, Your Highness, and tell me...
Tell me that we didn't get married as per Gandharva marriage system.
O respected woman of the hermitage,
I have tried to recollect it again and again,
but I don't remember anything.
How can I accept a pregnant woman
and take the blame?
How can I accept a woman who is impregnated by another man?
Your Highness.
It doesn't suit your status to say such insulting words.
Especially, when you sweet-talked me
and persuaded me to get married to you.
Silence!
I don't remember anything.
What are you saying?
If you really think of me as a stranger,
then I will show you the ring that you had given me.
That ring will bring back your forgotten memory.
If there is any such ring,
then show it to me.
How unfortunate!
Where did my ring go?
While coming from the hermitage, I ran my fingers through the river.
The ring might have fallen into the river.
Well, someone had said it right.
A woman thinks very cleverly
when she wants to deceive someone.
Such words don't suit you.
Not only the female of the human race,
but female birds and animals are also cunning.
Don't you know this?
A cuckoo has a very sweet voice,
but it lays its eggs in the nests of other birds.
No... No...
No.
O Goddess Vasundhara.
I can't bear any more insults.
Please
take me in your embrace.
Take me away from this hell which is trying to swallow me.
O Goddess Vasundhara, please hear my prayers.
Take me to a place where I can forget my sad past.
Listen to my prayer, Goddess Vasundhara. Please listen to me.
There is so much dust here.
Does anyone clean this place?
Is there anyone around?
Where is that lame fellow? What was his name?
And look at these cobwebs.
I remove them, and they come back again.
Next time, we might see Spider-Man hanging from it.
Hey! Why are these damn files still here?
I don't want it here.
Here... Here...
Here you go.
Hey!
Is this still here?
Hey, you fool! Come here. And burn all of these.
Come and pick them up.
Just throw them away.
Oh...
Rabiba, my dear.
I am so sorry.
But Deepti had sent a boy,
and he burned all those jinxed costumes.
You must have seen the smoke while coming here.
That was the smoke from those costumes.
I didn't know that Satin and Zari clothes
emit a lot of smoke after burning.
I am so sorry.
You won't receive any awards for this.
And I don't have a coffee table book that I can release next year,
or else I'd have used these pictures in them.
Everything is finished.
It's finished. Over.
Won't you shout at me?
Won't you call me a cruel bitch?
What do you think?
Will I let you burn by mom's memories?
I knew it.
I knew that you were thinking of destroying those costumes.
That's why I had called Deepti long back.
I told her about the importance of those costumes.
She understood.
She said, to convince you and to make your happy,
she would burn some old newspapers,
and give me the costumes for the exhibition.
Now, they are safe with me in my car.
And I have told my driver to be cautious about a cute old woman.
Who are you to do that?
Go and take them from your car and burn them.
Right now!
I have a sponsor for your play.
You want to do the play, don't you?
The only condition is, you have to do what I ask you to.
You are really a manipulative bitch.
Well, in that matter, you are the mother of all.
You manipulated all the people who came into your life.
I know that everyone has left you.
And Uncle Suhel was the first to leave because he knew you well.
Why are you so interested about my past?
If your present life was like mine,
you wouldn't have been thinking about this.
Your husband has also left you.
But that doesn't mean you are a manipulative bitch.
You are one, of course.
But not because your husband has left you.
And after seeing all this, does your son hold you responsible for this?
I have a daughter, not a son.
Whatever. It's the same thing.
I know that you want me to get out of your life.
But I won't do anything like that.
Until you acknowledge my mother's work,
I'm not going anywhere, Nazia Sahiba.
And when you do that, I'll walk out of your life.
Okay. If you want that, I will come to your silly exhibition.
And I will also acknowledge the help that Zareen did for me.
Not only the help,
but you will also acknowledge the fact
that she had an equal partnership.
I've appealed for a posthumous award for her to Sangeet Natak Academy.
But you will have to make a start.
I will do it.
But do you have any sponsor for me?
Tell me something.
Is Uncle Suhel my father?
Why does everyone want to know that?
You might be knowing it.
It's obvious that you
don't want to talk about my mother and your husband.
You were very upset over their affair. Is it true?
I don't know.
Do you want to do this play or not?
Do you have any sponsor?
I should have understood the thing you are more interested in.
Anyway...
I want you to know that I am a woman of my word.
I took it in writing from the winery.
This is amazing.
Now, you will see how fantastic this production will be.
We only have to look for Shakuntala now.
But this has always been my interpretation for Shakuntala.
I don't want a weak and helpless woman whose future
depends on whether her husband remembers
if he has slept with her or not.
That means you haven't found anyone for the role of Shakuntala yet.
I will find her soon. When will the first cheque come?
I want to give advance to Bhole, and also buy music rights.
What... What is this?
It's for you, Nazia Sahiba. The invite for the inauguration.
Is my name written in bold?
Just like you had said.
What is this? Are you out of your mind?
What are you trying to say?
You really hate me a lot.
Your name is on the top. In bold letters.
Have you invited him?
Of course.
He is also an important part of the company just like you.
Believe it or not.
He had left me and the company.
Nothing like that had happened.
He told me that he never left you.
That old man must have lost his senses.
What does he remember anyway?
He remembers a lot more than you.
What will you get by troubling me? What do you want from me?
The truth about my parents. I want to hear the truth from both of you.
He is not your father.
Your mother is dead.
And I don't know who your father is.
What else do you want to know from me?
And you want me to believe this story, right?
This is the truth.
Just like Dushyanta, you also have forgotten everything.
You might remember something with the help of a small token.
You are getting old and insane before me.
What kind of token? Do you have any ring?
Something like that.
No matter what happens,
I will make you tell the truth.
Even if it's the last word that comes from your mouth.
So sorry, ma'am. Traffic problem. So sorry.
Same here.
Everyone wants to travel in the path of my memories.
As though it's a highway to nirvana.
It's a no-entry.
Did you do your homework?
Yes, ma'am. I love the way the script is going forward, ma'am.
Good. I am glad that our thinking matches a lot.
Let's see what this scene does to the play.
Okay. Come on.
When Shakuntala enters,
a boy in a black jacket is strumming his guitar. - Yes, ma'am.
And when he sees you, he plays a wrong tune.
On seeing you, his guitar notes
go out of tune.
You can improvise the rest. - Yes, ma'am.
Come on. Okay.
Shaku, you go out. And when I say 'enter',
you should come in. Okay? - Yes, ma'am.
Wait a minute.
I know what I have to do.
Thank you.
Now, to set the mood, I will turn off some lights.
And this scene is like any rave party in Mumbai.
Dark. Free. And corrupt.
Enter!
What happened?
Sorry, ma'am. Sorry. It's just that...
Okay. Let's do it again.
Enter!
Who are you talking to there?
So sorry, ma'am. This...
If you don't enter the next time I say 'enter',
just go home from where you are. Okay?
And concentrate on my cue.
Enter!
I have regained my memory.
After looking at this ring,
all the memories have come back to me.
I am suffering because of them
just like I suffered
when I insulted Shakuntala.
These memories
are hurting my soul.
Dear Shakuntala.
I am regretting
my decision to leave you.
Tend to my wounds.
Please forgive me.
And come back with my son.
Dear Shakuntala.
I...
I have tried to draw your painting.
So that I can feel you near me.
But your beauty
is not highlighted correctly in this painting.
Let me complete this painting.
Let me complete this painting so that...
So that I can stay alive.
Shakuntala.
My Shakuntala.
Shakuntala.
Hi!
Mom said that maybe I could help you refresh your memory.
I am Ni...
Ma'am... I'm sorry, ma'am. Ruby didn't allow me to enter.
That's okay. The rehearsal is over. You can go now.
Ma'am...
I am so sorry, ma'am.
Ma'am, I know that I can play the role of Shakuntala.
Ma'am, maybe I'm not understanding this new version.
But the old version is very powerful, ma'am.
Ma'am, every woman wants their child to have a father.
And that's why she forgives every mistake of her husband.
Please. - Tomorrow.
Tomorrow. You can go now. Goodbye.
Go away. Shoo!
You did it on purpose.
No. I...
Actually, it was my mom's idea.
I was waiting outside. She said, enter when the music plays.
I'm really sorry. I didn't intend to surprise you.
Your mom intended to kill me.
She knew that I would be shocked.
You... You look exactly like...
Like Aunt Zareen, right? I know.
No... No... I was saying that you...
Where were you all these years?
Sweet. I'm glad you asked.
Actually, I was in the US with my dad.
I just graduated from the Yale School of Drama last year.
I even sent you a friend request on Facebook.
But I guess you have a lot of friends.
I know you didn't want to meet me, but I really wanted to see you.
The thing is that...
I want to audition for the role of Shakuntala.
You want to spy on me. That's why your mom has sent you here.
No. No. It was my idea to give the audition.
Mom had asked me to meet Uncle Suhel.
Why is everyone suddenly so interested in that old man?
Maybe because he is my grandfather.
No. That's nonsense!
Go and ask him. He will tell you.
I had asked him.
He said yes.
That's a lie. That's a sheer lie.
He even said many other things,
which I'm sure you'll refuse to accept. - Really?
What did he tell you?
A lot.
Actually, he gave me some things.
I'll just bring it.
One second.
Mom. What happened? You okay?
I...
Nazia, this is Nikhat.
Zareen's granddaughter.
Your daughter. I know.
Don't you think she can play the role of Shakuntala perfectly?
Without a doubt. - You agree?
Mom, doesn't it seem like Zareen has come back for the role?
It's such a nice story!
And there is no better way to give my mom the credit she deserves.
But only if you agree.
Yes, but except...
And here is...
Ta-da! - Did he have this poster?
He said that he saved it from you somehow
when you wanted to destroy everything.
What else did he say?
And he said that...
Zareen was Shakuntala, not you.
Do you mean to say
that she was lying?
Is the woman on the poster my mom?
That's what he said. After coming to India,
Zareen always played the role of Shakuntala.
It makes sense.
You look exactly like her.
This is her.
And you Nazia Sahiba,
you slyly changed her name.
That's why you have never looked me in the eyes.
Who knew what happened 50 years ago?
Everyone is dead.
After my mom's death, everyone gave you credit
because they were scared of you.
You have always said everywhere that you are Shakuntala.
You are reviving this play
so that you can hold on to your past glory.
But I won't let that happen.
I will tell everyone about your cunningness and fraudulence.
All your awards will be snatched away from you.
Your reputation will be ruined.
Everyone told me
that my mother passed away before I was born.
I was told that because
you asked them to say it.
I think, you...
You can do anything.
I feel like killing you right now. - Mom...
I hate you. You have ruined my life.
I don't even want to see your face.
When I was a child,
I was taken care of
by some backstage actors,
co-workers or housemaids.
Everyone took great care of me.
But for you, I was just a helper,
who knew stitching,
who knew to bring pillows,
who knew to bring bouquets for chief guests.
Even then, I hated you a lot.
When you did your make-up in the green room,
I used to watch you.
I would wait for someone to come and open the door and...
And I could catch a glimpse of you.
But you...
You were only concerned about yourself.
You didn't look at anyone else.
I never existed for you.
Everyone sympathised with me.
They said, 'Poor girl. Her aunt doesn't even look at her.'
'Come on. Let's give her over to her uncle.'
'No, he just got married. His second wife won't accept her.'
I hate your stage.
I hate my father, who left me alone.
But I hate you the most.
Even after being so close to me, you...
You were always distant from me.
I know it's really hard to let go, mom.
If only...
Life would have been different if you died instead of my mom.
Yes. Yes.
Mom.
Mom, I know you are really hurt,
but there is no point venting your anger on her.
Let her vent her anger.
Let her vent her anger on me. I will bear it.
Come on. Spit it out!
No. Mom, don't do it. Please, mom.
Good.
You don't know...
You don't know how it feels to be left alone.
I know, mom.
Even I was angry with you, like you are now.
I never left you alone.
I have always tried to keep you away from this hellhole.
And yes.
I do know, mom.
Even I was very angry with you.
Like you are on her.
The only difference is that you didn't get to see that anger.
Because you were angry with yourself.
You were angry with your mom as she left you.
You know, mom.
You gave what you got.
It's strange, right?
You always stayed at home
so that I could never face that loneliness.
You used to hold my hand and take me to the bus stop.
But I always went alone.
Because you were lost somewhere.
And that week,
you gave me a lunch box every day...
But for that seven days, I opened an empty lunch box
in the lunch period.
You were distant from me even though you were close to me, mom.
I didn't know that.
Please forgive me.
Even I deserve the punishment as she is.
No... No...
Mom.
Because of the riots,
the name in the posters of the show in Delhi was removed.
We didn't want to disclose our Muslim names.
We were afraid of disclosing them.
Deep down inside us,
we because aware of the truth.
But we don't want to meet them face-to-face.
We were betraying each other all this while.
Suhel was right.
Zareen played the role of Shakuntala.
I used to be on the stage,
but all the time, I used to think that it was her role.
And she should do it.
I had promised her this role,
which I couldn't forget.
Whenever I played the role of Shakuntala,
she used to overpower my feelings.
I have killed Zareen.
No one believes that.
But I know it.
The entire was full of Hindus.
It was going to India from Pakistan.
Karachi to Delhi.
The Flying Mail, nine down.
We were travelling on that train.
We boarded from Lahore.
Suhel, Zareen and I.
The family next to us even shared food with us.
We told them that we are Muslims except for Suhel.
But it didn't matter to them.
Somewhere near the border, the train halted.
We hadn't thought about that.
Until we...
Until we heard screams.
Screams and...
Those rioters wanted to kill all the Hindu in the train.
Except us.
The woman next to us told us to wear burqas.
The burqa would have saved us.
Zareen, wear the burqa. Hurry up.
Suhel... Where is my burqa?
Here it is. It's here. Wear it quickly.
Zareen, wear your burqa.
Zareen, what are you doing? Where's your burqa?
Zareen, stop playing around. Our lives are at stake.
Wear your burqa, or I'll beat you.
She gave me her burqa.
Why did she do that?
I didn't deserve that.
What did I do that in order to save me,
she sacrificed her life?
They attacked her and many others.
Suhel pulled me out of there.
We moved towards the border with a lot of difficulties.
We bribed the officials to cross the border.
But I had still worn that black dress.
We were in another country.
Amongst different slaughterers.
They attacked us.
They dragged me into the bushes and hurt me.
They were 5-8 people. I don't know the exact number.
But they tore my clothes and scraped my body.
At that time, I had only thing in my mind.
That why is Suhel not saving me?
They were his people.
I could only see hatred and anger in their eyes,
that wanted to humiliate me.
I looked at them angrily,
and they attacked me mercilessly
until I stopped
staring at them.
Near the border, we saw the train full of dead bodies.
That train was full of blood and dead bodies.
Her clothes were stained with blood.
I saw her hand.
She was wearing a ring with a Quran verse written on it.
I recognised that ring.
I recognised her hand.
I recognised Zareen.
She was killed by the people of her religion.
I...
- "O my darling daughter."
"You have become the queen of the stars."
"O my darling daughter."
"You have become the queen of the stars."
"O my darling daughter."
"You have become the queen of the stars."
"O my darling daughter."
I tried looking for a bed sheet.
Before all the bodies were buried together,
I wanted a bed sheet at any cost.
I wanted to give Zareen a proper burial.
"O my darling daughter."
"You have become the queen of the stars."
"O my darling daughter."
"You have become the queen of the stars."
I wrapped her in my burqa.
And buried her.
After that, I never wore a hijab.
"You have become the queen of the stars."
I knew that you weren't Suhel's daughter.
When you were born,
I didn't want to take you in my arms.
I didn't even want to look into your eyes
as I feared I would remember my past.
Who knows?
If I had taken you in my arms,
I might have strangulated you with my dupatta.
Not because I hated you.
But because I hate myself.
I tried very hard to forget everything.
I still try it. And I will keep trying.
Please help me.
Leave me alone.
I didn't know this.
I'm sorry.
No. Don't do that.
Don't feel pity for me. Hate me.
I won't be able to accept you as my child.
When you were born,
I told everyone that you are Zareen's daughter.
That she died during childbirth.
As long as you are alive, you will have to learn to hate me.
Please. I don't need your sympathy.
I...
I always felt that you were my mom.
Maybe that's why I hated you a lot.
But today morning, I met Uncle Suhel in the hospital.
And he told me something that even you might not remember.
During the play,
when no one else was watching,
you used to breastfeed me.
And Uncle Suhel
would delay the next segment of the play.
So that you could get more time with me,
and I could sleep peacefully.
Did he tell you this?
Would he really delay the next segment
so that I could spend more time with you?
Yes.
He...
He will forgive me.
He has already forgiven you a long time back.
I should call him now. Right now.
Or should I wait for him?
Uncle Suhel passed away today morning.
Why did you tell me all of this?
Why don't you let me live in peace?
Don't you know I have to prepare for the production?
Vinay! Where are the other actors?
Look. Look, we'll start from the scene where they both meet.
No, we'll start from the scene where they both separate.
No. We'll start from where she is humiliated.
Or from the scene when he denies that he...
Forget it. Let's not do 'Shakuntala'.
Let's do something else.
Who kept this poster here?
I'm not doing 'Shakuntala', but 'Shaku'.
This... Take is out as well.
Take it out. Burn it. Burn it.
It's hurting a lot.
Everything will be fine. - "O my darling daughter."
Everything will be fine. - "You have become"
"the queen of the stars."
"You have become..."
"O my darling daughter."
"You have become"
"the queen of the stars."
"You have become..."
Thank you all. And good evening, everyone.
Doing a play with Nazia has been a life-changing experience for me.
There are only a few fortunate artists
who get a chance to play such roles
that gives them an identity before the audience.
I am one such lucky artist.
Now, you will see me in Nazia's next production 'Romeo & Ranjha'.
And I'm playing such a character
who I can relate to. Romeo's Ranjha.
Proud to be Ranjha.
But without further ado, please call upon the stage
one such personality,
without whom this play was not possible.
Without whom, we wouldn't have been here.
Ladies and gentlemen,
please put your hands together for the lovely producer
Ruby Thakur.
Thank you.
I want to share one thing with you.
I was very difficult to do 'Shaku'.
Not because we were making a play in such a time
where people think that theatre is a dying art.
But there were some personal reasons which I can't share.
But I can say one thing for sure.
No one is as courageous, remarkable,
bold and honest as my...
Ladies and gentlemen,
let me introduce the shining star of The Modern Indian Theatre...
Post Modern Indian Theatre. Get it right.
My bad.
Post Modern Indian Theatre.
Let's have a huge round of applause for Nazia Sahiba.
That's right.
Give me more. Give me more.
Alright. Alright.
If you think that this shawl, citation
and standing ovation will help me get back on my feet,
then you are wrong.
This play is dedicated to Suhel.
The finest artist I have known.
And the most wonderful husband that a woman can have.
Suhel, you and I have talked a lot.
But I don't intend to come to you soon.
At least if I can help it.
I know
that there are some elderly people among you
who have seen me play the role of Shakuntala.
You loved my histrionics, and so did I.
But I don't think I was right for Shakuntala's role.
That belonged to my sister.
She was a kind-hearted, beautiful
and an evolved soul.
I can't be like her in this life.
But what the hell!
Who wants to be generous and evolved when you have two dancing feet?
Oh!
Well, they are unavailable, temporarily.
But dance.
And live your life as if it's a spectacular drama.
As if a standing ovation is waiting for you at the end.
Spin me around.
This wheelchair is small for the life that I have left in me.
Spin me up!
Thank you for your kindness.
Thank you, Zareen. We'll meet in heaven, Zareen.
We'll meet in heaven.
Thank you.
Thank you, my darling. Thank you.