Four-star review, and a brand new phone in return.
(Mahika) People resting largely on their father's laurels
and minting money from legacies
put even nepotism to shame.
(Yasmin) Where's the press release, Raghu?
Yasmin Ali in and as...
Agent Haseena.
(Victor) You sold it for a pittance.
You bribe people for a good review?
(Armaan) Nobody has done Parkour in an Indian period film.
I just can't ruin this film by inserting Parkour in the mix.
I have made a decision, Deven.
If there was something you could change at Viktory Studios,
what would it be?
(news reporter) Renowned director and producer Victor Khanna
has committed suicide.
I leave managing control of Viktory Studios
to my granddaughter from my first wife, Mahika Nandy.
Fuck you, Mahika Nandy!
(reporter 1) From a movie critic to a movie mogul,
-let's meet Mahika Nandy. -(reporter 2) Will she continue
the legacy of Viktory Studios or--
(reporter 3) A fresh scandal in Bollywood.
Mahika Nandy steals Raghu Khanna's throne...
(reporter 4) Raghu Khanna's life is like a movie's plot.
His own father betrayed him.
(reporter 5) How will Viktory Studios endure the turmoil--
(Vikas) There's no point in screaming at me, Raghu.
Medical reports, witness authenticity, everything checks out.
I have spoken to their lawyers too.
Everything proves he was of sound mind.
There is no point taking this to court.
I think you should discuss this with Mahika and maybe negotiate
-amongst yourselves. -No, no, no, Vikas!
Vikas, Vikas.
You want me to teach you your job?
All I'm trying to tell you is that there is no way out.
Was he out of his fucking mind when he made this will?
Find me some loophole in this shit, man!
I have done a run-through on all the loopholes.
Sorry to say, but prima facie, the will looks solid.
Prima facie can go fuck yourself.
Boss, Deven has called that kid to the office.
He's letting her take charge already.
-Do I pay you to give me bad news? -(bottle thumps on table)
(footsteps echo)
(Raghu) Fuck you, Deven.
(Yasmin) It's not so complicated.
You are Raghu Khanna.
This isn't your first rodeo.
And that girl? She's just a baby.
Hold her hand and show her the way.
Nobody can say no to Raghu Khanna.
-(riveting music builds) -(car honking)
(engine revving, whirring)
(man) Please sign this,
then I'll explain to you your duties and rights.
(chairs rolling)
-(woman) Good morning, sir! -(man) Good morning, sir!
(footsteps approaching)
(music turns intense)
(knocking on door)
Sir, the boss has called for her.
-(music rises, fades out) -(liquid pouring)
Mahika Nandy!
Come, come! Welcome.
Some water for you?
Come. Come, sit down.
Please sit.
(Raghu exhales loudly)
(gulping loudly)
(bangles clinking)
-(Mahika exhales) -(Raghu sighs)
I'm sorry.
(intriguing music)
For... what?
I apologise for my father's mistake. It's habitual.
Sorry to involve you in all this.
I thought you would be upset with me.
No, no, not at all.
You're not at fault. No.
Generation after generation, VK has played this age-old game.
Using people like pawns for his own benefit.
And not even once...
He didn't ask you even once if you really wanted all this.
(Raghu scoffs)
But then, such is life,
such is VK.
(music fades out)
I suddenly feel like a burden has been lifted off of me.
Yeah, you're right.
What will I even do?
I don't know anything.
No, no, you'll slowly learn everything.
Baby steps. We've all been there.
You know, I did see your review.
And despite your criticism,
Pyaar Dangerous will mint at least 150 crores at the box office.
No matter how the film turns out,
people give their all to make it.
But you'll learn the tricks of the trade once you start working with me.
(music restarts)
-What? -Yes.
I mean... I do agree with VK on one point.
This studio needs a new energy.
You and I.
The perfect combination of art and commerce.
What say?
Seriously?
You seriously think so?
Yes! You're the future of Viktory Studios,
and digital media is the future of cinema!
(snaps finger)
I have an idea.
I think you should be a part of our digital team.
How's that?
You mean make films for Hotstar,
Netflix and all of tha--
Well, that shall happen, but later.
First, let's start with the grassroots of digital media, shall we?
Handle our social media pages, understand our target groups,
connect with our audience and followers.
So...
you'll be making the films,
and I will tweet about them?
(inhales)
Well, I think,
according to my grandfather's will,
I'm the one who is supposed to make the movies.
(tense music fades in)
Your grandfather? (mirthless laughter)
Isn't it too soon to call him your grandfather?
Well, I'm glad you're smart enough to understand
that desperate times call for desperate measures.
Nepotism is the perfect quick-fix excuse
for every outsider wanting to be an insider.
Right?
And if this studio was left up to pseudo-intellectual outsiders like you,
we'd have shut shop long ago.
Either way, Mahika,
this industry isn't cut out for women.
(drums crescendo, fade out)
I mean, I'm family and so...
just giving you some advice.
Don't you worry about me.
I've managed myself just fine so far.
And as for sensibilities,
it doesn't matter where you're coming from.
You just need to be passionate about storytelling.
Go ahead and sell your mindless films.
And I will make meaningful movies.
The ones that will make your father proud.
All right.
Okay.
(silence ensues)
Mahika,
I might not be the V in Viktory,
but the studio is nothing without me.
(foot shuffles)
My dear Uncle,
give me your blessings...
so I can fight you fair and square.
(loud percussions)
(door clicks open, bangs shut)
(chair rolls away)
(loud banging)
(footstep echoing)
(music interludes)
Every film starts off easy.
A little banter, some humour, a bit of romance.
But the real deal starts after the interval.
Today marks the interval point in all of your lives!
I am leaving Viktory Studios and starting my very own
independent studio.
War always has a singular goal. Victory!
And it will be mine.
So, who's coming with me?
(riveting opening music)
-(birds chirping) -(crows cawing)
(footsteps approaching)
(light switches on)
(peon) Good morning, madam.
-Come, I'll escort you to your cabin. -Hello.
You're quite early.
Usually, in movie studios, no one comes before noon.
Come.
-(door creaks) -(nostalgic music)
(lights switch on)
Make yourself comfortable, ma'am.
(music turns muffled)
-(chattering) -(paper rustles)
(chart slides)
(Prithvi) Okay!
These are all of Viktory's projects that are looking dicey.
Basically, since Raghu left us, we've been fucked.
Raghu is going to go after our projects, actors, everything.
If they back out now,
that will be the end of Viktory.
It's Viktory versus Raghu Khanna Pictures.
Disco Dhadkan.
Jogi ki Jogini?
Dhat Tere Ki?
What kind of films are these?
(Deven) Look, Mahika,
it's not about which movie gets made.
Right now, it's about how we get it done.
The industry is gauging
whether you can headline new projects
or whether they should believe Raghu's words when he said
that there is no Viktory Studios without Raghu.
(catchy music)
(Raghu) Komal-ji!
Are you not going to congratulate me on Raghu Khanna Pictures?
You've been an industry veteran.
You need to highlight what that naive amateur is up to.
The world needs to know.
Hi, sir. This is Mahika Nandy from Samachar TV.
This is for a narration--
Sorry.
(Prithvi) Mahi, you're a producer now, not a journalist.
The actors needed you then. But now you need them.
Mahi!
The caption should read,
"Will she fall off the chair, or will it break?"
"Is she going to be VK's biggest fucking flop?"
Who's the first on the list?
Farah Khan.
(man) Congrats on RKP, man.
Let's discuss this over a drink tonight.
Take care, man.
Hello, Farah ma'am.
This is Mahika Nandy from Viktory Studios.
(Farah) Who? Mahika who?
It's not Naandi. It's Nandy!
Mahika Nandy. Yes, that's what I've been trying to tell you.
Alia, come on, don't be so modest.
You've caught the pulse of the audience.
Disco Dhadkan is ours to make!
He's not doing it anymore?
(hisses angrily)
Fuck it, man.
Imtiaz sir, it's a very unique story.
The guy leaves his house to go to Europe to do some soul-searching.
Why are you so upset, Nawaz?
Nawaz refused too?
Trust me, Tiger is stoked after the last narration.
Get him to sign the contract, and I'll gift you a new phone.
(music softens)
(Mahika) Nobody's taking me seriously.
I understand films too.
Do I not deserve a fair chance?
Mahi, understanding films is fine. But making films
is a different ball game altogether.
Yeah, bro. We'll add whatever social agenda you want in the film.
Let Ayushmann say yes at least.
The script is really fun. You'll get to do something different.
Just say yes, and we'll start production next week.
At least say bye before hanging up, man!
(Zico shouts)
There are two types of people in this world.
Humans and these bloody actors!
Sid, Ananya, Adi,
none of them is willing to play a hand.
They're saying if Mahika is a rookie, then RK Pictures is also a new studio.
Jawani Mastani, Disco Dhadkan, Tu Toh Gaya were shelved by Viktory.
But no one is willing to sign with us either.
When you were an outsider,
you despised these industry practices
in which people get jobs that they don't deserve.
-Hmm. -Now that you're an insider,
show them you're worthy of this position.
(tape scratching, music restarts)
(Raghu) Deven and I put together 1857.
I know him well enough.
He'll first go to Regal Star.
Actually, set up a meeting with Rustom.
As soon as possible.
(Deven) 1857 is our only way to get back on track.
Rustom Boxwala of Regal Star Ventures is investing in Viktory.
1857: The Warrior's Saga
is the first of the three-film deal we have with Regal Star.
We'll be doomed if the cash flow stops.
We should meet Rustom soon.
(music fades out)
(clock ticking)
(tea set clinking)
-(clock ticking) -(liquid pouring)
(clinking)
(loud slurping)
(footsteps descending)
(cup clinks on saucer)
(Rustom) Sit, sit, sit.
(Rustom exhales)
Deven.
(sighs)
Rustom, meet Mahika Nandy.
-Mahika, meet-- -I'm sure she knows.
-(tense music) -Tell me.
1857 is running on schedule.
We'll go on floors on the ninth of next month.
That's great.
But what film do you plan to make without a lead actor?
Is Armaan still willing to work with Viktory?
Yes, yes, of course!
He's very excited.
In fact, he spoke to Mahika last night and told her
that he just can't wait to start shooting. Right?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's an important film for him.
It's an important project for me, as well.
1857, our three-film deal,
and the money I have put into this.
Now, I am not sure if I can recover my investment
after Victor's last move.
So, I'm sorry to say it.
The future doesn't look too bright.
-(Deven) Rustom. -(Mahika) Sir!
(music fades to silence)
Please wait a minute.
(clock ticking)
The oldest trope in film history is the story of the underdog
who nobody relies on
and who everyone considers an idiot.
I feel all that person needs is some faith
and a believer.
After that, their story changes overnight.
(introspective music)
I have Viktory Studios.
The legacy, the brand, the trust.
Forty years' worth of it.
Sir, you tell me now.
What can one not achieve with such a rare combination?
Don't just believe me.
Believe in us.
And, sir, I assure you.
I promise you that Viktory Studios will make 1857 not only a great film
but also a profitable one.
(breathes out)
Filmy folk either play with emotions,
or they play the number game.
Looks like you found the middle way.
With Armaan on board,
Regal Star and Viktory's alliance is truly gold.
(hopeful music)
-That went well. -Something is wrong.
Mahika, you'll have to read between the lines.
He means that, without Armaan, there is no deal.
We'll have to speak to Armaan at the earliest.
-(footsteps approaching) -(suspenseful music)
Deven.
(Rustom) You know how it is, Raghu.
Armaan's flops are more profitable than other actors' hits.
And you can't deny that.
I'm happy only if the studio is in profit.
You want Armaan?
I'll bring his whole frickin' village to you.
(intense music)
(helicopter thrumming)
(Prithvi) Don't worry, Mahika.
As far as I know, Armaan won't give in to Raghu.
He has issues with both Raghu and the script of 1857.
(Deven) Raghu is merely wounded.
He's not dead yet. Remember that.
No matter what the story is, we must have a strategy.
Yeah, looks nice on you.
Ah! Armaan! (laughing)
Mandy!
(Mandy) I felt bad reading about what Victor did to you.
But mark my words.
You'll go even further in life.
You're known to swim against the tide.
You strive in chaos.
You've got this, buddy.
(inhales)
Oh, baby, you touch my heart each time.
What a performance,
my two-time National Award winner.
-(Mandy) Okay, enough now! -(Raghu laughs)
We can make whatever story we want.
The story is in the public domain.
Forget Armaan,
even Armaanians will want him to say yes.
We need to find our version of 1857.
(Deven) Hmm, let's get started.
(birds chirping)
(water splashing)
(liquid sloshing)
(sucks deeply)
(percussions play)
-Armaan, I was thinking-- -(Armaan inhales) Hmm!
-1857 is-- -Our country's soil, man.
It's so fucking refreshing.
(inhales deeply)
Love it.
Can anyone imagine such a big superstar
being so grounded and rooted?
It's commendable.
Hail the farmer, hail Armaan!
-Raghu? -Hmm?
Hits and flops are part and parcel of it all.
But have you really lived if you haven't plucked fresh radish
and consumed it with your own hands?
Boss, now, that's a hit.
Come, let's pluck 'em together, man!
(music turns sensuous)
(shower gushing)
(Mandy) Drink, babe?
I'm on a new diet. Keto Kitty.
-Very strict. -Ah.
I love my carbs.
But you need that body for all those item dance numbers.
I'm done with random dance numbers.
I'm doing a female-centric spy thriller.
Agent Haseena.
Very excited!
Wow. (snickers)
I want to surprise everyone with this film.
I want to surprise myself. And Raghu as well!
How beautiful!
(chuckles)
This is such an interesting time to be an actress, you know?
Marriage, children, a successful career,
you can have it all, without any compromise.
(introspective music)
Why? Who is stopping you?
(scoffs)
(Raghu) Hey, Armaan...
I was thinking that we should change the climax of 1857.
Yeah. Let's fucking change the whole thing, man.
It also feels a bit small-scale in Rajasthan.
Let's fucking go to Russia for some great look and feel.
Let's go big!
Yeah? What say?
So, hear me out.
We'll recreate the Gwalior Fort in Siberia.
So, picture this.
-(eagle squeals) -(intriguing music)
You enter the frame on a horse in a wide shot.
(horse neighing)
In the climax.
Close-up of your body.
Your eyes blazing like fire.
And an army of dacoits in front of you.
Fuck no!
-A hundred invaders on horseback... -(hooves galloping)
...at 48 frames per second.
Charging towards you at full speed like fucking bulls.
A full momentum of sound and visual.
You kill 99 of the 100 fuckers in a single slash.
But now there is this one final motherfucker.
Double your size.
Fully armoured!
Then, it's you, barefooted, doing kick-ass Parkour
across the battlements.
Honestly, man, I can't get over your Parkour idea.
It's been stuck in my head ever since.
-Your idea. -(roots snap)
Let's give the audience what they want.
Fuck logic. What say?
Fucking smashing, man.
Look at this radish.
It's smashing.
After all, whose radish is it anyway?
Come, I'll feed you some.
Where is...
Aye! (whistles)
(music fades out)
(Mahika) I've been reading too many scripts. My brain's fried.
And now I'm starving!
(Prithvi) Great, let's order some take-out.
(Mahika) Why?
(Prithvi) Why not?
Check your phone. I've sent you something.
(notification dings)
1857 by Satya Krishnan?
Yes, the narration for it was amazing.
In fact,
I teared up hearing the climax.
Anyway, we tried a lot to make it work, but--
But there was no dance number.
That's why you couldn't make it?
Hmm?
The pandemic hit, and the audience's taste changed.
So, we didn't want to take a risk.
Anyway, that's not the problem, Mahi.
Yes. It was a great narration, tight screenplay and all of that.
But the problem was that Raghu wasn't confident about Satya.
He's too artsy to understand commercial cinema.
Satya Krishnan...
I don't know...
He's not Viktory material.
The fuck is a Viktory material? What are you on about, Prithvi?
His debut film won at Cannes and Venice.
Satya Krishnan!
We have to meet him and convince him that his vision won't be compromised.
Convince him?
Yes.
Good luck trying.
JK, I'm telling you it's a big show. The rest of the cast is amazing.
It's not like Showtime. It's a sensible one.
I don't know. It just doesn't feel right.
Honestly, I feel like doing something conventional now.
You know, maybe something romantic?
A comedy or... like a period film?
Yes, I know. Come. (whispers)
(Janhvi) Anything nice for me? What are you casting for now?
So, we're casting for a few things. But cool, I'll keep this in mind.
(whispering gibberish)
Mahi, I'm here with you.
-I'm nervous. -I know. It's okay.
(tapping)
-Hmm! -(fast-paced Malayalam rap)
(Mahika) He's here.
-(Prithvi) Hmm? -(Mahika whispers) He's here!
(beat drops)
I'm Mahika Nandy.
Prithvi. I believe you already know him.
Of course, I know him.
Hi. Please.
(music fades out)
So, what's up?
I read your draft of 1857.
It's... It's outstanding!
Your characters and their graphs.
Every scene had so much depth, pain and so much passion.
Thank you, thank you.
But what's the agenda here, guys? Seriously.
I know you guys are making 1857 with Armaan Singh.
I want to make this film with
you and Armaan together.
Taking it ahead with your vision.
Basically, what she's trying to say is that
we can provide you with better scale,
great locations and of course, a bigger budget, so...
But a majority of the budget covers Armaan's fees, right?
(intriguing music)
But you'll bring the honesty and integrity to this film, Satya.
Everyone in Bollywood spews this same jargon,
but nobody actually means it.
(Janhvi) Um, Mahika?
Hi!
-Hi. -Janhvi. Nice to meet you.
Of course I know who you are!
I just didn't realise that you know me too.
Are you mad? Everyone knows who you are.
And whoever says they don't is either dead or lying.
So, please.
It's just all so new to me.
But it's so nice that you came and said hello.
You know, I've always wanted to be a Viktory heroine.
And honestly, now more than ever
because, finally, the studio is in the hands of an able woman.
You've got centre stage at the big boys' club,
so congratulations.
Thank you.
Best of luck.
See you soon. Bye, guys.
-See you... later. -(Mahika exhales)
Satya...
I understand that big-budget projects come with their own limitations.
But you and I have the same intent regarding 1857.
He was my grandfather's maternal ancestor.
-Tatya Tope. -(emotional music)
All through my childhood,
I never heard any lullabies or bedtime stories.
I have only heard about the struggles of Tatya.
The sacrifices he made for the country,
what he did for the family.
All of it.
But what happened in the end?
They declared him a martyr and forgot about him.
No one remembers his contribution to the freedom fight.
I'm not interested in the battles he fought.
I want to explore the war that raged within him.
The war within.
And I don't know if you guys are up for it or not.
Yeah, we are.
You put your soul into it,
and we'll do everything in our power to make your vision come true.
This is my promise.
(Satya sighs)
(exhales)
(snaps fingers)
Fuck it, let's give it a shot.
What?! (gasps)
Thank you, thank you so much.
You won't regret this. Right, Prithvi?
(music breaks out)
(whistles)
(singing)
♪ Your innocent words ♪
♪ Have stolen my heart away ♪
♪ My eyes have lost their sleep ♪
-♪ And heart continues to sway ♪ -Nice, nice! Go!
♪ Since I first laid eyes on you ♪
♪ My heart's been under a spell ♪
(Yasmin) How sweet! They look so good together!
-Yeah. -They should make a comeback, right?
(sings) ♪ I have gone crazy ♪
♪ I have gone crazy in your love ♪
♪ I have gone crazy ♪
♪ I have gone crazy in your love ♪
-How do we still forget the steps? -(Mandy laughs)
But our hook step was such a craze!
Audiences used to flock the black market for tickets.
Baby, they gave you the National Award for the wrong film.
Our fans deserve to see us together again.
But you don't want to make a comeback.
-Anyway. -(phone ringing)
I'll be back.
Yes, Deven.
(suspenseful music)
Fuck it, the idiot is never going to say yes.
He's going to make me milk the buffaloes too now.
Don't embarrass me.
How can I say no to you?
So...
let me meet Mahika.
Tonight?
Uh...
Yeah, sure. Please come.
Thank you so much, Armaan.
The team will be there by 9:00 p.m.
Thank you, thank you.
♪ I have gone crazy ♪
-(waves gushing) -(intriguing music)
(helicopter thrumming)
(jeep whirring)
(door clicks, shuts)
So, shall I start the paperwork for 1857?
You get too stressed, bud.
Just chill.
Enjoy your ride back home.
Ciao!
See you.
Bye.
Fucking asshole.
Not you.
(boat whirring)
(music fades out)
(footsteps shuffling)
(pleasant music)
He's joining soon?
(gasps)
Prithvi!
Prithvi! Remember these?
The iconic Lucky Lover shades!
They were a rage.
You remember?
Sorry.
I didn't realise you were here.
You remember?
Yeah...
I mean, who doesn't remember?
You tossed it into the audience
from your balcony at some event.
And there were so many people!
I was there too.
Really?
On this sweet note, I'll give you 21 more minutes to narrate.
(exhales)
(Prithvi clears throat)
By the way,
have you met my astrologer? My personal astrologer.
I don't sign a single project without his advice.
Very important man.
-Hmm. -Yes.
(nostalgic music)
The story starts at the end.
Tatya's last night in the court of Man Singh.
(vehicles honking)
(Raghu) I can't trust that asshole Armaan.
He kept Karan hanging for over a year
and then signed another film.
He's an asshole but not an idiot.
He's craving a hit at the box office,
and he knows that you're his last chance at delivering a hit.
Hmm, let me try speaking to Mandira.
Maybe she can convince him.
Did you see Mandira?
I feel really bad for her.
I think she really wants to make a comeback.
Offer her an OTT film maybe?
It'll keep the couple busy.
(intriguing music)
(Prithvi) The screen goes black.
(silence ensues)
Was this your first narration?
Uh... yes.
Let this be your last one too.
It was an awful narration.
But the script...
(exhales)
Give me some time, guys. I'll come back to you.
(Prithvi) Sure, sure.
And thank you for your time, Armaan.
Umm, I...
I want to say something.
The industry is full of stars.
We lack good actors.
And in my humble opinion,
you're an actor and a star.
You have skill and stardom.
It's a rare combination.
You have tackled each wave in your career with such ease.
You didn't change your priorities after successful hits
or your instincts after flops at the box office.
(inspiring music)
Not everyone has the art of elevating an average script
to an extraordinary film with their performance.
No matter what you thought of our script,
if you get on board,
the audience will witness something that they haven't
in a long time.
Armaan Singh, the performer.
(music fades to silence)
(energetic music builds)
Lucky Lover's shades have a new address now.
They look better on you.
(music turns intense)
How did the narration go?
Sorry?
The narration. Did you enjoy it?
(Armaan sighs loudly)
It was fucking insane.
Shook me to my core.
And that girl Mahika,
there's something about her.
So, you're doing the film then?
He's a bit of a home-theatre type of director.
Close-ups so tight you can see the actor's wrinkles.
The kind of films you watch at home.
Such films will put my audience to sleep at single-screen theatres.
And I can't take that risk with my first action film.
No way.
I agree Raghu's script isn't as hard-hitting, but...
the film has zing.
I...
(sensual music fades in)
...have something to tell you
I'm all ears.
Raghu called and...
he offered me a film.
Guess which one?
Agent Haseena.
He was suggesting we both shoot simultaneously in Russia.
Yours and mine.
Happy?
Of course.
This is what we've been waiting for, right?
Yeah, actually.
Really happy for you.
For us.