Such a Long Journey (1998) - full transcript
Circa 1971, Gustad Noble lives in a one bedroom hall rented apartment in Byculla, Bombay. He travels to work everyday by Central Railway to Victoria Terminus and walks to Flora Fountain to his place of employment, namely the Central Bank of India. He has three children, Sohrab - who has finished his college studies and is now being admitted, much to his dislike, to Indian Institute of Technology (I.I.T.); while Darius, his second son, and daughter, Roshan, are school-going; his wife, Dilnavaz, looks after the children and the household. Their neighborhood is filthy, people urinate and defecate near the wall which encloses their building. Gustad asks a pavement artist to move near his building, draw pictures of religious Gods and Goddesses depicting the four main religions: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism. The Artist agrees, and soon the place is transformed into a huge temple where people of all religions come to pay their respects. It is only a handful of people who know that Gustad is involved with a rebel RAW Agent, Major Jimmy Billimoria, who is actively involved with an extremist organization in East Pakistan, Awami League, aiding them financially and with manpower to overcome the Pakistani Government. The question remains what will Gustad's plight be when the news gets out of his involvement in this activity, especially when he receives 10 lakh rupees to be deposited in small installments in his Bank, in the midst of sentiments running high, war being declared between Pakistan and India, emergency blackout conditions and air raid sirens.
(soft dramatic music)
(birds cawing)
(praying in foreign language)
(subdued music)
(praying in foreign language)
(soft music)
(bike tires squealing)
- Come on, get up.
Sohrab got admission.
- I told you he would.
Simply, I told you
he could do anything.
Let him sleep.
His admission won't change if
he knows it one hour later.
♪ Bless them all,
bless them all ♪
♪ Bless my Sohrab,
Darius and all ♪
♪ Bless my Sohrab
♪ Darius
♪ And Roshan and
Dilna, bless them all ♪
♪ Bless them all
- Reign of terror
in East Pakistan.
Awami League declares
Republic of Bangladesh.
You know, I told the fellows
in the bank yesterday,
this is exactly
what will happen.
Just look at this.
Gone mad.
No shame, killing
babies with bayonets.
Even animals behave better.
- I wonder what Major would
have thought of all this.
- Jimmy?
- Mm-hmm.
- [Gustad] Thought of what?
- Everyone saying there's
going to be a war.
He would have known?
- How would I know?
He didn't leave us his
new address, did he?
Or we could have written to him
and asked his expert opinion.
(speaking foreign language)
(horn honking)
- Attention.
(speaking foreign language)
- Bloody municipality.
They want to demolish this
wall to widen the road.
What's the need?
Bastards will take
half the compound,
and this wall will
be right in our faces
like a mountain
with all the shit
and piss and road nuisance.
(speaking foreign language)
- What's the point in...
In spoiling your health over
something like this, Bossy?
Landlord will take
the case to court.
Court will take minimum 10,
15 years to give a decision.
Don't worry.
(train horn blowing)
(crowd chattering)
(siren wailing)
(people chattering)
(speaking foreign language)
- [Man] And now
they've started blowing
the sirens every morning.
I tell you, 100%, there
is going to be a war.
- Gustad, what do you think?
What's this, celebrating
the upcoming war?
- Sohrab had got into Indian
Institute of Technology.
- Well done, congratulations.
- My son has got into IIT.
(people chattering)
- Mendasabi, Mendasabi's coming.
(speaking foreign language)
(people chattering)
(upbeat jazz music)
- Hold it here.
Hold like that.
(speaking foreign language)
- No, no.
Hey come back, come back here.
Come back.
How much do you want to give?
- I thought we'd
have a small party.
- You bought a live chicken?
- My grandmother always said.
- [Dilnavaz] Your
grandmother had servants
to do all the dirty work.
- Are we going into
poultry farming?
- There it is.
I wonder where we
got this form, Dilna.
- I don't know.
(chicken clucking)
I'm not cleaning up this
mess, I'm warning you.
- Why are you worried, Dilna.
Boarding, lodging
is my department.
- Everywhere there's a mess.
All your books and
your newspapers
and your stupid blackout paper.
Dirt and dust everywhere,
and now on top of everything,
a live chicken, I'm fed up.
- I'm sorry, Dilna, darling.
One of these days, we'll make
the bookcase, okay, Sohrab?
- Sure.
(chicken clucking)
♪ You will never grow old
♪ When there is
love in your heart ♪
♪ Time may silver
your dark brown hair ♪
♪ As you dream in your
old rocking chair ♪
(humming)
(soft music)
(children chattering)
- Into the hands of the police
only, I will put you all,
if you bang on my door again.
Hey, scrambled eggs.
Here, idiot, here.
Come on up.
I have a rat for you.
(chattering)
(giggling)
- [Kids] Tehmul, Tehmul, Tehmul!
- Shh.
Hmm.
Hmm.
(laughing)
- What did you think
you were doing?
(screaming)
- [Gustad] What's going on?
- Sour scrambled egg.
He was supposed the rats
to the municipality leader,
but he was torturing
them instead.
- [Woman] The stupid
municipality gives him
35 paisa for a rat.
- Take them to the
municipality yourself.
Tehmul, go up.
(chattering)
- I'll slap your face.
(speaking foreign language)
- Where's his brother?
- He's gone out of Bombay.
That's why this idiot
is up to his mischief.
- Roshan, it's more scared
of you than you are of it.
Come, come.
Come, won't you pet it?
- Dilna.
- Huh?
- See, pet it.
Feel, feel.
See, there.
- Look at that.
Look at the expert.
The way he holds the chicken.
I'm telling you, he'll
be the best engineer
to graduate from IIT.
- What does chicken
have anything
to do with engineering, huh?
- Why are you getting upset?
It was just a little joke.
- It's not just a little joke.
You are driving me crazy with
your IIT, IIT, IIT nonsense.
- Don't raise your
voice at Daddy.
We are feeling very happy
about it, what else?
After hard work in
office, he went to market.
Two grown up boys in the
house and it's a disgrace
that your father has
to do double jobs.
When he was your age, he
paid his own college fees
and supported his parents.
- Daddy, can we
keep her forever?
(chicken clucks)
(knocking on door)
(speaking foreign language)
- Speak, Dinshawji.
Golden Eagle, or rum?
- Golden Eagle, if you insist.
(mosquito buzzing)
- Oh, sorry.
This bloody wall has become
a breeding ground
for mosquitoes.
- Not at all, not at all.
What's a few bites
between friends?
What's that?
Why this black paper?
Are you preparing
for war or what?
- You remember that,
war with China?
- [Dinshawji] Of course, yeah.
But that was nine years ago.
- Yes, but it helps the
children to sleep better.
- Oh, hello, hello, hello.
Happy Birthday to
the birthday girl.
(speaking foreign language)
And how's my little bodybuilder?
- I'm going to drink the
rum if no one wants it.
- You sure?
You never had it before.
- So what?
- The aroma of this chicken
would make even a corpse
in the towers of Thailand
sit up with an appetite.
(laughing)
- Do you see that chicken
waiting for us patiently?
This morning, it was
anything but patient.
- [Dinshawji] You mean
you brought it home alive?
- Of course.
My grandmother always
said, slaughter fresh,
cook immediately,
then see the test.
- Can you please explain later
(laughing)
after we eat?
- Oh, sorry, sorry.
- No, no, no.
Wait, everybody.
A toast, huh?
- Food is getting cold.
- One minute.
- I wish you health,
I wish you wealth,
I wish you gold in storm.
I wish you heaven on earth.
What can I wish you more?
(laughing)
- [Gustad] Oh, nobody move.
Must be fuse or something.
I'll just get my torch.
(chattering)
Yes, yes, Tehmul, yes.
Whole building is dark?
(chattering)
- Everything dark,
dark, dark, dark, dark.
- Okay, Tehmul.
Okay.
Now, be careful.
Don't fall.
(chattering)
- Ghost to left of them,
ghost to right of them,
ghost in front of them,
hungry and thirsty.
- Light or no light, I
have one wish to make.
For Sohrab, my son, my eldest.
To you, good health, good luck,
and may you do
brilliantly at IIT.
Make us all very proud of you.
- Hear, hear.
♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
- Stop it!
- Food will get cold.
- What's the matter
all of a sudden?
- It's not all of a sudden.
I am sick and tired of your
IIT, IIT, IIT all the time.
I am not interested in it,
I am not a jolly
good fellow about it,
and I'm not going there.
- I told you not
to drink the rum.
- Fool yourself if you want to.
Rum or no rum, I am not
going to IIT anyway.
- Say why.
If you have a good
reason, I will listen.
Speak.
Becoming mute helps nothing.
- IIT was never my idea.
You made all the plans.
I told you I want to
change to the arts program.
I like my college and I
love my friends there.
- Friends?
Are they going to give you
a job when you graduate
with a worthless BA?
Idiotic lunatic talk.
Learn from my experience.
Where is our great friend
Jimmy Bilimoria now?
Used to come here all the time.
Ate with us, drank with us.
Where has he gone now?
Gone without a word like
a thief in the night.
That's friendship for you.
Worthless.
Meaningless.
Present company not
included, of course.
- Who wants to make a wish?
(thunder rumbling)
(subdued music)
- Please, don't blame
me for your stupidity.
- Stupidity?
You're using that
word to your father?
- Yeah.
- No fighting, huh?
- I know I'm talking
to my father,
but my father does
not want to know
the truth when he hears it.
- You first suffer like your
parents, then talk about truth.
Nobody paid my college fees.
I had to earn them.
- Papa, I've had to
listen to that story
a hundred times before.
How much you suffered
and sacrificed,
and how your father
lost all the money.
- Roshan, bring my belt.
- [Roshan] No.
- I'll teach that brother of
yours a lesson in respect.
Say now what you have to say.
Let us hear your genius talk
if you still have the courage.
- I've already said
what I wanted to.
If you didn't hear,
I can repeat it.
- Ow!
Gustad, what are you doing?
- I'm warning you.
Tonight, I don't
care what happens.
I'm going to cut
your son to pieces.
- Stop it.
- Coward.
Why are you hiding
behind your mother?
17 times I've told you
not to come in the middle
when I'm dealing
with the children.
- [Woman] Enough is enough.
This is sleeping time,
not fighting time.
Save the rest for morning.
- Come to my door and speak
if you have something to say.
I'm not living free here.
I also pay rent.
See how your friend behaves?
Sally witch.
- She's right.
All this shouting and screaming
in the middle of the night.
- Oh, very nice.
Take her side
against your husband.
Always against me only.
(subdued music)
(thunder rumbles)
- Study hard, Sohrab.
- Behave yourself
in your new school.
- [Bus Driver] Bus will
only stop at the next stop.
Buy a ticket or get out.
- Come on, Dad.
Let's go.
- Sohrab!
(horn honking)
(tires squealing)
- Jimmy, what happened?
Shouldn't we take
him to a hospital?
- Take him to a
regular hospital,
he'll get regular treatment
or regular mistreatment,
depending on his luck.
I'll send for
Marivata bone setter.
Great chap.
No pins, no operation,
no cost, nothing.
Thank you.
(subdued music)
My dear Gustad.
This letter must come as
a big surprise to you.
I know you are very angry with
me because of the way I left,
without even a word of goodbye.
Will you, and Dilnavaz,
and the children
please accept my
sincere apologies?
And believe me when I
say I had no choice.
I'm still not at liberty
to give you the details
except it is a matter
of national security.
Something relating
to my assignment
needs to be done in Bombay.
I immediately thought of you
since there is no
one I trust more.
It just involves a
parcel which I would
like you to receive
on my behalf.
Please, let me know.
Someday I will tell
you the whole story
when our family
is together again.
Your loving friend Jimmy.
(siren wailing)
- [Dilnavaz] We saw the letters.
- Who's we?
For me, you're the
only one present here.
- You've started hiding mail.
I wonder what else
you're hiding.
- Nothing.
I just wanted to think
about Jimmy's letter
without getting a
thousand suggestions
from all the geniuses
in this house, that's all.
- Thousand suggestions.
For 21 years we discuss
everything together.
Now, I'm a nuisance.
And Jimmy doesn't
even tell the details.
How do you know you're
doing the right thing?
- But details don't matter.
I'm helping a friend.
That's what matters.
I really don't understand you.
All this time it was
Jimmy this, Jimmy that.
I said forget about Jimmy,
he's vanished like a thief.
But no.
Now, he asks for
help, I say yes,
and you're still not pleased.
- [Dilnavaz] What if
it's something dangerous?
- Don't talk rubbish.
He only wants some parcel
picked up, that's all.
Why is this one
grinning like a donkey?
- Don't get upset again, Daddy.
I think you made the
right choice, but--
- Oh, he thinks Daddy
made the right choice.
You haven't told him yet
he's no longer my son?
Thank you, sir.
Thank you for your approval.
Go on, but what?
- You know how Jimmy
Uncle used to say,
"Only two choices, Communism
or military dictatorship.
"If you want to get
rid of these crooks,
"forget about
democracy for a while.
No good for a starving
country". (laughs)
Now imagine...
Imagine if Jimmy Uncle
is planning a coup
to get rid of our
corrupt government.
- Why don't you imagine
something useful like IIT?
All this idiotic lunatic talk.
What Jimmy Uncle used to say
is just a way of speaking.
Be grateful you
live in a democracy.
If the Russia wala was here,
he'd pack you and your friends
straight off to Siberia.
Really.
When he talks like this,
the blood in my
brain begins to boil.
If I get a stroke, it
will be your son's fault.
I'm warning you.
- Into the hands of the
police only we should put you.
When they break your arm,
then we will see
how you add water.
- As if I make the milk.
Cow does it.
- Why don't you sell the
milk and water separate?
Better for the customer,
easier for you, also.
No more mixing, fixing to do.
- I own cow.
Molly gives me the milk.
It's my job.
Go south on Molly.
Why on me, huh?
Go, go.
Please, go.
Mixing, fixing.
- [Dilnavaz] I'm so
sorry about last night.
Gustad was very upset.
Please, don't take it to mind.
- That's not why
I called you up.
I'm worried about Sohrab.
He reminds me so much
of my nephew Fahrab.
Such a brilliant boy.
He would've inherited his
father's practice had he lived.
- I'm so sorry.
- No.
Why is Sohrab
behaving like this?
- I don't know.
My mind refuses to work
when I try to understand.
- Suddenly, he does not want
to go to this IIT place?
And up to now, nobody
forced him, he wanted to go.
- I think it was his own idea
when he was just
a boy at school.
But.
- Do you know anyone who would
profit by Sohrab's failure?
Someone who would
steal his brain
for his own child's sake maybe?
- I can't think of anyone.
- Many ways exist to
do such black things.
Don't worry.
I'll help you.
Start with a lime.
- Close your eyes.
- [Sohrab] What's all this?
- It's not going to hurt.
Just makes your brain healthy.
- What nonsense.
My brain doesn't
need any help so far.
- Shh, quiet.
It's bad to have too much pride.
Lots of things science
cannot explain.
- Oh, yeah cannot explain.
- Close your eyes.
- Yeah, yeah, okay.
First, Daddy gets dramatic
and then you get necromantic.
The two of you are driving
me completely crazy.
- Don't be rude.
And don't use big, big words.
We all know you are very clever.
Okay, now open your eyes.
Look at it.
Don't move your head.
(horn beeping)
- Why change the name?
What is wrong with
Flora Fountain?
- Why worry about it?
If it makes the Schiffs
and the Gondas happy
to rename a few
streets, let them do it.
What's the matter?
- Hey, Gustad.
You are wrong.
Names are so important.
I grew up in Lemmington
Road, but it has disappeared.
In it's place is
Dada Separkimama.
My school was at Karnak Road.
Now suddenly, it's
Lokmanya Tilak.
I live at Sleater Road.
Soon, that will also disappear.
So, what happens
to the life I led?
Was I living the wrong
life with the wrong names?
(horn beeping)
Oh, my god!
(tense music)
Well, Gustad.
All these years I've known you,
I didn't know blood
would make you sick.
- Oh, don't be silly.
I know that man on the Labretta.
He helped me when
I had my accident.
- But I thought it was
Major who took you to--
- No, no, no, that was later.
He was the taxi driver who
took care of Sohrab and me.
Took us home.
Didn't even charge for it.
For nine years I've
waited to thank him.
Today was my turn to help
him and I failed the test.
- Ah.
- A test set by
God and I failed.
- Oh, nonsense.
It was not your fault.
Drink this, you'll feel better.
(speaking foreign language)
What a body, huh?
Sugar and cream.
What fun it would be to
give her a mutton injection.
(laughs)
- Mr. Noble, your
daughter's school phoned.
Nothing to worry about.
She won a doll in some raffle.
They want you to come
pick it up after school.
- Ooh.
(speaking foreign language)
- Have you hurt
yourself, Mr. Dinshawji?
(laughs)
- Mister, mister, mister.
Mister, mister, mister.
Please, please, please, please.
Please sign, please sign.
- First others, then me.
- Let the gentleman
take his doll out first,
then do all your talking.
- Mama.
Mama.
Can I touch this?
- No!
- Don't be like that, Roshan.
- [Roshan] His hands are dirty.
- Please, please,
please, please.
(chattering)
- All right, once only.
- Mommy.
- You won?
- [Roshan] Yes.
Her eyes open and close
and she says mama.
- Oh, really?
Gustad, Jimmy's letter has come.
It's over there.
Ooh, lovely stockings.
They might fit you.
- [Roshan] No.
- No?
It's gonna get so dirty.
Let's take them off and
put them in the cupboard.
Okay?
- Yes.
- Then they won't get spoiled.
Come on.
Beautiful.
(singing in foreign language)
(people chattering)
- [Jimmy] My dear Gustad.
Overjoyed to hear from you.
It would be too much to bear
if our friendship was lost.
I can now tell you that
I am working for R-A-W,
training the freedom
fighters in Bangladesh.
Just returned from
the border zones.
Not a pretty sight.
I've seen the atrocities
with my own eyes.
I tell you, Gustad, this new
breed of Pakistani butchers
is something else.
But let me get to
the main point.
All you have to do is go to the
book section of Kuul Bazaar.
I've told my contact
to display prominently
the complete works
of Shakespeare.
Open the book to Othello,
end of Act One, scene three.
The line, put money in thy
purse will be underlined in red.
My man will give you a parcel.
I'm sure you'll recognize him.
You met him once many years ago.
- Mr. Noble.
Good to see you again.
- You remember my name.
For nine years I've waited to
thank you for your kindness.
(speaking foreign language)
- Come.
And how is your hip?
- Almost good as
new, thanks to you.
That day of my accident,
you and Major
Bilimoria in the taxi.
You never said...
Did you know him in those days?
- Yes, I knew him.
Sometimes, though,
we have to pretend
because of the
kind of work we do.
Come, sit down.
- Your accident,
I saw it happen.
How are you now?
- Oh, it was not
really an accident.
They were aiming for my scooter.
- Really?
Who do you suspect,
Pakistani spies?
- (laughs) Nothing so simple.
You can just say
occupational hazard.
(speaking foreign language)
Have some tea.
Thank you.
- You know, I'll never
forget your face.
Sorry, I can't
remember your name.
- Ghulam Mohamed.
- Yes, Ghulam.
I remember you telling
my son in the taxi.
- And how is Sohrab?
- Oh, you remember
his name even?
- Of course.
How can I forget?
Major Bilimoria has always
talked to me about your family.
Says it's like his own.
Even before your accident
I knew all about you.
Any friend of Billy Boy
is a friend of mine.
- Billy Boy's a
nice name for Jimmy.
You two joined RAW
at the same time?
- Yes.
Wherever Billy Boy goes, I go.
He can always depend on me.
His friend is my friend.
And his enemy has
to answer to me.
Whoever harms him,
I go after him.
Whatever it takes.
Knife, gun, my hands, my teeth.
(chuckles)
- He's very lucky to
have a friend like you.
You'll never guess who I
met at the bazaar today.
- You're not going
say Jimmy Bilimoria.
- No.
You remember the taxi
driver who brought me home
when I had my accident?
Him, Ghulam.
- What is all this
Jimmy has sent?
- This is from Jimmy, those
are four beautiful books.
(Dilnavaz gasps)
(gasps)
Tehmul.
Tehmul, come here.
Come, come.
(chattering)
See?
No knife.
- So much, huge.
- The money you saw
is your and my secret.
- Secret, secret,
secret, secret.
- Secret means nobody
must know what you saw.
You understand?
- Nobody, nobody.
Secret means secret.
- Will you tell
anybody what you saw?
- No, no, no.
No, secret, secret, nobody.
(chattering)
Two piece, two piece.
Secret, two piece.
- You know what I'll do if
you tell anybody what you saw?
I'll take my knife and
I'll cut your throat
like the butcher cut
the chicken's neck.
Remember.
- Secret, secret,
secret, secret.
- 10 lakh rupees.
- My god.
- Nice smell.
- Very nice.
For 24 years I've lived
with that smell in my nose.
Never tired of it.
Dear Gustad.
Deposit the money
in a bank account.
Since you are a
savings supervisor,
it would be easy for
you to avoid the rules
and regulations
about large deposits.
I'll send more instructions
when necessary.
Your loving friend Jimmy.
P.S., forget Lago's advice.
10 lakhs won't
fit in your purse.
(laughing)
I was wondering why
he chose that line.
- Forget your wondering
and help me pack this.
- But you don't understand.
This money is for the
Bengali resistance.
- I hope by now it's
got into your brain
that this is not
some childish game.
Unless you want to do dangerous,
illegal things
and lose your job.
- Yes, but what about Jimmy?
Do you have any idea
what dangerous work
he's doing in RAW?
- It's his job.
He joined the Secret Service.
Let him do his own
secreting and servicing
without us having
to starve to death.
- But I gave him my word.
I told him in my letter
that he can rely on me.
- Tell him that you
were transferred to
another department.
Different duties, so
you can't do deposits.
- You're right.
That way he won't feel
that I let him down.
- Exactly.
(knocking on door)
- Who is it?
- It's me Sohrab.
Hello.
Daddy robbed his bank.
- Warn your son right now.
I'm in no mood for
his senseless jokes.
- Money is from Major Uncle,
but we're sending it back.
It's too risky for Daddy.
- I'm really surprised why
Major Uncle joined RAW.
Our wonderful prime minister
uses RAW like the KGB
to do all her dirty work.
It's a well-known fact.
- Again with the
idiotic lunatic talk.
Rubbish about the prime
minister you're talking
when you don't know anything.
- Jimmy Uncle says this is
government money, right?
So, instead of depositing
it in your bank,
let's use it for all the things
the government is
supposed to do.
Install the water tanks,
repair the sewers,
clean the gutters.
- Shut up.
Talks like a crazy rabid dog.
My own son.
Changed so completely.
I can hardly recognize him.
Who would've thought
he'd turn out like this?
Remember, I kicked him
once to save his life
and I can kick him again.
Out of my house this time.
Out of my life.
(subdued music)
Ghulam said he's
away for a week.
I'll take him a note.
When he comes back,
I'll return the money.
(tense music)
- A while ago a gentleman
with the good name of Shrieb,
no Candyland.
Mr. Iram Ghough came to
me wearing his money.
He's wanting most expensive
and undiluted Pantone.
So, I make him super
deluxe bed breaker pon.
He goes inside.
That one there.
One whole hour.
Poor lady.
He's going it's all
good, it's all good.
Lady finished.
Gentleman still standing.
Shameful.
She departed.
- Uh, this is for
Ghulam Mohamed.
- Yes, yes, yes.
- He said that--
- He'll get it.
Gentleman still standing.
Second lady coming.
One more time.
It's all good, it's all good.
(door opens and closes)
(grunts)
- Your son has left home.
- What is it to me?
(subdued music)
(birds cawing)
(grunting)
(rattling)
(birds cawing)
(tense music)
- Oh, my god.
- What's going on, Bossy?
Somebody's knife
is very sharp, huh?
Anyone has a grudge against you?
- Don't they kill
animals for black magic?
(chattering)
- Hey!
(yells)
- It was in the bush.
(speaking foreign language)
- Oh, my god.
Jimmy.
- Yeah.
- [Dilnavaz] But to us?
Maybe the taxi driver had--
- Well, that makes
no difference.
- I think we should
take the money
and go straight to the police.
Tell them the whole story.
To hell with Jimmy Bilimoria.
We'll tell Inspector Bamji.
- But you don't understand.
Inspector Bamji, the police,
have no power over RAW.
We are in the hands
of heartless people.
Poisonous snakes.
That could've been Darius or
Roshan instead of the cat.
There's only one thing to do.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
After 24 years in the bank,
I know the place and the
procedures inside out.
Two bundles a day I'll deposit.
I don't understand
this world anymore.
First, your son destroys
our hopes, now this rascal.
Like a brother he was to me.
What a world of
wickedness it has become.
- What a world of wickedness
it has become, Gustad.
How could my own brother
cheat me, ruin me?
I failed you, my son.
Can you forgive me?
- Tears are for women
and for men who are weak.
Not for me.
- [Dinshawji] Someone
had to do something
about those bastards.
- [Gustad] Exactly
the way I feel.
- If this money is for the
government, why all the secrecy?
Why doesn't the government
deposit the money
using normal channels?
- You don't understand.
Even within the government
there are people ready
to sabotage the
Bengali resistance.
Wheels within wheels, Dinshu.
- Ah.
It is not for us to reason
why, it is for us to do or die.
- Yeah.
- [Dinshawji] Let
me have the bundle.
(tense music)
- Mrs. Noble?
Mrs. Noble?
I'm Sister Constance.
She's had shivering, high fever.
- Roshan, darling.
Are you all right?
- [Dinshawji] Oh, Laurie.
One day I want you to
meet my little Laurie.
- [Laurie] I would love to.
- Such fun the two of
you will have together.
- [Man] Mr. Gustad,
Madon wants to see you.
- Noble, you know the rules.
No personal calls in office.
- Hello?
Huh.
Hmm.
Okay.
Okay, bye.
That was my wife, sir.
My daughter's not well.
High fever.
Could I leave a
little early today?
I have to take
her to the doctor.
- Why can't you go
after office hours?
Leave at four.
Don't make this a habit.
(uptempo drum music)
(people chattering)
- I won a big doll in raffle.
She has a wedding dress.
- Oh, we must then
find her a bridegroom.
A nice young Parsi boy.
Fair and handsome like me.
You don't think I'm
fair and handsome?
- No.
- [Gustad] What is it?
- Not diarrhea.
Though, sometimes a
simple case of diarrhea
can be very troublesome.
Look at East Pakistan.
A simple sickness, but
very difficult to cure.
And that quack, Dr.
America feeding the virus.
So what is the cure?
- What is wrong with her?
- What is wrong with our city?
Overflowing gutters,
unsanitary water, mosquitoes,
people urinating and defecating
here, there, everywhere.
And the municipality
couldn't give a damn.
- I know what's
wrong with Bombay.
What's wrong with her?
- Probably malaria.
- [Gustad] He said
maybe malaria.
(plate clatters)
- Now are you satisfied?
Now you'll admit it?
I repeated it till
I was exhausted.
Till my lungs were empty.
But you treat my word
as if a dog was barking.
- [Gustad] That's
right, blame me.
That's the easiest thing.
- [Dilnavaz] Better than
who, your dead uncle?
Did you buy the repellent?
Did you?
This whole building
needs mosquito repellent
because of that stupid wall
and you can't even get
it for your own family.
- [Gustad] You know how
much the repellent costs?
- [Dilnavaz] You have
money for live chickens,
but you have no
money for repellent.
You Nobles think
you know everything.
- That's right, you blame
my father, my grandfather,
and my great-grandfather
as well.
Blame me for everything.
- It is your fault.
- It's my fault Sohrab
isn't going to the IIT?
What is it?
- I don't like when you fight.
- No one's fighting.
We're just talking.
- You're shouting and angry.
- You're right, my bubka.
We were shouting, but
we're not angry, you see.
Look, is that an angry face?
- Go ahead and kiss Mom.
- Later, but I'll kiss you
now because you're closer.
- No.
I can't sleep till
you kiss Mommy.
(speaking foreign language)
- Not like that.
That's not a Daddy
and Mommy kiss.
Eyes closed properly.
(subdued music)
- Morning, Bossy.
Hope you said a nice
prayer for me, yeah.
- Of course.
Crime's calling you
very early today.
- Say a prayer for
the wall also, huh?
- Hey!
(speaking foreign language)
You notice how much worse it is
all the base, and
stink, and mosquitoes?
- What to do?
Every sister fucker with
a full bladder comes here,
takes out his
Laurie, and pisses.
(speaking foreign language)
(subdued music)
(speaking foreign language)
- Can I ask something?
- You can ask me anything.
But I don't paint bathrooms
and I don't do
personal portraits.
- No, no, no.
I know a good place.
A big wall outside my building.
Why don't you set your
business up there?
- Why should I?
I like it here.
- Every day, your
drawing gets rubbed out.
Again you have to start.
There you won't
have this problem.
Your drawing will be permanent.
- Sir, all life's problems begin
when we look for permanence.
- Up to you.
Go to that building by Kalah.
- [Artist] I know it.
- The spell has gone
so deep inside Sohrab.
The lime cannot pull it out.
When the spell goes so deep,
it takes another human
being to take it out.
- [Dilnavaz] How to do that?
- There is a method.
Instead of throwing
the limes into the sea,
squeeze the juice and give
it to somebody to drink.
That way the spell will
pass from your family
into that other person.
- That means that someone
else will have to suffer.
- Yes.
I myself don't like it,
but it is the only way.
- Who can I give it to?
- Give it to Tehmul.
- I couldn't do that.
Maybe I should drink it myself.
After all, Sohrab is my son.
- Stop talking nonsense.
First, Sohrab leaves home,
now Roshan is at death's door.
How long will you wait?
Anyway, you will be
doing that idiot a favor.
How much brains does he have?
For the first time in his life
he will be of use to someone.
(yells)
- Tehmul.
Tehmul, come.
Look what I have here, Tehmul.
Tasty juice.
Don't do that, Tehmul.
Here, drink.
(sniffs)
(laughs)
- Yum, yum, yum, yum.
- Okay, drink all.
- Give me more, please.
- Not now.
Next time.
- Look, Gustad, look.
Laurie's such a brave girl.
She's not afraid of
my big naughty snake.
(laughing)
- Dinshawji, bring your
ledger into my office.
(subdued music)
- Mr. Noble, may I talk
to you sometime today?
- Uh, you can talk to
me now, Ms. Coutinho.
- I prefer to talk privately.
Are you free for lunch?
- Yeah.
- Everything A-OK, partner.
(people chattering)
(uptempo music)
- Huh.
I wonder why they want to put
the waiter under the table.
(laughing)
- You have a sense of humor.
Just like your
friend Mr. Dinshawji.
- We better order something.
Ready?
Let me ring for the waiter.
Oh, so sorry.
(buzzer buzzing)
- It's all right.
(knocking on door)
- Yes, yes, come in.
- Yes, sir?
- What'll you have?
- Tea, please.
- Two teas and two mawa cakes.
- Please, sir.
In exactly seven minutes
with your food I will return.
I will be knocking on the door.
Then afterwards, you will
have complete privacy.
- Has a one-track mind.
- Not his fault.
It's a one-track room.
- Now, what was it that
you wanted to see me about?
- The problem is your
friend Dinshawji.
I don't know if you heard,
but he keeps telling me he
wants me to meet his Laurie.
At first, I thought it
was his daughter or niece.
You can imagine how I
felt when I found out
that the word means
a man's private parts
in your Parsi language.
He's ruined my own name for me.
- No, don't say that.
Laurie's a beautiful name.
That will never change just
because of some
silly slang word.
- The rubbish he talks.
He was telling me that he
works for the Secret Service.
That he is in charge
of 10 lakh rupees
to fully equip the
Bengali resistance.
Can you imagine that?
Mr. Dinshawji in
the Secret Service.
- Secret Service
wouldn't hire him
to clean the toilets even.
(Laurie laughs)
- Anyway, I was going to
complain to Mr. Madon,
but I thought before I do
that I should speak to you.
- Please, don't
speak to Mr. Madon.
Dinshawji is two years
away from retirement.
He's also very sick.
I'll speak to him,
I promise you.
I'll make sure he
never upsets you again.
Luckily she doesn't believe all
that Secret Service rubbish.
She was laughing when
she was telling me.
But what if it should
reach Madon's ears?
What if he discovers
about the deposits?
What'll we do then?
Bloody fool.
- What can I say?
You're right.
I am stupid idiot.
What to do?
- It's in your hands.
If you stop bothering Laurie,
she won't go to Madon.
- [Dinshawji] Of
course I'll stop, but--
- But what?
- If I suddenly stop
fooling with her,
won't people find that strange?
- I've thought about that.
I have a plan.
Now, you have to
stop your teasing and
joking with everybody
and I'll spread the story that
your health is not good again.
That you're feeling
under the weather.
- I'd prefer to be feeling
under Laurie's skirt.
- Will you stop it?
- Sorry.
- Smooth black stone.
Perfect for your pictures.
And it's 60 feet long.
It's a nice locality, also.
A lot of rich people
pass by every day.
- But it stinks very much.
- That's true.
Shameless people use this
wall like a lavatory.
But with your holy
pictures, no one will dare.
(speaking foreign language)
- [Tehmul] Attention!
- Shh, shh.
Shh.
Shh.
♪ There's a song in the air
♪ But the fair senorita
doesn't seem to care ♪
♪ For the song in the air
♪ So I'll sing to the mule
♪ If you're sure she won't
think that I'm just a fool ♪
♪ Serenading a mule
♪ There's a song in the air
♪ But the fair senorita
doesn't seem to care ♪
♪ For the song in the air
(uptempo jazz music)
(subdued music)
- Dilnavaz, phone.
Sohrab.
- Coming.
(knocking on door)
Sohrab?
Sohrab, where are you?
Are you all right?
Come back home immediately.
Enough is enough now.
Wait.
- So, he's not coming back.
Dangerous diseases
need dangerous cures.
(Tehmul chattering)
- Oh, what big nails you have.
Don't you ever cut them?
Come, I'll cut them for you.
No, Tehmul.
Nothing will happen.
Not nice to have
such long nails.
All dirt collects inside.
- No.
- Okay, then no juice.
No cutting nails, no juice.
Tehmul.
There.
Nothing happened.
- [Tehmul] Juice, juice.
- No, no, wait.
Must do toes, also.
(subdued music)
- Mommy.
Mommy.
Mommy.
Mommy.
Mommy.
- [Gustad] Nice smell.
- Oh, yes.
Incense sticks.
I have regular customers now.
- What about money?
You have enough?
- Oh, yes.
This is a very good location.
New clothes.
Turtling pants.
Latest fashion, me.
Seven belt loops.
Very nice shit.
Feel it, feel it.
Drip dry.
No more ironing, shining.
- Dinshawji?
What brings you here?
- Dinshawji's been
waiting for you, Gustad.
Got something important to say.
- Speak, Dinshawji.
I'm ready.
Are you crazy?
You didn't deposit?
- Please read.
You'll understand.
(Gustad grunts)
- [Dilnavaz] What's the matter?
Are you all right?
- Of course I'm all right.
It's Jimmy.
Arrested on charges
of fraud, extortion.
- He impersonated the
prime minister's voice
and instructed the chief cashier
to hand over 60 lakh rupees.
He has confessed.
- Believe me, Dinshawji.
I had no idea.
If I had known, I--
- There is no question of that.
There is no doubt in my
mind about you at all.
- He lied from the beginning
about everything to me.
- Yes, yes, Gustad.
But we can't change that now.
What's happened has happened.
Now, we have to think about
what to do with the money.
- Well, I don't know!
- Dinshawji's right, Gustad.
- First of all, I think we
should stop depositing it.
- [Dilnavaz] I just can't
believe that our Jimmy
would do something so crooked.
- People change.
(people chattering)
- [Man] Hello, gentlemen.
- I want to leave a
message for Ghulam Mohamed.
Tell him--
- Tell him yourself.
He's waiting for you inside.
(speaking foreign language)
(speaking foreign language)
- Mr. Noble, come in.
Billy Boy has enemies.
This whole story was cooked
up by people at the very top
to cover their own crimes.
You have to trust him.
- I've trusted him
too much already.
- So far, Billy Boy
hasn't named any names.
But how long can he hold out?
Do you know the tactics they use
to make you talk, Mr. Noble?
For his sake and yours,
you must return the
money immediately.
- I've already deposited half.
You can have the other
50 bundles anytime.
- All of it this week.
- Do you know how
difficult it is to withdraw
such large sums of money?
How dangerous?
Laws have been broken.
- Better than bones
being broken, Mr. Noble.
(people chattering)
(Tehmul chattering)
Get out!
(speaking foreign language)
- [Gustad] What is going on?
- They're not letting me,
they're not letting me.
All money gone, gone, gone.
All money gone, gone.
(chattering)
So much money gone.
Sorry, sorry.
(tense music)
- Thank you, Dinshu.
I don't know how to
thank you enough.
So much you've done for me.
You all right?
(speaking foreign language)
(tense music)
(people chattering)
(train horn blows)
- What's the matter, my bubkalu?
What happened, you
paining somewhere?
Huh?
No?
Dilna?
- Her doll is lost.
I can't find it anywhere.
- [Gustad] Then say stolen.
Where did you leave it?
- On the sofa.
Um, your office phoned.
Dinshawji collapsed at work.
They've taken him
to Parsi General.
Did you return the money?
- Yes.
Come, a little more.
- Later, I'm full.
(speaking foreign language)
(laughing)
Only if you have some, also.
- Okay, okay.
Okay.
Come.
- I'm full.
Have you seen the night nurse?
A real foto carro.
The lady with the lamp.
She can borrow my
candle any time
when her lamp is out of order.
- Shh, shh.
(laughing)
♪ Oh, give me a home where
the nurse's hands roam ♪
♪ Where they all have
big beautiful tits ♪
♪ Where seldom is heard
an encouraging word ♪
♪ And the patient is
treated like shit ♪
(laughing)
- She may not
appreciate your poetry.
(laughing)
(speaking foreign language)
(subdued music)
That's new, isn't it?
- Huh?
Yes.
Mount Mary Church, Bandra.
Miracles happening every day.
The statue of the Virgin Mary
actually shedding real tears.
- You believe that?
- See, I don't like to
weaken anyone's faith.
Miracle, magic,
trick, coincidence.
What does it really matter?
As long as it helps.
Huh?
(subdued music)
- Is that allowed?
- Don't worry.
Someone will do
the same to yours.
- Please, make Roshan healthier.
Please, help my friend
Dinshawji who's suffering a lot.
And help my son Sohrab
to see better sense.
Don't worry about my hip,
it's not that important.
- Gustad, wait.
Ghulam has come to see you.
- Hello, Mr. Noble.
- Last time I made it clear.
I don't want anything more
to do with you or
Major Bilimoria.
- I'm sorry to disturb
you and your wife.
I wanted to show you
something about Billy Boy.
See for yourself.
They've killed the investigator
who was investigating his case.
No extent.
Now just a matter of time
before they finish him off.
- You keep saying
finish him off.
This is not Russia or China.
- [Ghulam] I don't know
how to convince you, but--
- Does it matter
whether he sees me?
He never cared for me.
Lying and using me for--
- You're wrong.
He did care.
He made sure you did not get
into trouble after his arrest.
Mr. Noble, go visit and say
final goodbye to your friend.
Please.
If he has any hope,
please don't destroy it.
- Okay.
(speaking foreign language)
- Parsi General phoned.
- Dinshawji?
- About one hour ago.
- There was no
miracle for Dinshawji.
- [Dilnavaz] You
tried your best.
It's not your fault.
- It is my fault.
I silenced him.
- It's all right
if the tears come.
(singing in foreign language)
- Oh, so beautiful.
I kept listening.
I know you think I'm crazy, but.
- Continue.
- There was a smile
on Dinshawji's face.
Go on, say I'm crazy.
- Prayer is a very
powerful thing.
Prayer can put a
smile on Dinshawji's
face or in your eyes.
- I hope when I die there's
a smile like that on my face
and in your eyes.
(dramatic music)
(gate opens)
- [Jimmy] Gustad?
- Yes, Jimmy.
- [Jimmy] Gustad.
- It is Gustad.
- Gustad?
She...
She.
- [Gustad] Who?
- Prime minister.
She chose me to train
for supplying arms.
- Bengali resistance.
- Great soldiers.
(gate closes)
Gustad.
Gustad, stop.
Oh, no.
No, stop, stop.
(tense music)
(grunting)
I went there to see for myself.
They were in rags.
No money.
Barefoot.
No ammunition.
Something wrong.
Somewhere money for supplies
are being rerouted by
prime minister into her
private bank account.
- Are you sure?
- Wish I could say no.
All day and all night
I thought on it.
I went crazy thinking about it.
Thought of those
bloody bastards.
Those bloody buffaloes,
pigs, getting fatter.
Fatter every day
sucking our blood.
I decided if they can
profit, why not us?
Why not us?
I put aside 10 lakhs for you.
For your family.
Ghulam said you were so angry.
Ghulam told me.
Gustad, do you forgive me now?
(subdued music)
Please, forgive me.
- I love you, Jimmy.
There's nothing to forgive.
- Thank you, Gustad.
Thank you for everything.
- [Radio Announcer]
This is Lonindary Joe.
We interrupt this broadcast
to bring you a message
from the prime minister.
- [Prime Minister]
I am speaking to you
at a moment of great peril.
Some hours ago at 17:13
Indian Standard Time
Pakistani aircraft
bombarded our airfields.
At Ambrikson, Pathankot,
Srinagar, and Amla.
We have no other option
but to put the country
on a war fatigue.
At this hour, I appeal to all
Indians to stand together.
Jai Hind.
- Fahrab?
Where are you, Fahrab?
(laughing)
Dilnavaz, you may wait outside.
Tehmul, you want
to have some fun?
- Yes, yes, yes.
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.
Having fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.
- Then sit down and
concentrate on that glass.
(chittering)
It's very dangerous to look
at it when it's burning.
You could lose your
mind like that.
(Tehmul yelling)
(uptempo music)
- [Gustad] This is
what I call a miracle.
- Your idea, sir.
Great idea.
This location is the
best in the entire city.
- No, no, no.
Credit goes to your talent.
- [Artist] Look.
- You painted our wall?
- Of course.
It's a sacred place
now, isn't it?
- [Tehmul] Fire, fire.
(bell clanging)
- The fire was put
off hour an hour back.
Towering inferno.
Many huge fire, you know.
Whole building.
Whole street burned
almost to the ground.
- [Woman] The stony wall
must've protected you.
- It wasn't such a big fire.
(laughs)
- How are you, my sweetu?
- Hungry.
- Hungry?
- Yes.
(siren wailing)
(moaning)
(laughing)
(explosions booming)
- Anti-aircraft guns.
Ours.
- Pakistani bombers
must be coming.
- Oh, God.
I hope Sohrab is safe.
- Of course, he's safe.
He's not such a fool as to
be standing on the street.
Anyway, our guns will
chase the Pakistanis away.
Ow!
(laughing)
I'm just going to see if
all the lights are off.
- No, Gustad.
(explosions booming)
- Tehmul!
Tehmul!
Put your clothes on.
At once.
- Please, please,
forgive me, forgive me.
Please, Gustad.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
- Go wash your hands.
Go on.
- See, see, see, Gustad?
Very clean, very.
See, see, very nice smell.
Very, very nice smell, Gustad.
- You're not
ashamed of yourself?
Stealing Roshan's doll.
Doing such dirty things to it.
- They would not.
- [Gustad] Who's they?
(chittering)
- Nice, nice, nice.
They said no, no, no.
Gustad, they said no, no, no.
They said no.
- Why did you open the window?
Your brother told you
to keep everything shut.
- It was very, very, hot, hot.
Open window, very nice.
- Now remember, no
opening the window,
even if you're feeling hot.
Use the newspaper
to fan yourself.
Windows always
stay shut at night.
- Listen, listen,
listen, listen.
Gustad, listen, Gustad.
Dolly.
- Keep her.
- Dolly is mine?
(laughing)
She's mine.
Oh, Gustad.
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you.
- Okay, okay, okay.
- [Dilnavaz] The house
seems so empty without you.
Will you do something for me?
- Hmm?
- Daddy will be home
in a little while.
Just talk to him nicely.
That's all.
Just talk.
- It's no use.
I've spoiled all his dreams.
He's not interested
in me anymore.
- Don't talk like that.
He's your father.
He loves you.
- You know we'll start
fighting as usual.
- So much has happened
since you left.
Daddy's changed.
It'll be different now.
(subdued music)
- [Gustad] Thank you for
making the arrangements.
- He was like a
brother to me, too.
Your Parsi don't allow
outsiders like me to go inside.
Thank you for coming.
Otherwise, Billy Boy
would have been alone.
- [Gustad] What will you do now?
- When someone kills my
brother, I get very upset.
I may collect my payment
tomorrow, or next year,
or after 10 years.
Our life is as easy to
snuff out as Billy Boy's.
Like that.
(people chanting in
foreign language)
- Please, Mr. Noble.
They've burned down my house
and now they're saying I
have to give up this wall.
For God's sake,
do something, huh?
- [Man On PA] Why we
have stopped here?
I say no better place than
this sacred wall of miracles.
Let us ask for blessing that
when we reach municipality
our problems will be heard.
- Yes, Tehmul.
Stay inside, stay inside.
(speaking foreign language)
(chanting in foreign language)
- Yes, Tehmul.
Stay inside, stay inside.
- Stop, stop!
No violence!
(subdued music)
(people shouting)
- My god.
Why is this happening?
Stupid, stupid people.
- Gustad.
- Shh.
- Thank you, Gustad.
- We send for the ambulance.
- No use now.
(subdued music)
- Maybe we should
cancel the ambulance
and phone the darn
asylum instead.
- [Doctor] Don't
cancel the ambulance.
Call six more.
There are many wounded outside.
- [Woman] But the body,
it can't just lie here
in front of the gate.
- [Man] But why pick him
up in the first place
when ultimately he's
going to come down anyway?
- [Man] Let's move
him into the shade.
You take the feet,
I'll take the head.
Ready?
One, two, up.
(subdued music)
(praying in foreign language)
(sobbing)
- [Gustad] Who is it?
- Daddy, it's me Sohrab.
- Yes, yes, yes.
I'm really sorry about this.
- Oh, don't be sorry.
I'm very grateful to you.
You and the wall have
been very hospitable.
Anyway, I was getting
too comfortable.
Time to leave.
- But where will you go?
- What does it
matter where, huh?
In a world where
roadside latrines
become temples and shrines.
Then temples and shrines
turn to ashes and dust.
Does it matter where?
Your cap.
- Thank you.
Good luck.
- Luck is the spit of
gods and goddesses.
(uptempo jazz music)
(subdued music)
(birds cawing)
(praying in foreign language)
(subdued music)
(praying in foreign language)
(soft music)
(bike tires squealing)
- Come on, get up.
Sohrab got admission.
- I told you he would.
Simply, I told you
he could do anything.
Let him sleep.
His admission won't change if
he knows it one hour later.
♪ Bless them all,
bless them all ♪
♪ Bless my Sohrab,
Darius and all ♪
♪ Bless my Sohrab
♪ Darius
♪ And Roshan and
Dilna, bless them all ♪
♪ Bless them all
- Reign of terror
in East Pakistan.
Awami League declares
Republic of Bangladesh.
You know, I told the fellows
in the bank yesterday,
this is exactly
what will happen.
Just look at this.
Gone mad.
No shame, killing
babies with bayonets.
Even animals behave better.
- I wonder what Major would
have thought of all this.
- Jimmy?
- Mm-hmm.
- [Gustad] Thought of what?
- Everyone saying there's
going to be a war.
He would have known?
- How would I know?
He didn't leave us his
new address, did he?
Or we could have written to him
and asked his expert opinion.
(speaking foreign language)
(horn honking)
- Attention.
(speaking foreign language)
- Bloody municipality.
They want to demolish this
wall to widen the road.
What's the need?
Bastards will take
half the compound,
and this wall will
be right in our faces
like a mountain
with all the shit
and piss and road nuisance.
(speaking foreign language)
- What's the point in...
In spoiling your health over
something like this, Bossy?
Landlord will take
the case to court.
Court will take minimum 10,
15 years to give a decision.
Don't worry.
(train horn blowing)
(crowd chattering)
(siren wailing)
(people chattering)
(speaking foreign language)
- [Man] And now
they've started blowing
the sirens every morning.
I tell you, 100%, there
is going to be a war.
- Gustad, what do you think?
What's this, celebrating
the upcoming war?
- Sohrab had got into Indian
Institute of Technology.
- Well done, congratulations.
- My son has got into IIT.
(people chattering)
- Mendasabi, Mendasabi's coming.
(speaking foreign language)
(people chattering)
(upbeat jazz music)
- Hold it here.
Hold like that.
(speaking foreign language)
- No, no.
Hey come back, come back here.
Come back.
How much do you want to give?
- I thought we'd
have a small party.
- You bought a live chicken?
- My grandmother always said.
- [Dilnavaz] Your
grandmother had servants
to do all the dirty work.
- Are we going into
poultry farming?
- There it is.
I wonder where we
got this form, Dilna.
- I don't know.
(chicken clucking)
I'm not cleaning up this
mess, I'm warning you.
- Why are you worried, Dilna.
Boarding, lodging
is my department.
- Everywhere there's a mess.
All your books and
your newspapers
and your stupid blackout paper.
Dirt and dust everywhere,
and now on top of everything,
a live chicken, I'm fed up.
- I'm sorry, Dilna, darling.
One of these days, we'll make
the bookcase, okay, Sohrab?
- Sure.
(chicken clucking)
♪ You will never grow old
♪ When there is
love in your heart ♪
♪ Time may silver
your dark brown hair ♪
♪ As you dream in your
old rocking chair ♪
(humming)
(soft music)
(children chattering)
- Into the hands of the police
only, I will put you all,
if you bang on my door again.
Hey, scrambled eggs.
Here, idiot, here.
Come on up.
I have a rat for you.
(chattering)
(giggling)
- [Kids] Tehmul, Tehmul, Tehmul!
- Shh.
Hmm.
Hmm.
(laughing)
- What did you think
you were doing?
(screaming)
- [Gustad] What's going on?
- Sour scrambled egg.
He was supposed the rats
to the municipality leader,
but he was torturing
them instead.
- [Woman] The stupid
municipality gives him
35 paisa for a rat.
- Take them to the
municipality yourself.
Tehmul, go up.
(chattering)
- I'll slap your face.
(speaking foreign language)
- Where's his brother?
- He's gone out of Bombay.
That's why this idiot
is up to his mischief.
- Roshan, it's more scared
of you than you are of it.
Come, come.
Come, won't you pet it?
- Dilna.
- Huh?
- See, pet it.
Feel, feel.
See, there.
- Look at that.
Look at the expert.
The way he holds the chicken.
I'm telling you, he'll
be the best engineer
to graduate from IIT.
- What does chicken
have anything
to do with engineering, huh?
- Why are you getting upset?
It was just a little joke.
- It's not just a little joke.
You are driving me crazy with
your IIT, IIT, IIT nonsense.
- Don't raise your
voice at Daddy.
We are feeling very happy
about it, what else?
After hard work in
office, he went to market.
Two grown up boys in the
house and it's a disgrace
that your father has
to do double jobs.
When he was your age, he
paid his own college fees
and supported his parents.
- Daddy, can we
keep her forever?
(chicken clucks)
(knocking on door)
(speaking foreign language)
- Speak, Dinshawji.
Golden Eagle, or rum?
- Golden Eagle, if you insist.
(mosquito buzzing)
- Oh, sorry.
This bloody wall has become
a breeding ground
for mosquitoes.
- Not at all, not at all.
What's a few bites
between friends?
What's that?
Why this black paper?
Are you preparing
for war or what?
- You remember that,
war with China?
- [Dinshawji] Of course, yeah.
But that was nine years ago.
- Yes, but it helps the
children to sleep better.
- Oh, hello, hello, hello.
Happy Birthday to
the birthday girl.
(speaking foreign language)
And how's my little bodybuilder?
- I'm going to drink the
rum if no one wants it.
- You sure?
You never had it before.
- So what?
- The aroma of this chicken
would make even a corpse
in the towers of Thailand
sit up with an appetite.
(laughing)
- Do you see that chicken
waiting for us patiently?
This morning, it was
anything but patient.
- [Dinshawji] You mean
you brought it home alive?
- Of course.
My grandmother always
said, slaughter fresh,
cook immediately,
then see the test.
- Can you please explain later
(laughing)
after we eat?
- Oh, sorry, sorry.
- No, no, no.
Wait, everybody.
A toast, huh?
- Food is getting cold.
- One minute.
- I wish you health,
I wish you wealth,
I wish you gold in storm.
I wish you heaven on earth.
What can I wish you more?
(laughing)
- [Gustad] Oh, nobody move.
Must be fuse or something.
I'll just get my torch.
(chattering)
Yes, yes, Tehmul, yes.
Whole building is dark?
(chattering)
- Everything dark,
dark, dark, dark, dark.
- Okay, Tehmul.
Okay.
Now, be careful.
Don't fall.
(chattering)
- Ghost to left of them,
ghost to right of them,
ghost in front of them,
hungry and thirsty.
- Light or no light, I
have one wish to make.
For Sohrab, my son, my eldest.
To you, good health, good luck,
and may you do
brilliantly at IIT.
Make us all very proud of you.
- Hear, hear.
♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
♪ For he's a jolly good fellow
- Stop it!
- Food will get cold.
- What's the matter
all of a sudden?
- It's not all of a sudden.
I am sick and tired of your
IIT, IIT, IIT all the time.
I am not interested in it,
I am not a jolly
good fellow about it,
and I'm not going there.
- I told you not
to drink the rum.
- Fool yourself if you want to.
Rum or no rum, I am not
going to IIT anyway.
- Say why.
If you have a good
reason, I will listen.
Speak.
Becoming mute helps nothing.
- IIT was never my idea.
You made all the plans.
I told you I want to
change to the arts program.
I like my college and I
love my friends there.
- Friends?
Are they going to give you
a job when you graduate
with a worthless BA?
Idiotic lunatic talk.
Learn from my experience.
Where is our great friend
Jimmy Bilimoria now?
Used to come here all the time.
Ate with us, drank with us.
Where has he gone now?
Gone without a word like
a thief in the night.
That's friendship for you.
Worthless.
Meaningless.
Present company not
included, of course.
- Who wants to make a wish?
(thunder rumbling)
(subdued music)
- Please, don't blame
me for your stupidity.
- Stupidity?
You're using that
word to your father?
- Yeah.
- No fighting, huh?
- I know I'm talking
to my father,
but my father does
not want to know
the truth when he hears it.
- You first suffer like your
parents, then talk about truth.
Nobody paid my college fees.
I had to earn them.
- Papa, I've had to
listen to that story
a hundred times before.
How much you suffered
and sacrificed,
and how your father
lost all the money.
- Roshan, bring my belt.
- [Roshan] No.
- I'll teach that brother of
yours a lesson in respect.
Say now what you have to say.
Let us hear your genius talk
if you still have the courage.
- I've already said
what I wanted to.
If you didn't hear,
I can repeat it.
- Ow!
Gustad, what are you doing?
- I'm warning you.
Tonight, I don't
care what happens.
I'm going to cut
your son to pieces.
- Stop it.
- Coward.
Why are you hiding
behind your mother?
17 times I've told you
not to come in the middle
when I'm dealing
with the children.
- [Woman] Enough is enough.
This is sleeping time,
not fighting time.
Save the rest for morning.
- Come to my door and speak
if you have something to say.
I'm not living free here.
I also pay rent.
See how your friend behaves?
Sally witch.
- She's right.
All this shouting and screaming
in the middle of the night.
- Oh, very nice.
Take her side
against your husband.
Always against me only.
(subdued music)
(thunder rumbles)
- Study hard, Sohrab.
- Behave yourself
in your new school.
- [Bus Driver] Bus will
only stop at the next stop.
Buy a ticket or get out.
- Come on, Dad.
Let's go.
- Sohrab!
(horn honking)
(tires squealing)
- Jimmy, what happened?
Shouldn't we take
him to a hospital?
- Take him to a
regular hospital,
he'll get regular treatment
or regular mistreatment,
depending on his luck.
I'll send for
Marivata bone setter.
Great chap.
No pins, no operation,
no cost, nothing.
Thank you.
(subdued music)
My dear Gustad.
This letter must come as
a big surprise to you.
I know you are very angry with
me because of the way I left,
without even a word of goodbye.
Will you, and Dilnavaz,
and the children
please accept my
sincere apologies?
And believe me when I
say I had no choice.
I'm still not at liberty
to give you the details
except it is a matter
of national security.
Something relating
to my assignment
needs to be done in Bombay.
I immediately thought of you
since there is no
one I trust more.
It just involves a
parcel which I would
like you to receive
on my behalf.
Please, let me know.
Someday I will tell
you the whole story
when our family
is together again.
Your loving friend Jimmy.
(siren wailing)
- [Dilnavaz] We saw the letters.
- Who's we?
For me, you're the
only one present here.
- You've started hiding mail.
I wonder what else
you're hiding.
- Nothing.
I just wanted to think
about Jimmy's letter
without getting a
thousand suggestions
from all the geniuses
in this house, that's all.
- Thousand suggestions.
For 21 years we discuss
everything together.
Now, I'm a nuisance.
And Jimmy doesn't
even tell the details.
How do you know you're
doing the right thing?
- But details don't matter.
I'm helping a friend.
That's what matters.
I really don't understand you.
All this time it was
Jimmy this, Jimmy that.
I said forget about Jimmy,
he's vanished like a thief.
But no.
Now, he asks for
help, I say yes,
and you're still not pleased.
- [Dilnavaz] What if
it's something dangerous?
- Don't talk rubbish.
He only wants some parcel
picked up, that's all.
Why is this one
grinning like a donkey?
- Don't get upset again, Daddy.
I think you made the
right choice, but--
- Oh, he thinks Daddy
made the right choice.
You haven't told him yet
he's no longer my son?
Thank you, sir.
Thank you for your approval.
Go on, but what?
- You know how Jimmy
Uncle used to say,
"Only two choices, Communism
or military dictatorship.
"If you want to get
rid of these crooks,
"forget about
democracy for a while.
No good for a starving
country". (laughs)
Now imagine...
Imagine if Jimmy Uncle
is planning a coup
to get rid of our
corrupt government.
- Why don't you imagine
something useful like IIT?
All this idiotic lunatic talk.
What Jimmy Uncle used to say
is just a way of speaking.
Be grateful you
live in a democracy.
If the Russia wala was here,
he'd pack you and your friends
straight off to Siberia.
Really.
When he talks like this,
the blood in my
brain begins to boil.
If I get a stroke, it
will be your son's fault.
I'm warning you.
- Into the hands of the
police only we should put you.
When they break your arm,
then we will see
how you add water.
- As if I make the milk.
Cow does it.
- Why don't you sell the
milk and water separate?
Better for the customer,
easier for you, also.
No more mixing, fixing to do.
- I own cow.
Molly gives me the milk.
It's my job.
Go south on Molly.
Why on me, huh?
Go, go.
Please, go.
Mixing, fixing.
- [Dilnavaz] I'm so
sorry about last night.
Gustad was very upset.
Please, don't take it to mind.
- That's not why
I called you up.
I'm worried about Sohrab.
He reminds me so much
of my nephew Fahrab.
Such a brilliant boy.
He would've inherited his
father's practice had he lived.
- I'm so sorry.
- No.
Why is Sohrab
behaving like this?
- I don't know.
My mind refuses to work
when I try to understand.
- Suddenly, he does not want
to go to this IIT place?
And up to now, nobody
forced him, he wanted to go.
- I think it was his own idea
when he was just
a boy at school.
But.
- Do you know anyone who would
profit by Sohrab's failure?
Someone who would
steal his brain
for his own child's sake maybe?
- I can't think of anyone.
- Many ways exist to
do such black things.
Don't worry.
I'll help you.
Start with a lime.
- Close your eyes.
- [Sohrab] What's all this?
- It's not going to hurt.
Just makes your brain healthy.
- What nonsense.
My brain doesn't
need any help so far.
- Shh, quiet.
It's bad to have too much pride.
Lots of things science
cannot explain.
- Oh, yeah cannot explain.
- Close your eyes.
- Yeah, yeah, okay.
First, Daddy gets dramatic
and then you get necromantic.
The two of you are driving
me completely crazy.
- Don't be rude.
And don't use big, big words.
We all know you are very clever.
Okay, now open your eyes.
Look at it.
Don't move your head.
(horn beeping)
- Why change the name?
What is wrong with
Flora Fountain?
- Why worry about it?
If it makes the Schiffs
and the Gondas happy
to rename a few
streets, let them do it.
What's the matter?
- Hey, Gustad.
You are wrong.
Names are so important.
I grew up in Lemmington
Road, but it has disappeared.
In it's place is
Dada Separkimama.
My school was at Karnak Road.
Now suddenly, it's
Lokmanya Tilak.
I live at Sleater Road.
Soon, that will also disappear.
So, what happens
to the life I led?
Was I living the wrong
life with the wrong names?
(horn beeping)
Oh, my god!
(tense music)
Well, Gustad.
All these years I've known you,
I didn't know blood
would make you sick.
- Oh, don't be silly.
I know that man on the Labretta.
He helped me when
I had my accident.
- But I thought it was
Major who took you to--
- No, no, no, that was later.
He was the taxi driver who
took care of Sohrab and me.
Took us home.
Didn't even charge for it.
For nine years I've
waited to thank him.
Today was my turn to help
him and I failed the test.
- Ah.
- A test set by
God and I failed.
- Oh, nonsense.
It was not your fault.
Drink this, you'll feel better.
(speaking foreign language)
What a body, huh?
Sugar and cream.
What fun it would be to
give her a mutton injection.
(laughs)
- Mr. Noble, your
daughter's school phoned.
Nothing to worry about.
She won a doll in some raffle.
They want you to come
pick it up after school.
- Ooh.
(speaking foreign language)
- Have you hurt
yourself, Mr. Dinshawji?
(laughs)
- Mister, mister, mister.
Mister, mister, mister.
Please, please, please, please.
Please sign, please sign.
- First others, then me.
- Let the gentleman
take his doll out first,
then do all your talking.
- Mama.
Mama.
Can I touch this?
- No!
- Don't be like that, Roshan.
- [Roshan] His hands are dirty.
- Please, please,
please, please.
(chattering)
- All right, once only.
- Mommy.
- You won?
- [Roshan] Yes.
Her eyes open and close
and she says mama.
- Oh, really?
Gustad, Jimmy's letter has come.
It's over there.
Ooh, lovely stockings.
They might fit you.
- [Roshan] No.
- No?
It's gonna get so dirty.
Let's take them off and
put them in the cupboard.
Okay?
- Yes.
- Then they won't get spoiled.
Come on.
Beautiful.
(singing in foreign language)
(people chattering)
- [Jimmy] My dear Gustad.
Overjoyed to hear from you.
It would be too much to bear
if our friendship was lost.
I can now tell you that
I am working for R-A-W,
training the freedom
fighters in Bangladesh.
Just returned from
the border zones.
Not a pretty sight.
I've seen the atrocities
with my own eyes.
I tell you, Gustad, this new
breed of Pakistani butchers
is something else.
But let me get to
the main point.
All you have to do is go to the
book section of Kuul Bazaar.
I've told my contact
to display prominently
the complete works
of Shakespeare.
Open the book to Othello,
end of Act One, scene three.
The line, put money in thy
purse will be underlined in red.
My man will give you a parcel.
I'm sure you'll recognize him.
You met him once many years ago.
- Mr. Noble.
Good to see you again.
- You remember my name.
For nine years I've waited to
thank you for your kindness.
(speaking foreign language)
- Come.
And how is your hip?
- Almost good as
new, thanks to you.
That day of my accident,
you and Major
Bilimoria in the taxi.
You never said...
Did you know him in those days?
- Yes, I knew him.
Sometimes, though,
we have to pretend
because of the
kind of work we do.
Come, sit down.
- Your accident,
I saw it happen.
How are you now?
- Oh, it was not
really an accident.
They were aiming for my scooter.
- Really?
Who do you suspect,
Pakistani spies?
- (laughs) Nothing so simple.
You can just say
occupational hazard.
(speaking foreign language)
Have some tea.
Thank you.
- You know, I'll never
forget your face.
Sorry, I can't
remember your name.
- Ghulam Mohamed.
- Yes, Ghulam.
I remember you telling
my son in the taxi.
- And how is Sohrab?
- Oh, you remember
his name even?
- Of course.
How can I forget?
Major Bilimoria has always
talked to me about your family.
Says it's like his own.
Even before your accident
I knew all about you.
Any friend of Billy Boy
is a friend of mine.
- Billy Boy's a
nice name for Jimmy.
You two joined RAW
at the same time?
- Yes.
Wherever Billy Boy goes, I go.
He can always depend on me.
His friend is my friend.
And his enemy has
to answer to me.
Whoever harms him,
I go after him.
Whatever it takes.
Knife, gun, my hands, my teeth.
(chuckles)
- He's very lucky to
have a friend like you.
You'll never guess who I
met at the bazaar today.
- You're not going
say Jimmy Bilimoria.
- No.
You remember the taxi
driver who brought me home
when I had my accident?
Him, Ghulam.
- What is all this
Jimmy has sent?
- This is from Jimmy, those
are four beautiful books.
(Dilnavaz gasps)
(gasps)
Tehmul.
Tehmul, come here.
Come, come.
(chattering)
See?
No knife.
- So much, huge.
- The money you saw
is your and my secret.
- Secret, secret,
secret, secret.
- Secret means nobody
must know what you saw.
You understand?
- Nobody, nobody.
Secret means secret.
- Will you tell
anybody what you saw?
- No, no, no.
No, secret, secret, nobody.
(chattering)
Two piece, two piece.
Secret, two piece.
- You know what I'll do if
you tell anybody what you saw?
I'll take my knife and
I'll cut your throat
like the butcher cut
the chicken's neck.
Remember.
- Secret, secret,
secret, secret.
- 10 lakh rupees.
- My god.
- Nice smell.
- Very nice.
For 24 years I've lived
with that smell in my nose.
Never tired of it.
Dear Gustad.
Deposit the money
in a bank account.
Since you are a
savings supervisor,
it would be easy for
you to avoid the rules
and regulations
about large deposits.
I'll send more instructions
when necessary.
Your loving friend Jimmy.
P.S., forget Lago's advice.
10 lakhs won't
fit in your purse.
(laughing)
I was wondering why
he chose that line.
- Forget your wondering
and help me pack this.
- But you don't understand.
This money is for the
Bengali resistance.
- I hope by now it's
got into your brain
that this is not
some childish game.
Unless you want to do dangerous,
illegal things
and lose your job.
- Yes, but what about Jimmy?
Do you have any idea
what dangerous work
he's doing in RAW?
- It's his job.
He joined the Secret Service.
Let him do his own
secreting and servicing
without us having
to starve to death.
- But I gave him my word.
I told him in my letter
that he can rely on me.
- Tell him that you
were transferred to
another department.
Different duties, so
you can't do deposits.
- You're right.
That way he won't feel
that I let him down.
- Exactly.
(knocking on door)
- Who is it?
- It's me Sohrab.
Hello.
Daddy robbed his bank.
- Warn your son right now.
I'm in no mood for
his senseless jokes.
- Money is from Major Uncle,
but we're sending it back.
It's too risky for Daddy.
- I'm really surprised why
Major Uncle joined RAW.
Our wonderful prime minister
uses RAW like the KGB
to do all her dirty work.
It's a well-known fact.
- Again with the
idiotic lunatic talk.
Rubbish about the prime
minister you're talking
when you don't know anything.
- Jimmy Uncle says this is
government money, right?
So, instead of depositing
it in your bank,
let's use it for all the things
the government is
supposed to do.
Install the water tanks,
repair the sewers,
clean the gutters.
- Shut up.
Talks like a crazy rabid dog.
My own son.
Changed so completely.
I can hardly recognize him.
Who would've thought
he'd turn out like this?
Remember, I kicked him
once to save his life
and I can kick him again.
Out of my house this time.
Out of my life.
(subdued music)
Ghulam said he's
away for a week.
I'll take him a note.
When he comes back,
I'll return the money.
(tense music)
- A while ago a gentleman
with the good name of Shrieb,
no Candyland.
Mr. Iram Ghough came to
me wearing his money.
He's wanting most expensive
and undiluted Pantone.
So, I make him super
deluxe bed breaker pon.
He goes inside.
That one there.
One whole hour.
Poor lady.
He's going it's all
good, it's all good.
Lady finished.
Gentleman still standing.
Shameful.
She departed.
- Uh, this is for
Ghulam Mohamed.
- Yes, yes, yes.
- He said that--
- He'll get it.
Gentleman still standing.
Second lady coming.
One more time.
It's all good, it's all good.
(door opens and closes)
(grunts)
- Your son has left home.
- What is it to me?
(subdued music)
(birds cawing)
(grunting)
(rattling)
(birds cawing)
(tense music)
- Oh, my god.
- What's going on, Bossy?
Somebody's knife
is very sharp, huh?
Anyone has a grudge against you?
- Don't they kill
animals for black magic?
(chattering)
- Hey!
(yells)
- It was in the bush.
(speaking foreign language)
- Oh, my god.
Jimmy.
- Yeah.
- [Dilnavaz] But to us?
Maybe the taxi driver had--
- Well, that makes
no difference.
- I think we should
take the money
and go straight to the police.
Tell them the whole story.
To hell with Jimmy Bilimoria.
We'll tell Inspector Bamji.
- But you don't understand.
Inspector Bamji, the police,
have no power over RAW.
We are in the hands
of heartless people.
Poisonous snakes.
That could've been Darius or
Roshan instead of the cat.
There's only one thing to do.
Don't worry, I'll be careful.
After 24 years in the bank,
I know the place and the
procedures inside out.
Two bundles a day I'll deposit.
I don't understand
this world anymore.
First, your son destroys
our hopes, now this rascal.
Like a brother he was to me.
What a world of
wickedness it has become.
- What a world of wickedness
it has become, Gustad.
How could my own brother
cheat me, ruin me?
I failed you, my son.
Can you forgive me?
- Tears are for women
and for men who are weak.
Not for me.
- [Dinshawji] Someone
had to do something
about those bastards.
- [Gustad] Exactly
the way I feel.
- If this money is for the
government, why all the secrecy?
Why doesn't the government
deposit the money
using normal channels?
- You don't understand.
Even within the government
there are people ready
to sabotage the
Bengali resistance.
Wheels within wheels, Dinshu.
- Ah.
It is not for us to reason
why, it is for us to do or die.
- Yeah.
- [Dinshawji] Let
me have the bundle.
(tense music)
- Mrs. Noble?
Mrs. Noble?
I'm Sister Constance.
She's had shivering, high fever.
- Roshan, darling.
Are you all right?
- [Dinshawji] Oh, Laurie.
One day I want you to
meet my little Laurie.
- [Laurie] I would love to.
- Such fun the two of
you will have together.
- [Man] Mr. Gustad,
Madon wants to see you.
- Noble, you know the rules.
No personal calls in office.
- Hello?
Huh.
Hmm.
Okay.
Okay, bye.
That was my wife, sir.
My daughter's not well.
High fever.
Could I leave a
little early today?
I have to take
her to the doctor.
- Why can't you go
after office hours?
Leave at four.
Don't make this a habit.
(uptempo drum music)
(people chattering)
- I won a big doll in raffle.
She has a wedding dress.
- Oh, we must then
find her a bridegroom.
A nice young Parsi boy.
Fair and handsome like me.
You don't think I'm
fair and handsome?
- No.
- [Gustad] What is it?
- Not diarrhea.
Though, sometimes a
simple case of diarrhea
can be very troublesome.
Look at East Pakistan.
A simple sickness, but
very difficult to cure.
And that quack, Dr.
America feeding the virus.
So what is the cure?
- What is wrong with her?
- What is wrong with our city?
Overflowing gutters,
unsanitary water, mosquitoes,
people urinating and defecating
here, there, everywhere.
And the municipality
couldn't give a damn.
- I know what's
wrong with Bombay.
What's wrong with her?
- Probably malaria.
- [Gustad] He said
maybe malaria.
(plate clatters)
- Now are you satisfied?
Now you'll admit it?
I repeated it till
I was exhausted.
Till my lungs were empty.
But you treat my word
as if a dog was barking.
- [Gustad] That's
right, blame me.
That's the easiest thing.
- [Dilnavaz] Better than
who, your dead uncle?
Did you buy the repellent?
Did you?
This whole building
needs mosquito repellent
because of that stupid wall
and you can't even get
it for your own family.
- [Gustad] You know how
much the repellent costs?
- [Dilnavaz] You have
money for live chickens,
but you have no
money for repellent.
You Nobles think
you know everything.
- That's right, you blame
my father, my grandfather,
and my great-grandfather
as well.
Blame me for everything.
- It is your fault.
- It's my fault Sohrab
isn't going to the IIT?
What is it?
- I don't like when you fight.
- No one's fighting.
We're just talking.
- You're shouting and angry.
- You're right, my bubka.
We were shouting, but
we're not angry, you see.
Look, is that an angry face?
- Go ahead and kiss Mom.
- Later, but I'll kiss you
now because you're closer.
- No.
I can't sleep till
you kiss Mommy.
(speaking foreign language)
- Not like that.
That's not a Daddy
and Mommy kiss.
Eyes closed properly.
(subdued music)
- Morning, Bossy.
Hope you said a nice
prayer for me, yeah.
- Of course.
Crime's calling you
very early today.
- Say a prayer for
the wall also, huh?
- Hey!
(speaking foreign language)
You notice how much worse it is
all the base, and
stink, and mosquitoes?
- What to do?
Every sister fucker with
a full bladder comes here,
takes out his
Laurie, and pisses.
(speaking foreign language)
(subdued music)
(speaking foreign language)
- Can I ask something?
- You can ask me anything.
But I don't paint bathrooms
and I don't do
personal portraits.
- No, no, no.
I know a good place.
A big wall outside my building.
Why don't you set your
business up there?
- Why should I?
I like it here.
- Every day, your
drawing gets rubbed out.
Again you have to start.
There you won't
have this problem.
Your drawing will be permanent.
- Sir, all life's problems begin
when we look for permanence.
- Up to you.
Go to that building by Kalah.
- [Artist] I know it.
- The spell has gone
so deep inside Sohrab.
The lime cannot pull it out.
When the spell goes so deep,
it takes another human
being to take it out.
- [Dilnavaz] How to do that?
- There is a method.
Instead of throwing
the limes into the sea,
squeeze the juice and give
it to somebody to drink.
That way the spell will
pass from your family
into that other person.
- That means that someone
else will have to suffer.
- Yes.
I myself don't like it,
but it is the only way.
- Who can I give it to?
- Give it to Tehmul.
- I couldn't do that.
Maybe I should drink it myself.
After all, Sohrab is my son.
- Stop talking nonsense.
First, Sohrab leaves home,
now Roshan is at death's door.
How long will you wait?
Anyway, you will be
doing that idiot a favor.
How much brains does he have?
For the first time in his life
he will be of use to someone.
(yells)
- Tehmul.
Tehmul, come.
Look what I have here, Tehmul.
Tasty juice.
Don't do that, Tehmul.
Here, drink.
(sniffs)
(laughs)
- Yum, yum, yum, yum.
- Okay, drink all.
- Give me more, please.
- Not now.
Next time.
- Look, Gustad, look.
Laurie's such a brave girl.
She's not afraid of
my big naughty snake.
(laughing)
- Dinshawji, bring your
ledger into my office.
(subdued music)
- Mr. Noble, may I talk
to you sometime today?
- Uh, you can talk to
me now, Ms. Coutinho.
- I prefer to talk privately.
Are you free for lunch?
- Yeah.
- Everything A-OK, partner.
(people chattering)
(uptempo music)
- Huh.
I wonder why they want to put
the waiter under the table.
(laughing)
- You have a sense of humor.
Just like your
friend Mr. Dinshawji.
- We better order something.
Ready?
Let me ring for the waiter.
Oh, so sorry.
(buzzer buzzing)
- It's all right.
(knocking on door)
- Yes, yes, come in.
- Yes, sir?
- What'll you have?
- Tea, please.
- Two teas and two mawa cakes.
- Please, sir.
In exactly seven minutes
with your food I will return.
I will be knocking on the door.
Then afterwards, you will
have complete privacy.
- Has a one-track mind.
- Not his fault.
It's a one-track room.
- Now, what was it that
you wanted to see me about?
- The problem is your
friend Dinshawji.
I don't know if you heard,
but he keeps telling me he
wants me to meet his Laurie.
At first, I thought it
was his daughter or niece.
You can imagine how I
felt when I found out
that the word means
a man's private parts
in your Parsi language.
He's ruined my own name for me.
- No, don't say that.
Laurie's a beautiful name.
That will never change just
because of some
silly slang word.
- The rubbish he talks.
He was telling me that he
works for the Secret Service.
That he is in charge
of 10 lakh rupees
to fully equip the
Bengali resistance.
Can you imagine that?
Mr. Dinshawji in
the Secret Service.
- Secret Service
wouldn't hire him
to clean the toilets even.
(Laurie laughs)
- Anyway, I was going to
complain to Mr. Madon,
but I thought before I do
that I should speak to you.
- Please, don't
speak to Mr. Madon.
Dinshawji is two years
away from retirement.
He's also very sick.
I'll speak to him,
I promise you.
I'll make sure he
never upsets you again.
Luckily she doesn't believe all
that Secret Service rubbish.
She was laughing when
she was telling me.
But what if it should
reach Madon's ears?
What if he discovers
about the deposits?
What'll we do then?
Bloody fool.
- What can I say?
You're right.
I am stupid idiot.
What to do?
- It's in your hands.
If you stop bothering Laurie,
she won't go to Madon.
- [Dinshawji] Of
course I'll stop, but--
- But what?
- If I suddenly stop
fooling with her,
won't people find that strange?
- I've thought about that.
I have a plan.
Now, you have to
stop your teasing and
joking with everybody
and I'll spread the story that
your health is not good again.
That you're feeling
under the weather.
- I'd prefer to be feeling
under Laurie's skirt.
- Will you stop it?
- Sorry.
- Smooth black stone.
Perfect for your pictures.
And it's 60 feet long.
It's a nice locality, also.
A lot of rich people
pass by every day.
- But it stinks very much.
- That's true.
Shameless people use this
wall like a lavatory.
But with your holy
pictures, no one will dare.
(speaking foreign language)
- [Tehmul] Attention!
- Shh, shh.
Shh.
Shh.
♪ There's a song in the air
♪ But the fair senorita
doesn't seem to care ♪
♪ For the song in the air
♪ So I'll sing to the mule
♪ If you're sure she won't
think that I'm just a fool ♪
♪ Serenading a mule
♪ There's a song in the air
♪ But the fair senorita
doesn't seem to care ♪
♪ For the song in the air
(uptempo jazz music)
(subdued music)
- Dilnavaz, phone.
Sohrab.
- Coming.
(knocking on door)
Sohrab?
Sohrab, where are you?
Are you all right?
Come back home immediately.
Enough is enough now.
Wait.
- So, he's not coming back.
Dangerous diseases
need dangerous cures.
(Tehmul chattering)
- Oh, what big nails you have.
Don't you ever cut them?
Come, I'll cut them for you.
No, Tehmul.
Nothing will happen.
Not nice to have
such long nails.
All dirt collects inside.
- No.
- Okay, then no juice.
No cutting nails, no juice.
Tehmul.
There.
Nothing happened.
- [Tehmul] Juice, juice.
- No, no, wait.
Must do toes, also.
(subdued music)
- Mommy.
Mommy.
Mommy.
Mommy.
Mommy.
- [Gustad] Nice smell.
- Oh, yes.
Incense sticks.
I have regular customers now.
- What about money?
You have enough?
- Oh, yes.
This is a very good location.
New clothes.
Turtling pants.
Latest fashion, me.
Seven belt loops.
Very nice shit.
Feel it, feel it.
Drip dry.
No more ironing, shining.
- Dinshawji?
What brings you here?
- Dinshawji's been
waiting for you, Gustad.
Got something important to say.
- Speak, Dinshawji.
I'm ready.
Are you crazy?
You didn't deposit?
- Please read.
You'll understand.
(Gustad grunts)
- [Dilnavaz] What's the matter?
Are you all right?
- Of course I'm all right.
It's Jimmy.
Arrested on charges
of fraud, extortion.
- He impersonated the
prime minister's voice
and instructed the chief cashier
to hand over 60 lakh rupees.
He has confessed.
- Believe me, Dinshawji.
I had no idea.
If I had known, I--
- There is no question of that.
There is no doubt in my
mind about you at all.
- He lied from the beginning
about everything to me.
- Yes, yes, Gustad.
But we can't change that now.
What's happened has happened.
Now, we have to think about
what to do with the money.
- Well, I don't know!
- Dinshawji's right, Gustad.
- First of all, I think we
should stop depositing it.
- [Dilnavaz] I just can't
believe that our Jimmy
would do something so crooked.
- People change.
(people chattering)
- [Man] Hello, gentlemen.
- I want to leave a
message for Ghulam Mohamed.
Tell him--
- Tell him yourself.
He's waiting for you inside.
(speaking foreign language)
(speaking foreign language)
- Mr. Noble, come in.
Billy Boy has enemies.
This whole story was cooked
up by people at the very top
to cover their own crimes.
You have to trust him.
- I've trusted him
too much already.
- So far, Billy Boy
hasn't named any names.
But how long can he hold out?
Do you know the tactics they use
to make you talk, Mr. Noble?
For his sake and yours,
you must return the
money immediately.
- I've already deposited half.
You can have the other
50 bundles anytime.
- All of it this week.
- Do you know how
difficult it is to withdraw
such large sums of money?
How dangerous?
Laws have been broken.
- Better than bones
being broken, Mr. Noble.
(people chattering)
(Tehmul chattering)
Get out!
(speaking foreign language)
- [Gustad] What is going on?
- They're not letting me,
they're not letting me.
All money gone, gone, gone.
All money gone, gone.
(chattering)
So much money gone.
Sorry, sorry.
(tense music)
- Thank you, Dinshu.
I don't know how to
thank you enough.
So much you've done for me.
You all right?
(speaking foreign language)
(tense music)
(people chattering)
(train horn blows)
- What's the matter, my bubkalu?
What happened, you
paining somewhere?
Huh?
No?
Dilna?
- Her doll is lost.
I can't find it anywhere.
- [Gustad] Then say stolen.
Where did you leave it?
- On the sofa.
Um, your office phoned.
Dinshawji collapsed at work.
They've taken him
to Parsi General.
Did you return the money?
- Yes.
Come, a little more.
- Later, I'm full.
(speaking foreign language)
(laughing)
Only if you have some, also.
- Okay, okay.
Okay.
Come.
- I'm full.
Have you seen the night nurse?
A real foto carro.
The lady with the lamp.
She can borrow my
candle any time
when her lamp is out of order.
- Shh, shh.
(laughing)
♪ Oh, give me a home where
the nurse's hands roam ♪
♪ Where they all have
big beautiful tits ♪
♪ Where seldom is heard
an encouraging word ♪
♪ And the patient is
treated like shit ♪
(laughing)
- She may not
appreciate your poetry.
(laughing)
(speaking foreign language)
(subdued music)
That's new, isn't it?
- Huh?
Yes.
Mount Mary Church, Bandra.
Miracles happening every day.
The statue of the Virgin Mary
actually shedding real tears.
- You believe that?
- See, I don't like to
weaken anyone's faith.
Miracle, magic,
trick, coincidence.
What does it really matter?
As long as it helps.
Huh?
(subdued music)
- Is that allowed?
- Don't worry.
Someone will do
the same to yours.
- Please, make Roshan healthier.
Please, help my friend
Dinshawji who's suffering a lot.
And help my son Sohrab
to see better sense.
Don't worry about my hip,
it's not that important.
- Gustad, wait.
Ghulam has come to see you.
- Hello, Mr. Noble.
- Last time I made it clear.
I don't want anything more
to do with you or
Major Bilimoria.
- I'm sorry to disturb
you and your wife.
I wanted to show you
something about Billy Boy.
See for yourself.
They've killed the investigator
who was investigating his case.
No extent.
Now just a matter of time
before they finish him off.
- You keep saying
finish him off.
This is not Russia or China.
- [Ghulam] I don't know
how to convince you, but--
- Does it matter
whether he sees me?
He never cared for me.
Lying and using me for--
- You're wrong.
He did care.
He made sure you did not get
into trouble after his arrest.
Mr. Noble, go visit and say
final goodbye to your friend.
Please.
If he has any hope,
please don't destroy it.
- Okay.
(speaking foreign language)
- Parsi General phoned.
- Dinshawji?
- About one hour ago.
- There was no
miracle for Dinshawji.
- [Dilnavaz] You
tried your best.
It's not your fault.
- It is my fault.
I silenced him.
- It's all right
if the tears come.
(singing in foreign language)
- Oh, so beautiful.
I kept listening.
I know you think I'm crazy, but.
- Continue.
- There was a smile
on Dinshawji's face.
Go on, say I'm crazy.
- Prayer is a very
powerful thing.
Prayer can put a
smile on Dinshawji's
face or in your eyes.
- I hope when I die there's
a smile like that on my face
and in your eyes.
(dramatic music)
(gate opens)
- [Jimmy] Gustad?
- Yes, Jimmy.
- [Jimmy] Gustad.
- It is Gustad.
- Gustad?
She...
She.
- [Gustad] Who?
- Prime minister.
She chose me to train
for supplying arms.
- Bengali resistance.
- Great soldiers.
(gate closes)
Gustad.
Gustad, stop.
Oh, no.
No, stop, stop.
(tense music)
(grunting)
I went there to see for myself.
They were in rags.
No money.
Barefoot.
No ammunition.
Something wrong.
Somewhere money for supplies
are being rerouted by
prime minister into her
private bank account.
- Are you sure?
- Wish I could say no.
All day and all night
I thought on it.
I went crazy thinking about it.
Thought of those
bloody bastards.
Those bloody buffaloes,
pigs, getting fatter.
Fatter every day
sucking our blood.
I decided if they can
profit, why not us?
Why not us?
I put aside 10 lakhs for you.
For your family.
Ghulam said you were so angry.
Ghulam told me.
Gustad, do you forgive me now?
(subdued music)
Please, forgive me.
- I love you, Jimmy.
There's nothing to forgive.
- Thank you, Gustad.
Thank you for everything.
- [Radio Announcer]
This is Lonindary Joe.
We interrupt this broadcast
to bring you a message
from the prime minister.
- [Prime Minister]
I am speaking to you
at a moment of great peril.
Some hours ago at 17:13
Indian Standard Time
Pakistani aircraft
bombarded our airfields.
At Ambrikson, Pathankot,
Srinagar, and Amla.
We have no other option
but to put the country
on a war fatigue.
At this hour, I appeal to all
Indians to stand together.
Jai Hind.
- Fahrab?
Where are you, Fahrab?
(laughing)
Dilnavaz, you may wait outside.
Tehmul, you want
to have some fun?
- Yes, yes, yes.
Fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.
Having fun, fun, fun, fun, fun.
- Then sit down and
concentrate on that glass.
(chittering)
It's very dangerous to look
at it when it's burning.
You could lose your
mind like that.
(Tehmul yelling)
(uptempo music)
- [Gustad] This is
what I call a miracle.
- Your idea, sir.
Great idea.
This location is the
best in the entire city.
- No, no, no.
Credit goes to your talent.
- [Artist] Look.
- You painted our wall?
- Of course.
It's a sacred place
now, isn't it?
- [Tehmul] Fire, fire.
(bell clanging)
- The fire was put
off hour an hour back.
Towering inferno.
Many huge fire, you know.
Whole building.
Whole street burned
almost to the ground.
- [Woman] The stony wall
must've protected you.
- It wasn't such a big fire.
(laughs)
- How are you, my sweetu?
- Hungry.
- Hungry?
- Yes.
(siren wailing)
(moaning)
(laughing)
(explosions booming)
- Anti-aircraft guns.
Ours.
- Pakistani bombers
must be coming.
- Oh, God.
I hope Sohrab is safe.
- Of course, he's safe.
He's not such a fool as to
be standing on the street.
Anyway, our guns will
chase the Pakistanis away.
Ow!
(laughing)
I'm just going to see if
all the lights are off.
- No, Gustad.
(explosions booming)
- Tehmul!
Tehmul!
Put your clothes on.
At once.
- Please, please,
forgive me, forgive me.
Please, Gustad.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
- Go wash your hands.
Go on.
- See, see, see, Gustad?
Very clean, very.
See, see, very nice smell.
Very, very nice smell, Gustad.
- You're not
ashamed of yourself?
Stealing Roshan's doll.
Doing such dirty things to it.
- They would not.
- [Gustad] Who's they?
(chittering)
- Nice, nice, nice.
They said no, no, no.
Gustad, they said no, no, no.
They said no.
- Why did you open the window?
Your brother told you
to keep everything shut.
- It was very, very, hot, hot.
Open window, very nice.
- Now remember, no
opening the window,
even if you're feeling hot.
Use the newspaper
to fan yourself.
Windows always
stay shut at night.
- Listen, listen,
listen, listen.
Gustad, listen, Gustad.
Dolly.
- Keep her.
- Dolly is mine?
(laughing)
She's mine.
Oh, Gustad.
Thank you, thank you.
Thank you.
- Okay, okay, okay.
- [Dilnavaz] The house
seems so empty without you.
Will you do something for me?
- Hmm?
- Daddy will be home
in a little while.
Just talk to him nicely.
That's all.
Just talk.
- It's no use.
I've spoiled all his dreams.
He's not interested
in me anymore.
- Don't talk like that.
He's your father.
He loves you.
- You know we'll start
fighting as usual.
- So much has happened
since you left.
Daddy's changed.
It'll be different now.
(subdued music)
- [Gustad] Thank you for
making the arrangements.
- He was like a
brother to me, too.
Your Parsi don't allow
outsiders like me to go inside.
Thank you for coming.
Otherwise, Billy Boy
would have been alone.
- [Gustad] What will you do now?
- When someone kills my
brother, I get very upset.
I may collect my payment
tomorrow, or next year,
or after 10 years.
Our life is as easy to
snuff out as Billy Boy's.
Like that.
(people chanting in
foreign language)
- Please, Mr. Noble.
They've burned down my house
and now they're saying I
have to give up this wall.
For God's sake,
do something, huh?
- [Man On PA] Why we
have stopped here?
I say no better place than
this sacred wall of miracles.
Let us ask for blessing that
when we reach municipality
our problems will be heard.
- Yes, Tehmul.
Stay inside, stay inside.
(speaking foreign language)
(chanting in foreign language)
- Yes, Tehmul.
Stay inside, stay inside.
- Stop, stop!
No violence!
(subdued music)
(people shouting)
- My god.
Why is this happening?
Stupid, stupid people.
- Gustad.
- Shh.
- Thank you, Gustad.
- We send for the ambulance.
- No use now.
(subdued music)
- Maybe we should
cancel the ambulance
and phone the darn
asylum instead.
- [Doctor] Don't
cancel the ambulance.
Call six more.
There are many wounded outside.
- [Woman] But the body,
it can't just lie here
in front of the gate.
- [Man] But why pick him
up in the first place
when ultimately he's
going to come down anyway?
- [Man] Let's move
him into the shade.
You take the feet,
I'll take the head.
Ready?
One, two, up.
(subdued music)
(praying in foreign language)
(sobbing)
- [Gustad] Who is it?
- Daddy, it's me Sohrab.
- Yes, yes, yes.
I'm really sorry about this.
- Oh, don't be sorry.
I'm very grateful to you.
You and the wall have
been very hospitable.
Anyway, I was getting
too comfortable.
Time to leave.
- But where will you go?
- What does it
matter where, huh?
In a world where
roadside latrines
become temples and shrines.
Then temples and shrines
turn to ashes and dust.
Does it matter where?
Your cap.
- Thank you.
Good luck.
- Luck is the spit of
gods and goddesses.
(uptempo jazz music)
(subdued music)