Mentalhood (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 3 - Gender Bender - full transcript

[Clicks photos]

- [Amayra] Mom doesn't let me go.
- [Girl 1] The after party is good.

[Boy 1] Hey Amayra.

I did not know you could stand and do it.

Whip it out
and show us what you got.

[Laughing]
- [Amayra] Shut up.

[Laughing]

Amayra,
what are they talking about?

Nothing.

Now, you have shaken
hands with the bullies.

Why you don't want
to play football now?



- Because I don't want to.
- Why don't you want to?

You can't get scared
and keep hiding.

Papa too was ragged in college.

Look, how strong I became.

Be a man.

[Nikhil] I don't want to be a man.

[Maid] Madam, nowadays,
there are no real men.

Real men existed in our times.

Now, everyone has become sensitive.

[Phone ringing]

Hello.

Yes, miss.

Amayra?

[Knocks on door]
- Amu.



Mom, I am doing my homework.

[Door knocking]
- Amu, open the door.

[Clicks tongue]

[Knocks on door]

[Door opens]

Why are you locking the door?

What are you wearing?

Why? Am I going
to a fashion parade?

Talk properly.

- Anuja teacher had called.
- She is a loser.

- Some boy, Kevin, took your photo?
- He is a big loser.

Don't call anyone a loser.

What were you doing
in the boy's bathroom?

Why is everyone making
it such a big deal?

Mom, it's a trivial matter.

Had Kevin not taken the picture,
it would not have spread.

- Bloody a**hole.
- Language, Amu.

What's going on with you?

Tell mumma.

Why are you not using
the girls bathroom?

I don't want to use it.
I don't want to be a girl. Okay?

You don't want to be a girl?

[Meira] And your brother
doesn't want to be a man.

Don't know what is going on.
Seriously.

[Alarm ringing]

- Your daughter is playing truant...
- He's not paying attention...

Mom! There's no wifi!

- My child was a topper.
- How did my daughter fare?

♪ Up or down or a circus clown
♪ Verb or adverb or a proper noun

♪ Can do math and science and history
♪ This is a real mystery

♪ Wife and daughter-in-law and maid

♪ Teacher and a mother
♪ And the food's home made

♪ One kilo of vile, two kilos of good
♪ That's what we call Mentalhood

♪ All that tension before exams

♪ Lots of preparing, lots of sleepless nights

♪ Daughters are harbouring secrets

♪ Behind our backs they're meeting guys

Mummy, my dancing shoes!

♪ It's a yes or a no or a reprimand
♪ On and off and inside out

♪ Where to turn, which way is good
♪ Life is total Mentalhood

[Diksha] Look, I
am a certified hippie.

So I can't digest the local snacks.

[Namrata] D,
what's up with your son?

- He himself has chosen this dress.
- And you allowed him to wear it?

You should have told him that
they are girl's clothes.

Babes, I am against
defining gender.

Why should I differentiate between
the things boys and girls use?

As a parent, my job is only to
encourage him to express himself.

Himself. She said that herself.

[Namrata] Look at
the poor confused child.

And then you blame Jigar.

Oh, so now both of you
think that I am a bad mom.

- That's not true.
- We never said that you were a bad mom.

We just think that
you are a little cuckoo.

[Namrata] If things remain like
this, you will lose his custody.

[Namrata] You get it.

[Woman 1] Hi, Meira.

Last week you had sent
Arjun for Nishka's birthday.

I wanted to return this gift.

- Did you get two similar gifts?
- No, darling.

You gave a kitchen set to Nishka.
Oh my God. Kitchen set.

[Meira] These are fun toys.

Maybe it is okay
in small towns, Meira.

But we do not gift our girls domestically
predetermined role playing toys.

Actually, I don't want
that Nishka starts feeling...

...that she is just good
enough for kitchen.

[Diksha] Babe,
what were you thinking?

Who gives kitchen sets to girls?

I gave.

What's wrong?

[Meira] Girls should not forget their place.

I heard it from childhood.

Boys are strong.
Girls are homely.

Boys are good at sports.
And girls are studious.

But as a parent I should ponder.

If all my three kids are equal,
why should I differentiate them?

[Namrata] What will you achieve
by harassing me like this?

- [Urmila] Harass?
[Laughing]

What are you saying?
Why would I harass you?

After all,
your family is my family.

I was just thinking of meeting
everyone.

We'll sit down together.

And we will ask Shaista personally.

Whether she wants to
be friends with me or not.

I will get you arrested.
If I ever catch you near my family...

Hey, enough. Why are you screaming?

I am her mother.
Even I have a right over her.

You just watch it, okay?
Just watch it.

Trisha.

Just cancel all my meetings.

What?

Yes, I am not coming to office.

I need to be with Shaista.

[Meira] Today, I managed
to offend a mother.

Because I gave her
daughter a girly toy.

But who taught me that
this toy was for a girl?

My mother did. And who taught her?

Centuries ago, did some clever
marketing strategist decide...

...that blue is a manly color
and pink a girly color?

What if there is such a child,
who doesn't fit in? What then?

In a world of pink and blue,
can I dare to be yellow?

[Meira] Arjun, slowly.

Yes, Anmol. Not you.

I had come to return a gift.

What do you mean shopping
in my free time?

All the three kids having different
school timings is not free time.

Okay. See you in the evening.

Hi.

- Hello. Hi, baby.
- Hi, Meira.

How are you?
What have you bought for the kids?

- Had come to return the gift.
- Why?

By mistake, I gave a girl a girly gift.
Mother got offended.

Big deal. My son plays with dolls.

In fact, he doesn't
even sleep without his doll.

- That's so cute.
- I think it is sweet.

It is sweet but tough.

Just look at these aisles.
What does the market show us?

Kitchen set for girls
and guns for boys.

[Meira] We have already
decided what we want.

No, Meira, I disagree. Look around.

I like this. Does this look good?

- Really good.
- It is not predecided.

I have decided. I want this.

Absolutely. You look great in it.

- Yeah.
- Let us go.

[Meira] Arjun, wait there.

I made all the servers
wear caps and gloves...

...as you had instructed last time.

Small talk is
a sign of weakness, Anuja.

Mrs. Kapadia said
you have stopped attending kitties.

No, mom. I am head of PTA.
So I am involved there.

But I had shared the numbers for
coaching classes to her daughter.

It was a scam
but I gave the numbers.

Mrs. Kapadia saw you at the hotel.

No, I just...

[Anuja's Mother] Don't you know
how to be careful?

You want to showcase
it to the whole city?

- No, I...
- Sahil.

- Is he still there?
- Yes, but we just talked.

I did not ask you
why you went there.

[Anuja's Mother] I asked you,
how did anyone see you there?

Reputation is everything,
you know that.

How people look at you?
What they think about you?

I have taught you so much.

And you are today's
generation of social media.

You very well know that

truth is what appeals the eye.

I know you can't afford it.

You can't show the hollowness
of your marriage to the world.

People will find your weakness.

And make you weaker.

Mom...

- Between Tarun and me...
- I don't want to hear.

[Anuja's Mother] The arrangements
you have in your marriage...

Really.

I don't want to know.

And nobody else
should come to know about it.

He is a man.

He will escape.

I am your mother, Anuja.
So I am reminding you.

Don't forget

how important it is to be

Mrs. Tarun Joshi.

[Message tone]

Thank God they are having fun.

[Aakash] You know...

We should have more play dates for
Arjun, Naksh and Tara.

They are so good together.

[Meira] It is a perfect age.

My older ones are such grumpies.

Preteens?

Amu will be responsible
for my pre-mature gray hair.

I got a call from school.
She entered the boy's bathroom.

- [Aakash] Why?
- I don't know.

Whenever I ask,
I get a weird answer.

She is such a simple child,
you know.

I don't know what's bothering her.

Don't worry,
there must be a simple explanation.

Anmol is after Niki to
be a man and play football.

Well, fathers are tough.

I remember when I
was in a boarding school,

I learnt to play flute there.

[Aakash] My dad was so angry.

He said, if you want to learn,
then learn guitar.

He even made the teachers
punish me.

And you know, boarding
school teachers used to cane me.

You were beaten up
yet you are so sensitive.

[Sighs]
The kids have made me so.

[Aakash] For my kids,
I am the mother and even father.

But my kids will not be
beaten for playing the flute.

You are not as cool
as you pretend to be.

[Shushing]
Don't spoil my reputation.

- [Meira] Your secret is safe with me.
- [Laughing]

From the time we
have shifted from Kanpur,

elite world of the elite school has
shaken us both.

But you know what?

We wanted the best for our kids.

And Anmol is trying a lot.

But?

But nothing.

But?

I feel...

...communicating channels
between Anmol and I have stopped.

And my impossible mother...

- Can you do me a favour?
- Yes.

I want to get a bank locker.

And for that I want a
guarantee of a Mumbai resident.

I will get it done.
In fact, get it in my bank.

The bank manager
is my childhood friend.

- [Aakash] Should we do it now?
- No, not today.

- [Aakash] Okay.
- Actually...

Anmol doesn't know
that I am going to get this locker.

I understand.
The women's jewellery. I get it.

My mother tells me to do it.
She is forcing me a lot.

[Meira] But anyway,
thank you for rescuing me.

Madam, you are most welcome.

Because I am

your knight

in shining armor.

Hi.

Anmol.

Come, meet Aakash.

- Hi.
- [Anmol] Hi.

[Anmol] Aakash Fernandes,
the guitar hero.

- Nice to meet you.
- Have heard a lot about you.

[Aakash] Meira, I will take
Nikhil for football class tomorrow.

I will speak to his coach for...

Anmol, you know,
you can't force him for a class.

I was just discussing
it with Aakash.

[Meira] It's not necessary for him
to play sports because he is a boy.

Aakash agrees with me.

Oh, how nice. Aakash agrees on this.

So what else does an Indian
Modern Man agree with?

Look, it is between you.

Parenting is very personal.

What is good for someone may not
be good for everyone.

Aakash, you are so good
with Tara and Nakshatra.

That too single handedly.

Everyone is impressed with you.

I was just wondering,
what does your ex-wife...

...or girlfriend or partner
think about this?

Hey...

I got to go.
You know, take the kids.

[Aakash] See you later.
Nice meeting you.

Aakash.

[Meira] Can you give me a lift?
I will just be back, okay?

- Where are you going?
- To Diksha's place for drinks.

- And the three kids?
- You are a very good father.

Take care of them. Even Arjun.

Of course, I can manage them.

What do you think?

After all, I can
cooperate with my wife.

And for my kids.
Yes, I can babysit them.

Wow amazing.

If I do it, then it's motherhood.
And if you do it, it's a favour.

Applause.

Mumma, potty.

Enjoy.

Don't wait up for me.

Mummy, my hands are hurting.
I can't do it anymore.

[Priety] I will work
hard and you will enjoy?

Come on, move your hand.

[Gaurav] Why are you making
my boys do the girl's work?

Papa, cupcake.

Bloody hell.

Will you now decorate it with flowers and leaves?

Obviously, so what?

Teach them some manly hobbies.

[Gaurav] Vicky, get me a drink.

[Priety] Is this what
you teach him? Drinks.

I am getting complaints
from the school regularly.

He has beaten someone
or broken something.

Will he mend his ways by cooking?

Look, Priety. This is not
acceptable in our household.

I know, what is
acceptable in your family?

All hyper men grow up
to be bad goons.

[Gaurav] What nonsense are
you talking in front of the kids?

[Priety] Raise your
boys to be goons.

I am going to Diksha's place.

[Gaurav] Wait. Priety.

- Your friends are going to be there?
- Yes, so?

Take the bigger car and go.

Don't worry, D.

We're going to hire the
world's best lawyer for you. Yes.

I'm telling you Jigar will
have a change of heart.

All I can say is opposites
don't make good parents.

Don't say that, Diksha.
You're so good with Neeru.

Good is pushing it a bit.

Different.
Different is a better word.

[Diksha] You know, I can't
say I haven't heard that before.

So what if she is different?

- She still has every right over her child.
- True.

What is this world
according to Ajo?

Hey, easy.

We're on the same side today, b**ch.
Just for today.

[Priety] Oh my god. Red
wine acts like a friend in sorrow.

Enough of red wine.

It's juice from a fruit.
Fully organic.

This is fully organic as well.
Who wants it?

Really?

By the way, should
I tell you something?

The person who needs
this the most is Ajo.

- [Diksha] Ajo, take this.
- Aww. You're so kind.

- On this occasion, bottom up.
- Bottom's.

[Priety] You too, Ajo.

Don't give us a lecture now.
It's not a PTA meeting.

Drink your wine. Cheers.

[All singing song]

[Diksha] They seem to be high.

[Diksha] So, before getting separated,
the three of us used to stay here.

But after getting separated, we thought,

we didn't want to displace Neeru.

So Neeru and I stayed
on and Jigar moved out.

But I don't know why

but I feel that I'd stay alone
in this house.

Aww.

[All singing song]

- Cheers.
- You can do this, D.

- Don't worry.
- You got this.

And anyway, mothers
are alone, right?

[Priety] The path of parenthood...

We walk through this alone.

- Yes. Cheers to that again, mommy.
- [All] Cheers.

By the way, where did
this truth bomb come from?

This is not my original. I took
the quotation from Mental Mom.

[Anuja] She is talking
about mental moms.

- Mental mom. Who's mental mom?
- You don't know Mental mom?

[Priety] The blogger.
She is very smart.

[Priety] No. Not like you.

She is smarter than Ajo, I promise.

But you know really.

I just read her article
last week, she is totally legit.

[Priety] Yes.
You know, when I read her blog...

...I feel even she is a
confused mom like us.

- [Diksha] Totally legit.
- She is a confused mom.

And I think with that
she is bad mom also.

Excuse me?

She never has any solutions.

You should do what
your heart tells you.

Kids do not grow up like that.

- [Anuja] There are set rules to parenting.
- Her book.

Yes, the book that has the rules

is the size of an encyclopedia.

[Priety] Now ask me
who has written this book.

- Ajo has.
[Laughing]

[Anuja] The only point
is that it should be printed.

- It will get printed.
- Really?

- It will get printed.
- It will get printed.

Excuse me, Meira,

who is more interesting than us?

Aakash is messaging me.

- Hot Aakash?
- Perfect Aakash?

- Sensitive Aakash?
- Overrated Aakash.

In need of help Aakash.

[Meira] That poor guy feels left out
because he is not on our mommy groups.

- He feels very alone.
- Maybe because he is not a mom.

He doesn't make the cut.

Besides he just doesn't
have the necessary equipment.

[Laughing]

[Phone ringing]

[Anuja] Is your three point
presentation over?

- Miss Corporate!
- Yes, Aakash.

[Aakash] Well, I was being so cool
yesterday...

...that I'm in touch
with my feminine side.

Do you know what Tara said when she
looked at Naksh's private part?

She said, dad, even I want one.

Dude, I'm not prepared for this.
How do I answer these questions?

- It's not that tough, Aakash.
- Easy for you to say.

Sometimes, I feel you
know that a girl needs a mom.

Will an aunt be okay? I'll
come there to talk to Tara. Okay?

Meira, thank you. You're the best.

Moment!

[Meira] Okay, girls.
I have to leave.

[Diksha] Why so early? We
haven't even had dinner yet.

- All okay?
- Why?

- [Meira] Aakash needs me.
- Aww.

Now if he needs you, he needs you.

- Thanks for inviting me.
- Thanks for coming.

Meira, thanks.

You were really sweet with her today.
I think I just panicked.

Relax.

Kids keep asking
questions like these.

- It's natural curiosity.
- I guess.

Sometimes I feel...
How I will manage these kids alone?

So, everyone talks
about it in school.

You know...

About your wife.

It's a long story.
I'll tell you some other time.

Now it's just me.

I'm their mother

and their father.

[Girl 2] What is this?

Where are the boards?

I think now all the loo
would be unisex.

Yuck. I'm not going to
share the loo with the boys.

I don't mind sharing
with the girls.

Eww.

- Who did this?
- Amayra Sharma.

Amayra?

[Anmol] Aakash, that guitar hero?

Why is he deciding that what
should be happening in our house?

Why are you being so negative,
Anmol?

We were just talking
and the topic came up.

Aakash feels that to be saved
from bullying,

another type of bullying
will not help.

Now if Aakash is saying
something then it must be correct.

[Phone ringing]

Hello.

[Principal] When the
teacher asked Amayra

she said that our school
is not gender sensitive.

And that we are biased and our
school should not have a gender.

Amayra is not like this.

Anmol, say something.

Amu doesn't talk like that.

Where did she get these ideas
from? I don't get it.

Anmol, the problem is something
else. You have to handle it.

[Principal] I have not got any
complaint from the parents yet.

But if it happens, I'm sorry
I'll be forced to take some action.

No. It's okay.
I'll look into it. Sorry, brother.

I mean Mr. Awasthi.

- Thanks.
- We'll work on it.

Alright.

Let's go. You got it. Come on,
you guys.

Let's go! Let's go!

- Timmy.
- Pass.

Timmy. Sharma, what are you doing?

- Don't play like a girl.
- What?

Come on. Let's go! Let's go!

Come on, Sharma!
Let's go, dude!

Come on! Come on!

Come on. Grab the ball.
Come on! Come on!

Hey, I won't take you in the team
if you play like this.

- Come on.
- Fast.

[Meira] Amu.

Mom?

What are you doing here?

By removing the gender sign,
your gender will not change, right?

I hate being a girl. Okay?

Mom, everything is changing.

My body is changing.

I hate running.
I hate everyone looking at me.

[Knocks on door]
Amu, open the door, baby.

I went to the girl's loo and some
seniors, they started teasing me.

They said that I'm glooming.

Silly girl.
You should have told your mother.

Mom, why do these things
not happen with guys?

Why is this happening?

You are growing up. That's why.

It's all part of growing up.

So many things are still left.

You will develop.
Your body will grow.

Your periods will start.

Oh no. What about boys?

Will it remain the same?
They won't change?

Boys will also change.

You will see that it will be
fun to watch Niki grow up.

[Meira] His voice will crack.
Gruff voice.

He will have a mustache
and half a beard on his face.

[Laughing]
- It will be really funny.

And when this awkward
phase be over,

you will be a vibrant,
beautiful woman.

Come. I will buy you
your first training bra.

Let's go shopping.

- Bra?
- Yeah, bra.

[Urmila's Husband] Hey,
what is going on inside your head?

Why are you after them?

Her face is so identical to me.

I swear, look at this.

[Urmila's Husband] Of course, it
will be. We have given her to them.

What will you get
thinking about all this?

We can get a lot from this.

[Urmila] She is looking so rich.

See this one. This is good.

- It's good but I like this one.
- Yeah. Let's take this also.

And the blue one.

[Meira] As my kids grow,
so will their bodies.

Puberty is hard enough to deal with.

If you put gender
taboos on it, then it's over.

[Timmy] The cupcake
will get spoiled.

Mom, cupcake for you.

For me?

[Meira] Maybe it
was easy for my parents.

My brother would wear shorts
and I would wear skirts.

It was a different time.

But today,
I do not want this for my kids.

I want them to know that they
don't have to live by the rules.

No football?

No football.

[Meira] As they grow,
they can tick their own box.

They can find their own identity.

They can name their own gender.

And you know what?

That statue which says that
"A child gives birth to a mother."

If it was replaced by

"A child gives birth
to a mother and father",

then this gender debate
would have gotten over long back.

[Theme Song Playing]