Mentalhood (2020–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - The Art of Saying No - full transcript

Yes. Yes.

- [Nikhil] Yes.
- Mom, it's a PlayStation.

- From where did you get this?
- Granny sent it.

- [Nikhil] I love granny.
- What is this, mom?

I don't have a smart phone
and he gets a PlayStation?

I said no, Nikhil.
And you asked granny.

Arjun, stop.

- [Nikhil] Arjun, stop.
- Niki, I said no.

The grandparent's
job is to pamper the kids.

[Anmol's Mother] To spoil the kids.

You have already taken
our kids away from us.



And now will you take away the
right of giving gifts too?

Mummy, it was our mutual decision.

When Meira and I had decided, then
you should have asked and gifted it.

Kids are always demanding.

Anyway, are you
going for walks?

[Anmol's Mother] Yes.

Okay, good night.

[Meira] It is very difficult to say no.

And when a sweet looking kid
asks something with loving eyes,

then the heart melts.

Because when we can't
give time to the kids,

then we buy them things.

It is a classic case of parenting.

It is very easy to give in
to every demand of the child.



The real lesson of parenting
lies in telling no.

[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

[Woman 1] No is a negative word.

Studies show that repeatedly
using the word no with kids...

...lowers their self-esteem.

She is teaching us how to say no.
Tell your mother to attend this workshop.

[Woman 1] So today, we are
going to do a very simple exercise.

Which is saying no
without using the word no.

The kids will be given two options.

And we let the
kids choose for themselves...

...what is right and what is not.

Ma'am, we already know.
Lassi, cola.

What the kids are going to choose.

- [Woman 1] Let's try.
- [Aakash] Okay.

Between both the drinks, one is
healthy and the other not so much.

You have to empower your child to make
the right choice without saying no.

[Meira] This is unhealthy.
This is healthy.

Healthy. Unhealthy.

[Jigar] This one?

Why? It's a chalk.

Take this.

- What is this?
- Dissolve.

- It dissolved. Wow.
- Good boy.

My mother had taught me.

Wow, Neeru,
your mom is so sensible.

See, how sweet he is. Very good.

- Hey, Diksha. Hi.
- Hey, what's up?

Neeru, see mumma.
Hi, mumma. Say hi!

[Meira] Hi. Missing you.

Hats off to your parenting.

In your absence, you have
taught such a big lesson to Neeru.

It is all because of you. Diksha.

I love mumma.

[Meira] We all were giving
different advices to Diksha.

We were angry that she did
not take her son to the doctor.

But it was Diksha who...

...had taught the best lesson to
her son to choose the right thing.

[Namrata] Please make sure
your calendars are free.

It has an alarm within.

- [Namrata] Please come.
- Wow.

Hey.
The party of the year.

Vicky and Timmy wait
the whole year for your party.

[Anuja] What the hell, Namrata.

You stole Mahisha's
theme for Shaista's birthday.

They sold it to me.

You hadn't paid in full.
I paid double.

Hey, Nams, fantastic invite.
Thank you so much.

I will be there for sure.

Furthermore,
my daughter has a theme at least.

What are you going to do about
Mahisha's birthday next month?

Oh my God.
You are that kind of mom.

What kind of mom?

The one who doesn't have time for
kids so she spends money on them.

The weekend mom, about whom
the Mental Mom keeps writing about.

[Anuja] The mother who
overcompensates to hide her guilt.

In fact,
you should read her recent blog.

She has written
about non mothers like you.

No, why would she write about them?

[Meira] She writes about herself...
I mean her experiences.

You got your gift. Now go.

Listen, Ajo. There were
birthday parties in Kanpur as well.

But I am not talking about
the small birthday parties.

[Anuja] These are big grand
parties with original themes.

Lots of money. Brilliant ideas.

It is priceless.

[Anuja] Power play on and
she thinks she is still winning.

Do I need to state the obvious?
Yes, state the obvious.

The obvious being, how did you
get the time to give birth to Shaista?

Like how did you manage to do that?

- The war has begun.
- Wait a minute.

Mahisha is a senior.
I am inviting Shaista's classmates.

So I am not going to see you.

Whatever.

We have received the tablets.

That too two of them.

One for Vicky and Timmy to share.

- And one for you?
- Yes.

[Shaista] Mumma!

You knew I wanted the mermaid theme.

Mermaids are so out dated.

- Wonder woman. That's a shero.
- That's not fair.

Dear, trust me. It is going
to be a beautiful party.

- It will be super fun.
- What I want isn't there.

Papa, you haven't told
mumma anything at all.

Is this party for me
or to show off to the aunties?

Shaista. Come on.
Don't talk like that.

Okay. What do you want?

What do you want?

[Namrata] Whatever you want.

- [Shaista] Really?
- Namrata.

Really.

Raj Khanna comes to school in a BMW.

- I also want that.
- It is an unreasonable demand.

Okay, fine.
Then you can cut my birthday cake.

[Shaista] I don't want
to come for the party.

Which one should I eat?

Eat any. All of them
matches with your dress.

[Laughing]

- Will you have it?
- Intermittent.

[Priety] Ajo.
Namo's daughter's birthday party?

I know.

Namo does a lot for Shaista.

Nobody would even do
so much for their own kids.

- Shaista is Namo's daughter.
- Not if you know what I know.

- What?
- [Anuja] We must go for her party.

Right? I love Namo's parties.
I was suggesting that.

Sorry, dear.
She did not invite you.

I mean...

The best parties to go to are
the ones you are not invited to.

What?

Are you up to something?

[Clears throat]

[Anuja] Let's just say

that Ajo is going to do
something...

...that will not just
rock Namrata's party.

It will rock her life.

- What do you mean?
- I have seen Shaista's medical files.

Okay.

She is adopted.

So you...

None of these are good. Not one.

She is a ten year old kid.
Gift her any book or a toy.

She gave us a tablet.
And we give her books in return.

What kind of barter is this?

Now don't tell me I should
spend lakhs for my children.

It should be special so that she will
exclaim, wow, it's a gift from Meira Sharma.

[Namrata] Yes, Trisha.
Just get the best deal on cars.

What's wrong with you, Namrata?
She is just a kid.

Kunal, it is just a car.
It is okay.

No, it is not Namrata.

Why are you trying to prove that
you are a good mother?

Because the world
is always judging me, Kunal.

[Namrata] Today, these mothers are
judging me. Tomorrow, Shaista will.

When she will come to know that
I am not her real mother.

You know, she will remember everything
that I have not done for her.

She is going to count
all my failures not my love.

[Namrata] And so I
want this party to be perfect.

And I am going to make it perfect.

[Timmy] Let's hurry up and eat it.

Hey, you.

- Mom, what are you doing?
- I won't spare you.

Please don't do this. Be how
you used to be.

- [Timmy] Please.
- Shut up. Stop laughing.

If you even take a bite of the sweet,
I won't take you for the party.

Mom, you always say that.
But you will surely take us.

No party.

I am already ready.

They are punished.
We will go. They will stay here.

What happened?

- You too want to stay here?
- [Gaurav] Okay, let's go. Bye.

[Tarun] Is it necessary to go?
Didn't you have a fight with Namrata?

Yes. But Kunal has called us.
We must go.

He is so annoying. He will start
telling stories about his start up.

No.

Today, they won't
have the time to think.

- Hi.
- Hi.

- Hi.
- Hi, everyone.

Hello.

[Nikhil] Papa, can we go and play?

- Yes, go.
- Go.

I am not so sure.
Jigar will get very upset.

D, relax.
You want to meet Neeru?

You miss him?

He misses you.
Come on.

Neeru.

- Hi.
- Come on. Go in.

Hi.

Thanks.

- Hey, take care of my kids.
- [Diksha] Okay.

- Hi.
- Okay.

- Where are the kids? I can't see them.
- [Priety] Punishment.

They ate sweets in
spite of me denying them.

I said, enough.
There is a limit to everything.

- Such a big punishment.
- My wife doesn't do anything half-heartedly.

She goes all out.

- Anyway, let's have some drinks.
- [Anmol] Sure.

[Laughing]

I want to sit down.

Okay. Let's sit down.
Come on.

[Jigar] Neeru.

I will just grab a bite.

You guys have fun.

Thanks, Jigar.

Yay. Winner.

[Namrata] Siashu.

Come.

Cut the cake.

Mom I told you I won't cut
the cake till I get that.

So what are you giving Shaista?

Oh I got a lovely gift.
It is the top of the line PlayStation.

Really?
Wow, well done you.

- Excuse me.
- Thanks.

Meira!

You gave Nikhil's PlayStation to them?

Yes, we had decided we won't give it
to Niki to teach him a lesson.

You did this to
teach Nikhil a lesson?

Or to make yourself look
cool in front of other moms?

- No, I thought...
- You think so much nowadays?

I was on your side
when Nikhil was being stubborn.

But what you have
done today is not okay.

Before you preach the kids,
you should learn yourself.

[Anmol] What were you thinking?

[Traffic noise]

Really, Anuja?

Really.

Speed up.

[Phone ringing]

Hello.

Ajo, are you at home?

I mean I did not see
you at the party so...

[Laughing nervously]

I thought we are saved.

Namrata is my best friend.

And how can I not be there?
I am on my way there.

Hope you are not
going to do something.

[Chuckles]

How will you enjoy
if I spill the beans now?

- Ajo...
- Wait for it.

- Okay, bye.
- Listen...

- [Namrata] What is she doing here?
- I have called them.

[Kunal] Tarun Joshi
is an important man.

Kunal. Are you for real?

- She has come to spoil the party.
- Stop being a kid.

You know, networking is
very important for my business.

You should have told me.

Hi.

- [Anuja] Hello.
- Take care of your friend.

- She is up to some mischief.
- What?

Ajo, you have come here to expose,
right?

Not at all. Where is Namo?

Na...

Namo.

Ajo, please.

Please don't do this.

This is not a mother's
competition. Okay?

This is an extremely
sensitive and a personal matter.

[Priety] Somebody's
family can be ruined.

Priety.

You are really boring me now.

You know,
what you are forgetting is...

...that you are actually nothing?
I made you cool.

I made you a member
of this whole GI group.

Had I not been there, who
would have hidden your stupidity?

So please. Just zip it.

Let me handle it, okay?

Also... This lipstick.

Never.

- Namo. Ajo...
- Hi.

[Namrata] I know Ajo is here.
My husband.

- Let her be.
- It is not that.

- She knows.
- What does she know?

About Shaista.

I don't know how.

What's going on?

Shaista is adopted.

You know Ajo.
She has got a big secret.

[Priety] She is
going to do something.

She is here to ruin it all.

Don't worry.

- We won't let it happen.
- Let me figure out something.

Trisha. Is it ready?

[Priety] She has gone mad.
Not listening to me at all.

- Ajo.
- Excuse us, ladies.

- Listen, Ajo.
- Please talk to me when I talk to you.

I don't want to argue with you.

It is not about Namrata and you.

Just look around you.
It is a child's birthday party.

Kids are not bothered about the
theme nor the cake.

They just want to have a good time.

Listen, Ajo.

You are a mother too.

You will not only hurt Namrata,

but will also hurt a child.

Also, I want to make a
very important announcement.

- Hello.
- Have you finalised the locker?

Yes, mummy. I had told you
that Aakash helped me and it is done.

Now I am at the party.

Aakash is very helpful.

Aakash has a lot of time.
He works from home.

He isn't like Anmol who
works at the office for 12 hours.

I had told you.

This would be the case
if you marry a corporate guy.

Neither here nor there.

Mummy, I am at a party.
Talk to you later.

[Meira's Mother] Listen.
Who is the nominee?

Anmol. Who else?

Meira, I had explained it to you
to make Amayra the nominee.

It is for the women of the family.

- [Meira's Mother] Meira.
- Mom.

Enough of this.
You just go on talking.

Bye.

[Namrata] Ajo, look. Please.

I know that you know
that Shaista is adopted.

- But in front of everyone...
- Ajo.

Why do you need to tell
this in front of everyone?

Because Ajo exactly knows how to
take advantage of somebody's weakness.

- Namo.
- Right.

Her birth mom is already
harassing me a lot.

She has been blackmailing us.

Shaista.

- How are you?
- [Shaista] I am fine, aunty.

Chocolates for you.

Thank you.

Don't you recognise me?

I recognised you.

- I am your mummy...
- She is a very old friend of your mom.

- Shaistu. Say Hello.
- Hi.

Okay, I will keep them.
You go enjoy the party. Okay.

- [Urmila] Okay.
- [Meira] Excuse me. Sit down.

I saw you following Shaista.

And I knew there
was something wrong.

Ajo, so what if I adopted her?
Am I not her mother?

[Shushing]

You know, I could not conceive.

Please. I chose that child.

Don't make my kid's life a gossip.

But it is not gossip

if it is not a secret.

Everyone should know it.

I am back.

You have made a big
mistake by coming here.

You are scared for no reason.

I just came to have
a glimpse of my daughter.

Your daughter?

She is the daughter of that woman
who has raised her since her childhood.

Who raised her, nurtured her.

You have lost that right.

But Shaista has a
right to know her mother.

And when she wants to know,
she will come in search of you.

But you don't have a right
to spoil...

...the child's life for
your selfishness.

I want to raise a toast.

Or should I say roast.

[Laughing]

To Namrata.

I am Namrata's oldest friend.

But we were always in competition.

I came first in history
and she come first in math.

I was first in drama
and she was in debate.

Same same, but different.

When I married Tarun...

...and I became Mrs. Joshi,

I thought I have arrived.
I have won.

But no.

Namo strikes back.

Business woman of the year. Boss lady.
On the cover of every magazine.

Namrata Dalmia. Amazing.

Shaista.

Darling, you want to
hear a secret about your mother?

[Mouthing]

Actually, not only you, but I will
tell this secret to everyone today.

- What are you doing?
- [Priety] Stop it. You are drunk.

- Let's go from here.
- [Anuja] Yes, I am drunk. Shut the f...

No abusing when there are children.

Just shut up and let me speak.
Everybody should know this secret.

Do you know what the truth is?

Shaista, the truth is

that your mother...

Your mother...
Listen carefully, okay?

[Meira] You gave her
for adoption because...

...her life would be better.

Her life is very good.

You call yourself a mother.
Then be a mother.

Not about yourself.
Think about Shaista.

Move back. Just back off.

Just gave me 9 lakh rupees.

I too have a right.

Even after I explained so
much, you still can't get it.

[Anuja] Your mother...

...is a bloody...

Bloody...

Fab and beautiful mother.

This woman...

Fab.

She is the best mother.

Had I done the theme
of Wonder Woman,

it wouldn't have been so good.

She did it nicely.

The best CEO. The best mother.

She always wins.

So I raise a toast to a woman
who pushes me to be better.

Who always strives to be better.

May she always win.

To Namo.

[Applause]

We are not friends.

And this competition is not over,
but tonight,

your biggest competitor,
Anuja Joshi

bows to you.

[Applause]

What were you saying? Blackmailing?

Not blackmail. I just...

You cannot harass the
adopted child's new family.

If you are seen here again,
you will get arrested.

You are not needed here.
Please take her away.

Come.

Thanks, Diksha.
You quickly brought these guys.

I knew it. Something was wrong.

Now the people from the NGO
will tackle her.

To reveal it to Shaista or not
is only Namrata's choice.

Let's keep this amongst ourselves.

Obviously.

[Applause]

Wow.

- I love you, mummy.
- I love you too.

[All] Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday, dear Shaista.

Happy birthday to you.

Lovely car.

- [Priety] Wow.
- Are you okay?

[Diksha] Seriously.

Yes.

Can't imagine I just gifted my
ten-year-old daughter a beamer.

[Laughing]

Seriously.

And I can't believe
I did not destroy your party.

I gifted my son's gift to someone else

to get a good impression.

[Laughing]

And I punished my kids
severely in my anger.

And we all think
we are wonder women.

[Laughing]

Can I get the gift back please?

[Laughing]

What?

[Meira] The enjoyment there is in
listening to every word of child.

The sparkle in their eyes.
That big hug.

The sound of thank you mommy.

We all love it.

But you know what?

Sometimes, telling a no
is also rewarding.

There is a limit
for every yes and no.

And we have to decide that balance.

I am back.

Oh wow.

But no more shouting at me!

Sorry, mumma.
We won't do it anymore.

[Meira] Teach me.

Are you sure?

- Sometimes, I too can say sorry.
- Okay.

[Meira] There is an art in saying no.

And it is not simple as it looks.

[Theme song playing]