Script of Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Che! - Final Draft

Kai Po Che !! story screenplay dialogue Abhishek Kapoor Pubali chaudhuri Chetan Bhagat Supratik Sen

Produced by Utv Directed by Abhishek Kapoor

Version 16th March 2012

Kai Po Che!!

1

EXT. TENNIS COURT - MORNING A young boy training hard against a ball spitting machine, wearing an "Sabarmati Sports" jersey.

1A

EXT. TRIPLE JUMP PIT - MORNING A young girl runs in and leaps off the board. She lands in the sand pit. Her coach motivates her. GOVIND (V.O.) Preeti Patel,16, state champion.. Triple jump..Bombay Scottish High School

1B

EXT. ATHLETICS FIELD - DAY A North eastern lady, broad, well built,throwing a discuss. GOVIND (V.O.) Beenamol Devi,21, National Discus Champion, St. Joseph's, Imphal.

1C

INT. OLYMPIC SIZE POOL - DAY A young boy swimming hard, with his coach timing his laps. Coach in "Sabarmati Sports" jersey.

2

INT. PRESENTATION ROOM/AMBANI SCHOOL - DAY A video presentation in progress with footage of the above athletes and more playing on a screen. GOVIND (V.O.) Atul Jhabua, 14, 100m,200m & 400m freestyle swimming. National champion, Chattisgarh High School". The next video is of a young boy running a 110 mts hurdle and gives a jubilant scream as he reaches the finish line. His coach cheers him on. Both in 'Sabarmati Sports' tshirts. GOVIND (V.O.) (CONT'D) Rachit Verma,16, National Champion 110 mts hurdle.. Chandigarh DAV School Lights come on. Govind,a bespectacled sharp-looking successful business man in his early 30's, addresses the entire school board.

2. GOVIND (V.O.) (CONT'D) Pichle dus saalon mein hamare institute ne char sau se bhi zyada schools ko sports consultancy di hai.Agar aapke school mein koi Sachin, Sania ya Milkha chupa hai, to hamara kaam hai use parakhna, tarashna aur use apne sahi mukaam tak pahunchana. Forty state level, eight National level players and soon, our first protege to represent India in international cricket Ali Hashmi.. 3

INT. SABARMATI JAIL - DAY Track along the cell wall adorned by pictures of a young Ali (not clearly visible)winning tournaments and pictures of 3 young boys in their early teens (Omi, Ish and Govind). We track along as names of the discharged prisoners is called out. We stop on a silhouette of OMI,sitting silently. WARDEN (V.O.) Ramakant Shrike, Jiten Barodia... Omkar Shastri Music fades in.

4

EXT. HIGHWAY/ TUNNEL - DAY A shot of speeding lights through a dark tunnel. As the car emerges out of the tunnel into daylight we see Govind behind the wheels of a "Honda Accord,2010 model". Various shots of him driving.

5

INT. SABARMATI JAIL - DAY The other convicts are signing discharge papers followed by Omi. Ramakant who is a drunk is over excited, Jiten who looks like a thug seems unmoved while Omi has a look of a saint, someone who has made peace with living in pain. AS HE STEPS OUT, ITS A HAND HELD SHOT. ITS THE FIRST TIME HE'S STEPPING OUT IN 10 YRS. THE SUN IS SHINING IN HIS FACE AND WITH HIS BEARD AND THE GLOW HE LOOKS LIKE AN ENLIGHTENED SOUL Govind stands next to the car as Omi takes his first step out. The two men seem extremely familiar with each other, yet inhabit two different worlds. They hug and the moment is suspended in time. OMI Ishaan nahi aaya?

3. GOVIND Aa raha hai..Seedha stadium paunchega. 6

EXT. HIGHWAY - DAY As Govind drives back with Omi, he takes a business call. GOVIND Haan principal saab...ji.. Ji sorry sir voh to nahi ho sakta.15 lakh is the bare minimum for equipment and infrastructure. Is ko cost nahi investment ki tarah dekhiye. No problem sir...next year aajaiye jab funds ho aap ke paas. Jai Sir Krishna sir. OMI Kaam kaise chal raha hai? Govind half smiles and shrugs. GOVIND Be Achcha chal raha hai.. Ab tu aa gaya hai ne..Daudega A lot of past history is communicated in the way they interact, even as they both fall silent, looking ahead at the road curving along the Ghats. TITLE SONG FADES OUT.

7

INT. HIGHWAY FOOD COURT - DAY The food plaza is quite crowded and noisy as a waiter places a plate of khandvis/ dhoklas and tea at the counter where Govind and Omi are seated. The waiter lays the food on the table GOVIND Ghar ke jaisa to nahi hai but try karke dekh.. Mangaya hai to Omi smiles and takes a sip of tea as his attention goes to the television set playing in the corner. The ad for the first one day match between India and South Africa to be played in Baroda today runs on television... Excerpts from some previous match is shown on tv where a bowler makes a loud appeal against Tendulkar. Omi was about to take a bite of the dhokla but stops mid way.

8

INT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE - EVENING Super: March, 2000, Ahmedabad

4. Omi has just bitten into a piece of dhokla. Cricket commentary can be heard on the tv announcing the fall of Tendulkar's wicket. We hear a huge sigh in the living room followed by an irritable voice. ISHAAN Benchow..hil mat

(O.S.)

Omi freezes in mid action and gently sits down again beside ISHAAN, a young, fit, good looking 25 year old boy seated rather ungracefully on an ornate, typical Gujarati swing in a middle class household. The tension is palpable. Govind sits on the dining table with Ishaan's father, who has a cheque book in hand. Govind is focused as he is explaining the lease agreement to Ishaan's dad. Ishaan's antics are irritating his father. He stares at the tv placed in the centre of a typical living room show case with crockeries, trophies and some odd knick-knacks displayed on the shelves. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Nai la..nai..Joshi ko mat bhej...dada Tailender ko tailender hi rehne de Omi repeats Ishaan's insight to Govind who is seated on another chair. OMI Panauti hai saala. GOVIND Bayalis hazaar paach sau...poore 6 mahine ka deposit. Gokuldham Charitable Trust ke naam se.. Ishaan's father affixes his reading glasses to make a cheque, although he is a bit hesitant. Just then a young girl with a mole on her upper lip, VIDYA(20) enters the room and plonks down beside the landline telephone and starts dialing. She smiles at Omi and notices Govind but Govind doesn't acknowledge her. Ishaan ignores her presence as he's too busy analysing the match situation. ISHAAN Waise Dada ne pehle bhi aisa blind khela hai.. 90 ka strike rate to hai iska.. dekhte hain...its an interesting move..

5. Omi is now confused and draws Vidya into the conversation by telling her wisely. OMI Actually.. Dekha jaye to Joshi bhi theek thaak mar leta hai..' Pinch hitter'!! Vidya just smiles and says 'hello' over the telephone. Govind smirks at Omi's chamchagiri of Ishaan and watches the TV screen as Uncle examines the lease document once more. GOVIND Abhi bhi do sau ke upar run chahiye.. Over bache hai saitees..(mumbling to himself).. Cheh ke upar run rate maintain rakhna padega.. Tendlya bhi nahi hai.. ISHAAN Uff Govi.. Ab number phekna band kar.. Cricket sirf tere statistics se nahi chalta.. Its a mind game.. Omi.. 'Hari om' Omi starts to chant his prayers softly. Ishaan's father finishes reading the document and speaks in a cloud of doubt. ISHAAN'S FATHER Kya chalegi...Sports ki dukaan mandir ke bahar? GOVIND Kyun nahi Kaka.. Families bhar bhar ke mandir aati hai aur bacche zabardasti bore hote hain.. Ek baar dukaan khul jayegi, aap dekhna dhanda daudega..( Bends forward to whisper a shared secret with Uncle) Uncle Ishaan District khel chuka hai, saare bacche use maante hain.. Is business plan ko leke who bhi kaafi excited hai. ISHAAN'S FATHER Bekaar excited hone se kuch nahi hota beet.. Mehnat karni hoti hain jo sahebjyade ne kabhi ki nahin. GOVIND Karega na uncle.. Apne passion ke liye aadmi kuch bhi karta hai

6. They watch Ishaan as he is sitting in an awkward position with one arm raised. Govind and Ishaan's father are surprised and turn to Omi for an explanation. OMI Pran liya hai, jab tak india jitega nahi ek paanv par... GOVIND Kya? OMI Arey aise thode na match jit-te hain, jitana padta hai. Uncle smirks in disdain and signs the cheque and hands it to govind. Govind is over joyed but restrains himself as he sees his partners preoccupied. Vidya notices Govind's excitement. Vidya still on the phone. VIDYA Maari gayee!!She went on a date? Tujhe kisne bataya? Ishaan is further irritated at this intrusion and turns towards his sister. ISHAAN Concentrate karne de V..kaan ke paas commentary mat kar.. bahar jake phone kar apna. Vidya makes a face and is about to say something when Omi gestures her to keep calm. Vidya gestures how Ishaan has a loose screw in his head and Omi grins. Vidya turns her face away and continues to talk softly. Ishaan gets irritated. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Bahar jaati hai ki.. Ishaan threateningly looks at Vidya. She stares at him for a few seconds and then leaves. Just as Ishaan refocuses on the match, the rhythmic honk of a roadside romeo's car disrupts his mood again. Ish knows that sound and snaps. He gets up and picks up a bat from behind the door and storms out. Omi doesn't know what's going on but runs after him. Govind watches them leave, has no choice but to follow. He has the cheque in his hands. 9

EXT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE- EVENING Ishaan comes running out and stands in the way of a Maruti Esteem. The driver brakes and wears an irritated look.

7. Ishaan pastes a smile on his face and goes up to the driver. ISHAAN Boss..aapka headlight latak raha hai. A young muscular rich boy steps out of the car with a bemused look, not knowing what Ishaan is talking about. Headlight..

RICH BOY Kya..?

Ishaan now pulls out the bat from behind him, slamming the headlight and points to the broken light ISHAAN Dekh..ye left wala. The guy is infuriated and starts abusing Ishaan RICH BOY Phuck..Tari to.. Ishaan hands over the bat to Omi. Ish tackles this boy and gives him a tight slap. ISHAAN Saale.. Esteem ni chatti aulaad.. Pae-pae papapae, pae pae papapae.. Kaisa baja at hai bol Ishaan's over-the-top aggressiveness makes Omi nervous. He slams the bat on to the windscreen and shatters it as his natural response is to support Ishaan. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Dobara is pol mein dikha na to tere peeche se horn bajaoonga, saale gaadi ke jagah, ghutno pe ghar jayega. Govind draws Omi's attention to Ishaan's father who has come out of the house at the commotion. Omi drops the bat as Govind tries to warn Ishaan but Ish has gone into a fit of anger as he presses the guy's head against the horn. GOVIND Ish..chhod use..Bapuji.. Ish's father comes behind, trying to get Ish to back off. Ishaan..

BABUJI Chhodo use.

Ishaan shrugs his father off and continues to press the boys face on the horn.

8. BABUJI (CONT'D) Ishaan.. Hosh mein aao..akhir hua kya hai? ISHAAN Do hafton se Vidya ko pareshan kar rakha hai.ab khud chalke aaya hai sorry bolne. And smacks him one more time. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Hai na brother? Ye bapuji hai..Inko bhi sorry bol. (sputters)

RICH KID Sorry..

Father pulls Ishaan back. BABUJI Tu apne baap ko kab sorry bolega? Khud do saal se ghar pe baith ke maakhi maar raha hai..aur baaki duniya ko grammer sikhaane nikla hai.. Ishaan is embarrassed that his father is giving him a dressing down in front of others. He literally pushes the guy inside his shattered car, slamming the door shut and gestures him to leave. ISHAAN Chal reverse maar aur nikal yahan se.. Ghelghagrino Tv noises filter in from neighbouring houses as a kid shouts out "India jeet gaya". Ishaan's expression immediately changes to one of jubilation. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Shit yaar.. Winning shot miss ho gaya.. Chal. chal.. Ganguly ka interview aa raha hoga. Ishaan immediately breezes past his father and runs towards his house. Ishaan's father walks behind his son, carrying on with his complaints. BABUJI Bas bhatkel doston ke saath din bhar cricket dekhte raho.. Cable ke paison ke liye phir bapu ke paas aana.. Govind and Omi trail behind with their head hung low. Ishaan's father turns to address Govind.

9. BABUJI (CONT'D) Aise dhanda karoge tum log? OMI Uncle galti us ladke hi hai..voh Vidya ko.. BABUJI Sab bas ek doosre ki tarafdari karo.. Koi kisi kaam ka nahi hai.. Nalayak.. Idhar lao cheque. Ishaan's father snatches the cheque from Govind's pocket. Govind looks like he has lost his lottery ticket. Ishaan turns around sharply. GOVIND Uncle it is our future! Ishaan, tu kya kar raha hai yaar. Sorry bol.. Please.. dukaan chale jayegi Ishaan stares at his father who doesn't blink. to eyeball.

Its eyeball

ISHAAN Nahi chahiye inke paise Finally Bapu stares him down and tears the cheque. Govind is stunned. Ishaan just turns around from the gate and instead of going inside, walks straight out. Ishaan's father shakes his head in resignation and enters the house.

10

EXT. OLD CITY NEIGHBOURHOOD- EVENING Omi calls out to Ishaan, following him. behind.

Govind is close

OMI Arre bakaa..Kahan bhaage ja raha hai? Ishaan walks ahead seething and answers without looking back. Just then an azaan is heard in the distance. ISHAAN Tu ghar ja Omi, teri aarti ka time ho raha hai. Omi makes a face as he looks at his watch and sees how late he is. Ishaan walks ahead leaving his two friends behind.

10. 11

EXT.NANA PARK - EVENING Ish walks into an old neighborhood park which is not very well maintained and has a row of residential houses bordering it on all sides. Group of youngsters are playing cricket in the ground. The older guys hold the best position at the center, while the younger kids play in pockets around the park. Ish seems like a popular figure as some of the older boys greet him. TEENAGER 1 Ish bhai, match dekha? Kya solid tension hua na end mein! TEENAGER2 Bhai, 4 overs a side ho jaye? Aadhe aadhe baant lete hai.. But Ish is not in a mood as he shakes his head and perches on the back rest of a broken down bench to sulk. Nai teni..

ISHAAN Tum log khelo..

Suddenly a ball comes soaring from a distant corner of the park, Ishaan instinctively reaches out to catch the ball but there is no mistake, this was a 6. Ishaan looks curious as one of the younger boys waves at him from the corner. Bhai..

BOY1 Ball please!!

Ish throws the ball back to some guys who pass it forward. ISHAAN Crease pe kaun hai Jayla? JAYESH Koi naya ladka hai Ish Bhai,hamare pol ka nahin hai. He can't see too clearly from the distance but notices a lanky young boy with a white net Kufi skull cap and a bat in his hand, standing at the crease. Stay on Ishaan's face... dialogue overlap from next scene...inaudible heated argument. 12

INT/EXT. GOVIND HOUSE - EVENING Govind and his mother are standing at the doorway talking to a retailer who is loading khakra and theplas into the rickshaw waiting outside.

11. GOVIND Kya..Praful bhai, gayee diwali se rate badhaane ki baat hui thi.. Idhar mehangayee to har mahine badhe ja rahi hai PRAFUL BHAI Agle time se har item pe do do rupayee badha denge GOVIND Chaar bola tha aapne Chalo..

PRAFUL BHAI Teen pakdo

To Govind's mother PRAFUL BHAI (CONT'D) Govind bhai gilli danda ramta tha tyaarthi tamara khakhra thepla vechu chu, koi diwas nuksaan thayu che?? Par govind bhai paako vyaapari banigyo, haan jamna ben? JAMNABEN Badhi thakur ji ni krupa che The retailer nods and makes a quick get away. turns inside.

Govind

GOVIND Fraud che saalo. 13

INT. GOVIND'S HOUSE - EVENING This is a much more modest household than Ishaan's... discoloured walls with chipped off paint... numerous large aluminium jars of food material stocked in the room. Govind's mother is serving him dinner. Govind in an inner vest and trousers counting the money briskly GOVIND'S MOM Engineering kar leta to mahine ke mahine ek bandheli income to aati. Yeh tuition deke aur farsan bechke kya sudhi chaal se? Govind just about finishing counting GOVIND 1600.. 1700.1800.. Please ba!! Koshish kar raha hoon main!! Mother is taken aback by his sudden outburst

12. GOVIND (CONT'D) Naukri karke main kisi aur ke sapne poore nahi karna chahta..mujhe apna dhanda jamaana hai, apne khud ka dhanda Govind pauses for a bit and pulls his mother next to him then speaks with resolve. GOVIND (CONT'D) Tu bas dekh.. Paanch saal ke andar seedhe satellite road pe ghar leke doonga tujhe. Mother breaks into a half smile. Govind is about to have the first bite of the roti sabzi when the old landline phone in his house rings. GOVIND (CONT'D) Kaun bolo.. Haan Kaki.. Ishaan...mere saath hi tha.. Bhejta hoon usko. Govind's mother looks questioningly as Govind covers his food with another plate and heads out again. MOTHER Khana..? GOVIND Aake kha lunga ba..tu so janaa...jaagte mat baithna. A wide shot of Govind leaving his house. 14

EXT. NANA PARK - NIGHT The park is now empty; the last of the kids headed home. A street lamp throws a long shadow of Ishaan and Omi perched on the bench. OMI Arrey Kaka ka to roz ka babaal hai..tu dil pe leke kyon baitha hai? ISHAAN .. Sab kuch chod chaad ke bhaag jane ka mann karta hai. A third shadow now joins them as Govind's voice is heard. GOVIND (O.S.) Haan bas bhagte rahte hai zindagi bhar.. Sirf aaj ka din thand nahi rakh sakta tha tu.. (MORE)

13. GOVIND (O.S.) (CONT'D) Kitni mushkil se kaka ko pataya tha.. Sign kiya cheque jeb mein tha.. Omi gives Govind a stern look for scolding Ishaan. OMI Aur khule aam sadak pe who chad gaye hum pe..Woh kuch nahi? Apni toh koi izzat hi nahi hai na? Govind mellows down. GOVIND Kabhi to serious ho jao yaar? Kab tak yahin pol mein sadte rahenge? Main do hazaar pandrah tak tuitions nahi de sakta. Ish, tere matlab ka business tha. Hum dukaan sambhaalte aur tu side mein apni coaching karta... Sab set karke rakha tha.. Shi?!! The three figures are seen in silhouette as silence befalls them. ISHAAN (sighs) Kuch to karna padega.baithe rahe to baithe hi reh jayenge OMI Haan yaar Ish.. Govind stares at Omi. GOVIND Kya karenge? Ab deposit ke paise kahan se aayenge? Mandir ka donation box churaenge aap? Omi pinches his ears as he has heard something blasphemous. Govind gets serious. GOVIND (CONT'D) Omi, baat kar apne bapu se.. Kisi bhi tarah dukan rok ke rakh.. Main kuch bandobast karta hun. 15

INT. GOKULDHAM TEMPLE - DAY It is early morning. SHASTRIJI,Omi's father, (60) is seated by the temple in a conversation with BITTOO, a heavy set man(40). Omi is setting up the idols for the morning aarti in the inner sanctum. His mother is working along side.

14. BITOO MAMA Shastriji is baar na mat boliye.. Parekhji khud aana chhahte the aapse milne lekin kisi party ke kaam se unhe gandhinagar jaana pada SHASTRIJI Bitoo tum mere apne ho aur tumhe baar baar nirash karna mujhe achcha nahi lagta. Main thera pooja pathwala aadmi, Yeh sab raajneeti wagaira mere bas ki baat nahi hai.. BITTOO MAMA Jan seva bhi to bhagwan ki seva se kam nahi hai shastriji.. Ek baar aur soch lijiye Shastriji smiles. SHASTRIJI Aarti ka time ho raha hai, prasad leke jaana SCENES 16 & 17 DELETED 18

INT. OMI'S HOUSE - NIGHT Compared to the rich ornate idols in the temple, Omi's house is simply furnished with pictures of deities and saints crammed on to the wall. Omi is hovering around while his father reads a long scroll type traditional almanac. His mother is collecting the pickle jars and the chillies that she had kept out in the sun in the small court yard. Omi has recited his plan and is excited. OMI To aap baat karenge baapu? Omi's father is lost in his work. OMI (CONT'D) Bapuu? Omi's father finally looks up. OMI (CONT'D) Aap trustees se ek baar baat karenge na dukaan ke bare mein? OMI'S FATHER Tujhe kya pata hai dukaandari ke baare mein? Kabhi vyapaar kiya hai? Nuksaan hua to Kaun bharega?

15. Omi seems exasperated. OMI Arre Bapu,Govind ne saari planning kar rakhi hai. Jis din jagah lock ho jayegi, hamaari partnership shuru. Omi's father shakes his head in hesitation. OMI'S FATHER Trust ka sara kaam Bittoo dekhta hai. Yeh uchit nahi hoga ki main trustees se tere liye kuch maangoo. Omi's father opens the almanac again. Omi's mother sees the disappointment on Omi's face and pulls him aside OMI'S MOTHER Bapu ki baton mein mat aa..tere apne mama hain..Seedha jaake baat kar ne. Omi looks uncertain as his mother walks away OMI Aap ek baar baat karke dekho na Ma.. 19

INT. BITTOO'S HOUSE - DAY We cut in to see BITTOO speaking over the phone. He exudes the aura of a natural leader. In the modest living room the only thing new is the old crib where an 18 month old baby lies. A 4 year old girl is holding a dangler and playing with the baby. Sound of the pressure cooker whistle can be heard from the kitchen. BITTOO MAMA Shastri ji toh prachaar ke liye nahi maane.. Yeh paanchvi baar hai.. Khair aap nishchint rahiye .Amdavad se humen koi hila nahi sakta.. sab karyakarta josh mein hai.Gujarat Garima ka naara har sheri, har gav mein goonjega..is baar jhande gaad denge. Just then Bittoo's daughter has somehow upset her baby brother and the baby starts wailing. Bittoo goes and picks up the baby and Omi enters. He's on his way back from the Aarti, fully scrubbed with teeka on the head. He clutches a packet of prasad. Bittoo gestures Omi to sit down. BITTOO MAMA (CONT'D) Haan..wo Naseer Hashmi na? Mehta ka khaas chamcha hai.. Wo apne pol mein hi fudakta rahta hai.. (MORE)

16. BITTOO MAMA (CONT'D) aap tension mat lo..poora sheher pada hai,Parekh Bhai.is baar jeet nishchint hai Bittoo's young wife, looking a bit flustered, comes running from the kitchen and picks up the baby in her arms. The elder daughter starts tugging at her ma's sari asking for something. BITTOO MAMA (CONT'D) Ji Parekh bhai,ho jayega..aap befhikr raho..Jai Shree Krishna In the meantime Vishwas, Bittoo's right hand man turns up with some files in his hand and waits patiently for Bittoo to be free. Bittoo hangs up the phone, turning to Omi. Aur Omi.. hoon teri

BITTOO MAMA (CONT'D) Kya seva kar sakta

OMI Bas Mama.. Baddu saru che.. thodo prasad

Aa

Bittoo does a slight pranam and takes a bit of the prasad. BITTOO MAMA Jharna ben ka phone aaya tha. Cricket training cum sports shop.. Hmm?? Char Char kirayedar line mein khade hue hai.. Par dukaan maine tere liye rok ke rakhi hai.. uska problem nahi hai. Sports waise bhi bahut important discipline hai. Isse youth motivated rahta hai. Toh batao seth chaabi kab chahiye? Omi looks a little sheepish. OMI (pauses) Mama.. Who hamara thoda deposit ka dhandiya hai.. Aur agar aapko koi aur mil hi gaya hai to.. BITTOO MAMA Oh..Achha.. (thoughtful) Bittoo looks up at Vishwas.

He mulls for a while.

BITTOO MAMA (CONT'D) Arre.. itni jaldi haar kyon maan raha hai? (In a tone of self importance).. (MORE)

17. BITTOO MAMA (CONT'D) Pehli baar kuch maanga hai.. Deposit ki chinta mat kar.. Aakhir Mama hoon tera. He looks at Vishwas. Vishwas immediately rummages through some drawer and hands over a big key to Omi. Omi is shocked at the ease with it has happened. VISHWAS Bittoo Bhai,who Satellite area no builder Kantilal Shah neeche office maan baitho che. (gujarati) BITTOO MAMA ene chaas pivdao..(gujarati) (turning to Omi) Bas? Biju kai? Omi immediately dips to the ground to do a pranaam to Mama. OMI Thank you mama..kaam thaigyu. BITTOO MAMA Aa baddu chhod.. Yeh batao party kab join kar raha hai? Mama..

OMI Hoon? Party?

BITTOO MAMA Kem bhai? Politics mein sab jaahil ganwaar log hi hote hai kya? Yeh bhi to ik tarah ki jan seva hi hai? Panditji ka beta hai tu,thaan liya to aage tak jayega. Omi keeps nodding but his gaze is on the keys and he cannot hide his elation. Mama pats his back in encouragement and proceeds to leave with Vishwas 20

INT/EXT. TEMPLE COMPOUND/CRICKET SHOP - DAY Song 1: begins- Montage of temple compound life - 'business of religion'. Intercuts of florists, prasad packet shops, sellers of semi precious stones, astrology, palmist, statue sellers. The 3 boys set up the store, break a coconut. A board is put up with a bad painting of Sachin and Saurav. Govind adds a smaller sign 'Maths tuition available here'; fixes a blackboard on the mezzanine room of the shop. Vidya, Ishaan's mom, Govind's mom and Omi's parents are all present.

18. A Kashmiri Pandit arrives with sports supplies. Govind handles money; Ish does quality control and Omi prepares the inventory of goods. Ishaan is holding a wooden hammer like thing in his hand(a bat mallet). SUPPLIER PANDITJI (showing off a bat to Ishaan) Aadab arz hai Ishaan bhai.. Fresh stock hai.. Abhi abhi Srinagar se utra hai.. 21

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB-PRACTICE AREA - DAY A makeshift shed is set up in one corner of the park as the club house. Ishaan sets up the nets. He's rolling the pitch to make it even flat. He even checks by lying on the ground to see if its perfectly flat. He pushes a key through the pitch to check density. A board comes up saying-"Sabarmati Sports Club'. Sound of a repetitive dull thud is heard as a small crowd of 3-4 kids and two adults are seen standing in a circle looking at something. Ishaan is at the center showing how to knock in a bat with a bat mallet( wooden hammer like thing). Govind winces at the repetitive sound disturbance while Omi acts like the assistant and patiently hovers around Ish. ISHAAN Shot lagane se pehle lakde ko set karna zaroori hai.Ise 'knocking in' kahte hai..ek baar bat se acche se dosti ho jaaye,phir dekhna kaise chaukon chakkon ki line lag jayegi.. Omi and Govind share a look as they see how Ishaan has got the audience's attention

22

INT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY Song continues- 2 of the boys who were watching Ishaan's demo now pay Govind and hand over the bat to Ishaan for seasoning. Omi is packing a set of balls and a few wristbands that they've bought. As they leave, Govind Ishaan and Omi share a celebratory look for their first sell.

19. 23

EXT. GIRLS' COLLEGE - EVENING Ishaan and Omi are resting against Ishaan's bike and busy checking out the girls around the college compound. A group of girls are having some street side food and one of them shares a coy look with Ishaan. Omi nudges Ishaan excitedly as Ishaan wears a cool look. Govind arrives in a huff and breaks their party up, urging them to get going.

24

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB- PRACTICE AREA - DAY Ishaan is coaching JAYESH and PINTOO, two of the neighbourhood kids. PINTOO Jitni bhi fast daaloon.. Ghuma ghuma ke chakken lagata hai.. Kya karoon Ish bhai?..aap kuch tips do na. ISHAAN Beech mein ek slower ball daala kar Pintoo.. Here ishaan splits his fingers gripping the ball and shows him how to bowl a slow one ISHAAN (CONT'D) Ball se speed nichor le.. Ball jab bat tak pahunchegi hi nahin to chakke kaise lagenge? Just then Omi ushers in ASHWIN and JIGNESH, the boys who bought the bat OMI Aamne malo.. Belrampur na nava aakraami ballebaaz!! Song continues to next scene.

25

EXT. CITY STREETS - EVENING The three of them sit on Ish's bike and drive through the posh areas of the city. Govind's eyes are arrested by the sight of a big hoarding on the main road advertising the "New Navrangpura Mall- Coming Up Soon". The tagline of the mall is 'Where the 2k generation goes to shop'. Song continues. SCENES 26 AND 27 DELETED

28

INT. CRICKET SHOP/TUITION ROOM - EVENING Govind conducting his tuitions with about 4 students in the room

20. 29

INT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE. - NIGHT Ishaan comes home dog tired from training. Vidya opens the door to the hall to see he's crashed out on the sofa.

30

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB- PRACTICE AREA - DAY Pintoo has a dejected look and is seemingly complaining to Ishaan about something.... he gestures to show how he got hit for a straight on drive. Ishaan squints his eyes,curious.. Song fades out. PINTOO ..chakka par chakka phatkar se ISHAAN Ali ?

31

EXT. NANA PARK - DAY Ish, Omi and Govind stand at one corner of Nana Park. Ish recognises the boy in the skull cap from the previous occasion. Jayesh tugs at the frail, twelve year boy's shirt who is squatting on the ground with his back towards them, intent on counting marbles. The boy is Ali, and he keeps resisting Jayesh. JAYESH Chal ne Ali..Ish Bhaiya practice dekhne aaye hai..Chal uth. ALI Nahi khelna mujhe.. chakkar aate hai Ishaan finds the boy's excuse rather funny as Ali goes back to his marbles. Ishaan gestures to Jayesh to let it be and jokingly starts humming the old song " Sar jo tera chakraye, yea dil dooba jaye, aaja pyare, paas humarein ...kahe ghabraye.." Ish is now standing beside Ali and extends his hand. ISHAAN Su teni.. Ali ignores him. him.

Ish is unperturbed. He squats beside

ISHAAN (CONT'D) Aaj gotiyon ki khair nahi..huh? Ishaan picks up a few spare marbles and starts playing against the boy.

21. Ali doesn't acknowledge Ish as a person, but continues to play against him. Ish makes a successful hit. 32

EXT. NANA PARK - DAY Ish has won all of Ali's marbles. He picks up the pile of marbles and turns to leave. Ali looks up in defiance and fights his sadness about losing the marbles. Ali speaks from behind. ALI Ek over khelunga..bas Ishaan stops and turns. ALI (CONT'D) Par agar chakke thok diya, to saari gotiyaan meri. Ish smirks. ISHAAN Kitne chakke thokega? ALI (matter of factly) Cheh (6).. Ishaan smiles and shakes his head at the boy's audacity.

33

EXT. NANA PARK - AFTERNOON All kids in the park leave their game and gather around to watch the Ish-Ali challenge game. Omi becomes the wicket keeper. Other boys take fielding positions. Govind becomes the umpire. Ali takes to the crease and shuffles on his feet,in an awkward stance. Since the park is surrounded by residential buildings, the place where Ali plays is blocked on the offside/right side of the pitch, leaving space on the on/leg, the left side of the field. Ish does a lazy run up and bowls a fairly simple lolly pop delivery. Ali smashes it over mid on for a six. Ish grins and nods towards Ali. He acknowledges the rightful answer to his easy delivery. Ish takes a longer run up on the 2nd delivery pitching a more serious ball to Ali. Ali smashes it again for a hook down the legside. Govind hides a smile as Ishaan passes him.

22. ISHAAN (to himself) Steady.. Ish gives orders for fielding positions on the legside. He grunts as he bowls a steaming bouncer. The ball comes blazing down and Ali is faster than you can imagine. He charges down the pitch and hits a huge straight drive for another six. Ish curses to himself but realizes people are watching him. Govind and Omi smile and Ish gives them a dirty look. Ishaan comes steaming in with his next ball. Mid way through his run up, Ali suddenly collapses. Everyone is taken aback. 34

INT. LOCAL NURSING HOME - EVENING A tight close up of Ali's eye as torchlight flashes on it. DOCTOR (V.O.) Kabhi kabaar weakness se chakkar aa sakte hai..might be a simple case of low blood pressure. Ish and Omi sit with the doctor inside his cabin while Ali waits outside. DOCTOR (V.O.) (CONT'D) Lack of hydration,poor diet se ho jata hai… but to be on the safe side, we'll do a couple of scans..he should be fine..don't worry. Cut on Ishaan's concerned face.

35

INT/EXT. LOCAL NURSING HOME - EVENING Ishaan and the doctor walk in the corridor. up with medicines.

Omi follows

ISHAAN Par Prashant bhai khade khade teen teen back to back chakke maar diye.. DOCTOR Kuch log god gifted hote hain Ishaan.. tez raftaar se aati hui gend bhi unhe footbaal ki tarah dikhti hai..Ab aap ise hyper reflex bolo, hand eye coordination bolo.. ya phir upar wale ki den.

23. Ishaan is all ears. They reach where Ali is sitting,sipping on a glucose drink. DOCTOR (CONT'D) Kyun beta cricket khelne mein mazaa aata hai.. ALI Nahi.. 36

INT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY Ishaan is going through Ali's reports and muttering to himself. ISHAAN Teen teen back to back chakke.. mazaak nahi hai yaar..kuch to baat hai Goti master mein. Omi lights an incense stick at the small altar in the shop. Govind yanks the reports and thrusts a brochure in Ishaan's hands. GOVIND Be tum log sun bhi rahe ho main kya bakein ja raha hu.. Full A.C. mall hai..Agle saal January mein possession.. Ishaan now checks out the colourful brochure of Navrangpura mall. Omi peeps in from behind him. GOVIND (CONT'D) 'Early birds' ke liye discount bhi hai.. OMI Ek aur dukan? Kyon chahiye ek aur dukan? Jo hai usmein kya kharaabi hai? GOVIND Malls is the future yaar. Dekhna kuch hi saalon mein saare bade dhande malls mein hi honge..poora game badalne wala hai. OMI Mall mein koi dukaan muft mein baant raha hai kya?.. Abhi abhi to dhande mein ghuse hai..kyon bekar mein risk le? GOVIND Tu hamesha negative soch.. Phir yahin pade rehna hai poori zindagi.

24. Suddenly,Bittoo mama arrives at the shop, breaking up the friends' argument. BITTOO MAMA Arre Omi, dukaan to ekdum chamak uthi hai.. Poori kayapalat ho gayi hai. Mama..

OMI Itne dinon baad aaye aap.

MAMA Poore Gujarat ke tour pe tha.. Ambaji se thoda prasad laya hun.. baant lo Mama keeps the laddoo box on the counter. GOVIND Opening ke din aapko bahut miss kiya.. Mama smiles and sits on the chair. Govind calls out to the tea stall GOVIND (CONT'D) Be..cutting ! Flashing 2 fingers in the negative. Other shopkeepers acknowledge Bittoo Mama's presence. He casually pulls out a 9mm pistol and keeps it on the counter. Ishaan's eyes shine in excitement at the sight of the new toy. Ish nudges Omi to pick it up, Omi shudders and refuses. Ish can't resist the temptation and gestures to Mama. Mama locks the gun on safety and hands it to Ish. MAMA Parekhji ne dilayi hai protection ke liye.. Hamaare line mein pata hai na.. Jitna neki karte phiro.. Tune dushman bante jaate hai. Mama takes a sip of the cold drink. MAMA (CONT'D) Aur Omi, tu kahan uda rahta hai? Kabhi party office toh aa.. Ish mock-points the gun at Govind and Omi.

25. OMI (scratching his head) Sorry Mama..time hi nahi mila..naya dhanda hai..sab kuch set karna tha. MAMA Hmm.. Achcha agle hafte party ke sab senior leader aa rahe hai.. jalsa rakha hai bangle pe..achcha mauka hai.. Tum sab aao.. aur naam likhwa lo party office mein. Ishaan continues to be playful. Govind is irritated at Ish and Mama's suggestion. He looks questioningly at Omi. OMI (deflects Govind's stare) Pucca ayenge.. Kai kamkaj hoi to kejo. MAMA Kaam to bahut hai.. ab aage tumhi logon ko sambhalna hai.. youth future hai bhayi desh ka..aajkal youth support ke bina patta bhi nahi hilta. Ish pretends to shoot himself in the head when Mama is not looking. GOVIND (to Ish/ under his breath) Lya.kya kar raha hai..neeche raakh. Ish giggles. MAMA Date note kar lo tum sab..Agle somvaar,Parekhji ni haveli. Ishaan hands the gun back to Mama as Govind glares at him. 37

INT./EXT. TEMPLE COMPOUND - NIGHT Govind is freshly bathed, sitting and making four piles of cash- 3 of 5k each and one bigger stack of 15k. Ish is seated in the middle, fooling around,holding an imaginary microphone from one friend to the other. GOVIND Ye sab phaltoo party politics ke liye mere paas time nahi hai.

26. OMI Phaltoo party politics etle? Topa! Mama nahi hote to ye dukaan milti tujhe..huh? Aur wo maang bhi kya rahe hai? Sirf function mein hi to jana hai. GOVIND Isliye keh raha hun wo mall wali dukaan le lete hain..ye sab babaal hi khatm ho jayega. Govind shoves Ishaan's hands away. ISHAAN Objection!!! Mere kaabil dost.. farz kijiye nayi dukaan le bhi li.. Training ground toh phir bhi chahiye hoga na? Omi is now more confident with Ishaan's support. OMI Haan toh.. Tab tak Mama ko pata ke rakhte hai na? GOVIND Ek kaam kyun nahi karte.. unke haath mein ek damroo de dete hai aur ghagra pehen ke gulati maarte hai.. Bhaada de rahe hai na yaar??! Free mein to nahi li dukaan..?? Ishaan now comes in to announce truce. He joins his hands in an exaggerated namaste. ISHAAN Relax friends..Mall bhi hoga, Parekh ji bhi honge.. Aur kal Sunday bhi hoga..(Breaks into a gig) 'Kal Sunday hai..Daaru peena ka day hai..' GOVIND Kis khushi mein? Jail java? Ishaan promptly reaches out and takes out a note from his share of the money. ISHAAN Aye ghelphaadiya!! kanjoos..sirf paise bacha tu.. main apne share mein se doonga. OMI Main bhi.. Omi draws out a note from his bundle. Govind takes charge.

27. GOVIND Paise udaana band karo yaar tum log.. Both Ish and Omi try protesting. Govind cuts them short, instead pulling out a note from the bigger pile of money. GOVIND (CONT'D) Itne paise hai Amdavad Sports ke paas..ki tumhari local do takke ki beer party sponsor kar sake. At this his friends are pleasantly surprised and start cheering him... Omi backslaps him, Ish fans his face with a wad of currency notes. ISHAAN Be Baniya maan gaya..yaay!!!!!!! GOVIND Par sirf is baar haan..? yeh monthly monthly nahi chalega.. Song 3: not very lengthy,a back ground vibe. version of song 1 38

The main

EXT. NATIONAL HIGHWAY DHABA - EARLY MORNING A rickety bus comes to a halt in front of a dhaba on the highway. A milestone shows 'Diu 20 km's. Ishaan climbs out of the bus and stretches himself, his shirt is soaked in sweat. Govind and Omi troop down along with other passengers. ISHAAN Yaar..AC bus hi le lete. GOVIND Sau rupiya extra dene padte. Ishaan looks at Govind in shock. GOVIND (CONT'D) Per head.. Ish looks disgusted and starts walking away. Just then a carrier truck loaded with brand new "Honda city's 2000 model" pulls over at the dhaba. Ishaan gives a low whistle at the sight of the car. A driver alights from the truck and Ishaan has a brain wave. Govind and Omi see him walk towards the trucker and negotiate something.

28. 39

INT/EXT. HONDA CITY CAR/TRUCK/HIGHWAY - DAY Ishaan on the drivers seat of a Honda city, hands on the steering. Omi is on the passenger seat. Govind seated behind, has ripped the plastic cover partially and is trying to enjoy the leather upholstery underneath. A taste of the good things in life. Ish has a far away gaze as he holds on to the steering with one hand and takes a swig from the beer bottle in the other. ISHAAN Ise kahte hai life!! Omi ab tu mera plan sun.. Mama ki ungli pakad.. aur raaton raat politician ban ja.. Phir dabake note chaapte hai.. phir aese dus gaadiyon ki line laga denge. Omi takes a big swig from his bottle. OMI Su vaat karech..aese thodi na hota hai. GOVIND Ek sau ek taka aese hi hota hai. Govind looking out of the window enjoying the breeze in his face, with bottle in his hand. Ishaan teases Omi. ISHAAN Ek baat bata Omi.. Bada neta ban jayega toh itne power ka karega kya? OMI Tere naam ki sports academy zaroor khol doonga. Ish is touched, thumps his fist on his chest in respect. WE CUT TO A WIDE SHOT SHOWING THEY ARE SEATED IN ONE OF THE CARS LOADED ON THE TRUCK AND ABSORBING THE FEELING OF DRIVING ONE OF THESE. ISHAAN 'Ishaan Bhatt Sports Academy-Un students ke liye jo sirf district level tak khelna chahte hai Back inside the car Omi and Govind see that Ishaan's old wound of not having made it in cricket is bleeding again. Omi tries cheering him.

29. OMI Kuch bhi mat bol Ish..wo Jamnabhai ke against opening partnership yaad hai.. Govind pips in with his statistic. GOVIND 245 for no loss before lunch on the opening day..saare records phod dale thay. OMI Maine live dekha tha..mujhse pooch! Sirf 53 balls mein sau banaye thay Ish ne..lifetime ke liye fan ban gaya tha! ISH Phir agle do saal lagataar selection match mein phuss ho gaya..Chorr yaar..State team mein naam tak nahi aaya tha. GOVIND Waise bhi selection mein kitna politics chalta hai..sab jaante hain? OMI Aaj bhi Belrampur ka No.1 player tu hi hai. ISHAAN Woh toh Vidya bhi hamare pol ki Preity Zinta hai..world famous in Belrampur. Omi cracks up at this and even Govind tries to control his smile. Ishaan remembers something. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Arre Govind..sun (turning to Govind) Vidya ka entrance aane wala hai, usko maths jum nahi raha hai..tu seekha de na yaar.. Govind who's looking out of the window and enjoying "the life" looks at Ishaan in the rear view. GOVIND (O.S.) Main to sirf junior classes leta hu, Ish? ISHAAN (O.S.) Toh kya hua.. boards mein tu ne maths mein century maari thi.. shat pratishat!!!

30. Seeing Govind's hesitation, Omi chips in. OMI (O.S.) Arre tension mat le..kar lega tu Bahu hoshiyaar hai apni Vidya..ab thoda road pe dhyan de doston.. thoda speed pakadte hai..(impromptu gig)'gaadi bula rahi hai...' ISHAAN (joins in) ...beer pila rahi hai' Ishaan joins in the play acting as he grips the steering firmly and rages. Omi knocks back his head as though experiencing tremendous G force. Govind smiles looking out of the window. Cut to a wide shot of the boys on the trailer. 40

EXT. DIU FORT. - EVENING The three boys are racing up a hill. Ishaan runs ahead like an adrenaline charged army cadet as the two boys follow him. You can tell from their eyes they've consumed one too many of those beers. They laugh and pant as they climb up the steep wall of the fort. The sun is setting behind the hills and the boys are chasing it. GOVIND Seedi thi peeche kahin..maine dekhi thi. ISHAAN Seedi se wo jaaye jiske goton me dum na ho? Kya tumhare goton mein dum hai Omi? Batao soldier. OMI (panting) Bataoon mein tujhe? Upar tak race lagata hai? Ishaan kicks Omi to prevent him from coming up. laughs.

Omi

GOVIND Sambhal ke.. Maroge saalon. Cut to wide of them running up a hill. 41

EXT. DIU FORT ROOFTOP - EVENING Ishaan is standing with his arms extended with his shirt undone. The strong breeze is making his shirt fly. There is a beautiful view of the sunset. Omi comes next to Ishaan and makes the same pose. comes panting and stands next to them.

Govind

31. ISHAAN Yeh hai life Govi..soongh ise!!..tere noton ki khusboo se lakh guna behtar. GOVIND Yahan tak aane ke liye bhi paise lagte hai..waise.. ISHAAN (grandly announces) Ssshh!!! Tere sikkon ki chan chan se meri hawa ki keemat kam ho rahi hai. OMI Wah baka wah!! Kya line hai Baka.. Hold it..main likh leta hun. Omi looks around for something to write on. He turns to Govi, with bloodshot eyes. OMI (CONT'D) Aye Govindya, apna shirt nikaal na? GOVIND Tum logon ko bahut zyaada chad gayi hai OMI Chad gayi hai? Kisko chad gayi hai..Dekh..main seedhe 90 degrees pe chal sakta hoon..left right left. Omi starts marching on the precipice. ISHAAN 90 degrees pe chal to rahe ho vats..par 90 degrees pe kya tum race laga sakte ho? He looks at Omi and grabs his head and screams in his face. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Main aakhri baar pooch raha hun Officer.. kya tum 90 degrees pe race laga sakte ho? Bolo jawan!! OMI Yes sir..!!! In a second Omi's shirt is off and he runs past Ishaan like a bullet and towards the edge of the wall. Govind's face is in complete shock,his jaw drops. As Omi reaches the edge, he picks up more speed and takes the biggest leap ever.

32. OMI (CONT'D) Taari ma ni.... WE CUT TO A WIDE SHOT SHOWING THE ENDLESS OCEAN BENEATH. OMI'S CRAZED FACE AND HIS LEAP TOWARDS THE WATER BELOW. A GOOD 50 FEET DROP. ISHAAN RUNS TO SEE WHERE HE LANDS. CAMERA IN THE WATER AND A HEAD POPS UP AND WAVES BACK TO HIS FRIENDS. Ishaan turns to Govind who is in shock. look in Ishaan's eyes.

He sees the crazed

GOVIND Nahi Ish..soch bhi mat..Mujhe vertigo hai..sach kah raha hun.. Ma ni kasam.. main tujhe aage se kabhi kisi cheez ke liye nahi tokoonga..mane java de..Please Ishaan walks up to him. Initially Govind resists. Ishaan grabs his hand and runs pulling Govind with him. Left with no option, Govind matches his step with Ishaan and they both take the leap, grabbing their jewels. CUT TO THE SUN SETTING. THE CAMERA BOBS IN THE WATER WITH THEM SOAKING IN THE MOMENT. Ishaan screams and grabs Omi head to head, Govind feeling the high. 42

EXT. MUSLIM NEIGHBOURHOOD - DAY Omi, Ish and Govind walk through the narrow lanes of the Muslim neighbourhood as they look for Ali's house. Omi steps into the dirt and grimaces. OMI Pata nahin log aise kaise rahte hai.. The friends are now standing in front of an old style building with a heavy iron door opening into the compound. The iron gate doesn't look like it has been opened in a long time, people cross through a smaller door built into the gate. There's a chipped marble plaque with something scribbled in Arabic on the wall. Omi hesitates at the gate and tells Govind as Ish goes ahead. OMI (CONT'D) Naseer Hashmi? Yeh to Mama ki rival party ka member hai. ISHAAN Toh tu kaunse vote maangne ja raha hai? Shaanti raakh. Govind tugs at Omi to follow.

33. 43

INT. ALI'S HOUSE - DAY We see through a slit in the window of the small storeroom in the terrace as Ishaan accompanied by Govind and Omi talk to NASEER, a 55 year old man with salt and pepper beard, wearing kurta pajama. Ali is seated in his den and keeps looking curiously at the visitors. The medical reports are strewn on a table in front of them. ISHAAN Chacha,Ali ko khaas khuda ki den hai..humen uske talent ka theek se andaza bhi nahi hai. ek baar iski fitness aur training pe kaam shuru ho jaye.. Toh kuch hi saaalon mein apna Ali Ranjhi tak khel sakta hai. Naseer shakes his head in negative and cuts in. NASEER Par beta, aa cricket coaching che ne ameeron no shaunk che..amaara ghar na chokraone kaun ubha rakhse Omi examines the house, feeling slightly uncomfortable in the pronounced Muslim setting. ISHAAN Kya chacha? Hunar thodi na ameer gareeb dekhke paida hota hai..aap bas hum pe chorr dijiye.. Just then a loud cry is heard from the terrace.

43A

INT./EXT. ALI'S HOUSE TERRACE - DAY Ali and his step brother,Javed are in aN intense scuffle. Ali's father tries to break them up. The whole family has gathered by now. Ishaan and the boys look over. ALI'S FATHER Ali chhodo use..kya kar rahe ho? JAVED (crying) Abbu, Ali ne mere gotiyaan churaye.. ALI'S STEP MOTHER Yeh naspitta apni harkaton se baaz nahi ayega.. bacche pe haath uthata hai.

34. His father tries to grab hold of Ali. But he slips past and runs back into his shed. As Naseer tries to barge in to Ali's den, Ali holds the door forcefully and starts shouting. ALI (from behind the door) Jhooth bol raha hai Javed.. maine usse shart mein gotiyaan jeeti thi. NASEER Mujhe koi bahas nahi sunni..abhi isi waqt bahar niklo NASEER (CONT'D) Ali..kya kah raha hoon main? Kahan hain lakhoti? Ali steps out reluctantly, his head hanging low. ALI Mere paas nahi hai. JAVED Jhootha!! Abbu, usne apne kamre mein chupaye hai..mujhe pata hai. ALI'S STEP MOTHER Allah jaane aur kya kya cheezein gayab hain ghar se... The three friends have been watching this domestic drama unfold. Ishaan steps in ISHAAN Arre..kahin yeh to nahin hai..yahin kone mein pade thay!! Ali stays quiet. Javed quickly snatches away the marbles from Ishaan's hand. NASEER (sighs) Maine to haath khade kar liye..mere bas ka to nahi hai. Ish tries to make light of the situation and points to Omi. ISHAAN Koi baat nahi chacha.Hamara Omi bhi aesa hi ziddi tha bachpan mein..badmaash no.1.. Panditji bhi pareshan rehte thay isko le kar.. Aur aaj dekhiye apni khud ki dukaan chala raha hai.

35. Naseer's face knits a frown at the mention of Panditji. NASEER Panditji ? GOVIND Pandit Shastri..Omi ke pitaji hain..Woh Gokuldham ke pradhan. NASEER Hmm..janta hun unhein.. Woh Bitoo Joshi..woh trustee hai na us mandir ka? OMI (defensively) Mere mama hai woh..unhone hi humen training center dilayi hai. NASEER Achcha..to mera beta ab Bittoo ke chelon se training lega? Omi goes red in the face with humiliation. Govind speaks up rather sharply. GOVIND Hum kisi ke chelen chamche nahi hai Sir.. Sheher ke har ilaake se bacche hamare yahan seekhne ko aate hai.. Hum kisi mein farq nahi karte. NASEER Kai vando nahi beta.. farq hum bhi nahi karte.. hamari party kisi kism ki taqrif mein yakeen nahi rakhti.Pandit no beto mara beta ne sikhwaad se, ek acchi misaal banegi. (looking at Omi) Par badkismati se sab hamaari tarah nahi sochte. Omi is feeling irritated and is about to say something but Ishaan restrains him. ISHAAN Chacha.. Humein politics se koi lena dena nahi hai..humen sirf sports khelna hai. NASEER (shrugs) Khair..Ali ko jo karna hai woh wohi karega.. meri kaunsi sunta hai. Behtar hai aap usi se pooch lijiye.

36. Javed who is standing behind his father is making faces at Ali..Ishaan walks up to him. ISHAAN Kyon Ali?? Kya plan hai? 3 chakke udhaar hai tere..kal nets pe milen? Ali simply simply stares back. ISHAAN (CONT'D) (smiles) 4 baje sharp 44

INT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE/VIDYA'S ROOM - DAY (AFTERNOON) Govind is starting off his classes with Vidya. A close shot of Vidya(camera on float) VIDYA I hate maths. Govind is quite nervous at the proximity of a pretty girl but tries to appear serious. GOVIND Huh..? VIDYA Kya huh..? Mera bas chale to syllabus se nikal ke bahar phenk doon. Govind puts his pen down and sits back. Long shot of Vidya and Govind with tuition books.

sitting on her study table

GOVIND 0 se leke 9 tak in dus digits mein aap poore universe ko chupa sakte ho.. Numbers ki apni magical duniya hai.ek baar aadat pad jaye na to bade maze ki cheez hai. Vidya makes firm eye contact. VIDYA (making a face) Chii..Mazze ki cheez??!Mujhe toh maths ke naam pe ulti aati hai. Maths bolte hi mujhe.. Govind cant believe his eyes. He is just soaking in the gigantic task at hand. VIDYA (CONT'D) Dekho ho gaye.. Vidya pulls up her kurta sleeve to reveal goose bumps.

37. Govind looks at her hand and her french manicured nails. He realizes he has stared at them a second more than required and peels his gaze away. GOVIND To phir yeh entrance exam dene ki kya zaroorat hai? VIDYA Kyunki wo mere Amdavad se nikalne ka iklauta passport hai.. GOVIND (defensively) Kyun Amdavad mein kya kharaabi hai? VIDYA (shrugs) Acchai bhi kaunsi hai? Ghar pe wohi 7 baje ke baad bahar nahi jaana.. koi accha well settled family wala ladka dekh kar shaadi karna..phir uske liye rotli banana..uske bacche paida karna..aur bas Thank you Tata See you later. Mujhe nahi chahiye yeh sab..mujhe apni zindagi khud jeeni hai.. Achcha yahi hai ki main ulti karte karte maths seekh leti hoon.. Govind is watching her lay out her plans. Vidya's phone beeps with an sms. VIDYA (CONT'D) Preeti!! Meri classmate and bff Govind is irritated and speaks firmly. GOVIND Rakh do use..meri class mein mobile allowed nahi hai. Vidya is surprised by Govind's firmness. They exchange a defiant look. Govind takes Vidya's phone and switches it off. GOVIND (CONT'D) Toh sabse pahle..lets tackle probability.. Stay on them. 45

INT./EXT. PAREKHJI'S HAVELI'S GARDEN - DAY An imposing 60 yr old man wearing white and a saffron shawl is addressing a large gathering, comprising priests (in saffron) and local politicians (in white).

38. Parekhji starts speaking from the stage. PAREKHJI Bhaiyon,gunijanon ane aadarniye mitron,aap sau noo aa sabha ma hardik swagat che.. (Applause) Sitting amongst them we catch our 3 boys,Omi,Govi and Ish. PAREKHJI (CONT'D) Ane khaas swagat aa navyuvako je aaje bittooji na saujanya ti aamari vacho vach che.. The crowd applauds. ISHAAN Govi,thoda thoda gud papdi daba lete hai..Vaapsi mein phodenge. Govind laughs. Shh!

OMI Marwaoge be..

PAREKHJI Aaj aa manch parthi ek zaroori aavahaan karvu che. Party high command ne nakki karyu che ki aauta election ma Belrampur ni seat par Bittoo joshi ubha reh se . Mama folds his hands in gratitude. Crowd applauds, with Omi clapping especially hard. Parekhji turns serious as the applause ends. PAREKHJI (CONT'D) Bhaiyon.. Aa samay che sampoorna hindu samjhe ekmat thaine aapdi sabhyata ani garima kaayam rakhe. Aapdi yuva piddhi ne baaharni taaqaato saamein sachvi ne rakhe. Samay avigayoche kamar kasvano! Ish gives a big yawn. ISHAAN Bore thaigyo!! Govind whispers in Ishaan's ear.. GOVIND Kisi tarah ek lakh jama ho jaye account mein,phir bank loan haath mein aate hi- builder ko down (MORE)

39. GOVIND (CONT'D) payment kar denge.. phir naya saal aaye aur is bandookdhari mama se peecha chutey.. aa lo Mama, aapna dukaan ni chaavi,thank you ,ame to chalya Navrangpura Mall..'air conditioned'.. ISHAAN Dhiskiyaaon.. Omi hushes them gesturing them to be silent as two party workers escort Omi away. Omi walks up to bittoo who is with Parekhji. BITTOO MAMA Parekhji ko pranaam karo.. Omi bends to touch his feet. PAREKHJI Hamare Parivar mein tumhara swagat hai beta.. Bittoo ke bhanje ho.. bahut ashaein hai tumse.. Shastriji ko hamara pranaam kehna. Ishaan and Govind see this exchange from a distance. 46

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB- PRACTICE AREA - DAY It is early morning and Omi is doing his surya pranam, while Govind is on a tea break, poring over the ledger book. Ish is marking the pitch. In the distance Ish's students are doing their warm up rounds. Ali gets out of breath and has to pause. Jignesh and Ashwin, come from behind. They mock play their ground catching routine. JIGNESH/ASHWIN Arre..pakad pakad.. They push Ali as they continue to run ahead. Ali loses his balance and falls down. The boys look behind and snigger. JIGNESH/ASHWIN (CONT'D) ..oho phir catch chhod diya. Ali stands up and walks away. He goes towards his kit to take out his dirty towel. Govind is next to Ali, he notices Ali's old and worn out bag compared to the swanky kits of the other boys. Ishaan walks upto ali with a pad,helmet and a goti guard.. He pulls out the pad and smacks it hard with a season ball

40. ISHAAN Yeh dekh, kuch nahi hoga. Ek do din mein theek set ho jayega. Ali holds the pad and ishaan puts the helmet on his head. Ali picks up the goti guard not knowing what to do with it..As they walk away you can see ishaan showing him what to do with the goti guard. A screen wipe to show time transition 47

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB- PRACTICE AREA - DAY Ish is conducting a practice match with his students and acts as the umpire. Ali is on the non striker's end ( fully kitted up but in his pyjamas) while Ashwin is batting. Ashwin wants to take a single but Ali looks disinterested. There is a mis-field and Ashwin urges Ali again. refuses.

Ali

Ashwin looks at Ishaan in disappointment. ISHAAN Singles lena bhi zaroori hai.. crease pe back up leke rakh. Ishaan walks to the opposite end at the end of the over. Ishaan claps to signal the start of the next over. The bowler Jignesh comes to Ish. He shows him his grip. Ish checks it and adjusts it a little. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Ek outswinger daal ke dekh.. Ish observes that Ali is uncomfortable with the ball... he doesn't seem to know how to align himself with it. Ish goes up to Jignesh. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Well bowled..ab same to same daal.. Off ke bahar hi rakh. Ali comes forward to strike but the ball confuses him. He connects but the ball finds the leading edge and catch in cover pt. They have found the Ali's Achilles heel. Jignesh does a high five with his team mates. Ali bangs the bat in disgust and leaves. A look of worry flits through Ishaan's face- something occurs to him. He calls Ali who continues to walk ahead with a sulking face.

41. 48

INT. CRICKET SHOP/TUITION ROOM - DAY Govind is in the midst of his tuition class. Ishaan excuses himself and requests govind if he could speak for a few minutes. ISHAAN To tere ko pata hai na..? Pitch ke dono taraf kaun kaunse do sides hote hai? Ali settles down on the mat and shrugs. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Chal ne Ali..simple che.. right hand batty ke right side ko off kehte hai aur left side ko on kehte hai.. Ali's face is sweaty as he gulps down water,only half listening to Ish. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Tu hamesha ground ke kone mein khelta hai..right? right side sara buildingon se blocked hai..haath khol ke shots nahi maar sakte.. isliye tu sirf on side pe maarta hai..off side pe tera game weak hai.. Samjha? Ali looks on Ishaan proceeds to wipe off half of the equations written on Govind's blackboard. Ishaan draws a circle. (Refer to wagon wheel diagram) ISHAAN (CONT'D) Abhi dekh.. Jab ball off side pe pitched up ho, baya paanv aage le jake off drive karna.. Aur jab short of length ho tab back foot pe jake square cut laga sakta hai.. Aur chake maarna ho to cover ke upar se loft kar sakta hai.. Pull to tu achca karta hi hai, kabhi bouncer aa jaye to jama ke hook bhi laga sakta hai.. Leg side tera strong hai.. Ball jab panv pe aaye to on drive .. nahi to glance, flick.. Woh sab to tere game mein already hai.. Ab spinner aa jaye to sweep ya reverse sweep bhi maar sakta hai.. Ish shows his diagram to Govind as well.

42. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Govi,tu samhjha ki nahin? Iska offside crack karna padega.. GOVIND Ho gaya tera? (takes the chalk out of his hand) Thank you.. Omi has entered in the meantime and is carrying a glass of milk, two bananas and biscuits. OMI Aa shu,thoda bhi stamina nahi hai ladke mein, aur upar se maths Sir, cricket Sir dono sar pe khade hai.. Govind and Ish smile at Omi's gesture. Ish puts an arm around Omi's shoulder as they walk away. Ish ruffles Omi's hair as he just loves his innocence. ISHAAN Chal rangila ratan..main batata hun aur kis cheez ke liye stamina chahiye? Shaadi hogi na teri.. They become inaudible as they trail off. 49

INT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE/VIDYA'S ROOM - NIGHT Vidya and Govi are in the middle of their tuition class. VIDYA Uff..thak gayi mein..ek break lein GOVIND Bas..iska coefficient nikaal lete hai..sirf 10 minute aur.. Vidya opens her hair and a long strand falls on Govind's arm. VIDYA Please..seriously dimaag jam ho gaya hai. Vidya tries to strike up a conversation. VIDYA (CONT'D) Toh phir.. GOVIND (averts her gaze) Toh phir kuch nahi?? Baaki subjects ki taiyyari kaisi chal rahi hai? Sabse equally nafrat hai? Ki maths is your special enemy?

43. Vidya smiles. VIDYA Umm.. I think I have a soft corner for biology..zinda lagta hai.. atleast zinda cheezon ke bare mein..jinko dekh sakte ho, feel kar sakte ho.. Govind is about to correct her but she carries on- she touches Govind's arm to prove a point. Govind is startled. VIDYA (CONT'D) Yeh tumhari skin hai-epidermis.. feel hua? Mein choo sakti hun sahla sakti hun kaat sakti hun ..page pe diagram banati hoon to mujhe pata hai it exists in real life.. maths mein toh sab khayali pulav hai...For eg. can you ever touch a bell curve? Ishaan barges in at this moment making almost Govind jump. He immediately pulls his hands away, as if caught in a guilty act! ISHAAN Kaisa chal raha hai Professor sahab?? Already pareshan lag rahe ho? Lage raho..Don't give up!! Abhi Dilli door hai.. (Ish guffaws) Vidya is about to protest but Ishaan carries on in his own tangent. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Yaar.. I'm very excited about Ali's breakthrough. uska ye off ka problem fix ho jaye na..to soch!! Wo crease ke dono taraf shots maar sakta hai.. phir use har ball pe chauka chakka marne ki zaroorat nahi hai.. normal cricketing shots laga sakta hai.. VIDYA Excuse me Bhailu.. aap meri class disturb kar rahe hai..kripya bahar jake apni commentary karen.. Govind raises an eyebrow at how Vidya is now suddenly interested in lessons. ISHAAN Kya baat hai Vidyaless.. ki taraf itni shraddha?? plan hai? (MORE)

padai Kya

44. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Itna padegi to tu raton raat Shakuntala Devi ban jayegi? Tujhse milne ke liye to ticket leni padegi ?!! Ishaan laughs out and is about to do a hi five with Govind but Govind clears his throat and looks into the books, trying to keep his serious tutor image. Ishaan walks out still laughing at his own joke. Govind sees that Vidya is showing Ishaan the finger to his back and muttering a swear word. VIDYA Agle Thursday kya kar rahe ho? kahin bahar chalte hai.. Govind can't believe his ears not knowing how to respond. VIDYA (CONT'D) 2 se 4 ke beech ka window hai.. ghar pe main bol doongi ki Law Garden se guidebooks kharidni hai..koi tension nahi hogi. Govind is clearly out of depth. Vidya shuts the books and smiles sweetly at him. VIDYA (CONT'D) Please kuch soch ke rakhna..aur time pe pahunch jana..nakhre mat karna..please. Govind stares at her in disbelief. 50

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB- PRACTICE AREA - MORNING Ali comes running, late for cricket practice,wearing his kurta pajama as the other kids finish warm up. Ish and Omi are setting up a big net on the left of the pitch. Ish looks at his watch and says curtly. ISHAAN Kit up.

51

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB (CHANGING SPACE) - MOMENTS LATER Ali hurriedly changes into a t-shirt and ties leg pads over his pajamas inside the makeshift changing area. Jignesh and Ashwin have come to wipe their faces. They smirk at his silly look. JIGNESH/ASHWIN Aye..lenga chaap!!

45. Ali ignores them as he finishes tying the pads. cord is hanging out.

His pajama

Jignesh sneakily pulls Ali's pajama cord and Ali's pajama falls down. This time all the four boys in the changing area laugh. BOYS (mocking Ali) Aur ball stadium se bahar..it's a sixer. Ali loses it and hits Jignesh. They get into a fist fight. Ish comes running to the fighting duo. ISHAAN Come on..break it up. Ek to late aate ho..upar se dadagiri karni hai. Ali is infuriated but stays quiet. 52

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB- PRACTICE AREA (NETS)- DAY Ishaan is explaining the experiment that he's trying out with Ali. ISHAAN Aye teni..Ab dhyan se suno.. aaj ek bhi legside pe shot nahi lagana...Agar laga to paanch round. Only concentrate on your off!! Ball se nazar nahi hatni chahiye.. Ok.. focus. Ali feels this is a further punishment for him and wears a sullen expression. He clenches his lips to fight tears as he moves to the crease. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Pintoo,naya ball le.. Ali faces the first ball but is beaten. The bowler bowls again. Ali is frustrated and instead makes room for himself and hits over the net on the legside. Ish walks up to Ali. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Peechle dus minute se kya bak raha hoon main? Behra hai ya gadha? ALI Mujhe aaj jaldi chutti chahiye. ISHAAN Huh?

46. ALI Hamare pol mein goti tournament hai. Ishaan looks at Ali in shock. Ish waves his hand dismissively and turns away. Ali walks behind Ishaan expectantly and follows him to the umpires' end. ISHAAN Kyun ghoom raha hai mere peeche peeche? Ja ke guard le apna.. Ali keeps staring at Ishaan for permission to leave. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Offside pe to ball maara nahi jata, par goti tournament mein jana zaroori hai. Ali responds in a soft voice. ALI Aaj final che.. ISHAAN I don't believe this. Arre bhaad mein gaya final. Yahan hum din raat teri training mein lage hue hain or tu hai ki.. Ab serious ho ja.. goti khelni hai.. Goti khelke kya ukhaad lega? Ali keeps staring at Ishaan. ALI Aapne kya ukhaad liya?? Ishaan turns around in a quick move. ISHAAN Kya? Kya bola? Daring him to repeat it. ALI Cricket khelke aapne kya.. Ishaan gives him a hard shove, like a challenge one throws at his equal. Ali loses his balance and falls to the ground. The other players are too stunned to react. Ali moves a few steps back, gets up and runs away. Ishaan stands rooted to the spot watching Ali scamper away.

47. 53

INT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY Ishaan's face is red as he desperately tries to calm down by rubbing his face and takes rapid, heavy, deep sighs. Omi gets a cold drink for him. OMI Aa le.. gatak ja. Ishaan cant meet Govind's eye as he is still seething with rage at what he did with the boy. As Ish gazes into the floor and his temper stabilizes, his rational mind shudders at the thought - what if Ali doesn't come back. Govind has sensed Ishaan's torment and avoids the lecture. GOVIND Kuch nahi hua hai..its under control Ishaan knows its not and speaks in his defense. ISHAAN Uske tevar dekhe? Ab kaise inko discipline sikhaye yaar? It has to be give and take..Main akela sab kuch nahi kar sakta hoon. Govind in a much calmer tone. GOVIND Bacchon ke saath reh rehke tu unki tarah behave nahikar sakta..thoda handle karna seekh. OMI Kuch bhi bol..uski himmat kaise hui Ishaan ko ulta jawab dene ki. Govind gives Omi a look to be quiet but Ishaan feels egged on. ISHAAN Aur mere uske saath koi personal issues nahi hai yaar.. Yahan pe usko first class khilane ke sapne dekh rahe hai..ane aa ghadeda ne goti ni padi che GOVIND Tujhe pata hai main kya kah rah hun Ish. Is baar quit mat kar.. Kisi aur ke liye nahi, bas apne liye kar.

48. They are interrupted as a ten year old boy enters the shop. The boy has a broken clay piggy bank, filled with lots of coins. BOY Shuttlecock chahiye.. Omi takes out a shuttle from a box. OMI Patrees rupya.. The kid thrusts all the coins in his direction. Omi looks flustered as he starts counting. GOVIND Tu ne notice kiya hai na baaki bachhe use kaafi bully karte hai..woh apne aap mein hi ghuta rehta hai. Omi finishes counting. OMI Pachees , chabvees, satyavees.. Aa to khali satyavees che. The boy's face drops. Govind recollects the coins for the boy. GOVIND Jao baaki na paisa laiyao ISHAAN (almost to himself) Haath nahi uthana chahiye tha...Shi!!! Ishaan now notices the boy who is looking crestfallen. He takes the shuttle and throws it to the boy. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Ja maja kar.. Govind frowns at this sudden discount. The boy is surprised for a second but then runs out while his luck lasts. GOVIND Ish tu ghelsappo che!! topo

Ekdum

The phone rings and Omi answers ISHAAN (grumbling) Ro mat..aath rupye mujhse le lena.. Govind raises an eyebrow

49. ISHAAN (CONT'D) (scratching his head and looking worried) Woh wapas ayega na..? Omi interrupts as Ishaan's face darkens at the thought of losing Ali. OMI Kaun bolo....Hassan bhai?? Govind grabs the phone. GOVIND Hassan bhai.. Su chalech? He animatedly gestures to Ishaan to shut up. 54

INT. NAVRANGPURA MALL/SMALL STORE SPACE - DAY Omi, Govind and Ish stand at a basement store space of 10 x 10 size, with no natural light, currently lit by a dim yellow bulb. The builder Hassan Sheikh is busy on the phone, making some deals. The boys can be seen in silhouette as they check out the place. Jackhammer and floor polishing sounds can be heard in the background. ISHAAN Yahan? Yahaan kholenge sports ki dukaan? Is tabele mein? Omi steps out and checks workers coming out of an urinal right next to the store space. He makes a face. OMI Chii Govi!! Abhi itni baans aa rahi hai to baad mein kya hoga!! Hassan detects that the guys are not liking the space and seizes the opportunity to sell a bigger space. HASSAN Aapna budget mein yehi site available hai govi bhai. Thoda jeb kholo, budget badhao ..first class cheez dikhata hun. Govind is about to refuse. Hassan looks at Omi and Ishaan for support. HASSAN (CONT'D) Maalik dekhne ke kya paise padh et hain.. Baad mein nakki kar lean.

50. 55

INT. NAVRANGPURA MALL/BIG STORE SPACE - DAY A bright beam of sunlight falls in from the giant window at the new location in the mall. The area is open, and though under construction, far better ventilated and aesthetically pleasing. The size of the shop is 20X25, twice the size of the previous shop. Ishaan's mood changes at the sight of this space and he again looks charged up as he starts day dreaming... ISHAAN 'WOW'!!!.. aa toh set che boss..ekdum tabla tod.. yahaan front mein apna reception hoga. Dono baju glass windows...pachi 360 degree open rakhenge (he swings as though there is a bat in his hand)..zyada bharenge nahin..aur floor pe lagega artifial grass.. poora stadium ka feel aa jayega..ekdum sophisticated new millenium shop. Govind stands with Hassan as the builder shows him the cost calculation of the new space on a calculator. Ishaan walks to the other end of the shop and takes a mock stance. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Idhar practice nets ka area hoga.. udhar wall pe mounted TV with 24 hour sports channel.. saamne ek sofa,khali important matches ke liye..finals vagairah.Three seater.. su bolech jigar? Ishaan meets Govind's eyes. Govind doesn't have the heart to tell him that they can't afford this. Just shakes his head with a sad smile. Omi senses the dilemma but Ishaan is not ready to give up. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Omi, tu samjha na baniye ko.. Saak bhaji ki dukaan nahi khol rahe hai..feel bhi to koi cheez hoti hai na.. ye kya 'ek sandas ke saath ek dukaan free'..le lo. Govind looks at Omi, expecting him to be mature. GOVIND Koi aur option nahi hai Ish. EMI bahut zyada hai.. (MORE)

51. GOVIND (CONT'D) Upar se bank loan lene ke liye jo account mein paise dikhane hai who bhi poore nahi hai ..abhi itna paisa market se nahi utha sakte...tum log hi kah rahe the na, ki soch samajh ke planning karni chahiye. Wohi kar raha hun.. Ishaan's face falls at this, back to his gloomy mood. ISHAAN Shit..Bapuji se bhi nahi maang sakta.. Kacho khai jaise.. Mai jai yaar!! He kicks an empty paint can out of his way.

Omi senses how crestfallen Ish is...the past demons of always missing the big break. OMI Achcha Govi, minimum kitna paisa chahiye account mein..bank loan ke liye? Mama ke through try karein? Govind is exasperated. GOVIND Loan uthaane ke liye ek aur loan..?? Tarama bheju che? Omi and Ish drop their face.

Hassan's phone rings.

HASSAN Haan bolo seth..khidki wali..?? sabko wohi wali chahiye.. abhi party ke saath baitha hun..aadhe ghante mein return karta hun. Omi and Ish look at each other. Govind is looking at his figures on the calculator, thinks a while and speaks up. GOVIND Na kar do unko Hassan Bhai..bolo khidki wali book ho gayi.. dekha jayega..par humko hafte bhar ka time chahiye hoga. Ishaan gives him a whack on his arm.

52. ISHAAN Shabbash Govi seth! baat!

Yeh hui na

Govind winces a little and turns to Omi. GOVIND Mama ko sambhalna ab tera kaam..Paise hum cheh mahine mein chuka denge. Ishaan blows a kiss and does a mock bow towards Omi. 56

INT. CAFETERIA - DAY Vidya and Govind seated at a table, with Gujarati pizza placed in front of them. Govind is self conscious that nobody known should see them together. This makes Govind even more nervous. He starts checking the text books that they've bought. Vidya bites into the pizza slice and slurping on her coke. It's her rare fun day out. VIDYA Uff.. phir kitabein leke baith gaye tum..ek baar khareed li hai to pad bhi lenge..ab choro use. Govind notices a xeroxed newspaper article, amidst the books. It says 'Pol boy scores 100 in maths' and has a picture of a 16-year-old geeky boy. GOVIND Arre..yeh kahan se mila? VIDYA Times of India ke front page pe tha.. Govi gives her a dirty look. Govind takes the paper away but Vidya places her hand on Govind's hand and Govind has to release the sheet. Vidya snatches the sheet back. VIDYA (CONT'D) Arre.. tumhari photo thodi na hai..mere Maths sir ki photo hai..(pause) itne bhayanak chashmein..baap re baap..waise cute lag rahe ho Professor! Govind is super conscious. GOVIND Achcha pizza khatm karo..late ho raha hai.

53. VIDYA Oho..Ab kya ho gaya? Phir bhagna hai? Mujhse hamesha bhagte kyon rahte ho? Main kaat ti hoon kya? Why cant we be friends? GOVIND Probability kum hai.. Vidya mock bangs two fists on the table. Govind looks to see whether anyone's watching them. VIDYA Kyon? Kyon kum hai? chahiye....

Mujhe reasons

Trying to act his serious self. GOVIND Main tumhe char reasons de sakta hun. Number ek.. main tumhara teacher hoon. Number do.. tum mere best friend ki behen ho. Number Teen..tum mujhse umar mein kayi saal choti ho.. Aur Number chaar aur sabse important..tum ek ladki ho. Vidya is amused at Govind's structured enumeration. She keeps staring at him,hoping he'll realise his habitual nature. VIDYA Aah..The magic of numbers..kabhi khatm hi nahi hote..nai..?? (pause) Vidya tries to open a sauce sachet but can't due to her long nails. Govind offers to open it. VIDYA (CONT'D) Meri salah lo to ek back up dost bana ke rakh lo..just in case. GOVIND Backup dost? Govind squeezes the sauce onto Vidya's plate. He then tries to open his own sachet. VIDYA Haan toh..ab dekho Ish Bhaiya, Omi aur tum bachpan se tight ho..like since you were sperm. Govind is shocked at Vidya's last word as he rips the sachet,splashing some of the ketchup around. Vidya is nonchalant as she brings a tissue close to him. Govind takes the tissue from her to wipe himself.

54. VIDYA (CONT'D) Par kabhi unse koi problem ho gayi toh..phir ek back up friend hona chahiye na..?? (pauses) Toh phir tum mujhse share kar sakte ho. Govind goes silent. Vidya prods him. VIDYA (CONT'D) Karoge share? Vidya squeezes his hand. Govind deliberates before he begins to talk. GOVIND Vidya.. mujhe kuch bhi karke is business ko expand karna hai..bas.. Itna door aa gaye hai..ab himmat nahi harni. Agle saal tak mall mein nayi dukaan leni hi leni hai. Par jo dukaan pasand aayi hai uska budget hamari taaqat se bahar hai.Ab un dono ko ye sab samjhana faltu hai. Ish baat baat pe hawa mein udta rehta hai aur Omi use dheel deta hai. Beech mein phus gaya hun main. Ab phir se wohi Bittoo Mama se loan uthana..khabar nai.. Vidya nods as she listens with hundred percent attention. VIDYA Kuch na kuch rasta nikal ayega..dimaag ko thoda rest do abhi. Govind looks nonplussed at Vidya's calming avatar. VIDYA (CONT'D) Aur promise karo jis din dukaan mil jayegi..sabse pehle mujhe dikhaoge. Govind gives her a look,piqued by this new friendship. VIDYA (CONT'D) Meetha khaoge? Stay on Govind's face as he doesn't know what she means. 57

INT. ALI'S HOUSE - NIGHT Naseer is seated with some other men discussing some work. Ish enters and is about to ask for Ali. Sound of a steel plate falling to the ground and a woman's voice yelling.

55. NASEER'S WIFE (O.S.) Ali!!! Kitni baar samjhaya tujhe rasode mein nahi khelna.. ALI (O.S.) Mera ghar hai jahan marzi kheloon.. Ali enters the living room from the kitchen, notices Ishaan from the corner of his eye and runs to his shed on the terrace. Javed is also on the terrace, enjoying some pickle...he speaks in a whisper. JAVED Practice chod ke bhag aaya tha na tu..?? Ab padne wali hai tujhe.. Ruk. NASEER Ab dekho na, aaj school se pan bhaag ke chala aaya.. Jaise jaise yeh ladka bada ho raha hai, utna badh dimaag hota ja raha hai ISHAAN Chokru che Naseer chacha.. apne Belrampur school mein jaise padaate hai..hum bhi gutli maar liya karte the. NASEER Par koi ek cheez toh honi chaiye jismein ye dilchaspi le.. Nai tar aage jake karega kya? banega kya? Ab cricket hi le lijiye..mann lagake seekhta hai? Ishaan looks in the direction of the door that leads to the terrace, knowing that Ali is hearing in on them. Ali's face looks stricken with fear, expecting more lashing from the adults. ISHAAN (making sure that Ali can hear him) Arre Chacha.. cricket to woh ghol ke pee chukka hai.. aapko aana chahiye kabhi practice pe.. on side pe to uska koi jodi nahi hai.. aese ghuma ghuma ke chakke fatkarta hai jaise free fund mein bant rahe hon.. Bowler katraate hai usse..sach!! Bas offside thoda weak hai..uspe kaam chalu hai.. Javed stops eating his pickle and comes into the living room as if to make sure he heard it right. Naseer gives a surprised look to the men seated around.

56. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Ek baar mil sakta hun usse.. Naseer is about to call Ali but Ishaan stops him. 58

INT./EXT. ALI'S HOUSE/TERRACE - NIGHT Ali has locked himself inside his den, not knowing how to face Ishaan. Ishaan knocks on the door ISHAAN Ali bhai ghar ma che? Ali has never had an adult trying to patch up with him. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Abhi tak gussa hai,goti master.baat nahi karega mujhse? A moment of stillness. Just then, the corrugated sheet that makes the door of the attic, creaks open and a marble rolls out. Ish's face breaks into a smile...he peeps in. Ali lets Ishaan come in and sit next to him. Its an emotional moment as both sit in silence. Ali gets up and switches an overhead bulb. Ishaan hands a brand new kit bag and bat to Ali and then turns to look around at the room. Music begins on the soundtrack. The room is filled with kites, old toys, tattered comic books of Chacha Cowdhury and Tinkle, a studio photograph of Naseer, Ali's mother and a 3 year old Ali against a painted backdrop. Finally Ish's eyes fall on the floor - there on the rough hewn floor a chalk drawing shows the cricket field as Ish had drawn on the blackboard earlier. Song 4 fades in...

59

EXT. SABAMARTI SPORTS CLUB- CHANGING SPACE/SHED - EARLY MORNING Ali is dressed in brand new sportswear and huddled beside Ish. Ish has various colours of chart paper cut out in triangular shapes which put together will make a complete circle of a cricket field. Each coloured strip of paper has the name of a particular shot - leg glance, hook, pull, on drive on the legside; offdrive, square drive, square cut, cut and late cut on off side. Ish devices a game where he jumbles up the strips of paper that makes the cricket field circle and asks Ali to arrange them in the correct order...Ali almost gets it right but confuses the the cover drive and the square drive...Ishaan corrects it.

57. (We can do this with focusing entirely on the coloured strips of paper and the two characters' hands) Now Ishaan holds up any one strip randomly with a name of the shot and Ali has to show him how the stroke is played... 60

INT. PARTY OFFICE - DAY Song continues...Omi has come to mamas office with the Navrangpura brochure. Omi broaches the topic of the loan in a polite but hesitant manner. Song fades out. MAMA Hassan Sheikh? Uske through jaane ki kya zaroorat hai? Mere pass diary bhar ke builders ke contacts hai, ow Satellite mein hai na aapno Kantilal Shah.. Omi looks confused.

61

Match cut.

INT/EXT. TEMPLE COMPOUND -

NIGHT

Omi at the shop with Ish and Govind. Turns to Ishaan. ISHAAN Par Omi.. Apni dukaan ki location jabardast hai..hai ki nahi? Omi grudgingly nods. ISHAAN (CONT'D) ..aur phir bank ne bhi site pass kar di hai.. toh extra magajmaari karne ki kya jaroorat hai..tu samjha na apne mamu ko..unko kya padi hai, hum Hasaan se le ya Hasina ki?.. So saying Ishaan rests his hands on Omi's shoulders, Omi cant control his smile. 62

INT. PARTY OFFICE - DAY Omi parrots Ishaan's dialogues to Mama. OMI Par mama.. Location ekdum zabardast hai..bank ne bhi site pass kar di hai.. Mama shrugs and hands out four bundles of notes. MAMA Jaisi teri ichcha.. Omi collects the money.

58. MAMA (CONT'D) ..soch samajhke kharcha karna. Cut on Omi's expression. 63

EXT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY Govind and Omi are holding up Omi on their shoulders and doing a celebration. Song fades back in. Sc 60-63 can be treated in split screen, or using wipe... showing Omi shuttling between his friends and Bittoo.

64

INT. NAVRANGPURA MALL/BLDG. OFFICE/BIG STORE SPACE - DAY Song continues. Hassan lightly flicks his finger with his tongue and counts the thick wad of currency notes that Govind has brought to book the shop. Govind himself looks tensed at the sight of so much money changing hands...finally Hassan looks up with a beaming smile and hands him the deed and a shiny new key for the shop. HASAN Lo bhai.. Shukan karo..ab malpua sharbat pilao.. Relieved and a very proud shop owner Govind now opens up the shop with his key and shows Vidya around A sunny patch falls on the floor. A few workers are polishing the floor around them. Govind is excited as he walks around, repeating Ish's dialogues. GOVIND ..yahaan reception counter daalenge.. Baaki shop 360 open rakhenge. Aur sare flooring pe artifical turf hoga.... Aur bay windows!!! Dono baju bay windows.. Full glass.. Ane space bacha to wahan ek 3 seater sofa dalenge.. saamne wall mounted tv.. Vidya comes closer smiles and dusts the cement off Govind's shoulder..as he speaks excitedly. Song continues...

65

INT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY Omi is guiding Ish through through a Hindi/Gujarati version of Playboy and giggling like twelve-year-olds in the shop. Suddenly Ish cant flip a page as they are stuck. He gives a shocked look to Omi who feigns ignorance. Govind shuts the candy jar lid and comes towards Ish and Omi. They invite him to see it.

59. OMI Govi..tere ko Savita Bhabhi pe kabhi taras nahi aata? Ek baar aake mil to le..lala Govind looks at it sideways and turns away. Ishaan gets up and opens the cash drawer and signals Govind to stare at that instead. ISHAAN (pointing to the cash box) Govi ko khali Lakshmi bhabhi mein interest hai..din raat ki neend haraam kar rakhi hai iski. Song continues. 66

INT./EXT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE-VIDYA'S ROOM/ SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB- PRACTICE AREA - DAY Intercut Ishaan's coaching of ali on the ground with Govind and Vidya stealing a private moment. ISHAAN (V.O.) Pehle ek baar poora field setting check karle.. Vidya looks around. ISHAAN (V.O.) (CONT'D) Ek fielder mid off pe.. Vidya's father reading the newspaper on his recliner. ISHAAN (V.O.) (CONT'D) Ek close in catcher cover point pe.. Vidya's mom doing her household chores. ISHAAN (V.O.) (CONT'D) Do fielder slip mein.. Two neighbouring aunties chatting in the balcony over looking Vidya's room. ISHAAN (V.O.) (CONT'D) Sab timing ka khel hai. Gaps doondh ke ball ko nikal na hai Vidya finds the right moment and gets touchy feely with govind.

67

EXT. SABARMATI SPORTS CLUB- PRACTICE AREA - DAY Close on Ali's helmet covered face and charge on Ishaan's focused face. Ali seems to do whatever ishaan is thinking.

60. ISHAAN (V.O.) Ali guard le.. Stance close kar.. Eye on the ball.. Jignesh bowls with aggression. ISHAAN (V.O.) (CONT'D) Overpitched hai.. head straight..balance yourself.. front foot aage le.. cover pe nikal Ali's eyes are darting around trying to process all the information while playing his stroke. He has a moment of hesitation trying to shuffle between his back foot and front, finally focusing on the ball... SLOW DOWN SPEED OF BALL AS IT BOUNCES OFF THE PITCH AND ALI CONNECTS BAT WITH BALL ... its a slightly late shot but it manages to find the gap between cover and mid off... Ashwin gives the ball a chase Ishaan is more relieved than happy and claps to encourage Ali. Kai po!!.. hi!!

ISHAAN (CONT'D) Aase hi..bas aese

Song continues. 68

EXT.

GIRLS' COLLEGE - DAY

Omi tries calling Ishaan from a PCO but the phone just rings on. He's hanging around the same girls' college that used to be their haunt. Looks at his watch. 69

EXT. MASJID - DAY Ishaan outside a Masjid waiting for Ali to come out with his dad. Ali rides pillion and waves goodbye to his father. Ishaan stops outside the college haunt where Omi is waiting. ISHAAN Aur mere hero..phir shikaar pe? Omi notices Ali and Ishaan checks his phone to see missed calls ISHAAN (CONT'D) Sorry yaar.. Ali ko ghar chhodna hai.. dukaan pe milta hoon shaam ko..zyada der yahan bhatakna mat..police dhoond rahi hai tujhe.

61. Ishaan guffaws at his own joke as he drives off. Omi is visibly disappointed. 70

Song continues

INT./ EXT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE/TERRACE - DAY Its Makar Sankranti!! Ishaan, Vidya, Govind, Omi and Ali atop Ishaan's terrace, engaged in a kite flying competition. Ish teams up with Ali against Omi and Govind. Ishaan cheers the boy as Ali starts chasing Omi's kite to cut it. Pench lada.. naak..

ISHAAN Khainch usko...kapi

ALI (excited) Dheel do Ish bhaiya.. Omi is irritable and shouts at Govind, who is holding the spindle. OMI Kya kar raha hai Govi.. Dori toh theek se sambhaal.. Saale kiske team mein hai tu? VIDYA Chalo Omi bhai.. Buck up.. ghasti naak. Omi notices how Vidya is giving covert glances to Govind while she cheers for Omi against her brother. While he's distracted, Ali manages to cut Omi's kite and Ish and Ali do a high five amidst each other. Omi wears a fixed smile as Ish teases Omi. ISHAAN Kai po che!!.. Barah saal ke teni se haar gaya.. Sharm karo Omi Shastri. Song continues. 71

INT. NAVRANGPURA MALL/CRICKET SHOP (DREAM SEQ) - DAY Govind is in his brand new mall store, designed exactly the way Ish visualized it. A ribbon at the entrance has been placed for inauguration. Govind holds a pair of scissors while Ish and Omi look on. Vidya releases a can of confetti. Ishaans dad, ishaans mom, govinds mom, omis father and omis mom all present Govind cuts the ribbon, the whole shop shakes.

62. The background song audio warbles and comes to an abrupt halt. 72

INT. GOVIND'S HOUSE - DAY Govind wakes up in his home in a cold sweat to see that the overhead bulb and fan are shaking. Govind leaps out of bed. Govind's mother screams out from the doorway. GOVIND'S MOM Uth Govind...bahar nikal.. poori building hil rahi hai..bhookamp aavyuchche.. SUPER: 26th January 2001, 8.46am (trembling font)

73

EXT.GOVINDS HOUSE - DAY A window breaks somewhere; a tv antenna falls elsewhere, potted plants fall from balconies; All three guys seen outside their homes with neighbours running helter skelter. Just as they are all expecting the worst and don't know where to run for cover, the tremors subside and Govind sighs in relief. Govind runs up a staircase and sees smoke billowing in the distance. NEIGHBOUR News mein aa raha hai ki saikdon imaartein gir gaye hai..hazaaron log zinda kaatm ke neeche aa gaye.. Govind smells something terribly wrong and breaks into a brisk walk. He sees 2 ambulances and a fire brigade race past him. He breaks into a run.

74

EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY Wide shot of Govind running across Ellis bridge over the Sabarmati river. The bridge connects the old city to the new city. In an aerial shot, we see dust and fumes rise, particularly from the new city. As we pan down, we see an out of breath Govind doing the run of his life. Govind passes fallen trees, fallen hoardings, crashed traffic signals and collapsed buildings. Govind pauses for breath at a board that asks to turn right for Navrangpura.

75

EXT. NAVRANGPURA MALL - DAY The under construction mall looks like it was made of play dough and someone has twisted it beyond recognition; parts of it broken down to rubble. Govind fishes out the key to his shop from his pocket and just stands clutching it and staring at the broken down mall.

63. In sheer frustration he throws the slips and falls amidst the rubble. him up. Govind sees Ishaan and Omi calm him down as Govind breaks out incoherently.

key in A pair behind into a

the rubble; of hands pull him trying to rant, babbling

GOVIND (delirious/ repeating the same thing) Saare paise doob gaye..doob gaye yaar.. ISHAAN Sambhaal apne aap ko Govi.. OMI (finding his voice) Sab theek ho jayega..ghabra mat yaar. Something snaps in Govind at these conciliatory words and he spats out in anger and frustration. GOVIND Kya theek ho jayega.. kaise theek ho jayega..Aakhen khol ke dekh wahan..sab dher ho gaya..Ab lo behnchow apni Khidki wali dukaan.. Ishaan and Omi know that Govind is venting his frustration. Ishan tries to pick up Govi. Govi is flailing his arms around, still delirious. ISHAAN (to Omi) Omi tu bike start kar.. Ish tries to get Govind on to the bike as Omi kick starts it. Govind still sits there dazed. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Chal Govi.. ghar chal.

76

EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY The boys are riding on the bridge on their bike, smoke billowing in the distance from the new city. A fire engine passes by with its alarm ringing loudly. INTERMISSION

77

EXT. MUSLIM NEIGHBOURHOOD - DAY It is a cold grey morning in Ahmedabad, a city in shambles. Ishaan makes his way through Ali's neighbourhood to see that a lot of the slums have been affected the shanties

64. have lost their roofs, somewhere a wall has caved in, the road has cracked up in several places. Ishaan approaches Ali's house with growing anxiousness. 78

EXT. GULSHAN SOCIETY COMPOUND - DAY Although the huge old gate has withstood the earthquake, the building has developed large cracks and is dangerously slanted on one side. The families have moved out in the court yard with whatever belongings that they could grab. The neighbours are huddled around. NEIGHBOUR 1 Abhi andar jana munasib nahin hai..phir se jhatke aa sakte hai.. Ek bhi naya crack aaya to poori building gir jayegi.. Ishaan spots Ali and his brother now huddled together while his stepmother stands and weeps. Javed is shuddering in cold and shock. ISHAAN Naseer chacha kahaan hain? ALI'S STEP MOTHER (sniffling) Surat gaye hain..kaam se..phone bhi nahi lag raha.. (beating her forehead and pointing to Javed) Ya allah!! Mere bachhe ki halat to dekho.. Aese kab tak raste pe pade rahenge.. Couple of neighbours try calming her down. NEIGHBOUR 3 Bibi..abhi andar jane mein khatra hai.. General pandemonium. Just then a chunk of a ceiling comes crumbling down to the ground. Ishaan looks worried.

79

EXT. SCHOOL COMPOUND - DAY Wide shot of Mama's Hindu party flag as it flutters over the makeshift relief camp in the Municipal School. A banner next to it says, "Earthquake Relief Camp". Relief work going on in full swing- Tents are being put up, food counters set up. Crowd of people pushing and shoving their way to the registration counter. Sound of babies crying.

65. Vishwas is supervising the registration process. Omi stands behind him. Bittoo approaches them,seemingly hassled by the phone conversation he's having. MAMA Party ke sab senior leader Bhuj ki taiyyari mein hain.. Mujhe jana padega.. Vishwas.. Idhar ka sara kuch sambhaal lena.. Omi tu vishwas Kaka ke saath hi rahna.. Haan? Omi nods earnestly. 80

EXT. SCHOOL COMPOUND - DAY Dozens of camp volunteers wearing party badges run around trying to create a semblance of order in the chaos. Omi is guiding in a new truck load of relief supplies inside the compound. The crowd has flocked to the truck even before it can be unloaded. There is a makeshift reception counter where new refugees are being registered and tagged with a wrist band. Omi is supervising the registration process along with Vishwas. OMI Bada ek ek karkine line ma aavo.. Thoosa thoosi reva do.. Thodi shaanti rakho..mota bhai.. Badda ne males.. Omi spots Ishaan out of the corner of his eye, he is relieved and raises his hand to wave at Ishaan but freezes in mid action at the sight of Ishaan walking in with 20 people from Ali's building- men, women in burqas, children

81

EXT. SCHOOL COMPOUND - DAY Vishwas has also spotted Ish's entourage. He comes ahead of the reception counter to block Ish. Omi stays aloof as he pulls out a new bunch of tags from a box. ISHAAN Kaka,Juhapur mein to sab dher ho gaya hai.. Main khud dekh ke aa raha hoon.. Jagah jagah pe crack aa gaye hai..inki building kabhi bhi gir sakti hai..thode din ke liye bas camp mein jagah chahiye.. Vishwas looks through Ish. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Bas 15-20 tag mein kaam ho jayega.. Kahan pe likhwaana hai naam?

66. Vishwas spots Ali. VISHWAS Ye Naseer no chokro che ne? Ish is surprised. He nods. VISHWAS (CONT'D) Toh eno baap kyan che? nazar nahi rahe ? (turning to his men) Udhar manch pe jaake to badi badi deenge marta hai ki woh junta ke saath hai.. ab jab junta pe aan padi, to miyan sheher chod ke bhag gaye? Ishaan can't believe that Vishwas is politicizing the whole thing. He looks at Omi who has now joined them. ISHAAN Yaar.. Kaka toh kahi aur hi nikal gaye hai.. Chal Omi..tag nikaal.. ye log sach mein musibat mein hai yaar.. Emni madad karvij parse. Vishwas looks to Omi. VISHWAS Apne dost ko samjhao.. hamaare pane yahaan lakhon zakhmi pade hai.. Waise bhi coupons limited hai. Omi tries to pacify the situation. OMI Kaka,main baat karta hun..Ish ek minute side ma aa.. ISHAAN Tu tags nikaal Omi.. phir din bhar baithke baat karte rahenge.. Pahle khane ke packets baant dete hai..subah se ek daana nahi gaya.. VISHWAS Omi..inko bol peeche hate.. ISHAAN Bas bahut ho gaya.. Mere paas yeh sab bakwaas sunne ka time nahi hai.. Ishaan moves forward to grab the tags. Vishwas slams his hand on top of Ishaan's to stop him.

67. Ishaan looks at Vishwas, daggers drawn. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Haath hatao.. Omi grabs Ish's forearm in a bid to pull him in and make him understand. OMI Ishaan, meri baat to sun.. ek minute side mein aa.. chhod use Ishaan, Vishwas and Omi have their hands in a tussle. Ishaan has locked eyes with Vishwas!! VISHWAS Omi, main aakhri baar kah raha hun.. apne dots ko bol apni toli le aur nikle yahan se. OMI (desperate) Ishaan.. Scene mat kar..chal.. bahar chal ke baat karte hai..chal.. Main aata hu tere saath. Ishaan pulls the tags in defiance. Vishwas gives Ishaan a hard shove. Ishaan like a cat with his back against the wall retaliates by shoving Vishwas back. Omi pulls Ishaan back in a bid to stop the madness as everyone is watching. Ishaan turns around and socks Omi who lands on the floor. Ishaan lunges for Vishwas but the party workers pull him back. ISHAAN Teri toh..saale..do takke ka chamche.. Omi cant believe the limits Ishaan has gone to this time. VISHW Bahar phenki aao aane! Vishwas' men grab hold of Ishaan and throw him out even as he protests and swings his arms wildly. 82

EXT. SCHOOL COMPOUND GATE - DAY Ali's family and neighbours have now retreated from the school compound. Vishwas' men push Ishaan out, whose face is now red in humiliation, anger and shame. ISHAAN Ghusavi raakh camp ne!!

68. Ali tries to run towards Ish but his step mother restrains him. Ali throws a stone towards the gate of the school compound and runs away. 83

INT. GOVIND'S HOUSE - DAY Govind slumped on the living room divan with a bandage on his forehead. His broken specs lies on a side table as he continues to stare listlessly at the blurry visuals on the tv. Every channel shows the same news on the earthquake and relief work as if in a loop. Govind's phone is ringing but he doesn't answer it. mother addresses him.

His

GOVIND'S MOM Khana? Govind shakes his head in negative. GOVIND'S MOM (CONT'D) Ghadi ghadi ek hi cheez dekh ke kya faayda? Uth ab..bahar ja..thode khule mein ghoom ke aa....jo hona tha wo ho gaya.. Ab aage ki soch. Govind turns his face away, not wanting to hear this. 84

EXT. GULSHAN SOCIETY COMPOUND - EVENING Ishaan is helping some men to clear the compound and set up tents. Ali is with him. The men are talking amongst themselves about what can be done with the building. In the background, some women have lit a stove and are cooking. NEIGHBOUR 1 Sabse pahle timber daal ke base ko mazboot karna padega.. uske baad hi repairing ka kaam chalu ho sakta hai. NEIGHBOUR 2 Par is sab ke liye paise kahan se ayenge..? Already itna nuksaan ho gaya hai.. NEIGHBOUR 3 Kuch to karna hi padega Ilyas bhai..aese biwi bachchon ke saath sadak pe to nahi baith sakte..allah ne dhayi hai, ab rasta bhi wohi dikhayenge..

69. NEIGHBOUR 1 Saath sattar hazaar toh lag jayenge.. In the meantime Naseer has just arrived. Ali runs out and hugs him. Naseer hugs him back tightly. NASEER Allah ka laakh laakh shukar hai.. Suddenly he notices Javed and his wife as his wife breaks out in a fresh wail. Rukhsana!!.. 85

NASEER (CONT'D) Javed!!

EXT. GULSHAN SOCIETY COMPOUND - MOMENTS LATER Naseer has just heard what happened at the relief camp and is now blaming Ishaan. NASEER: Kya zaroorat thi wahan jaane ki..? Poore mohalle ki beizzati karaake aa gaye.. Ish is taken aback at Naseer's reaction. ISHAAN Par chacha.. tab aisa panic ho gaya tha.. Socha camp mein sabko jagah mil jayegi.. NASEER: Mil gayi jagah? Sab log jaante hai Bitoo ke party ke log mar jayenge par kabhi hamari madad nahi karenge.. Naseer vents out his irritation at Ishaan. NASEER: (CONT'D) Isi liye main Ali ko pehle se hi tum logon ke paas bhejne ko raazi nahi tha.. Koi fayda nahi hota ye sab bhaichaare ka.. sab dikhaawa hai..ab behtar yahi hai ki woh apne logon ke beech rahe..yehin pale.. Yehin mare..ab khuda ke liye humen pane haal pe chhod do.. Shukriya. Ali who has been standing behind Ishaan and following their conversation clutches Ishaan's hand tightly when he hears that Naseer is asking him to leave.

70. 86

INT. GOVIND'S HOUSE - NIGHT Govind must have dozed off when he's woken up by Vidya's voice. VIDYA Kab se try kar rahi hoon? Phone silent pe hai tumhara? Govind is surprised to see her. Vidya comes closer and keeps a hand on Govind's forehead VIDYA (CONT'D) (softly) Ab bhi bukhaar hai kya..? Govind shakes his head but stays quiet. Vidya switches gears again and breaks forth excitedly. VIDYA (CONT'D) Phir uthke kuch karte kyon nahi? Kab tak ghar pe buthha banake baithe rahoge? GOVIND (snaps) Kya karoon? Jaake mall khada kar doon phir se? VIDYA (exasperated) Mall bhi khada kar denge..par pehle jaake apne doston ko sambhaalo.. khule aam public mein maar peet shuru kar di hai. Govind is caught by surprise and knits his brow in frown... GOVIND Kya??

87

EXT. OMI'S HOUSE - NIGHT Vidya drops off Govi on her scooty. Omi who is seated on the terrace of his house, watches Vidya drive off. A faint sound of temple bells ringing can be heard in the background. CUT.

88

INT./EXT. OMI'S HOUSE/TERRACE - NIGHT Govind is standing behind Omi, having just heard his version of the events. Omi is still stinging from what happened earlier. Govind sounds worried. GOVIND La kya ho kya raha hai ye sab? Baat itni kaise bad gayi?

71. Omi maintains a sullen silence. GOVIND (CONT'D) Time bhi to saala gadbad chal raha hai..sab ki lagi hui hai..(pause) Tu janta hai Ishaan baat baat pe bhadak uthta hai..ismein itna serious hone ki kya baat hai? Omi retorts sharply. OMI Tu mujhe mat samjha Ishaan kaisa hai..tujhse behtar janta hun main use.. Govind has to smile at Omi's typical possessive reaction towards anything concerning Ish. GOVIND Chor na yaar.. uska to hamesha ka problem hai..anytime dimaag ghode pe sawaar rahta hai. Omi has had it with Govind's attempts at pep talk. OMI Tu chor na yaar.. Tere ko jab chaar logon ke beech gaaliyan dega na, tab dekhta hun tu kitna control mein rehta hai.. (beat) us chhaant bhar ke ladke ke liye sabke saamne mujh se bhir gaya, toh soch kya karega jab usey tera aur Vidya ka pata chalega? Govind's face grows pale...Omi knows! Omi turns and stares at Govind square in the eye; Govind has to look away, at a loss for words. 89

INT./EXT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY Cut to an ambient shot outside the sports shop. Ishaan arrives at the shop to see Govind frantically checking the cash drawer and muttering to himself. The upturned cash box lies on the counter. Govind looks extremely hassled. GOVIND Sab le gaye yaar..poore chaalis ka bundle tha. Ishaan is quietly gulping down water. Govind is ready to tear his hair out in frustration. He starts banging the counter, not knowing what to do.

72. GOVIND (CONT'D) Saare ke saare chor hain.. bhookamp ke baad se sab jagah loot machi hui hai.. Paanch hajaar chod gaye bheek mein.. Chal.. Police mein jaake report likhwaate hai.. Ishaan is shifty. He mutters under his breath. ISHAAN Woh..Paise maine liye.. Govind freezes in mid action. GOVIND Kya..? Ish scratches his head, avoiding Govind's gaze. ISHAAN Yaar..Do din se sab andhadhundhi machi hai.. Time hi nahi mila kuch sochne ka Govi.. Tujhe phone bhi kiya bahut baar par tu ne uthaya nahi.. Govind keeps looking at Ishaan askance, not saying a word. ISHAAN (CONT'D) (under his breath) Ali ke building mein repairs karaani thi.. Govind is just lost for words. Omi enters at this point. He's heard the last of the conversation. He doesn't address Ishaan directly. OMI Maine kahan nahi tha..mental ho gaya hai yeh us teni ke peeche..ab sar pe bitha ke nacho. Omi..

ISHAAN Tu bahar rah.

Omi moves away from Ish. OMI Kyun? Kya galat kah raha hoon main?.. Tujhe pata hai abhi bhi hamaare kitne log kaatmal ke neeche phanse hue hai..ek ek karke bodies nikaali ja rahi hai.. par tujhe wo sab kuch nahi dikhta.. tujhe sirf wo ladka aur uski takleefein hi dikhti hai!

73. ISHAAN (arguing) Saale bada Mama ki zabaan bolne lag gaya hai tu.. maine kuch galat nahi kiya.. phir mauka mila to phir karoonga..insaan hi insaan ke madad aata hai.. Govind now cuts in with a sharp cry. GOVIND Tum log bhaukna band karoge (turning to Ish) Apne aapko samajhta kya hai tu be? Hai kaun tu paise ko haath lagaane wala ? Tu leader hai kya unka? Tere baap ka galla hai? Saale chutiye.. Ek to Hasan gayab ho gaya hamaare paise leke.. mall ka ata pata nahi.. Mama ke teen laakh gale mein latak rahe hai..chaaron taraf se lagi hui hai..aur tere ko saale yehi time mila tha samaaj seva ke liye ? Govind flings the cashbox and it falls with a loud crash. Ish has never felt so miserable before, with the two closest people in his world turning against him. But he is still belligerent. ISHAAN Ab to de diye paise..ab kuch nahi ho sakta. Omi and Govind look at him aghast. them.

Ish tries to cajole

The sound of a repetitive bhajan chant is wafting from the temple. Ishaan looks out with a silent appeal to his friends ISHAAN (CONT'D) Paise hi hai na.. phir se kama lenge.. Lekin Ali jaisa talent roz roz nahi milta...aakhri chance hai yaar, ise main nahi chod sakta Omi and Govind stare at him in disbelief. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Aur yeh dekh.. He thrusts the newspaper carrying the headline of Australia touring India. His last gambit.

74. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Australia series shuru hone wali hai..ek baar India jeet gayi.. Bas.. dhanda raaton raat pick up karega. Tu tension mat le. Govind snatches the paper from Ishaan's hands and flings it away, too tired to even argue. Ishaan walks out. 90

INT. PARTY OFFICE - DAY (Time lapse) Super: 2nd March,2001. A headline screams India's defeat in the first test against Australia. Govind puts the paper away with a sigh. Govind sits rather nervously outside Bittoo Mama's office. He is ushered in. Govind greets Mama politely shelling out some money as part payment of their loan. Omi stands quietly behind,grave. GOVIND Mama,woh bhookamp ke baad se dhanda thoda slow chal raha hai.. abhi yeh bees hazaar rakh lijiye.. thoda thoda karke instalments mein sara lauta denge.. Bittoo doesn't count the money. He shrugs it away. BITTOO MAMA Hmmm.. Jis din poore ikhatte ho jaye..us din aake lauta dena..ye hafton wala system yahan nahi chalta beta. Govind and Omi look at each other. We hold the moment. Bittoo now looks at Govind and the note of warning is unmistakable in his voice. BITTOO MAMA (CONT'D) (pause).. Aur woh tumhara dost..kya haal hain uske? Uski garmi nikli ki nahi? Tum log samjhaate kyun nahi use..in sab chakkaron mein na pade.. Govind shifts nervously. Omi deflects the topic. OMI Mama.. Aapne bahut kiya hamare liye..thank you, hum kuch bhi karke paison ki vyavastha karte hain.

75. MAMA (to Omi) Agle mahine se chunaav prachaar zoron se shuru hone wali hai. Omi..is baar tujhe jaan lada deni padegi. GOVIND Uski chinta mat kijiye..Omi aapke saath hi rahega. Dukaan ki saari dekh rekh main akele kar loonga Omi looks at Govind, slightly confused. Govind gives him an approving look. 91

INT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY Super: Ind v/s Aus test match/ Eden Gardens/ March 11, 2001/ Day 1 The TV shows the score. Australia is batting and is at 193/1 at tea. Govind is carrying the supplies that the Kashmiri pandit has brought in. SUPPLIER PANDITJI Govind Bhai, who Ish bhaiya nahi mile kuch din se.. ISHAAN (sarcastically) Ish Bhaiya ko apne aap se mile hue bahut din ho gaye.. They are interrupted as a 52 year old lady in spectacles, who we'll later know as MRS.MEHTA, arrive at the shop. She has a eight year old boy,SUKETU, dragging her inside. SUKETU Mujhe match dekhna hai.. Phleeeze!! (gujju) MRS MEHTA Namaste.. Main Mrs. Mehta. Yeh mera beta Suketu hai..' cricket cricket' karke hairaan kar diya hai.. Main actually aarti ke liye late ho rahi hoon..kya woh yahan thodi der match dekh sakta hai? Govind nods.

92

INT./EXT. PARTY OFFICE - DAY Omi is working in the party office, taking delivery of posters.

76. OMI Har ek pol ke liye alag bundle bana diya hai.. jo jis area ka hai apne apne utha lo.. Budhwar tak chappa chappa cover ho jana chahiye.. Vishwaas comes in and leads Omi out to the porch where a new Tata Sumo,decked with flowers,is parked. Vishwas hands him the keys. Just then his phone rings. Omi picks it up. BITTOO Omi..yeh tree liye.. Party ka senior karya karta hai ab tu.. Kabh tak us purani bike pe ghista rahega. Omi is over joyed. He turns around. Bittoo is standing right across the porch. He rushes across and touches his feet. They hug as Bittoo thumps his back. Omi excitedly dials Ishaan's no but then after a rethink disconnects it. 93

INT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY The TV shows Harbhajan is on the brink of a hat trick. Govind's eyes are now glued to tv, forgetting the students' notebooks open in front of him. The 3rd wicket goes... Suketu and Govind give out a cheer and do a high five. Suketu starts jumping up and down,screaming in joy. Just then Mrs Mehta walks in and is amused at seeing Govind and Suketu bond. MRS MEHTA Arre..India jeet rahi hai kya..? Thank you..( To Suketu) Chalo.baaki ghar pe dekhenge..kuch chahiye yahan se? GOVIND Koi baat nahi Aunty.. Govind gives a pat on Suketu's back. MRS MEHTA Achcha..aap log schools ko bhi sports equipment supply karte ho? GOVIND School supply..?? Govind hesitates but is quick to spot the opportunity . GOVIND (CONT'D) Karte hai na? Of course..bataiye

77. MRS MEHTA Main Kendriya Vidyalaya ki principal hoon, Urvashi Mehta. GOVIND Namaste..Govind. Hum sirf supply hi nahi..coaching bhi provide karte hai..hamaari apni academy hai.Mera partner Ishaan.. Ishaan Bhatt, district level ka player hai. As he gives his spiel,Govind hands over a business card proudly displaying 'Sabarmati Sports Club'. MRS MEHTA That's great. Main kuch time se Physical Education ko curriculum mein include karne ki koshish kar rahi uh.. tum log agle Monday aake ek presentation kyun nahi karte? GOVIND We'll be there Madam.. MRS MEHTA Monday 9 o clock then. Govind takes out a ball and gives it to Suketu and ruffles his hair. As they leave he picks up the phone. 94

INT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE - DAY Pull back from the TV showing the end of day's play. ISHAAN Monday ko India ki 2nd innings aane wali hai.. Main kahi nahi janewala..Tu akele manage kar le na Govi.. Please? Ishaan disconnects. day score.

We stay on the TV as it shows end of

TV ANNOUNCER Due to a fantastic spell by Harbhajan, Australia end the day at 291/8.At the end of Day 1, it looks like even stevens. India has wrested the initiative back. 95

INT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE/VIDYA'S ROOM - NIGHT A page from a statistics book, explaining some problem. For once Vidya is focused on her studies but Govind seems distracted. He looks up from the book and suddenly starts venting about his best friend to his 'back up friend'.

78. GOVIND Ish ka kya karoon Vidya..samajh nahi aata ..Pahle bina bataye paise nikaale.. Phir Omi se ladaai karke baith gaya..Us din uski wajah se Mama se chaar baatein sunni padi.. kisi bhi cheez ki jimmedari nahi leni use.. koi itna selfish ho sakta hai ..aur bhi toh log involved hai.. Nuke bare main to sochna hi nahi. ..Pata nahin ghar pe tum log kaise use handle karte ho..must be like daily torture. Vidya stays quiet. Govind is about to continue his complaints when suddenly he goes red in his face and almost cries out when Vidya speaks softly but firmly. VIDYA Bhai thode impulsive zaroor hai par doston pe jaan dete hai woh, unko baith ke judge nahi karte ..apne doston ke liye woh kuch bhi kar sakte hai.. Govind keeps his mouth shut. We now see that Vidya is pinching him hard on his waist. She repeats softly. VIDYA (CONT'D) Kar sakte hai ki nahin..? Kar sakte hai..?? Vidya increases the pressure of her pinch. She gives him one last tweak and lets go. A silent scream escapes Govind's mouth. Govind sighs in relief. He looks incredulously towards her... She turns nonchalantly back to her books. VIDYA (CONT'D) To kahan thay hum.. problem no.11? 96

INT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE - DAY We reveal TV showing the match again. Super: Day 2 TV ANNOUNCER Finally, the Australian first innings has come to a close at 445. The Kangaroo tail has wagged and now India has its task cut out!!

79. Ishaan is slumped in front of the tv in his living room. His father notices him back in his familiar position and addresses his wife at the dining table. Vidya climbs down the stairs and joins the family. ISHAAN'S FATHER Cricket ke dukaan pe bhi tala lag gaya lagta hai? Vidya walks over to Ishaan and looks like she wants to say something to him. VIDYA Bhailu... Ishaan doesn't even look at her as he continues to watch tv. She sits down beside him on the swing. Bhailu.. hai..

VIDYA (CONT'D) Mujhe kuch baat karni ISHAAN

Baad mein.. Vidya is peeved at this and takes the remote of the tv from the center table and switches it off. VIDYA Zaroori baat hai.. Ishaan doesn't let her finish,snatching the remote and switches the tv on again. ISHAAN Tang mat kar Vidya..mujhe highlights dekhni hai She snatches the remote back and switches it off again. VIDYA Do minute nahi hai aapke paas mujhse baat karne ke liye.. ISHAAN (tone of warning) Kaha na baad mein..ab bhaag yahan se So saying Ishaan lunges for the remote and switches it back to cricket again. Vidya is really pissed off now. VIDYA Tum bhaago yahan se..mera bhi ghar hai ye..hamesha tumhari dadagiri nahi chalegi..

80. She tries to snatch the remote from Ishaan. Ishaan loses his cool and grips Vidya's hair, pulling her away, overpowering her. ISHAAN Irritate mat kar Vidya..remote wapas de.. Nahi to khich ke doonga ek ! He looks like he's almost about to hit her. Ishaan's father now pulls Ishaan away and lands a stinging slap on his face. FATHER Bas.. bahut ho gaya..Apni bahen pe haath uthaata hai!! Bahar duniya mein khade hone ki aukat to hai nahi,bas gharwalon pe raub jamate raho.. Taangein tod doonga teri!! Ishaan walks off without a word. Sound overlap of Day 3's commentary. 97

INT./EXT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE/TERRACE - NIGHT Super: Day 3 Ishaan is seated on the ledge of the terrace, facing outward. He looks gloomy and dejected, hasn't shaved for a couple of days now. TV ANNOUNCER(V.O.) So India's first innings has folded up for 171, 274 short of Australia's 445.Australia's enforced a follow on. Its going to be uphill from here to save the test match. Vidya comes and stands behind him. Ishaan doesn't seem to notice her presence. Vidya keeps a hand on Ishaan's shoulder. VIDYA Kab tak ghar pe muh sujaake baithe rahoge.. Jake Omi bhai se baat kyon nahi karte? Ishaan gives a glance towards Vidya over his shoulders but doesn't respond and looks away. Vidya now climbs up on the ledge too, facing Ishaan. Ishaan instinctively reaches out a hand behind her to guard her from falling. VIDYA (CONT'D) Aap se kitna pyaar karta hai, shayad mujh se bhi zyaada..Phir se haar maan ke baith gaye? Kya ho jaata aap ko bhailu. Ek kuch hua nahi ki aap sab chhod chhad ke baith jaate ho.

81. Ishaan is about to say something but Vidya rests a hand on him and continues. VIDYA (CONT'D) Itni asaani se aise dost nahi milte..poori zindagi nikal jati hai. Ish hangs his head in silence knowing that his little sister is saying the right thing. He sits there quiet. VIDYA (CONT'D) Come on bhailu.. gussa to itna gussa aur jab maafi ka time aaya toh itni kanjoosi..achhe se jaake sorry bolo.. Maan jayega..fan hai woh aapka.. Stay on Ishaan's face, looking like a child who has to accept the truth. VIDYA (CONT'D) Hum sab fan hai aapke.. ISHAAN (softly) Sorry Vidya.. Vidya ruffles his hair and then suddenly tugs at it as revenge for yesterday. Ishaan feels the pain but instead of frowning, breaks into a smile and wraps his arm around her shoulders. 98

INT. GOKULDHAM TEMPLE - DAY Super Day 4- Omi is setting the mats for the devotees. Ishaan sees him from afar and throws him a smile, Omi ignores him and continues with his work. Ishaan trails behind him, trying to apologize. ISHAAN Sun toh meri baat..sorry yaar.. Omi doesn't respond and goes on with his work. Ishaan straightens each mat like Omi's assistant but Omi is ummoved. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Hud ho gayi yaar zid ki? Kya karoon? Aarti utaarun teri?? Pairon pe girgiraoon? So saying Ishaan drops down on his knees in front of Omi and attempts to catch hold of his feet. Omi jumps back OMI Kya kar raha hai? Pagal ho gaya kya?

82. ISHAAN Apne paapon ka prayashchat kar raho hoon, bhugwun.. OMI (pointing to the altar) Wahan pe..paapiyon ke liye woh line hai.. Wahan jake maafi maang. Now that he's got his attention, Ishaan changes gear and plays the emotional card. ISHAAN (reaching out to Omi) Omi yaar..kya hai ye? main tera bhai nahi hoon?? ab chhod na gussa.. Ishaan puts a hand to Omi's shoulders. Omi spots a couple of devotees who have now entered and are watching their drama. Omi shrugs him off. OMI Bas bahut ho gaya Ishaan. He looks straight into Ishaan's eyes. OMI (CONT'D) Tu apna chhor ke kisi ka nahi hai.. Omi just keeps staring at Ishaan. Ishaan's face clouds over. 99

INT. CRICKET SHOP - EVENING Govind walks in with supplies as Laxman and Dravid are walking back to the pavilion. TV ANNOUNCER Fantastic batting by the two. They've showed a really mature head on those young shoulders. The Australians could not claim a single wicket all day. At the end of day 4, India stands at 589 for 4. Back to our studios for the expert analysis. ISHAAN (V.O.) Chalo Izzat to bach jayegi.. Govind is startled to see Ishaan already there. As he puts down the supplies, he peeps over to see Ishaan preparing some files for the presentation at Kendriya Vidyalaya. Govind is impressed. Ishaan looks focussed.

83. 100

EXT. CRICKET SHOP/TEMPLE COMPOUND - DAY SUPER: DAY 5 The TV has been placed outside the shop. Ish, and Govind sit on stools as a crowd of shopkeepers and bystanders watch the match with them. Ali leans on Ishaan's stool. TV ANNOUNCER The news has just come in from the dressing room..It is confirmed. Ganguly has decided to declare the innings at 658. They've set Australia a target of 384 to win. Its a challenging declaration..the match has come back to life!! Murmurs run through the crowd. Ali tries to follow the conversation SHOP KEEPER 1 Chalo..draw to pucca hai.. SHOP KEEPER 2 Waise declare karne ki zaroorat kya thi..? Acchha khasa khel toh rahe the. BY STANDER 1 Kahin unhone saade 300 thok diye toh? Ishaan stands up and with a glint in his eye. ISHAAN Aur kahin humne unke dus wicket thok diye, toh? Faint strands of Vande Mataram starts on the soundtrack. Omi watches from the temple at the little crowd gathered at the shop. SHOPKEEPER 1 (V.O.) Follow on se koi team aaj tak jeeti hai?? Ho hi nahi sakta.. Back at the shop. ISHAAN Cricket mein kuch bhi ho sakta hai kaka.. Apne boys ka morale abhi high hai..kuch bhi ho sakta hai..kyun Govind..ho sakta hai na? Govind shakes his head.

84. GOVIND Mushkil hai.. pichle sau saalon mein sirf do hi baar hua hai.. max to max draw hai. ISHAAN Tu bas statistics mein ghusa rah..game to on hai boss!! 101

INT. OMI'S HOUSE - DAY Harbhajan does a winning spell at bowling TV ANNOUNCER And that's one more to the kitty.. Bhajji's on fire.. This is turning out to be an unbelievable cricket match. Five down Australia. OMI Come on Bhajji!! Omi looks charged up, feeling a sudden surge of joy and is about to exclaim but then realizes he has no one to share it with and quiets down.

102

EXT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY The song continues. Ishaan suddenly looks fired up. There is an excited buzz as India looks close to clinching a victory. The 9th wicket falls. TV ANNOUNCER (hyper) Australia is 9 down, one more and they lose the match. India is on the verge of creating cricketing history, coming back from a follow on to win. AUSTRALIAN CO-COMMENTATOR (mock anger) Thats going to sting for a long time...Sorry mate.. Doesnt look like these Aussie boys will be partying much tonight. Ishaan looking tensed. ISHAAN Last wicket hai..koi hilna mat

103

INT. OMI'S HOUSE - DAY The TV caption shows the past two matches in history when this has happened. Omi is glued to the tv,furiously biting his nails off.

85. Come on..

OMI Come on..ek last bas..

Harbhajan takes the last wicket. Eden Gardens is up on a roar...fireworks on tv. Omi begins to shout out in joy Yaaaay..

OMI (CONT'D) Jeet gaye!!!!!

Vande Mataram reaches a crescendo here. 104

EXT. TEMPLE COMPOUND - DAY Ish seems to continue that shout of joy as he jumps up and runs around wildly. ISHAAN Jeet gaye.. Ye lo saalon..Ind eaah!! Ind eaah!!... Jeet gaye bhai jeet gaye!! Indiaaaah!! The shopkeepers dance. Drum beats from the Mandir. Conch shells blow. The entire temple compound breaks into joyous celebration. Omi steps out in front of the temple to see the crowd buzzing around their shop. Ishaan spots Omi and runs to him... the friends staring at each other, their faces breaking into glee as Ish runs and hugs Omi tightly. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Baka..Bahut miss kiya tere ko. OMI Jaanta hun.. Ish drags him next to the shop. Omi's face breaks into a smile as Ishaan picks up Ali on his shoulders and starts doing a bhangra dance with Omi. ISHAAN Oye..Oye..Oye!! (to Omi) Bhajji ka hat trick dekha?? Mindblowing yaar!! A boy comes running to the shop with a 500 rupee note. BOY Ek season ball aur ek set keeping gloves..jaldi please..hamara match shuru hone wala hai.. Now Govind's face breaks into genuine glee. Celebratory music in background continues as he joins Ish and Omi.

86. 105

INT/EXT. CRICKET SHOP - DAY Montage of business taking off shots of newspaper clippings announcing "India wins historic match" and "Team India makes India proud." Intercut with a flurry of activity at the Sabarmati Sports shop. Govind looks happily busy. Panditji and an army of workers bring several trunk load of stock.

106

INT. KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA/MRS.MEHTA'S OFFICE - DAY Ishaan and Govind face a panel of five teachers in Mrs. Mehtas office. TEACHER Dekho bhai.. Hamara government aided school hai.. hamaare bachhe exams mein pass ho jaye..yehi hamaare liye bahut hai.. Sports Training pe har mahine school fund se 40 hazaar rupye allocate karna.. doesn't make sense. Govind is worried that the deal may be lost. GOVIND Sir.. yeh sirf preliminary figures hain. Hum kuch adjustments kar skate hain ISHAAN Nahi..nahi kar sakte hain (Ishaan addresses Govind) Hazaar se bhi zyada students ka batch hai..isse kum mein kahan se hogi sports training? Who bhi with free equipment? Ishaan turns back to face the panel. ISHAAN Sorry ma'm..isse kum mein hamare liye practical hi nahi hai..we'll go into losses.. Govind tries to hush Ishaan up. GOVIND Yaar samajh na..sports toh inke sylabus mein hi nahi hai. ISHAAN Aajtak syllabus ki kaunsi aisi cheez hai jo hamare life mein kaam aayi hai? Govind's face drops as Ishaan has insulted the client.

87. TEACHER 2 Achhe marks se phir bhi aage ja ke achche college mein admission mil sakti hai.. Sports khelke aap apna future secure nahi kar sakte. ISHAAN Aap aise dono cheezon ko compare nahi kar skate Ma'm.. its not fair.. Sports training sirf field tak limited nahin hai.. isse bachhe kayi life skills bhi seekhte hain.. Teamwork.. Focus.. Self Discipline. Students apne aap ko push kar skate hai.. Ek definite goal set kar sakte hai.. phir yehi students bahar jaake asli duniya mein bhir skate hai.. 100 metre hurdles mein first aana koi physics mein sau mein se sau lane se kam nahi hai!! Silence in the room as everyone absorbs Ishaan's outburst. Govind wiping sweat, sure that they've lost the deal. 107

INT./EXT. KENDRIYA VIDYALAYA CORRIDOR/STAIRCASE - DAY Govind is super excited as he pours over the official letter walking down the empty corridors with Ishaan. GOVIND (laughing) Chavai gyo boss tu toh!Ek minute ke liye mujhe laga ki gayi deal paani mein.. Woh Mrs. Srivastava ka mooh dekha ISHAAN Yaar,ek minute ke liye soch.. agar hum yeh sports package Ahmedabad ke chhote..bade.. sab schoolon mein offer karein to? Govind turns to see Ishaan spinning yet another dream. ISHAAN (CONT'D) In fact Ahmedabad chhor,Surat, Baroda, Rajkot.. dekhte dekhte poore desh mein Ahmedabad Sports Club ka thappa laga sakte hain The school bell goes off and students start to pour out ISHAAN (CONT'D) ..aur phir itne schools.. itne bachhe.. Soch kitna talent niklega?? (MORE)

88. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Kone kone se dhoond nikalenge saalon ko.. phir tera dhanda dekh kahan se kahan pahuch jayega..!! Govind mock salutes Ishaan. GOVIND Sab hoga shreemaan..sab hoga.. Main Dhirubhai ban jaoonga aur Omi ko Chief Minister bana denge..Par abhi rickshaw dhoonein Rip off of hit film song used for campaigning from 20002001 fades in. (Kaho na Pyaar hai) 108

EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY A tempo full of party workers campaigning on the streets. The tempo is decorated with party banners and a large cut out of Bittoo with folded hands and a tilak on his forehead. Speakers installed on the tempo blares the election song which has been re-written to the tune of a hit Hindi film song. Omi in his brand new Sumo and aviators, leads the group, shouting in to the mic the chorus of the song, clearly enjoying himself. Their tempo now passes an area where Naseer's party has set up a road side meeting. Omi's song is intruded by a shrieking feedback from Naseer's PA system. Naseer notices the tempo and speaks loudly into his mic; addressing a mixed crowd of Hindu and Muslims working class people. He introduces their party candidate SUBODH MEHTA, a docile looking elderly man. NASEER Bhaiyon ane behnon.. Agad padta samjh sewak, janata na wafadar karyakarta, sewa bhavi mahatma subodh mehta ni kon nati olaktu.. Taliyo! Hoon mehtaji nu vannanti karoon chu ki be shabd tamne sambhlawe Naseer passes the mic to Subodh Mehta as the crowd cheers. Omi turns up the volume of the song they are playing and campaigns even more loudly.

89. MEHTAJI Je dharti par mahatmaye janam lido, jeh dharti upar lokhandi purushe' dharti dhrijaviti tyaan aaje hoon ubho chu. Duniya ke che ki gujaratima dum anti, taaqat nati.. aye gujarati aaje chaati thoke ni ke che.. Aavijaoo! Omi's tempo revs up and zooms past the meeting area, drowning the sound of applause. 109

EXT. NANA PARK - DAY Ali is at a fielding position while Jignesh balls. sees the ball soar up in the sky in his direction.

Ali

JIGNESH (shouts) Ali tera hai..Pakad Ali runs all the time keeping his eyes on the red ball as it zooms down (kapils '83 catch of richards). The sunlight almost blinds Ali as he leaps up in the air to reach for the ball...He feels his vision go dark as his head reels. A dull thud of him falling to the ground as the screen goes dark. 110

EXT. NANA PARK - MOMENTS LATER Ali opens his eyes to see Jignesh, Pintoo and Ish leaning over him. He hasn't let go of the ball and grins widely. Jignesh helps him up. him water.

Pintoo pats him while Ishaan gives

ISHAAN Theek hai na tu..? Thodi der break le le.. The other boys have also gathered around them. Ali shakes his head in negative, wanting to play on, still clutching the ball and smiling. Ishaan announces a break anyway and as he walks back with his boys herding around him. OK guys.. 10.

ISHAAN (CONT'D) Drinks break..back in

PINTOO Kya catch pakda yaar. ISHAAN 83 mein kapil paji ne same to same richards ka catch pakda tha.. Ishaan initiates a regroup...\

90. ISHAAN (CONT'D) ..Ok guys.. Important announcement.. Inter Club tournament aane wala hai.. Aur is baar (pause)' Amdavad Sports Club hissa legi.. Jigla captain karega.. Ali aur Ashwin tum dono open karonge..Pintoo..tu bowling attack lead karega..Get set boys.. Ab jaldi se match fit hona hai. 111

INT./EXT. BITTOO'S HOUSE - DAY A wide shot of Bittoo's house. Omi is seated in Bittoo's living room along with Vishwas and a couple of others. Bittoo is enraged, pacing up and down the room. Everyone is tense. Bittoo's daughter spots something in the newspaper and stops to take a closer look. DAUGHTER (excitedly) Pappa tamaro photo! Looking closer and showing it to baby brother. Golu jo..

DAUGHTER (CONT'D) Pappa!

She starts reading out the words of the headline- 'Brahmin bribed...' An incriminating picture of Bittoo and the builder Kantilal Shah at some party. To make things worse the picture shows them drinking. The headline runs 'Brahmin bribed by Builder; Builder goes missing after cheating hundreds. Bitto now snatches the paper from the daughter and flings it aside. Omi sees Bittoo's frustration and promptly takes the kids out of the room. BITTOO MAMA Haraamiyo ne dikha di apni jaat..saale jasoos lagaye hue hai mere peeche.. Hazaaron log aate hai..photo khichwaate hai..main kya sab ke naam pata note karta rahoon? VISHWAS Kantilal ne hamare 'Bhookamp Relief' fund ke liye donation diya tha na ..is liye inko cheenti lag gayi

91. Omi has joined them by now. BITTOO MAMA Maine aaj tak kisi ka ek naya rupya nahi liya. Sab jaante hain ki jo aata gaya sab relief fund mein lag gaya..ek ek pai ki receipt hai.. VISHWAS Yeh us Naseer Hashmi aur Subodh Mehta ki mili bhagat hai.. unke logon ko camp se nikalva diya tha na, Usi ka badla liya hai BITTOO MAMA Bas yeh election ho jaein, ek ek ko nanga kar doonga. Omi is convinced by Bittoo's argument and is embittered by the memories of that day. OMI Par bhookamp ke baad kitne sare builders to underground chale gaye..Kyun..hamara builder Hasan bhi to paise leke gayab ho gaya. Bittoo looks thoughtful as an idea occurs to him. BITTOO MAMA (To Vishwas) Woh News 9 mein Desai hai na.. Ene phone laga.. 112

EXT. CRICKET SHOP/TEMPLE COMPOUND - NIGHT The cameraman frames Omi against the shop, with the temple lights in the background...a local tv channel is covering the recent controversy about the politician-builder nexus and has come to get Omi's byte. Omi feels he's doing the right thing as he and his friends were indeed cheated by Hassan. OMI (Clearing his throat) Hum log pahle bhi aap se keh chuke hain..yeh saare aarop jhoothe hai..yeh ek rajnitik shadyantra hai aur kuch nahi.. Kantilal ko akele hi target kyun banaye ja raha hai? Bittooji ne khud laakhon ka nuksan uthaya hai Hasan Ali jaise builders ke haathon.. Dukaan bhi gayi..aur raaton raat paise leke bhi gayab ho gaya..aap uske bare mein kyon nahi chaapte?!

92. Govind stands behind, feeling trapped and uncomfortable, caught amidst the political cross fire. 113

EXT. NANA PARK (HOME GAME) - DAY A banner reads 'Amdavad Sports versus Raipur Chakla'. Ishaan hands Ali an energiser drink but looks distracted. ISHAAN All the best boys..Now focus. Ishaan is restless looking around for his friends. Govind arrives in a huff carrying fliers of Ahmedabad Sports. GOVI Sorry..late ho gaya..Dukaan band karke aa raha hoon. ISHAAN Omi? GOVIND Subah saat baje se nikla hua hai..Full force mein campaigning chal rahi hai The match has started and Ali hooks an offside ball for a 6 on the leg side. Govind claps loudly, cheering Ali. But he turns to see that Ishaan is pissed off. ISHAAN Practice kara kara ke thak gaya..abhi tak off ke ball ko leg pe maare ja raha hai..shi!!! Ishaan shakes his head. Ali looks towards where Ishaan is and sees him gesturing a cover drive (an off side shot). Govind frowns a little ,watching Ishaan's reaction. The game resumes, Ali takes a hesitant single on the offside. GOVIND Relax kar Ish.. Usey apna natural game khelne de.hamesha copybook nahi khel skate..tu bhi to innovate karta tha na. Let him enjoy. Ish knows he over reacted and stays quiet. GOVIND (CONT'D) Its a good start..dont worry. Ali hits a 4 with a leg glance but stands rooted to his crease, wearing a scared look on his face for playing leg side again. ISHAAN Arre kaaaiiipo!!!

93. He plays a range of run scoring shots,all round the park. The scoreboard shows Ali reaching 50. Ishaan stands up and starts clapping for his student's first 50, laughing and pretending at the same time that there's something in his eyes to rub off the hint of tears. The other kids in the team all stand up and cheer for Ali. Team Kids have coined a cheer slogan for Ali TEAM KIDS Ali Baba(chorus) aur chaalis chakke.. Ali's face breaks into a smile as he raises his bat to his coach. CUT. 114

EXT. CRICKET GROUNDS/CAMPAIGN TRAIL - DAY A quick montage the Amdavad sports boys move from strength to strength decimating their opponents( games v/s Vastrapur club, Sabarmati club, Patel gymkhana) intercut with Omi"s frenzied campaigning. As the boys lift aloft the winning trophy, cut to a ballot paper with the 'charkha' symbol being stamped.

115

INT./EXT. CAR/ROADS - DAY We see fire crackers reflect in the tinted glass window of an Ambassador car. Muffled slogans announcing Mehta's victory are heard in the background. SLOGANS 'Hamaara neta kaisa ho? Subodh Mahatma jaisa ho?' 'Humse jo takrayega..choor choor ho jayega' 'Koi jaat, Koi biraadar..

SJD mein sabhi barabar'

A group of fifty party workers are doing a victory procession, dancing around a jeep where Mehta stands garlanded, with folded hands. Naseer is leading the sloganeers. We reveal inside the car as Bittoo Mama and Omi sit with disappointed faces. Naseer passes by the car and places his palm on Omi's window unintentionally. Omi sees the palm from the inside.

94. Omi turns to the driver. OMI Aur koi rasta nahi mila tujhe? The driver looks helpless. DRIVER Short cut tha bhai.. A few more workers press their hands against the windows as Omi and Mama feel trapped. The dhol beats become louder. out. Mama grabs Omi's arm.

Omi snaps and wants to get

MAMA: Shanti rakh Omi..sirf election haare hain.. Himmat nahi. Stay on Omi's angry face even as celebratory sounds continue in the background. Overlap with dandiya music in the next scene. 116

EXT. GARBA VENUE - NIGHT Fire crackers light up the sky. it is Navratri night. Vidya has taken Govind for a garba night out. He's dressed for the part and feels terribly uncomfortable. Falguni Pathak is on stage belting out "pari hoon main". Vidya is helping Govind get comfortable in the inner most circle but he looks like he has 2 left feet. After a few minutes she gets pulled in to the outer circle by her friends . Govind notices some guys flirting with her and realises he better pull up his socks and face the competition. He joins the circle and starts to make some moves. By the end of it he is doing the complete peacock dance and doesn't even realise it.

117

EXT. ROAD - NIGHT Vidya and him leave. He walks her home. She cant stop gushing about how he let himself go and was dancing so well. He should have won a prize. Govi keeps staring at her, still flooded with his exertions on the dance floor. They reach the house.

118

INT./EXT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE - NIGHT He walks her up to the door very quietly. They are about to have a moment when Vidya hears a sound from inside the house Vidya rushes in while Govind scrambles down. It was a false alarm. Vidya calls out to Govind who has reached down and waves out to him. Govind just keeps looking back at her. Hold the moment.

95. 119

EXT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE/TERRACE - NIGHT Bam! The terrace door slams open and Vidya and Govind enter the terrace area. They are facing each other not knowing who is going to make the first move. After holding back Vidya kisses govind. At first, he looks like he is going to explode and is fumbling all over her. She is totally controlling the show by now. Govind gets overboard in his excitement and grabs her choli,trying to untie the strings...She smacks him and tells him to relax. VIDYA (giggles) Shaant gadadhaari..kahin bhage nahi ja rahe hai.. Vidya unties the knot deftly...tilt up to skyline as we hear Govind sigh. They make love.

120

INT. PARTY OFFICE - DAY A freshly bathed Mama and Omi are in front of all the area's party workers. Mama leans on a table while Omi stands behind, erect. Omi is dressed in regulation karyakarta attire- white kurta and chost pajamas. Mama is pensive and firm. MAMA Jo hua, uspe pani daalo.. Constituency haare hain, par poora pradesh hamare saath hai. Party high command ko ye aashwasan dilana padega ki hum naye drid nishchaiy, naye utsah se phir se logon ke beech apni jagah banayenge. Aur uske liye abhi se jaake ground level pe kaam karna padega. Mama picks up a poster from the table and holds it up. It says 'Shobha Yatra' and has a map of India with Ayodhya highlighted in it. MAMA (CONT'D) Agle hafte se 'Shobha Yatra' shuru ho rahi hai.. Party high command ka aadesh hai ki is yatra pe hamaare zile ke har ek hindu parivaar se kar sevaks Ayodhya chalenge. Mama signals to Omi to take it from here. Omi speaks with confidence and conviction. He picks up a stack of flyers and distributes it amongst the party workers OMI Kul milake hamare yahan do sau karyakarta hai.. (MORE)

96. OMI (CONT'D) har ek ka kam se kam 20 logon ka quota hai..aaj se hi prachaar shuru kar do.. poori jaan lada do..ek bhi kam nahi padna chahiye. Bittoo pulls omi aside BITTOO MAMA Bapu aur ma ki ticket bhi katwana.. Tu itna bada kaam karne ja raha hai..Unka hona zaroori hai. 121

INT/EXT. PARTY OFFICE - DAY Ishaan walks in the lane leading to the party office seeing posters of Omi everywhere The office is busy with workers coming and going and is decorated with party banners and posters of Shobha Yatra. Omi is busy checking train tickets against the long list of passengers in front of him. Ishaan spots a poster with Omi's picture on one corner beside the larger picture of Bittoo mama. ISHAAN Arre Omi bhai tum to cha gaye..tu to meri Academy khulwa ke hi rahega Omi has to look up from his work and laugh out at this. Omi looks up at Ishaan and breaks into a smile. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Par Academy kohl ke karenge kya.. agar tu isi tarah important matches miss karta raha.. Ali ne apna pahla half century maara.tujhe hona chahiye tha. Ishaan animates the stroke with his hands. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Poora Nana Park use cheer kar raha tha..har taraf Ali Baba..aur chaalis chakke, Ali Baba..aur chaalis chakke.. Star ban gaye hamare Ali miyan...Do din mein district level selections hai.. Sab kuch theek hona chahiye is baar.. Omi notes the tension in Ishaan's voice but is also awkward as Vishwas enters the party office. He changes the topic. OMI ..Dukaan pe sabh theek hai?

97. ISHAAN Chal raha hai.. Us baniye ke saath dhanda kar kar ke kantaal gaya hoon yaar. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Pakau aatma hai..mere akele se handle nahi hota. tu bata..wapas kab aa raha hai.. Omi laughs. OMI Sorry yaar.. Yeh yaatra ke chakkar mein busy ho gaya hun.. Duniya bhar ka coordination karna hai. Omi shows the pile of work with both his hands. ISHAAN Hmmm..tu bhi ja raha hai? OMI Main baad mein jaunga..yahan kisiko toh rahna hai. He looks up at Ishaan. OMI (CONT'D) Tu chalega? Omi looks expectantly. Ishaan pauses and agrees more for Omi than the yatra. ISHAAN Tu jahan bhejega, chala jaoonga. Stay on the 2 friends smiling. 122

INT./EXT. RAILWAY STATION/TRAIN COMPARTMENT - DAY The Sabarmati Express stands at the Ahmedabad Junction. There is a huge crowd of karsevaks with orange sashes, thronging the platform. Omi's father looks lost in the crowd as random people come up to him and pay their respects. In the background,some people start shouting party slogans. Omi is carrying their suitcase and leads his parents to the compartment. He hands his mom an envelope. OMI ..return ka bhi saath mein daal diya hai. As he puts their suitcase in the overhead compartment, he notices his father. Shastriji has not looked at him once and is staring listlessly out of the window. Omi sits down opposite him and realises his father's still upset.

98. He musters courage. OMI (CONT'D) Bapu.. Thank you.. Mujhe pata hai aap ka bilkul mann nahi hai.. Lekin aap ke aashirwad ke bagair main aage nahi bad sakta.. He touches his feet again and walks away. As he steps off the train, his father calls out to him. They hug and the whistle goes off. The train starts to chug out. 123

INT/EXT. AUTORICKSHAW/ROADS - DAY Govind and Vidya sit in the back of an auto as it jerks ahead. The radio blares an old romantic hindi song. In sharp contrast to the loving lyrics, Govind's voice sounds agitated. GOVIND Miss ho gaye? Matlab? Vidya is irritated. VIDYA Matlab.. Matlab kya? Char din late hoon.. Pahle kabhi nahi hua hai.. He has no idea how to handle the situation. GOVIND But its not possible.. mujhe clearly yaad hai..hamne protection use toh.. Vidya is now getting irritated and flares up. VIDYA Sab kuch tumharaa maths ka equation nahi hai.. Govind addresses the auto driver. GOVIND ..Aji ek round le (in gujarati) VIDYA False alarm bhi ho sakta hai.. (looks exasperated) But I'm worried...kya karenge Govi?? Batao na? Kuch to bolo? Govind holds Vidya's hand to reassure her but he doesn't look too confident as he's panicking himself. GOVIND Pata nahi Vidya.. (MORE)

99. GOVIND (CONT'D) thoda thande dimaag se sochte hai..Shaadi, pregnancy, abortion..yeh sab.. itna kuch tine jaldi.. abhi tak to mall ke karzein hi chukaye ja rahe hai.. Business ka bhi aage kuch pata nahi.. VIDYA Tumhein is waqt bhi business ki padi hai? Tumhein kya lagta hai, ye sab jaanboojh ke ho raha hai? Koi scheme hai tumhein phaasne ke liye.. Suddenly his phone rings, Ishaan's name flashes. Govind stares at the phone for a few rings and then answers. GOVIND Bol Ish.. ISHAAN Woh supplier aaya hai.. Adtees hazaar ka poora payment maang raha hai.. De doon? GOVIND Nai! Sirf 20 taka advance banta hai.. Usse ek rupya zyada mat dean. ISHAAN 20 taka?? Vidya now really losing it. VIDYA I don't believe this !!ubho reh! She tries to get off the auto rickshaw but Govind gestures the rickshaw driver to drive on and stops her. GOVIND Chalu rakh!! (gujarati) Sirf 7400 dena.. Baaki main dukkan aake baaat kar loonga ISHAAN Kahaan hai tu? GOVIND Traffic mein phasa hoon, aade ghante mein pahunchta hoon.. Chal rakh bye. Govind disconnects.

100. GOVIND (CONT'D) Please Vidya, baat baat pe itna gussa mat karo.. mera bhi to first time hai..Thoda darr to lagta hai na?..we have to be practical.. I'm sorry..please. Vidya controlling her tears looks away, composes herself VIDYA I'm also sorry.. Magar kya karoon tumhein chhod ke kise se share bhi toh nahi kar sakti..sorry..tumhein bhi pagal kar rahi hun na? Govind caresses her hair and comforts her as the song on the radio plays on. He looks pensive. GOVIND (to the rickshaw driver) Aagad jo.. 124

EXT. GULSHAN SOCIETY - DAY Ishaan's bike comes to a halt outside Ali's compound. Its Ali's important day tomorrow. As Ali gets off the bike, Ishaan gifts him a brand new floppy hat. ISHAAN Tension mat le.. Tu ekdum form mein hai.. Phod dalenge selectors ko! Ab game ko bilkul dimaag se nikaal de.. khana kha ke time pe so jana.. Kal gyarah baje pickup.. Ali tries out his new hat and nods distractedly. Ishaan rides off.

125

EXT. CITY STREETS - DAY Omi checks out his wristwatch. Its nearing 11. He is travelling in his brand new Sumo. He tells the driver to get a move on when suddenly his phone rings. OMI Jai shri Krishna mama. Omi waits as Mama says something on the other line. OMI: Haan.. Station hi ja raha tha..Kyun? (Interrupted) Ji..Sabarmati express.. Haan S6,ji mujhe pucca pata hai, S6 hi hai.. Kyun? Omi has no idea as he listens.

101. Achha..

OMI: (CONT'D) Theek hai.. aata hun

Looks at the driver. Ghuma lo..

OMI Party office

Omi is calm as he feels the breeze on his face in the moving car. Sound of TV overlaps on him.. Super: 27 Feb 2002 comes on to screen 126

INT. BITTOO'S HOUSE - DAY Sounds of TV news of Godhra. Party workers watch The TV repeatedly showing news footage of the massacre. In the room we close on Omi's face, which is smudged with dirt and tears. Silent tears stream down Omi's face. Mama sits down beside Omi laying a protective arm around him. OMI Mujhe wahan jana hai Mama.. Mama speaks softly but viciously. BITOO MAMA Wahan kuch nahi bacha Omi.. Apne aap ko sambhaal. vishwaas rakh.. Chodenge nahin saalon ko. Bitto is doing the worst kind of manipulation here... feeding violence off violence. BITTOO MAMA Saans le le.. aage abhi bahut kaam hai..Is baar Eid se pahle in bakron ki halali karni hai.. itna khoon bahana ki ye saale hamaari taraf aakh uthane se bhi katrayenge.. Omi's hands shake a bit as he holds the glass and then places it on the table beside him, without even looking at it.

127

EXT. BIKE/ROADS - AFTERNOON Ishaan and Govind riding on the bike. call Omi. The phone is switched off. GOVI Switched off aa raha hai.. ISHAAN Try karta rah..

Govind tries to

102. All around them shops are closing shutters. People are moving around hurriedly, the street emptying out as Ish and Govind ride past 128

INT/EXT. PARTY OFFICE - AFTERNOON Govind and Ish enter the party office to see a crowd gathered there. TOP ANGLE JIB SHOT FOLLOWING ISHAAN AND GOVIND THROUGH THE CROWD GATHERED OUTSIDE AND TRACK OVER THE TERRACE INTO THE INSIDE AREA WHERE MAMA IS TALKING Mama is addressing party workers, who wear funeral white clothes and stand around him. Mama's eyes are bloodshot. He speaks in a calm tone in contrast to his strong words. MAMA Bhaiyon..Ab yudh ka avahan karne ka waqt aa gaya hai..In randi ki auladon ne socha ki ye dal khichdi khane wale gujarati aakhir kya kar lenge? Bahut pataake phod liye.. ab aisa sabak sikhaana hai ki inki sau peediyon tak yaad rakhenge.. Omi sits at a corner wearing a blank look, still in a state of shock. MAMA (CONT'D) In logon ne sirf train mein nahi.. Hamare gharon mein ghus ke aag lagayi hai.. Chaalis se zyada aurtein aur bachhein jal gaye.. Meri saggi bahen jal ke raakh ho gayi.. Haddiyan tak naseeb nahi hongi.. Panditji bhi.. Bittoo chokes.

Vishwas lays a comforting hand on Bittoo.

VISHWAS KAKA Sab ladke taiyyari mein hai.. Apne bhai behnon ni lashon ni saugandh.. Ek ek ne kapi naksu Bittoo bhai (in gujarati) Ish's phone rings, startling him as he is already nervous. He quickly presses it before a single ring is over. ISHAAN Haan, maa? Govind gestures Ish to move out. They step away two steps to take the call. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Pata hai maa.. (MORE)

103. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Omi ko lene aya hoon..Aa raha hoon..iske baad ghar hi aa raha hoon. Ish hangs up and pushes through the crowd to reach Omi's side...he doesn't know how to comfort his friend and just hugs him. Finally finding his voice. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Ghar chal Omi.. Omi doesn't look at Ish and sits rooted to the spot. GOVIND Yahaan sab gadbad hone wali hai..Please Omi, chal hamare saath. Omi breaks the silence and speaks with bitter venom. OMI Teri ma mari hai kya? He gets up and walks away into the dark corridor. Govind is at a loss of words against Omi's bitterness. Mama now moves in between them and puts his arms around them. As he leads them away... MAMA Akele chhod do use.abhi muh chupaake bhagne ka waqt nahi hai..tum log ghar jao. Ishaan goes to say something. Govind looks around at the number of people gathered in the room and pulls Ishaan away. Just then a trunk load of weapons are brought in to the party office...Vishwas opens the trunks to show a plethora of weapons...pistols, swords, tridents, chains... . VISHWAS Jai sri ram.. 129

EXT. CITY STREETS - AFTERNOON Ish and Govind ride through empty streets. A street dog barks behind them, chasing the bike

ISH Tu yahin utar..Main Ali ko leke aata hun. Govind looks at Ishaan stunned.

104. GOVIND Satak gayi hai kya? Wahan dhamaal hone wala hai..Us area mein jayega? ISH Tu utar Govi..Kal subah uska bahut important match hai. Selectors aa rahe hain..tujhe ghar pahunchke phone karta hoon. Ish zooms off on the bike. Wide shot of Ish and Govind parting and going in opposite directions. 130

INT. ALI'S HOUSE - AFTERNOON Naseer is in his living room. He is surrounded by a group of ten Muslims. They have a serious expression. PARTY WORKER Kahin phone nahi lag raha..na collector sahib, na police.. NASSER Mehta sahib bhi bahar hai.. kal se pahle sheher nahi pahunchne wale.. Ish enters the room. He gestures to greet Naseer. ISHAAN Salaaam alaikum Chacha. Naseer is a little surprised and looks questioningly at Ishaan ISHAAN (CONT'D) Ali ko ghar le jaane aaya hoon. Everyone in the room is surprised, as they do not know the bonding between them. Ali waves at him from the terrace A little silence follows. Ishaan looks expectantly. NASSER Aaj nahi bhej sakta beta.. bahar khatra hai.. Uski chhoti Ammi aur Javed bhi gaon gaye hain.. ghar pe hi rehna theek hoga..kabhi bhi bawaal shuru ho sakta hai. The party worker stops as he notices Ishaan. Naseer turns to Ishaan. NASEER Tum ab niklo Ishaan. main Ali ko padosiyon ke pass chhod doonga.. Mujhe bahar jaake baaki sab ki dekh rekh karni hai.. (MORE)

105. NASEER (CONT'D) (to his colleague) Nanhe miyan..ladkon ko taiyyar karo. Ali is dragging Ishaan to his den on the terrace to show him something. Ish is hesitant for just a fraction of second ISHAAN Chacha, main rehta hoon Ali ke paas.. aap bahar ja ke sambhaalo.. Phir aap dono mere ghar chalna. Naseer gives a tired smile Aur ye sab?

NASEER Inka kya karoon?

Ishaan doesn't have an answer to that... Ali tugs at his arm. 131

INT. GOVIND'S HOUSE - EVENING Govind is pacing around his room restlessly. beeps. It is an SMS.

The phone

FROM: V Stay Safe. City Tense. Its all over TV. - V Govind replies. FROM: G Am home. U ok? Report aaya? A reply comes almost instantly. FROM: V Not Yet :( THAT tension is even bigger. Love - V Govind deletes the message. He is startled as there is an incoming call from Ish. We see Ish in the intercut. Ish!!!

GOVIND Ghar pahunch gaya?

Ish and Ali moving around the kitchen...Ali is pouring some Roohafza drink for himself and Ish. ISHAAN Nahin yaar.. Yahin Juhapura mein phansa hua hoon.. Ali ke yahan. GOVIND Kya kar raha hai yaar? Ab nikal wahan se.

106. ISHAAN Kya karoon?.. samajh mein nahi aa raha..Ali yahan akela hai..Chacha bhi bahar gaye hai.. Govind is worried. Ishaan staring out of the kitchen window to see some neighbours shut their windows. ISHAAN (CONT'D) Tu aa sakta hai Govi? Thoda darr sa lag raha hai.... Govind stays silent for a beat. GOVIND Dus minute de mujhe. 132

EXT. CITY STREETS - EVENING The streets are empty, though there is an upturned fruit cart, broken bottles and a burning tyre nearby. Govind looks around nervously and is about to approach a main road when he sees a jeep full of men in saffron scarves screaming 'Jai Shri Ram' as they ride past. Govind turns into an alley instead and hides himself.

133

EXT. GULSHAN SOCIETY COMPOUND - NIGHT The smaller gate that acts as entrance and exit to the compound is padlocked. Naseer supervises and walks past young Muslim men, who stand nervously with lathis, chains, knives,as they guard their gated community from the inside. Nasser pats the back of an old man and his grandson, telling him to go inside. Suddenly the noise of knocking at the gate makes all the men jump. Nasser cautiously moves to the gate and opens an old-style peek window. We reveal partial Govind's face on the other side.

134

INT. ALI'S HOUSE - NIGHT Ish is craning his neck to watch outside the window. Govind walks into the room. ISHAAN Thank god!! Mujhe laga tu phans gaya..kya scene hai bahar? Govind looks around.

107. GOVIND Bura haal hai . jagah jagah pe toliyan nikli hui hai.. sab ke sar pe khoon sawaar hai..kuch to major dhamaal hone wala hai..abhi nikalna safe nahi hai.. Govind and Ish stand rooted, trying to weigh pros and cons of their situation. Ali spills some of the Roohafza drink as he gets scared with the loud clanging of lathis against the iron gate. Ishaan and Govind run to the window. Govind and Ishaan can see the Hindu mob on the other side, while the Muslim men stand on this side of the gate. 135

EXT. GULSHAN SOCIETY COMPOUND - NIGHT Hindu chants of "Jai Shri Ram" and "Har Har Mahadev" and "Ram Sevak amar rahe" rend the air. Wide shot of the Hindu mob outside the Muslim pol gate as they are getting frustrated. Mama is leading the charge. He gestures the men to attack the gate. Omi is in the forefront of the action. Swords and lathis are struck on the gate A face off between mama and naseer across the gate. CROWD Arre bahar niklo landyaoo.. Ave kem burkha ma ghusine chupaigya? Kateli ni aulad havae ek ek ne kapi nako. Hav'e tamari kabar pakistan maan khodase.. Pakistan ma.. Jai sir raam.. Kar sewak amar rahe.. Kar sewak amar rahe NASEER Ame bahar avine shaanti thi vaatcheet kariye chie.. Jhagdo karvano koi matlab nati.. MAMA Jhapa todinako, aag lagao, salgavido.. Ek pann miyo jeevto na bache.. Ek ek ni talwar loi thi bheeni thavi joiye.. Apni ma bhenon ni lasho ni saugandh.. Jai sir raam... Kar sewak amar rahe Naseer tries to plead with the rioters. But Mama and his cronies will have none of it. NASEER Arre bhagwan thi daro..andar nana bachcha ane aurton che..

108. Nasser's men try to block the gate with more lathis but the kar sewaks break it down. The mob breaks in. Mama is two steps behind the mob but watching closely. He gestures to someone who throws a petrol bomb across the gate. There is an explosion inside the compound making the Muslim crowd scatter. At the same time the gate swings open. Fisticuffs between the two sides as we see it all in a blur from Omi's eyes. He looks like a man possessed. Nasser is confronted by a man with a lathi. Nasser pulls out a knife and they have a face off. Nasseer ducks as the man strikes with the lathi. Nasser tries to run past. As he turns, the knife jabs into Mama's gut. Mama winces in pain. Omi is shaken out of his violent reverie and rushes to him. Two more workers come to help mama. OMI Mama.. Omi looks at Nasser running inside the building now. He seems torn between attending to Mama and chasing Naseer. OMI (CONT'D) Lai jao aane... gaadi maan nakho Omi picks up Mama's revolver and goes after Naseer. 136

INT. ALI'S HOUSE - NIGHT Ish is throwing open a window that opens to adjoining house's terrace... GOVIND (flummoxed) Yahan se? Naseer flings the door open and comes into the house. His white kurta has blood stains on it. He is panting heavily. Ali comes running to his father. NASEER (panting and pleading) Sabko kaat daala..Maar dalenge ye sabko.. Kuch karo. Govind has frozen after seeing the blood. Ish looks around, his mind working in the speed of light and rests on the attic space on the terrace.

109. 137

INT./EXT. ALI'S HOUSE/TERRACE/LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Ish and Govind pull out a broken chair and tin drums from around the terrace and block its entrance. It is dark and Ali looks scared. Ishaan removes his phone, puts on the torch and over it over to ali.

hands

ISHAAN Jab tak main awaaz na doon, hilna mat. Chupchap baithe rahna..samjha? Yeh phone rakh.. darna nahi..haan..main do minute mein aata hoon.. So saying he runs back to the living room. Govind looks pale with tension as he tries calling the cops on his phone. GOVIND Police ke saare numbers down hai..ek bhi nahi lag raha hai. Idhar de.. hoon.

ISHAAN Main Bapu ko bolta

Ish grabs Govind's phone and is about to dial when a SMS comes. Ishaan has instinctively clicked on the message. FROM: V "Good news ! You are not going to be a father, I got my period Love- V" Ish is puzzled. He looks into details and opens the number. It looks familiar. He calls it. VIDYA(O.S.) (excited) Thank god Govi..main itne tension mein thi... ISHAAN Vidya?!!! VIDYA (petrified) Bhaiya.. wo Govi..!! Ish hangs up the phone. Govind has figured out what happened. GOVIND Ish..bhadak mat..main samjhata hoon..

110. Ish doesn't let him finish as he boxes Govind in the rib cage. Govind winces and falls on the ground. He wants to explain but can't say anything. ISHAAN Saale..harami..himmat kaisi hui teri? Omi comes running into the door. He is surprised to see Ish and Govind there. OMI Kahan hai woh? Ishaan himself is in a state of rage after discovering the Govind-Vidya equation. ISHAAN Koi nahi hai yahan..sab bhaag gaye.. Ab hosh mein aa ja Omi.. Omi is enraged as two other party workers have joined him and he's in no mood for Ish's sermonising. Omi grabs the table in front of him and flings it up, his sheer power shakes Ishaan up. OMI Aarghh!! CRONY 1 (pointing at the window) Wahan se..zyada door nahi gaye honge. The two men now jump out of the window to chase Naseer. We show Vidya panicking in her home. She searches for Ishaan's number and dials. She moves around in her room. Ishaan's phone rings in the attic. Omi hears it. He is livid and pushes Ishaan away, heading towards the terrace...Ishaan now tries blocking his way. Nahi Omi.. ruk ja

ISHAAN Wahan nahi..Bas..ab

OMI Hutt ja Ish...jaane de.. A scuffle breaks out between the friends. Theme music fades in...kick into high speed Ali's fear stricken face can be seen as the phone light flashes in front of him. Naseer drags him out of the room and dashes towards the back stairs.

111. Omi has now broken through the terrace door. Ali stumbles as Ishaan rushes ahead to pick him up. Govind comes and grabs Omi from behind. Ish carries Ali and runs into the spiral staircase. follows them.

Naseer

Omi socks Govind in the chest and frees himself. He runs to the spiral staircase. Govind winces on the ground. 138

INT./EXT. ALI'S HOUSE/TERRACE/SPIRAL STAIRCASE - NIGHT Naseer runs down the spiral staircase with Ali and Ish close behind. Omi is 30 feet behind them. Omi points the gun and tries to take aim at Nasser. He can barely see a blur of movement in the dark. GOVIND Ruk ja,Omi!! Omi is shifting his gun. A shot is fired. Ali is startled and almost loses his balance. Ish grabs him just in time. ISHAAN Ali!!!!Tu theek hai na. Ishaan looks up, shocked that Omi actually fired. As he looks up, a red dot appears on the left side of Ishaan's shirt and it suddenly starts to grow at a rapid pace. A cut of Ishaan jumping off the Diu fort eyes wide open, his most alive moment, in slow motion. Omi and Ishaan lock eyes for the last time. Omi simply looks at him like a deer caught in the lights, the gun still smoking in his hand. Govind rushes down the stairs towards Ishaan. GOVIND IIIsshh..... Ishaan collapses. Ali tries holding on to him, his mouth open in a silent scream. Music continues

139

INT. ISHAAN'S HOUSE - NIGHT Track through all Ishaan's trophies lined up in the showcase...In the reflection of the showcase, Ishaan's mother is seen breaking down against her husband's shoulders, who still looks too shocked to react.

112. Vidya sobbing uncontrollably. Music continues. 140

INT./EXT. CAR/HIGHWAY - DAY (The same song continues) We cut back to present day. Omi is looking out of the car window, lost in thought. Govind taps his shoulder and smiles. GOVIND Kya soch raha hai? Omi simply shakes his head. GOVIND (CONT'D) Bas pahunchne wale hain.. The 2 men keep driving on. (A roar of the stadium overlaps on the soundtrack)

141

INT./EXT. BARODA STADIUM/SEATING - EVENING Queue of people pouring in at the stadium. The kiosk flashes India- South Africa One day match. Omi seems to look a little lost amidst the crowd while Govind guides him inside the pavilion. A young boy (8) comes running towards govind. GOVIND Ishaan beta, aiyaan aao.. Pranaam karo inhe.. Yeh tumhare Omi mama hain ISHAAN(Jr) bends to touch Omi's feet. Omi lifts him up in his arms and gives him a kiss and looks into his eyes. Ishaan(jr) pulls out an indian flag and hands it to omi. Omi is overwhelmed.

142

INT./EXT. BARODA STADIUM/COMMENTARY BOX/PAVILION - EVENING In the commentator box where Tony Greig and Ajay Jadeja are talking. TONY Gautam Gambhir and 21 year old rookie newcomer Ali Hashmi opening for India. What say Ajay? Will this gamble pay off? AJAY The boy's an explosive bat...he's done very well in Ranji..but this is different.. (MORE)

113. AJAY (CONT'D) here he'll have to show his stuff at the highest level. 21 year old Ali is walking out of the dressing room dressed in India's jersey and padded up. He walks through the tunnel on to the field. 143

EXT. BARODA STADIUM/PITCH - EVENING Ali takes his position at the crease. He is a tad nervous as the roar of the crowd distracts him. He keeps shuffling his feet, squinting his eyes and generally fidgeting. He takes his stance and stops to look around the jam packed stadium. Ali closes his eyes and looks up towards the sky, as if in a silent prayer. He opens his eyes and takes final position. The din of the crowd starts soaring again as the opponent team's bowler begins his run up.

144

INT./EXT. BARODA STADIUM/SEATING - EVENING Govind, Ishaan(jr) are seated. Just then, Vidya comes and seats herself next to omi. Omi stiffens.

145

INT./EXT. BARODA STADIUM/PITCH/SEATING - EVENING In a flash, we cut to the past where Ishaan's bowling to Ali on their first encounter in Nana Park. The ball bounces off the middle of the pitch, headed towards off stump. 21 year old Ali stands tall and connects bat with ball for a square cut and a sharp cracking sound. He immediately takes off for a run. The ball pierces through the fielders on the offside and dashes towards the boundary line. TONY (V.O.) What an exquisite square cut to get off the mark!! That's sheer timing for you and Hashmi is off the mark Everyone in the stadium rejoices but Omi is still held back until Vidya puts her arm around him. Here Omi starts to breakdown and sob like a baby. ANGLE ON WE PULL AWAY FROM THEM SEATED AJAY JADEJA (V.O.) As good as any I've seen. Tony, right out of the textbook. Roar of stadium crowd is heard as the visual changes back to Nana Park with Ish grinning at Ali the first time Ali hit him for a six.

114. Freeze frame on the wide shot in Nana park. "Wande mataram" and end credits roll FADE OUT.