AN SIMC (UG)PROJECT

SHAB HAI BAAQI

A Theatre Production
A Report By Assistant Director, RISHABH KUMAR

This document contains the details of the theatre production organized in aid of Cancer Patients Aid Association

Letter of Transmittal

The Director SIMC-UG Pune

Respected Sir, This is a report of my work in the theatre production under the direction of another fellow batchmate, Parth Khurana. This project was undertaken to help Cancer Patients Aid Association an NGO in obtaining funds for their charitable cause. My work in this project has primarily been that of Assistant Direction, Writer and Creative Head. Apart from this I have also had a major hand in the overall production co-ordination of this project as well as acting in the actual play as well. This report underlines my work and contributions to the play. I hope that you will acknowledge and appreciate my work. The purpose of this report is to provide an outline of my work and to receive any critical response for my work from you and any other concerned party.

Yours Sincerely, Rishabh Kumar Roll #436 Mass Communication Trainee, SIMC-UG

Shab Hai Baaqi

Introduction
Shab Hai Baaqi began as an independent project that would turn eventually into a theatre production. The idea was to help out Cancer Patients Aid Association, an organization that works with people who are suffering from Cancer. As students of Media and Communication a project was planned that would serve dual purpose. Firstly, it would give students in the college an opportunity to use their professional skills in communication at various fronts in the advancement of this project. Secondly, it would give a chance to students in college to showcase their acting skills and work for a noble cause simultaneously.

About the project and my contribution to the project

The production started with approvals from the college and the organisation, Cancer Patients Aid Association. Credits: Starring: Direction: Concept: Adaptation: Dialogues: Production Head: Marketing Head: Sound: Lighting: Choreography: Set Designing: Also Starring: Gunjan Menon, Kshitij Arora, Nikhil Iyer in lead Parth Khurana, Rishabh Kumar (A.D.) Parth Khurana Akruti Patel, Parth Khurana Rishabh Kumar, Parth Khurana Anugya Chitransh Parth Khurana Gaurav Matai, Jay Dantara Pransu Kumar, Akruti Patel Soumya Samuel, Chitra Surana, Urvashi Athavale Symbiosis Institute of Design Aishwarya Nair, Rishabh Kumar, Shahaab Zaveri, Trishna Datta, Samyukta Shashtri, Anamika Tewary, Apoorva Yadav, Parth Khurana and Urvashi Uthavale. Production Crew: Anshika Kayastha, Vaishali Sati, Gayathri Ilangovan, Hamsini Hariharan, Megh Bhatia, Abhimanyu Sengupta, Hitisha Jain, Neha Patwari and Aparajita Sharma Marketing Crew: Chitra Surana, Charulata Biswas, Nikita Krishna Kumar, Chelna Lunkad

I came into the project when the need was felt to and come up with a script that meets professional standards. What started out as a one page brief and 8 page rough draft script written in SMS language by the concept and adaptation, which was changed completely eventually, staff in the crew was turned into a full 27 page script complete with dialogues that were spoken on the d-day and a professional theatre script format. The play was an adaptation of Parineeta, a Bengali novella written by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhayay in the 19th century. One of the biggest challenges of writing the dialogues for the play was getting into the skin of each character and actually feeling like them and thinking what would they say and how would the conversation go. Secondly, it was changing the setting of a very familiar and famous story and placing it in a completely different time and environment. The writers block was a chronic problem and often I would lose motivation to write due to the sheer difficulty and challenge of adapting an already famous story. Also adding a sense of freshness to it was a big challenge. The original story based in 1890s in Bengal of colonized India had to be shifted to a 1990s Punjabi setup in Delhi in an independent state. The original framework and adaptation of the script was written in September 2011. But the main work started in February 2012 when the script was re-edited, re-written by me and improved from the loose framework to a concrete plot. By February end, I wrote the complete script. Selecting the crew and all the responsibilities was a challenge. I stepped in as the Assistant Director to help the Director with the work as he felt the need for someone with an experience of work in the theatre to be included in the project. Apart from the script I was also co-ordinating with the actors and working on their overall skills as most of the actors, though good, were amateurs. I also co-ordinated with the sound designer and recorded the voice over for opening narratives of each scene. There was also an original song which was written and composed by me for the play. In addition production and marketing head would often require me to replace them when they were busy with something else. I had to manage my time according to this as at the same time I was taking the practice of the acting crew everyday. On many occasions the Director required me to lead many of the marketing and promotion campaigns. This happened shortly after the initial heads of the marketing team backed out of the project stating their inability to continue further on the

grounds that they were busy elsewhere. The Director had to step in as the marketing head and I had to supervise the creatives and co-ordinate with him at the same time. On the final day of the performance I was managing the backstage production staff as well as briefing the make-up artist, in spite of the fact that I was also in a major role as an actor in the play. The event took place smoothly and a total sum of Rs. 10,000 was gathered in charity for Cancer Patients Aid Association. The overall review of the play was also favourable.

Plot
Based in the capital city of Delhi in 1997 in a Punjabi family, this modern day adaptation of Parineeta was a new look at the old story. The story is a love triangle of Arjun, Sandhya and Gaurav. The story is about how the rift between Arjuns and Sandhyas family has an effect on the lives of these characters. Also, the increasing interference of Gaurav in Sandhyas life is not liked by Arjun. The story tries to answer if love still exists in modern day relationships and if rituals like jaymala (garland exchange) really hold any meaning to modern day couples?

SWOT Analysis Strengths

My experience as an actor and as a playwright came in handy as the script slowly but efficiently flowed when I sat down to write. This also helped a great deal in coaching the amateur actors alongside another more experienced senior, Jay. The auditorium was provided for free to host the show. A general moral guidance as well as keeping the spirits high in all areas also became a full time job. This not only kept the actors and the rest of the crew in line but also the Director who had almost given up the idea of executing this project when the marketing team backed out in the final days. Together with the managerial skills of the Director and my own limited but solid creative skills we pulled off the event with great success.

Weakness
The only major drawback was the marketing team which caused issues at every point. This lead to the Director and me deviating our attention from time to time. Production crew suffered on the final day because of this problem. There was

complete chaos backstage as the production team had no time to practice moving the sets to comply with the scenes. However this remained unnoticed for most part by the audience except for long transitional blackouts.

Opportunities
I got to write another script all by myself. This was my third and by far most professional script written for a stage play. Also I learnt about the challenges of writing a script for an adaptation. It is definitely not the easiest thing to do as it may seem on the outset.

Threats
Murphys Law states that In a given situation where things are likely to go wrong, they will go wrong. This is exactly what happened. Throughout the production and even to the final day we faced one major setback after another. Sometimes the actors went missing or got busy elsewhere. After giving us a continuous streak of problems the marketing team backed out during the final days. All these things brought the morale down. Even on the final days lighting became a major problem when the electricity was out and smoke machine did not work. We quickly had to get the generator going. But we managed to pull it off in the end and no threat seemed big.

Conclusion
The project was a great opportunity for me to learn and grow as a writer and as an assistant director and an actor. It was a confidence booster to get such reviews from a first theatre production. It also gave a other theatre enthusiasts of SIMC-UG more confidence for future endeavours.

Attachments
Attached here is the copy of the script as provided to me and another copy of the script after I was done with it.

Before
Adaptation of Parineeta in Delhi, 1996-2000 Moonlight Marriage Characters: Pardeep Chawla Savita Meera Mathur (no screen presence) Pandit ji (no screen presence) Pardeeps daughter Other daughters (no screen presence) Gaurav Navin Rai Rajan Bhumika Anju Anvita Misc actors on wedding.

Scene 1: Introduction. Morning. Indoor. Stage in 2 parts. We see an old man sitting on the sofa looking worried Pardeep Chawla (mumbles): This loan that I have taken for my daughter's marriage from Mr. Rai has put me under so much stress. I don't know how will I ever pay it off. Enter Savita. Savita: Arre, mama, aap yahan baithe hain aur maine aapko kahan kahan nahi dhoonda. Pardeep: Kyu aisa kya ho gya beta? Savita: Arre, mama ji, maami ne aapko bulane ke liye kaha. Ab aap sawaal chhodiye aur uthiye. Chaliye Chaliye Chaliye. She pulls him and takes him out in spite of the protest. THEY ENTER A ROOM (2nd part of stage) where her aunt is waiting. Savita: Mami, ye lijiye, main mama ji ko le aayi. Meera: To ab sar pe chadogi kya! Dheere baat karni nahi aati tumhe? Jaake kaam kar. Badtamiz. Pardeep: Par Meera, bachi hai woh. Savita: Koi bachi nahi hai. 18 saal ki ho chuki hai. Ladka dhundo aur byaado ise jaldi. Ab khadi

kya dekh rahi hai. Jaa yahan se. Kaam kar. Savita exits. Pardeep: Kya Meera, bachi ko rula diya. Bhul gayi Mathur sahab ko di gayi kasam? Ye ab hamari hi beti hai. Koi bojh nahi. Meera exits giving a nasty look. Pardeep goes in the other room and consoles Savita. Pardeep: Maami ki taraf se main maafi maangta hu beta. Tumhe pata hai wo dil se achhi hai bas kuchh pareshan hai. Apne mama ko maafi bhi nahi dogi kya? He again folds his hands. Savita: Arre, nahi nahi mama ji. Aisi baat nahi hai. Aapse maafi mangwake mujhe koi paap nahi karna. Aap sahi hai, mujhe maami ji ki baat sunni chahiye thi. Pardeep: Ye hui na baat. (Bell rings). Chalo jaao dekho kaun hai. Savita EXITS Pardeep (mumbles): This dowry system still prevalent in these ages has become such a burden. She is such a beautiful daughter of mine yet I cannot find a match for her. Savita Enters happy. Savita: Dekhiye na mamaji, who's here! Mr. Rajan Rai from America. Rajan Enters. Pardeep: Hat pagli. Use mat pareshan kar. Apne kamre mein jaa. Jaa apne apne kamre mein. She looks at him, gives shy expressions n goes inside. Rajan comes and touches his feet. Pardeep blesses him. Pardeep: Come sit, beta. They both sit on the sofa. Pardeep: This is one thing I like about your family, beta. In spite of you coming back from the US after a long time, tum apne sanskaro ko nahi bhule. Sab sahi parvarish ka asar hai. It's in the roots. Rajan just smiles at him. Pardeep: So how is your dad doing these days? Haven't seen him for some days.

Rajan: He is not very well. All the work has made him tired. Pardeep: Oh heavens. I must come and see him quick. Such a great man falling ill. This is surely not a good sign. Tell me beta, if you need any help. I will serve him till my last breath for I have a big favour from him on my shoulders. Rajan: Oh no uncle. Aap chinta mat kariye. Sab thik ho jayega. Aur aap loan ki bhi fikar mat kariye. Jab aapke paas ho tab de dijiyega. Apne aur kab kaam aayenge? Pardeep: That is your highness that I get such a privilege beta. Both smile Rajan: Chaliye, uncle, ab main chalta hu. Bas aapse milne aaya tha. He walks out. Pardeep (mumbles): Wish I could make him a part of my family. Such a nice guy. Par meri haisiyat hi nahi iske saath khade hone ki. FEW MONTHS LATER.... SCENE 2: Marriage Indoor. Similar set (kitchen in place of old set on the left) Navin Rai & Pardeep are laughing and talking about something. Bhumika Devi in the kitchen with Meera. Pardeep: Aaj bhi yaad hai, bachpan mein kitna badmaash tha. Kitne sheeshe tode hai meri khidki ke ayr fir jhat se bhaag jata tha. Navin: Sach, wo bhi kya samay tha. Pardeep: Bachhe, kitne bade ho jaate hai. Ab shaadi ki umar ho gayi hai. Fir iske baad Rajan ka bhi number hai. Iski bhi taiyaari shuru kar di. Navin: Arre, araam se Pardeep. Ek to hone do. Isi me thak gaye hum to. Tumhari bhi himmat hai. Do ki shaadi karwa chuke ho. 3 aur betiyaan hai.

Pardeep: 3 kahan Navin ji. Savita bhi to apni hi hai. Mathur ji ki aakhri khwahish bhi mujhpar hi hai. Navin: Sach, itni pyari bachhi hai aur itna sab kuchh dekhna pada itni si umar mein. Light shifts to the ladies in the kitchen.

Meera: Nahi Bhabhi. Humare bas mein kahan. Itni saari ladkiyan aur upar se wo kalmuhi. Pata nahi kahan se palle pad gayi. Aisi kharaab kismat laayi ki maa baap koi bhi khaa gayi. Unhe hi nazar lag gayi. Bhumika: Chhodo Meera. Bachhi hai. Meri to apni beti jaisi hai wo. Meera: Chaliye bhabhi ji. Main bhi kyaa baat leke baith gayi. Ye dry fruit khaiye. Waise, ladki waalo ne kitna dahej diya? They walk past the wall to other room. Meera: Kya? Maruti 800? Wo AC wali? Kya baat hai, apna Lalit to khub kismatwala nikla. They join the men and exchange laughs. Light goes off. FEW WEEKS LATER SCENE 3: Sounds of celebrations. Moonlit night. Savita is standing on the roof. Enters Rajan from the right. Rajan: Kya kar rahi ho yahan par? Neeche shaadi ho rahi hai aur tum yahan sabse dur akele? Savita turns and sees her. She seems smiling and also scared. Savita: I love the moonlight. Rajan nods and says: hmm Savita: Panditji said that this is a very auspicious hour. Rajan: Yeah, that's what I heard. But I don't believe in.. Till the time he could complete his dialogue, she puts a garland in his neck and runs away. Rajan startled for a second also runs behind her with the same garland. He finally catches hold of her and puts the garland in her neck. Music fades in and they both go out of the wing from the right. They enter again. They go and lie down on the bed and light goes off.

Scene 4: Gaurav's entry Indoor. Anju and Gaurav are sitting in the frame. Backstage sound of 2 people talking. Anvita: Arre, Savita, itne dino se ghar kyu nahi aayi? Sab thik hai na? Savita: Bas kuchh nahi Savita, ghar se time nahi mila. Anvita: Chalo, maa yaad kar rahi hai tumhe. Aur carrom bhi khelenge.

Both enter from right in the frame. Anju is facing the back from where Savita enters. Savita: Namastey auntiji. Maine suna aapne yaad kiya. While all this, Gaurav stands up and Savita bows and murmurs something. Anju: Arre, beta. Aao Aao. Baitho. Itne din se nazar hi nahi aayi to maine socha. Aur beta ye hai Gaurav Kumar. Hamare UP se bhaiya. Both smile, everyone sits and play carrom. Gaurav's eyes are fixed on Savita while playing too. Lights fade out. Scene 5: Movie refusal Indoor. Rajan lying on the bed in his room. Savita enters from the right and goes to the almirah without looking at him. She is about to take out something and Rajan calls him. She has already taken out some amount in her hand. She is scared of the very voice of Rajan since that incident. Savita: Haanji Boliye? Rajan: Paise kis liye chahiye? Savita: Ji, mujhe film dekhne jaana hai. Regal mein Raja Hindustani lagi hai.

Rajan: Wo sab to thik hai, par kiske saath? Savita: Ji, Anvita aur uske mama Gaurav. Rajan: Gaurav? Tum uske saath nahi jaogi. Wo sahi aadmi nahi hai. Savita: Thik hai. Jaise aap kahe. Rajan: Chalo jaao ab ghar. She obeys whatever he says. With head boved down, she walks out.

Scene 6: Gaurav's interference and rescue Gaurav, Anju and Anvita are sitting. Gaurav: What? Is this why she cancelled her movie plan last week? Anju: Savita and Pardeep are under Navin's debt so the family has become very weak infront of Navin Rai. Gaurav: What time has this country come to? Scene 7: Leaving for the trip 2 sets again. Hall and bedroom of Rajan Navin: But, how? How did you manage to pay off all this so fast? Pardeep: It is all because of Gaurav. Navin ji, I am glad that I am able to pay off your loan. Navin: But I never pressurized you. So why take loan from stranger when there is family. Pardeep: Navin ji, aapka pehle bhi bahut ehsaan hai is gareeb par. Ab aapka upkaar chukane ki himmat nahi. Aapka bahut bahut dhanyawaad. Shift of light to set 2: Bhumika, Rajan sitting while Savita packing stuff Bhumika: It just doesnt feel good to go without you this year. Savita: Even I wana come maa. All these years, I never thought that this would end. Bhumika: It has to Savita. This year you can't join us for the tour since your uncle wants to get you married soon.

Savita doesn't say anything and walks out after Rajan and she exchange looks. Bhumika to Rajan: Lagta hai sharma gayi. Lights fade out... Scene 8: Conversion
Indoor. Navin and Pardeep sitting. Pardeep on the ground with hands folded.

Navin (infuriated): How dare you even enter my house and pollute it?

Pardeep (crying): But Navin ji, I thought it wouldnt change our old tie.

Navin: I feel disgusted. How could you possibly do this?

Pardeep: Please forgive me Navin ji. You cant understand my pain.

Navin: Your pain? But what was the need to take such a step? Did I ever ask you for the money? That Gaurav ruined everything. He must have asked you to do this. He also belongs to the same caste. He thinks he owns you just because he helped you with money.

Pardeep: Navin ji. Its all because of Gaurav that I realized the right way. I couldnt have been able to pay for all the daughters wedding dowries. I had to convert to avoid this all even. I am not as wealthy as you are.

Navin: Dont outrage me any more by giving me those explanations of yours. Just get out of my sight never to show your face again. I dont know you now.

Few Weeks later

Scene 9: Rajans return and Pardeeps leaving

2 sets. Inside room: Pardeep on bed coughing while Meera is sitting next to her. Also Gaurav present with them. Dim light inside. Outside room: Savita cleaning the floor. Brighter light.

Enter Bhumika from right.

Savita sees her and gets up and shouts: Mami, maa wapis aa gayi. Then touches the feet.

Meera comes out. Both the women start crying.

Bhumika: Mujhe kal hi pata chala ki kya hua. Haalaat itne badal gaye achanak se.

Meera: Didi, mujhe maaf kardo. Sab khatam ho gaya. Hum barbaad ho gaye.

Bhumika: Aisa nahi kaho. Sab thik ho jayega. Achha waqt beet gaya to bura bhi nahi rahega. Tum bas dheeraj rakho.

Meera: Navin ji abhi bhi gussa hai inse? Unhone to ghar ke kothe par deewar bhi banwa di.

Bhumika: Par tum mujhe ye batao ki Pardeep bhaiya kaise hai?

Meera (cries more): Kya batau didi. Duniya ke taane sun sun ke thak gaye. Bahut beemar hai. Kuchh khaa pee bhi nahi rahe. Hum kal unhe Agra k ek mash-hur vaid ji ke paas le jaa rahe hai Gaurav ji ki salaah pe. Ilaaj chalte tak wahi rahenge. Pata nahi kab lautenge.

Bhumika: Ishwar tumhare saath hai. Mujhe umeed hai tum jald lautoge. The women cry more as the lights fade out.

Few years later.

Scene 10: Pardeep is dead

Savita is now 21.

People sitting in white clothes crying. Pardeep is dead. We see Meera howling and crying and others sitting with her. Gaurav, anvita also there. 2-3 girls more sitting.

Meera: Ab kaun in ladkiyo ka sahara banega. Kya karungi main akele.

Gaurav gets up and consoles her.

Few Months later

Scene 11: Return.

Bhumika and Navin sitting. Savita, Gaurav and Meera enter with another of Savitas daughter.

Navin and Bhumika see them. Bhumika gets up and hugs Meera. Meera has tears in her eyes.

Navin gets up slowly and says: Mujhe afsos hai Pardeep ji ka. Mujhe aisa nahi karna chahiye tha.

Meera: Navin ji, main bachcho ko aapka ashirwad dilwane aayi hu. Gaurav and the other sister go and touch his feet.

By this time, Rajan also enters from the left. He looks surprised.

Meera: Navin ji, ab hum Gaurav ke saath Agra mein hi rehna chahte hai. Aap ye ghar kharid lijiye. Hum jald se jald wapis jaana chahte hai.

Bhumika: Wo sab to thik hai par 3 din baad Rajan ki shaadi hai. Aap ek dum sahi samay pe aye. Ab main aapko nahi jaane dungi. Aur main to akele Savita ke bina kaam nahi sambhaal sakti.

Savita looks at Rajan while everyone else is talking. Rajan looks confused. Lights fade out. Scene 12: Marriage day. Music of shehnai fades in. 2 sets: Left part: Celebrations Right part: Bhumika and Savita working on something. Just then Rajan enters the room. Rajan doesnt look good. Bhumika asks: Kya hua beta? Itne pareshan lag rahe ho? Rajan: Mom, I dont wana marry her. Bhumika: What? Koi mazaak hai kya? Rajan: nahi maa. Maine aapko bataya nahi, meri shaadi ho chuki hai. Bhumika: Kya? Kaun? Kab? Kisses? By this time, Bhumika stops the work that shes doing and is staring Savita. Rajan: Maa, aapki bahu isi kamre mein hai. Bhumika looks confused. Looks towards Savita and smiles. Bhumika: Kya ye sach hai? Savita nods.

Bhumika gets up and kisses her. Both Savita and Rajan stand together and touch her feet and the lights fade out.

END. The whole crew comes on the stage and gets introduced.

After

SHAB HAI BAAQI

Period Stage Adaptation of S.C. Chattopadhyays Parineeta
Characters: Sandhya Arjun Rai Naveen Rai Bhumika Rai Pradeep Chawla Sharda Chawla Vrinda Chawla Mathur ji Pandit ji Lalit Gaurav Rathod Chitra Rajvanshi Anvita Rajvanshi Other Actors : : : : : : : : : : : : : : Protagonist Protagonist Arjuns father Arjuns mother Sandhyas uncle Sandhyas aunt Sandhyas cousin (no screen presence) (no screen presence) (no screen presence) Chitras cousin Sandhyas neighbour Sandhyas friend Wedding scene extras

PART 1: <Chime opening> , ... <Chorus> Male: , , , | , , , | -, ,

! ! , | , ! <Chorus> Female: , ! ,

! , , , !

 ! <Spoken> , ! , | PART 2: <Whistling Chorus> <Chorus> Female: ,

| --, ,

, -- ! <Bridge> (Male) , , , ! Female: , , , !

 ! <Chorus> [Opening Song with Dance Sequence] [SCENE 1: Introduction] INT. It is morning. We see an old man sitting in his living room. The man looks worried. Stage in 2 parts. Living room (Right): VOICE OVER: Mohabbat ek aisa ehsaas jo chand alfaazon mein bayaan ho jaata hai. Par lafzon ko jodne mein maheeno, saalon aur kabhi kabhi to zindagi guzar jaati hai. Aisa kya hai iss dhai akshar ke shabd mein jo ek insaan ko doosre insaan se jod deta hai. Koi kehta hai, ki ye ek roohani ehsaas hai. Koi jismon ke ek ho jaane ko pyaar keh deta hai. Koi kehta hai ki ishq ibaadat hai wahin koi ye kehta hai ki ishq ek nazariya hai. Jo bhi ho, ye to sach hai ki pyaar sab ko hota hai. Aqlmandon ko bhi aur beaqlon ko bhi. Choonki mohabbat ka rishta itna pak hota hai, hum aksar mohabbat bayaan nahi karte. Lekin ye bahaut zaroori hai ki jiss se aap pyaar kartein hain usse keh daaliye. Warna jo mausam aaj hai wo phir kabhi nahi aayega. Kyunki pyaar sirf ek baar hi hota hai. Ek hi saathi se jo aapka humqadam hota hai. Din nikal jaatein hain, saal guzar jaate hain, cheezein badal jaati hain, lekin mohabbat waisi hi rehti hai, anchhuee, pak. Shayad isiliye mohabbat aur khuda ko peer-aulia, sadhu-sant ek hi maante hain. Chaand chehre badalta rehta hai, shabein beetati jaati hain par ek shab baaqi reh jaati hai. Jismein khuda har pyaar karne waale ko mauqae-izhaar deta hai. Aaj ki dastaan aise hi ek shab ke intezaar ki kahaani hai. [Pradeep is reading a newspaper and has flipped over to the crime beat page] Pradeep: Bhubaneswar mein ek sarkaari daftar ke chapraasi ke ghar se police ne 70 lakh rupaye baraamad kiye. Azad Kashmir ke nikat sthit Rajauri sheher mein, lagbhag 12 log ghayal ho gaye. Ye ghatna tab hui jab police ne, ek julus ko rokne ke liye logon par lathi charge kar diya. Ghayal logon mein 6 police karmi bhi the. Ludhiyana mein ek aadmi ne jaaydad hadapne ke liye apne buzurg maa-baap ki hatya karwa di. Pata nahi iss desh ka kya hoga. Na jaane kis raaste chal diya hai. Akhbaar uthao aur koi achhi khabar mile, ye to bhul hi jaao.

[We hear Sharda calling him and he goes to the kitchen] Sharda: Kya kar rahe thay baahar baithe baithe? Ab ye newspaper chhod ke kuch madad kardo meri bhi. Kal kaha tha ki dukaan se cheeni le aana, kabhi bhi khatam: [looks at him and pauses]

Kya hua? Kuch pareshani hai kya? Pradeep: Aji ye dekho! [shows the newspaper] Madhya Pradesh ke Kaina gaon mein ek ladki ke sasuraal waalon ne zinda jala diya! Wo bhi isiliye ke ladki kaa parivaar ladke ko dahej nahi de paaya. Sharda: Apne ghar mein kam pareshaaniyan hain kya jo aap saari duniya ki pareshaaniyan bhi mol lena chahte hain? Pradeep: Main to bas yehi keh raha hoon ki ghar mein to teen aur betiyan hain. Kabhi kabhi to dar lagta hai. Kaise sambhalu itni ladkiyo ke dahej ka bojh? Sharda: Do betiyaan hai! Wo Sandhya ko to kahi bhi byaah do. Hamare sar par pehli hi musibatein kam nahi. Pradeep: Kaisi baatein karti ho Sharda. Mathur sahab ki aakhri khwahish bhul gayi? Itni sundar aur gunwan beti hai meri.(mumbles to self) Desh azaad hue 50 saal hone ko jaa rahein hain aur aaj bhi dahej-pratha itna bada bojh ban kar baithi hai. Sharda: Mujhe bhi to pyaari haina wo bachchi, bas aapki pareshani nahi dekhi jaati mujhse. Aap hi sabke devta bane...

[Bell Rings] Pradeep: Ruko! Main dekhta hoon kaun hai. [Enter Naveen and Bhumika] Pradeep: Arey, Rai sahab, aaiye, aaiye! Namaste bhabhi ji. Baithiye Baithiye. Bhumika: Main zara Sharda se milke aati hu. [Scene shifts inside the kitchen] Bhumika: Arey, Sharda! Kya pak rha hai? Khusboo to bahut achhi aa rahi hai.

Sharda: Arey, Bhabhi ji! Aapke aane ki khabar ho gayi thi. Isliye hi daawat ki taiyaari kar di. Bhumika: Hamare, Lalit ki to shaadi ho hi rhi hai agle hafte. Achha, ye batao, wo Kamla Nagar wale rishte ka kya hua? Kuch baat bani Sandhya ke liye? Sharda: Nahi Bhabhi. Wo dahej mein Onida Color TV, Hero Honda Splendor aur Godrej fridge maang rahe hai. Humare bas mein kahan. Apni betiyo ke liye kya bachaenge agar sab use hi de diya? Bhumika: Aisa kyon kehti ho Sharda? Bachchi hai. Meri to apni beti jaisi hai wo. Sharda: Chaliye bhabhi ji. Main bhi kya baat leke baith gayi. Ye dry-fruits khaiye. Waise, ladki waalo ne kitna dahej diya? [They walk past the wall to other room] [Scene shifts to the men outside] Pradeep: Akhbaar hi padh raha tha bhaisaahab. Desh mein apraadh aur bhrashtachaar ki waardaton ke baarey mein padh ke, bahut chinta hoti hai. Naveen: Janab poochiye mat! Har aam insaan ko yahi dar khata jaa raha hai. License raj khatam hue 7 saal ho gaye lekin corrupt sarkari afsaron ki aaj bhi kami nahi hai! Hum to pareshaan ho gaye hain! Ab jab permit ki rishwat khud nahi kha sakte, to gunde lafango ko firauti ke liye dhamkane bhej dete hum jaise business waalon ke paas! Ye sab sarkar aur criminals ki milibhagat se hi to hota hai! Pradeep: Sahi kaha aapne! Bahar jao to gunde dhamkee dete hain. Ghar aao to biwi! [They both laugh] [Enter Sharda and Bhumika] Sharda: Kya? Maruti 800? Wo bhi AC wali? Kya baat hai, apna Lalit to khoob kismat wala nikla. Sharda: Arey, bhaisahab. To ho gayi taiyaariyan?

Naveen: Chal hi rahi hai Sharda. Itna kaam karte hai phir bhi khatam hone ka naam hi nahi leta. Bhumika: Aur jo tabiyat kharaab thi wo bhi to bataiye bhaisahab ko. Pradeep: Kya? Aapki tabiyat kharaab thi? Itna kaam aap akele kaise sambhalenge? Humein ek baar khabar to karte. Hum kis din kaam ayenge. Aapke itne ehsaan hai hum par. [Silence for a few seconds. Everybody turns serious.] Naveen: Pradeep, tum baar baar wahi baat kyu dohrate ho? Maine maange kya paise? Aur tum bhi kahan bhaage jaa rahe ho. Tumhara makaan bhi to girwi pada hai. Jab tumhare paas aa jayein to de dijiyega. Humein koi jaldi nahin hai. Pradeep: Aapka badappan hai bhai sahab. Bhumika: Chaliye, chhodiye ye sab bhaisahab. Aise mauko par ye sab baatein karna hi fizul hai. [Both smile] Pradeep: Arey haan! To Lalit babu kaise hai? Aaj bhi yaad hai, bachpan mein kitna badmaash tha! Mohalle ke na jaane kitne kaanch tode honge. Aur jahan tod phod hui, jhat se bhaag jaaya karta tha! Aur peechhe rehne waale Colonel sahab har samay shikayat karte they, ki Arjun aur Sandhya unke baageeche ke aam tod tod ke kha liya karte hain! Bhumika: Sach, kitna pareshan kiya hai in bachchon ne! Par ab lagta hai ki waise hi theek they bhole-bhale, duniya-daari ki baaton se befiqr! Pradeep: Sahi kaha aapne! Bachche kitni jaldi bade ho jaate hai. Ab shaadi ki umar bhi ho gayi hai. Ab Lalit ke baad Arjun ka hi to number hai. Iski bhi taiyaari shuru kar dijiye. Naveen: Arey, araam se Pradeep. Ek ki shaadi to hone do. Isi me thak gaye hum to. Tumhari bhi himmat hai. Do ki shaadi karwa chuke ho. Upar se 2 aur betiyaan hai. Pradeep: 2 kahan Naveen ji, 3 kahiye. Sandhya bhi to apni hi hai. Mathur sahab ki aakhri khwahish bhi

mujhe hi poori karni hai. Bhumika: Umar hi kitni hai Sandhya ki! Bechaari.Itni si umar mein hi itna sab kuch dekhna pad gaya. Waise hai kahan ye? Sharda: Arey, didi. Aap hi ke ghar par hogi, taiyaariyo mein bhi to haath batana hai. Everybody smiles (laugh) Scene fades out. [SCENE 2: Arjun and Sandhya playful at Naveen Rais house] INT. Wedding preparations for Lalits wedding going on in Naveen Rais house. [Stage is divided into 2 sets into Kitchen and Living Room]

[Enter Bhumika from right and goes into kitchen while looking at Sandhya who is sitting and preparing stuff for the wedding] [Behind her, a few people making the preparations] [Enter Arjun from left and goes into kitchen] Arjun: Maa ye tie nahi bandh rahi! Bhumika: Uff! Tu bhi na godi ke bachchon ki tarah hai! America mein tie kaise bandhta tha? Udhar bhi Maa ko bulata tha kya? Arjun: Udhar theen na neeche waali padosi Mrs. Adams. Bilkul aapki tarah theen. Jab tie khul jaati thi tab wo bana diya karti theen. Par aapke jaisi koi bana sakta hai bhala. Bhumika: Ek hai.... Arjun: Kaun? Bhumika: Sandhya Beta! [Enter Sandhya] Sandhya:

Ji aunty! Bhumika: Main sabzi kaat rahi hu. Zara iss gadhe ki tie baandh de! Sandhya: Ji. [Exit Sandhya and Arjun] [Sandhya starts tying Arjuns tie] [Arjun stares at Sandhyas face] Arjun: Kamaal hai. Itne thode time ke liye US kya gaya tum to itni khubsoorat ho gayi! Sandhya: Khubsoorat to main bahaut pehle se thi. Shaayad tum notice abhi kar rahe ho. Arjun: (flirtatiously) Nahi yaar jab gaya tha tab tum utni bhi kuch khaas nahi thi. [Sandhya pulls his tie tighter. Arjun chokes] [Sandhya walks away] [Arjun pulls himself together and runs after Sandhya whos walking away] Arjun: Arey Sandhya! Suno to (smiles) [Exit Sandhya] [Exit Arjun] [SCENE 3: Moonlight Matrimony] EXT. Few weeks later Arjuns elder brother Lalit is getting married. Sounds of celebrations are heard. But our focus is not on Lalit. We move to the roof of the house where something will happen that will change everything for both the families. VOICE OVER: Kehte hain ki dil ke rishte jannat mein bante hain. Zameen pe to bas unhe nibhaya jaata hai. Kuch aisa hi tha Arjun aur Sandhya ke beech ka rishta. Bachpan ke saathi to wo hamesha se hi the, par dost wo kabhi ban nahi paaye. Wo isiliye kyunki in dono ke beech dosti se badh kar ek aisa naata tha jise sirf dosti kehna bemaani tha. [Sandhya is standing on the roof] [Enter Arjun right side]

Arjun: Yahan akele kya kar rahi ho? Neeche shaadi ho rahi hai aur tum yahan sabse dur aasman ki taraf dekh rahi ho? Chalo abhi! [Sandhya turns and sees Arjun. She seems indifferent to his remarks and continues to gaze at sky] Sandhya: Mujhe Chandni bahaut pasand hai! Arjun: What? What are you even talking about? Sandhya: Oh main to bhool hi gayi! Tum to firang ho gaye ho! I just said that I just love the Moonlight. Angrez gadha! Arjun: (smiles) Hmmm Sandhya: Panditji keh rahe the ki ye bahaut shubh muhurat hai. Arjun: That's what I heard too. Par main in sab baaton mein.. Sandhya: Shhh.... wo dekho Chand nikal raha hai. [Moonlight falls on Sandhyas face. Arjun is absolutely awestruck as Sandhya is still gazing at the sky then she turns her face towards him.] Sandhya: Kitne saal ho gaye Arjun? Arjun: 6 saal, 3 mahine, 2 hafte aur 4 din... Poore 6 saal se maine tumhara chehra nahi dekha. Tumhare kareeb nahi aaya, tumhare baal nahin kheenche, tumhari kalayi nahi marodi, tumhe buddhu keh kar nahi bulaya! 6 saal! [Arjun is now standing face to face with Sandhya.] Sandhya: Aur in 6 saalon mein kitni ladkiyon ke saath ghoome? (smiles) Ab to bhai goriyan mil gayin. Ab apne bachpan ki dost yaad rakhne ka kya faayda.

[Sandhya turns away] Arjun: Kamaal ho yaar tum bhi! Ye sach nahi hai. Haan Ive had one or two relationships before but nothing serious. Sandhya: Kyun? Arjun: Kya karoon koi tumhare jaisi nahi mili naa! Sandhya: Achha? Arjun: Haan wo kya hai na ki ek baar New York mein, main ek fortune teller se mila tha. Aur usne kaha tha ki meri zindagi mein kai ladkiyan ayengi jayeingi par pyaar mujhe sirf ek se hi hoga. Aur to aur usne ye bhi kaha tha ki jis ladki se meri shaadi hogi wo mujhe pehli baar milegi to bheed se alag, chamakti hui si dikhegi. Bilkul kisi pari ki tarah. Sandhya: And I thought that you did not believe in these things (laughs). [Arjun staring at Sandhya] Sandhya: Kya? (laughs) [Arjun goes down on his knees] Sandhya: Sandhya will you marry me? [Sandhya is dazed for a moment] Sandhya: Ye.... kya? [Arjun bursts into laughter] Arjun: Hahahahaha! Tum to darr gayi yaar! Tumhe kya laga ki... [Before Arjun is able to complete his sentence, Sandhya puts a garland in his neck and runs away]

Sandhya: Wo kya hai na ki humaare India mein propose aise karte hain Captain America sir! Hahahaha! [Arjun whowas startled for a second also runs behind her with the same garland. He finally catches hold of her and puts the garland in her neck] [Arjun and Sandhya end up in each others arms standing in the centre of the stage in front of the moonlight. Their eyes closed and faces close to each other] [Music fades in and they both go out of the wing from the right] [Romantic Song Here] [SCENE 4: Gauravs Arrival] INT. Stage is empty. Footsteps are heard and Sandhya walks in with a book in her hand. Zindagi ek antaheen raah hai. Iss safar mein humein sab tarah ke log milte hain. Kuch log manzil talaashte hain to kuch safar ko hi manzil bana lete hain. Iss mamle mein Gaurav panchhi kism ka tha. Kabhi udaan bharta to kabhi kisi daal par baith kar susta bhi liya karta tha. Azad tha zaroor lekin dil ka nek bhi. [Enter Sandhya] Sandhya: Ye Anvita na jaane kahan chali gayi. Anvita! Anvita! Kitaab dekar bhool jaati hai. [Sandhya spots another book kept on the table] Sandhya: Arey waah! Is kitaab ko to main kitna khareedna chah rahi thi, par kahin mili hi nahi. Ab jab mili bhi to is Anvita ke ghar pe jiska door door tak poetry se koi rishta nahi hai. [Sandhya picks up the book and starts reading from it] Sandhya:

[Enter Gaurav] [Gaurav is gazing at Sandhya from one end and has completely fallen head over heels for her]

 ...

Gaurav:

[Sandhya is scared for a moment as she hears Gauravs voice]

,

Sandhya: (Smiles) Waah! Waah! Ghalib ke kadrdaan lagte hain aap. Arjun: Aisa nahi hai. Aapke haath mein jo Bashir Badr ki kitaab hai wo bhi darasal meri hi hai. Har tarah ki shayari pasand karta hoon. Mera to maloom nahi par aap Badr ki Shayari ki fan maloom chaltin hai. (smiles) Main Gaurav. Gaurav Rathod. Chitra meri badi behan hain. Sandhya: Aap hi Anvita ke mama hain? Par aap utne bade to nahi lagte jitna maine socha tha! [Gaurav laughs] [Enter Anvita] Anvita: Sandhya, itne dino se ghar kyu nahi aayi? Sab kuch theek hai na? Sandhya: Bas kuch nahi Anvita, ghar se time nahi mila. Anvita: Maa yaad kar rahi hai tujhe. [Enter Chitra she has a tray in her hand] Anvita: Dekho maa aa gayi. Sandhya: Namastey auntiji. Aap yaad kar raheen theen? (smiles)

Chitra: (authoritatively) Aur nahi to kya! Itne dino se kahan thi? Tere aur Anvi mein koi fark hai kya? Waise bhi jab tak teri bak bak nahi sunaee deti hai yeh ghar soona soona lagta hai.Jaise hi tum sab ki awaaz suni sab ke liye jaldi jaldi chai chadhha kar aayi. Sandhya: Ji...? (smiles) Ji ab se nahi hoga! Ab to samay nikaal ke nahi samay bana ke aap ke paas aa jaya karoongi! Chitra: Sandhya tu iss se mili? Ye hai Gwalior se mera nalayak chhota bhai. Waise to mere chhote chacha ji ka ladka hai par sagey bhai se koi kam nahi hai! Aur dosti mujhse zyaada Anvi se hai. Dono bachche ek saath bade hue hain na Gwalior mein. Bhai behen to ye dono lagte hain! (looks at Gaurav) Kyun janab? Gaurav: Kaisi baatein karti hain didi! (gestures at Anvita) Aapke aagey is gadhi ki kya bisaat! [Anvita shows him her tongue] [Everyone laughs] Chitra: Tum bachchon se to bhagwaan hi bacha sakta hai! Gaurav kyun pareshan karta hai ise? Shaam ka samay hai, badmaashi karne ki jagah kuch baatein-waatein karo. Main chai-pakode lekar aati hoon. [Exit Chitra] [Gaurav is gazing at Sandhya.Gaurav is indifferent to Anvita] Anvita: Gaurav mama! Gaurav mama! [Gaurav is lost and remains indifferent] [Anvita takes a glass of water and throws it at Gauravs face. Gaurav regains consciousness] Gaurav: Anvi ki bachchi! [Gaurav chases Anvita] [As Gaurav chases Anvita Sandhya remains seated thoroughly enjoying the show and laughing at both of them]

Sandhya: (to Anvita) Chal koi to hai ghar mein tere muqabaley ka! (laughs) [Exit Gaurav and Chitra] [lights fade]

[SCENE 5: Movie Refusal] INT. Arjun lying on the bed in his room. VOICE OVER: Aye waqt ki daraarein zaraa ye bataa, aisa kyun hua karta hai? Jis se dil milate hain hum, wahi kyun ruswaa kiya karta hai? [Sandhya enters from the right and goes to the almirah without looking at him] [Sandhya is very noticeably dressed up but Arjun is busy looking into some files. She takes out some money from Arjuns almirah then goes up to him. Arjun is aware that shes in the room and has borrowed money from him] [Arjun is wearing his spectacles and is still looking into the files] Arjun: Paise theek se rakhna. [Sandhya stands behind him trying to make him notice her] Sandhya: Arjun, main bahar ja rahi hoon. Arjun: Haan to theek hai. Paise isiliye chahiye na? Sandhya: Haan main film dekhne jaa rahi hoon. Regal mein Raja Hindustani lagi hai. (smiles) Arjun: Film dekhne jaa rahi ho? Kiske saath? Main to yahan busy baitha hoon! Sandhya: Arey buddhu, Anvita aur uske mama Gaurav ke saath. Main jaanti hoon tum busy ho. [Arjun is enraged by the very thought of Sandhya going out with Gaurav] Arjun: Gaurav? Tumhein kisne kaha ki tum uske saath jaa sakti ho?

Sandhya: (confused and lost for words due to Arjuns sudden outburst) Wo... main? Arjun: Kya wo...main? Tum uske saath nahi jaogi! Tum jaanti hi kya ho uske baarey mein? Wo kaun hai, kya hai, kaisa insaan hai. Kuch bhi nahi!...Wo theek aadmi nahi hai! Tum uske saath nahi jaogi. Sandhya: Par tumhein aisa kyun... Arjun: Mujhe jo lagata hai wo lagta hai bas! Maine keh diya ki tum uske saath nahi jaogi matlab nahi jaogi! Baat khatm. Sandhya: (almost crying) Theek hai Arjun, jaisa tum theek samjho. [Sandhya leaves with her face covered in her hands.] [SCENE 6: Pradeep Gets Ill] INT. Pradeep is ill. Sandhya is sitting beside Pradeep, tending him. Vrinda is one of them. VOICE OVER: Isi beech pradeep ki tabiyat bigad jaati hai. [Enter Gaurav] [Gaurav runs starightawy to Pradeep] Gaurav: (BTS) Uncle ki tabiyat khraab ho gayi aur humare ghar par khabar itni der se pahunchi. (On stage) Ab aapki tabiyat kaisi hai? Kisi ne kuch bataya nahi! Pradeep: Hum tum logon ko pareshan nahi karna chahte they beta. Gaurav: Uncle aap bhi jo hain na kamaal ki baatein kartein hain! Hum koi paraye hain kya jo pareshaan nahi honge? Humara to haq banta hai pareshan hone ka. Kaise ho gaye beemar? Pradeep: Kuch khaas nahi beta. Thoda gale me dard tha aur uski wajah se bukhaar ho gya tha jo jaane ka naam nahi le raha tha. Par Naveen babu ki di hui dawaeeyon se bahaut farq pada. Ye sab to hota rehta hai.

[He looks at Sandhya and is saddned by her helplessness] Sharda enters n says: (wipes her tears) Beta jaldi se jaa Naveen babu ke ghar se inki dawaeeyan lekar aaja. Unhone dawaeeyan mangwa rakhi hain. Sandhya: Main wahan nahi ja sakti maami. Sharda: Kyun? Paanv zameen par pad jayeinge to maile ho jayeinge kya? Inki tabiyat itni kharaab hai aur tu hai ki... Pradeep: (in a frail voice) Mat daanto ise Sharda. Is bachchi ki kya galati hai? Vrinda: Koi bhi swabhimani ladki wohi karegi jo Sandhya didi kar rahi hai. Gaurav: Beech mein bolne ke liye maafi chahoonga Uncle par baat kya hai? Kuch hua hai kya? Vrinda: Main batati hoon! Us din Sandhya didi Arjun bhaiya se kuch paise maang kar film dekhne jaana chah rahi thi. Unhone didi ko bahaut zor se jhadap diya aur jaane se bhi mana kar diya. Naveen babu ke ghar par Bau ji ki dawaeeyan rakhi hain. Didi isiliye wahan jaane se rahin hain ki kahin Arjun bhaiya na dikh jayein! Pradeep: Nahi nahi aisa nahi hua hoga beta. Zaroor koi galatfahmi hogi. Ho sakta hai ki Sandhya beti se hi kuch Galati ho gayi ho. Wo to bada hai iss se. Baaatein samjhta hai. Naveen babu ne to hum sabhi par itne ehsaan kiye hain. Gaurav: Ye sab phir bhi jaayaz nahi hai Uncle. Didi ne bataya aapke karz ke bare mein. Aapne kitna karz liya hai unse? Pradeep: Kis mooh se kahoon beta. Bas ye samajh lo ki har beti ki shaadi unhi ke kharche par hui! Soot diye 4 mahine ho gaye aur mool wahi pada hai, utna ka utna! Gaurav: Agar aisi baat hai to aap mujhse paise lekar apna saara karz chuka dijiye. Ghar ki izzat paise se zyada zaroori hoti hai. Pradeep:

Nahi beta. Tumhe ye sab... Gaurav: Zaroorat hai Uncle. Ye karne ki zaroorat hai. Aap chintana karein sab theek ho jayega. Aur itni kam umr mein jo itne paise maine apni Company se kamaye hain, wo kis din kaam ayeinge? (smiles) Aap nishchint rahiye. Sharda: Vrinda beta, ja tu hi dawaee lekar aaja. [Vrinda leaves] [Lights fade]

[SCENE 7: Arjun and Bhumika Leave for the Trip] INT. Stage is in a mess as in the bedroom of Bhumika and Arjun are packing their luggage. [Bhumika and Arjun are sitting while Sandhya packing their luggage] Sandhya: Aapka saara saaman to lagbhag pack ho gaya hai. Ab kuch aur bhi hai to bata dijiye. Kal kitne baje ki gaadi hai aapki? Bhumika: Itni chinta mat kiya kar meri. Waise bhi iss saal pehli baar teerth yatra par humare saath nahi jaa rahi hai tu. Maloom hai tujhe ki mujhe kitna bura lag raha hai? Sandhya: Aap jaanti hain aunty ki mera kitna aane ka mann hai. Itne saalon mein kabhi socha bhi nahi tha ki aapke saath teerth yatra par jaana bandho jayega. Bhumika: So to hai beta lekin tere maama kahan jaane denge beta. Aakhir tere liye iss baar ladka jo dekha jaa raha hai. [Sandhya doesn't say anything and walks out after Arjun and she exchange looks] Bhumika:(to Arjun) Lagta hai sharma gayi. [Lights fade]

[SCENE 8: Naveen and Pradeep Fight] INT. Naveen is sitting in his living room reading a Newspaper. Pradeep enters from the left. He is still unable to walk properly so he has come with Sandhya who is helping him walk by

providing support. In his hand is a briefcase which carries the money he owes Naveen. VOICE OVER: Samay beetata hai. Pradeep ki haalat kuch sudharti hai. Tabiyat theek hote hi Pradeep karz ke paise Naveen ko lautane ke liye jaata hai. [Naveen notices Pradeep walking in] [Sandhya makes Pradeep sit on a chair and then she stands behind him] Naveen: Aaeeye Pradeep ji. Ab kaise hain? Yahan kaise aana hua? Pradeep: Bas theek hi hoon. Thodi tabiyat theek hui hai wo bhi aapki badaulat warna main to... Naveen: Aapki abhi bahaut lambi umar hai Pradeep babu. Bas apna thoda khayaal rakha kijiye aur baaki sab tu khud-ba-khud theek rahega. [They smile and silence for a few seconds] Bhaisahab, waise aapko diye gaye karz ka byaaz nahi aaya hai pichhle 4 mahine se. Aajkal aap bhi jaante hai, mehangaai, kahan jaa rahi hai.Ghar chalana kahan aasaan hai? Pradeep: Ji dar-asal main aapse isi bare mein baat karne aaya tha. Aapke itne saare ehsaan jo hum par hain uska karz to main kabhi ada nahi kar sakta.Lekin aapke diye hue paise zaroor lauta sakta hoon. Iss briefcase mein wo har ek paai hai jo maine aapse karz mein liya hai. Saath mein bacha hua soot. Ab samay aa gaya hai ki aap mujh se ye paise le lein. Naveen: Magar achanak aapke paas ye paise aaye kahan se? Pradeep: Ye rakam Gaurav babu ki madad se hi mumkin ho paaee hai. Unki hi wajah se aaj main ye karz ada kar raha hoon. [The expression on Naveens face changes from cordial to annoyance] Naveen: Ye sab kya hai bhai sahab? Kya maine aap par kabhi koi dabaav daala? Kya zaroorat thi aapko kisi ajnabi se paise udhaar lene ki? Ghar ke log kya kam pad gaye aapko? Ya main aapko kam pad gaya? Pradeep: Naveen ji, aapka pehle bhi bahut ehsaan hai is gareeb par. Ab aapke upkaaron ko chukane ki

himmat nahi rahi. Aapka bahut bahut dhanyawaad par iss rakam ka bojh sambhalna bahaut mushkil ho gaya tha. Naveen: Pradeep tumne ye achha nahi kiya! Tum kya samajhte ho ki tum kisi aur se paise lekar mujhe dedoge to tumhara karz chukta ho jaayega? Tum ek jagah karz chuka kar doosri jagah se karz utha rahe ho! Iss mein koi badappan nahi hai! [Sandhya intervenes] Sandhya: Maaf kijiyega Uncle lekin ab aapke ehsaan hum par bhaari padne lagein hain. Aur paison ki wajah se humare rishton mein bhi daraar aa gayi hai. Behtar yehi hoga ki aap ye paise le lein kyonki kisi ajnabi ko paise chukana apno se zyaada aasan hai. Naveen: Khamosh! Chhtak bhar ki ladki ab mujhe sikhayegi ki mujhe kya karna chahiye aur kya nahi? Pradeep Chawla tu mere ehsaanon ko chukayega itni haisiyat nahi hai teri! Pradeep: Aap kaisi baatein kar rahein hai bhai sahab! Naveen: Apni aukaat samajhne ki himmat rakha kar Pradeep Chawla. Kahan tu aur kahan main! Maine kitne saalon tak teri har tarah se madad ki. Par tu itna bada ehsaan-faramosh niklega ye maine socha nahi tha. Iss ladki ko mere khilaf kuch bhi kehne ko himmat kaise aayi? Kyunki jahan tak mujhe maloom hai tu aur tera parivaar, humaari bheekh ka mohtaaj hai. Pradeep: Par aap meri takleef ko samajhne ki koshish to kijiye Naveen: Takleef? Paise mere liye aur upar se ab tu ye keh raha hai ki tujhe takleef hai? Band karo ye baqwaas! Ab main aur tumhari koi baat nahi sunna chahta! Nikal jao mere ghar se! [Sandhya looks at Naveen with helplessness then carries Pradeep outside Naveens house. They leave behind the briefcase full of money.]

[SCENE 9: Bhumika returns when Pradeep is due to leave for treatment again] INT. 2 sets. Inside the room Pradeep is bedridden coughing while Sharda is sitting next to her. Also Gaurav present with them. Dim light inside. EXT. Outside the room Sandhya is cleaning the floor. Brighter light. VOICE OVER: Jab Pradeep ki tabiyat bilkul hi bagad jaati hai tabhi Bhumika aur Arjun laut aate hain. Pradeep

ki beemari ki khabar milte hi Bhumika fauran Pradeep ke parivaar waalon se milne jaati hai. Lekin Sharda ne bhi soch rakha hai, jo dono parivaaron ke rishte ko hamesha ke liye badal daalega. [Enter Bhumika from right] [Sandhya sees her and gets up and shouts]

Sandhya: Maami, Bhumika maa wapis aa gayin! [Sandhya touches Bhumikas feet] [Sharda comes out. Both the women hug each other and start crying] Bhumika: Mujhe kal hi pata chala ki kya hua. Mere peechhe se itna kuch ho jayega iska andaaza nahi tha mujhe. Sharda: Didi, mujhe maaf kar dijiye. Sab khatam ho gaya. Kuch bhi nahi bacha hai ab kehne ko. Aur upar se inki bhi tabiyat aur bigadti jaa rahi hai. Na jaane kya hoga. Itne jagahon par dikhlaya par kuch pata hi nahi chal paa raha hai ki inhein hua kya hai. Bhumika: Chinta mat karo Sharda. Sab thik ho jayega. Agar achha waqt beet gaya hai, to bura bhi nahi rahega. Tum bas dheeraj rakho. Sharda: Naveen ji abhi bhi gussa hai inse? Bhai sahab ne to dono chhatoke beech ek deewar bhi khadi karwa di hai. Bhumika: Gussa thanda hone mein kuch samay to lagega shayad. In aadmiyo ke gusse mein, hum bhi phas jaati hai. Par tum mujhe ye batao ki Pradeep ji ki dawai ka kya karna hai? Apna doctor badal ke dekha? Sharda: (cries more) Kya bataoon didi. Duniya ke taane sun sun ke thak gaye. Log kehne lage hain ki ghar mein teen bin byahi betiyan hain aur inse kuch bhi karte, ban nahi pad raha. Bahut beemar hain.Kuch khaa pee bhi nahi rahe. Doctoron ki salaah se to kuch pata fayada nahi hua. Isisliye Gaurav babu ki Maa ke batane par hum log Jaisalmer ja rahein hain. Wahan koi bahaut jaanemane hakeem hain. Ilaaj chalte tak wahi rahenge. Pata nahi kab lautenge. Bhumika:

Ishwar tumhare saath hai. Mujhe umeed hai tum jald lautoge. Sharda: Ab to humare lautne ki bhi ummeed kam hi hai didi. Soch rahein hain ki Jaisalmer mein hi reh jaayein. Yahan Dilli mein itni beizzati-badnami ho gayi hai ki ab ye sheher chubhne laga hai. Bhumika: (burst into tears) Na jaane kab dikhogi ab tum. Saari baatein yaadein banker reh jaayeingi. Ghar ka maahaul bhi aisa ho gaya hai ki tujhe theek se alvida bhi nahi keh paaoongi. [The women cry more as the lights fade out]

[SCENE 10: Pradeep Dies] Lights out. Voices of two people are heard in the background along with ambient sound. (Backstage voices) Woman #1: Suna Gaurav babu ke yahaan kisi ka dehant ho gaya? Woman #2: Haan! Pradeep babu Dilli se shayad unke rishtedaar the. Wohi guzar gaye bechaare. Tabiyat bahaut khraab rehti thi unki. Saal bhar na jaane kaise-kaise zinda rakha gaya unko lekin iske baawajood unhone dum tod diya. Woman #1: Haaye Ram! Char char betiyan hain unki to? Aur badi waali to shaadi ki umar ki hai! Woman #2: So to hai. Bahaut ro rahin then unki betiyan [voices start fading] Ab kaun unka sahara banega. Lekin badi waali beti mazboot bhi hai aur sundar bhi. Kahin ache jagah shaadi

[SCENE 11: Return to Delhi] VOICE OVER: [Chaar saal beet jaate hain. Pradeep ke mrityu ke kuch samay baad, Naveen Rai ko business mein bahaut bada nuksaan ho jaata hai. Iss sadme koNaveen Rai bardaasht nahi kar paata hai aur thode samy ke baad wo swarg sidhaar jaate hai. Jaise taise Arjun apne parivaar ko sambhalta hai. In chaar saalon mein Sandhya badi ho gayi hai aur ek badi company mein naukari karne lagi hai. Jaisalmer mein basne ke liye jab usey zyaada paison ki zaroorat padti hai to wo Sharda aur choti behnon ke saath Dilli waapas aati hai taaki Sharda ke naam likha purana ghar becha ja sake aur kuch paise aa sakein]

INT. Naveen Rais house. The room seems to be almost emccpty and has lost its glory from days of prosperity. However the house is decorated and is being prepared for a celebration of somekind. On the sofa Bhumika is seated knitting a sweater. [Sandhya, Gaurav and Sharda enter withVrinda.] [Bhumika sees them. Bhumika gets up and hugs Sharda. Sharda has tears in her eyes] Bhumika: Hey bhagwaan! Itne dino baad dikhe tu sab! Kaisi hai tu Sharda!... Bahaut afsos hua Pradeep ji ke bare mein sunkar. Hum logon ko aisa nahi karna chahiye tha. Sharda: Aapko khabar kaise mili? Gaurav: Maine hi phone karke bataaya Bhumika bhabhi ko. Tum log to bilkul hi baat nahi kar rahe they isiliye Pradeep uncle ke guzarne ke turant baad hi yahan phone karke bata diya tha. [awkward silence for a moment] Sharda: Achha beeti hui baatein kya yaad karein. Naveen babu nahi dikh rahe? Main bachchon ko aap dono ka ashirwad dilwane aayi hoon. Bhumika: (silent) Naveen babu ab kahan rahe Sharda? Unhein guzre to kaafi samay ho gaya. Business mein bahaut nuksaan hone ke kaaran sadme mein chale gaye the. Phir zyaada din tik bhi nahi paaye. Bimaar pade aur kuch hi dino mein Wo to apne Arjun aur Lalit they jinhone mushkil se sab kuch sambhala. Jab wo gaye tab takleef bahaut hui lekin ab unke bina jeena seekh liya hai. Sharda: Kya? Kab? Kaise? Bhumika: Pradeep bhai sahib ke guzarne ke lagbhag ek saal baad. Lekin ab purani baatein ho gayin hain ye sab ab. Sharda: Lekin humein to kuch maloom hi nahi chal didi!

Bhumika: Kya karti tu jaankar? Humne waise hi itni takleef di tum logon ko. Phir Pradeep bhai sahib ka dehant bhi ho gaya tha. Aap logon ki apni museebatein theen. Ek aur maut ki khabar suna kar aap logon ka hausala nahi todna chahti thi. [awkward silence] Bhumika: Tu kuch keh rahi thi. Sharda: Haan didi. (to Gaurav and Vrinda) Jao beta didi ke payr chhu lo. Abhi teen mahine pehle hi in dono ki shaadi karwa di. Pradeep ki sab zimmedariyan hai mujh par. [Gaurav and Vrinda go and touch his feet] [By this time, Arjun also enters from the left. He looks surprised] Sharda: Didi aapse ek aur baat thi kehne ke liye. Isiliye aapse aur Naveen babu se milne aaye they. Sandhya ki naukari lag gayi hai. Bachchi ne graduation khatam kar li hai. Achchi badi company mein naukari shuru hui hai abhi abhi. Hum sab ne socha hai ki ab Jaisalmer mein hi bas jaayeinge. Dilli mein property ke naam par bas apna purana makaan hai. Usey main bechna chah rahi thi. Naveen babu hote to unse hi kehti makaan khareed lene ko. Apna ghar kisi paraaye ke paas jaaye, achcha nahi lagta. Bhumika: Ab wo din kahaan rahe Sharda. (smiles) Ab ameeri kam aura am zindagi ki aadat zyada ho gayi hai. Business mein nuksaan ki wajah se ek paai tak nahi bachi thi. To agar Naveen babu hote bhi to hum chaah ke bhi tera ghar nahi khareed paate. Lekin phir bhi, jaise hi Arjun ki shaadi ho jaati hai hum koi achha khareedar dhoondh kar aapko bata denge. Sharda: Arjun ki shaadi? Bhumika: Jee haan! Aakhirkaar is naalayak ki shaadi ki jaa rahi hai! Aur aap log bilkul sahi samay par aaye hain. 3 din hi bache hain ab to. Ab main tujhe nahi jaane dungi Sharda. Aur main to akele bina tere aur Sandhya ke kaam bhi nahi sambhaal sakti.

[Sandhya looks at Arjun while everyone else is talking. Arjun looks confused] [Lights fade out] [SCENE 12: Arjuns Wedding Preparations] INT. Stage is set up with wedding decoration. Bhumika is sitting down with a few other women. Discussing about gifts to be given out to the brides family. Arjun is seen on one end of the stage discussing something mutely with a flower decorator. Woman #1: Bhumika didi. Ye saari ladki ki behen ke liye theek rahegi. Woman #2: Aur ye ladki ki maa ke liye. Woman #3: Ye saari itni pasand nahi aa rahi hai. Ye aap ladki ki Illahabad wali bua ko de dena. [Everyone Laughs] Woman #1: Didi aap to bahaut kismet waali hain. Itna sab beetne par bhi bachchon ki ghargrihasti itne achchhe se sambhal gayi. Aapke dono bachche ekdum sanskaari aur nek nikale, bilkul Naveen babu ki tarah. Kisi maa ko aur kya chahiye. Bhumika: (smiles) Wo hote to aaj bahaut khush hote. Shaadi-byaah ka mauka hi aisa hota hai ki yaadein to bas nadiyon ki tarah behne lagti hain. Lagta hai jaise kal ki hi baat ho jab wo mujhe isi ghar mein dulhan bana kar laaye the. Aur aaj mera chota beta jiski shaadi ho rahi hai. Zindagi ki bhaag daud mein, oonch-neech mein waqt kaise beet jaata hai pata hi nahi chalta hai... Wo ye baatein khoob samajhte the. Isi wajah se unhone saalon pehle Arjun ki dulhan ke liye heeron ka ek haar banwaaya tha. Woman #2: Kaisa hai ye set didi? Hum bhi to dekhein! Bhumika: Lekar aati hoon.... [checks her waist for keys] Oh! Chaabhi to Sandhya ke paas hai... [calls] Sandhya beta! Sandhya beta! Sandhya: Ji aunty! Bhumika: Beta wo set leti aana. Sandhya:

Abhi laati hoon! [Exit Sandhya] [Arjun stops talking with the decorator abruptly spots Sandhya and follows her] [Lights fade] [SCENE 13: Final Union] INT. As Sandhya stands infront of the almirah and starts opening it Arjun enters the room too. Sandhya takes notice of him. But does not react. Sandhya is completely detached. [Arjun comes and stands behind her as she takes] Sandhya: Aur Dulhe Raja! Phans gaye na tum bhi ye shaadi-waadi ke chakkar mein! Bachpan mein to khoob kehte the ki dharti phat, jaaye ya aasman girne lage par tum shaadi nahi karoge! [Arjun stares at Sandhya] Sandhya: Kya baat hai? Aise kyon dekh rahe ho? Arjun: Baatein to bahaut saari hain Sandhya. Par filhaal ek hi cheez poochhne aaya hoon. Itne saalon tak gayab ho jaane ka kya matlab tha? Ek phone to kar sakti thi? Phone nahi to chitthi to likh sakti thi! Aisi kya naraazagi thi? Sandhya: Karne ke liye to tum bhi bahaut kuch kar sakte the Arjun. Tum jaante the ki main kahan hoon. Koi khaas dikkat nahi hoti tumhein mere bare mein pata lagane mein par tumne pata lagaya? Nahi naa! Arjun: Main kaise baat karta tumse? Tum wahan Jaisalmer mein reh rahi thi. Itna samay beet gaya. Aur phir Papa bhi guzar gaye. Kuch sochne ka waqt kahan mila? Waise bhi tum bhi bina bataye chali gayi. Aur main tumhein aur Gaurav ki Zindagi mein interfere bhi nahi karnaa chahta tha. [Sandhya looks confused] Sandhya: Mere aur Gaurav ki life mein? Arjun: Haan. Usne tumhaare Mamaji ki mada wagirah ki.Phir tum uske saath Jaisalmer chali gayi.Wo tumhein shayad pasand bhi karta tha...

Sandhya: Ye kya bol rahe ho tum? Arjun: Tumne us se Shaadi nahi ki? Sandhya: Kya! Nahi! Shaadi to Vrinda ne ki use. Tumhein kya laga wo dono yun hi Bhumika aunty ke paanv chhoo rahe they? (laughs) Khair... wo sab chhodo. Arjun: Chhod doon? Sandhya ,do you have any understanding of what Im going through right now? Kaise chhod doon? Ye koi mazzaq hai kya tumhare liye? Is it some kind of a joke to you? [Bhumikas voice is heard calling Sandhya] Sandhya: Main jaa rahin hoon. Aunty bula rahin hain. Arjun: Tum kahin nahin jaogi! [catches hold of her] Tumhein andaaza hai ki in paanch saalon mein mujh par kya beeti hai? Par mujhe uss se zyada ek baat khaaye ja rahi hai, jo mujhse zyada important hai. Ye, ki tum par kya beeti hogi! Tumne ab tak shaadi kyun nahi ki? Sandhya: Bahaut chhoti sit hi jab mere papa guzar gaye. Jab se Pradeep uncle ne apnaya aur main yahan aaee aur tumse mili. Bachpan se lekar aaj tak le de ke bas tum ek hi to dost the jis se main apne dil ki har baat kahi. Kaun tha tumhare siva iss poori duniya mein mera? Main jab roti thi tab sabse pehle tum mere aansoo ponchhne aate the. Jab pareshan hoti thi tab tum hi to muskuraane ko majboor karte the. Kisi museebat mein ek tum hi to the jo har baar mera haath thaama karte the. Bas tum. Tum mere sab kuch the! Meri maa, mere papa, mere dost, mere dushman, mere saathi sab kuch! Maine tumse itna pyaar kiya hai Arjun, jitna khud se nahi kiya! Kyun karti main shaadi? Meri shaadi to ho chuki thi, usi roz apni chhat par jab uss chaandani raat mein tumne mujhe apna bana liya tha! Arjun: (silent for a moment then smiles) Sandhya, maine tumhare bare mein sochte hue aur tumhaare intezaar mein maine kaee shabon ko halaak kar diya hai. Ek raat wo thi jab maine tumhein apna banaya tha. Ab ye raat hai. Aur aaj ye shab sirf isi liye baaqi hai, taaki main apni saari galatiyan sahi kar sakoon. Main ye jhooth aur nahi jeena chahta. Main ye shaadi nahi kar sakta. [goes down on his knees] Meri pyaari chamakti pari, mujhse shaadi kar lo! [has tears in his eyes] [Sandhya bends down too. She wipes Arjuns tears] [Arjun gets up. Sandhya kisses him on the cheek and hugs him] [Lights fade]

[Dance]

THE END