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Parth Samthaan as Manik Malhotra
Alok Nath as Nandini's grandfather
Mehul Nissar as Nandini's uncle
Ritu Vasishta as Nandini's mother
Vibha Anand as Navya (nandini's sister)
Karan Jotwani as Aaryaman Khurana(nandini boyfriend)
Kishwar Merchant as Nyonika Malhotra
Brijendra Kala as Taxi driver
Vishal O Sharma as Manik's lawyer
Rubina as Nandini's Cousin
Story start from Manik's face in close. He is staring into the blank. Some movements are seen behind him and in front.We see a lawyer standing behind Manik, speaking
vehemently.More movement comes into view. We still hear no sound. Some other men
in suits are seen, contributing to the tense conversation. Lots of people talking together. Manik is sitting
at the head of the table. There is a middle aged woman sitting across the table to him. Cabir, Manik's
colleague, touches his shoulder. Manik looks at Cabir. Cabir looks cross. Sound fades in - loud,
incomprehensible din. Chief in that is the woman's lawyer reading out certain demands from the
company.
Lawyer 1 (continuing) ...on the other hand you should be happy that my client is not insisting on
going to court. Although court jaane mein inka fayda hai. Chaar hearings mein baat saaf ho jayegi ki ye
kya deserve karti hain aur inko is company se kya milna chahiye
The noise attacks the senses. Manik sits amidst the madness for a while, then slowly gets up.
Meanwhile, the noise continues off
Cabir: I don't think we should jump to conclusions.
Lawyer 2 Yahan milne ka matlab yehi hai ki hum Mrs Malhotra ki demands ko consider kar rahe
hain.
Lawyer 1 Humne aapko consider karne ko nahin kaha hai. Aapki authourity nahin hai consider
karne ki.
Cabir: Excuse me... hum jhagda karne ke liye nahin mil rahe hain...
Lawyer Let me tell you that there can be no compromise on the list of demands made by Mrs Malhotra
Manik stands facing the mirror in the wash room. He is looking down. After a moment, he looks
up towards his eyes. He lacks the courage to look at himself. He looks down.
He comes out of the washroom, looks at the conference hall. Cabir is standing at the door of the
conference hall, waiting for him. He indicates to him to hurry back, the others are waiting. Cabir goes
inside. Manik looks at the conference hall. Through the glass, he sees Cabir telling the others that
Manik is coming back now. Manik can see that the situation is waiting to explode on him. He stands there
for a moment. Then instead of going towards the conference hall, Manik turns right into the staircase.
Manik walks into the foyer. The staff and visitors jerk into attention. Some salute, some wish,
somebody runs towards the porch.
Manik's black BMW drives into the porch.
Someone opens the car door for Manik. Manik walks down the steps, does not go to the open
door. He walks around and takes the key from the driver and sits in the car.
The car drives into a club house and parks. Manik gets off.
Many men and women - all decked up in fineries - notice Manik as he walks in. There is a
reaction of surprise. Manik comes to the lawn and looks straight. A wedding reception platform, bride and
groom and guests and photographers. The bride sees him. He is walking towards her. She gets tense. He
gets into the line of people waiting to meet the couple.
Manik gets up on the platform, walks towards the girl, stands in front of her. She looks at the groom. The groom extends his hand to Manik. They shake hands.
The photographers ask them to pose. Manik poses. Snap, snap, snap.
He looks at the bride one more time, then turns and walks away.
He walks through the corridor, walks into the parking lot and comes to his car. He unlocks the
car, opens the door. He stands in that position, looking at the keys. Music of receding begins. Manik
places the key on top of the car.
[As he turns away from the bride and walks, ambient sound begins to fade out. By the time he places the
key on top of the car, the soundtrack is completely silent.]
Outside the club, Manik walks the lane - as though some force is taking him away. He opens his
coat buttons and removes the tie.
Return office traffic has begun. He puts his tie on the pavement, crosses the street.
Manik walks across a market place.
He walks on another street. He removes his coat, places it on a railing. A beggar is looking at
him. He removes his gold cuff-links. Cuff-links fall on the pavement.
He walks across a bus-stop, pulling his sleeves. A bus stops. People file in from around him. He
turns and looks at the bus.
He is sitting in the bus. His co-passengers keep changing.
Evening. The bus comes to a final halt outside VT station. Everyone gets off. Manik gets out.
VT railway station. Manik walks in.
He walks through the crowd in the foyer.
He is walking on a platform. Train whistle blows, flurry at the platform. Manik stops. He looks at
the train. The train begins to move. Manik looks at the door coming towards him. It is inviting him. He
moves up and climbs into the door. The train takes him away.
The train is leaving the station.
[The ambient sound will be almost inaudible. Only very loud and shrill sounds - like the train whistle -
will be registered. In the last shot of the train leaving the station, the ambient sound will come back in
full]
The platform, seen from the train through a door, is moving faster and faster. There are two men
standing at the door. One of them a young man, is hanging out and bringing in pieces of luggage from
someone still on the platform. Evidently, a girl is trying to catch the speeding train. There is a coolie
involved, but we can only hear them at this time.
Nandini: Pakdaate jao, pakdaate jao... woh uncle ke haat mein do.
One suitcase is already in. It is put on the side by someone. The young man gets off the train and
takes another suitcase from the coolie and loads it.
Young Man (to Man 1) Main neeche se pass kar raha hoon.
Coolie (to nandini) Tum chahadh jaayo pehle...
Nandini: Arey aap meri tension mat lo, samaan andar karo jaldi... Ye lo...
The suitcase is in. Man 1 passes it to the next man who passes it to the next. A bag comes in
now. Then a plastic shopping bag comes in, stuffed with loose items. Then another plastic bag. Then an
earthen pot with a flower plant. There are a few others who have collected in the door area in the second
class sleeper to see the drama. Meanwhile
Coolie: Hum keh rahe the doo go coolie ka samaan hai...
Nandini: Bag dekho bag dekho girega...
Man 1 Abhi aur bhi samaan hai?
Young Man: Aane do, aane do...
Nandini:Ye lo, ye padko... Haan...
Man 1 Bahut riks hai bahut riks hai... Samne dekhiye...
Nandini:Haan dekh rahi hoon, aap jaldi jaldi samaan leejiye...
Now the young man climbs back in and extends his hand. The girl is pulled up into the running
train. She clambers in, stands clutching her waist, panting and exhausted. The small gathering is looking
at her.
Nandini: Oh... Oh teri... Oh god... Aaj to hadd hi ho gayee(She looks
at all the people in front. She lets out a laugh.) Thank god train nhi chutti meri aapko b thank u uncle (to Young Man) Aa gayee hoon main andar. Ab to mera haath chhod do.
(laughs) Itni bhi sundar nahin hoon main.
Young Man leaves her hand in a spark and looks embarrassed as nandini points towards him and
laughs.
Passage in the moving train. The girl is walking up holding a bag and ticket, talking to the three
people who are following her with her luggage.
Nandini: You know, mujhe Non AC mein chalna better lagta hai. Magar meri family... Kehte hain tum
ladki ho... jaise mujhe hi nahin pata ki main ladki hoon. (to a passenger) Uncle A2 hain na?
Passenger: Haan...
Nandini: Thank you. (to her helpers)
Manik is sitting on a seat. From the distance, Nandini and the other three walk up. Nandini is looking at
the seat number as she walks.
Nandini: I mean koi pehli baari to akele travel kar nahin rahi hoon main... More so is train mein... Ye to
samajh lo ki mera second home hai.
Nandini stops, looks at Manik. She drops her bag, looks at her ticket, looks back at Manik suspiciously. She crosses to face Manik.
Nandini: Ticket dikhaana please.
Manik is looking down, in a trance.
Nandini: Hello... Aap se baat kar rahi hoon. Arey? Ye meri seat hai. Twenty four. Kamaal hai? O boss...
She waves her hand in front of his face. He looks up towards her. She thinks he is hearing
impaired. She mimes, mouthing the words carefully.
Nandini (miming) Ye seat... chaubis... Meri...
Manik looks at her, then gets up and sits on twenty three. He looks away.
(snip)
Nandini is opening her jacket and hanging it in between and talking to Manik.
Nandini: Ye passage waali seats koi nahin lena chahta, magar main insist karti hoon ki bhaiya passage waali seat hi do. Reservation waale uncle bade hairaan pareshaan ho jaate hain magar
mera funda ye hai ki raaste ke nazdeek rehne...
(snip)
Nandini adjusting her luggage beneath the lower berth and up on the top berth and talking.
Nandini: Mera safar hai na, is train ke saath khatm nahin hota. No. Aage jaana hai mujhe Manglore...
Mera ghar hai vahan, family hai... Sab ki hoti hai, meri bhi hai... Hai na?
Nandini is getting comfortable in the seat now and talking.
Nandini: Sab kehte hain Mumbai bada crowded hai. Arey? Crowded matlab kya? Crowd hum jaise logon
se hi to banta hai? Khud bheed ka hissa hain aur takleef bhi khud hi ko hai. So funny...
Manik is sitting on his seat, looking the other way. Nandini is another posture.
Nandini: Main to ja rahi hoon Mumbai chhod ke hamesha ke liye. Aayee thi pata hai kab, jab
Mumbai Bombay tha. Ek naam ke shaher mein aayi, doosre naam ke shaher se ja rahi
hoon... Achcha batao mujhe ye kya logic hui ki...
Manik is getting uncomfortable with her talking so much.
Nandini: Hostel, hostel, hostel... St Teresa's boarding school hostel in Shimla, Missionary Hostel
for College girls in Bombay Central, Government Girls Hostel on Marine Drive...
(snip)
Manik is restess.
Nandini: Mujhe kasam hai aaj ke baad kabhi hostel mein nahin rahoongi. Nafrat ho gayee hai
mujhe hostels se. I hate hostels. I hate them.
(snip)
Manik is more restless.
Nandini: I hope barsaat ke aane se pehle ye roads ki digging band ho jaye varna pata hai kya
hoga? Anyway mujhe to fark nahin padta kyonki main rahoongi nahin yahan magar jo
baaki janta hai yahan par...
Manik can not take it anymore. He gets up abruptly and walks away.
Nandini: Kya hua? Arey...?
Manik opens the door of the train and looks out. The rails are clanging along, bushes are
jumping out from the darkness, poles are whizzing past. He shuts his eyes for a moment. He hears a siren.
A train is approaching. He looks at the train. The train charges in, crushing the rails, shaking the gravel.
Manik clenches his fists on the railing. There is no one near him. His face is getting hard. The train will
be there in seconds. It's a matter of seconds. It is coming. It is about to reach.
Nandini: Ye kya kar rahe ho?
Manik gets a start. He turns to look. Nandini is standing there, with a towel and soap, come to wash
her face. He turns to looks at her.
Nandini: Chalti train ka door kabhi nahin kholte. Pata hai kya ho sakta hai?
He is looking at her. The train tears past behind him. Nandini speaks in animation about a young
boy who was travelling in the same train as her and had fallen off the door once. But nothing she says can
be heard because of the loud passing of the train. Yet she speaks with all her might.
(snip)
Manik turns away to the night. He closes his eyes and relaxes himself. She is washing her face
behind him.
Nandini (washing face etc) Mook ho, bol nahin sakte? Ya sharmeele type ke ho? Ya sirf budtameez ho?
Haan?
Nandini shakes her head. Manik is looking into the night as nandini speaks.
Nandini: Kuch to baat hai. Teen baari main pooch chuki hoon magar koi javaab hi
nahin.
TTE: Ticket please.
The TTE is standing in front of Nandini. Nandini's face is wet.
Nandini: Berth pe hai. Aati hoon.
The TTE walks up to Manik.
TTE Ticket dekhaiye please.
No response from Manik. The TTE taps on Manik. Manik turns.
TTE Aur door band kar deejiye. Ticket...
Nandini comes up and begins to mime to Manik, mouthing what she wants to express.
Nandini (miming) Ye tumhaari ticket dekhna chahte hain... Inhien ticket dikhao. Kahan hai? Ticket?
Ticket. Tee-ket...
Manik (to TTE) Mere paas ticket nahin hai.
Nandini looks at him.
The TTE is sitting, taking out some registers from his pouch. Manik is sitting in front. Nandini is
sitting on the side.
Nandini (explaining to the TTE) Actually dekhiye kya hua ki iska plan jo hai na vo aakhri moment pe
bana. Ticket banane ka time hi nahin tha. Vaise aap ko to pata hi hai
ki train khaali hai. To aap ab inki ticket bana deejiye, no problem. Hai
na? Bhaisaab aap convince ho gaye hain ya main aur boloon.
The TTE gives her a look, then turns to Manik.
TTE Kahan ki ticket banaoon?
Manik looks back at the TTE.
TTE Kahan jaana hai aapne?
Manik Ye train kahan jaati hai?
TTE Kya?
Nandini looks at Manik, then turns to the TTE.
Nandini Last stop. Dilli. Dilli ki ticket banaiye. Dekhiye, main aapko bata hi doo ki haadsa hua hai inke
saath. Bura waqt hai. Tab hi ye... Dilli.
(snip)
The TTE leaves. Nandini is looking at Manik in amazement. She giggles.
jumping out from the darkness, poles are whizzing past. He shuts his eyes for a moment. He hears a siren.
A train is approaching. He looks at the train. The train charges in, crushing the rails, shaking the gravel.
Manik clenches his fists on the railing. There is no one near him. His face is getting hard. The train will
be there in seconds. It's a matter of seconds. It is coming. It is about to reach.
Nandini: Ye kya kar rahe ho?
Manik gets a start. He turns to look. Nandini is standing there, with a towel and soap, come to wash
her face. He turns to looks at her.
Nandini: Chalti train ka door kabhi nahin kholte. Pata hai kya ho sakta hai?
He is looking at her. The train tears past behind him. Nandini speaks in animation about a young
boy who was travelling in the same train as her and had fallen off the door once. But nothing she says can
be heard because of the loud passing of the train. Yet she speaks with all her might.
(snip)
Manik turns away to the night. He closes his eyes and relaxes himself. She is washing her face
behind him.
Nandini (washing face etc) Mook ho, bol nahin sakte? Ya sharmeele type ke ho? Ya sirf budtameez ho?
Haan?
Nandini shakes her head. Manik is looking into the night as nandini speaks.
Nandini: Kuch to baat hai. Teen baari main pooch chuki hoon magar koi javaab hi
nahin.
TTE: Ticket please.
The TTE is standing in front of Nandini. Nandini's face is wet.
Nandini: Berth pe hai. Aati hoon.
The TTE walks up to Manik.
TTE Ticket dekhaiye please.
No response from Manik. The TTE taps on Manik. Manik turns.
TTE Aur door band kar deejiye. Ticket...
Nandini comes up and begins to mime to Manik, mouthing what she wants to express.
Nandini (miming) Ye tumhaari ticket dekhna chahte hain... Inhien ticket dikhao. Kahan hai? Ticket?
Ticket. Tee-ket...
Manik (to TTE) Mere paas ticket nahin hai.
Nandini looks at him.
The TTE is sitting, taking out some registers from his pouch. Manik is sitting in front. Nandini is
sitting on the side.
Nandini (explaining to the TTE) Actually dekhiye kya hua ki iska plan jo hai na vo aakhri moment pe
bana. Ticket banane ka time hi nahin tha. Vaise aap ko to pata hi hai
ki train khaali hai. To aap ab inki ticket bana deejiye, no problem. Hai
na? Bhaisaab aap convince ho gaye hain ya main aur boloon.
The TTE gives her a look, then turns to Manik.
TTE Kahan ki ticket banaoon?
Manik looks back at the TTE.
TTE Kahan jaana hai aapne?
Manik Ye train kahan jaati hai?
TTE Kya?
Nandini looks at Manik, then turns to the TTE.
Nandini Last stop. Dilli. Dilli ki ticket banaiye. Dekhiye, main aapko bata hi doo ki haadsa hua hai inke
saath. Bura waqt hai. Tab hi ye... Dilli.
(snip)
The TTE leaves. Nandini is looking at Manik in amazement. She giggles.
Nandini: Kya boss? Chakkar kya hai? Drugs shrugs lee hai?
Manik does not reply. She comes closer.
Nandini: Dekho aisa hai ki life mein koi problem hai to mujhe bata sakte ho. I don't mind. Bata do. Bade
saare dost mujhe apni problems batate hain aur main unhien solve
karti hoon, pata hai? To batao kya baat hai.
Bolo. Batao batao, sharmao nahin. Batao kya problem hai. Bolo na.
Manik(bursts) Tum ho meri problem. Tum... Bolti ja rahi ho, bolti ja rahi ho... why don't you understand Tumhien samajh mein
nahin aa raha ki main tumse baat karne mein interested nahin hoon?
Main nahin baat karna chahta tumse. Mujhe nahin janna hai ki tum
Mangalore se aayi ho ya bombay se... ab tak hostel mein rehti thi ya
brothel mein. Mujhe maaf karo, please.
He turns away. Silence. He turns back towards her. She is looking at him.
Nandini(calm) Brothel vaali baat theek nahin thi.
He looks at her.
Manik: I'm sorry. Really... I'm sorry. Mera vo matlab nahin tha.
Nandini: (back to herself) Main jaanti hoon. Clearly dikh raha hai ki maha upset ho tum kisi baat se. Tab
hi mujhpar bhi upset ho gaye aur bakwaas karne lage. Magar it's okay.
Main bura nahin maan rahi hoon, haan? Actually aaj kal mujhe kisi
baat ka bura nahin lagta. Pata hai kyon? Kyonki meri shaadi hone
waali hai. Bahut jaldi. Aur suno, bhaag ke shaadi kar rahi hoon. Mere amms n n chacha chachi manenge nahin. Magar shaadi ho jaane ke baad
koi kya kar sakta hai? Ja ke pairon pe gir jaana hai unke, maaf to
karna hi padega. Manali mein rehta hai vo. Shaadi ke baad hum
pahadon mein rahenge. Mujhe na pahad bahut pasand hain. Really...
(snip)
Manik sighs secretly as Nandini rambles on.
Nandini: Ek to ye hill aur mountain ke beech fark kya hai mujhe aaj tak samajh nahin aayi. Bade
hills mountain hote hain magar kitne bade? Koi aisi measurement hai?
(snip)
Nandini is talking in usual enthusiasm.
Nandini: Bachpan se hi na mujhe shadi karne ka craze hai by god. Aur ab to main ruk hi nain sakti. Bas
wait kar rahi thi ki mera college khatam ho jaye aur uski travel agency
shuroo ho jaye.
Manik sits helplessly.
Manik does not reply. She comes closer.
Nandini: Dekho aisa hai ki life mein koi problem hai to mujhe bata sakte ho. I don't mind. Bata do. Bade
saare dost mujhe apni problems batate hain aur main unhien solve
karti hoon, pata hai? To batao kya baat hai.
Bolo. Batao batao, sharmao nahin. Batao kya problem hai. Bolo na.
Manik(bursts) Tum ho meri problem. Tum... Bolti ja rahi ho, bolti ja rahi ho... why don't you understand Tumhien samajh mein
nahin aa raha ki main tumse baat karne mein interested nahin hoon?
Main nahin baat karna chahta tumse. Mujhe nahin janna hai ki tum
Mangalore se aayi ho ya bombay se... ab tak hostel mein rehti thi ya
brothel mein. Mujhe maaf karo, please.
He turns away. Silence. He turns back towards her. She is looking at him.
Nandini(calm) Brothel vaali baat theek nahin thi.
He looks at her.
Manik: I'm sorry. Really... I'm sorry. Mera vo matlab nahin tha.
Nandini: (back to herself) Main jaanti hoon. Clearly dikh raha hai ki maha upset ho tum kisi baat se. Tab
hi mujhpar bhi upset ho gaye aur bakwaas karne lage. Magar it's okay.
Main bura nahin maan rahi hoon, haan? Actually aaj kal mujhe kisi
baat ka bura nahin lagta. Pata hai kyon? Kyonki meri shaadi hone
waali hai. Bahut jaldi. Aur suno, bhaag ke shaadi kar rahi hoon. Mere amms n n chacha chachi manenge nahin. Magar shaadi ho jaane ke baad
koi kya kar sakta hai? Ja ke pairon pe gir jaana hai unke, maaf to
karna hi padega. Manali mein rehta hai vo. Shaadi ke baad hum
pahadon mein rahenge. Mujhe na pahad bahut pasand hain. Really...
(snip)
Manik sighs secretly as Nandini rambles on.
Nandini: Ek to ye hill aur mountain ke beech fark kya hai mujhe aaj tak samajh nahin aayi. Bade
hills mountain hote hain magar kitne bade? Koi aisi measurement hai?
(snip)
Nandini is talking in usual enthusiasm.
Nandini: Bachpan se hi na mujhe shadi karne ka craze hai by god. Aur ab to main ruk hi nain sakti. Bas
wait kar rahi thi ki mera college khatam ho jaye aur uski travel agency
shuroo ho jaye.
Manik sits helplessly.
Nandini: Last few years mein hi hua hai ye sab trains time par chalne lagi hain aur flights ke
baare mein to ji jab bhi pata karo to delayed. Kamaal hai, agar humein
delayed hi jaana hota to flight se kyon jaate?
The train is running in undulating landscape at night.
Nandini: wakes up at night. She is on the top aisle berth. She mumbles.
Nandini (mumbling) ...jab ki na joote achche nahin milte vahan... Tab hi to main...
She rubs her face, looks around. She lifts her head to look out of the window across.
The train is at a stop. It is a small platform, looks like an unscheduled stop.
Inside, Nandini turns her head to look at the berth below her. Manik is not there. The train whistle
blows. She looks up the aisle and down. She is a bit worried.
(snip)
She gets down the berth, walks down the passage.
The train has begun to move.
A man is standing at the footboard as Nandini is seen coming out of the compartment near the
basins. She glances down the platform, then goes towards the toilets. She is back in a flash.
Nandini (to the man at the door) Ek minute bhaisaab.
She moves to the door as the man moves in. She looks out at the platform in tension. She reacts
on seeing Manik.
Nandini Arey...
We see Manik. He is walking away in the other direction.
Nandini (screaming) Oye... Train chhoot rahi hai.
Manik does not hear, keeps sauntering away in the other direction.
Nandini (screaming louder) Arey suno... O hero... Hello...
The man returns to the door, looks out.
Man (to Nandini) Naam kya hai?
Nandini (screaming) O bhaisaab...
Man (to Nandini) Bhaisaab naam hai?
Nandini (screaming) Arey idhar dekho...
Man (to Nandini) Aapke saath hai?
Nandini (to Man in irritation) Arey yaar...
Man (screaming) O bhaisaab...
The other people on the platform notice the screaming, but not Manik. He now sits on a bench,
looking the other way.
Nandini gets off the train, darts a few steps.
Man (calling her) O behenji, kya kar rahi hain?
Nandini (screaming) Arey O mister, train chhoot rahi hai. Oye...
He is sitting on the bench. Nandini looks at the train, looks at him. She calculates. Then runs
towards Manik with all her might, screaming after him.
Nandini: O kaali pant... O Bombay waale, suno... Arey...
She reaches him, pushes him. He turns to her.
Nandini: Paagal ho tum? Train jaa rahi hai, chalo.
Manik looks at her, looks at the train, looks back at her, doesn't move.
Nandini (stunned) Kya... Maro...
She turns and runs back towards the train. She would reach the train. Her compartment has
passed, but she can get up from some other. The train has picked up speed. She runs at full speed, totally
focussed on to an open door. So focussed on the door that she does not see something coming in her way.
Woman: Arey, arey, arey...
Nandini: collides and falls and screams. She has hit against a fat, middle-aged woman carrying a
basket of tomatoes. The woman is on the floor now, tomatoes are rolling in all directions.
Woman Arey, dekho to... Dekho kya kar diya...
Nandini orients herself, tries to get up, squishes a tomato and slips. The woman catches her.
Woman Bhaag rahi hai, iska harjaana kaun bharega?
Nandini: Arey chhodo train ja rahi hai
Nandini frees herself and moves away, squishing some more tomatoes. The train is bounding away.
She screams after the train at the top of her voice as she limps forward with all her might.
Nandini (screaming) Roko... Train ko roko. Arey koi chain kheencho. Roko train ko... Arey...
The train picks up speed and goes away. She runs to a stop at the end of the platform, looking at
the train in despair. She turns around, panting heavily. She can't believe this is happening to her. She
looks at the station. There is a signal boy, some vendors ready to sleep under blankets near their shops
everyone looking at her in pity. Except the woman who she had knocked down, who is collecting her
tomatoes and still abusing.
Woman (distant) Arey itni moti aurat, itna bada tokra, kisi andhe ko bhi dikh jaaye aur ye paagal... Kya
jaane kis kis kone mein ghus gaye hain tamatar. (to the people helping her) Arey
saamne se to main bhi le loongi... udhar waale do...
Nandini is at a complete loss. She turns to look at the train again. She looks at the platform again.
(snip)
Manik is still sitting on the bench, looking at her as she approaches. She charges in.
Nandini: You bloody weirdo. Kis duniya mein ho tum, haan? Meri train miss kara dee hai tumne. Mera
saara samaan, sab kuch chala gaya aur main in kapdon mein, slippers pehne platform par khadi hoon aur (loud) ab main kya
karoongi? Haan?
Manik (equally annoyed) Kisne kaha tha tumhein train se utarne ko? Tum apne kaam se kaam nahin
rakh sakti?
Nandini (loud) O... Meri ghalti hai? Besharam... Main tumhaari help kar rahi thi. Tumhein thank you
bolna chahiye. Aur tum attitude dikha rahe ho?
Manik: Okay. Thank you. Thank you ki tumne meri madad karne ki koshish ki. Theek hai? Ab mera
peecha chhodogi?
Nandini: Peecha chhodogi? Achcha... Itna aasaan nahin hai. Tumhaari vajah se meri train miss hui hai to
ab tum mujhe Mangalore pahunchaoge, mere ghar tak Main tumhein chhodne waali nahin hoon
Manik is looking at her, figuring out the situation. Nandini is looking back at Manik boldly.
He Looks towards the exit of the station, looks back at her. He suddenly turns and runs.
Nandini (screaming) Arey... Bhaag raha hai...
She runs after him. He runs up the foot-bridge and goes towards the exit looking at the train
chugging away in the distance. She is following him with all her might.
Nandini (screaming) Arey padko... Pakdo us aadmi ko. Chor hai, chor... Bhaag raha hai chor, pakdo...
A guard steps up to Manik as he is leaving the station gate.
Guard: Ruk...
Manik: Hat...
Manik pushes the guard on the side. The guard looks in distress towards him. Then he looks at
Nandini running in. Nandini looks at the guard as she comes up.
Nandini: aap thik ho
Guard: ha lekin usse pakad nhi paya
Nandini: itz ok
Nandini rushes past the guard as he looks at her.
baare mein to ji jab bhi pata karo to delayed. Kamaal hai, agar humein
delayed hi jaana hota to flight se kyon jaate?
The train is running in undulating landscape at night.
Nandini: wakes up at night. She is on the top aisle berth. She mumbles.
Nandini (mumbling) ...jab ki na joote achche nahin milte vahan... Tab hi to main...
She rubs her face, looks around. She lifts her head to look out of the window across.
The train is at a stop. It is a small platform, looks like an unscheduled stop.
Inside, Nandini turns her head to look at the berth below her. Manik is not there. The train whistle
blows. She looks up the aisle and down. She is a bit worried.
(snip)
She gets down the berth, walks down the passage.
The train has begun to move.
A man is standing at the footboard as Nandini is seen coming out of the compartment near the
basins. She glances down the platform, then goes towards the toilets. She is back in a flash.
Nandini (to the man at the door) Ek minute bhaisaab.
She moves to the door as the man moves in. She looks out at the platform in tension. She reacts
on seeing Manik.
Nandini Arey...
We see Manik. He is walking away in the other direction.
Nandini (screaming) Oye... Train chhoot rahi hai.
Manik does not hear, keeps sauntering away in the other direction.
Nandini (screaming louder) Arey suno... O hero... Hello...
The man returns to the door, looks out.
Man (to Nandini) Naam kya hai?
Nandini (screaming) O bhaisaab...
Man (to Nandini) Bhaisaab naam hai?
Nandini (screaming) Arey idhar dekho...
Man (to Nandini) Aapke saath hai?
Nandini (to Man in irritation) Arey yaar...
Man (screaming) O bhaisaab...
The other people on the platform notice the screaming, but not Manik. He now sits on a bench,
looking the other way.
Nandini gets off the train, darts a few steps.
Man (calling her) O behenji, kya kar rahi hain?
Nandini (screaming) Arey O mister, train chhoot rahi hai. Oye...
He is sitting on the bench. Nandini looks at the train, looks at him. She calculates. Then runs
towards Manik with all her might, screaming after him.
Nandini: O kaali pant... O Bombay waale, suno... Arey...
She reaches him, pushes him. He turns to her.
Nandini: Paagal ho tum? Train jaa rahi hai, chalo.
Manik looks at her, looks at the train, looks back at her, doesn't move.
Nandini (stunned) Kya... Maro...
She turns and runs back towards the train. She would reach the train. Her compartment has
passed, but she can get up from some other. The train has picked up speed. She runs at full speed, totally
focussed on to an open door. So focussed on the door that she does not see something coming in her way.
Woman: Arey, arey, arey...
Nandini: collides and falls and screams. She has hit against a fat, middle-aged woman carrying a
basket of tomatoes. The woman is on the floor now, tomatoes are rolling in all directions.
Woman Arey, dekho to... Dekho kya kar diya...
Nandini orients herself, tries to get up, squishes a tomato and slips. The woman catches her.
Woman Bhaag rahi hai, iska harjaana kaun bharega?
Nandini: Arey chhodo train ja rahi hai
Nandini frees herself and moves away, squishing some more tomatoes. The train is bounding away.
She screams after the train at the top of her voice as she limps forward with all her might.
Nandini (screaming) Roko... Train ko roko. Arey koi chain kheencho. Roko train ko... Arey...
The train picks up speed and goes away. She runs to a stop at the end of the platform, looking at
the train in despair. She turns around, panting heavily. She can't believe this is happening to her. She
looks at the station. There is a signal boy, some vendors ready to sleep under blankets near their shops
everyone looking at her in pity. Except the woman who she had knocked down, who is collecting her
tomatoes and still abusing.
Woman (distant) Arey itni moti aurat, itna bada tokra, kisi andhe ko bhi dikh jaaye aur ye paagal... Kya
jaane kis kis kone mein ghus gaye hain tamatar. (to the people helping her) Arey
saamne se to main bhi le loongi... udhar waale do...
Nandini is at a complete loss. She turns to look at the train again. She looks at the platform again.
(snip)
Manik is still sitting on the bench, looking at her as she approaches. She charges in.
Nandini: You bloody weirdo. Kis duniya mein ho tum, haan? Meri train miss kara dee hai tumne. Mera
saara samaan, sab kuch chala gaya aur main in kapdon mein, slippers pehne platform par khadi hoon aur (loud) ab main kya
karoongi? Haan?
Manik (equally annoyed) Kisne kaha tha tumhein train se utarne ko? Tum apne kaam se kaam nahin
rakh sakti?
Nandini (loud) O... Meri ghalti hai? Besharam... Main tumhaari help kar rahi thi. Tumhein thank you
bolna chahiye. Aur tum attitude dikha rahe ho?
Manik: Okay. Thank you. Thank you ki tumne meri madad karne ki koshish ki. Theek hai? Ab mera
peecha chhodogi?
Nandini: Peecha chhodogi? Achcha... Itna aasaan nahin hai. Tumhaari vajah se meri train miss hui hai to
ab tum mujhe Mangalore pahunchaoge, mere ghar tak Main tumhein chhodne waali nahin hoon
Manik is looking at her, figuring out the situation. Nandini is looking back at Manik boldly.
He Looks towards the exit of the station, looks back at her. He suddenly turns and runs.
Nandini (screaming) Arey... Bhaag raha hai...
She runs after him. He runs up the foot-bridge and goes towards the exit looking at the train
chugging away in the distance. She is following him with all her might.
Nandini (screaming) Arey padko... Pakdo us aadmi ko. Chor hai, chor... Bhaag raha hai chor, pakdo...
A guard steps up to Manik as he is leaving the station gate.
Guard: Ruk...
Manik: Hat...
Manik pushes the guard on the side. The guard looks in distress towards him. Then he looks at
Nandini running in. Nandini looks at the guard as she comes up.
Nandini: aap thik ho
Guard: ha lekin usse pakad nhi paya
Nandini: itz ok
Nandini rushes past the guard as he looks at her.
Nandini enters the small porch of the railway station, looking for Manik this way and that way. She
looks at the road in front, panting. She sees Manik talking to the driver of a taxi. She makes to call him,
but he calls her first.
Manik (calling) Jaldi karo.
Nandini rushes and sits in the rear of the taxi, understanding Manik's plan to chase the train.
Nandini: Chalo, chalo, chalo.
Many photographs of deities on the dashboard of the car. The driver folds his hands to them,
then starts the routine of touching the deity then his eyebrow then lips then eyebrow then lips, another
diety then eyebrow. Nandini is looking impatiently at this.
Nandini: Haan haan ho gaya ab chalo.
The driver starts the car.
The train is chugging away at great speed.
The taxi is rolling away at a comfortably low speed. The driver's elbow is out on the window and
he is driving as he must be driving every day. Nandini is sitting behind, looking at him in disbelief.
Nandini: Ye kya kar rahe ho tum? Aise train pakdenge hum?
Driver:Train to aap kaise bhi na pakdenge. Ratlam hai agla station Sau kilometre.
The driver snickers, starts to hum a melodious folk tune as Nandini looks at him in desperation. She
turns to Manik.
Nandini (disbelief) He's mad. He's totally mad.
The folk song goes on.
Manik: Zara gaadi rokna.
Driver Haan?
Manik: Meine kaha Gaadi roko.
(snip)
Manik gets off the stationery car.
Driver Arey kya hua?
Manik: Ek minute.
Nandini (to Manik) Oh God. Thodi der ruk nahin sakte?
Manik walks across to the driver's seat, opens the door.
Manik: Andar chalo.
Manik sits into the driver's seat, the driver gets pushed to the other side.
Driver Arey, arey... Ye kya kar rahe hain?
Manik changes gear. The old ambassador car screeches into motion.
The driver is startled as Manik zips the car.
Driver (startled beyond belief) Aaa... aaa... Arey... ek minute... roko... roko.
He tries to grab the steering wheel but the Nandini arrests him from the back seat.
Nandini: Arey disturb mat karo, accident ho jayega.
The driver is stung with nervous anticipation and fear. He petitions to Manik as nandini speaks to
pacify him.
Driver Mark three... mark three ambassador hai... Ae saab... ae... Arey please...
Nandini: Shh... shh... shh.
Driver Please bol rahe hain... Aap... Eighty... dekho, dekho... Hil rahi hai, hil rahi hai...
Nandini: Tum tension mat lo, suno meri baat.
Driver Kya kar rahe ho...? Zameen bech ke gaadi liye hain... kheti se kuch mile hai kya? Bolo?
Nandini: Ye jo saab hain na, koi mamooli aadmi nahin hain Style dekh rahe ho inka? Bahut paise hain
inke paas.
Driver Ye gaadi gayee to khel khatam.
Nandini: Aur kyonki hum sab is situation mein inki vajah se hai, to kuch bhi tootega, uska poora damage
ye denge. Main dilvaoongi, ghabrao mat.
All this talk while the desperate chase is on. The car speeds along. The train speeds along.
The car zooms into the station front. Manik gets off and runs towards the platform. Nandini gets off
and runs after him. The taxi driver gets off.
Driver (calling after) Paisa. Arey bhaag rahe hain...
He runs after them.
Driver Arey paisa do... Ruko...
The sleepy station faade is shaken to take notice. Manik, then the girl rush through the jumble
of people and things towards the platform. The screaming taxi-driver is after them.
Driver Roko unko, roko. Bhaag ke kahan jaoge? Ruko...
looks at the road in front, panting. She sees Manik talking to the driver of a taxi. She makes to call him,
but he calls her first.
Manik (calling) Jaldi karo.
Nandini rushes and sits in the rear of the taxi, understanding Manik's plan to chase the train.
Nandini: Chalo, chalo, chalo.
Many photographs of deities on the dashboard of the car. The driver folds his hands to them,
then starts the routine of touching the deity then his eyebrow then lips then eyebrow then lips, another
diety then eyebrow. Nandini is looking impatiently at this.
Nandini: Haan haan ho gaya ab chalo.
The driver starts the car.
The train is chugging away at great speed.
The taxi is rolling away at a comfortably low speed. The driver's elbow is out on the window and
he is driving as he must be driving every day. Nandini is sitting behind, looking at him in disbelief.
Nandini: Ye kya kar rahe ho tum? Aise train pakdenge hum?
Driver:Train to aap kaise bhi na pakdenge. Ratlam hai agla station Sau kilometre.
The driver snickers, starts to hum a melodious folk tune as Nandini looks at him in desperation. She
turns to Manik.
Nandini (disbelief) He's mad. He's totally mad.
The folk song goes on.
Manik: Zara gaadi rokna.
Driver Haan?
Manik: Meine kaha Gaadi roko.
(snip)
Manik gets off the stationery car.
Driver Arey kya hua?
Manik: Ek minute.
Nandini (to Manik) Oh God. Thodi der ruk nahin sakte?
Manik walks across to the driver's seat, opens the door.
Manik: Andar chalo.
Manik sits into the driver's seat, the driver gets pushed to the other side.
Driver Arey, arey... Ye kya kar rahe hain?
Manik changes gear. The old ambassador car screeches into motion.
The driver is startled as Manik zips the car.
Driver (startled beyond belief) Aaa... aaa... Arey... ek minute... roko... roko.
He tries to grab the steering wheel but the Nandini arrests him from the back seat.
Nandini: Arey disturb mat karo, accident ho jayega.
The driver is stung with nervous anticipation and fear. He petitions to Manik as nandini speaks to
pacify him.
Driver Mark three... mark three ambassador hai... Ae saab... ae... Arey please...
Nandini: Shh... shh... shh.
Driver Please bol rahe hain... Aap... Eighty... dekho, dekho... Hil rahi hai, hil rahi hai...
Nandini: Tum tension mat lo, suno meri baat.
Driver Kya kar rahe ho...? Zameen bech ke gaadi liye hain... kheti se kuch mile hai kya? Bolo?
Nandini: Ye jo saab hain na, koi mamooli aadmi nahin hain Style dekh rahe ho inka? Bahut paise hain
inke paas.
Driver Ye gaadi gayee to khel khatam.
Nandini: Aur kyonki hum sab is situation mein inki vajah se hai, to kuch bhi tootega, uska poora damage
ye denge. Main dilvaoongi, ghabrao mat.
All this talk while the desperate chase is on. The car speeds along. The train speeds along.
The car zooms into the station front. Manik gets off and runs towards the platform. Nandini gets off
and runs after him. The taxi driver gets off.
Driver (calling after) Paisa. Arey bhaag rahe hain...
He runs after them.
Driver Arey paisa do... Ruko...
The sleepy station faade is shaken to take notice. Manik, then the girl rush through the jumble
of people and things towards the platform. The screaming taxi-driver is after them.
Driver Roko unko, roko. Bhaag ke kahan jaoge? Ruko...
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