[running water]
[metal clanking]
What are you looking at?
You.
[playful music starts]
Are you checking if I'm washing the dishes well?
Oh no, I'm admiring your work.
Because when I do dishes, I can never wash the soap off completely.
You learn it from doing, not watching.
Should I do it then?
If you do the dishes, I'd end up mopping the whole kitchen!
True.
Just like yesterday!
I didn't intend to throw the phone at you yesterday.
I know.
A flower would never throw the shears at the gardener.
[chuckles]
You think you're my gardener?
No, I think…
you are my flower.
- [chuckles] - [playful music ends]
- [Santosh] ♪ Oh, you've stolen my heart ♪ - [Manchanda] Anand, what's going on?
- [Santosh] ♪ Stolen my heart ♪ - [Manchanda] Why no orders?
Why is Dr. Prithvi Dutta consorting with Steady Life?
Sir, that's not possible.
Sir, Negi has met with him thrice.
And I work out with him.
We're building a personal relationship. I'm going today too.
All right. You have to get him onboard.
Yes, sir. Of course. Today, the clock will strike 12
when he finally joins hands with us. Okay?
I'll keep you updated.
- [Manchanda] All right. - Thank you, sir.
A-- Aman--
[gong resonates and fades]
- What are you doing? - What are you doing?
It's meditation.
You need medication.
If you were a poet, you'd say I need kavita.
- Then I would-- - Who is Kavita?
Oh, Papa!
She's literature's little sister.
[Santosh] Really?
Annu, come here. I want to talk to you.
- And you too, little brother. Come on. - All right.
Hey! What?
Did you tell Papa anything?
I didn't tell him anything about your flat.
You wouldn't dare tell him anything.
Never!
Don't make such predictions, Annu.
I'm the one with a certification in astrology, not you.
Why don't I reveal that to Papa then?
- All right. Go ahead then. - Oh, I will.
- Then I'll do it, too. - What?
I'll open up about the bottle you opened up! Right away!
- Come on, let me! - No!
[Santosh] What's happening?
Look at this.
They have started a housing scheme for us government workers
offering easy installment payments.
Papa, I know about this.
- How do you know? Are you an astrologer? - Huh?
Astrologer? With that face?
Uncle must have told him.
- Yes, he told me about it. - [Annu] Yes.
Uncle even told me about it. You two didn't.
What did Pinky tell you guys?
- About this. - About this.
So you're thinking about a new house?
You two are mature now.
You should know you can't build a house by just thinking about it.
Yes.
It's not easy to build a house.
It's a different thing if you have black money.
Your father doesn't have that.
Papa, everyone here knows how addicted you are!
- Huh? - Kidding!
Addicted to honesty!
And by the way, look at this. 650 sq. ft. carpet area.
- It's smaller than Annu's roof-- - [coughs]
Oh! I-- I mean, the--
It's small for all of us.
Son, modest means make a modest house.
How can we afford anything bigger than this?
Well, can we afford anything bigger?
Maybe you can look into the future.
- Do something. - [Shanti] Annu.
Your father is trying to say
that you can be a co-applicant for the home loan.
Your father's-- What's it called? Credit score is too low.
Credit score? Mummy, that sounds shady.
- What are you saying? - [Aman] I'm kidding!
[Annu] Papa? Papa!
You want us to get a joint loan?
No, I-- I don't want to, son. Your mother suggested it.
I was, in fact, worried
that it would be a burden to you.
Your father is a coward. He's hesitating to ask you.
I'm not hesitating.
This is my…
My… [hesitates] My--
- Pride! - Yes, pride.
[Shanti] Everyone's got pride.
But his pride has more ego in it.
Come on, Papa.
Papa, this plan of yours… is really great.
Let's do it.
You and I can get a joint loan.
- What are you saying? - And I have a good credit score.
I'll get 50 lakh rupees by myself.
It's not 50 kilo barbell!
Want me to lift you?
- Hey-- - First, lift a calculator!
Huh?
- It's a 50 lakh rupee loan. - Yes.
And an interest of 8.5 percent.
- Okay. For how many years? - Twenty.
- Twenty years? - Yes.
Papa, we would be paying three times the cost of the house!
This is more like paying taxes!
And in 20 years, the house will be 20 years old.
- And so will we. - You're right, son.
But we have no choice.
It's too big an amount to pay all at once.
We have to do it in monthly installments.
Even if it takes 20 years and the house becomes old,
it will finally be ours.
Papa, it takes 20 years to get through 20 years!
[Santosh] Tell me something.
- You were 20 years younger 20 years ago? - Yes.
- Now you're 20 years older. - Yes.
- Did you even feel it? - Come on!
What are you two going on about 20 years?
Since he doesn't get it, let me use five.
Four times five years!
Oh, come on. Let's go to the bank and get more details.
Annu, let's go to the bank.
Not today, Papa.
- Why? - I have work. I stayed to talk to you.
Day after! Let's do it then.
[Santosh] But I took the day off work today.
Today-- Take Aman with you.
- No, I won't go. - [Santosh] Aman, come with me.
- Go with him. - [Santosh] Listen.
- We will get the details and documents. - [Aman] Papa…
- He can simply sign it. - [phone buzzing]
- Papa, what's this? - She's already calling.
Hello? Yes, Priti ji?
No, I'm leaving.
Oh, we can just meet there.
Yes, okay.
[teasing] Oh, you're meeting up! All the best!
- Leave me. I got to go. - What are you two up to?
- Listen. What work do you have? - [Aman] Huh?
- I have really important work. - [Santosh] What?
I am attending a conference
condemning superstitions and other outdated traditions.
I got to go. And always do bank work on Fridays.
It's auspicious and brings more luck.
That's also a superstition!
Fine, I'll go to the bank with Shanti.
That's a beautiful sari.
You're wearing this expensive sari to the bank!
The bank might think we're well-to-do
and will squander the loan money.
I have to go out. I just remembered something.
I'll be home late.
What are you going out for?
Why are you staring at me?
It’s just whenever you go out alone, something happens.
- Leave the room. I want to change. - [Santosh] What?
- [Shanti] Go out. - [Santosh] Man!
Come on!
So my leave will go to waste!
How is staying home wasting a day?
Get into a staring competition with the wall.
Want me to make one-pot rice for you, or will you make it?
Please, don't challenge me. Even I can cook.
Yes, last time you made rotis, you rolled out maps of India.
I am a patriotic man.
[thud]
[Santosh] I thought we could go to the bank
and then catch a movie together.
I have to sit here and twiddle my thumbs!
[theme song starts]
[theme song ends]
FREE WILL
[Annu] Hi, Ravish. We're on the way.
Yes, keep the hall ready.
Yes, where Saxena auntie held the overnight prayer.
Even the IAS officers' seminar was held there.
Yes. Okay, we'll take the left.
He says we have to take the left to get to the old water tank near it.
But the old water tank is right ahead. We don't have to take a left.
How do you know?
Oh, yes! You were a local here.
You used to live in Jaitli Nagar.
That was 20 years ago, Anand.
[phone rings]
Anand, could you put my phone on silent?
[Annu] But it's Dr. Prithvi.
So? Silence it.
It would have been best if you had held the camp in your clinic.
Dr. Prithvi refused to let me use the clinic.
I hope you're not missing any important appointments because of me.
Oh, no.
I wanted to meet Dr. Prithvi. He never gives me an appointment.
So I sent Negi. He'll handle it. He'll call me if there's anything.
Hmm. All right.
Greetings, Pandit ji.
Pandit ji, I had asked you to come alone.
What have you brought along?
- This is-- - I'm Surya Narayan.
Sunny.
He's with me. I need him for the puja.
What does his father do?
He's the district SP.
[stutters] Boss,
should I take Pandit ji back home?
Will you wait?
[bees buzzing]
Are you messing with us?
If you keep getting scared so easily,
I'll start to wonder why I should be scared of you!
His father works in a bank.
And he takes bribes occasionally.
He's no friend of the law.
I see.
And buddy-- Pandit ji already told me
how you honey-trap people.
[soft nervous chuckle]
Sorry, Pandit ji. Please come.
Did you get everything I asked for?
- Yes, I have arranged for everything. - Yes.
[Ganesh] Pandit ji, here are red chilies,
cow dung cakes,
wings from Madhu bhabhi's pet parrot,
and finally, ghee.
This isn't pure desi ghee, right?
Of course not, Pandit ji. You had given me clear instructions
that the ghee had to be fake and adulterated.
- That's why I got it from the mall. - Good. Well done.
And the most important thing?
How can I forget that?
Here's a vest worn by Madhav bhaiya's father.
Here's one Madhu bhabhi's father wore.
Hmm.
They're not washed, right?
They have to be worn by the person.
No, Pandit ji.
Madhu confirmed it. The vest is unwashed. [sniffs]
Hmm.
So which one belongs to whom?
This is Madhav bhaiya's father's vest, and this is Madhu bhabhi's…
[hesitant] father's… vest.
- Or maybe this one's Madhav bhaiya's-- - [Aman] Hey!
Be absolutely sure.
If I perform the puja on the wrong vest, you all will be burned to ashes!
What? No. Give me that! Go!
[sniffs]
[sniffs] Ugh!
[snorts sharply]
Here, come, take this. That's my father's.
Take it away.
[Aman] Hang his father's there.
And hang Madhu's father's here.
Sanitize your hands, Surya Narayan.
Yes, pal. Pandit ji.
So I'm beginning the puja--
- the black magic. - Okay.
Everyone, join your hands.
Get the stuff and sit there.
[approaching footsteps]
[man] We're really late.
Shanti is already here.
- Oh. - Greetings.
Brajesh, you've become thin!
Greetings, Shanti.
- How are you, Prajesh? - Great.
You didn't invite us home?
And…
where's your husband?
He must have gone to the restroom.
We're doing some repairs to the house.
So he's home overseeing it.
What? So you came alone to talk to us?
What will you have?
Tea or coffee? Juice?
- No. We're good. - No.
We're good. [chuckles]
We discussed everything with Pinky.
But he told us that your husband is a strict man.
- Get the check. - Yes, it's right here.
Yes.
We've prepared the check for the token.
As decided.
So… I had a few questions.
- That… - I understand what you want to say.
You were emotionally attached to that house.
- [tender music plays] - You spent your childhood there after all!
And I remember Shanti's childhood.
You remember Shanti's childhood? Shut up!
I don't remember Shanti's childhood. How would you?
- [chuckles] - Shanti's childhood!
But I have witnessed both of your childhoods.
- Yes! - [chuckles]
The jamun tree in front of the house…
The… Uh…
The one where Pinky had hung a tire to make a swing!
- Yes! - [Brajesh] Oh, yes!
- We used to play on it all the time! - [Prajesh] Yes!
[chuckles]
Once when I was pushing the swing for Manju,
I pushed too hard, and she fell!
She wouldn't stop crying for three days!
- Manju really banged her head that day. - [Shanti] Hmm.
Send me a photo of the tree the next time you go back. Huh?
We cut the tree down six or seven years ago.
[Prajesh] It had dried up long before that.
The electricity board put up a small transformer in its place.
- Santosh works for the department. - Yes.
Shanti, we hurried over here,
but now we have to hurry back.
Even after we got the transformer,
we still have an hour-long power cut every evening. [chuckles]
All right.
Shanti, look at it this way. You're getting your money,
and your home isn't going anywhere.
We're also like family to you.
Yes.
By the way, Brajesh, I don't really want to sell the house.
But we are in need of money right now.
Of course, Shanti. That's important, too.
- Take it. - Yes.
Well, didn't you say fifty before?
- Pinky also recommended that we sell it. - Hmm.
But Manju said…
it was up to me.
So I was thinking…
this is too little.
What?
We consider you our sister.
You've been tying rakhis on our wrists.
We never gave you anything in return.
We will give you more. All in good time.
Yes, Shanti. We will.
[tender music fades]
Fifty-five.
Well…
[all chuckle]
What are you saying, Shanti?
Did you ask Pinky?
Without my permission, Pinky's words mean nothing.
But fifty-five? What for?
It was my mom's house.
We have too many memories there.
We can't put a price on that.
But what to do?
- We have needs, too. - [Brajesh] But that's too much!
You don't appraise a house based on memories, Shanti.
Ranger sahab's house no. 12 was sold for 50 lakh rupees five years ago.
You, too, had offered to buy it for 50.
I had spoken to him.
I'm sorry, Shanti,
we can't give you that much.
Well, Brajesh, even I was hesitant about selling the house.
All right. Let's end the matter here then.
Please come home once our repairs are done. Okay?
- [whispering] She's leaving. What to do? - Just--
Shanti!
Why are you getting upset?
- [Shanti] Oh no. - Come, I'll write you a new check.
- Come, sit with us. - Please come.
- Sit down. - [Brajesh] Where's the check?
It's in there.
- Please sit, Shanti. - Yes.
[Brajesh] I'm making out a new check for the token.
[tender music builds]
[paper rustling]
[Brajesh] Here.
Yes. Here you go.
Is that okay, Shanti?
Now Pinky and Manju won't ask for 60, I hope.
[tender music fades]
No.
[softly] All right.
Wait, Shanti.
Shanti, we respected your feelings here.
Five lakh rupees may not be much,
but at least you put a price on your sentiments.
[gentle music plays]
[narrator] You have an old suitcase in your house
in which your parents keep their desires locked up.
Yes, the same suitcase
that their pride keeps locked up safely.
They open it sometimes, away from your eyes.
They sprinkle little drops of hope on its wilted shadow.
They sun it and stow it under your pillows.
And then they make tea,
hoping that one day, you will notice these desires.
And you?
- With a matchstick in your hand… - [gentle music ends]
- [fwoosh] - [goofy music starts]
[fire crackling]
[goofy music swells]
[inaudible]
[goofy music continues]
[inaudible]
- [goofy music stops abruptly] - What?
I mean, it's done.
You make Madhu's father wear the vest on the right,
and make your father wear the vest on the left.
But that's my father's vest.
Yes, you have to swap them.
[whistles]
- I'll talk to Pandit ji. - Sure.
[fire crackling]
Pandit ji, you know,
my father has this ringworm…
on his back.
If Uncle wears my father's vest,
he will be infected.
Pandit ji…
There are only two outcomes when two different castes are involved.
Either their hearts will meet…
or their infections will.
- Pandit ji, you're so… - Oh, no, no.
- Sir! - What are you doing?
Ganesh, remove all this and give him his offering.
[chuckles]
Here.
Here you go.
Thank you so much.
[Annu] Ravi is such a neat freak that--
Oh, that's-- We had a wedding here yesterday.
- That's why it's filthy. - Okay.
But don't you worry, ma'am.
I'll have this place spick and span before your dental camp.
[Annu] He'll have the place cleaned.
It will be like new!
The place is fine.
It's open and bright, but it's a bit dirty.
It has to be hygienic and look germ-free.
- This is-- - He will get it cleaned thoroughly.
Don't worry.
Just be tension-free.
Wait in the car. I'll discuss the budget with him.
Okay.
Please come.
Forget disinfectant, you need acid to clean this place!
Don't worry about that. Just tell me when you want it.
I'll have it cleaned before that.
[indistinct chatter]
[phone rings]
- Hello. - Hi, Priti.
Why are you not at the clinic?
I'm out looking for a location for the dental camp.
What?
I told you not to do it, Priti.
Prithvi, this will help me grow.
And I really think I should do it.
[Prithvi] It's not going to help. Didn't I tell you about it?
You're not going to like dealing with brokers.
Where are you? Are you alone?
I'm not alone. Anand is with me.
He's managing everything.
Anand? Who, the Mangala Pharma guy?
[Priti] Yes.
- He's found a great location-- - [huffs angrily]
[disconnect tone]
I told you I was bringing someone important.
And you put these flowers here!
Weddings always leave messes behind.
Then have it cleaned!
I will. Don't worry.
Take this for now.
Where's Priti?
The car's still here.
Let me look for her.
I'll look for her. You finish the work.
All right, I'll do that.
Come here.
[gentle, melodic music plays]
♪ The whole world spins behind you ♪
♪ My heart follows Only your paths, my friend ♪
♪ There was some kind of magic ♪
- ♪ Right beside you ♪ - [inaudible]
♪ My eyes were captivated ♪
♪ Couldn't look anywhere else ♪
♪ With your vibe My heart dances but won't obey ♪
♪ Your colors, your hues I'm lost in them, can't resist ♪
- ♪ The streets know only your world, yes ♪ - [inaudible]
♪ The paths long only for you, yes ♪
[vocalizes]
♪ My heart was like ♪
♪ A blank page, untouched ♪
- ♪ Until it found the shades ♪ - [inaudible]
♪ Of your colors ♪
♪ You've brought back ♪
- ♪ The childhood I once had ♪ - [inaudible]
♪ The one I gave away ♪
♪ The one I had forgotten ♪
♪ You feel like The first bloom of spring ♪
♪ Quietly, secretly My heart keeps watching you ♪
♪ The dream I slept on for years ♪
♪ Wakes up now, finding your closeness ♪
RATI LAAL'S SAMOSAS
♪ With your vibe My heart dances but won't obey ♪
- [inaudible] - ♪ Your colors, your hues ♪
♪ I'm lost in them, can't resist ♪
♪ The streets know only your world, yes ♪
♪ The paths long only for you, yes ♪
♪ I've found ♪
♪ Someone who feels like my own ♪
♪ Could it be you ♪
♪ The lost part of me? ♪
[gentle, melodic music fades]
You know, I was born here.
- Here? - Yes.
Wow!
You must've moved out a long time ago.
About 15-16 years ago.
Hmm.
Papa had his clinic upstairs, and we lived down here.
You know, all of my old documents,
my passport, and my birth certificate have this address.
- My permanent address. - [Annu] Hmm.
Then Mr. Singh became a rich doctor,
and the house felt smaller.
You got a new address on your new passport.
Hmm.
I mean, that's how it usually goes.
It's easy for you to say
because you still live where you were born.
Don't make fun of my nostalgia.
No, I sat down with my father
to discuss a joint loan for a new house.
Nostalgia doesn't help with monthly instalments, you see.
It's just practical.
You can be practical later. First, take a photo of me.
To send to Papa.
- Smile. - [camera shutter]
[camera shutter]
- Show me. - [Annu] Take a look.
[electronic voice] Negi calling.
- Nice. - [electronic voice] Negi--
- Yes, Negi. Tell me. - [camera shutter]
- What are you saying? Huh? - [camera shutter]
Did you say something to Dr. Prithvi?
He gave us an appointment.
Yes, and listen.
Take the digital catalogue.
Yes, show it to him on the tab. It's more impressive.
[Negi] Sir…
this is our brochure with the pamphlet inside.
[exhales]
All right. We'll place orders from next month.
Thank you, sir.
- Thank you, sir. - Thank you so much.
But on one condition.
Anything, sir.
- We'll do anything for you, sir. - You can wait outside.
- Okay. - [Prithvi] Here.
Please take a seat.
I'll be with you.
Yes, sir.
Tell me.
Show me your visiting card.
Strange.
It doesn't say anywhere that you're also an event manager.
[chuckles]
Why did you fill Dr. Priti's head with such stupid ideas?
No, sir. I think it would benefit Priti ma'am.
[Prithvi] Let me talk about your benefit then.
Starting next month, my clinic will sell Mangala Pharma's products.
But before that, clean up the mess you've created.
Go and tell Dr. Priti
that this dental camp is not possible.
- Sir. - [Prithvi] Look,
consider this me asking you a favor.
And, Anand, if you don't do it,
eighty percent of all cardiologists in this city
will blacklist you and your company.
I can't make this clearer for you.
[Santosh] Hear one, hear all!
We have a royal feast today in the Mishra Niwas.
A Santosh Mishra special.
[chuckles]
And look at what I have made.
Some fantastic one-pot rice, and you know what's in it?
I have added my hard work and sweat,
caramelized with my personality,
and a sprinkle of my pride…
as per taste.
As per whose taste?
My taste.
It looks like none of you had a good day.
Tell me what happened. Aman!
What happened, son? Annu?
- What's wrong? - No, Papa. I had a good day.
There's a famous cardiologist
who said he'll give us his business.
- That's great. - Yes, Papa.
- [chuckles] - I told you to use one cup of rice.
You made so much one-pot rice. We have to eat it tomorrow too.
Be happy with what you have, Shanti.
If you remain tranquil,
you will be happy.
Papa, you're being silly.
Son, I'm giving you a hint.
I want to give you all a surprise soon.
Okay?
I don't want to eat the one-pot rice. Let's eat something else.
I don't want to eat anything. Don't make anything.
- What? - Well, even I'm not hungry.
Mummy, fry this tomorrow.
No! No, no!
Everyone will eat it. This is not done.
This one-pot rice will not be thrown or given away.
You will eat it of your own free will.
And if you don't, I'll force you to eat it.
Out of my free will.
People, tell me, do you want to know the surprise or not?
It's your choice.
Power's back.
It's hot here. I'm going to eat in the AC.
[Aman] Yes, I'm coming too.
[narrator] Lucky are those who say, "As I wish!"
Those who decide independently
whether to watch the movie or not.
Philosophers have long debated
whether a person is truly free.
Is anything we do truly done freely?
Or are we all just living a story
that has already been written for us?
[end credit music plays]
[end credit music ends]