(After brief pause)
She is fine.
Saheen leaves.
Ext. Park in London - Day
We see Abhimanyu sitting on a bench under a poplar tree. He is
looking at the picture of Sheetal. We see Alka coming from
behind. She sees him lost somewhere and then decides for some
trick.
Alka is coming tiptoed towards Abhimanyu.
She reaches near him.
And then snatches the picture from him.
Alka runs away.
Abhimanyu runs after her.
Abhimanyu
Hey. Give it back!
Alka
No. no.
Alka is running behind the trees.
Abhimanyu
Alka, I will kill you. Give it
back. You naughty cat!
Alka keeps running.
Alka
Ha. ha. I won’t give. Let me see
who is she?
Alka stops and looks at the picture. Abhimanyu reaches behind
her and snatches the picture.
Abhimanyu
62
You naughty cat!
Alka
Well, no use. I saw her.
She is very beautiful. Whats her
name?
They both are walking now and chatting.
Abhimanyu
She is Sheetal.
Alka
Met her at Massouri?
Abhimanyu
Ya, I met her this time.
She is in the same college where
mom is principal.
Alka
Cool. So finally you got your
dreamgirl. Good.
Abhimanyu
Ya. She is so innocent. I love
her a lot.
Alka
Ya, I can see that.
And they both laugh.
Ext. Nature - Day
Spring is converting into autumn.
It gives us idea that some months have passed.
Cut to....
Int. Sheetal’s house - Day
63
We see Sheetal entering the house with books in her hand.
Sheetal’s cousin - a small boy is running around the house.
Boy
You are getting married. Married.
Married. Married...
Sheetal
What are you saying Monty? Have
you done your home work?
Boy
Mummy was saying you will be
married very soon.
The boy fleds out. Sheetal looks at her aunty
Aunty
Why are you staring like this?
Will you be a parasite on us
entire life. We are thinking
of your marriage. With great
effort we have found one guy.
Sheetal is looking amazed. Her eyes widen. On her face there
is a look of grave disappointment and shock.
Sheetal
What are you saying aunty?
Uncle
Saying what? We are going to
marry you. This is our last
responsibility. We are fed up
with you. Until when can we bear
your burden?
Aunty
One of my friend has brought
this rishta. Well the boy is a
widower. But that does not make
any difference. He is a very rich
lawyer, you know. Hope you will
64
help us financially after the
marriage. After all we have raised
you up and it has costed us a lot.
Uncle
They are coming next week to see
you. So be there. How many gentle
people are left these days who
will marry a girl without dowry?
Uncle’s continued murmuring can be heard. He has gone to his
room.
Sheetal is standing in a shock. She is silent. Tears are
falling from her eyes.
She rushes towards her room.
Int. Sheetal’s room - Day
Sheetal lies on her stomach in bed. She is crying.
Sheetal
(To herself)
I can’t marry him. I can’t marry.
Oh Abhi, where are you? These
people will sell me.
Sheetal continues sobbing.
Ext. Sunrise- Morning
We see a large and red sun rising in the horizon.
Int. Sheetal’s room - Day
Sheetal and Saheen are sitting on bed and talking.
Both are looking serious and tensed.
Saheen
My god! How these people can do
this to you?
Sheetal
65
I will commit suicide but won’t
marry that jerk.
Saheen
Don’t say like this Sheetal. But
what about Abhimanyu! Does he
know all this?
Sheetal
How could he Saheen? He is in
London.
Saheen
Then write to him and tell
what’s going on here. Do it soon.
Lest these people declare the
marriage date and ruin you
forever.
Sheetal
I don’t have his address.
Saheen
Why, he never wrote to you?
Sheetal
I have asked him not to do so.
Because uncle and aunty read all
my letters.
Saheen
Oh. Then you should go to his
mother and bring the address.
Send him telegram soon. You don’t
have enough time, girl.
Sheetal nods.
Int. Hall - Day
A function is going on. We see community of Indian students.
66
They are celebrating a function. Some white people are also
there.
Alka is claded in a beautiful modern dress. She picks the
mike.
Alka
O.K., Ladies and gentlemen! Now
my friend Abhimanyu will sing
a song for all of us. Please
give him a big hand.
We hear a loud applause from the people present in the hall.
Abhimanyu is standing with his friends and drinking. He looks
at Alka with false annoyance.
Abhimanyu
Noooo!
But his friends start pushing.
Friends
Please Abhi. Please. Please.
Abhimanyu
O.K. O.K.
Abhimanyu goes to stage. And takes the guitar.
Abhimanyu
Friends! I am dedicating this
song to a very special person
who is waiting for me millions
of miles away in India. She is
my sweetheart - Sheetal.
Crowd
(Raising their toasts)
To Sheetal!
67
Abhimanyu starts singing a love song.
The song goes on for 5 -6 minutes.
In the end there is a loud applause.
Ext. Bungalow - Evening
Sheetal rings the bell. The doors open and Bua appears.
Bua
Yes, who are you?
Sheetal
Ji, I am Sheetal.
Bua
Oh. You are the same Sheetal.
I saw you in charity show.
You sing very well daughter.
Sheetal
I want to meet principal ma’m.
Is she in?
Bua
For what?
Sheetal
For some personal reasons.
Bua
Look beta, she has gone
for one month to her brother’s
house in mumbai. There are vacations
you know.I am his bua . Tell me what
do you want?
Sheetal
Can I get Abhimanyu’s mailing
address?
68
Bua
Well, I don’t have that child.
I am illiterate person. Only
Gaytri deals with all such stuff.
By the way are you Abhimanyu’s
friend?
Sheetal
Yes.
Bua
Then you will be glad to know -
he is getting married with his
childhood friend - Alka. Actually
they were our friends when we use
to live in Delhi.
Sheetal looks shocked. We see lines of great anguish on her
forehead.
Sheetal
What? It’s impossible.
Bua
He has sent even the photo of
his bride to be.
Bua shows Sheetal photos in which Abhimanyu is hugging and
dancing with Alka.
Sheetal keeps on staring.
Sheetal
It can’t happen. I don’t believe
this.
Bua
He was seeing some local girl
here. But when Gaytri told him
that she was from a middle class
family with no status at all he
69
also realized. She only recommended
Alka. Such things happen in real
life beta.
Bua looks at the watch.
Bua
O.K. Beta, I have some work. Come
after vacations. Good night.
Bua shuts the door.
Continuing...
Ext. Exterior of the house - Evening
Tears are flowing from Sheetal’s eyes. She starts moving
towards her home.
Just then Gaytri Devi’s car enters. She comes out and goes in
the house. Neither she nor Sheetal happens to look at each
other.
Int . Drawing room - Evening.
Bua is sitting on sofa reading mini geeta.
Gaytri
Didi! Had anyone come?
Bua
Who will come here? Why are you
asking?
Gaytri
Nothing. I guessed I saw someone
leaving.
Bua
No one had been here. Don’t know
who you saw?
Gaytri Devi
Perhaps I mistook it.
Gaytri Devi goes to her room.
Int. Bedroom - Night
70
Sheetal is lying in her bed. Her back is rising up and low.
She is weeping.
She pulled out the photo of Abhimanyu from beneath the pillow.
Sheetal
Why you did this to me. You liar.
You cheater. How much I loved you.
And you just played with my heart.
Sheetal continues sobbing.
Ext. Cafe. London - Day
Abhimanyu and Alka are sitting with friends in a café. They
all are celebrating and are in jolly mood. A waitress comes
and serves them. After serving she leaves.
Friend
(Drinking from his cup)
Well you are lucky buddy. You
have got good job.
Abhimanyu
Well, we all are.
Friend
Well it’s a MNC at Delhi,
right?
Abhimanyu
Ya.
Friend
Why don’t you stay here buddy.
You wil get still better jobs.
Abhimanyu
No James, someone is waiting
for me.
Friend
His girlfriend.
They all laugh.They sip their drinks.
71
Alka
So what are you planning next?
Abhimanyu
Well, now MBA is complete and a
job is also in hand. Now will
go back to home.
Alka
And marry Sheetal!
Abhimanyu
(Smiles)
Yes, that’s right.
All friends laugh.
Friend
That’s cool.
Alka
Say our hello to
Sheetal.
Abhimanyu
Oh, sure.
Cut to..
Int. Sheetal’s House, Mussorie - Day
Ladies are singing and dancing.
There is a beat of dholak.
Ladies
Ye galiyan ye chobara
Yahan aana na dobara
Ab hum to bhaye pardesi
Ki tera yahan...
Int. Drawing room - Day
72
Engagement ceremony of Sheetal is going on. We see a fat and
ugly bridegroom. His equally fat and gaudy parents are sitting
on chairs.
Along with them Sheetal’s uncle and aunty are also sitting.
Mother of groom
Our pappu is one in lakhs.
Mother of groom nudges her husband with her elbow.
Mother of groom
What do you say?
Father of groom
(Eating his ladoo)
When I denied?
Mother of groom
He was getting many rishtas.
But you know we are looking
for a civilized girl like our
Pappu.
Mother of groom again nudges her husband with her elbow.
Mother of groom
What do you say?
Father of groom
(Eating his other ladoo)
Yes, Yes, When I denied?
Mother of groom
Behnji, Call the girl.
Aunty
Yes, Behnji. (loudly) Saheen. Send
Sheetal beta. Our sheetal is bit
shy. Heen heen.
Aunty laughs.
73
Int. Bedroom - Day
Sheetal is sitting sadly in her bed. She is dressed up for the
occasion. Saheen gives her the tray. Sheetal stares her.
Saheen
Bear this for now. We will think
some solution later.
Saheen sends Sheetal out. Singing is continued.
Ext. Drawing room - Day
Sheetal gives tea to everyone. The groom’s mother offers
Sheetal some jewellery.
The groom keeps staring Sheetal.
Mother of groom
You will be very happy with our Pappu.
There is no lawyer like him in entire
village. What you say?
Mother of groom elbowed her fat husband.
Father of groom
Yes, Yes, When I denied?
Father of groom continues nibbing at his ladoo.
Grooms mother
So we liked Sheetal. But we are
in a hurry for this marriage.
Uncle
Yes. Whenever you say!
Grooms mother
Very fine. We will contact our
Pandit ji and will inform you
soon. Any day next week will be
fine. Now we take your leave.
They all exchange greetings and then leaves. Sheetal is just
staring at the opposite wall.
74
The ladies music continues.
Ladies
Mere hathon main no-no
chudiyan hain...
Int. Bookshop - Day
Tony enters. He spots Imraan near a book-shelf and goes to
him.
Tony
Hey, you know what’s going on.
Imraan
What happened now?
Tony
Sheetal is getting married.
Imraan looks at Tony. Imrann appears sad and in pain. He keeps
silent and sighs.
Tony
Hey, you are getting it wrong.
Imraan doesn’t respond. Tony continues.
Tony
She is not marrying Abhimanyu -
her earlier boyfriend. But to
some old, limpy cartoon.
Imraan
What?
Imraan is surprised now.
Tony
Yes. My sister told.
75
Imraan
Saheen!
Tony
Yes.
Imraan
What happened to Abhimanyu?
Tony
Well, that I don’t know. But it’s
for sure she is not marrying
Abhimanyu now.
Imrann closes the book and thinks seriously.
Continuing..
Int. Bookshop - Day
Saheen enters the shop. Imraan and Tony looks at her.
Saheen
Tony please go out. I have to
talk to Imraan in person.
Tony reluctantly goes out. Imraan watches him leaving.
Imraan
What happened?
Saheen
Poor Sheetal. Her fate is ruined.
She is being married to a widowed
old man.
Imraan
76
What happened to Abhimanyu?
Saheen
He is getting married to some
other girl from Delhi.
Imraan
How can he ditch her?
Saheen
That day Sheetal went to his
house. Abhimanyu’s bua told it
to Sheetal. She showed her
even pictures of his bride to
be.
Imraan
But it’s not good for Sheetal.
She must have been hurt badly.
Sheetal
What can be done now?
Saheen hesitates a little.
Saheen
Im.. Imraan, Do you like -
(slowly) -- Sheetal?
Imraan
What are you saying?
Saheen
I know. (Pause) You love Sheetal secretly.
I have learned it from - Tony.
Imraan
Oh, Tony! He is always kidding.
77
Saheen
Whatever. But now only you can
help Sheetal from this ruin,
Imraan!
Saheen looks at Imraan with looks of request in her eyes.
Imraan
(surprised)
Me? How?
Saheen
Take her away. Far away from here
and marry her. Please. I beg you
Imraan.
Imraan
What!! Is it possible? (brief pause).
Will sheetal be ready for this.
Saheen
It has to be made possible.
I will talk to her.I can’t let
her life get ruined.
Saheen and Imraan exchange looks.
Saheen
Tomorrow is the day. Meet me
in the evening.
Saheen leaves the shop in hurry. Imraan keeps looking her
going.
Ext. Road - Day
Sheetal is standing with Saheen. She is looking hopeless.
Sheetal
The date of marriage has been
fixed. The day of my death has
been fixed. Its next week.
Saheen
78
Don’t speak like this. I have
Worked out a plan. Now listen
carefully. And do what I say.
Sheetal remains silent.
Saheen
Do you remember Imraan? The boy
who was studying in our class!
Sheetal
Yes. Imraan who has a bookshop.
Saheen
Yes.
Sheetal
What about him?
Saheen
Well. He likes you. Perhaps
loves you. But he was very
shy to ever let you tell this.
Sheetal
(With surprise)
What! Who told you all this?
Saheen
Well, - Tony.
Sheetal
Whatever, I never had such
feelings for him. But why are
you telling me all this.
Saheen
Because I want you to flee
with Imraan.
Sheetal
79
(With shock)
What! I don’t love him Saheen.
I can’t do this.
Saheen
Then you want to marry that
widower?
Sheetal looks at Saheen with agony.
Saheen
It’s not a matter now of who you
love and who you don’t my dear.
But it’s a matter of saving
your entire life.Imraan is a good
boy. You will be happy with him.
Think Sheetal, think. Go with him.
Save yourself from this grave
ruin.
Sheetal
But ...
Saheen
I have already talked to Imraan.
He will be here anytime now.
That’s why I have called you here.
We have very less time. You
have to go with him.
Sheetal looks disappointed. She is trying to say something.
Just then Imraan comes there on motorbike.
Continuing...
Saheen approaches Imraan.
Saheen
Imraan! I am putting a lot of trust
in you. I am sending Sheetal with
you. She has already suffered much.
I hope you will take good care of
her now.
Imraan
Don’t worry. Sheetal is safe with
80
me. I will try my best to keep
her happy.
Saheen turns to Sheetal who is standing silent.
Saheen
Go my sister. Go. Save your life.
Or these people will ruin you
completely. May Allah bless you
both?
Sheetal rides the bike like a robot. Imraan starts the bike
and drives off. Saheen waves at them with tears in her eyes.
Sheetal keeps looking at Saheen.
Camera now focus on two loafer boys. They have seen what has
happened. Both the boys exchange looks.
Int. Middle class house - Day
Aunty is sitting on bed stitching a cloth.
The two loafer boys run in.
One boy
Bhag gayee.. Bhag gayee..
2nd boy
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Aunty looks up.
Aunty
Hey, loafers. What are you
howling for? Kon bhag gayee?
One boy
Your Sheetal aunty. With
Imraan.
Aunty stands up. She is angry and looking shocked at the same
time.
Aunty
81
Hai ram! You wretched boys. Are
you in your senses? What are you
saying?
2nd boy
O, aunty! We ourself saw her
riding the motor bike of Imraan.
And he drove it off.
Aunty beats her chest and sits on bed. She is crying aloud.
Aunty
Hai Ram! We are ruined. Now we
can’t show our faces to anyone
in the society.
Uncle came out of the room.
Uncle
Hey, what happened? Why are you
crying like a crazy.
Aunty
Sheetal has fled away with
that muslim boy. These two boys
have seen.
Now uncle is also in rage.
Uncle
That dirty bitch. For this day
we raised her up!
Aunty
Hai! She brought shame to us.
Uncle
(Bitterly)
Well. It’s for good’s sake. Now she
is dead for us. No one will ever
talk about her in this house.
Enraged uncle went inside his room.
82
Ext. Courtyard - Day
The bike enters the courtyard. Imraan and Sheetal both gets
down.
Imraan
Come, this is my house. I live
with my bhaiya-bhabi.
Sheetal just follows Imraan silently.
Continuing...
Ext. Courtyard - Day
Imraan’s Bhabhi is spreading the clothes and sees them coming.
She is young with sharp features and a sharp tongue.
She is looking a clever and cunning being.
Bhabi
Imraan, you - this time! What’s the
Matter? And who is she?
Imraan’s brother also comes out of the house.
Imraan
Bhabhi. (Hesitates). She is Sheetal. She
has come with me. I want to marry
her.
Bhaiya also reaches behind bhabi.
Bhabhi
Listen! (points towards her husband).
We were waiting for this
day only. All our reputation goes
to dirt. Your brother has fled a
girl. I knew from the beginning
this will happen one day. Won’t
be able to show face in society
now.
Bhabhi flees inside. Bhaiya is now in rage. He comes forward.
Bhaiya
(Shouting)
83
Bastard! You didn’t think once
before doing this. All those years
we fed you and you came home with
a kafir girl. From today you are
not my brother. Just leave my house
this moment. Get out and get lost.
Sultana, pack his bag.
After some time bhabi comes out with some luggage and thrusts
near Imraan.
Imraan picks up his bag.
Bhaiya
Don’t show me your face again.
Bhaiya went in the house and shuts the door. Imraan picks the
bag and holding Sheetal’s arm starts moving back.
Sheetal is terrified.
Imraan
(Almost whispers to Sheetal)
Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.
Imraan and Sheetal continue moving out of the house.
Ext. Roadside - Day
Imraan and Sheetal are walking on the road.
Imraan is holding Sheetal from arm. Which she soon withdraws.
A car speds away past them on the road.
Ext. Roadside - Day
Imraan is standing and looking towards the curve of the road.
He is waiting for a lift. Sheetal is sitting on the
stonebridge. Just then a truck appears.
Imraan
(Waving a hand)
Hey! lift! lift! The truck stops.
And a bulky surdar with friendly
looks, look out.
Sardar
84
What happened son? Where to?
Imraan
Sardar ji! Can we get a lift?
We missed our bus. We want to
go to city.
Sardar
Well, I am also going there. But
there is no place in front. You
both have to sit in the back.
Imraan
That’s not a problem at all.
Sardar
Then sit, hurry up.
Imraan asks Sheetal to come. They both ride the truck.
Int. Truck backyard - Day
There are some banjara types of people also sitting in the
truck. The truck starts moving. All banjara people are
gossiping.
A man
Hey, banjaran, why don’t you sing
a song. The journey is too long.
The banjaran is smoking pot. She hears the man and looks at
him.
Int. Truck backyard - Day
Sheetal is sitting silent.
Imraan just looks at her.
Int. Truck backyard - Day
The banjaran now starts a song. And other people start beating
their instruments.
85
We see sometimes Imraan and Sheetal, hills, road, trees, skies
and other truck.
Int. Courtyard/city - Day
Imraan (with his bag) and Sheetal are following an old Muslim
man. His name is Nazir Miyan. He was a friend of Imraan’s late
father. Nazir Miyan lives alone. His only son is a doctor and
settled in U.S.A. Wife is already dead.
The house is big enough.
We see another part of the house.
Nazir Miyan opens the lock of a room.
Nazir miyan
Come, come.
Ext. Room - Night
They all steps inside. There are two rooms and a kitchen.
Int. Room - Night
Imraan, Sheetal and Nazir Miyan are inside the room.
Nazir Miyan
You can live here with peace.
I never rented my house to anybody.
But you are the son of my late
friend so it’s my duty to help
you. And pay me only when you
get a job.
Imraan
Thank you so much uncle. I am
obliged.
Nazir Miyan
Its O.K. beta. In fact I also feel
so alone here. Arbaaj has left to
USA and settled there. Now because
of you people my time will also
pass nicely.
Nazir Miyan leaves.
Continuing...
86
Imraan
So now we will have to live here.
I hope you can adjust. From
tomorrow I will start looking
for a job.
Sheetal
Yes. O.K.
Imraan
You can use the next room. I will
sleep here.
Sheetal goes to her room.
Imraan sits on the bed.
Cut to....
Int. Room, London - Day
Abhimanyu is in his room. He is in a T- shirt and a pyajama.
He is dialing a number and is looking happy.
Int. Room, Massouri - Day
Gaytri Devi is reading a newspaper. Just then the phone rings.
Phone
Tring.. Tring..
Gaytri Devi keeps the paper down and picks up the receiver
Gaytri Devi
Hello!
Abhimanyu
Hello, mom!
Gaytri Devi
87
Hello, Abhi.
How are you beta?
Abhimanyu
I am fine mom.
There is a good news.
Gaytri Devi
News! What?
Abhimanyu
My result is out. I have passed
in A grade. Also got a job in
Delhi. It’s a MNC. Finally I am
Coming. Next week I will be with
you.
Gaytri Devi tries to smile.
Gaytri Devi
Congratulations beta! I am very happy
for your success.
Abhimanyu
Ma’ma you are not sounding very happy.
What’s the matter?
Gaytri Devi
No, no, beta. Nothing like that.
Actually it’s too much of happiness
You got a job and my son is coming
back.
Abhimanyu
O.K. mom. See you soon. O.K. now I
will keep the phone down.
Gaytri Devi
O.K. Bye beta.
88
Abhimanyu
Bye mom.
Continuing...
We see bua coming from adjacent room.
Bua
Gaytri, Abhimanyu is coming?
Gaytri Devi
Yes, Deedi. Next week.
Bua
Well, that’s good. Now what have you
thought about his marriage. That girl
has shown her character.
Gaytri keeps silent.
Bua
Anyways, it will give Abhimanyu a
lesson at least.
Gaytri Devi goes to her room.
Ext. Roadside - Day
We see Imraan walking on the road.
Ext. Roadside - Day
Sheetal is also walking in a deserted street.
Int. Office - Day
Imraan is sitting in front of a fat man. The man is
interviewing him.
Fat man
So what’s your qualification?
You have not completed your
College!
89
Imraan
Yes, Sir. I dropped in last year.
But don’t worry, Sir. I am trying
to complete it this year.
Fat man closes Imraan’s file.
Fat man
So visit us after that. I am sory,
we can’t hire you.
Imraan looks disappointed.
Int. Drawing room - Day
A graceful lady is looking at Sheetal’s biodata.
Lady
Oh! You like to sing also.
Sheetal
Yes, ma’m . Less or more.
Lady
That’s good.
The lady closes Sheetal’s biodata.
Lady
So I like you. You can come from
tomorrow.
Just then a little boy enters.
Lady
Hey, Chintu - my baby, come
here.
Chintu comes to his mom.
Lady
She is your new teacher. From
90
tomorrow she will teach you.
Sheetal
Hello, Chintu. Will you be my
friend?
Chintu
No.
Chintu goes back to his mother.
Sheetal and the lady laughs.
Lady
Don’t worry. He will become
friendly in a day or two.
Sheetal
Yes . Yes. I know.
Ext. Pizzashop - Day
Imraan is moving desperately in the deserted road. Just then
he sees at the door of a Pizza shop. We see a card hanging at
the door which reads - ‘Job Vacancy’.
Imraan reads. He pushes the door and enters the shop.
Int. A small office - Day
We see Imraan is being interviewed by the owner of pizza shop.
The owner is staring at his CV.
The owner nods and lookss up.
Owner
So you are interested in this
job!
Imraan
Yes, Sir.
Owner
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