PAATAL LOK

Episode 2
Draft 5.0

Written by
Sagar Haveli

December 2018
2.1 EXT. YAMUNA RIVER BANK - DAY 2.1

Early morning. Foggy. The waters are calm. And so is the air.

A MAN sits on the banks, janeu tied to his ear, relieving *

himself. A phone hangs from his neck, playing a soothing *
bhajan. *

He tries hard. Applies pressure. Nothing. Some more. Nothing.

He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and for one last
time, goes for it with all he’s got...

And just then - SPLASH! A SCUBA DIVER pops out of the calm
water, GASPING, shattering the silence and STARTLING the man.

POTTY MAN
O bhenchod!

The Diver looks at someone and gestures ‘nothing’.

We follow the Diver’s gaze and see - Ansari sitting on the

bank, reading his IAS study material. *

A disappointed Ansari points in a direction -

ANSARI
Us taraf try karo.

The Diver dives back in with a SPLASH.

TITLE APPEARS - ‘LOST AND FOUND’ *

FADE IN:

2.2 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY2.2

SPLASH - a mug-full of water hits Tyagi’s face.

Constable Tokas grabs him by his hair and pulls his head up.

TOKAS
Ab bata. Bolega?

Tyagi looks at him. His eyes - calm and silent. Like a Zen
monk.

TOKAS (CONT’D)
Aankh neeche!

Tyagi continues to look at him.

Constable Bhati swings his lathi several times.

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! It lands on Tyagi’s legs with a vicious

sound.
 2.

TOKAS (CONT’D)
Neeche kar aankh, maadarchod!

But - Tyagi’s eyes still stay where they are - looking right
back into Tokas’. A gaze cold as death.

And by just that bit - Tokas’ confidence wavers. He turns to

throw a quick look back towards -

OUTSIDE THE INTERROGATION ROOM:

Outside which - Hathi Ram and Ansari stand watching the show.

Hathi Ram turns to look at Ansari.

HATHI RAM
Paintaalees murder? Paintaalees???

Ansari nods.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Lund nahi bataana isne!

2.3 INT. HOTEL UPTOWN - ROOM #2 - DAY 2.3

CLOSE ON a dead cockroach. Ants having a go at it.

Hathi Ram and Ansari walk into the room where Cheeni and
Kabir had stayed. They look around, searching for nothing in
particular, while the Waiter and Manager tail them nervously.

WAITER
Teen din ruke the. Aane jaane ka
koi time nahin tha. Mujhe toh lag
hee raha thha koi gadbad -

HATHI RAM
Aur kuch?

WAITER
Ek towel bhi churaya.
(glances at the Manager)
Keh rahe hain tankhwah mein se
katega ab...

The Manager gives him a dirty look as Hathi Ram walks out of
the room saying -

HATHI RAM
Aur kuch dekha suna?

The Waiter thinks.

 3.

2.4 INT. HOTEL UPTOWN - CORRIDOR + ROOM #1 - DAY 2.4

Hathi Ram walks towards the adjacent room. The Manager tries
to stop him.

MANAGER
Sir guest hain andar...

Hathi Ram gives him a look. KNOCKS. After a while, a half-

naked ANNOYED MAN half-opens the door.

MAN IN HOTEL ROOM

Kaun hai be -

But the colour drains from his face when he spots the cops.

HATHI RAM
Room check karna hai.

MAN IN HOTEL ROOM

Par sir...

Hathi Ram pushes his way in. A filmy song plays on the TV.

On the bed is a WOMAN, quite clearly a cheap hooker.

Hathi Ram goes around looking, the man following him around-

MAN IN HOTEL ROOM (CONT’D)

Sir... coujin hai Sir. Wo iski
shaadi ki shopping ke liye Dilli
aaye thhe. Reservation nahin tha
isliye room share karna pada -

Hathi Ram peeps under the bed. Nothing. He turns to the

Waiter -

HATHI RAM
Kuch yaad aaya?

The Waiter recalls something.

WAITER
Haan saab... Nikalne se pehle ek ko
phone pe baat karte hue suna. Bahut
gusse mein lag raha tha.

HATHI RAM
Kya keh raha tha?

WAITER
Kisi se jhagda chal raha tha. Bol
raha tha ‘teen din se yehi sun raha
hoon, tum Masterji se baat karwao’.

HATHI RAM
(expectant)
Aur kuchh suna?
(MORE)
 4.

HATHI RAM (CONT'D)

Kis ke baare mein baat kar rahe
thhe? Koi aur naam waam...

WAITER
Nahin sahab. Bas itna hee.

Hathi Ram frowns. Then remembers the ‘cousins’.

HATHI RAM
Inke ID lo. Dekhein kaun se cousin
hain...

MAN IN HOTEL ROOM

Sir... sir wo surname alag hai
sir... wo bua ki side se hai na...

The man blabbers on as Hathi Ram and Ansari walk out.

WAITER
Ek aur baat Sir. Wo jo killer jaisi
shakal waala thha, dabaadab
cigarette phoonkta thha. Din mein
teen packet mangwata thha...

Hathi Ram looks at him with interest.

HATHI RAM
Brand kaun sa thha...?

2.5 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY2.5

CLOSE ON a ciggie as it gets lit. It’s Ansari smoking. A bit

uneasily.

Sitting in front of Ansari and Hathi Ram - Chaaku.

HATHI RAM
Hotel ke waiter ka bayaan aa gaya.
Ki tum log Sanjeev Mehra ko maarne
ka plan kar rahe thhe.

CHAAKU
Kaun Sanjeev Mehra?

Hathi Ram sighs.

The smoke from Ansari’s cigarette drifts towards Chaaku. He

smacks his lips.

HATHI RAM
Tyagi ko kab se jaanta hai?

CHAAKU
Kaun Tyagi, saab?

Ansari LUNGES at Chaaku.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 5.

But - Hathi Ram puts a hand on his shoulder. Signals him to

take it easy.

Ansari sits down. Takes an uneasy puff. Blows out a fresh

round of smoke in Chaaku’s direction.

Chaaku - tempted. Ansari - uneasy. He clears his throat.

HATHI RAM
Baaki dono ki lambi history sheet
nikali hai. Tera record clean hai.

Hathi Ram casually pushes the cigarette pack in Chaaku’s

direction.

Chaaku’s tempted. But he waits. Behind - Ansari clears his

throat again.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Sarkari gawaah ban ja, saste mein
chhootega... DCP saab se main khud *
baat karunga.

He looks at Chaaku. Chaaku looks at the ciggies.

Hathi Ram nods at him - a kind, friendly nod.

That’s it. Chaaku grabs at the packet. Plucks one out. Hathi
Ram leans forward and lights it.

Chaaku takes a long drag, looking at Ansari. Ansari too does

the same - but has to clear his itchy throat.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Kab se kaam kar raha hai Tyagi ke
saath?

Chaaku’s still in nicotine heaven. Hathi Ram waits. Finally -

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Dekh. Wo Tyagi toh shaatir hai.
Paintaalees murder kar ke bhi nahi
pakda gaya. Kal sab tujh pe daal
dega. Tab kya karega?

Behind - Ansari coughs. That throat’s really bothering him.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Plan kya thha? Tera kya role tha?

Chaaku seems to be considering. The moment builds.

And just then - Ansari breaks out into a fit of coughing.

That’s it - Chaaku bursts out laughing as he turns to Ansari.

 6.

CHAAKU
Sorry... sorry saab... Personal mat
lena... Par aap cigarette chutiyon
ke jaise peete ho!

Ansari sits there - red-faced, trying to stop coughing.

Hathi Ram’s face gives away his frustration. His eyes go to -

A tattoo on Chaaku’s arm. A crescent moon shaped ‘C’ and a

knife wedging through it. Hathi Ram points at it -

HATHI RAM
Chal itna toh bata de - C for...?

Chaaku fixes him with a gaze as he takes a drag -

CHAAKU
C for Chaaku!

Hathi Ram slaps him.

HATHI RAM
C for chutiya!

2.6 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - DAY 2.6

Hathi Ram and Ansari walk out of the interrogation room.

Ansari has embarrassment written all over his face.

HATHI RAM
Gaandu... tune toh bola thha
cigarette pee hai tune...?

ANSARI
Sorry Sir... kayi saal ho gaye...

An awkward beat. And then - Hathi Ram cracks up.

HATHI RAM
Pakad liya haraami ne!

Ansari’s red-faced, but laughs along. Until they notice -

SHO Virk looking in their direction from outside his cabin.

Hathi Ram calls out to the constables authoritatively -

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Tokas... Wo Kabir ko le ke jaao
andar. Aur uske saamne is Tope
Singh ki marammat karo, jaao. Aur
suno, chodna kam chillana zyaada.

Virk turns away. And Hathi Ram cracks up again.

 7.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

(laughing)
Is Tope Singh ke license pe jo
address hai, wahaan koi gaya?

ANSARI
Maheenon se bandh pada hai sir.
Makaan ki registry kis naam mein
hai check karwa rahe hain. Kal tak
aa jaayegi detail.

Hathi Ram nods.

2.7 EXT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - TEA SHOP - DAY 2.7

The tea shop opposite to the police station. A 25-YEAR OLD

DARK MAN sits there, keeping an eye on the police station.
We’ll meet him again later, but for now let’s just say he
looks DARK AND DANGEROUS.

2.8 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY2.8

A scared Cheeni is interrogated by Manju Verma.

Ansari stands behind her. Protocol.

MANJU VERMA
Bol. Kisne bheja tujhe? Hain? Kya
plan tha?

CHEENI
Main... Main kuch nahin jaanti
sahab -

Manju Verma raises her hand to slap her.

MANJU VERMA
Sahab hoon main? Sahab hoon kya?
Aurat mard ka farak samjhaaon?

CHEENI
Sorry, sorry Madam. Main kuch nahin
jaanti...

MANJU VERMA
Itni subah un teenon ke saath kya
kar rahi thi?

CHEENI
Raat ko dost ke ghar gayi thi.
Subah room pe jaana tha. Auto nahin
mil raha -

ANSARI
Toh subah lift li inse?
 8.

CHEENI
Haan saab.

ANSARI
Toh us hotel ka towel kahaan se
aaya teri bag mein?

Cheeni is stumped.

CHEENI
Wo... wo saab... inhone daal diya
hoga saab... main toh dost ke ghar
se aa rahi -

MANJU VARMA
Chal naam bata dost ka...

Cheeni goes quiet. Manju SLAPS her.

MANJU VERMA
Dost ya customer? Jhooth bolti hai
saali Nepali randi!

Cheeni looks at her - aghast.

MANJU VERMA (CONT’D)

Dhandha karey hai na tu? Kisko deti
hai? Foreigneron ko? Haan? Dollar
dete hain tujhe badle mein?

Cheeni doesn’t know what to say.

ANSARI
Dollar kahaan se aaye tere paas?

CHEENI
Sir - wo dollar toh... wo hobby hai
meri currency ikattha karne ki...

Manju Verma SLAPS her.

MANJU VERMA
Chutiya bana rahi hai? Haan? Ye koi
hobby hoti hai?
(slaps again)
Singing... dancing... ye hobby hoti
hai.

Ansari intervenes.

ANSARI
Kaam kahaan karti thhi?

2.9 INT. SHOPPERS ZONE MALL - DAY 2.9

A STORE MANAGER looks at Cheeni’s picture.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 9.

MANAGER
Ho sakta hai saab. Shaayad thhi
yehaan par kuchh din...

ANSARI
Ho sakta hai matlab? Haan ya naa?

MANAGER
Matlab... Sab ek jaisi lagti hai
saab...

He laughingly points towards the other girls in the store.

North eastern girls with sad faces and forced smiles.

MANAGER (CONT’D)
Aur inke naam bhi ekdum Chinese
waale. Yaad hee nahi rehte...

He laughs again, but Ansari’s sharp glare shuts him up.

ANSARI
Record toh rakhte hogey? Mary
Lyngdoh ka naam check karo.

MANAGER
(nervous)
Temp staff hai saab... Hafte hafte
mein job badalte hain yeh log. Ab
kahaan record...

Ansari stares at him in anger.

2.10 INT. HATHI RAM’S HOUSE - DAY 2.10 *

Morning. The disco light in the little temple blings as Hathi

Ram gets dressed for work, muttering Hanuman Chalisa.

Sid walks out of his room. Ready for school.

Momentarily suspending his prayers midway -

HATHI RAM
Chal, school chhod deta hoon tujhe.

But Sid just walks away - out of the door. Banging the door
shut behind him.

Hathi Ram just stares for a few moments. And then - Anger
rises on his face. He storms towards the door, shouting -

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Sid! Ruk!

And just as he’s about to open the door, Renu stops him.

RENU
Kyun lad rahe ho subah subah?
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 10.

HATHI RAM
Main lad raha hoon? Seedhe moonh
baat nahin kar sakta? Maine kaha
school chhod deta hoon toh -

RENU
Yehi toh problem hai. Tumne poochha
usse ki kya tum use school chhod
sakte ho? Seedha order diya hoga.

HATHI RAM
Ab main pemission maangoon us se?
Baap main hoon ki wo?

Renu shakes her head.

RENU
Ditto Daddyji ki copy ho tum, Hathi *
Ram Chaudhary. Jhaadte raho
thaanedaari bete ke saath...

Ouch! That really seems to have hurt Hathi Ram.

HATHI RAM
Daddyji ki copy? Wo belt se maarte
thhe mujhe. Aaga peechha na dekha
unhone kabhi kootayi ke pehle.
(beat)
Maine kabhi haath uthaaya tere bete
pe?

Renu just walks away to the kitchen. Hathi Ram’s eyes go to -

An old B/W picture on the wall. A stern looking man. Daddyji.

It’s quite clear Hathi Ram doesn’t remember him very fondly. *

Hathi Ram stares at the picture for a long time. Then quietly
grabs his keys and his cap and walks out of the door. *

2.10A EXT. HATHI RAM'S HOUSE - DAY 2.10A *

NOTE: New scene number added. To be added in the schedule. *

Hathi Ram walks down the stairs. As he reaches the bottom, he *

notices the PRESS WALA outside curiously peeping at *
something. *

It’s his brother-in-law JITU arguing with the GOODS CARRIER *

AUTOWALA over luggage. *

JITU *
Rakhwa de yaar upar saamaan, aisi *
kya baat ho gayi... *
(notices Hathi Ram) *
Jee-jaa-jiiiiii!!!
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 11.

He gives Hathi Ram a tight hug, who doesn’t seem that chuffed *
to see him. *

JITU (CONT’D)
Kahaan chal diye subah subah
uniform pehen ke?

HATHI RAM
Picture ki shooting hai. Policewale
ka role kar raha hoon.

Jitu laughs, not getting the sarcasm. From behind, Renu’s *

voice approaches. She has Hathi Ram’s tiffin in her hands. *

RENU
Arey apna tiffin toh le ke - *
(notices Jitu) *
Jitu Bhaiyya! What a surprise *
brother! *

JITU
Arre apna toh kaam hi surprise wala
hai sister!

HATHI RAM
Yaar Jitu. Main thoda jaldi mein
hoon. Sorry -

RENU
Ruk jaao thodi der. Itne din ke
baad aaye hain, breakfast kar lo *
saath...

JITU
Koi nahi! Kal kar lenge breakfast. *
Main hoon ek-do din.

That depresses Hathi Ram further. He turns to Renu -

HATHI RAM
Yeh hai... Ek-do din.

Renu makes a face - ‘Don’t be rude!’

JITU
Jaate jaate samaan toh andar rakhwa
do jijaji!

He points at - A really huge carton. Hathi Ram sighs!

2.11 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

2.11

Hathi Ram walks towards the interrogation room, still annoyed

- While Ansari struggles to keep pace with him.

HATHI RAM
Main phodta hoon. Tu dawai de.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 12.

Hathi Ram barges in, loud enough to STARTLE Kabir - who’s

squatting in a corner.

Hathi Ram removes his watch and hands it to a constable.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Kapde utaaro iske. *

KABIR
(pleading)
Saab mujhe kuch nahin pata saab...

Hathi Ram slaps him hard - stunning Kabir. *

HATHI RAM *
Chhupa raha hai tu musalmaan hai? *

Tokas and Bhati pin Kabir to a chair and try to strip him. He
resists.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Kabir M. Yeh M kya hai?

KABIR
Bas... M hee hai saab! Sach.

Tokas and Bhati are still struggling with the pants.

Hathi Ram shoves that circumcision certificate into his face.

HATHI RAM
Aur ye certificate?

KABIR
Saab, wo infection hua thha,
bachpan mein... operation ke baad
papa ne banwa diya tha saab...

HATHI RAM
Operation ke baad ya khatna ke
baad?

Kabir - quiet.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Aur gaadiyan churana kisne sikhaya?
Papa ne? Ya Abbu ne?

Kabir looks at him. *

KABIR
Saab... wo... main...

HATHI RAM
Kya plan hai? Kyun naatak kar raha
hai Hindu hone ka?
 13.

KABIR
Nahi saab...

HATHI RAM
Tope Singh ne sab bataya hamein.
Sanjeev Mehra ko maarne ki planning
teri aur Tyagi ki thi.

KABIR
Saab nahin saab -

HATHI RAM
History sheet mein tum donon ka hee
naam aaya hai katue...

Ansari tries pretending he didn’t hear that, but he flinches.

Hathi Ram too realizes. It’s kind of awkward.

Ansari can feel - Tokas and Bhati glancing at him. Before

they go back to their task and manage to pull off Kabir’s
pants.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Chaddi utaro iski.

KABIR
Nahin saab... Saab nahin saab...

Kabir holds on to his underwear. His pleading eyes go to

Ansari - Who tries to keep a stoic face.

Tokas holds back Kabir’s hands. Bhati pulls down his undies.

And just then... PITTER PATTER... SOUND of a stream of liquid

hitting the floor.

Kabir has peed. The cops are disgusted.

HATHI RAM
Maa ki chut iski!

And he pushes Kabir away.

The naked Kabir falls off the chair. Crying with shame, in a
pool of his own piss. It’s pathetic.

ANSARI
Sir... Main baat karoon?

Tokas and Bhati share a look.

Hathi Ram signals to the constables and they all step out.

Ansari takes a cloth and goes to Kabir, who first cowers in

fear and then realizes that Ansari is trying to clean him.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 14.

He looks at Ansari - who gives him his pants. Kabir takes

them cautiously. Wears them.

Ansari takes something out from his wallet. Gives it to

Kabir.

ANSARI (CONT’D)
Mere abbu ne di thhi. Padho. Kaam
ki cheez hai.

Kabir, still sobbing, looks at it tentatively.

It’s an Urdu phrase on a card.

KABIR
Urdu nahin aati saab.

Ansari - a bit surprised.

ANSARI
Kyun? Bachpan mein padhwaayi nahi *
Abbu ne? *

Kabir shakes his head.

ANSARI (CONT’D)
Shuab ul imaan se hai. ‘Wo shaqs
jahannum mein shaamil nahi hoga, jo
Allah ke khauf se roya ho.’

Ansari looks Kabir in the eyes.

ANSARI (CONT’D)
Dekh. Galti toh ho gayi. Par ab sab
sach sach bataa de. Varna ye
Inspector jahannum dikha dega
tujhe.

Kabir fights back his tears.

KABIR
Wo maar denge saab...

ANSARI
Kuchh nahi hoga. Main hoon na. Sab
bataayega toh tujhe sarkaari gawaah
banaane ke liye baat karoonga upar.

He fixes Kabir with a kind gaze.

2.12 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - DAY 2.12

Ansari walks out to see Hathi Ram waiting for him there with
two cups of tea. Hathi Ram hands him a cup.

ANSARI
Set ho gaya Sir.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 15.

HATHI RAM
(awkward)
Good. Er, wo... andar thoda zyaada
nikal gaya munh se...

Ansari smiles - equally awkward.

ANSARI
It worked, Sir.

2.13 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

2.13

Kabir sits opposite to Hathi Ram and Ansari. A cup of tea *

lies untouched in front of him. *

KABIR
Main Tyagi ko nahi jaanta saab. In
teenon ko hee pehle kabhi nahi
mila. Maa kasam.

HATHI RAM
Toh fir kaam kisne diya?

KABIR
Baakiyon ka nahin pata, mujhe kaam
Taariq ne diya tha.

HATHI RAM
Kaun Taariq?

KABIR
Mechanic hai. Pehle bhi gaadiyan
churayi hai maine uske liye.
Hamesha ki tarah advance diya.
Pachaas hazaar. Baaki kaam ke baad.

CLOSE of Hathi Ram’s Diary. He writes – Taarik. Then corrects

it to Taariq.

WE SEE THE FOLLOWING IMAGES AS KABIR SPEAKS:

2.14 EXT. MUZAFFARNAGAR BUS STAND - NIGHT 2.14

Kabir gets down from a rickety DELHI-MUZAFFARNAGAR bus.

HATHI RAM (V.O.)

Kaam kya bataya?

2.15 EXT. DELHI STREET - NIGHT 2.15

Kabir innocuously hangs around a couple of cars.

Looks around. No one.

 16.

KABIR (V.O.)
Baahar ki gaadi churakar in ko
Dilli mein milna tha. Munirka ke
hotel mein. Fir inke saath rehna
thha... jahaan ye bolein le ke
jaana tha. Aur kaam khatam hone ke
baad gaadi thikaane lagaani thi...

He calmly walks to a car. Pulls out a steel ruler, slides it

into the window slit, yanks it around a couple of times.

Finally - CLICK - it unlocks.

2.16 EXT. DELHI MOTOR MARKET - DAY 2.16

Ansari walks down a lane crammed with small auto workshops.

He talks to a SHOPKEEPER, who points further down the lane.

Ansari keeps walking.

HATHI RAM (V.O.)

Kahaan milega?

KABIR (V.O.)
Narela mein garage hai... Motor
market mein.

Finally he reaches a garage - MERSIDIS GARAGE. It’s shut.

He asks a MECHANIC in the neighboring shop -

ANSARI
Taariq kahaan hai?

MECHANIC
Do din se nahin aaya sahab.

ANSARI
Kahaan rehta hai?

The mechanic shrugs.

Ansari is sort of pissed. The heat. The dust. And a dead end.

2.17 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

2.17

Kabir sips his tea like a deer at a watering hole - his

nervous eyes on Hathi Ram and Ansari.

KABIR
Chaar din pehle main in teenon se
hotel mein mila.

ANSARI
Teenon se? Matlab wo ladki bhi
thhi?
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 17.

Kabir nods.

HATHI RAM
Fir kya kiya itne din?

Kabir hesitates.

ANSARI
Dekh... saab ko sab sach sach bata
de. Nahi toh phans jaayega.

KABIR
Saab, mujhe pata nahi thha saab.
Mujhe laga bas gaadi mein teen
chaar din ghoomaana hai inko...

ANSARI
Kahaan?

KABIR
Wo... Sanjeev Mehra ke peechhe.

INSERT: ‘TRACKING SANJEEV’ VISUALS.

The four follow Sanjeev. Kabir at the wheel.

2.17A EXT. SANJEEV'S HOUSE 2.17A

Outside his house.

2.17B OMITTED 2.17B *

2.17C OMITTED 2.17C *

Chaaku clicks photos on his cell.

KABIR (V.O.)
Wo Chaaku - woh photo le raha tha.
Ghar ki... Office ki... fir mujhe
Tyagi ke paas gun dikhi... main dar
gaya saab...

2.18 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY

2.18

Back to the grind.

KABIR
Main gaadi churaata hoon saab...
par ye sab nahi karta... maa kasam.
Maine Taariq ko phone lagaaya, bola
mujhe nahi karna. Taariq ne dhamki
di saab, ki wo maar dega mujhe...

Hathi Ram closes in.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 18.

HATHI RAM
In ke paas gun thi. Mauka tha. Toh
maara kyun nahin?

KABIR
Pata nahi saab... Par wo Tyagi
phone pe kisi se lad raha tha. Baat
karna chahta tha kisi se...

Hathi Ram and Ansari glance at each other.

HATHI RAM
‘Masterji’ se?

Kabir looks at him with surprise.

KABIR
Haan. Bol raha thha jab tak
Masterji se baat nahi hogi, kaam
nahi karunga. Fir ek din subah
achaanak se bola Dilli se chalo.

It’s Hathi Ram’s turn to be surprised.

HATHI RAM
Arrest hue toh Dilli chhod ke jaa
rahe thhe?

Kabir nods.

OUTSIDE THE INTERROGATION ROOM:

Hathi Ram and Ansari walk out.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Wo phone milna chahiye Ansari. Is
‘Masterji’ ka number mil sakta hai
usme. Plus wo photos, Sanjeev Mehra
ke... case banaane ke liye solid
evidence hoga.

ANSARI
Haan, Sir. Aur doosra wo Taariq.
Yehi do leads hain abhi.

HATHI RAM
(nods; thinking)
Chitrakoot jaana padega. Is Tyagi
ki kundali kholne.

2.19 INT. POLICE HQ - DCP BHAGAT’S OFFICE - DAY 2.19 *

DCP Bhagat looks at Hathi Ram. *

DCP BHAGAT *
Yaar, yehaan itna kuchh chal raha
hai... wo sab chhod ke Chitrakoot?
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 19.

They are in Bhagat’s cabin. Bhagat seems in a hurry, as he

checks on a few papers, while Dahiya waits for him.

HATHI RAM
Sir urgent nahi hota toh... Dekhiye
Tyagi shooter hai, Chitrakoot se.
Kabir driver, Meerut se. Baaki dono
Dilli se hain. Wo Tope Singh
shaayad back up shooter ya helper
thha, aur wo ladki cover hogi,
taaki in pe shaq na ho. Par sawaal
ye hai ki in sab ko kaam pe kisne
lagaaya? Poora plan kiska thha?

DCP BHAGAT *
Wo Tyagi hee hoga. History sheeter
hai. Darjanon murder kar chuka hai.

HATHI RAM
Sir, agar Tyagi hota toh in chaaron
ka us se koi connection hota. Ye
toh usey jaante tak nahi.

DCP Bhagat looks unconvinced as he picks up his files and *

signals to Dahiya - ‘let’s go’.

2.20 EXT. POLICE HQ - CORRIDORS - DAY 2.20 *

Bhagat and Dahiya hurry down the corridor. Hathi Ram tries to
keep pace.

OFFICER DAHIYA
Ho sakta hai ek doosre ko na jaanne
ka naatak kar rahe hon...

Hathi Ram ignores him, addresses Bhagat -

HATHI RAM
Par Sir... wo ‘Masterji’... jisse
baat na ho paane par Tyagi ne plan
tak cancel kar diya... wo toh hotel
ke waiter ne bhi confirm kiya hai.
Ho na ho iss ‘Masterji’ ka koi
connection hai case se. Aur wo
shaayad Chitrakoot mein hee
milega...

Bhagat shakes his head.

DCP BHAGAT *
Par wahaan chale jaaoge toh... Inki
remand khatam hone ke pehle case
banaana hai yehaan...

There’s an edge of desperation to Hathi Ram’s voice now.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 20.

HATHI RAM
Sir usi ke liye... investigation
aage badhaane ka yehi tareeka hai.
In chaaron ki history jaanni hogi.
Kaun hain, kiske liye kaam karte
hain... In ki kahaani mein peechhe
tak jaayein toh shaayad poora link
samajh aayega.

They reach the elevator. *

Bhagat presses the button and turns to look at Hathi Ram - *

who pleads with his eyes.

DCP BHAGAT *
(sighs)
Achcha theek hai. But keep it
short.

Hathi Ram can barely conceal his excitement.

DCP BHAGAT (CONT’D) *

Aur dhyaan rahe, Tyagi ka naam abhi
baahar na aaye. Maamla thoda thanda
ho jaane do, fir press release de
denge.

Hathi Ram nods as Bhagat enters the elevator. *

2.21 EXT. DELHI - SINGH’S FARMHOUSE - DAY 2.21

One of those Delhi farmhouses reeking of old money. A table *

laid out in the sun where FAMILY and FRIENDS sit eating. *

A little away - Sanjeev and Jai sit in front of the frail and *
old but still- imposing figure of SINGH SAAB, and his America-
returned son SINGH JUNIOR. *

SINGH SAAB
It must be the bloody Opposition
behind this. Election aane waale
hain. Government ka naam kharaab
hoga ki dekho bhai inke raaj mein
media pe attack ho raha hai.
Finally we have a government and a
PM who is doing something for the
country, but these bhenchods will
not let that happen.
(beat; with over-concern)
Anyways, tell me, how are you
dealing with it beta?

He cuts his cigar and lights it up. *

SANJEEV
(mumbles)
I’m all right, sir. Thank you.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 21.

Singh Junior steps in, with an edge to his tone.

SINGH JUNIOR
The lawyers said you used bad words
against Dad.

Singh Saab turns to glare at him.

SINGH SAAB
Who asked you to be here? Go, go
see if the turkey has been served. *
Go!

Singh Junior fumes for a while, then huffs away from there.

SINGH SAAB (CONT’D)

Idiot! And I thought Wharton would
fix him.

He mutters some more like a frustrated father, and then turns

to Sanjeev, equally frustrated -

SINGH SAAB (CONT’D)

Bete why are you doing this? Arey
bhai ab agar aapke under channel
perform nahi kar raha hai toh what
can I do? Aap mere bete jaise ho,
par bete toh nahi ho na ki aap ka
bhi bojh dhoun?

Sanjeev keeps quiet.

SINGH SAAB (CONT’D)

And what is this monkey business I
hear you are up to? The expressway
is a gift to the people of the
country. Aap usme bhi nuks dhoondh
rahe ho?

SANJEEV
Sir I was only doing my job as a
journalist.

SINGH SAAB
Then go do it somewhere else.
Hamein baksh do yaar. Just announce
that you are going on an indefinite
leave due to all the stress in your
life, and the rest these boys will
manage.
(referring Jai)

Sanjeev looks at Jai, and then at the old man -

SANJEEV
If you fire me at this point, my
career is over.
(MORE)
 22.

SANJEEV (CONT'D)
There’s a non-competitive clause
that says I can’t join a rival
channel for one year. I’ll be
forgotten in a year.

SINGH SAAB
Arey toh kuchh aur kar lo. You are
still young. Go write a book on the
state of affairs in this country.
Or try organic farming. It’s very
therapeutic, trust me.

He looks square at Sanjeev and his tone acquires a cold edge.

SINGH SAAB (CONT’D)

But please don’t be a trouble
maker. It’s not good. For me, for
you, for anybody.

He stares at him some more, then turns his attention to the

GARDENER -

SINGH SAAB (CONT’D)

Rambir, ye ghaas kyun nahi kaati ab
tak... sab saale muftkhor paale hue
hain maine...

No mistaking who that’s aimed at. Sanjeev sits there, staring

at the ground with indignation for a long time - the anger
rising in him.

And then he gets up.

SINGH SAAB (CONT’D)

Bete khaana waana khaa ke jaana.

SANJEEV
I’d have loved to sir, but have to
be somewhere...
(looks into Singh’s eyes)
To identify the men who tried to
kill me... but couldn’t.

And then Sanjeev turns around and walks away - Singh’s eyes
following him like a hawk.

2.22 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - DAY 2.22

Sanjeev walks into the police station. Notices - Heads

turning to look at him, and constables whispering among
themselves.

Hathi Ram spots him and walks up to him. Shakes his hand.

HATHI RAM
Welcome sir...
(to Manju Verma)
(MORE)
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 23.

HATHI RAM (CONT'D)

Manju! Sir ko SHO saab ke cabin
mein bithaao.

A beaming Manju leads Sanjeev to -

2.23 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - SHO’S CABIN - DAY 2.23

Virk’s cabin. He is not there. As Sanjeev takes his seat -

MANJU VERMA
Sir ek selfie le loon? Family ko *
dikhaane ke liye...

Before Sanjeev can reply, she moves in close to him and

CLICKS a picture. And then quickly hides the phone as she
sees Hathi Ram walk in.

Sanjeev’s eyes go to - the four accused being led by Hathi

Ram and Ansari. He just can’t take his eyes off them as they
are made to line up in front of him.

His eyes move - from Kabir to Cheeni to Chaaku to Tyagi - who

stares straight at Sanjeev with cold, expressionless eyes. *

HATHI RAM
In mein se kisi ko aapne pehle
kabhi dekha hai sir?

No response from Sanjeev. He’s just staring at Tyagi with

fascination. Something about those eyes!

Hathi Ram touches him gently on the elbow. And Sanjeev comes
to.

SANJEEV
Huh? Nahi. Kabhi nahi.

HATHI RAM
Pakka?

Sanjeev nods.

2.24 EXT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - DAY 2.24

Sanjeev’s bodyguards (the two Shadows) keep an eye as -

Sanjeev walks out with Hathi Ram.

SANJEEV
In ke naam?

Hathi Ram fidgets.

HATHI RAM
Sir is waqt thoda confidential
hai...
(MORE)
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 24.

HATHI RAM (CONT'D)

(beat)
Waise Chitrakoot se aapka koi
connection? Kisi ko jaante hain
wahaan?

SANJEEV
Nahi. Kyun?

HATHI RAM
(vaguely)
Nahi wo ek lead aayi thhi,
investigate kar rahe hain abhi...

Sanjeev searches for an answer on Hathi Ram’s face. But -

Hathi Ram changes the subject.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Sir last time baat hui thhi... Koi
dushmani? Ya koi dhamki wagairah?

SANJEEV
Twitter pe toh log jaan se maarne
ki dhamki dete hee rehte hain...
(beat)
Ya phir Pakistan bhejne ki.

Hathi Ram nods in understanding.

HATHI RAM
Sir aap thoda careful rehna. In
dono PSO ko har waqt saath rakh
rahe hain na...?

Sanjeev looks at him gravely. And nods.

Just then - his car drives up to them.

Hathi Ram notices a sticker on the back of the car -

WORDSWORTH FOUNDATION RULES - REUNION - BATCH OF ‘91. And *
beams with pride-

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Sir mera beta bhi Wordsworth *
Foundation mein padhta hai. *

Sanjeev’s got too much on his mind. He just nods and gets
into the car.

2.25 OMITTED 2.25 *

2.26 INT. THE WORDSWORTH FOUNDATION SCHOOL - SID’S CLASSROOM -2.26

DAY *

‘Yo hablo español’ written on the whiteboard. It’s the

Spanish lecture, it seems.

The chirpy FEMALE TEACHER points to a COCKY BOY.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 25.

TEACHER
You want to give it a try, Arjun?

STUDENT
Me nombre es Arjun Puri.

As the teacher CORRECTS his pronunciation -

We notice someone at the back of the class. It’s Sid.

And his eyes are on - a pretty girl SALONI. We can sense Sid
has a thing for her.

And just then -

TEACHER
Your turn, Siddharth.

Damn! Sid stands up - a bit nervous.

TEACHER (CONT’D)
Translate for me: My father’s name
is...

Sid hesitates. Glances around.

His classmates giggle.

One of them enacts out an elephant. TRUMPET!

Sid’s humiliated eyes travel to Saloni. She’s giggling too.

2.27 EXT. THE WORDSWORTH FOUNDATION SCHOOL - DAY 2.27 *

Kids filing out.

Sid walks out of the gates and is taken aback to see -

Hathi Ram standing outside the school. He waves at Sid.

Sid walks up to him, conscious of the eyes following him.

HATHI RAM
Woh paas hee tha toh socha tujhe
ghar chod...
(rephrases; awkward)
Matlab... kya main tujhe ghar chhod
sakta hoon?

Sid looks at him. Looks like Hathi Ram means it.

THE PARKING:

They walk past the row of fancy cars. Hathi Ram looks at Sid -
who seems glum.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 26.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Toh... kaisa raha din?

Sid just shrugs, while continuing to chew on his gum.

Hathi Ram tries again -

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Achcha tujhe pata tha Sanjeev Mehra
tere school se hai? Milna ho to
bataaiyo...

Sid shrugs like he doesn’t care.

They walk in awkward silence to reach the police car - the

odd one in the parking lot.

They get in. Hathi Ram turns the ignition key.

It cranks but doesn’t start.

Again. Same result.

Sid looks at Hathi Ram - who seems a bit concerned now.

He tries it again. And again. But no, the damn thing just
won’t start.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Ek minute check karta hoon...

Sid rolls his eyes as Hathi Ram grunts and jumps out.

He opens the bonnet. Tries fiddling with the wires, cursing.

Sid watches - as the fancy cars roll out from the parking one
by one.

He spots Saloni. She jumps into one of the cars. It’s that
cocky boy Arjun driving it while his driver sits behind.

Damn - Sid’s super embarrassed. As they drive past - Sid

tries to hide his face.

BACK ON HATHI RAM:

Sweaty. His hands - all greased up. His phone rings.

Hathi Ram struggles to answer it with his greasy hands.

It’s Ansari.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D) *

Haan bol Ansari. *
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 27.

2.27PC INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - DAY 2.27PC *

Ansari at his desk, talking on the phone. *

ANSARI *
Sir Mary Lyngdoh ka mobile phone
record aa gaya hai. Use ek number
se regular phone aata jaata thha.
Wo number bandh hai par mazey ki
baat yeh hai ki donon SIM ek hee
address pe registered hain.
Nizamuddin Station ki koi redi hai. *
Detail whatsapp ki hai aapko.

HATHI RAM
Achcha...?

ANSARI (O.S.)
Sir aap usi taraf ho toh ek chakkar
lagaa loge? Main Zaakir Nagar jaa
raha hoon. Tariq ke chaacha ka pata
mila hai.

HATHI RAM
Hmmm... haan dekhta hoon...

Hathi Ram cuts the phone. Thinks - in the cover of the

bonnet. Then he sighs and goes to talk to Sid -

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Sorry yaar Sid... wo naa ek zaroori-

But - there’s no one there.

Hathi Ram looks around. But - Sid’s gone.

2.28 EXT. DELHI STREET - SANJEEV’S CAR - DAY 2.28

Sanjeev’s car drives on Delhi roads. Sanjeev’s on the

backseat, with one of his ‘Shadows’ sitting next to him and
the other one upfront.

Sanjeev’s eyes go to the rear view. He notices - the Shadow

sitting next to him is looking at him in the rear view.

Sanjeev’s phone rings - but doesn’t show a number. He picks

it up.

SANJEEV
Hello?

No response from the other side.

SANJEEV (CONT’D)
Hello? Kaun?

Just an ominous breathing sound from the other side.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 28.

Sanjeev tenses up a bit. His eyes go to - the rear view

mirror again. In it, he spots sitting next to him on the back
seat - Tyagi.

Sanjeev turns sharply. Of course, it’s only his Security

Officer there - staring at him awkwardly.

SHADOW ONE
Kya hua sir?

Sanjeev recovers. Looks at his phone. The line has been

disconnected.

He sits staring at the phone for a long time. And then -

SANJEEV
(to the driver)
Ashok gaadi rokna zara.

2.29 EXT. DELHI STREET - DAY 2.29

The car pulls over. Sanjeev steps out.

The Shadows follow suit - but Sanjeev signals them to stay by

the car.

He walks a little away and dials a number. Soon we hear -

SARA (O.S.)
(off the phone)
Hello?

SANJEEV
Hey! Can you find something out for
me?

2.30 INT. NEWS NOW OFFICE - SARA’S DESK - DAY 2.30

Sara at her desk.

She listens on. Scribbles something on her notepad.

2.31 EXT. DELHI STREET - DAY 2.31

SANJEEV
I’ll message you my new number.

He cuts the call. Then takes out a pin and opens the SIM slot *
of the phone with it. *

CLOSE ON the broken SIM as it lies on the road, while the car *
drives away in the bg. *
 29.

2.32 EXT. OLD DELHI RAILWAY STATION - DAY 2.32

TOP SHOT of the chaos at Old Delhi Railway Station. Hathi Ram
walks through the crowd.

2.33 EXT. OLD DELHI RAILWAY STATION - PLATFORM - FRUIT STALL -2.33
DAY

The Fruitwala is staring at a piece of paper in his hands -

Two mobile numbers.

FRUITWALA
Aise kaise pata chalega?

HATHI RAM
Address teri redi ka hai...

FRUITWALA
Sir ji wo kya hai na... mera baap
fruit juice ke saath SIM card bhi
bechta thha. Wo... station ke
laundon ko...

HATHI RAM
Dealer thha? Toh dealer ka pata
kyun hai address mein?

FRUITWALA
Arey ye station ke keede saab... in
ke paas kahaan address proof
hoga... toh wo dukaan ka de deta
tha.

The anger rises in Hathi Ram’s voice.

HATHI RAM
Kitne SIM baante hain aise?

The Fruitwala tries to evade Hathi Ram’s angry eyes.

FRUITWALA
Dus baarah saal mein... laga lo
aap... pata nahin kitne launde aaye
gaye...

HATHI RAM
Chutiye, andar jaana hai tujhe?

The Fruitwala is apologetic. A bit scared even.

FRUITWALA
Ab sab bandh hai Sir ji... maa
kasam. Rule hee itne tight ho
gaye...

HATHI RAM
Baap kahaan hai tera?
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 30.

FRUITWALA
Woh toh nikal liya. Pichhle saal.
(beat)
Anaar juice banaaun, Sir?

Hathi Ram’s angry eyes go to a photo in the shop - with a

cheap plastic garland around it.

Just then - A BEGGAR KID tugs at Hathi Ram’s sleeve.

FRUITWALA (CONT’D)
Bhaag bhosadi ke...

The Beggar Kid makes an obscene gesture -

BEGGAR KID
Baap bhootni ka, Beta chootni ka. *

Despite himself - Hathi Ram lets out a chuckle as he watches

the little kid run away.

2.34 EXT. MUSLIM GHETTO - DAY 2.34

ON another kid - running down a crammed lane. This one’s

wearing a skull cap though.

A little behind - Ansari, with constables Bhati and Tokas.

It’s a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood.

Ansari checks with a shopkeeper. Continues his walk.

Finally, he reaches -

2.35 EXT. MUSLIM GHETTO - TAARIQ’S HOUSE - DAY 2.35

A hive of pigeon-coop houses. He walks up the rickety

staircase to the third floor - which has a small terrace.

An ANGRY MUSLIM OLD MAN, holds a rubber cricket ball and a

knife in his hands. While a MUSLIM BOY pleads -

MUSLIM BOY
Chacha, fir ball idhar nahin aayegi
chacha. Please chacha!

But the Old Man is in no mood to forgive. He cuts the ball

and throws the halves at the crushed Boy.

The Old Man notices - the cops.

ANSARI
Salaam walaikum.

OLD MAN
Walaikum assalam.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 31.

ANSARI
Taariq ghar pe hai?

Beat. A moment passes before -

OLD MAN
Jee... Taariq toh nahi hai...

The Boy gets a chance to avenge himself -

MUSLIM BOY
Jhooth bolta hai buddha. Andar hi
hai.

Ansari sharply looks at the Man. His face betrays his lie.

From below, the Boy throws the ball at the Old Man, but *
misses. The Old Man takes his chappal off and throws it back *
at the boy, shouting - *

OLD MAN *
Bhaag bhosadi ke... *

Ansari barges into the house along with Bhati while *

signalling Tokas to stay put. *

2.36 INT./EXT. MUSLIM GHETTO - TAARIQ’S HOUSE - DAY 2.36

No one in the living room.

Ansari rushes to one room.

The constables rush to the other. Tokas is leading - and he

bumps into a young man - TAARIQ.

Their eyes meet. And that’s it. They both know.

TOKAS
(shouts)
SAAB!

Taariq PUSHES Tokas on to Bhati and makes a dash for it.

The cops tumble over each other. Ansari comes running out
from the other room. He goes after Taariq.

Taariq runs out and down the steps, three at a time.

Ansari close on his heels. The Constables pick up speed.

They run out into -

2.37 EXT. MUSLIM GHETTO - DAY 2.37

Taariq runs for his life, dodging carts and bikes and kids.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 32.

Ansari is hot on his heels.

UP AHEAD - The road is dug out. Taariq jumps across the

trench. So does Ansari. The Constables have to circumvent it.
Too big for their rusty physique.

2.38 EXT. DELHI STREET - DAY 2.38

A wild chase on the busy footpaths of Delhi. Past small

shops, parked auto rickshaws, zooming cars and crowd.

Taariq is quite out of breath now, yet he runs.

So does Ansari. But Taariq seems to be getting away.

Ansari stands right in the middle of the road and barricades

an oncoming bike. The bike screeches to a halt.

He almost pushes the BIKER down from his bike, gestures Bhati
to sit pillion, muttering to the Biker -

ANSARI
Emergency hai.

And even before the Biker can realise, Ansari and Bhati have
zoomed away after Taariq.

Traffic and pedestrians ahead. Ansari doesn’t drop pace,

dangerously dodging past obstacles.

Bhati seems concerned with the video game like driving -

BHATI
Thoda dekh ke saab...

But Ansari won’t let go. He’s getting close to Taariq.

Taariq looks back, terrified, and runs faster.

Ansari too accelerates. Bhati SCREAMS. For just then -

A COLLEGE GIRL listening to music on her headphones, crosses

the road right ahead.

Ansari brakes hard. But - CRASH!

FADE OUT / IN:

2.39 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - DAY 2.39

Hathi Ram is on an awkward phone call with DCP Bhagat while *

an embarrassed Ansari stands nearby.

HATHI RAM
Jee Sir... Sorry Sir... Sir aage se
poora dhyaan rahega Sir...
(MORE)
 33.

HATHI RAM (CONT'D)

Sir wo headquarter se ek look out
notice chalaa jaata toh... Sir.

The phone call ends. Hathi Ram lets out a frustrated sigh.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Taariq ka photo headquarter bhejo.
Aur kuchh fruits woots le ke
nursing home jaao, sorry bolne...
us ladki ki family media mein randi
rona macha rahi hai.

ANSARI
(protests)
Galti us ladki ki thhi Sir... aur
utni koi lagi bhi nahi usey...

Hathi Ram looks at him sharply. And snaps.

HATHI RAM
Dekh bhai. Mera koi exam interview
nahi hona... Ye ek mauka mila hai
ek dhang ka case handle karne ka...
Aur ab is gadbad ki wajah se Bhagat
saab keh rahe hain ki Chitrakoot
chhodo yehaan ki investigation toh
theek se kar lo. Toh please aage se
thoda dhyaan se...

Hathi Ram gets up and storms out of there - past Constable

Manju Verma’s desk, who stands up stiff as Hathi Ram walks
past her.

Hathi Ram reaches the waiting area. Notices - The Old Man
from Taariq’s house sitting on a bench.

Hathi Ram shouts back at no one in particular.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Andar daalo is ko, koi entry mat
karna. Aur family ko bolo, jab tak
Taariq surrender nahin karta,
Chachu jaan yahin pe rahenge.

Hathi Ram glares at the Old Man for a bit before finally
storming out. Just as -

Sara walks into the police station. And looks around.

BACK AT MANJU VERMA’S DESK:

Manju Verma relaxes and starts packing up for the day. She
flips out her phone and makes a call.

MANJU VERMA
Suno, nikal rahi hoon. Daal chadha
dena.
(MORE)
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 34.

MANJU VERMA (CONT'D)

Nahi sabzi toh maine yehin kaat li.
Lauki hai, dus minute mein ban
jaayegi...

Just then, Sara appears there. Manju Verma looks at her.

Sara puts down something in front of her.

SARA
Madam, ye Sanjeev sir ne aap ki *
family ke liye bheji hai. *

Manju Verma looks at the box in front of her. She opens it.
Pastries inside.

Manju Verma’s face lights up with genuine surprise.

2.40 INT. SANJEEV’S HOUSE - PAINTING ROOM - DAY 2.40 *

The large living room is buzzing with an unusual sound.

We slowly begin to make sense of it as we see A DOZEN ODD MEN

and WOMEN (Dolly’s chanting group) sitting upright on their
folded legs, chanting.

‘Nam myoho renge kyo’. ‘Nam myoho renge kyo’. Over and over
again. And one of Dolly’s friends gently hits a gong with a
little stick every now and then.

Sitting somewhere there - Dolly. A picture of sincerity and *

devotion. And next to her is Sanjeev, looking rather restless *
- clearly something playing on his mind. *

We slowly TRACK INTO him. *

INSERT: A FLASH of an IMAGE - Tyagi staring at Sanjeev with *

cold, expressionless eyes. *

Sanjeev - bothered by the memory. *

His eyes go to - His phone blinking. He glances around and *

checks.

It’s a message from Sara.

Sanjeev reads it, then hurries out of the room. *

A surprised Dolly turns to look at him go. *

2.41 EXT. SANJEEV'S HOUSE - DRIVEWAY - DAY 2.41 *

Sanjeev is about to get into his car when -

Dolly appears from behind.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 35.

DOLLY
Sanjeev!

Sanjeev winces at being caught. Then turns around -

SANJEEV
Sorry Dolly, I got to go.

DOLLY
But... we’re chanting for you,
Sanjeev. You... you need this
positive energy.

SANJEEV
I know. But I really need to.

Awkwardly, he walks out and gets into the car. *

Dolly watches the car drive away with hurt and disappointment *
on her face.

2.42 INT. SARA’S HOUSE - NIGHT 2.42

A chit of paper with the names of the four accused.

Sanjeev sits staring at them.

SARA
How did they look?

SANJEEV
Like the man on the road selling
you pirated paperbacks. Or the one
driving your car... or guarding
your house.

Sara looks at his brooding face.

SANJEEV (CONT’D)
You know... you can meet a million
killers as a journalist. But it’s
another thing to come face to face
with your killer. There’s something
raw, something primal about that
experience... it’s almost
spiritual. Those eyes... they’re
haunting me.

He turns to Sara and looks into her eyes, looking rather

vulnerable.

SANJEEV (CONT’D)
Does that make me a weak person?

SARA
No. That only makes you real.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 36.

On an instinct, Sara leans forward and kisses him.

Sanjeev’s quite taken by surprise. He gently pulls himself

back. Shows her his marriage ring.

The moment lingers.

SARA (CONT’D)
I won’t judge you, if you don’t
judge me.

They stare into each other’s eyes.

And then he leans in for a kiss.

And soon, they’re both having a go at each other like they’ve

been meaning to for a while, hungrily tearing at each others’
clothes.

Sara takes Sanjeev by hand and pulls him towards the bedroom
door.

As she opens it - a little Beagle turns its head to look at

them and starts barking for attention.

SARA (CONT’D)
Out, Toto! Sanjeev doesn’t like
you.

SANJEEV
(while kissing)
It’s not that. I’m just allergic.

SARA
You heard him, Toto! Out!

And they continue to undress each other while lustily making

out. The dog finally gets the cue and runs out. *

Sara slams the door shut with her foot.

2.43 INT. HATHI RAM'S HOUSE - NIGHT 2.43

A door opens. And a tired Hathi Ram enters. O.S. sounds of

LAUGHTER coming from inside. Hathi Ram sighs - he’s so not in
the mood for this!

He walks in to see the expected - Jitu and Renu happily

chatting away.

And the unexpected - A weird machine occupying a large space,

bang in the middle of the living room. It’s got a couple of
cylinders, a faucet at the bottom of one. Red and green
blinking lights.

Hathi Ram’s face says ‘What the fuck is this?!’

 37.

JITU
Jijaji ki jai ho! Ho gaye na
surprise? Ab poocho yeh kya hai?

HATHI RAM
Kya hai ye?

Jitu enthusiastically gets up, puts a glass under the faucet

and pushes a button. Nothing happens. Once again. Nothing.

The smile on Renu’s and Jitu’s face disappears.

Jitu slaps the cylinders twice.

Hathi Ram shakes his head, starts walking away, but just then
- PHOOOOSSSSHHHHHH! The machine hisses.

And a JINGLE goes off in the machine. The lights blink. And
finally, after another PHOOOOSSSSHHHH and POP, the faucet
spews out a fizzy, transparent drink.

Jitu hands the glass to Hathi Ram. He takes a sip.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Soda.

Jitu looks at Renu, and they laugh.

JITU
Aap bhi maar khaa gaye na Jijaji?!
Ye hai sparkling water. Europe side
yehi use hota hai, soda woda koi
nahi peeta...

Hathi Ram nods. He’s really in no mood for this.

JITU (CONT’D)
Achcha ab poochho kya business
shuru kiya hai?

Hathi Ram looks at him and then at the machine.

HATHI RAM
Sparkling water.

A grin appears on Jitu’s face.

JITU
Cheers.

2.44 EXT. RAJU BHAIYYA’S HOUSE - TERRACE - NIGHT 2.44

ON a beer bottle getting passed around. It’s 14-15 YEAR OLD

KIDS from a middle class locality, on to their early
experimentation with alcohol.

The bottle reaches Sid - who takes a tentative sip. Hates it.
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 38.

Meanwhile, regaling them all with a story is RAJU BHAIYYA,

mid 20s - clearly older than the rest by a good few years.

RAJU BHAIYYA
Chaar thhe bhosadi waale... Ye
doley bhenchod! Aise ghoor rahe
thhe ki beta beer khatam hone tak
bhaag sakta hai toh bhaag le.

He pauses for dramatic effect. Looks at his audience. Yeah,

they all seem in it.

RAJU BHAIYYA (CONT’D)

Maine bhi bhaisaab gun nikali aur
wahin table pe dhar dee. Tatti
sookh gayi unki. Seedhe nikal liye.
Unka Gobi Manchuria bhi maine hee *
khaaya, aur bataao.

Most of the kids, including Sid, seem impressed. Except for

one LOUD MOUTHED KID.

LOUD MOUTHED KID

Arey kya yaar Raju Bhaiyya... Gun
kahaan se aa gayi aap ke paas?
Kuchh bhi mat phenko.

The bottle reaches the Kid and he takes a sip.

And just then, Raju Bhaiyya gets up, grabs him by his throat
from behind, pulls something out of his shirt and presses it
against his temple.

RAJU BHAIYYA
Ab bol bhonsdi ke.

It’s a gun. A real gun. And it freaks them all out!

The kid spits out the beer and ends up in a coughing spree. *
Yeah, he’s genuinely stunned!

Raju pushes him away and stands there with his gun, laughing.

The boys are super-impressed. They gather around Raju.

SID
Raju Bhaiyya, ek baar pakadne do
yaar... kya yaar please na, papa *
bhi nahi dete... *

But Raju laughs at him and pushes him away.

RAJU BHAIYYA
Abey ye English Medium waalon ke
liye nahi hai... isko pakadne ke *
liye desi gotey chahiye...
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 39.

The boys click pictures. Sid - slighted, but unable to take

his eyes off Raju and his gun.

2.45 INT. HATHI RAM'S HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 2.45

Renu gives Hathi Ram a head massage, while him and Jitu sit
drinking. They’re both a bit tipsy and Jitu’s on a roll -

JITU
Itne saal ho gaye business karte,
par by God aisi company nahi dekhi.
Product bolo, scheme bolo... A-one.
Poori Dilli ko nehla doonga...

HATHI RAM
Teri wo mobile phone waali agency
ka kya hua?

It deflates Jitu’s enthusiasm just that bit. But he recovers -

JITU
Arey health bhi koi cheez hoti hai.
Radiation nikalta hai unme se.
Maine kahaa - ‘Naa, karna hee nahi
aisa kaam’! Kyun Sister?

Renu chimes in her support. But Hathi Ram won’t let go -

HATHI RAM
Aur usse pehle woh holiday package
wala?

Renu discretely pulls at Hathi Ram’s hair.

RENU
Chhodo na kahaan puraani baatein le
ke baith gaye...

Just then, Sid walks in.

JITU
Bhaanje! Aa jaa baith. Drink lega?

HATHI RAM
Pagal hai kya? Chhota hai abhi.
(to Sid; authoritative)
Jaa. Tu andar jaa.

Sid rolls his eyes.

2.46 INT. HATHI RAM'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT 2.46

Sid walks in and heads straight to- *

Hathi Ram’s pants on the hanger. The wallet sticking out.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 40.

Sid peeps out. All clear.

He tiptoes to the pants. Pulls out the wallet, takes three

hundred rupee notes, before depositing the wallet back.

As he is about to turn back, he notices - Hathi Ram’s gun in

the holster.

With tentative hands - he pulls out the gun. Feels it. The
cold metal. The weight.

He looks at himself in the mirror. Ooh, it feels so cool!

His finger goes to the trigger. Slowly - it wraps itself

around it. Just as we slowly TRACK IN... CLOSE. Real close.

2.47 INT. / EXT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - DAY 2.47

BANG! Ansari slams the phone receiver. Rushes to -

HATHI RAM’S DESK:

Ansari hands over a chit to Hathi Ram.

ANSARI
Sir wo registration office se
address mil gaya... us Tope Singh
waale ghar ke owner ka. Main dekh
ke aata hoon.

Hathi Ram looks at him - still a little sullen. And then

takes the chit -

HATHI RAM
Main khud jaaunga. Tum dekho wo
phone mila kya paani mein...?

Ansari watches him go. A bit crestfallen.

2.48 EXT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - DAY 2.48

As Hathi Ram walks out, he passes by -

Some of the constables sipping tea. Bhati, with a sling

bandage around his arm from the fall that he took, is the
center of attraction.

CONSTABLE BHATI
Ek toh anaari, upar se miyaan. Ab
is ko doosre Miyan bhai ko pakadne
bhejoge toh yahi hoga.

TOKAS
Arey ye Kashmiri musalle toh aur *
bhi kattar hotey hain! *
(MORE)
 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 41.

TOKAS (CONT'D)
Wo Chaudhary saab ne jab
interrogation mein us Kabir ko
katua bola thha toh kaise sulgi thi
iski.

And then they see Hathi Ram. He stares them down. They
disperse awkwardly.

Hathi Ram thinks. Then walks back in and SHOUTS OUT so as to

let everyone hear.

HATHI RAM
ANSARI!

Ansari looks up from his desk.

ANSARI
Sir.

HATHI RAM
Chal, late ho raha hai.

Ansari - surprised. And then hurries after him, smiling.

2.49 EXT. SHAUKI MAMA’S HOUSE - COURTYARD - DAY 2.49 *

Pictures of gods all around. SHAUKI MAMA - Chaaku’s uncle -

seems like a pious family man as he talks to Hathi Ram and
Ansari. Pictures of Guru Ravidas around.

A MENTALLY CHALLENGED SON, 20, sits in a corner, blankly

watching flies buzz off the mosquito racket he is holding.

SHAUKI MAMA
Flat diya rehne ko... saath kaam pe
lagaaya... Socha set ho jaayega
munda. Mera bhi kal ko kaam
sambhaalne waala koi ho jaayega.
Par uska dimaag toh kahin aur hee
thha. Dhandhe mein bhi ghotala
kiya. Kya karta? Nikaalna pada.

HATHI RAM
Kab ki baat hai?

SHAUKI MAMA
Chaar cheh maheene pehle. Tab se
koi contact nahi hai jee. *

Hathi Ram and Ansari exchange a glance.

HATHI RAM
Kabhi kisi ‘Masterji’ ka naam suna
uske moonh se? Ya koi Vishal Tyagi?

Shauki thinks. Then shakes his head.

 42.

SHAUKI’S WIFE enters with two cups of tea.

SHAUKI’S WIFE
Manaa kiya thha inko. Itna bada
kaand kar ke aaya tha gaaon mein
fir bhi inhone rakha.

Hathi Ram looks at her.

HATHI RAM
Kaisa kaand?

SHAUKI MAMA
(hastily)
Jee wo sab detail hamein nahi pata.
Museebat mein thha bachcha. Mama
hoon, madad toh karni padti hai...

Shauki’s wife rolls her eyes. And just as she is to turn away-

HATHI RAM
Tope Singh ke baare mein aur kis se
pata chal sakta hai?

The wife stops.

SHAUKI’S WIFE
Chacha hai jee uska, gaaon mein.
Badi banti hai dono mein. Chaache
ko sab pata hoga.

Hathi Ram turns to Shauki Mama this time.

HATHI RAM
Naam?

SHAUKI MAMA
(sighs)
Mahipal Singh. Pind Haveliyan.

2.50 INT. JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION - SHO’S CABIN - DAY 2.50

Hathi Ram and Ansari stand in front of SHO Virk.

SHO VIRK
Punjab? Punjab kyun?

HATHI RAM
Sir investigation ke liye. Zaroori
nahi hota toh aap se nahi kehta...

SHO VIRK
Zaroori hai toh tum jaao na. Ansari
abhi naya hai...
 43.

HATHI RAM
(hesitates)
Sir wo kya hai na... main aaj raat
hee Chitrakoot jaa raha hoon.

Virk looks at him sharply.

SHO VIRK
Ye kab bataaya tumne?

HATHI RAM
Wo Sir... Bhagat Sir ka order hai.

SHO VIRK
Arey haan. Hathi Ram Chaudhary ke
order toh wahaan se aate hain na
aaj kal.

He turns to Ansari. Fixes him with a gaze and a smile that’s

more a warning.

SHO VIRK (CONT’D)

Theek hai bhai, jaao. Ab
headquarter se order hai toh kya
kar sakte hain...

Ansari cringes.

2.51 INT. HATHI RAM'S HOUSE - DAY 2.51

Renu packs Hathi Ram’s bag. Clothes, toiletries, snacks, head

massager. Muttering instructions all along -

RENU
Kal nashte tak toh pooriyan chal
jaayegi. Ulta seedha mat khaana,
fir gas ho gayi toh sar dukhega...
Waise head massager bhi rakh diya
hai.

Hathi Ram nods as he checks his wallet. Something’s amiss.

HATHI RAM
Kuch paise liye kya tumne?

RENU
Nahin toh. Kyun?

Hathi Ram’s suspecting eyes go to Jitu - spread on the sofa.

HATHI RAM
Ek-do din bola tha. Aaj chautha din
hai.

Renu gives him a mock glare.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 44.

RENU
Kya problem hai? Jaa rahe ho na
waise bhi tum...

And then she walks to him and gives him a hug. With the door
open, it’s kinda awkward for them.

RENU (CONT’D)
Sambhal ke jaana. Aur peena mat.

2.52 EXT. BUS DEPOT - NIGHT 2.52 *

Note: Change in scene location. *

ON a ‘quarter’ of rum.

Sitting at a bench - Ansari and Hathi Ram mix it in a Coke *

bottle.

ANSARI
Sir shaayad hamein Bhagat Sir se
hee permission leni chahiye thhi
mere jaane ki...

HATHI RAM
Arey wo Chitrakoot ko le ke hee
manaa kar rahe thhe... aur fir ye
Taariq wala kaam ho gaya...

Hathi Ram shakes the bottle and takes a swig. Nice!

ANSARI
Ek baat poochhun Sir?

Haathi Ram looks at him.

ANSARI (CONT’D)
SHO saab ki aap se koi personal
khunnas hai?

Hathi Ram lets out a smile.

HATHI RAM
Virk se ek aadh saal senior hoon
main. Uski training mere under hui
thhi... Okhla mein. Itna laind thha
ki Fuddu Singh bulaate thhe usey.
(chuckles)
Maine hee rakha tha naam.

Hathi Ram takes another swig and offers to Ansari who refuses-

ANSARI
Sir padhna hai...

Hathi Ram shakes his head.

 Blue Rev. (mm/dd/yy) 45.

HATHI RAM
Par saala gotiyaan fit karne mein
tez thha. Nikal gaya. Hum wahin reh
gaye. Okhla, Okhla se Kadkadduma,
Fir Outer Jamuna Paar... paataal
lok ke permanent niwaasi!

He looks out into the dark of the night - glum.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Fir do saal pehle jab SHO ban ke
yehaan aaya, toh apne cabin mein
bula ke kahaa - ‘History apni jagah
hai, Chaudhary. Par sab ke saamne
mujhe ‘Sir’ bulaana. Discipline ki
baat hai...’
(beat)
Tab pata chalaa... bhenchod Fuddu
Singh toh main hoon.

Hathi Ram takes a swig and looks at Ansari - the hurt in his
eyes clearly visible.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)

Ye case bahot zaroori hai mere
liye, Ansari...

Ansari nods and takes the bottle from him. Ansari raises it,
as if to say ‘Cheers’, and takes a sip.

A moment.

2.53 EXT. DELHI HIGHWAY TO CHITRAKOOT - MOVING BUS - NIGHT 2.53

The bus zips through the highway at night.

Hathi Ram lies wide awake - staring out into the darkness,
sipping from his bottle.

Things on his mind.

2.54 EXT. DELHI HIGHWAY TO JALANDHAR - MOVING BUS - NIGHT 2.54

Under the dim light of the overhead LED bulb, Ansari studies.
Despite the uncomfortable seat and the snoring co-passenger.

2.55 EXT. YAMUNA RIVER BANK - DAY 2.55 *

It’s dawn. The early morning rays shine over the Yamuna
waters, littered with plastic bags. It’s all calm.

And just then - POP!

The Diver emerges from the water, gasping.

 46.

But this time, he has not come out empty-handed.

In his hand is the object he was searching for in the depths

of the Yamuna - that yellow phone that belongs to Chaaku!

FADE OUT.

ROLL IN END CREDITS. *