A DEATH IN THE GUNJ

Written by
Konkona Sensharma

Additional Screenplay
Disha Rindani

Based on a short story by Mukul Sharma.

Draft 7.1

Date : 21/01/2016

Registration Number: L-58669/2014

A 1203/4 Poseidon Apartments

Off Yari Road, Panch Marg
Versova, Andheri West
Mumbai 400061
022-26303212
 ON BLACK

Super: McCluskiegunj, 1979.

FADE IN:

1 EXT. UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. DUSK 1

An old, blue Ambassador is parked in the middle of a stark

and barren landscape. A shabby building stands at a distance.
The camera is in the boot of the car and as the boot is
lifted, we see Nandu (35) and Brian (34) silhouetted against
a bright afternoon sky. Nandu has his hands on his hips and
Brian is peering into the boot. They are both dressed in
unkempt winter clothes and look dishevelled.

The camera is behind them now as Nandu and Brian awkwardly

struggle to hoist a dead body wrapped in a sheet into the
trunk. It does not fit. Nandu holds on to the feet that stick
out in an awkward position.

BRIAN
(Holding onto the head)
Why don’t you bend the knees, like
in a foetal position?

They exchange a look. They put the body in a foetal position;

it fits. They slam the boot shut. On black we hear,

BRIAN (O.C.) (CONT’D)

You’re okay to drive?

NANDU (O.C.)
Ya. You got the papers right?

BRIAN (O.C.)
Yup.

The doors close and the ignition starts. As the blue

ambassador drives away we see revealed the dilapidated sign:
Ranchi Morgue, against a stark landscape.

CUT TO:

2 EXT. RANCHI HIGHWAY. DUSK. 2

In a series of long shots we see the same ambassador on a

lonely stretch of a highway.

CUT TO:
 2.

3 INT/EXT. RANCHI HIGHWAY. DUSK. 3

Through the window of the driver’s seat we see Nandu driving.

Brian is sitting in the passenger’s seat. He lights two
cigarettes and gives Nandu one.

CUT TO:

4 INT/EXT. RANCHI HIGHWAY. DUSK. 4

Through the windscreen we see a third passenger in the

backseat: Shutu (23), wearing a green woollen sweater,
sitting at the edge of his seat. He looks worried and scared.
We move to an extreme close up.

CUT TO:

5 EXT. RANCHI HIGHWAY. DUSK. 5

We are on a wide lens on the side of the road. Highway in the

foreground and landscape at the back. The ambassador enters
frame right and exits left. The title fades in as though
floating on the landscape at the back: A DEATH IN THE GUNJ.

5.A The frame bleaches to day as the titles fade out and the same
5.A
car, now quite dusty, passes left to right.

CUT TO:

6 INT/EXT. RANCHI HIGHWAY. DAY. 6

Inside the car Bonnie, Nandu’s wife, sleeps with her head
lolled back.

Super: One week earlier. Day One/Monday (27th DECEMBER)

Bonnie (Barnali Bakshi) is about 34, has a quirky, pretty

face and is wearing over-sized sunglasses with a scarf tied
under her chin. Nandu and Bonnie’s daughter, Tania Bakshi (7)
is asleep on her mother’s lap, clutching an old rag doll.

Their friend, Mimi (Mitali Basu) (34) is also in the back

seat. Mimi is an abundantly sexy, well turned out woman. She
has a book open on her lap, though they are all sleeping.
They are wearing winter, travelling clothes.

Nandu sits in front, driving. His shirt sleeves rolled up and

a lit cigarette in one hand. There are empty beer bottles
clinking on the floor of the car.

Shutu sits in the front passenger seat. He has a Rubik’s cube

in his hands though he is surreptitiously looking at MIMI’s
reflection in the rear view mirror.
 3.

Nandu looks in the rear view mirror notices the girls huddled
up in the cold, sleeping at the back.

NANDU
All out.

Shutu looks behind and turns back at Nandu, smiles and goes
back to his Rubik’s cube.

CUT TO:

7 EXT. HIGHWAY. DAY. 7

The ambassador drives past a rusty signboard that reads:

‘McCluskiegunj: your visit will surprise you’, with a map
underneath. We stay on the board as the car drives by.

Shutu leans out of his window to get a better look.

CUT TO:

8 EXT. HIGHWAY. DUSK. 8

In a long shot we see the car turning off the highway.

As the car approaches the little town, the shops are closing.
Bonnie wakes up with a start, smoothens out her clothes and
ties her hair.

BONNIE
We’ve almost reached na... Remember
to stop at Curney’s.

NANDU
If it’s still open.

A shutter comes down on a shop as Nandu slows the car down.

BONNIE
No, no. It’s up ahead.

TANI (O.C.)
(whispers)
Mama, susu.

Nandu pulls up to a small house. They all come out of the

car, shaking off the stupor of the long ride and stretch
their legs.

CUT TO:

9 INT. CURNEY HOUSE. DUSK 9

They enter a dilapidated house.

 4.

BONNIE
Mrs. Curney! Are you still open?

There is an old man, Mr. Curney, huddled up in the corner,

who doesn’t respond. Hearing a sound, Mrs. Curney pops her
head out from behind a tatty lace curtain.

MRS CURNEY
Nandu! You’ll are finally here!
I was waiting for you folks.

Mrs Curney gives Tani a hug.

MRS CURNEY (CONT’D)

Hello deary!

Tani is stiff and looks away. Bonnie smiles apologetically.

BONNIE
She’s been sleeping. Is there a
bathroom we can use?

MRS CURNEY
Of course! Come, come.
(Turning to the others)
Go ahead and have a look.

Mrs Curney trails off as she takes Bonnie and Tani to the
bathroom.

MRS CURNEY (CONT’D)

It’s a bit of a mess, don’t mind.

Mimi remains outside looking at an old picture of Mr. and

Mrs. Curney with a little girl from a happier, more
prosperous time. Mr. Curney watches her blankly.

CUT TO:

10 INT/EXT. CURNEY HOUSE - BAKERY. DUSK 10

Shutu is looking at patties and cakes under the old fashioned

glass counter. Mrs Curney bursts back in startling Shutu in
the process.

MRS CURNEY
Your mother mentioned you’ll were
coming today so I kept a loaf aside
for you.

NANDU
Curney’s special loaf!

Mrs Curney laughs, pleased.

 5.

MRS CURNEY
It gets sold out so soon. You know
the holiday season?

NANDU
Of course. You remember my cousin,
Shutu?

SHUTU
Shyamal. Hello.

Mrs Curney smiles vaguely at Nandu.

NANDU
He’s not been in a while
actually... (To shutu) When’s the
last time you were here?

SHUTU
Err... Just last year I think.

Bonnie and Tani come back out. Nandu takes out his wallet.

NANDU
We’d better hurry before it gets
dark!

Mrs. Curney takes out a small Christmas cake and places it on

the counter.

MRS CURNEY
Why don’t you take this also? Your
old man will love it. It’s got rum
in it.

Nandu agrees reluctantly.

MRS CURNEY (CONT’D)

That will be 9 rupees and 4 annas
only.

CUT TO:

11 INT. MRS. CURNEY’S BAKERY. DUSK 11

Mrs. Curney hums a tune as she makes her way to the back of
the shop. She reaches the kitchen and puts her apron on. She
picks up a tied up, half-dead chicken and places it on a
cutting block. With her back to camera, she raises her hand
and brings it down on the block.

CUT TO:
 6.

12 EXT. NEAR THE HOUSE. DUSK 12

The car is going down a dirt road at the end of which is

Nandu’s parent’s house. It is a lonely, isolated property
with few neighbours. There are dense forests behind the
house. The car reaches the worn wooden gate and honks loudly.
There is a nameplate which reads ‘COL. (Retd) O.P Bakshi.’

13 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. DUSK 13

Maniya (45), the Adivasi caretaker, comes out onto the

driveway with a torch to open the gate with a shy smile. He
is wearing a monkey cap and muffler. Nandu slows the car down
and Maniya leans in.

NANDU
Kaisa hain Maniya? Mahua ka
intezaam ho gaya?

MANIYA
Haan haan... Sabh taiyyaar hain!

As the car pulls into the red graveled driveway of the house,
Maniya shuts the gate behind them. A couple of dogs run
behind the car and bark, adding to the commotion.

We see the house lit up by the headlights of the car, there’s

no power.

Nandu’s parents, in their late sixties come out to the

verandah to greet them, holding hurricanes. They are blinded
by the beam of light from the car.

Uncle is portly, balding with a slight paunch. Aunty looks

frail but sturdy. She is wearing a sari with a sweater and a
shawl.

AUNTY
Manjari, aa jao. Woh log aa gaye
hain.

Tani runs to her grandparents with her rag doll in hand,

followed by Bonnie. Mimi steps out with her vanity case in
hand. Nandu throws the car keys to Shutu as he walks to the
verandah with a bag in hand.

NANDU
Open the dicky for Maniya.

Shutu catches the keys. As he opens the boot, he stands alone

and watches the family greet each other. From his POV, we see
the house for the first time. It is a modest bungalow with a
circuit house feel.

UNCLE (O.C.)
Arrey, bada time lag gaya tum logon
ko.
 7.

AUNTY (O.C.)
Did you manage to leave at 5?

NANDU (O.C.)
By the time we left, it was almost
6. And then we had to pick up this
Mimi also.

MIMI
Arrey I was ready and waiting for
you guys for ages!

Maniya’s wife, Manjari, (45) also their cook, comes to help

Shutu with the luggage. Shutu picks up his backpack and
proceeds to the verandah.

AUNTY
Ki re Shutu? Exams over?

SHUTU
(Bends down to touch her
feet)
Yes, Mashi. Thanks.

AUNTY
Ma bhalo?
(How is your mother, all well?)

SHUTU
Shob bhalo.
(All well, thanks!)

They proceed into the house.

CUT TO:

14 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. DUSK 14

Shutu puts a few bags down near the round dining table on
which lies Aunty’s knitting kit. It is a combined living and
dining room with a fireplace and a bar cabinet in a corner. A
string of season’s greetings cards hang over the mantelpiece.
Above the fireplace is mounted a rifle, a .30 semi-automatic
carbine.

Shutu pauses to look at a few family photographs mounted on

the wall.

NANDU
Why hasn’t the fire been lit yet?

UNCLE
Look at these city people!
Arrey, yeh thand toh kuch bhi nahi
hain. Abhi January aane do.
 8.

AUNTY
Don’t worry, we’ll put hot water
bottles and extra blankets in your
rooms. Maniya, lakdi leke aao.

NANDU
You locked it?

SHUTU
Uh.. No.

NANDU
Go and lock it Shutu. This is
Bihar!

MIMI
And nobody ever steals anything in
Cal na?

Mimi walks across with her bag.

AUNTY
Yes, please lock it. You remember
when we found that man sleeping in
the car? My God.

MIMI
What? Really?

Shutu looks surprised.

AUNTY
Why do you think we’re raising the
boundary wall?

UNCLE
10,000 rupees we’re spending on it!

AUNTY
It’s been very cold off late.

UNCLE
I don’t care how cold, how drunk.
Thand ho toh mere gaadi mein soyega
kya? Kal bolenge mere verandah mein
sona hain.

Nandu notices that Shutu is still standing there and

listening.

NANDU
Just go and lock it up Shutu!

Shutu abruptly turns around to go outside.

CUT TO:
 9.

15 INT. BONNIE’S ROOM. NIGHT 15

Bonnie is unpacking in the guest bedroom which is simple yet

pretty with lace curtains and some basic furniture. Tani is
jumping on the bed where some toiletries have been laid out.

BONNIE
Tani, get out of those filthy
clothes first!

Aunty enters with blankets and places it down on the bed.

Bonnie takes out few tins of condensed milk, some lace
serviettes, a bottle of cream and 2 tins of Yardley’s Talcum
powder gives it to Aunty. Inside the suitcase we can see
bottles of alcohol and cigarette supplies.

AUNTY
Shonamuni, khe cho?

BONNIE
Maa, tomar jeenish gulo.

AUNTY
Peyechish. Can’t get anything in
this godforsaken place. Cha khabi
toh?

BONNIE
No, we’ll have dinner soon na.

Aunty makes a move to go.

BONNIE (CONT’D)
Oh and we’ve got some Christmas
Cake also. Curney managed to palm
it off to Nandu.

AUNTY
Uff Curney...

Aunty looks at Tani and smiles.

AUNTY (CONT’D)
Ek anna ka fika chai,
Ek anna ka fulauri.

Tani joins in, jumping with glee.

BONNIE
Maa, you don’t teach her these
things.

Aunty walks away laughing.

CUT TO:
 10.

16 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 16

Shutu is huddled at the fire that has just been lit. Nandu is
pouring the drinks and looks anxiously at his father. Aunty
walks in with serviettes.

NANDU
How is your knee Baba? Better?

UNCLE
(Grunts)
At my age nothing gets better.

NANDU
Face it Ma, you guys will have to
move back to Cal sooner or later.

AUNTY
Oof! You’ve started already!

UNCLE
Arrey tumhe kis baat ki chinta
hain? Doctor Goswami aata
rehta hain na yaha.

AUNTY
Ha, ha aata rehta hain... Roj aata
hain aur roj hamara ek bottle daru
pee jata hain.

NANDU
(Laughing)
Baba, agar aapko peena hain toh Dr.
Uncle ke saath piyo.
(To Aunty)
But if something happens, you’re
going to call Vikram only na to
drive him to Maandar.

AUNTY
Not that Vikram is going to be any
less drunk.
(Turning to Shutu)
Shutu go and put on a sweater.

The approaching headlights of a jeep shine into the living

room from outside.

AUNTY (CONT’D)
Whose car is that?

CUT TO:

17 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. NIGHT 17

Nandu opens the front door. The jeep halts at the verandah.
Their local friends Brian and Vikram step out of the jeep.
 11.

Vikramjit Choudhary (38), a moustached man wears a rugged

leather jacket, faded jeans and boots. Brian McKenzie (34), a
pleasant faced, burly Anglo-Indian man wears a hand knitted
sweater and has a distinct small-town demeanor in comparison
to Vikram's confident swagger.

NANDU
Arrey Jamai babu! Where’s your
ghodi?

Vikram laughs sheepishly and hugs Nandu. Vikram holds

Nandu’s face in both his hands and kisses his cheeks loudly.

BRIAN
Ghodi ya gaadi? Dekho jamai babu ko
dowry mein kya mila.

Brian gestures to VIKRAM’s new jeep.

VIKRAM
Kya mila? Yaha toh dena pada.

NANDU
Made a killing ha? What happened to
Stella?

Nandu hugs Brian slapping him on his back. The three of them
greet each other boisterously.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Brian! Good to see you man!

Nandu notices Vikram taking out a big box from the back seat
of his jeep.

NANDU (CONT’D)
What the fuck is that?

VIKRAM
He he! Wait till Aunty sees this!

NANDU
So much maska you maaro na...

They laugh as they walk towards the main door from where
Shutu watches their exchange shyly.

VIKRAM
You could use Stella while you’re
here.

Vikram notices Shutu. He points to something on Shutu’s

shirt. Shutu looks down and Vikram flicks him on his chin.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
How’re you pehelwan? Dekh isko itna
daadi aa gaya?
 12.

Shutu, somewhat irked, gives him a tight smile while Brian

musses his hair. He watches as the three of them go inside to
greet Aunty and Uncle.

UNCLE (O.C.)
Arrey Vikram beta aa gaye? Bahu ko
ghar lekar aa gaye?

CUT TO:

18 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 18

UNCLE
Aur sabh kaisa raha? Sabh theek se
ho gaya na shaadi mein?

Vikram and Brian hug Uncle and Aunty.

VIKRAM
(Giving Aunty a kiss)
Good good. Very hectic.

AUNTY
What’s this Vikram?

Vikram starts to open the box.

VIKRAM
Tan-ta-da!

Vikram unwraps a shiny new cassette player. He places it on

the coffee table.

AUNTY
(Delighted but a little
embarrassed)
Beta, we should be giving you
presents... You shouldn’t have!

VIKRAM
Arrey Aunty, I got two of these for
the wedding. Besides, this is my
second home isn’t it!

AUNTY
(While kissing him)
What second home? We only see you
when Nandu is in town.

UNCLE
He’s a busy man now Anu, very busy.
Huh?

AUNTY
Not too busy to see us. And when do
we get to meet the missus? Why
didn’t you bring her?
 13.

VIKRAM
No, no, I just dropped in on my way
back from work. Besides she’s still
recovering from the wedding!

BRIAN
So am I! We really missed you guys.

VIKRAM
(looking around for the
others)
Ya, ya. We really did.

AUNTY
What to do beta, Uncle’s knees you
know na...

NANDU
Tch, Bonnie really wanted to make
it... just couldn’t get leave ya.

AUNTY
Anyway, this week we’re doing
dinner at home.

NANDU
You say when you are free?
Tomorrow? Day after? Oh 31st!

UNCLE
Yes, done done. New Year party ghar
pe hoga.

VIKRAM
Arrey I’m free only, ask this Brian
fucker. He’s a chupa rustom. Tell
them your big news.
(Distracted)
Where are the girls?

Vikram walks away inside. Everyone turns to Brian curiously.

Brian looks sheepish.

NANDU
What plans? You’re also getting
married?

BRIAN
Vikram man! Nothing yaa... I may
finally have a job.

UNCLE (O.C.)
Arrey well done beta! Challo let’s
have some daaru shaaru!

CUT TO:
 14.

19 INT. BONNIE’S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 19

Tani has changed and unenthusiastically eats an omelette.

BONNIE
You better finish that whole thing
Tani.

TANI
I can’t have anymore. I’m going to
do ulti.

BONNIE
OK, OK leave it. Go and brush your
teeth.

Bonnie hands her a toothbrush and starts to comb her own hair
when she hears something from the corridor. Vikram walks in
with a lantern.

VIKRAM
Fee Fi Fo Fum. I smell the blood of
an English mem.

Vikram puts the lantern down and goes to tickle Tani. Tani
squeals and hides behind a pillow as he attacks her.

BONNIE
(laughing)
Where’s your wife? She’s outside?

Bonnie peeks behind him expectantly.

VIKRAM
(Taking out a chocolate
from his pocket)
No, no. I couldn’t get her today.
They are planning some dinner
shinner outide. You’ll see her
soon. Where is Mimi?

Bonnie gives him a funny look and points to another room.

BONNIE
She’s inside, in Uncle’s study.

CUT TO:

20 INT. SHUTU’S ROOM. NIGHT. 20

Shutu is alone in his poky little ante room rummaging through

his backpack. He takes out a sweater and puts it on. He keeps
a few books on the desk. He takes out his toothbrush, a few
clothes and opens the cupboard.

Inside he finds a pile of warm clothes and some miscellaneous

items.
 15.

He puts his clothes on a shelf and runs his hands through the
woollens. He notices one he recognizes and pulls it out. He
looks at it for a moment and then smells it. He quickly takes
off the sweater he is wearing and puts on the other one. It
is a hand knit, moth eaten, olive green sweater.

He hugs himself and is still for a moment, leaning into the

open cupboard.

CUT TO:

21 INT. MIMI’S ROOM. NIGHT 21

Mimi has emptied her duffel bag. She is standing on a stool

and attempting to store it away above the cupboard. As she
raises her arms, her waist is exposed. Vikram sees this as he
comes and leans at the door.

VIKRAM
Need any help?

Mimi turns around and smiles.

MIMI
Mr. Vikramjit Choudhury!

She jumps off the stool and comes across to hug him.

MIMI (CONT’D)
Congratulations! How was the
honeymoon?

She leans in to kiss him on the cheek. Vikram kisses Mimi on

the lips, surprising her but she lets him.

CUT TO:

22 INT. CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE MIMI’S ROOM. NIGHT 22

Shutu who was passing through the corridor happens to see the
couple. He looks on intensely.

CUT TO:

23 INT. CORRIDOR - OUTSIDE MIMI’S ROOM. NIGHT. 23

Shutu’s POV: As the couple kiss, the lights flicker a few

times and the power comes back dimly. Shutu steps back into
the shadow. There are cheers from outside.

AUNTY (O.C.)
Batti aa gayi Manjari. Khana laga
do.
 16.

From outside the door we see Vikram and Mimi kiss until
Vikram reaches back to shut the door, without a sound.

CUT TO:

24 INT. DINING TABLE. NIGHT 24

As Shutu walks in, others have gathered around the dining

table, sitting down for dinner.

BONNIE
So Australia. So far? You’ll be
taking Aunty with you?

BRIAN
Let’s see once I get there.

NANDU
I’m glad you’re getting out of
here. When’s your joining date?

BRIAN
Feb onwards, I think.

SHUTU
(sits down next to Brian)
Congratulations Brian!

AUNTY
Arrey, eta Baba’r sweater na?
(This is your father’s
sweater, isn’t it?)

Shutu smiles at Aunty as she starts to serve him. Vikram

walks in. Mimi follows. Shutu looks at them curiously. Vikram
picks up some salad from Bonnie’s plate. We pull back to a
wider frame as all of them have dinner.

CUT TO:

25 EXT. GATE. NIGHT. 25

Exterior shot of the house at night taken from the gate.

There are warm, yellow lights inside the house. We can hear
cicadas. Even though it is a symmetrical frame, we get the
feeling that something is amiss.

FADE OUT.

26 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - ORCHARDS - DAY. 26

Fade in.
 17.

Shutu and Tani walk down a path off the backyard, lined by a
series of trees. He has a rope strung around his shoulder
while he tries to roll a tire ahead of him. Tani helps him.

Shutu sets the tire down, jumps and tries to touch the branch
of a tree. He can’t reach it.

The super reads Day 2/Tuesday (28th DECEMBER)

TANI
Where’s the family tree?

SHUTU
It’s ahead.

She looks around and runs towards a tree with a large trunk.
Some names have been scratched onto the bark. She runs around
the trunk, reading the names aloud.

TANI
Anupama, O.P, Nandu, Bonnie, Tani.

Shutu goes towards a low lying branch. He jumps and hangs

from it.

BONNIE (O.C.)
Tani! Come for a bath.

TANI
No Mamma, not now.

CUT TO:

27 EXT. BACKYARD. DAY 27

In the backyard, Bonnie picks up a tin bucket warming in the

sun and goes inside through the back door of the kitchen.

BONNIE
I’m going in. You come in 5
minutes.

CUT TO:

28 EXT. ORCHARDS. DAY. 28

TANI
Where’s your name?

SHUTU
Uh... It’s not there?

Shutu is tying a knot around the tyre.

TANI
No.
 18.

Suddenly, there is a shriek from inside the house. They turn

around to look.

CUT TO:

29 INT. BONNIE’S ROOM. DAY 29

Bonnie is terrified and is looking at something inside the

bathroom from the door. Nandu rushes into the room. He has
half his face covered in shaving foam and a brush in his
hand.

NANDU
What? What happened?

BONNIE
Frog! Frog! There’s a frog inside!

Aunty rushes into the room.

AUNTY
What happened? What happened!

NANDU
(Dismissively walking
away)
Nothing! It’s just a damn frog.
Can’t expect to come to
McCluskiegunj and not find a frog.

AUNTY
(Alarmed)
Manjari! Jaldi aao! Yeh andar kaise
aayaa?

Manjari walks in and stands there impassively. Tani and Shutu

run in.

TANI
What happened Mama?

AUNTY
Arrey Manjari, khade khade kya dekh
rahe ho? jhadu toh leke aao! Ye
andar kaise aaya?

Manjari exits to get the broom. Shutu takes off his slipper
and treads carefully into the bathroom in an attempt to chase
it away.

BONNIE
Oh no! It’s gone behind the commode
now. (Yelps) It’s looking straight
at me!

Tani starts jumping adding to the chaos.

 19.

TANI
I saw it! There it is! I saw it!

Manjari comes back with a broom and goes into the bathroom.
She makes a gesture for Shutu to leave. Shutu meekly steps
outside.

AUNTY (O.C.)
Hum bole the na bada naali ko bandh
rakhne ke liye, sabh bathroom mein.
Kisne khola isko? Voh lakdi ka
tukda kaha gaya?

TANI
Oh now it’s gone behind the bucket!

Close shot of a large, ugly toad looking balefully into

camera.

CUT TO:

30 INT. SHUTU’S ROOM. AFTERNOON. 30

Shutu is sitting at a desk by the window of his tiny room. He

is wearing his moth eaten sweater. There are a couple of
books in front of him, including a thick mathematics
textbook, a collection of essays, a slim volume of poetry. He
is drawing a frog over and over again in his journal when he
takes out a folded sheet of paper from it. He stares at it
first, then absentmindedly starts to doodle on it. We see
that it is his mark sheet of his M.Sc. final year that he has
failed. His elaborate doodle has engulfed his name, Shyamal
Chatterjee, to a point that it is barely legible. Suddenly
the door opens and Tani peeps in. Shutu looks at the door
while folding the mark sheet away.

TANI
(making a sad face)
I’m bored.

Tani comes in and lies down on his bed. Shutu closes his
journal and looks at her seriously.

SHUTU
What happened?

TANI
I don’t like it over here.

SHUTU
Why?

TANI
There are insects everywhere.
There’s no cement. No T.V
 20.

SHUTU
No cement? Where’s Bonnie di?

TANI
Sleeping.

SHUTU
Baba?

TANI
Sleeping.

SHUTU
Hmm.

TANI
What were you doing?

SHUTU
I was er...

Shutu flips his journal open. It is full of random scribbling

and drawings. It opens on a page where Shutu has sketched
many frogs.

SHUTU (CONT’D)
I was trying to draw the frog, see?

Tani gets up and comes over to the desk, delighted.

TANI
I like this one.

She looks at a few other drawings.

TANI (CONT’D)
What’s this?

She points to a list of words, all starting with the letter

‘E’.

SHUTU
Those are my e words. Words I like
that start with ‘E’.

Tani starts reading the words aloud as we pull back to see

the two of them poring over the notebook together in a quiet
corner of the room. Tani starts reading the words aloud,
stumbling over the pronunciations. We can hear gentle snoring
coming from one of the bedrooms.

TANI
Entropy, Ersatz, Ennui...

CUT TO:
 21.

31 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 31

Uncle, Aunty, Brian and Bonnie are playing bluff at the

table. Tani has fallen asleep on the sofa. Vikram, Mimi and
Nandu are drinking and chatting. Uncle dramatically puts down
his last four cards.

UNCLE
4 kings!

AUNTY
Arrey! What do you mean 4 kings?

BONNIE
You just put down 4 kings! Ma, he’s
lying! He’s lying.

AUNTY
I know he’s lying. Check those
cards.

Bonnie goes to check the cards.

UNCLE
You can’t touch those cards. Those
are pass cards. Challenge karo!
Utha ke dekh lo.

AUNTY
I challenge you. Challenge!

BRIAN
Aunty don’t do it. I’m telling you!

Aunty turns over the cards which turn out to be 4 kings.

AUNTY
Well, at least I didn’t cheat!

UNCLE
Who’s cheating? I never cheat.

AUNTY
Chalo you guys carry on. I’m going
to go to bed now. Good night!

BONNIE
Good night Ma.

Aunty gets up to go. Uncle follows.

BRIAN
See you at lunch tomorrow, Uncle!

UNCLE
Yes, yes. Good night Dylan!
 22.

Brian reacts, mildly amused at Uncle. Bonnie gets up to pick

up the sleeping Tani. Seeing them Vikram takes his cue to
leave.

VIKRAM
We should also be heading out now.

MIMI
Arrey it’s only 10:30!

BONNIE
Don’t you guys dare go anywhere,
I’m just putting Tani to bed and
coming back.

Bonnie exits carrying the sleeping child.

VIKRAM
Fine! Give me another drink in that
case.

Mimi gladly gets up to make Vikram another drink.

CUT TO:

32 INT. BONNIE’S BEDROOM. NIGHT 32

As Bonnie puts Tani down on her bed, she wakes up.

BONNIE
Shh... Go back to sleep.

TANI
Mama, don’t go. Don’t leave me.

Bonnie sits down next to her and strokes her hair.

BONNIE
Come on, you’re almost 7 years old.
Big girl!

TANI
(Clinging to Bonnie’s neck)
No, no, I’m not big.

BONNIE
But you’re so brave at home! What
are you so scared of?

TANI
(looks at the window)
That window.

CUT TO:
 23.

33 EXT. OUTSIDE THE WINDOW. NIGHT 33

Shutu is out for a cigarette. From his POV we see Bonnie as

she walks over to the window to close the curtains.

BONNIE
(muffled)
See, I’m drawing the curtains.
Better?

CUT TO:

34 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 34

Vikram is in the midst of an anecdote with the others cosily

sitting around the coffee table, the fire lit behind them.
Mimi has a shawl wrapped around and her hair falls loosely
over her shoulders. She sits cross-legged on the carpeted
floor. Shutu, also sits on the floor and stares at Vikram
with wide-eyed concentration.

VIKRAM
I swear, it was a table like this
one. It just went off the ground.
Like so much.(Demonstrates with his
hands)

NANDU
Balls! How do you know someone
wasn’t lifting it with their knees?

BRIAN
Even I was there! No one was
lifting it for Christ’s sake!

BONNIE
(Walking into the room,
interrupting)
Who? Who? What happened?

MIMI
So you’re saying that your
neighbor, Uncle Harris, re-
established contact with the living
world as a wooden table?

VIKRAM
Well, Mrs. Harris continues to
believe that. The other day she
asked if I’d like to join “them”
for tea.

BONNIE
Are you serious? She and her dead
husband!

Everyone laughs.
 24.

BRIAN
But it’s true. These things
happen... Sometimes spirits inhabit
people or objects and just never
ever leave.

SHUTU
Why would they come back at all?

VIKRAM
(Looks at Shutu teasingly)
Unfinished business, I guess.

MIMI
Okay okay! Let’s just start now.
Nandu, come sit down here.

Mimi pats the carpet next to her. Nandu looks at her from his
arm chair but doesn’t budge.

BRIAN
Oh no let’s not! I have to go back
and sleep alone.

VIKRAM
You sleep with your mother tonight.

BONNIE
Do we have to make a chart with ABC
and all?

BRIAN
You can do it through a medium also
na? Like in Exorcist?

BONNIE
Fuck... That movie...

VIKRAM
(Interrupting)
Okay okay... but who are we calling
tonight?

NANDU
Ya, because I’m not doing a
planchet for just anyone.

BONNIE
Should we call Elvis?

NANDU
Are we even sure he’s really dead?

VIKRAM
Arrey let’s call someone closer
home man.
 25.

NANDU
Okay, Nehru then?

MIMI
Ya. Nehru really needs to have a
chat with his daughter!

Everyone breaks into laughter except Shutu. Shutu looks

uneasy.

VIKRAM
Okay, so who will be the medium?

Everyone looks expectantly at each other. Vikram looks around

but his gaze stops at Shutu. With him, everyone looks at
Shutu. Shutu feels everyone’s gaze upon him. Looks
uncomfortable and laughs nervously.

SHUTU
No, no I don’t want to take part in
all this.

BRIAN
Chal, ok you don’t have to be a
medium...

BONNIE
Shutuuu... Why?

SHUTU
(hesitant)
No no it... I believe it causes
them a lot of pain or something.

The others laugh. Vikram and Nandu exchange a look.

BRIAN
But they’re dead ya. How can they
feel pain?

SHUTU
(While getting up)
You all carry on I’m going, I’m
quite sleepy.

VIKRAM
Sleepy... or scared?

SHUTU
No, no. Nothing like that...

MIMI
Come on Shutu. Grow up!

Shutu smiles and sits back down reluctantly.

 26.

BRIAN
But wait, do we have to make a
chart and all now?

VIKRAM
(Clearing the table)
No, we’ll do it like this. Let’s
all hold hands.

Everyone sits around the coffee table and holds hands.

BONNIE
Okay! Eyes closed, Eyes closed!

There are some muffled giggles and whispers.

VIKRAM
Shhh!
(Clears his throat, after
a few moments)
Panditiji, are you here?

Everyone breaks into giggles which is interrupted by a sudden

sound. Everybody startles and looks at the door. The main
door is opened from outside. Maniya walks in with some
firewood. He is surprised to find everyone’s gaze on him.

NANDU
Oh Maniya...

MANIYA
Sahab, gate bandh kardein?

NANDU
Chaabi rakh do, hum kar lenge.

VIKRAM
Aur Maniya, mombatti leke aao.

Maniya exits from the back corridor.

BONNIE
Mombatti?

VIKRAM
If we’re doing this, let’s do this
right. Put off the big light and
let’s sit around the dining table.

NANDU
Hang on! Let’s get our refills
before starting.

Nandu, Mimi and Vikram go to the bar. Bonnie and Brian move
to the dining table. Shutu doesn’t move from the sofa.

BONNIE (O.C)
Shutu, come na. Pull up that stool.
 27.

BRIAN
Come on guys! Hurry up!

Maniya lights the candle at the table. Vikram is doing

something at the bar.

VIKRAM
(Whispering to Nandu and Mimi)
You guys sit. I’m coming.

Nandu and Mimi walk towards the dining table, drinks in hand.
Maniya walks in with the candles. Vikram comes and sits at
the table as Maniya lights the last candle and leaves.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Maniya, woh light off kardo.

Maniya raises his hand to switch off the light and looks over
his shoulder. From Maniya’s POV: Everyone is settling down,
holding hands around the table. Their faces only visible in
the dim candle light as Maniya switches off the light.

CUT TO:

35 EXT. BACKYARD. NIGHT 35

Maniya makes his way though a dirt track leading to his hut.
The torchlight illuminates the path in flashes; glimpses of
the backyard, a mound of cement and a few bricks in a corner,
dense forest cover beyond. The sound of cicadas grows
gradually as he reaches his hut.

CUT TO:

36 INT. MANIYA’S HUT. NIGHT. 36

Manjari has worn a bright sari and is putting flowers in her

hair. Maniya switches off the torch in the hut that is dimly
lit by a kerosene lamp.

MANJARI
Sab sueet gele hai?

MANIYA
(while locking his door)
Kaha sutle... Daaru piyat hain.
Bhoot bulawat hain.

CUT TO:

37 INT. BUNGALOW - DINING ROOM. NIGHT 37

Everyone is seated around the dining table, their grim and

serious faces illuminated only by candle light.
 28.

Everyone’s eyes are closed, holding hands. Vikram and Nandu

are sitting beside each other.

VIKRAM
Is anybody here?

Silence. A beat later...

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Any spirit passing by?

BRIAN
(whispering)
Ask if any good spirit is passing
by?

NANDU
Good spirits don’t come so easily.
It’s the evil ones who are
restless, wanting to communicate.

Nandu looks at Shutu, who looks spooked. A prolonged silence.

VIKRAM
Is any spirit, good or evil,
passing by?

A longer interval and then a sudden knocking sound. Everyone

opens their eyes in a start. Shutu looks alarmed. Brian looks
accusingly at Vikram first and then Nandu.

BRIAN
Aye Bugger, you made that noise!

Nandu raises his hands to show Brian. Brian looks around and
checks under the table.

NANDU
I’m not doing anything!

Vikram gives Brian a look. Brian catches on and plays along.

SHUTU
Somebody made that sound right?

VIKRAM
The sound didn’t even come from
here.

BONNIE
Ya, the sound came from that side.

MIMI
Wait, wait. Let’s try again.

NANDU
Shh... Concentrate now.
 29.

VIKRAM
Don’t break the circle, otherwise
the spirit can get trapped here.
(Pause)
Everyone close your eyes.

Everyone closes their eyes again. After a few moments,

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Any spirit passing by? Please
communicate with us.

A beat. A continuous knocking sound. Everyone opens their

eyes and looks at each other alarmed.

NANDU
(Urgently)
Someone’s come.

BONNIE
They’re trying to communicate!

The knocking sound stops.

VIKRAM
Is a spirit present?

There is a single, definite sharp knock.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Is that a ‘YES’?

Another sharp knock.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Are you a man?

NANDU
(Looking at VIKRAM)
WERE you a man.

VIKRAM
Okay ya... Were you a man?

A beat and two knocks indicating a no.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Is that a ‘NO’?

One sharp knock indicating yes.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Were you a woman?

A definite knock indicating a yes.

 30.

Under the table, the camera follows the string from VIKRAM’s
little finger till across the hallway, down on the floor,
wedged behind a door we see the cigarette tin. On these
visuals we hear the ongoing conversation with the spirit.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Did you die of natural causes?

A beat and two knocks indicating no.

BONNIE
That’s a no right?

VIKRAM
How did you die?

A prolonged silence.

MIMI
That’s not a yes or no question!

NANDU
Shhhhh!

VIKRAM
Okay, okay. Were you killed?

The tin is tugged twice indicating no.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Did you kill yourself?

The tin is tugged once indicating yes.

Gasps from the table. There is an uncomfortable silence as

Bonnie exchanges a suspicious look with Brian.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Have you been watching us?

Silence. A definite knock indicating a yes.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Who in this room will die first?
(PAUSE)
Will it be me?

Two knocks indicating a no.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Nandu?

Two knocks. Nandu and Vikram exchange a look.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Brian?

Two knocks.
 31.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Mimi?

Two knocks.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Bonnie ?

Shutu, who is sitting next to Bonnie breaks into a sweat as

he realizes he is the last one left. His face is tense.

Two knocks indicating a no.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Shutu?

A prolonged silence. A single knock indicating yes.

Shutu gets up immediately, pushing his chair back with a loud

sound.

SHUTU
(In a strangled voice)
I’m going to bed.

As Shutu exits, Bonnie realizes it’s a prank as they all

start laughing.

CUT TO:

38 INT. BUNGALOW - CORRIDOR. NIGHT. 38

A visibly disturbed Shutu leaves the room with an urgency and

goes into his room. He gets under the mosquito net and hides
under the blanket.

38. A INT. BONNIE’S ROOM. NIGHT 38. A

Tani is asleep. We track back from her to include the window.

There is muffled laughter from out side.

CUT TO:

39 OMITTED 39

40 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. NIGHT. 40

Brian has picked a couple of stones and is aiming at a

window.

BONNIE
(In a panic)
What are you doing?!
Tani will wake up!
 32.

Vikram sniggers and goes ahead. Brian guffaws at his mistake.

VIKRAM
(pointing to another
window)
Guys, it’s this one here.

BONNIE
Shh... Guys stop it now!

Brian listens to Bonnie and throws his stone away but Vikram
throws a stone at Shutu’s window and misses. Nandu and Mimi
are a few steps ahead. They hear faint singing from afar
accompanied by a Maadol (native drum).

MIMI
Wow! It’s a full moon night.
(Pause)
Hey, what’s that sound?

NANDU
Arrey Maniya and all are awake!
Come guys, let’s crash Maniya’s
party!

Nandu and Mimi walk ahead with Brian and Bonnie following.
Vikram takes aim at Shutu’s window once again.

CUT TO:

41 INT. SHUTU’S ROOM. NIGHT. 41

Shutu watches the strange pattern of shadows on the ceiling.

His eyes widen with alarm as he hears a sharp sound from his
window. He stares ahead, rigid with fear.

CUT TO:

42 EXT. MANIYA’S HUT. NIGHT. 42

Maniya, Manjari and some of their friends are drinking Mahua.

They are dancing around a bonfire, with their arms linked.
Nandu and Mimi, their cheeks flushed from the cold and the
alcohol, grin widely and clap along. Vikram, Brian and Bonnie
catch up with Nandu and Mimi.

BONNIE
(Going up to the circle of
dancers )
Oh wow!

Manjari offers her arm to include Bonnie. She joins them

enthusiastically.

They all join the circle, trying to learn the song: “Toot
Gachhe Bhoot Nache” and match steps.
 33.

Some of them are smoking ganja. Unnoticed by others, Mimi and

Vikram have an intimate moment. Maniya passes them Mahua with
some coarse salt and chilli on a Saal leaf. Nandu takes out
his own bottle from deep within his jacket and offers it to
them.

The dancing and chanting reaches a frenzied pitch.

In a wide shot, we see the dark house, the drunken whirling

and the quiet forest beyond.

CUT TO:

43 INT. BUNGALOW - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 43

The fire is out. The sound of a heartbeat gradually increases

in intensity. On the mantle piece we see dusty memorabilia
like army medals, photographs and a plaque. Above that is
mounted the Rifle. A hand enters frame and plucks the rifle
off the wall. We follow the hand through the corridor into
Shutu’s room. One hand holds the rifle, the other lifts the
mosquito net. The hand pulls down the blanket from Shutu’s
face. It turns Shutu’s face towards camera with the barrel of
the rifle. Shutu’s face lolls back in such a way, we realize
he is already dead.

CUT TO:

44 INT. BUNGALOW - SHUTU’S ROOM. NIGHT 44

From outside the mosquito net, we see Shutu enter frame as he

sits up sweating and panting. The sound of the heartbeat is
mixed with the chanting outside.

CUT TO:

45 EXT. GATE. NIGHT. 45

SHOT of the Bungalow from the gate. Full Moon.

FADE OUT.

46 INT. BUNGALOW - LIVING ROOM. DAY 46

Fade in. Nandu dismounts the rifle from the wall. He blows
away the dust from it.

The super reads Day 3/Wednesday (29th DECEMBER)

NANDU (O.C.)
Look at the state of this rifle,
Baba. Kaise pada hua hain?
 34.

UNCLE (O.C.)
(Interjecting, taking the
rifle back from Nandu)
Kahe ka working rifle? Poora jung
lag chuka hain. Ammunition bhi pata
nahi kaha hain.

Shutu follows the action closely.

NANDU (O.C.)
Main saaf kar deta hoon na?

UNCLE (O.C.)
Nahi, nahi. Leave it. These things
let me only do.
(Keeping the rifle away)
Aur kis ke liye use karenge isko?
Murgi maarne ke liye?

Shutu looks up as Mimi walks in, wearing a tight turtle neck

and a pair of fitted bell bottom jeans. Mimi picks up a
cigarette and looks for a lighter. Shutu eagerly removes a
matchbox from his pocket and lights Mimi’s cigarette.

MIMI
Why? Vikram and his gang go for
shikaar quite often. They hunt for
wild boar and all.

Aunty comes out of her bedroom, hurriedly putting on her

watch.

AUNTY
Everyone ready? Manjari! E ki
Shutu, shave korbi na? (Aren’t you
going to shave?)

Shutu who is still wearing his green sweater, smiles

sheepishly.

NANDU
(Yelling out)
Bonnie! How much longer?

Tani runs out and Bonnie follows, flustered.

BONNIE
Some of us believe in having a
bath, you know?

NANDU
Even in winter?

CUT TO:
 35.

47 EXT. VERANDAH. DAY 47

Aunty and Manjari are in the verandah. Bonnie and Mimi have
walked ahead on the driveway.

AUNTY
Dekho yeh majdoor log aaj bhi late
aaye hain. Manjari, kaam late tak
chalega toh, tala laga dena kidhar
bhi jaao. Hum shaam tak aa jayenge.

Manjari is silent.

AUNTY (CONT’D)
Kya hua? Sir abhi bhi dukh raha
hain? Dawa de du?

Manjari shakes her head and leaves. Aunty looks exasperatedly

at Tani who holds her hand and walks down the steps.

AUNTY (CONT’D)
You just never know what these
people are thinking.

Aunty goes up to the car in which Nandu and Uncle are already
seated.

NANDU
Come on Ma!

AUNTY
I’m coming! I’m going to drive. You
sit at the back.

NANDU
But you haven’t driven in so long,
Ma.

AUNTY
So what? You never forget how to
drive.

Nandu and Uncle exchange a look.

47. A EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. DAY. 47. A

The car drives off as Shutu closes the gate behind it.

48 EXT. BRIAN’S HOUSE - STREAM. DAY 48

Brian, Vikram, Nandu and Mimi are horsing around at the

stream. Vikram and Nandu are trying to get Brian wet and take
off his shirt which happens to rip apart.
 36.

MRS. MCKENZIE (O.C)

Kitty!

CUT TO:

49 EXT. BRIAN’S HOUSE. DAY 49

Mrs. McKenzie, Brian’s widowed mother is a lady in her late

sixties. She is a bit of a memsahib, who is fussily arranging
napkins at the makeshift dining tables set up in their front
lawn.

MRS. MCKENZIE
We’ll serve the mulligatawny first.
I need one more soup spoon
please.

Kitty is the capable, catholic house help who is hovering

around Mrs. McKenzie, awaiting instruction.

KITTY
What you want to put the chicken
in?

MRS. MCKENZIE
I’ve put out the Doulton casserole.
Bring it in that.

49. A EXT. LAWN. DAY. 49. A

Bonnie walks up to Shutu and watches the others over at the

stream.

BONNIE
(Shouting out)
Isn’t the water too cold?

MIMI
It’s fun! Come na Bonnie!

BONNIE
(To Shutu)
Aashbi?

Shutu smiles and shakes his head.

BONNIE (CONT’D)
Tani ke dekhish toh.

Bonnie joins the others in the stream. Shutu looks over at

Tani, absorbed with the puppies.
 37.

49. B EXT. LAWN. DAY. 49. B

Brian is in the lawn where Tani is playing with a few puppies

in a basket. Mrs. McKenzie, Uncle and Aunty are sitting on
white cane chairs and chatting. There is a bowl of chips, a
peeled, half eaten orange and a few glasses of juice in front
of them.

TANI
Brian uncle, what are their names?

BRIAN
They don’t have names. We are
giving them away.

TANI
You won’t keep even one of them?

BRIAN
This one hasn’t found a home yet,
so I guess he can stay here with
us.

Brian notices Tani’s sympathetic face.

BRIAN (CONT’D)
Unless... you want to keep him?

TANI
(Breaking into a shy grin)
Can I? Shutu? Shutu!

Shutu doesn’t hear her and is still looking at the others.

CUT TO:

50 EXT. STREAM - DAY 50

Bonnie is ankle deep in the water near Mimi, contemplating

whether she should go in further.

VIKRAM
Arrey come on in Bonnie!

BONNIE
No baba. It’s too cold. Earlier
we’ve gone in even till here also.
(Indicating her hip)
Ask him.

NANDU
Ya and she swam to Chatti Nadi.
 38.

MIMI
(Teeth chattering)
I can’t feel my feet anymore! I’m
going back now.

VIKRAM
Oh yeah?!

Vikram turns to Mimi and scoops her up in his arms swiftly.

Mimi bursts into giggles and squeals while she clings to
Vikram’s neck. They all laugh and Nandu and Bonnie exchange a
look.

CUT TO:

51 OMITTED 51

52 EXT. STREAM - DAY. 52

Nandu and Vikram wear their shoes, drying themselves in the

sun. They are watching Bonnie and Mimi walking in the
distance. Vikram’s gaze is fixed on Mimi. Nandu notices him.

NANDU
Nice view huh?

VIKRAM
Ya, it’s nice.

NANDU
(Looking pointedly at
VIKRAM)
So... When do we get to meet... the
Mrs?

VIKRAM
(Looks at Nandu sharply)
Purnima?
(Looking back at the
girls)
I’ll get her along one of these
days.

NANDU
Question is why didn’t you get her
along today?

MRS MCKENZIE (O.C.)

Lunch is ready!

VIKRAM
Lunch is ready! I’m hungry.
 39.

Vikram smiles at Nandu.

CUT TO:

53 EXT. LAWN - DAY 53

The food has been laid out on the dining table. Bonnie, Tani,
Uncle and Aunty are already seated.

MRS MCKENZIE
Hurry up! Hurry up! Before the soup
gets cold! Brian pull up a chair.

AUNTY
Brian, you’re really going to miss
your mom’s cooking over there.
Think about it.

TANI
Please Mama! All my friends have
pets.

BONNIE
First you tell me what you want to
eat. I’ll give you chicken and
rice?

Nandu, Mimi and Shutu are joining the others as Vikram talks
to Uncle.

MIMI
Umm. Pepper chicken, coconut
rice...

NANDU
Cutlets!

Nandu reaches out to pick up a cutlet and sits down next to

Mimi. Shutu is about to sit on the other side of Mimi.

BONNIE
Shutu just get my shawl na. It’s on
that chair.

Shutu who was about to sit down, goes to get the shawl.
Vikram casually sits down next to Mimi. Mrs McKenzie
continues to serve others with the help of Kitty.

TANI
(Turning Bonnie’s face)
Please mama! I’ll take him to do
susu, potty everything. Shutu will
help me. Na Shutu?

Shutu hands Bonnie the shawl and gets pulled into this
conversation.
 40.

SHUTU
Ya. I’ll help you. Come on Bonnie
di.

Bonnie rolls her eyes at Shutu.

BONNIE
Now you don’t start.

TANI
But you only keep saying I’m an
only child.

BONNIE
Oof! This girl won’t leave me in
peace.
Okay. Maybe. We’ll see.

Tani considers this an approval and gets up. Shutu smiles

looking at Tani.

BONNIE (CONT’D)
Arrey I didn’t say yes! First come
back here and finish your food.

CUT TO:

54 EXT. LAWN - DAY 54

In the foreground, we see a glass of juice knocked over on

the rug, flies hovering around a half eaten orange, the pages
of Shutu’s novel flutter in the breeze. In the background, we
see the dining table in a blur, Tani and the dogs running
around it with abandon.

CUT TO:

55 EXT. LAWN. DAY. 55

Post lunch, Uncle has nodded off in his arm chair. The others
are sitting around and having desert on the chairs. Shutu is
lying on the rug, reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by
Jules Verne. Mimi notices his book as she takes out cream
from her handbag.

MIMI
What are you reading?

Shutu shows her the book.

SHUTU
I’m just reading it again.
 41.

MIMI
You should have really studied
Literature. You’re what, third year
now?

SHUTU
(laughs)
No, no. I just finished my M.Sc.
I’ll be applying for a Ph.D. soon.

MIMI
You’re toh always first class first
na? Weren’t you planning to go
abroad or something?

SHUTU
Ya. I’ll be applying for a
scholarship.

MIMI
And if you don’t get that?

Shutu smiles and shrugs.

MIMI (CONT’D)
(teasingly)
Does that leave you much time for a
girlfriend?

Shutu laughs sheepishly.

MIMI (CONT’D)
Come on, a handsome boy like you!

At this point Aunty calls out to Shutu, holding out her

desert dish.

AUNTY
Shutu, get me a second helping
please.

SHUTU
(to MIMI)
I’ll be right back.

CUT TO:

56 INT. BRIAN’S HOUSE. DAY 56

Shutu enters a long, gloomy corridor. The walls have old

family photographs hanging. As he turns into the kitchen,
Vikram comes out from an inner bathroom into the corridor. A
muted flush is heard. Vikram hears a sound from the kitchen
and goes in that direction. He stands at the door of the
kitchen and watches Shutu taking out some desert. With a
mischievous glint in his eye, Vikram picks up an empty glass
from the side board and rolls it across the kitchen floor.
 42.

Shutu reacts to the eerie sound with fear. As the glass

touches Shutu’s feet, he almost trips and drops the desert
bowl. Vikram laughs loudly as he slaps Shutu on the back and
walks down the corridor into the burnt out exterior.

Shutu bends down to pick up the broken bowl.

The camera lingers on the glass; still rolling gently on the

sloping kitchen floor.

CUT TO:

57 OMITTED 57

58 EXT. BRIAN’S HOUSE. DAY 58

Tani is sitting behind the wheel of Nandu’s car, parked near

the gate. Shutu gets in the passenger seat.

SHUTU
Lets go home Tani.

Shutu slides down on the seat, almost lying down.

TANI
Come on, let’s go Baba!

She blares the horn loudly as she calls out to her father
from the window. Nandu comes up to the car with a drink in
his hand, amused at Tani behind the wheel. He leans in at her
window.

NANDU
They’re still saying bye. (He opens
the door) Move in. Unless you want
to drive us home?

Tani giggles at the suggestion as she sidles up to Shutu to

makes space for her father.

NANDU (CONT’D)
No? What about you Shutu? Hmm? Its
a short distance.

Shutu brushes off the suggestion with a smile.

SHUTU
Oh no, I’ve not had any practice
since...

NANDU
Well it’s about time you did!

Shutu looks unsure. Tani climbs over to the backseat, very

excited.
 43.

TANI
Come on Shutu!

Nandu and Shutu get out and cross over to exchange places.
Nandu hands him the keys as they cross. Shutu gets in the
driver’s seat.

NANDU
Let’s back it out of the gate.
We’ll take a quick chakker.

Shutu fiddles with the gear, trying all the other gear
positions before getting into reverse. As soon as he starts
the car and begins to reverse, the engine goes off. He
nervously starts the car again. Nandu and Tani both look at
him apprehensively. Nandu looks behind to try to direct him.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Ok, easy now. Watch out for that
rock.

The car moves back jerkily with a loud noise of the

accelerator being pushed too hard.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Stop. Stop. Relax. Start again.
Adjust the rear view mirror. Side
view mirror? Hand brake?

Shutu is beginning to sweat. He adjusts the mirrors. He

starts the car again but the engine goes off.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Put the gear in neutral Shutu!

Shutu fumbles with the gear. He is about to start again.

NANDU (CONT’D)
10 and 2.

Shutu looks at him blankly. Nandu gets more exasperated.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Hand position Shutu! 10 and 2.

Nandu places Shutu’s hands in the correct position.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Come on come on! Be grateful my dad
isn’t teaching you. You know what
he did when I made a mistake?

Nandu raps Shutu on the back of his head, lightly.

TANI
Baba!
 44.

Shutu summons up his last shred of confidence and jerkily

reverses the car. Nandu quickly takes the glass back from the
dash board.

NANDU
Relax Tani, this is how you learn.
Hey!

Nandu looks alarmed as the car moves unsteadily towards the

gate.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Slow down, slow down! Stay left,
left! Brake! Brake!

Everyone at the lawn reacts to the crashing sound. In a wide

shot we see Shutu has lost control of the car. The left tail
light breaks and the car comes to an abrupt halt. Nandu gets
out and slams the door in irritation.

NANDU (O.C.) (CONT’D)

Jesus Shutu! Get out of the car.

CUT TO:

58.A EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ STREETS. DAY 58.A

Nandu drives disdainfully with Uncle, Aunty and Tani in the

back seat. Tani is holding a basket with the puppy in it. At
one point they over take Bonnie, Mimi and Shutu who are
walking back home.

59 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - BONNIE’S ROOM. NIGHT. 59

Tani is sitting on the bed like a proud mother with the puppy
asleep on her lap. Aunty sits behind her, combing her long
hair. Tani is trying hard to stay still so that the puppy
doesn’t wake up. Mimi is lying on the bed as Bonnie tidies up
the room.

MIMI
I hope this one has better luck
than your previous pets.

BONNIE
(Frowning at MIMI)
Chico is very happy in doggy
heaven, thank you!

MIMI
Of course! Along with Wolfie,
Sheeba and what was the name of
that tortoise?

BONNIE
They’re keeping each other company!
 45.

AUNTY
Kalidas! Poor fellow, he must still
be wandering around these parts!

Tani follows the conversation suspiciously.

TANI
Why? What happened to Kalidas?

BONNIE
Nothing. He just went for a walk
and never came back!

MIMI
Ya because we all forgot to bring
him back!

TANI
(deeply disapproving)
You forgot to bring him back?

AUNTY
Don’t worry, he’s alive. Tortoises
live to be more than a hundred
years. Maybe he’ll come back one
day!

MIMI
Come back? I’m sure the adivasis
have eaten him by now!

Tani looks horrified.

BONNIE
Never mind! So what are we naming
this one?!

TANI
Fluffy!

BONNIE
(making a face)
Fluffy?

MIMI
And who’s going to look after him
once we go back?

BONNIE
(shrugs with a grin)
Shutu.

They break into laughter.

TANI
Oh Mama he’s done susu on me!
 46.

BONNIE
This is why I’d said not on the
bed!

Bonnie gives the puppy to Mimi.

BONNIE (CONT’D)
Get up. Let’s get you changed.

AUNTY
Wait, I’ll organize some bedding.

MIMI (FRENCH)
Who’s going to stay with you now? I
have to go work now.

Aunty gets up. Bonnie and Tani go into the bathroom. Mimi
lies down on the bed with the puppy curled up on her chest.

CUT TO:

60 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - BONNIE’S ROOM - NIGHT 60

Tani is fast asleep as Bonnie tosses and turns beside her.

The puppy’s whimpers are relentless and grow in desperation.
At one point, Bonnie sits up and looks at the pup with
exasperation.

CUT TO:

61 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT (LOAD SHEDDING)

61

In the dimly lit room, Shutu sits on a stool and Nandu on his
arm chair. They are absorbed in a game of chess with just a
few chessmen remaining. Nandu sips his drink and observes
Shutu’s move.

NANDU
Hmm... at least your chess is
better than your driving.

They hear footsteps from the corridor. Uncle walks into the
living room wearing his flannel dressing gown and a miner’s
helmet with a torch. He goes up to a cabinet, opens a drawer
and looks for something.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Kya hua Baba? Can’t sleep?

UNCLE
No, no nothing. I just came to get
my...

Uncle looks vaguely at the shelf as if he can’t quite

remember.
 47.

NANDU
What? What do you need?

NANDU (CONT’D)
Go to sleep Baba. We’ll look for it
in the morning.

Uncle shuffles off towards his own room. Nandu looks back at
the board and is just about to make his next move when he
hears footsteps again. His concentration is broken.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Tch...!

Bonnie walks in holding the bedding with the puppy in it.

BONNIE
(Handing over the bedding
to Shutu)
Here. I’ve had enough! Now you deal
with this.

Bonnie walks away. Nandu is clearly annoyed. He goes back and

completes his move. Shutu, stroking the puppy gently,
concentrates on the board.

The loud sound of a sputtering bike rings through the night.

Nandu sits up erect on his arm chair and looks in that
direction.

NANDU
Stella!

CUT TO:

62 INT. MIMI’S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 62

Mimi is in her room alone, working. She is writing something

at her desk when she suddenly hears the motorcycle and turns
to the window. She sees Vikram zipping across on the bike.

62. A EXT. FRONT VERANDAH. NIGHT 62. A

The bike passes across the front verandah.

62. B EXT. SIDE CORRIDOR. NIGHT 62. B

Vikram zips across on his bike.

62. C EXT. BACK CORRIDOR. NIGHT 62. C

The bike passes across the back corridor.

 48.

63 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE- GATE. NIGHT. 63

Vikram is circling the garden area, on his motorcycle. He is

clearly inebriated. Nandu comes down the verandah steps
followed by Shutu.

NANDU
(delighted)
Fucker, everyone will wake up.

Vikram stops the bike at the verandah.

VIKRAM
(To Nandu)
Come on! Let’s take her for a spin!

NANDU
It’s freezing!

VIKRAM
Don’t be a pussy. Stella is nice
and warm for you.

Shutu looks at the bike curiously. Vikram pulls out a hip

flask and gives it to Nandu.

NANDU
Fuck off man.

VIKRAM
Take a sip, you won’t feel so cold.

Nandu takes a sip and grimaces.

NANDU
Ahh! Let me get my jacket.

Nandu goes in, passing Mimi who has come out wearing a
jacket. Vikram starts the engine.

VIKRAM
Ah, see how she purrs for me.
Have you ever ridden one?

Shutu smiles shyly, he reaches out to touch the handlebars.

Vikram flicks his hand away.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
Aye, don’t touch her.

Mimi comes and sits on the bike and holds Vikram.

MIMI
You never minded me touching her.

Vikram laughs and revs the engine. Nandu comes back out and
raises his eyebrows at the sight of Mimi on the bike holding
Vikram. Vikram looks a little uncomfortable.
 49.

VIKRAM
(in a low voice)
Come on Mimi, get off.

Mimi looks at Vikram but he doesn’t meet her eyes. Mimi gets
off.

NANDU
Move back.

Vikram moves back as Nandu sits in front.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Shutu lock the door. I have the
keys.

SHUTU
Oh. Okay Dada.

As Nandu rides the bike out of the driveway. Mimi goes into
the house past Shutu as he watches the gate.

CUT TO:

64 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 64

Mimi pours herself a drink at the bar. Shutu is clearing up

the chess pieces near a dying fire. Mimi sits down in an
armchair.

MIMI
So who was winning?

SHUTU
Me!

Shutu smiles at her and goes back to putting the pieces away.
Mimi looks at Shutu moodily for a few moments.

MIMI
You’re so pretty, you could be a
girl.

Shutu looks at her with an unsure smile.

CUT TO:

64. A INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - SHUTU’S ROOM . NIGHT 64. A

Shutu is unable to sleep while a train rushes by in the

distance.
 50.

65 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. NIGHT. 65

Exterior shot of the house at night from the gate. A dog

howls in the distance.

FADE OUT:
65. A EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - GATE. DAY 65. A

In a long shot, Maniya enters the gate on his cycle.

65. B INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - DINING ROOM. DAY 65. B

Maniya keeps a few letters on the dining table.

66 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - BACKYARD. DAY 66

Fade in. Shutu and Tani sits inside an old bathtub, reading a
book.

The super reads Day 4/Thursday (30th DECEMBER)

In a corner is Maniya’s hut, in front of it, a vegetable

patch and some chickens. Manjari is filling out the buckets.
The clothes on the line, gently flutter in the breeze. The
two dogs are sleeping curled up in the sun. Maniya enters the
backyard and resumes his work.

Suddenly, the mesh door opens and Brian comes out from the
kitchen explaining something with a lot of enthusiasm. He is
followed by Mimi, Vikram, Nandu and Bonnie who come out with
a great deal of energy and bustle.

BRIAN
But there is so much space! We’ll
just draw two lines here.. There is
1, 2, 3...

MIMI
I’m telling you there’s not enough
people for kabaddi.

BRIAN
Why? Shutu will also play with us.

VIKRAM
Challo, then we might as well take
Tani also to play.

Tani and Shutu exchange a look.

NANDU
Arrey Maniya can also play. Maniya,
kabhi khela hain kabbadi?

MANIYA
Haa khela hain.
 51.

NANDU
Challo good. Aa jao. Manjari tum
bhi.

MANIYA
Lekin ee lakdi...

NANDU
Arrey chodo lakdi yaar.

MIMI
Bonnie, you and I can’t be in the
same team.

BONNIE
Ya all bad players can’t be on one
side. Vikram, you and Brian be
captains.

VIKRAM
Okay. I choose Nandu.

BRIAN
Hang on! Let’s flip a coin.

VIKRAM
Heads.

Nandu flips the coin and its lands on heads.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
I choose Nandu.

BRIAN
Maniya, mere team mein.

VIKRAM
MIMI, come over here.

BRIAN
Bonnie, you come over here!

Vikram looks between Shutu and Manjari, the two players left,
planning his strategy. Shutu makes a move to get up. Tani
gives him an apprehensive look. Shutu winks at her.

VIKRAM
I choose Manjari.

The others laugh at Vikram’s choice. Shutu, realizing that he

hasn’t been chosen by Vikram, walks towards Brian. Brian puts
his arm around Shutu.

BRIAN
Come on Shutu... You can play na?

A line is drawn and game begins in a fun and playful mood.

Tani gets into the bathtub and pretends to be the referee.
 52.

Brian is the first player to raid Vikram’s court. Brian

begins chanting “kabaddi-kabaddi” and moves rapidly towards
their baulk line. At one point Brian swiftly touches Mimi and
runs toward the mid line. Mimi manages to grab him by his
shirt, clings on to his neck and hangs off his back. Brian
walks back into his court seemingly oblivious.

BRIAN (CONT’D)
What? What! Something on me?

Everyone laughs. Shutu starts playing really well. He is

cheered on by everyone, particularly by Mimi and Bonnie.

BRIAN (CONT’D)
Well done Shuts!

BONNIE
(Rubbing VIKRAM’s slight
belly)
Ooh Vikram, losing your touch huh!

This makes Shutu a little cocky and he provokes Vikram with

his tactics. Vikram notices this and tries to ignore it but
when it is his turn to raid Brian’s team he becomes fiercely
competitive. Vikram commits a minor foul against Shutu but
aggressively convinces others through sheer volume that he
isn’t in the wrong. The mood of the game becomes very tense.

CUT TO:

67 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - CORRIDOR. DAY 67

Aunty comes out from her bath and finds mail kept on the
dining table. She picks up the mail and goes through them,
walking back.

67. A INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - AUNTY’S ROOM . DAY 67. A

She sits at her desk and picks up the letter opener to open a
letter. She settles down to read.

68 EXT. BACKYARD. DAY 68

It is Shutu’s turn to tackle VIKRAM’s team. Shutu touches

Vikram and leaps ahead toward the mid line. Vikram tackles
him with all his force.

CUT TO:

69 INT. AUNTY’S ROOM. DAY. 69

Aunty is disturbed by what she is reading. The noises from

outside gradually increase, distracting her.

CUT TO:
 53.

70 EXT. BACKYARD. DAY 70

Vikram has Shutu pinned down. In an effort to get away Shutu

hits Vikram’s face. This sets Vikram off and the tackle gets
out of hand. The scuffle causes the dogs to start barking.
Tani starts crying. Shutu splits his lip in the midst of
this.

NANDU
What is going on! Break it up now!

MIMI
VIKRAM, stop it!

CUT TO:

71 INT. AUNTY’S ROOM. DAY. 71

Aunty walks out with an urgency because of the loud commotion

from outside.

CUT TO:

72 EXT. BACKYARD. DAY 72

Brian tries to break up the fight but Shutu somehow manages

to wriggle out of Vikram’s vice like grip, tries to kick him
in the groin but misses. Furious with Shutu’s audacity,
Vikram comes back after him in a fit of rage.

Aunty walks out into the backyard from the mesh door.

Shutu’s lip bleeds profusely and everyone goes over to him.

Mimi is the only one who rushes to Vikram.

AUNTY
What is going on over here?
Maniya! Kya ho raha hain yaha?

Maniya goes back to his work. Manjari follows suit giving

Vikram a dirty look. Bonnie goes to comfort Tani and takes
her inside.

AUNTY (CONT’D)
(Looking accusingly at
Nandu)
Oh God look at how much he’s
bleeding! Come, come inside. Let me
have a look.

She ushers Shutu in, glances back at Vikram and shakes her
head disapprovingly.

We stay with the group outside. Nandu takes in the scene and
walks back inside, spitting.
 54.

Vikram notices this as he breathes heavily, trying to get a

grip on himself. He dismissively brushes Mimi’s hand off.

CUT TO:

73 INT. AUNTY’S BATHROOM. DAY 73

Shutu is sitting on the commode with the lid on, next to the
sink. He is frowning and panting with a fixed, faraway look.
Aunty opens a cabinet placed over the white enamel sink. She
takes out a bottle of Dettol and some cotton as she observes
Shutu.

AUNTY
Aaj ke ma’r kaaj teke chiti
peyechi.
I got your mother’s letter today.

Shutu breathes heavy and doesn’t react.

AUNTY (CONT’D)
Kal ke post office giye, maa ke
ekta phone korish.
Go to the post office and call her
tomorrow.

SHUTU
(Distractedly)
Keno?
Why?

Aunty bends down to dress the wound, takes her time to

answer. Shutu winces in pain as the Dettol stings him.

AUNTY
Dara, ek minute...
Hold still...

CUT TO:

74 INT. DINING TABLE. DAY 74

Nandu, Bonnie, Mimi, Shutu and Tani sit at the dining table
silently eating their lunch. Manjari brings in more rotis and
Aunty serves it to them. Uncle saunters in wearing a hat and
joins them at the table.

UNCLE
Arrey. Brian aur Vikram kaha gaye?

AUNTY
They had to leave.

UNCLE
Oh.
 55.

Uncle stretches across to take some salad and notices Shutu.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Shutu! Yeh kya hua?

Everyone remains silent. Shutu looks up for a moment but

doesn’t respond.

TANI
They were playing Kabbadi...

AUNTY
You know how it is. Boys will be
boys!

Tani looks at her grandmother curiously. Everyone eats in

uncomfortable silence.

CUT TO:

75 EXT. VERANDAH STEPS. NIGHT (LOAD SHEDDING) 75

Nandu sits on the verandah steps, smoking a cigarette. Bonnie

walks out with a lantern. She sits beside Nandu and holds out
her hand for the cigarette.

NANDU
(Passing the cigarette)
She’s asleep?

BONNIE
Hmm.
(Taking a drag)
Vikram’s one hot headed guy.

NANDU
He’s always been like that.

BONNIE
Ya but he needs to pick on people
his own size you know. Not a kid
like Shutu.

NANDU
Please, 23 is hardly a kid! We got
married at that age.

BONNIE
But the problem is that Vikram
behaves like he’s 23! And always
gets away with it.

They smoke in silence as Bonnie swats bugs away. The lights

go off inside the house.

NANDU
He does tend to get carried away.
 56.

BONNIE
Even that day during the planchet,
you guys took it too far. It was
quite cruel.

NANDU
(Looks back at her
sharply)
You were also a part of it.

BONNIE
Ya, but it was your plan... You
know, he’s such a sensitive boy.

Nandu rolls his eyes.

BONNIE (CONT’D)
How he’s been wearing mesho’s
sweater everyday.

NANDU
Kids lose their parents when they
are 7,8,9... He’s a full grown man
now.

BONNIE
But give him some time...

NANDU
He needs to toughen up now and take
care of his mother.

Nandu gets up, stubs out the cigarette.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Trust me.

Nandu walks off leaving Bonnie outside, he bangs the door as

he goes in.

CUT TO:

76 INT. BONNIE’S ROOM. NIGHT 76

Bonnie, Nandu and Tani are asleep. There is a sudden sound.

Nandu wakes up with a frown. He looks over at Bonnie who is
fast asleep. Hearing the sound again he goes towards the
bathroom. He finds Shutu inside, wedged in a corner, stuck
between a cupboard, a door and the wall. Shutu looks ahead,
scared and disoriented.

NANDU
(Whispers)
Shutu, what happened?

Shutu stares at him blankly.

 57.

NANDU (CONT’D)
It’s okay, come.

Nandu puts his arm around Shutu’s shoulder and leads him back
to his bed. He tucks the mosquito net back in.

Nandu goes through the bathroom towards his own room when he
spots the frog under the sink. He registers this with a frown
and walks away, carefully shutting the door behind him.

A close shot of the frog staring balefully into the camera.

CUT TO:

77 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. NIGHT. 77

Exterior shot of the house taken from the gate. Fireflies

hover in the distance.

FADE OUT:

78 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ RAILWAY STATION MARKET. DAY 78

Fade in. On music we see the following visuals.

Shutu rides through the quiet, early morning roads of

McCluskiegunj on a cycle. Tani sits in front of him. The
landscape progresses from stark to the busier market area
near the Railway Station. They pass by the market and stop at
the Post office around the bend.

The super reads Day 5/Friday (31st DECEMBER)

78. A INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ POST OFFICE. DAY 78. A

Tani sits on a bench and watches Shutu as he talks to the

post man at a counter. Shutu removes a small phone book and
shows a number to the post man.

SHUTU
Yeh number pe phone lagana hain.

POSTMAN
Theek hain. Baitho.

He comes to Tani and waits with her until the postman calls
him back.

POSTMAN (CONT’D)
Bardhaman ka number. Aaj jao!
 58.

The post man hands Shutu the phone. On his face, the phone
rings twice and he keeps the receiver back down. The post man
gives him a puzzled look.

CUT TO:

79 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - CORRIDOR. DAY. 79

Shutu walks through the corridor leading to the kitchen,

carrying the shopping bags. Tani runs ahead of him.

TANI
Mama, we’ve come back! Where are
you?

BONNIE
Hi baby! Had fun in the market?

Tani goes to her mother while Shutu goes on into the kitchen.

79. A INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - KITCHEN. DAY. 79. A

Shutu places the shopping bags down on the counter.

AUNTY
Ma’ke phone korli?
Called your mother?

SHUTU
Connect holo na. Phoneta monehoy
kharaap.
It didn’t. The phone must be dead.

Aunty gives Shutu a suspicious look.

AUNTY
Kaal ke aar ek baar cheshta korish.
Try once again tomorrow.

Bonnie enters. She looks into the bag to take the mutton out.

BONNIE
Maa, should we start with the
mutton?

AUNTY
Yes. You know where everything is
na? Otherwise ask Manjari. I’m
going in for a bath.
(Opening the mesh door to
the backyard)
Manjari paani de do andar.

CUT TO:
 59.

80 EXT. BACKYARD. DAY 80

Manjari hangs the clothes on the line when she hears Aunty
call out to her. Maniya goes to pick up a bucket of water
from the under the sun.

MANJARI
E sab ja payega kha?

CUT TO:

81 OMITTED 81

82 EXT. FRONT LAWNS. DAY 82

Shutu and Tani are lying on their stomachs, on the grass

outside. Shutu is focusing a point of light through a
magnifying glass on a piece of paper. A couple of ants crawl
across it. Shutu chases a big ant with the magnifying glass,
trying to focus the point of light on it. Tani watches,
fascinated. The puppy is playing near them.

CUT TO:

83 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - KITCHEN. DAY. 83

Bonnie is frying the spices and onions in a large wok on the

stove. Mimi is chopping potatoes at the counter.

MIMI
So who’s this slut Vikram has
married?

Bonnie rolls her eyes.

MIMI (CONT’D)
Isn’t she much younger than him?

BONNIE
Ma was saying that she is from some
small town. And you know the small
town mentality na... they get their
girls married off really young.

MIMI
What’s her name?

BONNIE
Pratima? No Purnima.

MIMI
Khasi?

BONNIE
I don’t know. From that side only.
 60.

MIMI
You saw the new jeep?

BONNIE
For them Vikram is royalty!

MIMI
Royalty my ass.
(Pause)
What time are they coming tonight?

BONNIE
Uh. 7, 7:30 I think. Pass the
tomatoes.

MIMI
I haven’t cut it yet. I’m still on
the aloo.

BONNIE
Why have you cut them so small?
They’ll melt in the gravy.

MIMI
But you didn’t say! We can always
fry it separately and add it in the
end.

BONNIE
But then it doesn’t absorb any
flavor! Anyway, leave it now. Chop
the tomatoes for me fast.

MIMI
(Irately)
Fine. How do you want it?

BONNIE
Well ideally I’d like it pureed.

MIMI
Well obviously I can’t puree it for
you now.

BONNIE
Just chop it finely. Hurry up.

CUT TO:

84 EXT. FRONT LAWN. DAY 84

The paper catches fire and with it so does the grass and the
ant on it. Shutu and Tani watch the ant burn to a crisp
curiously. Tani and Shutu exchange a look.

TANI
It’s dead na?
 61.

SHUTU
I guess.

TANI
What do we do?

Shutu collects the ant and the burnt debris and pretends to
bury it. Tani does the sign of a cross. Shutu also does it,
to humour her. Tani arranges a few wild flowers on the pile.

TANI (CONT’D)
Should I say a poem?

SHUTU
Sure.

Tani folds her hands together in an elocution pose and

recites an unrelated, pithy poem.

TANI
When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I'm as clever as clever.
So I think I'll be six
now and forever.

CUT TO:

85 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT 85

PURNIMA (25), Vikram’s Assamese wife, confidently sings a

beautiful Bihu song oblivious to her surroundings. She looks
like a new bride; wearing a mekhla chador, wedding bangles
and a thick line of sindoor. She’s unsophisticated, yet sexy.

Tani sits next to her, watching her adoringly and

occasionally touching her chador. Bonnie motions Tani not to
disturb Purnima. Tani flatly refuses.

Over Purnima’s shoulder, we see Nandu, Shutu, Mrs McKenzie

and Uncle who is smoking a cigar. Everyone is sitting around
her, immersed in the song.

Aunty is pleasantly surprised, she exchanges an approving

look with Bonnie. Vikram accompanies Purnima on a guitar.
Mimi is sizing her up, while sipping her third drink. Purnima
finishes the song, everyone starts to clap.
 62.

BONNIE
Wow! We had no idea you sing so
well?

MRS MCKENZIE
Have you been learning for long
love?

AUNTY
(To VIKRAM)
Why have you been hiding her all
this time?

UNCLE
Challo ek aur gaana ho jaye.
Purnima, come on!

VIKRAM
Sing that one na...

PURNIMA
No thank you! Abh koi aur gao.

MIMI
Ya, let’s have a faster song! A fun
one we can dance to!

Bonnie sings ‘Dhitang Dhitang Bole’ with others joining in.

Brian joins along on his harmonica. Vikram plays the drums on
a table. Nandu picks up Tani and dances with her. Uncle and
Aunty try a jive; Vikram and Purnima do a twist. Shutu sits
alone on the sofa, trying to look busy with a magazine. Mimi
pulls him up. She dances provocatively and being a little
high, trips on her sari twisting her ankle.

CUT TO:

85. A INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 85. A

Vikram puts a cassette in the player and presses play.

86 INT. DINING TABLE. MOMENTS LATER. 86

Aunty and Bonnie arrange the mats and cutlery on the table.
Manjari brings in a casserole and places it down. In the
background, the music continues.

AUNTY
Manjari, mutton ke liye bada
chamach leke aao.

BONNIE
Ma should we serve Tani here...

Bonnie looks at Aunty who is looking at Mimi across the room.

She looks in that direction as well.
 63.

Mimi is leaning over and talking to Vikram, while casually

touching his thigh. Purnima is next to Vikram, but is talking
to Uncle. Mimi giggles, unaware that her pallu has slipped
off.

AUNTY
Just look at how she carries on.

BONNIE
Ma, she’s just talking...

Vikram looks uncomfortable and gets up. Mimi continues to sip

her drink alone.

AUNTY
Yes. With her sari hanging off? No
wonder that boy didn’t marry her.

BONNIE
Well, she can’t help it if men are
attracted to her.

AUNTY
But you can’t deny that she enjoys
the attention.

MRS MCKENZIE
(walking up to them)
Everything smells so lovely Anu.

BONNIE
(Handing her a plate)
Please start Aunty Gwen.
Guys, dinner is ready!

CUT TO:

87 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 87

The older people and Tani are seated at the dining table
while Nandu, Shutu, Mimi, Vikram and Purnima sit on the sofa
with their plates. Bonnie is serving herself at the table.

MRS MCKENZIE
I just love this typical Bengali
mutton curry!

AUNTY
It’s the potatoes, they soak up the
flavour. Bonnie made it, you know!

BONNIE
Thank you! Actually, Mimi and I
made it together.
 64.

MIMI
(Giving a drunken salute)
Oh please! I was just following
orders.

Bonnie gives Mimi a look. Tani leaves her half eaten food and
goes and sits on Purnima’s lap. Purnima is talking to Shutu.
Vikram is sitting opposite them.

PURNIMA
Yahan pe kya hua?

Vikram looks up sharply from his plate.

TANI
You know they were fighting?

Tani looks at Vikram.

SHUTU
(Laughs awkwardly)
Oh yeh? Kuch nahi, kuch nahi.

Purnima turns his face with her hand to get a better look at
the wound. Mimi gets up to put her plate away.

PURNIMA
Dikhao toh? Tch tch. Yeh toh ghaav
ho gaya hain.

SHUTU
Nahi... Woh khelte khelte lag gaya.

PURNIMA
Cold compress lagana chahiye.
Pata hain, usse bahut help hota
hain.

Vikram coughs, uneasy at this exchange.

BONNIE
(Interrupts them)
So pretty your payals are Purnima!
Sone ke payal bahut kum dekhe hain
humne.

Vikram notices as Mimi returns and perches herself on the arm

of the sofa next to Shutu. Purnima speaks a mix of Hindi and
broken English.

PURNIMA
Hain na? Vikram ke naani ke the.
Aaj kal yeh design nahi milte hain.

BONNIE
Really! Wow.
 65.

PURNIMA (HINDI)
Hajoor ke yaha, sone ke payal ka
rivaaj hain.

TANI
What is rivaaj?

BONNIE
Oh I didn’t know that. How
interesting.

TANI
Mama, what is rivaaj??

BONNIE
Shh... grown ups are talking.

SHUTU
Tani, it’s a practice.

NANDU
Obviously, gold is so expensive
that once only royalty could afford
it.

SHUTU
Even the men used to wear jewelry,
earrings for example.

MIMI
(Touching Shutu’s
shoulder)
I think earrings will really suit
you VIKRAM.

NANDU
Yeah. He looks like a bandit
already.

VIKRAM
Ma got so excited that I was
finally getting her a bahuri that
she’s giving away whatever little
family jewels are left also!

MIMI
Well, it seems you’re not taking
very good care of YOUR family
jewels, VIKRAM.

BRIAN
Ya! Wasn’t it just yesterday that
you were close to losing your
manhood, bugger?
(Turning to Purnima)
I’m sorry ha.. I know we’ve just
met, but I‘m saying for your sake
only.
 66.

NANDU
We’re just concerned about the
royal heir. We don’t want the
family to go into further decline.

MIMI
What Vikram really needs is a
chastity belt. At least Purnima can
breathe easy when she’s away.

BONNIE
MIMI!

Everyone laughs. Purnima hasn’t followed the conversation

completely but laughs sportingly.

BRIAN
Ya! Plus it’ll protect the family
jewels!

NANDU
Perfect! A golden chastity belt for
Vikram!

MIMI
Hear! Hear!

Everyone raises their glasses, laughing. Bonnie notices as

Mimi, laughing helplessly, slips off the arm of the sofa and
collapses on Shutu’s shoulder.

CUT TO:

88 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 88

Bonnie places a beautiful caramel custard on the table and

clears away other dishes. Tani, by now cranky and sleepy,
hangs on to her mother’s palloo.

TANI
No, you come. You come with me.

BONNIE
Uff Tani. I’m doing some work.

Tani continues whining and being clingy as Shutu and Purnima

come with their empty plates.

PURNIMA
Kaha pe rakhein?

BONNIE
Arrey, ho gaya? Tum ne toh kuch
khaya hi nahi. Yaha par rakh do.
 67.

SHUTU
Tani, come with me. I’ll show you
something.

BONNIE
Go na! Go with Shutu.

Shutu takes Tani out of the room. Vikram, meanwhile, comes up

to Purnima and wipes his wet hands on her chador.

PURNIMA
Arrey, towel nahi mila bathroom
mein?

Vikram walks away, laughing. Mimi notices this resentfully.

PURNIMA (CONT’D)
Sure kuch help nahi chahiye?

BONNIE
No, no don’t worry. It’s nothing.
Sit na. Mimi will help me. Mimi?

Mimi walks over to Bonnie. They step outside the room.

CUT TO:

89 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - CORRIDOR. NIGHT. 89

In the corridor, Bonnie pulls Mimi aside and whispers.

BONNIE
Just what do you think you’re
doing?

MIMI
Why? What’s wrong?

BONNIE
Can you be a little more dignified?

MIMI
Excuse me?

BONNIE
He’s a married man now.

MIMI
So tell him. I’m not the one who’s
married.

BONNIE
How many drinks have you had?

Mimi gives her look.

 68.

BONNIE (CONT’D)
Have you had dinner?

MIMI
I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.

Mimi makes a move to go. They hear Nandu.

NANDU (O.C.)
Bonnie! Where are you?

Mimi uses this moment to get away. Bonnie follows her.

CUT TO:

90 INT. BONNIE’S ROOM. NIGHT 90

Tani has fallen asleep with her doll clutched in one hand.
Shutu, too, has nodded off beside her but is suddenly woken
up by loud cheering and a countdown to midnight. He walks to
the door and finds everyone hugging and wishing each other
Happy New Year. Aunty sees Shutu at the corridor.

AUNTY
Where were you? Happy New Year
beta!

91 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 91

Everyone is wishing each other. Mrs. McKenzie hugs Brian.

MRS MCKENZIE
(Wiping away a tear)
Happy New Year dear. God knows
where you’ll be next year...

AUNTY
Everyone is going away Gwen... Only
we oldies are left. (hugging Gwen)

PURNIMA
Happy New Year Uncle!

UNCLE
(To Purnima)
Happy New Year bahuri! Yeh badmash
pareshan kare toh batana, tight kar
denge usko.

They all break into Auld Lang Syne.

Vikram laughs, turns away and has an awkward exchange with

Mimi. Making sure Vikram is watching, Mimi gives Shutu an
overly intimate embrace.

DISSOLVE TO:
 69.

92 INT. BONNIE’S ROOM. NIGHT 92

Auld Lang Syne continues - Shot of Tani sleeping.

DISSOLVE TO:

93 INT. KITCHEN. NIGHT 93

Auld Lang Syne continues - Maniya and Manjari eat, sitting on

the floor. Manjari shares her food with the puppy.

DISSOLVE TO:

94 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 94

Auld Lang Syne continues - A shot of left over caramel

custard, empty glasses.

DISSOLVE TO:

95 OMITTED 95

96 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 96

Shutu is alone in the darkened room, locking the door. He

turns around at a sudden movement. Mimi has come and stood
behind the sofa.

MIMI
Arrey! Party’s over?

She makes her way to the armchair and sits down with a groan
and opens her hair.

SHUTU
Can I get you some water?

MIMI
Can you get me another drink
instead?

SHUTU
(Laughs)
Of course! You were having Rum?

As Shutu walks over to the bar, Mimi massages her ankle.

Shutu watches her as he makes her drink. Mimi doesn’t take
the glass, so Shutu puts it down on the table next to her.

MIMI
I think I may have twisted my
ankle. See?
 70.

Shutu tries to hold her ankle gently but hurts her

inadvertently.

MIMI (CONT’D)
Ow!

SHUTU
Oh! Sorry, sorry.

MIMI
(Laughs)
It’s okay, Shutu!

An awkward silence.

SHUTU
You have beautiful feet!

MIMI
(Making a sad face)
But I don’t have any golden payals!

Mimi looks at him contemplatively as he attempts to rotate

her ankle. She takes a moment before she makes a move to get
up.

MIMI (CONT’D)
I better go to bed.

SHUTU
Oh okay.

Shutu makes a move to help her get up.

CUT TO:

97 INT. CORRIDOR. NIGHT 97

Mimi and Shutu walk down the corridor. She is a little

unsteady on her feet and has her arm around Shutu’s shoulder.
Shutu’s arm is around her waist. He is holding her shoes in
his other hand.

MIMI
(Squeals)
You have such cold hands Shutu!

SHUTU
I know. I’m sorry.

They proceed awkwardly, shuffling and giggling as they head

to Mimi’s room.

CUT TO:
 71.

98 INT. MIMI’S BEDROOM. NIGHT. 98

Shutu looks at the bed but chooses to sit her down on Uncle’s
chair instead. As he reaches the chair, she deliberately
stops and turns to look at him.

Mimi locks eyes with Shutu for a moment before pushing him
down on to the chair. Shutu sits down, stunned. She lifts her
sari a little and sits astride him. Lowering her face to
Shutu’s, she kisses him and then starts opening his belt.
Shutu’s hands grip the arms of the chair tightly, his
knuckles whitening. He starts breathing heavily as he closes
his eyes and kisses her back.

We move behind the chair and see the back of Shutu’s head and
Mimi’s hair cascading down. She grips the back of the chair
firmly with one hand.

The camera pans down the length of the chair as it starts to

rock gently. There is a bit of folded newspaper wedged under
one of the legs. As the chair starts to move faster, the
paper slips out. The sound of the wooden leg against the
floor becomes faster and louder.

CUT TO:

98. A OMITTED 98. A

98. B OMITTED 98. B

98. C INT. CORRIDOR. NIGHT 98. C

Shutu walks across the corridor to his room. There is gentle

snoring from the other rooms.

99 INT. SHUTU’S ROOM. NIGHT. 99

Shutu reaches his room, shuts the door behind him and gets
into bed. The puppy tries to jump on to the bed. Shutu scoops
him up under the blanket. His eyes shine brightly as he
cuddles the puppy.

CUT TO:

100 EXT. GATE. NIGHT. 100

Exterior shot of the house at night.

FADE OUT:
 72.

101 INT. MIMI’S BEDROOM. DAY. 101

Fade in. There is bright sunlight on Mimi’s face as she opens

her heavily kohl smudged eyes. She sees the time on the wall
clock: 11:45.

The super reads Day 6/Saturday (1st JANUARY)

MIMI’s hair is dishevelled and she is still wearing last

night’s clothes. She is severely hung over as she sits up
disoriented, holding her head. She sees her sari on the study
chair and cringes, suddenly remembering everything with a
groan.

CUT TO:

102 INT. CORRIDOR. DAY. 102

Mimi opens her door a crack and peeps out apprehensively. She
is wearing fresh clothes and her face is scrubbed clean of
last night’s makeup. Her hair is pulled back into a sober
ponytail. She walks gingerly down the corridor and goes to
the kitchen.

CUT TO:

103 INT. KITCHEN. DAY. 103

Mimi pours and drinks a whole glass of water. She notices

empty breakfast plates in the sink. She walks over to the gas
stove, lifts the lid off the wok and picks up remnants of egg
bhurji to eat.

Bonnie walks in, notices Mimi.

BONNIE
There’s more kept on the counter.

MIMI
Oh, okay.

BONNIE
Happy New Year!

MIMI
Happy New Year!

CUT TO:

104 EXT. VERANDAH. DAY 104

Uncle sits on a rocking chair, holding a transistor to his

ear as he follows a cricket match. Tani is sitting and
coloring on the floor. Fluffy is attacking the crayons.
 73.

NANDU (O.C.)
Okay, 20 across, actress in a best-
selling swimsuit poster. 7 letters.
Shutu?

Shutu, with a prominent black eye, is rapidly solving the

Rubik’s cube with clicking sounds. He stops and looks up as
Mimi walks out with a cup of tea and her book. He has finally
changed out of the green sweater he has been wearing
everyday.

NANDU (CONT’D)
Well. Good afternoon Mimi!

Mimi gives him a withering look and plants a kiss on Uncle’s

forehead.

MIMI
Happy New Year Uncle!

Mimi happens to sit down next to Shutu on the cane two

seater.

UNCLE
Good morning. Happy New Year!

NANDU
Slept well?

MIMI
Not really.

NANDU
Really? It’s only 12. You want to
go sleep some more?

Mimi ignores Nandu’s remark. Mimi meanwhile takes out a

cigarette from the box lying on the table. The matchbox is a
little further away, towards Shutu. Mimi looks at Shutu
expectantly. Shutu looks back at Mimi; nervous and
uncomprehending. Over these visuals Nandu and Uncle’s
conversation continues.

UNCLE (O.C.)
Sophia Loren!

NANDU (O.C.)
Noooo... that’s too long. 7
letters. Aah! Bo Derek.

MIMI
(Raising her eyebrows to signal)
Match?

Shutu stares at her blankly. Mimi is amused. In the

background, Tani’s eyes dart between the two. Mimi leans
across Shutu to pick up the matchbox herself.
 74.

NANDU
Oh Shutu you’ll know this one!
The high pitch of a loud siren
drops as it moves past it’s
observer. This is the dash effect.

Shutu who was staring at mimi, turns almost by reflex.

SHUTU
Doppler.

NANDU
Yes!

Mimi raises her eyebrows at Shutu and smiles, impressed.

UNCLE (O.C.)
(Cheers loudly)
Yes! Out!

CUT TO:

105 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - BACK CORRIDOR. DAY 105

Shutu anxiously fidgets with the rubik’s cube. He notices

Mimi who walks out to the verandah with her writing material
and sits. Shutu’s gaze follows her.

CUT TO:

106 EXT. BACKYARD. DAY 106

Shutu walks purposefully across the backyard and goes towards

the motorcycle. He walks the bike across towards the front
lawns. Tani runs towards him.

TANI
Shutu! Shutu!

Shutu pretends not to hear her. She comes up to him.

TANI (CONT’D)
(Out of the breath)
Shutu!

SHUTU
Tani!

TANI
What are you doing?

Shutu is silent.

TANI (CONT’D)
Where are we going?
 75.

Shutu is still walking quietly as Tani prattles on.

TANI (CONT’D)
You know how to drive a motor
cycle?

SHUTU
Ya. I know how to ride a motor
cycle.

TANI
But you can’t drive a car!

Shutu laughs. Tani walks along.

TANI (CONT’D)
I will sit in the front. You sit
behind me because baba said that if
I sit behind, I’ll fall off.

SHUTU
I can’t ride as well as your baba.
I’m only practicing. When I learn
properly then you come with me.

TANI
Baba allowed you?

SHUTU
(Stops and turns to her)
Tani where’s Fluffy gone?

TANI
I don’t know. He must be inside.

SHUTU
Go look for him. Bonnie di will get
angry if he runs off again.

TANI
Okay, I’ll go and get him. You wait
for me haan? Don’t go without me,
okay?

SHUTU
Ya.

Tani runs off inside while Shutu makes off hurriedly in the
other direction.

CUT TO:

107 EXT. ORCHARD. DAY 107

Mimi uses her book to shade her eyes from the sun. She is
almost asleep. A sudden movement makes Mimi open her eyes.
She lifts the book a little and squints into the distance.
 76.

With Mimi’s brightly painted toenails in the foreground, we

see Shutu approaching, awkwardly walking the bike. Mimi looks
amused.

As he comes closer, Shutu gives her a shy smile and looks

away as he keeps walking determinedly. His hair falls over
his black eye that has now turned an ugly purple. He tries to
move it with a jerk of his head. He comes up to her and
stands there, slightly out of breath.

SHUTU
Hi.

Mimi smiles at him.

SHUTU (CONT’D)
Want to go for a ride?

MIMI
Only if you let me ride it.

CUT TO:

108 INT. SHUTU’S ROOM. DAY. 108

Tani walks into Shutu’s room. It is a small room with his

things strewn around. The room is dark, the curtains are
drawn. Shutu’s books, his clothes, a pack of cigarettes, his
shaving kit are lying messily on the bed. Tani rifles through
his things, picks up his shaving brush and strokes it
thoughtfully on her chin. The puppy squiggles out from the
basket and comes near Tani’s feet. She scoops up the puppy,
placing the brush back exactly as it was and runs back out.

CUT TO:

109 EXT. VERANDAH. DAY 109

Tani comes out of the front door and walks into the verandah
talking all the while.

TANI
Shutu see I found him! He was under
your bed. Should we take him also?

Tani doesn’t see Shutu. She walks down the verandah steps,
looks around for him. She finds Shutu and Mimi walking the
motorcycle out of the driveway and looks on disbelievingly.

TANI (CONT’D)
Shutu! Shutu! Wait...

Tani runs down the driveway, with the puppy in her arms.
 77.

TANI (CONT’D)
(On the verge of tears)
Shutu!

Tani sets the puppy down. On her face, we hear the motorcycle
speed away. A labourer, working on the boundary wall, turns
around in the direction of the sound.

CUT TO:

110 EXT. ROAD. DAY 110

Shutu looks a little distracted as Mimi rides the bike. Shutu

awkwardly holds the seat for support. Mimi is enjoying the
wind in her hair. They ride through the lonely lanes of the
Gunj. She stops the bike, gets off and enters the gate of the
McCluskiegunj cemetery.

SHUTU
Wait, where are you going?

Mimi turns around shading her eyes from the sun with her
hand.

MIMI
(With a smile)
Come?

Without waiting for a response, Mimi goes inside.

CUT TO:

111 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ CEMETERY. DAY. 111

Shutu catches up with Mimi who has stopped at a gravestone.

MIMI
Mrs. Gladys McGowan. Arrived on
18th July 1897. Departed on 12th
August 1958. She left even as she
had tried to live in grace and
beauty.

SHUTU
(Slightly out of breath)
Why are we here?

Mimi looks at him and smiles.

SHUTU (CONT’D)
I thought we could go to the stream
up ahead.
 78.

MIMI
We could...
(Distracted by something)
Isn’t that Curney?

Shutu squints into the distance.

In a long shot, Mrs. Curney is kneeling at a grave further

away.

MIMI (CONT’D)
Mrs. Curney!

The woman turns her face to them partially, then gets up and
walks away.

MIMI (CONT’D)
Mrs. Curney?
(Turning back)
Is she ignoring us?

SHUTU
Mimi, Mimi...
Let her be...(Following Mimi)
Is that even her?

Mimi approaches the grave Mrs. Curney was at. She finds a lit
candle, flowers arranged in the shape of a heart and
something wrapped in a paper napkin.

MIMI
Elizabeth Curney. Born 1959 - Died
1965.
(Gasps)
Only 6 years old!

Mimi’s eyes travel down to the candle. She runs her hands
over the flower arrangement. Lifting the napkin, she finds a
slice of cake and looks delighted.

MIMI (CONT’D)
Want?

SHUTU
(Horrified)
NO!

MIMI
Why?

SHUTU
How can you eat it? It was lying...
there!

MIMI
She just left it! You’re always so
proper Shutu. It’s very boring.
 79.

SHUTU
But it’s not meant for us!

MIMI
Who is it meant for? Elizabeth
Curney?

Mimi breaks off a bit of the cake and forces a little into
Shutu’s mouth. He tries to resist but ends up eating a bit of
it. Mimi laughs mischievously.

MIMI (CONT’D)
(Walking away)
Delicious, isn’t it?

Shutu spits and wipes his mouth. He looks further ahead to

check if Mrs. Curney is still there.

SHUTU
What if she comes back?

Shutu doesn’t get a response. He turns around but can’t see

Mimi. From between a tree and the back of some gravestones,
we see Shutu as he looks around apprehensively.

SHUTU (CONT’D)
MIMI?
(Looks around)
MIMI?

Shutu walks away from the gravestone and looks further in the
distance. He stands alone for a few chilling moments.

SHUTU (CONT’D)
Mimi, we have to return
Vikram’s bike also.

Mimi suddenly jumps out from behind the tree and pounces on
him.

MIMI
(Covering his eyes,
Exorcist voice)
I’m the ghost of Elizabeth Curney.
I suck cock in hell!

Shutu jumps out of his skin. Mimi collapses into giggles.

Suddenly, Shutu pins her against the tree and aggressively
starts to kiss her.

CUT TO:

112 OMITTED 112

 80.

113 EXT. VERANDAH STEPS. DAY 113

Tani has curled up in the cane chair. She is sulking. Manjari

passes by with a pile of clothes in her hands - a blur in the
background. Tani notices the crayons rolling around. She
frowns and sits up.

TANI
Fluffy?

CUT TO:

114 INT. KITCHEN. DAY. 114

A long shot of Manjari folding clothes in a quiet corner of

the kitchen. We follow her as she takes the pile of folded
laundry from room to room.

Manjari goes to Mimi’s room first. The door is ajar, the room
is empty. She enters and keeps the pile down on the bed.

Next she comes to Aunty’s room and finds the door left open.
She walks in and finds Aunty sleeping alone, in the same
position as we saw her last. She leaves a few clothes on the
dresser and exits.

Finally, Manjari comes to Bonnie’s room and knocks on the

door. There’s no response.

CUT TO:

115 INT. BONNIE’S ROOM. DAY 115

Nandu is sitting on the bed with his eyes closed. He hears

the knock and opens his eyes in alarm. He hears the knock
again and there’s a sound as a hand tries to open the door.
He freezes.

MANJARI (O.C.)
Didi Kapde!

Bonnie who was going down on Nandu under a sheet, pops her
head out for a moment.

BONNIE
Bahar rakhdo.

She goes back under the sheet.

CUT TO:

116 INT. VERANDAH. DAY. 116

Uncle opens the tool box and systematically lays out all its
components.
 81.

He sets down the bottle of linseed oil and on a leather cloth

begins to dismantle the rifle. Maniya walks up to Uncle,
holding a rusty, battered drum cover with a few old bullet
holes and a thick layer of dust on it.

MANIYA
Yeh wala?

UNCLE
(Inspecting it)
Kya haal bana ke rakha
hain iska. Saaf karo!

Vikram pulls up on the jeep.

CUT TO:

117 INT. INSIDE BONNIE’S ROOM. DAY 117

Hearing Vikram’s jeep, Nandu gets up and buckles his belt.

Bonnie snuggles under the sheet and curls up for a snooze.
Nandu burps loudly and goes into the bathroom.

118 EXT. CEMETERY. DAY 118

Shutu is blissfully lying on the grass, half asleep. Mimi

hooks her bra strap shut from under her sweater. She frowns
into the distance to check if anyone has seen them.

MIMI
(brusquely)
Hurry up! Let’s get back before it
gets dark.

As they walk away, we tilt down to see that he has written:

‘Shutu + Mimi’

CUT TO:

119 EXT. ROADS. DAY 119

In a series of a fast paced shots we see Shutu riding the

motorcycle, Mimi sitting behind him. Shutu wobbles a little
on the bike while Mimi laughs at his struggle. They look
relaxed and happy. This is intercut with Tani’s running feet.
We hear her call out to Fluffy.

CUT TO:
 82.

120 INT. BONNIE’S ROOM. DAY 120

Bonnie opens her eyes with a start. She sits up and feels a
chill in the air.

CUT TO:

121 OMITTED 121

122 INT. KITCHEN. DAY. 122

Manjari is putting away dishes in the cabinet. Bonnie walks

in and fills a kettle with water at the sink.

BONNIE
Manjari, Tani kahan hain?

MANJARI
Bahar pilla ke saath khel raha tha.

Bonnie puts the kettle on the stove.

BONNIE
Chai bahar bhej dena. Vikram bhi
aaye huye hai. Aur Tani ke liye
bournvita.

CUT TO:

123 EXT. VERANDAH. DAY 123

Nandu and Vikram are with Uncle at the verandah. Vikram

stands next to Uncle and observes Uncle’s elaborate ritual.

VIKRAM
Smithandweson ka 32. It’s a
snubnose uncle. Kal leke aaye?
Target practice ke liye.

UNCLE
Good idea. Leke aao. Waise uska
range 10 meter se zyaada nahi hoga.

NANDU
Uska 10 meter range hain aur aapka
pata nahi chalege ke bhi nahi. Kar
lo target practice.

124 OMITTED123 CONTINUES INTO 125. 124

 83.

125 EXT. VERANDAH. DAY 125

Aunty comes up to the verandah after talking to the

labourers.

AUNTY
Vikram beta! Good you’re here. Yeh
majdoor log mujhe pagal kar rahe
hain. Everyday they come late, if
they come at all.

VIKRAM
They are all like this Aunty. I’ll
have a word with the thekedar.

Bonnie comes out to the verandah and holds the mesh door open
for Manjari.

BONNIE
Baaki sab ko bulaado. Chai thanda
ho jayega.

Manjari sets the tea tray down on the table and goes inside.
Everyone picks up a cup of tea.

BONNIE (CONT’D)
This is the tea that Purnima got
last night. Such a lovely aroma...

AUNTY
(noticing Brian walking in
through the gate)
Isn’t that Brian? Manjari ek aur
chai!

BONNIE
What’s that in his hand? Isn’t that
Fluffy?

Brian comes up to the verandah steps with Fluffy in his arms.

His own dog, Fluffy’s mother, follows at his heels.

BRIAN
Hey! You guys want to keep this
bugger or not? This fellow keeps
coming back to his mom all the
time...

BONNIE
But I thought Tani was playing with
Fluffy. She’s not with you?

BRIAN
No. I found him in the garden with
his mother.

Manjari comes and stands at the door.

 84.

MANJARI
Ghar pe aur koi nahi hain.

BONNIE
(Getting up)
Koi nahi hain matlab? Mimi room
mein nahi hain?
Tani?

Bonnie goes inside to check. Maniya cycles in from the gate.

NANDU
Arrey she must be with Shutu.

UNCLE
Abh thand bhi lag rahi hain.

AUNTY
Maniya! Shutu aur Tani ko dekha
hain?

MANIYA
Nahi.

AUNTY
Usko jaake puchon kuch dekha hain
ki nahi.
(Indicating a passing
labourer)

CUT TO:

125.Pt 1EXT. DRIVEWAY. DAY 125.Pt 1

Maniya goes up to the labourer.

MANIYA
Yaha se koi gaya tha?

The labourer gives a vague look.

MANIYA (CONT’D)
Kisi ko dekha gate se nikalte hue?

LABOURER
Ek motorcycle gaya tha.

CUT TO:

125.Pt 2EXT. VERANDAH. DAY 125.Pt 2

Bonnie has come back out.

AUNTY
Motorcycle pe?
 85.

BONNIE
Motorcycle pe kaun gaya? Tani saath
mein thi?

Nandu looks at him surprised, gets up and goes to check.

VIKRAM
Mimi has also gone with them?

BONNIE
She’s nowhere to be seen either.

125. A EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - SIDE . DUSK 125. A

We follow Nandu to the side of the house. He finds the

motorcycle is missing.

AUNTY (O.C.)
They’re here!

125. B EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - DRIVEWAY. DUSK 125. B

Nandu runs back to see the motorcycle entering the driveway

with Shutu riding and Mimi’s arms around him. They look
dishevelled and relaxed, till they realize that everyone’s
attention is on them.

Shutu halts the motorcycle a little away from them and Mimi
gets off.

NANDU
Where were you guys?

BONNIE
Tani is not with you?

Shutu looks around and takes it all in.

SHUTU
(In a small voice)
No.

BONNIE
You didn’t take Tani with you?

SHUTU
(Scared)
No.

MIMI
What happened?

Bonnie ignores Mimi.

BONNIE
Then where is she?
 86.

NANDU
Did you see her before leaving?
Where was she?

Mimi walks towards the verandah.

125 c EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - VERANDAH. DUSK 125 c

Brian comes out from inside the house.

BRIAN
Listen Vikram, she’s not in the
house.

MIMI
(To Vikram)
What happened? Where’s Tani?

Vikram ignores her.

MIMI (CONT’D)
You guys checked the whole house?

VIKRAM
Obviously, we’ve checked the whole
fucking house. I can’t believe
Shutu and you just went off with my
bike.

MIMI
I wanted to ride the bike, Vikram.

AUNTY
You could’ve just informed us if
you two wanted to go out.

125 . D EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - DRIVEWAY. DUSK 125 . D

BONNIE
(Hysterical)
Why didn’t you take her with you?

SHUTU
No... we, I mean... I didn’t want
to take her without asking you
so...

NANDU
Shutu. Where did you see her last?

SHUTU
She... she was at home. Playing
with Fluffy.

NANDU
Okay but where?
 87.

SHUTU
Towards the back.

Shutu puts the bike stand, struggling with it a little.

125 . E EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - VERANDAH. DUSK 125 . E

AUNTY
(To Uncle)
Aap toh yahi the na? Aapne dekha
nahi?

Uncle gives Aunty a vague look.

NANDU
Maniya, pichein theek se jaakar
dekho. Tub ke pass.

Maniya goes off to check the backyard.

AUNTY
(To Uncle)
Come let’s go inside, it’s getting
dark now. You can do this tomorrow.

Uncle starts to pack his tool kit and Aunty goes to help him.
As they proceed, the verandah is getting dark. The lights
have been switched on inside. We can hear voices calling out
for Tani. Two cups of tea and a glass of Bournvita remain
untouched. The coloring paper flies away from the edge of the
verandah in the background.

CUT TO:

126 INT/EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. NIGHT. 126

Shutu looks under the bed in his own room.

Mimi opens a cupboard and looks inside.

Brian searches the front lawns with a torch.

Manjari shines the lantern on the abandoned bathtub.

Maniya looks inside the store room.

CUT TO:

127 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT 127

Bonnie enters from the corridor and frantically searches the

room before going outside again. Uncle sits at the dining
table, putting his tool kit away while observing the frenzy
around him.
 88.

UNCLE
Iss ghar mein itne logon ke beech
mein, ek bachchi gayab ho jaati
hain, aur kisi ko pata bhi nahi
chalta!

Nandu enters the room to change the batteries of the torch.

Bonnie comes back in and looks behind the cabinets, under the
tables and in the process almost knocks off a vase.

CUT TO:

128 INT. SHUTU’S ROOM. NIGHT. 128

Shutu goes to check the bathroom and sees the frog. The frog
is now closer to the door. On Shutu’s face, we hear a sudden
loud crash.

NANDU (O.C)
What the hell are you doing Bonnie?

CUT TO:

129 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 129

NANDU
You’re just adding to the chaos.
Sit still in one place.

BONNIE
Shit, shit... I just didn’t see
it... I... I don’t know how..

Bonnie bends down to pick up the broken pieces of a vase.

Aunty gets up to help. Nandu gets increasingly frustrated as
the torch doesn’t work even with the new batteries.

AUNTY
It’s okay. Let it be. Don’t worry.
Just sit down.
(Picking up the pieces)
If only you had told me once, I
would have kept an eye on her.

BONNIE
But Ma, you were sleeping yourself!

AUNTY
Yes! Because no body told me the
poor girl was going to be left
alone.

BONNIE
I don’t understand. After lunch, we
came in to lie down... she went off
looking for Shutu...
(MORE)
 89.

BONNIE (CONT'D)
I thought he’ll be with her. He
didn’t even tell me before going!

NANDU
Shutu is a kid, okay? You can’t be
counting on him to do your job.

BONNIE
My job? He’s been with her every
day and nobody’s ever had a problem
with it before!

NANDU
Bonnie, just shut up and let me
think!

Brian and Vikram come inside and try to break up the fight.

BRIAN
Guys, guys.

AUNTY
Nandu! Calm down.
(Turning to Bonnie)
Bonnie, Nandu’s right you know.
Shutu’s not been himself lately. He
never used to get into fights...
You know he’s failed his final
exams?

Bonnie looks up aghast.

BONNIE
(Whispers)
Failed?

AUNTY
He’s been thrown out of the hostel,
he’s lied to his mother...

Bonnie and Nandu exchange a look.

CUT TO:

130 OMITTED 130

131 OMITTED 131

132 INT. CORRIDOR. NIGHT 132

Shutu stands alone in the corridor outside, with his head

hung low, listening.
 90.

AUNTY (O.C.)
Left her alone in Bardhaman and
he’s come on this holiday. And now
this. Tell me, is this responsible
behavior?

VIKRAM (O.C.)
Guys, guys. Let’s think clearly.

CUT TO:

133 INT. LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 133

VIKRAM
She’s obviously not in the house.
Let’s not waste anymore time.

BONNIE
We have to tell the police.

NANDU
You can’t file a police complaint
so soon? Can you Baba?

UNCLE
Minimum 24 hours, I think.

VIKRAM
Don’t worry! I’ll talk to
Shrivastav. He may be able to help
us. Who saw her last?

BONNIE
(Turns to Manjari)
Manjari. Manjari, kitne baje dekha
last?

MANJARI
Pata nahi...
(Turns to Bonnie )
O, kapde dene ke liye aaya tha na?
Uss se pehle.

Bonnie and Nandu exchange a look.

NANDU
(To VIKRAM)
Must be around 4. Just before you
came.

BRIAN
I only came at 4:30 and now it’s
almost 6!

VIKRAM
Listen she’s a little girl. It’s
been under two hours.
(MORE)
 91.

VIKRAM (CONT'D)
She couldn’t have gone beyond a two
kilometer radius. You guys search
the grounds, I’ll go get Ganghju
and Khushia na?

BRIAN
Ya. And I’ll go check at my place
first.

Brian puts on his jacket and leaves.

MIMI
I’ll come with you VIKRAM.

Vikram ignores her and exits from the front door. Mimi
follows him.

Nandu picks up his car keys. Bonnie comes up to Nandu at the

front door.

BONNIE
I’m coming with you.

NANDU
No. You stay here.

BONNIE
(Crying)
I’ll just go mad sitting here and
waiting Nandu, please!

NANDU
(Turning around and holding her
shoulders)
Baby, please stay here with Ma
Baba. She might come back on her
own and she’ll want you here. We
will find her, okay?

Bonnie nods dumbly. She stands at the doorway as everyone

leaves.

NANDU (O.C.) (CONT’D)

Shutu, come on. Get into the car.

CUT TO:

134 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ STREETS. NIGHT 134

Outside the gate, Vikram’s car speeds off into the distance.
As the tail lights disappear, darkness closes in once again.

CUT TO:
 92.

135 EXT. GROUNDS. NIGHT 135

The headlights of Nandu’s car light up the misty orchard. The

trees get more dense. As the car slows down, Nandu and Shutu
roll down their windows and call out for Tani.

They get out of the car. Nandu leaves the headlights on,
jumps on to the hood of the car to get to a better vantage
point. He shines the torch on the thick foliage.

NANDU
(Jumping off the car)
You go in that direction, I’ll take
this side.

They set off in different directions. The headlights remain

on, lighting up the misty landscape.

CUT TO:

136 EXT. GROUNDS. NIGHT 136

Manjari and a couple of other Adivasi women search the

grounds, calling out to each other in their own language.
Holding a lantern, Manjari stomps her stick on the ground as
she searches for Tani.

MANJARI
Main bole khojat rahi, lekin nahi
bol rahi.

MANJARI’S FRIEND
Ka?

MANJARI
Raat ke lombad nikle lani.

MANJARI’S FRIEND
Ek baar fash gelak rahi jaal main
se la dubara nahi aawi.

They exchange a look.

CUT TO:

137 EXT. BRIAN’S HOUSE. NIGHT. 137

Brian is at the stream running by his house. He shines the

torch onto the rocks and running water. His voice echoes
eerily over the water as he shouts out Tani’s name.

Dogs howl as Mrs. McKenzie and Kitty stand at the verandah,

bundled up in their night clothes.

CUT TO:
 93.

138 EXT. GROUNDS. NIGHT 138

Shutu follows a dirt track in the wilderness. He’s panting

and his nose starts to run in the cold. There is a rustling
of dry leaves and broken twigs as he makes his way through
the forest. Eerie bird calls pierce the night. Nandu’s voice
wafts through the distance: ‘Taaa-ni!’

There is a sudden movement. Shutu goes in that direction. He

comes across a little clearing and decides to explore
further. He starts walking faster but stops as the torch
light illuminates Tani’s discarded belt lying on the forest
floor. Shutu stares at it in horror and quickly picks it up.
He thinks Tani must be nearby. He calls out her name
repeatedly. In his excitement he trips over a rock and falls
into an underground animal trap, letting out a shout.

In a wide shot, we see the still forest, nobody is around. We

hear Shutu’s muffled, underground struggle.

SHUTU
Dada!... Dada!

CUT TO:

139 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM. NIGHT. 139

Uncle pours brandy into three glasses. Bonnie paces around

the room, she opens the front door and hunches up her
shoulders to the chilly air.

BONNIE
(Shutting the door)
I don’t even know if she was
wearing a sweater.

Uncle gives Bonnie a glass. She gulps down in one sip and
looks at him gratefully. Aunty is knitting and muttering a
prayer under her breath. Uncle sits down on the arm chair and
sips his brandy looking relatively relaxed.

UNCLE
Arrey kitna tension lete ho tum
log! Relax karo. Kalidas wapas nahi
aane wala hain.
(muttering, O.C)
Ek kachua ke piche itna hangama.

Bonnie stops pacing, looks at him incredulously and then at

Aunty. Aunty is acutely embarrassed.

AUNTY
O.P! You’ve had too much to drink.

CUT TO:
 94.

140 EXT. GROUNDS. NIGHT 140

Shutu is sitting still inside the trap. In one hand he has

the torch and in the other, Tani’s belt. There is a sudden
rustling sound. Shutu looks up and flashes the torch. The
light catches the eyes of a a wild cat, staring down at
Shutu. Shutu looks back alert. The cat twitches and walks
away. Shutu slowly lets out his breath.

CUT TO:

141 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - GROUNDS. NIGHT 141

Dogs bark as the moon rises in the forest. Suddenly we hear a

jeep’s horn blaring jubilantly “Pa-pa-pa-pa!”

CUT TO:

142 EXT. GROUNDS. NIGHT 142

Nandu stops in his tracks as the horn rings through the

silence. He looks back in the direction of the house where
the sound seems to be coming from.

NANDU
Shutu! Shutu!

CUT TO:

143 EXT. GROUNDS. NIGHT 143

Maniya reacts to the blaring horns and heads back.

CUT TO:

144 EXT. GROUNDS. NIGHT 144

Nandu gets no response from Shutu. He jumps into the car,

lowers his window and yells out.

NANDU
Maniya! Challo vapas!

CUT TO:

145 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ GROUNDS. NIGHT. 145

Inside the trap, Shutu’s crouched in a corner. He hears the

blaring horns and Nandu’s calls.

SHUTU
Dada! I’m here. Dada!
 95.

His voice gets drowned out by the sound of the horns.

Helplessly, he realizes that he can’t be heard as the car
drives away.

Above the ground, we track away from the spot as Shutu’s

voice becomes faint.

CUT TO:

146 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. NIGHT. 146

Nandu’s car screeches to a halt as he parks it haphazardly

near verandah. He runs in, leaving the car door open.

CUT TO:

147 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. NIGHT. 147

Nandu finds Bonnie carrying Tani in her arms and kissing her
repeatedly. Tani is wearing VIKRAM’s jacket. Her dress is
torn, her hair is an unruly mess, she has scraped her knees
and is bare feet.

MIMI (O.C.)
We were coming back from
Shrivastav’s house and thank god
Vikram decided to check the back
road...

Nandu grabs Tani in his arms and kisses her.

NANDU
Thank God you’re safe! You are NOT
to leave the house again!

BONNIE
Let it be now.

NANDU
Where did you find her?

VIKRAM
I don’t know why but I just thought
we should check the area near
Siyartoli. It is pretty deserted
back there. And guess what? We find
Bahadur carrying Tani in his arms.

NANDU
Who’s Bahadur?

VIKRAM
He works for Goswami. He was going
home after work and found her.
 96.

MIMI
He said he was taking her to the
doctor’s house.

AUNTY
But Goswami and all are in Cal.

VIKRAM
She had wandered onto their grounds
apparently. Main thing is that we
found her.

UNCLE
We’ll talk to Goswami.

AUNTY
Just do that... Tch. Bechara,
Khide peyeche nishchoi? Manjari!
(Turning to Manjari)
Khana laga do sabh ke liye. Ho
jayega na?

Aunty is about to turn away.

MANJARI
Par Shutu Bhaiya toh nahi aaya.

AUNTY
(Irritated)
Nahi aaya matlab? Maniya ko bhejo
bulaane.

CUT TO:

147 . A EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ GROUNDS - UNDERGROUND. NIGHT. 147 . A

Shutu, still trapped in the pit, hears Maniya call out to

him.

MANIYA (O.C.)
Shutu! Shutu bhaiya!

148 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ GROUNDS. NIGHT. 148

Maniya, flashes his torch and makes his way through with a
stick.

SHUTU (O.C.)
(Muffled)
Maniya! Maniya! Idhar.

Maniya looks around but can’t see anyone. He goes in the

direction of the sound.

MANIYA
Kahaan?
 97.

SHUTU
Maniya, neeche!

Maniya points the torch down, walks slowly until he comes

upon the hole. He kneels down and sees Shutu. Maniya giggles
with surprise.

MANIYA
Arrey! Aap ko sabh dhoondh rahe
hain aur aap yaha gir gaye. Vikram
bhaiya ko mil gaya baby.

Shutu stares back at Maniya as Maniya extends his hand to

Shutu.

MANIYA (O.C.) (CONT’D)

Challo!

CUT TO:

149 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. NIGHT. 149

Shutu stands at the verandah, watching the family inside. His

clothes are soiled, his face muddy and bruised. A few wild
burrs stick to his jeans and shoes.

From Shutu’s POV, we see Tani is sitting on Vikram’s lap with

Bonnie feeding her some hot soup. The rest are around them.

150 INT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE - BONNIE’S ROOM. NIGHT 150

Shutu stands at the doorway of Bonnie’s room. Tani is lying

in bed with Bonnie. There is a thermometer in Tani’s mouth
and Bonnie is putting a cold wash cloth on her forehead. They
notice him.

Shutu limps over to the bed and kneels next to Tani. He

reaches out to her but she gives him a scornful look.

TANI
No! You left me and went.

She turns around and buries her face in Bonnie’s shoulder.

Shutu looks devastated.

CUT TO:

151 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ GATE. NIGHT 151

Exterior shot of the house from the gate. Some leaves rustle
and smoke blows into the air. Shutu stubs his cigarette and
walks away.

FADE OUT.
 98.

152 EXT. VERANDAH. DAY 152

Fade in. Manjari sweeps the verandah.

The super reads Day 7/Sunday (2nd JANUARY)

CUT TO:

153 EXT. BONNIE’S ROOM. DAY 153

Bonnie wakes up, hugs Tani and goes back to sleep.

CUT TO:

154 EXT. MIMI’S BEDROOM. DAY 154

Mimi is fast asleep in her room.

CUT TO:

155 OMITTED 155

155. A INT. SHUTU’S ROOM. DAY 155. A

Shutu’s room is empty.

CUT TO:

156 INT. CORRIDOR. DAY 156

Maniya washes the lid of the drum with a spray of water from
a hose. Shutu watches him from the corridor. Shutu is
unslept, has big dark circles and his black eye is deeper
than before.

CUT TO:

157 INT. AUNTY’S ROOM. DAY 157

Uncle is searching for something among Aunty’s things at the

dressing table. One drawer is locked. Aunty enters with
clothes under her arm and is heading to the bathroom.

AUNTY
Abh kya hua?
(Irritated)

UNCLE
Kuch time pe nahi milta hain.
Hamesha mera samaan idhar udhar
karti rehti ho.
 99.

AUNTY
(Muttering while walking to the
bathroom) You leave my things
alone.

Uncle turns to see aunty go into the bathroom. He picks up

her keys from the bedside table and goes to open the locked
drawer. Among a bunch of rollers and other things, he finds a
small box of ammunition.

CUT TO:

158 OMITTED 158

159 INT. BACK CORRIDOR. DAY. 159

A close shot of Shutu’s morose face. Aunty is sitting

opposite him at the table with her tea in front of her.

AUNTY
Tui ekhunu Ma’ke phone korli na, na?
Tin din hoye gelo kintu chiti peye.

Mimi walks in, freshly bathed, with a damp towel in her hand.
She looks over at the kitchen table. Shutu, who all this
while was fidgeting with crumbs, notices Mimi from the corner
of his eye. Mimi awkwardly looks away while making her
coffee.

AUNTY (CONT’D)
You should go back home Shutu. And
better buy your ticket today. First
go to the post office and give her
a call, then go the station and buy
your ticket. Dekh kothaye confirmed
seat paash.

Shutu looks up at Aunty slowly, glancing at MIMI.

SHUTU
(low voice)
Kintu taka poysha toh neyi...
But I don’t have any money.

Aunty’s face softens.

AUNTY
Aami diye debo. Tor chokh ta toh
roj roj bediye jaache! Ma’r heart
fail hoye jaabe. Bhebhe dekhechish?
Shekh ta kothai gelo?
 100.

Aunty picks up the hot compress, touches her tea cup with it
and puts it to his eye. As Aunty tends to his black eye, with
his other eye Shutu watches Mimi silently leave the kitchen.

CUT TO:

160 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ STREETS. DAY. 160

Shutu wanders the roads of McCluskiegunj, alone on a cycle.

He reaches the post office, lost in his own world.

CUT TO:

161 INT. POST OFFICE. DAY. 161

Shutu is at the counter, listening to his mother as she weeps

on the phone. His eyes are vacant and fixed far away.

SHUTU’S MOTHER (O.C.)(BENGALI)

We can easily get you a teaching
position here in Bardhaman. What to
do Shutu, we really can’t afford
anything else.

We track away from the door.

161 A OMITTED 161 A

162 EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ RAILWAY STATION. DAY 162

Shutu comes up to a small ticket window.

SHUTU
Howrah ka next train?

Shutu takes out his wallet. There is a faded black and white
picture of a man with a child smiling, tucked inside.

TICKET VENDOR (O.C.)

Howrah? Chopan se Gomoh lijiye.
Barkhakana mein Howrah ka bogie
lagega.

CUT TO:

163 INT. SHUTU’S ROOM. DAY 163

Shutu is packing away his meagre belongings into his back

pack. He picks up his books strewn over the bed and puts them
in. From under his books, he finds the magnifying glass. He
looks at it for a moment and puts it inside his bag.

CUT TO:
 101.

164 INT. AUNTY’S ROOM. DAY 164

Aunty sits at a writing desk near the window in her room.

She has filled thin sheets of air mail paper with delicate,
neat handwriting. She folds the letter carefully, blows open
the envelope and puts the letter in. She puts a couple of
hundred rupees in as well. As she licks the envelope shut,
she hears a sound at the door.

AUNTY
(Without looking)
Manjari...

She turns around and her expression changes as she finds

Shutu standing at the door way.

AUNTY (CONT’D)
Ticket peli?

Shutu walks up to her, handing her the change.

SHUTU
Yes. Here.

AUNTY
(Handing the envelope to Shutu)
Eta Maa ke diye dish.

CUT TO:

165 INT. CORRIDOR. DAY 165

Shutu comes out of Aunty’s room. He walks down the corridor

and comes across Mimi who is coming out of the kitchen with
an orange. They pass each other awkwardly searching for
something to say.

MIMI
You’re leaving?

Shutu nods.

MIMI (CONT’D)
Bardhaman?

SHUTU
But I’ll be coming to Cal soon. So
I’ll see you?

Mimi looks at him for a moment.

MIMI
Shutu I... I think you should be
concentrating on your studies a
little more.
 102.

She turns and heads out of the door. Shutu takes a moment to
collect himself as he watches her leave through the mesh
door.

CUT TO:

166 EXT. VERANDAH . DAY 166

Uncle spills a little linseed oil as he reaches for the

cloth.

UNCLE
Bhenchod!

He notices Shutu’s shadowy figure standing behind the mesh

door.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Shutu beta, idhar aao.

Shutu joins Uncle outside.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Zara isko ponch do.

Shutu wipes as he watches Mimi ahead.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Abh dikhaenge Nandu ko.
Box leke aana. Maniya!

CUT TO:

167 EXT. FRONT LAWNS. DAY/DUSK. 167

Shutu and Uncle are in the front lawns. Maniya is holding the
drum lid against the tree.

UNCLE
Aur upar. Arrey itna nahi.
Neechein! Sunai nahi deta kya?

Shutu is uninterested.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Aim kabhi aise havein mein nahi
karna chahiye, kya pata civillian
ko lag jaaye. Box do.

Shutu looks around to notice Vikram and Brian enter on the

bike from the side of the house. Nandu comes out of the house
and Tani runs to him. Bonnie and Mimi join them near the
verandah.
 103.

UNCLE (O.C.) (CONT’D)

Pehle isme mag chadhate hain. Phir
safety catch ko ready position mein
laate hain. Phir cock karke...

The loud cocking sound brings Shutu back to the moment. Uncle
is ready to aim.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Foresight ko aperture ke beech mein
rakh ke, shifth ko target pe milate
hain.

SHUTU
(pleadingly)
Uncle, ek baar please...mujhe. Let
me hold it na.
(PAUSE)
Aap fire karein usse pehle.

Uncle gives him a look and goes back to the rifle.

UNCLE
No, no Shutu. Not now.

SHUTU
I just want to hold it once, just
to see how it feels.

UNCLE
(Without looking at Shutu)
You want to hold it haan?

SHUTU
You show me how to hold it Uncle.
Aap nahi dikhayenge toh...

UNCLE
Okay. Just to hold it. Wait.

Uncle carefully puts the safety catch back on. With one arm
still holding the rifle, Uncle lets Shutu hold it; Shutu
closes in. He tightens his grip on the rifle and in one swift
movement scampers off to a distance.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Wapas karo Shutu. Kya kar rahe ho?

Shutu backs away unsteadily.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Nandu!

Nandu and the others turn around to see Shutu pointing the
rifle at Uncle. Vikram hurriedly takes a few steps towards
Shutu.
 104.

NANDU
Shutu!

Shutu reacts to Nandu’s voice. His hands shake as he moves

the rifle ever so slightly. Vikram is now in the direct line
of fire.

NANDU (O.C.) (CONT’D)

Bonnie take Tani inside!

Uncle turns back from Vikram to see that the rifle is no

longer aimed at him. He takes a step forward.

UNCLE
Shutu, don’t do this.

Shutu continues backing away until he hits a tree. He panics

as Vikram is fast approaching him.

Shutu feeling cornered, removes the safety lock with

trembling fingers. Uncle freezes. Shutu puts his finger on
the trigger.

UNCLE (CONT’D)
Beta kya kar rahe ho?

Bonnie hugs Tani to shield her from the scene.

BONNIE
(desperately)
Shutu please!

With one arm outstretched to reason with Shutu, Vikram walks

slowly and deliberately towards him. With his other hand
Vikram reaches for his own gun.

VIKRAM
(In a steady voice)
Shutu put that gun down now.

There’s a moment of fevered panic in Shutu’s eyes as Vikram

comes even closer to him. Shutu grips the rifle tighter,
aiming straight at Vikram.

Vikram, unafraid, continues to approach Shutu.

VIKRAM (CONT’D)
You don’t need to do this, Shutu.

Shutu’s eyes well up. He lowers his rifle. The others start
to come closer.

SHUTU
(Under his breath)
Sorry.
 105.

There is a certain calm in his eyes now. Suddenly, with

lightening speed, he turns the barrel to the base of his chin
and fires.

Vikram freezes in shock as a few drops of blood splatter on

his face. We hear Bonnie’s anguished cry. Uncle rushes
towards the house.

UNCLE
Shutu goli kha gaya! Shutu goli kha
gaya!

High Speed: In the foreground, a eucalyptus tree stands with

a fresh stain of blood as the smoke curls into the frame.

Bonnie collapses with Tani on the grass. Mimi covers her face
with both hands in shock. Nandu holds his head in his hands
and falls to his knees. Brian’s face is white as a sheet.

In a low angle from Shutu’s POV, Vikram rushes to the tree.

Brian helps Nandu as he stumbles and falls. Mimi stands
rooted to the spot in horror.

We dissolve to the same shot at dusk as Bonnie, Nandu, Brian,

Mimi and Vikram slowly disappear from the frame.

A police siren is heard in the distance.

CUT TO:

168 INT/EXT. MCCLUSKIEGUNJ HOUSE. INDETERMINATE HOUR 168

It is the same frame as in the previous shot, only a little

darker. A steady cam rises and languidly weaves it’s way into
the house, starting from the verandah steps. The house is
dimly lit. We catch a glimpse of Uncle, Vikram and Nandu at
the dinning table with a police officer who is taking notes.
The rifle lies on the table.

We pan from them to the mantle piece where the missing rifle
is marked by a dusty outline. As we move to the next room,
the lights die down. It is night, in their bedroom, Uncle
sits still while Aunty lies awake next to him.

As we move further through the door into Mimi’s room which is

empty, the bed is unmade and her article remains incomplete.
Moving further into the kitchen through the corridor, light
changes to day. We see Manjari working absentmindedly. As we
move away, early morning light fills the corridor. Aunty
stares at her cup of tea, sitting still.

Day turns to night as we weave through the living room in

darkness and see Nandu sitting at a distance in the verandah,
smoking a cigarette.

At a crack of dawn, we move into Bonnie’s room and see her

sitting in front of an open suitcase, looking blankly ahead.
 106.

We leave her as the camera travels through the bathroom as

daylight floods in, a closed door opens into Shutu’s room.
His backpack has been emptied of his clothes, books and
toiletries as they lie strewn on the bed. We stop at his desk
where his journal lies open. A few pages flutter in the
breeze and peeking out from one of the pages is the envelope
addressed to his mother. Mimi is standing at a window of
Shutu’s room, smoking a cigarette, looking out. As the light
bleaches to white at the window.

Outside the window, we see Tani on the tyre swing. As she

moves eerily in slow motion, we pan to see scratched into the
tree trunk is Shutu’s name in childish writing. Beneath it,
in a more adult hand are his dates: [1956 - 1979].

The camera moves through the trees till it comes to the road
adjoining the orchard. Nandu’s ambassador whizzes past.

CUT TO:

169 EXT. RANCHI HIGHWAY. DUSK. 169

We are back to the present, the opening sequence. In a series

of long shots we see the same ambassador on a lonely stretch
of highway.

CUT TO:

170 EXT. RANCHI HIGHWAY. DUSK. 170

Through the window of the driver’s seat we see Nandu in the

foreground in profile, driving and smoking. In the background
we see a grim Brian sitting in the front passenger seat with
a hanky to his mouth.

Through the front windscreen we see Shutu wearing the same

clothes as the last time we saw him. He sits in the middle in
the backseat, looking worried, scared and sad. We move to an
extreme close up.

170. A INT. RANCHI HIGHWAY. NIGHT. 170. A

They leave behind McCluskeigunj as we see dense forest

closing in behind the speeding car.

CUT TO BLACK.

THE END. *