""You might've forgotten me;" "but I've never forgotten you"" ""One Monday, I'm presenting the last show of my life"" ""You must come." "Bring David, too"" ""Do tell him that even today I say with pride..."" ""My name is Joker"" "Do you still remember a little Hindustani?" "You saw my very first performance." ""Won't you see my last?"" ""I'm sending the ticket"" ""You were mine once"" ""I'm presenting the last show of my life." "Can you come to it?"" ""I've called Mr. Kumar, too." "You must come"" "In the history of the circus, tonight will be memorable." "Because after many long years, once again before you... is your favourite laughing, singing clown, Raju!" "I don't know where he has been these last 20 years." "I don't know what he has done;" "what he has lost or gained." "It's only Raju who knows how he feels." "But I do know that wherever and however he must've been... in happiness and sorrow, in poverty and sickness... he must've given people happiness." "That's a wealth that increases as much as you give." "Raju says this is the last show of his life." "But I believe that Raju's show will never be over." "For this is not a show..." "it's life itself." "We're going to have a dangerous operation today." "A heart surgery!" "This is Dr. Omprakash." "India's leading heart specialist." "He puts together broken hearts." "This is Dr. Agha;" "a leading surgeon." "He specialises in cutting hands and legs." "But he makes them that much poorer!" "Here's Dr. Rajendranath..." "the anaestheiest." "He sells no liquor." "He gives a patient the anaesthesia." "And he then plucks out the patient's heart!" "Are you a heart or a man?" "A man is all heart." "A man has a heart." "A heart has a man" "You are ailing." "You will be operated upon." "Doctor, what is wrong with me?" " You have a terrible illness." "Your heart is big, the world is small." "Then operate on the world." "Why remove this poor soul's heart?" "Because no one in the world has as big a heart as yours." "Such a big heart?" "It's even bigger!" "It's grown even bigger." "Has someone seen my heart?" "Here it is." "Doctor Saab, my heart's that big?" "It's very dangerous to have a large heart." "Look after it well." "If it continues to grow, it will engulf the world" "The whole world?" "Doctor, my heart will engulf the world?" "Mr. Mahendra, you must stop him." "If he jumps about like that, he'll die." "Will you risk a man's life for a show?" "Shersingh, Raju is not a man." "He is a clown, an entertainer." "He'll live here." "He'll die here." "He'll die here." "He'll live here, too" ""Here, I shall live." "Here, I shall die"" ""There is no other place where I wish to be"" ""Whenever you want to beckon me..."" ""where I was, I shall always be"" ""Here, heaven and earth are rolled into one"" ""There is no other place where I wish to be"" ""My song, my life's melody..."" ""...will be sung through time, through eternity"" ""To make others laugh..."" ""I'll assume a new form"" ""Here lies heaven;" "here lies hell"" ""There is no other place where I wish to be"" ""Whenever you want to beckon me..."" ""where I was, I shall always be"" "We're going to have a new teacher." "Who knows?" "I wonder which of our classes she'll take." "I wonder what she looks like." "I bet she's an old hag, coughing away!" "She'll say, "Go on children..." "stand on your heads"" "Do I look like this?" " No, Madam." "Will you all please sit down?" "What is it?" "The fatso keeps tripping up." "Children, today we have met one another in laughter." "May you always be happy." "It's easy to laugh at others." "But you must learn to laugh at yourself." "The drill, Raju?" "What is it?" "Madam... it's very difficult." "No, it isn't." "Watch me!" "Madam, I've split my pants." "Come along." "The seams have opened." "Who made this?" "My mother." "So your mother knows how to sew?" "Stitched my uniform, too." "She can't pay a tailor." "We're poor." "Don't say that again." "You have such a big heart and high ideals." "Who could call you poor?" "What is your mother's name?" " Only mother." "Your father works?" "He died." "Before he died what did he do?" " I was very young." "I've asked mother often." "She won't tell me." "She won't?" " No." "She won't tell you?" "Try this on." "I've made a shirt for you." " I don't want it." "Why?" "What is it?" "What did father do?" "Have a wash." "Freshen up and eat something." "No..." "What did he do?" "You said father's with God." "Tell me." "Your father!" "Father was a clown, too?" "He made people laugh?" "Yes, he did." "People said he was the greatest clown in the world." "People went crazy with laughter each day." "The circus was his life." "He always used to sing..." ""Here I shall live, here I shall die"" "The circus was his life." "The circus caused his death." "When he fell from the trapeze, people thought it to be the joker's newest act." "He was breathing his last." "And the audience applauded." "Mother, I'll be a joker, too." "I'll make them laugh." "What did you say?" "You'll become a clown, too?" "Your father made the others laugh and left me with tears." "Now you?" "Will you be one, too?" "I've slogged day and night to send you to a good school." "Not to have you be a clown like your father." "So that some day, while they laugh, you..." "I want you to study and become a great man." "To be famous and well-respected." "To live in comfort." "You're here?" "I thought as you were praying that I'd do the same." "Whenever and wherever I've seen Christ, He always looks so sad." "I've never seen Him smiling." "Why is that?" "I'll tell you." "He is unhappy because..." "His children, the people of the world are sad." "Does my sadness make Him feel sad?" "Of course." "Because He loves you." "I won't be sad." "I'll make Him laugh." "We're off to a holiday camp." "Take the musical instruments along." "Now boys, tell me which instruments you play." "Was that you?" "Come here." "Play it again." " But I..." "Play that tune again." "That was excellent." "Play another tune for us." " This is all I know." "Want to learn another?" " No." "Why not?" " This tune is enough for me." "You're a philosopher too!" "Pardon me?" "I don't understand?" "It's nothing." "Does that tune have lyrics?" " Yes." "My father used to sing it." ""Here I will live..." "here I will die"" ""Where else will I go?"" "Those are sad words..." "and children must never be sad." "I'll teach you a new song." "Listen... don't fight." "Go for it." "But be careful." "I don't you to be trapped." "They were after the partridges!" "They've taken to their wings..." "and here you are!" "The partridges, madam..." "So many?" "How many are they?" "Eight!" "Look carefully and tell me." ""Two partridges ahead;" "two partridges behind..."" ""partridges ahead and partridges behind..."" ""...so how many are they?"" ""Two!"" ""Five"" ""Seven"" ""Three!"" ""Bravo"" ""Four prunes are raw;" "four prunes are ripe..."" ""The ripe ones are raw, the raw ones are ripe"" ""The hump of a camel is high." "It isn't because its tall"" ""It's just the way it is, for one camel and all"" ""Raju, you sing, too"" ""Partridges ahead and partridges behind..."" ""partridges everywhere..." "how many are they?"" "C'mon..." " No." "He won't take a dip..." "drag him into it!" "No..." "Listen, please!" "I'm cold." "I'll catch pneumonia." "Help!" "Help me!" "What is going on?" "What is it?" "Someone's drowning?" "He isn't drowning." "We want him in." "Don't force someone who can't swim to dive in." "But you..." "Learn some manners." "You're educated." "You're not urchins." "Come on." "Change your clothes." "Come out now." "I've committed a sin, a terrible sin." "They say if you confess, your sins are washed away." "I promise, I swear, I won't ever do it again." "What are you doing here?" "Why aren't you home?" "I was confessing to Sir." "I have sinned." "Sinned?" " Yes." "Children don't sin." "I'm not a child" "Your exams are over." "In a few days, your holidays begin." "I know how much children love holidays." "If they could, they'd make Sundays of Monday." "Enjoy the holidays, but don't forget your studies." "Take out your books and note down the homework." "You're not going away, either?" "Raju, you're here?" "Our compartment?" "Why are you here?" " I came to see you off." "What are you hiding?" "What is this?" "A joker, a clown." "It's me." "Keep it safely." "He's very sweet." "He's just like you." "This for me, too?" "How were the holidays?" "They were too long." "They wouldn't end." "The holidays were too long?" "The others said the contrary." "I don't know." "They were no fun." "Why not?" "You weren't around." "The school was so lonely." "David, meet Raju." "He's the smartest in my class." "Raju, this is David." "My name is Joker." "Raju it's you!" "Come!" "Mary, your student is here." "You've come in such a downpour?" "I'm delivering the books." "From the library." "Madam, I'll go now." "You're drenched." "Have some tea." "I'm in a hurry." ""Mother's waiting."" "He's a lovable child." "He came all this way in the pouring rain." "Class over?" "Are you waiting for someone?" " No." "Nothing." "I'm a little late." "You still haven't gone home?" "Well, I was..." "Poor Raju." "He's nothing of the sort." "He's very mischievous." "He pesters me no end." "He's the pet of the school and the staff." "He may be the pet of the staff." "But for him, only Madam exists." "That's right." "He loves you." "He's my student." "It's not the love of the student." "It's the love of a 16-year old." "16-year old?" "How can you tell?" "I've observed him." "He looks at you with love." "But this love is very painful for him to live with." "Turning sixteen is the most delicate phase in one's life." "It's like the day rushing to meet the dusk which rushes to meet the night." "And the night rushes to the day." "The turn where the day meets the night is called dawn." "It's part night and part day." "Turning 16 is much the same." "It's being part-child, part-adult." "That's Raju's state." "He's neither a child nor is he an adult." "He is only... sixteen." "On a sixteen year old blank page, he has your name." "Why?" " It's natural." "A climbing plant clings to whatever supports it." "And so a sixteen-year-old belongs to the one he loves." "You can't." "Who can stop a flowing stream?" "If it can be stopped, it isn't a stream, nor is it life." "It isn't being 16." "How do you know all this?" " Because I was sixteen once." "And now?" " I'm still only sixteen." "And I love a 20 year-old teacher." " Lies!" "Honestly!" " It's a lie." "How do we decide if it's true or not?" "Decide?" "How is it?" " Very nice." "I mean the ice-cream you've not touched." "I thought..." " That I meant Mary?" "Eat it or it'll melt." "I love ice-cream." "I know." " Who told you?" "She also told me you won't be a barrister or doctor some day." "But you'll be a clown, to make the world laugh." "Why don't you laugh at me, too?" "Shout like the others: "Joker!"" "Don't be angry." "Come with me." "A man is born on earth for a short time." "But he is overcome with sorrow." "Only a clown is happy, no matter what happens." "Do you know why?" " Why?" "Because whatever a joker does, he does it for others." "He may cry but he makes others laugh." "He jumps from the heights so that people may applaud him." "He paints his face and wears strange garbs." "He becomes a spectacle." "And while the show is on, he forgets all his own sorrows." "Who is the greatest joker of all?" "Who is?" " I mean till now." "God?" "He, too, does everything for others, nothing for Himself." "If I call you a joker, will you mind?" "From now, my name is Joker." ""Ram Ram" to Hindus, "Salaams" to Muslims, Good Morning to Christians." ""Sat Sri Akal" to Sikhs!" "Try my wonderful poison..." "no powder!" "Try it out!" "Use my black kohl for your eyes." "It's the best for one and all!" "Only one rupee a bottle!" "Good people, try one." "Buy one." "Try it!" "Be generous..." "What is it?" "Why stop here?" "Someone is selling medicine." "That's Raju." "My friend." " Raju?" "A class-mate" "Hello, Bunny." "I'm selling." "I may be late for school" "Does this boy study in your school?" "He's a great fun." "We call him Joker." "He's poor, so he has to make do somehow." "We'll have to see to him." "You haven't paid your fees." " Father, I said I'd pay." "My mother is ill." "That's why I'm late." "We'll pay up soon." "That's why you go about dressed as a clown?" "I like being a clown." "My father was one, too." "You'll have to leave." "You can't stay." "Father, Raju is a very intelligent boy." "It isn't a crime to be a joker?" "Many children in the West study and work, too." "I must think of the other parents." "I've been expelled." "I wanted to make You laugh may be that's why." "I'm going." "I'm leaving, too." "You're leaving?" "Because of me?" "No, there's another reason." "I'm getting married in a few days." "Getting married?" "To David?" "Yes, in this church." "You will come, won't you?" "He wants you as best man." "Get it?" " No." "The dearest friend has to be best man." "You are our dearest friend, aren't you?" "You'll come?" "Of course, I will." "How can I refuse?" "You're the best man." "It's your right." "Here." " What is it?" "A present." "I should've..." "I have your gift." ""My gift?"" "I have taken your teacher away from you." "But this..." "What must I do?" "Keep it safe." "I'm returning it to you." "It's you, for you." "For me?" "One day, Raju will become an adult." "Raju, the clown will stay the same." "Innocent and pure." "Think carefully before you give this to anyone." "If anyone does anything for a clown, it's a jest." ""Everyone calls me a joker." "A clown, they do declare"" ""It's half truth." "It's half make-belief"" ""Remove those glasses..."" ""Look closely!"" ""The world may be new but the face is the same"" ""At my own expense, I make the world laugh"" ""In the guise of a show I entered the fair"" ""Be you a Hindu or a Muslim from East or West'" ""My religion is laughter, to make others laugh"" ""The world is full of bustle." "The world is full of movement"" ""Though it's a crowded place, my heart is lonely"" ""When sorrow plagues, whistle it away"" ""Never give your love to a clown"" "Are you hurt?" "Don't you worry." "I'm perfectly all right." "You speak Hindustani?" "Wait there, you rascal!" "You tricked me and got in here?" "Out!" "Take Miss Marina to the make-up tent." "It's nothing." "This man has made a mistake." "Khan, is this a way to treat guests?" "I've been tricked." "I was looking for a rascal who came in with him." "Can't you make out between An Indian and a Russian?" "Sir, there isn't much difference." "These people are our guests." "Don't blunder again." "I apologise!" "Apologise to them." """ " I'm sorry."" "Please don't take any offence." "Please forgive me." "Your dog is a real torpedo." "He shot everywhere." "He made me enter places, I shouldn't." "Be thankful I escaped alive." "Mr. Mahendra, I've worked for you for seven years." "I won't tolerate another ring-master in my place." "Why can't you see?" "The Russian ring-master is a guest." "Give him a chance." "Where is he?" "None of these artists look like ring-masters." "He's arriving on the next flight." "I tell you, he'll be scared to come." "If he doesn't, then you'll be on." "And if he does?" "Sir, are you the Russian ring-master?" "It's your blue eyes." "I can tell you're Russian." "Yes!" "I'm the ring-master." "Your Hindustani?" ""Where did you learn it?"" "University, Moscow." """ " Explain clearly."" "Professor Koski at the University said..." ""Rajovsky, you speak Hindustani like an Indian"" "Here." " A love-letter?" "Better than that!" "It's money." "Mr. Mahendra said you will be performing with the lions." "The lions?" "Shersingh, come here!" "He's the Russian ring-master..." "Mister..." "And this is our ring-master..." "Shersingh" "He speaks our language very well." "I do and sometimes I don't." "Even if you do, can you understand the language my lions talk?" "I'll understand." "Get the lions ready!" "My foot!" "Tonight will be a special date in the history of the circus." "Tonight the Ganges and the Volga meet." "Indian and Russian artists together... will perform and entertain you." "This is our aim." "If the world wants peace, this must be its aim." "I present Soviet Union's incomparable trapeze artist Miss Marina!" "Excuse me, sir, please listen..." "He speaks our language!" "Don't tell anyone." "I'm not Russian, I'm Indian." "Will you do me a favour?" " Yes?" "There's 200 in this and my mother's address." "If anything happens to me, please deliver it." "I'll be grateful." "And now we present, Soviet Union's renowned ring master Ivan Rajovsky!" "That man isn't from our circus." "He isn't even a Russian." "Yes, him!" "He isn't even a lion-trainer." "Shersingh, hurry!" "You speak Hindi." ""But you look Russian."" "You are light-skinned." "Blue eyes and brown hair." "You wear western clothes." "Who are you?" "Isn't it enough for you that..." "I'm a human-being, who has two eyes, two ears, a nose, a stomach and a heart?" "If you want, call me Raju, or Rajovsky." "Why did you tell such an enormous lie?" "In front of all?" "Yes, go on and tell us." "They're all friends" "So listen..." "I told a big lie because we're past the age of small lies." "It's the age of big lies." "Women who apply paint and powder are considered beautiful." "People who lie to the public are called leaders." "In business, the bigger the lie you tell, the richer you are." "In this field of big lies, I'm but a small player." "Fool!" "Don't you realize you risked your life?" "The lions would've devoured you." "Yes, I was scared." "But in this world, there's something more scary." "Poverty and hunger." "I had to get money somehow to feed my mother and myself." "For my mother's treatment." "I've wandered from city to city." "My mother has been ill." "I didn't have money to pay the doctor." "No one gave me a job." "They'd say:" "You call entertaining others, "work?"" ""Join a circus"" "The truth is, even the doors of a circus were closed for me." "To enter I had to tell a big lie." "Tell me..." ""How do we punish him?"" "The jury says?" "You've been found guilty of being humane." "Our court has decided that you shall be kept prisoner... in this circus until you wish to leave of your free will." "She says you're a strange man." "Me?" "Strange?" "She wants to know why you're thanking her?" "Because at least she considers me a man." "She says, when you were in the lion's cage she was very concerned for your life." "Sorry, I must go." "You were concerned for my life." "You were concerned for for my life?" ""Da" means "yes"?" "What do you say for "no"?" "What is she saying?" "What does "desvidanya" mean?" "It means, we'll meet again." "What's up?" "You look very happy." ""Did you find a job?"" "What does 'da' mean?" "'Da' means 'yes'." "From now on, everything in life is 'da'!" "Then bring me a bride." "A bride?" " Yes." "Now say 'da'" "If God wills it, yes!" "Thank You, God." "My son has found a job." "If only I have a daughter-in-law now... this house will be full of joy." "Father..." "I'm in a circus like you were." "Bless me." "What job have you found?" "The job?" "Well..." "Every job is a job." "Business, you know." "But this is a strange one." "There's work, and no work." "One has to make merry..." "there's so much of amusement." "Is it some kind of a shop?" " Yes." "You could call it that." "I'm leaving now." "I'll return late in the night." "Why late?" " I'll be working." "What shop is this which is open day in and day out?" "It's like a medical store..." "a dispensary!" "24 hour dispensaries, you know?" "Your medicine is in the cupboard." "Don't forget to have it, okay?" "He'll make a great joker some day." ""Hey, brother, watch where you're going!"" ""Look in front, look behind, look left, look right"" ""Not just up but also down." "Hey brother!"" ""This world you're born in, remember..."" ""isn't your home, your shelter your village, your abode"" ""This world is..."" ""...but a circus, friend." "And in this circus..."" ""The big, the small, the good, the bad, the thin, the fat"" ""One and all, must come down and go up again"" ""The ring-master holds a whip"" ""A whip of hunger"" ""A whip of money"" ""A whip of fate"" ""That makes you dance, that makes you cry, that makes you sing"" ""Here, even a hero ends up playing a clown"" ""Why do you fear falling?" "Why do you fear dying?"" ""Unless you suffer life's blows unless you suffer some throes"" ""You'll never know what life is"" ""You came here weeping, you'll leave weeping"" "Come here!" "Were you just singing?" "Were you singing?" " I won't do it again." "Yes, you will!" """ " And every night, too"" "From now, you'll be a clown who sings and entertains." "In your circus?" ""Thank you sir"" "No "Sir"." "Call me Mahendra" "For you..." "Who are you?" "You won't listen!" "...who are you?" "Shake hands, ringmaster." " What nonsense!" "Take that dress off!" " Help me, please." "Go away, I say!" "You won't go?" ""So take this!"" "My name is Joker!" "I will sing a song for the audience." "A song!" ""Look in front, look behind." "Look left, look right!"" ""Not just up but also down." "Hey brother!"" ""Isn't life the strangest thing?"" ""Animals are more faithful than men"" ""Even if they're whipped or left to go hungry"" ""They won't attack their masters"" ""But men?" "They'll bite the hand that feeds them"" ""They'll stab the one that inspires love"" "What do you think, mister?" "Namaste." "How are you?" "I'm fine." "No, remember the gender." "How are you, Miss?" "I'm fine, Miss." "Sit down..." "You must sit down too." "For you..." "It's for you." "Try it on." "Not like that." "Tie it round your waist." "How do I look?" "Remember the gender!" ""Main kaisi hoon, not kaisa"" "You look lovely." "Ma will be happy." "My mother." "I haven't a mother, only father." "You don't have a mother?" "Well, I don't have a father." "Only mother." "Will you meet her?" "My mother will meet the fairy of her dreams." "Mother, look who's here." " Who is it?" "The fairy you dreamt of." "May you be blessed with a long life, child." "May you be showered with prosperity." "Marina doesn't speak our language." "She isn't an Indian." "Is she a Bengali?" " No, mother." "She's very fair-skinned." "She must be Kashmiri." "She's from near there." "Mother, rest." "We must return to the shop." "She works there, too." "Whoever she is, I approve." "But you must stop her from working." "Shameless fellow!" "Letting your wife-to-be work." "Don't worry, mother." "I thought of that, too" "Mother said when a guest visits our home, they never leave empty-handed" "Here you are." "What is this?" "Keep it with you." "What is this?" "It's me." "Can I come in?" "For you." "Sir, you called?" "I told you not to call me 'Sir' But Mahendra." "You tell the others..." ""Watch where you're going"" "You yourself don't watch where you're going." "I don't get it." "Listen, Raju you're a joker." "You make others laugh at your own expense." "But for your own happiness you can't make others sad." "Whom do you mean?" "Marina." "The Russian artists are guests." "They're leaving soon." "They're good people." "They are our friends." "But they belong to a foreign land." "Their language, culture differ." "Maybe you don't know, every country is separated by a wall." "To come here they need passports, to go there we need passports." "I know all that." "I was trying to forget." "My naive mother dreamt of a fairy-like daughter-in-law." "She knows no walls." "Trust in me." "I won't forget now." "Your mother is very ill." "She wants to see you and her daughter-in-law." "Daughter-in-law?" "Poor Raju..." "the joker who laughs and cries." "The doctor says you will be fine soon." "I don't need a doctor." "I want to look at my daughter-in-law." "What is her name?" " Marina." "She's so beautiful..." "she's like a fairy." "I feel like looking at her again and again." "Get well, mother..." "you can see her then." "Won't you go to work today?" " I'm on leave, mother." "I'll go after a couple of days." "How is your mother?" " She's okay." "She keeps remembering you." "She keeps asking for her fairy." "Shall we go to her?" "How will I take you to her?" "She doesn't only think you're a fairy... she wants to make you her daughter-in-law." "What's daughter-in-law?" """ " A daughter-in-law."" "Every mother has a place for her son and her daughter-in-law." "Do you understand?" """ " I don't understand."" "That's the problem." "How will I explain?" "It'll be better if you understand once you reach Russia." "I must go and see Mr Mahendra." "A daughter-in-law?" "!" ""What have you done?"" ""For the first time ever, you've found a mother"" ""And you'll hurt her?" "She loves you."" ""You'll reject her?"" "What shall I do?" """ " What am I to do?"" "Come in." "Come, daughter." "How are you?" "I was telling Raju only today to bring my fairy." "I'd see her and I'd be fine." "Raju is a very good man." "His heart is..." "You're crying?" "You're missing your mother, are you?" "I will give you a mother's love." "Just get married to my son." "I don't understand what you say." "My heart is crying." "My child..." "This lady has no ticket." "But she wants to go in." "Please let me in." "My son Raju works for the circus." "His performance might begin." " Are you his mother?" "Please follow me." "That's Raju's mother." "Your son is a wonder." "He makes everyone roar with laughter." "So he does, does he?" """ " That's what I feared."" "Please sit in the front." ""The circus was life for him." "The circus meant death for him"" ""When he fell from the trapeze." "The audience thought..."" ""here's the clown's latest act"" ""He was breathing his last breath and they applauded"" "Mother!" "Now you know the truth." "Don't be annoyed with me;" "what else could I do?" "Where else could I go?" "My father's blood... runs in my veins and says:" ""Here I shall live and die"" ""Where else can I go"" "Raju's mother." "Raju, you're on." "Raju, you're on next." "The microphone." "Now we present... the most unusual clown." "The bravest of them all." "Our dearest laughing and singing, Raju!" "This is your test, Raju." "Today you must prove to the world how big the heart of a clown is!" "This was near her when she died" "Yes, this is the circus." "And the show lasts for three full hours." ""The first hour is one's childhood"" ""The second hour is one's youth"" ""The third hour is one's old age"" "And after that..." ""No mother, no father, no son, no daughter, no you, no me"" "What's left..." ""Empty chairs, empty tents empty nets, it's all empty"" ""with no one to fill them..." "nothing left"" ""Nothing belongs to you or me"" "Your glasses, Raju." "What for?" "You're a clown, Raju..." "and a clown must never shed tears." "Isn't a clown human?" "Has he no heart or feelings?" "Can't he even mourn his mother?" "A clown is human and yet much greater than them." "He not only bears his own sorrow... but he takes on the woes of the world around him." "Even you can't imagine what you have accomplished in the last 3 months." "You have made so many children laugh... you have given hope to so many who despaired." "You have made so many laugh..." ""although you wept within."" "That's not an easy job." "No, sir..." "I killed my mother by becoming a joker." "I won't work in a circus anymore." "Please let me go." "Where will you go?" "It's such a big world." "This world is a big circus after all." "I'll entertain people somewhere." "I have feeling you will return some day." "I give you my word." "I will return to your circus at least once before I die." "To present my last show." "You're crying?" "We say, we shall meet again." "We'll meet again." "If we never part, how do we meet again?" "I'm not a philosopher." "Every clown is a philosopher." "I love you." "To meet and to part..." "To part and to meet, that's life" "If that's life, what's death?" "I don't know." "You aren't annoyed, are you?" "Are you sad?" "Take those glasses off." "May I ask you for something?" "Whatever I had, I gave you." "My life is all that's left." "I have heard and seen love talk." "But what did she say in Russian before she left?" "She reminded me of an old song." ""My gaiety veils my sorrow and I sing a song of joy"" ""My heart is filled with pain, but I wear a smile on my face"" ""O world!" "I'm just a victim." "A victim of fate"" ""I'm a tramp, just a tramp"" "What are you looking at Mr. Rajendra Kumar?" "Some day, my face will be on an even bigger poster." "You thief!" "Running away with my Moti!" "Is Moti your dog?" "He's really a gem." "A gem or a pearl." "He is mine." "If you touch him..." "Good grief!" "Are you a boy or a film gangster?" "How you wield a tin knife!" "Shall I show you how sharp it really is?" "Well, kid?" "Children don't play with knives." "Get it?" "Here..." "You think I was running away with your dog?" "I'm not that stupid, I've nothing to eat, how do I feed it?" "Was I kidnapping you?" "Come, Moti." "What's your name?" " Minoo." "What's yours?" "Raju." "Have you a job?" "Sometimes I get this work." "Putting up posters?" ""And otherwise?"" "Nothing." "That means we're both in the same business." "Let's try turning tables." "Raju and Minoo." "Moti too." "But what can we three do?" "Minoo, what can't the three of us do." "Let's shake." "Am I not right, Moti?" "Now you watch what we three will do." "You've seen the great footpath circus performers perform." "Now let us see kind-hearted souls perform." "Put your hands in your pocket." "Take out the first note you find." "Be a rupee, or two rupees or a five rupees" "One, two rupees..." "Five paise, ten paise, fifteen..." "Ten paise, five paise, three paise..." "Your smallest coin will be like a million for us." "Give freely, Give generously." "Minoo, Moti, Raju..." "Hurray!" "Master, which gutter are you taking me into?" "Hey mister, don't you dare call this a gutter." "This leads straight to heaven." "Here's heaven." "It's very nice." "You must have paid at least a 2000 deposit" "How did you do it?" "I got it for free." "The poor man who build it died." "He died?" "See that bridge." "He came under a train." "Ever since then, people say his ghost haunts the house." "His ghost?" "Yes, that's what people think." "That's why no one dares enter." "Aren't you scared of ghosts?" "Me?" "Raju, in this world I see nothing but ghosts about me." "Why should I fear that poor man's ghost?" "Aren't I right?" "Yes, I'm not scared of ghosts either." "What do you mean?" "I mean that from today I'll live here, too" "And the rent?" "But... there isn't any rent to pay." "Well, I'll pay half of nothing, too." "How is that possible?" "The hut is too small for the three of us." "There's me, Moti and you." "And there is only one bed." "So?" "I'll sleep on the floor." "Moti can sleep under the bed." "Suppose you're cold at nights?" "We'll squeeze in with you." "Don't you dare do that!" "I'll smash your head in." "OK!" "You sleep comfortably on your bed." "I'm used to the floor." "I think we should get food organised." "Let's share our earnings." "Out with the money!" "Yes, of course." "Why not?" "Here, sit down." "Altogether that makes three rupees forty five paise." "So that means you get one rupees and fifteen paise." "One rupee and fifteen paise are mine." "And one rupee fifteen paise for Moti." "Moti gets a share, too?" """ " Why not?" "Isn't Moti human?"" "So Minoo, how was our circus?" "First-class!" " Partner, let's shake on it." "Minoo Master, your hand is just like girl's hand." "Don't call me a girl." "I'll cut you." ""I'll kill you."" "Any idea how we'll get some breakfast?" "You're already bathing!" "But I'm the odd man out." "I eat first, bathe later." "You need something before you eat... money!" "Have you thought of that?" " Don't you worry." "Once our Great Indian Footpath Circus performs in Bombay... it'll rain money." "Bravo!" "Now clap, Children!" "Saw how the African lion jumped through the ring?" "Now all of you watch Minno's marvel!" "Master Minoo will risk his life." "Through a ring of knives sharp as swords he will jump." "Be careful." "You nearly tore your expensive shirt." "I will explain everything." "Minoo master lied!" "Raju, don't leave me alone." "You're here." "Where were you all night?" "In hell or in heaven..." "who are you to ask?" "I'm your friend, Minoo master." "You're not master but Miss Minoo." "You're no friend." "You can't be." "What is it?" "What sin have I committed that ends friendship?" "That sin is called "lying"." "I can tolerate a lot." "I've lived through a lot unfaithfulnes, selfishness and injustice." "But I can't tolerate lies Your friendship was based on a lie" "It was a lie." ""But you were responsible for it."" "Me?" """ " Yes, you!"" "Not you alone, but all men." "You don't know... how many trials a parentless girls has to face." "I arrived in Bombay with high hopes." "I had dreams of becoming an actress, of working in films." "But it is very tough for a girl to live respectably in a city." "Very difficult, Raju." "They all have other motives." "I decided that in order to save my honour, I had to die." "The long-haired Meena died." "In her place... was born a knife-wielding vagabond." "Meenu Master." "The lie isn't necessary." "Here..." "What is it?" "The end of Raju and Minoo." "Take off that old shirt and rags and wear this." "Enter the world as your real self." "After ages I feel the softness of a sari on me." "You may not believe it." "But that tough Minoo master was once a shy young girl." "I used to sing and dance." "Everyone used to say Meena is beautiful!" "One day she'll be a famous artist." "She'll be known everywhere." "Fame will be hers." "When she went out all dressed up people would forgot their way." "They were right." "People will surely forget their way." "Now I live the truth." "I didn't know that when the truth shone, it would dazzle." "You are going?" "Yes Meena, I'm leaving." "You'll leave me alone?" " You've lived alone." "So can you now." "Minoo Master could live alone." "Meena cannot live on her own." "You've transformed me from Minoo to Meena." "You can't leave." "No, Meena..." "Don't talk like that." "I've always been hurt in this game." "It's a dangerous game." "Don't consider my love for you to be a game." ""There are dark clouds overhead..."" ""and the night is lonely"" ""When lightning shone..."" ""it set my heart hammering"" ""O my sweet love..."" ""I am all alone"" ""I am frightened and lonely"" ""Hold me close in your arms"" ""My crazy heart will not be controlled"" ""Don't let go of my hand..." "where will you go"" ""O beloved only you can console my heart"" ""Hold me to close in your arms, O beloved"" "Where are you?" " Don't come here." "I'm changing." "I'm sorry, I forgot." "Get dressed." "I'll wait outside." "What happened?" "That sari is a wall between us." "Idiot!" "He calls this a wall." "There's no wall between us now, is there?" "No." "There's no wall." "I'm Meena... not Meenu." ""May love not be tainted"" "Right." "May it not start a fire." ""May love not be tainted"" ""If you fall in love you must be true to it"" ""Your golden body gleams like a flash of lightning"" ""It may set my heart ablaze"" ""Set your best foot forward..."" ""in quest of your goals"" ""To play with fire is no joke"" ""You ought to know that, you crazy moth"" ""Do not let the flame engulf you"" ""May love not be tainted"" ""I have always borne grief whenever I fell in love"" ""Whenever I cried to make others laugh..."" ""I was left with tears in my eyes"" ""I have already suffered heart-burn"" ""Do not torment me anymore"" ""Lest it sets off a fire"" ""May love not be tainted"" "You've swept the town off its feet with your qawali, your song." "On every one's lips are the names of Meena and Raju." "No, it's first Raju and then Meena." "First the guru then the pupil." "No, Meena; qawali is like love." "There's no first or second." "Two voices blend into one." "Don't believe me...?" "Ask him." "What is this?" " Don't you know?" "This is me, isn't it?" "It's a clown." "Yes, a joker." "In other words 'me'." "Hang him upside down." "He'll still laugh." "Do anything he'll laugh." "And if one embraces him lovingly?" "He'll still laugh." " I'll keep him in my heart." "Is there enough place?" "Yes, Raju." "Where is Moti?" " He's been taken to the dog-pound." "Hang him upside down, he'll still laugh." "Do anything, he'll laugh." "What's the matter, Raju?" "They've taken Moti away." "They'll put an end to his life." "That's the fate of stray dogs." "He's not a stray dog." "He's a partner in our circus." "We're finished with the circus." "We've got our qawali show now." "There is no need for Moti." " Need?" "Do you love out of need?" "When you needed him you fed him, gave him a bone." "No more need, so you destroy him." "Today, it's Moti and..." "Raju, forgive me." "I didn't mean anything like that." "Don't be angry." "Look, he's imploring you, too, on my behalf." "When a clown's angry, he still laughs just like you." "You're right." "Meena." "A clown always keeps laughing." "Under any circumstances." "I greet you, the great qawali singer, Raju." "And of course, the great Meena." "Who are you?" " Jannab Kala Narayan Dilgir." "A wise man, a learned man." " Do sit down." "The late Agha Hashrat was my teacher." "Unique in the art of drama." "Maybe he was." "But you...?" " Kindly listen." "He owns a theatrical company." "How can we help?" "If you both perform in our theater, it will come alive." "None will stand a chance." "I'll be the leading heroine?" " Of course!" "As soon as I saw your show, I knew you were a born artist." "Did you hear?" "He said I'm a born artist." "I'll present you on stage in great splendour..." "The world will be in awe." " And why not!" "You're right." "Do you agree to Rs. 500 per month?" "500?" "All right." "Accept six hundred." "But no more qawali." "No more singing?" "How can that be possible?" "Think of this poor man." "Who's paid in advance for our show." "What will become of him?" "There's no need." "Now we will act on the stage in the theatre." "Well said, Miss Meena." ""Had I known I would face this in love..."" ""I'd have told everyone in town..."" ""never to fall in love"" ""I can't spend my nights, however much I try"" ""...ever since my eyes have met his"" ""He who is drunk on your promises..."" ""regrets it when he's drunk"" ""I'm in the habit of being here"" ""I have hurt the feelings of the night"" ""The lamps tell twilight..."" ""what have you done, silly girl?"" "Why don't you speak, Raju?" "What have you been watching?" "I'm watching life racing away." " In the darkness?" "The lights on the stage dazzle us." "Everything becomes clear in the darkness later." "I can't understand what you say." "That's better." "Or the sensible man would die." "All I know is that I'm in love with you... only you." "And who's speaking that line?" "Laila from "Wajid Ali Shah"?" "Or is it Zubeida?" "It's neither Laila nor Zubeida." "It's your Meena." "Life isn't a play, Meena." ""I could die for you, Heer"" ""I have been plundered by you..."" ""and now to your doorstep I come"" ""You lie on a bed of a roses"" ""And I am left with all the difficulties"" ""Your promises were false." "Your love was a pretense"" ""I have ruined my life in this bad bargain"" ""Should this be love, then tell the world..."" ""may no one ever fall in love with an idol"" ""Give me back my heart"" ""I beg for it"" ""Give me death, if anything else"" ""To your doorstep I come for the last time"" ""The mendicant has this last appeal..."" ""Ranjha!"" ""Heer!"" ""You found a new beloved..." "that wasn't a nice thing you did"" ""Return my heart to me"" ""Why are you subjecting me to those taunts"" ""It isn't my fault at all"" ""It was God who brought us together;" "and it was He who drove us apart"" ""This is but a game of destiny"" "Why blame God?" "This isn't a game of destiny..." "it's your own doing, Meena." "Raju!" "Do not misunderstand me!" "Misunderstand you?" "Didn't I tell you that the one who understood, would die?" "Raju, did you see who came to the show today?" "You'll be dizzy if you know." "Meena, kindly garland our chief guest." "No amount of garlands will suffice." "Your dancing is unique." "Thank you, Mr. Kumar" "You know me?" " Who doesn't?" "Everyone knows me." "But few recognise who I really am." "I've been your admirer for a long time." "What brings you here?" "Aren't the studios in Bombay?" "I came to Madras to scout for new talent for my next film." "This way..." "Can I talk to her?" "How would you like to work with me in my next production?" "Me?" "I want a new heroine, a new face." "I'll act opposite you?" " And why not?" "But first a screen test." "Can you come with me tomorrow?" "Tomorrow?" " Yes." "Today's flight has left." "We'll send the ticket." "Really?" "Will I really be acting in a film?" "But not just one ticket." "Two." "Raju will accompany me." "Where have you been?" "I've been looking for you." "Where were you?" "Right near you." "You didn't turn to look." "This is Raju." "He's taught me everything I know." "It's kind of her to say that." "How could I be so capable?" "On the contrary, she's taught me much." "Raju, did you hear?" "Mr. Kumar is going to give me a chance to act." "We'll have to go to Bombay tomorrow." "What about the theatre?" "If I act in films, where's the need of the theatre?" "Miss Meena, you'll receive two tickets tomorrow." "Remember one thing, I don't believe in compromises." "Work is work." "And feelings are feelings." "Did I make a mistake?" "No, Meena." "You didn't make any mistake." "What shall I do?" "Tell me." "Do just as Mr. Kumar says." "Work, Meena." "Work is work..." "and feelings are feelings." "No one can hold you back from flying." "Fly high so that you attain much celebrity status." "Is Madam's make-up kit with you?" "Why look at me?" "Look over there." "From here, too, I see you." "Stop looking at others." "Try looking at yourself." "A sari mustn't conceal..." "it must add to the beauty." "You're a star." "How did you learn all this?" "A producer ought to know everything." "I see." "I wish to speak to Mr Kumar." "It's a beautiful room..." "grand and spacious too." "It's so big that I feel lonely in here." "Raju and I have always stayed together." "But we've been given separate rooms here." "Look, Meena." "I've told you once." "Work is work..." "and feelings are feelings." "Anyway, you will learn everything with time." "As for Mr Raju..." "I'll talk to him." "Did you call?" "Sit down." "You may leave." "Now, we can talk as friends who love the same art." "Miss Meena praises you a lot" "She says you're famous in the circus and on stage." "A poet-singer." "But unfortunately I have never seen any of your shows." "You have." "But you didn't recognise me." "I'd like to ask you a question." " Yes?" "You love Meena?" "You ask if I love Meena?" "That isn't the question." "It's 'do I love?" "'" "The answer is 'yes' I do love..." "I love the world, children, old people, women..." "I love men, flowers, stones..." "A flower called Meena?" "Yes." "I want to tell you this." "Meena is like an uncut diamond." ""A song that hasn't been sung."" "She can be a great artist." "She can be a big film star." "You mean that you can make her into a big film star." "Yes, but she has great respect for you." "In your presence, she won't blossom into a great artist." "She will always live in your shadows." "Like a dying fire..." "never a flame." "Don't you want her to be a film star?" "I leave the decision to you." "The decision?" "May I ask you the same question." "Aren't you in love with Meena too?" "People say I'm a flirt... that I fall in love with all my heroines." "They even say that I'm in love with myself." "And what do you have to say?" "I'm in love, all right." "Not in the sense you believe." "I have a wife and kids for all that." "I'm in love with my profession." "With my art." "To this end, I have forgotten all my love and sorrow." "And yes, I am interested in Meena." "Because I see in her a big actress." "If she gets the opportunity, she'll prove to be great artist" "For that I will have to work..." "And you will make a small sacrifice?" "You're a famous film star, you can't understand a joker's feelings." "No one can tie down this restless wanderer." "No gold, nor silver..." "no love can do that." "You're giving Meena a new life." "Remember that giving someone a new life entails responsibility." "You're so right." "At today's press conference, I shall present Meena in public." "You'll be there, too?" "Whether I'm there or I'm not there..." "Meena will be there on time." "Already forgot your house?" "This house, where Minoo Master lived...?" "Paid no rent." "Where we starved, and were still happy." "Such cobwebs!" "It looks as if it were haunted." "Yes." "It's haunted by old memories." "Why are you saying such things today?" "A new journey begins for you today." "Since you step into a new world..." "I want you to carry a picture of this hut in your heart." "It'll help you." "It's nice to remember old timess." "Aren't you coming with me?" "What can I do without your help?" "No... you don't need my help anymore." "In future, I will admire you on the silver screen... and clap for you!" "How about you?" "Don't worry about me, Minoo Master." "I have so many doors open for me." "Aren't I right?" "See?" "This sari is again a wall between us." "Go on." "Or you will be late for the press conference." "The press must be eagerly waiting for you." "Don't forget to send me an invitation for your film's premiere show." "Go on..." "Won't you come with me?" "No, Meena." "And remember." "Keep walking." "Don't look back." "Not now." "Not ever." "Who is the person who made your success possible?" "I'll answer." "The man responsible for her success is an unusual wanderer." "A man who is perhaps wandering somewhere all alone." ""I wonder where those days have gone"" ""When you used to say:" "'On the path of love... '" ""My eyes will see only you"" ""Wherever you may be"" ""I will desire you as long as I live"" ""I will never be able to forget you"" ""Wherever I tread..."" ""My path was strewn with your love"" ""Tears have welled in my eyes." "I've been made to cry..."" ""By the spring as it passed me by"" ""I wonder where those days have gone"" ""When you used to say 'On the path of love..."" ""My eyes see only you"" ""These days, wherever I look"" ""I see darkness in the bright sunlight"" ""My shadow was my only companion"" ""My shadow remains my only companion"" ""Tomorrow I may no longer be part of the show"" ""A star will shine in the sky"" ""You will forget me, she will forget me"" ""But I'll remain forever yours"" ""I'll leave behind a token of me"" ""There is no other place where I wish to be"" ""Whenever you want to beckon me"" ""Where I was, I shall always be"" "Thank you!" "Thank you very much" "Now we shall have an interval." "Yes, this is an interval." "The interval could last 15 minutes, 15 hours, 15 months." "But the clown's show will never be over." "The joker's act isn't over." "Don't go!" "My act isn't over." "Don't go away." "Don't leave!" ""Where else can I go?""