"See this..." "Such skilful and intricate work." "Must be frightfully expensive!" "Here..." "touch it..." "Is it real?" "Of course madam, that's the fur of a Kashmir fox." "Oh, what's so beautifiul?" "Can be anything madam..." "You can keep your jewelry in it." "Good for cigars, hmm..." "YUKT PRESENTS" "THE STRANGE FATE OF ARVIND DESAI" "Cast:" "Dilip Dhawan, Anjali Paigankar, Shreeram Lagoo" "Music:" "Bhaskar Chandavarkar" "Screenplay :" "Cyrus Mistry Saeed Akhtar Mirza" "Sound:" "A.M. Padmanabhan" "Editing:" "Ashok Tyagi" " K. Mundal" "Photography:" "Virendra Saini" "Director :" "Saeed Akhtar Mirza" "Put these aside...we need them" "Ah!" "Gopal." " Is something wrong?" "No." "They seemed suckers..." "Why didn't we show them our stuff?" "The boss is a sharp cookie, he may have sent them" "You mean that bastard..." "Cut it out she might be listening" "She's smartly dressed today." "Hmm." "And unusually busy too!" "Is Arvind Sahib coming today?" "Why?" "We thought perhaps you'd know." "Oh!" "Oh!" "Then tell us what you do know" "ls Mahesh there?" "Call him!" "The boss is on the line!" "Yes Uncle, Mahesh here." "Has Arvind come?" "Was he supposed to?" "Yes." "Have him call me back." "Don't forget" "My snake will take your live!" "Has everyone spat out their paan?" "Yes, boss!" "Now display your great talent!" "Oh!" "You respectful viewers." "You've heard of the battle of Alexander and Porus... of the Kauravas and Pandavas... of India and Pakistan and the Film stars..." "Hema and Dharam!" "Now watch the battle..." "of the snake and the mongoose" "Move back!" "Give them a hand!" "Clap with one hand!" "Driving a bloody handcart?" "Is this road your father's private property?" "Hello Arvind ji," "Hello, anything specific?" "We were around here, thought of dropping by" "Your father wants you to phone him." "Yes, what can I do for you?" "You tell us..." "everything going fine at your end?" "How are you parents?" "They are fine." "And you?" "Fine thank you." "Meet my partner." "So you work together?" " Yes." "Can we discuss some business?" "We placed an order." "The goods haven't come!" "There's been a slight delay." "The craftsman's are agitating, Sir." "They are under control now, but we need your advice." "What's the problem?" "They're demanding higher wages and threatening to stop work." "They've done it before, but this time... the situation is serious" "Don't they deserve more?" "We both exist on their labour, don't we?" "You're absolutely right, sir." "So, what's the problem?" "But, if you can increase our margins... if you can increase rates" "I'm paying you more than the market rate." "But you'll never reduce your profits." "You're worse than me!" "But please consider it, sir" "I have." "Either you choose a new client or new craftsmen." "Where are we going?" " Lunch." "Oh, come on..." "You are with boss now." "I'm sorry!" "I was only joking!" "Sorry..." "Sorry...sorry!" "How pretentious!" "Classical music!" "Here ragas are played only at lunch." "Morning ragas..." "evening ragas...night ragas." "Music, the great appetizer." "Who's that?" "An acquaintance." "He's a demolition contractor" "He used to handle the bulldozer himself" "Now he has employees to do it." "He can demolish any slum in half an hour." "We're very clean people, aren't we?" "We cannot stomach squalor." "If we can't get rid of it, we cover it with paint, perfume ...beautify the shit!" "So do we also become a part of it?" "Not you, silly..." "I was talking generally..." "perhaps only about myself." "Some friends - in advertising." "They sell everything." "We won't come here again." "Why?" "You know too many people here." "Who cares?" "Perhaps I care." "I wish I had some more time," "But this shop is like a trap." "If Mahesh showed more interest I'd be free." "Perhaps he has other interests..." "How much?" "You remember, don't you... my mother has invited you for lunch on Sunday?" "Can we make it next Sunday?" " Why?" "I will be busy this sunday." "I'm not returning to the office now." "You know where to contact me." "Oh Samba!" "All over the countryside" "Mother's warn crying children by Saying Hush," "Gabbar Singh will hear you!" "Here comes your sucker!" "So, you're rehearsing dialogue?" "Want to be a hero in movies?" "No, the villain!" "Okay, I'll find you some work." "For now, take care of the car." "(Sound of prayers being recited...) hey Arvind, come have a seat." "How's the shop doing, son?" " Fine." "Not thinking of scuttling it are you?" "Oh, I met a friend of your." " Who?" "Your leftist college friend." "What's his name?" "Rajan." "Met him today." "I gave him a lift to the university." "He teaches there." "He must have come back." "He used to be in Calcutta." "I have to go out." "By the way, how's Alice?" "She's fine." "Gather round, all you people." "This is pure butter... unadulterated." "Prepared before your eyes." "He gives you strength." "Men's chest will expand..." "filled with more power..." "And their erections last longer." "Gather round friends, brothers..." "Hi fatso!" "What brings you here?" "Why?" "ls visiting cousins forbidden?" "You've lost weight?" "You measure the world by your proportions!" "Should I send for a snack?" "I don't see my brother around." "He may come in the afternoon." "Who knows?" "I'm having a Party" "I'd like to take a few things." " Sure!" "How are things with you?" "Still going to club?" "Maybe this will be better..." "You want to take these too, kya?" "This might be nice, you can wrap it around." "How do I look?" " Fantastic..." "But if it was 7 years earlier..." "Have these packed..." "Is it a...business party?" " Yes." "How did Sunil's export deal go?" "What does Arvind do all the day?" "Who knows?" "He comes and goes." "He's your brother, after all." "Thank you." " You are welcome." "When did you return to Bombay?" "6 or 7 months ago." "What are you doing these days?" "What else?" "Teaching." "Just like before." "Now, I have a right to." "I'm officially a teacher." "What about you?" "The same family business." "What else can I do?" "I met your father." "Hmm." "He said so" "I met your leftist friend." "What's his name?" "That man has a strange sense of power." "which is slightly scary..." "Yeah, I also feel so..." "If I had to live with him, it would kill me." "This bloody city, I hate it." "Hate is good for one's health." "You're making fun of me." "It's the only way to reconcile oneself.." "...to a dehumanised existence." "Playing philosopher, huh?" "Sorry, my profession..." "Crowds...squalor...stench..." "and hideous architecture." "Look at it this way." "As the spread of civilization." "Its material manifestation, according to you, all is well, There's no problem" "Every effect has a cause." "You still remember..." "We have to take the next left" "Where exactly do you live?" "Close by." "I've rented a room." "The landlady is eccentric but doesn't interfere with me." "Right here." "Rajan, how do you spend your time?" "Reading preparing for my classes." "Sometimes students come by." "You were always organized." "And you?" " Disorganized." "Won't you come in?" " Some other time." "I want to talk to you." " Sure." "You know the place, drop by when you can..." "Any evening or on a Sunday." "I'll come on Sunday." "Definitely." "Then we can have a chat." " Sure." "Oh Fatima!" "Do it faster..." "It's her boss who's coming..." "...and I who have to work." "Mama is my tea ready?" " Yes." "Let her sleep" "She only gets one day to rest" "So what can we do?" "Does she help out when my friends come over?" "What about my breakfast?" "Must I skip it for one bloody boss?" "A delay of 5 minutes won't kill you." "Put that radio off!" "I'm jobless so I get sermons." "Once I get work, I'll eat, drink, live it up." "Mama, where is that kokum?" "Look, Mama!" "He's talking to that bum again!" "Stop yelling Mama!" "Go and get some kokum!" "Ah!" "You've woken up early today!" "Mama!" "Tea for Alice!" "May I come late tomorrow?" " Why?" "My sister is in town..." "thought I'd show her around." "Or else she'll go back and complain she saw nothing." "I'll have to face the family." "You're concerned about them?" "When you are in need, they are the only ones who help." "Friends... have fun, and leave." "What are you looking at?" " Nothing!" "All you can do is look, my friend." "She's the limousine kind." "What a bloody life!" "What do you want out of life?" " What don't I want?" "A big car, chauffeur driven..." "A beautiful and innocent girl by my side." "The car drives along the shore..." "climbs a hill... a huge gate opens... the doorman salutes...wow!" "How do you intend to get all this?" "You'll see." "A little work... underhand deals... and wherever necessary a little flattery..." "That's just what we're doing..." "It does not work." "You have to be entirely ruthless..." "Kill when necessary..." "and then you make money." "From that money you make more money and..." "C'mon, the stop has come..." "You have the tickets na?" "Oh, Arvind..." "come.." "Sit Arvind." "I'll just finish my exercises." "What's so funny?" "You and exercise." "Why?" " Nothing, it just looks funny." "Whose paint...drawing is this?" " Mine." "No, I meant the artist?" "A friend of mine." "Like it?" " Yes...it's interesting?" "Why?" "It seems strangely cruel." "What kind of cruelty?" "As if someone wants to finish everything." "What is it destroying?" "I'm not an intellectual, like you." "I like it, so I said so." "I've got to go." "Lunch appointment?" "Just my secretary's family." "I'm having lunch with them." "What's the artist's name?" " Why?" "Who knows?" "I might buy his work." "Back to business, eh!" "You did remind him, didn't you?" "He said, he would come." "What does he think of himself?" "He has come, he has come." "Okay, Okay." "Bernie..." "Alright, I'll wear that damn shirt!" "Hello auntie, how's everyone?" "Fine..." "Will you...have some brandy?" "No thanks." "I never drink before sunset." "Hello Joan" " Hi Arvind" "For you" " Thank you." "Hi Bernie." "Hi." "I'm famished!" "Shall we eat?" "Mummy, perfume..." "Oh!" "Why did you bother?" "Come, have a seat..." "Joan, how's your typing getting on?" "Ok" " What ok?" "You should be an eXpert by now..." "60, 70, 80 words..." "I want a perfect secretary, ...not like your sister!" "You're not eating anything." " Why don't you eat Mama?" "Do you like our cooking?" "There's nothing special, though." "The food is excellent" "Who did the cooking?" " Mama and I." "Mama and I!" "You couldn't have done it!" " Ask Mama!" "Mama!" "And, what about you, Bernie?" "Me, nothing!" "He has bought a new bullworker." "Do you eat fish at home?" " No." "Have some more, then." " No thanks, I've done well." "Joan, just give him a towel." "Would you like some tea?" "A cigarette is just fine." "Of course, must you ask!" "You'll be back soon, won't you?" " Yes, Mama." "Rai Saheb, Isn't that you daughter, Maya?" " Yes." "I brought her along today." "Wasn't she studying abroad?" "Yes." "In Paris...at Sorbonne." "She has just returned." "She has really grown into a beautiful young lady." "But why is she all alone outside?" "She says she has no one to talk to." "Perhaps it's because of Paris." "She's right." "After Paris, she's bound to feel that way here." "What were her subjects?" "She went to learn music... but was drawn to painting..." "Paris is like that." "Come over and see her work." "I've always believed that the new generation... should be introduced to art and culture" "You're right." "But today's youth is running madly after money." "On these very lawns we've seen Shakespeare being performed..." "Those days are over." "That was an age but today." "Hello" "How are you Rai Saheb, Seth ji?" "How are things young man?" " Alright!" "except for that bloody strike in the factory." "Strike again?" "Don't talk about it..." "Those bloody outside agitators..." "Professional Termites..." "Who?" "Communists?" " Who else!" "To me, anyone who agitates is a communist." "Basically, we're lazy people." "I'm not joking." "Really." "No one wants to work." "All they want is higher wages, bigger bonuses." "A strong hand with a whip." "Then watch!" "Put it there!" " Why?" "I'm expecting guests..." "There they have come." "I tell you- we need a strong man with a whip." "A lovely name" " Maya!" "Whenever I meet a beautiful boy..." "That's when I'll get married." "O give me a radio." "For a radio I'm willing." "I don't need beads of baubles for baubles, I'm not willing." "Whenever I meet a milkman That's when I'll get married." "O give me a radio" "Why are you silent?" "For a year we've known each other..." "And yet I don't know anything about you." "We are absolute strangers." "Now tell me, what do you think about me?" "I like you." "That's all?" "Nothing more?" "Isn't that enough?" "No." "Tell me what you find in me?" "A lot." "You mean a good job..." "benefits, expensive meals..." "Arun, Please don't say that." "If someone offered you more would you start a similar relationship?" "Aren't you like most women, out for a rich catch?" "No matter what he's like?" "What, if we got married?" "Is it possible?" "What is this cheque for?" "Meerabehn Charity Trust." "Three thousand!" "Your demands keep increasing." "These religious donations..." "are getting out of hand." "Perhaps that's our salvation." "Look; do as you please." "Pray away." "Who's stopping you?" "But keep your advice outside of business." "Here, business is slack, and your donations are increasing." "Don't be upset, mother." "That's only his manner." "Anyway, what's the matter?" "Tell me." "I'm not like him." "Why don't you ever speak out?" "Four beers please..." "Black Label." "No need to pack." "Sir, your change..." "Hey, let it be." "Assholes have problem taking money too." "Arvind!" "What have you brought?" "Some beer." "Arvind, you haven't met these students..." "Arvind, the glasses and opener are on the table...could you?" "Yes, let's continue..." "Wow, this is wonderful..." "Where were we?" "How is this relevant to us?" " Good question." "That is what happened..." "Tradition forms of production were being smashed." "Land was being arbitrarily distributed." "People from villages fled to cities industrialisation uprooted them from their land." "Let us get down to concrete examples..." "How do family relationships in industrial society differ from earlier ones?" "Are they a manifestation of a cosmic order?" "My friend, don't cloud issue with metaphysical overtones... don't mock man's condition with cosmic definitions." "Man is responsible for his own condition." "Perhaps we are shirking the real issue." "Moving from feudal to industrial society the contradictions created are concretely manifested... in Kamal Swaroop." " Who's he?" "That guy doing history." "... because he doesn't belong somewhere curses himself..." "But with his silence, he himself and the other..." "Mama!" "Come and eat." "Let her come I'll eat with her." "What hopes!" "She has lots of work..." "great responsibilities..." "Stop being funny." "12 hours, 13 hours, 14 hours..." " Shut up!" "Are you crazy?" "Aren't you ashamed to talk about your sister like that!" "I have gone nuts?" "He's a nice boy - high class!" "A pack of Wills, please." "(On the radio- This rainy night" "This lovely atmosphere that lovely moon...)" "Mister!" "Collect your cigarettes!" "Oh!" "What brings you here?" "You've always said I had wheels on my feet." "Will you eat anything?" " No thanks." "Sit down." "We're meeting after ages, aren't we?" "I visited the shop but you're never there." "How come you haven't gone out today?" "Sunil's gone." "To a stag party." "You're putting on weight." "That's because I eat and drink - regularly." "Look at you." "You're looking starved." "You should eat regularly." "I just saw your neighbours in the lift..." "Soon you'll be like them." "Are you equating me with them?" "You don't like the equation?" "To be a buxom, overblown mother.." "Lording it over servants... gossiping in clubs... just another rich matron" "If that's what you predict, I'll become one, okay?" "And your merchant master?" "Where is the matron?" "Shilpa, aren't you afraid?" "Afraid?" "Of what?" "Of being alone?" "There's Sun"... the children... the servants... and neighbours around." "Don't forget the dog." "Yes, he's there too." "And yet you aren't afraid?" "Of yourself" "Why should I be?" "What happens at night..." "When a peculiar loneliness haunts you, takes hold of you..." "What kind of loneliness?" "Sunil's around..." "Sometimes." "Come, let's go in." "Why are you silent?" " No, reason, really." "Are you afraid of yourself?" "Shilpa, I guess I'll leave." "Going out, somewhere" " Yes...!" "You can spare a few minutes though, can't you?" "Sit!" "We share the same home, yet hardly meet." "It just struck me this morning... as to what a strange life we're leading." "It seems the age of paying guests has arrived." "You agree, don't you?" "If you don't, say so." "We're friends." "How are things at the shop?" " 0.K." "You don't spend much time there, perhaps." "Mind you, a man must have his diversions..." "I fully subscribe to this view..." "You can't spend 24 hours on the job..." "But if you own a business you must look after it." "If a granary is not cared for, rats will get at it." "This is what is happening in the shop..." "Mahesh and Gopal are nibbling away at the business." "Impossible!" " No, it's true!" "A friend of mine visited the shop..." "Mahesh offered to sell him his own stuff... at 25 percent less than our own rates" "My friend reported this to me." "He was shocked!" "I checked the books and found they've been cheating us for months." "Now, what do we do?" "Sack Mahesh!" "What will our relatives say?" "Mahesh is your cousin." "So what?" "Did you employ him to cheat us?" "I will go see to it" "I don't think it will be wise to kick out Mahesh" "If he goes, several customers go with him" "What else can we do?" "You decide." "You're the manager." "But it should be settled by tomorrow." "Everything is upto you." "I think we should get him married now." "That's right, isn't it?" " Yes sir" "We placed our trust in you and these are the returns?" "If we wanted, we could jail you..." "Or print this scandal in the papers." "You're lucky, we've only sacked you" "Sir, but Mahesh..." " Don't confuse things!" "Have you cheated, or not?" "But sir, Mahesh..." " Keep Mahesh out of it!" "Collect your notice, pay and get out" "Where are we going?" "Why did you sack Gopal?" "He deserved to be." "Bloody thief!" "It wasn't his fault..." "he only did what Mahesh..." "You're very concerned about Gopal." "If you don't want me around, I'll leave..." "Get out you bloody bitch." "Do you believe that if you go..." "Arvind Desai will roam the streets in despair?" "What do you think of yourself?" "Want to leave?" "Leave then!" "What else are you capable of anyway?" "Threatening to leave, at the smallest excuse..." "All you women are the same." "Apart from slyly getting your way... making fools of others pretending to suffer in silence... what else can you do?" "You..." "Shilpa...my mother you're all alike." "Come, I will show you one more thing" "Have you met all these people yet?" "C'mon, I will introduce you..." "This is Mrs. Vaswani..." "Akelachand..." "Saeed Mirza..." "She is Maya..." "She has just come back from Paris." "Yes..." "Sorbonne..." "Excuse me..." "Maya please..." "Come, they are a boring lot na?" "This is my husband Sunil..." "I want to talk to you about something important..." "Do you mind if I snatch her away for a while." "Come..." "Go, its okay." "Don't worry...don't worry..." "he'll let you become... his old faithful servant." "You'll oblige, won't you?" "Don't worry, mama." "Your daughter will have a home at least." "Just wait everybody." "Mother, I am going to become a mother..." "What have you done daughter, you have ruined this family's reputa" "You are leaving?" "What have you done daughter, you have ruined this family's reputation." "What say?" "The dialogue fits in, na?" "Absolutely perfect sync." "Okay, I will get going, you finish all your crying and stuff, then next scene..." "May my life go away, but not my promise..." "Oh, Mr. Roberts come in, come in.." "How are you sir?" " Fine" "Hello Malhotra Saheb." "Hello" "Please sit down." "Sure." "Well, Mr. Roberts what have you decided?" "Mr. Roberts likes the carpets" "That's great." "I don't like your prices, Mr. Desai" "Roberts sir is right - the prices are high!" "They need to be lowered" "You see, we don't deal in small stuff we buy in bulk!" "That's absolutely right!" "In bulk, the prices should be lower" "You can say this because you are probably not aware of our business" "The craftsmen are demanding higher wages and then there are brokers in between" "My prices are governed by my market and not your problems" "But surely you could explain to your retailers" "You don't know them but I do" "You gotta make a decision" "I'll let you know Mr. Roberts" "Can you give me some time?" "A day or two perhaps" "Sorry, I can't..." "In my country, the fashion is in right now" "So, I gotta know from you" "NOW!" "not tomorrow or in a few days" "What's it going to be?" "Yes, no..." "Yes C'mon, say yes.." "C'mon Mr. Desai" "It's a deal, okay?" "We will finalise the deal tomorrow" "Thank you very much" "So long..." "Have a seat.." "Fatima has a customer..." "Can you drop us at Chruchgate station please" "Thanks a lot" "You are welcome" "We have been rescued na.. ." "Where are you coming from?" "A film..." "Quite a bad one..." "Which one was it?" "An old one..." "Roman Holiday." "They have released it again" "Not a bad film actually" "You have seen it?" "Yeah, a few years earlier." "By the way I am Manoj She is Rashmi" "What do you do?" "He sells flowers." "Flowers?" "Oh yes, We have a flower store in Bandra" "By his, he means his father's." "Manoj is an eXpert in Ichibana" "You know the japenese.." "He would already know about it." "Actually I have just heard the name" "Don't know anything else about it." "Nothing else, really?" "What did you say?" "She is saying that maybe you aren't married" "How did you know?" "Because you don't know Ichibana..." "Please don't mind her..." "she is like this only..." "By the way, what do you do?" "me?" "Let us see what I do." "We have a firm in Lonavala." "firm?" "Yes, a firm..." "It's quite big." "My home is part of that only." "Today I had come down to town to visit." "Weekends..." "One needs a little bit of town too na." "Films..." "Friends..." "A small party..." "A little alcohol" "And then back home." "What a lovely life..." "But nothing like your flower shop" "The station is here..." "Thank you very much..." "You didn't tell us your name." "er..." "Ramesh, Ramesh SaXena" "Thank you very much Mr. SaXena." "Good night." "Oh!" "Arvind..." "Come in..." "Good that you dropped by." "I have lots to tell you..." "Have a seat..." "First things first." "What is this?" "Regional Charity trust tickets..." "For the orphans." "When did you start?" "After talking to you..." "Felt like I am getting useless." "That's why I am doing Social Service" "I go to the blind school" "I work on improving the slums" "Have stopped clubbing and all..." "Second's thing second..." "Would you have tea?" "Yeah..." "I must make it myself" "Am becoming obese na..." "Have started playing badminton too..." "This area is mine." "No-bloody-one will come save you here..." "Where is sir's car today, eh?" "Some one looted your store kya?" "If I don't loot it, it will be looted by your cousin" " Mahesh" "Say something now." "Without the position, now you are a weasel?" "Hey, rich kid, learn to work with your hand" "One tight slap and you will be flat here..." "Where do you think you are going?" "Is it disrespectful to stand on the street?" "We don't have any respect only?" "GO!" "forgave you this time.." "Seems like you were waiting for me" "Do you want to talk about something specific?" "Maybe..." "I wish I had known myself" "Rajan, how do you manage it?" "What do you mean?" "I mean, your life... everything seems right seems like well settled, adjusted" "But it's not..." "Do you want to know my problem?" "To live in a world... where there is a huge gap between my thoughts and action a world where... there are NO set rules" "maybe man can only... try to ask the right question." "Looks smashing na?" "and the answer?" "What about them?" "Answers..." "The answers maybe are ahead of us..." "I don't know..." "Then we are in the same situation." "NO!" "Arvind hasn't come since yesterday maybe won't come today also" "You only said that it was a phase, it will pass..." "Have I interfered in his work?" "Gave him all the independence..." "He had a free choice in everything" "I treated him like a friend." "What have I spoilt for him?" "I found a girl for him!" "and that too like him... sensitive... highly educated... from a good family... what have I not done for him?" "now..." "Where are you going?" "I have some work..."