"Answer the door." " These girls are a nuisance." "They drop in right in the middle of a work out." "You?" " Anyone by name Vayapuri here?" "Vayapuri?" "No, no one here by that name." "Is this C/4?" " Right." "Someone is insisting that Vayapuri lives here." "Could you come and take a look?" " Who's this new kid in the block?" "Why have you come here?" "To steal, isn't it?" "Why don't you answer him?" " I'm not lying, sir." "Vayapuri is from my village." "He had given me this address." "We were in the same class till grade five." "Believe me, please." "Riyaz, d'you have one Vayapuri in your house?" "Vayapuri...?" "No Vayapuri is here." "Decently dressed robbers have become a fad." "Throw him out." "Last week, similarly, a guy came asking an address." "He decamped with a CD player from Mahadevan's house." "This guy must be one of them." "C'mon, out with the truth!" "Believe me, sir." "I've just arrived in Madras." "Believe me, I'm not a thief." "Vayapuri!" "Where had you been?" "Look, what they're doing to me." "Vayapuri, even your name isn't convincing them." "Mr Karthik, he's calling you Vayapuri." "Are you Vayapuri?" "Yes." " Vayapuri... awful name!" "Send him upstairs." "Quick!" " Are you convinced now?" "I'm disgraced!" "So your hunk's name is Vayapuri." " That reeks of felony." "How can I trust him?" "Here ends our relationship!" "Staring too long will crack the windscreen." "Nataraj, get up here!" "Come fast..." "Why is the dog barking with you?" " Why didn't you come right up here?" "They are here, Riyaz." "This is Riyaz." "That's Wilson, lovingly called as Wills." "He owns this spacious apartment." " Want chicklets?" "No thanks, I don't smoke cigarettes." " Cigarettes"?" "Never seen chicklets, I guess." "He's a rustic, after all." "Riyaz, he's Nataraj." "We studied together, back in the village." "Village?" "Say hamlet." "In your hamlet don't they unbotton their collars?" "Please go and take some rest." " The jet lag, of course!" "Wills, call Kartik here." " Karthik...?" "Vayapuri!" "You're invited for the village council meeting." "All because of you." "Go on, I'll be back." "You called me?" " Who is he?" "My schoolmate, I told you." " Is he going to pitch in here?" "For few days." "He's looking for a job." " Now look, I'll fix a job for him." "But he can't stay here." "Look at the way he dresses." "And his looks and gait... awful!" "He can't mix with us." "No, he must stay here." "Now that he has come up with Kartik's real name... there's still a plethora of unrevealed mysteries that we ought to know." "What's the guy's name, Vayapuri?" " Nataraj." "That's what you call him." "What's his pet name?" "Is it Underwear?" "Or is it Jockstrap?" " Shut up." "All right, it's all in the game." "Enter his name in the computer, Riyaz" "Nataraj, you're part of us." "It's party time for you!" ""Mute..."" "Coconut juice." "Will you have, Vikram?" " No." "I'm also standing here, waiting to obtain an American visa." "But you seem to be more tensed." "You want to go there to work." "But America is my ultimate desire." "Excuse me." "Where can I find the owner?" " Owner...?" "You mean, the managing director?" "Go straight and then turn left." "O.k..." "I didn't ask you to rise." "I asked, what do you want?" "I've come looking for a job." " Job...?" "For you?" "What do you know?" "I paint well, sir." "These are my works." "And this, too." "What were we discussing?" "Right, about your job." "Would you like to join today?" " Really, sir?" "Thanks sir." "I won't ever forget this favour." " Your talent got you the job." "You don't need to thank me." " But you gave me such a high post." "Don't be surprised." "You deserve a place even higher up." "Nataraj, can't you read him?" "Actually you look so gloomy." "He's asking... if you're missing your folks." " I came here with dreams... of becoming an artist of excellence." "But I ended up painting the town." "Nataraj, no good telling him." "He's dumb and deaf." "Isn't this the flight?" "Where are they?" "Long live Arogyaswamy!" "My respects, leader." "Why have you brought the hoofers?" " It's just a small welcome gesture." "Had we been the ruling party, I'd have taken them right inside the flight." "(C'mon, party!" "' Play!" "What's that?" "A bouquet?" " Not for you." "Where's your daughter?" "Bouquet for you." "You've come to Madras for the first time." "Let's go." "Come on." "Ah!" "I smell ladies." "Wills...?" "Then is that one Gold Flake?" "She is talking too much is'nt it...?" "Are they street girls...?" "You make this dress look good." "Nataraj, what're you doing there?" "Come on here." "Our friend." "Nataraj." "He paints well, is a great artist." "Let's go to my room." "One moment please." "Don't be shy girls, consider this your home." "You're Reshma, aren't you?" " Yes." "Physics, first year, right?" " Yes." "Avid reader, right?" " Right." "How about a swig?" " Disgusting!" "I see, so you're a heavy drinker." "Okay, let's play for points." "Just a moment..." "You're no casanova." " Only ten points." "Only ten points?" "Fine." "How do I look now?" "Makeup doesn't make you any better." " Is it?" "Let me have that." "I want the glares." "How's that?" " Just made it." "What're you playing?" " He's Nataraj." "Give him some points." "Sir, please stand here." " What're you up to?" "I'll tell you." "Relax." "You want to know what we're playing, don't you?" "When you guys see girls on the road, you give points to each one of them." "We're doing just that." "Will you turn around?" "To the right, will you?" " Good training." "Haven't you seen catwalks?" "Fashion shows?" "I know nothing." "Spare me." "Will you remove your shin, or shall we help you?" "Oh no!" " I'll go and remove it myself..." "How many points has Nataraj earned?" " 75 points." "This is not fair." "Riyaz got only 60." "ls Nataraj a stud?" "Relax." "Three of us put together 75." "Just take the average." "Beats me." " 25 points." "That's fail." " That's more for his looks." "He earned 25 points for staying with you guys." "Next time if we find him here, it'll be our last visit here." "Where the hell is he?" "Nataraj, what are you doing here?" "Are you alive?" "What's wrong with you?" " Just feeling low." "Because I didn't introduce you to the girls?" "You're right." " You've got me wrong." "What're you staring at me?" "Those girls speak fluent English." "And you can't speak a word of it." "Won't they taunt you?" "Just to save you those insults I didn't introduce you to them." "Is it?" " Really." "Would you mind if I ask something?" " Tell me." "Can you give me a few tips on how to woo girls?" "Bad times!" " Pardon me?" "I mean, the wrist watch." " Beats me." "You can woo girls with wrist watches." "Tell me, why do girls wear them?" "To see the time." " This is why you're a failure." "Girls wear it because they expect handsome men like us to ask them time" "I see." " Yes." "Suppose you ask the time... to a girl standing at the bus-stop." "Even if she's Aishwarya Rai... she'll have to tell the time, right?" " Right." "There you are." "Try asking the time for a few days." "If it works... try smiling at her." "If that too works, then board the bus that she takes." "Giggling, eh?" "Then, clutching the hand support, show her your arms." "Won't she fall for it?" "That's it." "You're feeling it, man!" "Wills..." " You addressed me by my name?" "Chums?" "Don't tell the guys that you've tipped me." "Is this something worth telling them?" "No way." "But one thing." "You'll have to take care of two things." "First: when you ask the time, you must ask in English." "Second?" " Make sure she's wearing a watch." "Yesterday a person was traveling on foot board, will he be alive..." "If 90' clock bus comes we will know it...!" "32:90." "32:90...?" "What's that you gave for the time?" "And why did he thank you?" "You think these guys really want to know the time?" "They just want some fun." "Look what it did to him." "Scoundrel!" "Aren't you ashamed?" "It's not even fifteen minutes since... the girls came here, and fifty of you scums have asked them "Time please?"" "Deprived lot!" "You come seeking girls?" "Don't you see the clock fixed there?" ""Love, love, love"" ""Everyone seeks love..."" ""the tall ones and the shod ones..."" ""the fat ones and even the slim ones"" ""It is Death without Love..."" ""said a great poet of yore"" ""When love makes you happy..."" ""the terrace is where you date"" ""When love makes a drunkard out of you..."" "" Love Which won God "" ""Tarzan used to court in the forests"" ""Now we date via the internet"" ""Passionate love between Grandpa and grandma"" ""But the playboy is a womanizer"" ""Dating at the workshop, dating at the bookshop"" ""Sometimes you kiss, sometimes you miss"" ""Love is tickling, giggling, burning, biting, agonizing"" ""The baldie wants to date a brunette"" ""The convents girl loves a college boy"" ""Love is made in full speed inside a learner's car"" ""The angry-faced sir is in love with the teacher"" ""Over the local phone, love-talk is cheap"" ""Long distance?" "It's costs you dear"" ""Love is tasty, touchy, flashy, precious"" "Wills, please give me one more tip." "Please." "Quiet!" "Don't disturb me, I'm eating." "Give me one last tip." " I did give you a super tip." "You bombed it." " One last tip, please." "What're you looking at?" "You got it." "The look!" "Face to face!" ""What I see with my eyes oh my dear..."" "Get that?" " If you look right into the eyes... of a girl, she'll fall for you." " Really?" "Yes." "Wills!" "Doctor, he's smashed." "Will he be able to walk again?" "If he stands up, yes." "Silly question." "Take rest, and you'll be fine." " Who?" "Me?" "Thank God, it's a minor injury." "Come, let's go out for a fag." "Take me along." "What is it?" "Hope you didn't tell them the reason for this disaster?" "Are your exploits worth describing?" "I told them that while painting... the framework crashed, and you fell." "Don't you mess it up." "No way." "It concerns my life." " And don't you even tell the doctor." "The matter might go to the police." "And you'll be in the wanted list." "Come here." "Has the accident distorted my looks?" "Then let me have another tip." "What's keeping you there, Wills?" "It was fun inside." "Our hero asks me, "Has the accident distorted my looks?"" "You call that "looks", Riyaz?" "Karthik, instead of coming to see you... had he seen a plastic surgeon, he'd have turned a bit human." "Now the doctor has hung his hand on to his neck." "All of a sudden... he asks me for another tip." " Where did you pick him up from?" "He thinks he's a hero." " A hero will be shamed to know that." "That's not a face a girl would care for." "What you will do, is fix a mirror in his room." "Maybe that'll bring his senses back." "Riaz you said it right..." "Return of the scum!" "Dare you ask a girl "Time please?"... and I'll fix you for good." "How rude!" "You could've kept quiet." "You'll find all types here." "Rude, like this one." "And unfortunate, like those over there." "Look." "They seem educated, rich and beautiful." "God has given them everything but speech." "Poor girl!" "Yes, market is very dull..." "Uncle, where's Vikram?" "Madras is alien to me, that's why I asked you to accompany me." "You know, I had a harrying time finding the dance class." "I can't help it." "I could've guided you to New York's discotheques." "I'm listening to M.J's new number." "Please leave me alone." "You're back?" "How's the summer in Madras?" "I couldn't find the dance class." "It's been moved elsewhere." "I see." "D'you have a centre for the dumb at the Central?" "Why?" "I asked a girl about the dance class" "She was dumb, she made some gestures that I couldn't figure out." "Next, a dumb man showed me the way." "But I could understand his gestures." "I see..." "Poor guy!" " Why do you say that?" "Being born mute makes life so difficult, isn't it?" "Rise." "May you excel in Bharat Natyam." "Today is your first day, so observe the other students." "We're of the same batch." "My practice begins tomorrow." "Are you from Stella Mary college?" " No." "Let's walk on chatting." "Are you Rambha's sister?" " No." "Simran's?" " No." "Then stop swaying like them." "I expect export quality, but they seem to be working for exports." "The name's Aishwarya." "Crisis!" "You called me?" " I guess I screamed." "You guys missed a super figure." " Where?" "Where did she vanish?" "Poor guy!" "The pain of being born dumb shows on his face." "How sad, a girl so pretty is born dumb!" "Look at that!" "She's drawing zeros in the air!" "That's her." "Look who's talking to her." "Who?" " The one standing in front of her." "The guy from your village, the painter." "He has wooed a beauty." "You guys sniped me, didn't you?" "Damn!" "I can't believe it!" "Modern women have no nose for looks." "She's chosen an awful one." "Are we to throw acid on our faces?" " Forget it." "Call him." "He isn't listening." "Call him." " Nataraj!" "You rustic!" "He's walking deaf." "Look at him." "He didn't even turn to look at us." "Just one girl gives him such airs." "If some more girls fall for him... he's going to ask me, "Who are you?" "What's your name?"" "Forget it." "He's going to come home at night, anyway." "Who was that girl?" " Which girl?" "The one you were flirting with in the morning." "She...?" "She's my girlfriend." "Of course, my girlfriend." " Since how long?" "Since about six months." " But it's been just eight months... since you came to the city..." " Can't I woo a girl in two months?" "I don't deny that, but the girl is in the range of Chelsea Clinton... and you nowhere come near the range." "How come you hooked her?" "Wooing is an art" "I've seen her around here." " Around here?" "Her?" "At the least you guys stick your nose about some or the other college campus" "At the most, the Harington Road." "But my babe is a class apart" "Nataraj, you're insulting us." " You just can't swallow the fact... that I'm dating a beauty, isn't it?" "But don't worry, I'll ask my flame... to introduce you to some girls of your class." "Say what?" "Goodnight." "I got to wake up early." " What for?" "For a jog with her." "Bye-bye." "Just one girl, and look at the change in him." "Give me two days, and I shall give you the girl's history." "Are you late today sir..." "I'm a lame, please help me..." "Please help me, madam." "May you be happy." "The signal is about to turn green, and he's still begging." "Nothing will happen to him." " Nothing?" "Just look at him." "Isn't that dangerous?" "Why do you worry?" "He'll make it." "For two square meals, do we really have to put our neck on the line?" "Why does such trivia upset you?" " What if someday he's knocked down?" "You'll find many more lives living on the edge." "You'll get used to it." "Poof guy!" "Lord Rama held beautiful Site's hand..." "Shweta, come here." "We're performing the Ramayana." "When Sita saw Lord Rama... for the first time, a shyness took over her." "Now try shying." "Watch." "Lord Rama held Site's hand..." "Wrong." "Didn't you watch me?" "I don't know how to feel shy." " Shyness comes naturally to a woman." "Don't you feel shy on seeing a man?" " Why should I?" "You still have to know more about our culture." "See me after the class." "Your steps and movements are good but you're almost expressionless." "Put more emphasis on expressions." " How do I master expressions?" "To begin with, stop talking." "Use your head, eyes, arms and legs for expressing something." "Like the mutes." "They can't speak but they use signs to express everything." "You can do it." "I bet you'll become a great danseuse." "The name is Shweta." "Nice name." "Born and brought up in Boston city, America." "Her parents are professors in Pennsylvania University." "This January, for the first time she came to India." "Right away she went to Mahabalipuram and scanned all the sculptures." "Bharat Natyam fascinated her, so she joined a dance class." "Till she learns it, she'll be staying at her distant uncle Manikavel's house." "Right." "That you've been carrying on with her since last six months... was a nice cock-and-bull." "Look boy, at just one glance... we can tell a girl, whether she can be just a friend, or more." "Well, you can clear your doubts with us anytime." "You think this skill just walked on to us?" "Wrong." "It came after stalking countless girls, peeping in and peeping out." "Ask him to stay away from her." " Now look, you couldn't... make friends with a beauty like Shweta, so don't you try to malign her" "We're maligning her?" "What do you know about her?" "You think she's dumb?" "She can make you and your daddy dumb." "She has a silver tongue." "You know?" "She's isn't a fraud like you think." " I'll show you." "Come on." "I need to make an international call." " 2nd cabin." "Dumbstruck, are you Nataraj?" "Heard her voice?" "Want to hear her talk to her international boyfriend?" "Put the lady's line here, sweetheart." " In the 4th cabin." "Go on, you fool." "Go." "He tried to give us a shock." "I'm all right here, but I can't understand the guys here." "Why?" " If you smile at them... they hand you a love-letter, pronto." "I'm apprehensive of making friends." "But there's some consolation, Daddy." " What is that?" "A few days back, I met a man called Nataraj." "He's so sweet and interesting." "I passed an hour or so with him." "I liked him." " Careful." "This one too... might hand you a letter and propose." " Even if he loves me he can't say so" "Why?" " Poor guy, he's mute." "Look, he's dumbstruck!" " Her boyfriend must've kissed her... over the phone." "That must've sent him in a tizzy." "I think I'll make friends only with him." "The guy is putting on airs." " Who was she talking to?" "Patrick?" "Or Anderson?" " None of them." "It was Ananda Raman." "Ananda Raman?" "So she's got a Hindu boyfriend in America?" "No boyfriend." "It was my flame's dad." " What was daddy saying?" "Just asking if we wanted to settle in India or America after our wedding" "What did she reply?" " That, she'll let him know... after discussing it with me." "So I need to talk to her now." "Excuse me." "What for?" " Make way for me." "Curse my luck!" "Something in him has attracted her." " What's in him?" "He's just a petty painter." "Give me two more days." "I'll find out how he lured the girl." "Nats, you look torn." "What's the matter?" "Shanmugam, didn't I tell you about the mute girl?" "She isn't mute but." "She thinks I am dumb." " So what?" "Whoever she is... why are you concerned?" " I'm not worried about her." "Then?" " I'm scared of my roommates." "What?" " They keep pulling my leg." "Just to teach them a lesson, I lied to them that she's my flame." "If they find out the truth, they're going to make me pay for it." "Me...?" " No, he." "He?" " Yes." "She's the one I was talking about." "She takes me for a mute." "How am I going to talk to her?" " Don't worry." "Let her come up here." "Just keep playing dumb." " What if something goes wrong?" "If you want her to consider you as a friend, just do as I say." "All the while these two guys kill me with their sign language." "And now you, too?" "As for Nataraj, he's dumb, but he isn't deaf." "Your workplace is interesting." "Do you work everyday at such heights?" "Interesting." "I take this road to my dance class." "I practice for an hour in the morning as well as in the evening." "In the interim, I'm bored to death." "If you don't mind, can I come here and pass my time?" "Say yes." "I won't disturb you." "Licence please?" " I forgot." "No license?" "What's the vehicle number?" "Yes, what is it?" "Mute, are you?" "Go on." "Where are we headed?" "The suspense is killing me." "Where are you taking me?" "This is where you studied?" "Let's go." "Vikram, all your friends including my son have settled in America?" "What about you?" "Quiet Mom." "Come on." " Why did you have to, Mother?" "Vikram, why did you gift me the Statue of Liberty?" "Now that I'm going... to America, I'll see it myself." "Keep this with you... keep looking at it everyday, and let your desire to go to America swell." "You must keep it." "These days it's tough getting an American visa." "I got a distinction, yet I found it tough." "You know that." "But you have a easier way out." "In fact, you got a way that'll make you a citizen of America." "Shweta." "She's your Visa to America." "Marry her, and your dreams, your goals will all be at your feet." "She's a live Statue of Liberty." "The closer you step towards it... the closer you will be getting to America." "Nataraj, suppose you love me..." "just assume it." "How will you propose your love to me?" "Look at him blushing." "Answer me." "Forget the flower, just express that you love me." "Won't you act like Kamal Hasan when he played a dumb?" "Why d'you act so cheap?" "You're well aware that he can't talk like us." "Then why do you misbehave with him?" "Nataraj, please give me five minutes." "Be human." "D'you take him for a zoo animal to make fun of?" "If you can't pass your time, find some other kind of amusement." "Don't you brag too much." "Haven't you picked him up to pass your time?" "You're no Mother Theresa, are you?" "Get lost." "Nataraj, are you busy tomorrow?" "Tomorrow is Saturday." "Don't you have to go the Ad agencies for orders?" "Then why did you nod negatively?" "You'll wait for me tomorrow... at your office, I'll be there at 4:30." "By tomorrow evening, I want the Star Music and Citi Bank ads painted." "Brush-and-board!" "I'm tired of this life." "God knows when I'll get a change!" "Nataraj?" "Hold on." "Nataraj, call for you." "Who's speaking?" "Nataraj here." "It's Riyaz here." "The company has provided me a new car." "I'm taking my girlfriend for a movie." "Why don't you join us?" "With Shweta." "No, she won't come." "Titanic is a superb movie." "Just join us." "Also you'll introduce me to Shweta." "Please Nataraj you must come." "This is where you're wrong, Riyaz." "My girlfriend is different." "You think she's cheap like your girlfriends, who go on wandering... about cinemas and beaches?" "My girlfriend is a class apart" "Know what the time is?" "We're already late." "Come on, let's go." "Nataraj, what do I tell the boss?" "How can you just go away?" "What's wrong with you?" "Why did you yell as if you were dumb?" "I'm not Nataraj, I'm an attender here." "Where's Nataraj?" "A while ago he was okay." "Then a girl came over, and all of a sudden... he began acting like a dumb." "Then he left with the girl." "What"?" "On seeing a girl he started acting dumb?" "Was the girl fair?" " Yes sir." "Tall?" " Yes." "Clad in jeans?" " You got it, sir." "Boy, you're finished!" "Dr.Surya Prakash." "ENT specialist." "So you say it's been eight years since you lost your speech?" "Doctor, will he be able to talk again?" "Come and sit here..." "Open your mouth." "Don't be scared." "Beats me." "I'll try the X-ray." "Let's try scanning." "The patient's scan report, Dr.Surya Prakash." "Cerebrum, vocal cord, all normal." "The report is positive." "You will decide the course." "Shock treatment." "Relax." "All okay, but he's speechless." "Never in my medical career have I come across such a case." "Let's try Speech Therapy." " What's that, doctor?" "Speech Therapy is a simple exercise." "It's an effort to release the voice that's subdued." "Teach him small words and ask him to repeat them over and over again." "Take him out to some peaceful place, someplace faraway." "Watch me and repeat what I say." "Say rose." "Fine." "Say sky." "Now repeat what I said." "Sing." "You got it." ""Say it with me..." "come on, let your head out"" ""Even if you say nothing at all, God still hears you"" ""Yet, there's a lot more hidden in your head"" ""No matter even if you stutter, say it all you can..."" ""Say half what you can say I'll say the rest..."" ""Say it with me..." "come on, let your head out"" ""Even the moon emerges full from the crescent in few weeks"" ""You know the language, you have the desire..."" ""oh, why're you still speechless?"" ""isn't there a sweetness in the speech of a child?"" ""Can't the mother understand the meaningless gurgling of her baby?"" ""So what if you've lost your speech?" "You aren't a child to sit and cry"" ""Though with a flickering smile, the lamp still faces the storm"" ""Though buried under the soil, don't the seeds reap?"" ""Shed your shyness, and words will easily flow"" ""Open your mouth, try to speak, and you will speak for sure"" ""Stop feeling sorry, and keep practicing..."" ""someday your voice will rent the skies"" ""Sing it"" "Wait Nataraj, we'll drop you." "We'll drop you near your house." "Great man!" "Uncle, they want you." " Who wants me?" "And why?" " Because you can speak." "Don't you feel like a beggar?" "Acting dumb for befriending a girl?" "Don't you feel ashamed?" "Such vanity!" "What did you tell us the other day?" "That... you were going jogging with her, no?" "But you can't even walk properly." "It's now clear that you conned to hook the girl." "You said that, when it comes to girls we are cheap, didn't you?" "We know how cheap we can get to break your friendship." "Let's go guys." "One minute..." "Like you guys, I don't have a great personality and a shapely body." "Though God gave us different bodies, He gave us the same sentiments." "From loving nature to befriending women... all that you desire for, even I desire." "I don't get along with girls, because people like you... instilled in me an inferiority complex." "I've been in this city for months, yet even today... if someone screams "Gorilla", I tend to look at that person." "Because, from my brother to my school teacher, everyone called me Gorilla." "Friends used to take me along for wooing girls." "It made me happy." "Slowly, I realised that they used me to show off themselves as handsome." "Although people around me instilled an inferiority complex in me..." "I kept one hope alive..." "love." "I could never envisage a life without love." "I don't much believe in love after wedding." "Because it is a must-do for a married girl to love her husband." "Besides, I'm ugly, who will love me truly?" "So I decided to marry only after making a girl fall in love with me." "In the meantime, I met Shweta." "I found happiness in her company." "I didn't want to lose her." "Even during the speech therapy, I thought... of giving up the acting, but I was scared that I might gradually... lose her and her sympathies, which is why I'm still playing dumb to her." "No one can give me the happiness that I get while playing dumb to her." "The happiness is temporary." "But for a gorilla who scores only 25 points... the feeling is infinite." "If you wish to ruin this happiness of mine, you may go ahead." "You're going to the dance class empty stomach." "Why don't you have milk?" "I can't leave without my scooter keys?" " You kept the keys in the key-stand." "Yes, but I can't find it now." "Don't fret, Vikram is going out." "Ask him to drop you." "But he hates Indian dances." "He's not going to drop me." "Won't he obey me?" "Drink the milk." "Yes?" " Drop Shweta at her dance class." "Drive carefully." " Right Mom." "There's Vikram." "Coke for everyone." "Don't sit." "Miss America was sitting there." "Don't ruin that feel please." "What're you rambling?" " I swear." "How come?" " She lost her scooter keys." "So I gave her a lift." "And you know what... she won't get the keys for another week." "I looked for you everywhere." "What are you doing here?" "Your shoe, sir." "Try it." "Hello madam." "How are you?" " Fine." "We're going to Kishkinda." "Are you coming?" "No sir." "No sir, I won't take it since you're the lady's friend." "Although I was a cripple, I used to beg in the middle of the roads... without caring for my own life." "And not one man cared for me." "If someone did, they couldn't bear with me for long and dumped me." "But this lady understood my problems, she gave me money to set up shop." "She helped me to live happily with my family." "You're her friend, sir, how can I take money from you?" "I don't want." "Bye." " Bye madam." "Hang on Shweta, I'll buy the tickets." " No, I'll buy." "Hang on." "No need, let me buy it." "I told you, I'll buy." " My boyfriend would've paid for it." "You think we don't know that scrooge?" "Thank God the cobbler spared me the five bucks." "You deserve this." "Not a cent in your pocket... and you go running with a wide grin when girls call out to you, eh?" "Now you feel sorry for it?" "Those girls are rich, they play with money." "And you got a hole in your pocket." "Isn't that humiliating?" "Could he be a friend of Shweta's?" "Nataraj, keep this." "You're going to spend for all of them." ""Sweetheart come to me..."" ""I have grown wings"" ""Come my third day's moon..."" ""let's touch the moon"" ""For the first time..." "In my head"" ""I see your face"" ""I can hear her singing within me"" ""I'm free, I believe I can fly"" ""I believe I can soar"" "Shut up!" " You're drunk!" "Don't hit me, let go!" "Let me go!" "A stranger helped you set up shop, but you ruined that, too." "Sinner!" "Running away, are you?" " Spare my arm!" "How dare you!" "I won't spare you!" "Just watch what I do to you." "Cur!" "Let him go." "He's my husband, he can hit me." "Who are you to interfere?" "All these days he has been conning me." "I'm not taking it out on him for hitting you, mind it!" "Come on!" "Sign." "Let's go." "How can they do like that?" "How can they just betray someone's trust?" "I hate such people!" "Damn!" "It feels like...!" "See you tomorrow." "She couldn't stand a beggar's betrayal." "You know what'll happen... if she finds out that you've been fooling her?" "Look, it'd have been different if you were just flirting, like us." "But if you're truly in love with her, you'll have to tell her the truth." "Come on Riyaz, she thinks he's dumb, that's why she sticks around with him" "Won't she back off if she finds out the truth?" "And he fears losing her." "Don't be silly, Wills." "Someday she'll find out the truth." "That day he'll be worse off." "It's better to tell her now." "Think practically, Nataraj." "Whatever, but telling her the truth will put him in bad light." "What's the way out?" "Nataraj, I got an idea." "Try telling her a small lie." "Let's see how she reacts to it." "Her reaction will tell if you must tell her the truth or not." "What do you say?" "Nataraj, what's wrong with you?" "Why do you look so lost?" "What's that?" ""I have lied to you..."" "What have you lied to me?" "Tell me, what lie have you told me?" ""I never studied in an an college, nor am I a gold medalist."" "Will you leave me alone for sometime?" "Please." "Okay, now that circumstance permits me, I must tell you something too." "I'm selfish." "I had a reason to be in your company." "My dance teacher told me that if I have to learn expressions..." "I'll have to mingle with dumb fellows like you." "That's why..." "I've been in your company all these days." "I'm no true friend of yours, as you consider me to be." "What I told you a while ago, is all a lie." "I couldn't live a lie for even five minutes." "How could you, Nataraj?" "Well, in the beginning you lied, to befriend me." "But later, didn't you ever feel bad about lying to me?" "Nataraj, have you ever considered someone your friend wholeheartedly?" "Had you, then you must surely understand what I'm going through." "You cannot lie to a person whom you truly love." "If you can lie, then your love isn't true." "Let's absolve ourselves from all lies." "Please Nataraj, never lie to me again." "Say that you won't lie." "Say the truth." "You won't lie to me, will you?" "Curse the rains!" "Bad timing." "I get irritated when it rains..." "Mom, where's Shweta?" " Usually she chats for an hour... with Nataraj after her dance class." "Besides, it's raining this evening." "What's the big deal?" " Silly question." "Why're you getting drenched?" " Why?" "Shouldn't I?" "So, you like the rains?" " Silly, who hates the rains?" "Fun, isn't it?" "It feels great to bathe in the rains in a tropical country like India." "Besides, I'm happy to know that you like the rains too." "Same here." "Let's drench together." "You cannot lie to a person whom you truly love." "If you can lie, then your love isn't true." "Is Shweta in?" "I'm Nataraj here." " Nataraj...?" "Who?" "Shweta's friend." "Nataraj, are you really talking?" "I'll call Shweta." "Hold on, Mr.Nataraj." "Nataraj calling." " What...?" "Some flirt He's using Nataraj's name to talk to you." "Fix him." "Speak on." "It's Shweta here." "Shweta, it's me." "Nataraj." "Who Nataraj?" " Nataraj, your friend." "You want to talk to me, don't you?" "Just come over to my house." "I won't shy away and hide like the other girls." "I can talk for hours if you want, on whatever subject you prefer." "But don't you use Nataraj's name to get to me." "You get that?" "You know who Nataraj is?" "He's my best friend." "He's mute." "Don't you use Nataraj's name to talk to me." "I just called up Wills and asked about you." "Come" "Come right in." "Know who is here?" "I thought you folks missed me and my wife, so you flew down to India." "Guess who he is, Daddy." "Nataraj can hear, Daddy." "Talk to him." "I've heard lots about you from Shweta." "No man is bereft of shortcomings." "You know what happened a while ago?" "Someone called up and tried to convince me that it was you." "I didn't believe." "What all lies they invent to talk to girls." "I answered the call." "It was like, I could match the voice with your personality." "When did you come, Nataraj?" "Did you meet Shweta's parents?" "Come on everyone, lunch is ready." " Come on." "Sorry sir, I have lied to all of you." "Please forgive me for committing this fraud." "I acted dumb just to be in the company of Shweta." "Shweta, you said Nataraj is naive." "This doesn't speak well of him." "We even gave you speech therapy..." "you've been taking us for fools, eh?" "You're being conned." "The other day it was the beggar, now it's this rascal." "Henceforth, know a person genuinely before you make friends with him." "You conned me." "Traitor!" "Don't you show me your face again!" "Get lost!" "Nataraj... you've been washing your hands for too long." "Come on here." "Sit." "Yes Shweta?" " Where's Nataraj?" "Not here as yet." " I haven't seen him for five days." "If he comes, ask him to come home." "Nats, she's gone." "Come on out now." "Get on with the work." "You're not meeting Shweta, so she's been calling me in my office." "What's your final decision?" "You mustn't lie to the person whom you truly love." "If you do, your love isn't true." " Did the poet Kannadhasan say it?" "No, Shweta did." " She must also be drinking." "Quiet." " My love for her is true, Riyaz." "But I'm also deceiving her." "I'm scared to even look into her eyes." "Why don't you tell her the truth then?" " I can't, and at the same time..." "I can't put on this act." "I just can't bear it anymore." "How long will this continue?" " I don't know." ""What is love?"" ""Heads spurn heads"" ""I have fallen in love"" ""Play the drum"" "What's the Sardar saying?" " Forget him, let's begin." "Come on, sing it." ""Freak out at nights, get drunk, roll over, you've got nothing to lose"" ""Try a cocktail, if it is hard, add a little soda"" ""if you love you're sure to get dejected..."" ""if you want to get over it..." " get drunk"" ""Listen to what the preacher says..." "Love is an enigmatic adventure"" ""So drink, don't waste the night, you have nothing to lose"" ""Live your life like the wheels..." "if punctured, stick it"" ""Your head can't take overload if you fall in love you'll be sleepless..."" ""Like the lorry, heads too have resting places"" ""All we have to do is to get it serviced from time to time"" ""But the roadblock..."" ""The blockade spares no lorry"" ""What man is spared by women?"" ""Her eyes are atomic, and I'm drowning like the Titanic"" ""She's as luring as chilli-chicken, and her lips painted in alluring pink"" ""She's married three times, and it's a secret that I'm one of them"" ""Don't be hurt..."" ""Take it easy, my friend"" ""You must make your love a successful one"" ""Celebrate the night, get drunk, for you've got nothing to lose"" ""Try a cocktail, if it is hard, add a little soda"" ""Love..." " stings..."" ""if you want to get over it..." " get drunk"" ""Listen to what the preacher says..." "Love is an enigmatic adventure"" ""So drink, don't waste the night, you have nothing to lose"" "I had been to the Spencers." "I saw this statue of Nataraj." "(God of Dance)" "It reminded me of you, so I bought it." "You like it?" "Beautiful." "You like it?" "You don't?" " Actually... this statue reminds me of Nataraj." "Been ten days since I've seen him." "No idea where he is." "Wherever he is, today I must find him." "He was painting up there when he missed his footing and fell down." "Poor guy, he lost lots of blood." "After falling from that height..." "I don't think he's going to survive." "He has been taken to the hospital." ""Yes madam..."" "Where's the emergency ward?" " Who do you want?" "Someone fell down from a height and was brought here two hours ago..." "He's dead." "The corpse has been sent to the mortuary." "A man was brought here a while ago, he fell down" "Yes, the corpse was full of paint and blood." "Why do you ask?" "I'm asking you no?" "I need to see..." " It's a mortuary, not an museum." "Go, get a permission from the Dean." "Mr.Artist, I need a book." "Stop making those sketches." "Instead, painting "No Vacancy" signboards... will make a millionaire out of you." "Karthik, come here." " What is it?" "Look what he is sketching." "What's that?" "The other day in the liquor bar, you said you're going to forget Shweta." "And tonight you're making portraits of her?" "Until yesterday there was no change in my resolve to stop seeing Shweta." "But today my colleague Sounder, fell down from the framework." "Shweta thought it was me, and came looking for me at the hospital." "When she found me alive, hugged me tight and sobbed inconsolably." "That moment, unyielding as it was my resolve was shattered." "After all, I'm human." "Come home after meeting Shweta." "We're going for a movie in the evening." "You're coming, aren't you?" "Was that nod a "yes" or "no"?" "Why don't you speak?" "Buddy, once I'm out of the house, I don't speak to anyone." "Out here, everyone seems to be Shweta." "I can't even talk to save my life." "So?" "Must you act dumb to everyone?" " You can't imagine my constraint." "Neither will you understand if I explain." ""Columbus, I'm on holiday..." "find a new island for my holidays..."" "Got a fag, lady?" "YOU got?" "Got a fag?" "At least a beedi?" "Can't you say no if you don't have one?" "What're you staring at?" "Can you tell which brand this is?" "Sealing your nose, eh?" "My!" "Look at your style!" "No money to buy a cigarette, but you wear Lee jeans." "Got the jeans in charity?" "You think you are a bigshot?" "What have you got in your pocket?" "A dime...?" "And you think that will help you woo a girl?" "You think I'll let you do that?" "No way." "C'mon talk!" "Open your mouth and shoot!" "Look at him, guys!" "He doesn't talk." "He's rooted as if he's on display." "You think your stare will scare me?" "Don't you feel humiliated?" "Are you deaf?" "There!" "You're losing your temper." "Or, are you dumb?" " You call me dumb?" "I can talk!" "You get that?" "Please Don't feel offended, sir." "We're from Sun Tv." "Look there, sir." "That's our unit." "This act was for our programme "Candid Camera"." "We just test people's patience." "Just for fun, please don't mind." "I can talk." "And he said, "That's enough"." "My scooter...?" "I had an accident." "I'm not hurt" "Lord Ganapati has manifested." "You will be rid of all miseries." "My Rambha had predicted the atomic test India conducted." "Rambha, pick up a fortune card for the lady." "Later." "First for him." " For him?" "All right, here we go." "Come on, Rambha." "Rambha foretells nothing but the truth." "Rambha, pick up a favourable card for the gentleman." "What is the gentleman's name?" " Nataraj." "Why?" "Doesn't he speak?" " He's mute." "Did you say he is mute?" "But the card shows the witty sage Narad." "He has a silver tongue." "He lives by his tongue." "Sage Narad was the one who set up a fight between the gods." "This gentleman has got a tricky tongue." "What is he saying?" "I don't understand a thing." "Gentleman, your fate-card says that you've got a silver tongue." "You want to ruin me?" "Give it to me, will you?" "Lady, the gentleman can talk!" "What is it, Vikram?" "Did you have to wish me at this hour?" "Tell me, how do you know my date of birth?" "Even my passport carries a false date of birth." "Then how...?" "If you take a liking for someone, you get to know everything about her." "What's the matter?" " I'm missing Nataraj." "We invited all your friends but him." "How did I forget?" "But why didn't you invite him?" "I called up his house, office and everywhere, but I couldn't find him." "Unlike you he doesn't know that today's my birthday." "I'm elated tonight." " Is it?" "Know why?" " Only if you tell me." "Because I celebrated your birthday." "Stop the car, Vikram." "Happy birthday to you." "If you really love someone, set free him free." "If he comes back to you, then your love is true." "Some guy has celebrated his flame's birthday in style." "The artist has to be Nataraj." "Isn't Nataraj great?" "He can't talk, but on your birthday... he has made the entire town talk." "If you take a liking for someone, you get to know everything about her." "Shweta, come let's go." "Go ahead, Vikram." "I'll come after I've seen Nataraj." "Nataraj, many thanks for wishing me on my birthday." "Your friends told me that on a full moon night..." "I can find you only in Mahabalipuram." "On a full moon night, the temple on the sea shore looks so magnificent" "I knew you were a great artist... but I never imagined you to be such a fine poet." "Your poem was superb, Nataraj." "Poetry comes from the head if you are in love, they say." "Are you in love with someone?" ""Do not ask me questions for which I don't have a reply"" ""Do not force me, do not put me in a dilemma"" ""I can't find words to describe you"" ""My life will go dumb..."" ""In dead silence I strode..." "and you asked me to speak"" ""You speak the language of love, but you won't admit"" ""When I sketch the moon, I see you in it"" ""You're the one who stole my head away"" ""You, my head beats for"" ""You, I breathe for"" ""Today my breath and breeze have fallen in love..."" ""Don't ask me questions that I can't answer"" ""Don't force me, don't put me in a dilemma"" ""Times when you keep me waiting, my eyes rain tears"" ""When Cupid's arrow strikes, even the smallest distance seem shattering"" ""I've changed totally since yesterday..."" ""Build a bridge between eyes and head..."" ""Don't say a word, but your silence says a thousand tales"" ""I don't know what's happening to me"" ""Am I being engulfed in the flame of love?"" ""Don't ask me, I can't explain"" ""Do not ignore me, do not leave me"" "Do you know what time it is?" "You've come fifty-three kilometers away from Madras." "Couldn't you give a call home?" "As long as you are in India, we're responsible for you." "She is naive." "Should you have to encourage her?" "Shall we leave now?" "Nataraj, Shweta told me that your painting job is tough." "Will you go to Hyderabad?" "My owns a company there?" "You won't go, eh?" "Goodness!" "The car broke down." "It needs a shove." "Oh no, how can you?" "I'll help you." "My name is Natraj..." "I'm a handsome boy..." "She loves me very much..." "I'm going to College.." "That's all a lie." "Don't you think you're driving the English too far?" "Last night when I was with Shweta, Vikram also came by." "He speaks English so fluently, just like an Englishman." "So?" " I'm going to learn English." "Then?" " I'll talk." "So what if he can talk English or German?" "Will you talk?" " So what if I talk...?" "Good Lord!" "Sorry, man." "Go on, try talking." "You have the gift of the Universal tongue, after all." "You got just one word... "Bah"." "Why does Vikram upset you?" "I think, Vikram is the right man for Shweta." "But my heart won't take that." "Nataraj, it's your flame!" "Shweta!" " What"?" "Shweta?" "Why is she here?" " Who knows!" "You must've... asked her over." "Are you bluffing?" " I swear I didn't." "What now?" "Keep her engaged for sometime." "Just remember..." "I am a dumb!" "Put the book down, will you?" " Sure... and now for her portraits!" "What if she sees this room filled with her portraits?" "When did you arrive?" " Just now." "We too." "We didn't see you from above." " What...?" "Come on in." " Come in." "Won't you move?" " You're blocking her." "Go on, Shweta." "What're you doing?" "Why didn't you come home last evening?" "Very busy...?" "You could've at least phoned me..." "Nice interior." "But the walls could've looked better with some paintings." "I've come to your house." "Won't you offer me a cup of coffee?" "That's salt." "Sugar is here." "Give me the spoon, Nataraj." "My, my!" "I thought you'd yell "Mother" but you didn't lose your wits... you maintained your act." "Your love is a sure success." "Shut up!" "I'm worried, she might sight the portraits." "You created something close to a tea." "Hope it doesn't strike her dumb." "Come here." "Why did you hide this from me?" "Why did you do this?" "You've beautifully portrayed a rural girl in a modern light." "And you never showed me?" "Never mind." "You have so many paintings here." "Can I show them to my friends?" "You've been mixing the paint for quite a while now." "Why aren't you working?" "In a shod while India takes on Australia." "Sachin is going to blast them..." "Nataraj, arrange to watch it on TV somewhere..." "You want to watch the match?" "Then let's go to Shweta's house." "To Shweta's house?" "Hey, there are pretty girls in her locality." "To go there I ought to add some glamor on to me." "Welcome." "Sit." "Haircut?" "Or a shave?" " Won't you shave the head?" "I need a haircut and a shave." " Okay." "Heaven is where a clean home is." "So get me a clean towel." "Hold it." "What the hell is this?" "Get me a good towel." "Go." "Zero per cent din, Hundred per cent spotless." "It stinks." "Get me a clean one." " It's clean, sir." "Smell it..." "Don't drone about the smell." "I can smell and tell the brand of paints." "Go and change the towel." "Do you take me for a fool?" "I don't use seconds." "Get me a fresh one." "It is fresh." " Don't argue, just get it." "Go." "You could've given this earlier." "Please don't mind what I said." "Never, I swear." " Carry on." "Won't you sniff it out?" " Ah, the brand?" "Sir!" "Where are you off to, sir?" "You can't go away without paying me." "Yes?" "Shweta?" "She isn't in." "She has gone out." "Her scooter is here." " She has taken the car." "Vikram, who is it?" "Welcome Nataraj." "Shweta, it's our Nataraj." "Ask him to come in." "That's a bad haircut." " Beat it!" "Did he hit another boundary?" "Please." "Uncle, come fast." "Sachin is on a song." "I'm sorry, Nataraj." "Wait, I'll clean it." "Go on, scratch your nose." "But don't you take me for a dumb." "Hey, Sachin is out." "That's the end of India." "I'm switching channels." "This one's going to be a sore." "You bet." "It's all over." "Change the channel." "Hey!" "Candid Camera!" "Nataraj, this programme is very interesting." "Nataraj, it's you!" "How come you made it on tv?" "You never told me." "Hang on, I'll get Aunt over here." "Turn it off!" " She has taken the remote." "Search the button." " Can't find even one at the front." "Try behind." " All right." "I got a shock." "You're going to kill me!" "Aunt, Nataraj is coming on tv." " Really?" "Why don't we break the tv?" " Good idea." "You break it... while I take a hike." " Where are you off to?" "I'm going to be lynched today!" " I've had it." "Nataraj, you never told us you'll be appearing on tv." "All right, you don't have to go near." "Sit back and watch yourself." "Sit... where are you going?" " He's embarrassed." "What's so embarrassing?" "Sit down and watch." "C'mon talk!" "Why didn't you tell me you were to appear on tv?" "He'll tell you now." "You're going to witness it live." "Vikram, Nataraj is on tv." "Come and watch." "You let your head out on camera, didn't you?" "You've had it today!" "A power failure!" "Bad timing!" "I'll call as soon as I reach Delhi." " No letters please, okay?" "Here's your aeroplane ticket." " Aeroplane...?" "Come off it." "Nataraj, I need to talk to you." "Look Nataraj, I'm a practical person." "And I do what speaks well of me." "Which is why I have sidestepped the love stuff." "I hear, everyday you walk towards Beasant Nagar." "I mean, to Shweta's house." "That's your personal matter." "But the guys told me you felt happy that... she hugged you at the hospital, and came looking for you in Mahabalipuram" "This is how woman tempt you." "Don't take it for love." "Riyaz, aren't you leaving?" "Why do you have to pull his leg?" "Shut up." " Riyaz, you're a practical person." "But Nataraj's theory has sense." "Would a girl hug you for no reasons?" "Come off it, you fool!" "Kissing and hugging is a common practice abroad." "And you forget that Shweta was born and brought up in America." "You guys are misleading him." "D'you still love her?" " Yes." "Does she?" " I don't know." "Then pack up and come with me." "I'll get you a job in the an section... of Lintas ad agency." "Know what they pay you initially?" "10,000." "You won't have to hang in the air and bear the heat... you'll be working inside an air-conditioned cabin." "What d'you say?" "Fine, I'll come after three months." " Why after three months?" "Shweta will return to America after three months." "You don't know if she loves you." "You also say she's returning to America." "Why do you want to waste your life for a girl?" "The days of joy in Shweta's company is indefinite." "Let me enjoy her company for a few more days." "I don't even dream in my sleep but you live in a world of dreams." "At this point of time you won't understand what I mean." "Bye, see you." "Riyaz, now that you're leaving, shall I occupy your room?" "My room...?" " Yes." "I know why." "For this window, right?" " Yes." "In this house, this is the only room from where you get a sea view... and a chill breeze through the window." "Enjoy it, Nataraj." "Not that I crave for all this, Riyaz." " Then?" "Shweta's house is in that direction." "It's time for your flight, Riyaz." "Prapti, wait." "Why did you avoid me?" " Yesterday I called out to you... a hundred times, but you avoided me." " Oh!" "Let me explain." "Sit." "You wanted to tell me something." " Actually..." "Actually, Nataraj..." " What happened to him?" "Nataraj's life is speechless." "Yesterday, I felt..." "I must live the life of a dumb person for at a least day." "Which is why I did not speak to anyone yesterday." "What's gone wrong with you?" "The other day when my Daddy was ill..." "I observed a fast." "You had mocked me saying it was a cheap sentiment." "What's come over you now?" " To hurt ourselves... for someone we love, gives us a rare satisfaction." "I don't deny it." "But why would you do that for Nataraj?" "Is it out of pity?" "Or is it love?" "I don't know." "Nataraj, get cracking with this design." "It's urgent, don't delay it." "If you don't mind, may I suggest something?" "Suggest what?" " The signboard is perched high up." "And the painting's background and design is blue." "It may not jell." "Are you teaching me?" "What do you know about colours?" "Now look... your job is to paint what I design." "What do you know about graphics?" "Answer me!" "Graphics, I may not be knowing." "But sketches and colours... are something that I know." " So?" "So you'll advice me?" "Come, take my seat." "And make a design for me." "What are you staring at?" "Are you fretting?" "You can't do it, isn't it?" "D'you understand now?" "Sir..." " Quiet!" "Throw this man out of my department." "Go away." "Get lost!" "Bloody!" "He talks about colours." "He thinks he is M.F Hussain." "What's wrong?" "You looked worried." "Any problem?" "We need to go somewhere." "Come on." "Come in." "What're you staring, Nataraj." "All these are your paintings." "Shweta organised the exhibition." "One of the greatest painters in India, Mr Monolisa... will now say something about Nataraj, the artist of the day." "Greetings." "Through my friend, Shweta insisted that I attend this exhibition." "When I see his works, I feel, so what if Nataraj can't speak... his paintings shall forever speak about him." "Had I refused the invitation, I'd have missed out... on a fine artist like Nataraj." ""Artist acclaimed"." "Look, Nataraj's photograph has appeared in the paper." "It feels so nice to see someone amongst us rising to fame." "I've already seen it on tv." "I'm thinking how to celebrate it." " Monica Wines." "What's the problem?" "Today is Mahatma Gandhi's birthday." "All shops are shut." "All right, let's go to Pondichery." "Just two hours ride." "They're also celebrating his birthday." " Who told them his date of birth?" "Fine, let's go to our relatives." " Relatives...?" "Ah, our relatives!" "They might be empty, still won't they spare their relatives a drop." "Nataraj's looks made one feel that he was not fit for love... and that he could never be such a good painter." "Many Old Monks... mocked him." "But Nataraj took it as a Royal Challenge... and today, by making news he has proved them all wrong." "As for me, I compare him with Napoleon." "What's wrong with him?" "On the biggest day of his life he's mourning?" "Let's give him a boost." " Nataraj, why are you glum?" "Have a drink and drown your sorrows." "What's wrong with you?" "I came to Madras with an ambition to become a great artist." "Never in my life was I encouraged." "When I sketched for the first time at the age of five... even my Mother abused me for scratching the walls." "In school, my teacher snubbed me saying that it won't earn me a living" "In my workplace, I was ridiculed for my looks." "None cared for my skills." "I yearned for a word of praise for my skills." "However, today I'm being honoured in newspapers and tv channels." "I owe it all to Shweta." "That I can speak and that I am in love with her..." "I never told her." "That doesn't bother me." "But for this favour she has done..." "I can't even convey to her a word of thanks." "That hurts like hell." "I can't bear it any longer." "I'm going to reveal the truth to her." "There's still more invites to be distributed for my dance programme." "Stop looking around and walk with me." " I don't know why, but of late..." "I've taken a liking to this street." " This street...?" "A street that follows no discipline?" "Where, everyone jostle each other?" "You like it?" "Let's get out of here." "Shweta, when I walk into this street, I get the feeling that... this world is a one big family." "You get to see so many things here." "A father buying his baby a feeding bottle." "A husband buying a gift for his wife." "A family buying a new dress for their adolescent girl." "Everywhere we can see a family atmosphere around us." "A new found attachment towards family?" "What gives?" "Of late I've begun to like our system of wedding and having a family." "Then why don't you marry?" " For which I need you." "Who...?" "You'll marry Nataraj?" "Shweta, what are you saying?" "Have you given it a good thought?" " Yes Aunt." "Are you sure?" " Yes." "Look Shweta, traveling alone bugs us, and we look for someone to talk to." "Even a day's journey compels us to talk to someone." "How'll you journey through life in the company of a person... who is forever speechless?" " Uncle... love isn't all about exchanging words." "It's about understanding the feelings of each other." "For which you don't need words to describe." "I'm not deterring you because you refused to marry my son." "But I think it isn't love, it is a feeling of empathy towards Nataraj." "In that case, I'd have helped him in some way, and walked out of his life." "But, why do I feel like I need him by my side forever?" "Once he lied to me about having studied in the College of Ads." "But he couldn't put up with the lie, he came and told me the truth." "I'm in love with his honest self." "Soon after my dance programme, I'll be returning to America." "The thought of losing Nataraj forever, is tearing me apart" "Love is something that blossoms on its own." "Why and when love blossoms, you never know." "Please try and understand me." "I know you hate lies." "Still, I kept lying to you." "For my desire to end up in America, I pretended to be very nice to you." "But Nataraj isn't like me, he's as straight as an arrow." "He never expected anything from you." "He has a clear conscience." "I feel, these qualities of him evoked the love for him." "True?" "Now I realise..." "Like what Nataraj wrote on your birthday..." "Had I truly loved you, I'd have had your love." "But America is what I truly loved." "Love is all about mutual trust." "I have implicit trust in Nataraj." "He can never deceive me in any way." "Did you propose him?" "He loves the night of full Moon." "On the coming night of full Moon, I shall profess my love to him." "Invitation to my dance programme." "Not just Prapti, you must come too." "Sure." "I want to see how good an American is at Bharat Natyam." "I'll make coffee for you." " Mom, ask Geeta reduce the tv volume" "Let's sit." " I don't like my dress I chose... for the dance." "I think I'll take Nataraj along to chose a nice dress." "That reminds me." "Have you decided?" " What?" "About Nataraj." "You said you don't know if it's sympathy or love." "Have you reached a conclusion at least now?" "Yes." "Besides, I've already informed Vikram's family, and my parents too." "Informed what?" "That I'm going to marry Nataraj." "Come again." " I'm going to marry Nataraj." "My, my!" "I wish our dance teacher were here now." "When you joined the class, you never knew the word "shy"." "And now, look at you shying away!" "The dumb uncle whom you brought along the other day, is on tv." "Come on." "Repeat telecast." "This time I wish to see the complete programme." "Come on." "Aren't you ashamed?" "Are you deaf?" "Or, are you dumb?" "You're calling me dumb?" "Do I look like a dumb?" "Welcome." "Karthik, look." "Welcome." " Does Nataraj speak?" "Can Nataraj speak?" " What're you talking?" "He is mute." "He is speechless." "I saw him on tv." "I know everything." "I asked you!" "Does he talk or not?" "He talks." "But the reason he hid it from you is..." "I don't want reasons." "I need to see him right now." "Where is he?" " He had left for your place... to tell you everything." "He hasn't returned yet." "We've enquired everywhere, but he's not to be found." "I was just trying your number." "You're right." "Now it strikes, tonight is a full Moon night." "And Nataraj has to be in Mahabalipuram." "For sure." "What use is knowing a girl for years without understanding her character?" "You imagine me completely as a headless being, don't you?" "How could you just blindly imagine... that I'd treat you as I treated that treacherous beggar?" "You can't differentiate between empathy and love?" "I showed empathy towards the beggar." "And towards you it is... love." "I feel, when you expect nothing out of a relationship, it is called love." "You lied to me." "But I couldn't bring myself to abuse you." "I hate lies." "And how you have honoured that sentiment of mine!" "I enjoyed every moment we shared." "But you..." "living with the lie had been killing you every moment." "You don't need to live that moment anymore." "Talk... talk to me." "I wish to hear your voice." "Please say something." "I pine to hear you say "I love you"." "I undauntedly told my family that I love you." "Can't you say it to me?" "Oh, come on Nataraj." "Shweta herself comes seeking you." "Enough of the charade." "Shweta knows you can talk." "Just say it." "C'mon, say something to Shweta." "I beg of you." "Please doctor." "Do you take me for a butcher?" "Take my voice away, doctor." "I don't want my larynx." "What d'you take me for?" "I try to help my patients to rid their disability." "I don't impair someone." " I too am a patient, doctor." "My disease is that I talk." "Make me dumb, and rid me of my disease." "Get lost, you fool!" "You want to land me behind the bars?" "You're scared of the police, but I'm scared of my conscience." "I can never get rid of my conscience." "But I can get rid of myself." "Yes, I can kill myself, doctor!" "I've got an idea, that's why I called you back." "Come to me again acting dumb." "And I shall pretend giving you treatment." "Let's tell her that the treatment cured you." "You won't have to... forsake your love nor sacrifice your larynx." "What d'you say?" "Doctor, I dread to see myself in the mirror." "And Shweta wants to live a lifetime with me." "No, I just can't lie to her again." " You fool!" "What'll you do if someday she finds out the truth and dumps you?" "Won't your sacrifice go in vain?" "I don't want to sacrifice my vocal chord to bring Shweta into my life." "My sacrifice is to atone for betraying her trust in me." "Shall I have a word with her?" "Just once?" "If you do, she might come to me out of pity." "Doctor, I don't want love that arises out of pity." "Shweta loves me truly, because she believes I am a nice man." "I pine for such a love." "Is she such a nice girl?" "Consider me a friend." "Let me tell you, medical science... can restore one's eyesight." "It can revive a lapsed head." "Also, it can revive memory." "But the larynx... impossible!" "It's a very peculiar organ." "Now tell me." "Do you want love?" "Or do you want your larynx?" "No hasty decisions." "For my sake, please... think for a few seconds." "I want love, I don't want my voice." "Okay." "I shall perform the operation." "For the sake of love, men have hanged themselves... they have jumped to their deaths, jumped in front of a running train!" "It takes fifteen minutes to die from hanging." "A jump takes one's life the next moment he falls." "For love's sake, these men endure agony only for such a shod span." "For the first time in my life, I see a man... who is prepared to live his entire life in agony, for love's sake." "I read you, Nataraj." "On the full Moon night, when Shweta comes to profess her love to you... you will be a man who really deserves her love." "I will perform the operation." "Go in." "Sir, the operation is at 8.30." "Please don't eat anything till then." "Everything is ready." "The doctor wants you in the patient's uniform." "Do I have to come immediately?" " Yes." "Actually, I need to be alone for sometime." "Mother..." "Mother..." "What happened, sir?" "Nothing." "Go on, I'm coming." "Doctor has gone mad." "He wants the address of some girl called Shweta." "God knows when she had come for an ENT test." "Can you help me find it?" "You conned me, didn't you?" "You cheated me, didn't you?" " Nataraj... what I'm doing is for your own good." "I'm a doctor, after all." "You check a patient's body, how can you feel a person's heart?" "You must've found love very easily, but you never understood my love." "I can't betray my profession, Nataraj." "Likewise, I cannot betray my love." "I can't betray my lover!" "I can't!"