Anuja (2024) Movie Script
1
Once upon a time,
there was a farmer who lived with his
wife, daughter, and a pet mongoose.
One day, the parents were
called away to the city.
So, they left their baby in
the care of the pet mongoose.
While the parents were away,
a snake slithered through
the window of their hut.
But the mongoose
protected the baby,
and shred the snake to pieces
with his razor-sharp teeth.
When the parents returned,
the mongoose ran
out to greet them.
When they saw blood
dripping from his mouth,
they assumed the mongoose
had devoured their baby.
The father began to beat
the mongoose with his cane.
The mother ran inside, only to
find the snake's shredded corpse
lying on the floor
and their baby
completely unscathed.
But by the time she realized
what really happened,
the farmer had beaten the
brave little mongoose to death.
And?
And what?
That's it!
You must've forgot the ending.
Look, I've forgotten
lots of Mom's stories.
But I remember this one.
Can you still remember
the sound of her voice?
I wish I could.
Bring the girl!
Yes, Sir.
Sit down!
What are you doing here?
Why havent you been in school?
I
She's earning an honest living.
That's what she's doing.
And she has me to thank for it!
Honest?
You are aware that
this is illegal?
Tell him your age.
Fourteen.
Listen, whatever your
name is. Uh, Mr. Mishra.
We have proper documents
for all our employees.
No one works here illegally.
My child, the admission test is
at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
You have a special gift.
But I still had to pull the strings
to get your name on the exam list.
We don't usually
take girls like
Like what?
You mean, "girls like" what?
What are you trying
to say? Go on.
Out with it!
This is an extraordinary
opportunity for her.
And who will pay for
this "opportunity"?
The exam fee is 400.
It's hardly a fortune.
Maybe not for you,
Mr. Mishra. 400!
But it is for her.
A chance at a scholarship to Williams
boarding school is a big deal!
Enough.
You're
educated, a real smart guy.
I'm not.
I'm just some jackass.
But this girl knows exactly what she
wants. And exactly what shes doing.
Everyone here works voluntarily.
And I'd be grateful
if you would now
voluntarily get the
hell out of my office.
I'm a busy man. Out!
I'm aware of your scheme.
Tuesday morning, 8:00
a.m. Don't forget!
Out!
Scram.
Scram!
Yes, Mr. Adams!
Okay, go ahead.
Go on.
Go ahead.
- Hm. Which one?
- This, here.
"Gainfully employed man"
"Seeks"
"seeks an equally
suitable bride."
And?
Keep going!
"The eligible girl
should have fair skin."
Does my skin look fair?
Not fair enough for this clown.
- What is this?
- "Girl should not"
"Girl should not be too
ambitious in terms of work."
Shouldn't be ambitious?
If the girl isn't
ambitious, then who will be?
Do the boys ever
get any work done?
- No.
- No.
- Bye, bye, Mr. Handsome.
- "Handsome"!
Listen, my pumpkin. About
that exam on Tuesday.
You know that you'll
get top marks.
A perfect score. I'm sure.
400!
Even if we had that kind of money,
it still wouldn't be worth it!
Not worth it?
Everything has its price.
We talk about
marriage and weddings.
But that also costs
a ton of money.
Then how do you ever
expect to get married?
Don't worry. I've
thought of everything.
And if you're willing
to help me out tomorrow,
I'll let you in on my plan.
What plan?
Where'd you get these?
That's not important.
You stole them from the
factory, didn't you?
I have fourteen of these bags.
If we sold them for,
let's say, 40 a piece,
we could earn
560.
Can I keep one for myself?
Okay, fine. Which one?
This one.
400 bags for just 40.
Buy colorful, quality bags.
Buy brand new bags!
- Buy colorful bags!
- Quality bags!
Would you like to buy a bag?
400 bags for just 40.
Want a bag?
No one's biting.
Maybe they don't need bags?
Aren't they any good?
I like them.
Let's try shouting louder?
Brand new bag for just 40!
400 bags for just 40!
Anuja!
Brand new bags for just 40.
Brand new bag for just 400
Brand new bag for just 400!
Uncle, brand new
bags for just 400?
Brand new bag for just 400!
How about a brand new
bag for just 400, ma'am?
Oh, these look quite nice.
How much are they?
400 a piece.
Let me look at
them for a second.
Oh, I like these colors.
I'll take these two.
Two for 800, right?
E excuse me! What's
going on here, madam?
Just a second.
- Hey, child, how'd you get in here?
- One second! One second!
Madam, please stop.
Sir, it's a matter
of two minutes.
- And you shouldn't treat a child this way.
- These kinds can't... Hey!
Security!
Where the hell have you
been? Get a hold of her!
You lazy bum! You do nothing
but sit around all day!
Grab her!
Now will you tell me?
Look, it's better
if you don't know.
The point is that
you got the money,
and I get to enjoy
some tasty jalebis!
Please! It's killing me!
Trust me. Just leave it alone!
Okay, look. I'll make a deal.
I will tell you
on one condition.
You have to promise to
take that exam on Tuesday.
No.
Fine. Then I'm not telling.
Please. I'm begging you.
I told you. The answer is no.
Not until you promise
to take the exam.
Fine.
Okay, hold this.
When I cut cloth for dresses,
I keep the larger
pieces on one side.
And as soon as the floor
manager looks away
I quickly slip them
down, onto my lap.
It's there, under the table,
that I do all the stitching.
I can complete an entire
bag in less than a day.
But how do you sneak
them out of the factory?
Our bags are inspected every
night as we exit the factory.
Right?
Exactly.
But I don't always bring a bag
to the factory in the morning.
- So?
- So, the floor manager only inspects
the contents inside the bag.
But not the bag itself!
So it never occurs to him
that you're stealing the bag!
Stealing?
I'm not stealing anything.
I make these from the
leftover material.
From useless scraps
they just throw out.
You make something
out of nothing.
Yep!
And I still get more work done
than most of the other girls.
My hardworking sis!
The hard work has left
your sis hungry for sweets!
Pass the jalebis.
Here.
You have 'em.
No, no. I promise, sir.
It won't happen again.
Just give me till
tomorrow, okay?
I will give you
the exact amount.
Thank you. Thank you.
Wait a minute.
That teacher guy who
was here the other day,
that arrogant prick. Remember?
Mr. Mishra?
He was telling me you're
some kind of math wizard.
Is that so?
You're Palak's
little sister, right?
Yeah, you're the one he blabbered
on about. So, are you clever or not?
I see.
Now pay attention.
Right now, I have 24 girls
working here in my factory. Okay?
Each girl works
14 hours per day.
Say it takes each girl 30
minutes to produce one item.
Now, you tell me,
in seven days, how many items
will I be able to produce?
Four thousand six
hundred and twenty-two.
Really?
Pretty damn close,
but not quite.
Okay, back to work.
Sir, won't the girls be given their
regular 15-minute break each day?
To eat or use the toilet?
Tomorrow and every
Tuesday onwards,
I want you to come to
my office at 8:00 a.m.
Not on the floor. Come
straight to my office!
I've got special
work for you here.
And it pays handsomely.
There's nothing to consider.
If you don't show,
then you and your sister can
find work somewhere else.
Understood?
You'll be a smart
little girl, right?
Won't you?
Tomorrow morning,
straight to my office!
Okay, go.
Palak.
- Palak!
- Hm?
What is boarding school?
Boarding school is a place where
all smart girls go to study.
What if I don't want
to be a smart girl?
That's not exactly a choice.
I mean, how will
I even get there?
You don't go there.
You live there.
That's what boarding
school means.
And you'll live there, too?
No. It doesn't work that way.
Then what will happen to you?
Don't worry about me.
Soon, I'll be promoted to
Sewing Machine Operator.
- And then...
- But what about Mr. Verma?
Forget about the factory owner!
Those bags
I'm no dummy!
I know that was meant
to be for your wedding,
not for some stupid exam.
Don't say that!
You don't get it.
You're not cut out to
just work at a factory.
It's fine for someone like me.
But you
Mom would have
wanted this for you.
Now get some sleep, okay.
I've put the money
in your back pocket.
Good luck on the exam.
I'll be thinking of you, okay?
Namaste, namaste.
Ready for the exam?
EXAMINATION SESSION - 2022
Once upon a time,
there was a farmer who lived with his
wife, daughter, and a pet mongoose.
One day, the parents were
called away to the city.
So, they left their baby in
the care of the pet mongoose.
While the parents were away,
a snake slithered through
the window of their hut.
But the mongoose
protected the baby,
and shred the snake to pieces
with his razor-sharp teeth.
When the parents returned,
the mongoose ran
out to greet them.
When they saw blood
dripping from his mouth,
they assumed the mongoose
had devoured their baby.
The father began to beat
the mongoose with his cane.
The mother ran inside, only to
find the snake's shredded corpse
lying on the floor
and their baby
completely unscathed.
But by the time she realized
what really happened,
the farmer had beaten the
brave little mongoose to death.
And?
And what?
That's it!
You must've forgot the ending.
Look, I've forgotten
lots of Mom's stories.
But I remember this one.
Can you still remember
the sound of her voice?
I wish I could.
Bring the girl!
Yes, Sir.
Sit down!
What are you doing here?
Why havent you been in school?
I
She's earning an honest living.
That's what she's doing.
And she has me to thank for it!
Honest?
You are aware that
this is illegal?
Tell him your age.
Fourteen.
Listen, whatever your
name is. Uh, Mr. Mishra.
We have proper documents
for all our employees.
No one works here illegally.
My child, the admission test is
at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
You have a special gift.
But I still had to pull the strings
to get your name on the exam list.
We don't usually
take girls like
Like what?
You mean, "girls like" what?
What are you trying
to say? Go on.
Out with it!
This is an extraordinary
opportunity for her.
And who will pay for
this "opportunity"?
The exam fee is 400.
It's hardly a fortune.
Maybe not for you,
Mr. Mishra. 400!
But it is for her.
A chance at a scholarship to Williams
boarding school is a big deal!
Enough.
You're
educated, a real smart guy.
I'm not.
I'm just some jackass.
But this girl knows exactly what she
wants. And exactly what shes doing.
Everyone here works voluntarily.
And I'd be grateful
if you would now
voluntarily get the
hell out of my office.
I'm a busy man. Out!
I'm aware of your scheme.
Tuesday morning, 8:00
a.m. Don't forget!
Out!
Scram.
Scram!
Yes, Mr. Adams!
Okay, go ahead.
Go on.
Go ahead.
- Hm. Which one?
- This, here.
"Gainfully employed man"
"Seeks"
"seeks an equally
suitable bride."
And?
Keep going!
"The eligible girl
should have fair skin."
Does my skin look fair?
Not fair enough for this clown.
- What is this?
- "Girl should not"
"Girl should not be too
ambitious in terms of work."
Shouldn't be ambitious?
If the girl isn't
ambitious, then who will be?
Do the boys ever
get any work done?
- No.
- No.
- Bye, bye, Mr. Handsome.
- "Handsome"!
Listen, my pumpkin. About
that exam on Tuesday.
You know that you'll
get top marks.
A perfect score. I'm sure.
400!
Even if we had that kind of money,
it still wouldn't be worth it!
Not worth it?
Everything has its price.
We talk about
marriage and weddings.
But that also costs
a ton of money.
Then how do you ever
expect to get married?
Don't worry. I've
thought of everything.
And if you're willing
to help me out tomorrow,
I'll let you in on my plan.
What plan?
Where'd you get these?
That's not important.
You stole them from the
factory, didn't you?
I have fourteen of these bags.
If we sold them for,
let's say, 40 a piece,
we could earn
560.
Can I keep one for myself?
Okay, fine. Which one?
This one.
400 bags for just 40.
Buy colorful, quality bags.
Buy brand new bags!
- Buy colorful bags!
- Quality bags!
Would you like to buy a bag?
400 bags for just 40.
Want a bag?
No one's biting.
Maybe they don't need bags?
Aren't they any good?
I like them.
Let's try shouting louder?
Brand new bag for just 40!
400 bags for just 40!
Anuja!
Brand new bags for just 40.
Brand new bag for just 400
Brand new bag for just 400!
Uncle, brand new
bags for just 400?
Brand new bag for just 400!
How about a brand new
bag for just 400, ma'am?
Oh, these look quite nice.
How much are they?
400 a piece.
Let me look at
them for a second.
Oh, I like these colors.
I'll take these two.
Two for 800, right?
E excuse me! What's
going on here, madam?
Just a second.
- Hey, child, how'd you get in here?
- One second! One second!
Madam, please stop.
Sir, it's a matter
of two minutes.
- And you shouldn't treat a child this way.
- These kinds can't... Hey!
Security!
Where the hell have you
been? Get a hold of her!
You lazy bum! You do nothing
but sit around all day!
Grab her!
Now will you tell me?
Look, it's better
if you don't know.
The point is that
you got the money,
and I get to enjoy
some tasty jalebis!
Please! It's killing me!
Trust me. Just leave it alone!
Okay, look. I'll make a deal.
I will tell you
on one condition.
You have to promise to
take that exam on Tuesday.
No.
Fine. Then I'm not telling.
Please. I'm begging you.
I told you. The answer is no.
Not until you promise
to take the exam.
Fine.
Okay, hold this.
When I cut cloth for dresses,
I keep the larger
pieces on one side.
And as soon as the floor
manager looks away
I quickly slip them
down, onto my lap.
It's there, under the table,
that I do all the stitching.
I can complete an entire
bag in less than a day.
But how do you sneak
them out of the factory?
Our bags are inspected every
night as we exit the factory.
Right?
Exactly.
But I don't always bring a bag
to the factory in the morning.
- So?
- So, the floor manager only inspects
the contents inside the bag.
But not the bag itself!
So it never occurs to him
that you're stealing the bag!
Stealing?
I'm not stealing anything.
I make these from the
leftover material.
From useless scraps
they just throw out.
You make something
out of nothing.
Yep!
And I still get more work done
than most of the other girls.
My hardworking sis!
The hard work has left
your sis hungry for sweets!
Pass the jalebis.
Here.
You have 'em.
No, no. I promise, sir.
It won't happen again.
Just give me till
tomorrow, okay?
I will give you
the exact amount.
Thank you. Thank you.
Wait a minute.
That teacher guy who
was here the other day,
that arrogant prick. Remember?
Mr. Mishra?
He was telling me you're
some kind of math wizard.
Is that so?
You're Palak's
little sister, right?
Yeah, you're the one he blabbered
on about. So, are you clever or not?
I see.
Now pay attention.
Right now, I have 24 girls
working here in my factory. Okay?
Each girl works
14 hours per day.
Say it takes each girl 30
minutes to produce one item.
Now, you tell me,
in seven days, how many items
will I be able to produce?
Four thousand six
hundred and twenty-two.
Really?
Pretty damn close,
but not quite.
Okay, back to work.
Sir, won't the girls be given their
regular 15-minute break each day?
To eat or use the toilet?
Tomorrow and every
Tuesday onwards,
I want you to come to
my office at 8:00 a.m.
Not on the floor. Come
straight to my office!
I've got special
work for you here.
And it pays handsomely.
There's nothing to consider.
If you don't show,
then you and your sister can
find work somewhere else.
Understood?
You'll be a smart
little girl, right?
Won't you?
Tomorrow morning,
straight to my office!
Okay, go.
Palak.
- Palak!
- Hm?
What is boarding school?
Boarding school is a place where
all smart girls go to study.
What if I don't want
to be a smart girl?
That's not exactly a choice.
I mean, how will
I even get there?
You don't go there.
You live there.
That's what boarding
school means.
And you'll live there, too?
No. It doesn't work that way.
Then what will happen to you?
Don't worry about me.
Soon, I'll be promoted to
Sewing Machine Operator.
- And then...
- But what about Mr. Verma?
Forget about the factory owner!
Those bags
I'm no dummy!
I know that was meant
to be for your wedding,
not for some stupid exam.
Don't say that!
You don't get it.
You're not cut out to
just work at a factory.
It's fine for someone like me.
But you
Mom would have
wanted this for you.
Now get some sleep, okay.
I've put the money
in your back pocket.
Good luck on the exam.
I'll be thinking of you, okay?
Namaste, namaste.
Ready for the exam?
EXAMINATION SESSION - 2022