Days and Nights in the Forest (1970) Movie Script
"Bengalis only ever see meadows.
They get excited at the mere sight
of a tiny mound of earth.
Little surprise, then,
that these small hillocks would bring me
such a profound sense of delight."
Does the book mention a forest bungalow?
It does, but I doubt it still exists.
Why didn't we make plans?
You could have booked it.
"All that is wild in the forest
is beautiful..."
"Children... on their mothers' laps."
Go figure!
Hey, ask for 20.
Hello. 20 liters!
Quick!
This is Bihar, right?
He'll also understand
if you speak in Bengali.
Well, when in Bihar...
- Is this the way to Palamu?
- Yes, sir.
- Are there any forests there?
- Yes, sir.
You're obsessed with forests!
Why's he still asleep?
To avoid your teasing.
Hey, Hari!
Hari, wake up! We need
to give the car a push. Step out.
Bastard!
What are you doing?
This is a new shirt.
What's going on? Let him go!
I just got this shirt! Just because
I don't say anything back...
He's constantly on my back.
Wait till you get out of the car...
Sorry.
I've never seen a more
unsportsmanlike sportsman!
Sanjoy, we'll be there
in about an hour, right?
3:00 p.m. latest.
All this effort
for you to get over your sorrows!
So now it's because of my sorrows?
Let's be clear. Who came and why?
Listen.
It was my idea.
You accepted it.
No one forced you to come.
Why should they?
I came because I was on leave.
I can't get leave, so I'm on sick leave.
- And I'm jobless.
- So, that's that!
Maybe, but since Kharagpur he's been
at me about my emotional wound...
Don't mind him!
People behave like kids
when they leave the city behind.
Shekhar, look to your left.
Priya Films presents
DAYS AND NIGHTS IN THE FORESOriginal story by Sunil Gangopadhyay
Sharmila Tagore, Kaberi Bose,
Simi Garewal,
Soumitra Chatterjee, Subhendu Chatterjee,
Rabi Ghosh, Samit Bhanja
Pahari Sanyal, Premashish Sen, Samar Nag,
Khairatilal Lahori,
Master Dibyendu Chatterjee
and Aparna Sen
Cinematography: Soumendu Roy
Assistants: Purnendu Bose,
Anil Ghosh, Pragyan Mitra
Art Direction: Bansi Chandragupta
Assistant: Surath Das
Editing: Dulal Dutta
Assistants: Kashinath Basu, Samaresh Basu
Make-up: Ananta Das
Assistants: Bhim Naskar, Keshto Ghosh
Costumes: Haru Das
Sound: Sujit Sarkar
Assistant: Nitai Jana
Assistant Directors (2nd Unit):
Shailen Dutta, Ramesh Sen
Subrata Lahiri, VR Anand
Production Controller: Anil Choudhury
Assistants: Kamal Roy,
Ratan Chakravarty Tapesh Chowdhury
Production Management: Bhanu Ghosh
Assistants: Balai Adhya, Shankar Das
Sudama, Shanti, Dukhi, Tope Bahadur
Music Recordist: J.P. Sen
Assistant Music Director: Alok Dey
Backdrops: Kabi Dasgupta
Stills: Technica
Publicity: Shailesh Mukhopadhyay
Publicity Illustration: Bidyut Chakraborty
Interiors: Indrapuri Studios
and The Studio Supply
Co-Op Pvt Ltd Lighting
Tapan Sen, Santosh, Dukhi, Naba
Processing: United Cine Laboratories
Processing Supervisor: Shailen Ghoshal
Laboratory Staff:
Shailen Chatterjee, Gouri Mukherjee
Ajit Roy, Chandicharan Shil
Acknowledgments: Mohan Biswas,
Adhir Ranjan Bose, Colonel & Mrs. Palit
Acknowledgments: SN Sarkar,
LM Biswas & Co (Daltonganj)
Panch Sampraday, Nemai Ghosh,
Bijoya Ray, Gopa Ghoshal
Global Release: Piyali Films
Producers: Nepal Dutta, Asim Dutta
Screenplay, Music and Direction:
Satyajit Ray
"The drunkards one sees
in Bengal's liquor establishments
I have not encountered in Palamu.
I have yet to behold the women
of Palamu in a state of drunkenness.
Yet one cannot say that their spirits
are devoid of intoxicating qualities.
The men here consistently become
intoxicated from that very same alcohol."
Gosh, both men and women drinkers!
Like in western society.
- Want to hear about the women?
- Go on.
"They are all as black as ebony
and in the bloom of youth..."
Meaning eternal youth?
"Their groins are scantily covered
with a small piece of fabric.
Their arms and breasts are uncovered."
Hari, you're not to step out
of the bungalow!
Listen! We'll be back in Kolkata
by Saturday, right?
Or it'll be a disaster for me.
- Hari! Hey, Hari!
- Yeah.
When that girl dumped you,
why didn't you give her a slap?
He always acts proper.
He'd never hit a woman.
A few days in this primitive place
will heal your wounds.
Don't you guys have
anything else to talk about?
You talk as if you've never been in love.
- Ask Sanjoy about his boss's daughter.
- Don't!
Don't what?
You've got no guts. That's why.
You drool at the sound of her name.
- Ah! Everyone has a love life.
- Not me.
That's because you haven't found anyone.
Rubbish. I've no interest
in such bourgeois stuff.
It's all right.
We're talking about you, Hari,
because, as your friends, we feel for you.
If dumping had to be done,
you should have dumped her.
- Why should she?
- I dumped her. Happy?
I'm confused. Please explain.
- I want to know.
- What do you want to know?
What happened
to suddenly change everything?
Tell me.
Not everything can be explained.
Please don't try to force me.
You have to tell me.
I won't let you go otherwise.
- What are you doing? Let me go.
- I won't let you go.
You're hurting me!
- I want to test your strength.
- Stop being so childish.
Speak up! Explain.
Not unless you let go of me.
Okay... Tell me now.
This is my...
Is this your reply to my five-page letter?
Did you even read my letter?
Did you understand it?
I doubt it.
How does a letter matter?
I'm not into writing letters.
Then why did you write? Why?
You wrote to me. How could I not reply?
I didn't think.
I just wrote on spur of the moment.
Yes, I could tell.
Did I write that I don't love you?
No.
Anyway, it was my fault. Forgive me.
I never said I'm faultless,
but I can't love
someone who writes like that.
There's no use lying.
How long can we deceive each other?
Please leave now.
I'm already late.
It was very wrong of you to walk
into my bedroom without asking.
Hey there! Is there a bungalow nearby?
Forest bungalow?
Yes, sir.
- How far?
- Not very far.
Ask if he can come with us.
Can you come with us
and show us the place?
Come. We'll pay you.
Sit in the back.
Sanjoy, make space for him,
or it'll be hard to drive.
"Persons intending
to use the forest rest house
must have permission of DFO Daltonganj."
Go figure!
Fantastic!
Forest!
Sir, shall I get the luggage?
Wait, wait...
- Watchman!
- I'll go and get him, sir.
Locked.
Give me one of your filter tips.
Beautiful!
Sir, the watchman.
- Are you the watchman?
- Yes, sir.
- Open the rooms. We'll stay here.
- Did you write to us?
- Didn't you get our letter?
- No, sir.
Why do you need a letter?
Lots of rooms are free.
- Open them up and we'll pay you.
- Has anyone else made a reservation?
I can't without a booking slip.
It's not our fault
our letter didn't arrive. Open up.
I'll lose my job, sir.
Who'll sack you? The DFO?
Please look for another bungalow, sir.
- Listen! Do you know what VIP means?
- No, sir.
They're all VIPs. He's a big executive.
He's a jute mill labor welfare officer.
He's a great sportsman.
I see.
Forget it.
Look, we've come all this way.
We're not turning back.
Take this and open up.
What are you thinking?
We'll talk to the DFO. You won't be fired.
Thank God for corruption.
Go and open up the rooms.
Wow! Unbelievable!
Hari, come here.
You and I will share this room.
Bathroom. I won't be a moment.
Not bad, eh? Nice!
- You're taking that bed?
- Yes.
Fine.
There's the dining room.
We'll have to arrange dinner.
Wait, let's first order tea.
- Can't we have coffee?
- Coffee! That's a tall order!
- Watchman!
- Yes, sir.
Can we have four cups of tea?
Tea... Okay, I'll make it.
- What about dinner tonight?
- Sir, my wife's been ill for a week...
Does your wife do the cooking?
Sometimes I cook too.
- But there's no time to shop now, sir.
- I'll go and get the groceries.
Can you cook if we bring groceries?
- Okay, I will.
- You can go now.
- What's your name?
- Lakha, sir.
- Loka?
- Lakha.
- Plain dahl and roti will do.
- Maybe they'll manage chicken.
Two rooms with attached baths.
Sanjoy, will you give me a blade?
Haven't you got your own?
- I completely forgot.
- Excellent!
- Can I borrow one?
- What else have you forgotten?
Only the blade, nothing else.
Why shave?
Who's going to look at you here?
- You're not going to shave?
- I'm not shaving.
Sanjoy, what about you?
Seems sensible not to.
At least we'll conserve energy.
Hari!
Hey Hari... Hari!
Are you going to shave? You won't? Good.
Good. All hippies.
I never found you
I've been searching for you all my life
It's simply not the same without Shekhar.
Remember what he did in Digha last time?
Know what he said
when I called him yesterday?
What?
"You're telling me at such
short notice. I won't get leave."
Then it turns out he's unemployed.
I couldn't find you
I've been searching for you all my life
Hey! Who are you?
Buzz off! How uncivilized!
According to Sanjeeb Chatterjee,
there's a hint of melancholy
in this sound.
Really, such places
increase your longevity.
Is there a need to increase
one's longevity, I wonder?
Why not? Your career is on the up.
The more you live, the more you'll thrive.
Hmm... The more I rise, the more I fall.
Remember our quarterly journal?
Yes, I was just thinking about it.
We used to work so hard!
Unimaginable. 16 hours a day!
Now we earn with much less toil,
but only after all that hard work
and loss.
But you've got to admit,
we never published any mediocre writing.
Had a good wash?
First class.
Want to watch me do something dramatic?
Do what you want.
All connection with civilization is over.
Great! I kept that to wrap my shoes in.
So that's where that burning smell
is coming from!
Did you sleep well?
What sleep?
A bee kept buzzing in my ears.
- Really?
- Yes!
Are honeybees coming into your room?
You don't believe me?
Go and see for yourself.
Hey Hari! Do something. Turn into Tarzan.
Hang on! Hope a herd of elephants
doesn't turn up.
Are we wandering aimlessly,
or do we have a destination?
Although it doesn't really matter.
Who got rich by having a goal?
Stop jabbering! Just follow me.
Okay, boss.
Sunset! Where have you seen
such a sunset? Tell me.
- In Kolkata definitely.
- No, I mean in which Western? Hari?
In some Burt Lancaster movie.
Left.
Go and sit. I'll join you.
They look very low class.
Hope we'll be safe.
If they do anything, you get even.
We're all the same here.
I want soaked brown chickpeas
and four poppadoms.
Also four glasses.
Here you go! Chickpeas and poppadoms.
- Take this.
- Is it very strong?
- Try it for yourself.
- I can only drink imported Scotch.
Move!
Bring the light closer.
- Enough... no more.
- Shut up!
- Okay?
- Yes.
What a life!
- Sir!
- Who's that?
Oh, it's you.
I'd like a drop too, sir.
What are you doing here?
Didn't go to the market?
I did. I bought a chicken
and gave it to the watchman.
Where's the change? Eh?
- Out with it!
- Here it is.
Who knows how much he's stealing.
Take this and go. Don't bother us.
What a life.
Indeed!
Hari! Hari!
What?
Look behind you.
- At what?
- Turn and look.
Miss India! Nice, isn't she?
Look away now. Don't stare like that.
The more you rise, the more you fall.
Right!
What is it, Sanju?
Comparing the women
with Sanjeeb Chatterjee's descriptions?
You're an exemplary character.
You drink because your boss drinks.
If you don't, you'll lose your job.
Don't I know you!
If I quit my job,
will you give me another?
- Why should you quit?
- Right. Why should I?
There's the boss's daughter. Compensation.
Boss's daughter!
She's got dozens of boyfriends.
- She didn't even let you hold her hand?
- Oh, shut up.
Why should I quit?
Thousands of reasons to quit the job...
but one can't.
How will my family survive?
Father, mother, my little brother.
Stay away from love affairs.
I'll ask your mother to find you
a good, little innocent girl.
You don't have to.
She's already found you someone?
You'll do exactly that.
You'll have a job, please the boss,
settle down with a wife,
and you will be a 100%
middle-class
conventional good Bengali boy.
Seriously!
Sir!
Sir!
Hari, she's asking for something.
Give me some.
Give her whatever she wants.
Hey, sir!
Hari! Hari!
- Why are you calling me?
- See what she wants.
- Who?
- Sir!
Give me...
Give me...
a small peg.
"A small peg?"
A small peg.
You want to drink some more?
- What's your name?
- Miss India.
Shut up, you bastard.
What's your name?
Tell me your name.
Duli.
Duli?
A small peg.
Can you dance and swing your hips?
Today I danced at the police station.
The chief gave me 500 rupees.
500 rupees?
That man gave me 500 rupees.
I'll give you 25. Will you dance?
Swine!
Bastard! You picked my pocket?
Hari!
What are you doing? Fighting like kids!
What are you doing?
So much shouting!
Take this and drink as much you want.
Leave now, you pickpocket!
The best in the world... Our Hindustan
Hari!
Control yourself.
There are bears around here.
- Hey Devdas!
- Who's Devdas?
Haven't you read "Devdas" by Saratchandra?
No.
I ruined my education for damn cricket.
Never mind. I'll teach you.
C-A-T: cat. M-A-D: mad.
Tea, sir.
- Who is it?
- I brought your tea.
Keep it in the dining room.
Sanjoy, wake up!
I saw a fantastic thing just now.
One in a sari, the other in slacks.
- Where?
- I just saw them out of the window.
Everything is amazing
and dramatic with you...
Is the tea served?
Hey! What's this?
What's this? Why only tea?
Watchman?
- Watchman!
- Sir!
Can't you get us any eggs?
My wife is very ill.
I had to take her to the clinic, sir.
I had no time to buy eggs.
- What a bore!
- Ask him to get eggs.
- He'll starve us to death.
- Can't do without eggs.
- That boy is here.
- Who, Lakha?
He can go and get some.
What a tragedy it will be
if we don't get any eggs.
What's going on?
Why are you breaking the rules?
He spotted two women today.
Not tribal women.
- Shall I get you some eggs?
- You'll get them?
- Yes.
- Where?
- Just over there.
- They sell boiled eggs too?
Here. Four times two, eight eggs.
Can I order another round of tea?
Yes, please order some tea.
Make it good, with buffalo milk.
Oh dear. Buffalo milk!
Hey!
Don't look at them like that.
You'll offend them.
- Why are they all sitting here?
- They're on sale.
As slaves.
Are you interested?
If you're so keen why don't you
go over? Get a good rate.
- Should I go?
- Go on.
Hari!
Hey! Why are you all sitting here?
We'll sit here if we want to.
It's none of your business.
- What happened, Shekhar Chandra?
- She hissed at me.
That's enough. Sit down.
What happened to our tea?
I think they work as daily laborers.
They have no work at present.
And yet they're giggling.
Peculiar, isn't it?
Sir!
Will you give us some work?
Come over to the bungalow.
What do you mean?
I just came up with something.
Sir, eggs.
Did you find them? Give the change back.
- Hey Lakha!
- Sir?
Do any middle-class women live here?
- They don't live here. They visit.
- Know where they live?
Yes, sir. See that church. It's that way.
Ah, the sun's in my eyes.
Sister-in-law, look behind you,
to your left.
Hang about or leave?
What's your plan?
- Let's introduce ourselves.
- Are you serious?
Why? This isn't Kolkata.
What's the need for formality?
Let's see what happens.
Who's leaving you alone here, buddy?
I'm out of this.
Hey Hari!
Let him be.
Should we stop our game, Sister-in-law?
Do we have a choice?
- What?
- What is it?
- We're waiting.
- Show us your technique.
Who are you?
- Who are you?
- Who are you?
- We're humans.
- Thanks for clarifying.
- We've come from Kolkata.
- Oh, I see. Tourists?
- Well, sort of.
- Is this your house?
I saw you from a distance
and was wondering
who was hanging about my front gate.
We were admiring your cottage.
Fantastic.
But why stand outside?
Please come in, unless
you have other engagements.
- Oh no, we're not busy.
- Then please do come in.
No need to be so formal with us.
Is that your grandson?
Yes, his formal name is Aninda Mukul.
Tell them
your not-so-nice pet name, darling!
It's not a bad name. It's a nice name.
His pet name is Tublu Babu.
Where shall we go tomorrow, darling?
- The circus!
- The circus?
Yes. Once a lot of animals
used to come here.
He's heard all about it.
The animals don't come anymore.
But there's a circus in Daltonganj,
so we're planning to go and see it.
Let me introduce you.
This is my daughter-in-law,
and this is my daughter.
And I'm Sadashiv Tripathi.
My name is Shekhar Sen.
- Ashim Chatterjee.
- Sanjoy Banerjee.
Splendid!
Wasn't there someone else with you?
- Is that so?
- He's our friend.
- He's gone to see the church.
- Sanjoy, go and get him.
Please come this way. Come, darling.
Please sit down wherever you wish.
Make yourselves comfortable.
- Why don't you sit here?
- No, thanks. I'm fine.
- Where are you staying?
- At the forest bungalow.
Oh my! I'm under attack!
Yes, that's the only place around here.
We went for a stroll that way
only just this morning.
Really?
This place is so unusual.
Feels like England.
- Have you ever been to England?
- I've seen it in films.
I've seen it in films too.
Here they are! Harinath Dutt.
A brilliant sportsman.
Oh wow!
One can see. He looks the part.
Did you visit the church?
The church. Didn't you go
to see the church? How was it?
Oh yes. It was nice.
He's a bit down as he can't get
the latest test match score.
Rini, weren't you listening
to the radio yesterday?
206 for 3.
Are West Indies batting?
Yes.
You memorized this too?
I've never figured out
your calling in life.
Neither could I, Father.
So just relax.
- Shall we play badminton?
- Mixed doubles?
- Not a bad idea.
- Mixed doubles? There's four of you.
I've been out of practice
for over ten years.
I'll join in if you're all playing.
But which of you is the strongest?
I'm the weakest.
Okay. You and me and Shekhar and Hari.
What's that? Looks quite interesting.
Oh, that's a small shed
with a tiny attached balcony.
At one time I used to sit there
and watch animals come and go.
They don't come anymore,
so my daughter has taken over the place.
- Do you stay there?
- Not at night.
She meditates there.
So my father thinks.
What else can I think? You're always
so silent when you come here.
- Can I see the place?
- Ask my daughter.
Hope you're not doing
anything illegal there.
Come and see for yourself. Let's go.
Your staying here is so unusual.
I still can't believe it.
- Have you been here before?
- No.
We were headed for Palamu,
but we ended up here by accident.
You could say it was a happy accident.
How did you get the bungalow?
The bungalow?
- Was it reserved?
- Obviously not.
Was there no other way?
You don't seem that naive.
- Come on in.
- After you.
I stayed at the bungalow once.
We were a large group.
We split ourselves between two places.
- You stayed there?
- Yes.
And the watchman seemed
to be quite honest.
There's just about enough space
for one person in here.
You know, I really can't figure you out.
Is that necessary?
Not immediately.
How nice.
You could call it an observation balcony.
At least my father does.
Did animals use to come here?
I've seen herds of deer.
Of course, that was long ago.
Now, why can't we call it
Juliet's balcony?
Imagine someone standing there and saying,
"It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."
- Are you going to say it?
- Would it be too absurd?
There's no shortage of jackals here
at night.
If you discourage me like this,
then I can't say it.
Are you done looking at my room?
I feel like touching you
to see if you're real.
Have a toffee instead.
- Do you stay here by yourself all day?
- My sister-in-law comes sometimes.
To disturb your meditation?
Do you come here every year?
At least once a year.
The place suits my father very well.
And you?
I like it too.
Your mother?
She's no longer with us.
Neither is my brother.
- You mean this sister-in-law's...
- I only have one brother.
- Did you see Rini's room?
- Yes.
- Your name is Rini?
- Yes, a silly name.
- And the not-so-silly one?
- Aparna.
- Did you have a look?
- Wonderful!
If you ever sell, I'll buy it.
- But right now, I envy your daughter.
- Really?
- Sir?
- What is it?
Please come over to the bungalow.
Why, what is it?
The ranger is here. He wants to meet you.
You go on. We'll follow.
You're not leaving?
We're here for a few days.
We can come back.
Yes, do.
Please ask them over for a meal.
Yes, please come. We're free every day.
We won't be here tonight.
Oh, I forgot!
Tonight we're going to Ranchi.
Rini's cousin lives there.
Are you returning today?
We're leaving this afternoon
and coming back tonight.
Why don't you come
tomorrow morning? 8:30 a.m.?
We'll have breakfast then play badminton.
Will there be eggs?
Yes, of course!
- You're...
- Yes, we're staying here.
- Four of you?
- Yes, the four of us.
- You're the ranger?
- Yes.
- This is a fabulous bungalow.
- Splendid.
Fantastic. We're thinking
of giving it wide publicity in Kolkata.
You can, but you broke the rules,
taking it in this way. It's unacceptable.
We can understand.
To stay here without authorization
from the DFO is against the...
Principle. We saw this written here.
Even if the bungalow is empty...
it'll make no... no...
- Difference.
- No... no.
You see, sir, since we came this far
and liked the place...
We're going to stay for a bit.
For how long?
Around four to five days.
We've got to be back before Saturday
for the race.
And apart from the forest,
we have other attractions.
- Additional?
- Absolutely!
Bonus.
Tell us, is it likely anyone else
might be coming at this time?
The big boss will be coming.
The conservator himself.
Really? In the next few days?
And the watchman
will definitely be sacked.
- What?
- Oh yes! Yes!
Suppose we explain to him.
Won't he understand?
You can try, but...
- Depends what mood he's in?
- Yes.
It's fine for you to stay here.
But if the boss wants to stay here,
then you'll have to leave.
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS
One Gold Flake cigarette wasted.
How he ruined this delightful morning.
Forget it.
The bungalow is not
the conservator's personal property.
You said it.
Hari! Hari!
Relapse!
That sister-in-law is a widow.
Could you tell?
Really?
Nowadays you can't tell from appearances.
Nice family.
- Ashim!
- Yes?
Ten years out of practice?
Nice one! Made a good case.
Did you hit the jackpot?
I need to have an oil bath.
My skin is dry and my lips are chapped.
What are you doing? That's for hair.
Oh dear!
From now on we must take you seriously.
You might as well, you'll stand to gain.
Sir!
Are you going to give us any work?
They're here.
What work can you do?
We can do anything.
Sweep floors, wash clothes,
draw water from the well.
You'll have to employ all of us.
We'll charge two rupees a day.
Two rupees? Just wait.
- I'm taking six rupees.
- What for?
It's from the common fund.
- What's it all about?
- Tribal welfare.
Did you see that?
That's why we brought him along.
Wait.
Just pull this. With force.
Done.
- You made an advance payment?
- Yes, from the mutual benefit fund.
Enjoying the breeze?
They'll also clean the rooms.
I'm taking one filter tip.
Filter tip.
Didn't you have a fancy transistor?
- Yes, a Japanese one.
- Looked like a bottle.
I wonder what's the latest news
in Kolkata.
I meant to bring it,
but I forgot in the rush.
Apparently, in optical goods
Japan has overtaken Germany.
What about electronics?
Incredible!
They've created a TV in a wristwatch.
When people are really gifted,
atomic bombs can't do much.
Would anyone have thought
they'd rise up after Hiroshima?
It's an eastern nation.
The land of the rising sun.
Yes, the Japanese are outstanding.
Get out...
Go away... Be gone with you...
Hey watchman, what are you doing?
I hired them.
- They're bad women, sir.
- Seriously!
But I'll lose my job.
- I will lose...
- Oh, shut up!
What can I do, sir? It's my job.
But I already paid them.
You paid them, but they're bad women.
I'll lose my job, sir!
- Lakha! Lakha!
- Sir.
Did you go in my room a little while ago?
No, sir. I was washing the car.
Washing the car? So where's my wallet?
How should I know?
You don't know? I'll slap you, idiot!
- Didn't you go in my room?
- Have you looked carefully?
Of course I did.
I never left the car.
I'm going to search you.
Don't touch me, sir.
What are you doing? Have you gone mad?
Bastard!
I'm not working here any longer.
Sir, please pay me what I'm owed.
- He steals and he wants to be paid?
- Hari, go inside.
Nonsense! Bastard!
I won't work here.
Please pay me what I'm owed.
- Lakha!
- No, sir. I won't work here.
Take this and get lost!
Hari needs a nerve tonic.
He has such a short fuse.
He's upset he lost his monthly pass.
The wallet didn't have much money in it.
You always provoke him. Just deal with it,
or it'll be a waste of a trip.
Ashim! You here?
I couldn't resist.
- The water is perfect.
- Ice cold.
We drink the same water, right?
The well is deep!
There are insects here.
Didn't you put any oil on?
No. I'm not into such native practices.
What's up with Hari?
That idiot is in love with Duli.
- Really?
- Nothing surprising.
You made his lover work as a maid.
Won't he be furious?
- What soap is this?
- Imported stuff.
Smells good.
When I build my house,
I'll make a well like this one.
We'll go and take our baths there.
What's that? Return of the ranger?
Did any of you lose a wallet?
Yes.
- Are you having a bath?
- Yes.
- Go.
- You go.
It was lying on our badminton court.
So I came to return it.
- So kind of you!
- And this.
You'll get the test match news.
It's our radio.
That's most kind of you. I'll return it.
- Don't forget tomorrow's breakfast.
- 8:30 sharp.
Shall we go, driver?
Have a nice trip!
Yay, they didn't see me!
Damn it!
Did you hear how good my English was?
Get lost.
Why the look? So what if they saw us?
I looked the part.
I imagined this was the French Riviera,
and I was in my swimming trunks.
Oh shut up! What do you know, you shortie?
You've got no stake in this.
You've got such a petty Bengali
bourgeois attitude. Look respectable!
Give me my soap back.
- Mum, Dad got a cut on his hand.
- How horrible!
What dreadful luck I have.
You'll come out with flying colors.
Don't drag me into this, brother!
It's your game. You play along.
Am I not the conventional one?
Added salt to your wounds, eh? Offended?
Fine! Your field is clear.
Do what you want.
Ashim, Ashim!
Stop calling my name. What is it?
Breakfast... tomorrow morning!
Let's head back.
- You didn't drink tonight either.
- I did. In moderation.
I'm keeping steady to take you home.
Moderation? Drink! Drink!
Breakfast!
Idiots who can't watch their wallet.
- Who, me?
- No, not you.
What's up with him tonight?
No Miss India today.
Don't bother him.
Bastard!
You rogue!
You bastard.
They returned the wallet,
and you didn't even thank them, bastard!
- He did.
- Who did?
- You did.
- So what if I thanked them?
Was it my wallet? I haven't got
a monthly pass in my wallet.
You've got a car.
Listen, you'll go there tomorrow morning.
Tell them it was your wallet.
Thank you very much.
What will you say?
What will you say?
Why are you laughing, Hari?
Has he gone crazy?
Why are you laughing? Hari?
What happened?
I saw from my window,
two guys with soap on them...
- You saw it?
- Yes... I swear!
And this guy says,
"Very kind of you. Have a nice day."
This bastard said...
Hari, come on.
Do the twist, buddy...
You can dance. You danced with Atashi.
Who's Atashi?
You don't remember Atashi?
She's the girl who dumped you.
Hari, we have a breakfast invitation
tomorrow. Let's go home.
I'll dance, I'll dance.
Dance! Dance!
Don't forget tomorrow's breakfast.
- Hey you, dance!
- Come on, dance. Dance!
A car!
Stop! Stop!
- A car.
- Move, there's a car coming!
A car, a car.
Watch the Santhal twist.
Just a minute. Give us a moment.
Do you know who we are? We're VIPs.
Very, Very Important People.
Very Important Persons.
- Driver, switch off the headlights.
- No, let it be.
What's all this noise?
Move aside.
Hari! Hari!
Sanjoy!
Sanjoy, look. It's 9:30 a.m.
- What?
- It's 9:30!
Thanks to your boozing...
our dignity is shattered.
Damn! Too late to go now.
At least let's go and apologize.
Look. A letter.
"I know you'll be embarrassed
by the tiffin box,
but it's not your fault.
You're here to relax.
It was our fault to invite you so early.
I'm sending omelets
and other breakfast food.
Hope this will fill you up.
We'll come your way this afternoon
and collect the box.
Regards, Jaya Tripathi."
Sister-in-law.
Is that Granddad's voice?
Sounds like it.
I hear His calling
The one for whose glimpse each dawn
Flower buds unravel their petals
The one whom the songbird seeks
Eternally in the woods in its song
I hear His calling
My heart wants not the absence of Him
The one whose praise
The brook chants in cascades
Whom the mountains
Woods and flowers worship
The one in whose love the moon
And stars lay sleepless all night
The one in whose love the moon
And stars lay sleepless all night
The one whose love flows
In a thousand streams
I hear His calling my heart wants not
The absence of Him
I hear His calling
Father, a lot of people
heard you singing today.
Really!
This wasn't what we decided!
You were to have eggs with us.
Instead, here you are, listening
to an old man chant the Lord's name.
You sing so well!
Me and my singing...
I get breathless, forget the lyrics...
How long can I keep singing,
depending on my daughter's memory?
Had we come earlier,
we'd have missed your song.
I really don't know how to apolo...
No apologies!
We're really very sorry.
Who are you apologizing to?
Ask them how punctual they are?
Last night they were to return
from Ranchi by 8:00 p.m.
Ask them when they finally arrived.
It's not our fault
they wouldn't let us leave.
I was worried sick,
sitting here by myself.
You were playing Patience.
A long drive through the forest
late at night, anybody would worry!
We'll go to the circus tomorrow.
Darling, tell them what you saw
last night in the headlight?
A rabbit and two wild cats.
Good! Small creatures.
Not much chance of wild animals here.
Just local drunks who turn up
sometimes right in front of the car.
- That's a problem.
- Thank you.
- It's scary... They're tribal folk.
- Drunk on the local Mahua liquor.
So you're all going to the circus today?
- Not all.
- Only me and my grandson.
We wanted to come to your place
for a chat after lunch.
I'll come for a chat too.
- You're off to the circus, sweetheart.
- I'm going to the circus.
That wallet... it was...
That was his wallet, the one you returned.
I thought so...
He was the most energetic player.
When you came in the morning,
he was asleep.
- Did you count the money?
- Yes.
Really!
What do you mean, "yes"!
He sleeps so much.
Pick up the vase from there
and put it here.
And those clothes drying
near the well... those...
- Hey! What are you doing?
- What's he doing?
Why do we see you every day?
The conservator is due.
- When?
- Any moment.
But what was wrong with our clothes?
A bit of cleaning up.
Sir, those are clean.
Much cleaner than your trousers.
Come here and see.
Wow. Decent.
No one can take your job.
Everything's in the lap of the gods.
No, that's not so.
Listen, let's make our arrangements
under the trees.
Hmm...
Let's go.
Here.
Watchman!
Let me do the talking.
Good morning, sir.
They've occupied the place, sir.
We've been here for the last two days.
We fell in love with the place.
We've never been to these parts before.
And we couldn't decide where to stay.
Of course, we don't have a reservation.
Didn't you see the notice outside?
We did, but I'm sure
you make exceptions in some cases.
Can you tell me why your case
should be an exception?
Just give me one good reason.
Do you know AC Chatterjee?
Abani Chatterjee, Barrister, Marlene Park.
Didn't you inform them?
Yes, sir. I did intimate that.
Do you mean to say
that this is totally unprecedented?
No one has ever stayed here
without a reservation?
- Is that your car parked outside?
- Yes, it's mine.
Fine. Ten miles from here
there's a very good bungalow.
I'll arrange it for you.
Please pack up and leave
within a couple of hours.
We want to stay right here.
Why behave like a child?
You're being rather silly.
You look like a decent... Oh hello!
- Good morning!
- Good morning!
You didn't come
the other day in the end...
I got caught up with some work.
We waited a long time.
- How's your father?
- Fine.
You've met our friends?
I didn't realize
they were friends of yours.
Yes, they're old friends.
They came from Kolkata
and will return in a day or two.
Hello! Why are you so late?
Don't ask! Are you ready?
Yes, have been for a while.
Will you join us?
- A picnic?
- Sort of.
I'll leave now. Have a good time.
Please drop by some time.
Hats off to you, Rini!
Thank God, you arrived at the right time.
Was he causing any problems?
He gave us two hours to pack up
and move to another bungalow.
The gentleman isn't too bad, you know.
But he looked like
a deflated balloon after seeing us.
As if his work can't wait
for a couple of days.
Come! Everything's ready
for our gathering.
- I've got some food.
- Food! Again?
Not much. They were making this at home.
- I asked them to make some extra.
- Something with eggs?
- What are you watching?
- Nothing. I just...
Cutlets!
Hari, come and have some cutlets.
- Won't you have any?
- You go. I'll join you.
Watchman, six glasses of water.
I'm sure you haven't had lunch.
- We had breakfast at 10:00.
- We had some food at the bazaar.
- What! You eat food from the bazaar?
- Today was the first time.
The watchman's wife is actually
very ill, so we can't rely on him.
But that doesn't mean we're starving.
Thanks to you!
- Did you get your cricket news?
- Yes.
- Then why so glum?
- I don't know...
- Mr. Sanjoy?
- That's Ashim.
- I'm Sanjoy.
- I'm Shekhar and this is Hari.
- Oh, I see.
- Please sit.
- Please take some.
- Thank you.
Is there a fair nearby?
Can you believe it?
I almost forgot! Will you come?
It's not far. It's by the river.
Only five minutes' walk away.
- Are you going?
- I'm dying to go.
Rini also wants to buy some glass bangles.
- Not a bad idea. Let's go!
- In the evening?
Yes, after sunset.
Settled. Is there gambling?
Each to his own.
They didn't let me bring cards.
It could have been so much fun.
Hey, Rini.
What was that game we used to play?
- With cards?
- No, not with cards.
It was to do
with the names of famous people.
- Memory Game?
- Oh yes! You know it?
How do you play?
Come on, Rini. Join us.
Is everyone playing?
Let's play. It'll pass the time.
It's such a great game. We played it
once sitting exactly at this spot.
- Rini will teach you how to play.
- Mr. Ashim also knows the game.
Yes, Mr. Ashim. You teach us.
If she teaches,
they'll pay more attention.
Correct. Please sit here.
Tell us how to play.
- Sorry.
- No... it's fine. Please wear it.
Okay, so it's a very easy game.
We sit in a circle...
Let's suppose I start.
I'll name a famous person.
- Any famous person?
- Yes.
Poet, philosopher, jockey...
Yes, but everyone must know the name.
After me, it's your turn.
You repeat the name I mention
and then add another name to it.
Then it's Mr. Hari's turn.
He'll repeat my choice, then yours,
and then adds his choice of name.
I see. Gandhi...
Gandhi-Nehru... Gandhi-Nehru-Azad.
Exactly. That's how the game goes.
Whoever forgets or misses a name
will be out of the game.
Whoever is still in at the end
wins the game, right?
- Let's start.
- This game is harder than it sounds.
- Yes, it gets confusing.
- Let's play.
- Start.
- Hari, got it?
Should I start?
Rabindranath.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra.
Wait, I'm thinking...
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra...
Atulya Ghosh.
- Hari, go ahead.
- Yes.
Rabindranath,
Karl Marx,
Cleopatra,
Atulya Ghosh.
- And your choice of name?
- Oh yes.
Helen.
Helen... Helen of Troy or Bombay?
Bombay?
Okay. Helen of Troy. Very good.
Ashim, your go.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy... Shakespeare.
Oh dear. I'm too nervous.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra,
- Prafulla... Ghosh.
- Out! Out!
Oh no! How could I get it wrong?
It's Atulya.
Stop. Don't shout.
You'll make me forget the names.
Oh, shit!
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra,
Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy,
Shakespeare...
Out...
Mao Zedong.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy, Shakespeare,
Mao Zedong... Don Bradman.
Wait...
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra,
Atulya Ghosh, Helen of Troy,
- Mao Zedong...
- Out!
Out, out!
- Did Ashim say Mao Zedong?
- What did he say?
Shakespeare!
I'm out.
So what? Stay.
- Where are you going? Sit.
- Do I have to?
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy, Shakespeare... Out,
Mao Zedong, Don Bradman...
Out... Out.
Rani Rashmoni.
- Fight it out, Sanjoy!
- Wait, wait.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy, Shakespeare...
Out, Mao Zedong...
Mao Zedong...
What did you say?
You can't remember!
- Is there a time limit?
- Yes, ten seconds.
I'll time him.
One, two, three, four, five
six, seven, eight, nine...
Out.
Bradman! Aw, so sad!
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy, Shakespeare,
Mao Zedong, Don Bradman,
Rani Rashmoni...
- Kennedy.
- Which Kennedy?
Bobby.
Hmm... Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh...
Want a pillow?
- Do you have one?
- Yes!
Let him finish first.
Rani Rashmoni...
Bobby Kennedy...
Tek Chand Thakur.
- May I?
- Yes, of course!
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra...
Rani Rashmoni, Bobby Kennedy,
Tek Chand Thakur, Napoleon.
Thank you.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy...
Do you like tribal jewelry?
- Huh?
- Do you like tribal jewelry?
It does look beautiful on them!
- Don Bradman...
- I need to buy a gift for...
Rani Rashmoni, Bobby Kennedy,
Bobby Kennedy...
I never found you
Though I've been searching for you...
Shut up!
Sorry.
Tek Chand Thakur, Napoleon,
Mumtaz Mahal...
Go on, Miss Rini.
- I might not be able to.
- What do you mean?
You can't remember?
I'm in Mr. Hari's shoes.
You don't remember the first names?
Want some cold water from the well?
No. I'm out. Mr. Ashim wins!
Looks so nice!
Hope they'll last till Kolkata.
How much?
- What are you doing?
- Money?
Can't I even pay for your bangles?
Put your purse away.
How uncivilized do you think we are?
But if you go on like this,
we can't shop anymore.
Shop to your heart's content.
This isn't New Market.
See this wallet? It's stuffed.
- Ashim, lend me ten rupees.
- Why?
Please. I'll return with interest.
Guaranteed.
- I've left my wallet behind.
- Where? In Kolkata?
- I...
- Let me...
- Please don't! He'll gamble.
- I know that.
He'll give it. He never refuses.
He's very generous.
So kind of you.
- Where's Hari?
- No idea. Go and look for him.
- Your wallet is empty now!
- I can still treat you to some snacks.
- What if I treat you?
- Out of the question. Let's go.
Will you both still be here?
Hey, my money?
But I've got money.
- We'll return before you finish shopping.
- So you had to take it.
- We'll leave if you're late.
- Okay.
Your house is just ten minutes from here.
You don't know. My son...
Feels lovely here.
I don't know
how it would have felt without you.
Maybe I wouldn't have come.
Where's your other friend?
He didn't like your company.
A girl like you dumped him.
Do you understand that word?
Yes, I do.
Hey! Come here...
You go on. I'll go and get some snacks.
- I'm going to hit you.
- What for?
- You didn't come last night.
- Where?
Where? Where you were drinking
the other day.
- But we had a dance performance.
- So why did you come
to clean our bungalow?
- The gentleman gave me money.
- Must you work if someone pays you?
- Of course!
- No.
I'll give you money,
and without need for a reason.
Aha! Getting greedy?
You won! What luck!
- Are you leaving?
- Yes.
Great strength of mind!
I'm escaping.
If I play any more, I'll lose.
Please have some.
- Did you offer Sister-in-law?
- She won't have any.
- And your friend?
- He won't either.
If you look at me like that,
I'll have to confess the truth.
You didn't even go.
You're always with her.
Give me some time today.
Am I running away?
- I wanted to have a word with you.
- Go on then.
Not here. Let's get out of here.
I'll need to go back to the bungalow.
I forgot my glasses.
Let's go.
- What did you want to say?
- You lost deliberately, didn't you?
I still remember the names.
Do you?
It's a special talent I possess.
I still remember things
from when I was two years old.
Then why did you lose?
Can't you guess?
Would you have liked it if I'd won?
That's the problem.
That bath by the well.
The conservator's threats.
My dignity took a tumble.
Oh, there's more...
That Santhal twist!
That was your car?
What were you drinking?
And you were watching?
We were savoring it!
How embarrassing.
It's nothing but a divine curse.
Believe me, whatever I do,
I never make a fool of myself.
I'll still say you're naive.
You too say I'm nave!
The way you took the bungalow.
Wasn't that childish?
Do you think we couldn't have
reserved the bungalow beforehand?
Then why didn't you?
I give up on you.
You enjoy breaking rules?
Not always. Occasionally.
You're not tied down
by office regulations.
How would you understand
the pressure of regulations?
If it weren't for your presence,
we'd planned to not even shave.
But you'll have to follow rules
upon your return.
Yes, of course.
Otherwise, how will I earn a living?
You'll definitely earn a living.
You didn't take bribes.
You did the bribing.
I'm worried about the watchman.
So finally, I have to hear
about the watchman from you!
Let the ranger, the conservator,
or even the watchman himself
talk about it a million times.
But you? It doesn't suit you.
What are you smiling at?
I was thinking, by the time
you have breakfast tomorrow morning,
we'll have reached Ranchi.
What do you mean?
Yesterday in Ranchi, we suddenly heard
about a friend's wedding in Kolkata.
We're leaving tomorrow.
Don't you have a husband?
He died.
Died?
Maybe he's already
been reborn as a little boy.
He went to the jungle to fell wood
when a snake came along.
Did it bite him?
It was probably a cobra.
It bit him... and he died.
- It happened three years ago.
- Will you come to Kolkata?
There are lots of jobs in Kolkata.
If you come to Kolkata,
you can watch me play.
Cricket!
Have you seen my wrist?
I can hit the ball over the boundary.
Phulmoni has been to Kolkata
and bought blouses, hair nets...
What do you put in your hair?
Tell me, what can I get you? Tell me.
- How do I know?
- False hair.
Another layer of hair
on top of your own hair.
Place your bets! Place your bets!
One becomes two, two becomes four!
Since there's so little time,
let me be frank.
I like you a lot.
At first, I thought you were like
the city girls I meet at parties.
But now I know better.
Want to know what I thought
when I first saw you?
It would be nice to crush
this gentleman's confidence a little.
I no longer have that confidence.
It got crushed by itself.
But I'm confused about one thing.
I can't work you out. I don't know why.
Maybe I can help you.
Please do.
Three years ago,
my brother committed suicide.
He was very dear to me.
And then... when I was 12,
my mother died in a fire.
I was completely alone at home.
I remember
as a first year university student,
I came here once.
We were out...
and saw a forest fire in the distance,
over on the mountains.
I fainted, looking at that fire.
I don't think you've ever faced
a major tragedy in life,
have you?
Bye for now. Are you coming tomorrow?
- Where?
- Where else? At the fair.
If you don't come, I'll beat you.
If you come, I'll give you
more money. Please come.
What is it?
Oh, my wallet fell out.
Ashim?
Ashim?
Sanjoy?
Sanjoy?
No car and no lights on.
Good! If my son got home before me,
he'd have whined.
You could have stayed a bit longer.
Since you're here, please come in.
- Should I?
- I can make you coffee.
- Coffee!
- Just Nescaf.
You've hit my soft spot. Let's go.
Such complete silence...
It's awful.
Do you like it?
It's a new kind of ambience,
I have to admit.
Not sure.
You don't like it?
Why should anyone choose
to live in a place like this?
To be honest, I find it quite suffocating.
Thanks to all of you, we had some fun.
- Paramesh!
- Yes, Madam!
Please boil some water
so we can have some coffee.
Please come in.
Please come in.
Are you scared?
Yes, until you switch on the light.
- And now?
- All mystery has vanished.
Please sit.
Look at this. I'll be back.
Your cottage is lovely!
- You're not going to run away?
- And leave the coffee?
- Here.
- Thank you.
That day I was full of envy
when I saw you all bathing.
In our area, there's a water shortage.
What happened to the watchman's wife?
I don't quite know.
Did you know she was so ill?
We kind of guessed...
so we didn't dare come this way.
Your father knows
the conservator well, doesn't he?
Oh, look!
I never found you
I've been searching for you all my life
Shekhar!
Hari! What happened to you?
- What happened to you?
- Mugged.
Don't worry.
He hit me on the head. My wallet's gone.
We'll find Sanjoy's first-aid box.
You'll be okay. Come along.
Where are you?
Were you expecting cold coffee?
Mrs. Tripathi?
How do I look?
You said tribal jewelry
only looks good on them.
No. I meant...
Stop staring at me.
Tell me, how do I look?
- Good.
- Good?
Are you looking at a ghost?
I am a ghost.
When the husband dies,
it's not just the man that dies.
Did you know my husband committed suicide?
No! Why?
How should I know?
It wasn't here. It happened abroad.
Maybe there was someone else.
Are you nervous?
No.
I'm nervous!
Just look!
That's not our car.
So, did you like your coffee?
Rini.
Tell me one thing.
- What is it?
- Don't you have a friend?
- Of course I do.
- Please don't joke.
Isn't there anyone you love?
Not yet.
Where can I see you in Kolkata?
I don't go to parties. I don't like them.
That's fine.
But where can I see you again?
Please let go of my hand.
Can you switch the lighter on?
I couldn't find any other paper.
- Mr. Sanjoy?
- Oh, it's you two?
- What were you thinking?
- Nothing really.
- Has my sister-in-law returned?
- Yes. We had coffee.
- Did you just get back?
- I left my glasses in the bungalow.
- We're leaving tomorrow.
- I see.
Please give my regards
to your other friends.
Of course. These days
were well spent, thanks to you.
See you.
I'll tell my father.
I think that matter will be settled.
Oh thanks.
Father? What's that about?
- About the watchman.
- Oh, I see.
The conservator is quite close
to her father.
Good. I was very worried about that.
- Watchman?
- Sir!
Once you return to Kolkata,
your wounds will be healed.
Don't say that word!
- Hey Hari, how are you?
- Fine.
If anyone asks, tell them
you were attacked by a wild buffalo.
Please take this.
And you won't lose your job.
We've spoken to the conservator.
Mr. Tripathi's driver left a box for you.
I'll go and get it.
Shekhar?
I completely forgot! Thank you.
Hey Shekhar.
Where's my money? With interest.
Believe me, I lost it all.
It's never happened before.
Get into the car.
Mr. Tripathi's driver left this box.
Let's see. Is it cake?
It's eggs, buddies!
THE END
They get excited at the mere sight
of a tiny mound of earth.
Little surprise, then,
that these small hillocks would bring me
such a profound sense of delight."
Does the book mention a forest bungalow?
It does, but I doubt it still exists.
Why didn't we make plans?
You could have booked it.
"All that is wild in the forest
is beautiful..."
"Children... on their mothers' laps."
Go figure!
Hey, ask for 20.
Hello. 20 liters!
Quick!
This is Bihar, right?
He'll also understand
if you speak in Bengali.
Well, when in Bihar...
- Is this the way to Palamu?
- Yes, sir.
- Are there any forests there?
- Yes, sir.
You're obsessed with forests!
Why's he still asleep?
To avoid your teasing.
Hey, Hari!
Hari, wake up! We need
to give the car a push. Step out.
Bastard!
What are you doing?
This is a new shirt.
What's going on? Let him go!
I just got this shirt! Just because
I don't say anything back...
He's constantly on my back.
Wait till you get out of the car...
Sorry.
I've never seen a more
unsportsmanlike sportsman!
Sanjoy, we'll be there
in about an hour, right?
3:00 p.m. latest.
All this effort
for you to get over your sorrows!
So now it's because of my sorrows?
Let's be clear. Who came and why?
Listen.
It was my idea.
You accepted it.
No one forced you to come.
Why should they?
I came because I was on leave.
I can't get leave, so I'm on sick leave.
- And I'm jobless.
- So, that's that!
Maybe, but since Kharagpur he's been
at me about my emotional wound...
Don't mind him!
People behave like kids
when they leave the city behind.
Shekhar, look to your left.
Priya Films presents
DAYS AND NIGHTS IN THE FORESOriginal story by Sunil Gangopadhyay
Sharmila Tagore, Kaberi Bose,
Simi Garewal,
Soumitra Chatterjee, Subhendu Chatterjee,
Rabi Ghosh, Samit Bhanja
Pahari Sanyal, Premashish Sen, Samar Nag,
Khairatilal Lahori,
Master Dibyendu Chatterjee
and Aparna Sen
Cinematography: Soumendu Roy
Assistants: Purnendu Bose,
Anil Ghosh, Pragyan Mitra
Art Direction: Bansi Chandragupta
Assistant: Surath Das
Editing: Dulal Dutta
Assistants: Kashinath Basu, Samaresh Basu
Make-up: Ananta Das
Assistants: Bhim Naskar, Keshto Ghosh
Costumes: Haru Das
Sound: Sujit Sarkar
Assistant: Nitai Jana
Assistant Directors (2nd Unit):
Shailen Dutta, Ramesh Sen
Subrata Lahiri, VR Anand
Production Controller: Anil Choudhury
Assistants: Kamal Roy,
Ratan Chakravarty Tapesh Chowdhury
Production Management: Bhanu Ghosh
Assistants: Balai Adhya, Shankar Das
Sudama, Shanti, Dukhi, Tope Bahadur
Music Recordist: J.P. Sen
Assistant Music Director: Alok Dey
Backdrops: Kabi Dasgupta
Stills: Technica
Publicity: Shailesh Mukhopadhyay
Publicity Illustration: Bidyut Chakraborty
Interiors: Indrapuri Studios
and The Studio Supply
Co-Op Pvt Ltd Lighting
Tapan Sen, Santosh, Dukhi, Naba
Processing: United Cine Laboratories
Processing Supervisor: Shailen Ghoshal
Laboratory Staff:
Shailen Chatterjee, Gouri Mukherjee
Ajit Roy, Chandicharan Shil
Acknowledgments: Mohan Biswas,
Adhir Ranjan Bose, Colonel & Mrs. Palit
Acknowledgments: SN Sarkar,
LM Biswas & Co (Daltonganj)
Panch Sampraday, Nemai Ghosh,
Bijoya Ray, Gopa Ghoshal
Global Release: Piyali Films
Producers: Nepal Dutta, Asim Dutta
Screenplay, Music and Direction:
Satyajit Ray
"The drunkards one sees
in Bengal's liquor establishments
I have not encountered in Palamu.
I have yet to behold the women
of Palamu in a state of drunkenness.
Yet one cannot say that their spirits
are devoid of intoxicating qualities.
The men here consistently become
intoxicated from that very same alcohol."
Gosh, both men and women drinkers!
Like in western society.
- Want to hear about the women?
- Go on.
"They are all as black as ebony
and in the bloom of youth..."
Meaning eternal youth?
"Their groins are scantily covered
with a small piece of fabric.
Their arms and breasts are uncovered."
Hari, you're not to step out
of the bungalow!
Listen! We'll be back in Kolkata
by Saturday, right?
Or it'll be a disaster for me.
- Hari! Hey, Hari!
- Yeah.
When that girl dumped you,
why didn't you give her a slap?
He always acts proper.
He'd never hit a woman.
A few days in this primitive place
will heal your wounds.
Don't you guys have
anything else to talk about?
You talk as if you've never been in love.
- Ask Sanjoy about his boss's daughter.
- Don't!
Don't what?
You've got no guts. That's why.
You drool at the sound of her name.
- Ah! Everyone has a love life.
- Not me.
That's because you haven't found anyone.
Rubbish. I've no interest
in such bourgeois stuff.
It's all right.
We're talking about you, Hari,
because, as your friends, we feel for you.
If dumping had to be done,
you should have dumped her.
- Why should she?
- I dumped her. Happy?
I'm confused. Please explain.
- I want to know.
- What do you want to know?
What happened
to suddenly change everything?
Tell me.
Not everything can be explained.
Please don't try to force me.
You have to tell me.
I won't let you go otherwise.
- What are you doing? Let me go.
- I won't let you go.
You're hurting me!
- I want to test your strength.
- Stop being so childish.
Speak up! Explain.
Not unless you let go of me.
Okay... Tell me now.
This is my...
Is this your reply to my five-page letter?
Did you even read my letter?
Did you understand it?
I doubt it.
How does a letter matter?
I'm not into writing letters.
Then why did you write? Why?
You wrote to me. How could I not reply?
I didn't think.
I just wrote on spur of the moment.
Yes, I could tell.
Did I write that I don't love you?
No.
Anyway, it was my fault. Forgive me.
I never said I'm faultless,
but I can't love
someone who writes like that.
There's no use lying.
How long can we deceive each other?
Please leave now.
I'm already late.
It was very wrong of you to walk
into my bedroom without asking.
Hey there! Is there a bungalow nearby?
Forest bungalow?
Yes, sir.
- How far?
- Not very far.
Ask if he can come with us.
Can you come with us
and show us the place?
Come. We'll pay you.
Sit in the back.
Sanjoy, make space for him,
or it'll be hard to drive.
"Persons intending
to use the forest rest house
must have permission of DFO Daltonganj."
Go figure!
Fantastic!
Forest!
Sir, shall I get the luggage?
Wait, wait...
- Watchman!
- I'll go and get him, sir.
Locked.
Give me one of your filter tips.
Beautiful!
Sir, the watchman.
- Are you the watchman?
- Yes, sir.
- Open the rooms. We'll stay here.
- Did you write to us?
- Didn't you get our letter?
- No, sir.
Why do you need a letter?
Lots of rooms are free.
- Open them up and we'll pay you.
- Has anyone else made a reservation?
I can't without a booking slip.
It's not our fault
our letter didn't arrive. Open up.
I'll lose my job, sir.
Who'll sack you? The DFO?
Please look for another bungalow, sir.
- Listen! Do you know what VIP means?
- No, sir.
They're all VIPs. He's a big executive.
He's a jute mill labor welfare officer.
He's a great sportsman.
I see.
Forget it.
Look, we've come all this way.
We're not turning back.
Take this and open up.
What are you thinking?
We'll talk to the DFO. You won't be fired.
Thank God for corruption.
Go and open up the rooms.
Wow! Unbelievable!
Hari, come here.
You and I will share this room.
Bathroom. I won't be a moment.
Not bad, eh? Nice!
- You're taking that bed?
- Yes.
Fine.
There's the dining room.
We'll have to arrange dinner.
Wait, let's first order tea.
- Can't we have coffee?
- Coffee! That's a tall order!
- Watchman!
- Yes, sir.
Can we have four cups of tea?
Tea... Okay, I'll make it.
- What about dinner tonight?
- Sir, my wife's been ill for a week...
Does your wife do the cooking?
Sometimes I cook too.
- But there's no time to shop now, sir.
- I'll go and get the groceries.
Can you cook if we bring groceries?
- Okay, I will.
- You can go now.
- What's your name?
- Lakha, sir.
- Loka?
- Lakha.
- Plain dahl and roti will do.
- Maybe they'll manage chicken.
Two rooms with attached baths.
Sanjoy, will you give me a blade?
Haven't you got your own?
- I completely forgot.
- Excellent!
- Can I borrow one?
- What else have you forgotten?
Only the blade, nothing else.
Why shave?
Who's going to look at you here?
- You're not going to shave?
- I'm not shaving.
Sanjoy, what about you?
Seems sensible not to.
At least we'll conserve energy.
Hari!
Hey Hari... Hari!
Are you going to shave? You won't? Good.
Good. All hippies.
I never found you
I've been searching for you all my life
It's simply not the same without Shekhar.
Remember what he did in Digha last time?
Know what he said
when I called him yesterday?
What?
"You're telling me at such
short notice. I won't get leave."
Then it turns out he's unemployed.
I couldn't find you
I've been searching for you all my life
Hey! Who are you?
Buzz off! How uncivilized!
According to Sanjeeb Chatterjee,
there's a hint of melancholy
in this sound.
Really, such places
increase your longevity.
Is there a need to increase
one's longevity, I wonder?
Why not? Your career is on the up.
The more you live, the more you'll thrive.
Hmm... The more I rise, the more I fall.
Remember our quarterly journal?
Yes, I was just thinking about it.
We used to work so hard!
Unimaginable. 16 hours a day!
Now we earn with much less toil,
but only after all that hard work
and loss.
But you've got to admit,
we never published any mediocre writing.
Had a good wash?
First class.
Want to watch me do something dramatic?
Do what you want.
All connection with civilization is over.
Great! I kept that to wrap my shoes in.
So that's where that burning smell
is coming from!
Did you sleep well?
What sleep?
A bee kept buzzing in my ears.
- Really?
- Yes!
Are honeybees coming into your room?
You don't believe me?
Go and see for yourself.
Hey Hari! Do something. Turn into Tarzan.
Hang on! Hope a herd of elephants
doesn't turn up.
Are we wandering aimlessly,
or do we have a destination?
Although it doesn't really matter.
Who got rich by having a goal?
Stop jabbering! Just follow me.
Okay, boss.
Sunset! Where have you seen
such a sunset? Tell me.
- In Kolkata definitely.
- No, I mean in which Western? Hari?
In some Burt Lancaster movie.
Left.
Go and sit. I'll join you.
They look very low class.
Hope we'll be safe.
If they do anything, you get even.
We're all the same here.
I want soaked brown chickpeas
and four poppadoms.
Also four glasses.
Here you go! Chickpeas and poppadoms.
- Take this.
- Is it very strong?
- Try it for yourself.
- I can only drink imported Scotch.
Move!
Bring the light closer.
- Enough... no more.
- Shut up!
- Okay?
- Yes.
What a life!
- Sir!
- Who's that?
Oh, it's you.
I'd like a drop too, sir.
What are you doing here?
Didn't go to the market?
I did. I bought a chicken
and gave it to the watchman.
Where's the change? Eh?
- Out with it!
- Here it is.
Who knows how much he's stealing.
Take this and go. Don't bother us.
What a life.
Indeed!
Hari! Hari!
What?
Look behind you.
- At what?
- Turn and look.
Miss India! Nice, isn't she?
Look away now. Don't stare like that.
The more you rise, the more you fall.
Right!
What is it, Sanju?
Comparing the women
with Sanjeeb Chatterjee's descriptions?
You're an exemplary character.
You drink because your boss drinks.
If you don't, you'll lose your job.
Don't I know you!
If I quit my job,
will you give me another?
- Why should you quit?
- Right. Why should I?
There's the boss's daughter. Compensation.
Boss's daughter!
She's got dozens of boyfriends.
- She didn't even let you hold her hand?
- Oh, shut up.
Why should I quit?
Thousands of reasons to quit the job...
but one can't.
How will my family survive?
Father, mother, my little brother.
Stay away from love affairs.
I'll ask your mother to find you
a good, little innocent girl.
You don't have to.
She's already found you someone?
You'll do exactly that.
You'll have a job, please the boss,
settle down with a wife,
and you will be a 100%
middle-class
conventional good Bengali boy.
Seriously!
Sir!
Sir!
Hari, she's asking for something.
Give me some.
Give her whatever she wants.
Hey, sir!
Hari! Hari!
- Why are you calling me?
- See what she wants.
- Who?
- Sir!
Give me...
Give me...
a small peg.
"A small peg?"
A small peg.
You want to drink some more?
- What's your name?
- Miss India.
Shut up, you bastard.
What's your name?
Tell me your name.
Duli.
Duli?
A small peg.
Can you dance and swing your hips?
Today I danced at the police station.
The chief gave me 500 rupees.
500 rupees?
That man gave me 500 rupees.
I'll give you 25. Will you dance?
Swine!
Bastard! You picked my pocket?
Hari!
What are you doing? Fighting like kids!
What are you doing?
So much shouting!
Take this and drink as much you want.
Leave now, you pickpocket!
The best in the world... Our Hindustan
Hari!
Control yourself.
There are bears around here.
- Hey Devdas!
- Who's Devdas?
Haven't you read "Devdas" by Saratchandra?
No.
I ruined my education for damn cricket.
Never mind. I'll teach you.
C-A-T: cat. M-A-D: mad.
Tea, sir.
- Who is it?
- I brought your tea.
Keep it in the dining room.
Sanjoy, wake up!
I saw a fantastic thing just now.
One in a sari, the other in slacks.
- Where?
- I just saw them out of the window.
Everything is amazing
and dramatic with you...
Is the tea served?
Hey! What's this?
What's this? Why only tea?
Watchman?
- Watchman!
- Sir!
Can't you get us any eggs?
My wife is very ill.
I had to take her to the clinic, sir.
I had no time to buy eggs.
- What a bore!
- Ask him to get eggs.
- He'll starve us to death.
- Can't do without eggs.
- That boy is here.
- Who, Lakha?
He can go and get some.
What a tragedy it will be
if we don't get any eggs.
What's going on?
Why are you breaking the rules?
He spotted two women today.
Not tribal women.
- Shall I get you some eggs?
- You'll get them?
- Yes.
- Where?
- Just over there.
- They sell boiled eggs too?
Here. Four times two, eight eggs.
Can I order another round of tea?
Yes, please order some tea.
Make it good, with buffalo milk.
Oh dear. Buffalo milk!
Hey!
Don't look at them like that.
You'll offend them.
- Why are they all sitting here?
- They're on sale.
As slaves.
Are you interested?
If you're so keen why don't you
go over? Get a good rate.
- Should I go?
- Go on.
Hari!
Hey! Why are you all sitting here?
We'll sit here if we want to.
It's none of your business.
- What happened, Shekhar Chandra?
- She hissed at me.
That's enough. Sit down.
What happened to our tea?
I think they work as daily laborers.
They have no work at present.
And yet they're giggling.
Peculiar, isn't it?
Sir!
Will you give us some work?
Come over to the bungalow.
What do you mean?
I just came up with something.
Sir, eggs.
Did you find them? Give the change back.
- Hey Lakha!
- Sir?
Do any middle-class women live here?
- They don't live here. They visit.
- Know where they live?
Yes, sir. See that church. It's that way.
Ah, the sun's in my eyes.
Sister-in-law, look behind you,
to your left.
Hang about or leave?
What's your plan?
- Let's introduce ourselves.
- Are you serious?
Why? This isn't Kolkata.
What's the need for formality?
Let's see what happens.
Who's leaving you alone here, buddy?
I'm out of this.
Hey Hari!
Let him be.
Should we stop our game, Sister-in-law?
Do we have a choice?
- What?
- What is it?
- We're waiting.
- Show us your technique.
Who are you?
- Who are you?
- Who are you?
- We're humans.
- Thanks for clarifying.
- We've come from Kolkata.
- Oh, I see. Tourists?
- Well, sort of.
- Is this your house?
I saw you from a distance
and was wondering
who was hanging about my front gate.
We were admiring your cottage.
Fantastic.
But why stand outside?
Please come in, unless
you have other engagements.
- Oh no, we're not busy.
- Then please do come in.
No need to be so formal with us.
Is that your grandson?
Yes, his formal name is Aninda Mukul.
Tell them
your not-so-nice pet name, darling!
It's not a bad name. It's a nice name.
His pet name is Tublu Babu.
Where shall we go tomorrow, darling?
- The circus!
- The circus?
Yes. Once a lot of animals
used to come here.
He's heard all about it.
The animals don't come anymore.
But there's a circus in Daltonganj,
so we're planning to go and see it.
Let me introduce you.
This is my daughter-in-law,
and this is my daughter.
And I'm Sadashiv Tripathi.
My name is Shekhar Sen.
- Ashim Chatterjee.
- Sanjoy Banerjee.
Splendid!
Wasn't there someone else with you?
- Is that so?
- He's our friend.
- He's gone to see the church.
- Sanjoy, go and get him.
Please come this way. Come, darling.
Please sit down wherever you wish.
Make yourselves comfortable.
- Why don't you sit here?
- No, thanks. I'm fine.
- Where are you staying?
- At the forest bungalow.
Oh my! I'm under attack!
Yes, that's the only place around here.
We went for a stroll that way
only just this morning.
Really?
This place is so unusual.
Feels like England.
- Have you ever been to England?
- I've seen it in films.
I've seen it in films too.
Here they are! Harinath Dutt.
A brilliant sportsman.
Oh wow!
One can see. He looks the part.
Did you visit the church?
The church. Didn't you go
to see the church? How was it?
Oh yes. It was nice.
He's a bit down as he can't get
the latest test match score.
Rini, weren't you listening
to the radio yesterday?
206 for 3.
Are West Indies batting?
Yes.
You memorized this too?
I've never figured out
your calling in life.
Neither could I, Father.
So just relax.
- Shall we play badminton?
- Mixed doubles?
- Not a bad idea.
- Mixed doubles? There's four of you.
I've been out of practice
for over ten years.
I'll join in if you're all playing.
But which of you is the strongest?
I'm the weakest.
Okay. You and me and Shekhar and Hari.
What's that? Looks quite interesting.
Oh, that's a small shed
with a tiny attached balcony.
At one time I used to sit there
and watch animals come and go.
They don't come anymore,
so my daughter has taken over the place.
- Do you stay there?
- Not at night.
She meditates there.
So my father thinks.
What else can I think? You're always
so silent when you come here.
- Can I see the place?
- Ask my daughter.
Hope you're not doing
anything illegal there.
Come and see for yourself. Let's go.
Your staying here is so unusual.
I still can't believe it.
- Have you been here before?
- No.
We were headed for Palamu,
but we ended up here by accident.
You could say it was a happy accident.
How did you get the bungalow?
The bungalow?
- Was it reserved?
- Obviously not.
Was there no other way?
You don't seem that naive.
- Come on in.
- After you.
I stayed at the bungalow once.
We were a large group.
We split ourselves between two places.
- You stayed there?
- Yes.
And the watchman seemed
to be quite honest.
There's just about enough space
for one person in here.
You know, I really can't figure you out.
Is that necessary?
Not immediately.
How nice.
You could call it an observation balcony.
At least my father does.
Did animals use to come here?
I've seen herds of deer.
Of course, that was long ago.
Now, why can't we call it
Juliet's balcony?
Imagine someone standing there and saying,
"It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."
- Are you going to say it?
- Would it be too absurd?
There's no shortage of jackals here
at night.
If you discourage me like this,
then I can't say it.
Are you done looking at my room?
I feel like touching you
to see if you're real.
Have a toffee instead.
- Do you stay here by yourself all day?
- My sister-in-law comes sometimes.
To disturb your meditation?
Do you come here every year?
At least once a year.
The place suits my father very well.
And you?
I like it too.
Your mother?
She's no longer with us.
Neither is my brother.
- You mean this sister-in-law's...
- I only have one brother.
- Did you see Rini's room?
- Yes.
- Your name is Rini?
- Yes, a silly name.
- And the not-so-silly one?
- Aparna.
- Did you have a look?
- Wonderful!
If you ever sell, I'll buy it.
- But right now, I envy your daughter.
- Really?
- Sir?
- What is it?
Please come over to the bungalow.
Why, what is it?
The ranger is here. He wants to meet you.
You go on. We'll follow.
You're not leaving?
We're here for a few days.
We can come back.
Yes, do.
Please ask them over for a meal.
Yes, please come. We're free every day.
We won't be here tonight.
Oh, I forgot!
Tonight we're going to Ranchi.
Rini's cousin lives there.
Are you returning today?
We're leaving this afternoon
and coming back tonight.
Why don't you come
tomorrow morning? 8:30 a.m.?
We'll have breakfast then play badminton.
Will there be eggs?
Yes, of course!
- You're...
- Yes, we're staying here.
- Four of you?
- Yes, the four of us.
- You're the ranger?
- Yes.
- This is a fabulous bungalow.
- Splendid.
Fantastic. We're thinking
of giving it wide publicity in Kolkata.
You can, but you broke the rules,
taking it in this way. It's unacceptable.
We can understand.
To stay here without authorization
from the DFO is against the...
Principle. We saw this written here.
Even if the bungalow is empty...
it'll make no... no...
- Difference.
- No... no.
You see, sir, since we came this far
and liked the place...
We're going to stay for a bit.
For how long?
Around four to five days.
We've got to be back before Saturday
for the race.
And apart from the forest,
we have other attractions.
- Additional?
- Absolutely!
Bonus.
Tell us, is it likely anyone else
might be coming at this time?
The big boss will be coming.
The conservator himself.
Really? In the next few days?
And the watchman
will definitely be sacked.
- What?
- Oh yes! Yes!
Suppose we explain to him.
Won't he understand?
You can try, but...
- Depends what mood he's in?
- Yes.
It's fine for you to stay here.
But if the boss wants to stay here,
then you'll have to leave.
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS
One Gold Flake cigarette wasted.
How he ruined this delightful morning.
Forget it.
The bungalow is not
the conservator's personal property.
You said it.
Hari! Hari!
Relapse!
That sister-in-law is a widow.
Could you tell?
Really?
Nowadays you can't tell from appearances.
Nice family.
- Ashim!
- Yes?
Ten years out of practice?
Nice one! Made a good case.
Did you hit the jackpot?
I need to have an oil bath.
My skin is dry and my lips are chapped.
What are you doing? That's for hair.
Oh dear!
From now on we must take you seriously.
You might as well, you'll stand to gain.
Sir!
Are you going to give us any work?
They're here.
What work can you do?
We can do anything.
Sweep floors, wash clothes,
draw water from the well.
You'll have to employ all of us.
We'll charge two rupees a day.
Two rupees? Just wait.
- I'm taking six rupees.
- What for?
It's from the common fund.
- What's it all about?
- Tribal welfare.
Did you see that?
That's why we brought him along.
Wait.
Just pull this. With force.
Done.
- You made an advance payment?
- Yes, from the mutual benefit fund.
Enjoying the breeze?
They'll also clean the rooms.
I'm taking one filter tip.
Filter tip.
Didn't you have a fancy transistor?
- Yes, a Japanese one.
- Looked like a bottle.
I wonder what's the latest news
in Kolkata.
I meant to bring it,
but I forgot in the rush.
Apparently, in optical goods
Japan has overtaken Germany.
What about electronics?
Incredible!
They've created a TV in a wristwatch.
When people are really gifted,
atomic bombs can't do much.
Would anyone have thought
they'd rise up after Hiroshima?
It's an eastern nation.
The land of the rising sun.
Yes, the Japanese are outstanding.
Get out...
Go away... Be gone with you...
Hey watchman, what are you doing?
I hired them.
- They're bad women, sir.
- Seriously!
But I'll lose my job.
- I will lose...
- Oh, shut up!
What can I do, sir? It's my job.
But I already paid them.
You paid them, but they're bad women.
I'll lose my job, sir!
- Lakha! Lakha!
- Sir.
Did you go in my room a little while ago?
No, sir. I was washing the car.
Washing the car? So where's my wallet?
How should I know?
You don't know? I'll slap you, idiot!
- Didn't you go in my room?
- Have you looked carefully?
Of course I did.
I never left the car.
I'm going to search you.
Don't touch me, sir.
What are you doing? Have you gone mad?
Bastard!
I'm not working here any longer.
Sir, please pay me what I'm owed.
- He steals and he wants to be paid?
- Hari, go inside.
Nonsense! Bastard!
I won't work here.
Please pay me what I'm owed.
- Lakha!
- No, sir. I won't work here.
Take this and get lost!
Hari needs a nerve tonic.
He has such a short fuse.
He's upset he lost his monthly pass.
The wallet didn't have much money in it.
You always provoke him. Just deal with it,
or it'll be a waste of a trip.
Ashim! You here?
I couldn't resist.
- The water is perfect.
- Ice cold.
We drink the same water, right?
The well is deep!
There are insects here.
Didn't you put any oil on?
No. I'm not into such native practices.
What's up with Hari?
That idiot is in love with Duli.
- Really?
- Nothing surprising.
You made his lover work as a maid.
Won't he be furious?
- What soap is this?
- Imported stuff.
Smells good.
When I build my house,
I'll make a well like this one.
We'll go and take our baths there.
What's that? Return of the ranger?
Did any of you lose a wallet?
Yes.
- Are you having a bath?
- Yes.
- Go.
- You go.
It was lying on our badminton court.
So I came to return it.
- So kind of you!
- And this.
You'll get the test match news.
It's our radio.
That's most kind of you. I'll return it.
- Don't forget tomorrow's breakfast.
- 8:30 sharp.
Shall we go, driver?
Have a nice trip!
Yay, they didn't see me!
Damn it!
Did you hear how good my English was?
Get lost.
Why the look? So what if they saw us?
I looked the part.
I imagined this was the French Riviera,
and I was in my swimming trunks.
Oh shut up! What do you know, you shortie?
You've got no stake in this.
You've got such a petty Bengali
bourgeois attitude. Look respectable!
Give me my soap back.
- Mum, Dad got a cut on his hand.
- How horrible!
What dreadful luck I have.
You'll come out with flying colors.
Don't drag me into this, brother!
It's your game. You play along.
Am I not the conventional one?
Added salt to your wounds, eh? Offended?
Fine! Your field is clear.
Do what you want.
Ashim, Ashim!
Stop calling my name. What is it?
Breakfast... tomorrow morning!
Let's head back.
- You didn't drink tonight either.
- I did. In moderation.
I'm keeping steady to take you home.
Moderation? Drink! Drink!
Breakfast!
Idiots who can't watch their wallet.
- Who, me?
- No, not you.
What's up with him tonight?
No Miss India today.
Don't bother him.
Bastard!
You rogue!
You bastard.
They returned the wallet,
and you didn't even thank them, bastard!
- He did.
- Who did?
- You did.
- So what if I thanked them?
Was it my wallet? I haven't got
a monthly pass in my wallet.
You've got a car.
Listen, you'll go there tomorrow morning.
Tell them it was your wallet.
Thank you very much.
What will you say?
What will you say?
Why are you laughing, Hari?
Has he gone crazy?
Why are you laughing? Hari?
What happened?
I saw from my window,
two guys with soap on them...
- You saw it?
- Yes... I swear!
And this guy says,
"Very kind of you. Have a nice day."
This bastard said...
Hari, come on.
Do the twist, buddy...
You can dance. You danced with Atashi.
Who's Atashi?
You don't remember Atashi?
She's the girl who dumped you.
Hari, we have a breakfast invitation
tomorrow. Let's go home.
I'll dance, I'll dance.
Dance! Dance!
Don't forget tomorrow's breakfast.
- Hey you, dance!
- Come on, dance. Dance!
A car!
Stop! Stop!
- A car.
- Move, there's a car coming!
A car, a car.
Watch the Santhal twist.
Just a minute. Give us a moment.
Do you know who we are? We're VIPs.
Very, Very Important People.
Very Important Persons.
- Driver, switch off the headlights.
- No, let it be.
What's all this noise?
Move aside.
Hari! Hari!
Sanjoy!
Sanjoy, look. It's 9:30 a.m.
- What?
- It's 9:30!
Thanks to your boozing...
our dignity is shattered.
Damn! Too late to go now.
At least let's go and apologize.
Look. A letter.
"I know you'll be embarrassed
by the tiffin box,
but it's not your fault.
You're here to relax.
It was our fault to invite you so early.
I'm sending omelets
and other breakfast food.
Hope this will fill you up.
We'll come your way this afternoon
and collect the box.
Regards, Jaya Tripathi."
Sister-in-law.
Is that Granddad's voice?
Sounds like it.
I hear His calling
The one for whose glimpse each dawn
Flower buds unravel their petals
The one whom the songbird seeks
Eternally in the woods in its song
I hear His calling
My heart wants not the absence of Him
The one whose praise
The brook chants in cascades
Whom the mountains
Woods and flowers worship
The one in whose love the moon
And stars lay sleepless all night
The one in whose love the moon
And stars lay sleepless all night
The one whose love flows
In a thousand streams
I hear His calling my heart wants not
The absence of Him
I hear His calling
Father, a lot of people
heard you singing today.
Really!
This wasn't what we decided!
You were to have eggs with us.
Instead, here you are, listening
to an old man chant the Lord's name.
You sing so well!
Me and my singing...
I get breathless, forget the lyrics...
How long can I keep singing,
depending on my daughter's memory?
Had we come earlier,
we'd have missed your song.
I really don't know how to apolo...
No apologies!
We're really very sorry.
Who are you apologizing to?
Ask them how punctual they are?
Last night they were to return
from Ranchi by 8:00 p.m.
Ask them when they finally arrived.
It's not our fault
they wouldn't let us leave.
I was worried sick,
sitting here by myself.
You were playing Patience.
A long drive through the forest
late at night, anybody would worry!
We'll go to the circus tomorrow.
Darling, tell them what you saw
last night in the headlight?
A rabbit and two wild cats.
Good! Small creatures.
Not much chance of wild animals here.
Just local drunks who turn up
sometimes right in front of the car.
- That's a problem.
- Thank you.
- It's scary... They're tribal folk.
- Drunk on the local Mahua liquor.
So you're all going to the circus today?
- Not all.
- Only me and my grandson.
We wanted to come to your place
for a chat after lunch.
I'll come for a chat too.
- You're off to the circus, sweetheart.
- I'm going to the circus.
That wallet... it was...
That was his wallet, the one you returned.
I thought so...
He was the most energetic player.
When you came in the morning,
he was asleep.
- Did you count the money?
- Yes.
Really!
What do you mean, "yes"!
He sleeps so much.
Pick up the vase from there
and put it here.
And those clothes drying
near the well... those...
- Hey! What are you doing?
- What's he doing?
Why do we see you every day?
The conservator is due.
- When?
- Any moment.
But what was wrong with our clothes?
A bit of cleaning up.
Sir, those are clean.
Much cleaner than your trousers.
Come here and see.
Wow. Decent.
No one can take your job.
Everything's in the lap of the gods.
No, that's not so.
Listen, let's make our arrangements
under the trees.
Hmm...
Let's go.
Here.
Watchman!
Let me do the talking.
Good morning, sir.
They've occupied the place, sir.
We've been here for the last two days.
We fell in love with the place.
We've never been to these parts before.
And we couldn't decide where to stay.
Of course, we don't have a reservation.
Didn't you see the notice outside?
We did, but I'm sure
you make exceptions in some cases.
Can you tell me why your case
should be an exception?
Just give me one good reason.
Do you know AC Chatterjee?
Abani Chatterjee, Barrister, Marlene Park.
Didn't you inform them?
Yes, sir. I did intimate that.
Do you mean to say
that this is totally unprecedented?
No one has ever stayed here
without a reservation?
- Is that your car parked outside?
- Yes, it's mine.
Fine. Ten miles from here
there's a very good bungalow.
I'll arrange it for you.
Please pack up and leave
within a couple of hours.
We want to stay right here.
Why behave like a child?
You're being rather silly.
You look like a decent... Oh hello!
- Good morning!
- Good morning!
You didn't come
the other day in the end...
I got caught up with some work.
We waited a long time.
- How's your father?
- Fine.
You've met our friends?
I didn't realize
they were friends of yours.
Yes, they're old friends.
They came from Kolkata
and will return in a day or two.
Hello! Why are you so late?
Don't ask! Are you ready?
Yes, have been for a while.
Will you join us?
- A picnic?
- Sort of.
I'll leave now. Have a good time.
Please drop by some time.
Hats off to you, Rini!
Thank God, you arrived at the right time.
Was he causing any problems?
He gave us two hours to pack up
and move to another bungalow.
The gentleman isn't too bad, you know.
But he looked like
a deflated balloon after seeing us.
As if his work can't wait
for a couple of days.
Come! Everything's ready
for our gathering.
- I've got some food.
- Food! Again?
Not much. They were making this at home.
- I asked them to make some extra.
- Something with eggs?
- What are you watching?
- Nothing. I just...
Cutlets!
Hari, come and have some cutlets.
- Won't you have any?
- You go. I'll join you.
Watchman, six glasses of water.
I'm sure you haven't had lunch.
- We had breakfast at 10:00.
- We had some food at the bazaar.
- What! You eat food from the bazaar?
- Today was the first time.
The watchman's wife is actually
very ill, so we can't rely on him.
But that doesn't mean we're starving.
Thanks to you!
- Did you get your cricket news?
- Yes.
- Then why so glum?
- I don't know...
- Mr. Sanjoy?
- That's Ashim.
- I'm Sanjoy.
- I'm Shekhar and this is Hari.
- Oh, I see.
- Please sit.
- Please take some.
- Thank you.
Is there a fair nearby?
Can you believe it?
I almost forgot! Will you come?
It's not far. It's by the river.
Only five minutes' walk away.
- Are you going?
- I'm dying to go.
Rini also wants to buy some glass bangles.
- Not a bad idea. Let's go!
- In the evening?
Yes, after sunset.
Settled. Is there gambling?
Each to his own.
They didn't let me bring cards.
It could have been so much fun.
Hey, Rini.
What was that game we used to play?
- With cards?
- No, not with cards.
It was to do
with the names of famous people.
- Memory Game?
- Oh yes! You know it?
How do you play?
Come on, Rini. Join us.
Is everyone playing?
Let's play. It'll pass the time.
It's such a great game. We played it
once sitting exactly at this spot.
- Rini will teach you how to play.
- Mr. Ashim also knows the game.
Yes, Mr. Ashim. You teach us.
If she teaches,
they'll pay more attention.
Correct. Please sit here.
Tell us how to play.
- Sorry.
- No... it's fine. Please wear it.
Okay, so it's a very easy game.
We sit in a circle...
Let's suppose I start.
I'll name a famous person.
- Any famous person?
- Yes.
Poet, philosopher, jockey...
Yes, but everyone must know the name.
After me, it's your turn.
You repeat the name I mention
and then add another name to it.
Then it's Mr. Hari's turn.
He'll repeat my choice, then yours,
and then adds his choice of name.
I see. Gandhi...
Gandhi-Nehru... Gandhi-Nehru-Azad.
Exactly. That's how the game goes.
Whoever forgets or misses a name
will be out of the game.
Whoever is still in at the end
wins the game, right?
- Let's start.
- This game is harder than it sounds.
- Yes, it gets confusing.
- Let's play.
- Start.
- Hari, got it?
Should I start?
Rabindranath.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra.
Wait, I'm thinking...
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra...
Atulya Ghosh.
- Hari, go ahead.
- Yes.
Rabindranath,
Karl Marx,
Cleopatra,
Atulya Ghosh.
- And your choice of name?
- Oh yes.
Helen.
Helen... Helen of Troy or Bombay?
Bombay?
Okay. Helen of Troy. Very good.
Ashim, your go.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy... Shakespeare.
Oh dear. I'm too nervous.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra,
- Prafulla... Ghosh.
- Out! Out!
Oh no! How could I get it wrong?
It's Atulya.
Stop. Don't shout.
You'll make me forget the names.
Oh, shit!
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra,
Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy,
Shakespeare...
Out...
Mao Zedong.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy, Shakespeare,
Mao Zedong... Don Bradman.
Wait...
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra,
Atulya Ghosh, Helen of Troy,
- Mao Zedong...
- Out!
Out, out!
- Did Ashim say Mao Zedong?
- What did he say?
Shakespeare!
I'm out.
So what? Stay.
- Where are you going? Sit.
- Do I have to?
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy, Shakespeare... Out,
Mao Zedong, Don Bradman...
Out... Out.
Rani Rashmoni.
- Fight it out, Sanjoy!
- Wait, wait.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy, Shakespeare...
Out, Mao Zedong...
Mao Zedong...
What did you say?
You can't remember!
- Is there a time limit?
- Yes, ten seconds.
I'll time him.
One, two, three, four, five
six, seven, eight, nine...
Out.
Bradman! Aw, so sad!
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy, Shakespeare,
Mao Zedong, Don Bradman,
Rani Rashmoni...
- Kennedy.
- Which Kennedy?
Bobby.
Hmm... Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh...
Want a pillow?
- Do you have one?
- Yes!
Let him finish first.
Rani Rashmoni...
Bobby Kennedy...
Tek Chand Thakur.
- May I?
- Yes, of course!
Rabindranath, Karl Marx, Cleopatra...
Rani Rashmoni, Bobby Kennedy,
Tek Chand Thakur, Napoleon.
Thank you.
Rabindranath, Karl Marx,
Cleopatra, Atulya Ghosh,
Helen of Troy...
Do you like tribal jewelry?
- Huh?
- Do you like tribal jewelry?
It does look beautiful on them!
- Don Bradman...
- I need to buy a gift for...
Rani Rashmoni, Bobby Kennedy,
Bobby Kennedy...
I never found you
Though I've been searching for you...
Shut up!
Sorry.
Tek Chand Thakur, Napoleon,
Mumtaz Mahal...
Go on, Miss Rini.
- I might not be able to.
- What do you mean?
You can't remember?
I'm in Mr. Hari's shoes.
You don't remember the first names?
Want some cold water from the well?
No. I'm out. Mr. Ashim wins!
Looks so nice!
Hope they'll last till Kolkata.
How much?
- What are you doing?
- Money?
Can't I even pay for your bangles?
Put your purse away.
How uncivilized do you think we are?
But if you go on like this,
we can't shop anymore.
Shop to your heart's content.
This isn't New Market.
See this wallet? It's stuffed.
- Ashim, lend me ten rupees.
- Why?
Please. I'll return with interest.
Guaranteed.
- I've left my wallet behind.
- Where? In Kolkata?
- I...
- Let me...
- Please don't! He'll gamble.
- I know that.
He'll give it. He never refuses.
He's very generous.
So kind of you.
- Where's Hari?
- No idea. Go and look for him.
- Your wallet is empty now!
- I can still treat you to some snacks.
- What if I treat you?
- Out of the question. Let's go.
Will you both still be here?
Hey, my money?
But I've got money.
- We'll return before you finish shopping.
- So you had to take it.
- We'll leave if you're late.
- Okay.
Your house is just ten minutes from here.
You don't know. My son...
Feels lovely here.
I don't know
how it would have felt without you.
Maybe I wouldn't have come.
Where's your other friend?
He didn't like your company.
A girl like you dumped him.
Do you understand that word?
Yes, I do.
Hey! Come here...
You go on. I'll go and get some snacks.
- I'm going to hit you.
- What for?
- You didn't come last night.
- Where?
Where? Where you were drinking
the other day.
- But we had a dance performance.
- So why did you come
to clean our bungalow?
- The gentleman gave me money.
- Must you work if someone pays you?
- Of course!
- No.
I'll give you money,
and without need for a reason.
Aha! Getting greedy?
You won! What luck!
- Are you leaving?
- Yes.
Great strength of mind!
I'm escaping.
If I play any more, I'll lose.
Please have some.
- Did you offer Sister-in-law?
- She won't have any.
- And your friend?
- He won't either.
If you look at me like that,
I'll have to confess the truth.
You didn't even go.
You're always with her.
Give me some time today.
Am I running away?
- I wanted to have a word with you.
- Go on then.
Not here. Let's get out of here.
I'll need to go back to the bungalow.
I forgot my glasses.
Let's go.
- What did you want to say?
- You lost deliberately, didn't you?
I still remember the names.
Do you?
It's a special talent I possess.
I still remember things
from when I was two years old.
Then why did you lose?
Can't you guess?
Would you have liked it if I'd won?
That's the problem.
That bath by the well.
The conservator's threats.
My dignity took a tumble.
Oh, there's more...
That Santhal twist!
That was your car?
What were you drinking?
And you were watching?
We were savoring it!
How embarrassing.
It's nothing but a divine curse.
Believe me, whatever I do,
I never make a fool of myself.
I'll still say you're naive.
You too say I'm nave!
The way you took the bungalow.
Wasn't that childish?
Do you think we couldn't have
reserved the bungalow beforehand?
Then why didn't you?
I give up on you.
You enjoy breaking rules?
Not always. Occasionally.
You're not tied down
by office regulations.
How would you understand
the pressure of regulations?
If it weren't for your presence,
we'd planned to not even shave.
But you'll have to follow rules
upon your return.
Yes, of course.
Otherwise, how will I earn a living?
You'll definitely earn a living.
You didn't take bribes.
You did the bribing.
I'm worried about the watchman.
So finally, I have to hear
about the watchman from you!
Let the ranger, the conservator,
or even the watchman himself
talk about it a million times.
But you? It doesn't suit you.
What are you smiling at?
I was thinking, by the time
you have breakfast tomorrow morning,
we'll have reached Ranchi.
What do you mean?
Yesterday in Ranchi, we suddenly heard
about a friend's wedding in Kolkata.
We're leaving tomorrow.
Don't you have a husband?
He died.
Died?
Maybe he's already
been reborn as a little boy.
He went to the jungle to fell wood
when a snake came along.
Did it bite him?
It was probably a cobra.
It bit him... and he died.
- It happened three years ago.
- Will you come to Kolkata?
There are lots of jobs in Kolkata.
If you come to Kolkata,
you can watch me play.
Cricket!
Have you seen my wrist?
I can hit the ball over the boundary.
Phulmoni has been to Kolkata
and bought blouses, hair nets...
What do you put in your hair?
Tell me, what can I get you? Tell me.
- How do I know?
- False hair.
Another layer of hair
on top of your own hair.
Place your bets! Place your bets!
One becomes two, two becomes four!
Since there's so little time,
let me be frank.
I like you a lot.
At first, I thought you were like
the city girls I meet at parties.
But now I know better.
Want to know what I thought
when I first saw you?
It would be nice to crush
this gentleman's confidence a little.
I no longer have that confidence.
It got crushed by itself.
But I'm confused about one thing.
I can't work you out. I don't know why.
Maybe I can help you.
Please do.
Three years ago,
my brother committed suicide.
He was very dear to me.
And then... when I was 12,
my mother died in a fire.
I was completely alone at home.
I remember
as a first year university student,
I came here once.
We were out...
and saw a forest fire in the distance,
over on the mountains.
I fainted, looking at that fire.
I don't think you've ever faced
a major tragedy in life,
have you?
Bye for now. Are you coming tomorrow?
- Where?
- Where else? At the fair.
If you don't come, I'll beat you.
If you come, I'll give you
more money. Please come.
What is it?
Oh, my wallet fell out.
Ashim?
Ashim?
Sanjoy?
Sanjoy?
No car and no lights on.
Good! If my son got home before me,
he'd have whined.
You could have stayed a bit longer.
Since you're here, please come in.
- Should I?
- I can make you coffee.
- Coffee!
- Just Nescaf.
You've hit my soft spot. Let's go.
Such complete silence...
It's awful.
Do you like it?
It's a new kind of ambience,
I have to admit.
Not sure.
You don't like it?
Why should anyone choose
to live in a place like this?
To be honest, I find it quite suffocating.
Thanks to all of you, we had some fun.
- Paramesh!
- Yes, Madam!
Please boil some water
so we can have some coffee.
Please come in.
Please come in.
Are you scared?
Yes, until you switch on the light.
- And now?
- All mystery has vanished.
Please sit.
Look at this. I'll be back.
Your cottage is lovely!
- You're not going to run away?
- And leave the coffee?
- Here.
- Thank you.
That day I was full of envy
when I saw you all bathing.
In our area, there's a water shortage.
What happened to the watchman's wife?
I don't quite know.
Did you know she was so ill?
We kind of guessed...
so we didn't dare come this way.
Your father knows
the conservator well, doesn't he?
Oh, look!
I never found you
I've been searching for you all my life
Shekhar!
Hari! What happened to you?
- What happened to you?
- Mugged.
Don't worry.
He hit me on the head. My wallet's gone.
We'll find Sanjoy's first-aid box.
You'll be okay. Come along.
Where are you?
Were you expecting cold coffee?
Mrs. Tripathi?
How do I look?
You said tribal jewelry
only looks good on them.
No. I meant...
Stop staring at me.
Tell me, how do I look?
- Good.
- Good?
Are you looking at a ghost?
I am a ghost.
When the husband dies,
it's not just the man that dies.
Did you know my husband committed suicide?
No! Why?
How should I know?
It wasn't here. It happened abroad.
Maybe there was someone else.
Are you nervous?
No.
I'm nervous!
Just look!
That's not our car.
So, did you like your coffee?
Rini.
Tell me one thing.
- What is it?
- Don't you have a friend?
- Of course I do.
- Please don't joke.
Isn't there anyone you love?
Not yet.
Where can I see you in Kolkata?
I don't go to parties. I don't like them.
That's fine.
But where can I see you again?
Please let go of my hand.
Can you switch the lighter on?
I couldn't find any other paper.
- Mr. Sanjoy?
- Oh, it's you two?
- What were you thinking?
- Nothing really.
- Has my sister-in-law returned?
- Yes. We had coffee.
- Did you just get back?
- I left my glasses in the bungalow.
- We're leaving tomorrow.
- I see.
Please give my regards
to your other friends.
Of course. These days
were well spent, thanks to you.
See you.
I'll tell my father.
I think that matter will be settled.
Oh thanks.
Father? What's that about?
- About the watchman.
- Oh, I see.
The conservator is quite close
to her father.
Good. I was very worried about that.
- Watchman?
- Sir!
Once you return to Kolkata,
your wounds will be healed.
Don't say that word!
- Hey Hari, how are you?
- Fine.
If anyone asks, tell them
you were attacked by a wild buffalo.
Please take this.
And you won't lose your job.
We've spoken to the conservator.
Mr. Tripathi's driver left a box for you.
I'll go and get it.
Shekhar?
I completely forgot! Thank you.
Hey Shekhar.
Where's my money? With interest.
Believe me, I lost it all.
It's never happened before.
Get into the car.
Mr. Tripathi's driver left this box.
Let's see. Is it cake?
It's eggs, buddies!
THE END