Ghost School (2025) Movie Script
1
Mum
Hey mum?
Why is he beating the donkey?
The donkey didn't do his homework
so he's being punished
But donkeys don't go to school
They go to donkey school
and if they don't behave,
they get whipped
Oh Jinn!
You're a Jinn
Ghost!
Rabia, don't scare them.
Now, get ready!
My uniform got too small
There's still room
This too
We can't afford a new one
Just take out the stitches
at the bottom
that'll make it longer
Mum, can you iron out this fold?
Never mind, you'll be late
The baby is not well
Can you check which one's for the flu?
This one
Bye!
Bye
Don't be sad
Glad the holidays are over
We'll study together and play too
It'll be fun!
Look here
What happened?
How can the school be closed?
Open the gate now!
First, there was a principal
and three teachers
then it was two teachers and
a missing principal
then only one remained,
and now he's gone too
Our children will be ruined.
Where is he?
Sorry, sir, I don't know.
Hey, wait. Stop!
I just found out this morning.
What's wrong with him?
This is ridiculous!
I've heard he is... possessed
Possessed?
By what?
I'm not sure really
I can't say
How long is it closed for?
As soon as there's news,
you'll find out
Go now, clear out!
Go to your homes
Did you know about this?
No. Did you?
What happened?
The school is under a spell
But how?
The Jinn got the school teacher
Really?
Yes. I think the Jinn have taken
over the school
Ali, wait!
What will you do now?
Dad is taking me to a better school
Will get admission today
Where?
It's in the next village, Rehri Goth
It's a bigger school...
with a playground that has
swings and slides too
Can I come with you?
It's a school for boys only
Boys go to school on horses
So what?
And the horses fly too
Our school will open again soon
Who knows
We can't wait around
What happened?
Why are you back?
The school is closed
Why?
Not sure, but there are all
types of rumours
What rumours?
That the school is haunted
the teacher is possessed by a Jinn
Really?
Never mind
Don't worry, it will reopen soon
Mama
Ali is going to a better school
Is his father taking him?
Yes, I think so
Can I go there too?
No
It's not safe for girls
to leave the village
Besides, it's a boys' school
Change your uniform
If I wear it long enough,
it might start to fit me
Do you think Jinn can live in the school?
Don't think about these silly things
Why don't you play with the kids?
What is this?
What is it?
The sun
Do you know if the sun goes around
the earth or the moon?
Moon
Let's see
You go around me
I'm the earth and you are the moon
Okay?
Go around
Your uniform will get dirty on the floor
What if there's school tomorrow?
I hope that happens
But they won't let you in
with dirty clothes
Can't dad take me to another school?
Ask him yourself when he's back
I wanna ask him now
Dad is at sea
He might be back by now
Yes, maybe
I'm late for work
Could you take this for dad?
And get some vegetables
on the way back
One kilo onions, tomatoes and aubergines
And some carrots too
If you don't find him, leave it there
What's up?
Come play with us
Still in uniform?
No more school, an extended holiday
School was boring anyway
What will you do now?
We'll play all day. What else?
We'll help mum get ready for
our sister's wedding
Why are you sulking?
I was looking forward to classes
We played in break time anyway
Oh, you're such a bookworm
I hope school doesn't reopen
because of you
Poor girl had to get her hair cut short
Because of the lice
I'd never cut my hair even if
lice eat me alive
Will you come to my wedding?
Is that a yes or no?
Do you still have your old text books?
Or will you save them for these two?
We gave them away
After my wedding, you girls will be next!
Hey, girl, kick it back!
Dad?
Is my dad back?
What?
Have you seen my dad?
No
How long were you at the school?
Just five years, Sir
Any challenges in your
previous job?
Just annoying rowdy kids, that's all
Any other skills?
Sir, I can do any work
But I've been a guard a long time,
I'd prefer a similar role
Okay
We don't have a similar position
at the moment
We'll call you if something
comes up
Wait!
Listen
Any news on the school?
I don't know
My own job's on the line
Who would've thought
he'd be possessed
How did you find out?
What difference does it make?
He can't come to school anyway
Do Jinn exist for real?
Indeed they exist
Jinn are mentioned in the Quran
In the verse called Surah Al-Jinn
"And there were men who sought
protection from the Jinn,
but it only increased their arrogance
Don't be afraid, child
Not all Jinn are bad
There are bad Jinn for naughty kids,
and good Jinn for good kids
And you're a good girl, right?
Look over there
The teacher lives that way
Now...
What will you do now?
I'm uneducated
There's little work in this village
I'll try the brick factory,
what else could I do?
Or work as a shepherd at best
I heard there's a
school in the next village
Do you know about it?
No
Why don't you look for a job there?
You're a clever girl
Thank you very much
but I don't wanna go
too far from home
When you're feeling sad...
think of the hymn you sang
at school every morning
My wish turns into a prayer
upon my lips
May my life shine like a candle,
May my torch light up
the darkness all around,
And every corner shine
bright with my light
Hey, are you Abhya's girl?
Yes - She's still cleaning
that officer's house?
Yes
Do you know where the
school teacher lives?
I don't know
Heard he is sick though
Done with school?
The school is haunted
Oh, sometimes our village seems cursed
Steer clear of the school
Try to avoid falling under the spell
of black magic
That's why you need a charm
It keeps away the Jinn
and evil eye
The shaman blessed it himself
He is more spiritual, that's why
it really works
How do you know it works?
There are no Jinn in our house
How much for the tomatoes?
140 rupees a kilo
And the onions?
150 rupees a kilo
How much do you want?
Do you know where I can buy a charm?
Try the shaman in the bazaar
under the tree near your uncle's shop
You can ask him
Is it to fight off the Jinn taking
over the village?
There are rumours all around
that the teacher is ill
But I heard he's possessed by Jinn
All this mumbo jumbo...
is just nonsense
Her teacher is still being paid
but not teaching anymore
Really?
They are making poor folks into fools
How are people made into fools?
When we believe the lies of politicians
It's not our fault
they are spin-doctors
And we follow them
We vote for them
We bring them into power,
put our faith in them
Hoping that they won't
deny us our rights
But these people took away
our right to knowledge
and slowly, they made us blind
We could have seen...
But we're kept in the dark
on purpose
How much vegetables?
Never mind
Do you know where the school teacher lives?
Go left of the bazaar to find
an abandoned office
His house is next to it
Who is it?
Does the school teacher live here?
Yes, but he's unwell
What happened to him?
Can't say yet
The whole village thinks...
I know
Is he really...
possessed by a Jinn?
Jinn is inside all of us
Anyway, we're going to the nearby city
to get him treated
Here comes the be-speckled Jinn
Hello, sir, how are you feeling?
I've had fever for four days
And lost my appetite
I was just wondering when the
school will open again?
To tell you the truth, I am
leaving this village
Instead of giving me a raise,
the official is asking for money
to retain my contract
I can only teach again if I bribe them
Bribe?
What's that?
It's money greedy people want
in return for favours
The Jinn rumour is nonsense,
a convenient way to put blinders on us
The principal is responsible for spreading
it around the whole village
Who is the principal?
He's the local feudal lord
Often overseeing the work
on his land near here
He owns acres of land, yet he
still demands bribes
That liar wolf
So the school is not haunted?
I doubt it
Everyone is afraid of it now
Their fear is a symptom
of their ignorance
And these landlords take
advantage of it
If you really want to know, go to the
school and see for yourself
Will you come in with me?
I can't
There's nothing left for me there
I wouldn't go there
We need to go into town,
the hospital is far
Let's go?
There was just one school
and that's now a ghost school too
I bet it's become a barn for their
animals already!
Anyone there?
Yes?
I'm here to see the principal
Who?
The landlord
Okay
Wait there
Who's this?
Hello, sir
Are you the school principal?
Yes, I am
I've heard
And so?
It's because of that
damned teacher
How can these city teachers stay put
in a small village like ours?
He probably slipped away
That city scoundrel
Or has the government vanished
its own servant?
No, sir
He's not missing, I met him
He's going out of town
That ungrateful man
He's actually sick, sir
He's possessed by a Jinn
Is the school really haunted?
Will you get a new teacher?
Listen kid, finding and hiring
teachers is not my job
It's the district
commissioner's responsibility
He decides the salaries
Oh, I thought you did that?
No
If I did that,
who would supervise all
this you see?
Where is the district commissioner?
Whose child are you?
Zameer Das
What does he do?
He's on the boats
He's a fisherman
The girl seems worried
Let it go
Education is important,
especially for our nation
Right?
Everyone says that education
is a primary right
But I believe it's a privilege,
not available to everyone
And not everyone can be educated
Like her parents probably aren't
Am I right?
What do fishermen have
to do with education?
We all have our place
If everyone was educated and
became an administrator,
then who would harvest the land?
Who will catch the fish?
That's why I say...
If everyone went to school,
then we'll have barren land
and empty fisheries
Be careful, there are snakes in the fields
Hello, uncle
Hello
What are you doing here?
Just passing by
On your own?
You look tired
Did you get lost?
No. Mum sent me to buy vegetables
Heard about your haunted school
You must be disappointed
Can't believe anything these days
This gossip has spread from that
feudal lord's farms
These cronies do as they like
All done
If these bloody crooks
weren't in charge,
this village would be a different place
Thought there was going to be a revolution
Who knows when it'll come?
We can only pray for some change
God has never changed
the destiny of a nation
that is not bothered
about its own fate
Can't we change things ourselves?
We can only try
Some things are out
of our control
Like these landlords
How did they become landlords?
You are a funny kid
Well?
To be a landlord, one must own land
And how do they own land?
From inheritance!
Land is bought with money
And you'll ask how they got that...
by working hard
But then everyone who works hard
should own land
No?
Yes, that's right
Shall I drop you home?
No. I want to go to the
district commissioner's office
What for?
He can only tell me
when the school will open
Dear, the DC is a busy man
He doesn't have time for kids
Maybe take your dad with you?
But he never has time
C'mon
I don't want to go home
Your mother will be
worried about you
Boys ride horses to
that other school
If this is true I'll take you to
school on a horse myself
Many kids make up lies
You could also say that you'll grow wings
Let's go
Hey, could you take my niece home?
Sure, to the back of the village?
Yes. She'll tell you the way
Alright? Go home now
Is the horse your pet?
Of course
What's its name?
Burraq
Do horses fly?
Only Burraq does
Sometimes
Come on
Sit down
How far is the DC office?
Not far
Can we go there?
Your uncle said to get you home
Yes, but I am a big girl now
and I need to find out something
Your uncle didn't give
me enough to go there
No worries,
I'll give you some more
Let's go there
So why do you want to go
to the DC office?
I curse the politicians who
got our votes
with the promise of building schools
Isn't that a good thing?
There's a difference between building
schools and actually running them
Once they get into power there
is no accountability
The rich send their
brats to private schools
Why should they care?
The state doesn't give a damn
about public schools
We're uneducated, not stupid
You didn't go to school?
School wasn't for me
Why?
The teacher hardly showed up,
and when he did
we were beaten with a stick
You must've been a naughty kid
I swear we were beaten for nothing
There were no books
Only mats on the floor which
we were forced to clean
Did you complain to your parents?
Parents didn't mind
as long as we went to school
They respected teachers
because they were illiterate too
They thought that the beatings
would straighten us up
Torment in the name of discipline
All we learnt was to avoid
school at all cost
How's your teacher?
My teachers kept disappearing
The recent teacher from the city
was decent
but he got sick
How?
Of bribe
Bribery?
Yeah
Kid
Don't lose heart
Stay right here and wait for me
I'll be back to pick you up
Okay?
Where are its wings?
They are hidden
They only come out when in need
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
Sign here
I don't know how to
Sign with your thumb then
Is this the District
Commissioner's office?
No, it's the Deputy
Commissioner's office
Can I meet him?
Not now, he's busy
I will wait
He's not here at the moment
Is he busy or not here?
Both
When will he be back?
Don't know
Can I go in to ask?
No
Aren't you too young for this?
How old do I have to be
to speak to him?
See all these people?
They are all waiting to see the DC
I've come a long way, so I'll wait
It's unlikely he will return
to the office now
So why this long line?
That's their problem, not mine
Are they waiting for the same?
What else?
Join the queue or come
back tomorrow
It's the same every day
I've been waiting a long time
I've had enough!
It's time for all of you to go home
It's been the same
for many days now
The office hours are over.
Clear out now!
-But my child...
-That's all for today folks
The office opens at 9am tomorrow
We won't go
We'll have to come back tomorrow
Hey girl, why are you here?
My school closed
Why?
People say it's haunted
but I don't believe it
It could be
A hospital was being built
in the next village
Before it could be finished,
the Jinn took over
Really?
Indeed
That abandoned building without windows
The workers started
to get sick one by one
So the work stopped
Did no one try to get rid of the Jinn?
Not sure if they did
But it remains abandoned to this day
A skeleton of cement
in the middle of nowhere
Seems like these Jinn
like schools and hospitals
Who knows
Maybe it's just our rotten luck
That's all for today folks
Are you okay, child?
You seem lost. Do you live nearby?
A bit far, but I know the way home
Hey, aren't you Abhya's daughter?
Your mum works at my house
You came to my place once remember?
Oh, yeah
Girls shouldn't sit on the footpath
Didn't your mum tell you that?
I was just waiting for my ride
Why is it late?
I'll go see over there
Where are you off to?
Your house is on my way
I'll find my way
It's on my way, really
Let's go in the car. It'll be fun!
Don't look so worried.
We won't tell your mum
C'mon let's get you home
Abhya was late today
Does your mum work
somewhere else too?
Do you help your mum
around the house?
Give this to her. Roll the window down
There's the button
Drive please
Your mum tells me that you
love to read and write
Yes
Is that a school or a hospital?
Don't know. Looks abandoned though
They were building a college, Ma'am
but it closed down
Why did it shut down?
It got the evil eye
The builders got sick one by one
Midway through the job,
they all ran off
Such village superstition
It's nothing but corruption
They're called ghost schools in English;
that are operating on paper,
teachers get paid without teaching anything
And this is the reality,
hollow buildings without a soul
There's a school in the next village
I wish I could go there
I'm moving to my other
house in the city
Will you come with me
and go to school there?
I've to ask Mama
We'll ask your Mama of course
You could go to a good school in the city
and visit your family in the holidays
And you can give me
a hand in the house too
Alright?
Do you believe in ghosts?
Stop here, please
Your uniform looks a bit small for you
Take this
Oh, no need
For your new uniform
Take it
Thank you
Hello?
Make yourself visible if you are there?
If you are there...
say something or give me a sign
There are no Jinn in the school
There are no Jinn here
Kids, I'll tell you a story
Once upon a time, there was a
teacher in a small village
and he worked hard to teach
the kids at school
One day he got sick
and people thought he was
possessed by a Jinn
Soon afterwards, everyone in the village
began to believe that the
school was haunted
But actually,
everyone allowed fear to take over
If it was true,
I wouldn't be standing
here telling a story
In fact, we should question
everything around us
so no one can easily make us into fools
End of lesson for today
That's all
You know, the school is not haunted
and the teacher is not possessed
How do you know?
He left town because he wasn't
being paid enough
What's this about?
The principal told me that
the school is haunted
And what if it's not?
Why would he lie?
It's not safe for now, kids
Stay away from the school
Look, we should convince the principal
and district commissioner
to ask the teacher to return so
we can go back to school
Instead of being afraid of it
Who do you think you are?
Don't make up stories
Or we could find a new teacher
and make sure they get a regular salary?
You think money is the
solution to everything?
It might be, but not for Jinn
How will anything change if we
don't do something about it?
Some things are God's will!
Kids, do you know the story of the Mairaj?
When the Holy Prophet ascended the
seven skies on the horse Burraq
he saw Heaven and Hell
in one night
Liars will have their
tongues burnt in Hell
Don't brainwash the
kids with your wild ideas
Go play now
School better stay closed
as long as its haunted
Why are you in denial?
I'm not. All of you are blind!
If you think I'm lying, then
go see for yourself
You all are cowards
If you were brave, you'd get rid
of the Jinn from school
Dad
A kilo of tomatoes
some onions, a few aubergines
and there was something else...
How many onions?
Maybe give me half a kilo?
Are you sure?
Yes
By the way, did you go to school?
Yes, but only till fifth grade
enough to be able to count
So I'm able to work here, at least
Did your school close as well?
I left school myself
What did our parents gain
from school anyway?
What do you mean?
I needed to earn a living
What's school good for?
That'll be 250 rupees
Where were you?
I was worried sick
This is half of what I asked for
Where are the carrots?
Oh, that's what I forgot
You need to start listening better
instead of being in cuckoo land
Where have you been?
Just around the village
Was trying to find out why
my school was closed
Rabia, we don't always get
what we want in life
Stop this nonsense
Change your dirty uniform right now!
What's wrong, my child?
Did Burraq really visit heaven and hell?
If I'm not lying, why am I being punished?
Don't worry, dear
there is more than one
way of learning things
You're already lucky enough
to read and write, my child
You can keep learning on your own, right?
Wanna play?
C'mon let's play
It looks like it may rain
Can you bring in the clothes?
I have to head back to work
Let's get rid of the Jinn
once and for all!
We're not scared of anything!
Let's go get it!
We will win. No more Jinn!
We will win. No more Jinn!
Rabia, don't go outside!
C'mon you go in
Let's get the Jinn out
Last one in is the loser
Oi, smoke the place up!
I'll smoke up the whole school
Hit it! Beat it!
The Jinn will come out now
Guys don't fight let it be
Smash everything!
Fire!
Help!
The school will burn down,
let's get out of here
Run everyone, it's on fire
Fire!
Fire!
My wish turns into a prayer upon my lips
May my life shine like a candle
May my torch light up the
darkness all around
May my torch light up the
darkness all around
And every corner shine
bright with my light
And every corner shine
bright with my light
My wish turns into a prayer upon my lips
May my life shine like a candle
What happened?
Tell me
Do you really want to go with Madam
to the school in Karachi?
My husband isn't home
Yes
We've thought about it
Rabia is too young to go to
the city on her own
Actually she's not well
She appears to be in shock
She's traumatized
She's stopped speaking,
she isn't eating either
Don't know. I'm worried sick
Last thing she mentioned was something
about a flying horse
She's been silent since
Thanks very much
We prefer her to stay with us
until she is a little older
Yes
Thanks for covering the fees
Bye
They can't clean up after themselves
Nor can they make their own beds
These rich people think they
can buy our children
Better to be illiterate,
than an educated servant
Think about it
Is this what you really want?
You won't be able to carry
this on for very long
Mum
Hey mum?
Why is he beating the donkey?
The donkey didn't do his homework
so he's being punished
But donkeys don't go to school
They go to donkey school
and if they don't behave,
they get whipped
Oh Jinn!
You're a Jinn
Ghost!
Rabia, don't scare them.
Now, get ready!
My uniform got too small
There's still room
This too
We can't afford a new one
Just take out the stitches
at the bottom
that'll make it longer
Mum, can you iron out this fold?
Never mind, you'll be late
The baby is not well
Can you check which one's for the flu?
This one
Bye!
Bye
Don't be sad
Glad the holidays are over
We'll study together and play too
It'll be fun!
Look here
What happened?
How can the school be closed?
Open the gate now!
First, there was a principal
and three teachers
then it was two teachers and
a missing principal
then only one remained,
and now he's gone too
Our children will be ruined.
Where is he?
Sorry, sir, I don't know.
Hey, wait. Stop!
I just found out this morning.
What's wrong with him?
This is ridiculous!
I've heard he is... possessed
Possessed?
By what?
I'm not sure really
I can't say
How long is it closed for?
As soon as there's news,
you'll find out
Go now, clear out!
Go to your homes
Did you know about this?
No. Did you?
What happened?
The school is under a spell
But how?
The Jinn got the school teacher
Really?
Yes. I think the Jinn have taken
over the school
Ali, wait!
What will you do now?
Dad is taking me to a better school
Will get admission today
Where?
It's in the next village, Rehri Goth
It's a bigger school...
with a playground that has
swings and slides too
Can I come with you?
It's a school for boys only
Boys go to school on horses
So what?
And the horses fly too
Our school will open again soon
Who knows
We can't wait around
What happened?
Why are you back?
The school is closed
Why?
Not sure, but there are all
types of rumours
What rumours?
That the school is haunted
the teacher is possessed by a Jinn
Really?
Never mind
Don't worry, it will reopen soon
Mama
Ali is going to a better school
Is his father taking him?
Yes, I think so
Can I go there too?
No
It's not safe for girls
to leave the village
Besides, it's a boys' school
Change your uniform
If I wear it long enough,
it might start to fit me
Do you think Jinn can live in the school?
Don't think about these silly things
Why don't you play with the kids?
What is this?
What is it?
The sun
Do you know if the sun goes around
the earth or the moon?
Moon
Let's see
You go around me
I'm the earth and you are the moon
Okay?
Go around
Your uniform will get dirty on the floor
What if there's school tomorrow?
I hope that happens
But they won't let you in
with dirty clothes
Can't dad take me to another school?
Ask him yourself when he's back
I wanna ask him now
Dad is at sea
He might be back by now
Yes, maybe
I'm late for work
Could you take this for dad?
And get some vegetables
on the way back
One kilo onions, tomatoes and aubergines
And some carrots too
If you don't find him, leave it there
What's up?
Come play with us
Still in uniform?
No more school, an extended holiday
School was boring anyway
What will you do now?
We'll play all day. What else?
We'll help mum get ready for
our sister's wedding
Why are you sulking?
I was looking forward to classes
We played in break time anyway
Oh, you're such a bookworm
I hope school doesn't reopen
because of you
Poor girl had to get her hair cut short
Because of the lice
I'd never cut my hair even if
lice eat me alive
Will you come to my wedding?
Is that a yes or no?
Do you still have your old text books?
Or will you save them for these two?
We gave them away
After my wedding, you girls will be next!
Hey, girl, kick it back!
Dad?
Is my dad back?
What?
Have you seen my dad?
No
How long were you at the school?
Just five years, Sir
Any challenges in your
previous job?
Just annoying rowdy kids, that's all
Any other skills?
Sir, I can do any work
But I've been a guard a long time,
I'd prefer a similar role
Okay
We don't have a similar position
at the moment
We'll call you if something
comes up
Wait!
Listen
Any news on the school?
I don't know
My own job's on the line
Who would've thought
he'd be possessed
How did you find out?
What difference does it make?
He can't come to school anyway
Do Jinn exist for real?
Indeed they exist
Jinn are mentioned in the Quran
In the verse called Surah Al-Jinn
"And there were men who sought
protection from the Jinn,
but it only increased their arrogance
Don't be afraid, child
Not all Jinn are bad
There are bad Jinn for naughty kids,
and good Jinn for good kids
And you're a good girl, right?
Look over there
The teacher lives that way
Now...
What will you do now?
I'm uneducated
There's little work in this village
I'll try the brick factory,
what else could I do?
Or work as a shepherd at best
I heard there's a
school in the next village
Do you know about it?
No
Why don't you look for a job there?
You're a clever girl
Thank you very much
but I don't wanna go
too far from home
When you're feeling sad...
think of the hymn you sang
at school every morning
My wish turns into a prayer
upon my lips
May my life shine like a candle,
May my torch light up
the darkness all around,
And every corner shine
bright with my light
Hey, are you Abhya's girl?
Yes - She's still cleaning
that officer's house?
Yes
Do you know where the
school teacher lives?
I don't know
Heard he is sick though
Done with school?
The school is haunted
Oh, sometimes our village seems cursed
Steer clear of the school
Try to avoid falling under the spell
of black magic
That's why you need a charm
It keeps away the Jinn
and evil eye
The shaman blessed it himself
He is more spiritual, that's why
it really works
How do you know it works?
There are no Jinn in our house
How much for the tomatoes?
140 rupees a kilo
And the onions?
150 rupees a kilo
How much do you want?
Do you know where I can buy a charm?
Try the shaman in the bazaar
under the tree near your uncle's shop
You can ask him
Is it to fight off the Jinn taking
over the village?
There are rumours all around
that the teacher is ill
But I heard he's possessed by Jinn
All this mumbo jumbo...
is just nonsense
Her teacher is still being paid
but not teaching anymore
Really?
They are making poor folks into fools
How are people made into fools?
When we believe the lies of politicians
It's not our fault
they are spin-doctors
And we follow them
We vote for them
We bring them into power,
put our faith in them
Hoping that they won't
deny us our rights
But these people took away
our right to knowledge
and slowly, they made us blind
We could have seen...
But we're kept in the dark
on purpose
How much vegetables?
Never mind
Do you know where the school teacher lives?
Go left of the bazaar to find
an abandoned office
His house is next to it
Who is it?
Does the school teacher live here?
Yes, but he's unwell
What happened to him?
Can't say yet
The whole village thinks...
I know
Is he really...
possessed by a Jinn?
Jinn is inside all of us
Anyway, we're going to the nearby city
to get him treated
Here comes the be-speckled Jinn
Hello, sir, how are you feeling?
I've had fever for four days
And lost my appetite
I was just wondering when the
school will open again?
To tell you the truth, I am
leaving this village
Instead of giving me a raise,
the official is asking for money
to retain my contract
I can only teach again if I bribe them
Bribe?
What's that?
It's money greedy people want
in return for favours
The Jinn rumour is nonsense,
a convenient way to put blinders on us
The principal is responsible for spreading
it around the whole village
Who is the principal?
He's the local feudal lord
Often overseeing the work
on his land near here
He owns acres of land, yet he
still demands bribes
That liar wolf
So the school is not haunted?
I doubt it
Everyone is afraid of it now
Their fear is a symptom
of their ignorance
And these landlords take
advantage of it
If you really want to know, go to the
school and see for yourself
Will you come in with me?
I can't
There's nothing left for me there
I wouldn't go there
We need to go into town,
the hospital is far
Let's go?
There was just one school
and that's now a ghost school too
I bet it's become a barn for their
animals already!
Anyone there?
Yes?
I'm here to see the principal
Who?
The landlord
Okay
Wait there
Who's this?
Hello, sir
Are you the school principal?
Yes, I am
I've heard
And so?
It's because of that
damned teacher
How can these city teachers stay put
in a small village like ours?
He probably slipped away
That city scoundrel
Or has the government vanished
its own servant?
No, sir
He's not missing, I met him
He's going out of town
That ungrateful man
He's actually sick, sir
He's possessed by a Jinn
Is the school really haunted?
Will you get a new teacher?
Listen kid, finding and hiring
teachers is not my job
It's the district
commissioner's responsibility
He decides the salaries
Oh, I thought you did that?
No
If I did that,
who would supervise all
this you see?
Where is the district commissioner?
Whose child are you?
Zameer Das
What does he do?
He's on the boats
He's a fisherman
The girl seems worried
Let it go
Education is important,
especially for our nation
Right?
Everyone says that education
is a primary right
But I believe it's a privilege,
not available to everyone
And not everyone can be educated
Like her parents probably aren't
Am I right?
What do fishermen have
to do with education?
We all have our place
If everyone was educated and
became an administrator,
then who would harvest the land?
Who will catch the fish?
That's why I say...
If everyone went to school,
then we'll have barren land
and empty fisheries
Be careful, there are snakes in the fields
Hello, uncle
Hello
What are you doing here?
Just passing by
On your own?
You look tired
Did you get lost?
No. Mum sent me to buy vegetables
Heard about your haunted school
You must be disappointed
Can't believe anything these days
This gossip has spread from that
feudal lord's farms
These cronies do as they like
All done
If these bloody crooks
weren't in charge,
this village would be a different place
Thought there was going to be a revolution
Who knows when it'll come?
We can only pray for some change
God has never changed
the destiny of a nation
that is not bothered
about its own fate
Can't we change things ourselves?
We can only try
Some things are out
of our control
Like these landlords
How did they become landlords?
You are a funny kid
Well?
To be a landlord, one must own land
And how do they own land?
From inheritance!
Land is bought with money
And you'll ask how they got that...
by working hard
But then everyone who works hard
should own land
No?
Yes, that's right
Shall I drop you home?
No. I want to go to the
district commissioner's office
What for?
He can only tell me
when the school will open
Dear, the DC is a busy man
He doesn't have time for kids
Maybe take your dad with you?
But he never has time
C'mon
I don't want to go home
Your mother will be
worried about you
Boys ride horses to
that other school
If this is true I'll take you to
school on a horse myself
Many kids make up lies
You could also say that you'll grow wings
Let's go
Hey, could you take my niece home?
Sure, to the back of the village?
Yes. She'll tell you the way
Alright? Go home now
Is the horse your pet?
Of course
What's its name?
Burraq
Do horses fly?
Only Burraq does
Sometimes
Come on
Sit down
How far is the DC office?
Not far
Can we go there?
Your uncle said to get you home
Yes, but I am a big girl now
and I need to find out something
Your uncle didn't give
me enough to go there
No worries,
I'll give you some more
Let's go there
So why do you want to go
to the DC office?
I curse the politicians who
got our votes
with the promise of building schools
Isn't that a good thing?
There's a difference between building
schools and actually running them
Once they get into power there
is no accountability
The rich send their
brats to private schools
Why should they care?
The state doesn't give a damn
about public schools
We're uneducated, not stupid
You didn't go to school?
School wasn't for me
Why?
The teacher hardly showed up,
and when he did
we were beaten with a stick
You must've been a naughty kid
I swear we were beaten for nothing
There were no books
Only mats on the floor which
we were forced to clean
Did you complain to your parents?
Parents didn't mind
as long as we went to school
They respected teachers
because they were illiterate too
They thought that the beatings
would straighten us up
Torment in the name of discipline
All we learnt was to avoid
school at all cost
How's your teacher?
My teachers kept disappearing
The recent teacher from the city
was decent
but he got sick
How?
Of bribe
Bribery?
Yeah
Kid
Don't lose heart
Stay right here and wait for me
I'll be back to pick you up
Okay?
Where are its wings?
They are hidden
They only come out when in need
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE
Sign here
I don't know how to
Sign with your thumb then
Is this the District
Commissioner's office?
No, it's the Deputy
Commissioner's office
Can I meet him?
Not now, he's busy
I will wait
He's not here at the moment
Is he busy or not here?
Both
When will he be back?
Don't know
Can I go in to ask?
No
Aren't you too young for this?
How old do I have to be
to speak to him?
See all these people?
They are all waiting to see the DC
I've come a long way, so I'll wait
It's unlikely he will return
to the office now
So why this long line?
That's their problem, not mine
Are they waiting for the same?
What else?
Join the queue or come
back tomorrow
It's the same every day
I've been waiting a long time
I've had enough!
It's time for all of you to go home
It's been the same
for many days now
The office hours are over.
Clear out now!
-But my child...
-That's all for today folks
The office opens at 9am tomorrow
We won't go
We'll have to come back tomorrow
Hey girl, why are you here?
My school closed
Why?
People say it's haunted
but I don't believe it
It could be
A hospital was being built
in the next village
Before it could be finished,
the Jinn took over
Really?
Indeed
That abandoned building without windows
The workers started
to get sick one by one
So the work stopped
Did no one try to get rid of the Jinn?
Not sure if they did
But it remains abandoned to this day
A skeleton of cement
in the middle of nowhere
Seems like these Jinn
like schools and hospitals
Who knows
Maybe it's just our rotten luck
That's all for today folks
Are you okay, child?
You seem lost. Do you live nearby?
A bit far, but I know the way home
Hey, aren't you Abhya's daughter?
Your mum works at my house
You came to my place once remember?
Oh, yeah
Girls shouldn't sit on the footpath
Didn't your mum tell you that?
I was just waiting for my ride
Why is it late?
I'll go see over there
Where are you off to?
Your house is on my way
I'll find my way
It's on my way, really
Let's go in the car. It'll be fun!
Don't look so worried.
We won't tell your mum
C'mon let's get you home
Abhya was late today
Does your mum work
somewhere else too?
Do you help your mum
around the house?
Give this to her. Roll the window down
There's the button
Drive please
Your mum tells me that you
love to read and write
Yes
Is that a school or a hospital?
Don't know. Looks abandoned though
They were building a college, Ma'am
but it closed down
Why did it shut down?
It got the evil eye
The builders got sick one by one
Midway through the job,
they all ran off
Such village superstition
It's nothing but corruption
They're called ghost schools in English;
that are operating on paper,
teachers get paid without teaching anything
And this is the reality,
hollow buildings without a soul
There's a school in the next village
I wish I could go there
I'm moving to my other
house in the city
Will you come with me
and go to school there?
I've to ask Mama
We'll ask your Mama of course
You could go to a good school in the city
and visit your family in the holidays
And you can give me
a hand in the house too
Alright?
Do you believe in ghosts?
Stop here, please
Your uniform looks a bit small for you
Take this
Oh, no need
For your new uniform
Take it
Thank you
Hello?
Make yourself visible if you are there?
If you are there...
say something or give me a sign
There are no Jinn in the school
There are no Jinn here
Kids, I'll tell you a story
Once upon a time, there was a
teacher in a small village
and he worked hard to teach
the kids at school
One day he got sick
and people thought he was
possessed by a Jinn
Soon afterwards, everyone in the village
began to believe that the
school was haunted
But actually,
everyone allowed fear to take over
If it was true,
I wouldn't be standing
here telling a story
In fact, we should question
everything around us
so no one can easily make us into fools
End of lesson for today
That's all
You know, the school is not haunted
and the teacher is not possessed
How do you know?
He left town because he wasn't
being paid enough
What's this about?
The principal told me that
the school is haunted
And what if it's not?
Why would he lie?
It's not safe for now, kids
Stay away from the school
Look, we should convince the principal
and district commissioner
to ask the teacher to return so
we can go back to school
Instead of being afraid of it
Who do you think you are?
Don't make up stories
Or we could find a new teacher
and make sure they get a regular salary?
You think money is the
solution to everything?
It might be, but not for Jinn
How will anything change if we
don't do something about it?
Some things are God's will!
Kids, do you know the story of the Mairaj?
When the Holy Prophet ascended the
seven skies on the horse Burraq
he saw Heaven and Hell
in one night
Liars will have their
tongues burnt in Hell
Don't brainwash the
kids with your wild ideas
Go play now
School better stay closed
as long as its haunted
Why are you in denial?
I'm not. All of you are blind!
If you think I'm lying, then
go see for yourself
You all are cowards
If you were brave, you'd get rid
of the Jinn from school
Dad
A kilo of tomatoes
some onions, a few aubergines
and there was something else...
How many onions?
Maybe give me half a kilo?
Are you sure?
Yes
By the way, did you go to school?
Yes, but only till fifth grade
enough to be able to count
So I'm able to work here, at least
Did your school close as well?
I left school myself
What did our parents gain
from school anyway?
What do you mean?
I needed to earn a living
What's school good for?
That'll be 250 rupees
Where were you?
I was worried sick
This is half of what I asked for
Where are the carrots?
Oh, that's what I forgot
You need to start listening better
instead of being in cuckoo land
Where have you been?
Just around the village
Was trying to find out why
my school was closed
Rabia, we don't always get
what we want in life
Stop this nonsense
Change your dirty uniform right now!
What's wrong, my child?
Did Burraq really visit heaven and hell?
If I'm not lying, why am I being punished?
Don't worry, dear
there is more than one
way of learning things
You're already lucky enough
to read and write, my child
You can keep learning on your own, right?
Wanna play?
C'mon let's play
It looks like it may rain
Can you bring in the clothes?
I have to head back to work
Let's get rid of the Jinn
once and for all!
We're not scared of anything!
Let's go get it!
We will win. No more Jinn!
We will win. No more Jinn!
Rabia, don't go outside!
C'mon you go in
Let's get the Jinn out
Last one in is the loser
Oi, smoke the place up!
I'll smoke up the whole school
Hit it! Beat it!
The Jinn will come out now
Guys don't fight let it be
Smash everything!
Fire!
Help!
The school will burn down,
let's get out of here
Run everyone, it's on fire
Fire!
Fire!
My wish turns into a prayer upon my lips
May my life shine like a candle
May my torch light up the
darkness all around
May my torch light up the
darkness all around
And every corner shine
bright with my light
And every corner shine
bright with my light
My wish turns into a prayer upon my lips
May my life shine like a candle
What happened?
Tell me
Do you really want to go with Madam
to the school in Karachi?
My husband isn't home
Yes
We've thought about it
Rabia is too young to go to
the city on her own
Actually she's not well
She appears to be in shock
She's traumatized
She's stopped speaking,
she isn't eating either
Don't know. I'm worried sick
Last thing she mentioned was something
about a flying horse
She's been silent since
Thanks very much
We prefer her to stay with us
until she is a little older
Yes
Thanks for covering the fees
Bye
They can't clean up after themselves
Nor can they make their own beds
These rich people think they
can buy our children
Better to be illiterate,
than an educated servant
Think about it
Is this what you really want?
You won't be able to carry
this on for very long