Qala (2022) Movie Script
Lights.
Camera.
Silence.
Action.
Excuse me, sir.
Could you please let me pass.
Didi, here. Please, look at the camera.
Many,
many congratulations, Didi.
Thank you.
Congratulations
on the Golden Vinyl, Didi.
Thank you.
Sorry, not you. Um...
Hmm.
This may take another half hour.
That's okay.
Let them ask their questions.
Okay.
Hearty congratulations, Didi.
You've accomplished so much already.
How does it feel?
It feels as if I...
reached home tired...
and Ma has opened the door.
This is my father's legacy.
And my mother's dream.
She's eagerly waited for this,
so she'll be overjoyed today.
When are you getting married?
Is it true that you are in a relationship
with a music composer?
Why don't you ask her?
My next movie is with Rai Sahab.
Naseeban Apa is the music composer,
lyricist, Majrooh Sahab,
and the heroine
is Rai Sahab's co-producer and wife.
Next question.
Didi, we all know
your family has very deep roots in music.
Your grandfather was even honored
with the great title, Diwan...
Sorry, that was my great granddad,
Pandit Devram Manjushree.
I'm sorry.
Your mother, Urmila Devi,
was here to launch
her son about nine years ago?
No.
She doesn't have a son.
It's just me.
Just me.
If Diwan Sahab were alive today,
he'd have been so happy
to see his daughter.
Madam, have you thought
of a name for the baby?
Qala.
And my other baby.
We didn't want
to tell you earlier.
Both the babies
had the same heartbeat. He died in utero.
"He"?
It was a boy?
Don't worry, she's fine though.
Your daughter is strong.
Unfortunately,
this does tend to happen with twins.
That if one baby
is stronger than the other,
healthier than the other,
it sucks the food of the other.
So, the weaker child
finds it difficult to survive.
Doesn't matter if you are a girl.
You can grow up to be a musical legend
like your father.
Talent, training,
can be the same as what boys get.
But you are a girl,
so you'll have to work much harder.
You will have to defend
your honor a lot more.
You understand?
Hmm. Well, how can you?
But someday you will.
Your name should have Pandit before it.
And not Bai after it.
Only then will you be someone.
Can you do it?
Can you be someone?
Have your tea, Didi.
The Illustrated Weekly guys
will be here soon.
Was that a call from my ma?
No.
- You sent the telegram, right?
- Yes, Didi.
You seen today's paper, Ma?
There is a photo with the Prime Minister.
I won an award, the Golden Vinyl.
You wanted it, right?
I knew it would make you happy.
Uh. Didi, Huma is ready
for the photo session.
Okay, Ma, I'll talk to you soon.
I love you, too.
Yes, Ma, I'll taking care of...
- Hello.
- Yes?
I'm calling from Dey Babu's office.
It's about Qala Didi's dates...
Dey Babu's office is calling for dates.
Tell them that if his hero
is singing in this movie too,
then I should be paid more
than he's being paid...
even if by just a rupee.
Hold it.
Beautiful.
Enough.
- But, Didi, for the magazine...
- Hey! I think we've got it.
We'll send the pictures for your approval.
Thank you.
By the way, I loved the one you did
for Indira last week.
- Oh, thank you. Ta-ta then.
- Ta-ta.
Okay.
Didi, I'll go return
Majrooh Sahab's books. Hmm?
Chop-chop,
we have to go to the studio.
Okay, let's see.
Thief.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself,
showing off my dreams on your walls?
It's mine.
No. There's no fever.
What's the problem? Symptoms, etcetera.
Um. No.
Doctor, there's...
there's nothing physically wrong.
Just...
a noise...
...here.
And fear...
here.
It's...
It's... it's like...
Uh. I have been waiting
for something to happen...
and it's happened.
Something is breaking inside me.
I think you need a break.
- She's completely exhausted.
- I am not exhausted, doctor.
There is something wrong with me.
No, it's all right.
This is common in females. It's normal.
You are a brilliant artist,
and artists are more sensitive.
They... they take everything to heart.
They overthink. That's why this noise...
Moreover, you women
have certain days of the month,
where you, uh...
So, what I would suggest is,
why don't you take a vacation, huh?
- Hmm.
- Okay.
Then please,
send me some sleeping pills.
Didn't I send some last month?
- There's just two left.
- No, no, Qala Ji.
Try... try sleeping
without the pills, all right?
- Why don't you give her warm milk...
- No milk!
Didi doesn't drink milk.
Okay, never mind.
Just give her warm water with nutmeg...
- You'll just send me the pills, please.
- You need to stop thinking.
You think too much.
You are such a good singer. Just sing.
Sorry, Mama.
- Let me sing it for you once again.
- Put the tanpura down.
- Mama, just once more.
- Down, I said.
Brains are zero. Looks are zero.
Zero talent.
The least you can do is work hard.
Even that is too much to ask?
We'll soon be going to Solan.
You'll be singing in front
of the great Ustad Mansoor Khan.
You can't even get
your basics right, Qala.
Mama, I know it.
Just hear me out. Mama just...
Mama, I'm...
Sorry, Mama.
Sorry, Mama.
Sorry, Mama.
Ustad Ji,
Diwan Manjushree's daughter
is singing for the first time today.
And yet, there's hardly any audience.
Because Bapu has come to Shimla,
entire villages have gone there.
Obviously, they would. Hmm?
And this is classical music.
Not some flashy film music.
Common people would never come.
You worry too much. Come.
And there is an audience.
Pandits, ustads,
bards, poets, everyone's here. Hmm?
My dear, there is one another singer.
Jagan Batwal,
from here itself. He'll sing too.
But, Ustad Ji,
today is Qala's debut performance.
- How can someone else...
- This boy was brought up in a gurdwara.
He's poor, an orphan.
Learned his singing there.
He is getting a chance
to sing in front of you. Hmm?
Oh, but if it's about caste...
No, no. An artist belongs to no caste.
And since it's your wish, I will listen.
How can I say no to you?
Dear father
Dear father
Dear father, why am I losing
My mother's home
Dear father
Dear father
Why am I losing
My mother's home
Dear father, why am I losing
My mother's home
Come, dear, sit. Well done.
How beautifully you sang.
- Thanks.
- Your voice has that same melody
and tone as your mother's.
How many hours do you do practice?
Sir,
approximately eight hours a day.
- Eight hours.
- Yes.
Didn't you tell me...
that Bapu was in town?
Yes, I did.
Oh, to die like this
Is not an ending, my friend
The world doth die every day
Yet does not fade away
Who knows when the end will come
And how death will visit me
If my lord lives in my heart
I will gently fade away
I will gently fade away
Fade
Fade away
Where do you wander in your search
His shadow walks with you
Yet you die with every breath
And fall apart
More than coming together
Each breath, a formless hymn
Sung without fear
Heard without hate, sung without fear
Each breath, a formless hymn
Sung without fear
Heard without hate, sung without fear
Every protection falls short
Of shielding you
Don't worry, the shroud will suffice
What your hands can hold
Is all you have
The rest, the invaders can take away
When you feast on false dreams
Everything turns to ashes
Yet you die with every breath
And fall apart
More than coming together
Each breath, a formless hymn
Sung without fear
Each breath a formless hymn
Heard without hate
Heard without hate
Heard without hate
Sung without fear
Urmi.
Urmi.
Where are you lost, dear? Hmm?
- What do you think, Ustad Ji?
- She has a voice as sweet as honey.
And besides, thumri is the specialty
of your gharana. Your own legacy.
Right?
No.
I want her father's legacy.
She is not a Pandit.
Like...
like that boy is.
Both have their own places.
He is different. She is different.
Why are you comparing the two? Hmm?
Qala, where are you going?
Please go and get some milk for Jagan.
It's very cold here.
Even more than in my Solan.
And the snow is worse than in Shimla.
I've heard that you sing?
The other day
I couldn't get a chance to hear you,
but Urmila Devi was talking about it.
What... What did Ma say?
That you sing,
and that you'll be accompanying me
on the tanpura.
What do you want?
Who asked you
to follow me out into the snow, huh?
If you catch the flu...
it's not my fault.
Scared even before an accusation?
Ah.
Ah.
Qala, what are you doing?
- Ah.
- He... he had a slight fever.
Son, please raise your arm a bit.
Careful.
There's mercury in there.
If a singer swallows, even a bit,
he could lose his voice.
Sorry, Mama.
If you had truly
bonded with singing,
you would have understood this.
What is it?
Nothing. Sab khairiyat.
Two things.
First, if you keep everything
locked up inside, buried inside,
immersed inside, it could explode.
And the second one?
The word "khairiyat" is not pronounced
with a "kuh" as in "kalakand,"
but with a "khuh" as in "Khan."
"Khuh." Khairiyat.
- Khairiyat.
- Hello? Got the lyrics?
Madam, I got the whole collection for you.
Yeah, right.
Must've scribbled it on the way here.
He can writes a whole song
in the time it takes to smoke a cigarette.
By the way, speed is never
a measure of an artist's caliber.
So, here's your lyric.
- Let's hear it.
- Uh.
Take a look.
- From here, Apa?
- Yes, my dear.
Sudha, can you ask Mukherjee
- to get some snacks?
- Sure.
- And arrange for some tea as well.
- Okay.
Greetings.
Hey, why don't you hire
Gori Sahab secretary?
He handles all the stars.
You mean I should hire him
because he is good at what he does
or just because he's not a girl?
No, no. That's not the reason.
But a female secretary?
You can just say secretary, right?
Is it necessary to say "female"?
All it takes
Is to unlatch that doorway
To let the lost light in
To take shredded dreams
And sew yourself a technicolor coat
Of the night
I am done with making excuses
Singing mournful dirges
Sorrowful songs sung slowly
Oh, wow!
The third stanza is brilliant, Majrooh.
But the only problem is,
that third stanzas neither get heard,
nor played by the radio guys.
You could dangle a corpse there
and no one would notice.
It's a bit choked, Naseeban?
It's ends with the word, "Bharam."
And there are too many naz,
one after the other.
It will be tough for you to sing.
Rai Sahab, the lyric
he has written is conveying exactly
what his scene is trying to say.
Now we can't argue with a poet and poetry?
- Can we?
- Didi, Sanyal Sahab passed away.
What?
THE INTOXICATING VOICE GOES SILENT TODAY:
CHANDAN LAL SANYAL PASSES AWAY
This is All India Radio.
By this time, all our listeners
will have read in today's newspapers
about the tragic demise
of the beloved and popular singer,
Chandan Lal Sanyal.
And today, seated with us
in our studio is Miss Qala Manjushree.
- Didi, namaskar.
- Namaskar.
Well, uh, first of all,
we would like to know,
have you ever performed
or sang along with Sanyal Sahab?
I haven't.
I haven't had the honor of doing that.
You liar.
I have a fondness for breaking apart
Come gather me
My love
You know it, right? This lyric?
Who doesn't know it?
Then sing.
- I have a fondness for breaking apart
- I have a fondness for breaking apart
- Come gather me, my love
- Come gather me, my love
I drown in you, like a word
Submerged in an unspoken conversation
Son...
I drown in you, like a word
Submerged in an unspoken conversation
One look at you and the winds
Themselves have caught their breath
Like I would your hands
The river of the night
Pools into your eyes
And falls me
To my knees
I have a fondness for breaking apart
Come gather me
My love
My love
Shall we practice?
Not today.
Qala.
You are just the best at thumri,
no one can even come close.
Well.
Wouldn't you like to come close now?
Or would you just like
to spend the night talking?
From our mountains, especially for you.
What does Ma want
from Sanyal Sahab?
Why was she flirting with him like that?
For my sake.
She wants me to work in the film industry
like Sanyal Sahab does.
I'll get the opportunity to work
with Sumant Kumar Sahab.
I've heard that only the lucky ones
get a chance like this.
And the Golden Disc,
I could even get that.
Just imagine.
I'll get so many chances to sing.
That I'll fill
all of Calcutta with my voice.
I, too, want the same.
I, too, want to accomplish all that.
As for the Golden...
Golden Award that Ma wants,
I'll get it for her.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
You know, Qala,
Devendra Narayan did his graduation
from a university in England.
And he's with the Royal Air Force now,
- right?
- Yeah.
And Rani Mandira was telling me
that he, too, is very fond of music.
You haven't visited us before, right?
Mm-mm. Never.
That's okay.
'Cause now, you'll be living there.
She's going to love it.
And what about your plans?
Back to the hills?
No. I plan to stay back here.
Qala will be with you.
And I'll be with Jagan,
because his music, his career,
everything is here now.
- Hmm.
- Himachal will have to wait.
All right, you guys talk.
Uh. Urmila, I'd love to go
and have a chat with your young protg.
- Yes, please. Come.
- Shall we?
- Let's go.
- Please come.
So, you like music?
No. I hate it.
The who's who of the industry
will be coming.
You'll have to meet everyone. Okay, Qala?
And of course...
Jagan will sing as well.
It'll be so nice.
May I sing, too?
Do you know what kind of girls sing
in front of these film industry people?
Mm-mm.
- But Jagan will be singing.
- He is a boy.
So, the rules are different.
- Can we leave?
- What?
Can't we go?
Just the two of us? We'll go back home.
You will get married soon,
and go to your home, Qala.
But my home is where you are, right?
A mother's home is where the son lives.
The daughter lives with her husband. Hmm?
Okay, I'll get married with Jagan then.
Then I can stay here with you, forever.
Have you no shame? Huh?
How could you even think
about marrying your own brother?
I can't believe this.
I hope you're not putting ideas
into his head.
Disgusting!
Jagan's performance is about to begin.
What are you doing here?
Go quickly, get some milk for him.
How are you?
You can actually see me?
I thought I was invisible.
How could anyone not see you, my dear?
You can see me.
But have you ever heard me, too?
I, too, sing quite well.
You're going to regret it.
You're going to launch Jagan.
Remember, he's very good
at replacing people.
Jagan could replace me.
After a few years,
someone will replace Jagan.
Like I had replaced someone.
Only music will stay forever.
All this may sound good
as mere words.
But when you'll get thrown out
because of Jagan,
and no one will look at you,
listen to you,
ask about you or even recognize you
because of Jagan.
It will take to the skies
It will take to the skies
It will take to the skies
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
The lonely swan will fly away
Leaving the spectacle
Of the world a mere fair
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
It will take to the skies
It will take to the skies
When my life ends
Only then
Will I stop getting cowed down
The agents of death
Are too strong for me
How to free this tangle of death
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
Jagan, my son. What happened? Huh?
Jagan?
What is it?
- What is it?
- He's burning up.
Oh, my God.
- Fever.
- Let's take him inside, come.
Don't worry. It's all right.
let's go in. Come on.
- Slowly.
- Come on.
Come, come. Don't worry.
- I'll call the doctor.
- Yes.
Yes. It's... it's an emergency.
- Please, come as soon as you can.
- Okay, okay. I'll be there.
- Thank you. Yes, please.
- Okay.
How is he?
What about the guests?
What about them? Just tell them all to go.
Urmila, do you realize
how fragile their egos are?
It doesn't take long
for them to get upset.
We have to think about the future.
Today he's unwell, but perhaps tomorrow,
he'll need these very people.
That's how it works.
You can't just ask them to leave.
Then let them stay all night long.
Does it look like I care?
I won't tug at your strings
I won't tug at your strings
Nor unravel your clouds
I won't unlatch
The windows to your heart
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
I will not
Chase the light
No more will I dance
Drenched in rain
I will bind the burning fireflies
In my hair
Your threshold
I will not dare
To cross your threshold
Your threshold
Nor ask to be held in your shade
Just stay don't turn your gaze away
- Just stay, don't turn...
- Bravo!
...your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just don't turn your gaze away
Just don't turn your gaze away
Just don't turn your gaze away
Just don't
Turn your gaze away
- Please have some almonds.
- Hmm.
- They are from our orchard.
- Nice.
That song the other day.
Honestly, it's still ringing in my ears.
You couldn't complete it, but still.
You left behind an EP
with Sanyal, Gurbani.
- Without Fear, Without Hate.
- Hmm.
When Majrooh heard it.
He said, uh, "It's a God-given voice."
Thank you.
- Like I mention to you on the phone...
- I just don't believe it.
How could his voice
be snatched away like this?
God couldn't never make
such a huge blunder.
You will definitely get your voice back.
You will sing again.
And your first professional recording
will be with us.
I'll take your leave then.
- Just a minute.
- Huh?
It's snowing.
And it's quite late as well.
Uh. Why don't we ask him to stay, Ma?
He can leave when the weather improves.
How remiss of me.
Of course, she is right.
Please, stay back here for tonight.
So very kind of you.
Specially from our mountains,
just for you.
What is it?
What happened?
Have you got fever again?
There's no fever.
Just noise...
here.
And fear...
here.
Something broke inside.
Should I call the doctor?
Go to sleep.
I'll leave.
It will be fine tomorrow.
And the recording's in three days.
Yes. I'll be there.
Good.
No smoking.
Urmila Ji...
your daughter's a nightingale.
Nightingale.
You're right about her.
Well,
then I'll take your leave.
- Bye.
- Believe in yourself. Hmm?
He wasn't right about you.
You're a cuckoo...
that never builds a nest of its own.
Always grabs the nest of other birds.
It never even makes
an effort to do so.
Has no entitlement over it.
Oh, sir, why are you waiting there?
Please, come inside.
Hello.
Um. Is Qala there?
Yes. She is.
You see, the thing is, uh,
I've landed a film
after a very long time, so...
If Qala sang even one song... I mean...
if she could get a date.
Even one day will be enough.
Yes, yes, sir.
I'll get the dates for you right now.
Please come inside
and have a seat. I'll call Didi.
- Thank you.
- Please, come.
Didi, Sumant Kumar Sahab is here.
Just tell him I'm not home.
He says he's got
a film after a long time and...
Didi?
Are you okay, Didi?
- Didi is not at home.
- Hmm.
Sorry, I think I misunderstood actually.
I don't know when she left.
- As soon as she returns, I'll inform...
- Thank you.
Hello?
- Hello.
- Hello.
Lightning trunk call
to Mrs. Urmila Manjushree, please.
Just a second, please.
- Did you say Urmila Manjushree?
- Yes. Hmm.
- What is the location?
- Debisthan, Himachal.
Okay.
Can you please give me the number?
Two-four-three-four-three.
Please hold the line,
we're connecting your call.
Okay. I will hold.
- Hello.
- Mama.
Mama.
Something's wrong with me, Mama.
I think I need help.
How can you be such a bitch, Qala?
I was the one who made you.
You were nothing.
How would you have all of this
if it weren't for me, Qala?
How could you have reached this position
if it weren't for me?
I'd come there to listen to Jagan.
If he hadn't lost his voice,
he would have been
in studio, Qala, not you.
Oh, to die like this
Is not an ending, my friend
The world doth die every day
Yet does not fade away
Who knows when the end will come
And how death will visit me
Mama.
Mama. I...
I've got to go
to Calcutta for the recording.
Leave.
Get out.
But just don't ever come back.
This house cannot lodge a cheap singer.
Then how does this house lodge you?
You stopped your singing...
to keep all this.
But how am I guilty?
Why do you keep punishing me?
I'm your daughter.
And as a mother,
you should love me, no matter how I am.
But you don't...
What will it take, Mama?
- No matter what I do...
- ...it's... it's never enough.
I...
Mama.
Sorry, Mama. Sorry, Mama. Sorry.
I didn't mean it, Mama. Sorry.
Sorry, Mama. Mama.
How does one tell him now
- That no means...
- Cut, cut, cut, cut.
No...
You seem a bit nervous.
No need to be nervous, okay?
Everyone in this room is here to help you
and we have plenty of time on hand.
So take it easy. Hmm?
Ready? Come on.
How does one tell him now
That no means no
- My impatient amour...
- Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut.
All good, nothing to worry.
Hmm.
So in this scene, the hero and heroine
are being playful with each other.
Our handsome hero
is trying to woo the heroine,
but the heroine
is playing really hard to get right now.
Hmm? So it's like
a love game between the two of them.
So when the heroine says, "No,"
she actually means yes.
So don't overthink. Just enjoy yourself.
Think of yourself
as the heroine in this song. Hmm?
Don't just sing the song,
you need to feel it, so feel it.
- Hmm?
- Hmm.
Shall we try it again.
You're doing great, I know you can do it.
- Hmm?
- Hmm.
No need to get nervous.
Hmm? You'll be fine. Shall we? Ready?
- Yes.
- Okay, good.
How does one tell him now
- That no means no...
- Cut!
Cut, cut.
Cut. Cut, cut, cut.
Cut. Cut. Cut.
This is the eleventh take.
What the hell are you doing, huh?
Waste of the producer's money.
Have you forgotten
your first recording, Manoj Bhai?
I was not this bad, okay?
- I think you need a break.
- Let's just try one more time.
- Please.
- Yes, yes. Maybe later.
She's not working at all, sir.
Yes, I made a mistake.
Sir, I don't think
she'll be able to sing today.
Qala, don't feel bad but, uh...
I don't think you're ready yet.
I'm sorry. I am ready.
I can sing now.
You don't know this,
but I can't go back home.
Sir, last chance, please. Last.
Uh. Majrooh. Listen.
I've spoken with her.
It's nothing much,
she just a little nervous right now.
But you are right.
There's something about her.
We can use her.
I'll get the opportunity
to work with Sumant Kumar Sahab.
I've heard that only the lucky ones
get a chance like this.
I, too, want the same.
I, too, want to accomplish all that.
As for the Golden...
Golden Award that Ma wants,
I'll get it for her.
- That's not why you should do this.
- It's easy for you to say that.
- When you sing for Mama, you see how...
- Come on, I don't sing for her, Qala.
For me, it's almost like breathing.
That's why I sing.
I sing for myself.
Have you ever tried singing for yourself?
How does one tell him now
That no means no
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
"Oh, my plaintive heart isolated,
in the crowd silent in the roar."
"Singing a litany broken note at a time."
Wow!
Nothing "Wow" about this.
It's way too esoteric for anyone.
Why don't you write something simpler
that people can understand.
Did you understand anything?
So, tell me, what is litany? Tell me.
Nothing's working today.
Just leave me alone for some time. Please.
Leave me alone for God's sake.
Okay. Come, let's go.
Qala, you stay.
The door.
He weaves wildflowers into her hair
Just to come a tad bit near
This is but a ploy and game
Wish I knew how to play 'em
His eyes belie
His lying words
He doesn't take no for an answer
Just sulking frowns on this clown
How does one tell him now
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
How does one tell him now
That no means no
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
You know that song of yours.
The lost ways of the wayward heart
- It's really beautiful.
- I composed that tune for you, my dear.
It really suits your voice.
But Sumant Sir was telling me
that you were not in town.
Why don't you hire a secretary?
Someone who can be contacted
directly for your dates.
But I don't know anybody around here, so...
- Give me your contact number.
- Mm-hmm.
- Two-two-four...
- Bai Ji, salaam.
- Salaam.
- I see, you both have met.
- Qala.
- Hmm.
- What were you talking about?
- Nothing.
Girls from reputed families
shouldn't mingle
with cheap singers like her.
Hmm? You know
what kind of work Bai Ji does.
It'll keep happening
if you allow it.
If you stay quiet, it'll continue.
Today, he's at the top.
Tomorrow you'll be.
There's no punishment
for his kind these days.
Everyone overlooks such things.
But times will change.
Times have always changed.
Sumant Kumar, autograph, please?
DIAMOND JUBILEE
- Didi?
- Hmm?
I've parked the car
in the rear, I'll go get it now.
- Hmm?
- Hmm.
Why suicide?
You'd only lost your voice.
My voice was everything to me.
My life, my dream...
which you are living.
Happy now?
Ma is not happy yet.
I've set this on teental
and raga is Shree.
Don't be in a hurry.
Especially you,
Rao Sahab, you are always in a hurry.
Qala is fast,
so no extra takes, I'm sure.
Anyways,
we have the studio for three hours.
Come on, let's begin.
Bismillah.
Apa?
Qala.
Everything okay?
Hmm.
We could do the recording later, my dear.
- I can sing now.
- I want to sing.
- From here, Apa?
- Yes.
- From here, right, Apa?
- Qala.
What is it?
I can't hear anything.
Rao Sahab, flute please.
May I please move closer to him?
Yes, my dear.
Vimal.
Qala?
Qala?
- Qala, my dear?
- Didi? Didi?
Huh? What happened?
- Qala. Qala, look here. Look at me.
- Didi, what is wrong?
How will I know anything, Qala?
Say something.
She never tells us anything.
Didi? Didi? Didi!
Didi?
- He's practicing.
- Who?
He may want some milk.
The performance is about to begin.
Milk?
Didi?
Sorry, Mama. I didn't mean it.
And coming up next,
a shocking interview from the film world,
of Qala Manjushree,
the popular playback singer.
Didi, There are rumors
that you have refused
to sing in Dey Babu's next film.
- What is the reason behind it?
- Why suicide?
You'd only lost your voice.
My voice was my everything.
My life, my dream...
that you are living.
Happy now?
Ma is not happy yet.
- Hello? Dr. Goenka?
- Yes?
Qala Didi...
What's wrong, Sudha? Hello?
- Something's wrong with her.
- What happened?
- I have no idea.
- Okay.
Please come over quickly.
Didi.
Come with me.
You want me to call someone?
Huh?
Should I call Naseeban Apa?
Didi, do you want water?
I'll get you some for you.
Don't do it. Don't do it.
Don't do it. Don't do it! Don't do it!
Don't do it! Don't do it! Don't!
Don't do it!
When my life ends
Only then
Will I stop getting cowed down
The agents of death
Are too strong for me
How to free this tangle of death
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
- Didi! Didi!
- Qala.
Didi! Didi!
Open.
Hello.
Madam, lightning call
from Calcutta, please hold.
Hello,
am I talking to Mrs. Manjushree?
- Mrs. Urmila Manjushree?
- Yes.
Uh, this is Dr. Goenka,
I'm calling from Calcutta. Your daughter...
- Hello?
- ...Qala...
- Hello?
- Hello. Can you hear me?
- Yes.
- Qala Didi is not...
I am sorry to say,
she is mentally unstable.
In fact, she even tried to take her...
- Hello?
- Hello. Can you hear me?
She tried to commit suicide,
Mrs. Manjushree.
Hello?
Hello, hello? Mrs. Manjushree?
Mama.
Mama.
Something's wrong with me, Mama.
Something's wrong with me, Mama.
I... I think I need help.
Help... help.
I... I think I need help.
Mama.
Something's wrong with me, Mama.
Mama.
Mama.
Dr. Goenka.
Qala Didi's mother.
How is she now?
She's in bad shape.
But don't worry.
I've spoken to the psychiatrist
at R.G. Dhar Medical College.
We need to admit her to a hospital
immediately.
I know. But what we can do?
We don't really have any other option.
- In fact, the ambulance is already here...
- My daughter will go home.
Not to a mental hospital.
Madam, I don't think you understand,
she needs help.
We have to admit her. Madam!
Qala.
Qala!
- No. No, no, no, no.
- Didi! Didi!
Please, Doctor. Please, Doctor, help her.
Please, Doctor, help her.
Somebody help her, please!
My mother asks
Oh, my darling girl
What makes you so wan
So pale
What makes you so wan
So pale
Oh, Mother in the yonder forest
A peacock does sing
He has stolen
My dreams away
He has stolen
My dreams away
My baby girl
Should we find a weapon
Should we hunt him down
And kill him now
Should we hunt him down
And kill him now
Let's not kill him, Mother
Let us just silence him somehow
Let us trap him
In a cage now
Let us trap him
In a cage now
Camera.
Silence.
Action.
Excuse me, sir.
Could you please let me pass.
Didi, here. Please, look at the camera.
Many,
many congratulations, Didi.
Thank you.
Congratulations
on the Golden Vinyl, Didi.
Thank you.
Sorry, not you. Um...
Hmm.
This may take another half hour.
That's okay.
Let them ask their questions.
Okay.
Hearty congratulations, Didi.
You've accomplished so much already.
How does it feel?
It feels as if I...
reached home tired...
and Ma has opened the door.
This is my father's legacy.
And my mother's dream.
She's eagerly waited for this,
so she'll be overjoyed today.
When are you getting married?
Is it true that you are in a relationship
with a music composer?
Why don't you ask her?
My next movie is with Rai Sahab.
Naseeban Apa is the music composer,
lyricist, Majrooh Sahab,
and the heroine
is Rai Sahab's co-producer and wife.
Next question.
Didi, we all know
your family has very deep roots in music.
Your grandfather was even honored
with the great title, Diwan...
Sorry, that was my great granddad,
Pandit Devram Manjushree.
I'm sorry.
Your mother, Urmila Devi,
was here to launch
her son about nine years ago?
No.
She doesn't have a son.
It's just me.
Just me.
If Diwan Sahab were alive today,
he'd have been so happy
to see his daughter.
Madam, have you thought
of a name for the baby?
Qala.
And my other baby.
We didn't want
to tell you earlier.
Both the babies
had the same heartbeat. He died in utero.
"He"?
It was a boy?
Don't worry, she's fine though.
Your daughter is strong.
Unfortunately,
this does tend to happen with twins.
That if one baby
is stronger than the other,
healthier than the other,
it sucks the food of the other.
So, the weaker child
finds it difficult to survive.
Doesn't matter if you are a girl.
You can grow up to be a musical legend
like your father.
Talent, training,
can be the same as what boys get.
But you are a girl,
so you'll have to work much harder.
You will have to defend
your honor a lot more.
You understand?
Hmm. Well, how can you?
But someday you will.
Your name should have Pandit before it.
And not Bai after it.
Only then will you be someone.
Can you do it?
Can you be someone?
Have your tea, Didi.
The Illustrated Weekly guys
will be here soon.
Was that a call from my ma?
No.
- You sent the telegram, right?
- Yes, Didi.
You seen today's paper, Ma?
There is a photo with the Prime Minister.
I won an award, the Golden Vinyl.
You wanted it, right?
I knew it would make you happy.
Uh. Didi, Huma is ready
for the photo session.
Okay, Ma, I'll talk to you soon.
I love you, too.
Yes, Ma, I'll taking care of...
- Hello.
- Yes?
I'm calling from Dey Babu's office.
It's about Qala Didi's dates...
Dey Babu's office is calling for dates.
Tell them that if his hero
is singing in this movie too,
then I should be paid more
than he's being paid...
even if by just a rupee.
Hold it.
Beautiful.
Enough.
- But, Didi, for the magazine...
- Hey! I think we've got it.
We'll send the pictures for your approval.
Thank you.
By the way, I loved the one you did
for Indira last week.
- Oh, thank you. Ta-ta then.
- Ta-ta.
Okay.
Didi, I'll go return
Majrooh Sahab's books. Hmm?
Chop-chop,
we have to go to the studio.
Okay, let's see.
Thief.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself,
showing off my dreams on your walls?
It's mine.
No. There's no fever.
What's the problem? Symptoms, etcetera.
Um. No.
Doctor, there's...
there's nothing physically wrong.
Just...
a noise...
...here.
And fear...
here.
It's...
It's... it's like...
Uh. I have been waiting
for something to happen...
and it's happened.
Something is breaking inside me.
I think you need a break.
- She's completely exhausted.
- I am not exhausted, doctor.
There is something wrong with me.
No, it's all right.
This is common in females. It's normal.
You are a brilliant artist,
and artists are more sensitive.
They... they take everything to heart.
They overthink. That's why this noise...
Moreover, you women
have certain days of the month,
where you, uh...
So, what I would suggest is,
why don't you take a vacation, huh?
- Hmm.
- Okay.
Then please,
send me some sleeping pills.
Didn't I send some last month?
- There's just two left.
- No, no, Qala Ji.
Try... try sleeping
without the pills, all right?
- Why don't you give her warm milk...
- No milk!
Didi doesn't drink milk.
Okay, never mind.
Just give her warm water with nutmeg...
- You'll just send me the pills, please.
- You need to stop thinking.
You think too much.
You are such a good singer. Just sing.
Sorry, Mama.
- Let me sing it for you once again.
- Put the tanpura down.
- Mama, just once more.
- Down, I said.
Brains are zero. Looks are zero.
Zero talent.
The least you can do is work hard.
Even that is too much to ask?
We'll soon be going to Solan.
You'll be singing in front
of the great Ustad Mansoor Khan.
You can't even get
your basics right, Qala.
Mama, I know it.
Just hear me out. Mama just...
Mama, I'm...
Sorry, Mama.
Sorry, Mama.
Sorry, Mama.
Ustad Ji,
Diwan Manjushree's daughter
is singing for the first time today.
And yet, there's hardly any audience.
Because Bapu has come to Shimla,
entire villages have gone there.
Obviously, they would. Hmm?
And this is classical music.
Not some flashy film music.
Common people would never come.
You worry too much. Come.
And there is an audience.
Pandits, ustads,
bards, poets, everyone's here. Hmm?
My dear, there is one another singer.
Jagan Batwal,
from here itself. He'll sing too.
But, Ustad Ji,
today is Qala's debut performance.
- How can someone else...
- This boy was brought up in a gurdwara.
He's poor, an orphan.
Learned his singing there.
He is getting a chance
to sing in front of you. Hmm?
Oh, but if it's about caste...
No, no. An artist belongs to no caste.
And since it's your wish, I will listen.
How can I say no to you?
Dear father
Dear father
Dear father, why am I losing
My mother's home
Dear father
Dear father
Why am I losing
My mother's home
Dear father, why am I losing
My mother's home
Come, dear, sit. Well done.
How beautifully you sang.
- Thanks.
- Your voice has that same melody
and tone as your mother's.
How many hours do you do practice?
Sir,
approximately eight hours a day.
- Eight hours.
- Yes.
Didn't you tell me...
that Bapu was in town?
Yes, I did.
Oh, to die like this
Is not an ending, my friend
The world doth die every day
Yet does not fade away
Who knows when the end will come
And how death will visit me
If my lord lives in my heart
I will gently fade away
I will gently fade away
Fade
Fade away
Where do you wander in your search
His shadow walks with you
Yet you die with every breath
And fall apart
More than coming together
Each breath, a formless hymn
Sung without fear
Heard without hate, sung without fear
Each breath, a formless hymn
Sung without fear
Heard without hate, sung without fear
Every protection falls short
Of shielding you
Don't worry, the shroud will suffice
What your hands can hold
Is all you have
The rest, the invaders can take away
When you feast on false dreams
Everything turns to ashes
Yet you die with every breath
And fall apart
More than coming together
Each breath, a formless hymn
Sung without fear
Each breath a formless hymn
Heard without hate
Heard without hate
Heard without hate
Sung without fear
Urmi.
Urmi.
Where are you lost, dear? Hmm?
- What do you think, Ustad Ji?
- She has a voice as sweet as honey.
And besides, thumri is the specialty
of your gharana. Your own legacy.
Right?
No.
I want her father's legacy.
She is not a Pandit.
Like...
like that boy is.
Both have their own places.
He is different. She is different.
Why are you comparing the two? Hmm?
Qala, where are you going?
Please go and get some milk for Jagan.
It's very cold here.
Even more than in my Solan.
And the snow is worse than in Shimla.
I've heard that you sing?
The other day
I couldn't get a chance to hear you,
but Urmila Devi was talking about it.
What... What did Ma say?
That you sing,
and that you'll be accompanying me
on the tanpura.
What do you want?
Who asked you
to follow me out into the snow, huh?
If you catch the flu...
it's not my fault.
Scared even before an accusation?
Ah.
Ah.
Qala, what are you doing?
- Ah.
- He... he had a slight fever.
Son, please raise your arm a bit.
Careful.
There's mercury in there.
If a singer swallows, even a bit,
he could lose his voice.
Sorry, Mama.
If you had truly
bonded with singing,
you would have understood this.
What is it?
Nothing. Sab khairiyat.
Two things.
First, if you keep everything
locked up inside, buried inside,
immersed inside, it could explode.
And the second one?
The word "khairiyat" is not pronounced
with a "kuh" as in "kalakand,"
but with a "khuh" as in "Khan."
"Khuh." Khairiyat.
- Khairiyat.
- Hello? Got the lyrics?
Madam, I got the whole collection for you.
Yeah, right.
Must've scribbled it on the way here.
He can writes a whole song
in the time it takes to smoke a cigarette.
By the way, speed is never
a measure of an artist's caliber.
So, here's your lyric.
- Let's hear it.
- Uh.
Take a look.
- From here, Apa?
- Yes, my dear.
Sudha, can you ask Mukherjee
- to get some snacks?
- Sure.
- And arrange for some tea as well.
- Okay.
Greetings.
Hey, why don't you hire
Gori Sahab secretary?
He handles all the stars.
You mean I should hire him
because he is good at what he does
or just because he's not a girl?
No, no. That's not the reason.
But a female secretary?
You can just say secretary, right?
Is it necessary to say "female"?
All it takes
Is to unlatch that doorway
To let the lost light in
To take shredded dreams
And sew yourself a technicolor coat
Of the night
I am done with making excuses
Singing mournful dirges
Sorrowful songs sung slowly
Oh, wow!
The third stanza is brilliant, Majrooh.
But the only problem is,
that third stanzas neither get heard,
nor played by the radio guys.
You could dangle a corpse there
and no one would notice.
It's a bit choked, Naseeban?
It's ends with the word, "Bharam."
And there are too many naz,
one after the other.
It will be tough for you to sing.
Rai Sahab, the lyric
he has written is conveying exactly
what his scene is trying to say.
Now we can't argue with a poet and poetry?
- Can we?
- Didi, Sanyal Sahab passed away.
What?
THE INTOXICATING VOICE GOES SILENT TODAY:
CHANDAN LAL SANYAL PASSES AWAY
This is All India Radio.
By this time, all our listeners
will have read in today's newspapers
about the tragic demise
of the beloved and popular singer,
Chandan Lal Sanyal.
And today, seated with us
in our studio is Miss Qala Manjushree.
- Didi, namaskar.
- Namaskar.
Well, uh, first of all,
we would like to know,
have you ever performed
or sang along with Sanyal Sahab?
I haven't.
I haven't had the honor of doing that.
You liar.
I have a fondness for breaking apart
Come gather me
My love
You know it, right? This lyric?
Who doesn't know it?
Then sing.
- I have a fondness for breaking apart
- I have a fondness for breaking apart
- Come gather me, my love
- Come gather me, my love
I drown in you, like a word
Submerged in an unspoken conversation
Son...
I drown in you, like a word
Submerged in an unspoken conversation
One look at you and the winds
Themselves have caught their breath
Like I would your hands
The river of the night
Pools into your eyes
And falls me
To my knees
I have a fondness for breaking apart
Come gather me
My love
My love
Shall we practice?
Not today.
Qala.
You are just the best at thumri,
no one can even come close.
Well.
Wouldn't you like to come close now?
Or would you just like
to spend the night talking?
From our mountains, especially for you.
What does Ma want
from Sanyal Sahab?
Why was she flirting with him like that?
For my sake.
She wants me to work in the film industry
like Sanyal Sahab does.
I'll get the opportunity to work
with Sumant Kumar Sahab.
I've heard that only the lucky ones
get a chance like this.
And the Golden Disc,
I could even get that.
Just imagine.
I'll get so many chances to sing.
That I'll fill
all of Calcutta with my voice.
I, too, want the same.
I, too, want to accomplish all that.
As for the Golden...
Golden Award that Ma wants,
I'll get it for her.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
You know, Qala,
Devendra Narayan did his graduation
from a university in England.
And he's with the Royal Air Force now,
- right?
- Yeah.
And Rani Mandira was telling me
that he, too, is very fond of music.
You haven't visited us before, right?
Mm-mm. Never.
That's okay.
'Cause now, you'll be living there.
She's going to love it.
And what about your plans?
Back to the hills?
No. I plan to stay back here.
Qala will be with you.
And I'll be with Jagan,
because his music, his career,
everything is here now.
- Hmm.
- Himachal will have to wait.
All right, you guys talk.
Uh. Urmila, I'd love to go
and have a chat with your young protg.
- Yes, please. Come.
- Shall we?
- Let's go.
- Please come.
So, you like music?
No. I hate it.
The who's who of the industry
will be coming.
You'll have to meet everyone. Okay, Qala?
And of course...
Jagan will sing as well.
It'll be so nice.
May I sing, too?
Do you know what kind of girls sing
in front of these film industry people?
Mm-mm.
- But Jagan will be singing.
- He is a boy.
So, the rules are different.
- Can we leave?
- What?
Can't we go?
Just the two of us? We'll go back home.
You will get married soon,
and go to your home, Qala.
But my home is where you are, right?
A mother's home is where the son lives.
The daughter lives with her husband. Hmm?
Okay, I'll get married with Jagan then.
Then I can stay here with you, forever.
Have you no shame? Huh?
How could you even think
about marrying your own brother?
I can't believe this.
I hope you're not putting ideas
into his head.
Disgusting!
Jagan's performance is about to begin.
What are you doing here?
Go quickly, get some milk for him.
How are you?
You can actually see me?
I thought I was invisible.
How could anyone not see you, my dear?
You can see me.
But have you ever heard me, too?
I, too, sing quite well.
You're going to regret it.
You're going to launch Jagan.
Remember, he's very good
at replacing people.
Jagan could replace me.
After a few years,
someone will replace Jagan.
Like I had replaced someone.
Only music will stay forever.
All this may sound good
as mere words.
But when you'll get thrown out
because of Jagan,
and no one will look at you,
listen to you,
ask about you or even recognize you
because of Jagan.
It will take to the skies
It will take to the skies
It will take to the skies
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
The lonely swan will fly away
Leaving the spectacle
Of the world a mere fair
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
It will take to the skies
It will take to the skies
When my life ends
Only then
Will I stop getting cowed down
The agents of death
Are too strong for me
How to free this tangle of death
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
Jagan, my son. What happened? Huh?
Jagan?
What is it?
- What is it?
- He's burning up.
Oh, my God.
- Fever.
- Let's take him inside, come.
Don't worry. It's all right.
let's go in. Come on.
- Slowly.
- Come on.
Come, come. Don't worry.
- I'll call the doctor.
- Yes.
Yes. It's... it's an emergency.
- Please, come as soon as you can.
- Okay, okay. I'll be there.
- Thank you. Yes, please.
- Okay.
How is he?
What about the guests?
What about them? Just tell them all to go.
Urmila, do you realize
how fragile their egos are?
It doesn't take long
for them to get upset.
We have to think about the future.
Today he's unwell, but perhaps tomorrow,
he'll need these very people.
That's how it works.
You can't just ask them to leave.
Then let them stay all night long.
Does it look like I care?
I won't tug at your strings
I won't tug at your strings
Nor unravel your clouds
I won't unlatch
The windows to your heart
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
I will not
Chase the light
No more will I dance
Drenched in rain
I will bind the burning fireflies
In my hair
Your threshold
I will not dare
To cross your threshold
Your threshold
Nor ask to be held in your shade
Just stay don't turn your gaze away
- Just stay, don't turn...
- Bravo!
...your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just stay, don't turn your gaze away
Just don't turn your gaze away
Just don't turn your gaze away
Just don't turn your gaze away
Just don't
Turn your gaze away
- Please have some almonds.
- Hmm.
- They are from our orchard.
- Nice.
That song the other day.
Honestly, it's still ringing in my ears.
You couldn't complete it, but still.
You left behind an EP
with Sanyal, Gurbani.
- Without Fear, Without Hate.
- Hmm.
When Majrooh heard it.
He said, uh, "It's a God-given voice."
Thank you.
- Like I mention to you on the phone...
- I just don't believe it.
How could his voice
be snatched away like this?
God couldn't never make
such a huge blunder.
You will definitely get your voice back.
You will sing again.
And your first professional recording
will be with us.
I'll take your leave then.
- Just a minute.
- Huh?
It's snowing.
And it's quite late as well.
Uh. Why don't we ask him to stay, Ma?
He can leave when the weather improves.
How remiss of me.
Of course, she is right.
Please, stay back here for tonight.
So very kind of you.
Specially from our mountains,
just for you.
What is it?
What happened?
Have you got fever again?
There's no fever.
Just noise...
here.
And fear...
here.
Something broke inside.
Should I call the doctor?
Go to sleep.
I'll leave.
It will be fine tomorrow.
And the recording's in three days.
Yes. I'll be there.
Good.
No smoking.
Urmila Ji...
your daughter's a nightingale.
Nightingale.
You're right about her.
Well,
then I'll take your leave.
- Bye.
- Believe in yourself. Hmm?
He wasn't right about you.
You're a cuckoo...
that never builds a nest of its own.
Always grabs the nest of other birds.
It never even makes
an effort to do so.
Has no entitlement over it.
Oh, sir, why are you waiting there?
Please, come inside.
Hello.
Um. Is Qala there?
Yes. She is.
You see, the thing is, uh,
I've landed a film
after a very long time, so...
If Qala sang even one song... I mean...
if she could get a date.
Even one day will be enough.
Yes, yes, sir.
I'll get the dates for you right now.
Please come inside
and have a seat. I'll call Didi.
- Thank you.
- Please, come.
Didi, Sumant Kumar Sahab is here.
Just tell him I'm not home.
He says he's got
a film after a long time and...
Didi?
Are you okay, Didi?
- Didi is not at home.
- Hmm.
Sorry, I think I misunderstood actually.
I don't know when she left.
- As soon as she returns, I'll inform...
- Thank you.
Hello?
- Hello.
- Hello.
Lightning trunk call
to Mrs. Urmila Manjushree, please.
Just a second, please.
- Did you say Urmila Manjushree?
- Yes. Hmm.
- What is the location?
- Debisthan, Himachal.
Okay.
Can you please give me the number?
Two-four-three-four-three.
Please hold the line,
we're connecting your call.
Okay. I will hold.
- Hello.
- Mama.
Mama.
Something's wrong with me, Mama.
I think I need help.
How can you be such a bitch, Qala?
I was the one who made you.
You were nothing.
How would you have all of this
if it weren't for me, Qala?
How could you have reached this position
if it weren't for me?
I'd come there to listen to Jagan.
If he hadn't lost his voice,
he would have been
in studio, Qala, not you.
Oh, to die like this
Is not an ending, my friend
The world doth die every day
Yet does not fade away
Who knows when the end will come
And how death will visit me
Mama.
Mama. I...
I've got to go
to Calcutta for the recording.
Leave.
Get out.
But just don't ever come back.
This house cannot lodge a cheap singer.
Then how does this house lodge you?
You stopped your singing...
to keep all this.
But how am I guilty?
Why do you keep punishing me?
I'm your daughter.
And as a mother,
you should love me, no matter how I am.
But you don't...
What will it take, Mama?
- No matter what I do...
- ...it's... it's never enough.
I...
Mama.
Sorry, Mama. Sorry, Mama. Sorry.
I didn't mean it, Mama. Sorry.
Sorry, Mama. Mama.
How does one tell him now
- That no means...
- Cut, cut, cut, cut.
No...
You seem a bit nervous.
No need to be nervous, okay?
Everyone in this room is here to help you
and we have plenty of time on hand.
So take it easy. Hmm?
Ready? Come on.
How does one tell him now
That no means no
- My impatient amour...
- Cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut.
All good, nothing to worry.
Hmm.
So in this scene, the hero and heroine
are being playful with each other.
Our handsome hero
is trying to woo the heroine,
but the heroine
is playing really hard to get right now.
Hmm? So it's like
a love game between the two of them.
So when the heroine says, "No,"
she actually means yes.
So don't overthink. Just enjoy yourself.
Think of yourself
as the heroine in this song. Hmm?
Don't just sing the song,
you need to feel it, so feel it.
- Hmm?
- Hmm.
Shall we try it again.
You're doing great, I know you can do it.
- Hmm?
- Hmm.
No need to get nervous.
Hmm? You'll be fine. Shall we? Ready?
- Yes.
- Okay, good.
How does one tell him now
- That no means no...
- Cut!
Cut, cut.
Cut. Cut, cut, cut.
Cut. Cut. Cut.
This is the eleventh take.
What the hell are you doing, huh?
Waste of the producer's money.
Have you forgotten
your first recording, Manoj Bhai?
I was not this bad, okay?
- I think you need a break.
- Let's just try one more time.
- Please.
- Yes, yes. Maybe later.
She's not working at all, sir.
Yes, I made a mistake.
Sir, I don't think
she'll be able to sing today.
Qala, don't feel bad but, uh...
I don't think you're ready yet.
I'm sorry. I am ready.
I can sing now.
You don't know this,
but I can't go back home.
Sir, last chance, please. Last.
Uh. Majrooh. Listen.
I've spoken with her.
It's nothing much,
she just a little nervous right now.
But you are right.
There's something about her.
We can use her.
I'll get the opportunity
to work with Sumant Kumar Sahab.
I've heard that only the lucky ones
get a chance like this.
I, too, want the same.
I, too, want to accomplish all that.
As for the Golden...
Golden Award that Ma wants,
I'll get it for her.
- That's not why you should do this.
- It's easy for you to say that.
- When you sing for Mama, you see how...
- Come on, I don't sing for her, Qala.
For me, it's almost like breathing.
That's why I sing.
I sing for myself.
Have you ever tried singing for yourself?
How does one tell him now
That no means no
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
"Oh, my plaintive heart isolated,
in the crowd silent in the roar."
"Singing a litany broken note at a time."
Wow!
Nothing "Wow" about this.
It's way too esoteric for anyone.
Why don't you write something simpler
that people can understand.
Did you understand anything?
So, tell me, what is litany? Tell me.
Nothing's working today.
Just leave me alone for some time. Please.
Leave me alone for God's sake.
Okay. Come, let's go.
Qala, you stay.
The door.
He weaves wildflowers into her hair
Just to come a tad bit near
This is but a ploy and game
Wish I knew how to play 'em
His eyes belie
His lying words
He doesn't take no for an answer
Just sulking frowns on this clown
How does one tell him now
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
How does one tell him now
That no means no
Here he comes riding his high horse
My impatient amour
You know that song of yours.
The lost ways of the wayward heart
- It's really beautiful.
- I composed that tune for you, my dear.
It really suits your voice.
But Sumant Sir was telling me
that you were not in town.
Why don't you hire a secretary?
Someone who can be contacted
directly for your dates.
But I don't know anybody around here, so...
- Give me your contact number.
- Mm-hmm.
- Two-two-four...
- Bai Ji, salaam.
- Salaam.
- I see, you both have met.
- Qala.
- Hmm.
- What were you talking about?
- Nothing.
Girls from reputed families
shouldn't mingle
with cheap singers like her.
Hmm? You know
what kind of work Bai Ji does.
It'll keep happening
if you allow it.
If you stay quiet, it'll continue.
Today, he's at the top.
Tomorrow you'll be.
There's no punishment
for his kind these days.
Everyone overlooks such things.
But times will change.
Times have always changed.
Sumant Kumar, autograph, please?
DIAMOND JUBILEE
- Didi?
- Hmm?
I've parked the car
in the rear, I'll go get it now.
- Hmm?
- Hmm.
Why suicide?
You'd only lost your voice.
My voice was everything to me.
My life, my dream...
which you are living.
Happy now?
Ma is not happy yet.
I've set this on teental
and raga is Shree.
Don't be in a hurry.
Especially you,
Rao Sahab, you are always in a hurry.
Qala is fast,
so no extra takes, I'm sure.
Anyways,
we have the studio for three hours.
Come on, let's begin.
Bismillah.
Apa?
Qala.
Everything okay?
Hmm.
We could do the recording later, my dear.
- I can sing now.
- I want to sing.
- From here, Apa?
- Yes.
- From here, right, Apa?
- Qala.
What is it?
I can't hear anything.
Rao Sahab, flute please.
May I please move closer to him?
Yes, my dear.
Vimal.
Qala?
Qala?
- Qala, my dear?
- Didi? Didi?
Huh? What happened?
- Qala. Qala, look here. Look at me.
- Didi, what is wrong?
How will I know anything, Qala?
Say something.
She never tells us anything.
Didi? Didi? Didi!
Didi?
- He's practicing.
- Who?
He may want some milk.
The performance is about to begin.
Milk?
Didi?
Sorry, Mama. I didn't mean it.
And coming up next,
a shocking interview from the film world,
of Qala Manjushree,
the popular playback singer.
Didi, There are rumors
that you have refused
to sing in Dey Babu's next film.
- What is the reason behind it?
- Why suicide?
You'd only lost your voice.
My voice was my everything.
My life, my dream...
that you are living.
Happy now?
Ma is not happy yet.
- Hello? Dr. Goenka?
- Yes?
Qala Didi...
What's wrong, Sudha? Hello?
- Something's wrong with her.
- What happened?
- I have no idea.
- Okay.
Please come over quickly.
Didi.
Come with me.
You want me to call someone?
Huh?
Should I call Naseeban Apa?
Didi, do you want water?
I'll get you some for you.
Don't do it. Don't do it.
Don't do it. Don't do it! Don't do it!
Don't do it! Don't do it! Don't!
Don't do it!
When my life ends
Only then
Will I stop getting cowed down
The agents of death
Are too strong for me
How to free this tangle of death
It will take to the skies
The lonely swan will fly away
- Didi! Didi!
- Qala.
Didi! Didi!
Open.
Hello.
Madam, lightning call
from Calcutta, please hold.
Hello,
am I talking to Mrs. Manjushree?
- Mrs. Urmila Manjushree?
- Yes.
Uh, this is Dr. Goenka,
I'm calling from Calcutta. Your daughter...
- Hello?
- ...Qala...
- Hello?
- Hello. Can you hear me?
- Yes.
- Qala Didi is not...
I am sorry to say,
she is mentally unstable.
In fact, she even tried to take her...
- Hello?
- Hello. Can you hear me?
She tried to commit suicide,
Mrs. Manjushree.
Hello?
Hello, hello? Mrs. Manjushree?
Mama.
Mama.
Something's wrong with me, Mama.
Something's wrong with me, Mama.
I... I think I need help.
Help... help.
I... I think I need help.
Mama.
Something's wrong with me, Mama.
Mama.
Mama.
Dr. Goenka.
Qala Didi's mother.
How is she now?
She's in bad shape.
But don't worry.
I've spoken to the psychiatrist
at R.G. Dhar Medical College.
We need to admit her to a hospital
immediately.
I know. But what we can do?
We don't really have any other option.
- In fact, the ambulance is already here...
- My daughter will go home.
Not to a mental hospital.
Madam, I don't think you understand,
she needs help.
We have to admit her. Madam!
Qala.
Qala!
- No. No, no, no, no.
- Didi! Didi!
Please, Doctor. Please, Doctor, help her.
Please, Doctor, help her.
Somebody help her, please!
My mother asks
Oh, my darling girl
What makes you so wan
So pale
What makes you so wan
So pale
Oh, Mother in the yonder forest
A peacock does sing
He has stolen
My dreams away
He has stolen
My dreams away
My baby girl
Should we find a weapon
Should we hunt him down
And kill him now
Should we hunt him down
And kill him now
Let's not kill him, Mother
Let us just silence him somehow
Let us trap him
In a cage now
Let us trap him
In a cage now