A Suitable Boy (2020) s01e02 Episode Script

1 Your sister, my brother.
You too will marry a boy I chose.
You must help me to find a suitable boy for her.
- Maan! - He always goes too far.
What is it you want from me, Dagh Sahib? The Raja of Marh is building a temple to Shiva - right next to the mosque.
- Ha-ha! [GUNSHOT.]
There's really no need to melt down these medals.
- May I ask your name? - Lata.
Come boating with me.
There is no harm in dawn.
He's a Muslim, Lata.
You've got to drop him.
[INSECTS BUZZ AND CHIRRUP.]
Kabir.
You're looking very unusual in that sweater.
- Oh, dear! - No, I like it.
[SHE LAUGHS.]
It's like another world in the mist, isn't it? It reminds me of Simla.
Do you go to a hill station every summer? My father insists on it.
We can't afford to go, since my father died.
I'm sorry.
- Was that recently? - Eight years ago.
But we still miss him.
This sweater was his.
Ah It's like still having him here.
Tell me more about yourself.
What is there to tell? - Everything.
- All right.
I'll start with my mother.
[HE SNIFFS, THEN CHUCKLES.]
Where is Lata? Is she not well today? Oh, she's perfectly well.
She just went out early for a walk.
Long walk.
[SHE SHRIEKS.]
- What? What does Arun say? Is Aparna unwell? - No! - What, then? - I can't speak of it, I'm so upset! Read it! Not there, that, there! " Daddy's medals melted down for earrings by Meenakshi".
What? - How could he let her do that?! - That girl is a snake! He's under her thumb! This We should never have got involved with that family! Flashy, dishonest Calcutta types.
Now we see what comes of letting our children choose for themselves! - Ma, it's all right.
- Maji - It's all right.
- Where is Lata?! [BOATMAN SINGS.]
"If our two loves be one, or, thou and I Love so alike, that none do slacken, none can die".
May I come in? Of course.
[SHE SIGHS.]
I've been feeling a bit low today.
- Are you having your period, or something? - No! You don't have periods when you're expecting! Oh.
No! [THEY GIGGLE.]
What, then? The medals? Poor Ma.
- They were all she had left from Daddy.
- I know.
I'm amazed at Meenakshi.
Surely Daddy's memory's worth more than her small-minded whims? If I lost Pran, I wouldn't be able to live without him.
But you won't.
I worry about him.
His asthma.
And Professor Mishra really piles him with a lot of work.
You really love Pran, don't you? Yes.
- Of course.
- And you like being married? Yes, I do.
To a man who was chosen for you, a man you didn't really know before you were married.
Don't talk about him as if he were a stranger.
Don't you love him too? Yes, of course.
He's so kind and funny.
But that's just luck.
What if you hadn't been attracted to him? Why are you interested? Hmm? Because I might have a problem like that someday.
Are you in love, Lata? Who is he? His name's Kabir.
He's a history student, his father's in the Maths department.
He's very good looking, and kind and romantic, and everything anyone would want him to be, except he's a Muslim.
Oh.
And does he love you? I think so.
Should I tell Ma? No.
No.
Don't tell her, whatever you do.
And And you know what you should do.
Yes, give him up.
That's what Malati said.
But I can't.
I won't.
[THEY BANG ON DESKS.]
After recent events, there can be no doubt.
A few wealthy zamindars command huge power, here in Purva Pradesh and throughout our country.
- I'll not let you make me miss this.
- All right, all right! - Oh, let me just have a meetha paan.
- What? No! We're already late! Come on.
Zamindars behave like feudal landlords, causing bloodshed and unrest, when we should be healing the wounds caused by religious discord that have laid this country to waste! - [THEY BANG DESKS IN AGREEMENT.]
- Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! Shame! Bravo! Bravo! It's not a concert! The Raja is not happy.
He stands to lose a lot, if this bill goes through.
Furthermore, this bill will rectify - centuries of injustice and exploitation.
- Look.
It will enable poor peasants - Huh! - and tenant farmers to finally own the land they work on and, after so long, profit from their own hard labour.
[THEY BANG ON DESKS.]
Not all landowners are inhumane, of course but I regret to say, a huge majority of them have misused their power and deserve for it to be taken from them.
Robbery! This is robbery! Daylight robbery! Please, Raja Sahib, sit down! This is a great and long-needed reform, and I commend it to the House.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
- Commended! - Just clap! Come on! To hell with you and your Assembly! Hm! Unforgettable, Baoji.
I'm in heaven.
[SHE LAUGHS.]
I'm so much older than you.
You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
Nobody ever meant anything to me, till I met you.
That girl in Banaras, she's less than nothing to me.
But you know you must get married? - You can't cause your parents so much pain.
- Oh! Pain.
What about my pain? Oh, your pain.
I won't be able to visit you after I'm married.
No? I won't disturb you.
- Goodnight.
- No, no.
Come in.
One must make the most of these rare sightings.
Where have you been this evening? With a friend, chatting.
And you've come home sober.
Remarkable.
Baoji! Do you ever get tired of this, Baoji? - Ah - Will the zamindars give up their land? If this bill is passed, they will have to.
As long as there is inequality, there is anger.
Politics is never simple.
Even in my own party, I have colleagues who oppose me, let alone the friends that I stand to lose.
But to help reform an entire nation nothing can be more satisfying.
[HE SIGHS.]
I look forward to your finding something - that gives meaning to your life.
- Me too.
I-I was wondering if I could have a small advance on my allowance? I was hoping you'd be a man by now, able to stand on your own two feet.
There have been one or two unforeseen expenses.
Take 50 rupees from the drawer there.
Thank you, Baoji.
- One day, I will make you proud.
- No doubt.
Now, leave me in peace.
[MAAN HUMS.]
[BELL CHIMES.]
I love you.
Aren't you going to say anything? I love you too but it's pointless to say so, so take it back.
I don't understand.
[SHE SIGHS.]
Why didn't you tell me your last name? - It's Durrani.
- I know.
[BELL CHIMES.]
Is that important? Is that why you've been so strange with me? Of course it's important.
Don't you know what it means to my family, - to my mother? - No.
Anyway, we never talk about religion.
My father only cares about his mathematical problems, and my mother my mother's too ill to care about anything.
I didn't know about your mother.
I'm sorry.
But you knew I was a Muslim? Yes.
Not at first, but when I found out your family name Why didn't you bring this up before, if it's important to you? Because if I did that would be the end, and I didn't want it to end.
I wanted to see you.
I still want to.
Stop.
Stop.
Ridiculous flower! What bloody Ooh, Kishy! Ah! Kishy! Oh Aye! Oh, Kishy! Don't lose your temper with your daughter, Rupa, it's so bad for your heart.
You never mind about my heart.
- My heart is in excellent shape - Ah! like my other parts.
Mmm, naughty boy! [THEY GIGGLE.]
Stupid girl! Why did you give the medals in the first place, - if they were so important to you? - Kishy! Baoji, I am a poor widow.
On the wedding of my first-born son, what else did I have to give his bride? And this is how she treats me! Ha-ha! You won't make that mistake again, no, Ma? - Don't call me Ma.
- I always call her Ma, even though I am her stepmother, - and so much younger than you! - Hmm.
[SHE LAUGHS.]
Now, what about Lata? With what? - Getting her married - Oh! - of course! - Baoji, Lata is a clever girl, let her finish her studies.
You spoiled your eldest, now you're spoiling your youngest! Study, waste of time.
Girls should be married and have babies.
Lata will end up with nobody - and it will be your fault! - Oh Kishy Bye, Nanaji.
Aye Rupa, what's the matter? Have some matthi and mango pickle.
I made it myself.
[THEY GIGGLE.]
Thank you.
I mustn't have too much, but on such a difficult day So, er, when is Maan to be married? Very soon, I hope.
He needs to settle down.
But I think it's much easier for boys.
Lata is so taken up with her studies, it seems as if I scarcely see her these days.
What? Erm Tell me.
Tell me quick.
You see please look after your daughter, because someone saw her walking by the Ganga with a boy.
Chal udd jaa re panchi Ki abb ye desh hua begana.
Who will marry her now? Ma, have some tea.
Tea, tea and more tea when we are ruined.
Ma, don't overdramatise things.
It isn't good for your blood pressure.
So, you knew.
You knew.
And I had to learn this from strangers.
Where have you been, young lady? - Hm? - Just for a walk.
A walk? Walk? I'll give you walk.
Who is he this boy you have been seen with? A friend.
A friend.
What is his name? - Kabir.
- Kabir what? More tea? Come on.
He has a name, doesn't he? Or have you forgotten? Kabir Lal, Kabir Mehra, what? Kabir Durrani.
Is he a Parsi? He's he's a Muslim.
God.
Oh, God.
What did I do in my past life to bring this curse on my beloved child? No, never, never, absolutely not.
- Dirty, violent, cruel, lecherous.
- I love him.
- Do you want to marry him? - Yes.
You stupid, obstinate tu chullu bhar paani mein doob maro! I will marry him.
Daddy told us we should follow our own hearts.
Don't you dare bring Daddy into this! - I'll give you two tight slaps! - Ma! Pack your bags.
We are going to Calcutta, and that is that.
Don't you dare say another word, either of you! [DOOR SLAMS.]
I've been longing to see you again.
What's the matter? Ma's found out about us.
- She's taking me to Calcutta tomorrow.
- What? - Do you still love me? - Of course I do.
- Then, let's go away.
- Away? Where? Anywhere.
To the hills.
Anywhere, really.
And just leave everything? Everything.
I don't care, I've even packed some things.
Lata, if we go now, we don't stand a chance.
Let's wait and see how things work out.
We can make things work out.
I thought you lived from our one meeting to the next.
I do.
Look, I don't want to disillusion you.
You are, you are disillusioning me.
How long will we have to wait? Two years? First, I'm going to finish my degree.
After that, I'm going to apply to get into Cambridge I'll be married in two years.
You're not a girl, you don't understand.
I might never be able to come back to Brahmpur.
Lata, be reasonable.
I was ready to leave my family for you.
Lata? I never want to see you again.
I'm so stupid.
Lata? Lata? Lata! - Pran? - Yes, Maa ji.
Ye zarra dekh lena, please? Sure.
C 10-11, sir.
Haan, ye, yehi hai.
Cheer up, Lata, Calcutta might be fun.
Kaho "Dagh sahib, how do you do?" How do you do? How do you do? Sing for me.
[HE PLAYS SITAR.]
[SHE VOCALISES.]
Na-rawa kahiye Na-sazaa kahiye kahiye, kahiye Kahiye, kahiye, kahiye, kahiye, Mujhe bu'ra kahiye Na-rawa kahiye Na-sazaa kahiye.
I can only write in English, Saeeda jaan.
Dagh Sahib Who is Tasneem? Tasneem is my sister.
When can I meet her? [HE READS.]
"Qulid-'ullah 'awid-'ur-Rahman".
Qulid-'ullah 'awid-'ur-Rahman.
"Wa laa tajhar bi Salaatika wa laa tukhaafit bihaa".
Wa laa tajhar bi Salaatika wa laa tukhaafit bihaa.
"Wabtaghi baina zaalika sabeela".
Wabtaghi baina zaalika sabeela.
Ah Salary will be the same as with Tasneem.
Do you have any knowledge of the language, janaab? I can speak it, of course.
This is Maan Kapoor, the son of Mahesh Kapoor, the Revenue Minister.
And his brother teaches at the university where you study.
It would be an honour to teach the son of Mahesh Kapoor.
With his Zamindari Act, your father will become the saviour of the countryside.
Inshallah.
[SHE GIGGLES.]
Na-rawa kahiye, na-sazaa Good, good.
Hello there.
Where were you? You're late.
Again.
Take a swing.
Hold your arm quite straight.
And don't look at me look at the ball.
This is no fun.
Nothing's fun in the first 15 minutes.
I can think of something that is.
Two things, actually.
Shut up and concentrate.
Ho-ho-ho, genius! Beginner's luck.
Mm.
Can we stop now? Take this off.
All right.
You're going soft.
Too much pampering.
Seriously.
You shouldn't get too deeply involved with Saeeda Bai.
No good can come from it.
It's too late now, Firoz.
I can't get enough of her.
Marajal bahraini yaltaqiyaan.
Bainahumaa barzakhun'laa.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
If you put a bit more effort into life, young man, you may find yourself a good deal luckier.
And do me a favour and disappear tonight.
I have an important dinner at home.
- My pleasure, Arun - Bye, darling.
Bye, darling.
Bye, ugly! Smitten kitten.
I'll have that one.
So how's everyone at home? Ma is very well.
Papa is dispensing judgments left, right and centre.
And our distinguished brother? Oh, very happy on his little cloud.
He's in Bombay.
He gave a reading and was rapturously received.
Boys given to self praise may often sin in other ways.
Very nice, Koko! And Cuddles? He is in fine fettle.
The day before yesterday, he bit the postman quite severely.
Dear Cuddles.
Let me see.
Smitten kitten.
Apu, do you like it? Approved.
This smitten kitten is off to be bitten.
Meenakshi! [SHE LAUGHS.]
Why can't you stay longer? Billy.
Oh I need to go.
What are you supposed to be doing? Arun's boss and his wife, the Coxes, are coming to dinner.
Arun insists.
I'm meant to be making a traditional Bengali meal.
Smoked hilsa.
My parents' cook is on the job.
What about you? Golf.
How about the 19th hole? That sounds rather rude.
Oh, Billy, you're such a naughty man.
You're far naughtier than I am, "Meenakshi!" You know, we should stop before Arun finds out.
Oh.
He won't find out.
He has no imagination at all.
And that's one of the nicest things about him.
[SHE HUMS A TUNE.]
Ma How lovely to see you again, so soon after the last time.
Now, where is my little darling? I didn't know.
Things went wrong for Lata.
Dadi! My little poppet! Oh Thanks, Luts.
Ow! Can't you do anything right?! Thank you, Lata Buaa.
Mm Sh-sh.
What happened? No, Lata, that is my side.
Good to see the Reds getting pushed back in Korea.
Absolutely.
SHE WHISPERS: Smoked hilsa.
This looks delicious.
What did you say it was called? Smoked hilsa.
It's a wonderful old recipe that's been in the family for generations.
The secret is in the fire.
We throw puffed rice in it, and brown sugar.
Every proper girl learns it at an early age.
Are those the earrings? Hm.
Dou naina mitware tihare hum par zulm karein.
Evening, Ma.
Lata! Mr.
Box Mrs.
Box.
Or should I say Mrs.
Box and Mr.
Box How do you do? I don't believe we've met.
- Varun.
- My younger brother.
- I'm afraid he's a bit - Dou naina Will you please excuse us? [MEENAKSHI SIGHS.]
Not one word, or I will strangle you.
And what the hell are you wearing? You are such an embarrassment! I don't want Basil Cox to think that I'm running a third-rate dharamshala What's embarrassing about Indian clothes? - Ma and Lata and Meenakshi wear saris all the time - Shh! It's so sultry, but it is Calcutta.
No, I don't see the point of dressing up like a whitey when we're at home! He's a bit of a black sheep.
With my father's early death, and so on.
Every family has one.
It smelt ever so strong.
Would it be whisky? Shamshu, I'm afraid.
Shamshu? Oh, it's the Chinese concoction.
Rough and potent.
We must get some! Smoked hilsa and shamshu, two new things in one evening.
I haven't had this much fun since Rada! Dou naina mitware tihare Kapoor Sahib? Yes, Agarwalji.
What can I do for you? It gives me no pleasure to be the bearer of bad news, but the Raja of Marh has mounted a challenge to your Zamindari Act in the High Court.
As anticipated.
Huh? Preparations are under way.
I am convinced judgment will be in our favour.
The Raja made it abundantly clear by drunkenly telephoning my home in the middle of the night, upsetting my wife, who's not in the best of health.
I am very sorry.
To endure this, when she has so much to contend with already.
You perhaps are not aware.
Aware of what? We are hearing a great deal about your son, and a certain lady of repute.
I'm surprised that the Home Minister has an interest in these things.
I'm only interested insofar as it touches on the reputation of the Congress Party.
My son's private conduct has nothing to do with the reputation of the Congress Party.
And I'm certainly not discussing this with you, Agarwalji.
Yes.
I have had a letter.
It's from the Banaras people.
Hm.
They've realise no doubt that our son is too good for them and they want to call it off? Do I have to hear this from everyone? Everywhere I go, people are talking about Maan and his idiocy.
Is there nothing more important to talk about?! The bloody country's preparing for its first election and all I hear about is Maan, Maan, Maan! [HE BANGS ON DOOR.]
Saeeda jaan? Saeeda? Saeeda! Maan Maan.
Maan, is that you? Yes, Baoji.
Goodnight.
Come here.
Did I tell you to sit down? Stand up! I'm so tired, Baoji.
Tired? - What are you so tired from? - No, no, no, no You damn bloody LAUGHING: What are you doing? Look at the condition you're in! Have you no shame at all?! You bring disgrace to your family.
You are behaving worse than a depraved zamindar, and I will not have it.
I will not let you disgrace this family's name, Maan.
You're hearing me? We find you a nice suitable girl from a good family, and you go chasing a woman whose history and life are an open book.
But I love her, Baoji! Love her? Come here.
This is your last night in my house.
Do you understand this? Get out of here.
You go, go to Banaras.
Go wherever you want, but you get out of Brahmpur! Fine! I'll get out of your house! I'll leave tomorrow morning.
Goodnight.
My prospects at Bentsen And Pryce may very well be ruined.
But why? That buffoon's performance at dinner with the Coxes.
They'll be telling their friends, "Oh, we had such a comical evening with the natives".
- Arun, please - Goodbye, ugly.
- Bye, papa.
- You haven't forgotten? What? That you're supposed to find someone suitable for Lata.
Yes, yes, Ma.
But please remember, beggars can't be choosers.
- Arun - And now I'm late for work.
Goodbye.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
KABIR: Dearest Lata.
I can't think of anything but you.
But I'm annoyed that I should have to say so.
I couldn't and I can't run off with you to some earthly paradise.
How could you expect me to? Darling Lata, you are so brilliant.
Why can't you see things in perspective? I love you, and you really owe me an apology.
With all my love, yours, Kabir.
Lata? What's the matter? [VARUN SIGHS.]
Has he upset you? I'll kill him.
Nothing to kill.
He clearly thinks I'm stupid, and I am stupid.
It was all a mistake, the whole thing.
Lata Don't tell Ma, please, Varun bhai.
I never tell anyone anything if I can help it.
My father has these delusions of grandeur.
Just because he can strip a million landlords of their inheritance.
Why should I be separated from you? I'll just come and live here.
You want to ruin my reputation? Saeeda jaan, I love you.
Listen to me.
Your Urdu teacher Rasheed is leaving for his village for a month.
He didn't tell me.
He decided very suddenly.
Now, I wouldn't know where to find another teacher for you.
Of course.
So you must go with Rasheed to his village.
What? I know.
When is he leaving? Tomorrow.
What? I know, I know.
But it's the only way.
Then I must spend tonight with you.
Not tonight, my dear Dagh Sahib.
I will sing for you instead.
Inteha ishq ki, Khuda jaane Dam-e-aakhir ko ibteda Kahiye, dam-e-aakhir ko ibteda kahiye Kahiye, kahiye mujhe burra kahiye Na-rawa kahiya, na-saza kahiye Sabr furqat mein aa hi jaata hai Sabr furqat mein aa hi jaata hai Par ussay der-aashna kahiye Par ussay der-aashna kahiye Kahiye, kahiye Kahiye, kahiye, kahiye, kahiye Kahiye, kahiye, kahiye, kahiye mujhe burra, kahiye.
There.
That's better.
I don't really feel like going out at all.
Why don't just you and Arun bhai go, and I'll stay with Ma? Don't be silly, Luts.
Doesn't your sister look lovely? Almost as lovely as you, my darling.
[MEENAKSHI SIGHS.]
Can you fasten this for me, sweetie-pie? Lata! Pran says to tell you you did very well in the end-of-term exams! First class! I am so proud of you.
I thought I'd done so badly.
Well done, Luts.
You're a clever girl.
But remember, Luts, First-class results don't help with men.
Goodnight, Apu.
Sleepy time.
To ward off the evil eye.
What are you up to? Why is my sister dressed up to the nines? You've done nothing to find a boy for Lata.
Fortunately for you, you have a very clever wife.
[JAZZ MUSIC, BELL RINGS.]
Hello, Amit! Is that the book? It is.
This is your time to shine.
Everyone is dying to meet you.
Including my brother, Amit, of course.
Trailing clouds of glory from his book tour.
How could he be dying to meet me? Because I've told him how beautiful and clever and smart you are, of course.
This is Arun's ma, Rupaji.
It's lovely to meet you, Mrs.
Mehra.
Sit here, next to Cuddles.
Cu Cuddles? Yes.
Look, there he is.
Cuddles, don't be rude.
He's harmless, you know, but he does have moods.
There's Amit, surrounded by his admirers.
I suppose he's really famous.
Amit Chatterji what a catch.
He's a highly suitable match.
Why is he not married yet? BOTH: Always playing hard to get! Koko, darling.
Hans, darling! Ah, he's all the rage in London these days, and now he's embarked on what everyone says is the Great Indian Novel of our times.
- Hello.
- Hello.
And who is this merry young woman? Oh, this is my brilliant sister-in-law, Lata.
- Dr.
Ila Kaul.
- Hello.
Lata is from Brahmpur.
She's studying at the University there.
You have my sympathy.
What subject? English literature.
Under Professor Mishra.
Who's your favourite poet? Donne.
Good choice.
And what brings you to Calcutta? Just visiting my brother's family.
And my mother is intent on finding me a husband here.
And what is your view on that? I don't want a husband.
She's only joking, of course.
Quite right.
They are absolutely unnecessary.
Resist at all costs.
Erm You have not met Amit yet! Oh, yes, of course.
Come, I'll introduce you.
How wonderful, Amit, that you are going to be writing about your own countrymen, especially after winning all those prizes abroad.
- Amit This is Lata.
- You know Her favourite poet is John Donne.
- So, Amit, you - Doctor, come, come, come.
Excellent choice.
I'm afraid I'm not quite in that class.
But I should like to read your poems.
I'll write something specially for you.
Tell me, why haven't we met before? I'm not the one who's been out of the country.
I have been here all the time.
Ah.
If I had known that, I might never have gone away.
It's so nice to meet you, Lata.
Would you like a drink? A sherry? Oh, I shouldn't have anything as dangerous as a sherry.
They are very dangerous.
Why not? Throwing caution to the wind! Two sherries, please.
One sweet, one dry.
Certainly, sir.
Exquisite.
It reminds me of you, with your admirers.
Oh, please.
Darling? It's tango time! Righto, Minksy.
But, Hans [MUSIC: POEMA BY FRANCISCO CANARO.]
Come on.
No, you know I hate to dance.
Liar.
Come on, Luts.
Shameless Meenakshi! Why, Ma? Now your turn.
- Lata - I don't know how to tango.
- Teach her.
- Lata, no, don't do it Trust yourself.
I have never seen Amit like this with a girl before.
I hope you haven't been putting ideas in Lata's head, or his.
I haven't put anything there that wasn't there already.
Look at them.
I don't think the tango is a nice dance for young people to be doing.
But we all seem to love it.
And it takes two to tango! Come on, Rupaji [APPLAUSE.]
God forbid that another one of my children should marry a Chatterji.
He's a famous poet, Ma.
Just imagine if I were to say to you, "One loves you".
Have we met, Miss Mehra? Perhaps I met you in a dream.
Your father's land bill will make a difference.
Maan Sahib is judge and jury.
You will be a hero here now.
In these parts, everyone will follow you.
No-one listens to me here.
[SHOUTING.]