Bhabi (sister-in-law)? At this time? ls everything all right?
Bhaiyya (brother), it's a disaster. Karan has come to know the truth.
- Where is Karan now? - At home.
At home? Let's go.
Karan, my son.
Karan, my dear...
you had to learn the truth someday.
Today or tomorrow. lt happened today.
You must face this with courage.
Don't forget that you are the son of a mother...
who single-handedly faced the world to bring you up.
And you're breaking down like this?
- Doctor saab, is whatever l've learned today the truth? - Yes, it is.
- ls it true that my father is alive? - Yes.
ls it true that my father is a murderer?
ls it true that for the last 15 years...
my father has been serving a life sentence in a Hyderabad jail?
Why have you kept it a secret from me all this time?
Why have l been led to believe that my father is dead, and l'm an orphan?
Because, Karan, your mother didn't want you...
to be called the son of a murderer.
Think about it, son. Think of all the difficulties she faced to bring you up.
She gave you a good education. And now, you have a good job as well.
You should always focus on the future, not look towards the past.
When did you last meet my father, mother?
ln court, when he was sentenced.
15 years passed, mother, and you never once tried to meet father?
Why would l meet a man who deserted me for a nautch girl?
He scarred me for life.
And... and he killed that nautch girl.
Destroyed me, and irreparably damaged my family's honor.
Karan, my son!
- Karan, my son! Stop! - Bhabhi!
- Bhaiyya! Stop him, bhaiyya! - He cannot be stopped, bhabhi.
Let him go. Blood is calling to blood.
l'm telling you again that this is outside my level of influence.
Until you bring me the permission slip to meet the convict...
l cannot let you meet Shankarlal.
You know that getting permission will take a long time. l don't live here.
- l've just arrived from Bombay. - l understand your predicament,
but you should try to understand my position too.
Without that permission, l can do nothing for you.
Not even if l tell you that Shankarlal is my father?
Oh, l didn't know that.
Yes. l too came to know of this only a few days ago.
l was under the impression that my father was dead, but,
now that l have come to know...
he's alive, l cannot not meet him.
Please, let me at least see him once.
Come.
The inmates are returning to their cells. You may have a minute with him.
- l don't recognise my father. - Oh, l see.
Halt.
Number 27, step forward.
Father!
l'm Karan!
Your son, Karan!
Daddy, l'm Karan! l am Karan! l'm your son!
Mr. Shankar, your son has come to meet you. Won't you talk to him at least?
l have no son. l have no one.
Move it, old man.
Mister, is he your father?
Crying?
A strong man, crying? Look at me. l'm a Burmese Christian.
For five years l've been rotting inside this jail. But l don't cry.
Don't worry. l'll fix this. l'll get your father to meet you within two days.
- Thank you very much. - What thanks? - Hey, sergeant, let's go!
- l've only three days left. - Come on, now.
- Yes, sir? - May l have a room to stay in?
- One? l can offer ten. - There are no single rooms available.
You may have a bed in a dormitory.
How long will you stay?
- l can't say how long. - No problem, sir.
Stay as long as you want. You won't have any problems here.
Write down your name and address.
- Badru! - Yes. - Take his luggage to room number 13.
- To Madhosh saab's room? - Yes.
Arre, there isn't any luggage.
Sir, you don't have any luggge?
- There's no luggage. - No problem, sir. Shall l take you instead?
- Please come. - Just a moment, Karan babu.
l don't rent to people without an advance. Please deposit Rs.20.
Please come. You'll get the receipt later.
This is your room. lt's very airy.
And these are your companions... arre!
Where are they? Madhosh miyan? Daulatchand, son of Fakirchand...
- Where have they all gone? - They may have gone to work.
Work? Work? Dear sir...
they stay miles away from work as indeed, work, from them.
Hey, Daulatchand, has aunty left?
She did...
but Badru has brought someone else.
ls he some relative of aunt's?
No. He's your new roommate.
You may come in, and you too.
Please come in quickly.
These are your roommates, sir. And this is your new roommate.
- Hello! - Nice meeting you.
Father!
l have no need of this display of fake affection.
Say whatever it is you have come to say. l have to go.
My affection is not fake, father, but your anger is.
l know you can never hate me.
Why can't l hate you? How are we related?
What have you done for me? Who are you to me?
l didn't know anything about you. All l was told was that you...
God forbid, l was told you were deceased.
l know it's your mother who would have told you so.
She knows l'm in this jail, yet she never came to meet me.
And she didn't let you, my own son, meet me either.
She gave me up for dead!
- l hate the very thought of that woman! - You mustn't say that.
She kept it a secret only to save your family from disrepute.
She didn't want your son branded the son of a murderer.
l am not a murderer!
l'm not a murderer! l didn't commit that murder!
You didn't kill Mala, father?
No! l'm innocent, but your mother wouldn't believe me!
My friend, Dr. Kapoor,
the court, the jury, even my own lawyers didn't believe me.
And here l am, rotting inside the four walls of this jail.
- Then who killed Mala? - That, l do not know.
But l didn't kill her. l'm absolutely innocent!
But no one would believe me. With the exception of Ramdas.
But the court wouldn't accept his testimony.
Ramdas? Who is Ramdas?
Ramdas ran a grocery store under the brothel where Mala lived.
He knew l was innocent.
But l have no idea where he may be.
l promise you, father, if Ramdas is alive, l'll find him wherever he is.
And with his help, l'll prove your innocence.
So l can free you from this cursed life in jail as quickly as possible.
Let me take a good look at you. l've never even set eyes on you.
Oh, how you've grown up, and so good-looking.
How l've missed you.
During the long, lonely nights of my captivity,
how l ached to embrace you.
Shankarlal, come on. Time's up.
Ramdas Grain Shop Foodgrains & Provisions
- Excuse me. - Excused. Tell me.
A Ramdas saab used to live here some 15 years ago. ls he still alive?
Look, check my pulse.
- Forgive me. l didn't know... - that l'm Ramdas. And l'm alive.
- Go on. - The fact is...
...a nautch girl named Mala was murdered here 15 years ago.
Yes. So?
l've come to know that you testified about the murder in court.
l did. So?
l'd like to ask you a few questions about the case.
- Salaam aleikum, Ramdas Seth. - Hello, Anwar!
- What brings you here after so long? - l was away visiting my in-laws.
- Everything all right? - Thanks to your good wishes.
- A jar of Lipton Tea please. - Right away.
- So, l was asking you about the case... - You're a strange man, sir.
You float up like a bubble out of nowhere...
and immediately, you say, "Ramdas!
...lift your shovel and dig up a 15-year-old grave."
Excuse me, these are business hours.
Listen... when l shut the shop at night,
come then. Around 8 p.m.
- You're very kind. - Don't mention it.
Oh, and please eat dinner before you come.
Okay, sir, please call and check tomorrow. l'll keep you posted.
Okay. Excuse me.
Look, your advertisement will be published day after tomorrow...
so meet me then. - Okay, good day. - Good day.
- Yes, sir. Tell me? - l'd like to browse your archives...
- of some 15 years ago. - 15 years ago?
- Yes. - Then please meet Ms. Asha. She's sitting over there.
- Thank you. - You're welcome.
You're mistaken in your impression that man has reached the moon.
The article you read in our last edition,
only speculated that such a thing has occurred.
No, the Russians haven't yet sent up a manned Sputnik.
- When will that day come? - Huh?
What? You're also weird.
How can one say when that day will come?
Excuse me.
No, sir, there's no travel agency in lndia...
that can send you to the moon for your honeymoon.
For that, you'll have to postpone your wedding a few years. Get it?
The editorial l gave you? lt hasn't been published, has it?
- l've sent it in already. - Do one thing, recall that. Use this instead.
- Okay. - Excuse me. - And listen, l'm leaving now.
Call the Congress office and find out...
when Panditji's flight is leaving tomorrow.
- Alright? - Okay! - Bye-bye.
What can l do for you?
l'm asking you. What can l do for you?
l'm looking for a pretty file.
l mean, l would like to see one of your old files.
- Sit down. - Never mind.
- How old? - 15 years ago.
Yes.
A... A... Aslam!
Please take him to the rack containing the old files.
- Thank you. - Come on, sir.
Aslam, that man going through those old files? Take him a cup of tea. - Yes, ma'am.
There you are. Come through the other way. Use that door.
Come in.
Sit down.
- May l ask you something? - Yes?
Who are you? And why are you so interested in this case?
The man who was sentenced for this murder is my father.
l only got to know about it recently.
- Oh, so you want to know the whole tale.
Yes. l'll always be grateful to you.
All right.
Then listen. Fifteen years ago,
that night, l was sitting here, balancing my daily accounts.
l could hear the whores singing and dancing in the brothel upstairs.
Suddenly, l heard a girl shriek.
- What happened? - Murder!
l peeked in and saw your father standing beside Mala's corpse.
l don't quite know why he stooped down and picked up that bloody knife.
Now, let's be very clear...
he picked that knife up after l got there.
Anyway, after a while, the police arrived.
lnspector Mehta examined the corpse,
and sent it away for post mortem.
When witness accounts were recorded, Kishori didn't say a word.
She just pointed at your father.
Meaning that he was the culprit.
When l arrived here, l saw him standing beside the corpse.
Then, l don't know why, he stooped and picked up the knife.
That's all l saw.
Sir, his eyesight is a bit weak.
He can't see without his glasses. Right, Kishori?
Afterwards, the brothel was searched.
The search revealed those letters...
that proved the attachment between Mala and your father.
Where do you live?
Dewan Building, Hazratgunj, Hyderabad
- Come to the police station tomorrow. - All right.
- And you? - l live right here.
- Your name? - Jumman.
- She? - She lives with me.
At the police station, all of us recorded our statements.
l stated exactly what l'd seen.
That your father was certainly standing beside the body,
but he wasn't holding the knife.
He picked up the knife only after l reached there.
And this was exactly what l stated in court, under oath.
And the other witnesses, Jumman and Kishori?
At both places, they stated...
that Ramdas the grocer is a good soul, but his eyesight is very weak.
And that he wasn't wearing his glasses at that specific time,
therefore, he couldn't have seen anything.
Based on this, the public prosecutor overturned my evidence.
But, those who know...
are aware that they gave false evidence.
l think lnspector Mehta was also aware of this.
God knows why he hid that fact.
Could l somehow meet lnspector Mehta?
l haven't seen him for many years. God knows whether he's alive.
What a poem! Listen to this!
lf you will...
ln a state of intoxication,
l kept calling to you
As l continued to drown in a goblet of wine
Fantastic, Madhosh miyan!
How well you have contained life in a goblet!
You are the greatest of poets!
- Bless you! - Thank you.
Mother, l'm perfectly alright. Don't worry about me.
l'll have to remain in Hyderabad for a few more days. Your son.
Drop the poetry, and come to eat. Dinner is ready.
Badru miyan, how can one break one's fast without seeing the moon?
Five minutes, brother. The moon will rise soon.
Right, sir. Will you see the moon inside your room?
Step outside and look for the moon. Hurry up!
- Let's go to the moon then. - Come on.
What's going on? What's this?
- l know very well what's going on! - lf you know, why ask?
Badru miyan, until l see her glowing face, l can't write poetry.
Madhosh miyan, if her aunt sees this mischief...
she'll kick you until you will come to your senses.
- Come on, the food is getting cold. - All right.
- Karan babu, is everything all right? - Yes.
- No problems, l hope? - None, thank you.
- And you guys? No problems, right? - None at all.
- Then why don't you eat? - Let Ms. Asha come.
We'll eat together.
Will you have this? Please take some.
Thank you.
You'd come to the Deccan Times office this morning, hadn't you?
- Yes. - So it was you.
Forgive me. l couldn't thank you before leaving.
Never mind.
Ah, Daulatchand, where did this stone come from?
- ln my food. - l found one in my food as well.
- Where are these stones? - No, aunt, we were just exchanging notes.
- The food is absolutely delicious! - Really? Then eat.
l had no idea you were staying in our guest house.
- Your guest house? - Yes.
She owns this guest house. But her aunt runs it.
Miss, his name is Karan. He's from Bombay.
He's also a journalist.
- You're a journalist too? - Yes.
- Then why didn't you say so this morning? - l didn't get an opportunity.
What brings you here?
You know journalists don't reveal their secrets.
Never mind.
Can you tell me where an lnspector Mehta lives?
Do you know where lnspector Mehta lives?
- Listen, lnspector Mehta's house? - Just opposite.
This one? - Yes.
Who?
- l'd like to meet lnspector Mehta. - Come in.
Are you lnspector Mehta?
Used to be. Be seated.
My name is Karan Khanna ...Karan Mehra.
- l need your help. - My help?
- Yes. - l am a useless, unsuccessful...
- coward. What help can l offer? - But you...
you're a police inspector?
l was an inspector 15 years ago.
Not any more. l resigned from my job during the British rule.
Perhaps you may remember that 15 years ago...
a nautch girl named Mala was murdered.
l remember.
l remember very well.
The man who received a life sentence for that murder is my father.
- You are Shankarlal's son? - Yes.
Now, l'm certain my father didn't commit the murder. He's absolutely innocent.
l'm trying to piece together the evidence to prove it.
The reason l'm here is because l've come to know that you...
may be able to shed some light on this case.
lt's good that you've come.
My conscience has pricked me for years...
that an innocent man was convicted and l did nothing.
Your suspicions are correct.
Your father is innocent.
At the time of Mala's murder...
l went there to investigate.
After arresting your father...
l began the inquiry.
- Did you call me, sir? - Yes, please sit down.
- Greetings. - Good morning.
l hear, Mr. Mehta, that you suspect a third person?
- Sir? -The Mala murder case.
Yes. Yes, this...
bottle of medicine was found near the dead body.
This is epilepsy medication.
People who use it become addicted to it.
He can't live without it.
- So? - The post mortem report shows...
that Mala never used this drug.
- Then? - And...
- neither did Shankarlal - Then?
The wounds on Mala's body were inflicted by a left-handed person.
Shankarlal is right-handed.
Now the question is...
this left-handed man...
this bottle of medicine, what does it all mean?
ln all this, there seems to be one thing, Mr. Mehta...
which seems to have eluded you.
- Tell me. - That is...
you're out of your mind.
lnexperienced policemen like you always have the same weakness.
You ignore clear, simple evidence...
and entangle yourselves in a wild goose chase.
Take this case. lt's absolutely clear that Shankarlal is the murderer.
There are witnesses to the murder.
The dagger has his fingerprints on it.
What's more, you have two witnesses.
But l don't know what comes over you that...
you go around chasing a bottle and a left-handed man, and whatnot.
Mr. Prosecutor, you are right...
- but... - You may leave. Don't waste my time.
Greetings.
- May l leave? - Yes.
This silenced me.
But my suspicions didn't abate.
The trial commenced.
Every shred of evidence was against your father.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
When l was leaving the court after the trial...
l heard Jumman tell Kishori...
Well done, Kishori. Your testimony was brilliant.
How smoothly you succeeded in getting him sentenced for life.
You had a hand in it, too.
- Now give me the letter. - What letter?
The one that contains the secret.
l'm not a rank amateur, Jumman miyan.
lf l return the letter, where is my immunity?
Look, Kishori, your interest is in the money, right?
lt will be sent regularly. Give me the letter.
No, Jumman miyan.
Go tell the gentleman...
l'll die before l give him the letter.
Because l can hold this over him...
and use it to indulge myself.
My suspicion that your father...
was innocent, was confirmed.
But l, being a selfish...
and cowardly man, didn't report this incident.
- So until this day, l... - What would you advise me to do?
Today, Kishori is Hyderabad's most famous courtesan.
lf, somehow, you manage to steal the letter from her...
then you can free your father.
lt's not that easy.
But if it becomes necessary, l'll certainly help you.
Capsized, the boat was swept into the eye of the storm
Along with the waves, the shores were swept away
- l... - Madhosh miyan... - Yes?
- Tell me. - Will you answer a query? - Sure.
- Where is that locality? - Which locality, friend?
Where the brothels are.
Why, Karan saab, what business do you have in that locality?
l've some very important business there, Badru miyan.
Why, my friend, are you hiding it from us?
As if we would betray your secret trysts.
Silence, Daulat miyan! You are unaware that...
every young man has some deep-seated desire or the other.
- Badru miyan, right now, he fancies music. - Don't consider this a joke.
Really? Then, Badru will take care of this.
Sure, Karan saab, please tell me...
who is this person you want to meet?
ln this market, there's no courtesan...
whose brothel your humble servant hasn't visited.
Just tell me that cruel one's name.
She's one of the famous nautch girls here.
- Ghazala! - No.
- Mushtari? - No.
- Akhtari? - No. Kishori.
Whose name have you uttered, my friend?
- The way she stretches... - Forget it, Madhosh miyan.
She first glances at her admirers' faces.
And the face that God has bestowed upon you, praise be!
Even when l was young, l couldn't step inside.
Why? Was her brothel so heavily guarded?
Yes. She takes care of her own safety.
Going to Kishori's is no joke.
As soon as you enter, you're offered a paan [betel leaf].
lf you don't place a hundred-rupee note on the plate...
you'll be kicked out immediately.
Badru miyan, it's very important that l go there.
But l only have enough money to pay the fare there.
Then it's difficult, sir. Very difficult.
But here's the thing.
l know one thing about the nautch girls...
that, besides money, they are enamored of three other things.
Good looks, a good voice...
and good poetry.
You already possess two of the three attributes.
And, praise be, you sing very well.
l've heard you sing a couple of times in the bathroom, Karan saab.
lf he already has two of the attributes, l'll give him the third.
lf you memorize a few of my couplets, you can become a real poet.
Friend, it's all very well to be a poet. But l've to look like one too.
- l've no formal clothes. - l can lend you a kurta-pyjama.
But an achkan [coat] and cap are also necessary.
You don't worry about that. l'll organize those.
My gaze has fallen on your bungalow, my beloved
lf only l were a forest cuckoo, my beloved...
l would be trilling my melodies at your bungalow, my beloved
My gaze has fallen on your bungalow, my beloved
lf only l were a dark rain cloud, my beloved...
l would be showering my blessings on your bungalow, my beloved
My gaze has fallen on your bungalow, my beloved
lf only l were a jasmine creeper, my beloved...
l would be entwined around your bungalow, my beloved
My gaze has fallen on your bungalow, my beloved
lf only l were to be your bride, my beloved...
l would be gliding through your bungalow, my beloved
My gaze has fallen on your bungalow, my beloved
lf only l were to be your bride, my beloved...
You don't seem to have liked my singing.
Eat this gilori [a paan substitute] and let's see your taste change.
This will only serve to color my lips.
Your gilori will not change my tastes.
lt seems like you are overly bitter.
You have understood my mood very well.
l've heard that bitterness dispels bitterness.
l could call for it if you so desire.
That may raise your spirits.
Which man, disgraced, seeks pleasure from wine?
l desire to commit the sin of intoxication, night and day.
You seemed very innocent.
Many, like you, have been deceived by this face...
- and have died soon after. - You're extremely vain, aren't you?
But, anyway, you are a guest in my home.
And l know how to entertain my guests.
That's just why l have been so drawn to you.
Why did you have to ask for this?
A few words and a smile from you, and l would have been enraptured.
That intoxication can be too much.
Many have been swept away under its spell.
Please start with this.
lf you insist that l drink, then, please...
raise it to my lips with your fair hands.
- Would you like some more? - Yes.
Because l haven't yet finished critiquing your song.
Was the song that awful?
l can compliment your beauty,
but as a poet myself, l can't praise bad verse.
Really? So, you write poetry as well?
Yes, and not such bad verse as in your song.
"lf only l were a jasmine creeper, my beloved...
l would be entwined around your bungalow."
Dear God, 'entwined' indeed!
l'm grateful your dislike is limited to the song.
l was afraid that you might not approve of my singing, either.
How very eager women are to hear someone praise them!
l was about to praise your voice without being prompted.
But l will say this: if your melodious voice had graced a better song...
wouldn't that have been wonderful?
You do have a way with words.
And yet, we are infamous for making our living off words.
lt's not words, but my poetry...
and my voice that wins people's hearts.
Win me over and l'll agree.
Alright. But, please, sit with bated breath.
l've swept many a damsel off her feet.
And l, l have never given my heart to anyone.
Of course, many have subsumed themselves in this quest.
How difficult can it be to charm a beautiful woman like you?
The obvious doesn't need to be proved.
Alright, if you're intent on witnessing your own downfall, so be it.
But the deal is, l'll sing...
only if you'll emote to the verses over there.
Agreed.
l....
went away
lntoxicated, unaware of self, l kept calling to you
As l steeped my life in a goblet of wine...
l gazed at you
Crazed with passion
And when l broke out of my rapture...
realization dawned...
that all that had sustained my life had passed
But l, deeply intoxicated, kept calling to you
Do not accuse me, at least...
of playing a lone hand
That this rapture...
was mine alone
For l had cast a spell on you as well
Deeply intoxicated, l kept calling to you...
as l steeped my life in a goblet of wine
lf one fears losing one's heart...
what should she do?
That, l will... tell you tomorrow.
My gaze fell on your bungalow, my beloved
lf only l were a jasmine creeper, my beloved...
l would be entwined, my beloved if only l were, my beloved...
lf only l were a forest cuckoo, my beloved...
Who's it?
- What are you doing here? - And what are you doing here?
- What? - Yes!
Sorry, l thought this was my room. All the doors here look alike.
- No, no, that's my aunt's room. - Huh?
How strange. Everything is going wrong today. Good night!
But l think l should apologize for waking you at an untimely hour.
- lt's okay. - Then l think...
that one should only apologize for something that...
that one regrets.
And here, if l have any regrets, it is only...
why l didn't commit this offence earlier.
Some mistakes extract a very high price from the offender.
When the offence is to one's liking, then one doesn't mind the punishment.
Having dressed like a poet, l see that...
you're beginning to sound poetic too.
The dress has nothing to do with it.
Because one tends to become poetic in the presence of such beauty.
l don't notice any beauty around here.
Look at it from my perspective.
Where are you coming from, so late at night?
l was just exploring the city.
Everyone was waiting for you at dinner.
l'll believe that if you had also waited for me.
And what if l really do that one day?
Then l'll believe that the Fates have blessed me.
Good night.
- My black achkan and black cap. - They are both missing?
That's just what l'm telling you! Missing, missing, missing!
How can l believe that? Nothing has ever gone missing from my hotel.
Then where have my black cap and my black coat gone?
Have the walls swallowed them, or have they vanished into thin air?
- Badru! - Yes?
- His black cap and coat are missing. - Yes, indeed.
Uh, l mean, they're missing?
Go upstairs with him, and search every room.
- And whichever room you find them in... - l'll break his bones!
- No, not you, l'll break his bones. - Go on.
ls this cap yours? Listen to me, is this cap yours?
Oh. And this achkan?
Arre, you are a strange man.
That man has been bringing the roof down with his yelling and screaming.
And now, aunt and he are searching each and every room.
Are you certain you kept it in your room?
- What happened? - Nothing! - What were you saying?
l'm saying there's been a theft from my room too.
That's strange. No one has ever gone missing from our guest house...
So how is it that money, black caps and coats have gone missing?
So this is what happens in a grand hotel.
- Even people's clothes go missing here. - Wait, be patient.
- Are you sure they're missing? - Yes, yes, yes!
- ls that the truth? - Yes!
And what if you find your achkan and cap?
You're a strange man. How can l find them if they're missing?
Mind your head.
- Hey, look! - How did these come here?
- Huh? - How did these appear here?
What is this? Are they not an achkan and cap?
Get spectacles. You're unnecessarily spoiling our reputation.
Bhaiyya, l'm very worried about Karan.
But he wrote to you, didn't he, bhabhi?
Just one letter.
l haven't heard from him since, and...
Besides, he didn't even have money. How is he managing?
Don't worry.
l'll go to Hyderabad, if necessary.
Having loved...
l am now perturbed, my love
No one to call my own, as l, helpless, roam
Having loved...
l am now perturbed, my love
No one to call my own. Helpless, l roam
Having loved, l am now perturbed, my love
The whole world placed their bids for me
But l lost my heart to you, my beloved
What do l do when your gaze slays me?
Tell me, what do l do when your gaze slays me?
Some called out to me. Others said differently
Having loved, l am now perturbed, my love
Nary a friend or a companion
Asleep or awake l am alone
An empty bed, a deserted mansion
Look at the empty bed, the deserted mansion
l had thought l would reside in your heart
Having loved, l am now perturbed, my love
No one to call my own Helpless, l roam
Having loved, l am now perturbed, my love
l don't remember the last time l was so happy.
But l dread each moment of joy.
lt makes people sad...
because they fear it will be snatched away from them.
What if l put those fears to rest?
Then l...will happily sacrifice everything for you.
There's no need to sacrifice anything. Just take my hand.
Marry me.
Karan babu, please...
l beg of you...
please don't make fun of me.
l am already unhappy.
- Please don't trouble me like this. - Believe me, Kishori...
without you, my life would be incomplete.
Trust me. Will you marry me?
l'm not your equal,
but still, l shall strive to be worthy of you.
Who iss it?
You?
- Why didn't you switch on the lights? - You were sleeping so peacefully...
l thought you'd awaken if l put on the lights.
l must have dozed off. l was awake a short while ago.
You shouldn't be staying up so late.
And you shouldn't be staying out so late.
When one has no ties that bind, what else can he do but roam?
Those who spread such ruin are termed insane.
Or perhaps, a lover?
So Mr. Lover, are you just going to wander around...
or do you want something to eat?
Thank you for reminding me. l haven't eaten anything yet.
l haven't eaten either.
You haven't eaten?
l told you, didn't l, that l would wait up for you someday?
- Good night. - Good night.
- Why did you stop? - l hadn't the heart to leave.
What does your heart say?
l would like to stay with you all my life.
Why are you... so beautiful, Asha?
How long will you... stay in Hyderabad?
These earrings look lovely on you.
When will you return to Bombay?
l'll not come back.
Will you come with me?
- Who else lives with you there? - My mother and l.
Only the two of you?
lt could be three of us, if you agree.
You will, won't you?
Hello, where's the rent?
Consider it paid, aunty. lt's only a matter of a few days.
- As soon as... - As soon as his anthology of Ghazals is published, aunty...
- you will be paid all your arrears. - To hell with your anthology!
l don't want to rent rooms to jokers like you.
Listen carefully.
lf you don't pay your arrears by this evening, l'll throw you out. Understand?
Tell Karan too. lf l don't get his rent, l'll throw him out as well.
Who does she think she is? She's always throwing her weight around.
You just wait. l'll write 40 abusive verses about this old woman!
What are you writing, friend? Write something about me too.
You fool, he's writing something nasty about your boss.
- Nasty? - Didn't understand? - No.
- Abuses. - Abuses? Then put in a few abuses on my behalf too.
Karan babu, Ms. Asha has sent you this letter.
- Badru! - Yes?
Did Asha send this money?
Money? l don't know. She asked me to give you this envelope, so l did.
- What a beloved! - Hey, what a friend!
- What a boss! - Huh? -The new boss.
By sending me money through Badru, you've put me in a quandry, Asha.
- What money? - Don't try to evade the issue, Asha.
l can't take your money.
Who told you that l'd given you this money?
l'd sent it to you so you could hand it over to my aunt.
Whatever the reason, l cannot accept this money.
- This isn't right. - Not again!
Who's asking you to take the money? Give it to aunty; the matter ends there.
- That's all well and good, but... - To hell with your buts.
Promise me that we will never mention this again.
lf it's that important to you,
then, whenever l come to Bombay...
use this money to show me around your city.
Don't be childish, Asha. l can't live here, rent-free.
We don't charge our guests rent.
But l'm not staying here as a guest.
Aunty may not see you as one, but to me, you are my guest.
And a very obstinate one, at that.
Because guests only stay in the house...
but you are slowly encroaching into other places.
Who's living where?
Aunty, l was talking about the coat-and-cap man.
He was very aggressive towards you that day, saying...
that his coat and cap had been stolen.
l've taught a lesson to many a rascal like him.
Didn't you see how l immediately threw him out?
And you? What do you want here?
- Aunty! - Keep quiet, Asha.
Don't give him or his wastrel friends anything;
and until he's paid his rent, don't pay any heed to his complaints either.
He came here to pay the rent, aunty. Here's the money.
Then why were you standing there in silence?
Why didn't you say you'd brought the money?
Tell me, do you have any problems? Do you want anything?
You take care of the money, aunty. You cannot give me what l want.
The other day you were saying you aren't worthy of me, but it's the reverse.
Look at me, l'm unemployed, a pauper; l can't even provide for you.
Please don't worry about that.
l'm not afraid of poverty.
l have another source of income.
Thanks to that, we will never be short of money.
But how can l live off your earnings?
Who's talking about my earnings?
l have something...
which will allow both of us to live comfortably.
- What is that? - lt's something.
But l won't tell you now.
Now l want to listen to you,
look at you to my heart's content.
l want to lose myself in your embrace.
Farewell. Coachman!
All this is fine, but Kishori is beginning to fall in love with me.
How can l deceive her like this?
She's an unhappy woman, Mehta saab, and she hopes l'll set her free.
More unhappy than your father?
He, too, hopes you will free him.
Today, Kishori has cast such a spell on you...
...you've forgotten that your father is rotting in jail because of her.
Then, assure me that, with the letter as evidence,
the case can be freshly reopened?
Alright. Come here tomorrow.
- And l'll introduce you to the public prosecutor. - Yes.
Hey, Badru, come here!
Don't do anything that will reveal that you're not a prince but a grass-cutter.
You may be a grass-cutter. Don't you know...
l've worked for years as a bearer in a hotel.
l've come across thousands of fake princes.
lf l can't pull off acting like a real prince, l'll be the biggest ass around.
You're absolutely right. Listen...
That's why l chose you for this difficult task.
Your have the look of a prince, but your speech...
- Arre, potato! Potato, - Take care of my hookah.
Just watch, l'll turn in such a performance... - Let's go.
- Wait. Let Daulatchand arrive. - Daulatchand is here with the money.
- Here's your purse. - Arre, it's filled with stones.
And here's your checkbook.
Nonsense.
- l've also got the real thing. - Quick!
- Here, take this hundred-rupee note. - ls it genuine?
l borrowed it from the Pathan at the street corner.
- lt has to be returned. - l know that!
- Come along, come along. - Let's go.
Please be patient, Karan babu.
Your beloved is changing, and will soon be here.
lf you'd ever been in love, you would know what it's like to wait.
Karan babu, our whole life...
is one long wait.
Greetings. Neelam bai...
There's a prince outside.
- Prince? - He's coming up.
Welcome. Please come in.
Oh, come along, please come along.
- Hey, where are you going? - Am l going the wrong way? - Yes.
The prince loves to jest! Please come.
- Please come. - After you.
Please come and be seated.
Be seated.
Please seat yourself, too.
Please have some paan.
Forgive me, the Prince has an interest in philosophy.
He likes to check the pulse of every new woman he meets.
Oh, praise the Lord. You're in the pink of health.
Your pulse is racing like that of a doe.
- Please have some paan. - Paan? Sure.
- Please... - Greetings.
- You idiot. We borrowed that note! - Silence!
Just keep standing there. l know what l'm doing.
You are very early today.
You took your time getting ready.
- Some guests have arrived already. - And some...
may be leaving, perhaps.
What do you mean?
Won't you listen to my song tonight?
ls there something special tonight?
You should know.
- l offer my humble greetings. - Greetings.
Please meet the Commander-in-Chief of the realm...
the pride and honor of his dynasty...
the light of his dynasty, His Highness Nawab Badr-ud-Daula...
- who has deigned to grace your humble abode. - Can't you cut it short?
Very well. Who has deigned to grace your humble abode...
with his noble presence. - Please recite the poem immediately.
She stepped into my abode like a miracle of the Lord
- l gaze at her and then, turn to gaze at my abode. - Fine.
You have stepped into this worthless person's house. l'm blessed.
My heart is filled with gratitude.
Ever since l arrived in the city yesterday...
l've only been hearing praise of your beauty and your voice.
Their praise of your beauty is justified.
l have yet to witness the magic of your voice...
...that has driven everyone insane.
- What are you doing? - Looking to see if she's genuine.
- What? - The girl.
lt is your immense kindness...
...that you have bestowed your affection on a worthless person like me.
Let the music begin now. My voice thirsts for your ears.
l mean, my ears eagerly thirst for the melody of your sweet voice.
When a guileless ingenue extends his arms...
in the name of love
A strange ache arises in my bosom
A tear trembles on my lashes
And unbidden, my heart is filled with sorrow
How can l tell you what memories rush forth
Let go of those long-forgotten melodies, my dear
Love is but a tale of the insane
Live your life, for this is the age to live
What is love, after all? Where is trust?
l remember the soft fragrance
of his breath wafting over me
That twilight, those multi-hued clouds...
as he slowly lifted my veil
How this tormented me
How can l tell you what memories rush forth?
Let go of those long-forgotten melodies, my dear
Life is but a tale of the insane
Live your life, for this is the age to live
What is love, after all? Where is trust?
Forget it, let it go
Let it go, my dear, forget it
Don't expect the world to keep faith or trust
When someone taught me that lesson
The flames of betrayal rose high in my breast
The shadows of my grief lengthened
My tears threaten to overwhelm me
How can l tell you what memories rush forth?
Praise the Lord. What a voice!
What a beautiful voice! l'm enthralled!
- l'm enthralled. - Thank you.
But tell me, who wrote these couplets?
- The poet is also here. - Bring the poet before me.
Greetings.
Young man, l am very pleased with your poetry.
- l feel like kissing you. - Thank you for your appreciation.
- Babban miyan... - Yes, sir. Give the bag of money to this poet.
- lnsolent fellow! - Forgive me, sir, but the whole bag?
- What do you mean by this insolence? - l mean, all the money is in this bag.
- Take it out quickly. - My lord!
Oh, Ajjan miyan, please help me. - Here, my lord.
My heart is filled with sorrow. How can l tell you what memories rush forth?
- Er, Babban miyan... - Yes, my lord.
The poet deserves another hundred rupees. What do you think?
Alright. But, my lord, all the money was in that bag.
So what? Ma'am, please give the poet the hundred rupees that l gave you.
Please take it. lt's yours.
Umm... Miyan!
Miyan! Miyan!
- My lord, which one of us? - The one with the checkbook.
- Then, you idiot, tell him! - Give me the check.
Ma'am, don't worry.
l'm giving you a check for Rs.200 in place of that hundred-rupee note.
Give madam a check for Rs.200.
Quickly!
- You will come again, won't you? - Of course!
When my soul thirsts for you, l'll definitely return.
- l'll take your leave. - Greetings. - Good-bye.
Greetings. My lord...
Come, let us sit inside.
- l've something to do. l'll leave. - Where are you going, Karan babu?
l have so much to tell you today.
Your song cast such a spell today, Kishori.
You cast the spell, Karan babu.
Every day, a different man walks into these brothels.
Some set a price on a whore's conversation, some on her songs...
and some haggle for her body.
And even though she dislikes these strangers...
she sells them her art, and sometimes even herself.
Because, in this profession, she can only earn a living by demeaning herself.
What's come over you all of a sudden?
But a whore is also a human being, Karan babu.
She may be a fallen woman,
but in her heart of hearts, she prays to that God...
who, as a man, will rescue her from this filth.
And the sign that the man is God in human form...
is that he takes nothing from her.
He comes to cover the prostitute's nakedness...
with the veil of his honor.
What are you saying? Why are you telling me all this?
Until yesterday, l considered you that deity...
whose arrival, l hoped, would light up my life.
That day, when you promised to marry me, to make me yours...
l had no doubts but that you were God incarnate.
But today, when l have come to know...
that you came not to liberate me, but to deceive me for your own ends...
how cheap you seem!
Even the worst of my customers is better than you.
Because they openly barter my services.
And you? You seduced me, deceiving me so you could achieve your own ends.
How low you stooped!
Such deceit for this letter?
Have you finished? Or do you have anything more to say?
Today, you consider me cheap and shallow because l deceived you.
But tell me, what right have you to judge me?
Search your own conscience.
Aren't you that unscrupulous woman who, for a few pieces of silver,
bore false witness to send an innocent, guiltless man to jail?
You killed justice then, and are now pleading for clemency?
You call me cheap?
You, who consigned a woman's life to darkness?
You consigned a married woman to widowhood.
Look here! Look at my face.
l'm the son of that innocent man...
whose youth you destroyed by sending him to jail.
My father has yearned for his wife and son for the last 15 years.
And l? l'd been condemned to live an orphan, yearning for a father's love.
This is the reason why l tried to reclaim this letter.
Because this is the only way l can make him happy...
for the rest of his life. And this is also the reason why...
the man who was God incarnate...
in your eyes, has fallen in your esteem today.
Accursed fate! Little did l know that he would turn out to be your father.
Kishori, l know this letter is the surety for your livelihood.
This letter is also my greatest need.
But l have no right to deprive you of a livelihood to satisfy my desires.
And today, l have come to believe that l'm not fated to experience a father's love.
l told you, didn't l, that after you read this letter...
you will also be convinced of my father's innocence?
Look, it's very clear from the letter...
that the murderer is Dewan Sardarilal, not my father.
He wrote this letter to Mala.
And look at this one, Mala wrote this...
to warn my father of Dewan Sardarilal's intentions.
Now, my only plea...
is that you reopen this case and free my father.
Be seated.
- Cigarette? - No, thank you.
- What are you... - Hold him.
Take him out.
Now l know who you really are!
Now l know you saved the real killer.
You sent my innocent father to jail.
- You manipulated the court's judgement. - Come along!
- You are no custodian of law; you're a traitor to your profession. - Silence!
You are not just a lawyer but an executioner as well.
You may have burnt that letter, but l warn you...
that l will not rest until l've sent you and Dewan Sardarilal to jail.
Remember.
Are you very busy, Asha?
- Asha? - Hmm?
l have something important to tell you.
Asha, l won't take too much of your time. Just give me a few minutes.
lt's important and l need to tell you right now.
l have no time for you or for what you want to say.
Not now, not later, not ever.
What's come over you? Are you out of your mind?
- You were all right until yesterday. - l hadn't recognized your true colors then.
Today, l'm not that naive that l'll be taken in by you.
l wish to have nothing to do with a wastrel like you.
- What did you say? - Wastrel! Wastrel. Wastrel.
Wastrel! Got it? Let go my hand.
Don't create a scene in my office.
Who's creating a scene? You or l?
But lawyer saab, there must be a way.
No, Mr. Mehra. There's no chance now.
Now that the letters are burnt, there's nothing you can do.
l regret l cannot help you in any way.
Aunty, don't, those are important things. They are my life.
Aunty, he's a poet. His anthology will be published soon.
All your bills will be paid.
Throw their stuff out! Worthless freeloaders.
- What are you waiting for, Badru? - Aunty, they aren't as bad as you think.
- They are constrained by their circumstances. - What did you say?
l mean, give them a few more days' grace.
Oh, you sympathize, do you? You may get out too.
Very well.
Take your uniform.
- Er... - l'll have the trousers sent later.
And listen, pay their arrears out of my paycheck.
- Go on. - We'll go. Farewell.
Pray we will meet again. And when the hotel is empty...
- then send for me. - Send for me, too.
So, friends, what do you think? Shall we spend the night under this bridge?
By my oath, this place isn't very inviting.
lt's very desolate. Besides, there aren't any beautiful women around.
To hell with your beauties and to hell with your poetry!
l've been carrying your luggage around since morning.
- Am l a donkey? - No. Arre, Badru miyan...
only a man who's not a donkey is considered one.
That's fine then... huh? Hey, listen...
We will have to sleep here tonight. Whoever wants to sleep, come with me.
- And carry your own luggage. - Hey, Badru miyan...
Never mind. Daulatchand! Bring the luggage.
Hey, you damned poet! Do you think Daulatchand is a donkey too?
Pick up your own luggage. Come on!
No problem. l'll do just that.
- Pick up that bedding too. - Really?
Exhausted as l am by the burden of my verse, l shall yet do your bidding.
Poets like you are only fit to shoulder the luggage.
Enough.
Karan babu...
You? Here? We were searching for you in the city.
- Karan bhaiyya... - What happened? - lt's good we found you here.
- lt's all good, Karan bhaiyya. - What's he selling?
- Read what's written on his placard. - Arre, who knows to read?
Let's go and see what's happening.
My dear sir, we are illiterate.
We can understand if you say something.
- What's the matter? - Who's he? What's the problem?
That's what l'm trying to understand, but no one's saying anything.
"We want justice." Why, sir, what's the matter?
- Who is responsible for the injustice? - "We want justice."
Dear sir, are you mourning the loss of your beloved?
- Brothers. -Brothers!
l'm neither mad nor insane.
l'm a simple man, like all of you.
We're here to protest injustice.
lnjustice? What injustice?
An injustice, the likes of which has rarely occurred.
My name is Karan. l'm a stranger in your city.
l have come in hope of freeing that innocent man...
who, for the last 15 years, has been languishing in Hyderabad jail.
Hey, mister, who is this man?
- He's my father. - Your father?
He is absolutely innocent. He has been wronged, and l have proof.
The man who's responsible for this injustice is Jaswant Rai.
Lawyer Jaswant Rai, outside whose house, we're conducting a protest.
What's going on in Hyderabad?
l could kill that young man, if you wish.
No, no. Don't do anything.
lf this is what's called justice, this could happen to anyone.
lt could happen to you, or to me. Or to any of us.
That is all. Now, you may shower me with abuses or throw your shoes at me...
Or, you may raise your voices with mine, and get me justice.
- We definitely will! - We will see justice done.
- Well, my friends? - What do you say?
Yes, we will.
Hello? Police station? Listen, is the inspector there?
Please tell him that Rai Bahadur Jaswant Singh wishes to speak to him.
Asha, hold the page! l've tomorrow's headlines.
- What happened? - This will set off a furor in the city.
- But what's the matter? What furor? - Don't ask.
Today, a man has challenged the courts and the law.
He demands the public prosecutor be prosecuted for willful wrongdoing.
Because, thanks to him, an innocent man is rotting in jail.
- But who is this man? - l took his photograph and got it developed.
This is the man who's protesting outside the public prosecutor's home.
- And...? - He was openly proclaiming...
that an innocent man had been sentenced for life.
This is criminal. Absolutely criminal.
- Then? - Some people laughed, others mocked him.
Some said he was mad.
There's a huge crowd over there.
- Tanveer, take me there. - There? But l just got back.
Let's get a full report. Come on, hurry up.
Strange. This is the house. But where's the crowd that had assembled here?
- Excuse me. - Yes? - There was a man protesting here just now.
- Where did he go? - The man who was protesting against the lawyer? - Yes.
- The police took him away. - Oh. Driver, take us to the police station.
l'm letting you off this time.
- But l'll have to arrest you the next time. - l understand your position.
But l'll continue to protest this injustice until my father is exonerated.
But l assure you my conduct will be lawful.
- Greetings. - Greetings.
- Hello. - Did you address me?
- l'm here to see you. - l haven't the time.
Listen...
You don't have the time to talk to a reporter?
Reporter? Who's the reporter? Where's he?
There's none so blind as those who refuse to see.
Tell me...
how are you related to the man who has been imprisoned for 15 years?
l am his unfortunate son.
Karan!
l'm sorry. Listen...
can't l ask you questions even as a press reporter?
Please be seated.
When did you find out about your father?
A few days ago. That's why l came to Hyderabad.
Who's this Kishori? What's your relationship with her?
She has proof of my father's innocence. l was trying to get it.
ls that the only reason you met her?
- That was the only reason. - You weren't in love with her?
Does a press reporter really need to ask that?
This answer is the most important.
How can anyone answer a baseless question?
Just one more question. Who else did you meet in Hyderabad?
- Ramdas the grocer. Please write. - Yes.
l met lnspector Mehta.
- And? - l met Rai Bahadur Jaswant Rai.
- That's it? - No. l met Badru miyan, Daulatchand, and Madhosh miyan.
- That's it? - No, there's one more person.
l met Aunty, the owner of Hotel Alishan.
l've left out one name. Please write that too.
ln Hyderabad, l met a stubborn, foolish girl who thought very highly of herself.
- Who's she? - A reporter with a third-rate paper.
Her brain is filled with sawdust, she is highly suspicious by nature...
she knows nothing, she clarifies nothing...
and always jumps to the wrong conclusion.
- So that's your opinion of this girl? - Yes.
And she created that impression herself.
When l first met her, l thought of her as an angel.
She talked very sweetly and...
waited for me at dinner time everyday.
She soon proved that all this was a pretence. lt was deceitful...
misleading.
Only l know how much it hurt.
Because l used to gaze into her large eyes...
and tell myself that if she were mine, l'd be the luckiest man alive.
Those who make the mistake of hurting others...
- can also placate them. - You're very confident.
Because the issue has become very formal.
- And what if l'm still not mollified? - l can see that.
Then wait and watch.
Have you nothing else to do but pursue men?
No. Do you live here?
Yes.
What childishness is this? Come, let's go home.
- l will placate aunty. - lt's okay. l'm fine.
Really? Then l will also stay here.
Until you come.
Alright, my dear, l admit defeat. Now, please relent
l know what your friendship means. now stop troubling me
Why are you so angry at such a minor lapse
But you were the one sulking, my dear, how is it my fault?
Look, don't break my heart
Just let go of my hand
lf l do, you will regret it forever, do you understand?
Yes, l understand
Alright, my dear, l admit defeat Now, please relent
l know what your friendship means; now stop troubling me
Life is such a long journey, my beloved
l will stumble through this journey on my own
Take me with you, oh cruel one
l'm better off alone
You couldn't take four steps on your own, do you understand?
Very well indeed.
All right, my dear, l admit defeat. Now, please relent
l know what your friendship means. Now stop troubling me
Go, but you too will not be able to live in peace
But you go ahead and enjoy life instead
What should l live for?
Go live with someone else
You will remember me once l am gone, do you understand?
Understood
Alright, my dear, l admit defeat. Now, please relent
l know what your friendship means. Now, stop troubling me
An injustice is happening in your city.
An innocent man is serving time for a crime he didn't commit.
- Today's breaking news. - For two annas.
Today's breaking news... an innocent man facing injustice...
- Look, listen... - A lawyer hand-in-glove with the real culprit.
- Read the Deccan Times - for two annas.
Arre, my friend, listen to today's breaking news.
Badru seth, this won't work. Think of something else.
Today's breaking news! The dog that landed on the moon turned into a man.
Please read; the dog that landed on the moon turned into a man.
Actress divorces husband.
- Just two annas. - The Russians have sent an elephant to the moon.
- Just two annas. - A four-year-old kills his father. - Just two annas.
lf you don't help free an innocent man...
your freedom may be attacked tomorrow. You may also face injustice.
- What dark times are these? - This is all very peculiar.
Arre, surely the government will do something?
What evidence do you have against me? Didn't you consider...
that you could be prosecuted for libel for writing such nonsense?
But the law will surely consider that am fighting for justice?
What do you know of law? You have defamed me without any proof.
l'll sue you for defamation and shut this newspaper down.
- But... - No buts.
- Listen... - l don't want to listen to anything.
But, yes, listen very carefully.
lf your newspaper carries even a mere mention of my name...
l'll be your worst enemy.
Asha, please come in.
- Yes? - These stories that you have been publishing the last two days?
Do you have any proof of their veracity?
Yes, Editor saab. This is definitely true.
A grave injustice has been done to Karan's father.
Give me a straighforward answer. Do you have evidence to back this up?
P...Proof?
Karan had gotten the proof...
and that evidence would have proved his father's innocence, and...
the real culprit would have been identified. But...
- but that letter... - Where's the letter?
Karan had taken the letter to the public prosecutor to ask for his help.
But the prosecutor burned the letter.
Do you realize that...
l'll have no defence if the prosecutor sues me for defamation?
Believe me, it's all true!
l'm talking about proof, about evidence.
Your foolishness has landed me, my honor and my newspaper in danger.
Dare you even mention Karan's name in the paper again!
But if we help Karan, we can secure his father's release.
You may leave.
Jumman, take some of your men with you...
and get to Rai saab's place.
That damn Karan has assembled a crowd there.
- Disperse that crowd. - With pleasure, sir.
There are two ways to fight injustice.
With violence. And with non-violence.
To fight injustice with violence, one has to become a tyrant oneself.
Yes, we might kill the tyrant...
but we take his place as the oppressor.
This doesn't vanquish injustice.
The second path is that of non-violence.
By which, we can fight our oppressor without hatred...
and prevent him from perpetuating his tyranny.
The path of non-violence is a difficult one.
To tread this path, one needs much courage, and much...
much strength of character.
l am a very helpless...
and a very weak man.
- And a very clever man. - But yet, l'm mustering my courage...
to try my best to stick to the truth.
l need your help.
- Here my friends. - Friends, listen to me.
Stop this nonsense!
You've been making our lives a misery these last few days.
- We've seen frauds like you before. - l'm not a fraud.
Whatever l said about the public prosecutor is the absolute truth.
He framed my innocent father.
How do we even know whether you had a father or not?
Fool! Mind your tongue!
Has the show ended?
The loss was mine. Look...
l'd come here to listen to your woes.
l thought l would get some pleasure out of it.
But... there's no furore to be seen, no commotion.
Anyway, the flowers l see strewn all around you...
tell me that people liked your performance.
Please accept my congratulations.
lf you think you can stop me with this nonsense...
then you don't know me.
Come, Daulatchand.
Bhaiyya, there's been no news from Karan.
lt's been so long. Please take me to Hyderabad.
But, bhabhi, we don't even have an address.
l don't care. We'll search for him there.
Very well.
That wretch crushed my arm.
Hey, you buffalo. Are you blind? Can't you look? Who are you?
Listen, talk politely.
l'm as human as you are. You sleep over there, l'll sleep here.
Hey mister, be polite.
You seem to be mixing up your salutations.
- What kind of man are you? - An ignoramus, a fool!
- You will beat me? You will beat me? - Yes!
l'll shoot you!
Shoot us? Karan bhaiyya...
Why are you yelling?
Hey, listen, are these your men? Look at how they talk. Morons.
You? How are you here?
l got out of jail.
- How is father? - Father?
Oh lord! He's in bad shape.
- How's my father? - Well, boy, he's not in very good condition.
He weeps daily wondering when you will free him.
What do l do? l had everything in hand to secure his release, but...
that lawyer burnt all proof of his innocence.
Lawyer? Rai Bahadur Jaswant Rai?
You... you know him?
Well, l know that rascal. Absolute rascal!
He sentenced your father to life and he sent me to jail for five years.
As long as he practices, he'll continue to frame people.
You can't touch him. can't touch him.
Can you... can you tell me what l should do in these circumstances?
Well, young man, is your heart strong?
l'll do anything to secure my father's release.
Anything?
Sit down.
Here, drink. Take a sip and promise me, man, that you won't turn back.
Come on! Drink.
- l promise. - Good boy!
Your father told me, find Karan wherever he is...
and tell him to avenge me.
Also, tell him, if he loves me...
he should kill the public prosecutor.
And then tell him it's my last wish. Fulfill it.
Well, my boy, will you soothe your father's wounded heart?
Will you avenge him?
Will you kill the lawyer?
This is your father's last wish.
Afraid?
- No, l'm not afraid, but... - Going back on your promise?
Avenge your father tonight.
Go now.
Go!
Strike.
You? How did you get in?
Finish your drink. Have another.
Because this will be your last sip.
What do you mean? What do you want?
l've come to kill you.
That day, you burned a letter and destroyed the proof of my father's innocence.
l've come to destroy you today.
Don't you dare raise the alarm.
M...m...Mister, have mercy on me.
Mercy!
Did you show any mercy to my father that you now beg me for it?
Even though you knew he was innocent?
What was your price for selling out to Dewan Sardarilal?
l have to come to settle those accounts tonight.
l came to avenge that injustice...
you did to my father...
that you did to me when you burned the letter that day.
Get ready to pay the score. lt's my turn now.
- One minute... - Why one? l'll give you two minutes, lawyer saab.
Pray to your God...
or your devil, whoever you worship.
l have no need to pray to anyone.
Because you won't kill me.
You gain nothing by killing me.
Spilling your blood will extinguish the fire in my breast.
l will have the satisfaction...
of having avenged my father's innocence.
But that will not secure your father's release.
But you will definitely be arrested for my murder.
Then, it's either the gallows or life imprisonment.
Remember, when your elderly father finds out...
that his only son is a murderer...
he'll kill himself by smashing his head against the walls of his cell.
l promise you l shall not tell anyone about this incident.
Go away, quietly, the same way you slipped in.
You are still young. You have a whole life ahead of you.
Forget whatever has happened here.
And try to begin your life afresh.
Go.
Go!
- Yes? - Asha, didn't l tell you not to publish anything about Karan?
- Unless we have proof? - What better proof can there be...
- than that they tried to kill Karan? - l don't want to hear any excuses.
This time, you have even implicated a respected person like Dewan Sardarilal.
That's because Dewan Sardarilal was responsible for this assault.
Stop jumping to conclusions, Asha!
What proof do you have?
Proof? Proof! Proof! What's happened to you?
You're the one who taught me to always fight for the truth.
Truth needs evidence to back it up.
- But... you... - l don't wish to discuss this any further.
You have broken the rules.
We don't need your services any more.
You may collect your salary.
Excuse me, isn't this the office of the Deccan Times?
Yes. On the first floor.
Excuse me, we came here to find someone.
- Can you help us? - Yes, dear, we've come from Bombay.
This paper had published some news about him.
- About whom? - About Karan Mehra.
- You are from Bombay? You are his... - She's his mother.
Namaste. l'm very glad to have met you.
l hear about you from him, every day.
Let's go, l'll take you to him. Please come.
- Son, come back to Bombay. - Why won't you understand?
Asha, my dear, he just won't listen to me.
l've failed to make him understand.
Now, you tell him to come home.
Mother...
He has tried very hard to free his father...
faced so many challenges.
And now, to leave his father to rot in jail?
How can he?
But, Asha, my dear, now there's no hope that Shankarlal will be released.
What is it but madness to stay on over here?
Mother, l know you're very unhappy because of me.
l don't want to make you unhappy, but...
but there comes a time in every man's life...
when a madness overpowers everything else.
And now, freeing my father is my greatest desire.
l cannot leave this city until he's freed.
But emotions won't help you free your father.
ln order to reopen his case...
the law will ask for reasons, demand proof.
Where will you find all this?
l have the evidence.
You need proof, don't you? That's what l've come to give you.
Take this. This is the letter...
that you can present in court to pin down the real culprits.
And then, the court will exonerate your father.
But... that letter you gave me the other day? That...?
- What was that? - That was not genuine. This is.
l knew you wouldn't be able to protect the evidence.
Because your enemy is very devious.
And now... now, you know everything.
The people behind this, and their reality.
- Kishori, l have no words to express my... - Enough.
l'll have my reward when your father is released.
We have the letter, but how do we publish it?
- l've lost my job. - What?
Yes. Even if l take this letter to the Editor, he'll demand proof.
"What proof do you have that this is really Dewan Sardarilal's handwriting?"
What if we can match Dewan Sardarilal's signature...
and his handwriting to that on this letter?
Then we can publish it! But how will you do that?
You, who stay hidden
Be watchful the curtains don't rise
Now that your admirers have arrived...
be wary the veil doesn't fall
Oh magnanimous one...
they have reached the street where you live
Like a vagabond
Like a shooting star
They, with no abode to call their own
Estranged as they are from everyone,
They are charmed by you, yes, they...
Oh magnanimous one...
they have reached the street where you live
Oh magnanimous one...
Having roamed around the world...
stumbling, rising, they have reached
They who, morn and eve...
with parched hearts...
have wandered door to door, yes, they...
Oh magnanimous one...
have reached the street where you live
Oh magnanimous one
With a beloved for a companion...
their hands entwined
Enjoying themselves on the way...
singing, they wandered
The cynosure of your eyes, yes, they...
Oh magnanimous one...
they have reached the street where you live
Oh magnanimous one...
They have reached your doorstep at last
Finally achieved their goal of meeting you
They, whose hearts are wounded...
those whom you destroyed
from whom you cannot escape, yes, they...
Oh magnanimous one...
they have reached the street where you live
Oh magnanimous one....
Wow! That was superb!
- Here's your reward. - Go on, take the reward from Dewan Sahib.
Why are you shy?
- Whats your name? - Sir, she's called Gulbadan (Rose).
- And yours? - Sir... -Sir, he's...
- he's called 'Kaanta' (Thorn). - Yes, my lord.
- Here, a reward for you too. - Go on, take it.
My lord, would you be so gracious as to give me a certificate?
- Certificate? - Yes, my lord.
My lord, if l could get a small job as a performer in your theater...
this humble servant would consider himself fortunate.
- Sir, me too! - You shall certainly have one.
- But take your reward. - Take it. - Take it? - Yes, take it.
- Come again. - Yes. - Salaam, my lord. - Salaam, my lord.
Stop right there. What have you done, my lord?
- That is Karan! - Get out of here, fast!
- Get this to your editor. - And you?
Don't worry about me.
Yakub, Shankar, catch them!
Six of you! And you couldn't stop one man?
Juman, Ahmed, let him go. Go after the girl!
Get rid of him. And follow that girl.
Move. Get out of the way!
You won't?
Arre, Asha, you? What's wrong with you?
You said you couldn't publish Karan's story without proof, didn't you?
Here's the proof. This letter here...
was written 15 years ago by Dewan Sardarilal.
And this is what he wrote today.
Oh. So Dewan Sardarilal did turn out to be the actual killer.
What are you thinking of, now?
This is all very well, Asha, but what are you doing here?
You know you have much to do, right?
This is tomorrow's front page. These are my headlines!
We want justice.
Free Shankarlal.
Look! Look, you will win.
The public prosecutor may present his witnesses.
Milord, l wish to present only one witness, Karan Mehra.
- The witness may be summoned. - Call Karan Mehra.
Please repeat with me, "l shall speak only the truth."
l shall speak only the truth.
- What's your name? - My name is Karan Mehra.
l am the son of that unfortunate man...
who's been jailed for the last 15 years for a crime he didn't commit.
My lord, there sits the wealthy...
Dewan Sardarilal, benefactor of the poor.
Whom, today, in this court, l accuse of killing Mala.
And there's the man who shielded Dewan Sardarilal from being punished.
Custodian of the law, sifter of truth, Rai Bahadur Jaswant Rai...
who, influenced by greed, stifled an innocent man's cries with his oratory.
He aided and abetted the real culprit to escape the law.
Rai Bahadur Jaswant Rai's is the graver offence.
Despite being a custodian of the law...
he betrayed the law and quashed justice.
Today, l ask him if there's a law he can use to defend himself.
My lord, these criminals...
have denied a child his father's love,
have destroyed a woman's marriage.
They have condemned a father to emotional distress.
l know the law will punish these criminals.
But l ask this court: ls there any law...
that can give my father those lost years of his prime?
The years that he spent distanced from his family...
and separated from his child?
All l have understood, my lord...
is that the law can take away 15 years of an innocent man's life...
but cannot restore them.
All l seek is justice, my lord.
He must receive justice, milord.
l do not wish to waste the court's time.
l plead guilty.
And present my written statement as court's evidence.
l surrender myself to this court...
and l shall accept whatever punishment is advocated by the law.