Original subtitles

MLSBD.CO

You are so hell-bent on proving me a cheater,

as if you are a saint yourself.

Grandma! Doctor Uncle is here.

Namastey Aunty.

God bless you. Come, sit.

- What took you so long? - The driver was late.

I had asked him to come at 5, but he arrived at 8.

When did you all come?

Guddu and his mother came yesterday.

I arrived this morning.

So, which college did you get into?

I got him admitted into C.M. Science College.

Chemistry major.

- Was he preparing for medicals? - Yes.

- It's a little tough these days. - True.

Come, let's begin another round, brother-in-law.

- Yes, yes... - Should I shuffle again?

You're losing so you want a new game, eh?

I'm reshuffling…

We were winning, weren't we?

- Come, we'll see who wins this time. - Seems like he wants to lose again!

Guddu, quickly go and arrange for some refreshments.

- Decided on a name? - Not yet...

but something that starts with ‘A', like all of his cousins.

- Who do you think he looks like? - His mother, I think.

What rubbish! He looks like my son.

- Ma! - What?

- Papa has asked for tea. - Okay, I'll get it.

See, if the rice is ready,

- the kids must be starving. - Okay.

- Namastey! When did you come? - A little while ago.

Guddu, quickly start the scooter!

Ma!

- Couldn't find asafoetida. - Not an issue.

- Have lunch first before you go. - Later. Let the children eat first.

- It's late, the cooks haven't come yet. - They must be on their way. Sit awhile.

No time. Need to get the fish.

- Take my bike if you want! - No, no, it'll start.

Just needs a little push.

- Aren't the fritters ready? - I'm about to fry them.

- Let me do it. - Come

- You like potato fritters, don't you? - Yeah

You haven't even seen the child. Very beautiful he is...

- Just like his father. - Well then, let's see.

- Ok then, let's go and have lunch. - Yes, I'm hungry.

- Yes, it's already late. - I'll get going now.

- My lunch must also be ready. - What are you talking about!

- You are eating with us. - Who'll eat my food at home then?

Your children. It won't go wasted.

And then there's the feast too in the evening.

So what? Come on all, have something.

- Come, let's go. - Ok, move...

- But wait, we won this game! - Yes. As if you won a fortune!

- See, it's not... - What did we lose even if we lost?

- Why won't you simply admit it! - Not like you climbed Everest!

Had you been the winner, you'd be jumping on your feet right now!

Huh! Come on now, move!

Come here, come quick.

Do you recognize me?

I'm your uncle-in-law.

- What grade are you in? - Fifth.

Very good, very good!

Go, give the fish for cleaning.

You guys are so late, wasn't 11 the time?

- We were stuck someplace else. - Okay, okay, come on, quick!

Five!

One, two, three, four, five.

Move aside, children.

One, two, three, four, five,

six, seven, eight, nine, ten!

- Guddu? - Yeah?

Didn't you go to the grove in the morning,

- How many mangoes did you pick? - About 250.

Go to a different grove, and see if you can get some more ripe ones?

- Okay, will do. - Take Raju along with you...

- And come back soon, there's a lot of work. - Alright.

Here take this, for the baby!

I had asked him to get it, but he couldn't find it anywhere!

- When did you return from the hospital? - Last evening.

- Do you still feel weak? - A little bit, just the usual.

What are you doing in there? Isn't it hot?

I'm hiding.

Come on, we're going to pick mangoes.

So...

How were your exams?

They were fine.

When are you coming to Patna?

Why should I come when you don't let me watch the TV?

Let's see, probably next summer.

Go for the yellow ones!

Ever seen a flood?

The water reaches all the way up there.

Where were you, eh?

Here, take a mango.

Look at this, Grandpa's book!

[The Beggar's Alm]

[Preface]

[Dramatis Personae]

- Uncle have some more please? - No, no!

Please do take one more, just a small piece.

No, no, I'm full!

I insist, uncle.

Raju, set the VCR up, I'm getting the TV.

It'll be cooler once the monsoon is here.

Yes.

- So when are you leaving for Darbhanga? - Tomorrow afternoon.

- Will the youngest daughter-in-law go? - Yes, otherwise she'll be alone here.

Aunty, won't you join us for the film?

- What tapes have you got? - Salman Khan's!

Pick one: Salman Khan or Sunny Deol?

Play Judwaa, please!

Shut up! You'll doze off before the film ends.

Nah! I don't wanna watch Salman Khan!

Keep the money. Guests gave it for the baby.

That was a costly affair. How did you manage?

The elder brothers insisted and paid for most of it.

Chandrakant Babu had a jolly good time at the feast!

He's always been a foodie!

Once done with the fish, he gorged on the mangoes.

Also on the Rasagullas!

Even the ones serving him may tire but not him!

Sure, not him!

He can even digest a rock if he so wishes!

- He's a record-holder in eating! - That's true.

Wherever he goes, he feasts like a horse!

Indeed!

And what are your plans for Delhi?

- Leaving on the 22nd of next month. - I see.

I say, it's unnecessary to go to Delhi.

I'll find him something here. He should stay and work here.

Yes, true.

And when do you plan to take your wife?

I think I'll send her to her parents for now.

Once things are settled there, I'll take her with me.

Why send her to her parents?

Guddu's mother is here, and Ma often comes over as well,

she can stay with us.

Let's see.

You haven't come down to Patna in a long while?

I want to, but there's so much work here that we hardly get any time.

- I met your doctor the other day, at a party. - Really?

He inquired about your health and all.

Why don't you come with me tomorrow, we can go see him together?

- I don't think I can come right now... - Why so?

There's a lot of work here. Need to harvest the mangoes before the trader comes.

And this roof, it leaks during the slightest of rains.

But he's here as well, he can get it fixed.

Sure, he can get it done whenever I say.

- Then come along tomorrow. - But tomorrow, I really can't...

Some other time, for sure. You are there only, so I can come any day.

And when the kids' initiation ceremony happens...

I won't settle for just a sari, you'll have to give me gold bangles as well!

Listen, bless the kids that they stay well,

bangles you will keep getting!

Well, she has a right to demand, but look how she yearns...

- Give it to her. - That I will.

You just have one daughter. On top of that, we aren't objecting.

Yes, that is so.

Well, then you have to give her the bangles. But don't give it to her behind our back.

It'll hurt me a lot, after all I'm your eldest daughter-in-law.

And since you spoke of blessings, they are always with the kids.

And when you all are happy, I'm happy too.

Yes, that's true.

My wishes are now all fulfilled.

Except...

the grandpa could never see his grandsons' faces.

Ma! Isn't the breakfast ready?

- It's almost ready. - Okay.

Do get a picture taken first.

Ah, so are we taking pictures today!

- Come on. - Yes.

You also come along.

You go ahead, we'll be right there.

Listen dear...

ask the driver to load the sack of mangoes in the car.

Okay, Ma.

Where's the kid-party! Hey come on all, we're taking a photo.

Ma, you also come!

Oh, I'm not dressed. Would you get my kurta?

Papa, a little to this side.

Mister, stick close to the wife, okay?

That's all you could think of?

Well, just a genuine suggestion.

Wait...

Look into the camera, everyone!

Chhath puja isn't the same anymore.

Earlier, we used to have plays after the evening ritual.

Grandpa would stage most of them...

And even played roles himself, sometimes a beggar, a woman, anything.

Once they needed a child, so he pulled me on to the stage.

Ask your father, he had also done a play or two.

Did he also write anything other than plays?

Yeah, a lot many things. Lots of plays,

then there was a novel...

- Such huge houses. - Yes.

- Isn't this Gajendar Babu's house? - No. This is his younger brother's.

- The one who lives in Darbhanga? - Yes.

Most of it was lost in the floods...

And the one on this side?

This is Ramakant Babu's, who lives in Chandigarh.

When they are all living elsewhere...

why build such big houses in the village?

Don't say that.

One may live anywhere...

but the village is where the roots are.

I would suggest that you tear down this old house...

and build a new one.

- Isn't that your son? - Yes.

So, how was the walk?

Good! What are you up to?

We were just chatting about the village.

About the floods, and the plays that grandpa wrote.

What do you know about flood and how it affected us!

Once it was so bad, this house had withered away.

This one that you see...

your grandpa had built it again.

And in 2004 we saw one of the worst floods,

but your grandma refused to leave the house.

We had to make great efforts to convince her to go!

Where's your uncle? No card game today?

He must be resting.

This is how it'll be now. I will keep on coming and going.

From here I had gone to Delhi, at the youngest one's.

He's bought a new house,

and even the baby needed some care.

This time I'll stay with Chunnu in Patna.

He has all the facilities: huge house, servants and all.

What will I do here all alone anyway?

We were so fed up of renting homes...

For a long time, we had wished to own a house in Delhi.

With your blessings we have finally bought a flat.

That's great.

Two rooms, with attached bathrooms!

A big kitchen...

and a beautiful dining space in the middle.

The market is close-by and you will find everything there!

And the society is very good too!

Ma was saying you bought a flat in Noida?

Yeah, it was a sudden decision...

- A two bedroom flat? - Yeah.

C'mon, be a little quicker!

Or we won't get enough space at the riverside!

Here's your new kurta.

It's for the morning rituals.

I'll be back.

Sleeping already?

No, not sleeping really.

Resting for a bit.

My legs are tired from all the walking.

Serve the kids something.

Some snacks at least for now.

Maggi!

But we don't have Maggi.

Ma! I've brought it with me.

I knew they were going to ask for it.

Darsh, come out please.

So, when do you plan to do the initiation ceremony?

In a year or two hopefully...

He doesn't have the time now,

and something or the other is always happening at the kids' school!

This one, he's really good with computers.

Nowadays, people prefer going to Deoghar for the ceremony.

There it'll just take a couple of days.

Don't say that.

Why Deoghar?

We'll have it in the house...

where his grandpa...

his father and uncles all had their ceremonies.

Moving around is such an ordeal.

How can grandma make it to Deoghar anyway?

No please don't say that. She's just fine.

We'll go to Jagannath Puri...

and we'll take her with us.

We'll visit the temple,

and the infinite waters of the bay will rejuvenate her.

Who else, but grandma, knows infinite water.

Let's go burn some firecrackers, shall we?

Come.

You go as well.

You know it well.

We don't get to eat any meat during the festivals.

But Doctor Sahab any arrangements for tomorrow?

What do you have in mind?

Well, I've seen a very healthy goat.

Should be at least 13-14 kgs.

We'll need that much,

because you'll finish off 5-7 kgs on your own.

Not anymore!

Those days are gone!

Last year, you were sitting with me at a feast

and you had piled up a mountain of bones!

Well, the people insist and I oblige!

Aha! As if they compel you to oblige in every feast!

You're not entirely wrong!

See, I'm a villager, I stay in the neighbourhood,

people recognize me, put me to eat, and I can't say no.

C'mon, don't spin a yarn!

Did you forget the wedding of the Professor's daughter?

I was there too!

That's exaggerated!

Where did you see the goat?

At Budhna's.

I remember he used to rear sickly goats.

He's not the Budhna you knew.

Now you live in Delhi, how would you know?

You should see his pomp. He runs a successful business now.

His goats are all healthy,

and the one that I've picked is the best of the lot.

- Is that so? - Yes, top quality.

Okay then, talk to him.

- Alright, will do. - Yes.

He'll price it fair and cheap.

You know, the Professor's daughter…

- Fate has been unkind to her. - What happened?

- Her husband is now disabled for life.

How?

He was on his way back from Patna, after a function...

it was late…

and on the highway, a truck crashed into him.

- O God! - What a tragedy!

Professor Sahab had married her off so happily.

He had spent so much on the wedding.

Everyone tried to convince him to leave in the morning.

But he was adamant.

He's completely bedridden now.

Fate is cruel at times.

I met the professor in Patna.

He is worried about his daughter.

She has a child as well, a son, just a few months old.

So now even she can't go out and work.

Of course with the kid…

Let's see.

Very unfortunate.

Whatever remains is in here.

- A few books and some photos. - Alright.

Chhathh Puja will come again.

It is more important that you take care of yourself right now.

Even for a little while, if I could go…

It happens only once a year.

Try to understand.

You've miscarried once, I don't want to take any risk now.

You can always pray from here.

Hey Guddu Bhaiya! Do you have a minute?

I got the diaries! - Whose, grandpa's?

Yes

- Where were they? - In the trunk.

Should I finish eating, or just come?

Yeah, yeah, take your time.

- Go ahead, I'm coming. - Alright.

- Where would you be? - In grandma's room.

Get your reports.

And show them to Doctor Aunty.

And follow her advice carefully,

- whatever she says. - Okay.

- Ah! These are still intact. - Yeah

- Where were they? - In the trunk.

- Grandma gave them to you? - Yes.

See, Grandpa's written the daily expenditure,

and all against youngest uncle's name!

Biscuits...

petrol, tyre puncture...

The oldies had a habit of writing these things down.

What do you call it, errands and all,

would be the youngest uncle's duty.

See this...

it says...

12kg meat

Again, youngest uncle.

After the morning rituals, like tomorrow we'll have

earlier we used to have meat afterwards.

10 kgs, 12 kgs, 15 kgs, how much ever.

Grandpa would prepare the meal himself.

Wouldn't let anyone touch it, until it was done.

15-20 people would gather, family included,

and we'd have a feast.

Grandpa, with great gusto...

would arrange for the spices himself and cook it.

Earlier,

I, your youngest uncle,

your father, we used to live here together with Grandma.

But then the youngest uncle got a job elsewhere.

We moved to the city.

And your father mostly stayed away for studies,

he had to become a doctor.

He used to come occasionally.

Gradually,

we came down to visiting only once a year.

And now, no one has the time to come here...

So, are we cooking meat tomorrow?

Tomorrow? Why yes!

- Would you come along to get it? - Yeah

How does this open?

How did all this survive the floods?

This is here too!

See this,

wasn't I telling you about the plays in the morning?

Here, this play was the biggest hit of his time.

There used to be multiple shows per day.

People from other villages would come, crowds of 300-400!

It ran for so long that a couple of years ago it had its last show!

They'd invited us all.

You should read it.

See, there are so many copies of it.

You do theatre in Delhi, right? You'll get some ideas from it.

- What, am I wrong? - No, you're right.

See this, here...

Who do you think this is?

Do you recognize?

- That's you! - Yeah

See, I used to roam around half-naked all day!

And this one, you making faces!

Remember who took this picture?

- It was you? - Who else!

Papa had brought a Yashica camera from Nepal,

so I used to keep it with me.

All these photos here, like you're a photographer now,

I used to be one then!

See this,

Grandpa was sitting in the sun,

and I sneaked this photo of him!

- How many months has it been? - About three months now...

- Even last time it was three months old, right? - Yes.

You already know,

Guddu doesn't have a stable job yet.

MLSBD.CO - He's thinking of selling off the plot we have on the outskirts,

and open a pharmacy store.

Nobody told me anything.

How can he sell the land on his whim?

We must first sit and talk about it,

all of us.

You know Guddu well.

Did we all not try, so many times?

Even elder brother, until he passed away.

But he mustn't sit idle.

I'll talk to him.

First your father left us.

Then your elder brother.

And now, after them, the house seems so very different.

Wonder what'll happen once I am gone, too.

Have some prasad, won't you?

Hello? Yes, Sir? Yes, I spoke with the distributor.

Day after tomorrow, sir.

Sit here,

and don't lean back.

Smile!

Shift a little to this side.

Now you click ours!

Join us please?

The toilet-door needs repair,

and the kitchen door is jammed.

- Even the house needs new paint… - Let's see.

There's no time these days.

All this is necessary too.

Look into it.

And let me know if anything's needed.

Where are you planning to open the shop?

I've seen a couple of places...

but they're asking for a lot of money.

First you need to find a proper place, maybe around good doctors,

then a pharmacist's license. There's a lot of paperwork.

Shouldn't that be your priority, instead of selling the land off?

Give the housekeeper some money,

he's become too lazy.

Doesn't even water the Tulsi plant…

So, Nathuni!

Gave up toddy for tea, eh?

There's some work in the fields.

Take a couple of days off and see to it.

- I'm supposed to look after the house. - What'll you do there?

What's there to look after anymore?

And anyway...

After the old lady passed away, nobody even comes to see it.

Come if you can…

all up to you.

- Is Sambhu here? - Yes, sir.

Mind it, careful.

- Sambhu? - Yes, sir.

So...

How many pillars are to be built?

Pillars? 6 in total, sir.

- Make sure the foundation is strong. - Absolutely, sir. Don't worry about it.

I've already told you...

it's my son's initiation ceremony in April.

The work should be over by then.

Sure, sir. It should be over by then.

In fact, I'll finish it much before that.

- Is that so? - Yes.

This work, don't defer it for any reason, okay?

No, not at all, sir.

I'll finish your construction on priority.

Alright then.

Ask them to be careful with the bricks.

Yes sir.