Original subtitles

Here, stop right here!

Thank you.

- See you on Tuesday. Bye. - Bye.

Oh, God!

Please close the door.

Idiots!

Where is he?

Nitin...

My darling Miku. Has nobody fed you?

Eat... eat.

The power is on...

Water?

Sir... no sign of a forced entry.

Excuse me.

Cuts are precise and perfect, like a surgeon's work.

Except this. Not so perfect.

Maybe the nurse did it...

Cellophane paper, sir.

Thin but very strong. We're checking for fingerprints.

Was he sliced from bottom to top or top to bottom?

Er... the autopsy report will tell us, sir.

First the neck was cut.

Then these 'designer' cuts were made at leisure.

Had he been alive, he would have struggled,

the cuts would not have been so smooth.

Nitin... what?

Nitin Srivastav, a film critic.

He wrote film reviews for firstview.com.

Film critic!

Any CCTV footage from the building?

This is an old building, sir. The security guard is the CCTV here.

He says that Srivastav had not stepped out today

and he had no visitors.

- According to forensics, the murder was... - What is this?

Triangle, sir.

Draw it.

A triangle would look like that.

Why is this inverted?

- Good morning, Danny. - Good morning.

Bye, Danny.

Let's go!

Shit! There's just one egg.

Forgot to buy them again?

You should have reminded me.

I forgot too.

Kaleem bhai, here we come?

'...incident took place in Jogeshwari, Mumbai.'

'The victim Nitin Srivastav was alone at home

when he was murdered.'

- 'The police don't have any leads yet.' - Wait a minute.

- I want more bread. - Get to work.

Sorry, Danny.

When there's no cricket match there's murder! Damn TV.

What's going on, Kaleem bhai?

Some film...

- What do you call them? - Critic.

Yes. He was brutally murdered.

I've always said

Oshiwara and Jogeshwari are extremely dangerous areas.

Why isn't it so tasty at home?

We don't add sweat and grime at home.

Sir, post mortem report says, two weapons were used.

One on the neck and another on the body.

But how did the killer enter the house?

Besides the husband and wife, nobody had the house keys.

No lock tampering.

Srivastav didn't open the door, he was in the toilet.

Srivastav opened the door!

- But-- - The bell rang.

Srivastav opened the door. The killer entered.

Srivastav was found on the pot doesn't mean,

he was on the pot.

Any motive?

Nothing in the phone records.

They were a happy couple. No children.

No property issues. No enemies.

At the website he worked for

he hardly interacted with other journalists.

He'd watch films, email reviews from home.

Give me the photograph of the cellophane paper.

Looks like gift-wrapping paper, sir. No fingerprints.

Mrs. Srivastav confirmed she hasn't seen it before.

This pattern looks very familiar...

I still can't believe it.

Wonderful man. A senior critic but no ego.

He called me last week after reading my review.

The building had no security cameras. Crazy!

Poor Mrs. Srivastav. Can't imagine what she's going through.

Don't feel like writing a review now.

There is a screening at 6 p.m.

Screening? Isn't the press-show tomorrow?

Ajay (movie star) didn't call you?

Kartik sir, am I late?

Just catch your breath, Nila. It's okay.

- I'll... just go pay my respects. - Sure.

Entertainment reporter... joined recently.

Loves cinema.

Stop. Stop.

Mom's been chewing my head...

flowers, flowers... found them finally.

Danny's Flowers... so nice.

Everything in Bandra is nice, except the rent!

No one in the shop.

Good... no one pestering, 'buy this, buy that'.

Hey, pink and white lilies.

Mom wanted something more exotic.

Sunflowers or orchids?

What were those flowers in that 'Silsila' film song?

Tulips, tulips...

Won't get tulips here.

Have to go to Amsterdam for them.

Tulips.

[song from Guru Dutt's 'Pyaasa' playing]

? Who knows what you said? ?

? Who knows what I heard? ?

? Something stirred in my heart ?

? Who knows what you said? ?

Excuse me.

I forgot to pay.

- It's okay. - Please, I insist.

No, no... it's okay.

- It's not okay. - The card machine is not working.

Next time?

Thank you.

? My lowered eyes looked up again ?

? My faltering feet are steady now ?

Stop dreaming. Stop!

She's just like us.

So? You'll give away flowers for free?

Tulips in Bandra! Cool!

Very cool... flowers and the florist.

Yes, Srini.

Sir, according to the lab reports,

the cellophane paper is at least ten years old.

This pattern is not available anywhere, sir.

We've checked all the gift shops.

In fact, none of the manufacturers have seen this pattern, sir.

I've also checked with a few old manufacturers.

First check who is at your door.

Yes, sir?

When Mrs. Srivastav rang the doorbell... it rang, right?

Yes, sir.

She opened the door...

it was dark inside, the fuse was off...

then how did the doorbell ring?

Shit!

Of course, sir.

After the doorbell rang

and before Mrs. Srivastav entered the house,

somebody turned off the power, which means--

The killer was inside the house when she entered.

Let's go. Finish this at home.

No, Richa, I really have to send this interview

otherwise they'll kill me. I'm sorry.

- Bye. - Hey, did you know Nitin Srivastav?

Why?

You attended his prayer meeting...

I didn't know him personally, but

we've always had like a strange connection.

I've been following his reviews since my college days.

The films he gave a one or two star rating to,

like this 'Paani Paani Re'...

I would love those films. I loved 'Paani Paani Re'!

And when he gave a four star rating, I knew...

I wouldn't like the film.

Our opinions were different but, so what?

At least he was honest about the kind of cinema he liked.

This is India...

Shetty's films work here, not Scorcese's!

And if Nitin rated a film four stars, it's a sure hit.

Hit means a good film? I don't agree.

Bye, guys.

- Bye, sir. - Bye.

You know, I like Kartik sir's reviews.

He knows cinema.

One day... One day.

- Okay, bye. - Bye.

Shit!

When does Nature's Basket close?

Yellow lentils... I'm getting it.

Orange lentils... calm down. Got it.

Turmeric powder...

Patience, I'm looking for it.

Cow ghee...

Why is cow ghee so expensive? Let's just get a cow.

Sugar-free chocolate?

Since when are you diabetic?

Okay, you're the boss.

Don't forget the eggs!

Admiring natural beauty in Nature's Basket?

I can't help it, it's nature's conspiracy.

[sounds from a film shoot]

Bangalore was better, at least you ate on time.

I haven't come to Mumbai to eat.

Everything is so expensive here...

makes sense to eat less.

[song playing in the distance]

I never knew tulips smell so nice.

It feels so romantic.

The flowers are not creating the feeling,

Amit Trivedi's song is.

They should never make films without songs.

Nice to live next to a film studio.

Flowers and songs...

Will I get a role in a film?

Will I get some pickle?

What will you do if I find a real lover?

I'll move the furniture around... you'll keep tripping and falling.

Go ahead.

How else can I fall into somebody's arms?

Get out.

Who would kill a film critic?

- Sir, maybe some underworld connection? - Don't waste your time.

They would have shot husband, wife and the cat and left.

Somebody has spent time and enjoyed this.

Tell me, what sort of a relationship does the film industry have with critics?

Film guys and media have a love-hate relationship, sir.

Once, this actor called up a journalist...

Film critics and the film industry have just one connection...

Reviews!

Sir, that's it.

That's it!

'Paani Paani Re' was Nitin Srivastav's last film review. One star!

You kill the critic because you don't like the review of your film?

Sir, we must question them.

Whom?

The makers of 'Paani Paani', sir.

Why just them?

Nitin Srivastav must have criticised many films in his life.

But... the murder took place after this review.

It's very sad.

I just returned from Ajmer this morning.

Ajmer?

Mr. Arvind, since 1992,

I go to Ajmer Sharif to pray the day before the release of any of my films.

You haven't read the reviews of your film?

Reviews? I haven't read a single review of any of my films till date.

And reviews don't make a film work.

It's all about word of mouth.

The audience didn't like the film, so it flopped.

Good reviews wouldn't have made any difference.

Mr. Himani, what are these leaves on the posters?

Earlier, they were only on international film posters.

Now it's become fashionable here too.

My gut feeling, we're on the right track, sir.

Let us meet the director.

This is an intelligent film, not a potboiler.

It really needed the critics' support.

The reviews have really depressed me.

How depressed were you?

On a scale of one to five... how much did the reviews affect you?

Sir, I haven't stepped out since Friday.

Even avoiding my lead actor's calls...

I am quite upset.

I was quite close to Mr. Nitin.

He was a dear friend.

Dear friend? But he trashed your film...

Hadn't you lashed out at critics in an interview?

Give me a second.

It's an old story, sir.

There was a lady who said something like -

'A tree would be more expressive than Purab.'

I also said some things.

Anyway, I've forgotten about it.

Done and dusted.

He won't even be able to play the role of a killer... anybody else?

The light man? Catering man?

The case is not so straightforward.

Go away.

Checked flower shops?

You don't use any plastic?

Isn't it banned?

Okay, let's go.

Hi.

All okay?

They're raiding plastic users.

Good... you know how dangerous plastic is?

But I only use plastic!

Money first then flowers.

It's okay, really.

No, it's not okay. I'll want flowers regularly.

If you keep giving it for free, you'll have to shut shop soon.

As long as flowers bloom, this shop will be open.

What do you think?

I think he is flirting.

Yeah, you're the expert.

I'm just getting the vibes.

You're not getting anything.

No I am serious. Don't do this.

Richa, I'll talk to you later.

Five minutes. I'll call you back.

Yeah. Okay, bye.

So expensive?

'She's just like us!'

You should've looked at her ears before staring into her eyes.

How could I know she was on the phone?

Found one thing in common and fell in love?

Film critic.

Filmy cellophane paper.

Why is it inverted?

This... is a triangle.

'Two critics have been killed in two weeks.'

'Last night, famous film critic Irshad Ali's body was discovered

on the railway tracks between Nallasopara and Virar.'

'Half the mangled body was found on the railway track.'

'The rest of the body was crushed by a speeding train.'

'This incident has terrorized the media and the film industry.'

Both murders have been committed by the same person.

Same cellophane paper. Same star.

Kills and signs off with a star.

Arvind, what star?

On Nitin Srivastav--

It was half done, the bell rang, the killer had to flee.

Else, there'd be a star carved on Nitin Srivastav's forehead too.

Sir, we have got a new kind of a serial killer...

who is giving stars to people who give star ratings!

A critic's critic!

I will get off here.

It'll be faster to walk.

Here.

- Wow, are these candles? - Yes, madam.

- Want a husband candle, madam? - Husband candle?

Want a husband, take a husband candle.

If you have a husband, take a baby candle.

If you have both,

take a school, car or airplane. Only 500 rupees.

500 rupees? Isn't that a lot for a husband?

I'll give you a family pack, husband and baby for 700 rupees.

It's nature's conspiracy.

Meet her. What's the problem?

It's good she isn't like us.

Four voices, won't know who is talking to who.

? Who knows what you said? ?

Stop it.

? Who knows what I heard? ?

Stop!

- This one. - Doggy candle? 300 rupees.

200.

How can you not like a dog lover?

Fine, 250. Last price.

These are prayer candles, madam. Be generous...

Okay, give.

No, please. It's okay.

I had overcharged you that day.

So... refund?

How does one light these?

You don't like dogs?

I love dogs... more than people at times.

- Then how can you burn a puppy? - Are you mad?

I mean it's a candle, so I was just asking.

I wouldn't set Waxy on fire.

I'll take care of him, feed him, toilet train him.

So cute. My Waxy.

Thank you.

- Return the change. - Yes, sir.

You don't light these candles.

They are offered to Mother Mary.

You go to church regularly?

When my mother was alive, she'd force me to.

Now, I force myself to go.

I'm so sorry.

Dad?

- Does your mother like flowers? - Yes, tulips.

She only likes tulips now.

Can't help it... single mom, fully spoilt.

Waxy, you're going to meet my single, spoilt mom.

Say thanks to Danny.

What?

Danny's Flowers means you're Danny, no?

Why? I could be Flowers too, Nila.

How do you know my name?

Debit card.

Ah, when you were looting me...

First entice customers with free flowers and then fleece them.

Good strategy.

Next time, give me a 'frequent flower discount'.

That... depends on the frequency.

Where do you get tulips from?

I grow them...

in my garden.

Tulips grow in Mumbai?

With a little love, patience and water, anything can be grown anywhere.

- Bye. - Bye.

Why are you grinning like a pig?

Right... a little more to the right.

Wrong! Wrong!

- Good evening, Amit ji. - Good evening, ma'am.

Okay. Ready? Let's roll.

Your film releases tomorrow.

The film has a name, madam - 'Third Umpire'...

just like the third umpire in cricket.

But it's not a cricket film, it's just a metaphor.

Third Umpire.

One who sees what nobody else can.

After all these years... do you still feel nervous before a film's release?

I get even more nervous today...

Social media is very quick to declare the result...

I get nervous when the phone beeps.

Actually, it's the critics who are more nervous these days.

Yeah.

It is very sad.

Two of our finest critics of the industry, you know,

we've lost them.

I had deep respect for them.

I have read all their reviews of my films and learnt a lot from them.

Are reviews important to you or only box office matters?

See, ma'am... box office matters.

If films don't work, who will give me work?

Not just me... all the workers in this industry.

But you know, reviews are important.

We need critics.

Critiquing is a must for society, for progress in any field.

Everyone likes to hear praises

but true learning happens

when we are made aware of our shortcomings...

when somebody shows us the way to become better.

Cinema needs critics for growth.

Cinema needs fearless, unbiased voices for its evolution.

Careful, sir.

Body parts are scattered all over the field.

Found 11 till now.

Sir, liver.

Come on, put on the damn lights.

- The same cellophane paper, sir. - A star on the forehead?

No, this time...

one and a half stars.

The victim is Parikshit Prabhu,

senior film critic, Mumbai Republic.

He gave a one and a half star rating

to the film 'Third Umpire'.

Impossible.

Possible.

She likes dogs, not you.

If she liked dogs, she would've kept a real one.

She likes craftsmanship, fool.

According to Juhu police,

the CCTV footage of Marriott Hotel shows

Prabhu leaving alone in a car at 11 p.m.

Prabhu may not have driven to this place alone.

This seat is pushed forward...

maybe the killer was hiding behind it with a weapon.

Toilet. Railway track.

And now a cricket ground.

Sir, the film is called 'Third Umpire' so... cricket ground?

'Third Umpire'... one and a half stars.

'A picture whose heart is in the right place

but whose other organs are all over the place'.

He has scattered the organs all over the ground,

except the heart!

He has been killed according to what he has written.

Give me the other reviews.

Look at this.

'Lots of loo breaks in this boring, long film

that should have been cut ruthlessly in many places'.

Nitin was ruthlessly cut inside a loo.

How didn't we get this?

Irshad Ali - 'First half not bad.

The film is on track'... railway track.

'Second half is a bloody mess'.

Bloody hell!

Danny...

Danny!

It's a holiday for the flowers...

but not for the florist.

Our investigation clearly shows that

the murders that have taken place in the last three weeks

have been committed by a serial killer.

One who is clearly targeting film critics.

I assure you that our best officers are working on this case.

The public shouldn't panic--

Sir, we hear that the bodies had a star symbol on them.

Why aren't the police sharing the full information with the media, sir?

The victims are all from media.

The channels are ripping us apart.

The Home Minister and the Chief Minister are pressurizing me.

Do you have any clues apart from the reviews and stars?

Er, sir... the manner of these murders...

There could be another next week.

How are we going to stop it?

We have no fingerprints, no CCTV footage...

- not one suspect! - We may not have a suspect

but the targets are all clear.

Friends...

In the light of the shocking events of the past few weeks,

Mr. Arvind Mathur, Head of Crime Branch, Mumbai,

would like to address our film critics.

Thank you, all the producers and directors present.

Sir, the entire film industry is with you.

- Over to you. - Thank you, sir.

Let me get to the point straightaway...

we need your help.

? Happy birthday ?

? Happy birthday ?

What do you mean by 'write carefully'?

Should we praise all films?

Sir, we're dealing with a psychopath,

who is committing a murder every week

affected by negative reviews.

Till we catch him, we have to make sure that you are safe...

that is why I'm requesting you.

The police are not doing their job

and stopping us from doing ours.

Sir, I am not stopping you from doing your job.

If you want us to be safe, give us security.

Our reviews can be positive or negative,

it is your duty to ensure our security.

- Perfect. - He is right.

There are at least 300 critics in Mumbai.

How do we ensure their security 24x7?

You can provide security to 543 politicians,

but not to 300 critics?

? Happy birthday ?

? Happy birthday ?

We will give you the personal phone numbers

of our officers...

for your security.

Let's stop this reviewing of films.

What's the problem?

Why don't you stop making films?

Sir, it is only film industry people who have issues with critics.

Hello... what nonsense...

If we stop making films how will you survive?

- Look at what he's saying. - These producers are big bullies...

Once a producer had even chased a critic with a knife.

You must be secretly thrilled.

Danny's Flowers.

Danny... Danny... where are you?

Who do you want to meet?

Nila Menon. Is she at home?

It is a surprise.

Birthday.

What are these?

Couldn't you find any roses?

Roses are... common.

Please close the door.

You?

It's a week since you visited the shop.

I just passed by your shop. You closed early today?

And how did you find out where I live?

- You came to the shop? - Yes.

Thought you must be bored of fresh flowers.

Wow! Did you...

So beautiful.

So I shouldn't come to the shop anymore?

Apart from the flowers,

is there no other reason to come to the shop?

Oh, the fragrance of newsprint!

You know I work for a newspaper?

Which one?

If I had known, I would've used that.

Okay, bye.

No okay bye.

Come in.

Mom!

Come here.

Danny, Mr. Tulips.

- Hello. - Hello.

What are these? Are the flowers on a strike?

Mom, it's so gorgeous.

Are you a florist or an artist?

Can't a man be both?

A man can be anything he wants, darling...

but paper can't be a flower.

Aunty, tomorrow I'll get tulips--

'Aunty'?

Nila, is he blind?

Sit. Please sit.

Hey, you'll have idli? Mom makes the best idlis.

I'm fine.

No, you'll have idli.

Waxy? He's sleeping.

Hey, why aren't you on social media?

Because I'm in front of you.

Nila.

He is a flower-seller.

Yeah, so?

Have some thundering-hot idlis with chutney.

Thank you.

Ma'am...

Sit down.

Won't you eat?

Who are you to invite me to eat in my own house?

Ignore her.

She's like this every time she sees a guy.

Just focus on your idlis.

Are all delivery guys served idlis, in this house?

Yes. And the food delivery guy is served biryani.

The booze delivery guy has a few pegs before leaving.

Mom, can we have some privacy please?

Sure.

So tell me, have you always been fond of flowers?

No. Mom loved flowers.

Dead or alive?

Flowers or Mom?

You are my type.

I love Moms.

I am trying.

So tell me, your Mom...

She was a florist.

I'm just keeping her shop and her passion alive.

You are also very passionate about it.

I have become, over time...

flowers, gardening, no social media.

It's almost meditative.

Hm, I should also meditate.

It's only been four months in Mumbai,

and I am already fed up...

what movie stars drink, eat, wear...

who's having an affair with who!

This can actually kill your love for movies.

You love movies?

Love?

No films means 'the end' for her!

That's why this house is right next to a film studio.

House? Look at this hole!

We need cinema to feel alive.

Life is so dead, flat, boring, ugly...

Light never falls perfectly on the face.

Look at the moon,

it looks gorgeous only on screen, with music.

Where? Where is the music?

The background score of our lives...

incessant honking...

The sound of violins have to be imagined at funerals,

to feel the sorrow.

I mean, even falling in love...

627 00: