Original subtitles

♫ ♫

♫ ♫

RALPH". "The Master of the Viceregal Household

"is commanded by their Excellencies

the Viceroy and Vicereine to invite you to a reception..."

MADELEINE: "...at Viceregal Lodge to mark the occasion of the engagement

of Mr. Ralph Whelan..."

RALPH: "...and Miss Madeleine Mathers.

Prepare to eat cake."

(impatiently): You have my measurements.

Why do we go through this every time?

I'm the same poor waif I was when I was 21.

Better safe than sorry, memsahib.

You're missing the floor show!

(kids laughing)

LEENA: Who is invited?

ALICE: Oh, everyone and no one.

You know my brother.

Never off duty.

"Prepare to eat cake."

Yes.

I don't know what it means, either.

It's all a very closely guarded secret.

Have you anything you can wear?

There's a silver tea gown.

A tea gown?

Sounds impetuous.

It was gifted to me by Lady Carmarthen.

What?

Our Lady Carmarthen?

Whose divine gift of this building

gave our school wings.

The dress needed some adjustment.

Well, I honestly can't imagine why!

(laughs)

(humming along to music)

A good day for it.

How's Madeleine getting on?

Badminton.

Flirting with half the 19th Lancers.

Oh!

Making up a four with assorted elderlies.

Ralph...

I saw you with that jumped-up fellow

from the National Bank.

Mackenzie?

Oh... a small loan.

Another one?

Just to tide me over for the summer.

This damn party.

Ask her.

You're getting married.

It's perfectly proper for the wife's family

to do their bit.

Not your province.

"Not your province."

Listen to him.

Old-fashioned to his crenellated backbone!

(laughs)

I'm very happy for you.

Did I say?

Incessantly.

You are... fond of the girl?

Ralph!

Oh, we're comfortable here.

They bring us hot-water bottles

made out of some kind of spaniel.

I'm sorry you couldn't stay on at my brother's.

Don't be.

He gets his old life back.

Besides, it was the proper thing to do.

My sister's reputation

needs all the help it can get.

What?

Boy.

Boy!

Over here!

Joking.

I was joking.

Play, please.

"Prepare to eat cake."

Very mysterious.

Sarah.

Don't tell me what it means.

I love surprises.

Now, have you got a minute?

You see, I wanted to ask you a very special favour,

as a friend.

Oh, yes?

It's about your brother's party.

We're so happy to be asked, but you see...

It's a little bit delicate.

Those folk there, what are they doing?

They are here for you, Mr. Ian.

Me? Why?

Name of Mr. Ian is known up and down Kangra Valley.

You are the very famous Englishman

with the Indian sahib.

Excuse me?

My cousin Ramu Sood.

He is the burrah sahib

and you are his English chai-wallah.

Scottish.

Ah, English, Scottish,

but you're still serving the tea, no?

Hey!

(Speaking Hindi) (Get lost! move on now!)

This blasted creature.

I told her there is no work for her.

No. Tamil.

We want no Tamil dogs here.

We'll take her.

What?

I said... if she's fit to work.

You start working today

as soon as you're ready.

Thank you, sir.

I see now you are a kind man.

RALPH". Consider, gentlemen,

a democratic assembly

in each and every province in India.

But the question is

how best to represent all the peoples of India,

not just, with the greatest respect,

the Hindu majority.

To which end, we are drawing up

separate quotas-- guaranteed seats

for the Muslims' own political groups

and the other smaller minorities.

Untouchables number some 60 million,

nearly one and a half times the population of your country.

We are no small minority.

No.

But we in Congress maintain that your interests

are best served by one voice.

The voice of Mr. Gandhi?

Indeed.

For 20 years now, Gandhiji is devoted

to banishing the stain of untouchability.

Let him be your champion.

In fairness, Dr. Kamble,

you are all members of one faith,

even if some parts of that faith are denied certain rights.

As Mr. Whelan says,

we are all Hindus.

And where there are injustices against your people,

let us overcome them together.

What do you say to that, Dr. Kamble?

RALPH: I don't believe a word they're saying.

Congress just want power, not justice.

We are offering you a guaranteed seat at parliament

for the first time in your history.

They will never do that.

Mr. Whelan, tell me.

How many years since your family first set foot in India?

We arrived in...

Yes, 1824.

'24.

More than 100 years.

So many words and promises and committees and commissions.

I understand, I do, but this time...

Do you know what it is to be born untouchable?

Raised on carrion?

Eyes, ears?

Yes.

Voice?

No.

Social justice?

No.

Rights of man?

No.

Hindu?

Naturally.

But God himself does not want me in his temple, sir.

So I am obliged to ask why, after all these years,

do you wish to help?

Look...

Congress just wants us gone,

and once they achieve that-- and that day is coming--

do you honestly think

those millions of poor out in the villages

who've never so much as laid eyes on an Englishman

will see their lives change one iota

once these high-caste Brahmins start running their affairs?

We're trying to give you a chance.

A voice of your own.

For God's sake, work with us,

while there's still time.

Fight these people.

Do you think he should be carrying me

up and down hills?

Better I walk.

Thank you, Mr. Whelan.

Dr. Kamble!

Please, don't go.

Might I speak with you on a more personal matter?

Dalal.

Sir?

Would you show this gentleman to the library?

Certainly.

This way, please.

I'm inviting him to my party.

I want him with me.

I understand, sir.

For God's sake, don't put him in a rickshaw.

He doesn't like it.

What are you doing with that filthy fellow?

How should I know?

Come this way.

(footsteps)

Hm.

I was thinking

the pink or the blue?

What do you think?

Pink or blue?

For what?

Our engagement party, Ralph.

Sister.

Brother.

I'll leave you to it.

Mr. Dalal.

Miss Whelan.

I trust you're well?

Your family?

All in perfect health.

Thank you.

Good.

I wanted to thank you for your kindness

in my latest hour of need.

You misled me.

I...

No, I would never knowingly...

Oh, I think you knew precisely what you were doing.

You asked me to help you, and I was happy to help,

when in reality, what you were doing

was tricking me into acting against my own brother.

How could you possibly...?

The note for your sister.

You read it?

Of course I read it.

Thank God I did.

The evidence connecting that terrorist with Congress...

You stole it, didn't you?

(stammering): I... I...

RALPH: Dalal!

What will you do?

I don't know.

Ah, there you are.

Don't keep a chap waiting.

Excuse me.

AAFRIN: What if we're seen?

Then we are two acquaintances that happened to meet.

One day, when you are a fine District Officer,

you and I will walk up and down like this every night,

and nobody will dare to raise a finger.

You won't miss Captain Codrington?

That dirty graveyard!

Are you joking?

Sita, you promise me

you gave that letter to my sister?

Yes.

I already told you.

Why are you making this great tamasha

about some silly letter?

I am at a loss, because I asked Sooni repeatedly

and she denies ever receiving it.

Typical Sooni.

She's having fun with you.

Clearly, she has hidden whatever this thing...

Certificate.

Clearly, she has hidden this certificate thing

and, as usual, you are falling for her tricks.

Aafrin...

Hello?

Are you even listening to me?

Of course I'm listening to you.

I listen to every precious word!

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to...

No, there's no need.

I talk too much.

Little Miss Chatterbox.

My father always said it would be my undoing.

Look, you are fine.

I had a horrible day.

I can't tell you.

You can tell me.

My poor baby.

I knew something was wrong.

Come.

Once more up and down?

Please, do not make your mother punish you.

Ah!

(shouting)

You think this small thing is pain?

You want to know what is suffering?

All this I paid for you,

because you are my son and I will never let you go.

Amma, Amma!

Adam?

The child was showing me the way to Summer Hill.

Are you all right?

Yes, thank you, Uncle.

Adam?

His good name?

Yes!

So he was christened.

Very fine name.

What did that woman want?

She wants that I meet...

someone.

Who?

I don't know.

Adam, you must trust us to look after you.

Do you understand?

We're your guardians now.

LEENA: The young prince found a slipper

while he was out hunting.

Months he spent

looking for the owner of this tiny slipper.

KIDS: Baapi!

Ah!

Cinderella, is it?

Sodewa Bah.

It's the Indian version.

Go sit down.

We were celebrating Ruth's name day.

DOUGIE: Well, happy birthday.

Go and fetch me some of that cake, you.

Show Baapi the card.

Very thoughtful.

This is your father, is it?

Yes, Baapi.

Daddy never forgets.

Isn't that nice of him?

Absolutely.

Come on, put it away.

You'll make the others quite jealous.

Go and play.

(talking excitedly)

DOUGIE: Uh, not you!

He was doing no harm.

Your mom's been worried sick.

I'm sorry I haven't been about much to help.

Ruth has been my little helper.

Anything to report?

Nothing.

Some tea?

I wish I could.

I'll look in again when I can.

(sighs)

I thought we agreed you wouldn't keep doing this.

I like it here.

I know, I'm sorry.

It's just not for you.

That's all there is to it.

Ruth.

You're going to the Viceroy's.

Aren't you?

I'm afraid that's quite impossible.

Why?

I've nothing to wear.

(mumbling drunkenly)

I'm going to buy you a drink, because you need one.

I'm buying a round of drinks.

Do you need a drink?

You need a drink.

Steady on...

Oh, for Christ's sake,

I'm just saying, who here's thirsty?

Because I'm buying!

Eh? Anyone?

WOMAN: Bit early.

Still, I'll have a drink, if it's going.

No, you don't-- your money's not required.

Thank you, Mr. McLeod.

You saying I'm stupid?

If only it were so simple.

Kaiser!

Why don't we all sit down?

No.

Kaiser!

No, I'm not sitting down.

I've come in here for a drink.

So, where were you...

Where were you when my uncle was flat broke

and needed that loan?

Sahib...

No!

No, no!

And another thing...

I'll help you.

Come on...

Take it outside!

Come on, come on.

Oh, dear...

Get off!

They'll be all right with him, won't they?

Why don't I get you that drink?

Don't you dare lie to your own mother!

He was seen walking shamelessly

down in the bazaar by Mrs. Gool.

Mrs... who?

The piano teacher, don't you remember?

Oh, the one who was teaching Sham last summer?

Thank God she came to me straight away.

Now we'll have to manage things most carefully

with a cool mind.

And as for this one, you will have

no further contact.

None at all!

Unless you want your Hindu Chudail

thrown on the street by her own people!

Ma, Ma, sit.

And don't think you'll be untouched yourself.

Drink.

ROSHANA: ICS or no ICS,

if even one word of this gets to Bombay...

And your poor father...

Nobody is shouting but you, Ma.

We'll just have to get you a poor widow,

some schoolteacher.

Shamshad, you'll have to resume your piano lessons.

I'm not taking lessons from that fat witch!

Well, you will, because you must!

God knows where we're going to find the money.

Sooni, you will have to cancel your Shikasta classes.

SOONI: What? No!

How can I think of studying law

if I cannot read the documents?

ROSHANA: Well, just think of something else!

My life is not your life!

My life is my own!

Do you have any idea the pressure I am now under?

Huh?

"My "fem?

Who cares about your life?!

Ah! The very man.

So, you've been kitted out with your costume?

Thank you, sir.

Such a kind gift.

Jolly good.

Nothing to do with me.

All my wife's idea.

Now, look here.

That unusual-looking fellow

hanging around the gates yesterday...

Dr. Kamble?

Yes.

The untouchable.

My ADC tells me you took it upon yourself

to invite him to your engagement party.

Well, naturally, I told him he was misinformed.

Sir, I thought a show of hospitality

would give him that extra push.

Sorry, not with you...

To persuade their people we can be trusted.

So, you asked him along?

Yes.

To a party here at the Viceregal Lodge,

kindly hosted as a particular favour to you by my wife.

Have I blundered?

Oh!

The Maharajah of Kolhapur is here as my guest,

and we value his loyalty,

as we do that of all the other princely states.

What's he going to say, do you imagine,

breaking bread with an untouchable?

To say nothing of all our other Hindu guests!

The untouchables are Hindus themselves.

Insufferable piety!

My God, Whelan,

you give the station chaplain a run for his money!

Sir.

The Hindus play by their own rules,

and we jolly well keep our noses out of it.

But if we can win over the untouchables, as discussed,

we smash any future deal between them and Congress.

Not on the night of your own engagement.

Well.

I am... disappointed.

I will not have any unpleasantness, hmm?

Not here.

I'm asking you to trust me, sir.

Where is he now?

I'm loaning him my best man.

Dalal?

Your Excellency.

Ah, yes.

Your little munshi.

Well,

let's hope he can teach him how to hold a knife and fork.

KAMBLE: We are Mahar people.

My father was a very proud man.

He decided one fine morning

that he was sick and tired of walking.

He wished to draw water locally, from the village tank.

They said he was polluting the well,

and they hanged him by his neck.

Burned our home.

After that, I was sent to a Muslim family in the city

for an education.

It was my father's last wish.

And that is my story.

(laughs)

I remember sometimes, we used to go for fish pathia

at one of your Irani stalls.

Where?

On Chowpatti Beach?

Of course.

I, too.

The juice would run down my chin.

My ma used to scold me.

(Speaking Gujrati) (You are so "indistinct word" - I should drop you into the sea!)

(laughs)

Your Mr. Whelan...

He has never shown me less than great personal kindness.

I can trust him as a Britisher?

Yes, I think so.

Good.

Come.

You wish to go in?

How can I when I am not welcome?

I am a simple fellow.

No fight.

Unlike my father.

But I am a little stubborn.

Besides, God is everywhere.

Is that not so?

(Speaking Hindi) (indistinct word spoken)

ANAND: You know, I have the highest esteem for Mr. Ralph sahib.

RONNIE: He'll be relieved to hear it.

ANAND: But he cannot add on to insult

by inviting all these untouchables

together with the higher class.

And it is...

It is like pollution for us to eat together

with these backward types.

Miss Whelan!

Poor old Brahmins are in a fix.

If they attend the engagement along with these untouchables,

mountains will shake.

Their high-bred souls will be cast into the pit.

If they boycott, they miss out

on the jolliest do of the summer.

Tea? Tiffin?

Ooh, it's bara brith!

Yes, why not?

Now, Ronnie...

Miss Whelan.

Alice, for heaven's sake.

Alice.

I gather you're in charge of the table plan.

Oh, a very modest cog.

I had a favour to ask.

You remember Mrs. Sarah Raworth?

Well, she wonders if, as a one-off,

she might sit a bit further up.

Up?

Up What?

The table.

Golly.

Yes, you see, it's a dream of hers

to dine beside the Viceroy.

Something for the grandchildren.

Well, that's impossible.

These things are determined by the order of precedence.

To each according to their place.

See?

And as a missionary's wife,

Mrs. Raworth appears alongside her husband

in between Sister Donoghue and Mr. Kumar,

Sub-Divisional Officer for Drains and Sewage.

Surely you can make an exception?

Absolutely nothing to be done.

Here.

Borrow mine, if you like.

Sugar?

No, thank you.

Do excuse me.

Mmm!

(laughing)

(children continue laughing)

Start with the headache, shall we?

Here.

Oh...

(laughs)

I'll try anything once.

Poor wee griffin.

I wish folk wouldn't call me that.

Let's see if we can't mop things up with Cynthia.

I'll tell her you're mad with grief, if it helps.

Is that necessary?

Well, you can't very well live outside the club, can you?

Come on.

Try this.

It'll help.

(bell ringing)

(door rattles)

Open at once!

What are you doing?

Just hiding.

It's a game like hide and seek.

Yes, I know what it is.

Did no one hear the lunch bell?

Come.

Come, wash your hands.

Let's move, Princess!

I'm growing old out here!

MADELEINE: I'm a queen!

Not a princess.

(knocks)

(faint singing)

Hear that?

They're singing for rain.

Hey now, Bhupi?

If you do say, sahib.

Well, a bit of rain would be something.

Not that one believes

in such superstitious guff.

Don't laugh at me.

Come on.

You have an engagement party to attend.

Say you were on the other side of the world.

I thought I already was.

Total stranger says, "What's she like?

Describe her to me."

What would you say?

Madeleine?

I don't know.

She was always very kind to me.

You don't like her.

Of course I like her.

You like her, but you don't warm to her.

I see you.

Always scampering off.

I'm leaving you to it.

Oh.

I see.

You're jealous.

Don't flatter yourself.

Anyway, if you want the honest truth,

I have the horrible feeling that she wants to save you.

Save me?

Now, that would be novel.

It means she'll do everything she can think of

to make you happy.

If you let her.

Ralphie...

It's enough.

I don't know if I'm in love or just following orders.

You'll always be here for me, won't you?

(music playing)

(applause)

"Let them eat cake!"

I'm sorry?

Eat cake.

She's Marie Antoinette.

He's King Louis of France.

SARAH: Wasn't I just saying it had to be something French?

Yes, you certainly were.

Bearer!

More simkin!

How he can afford it on 1,500 a year...

Clearly, we should all marry Americans.

I thought you could help.

I'm sorry, I did try.

Pity.

I thought we were friends.

We are friends.

Put her in her place, down with the rubbish.

I wonder where they'd sit you, hmm?

If they knew.

About your poor husband.

What would they all say, do you imagine?

Wait.

Hello.

Oh, I didn't recognize you in a suit.

(laughs)

Yes.

I would like to apologize if I overdid things

the other night.

We take such things in our stride.

So, no hard feelings?

Judge a man when he's sober or not at all, Mr. McLeod.

Yes.

Kindly inform Mr. Sood that

under no circumstances will you work under a native,

least of all the man you hold responsible

for your uncle's death.

He's over there.

Right.

(crowd falls silent)

You're very welcome.

Both of you.

(music starts playing)

What's going on?

It's a local matter.

Well, far above my head, I expect.

Miss Whelan?

I'm here for my brother on his big day.

As am I, Miss Whelan.

As are we all.

I would never do anything to hurt you.

Excuse me.

And they tried to send him

all the way back to England, but...

Sir, um...

Excuse me.

My employment as your estate manager...

People are talking.

They say you only took me on to butter up the British,

to keep them from pressing charges

after you conspired to steal my uncle's land off him

after he died, sir, by your hand.

Why did I offer you employment?

Well, let me tell you.

I am a businessman.

It isn't you I want.

It is your name.

Your name, sir.

Armitage.

I mean to explore the export market,

and your name has value.

Cheers.

My name is McLeod.

McLeod, Armitage...

It's all British.

But...

If you work for me,

I will raise you from your ignorance.

I will teach you how to make this land pay.

It is what you came for.

Partly, I grant you, but...

An . .

It is your choice.

Sorry, sir, what were you saying?

Maw.!

Please.

Where did you get this?

We... we made it.

All of us.

Now you can go to the ball.

What?

Like Sodewa Bai.

♫ ♫

Your Royal Highnesses, please.

Sarah?

We thought we'd swap.

You don't mind, do you?

How could I mind?

(glass clinking)

Pray, be upstanding for the loyal toast.

King Emperor!

ALL: The King Emperor!

Thank you.

Thank you.

Where is the...?

(Speaking Hindi) (Listen up)

Pity the Maharajah.

What grave insult, dining with the untouchable.

Bearer!

No need for fuss.

Our guests would quite like to be fed.

Thank you.

AAFRIN: Miss Whelan?

Allow me to present our guest, Dr. Kamble.

KAMBLE: Whelan?

Yes.

She is sister to the Private Secretary.

KAMBLE: Mr. Dalal tells me

he's a most trustworthy man.

ALICE: How kind of Mr. Dalal.

Well...

No appetite.

Too much rajma for lunch.

Hmph!

(talking excitedly)

Which one's she?

The one with the green sari.

To be honest, I imagined a larger girl.

Daddy!

Shh!

Come, let's follow them.

Come, come on!

Come on, come on!

SOONI: She will turn and see!

WILLINGDON: I first met this fellow

in Madras.

I was Governor.

Whelan was a very green assistant magistrate,

riding off in his father's boots.

(laughing)

And I went with him on one of his blasted assizes,

and we sat down under a banyan tree,

weighing up some legal dispute or other, I forget what.

Oh, yes!

It was the Forestry Commission

versus some dark little Indian tenant farmer.

What was it we called him?

Bob Cratchit.

Bob Cratchit!

On account of the tiny child on his lap.

And do you know?

Cratchit won the day.

His half-acre was returned to him.

Riding home,

every village headman turned out to greet us.

"Maa baap," they called him.

Maa baap.

Mother-father.

21 years old.

(applause)

(muttering): Earth, swallow me up!

Sita?

They will have started the dance.

(music playing)

All these people...

What about them?

Do you even know them?

Poor old Reggie.

He'd dine in that outfit.

Reggie?

Ralph.

God...

Too many of these.

I hope you're not losing your touch.

Never!

Did we do this?

No!

They did it themselves.

We just gave them a little push, that's all.

You see people at these things you never see anywhere else.

"Things"?

Our thing.

Will your father be coming to the wedding?

Oh, I doubt it.

Too occupied with his work, I expect.

Yes.

And no.

You see, right now,

I'm afraid he'd have trouble raising the funds.

(laughing)

I doubt that.

I was under the impression he was thriving.

Oh, absolutely.

He was.

I'm afraid I never had any head for business, but...

Well, the crash...

Yes, go on.

The market went up in smoke.

As far as I understand it,

we were relying on government contracts.

When those dried up...

(sighs)

...the only way dad could stay solvent

was by buying back his own company.

As I say, I've no head for business.

Not at all.

Can I refresh your glass?

You sound like a waiter!

(lever, Mr. Mathew).!

Does she know?

No.

I promise.

(applause)

Am ma?

Amma!

Am ma?

You came.

I was dreaming of your father.

I'll take you to him.

(playing slow dance tune)

Look.

Now there will be trouble.

Is that for show, do you expect?

They seem sincere enough.

WILLINGDON: Yes.

Well, I suppose one should rise to the occasion.

Dalal!

Thank you.

Eh?

It can't be so bad.

Dr. Kamble, I am advised

the Vicereine has made herself available for the next waltz.

Yeah?

You will invite her to dance.

What can I do?

(orchestra playing a waltz)

Which one is your husband?

Oh, I expect he's gone home.

(applause)

Here.

A shot.

For battered hearts and tired feet.

I am no dancer.

May I ask, how are you acquainted

with our visiting Maharajah?

I'm not.

This man is a friend to all from depressed classes.

Indeed.

You know he outlawed untouchability in his own state

some five years back?

How was I not aware of that?

It is a small district of no great importance.

Look...

We want to help.

But Congress is spoiling for a fight

over these elections.

You hold your ground,

insist on your right to the quota,

and we will stand with you.

What do you say?

This isn't more divide and rule?

Drive the Indians apart,

so much better for the British?

Not this time.

Do you swear it?

Do you swear the Viceroy will publicly support us,

even if Mr. Gandhi moves against us?

I swear it.

We are your allies.

Haven't we proven as much tonight?

I will stand with you.

You go to her.

What?

Leena!

I'm so glad you came.

See how tired he looks?

Come on, let's find you a drink.

I've made him so unhappy.

I didn't mean to.

Any unhappiness was there long before he met you.

No.

I gave it to him.

LEENA: This was a stupid mistake.

I never should have come.

If that man is unhappy now,

tonight, it's because he knows what he wants,

and some God's put it in his head he can't have it.

Alice...

He's in love.

And so are you.

That's all there is.

At least let's meet the child.

No!

Why give them hope when there is no hope?

1,000 years, our community stands alone through marriage.

Aafrin doesn't have 1,000 years.

He's got one little life.

Everything is falling apart.

Nothing's falling apart.

(candles fizzling)

Oh!

(rustling)

Don't go.

Miss Whelan.

Forgive me.

It was never my intention to force a lie

between yourself and your brother,

for whom I have the highest...

Stop making stupid speeches you don't even mean.

Why do you say that?

You don't know me.

Why do you imagine you know what's in my head?

The evidence, or whatever it was,

showing that man was political.

You stole it.

Why?

Because Ralphie asked us to lie about the shooting?

About what we heard?

Yes.

No, I...

I'm sick and tired of being other people's puppet.

You do know I have to tell him?

No.

I will tell him myself.

(thunder rumbling)

(giggling)

Damn.

MADELEINE: What?

Isn't it wonderful?

No.

Wait.

Are you “EDDY?

Can't you tell?

I've never been happier in all my life.

What is it?

Come on, we'll catch our death.

I'll see you inside.

(shouting)