In loneliness,
or illusions of greatness,
go and face the sea,
and hear the restless waves speak
Who says you are alone?
An ocean's vastness will ask,
You aren't bigger than me, are you?
Baba taught me this, from times when I was a child,
he made me strike a friendship with the sea
Yes, we very often talk to the sea, for hours together,
in silence
This story is
Baba, you can't
This Nanda, her two-day vacation has stretched to four
You leave rolling the bread for me
Are you challenging me?
Yes
How often do I tell you? - I know
Those with courage never face defeat
At every turn, you must recite your favorite poem
It's more than my favorite. It's my life, my thinking
my creed
Those with courage never face defeat
Today, it's defeat
Africa? - Africa?
Sorry, more like Indonesia
Ronu, son... - Yes, Baba
What time is your flight? - You've asked four times already
Tonight, at 11.30 pm. OK?
At what time, Baba? - 11.30 tonight
Looks a perfect Italy
Flour in the face
Admit failure, Baba. I'll manage the bread, go
Trisha
Now what do you say!
Fearing waves will not get you to the other shore
Those with courage never face defeat
I know
Failure is a challenge. Accept it - Excellent
What's left to improve go ahead and improve it
Without achieving you cannot attain victory
Those with courage cannot be defeated
Now say cheese
Watch out for Mummy. - A minute
Professor, is it kitchen-class today?
Sit please
Friends, forgive my being late
Yesterday, we discussed Rama's worship of the female divine
In this poem, poet Nirala visualizes
Rama not as a god but as a human being
I can even say that Niralaji humanized the god-head
Isn't this the Hindi Literature class?
Sir, this is the Chemistry class. Final year, science
Oh... I beg your pardon
Sir, may I see you to the Staff Room?
I'll go by myself
Baba, come for breakfast
When will you learn to eat like a human being
Sit and eat. - I'm getting late
Nanda, bring the curds
Baba, breakfast is getting cold
Here I am
What's the occasion, Baba?
You look solid,
absolutely knock-out
What's wrong?
I know
I know who you are
You are Karan Choudhary, son of Uttam Choudhary
Nineteen years of age and useless at your studies
I didn't stop because I wondered who you were
I'm amazed at your language.
Who'd say that you're son of a Hindi professor?
Baba, my sister is here for Hindi experiments
Leave me to my English, please. - Then,
give us a lecture in good English, or recite a poem
Shelley, Keats, Byron, Elliot, anyone.
Or, a passage from Shakespeare?
A Shakespeare passage? Right away
Baba, he... is getting late, for college
Today's generation has no respect for language
They don't know Hindi, can't speak English
Baba, eat your breakfast. Look, I've made potato-paratha
Let him be
Baba, how about an English farewell?
Wait... - Now what, revered father?
Your post-office is open
It happens... happens
Don't you also forget?
Baba, get your hair trimmed
It doesn't look good. - I'll get it done
Naina
get my briefcase ready. I'm getting late for the University
Nanda, tell my wife to get my briefcase. It's getting late
Baba, you...
you are forgetting... - What?
It's late to go where?
University, 11 am class
You've retired from work
I merely thought of it
Yesterday, by mistake I walked into the Chemistry class.
That's why I felt...
like warning you that the Vice-Chancellor
may not grant me an extension
Chemistry class?
Your chemistry-class incident happened three years ago
Don't joke. Tell your mother I'm getting really late
Mother died a year and a half ago
Baba, give me your spectacles
You know Baba,
sometimes even I miss mother a lot
Of late, I find I am so forgetful
When that happens,
I feel really frightened
When your mother was here, I was not so scared
Everyone forgets, Baba. I keep forgetting so many things
You talk of being afraid? You?
It was you who taught us. What did you teach us?
Those who have courage cannot be defeated
See, you remember. Who says you forget?
Let's do this. Let's both go to Uncle Gattoo's place for a while
Uncle Gattoo telephoned; and it's been ages
since I tasted Delhi's spicy 'chaat'
I'm running to a meeting at office
Bye, have your lunch
Delhi
We have all worked on this together
Had we not helped each other, this task would be difficult
In this connection, let me add,
on child education and children's issues...
a world conference is being held in Brazil
Trisha will be there for a month representing "Pratham"
Brazil? For a whole month?
Any problem?
You will not go?
One month! I cannot leave Baba for a whole month!
Look Trisha,
I know how attached you are to your father
For one, Karan can't care for him. And neither will Ronu
Why doesn't he take him to America?
They have good institutions
Ronu is away eight months at a time on ships
When will you think of yourself,
and about us?
I'm about to be transferred to Australia
Are you about to say, you aren't coming?
One minute
May I know your rate?
Pay the usual, uncle
What's this "uncle"? Tell me, what will you charge?
Normally, a hair-cur at home is 100. You can give me 80
It's just me, not the neighborhood
It's the cost of one haircut, uncle
My barber takes just 10. And 2 for a shave
What times are you talking about? - I am talking about now, 1979
OK, I'll give you fifteen. Don't bargain... begin
Fifteen rupees? - Yes
Get it cut by whoever does it for fifteen. - And rude at that
First you ask for a hundred and then you insult one?
Go, no haircut for me. - May I take my towel?
There
Earlier Baba forgot small things... names, faces,
places, but now it's increasing
At times, he forgets that he is now retired
In old age these symptoms do occur
You mean, his condition might worsen?
The same medicines you prescribed last time?
So...?
Dr. Bharoocha, my father is no guinea pig
for you to experiment on for years
Ms Choudhary, if you feel I am at fault
you can take him to another doctor
Please do not be unduly stressed
Try to keep your home at its most normal
As I said, if he forgets, let him
Why do you take me to this goat?
Did I forget anything? - No
Who suggested this goat? - He is Ashish's company doctor
Your Ashish and his company
Karan is meant to be in college? - He has a study tour
Karan, you didn't say that
you are Professor Uttam Choudhary 's son
The one who was Hindi professor
at Bombay University? His son, right?
Yes
My mom teaches Hindi Literature at Mithibhai College
She is a fan of your father
Will you do something for me, please? - Sure, tell me
It's my mom's birthday next month
And that book by your father.
A New Approach to Language Instruction
Can you get your father to autograph it?
Baba, your book, A New approach to Language Construction
Language Construction? Instruction!
Yes, instruction. I need an autographed copy for someone
Nanda...
Please fetch one A New Approach to Language Instruction
Bring what? - New Approach... my book...
what was the cover color? Blue, or is it yellow...
Blue, isn't it, Baba?
Blue, he wants the blue book. - I know, I'll get it
Karan, please do not go out today
I must go to Ramesh's place to watch a D VD
Stop that grating with the knife!
Your brother is a savage
Here's a butter-knife and
he is using his finger to spread butter
Is this the one? - Yes, it is. Instruction
What's the girl's name? - Girl? Which girl?
The one you took to Fame Adlabs to watch a movie
Film? Fame Adlabs? Girl?
Karan, not fair. Baba knows it all and I don't?
I've no idea what he's saying! - Baba...
When we were in the car yesterday, I saw them
Yesterday we went to Dr. Bharoocha. And you saw him?
Forget it. What's her name?
Natasha
Her name is Natasha
Nice girl. Bring her home someday on a study tour
The name?
Natasha
I don't want breakfast
Baba, give me your specs
I will not be able to go
My father's health...
I see
The funders coming in December. What about their blueprint?
It'll be ready, rest assured. Enough time for that
Anything else?
Being with children has taught me one big lesson
In whatever they do, they give their hundred percent
And they expect the same in return
The kids in Pratham's Dharavi Center
expect the same of their Trisha Didi
But I feel that you, these days...
I feel bad about not giving enough time
but you know the reasons...
Nor are you able to give enough time to your father
When you are with your father...
you worry about the Center's children. When you are here...
your thoughts are with your father.
Life cannot proceed like this, my dear
If you give, give a hundred percent,
otherwise... you decide
How is she wrong? Count your blessings, it's an NGO
Had it been the corporate sector, you'd be sacked in minutes
Trisha, you realize that you are placing
your family before your career?
Sunitaji wants you to oh so you've received her message?
Sir, we must meet at the earliest... mid October?
It cannot be any earlier?
You are in Frankfurt? I'm sorry, I'll call you later
Who...? - Doctor Kothari
Famous psychiatrist, Sunitaji gave me his number
Aren't you drinking too much, that too, in day time?
No drinking next month. Not even a whiff. - How come?
Next week my parents are coming. I'm going to Chennai with them,
a cousin's wedding
If they come to know that I drink beer, I've had it
Do they at least know that...
we have been seeing each other for the past four years?
Or not even that?
I just told them
The news hit them like a bomb
Actually, in my family,
ours will be the first love marriage, that too...
inter-caste
And your parents...?
Their opinion? - They will come to meet you
When? - Maybe on this visit
And please wear a sari
Sari! - Trisha...
we're South Indian, try to understand, bit traditional;
my parents, even more so
Did you tell them about Baba?
No
Let them meet first
I'll do the explaining later
Preparing for tomorrow? - Yes
What is it?
Didi... (Didi: Sister)
What if...
we meet Ashish's parents some where outside and not at home?
Baba could say something or behave...
Nothing will happen. Don't worry
Will it look nice?
If Ashish's parents agree, will you get married soon?
Karan, what's on your mind?
Didi, don't misunderstand me
I too am sad about the state Baba is in
But I don't have your kind of courage
Where Baba will live after your wedding...
is up to you to decide
With you or with Ronu in America?
Or...
we could admit him in an Institute. It may cost a bit...
yes and asylums aren't as bad as they show us in films
How many asylums have you seen?
How many have you seen? Are you an expert?
Didi, even the doctor says the case is getting worse
A case, he isn't, Karan
He is yours, mine and Ronu's father
What does Ronu do?
With the merchant navy, settled in America
Nanda, bring the coffee
Child, do you know South Indian cooking?
- I don't even know North Indian cooking
I mean, there was mummy, then Nanda, so, there was no need
Sugar?
For you? - Two spoons
Brewed properly? - Lovely
But nothing like filter coffee
Have you learnt dance or music?
Not dance or music, but...
I'm deeply interested in literature
thanks to Baba, mostly poetry
You should hear Baba recite,
his favorite poem
His parents may not know Hindi
They want to hear
Ashish's parents want to hear your favorite poem
Those who have courage cannot be defeated
Courage... courage
Those who have courage...
can't be disrespected
Not... can't be disrespected. Cannot be defeated
Those with courage can't be mistreated
Those who have courage can't be disrespected
How can you forget this poem?
Ever since I was a baby, he taught me his favorite poem
Take him upstairs
How can you dare...
to place your ashtray on Gandhiji's photo,
and stub cigarettes
And your tainted mug?
You don't understand on Gandhiji's photo!
A playful child could be forgiven, but you...?
You are the cause of Gandhiji being insulted in this country
After all, it's only a newspaper photo
You take this to be a photo! For me, this is not a photo
Not for me... to me...
it is a symbol, a symbol of our nation, of our freedom
All of you, please leave. Now! This instant!
You will place an ashtray on Gandhiji's photo?
Please go upstairs. - Go away from my house!
All because of men like you
You're no playful children to be forgiven,
how dare you insult him
Soiling Gandhiji's photo?
Since when is he like this?
Soon after retirement and after my mother's death
Hereditary, is it?
Do not take this badly, my dear. Heredity can create problems
In my case, I have my father's high blood pressure and sugar
Perhaps your grandfather...
- There is no such history in our family
Not at all hereditary.
Besides, there is a fine specialist, Dr. Kothari...
we are waiting to meet him
God bless you
I'm flying with my parents tomorrow.
I'll return by month-end
Call me from there
Please come again. - Sure
Didi
Didn't I tell you...
let's meet outside, not at home?
You saw what happened?
Nanda
What happened? - What is this?
Have you torn today's papers? - Have I nothing else to do?
And why are you shouting at me?
Please apologize to your parents. Call when you reach there
Didi, where are you going?
Have your breakfast. - I don't want it
How can this be, Didi
If you aren't here, who will eat with Baba
You didn't even eat anything last night.
Give him my share as well
And if he asks why, say it is in celebration of yesterday
Please, Baba... - I don't want to hear
Baba has done what harm he could,
now, you do whatever you think fit
Baba's pet
What did you say?
- I've worked here for 15 years,
not for money, out of love
I put up with what you say...
...because I take this to be my home
Here I'm worried about Baba.
He said he'd be back soon, that was two hours ago
What... where did he go?
Karan quick, take a look around
Where have you been?
You will drive us mad! Do you know what you did yesterday?
What did I do? - Baba, you don't know what you did?
You might as well remind me, what I did
You may not need to remember,
but Ashish's parents will remember it all their lives
What is in your hand?
Think
I do not have the strength
It's enough to be alive Now, show me
Show it
Our good wishes on this happy day. Baba and mother
Give me your spectacles
I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me...
I just began shouting
You remember my birthday...
but you do not recall what happened yesterday
Yesterday, Ashish's parents were here
and I asked you to recite...
and you forgot your favorite poem
Those with courage, Cannot be defeated
I've told you Miss Choudhary, if you wish,
you are free to change your doctor
Your father must get the best treatment
I don't mean otherwise, Dr. Bharoocha, but I keep telling you,
he forgets certain things.
Yesterday, he remembered my birthday,
but not what happened the day before
Hello... Ashish... hi! How are you keeping?
You've all but forgotten me
Stop that constant horn
Stop that horn! - I'll call later
Stop it! - Where are you going?
You aren't going anywhere. Please don't use that horn
And please hurry up and look ahead and drive, please
The treatment was useless and he was going from bad to worse
Between spells of silence and bouts of anger,
he goes wandering without telling & we go looking for him
Days bring me not hope, but fear of what Baba might do today
What's the matter, Baba?
Where have you brought me?
Where else? You live here
Come
I live here?
Of course Baba, this is your room
This is my room? - Yes, Baba
Who are you?
Baba I am Karan, your son
All right, go
Now, please go
Can any tree forget its branch?
Tomorrow, will he forget me,
and ask, who's Trisha?
I knew Baba liked to read the newspapers
But why is he collecting old newspapers?
What is he trying to find or eliminate?
I keep calling out to him but he just won't open the door
What should I do?
You can go. I'll take up his dinner
Baba, open the door. Dinner
Keep it there
OK, but open the door
I said, keep it outside
But...
Baba keeping himself locked in his room becomes a worry
What if he did something to himself?
What is happening to me?
Why am I thinking so negative
Open the door Baba
What's burning inside your room?
Open the door
Karan...
Karan! Please! Get up
What happened? - Karan... Baba's room could be on fire
Come quickly
I've been banging on his door and he isn't opening
Open the door Baba
Something's burning, Baba
Climb in from the balcony and try the back door
Go in
Switch on the lights
Baba, where are you?
I didn't kill Gandhiji
I did not kill Gandhi
Is that you Ronu? I'm at home, I'm on leave... one minute
Sorry, yes?
The fire? How did you know?
Dr. Bharoocha! What can he say? But I'll manage, brother
But you were to come only in February?
A sudden change of schedules?
Thanks, brother
I will, brother. Bye
I phoned and told him to come right away
You know, he has just returned home after six months on ships
He was supposed to come in Feb anyway.
In the least, you could've spoken with me
Wife, children... he has responsibilities
We too are his family and Baba is his responsibility as well
He is doing his duty, Karan
Were it not for him, would we be where we are? This bungalow...
could we afford to maintain this?
Doctors' bills, medicines, your studies
And you! How do you help?
Shout at your boyfriend instead, he picked this doctor
To begin with, if you admitted him to an institute,
this could've been avoided
As for me,
what am I, a donkey! I don't have any sense in me
Out for shopping
I am his fiancée
What?
When?
Can I have his new number?
What...?
Ashish, transferred to Melbourne...
didn't even tell me...
how can he do this?
A mental patient's daughter,
how can he marry?
Not I, it's what they must think
Do you remember Ashish's father asking,
could it be heredity?
Didi! - Now what?
Baba just threw away his food,
he says I'm poisoning his food
I'm not eating this food
Yes Baba?
I'm not eating this! - It's all right, but...
They're taking revenge, poisoning the food
in this prison, they want to kill me
This is no prison Baba, this is home!
No! This is a jail, a jail, not a home
Baba for heavens' sake, this is our home
Please... Look around. This is our home
You too are with them? - No, Baba
You call a jail a home?
Not that kind of jail, this is a private jail
Baba, look around, carefully
This is home, not any jail
Sir, I'm telling the truth!
Someone else loaded the gun with real bullets
I'm telling the truth, the truth
Guns, bullets, what are you saying Baba?
This is our home; and look there's Karan,
your son, my brother
No! He's the warden
Look at him, that hard stare in his eyes
Tell him please, I didn't kill deliberately
I haven't killed anyone, I won't eat this food, not this food
I never killed anyone, I won't eat
I never killed anyone
Please meet Trisha just for once. She is in terrible straits
If you can't take up the case, at least guide her
Miss Choudhary, I'm working on my book
I am taking a three month sabbatical,
to write my book
If you would for only once, please meet my father...
Yes, so tell me what's your father's problem?
Well...
he thinks that our home is a jail,
that his son is the jailer and...
he feels that he has killed Gandhiji
My father thinks that he has murdered Mahatma Gandhi
What should we do until your visit? - All I'll advise now is...
you accept whatever he says. Don't question him
If he talks of jail, warden, prisoner
let it pass, never argue with him
How could it possibly... - It will soothe his anxiety
Baba used to say,
no matter how endlessly stretches
the dark of nights, dawn brings day
After having met Dr. Kothari today
I feel there is hope, however faint,
my mind is more at peace
Uttam...
Go and wash
You're lucky to be living in free India
Instead of Gandhiji had you shot a white man,
your very soul would shudder...
at the punishment that'd be yours
I keep telling you again and again,
I did not want to kill Gandhiji,
someone loaded my gun with live bullets
Silence
Go away from here
Baba, what happened?
Look, he keeps saying, I'll never be absolved of my sin
Who... where? - There... he is...
constantly talking of my sins, standing right there
Listen
Go away from here
Stop harassing my father
There, I've told him off, Baba, told him,
why are you harassing my Baba
Go away
Go away from here why are you pestering my father
Now I've told him,
they won't pester you anymore
All right now? - Yes, now they're gone...?
Yes, gone. - Gone
And won't ever return. - Wort ever return
Please come
I filed a complaint, so he has come to meet you
Your daughter says that in jail some persons are harassing you?
I have taken charge of this place. No one will trouble you
I am Dr. Kothari
Doctor? - Yes
I also happen to be a doctor
You have not eaten?
Yes Baba, come on, eat
I do not eat jail food
This food isn't from the jail, Professor Uttam Choudhary
This food comes from your home
Your daughter has brought it
How can I be sure that they don't want to kill me?
I assure you, this is not so
Why?
You see, it's nothing like that
Come on, eat
Why do you feel that you have killed Gandhiji?
Would you like to meet my superiors?
Professor Uttam Choudhary,
you were a Professor of Hindi in Bombay University?
Professor Choudhary,
you were a professor of Hindi in Bombay University
Yes, Bombay University
No, I wanted to join the armed forces to serve the country
What year are we now in?
2004?
Yes, 2004
In 1975 you wrote a book that became really famous
A New Approach to Language Instruction
I don't know
In 1978, your second book
History of Hindi Poetry
Don't know
Professor Choudhary, which is your favourite poem?
No poem, a hymn
Sorry, I forgot. Yes, it's a hymn
Those who have courage cannot fail
One who is truly in love with God
sees no difference in caste or creed
You are a great believer in Gandhiji
I am his disciple
Why don't people believe me?
There's one point I can't understand
If you are his disciple, then why did you shoot him?
I've told you... I didn't mean to kill Gandhiji
It happened by mistake
OK, but how?
How did this mistake happen, Professor Choudhary?
We were playing,
someone put real bullets in my fake pistol
I pulled the trigger,
Gandhiji came in the way, the bullet hit him
And then he was bleeding in his chest
I'm saying the truth. I never knew,
someone loaded real bullets in the gun
I told everyone, it wasn't my fault, but no one would listen
Not even my father, not even Gandhiji
Then they got together and threw me in jail
When did this incident happen? Can you recall?
January 1948. Birla Garden, Delhi
It was evening, at 17 minutes past five. We were playing
Gandhiji was going to pray
Suddenly Gandhiji walked right into the middle of our game
30th January, 1948
5:17 pm
Birla Garden, Delhi
If you killed Gandhiji, then why do books say that...
Gandhiji was killed by Nathuram Godse
I don't know
But believe me,
I did not kill Gandhiji on purpose
I didn't
Dr. Verma's view is, your father's trauma is
definitely due to a childhood incident
When Gandhiji died, your father would be 8 or 9 years old?
His students would say, "Sir, from you we imbibed..."
"not only Literature in a new light,
but also a new way of looking at life"
Trisha, the loneliest person isn't someone
who has lost all his loved ones
Rather, he's someone who has lost himself
Sorry, Sunitaji, I will be there
The papers are with me.
I'm sorry, I'm coming over, right away
A meeting, I'd completely forgotten about
Please see to him. I'll be back in two minutes
Please manage, I got to leave. - What, you got to leave?
You have the details, you should explain.
Please take care of it, I can't wait
My father is in the cab. - Why did you bring him along?
I took him to the clinic. We got delayed
so I'm coming directly, please manage
Then get along, I'll manage
Don't just stand there
Ashish
I had no idea that you're back
Yes, it all happened in a rush
Was she the one? - Yes
Seems normal to me
My father was sitting inside!
Where has he gone? - He left
I told you to keep an eye on him! Where has he gone?
I asked him where he was going but he didn't reply
He just took off. - In which direction?
That way
Get in, quickly
Stop
Don't touch me
You stay away Who are you?
Baba, I am Ronu - I don't know any Ronu
Baba, he's our brother Ronu from America
Don't touch me. I am fasting
I won't touch food, I'm doing penance
I've even taken a vow before Gandhiji
What's happening to Baba? - He doesn't recognize Ronu
He wants me to break my vows, he wants to poison me, kill me
Stay away! Keep him away from me
Stop this racket
Why do you want to break his vow?
You want to poison him, kill him?
You are my brothers no more! Stay away
Leave us alone
Let him be
I've warned them off
They won't pester you
No one will disturb you now
I can't take it any more, I've lost all courage, Ronu
I'm lost, tired, I can't bear this
Water!
What happened, Didi?
I knew... that rascal
Why? What was my fault?
How are you to blame?
We'll talk tomorrow
How is Baba?
Take this and sleep
Let's go
Given the medicines?
She's asleep
For four years, they were together
Happens
Now it becomes imperative for us to know the connection...
between Gandhiji's assassination and Professor Uttam Choudhary
Incidents, conversations, images from the past...
maybe a childhood friend knows something
Trisha spoke of an uncle in Delhi
Uncle Gattu
He and Baba grew up together
He might know something, we should go there, meet him
Dr. Kothari was doing so much in helping me to recover,
not as a doctor, as a friend
He took up Baba's illness as a challenge,
he had become a part of my family,
before I knew it
In him I found an awakening of new hope
After four days, we were in Delhi to meet Uncle Gattu
I see, so it's that again
Which is?
Gandhiji's assassination
In our childhood, we got together to play our favorite games
The one we liked most of all was...
hitting targets with bow and arrow
We filled water balloons with red color,
and we pinned them to a photo
Then, with eyes blindfolded, we would take aim
You missed! My turn
Uttam's aim was the surest of us all
We regarded him as our leader
One day we could not find a photo
There was a blindfold on Uttam
I've found a photo
Someone had found a photo and we pinned it up
On the mark
What have you done! You killed Gandhiji!
Only practicing aiming... - With killing Gandhiji?
No, I didn't kill Gandhiji
You aimed at Gandhiji?
It was Uttam's misfortune,
that on the same day, 30th January 1948,
Nathuram Godse assassinated Gandhiji
How was Baba to blame?
His father saw it as an evil omen
He came to believe that had Uttam not committed the act...
Gandhiji may have been spared
I wish never to see my son's face ever again
When I die, he will not give me my last rites
He never looked at Uttam again
Even the elders tried to make him see reason,
but he would not listen
He did not attend Uttam's wedding,
nor did he ever meet Uttam's children
Whenever I went to Mumbai your Baba asked only one question
What crime did I commit?
What we took for an old-age problem or a minor...
forgetfulness was emerging as dementia,
pseudo-dementia Alzheimer's-kind-of dementia,
or some such terrible affliction
Dr. Kothari explains, patients of such syndromes...
tend to forget how to differentiate...
between reality and imagination
An arrow from Baba's childhood times, becomes a gun
When Dr. Kothari admits that this case
is a challenge for him, I'm so afraid
Is Baba so demented that he will never be cured?
I only want to ask one thing, just tell me, is there a cure?
Honestly, as of yet,
there is no permanent cure
You mean, Baba will remain like this forever?
There must be some solution
I cannot bear to see him the way he is
Can't we somehow convince him that...
he is at home, not in jail and
he has no connection with Gandhiji's assassination
Never before has such an experiment
been conducted and you know it
I know that you come up with innovative ideas
and I am proud of you
I know that this experiment will not bring about a cure
I only want that he rids himself
of the guilt of killing Gandhiji
Siddharth, you're about to enact a drama
but the denouement remains to be scripted
You'll take off to America. I'll be the one left here
I cannot handle all this
And Trisha Didi? What about her life?
Her boyfriend has walked out on her,
she had to give up her job! What more?
No need to show pity for me. Speak what you got in mind
All I wish is,
after this experiment,
if Baba doesn't recover,
we should admit him to a good mental hospital. Period
Are you out of your mind?
What's all this talk of mental hospitals, asylums
Didi, do you see the state Baba is in? I can't bear to see this
Today it is a jail, tomorrow it'll be another hallucination
Shut your mouth
He's ranting, why don't you stop him?
Supposing he does something?
Suppose he thinks he is sentenced to hang
and he goes in and he hangs himself?
In this state, he might do anything,
he might imagine anything, no knowing what story he'll create
He'll do nothing of the sort
If he does, then what?
Would you forgive yourself?
Does this mean... is it final, doctor?
I told you, at the very outset, this is just an experiment
About our successes...
I give no guarantees
So it's decided,
after the mock-up courtroom drama,
if Baba doesn't not improve...
then we will admit him in a mental hospital...
The very thought of my father being institutionalized is scary
Inexplicably though, Siddharth's approach, his confidence,
makes me hopeful that Baba will return home, to us
Please go to the greenroom. He will meet you there
Please to remain seated
You did not watch the show?
You should, along with the audience.
From the wings, you are distracted
I'll send you invitations for the next show
What role would you have me enact?
The role is a lawyer's
You ought to inform us about the change of location
Move it guys. Holiday Inn.
Location switched. Two o'clock shift
Don't waste time, move
You see what, I just don't get this...
neither a film, nor TV serial...
you still need artistes?
What's the con?
Ronu, this is Mr. Joshi. He will handle your father's case
Toughest part of the experiment was...
getting Baba to agree to the trial and taking him to court
Baba refused steadfastly
Ronu... Baba isn't in his room
One day, he even ran away
And we find him under Gandhiji's statue
We convinced him that the case was being re-opened
We showed him the power of attorney. Then he conceded
He signed the papers sitting under Gandhiji's statue
Tomorrow, we are to go to the court.
No knowing what will happen there
Now I wish that...
even if Baba doesn't recover to suit our interests...
he ought to be allowed to live in his own world
Let's go Baba, it'll all work out fine
Proceedings may commence now
Baba, it'll work out fine
You stay here. - I'm sitting there. I'll be right here
Defense counsel, you may present your argument
My client Professor Uttam Choudhary
is wrongly accused of murdering Gandhiji
The truth is,
my client was playing with a toy pistol,
into which, someone filled real bullets
When he pulled the trigger,
suddenly, Gandhiji came within range
He repents having killed Gandhiji
But no one would give him a hearing,
not even the previous courts
Therefore, it is necessary that
this case be heard afresh, so that...
my client Professor Choudhary gets a chance
to return to an honorable life
There is no need to re-open hearings in this case,
for he is no common criminal,
he is Gandhiji's assassin
And his sentence has been but meager,
therefore the verdict should stand
Prosecution to take note,
that this court decrees a re-assessment
Do you have any other point?
May I be given permission to question the accused?
Permission granted
Professor Choudhary, you stated that
you were playing with a toy pistol
Children as a rule, play with toy pistols
You are lying
I am Gandhiji's disciple. I don't lie
Answer to only what you are asked, only in yes or no
Were you playing with a pistol?
Don't nod your head. Say it
Yes or no?
Well... - No!
Yes or no
Louder! - Yes
There were people near you, some playing, some bystanders
Did you notice them?
Not that. Yes or no? - Yes
And you say, it was someone else
who loaded your pistol with real bullets?
Yes? - Yes
And you say that all the time the pistol
was in your possession, yes or no?
Yes. - So how...
could someone else have loaded the pistol that was with you?
Speak up
The prosecution is trying to intimidate my client
No! This is a valid point
If the gun was with you,
then how could someone else have loaded it? Answer
The prosecution is trying to frighten my client
Dr. Kothari's instructions
So Professor Choudhary,
if the gun was in your possession,
how could someone else have loaded it?
Tell us. - I don't know
You noticed everyone around you, but you did not see Gandhiji?
I did not see him - You saw him clearly!
And you also knew that the pistol was a real one
I tell you the truth, my pistol was a toy.
I didn't know the bullets were real
You knew! And you knew that the pistol was real
I tell you, the gun was a fake but
someone else loaded it with real bullets
And you also knew when Gandhiji
was going to say prayers, date, place, time
You saw Gandhiji, you shot him and
now you're making up stories
I'm telling no story
I never knew about the bullets...
I never knew about Gandhiji, suddenly... - Not suddenly
A pre-planned, a cold-blooded murder! - No-no
Yes, yes and yes
Trisha
I didn't kill
Baba, it'll all turn out fine, don't worry, Baba
Take it easy
I have not been able to do anything for you, my children
What must you think of me,
your father turns out to be Gandhiji's killer
I don't accept that my Baba was Gandhiji's killer
I deserve to rot in jail till I die.
Why do you keep talking of jails?
That government lawyer... did you see...
trapping me with words into...
It won't happen, don't think of it
You'll see, we will win this case. - If we lose?
Even I was scared,
what if we win this false hearing to lose the real battle?
What if Baba still remains disillusioned?
I spoke to Siddharth about my fears
He said, to convince Baba, we'd have to show hard evidence
Good and evil co-exist,
but it doesn't mean that we regard them as equals
What is the point you're making?
If you want to question the appellant, you may
Let no innocent be punished,
even if it means that a criminal may go free. No...
Who is innocent here, how to decide?
It is so difficult for the law to
procure even a single conviction
If we show any leniency or
kindness towards Professor Chowdhury...
then we give a weapon of an alibi
to countless murderers, insurgents, rapists
They'll say, like Professor Choudhary,
"I did not commit murder deliberately,
I made a mistake, very sorry"
Are we to let them off?
I'm getting really angry at Rasikbhai,
he is overdoing it with my father
Siddharth isn't stopping him.
And why is Mr. Joshi not objecting?
Speak up
Miss Choudhary, please remain seated
We will present hard evidence in court, it's expected soon
On the basis of false allegations,
my client was sentenced for life
I request for more time to present the real evidence
I present before you the pistol
which was found on my client's person,
supposedly the weapon of Gandhiji's assassination
The pistol has been procured from
police custody and it has been examined
Mr. S. K. Parasher is an expert in arms and ammunition
I seek permission to present him as a witness
Your name and profession?
My name is S K Parasher. I am an expert in arms and ammunition
Are these your certifying licenses? - Yes
Your Honor, his provenances
On 30th January 1948 at exactly seventeen minutes past five pm
Gandhiji was killed at Birla House
The weapon, supposedly used for the killing,
was recovered from my client. This is the weapon
Please check it and give us your expert opinion
I have already tested this gun in the laboratory
This pistol cannot kill anyone
Meaning?
This pistol may seem to be real.
But in reality it is a toy pistol
This means, Your Honor,
that someone from behind, used a real pistol
And my client, Professor Choudhary,
who in 1948, was only a child of 8 years,
thought that the bullet was fired from his pistol
Before he had a chance to even think,
his father began to beat him
And he came to believe that the bullet was fired from his pistol
The truth is that my client did not commit this murder
My client was sent to prison forcibly.
Therefore, I request this court...
to exonerate Professor Choudhary
Prosecution...
do you wish to examine the witness?
In the light of depositions by witness
and the evidence unraveled...
this court has arrived at the conclusion that...
in the earlier instances,
not only did the courts give a wrong verdict,
but also perpetrated the injustice
of imprisoning an innocent for years
This court now declares that Professor Uttam Chowdhury...
is hereby exonerated
Professor Choudhary, you're free.
Do you wish to say anything?
Judge...
the truth is that I did kill Gandhiji
So have you...
and we,
so have we all
One day in prison, I realized...
murder for which I've been imprisoned,
is murder we commit everyday...
all of us
Collapsing edifices of New York
make no difference in lives of those in Dhaka
Bombs tear Japan apart but tea-cups
in Washington are too far for trembling
In jail when they gave us newspapers to read...
I was shamed to realize I can read
Only to one I never complained...
for what was there to tell him, he was always with me
Gandhiji
In jail, if there was anyone in whom I found solace, it was he
His daily hymns were soothing
And he shared his thoughts with me
But every day he would say,
"Uttam my son, I live no longer in the minds of people"
"Everywhere else, I am"
"In political offices,
"governments, courts,
"this country has even stamped me into currency bills and coins"
"I am everywhere, except in the minds of men"
"Because in your world of today anyone
with a Gandhi in his heart,
"is a threat to everyone"
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is a threat to India
"They named me Father of the
Nation but they imprison me in photos and idols"
"Only twice a year they come to me"
"Once, on the day when I was born"
"Second, on that day when...
"Nathuram Godse shot me"
October 2, January 30
But then Gandhiji says, "Never mind, Uttam"
"Nor do I seek these people anymore"
"This is not the freedom I seek,
"nor these patriots, whose patriotism
is awakened only in times of war,
"where nationalists only seek positions of power,
"where citizens preach non-violence
but nurse hatred for their neighbors"
"What have you made of this country?
For this freedom, we did not fight"
"I am afraid of people like you"
"I do not want this India."
What have you brought this country to?"
Trisha,
I feel suffocated here
Take me outside, where the air is free
I don't want to be here
Baba, give me your specs
It's been so long since you recited...
...your favorite poem for me
Those with courage cannot be defeated
Will you listen to my favorite poem?
Fearing waves is not the way to cross to the other shore
Those with courage cannot be defeated
Lovely poem. Recite the rest
A tiny ant when carrying its single grain,
slides down a hundred times on a slippery wall
Fearing waves is not the way to cross to the other shore
Those with courage cannot be defeated
A tiny ant when carrying its single grain,
slides down a hundred times on a slippery wall
To believe in what you think strengthens the mind
To fall when ascending
To rise up again after falling
That's the challenge
That kind of courage is not in vain
Those who keep trying Cannot be defeated