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Bioscopewala (2018)
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Listen. If the police arrive, just handle the situation. No, I don't think things will move this fast, but still.. I should be back by next Monday at the latest. All right. ...Are crossing the Mediterranean Sea walking across countries, with children. It's the ultimate lottery of survival. You make it, you live. Otherwise you are just another body lying on the ground. 'Dear Minnie' 'there is much unsaid between us.' 'I don't know how it got this way.' 'If I could make a fresh start, I would.' 'For now' 'all I have to offer is a confession. ' 'With 249 people on board, where has the South Asiatic' 'Airlines' Boeing jetliner flight SA109 disappeared?' 'While the officials continued search operations' 'along the flight route' 'the Spin Ghar mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan' 'is where the search operations are being narrowed down to.' 'Now, coming in live feed from the South Asiatic' 'Airlines spokesperson..' 'We are going to cut to that immediately.' 'I apologise, for it has taken us three days' 'to get back with any news.' 'South Asiatic Airlines is extremely sorry to report' 'that its flight SA109' 'from Kolkata to Kabul via Karachi' 'has crashed.' 'Debris have been spotted' 'in the Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan.' Further to the official statement South Asiatic Airlines wishes to announce the comprehensive passenger list. All persons named are considered presumed dead. Business class passengers.. Reshad Karzai Adila Karzai Jaffar Ahmadi Robi Basu Ghafar Mohammad Sadiq Khan Tahir Multani Talib.. 'Acclaimed international fashion photographer, Robi Basu's name' 'has also been found on the list of passengers presumed dead.' 'His demise has wreaked havoc in the entire fashion industry.' 'The fraternity has voiced great concern over his untimely death.' Minnie, people have been calling up since morning. What do I tell them? Can we please speak about this tomorrow, sir? I'm sorry, the internet is really slow. It keeps getting disconnected. Actually, I'm just getting irritable now. Is it okay if we speak later? 'Of course. I mean, I am just glad you called up.' 'I'll be up for a few hours, so call me if you can't fall asleep.' Yes, I'll probably do that. Would you be eating now or not? No, sir. That's Bhola. He took care of my father ever since they were young boys and then me. I know that I somehow need to reach out to him and try to make him feel better but I just don't know how. 'Everyone has their own process of grieving, Minnie.' 'Let him be. Worry about yourself.' I don't understand why he was going to Afghanistan in the first place. 'Get some sleep and call me up tomorrow.' Yes. Good night. 'Minnie!' 'Have we not spoken about this?' 'Are you allowed in when dad is working in his room?' 'So, are you in dad's room?' Is this the residence of Robi Basu? Yes, but he has passed away. Passed Away? How? - That plane crash.. The same one they are showing on TV? Yes, I was watching it! What's happening, sir? - It's nothing. What's this about? - Go inside.. Who is this lady? Well.. She was studying abroad. - Yes? Madam, your dad had filed a petition. Robi Basu has been granted the custody. Hold on, this seems to be a different address. - Minnie. Take the daughter's signature. Next of kin! Madam, sincere apologies for your father's demise. But you see, he had... - Sir, it was the Airlines' office calling. I'll have to go, its urgent. I'll drop you.. - Stop, stop. I'm sorry but I thought you were calling from SA Airlines office. Not from, madam. On behalf of. Have a seat, please! Many, many condolences. So, you are not associated with the airlines. No, madam. But I will come to that. Please give me a minute. Please sit. Serve the tea quickly, please. Hello.. Hello, is this Minnie Basu? Yes, I am Minnie Basu. I am calling from Bhowanipore Police Station. - Yes, sir. Does Bhola reside with you? Yes, Mr. Bhola. He does live with us. Okay, we are transferring him the custody.. - Okay.. Madam! Madam, actually all the passengers' families are coming together so that better compensation can be procured from the airline company. It is to facilitate this process.. - How dare you! How can you even think of something like this? But, madam, why are you losing your temper? I'm just saying that to facilitate this process I was offering you my services. I was only offering you my professional expertise. Madam.. Madam, please. What happened? It's quite hot. - Oh! The cops didn't bother to wait, did they? Did they leave any number behind? I visited the station, Minnie. I handled everything! You don't have to worry yourself a bit. What is this? - It's for Rehmat. I thought I'll place his mattress beside mine. Now, he will sleep there. Who is Rehmat? - Mr. Rehmat.. Sir had petitioned for his custody, remember? We won it. - Hold on. You are saying that he is here. He is going to be living here. Yes, of course. I had called you up from the police station. Show me. But, Minnie.. Hello. - Good evening, sir. This is Minnie Basu. I'm calling from 16, 4 Bhowanipore. This is concerning Rehmat Khan. Sir, I want to know on what basis you transferred the responsibility of his custody to me? Hold on, madam. Your dad fought for his custody in a court of law. Unfortunately, your father met with an untimely death. And your caretaker whose name was in the petition.. It's only after taking his signature that we have granted the custody. Sir, but I don't even know this man. And how can I be held responsible for the decisions Mr. Basu took when he was alive? See, what kind of people exist. The poor father died fighting the case and now, the daughter says it's not her responsibility. Excuse me, sir. I can understand what you are saying. I can hear you! What are you trying to say? No.. What I am trying to say is that your father fought so hard, filing so many petitions and you cannot respect his last wish? Sir, when my father boarded that plane he did not know that he was going to die! This was not his last wish! Mr. Bhattacharya, please, I would really appreciate if you can show my father a little more respect. Please! I beg of you! How much more respect to show? We freed a murderer, haven't we? What else do you expect me to do for you? But.. But this is ridiculous! - Please, madam! Don't go on increasing my paperwork needlessly. I don't even know that man! What do you mean by.. Mr. Bhola! Where are you? Come here now! I have just spoken to the.. I have just spoken to the police. This man was in jail for murder! Yes, he had been to jail but I was sure that he couldn't have committed the crime. Are you sure you don't remember Mr. Rehmat? When you were five.. I was five-years-old, Mr. Bhola. How am I to remember? I am not sure Ms. Minnie if Dada Babu called you and spoke to you about this. But he was travelling to Afghanistan.. For Mr. Rehmat. Maybe.. As in? As in, Mr. Rehmat is from Afghanistan, you know. I am not sure but if you were to look into Dada Babu's latest research box, perhaps.. In the study. Come.. Come. Here.. Just a second.. The phone.. 'Dear Mr. Dhar' 'In the matter concerning Rehmat Khan' 'vs The State of West Bengal' 'Rehmat Khan was given a single life term' 'for the murder of Ikhtedaar Hussain' 'by Judge Dhir Bhuyan.' 'He is currently 70 years old' 'and has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.' 'I understand his health is failing.' 'I therefore request you to pardon any remaining terms' 'so that I may try and send him back home. - Dear Mr. Basu' 'the matter regarding early release on compassionate grounds' 'is entirely up to the State Prison Board.' 'Best regards, Bastab Dhar.' 'Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kolkata.' 'My lawyers have brought to my notice that' 'the Inspector General may use his powers' 'to recommend premature release.' 'Dear Mr. Basu' 'owing to his deteriorating medical condition' 'it might be possible to obtain a pardon.' 'Kindly proceed with registering yourself as guardian' 'so that you may gain his custody upon release.' 'About sending him back to Afghanistan' 'this is something you could take up with the Afghan Embassy.' What is the name of your friend? - Rehmat Khan. Rehmat Khan? A few years ago, a gentleman had come to meet me concerning the same Rehmat Khan. I forget his name.. - Robi Basu? Maybe. I think. According to his report this Rehmat Khan had spent several years above and beyond his life imprisonment in jail. I was young back then.. I even corresponded with my Embassy in Delhi to help. But nothing came of it. I am his daughter. Robi's daughter. Rehmat Khan has been released now. He's at home now, with me. So.. Your intention is very noble. But.. Don't get this man involved in deportation. But sir.. - He won't live for long. Let him live out his days in peace. There is nothing left in Afghanistan to return to. Mr. Bhola. Sorry, Ms. Minnie. Actually, Varun wasn't home today. But I promise, by this evening.. Open the room for him. Here he comes.. The Bioscope man, here he comes.. Here he comes.. "Oh he brings with him.." "With him, lots of Bioscope fun.." "Here he comes!" "With colourful movies.." - Tell me.. "Movies of a pretty damsel." "I have Cuckoo's bangles too, come see.." "With chubby Gope thrown in for free." "Here he comes, here he comes, the Bioscopewala.." "Oh he brings with him, brings with him, lots of Bioscope fun!" "A penny.. We carry for you." "Each a penny, all a penny, to give to you.." "In exchange of that penny, we get for you.." "We'll watch the whole show, and a little more too!" Burn fire, burn, burn the evil in turn. - Hey.. What are you doing under the table here? When I came back from school, it was day. And now suddenly it's become dark. This is just an eclipse, dear, just an eclipse. Please don't disturb. Burn fire, burn, burn the evil in turn. You want to listen to a song? "Eeny, Minnie, Miny Moe.." "Gama and Geeta are singing too.." "Eeny, Minnie, Miny Moe. Gama and Geeta are singing too.." "Open your palms and look inside.. It is where your future hides.." "My shoes are from Japan." "These pants from the English land." "Your dear old grandma.." "Your dear old grandma was taken away by robbers!" "Lo behold, I bring the picture show.." "With my destiny in tow.." "It's ironic you must know.." "The white man's cannon is just a picture show!" "Here he comes, here he comes, the Bioscopewala.." "Oh he brings with him, brings with him, lots of Bioscope fun!" Ms. Nancy saw this drawing and gave me a golden star in school because she thought it was Santa Claus. I told her, 'Ms. Nancy you can keep your golden star' 'because this is my Bioscopewala!' "Here he comes, here he comes, the Bioscopewala.." "Oh he brings with him.." "I got you Hitler's toothbrush moustache. - Got it.." "The Bioscopewala.. - With colourful movies.." "Here comes.. The Bioscopewala.." 'Hey..' Mr. Bhola! I'll handle this. Mr. Rehmat? What are you doing here? Come. let's go. - Hey! Is this the Bioscopewala? Yes. I have been saying this. It's him. Ms. Rehmat. Come. Come.. Somehow I could not associate the state he is in to the man I remember. I mean.. I am still finding it difficult accepting the fact that it's the same person. - 'It happens.' Do you remember? Do you remember in film school I had done a proposal? - 'Yes..' - I never really followed it up. But this is him. This is the man. I mean this man taught me how to tell stories. He taught me how to make things up! And I resented him coming back. I suspected him. I feel terrible. My father.. He had to.. He must have known something to have wanted him out so bad. Someone must know what really happened. - 'Okay..' So what do we do now? There is.. The release papers.. It did mention a witness though. And an address. - They both look similar. It has been 25 years since I came here. But it's one of these. For sure. Be careful.. Sir.. I need to ask you something. About 20 years ago a man named Nandan Saha used to live here. Do you know him? - No. Just a minute. Can you tell me anything about the old landlords or earlier tenants perhaps? Anything. It'll be a great help. Please try and understand. People change here every day. Even us, we are here today. We have no idea where we'll be tomorrow. Please excuse us. Hey! Get back.. - Hey.. Come on.. - Hey.. What's happening? Leave him! - Move.. Get away! Why were they hitting you? Let's go. - I know who you are. You know me? - No, you! You spend sleepless nights. Unable to cry. Questions won't stop hounding you. No matter how much you try. I have a remedy for you. Come.. Come on.. Come.. Here.. Only Rs. 2800. Darn! Okay. Rs. 2500? I know who you are. You are the one who used to live on the second floor. Beside Rehmat Khan's room? Tell me you are the same man, aren't you? - I know who you are. Do you? How dare you sell hash to Ms. Minnie! Admit it. You knew Rehmat Khan, didn't you? The name is Rehmat. The name rings a bell, but it seems all hazy. Who is the senior in charge in your Bara Bazaar police station? Mr. Roy, right? No.. - Yes.. - One minute.. Rehmat Khan, the true Pathan. The true Pathan. He had come to earn money, like a lot of other people. Back then, a lot of people would travel from Afghanistan. Some sold dry fruits and nuts, some sold shawls. But Rehmat Khan.. Rehmat Khan's profession was something else. He used to show cinema. Mobile Cinema. Bioscope! Bringing opium from Afghanistan was easier than bringing cinema. Had he been alone, he'd have saved some money. But he had two women tagging along. He would bear even their expenses. And while traveling, the lens of his Bioscope broke. He didn't have the money to fix it. So I came to the rescue. I took him to the flea market. What are you going to gain from bargaining two hundred bucks? Are you going to buy yourself a palace? Mr. Robi.. - How is the business? Did you find the lens I wanted? - Hey.. Yes. I spoke to the guys in Bombay. - Yes.. They have sent this double converter. Absolutely the same. The double converter serves a completely different purpose. I am looking for a tele-extender. Were you able to find it? I tried a lot but this will work. I guarantee. It will work.. - Filmovara. Hey.. - Filmovara. Sir.. - Yes? He is saying that the.. Filmovara. - Filmovara's zoom lens? Yes.. Lens. Lens. Is that so? Does he have it? Yes.. Filmovara. How does he know? Well.. Sure. It will work. Wow. - But.. - You shut up. This is for my lens and whatever my friends have taken, adjust it. I collect old projectors. If you ever come by towards Bhowanipore, come see me. Thank you. Is everything else good? - Yes.. - Okay.. Oh my gosh! - Thank you. After that he would visit him quite often. But why was he jailed? - Jail? Come here.. For stealing a toffee.. He committed a murder. But it could also be that somebody else committed the murder and he was framed? - Framed? It's not like the man was prancing around.. Carrying a knife, he suddenly trips and stabs the other man! 'Oh you got stabbed by mistake. Sorry, sir.' The murder happened. I witnessed it. Hey.. - Get him.. Look! There he is! - Get him.. Hey.. - Come on.. Come on.. What happened? - Sir.. Hey! Mr. Rehmat! - Sir.. Mr. Rehmat! - Give me my phone quick! Give me my phone quick! - Hurry up! Please wait outside. What can you give me in return for sparing your life? What is this? Wait. Look behind. 'The murder happened. ' 'I witnessed it.' 'He is my Bioscopewala!' This way.. Stay here. I'll go and check. Hey.. - Try some. See.. - Hey.. He's not here. He might've gone out with some work. So.. Give me your name and address. Okay? - Buy these.. Buy these.. Tell him about Rehmat Khan. Tell him about Rehmat Khan. I won't spare you if I find you here ever again. Get lost. Get lost! - Get lost! That's enough. No need to do anything else. He won't agree, okay? I can't go back to Sonagachi. It's a dead end I've hit. How is he? He has rested all day. Have you eaten? - Yes. I really don't want to tell you. You are there, I'm here and.. It's fine. Everything is fine. Hey.. He seems to be recovering one day and the next day, he is back to square one. There was a time when this man could polish off two biryanis in one sitting. But now... - So take biryani for him. Won't do. They check. The doctors even check the tiffins we carry. Rs. 21 recharge equals Rs. 21 worth talk time. Behave yourself otherwise you'll see the worst of me. Come. Take me to Mr. Khan. Mr. Rehmat is in the hospital. Oh God! What's happened to him? Which hospital? Come. Let's go. Now. I'm Wahida! You had left your address with Rafi, hadn't you? I apologise on behalf of Rafi. He has been hired for my protection. He gets emotional sometimes. Let's go.. - Sir.. What was your relation.. How did you know him? When we left Afghanistan and came to India it was pure coincidence that Mr. Rehmat and I were on the same truck. The night I left Jalalabad is the night I met Ghazala and Mr. Rehmat as well. He was familiar with Ghazala. They belonged to the same village. What a personality he had. But even then there was something broken inside of him. People were desperate to leave Afghanistan back then. There used to be agents who'd manage things. We crossed the border into Pakistan fairly easily by giving small bribes. But as we travelled further, the stakes grew higher. Move.. But this wasn't acceptable to Mr. Rehmat. Hurry up! Run! Run! Hey.. Suddenly he turned around and ran back towards the check post. I don't know what it was about the bioscope that he risked his life and went back for it. Thank God.. During the journey, when people started mentioning where in India were they headed it seemed as if Mr. Rehmat didn't have any destination planned. And since Ghazala and I were travelling alone we asked if he would accompany us to Calcutta for our safe keep he did not refuse. We had been told of a man called Ikhtedaar Hussain a savior for Afghan immigrants here in India. There were stories back home about how successful the Afghans under his protection had become, in India. Hit him.. Hit him.. Everyone assumed that Ikhtedaar was essentially a money lender. But the fact is that he made most of his money from betting on the boxing that would happen in his godown. Boxing? - Yes. It was only after coming here we realised that the circumstances weren't very different from those back home. We formed our own village that the locals called the Pathanbari. Here, tie these! It became an opportunity for Afghan women to make a little money. Start! - We thought of trying our luck as well. Come on.. - Some of us even made it to state level boxing. Some women even got offered legal domicile in India. We dared to hope for the same. Hit hard.. Come on.. Hey.. - One day, I was beckoned up to Ikhtedaar's room. Look at her.. Look.. She's gone.. Hey.. Oh God! - Hey! Hey.. Oh.. Look there.. He's the one. Intention separates an accidental death from murder. When Ikhtedaar looked at me that day his intentions were clear. All Mr. Rehmat had in his mind was our safekeeping. Hey.. - Ghazala was the lucky one. She got away, got married and settled down. Mr. Rehmat was the unfortunate one. His life was sacrificed needlessly. Can you tell me where I can find the other lady Ghazala? Perhaps she knows something more. Mr. Rehmat's address, or even perhaps the name of his village? I haven't seen her for many years. I saw her once in the New Market area. But she looked right through me. Any chance you'd have her phone number or address? This is Ghazala, and this here is me. Take it. 'In the name of God, the most beneficent and merciful.' Goodbye. Hello? - 'Is this Minnie Basu?' - Yes. 'Your name is registered under relation to Robi Basu.' 'Passenger flight SA 109?' - Yes. 'Madam, you can come tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.' 'to collect your father's remains.' Okay. Thank you. 'Welcome.' Excuse me. Hi. - Hi. Token please. - Minnie Basu. I am here for Robi Basu. As you can see, we have classified most of the baggage based on seat numbers and boarding passes. Ma'am.. Can you please verify the contents? Or any other identification? I am not sure but.. If you open the bag, perhaps near the flap you'll find a nametag which bears his name and address. It should be there. He used to do it as a matter of practice. Shobita? Are you all right? You've grown up so much that you are coming and asking me how I am doing? I am all right. Let me explain this to you. If I were to explain in Bengali, would you be able to understand? Yes, perhaps. Life hasn't given me anything which death can take away. Meaning, 'Life has given me nothing' 'that death could take away.' And won't Robi's little angel join us in saying few words? Go.. Sir? Mr. Bhola. Hello, everyone. Thank you all for being here for dad today. In life, often we decide before hand how we would react when certain things were to happen. I never thought of dad's death. Not that I thought he was immortal I just assumed it's very, very far away. Perhaps you all knew him better than me. Even now when I try to think of him I can see only half his face. The other half it's as if I never got to see it. It was always hidden behind the camera. To Robi Basu. To Robi Basu. What you said about Robi earlier I hope it's not what you really meant. He did everything he could. Your father did make his share of sacrifices. After Leela's death, he did not want to let anyone in. Not for his sake but for yours. I hope you can see that someday, Minnie. Over the years while growing up I thought about you all a lot. Seeing my own relationships form and come apart comparing it to the relationship that the two of you shared. And now I realize the sacrifice was actually yours and not his. But you know it never really felt like a sacrifice. Robi was always so clear about everything. He would put his life into his work. And what was left was only yours. But I am happy that you came forward to talk to me first. You know what it proves? He made the right choice. He raised you right! I need advice on something. Normally it was Bhola who would pick you up from school. But that day, before he could get to the school the police had cordoned off most areas. Bhola called and asked Robi to pick you up. Robi rushed to pick you up but the police didn't let him go beyond Jorashakho. The next day Rehmat brought you back. Some local Hindus had beat him up alleging that being a Muslim he was kidnapping a Hindu girl. It's only when your dad spoke to them that they let him go. Get out of here! Right now! That was the only time I saw your father cry. Ghazala? Ghazala? Hey, hands up.. Ghazala? To be honest, I've been standing outside for the past 10 minutes. I was wondering whether I should even come or.. When Afreen told me that you wanted to know about Mr. Khan.. All those things, I had tried to take away from my mind suddenly came rushing back. I don't want to feel all of that again. How is he? He is not doing very well. He is extremely weak. He is in hospital now. If you wish to see him I could take you there now. Forgive me, but I don't think I want to see him like this. I want to keep him in my mind just as, I saw him last. I can understand. I don't think anybody can understand. A whole life laid waste sacrificed for someone else. Whatever I am today, it's all because of him. And why? What had I done to deserve this sacrifice? Ghazala? Sorry. You tell me. What is it that you want to know? Well.. My father was travelling to Afghanistan when he died in an accident. All I know is that his going there was linked with Rehmat Khan, somehow. That's all I know. Whatever you can tell me about him it will be of great help to me. For me, he is still the 'Bioscopewala' of my childhood. He wasn't always a 'Bisocopewala'. As you might well be aware the ties between the Hazara and Pashtu communities have always been a little strained. Mr. Khan belonged to the Hazara community. He was highly respected amongst the people in my village. The elders respected his opinion and looked up to him. He had transformed a part of his house into a small cinema hall. People would come there from the neighbouring villages just to watch Indian films. Some were 10 or 15 years old but for us it was the only means there was. But as the Taliban began to gain more power they declared that cinema was immoral. But for Rehmat, Cinema was a revolution against a rapidly changing Afghanistan. To try and establish their terror the Taliban decided to make an example out of Rehmat. They burnt down his cinema. For Mr. Khan, cinema was the means for broadening minds. "The mysteries of eternity.." "Are known neither to you nor me.." "The enigma can be read" "neither by you nor me." Bioscope! Bioscope man is here! "Behold, here he comes!" "Here he comes, the bioscope man. He comes!" "I've stolen Hitler's moustache for you." "I've got Chaplin's bowler hat along too." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "He brought Raj Kapoor and Helen with him." "He brought beautiful songs with him too." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." Mr. Khan was told that his daughter would be punished for refusing Taliban's orders. His daughter? Yes, his daughter. She must've been five years old then. About the same age as you were when he first met you. I had no idea that he had a daughter. I mean, otherwise I would have tried to contact her sooner. Can you tell me anything about how I can find her? When I met him at the border, he was on his own. My journey had begun a few months earlier. It was just a matter of coincidence that we happened to be on the same truck. Perhaps he thought that the animosity that the Taliban had, was his to bear and that if he left they would leave his wife and daughter alone. Do you have any idea of how I can contact her? Anything? His address, perhaps the name of your village? I can tell you the exact address to my house but not Mr. Khan's house.. Here. Let me write it for you. You said, she'd be about my age. Would she even know, he was locked away in jail all these years? I must leave now. I had come having made an excuse that I have to buy vegetables. You.. Let's meet again. - Thank you. In Bamiyan was a man so small.. He wasn't much taller than his doll. The people wondered one and all, how could both be equally tall! But they just couldn't tell at all who was the man and which was the doll! Hey, baby, what is the name of your doll? This doll? Dolly! A doll called Dolly? It's such a pretty doll, it should have its own pretty name. For example? For example, in my faraway house, there is another baby. Another baby? Yes! And do you want to know what her doll is called? What? Minnie. Minnie? But that's my name, Bioscope man! Oh, Lord! I never realised! How could you have not known, Bioscope man? Your baby stole my name for her doll. So I will steal her name for my doll! What's her name? Rabiya. Hi, Rabiya! Rabiya! 'Dear Minnie.' 'There is much unsaid between us.' 'I don't know how it got this way.' 'If I could make a fresh start' 'I would.' 'For now, all I have to offer is a confession.' 'I think every man faces a conflict in his life' 'where he has to choose one part from amongst the roles he plays.' 'My choice was between a father and a friend.' 'I hope you can understand.' 'For the last ten years, I have put every waking moment' 'trying to do right by the man' 'who was such a big part of our lives.' Oh! Rehmat! What a day you have chosen! Today, your little baby is leaving to study abroad and you come back a free man on the exact same day. Not a free man.. Not yet. A group of Naxalites broke out of jail. In the chaos, I managed to sneak out as well. I realise now that I might have made a big mistake. My sentence was almost over. If they catch me now, it'll mean a longer period back in. But I was getting strange nightmares in the jail. I had to come see Minnie. But Minnie isn't here right now. Besides she is leaving for France this evening to study films. All by herself? - Yes. How will she manage on her own? What are you saying? But I just crossed this ma'am while coming up the stairs. But.. She didn't recognise me. Times change, Rehmat. She hardly meets me nowadays. Besides, you didn't recognise her either. You must be hungry. Here, have something to eat. - No. - Have some. I don't want it. - Fish curry, your favourite. And.. I'll go get some water. Minnie! Please call me before you come home. No, actually.. Wait.. Wait! Don't come home until I have called you first. Just don't! Okay. Rehmat? Is the food okay? - It's good. The food is good. I'm glad, I didn't buy anything for her. I would have bought something for a five-year-old. Bhowanipore Police Station? Can you hand the phone over to the duty officer, please? This is Robi Basu speaking from 16 by 4, Bhowanipore. Have any convicts escaped from the Alipore Central Jail? I am asking you because an escaped convict is sitting in my house right now! You should not have come here, Rehmat. This is wrong. I realise that now. So what now? What will you do now? I have already paid for what I have done. I don't want to go back to jail now. If things are better back home I'd like to go home to my village, in Afghanistan. I wanted to show you something. Here, look at this. These belong to Minnie from when she was five years old. And these, the slightly faded ones they belong to my own daughter, my baby Rabiya. They look the same, don't they? You must be wondering why I ran out of jail just to see Minnie. But all these years, so far away from home I could stay alive only because of her. I would have died in jail. But it was the memory of these two girls that kept me going. This is why it was so important for me to come here. To see Minnie one last time. My bioscope is still with you, isn't it? Yes, it's there, in the other room. Can I see it once? Open the door! Kolkata police! Open the door, this is the police! Open the door, quick! I'm sorry. I'm sorry.. - No, you did the right thing. Open the door! Kolkata Police! If I was in your place, I would have done the same. - Open up! Break down this door! There he is! Get him! 'It haunts me to this day' 'that if I hadn't sent him back to jail' 'he could have seen her.' 'He could have seen his daughter.' 'Which is why, today, I find myself on a flight to Kabul' 'tracing only hunches' 'trying to find the Bioscope man's daughter' 'and bring her back to him.' I have to.. I have to bring Rabiya to him. That's.. That's what my father was trying to do. 'You've taken care of him in his time of need.' I-I think, I need to go. I think, we both owe it to him. This is the least I can do for the man who did everything for me, who did so much for me. This is the least I can do. Good morning. - Hi, good morning. I am Minnie Basu, I had made an online reservation. Can I have your passport, please? Can you fill out this form? Sure. Hey. I-I am really glad you're here. What did you tell the guys at the office? I had some grant money left over. I have my camera. And Afghanistan was always on my list. So, as long as I don't get killed and have some footage to show, they are fine. Okay. Rehmat used to tell me that fruits tasted sweeter back home here in Afghanistan. Excuse me. That they have to go deeper to find.. In my country, people my age cannot sleep with the sound of guns going off at night. And our kids.. They cannot sleep without the sound of the same guns. If it's better to send him home then please go ahead, Doctor. I'll be back soon along with his family. Yes.. Ma'am, you can go straight from here. This is the village. Mr. Bhola will take care of the payments. 'A', 'B', 'C', 'D'..' 'The promises that were made..' 'One dream..' 'Remember, I'd said that our house' 'would be lovely and..' '...that our kids would go to school.' 'Rabiya Rehmat Khan. 1985-1990.' Michel! Michel! I visited your home, sir. Your village. I saw Rabiya. She has grown up! You won't be able to recognise her. She's always up to some mischief.. But she is very happy. She has made a life for herself. Sir, did you see? Your baby has grown up. Baby! Baby! "Behold, here he comes!" "Here he comes, the bioscope man. He comes!" "I've stolen Hitler's moustache for you." "I've got Chaplin's bowler hat along too." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "I bring along Raj Kapoor with me.." "In my show is trapped Helen's beauty.." "I have Cuckoo's bangles too, come see.." "With chubby Gope thrown in for free." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "I walked around everywhere, for years and years." "But there was just one baby of Mr. Khan." "After getting it I won't return it." "Now that I have it I won't return it." "After getting it I won't return it." "Now that I have it I won't return it." "From all the skies to the lands.." "From all the skies to the lands.." "We have our fate in our hands." "My shoe is from Japan." "And I wear English pants." "Your grandma.. The one that your grandma saw.." "That's the picture I brought." "I brought everyone's fate." "But look at my own fate." "I brought a huge cannon!" "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "Bioscope!" "Oh, he brings with him.. - Hitler's moustache!" "Oh, he brings with him, some bioscope fun." "He even brought Raj Kapoor.." "Here comes the bioscope man!" |
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