Original subtitles

Bengal! O'golden beauty...

...we love you!

1962, Calcutta.

A city of rickshaws and trams.

Evenings spent in 'The Coffee House'.

A city hungry for social change.

Undying in its faith in Goddess Kali.

Dripping with the sweet syrup of rasgullas.

Tantalizing with its spicy treats.

From the bounce of the football...

...to the bustle of bazaars.

A city of political debates...

...obsessed with reform.

A city of joy and love.

Lolita and Shekhar's city.

And tonight the city celebrates

Shekhar's marriage to Gayatri, daughter of Shyamlal Tantiya.

Son of and only heir to the city's rich

and famous industrialist Navin Rai...

...the managing director of Rai Constructions,

Shekhar Rai.

Shekhar! Shekhar!

Behold the handsome groom!

A couplet in your honour

They will sigh... some even die...

...as tonight you look... quite dashing!'

How do I look?

Quit staring. Just say I look like a freak!

Congratulations, sir! My lady has requested you to come.

If possible please come.

Go meet her.

Aunt's here! I better run. Hurry up!

Lady... you and your tales

...some sweet,

some tall,

They're endless! some outright fake.

Here's the story of the bride and groom.

He was a simpleton,

she in full bloom.

Her beauty had travelled far and wide...

...made the hearts of many burn with spite!

But how did they meet?

Tell us the tale of the wedding night!

"Please tell us!"

God knows what possessed the bride...

...Iocked the door and sulked inside.

The puzzled groom knocked the door silly.

thought - 'This the end of my story!'

My darling, don't torture me this way...

...please tell me the follies of my way!

His friends then explained...

- What did they say?

Want her back? Be sweet, be false.

Only then will your queen agree.

'Do you want the moon and stars, my bride?'

She said, 'Could you be more trite?'

'My life is yours to keep,' he said...

'Consider it over, it's so cheap!'

So how did they meet?

Tell us the tale of the wedding night!

He came to me, I said -

'What good are stars, silly boy?'

Armed with my magic words,

He went over to her, not so coy.

What did he say?

'I've brought you silver and gold.'

She said, 'The door's now half unbolt!'

I have brought diamonds and pearls with me, my queen.

The bride then opened the door.

Aunt Vasundhara!

You're here, son?

What's happening? Even your uncle...

Girish handled everything.

A son-in-law like him is a blessing.

He is more than a son.

He is our backbone now.

He wanted to meet you.

What happened then? Please tell me.

Meet him and go, he's on his way...

Some other time, aunt.

OK. I'll ask him to look you up.

Good bye, aunt.

Bye. Oh! Congratulations.

Shekhar!

Leaving already?

Without meeting me?

Can't you even look at me?

Heard you're getting married tonight?

Have you forgotten me completely?

Don't want to see me, meet me...

...even touch me?

Maybe you do want to touch...

You're shameless! Married women don't utter such things.

It's because I'm married...

I feel no shame, no fear, just...

Stop it Lolita! I'm not Girish... I know the real you!

And who am I? Tell me...

A shameless betrayer, pretending to be a faithful...

...innocent wife. That's what you are.

Have you composed this?

No, it's Tagore's, stupid!

Koel, who's this?

Lolita. Her parents died in a car accident...

...now she stays with us.

Hey, Koel! There's some fresh tamarind pickle for you.

Tamarind?

Lolita, have some too.

No. I don't eat pickle.

OK.

But I wouldn't mind some mango pickle!

So still is my heart's beat...

...aching to hear the bells of your feet.

My life has lost its melody...

...my songs are mute with defeat.

From dusk until dawn,

your memory rules my mind.

Why does my hand seek yours?

Were you ever mine?

Tell me... tell me... tell me...

The flowers see the bee swing, like your vision in my mind.

Trees hear the nightingale sigh, 'I long, I yearn, to make you mine'

How much? - Twenty five paise!

I don't want it.

Show me...

Not bad! Why were you returning it, stupid?

No money!

You need money, right?

Oh, boy! Come.

Here's my pocket money - take it anytime.

There's no need to ask anyone.

Not even you?

No. Need any now?

No!

Here, keep the keys.

How long will this dreary night last?

Tell me...

How can I erase our past?

Tell me...

Lolita! Come up! - Coming!

Will my arms find you again?

Will your perfume fill me again?

Will your love ever ebb away?

Were our bonds made of clay?

From dusk until dawn...

...your memory rules my mind.

Why does my hand seek yours?

Were you ever mine?

Tell me... tell me... tell me...

See, Lolita is wearing a sari!

Not bad!

Hey Lolita!

What happened? - Came first in my class!

Then come up immediately!

Coming...

So what do you want?

A small statue of Lord Krishna, for your room.

My room?

So?

Shekhar!

The flowers see the bee swing,

like your vision in my mind.

Trees hear the nightingale sigh,

'I long, I yearn, to make you mine'

Flowers see the bee swing,

like your vision in my mind.

Trees hear the nightingale sigh,

'I long, I yearn, to make you mine'

Shekhar!

Hurry up and get dressed, the prayer is about to start!

Hey, you'll get burnt! - So will you!

Hey, Lolita!

Come up, I've got a new tune!

Hang on! I've just come back!

Why fret, Mr. Gurucharan?

You own a palatial house...

This house is a gold mine, a treasure.

Tell you what - sell it and buy a modest place.

Unthinkable! My grandfather had built...

...this house with so much love...

...you could see it from anywhere!

Hello, sir!

Hello!

And... in any case its mortgaged!

Mortgaged?

Since when?

Three years back when I got a heart attack...

...Navin Rai lent me 100,000 rupees... just like that!

But your home is worth at least two million?

Navin Rai though a gentleman, is also a businessman.

When the interest added upto 150,000 rupees...

...the house had to be mortgaged.

I've promised to repay by 30th November...

...I really need that extension on my job.

Mr. Jones has made up his mind... its over!

This is your final pay package.

Exactly 10,809 rupees.

See you. No, I really must go.

Thanks and all the best.

Lolita! Lolita!

Mom!

Why isn't she here yet?

She'll get here!

Who asked her to get a job? She's obsessed with her office now.

See you soon.

Mom!

You asked your father to employ her.

Lolita!

Later... Shekhar's calling.

But we need the cake tomorrow. OK, tell me!

Koel, you're so stubborn...

Sis-in-law won't accept any other recipe.

Now tell me...

Lolita! - See?

Corn flour?

200 grams. He's just so impatient!

Yeah... next!

What next? I'll have to go now...

I am talking about the recipe, come on tell me!

What's next after chocolate powder?

spoon Vanilla, 200 grams butter...

he must be sulking now!

I'm off.

The cake...? Sis?

We need eggs, right? - In what?

Your head!!! Shekhar, Shekhar, Shekhar!

Such an expensive pen?

Must have blown your paycheck.

Nope. I have fifty paise left!

Play the tune.

I don't know...

You are mine...

Say you are mine...

Nice.

Thank you.

Put some words to it.

The lover said something,

so did the lass

alas!

I do not know.

My heart sways gently,

ever so slow,

but why it sways,

I do not know.

Not bad! Hear this...

Matters of the heart,

the heart of the matter...

...should always be locked in the heart.

My lips are sealed,

with bolts and keys...

...but through my eyes my love is revealed.

The lover said something,

so did the lass

What they said, alas!

I do not know

My heart sways gently,

ever so slow,

but why it sways,

I do not know.

The lover said something,

so did the lass

what they said, alas!

I do not know

My heart sways gently,

ever so slow,

but why it sways,

I do not know.

Now imagine - A girl, a little cranky, a bit mad...

You know, like you.

Really? - And a boy.

Bright as a star? - No. Madder than she.

How else would they fall in love?

One day, in the church...

I once asked a river,

'Where do you scurry to, silly?'

'Far is your sweetheart's dwelling

why do you spiral hither and thither?'

A trifle bashful,

a wee bit fearful...

...she skipped, she tripped, she leaped.

All she cared was to rush to her lover...

just like me, my dear!

My heart sways gently,

ever so slow,

but why it sways,

I do not know.

The lover said something,

so did the lass

what they said, alas!

I do not know

My heart sways gently,

ever so slow,

but why it sways,

I do not know.

I once asked a cloud, dense with rain,

'Where are you floating to, silly?'

'Can't you see this parched landscape?

Descend on it regally.'

She shivered a little,

quaked some more,

she yawned a mighty, mighty roar.

Then she poured on me, a rain of love

...just like you, my dear!

The lover said something,

so did the lass

what they said, alas!

I do not know

My heart sways gently,

Never so slow,

but why it sways,

I do not know.

The lover said something,

so did the lass

what they said, alas!

I do not know

My heart sways gently,

Never so slow,

but why it sways,

I do not know.

That's for sure!

We'll handle the rest at the recording.

I've taken a hundred.

So?

For the pen. Do the math!

Have you gone crazy?

With my head for numbers?

Its all about numbers. The concession we get is our profit.

You can't give it away to those people.

But uncle... I mean, sir,

profiting from a charitable hospital...

...is important! They're charitable, not me.

Know this. A profitless deal is a bad one.

Got it?

Yes, sir!

Hello! Yes, Rajeshwari...

You know we have to go in the evening.

What?

It's Shekhar's marriage, not mine.

'Won't see the girl!'

Has he given any thought to his future?

A girl from such an illustrious family is hard to find.

Gayathri is Lala Shyamlal Tantiya's daughter.

Enough! He has to be ready in the evening.

And you... no, forget it.

'Don't want to see the girl!'

Where were we?

'A profitless deal is a bad one!'

Stop fretting needlessly. Has Navin Rai asked for anything?

And what if he does?

Can we suddenly produce that kind of cash?

Even you, Vasundhara...

A gentleman like him would never do such a thing.

And we know him for decades...

Sir, I'm in a bit of a rush.

Lets go.

Any problem, sir?

Nothing. Please sit.

This year we want less drummers for the festival.

What?

Three are enough.

What? The whole colony comes here to celebrate...

I know, but times are hard.

But Mrs. Rai has already paid for the arrangements.

She wants it to be grand...

I've even got an advance!

She's already paid? - Yes. I told you, stop fretting needlessly.

Hello!

Hello!

Shekhar had sent word for you...

OK!

Heard you've got a job now, dear?

Yes, sir!

Then I expect a present this festival!!

Sure!

I take your leave.

Amazing! They've already paid!

Why tell me? I told you!

Lolita, freshen up quickly!

- Why?

Because without you Calcutta stops functioning!

Has sis returned?

There you go! - Now what?

Their cake isn't ready!

Charu has called for you ten times for the cake.

Shekhar's sent word twenty times.

Shall I cut myself into two?

Three! What will I do without you?

Four! Sis-in-law's cake needs you!

No, five! What about your uncle?

Hey, six! For me!

Oh! We forgot about Shekhar!

Awful weather upstairs?

Tempers are soaring!

- Stop drooling!

Has to meet a girl, but he's still on the piano.

Please help him, or your uncle...

And why have you come so late?

Just fifteen minutes late!

A minute's delay...

from you ruins the schedule of this house.

Now run!

Lolita will light up the house she marries into.

Yes!

She will go to a house where she's appreciated...

...not where she's a namesake mistress.

Not ready yet?

Don't you want to see the girl?

I could die!

Does the entire city know? I don't want to meet any girl.

Dad's so stubborn!

Navin uncle!

Grow up Lolita, it's not even funny!

Please pick out a decent shirt from my crappy wardrobe.

God! Such fuss!

Here.

Wow! When did I buy this shirt?

Navin uncle got it for you from London!

Amazing! I didn't even know it existed!

Like many other things you have. Oh!

Navin uncle!

Not again Lolita!

Shekhar! Aren't you ready yet?

I'm ready father! Let's go!

Hurry up!

Run.

Shekhar! - Coming, father!

Good evening, Mr. Tantiya!

Hello!

My son, Shekhar.

Silly oaf!

You've got a cake load of flour and sugar on you!

And here's a raisin for the icing!

Never think of baking another cake.

Just pray this third cake works...

Can you smell that? - What?

Something's burning!

Oh my God! Cake!

Koel, stand back... careful!

Take the plug out!

This cake is...

...resting in pieces!

- Shut up!

Oh dear!

How our hearts baked for you...

What happened? - It's about to...

...a fourth cake, by you!

Thank God, you're here!

Now we won't get egg on our face in front of Girish!

Not egg... cake!

Who?

My brother Girish is coming from London tonight!

He loves my homemade cakes.

Yours!!

Are you ready...?

Still baking?

No, burning!

Shut up! You two get cleaned up!

Sis-in-law, relax. I'll handle this!

- Thank you! OK, listen...

- Yes, I've got your purse!

OK! And have you...

Yes, I've filled the petrol.

Can we leave now? - Of course! Stop chatting!

Take care of the cake and the pudding... and shut the door.

OK!

Hello! I'm Gayatri Tantiya!

Hello! I'm...

Shekhar. I know!

I'd forgotten who I was for a second!

Happy birthday by the way...

Thank you!

Did you know Shekhar's a musician?

Hopefully it'll remain an interest!

Hi, Shekhar!

- Hi, Sidharth!

Where is your drink?

Sis, you haven't even asked him. Come on...

I will fix you a drink.

Navin, let Shekhar and Sidharth handle the Darjeeling Tea estate deal.

We've done our bit. Let them handle this.

I like that even more! What do you play?

Piano!

Did I say something funny?

Just remembered my piano lessons.

Do you play too? - No.

Tried to. Not me my tutors did.

One after the other, all seven fled.

Cowards! Tonight could have been your concert performance!

But I'd have missed meeting you!

Ladies and gentlemen, the cake is about to be cut...

Happy birthday to you!

Hello! Please send someone to 56, Bagh Bazaar!

We have no electricity!

Now that was a piece of cake!

Like it? I made it!

Enjoy yourselves... - Really?

Are you mad? It's from Fluries. I can't even boil water.

But don't worry, dad has promised to send 6 cooks with me

when I get married.

Is that ok with you? Or should we ask for twelve?

One to boil water, one for tea and one for cake.

Are you serious?

Coming!

Stop breaking the door.

Here so fast?

Yes! Thought I'd surprise them! And you are...?

Yes, I'd called for the electrician!

Electrician?

I plugged in the oven and... poof! It blew!

Are you going to fix it telepathically?

What happened?

The fuse has blown!

This way!

What's this?

Suitc... I mean the toolbox!

Tools for any contingency!

Here's the fuse box!

Hold this!

Oh, no! - Is it bad?

Very! Flour all over! - On the fuse?

Hold still...

Now it's ok. Got any wire?

Shouldn't you have it?

This pin will do!

Your hair looks much better open.

Got a hammer?

Hammer?

Need to break the wall to check the wiring!

God! This is going to be a long process!

A long affair, yes. Could be a week, even ten days.

But I'm ready! Can you open the tool box?

This? - That's the shaving kit. Man's gotta shave!

Look, mister...

Can't see in the dark. Could you hold the candle up?

Much better!

Do you think this is an easy profession?

I have to travel to America, Japan... just back from London.

They all know me by name...

Girish!

There you are!

Girish!

Girish Sharma!

We've been waiting for you at the airport.

And you're standing on top here!

Come on, sis!

How are you?

Hello, brother! Did she ask you to stand there?

No, it was the fuse...

The fuse had blown, sis!

And the cake?

Then?

I told the Britisher, 'I'm not here to work in the steel plant'

'... I'm here to buy it.' We know. Eat some cake!

Of course! He was shocked!

You finally learnt how to bake, sis!

Thanks!

Then?

Then I bought it my first steel plant!

And the rest, as they say, is history!

He's made a habit of buying steel plants!

Have you come to buy one this time too?

Nope! This time I've come especially to... fix a fuse!

Just kidding! I've come here for two reasons.

To find a Managing Partner for my new project and...

...to help Charu find her life partner.

Brother...

He needs to see her once in candlelight...

...Iove at first sight! Then eat this cake and set a date.

This must happen in your London. Marriages aren't a game here.

You're right! What say, sis?

Game? There's one game in which I rule...

...can even beat my foreign-returned brother.

Which one?

Flush!

Have you ever really won that game?

I can, if Lolita plays with me!

I warn you, sis, I've become a quite a champ myself!

Oh!

You don't know Lolita then...

Try me...

Really? Challenge?

Challenge!

I knew you would drag cards in somehow!

So tomorrow afternoon we wreck a deck!

Afternoon? I have work!

Evening then after work!

How was the girl, son?

Alright!

Come on, describe her... tall, thin...?

Mom, she was like girls are.

'Morning!

Lolita, why don't you ask him about the girl?

He doesn't tell me anything!

So?

Pandit Nehru has said that in the UN general assembly tomorrow...

Good looking?

Pandit Nehru?

Did you meet him last night? Is Gayatri Tantiya very beautiful?

Didn't notice anything... nothing special.

What was she wearing?

Sort of a gown... very English... nice dress!

Color?

Pink, slightly dark, you know, off shoulder!

And she was wearing a beady... 'choker', right?

Maybe, but then you weren't noticing!

And her heels? You'd fall if you wore them!

Why can't I wear heels?

They're just not you. Besides why would you wear them?

What I can or can't do is beyond you!

Hey, I'm just saying that I've never seen you wear them.

What you haven't seen before isn't impossible!

Where are you going? What about my song?

My heels will work on them!

Listen... - Need to get to work. Bye!

Come back quickly, sis!

Hello.

If I finish I'll come!

Make some excuse!

Will try!

Please, sis! You know sis-in-law is miserable at cards.

We'll lose without you!

Sis? Why are you wearing my heels? You'll break them!

I told you!

Be careful...

Hey, Lolitha! Looking lovely today. Nice heels, man!

Thanks! How was the holiday?

Great!

What the hell! Clumsy girl!

Sorry, sir!

Are you picking them or spying?

No sir, I'm just... - Shut up!

Got your morning dose!

Bam! We bumped and papers flew... Careful! Your table is scary!

No tea for you, right?

- No.

Thanks!

What's this Heritage Hotel project, uncle?

Heritage Hotel? Never heard of it? Has anyone said anything?

- No. Read it on top of a file I dropped.

What was written?

Did you see anything else?

- How could I? He grabbed it.

That's 'Hitler Rai'!

- I better run before I get an 'overdose'!

Hey, are you taking a tonic these days?

- No

Grown tall overnight!

Chatterjee Uncle!!

Checked the track lay?

Ok!

1, 2, 3, 1...

The lover said something, I do not know what they said, alas!

so did the lass

My heart sways gently,

ever so slow

But why it sways, I do not know.

I once asked a river,

'Far, too far, is your lover's abode...'

No, no!

I'll tell them, relax! Listen up...

1, 2, 3,

'Far, too far, is your lover's abode...'

Have you written this?

I've written what I remember of Lolita's lyrics.

Where is she?

God knows! Am I her secretary?

But you gave her the date and time, right?

Yes!

Should've taken an appointment...

...sent an invitation card to her highness.

Just one Saridon, and say goodbye to headaches!

So should we play another turn?

How do I know?

Just one more turn and...

"...good bye to headaches!'

And here's Lolita!

Welcome, please join us!

So late? We're losing miserably!

Sorry!

I'm so tired of my lucky streak, sis!

Shut up, Lucky!

He's bluffing!

Bluff?

Koel, show me your cards!

Now what?

Nothing!

One more turn!

Are you sure?

Of course!

Think twice! The loser will...

What?

Take us all to Moulin Rouge!

Moulin Rouge!

No. The Coffee House!

- How boring!

One minute! Are you scared of nightclubs?

Or are you not confident?

None at all!

Rubbish! Lolita, say something!

And what if you lose?

Breakfast at Fluries for all!

Fluries! Yeah!!

Hold on! Let me make myself clear... - I'm not losing!

Of course!

Sir, what if instead of the 'ocean', the stream meets a 'boat'?

Sir, please sing what's been written!

But it's contrary to the meter!

Who's the music director here?

You, sir.

Then please sing!

Chill! He's very senior.

Sir, lets decide what the stream meets later.

Show your hand!

Already? Where's the confidence?

We're confident, not overconfident!

Come on, show!

OK! So here's my first jack! Now you.

Hey, I asked for the show of hand.

I've bared my soul here, and you can't show me a card?

Here's our second jack!

A pair of jacks? - Now your show.

Just a pair!

They've lost! Colour! Fluries! Fluries!

One minute.

You don't know my third card yet.

Here's my third jack!

Which means - Moulin Rouge!

You weren't bluffing?

I never bluff!

Then?

Just plain lucky!

The recording date won't come to her in her dream?

Aren't you the arranger?

For music, not meetings! You should've spoken to her...

If I've to say everything, then I will.

Right... Pack up, please!

If I have to do all the talking, then hear this...

Sir, pack up!

But why?

Why didn't you tell Uncle if you didn't want to see the girl?

Because he would've dug a hole right then, and buried me!

Point!

How is Gayatri though?

Why? Interested?

Good heavens, no! She is my sister-in-law!

You always play this wrong!

Always?

So sue me! Hang me!

Look, if you're going to vent Lolita's anger on me...

Speak of the devil... Lolita!

And who's the guy?

Handsome, isn't he?

My foot! Wears a suit and eats puchkas!

Where was he when the British were leaving?

Take it easy, man.

The heart sways, Why? I don't know why.

Out! - Why?

Get down!

But...

Out!

I've got no money to get home!

Sir, a penny. Just a penny would help.

Can I borrow a penny from you? Please, just one!

No way! Scram!

I've taken 200 rupees.

We're going to Moulin Rouge because I lost a bet.

Who's we?

Koel, Charu, Girish, sis-in-law...

Girish who?

Sis-in-law's brother from London.

Owns huge steel plants, but so simple...

I'm sure it was Sir Girish's idea to bet.

Do you know how he got his first steel plant?

So now you know his life history.

Maybe that's why you missed the recording.

Recording? When?

What do you care? Cards, puckhas, night clubs...!

So Koel told you about it.

And you've started hiding things.

But I'm telling you now.

After dressing up, just before you leave?

Tell me, should I not go? - Please do.

Just don't pretend to 'ask'.

Sir Girish awaits your presence.

Shekhar, why are you...?

Just go!

I knew the plan would be ruined!

Why does this always happen?

Speak softly, Koel ...my head's pounding!

Shall I massage it?

Come on, sis! Can I get you a pill?

I'll get it for you.

Here! Come on sis, we won't get this chance again.

You guys go ahead. - I'm really feeling ill!

Keep some money.

They're here! Sure you want to me go?

Go! - See you then.

Have the medicine, sis.

Where's everybody?

Right here! - Where's Lolita?

She said she'll come later. Headache!

What are you wearing?

If she's very ill let's cancel this. - Yes.

No! This is normal! She'll be fine. Let's go!

Are you sure? - Even Lolita has asked us to carry on.

I think we should continue! - Yes!

Should we? - Let's go!

Come on... - OK!

Oh my, a halter neck? Aunty let you wear it?

No, these questions aren't new.

They are as old as time.

What is this riddle called life?

Can you block it can you stop that which flows?

What is this riddle called life?

Take a sip, give in to its powers...

...and find laughter in your tears.

It makes you laugh,

It makes you wail,

All in a moment, this strange tale.

What is this riddle called life?

Can you block it can you stop that which flows?

What is this riddle called life?

Like a twinkle in the eye...

...your tear turns into a pearl.

Like a beautiful boulevard of trees,

on a Ionely long road.

What is this riddle called life?

Can you block it can you stop that which flows?

What is this riddle called life?

No, these questions aren't new.

They are as old as time.

What is this riddle called life?

Can you block it can you stop that which flows?

What is this riddle called life?

Bye! - Be good!

Thanks, Girish. I'm sorry about messing up your shirt!

Better than your messed up character.

Oh, shut up!

Wine stains are stubborn.

Speak softly, sis!

Careful!

You're early! Thought you had a late night?

Yeah, it was a bit late.

And tonight?

Cards, night club... or something new?

I'll think about it.

I've found Elvis' new LP. Good morning, Lolita!

Lolita, come here!

Why weren't you at the recording?

I would've come,

had some one taken the effort to tell me about it.

I knew it!

Ajit, she's busy entertaining tourists!

You see, she's still under colonial rule!