Original subtitles

I'm sorry, Grandpa.

It's been three years since my last email.

I hope you have access to fast WiFi and hot tea

up there in heaven.

I made huge mistakes in the last few months.

It's really embarrassing.

I'm ashamed to tell you the truth.

Please don't judge me.

In my first year, ZIT felt very lonely.

Until I met…

Molshri.

The first thing I noticed about Molshri

was her rebellious nature.

In a college that was still stuck in 1947,

Molshri organized its first co-ed party.

Her boyfriend Nishant kept trying to break-up with her.

But she rebelled against that too.

This doesn't work like this. I've always been there for you.

When you ran away from home, when you met with an accident…

This is not how it works, dude! You can't just dump me!

She wouldn't let Nishant leave her.

East or West…

ZIT is the best!

She was the president of our street-play society called Abhay.

This is my last semester.

We have to win Antaragini, the street-play competition.

We'll practice every day from 5 to 12 o'clock.

If you are even a minute late, you will be expelled from the group.

Forget everything else for a while.

Protect your voice.

She ordered us around like a dictator!

Got it?

Grandpa, I can't even imagine

how somebody like her and I could become friends.

The world was her oyster.

Whereas I was scared

to even leave my hostel room.

Misbah!

Please give me a couple of hours alone.

I felt the safest within the walls of my room.

During my lowest moment, only Molshri was there for me.

Keep it up, darling.

-Shake your booty! -You look so lovely, princess.

Cutie pie, why don't you lower your veil?

Wow! What a beauty!

-Don't record me! -We'll make you our bitch!

Please stop recording…

-No… -Smile for the camera, babe.

Shivang! Open up!

Hey!

Who the hell is this? Your friend?

Who is this?

Is she your friend?

Why is she pulling out her phone?

She's filming us!

-Who the hell are you? -Do you know her?

I will send this to ZIT's Director.

And you will be expelled.

You have three seconds.

Get out!

Three… two…

Then Molshri introduced me to the world of Nukkad.

It liberated me from my body.

A body that felt like a cage.

Every character gave me the chance to live a new life.

We skipped all our classes and labs sessions.

Nukkad became our real education.

Molshri's resolve to change the world

dictated the story of our plays.

Every year, half a million Indians

need an organ transplant…

And every single day, 20 people die

waiting for an organ transplant.

How long will we let people die like this?

What are you doing to help out?

In our final semester, one of Molshri's headstrong plans,

crossed all boundaries.

And changed our lives forever.

Nukkad Naatak

Can't you see?

Are you blind?

-Please forgive me, sir. -Loser! You wasted all that food!

Who the hell is going to pay for this?

I'm sorry, sir. It was a mistake.

Mistake?

You won't learn until there's a pay cut!

Sir, please forgive me.

Please don't cut my pay.

-I'll clean it up. -So rude!

Molshri, stop! Where are you going?

Are you okay?

Yes, madam. I'm fine.

Madam, please don't. I'll do it.

-This idiot just doesn't get it. -No point in talking to him.

He's so dumb!

-I love messing with him. -It's fun!

What a moron!

Hello? Nikki?

Nikki. My sweetheart.

We'll go in from that window while the guard is busy.

We'll steal everything. Got it?

That jerk wants to cut his pay, right? We'll teach him a lesson!

Wear it.

Give me a boost!

-Dude, what happened? -Buddy, I need to pee.

-What the hell are you saying? -Honestly, I can't do this!

Dude, come on!

Mass bunking classes was fine, but stealing is too extreme!

Did you forget how he yelled at Mukund? Think about that.

Forget about Mukund! What if we get caught?

We won't get caught. Trust me.

Oh, my!

The way you say 'hello'…

It makes my whole body tingle.

What's the plan?

-I'll get this and you should go for that. -Okay.

Let's go!

Hush!

Chips are too loud. Chocolates, juices are more efficient.

Hello?

Are you upset?

Can you hear me?

Hello?

-Shit! -What are you doing?

Put it on silent mode! What's wrong with you?

Hold on, Nikki.

I'll call you back.

-Reject the call! -I'll be quick.

Have you lost it? We'll get caught! God, help me!

Hello?

I told you I'm crazy busy with my new client.

How crazy can it be?

You could've at least texted. You just ghosted me, dude!

You'll understand once you graduate.

-Hey! -Molshri?

Who's there?

Are you being reckless again?

Oh, my God!

When will you grow up…

-Hey! -Sorry, buddy!

Run!

Hey! You okay?

Relax, take it easy.

Ten…

I couldn't sleep all night.

All I could see was my dad's disappointed face.

Why did I need to be a hero?

Madam, why did you call me here?

Mukund.

This is for you.

Don't open it in college.

And remember.

No one has the right to mistreat you! No matter what.

Thank you, madam.

Molshri was happy playing Robin Hood,

but what was I getting from it?

My future was becoming a living nightmare.

Expelled from college…

marrying a girl of my father's choice,

working as a slave in his business.

A substance or matter in a state

in which it will expand freely to fill the whole of a container

having no fixed shape or no fixed volume.

Write it down!

-Shivang! Your line. -Y-Yes!

But, madam, what does it mean?

What does it mean?

Hold on! Do it with more energy.

But, madam, what does this mean?

What does it mean?

Why do you want to know the meaning? Just memorize the definition.

How will we understand… with understanding what it…

How will we understand without knowing what it means?

Right. How will we understand without knowing what it means?

Come on! You're so dumb!

Just memorize it and pass your exams! Sit quietly now.

Well…

Once we understand the meaning, we'll never forget the definition.

I'm sorry.

Once we understand the meaning, we'll never forget the definition.

Focus!

Everybody, two-minute break.

Let's go.

This scene is too flat.

Let's make it funny.

Do what you think is right.

I have to go now. I have a class in the morning.

You carry on.

What's wrong?

-Did the hot Canadian break-up with you? -It's not a joke, Molshri.

I could barely sleep last night.

I'm shit scared.

We can get expelled.

You're overthinking. We'll be fine. Don't worry.

Molshri, we committed a crime!

You're not taking this seriously at all!

Did we steal for ourselves?

It was all for Mukund. We gave him everything.

Molshri, the thing is…

I was not like this in my first year.

I was sincere. I attended every class, studied in the evening…

What are you trying to say?

Just spit it out.

I need a break.

Don't call me for a while.

Please.

My only solace was talking to Jizz.

But he was busy exploring New York with his mom.

It's really difficult to imagine…

a gay porn star with his family, isn't it?

Does his mother know his truth?

Has she accepted him?

Hold on.

Ma'am?

It's not a big deal, I got this.

These are your termination letters.

Ma'am, what? Termination?

The Disciplinary Committee's decision was unanimous.

Stealing is not tolerated at ZIT.

-But we-- -Enough! Your parents have been informed.

Clear your dues by the weekend and leave the campus.

Ma'am, we didn't do anything wrong.

The canteen owner cut Mukund's wages. We were fighting for his rights.

I'm sorry, Molshri. I can't do anything. The decision is final.

Ma'am, we are ready to face any punishment.

Just don't expel us!

I tried convincing Ms. Urmila

not to expel you.

It was my fault so they shouldn't punish you.

But she just won't listen.

I'm sure there's a way out. I'll keep trying.

We cannot accept defeat.

Grey clouds of gloom loom on my horizon

Carrying sorrow in the wind

Even trees bend as if they've given up

No light in the sky

Just darkness throughout…

I joined every possible club in my first semester.

But Abhay was easily the most special.

When Shivang also joined during the second semester,

it was my best month at ZIT.

How can I find

A world to call mine

When there's no peace

Left in this life

Help me understand

What's in store

Is this the end

Or a new beginning?

Shivang?

Can we please talk?

This may be our last time together.

Shivang!

I'm sorry, Shivang.

Sir, please!

-Hear me out. -Krishna, roll down the window.

Yes, sir.

What's this nonsense? What's happening?

Sir, please help us. We made a mistake.

Mukund, the boy who works in the canteen…

We were only trying to help him. We had no other intention.

The canteen owner was mistreating him.

Please understand, sir.

-You are the president of Abhay, right? -Yes, sir.

Come in.

Krishna.

I am very disappointed.

You have represented ZIT, won medals for the college.

-And now stealing? -Sir, please! This will ruin our careers.

Why didn't you think of that before?

That your careers would be ruined!

Consider yourself lucky. The canteen owner has been reimbursed.

We have withdrawn the police report against you.

And your identity is protected.

But I seriously think you don't deserve this.

Sir, we graduate in three months.

What's the point of stealing things worth Rs. 10,000?

We only wanted to help an underprivileged kid.

-We gave everything to Mukund-- -Exactly.

What did you you gain by stealing?

And what do you think?

You can become Robin Hood and change society overnight?

And if you care so much about underprivileged children,

you could have worked at ZIT-based NGOs.

You could teach Mukund in your free time.

But no! You turned to steeling!

Completely unacceptable!

-Give us one last chance-- -There was a boy with you, right?

Yes, sir.

Call him here.

Yes, sir. Right away.

Hello? Is Shivang there?

Send him to the Director's house. It's urgent!

Ask him to run!

-What happened? -I don't know.

-I asked sir for one last chance-- -Why did he call me?

-I don't know. -What?

-Shivang! -Good morning, sir!

Come. Both of you, sit in the car.

Krishna, take us to the slums.

Well…

My experience as the Director has taught me something.

Every story has three sides to it.

A student's version.

A teacher's version.

And the truth.

We are going to the nearby slums.

Have you been there before?

-No, sir. -No.

Didn't you perform a play on child labor?

Yes, sir. In our second year.

-Didn't you visit the slums for research? -No, sir. We researched online.

There was a documentary…

We just watched it.

Come on, follow me.

This is a slum area.

You can see it for yourselves.

They don't have water or electricity…

No civic amenities.

Mukund also stays here.

These kids… look at them.

Every morning they are at the mall, begging for money.

They have no future.

Unlike both of you who don't value it.

If they could have your opportunities

it would transform their lives. Did that ever strike you?

-Hello, sir. -Hello.

Anyway, I didn't bring you here to lecture you.

I believe everyone deserves a second chance.

If you can get five kids from here

enrolled in a school…

Give them a chance to change their lives,

then maybe I can take you back.

-Okay? -Yes, sir!

What are you waiting for?

There's your mountain. Start climbing.

Thank you, sir.

I don't know how you convinced him

but we have to crack this now.

Mukund!

-Mukund, stop! Shivang! -Mukund!

Mukund, wait. Why are you running?

Forgive me, sir. I did not mean to complain.

It's just that…

the canteen owner was suspecting me.

He called me a thief and threatened to send me to jail.

So, I had no other choice.

How could he threaten you without any proof?

Did you open the bag in front of anyone?

-No, madam. I didn't. -Then?

The thing is,

whenever there's a crime in this district,

we are the first ones to be thrown in jail.

Without any investigation or court hearing.

Just relax.

Are your parents home?

-Are you going to complain about me? -No, we won't.

We are in a huge problem. Please help us.

I promise we won't complain.

Dad, they want to talk to you.

Come in, sir.

-What did he do? -No, he hasn't done anything.

We just wanted to talk to you.

Are you from a political party?

No…

-Are you here to demolish our house? -Not at all!

We're undergraduates… I mean, we study in college.

We want to help your kids study.

-So you won't demolish our house? -Of course not.

How many kids do you have?

Why?

Please tell us.

Will you send them to school?

School? What for?

Studying can help them get good jobs…

Like doctors or engineers. They can earn a lot of money.

What's an engineer?

Dad, like the students at ZIT.

He won't understand that. But he knows doctors.

So, listen…

Your children can become doctors after studying.

Doctors! Really?

Yes, of course.

How much will they earn?

Millions of rupees.

Millions?

How long will they need to study?

Twelve years in school and five years for MBBS.

How many years in total?

-Around 17 years. -17 years?

Seventeen years!?

Seventeen years!

Our kids don't have that much time.

They need to earn money every day.

Otherwise, how will we survive?

Seventeen years!

You should be the one talking. People listen to you.

Okay.

Ma'am!

I want to learn to read. Will you teach me?

We want the same thing.

Is there a school nearby?

Who are you?

-Hello, sir! -Hello. Please sit.

I am Molshri, this is Shivang. We are students at ZIT.

Some kids from a nearby slum want to study.

And we want to enroll them here.

-Kids from the slums of Bagula? -Yes.

You saw the state of our classrooms, right?

Yes…

That's it. This is the school.

I'm the principal.

We have only one teacher and eight grades to teach.

We have more students than we can teach.

Four times more in fact.

Then you can easily take five more kids, right?

Even if I agree to enroll five kids,

they won't show up.

They are

Khanabadosh

They are gypsies.

They roam around and beg for food. They won't last in school.

-We only need their admission on paper. -Yes, that's it!

Look.

Don't waste your time on them.

You're from ZIT, right?

Get a cushy job and enjoy your lives!

Sir, please listen. We just need five admissions.

-Yes, sir. -Sir, please.

We finally found hope in the morning.

But by evening, we were feeling hopeless.

We were already kicked out of our hostels,

so we didn't have a place to stay.

Molshri's influence got her a spot in the girls' hostel.

As for me…

I got our security guard's store-room.

Anyway, beggars can't be choosers.

Hello, ma'am.

Do you want to send him to school?

He'll be ready in a few years.

Please take these sweets. You can share it with your family.

Ma'am?

Hello… ma'am…

Hello!

My name is Molshri. Do you have time to talk?

Hello.

Do you like sweets?

Please have some!

Here you go.

Here's some for you. It's really good!

Are these your kids?

W-We want to send them to school.

Education will lead to better job opportunities…

They will make more money.

If you send your kids to school

they can make a better living. They can transform your lives too!

Do you want to go to school?

Here, have this.

Do you want one? Here you go.

Will you go to school?

Really? Where are your parents?

He doesn't have parents.

-He doesn't? -Both his parents passed away.

We won't send them.

-They could go for just a few hours-- -No.

Our kids are daily-wage workers.

They work everyday to put food on the table.

That's how we make ends meet.

If we don't work, how will we eat? We don't have farms or anything.

If you take the first step…

-No, ma'am… -No.

-Please don't waste our time… -Exactly.

We are minding our business. Do us a favor and please leave us alone.

Please leave.

Okay, bye.

Hey!

-Me? -Yes.

Come here.

This is for you.

-What's your name? -Chhoti.

Chhoti. Can I have a look?

Can you read this?

Should I read it to you?

Great.

"Pinky's cold!"

When Pinky catches a cold,

she goes on sneezing!

And Uncle Jhaptu spills his tea!

When she's asleep at night,

a thief enters her house.

Ever so slowly, he begins pulling things out of the closet.

He is taking all the things

and placing them in his bag quietly.

All of a sudden, Pinky sneezes!

The thief gets startled and is caught...

Every Nukkad has two parts.

In part one, we show the problems arising from a social issue.

And in part two, we present its solutions.

But in real life, we were struggling to reach part two.

We were stuck with the problem.

There's no other school around the slum.

The nearest one is over 25 kilometers away.

Really?

Local NGOs also had a hard time.

The kids want to study but their families don't allow them.

They send them to beg instead.

We should try offering them an incentive.

Listen.

I have an idea.

Welcome. Please enter your secret number.

This was not the time to question the morality of our actions.

This problem had only one solution.

Pay for the admissions.

Hello?

Dad…

The bank account is empty…

Can you send some money? Please, it's urgent.

How can you be so shameless?

We run such a big hospital,

and our son is stealing chips from the canteen!

Also, where the hell are you?

You were supposed to be back yesterday.

God knows what drugs you've been taking!

Dad, I swear it's not like that. The Director gave us a second chance--

Shivang, I have a letter from the Director.

You've been expelled from college.

Come back and start working at the hospital.

I promise I'm not lying…

Dad?

Hey, Aman! How you doing, bro?

How's everyone at home?

It's been so long…

Nothing much… All good. Actually…

I need some money.

Can you send it right now?

I'll return it as soon as possible.

Hi, Uncle…

I need some money.

It's really urgent.

Of course not…

Okay…

I understand.

Sir, please help me.

Oh… okay, sir.

I was never comfortable in my body.

My own reflection scared me.

So when Piyush touched me for the first time,

I switched off all the lights.

How was I supposed to perform in tonight's show…

if I had never come out of the closet?

I know, Grandpa.

I am sorry.

But I had no other option.

I didn't want to go back home.

Take this money and send your kids to school.

-Are you sure? -Yes, take it.

Next month, they'll go to school instead of begging. Okay?

Chhoti. You have to go to school, okay?

I really want to learn how to read.

Excellent!

We need a few more kids

Can you help us, please?

Let's go.

Chhoti.

I've got something for you.

In this comic, Pinky goes to school.

You should be like Pinky.

-Thank you, ma'am. -Let's go, Molshri.

Their admission is guaranteed now.

No need to worry.

I just need their documents.

-What documents? -We need their IDs for admission

-They have it, right? -Aadhar Card?

Do you have it?

How does the canteen guy pay you then?

He gives me cash.

What about birth certificates?

No? Really?

Anything else that can work?

We'll make an exception

and teach them for a few days. Don't worry!

Their education is not important.

Our priority is documenting their admission.

We want them to learn too.

Getting their IDs will be a challenge.

They're

But isn't Aadhar for everyone?

How will you get one without any address proof?

Sir…

There is a way to get our IDs made.

-What? -How?

Some people got it done in another slum.

A politician has to sign our application.

Even a State official's signature will do.

-I see. -Gazetted officer.

Let me check.

"DSP, DIG, Armed forces, Medical officers…"

ZIT's Director can sign it too!

-Alright. Come on. -Let's go.

My name is Roop Lal.

My name is Ajita Devi.

Sima Kumari.

Pawan Kumar.

Jyoti Kumari.

My name… Badal Devi.

Sonu Kumar.

Mukund Kumar.

Shanti Devi.

Ram Lal.

Chhoti Kumari.

You know…

Many NGOs have tried…

but failed to empower them.

So I'm very happy…

You're getting their Aadhar Cards made.

This will give them access to schools, banks, hospitals.

-Well done! -Thank you, sir.

It will help them financially and make their lives easier.

Sure, sir.

But the best thing is, they've decided to educate their kids.

That's brilliant!

What? They want to educate them, right?

-Of course, sir! -Yes.

You gave us a second chance. We won't disappoint you.

Do it for yourself. Not for me.

Okay?

Well done.

Thank you.

You're carrying all the books, right?

Next month, you have to read me Pinky comics.

Chhoti…

make the most of this opportunity.

Today's breaking news! Just a month after being expelled,

ZIT's two superstars have made a spectacular comeback!

The institute has forgiven them

and welcomed them back with open arms!

So, let me now take you

to meet this couple making a comeback!

So, how do you feel?

Tell us.

Like we've been resurrected from the dead.

-Kick his ass! -What...

-What are you doing? No... -Kick his ass!

-Please, no! It hurts! -Kick his ass!

Please let me go...

What's wrong?

Last two years, I had only one goal.

To get a job in Mumbai and live with Nishant.

But now, I don't know what I want.

You're a born leader.

You'll find your calling in no time.

What about you?

You're leaving Abhay, right?

Please don't take it personally.

What if I do?

I don't want any distractions.

I have to crack a Masters in the US or Canada,

and get out of India.

Keep going

Keep going

Show the world

Transform the norm

One step after another

Keep going

Keep going!

The harder you work

The higher you'll soar

Sky is the limit

Fly away!

Keep moving

There will be obstacles

There will be hurdles

Break the chains that shackle you...

We can also go for this result directly.

I was back into the college routine.

But Molshri's ambitions had outgrown Nukkad competitions.

It was eating away at her

that the task in the slum was still incomplete.

What is our country called?

-India! -India.

With one flag in hand

With one oath that binds us all

For our Motherland

For our Fatherland

March on, brave-heart. March on, patiently.

-What's wrong? -Isn't Chhoti here?

She has been absent all week.

-What? -I told you…

These kids won't last in school.

Chhoti?

Chhoti!

Have you lost it! Do you want to destroy your life?

You should be at school. Instead you're smoking here!

-What's wrong, ma'am? -Do you want to die?

Why do you care?

Once your work was done, you abandoned me!

You don't care about me.

I didn't abandon you.

You used to visit me every day. Why not now?

I thought you would be busy in school.

Why aren't you going to school?

I don't understand anything they teach.

They put me in sixth grade based on my age.

They teach complex poems. I don't even know the Hindi alphabet.

And when I ask other kids for help,

Who calls you that? Let me teach them a lesson.

Don't bother. I don't want to go to school.

How else will you learn to read?

What if I teach you?

Let's go.

Your brother Mukund works here.

Have you been here before?

Our country's smartest kids study here.

I'll also teach you here.

But first, you need to quit smoking.

Will you?

Do you have a beedi on you now?

Give it to me.

No more smoking starting today.

Thank you.

I got you notebooks and pencils.

And this is the alphabet chart.

Write every alphabet five times before our class tomorrow.

No excuses, okay?

Molshri's rebellion finally found a real purpose.

She wasn't trying to change the whole world anymore.

Just one girl's life.

Today we will learn to make simple words.

We'll use the alphabet chart

to make these words. Okay?

But first, show me your homework!

I don't have it.

What do you mean?

My little brother tore my notebook.

Stop making excuses and show me your notebook.

I… I'm telling the truth.

And you let it happen?

Why didn't you stop him?

I was not home.

Is this a joke to you?

I'm making time to teach you,

I arranged this place, but you don't care at all!

I want to learn, I swear.

Did you do the homework before he tore your notebook?

Write the first word. Lotus.

L-O-T-U-S. Write these letters together.

What are you doing? Hold the pencil properly!

Hold it properly.

That's not the right way to hold it.

Closer, like this.

Now write!

What on earth are you writing?

Come on, write down the first letter.

Chhoti!

Erase it all.

All of it!

Quickly! Erase it.

That's enough. Write the letters one after the other.

Come on.

What is this! Did you even bother doing the homework?

Why did you lie then?

I was scared of your temper.

What?

I was scared of your temper.

Shivang, am I scary?

Dude, you scared me.

-Give me 10 minutes. I'll finish the test. -Okay.

Oh, come on!

Hey! 300 is a great score!

I always have trouble with the verbal section.

Let me help you. Pass me the book.

Thanks, buddy.

What were you saying earlier?

Forget it. This is more important.

"In the 1950s, the country's inhabitants were blank."

This means, most of them...

Molshri was someone who always hated rehearsals.

She preferred skipping straight to the final performance.

But she was finally learning to enjoy the process,

from the first draft to final performance.

It's the journey that counts,

not just the destination.

Real change demands patience.

Hello!

Welcome to Molshri's classroom!

We've got with us these huge wise books

and our curious little bookworm, Chhoti!

Chhoti, all these books will be your friends

once you learn the Alphabet Song.

Because alphabets make words

and words build our whole world!

So, will you learn this song with me?

Yes.

Let's get rid of this first.

Now, stand up.

We won't need this either.

So…

I'll sing first and you can repeat after me.

Got it?

A for an 'airplane' in the sky.

A for an 'airplane' in the sky!

A for an 'airplane' in the sky.

A for an 'airplane' in the sky...

Excellent! Let's breathe more life to this song.

Watch me first and repeat after me.

Sounds good?

A for an 'airplane' in the sky.

Your turn now.

A for an 'airplane' in the sky.

Okay?

I'll perform the whole thing.

Watch me. And then we'll do it together.

Okay?

A for an 'airplane' in the sky.

B for a 'bud' that blooms nearby.

C for a 'clock' that goes tick-tock.

D for the 'dial' on the watch.

Let's do it together. Okay?

Ready?

A for an 'airplane' in the sky.

B for a 'bud' that blooms nearby.

C for a 'clock' that goes tick-tock.

D for the 'dial' on the watch.

E for 'elephant'...

At first

You were a tiny bud

Now you've blossomed

Into a flower

At first

You were a tiny bud

Now you've bloomed

Into a flower

Your sweet fragrance

Has filled the air

And you became

My guiding light

My rebel heart

Has finally found its way

You brought life

To my empty garden

Filling them

With the colors of life

My ray of sunshine

I am forever grateful

To have you in my life

My ray of sunshine

I am forever grateful

To have you in my life

Wow! This is excellent.

I'll keep this. Okay? We'll meet on Monday.

What's your homework?

Shower everyday, study hard, and no smoking.

Very good. Take this.

Also, help your mom with chores. Okay?

You're doing great!

Hey...

-Wow! -Clean!

I'm really enjoying myself.

Even after losing?

In teaching Chhoti…

I'm really invested in her growth.

Nice.

-Become a teacher-- -I want to start a school in the slums!

Why are you always so extreme, Molshri?

You can also work at Teach For India.

That's also an option.

I want to give Chhoti a proper education.

She's already learned to write.

She's capable of great things.

I'm sure she is.

But opening a school is a huge task!

You think I can't do it?

Molshri's dreams were taking off at the speed of light.

She turned all her dreams into reality.

I wish… I was more like her.

But I always ran away from my problems.

Hi.

So, are you ignoring me?

Why would I ignore you?

Actually, I've been very busy.

It's the final semester you see.

Shivang, this isn't about us.

It's about the LGBTQ club.

The Director is fully supporting us for the first time!

Trust me, we can make a big difference.

Starting now.

The support that we didn't get…

New students can get the support that we never got!

We can make the campus a safe space.

What do you think?

Yeah, let's do it…

I have a class right now.

-So I have to go. Let's talk later. -Hey...

We just need a hundred signatures to start a club!

Hey...

Let us share a tale

As old as time

What you see is never the whole

Behind a smiling face, A quiet sorrow unfolds...

Dude, are you okay? Why aren't you taking my calls?

Molshri, I...

Don't worry, buddy. It's okay.

Just kidding! I got 330 out of 340!

-Really? -Really! I swear.

I just need a recommendation letter and I'm flying out of here!

That's an awesome score!

Guys, presenting to you, the GRE topper!

Congrats!

-Kick his ass! -Please don't...

-I'll die! You guys are killing me! -Kick his ass!

I'm so proud of you, dear.

Not just me. Your mom, grandma, aunt…

Everyone is very happy.

When you were expelled two months ago,

we lost our faith in you.

But you reminded us

that with hard work,

you can achieve anything.

That's when I realized…

When you overcome a challenge in life,

you get the courage to face many more.

Even if it's a complicated relationship.

Working for McKinsey would be a dream job for me, sir.

My grades are good. I've also worked hard to establish

an LGBTQIA+ student club called Astitva.

-Nice. -Once I commit to something,

I strive for it.

And I never give up. Thank you.

How was it?

You've prepared well.

You will definitely get into McKinsey.

Well, do you need anything?

Piyush, can we talk for two minutes?

Please?

Actually, I…

Just two minutes. Please?

I'll wait.

This is very difficult for me.

But I can't keep running away anymore.

I'm really sorry.

I kept leading you on for months.

I'm honestly a big coward.

After the incident at Amber Hostel,

I was really scared.

So scared that for months,

I lied to everyone about my fake girlfriend.

And I…

Instead of being honest with you, I kept making excuses.

It's fine, buddy.

It's not a big deal. I completely understand.

We've all been on a similar journey.

You want to appear normal, right?

"Normal."

I'll tell you what.

Come to Astitva's next meeting, okay?

Let's take it from there.

There will be many others like us.

Similar journeys, similar stories.

So?

Will you come?

I'll think about it.

Take your time.

Let's take a new approach to our street-play.

It will still be about the education system.

But we'll focus on a different section of society.

A 13-year-old girl, growing up on a construction site.

She never got a chance to study.

But she wants to study.

Chhoti, what's wrong? Where were you?

-She found out. -Who?

My mom. She burnt all my books!

-Burnt them? -She doesn't want me to study.

She thrashed both me and Mukund. Please go away.

I'll speak to her.

-No. Please just leave. -Chhoti!

Ma'am…

Why won't you let Chhoti study?

She's doing really well.

Because you give her false hopes with your fairy tales.

I want her to be successful.

So that she gets a job, earns well,

and buys a house for you!

How will she become successful

by avoiding her duties and reading storybooks all day long?

-Those books-- -Do you know what happened last week?

What?

Sonu burned his hand. He put his hand on the stove.

Sonu, her younger brother?

Yes, he is receiving treatment in another slum.

It cost us a lot.

Tell me. Who will cover our expenses?

Ma'am, I understand your situation.

But education is also important!

Please don't stop Chhoti from studying. I request you.

Leave us alone!

Grey clouds of gloom

Loom on my horizon

Carrying sorrow

In the wind

Darkness has settled

Deep in my core

Even the colors

To shine no more

I lost my peace

My heart feels numb

In a sea of shadows

I can't find the sun

Every single tear

Feels rare and precious

There are hardly any tears

Remaining in me

What are you doing?

What the hell am I doing?

Molshri, listen to me.

It's time to move on from Chhoti.

Apply for the Teach for India program.

Teach low-income kids for a few years

and then you can start your own school.

Although Team Abhay won Antaragni, Molshri still felt defeated.

Her priorities had changed now.

Finally, after a lot of approvals…

You're all welcome to Astitva.

This is a safe space for all of us

who are on a similar journey.

This is a non-judgmental space

where we can be carefree

and share our stories with each other.

So…

So, I'll go first.

Around a week ago…

I came out to my parents.

Mom took some time to process.

But…

My dad said that he doesn't care

who I choose to love,

who I live with,

and that I will always remain his son.

He'll support me all my life.

Friends, we have a new member in our club.

Let's introduce ourselves in our own style.

My name is Piyush. And this is my style.

Hi, Piyush!

My name is Nikhil and…

Hi, Nikhil!

Hello, my name is Sushant.

Hi, Sushant!

Hello, my name is Mansi.

Hi, Mansi!

Hi, friends… I'm Shivang.

Yeah.

Hi, Shivang!

Hello, everyone. My name is Bhagya.

Being a part of Astitva was like stepping into a whole new world.

-Wait! -Was it a trend...

Wow!

-He's so hot! -What?

Oh, no! He lives near the Bengal border.

That's too far!

Go for it, buddy! If it goes well, use my room for boom-boom.

It was a world of comfort,

freedom,

and most of all, acceptance.

Problems that once overwhelmed me

now seemed completely trivial.

They discussed their dating lives so freely.

Supported one another.

Made fun of each other.

Laughed, cried, sang…

Were we really that different from the rest of the world?

-He's drunk! -That's not true!

-He's becoming emotional! -It's not like that.

-It definitely is! -I'm telling the truth.

My grandpa was very supportive, so is Molshri.

But I could see the pity in their eyes.

But here it's not like that.

You guys are so fun and different!

Different, huh?

-But fun, yeah. -Both together.

And I… Yeah, that's it…

You're all fun…

Why are you hesitating? Just say it, dude.

Come on, Shivang!

Shivang! Shivang!

Alright… Stop, it guys!

Okay.

-I'm gay. -That's my boy.

-Cheers to that! -Cheers!

-We know, buddy. -Oh, man!

He is so funny!

In an ideal world,

we should not even need a group like Astitva.

We should feel completely safe in every room

and every corner of the world.

But for now,

Astitva became my ideal world.

What?

Did you write this?

It's very good!

Ma'am, please continue teaching me. I miss it so much.

Tell me. Are you smoking?

Tell me the truth.

Sometimes.

Will your mom allow you to study?

I'll convince your parents.

But you'll have to help me.

Come on! Let's convince your parents.

Molshri! Wait for me!

We've always had only one goal at Abhay.

To win college competitions.

But now our most important performance is coming up.

We have to go back to the roots of street theater.

We have to change hearts and minds.

Today we need to push our limits.

We have the power to change many lives.

Take your positions.

Ready, everyone?

Yes.

Come on, everyone! Watch our play!

Feel its power, don't look away!

Come on! Watch our play!

Feel its power, don't look away!

Come on! Watch our play!

Feel its power, don't look away!

Come on! Watch our play!

Feel its power, don't look away!

Join us for a smile, Stay and watch a while!

We have something to say, We are on a mission today!

Friends, come and see How education sets us free!

Books can teach us many things, Help us grow and spread our wings!

Each lesson empowers us to dream, Together we rise, stronger as a team!

Gather around, let's start today With knowledge, we'll find our way!

Listen up, listen up...

Chhotu is my name Cricket's my favorite game

When mom gives me a chore No one can find me anymore

My mom cooks rice, her food is very nice

Always busy keeping it right She works all day and night!

Is this Bhola Prasad's house?

-Yes, sir? -Look, he's right there!

Dad!

Come with us! You have murdered five people!

Murder? I didn't do anything!

That's for the judge to decide.

Sir! Where are you taking him?

He didn't do anything!

Order.

Let's proceed with the case.

My lord, this is Bhola Prasad. Age, 32 years.

He is a laborer at Hari Om Fireworks.

Bhola Prasad left the gunpowder machine on

which led to an explosion in the factory.

This killed five innocent people!

My lord, please see this contract.

It's clearly mentioned that any problem

occurring in Machine Number 9.544ABC

is the sole responsibility of Bhola Prasad.

They threatened to fire me if I didn't sign the contract.

I had no choice.

Due to Bhola Prasad's negligence, five lives were lost.

The court sentences Bhola Prasad to ten years in prison.

The court is adjourned!

-No! No! -Dad!

Her husband is a murderer!

His dad is a killer!

-Her husband is a murderer! -No!

-His dad is a killer! -Her husband is a murderer!

His dad is a killer!

This incident helped Chhotu's mother understand the importance of education.

She immediately enrolled Chhotu in school.

After graduating school,

Chhotu fought to have his father's case re-opened.

Today, justice will prevail in this court.

Bhola Prasad was arrested on the basis of this contract.

But the machine warranty had expired before the accident.

This means the contract was invalid at the time of the accident.

This contract stands null and void.

In light of the evidence presented today,

the court concludes that Bhola Prasad is not the culprit.

In fact, it's the owner of Hari Om Factory.

The court declares Bhola Prasad not guilty.

And gives him 10 lakhs as compensation.

Take Chhotu's example. Education can transform your life!

You can protect your families!

Education is the first step towards success.

That's why I want to start

a school in this region!

We will run this school with honesty and dedication,

involving you at every step.

Tell me…

Who will send their kids to school?

Who wants to go to school?

Who wants to go to school?

Who wants to go to school?

Who wants to go to school?

Who wants to go to school?

Who will send their kids to school?

Who will send their kids to school...

Where were you?

Dad, I filled a form and received this card.

What's this?

Now we'll get groceries for cheap and also free hospital visits.

-Did you apply for this? -Yes, I did.

See this.

This is only the beginning.

With the right approach, we can truly change our lives!

Please, Dad. Let me go to school.

In just two months, Molshri's dream turned into a reality.

She started a school and also got 45 kids enrolled.

Molshri was confident that she'd make a good teacher.

After all, she taught Chhoti how to read and write.

And Chhoti taught her

how to teach.

It feels like only yesterday we joined ZIT…

And now, it's time to say goodbye.

But in this fleeting moment, we've lived so many lives.

We elected the new president of Abhay

who promised to take our group to new heights.

Piyush and Astitva's efforts were visibly making a difference on campus.

Perhaps this year, a freshman Shivang

will live more freely.

As for this Shivang,

my next destination is home.

I have to come out to mom and dad.

I have no idea how they will react.

But I'm sure I will be fine.

Because Molshri will always be with me.