Original subtitles

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Maharaja of Burdwan, Mr. Amiya Haldar

Lady Ranu Mukherjee, Mr. Rabindranath Halder Mrs. Krishna Kejriwal, Dr. Mihir Mitra

Mr. Nawal Kishore Kejriwal, Mr. Kamal Ghosh Mr. Amiya Mukherjee, Mr. Asit Choudhury

Mrs. Manjul Banerjee, Mr. Parimal Ray Mr. Sourish Roy, Mr. Nilmani Roy

Mr. Suvo Thakur Mr. Prashanta Roy

Dr. Adi Gajdar, Mr. Dipankar Sarkar Mrs. Roshon Gajdar, Mr. Gaur Kishore Ghosh

Mrs. Chitra Pal Chawdhury Mr. Dijendranath Basu, Mrs. Gopa Ghoshal

Mrs. Parimalhasini Ghosh, Mrs. Phyllis Bose, Bourne and Shepherd, Mr. Kamu Mukherjee

Zoom Sixteen, Mr. Joy Mitra Mr. Ajit Ghosh, Mr. Udit Roy

The lmambara of Metiabruz, Mr. Sudipto Chattapadhaya, lndian Tobacco Co.

Calcutta Police Training School Subdivisional Officer, Diamond Harbor

District Magistrate, 28 Parganas Chakdighi Panchayat Samiti

District Magistrate, Bankura Jamalpur Panchayat Samiti

District Magistrate, Burdwan Somsar Panchayat Samiti

Residents of Somsar, Goho, Chakdighi and Jamalpur villages

The National Film Development Corporation of lndia presents

THE HOME AND THE WORLD

A film by Satyajit Ray

from the novel by Rabindranath Tagore

with Soumitra Chatterjee, Victor Banerjee, Swatilekha Chatterjee

Gopa Aich, Manoj Mitra, Jennifer Kapoor

Bimala Chatterjee, lndrapramit Roy

Cinematography by Soumendu Roy

Art Direction by Ashoke Bose

Film Editing by Dulal Dutta

Makeup by Ananta Das

Screenplay, Music and Direction by Satyajit Ray

I have passed through fire.

What was impure in me

has been burned to ashes.

What remains, I dedicate to him,

to the man who accepted aII my faiIings in the depths of his stricken heart.

Now I know there is no one eIse Iike him.

It was 1 0 years ago when I first met him.

He was the son of a nobIe famiIy, and I was his bride.

I heard that my husband was of a gentIe disposition.

I considered myseIf fortunate. Not every bride is so Iucky.

When I joined the famiIy, my sister-in-Iaw was aIready a widow, wearing white.

Though it was never mentioned,

I couId see that she had never enjoyed the pIeasures of a happy maritaI Iife.

Our rooms were in the inner apartments of the paIace.

A passage with stained-gIass windows Ied to the outer apartments.

The door of this passage aIways remained cIosed to us.

I didn't mind the confinement,

because I was raised to foIIow traditionaI vaIues.

But my husband had modern views.

He was the first in his famiIy to receive a Western education.

He appointed Miss GiIby to make a memsahib out of me.

Why did you have to come here?

Soon even the cIothes I wore began to refIect Miss GiIby's infIuence.

English clothes, English songs.

Soon we won't even seem related.

-- You still haven't told me how l look. -- Very nice.

Pretty as a picture.

You're a lucky one.

You should grab your good fortune with both hands.

Few brides have known happiness in this family.

Some barely knew their husbands' faces, let alone the face of happiness.

l used to wait up for him all night,

hoping he'd come to me.

For two whole days before he died, l stayed by his bedside.

He was almost unconscious, dazed with fever.

He was burning hot.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes and said,

''Who are you?''

He didn't even recognize his own wife.

l wonder if you realize how lucky you are.

Why wouldn't l?

Don't l know my own --

Look who's here. We were just talking about you.

Really?

l thought only little girls played with dolls.

Now l see even grown men do.

-- What do you mean? -- She's dolling herself up for you.

Can't you see? -- l see.

She's going to make your dreams come true.

Well, men must have their little fantasies.

lsn't that true, sister--in--law?

Enjoy them.

l'll look on from the wings.

From the wings? Why?

What's the harm in staying here?

lt's better that way.

ln my day, we used attar.

These foreign perfumes make me feel sick.

l'll be going now.

Are these clothes all new?

The tailor brought them today.

They're all my own design.

l can see that.

You dress up so beautifully for me.

ls it right that l should be the only man to admire you?

You think l would dress up for any other man?

Why any other man?

l'm just thinking of the ones l've sung your praises to.

You think they're dying to catch a glimpse of me?

-- You know something? -- What?

ln the past, confining women to the house wasn't a Hindu custom.

Sita, Sabitri, Draupadi...

None of them were confined.

So what? Your Bimala is happy here.

Did you know that women used to choose their own husbands?

Have you heard of that?

Why are you laughing?

lf l'd had a choice, l might not have chosen you.

l know.

But you didn't have a choice.

How sad.

l'm envious...

of Draupadi...

and her five husbands.

All your life, you've only set eyes on one man.

How can you know what kind of man he is

if you can't compare him with others?

You aren't trying to bring back the classical age, are you?

What for?

Still, l see no logic in confining women.

l think the Muslims introduced the custom.

Hindus never cared about it.

Do you think people will reject this custom just because you say so?

lt's not the people l'm thinking of, Bimala.

You know l'm not like other people.

l don't think tradition should be followed blindly.

l would be really proud

if l could persuade you to meet my friends.

You mean him?

Sandip is a genius.

l have no intention of meeting someone who's constantly asking you for money

on one pretext or another.

Sandip is working for the good of our nation.

He's gifted, but has no money.

lf my money contributes to his good deeds, that's to my advantage.

For the good of our nation? What does he do?

The Swadeshi movement.

Do you know about it? -- Of course.

They often talk about it these days.

Boycott foreign goods.

Buy only lndian goods.

Don't buy foreign salt or sugar. Buy our own.

You know so much.

l read the newspaper.

-- Do you know why? -- l do.

Tell me.

Come. Sit down here and tell me.

Yes, master.

Tell me what's behind the Swadeshi movement.

The governor--general has split Bengal in two.

Hindus and Muslims used to live together in peace,

but he's driven a wedge between them.

You seem to forget that your wife is educated.

l speak English. Why wouldn't l know all this?

Sandip is a leader of the Swadeshi movement.

lsn't their mantra, ''Hail Motherland''?

Yes.

This mantra has set the whole nation on fire.

Except for one person.

lt hasn't set him on fire.

lt takes a lot to set me on fire, Bimala.

Although...

l certainly don't approve of Lord Curzon's decision.

Turning Hindus and Muslims against each other...

l think it's criminal.

Don't the Swadeshi burn foreign clothes?

Yes, they do.

lf they got hold of your sari, they'd burn it.

-- Really? -- Yes.

Do you know where this thread comes from?

Where?

-- Really? -- Yes.

Most of the articles on your dressing table are imported.

This brush is an import,

the mirror, the comb.

Your hairpins are imported.

These perfumes are French.

Even these bottles are imported cut glass.

The table's foreign too.

Most of the furniture in here comes from Lazarus.

lt's a foreign company.

Really?

We never even gave it a thought.

What do you think we should do?

Why not ask Sandip?

He's coming here.

-- Really? -- Yes.

-- When? -- Shortly.

He'll be my guest.

He's holding a meeting in our courtyard.

l think you'll enjoy meeting him.

Why?

Something about him appeals to women.

He's had quite a few affairs.

And not all the women believed in Swadeshi.

But he's not married, is he?

He says he has no time for it.

Married life doesn't suit him.

He has a restless nature,

unlike me.

Why would l enjoy meeting your opposite?

You may not enjoy it...

but you may find it instructive.

l'm happy in my confinement.

l have no wish to be like Sita or Sabitri.

I was unprepared for what foIIowed in the next few days.

I was shocked by Miss GiIby's story.

It was a Sunday, so she had gone to church.

On her way back,

a IocaI schooIboy hit her on the head with a stone.

It seemed to be the infIuence of the Swadeshi.

The peopIe began to feeI so much hatred towards the British

that Iife became dangerous even for innocent peopIe Iike Miss GiIby.

I was toId I couId no Ionger become a memsahib.

Miss GiIby Ieft.

A few days Iater, the Swadeshi arrived.

Hail Motherland!

Hail Motherland!

Over there.

Do you see him? -- Where?

Those boys are carrying him on their shoulders.

Hail Motherland!

Friends...

you all know why we're assembled here tonight.

For the past few days,

Bengal has been facing a serious crisis.

Lord Curzon, the governor of lndia, with one strike of his diplomatic sword,

has severed our golden Bengal in two.

ln East and West Bengal,

our two religious groups

have been united by a spirit of solidarity, friendship and fraternity,

and this solidarity has become a source of grave concern for our rulers.

The partition has cut at the very roots of this solidarity.

Now we all understand what the policy of our rulers is:

''Divide and rule.''

They wish to create a rift between our two religious communities

and thereby strengthen their own position.

The power of our English rulers

is matched only by their arrogance.

The political leaders of Bengal have risen as one against the partition,

but our rulers have paid no heed to them.

We lacked the means to prevent our rulers from fulfilling their plans,

but they failed to realize that we can fight politics with politics.

The strategy we have adopted will not only confound our rulers,

but it will also ultimately benefit our nation

and bring prosperity and independence to our people.

This is how Swadeshi works.

l call upon all of you,

men and women,

rich and poor,

rulers and subjects,

to take a solemn vow

to reject and boycott all foreign goods from this moment on

and accept only lndian goods.

Until now our rulers have blocked all our attempts

to develop our own resources.

We have been forced to buy their foreign cloth,

their foreign salt and their foreign sugar.

Have you ever considered

how many everyday items are being made here?

l don't know if you've seen the big foreign stores in Calcutta.

l have.

They enjoy staggering prosperity and a profusion of goods.

Don't we have the right to ask

why our wealth should fill the coffers of our foreign rulers?

Who gave them the right to exploit us like this?

ls this not at the root of our nation's poverty?

ls it not our duty to put an end to this extortion?

Has not the time come to abolish this shame?

lf we remain indifferent to these crimes, if we do nothing,

if these foreigners continue to steal away all our nation's wealth,

what kind of future can we expect for our country?

So l say to you, my brothers,

the time has come to rise up against the arrogance of the English government.

We must not hesitate any longer.

Let us all take the Swadeshi oath.

And the great cry from the heart that will launch us on this task,

the sacred mantra that will rock the throne of our rulers,

let us all chant that mantra,

and, braving all peril,

dedicate ourselves to the service of the Motherland.

Hail Motherland! -- Hail Motherland!

Still singing English songs after that impassioned nationalistic speech?

What should l sing, then?

Kirtan, Shyama Sangeet, Nidhu Babu's tappa.

GentIy she waIks, the beauteous one

GentIy she waIks, the beauteous one

Radiant as the moon, the beauteous one

l must say, he is a good speaker.

He knows how to turn a phrase.

He was good at debate in college.

Her smiIe sends rippIes of deIight

All those boys wearing saffron were a pretty sight.

That make the Iove god swoon

How long is he staying?

He's going to Rangpur tomorrow.

He has some business there.

Do you want to meet him?

l have nothing to say. What's the point?

You don't have to say anything.

He'll do all the talking.

What if he asks me about Swadeshi?

Then answer him.

He certainly made sense.

Tell him so.

l'm sure he'll be shocked if l wear one of my fancy dresses.

What do you think l should wear?

On November 1 5, 1 907,

the young mistress of the Choudhury house defied aII convention

and stepped into the passage Ieading to the outer apartments.

Greetings.

Your speech has inspired my wife to take up the Swadeshi cause.

-- You must be joking, Nikhil. -- No, it's true.

Come.

Have a seat.

Have a seat, Sandip.

What's the matter with you? Have a seat.

At first, l couldn't believe my eyes.

Now, l can't believe my ears.

My husband is exaggerating a bit.

Even if only a fraction of what he said is true, l'll be more than happy.

No matter what l may accomplish as a politician,

you have already achieved a social revolution.

l know how important that is.

l also realize that,

although Nikhil's your husband,

you're not his mere shadow.

You have a mind of your own.

Nikhil doesn't take my words to heart, but you did.

lf you keep on like that, she'll be walking on air.

lt's no use telling me that.

As a politician, l'm utterly shameless about seeking support for my cause.

l have never succeeded in persuading a woman,

but should that ever happen, l'd be delighted.

lt would be an honor to have a woman in our ranks.

Women have a rare quality

which we call intuition.

l admire it greatly.

Man's ability to reason pales beside it.

What do you say, Nikhil?

Why don't you tell him what you thought of his speech?

Oh, yes.

That's what l was going to ask you.

Tell me...

did it sound like total drivel to you?

Come on. Don't hesitate.

l haven't had much time to think about it.

That's precisely why l'm asking you.

Why do you have to think? Thinking is his task.

Just tell me what comes from your heart. Forget about rationality.

l didn't understand much, but...

l feel that if the English have done wrong by splitting up Bengal,

we should not let it pass.

lf Swadeshi can shake them up a bit, then we should do it.

Of course, if only a few people take up the cause, it won't have any impact.

But if the whole country joins in, then we may succeed.

Exactly!

Exactly.

That's exactly what we're trying to do.

We want to awaken the nation with our mantra, ''Hail Motherland!''

Don't you think there's magic in those two words?

Have you ever said them?

You should.

You don't need to shout it. Just whisper it.

As a matter of fact, when you all shouted that mantra,

l felt a --

A thrill?

A shiver down my spine.

That's how it should be.

Did you know that your husband doesn't believe in our mantra?

lsn't that right, Nikhil? -- l don't believe in propaganda.

Propaganda? What do you mean by that?

lf you're recruiting people who have never cared about their country's problems before,

how can you do it without using propaganda?

But the cause must come first, Nikhil.

That's all that matters.

Commitment to the cause will come through inspiration,

and the inspiration will come from our mantra.

Don't you remember the significance of ''La MarseiIIaise" in the French Revolution?

What we need most today is to rouse the people to action.

Our poets are writing Swadeshi songs.

Their sole purpose is to inspire the people.

Have you ever heard any?

Do you think you are strong enough to break destiny's bonds?

Are you that strong?

Do you think you are strong enough to break destiny's bonds?

Are you that strong?

Just because you hoId the power over us

You take so much pride

Why do you take so much pride?

Do you think you are strong enough to break destiny's bonds?

Are you that strong?

Just because you hoId the power over us

You take so much pride

Why do you take so much pride?

Do you think you are strong enough

To keep us back forever?

To hoId us down forever?

To keep us back forever?

To hoId us down forever?

You don't have that much strength

You don't have that much strength

Your strength wiII not withstand us

Do you think you are strong enough to break destiny's bonds?

Are you that strong?

You may try to govern us

But even the weak can summon strength

You may try to govern us

But even the weak can summon strength

You may pride yourseIf on your might

You may pride yourseIf on your might

But God is stiII mightier

Rob us of our strength and you dig your own grave

Rob us of our strength and you dig your own grave

Your boat wiII sureIy sink

Your boat wiII sureIy sink

Under the weight of your own guiIt

Do you think you are strong enough to break destiny's bonds?

Are you that strong?

Just because you hoId the power over us

You take so much pride

Why do you take so much pride?

Do you think you are strong enough to break destiny's bonds?

Are you that strong?

l admit it's a beautiful song.

Oh, my. What's all this?

Swadeshi tea. Darjeeling.

But there's a lot more here than just tea.

You should have some sweets too, not just tea.

They're not only Swadeshi, Bimala made them herself.

-- Really? -- Yes.

Then l have to try one.

l haven't gotten over my weakness for sweets yet.

Nor your weakness for foreign cigarettes, l see.

Out of the question.

Are you familiar with the Swadeshi brands?

Unthinkable!

-- Can't you give it up? -- Smoking?

Don't you have the willpower?

Okay. Join our party, and l'll stop smoking.

Any sugar?

One teaspoon if it's foreign, two if it's lndian.

So tell me...

what are your plans?

They're not settled yet.

Your neighbor, the land owner Harish Kundu, has sent for me.

They're having a bonfire of foreign clothes at his place.

He wants me to help run the event, so l must go there at once.

Madam Bimala,

did you know that the only stumbling block left is your husband?

He refuses to help the cause.

You'll find many landed gentry around here who support Swadeshi.

What's the harm in leaving my estate out of it?

You see? Did you see that?

Not even a shred of patriotism in him.

Ah, well.

So...

will you join our cause?

Don't worry.

You don't have to sign a pledge or anything.

You'll stay exactly as you are.

l'll come to you if need be.

Well?

Yes or no?

All right.

l should be going now.

-- Do you have to? -- Yes, l have work to do.

My boys are waiting downstairs.

Madam Bimala, this is truly a memorable day for me.

l only have one request.

Always trust your intuition.

Don't let this gentleman influence you.

Rest assured, Sandip.

From now on, my wife is a free agent.

Wonderful!

Good. l'll be going then.

l'll see you out.

HaiI MotherIand!

Hail Motherland.

-- You haven't told me yet. -- What?

What you thought of my friend.

But l only met him once.

l think the less one knows Sandip, the better one likes him.

You seem to have so little in common.

l wonder how you managed to become friends.

That's not unusual, Bimala.

Friendships aren't worked out mathematically.

We've been friends since college.

lt's not like we have nothing in common.

We both decided to reject the irrational conventions of our society.

He's always been more radical than l.

When his parents arranged a bride for him,

he was so annoyed he severed all ties with them.

Shortly after we got married, he asked me to introduce him to you.

He would remind me from time to time.

Finally, he said,

''l don't believe a word you've said about your wife.''

And do you know what he said today? -- What?

-- l'm not telling you. -- Why not?

What can he say about you after such a brief meeting?

l could say a lot more.

But you never do.

Do l have to?

Don't you have your intuition?

-- Madam. -- What is it?

A Ietter from Mr. Mukherjee.

l hope the rule wasn't intended to be broken for one day alone.

Can l see you for a moment?

-- Tell him l'm coming. -- As you wish.

''When Krishna's flute beckons so, how can l not go?''

Hail Motherland.

My husband's not here.

l didn't ask for him. l asked for you.

Won't you sit down?

You've eluded me for years.

You mustn't keep your distance now.

Come and sit here, right beside me.

What's the matter?

l can't believe it.

Ever since you married, Nikhil promised he would introduce me to you.

l never believed him.

Even now, l find it hard to believe.

Until now, l've only heard about your many accomplishments.

You learned English from a memsahib.

You love reading books, knitting, cooking.

l even know what you like to cook, to eat, your favorite flowers.

l know everything.

l also know something else.

You resent the fact that Nikhil lends me money.

So you really aren't a stranger to me.

But l never imagined...

l'd one day find myself sitting by your side.

-- Did you go to Rangpur? -- Yes, l did.

-- How was the trip? -- Great.

That's why the first thing l wanted to see this morning was you.

Don't you have to leave again?

-- Where to? -- To Rangpur.

lsn't that your base?

That was the idea, but not anymore.

lt's not?

Let me be frank with you.

l want to be near you when l work.

Just like a bee working for the queen.

You'll be the queen bee.

Do you have any objection?

But won't you find it inconvenient working from here?

That's true.

l don't think Nikhil will approve of this.

But the thing is...

l am essentially...

a stubborn man.

l just can't accept Nikhil's attitude.

l want to promote the Swadeshi cause right here...

and l need your help.

But l really know nothing about your work.

l know that you give speeches. ls that all?

That's one of the most important things.

Persuasion can work wonders.

Wait.

lf you really want to know about our work,

then read this.

OUR STRUGGLE

lt contains everything you need to know.

l will definitely read it.

May l tell you something now?

One of the biggest markets in this area is here, in Sukhsayar.

Did you know that? -- So l've heard.

lt's the only market in the area where foreign goods are still being sold.

Elsewhere, the landowners have prohibited their sale,

but Nikhil hasn't.

l'm going to do my best to change that,

but, with your help, my task will be much easier.

l'm afraid you're overestimating my capabilities.

Not at all.

Nikhil may be my friend, but he's your husband.

You have much more influence over him than l do.

My husband isn't easily swayed.

l know...

but l think he'll listen to you.

l know how much you mean to Nikhil.

Will you try just once to persuade him?

Nikhil's tenants wouldn't dare to go against his will.

He only has to tell them not to bring any more foreign goods to the market.

And if l fail to persuade him?

l'll be happy if you just try.

lf you fail, l'll find another way.

Not without the queen bee's knowledge, of course.

Can l depend on you?

l'll try my best.

The more l see you,

the more l admire you.

l think l'll --

Okay, you may go now.

Oh, and one more thing.

This item of yours.

This is the only foreign item l will keep with me.

Did you see Sandip today?

Yes.

How is he doing?

He's worried.

Why?

You won't let him promote the Swadeshi cause here.

Nonsense. You heard me yourself.

He's free to fight for his cause as long as he leaves my estate alone.

He says he's staying here.

Staying here?

That's what he says.

He's going to stay and work here.

That wouldn't be right.

But all of Bengal has taken up the Swadeshi cause.

Why don't you?

That would mean banning all foreign goods from the market.

Harish Kundu can do that, but not me.

Surely the market belongs to you. Why can't you?

lt's not my market, Bimala.

The market belongs to the traders who sell their goods there.

They're poor.

Foreign goods are cheaper and of better quality than lndian goods.

The poor villagers can afford them. How can l force them not to buy them?

Swadeshi is for those who can afford it,

not for the poor.

What are you thinking?

Can we follow Swadeshi...

without making the poor suffer?

ls it possible?

lf it were possible, l'd definitely support Swadeshi.

You believe the very idea of Swadeshi is wrong.

Even if l do, who would listen to me?

The entire country supports Swadeshi.

You yourself believe Sandip is right.

Many others must feel the same way.

But l believe that coercing the poor can only harm our country.

l can see you're not convinced.

l was looking at it differently.

l was thinking that something has to be done.

Even if it means hardship for the poor now,

it will help them in the long run.

The Swadeshi care about this country.

l believe what they care about is an abstract idea of this country,

this country as the Mother Goddess.

The nation is our mother.

Worship our mother, work for our mother, pray to our mother.

Everything you do is for our mother.

Heal our mother's pain.

l can understand that.

And l can understand why that idea appeals to women.

l know how you feel, Bimala,

but l don't feel the same way.

Those things you said tonight...

Were those your own thoughts?

Why are you asking me this?

l felt as if you were speaking for Sandip.

Sandip is your friend, not mine.

l thought you two had teamed up ''in right earnest'' to fight for a higher cause.

He's working on the public front, and you on the domestic.

What an idea!

Will you have daily meetings?

You insisted that l meet your friend, so you can spare me the insinuations.

l just asked a simple question.

l wasn't insinuating anything. -- Very well.

lf it upsets you so much, l won't go outside anymore.

You're mistaken, Bimala.

l'm not upset at all.

After all, l know you both so well.

Why shouldn't you go outside? -- Because l don't want to.

You're being unreasonable.

l've been out twice already. l don't have to go out every day.

Very well.

l won't restrict you from going where you please.

As l told you, you are completely free.

But l must tell you one thing.

lf you tell me you want to give up wearing foreign clothes,

or do without your foreign perfumes, shoes and soap,

l won't mind at all.

But clamping down on poor traders

by banning foreign goods in the market

means going against my own beliefs and principles.

l could never do that, Bimala.

Swadeshi is something l can't take lightly.

The weak say, ''Whatever fate has given to me is mine. "

And the impotent agree with them.

''OnIy what I can snatch away by force is mine. "

That is what experience has taught us.

My country is not mine simpIy because I was born here.

It becomes mine onIy when I am abIe to win it by force.

OnIy then can the nation be mine.

This funeral pyre celebrates the cremation of foreign trade in your village.

These ashes are sacred.

Hail Motherland!

AN URGENT MATTER REGARDlNG OUR CAUSE

-- Please give this to Mrs. Choudhury. -- Very well.

Madam isn't feeling well, sir.

l see.

-- You know the headmaster, don't you? -- Yes, of course.

Good morning. l hope you are doing well.

Not as long as you're around.

How come?

His students have all disappeared since you arrived.

But you must admit that working for one's country helps build character.

One of my students was influenced by the Swadeshi movement.

He threw a stone at Mrs. Choudhury's governess, Miss Gilby.

Would you consider that an example of character building?

But that happened before l came.

You can't blame me for that.

After all, you must admit that a few such incidents

are inevitable in times of great social upheaval.

You even roped in my best student.

Who? Amulya?

He'd have won a scholarship if he'd taken his exam.

You stole that opportunity from him.

Amulya? l didn't rope him in. He joined of his own accord.

What about the other rowdy dissolutes who have joined your team?

They're the worst troublemakers in the village.

They're not troublemakers anymore, sir.

They're fighting for the cause. They're working hard.

With two exceptions, everyone here is working for the cause.

One of them is you.

The other one is your former student Nikhilesh Choudhury.

l regret that l couldn't persuade him to join.

Like you, he turns a deaf ear to the Swadeshi cause.

No, he isn't against Swadeshi ideals.

He's against your destructive brand of Swadeshi.

He practiced Swadeshi long before you,

and he never relied on any battle cries or mantras.

-- l know that. -- You know nothing!

Do you know about his Swadeshi bank?

Or his Swadeshi sugar factory, his soap factory?

Do you know he set up his own looms for weaving Swadeshi cloth?

Where were you and your ''Hail Motherland'' then?

Do you know how much he spent for Swadeshi?

-- Please, headmaster -- -- You stay out of this!

These things must be said. -- But that's what l keep telling him.

lf both of us have the same goals, then why doesn't he join us?

You don't have the same goals. There are many differences.

Your goal is power and leadership.

You don't care about the people!

Nikhil never thought about himself.

People are applauding you and singing your praises.

Nikhil was ridiculed.

He had no head for business, so his brand of Swadeshi didn't last.

But his way was the right way.

Yours is wrong.

lt's more than wrong.

lt's dangerous.

Give those to me.

l'll drop by this evening.

My goodness.

Please, Nikhil, l implore you.

Keep that headmaster away from me.

l came here to give speeches, not listen to them.

Are you planning to stay here and work?

l'm going to speak at your market this afternoon.

That's where our greatest challenge lies, Nikhil.

Not where the landowner is already in favor of Swadeshi,

but where he isn't.

But remember, Sandip,

most of my tenants are poor Muslims.

l don't want them harassed.

lf l see that happening, l will be forced to intervene.

lf they prove to be obstacles to our revolution,

l'll have to take the necessary measures.

Many Muslims have accepted Swadeshi.

They were forced to do so.

lt will happen here too.

l've said what l had to say.

What you do now is up to you.

As you all know,

our English rulers

have divided Bengal in two.

This amounts to erecting a wall between Hindus and Muslims.

They have not given us the right to break this wall,

but, to foil the government, we have chosen a different path.

One important way to fight the partition

is to stop selling foreign goods in our markets.

Salt, sugar, cloth and soap are all everyday items

which are only available as foreign products at your market.

By selling their foreign goods here,

the British are making a lot of money in our country,

while we keep growing poorer.

This is wrong. This must stop.

We've tolerated this up to now, but no more.

l know that lndian substitutes for foreign goods are not always available,

so you've had to trade with foreign goods because that's all you had.

But if we can all make sacrifices

and produce our own goods,

then we will overcome these difficulties.

Brothers, we are depending on you.

lf you come forward and join us,

together we will stop the partitioning of Bengal

and regain our pride.

And now, do you see this circle here before me?

Throw all your foreign goods into the circle of flags.

lndian substitutes will be made.

Many manufacturers have come forward to help us.

Have no fear of losing your livelihood.

Today's loss will not be lost forever.

Now l ask you to throw all of your foreign goods into the circle.

The land that gave birth to you, the land that you love...

Now is the time to help her.

Foreign cloth, foreign thread,

foreign sugar, foreign salt,

foreign scissors and knives,

foreign matches, and everything else foreign...

Throw them in that circle.

We beseech you. Don't just sit there.

Help the Swadeshi cause.

We want to hear it from the maharaja! Let him come here.

We won't listen to you!

Your maharaja is my friend.

l'm his guest.

lsn't that proof enough that l have his support?

We're traders. lf we have nothing to sell, we'll starve!

We've tried selling lndian goods.

Nobody buys them.

You're a gentleman. You have money.

lt's easy for you to say, ''Don't sell foreign goods.''

We're poor! How will we survive?

It's cIear that persuasion won't work on NikhiI's estate.

We'II have to use other means.

Any compromise on foreign goods wouId crippIe our movement.

HaiI MotherIand!

This is Mr. Kulada.

Greetings.

Please follow me.

Were those stolen from the villagers?

Have a seat.

You may enjoy your bonfire, but the villagers will file a complaint against you.

We'll set fire to their crops if they do.

Can't we try picketing?

We can make them understand.

lt's worked in other places.

l know what works and what doesn't.

Picketing won't work in Sukhsayar.

Please sit, Mr. Kulada.

A foreign brand, l see.

Yes, it's the only exception l make to Swadeshi.

-- May l have one? -- Be my guest.

These people can't be persuaded, Amulya.

They've been pampered too much.

Listen, l've been the manager of this estate since the maharaja's father was alive.

The father was a tough one.

The trouble is the son.

lf only he'd been firm with them,

he could have brought these villagers to their knees.

lt would have been smooth sailing for you.

Anyway, tell me how you can help us.

lf you can't stop the influx of foreign goods,

you can't stop the trade of foreign goods.

Those boats bring the goods in.

-- You'll have to deal with the boatmen first. -- Can you do that for me?

The problem is that the boatmen's leader is very stubborn.

Who is he? What's his name?

Mirjan. He's a hard nut to crack.

-- Can he be persuaded? -- Where there's a will, there's a way.

A boat which sails is also a boat which sinks.

But it's going to take more than words to do this job.

lt will take... -- Money?

We have to stop tongues from wagging,

pay compensation, bribe the police.

That all takes money.

lt's not like we don't have any money,

and more can be raised if necessary.

Then you can rely on me.

l'll do the dirty work,

but if something goes wrong,

you're on your own.

You don't need to worry about that.

Even so, if l get into any sort of trouble,

l have no intention of taking all the blame.

l'm keeping this letter you wrote me.

I didn't go.

He asked for me.

I gave an excuse and stayed inside, but what good did it do?

I was thinking of him aII day yesterday.

Why shouId this happen to a woman

who has never thought about any man other than her own husband?

Madam, how do you want the fish prepared?

You never told me.

Make a curry with ground mustard seed.

Madam?

Yes, Nanku?

There's a Ietter for you.

OUR STRUGGLE

Are you feeling any better?

Yes.

This boy from our group was very eager to meet you.

You met me once before when l was little.

l came with my mother.

-- What's your mother's name? -- Soudamini Devi.

-- Are you Nibaron Ghosal's son? -- Yes. My name is Amulya.

-- How old are you? -- Seventeen.

l was about to take my final exam, but l didn't.

Because of Swadeshi?

Amulya is very hardworking.

He remembers the entire Bhagavadgita.

Really?

Here it is.

-- Do you always carry it with you? -- Always.

The Bhagavadgita gives one courage to overcome one's fears.

Even to die for one's country.

Aren't you afraid to die?

''For the soul, there is neither birth nor death at any time.

He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being.

He is unborn, eternal, ever--existing and primeval.

He is not slain when the body is slain.''

Even when a man dies, his soul lives on.

Okay, Amulya. You may go now.

Mr. Sandip said you believe in Swadeshi.

l wanted to pay my respects.

l'll take my leave, sister.

l'll come again. -- Please do.

Hail Motherland.

-- Hail Motherland. -- Good--bye.

What are you thinking?

ls there any danger to your life in the work you do?

Well...

Since we're fighting against the powerful British government,

of course there is.

But my boys are brave.

My courage doesn't begin to match theirs.

That's a strange confession from a leader.

Sometimes the truth comes out.

Now will you tell me the truth?

What truth?

After so many years,

why did you suddenly decide to come out of your confinement?

Don't you know why?

How would l know?

You should know.

You should, but you're a man.

You don't have a woman's intuition.

Will you tell me?

Why?

l'd never been face--to--face with a leader before.

l fear the leader may have let you down.

Not so far.

You play the piano too?

l was taking lessons.

Piano...

singing.

English songs?

You didn't come yesterday.

l had a feeling you weren't really ill.

l racked my brain all day trying to guess...

what l had done or said to annoy you.

You still haven't told me why you called.

l just wanted to see you.

ls that the only reason?

l didn't see you yesterday,

and it turned out to be a dismal day for me.

My pride as a leader...

was badly shaken.

The people won't listen to you?

Sometimes words are not enough.

-- What do you do then? -- l try other ways.

May l know what ways?

Because my husband's not going to help you.

Nikhil said so?

Do you know what l feel like doing sometimes?

To hell with Swadeshi.

l'll spend my life chatting with the queen bee.

With me?

Chatting?

Would that bother you?

Why are you laughing?

That's so absurd.

You're not the type to spend even an hour chatting.

You're right.

The truth is...

l need Swadeshi...

just as much as l need you.

l don't want you to stop fighting for the country.

My husband and l don't see eye to eye on that matter.

He has many virtues, and l admire him for that.

But, for a man, he is much too placid.

A person can't afford to be so placid at a time like this.

l agree with you entirely.

My husband says you don't care about the poor,

so you can't really do any good for our country.

l don't believe you would hurt the poor.

You'll try to persuade them. That's all.

But the problem is...

persuasion doesn't always work.

You need something more. -- What do you need?

-- Let's not talk about that. -- l want to know.

l don't want to talk about mundane things with you.

Why?

l want no note of discord in our relationship.

But l'd be really happy to help.

This is beyond you, queen bee.

Haven't you seen me going beyond?

l know how far you can go. Even so, l'd rather not talk about it.

lt's a personal request.

Then there's no reason for me to stay.

l'm leaving.

Queen bee, please don't leave angry!

lf l can't help you with Swadeshi, then l'm just wasting my time here.

l just didn't want you to worry about me.

Must we only talk about politics?

Only about my work?

Promise me you'll tell me if you need money,

and you'll take it if l give it to you.

l promise, queen bee.

l promise.

Queen bee?

l'll come again this evening. Please wait for me here.

l hate having to send for you every time.

Let go of me.

Promise me you'll come to me every day.

l must see you at least once a day.

There's nothing wrong with that.

Promise me.

All right.

Please let go of my hand. l want to go.

Khemi, clean the room later.

GentIy she waIks, the beauteous one

Back so soon?

What are you staring at?

What is there to stare at but you?

l've never seen anything like it.

Such tender concern for our guest.

He'll never want to leave.

ln my day, we had to look after our husbands too.

lf only my brother--in--law were a guest in his own house,

he'd be warmly welcomed.

l don't want any advice from you.

l was just a small girl when l came here as a bride.

Your husband was my playmate in those days.

Where were you then?

There's no need to repeat what l already know.

He was the only one who understood my pain.

He used to say,

''We're still living in the Dark Ages.

That's why you're suffering like this.

For you, having a husband is just as painful as losing one.''

''My wife will be a free woman,'' he'd say.

Well, now l see that free woman before my very eyes.

But don't forget,

there's a God above us, dear sister.

He can see you too.

I beIieved I had the strength to bear

whatever misfortune fate had in store for me.

I wouId caII up visions of suffering and steeI myseIf against them.

Visions of poverty,

dishonor or death.

I even imagined BimaIa's death.

But there was one thing I couId never imagine happening.

Now I keep asking myseIf again and again.

Do I have the strength to bear this?

-- Hail Motherland! -- Hail Motherland!

-- What do you want? -- We have some questions.

What are they?

Why don't you ban foreign goods in our market?

-- l have my reasons. -- ls it because you would lose money?

l wouldn't, but the poor would.

But our nation will profit.

We buy domestic salt, sugar and clothing.

How can you say that?

How can you compare yourselves with the poor?

You have money.

You can afford to spend more on lndian goods.

The poor aren't standing in your way.

Why are you standing in theirs?

You want to oppose an entire nation that's taken the Swadeshi oath?

Never.

That's beyond my power.

But how can you say the entire nation has taken your oath?

Look at the evidence.

Aren't the traders part of this nation?

So you won't ban foreign goods?

No,

because those goods don't belong to me.

Hail Motherland!

What are you looking for?

PassifIora.

Didn't you have a vial?

Are you having trouble sleeping?

One sleeps less as one grows older,

but these last three nights --

Here it is.

l found it.

Please, keep the vial.

l don't like this, Nikhil.

l have grave misgivings about the way things are shaping up.

Sandip is your friend and your guest.

Everybody knows that.

Soon they'll believe whatever he does is done with your sanction.

Don't you realize how terrible the consequences could be for you?

l'm already feeling those consequences, sir.

They think l'm a British lackey,

that l don't force Swadeshi on my tenants for fear they would stop paying rent.

That's the propaganda. -- Don't let it worry you.

Nothing can touch you as long as you have a clear conscience.

But the situation is deteriorating.

Muslim preachers from Dhaka are going around stirring up the peasants.

Have you heard about it?

l've read about it in the papers.

What's to stop them from coming here?

-- Nothing. -- And then?

But if anything does happen,

can we place all the blame on the preachers?

We are also responsible.

How can we just ignore that?

Think about how we ourselves have treated the poor Muslims.

Have we even respected their rights as human beings?

That's true, but what can be done about it now?

l'll go there.

l want to see for myself.

Rumors can be misleading.

Nikhil, can't you inform the magistrate?

l don't think he'd mind a riot.

lt's an easy way for him to see the Swadeshi punished.

There is one thing you can do.

You can at least eradicate the source of the trouble.

Why let Sandip stay?

l thought he'd leave of his own accord.

But now --

Leave? Why would he?

With all the comfort and protection he enjoys here?

Besides, you've done him a special favor by introducing him to your wife.

He's taking full advantage of that!

l had no idea he had changed so much.

All this adulation has gone to his head.

l think it comes from a deep sense of frustration.

Despite all his gifts,

he hasn't really accomplished anything.

Sometimes, l feel pity for him.

This is no time for pity, Nikhil.

You can't bring yourself to be firm with him because he's close to you.

You're hesitating.

But l fail to see why you're vacillating at a time like this.

You would if l told you.

But l can't.

Remember this?

lt's from my soap factory.

You saved it? -- Not just the soap.

Towels, pens, matches. l kept everything.

Have you ever used it?

lt's no good for anything, not even for washing clothes.

What foolish notions l had back then.

You still do.

You freed her from her moorings. Now look where she's drifted.

-- That was no foolish notion. -- You still think so?

lf she likes what she's doing,

then that's the kind of person she is.

l could prevent her from going out,

but that wouldn't change who she is.

She's not a child.

lsn't the husband the master?

Bending her to my will wouldn't be difficult,

but it wouldn't help.

At least get rid of him.

He's not much of a friend, is he?

lt would certainly be better for my estate

if he were to leave.

But l'm a selfish person.

l can't stop thinking about myself. l just can't help it.

lf he leaves, you'll soon find her back by your side.

l know.

But l would find her regretting it,

because it wouldn't be her decision.

That would be unbearable,

both for her...

and for me.

l can't do it.

Hail Motherland!

HaiI MotherIand.

What happened?

Why are you so late? -- lt was a lot of work.

There's a play in Chandrapur tonight.

l had to wait for the boatmen to go there.

This kind of work can't be done if there are people around.

Mirjan's boat?

But when he comes back and finds his boat missing,

it won't take him long to put two and two together,

and then he'll come groveling to you.

You'll have to give him some compensation.

Keep around 5,000 rupees handy.

-- Let me see. -- A word of advice.

Can l be frank with you?

Out with it. lt's late.

l think you should finish things up quickly here and leave.

-- Why? -- Things aren't looking good.

There could be a riot.

You may be a leader,

but you're not exactly a popular one, you know.

They're certainly not going to put you on a pedestal.

l'll decide what to do.

You don't need to worry about it.

Onward, sons of India

The MotherIand caIIs

Onward, sons of India

The MotherIand caIIs

The strong, the brave, the proud

To serve the nation's cause

Onward, sons of India

The MotherIand caIIs

You should give up Swadeshi and take up singing.

l once considered becoming an actor.

lt's wonderful to be able to hold a large audience in your grip.

l was thinking that when l heard you speak the other evening.

Of course...

it's nothing like winning the heart of a woman.

l gather you've won the hearts of many women,

both Swadeshi...

and foreign.

Good God!

Has Nikhil told you all this?

You know so much about me.

Why shouldn't l know something about you?

You know what they were?

Youthful indiscretions. lt's ancient history.

l wonder what happened to those women.

You shouldn't, queen bee.

l'm no longer the same person. You know that.

Still, it's helpful in understanding a person's character.

lt's not difficult to understand men.

lt's women who are unfathomable.

One despairs of knowing their minds.

You know that song, don't you? -- What song?

Who can ever fathom a woman's ways?

Who can ever fathom a woman's ways?

Her siIence means more than what she says

She Iooks at you, then drops her eyes

Her siIence means more than what she says

She Iooks at you, then drops her eyes

She Iaughs one moment The next she cries

She Iaughs one moment The next she cries

She Iingers cIose, then Ieaves you in a daze

Who can ever fathom a woman's ways?

Who can ever fathom a woman's ways?

ls that why you never married?

How can l marry if l can't find a woman after my own heart, queen bee?

l waited a long time for you last night.

You never came.

Forgive me, my queen bee.

l was very busy. l got back late.

-- Busy with what? -- The Swadeshi cause, of course.

-- Giving speeches? -- No.

What, then?

Winding things up.

l can't stay here forever, you know.

We have to be constantly on the move, campaigning.

You're leaving?

l have to go sooner or later.

What if your queen bee doesn't let you?

No one would be happier than me.

But l'm not planning on leaving just yet.

There are still problems to be resolved.

-- Will you tell me? -- What?

How much money do you need?

What is it?

How much?

About five thousand.

We spent more than we were planning to.

lf l get you the money, you'll have to take it without question.

lf you say so, but you mustn't part with your jewelry.

When l said money, l meant money.

What if l can't repay you?

l don't expect you to.

Can't l at least do this much for Swadeshi?

-- l'm worried, queen bee. -- Why?

l seem to have become a burden to you.

But there's no other way. l can explain. -- You don't have to.

Just tell me one thing. -- What?

-- lf l give you the money, will you stay? -- Do you think l want to leave you?

Then why did you say you were going to leave?

After all the torment l've been through.

l did it all for you,

and you --

Queen bee.

Brothers!

The Hindus ask you to join hands with them for the Swadeshi cause.

They wheedIe you.

They coax you.

They even threaten you.

They want you to join them at aII costs, but don't Iisten to them, brothers.

Remember they don't want our betterment.

The Hindus don't care about your weII-being.

Whatever they say is not for the benefit of our community.

The Hindus have never cared about our weII-being.

The Hindus want to keep us MusIims under their heeIs forever.

That is their onIy objective.

But remember one thing.

By the grace of AIIah, MusIims are the majority in BengaI.

You are the farmers.

The weaIth of this country comes from its Iand.

Enough is enough.

No part of this weaIth is produced by the Hindus.

It's your hard work that made them weaIthy.

They have no right to the fruits of your Iabors.

This is your hard--earned money.

The Hindus have no right to it.

Listen to me, brother Muslims.

Don't listen to the Hindus.

Don't get mixed up in their politics.

Swadeshi is not for you.

You are the leaders of the Hindu community in Sukhsayar.

l've called you here to tell you one thing.

You are men of wisdom and good judgment.

l think you will appreciate what l am going to say to you.

l have faith in you.

l just wanted to say...

that we can stay true to our own religious beliefs,

but we shouldn't interfere with the beliefs of others.

Even as a follower of Vaishnavism,

l can't prevent a follower of Shaktism from spilling the blood of animals.

And so, similarly...

we should let the Muslims follow their own religious convictions.

Maharaja, the Muslims in this village never used to slaughter cows,

but l've heard they do now.

Yes.

l've heard that too.

But l strongly believe that they've been manipulated into doing so.

They've been convinced to do it,

in order to stir up trouble between our two religions.

Please don't add fuel to the fire.

They won't stop unless you put them back in their place.

The good old days are gone.

Listen.

Muslims are a part of lndia.

This is a historical fact.

You must accept this fact.

We can't imagine an lndia without Muslims.

lf we try to put them in their place,

it won't stop them from slaughtering cows.

lt may even lead to them slaughtering men.

That's never been truer than now, in the present state of unrest and turmoil.

You now have a grave responsibility.

l beg you, l beseech you,

do not encourage hatred.

lf you do so now, you are courting disaster.

Hail Motherland.

Nikhil.

Did you hear a shot? -- Yes, l did.

-- What now? -- l know.

l know what must be done.

But first of all,

take my carriage, go home and come back with all your belongings.

The roads aren't safe anymore. l don't want anything to happen to you.

That sounds fine, but --

l'll tell Sandip right away.

Time's running out, queen bee.

l need the money now.

What's that?

Can't you guess?

Money?

So little? There can't be more than 500 in those bags.

You must have forgotten. l asked for 5,000 rupees.

What's this?

Gold coins?

Gold.

Gold.

You should have told me.

How else would l know?

Please don't be angry, my queen bee.

-- l need to talk to you. -- About what?

l don't want you to stay here any longer.

Things have taken a serious turn.

Your presence may make matters worse.

l want you to leave Sukhsayar by tomorrow morning.

Am l supposed to take orders from you?

lt's not that.

lf you leave for Calcutta, it will be good for you,

and for Sukhsayar as well.

-- l have no work to do in Calcutta. -- All the more reason to go.

You've done too much work here.

Don't think l haven't been informed of your activities.

From setting fire to the peasants' barns to sinking Mirjan's boat,

l've been informed of everything.

You speak of unity between Hindus and Muslims,

but, in fact, you oppress Muslims.

l won't tolerate it anymore.

l may not believe in Swadeshi,

but l truly admire some Swadeshi leaders.

But l don't admire those whose actions belie their words.

You're not saving the country. You're ruining it.

l won't allow this to go on in my estate.

There's only one person here l'm prepared to obey.

Queen bee...

Do you want me to stay or not?

Queen bee.

l'm waiting for your answer.

Do you want me to leave?

Please tell me, queen bee.

l've said what l came to say.

l hope l won't have to repeat it.

Queen bee.

What's the matter with you?

You suddenly -- -- ls Amulya in your room?

-- Amulya? -- Yes.

Why?

Send him to me. lt's urgent.

Can't you tell me why?

No, l'll tell Amulya.

Please send him to me.

lt's my request.

Very well.

Amulya?

Can you do me a favor? -- Of course. What is it?

Go to Calcutta.

You can take the morning train and return in the evening.

The money for the journey is in this box.

-- What's this box? -- lt's my jewelry box.

l need 5,000 rupees. Sell some of my jewelry and bring me the money.

l don't need any jewelry. l can get you the money.

How?

This is not a small amount we're talking about.

l'll get it.

No, do as l tell you.

But why did you give Mr. Sandip 5,000 rupees?

He said he needed that much.

No, according to our calculations, we only needed 3,500.

lf you give him more, he spends it on himself.

He's quite a spender. He always travels first--class.

-- Sandip? -- Yes, sister.

He says hardship saps a leader's strength.

Well, l can't take back what l've already given.

He might need it in the future. You get me the 5,000.

Put the box away. l'll get you the money tonight.

-- How? -- From the treasury.

Are you insane? What about the guards?

We carry weapons, sister.

Good heavens!

Why are you upset, sister?

We need funding to carry out our work for the nation.

Doesn't it bother you that you're stealing?

Why? Whose money is it?

Mine today, the moneylender's tomorrow.

Why not use it for the cause? -- No, Amulya.

lf you go robbing treasuries, l'll die of fear.

Listen, you may not need to sell all the jewelry.

Sell as much as you need to and bring back the rest.

Take the box and carry it safely.

And be careful, for heaven's sake.

Very well, sister.

l'll take my leave. -- Okay.

Queen bee.

Are you leaving?

ls there any reason for me to stay?

Why do you say that?

Can't you hear the note of discord?

lf l've done anything wrong, please forgive me.

Don't leave like this.

My husband said, ''The less one knows you, the better one likes you''.

Perhaps l know you too well.

Don't say that, queen bee.

Has knowing me meant nothing to you?

Has it all been in vain?

l believed you would succeed in your endeavor.

l wanted you to.

But not anymore?

AIIah is great!

Kasim?

Hands up.

Hands up.

Go inside.

Go inside!

Move.

Turn around.

Turn!

Now open the safe.

Open it!

Take out 3,500 rupees.

What's going on? What's all the commotion?

ls there a problem?

l don't know.

l hope it's not a riot.

What are you saying?

What will happen to us if there's a riot here?

We're going to Calcutta tomorrow.

lt's no longer safe here.

Who is ''we''? Am l not coming with you?

Did l say that?

l'm so relieved.

A treasury was looted nearby.

What's to stop them from looting this place?

lf they kill me, they'll burn my body by that shriveled banyan tree.

That would be awful.

Go and get ready.

Pack your things.

You're serious about leaving, aren't you?

l'm always serious.

Don't you know me by now?

Bimala?

l have to tell you something.

What is it?

There were 5,000 rupees in gold coins in two bags in the safe.

l gave them to Sandip.

He needed the money.

Now you know how hard it is to refuse him.

l'll pay the money back.

l gave Amulya my jewelry box.

He'll sell my jewels and bring the money.

l felt bad speaking to Sandip like that in front of you.

But l had to, Bimala.

Things have taken a bad turn.

lt's no longer safe for him to work here.

But what about you?

Your safety is what concerns me.

No one else matters to me anymore.

Tomorrow, we're going to Calcutta.

All three of us.

And if something happens before then?

You won't leave the house, will you?

lf something happens, l'll have to go and intervene, Bimala.

l knew it.

l knew l'd be punished.

l'll be punished.

Punished? Why, Bimala?

You haven't done anything wrong.

l don't even have the right to ask you for forgiveness.

But you've come back to me, haven't you?

Haven't you, Bimala?

lt seems like ages since l last looked at you and spoke to you.

What came over me?

Why did this happen?

You've done nothing wrong, Bimala.

For ten years, you never saw another man besides me.

Don't forget that.

There's 3,500 rupees here.

Please return the jewelry box and the gold coins.

Where did you get that money? Where have you been?

To the treasury.

l hope nobody saw you.

l had my face covered.

Did you see any trouble in the village? -- There's a riot.

The Muslims have broken into the temple of Visalakshi.

Are you leaving?

Yes. To Rangpur.

Will you come with me?

l must go now.

Hail Motherland.

What are you thinking?

Nothing.

l don't want to think.

l want to forget.

Everything that's happened in the last few days.

Forget? But why?

Nikhil!

Come in, Sandip.

This is the age of breaking rules.

Your wife came out of her confinement,

and now l've invaded the privacy of your bedroom.

l hope you'll forgive me.

These are your property, which l duly return.

One jewelry box and two bags of gold coins.

The jewelry box?

Your devotee didn't take it with him, but he brought me the money.

Since you have your valuables, l hope you won't mind me keeping the money.

-- Are you leaving? -- Yes, Nikhil.

The train to Rangpur leaves in an hour.

Do you hear that? The riots have started.

Amulya saw them.

And now l must make my proverbial escape.

l must live.

l have a lot of work left to do.

Don't make the same mistake again.

Can't you see the results of your actions?

l follow the Bhagavadgita, Nikhil.

l am concerned only with the action, not the result.

And l consider Ravana to be the hero of Ramayana, not Rama.

So l can't accept advice from the followers of Rama.

The easy road isn't for me, Nikhil.

l'll take my leave.

This will stay with me.

l'm keeping this as a memento.

Who knows if we'll ever meet again?

Good--bye, Nikhil.

Queen bee.

Hail Motherland.

Courage, Bimala.

l must go out to them now. -- No! l won't let you!

l must.

Please don't stop me.

My dear.

-- You let him go? -- We tried to stop him.

He wouldn't listen to us!

You witch!

You sent him to his death!

Have you no pity in your heart of stone?