Original subtitles

I've lived here maybe 23 years.

But I feel afraid to call it home.

There's always the feeling I'll have to leave.

I fought with my dad.

So I packed my bag and left for Mumbai.

My brother had a job at the dockyard.

His place smelled so bad,

the first night I couldn't sleep.

I was pregnant, but I didn't tell anyone.

Because I'd recently found a job at a house.

I had to take care of a lady's kids, but they were pests.

But the lady... she fed me well.

That year I ate like a queen.

Every family in the village has at least one person in Mumbai.

In Mumbai, there is work and money!

Why would anyone want to move back?

I'd just had my heart broken.

But the city helps you forget these things.

I didn't realise how much time had passed.

The city takes time away from you.

That's life.

You better get used to impermanence.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Nurse Prabha tells me

What's the matter?

Tell Doctor why you hid

I will not take it.

Why?

What happened?

She told me

I'll give you

OK?

Please, Doctor.

I don't want to stay here.

Please let me go home.

- What is it?

After dinner,

when I'm watching TV.

Who comes?

Jairam, my husband.

He came yesterday as well.

I was watching TV.

Mr. Bachchan was on.

His voice always makes me feel good.

He talks so smoothly.

And then suddenly,

there was

Then I looked up,

and he was sitting there

No.

Not sitting.

He had no legs!

He was only a torso!

Can we please pick a film already?

If it's just another action film,

You're a wuss

And the new release?

The one with Shane Nigam!

He's so dreamy.

Nurse Prabha,

want to come with us?

Yeah, Nurse Prabha,

No, you girls go ahead.

Why? Come with us, please!

I told you, she never comes.

I explained your situation

Her friend agreed

He's a big-shot lawyer.

He'll do it for free.

I don't need any help.

Why are you being so stubborn?

Last night the builders

to threaten me!

He said: "Buzz off

It's too dangerous.

Parvaty,

Why should I?

Why should I leave my place?

I told him:

"Threaten me all you want,

"Over my dead body!"

I told them like that.

Let's speak to the lawyer.

It can't go on like this.

And the younger one?

How old is he?

1 year old.

So you have 3 children?

Yes.

How old are you?

24.

No! 25.

Yes. 25, definitely.

Nurse?

The girls told me there's a prize?

A prize for... you know?

Vasectomy?

If your husband agrees,

the government will give you a bucket

I told my husband, but...

He says it makes them

Take this every day.

If you want another kid

Oh, no way!

How much for this?

When did you last get your period?

Hey... what u doing?

Boss is driving me mad.

IMA bored...

Wanna C U...

You'll have to wait

until tonight to see me.

But for now...

I'm sending you kisses through the clouds.

So when it rains,

my kisses will touch your lips.

But oil won't make

I like it short.

It's the new style.

Next month I can't come home.

Alright, Mama.

Of course surgeries

As if a patient's heart will wait!

Dr. Supriya is calling, Mama!

Prabha?

I'm leaving.

Will you be long?

Go ahead.

Open your mouth.

More.

Are you hiding them

Good.

Nurse Prabha?

Working late again?

Sorry, Doctor.

It's OK.

Hindi is so frustrating.

The word kal means both

Don't make excuses,

I wanted to ask a patient

to come back tomorrow in Hindi

but when the time came,

You have to say it like this: kal wapas ana

Again?

You make it sound so simple.

Good evening, Nurse Prabha.

OK then, I'm going.

Nurse?

I have something to show you.

Don't look.

It's a poem.

A poem?

There's a poetry competition

I thought I'd give it a shot.

I didn't know you were a poet.

Nothing like that.

Alright. See you tomorrow.

Who's this?

How did you get out?

You're all wet!

Lost your umbrella again?

It was so windy,

it broke.

You left so early.

Nothing happened.

One of my cousins

So I just went shopping with her.

A cousin?

Just a cousin.

Sweetie!

Your tummy has become so big.

How many babies

She was loitering

What was she doing there?

What were you doing, sweetie?

I've asked Dr. Manoj

We shouldn't bother him

He won't mind.

He's a nice guy.

Isn't he?

Prabha?

Can you cover my rent this month?

The same situation again?

I promise I'll pay you back.

You need to watch

My salary is never enough.

That's why.

OK, but it's the last time.

Don't ask again.

Sorry.

What are you doing, Anu?

This parcel arrived for you.

Thank you.

What is it?

Is it from your mom?

I don't know.

Prabha, it's for you!

Who's it from?

It doesn't say.

Let's open and see.

Awesome!

We had a rice cooker at home,

but nothing like this!

This one looks so international!

Whatever we make will taste super.

But who could've sent it?

Doesn't say.

It's written in English letters.

But it's some other language.

Made in...

Germany.

Doesn't your husband live there?

My dreams are made of everyday things,

small and scattered, that I've left behind.

My hope

is just another casket of things

I carry with me wherever I go.

And now,

you are there in a neighbour's house

like a burning lamp

whose glow I watch

to keep me warm at night.

C U at the same time.

Don't wait 2 close to hospital.

Someone might see you.

See you soon

Have you noticed

any changes in your new roommate?

All the nurses are talking about her.

She's in love with a boy.

That can't be.

She's not like that.

You know, he's Muslim.

Everyone here knows.

I don't have a problem with it.

But she's your roommate,

you better keep an eye on her.

I just thought you should know.

What is this?

Sims' vaginal speculum.

Good.

What about...

this?

Artery forceps.

Artery forceps, correct.

Nurse Anu will show you

placenta from

And I'll demonstrate

Pass it on.

Still bothered by the smell?

You're all nurses,

you have to be stronger.

Listen...

I've been dying to tell you

You know Crystal, right?

The new nurse.

She was giving an old man

when suddenly,

she let out a scream!

Why?

She looked down and...

his 'thing' was standing all the way up!

She'd never seen one standing before!

She ran out of the room.

And then?

Then Prabha came in and scolded him,

he got so scared...

I don't think

it'll ever stand up again!

Boss sent me

Mr. Aslam?

Two minutes.

Don't they look great on me?

Anu?

Have you seen many?

Many what?

What Nurse Crystal saw

What's up with you?

No, I'm just asking.

Why are you acting like a virgin?

Mister?

Your watch.

Your watch is ready.

The balance is 5,000 rupees.

Shobhna said if we pay off the guard,

Are you sure?

Don't be such a wuss.

Let's go see.

There's nobody here.

When did he last phone you?

It's been over a year.

Maybe longer...

Nurse?

When people go abroad,

they can lose their minds,

or their memory.

That's how it is.

What will you do now?

I'll tell you what, call him.

- Me, call him?

If I meet that husband of yours,

I swear,

I'm gonna box his ears.

It's a real shame.

It says here the builder

They could begin demolition

Are other tenants

The ones with papers

When the cotton mills shut down,

my husband was allowed to stay on.

Then you must have papers!

He never told me

Now that he's dead,

Isn't there another solution?

Look Parvati,

the problem is

Because there is no proof

But can't you just ask my neighbours?

I've lived there 22 years,

what do I need papers for?

That won't hold up in court.

There, we need papers.

Can't you find any document

That bastard!

I will kick his ass!

I'll show him.

Who does he think he is?

How dare those builders

It's so damn dark!

These are just old medical reports.

How is your son doing?

It's been a long time.

You had gotten him chocolates too.

Those, he gobbled up.

You used to be so terrified

That terror, Nurse Lissy.

Don't remind me.

Why not move in with your son?

No, no.

He already lives in a tiny room

I don't want anyone

We're the same, you and I.

We're better off alone.

Evening is my favourite time of day.

In my village,

to stop playing football

But here,

it feels like

I wanted to be an airhostess.

I secretly signed up for the exam.

But I got scared of Dad

At least this way,

Who knows,

You seem different somehow.

How so?

I sense some change.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

Okay.

Who are you avoiding?

Mother.

Why not answer?

I know exactly why she's calling.

This guy looks like an eggplant.

What about him?

"I have a 50-acre

"Two houseboats in Alappuzha.

"I go pigeon hunting

"I'm the right-hand man

"All I ask for is 1,001 gold coins.

"and one Mercedes Benz."

"That's not possible.

"But we can offer 50 gold coins

"Marry your daughter for so cheap?

Anu,

if I used a Hindu name

would your father send it to you?

Even if he did, I'd turn it down.

You sure are hard to please.

I keep thinking he'll come back.

And he'll say that

and be with me.

Hold its legs.

Ready?

One...

two...

three...

Four heartbeats, wow!

She doesn't bite.

Don't be afraid.

- Go ahead and pet her.

- Touch her, your fear will vanish.

People who are afraid of cats

were mice in a past life.

- Just touch her.

If we're done, let's go.

Should I take her home?

What was that back there?

What did I do?

Why were you flirting with Dr. Manoj?

You can't do that.

If you behave like a slut,

people won't respect you.

You know what people

Let it go.

I have something

Nothing can cheer me up.

Fine.

Then I won't tell you.

Tell me!

- Please tell me, Shiaz.

Come on!

OK, I'll tell you.

Do you have a burqa?

Why would I have a burqa?

Without a burqa, there's no plan.

What plan?

Aunty and Uncle are going

Goodness!

So nobody will be home?

You know my neighbourhood, right?

If anybody sees you like this,

we're screwed.

Anu?

Aren't you hungry?

I've prepared

It's chilli fish curry.

I'm not hungry.

Anu, I'm...

sorry.

I didn't mean what I said.

I don't know why

Prabha?

Did you know him from before?

Who?

Your husband.

No. Not at all.

One day,

When I got there,

Didn't you try to

I did. I tried to meet him.

It must have been romantic.

Not at all!

He had just a few days of leave.

When we tried to talk,

How could you marry a total stranger?

I don't think I could.

You might think you know someone,

but they can also become strangers.

Soon after the wedding,

In the early days,

he used to call.

But gradually,

I don't know what happened.

Maybe...

there was nothing left to say.

I think of him

in this faraway country.

I think of him working

It all seems...

so far away.

Nurse?

There's something I have to tell you.

I'm moving back to my village.

What?

There's nothing more I can do,

What are you saying?

We can do more.

I'm fed up.

I spoke to a guy in the village.

- He'll find me a job.

In a hostel.

As a cook.

At least in the village

But how will you manage?

I'll figure it out.

You see that tower there?

It's the same builders.

They think that by building

one day they can replace God.

On my way.

Crazy rain here...

I feel like a spy in a movie.

Have you left yet?

Don't come now...

The wedding is cancelled.

Harbour Line is flooded.

Sorry baby.

Attention all passengers,

due to water logging,

all trains are delayed.

Stand by for further updates.

Hello?

Hello, Mama?

How are you feeling?

No, nothing's wrong.

I'm just calling.

Yes, I've eaten.

We built their buildings!

We cleaned their gutters,

and did all the work

But when we ask for a home

We have to unite,

and make them understand

that ours are the hands

- Workers' unity!

- Workers' unity!

All these years

but I've never eaten here.

Today I've done it.

I'm going to miss this place.

But it's like this place isn't real.

What do you mean?

You only seem to be real

You could just vanish into thin air,

and no one would even know.

We would know, Parvaty.

All of us at the hospital,

You're a very good lady, Nurse.

I'm gonna do it!

Run, run!

Nurse Prabha!

When did your shift end?

I didn't see you around.

Nurse, I'm off.

Nurse, I made some sweets for you.

Here.

Don't have them now!

I won't be able to face you

My contract here is ending soon,

and I'm thinking of not renewing it.

You'll be leaving us then?

So what's your plan now?

Can we go somewhere to talk?

Mumbai is nice....

But I never got used to it.

And I have a problem

Hindi isn't hard to learn.

Maybe.

But it's not just that.

I've been here

but yesterday

I went all the way

by mistake.

Prabha?

I'm...

Before I go I wanted to...

tell you...

I wanted to know...

if I should stay?

I mean...

If there was a reason

But Doctor, I'm married.

I know...

But still...

May I go, Doctor?

I'll miss my train.

Some people call this the city of dreams,

but I don't.

I think it's the city of illusions.

There's an unspoken code in this city:

even if you live in the gutter, you're allowed to feel no anger.

People call this, "The Spirit of Mumbai."

You have to believe the illusion,

or else you'll go mad.

Parvaty, there's no electricity here?

She made us carry her junk

Is she planning on

Parvaty?

Is this still good?

Perfectly good!

Prabha, have a sip.

Close your eyes and gulp it down.

It will make you feel relaxed!

Trust me.

Just try it and see.

How is it?

Your turn!

Drink!

Where on earth have I landed myself!

Stuck in this weird place, how did I get here?

Should I cry or should I laugh?

Will someone save me?

How much for the mackerel?

50 rupees.

Is it dried?

No, these are fresh!

Of course they're fresh!

Give me a good price.

- How much?

What?

Who are you trying to fool?

Just look at the size of these fish!

Prabha?

Could you ever move back

I don't think I could.

I didn't think

It was a big help to Parvaty.

I didn't mind.

I like her.

Prabha?

I have something to tell you.

My parents are sending me photos of guys

But I don't want to get married now.

Have you tried talking to them?

As if they would listen!

So what will you do?

I don't know.

Maybe run away.

It's no use, Anu.

You can't escape your fate.

I'm very tired.

I want to rest.

Are you sure?

Aren't you coming with us?

No, Prabha. I want to rest.

Let her be.

Not everyone can hold their liquor.

Prabha!

Come in!

I should get back now.

Will you be long?

Not long.

Save some for later.

Parvaty?

How long will you be gone?

I only need to tell them

I'm here for the job.

I'll be back by 5 o'clock.

Then I think we should leave now.

What nonsense!

- You have a ticket for tomorrow.

You came all this way,

How did you find this place?

It's like she's been

As if she's waiting

She looks like you!

I like this place.

Seems like another world.

Shiaz?

Do you ever think about the future?

What do you mean?

I mean...

In 10 or 15 years...

what will your life be like?

Am I there with you?

What's come over you?

I don't know.

I never used to think about

But I feel like

the future is here

Why don't my parents understand

Maybe we can talk to them?

We can try to convince them,

If I tell them,

Shiaz,

I feel so scared.

I've been scared

I'd ask myself if it was right,

Or if it would've been best

But when I'm with you,

I don't know what it is...

I don't feel afraid at all.

As if this is

It all gets too heavy

Shiaz?

There's graffiti here in Malayalam.

OUR LOVE

You wrote it, didn't you?

Somebody help!

He's not breathing.

Looks like it's too late.

Pump his stomach!

Flip him over.

Make him sit up.

Step back please!

Move aside! Move aside!

Step back please!

He's dead, no?

He's not one of ours.

He's a goner.

He needs to go to the hospital.

There's no hospital here.

But there's a village doctor.

OK, quickly.

She saved his life.

He was totally dead.

Miss?

He should see a familiar face

Come inside.

Some tea?

Don't be shy.

Doctor will be here soon.

Go inside.

Sorry.

I was only cleaning your wound.

It hurts.

It hurts now, but you'll be alright.

What happened to me?

Don't worry.

Just rest.

I feel like I've been resting

How long has it been?

A few hours, maybe.

I don't remember anything.

It's windy.

He'll catch a cold.

What does he do?

There's some kind of

Where does your husband work?

He works in Germany.

Then you must not

Pity your holiday got ruined.

Lucky that you were

What did she say?

Nothing.

She thought you were my husband.

Am I?

No.

Why is there sand on me?

They found you in the sea.

In the sea?

What was I doing there?

You don't remember?

You've changed so much

Have I?

Some days I was stuck

I didn't know if it

I would come out

as if in a daze.

I was blinded by the light.

In the darkness,

But you cannot.

I thought about you.

What did you think about?

Sitting next to you like this.

I wanted to reach out and touch you,

Why haven't you told me this before?

Prabha,

come with me.

It will be different this time.

I promise.

Stop.

I don't want to see you...

ever again.

Are you closing up?

No. You can sit as long as you like.

Sand...

Where is that boy?

Who?

The boy who was with you.

Prabha,

I'm...

sorry.

It's alright.

Just call him.

Who's that?

Anu's boyfriend.

He followed her all this way?

This is Shiaz.

Where are you from?

Vithura.

Sit down.

I was there once.

It's very beautiful there.

It's very beautiful here too.