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Identity

Faith Series Story – Identity Crisis

It’s not always that we feel God, but his presence in our lives can seldom be questioned. He holds us when we find it difficult to tread the path called life. And as we all know, miracles do happen….in the most unusual way…in an unexpected form.

A man with his wife is navigating the valley of Kashmir.  They are happy in each other’s presence. Suddenly a blind turn comes, a man tries to put brakes to control, but to his horror, he realizes that breaks were not working at all. He goes sweating and in tension loses his balance. The car falls in the ditch. The next morning only the remains of the car are found.

Five years later, the same man moves out of the hospital. He is discharged from the hospital. He inquires about his wife, but the doctor is unable to give him any information. The man returns his home devastated. Once he reaches home, he looks at the nameplate –  Aashiana. A smile crosses his lips and tears well up to his eyes. He caresses the nameplate and then goes inside to ring the bell. As soon as the door opens, he finds new faces there. He wonders who they were and introduces himself as the owner of the home – Mr. Devesh Kaushik. The members of the house are surprised to see him. They inform him that he was declared dead, and they bought the property. Devesh could not believe his eyes or ears. He was in for a rude shock.

He went to his uncle, and uncle disapproved of his presence. Devesh realized that it was all his uncle’s way of getting rid of him. He decided to do the court case, but he had no money. He went into the temple and cried inconsolably. A man touched him, and Devesh then looked at him. When the man asked him, he told him his plight and did not know how to prove that he was the same man. He was declared dead in records, and even his uncle considers him an impostor despite seeing him alive. The man heard him and suggested he file a case. Devesh did not have money. The man helped him with a lawyer who used to fight cases for free, Pro Bono. Devesh felt obliged to the man and thanked him for his timely help and kind gesture. Devesh, with the help of the lawyer, filed the case. Since that day, he started living in the same temple and started having food in langar there. He used to do odd jobs at temple-like cleaning the statue and floor of the temple in lieu of staying in the premise.

In court, every person known to him was called, and they all agreed that his face was similar, but he was not the same man. He was an impostor, for they all had found the remains of his body and cremated. They confirmed the death of his wife as well. Devesh was losing the battle. However, Judge gives him another chance and asks him if anyone was left who could certify his claim. He answers that yes, he had one more person – Brajgopal. Judge gives him the last chance to prove his identity.o

Devesh returns and asks forgiveness from God saying – I gave your address and name because now only you know the truth. I have no other way to verify my identity, and it seems I will never be able to live the way I did. He sleeps there only while praying. Till next hearing, he keeps wandering office to office in search of that one proof that could help him but with no success. However, his faith remains unshakable. He shows the utmost trust in the justice of God. The date of the hearing comes. He enters court premises, thinking it to be his last day as proving himself to be Devesh. He decides to fight with faith until the hearing gets over and enters the courtroom with full confidence. Judge inquires if Braj Gopal has come. He confirms. Brajgopal is called for in court. He is nowhere in the court. Again he is called for. No one appears.  After the third announcement – the same old- man, who had helped Devesh in finding a lawyer, turns up and says – I am Braj Gopal.

 Now Devesh is perturbed with the fact that this man is so kind. Braj Gopal takes the oath.

Brajgopal then starts revealing the truth that Devesh’s car accident was not an accident, but a premeditated murder plan. He was a rich man, and his uncle wanted his ancestral property. There was only one way, and that was to get him killed. The car’s brakes were tampered with to make it look like an accident and avoid any suspicion of foul play. After the accident, Devesh’s wife was thrown nearby and was not hurt much. However, there was no trace of Devesh’s body. His uncle had deputed people who were following his car. Since they did not find his body, they got a dead body from mortuary to prove that Devesh is no more. It was all revelation for Devesh too. He stood in disbelief. Devesh’s uncle got enraged, and his lawyer asked if there was any proof of the same.

Braj Gopal said – yes, Devesh’s wife. Devesh got another shock while Braj Gopal continued. Devesh’s wife is still alive and in house arrest. Judge asks him if the man could lead him to place to authenticate his statement. Braj Gopal agreed and took them to an obscure place. When the door opened – Devesh could not believe that his wife was right there in front of him. His wife, too, went into shock, and they started crying. The man’s words proved right. Devesh was able to establish his identity with the help of his wife. His wife attested to the rest of the allegations. However, by then, the old man had left,  never to be seen there ever again.

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Faith Series – Abduction Screenplay

Faith Series 2 Screenplay

Faith Series – Abduction

Scene 1

Field/Ext./Day

Nikhil, Anjum Bhaiya

Its evening time….Nikhil goes out to play as usual….Anjum Bhaiya too is there. Anjum Bhaiya once again asks him – lets go for an outing…Nikhil, enthusiastic as ever is about to say Yes when he us reminded of his mother’s words – Beta, you need to concentrate on your studies. There is time for everything. You play but you study as well. This is time for you to study. Nikhil’s thoughts are broken – what are you thinking? . Nikhil shows reluctance but Anjum Bhaiya is in no mood to give up today. What is this Nikhil…you never come out with us…come on today we are not listening to you. Nikhil is still hesitant, his one mind wants to go , the other mind is guilty of not studying. He is torn when Anjum Bhaiya says – Ok , you want me to speak to aunty that allows you to be spared for one day. Let me do that. Anjum Bhaiya smiles. Nikhil now decides – Its ok , I shall come today….Anjum Bhaiya pats on his back and says in a thrilling tone – That’s the spirit…come , today you will go and next time you will only ask me to take you again. I am sure you are going to enjoy. Together they leave on a bike.

Scene 1A

While sitting on bike, Nikhil looks towards his home. From his POV we see a very nicely built bunglow.

Cut

Scene 2

Nikhil’s Home/Int./Day

Mother is waiting at home. She is doing her Sandhya puja. Her puja nears the end. Phone rings in the background. She does not get up. Phone rings and stops. She continues with her puja. Phone rings again. She is done with her puja. She gets up and takes the call.

Mother – Hello

Father – where were you? Why were you not picking your call?

Mother – Was doing Sandhya puja.

Father – I am sure….where is Nikhil?

Mother – Gone out to play…time for him to return….

Father – hmmmm….

Mother – you sound tensed ….did the call came again?

Father (tensed) – Yes

Mother – So then ? We cannot give away our land …its ancestor’s land

Father – But how long can we prolong? I am thinking….they are dangerous people…Builders are… ok…let me think over it

Mother – If the property is becoming so much a matter of concern then it’s better to do away with…we cannot be living under threat everyday

Father – yes, I agree…still let me think…Let me come back we shall discuss and take a call soon….let me consult the lawyer as well….till now we haven’t….

Mother – Ok …come soon and be careful…

Scene 3

Nikhil is enjoying himself on bike….he is enjoying the bike ride…Anjum Bhaiya then stops at a place. It’s a residential area. Nikhil asks him – why did you stop? , Anjum Bhaiya says casually – One of my friend will also join us…Nikhil says – ok…..the friend comes and Anjum Bhaiya introduces him to Nikhil – He is Sudhir…My dear friend and they shake a hand. …

All three sit and they ask Nikhil to sit in middle. Nikhil agrees. Soon the bike seems flying on the road and we see dusk turning to dark. Nikhil realizes that they are leaving the city and are at outskirts. Nikhil says – Anjum Bhaiya , we must return now…its getting dark. Mummy will get worried…I must return home now…let’s not go any further. Anjum Bhaiya relaxes him – Are chillax boy…enjoy the fun while it lasts ….and we show Nikhil getting tensed now …Sudhir gets closer and Nikhil now senses some danger and he goes in an alert mode.

Scene 4 :

Mother is waiting at balcony….She sees sky getting darker and does not find any kid outside…She is worried now on where has Nikhil gone. She immediately closes the doors and leaves for the playing field, which isn’t very far.

Scene 5 :

Nikhil now tries to get down from bike but his hands are held tightly by Sudhir. On bike, a small tussle is taking place. Bike loses balance slightly. Sudhir now hits Nikhil and Nikhil goes unconscious.

Scene 6:

Mother is knocking the doors of 2 -3 kids who used to play with Nikhil. 3 of them show ignorance. Mother is getting desperate now. She is thinking the worst. Finally the fourth kid tells her that he saw Nikhil leaving with Anjum Bhaiya. Taking that kid with her, she leaves for Anjum Bhaiya’s home.

Scene 7

Nikhil is lying in a hut unconscious. He opens his eyes and finds himself in an abandoned hut in an obscure area. He shakes his head to come back to senses. He looks here and there and is terrified now. He sees a window. He moves there and tries opening that window but the window is completely jammed. He is unable to open the door. He feels frustrated.

Scene 8

Mother asks Anjum Bhaiya’s mother about Anjum’s whereabouts. Anjum’s mother pleads ignorance and says – I have no clue. HE keeps roaming here and there and I really have no clue where he goes.

Mother gets upset and says – You have no idea where your son is? What kind of mother you are?

Anjum’s mother goes silent for a moment and then in an offended tone says – My son is a grown up boy. I don’t need to keep a tab on him…Now you may leave…

Mother changes her stance and pleads – Please understand, my son is missing. He was last seen with your son. I think he may help me out…could you help me out please?

Anjum’s mother understands and says – Once he come, we shall come to your home and let you know….Mother says – I shall wait anxiously…

While she turns, Anjum is seen coming.

Nikhil’s playmate tells Mother – he is the one …he is Anjum Bhaiya….

Mother moves towards him expectantly…

Mother – You know Nikhil…right ?

Anjum says – Yes I do know him.

He looks bit uncomfortable. – Why?

Mother – My son is missing….he was last seen with you…(she is observing his uncomfortable self) ….

Anjum – Seen with me means what ? You think I am responsible for him going missing?

Mother controls her anxiety, tension and maintaining her composure says – I never said that he has gone missing. Did I ?

Anjum is caught but he composes himself and says – the way you asked meant same….

Mother – I do not mean that …I am just asking because I am told that he left with you….

Now, Anjum is caught, yet he says – Yes I did drop him to one of his friend’s place, he wanted to get some notes from his friend and he asked me to drop him to friend’s place on my bike. I just did that….

Mother – Where? Which area ? Could you help me with that ?

(She is observing him) …

Anjum says – Sorry…he only led me there and I cannot take you there since even I am confused with the way…Sorry…I am of no help…

Mother very casually says – I hope you are telling the truth because your body language is saying something else….I am old enough to understand when a person lies…But I do tell you one thing – If any harm comes in my son’s way and I get the inkling that you were by any which way involved in it….Trust me and my faith in God – You will not be spared and you will face the consequence of same …

Anjum gets offended and says – You are trying to threaten me ….is it?

Mother says – No , I AM JUST WARNING….I BELIEVE IN MY GODDESS DURGA AND KNOW THAT NO HARM WILL BE DONE TO MY SON…BUT ANYONE TRYING TO HARM MY SON WILL NOT GO UNSCATHED…..THAT’S MY FAITH…

Interval

Scene 9

Nikhhil sees a small stone kept there. He breaks the window. The men outside hear the noise and quickly come to open the door. They rush in and see the cracked window. They rush to window and look in the direction. Nikhil is seen running at far.

Scene 10

We see a man talking on phone. Haan Satyendra Ji. Achchha….haan…theek hai hum yahin wait karte hain….

Scene 11

Mother is seen in front of Goddess statue at her home. She is doing akhand jaap. The lamp is burning and she is continuously doing puja with mantrochhar with tears coming out of her eyes. Her eyes fixated on Goddess though. The entire room is full of smoke and one can see only her face and hand movement with aarti thaal. The mantrochhar fills the entire environment. She is doing maha mrityunjay jaap and at the end she faints.

Scene 12

Nikhil is being beaten up badly. He is bruised yet the men are beating him up with boots like a football. The men beating him are saying – you rascal, your father is not listening to our requests. We have been asking him to sell the vast empty area to us. We were not even asking for free though we can take it away forcefully any day. We still took the right path, sane way and tried to break deal. We were willing to pay huge sum of money…but your father is so stubborn…now we will see what will he do with that land…he is willing to lose out on son but not on the land that is of no use to him…are we will make residential colony, so many people will get home….we are doing service to humanity…why can’t he help us in that? He wanted to pay the price , let him pay the price….he might be the rich man but once he loses out on his son..he will be the poorest man around….and you ..you thought some kind of movie is being made where you can run away and will not be caught either….they are staged in movies…we are trained…even if a bird makes a sound…we know….don’t you dare run away….your decision will be taken soon….Nikhil has no strength left and amidst all these sound and being beaten continuously make his heart go weak and he cries out in pain – Maaaaaaaaa….his voice echoes

Scene 13

With echo sound of Nikhil saying – Ma, we reveal that the hut is at an obscure place and his sound faints in the air.

Scene 14:

And we see few policemen encircling the hut. We reveal that police has come around the hut and along with them are mother and father. Mother’s eyes have welled up in anticipation and she is continuously praying silently.

Scene 15

Nikhil is almost in an unconscious state now and he can only see a blurry vision of a man who is looking at him and smiling. We hear a gun shot and Nikhil closes his eyes.

Scene 16

Blank screen and we hear ambulance sounds….we open and find Doctors trying to resuscitate Nikhil. They are trying to give him shock….the minute pass and one of the nurse says – time is over Sir…Doctor looks at his watch and turns in slight frustration.

Scene 17

Doctor comes to mother and says – Sorry we could not save him.

Mother listens and moves away in shock. She walks down the corridor and comes outside hospital. Her walk is that of a woman lost. She reaches a mandir built outside hospital. She enters and in front of Devi starts crying.

Her VO goes – I have been your devotee…I can never question you. I believe in you and I trust that if I have lost my son today…you must have thought something good…however I am a human being and react or respond on what I see and hear. The truth for me now is that I have lost my son…and all I can think now is that I had only one son ….and I have lost that son….just like that…for no reason that I could see….and all I could think of is crying …..so I am crying

She breaks down….she is only crying and one of her tear falls on Goddess’ leg. There is a twinkle and light spreads.

Scene 18

That’s same light travels to Nikhil’s heart and light spreads once again…Nikhil suddenly makes a movement and the nurse making report looks at the movement with amazement.

Scene 19 :

Anjum Bhaiya is seen entering the jail. So is his friend. We see mother looking from far along with Nikhil and his father.

The VO of mother runs : I am sure my son cannot be harmed but I am also sure that the person who will try to harm my son will not go unscathed.

FREEZE

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सफ़ा

चले हैं धरती पे बसे शहरों को साफ़ करने,

अभी तो अपने अंदर बसे शहर को टटोला भी नही

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आज़ादी सस्ती है ?

जब भी हो गुमान
या चाहत हो शिकायत करने की
नज़र उठाकर चोटियों पे देख लेना
कुछ लोग दिखेंगे बंदूक लिए , बर्फ से घिरे
या खुद को तैनात किए जानवरों के बीच
जिनके पास निजी कई मसले हैं
पर फ़र्ज़ से बड़ा ना मसला है ,ना खुशी का कारण
गर और कुछ याद ना रहे
तो ध्यान रखना सिर्फ़ एक
उनकी एक चूक महँगी है !!!!
 
और हम अपनी आज़ादी कितनी सस्ती मान लेते हैं
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Couplets

कुछ तो इंसानियत बाकी रह गयी

वरना यूँ रिश्तों से मरहूम ना होते

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कोई दिन और….

लफ़्ज़ों में तपिश चाहिए;
लिखना फसाना, कोई दिन और

गैरों के आगे पड़ा झुकाना सर;
अपनों ने कह दिया था, कोई दिन और

वज़न ढूँढने चले थे हम;
अल्फाज़ों ने चुपके से कहा, कोई दिन और

अंदाज़ अपना भी अलग है यारों;
कोई रोके तो हम कहते, कोई दिन और

ग़ालिब से अपनी पुरानी पहचान;
मीर से कहो, कोई दिन और

लफ़्ज़ों में तपिश चाहिए;
लिखना फसाना, कोई दिन और

गैरों के आगे पड़ा झुकाना सर;
अपनों ने कह दिया था, कोई दिन और

वज़न ढूँढने चले थे हम;
अल्फाज़ों ने चुपके से कहा, कोई दिन और

अंदाज़ अपना भी अलग है यारों;
कोई रोके तो हम कहते, कोई दिन और

ग़ालिब से अपनी पुरानी पहचान;
मीर से कहो, कोई दिन और
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Bellicose – A Thriller Series (Part – 1)

Opening Sequence

Scene 1

Dark Room/Int./Day

A dark room with computers lined up on 5 rows of table. That’s a workstation All interconnected and connected to one big flat screen in center, attached to the wall. Below the screen, lies many consoles of wires and a big keypad.

One man is sitting on chair facing the screen. His hands move on the keypad. His face is not seen.

From his back, and from his POV, we move to screen with a voice overlapped

Voice:

You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind, to ….The Outer Limits !

The screen flashes:

307-801-79

Cut

Scene 2

ATC (Air Traffic Control) – Heathrow Airport, London/Int./Day

The room is filled with Controllers and Supervisors behind their consoles.

A staff sips his coffee, and puts his earphone along with mic. Voice of pilot comes on

Pilot’s Voice

We have lost thrust, on both engines

Staff

Just a second, please hold

He gets up and screams

Staff

Supervisor Sir, Emergency …I have an emergency

Supervisor, standing two consoles away, hustles towards Staff. Takes on the mic and questions

Supervisor

(worried)

What’s the report?

Staff

Both engines

Supervisor cross checks with pilot asking on mic

Supervisor

(panicking)

What is it?

Pilot

(reports)

Lost Thrust, Both Engines

Supervisor and staff both look shocked

Cut

Scene 3

Inside Flight/Int./Day

We reveal a girl, Aalia (in her twenties, fair complexioned with shoulder length straight hair, aviators on eyes, a bright colored dress, attractive with sharp features and confident demeanor) along with a woman, Sharda Aunty (in her late thirties, colorful yet misfit Palazzo and shirt, goggles on her eyes, deep maroon lipstick, hat on her head, high heeled sandal)  looking scared and holding the front seat tightly.

The plane is turning to its left and then right

Passengers scream….cry ….

Cut

Scene 4

Sky/Ext./Day

A Plane Falling rapidly down towards the ground….

Cut

Scene 5

Dark Room/Int./Day

The man on the chair facing the consoles picks his mobile. We see him from his back. He dials and speaks

Voice

Is my deal approved or the daughter of Mr. R K. Singh , onboard the flight Emirates Airways – 789 will die in couple of seconds. That would not be all. The next venue is scheduled at 4pm, Oxford Street. You have exactly 5 seconds to respond.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1….Good …I must hear the good news of R K Singh’s business being closed by 2 pm else the loss of lives will be your responsibility Mr. Prime Minister.

He cuts his call and presses “enter”.

Cut

Scene 6

Sky/Ext./Day

The flight gets stable.

Cut

Scene 7

ATS/Int./Day

Supervisor and Staff are listening intently. Pilot’s voice crackles

Pilot

Miraculously, engines are back….we are safe …..flight is safe.

Cut

Scene 8

Heathrow Airport – London/Int./Day

Flight lands at Heathrow Airport

Scene 9

Flight / Ext./Day

Aalia comes out of the flight and stops for a moment to inhale deeply, closing her eyes. Absorbs the moment. 

A pat on her shoulder. She turns. Sharda Aunty looks at her and gestures her to move forward. Aalia looks at the line of passengers waiting behind her. She feels apologetic and walks down the steps. Sharda Aunty follows her.

As they get inside airport,

Aalia

I should inform home. It was a journey we will remember.

Sharda Aunty

Don’t give the details. Everyone will panic.

Aalia

Don’t you worry, I won’t.

It’s a binocular point of view. We move back to see the binocular man. He puts his binocular down and with a devil smile says

Man with Binocular

Welcome to London, Miss Aanchal. We have been waiting eagerly for your arrival.

CUT

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ख़लिश बांकी रह गयी

“हमारी तो गाली पर भी ताली पड़ती है”

सही बात कह गये बड़े भाई जान ….आपकी बात ही कुछ ऐसी थी की जो कह जाते …वही quotation बन जाता…

क्योंकि आप इकलौते शख़्श थे जिनकी शख़्सियत शब्दों को वजन देती थी …जिनका अंदाज़ शब्दों को नया वज़ूद देता था …

और कई बार तो शब्दों की ज़रूरत भी नही पड़ती थी …आँखें ही कह जाती थी …

वक्फा जो मायना देता था …अब खुद मायना ढूँढने चला गया …

चाहा तो नही था …ये मेरी चाहत थी ….मगर जो आपकी चाहत थी …

“इक बार तो यूँ होगा, थोड़ा सा सुकून होगा … ना दिल में कसक होगी, ना सर में जुनून होगा”

वो आज पा लिया आपने …

मगर शिकायत यही है की इतनी भी क्या जल्दी थी…..फिर भी…खुदा हाफ़िज़ …ख़लिश ही रह गयी आपके साथ काम करने की …

We are waiting ….Irrfan Khan …