01x01 - Mallikajaan: The Queen of Heeramandi

[bunniefuu]

Madam, hand this boy over to us.

If you ever say that again,

I will cut your tongue off too.

Qutubuddin sahab.

My payment?

Imaad.

Aapa.

Rehana Aapa.

Satto!

Satto! Phatto!

Where on earth are these two?

What happened, Mallika?

Where is Imaad?

Maybe in Rehana madam's room.

No, there's no one in Rehana aapa's room.

But he was with her.

-She was giving him to

-Quiet.

We don't know. Ask Rehana madam.

What are you both hiding from me?

What are you not telling me?

Satto!

Rehana Aapa.

Where is Imaad?

Mallika, just see how much

we sisters have earned.

The nawabs showered you

with so much money tonight.

I feel like we can buy all of Lahore city.

You haven't taken off your anklets yet?

You must be tired, my dear.

Get some sleep.

-Where is Imaad?

-I handed him over to the right person.

The nawab has no heir,

he'll be raised well.

And he has paid us handsomely.

Look, what you were

carrying around in your arms

will adorn my neck now.

-You had no right to sell Imaad, Aapa!

-What else could I have done?

Have him become a pimp?

Let him become an addict?

Or let him become a eunuch?

-Have some fear of God, Aapa.

-Not "Aapa."

"Madam."

This is Shahi Mahal, Mallika,

and I am God here.

You have taken my child from me, Madam.

One day Mallika

will take everything you hold dear.

Everything.

Everything.

Everything.

Madam, let's hide the first letter

of Zulfikar sahab's name in your henna.

Then we'll see

if he finds it in the evening.

Madam.

Greetings, Madam.

What happened?

Why are you running in like that?

It's Ustaadji.

He has brought an Englishman with him,

they want to meet you.

Ask them to wait.

Madam's henna will take some time to dry.

Satto bi, he has brought

some foreign instrument.

I swear to God, if you take a look,

you will be blown away!

Phatto, bring my scarf.

Madam, how will you go?

The henna is still wet.

Phatto, my scarf.

These tawaifs are like this, Mr. Gunther.

Who knows how many nawabs

have been ruined waiting for them.

This Mallikajaan is very ruthless.

-She has no respect for anybody. Bloody

-Ustaadji.

-Yes. Yes.

-Madam is here. Are you ready?

Yes.

You look so beautiful!

You could be forgiven

for 100 murders today.

Should we talk about business?

You came here to show some tricks?

Show me.

Mr. Gunther will show you the tricks.

-Greetings, Mallikajaan.

-Greetings.

This is a gramophone.

And this is a record.

But this will sing a song for you.

I will go to the roof of love

And perform

Wow!

Satto! Idiot.

Okay, so, Ustaadji,

who is this horrible singer?

This is the great Saeeda Bai from Agra.

Why should this woman from Lahore waste

her time listening to a woman from Agra?

He wishes to record Bibbojaan,

the same as Saeeda Bai.

Now with your permission,

Bibbojaan's voice

would be heard all over the country,

in every household.

Mr. Gutter.

Gutter?

We do not need to be famous

in every household.

We are like the moon,

which can be seen through the windows,

but it never enters someone's house.

Us tawaifs are the queens of Lahore!

Every nawab, every king

salutes at our door.

Whoever wants to listen to us,

can come here.

Okay, Bibi. Then let's bring him

to Bibbojaan's gathering this evening.

Our performances are for connoisseurs

of music, not merchants of music.

-Good night.

-Bibi, I

-Ameena.

-Bibi

Stay away, my love

I know what you desire

Stay away my love

I know what you desire

Night is fading into dawn

Now, please let me go home

My love

Now, please let me go home

My love

Stay away

I know what you desire

Stay away, my love

I know what you desire

Come on, let me at least finish peeing.

Today I drank a bit much, Mallika.

-I am over here, Zulfikar sahab.

-I know where you are.

I am where you are.

I think you have had

a bit too much to drink.

Well, you have been given

the title of Khan Bahadur.

That calls for a celebration.

Yes, well, have a little drink of me too.

Come.

These British think

they can buy my loyalty with a title.

And did my lord

not sell his loyalties to the British?

What else could I have done, Mallika?

But you wait and see.

The day these British go back,

that day all of us

will die fighting among ourselves.

Slowly, Mallika.

Slowly.

The British have already

made us fight among ourselves.

Just like you do

with nawabs and their wives.

Divide and rule.

Mallika! Mallika! Mallika!

Everyone will want to know

Where I've spent the night

Everyone will want to know

Where I've spent the night

And I will die of embarrassment

I will die of embarrassment

Stay away, my love

I know what you desire

Stay away, my love

I know what you desire

Night is fading into dawn

Now, please let me go home

My love

Now, please let me go home

My love

My love

My love

My love

-Iqbal.

-Yes.

Drop Zulfikar sahab at his mansion.

Yes.

-How was Bibbo's performance?

-Very good.

Wali sahab tipped a lot.

-Did Wali sahab leave?

-No, Madam.

He will stay here tonight with Bibbo.

That's good.

Here's Bibbo's earnings from tonight.

-That's it?

-Yes, this is it, Aapa.

Wali sahab's fortunes are diminishing.

And your insolence is growing.

I swear to God, Aapa. I gave all of it.

She is lying, Madam.

She hid it last time as well.

Search her.

You trust them and not your sister?

Okay, search me.

Madam, should I search her

or should Satto?

Okay, Madam.

Move, move.

Madam, I did not find anything

in the kurta.

And her skirt?

Madam, how will you hide a pouch

where even a candle won't fit?

Madam.

Take a look.

Madam, there is nothing

in the skirt either.

Waheeda bi was right.

There's nothing.

Well done, Aapa. Well done.

Until today, only patrons

have taken off my clothes.

But today my own sister stripped me bare.

I am not the thief, Aapa, you are.

The one who steals others' happiness.

And there is no bigger theft than this.

I am not a thief!

I am not a thief, I am not!

I am not a thief.

Saima, dear, leave everything.

Take this jewelry and get Alam ready.

Madam wants to meet. She is waiting.

Madam will have to wait.

Princess will take another half hour

just to get out of bed.

Idiot, if madam loses her temper,

we're done for.

Hurry up, get Alam ready, go.

Satto, I pity Alam a lot.

She writes so well.

Wants to become a poetess.

And her mother wants to make her a tawaif.

I'm sure this will set off a w*r

between mother and daughter.

You also thought that you would become

the greatest tawaif of Heeramandi.

Did you?

Look at me once

Look at me once

And make me

Fall in love with you

Look at me once

I am ready to burn

Like a moth in a flame

Look at me once

Alamzeb, this poem of yours is wonderful,

but put it aside for now and get dressed.

Madam is waiting for you,

if you don't reach on time

This girl.

Let me get too drunk

To move away

Intoxicate me

With your gaze

Just look at me for once

Saima!

Don't laugh, Alam.

-Madam will rip my skin off.

-It's only a necklace that broke.

Don't worry.

You don't understand.

I understood.

I will take care of madam.

But what will you say?

The truth, what else?

Who broke this?

-I did.

-I did.

It is my mistake.

You did not break the necklace,

but my heart.

-Phatto.

-Yes?

-Count how many pearls are there.

-All 100 of them.

I still remember there were 101.

-Ammi, maybe one

-"Madam," not Ammi.

Madam, maybe one fell in the bathroom.

Then go. Take it out.

But, Madam,

it is impossible to find a pearl in water.

Then these might as well be worthless.

I need that one pearl back.

Otherwise I will recover it's price

by selling Saima.

Ammijaan.

May I come in?

-Have you come to apologize?

-No.

To return the pearl.

Very good.

You'll remember this lesson

your whole life.

Every little thing should be appreciated.

Now you will not sell Saima, right?

My daughter has grown up.

It is time you made your debut

as a courtesan.

No.

No, Ammi, there'll be no debut.

I had said the same thing to my ammi.

Nobody listened to me either.

I was destined to become a tawaif.

I will fight my destiny.

I will not become a tawaif.

On the day of Basant Panchami,

I'll make a grand announcement

of your debut.

Go, my dear.

Leave.

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air

The fields have blossomed

With mustard flowers

The fields have blossomed

With mustard flowers

With colorful blossoms

With colorful blossoms

Ladies have adorned themselves

Spring is in the air

The fields have blossomed

With mustard flowers

The fields have blossomed

With mustard flowers

A variety of flowers

A variety of flowers

We have carried in our hands

We have carried in our hands

As an offering to Saint Nizamuddin

As an offering to Saint Nizamuddin

My lover said he'll return to me

But I've been waiting for years

Spring is in the air

The fields have blossomed

With mustard flowers

The fields have blossomed

With mustard flowers

It's good that you came

at the right time, Lajjo Aapa.

How could I not come?

Firstly, a celebration of spring,

and on top of that

the announcement of her debut.

And look at her,

she is sad instead of being happy.

Lighten up a bit.

All of Lahore is waiting

for your first performance.

They can wait. I won't perform.

Am I an object for display?

Oh, what attitude!

If you won't become a tawaif

then what will you do, my love?

I will become a poetess, Lajjo Aapa.

What did you say?

I will be a poetess.

A woman's real enemy

is her dreams, Alamzeb.

She can see them but never fulfill them.

You are right, Aapa.

We flutter our wings inside a golden cage

while dreaming of flying free.

Zorawar sahab is also your dream, right?

Rubbish!

Zorawar is not my dream, he is my reality.

Well then.

I will turn my dreams

into reality one day, Lajjo Aapa.

-Where are you going?

-I am going.

Yes, go. Mirza Ghalib is waiting for you.

You can run out of the room,

but there's no running away from fate.

Talk sense into her, Bibbojaan.

Neither could you escape, nor could I.

I was only six years old

when my aunt sold me

into this hell, that wretch!

Could I escape?

I've been in this prison ever since.

But now I think I might be free soon.

How? Will Zorawar sahab marry you?

Yes.

Don't tell anybody. Okay?

-I am very happy.

-Then why are you drinking

Because I'm happy.

Never mind me, just pray for Alamzeb.

May she find herself a young,

handsome, rich,

loving nawab.

Amen.

Amen.

Tajdar!

Sit down, Nafisa bi. He is coming here.

-Dadijaan.

-Tajdar.

My friends have been waiting to meet you.

Good evening. Good evening.

Good evening, ladies.

Greetings!

Tell me the truth, my friends.

Can a man be this beautiful?

No way.

Oh, look at him blush

at his Dadi's praise.

I have every right to praise you

and make you sit on my lap!

Come on. Sit.

Sit on my lap. Don't be shy.

You are embarrassing me, Qudsia.

He has returned

as an Englishman from England.

We'll have to teach him our Indian tongue

and culture all over again.

Please teach me.

I am right here, with you.

No, I cannot teach that.

For that you will

have to go to Heeramandi.

Qudsia.

Are you all right?

They teach debauchery there.

What nonsense? Debauchery?

It's custom. All nawabs go there.

-Right?

-Yes, totally.

At Heeramandi, they teach you manners,

refinement, how to be respectful and

they teach you love.

Love?

Love cannot be taught.

I promise.

The day Tajdar Baloch will fall in love,

his love story

will set an example in Lahore.

-Wow!

-Well said.

Tajdar.

Let's go, Ashfaq uncle has called for you.

Go. Meet your abbu.

Yes.

Thank you, ladies.

I'll take your leave. Have fun.

If Allah blesses men with such good looks,

may He not bless women with modesty.

You've just returned from England,

and you're already being

sent off to Heeramandi.

Exactly. I don't understand, Balraj,

what kind of tradition is this?

A place

where a woman's dignity is for sale.

I will never go there.

I hate that place.

Wow!

Taj.

He has returned after studying law

for six years in London.

-Not London, Abbu. Oxford.

-It's the same thing.

So, son, what is your plan next?

I've got a job at the law firm

Walia and Associates in Bombay.

I will work there for some time, then

You're the sole heir

to my estate and hotel business.

Who will take care of all this?

Nawabs don't work for anyone.

But all the nawabs of India

are servants of the British.

You have started

practicing your law with me.

But you have already lost this case.

Us nawabs can lead a life

of luxury only because of the British.

If the British leave,

who will run this country? Those rebels?

Mark my words.

This country

will always belong to the British.

The country belongs to the people,

not the oppressors.

So you are against the British?

Against sl*very.

Begum sahiba, the sight of Tajdar

felt like a dagger in the heart.

Mallikajaan's younger daughter

will make her debut soon.

If you want,

I can speak to her about Tajdar.

Yes, speak to them.

It's up to Tajdar to go or not.

But, Begum sahiba, I

-Do one thing.

-Yes.

Next week

we have a poetry-reading session.

Send an invitation to Mallikajaan

on my behalf.

If this works out,

I might debut too, next year.

I shine bright like the moon

Why would you get another wife, my love?

I shine bright like the moon

Why would you get another wife, my love?

I shine like the necklace

Phatto bi. Phatto bi.

I shine like the necklace around your neck

Saima, what happened?

That Englishman has been here a while.

What to do?

What to do? Can you not see?

She is dancing, drunk.

It's not any Englishman.

He is a police officer.

-He may be, we did not call him.

-You don't understand, Aapa.

Waheeda is trash-talking with him.

Let her. You go.

Who is there?

A British officer

is here to see you, Madam.

Send him in.

Madam, he is British.

How can I bring him in?

He is an officer, he deserves respect.

Send him in.

-Go, bring him.

-Yes.

-Go.

-Yes.

What to tell you, Mr. Cartwright?

Mallikajaan is jealous of me.

-Of my voice, my beauty, my

-I'm sorry.

How much longer must I wait?

You are new here.

That's why maybe you don't know.

Mallikajaan will first waste your time,

and then ruin your life!

But I

I will not do that to you.

Tell me, sir.

What would you like Waheedajaan to sing?

-Ghazal, thumri, or

-No, thank you.

If you don't desire to hear,

perhaps you desire to see.

Officer, madam has called you inside.

Oh, Cartwright.

Don't do that.

Madam, the officer is here.

Madam is lost in her thoughts right now,

she won't speak.

Yes. Yes, Madam.

Come. Come.

I am Alastair Cartwright,

the new Superintendent of Police, Lahore.

I have kept a party at my house

to celebrate that.

And I would like

one of your nautch-girls to come for it.

I seem to amuse you.

Did I say something funny?

She means to say,

if our girls

perform at everyone's private parties,

Shahi Mahal will lose its exclusivity.

But I am willing to pay more.

Officer,

she is laughing because not even Phatto

would perform for this amount.

You are refusing a British officer?

You are refusing me?

Madam is saying,

she will even refuse the King of Britain,

and you are just a

She is saying may God be with you.

May God be with you.

But I will see you soon, Mallikajaan.

Madam, I am scared.

That Englishman seemed very angry.

Now he will remember us forever.

And today he also realized

that here in Heeramandi,

it's not the British,

but Mallikajaan who rules.

Ill-fated Ustaad.

Good evening, Ustaad.

Thank you for coming.

Would you care to have a drink?

Ustaad, would you care to have a drink?

No. No.

You've called me for the first time.

What can I do for you?

I have called you here today

because I want to know

everything about Mallikajaan.

Forget about Mallikajaan, sir,

she is old now.

I am here

I mean,

-I can get amazing tawaifs for you

-Mallikajaan.

Her every secret,

every weakness, her entire story.

She is the most powerful tawaif

of Heeramandi.

Don't take her on, sir.

Does that wh*re have more power

than the British Raj?

You are my master.

Then speak.

My loyalty lies with Shahi Mahal, sir.

How can I betray them?

That is why you are so spicy, Ustaad.

Sir.

Carefully! I am very delicate, sir.

I will tell you everything.

Mallikajaan is a bloody b*tch, sir.

Every stone in Shahi Mahal hides a secret.

Sir, what are you doing?

Sir, I will get hurt!

Hello, Ammijaan.

You called me?

Yes, my child.

There's a party at Baloch sahab's tonight.

All the eminent people

of the city will be there.

I want you to get to know them.

Go, get dressed.

Forgive me, Ammijaan.

I'm not feeling too well.

Is it okay if I don't go?

Perfectly fine, my dear.

One should look after their health, right?

Let me see if you have a fever.

You don't have a fever.

But the fever of poetry

never seems to leave you.

Let's see what you have written.

"May someone always hold me"

"And read me, like a book"

You write well.

No, I haven't written this.

This is Niyazi sahab's poem.

I like his style a lot,

that is why I've written it down.

What a coincidence.

Niyazi sahab will read

at tonight's event.

It would have been wonderful

if you could come.

Well, never mind.

Ammi, I was thinking

I should come with you.

No, you rest. Take care of your health.

I will get better.

But how will you go alone

-Phatto.

-Yes, Madam.

Wow! The smell of these roses

will make people crazy, Madam.

-May God be with you.

-May God be with you.

Where are you going, girl?

To listen to Niyazi sahab.

Oh, God. If madam finds out,

she will k*ll you.

Tell Satto to keep an eye on Alam.

-That damn girl is unwell.

-Yes, Madam.

Hey!

Go!

Are you mad?

Get down! She will see you! Hey!

With the blood that courses

Through your veins

Cleanse and purify your words

-Wow!

-Wow!

With the blood that courses

Through your veins

Purify your words

And only then should you

Speak of love's sweet refrain

-Beautiful!

-Lovely!

Encore, Niyazi sahab. Encore.

On Mallikajaan's request,

I present this poem once again.

Go on.

With the blood that courses

Through your veins

Purify your words

Amazing.

And only then should you

Speak of love's sweet refrain

-Amazing.

-Beautiful.

If I may present

Oh, the wondrous joy

Of placating your lover

Beautiful!

Madam, let me finish the poem first.

If I may present

Oh, the wondrous joy

Of placating your lover

Make a wish, angry with you she remains

Lovely.

With the blood that courses

Through your veins, purify your words

To continue

Only the fortunate are blessed

With the treasure of love

Only the fortunate are blessed

With the treasure of love

The very mention of your lover

Will heal all your pain

-Amazing!

-Well-said!

With the blood that courses

Through your veins, purify your words

Furthermore

In the absence of your lover

How will you recite the prayer of love?

In the absence of your lover

How will you recite the prayer of love?

For it is to her that you must

Confess your feelings

-Beautiful.

-Very good!

With the blood that courses

Through your veins, purify your words

To continue

There is poetry and passion

Why do you not stray?

There is poetry and passion

Why do you not stray?

If you are indeed her lover

Go in search of her again

-Wow!

-Amazing!

With the blood that courses

Through your veins, purify your words

I request your attention for this one.

Don't warily glance about

This is love, my friend

This is what true love is, sir

Be fearless

Spend your life in search of it

-Wonderful!

-Thank you. Thank you.

The last verse

of this poem and this evening.

Continue!

The pain of separation cuts like a knife

The pain of separation cuts like a knife

Recite it faithfully, Niyaz

Don't let your feelings wane

Amazing, Niyazi sahab. Wonderful!

Niyazi sahab,

you came to this celebration

held in honor of my son,

I thank you for that.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you, thank you!

Most wonderful.

Thank you.

Hello.

Sorry.

-Sorry. Sorry.

-Careful, mister.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

-Tajdar, where are you going? Come, come!

-Yes.

Come!

Meet her.

-The pride of Lahore, Mallikajaan.

-Hello.

She's a very talented artiste

and a dear friend of mine.

-Who are you looking for? Listen.

-Sorry. Yes.

I've suggested your name

for her daughter's debut ceremony.

You want me to go to Heeramandi

to learn about love?

Learn etiquette and manners

from these tawaifs?

Tajdar, mind your words.

-I am sorry.

-That's all right.

Thank you, Begum sahiba,

for honoring me with your invitation.

But not all respectable people

know how to respect others.

-Anyway, I'll take your leave.

-Yes.

I am really sorry.

-Let me walk you outside.

-What did you say his name was?

Tajdar.

Tajdar sahab.

I know the ways to enter and exit palaces.

Qudsia Begum,

he is a diamond.

Send him to Heeramandi.

We will polish him.

May God be with you.

What are you doing here? In my buggy?

Did she leave?

No

Feeling better now?

Niyazi sahab was brilliant

at the recital.

-Wasn't he?

-Yes.

Come on.

-Ammi.

-Go inside. Don't worry.

-Madam, I did not know Alam

-Good night, Iqbal.

"Good night, Iqbal."

Balli?

Hey, Balli.

What are you doing here?

Why did you not come for dinner?

Balli, I am talking to you.

I am very hungry. Come on.

-Saima, you go and eat. I am not hungry.

-Wow!

A man who eats 12 parathas

in one sitting is not hungry.

May I know why?

I have earned only one thing in my life.

Madam's trust.

And today I lost that as well.

How?

She thinks I took Alam to the recital

without her permission.

Madam would never think that.

Will she find anyone

as loyal as you in all of Lahore?

She likes you so much.

But not as much as I do!

This whole mess is Alamzeb's fault.

She caused the mess. She'll apologize.

Saima. You don't understand.

God might forgive our mistakes.

But madam she will punish me,

if not today, then tomorrow.

I don't know about madam.

But I will punish you today.

I am very hungry.

But I will not eat food today,

I will eat you.

Alam, I cannot believe it.

Madam caught you red-handed.

-And she did not even scold you.

-Why would she scold, Shama?

Ammi knows how much I love poetry

These are my books.

Where are you taking them?

-To throw them out.

-But why?

Keep going to recitals without permission.

This is your punishment.

-And my diary?

-Ask madam.

Where are you taking my books?

In Heeramandi, books can only be a hobby,

while anklets are the only way of life.

Here our destinies are written

on our feet, not on our hands.

Here's your destiny.

Such harsh punishment

for going to a recital.

You will be punished.

-Ammi.

-Yesterday you told your first lie.

It must also be your last.

Ammi, give me any punishment you want.

Skin me alive, but don't tear my poetry.

I don't punish the body,

I punish the soul.

And this has your soul, right?

What?

What are you looking at?

If the sea ever wants to drown itself,

it will in your eyes.

Really?

Are my eyes that deep?

-They are so deep that

-Aapa.

Aapa.

Ask her how deep they are.

Bibbo Aapa.

Alam, I am with Wali sahab.

And I was with Ammi.

She had all my books thrown away.

I will get you new ones, now you go.

If you don't listen to me now,

I'll k*ll myself

but I will not wear these anklets.

I am sorry, Wali sahab.

I'll console her and come right back.

Alam, how many times have I told you

Where did this girl go?

Ammi also creates new issues every day.

Wali sahab, what happened?

You are leaving?

I have a meeting with Henderson.

Are Henderson's eyes deeper than mine?

It's important to meet him today.

There is tension in the city,

some rebels are protesting.

These damn rebels,

wasting away their youth

at these protests.

I am afraid Henderson

might order a "sh**t at sight" today.

I will try to stop him.

These rebels are crazy,

but they are our own people.

I'll go.

-Yes.

-May God be with you.

-Long live

-Revolution!

-British

-Quit India!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-British

-Quit India!

-British

-Quit India!

We should learn from these rebels, Aapa.

At least they raise their voice

against injustice.

And then there's me.

Ammi burnt my diary,

snatched away my books

and I remained silent.

How are you silent?

She snatched away your old books

but we're going to buy new ones.

-You are also a rebel, Alam.

-That is true.

-British

-Quit India!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-British

-Quit India!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-British

-Quit India!

-Long live

-Revolution!

Iqbal, take the buggy to the intersection,

we will come there.

Sure. There's trouble in the air,

please hurry back.

Okay.

-Come on, Alam.

-Go!

Greetings, bhaijaan.

We want to buy some books.

Sure, this is not a bangle shop.

There's only books here.

But read this first.

"Cash today, credit tomorrow."

Why would we need credit?

We have a lot of money.

Not only cash, we will even leave a tip.

Never mind, Alam.

You go and get the books.

-Where can I find the poetry books?

-Ahead, to the left.

My helper is there. But hurry up.

If things get worse outside,

I'll have to shut shop.

Aapa, I can buy

as many books as I want, right?

Yes, sure.

Nawaz bhai, give me that book.

-But suddenly

-Don't ask too many questions.

It is very important for that book

to reach Hamid sahab.

There may be riots

in the procession today.

Be careful.

No one should suspect anything.

Yes.

Alam?

You choose the books quickly.

I'll meet Aunt Sultana and be back. Okay?

Yes.

-Hey, hey! Miss, what are you doing?

-I am sorry.

-Hey, you?

-You?

You.

You.

How are you?

I am good.

-And you?

-Me?

Amazing.

-That day you suddenly disappeared

-Where can I find Niyazi sahab?

Here.

Those poems you etched on my heart

are still beating.

Poems don't beat like hearts,

they roar, like a lion.

Both the owner and the helper

are ill-mannered in this bookshop.

Move.

"Helper"?

So, how can this helper help you?

Thanks. I can help myself.

Seems that you have

a great passion for poetry.

Yes.

Ghalib, Zafar, Meer, Niyazi,

I remember all their works by heart.

Then remember this helper's poem too.

When thoughts of you

Find their way into my diary

Every line a poem, pure and true

Hamid sahab.

Rizwan bhai.

Balraj, Gurdas where are they?

They are all at the rally.

When Hamid sahab goes to the rally,

give this book to him.

-It is very important.

-What happened, Bibbojaan?

You look very upset.

Hamid sahab, Henderson is going

to order a "sh**t at sight" at the rally.

Our friends might get k*lled.

How can you be

so sure about it?

I heard from Wali sahab.

Take this.

This is not the time to read.

It is the time to fight back.

I hid this g*n in the bookshop.

I knew we would need it one day.

If they k*ll ten of our men,

we can k*ll at least six of theirs.

From today our slogan is not "Do or Die."

It will be "k*ll or be k*lled."

"k*ll or be k*lled."

This one, this one, and that one.

Miss, you you forgot this and this.

You have hired very weird helpers.

-Him? Helper?

-What else?

Hey, why you looking

here and there? Tell me.

Consider this a gift from this helper.

Cut it from my salary, sir.

If I stay here one more moment,

I will cut his throat too,

not just his salary.

May God

My sister will come and pay you.

Who is this woman?

Who knows, bhai.

People come, buy books and leave.

But she took my heart with her.

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-British

-Quit India!

-British

-Quit India!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-British

-Quit India!

-British

-Quit India!

-British

-Quit India!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

-Long live

-Revolution!

Quit India!

Long live

Revolution!

Long live revolution!

Long live revolution!

Long live revolution!

Wait right here.

Move aside, step back! Move!