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01x06 - A Room Of One's Own

Episode transcripts for the TV show, "Bombay Begums". Aired: 8 March 2021.*
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Set in contemporary urban India, five women, across generations, wrestle with desire, ethics, personal crises and vulnerabilities to own their ambition.

01x06 - A Room Of One's Own

Post by bunniefuu »

She's so stupid to do it to herself! f*ck!

Don't make this about her, Naushad!

What the hell were drugs doing

at a 14-year-old's party?

We were not there. I am sorry.

She's in bad shape! The next few hours

are going to be critical.

Doctor, please look after her.

Don't worry, Ms. Irani.

We'll check for everything.

Naushad, she wasn't in her senses.

I just hope no one did anything to her.

Let's not assume anything, Rani.

I'm just going to fill the forms.

Lily.

Vaibhav and you

have your passports, right?

What?

My love, you will need passports

if you want to leave India.

Yes.

I was thinking I could try

to organize your sponsor letters.

Would you like to come with me?

Dubai?

Yes!

Of course! I'll come with you!

This is what's best for me and Vaibhav.

And for you and Zuravar as well.

You can't be at peace

if your child is in agony.

It hurts like hell.

You know the feeling, right?

I hope Shai gets well soon.

Thank you.

I need to

focus on Vaibhav's future.

Please help me get to Dubai.

This will be the final deal.

No more negotiations after this.

You must stay away from us forever.

Of course.

I mean, of course, if you pay me well now.

One more thing.

So, your only witness, Lily…

she has withdrawn her statement.

It can't be.

Now it's your word against his.

And Deepak says it was consensual.

And you believe Deepak?

Look.

There's no witness.

This case will be closed.

But there are serious repercussions

for false allegations.

-What!

-Exactly what I said, Ayesha.

A false allegation means

there will be action taken against you.

You stand to lose your job for sure.

I would suggest

that you withdraw your complaint

to not get into any kind of trouble.

You take your time,

you think about it, and you let us know.

I'm not going to withdraw my complaint.

No matter what happens.

The rest is up to you.

Okay. We'll be in touch.

I don't care

if you don't believe me, Fatima Ma'am.

Your belief doesn't change the truth.

You are choosing to believe

the person who assaulted me.

That's your choice.

Mummy, I feel so defeated.

Almost destroyed.

Like all my battles are lost.

Are we born only to be betrayed?

Is there no one I can trust?

Be brave!

Fight for the truth!

Forgotten your advice?

Please try and understand

the situation I am in.

I'm just doing what I feel is right

at the moment.

You're running away.

Or have you f*cking compromised?

I told you, I don't have

the privilege of choice!

Starting a new life here in Mumbai

is just impossible!

In this city,

I'll always be known as Lily.

But in Dubai, I can start a new life.

Ms. Laxmi Gondhali.

And in Dubai,

Vaibhav won't be the son of a…

He won't be called the son of a wh*re.

What am I supposed to do?

Our dreams are always stillborn.

Dead at birth.

So any real opportunity,

we grab it and survive.

I don't have the luxury

of fighting for justice.

Sorry.

I did have a word with Deepak.

He told me

that you're being very supportive.

In fact, he feels less alone

knowing that you've got his back.

Good.

You're doing the right thing.

Actually, that's what I was trying

to talk about.

I was supporting him

because I thought he was innocent.

But now, I don't know. I mean,

I think there might be some truth

to what this girl is saying.

Come on, Fatima.

Men will be men.

You know that.

You have to protect him.

He has mentored you.

This is your moment to stand by him.

He's our very own.

Wait. That means you think

that he's guilty.

That is not what I said.

Fatima, you are at

a very crucial juncture.

I mean, in terms of your career.

You are on the rise.

So, don't f*ck it up.

I am so sorry, Ayesha,

that they're closing the case.

As a kid I was told,

"Let bygones be bygones."

-Ron?

-Yes.

Can Lily's factory start?

Well, everything is possible.

She can stay back

for the case then maybe--

No, that's not what I meant.

I want the factory to open.

For Lily.

That was her dream, right?

Then make it happen.

You can make it happen.

We were both working with Deepak.

Why did you…

not tell me about it?

You were so in awe of Deepak.

You wouldn't have believed me.

I was all alone.

It's just…

Deepak has never looked at me like that.

I guess everybody has

a different vibe, you know,

and I probably didn't have

that vibe with him. So…

Vibe?

You still don't get it!

-My name is Laxmi Gondhali.

-Yes, ma'am.

Has Mr. Haider Khan left a package for me?

Let me check.

Is it there?

Uncle Haider!

Vaibhav!

Hai…

Stop! Be quiet.

And now, she's out of danger.

We have also done a vaginal examination.

And there are no signs

of any penetration or trauma.

Thank God!

-Hello.

-It's serious!

Mahesh Rao has sent a notice.

Ozonoh deal is against the guidelines.

They're going to launch an inquiry.

Yes, Sanjay, I've seen the notice.

The PRB is out to f*ck us, basically!

It's more like Mahesh is out to f*ck you!

What?

I have to see him again.

And you're…

in my office.

I thought you loved me.

But now you think…

I don't?

The PRB guidelines

have not been broken, Mahesh.

Technically, I need to appear fair.

There's too much at stake.

Even if it means destroying my reputation

as a banker in the process?

It's also about the integrity

of the office I hold.

There is a certain sanctity

to the position of governor of PRB.

I can't let that be destroyed.

Bullshit!

You're only interested

in protecting yourself.

Trust me. I'm doing all of us a favor,

especially, you.

Stop pretending!

You aren't doing me any favors.

And I've never f*cking asked you

to do me any favor!

Even when you could have swung me

being CEO,

I never asked you to do anything!

But it didn't hurt

that you were seeing me.

What?

You know it's advantageous.

And I promise you that will continue.

Just let this blow over.

Actually, for me, this was just about you.

Just as I thought it was for you.

I do love you.

It's just not the way I love you, I guess.

Goodbye, Mahesh.

The bank's lawyers

will respond to your notice.

Betrayals destroy queens too,

right, Mummy?

Deep, deep wounds.

But they are not worn with the pride

of scars acquired in physical wars.

I think our hearts

are the biggest battlegrounds.

And love is our greatest enemy.

Rani Ma'am, I…

Thank you.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…

It's funny, isn't it?

Who you think you love,

who betrays you,

who stands by us…

I just loved the way Mahesh made me feel.

So young.

So alive!

So wanted.

God, I feel so betrayed!

I don't know what's worse.

Feeling betrayed or…

betraying.

I guess they both are

their own kind of hell.

Thank God Naushad and I

don't hide anything from each other.

If not, this betrayal

would have destroyed our marriage.

Would've completely destroyed it!

Ayesha, tell me one thing.

You have been seeing Ron, and you have

not been to a rock concert before.

Shut up, man!

Well, Ranveer Singh came to Indore

to promote Gully Boy.

I attended that concert.

Listen. Don't listen to these guys.

I'll take you to see something.

We will go to see U2.

Which century were you born in, Ron?

I mean I love them though. But seriously?

I just want to watch Justin Bieber live.

I heard Chitra Parthasarthy

the other night.

She's so f*cking divine!

-Damn good!

-I love her!

Hey. Ayesha loves Chitra, right?

Really?

No. I mean, that was a phase. But…

You know I think she is very…

Her music is very hollow.

It's very shallow, on the surface.

There's no truth or depth to it.

Deep, huh!

It's been eight years!

I know, man!

-Okay. 2005!

-Okay. Class of 2005!

-Where is Fatima?

-Come on!

Come on, Fatima!

-Come.

-Come here.

Until she comes. One more.

-2005!

-2005!

Fati, come on!

-Guys, one more. Okay.

-Another one.

Only IIM!

-IIM!

-IIM!

Guys! Let's do more!

-IIM!

-IIM!

-2005!

-2005!

Come on!

Fati.

-What?

-What do you mean "what"?

It's a happy occasion. Come on.

You want happy?

I'll f*cking show you happy!

Yes, Arijay, is this happy? Happy enough?

I wish I hadn't gone for his party.

I wish I hadn't seen him kiss Mayra.

I wish I hadn't given him my notebook.

I wish I was dead.

Shai, no!

No.

Darling, we all love you very much!

And we are there for you.

You don't know what it feels like

to have your heart broken.

Actually, I do.

Is it your lover?

Whoever it is, it doesn't matter.

What matters is that we mend the pieces

and move on.

Until it happens again!

I don't think I can take it again.

You can.

You can!

Because it will happen again.

I wish you would enjoy

these small moments in life.

And we have so much to be grateful for.

Hey!

Aren't you done

with this f*cking pretense?

-Huh?

-What pretense?

That we're this great,

happy, loving couple!

Because we are.

-It is not a pretense.

-What?

Fati, it is not a pretense!

We are solid. You know that!

Okay, all right. Maybe we need some help.

-So that you can feel better.

-Yes.

Well, it's been difficult

after the last miscarriage.

I know that. I understand that!

Fati, we're going to be 40

in a couple of years.

This is just how life is!

We will get through it together!

I love you!

I cheated on you.

-How drunk are you?

-I slept with Jeff.

What?

I slept with Jeff.

Jeff!

The CEO of that Brexton Company!

You must have been very drunk.

Are you f*cking crazy?

Arijay!

Arijay, look at me! I am serious.

And I wasn't drunk.

And it happened more than once.

Why are you telling me?

Because I can't lie!

No.

You want to make me f*cking feel small!

What?

And you are not sorry.

Everything is not about you, Arijay!

I did this for me, okay?

-Oh!

-Yes, maybe…

Maybe I… I'm not sorry.

I needed it.

I was just so hollow inside!

But one thing I know,

I didn't do it to hurt you.

Too f*cking late.

You've already done that!

f*ck you!

Was the sex really good? Huh?

I want to know.

Come on, give me the details!

Every f*cking detail!

-Arijay.

-How many times?

-How often?

-Stop it.

-Stop this!

-Did you go down on him?

Arijay, please!

You did.

-Did he make you come every time?

-Stop it!

Why should I stop it?

What's wrong?

Are you feeling shy?

f*ck you too!

You know what! I did go down on him.

-Many times over!

-Just…

I showered with him.

I cried when I came.

The sex was that good!

Better than it's been with you

in f*cking years!

Keep f*cking him then.

I can't!

He has gone back to London.

You mean…

if he hadn't gone back,

you would've continued your affair?

Answer the question, Fatima.

Tell me!

Answer! No!

No! f*ck!

I don't know what's wrong with us.

It's not like I love him.

That's not the problem, Fatima.

The problem is

I don't know if you love me!

I can't tell. Just…

Hi.

I'm back!

Hi.

Thank you

for dealing

with this stupid thing so well.

This post #MeToo world is a scary one.

The apartment is perfect.

I hope it fits my budget.

You just organize

a set of parents for the meeting.

I'll handle the rest.

-Is he the guy?

-Yes.

-Raj. How are you doing?

-Great.

-Did you get the pictures?

-Yes.

-Thanks.

-Tea?

No.

She could be the mother.

-She looks like me, right?

-Yes.

-How's this for the Dad?

-He'll do.

These two.

-Get us a good rate. Okay?

-Sure.

VOTE FOR THE JAG RAKSHAK PARTY

I handle all his property dealings.

I'm Mr. Rane's go-to broker.

He's a good man.

He's a leader of the people.

And Vijay Sathe?

Vijay Sathe!

Vijay Sathe is a petty politician.

He's just a local corporator.

He used to be a small-time thug.

He doesn't have any power.

I deal with the big boss,

Mr. Rane, directly!

Don't delay. Okay?

-Sultana.

-Yes?

I need some help.

Tell me.

You might save the lives of women

who are often ignored

and disrespected by society,

so that they are forced

to sell their bodies--

The dancers will campaign

for Mr. Rane during the election.

Yes, of course, they will!

All right.

Sultana is a close aide.

I will look into it.

No, I don't…

I won't deal with these politicians.

I told you already,

to hell with the bloody factory.

I'm going to Dubai!

What's wrong?

Nothing.

We don't have to move to Dubai.

No point living as someone's mistress.

It would be better

if you run your own factory.

That's a respectable job.

Shut up for once!

Trying to become a high-society gentleman?

You're the son of a wh*re!

And "mistress"?

Your father didn't even offer me that!

He didn't give me a penny!

I'm always doing all I can for you!

Your school! Your dreams!

You want to be sophisticated!

You want to be a big man! You…

Everything is about you!

You're a poisonous snake

eating me alive bit by bit!

You're a bloody curse!

Why didn't you just get an ab*rtion?

Your life would have been a success.

My life? What do you know about my life?

-Mum, calm down.

-Listen.

-Listen! Where are you going?

-Shut up!

How dare you yell at me!

How dare you…

Whatever I needed her to do,

she took it in her stride.

If I didn't, I would be in trouble.

I was known to be quite the taskmaster.

It was a two-way process.

Rani was so keen to learn.

She was so open.

She was willing to dive deep

into the world of banking.

And she learnt how to swim.

And how.

He was so charming!

I wanted to please him.

I wanted him to like me.

So when he asked me to stay back

after work, I was excited almost.

Slowly, he started becoming

a little more touchy-feely.

And one day, he just kissed me!

When I understood what was happening,

I stopped immediately.

I was so confused!

I was in shock!

Was I leading him on?

No, I wasn't.

I think I didn't want to upset him.

I didn't want him to touch me.

He sat on the desk

with his knees right near my face.

He forced my face…

Towards his p*nis…

And he forced me to blow him!

How can I trust you?

And why?

I wouldn't trust me if I were you.

But please try.

Please.

Why didn't you believe me?

I'm sorry I didn't.

Deepak has always been

so good to me, you know. He's…

He is too close to home.

I couldn't visualize him like that.

Like a man who can as*ault a woman.

But to think that I was right there

while somebody I was working with was

being assaulted and molested by him,

it just…

Look.

I want to do whatever I can.

We will bring him down.

He has to be punished.

-You rescued this?

-Yes.

Shai, I want you to tell me

if any of the boys at the party

touched you inappropriately. Okay?

No, I don't think so.

I don't remember.

But if you do remember later,

you must tell me, okay?

See, once upon a time,

I was young and stupid.

Something horrible happened to me.

I did nothing.

I didn't say a word.

I don't want you to be as stupid as I was.

What happened to you?

I had just joined JDR Bank.

I was relatively new in Bombay.

My boss…

He expected me

to spend time with him after work.

And then he started touching me.

When it happened for the first time,

I was really confused.

I was really scared but…

I thought maybe that's just the way it is.

I wanted success…

at any cost.

No matter what.

So I kept shut.

Just…

But then it didn't stop!

It just went on and on and on.

My husband thought

I was having an affair with him.

And I let him believe that.

It was horrible, Shai.

I can still feel his breath on my face.

I can still feel him inside me.

There's not a single day when that

nightmare doesn't come back to haunt me!

Look, Shai.

I want you to know

that you don't have to do anything

to please a man, okay?

f*ck that Imran!

f*ck that as*h*le!

Thank God he rejected your drawing book.

That's your life!

That's your art!

You need to own your life.

Risk your life for your art.

Not for some stupid boy.

I love you, Rani.

I love you too, my love.

I love you!

-About Deepak, I really think we should--

-I'm calling the police.

We are all part of the problem, Fatima.

Karuna has given her statement too.

I had closed Karuna's case.

It was a deal with Deepak.

I should've taken action back then. But…

I guess, better late than never.

I'd like to speak

with Commissioner Patil, please.

Yes, Ms. Irani.

How can I help you?

I would like to file an FIR against

the Deputy MD of the Royal Bank of Bombay.

Deepak Sanghvi.

Two cases of sexual as*ault.

What happened? Are you okay?

I've found a flat.

What do you mean?

Actually, I've been house-hunting.

And finally,

something seems to be working out.

But I thought…

I thought we were a thing and…

And you were going to stick around here

for a bit.

Are we going to continue

seeing each other?

I…

I don't know, Ron.

I don't want to mislead you.

"Mislead"?

What do you mean?

There are many things about me

that you don't know.

Yes, but I would love to know.

Tell me.

It's quite complicated.

Look, sweetie…

I know you've been

going through a lot lately.

And maybe you can't talk

to your parents about everything,

but if you ever need to talk,

I'm here, okay?

You will think I'm strange if I tell you.

No, of course not!

Unless like…

Oh, wait. So…

Do you not like me?

-No…

-I mean, it's okay. I can live with that.

-You can just tell me, and I'll survive.

-No.

In fact, I think it's better

if you just tell me straight up,

-rather than keeping me hanging--

-I like you, I do.

I like you a lot, but…

You know what? I think

if you gave me a little more clarity,

-I think I would be able to…

-I…

…be able to know

what's going on in my own life.

So that I can…

Look, I can deal with it. Okay?

-You don't have to worry.

-I like women too, okay?

There! I've said it!

You're the first person I've told.

My mother suspects.

And that's the reason

my family is pushing me to get married.

Wait. So… You are bi?

I mean it's totally okay.

I have to say I'm not entirely sure

how that works.

But it's not a problem.

It's not something

I can't live with or anything.

I mean I'm sure we can find a way

to talk about it and--

Ron.

It's not that.

Then?

I've been seeing somebody the entire time

that we've been hooking up.

I still have feelings for her.

Yes.

That is…

a little dishonest of you.

I know.

I'm really sorry.

So…

Why aren't you with her

if you have feelings for her?

Because she doesn't have

the same feelings for me.

I don't want to be here

with you half-heartedly

because she rejected me

and you're available.

Available?

I've been floating around for months!

I need to find my own place

and figure my life out.

Yes. Maybe you do.

I'm sorry, Ron.

I really am.

What if your wife finds out

about us in Dubai?

She won't find out.

But you'll tell her someday, right?

Why burden my family?

And I'll hide my Lily far away

in some other corner of the city.

I just thought

I would stay close by.

We would meet every day.

We'll meet as often as we can.

Will we get married?

And just like that,

some illusions are shattered.

And we have to dig through the debris

to find who we really are,

and what we truly want,

and what is worth fighting for.

-No, you do it! Come on!

-Okay.

-Hail Lord Ganesha!

-Hail!

Ma'am, you're the reason

we got this opportunity.

To stand on her own two feet

and to live with dignity,

every woman needs that one thing…

That is her very own.

Starting today,

Lily Metals will be my identity.

It's when women like Laxmi

are provided opportunities

one can sense a definite shift in society.

What can you say

about Deepak Sanghvi's arrest?

I'm confident that the law

will follow its course.

But Ms. Irani, why was there no action

taken on the earlier case?

Well, better late than never.

Don't you agree?

Ms. Irani, why the change of stance?

-It's a big decision.

-We are done.

-Ma'am, please.

-I would like to take that.

Like millions of women across the globe,

I, too, have been a victim

of sexual harassment.

Many a time, I was assaulted by my mentor,

Pradyuman Jamwal.

But I stayed quiet.

Because that's all I knew.

But now no more!

It is time for us women to come together

and raise our voices

and say no to sexual harassment.

-One, two, and three!

-Okay. One, two, three!

-Lily Metals!

-Lily Metals!

To own my life means to own my wounds.

To let the blood flow and grow me up.

To wear my scars with pride,

and find the courage to survive.

Rani.

Yes?

It's come.

Oh, God!

It's a long journey.

Mine is on its way out.

I guess you've passed it on to me.

I guess.

You grow up fast,

become an engineer,

and run this factory.

Why are you laughing?

I'm really sorry that I hurt you.

I am hurt that you cheated on me.

And in time, we could've probably

gotten over that.

But that's hardly the point.

We both know there's more to it.

Other couples part ways.

We're not other couples.

This is us.

And I do love you.

It doesn't feel like that.

Our lives are moving

in different directions.

We want different things.

You want a more successful life.

Maybe you want that

in your partner too. I don't know, I…

I can't do that.

I am not that.

You know what I want?

Companionship.

Laughter.

Warmth.

I am not who I was

when we were in college.

Neither are you.

I don't want to just hold on to the past

to figure out the present.

I don't want you to go.

I need to.

For myself.

What about the baby?

We'll see.

Like Virginia Woolf teaches us,

nothing is more precious

than a room of one's own.

So our wounds can heal

and our souls blossom,

and the jagged and sparkling dreams

of women can find both earth and sky.

I think three, right?

No, more than that.

Look how small you were in there.

Who's that?

Zuvi with mummy!

-Yes.

-Yes.

Mum loved that camera.

Mum looks stunning in there.

She does.

You look exactly the same.

He does, actually.

Finally a picture of you, Naushad.

That's so cute.

Mummy, I'll always miss you.

Your blood is my blood.

Your soul is my soul.

But maybe your spirit guides me

through the body of the queen.

The queen of hearts.

Zuravar Irani is in his teens.

Rani's stepson.

He was drunk.

And he ran over an 11-year-old boy.

Vaibhav Gondhali.

This boy's mother,

Laxmi Gondhali,

has taken money from Rani…

to not speak up.

Rani…

-f*ck!

-Oh, God!

I love you.

I love you too.