01x04 - The Tiger Mom

[bunniefuu]

[Diksha] One, two, three.

Roar.
[Roaring]

Jump. Loosen up. Come on.
Well done.

[Meira] You k*lled us, Diksha.

How will you get the results
if I don't push you?

- [Meira] True.
- [Priety] Great drill, babes.

Just too good.

Nams, give me your
tuition planner's number.

I am stressed for Nishka.

Why?

She goes to a math class at two.

Indian music class at three.

Western music class at 4:15.

And swimming class
directly at seven.

That means the one hour
in the middle is wasted.

Do this then.

Make Nishka run from her western
music class to her swimming class.

Make her run. Yes.
Her marathon training will be done.

And the time won't be wasted.

Not a bad idea. Thanks, D.

Trappings of formal educations.
This is why I am against this sh*t.

[Namrata] Exactly
why Jigar is against you.

Come on, babe.

Just like the booty camp,
you got to push it.

Roar.

[Camera clicks]
- [Aakash] Wow, Meira. Superb.

Amazing. Just a moment.
Just a moment.

Just...

Yeah. Lovely.

[Aakash] Now pout.

Beautiful.

Aakash, I want a young mom's role.

Why this glam sh**t?

Why? Can't moms be glam?

Moms are already
under so much pressure.

Wait! Wait! Wait!

Now you even want to
add the word glam on her?

- Relax. No pressure, effortless.
- [Meira] Come on.

- Smile. Look here. Sit.
- Come.

- Smile, everyone.
- I think Arjun has more chances.

He will fulfil his mother's
ambitions. Right?

My cutie.

[Aakash] Tara.

[Meira] Hey, Amu.
Come, let's click a picture. Come.

No. Thank you, mumma.

Okay, fine.
Why are you not ready for ballet?

What is the use?

I am not even on the team.

There are only skinny and pretty
girls in the team like Mjo.

Amu, it is not about
pretty and skinny.

[Meira] It is not about body image.

Just practice it.
You can't give up like this.

Look. Mumma will surely
get you included in the team.

[Chuckles]

Yesterday, you were
fighting with your husband.

And now you are pushing her.

Niki did not want to play football.
This is about Amu's confidence.

Hers or yours?

Let your kids grow up.
Then you will understand.

[Giggling]

[Meira] I had a problem with Anmol.

Because he always forced
Nikhil to play football.

But when I did the same thing,

I thought I knew
my daughter better.

Unfortunately
both the things were the same.

We all were thrusting
our ambitions on our kids.

[Alarm ringing]

- Your daughter is playing truant...
- He's not paying attention...

Mom! There's no wifi!

- My child was a topper.
- How did my daughter fare?

♪ Up or down or a circus clown
♪ Verb or adverb or a proper noun

♪ Can do math and science and history
♪ This is a real mystery

♪ Wife and daughter-in-law and maid

♪ Teacher and a mother
♪ And the food's home made

♪ One kilo of vile, two kilos of good
♪ That's what we call Mentalhood

♪ All that tension before exams

♪ Lots of preparing, lots of sleepless nights

♪ Daughters are harbouring secrets

♪ Behind our backs they're meeting guys

Mummy, my dancing shoes!

♪ It's a yes or a no or a reprimand
♪ On and off and inside out

♪ Where to turn, which way is good
♪ Life is total Mentalhood

Drink that up.

Strict diet till
your ballet competition.

[Anuja] Keep that down.
Drink that first.

My client's kids
are participating as well.

- Beat them, baby.
- Yes, daddy.

- [Aataman] Sahil uncle.
- Hey, Aataman.

[Sahil] How are you, buddy?
Fist bump.

Buddy, look.
I got you the latest Nintendo.

[Aataman] Thanks, uncle.

Hey, Mahisha.
Are you ready to be the swan?

Thanks, uncle. You are the best.

- How sweet. Thank you. Sahil, come, sit.
- Thanks.

I thought we were meeting at the club.
What are you doing here?

Tarun, I wanted to see the kids.

I hadn't met the kids since long.
So I thought, I'd just...

No, it is fine. It is okay.
It's good he is here.

- Have some breakfast. Join us.
- Thank you.

Uncle, do you want wheatgrass?

Thanks.
But I am not being punished.

- Then do I have to drink it?
- No pain, no gain.

[Anuja] Come on. Pick it up,
both of you.

[Sahil] Thank you.

[Ballet teacher] I am sorry,
Mrs. Sharma.

But Amayra can't
join the team this time.

But she has been practising
since the last one month.

And she is doing well.
Maybe by next year.

I will teach her.
I was a good dancer back in the day.

Bollywood.

You know, there is a difference
between Bollywood and ballet.

[Anuja] I mean discipline,
precision, grace, heard of that?

For a weak child,
you want to spoil the whole class.

She is not weak.
She will work hard day and night.

Watch it, Ajo.
She will be on that stage.

Come here.

What is this?
Come. Let's practice.

[Song playing]

Vicky.

- Hey, Vicky.
- I'm bored.

- Did your math teacher say something?
- Let me switch it off.

- Will she give you an extra class?
- Let me hear. Don't do this.

[Song playing]

Hey, Vicky. Shut up.

[Song playing]

What now?

Why are you looking outside?

Can't you look at your mom
and talk for two minutes?

You mind your own business.

- Is this the way to talk to your mom?
- Papa too talks to you like this.

[Timmy] Come on. Play it.

Should I slap you?

[Meira] Come on, Amu.

Yes.

Mumma, I can't do it.

Amu, you know that
I don't take no for an answer.

[Meira] Come on. Get up.

You are doing well.
Just check this out.

Look at this. Watch this video.

You are close.

- See?
- Come on, let's try once more.

- Mumma will do with you.
- Come.

Let's try. Okay?

- See, your hand has to be like that.
- [Meira] Like this?

Bend it a bit. Bend it a bit
like this. See. You okay?

[Anmol] When I left in the morning,
you were rehearsing.

And rehearsals are still
on when I have come back.

- Come on, chill.
- Hi, Anmol.

Leave it.

You don't want our
kids to do well in school.

- You can't k*ll them.
- What do you mean?

Maybe I should leave. Bye.

What do you mean, Anmol?

She has to learn it. She has to do well.
Everybody is doing this.

- You have a stick in your hand.
- [Meira] So what? It is called discipline.

- Look at her legs.
- She really needs to...

You are so competitive.
You have lost your mind.

[Meira] Our differences are
increasing because of parenting.

I think parenthood
is injurious to marriage.

[Priety] Hey, I have the
same problem with my husband.

How can I go soft on my kids?

They are becoming notorious g*ons.

If they behave like this,
they won't have any friends.

Nor will I have any.

Yours, troubled Priety.

[Meira] I think you should channelize
the extra energy of your kids.

Put them in such activities
that they get tired.

[Screaming]

- [Priety] Hi.
- [Meira] Oh my God.

What happened to you?

I took the wrong advice, dear.

I took my kids to
channelize their energy.

- I got the first kick.
- I am really sorry, Priety.

Why are you sorry?

You haven't taken any
advice from Mental Mom.

[Priety] So stupid of me.

[Shaista] Mumma, you came?
I thought Papa will come today.

Get into the car.
I have to talk to your teacher.

[Namrata] Mala.

Hi, Namrata ma'am.
It is so nice to meet you.

I am such a big fan of yours.

You are not giving homework
to Shaista anymore.

I mean you know, we are getting
her ready for Ivy league schools.

I understand, ma'am,
but she is your daughter,

she will have no
problems for admissions.

I want her to secure
a seat on her merit. You see.

I mean I don't
want to take chances.

[Mala] Don't worry at all.
I am there for her.

My son has finished his MBA,
I was just wondering if in your company...

[Namrata] You know what? You are right.
Shaista shouldn't study here.

Mumma, are you sure
I won't study here?

- No.
[Car door closes]

[Kid 1] Bye, Miss.

Actually, Miss...

Amayra has been facing
body image issues.

[Meira] She feels that
she is not good enough.

I think she really needs this.

I understand, Mrs. Sharma. But...

If not in the team
then as a reserve.

You never know,
anything can happen.

And she will feel a part of it.

It will boost her self-confidence.

Please consider.

[Dance teacher] Let me think
what I can do.

I will let you know.

- [Anmol] Hey, everyone ready for dinner?
- Yes.

[Anmol] I got your text.
Amu is in. Great.

How can she lose when
her mother is with her?

[Anmol] And we are on your side.
[Giggling]

Good.
Because my children are superstars.

Arjun got a modelling offer today.

Really?
Arjun, my baby star.

My cutie will sell noodles.

[Meira] And the paps
will go crazy about him.

- My Taimur.
- Yes, super mom.

Negativity doesn't help.
Hope you have realized the lesson.

Of course.
I am not going to be negative.

We all will remain positive. Right?

And we will not
argue with mumma at all.

And Nikhil, I will
drop you at the skating class.

And Arjun.

[Meira] Aakash and I will manage.
We have a system of carpool.

You can remain stern.

- Aakash again.
- He helps me. And I help him.

- Lucky guy.
- Lucky me.

[Meira] Who doesn't fail?

Parenting is a system
of checks and balances.

Your problem is
that you give up easily.

Awaken the tigress within you.

You are the mother of your kids.
Mother. Not a friend.

Just stand up to your kids.

[Roars]

Roar.

[Coughing]

[Meira] Mothers are
more ambitious than kids.

And we forget our own advices.

I sent my daughter in the team
because of my stubbornness.

And lied to my husband.

That's how you win. Okay?

Good night.

[Switches light off]

Mahisha, I am starving.

Your mom is stricter than my mom.

Go to sleep.

[Switches lights on]

[Kid 2] Hey, girls.
How about a midnight feast?

Oh wow. Thank god, so yummy.

Oh come on. Eat it.
Nobody will come to know about it.

Come on.

Yeah.

God, we have French fries. Take.

[Phone ringing]

[Phone ringing]

[Spits]

- No.
[Retching]

[Sighs]

Oh my God.

My mom is going to k*ll me.

She will k*ll me.

You need to call
the paramedics now.

Right now.

[Amayra] My mother always
gives me this.

- I don't care.
- [Amayra] Maybe it will help in indigestion.

[Anuja] You. No. Out.

All this happened
because of your mom. Out.

It is not her fault.

- She was just...
- [Anuja] It is okay.

You are fine.
You are absolutely fine.

It is all gone.
Everything has come out.

But mom, I am so weak.
How will I dance?

You will dance.
You are absolutely fine.

Just...

You will be fine.

Okay.

We are going to be perfect.

How can you be so irresponsible?

Tarun, she ate something
after I put her to bed.

Why did you let her out of
your sight even for a moment?

[Tarun] What were you doing?
Shopping?

Partying?

Tarun, don't talk to me
in this tone. Okay?

You know my clients are coming.
Get Mahisha on stage.

Can't believe you were that stupid.

I got to go.

Oh no.

No, no, no! I wasn't stupid.

Somebody else
was just too damn smart.

You are looking very pretty.
Are you going for an audition?

I don't have the time.

But I will be damned if
my son doesn't fulfill my dreams.

[Phone ringing]

- Hi, Ajo.
- You just listen to me.

You sly fox.

You always had a problem
with my daughter.

[Anuja] From the beginning.

- What are you even saying?
- You made my daughter fall sick.

- Ajo, what are you saying?
- No, no, no.

Don't even act innocent now.

You have sabotaged
Mahisha's performance.

[Anuja] What had you said?
Let Amu be as a standby. Why?

Why?

Listen, Ajo. Listen to me.

Fox.

[Sighs]

Can you believe this woman?

Amu, didn't make it to the team.
Yet you sent her.

Look, Anmol.
I wanted to give a chance to Amayra.

Not at the cost
of someone else's child.

You think I will do this
to somebody else's child?

Accept it, Meira.
You have been pushing too hard.

Whatever I am doing is for my kids.

And I won't be sorry for
wanting the best for my children.

Let's go.

[Footsteps]

You need to take these.

And we need to get on stage.

Mumma, but no.

No, but. Excuses are for?

- Weaklings.
- And we are not?

- Weak.
- Weak. Right?

She will not to be
able to go on stage, mom.

She is in a bad state.
Poor thing.

It is okay, Amu.
I am sure she will get well soon.

[Meira] You know all the steps.

Now go on the stage
and do well. Okay?

You think I would
do this to my friend?

No, I didn't say that.

But if I get a chance,
I will surely think about my daughter.

I am not so selfish, mom. Bye.

Hey.

See, Aakash?

Everybody thinks I am making a mistake
by being ambitious for my kids.

Meira, chill.

You are a mother. It is not easy.

Whether you do it or not,
you will be blamed.

[Aakash] For now, this is enough
that your kids are doing really well.

And trust me.
They will thank you for it later.

Amu will be on stage.

And this little fellow
will sh**t his first ad film.

[Director] Okay, action guys.

[Arjun] Mumma, I don't
want to eat it.

[Kid 3] Mumma, I don't
want to eat it.

My stomach is aching a lot.

[Director] Cut.

[Amayra] Mjo,
you should be on stage.

You worked so hard.

- I am very weak.
- I will help you.

I will hold you.

- What happened, Arjun?
- I don't...

[Woman 1] What happened to you?

You want to become Miss India,
right?

You want to, right?

- [Woman 1] Then?
- [Arjun] Let's go, mumma.

Or should we replace
you with somebody else?

No? Good girl. Have.

- [Woman 1] Sir, she is ready.
- Okay. Thank you.

Are you okay, dear?

- Come on, reset guys.
- [Arjun] Mumma, I don't want to eat it.

Okay, let's go.

[Meira] Sorry.
I can't do this to my child.

[Director] Bring another child.
He can't do it.

[Meira] There is a saying.

A child's shoulder is not built to bear
the weight of their parent's choices.

This is true.

Our kids can't carry
the burden of our ambitions.

But this is also true:

you need a skilled
artist to carve a stone.

A mother's role is a mix
of the two.

She has to find the balance
between push and pull.

In the world,
those kids go ahead in life...

...whose tiger moms
are behind them.

Who keeps motivating them.

By hook or by crook
and all the tricks of the trade.

Everything is fair...

...when it is about the
well-being of the kids.

But I wish we can ask our
children what they want...

...in between push and pull.

Because at the end, it
is about them, not us.

[Door closes]

How is she now?

She is fine.

I am sorry, Ajo.

I was only thinking
about my daughter.

Then I realised
I don't want all this so bad.

That is the difference
between you and me.

I do.

[TV sound]

[Priety] What's happening?
Stop it, Vicky.

You are the elder one. Give.

I won't. What will you do?
Will you hit me?

No.

- I will break the TV.
- No, don't.

- Study.
- Yes.

[Meira] Tiger mom.
It is such a negative word to hear.

Pushy.
Somebody who will gobble up.

But the real meaning
of this word is in Hindi.

To stand in front of your child.
Protecting them from the whole world.

Fighting for her.
Being ferocious. Tiger mom.

Sign.

It is written that you
will not try to contact...

...or meet any member of
the Dalmia family further on.

Well...

I was thinking of
meeting my daughter once.

She isn't your daughter.

She was never your daughter.
I am her mother.

[Namrata] And I will
protect her at any cost.

Because I have legally adopted her.
Yet I am giving you money.

Mumma. You know Mjo, right?
She never tried carbs.

- Really?
- Yes.

[Meira] When the tigress wants everything
which is the best for her kids.

But if she knows
her children's wishes...

...and learns to balance
between pull and push,

then she will be unbeatable.

Because irrespective of the
kid becoming a champion or not,

the one thing that the
child should be is happy.

- What will Arjun grow up to be?
- Happy.

Yeah.

Happy.

[Theme song playing]