[train horn blaring]
[song begins]
♪ A pinch of night ♪
♪ A drop of day ♪
♪ They dissolve into the holy Ganga ♪
♪ And become Kashi ♪
♪ This sacred stream flows without end ♪
♪ And this holy city speaks in whispers ♪
♪ Kashi, so comforting, like a beloved at night ♪
♪ A lonely woman, like a boat ♪
♪ Floats across Ganga at night ♪
♪ Was it towards daybreak ♪
♪ That she disappeared like the moon? ♪
♪ Are you a misty winter sky? ♪
♪ Is she Umadevi going to Kashi from Kaveri? ♪
♪ An indelible illution, the Maya? ♪
♪ Who is this like the smile of the Sun, the red-rayed? ♪
♪ Who is this like the wind of southern hill ranges? ♪
♪ Who is this, like a village rivulet? ♪
♪ Who are you? ♪
♪ The wandering, unshaken lamp's flame from the Aarti? ♪
♪ Or the cloud sent by the Sahya forest? ♪
♪ Are you the boatman of twilight ♪
♪ To those who come hoping to cross the river? ♪
♪ The one who revolves around the high ghats of dawn and dusk ♪
♪ Like gentle sunshine? ♪
♪ O Tathagata? ♪
♪ Are you Shiva, who reigns upon the white mountain? ♪
♪ Or the one who waters the entire earth? ♪
♪ Who are you? ♪
♪ Who is this, like the purest form of wisdom? ♪
[temple bells ringing]
[ambient background noise]
'CHINNA CHINNA AASAI'
[soft music playing]
[boat engine rumbling]
Hello, Master ji.
Hello! Hello!
Come on. Let me give you a round.
Not now.
[melodious flute playing]
Yes.
In ten minutes. I'll be there. I've reached Prabhu Ghat.
Aren't you near the hotel? I'll come there.
Are you done for today?
Not yet.
One more round is pending.
Shall we have tea?
Why not? Come.
[humming a tune]
Two cups of tea.
So what's up, Master ji?
Doing good. How about you?
All good here too.
[ambient background noise]
Here's your tea.
And here's yours.
Oh, I forgot to tell you.
That lady sitting there has been crying for some time now.
I asked her but she's not answering.
I think she's from your part of the country.
Please check on her.
[soft music playing]
Please ask her once.
Hello? What happened?
Are you a Tamilian?
What happened?
Oh-no...
[soft music playing]
The folks who travelled in your boat,
were they Tamilians?
No.
I see.
There's a lady at the Ghat here.
She got separated from her group.
Oh, really?
I'll let you know if I get any info about her group.
Alright. Okay.
Alright, Master ji.
Bag and phone snatching is quite common here.
No use in filing a complaint.
Don't you even know your own phone number?
Phone numbers of any of your family members?
Maybe the address or phone number of the hotel you're staying in?
We should be a bit more careful, right?
Master ji,
there's a temple nearby.
Lots of Tamil folks visit that temple.
Maybe go check there?
He was talking about checking at a nearby temple.
What happened, madam?
Is the tea not good?
This is Lord Bholenath's town.
Somebody gets lost here every day.
Right, Master ji?
Have your tea.
[mellow music playing]
[temple bells ringing]
No travel groups visited here today, he said.
Don't worry. Let's search for them.
I mean, look for them.
- We're hungry. Please help us. - Go away. Go.
Please give us something to eat. We're hungry.
Three cups of tea.
I'm taking a biscuit packet.
Biscuits too?
For me?
Take one more.
[mellow music playing]
Did you eat anything?
[ambient street restaurant noise]
[soft music playing]
Can I trust you?
[PA system announcement]
What happened? You didn't leave?
There's this Kishen Bhai's restaurant nearby.
They serve nice south Indian breakfast.
Are you from Madras?
All south Indians are 'Madrasis' here.
Well, where's is your hometown?
Near Tanjavur.
I see! Nagavally's hometown!
Tanjavur dolls!
I have one in my home.
I bought it when I visited Tanjavur back in 1982.
It's a mesmerizing place.
Move this side.
When did you reach Varanasi?
Today morning.
Any idea which side your hotel is?
Or how far it is from here?
No idea.
There was a temple nearby that hotel.
How did you get separated from your tour package team?
Never mind. Come.
[melodious music playing]
Please come. This is the place.
Hello, Master!
Hello, ji!
- How are you? - All good.
You came with your wife today?
- Oh-no! She's not my wife. - Not your wife?
It's okay. Please come.
Please come.
Please take a seat.
Hey kiddo, go take their order.
Don't get him wrong. I've come here only with my daughter.
That's why he asked that.
What do you wanna eat?
Is Masala Dosa okay for you?
Masala Dosa, and two cups of tea. Masala tea.
If you have any idea about the places you were planning to visit,
we could go there and look for them.
I understand Malayalam a bit.
That makes it easier.
Let me ask you then.
Do you remember when your return train is?
It's tomorrow morning's train.
It's easy then. We can find them easily.
Well, I mean if we can't find them even after looking for them here.
Here's your tea.
What's your name?
Leela.
Leela? Special tea for you.
Varanasi tea is the real deal.
I drink minimum five cups every day.
I don't drink tea.
What's the big deal if five turns six?
[melodious music playing]
Who's there in your family now?
It's been one and a half years since he passed.
Kids?
I have a son.
What does he do?
There's a Tamil association office nearby.
Let's go there and inform them.
There's a chance that your group may go there and enquire about you.
Have your food.
[soft music playing]
There's a significant connection between Tamil Nadu and Varanasi.
Do you know that?
I think it was in the 15th century...
Parakrama Pandyan, the king of Madurai
wanted to build a majestic Shiva temple there--
Can we leave from here soon?
Shall we leave?
We'll waste our time if we keep speaking. Please eat your food.
[ambient noise at ghat]
I have informed them.
They've received no enquiries yet.
Let's see how it goes.
If you're tired, do you wanna go sit at their office?
There's a chance that your group comes there looking for you.
Ganga Aarti ceremony happens here in the evening.
They will definitely come here to see that.
We can go look for them there.
It's a bit difficult.
But it's better than looking for them without any idea where they are.
This is the person.
Hello.
Do you have any problem if she waits here?
As long as she wants!
I'm not carrying her, right? It's the earth that'll bear her weight.
Take your honourable seat!
I'll go look for them.
Be seated. Please don't go anywhere.
Please sit, madam.
[soft humorous music playing]
Tanjavur?
Leela.
Your father...
gave you a nice name, isn't it?
Well, why do you look so glum?
Your face looks so dull.
Be enthusiastic.
You definitely have a backstory.
You don't have to share it immediately.
Shall I tell you my backstory to close the distance?
At my village, Paravakottai,
I worked hard all alone,
and became a big millionaire.
As I worked hard to earn all my wealth,
only I know the value of that money.
So, I'd ask my wife about how she spends the money I gave her,
and if my son asks for money, I'd ask them why he needs it.
They apparently didn't like it.
So one day,
they planned to kill me while I was asleep.
That broke my heart, and I decided to end my life,
I came to Varanasi, and jumped into the holy river Ganga.
Suddenly,
Lord Kashi Vishwanath held me close, pulled me out from water, and told me,
"A woman from your birthplace Tanjavur will come seeking you,
I will make you and her unite,
live the rest of your life with her!"
You're that woman from Tanjavur who Lord Kashi Vishwanath mentioned--
I didn't know about him.
Did he trouble you a lot?
Don't mind them.
Do it like that.
[melodious music playing]
I heard they eat corpses.
Is that true?
I've heard that they eat half-cremated bodies.
That guy is a fraud. It's evident from his looks.
This place is not like what I expected it to be.
What?
This Varanasi?
Just look around, the way you want to see Varanasi.
Then you will see the true Varanasi.
Only those who deserve this land will understand that.
[soft humming]
♪ Unleash the rain, O beloved ♪
Some people attach coins to the corpses as a passage fee to the other world.
Those boys are in search of that.
Would God charge for that too?
It's okay. Ultimately the ones who deserve get it.
I didn't understand.
Uncle, please buy it.
- I don't want it. - Please buy it!
Please!
Please buy it, uncle!
Do you want it?
Please buy it!
Please buy one!
Shall I buy one then?
Okay.
[mellow music playing]
Why are you doing me such favours?
You didn't tell me anything about you.
Well, you never asked me.
'You', with respect.
Sorry. 'You'.
So tell me.
I am Madhavan Master.
A retired upper primary school teacher.
I have a daughter. Janaki.
She's doing Kathak masters at Banaras university.
I often come here to meet her.
Dance?
Yes. Why?
How about your wife?
She gave me Janaki and left.
Manikandan.
The son of his first wife.
After two years of Manikandan's mother's demise,
his father married me.
Do you stay with Manikandan?
No.
He lives in Delhi with his family.
He works as an engineer there.
I have a grandson.
His name is Rohit.
He studies in first standard.
[soft music playing]
It's been quite long since I met him.
Everybody's quite busy, you know?
What to say?
If you look at it that way,
this too gives me peace of mind in a way.
But we can't always
be in peace, right?
You came here for sightseeing, right?
I can help you if you want.
You're here anyway.
We have to look for them,
and we have time till Ganga Aarti.
You can even pay me a guide's fee.
[soft music playing]
If it's okay with you, I shall show you something.
You can decide after that.
If you don't like it, you can go sit at the office.
[pigeons fluttering]
[soothing melody begins]
♪ Is there a soul that never soars high? ♪
♪ There are answers to every hardship in life ♪
♪ My sky and my earth become one ♪
♪ And I rise above, wings unfolding ♪
♪ Is this reality, or an illusion? ♪
♪ Though this life may be a fleeting lie ♪
♪ Your care and affection feel true And they have shown me who I am ♪
[anklets jingling]
[footsteps]
[indistinct chatter and giggling]
Didn't we see them there too?
Yes.
Looks like their whole life is inside the phone.
Don't just blame the phone entirely.
It does have its uses.
Do you know every place in Varanasi?
Yes.
Almost.
Can I ask you something?
Subbu had told me...
we get Lassi, Malaiyo, and hot Kachoris here.
What brought you here, actually?
[gentle music playing]
[pigeons fluttering]
Am I...
...talking too much?
[pigeons flapping]
[grains scattering]
Have you travelled like this before?
I've gone to Delhi a couple of times with him,
for his treatment.
Where all have you travelled?
To a few places here and there.
Of all the places you've been,
which did you like the most?
Last July, I went to Spiti.
I loved it.
Where is that?
It's a village in Himachal.
The whole journey there is so beautiful, you know?
Himachal...
It must be full of ‘pani' there, right?
'Pani'?
'Pani' means…
Snow.
Ah, snow?
Not during that time.
I'm planning to go this March.
My son-in-law is coming from the UK.
We're all planning together.
[gentle music continues]
Will you come along?
[motorcycle passing]
I don't even know where the others went!
No idea.
[soft laughter]
[pigeons flapping]
Didn't you say you wanted to have Lassi?
Let's go.
Okay.
[traffic noise]
[pleasant music playing]
Here you go.
[bicycle bell rings]
At this age, I worry such things might cause health issues.
Was that meant for me,
or for you?
Don't worry. I have this regularly.
But it isn't blue in colour!
[background traffic noise]
I'm trusting you and drinking this.
[playful rhythmic music playing]
- How is it? - Not bad!
Still, nothing like Tanjavur Ashoka halwa.
That's truly special.
My grandmother used to make it so well.
Every time I eat it, I'm reminded of her.
She lived happily till ninety.
And one day, smiling, she just went to sleep.
This doesn't come anywhere close to Ashoka halwa.
That's all I meant to say.
You haven't tried Kozhikode halwa, have you?
No.
Try it once… it'll sail across your mouth!
[vomiting]
[Leela chuckles]
[Madhavan panting]
[vomiting continues]
[music continues]
Now do you see who's really old?
[children chattering and playing]
Sister, please buy this lamp.
It's only ten rupees.
- Ten rupees. - No, no.
Only ten rupees, please buy it.
Take two for ten.
Come here for a second.
Hold this, hold this.
- Please buy it, sister? - No, dear.
Please, buy it.
What is it?
Please, buy it.
Ask him.
- Brother, buy a lamp? - No, no, not now.
After arati, the evening rituals, maybe.
- Two for ten! - Not now, go on.
Please, just ten rupees.
Can you give me a hundred rupees?
Two for ten, please buy them.
Buy them.
Here you go.
No, I don't want money.
If you want to buy the lamp, buy it. Otherwise, leave it.
Huh?
Didn't she just say something really smart?
Yes.
She must want to study too, right?
How far did you study?
I didn't even pass tenth grade.
Aha!
Most kids working here dropped out
only because they couldn't afford school.
Poor things.
If only she had someone to support her…
Are you thinking of taking her with you?
If she's okay, I'm okay.
[Madhavan laughs softly]
Keep track of everything, I'll pay you back later.
[kite flapping]
When does the evening ritual start?
At 6 in the evening.
[indistinct chatter]
My daughter had called.
Let me call her back.
[footsteps]
[gentle classical music playing]
♪ You fill every breath of mine ♪
♪ Like a gentle fragrance ♪
♪ Like the warmth of love ♪
♪ O Krishna, eternal guardian of hearts ♪
♪ My soul calls out to you, come ♪
♪ This is your Radha ♪
♪ This is your Meera ♪
♪ This is your Gopika ♪
♪ This is your Radhika ♪
♪ You dwell in my breath ♪
♪ You are my body and my soul ♪
♪ I am the river that flows beside you ♪
♪ And you are the rhythm that moves through me ♪
♪ My restless mind ♪
♪ My yearning eyes ♪
♪ They wander through the night in search of you ♪
♪ I am your Radha ♪
♪ You are my Ghanshyam ♪
♪ Our names are one ♪
♪ Come closer, listen to the yearnings of my soul ♪
♪ O Krishna, eternal guardian of hearts ♪
♪ This is your Radha ♪
♪ This is your Meera ♪
♪ This is your Gopika ♪
♪ This is your Radhika ♪
[child mimics car engine] [damaru beats]
Didn't you say someone came asking?
There was one more lady with us, right?
Why didn't you go along with her?
Ear cleaning...
- Sir, you wanna clean your ears? - What?
- Get your ears cleaned once. - Go away, man!
- Always bugging people! - Why do these folks come to Varanasi?!
If you'd kept an eye on that lady, this wouldn't have happened.
Yeah yeah, that's our job, right?
Before you leave, at least try to find out where she went.
This is all they do, sitting around gossiping!
Name... Leela.
Age?
Fifty... fifty-two.
Place?
Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
Tanjavur...
Tamil Nadu.
That's it, details done.
[faint announcements in distance]
[microphone tapping]
Hello? Hello?
Hope they heard that.
[over PA] Mic check, one two three.
Attention please, missing person alert.
Don't panic. If nothing works out, we'll check at the station tomorrow.
A woman named Leela...
52 years old...
From Tanjavur, Tamil Nadu, seems to have lost her way here.
If anyone has any information, please inform the help desk.
Do you think they're really looking for me?
Did you have other plans for today?
Oh!
Can you do me a favour?
I need to buy a sari for Janaki.
It's her birthday tomorrow.
But I don't know how to pick one.
[chuckles]
You're asking me that?
I'm from Tanjavur, after all!
Subbu always says...
My fashion sense is top class.
[both chuckle]
Who's this Subbu?
I must meet her!
You won't get to, whenever you want.
She comes down from Hyderabad only once in six months.
She's my neighbour's daughter-in-law.
But to me,
she's more like a little sister.
Even this Varanasi trip
she's the one who arranged it for me.
Okay, okay.
The shop is a bit far from here.
But we don't have to walk.
In that case, I have a small wish...
[calm music playing]
[cycle rickshaw bell rings]
[uplifting music playing]
♪ O desire, are you too the river ♪
♪ That caresses the shore ♪
♪ Without spilling over? ♪
♪ You seem like a lonely path, aching with endless distances ♪
♪ Who is the tender cloud drizzling upon your sorrow ♪
♪ Like a dream? ♪
♪ Who are you, like the divine form of Goddess Gowri adorned with new leaves? ♪
♪ Who, so near to me ♪
♪ Like the starlit sky over Mount Kailash? ♪
♪ I do not know... ♪
♪ Tell me, without drifting away like a river ♪
♪ Are you the goddess-heart that bleeds for the whole world? ♪
♪ Are you Lalitha (the gentle Goddess) or Jwalitha (the blazing one)? ♪
♪ O, maiden of pure spring waters... ♪
You'll wear out your sandals walking that fast.
The saree you picked for Janaki was nice.
Look, a call from the Tamil Association.
Sorry, I was just…
They're just jasmine flowers, right?
Not rose or anything.
That… sorry, I…
I didn't like it.
It felt a bit odd.
Jasmine suits the saree so well.
That's why I… [Phone rings]
One minute, my daughter's calling.
Hello?
Hello.
I was at a dance shoot, missed your call.
Where's Dad?
I'm at the ghat.
Aren't you coming here?
No.
Then I'll come there.
Dad, you didn't eat, right?
Let's eat together.
I'll be there in 30 minutes.
I... I'm here with a friend.
Which friend?
From our hometown.
Which friend back home?
You wouldn't know even if I told you.
A friend of yours I don't know?
That... um...
Um… fine.
What am I supposed to do now?
We're going to eat.
Then I'll come there.
We can eat together.
No need. He'll leave in the evening.
After that I'll come to the hostel.
Um… okay.
Don't forget your medicine after food.
I'll call you then.
And did you arrange tomorrow's thing?
Oh, I forgot it.
Huh?! Really?
I'll go soon after this.
Uhm… fine.
- I'm hanging up. - Okay.
We need to go somewhere. Shall we?
It's to arrange something for tomorrow.
It was urgent.
I completely forgot.
Only remembered when my daughter asked.
Say sorry to me.
Oh?
Say “sorry.”
Sorry!
Shall we go?
Let's go.
[Islamic call to prayer]
O, Lord Murugan...!
If you want, we can rest for a while.
Yes. I was about to ask you the same.
Alright. Let's go sit there.
Is your health okay?
Yes.
I've got a slight blood pressure issue.
Why?
Nothing. I just asked.
[glass shattering, baby crying]
You've turned my home to hell!
You've ruined my peace of mind! Always ranting!
What am I ranting? I'm the one who's in stress, right?
You neither cook, nor do anything else!
- Loser! - What? Huh?
Go to your loser friends now!
They'll serve you food!
[door shutting]
[motorcycle engine revving]
[baby crying]
Have you and your wife ever had such serious fights?
Well, no.
We were together for only a year and a half.
[soft humming]
To be frank,
some six or seven months.
But that time,
it was full of fun.
Then she got pregnant,
her parents took her home,
she delivered our child, and all hell broke loose.
[humming continues]
Me and my husband used to fight quite often.
Even for trivial matters,
we used to fight.
Even then,
I love him a lot.
[soft music playing]
On the other hand, he never had any love or affection towards me.
Rather than a wife,
he needed a maid who could take care of his son.
I was the only one who couldn't realize it.
Even when he was at the hospital,
he used to tell me that taking care of him is my duty.
What's the point in discussing all these, right?
Your Malayalam is quite good.
Keep that 'dam' issue aside, and we're all one.
You said you wanted to go somewhere urgently, right?
- Yes. - Shall we go?
Sure.
[soft music playing]
Hello, Master ji. How are you?
Hello. All good.
- I have a guest with me today. - Who is she?
Is she from your village?
Hello. Hello.
Isn't everything on track for tomorrow?
Khalid, aren't the preparations for tomorrow's veg meals done?
Yes.
It's already 1 o' clock. Shall we eat biryani from here?
Mutton biryani is so yummy here.
Do you eat mutton?
[soft music playing]
Come on, Papa. Let's play.
Not now, dear. I've got lot of work to do.
- Please come. - No dear, I'm working now.
Later, okay? Go play with your brother now.
He's not ready to play with me.
Here's tomatoes.
I'm too tired.
One second.
Hello?
Did you not leave, Dad? What happened?
A lady here got lost from her tour group.
I felt bad for her and decided to help her.
I'm with her now.
I'll come there after helping her to reach her tour group.
My dear Madhavan Master.
Why do you need to give me an explanation?
Don't I know you?
Even if you say that you guys are in love, I'm okay with that.
Stop it, you!
I swear. If I find her to be okay, I shall get you guys married.
I'm hanging up, okay? I called you to tell you this.
Don't hang up!
What's it?
You're not the one who would worry about what I'd think, and cook up a lie.
What's going on? Anything fishy?
Stop it, girl!
[soft music playing]
Wow!
Have it.
Only if you have someone close to you,
the phone will be of some use.
There are plenty of folks here who live like they have nobody,
even though they have everybody.
We need to go to one more place now.
Shall we?
[mellow music playing]
Hello.
Milord! How are you, Madhav ji?
First class. And you?
I'm also doing fine.
She doesn't look old enough to get an admission here.
She's not here for an admission.
She's my friend. Leela.
I see.
She's here for some sightseeing.
I see. Please come.
Please come.
For tomorrow, aren't the arrangements done for
fifty meals?
Yes.
Did you get any missing enquiries?
Missing enquiry? What happened?
She had come here with a tour group from Tanjavur.
She lost her way.
Please call me if any enquiry comes.
Sure.
[melancholic music playing]
Okay. I shall take your leave then.
Something urgent came up.
- See you tomorrow then. Goodbye. - Goodbye.
What's going on here?
I feel strange.
Well...
Some people believe that dying here can help them achieve salvation.
Most of these people come here alone and live here.
Or they can have a helper too.
If they don't die within 15 days of check-in, they'll have to check out from here.
That's the rule here.
And there are some people who donate all their wealth and stay here till death.
Also, there are some people here who have done their final rites themselves.
How's that possible?
How can they know the time of their death?
Only God knows that, right?
Do you know that God?
We have so many Gods, don't we?
You can ask me about whoever you want.
I have only one question.
If I see God some day,
I want to ask him why he gave me a life like this.
Did I really live a good life?
I don't know.
I've never opened up like this with anybody before.
We've got time till 'Ganga Aarti' ceremony. Keep talking.
I feel very happy, you know?
What makes you really happy?
Seeing Janaki dance,
makes me really happy.
I too feel like meeting Janaki.
She's an excellent dancer, isn't she?
I too wanted to be a dance teacher once.
I've learnt dance during my childhood.
Before my marriage, I've danced several times during temple festivals.
But, after marriage...
I danced only once.
And he didn't like it.
So I stopped it right then.
Had you told me this earlier, we could've gone to her institute.
That's okay.
The moment I saw you, I felt that
there's a dancer hiding within you.
Please don't say such things.
I feel awkward.
When will Ganga Aarti ceremony begin?
It will take another 3-4 hours.
What can we do till then?
Subbu had told me that the boating experience is good here.
It's better to do the boating in the morning.
Then... What can we do now?
There's gonna be a 'Sitar' performance at Kala Kendra today.
It's quite nearby.
Shall we go there?
Is it? Let's go there then.
[mellow music playing]
[ambient noise at ghat]
This place is peculiar in several ways. Do you know that?
Here, lizards don't chirp,
dogs don't bark,
crows don't caw,
eagles don't circle the sky,
all those are--
Ouch!
[soft, sad music playing]
Everybody calls me ill-fated.
Please leave me before something bad happens to you.
Please come.
[temple bells ringing]
She wasn't watching out.
It's okay.
It's alright.
Shall I talk to him?
Go ahead.
Please forgive me.
Isn't it so tough to travel wearing a saree?
Isn't it?
She hated wearing it.
It was for our marriage that she wore a saree.
But it was only for a short while.
After that, for our marriage reception,
she wore a white and white... I don't know that attire's name.
She wore something like that.
She looked so pretty in it.
We used to travel a lot.
After...
After our baby's arrival, she changed completely.
She'd call me back to back.
She'd get angry if I ask her about our baby.
[soft music playing]
As if she doesn't like the baby.
She wouldn't let me know even if our baby is unwell.
I was too stressed out due to all this as well as my work pressure...
so one day I lost it.
I...
snapped at her.
But... I didn't expect her to do this.
I didn't know that she was unwell.
I can't do anything now. I'm helpless.
I just can't bear this!
Sorry...
[religious chanting]
Please go and dispose the ashes.
Come. This way.
Walk down.
[sad music playing]
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Leela's tour group was here asking for her.
They're at Gwarighat now.
- Please drop her there. - Okay.
Didn't I tell you not to worry?
They reached there, looking for you.
They're at Gwarighat. Let's go there via this lane.
[soft music playing]
Please come.
[ambient street noise]
It's only a bit further this way.
They're all waiting there.
What happened? Don't you feel like going to them?
You may leave.
I'll go alone from here.
No, let's not do that.
It's only a few steps away.
I'll leave only after dropping you off.
If you come with me...
they'll misunderstand me.
You're right.
But, will you be able to go alone?
You've helped me a lot.
Please keep tabs of whatever money you spent.
Once I reach home,
I shall pay you back.
Thanks for all the help.
[mellow music playing]
[ominous music playing]
Murugan, my Lord, my aunty got married and moved to a new house.
Please take good care of her.
And…
The fish my aunty bought for me died.
I fed it all the rice, still it died.
I want another fish just like it.
One with a spot on its head, just like that one!
Please, please…
- I really love my aunty and that fish. - Leelavathi…
- Leela…! - She’s coming, Appa!
Tell me, Appa.
Haven’t seen you for a while. Where were you, Leela, my babygirl?
I was talking to Murugan, Appa.
Oh, is it?
So, what did Murugan say?
Murugan didn’t say anything, Appa.
I told him I want another fish.
Is that so, dear?
Alright. I’ll go today and catch another one just like it, okay?
Really?
When are you going, Appa?
I’ll finish some work in ten minutes…
After that, I’ll go catch it for you.
I won’t go home without a fish today.
Okay, my dear.
Appa, who’s that man with the tummy?
Who? That one? Oh, that’s our-- [Temple bell rings]
Wow! Prasadam!
[anklets jingling]
[laughs]
[soothing music playing]
[anklets jingling]
Appa, when will all the temple work be finished?
Why, dear?
Tell me, Appa.
It’ll be done in a couple of weeks.
When will we go to the big temple, Appa?
It’s close by, isn’t it? We can go anytime.
Then shall we go, just the two of us?
Just you and me?
Won’t Amma and elder brother come?
No, Appa.
Amma keeps finding fault with everything I do.
Let brother stay with Amma.
If he comes, he’ll just hit me anyway.
But isn’t your grandma’s house right there?
How can your mom not come there?
Then let’s go to a temple far, far away, Appa.
If it’s far away, we’ll have to go to Kashi.
Where’s that, Appa?
It’s very far away, dear.
It’ll take two or three days to get there.
We’ll need to take a train.
Then let’s go there, Appa!
I really love travelling by train.
It’ll be so much fun, right?
But it’ll be very crowded there.
If I lose sight of my baby Leela in that crowd, what will I do?
I’ll never leave you, Appa.
I’m big Leela now.
I can take care of myself.
Alright, you’re big Leela now.
Then I’ll come with you to Kashi.
I’ll take you there, Appa.
Okay, dear.
Do you still want more?
Had enough?
Do you want some, Appa?
Eat carefully, dear.
Hey. Hi.
Hello, madam.
[temple bell ringing in distance]
[in Hindi] Need any help?
[in Tamil] Are you Tamil?
[in Telugu] Don’t look Telugu…
[in Malayalam] Malayali?
[in Tamil] From my hometown?
[whistling]
Even as countless thoughts troubled her mind…
the world outside kept moving on.
[playful music playing]
Tamil, right?
Hello?
Yes.
Green saree?
Yes, she's here.
Nose ring?
That too.
But won’t say a word…
What?
Could she be mute?
Hello.
[footsteps]
[pensive music playing]
Usually, no one who ends up here ever leaves.
They all die and vanish here.
If you don’t want that,
tell me what your problem is.
[sobbing]
Oh no! Hey, cool! Cool! Cool!
I was just kidding!
Don’t cry! [Playful music]
Ugh!
I’m dead!
Please, I can really help you.
Just please, don’t cry. Just don't cry!
Ugh!
JANAKI [On phone]: Not everyone can understand everyone else, Dad.
Maybe she couldn’t understand you.
But…
Aunty…
Didn’t you ask why she behaved like that, Dad?
Whatever it is, come here.
Don’t sit there brooding.
Okay.
Then come now. Don’t delay it. [Phone beeps]
One sec, dear.
Okay.
RANJITH [On phone]: Hello, this is Ranjith, Tamil team’s coordinator.
Where are you?
We’ve been waiting for you here.
Hello sir, can you hear me?
- Sir, I’m telling you... - Where are you?
I’m here at Gauri Ghat. Can you come quickly?
[mysterious music playing]
Look at her audacity!
The moment I saw her, I knew...
I don't know where she went missing from.
She probably cheated that man too.
RANJITH: I very well know how to manage a tour package.
They left us running around while they went off having fun.
RANJITH: Her phone is switched off. I tried calling her.
We came to Kashi looking for peace.
Now we've lost what little peace we had.
How would I... alone…? Hello?
Hello? I can hear you, go on.
Hello?
This isn’t going to end well.
Her sons said not to file a police case.
They said it’s fine even if she never returns.
What a family!
She’s not her own son. [Dog barks]
She can’t have children.
I said it from the begining.
Don’t take along someone cursed.
And here we are.
I’m telling you again,
If anything happens to her, I’m not responsible.
You’ll have to deal with it.
Thank you.
[faint footsteps]
[indistinct chatter]
[sighs]
[vehicle passing]
Granny...
Hmm?
[indistinct chatter]
Hey!
What happened?
Tell me.
[slurping]
Why am I like this?
Honestly, I’m not like this.
Or maybe…
Maybe this is who I am.
And I’ll live like this.
Did anyone say don’t?
Yes.
They did.
Everyone said so, except him.
[soft melancholic music playing]
I don’t know who you are.
But the only reason I’m talking to you this much
is because of him.
Is it wrong to speak like this?
Yes,
it is wrong.
Who am I to ask you? Who are you to tell me?
Say nothing. [Pigeons flutter]
It's okay, keep going!
Tell me, Leela.
Who is this “him”?
Your husband?
Master.
Who? Your teacher?
Yes.
Yes, a teacher.
He taught me what life is…
But I’m the one
who left him halfway.
Was it love?
No!
Nothing like that.
I saw him for the first time this morning.
[soft melancholic music continues]
Last night,
I came here with my team.
This morning, I got separated from them.
Separated?
Or did you walk away on purpose?
- Yes! - Huh? Really?!
[soft pleasant music playing]
Speak straight, Leela.
I can’t stand this beating around the bush.
There’s a little girl Leela inside me.
I often talk to her.
No matter what I ask or say, she keeps crying.
I feel like asking why she cries.
But I never once asked her.
Because I already know her answer.
[soft melancholic music playing]
Then what could I say to her?
“Live the life you always wished for”?
Should I say that?
Or should I tell her,
“This is your life, accept it.”
[music swells]
I have no one.
Only her.
Only her!
So today, for once,
I decided
she should live the life she wanted.
That’s why
I left my team behind.
I didn’t know what to do.
I lost my bag.
I was panicking, clueless.
[sighs]
That’s when Master came.
And I don’t even know why.
He probably didn’t come for me.
It felt like he came for that little girl Leela.
But...
without realising that,
he pushed me back to my team again.
And that’s why…
[bangles jingling softly]
Leela, you’re 'adipoli.'
What do you mean?
I mean, you’re super!
What’s this?
This?
This ressembles my life.
Just going around in circles.
[pigeons fluttering] [traffic noise]
That’s how it is.
It slips and falls in between.
I'll take it and spin it again.
It’s a loop. You wouldn’t get it.
Oh, yeah, for now, your episode is running, right?
Come on, it's almost time for the Aarti.
We’ve got to find your master, right?
[footsteps]
But tell me, this “master”...
Does he have any bad habits?
Like?
Like smoking or drinking?
Oh no, I wouldn’t know that.
Really? You got so close to him without knowing anything?
That’s why I said,
there’s nothing between us.
Hey, old-fashioned lady!
I'm talking about friendship.
[distant devotional music playing]
Friendship doesn’t need big things.
Just understand the little things, that's all it takes.
Wow, well said!
Where are you from?
At presenst, this is my home.
[traffic noise]
And if he’s not there?
If he’s not there,
he’ll come to see you off at the station.
Not a chance.
I left him halfway, remember?
He must be mad at me.
He won’t come.
It’ll be fine.
I’m here, right?
[man humming]
HEY!
My bag!
[tense music playing]
[rapid footsteps]
- HEY! - Hey, Leela!
Leela...
Hey! Hey! Get off!
[iron gate creaking]
Leela!
Hey!
Where did he go?
[children chattering]
Leela, wait! I’ll come too.
[panting]
[music fades]
[panting]
[soothing music playing]
[footsteps] [panting]
Where the hell were you?
Look at her!
They all came after me
Yeah, just blame me for bringing you here!
Why was your phone off?
Where's your phone, madam?
Why are you standing there like a statue?
[murmuring]
Did you come along just to make our lives miserable?
Her damn phone's switched off.
Look at her!
Isn’t the train tomorrow morning?
What?
She’ll be there.
[bangles jingling]
[warm, soothing music playing]
[music swells]
[music fades]
[pigeons fluttering]
I didn’t do it intentionally.
I know.
They won't treat you well.
Why did you do all this?
Why did you leave me and go?
[soft music playing]
[footsteps approaching]
What's here, a new episode?
Master?
Hi, Master.
I am Shetty.
You’re Malayali, right?
So, how are you?
I’m Leela’s new friend.
I had promised Leela
I’d track you down and bring you.
But no worries.
What? Where have you been?
I've been looking for you the whole morning!
What? What are you doing here?
- Sorry, sorry. I’ll explain to you. - I’m leaving tomorrow. You know that, right?
Yes, yes!
- I will explain, I will explain. - No! No excuses.
Listen to me. Wait.
Listen! Come.
[playful music playing]
- Wait. Wait a second, okay? - What?
Here’s your phone.
It’s short of 200 bucks, I gave it to that thief.
Poor guy has to live too.
Okay, Master, I’m off.
Bye.
Have fun, guys.
[rapid footsteps]
[pigeons fluttering]
I feel a bit tired.
I feel like freshening up.
If you don't mind, my hotel is nearby.
We can freshen up and then go for aarati.
[gentle music playing]
Okay.
[scooter approaching]
[giggles]
Something wrong...
[scooter engine revving]
[dance teacher calling out steps]
[door creaks open]
Come.
You may go freshen up.
No, I’ll freshen up later.
Can I take a bath then?
Okay.
[door shutting]
[phone ringing]
Janaki’s calling.
Can you answer it?
Hello.
Your dad’s in the shower.
Shall I ask him to call back?
Hello.
Hi aunty.
This is Janaki.
[soft chuckle]
I know, your dad told me.
[pleasant music playing]
Is dad with you?
Yes.
Not sure what happened in between.
I’ll ask him later.
We all were really tensed.
I feel relieved now.
Aunty.
Yes, dear?
I want to see you once.
Is it possible?
Of course, you can.
Are you going for aarati?
Yes, we’ll leave in half an hour.
If you have anything troubling your heart,
pray sincerely.
It will surely work out.
Okay.
Then I’ll call back later.
Alright, dear.
And thank you.
[music swells]
What did she say?
She said she surely wants to see me.
Have you thought about
what to do when you meet them tomorrow?
No, we’ll see then.
Then go freshen up.
It’s time for aarati.
[bangles jingling]
One moment…
Huh?
I need jasmine flowers.
[door creaks open]
[door shutting]
[soft romantic music playing]
[song begins]
♪ The dreams I thought were lost are taking shape again ♪
♪ All that I believed had left me return, like wings unfolding ♪
♪ Within these new desires, life I thought was gone breathes once more ♪
♪ This is enough ♪
♪ My heart feels complete ♪
♪ I searched for myself in silence and wandered in dark ♪
♪ Then you arrived, and I found a gentle guardian in you ♪
♪ Who are you, and who am I, in this space? ♪
♪ The bond between us escapes every name ♪
♪ An unseen force weaves a secret lock between us ♪
♪ And who holds the key to unfasten it? ♪
♪ I sense you in the wind that brushes against me ♪
♪ When you are here, I need no one else ♪
♪ I want to journey far with you, beneath an endless blue sky ♪
♪ This is enough ♪
♪ My heart feels complete ♪
♪ This is enough ♪
♪ My heart feels complete ♪
[ambient noise at ghat]
That wasn't necessary.
What do you mean?
You paying them.
Just consider it as a form of art.
Then consider it as a ticket to see the art.
Do you not believe in God?
[man singing]
Can I ask you something?
[mellow music playing]
You had a love marriage, I guess?
Yes.
Four years of love.
I've heard that being in love feels so beautiful.
Why? Have you never been in love?
Sister...
Hey! Come here.
- Yes, sister. - I was looking for you!
I want all of this.
[soft melodious music playing]
Can you please come here?
Hold this.
Okay.
[soft music playing]
One should visit this place during the 'Dev Diwali' festival.
What's that?
On the fifteenth day of Diwali, the full-moon night,
the whole Varanasi gets lit up with lamps like this.
It's a delight to watch.
Please don't awaken my desires by saying such things.
I'll feel bad when I realize that I won't be able to do it.
Why do you have to feel bad? You just need to come see the festival.
How can I come alone?
When auntie went missing, it was like dad got stuck.
I've never seen dad like this.
I could feel the change in his voice when I talked to him a moment ago.
He's happy with her.
Come on, stop it!
Are you saying that he's fallen in love at this age?
Why not? Why can't he fall in love at this age?
I didn't mean it.
Just think about it.
Dad being stubborn about not coming with us to the U.K.,
and now him meeting this auntie,
isn't this all a coincidence?
Whatever! Coincidence!
First, go meet auntie tomorrow.
Let's see after that.
There's nothing to see here.
My mind is telling me that
this is something special.
Let it be.
Aren't you going to see the flat tomorrow?
Oh, yes. Please be free tomorrow.
I'll facetime you.
Okay.
Call me after meeting auntie tomorrow.
I too wanna know if Madhavan master is in love.
Okay. Good night then.
Sorry, good noon.
- Okay. Bye. - Bye.
Do you wanna buy anything for anybody? You won't get time in the morning.
Who do I even have?
Isn't tomorrow Janaki's birthday?
Let's buy something for her.
She said she'll come here tomorrow morning at 8.
She said we'll have breakfast together.
You want more chutney?
Brother...
Chutney.
Okay. One moment.
The chutney isn't that good.
It's really not good.
Visit Tanjavur sometime.
I'll make you nice dosas and chutney.
- Tamil? - Yes!
Rajinikanth?
Thalaivar? Super, super!
Which movie do you like?
I don't know much Tamil.
Only Rajinikanth.
♪ Lungi dance, lungi dance ♪
[background applause]
When will you go back to your hometown?
In a couple of days.
Will you come with me?
I was just kidding.
If my travel group speaks bad about me tomorrow,
I felt it'd be good if there's someone who I can share it with.
Aren't we going back to the hotel after food? I shall book another room.
No need.
I wish to stay at the ghat throughout this night.
[pleasant music playing]
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect all these to happen.
[flute playing]
Thank you. Thank you.
I have a small wish.
Dance...
[audience chattering]
[soft music playing]
This is Leela,
the beautiful dancer from Tamil Nadu.
She is gonna dance for us.
Leela, come.
Please. Come, come.
Hey, come on.
Just some small movements.
Please go ahead.
[flute playing]
[applause]
Thank you.
Leela, please come here.
Please come here.
Come. Come.
This is for you. Please. Take it.
[soft music playing]
Let's go.
- Bye. - Bye.
Thank you.
If I give you something, will you accept it?
You've become quite rich, aren't you?
It's not like that.
This is my first salary.
Please keep it.
I'd rather prefer you buying me something.
I really miss my father today.
He was the one who always supported my dance.
[melodious music playing]
What's happening there?
Oh, that? It's the dead bodies being cremated.
Why didn't we go there?
Ever since Latha left me,
the sight of pyres burning scares me.
What will you do after going back home?
Janaki is also coming with me.
She must be having some plans.
She's planning to travel to the U.K. after her course.
She's planning to launch dance classes there.
They're adamant about taking me along.
Alex called me and discussed about it even yesterday.
Will you go with them?
[soft music playing]
It is quite difficult to live all by yourself.
It's better for you to go with Janaki.
[man singing] [Man singing a song]
Who is this?
Master ji...
Isn't she the one who was crying at the store in the morning?
Yes, she's the one!
And you're smiling now?
Something's fishy, Master ji!
Don't you wanna go home?
Home...
Master ji, the tunes of the waves...
The calling of the shores...
the kick of the booze...
and the elegance of the moonlight.
This is my home, Master ji.
This is all I have.
Or, you should have someone
who you can call your own.
No. She will go back tomorrow morning.
Why?
Did I say anything wrong, sister?
I see!
Please have it, sister.
I didn't understand anything you said.
But today, for this one day,
I've been living as myself.
He is not the only reason for that.
Even you are a reason for that.
Thanks a lot.
Madam...
I don't understand
your language.
But, there's a story about Varanasi.
Whoever comes here, Madam ji...
they leave something close to their heart here in Varanasi.
But now, Madam ji...
he's doing just the opposite!
Master ji...
You're extremely lucky.
Did you understand what he said?
The people who come to Varanasi
usually leave behind something close to their heart.
That's the custom here.
You have time till tomorrow, right?
Roam around more.
Go see the whole Varanasi.
Enjoy to the fullest!
Sure.
Praise, Lord Mahadev!
[soft music playing]
See how happy he is!
Yeah.
[giant wheel whirring in the background]
[playful music playing]
[giant wheel creaking]
[music swells]
[lip smacking]
You look just like a pre-school kid.
Why are you staring at me?
I saw you taking that woman to the lodge.
[giant wheel creaks to a stop]
Huh?! A new saree!
A new sweater too!
What’s the plan?
Is this train heading
to Thanjavur or to Kerala?
Give me money.
Little bro, why do you need money?
They just bought new clothes.
Now they'll need to buy tickets home.
He’ll need money again anyway.
So, you pay him!
[playful music playing]
Give me money.
Huh?
Give me my money.
They rode the giant wheel, why should I pay?
You’re the one who sent them! So, you pay.
You’re just a kid. Don’t talk too much.
Get lost.
Scram!
He doesn't even know Hindi!
I’m holding my temper here and he's bugging me for money?
I’ve never been
important in anyone’s life.
[soft, soothing music playing]
After all this,
didn’t you ever feel angry with the God?
I did.
Tell me.
What did you feel
when you first saw me?
Didn’t you suddenly cry when I asked you the issue?
That moment, I thought,
“Oh, I’m trapped.”
[both laugh]
Ask me what I felt.
Um…
Ask me.
So, what was it?
Nothing at all.
[laughs]
But...
can I tell you what I feel now?
I’ve never
felt this way before, ever.
Truly.
It feels different.
[music swells]
Isn’t this wrong, at our age?
What?
Lying here stargazing with someone...
I just met this morning.
[laughs]
Do you think my husband, and your Latha,
are watching us from above?
Maybe smiling, seeing us together.
[music continues]
After Latha passed,
did you never fall in love again?
[both laugh]
See! That’s what I asked.
I thought so!
I've been craving for true love all my life.
[soft music playing]
It’s okay.
I've aged, after all!
How were you when you were young?
When I was young…
You looked good.
No, not that good looking.
You lacked nothing.
Truly, you looked really good, master
Let me keep this with me.
What did you just pray for?
I can’t say that.
You’re already 53!
No.
52.
Oh.
Then shall I tell a story to this 52-year-old kid?
Um…
Weren’t you about to tell me one during breakfast?
Tell me that one.
Oh,
I felt so embarrassed then.
Of course! You had no sense at all.
I was so stressed,
and you chose that moment to tell me a story.
How could I listen?
That’s true.
So, tell it now.
I’m not in the mood.
Oh!
Is this revenge?
Yes, revenge.
[both laugh]
Come on, tell it.
Do you like listening to stories?
Um… I’ve loved them since childhood.
A lot!
Who told you stories as a child? Your grandmother?
You said it right. Yes, my grandmother.
She told me so many stories.
I grew up listening to them all.
Oho!
Even now,
I remember every single one.
That’s how much I love stories.
That’s why I ask you for one too.
Tell me a story.
Alright then,
how about the story of two friends, a mud ball and a dried leaf
who travelled to Kashi?
What's that story?
Well... A mud ball and a dried leaf once planned to visit Kashi.
On their way,
a huge storm erupted.
[soft music playing]
[birds flapping wings]
[birds squawking]
[soft music playing]
[ambient noise]
[temple bell ringing]
Hello?
Aren’t you getting up? It’s already morning.
We should leave, right??
Hello?
Leela…
Hey…
Hey, Leela…
Hey…
Leela…
Leela!
[tense ambience builds]
Tea! Tea! Tea!
Sir, tea?
Hot tea!
Yes, two cups.
- Hey, tea seller. - I’m coming.
Bring us some tea.
[soft melancholic music playing]
[somber music builds]
[indistinct chatter]
[music intensifies]
[music fades]
[somber music playing]
[fire crackling]
[somber music intensifies]
[ambient noise]
♪ Like a fading lamp with a mystic glow ♪
♪ Like the mist that swallows the morning ♪
♪ Like the shadow of a broken song someone hums ♪
♪ Like ripples born from an imagined boat ♪
♪ Who are you? Who are you? ♪
♪ So near, and yet beyond my reach ♪
♪ Who are you? ♪
♪ From a branch that touched the sky ♪
♪ Where did you fly, radiant little bird? ♪
♪ Without lingering a moment longer, where did you vanish? ♪
♪ Like a fading lamp with a mystic glow ♪
♪ Like the mist that swallows the morning ♪
♪ Like the rhythm of a doomed song someone hums ♪
♪ Like a melody that stumbles in the wind ♪
♪ You dissolve into a dream ♪
♪ Who are you? ♪
♪ You drift, farther and farther away ♪
♪ Farther and farther away ♪