Daanu, my dear…
Daanu, should I do your braids?
Should I do your braids?
Daanu, should I braid your hair?
Should I braid your hair?
Should I make some cute braids?
Daanu, come here, I'll braid your hair nicely…
Okay?
Look,
I packed this from home, especially for you.
Care for some parathas? - No.
How much longer before we reach?
It'll take another two hours.
Do you want some chips? I got some chips.
No.
Just trust me, I know...
We'll make the best photo essay for you at grandma's house.
So, Daanu, I was just thinking…
We shouldn’t rummage through grandpa's old…
Belongings, when we are over at grandma’s, okay?
Mom I have to make a photo essay on YOUR side of the family…
And grandpa is a part of that, right?
Of course, of course.
Just that…
We’ll try not to mention grandpa…
A lot…in front of grandma…
We’ll try not to seek out his photos, hmm?
'Perfect Family'
I'm not a bad mother, Megha, trust me.
I didn't mean to hit Daani.
It all just happened so fast that day.
She is wrong here!
Even though we're the “older generation”,
But, we also know that one shouldn't hit children.
And this isn’t the first time that she has hit Daani.
Kamla, let’s just please calm down.
See, all of them try to corner me.
Every time there's an argument, they all gang up on me.
Yes, that’s because you don’t have control over your tongue!
Neeti, hitting your child is definitely not okay.
But if we want to move forward in therapy…
You’ve got to forgive yourself first.
Megha, my dear, we really want to build a happier family…
But she spares no efforts.
Mom doesn't like Neeti much,
because Neeti doesn't behave the way mom wants her to.
Is that how you think of your own mother?
She likes to keep control.
What are you going on about? Have I bound you in shackles?
'Potatoes that are boiled and mashed.'
Hey, listen…
Those undergarments of yours in the bathroom…
Why haven’t you laundered them yet, huh?
They’ll go damp and start to smell.
Don't make such faces.
Mom, what's your problem?
'Finely chopped.'
Your hair is so dry and frizzy…
Should I apply some coconut oil? - No.
Mom, can you share the that aloo tikki recipe with me,
I want to try it at the shop, for the snack counter.
I'll tell you once your father comes back later.
Look at Vishnu, he isn't answering any of my calls.
Vishnu and your father seem to be lost in some kind of bliss…
God knows what channel you keep watching?
“…The film has been running for more than five continuous years…”
“DDLJ's Raj and Simran brought such a
romantic saga to the big screen that…”
“Even after 25 years, it still lives fresh in people’s hearts.”
I watched this film for the first time when you were little.
You know, the actor who played the father in it,
the late & much respected Amrish Puri…
His character was so strict…
That despite living in England,
He didn't let his children enjoy any liberty.
And look at us. We live here, and yet we grant so much freedom.
Hmm. - What happened? Why are you laughing?
Pinky!
Don't do all of this in front of me!
But, you were saying something about ‘giving freedom’, right?
Your father is right...
You do act oversmart.
Pass me the remote.
We've never treated her and Vishnu any differently.
Whatever we provided for Vishnu, we got her the same.
I've always thought about what's best for her.
I can think for myself too, you know.
When you become a mother, then you'll understand.
I don't want to be one. I'm scared that I’ll turn out to be like you.
Please relax.
The stress that you're experiencing…
It depends on many things…
Especially the upbringing.
Neeti's anger, the long-standing resentment between Kamla and Pooja,
and Kamla's misunderstanding towards Neeti and Pooja…
All of it comes from a deeper place.
And today, we’ll try to stand in each other's shoes…
In order to understand one another, better.
In this house, nobody understands everybody’s needs, better than me.
There's a big difference between understanding…
People's needs and understanding their feelings.
Empathy comes from truly understanding…
What someone feels on the inside.
And today, we'll try…
To make sure your family…
Understands your perspective,
And you understand theirs.
‘May no evil befall upon you…’
‘Om Shanti Shanti…’
How many times have I told you mom,
To operate the touch screen phone.
You've just kept it in the cupboard in mint condition.
Nowadays, nobody checks their talktime balance like this mom.
Hmm.
There’s about an eighty-nine rupee balance,
With two months of validity still to go.
So it's done right? What are you still going on about!?
You know, when we were little,
Grandma wouldn't even allow me or your aunt Preeti
To go anywhere near that mango tree.
We used to joke that the mango tree is granny’s favourite child.
You used to pluck the raw mangoes.
Yes, because I liked raw mangoes.
You’ve come here to click photos my sweety?
It’s a school project?
Yes, I have to capture the maternal side of my family…
For a photo essay.
Well all of that just went over my head!
For me, the fact that you came to visit is more than enough.
Otherwise, whether I live or die,
Nobody asks after me.
Did you have fun on your birthday, sweety?
To seek birthday blessings for you, I even offered sweets at the temple.
But grandma, why didn't you come?
Your mother didn't invite me.
Mom, I invite you every single year.
Are you serious!?
At this age, you expect an old woman
to board the train and travel all the way alone?
It’s customary for the son in law to come
and accompany his mother-in-law in person…
Whenever there’s an invite to the daughter’s in-laws’ house.
He’s got a job, you know that.
He doesn't have the time even for us–
What did I even say to you?
Just eat your mango.
Daanu, there's still a lot of pulp left in it.
Squeeze it properly,
And eat it like this, see.
Grandpa called to wish me on my birthday.
Very good.
Have you packed my thick wool sweater? - Yes.
I have wrapped it in the newspaper.
Hey brother, take this.
I'll call you once I reach Delhi airport.
What will I do here without you?
It feels like someone is choking me.
Renu, just stop with this melodrama.
I'll earn dollars over there. Our lives will improve.
What would I do with the money,
If my whole world is slipping away from me?
I have the responsibility of two daughters on my head.
Stop it now.
You have to swear on Neeti and Preeti,
To return to us!
Else I’ll die!
I’d never seen my mother act like that before.
I felt scared for her.
And after that,
She got caught up in all kinds of strange, superstitious beliefs.
Mother,
He will return to me, right?
Would a ‘fair skinned’, woman snatch him away from me?
That was all that kept playing in my mother's mind, everyday.
I had to run the house… Take care of Preeti.
Preeti, are you hungry?
Yes.
So eventually, I learnt to do everything by myself.
I used to think…
That, if I helped around the house,
Became a 'good girl'...
My mother would be happy.
But that didn't happen.
Hey, Scotchy!
Come here, my baby. Eat this, eat!
Just think about it…
Raj was different, wasn't he?
Instead of eloping with Simran,
He tried to win over her parents’ approval instead.
And now imagine how much better Kuljeet was.
Strong, well-built young man– - Kuljeet who?
Parmeet.
You know Archana right?
The woman who keeps laughing on Kapil Sharma’s show? Her husband.
He even owned so much farmland.
That guy? - Yes.
You’d prefer him to Raj?
Wow!
I'm thinking about Simran's future.
And what does Raj have?
An easy go lucky lad, roaming around playing his little ukulele.
Had she married Kuljeet, he would've treated her like a queen.
Right, Scotchy?
But Scotchy, Simran loved Raj.
Love etc. happens... eventually….
Prince, this is the last time…
After this, you can fail,
For all I care. - Sorry.
I don't know…I just blank out at economics.
But it's so interesting!
Supply and demand is my favourite.
Yeah, all that is fine. First, eat this.
Did you eat?
People who work need more food.
Did you love him?
Huh!
Kamlaji!
Oh sorry. Kindness.
Continue, Pinky.
I did.
Not anymore.
Kamlaji, now you can speak.
Look, teenagers don't fall in any real kind of love.
And the Mehras used to be mechanics back then,
And their son, Prince was a good for nothing...
Like an empty taxi wandering on the road.
I loved him.
Kamlaji,
Did you ever fall in love with Mr. Somnath?
Congratulations! - Congratulations to you too!!
Both our families were Punjabis.
Our class and caste also matched,
And even our parents were happy.
Oh my, such a lovely girl…
To be honest,
At first, I wasn't impressed seeing him.
His face was all tanned…
And he had this big moustache…
Were you expecting to have superstar Rajesh Khanna as a match?
He’s hardworking...
He has even built a big shop all by himself.
And before you’ll even have to ask…
He'll put his earnings in your hand.
He'll treat you like a queen. A real queen.
There’ll be servants at your service.
Not everyone lucks out like you Kamla.
Did you see that burly moustache though?
Then get it shaved off after the wedding.
Who doesn't follow a beautiful bride’s orders after all?
So did Mr. Somnath finally shave off his moustache?
Not really, he seldom listens to me.
Then how did you fall in love?
One eventually ends up loving their husband.
You take such vows, make promises…
There isn't really any option. One has to make it work.
And if you ever had an option?
That's immoral to even imagine. No, not at all…
We weren’t raised like that... To leave one man and seek another.
So Kamlaji, do you think…
The women who choose to do so, relish it?
Maybe they do, who knows?
God knows what these girls do!
Daanu.
Yes?
Where did you find these?
Here. In your diaries.
Daanu, the whole house is available for you to take pictures.
Just leave grandpa's photos, okay?
But why?
I explained it to you on the bus, right?
Grandma won't like it. Try to understand, please.
It's just photos…
And I love grandpa. He even sent me the Gigi Hadid lip balm from the US.
Let the girl do her project the way she wants, Neeti.
Why the drama?
Use whatever you need my child.
There are some more photographs too. I'll give them to you.
Thank you, grandma!
Gosh, you're slicing up such big chunks…
Big chunks don't mix evenly in the milk!
What’s with you? Why do you get irritated easily?
Can't you just be joyful?
Only if you ever let there be any joy, maybe then I’ll be joyful.
You behave like ‘Goddess Sita‘ in front of my daughter…
But, from the time you found out dad wasn't coming back,
You used to go crazy, just hearing his name.
And today you're taking out his photos
and showing them around yourself!?
Because now it doesn't affect me.
They're just pictures for me…
At least unlike you, I don't go around slapping people.
That's because you’re old now.
When you had the strength, you used to slap me at the drop of a hat!
What nonsense Neeti?
I never hit you.
She lives in denial.
Or maybe just the memory of it has faded.
Mom?
You’re back.
Yes.
Can you serve lunch? - Yeah...
I don't want more.
But you’ve hardly eaten.
Cook the lentil soup thicker next time.
Ew…
Yuck...
If you have a problem with it, why don’t you cook it yourself next time?
I think your mom couldn't…
Handle the loss of your father leaving.
But for me, she was all I had…
And she didn't care about me at all.
It made me so angry.
How did you express your anger?
I used to work really hard in school.
I just wanted attention, no matter how.
Whatever little love there was, It all went to Preeti.
Maybe, Neeti, you're still…
Holding all that anger inside.
I don't know.
You never told me this, dear…
You never got to live your childhood.
This usually happens in families…
Everyone feels like their pain hurts the most.
But, if we truly listen to each other,
We'll realize that in some way,
Our pain is more in common than one would assume….
You'll make a mess of everything.
Yes, I know. I mess up everything! Even my memory is messed up,
My work is a mess… Even the food I cook is a mess…
Everything I do is bad, right? - Leave it,
I'll make it.
This damn mixer is from another century!!
Why don't you open the new one?
I'm not doing the project!
Please stop fighting, both of you.
We're not fighting. Not at all, we're not fighting.
Mummy, we're not fighting, right?
No, no, dear.
We're not fighting at all.
You sit outside, I'll bring the shake.
What the–!
Ha ha!
Neeti, I wanted to say something to you...
Your father didn't go away because of you,
Nor because of me.
He wanted to leave, so he left.
Mom, you just need to be all right.
Nothing else matters to me.
Nothing’s going to happen to me.
You just get a grip on your anger.
Look, who's talking...
Yes, well…
Anger hollows you to the bone, dear...
It tramples everything. Leaves nothing behind.
Now that the proposals have started to come in, what can I do?
No matter what I do, your mom and dad
are never going to agree to this match.
For them, I'll always remain a mechanic's son.
At least try to prove yourself first.
You know I can't do a 9-to-5 job,
What else should I do?-- - And what exactly can you do?
Love..you.
If you truly loved me, you would've put in some effort.
You would’ve done something with your life.
I helped you twice. I gave you two chances.
You won't be able to do anything.
Destiny…Is greater than love...
No matter how true your love is,
One day, it loses to destiny.
Match is made in heaven.
We just seek it out in this world.
Like Raj and Simran… Your father and I,
Neeti and Vishnu became a pair…
Even you and Ashok became such soulmates.
Ashok is not my soulmate.
But weren’t you the one to pick out Ashok?
Hmm - How was your meeting?
How did you like Ashok?
He was fine. Polite.
He was nice.
I knew you'd like him.
I'll just call up his mother right now
and tell her that we accept the proposal.
What! Wait, Mom!
When did I ever say that? - You just said it!
I only said he's polite.
Polite... Like the airplane steward is polite.
That doesn't mean I'm ready to marry him.
Pooja,
I'm tired now, dear.
Look at Kamal... His daughter,
Is five years younger to you
And her wedding is already fixed…
But, with you, we have no idea where all this heading.
Mom, when have I said no to marriage?
Look, dear, at your insistence, we even gave that Prince a chance.
It's been two years since then.
What does Ashok lack? He's a decent boy.
There won't be any restrictions at his home, either.
Mom…
I'm your mother and I'll always want what's best for you.
Why would I wish anything bad?
Let it be, it's fine.
I've cooked rajma for lunch, just the way you like them.
Come and eat.
Come.
I'll work after marriage though.
Of course! Who's stopping you?
Hand me your phone. Fast!
Your father will be so happy to hear this.
“I got duped by my mother's emotional blackmail.”
Did I force you onto the wedding altar?
All the girls of your age were happily settling down in their lives,
And I also just wanted you to be happy like others.
Was that a mistake?
I just didn't want to see my daughter lonely.
Mom, I was happy already.
I was learning our business,
I had plans to expand the shop,
But you made it seem like,
If I didn't get married, terrible things would happen to me.
You were badgering me for two years!
And to add to that, your tears, taunts, comments…
I said yes to Ashok out of sheer exhaustion.
What's your problem?
Is he an alcoholic? A gambler? A drug addict?
What exactly is the problem?
Tell me!
Mom, he's boring!
I say something, he gets something else.
He says something and I don't get it either.
There's no connection between us.
Do you want a circus clown for a husband?
Who'll dance around you just to keep you entertained?
You've become so selfish Pinky!
Am I selfish? You'll just say anything now?
Just because I said my husband should be,
someone I actually like, that just makes me selfish?
I'm not like you, Mom!
Keeping everyone and everything before myself.
Look at yourself, look what you've become.
And tell me... What did you get from your marriage?
You're talking as if you found true love in your damn marriage!
That was love…right?
Whatever I cooked,
He never refused to it. He’d eat it happily.
He gave me happiness.
He treated me like a queen.
He never let me feel the lack of anything.
And I…
I used to find joy…
In the smallest things.
That's love…Isn't it..?
Kamlaji,
You wanted Pooja's happiness,
In the best of sense that you could comprehend.
And Pooja… Kamlaji comes from a place…
Where the zenith of happiness in life is to get married.
Kamlaji, you're the one who’s always said that,
You gave Pooja the best upbringing you could.
So, obviously…
She grew up believing that she could be anyone or achieve anything.
That’s confidence... And you're the one who instilled that in her.
Grandma, that one…
This one…
Aah!
Wow, you’d never let me pluck the raw mangoes!
Mom, where are the papers for my fixed deposit?
What fixed deposit?
There's just one.
The one Dad started twenty years ago.
There should be around 14 lac rupees in it by now.
I don't remember… Check it the next time you come.
Should I pack some aloo-poori for the road?
Yes.
Daani, go inside for a bit.
Come,
Let's wash these properly first…
And then…
You go on, dear.
Wash them and eat. - Okay.
What did you do with the fixed deposit?
You came all the way from Delhi to settle accounts?
Last year, rain dampened the walls of the whole house.
How else was I supposed to get it fixed?
Would Vishnu have paid for it?
That was my fixed deposit.
You could've asked me once. - It was a joint deposit.
You didn't have sole right over it.
I did have a right. I'm the daughter of this house.
Papa made that deposit for me, in case I faced any hardship–
And what hardship are you facing exactly?
Married off into a rich Delhi family.
You guys have a business,
Your husband even earns additionally…
I needed to fix my house.
But, I wanted to buy my own house mom!
And that was my money!
Gosh, now you can't even live peacefully with your in-laws' too?
Neeti, what do you want?
How much more will you take?
For once, look at your selfishness.
It’s mind boggling to think of it.
Can I say something?
Dad left because of you.
And that's the truth.
He couldn't tolerate someone like you and that's why he left.
I have dreams, which can't be fulfilled staying here.
And when did I ever stop you from fulfilling your dreams?
But why Delhi?
Because I’m getting admission to a good college!
Why shouldn't I go?
All I know is that girls, who leave home young, never come back.
I know that.
I’m not Dad.
You think if you go to Delhi,
You'll get to trap some rich boy…
And get rid of me that easily?
Are you crazy?!
Don't you ever call me crazy!
Let me tell you something...
Girls from broken families, never make a happy family of their own.
Neeti,
Your mom has taken a lot of blows in her life,
And the stress of it all was taken out on you.
Whatever she said to you…
Wasn't really about you.
It was her own fear talking.
Please understand this.
And now that stress you're carrying,
Doesn't have to come out on Daani.
You have to break the chain.
Kamlaji,
Do you not like it when Neeti and Pooja…
Put their thoughts forward?
Me…I–I love both of them…
I’ve got nothing against them.
I know Kamlaji. But maybe,
Without meaning to,
You end up hurting them.
Because they are not like you.
You compromised in your life…
But, they don't want to.
And maybe that is what bothers you.
“My grandma's house…”
“Is in the Malihabad area of Lucknow.”
“For me, grandma's house means,”
“Me, mom, and grandma.”
“Grandma's house…”
“Is like a time capsule of old memories...”
“You can find anything in there.”
“My grandma and mom fight a lot,”
“But they love each other a lot, too.”
“They're strange.”
“Mom feels she's not like grandma,”
“And I feel I'm not like mom.”
“No matter what we do,”
“We're never good enough for our mothers.”
“But that doesn't mean…”
“We give up on each other.”
Daani?!
“We stay connected, no matter what.”
Take this.
This is yours.
“As if nothing ever happened.”
And take this, - What’s this?
See for yourself.
“Like I said, it's a strange relationship…”
Work hard, dear.
Mom… - Hmm.
Will my photo essay get selected for the school magazine?
Of course it will.
You're the smartest one.
Daanu,
I'm sorry.
“In this big, scary world,
“When we feel like we have no one,”
“We always have our mother.”
“Always.”
Thank you.
Come here.
Three, two, one.