(Popular Telugu film song playing in the background)
Hello? What's that music?
There is a flashmob going on, mom.
You know how it is with us software folks... (beep)
Have you taken the new ID card?
Yes.
Where are you though?
I am at the church. (Church bells clank)
I am thanking God for giving you this new job.
Please do. And pray that I get married too.
I will.
By the way, Rasika aunty's son got a promotion.
She might divert all your marriage proposals to her son.
Bloody Indian relatives, aunties and all these uncles!
Why does Rasika aunty meddle with my marriage prospects all the time?
Her son merely got a promotion...
But I will land a salary hike, promotion and on-site all at once.
You really think so?
Yes, I do.
Now, stop singing their praises to me and start singing my praises to others.
That will help me get married.
Continue with your candles,
I will go talk to the HR about my growth arc and...
...my project.
So, yeah. That should be my growth arc, Monika.
I want a project where I can work...
...and keep on working.
(Sighs) I have certain goals, some deadlines and...
big dreams.
- So, where are you placing me? - On the bench.
Ben...bench?
I guess you said bench instead of lunch, right?
I said what I wanted to say. You heard me right.
The project allocated to you is delayed. That’s why you are being benched.
So, you want me to be idle?
What about my career growth and my marriage prospects?
What if Rasika aunty comes to know that I am benched?
Ah!
The candle blew out.
- Your wedding is cancelled. - WHAT!?
It's all because of aunt Rasika.
How did she get to know so quickly? But how?
I mean...
I am sure you have posted it on your stupid Whatsapp groups.
I shared it because I thought bench was something positive.
This is not the bench you sit and relax on!
This bench can put my career to sleep!
I will get the salary, but there won't be any work.
I can forget on-site and promotion...
Oh, my! During recession, these are the first ones to be fired.
- Super... - Hello!
- I can't hear you. - Huh? (laughing)
What’s that noise?
Wow! Super, Ravi!
- Thank you, anna. - Rock it.
(laugh)
I finally achieved it.
- Thank you...Thank you. - Hey!
- If we don't finish four beers... - Huh.
- And forty cigarettes today... - Yes!
I won't feel satisfied, man.
Let's do it, bro.
He went through a lot to achieve that, anna.
The manager tortured him for six months.
Hello? What happened?
Mom!
If his manager tortured him, they must be celebrating a hike in salary.
You have come this far... it is a big milestone for you.
Thank you. Thank you.
Mom!
I feel like banging my head against a milestone.
Huh?
He must have got a huge promotion.
Hey, did you tell your wife?
Will do, anna.
And after that, I am going to fly away!
Oh, no! It must be an on-site opportunity!
Mom, wait. Let me call you back.
Yeah, sure!
Bro, hi.
If you don't mind me asking, what did you get?
Is it a hike, promotion or an on-site opportunity?
Why would we get all those?
Who needs them anyway...?
What is this celebration about then? What did you get?
Bench. He got the bench.
- Bench? - Ah!
But he said he is going to fly away? Isn’t it for on-site?
- Hey! - Now that he got benched,
he is going to Goa.
(whistle)
You are celebrating? I got benched but I am feeling miserable here.
What the heck! This guy got benched too?
That scheming manager wouldn't let go of me.
Everybody else is getting benched!
But why am I not yet benched, bro?
What is this excitement for? What is so interesting about the stupid bench?
Huh? Stupid bench, you say?
Bench is not a joke, brother.
I had to train him for six months and devise all kinds of plans
...and finally he got the bench.
Do you know how much fun ‘bench life’ is?
Those swipe ins...swipe outs... idle chitchats in the cafetaria.
Salary without work, vacation without using leaves...
Oh! It’s lots of fun.
What do you say?
"Lot" is an understatement, anna.
Look, brother. In college, we have lots of free time.
- Hmm. - But no money.
Yeah. No money.
Once we get a job, we have money.
But because of work, stress and pressure...
- We have no free time. - Yes, no time.
But...we have both time and money only when are on the bench
I have decided, anna...
I am going to use my bench time exclusively for myself.
No one can stop me. That's all.
Yes. No one should.
Hey!
Who the hell are you guys?
You sound like wackos.
What are you going to achieve in life?
What about your careers?
We want the bench so we can achieve the things we want.
We have lots of plans, you know?
This guy is going to fuc... fly to Goa.
Me too...I have my own plans, you know?
Meenakshi has been on bench for six months.
Of course, she has been low-key about it.
But do you know what she is up to?
Must you, anna?
Did he ask you what I was doing?
Shall I tell him why you want the bench?
Hey, come on. Why do we need to get into all that?
Now that he is here, He will slowly grasp our philosophy.
- You are right, anna. - Hey, come on.
- We are getting late. - See you.
- My manager is stuck to me like chewing gum to the shoe. - Bye.
He is not letting me go.
- You will also get the bench, anna. - Just a moment.
- Bro? - Huh?
I forgot to tell you. Welcome to bench.
Enjoy!
Welcome to bench?
Huh?
(Peppy music playing)
"Yeah, yeah!"
"Hey, Azam! A slave to your job! Take a bow"
""Wake up in the morning, log into your system and thus begins your day"
"The rooster too wakes up and crows like you"
“Not knowing code or English, your struggles are endless”
“Getting harangued by client, manager, TL...”
"By EOD, you are done for."
(phone message beep)
"Take a break, Azam!"
"Don't die a little day-by-day"
"Hey, let's take a break, Azam'
"Life needs some enjoyment, know this"
Hello, where are you?
I am still in office, mom!
It doesn't sound like office. I can hear some other noise.
Come on, mom! Where else will I be?
Yes, stay in the office. Understand?
- Gayatri! Gayatri! - Yes, darling.
Baby, I am on the bench from tomorrow.
Balu anna can take care of the swipe-in and swipe-out.
We can go chill. That's it.
Really?
We can put all our plans into action now.
Hmm. So, you have not forgotten the plans for our trip.
- I thought you would miss it as usual. - No chance.
- Go, pack your bags then. - Yes, aunty.
Hey, slowly. (coughs)
Mom! scream!
Scream until the stent in your heart springs out of your mouth.
She is going to ruin my Goa trip...
Hey bro! I got the bench. The Goa plan is ON.
I have been dreaming about this since Class VI.
Finally, it's coming true.
Launch the rocket that we have saved our hard-earned money for.
"Don't think that you have no free time."
“If you are smart, you will have all the time in the world.”
Meenakshi! Are you there?
“Life is all about having fun. everything else can wait.”
"You keep postponing your little dreams waiting and hoping for the right moment"
Hello! Rejected? Sir!
Sir! Tsk...
"Park your tensions aside, and change the gears of your life."
"For the peanuts you get in the name of salary, don't sacrifice your heart's passion"
Hey dude, what’s up?
Dude, some girl is following me.
I am excited.
Wait, it’s not me she is into. She seems interested in my coffee cup!
“We don’t want EODs. Say no to CC and BCC”
"Swipe in and swipe out, not needed, bro Log in, log out, why do you want them, bro?"
“Don’t want coding, meetings or testing in the meetings”
You don’t know what I am going through.
“...don’t want escalation on bugs.”
"Waiting for the weekend and dying on Mondays"
"Eyesight diminishing and crying for on-site"
Hey, I heard you are going to Goa? Bring me some booze.
Get lost, man! I don't have enough for myself.
“Say no to unpaid leaves. Bench life is the best.”
and that's why...
"Why don't you take a break? Why don't you enjoy yourself?"
“Forget all the rules, Azam!”
"Why don't you knock at your heart's door? Why don't you find its secret thoughts?"
"Why don't you get to know life, Azam!"
"Why don't you take a break? Why don't you enjoy yourself?"
“Forget all the rules, Azam!”
“Why don’t you knock at your heart’s door? Why don’t you ask it what it wants?”
No way. This is not going to happen.
Not at all.
Waste of time.
This office sucks!
Who can work without access to Google?
This project is getting on my nerves.
(Raj) Tsk.
Why doesn't this work?
- Hey! - Huh?
What are you doing?
Hi, sir! I am Raj. Raj Varma.
New joinee.
It's quite obvious.
Till yesterday, I was using that chair to stretch my legs.
Huh?
And now you are occupying it.
(keyboard clacking)
- Hmm. Raj! - Yes, sir.
I have a few tasks for you, man.
- Submit them by tomorrow. - Okay, sir.
First, check if you have access to the tools.
Not possible. This is his first day.
Hmm?
Then take KT on these projects. Hmm?
He wouldn’t understand a thing.
Write the automation code for the log-in page at least.
It's not possible, Prakash.
You have disabled access to Google.
It's not possible. Difficult.
Raj! I told you to submit them tomorrow, right?
Yes, sir.
- Submit them by this evening. - Sir!
- Hmm! - Uh, uh...
- Hey! - Hmm?
Congrats!
Anna, how did you guess I knew nothing?
Is it because your vast experience?
No. Because I know nothing either.
- Oh! - Hmm.
But he asked me to do it by EOD. What do I do?
You are new here, right?
- Let me give you some advice. - Yes, anna.
In the Software Industry, if you finish work in time, they give you more work.
- Huh? - Submit it in the last minute.
They will appreciate you for finishing it in nick of time.
So, at your own leisure, submit it tomorrow.
- Oh! - All set!
Okay?
- Thanks, anna. - Carry on, carry on.
That's a great advice.
Hello, guys!
One of us is going to get released from our project.
- Another boring announcement... - That means bench for a few months.
Whoever wants to be on the bench, please let Prakash know.
Bench? Can I get benched?
Anna, you want the bench, fine. But what if someone else wants it too?
Who would want it? Nobody would.
What if they do?
Who is going to bypass me and approach the manager?
Why can't they?
Because I won't let them!
Anna, don't play cheap tricks.
- Do you want the bench? - Yes, I do.
I have a girlfriend in Gujarat.
- In Gujarat? - Ah!
You don't get alcohol in Gujarat.
Do you think it is better here?
Yes! Drink! Let's drink and die!
Carry on.
Do you want to be on the bench?
I don't want it.
Are you seriously asking me this question, Balu?
Yes, I want it.
You want it?
Yes, sir. I desperately want it.
Actually...our manager's wife is from Delhi.
So, he hates Delhi.
He might send you to Chennai out of spite. The summers are unbearable over there.
Oh! Chennai? Uh...no...
I don't know why, Balu. I want to believe whatever you say.
That's the kind of experience you have here.
Sir, Hyderabad is better.
I think I am fine here.
(clears throat)
You are taking so much trouble for the bench. Why do you need it?
You!
Mind your business! Go!
I have cataracts in my eyes.
I need two months of leave. So, I want to be on the bench.
You won't get bench for such reasons.
You will be fired for vision impairment.
How can you so blindly trust managers and the management?
Tut!
Cataracts? Very bad!
Hey, Ravi! Cataracts is a great reason.
Get me a report stating that I have cataracts. Urgent!
Bench is mine.
(phone ringing)
Tsk.
Hi, mom.
Where are you?
Where would I be at this hour? In my office.
Do a video call then.
Mom! Don't behave like a psycho. This is office.
And you don't know what I am going through.
This has become your catch phrase.
"What I am going through. What I am going through."
By the way, I have sent you a boy's profile. Go through it.
He is rich; Handsome too.
I am busy with my project. Why do you keep bugging me?
Just have a look at the profile.
I want to get you married at the earliest.
You didn’t leave me with much choice after what you did in Vizag.
Stop ruining your life in the name of 'freedom of choice’.
Be calm and mind your business. Okay?
Do you understand?
Yes, mom. I am being calm.
Uh...she hung up!
- According to this patient’s cataract .. - See, Balu got the bench, bro.
Yes. Gala time from tomorrow.
Bro, Balu has got the bench.
- Cataract is there for... - He is on cloud nine!
- Look at him blush! - Yeah! He is blushing.
Thank you, God!
Anna, anna! All set?
All super set, man. Go find a bar with happy hour offers.
- Let’s get sloshed in the evening... - I will invite our gang then.
Cause of Cataract...
Huh?
Cause of Cataract is “turmeric falling in the eye!”
What rubbish have you written?
Hey ,Ravi! I am going to kill you.
- Hey, Ravi! - Anna!
Were you dozing off while making the report?
- In which world does turmeric cause cataract? - Anna...
You might as well write that piss fell into my eyes.
Must be a mistake.
I was busy packing for Goa and didn't pay attention.
But why do you want such fake documents?
Why don’t you tell them the real reason you want to be benched?
Yes. Sure. I will go around telling everyone!
It took me three years to tell you guys!
Forget it.
Shut up and go to Goa.
I will figure something out. Hang up!
Why can't he just be honest?
Turmeric...
Drat!
I would rather he wrote that my vision is fucked!
What would I tell the manager now?
So, cataract, right?
Yes, Prakash.
Genuinely?
Or is it like that time when you told me your grandma died and went to watch a movie?
See, don't you get it, Prakash? I had this problem even then.
If my eyes were fine, why would I sit so close to you and get caught?
- I would have sat in some obscure corner. - Hmm!
See? That's the fact. My eyes are gone.
When I joined the project, even though I was sitting in this corner,
I could clearly see our gorgeous Kavitha in the other corner.
But I can't see her anymore.
Actually, next to...
Hmm?
Go on.
Hmm. Okay.
Someone else has also requested for bench.
I can only give it to one of you.
Someone else?
But how?
I thought I covered everybody.
Who is that someone?
Pooja... she didn't come to office yesterday.
She was on leave because her grandma was sick.
That’s why I missed her!
Crap! All my planning was for nothing.
Whoever approved her leave deserves to be thrashed.
Sorry, it was you, right?
Forget all that, Can you help me out here?
(Prakash) Tsk.
I can do nothing, Balu.
- How can you say, 'I can do nothing', Prakash? - Hmm?
Weren’t you my junior at work?
We used to hang out at the cafeteria all the time.
Of course, you are a manager now.
- Please help me! - Hmm.
I can’t help you directly.
But...there is a way.
Beg her or threaten her.
Butter her up or be a badass.
But convince Pooja.
You will get the bench.
"What's your claim on it? Why should I give it to you?"
- Anna, can you lower the volume? - Okay, anna.
The emotion in your song might turn madam's decision against me.
- I mean...Pooja, actually... - Let me get straight to the point, Balu.
Bench is important for me too.
Pooja, please don't say that.
I need it for genuine medical reasons.
I am suffering from contract...uh, Cataract.
I gave the same reason to Prakash.
I don’t know why you want the bench.
I am not going to Goa for a boy’s trip like Ravi.
No! I am not.
I need this bench badly.
My reason is genuine too.
I want to crack the Civil Services exams next year.
But... it’s next year, right?
You have a lot of time on your hand.
But here, it feels like my bladder is going to burst...
...it’s that urgent.
- Is it? - Yeah!
Tell me then.
If your reason is that genuine, I may consider it.
It’s...actually...
I cannot reveal the reason, Pooja.
Then don't. Forget it.
Uh, no. I mean... it's not like that.
Uh, I will tell you. I will.
“You don’t know what I am going through.”
I don’t know if you will believe me, But I am speaking the truth.
I have a passion.
A passion that gave me many sleepless nights.
My mom doesn't support my passion.
- But still... - Shoot!
I never gave it up.
For the sake of my passion, I even resort to stealing
Because....
Did you get it?
I thought you were going to.
I have no idea about the cup.
Don’t lie. It’s in the script!
It’s clearly there.
“Hero crushed the coffee cup and threw it away”. It’s right here!
What do you mean?
You want me to sift through trash like a beggar?
You could have worn a hoodie and stole the cups at night!
I am not a thief like her.
Oh, I see!
- Hey, don't cross your limits. - What limits are you talking about?
Guys!
- Sister...it wasn't about you. - we weren't talking about you.
- Something about the script... - Yes, something in the script.
Anyway...I got them.
Have you got everything?
You spent 350 bucks on this?
Not bad, sister. You have bought quite a few.
Tsk. No way.
That would cost me half my salary.
Nice collection, sister.
You still don’t get it, do you?
I steal things to use them as props in my shoot.
- I am so happy. - Yeah.
We are finally making a sci-fi short film. All this effort to hear that one word.
Hey, director!
You wanted the location for a day...
...paid me ten thousand rupees as advance.
It's been three days.
Are you going to shoot something? Or is it going to be like last time?
Huh?
Tsk...where’s the hero?
The hero has ditched us.
He doesn't want to come unless he is paid in full.
But I told him I would pay him from my next month’s salary!
I have already spent my savings on the camera and location.
Ask him to come. Please!
He is adamant.
His words - “It’s just a short film. Let’s resume work after the payment is through.”
I knew this would happen.
This is not going to work out. Pack up.
No matter how many difficulties I face, even if it costs my life...
I didn't give up my passion. I cannot.
Huh!
(Sighs)
Anyway...I won’t bore you with my sob story.
I think...
I will give up the bench...
But, Balu...
Instead of all this...
Why don’t your quit your job and work as an Assistant Director?
As AD?
If I do that, my mom will thrash me,
drag me home and marry me off to some stranger.
That’s why, I want to sign a film before I tell her.
Fine. Let's do one thing.
Let’s pitch a story to our hero Aneesh on the 19th of next month.
Yes, sir.
What scripts do you have right now?
It has to be very commercial.
- Hero’s role needs to be strong. - Hmm.
- Villain's role should be equally strong. - Hmm.
Then we can get the hero to do both the roles.
What do you think?
Sir...that's...
Doesn't sound good?
How about reducing the villain's role and add more songs for the hero?
Sir...
Oh, you don't find this good either.
What if we make the heroine's role stronger...
Tsk...Let's not.
We will chop it at the edit anyway.
Let it be. Just be ready with a romcom.
- Sure, sir. - Okay?
I mean...
I don't have the time to write the story.
If I am on the bench, I will find the time.
Uh, I told you about my passion.
I will name the heroine in my movie 'Pooja'!
If you can co-operate and let me take the bench,
- it will be really helpful for my family... - Hey, Balu!
Hmm.
Meenakshi is working on some short film. Give this to her.
Hey! I am the one making the short film. Not Meenakshi!
Does this battery even work?
It’s not a battery.
That’s a lens!
Meenakshi needs it. You know it, right?
- Don't meddle with it. - Pooja...
Ask her to return it in two days without any scratches.
You have already scarred my life!
I mean...
I was a bit confused.
This is a 55 lens. I know that.
That...actually Pooja...
I can’t share the real reason with anyone.
So, you come up with a fake one?
I mean...Pooja... I almost believed you!
- I was serious... - Let it be. We are done here.
You can’t tell a battery from a lens. And you call yourself a director.
Let the manager decide who gets the bench.
Please, Pooja...
Pooja! Please...
- Hi, brother. Yes, It’s a weeklong trip. - Nice!
- What else? Brother-in-law must be so happy! - Yes!
- Take some munchies with you. - Munchies?
You think he will like it?
You have been married for three months.
Don't you know his preferences yet?
Fine. I will ask him.
Hmm. Darling! Shall I pack some munchies?
Pack them, pack them, do it!
- Brother, he wants me to pack them. - Dude! Give me some updates.
Where are you guys?
We are on our way.
Hey, you know what? He is carrying his laptop, mouse and dongle.
Work from Goa...looks like.
What a loser!
Hello! Don’t forget your undies. I am not going to lend you mine.
The elastic is already loose. I am managing with my waist band.
Always worried about the undies!
Listen! My wife is packing munchies.
We are going to get drunk like there is no tomorrow!
Yay!
- Don't be disheartened, anna. - Hmm.
Why don't you tell Pooja why you want the bench?
Yes, Balu. you better tell her.
If you are trying to propose to someone, don’t delay it. Do it already!
Nothing like that.
But you seem dull. What’s bothering you?
- It's... - I will tell you, madam.
You know our Manager, Prakash?
He called Pooja and he...
I will go get some chutney...you continue.
(smirks)
Somethings are not easy to share.
Is it something embarrassing?
Nothing like that. You need guts to tell certain things.
That's why...
Let me tell you a trick.
I met someone for a potential marriage alliance the other day.
- I know. - Hmm?
I heard about it. Apparently you didn’t like him?
Yeah. His name is Girish.
He was blabbering away when we first met. So, I rejected him.
But, afterwards, he practiced a lot just to be able to speak to me.
He was nice.
He spoke well after that.
Oh, nice.
But what happened finally?
He's good. But I haven't made any decision.
But yeah...you should try that trick.
It may sound silly but just try and see if it works out.
Just practice. Hmm?
Hmm. Thanks.
It will help you.
Just practice.
(Romantic music playing)
Hi, Pooja.
I am going to tell you the real reason...
The reason I want the bench is...
I am scared to tell this to you...
...because I am in love with someone.
Her name is...
Isha!
I have been in love with her for nine years.
I tried to tell her about my feelings so many times.
- Uh, Isha! - Hmm?
I...
What happened, Balu?
- I... - Hmm?
- I...I want to tell you something. - Go ahead.
I am getting there. I... ...did your code run?
Code?
Code...
(chuckles)
Why the hell are you talking about code, man?
Everything else is under control, right?
- Isha! Did your code run? - Huh?
- That...code... - Okay. Let’s discuss in the conference room.
ISHA....DID YOUR CODE RUN?
There he goes again about code.
You don’t even know how to code...
...and you keep asking her “Did your code run?”
As if you are some kind of Bill Gates!
Drop dead!
Die!
Bloody heck!
Die!
Anna, Isha is very busy.
She started her career with you and today she is a manager.
She is not very social. She doesn’t go out much.
She is not close to anyone except her teammates.
All your doors are closed, brother.
Don't make me thrash you!
Bench!!
I will get assigned to bench, then find a way to get into Isha’s team...
...and become her teammate.
She will have to spend time with me and I will surely impress her.
Huh?
- Bench... - This may work.
You know how it is.
It is never easy for boys to say 'I love you.'
But bench gives me a better chance at it.
From now onwards, bench is my goal.
So, I need this bench at any cost, Pooja.
Please...
I love Isha more than anything.
Enough with the rehearsals, anna.
- When are you going to tell her? - Uh,
I am going to. All this prep is to tell Pooja.
Just trying to get her attention.
Forget Pooja. When are you going to tell Isha that you love her?
Even telling Pooja feels like a daunting task.
A love story at the age of 33 is somewhat embarassing, Meenakshi.
Forget about my story. What happened to yours?
I am meeting the Hero next week.
I told you. They want a romcom.
But I don't have a script. I need to write one.
You will come up with one. You are on the bench anyway.
Totally free.
And if you are short of ideas,
borrow Ravi’s story or mine. Or plagiarize from some Korean movie.
Tsk! Hmm...
(phone ringing) The number you are calling is currently-
This guy! He never answers his phone.
Why would he? He must be busy having fun.
Hmm.
Our man must be having a blast in Goa with his friends.
- Ah! - Huh?
Aren’t we going to Annavaram (temple town), Ravi?
Why are they dressed like this?
Yes, of course, it’s Annavaram, Gayatri.
Come here.
- Come and sit with us.... - Come.
And list out all the places in the Annavaram where we can go in these shorts.
Come.
Dude! What the hell!
(Nervous laughter)
It's been a long pending vow, Gayatri.
Thanks to Ravi, we are finally able to visit temples.
Otherwise, we would have gone to Goa and got ruined. Isn't it, Ravi?
(phone ringing)
Brother, we are starting in five minutes.
There was a small confusion,
Whenever she suggested going to pilgrimage, I told her we will go once I get the bench.
- That's why when I told her about the trip... - She thought it was to Annavaram.
Why didn’t you tell her it was for Goa?
You can’t say no to your wife after she packs her bags.
The repercussions will be horrible.
Had you told us earlier, we would have gone to Goa directly.
That’s why I didn’t tell you. We are in this together.
You think you can dictate the terms?
We are not coming with you.
It’s good you guys are coming along.
Somebody I know refused to go to the temple when invited
and they ended up in an accident the very next day.
Wow, Gods must be crazy!
All locked, right?
Proceed. Go on. Move it.
Yes, Let's get going.
After Annavaram, we have Srisailam, Vijayawada and Tirupati and many more.
Let's go. Let's go.
Would you like some sweets?
Sure.
Let’s visit Annavaram first. And then we devour the sweets.
(car engine starts)
Uh, Pooja...
Uh, uh...
Pooja...Uh, my love story...Isha...with Isha
Uh, how to say it?
It's....Pooja...
Pooja!
Pooja, please, Pooja. Hey, move.
Hear me out.
Prakash, Prakash...please, Prakash. Put me on the bench once, Prakash.
Pooja...Pooja, Pooja! Please, Pooja. For this bench...
Just get a romcom ready.
Hey!
How many more circumambulations, man?
This is not even the main temple.
- May be one or two. - Huh?
- No, Ravi. It’s 108. - Huh?
Hey!
God conducted a fitness test.
I have failed.
Let's go home, man.
We are going to Tirupati, right?
- Huh! - Ah...
Gayatri...just for my information...
We don't need to do any more circumambulations there, right?
No need for all that.
There are 3500 steps on the walkway.
If we climb them, we get free darshan.
- Am I right, aunty? - Hmm.
Hey...
- It's a God thing, man. - Huh?
We will be blessed. Shall we do it?
(A message on phone) MEENAKSHI, IS THE SCRIPT READY?
He thinks writing is a cake walk!
- Pooja! - Hello!
- Can I give you some advice? - Hmm.
I can see that you are trying a lot.
It is not so easy with Pooja.
- Can I give you some advice? - Hmm.
- Fuck off! - Huh?
(Footsteps)
TIRUPATI
Ouch! Uff!
(Groans & sighs)
Oh my!
I have no energy left.
I hope there are no more exercises?
No, no. There aren’t. Isn’t it, Gaayatri?
None, Ravi.
We have a special pooja tomorrow.
We just need to fast for two days. That’s all.
Ah?
She said two days...
And she mentioned fasting.
I better call home.
I am going to die, dude. I am going to die.
him...fasting...two days.
You think you can write the script in such a short time?
Why don't you write it on the set directly?
Then your hero will make you do salsa.
Hey, I have absolutely no energy, man.
SRIKALAHASTI
Hey! (temple bells clanking)
Help me, man.
My feet are itching.
I don’t even have the energy to scratch.
I don’t even have the energy to breathe. I might just give up.
Bloody heck!
You are happily sleeping. And so is your wife.
Why should I drive?
(vehicle honks)
Have you read the script, sir?
Of course, I have.
We are meeting the hero at 5PM tomorrow evening. Be ready.
Sure. Okay, sir.
Pooja, Pooja...Please, Pooja. Hear me out once.
Please, Pooja.
Fine. Tell me.
What? Manager Isha?
(smirks)
It...er...It just happened.
If it were some other girl, you would be married by now, Balu.
Please, Pooja.
- Please understand my pain and let me have the bench. - I don't know, Balu,
I am not convinced.
Let Prakash decide who gets the bench.
Wait for some time.
- Uh, Pooja... - Love, it seems
Damn...bloody.
Balu anna! Hey, Ravi!
The script is ready.
- I am meeting the hero in 20 minutes. - Super!
- Thank you, anna. - Congrats!
Thank you. I hope it has come out well.
I am a bit nervous.
- I am swiping out and leaving. - Okay.
- All the best. - Okay.
I have made up my mind, anna.
I gave in to my wife's demands last week. Not anymore.
Hey! Get lost, man!
I am nervous about the manager's decision...
...whether Pooja is going to drop out.
I am stressed about missing the bench...
and here you are, blabbering about your wife.
Whatever. I am going to have fun.
- Hey, Meenakshi! Where are you going? - Huh?
Isha...uh...to the cafeteria.
Didn't you see the mail about the meeting?
You are already late. Come fast.
Isha, I have to go somewhere.
You can go after the meeting.
Our Branch head is joining us today.
You will face severe action if you don't attend.
- So, come. - Isha...I have to go.
You have to attend. It's mandatory, Meenakshi. Come.
(Meenakshi) Tsk.
(Sighs)
Guys!
You know that our company is turning 25 this year.
It's Silver Jubilee.
We need to celebrate it in a big way.
Isha, you can take the help of people who are on bench and take the lead.
I want meticulous planning.
Where are you? The hero is waiting!
What's the delay?
- Have dance competitions, music... - IT’S BEEN 40 MINUTES.
- and everything that emphasises our - WHERE ARE YOU?
HERO IS QUITE UPSET. WHERE ARE YOU?
Guys! I want you to be focused...
- and not take this lightly. - YOU WASTED HIS TIME.
HERO WANTS TO LEAVE.
Sir!
I have an important meeting, sir. I have to leave.
Sorry.
Huh?
What! What is this, Isha?
How can she just walk away? You know this is important, right?
I understand. I'll talk to her.
Just see how I am going to utilize the bench time.
The next week belongs to us, okay?
Watch Netflix, order food, and sit at home planning Goa trip.
- I have just sacrificed this week for my wife... - Ravi!
Okay, I will call you back. Bye.
**
- Was it Rajesh? - Huh.
He says he enjoyed the trip a lot. Idiot.
Yes. We enjoyed a lot.
We had a great darshan too, right?
Yeah...we barely survived.
I meant...it was a surreal experience.
That’s why I have planned an elaborate trip of south India next week.
Next week?
Visiting temples, fasting...it’s going to be fun.
Then my cousin's half sari event is scheduled. Let's go there too.
Then, my birthday is in the first week of next month.
You must spend it with me.
You remember my nephew, Buchibabu?
His cradling ceremony, weaning ceremony, first tonsure... so many functions to attend.
We shouldn’t miss any, Ravi.
You have lots of plans, Gayatri!
Yes! Didn’t I tell you that you won’t find the bench life boring?
I have many more plans.
Ravi, do you know the plan for the following week?
- Can you guess? - My death ceremony.
(vehicle halts)
Sir, sir, sir! Sorry, sir.
The hero got tired of waiting and left. You have embarrassed me.
There was an urgent meeting sir, I couldn’t...
You should choose between office and films.
- Sir, it was an important... - There are so many people who work so much harder than you.
Keep that in mind.
Without dedication and focus, no one can become a director here.
Please, leave. Don't say another word.
- Sir, one chance, sir. please... - Everyone takes the industry for granted.
Hey, driver! Move!
(Meenakshi) Tsk.
Say something about my bench, Prakash.
Pooja has backed out.
Oh, did she, Prakash?
Super. Thank you, thank you so much, Prakash.
But we have also dropped the idea of releasing someone from the team.
So, you must drop your idea too.
The thing is...
Your project lead is going on-site.
Good for him!
So, you will be the lead now.
Prakash!
Yes! You are the new team lead, Balu. Congrats!
How can I be the team lead, Prakash? What do I know?
- No, no. - Hey, come on!
The stories you cook for bench!
You have nine years of experience!
This is a security project. We cannot rely on anyone else.
You have no other option. So, relax.
Don't ask me to relax, Prakash. Take this seriously.
Uh...
I really know nothing, Prakash.
The only code I managed to run is "Hello World."
We don't even have Google here.
Uh, I don't know anything, Prakash, please.
Stop it. Say no more.
Take the charge.
Come. Let's tell everyone.
- Prakash! No, no! - Hey, come on, guys!
Congratulate your new team lead!
Balu anna, congrats!
- Let's party this evening. - Hey, congrats!
- Hey, hey! - Enjoy!
Leave me alone!!
This is not right, Meenakshi.
If you have other priorities, you should focus on them.
Resign from your job here.
Why are you troubling everyone?
Are you going to resign? Or work sincerely?
If you can't... just submit your ID card and leave.
(Footsteps)
You guys were on cloud nine when I first met you.
Now I hear Isha is asking for your resignation?
What have you decided?
You want to make films or continue with your job?
Huh?
(laughing)
One wicket down!
He had great plans for Goa.
The second wicket is down!
And the third guy. He is in love it seems!
Can't wait to see what's in store for you guys.
"Hey, Azam! A slave to your job! Take a bow!"
"Get up in the morning, log in quick and thus begins your day"
"The rooster too wakes up and crows like you"
"Not knowing code or English your struggles are countless"
“Getting harangued by client, manager, TL...”
“By EOD you are done for”
"Take a break, Azam"
"Don't die a little day-by-day"
"Let's take a break please, Azam"
"We need some enjoyment in life"
"Don't think that you have no free time."
“If you are smart, you will have all the time in the world.”
“Don't feel bad that there is no work.”
“Life is all about having fun...everything else can wait.”
"You keep postponing your little dreams waiting and hoping for the right moment"
“You got busy at work chasing money, ignoring even your wealth”
"Park your tensions aside,”
“and change the gears of your life.”
"For the peanuts you get in the name of salary, don't sacrifice your heart's passion"
"We don't want EODs Say no to CC and BCC"
"Swipe in and swipe out, not needed, bro Log in, log out, why do you want them, bro?"
“Don’t want coding, meetings or testing in the meetings”
“Don’t want reviews on the testing, don’t want escalations on bugs”
"Waiting for the weekend and dying on Mondays"
"Eyesight diminishing and crying for on-site"
"Say no to thinning hair Say a stronger no to back pain"
Say no to unpaid leaves. Bench life is the best."