(knock on the door)
(door opens)
(footsteps)
Where is Gayatri?
I think she went to her mom's place.
Directly from the wedding? Why?
Her house is on the way.
Maybe she wanted to save money.
What happened?
Why don't you call and ask her?
You know she has a phone, right?
Everybody is nagging me.
(crickets chirping)
What’s with this sudden visit?
I was missing you. That's why.
Did Ravi say something?
Why would he?
In fact, I told him off.
(bangles clinking)
(mobile phone message beep) Damn!
Ah!
Performance assessment?
Damn.
This nonsense has been going on for six months.
You have been wasting your time by making short films.
Mahesh's mom called me in the morning.
She wanted to cancel the wedding.
Sorry, aunty.
I shouldn’t have told my mom about the layoffs.
I didn't expect that she would call you.
Don’t worry, son. It’s not your fault.
She is at fault here.
Okay, tell me. You think you are talented?
Why did the producer turn you down?
Speak up!
Look at me and speak.
Do you have the confidence?
Can you become a director?
Five years? How many years do you need?
Do you have the money?
Will you pay the EMIs?
Mom...that's...
What? What is it?
Let me give you a solution.
First, kill your dad and me. Then you can continue chasing your dream.
This wedding is going to happen no matter what. Mind that.
Yeah.
I am happy to be here.
I am going to join your project soon.
(door closes)
(clicks tongue in disappointment)
Life is all topsy turvy, anna.
This is not the life I imagined for myself.
(clicks tongue)
I wanted to become a director with the help of my job.
- Now, I may lose both... - Hmm.
We were after the bench.
We didn't realise that our loser lives were already on the bench.
"Take a break, Azam"
"Don't die a little day-by-day"
"Let's take a break, Azam"
"Life needs some enjoyment, know this"
- Isha... - Hmm?
I spoke to your grandmother the other day.
I mean... about our wedding.
Yeah, Girish.
I know that you have joined here for me.
(mobile phone message beep) You are very hard working and ambitious.
I really appreciate that.
Okay. Assessment interviews have begun.
Got to go.
(clicks tongue)
Hmm.
Marriage is a big decision.
We will discuss. Okay?
(chuckles)
What's happening in there?
What can I say, bro?
The interviewer himself was on the bench.
And he is now asking me about my bench. What a sick joke!
I think I have lost the job.
Mr.Kishore, are you ready?
I am born ready. Who the heck is inside?
Wait for me.
What were you doing during your bench time?
I was wasting time.
Literally I wasted my time.
This company wasted my most valuable time.
Aren't you guys answerable to me?
Look at my dark circles, sir.
I will die from this stress, sir.
You put us on the bench and then question us why we are on the bench.
This is like the culprit crying foul.
Sorry to say this.
25 lakhs, madam.
My dad borrowed 25 lakhs, madam. And I am still repaying the loan!
This is actually a big..no...
...a small family story, madam.
Shall I narrate it?
(Indistinct conversation)
You career has been stagnant for 10 years.
Why?
You have been stuck at the same place for 10 years. Now you will lose your job.
You know how serious this is?
You have been on the bench for six months.
I see that you didn't even try for a project.
No, sir. I have been trying.
I have been giving my hundred percent to the job.
and I will continue to do so for my company.
I am enrolling in certification courses.
You walked out of the previous project because of some health issues.
Is it true?
Yes. God promise.
Okay. What is Software Development Life Cycle?
Say something.
Come on. Speak. Say something.
Speak. Don’t irritate me. Speak up.
You have zero knowledge.
Let's be honest.
- Do you have some other plans? - No, sir.
I can be a valued employee for the Company, sir.
Please, sir!
You were promoted as a team lead, but you opted for the bench.
Why?
(Isha) How can you be so irresponsible?
(Isha) Don't you get it?
Answer or leave!
Leave!
We'll get back to you. Leave.
I didn't do well anna.
Me neither. No one is a Sundar Pichai here.
This stupid event in the middle of all this.
How can we attend the event, anna? I feel so depressed.
Let's have some drinks.
No. I want to go.
Isha would be there.
This might be the last time I get to see her.
(somber music playing)
I have submitted my resignation letter.
They said there is some notice period.
(clank)
Certain things are beyond our control, sir.
We just need to accept them... like my marriage.
Hmm.
- Sir, are you an organizer here? - Yes.
Come fast, sir. Chairs have to be arranged.
Look at our fate, sir.
Let's go and arrange the chairs.
Tsk...
Ravi! You are home?
Why isn't Gayatri taking the calls?
Let her be, mom.
I am worried more about my job.
You are going to lose the job? Have you told Gayatri?
It's not like she is my boss. Why should I tell her everything?
She is your wife! What happened between you guys?
Balu says he has no idea. And you are being evasive.
This is hardly any good news to share with everyone!
You two are impossible.
You talk as I am torturing my wife.
Have you gone mad? Go and bring Gayatri home.
What will people say?
How would your in-laws take this?
Forget it, mom. Let her be there for a few days.
She is a big torture. Let me have some peace of mind.
She is after me the entire time
Don't even talk about her.
Why are you acting cranky?
Just tell me this. Are you going to get her, or should I?
People will say your wife abandoned you.
What do you mean?
- It's me who abandoned her. - Shut up! (slap)
Tsk!
(door closes)
Good evening, everyone.
Welcome to the 25th anniversary of Apoch Tech.
Tonight, we have our colleagues and their families with us.
Together I hope..
It doesn't matter even if she loses the job.
You would be going to the US anyway.
- Let's go sit. - Yeah.
(clank)
(phone ringing)
Yes, Girish?
Where are you?
I have been waiting for you.
(somber music playing)
I am not able to take this, sir.
Don't feel bad. Mom must have been upset.
I am not angry about the slap!
Gayatri is the one who walked away and yet, I am being asked questions.
... why do they blame me?
What was my mistake?
Life is meant to be enjoyed.
She was standing in the way. So, I told her a couple of lies.
Is that a crime?
I had to do it or else she would have felt bad.
You call that betrayal?
What a load of nonsense!
Always being bossed around by teachers in school, parents at home, lecturers in college and...
...managers in the office. After the marriage, it’s the wife.
I cannot go to Goa.
I cannot meet my friends.
I cannot go to a movie.
Marriage totally ruined my happiness.
I am worried sick about my job and now all this melodrama.
Tsk.
Afterall it is your wife.
A simple apology would do.
Okay. Go home.
You too, sir?
Great.
Go ahead and blame me.
When you were my age, you must have apologized a lot.
No wonder you are at the grocer's every day.
He wants me to apologize.
I don't obey my wife out of fear.
I do it out of love.
I was like you too.
My wife's absence meant freedom.
I didn’t want to discuss anything with her.
But two years ago,
my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.
That makes you forget everything.
She forgot her friends, her brothers and even her dad.
She didn't recognise them even from the pictures.
But somehow,
she didn't forget me.
Not one not two... We have been together for 50 years...
She gives me coffee every morning.
Cooks for me.
She asks if I ate or not.
She asks for tamarind so that she can make rasam.
And then she forgets everything.
Next day...it's the same.
For the past 50 years, I was her world.
So, she couldn't forget me even now.
You are taking Gayatri for granted.
She just wants to be with you all the time.
Is it a crime, Ravi?
That is what a wife is, right?
Women leave everything behind to be with us after marriage.
We should take good care of them.
You still seem to be in bachelor mode.
Most guys are like that.
They get married without giving it much thought.
Then they make wife jokes with friends.
When you are old, you will know.
Everyone will leave you behind.
By mischance, if we land in a hospital ,
It is the wife who takes care of us like babies.
- Hello? - Ah, Vijaya?
I am coming.
I said I will be there!
Of course, I will have dinner. Just cook whatever you want.
(chuckles)
Ravi...
Gayatri could be at fault too.
But just talk it out.
You will understand each other better.
This won’t be the last fight between you two.
You will have them in future too.
But every tiff will make your bond stronger.
Don’t lose someone who loves you so much.
Take care.
(mellow music playing)
(door opens)
(Ramanatham) Women leave everything behind to be with us.
(Ramanatham) We should take good care of them.
Ravi!
This has gone cold. It won't taste nice.
Let me warm it up. One minute.
Pch..hurry up
Lets watch a movie together.
I don't want to, I will go out.
Ah, okay, okay. Let's watch cricket.
I can watch the movie later.
(Ramanatham) She just wants to be with you all the time.
(Ramanatham) That is what a wife is, right?
(Ramanatham) Don’t lose someone who loves you so much.
Ravi!
Do you remember?
It's my birthday next month.
You must spend the entire day with me.
Don’t go anywhere, okay?
My first birthday after the wedding.
Please Ravi..
(window closes)
(intense music playing)
(singing a Telugu song) Stop it man!
Retards!
Does no one tell them?
They get on to the stage and make a fool of themselves.
He thinks he can sing well.
Everyone is laughing but he doesn't get it.
At least, he gave it a try.
Try! My foot.
Here. Go and play the hard disk.
Why are you asking me, sir?
I shouldn't be doing it.
So, ladies and gentlemen!
As you know we have a lot of talent within our Company.
Next up, we have a short film by our very own Meenakshi.
Here we go.
What is this?
We were laughing at someone else till now.
Now everyone will start laughing at us.
What have you done?
Mom, I didn't do this.
What do you mean?
What is this, Meenakshi?
Everyone is staring at us.
They shot this in our office secretly!
Yeah!
You have a daughter, how long will you be alone?
And to be honest, what you did with her was..
What?
Wrong?
- What is this short film? - Meenakshi!
- Wait, mom. Let me go, check. - [short film] That’s not wrong, is it?
You didn't want her to marry the man she loved or take up the job she liked.
She felt helpless and left.
Poor thing.
Girls have many barriers to cross.
- [short film)] We don’t give our daughters the freedom we give our sons. - What's happening?
- It’s Prasad sir. - [short film] Their dreams gets trampled under the weight of the restrictions.
- Stop this, please. - [short film] Think about it.
There is nothing I can do now, Meenakshi.
(sighs)
She will give this all up after the wedding.
Don't take this to heart.
Sir, sir! Please, stop this, sir. It's very embarrassing.
I couldn't take it when the producer rejected it.
Now, all of them are going to laugh at me.
My mom is also here, sir. Please, sir. Stop this, sir.
Let them laugh.
All your doubts will be clarified.
Just cry for a day.
From tomorrow, you can focus on your job and happily get married.
In the name of ego and tradition, we are imprisoning the lives of our girls.
Enter the darkness they live in and you will know.
What a blunder you have committed.
Dad...
Dad!
- Dad, I want to play cricket. - No!
How can a girl play cricket?
You don't want me to?
Whatever I ask, you keep saying no, dad.
It hurts me.
Dear! Where are you?
Should they suffer like this, always?
Poor them!
They take all the pain in silence.
Do you know why?
How long can we go on like this? Your dad wouldn't understand.
Come with me.
You will at least be happy.
Sorry. I can't do that.
When the society points a finger at me, my dad won't be able to take it.
No matter how strict he is or how imposing he is,
his feelings matter to me.
I cannot hurt him.
I can never hurt him that way.
I mean it, dad.
"The girl you created and allowed to play on your chest"
"Disappears in the lines you draw" Girls are girls.
Girls are like that.
Mother and father are most important to them.
They remain imprisoned in the cages we built for them. (metal creaking)
Dear!
I am here.
I am a changed man. "The girl you created..."
“...is a baby who is holding her faith in you” I am here...I am so sorry...
"Treat her like the apple of your eye and take care of her, O, father"
Dear....
(sighs)
But who should understand their heart and support them?
Dad...
Her dad!
(upbeat music playing)
Ah!
Dad should be her superhero.
What is happening here, Meenakshi?
Do you even know what you are doing?
What's with these short films and premiers?
Look how embarrassed your mom is!
Look at her. It's over.
They will all start laughing now.
You were already mocked by that producer.
Now you are disgracing her.
- Damn! - I think this is not right.
- I need to leave. - Huh?
Listen to me. Meenakshi...Meenakshi!
You think you are talented? Why did the producer turn it down?
Lots of people think they are talented.
You have none.
You should get applause from the audience.
This will make people boo...
(applause)
(intense music playing)
"The path you choose, even if it changes course"
“Until you reach the destination, will you stop walking ahead?”
“Even if a storm breaks out, can it stop the sun from shining forever?”
- Nice. Very relatable. - Thank you.
- Very well done, Meenakshi. Good work. - Thank you.
- Good job. - Thank you.
(clapping)
Do you know who they are clapping for?
For the director in you.
Just because a producer didn’t like it, you thought you had no talent.
Look how many are applauding your work.
You should definitely try, Meenakshi.
99 out of 100 people are born with likes and desires.
Only one is born with a passion.
How can that one person give up?
(sighs)
You can worry about success.
But to become successful, you should first believe in yourself.
This is all I wanted to say.
Now it's up to you to decide.
All the best.
Mom...
Okay, dear. Get back to work.
You are busy, right?
Everyone is appreciating you.
You...have done a good job.
- Even I liked it a lot. You should pursue it. - Mother-in-law...
Please, hold on. Not mother-in-law. Call me aunty. Wait.
Mom!
(chuckles)
All the best.
Our hero, Ram Charan... write a nice story for him.
You know I am his fan!
You will do a great job. I have faith in you.
- Mother-in-law, what are you doing? - I told you to call me aunty.
- Movies and all... - Look at that girl. She is so beautiful.
Marry her instead.
Do you mean the wedding is cancelled?
(sniffs)
(mobile phone ringing)
(clicks tongue)
Raj!
Leave me alone for some time, man.
Who is Raj?
Raj is my friend, bro.
(chuckles)
A penny for your thoughts?
Uh, nothing, bro.
Whenever I feel that I have hit the rock bottom,
God takes it as a challenge and...
...keeps digging the hole further.
(laughs)
Don't worry.
I will get you a better job and position in another company.
By the way...
Do you like Isha?
Uh, nothing of that sort, bro.
- She is just a... - Raj told me everything.
Don't take him seriously.
It's just one-sided love.
Please, Don't tell Isha about this.
How come Isha told me something very different?
Marriage is a big decision.
We will discuss.
Isha!
I believe it's going to be positive.
Sorry, Girish.
Before I give you some hope...
You are a nice guy.
- But I don't know how to put this across. - Ha?
The message wasn't about my team's interview.
It was about Balu's interview.
And I couldn't stay here a moment longer.
I think...
I am in love with him.
All these years, there has been no love in my life.
I am still scared.
That's why I never told him I like him.
I feel happy in his presence.
He talks nonsense.
He makes me laugh.
I don't know if he likes me.
But I like him a lot.
I always check him out discreetly.
But he never bothers to look at me.
I care so much about him... that’s why I lost my cool and scolded him
Poor guy!
I just want to be with him.
Are you sure?
I said he is a wrong choice for any girl.
I called him irresponsible.
But I know...
I can be happy only with Balu.
Isha really loves you, bro.
She fought with the management and convinced them...
...to keep you from getting fired.
You won't find a better girl than Isha.
You should consider yourself really lucky.
Isn’t it wonderful when the person you love, loves you back?
You are one lucky fellow.
Thank you. Thank you, bro.
I don't even know what to do.
Let’s catch up later in the bar and...
...talk over some drinks.
- Okay. - Thank you.
- Thank you so much. - See you.
Hey, Balu!
- Are you going to propose to Isha? - Something like that.
- All the best. - Okay!
Hmm.
Huh?
(sighs)
That was great acting.
I mean...
the short film was great.
Did you eat, dear?
- Shall I get you some food? - It's okay.
I am good.
(chuckles)
She looks so happy...
...after so long.
You went out of your way to help a girl become a director.
I just can't believe it.
Sorry, dear.
Back then...
I couldn't understand you.
I will just go far away from you.
(sobs)
It's okay. Forget it, dad.
Sorry.
(sobbing)
What are you watching?
Some live event at Ravi's office.
Trying to spot him.
If you love him so much, why are you here?
Why aren't you with him?
Lazy fool!
Always playing on your phone.
Either sleep or go study, idiot!
Yup...going.
See. Ravi had strict upbringing too right ?
You should have respected his space.
Tsk!
Anyway, carry on.
He might call you. Charge your phone.
Happy birthday, sis.
(door knocking)
Uncle!
Hi
- Why are you here at this hour, son? - Is Gayatri home?
She is in her room.
You saw me coming, didn't you?
Looks like you dressed up to greet me.
You wish. Why are you here?
You said I am clingy.
(sighs)
I just realized that...
...I am the biggest idiot in the world.
I am sorry, Gayatri.
(bangles clinking)
You have already said enough.
Come back when you are truly sorry for your actions.
Oh, dear!
I am tired of this, Gayatri.
I am drained too.
I am sorry.
A simple sorry isn’t going to help.
Please, leave.
There is free booze at the event anyway.
Go and enjoy. Why are you here?
You wanted to celebrate your birthday with me right?
That's why I am here.
And this is your first birthday after our wedding.
You remember my birthday?
I swear I remember.
I don't trust you.
- Let it be. - Gayatri!
Let us sit and discuss. Please.
I am sorry.
(sniffs)
From now we will always sort things out.
I will never take you for granted.
Tell me what you want.
I just want to be with you.
My brother was telling me.
That I should respect your space.
I will do that.
Yeah, it all went well.
See you tomorrow.
- Isha... - Hmm?
What happened?
When you said I am irresponsible, I felt very bad.
But I realised that, if I remain like this, I will go nowhere.
Love alone is not enough to marry a girl.
Actually, I am in love with someone.
I tried hard to tell her.
But I keep blabbering gibberish every time.
"'Is the code running? Havey you filled in the timesheet?'"
I would end up uttering nonsense.
But ..
I am not going to propose to her, Isha.
I will propose to her only after I prove myself.
If I propose to her now, it’s an insult to her.
It's enough if she knows that I am trying. I would be happy.
I will keep on trying.
That's...
That's very beautiful, Balu.
All the best.
This code run and the time sheet...
I think I should master them first before proposing her, isn’t it?
You will do it, Balu.
“Whatever comes of this story, it’s for our own good”
"Have dreams and make them come true"
“It will reach the conclusion, erasing the distance. Don’t stop the story half way.”
- Isha... - Yeah?
I am resigning.
I have even sold the car.
I am joining as an AD.
The movie script is also getting okayed.
I want to do this.
Finally, you took that leap of faith.
Out of your comfort zone.
All the best.
Thank you.
- Congratulations. - Thanks.
And what are your plans?
Gayatri!
Yeah, What happened?
- Got the salary. - Really?
It’s the last one from this company.
They sacked me.
We must manage with this till I find another job.
I will invest this somewhere.
It's okay. I have a suggestion.
Call Rajesh and Akhil.
Go to Goa with the money.
You will get a job. Don't worry.
Anna, there is a vacancy in Isha's project. You want to go?
Give me some productive advice.
I want to be a team leader.
Till then I can’t show my wretched face to Isha.
I am looking for projects.
I am working hard.
Don’t give me fugged up advice.
Anna, you should first cut down on swear words.
Hey! That’s why I said “fugg”.
Okay?
Well done.
It's always chaos here.
The Hustle and bustle.
Managers push for the deadlines.
This and that...everyone is busy.
But when you think about it, you realize.
Whether you are doing the job you like.
- Where is the story board for this set up? - Sir?
- Meenakshi... - Sir?
- Take a look at the colour palette. - Okay, sir.
And also check the CG shots.
Do you understand your loved ones well?
Let's go- GOA!
- Whether you are stuck without progress.... - Okay. All the best.
Thank you. Thank you, sir.
Pause and introspect.
Don't let the life be "benched".
(car door closes)
And coming to Balu... It’s up to my daughter.
(car engine starts)
Mom, what the hell?
They benched me when I wanted a project.
Now that I want the bench so I can go to honeymoon, they gave me a project!
Is it?
Huh!
- How is the project, bro? - Hi!
- Hello! - Is it them again?
- Hi! - Yes, it's them.
I don't want this project. I want the bench.
- Looks like you realized the value of bench! - Learn from them.
I did. That's why I want the bench so much.
He finally understood how life works.
(laughs)
By the way, who texted you that Prasad sir is Isha’s dad?
"Take a break, Azam"
"Don't die a little day-by-day"
"Let's take a break, Azam"
"Life needs some enjoyment, know this"