I am leaving Viktory Studios
and will create my very own independent studio.
(Zico) That shady slimeball Saajan Morarka is waiting for you.
The idiot's bagged some rights for a South film.
(Rustom) With Armaan on board,
Viktory and Regal Star's alliance is truly gold.
(Raghu) You want Armaan?
I'll bring his whole frickin' village to you.
-(Armaan) Parkour. -(Raghu) Your idea.
Let's give the audience what they want.
(Mahika) I want to make this film with you and Armaan together.
Give me some time, guys. I'll come back to you.
-Sure. -(Mandy) Raghu called and...
He offered me a film.
Agent Haseena.
So, shall I start the paperwork for 1857?
You take too much stress, bud.
Just chill.
See you around.
KAMAL: THE FIRE PART-ONE
(man) The film is absolutely fire, bro!
I'll try getting us tickets.
(exciting Arabic music)
What a banging trailer!
(crowd chattering)
(car revs, screeches)
(man) Hey, guys! Naveen Kumar!
(fans screaming excitedly)
(reporter) New film on the block, Kamal: The Fire is already the rage
up North, even before it has become big down South.
Remake rights are being lined up.
For an expert opinion on this topic,
let's welcome our next panellist,
Mr. Saajan Morarka.
What is the essence of good cinema?
To be pure,
to showcase our culture
and to stay within the boundaries of morality.
That's what good cinema is.
Look at the cinema of South India.
What's happening in Bollywood is pure exploitation
of the audiences and their beliefs.
I want to know the reason behind it.
-Done. -(sighs)
-(Mandy) Wow. -(music softens)
-(exhales) -South has really taken over, huh?
-And Naveen Kumar, what a star! -(crowd cheering on laptop)
To increase your shelf life,
you really have to broaden your horizons
and reach newer markets.
-Right? -He's given one hit
and you're making him out to be India's biggest superstar?
He's cracked it and all of us are just duffers?
And you know what?
Those who talk about a "shelf life"
are the ones sitting on a shelf themselves.
When you're out on the battlefield, you only know one thing.
How to survive.
-How to fight. -(music rises)
(strains) Come on.
(riveting opening music)
(music fades out)
(Rustom) Offering the film to Mandira was a smart move.
It's good to be back in business with Raghu Khanna.
(Raghu) That's right, Rustom.
And it's exactly what I'm looking for through this alliance.
Only you can make this happen.
It's going to be a spectacular comeback.
Huh? What do you say?
Absolutely. Let's make it happen.
Thank you, thank you.
Let's meet soon.
Bye.
(intriguing music)
(exhales)
-(scoffs) -(lighter flicks)
-Thank you, sir. -Here he is!
(reporters speaking in unison) Sir, sir!
Armaan, Armaan! One photo, please!
(man 1) We're waiting for your new film! When will it come out?
(man 2) Give us a scoop on your new project, sir!
No comment as of now.
(man 3) Wow, Armaan sir! The Greek God of Bollywood!
(man 1) How are Anaaya and Ayaan?
-They're doing great. -(man 2) Ma'am is here! Ma'am is here!
We're seeing you together after a very long time.
Something special?
-Any exciting celebration? -(man 4) Brother!
We heard Raghu Khanna has offered you both new films.
-Yes. (chuckles) -(man 1) Wow!
Raghu bhai's masterstroke!
(man 4) Mandy ma'am, congratulations on Agent Haseena!
You deserve a solo picture, right?
Yeah, yeah, please. Go ahead.
-(man 2) Thank you, sir! Thank you! -(reporters chattering)
Mandy ma'am!
Look here! Look at the centre!
You look fantastic, ma'am!
-Look here, left, left. -(guard) That's enough for now.
You look amazing, ma'am!
(tense music)
Great pose, Mandy ma'am!
(man 2) Ma'am, ma'am! Give us a flying kiss!
(cameras clicking)
(men cheering) Whoa!
(taps sharply)
(sighs deeply)
(phone ringing)
(woman) Hi, Yasmin. I'm speaking from CMS Bollywood.
I've heard that you've been replaced by Mandira in Agent Haseena?
Is that true?
-(tense music builds) -(lighter flicks)
-(phone ringing) -(music fades out)
(gasps)
-(slaps hand) -(rapid breathing)
Mahika.
I've been thinking this over.
And...
(intense music builds)
Boss, that asshole Armaan just said yes to Mahika's film.
I'll beat him down to a pulp.
He'll forget every trick of the trade!
How dare he think of double-crossing you?
Does he think Raghu Khanna is some sort of a joke?!
-(music rises, quietens) -(car accelerates)
(music picks up, intensifies)
(phone ringing)
(automated) The number you are trying to reach is currently busy.
(phone rings)
(Yasmin) Mandira.
Agent Haseena is my film!
Don't even think about it.
I was the one encouraging you to make a comeback. You deserve it.
And you went after my very own film?
Answer me, Mandira.
I know you are there.
Listen,
-if you're really doing this, I'll-- -(phone cuts off)
(breathes heavily)
-(car zooms in) -(music stops)
Raghu sir.
I need to speak to Armaan.
-I know he's home right now. -Wait. One minute, sir.
Open the gate. Open this fucking gate!
Let me ask him, sir.
-Let me ask, sir. -Armaan!
-Boss is asleep, sir.
Armaan, get the fuck out.
I want to speak to you.
Come out and face me like a man!
Armaan!
You'll quit my film?
Who do you think you are?
You call yourself a star after giving consecutive flops.
Sign that brat's film
and shove one more flop up your ass!
Open this gate!
I said open it!
(gate clicks, creaks)
(music fades out)
Who do you think you are? Huh?
How could you even think of backstabbing me?
Do you have a copyright on backstabbing?
I guess not.
Let me make a confession tonight.
You know what?
I've never liked you.
And that is because you think that you're God.
You're not used to losing
or taking no for an answer.
You've put yourself on a pedestal.
And I merely pulled you down to planet Earth.
Take that as a favour.
(scoffs) Who are you?
Tell me.
Who the fuck are you, really?
A shadow of your father?
And that father of yours turned out to be quite cunning.
He didn't have an iota of belief in your skills,
so he dumped it all on that girl's shoulders
and kicked the bucket.
And after meeting that girl, I could understand why he did that.
She's smart, confident and fresh.
But most importantly,
she's understood the most important rule.
There is only one God in Bollywood, and that is the star.
And you think you're God.
Wake up! (snaps fingers)
It's pack-up.
Be gentle while kicking sir out of here.
With respect.
See? I'm still being so good to you.
(riveting music builds)
(lowers zip)
(sucks in air)
(exhales, takes a leak)
(train horn blares)
(man) Lord Ganesha, bless us always!
♪ I wonder what this jungle is ♪
(energetic interlude)
(metal swishes)
(reporter 1) According to verified sources,
-Armaan has joined 1857. -Shot 7+8, Take 1!
(horses neighing)
(reporter 2) Mahika Nandy has cast an outsider opposite Armaan in 1857.
A fine and talented actor, Meena Chandra.
How do you guys show up everywhere, man?
(reporter 3) Mahika Nandy of Viktory Studios has shown the world
why an outsider is Bollywood's last lingering hope.
(Rustom) You got a star like Armaan on board.
So, as promised, our deal is on.
Hmm?
(reporter 1) RK, we don't see Yasmin with you these days.
(reporter 2) Why did you choose Mandira for Agent Haseena?
(rapping) ♪ Life's hectic and busy here It's tough to survive ♪
♪ In the chaos of Bollywood Lies the vibe of Mumbai ♪
(phone ringing)
(music softens)
(Raghu) VK hasn't stopped interfering with things even after death.
My son, think of Victor's curse as a gift to you.
The world now looks at you as an outsider.
And when an outsider climbs the ladder of success,
nobody can pull them down.
(music picks up)
We know the man behind Infosys.
But the story of the woman...
It's always the woman, sir.
-Hello! -Hello!
Good to see you too.
You've broken all the cliches.
Mahika, seems like content will be the queen from now on.
True.
(Manish) I am seeing you smile after a long time, Deven.
(glasses clink)
Honestly, I was a bit scared initially.
I was hoping VK hadn't made a mistake.
But the way Mahika has handled the pressure...
Manish, there's something in her.
Boss, you're changing the full game!
(Mahika) Deven, I know we have big films on our roster now.
But I want to bring back the old glory of Viktory Studios.
We have to make VK proud.
I'm enjoying the game now. Playing alongside Mahika is a treat.
(Mahika) Your true passion lies in writing, P.
Why don't you pursue that now?
You joined Viktory because you wanted to tell your own story.
You wanted to do something of your own.
So?
Where is your story?
I don't have... a story.
(music fades out)
(Prithvi) You have Aakash's gift, right?
(Mahika) Yeah, yeah.
Listen, you're sure Surbhi is okay with me coming there, right?
Yeah, yeah. Of course. My sister's damn sweet.
Don't worry about it.
(kids shouting, laughing)
(doorbell rings)
(birds chirping)
(door unlocks)
-Hey! -Prithvi!
(laughing in joy)
Didi, Mahika.
Hi!
Please come.
(Prithvi) Hope you didn't dirty my shirt.
-(Surbhi) No, no. -(chuckles) Just kidding.
Come, come.
(door creaks shut)
(Prithvi) What are you up to?
(Surbhi) Just the usual. Where's Mahika?
-Please come. -Yes.
(Prithvi) Yum.
Bread fritters and potato sandwiches. Wow!
-(plate clinks) -(chair screeches)
You know, Aakash is his uncle's biggest fan.
(Surbhi chuckles)
And today we can all meet his uncle's special friend.
-You can sit here-- -(exclaims) Sit here. Comfortably.
(Prithvi exhales)
(Surbhi) Prithvi was telling me...
(sucks teeth)
Stop it.
Always chomping on carrots!
(Prithvi) But I'm hungry.
What's so wrong about carrots?
-Always chomping away on carrots. -(melancholic music)
He's had this habit since childhood.
Umm.
-(doorbell rings) -(music stops abruptly)
-(Prithvi) Aakash! -(Surbhi) You wait here.
It must be Aakash's dad.
I'll get the door.
(lock clicks, door creaks)
(keys clang)
Why is the house so messy?
(chuckles) It's Aakash's birthday party today.
I had messaged you about it.
I barely get half a day to myself,
and you've got all this lined up.
What is this? Who brought this?
I got it, jijaji.
Oh, hero!
(chuckles) How are you, jijaji?
-You tell me what's happening. -Absolutely great.
So, Surbhi didn't even tell me you're coming.
And where have you been all this while?
Just working.
I barely get a breather with so much going on.
I wanted to introduce someone to you.
So... this is Mahika Nandy.
She's my...
special friend.
-Oh, really? -(Prithvi laughs awkwardly)
-Hi. -Hello, Mahika.
So, you're the one who is the talk of the town?
Don't believe everything you hear. I am just starting out.
-Come. Have a seat. -Yeah.
(Prithvi clears throat)
Tell me, bud!
What new film are you working on at Viktory Studios?
(Prithvi) Just the usual; lining up a few projects.
-I heard that Armaan Singh... -(solemn music)
...is about to become an action star?
(Prithvi) Yeah, we're making 1857 with him.
-Oh, really? -It's the story of Tatya Tope.
Good budget, solid action, it's all working out well.
Wow.
Surbhi!
-(police siren echoes) -(music fades out)
Guru, seriously? Mandira?
-(Guru) Yasmin. -(Yasmin sighs)
She should be playing the mother by now.
Umm, what can I say?
Agent Haseena requires a certain fire.
Physically and mentally.
There! I rest my case.
Look, we'll do something else.
Something bigger.
Just let it go this time around.
It's not in my hands.
You really should speak to Raghu.
I'm really sorry.
-Sorry? -(doorbell rings)
And what do you mean I should speak to Raghu?
You're the director of the film,
and you know there's nobody better than me for this.
The least you could have done is taken a stand for me.
And all you can say is sorry?
The guts!
(tense music)
Sorry, baby. Got busy.
Couldn't take your call.
I can't believe this!
How low can you stoop for your own selfish needs?
I have done everything for this film.
Dieting all the time has driven me crazy.
Do you know the toll this will take on my career?
How could you?
I have never met someone worse than you.
Baby, try to understand my situation.
Just relax, baby.
Don't fucking baby me!
You are a liar.
(shouts) You made a promise!
I broke that promise.
So?
I will do as I please.
And who are you to preach to me about keeping promises?
Did you forget where I picked you up from?
And what do you really have?
All you do is dance well,
so I gave you multiple songs to dance to.
You can't act to save your life and don't have an iota of talent!
You are here because of me.
It'll be easier for me to just send you back!
-Do you understand? -(tense breathing)
(music turns sad)
(car lock beeps, door clicks)
Aakash got so excited to see his gift.
Did you see?
Is that you?
Whoa.
Where did you find this?
(chuckles)
Actually, that's me.
Yeah.
My sister treated me like one of her dolls.
She dressed me up as one, clearly.
-But then again-- -Prithvi,
did you feel anything strange going on inside?
Strange? What do you mean?
Are you not close to your sister anymore?
I mean, in all these years, this is the first time I've met her.
And you've never spoken much about her.
What do you mean?
(Prithvi scoffs)
Of course, we are close. She's my sister.
I'm going to say this.
I'm not sure if you noticed,
-but I saw a bruise on her neck. -Mahi, stop. Mahi, stop!
-I-- -Stop.
Sure, I invited you to their house to meet them,
but not so you can meddle in their personal lives.
Even I don't have the right to do that.
(introspective music)
(car revs)
The USP of this brand is the costume made by Anaita.
I really, really, really love it.
There is subtext in the animal print.
You can sit here.
There is irony too.
And you know, the classes and the masses
both will be able to connect.
-Ma'am, touch up? -One second.
Okay.
-"There will be a time when--" -Wait, sorry, sorry.
We'll take these three lines in the voiceover.
Just remember, as the camera moves towards you,
start with the cue of "cage."
-Okay, got it. -Cool?
Okay, guys, going for take.
Nobody will cross the frame now.
(chair scrapes)
(woman) I need those costumes now!
(man 1) Everybody, stay silent! Shh!
(woman 1) Sorry, sir!
-Hello? -(woman) Yasmin,
I have tried calling you several times.
I have left you hundreds of messages.
Where have you been?
I'm on a shoot.
Now, please listen to me.
You have to change your diet and take care of yourself.
Your blood test has detected hCG.
-Yasmin, you're pregnant. -(music warbling)
(man 2) Move the chair, please! Clear the frame!
(doctor) Hello, Yasmin. Are you there?
(contorted music)
(voices muffle out)
Sound!
(man 3) Quiet, please! Sound rolling!
Camera.
(man 4) Camera speed.
And action!
(music warps)
(music stops)
Cage!
(people whispering)
(woman 2) Yasmin ma'am, action!
(music warbling)
We will escape every cage, break every shackle.
We will live again.
Although the gift of life is just a dream,
I've heard they do come true.
Or so the humans say.
(director) That was great, Yasmin!
(man 3) Moving on!
(music turns introspective)
(notification dings)
(Saajan) Mr. Khanna, we couldn't meet properly the other day.
I'm sure you remember me by face.
I would like to help you out.
Come over.
Let's sit and discuss.
Yours truly, Saajan Morarka.
(music rises, fades)
(car whirring)
(vehicles honking)
(Montu) He's here, he's here. Everyone's ready, right?
Hey, hey, RK!
What's up, man?
(catchy music)
Montu Morarka! How are ya?
-Aye, come here. -Coming, sir. Coming.
Thank you.
A picture for the socials?
-Come right here. -Yes, sir.
-(Montu snickers) -(camera clicking)
Take this one.
Are you done?
Come on in, man.
Come on, everyone! Let's go inside.
(Montu) Daddy had humble beginnings, with a dairy farm.
After that, we supplied milk to every big brand.
And after that came good old alcohol!
After that, PVC pipes, roadways, construction, you name it.
Daddy wants me enlisted
in Agra's elite 30 under 30.
You can enlist yourself at the nearest police station too.
Come on, bro. The cops love me.
Wanna see my swag?
Ta-da!
Drugs, sex and guns!
-Wanna check it out? -The gun's a little small, no?
It's huge man, frickin' huge, like your film Pyaar Dangerous.
My favourite scene is one where they kiss and go bang-bang-bang!
(guffaws) I just loved it.
What a film you guys made!
But you know what...
bedroom action is the best.
I can give you a free tutorial if you'd like.
Absolutely, brother! But right now Daddy's waiting.
Come.
(music turns energetic)
(Saajan) The cash is here.
Send one of your boys over.
Yeah.
Mr. Khanna, welcome!
Greetings! Wow!
-Please don't, my son. -Daddy.
Son, you don't belong here, on my feet.
You belong on that throne there.
My chest swells with pride when I see him.
(Monty chuckles)
Love for your son has its charm.
You have to be a good son to receive that love in the first place.
(intriguing music)
Please.
(Raghu) I was a little busy when you last visited Viktory.
(clears throat) I apologise.
(exhales)
(Saajan) Time can be so strange.
Until a few weeks ago, you were like a king
on Viktory's throne.
With style and panache.
And today you're here...
mingling with us mere mortals at our humble abode.
(Saajan clears throat)
(music rises)
Victor's behaviour...
towards you was unjust and improper.
It didn't sit well with me.
I mean...
My fate does not depend on the behaviour of others.
I can stand firm on my own two feet.
(music stops)
Wow.
This is what you call passion.
On that note, let me offer you a drink.
Something new.
Bring it over, guys.
It's a fresh, new experiment.
(clears throat)
You won't have one?
No, I do not drink.
I am already high on my passion for cinema.
(intriguing music)
Tastes a bit different, right?
The folks in Bollywood are too used to
their imported malts.
Forget imported.
We Bollywood folks can sometimes suck on your blood too.
Oh, no. There is no blood in this.
Let me take you through the ingredients.
The alcohol content is 48%.
The rest is sugar, toddy and the perfect boil.
Once the boil reaches the perfect sweetness,
that is when we arrive at this taste.
Homegrown. Indian.
The local flavour that is missing from our films today.
There is no producer who is catering to this audience.
Hear me out.
There is a story.
With a hero and a heroine, good old singing and dancing.
Madness unravels followed by a jaw-dropping climax.
Once that boil reaches the perfect sweetness,
you get a blockbuster.
Gadar 2 and Jawan had the same formula.
We will also make a blockbuster.
And that reminds me.
-Who called? Bunny? -Yes, Daddy.
-You didn't answer it? -No, no.
Bunny, also known as Naveen Kumar.
He wants to remake Kamal: The Fire in Hindi.
I had bagged the remake rights even before its release.
It would have cost me three times the price if I got them today.
What is that popular dialogue of his?
"I never bow down!"
He's got so much swag, right?
All these dialogues sound great on the silver screen.
But the reality is very different.
One has to bow down to get ahead.
That is the very nature of Bollywood.
There's a very old saying that...
unless you crawl your way to the top
and disrupt the status quo,
you'll forever be regarded as an outsider.
Saajan-ji, this saying is as old as it gets.
I know.
Let's start afresh.
Done.
A fresh start not just for us but also for Montu.
You make him a hero, and I'll bring the world to your feet.
(musical crescendo)