1. int - A very small asbestos house in mumbai - day

The house is damn small, infact, doesn't it look like a house, but more like a small area of land partitioned into smaller places by water drums, straightened up mats, asbestos sheets or could even just be a two-wheeler. A typical hut of a slum.

In the entrance room of it, a man (who remains off screen throughout, as we SHOW HIM FROM BACK) is sitting on an inverted bucket, slurping coffee from a steel cup watching India-Pakistan cricket match on a small TV kept infront of him over a small wooden table. The commentary noise is loud and it gets jelled with that of a Bollywood song heard from the radio from an adjacent room that makes the sound almost unrecognizable. He is irritated.

COFFEE-slurping-man

(angrily, loud tone, turning at the adjacent room)

Yeeh, saali. (an, Indian light gaali). Don't you ever have time to listen to those than now?? Shut it off, now, or I'll come over and break that bloody nuisance, you got it?

The sound of the song doesn't seem to lessen. He's frustrated. He thuds the steel cup down on a stool besides him and gets up, walks angrily towards the adjacent room.

THE CAMERA IS PULLED UP, TO A GREAT HEIGHT ABOVE THE ROOF OF THE HUT.

The noise of that entire galli (around) is evident. THE CAMERA FLIES TO MUCH HIGHER ALTITUDE.

2.ext - from the top of that house, far above - day

THE CAMERA IS SHOWING THE TOP-VIEW OF THE GALLI DOWN BELOW IT. The noise's getting reduced and in seconds, it becomes silent, damn silent. A second of status quo.

Out of the blue, there's an explosion !! BAM BAM BAM.

The sound is deafening, it really is.

The house being shown is torn apart, nothing remains of it, just the expanding fire.

The black-smoky opaquely dense ash cloud is rising up swiftly towards the CAMERA.

Noise of griviances of people are heard.People are screaming, shreiking and are running for life.(IN-SLOW-MOTION) Some are half-burnt, some dead onspot succumbing to burn injuries. Some have no clue left about who they were. They are in ashes.

The screaming sound gradually transforms into applause as...

3. INT - KBC SET - night

the lights turned on systematically, KBC trademark music is being played and people clapping synchronously. The set appears grand and in the centre of it, are two people sitting.

CAMERA ZOOMED IN, TOWARDS THE CENTRE.

Amitabh Bacchan is sitting on his host chair and against him, sitting, is the contestant, whose BACKSIDE IS SHOWN NOW.

Amitabh bacchan

Thank You, Thank You Ladies and Gentleman. And Welcome back to the game. We just witnessed how a banker from Gaziabad played with his luck, despite losing all his lifelines within first six questions of his journey but managed to win a mindblowing 50 lakhs rupees then. Afterall, thats life, you never know what you'll be offered with, in the very next moment. And no force in the world can stop the occurance of an event whose time has come. Well,we once again wish him all the very best for his investment firm he wishes to start and (he extendes the middle syllable 'n') we gotto move on. Now we have with us, is the person who cleared the fastest-finger-first in just above 2 and a half seconds, a record here, at all high. Mr. Shaaaabaaaaaaazzzzz Ahmed, from Muzaffarabad.

CAMERA IS GIVEN A U-TURN REVEALING Shahbaaz Ahmed's face.

He's bright, is in a traditional Islamic cloting, has quite a long beard, an evident mustache, glowing eyes, an unblemished face that is as serious and profound as the Atlantic.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Mr. Shahbaaz Ahmed hails from Muzaffarabad of Jammu and Kashmir state,...

The explanation is cut abruptly as Shahbaaz Ahmed puts out his hand against Amitabh making him stop his anchoring.

The audience are shocked at this bizarre move and so is Amitabh.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

(he recites)

Inshah Allah, beirut ul ulemaa hazrat jamaate ul tayeeba. (and speaks up). As a matter of fact, Bachchanji, Muzaffarabad doesn't belong to Jammu and Kashmir as you just carelessly mentioned,(pauses) but to Azad Kashmir, the proud land of freedom.

CUT-AWAY

4.int kbc building - day

A lady, in her mid twenties is walking briskly, holding a file within her locked hands. CAMERA IS GLIDED UP TO REVEAL HER FACE. She looks young and beatiful and is having the KBC tag on her id card, clutched from inside her jeans front-pocket that confirms her name to be NEHA and that she's a clerk in KBC's production firm.

Now, she is sweating, walking so hurridly across the narrow pathway in the building that she slips, thanks to her high heeled slippers, but manages to rectify her balance and walk even faster.

She is seen knocking the door of a cabin, THAK-THAK-THAK-THAK, quickly, multiple times within seconds. She could not speak.

VOICE OVER FRom inside

Come in, come in. ... Come in.

From the very voice, we make out that to be Bachchanji.

Neha enters in, she's panting, gasping for air.

Amitabh looks at her plight, gets up from his seat and rushes toward her.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Nehaji, Nehaji, what happened? What's wrong now?? You seem to be exhausted. Water??

He doles a bottle of Bisleri to her from his table.

She grabs the bottle, takes the lid off and quickly drinks some.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Relax, relax. Take it easy. Tell me what happened. What went wrong??

NEHA

Sir, there's been a problem. Really threatening. Thought its best to inform you first, of it, before anything else. Came running to you.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Problem?? What sort of? Is everything ok back stage? where's Tiwaryji? He is aware of this?? Or first tell me, what it is??

CUT-AWAY:

5. int- small hall inside kbc building - moments ago

The hall is rather small, compared to the main studio, but is well-organised. Ten people are sitting on chairs, not in line though and NEHA is around with a cardboard in her hand, writing something.

She goes to a man, with her cardboard having a paper whose heading is shown to read, "First contestant".

NEHA

Hello. How are you?

MAN-1

Hello Madamji. We are always fine. What about you? and can we meet Amitji today?? One autograph, just one and a photo with him. Bas.

she smiles.

NEHA

Ofcourse, ofcourse. We'll arrange. Before that, let me tell you a few things. You are one among the ten contestants who will play fastest-finger-first round and if you win that, I mean, if you give the right answer before anyone else,you'll reach the hot seat. I hope you know the rules.

MAN-1

Ofcourse, I do madamji. Watching it from very long back, from my high-school days itself.

She laughs.

NEHA

That's good. anyway, if you win the fastest-finger-first, you will immediately be called to the hot-seat, the very next moment. You understand. So, I need your details now to give it across to Amitji, for him to read out who you are and your interests when you sit on the hot seat.

MAN-1

Oh, I understand. You wnat to know what will I do if I win 5 crores, right?

She giggles.

NEHA

Not just that, many more. so, tell me your full name.

MAN-1

Rajatav Bhatia.

NEHA

What do you do?

MAN-1

I'm a businessman.

NEHA

Cool, what business?

She's surprised by his simplicity and language, inspite of him being a businessman.

MAN-1

I have a small pawn-shop, infront of ShriKrishna Hotel in Gaziabad.

He disappoints her. She grins at him

NEHA

So, you are from Gaziabad. Tell me what you'd do if ever you win it?

Her tone is becoming careless, kind-of.

MAN-1

What shall I say madamji?? If I win, I'll kick the damn owner of the hotel out and I'll buy that hotel. Then, I'll be its king, pan shop I'll expan...

He keeps uttering something, but she moves on to question the next contestant.

NEHA

Name?

MAN-2

Harish Verma.

NEHA

What you do?

MAN-2

Software engineer from Bangalore.

NEHA

Good, and if you win?

MAN-2

One third of what I earn I'll spend, one third I'll invest and one third, I'll donate.

NEHA

Waaw. You are damn impressive. Logical, your ideas are.

MAN-2

Logic has been my life all through.

NEHA

Good. Fantastic. Married?

MAN-2

Was it a deliberate question?

He half-winks.

Neha becomes a bit angry over the reply and moves on, to the next contestant, without answering him.

NEHA

Your name sir?

Neha is terrified by the very look of this third contestant, she's all serious and cautious now.

MAN-3

Shahbaaz Ahmed.

NEHA

You are from?

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

Muzaffarabad.

NEHA

What are you?

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

I'm a jehad motivator. I write war-provoking books, as well translate Jehadi books to Urdu and English. I also work on weapons and their training to youth, sometimes weapon exchange.

Her cardboard falls off her hand upon listening to what he had just said about himself. She's sweating, keeping her steps back, she's terrified and speechless.

But involuntarily asks the next question, pausing between each word, afraid of him.

NEHA

What..... would....

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

I'll donate it to some organization. ( a brief pause)

Neha's face is shown. she's confused as her eyebrows droop in.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED(contd)

to some organization like Lashkar-e-toiba or Jaish-e-Mohammad.

Thats it, she's taken aback. She can't hold it anymore. She swiftly picks up the fallen cardboard and walks out of the room.

CUT-AWAY

6.int - Amitabh's chamber - now

SCENE MERGES WITH SCENE - 4

AMITABH BACCHAN

Oh..... My.... Goddddd. This is really serious. You mean we have a terrorist here?

NEHA

He's not a terrorist, but a terrorist motivator. Knows about weapons and those.

AMITABH BACCHAN

More or less the same. It isn't a good news to anyone.

NEHA

His face looks severely profound and he probably is a very knowledgeable person.
We shall inform the police??

AMITABH BACCHAN

We have to. Before that, let the producer know about this. He shall take suitable actions.

NEHA

Sounds right.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Lets go to him, now.

They both walk out of the room.

7.int - producer's room inside kbc house - moments later

The cabin is shown to be producer's through the board on the door of it, when Amitabh and Neha enter the room.

Amithabh knocks the door and they enter in.

CAMERA ENTERS IN ONLY AFTER A FEW SECONDS. AS WE ENTER IN,

the producer Tiwary is standing away from the camera, holding a paper-weight in his hand. amitabh and Neha are standing against him.

Tiwary turns to face amitabh and Neha.

TIWARY

So, what you are saying is, we have a surprise contestant here, a terrorist.

NEHA

A terrorist motivator, not a terrorist precisely.

TIWARY

Yes, a terrorist motivator here on the set, as a contestant and you want to get rid of him, and replace him with someone else. This guy being informed about to the police.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Yes. That sounds reasonable.

TIWARY

Absolutely not. It's not reasonable, its sheer injustice. He has come upto this level by valid means and our Terms and Conditions doesn't allow us to replace such a contestant, for no good. If he's a terrrorist motivator, or why not be a terrorist himself, he's just a normal contestant here and it's his right to play the game. If he's anti-social, it's upto police to have him later, but for now, he's just another contestant, you got me? He's gonna play , like anyone else. No replacement, the game would go on as it is supposed to.

NEHA

But sir, he's..

TIWARY

Time for the shooting.

Helplessly, Amitabh and Neha exit out of his cabin.

8.int - pathway inside kbc building - moments later

Amitabh and Neha are walking towards his cabin, amitabh deeply contemplating something.

NEHA

Sir.

He doesn't speak, doesn't respond.

NEHA

Sir, (loud tone, waving her hands)

AMITABH BACCHAN

Oh, yeah. Tell me.

neha

You seem to have lost in Shahbaaz , isn't it??

AMITABH BACCHAN

Well, wrong guess. You lost 3 lakh 20 thousand, (he mildly laughs) I was thinking about Tiwary.

NEHA

Indeed, he sounded utterly unreasonable. It was absurd.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Unreasonable?? (he laughs). His decision made sense in every possible angle to him.

NEHA

Sir, I din't get. How'z that?

AMITABH BACCHAN

You missed the business point here, which is what Tiwary is keen about. Afterall, he's a business-minded producer. Well he thinks, if a controversial person like Shahbaaz Ahmed sits on the hot seat and if he airs that on screen, the TRP of the show would sky-rocket at once. He'll earn as much money in a single episode as he would have in a full month with normal contestants. If a terrorist, (pauses) becomes the contestant of a gameshow of this scale, would't the entire nation watch that open-eyed? It will, without a speck of doubt. That's all Tiwary needs. He doesn't, unlike he says, gives a damn to contestant rights or terms and conditions. We all know its for paper-purpose only.

NEHA

Mmmm. I really couldn't have thought about this.

AMITABH BACCHAN

That's why you are a clerk and not a producer yet.

They laugh.

NEHA

So, what you will do now? Regarding this?

AMITABH BACCHAN

That's infact is the question. He's a producer and remains off-screen all time, making money. But me? I interact with people, I mingle with them, I'm bound to answer. If something disturbing happens in the show, I'll be morally responsible, in the eyes of the people, not this Tiwary. He just makes money out of my plight.

NEHA

ABsolutely right. First thing that comes to people's mind about anything about KBC, good or grave, remarkable or disgusting, is Mr.Amitabh Bachchan, no one else, not the crew, not producer.

AMITABH BACCHAN

But the condition is still not that bad. He's just one of the contestants yet. He first should win fastest-fingers-first to qualify to the hot-seat. Lets see how it turns out.

NEHA

Mmmm.

She nods. He takes the pathway towards his cabin, she towards the hall.

CUT-AWAY

9.int - KBC CENTRAL STUDIO - NIght

The gameshow has begun. Amitabh Bachchan is standing at the far end of the studio, about to announce.

AMITABH BACCHAN

So, contestants, he's the fastest finger-first question.Fingers on the button, eyes on the screen. Contestant who gives the fastest right answer sits on the hot seat. Wishing all of you a very good luck, here's the question on your computer screens.

Amitabh BAchchan is about to read the question. He looks at the screen to read it out, but is shocked. He's appalled at the question that has appeared on the screen, which he never expected to change without him being noticed. He pauses for a while.

Contestants look at Amitabh, as if what's going on with him!

VOICE OVER from microphone he's plugged

(From inside the studio)

Sir, read on. Time's running out. Read on.

Amitabh, back to his senses. Gets ready to read the question.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Arrange the following infamous, unfortunate incidents in the chronological order of their occurrence.

A. Indian Airlines 370 hijacking by Harkat-ul Mujahiddeen.

B. The Sikh insurgency

C. Terrorist attack on Mumbai Taj Hotel

D. The Godhra Massacre

He pauses for a while, still could not believe the question.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Times up. Lets see who all have given the right answer. Well, it appppeeeaaarrrsss (he's looking at the big screen, also shown on TV, where the computer is marking the people who've given the right answer), just two, and the quicker among them is, Mr.Shaaaaabaaaaz Ahmed.

Shahbaaz Ahmed gets up from his place and walks toward Amitabh.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Please welcome, Mr.Shahbaaz Ahmed. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's take a break, do join us on the other side of it. Thank you.

Applause sound, lights off.

Amitabh signals Shahbaaz Ahmed to go and sit on the hot seat. Meanwhile, Amitabh quickly exits the main studio and walks hurriedly toward the producer's cabin.

10.int - producer's cabin - just after the above scene

Amitabh enters Tiwary's cabin, this time, without even knocking the door.

AMITABH BACCHAN

What was it?? What was it I'm asking?? You were not supposed to change the question without notifying me?? Eh?? That too,  entirely in favour of Shahbaaz Ahmed! You desperately wanted him right?

TIWARY

Well, you may think whatever. But I have nothing to do in that. The question was a last minute change, owing to the confusion in citations regarding the answers of the previously set question. We *HAD* to replace that.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Replace that. With a question whose answer a terrorist best knows.

TIWARY

May be a coincidence. No much time now. Break's done. You ought to go.

Amitabh nods his head repeatedly, in frustration and exits Tiwary's chamber.

11.int - kbc set - night- continued from scene 3

THIS SCENE MERGES WITH SCENE -3

The audience are abashed. They can't believe what's going on in the studio right in front of their eyes.

But surprisingly, Amitabh tries to be as diplomatic and subtle as possible and endeavors to bring the scene back to track slickly.

Pretending to have least bothered about Shahbaz’s objection,

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Mr.Shahbaaz Ahmed, is a writer, religious thinker, interested in theology. And if he wins 5 crores from here this day, he has willed to donate  it away in charity. A noble cause, exceedingly appreciable. Give him a big round of applause audience.

The sound of the clapping is heard. It’s rather sounds disciplined and has got gelled with artificial clapping sound too.

12.INT – KBC STUDIO, TIWARY’S CABIN – AMIDST THE ONGOING Clapping OUTSIDE THE CABIN

Tiwary is watching the clips being shot outside, on his television set. He is accompanied by another man, who seems to be the team's production manager by his dress-code and the tag.

Tiwary has help his palms stretched over the table infront of him and has leaned forward.

TIWARY

(out of frustration)

Oh, no. What a sick of a description that was, about one of the most fascinating contestant ever!! This Big B cost me big money with that clever depiction of Shahbaaz. Damn it. All my predictions gone in gutter.

Tiwary turns behind, away from the TV.

CUT TO:

13. int - kbc set , continued from scene 11

The sound of clapping is abruptly halted as Shahbaaz Ahmed raises his right hand firmly and commanding, his palm rock-solid, indicating he wanted the audience stop applauding, that very moment.

Amitabh is taken aback with what was going on in the centre studio now.

14. int - KBC STUDIO, TIWARY’S CABIN - at the same time

PRODUCTION manager

Sir, something is going on, bizarre, interesting.

Tiwary, who had turned away from the TV (refer SCENE 12)swiftly turns back again, to look what's really happening.

15. int - kbc set, continued from scene 13

Shahbaaz puts his hand down.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

You were right Bachchanji. (he pauses for a couple of seconds. Amitabh's firm) Partly. Let me make it clear. Much much clear. My name is Shahbaaz Ahmed. (pauses)I'm from Azad Kashmir. (pauses again).

TIWARY'S FACE IS SHOWN FROM INSIDE THE HIS CABIN. He looks curious, eyes wide open.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED(CONTD)

I'm a writer of Jehadi books and often teach young lads about using weaponry. (Brief gap of silence). I should also proudly admit that I'm a radical thinker of the connotations of religious freedom. And whatever I win here, will go to some organization (pauses for a while), probably Lashkar-e or Jaishe Moh'd.

There's absolute silence in the studio. Audience are in shock. Amitabh helpless. Camera's running seamlessly owing to Tiwary's order.

CUT AWAY:

16. int , KBC STUDIO, TIWARY’S CABIN - at the same time

Tiwary's face is glowing. He looks terribly happy.

TIWARY

Waaw. That's all what the show ever needed. Long live Shahbaaz.

Tiwary claps a couple of times, his lips twisted, cheeks banging out.

A loud siren is heard. PMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM.

TIWARY

Oh damn it. What bad luck it is of me. Holy God. Couldn't this bloody hooter make out the magnitude of this situation?? Horny hauling bitc*.

17. int , kbc set, continued from scene 15

Amitabh looks utterly relieved upon the ringing of the hooter, that marked the end of the day's show.

Shahbaaz looks disturbed, his eyes closed in resentment.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Oooh, a trivial transitory distraction. Hooter. The hooter, ladies and gentlemen, reminds us gently that its ten o' clock already and it's time for a saas-bahu kahaani. (pauses). So, tonite, we saw a banker who made his fortune here winning a whooping half a karod rupees and our roll-over contestant Mr.Shahbaaz Ahmed, who is yet to begin his questionnaire. And since it's Thursday, I'll be back again on your TV screens on Monday, with Shahbaaz Ahmed, till then, Good night, shubh raatri and shabbakhair. Happy weekend and do take very good care of yourselves.

Trademark sound is on, lights systematically dancing over the set. And then fades out.

In the dim light, Amitabh is seen leaving his chair in a hurry and walking over to towards the exit of the central set.

18. int - kbc studio , tiwary's cabin -- just after the above scene

Tiwary and the production manager are standing against the TV, watching various editing clips of the shots just done. The door of the cabin bang opens.

Amitabh enters the room. He appears fuming.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Happy?? Happy now?? All went precisely as you premeditated, right? You got your damn money. I lost my morale.

TIWARY

Morale?? How does that even appear in this Mr.Bachchanji. Don't get me wrong, but it's nothing to do with you. It's him who has come to the limelight and it's him who'd be despised. Take it easy.

AMITABH BACCHAN

Easy?? Easy?? (louder the second time). Well, you are a real businessman, a typical brainy heartless moneymaking machine.

TIWARY

I would take that as a compliment.

Amitabh is frustrated. He loses his calm. Appears uneasy as he looks around. But in the very next moment, he continues the argument in the politest of the accents.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Look Mr.Tiwary, this isn't fair in anyway. Maybe it fetches some lottery money to you now, in an hour, but you lose all of them in the long run. Franchise will be infamous, KBC will be controversial. Doesn't that affect none but you?? Well you still have three more hours to settle on. Its 6 now. Ask the editors to cut Shahbaaz's contentious statements when they telecast it today at 9. (a brief pause) Life was far easier when we were shooting a day's show a month before it was broadcasted. Now the gap is just three hours, a meagre three hours where the best of the editors why not him be, he slips.

TIWARY

That has you and only your bad health condition to be blamed upon, Bachchanji. We lost months after the contract, your physical condition being liable for that.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

I know and it's all settled now, don't you try flipping the line. Now do you or do you not agree to edit those shots, answer me.

TIWARY

I agree (pauses for a second or two) upon the latter part of it. Thers's gonna be no cuts, no edits. Shahbaaz gonna be tonite's antidote for the nation's sleeping sickness and I guarantee it.

Amitabh is utterly annoyed, but is helpless.

In frustration, he exits out of the cabin.

19. int - a middle-class house, night

The house is in a mess, with clothes a baby lying around here and there in the veranda, upon the sofa. A man, in his thirties, is sitting on the sofa with the TV remote in his hand randomly changing the channels. BABY'S CRYING IS HEARD FROM THE ADJACENT ROOM.

voice over - female

Oye ji, can't you see me, what plight I'm in?  Chintu is up with her marathon crying race, the rotis are

The lady is shown now. A typical Indian housewife. She is sitting on the floor in the kitchen which is directly visible from the hall. She's preparing roti, flipping up the hot rotis from the gas stove that is laid in her front in one hand and holding a small baby in the other hand. She appears to be an expert homemaker !! She is looking beautiful in her flower designed simple red saree.

MAN ON SOFA

Oh Maalti, relax. Come here, come over here. I'll prepare the roti for us today, give me an hour. You aren't that hungry, are you? Come, give her to me, I'll take care of her.

MAALTI

No, that's ok. she won't come to you now, she's feeling sleepy I guess. Let me put her in cradle for a while. So you are seriously gonna prepare rotis for us??

MAN ON SOFA

Ofcourse. Gimme an hour. We'll have it together.

MAALTI

An hour?? What now you have??

MAN ON SOFA

It's 8:50 now, KBC gonna begin in ten minutes. Come, shall watch it. chintu is asleep already you see?

MAALTI

Well, ok. But don't wait till it's over. Chop some tomatoes and onions during break and keep them ready for the sabzi.

MAN ON SOFA

Bring it on.

Maalti is seen consoling Chintu for a while before the baby sleeps. She brings a bowlful of vegetables and keeps it in front of THE MAN.

MAN ON SOFA

Brough all the veggies?

MAALTI

Right here.

MAN ON SOFA

The knife?

Maalti points to the knife she had placed beside the bowl.

MAN ON SOFA

Good. Now, take the knife and start chopping them, one by one, slowly. Take your time, I'm in no hurry !!!

Maalti stares at him in a humorous anger.

She shakes her head slowly as she picks the knife.

MAALTI

No doubt you are a manager in your company.

He mildly laughs.

He increases the TV volume up 5 levels, Maalti indicates that the baby is sleeping. He decreases, by one level.

On TV, KBC begins. They are involved completely in it, by now.

FRom inside tv- amitabh's asking question to banker from gaziabad

For ten thousand rupees, in the Moghul lineage, who was Baadshah Akbar's father?

MAN ON SOFA

It's a sitter, I know the answer. It's Shah Jahan.

FROM INSIDE TV- AMITABH'S ASKING QUESTION TO BANKER FROM GAZIABAD

A.Babir B.Humayun C.Sikander D.aurangzeb.

Maalti mildly bursts out into laughter and looks at him. He's silently smiling, irritated, but is looking straight at the TV.

FROM INSIDE TV- AMITABH'S ASKING QUESTION TO BANKER FROM GAZIABAD

You are right Mr.Gupta, Humayun is absolutely right.

MAN ON SOFA

History has changed a lot since my school days. These bloody politicians rewrite history the way their children had answered in the exams.

Maalti laughs again, at his remark, shakes her head.

They are silently watching the ongoing show. There's break in it now, and it resumes. Last ten minutes of it.

FROM INSIDE TV- AMITABH'S voice

Mr. Shahbaaz Ahmed hails from Muzaffarabad of Jammu and Kashmir state,...

And all that DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS SCENES APPEAR ON TV.

QUICKLY FAST-FORWARDED...

Maalti and her husband are shocked at what they had just watched.

Within seconds, the knocking of the door is heard.

MAALTI

Can you see who's outside??

He quickly takes a tomato from the bowl and picks up the knife.

MAN ON SOFA

I could have, but I'm busy preparing these for you.

Maalti seems annoyed and gets up herself to open the door.

He keeps the tomato and the knife back.

Maalti opens the door. A fat lady is standing outside.

MAALTI

Oh saroja, now?? Come in. Come over.

SAROJA

Hey, leave it. But did you see what just happened in KBC.

MAALTI

Yeah, yeah, we were discussing the same.

SAROJA

Wasn't that shamef...

Their voices are gradually cut down.

MAN ON SOFA

(To himself)

Oh There's it. The gossips already started. I'll sue google who tell their mail service is the fastest. They should learn from these women.

He giggles.

CUT AWAY:

20. ext/int HOVERING UPON GOSSIPS - night

The scene quickly moves upon a number of houses,hostel rooms where people are seen discussing, talking about, criticizing the night's KBC episode. None of the sentences are HEARD COMPLETELY, ALL CUT, but indicate they are regarding the KBC episode and most of them are upset. Sentences like " We will see what happens on Monday", "Thats called guts" and some other incomplete sentences are HEARD then.

CAMERA IN THIS SCENE RESORTS TO SWIFT MOTION MODE, RANDOMLY TAKING SHARP TURNS , MOVING EXTREMELY FAST, STOPPING ABRUPTLY, AT LIGHT SPEED THE VERY NEXT SECOND.

21. INT - a small dark room - day

The room is small and appears to be inside a congested mohalla. Its mutedly lit and some big wooden cuboid boxes can be seen here and there, along with some liquor barrels. Few men are sitting around and chatting, they are all armed. They appear to be terrorists, going by their clothings, appearance, gun hung to their backs, belt of bullets around their waists, some maps spread across on a nearby table all give the viewer the notion of the place being a terrorist hangout!

In the middle of the room, astride a fallen large drum, a man is sitting. His eyes are masked with a black band, mouth stuffed with a cloth, hands and legs chained. He is helplessly shaking his head swiftly, as if trying to break open the iron chains clutched to his hands, but know he can't.

The tin door of the room opens suddenly and a three men enter the room. They all are heavily armed, two of them are following the main gunman who's leading them. As they enter the room and walk over,

GUNMEN SITTING

As Salaam Aleikum... Janaab

Main Gunman greets back, in traditional Islamic fashion, raising his right hand to the forehead.

MAIN GUNMAn

Aleikum Salaam. 

They all stand up.

MAIN GUNMAN

So, this is that guy??

RANDOM GUNMAN

Haan Janaab.

MAIN GUNMAN

What's his name??

The main gunman pulls the eye-mask off the chained-man's eyes.

RANDOM GUNMAN

Praful. And some complex surname.

MAIN GUNMAN

Not necessary. So he knows all of them??

RANDOM GUNMAN

Probably. He's the topper in that.

MAIN GUNMAN

(in serious tone)

Good. If he fails to answer, there will be two dead-bodies we would be left with. (Pointing to the man sitting on the chair, Praful)Him and (looks at RANDOM GUNMAN)...

MAIN GUNMAN removes the cloth out of Praful's mouth. Praful is chuffing, and drops of saliva dip down to the floor and a drop, on the right boot of the MAIN GUNMAN.

MAIN GUNMAN looks at his boot, slowly looks up and stares at PRAFUL. He's damn serious, eyes unblinking.

CAMERA ZOOMS-IN till PRAFUL's eyes, then into it, deeper and deeper, till it CUTS-TO

22. int - a large hall , day

The hall is huge, looks more like an auditorium. Has a broad stage at one end of it, against it are hundreds of chairs arranged row-wise, right now, all of them are filled.

The big elegant banner hung on stage reads

"Inter-college Quiz Competition ---  MUMBAI".

Students carrying college IDs of various colleges are sitting on their chairs, with a pen and a paper kept over the chair's inbuilt wooden support. Some are chatting, some are vaguely looking at the stage, some seem to be lost while a few of the male participants, mostly in groups are scanning the hall looking out for some appealing chicks.

RANDOM PARTICIPANT 1

South-west. Around minus 30 degree. Black top, probably dark blue jeans. Looking damn pretty.

Some participants around him slowly turn in the vector direction he had just mentioned.

RANDOM PARTICIPANT 2

Aahaan. Not that awesome. Just ok. Look at West, equator. 180 degree flat. Cream top, gray jeans.

They slowly rotate their head 180 degrees to their left.

RANDOM PARTICIPANT 3

mmmm. she's Jhanur. Well-known hottie, from BBU college of Arts. Has more than a dozen boyfriends.

RANDOM PARTICIPANT 4

WOW!! You are a walking database man. well, no problems for me. She's damn hot and I dont mind her dozen bee-effs. I'll be her thirteenth.

RANDOM PARTICIPANT 1

13 is a bad number dude. Be careful.

They all laugh.

ANNOUNCEMENT FROM STAGE

Hello! Mic check. students, welcome all of you to this inter-college quiz competition. This is being sponsered by Questionnaire Media, a non-profit agenncy and the winner, as you know, will receive a cash price of a mammoth One Lakh Indian Rupees. 60 questions, 2 hours time. I wish you all the very best. May I request the volunteers to distribute the question papers please.

Upon that, we see a few students walking around, distributing question papers and then blank sheets to answer.

ANNOUNCER (voice over)

The time starts now.

Participants are seen writing in their sheets, some trying to peek at their friends' sheets.

CAMERA TAKES A TOP-VIEW

ANNOUNCER (VOICE OVER)

Time!! Kindly return your answer sheet. Make sure you write your mobile numbers and your name on that so we can contact you in case you are the winner.

A student's fingers are shown: it holds a pen and moving faster than a bullet train writing a bunch of numbers that is then shown together to be a 10-digit mobile number. He then writes his name below that, Praful Pattaabhiraaman.

CAMERA PULLS BACK< BACK AND BACK TILL IT EXITS OUT OF PRAFUL'S EYES, MERGING WITH THE PREVIOUS SCENE.

23. int , a small dark room - continued from 21

MAIN GUNMAN is staring at PRAFUL.

MAIN GUNMAN

You spit on me now?? I absolve, let off. But if you do not answer the question correctly when you are asked, I'll make you spit blood. You got it..

MAIN GUNMAN pulls PRAFUL'S hairs and clinches his head upwards.

PRAFUl

Infact, (slowly, bit by bit) I din't get, pardon me. I don't know why am I here.

MAIN GUNMAN

Soon you will understand. Wait for the weekend to get-over.

Praful appears confused. He turns around, looks at each of them, they are horrifying. He atlast stumbles upon a man, and soon recognizes (SCENE FLASH NOW - FOR NOT MORE THAN 2 SECS) him to be one of those who distributed papers in the quiz competition.

24. int , PArty chamber of a right-wing political party- day

The room is rather large, and many people, most of them in their fifties or more, which is evident from their shrinking face, tint of white hairs and pot belly of some. Most of them are sitting on chairs around a U shaped fine table, while some are standing around. The room looks grand and comfy, that imposing style which gives the notion that's it's probably a political-party with huge funding and massive fan-base.

Most people are in their clean white shirts, loosely let out of their silk loin-clothes, whose color ranged from snow-white to saffron. Many are having a saffron colored cloth around their shoulders, put limply.

The main politician, who's a bit old, mostly in his seventies, speaks up. He's sitting along the curved part of that U shaped table, the position which is often picked by the party-leader.

MAIN POLITICIAn

Jai Sri Ramji ki.

He waves his palms asking them to sit down, or concentrate on his words.

MAIN POLITICIAn

Gentlemen, I take it for granted that you all know why we are here in this  unforseen meeting. Yes, KBC. what's going on here?? Whatever it is that they defend, it's immoral and depraved. Allowing a terrorist and motivating the youth is condemnable. We denounce it, without a speck of a doubt.

OTHERS IN CHORUS

We condemn. We condemn.

MAIN POLITICIAN

In the wake of it, ask your volunteers to stage a protest, a moderate one in front of that TV channel who air that.

RANDOM POLItician

A moderate one??

MAIN POLITICIAN

Non-violent one, (pauses for a while) till the things are in hand. If something nasty occurs, don't hesitate to resort to stones and our lathis. We just want that TV show to stop broadcasting the sho anymore. And we also demand the resignation of the chief minister who should morally be held responsible.

OTHERS IN CHORUS

yes, yes, fair demands.

RANDOM POLITICIAN 2 looks a bit young and he's neatly trimmed. Probably he's the only one in the room who's in his shirt and decent black pant.

RANDOM POLITICIAN 2

Excuse me, gentlemen. I totally agree with the first part of it, the TV channel should immediately stop telecasting it, but I don't get how the chief minister to be blamed in this case?? Care to elaborate , please??

RANDOM POLITICIAN 3

Abe oye. Young blood-tender heart, you aren't yet acquainted with that. We pass orders, you execute them neatly. In years, watch it yourself, you will demand chief minister to resign just if your baby cries while going to school.

They all laugh, including the MAIN POLITICIAN.

MAIN POLITICIAN

Ha ha. (sturdy, gentle laugh). Look Jatin, the chief minister of a state is accountable for all the mishaps in the state, just like he takes credit for all the positives of the state, even though he's almost totally unaware of it. If our cricket team loses, captian would be accountable, and if wins, he's the one who lifts the trophy, doesn't matter in how many innings he had failed miserably. It's that analogous. Jatin, you are still very young in these issues,(brief pause), you'll learn.... for sure, a day or it's next.

CUT-AWAY

25. int - a small 2 bhk house in a big apartment-  friday evening

The house looks medium-sized, neatly arranged and unruffled. But what's interesting about that house is that on the walls are hung framed photos of Lord Ganesha and on the opposite wall is the framed photo of Kaaba stone and Hajj pilgrims, with words inscribed in Arabic. Here and there are statues of Shirdi Sai-Baba, on small marble pillars and in the showcase.

The door is knocked. and then the bell rings.

A woman, in her mid or late-twenties , comes out of the kitchen and walks towards the door. She is in her saree, her forehead sporting a red-bindi, wrists ornamented with a couple of gold and another pair of glass bangles. As she walks over, she mildly touches the Sai Baba's idol placed on the way and then into her eyes.

She opens the door.

LADY

Mmmm... I expected. I was expecting you child, but thought you aren't yet grown up enough to reach the bell, are you??

She sits down on her heels and kisses the child on its cheeks. It laughs.

The child is in its school uniform, a stiffly pressed shirt and matching knickers and with a heavy bag at it's back.

Behind the child is a man, standing tall. He's dressed well, lightly bearded. He's fair, handsome and well-built.

They both enter in and she closes the door.

MAN

Mmmm. What to do Laxmi, hardly any clients at the office today. Thought of closing it early and went to the school to pick him up.

LAXMI

Oh wokay. Good. I was preparing some fresh sandwitches, you will have some?

She's seen walking away towards the kitchen.

MAN

A couple of slices.

CHILD

Maa, you know, tomorrow is holiday for us. They announced in the school.

Laxmi come back to the hall, to the child.

LAXMI

Holiday?? What's special Rango?? It's saturday yet!

CHILD

I don't know. They have written something in the diary.

The child opens the bag and hands out the diary to Laxmi.

Laxmi reads it silently and closes it.

MAN

(He's now sitting leisurely on sofa and has turned on the TV)

What's it about Laxmi??

Laxmi turns at him and

LAXMI

They say tomorrow there's a protest from opposition parties at that Dhirubhai Maidan. Against that KBC thing. They feel its going to be violent and vicious, so holiday as a precaution.

MAN

Oh .. common. Protests have become their daily routine of late. I wonder don't they have kids, who would be affected too.

LAXMI

Honey, their kids would be studying in some international boarding schools, not like ours'. They are all safe, we suffer the most, we endure hard times, not them.

MAN

True , are your words.

CHILD

Mamma, what's it about??

LAXMI

It's about... mmm, you don't understand yet. It's grown ups' dirty business.

CHILD

But my pal Naren told of some terrorist in the city?? Who's a terrorist? what he looks like??

LAXMI

(looking at the MAN)

Kids these days mature while they are still infants!! (Turns back to the CHILD). a terrorist is anyone who harms others, who kills others for no valid reason. He looks like.... lile.. aaa.. like...

CHILD

Naren told of long beards, reciting prayers and..

MAN turns to the child, as if he wants to tell something.

LAXMI

Not all, Rango, not all of them have long beards.

MAN

(to himself, loudly)

But the world believes so. And mostly that's what it is. That's what I feel. That's what it has happened in KBC too. Although, I ..

LAXMI

Imran, aren't we in an accord to not, at any circumstance, discuss religions.

IMRAN

Yes, yes. We are world-citizens.

He laughs.

IMRAN(contd)

Come, lets watch Tom and Jerry.

He opens his arms to the child, prompting it to run over.

On TV screen, Tom n Jerry can be SEEN

CHILD

I've already seen this episode.

It runs away.

IMRAN

May that be so, Laxmi, I desperately want to watch what happens on Monday, in KBC.

LAXMI

You think I'm any less curious??

CUT-AWAY:

26. ext - outside the channel office - saturday morning

The channel office is located in one of the busiest streets of Mulund. It's not conjested, but it certainly super-active. Vehicles are hastening around its surroundings, thanks to daily office works and the footpath around is teeming with pedestrians.

A big gang of young lads, most in their simple shirt-pants, but all holding lathis in their hands, some holding unfurled Saffron flags are marching towards main entrance of the channel's office, shouting slogans against the channel which are HEARD RANDOMLY, UNCLEAR.

VOICE OVER

Down down...

VOICE OVER

We Are Indians...

And many such, hazy and imprecise to make out.

One of the protesters tries to open the main gate amidst resistance from security officials.

From inside the adjacent security cabin, a security official picks the phone up..

SECURITY OFFICIAL

Police?? Janaab...

VOICE FADED OUT.

The vehicles are now blocked and the place is in chaos.

Traffic is totally jammed and wedged, loud honking sounds can be HEARD.

One of the protesters stabs a gate watchman and tries to enter the channel premises, but is hit back by other security officials and gets injured fatally.

The act provokes other protesters to pick fierce routes as they start pelting stones inside the channel premises and onto the vehicles standing around owing to the dead-still traffic. Glass of some vehicles get shattered.

SIREN OF THE POLICE VAN IS HEARD.

Soon, the police van arrives with armed policemen, who fire in air, a couple of rounds and clash with the protesters.

THE SCENE IN SLOW-MOTION

Protesters are seen at loggerheads with police, some even beating police with their lathis, but some bleeding. Police open tear gas and ...

THE SCENE-CUT-AWAY.

27. int kbc studio , tiwary's cabin - saturday noon

Tiwary is sitting in his cabin , with him is the production manager. They are watching clips of KBC on their television, discussing something over it.

The door knocks open and Amitabh enters the cabin.

He's furious, raging and his temperament looks pretty bad.

Tiwary and the production manager turn back, facing Amitabh.

TIWARY

What??

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Haven't you have the slightest common sense?

TIWARY

what happened now? Be precise.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

What needs to happen anymore?? You saw the protests?? You saw the injured ones??

TIWARY

(Tiwary is as cool as cucumber)

Yes, I saw. (casually).

AMITABH BACHCHAN

And you still wish to air it??

TIWARY

At any cost, it should happen. Think Bachchanji, you knwo why they protested?? Not that they really want to stop the show, but to create bedlam around making the government liable. It's all dirty politics, it's far more sullied than what you say I'm doing. You don't mind all these Bachchanji. Just two more days left. Monday evening 5 O clock is the shooting. Go prepare with the questions, Neha will hel you as usual.

Amitabh looks helpless as he puts his hands over his waist and stands pale.

Tiwary and the production manager turn back and continue their discussion.

THE DOOR CLOSING SOUND IS HEARD indicating Amitabh exited the cabin.

CUT-AWAY

28. int - Amitabh's chamber - moments later

Amitabh is sitting in his chamber, deeply contemplating something, looking blankly at a corner of the room, his elbows rested lazily over the table helping the palms support his chin.

The KNOCKING SOUND is HEARD.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

(After a few seconds)

Come in.

Neha enter in.

She's carrying a file with her, clutched in her locked hands.

NEHA

Sir, the questions. Time you should have a look and get acquainted.

She places the file on the table and sits on the chair against him.

Amitabh gently pushes the file away, towards her.

NEHA

Sir??

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Neha, Tiwary feels he's hit the jackpot with this contestant. (slowly, pausing between each word). Now, I'll provide *a twist in the tale*. For Monday's episode, *I* will frame the questions. Don't wish to screw you, but thanks for these questions, we'll use them for later episodes. For *Shahbaz*, it will be *MY* questions.

Neha, hesitatingly nods her head.

NEHA

(slowly, haltingly)

sure, sir. But be aware of the fact that there are three lifelines for his assistance and it's pretty tough to let pass all of them.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

pardon me??? What you hinting?

NEHA

Well, it doesn't take an astronaut to guess that you would wish to get rid of Shahbaaz the soonest and its so very obvious that you'll ask the toughest of the questions for the 1000 Rp first question itself, or probably the second, to trick viewers, making him lose the money and leave the hot seat in less than 5 minutes. 

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Eh??

NEHA

So I just, don't mistake me, but out of my experience here with previous seasons, wish to inform you that the three lifelines what we have are rather very efficient in helping even the dumbest of the participants to stick-on for a while and win a few bucks. Shahbaaz, on the other hand looks extremely knowledgeable. Probably, you may ask him questions related to some vague and rare topics, may be from botany or well, say ice skating or such.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Ha ha ha.

Amitabh keeps laughing at her advice.

She appears confused.

CUT-AWAY

29. int - tiwary's cabin - moments later

Tiwary and the production manager are sitting in their cabin. Tiwary is holding a glass of fine whisky with him.

TIWARY

Jaiswal, I'm really happy with the reports.

PRODUCTION MANAGER (Jaiswal)

On what ?

TIWARY

The reports say, most of them, that the TRP is gonna touch skies. I heard from NDTV internal survey, from that taklu Rajath, that its almost be or even more than that of World cup finals.

JAISWAL

The 2011??

TIWARY

Yes. And most subscribers of satellite television have already opted for our HD service, just for the sake of this show.... for this episode. And this channel has profited considerably from this, the sole reason why even they insist on broadcasting this, ....... despite political pressure.

JAISWAL

Mmmm. Money is the ruler, everywhere.

Tiwary laughs mildly.

JAISWAL(contd)

But, don't you think Bachchanji would play some tricks and spoil the party??

TIWARY

Aahaan. No way. He's a good guy, don't you think so??

Tiwary snorts hard.

JAISWAL

I do, he's a good guy. (Pauses for a while) That's why I think so.

Tiwary abruptly stops laughing and stares Jaiswal straight in his eyes.

30. int - the small dark room (refer scene 21) - saturday evening

The gunmen, including the main gunmen finish Namaz as they are seen getting up from their prayer stances.

RANDOM GUNMAN 1

Janaab, I feel this kid (he points at Praful) should be provided with some general knowledge books, lest he fails to answer.

MAIN GUNMAN

Books?? .....Why not??........... We will.

MAIN GUNMAN goes to PRAFUL, sits in front of him and asks,

MAIN GUNMAN

Chote, (he pulls his hairs)give us a list of general knowlwdge books you would be needing. You have two more days.... Prepare well... Don't make me waste another bullet on minnows like you for odd causes. Monday you will get a call,... a precious call, ....... all the way from KBC set, you have to be our Maalik's friend that time and answer his question. You should be aware of Phone-a-Friend aren't you?

PRAFUL nods his head, slowly.

MAIN GUNMAN(contd)

Good. You prepare for your job...

MAIN GUNMAN gets up and turns to his men

MAIN GUNMAN(CONTD)

And *WE* will prepare for *OUR* job.

All of them raise their hands and shout something in Arabic.

ALL IN CHORUS

Uleima jaleeze paanv.

And one more time. 'Uleima jaleeze paanv'.

MAIN GUNMAN gives each of them a fake identity cards, some photograph that contain some vital information on their backside. All gunmen are seen colecting a bag as well.

MAIN GUNMAN

Targets. Information collected from our intelligence.

31. ext - road - sunday morning

 One of the gunmen is walking out fron that dark room onto the road, outside.

FILMY-EFFECT: As he walks, his beard vanishes, his traditional islamic clothing gradually transforms into a decent striped-blue shirt and formal black pants. His bullet-studded belt is seen altering to a brownish leather belt. Gun he had in his back disappears and now he's seen walking on the busy road with a bag at his back. THIS TRANSFORMATION EFFECT SIGNIFIES THE TERRORISTS' DISGUISING SKILLS.

He calls for a taxi.

MAN

Taxi...taxi..

A taxi approaches. He enters in.

MAN

Colaba Boarding school.

Taxi driver

The upper one or the Nariman point's?

MAN

Upper Colaba.

The taxi moves on in extremely congested gallies and finally stops at a place. The MAN takes out money from his wallet, hands it over to the driver and gets down.

MAN

Shukriya.

Man enters through a big gate , which is then REVEALED to be of "COLABA BOARDING SCHOOL".

The school premises are exceptionally huge, with various playing amenities evident on it's campus. The buildings, that board classrooms are huge as well that tell us that it's probably pretty famous school with thousands of students.

He enters the office-room of the school.

32. int - office room of the school - continued from the previous scene

The clerk sitting in the room looks up.

CLERk

Yes?? What can I do for you?

MAN

Hello. This is Tarun from New Delhi. My brother , Varun is studying in second standard in your school. Was on a casual visit to Mumbai. Thought of meeting him, if you permit me.

CLERK

Ofcourse, why not. Any identity card you have or something??

The MAN shows the fake identity card.

CLERK

Ok. Our peon will take you to your brother, building 5, left block, 2nd floor.

She rings and the peon enters.

CLERk

(handing over a chit to the peon) Take him to Varun, this address.

The MAN and the peon walk out of the office-room.

Clerk rings again and peons turns back. He walks back to the office room, MAN stays out.

CLERK

Look, ask this man to sit in the stairway of that building and call Varun to him. Make sure Varun recognizes him. I'm seeing this man for the first time.

33. ext - school pathway , continued from previous scene

Peon and the MAN are walking on the corridor of the school, towards the BUILDING 5.

MAN (under the name TARun)

bhaiyya, can you show me the restroom? emergency !!

PEon

Oh, no problem. There, far end , left of ths pathway.

MAN (UNDER THE NAME TARUN)

Thanks. I'll be right back. Stay here.

The MAN walks away, in the direction shown by the peon.

34.int - rest room of the school, continued from previous room

The MAN enters the restroom, looks around and finds just another boy at the urinal. He goes inside a bit and enetrs oone of those toilet rooms and locks the door and confirms its locked!.

He removes his bag, opens a moderately big box and takes out something wrapped in a paper. As he opens it gently, it is REVEALED to be a time-bomb. Gray-colored, wires unplugged on sides cracking out, few buttons on its rear sides and a display.

The MAN turns it on, is seen setting something and fixes it to the roof edge of it, it appears to be camouflaged as it blends with the surrounding paint. MAN pushes back its tiny wires up above the device concealing them shrewdly. He zips the bag , washes the hand, sprinkles some water on his arms and clothes and exits out. He walks out of the restroom and is seen walking back to the peon, who can be SEEN at a distance.

35.ext - school pathway, continued from previous scene

PEON

Done?

MAN (UNDER THE NAME TARUN)

Pretty much.

The MAN giggles, so does the peon.

They walk a bit towards the building and then take the stairs. On the way we can see many classrooms and big corridors leading to hostels and boarding-houses.

PEON

(pointing to a bench)

Please  sit over that as I call your brother.

MAN (UNDER THE NAME TARUN)

Not a problem.

Peon walks away as the MAN sits down and keeps the bag besides him. In a while, peon is seen coming with a small kid.

PEON

Varun, go , here's your brother.

Varun looks confused. He seems afraid as he tries to hide behind the peon.

PEON

What happened child?

VARUN

I don't know him!! I don't know who is that. He's not my brother.

The MAN gets up and looks at Varun.

MAN (UNDER THE NAME TARUN)

Well. He's not my Varun. Hey, this kid is not my bro. Sure this is COLABA boarding school of Nariman Point right???

PEON

Oh, no. There's confusion here. This is Colaba boarding school of Upper Colaba, you are at the wrong place mister.

MAN (UNDER THE NAME TARUN)

Oh, my bad. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, din't know there are two Colaba boarding schools. Anyways, this kid looks almost like my brother.

The Man comes close to the kid, fondles its cheeks, takes out a chocolate from his pocket and gives to Varun.

MAN (UNDER THE NAME TARUN)

Take this, bro. I'd taken it for my brother. I have one more of it. Take this.

Varun accepts it hesitatingly.

MAN gets up and walks away. Peon and Varun keep watching him walk down the stairs.

36. ext - stairs and pathway/corridor - continued from previous scene

The MAN is slowly walking on the corridor. He looks around and sees a bunch of students discussing something with their teacher. Walks ahead foe a while, his eyes rolling. At one point he stops, looks around to find none in the surrouding. Quickly unzips his bag and pulls out another time-bomb , that looks almost similar to the one showed previously. He sets it on and clasps it onto the back-side of a moderately big first-aid box which is kept limply over an iron stand in a way it forms the hypotenuse of the triangle formed by it with two perpendicular wall corners.

He's then seen walking briskly, going down the floor and walking towards the main gate.

37. ext - road - day

Another gunman is seen walking out on the road, his face and appearance undergoes a similar transformation on the go, as described in SCENE 31.

Now what we are seeing in front of us is a smart charming guy, neatly combed and cleanly shaved, he's probably in his early twenties, walking past a huge Toyota showroom towards a taxi stand. He's carrying a bag at his back.

He goes to a taxi driver and ..

MAN

Bahiyya, VileParle??

TAXI DRIVER

Too far off from here. We hardly get any passenger back from there. One and half times the meter.

MAN

Oh ok. My company pays me, I've got no problems with that deal. But, make it fast, I have to catch the flight from Santa Cruz this evening.

TAXI DRIVER

Get in.

The taxi is seen moving. The MAN is sitting in the back seat of the taxi. He puts his bag down, not on the seat but down on the vehicular-floor. He unzips the bag slowly, making sure it doesn't casue the slightest sound. He pulls out the a box wrapped in paper and places it gently besides him, on the seat. He does all this looking straight at the front, only his hands doing the business. Such expertise, the taxi driver who looks at him through the central-view-mirror could never make out what his hands are upto.

He slowly turns the time-bomb on and fixes it gently below the seat.

The taxi moves for a while in many congested streets and finall halts at a place. The MAN is seen taking money out of his wallet as we

CUT-AWAY:

38. int - ext - road -day

Another GUNMAN , now disguised as a commoner, carrying a bag at his back goes to a taxi driver.

CAMERA IS ZOOMED-IN TOWARDS THE BAG.

MAN

Bhaisaab, Boriwali market??

Pan chewing taxi driver takes the newspaper off his face, looks at the man in a rather daunting way and indicated him to get inside, as he shakes his head leftwards swiftly.

CUT-AWAY

39. int - That room - night

The room is dimly lit and we can hardly see anything. A small incandescent bulb is glowing in a corner whose faint light shows us that Praful is still sitting on the chair at the centre of the room. His legs are still chained up, mouth stuffed with a piece of cloth. But surprisingly, his hands are free and in a second, he is seen turning the pages of a book and around it are a dozen more books, general knowledge ones, we get the reason why his hands are not cuffed and eyes unmasked.

The MAIN GUNMAN comes to him, he's heavily armed.

PRAFUL

Please, I cant read anything in this light. I literally have to go inside the book even to read it. Look, it's so dim here.

MAIN GUNMAN

Bachhe,... (he laughs) we are allergic to light. ask food, we'll arrange, ask water, i'll provide you, you are very precious now for us, you got it. But, no light. Read whatever you can in this very light. ....... By the way, let me check how much you have read. (he smirks)

MAIN GUNMAN picks up one of the books spread across in front of Praful and opens a random page in it.

MAIN GUNMAN

Mmmm. Answer this. (he's reading the question from that book.)

He keeps the book very very close to his eyes and tries to read out.

MAIN GUNMAN(CONTD)

(haltingly, word by word)

What....is... the..... scientific.... term... for the ....morbid.... fear.... of... light???!!!

He throws away the book and laughs hard.

MAIN GUNMAN(CONTD)

Ha ha ha. Heck of a coincidence. What do you call it, tell me what do you call it??

PRAFUL

Mmmm.. That is ...Heliophobia.

MAIN GUNMAN

Helio.... fobia... ?? !! Wow!! I'm a helio...phobia... heliophobia...

He laughs hard and harder till the phone rings.

His laughter stops in a second, he's damn serious now. He walks toward the phone and picks it up.

MAIN GUNMAN

Mmmmm. (pauses for a while). All seven? (pauses again). Not bad.Baut khoob.

He keeps the phone down. Comes back to Praful.

MAIN GUNMAN(CONTD)

Listen very carefully. (he's stiffly holding Praful's hair, Praful's feeling the acute pain) Listen, this is very important. Tomorrow when you get the call from KBC, first thing you need to tell is this line: 'God is Greater', before anything else, you understand what I'm saying??

PRAFUL

Yes, I do, ..... I'll tell so. Please leave me. (he's screaming in pain).

MAIN GUNMAN

Good ... 'god is greater' don't forget, don't mess up.

CUT-AWAY:

40. int- A moderate house - SUNday night

The house is neither grand nor too meek, but would show up somewhat akin to a middle class family residence. The hall is neat and organized. A man, who looks to be in his thirties is walking in the hall, back and forth mulling over something. He looks uneasy.

AS THE CAMERA SHOWS HIS FACE, WE RECOGNIZE HIM TO BE THE SAME YOUNG PERSON WHO OBJECTED TO THE PARTY'S PROPOSAL OF CHIEF-MINISTER'S RESIGNATION -- REFER SCENE 24.

He's rubbing his palms, looking around aimlessly , walking randomly, all of which actions, tell us he's upset or deeply chewing over a topic.

From inside the kitchen, a woman appears, a beautiful woman, mid-twenties. She is in her everyday-saree, but that in no way dwindles her sheer beauty. Mangal-Sutra, around her neck is unmistakable.

WOMAN

What happened Ram? You seem uneasy? everything ok??

RamMOHAN LOHIA

The party...the beloved party in which I'm working is not as clean as I had thought Deepi.

WOMAN (deepika)

Unclean?? Why?? If it's a minor corruption, then I guess it's omnipresent, not something to keep brooding upon.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Minor corruption??? !!! No. This is a major blunder. They are playing with people's life. The sit in the air-conditioned office and pass stifling orders which our youth blindly follows, unaware that they are the ones acutely affected.

DEEpika

Honey, come here. Sit down, relax. Tell me what happened.. Come sit down.

Deepika drags him gently upon the sofa and sits beside him, her shoulders lying soothingly over him and he's stooped over her.

5 SECOND FLASH BACK OF SCENE 24 IS SCREENED, WHERE POLITICIANS OF THE RIGHT WINGED PARTY INDIRECTLY RESOLUTE FOR A PROTEST AND OF SCENE 26 WHERE MOBSTERS CLASH WITH POLICE AND INNOCENT PEOPLE ..

VOICE OVER (RAMMOHAN's voice)

(Serious tone, brawny voice)

They resoluted to protest, a non-violent one for the namesake, but knew a fuming mad mob of hot-blooded youths can never be silent. They could have taken other intelligent routes, but they picked this. They wanted chaos,.... pandemonium at the place. Believe me, .... Deepi, if the KBC is aired tomorrow, I ll vouch they stage relentless protests and ruthless hartals. Not going to be of any value to anyone.

DEEPIKA

Dear.... oh dear... You objected?? You told that wasn't the way.? Did you?

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Mmmmm. And what happened from that is something I would wish to keep it with myself.

DEEPIKA

Mmmm. I understand. Dear, why don't you directly go to the KBC studio and convince them of this?? Probably, they would listen, it sounds reasonable. Isn't it?

RamMohan slowly stands up and nods acouple of times.

CAMERA ZOOMED-IN to HIS FACE.

CUT-AWAY:

41. int - tiwary's cabin - monday morning - around 8:30

Tiwary and the production manager are sitting in his cabin and as usual, they are in some business conversion.

The intercom rings in the room. The production manager (Jaiswal) picks it up.

JAISWAL

Yes... What? How come this man here??

Tiwary stands up at once and looks at Jaiswal. Jaiswal holds the receiver away from his mouth and...

JAISWAL(CONTD)

Sir, RamMohan Lohia from RWParty is here. He wants to talk to you it seems.

TIWARY

What?? Alone he is?

JAISWAL

yes sir, so they say.

TIWARY

Ask them to let him in.

JAISWAL

But sir, it might...

Tiwary holds up his palm against Jaiswal sternly.

JAISWAL(CONTD)

Yes sir. As you say.

He holds the receiver back at his mouth.

JAISWAL(CONTD)

Allow him. Send him to the meet-up room.

He hangs up the intercom and sits beside Tiwary.

JAISWAL(CONTD)

Sir, don't you think he's a taxing troublesome irk??

TIWARY

He is, no doubt..... But not when he's alone. ..... Think, (pauses) if he has come alone to me, isn't it obvious that he wishes to involve in it?? Lets pay off some bits to him and he'll take care of the matter from his party's side.

JAISWAL

Mmmm. Very coherent.

TIWARY

Indeed...

They laugh out. Intercom rings again. Jaiswal picks up.

VOICE OVER

Sir, Mr.RamMohan is in the meet-up room.

JAISWAL

Coming.

He hangs up the receiver. Tiwary and Jaiswal both get up and walk out of the room and towards the meet-up room.

42.int pathway between tiwary's cabin and meet-up room - contd from previous scene

Tiwary and Jaiswal are walking briskly towards the meet-up room where RamMohan Lohia is waiting. While they walk,

JAISWAL

Sir, shall we call Bachchanji?

TIWARY

What?? Have you gone mad? He's *THE* one who *SHOULDN'T* be there now. Where he is??

JAISWAL

In his cabin, probably with Neha.

TIWARY

Make sure he doesn't even come to know about this meeting. Keep him involved in something.

JAISWAL

Yes sir.

Jaiswal takes out his mobile and is seen dialling a contact.

43. int - meet-up room - continued from previous scene

The meet-up room is pretty small and can accomodate a maximum of ten people.It has chairs laid out in circular fashion around a table on which water bottles and cardboards are kept.

On one of such chairs, RanMohan is sitting with locked hands and is gazing at the door, which, NOW bangs open.

Tiwary and Jaiswal enter the room.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Namashte, Namsdhte Tiwaryji.

TIWARY

Namashte janaab, Rammohan Lohia sahukaar. How are you??

They both hug and greet each other and sit down, facing each other. jaiswal sits beside Tiwary.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Fine Tiwaryji. Very fine.. (a brief pause) till a couple of days ago. Not anymore.... not now.

TIWARY

What happened out of the blue Lohiaji?? Any discrepency in the party??

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Aah. You are not just a well-known producer, .... but seem like a method actor too.

TIWARY

Excuse me. (Tiwary is a bit irritated).

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Don't you know the ongoing protests, casualties and unhealthy Mulund neighborhood?? Don't act innocent. (The reply was sharp, harsh and piercieng)

TIWARY

Mind your language RamMohanji. Let me remind you, all of them are caused by the protests that your own party had triggered. Hope you are aware.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

I'm.... I'm..... very well aware of it. But all that are in turn because of Thursday's  KBC you forgot??

TIWARY

Well.. Well... It went on how it was supposed to. But your party took immoral advantage of that and misused it. Don't make me answerable for that.... You know..

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

I agree.... Tiwaryji.. I totally agree. (The tone now becomes a bit friendlier). I see eye to eye as you do regarding this. My party leaders are no saints and they proved to be sheer politicians at the end of the day. I concure they exploited the situation. It wasn't sane, you have my consent. Which is why I'm here.

TIWARY

Care to elaborate the last line??

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Look Tiwaryji, you know very well. If you broadcast today's episode, they will lodge state-wise protests and many innocents will be its victims. You can stop it, you can. 

TIWARY

How much?? (sternly)

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Pardon me?? (He appears confused)

TIWARY

I don't have much time. Tell me your rate.... your fee to prevent it.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Excuse me. What do you think of me?? (He's frustrated). You plan to buy me out??

TIWARY

I never went to buy you, you came yourself here with a price-tag. Mind it.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

(He's now fuming. He stands up and so does Tiwary and Jaiswal)

Hold your tongue Tiwary. You seem to be out of your senses. I never came up for the sake of your money. On contrary, I wanted to convince you, .... wanted to sway you away towards stopping today's show. But now I feel it's not gonna happen. But remember, if anything malevolent happens tonite, you will, beyond doubt.... face some weighty consequences.

RamMohan Lohia is pointing his index at Tiwary.

Jaiswal is fuming at the aggressive temperament of RamMohan.

TIWARY

You think I'm in anyway afraid of you or your party?? Dare to defy me?

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Now I agree what my party leaders did was no wrong at any dimension.

The intercom of the meet-up room rings.

Jaiswal picks it up.

JAISWAL

police?? What??... (pauses). ok. We will be right there.

He hangs the receiver down.

JAISWAL(CONTD)

Sir, police are here they say. They want to interrogate shahbaaz it seems. They have the order.

TIWARY

Damn the bloody hell.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Well...well... Someone was rebellious a moment ago.

RamMohan laughs out loud.

Tiwary and Jaiswal exchange burly glances with Rammohan.

They all three exit out of the room.

44. int pathway, kbc studio -- continuation of the previous scene

The three are walking across the pathway. Rammohan is following Tiwary and Jaiswal who infact don't know it.

TIWARY

Jaiswal, Amitabh knows of this?

JAISWAL

No idea sir.

TIWARY

Keep him occupied in something. Make sure he doesn't.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

I'll make sure he does.

Both Tiwary and Jaiswal are shocked at this unanticipated voice, they were really not expecting him behind them.

TIWARY

Soooo.. you are an expert eavesdropper too. (He is sarcastic in his comment)

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Quite so.

TIWARY

Mr.Lohia,.... may I know how did you even consider dogging us?? (In harsh loud tone, stressing each word) You were supposed to sit in the meet-up room.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

I want to see the police. Wish to talk to them. I have some complaint about a crook who tried to bribe me, to deter the protests. Damn easy guessing him, I suppose.

TIWARY

Blackmailing me!! Well, go on. Talk to the police. Free you are. (After a brief pause) Bribe?? What bribe, oh that 3 crores bribe you demanded in order to avoid the statewide protests??

RamMohan is now furious about Tiwary's mendacity. He's fuming out and utterly enraged at Tiwary's instantly cooked-up lies.

He , in frustration, reaches out his hands swiftly toward Tiwary's collars, but Tiwary just steps back. Jaiswal comes in between thereby impeding the maddening scene.

TIWARY

To remind you Rammohan, I never called you. You appeared here yourself and no sane cause you can offer to defend your move. And if you still want to complain, well, I'm least bothered, I have my three crore story. Moreover, you told your own party leaders hate you, they loathe. Never expect any prop up from them, I never need to tell you, or should I?

RamMohan is totally helpless and feels exhausted mentally. He follows Tiwary and Jaiswal feebly.

45. int - kbc studio, waiting hall - continued from previous scene.

Tiwary, Jaiswal and RamMohan enter the waiting hall, a large hall just at the entrance of the KBC studio, where police are now sitting.

There are three cops, a senior inspector and two constables.

They all get up as soon as Tiwary and Jaiswal enter the hall.

TIWARY

Namashte, Namashte inspector saab.

INSpector

Mmmmm. Good to see you Mr......

JAISWAL

Tiwary. This is our producer Tiwary, myself his assistant and production incharge Jaiswal and (he turns back to introduce RamMohan Lohia) this is...

INSPECTOR

We know.... We know him very well.. RamMohan saab. Dint quite expect you here though, RamMohan.

They all are silent for a while. The ambiance is sickly-sweet.

INSPECTOR(contd)

So.... (he takes out a letter from his shirt pocket) Mr.Tiwary, this is the order I've received from commissioner to interrogate Shahbaaz Ahmed. We know he's here in the studio. So straight off,.....this instant... this very moment, I want you to lead me to Shahbaaz.

TIWARY

Relax..rel..

Tiwary's words are cut abruptly..

INSPECTOR

(in loud , commanding tone)

Don't tell me what I've to do, I want to see Shahbaaz right *NOW*. That's the only thing I've in the queue. I shall relax indefinetely once that.

TIWARY

(pointing to a corner)

That way, other side of this corridor. Second room to the left.

INSPECTOR

Thanks .... a *lot*.

Inspector and the two constables walk over across the pathway as indicated by Tiwary. Tiwary, Jaiswal and RamMohan folow them.

46. int - kbc studio - shahbaaz' room - continued from the previous scene

Shahbaaz is sitting on the floor , over a mat despite comfy chairs present around. He's seen reading a book, mostly Arabic going by the way he's turning the pages from left to rightwards as he reads on. He has the book in his right hand held against his slighly bent-down face, eyes serene. 

Police enter the room, the boot-sound at their strides stop as they stand still against him. They are bewildered to see Shahbaaz unmoved. Shahbaz is as cold as he was and never really seemed of noticing the police.

The inspector knocks the already opened door with his small police-stick a couple of times, but in vain. Shahbaaz is either heavily involved in what he's reading or he absolutely bothers not and doesn't give a damn to the police.

47. int - kbc-studio pathway- at the same time

Tiwary, Jaiswal and RamMohan are watching the police from the pathway at a distance. Pathway corridor is straight against the room where Shahbaaz is sitting and the room can be seen manifstly from there.

Amitabh Bachchan and Neha too arrive at the spot and stand beside Tiwary watching the ongoing overpowering scene.

Tiwary is upset and unhappy to see Amitabh and Neha and he confirms it from his facial emotions.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

What's going on here?

Nobody's up to respond.

AMITABH BACHCHAN(contd)

doesn't matter, police interrogating Shahbaaz is gonna be a welcoming move. I wished this had happened before, ..... few days before.

Tiwary gives an intimidating look at Amitabh. But Amitabh is composed.

Amitabh is startled to see RamMohan, as if he never expected him anytime in the studio.

AMITABH BACHCHAN(CONTD)

RamMohanji, ..... well.... what a surprise!! Never imagined you would be here.

RamMohan glances back helplessly, doesn't respond.

Amitabh comes very close to Tiwary and whispers in his ears.

AMITABH BACHCHAN(CONTD)

(whispering tone) Why this guy is here?? What for?

Tiwary leans casually against Amitabh and whispers back.

TIWARY

He's here for a deal.... He demanded three crores just to avoid staging any violent protest from his party-side. The deal broke down. I never bribe people.

Amitabh gets back to his place, stands still, turns back to gawk at RamMohan. That one daunting stare tells it all, Amitabh is breathing venom at RamMohan. He turns back as they all look with their eyes wide open at the room where Shahbaaz is about to be grilled.

48. int - room where shahbaaz is sitting - continued from the previous scene

INSPECTOR

Mr.Ahmed, shahbaaz Ahmed....

shahbaaz slowly looks up, finally. He stares at the police, rather gently. His eyes unblinking, hands firm, posture rock-solid.

INSPECTOR(CONTD)

I have an order from the commissioner to interrogate you. I want you to come with me, to the station.

Shahbaaz doesn't speak for a few seconds, but keeps staring at the inspector.

INSPECTOR(CONTD)

You are deaf?? Speak up. Come with me, you are supposed to. Come on don't waste my time..... It's commissioner's order.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

(slowly, but muscular tone)

Who's a commissioner??

INSPECTOR

What??....

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

I don't have a commissioner.

INSPECTOR

To remind you, he's the state's police commissioner.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

I don't belong to this state.

Upon that provoking statement of Shahbaaz, inspector's face turns red.

INSPECTOR

That's it. You left me with no choice than using force.

Inspector marches towards the sitting Shahbaaz, pulls Shahbaaz up by his collar and rams him vigorously at the door. Shahbaaz bangs onto the door forcefully but he doesn't even attempt to resist.

Inspector pushes him further down the pathway mightily and Shahbaaz clunks on the floor.

49.int - pathway - continued from the previous scene

Tiwary, Jaiswal, Neha , Amitabh and RamMohan are rapt as they are watch the ongoing appalling scene. 

Inspector pulls the fallen Shahbaaz up and thrusts him to walk ahead. Shahbaaz is now walking on that narrow pathway and inspector is just behind him, pushing his back to plunge him ahead. They are walking towards those five people (Amitabh, Tiwary, Neha, Jaiswal and Rammohan), who are standing still.

As Shahbaaz gets closer to them, on that narrow pathway, Tiwary plays a trick. He pretends to step back and deliberately falls hard on Neha who is pushed, by this unanticipated force, towards the approaching Shahbaaz.

Shahbaaz, in next to no time, grabs Neha by her neck vehemently and pulls open a miniature nail-cutter knife from his sleeves and holds it's sharp cuttin-edge to her throat. She's bleeding a little near her throat now.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

Get back... *NOW*.. Get back. Else, all it takes is a very mild gentle stabbing at her throat. I've seen enough blood in my life, it's not any new for me. Get back... *NOW*.

Amitabh and others step back, but are concerned.

Inspector initially hesitates, but upon seeing the blood flowing down her neck, steps back. He orders the constables to move away.

Neha's bleeding, screaming. Her foot trembling, she's sweating out of fear.

Shahbaaz slowly moves, along with her, towards the room where he was sitting moments ago.

He gets inside the room and sits on a chair.

He forcefully makes Neha sit on the floor, her kneels bent down, making it easy for him to hold the knife to her throat.

Police and those others cautiously walk towards the room and stand at it's door.

50. int - room where shahbaaz was/is sitting - continued from previous scene

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

(in a serious tone, stressing each word)

Inspector, listen carefully. You step one inch ahead.... and be at the helm for this naive girl's death.

INSPECTOR

No... No.. You win...

Inspector gently steps back.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

I'm no murderer, ..... but doesn't bother to be one though. I've come here to play KBC. Let me do it and go back causing no fuss.

INSPECTOR

Ok... ok.... you will play it...

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

I shall free this girl of my clutches sharp when shooting starts, when I'm in front of camera and live studio audience.

INSPECTOR

Deal... but no harming her....

Inspector turns towards Amitabh and Tiwary and asks..

INSPECTOR(CONTD)

When is it gonna start??

TIWARY

4 'O clock is the shooting, at 9 , it will be broadcasted.

SHAHBAAZ AHMED

You can all go now.

Shahbaz intently gapes at the nspector and..

SHAHBAAZ AHMED(CONTD)

This is *COMMISSIONER'S* order.

With no other go, police and others go back.

51. int - kbc PATHWAY - moments later

INSPECTOR

Tiwaryji, I need to talk to you people. To yourself and Amitabh. Can we sit somewhere??

TIWARY

Sure, why not. Lets go to the meet-up room.

INSPECTOR

Good...

Tiwary leads the way to the meet-up room as they follow.

Inspector waves his right palm fervently against RamMohan Lohia and constables signalling them to stay back and so they do.

RamMohan's faced is ZOOMED-IN.

He appears terribly dazzled.

52. int - kbc meet-up room - continued from previous scene

Inspector, Tiwary and Amitabh enter the meet-up room and take their seats.

INSPECTOR

Look, we don't have much time. Let me tell you the plan.

TIWARY

Plan??? Oh ... what now??

Tiwary is evidently upset.

INSPECTOR

Yes, a plan. You know he's trapped now. The only reason he's still hanging around is because of that hostage, Neha. That makes our lives easy.... As soon as the show starts, when he is prompted to your main studio, he would leave Neha back and come alone to play the game. And we hit back... We'll catch him there...

TIWARY

But the camera would be running, live audience will be there...

INSPECTOR

There's the catch... Shots would be fake and so will be the audience. I'll arrange for the audience, they will all be our people.

TIWARY

Oh no.. That's unfeasible. Not viable now. Highly imparactcle. We would have to then shoot again with someone else for today's episode and  we have no time. That's not agreeable.

Inspector replies in a stern manner.

INSPECTOR

Misterrr Tiwary, this is *commissioner's* order.

Tiwary is frustrated, he throws his arms loosely into the air turning his head leftwards, as if to sway away from the inspector.

He gets up, turns back abruptly and walks out of the room briskly. Inspector and Amitabh just keep staring at the door.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Nice idea, by the way, inspector.

Inspector turns to Amitabh, shakes his head swiftly and smirks.

CUT-AWAY

53. int - room where shahbaaz is sitting - after-noon 3:45

Shahbaaz is seen sitting on the chair, reading something. His pen-knife is kept beside him. WE GLIDE THE CAMERA SIDEWARDS revealing Neha.

She has been tied up on her hands and legs to that of a chair, just behind Shahbaaz. Her mouth is stuffed by another cloth, probably some pieces of cloth Shahbaaz had with him, as part of his traditional Islamic clothing.

Jaiswal appears at the opened door and he knocks.

Shahbaaz doesn't respond.

JAISWAL

Shahbaaz, time for the shooting. Come over to the main-studio. The set is ready...

Shahbaaz looks up, slowly nods his head, get up, unties Neha slowly, picks his miniature-pen knife and holds it to her throat.

He pushes her gently, step by step that makes her walk ahead, his knife edge still intact at her throat. She's sobbing like a little girl. She's held hostage.

They walk in this same spiteful fashion over the pathway.

TIWARY is seen watching Shahbaaz from his cabin's big glass window, from where the pathway is directly visible.

Tiwary appears snooping.

As Shahbaaz reaches the entrance of the main studio, he shoves Neha with such force she falls a metre away from him, but unhurt. He holds his pen-knife stalwartly in his right hand and raises his hand above his head, as if to tell silently everyone watching him that he can still be lethal, indirectly warning everyone against any foulplays.

He then pulls down his knife, gently conceals it in his sleeves and walks off, his head straight, posture damn sturdy.

HE DISAPPEARS FROM THE PATHWAY AS HE WALKS TOWARD THE MAIN STUDIO.

Neha gets up unhurriedly, wipes her face and neck with bare hands and walks inside the sound-room, from where technical crew of the team watch the shooting. RamMohan slowly enters it as well, out of nowhere and sits beside Neha.

CUT-TO

54. int - tiwary's cabin - just after the previous scene

Tiwary, Jaiswal and the inspector are sitting in Tiwary's cabin.

They all are watching the main studio, both on TV set and also directly through the big glass window.

Tiwary turns to inspector hastily and..

TIWARY

Inspector, you saw what he did?? ... Shahbaaz... Don't you think he's dangerous without Neha too??

INSPECTOR

I do.... I know about his pen-knife..

TIWARY

And about Amitabh's life?? Amitabh Bachchan,..... who's gonna sit in front of him, at an arm's distance...??

INSPECTOR

I know... Let me remind you Tiwaryji, he has a tiny pen-knife.. Our men sitting in the audience have revolvers... And *I* have *COMMISSIONER'S* orders.

Tiwar silently looks back... He's irritated and helpless.

INSPECTOR(CONTD)

50 ....(looking at the tv screen)

Tiwary suddenly is taken by surprise and he looks at inspector.

TIWARY

Excuse me???...

INSPECTOR(CONTD)

70 ....

TIWARY

(in a quick accent, holding his hands up)

Ok.. OK.. Done.. Seventy lakhs.. No more bargain.. It will be yours... Now, before something futile happens in the studio, ask your men not to do anything...

Inspector turns his microphone on and

INSPECTOR

(in a whispering tone, but audible to Tiwary)

Shekeel, abstain on doing anything. Let the show go on.

Tiwary is contented, looks relaxed and turns away, from the inspector, from the inspector's mic.

CUT-TO:

55.int - kbc main studio - at the same time

Shakeel, who is sitting in the front row among the audience, listens to inspector through his microphone.

SHAkeel

(in a very low tone, almost wishpering, covering his mouth with his right hand, slightly bent)

Yes.. sir...(After a brief pause). After all, what can we do?? We have done no arrangements, (pause)to catch him!! (in a still lower tone) Did Tiwary agree with our deal??

CUT-TO

56. int - tiwary's cabin - just after the previous scene

INSPECTOR

Ok. Good.

Inspector is seen taking off his microphone from his ears and turns to Tiwary.

INSPECTOR(CONTD)

Don't worry Tiwaryji. The show will go on as it's supposed to. Without any obstacles.... (pauses) atleast not from our side. I've instructed my men to stay mum.

Tiwary appears hasslefree, nods slowly, then smiles looking at the inspector. He stretches out his hand at the inspector.

Inspector gets up slowly, keeps his palm over Tiwary's and they both beam.

57.int - kbc main studio - 4:00 evening

The studio is geared up for the shooting. Audience are all set. At the entrance of the main-set , Amitabh and Shahbaaz are standing, facing each other for a moment and then both turn towards the camera.

From inside the studio, WE HEAR,

VOICE OVER(studio)

Lights on... Applause...

And the lights systematically turn on, KBC trade-mark music starts playing, loud ,bouncy and energetic, audience clap along with the simulated applause music.

The camera FOCUSES on the duo, Amitabh and Shahbaaz.

VOICE OVER(in amitabh's microphone)

Action.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Welcome.... Welcome... Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to the Monday's edition of your favorite gameshow, Kaun Banega Karooooooooodpateeee. (Applause....He pauses for a while, waits for the audience to stop clapping). So.... a new week... new aspirations... new hope... Let me tell you a small tale about this most beautiful four lettered word called *HOPE*. There was this man born somewhere in the begining of 19th century. when he was 7, his family was forced out of their home.....at 9 years of age, he lost his mother, at 19 - his sister. When he was a young-hot-blooded gun at 23, he lost his job.... failed to get into a law school. At 24, he lost his business to become absolutely bankrupt. An year later, his fiance died.... The very next year he had a nervous breakdown and was bedridden. At 31, he sought to become the elector, he was defeated. Then he ran for congress, he lost. He re-ran, lost again. He lost everything in his life, except one beautiful immortal thing.... named *HOPE*. And with that very *HOPE*, he ran for the senate and finally, he became, *THE PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES OF AMERICA*, the most powerful position in the world!! He was none other than Abraham Lincoln. 

And with the same *HOPE*, similar ferver, we have here today our roll-over contestant, Shahbaaz Ahmed (camera FOCUSES ON SHAHBAAZ, he's looking damn serious).... Mr.Ahmed, are you ready to play the game??

Shahbaaz jiggles his head.

AMITABH BACHCHAN(CONTD)

(LOUDLY, Cheerfully)

Comeon- let's play the game.....(Amitabh points at the hot-seat, located at the centre of the set)

Audience clap again, as Amitabh and Shahbaaz walk towards the hot-seat.

58. int - kbc centre set - hot seat - 4:05 PM

  Amitabh is sitting on his host-chair and Shahbaaz on the hot-seat.

CAMERA IS FOCUSING AMITABH- CLOSE UP

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Last Thursday, before we could start out questionnaire to Shahbaaz Ahmedji, the hooter ordered to pack-up. (he smiles).... We could just have his introduction. (pauses) I hope you know the rules of the game well...

SHAHBAAZ IS FOCUSSED, he nods slowly.. His face casts off profound astute emotions.

CAMERA FOCUSESS AMITABH BACK

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Well.. then without wasting anymore of this precious time, lets *PLAY*....

Audience applause again.

AMITABH BACHCHAN(CONTD)

(typical quizmaster accent)

Here's the first question, for one thousand rupees.... ONNNN your computer screen....

CUT-TO

59. int - kbc technical room - at the same time

In the technical room, Neha is curiously watching the shots on the multiple TV sets, each showing at different at different angles. Just besides her is RamMohan, sitting quietly but appears no less snooping than her.

NEHA(to herself, but a bit loudly)

I bet this would be the toughest one thousand rupee question ever,....in the history of the gameshow.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

I somewhat doubt that.

Neha turns to RamMohan, stoutly stares into his eyes, almost breathing fire.

NEHA

We are no politicians.... we don't change our mind each second.

She turns back to Tv..

He's mum, they are involved in the show again.

60. int - kbc centre set - hot seat - continued from scene 58

The questions appear on both of their computer screens.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

(Again, typical quizzer accent)

Which of the following four is a type of gun?

A. N95

B. MI6

c. AK47

D. NH3

CUT-TO

61. int - kbc technical room - Just after the previous scene

Neha, who is watching the questionnaire is stunned as she reads the question. She couldn't believe her own eyes. She appears traumatized and gets up slowly from her seat, unaware of her act.

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

I've hit the bull's eye in my prediction. I quite expected it, from (he turns to the standing Neha) *YOUR BACHCHANJI*.

Neha doesn't retort, doesn't even move.

NEHA(TO HERSELF, BUT A BIT LOUDLY)

Even Bachchanji!!!????

RAMMOHAN LOHIA

Bachchanji, Tiwary and the inspector had a secret meeting in the afternoon. I was deliberately kept out that. Now I see why.

Neha looks perplexed. She doesn't move an inch. Stands still, gazing at the television.

CUT-TO

62. int - 'The inside story' news studio - time irrelavent

The studio room is contemporary, largely trendy and has live-TV screens behind the anchor's chair.

CLOSE-UP AT THE LADY ANCHOR

The anchor appears modern, is wearing a creamy-white Donna 3-piece suite. She has a microphone jammed to her left ear.

VOICE OVER(from microphone)

Camera on....Action.

Light turns on, focussed on her that makes her already flaxen face look brightly illuminated.

ANCHOR

Welcome,....to your favorite program that unravels the surreptitious elements of popular stories of the week- welcome... to your favourite program.... *THE INSIDE STORY*.

Well, we had many enthralling events that occured this week, some great, some grave. But the most riveting of them all, was, well, you guessed it right, the Shahbaaz Ahmed phenomenon. Yes, it hasn't just remained an incident, it has been a phenomenon now.

To learn about the enticing inside story of it, we have with us today, the very legend of Indian cinema, the anchor of KBC Mr.Amitabh Bachchan.

Camera turns ITS FOCUS FROM THE ANCHOR TO AMITABH BACHCHAN.

Amitabh is sitting besides her, both of them inclined just over a small angle from the STRAIGHT VIEW, that almost gives the viewer a feeling that they are facing each other.

ANCHOR

Welcome to the show sir. It's been our pleasure to have you here.

AMITABH BACHCHAN

Thank you. Pleasure's mine.

CAMERA ON ANCHOR

ANCHOR

Well, tell us , Bachchanji, we all know what happened this Monday, we all know how it all went. But tell us something about it, which we are unaware of,.... which.... which... has remained dark under the shadows.

CAMERA FOCUSSES BACK TO AMITABH.

ZOOM-IN. ZOOM-IN to the eyes. Focus moves deep inside the eyes, at a lightening pace, till WE CUT TO

63. int - KBC MAIN STUDIO - FLASH back- monday evening

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