(Name of Project)

by(Name of First Writer)

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Revisions by(Names of Subsequent Writers,in Order of Work Performed)

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FADE IN

1A. EXT. HIGHWAY ROADS/DEVARAKONDA TOWN - EARLY MORNING

We see shots of the Sagar road highway. As titles roll, the warm sunshine bakes the countryside gently. Wheat fields, long empty stretches of highway, blue skies, a milestone reading “Devarakonda 1 KM”, the odd early morning traffic, the shepherd with his flock, small hamlets with empty fires, an army of piglets scurrying, a tiny rivulet awaiting its dhobhi, green rolling hills all over...

DISSOLVE TO:

1B. EXT. DEVARAKONDA TOWN - EARLY MORNING

We approach the still asleep town, surrounded by hills on all sides. Devarakonda is a typical highway town, quaint old buildings, relics of the past, nizam-hindu kings-the britishraj, merging with present day India, walls whitewashed, doors colored in contrast, muggu on cemented pavements, the town centre with a Gandhi statue and banyan tree, an empty school yard awaiting the hustle bustle, the panchayat office-an old army barrack, rows of empty 7 seater autos, green and orange flags on a masjid and temple and in still quiet lanes, a very contemporary Malgudi setting. Very quaint and calm....

CUT TO:

1C. EXT. DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - EARLY MORNING

We see a pair of 7 seater autos hurtling through the town. Its very evident that one of the autos has a clear lead, aggressively and dangerously making its way through the town, the one behind is struggling to catch up, the race opens into an open maidan, acres of emptiness ahead, we see the first auto lead on, leaving a cloud of red dust, from the top we see it screech to a halt....a man gets out, dressed in a pathan suit, he waits with his hands folded for the second auto to finish the crossing line...behind the pathan suit guy, we see an older man, sitting on a chair, enjoying his viewpoint....

The other auto finally reaches the finish line....we see the pathan suit guy and the older gentleman cackle up in laughter at the sight of the defeated opponent....we hear indistinct cries of ‘shabhashs’ and taunting....as we leave the activity from behind, we see the defeated auto driver, leave with his head down....

2. EXT. DEVARAKONDA FORT - EARLY MORNING

The scattered remains of a fort peep through the foliage and rocks, the view from the fort is magnificent. You feel like, its YOU and the WORLD below. Amidst this setting we see a shack, more like an open garage. Nestled among the ruins and the rocks, we see its actually an old tourist information office, now a makeshift home to our hero Akbar. We notice that his terrace setting is actually his version of a roof penthouse, cupboards, cycles, a study room, all sorts of antique dust collecting stuff, a picture of the mecca, a picture of himself with his father (mother conspicuous by her absence), machine tools, open toilet etc.

We close in on Akbar, stirring awake on his mat, we notice that he is an averagely built, fair but rugged looking young man. We see a wind propelled light bulb, still glowing, it bursts and falls on Akbar’s text book by his side..As the waking sun shows on his face, he blinks awake. We watch Akbar as he rises slowly, a little annoyed seeing his burst light bulb, his hands go to his face, sitting up on the mat, he stretches and looks at the sun. Making his way to the cliff edge, we watch Akbar’s eyes as he watches the town ahead from his ‘roof’ top. His eyes intent on making this a glorious day...

3. EXT. DEVARAKONDA FORT - EARLY MORNING

This fort is his kingdom. We watch him take a dip in a pond, iron his clothes, brushing his teeth and shaving at the same time, he takes a few minutes to leaf through a textbook, makes a few notes and memorizes a few lines, shoving his books into his bag, he gets ready for the day. We watch Akbar say the namaaz, kneeling west on a mat. He takes his cycle out of the shack, locks the door and makes his way down the hill and into the town. The wind in his hair and his eyes looking forward to the day ahead.

“Written and directed by Anish Kuruvilla” (title card)

4A. EXT DEVARAKONDA TOWN - DAY

The town has now come alive with early morning activities. We see Akbar make his way hurriedly through the bylanes, dodging children taking a bath by a pump, pouring out a thin line of water into fields, even more children taking a dump by the open drain, men in lungis, hands by their crotches, brushing their teeth fervently and harried women quarreling near a water tanker, we hear a voice amidst this chaos as Akbar wades through the crowd...

2.

MAN VOAkbar...ivvala indian express kaavaali raa...application form padutundi ...

Akbar waves a 'sure', smiling in acknowledgement. We see him make his to a parked milk van by the highway and come out with packets of milk in a bag. As he weaves through the town centre, we see him stop by news vendors, we see him pick a big package of dailies, with newspapers and milk in toe, our man goes about delivering them diligently. We see him make his way through the town centre and into the bylanes, we watch him drop off his merchandise in different households. Akbar is very well known in the neighbourhood, several people acknowledge his presence, asking questions and getting answers...we see Akbar interact with people in the town, moving in and out of their homes with his milk packets and newspapers....

4B. DEVARAKONDA HOUSES - MORNING

OLD LADY (WORRIEDLY)Entra..,.ivvala Bandh anta...

AKBARaa... evvarupattinchukuntaare..telusu kadaneeku...

OLD LADYAithe.. pakkurlo gudikivellochantaava...evaro swamulawaaruvastunnaranta..

AKBAROo..bramhandangaavellochu...tommidintiki centerlounte nenu teesukeltaa...kaanidabbulu teevatammarchipokamma...ippatike naakupadihenu roopaayalu ivvali...

OLD LADY (CUTELY)Poo raa, ee musalammey deggaraemmtheesukuntao!

AKBAR (SMILING)Sarrey, sarrey....aithey meepayasam naaku baaki undi...

CUT TO;

3.

OLD MAN IN CROWDArrey Akbar,ivvala ratritirigochetappudu koncham naa kallajodlu tesuku raa ra..konchamibbandigaa undi...

AKBAR adagaala tatayya...edi receipt ichcheyi...happy ga paduko...

CUT TO;

YOUNG GIRLAkbar bhayya ivvala school taravaata tuition undi...aragantalate gaa raava saayantram...

AKBARnijangaane tuition unda?..hmmm..undeuntundile..ainanuvvu inkachinnapillavi...endukainamanchidilategaa vastunnanani ammato koodacheppu..leka pothe kangaarupadutundi..

CUT TO;

YOUNG WOMANAkbar entra inta late...aiyanemocoffee newspaper lenide toiletkikooda vellaleeru..telusukadaneeku...

AKBARSorry sorry..akka ...repatinunchimee aayana time ki bathroom kivelletattu chesataanule...

Its apparent that Akbar in many ways is a binding force in the locality and people depend on him for a lot of things. As he finishes his sortie, we see him weave to the town centre and towards a factory like shed ala the ‘waterfront’, we see a small horde of 7 seaters and drivers ahead. Akbar approaches the shed.(these same people whom he delivered to, will ask him to get out of the town after CM debacle*)

5. EXT/INT THE AUTO SHED - DAY

We see Akbar make his way to the auto shed and park his cycle. The garage ahead of him looks like an open barn, it is in actuality a part of a timber depot, cutting huge pieces of logs. We can hear and see lots of saw dust and other chaos.

4.

In the shed are auto rickshaws lined up and several auto drivers ready to start off on their day. The scene is similar to that of union workers waiting for their boss to turn up and assign them their jobs. Several auto guys greet Akbar as he makes his way in. One of his best mates, PASHA, who is a dark, moustached, slim looking man comes upto Akbar..

PASHAyendi be inta late? Lucky gaMasterji inka raledu, kani Babbarbhai daggara ni gurinchi cover chesanu, adigite yedu gantala nundiikkade vunna ani cheppu,ardhamainda.

AKBARlight tisukora..yedo yuddhanikiveltunnattu yendukantabhayapadatav,prati varam atanumanaki class pikadam, manam vinadammamoole kada, yenduku ra anta tension padatav

PASHAnoru moosukora, yevarainavinnarante anavasaram ga leni ponichikkullo padatav,vudyogamvoodutundane bhayam lekunda poyindiniku

Akbar is busy checking on the engine of his auto. He checks to see if the oil level is okay. We notice the rest of the auto drivers in the background are either standing and talking or busy tinkering fervently with their autos...meanwhile,

AKBARAbe, eppudu ardamchesukuntaavuraa..maname vaadiaadayam raa...vache 18 gantalu chachi chedi manam dabbulu sampadincvhi pedatamvaadiki...vaadi autolu kaadu...

PASHA (HYSTERICAL)Aapara pichoda, ammo.. neetho nannuippudu evvaraina choosarante, naaudyogam peekestaru...

Pasha is not happy with Akbar’s attitude, while Akbar shakes his head at Pasha’s nervousness. Its obvious from everyone’s body language that, the ‘Masterji’ is someone everyone is a little wary about.

5.

AKBARpoddupodunne entra champutunnavu... ee roju kooda mee avida tiffin pettaledaa...

PASHAnormuyyara..ippudu ma avida sangatiyenduku

Suddenly we hear a shout...a lean man is addressing the crowd in a dramatic fashion,

SONDU (MOCKINGLY IN MYTHOLOGICAL-TELU)enduku meeranta aadavallalagagummugoodi muchatlupettukuntunnaru...

Akbar and a bunch of other guys laugh. Sondu, is a poor replica of ‘Rajnikanth’, dark skinned and bushy hair. He is someone everyone is used to. He is one of them...

SONDU (DRAMATICALLY) (CONT’D)Naamata vini andaram Masterji raagaane..vanukutuu moorcha podam.Appudaina aayana aatma ki shanthikalugutundemo...

Much to everyone’s delight he starts dancing the famous song from ‘Basha’...a tape recorder (handled by a Chinna*) is playing the song in the background...

SONDU (CONT’D)“Nenu auto vadini vadini ra...nyayamaina ratu vadini...”

We realise that Sondu is already tipsy* so early in the morning. The gang of drivers know this, someone in the crowd remarks...

DRIVERArrey, aint ra Sondu,podunne idlilo beer kalipi tinnava enti..?

We notice that some of the auto drivers are busy gorging on their tiffins...We see Akbar thinking, turning to Pasha, as Sondu continues with his antics..

AKBARveedu malli modalpettadu raabaabu...adi ee cinema raa...Balayyaidli lo beer kalpukoni tintaadu...

PASHA (THINKING HARD)...Laxmi Narasimha IPS!

6.

AKBAR (HAPPILY)Aavunu raa nuvvu cheppindicorrectee..

Pasha suddenly realizes he doesn't want to be part of the fun,

PASHAChi nee abba...em aalochistunnavuraa...vaadu mana kompalu munchemunde piluvu vaadini...

Akbar waves to Pasha to shut up, meanwhile Sondu’s show is getting dramatically over the top....the music pauses for a second....

SONDU (MIMICKING/ACTING LIKE MASTERJI)...naamulane ivvala meeru rendupootala tinditinnagalugutunnaru...aavishayammarchipokandi...

The music continues playing...The drivers are laughing all over the place, except for Pasha who is looking even more tense, Akbar is enjoying this tremendously, Suddenly there is a shout...

VORey Aapandiraa!! Shh..

there is an attentive stir within all of them as someone approaches from the shadows of the factory, its ‘Masterji’ and his troupe behind him, the person everyone has been waiting for...

6. INT AUTO SHED - DAY

We see all the auto guys disband and stand in a line. Everyone murmuring to a quiet now. Masterji addresses them. Masterji is an intense looking, rugged, middle aged marwari, he’s got a sheaf of money in one hand and a pad with notes on. He’s got an air of distrust and disgust about him. The auto gang looks on at him nervously...as Masterji speaks, his voice echoes in the hangar...

MASTERJI (THROUGH HIS TEETH)Meerandaru chala venaka badiunnaru...ee varam collectionlalochala teda vachindi...

Sondu, standing next to Pasha and Akbar, mutters under his breath

7.

SONDUArey enni saarlu chepthaadra same dialogue..alsipodaa?

Pasha, the nervous one agitatedly nudges him to shut up.

PASHA (LOUDISH WHISPER)$Normuyyi chattanakodaka...

Masterji hearing the commotion, barks, Pasha cringes in fear...

MASTERJI (WALKING BY THE DRIVERS)Aapandi ..chattanaakodakallaraa...atalugaa undaa.. sarigga vinandi ee vaaram edainateeda vachindo..(silence as he looks at everyone)Meeru kashta padatledu, naa okkoauto kiraayi vaaraniki 5000 rupayalu...meelo okkadu dantlosagam kooda samapadinchatledu..emi peekutunnarraa andaru...panuluchestunnara, gaadidelukaastunnara...lekapothe urloammayalaki kadupuchesipedutunnara...

All the auto guys look at Pasha, who doesn't like the attention, meanwhile Sondu grabs the opportunity..

SONDU (WHISPERS)(a portion of the Basha song - negative version of bashasong)......

We cut to groups of auto drivers looking at each other, laughing nervously. Masterji hasn’t noticed all of this, meanwhile, Akbar seems unnerved, Pasha looks nervous, while Sondu seems exasperated...he begins miming Masterji’s dialogue as he continues, he knows exactly what he is going to say next...

MASTERJINenu mee andarini rodla meedanunchi teesukochi udyogaaluichanu..naa moolane ivvala meekurendu pootala tindi dorukutundi, ...marchipokandiokkokari auto lo ara litre nimpundi..ee vaaram evvariki nayapaisa ivvatledu...

8.

(MORE)

mee giraki ee mee auto naduputundi, udyogaaluniluputundi..gurtupettukondi...inkavellochu...

We hear grunts of protests, but generally there is a muted chorus from the auto drivers..

AUTOGANGSarrey sir...

Sondu mockingly,

SONDUMasterji ki jai! Masterji ki jai!

The rest of the crowd, some of them join in..

AUTO CROWD / SONDUMasterji, amar rahein! Masterji amar rahein!

Masterji seems confused by the sudden adulation, not knowing if it was a genuine outpouring...

MASTERJI(Rao Ramesh’s improvised dialogue)

He sniggers and walks away, followed by his troupe...we can hear staggered laughter in the crowd..

CUT TO:

We see Sondu muttering something to himself, Pasha nervously wiping his forehead...Akbar is making his way to his auto, and so is everyone else. Sondu to Akbar and Pasha...

SONDUpanilo vellemundu chai kotti bayaladeerdaamu raa...

Akbar and Pasha nod in approval....we see a gang of autos move out of the hanger, some of them pushing the auto’s out to save gas...each one hoping for a good profitable day ahead...

7A. EXT BYLANES AND CHAI KOTTU - DAY

We see the trio walking down a lane towards a chai kottu .An old melody is playing on the radio somewhere....The trio reach the chai kottu, continuously blabbering illogical nonsense*..

9.

MASTERJI (CONT'D)

AKBARSeenu anna...2/3 chai kottu...Arey Chiru cinema eppudu release be?..

SONDUNaakem thelusu bey, nenu emainavaalla intlo panichestunnana?

The duo laugh out loud at their own joke...

AKBARNee yenkamma, neeku nijangaaneivala pichipattindi

Meanwhile an agitated Pasha...

PASHA (HYTERICALLY)rey, Masterji daggara vudyogamvadulikunenta dhairyam naku ledura, na kutumbam mottam na meedaaadari padi vunnaru, aina varaniki5,000 rupayalu yela adugutadu ra...

Akbar and Pasha are distracted from their mutual buffoonery for a moment..

SONDUnijanga auto to anta dabbusampadiste manam e sinugaaditokkalo kottu lo thokkalo chai tagakkarledu…

The chai guy looks up at Sondu annoyed..but joins Sondu on his day dream talk, mesmerised...

SONDU (CONT’D)hayiga,hayiga poddunne lechinaventane voka andamaina vanta cheseammayi, china jacket vesukuni,vedivedi coffee teesukoni na manchamdaggaraki vatchi mudduga…

SONDU (CONT’D)Sondu garu, meecoffee...aba..abbaa...

Sondu and Akbar laugh, Pasha sighs...we notice that the lane behind them is very vibrant and busy, little children are getting ready for school, people are crossing the frame repeatedly as the day gets on its way....meanwhile,

10.

PASHA (TO SONDU)chi, niku baga pitchi pattindi ra, nuvvu e janmalo maravu

SONDUyem matladutunnav ra, yendukumarali ra nenu, nenu matladutunnadimana life lo nijala gurinchi

AKBARAbba..gurtochindi ...naa final year exams deggaraki vastunnayiraa, inkakoorchoni chaduvukovaali...

SONDUMatilenooda, inka aa tokkalo exams raastunnava raa..enti ippatikimoodosaari kada?, enni sarludobbinchukuntavuraa?...aina neekushankar dada MBBS laga auto Akbar B.com ani birudistaaruanukuntunnava enti?...

AKBARChup be, nenu auto driver la undupotanani evarannaru? jeevithamlo chala undi raacheyyataaniki...firstu ela golagaee exams pass ayyipoyi graduation chetlokocheste..edaina electrical course chestan raa...arey nijanikinaaku engineer avvalani undinditelusaa..emi lekapote naa sonta garage aithepettukuntaanu raa...

Srinu has been listening on to the trio’s conversation while attending to other customers...

SRINU CHAI-WALLAHenduku Akbar ilanti kalalu kanitime waste chesu kuntaavu...naamaata vini Masterji deggara loan teesukoni bussiness pettu...

AKBARAa, Avunu aa taravaata atanideggara banisalapadundaali...samasyeledu...naakosam Edo okatichesukovaali.chesukuntaanu...

11.

SONDU (MOCKINGLY)Neku malle neejeevitam..chavu...nuvvu inkaPasha nannu choosi nerchukondiraa,Eravai idu vachinaayi..anaadani, pelli avvaledu, naa sampadana anta taagudu-vaagudikee...

PASHA (ANGRILY)ante yentra ni vuddesam, ipudu ma amma vallani, bharya pillalni road meeda odeleymantava saale?

SONDU18 yellaki pelli chesukuni, 15 yellaki mi avidiki kadupu chesi,10 samvatsaralu samsaram gadipesinaniku intakante yem ardhamavutundile

PASHA (GETTING EMOTIONAL)rey..matalu tinnaga rani, roadlumida tagutu tirige tagubotu nakodaka, nikem telusu ra kutumbam to vunde anandam. Ina niku cheppinaardham kadu

AKBARKoncham meesolluaapandi...poddupudunneentra...prashantanga unte Masterji gaadi 5000 ela sampadinchaloallochinchochu. isaari aina 3 samvatsaraalanundi baaki unna manabonusulu teesukundaamu raa...

SONDUburralenodiviraa nuvvu...vaadumanaki bonuslu istaadani inkanammutunnavu?...avanni Utti maataluraa mananni gupetlopettukovataaniki...

PASHANuvvu aagara Sondu, Akbar cheppindiright...5000 sampadiste manaki manabonuslu tappakunda istaadu...avivachinayante intlo t.v konochu, maaavida adigi adigi champestondi, nannakemo kanti opertion, ammakivanta saamanlu..inka manachinnadaaniki school dress koniyaali raa...eesamvatsaramaina...

12.

AKBARTappakundaa raa..adaina, vaadumanaki ichinaa ivvakapoyinamanakimaatram ee udyogam avasaramraa... vaadu adiginattu chestemanake manchidi...inka vaadideggarabonuslu ippinche poochi naadi...

SONDUEntroy? Em chesthavu, cycle chain tho damkhi isthava enti?

PASHAArey Akbar vaadu nijangaane dabbuluistadantaavaara...vati to intlovallaki emi emi konachu ani alochistene santoshamugaa undi...

Akbar is thinking about what Pasha asked...Sondu picks up some biscuits shoving it into mouth.....

SONDUArey soodi aapara...nuvvu nee family sentimentlu..edupugottudaily seriallu choosi choosichedipotunnaru..

A noise distracts the trio from their discussion..

(*change context slightly to infer that they have taken loan from Masterji and are paying back heavy interests)

CUT TO;

7B. EXT BYLANES - DAY

Just then, there is a tumbling noise ahead of the lane. We see a mini lorry, filled to the brim with all kinds of household saamaanlu precariously balanced all over it. Like something out of a fevicol ad. The sight is amusing to look at. For once the trio, including Pasha giggle at the sight of the lorry struggling to make its way on the lane, huffing and puffing like an old railway engine. We see there is a family cooped inside of it. The trio look at each other intrigued and amused.

8A. INT MINI LORRY - DAY

By the drivers seat we see a spectacled, worried looking, 52 year old man, PURUSHOTTAM, he seems like he is about to have a heart attack...

13.

PURUSHOTTAMArey edava, evaduraa neeku licence ichina chavata, rokallo lo rubinattu nadapaka pote konchammellaga nadapochugaa..

DRIVERpolavaram nundi suutannanu...entimeeru ishtamainattu mataluisirestunnaru...meerechoostunnarugaa roadlu enthadaridranga unnayo...nenemcheyyala..nannu bandinadupukonivvandi saar..

Behind his seat are 4 other women, sitting uncomfortably,tightly packed in, moving constantly with the truck. The oldest lady among them, the Nayanamma barks..

NAYANAMMANarakam narakam, arey edava, elantinarakaniki teesukochavu raa..eechavedo akkade chachevaalamugaa...rendu Rojula nundi polavaramtirigi veldam ani mottukutunna...aina Ee musalidaanni gurunchi eppuduaalochinchavu ganakaa....

PURUSHOTTAM (ANGRILY)amma kasta nuvvu voorukuntava, asale manam digalsina illuyekkadundo ardham kaka nenu chastuvuntenu

NAYANAMMAAa avunu raa...polavaram lo meenanna kattinchina illuchinnadaindi... ippudu raaja bhogamchoopinchataaniki...teesukeltunnavumari ....naa chaavu akkadechavanivalsindi raa...ee musalidanni himsa pedutunnavu...

We see that Purushottam is trying really hard to control his temper. The rest of the three women look at each other in half amusement and half tiredness. The youngest of them, who is reading a book, a petite, slightly nerdy, but cute looking 14 year old, KAVITA remarks to her mother...

14.

KAVITAAmma bathroom, please naanna niekkadaina aapamani cheppu, nalgugantalanundi control chesukolekachastunnanu.

The mother, a sweet looking woman, AMMA

AMMAinkasepu vopika pattu talli, inti daggariki vachesinatlunnam,yemandi?Inkentasepandi, daggarakivatchesama?

PURUSHOTTAMIkkade ekkado annade,mundu evarokurralu unnaru, vaallaniadugudaamu.

We see the bus is nearing the chai kotti where the trio is...

NAYANAMMAAa avunu adokkatetakkuvaindippudu...lokam mottanikinee deggara iddaru pellikaanikooturlu unaru ani dappu kottuko... ade le allagaina sambandaaluvastaayemo, e kurra vedhavaluvoorukuntara, voorantacheptaru...ee oorenti..aa panduluenti..ekkada choosinaaave!!!....vallani choodu appudesonga kaarustunnaru...

We see Akbar and co; and the scurrying pigs from a POV of Nayanamma...meanwhile,

KAVITANayanamma. Koncham oorukuntaava?Assale naaku talanoppiga ga undhi, ee chattha lorry lo kurchoni.

AMMAKavita!!...(asking her to watch her tongue)

NAYANAMMAParavaledu le amma, kodukepatinchukovatam ledu inka vaadikooturu emi pattinchukuntundi, naaku tagina shaaste jarugutundi le amma...

15.

The mother smiles tiredly at her eldest daughter by the window, who smiles back. They are used to these complaints. We see the bus has just approached the chai kottu and screeches to a halt...

PURUSHOTTAM (TO THE TRIO)Aapu, babu koncham itu vastaaraa?..

So far the fourth woman on the bus has been quietly listening to everyone else talk. She is a dark, tall, typically classic in her beauty, LAKSHMI. (As we see her, we also see spider seeds floating in the foreground). She has a little boy on her lap, her youngest brother, 5 year old BUJJI, who was sleeping until then, stirs awake and stretches...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)Hello, ee town post master Laxmanvaalla intiki etu vellalo konchamchepthaara?

We see Pasha talk from the window..

PASHAItu nunchi thinnuga velli, modatiright theeskondi, adey road lo, malli thinniga vellandi, a tharvatha a road lo edama wipu kithirigi, full straight veltheymeeku oka borewellkanipisthundi...daani edurey Laxmanvaalla illu....kaani vaallu ippuduakkada lerandi, citykivellipoyaru...

We see that Purushottam hasn’t understood the directions properly, he asks Pasha again..all this time Sondu is disinterested in the goings on, sipping on his chai, reading a paper, while Akbar goes upto the driver and asks him..(can show total BG atmosphere, need not be shot exclusively - regarding the following three dialogues)

AKBAREkkad ninchi vasthunaarandi? Meekutheliyada, ee road koncham lorilakikashtamganey untundi, mundujaagratha...

DRIVERMaakem thelusu babu, city kideggara unna roadlu kooda intachattaga untayani...

16.

AKBARThirigi velletappudu, dindi velleroad teesukondi...adi konchambaganeuntundi...

Meanwhile Bujji who is on Lakshmi’s lap, gives out a loud yawn, exclaiming...

BUJJIAmma...aakaliga undi...thinadaanikiemaina undaa?

AMMAUndara kaasepatlo intikicheruthaam...koncham sepu aagu

Meanwhile Purushottam and Pasha are still discussing the route directions in the background, suddenly Bujji’s toy sunglasses fall out of the window...

BUJJI (YELLING)Ayyo, nakalladdalu...padipoyaayi...akka, teesivvu akka...

Akbar notices this and picks it up, does a mini ‘Rajni’ thing with the glasses and hands it over by the window, smiling. Bujji enjoys that, Akbar notices Lakshmi for the first time...Lakshmi smiles politely and looks at Bujji saying...

LAKSHMIThanks cheppu...

BUJJIThanks anna...

Akbar smiles, his eyes shift to Lakshmi and Lakshmi’s to his. Just then the truck starts off and dustily moves off ahead...

Bujji sticks his head out of the window...waving bye.

CUT TO;

8B. EXT CHAI KOTTI - DAY

Sondu to the other two...

SONDUchal re,sollu kottindi chalubayalderudam pada

Sondu looks at Akbar, who seems like he is in thought.

17.

SONDU (CONT’D)Arrey marachipo...aamey naadi...

AKBARChi..eppudu ade aalochistuntava...

SONDUAhaa...nuvvu emi aalochistunnavuamma?...

AKBARnaaku oo family unte... ilagesaradaga undedi

SONDU (DRAMATICALLY-MOCKINGLY)Akbar annayaa...Ika memee nee family anna..

Akbar is looking at Sondu, tiredly annoyed...

SONDU (CONT’D)manamanta voke kutumbam,bharatadesam mana maatru bhoomi, bharatiyulandaru manasodara,sodarimanulu...

PASHAvokka Sondu gadi vishayam lo tappa!

They look at Pasha, surprised he is joking for a change..The trio laugh jabber and move on....

9. INT LAKSHMI’S HOUSE - DAY

We see a door bang open from inside a house. Purushottam can be seen at the door step. There is old dust flying all over the place. He steps cautiously in followed by his wife, daughters and son. All of them are carrying bags and other luggage items. The house they have stepped in is a typical Andhra-Brahmin sort of a household.. There is a courtyard ahead of them, sun beams through the entire place. It looks very homely but also dusty. As the entire family trudges in, Bujji is the first one to shriek in excitement....

BUJJIYe!!!..super!!..paatha illu laaganeundi..yeee...!!!

The father is pleased with his son’s exclamation..

18.

NAYANAMMAAyyo devudaa...e dummu,dhooli tho nenu chachipoyetlunnanu

We hear the lorry take off outside. We see the entire family right in the middle of the courtyard, taking in the place. Bujji starts running around excitedly...the father looks at his wife for approval...she nods with a smile and then at his eldest daughter, who puts her hand on his shoulder and says..

LAKSHMIchala bagundi nanna....inka bagachesukovatchu

NAYANAMMAyente chala bagundi?..ee intikishani pattinattundi, tulasi chetteledu,aina akkada manaki yennimokkalu vundevi,asalu e inti vaastusarigga ledu...

KAVITAAmma...nanna...bathroom ekada...nenu vellali..urgent..

PURUSHOTTAMTeliyadu amma...meda meedachoosava?

Bujji is running all over the place...we follow him as the rest of the family takes in the place, getting their luggage in...

AMMAlaxman garu yevaro manushulnipampistanu ani annaru, yevaruraledenti?

PURUSHOTTAMManam vachinatlutelisundadu.podununchi eduru choosivellipoyuntaaru...kaasepatitaravaata nene aa centre lo choosostanule...

Meanwhile in all this hada-vidi...Kavita and Nayanamma find the bathroom at the same time..

KAVITANannu mundu vellani Nayanamma, nakukoncham urgent ga undi.

Nainamma, very sweetly says,

19.

NAYANAMMASarey amma...koncham naa byaagugummam deggara odhilesaanu...adithesukuraava...

Kavita frustratingly goes to get it....Nayanamma meanwhile makes herself comfortable in the bathroom...meanwhile Amma is looking at the kitchen, her husband right behind her...

AMMAChala rojulanundi avvaru unnatuleru...bagane pani undi...

Lakshmi enters,

LAKSHMIAvunu amma, ippude modalettedamu...

Lakshmi finds a cheepiri katta in the corner and immediately starts dusting the place...Purushottam meanwhile goes to look for the puja room...he finds the remnants of an idol...and does a silent ‘namaskaram’....suddenly we hear a shriek...

KAVITA (SHRIEKING)Amma...itu choodamaa, Nayanammalopala gadesukundi...aameki telusugaa naaku urgent ani..cha eppuduinte...

Meanwhile Bujji has found an old kite with a string from somewhere and is busy trying to get it to fly...Purushottam is going from room to room, opening them up with a bunch of keys he has...Amma is busy unpacking everyone’s things in the courtyard....she yells at Bujji..

AMMAKothi la gantuleyadamaapara...edava..itochi akkaki naaku sahayam cheyyi...

BUJJIOka nimisham amma..e kite nitesting chesthunna...

Kavita comes rushing towards her dad..

KAVITAMee ammani bayataki rammanicheppu...choodu lopala gadesukonikoorchundi...

The father sweetly comforts her saying..

20.

PURUSHOTTAMvooruko talli, peddame kada munduvellani ra

KAVITANaa bonda...5 gantala nundimottukuntunna..aina nanne tappupaattu...antele...

Lakshmi comes in, already dusty and sweaty with cheepirikatta in hand...

LAKSHMIOsey, akkada inko bathroom unde, kinda floorlo store room pakkana...

Kavita rushes out...Lakshmi joins her father at the small balcony...he is looking out silently at the town...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)yenti nanna alochistunnaru, vatchinaku ammaki kasta help cheyyandi, inka chala samanlu sardhali

She notices her father looks at little somber...he looks at her and says...

PURUSHOTTAMMana jeevitam malli modatikivachinde...kotha uuru, vintajanaalu.ee vayasu lo inka elantikashtaalu choodalsostundo...naaloinka aa dhairyam ledemo chitti...

Lakshmi takes her father by the shoulder and says...(lakshmi’s theme starts, total brisk action and camerawork)

LAKSHMIkashtalu entinanna?..asalu Kashtalelekapote jeevitam deeniki, ..choodu, polavaram uuru vadilihyderabadki deggara vachamu...manabusiness bagavaataniki...ante naanainka antha manche avutundi...asaludeeni gurunchi kangarupadaku...ippudu jarigedaanigurunchi aalochinchu..

Lakshmi begins walking out briskly, gesturing animatedly with her hands...

21.

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Annitikanna mundu sampadana..ante vanta gadi...adi set up cheyyali...aataravaata ikkadijanaalani chadavaali..vallu emitintaru...valla ruchulu entiani...aa taravaata oka chinna parcel counter petti... uranta manaadbutamaina ruchula guruchitelisela cheyyali...

The father follows outside...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Inka undi..vinu...aa highway painaleasuki teesukunna jaagachoodali..chosi akkada hotel nadapataniki emi pettali elapettalo..alochinchaali...aataravaata market lo manakikaavalsina saamagri undo ledochoodali...

She turns around to him...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Inka..inka hyderabad velli naaprapancha prakyata rajumundryavakai ammali...adi ganakanadichindante...inka mana sampadanaki tiruguledu...oka pakka hotel inko pakka avakai...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)inka mana business kosam yennipermissions tisukovali, yenta mandichetulu tadapalo devudiketeliyali...anduke naa bujji nanna...inka pani gurunchiaalochinchu...

She smiles, looking at her father...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Enti ala choostunnavu...eevishayaalanni nuvvenerpinchavu..marchipote gurtucheyya mani kooda cheppavu...sarreypada, ika pani modalupedadaam...

He smiles, tears in his eyes, feeling proud of his daughter...suddenly we hear a shriek...we look up to see an agitated Nayanamma and Kavita, they are both shrieking simultaneously...talking at the same time....

22.

NAYANAMMAArrey Purushottam ee orru lo neeluleva? Nenu snanam elacheyyali...koncham occhiaagipoyinaayi...

KAVITAnanaa nanna ...bathroomlo chaalaballulu unnayi ...okkasaari raananna..

PURUSHOTTAMArey bujji gaa...akka arustondiento choodaraa..

He looks at Lakhsmi...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)mee Nayaanama godava ento choosivastaanu...

Bujji rushes up to see..meanwhile father and Lakshmi join Amma in the courtyard...

CUT TO;

BUJJIyekkadunnayi..choopinchu, vatinivisiri paresta

Kavita points to a balli crawling up the wall...looking content in its surroundings...Bujji pounces on it...holds it by its tail and shoves it at his sisters face...

BUJJI (CONT’D)hey choodu yenta mudduga vundo, ninnu yemanna anda idi, yendukalaaruustav

KAVITAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....

Meanwhile downstairs...Nayanamma comes to join the rest of the trio..

NAYANAMMAayyoo..nuvvu ni kuturlani adupulopetuu..ila arustu vunte repuvillani pelli chesulovataanikievaru munduki raaru?

23.

PURUSHOTTAMAmma, nuvvu velli pooja gadisaddu..nenu migataa samanlusaddukuntaanu...

As Nayanamma leaves, we see Lakshmi, her mom and dad lifting the rest of the luggage from the courtyard...

AMMAOka rojanta pattetundi...

Lakshmi looks upstairs towards Kavita who is running after Bujji...

LAKSHMIKavita...jagratta...kinda padtaaru

Kavita is heatedly chasing Bujji who runs upto the terrace...

KAVITArey pilla deyyam aagara...nuvvuchachavu ivala naa chetullo...

Bujji is giggling, as we enter the terrace and watch Kavita and Bujji play cat and mouse...we leave the household behind...hearing voices...

LAKSHMIKavitaa..aaputaava inka..vantamodalu pettali kindiki raa...

CUT TO:

10A. EXT DEVARAKONDA TOWN CENTRE - DAY

The town centre is a buzz with daily morning activities. We can see several 7 seater auto rickshaws lined up, getting village folk on board, their assistants yelling out destinations...

AUTO ASSTSMallepally...Mallepally....

AUTO ASSTS (CONT’D)Sagar...sagar...sagar...

AUTO ASSTS (CONT’D)City...city...city...

The rest of the area is cackling with sounds and sights. We see several chicken shops, mutton shops, vegetable vendors, hair saloons, small hotels...the place is alive with people and daily business...

24.

VEGETABLE VENDORSVankai20rs...tomata...15rs..randaamma... randi...

VEGETABLE VENDORS (CONT’D)Cabbagi...cabbagi...10rs

Every store or shop has their own music playing...there is a cacophony of film music...but there is a beauty in this chaos..the beauty of people getting on with their work with single minded devotion...for survival...

CUT TO;

10B EXT AUTO STAND TOWN CENTRE - DAY

We see a teenage boy running fervently, he is tackling all the busy activity around him like hurdles in a race. He is tallish, lanky, very dark, CHINNA. He seems excited about something...and seems to be searching for someone in the auto stand, sweating and breathing hard, he finally finds whom he is looking for, his eyes light up...

CHINNAAkbar anna....Akbar anna...

Akbar who is just getting ready for the day, wiping his auto clean, looks up...Chinna comes upto him, breathing hard...

CHINNA (CONT’D)Anna...ekkadikellavu..podunnunchivetukuntunna...

AKBARAnti bey..emayyedi...ikkada Nee pani nenuchestunna...choodu..podunnunchiekkada chachavu raa...

CHINNAArey undu anna, mundu naa maatavinu...inka nuvvu dorakavemo ani bayapaddanu...thello anna..thellatouristollu...darga deggara aapipettina...sagar choostaru anta anna..manchi savari anna...dollarluanna...inkavaraina ...choose munde..pada anna...

Akbars eyes light up...a bunch of tourists is just perfect for a start in the day..

25.

AKBARRey...emi kaburu techavu raa..padaraa..nuvvu cheppinate avute neekodollaristaa...

CHINNAArey endanna..dollar rate padipoyindi teliyada neeku...

As Chinna gets on the back...Akbar revs up the engine and speeds away...

AKBARNee abba, neeku dollar rate gurunchi ela thelusu be...

CHINNApodunna neellundaka pothe ..paper rattukoni elta..pollaniki..he he he

AKBARChi...nee abba...anney vivaraaluavasaramaa be ...

10C INT AKBAR’S AUTO TOWN CENTRE - DAY

As Akbar leaves the auto stand...Sondu enquires...

SONDUArey savari lekunda..ekkadakiraa..??

AKBARThellollu raa...pandaga...sagar ki

SONDUNee yankamma...enjoy raa..aithenuvvu oka quarter baaki naaku(gesturing with his hands)...nee auto saripoka pothe naaku call cheyyi...thella ammayilatokrishnalo dubki kottukunta...

Akbar waves ‘cheerily’ and the auto speeds off, away from the town and towards the highway...

10D EXT HIGHWAY LINK ROAD - DAY

As we see the auto speeding towards the dargah..we can hear voices from within...

26.

AKBARArey entha mandi unnaarraa?

CHINNAChala mandi anna...pichollu...vallemantunnaro ardam kaaaledukaani...mana darga gatekeeper enlish medium ‘peter’ kadhaanna...vaadu cheptunnadu...vallakiIndia choodalani undanta...adi manastyle lo!!...

Akbar laughs,

AKBARaddirindiraa...

CHINNAAnte entanna?...

AKBARante rojantaa mutton biryaanipandagee raa!!..hmm..

Chinna yelps with delight...

CHINNAyeee..anna, vallu inka akkade vuntebagunnu, nuvvu e roju time kivatchi vunte e tension vundedi kadu

AKBARNee yenkamma...kangaaru petakube...asale tirigi vellataanikidiesel kooda ledu...

CHINNAAnna...oka maata cheptha...feel avvaku...nuvvu, chala cheap gaadivi...

AKBARRei...nenu nee boss ni ra.. jaagratha...

We see the auto reach the dargah and screech to a halt.

11. EXT DARGAH HIGHWAY LINK - DAY

The dargah is amidst a beautiful setting of banyan trees, small hills and blue skies. We see a group of tourists, baking in the sun...Chinna gets off and rushes towards them..

27.

CHINNA (RUNNING TOWARDS THEM)Welcome sir...your taxi come sir...get inside sir.

Akbar follows Chinna who is already getting the group together..

AKBARArrey Chinna, aagu..ekkuva maatladivaallani bhayapettakube..nenuvastunnanukada...

Just then he is stopped in his stride by a big, tall, bearded man, Babbar.

BABBARRe Akbar...ekkadaki veltunnavuraa...chaala rojulu ayyindi masjid ki vachi...

Akbar is a little nervous of the big guy..we understand from his expression that he has encountered him several times before...

AKBARAssalaam aalay Kum Babbar bhai...

BABBARWalaykum As Salam Akbar...anta banenaa..?

AKBARantha bagane undi Babbar Bhai..edonadustundi...

Babbar is as tall as Akbar, but more muscular and very fierce looking. Through his attire we understand he is a very devout muslim...

BABBAREnti Akbar, anta kashtapadatam kooda manchidi kaadu...kudha kosamkooda koncham time ketaayinchu..enti?

AKBARayyo ala emi kaadu...koncham exams deggaraki vachinayi..inka auto tensions meeku teleendemundi...

BABBARaithe..thellolakosam masjidkivachchavaraa..

28.

AKBAR (TRYING TO BE FUNNY) Arey pani anna...kadupukosamanna...thellolu aithe entinallaolaithe enti...dabbukaitherangu undadu kada anna...

BABBARArey Akbar khudha nee kadupunimputaadu. kangaaru padaku. anta dabbu venaka padatam Manchidikaadu...vachche shukravaaram ...masjid lo chinna function(vindu) undi....vastaavu kada!!

Akbar doesn't want to disappoint him and he also wants to get past him as soon as possible, his one eye is on his savari..

AKBARtappakunda anna alage anna...

BABBARNee sangati teleyadaa...cheyyicherakam...asalu mana muslimla izzatlekunda poyindi...anduke... Qayyumsaab vastunnaru mumbainundi...nuvvu tappakundaraa...sarenaa

AKBARPukka anna...pukka vastaanu.

Akbar seems to feeling restless...he has had several such lecture filled encounters with Babbar before...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Bayaladertaanu anna...giraak eduruchoostundi...

Babbar moves aside silently..Akbar begins to leave..

AKBAR (CONT’D)Khuda hafiz anna...

BABBARKhuda hafizAkbar..kanipistaaunduu..mee nannaantunde vaadu ninnu oka manchimusalmaan ni chesataanu ani...

We see Akbar rushing to meet the tourists, muttering something to himself in irritation...

29.

12. EXT DARGAH TOURISTS - DAY

Akbar makes his way into the crowd which has formed around Chinna who is already talking away, trying to impress the crowd...

CHINNA (BROKEN ENGLISH)You see Krishna river...very beautiful...then water falls...you can battalu ippi swimming...I close eyes, no watching..

Akbar interrupts him..

AKBARGood morning gentlemen and ladies, I am your savari...

We see the crowd is largely a group of young backpackers, a group of seven. Boys and girls, all youngish..one of them reaches out her hand to Akbar..

MARY JANEHi Akbar, I am MARY JANE and I’m from Dallas...and these are my friends from Texas Tech.

Akbar is concentrating hard to understand her...

AKBARHello madam...I Akbar devarakonda..ee chinna also devarakonda...

Chinna nods excitedly...not understanding what’s going on..

MARY JANEWell Akbar, we have seen Hyderabad and are not really impressed..what we want to do is to explore the countryside outside Hyderabad...so that’s why we are here...

AKBARCorrect madam...nothing hyderabad...zero...everything here only madam...highwaylu...uuru..manchiairu and sky..most beautiful madam..I show u madam..

CHINNA??koota anna...koota

30.

AKBARNooru muyyi be...

The rest of the crowd seem to be very impressed with Akbar...

MARY JANEAlright Akbar...looks like you’re our man...so will you take us out today...we don’t have too much money to spend..your not gonnacheat us are you?

AKBARNo problem madam..no cheating..but no meter madam..7 seater madam, special auto..so no meter...i show you everything..you spend everything...paisa vasoolmadam..guarantee

Akbar is ushering in everyone excitedly..

AKBAR (CONT’D)Inside inside inside....right Right right...

We watch Babbar watching the auto speed away in front of him...his face not easy to read...

CUT TO;

13A. SONG 1, NATURE’S WAY

The tourist gang is enjoying the ride in the auto. Everyone seems comfortable in the spaces they have created for themselves...the sun is warm, the skies are blue, there is a light breeze in the air, the birds are chirping...the setting is perfect...We see the auto speed across the highway as Akbar talks animatedly..

CUT TO;

13B EXT LAKSHMI’S HOUSE - DAY

We see Purushottam and Lakshmi come out of their house, they walk through the alleyways and lanes of Devarakonda.

31.

Taking in the surrounding...Lakhsmi’s eyes taking in all things beautiful....little children playing marbles, the marbles glistening in the sunlight, women in brightly coloured sarees sieving rice, the rice shimmering in the sunlight, the wind in her hair, the warm sun glistening on her cheek...to her everything seems suddenly quite magical....even the pig with her piglets scurrying about seem cute, the cow giving milk to her hungry calf....old men at the centre smoking chuttas, the water being pumped by a borewell, everyone seems to be glistening in the sunshine...Purushottam is indistinct in his expression..

PURUSHOTTAMLets find out where the vegetable market is....

Lakshmi gives him a distracted nod....

CUT TO:

13C EXT NAGARJUNA SAGAR - DAY

Akbar is gesticulating and describing the place the best he can in his broken english...the thella chaps are being treated to some local fare like, dried fish, pink candy, ice gola, ganna juice etc.

AKBARBest dam of India sir, biggest dam and best dam of India sir...

The wind is blowing hard and the water is spraying, everyone is having a good time. Chinna seems to be smitten by one of the girls.

13C EXT ETHIPOTHALA WATERFALLS - DAY

Everyone is having a great time taking a dip in the lake. Akbar covers Chinna’s eyes from seeing too much of skin. Everyone stops to eat lunch and some beer. We see Chinna and Akbar gorge on biryani heartily and shyly.

AKBARBest waterfall of India sir, biggest waterfall and best waterfall of India madam....

CUT TO:

32.

13D EXT DEVARAKONDA VEGETABLE MARKET AREA - DAY

We see Purushottam and Lakshmi checking vegetables in the market. Bright red tomatoes, Green cucumbers, Purple brinjals, Red carrots, all bright and colorful....we see her pick up a tomato and bring it to her nose, sniffing it, we see her check the kothmir, she brings it to her nose, a smile cuts across her face...we see her begin to negotiate with the vegetable vendor...a large lady, with a big red bottu and kind eyes....

LAKSHMIYentaki amma?

13E EXT DEVARAKONDA FRUIT MARKET AREA - DAY

Lakshmi’s eyes are gleaming wide, we see that she is approaching a mango market yard. Mangoes everywhere....her eyes warm to its familiarity, a grin cracking her face...her father notices this...we see Lakshmi bend over to feel the mangoes in her hands, bringing a plump green one to her nose, she savors the smell...an ecstasy on her face that’s indescribable...

We see her lips envelope a mango, her teeth biting into it, her throat groaning in its myriad flavours, her head bent in admiration, her eyes closed in appreciation...

LAKSHMIIts perfect...

CUT TO:

13F EXT HIGHWAY TOWARDS DEVARAKONDA - EVENING

The group is taking in the scenery, as the auto chugs along to Devarakonda, visible on a milestone...Akbar and Chinna also seem to be taken in by the atmosphere...

The sun is burning down the horizon, the sky is a haze of colours, grasshoppers are bouncing in fields nearby,shepherd and cowherds make their way back home...

13G EXT DEVARAKONDA LANES (MUSLIM AREA) - EVENING

Purushottam and Lakhsmi have their hands full with packets of fruit and vegetables. They are on their way home. Purushottam notices that they are in a muslim dominated area. His eyes go over that place...his face a mixture of annoyance and fear...Lakshmi is intrigued...there are green flags and bright colours.

33.

Women in burkha and stalls lit brightly, selling ittar and bangles...Lakshmi’s eyes go to those stalls...As she wanders towards them, Purushottam pulls her away...Lakshmi is taken by surprise...

PURUSHOTTAMManam, valla jollu to ellakarledu...

LAKSHMIKaani...

We see Purushottam leading Lakshmi away...

CUT TO:

We cut to a POV of Babar, who has noticed all of this...His eyes go to Purushottam and then Lakshmi...and the rest of her body, we cut back to see his face...his teeth grinding away...his face unreadable....

13H EXT DEVARAKONDA LANES - EVENING

Lakshmi is a little annoyed that her dad pulled her away...She pulls her arm away from him...

LAKSHMISarrey nanna...inka meeru intikielipondi...meeru ee korikayalutheesukoni intiki elipondi...amma, vanta thayar cheyyali...nenu kavitainka amma kosam konni konnali...

PURUSHOTTAMArrey kaani late avutundi...repuelipovacchu kadha...

LAKSHMINenu padhi nimishaalu lo osthaanunana...meeru elandi

Purushottam reluctantly takes the bags from Lakshmi and leaves....Lakshmi is happy to have her own space for a while, we see her walk on....we notice her getting into an auto...

We cut to a POV of Babar noticing her....

INSERT

In the distance we see Akbar and gang making their way in the auto....

34.

13I EXT MALLEPALLY CENTRE - EVENING

We see Lakshmi at the town centre, she has finished buying some nightclothes and some other provisions...she is waiting by the centre for an auto....none seem to be in sight until Akbar and the tourist gang come in driving past her....

in the rear view Akbar notices her seeming stranded as he crosses her, having ignored her request for a lift a moment earlier...he looks at Mary Jane...

AKBARWe should pick her up, she wont get any autos at this time....do you mind?

Mary nods a ‘sure’....we see Lakshmi watch, a little surprised, as Akbar’s auto makes a U-Turn and screeches to a halt beside her...we see her enter....

LAKSHMIDevarakonda?

AKBARNalgu rupaylu amma...

LAKSHMISarrey....

As the auto picks up...Lakshmi settles in her seat, she is observing the tourist gang and the scenery outside as the sun begins to set.....we stay with that for a bit....

Suddenly,

13J EXT DEVARAKONDA HIGHWAYS - EVENING

The auto swerves violently to the left, to let a passing lorry speeding away dangerously on the highway...Akbar notices its a punjab number plate...Everyone in the auto is stunned momentarily...

AKBARCrazy fool, he could kill someone...

As the the auto continues to chug along, we notice the remnants of the speeding lorry ahead. It has taken its toll on a bullock cart filled with crates of avakai...the cart has been overturned and the cow pulling it has run away onto a nearby field, leaving a helpless bullock driver, trying to get his cow back and recover mangoes rolling on the highway....

35.

In a moment Akbar is out of the auto, trying to reign in the fleeing bull, leaving the cart owner to fend for his goods...Lakshmi is observing Akbar...

Out on the fields, the sun is setting, Akbar’s hair is backlit as he tries to reign in the fleeing bull, he tries pulling at its harness, Akbar cajoles it, trying to win its confidence, a true ‘horse whisperer’ sort of a moment, him and the cow, both sizing each other up....a bit like a game of kabbadi match in 48 frames....

Lakshmi watches transfixed....her eyes fixed on Akbar...Mary Jane’s eyes are also on Akbar....

and then suddenly Akbar pounces on it, catching it unawares, he brings the cow to the relieved owner.....

The auto continues on its trip homeward....Lakshmi looks across her at Akbar, as the rest of the tourist party admire Lakshmi’s saree and ear-rings....the sun is setting behind...

13K EXT DEVARAKONDA HIGHWAYS - DUSK

As the auto continues on its sojourn....

MARY JANEHey can we stop somewhere for some tea...

We see the auto stop by a chai kotti on the highway...Everyone is out on the road, smoking or taking a sip of chai...Lakshmi gets out but stays by the auto, her eyes go to Akbar....who is at a distance with Mary Jane...

MARY JANE (CONT’D)We could use someone like you in my factory in Delhi, if you ever want to check it out....give me a call, we have an assistant managers position open in our electrical dept.

Akbar’s eyes light up as Mary Jane takes out her card, handing it to him....

MARY JANE (CONT’D)You have a degree dont you?

AKBARYes madam,very soon madam...thank you madam...

Lakshmi watches Akbar shaking Mary Jane’s hand....

36.

The auto continues into the town....

DISSOLVE TO:

13L EXT DEVRAKONDA BUS STOP - DUSK

We see Mary Jane and co; say their bye’s to Akbar and Chinna and leave by bus....Akbar and Chinna say their bye’s like giddy kids, Lakshmi interrupts them, giving him his 4rs and walks away.....

From the top we see Akbar with his auto at the centre, with Mary Jane leaving by a bus and Lakshmi making her way into the town....

She turns to look at Akbar, smiling at herself as she see’s him lift Chinna over his shoulders and make his way into his auto...

SONG 1 FADES.

FADE OUT.

17A LAKSHMI’S HOUSE - NIGHT

We see Lakshmi’s house from the rooftop. The entire family is assembled and sitting in the courtyard.

The house looks more tidier. The family is sitting together and eating dinner. However Purushottam is fiddling with the TV. We see he has managed to hook up some wires through the antennae...but the signals are not coming in properly..

PURUSHOTTAM (HITTING THE TV)Mee Nayanamma laaga...ee t.v. Kikoodaa...ee ooru nachaleduanukuntaaa...

LAKSHMINana...boojanaaniki raa...ippudu aatv avasarama?

PURUSHOTTAMNeeku telusu kadha amma, naaku aanews vinande mudda notlokidigadani...

Suddenly the reception comes through and TV 9 is playing. Pleased, Purushottam comes back to the dinner area...

37.

BUJJINana nanna..., cartoon network pettavaa nana... please.

PURUSHOTTAMReyy..undaraa..news tharavathapedataale...

The setting is very cosy. The family looks wonderful together. Kavita is balancing a film magazine and eating at the same time. Amma is watching the TV intently, while Nainamma is trying to look up the same magazine of an irritated Kavita. Lakshmi is watching all of this, and is smiling contentedly. The full moon is showing through the courtyard.

LAKSHMIamma..vantagadilo voka shelf vundichoosava? Adi naa pachchadisaamanlaki

AMMASarey sarey

LAKSHMINenu repey market ki velli, pachchadi ki kavalsinavannikontaanu

Kavita looks up from the mag, Nainamma steals it..

KAVITAAkka, nannu telsukellu, intlokurchoni, kurchoni pichekkutondi...

Lakshmi nods in approval...The father is watching the news attentively...Purushottam still looking at the TV says..

PURUSHOTTAMrepu nuvvu velletappudu nenu kudavastanamma, nenu repu bank account open cheyyali, iddaram kalisidocuments tisukuni veldam

Amma looks up,

AMMAEmandi, koncham dabbu avasarampadthundi, intlo inka konnisaamanlu kavali..

NAINAMMAInka entha kavali, Polavaram nunchimotham theesukoni raaleda?

38.

Amma keeps silent to her comment...Nainamma bickers something under her breath..

NAINAMMA (CONT’D)yemma mahalaxmi inka na kodukunivadlava,andaru kalisi vadijeevitanni pindestunnaru.

Lakshmi looks up sternly at her Nainamma..

LAKSHMInayanamma ooruko...evariki mood ledu mee maatalu vinadaniki...

Kavita claps joyfully, pulling the magazine away from the Nainamma and making a face at her...Purushottam looks back from the TV to his wife, who is looking at him...he gives her an old friendly wink...Amma is quietly annoyed..

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)inka Kavitha nuvvu intlo koorchonivanta gadi saddu..

KAVITAadenti..nuvve kada indakaveldamannavu...amma choodamma, nana.. evaraina cheppandi nannuteesukella mani...

AMMAYente adi chinnapillalaaga...

LAKSHMIAmma manaki nillu sarigga ravanta, bayati nunchi techukovali, andukeandaru kasta jagartaga nilluvadandi...

KAVITAAyyo nenu thala snanam cheddamu ani anukunna..chi! Chatta orruiddi...atleast mana orru lo Godariundedi...

Everyone’s attention is distracted by a news report..There is a news report about a bomb blast in Mumbai...

TV REPORTThe bomb blast yesterday has now officially taken a toll of 42 lives..the Let has accepted responsibility for the bombings...

We see images of a bombed area in Mumbai..

39.

TV REPORT (CONT’D)We spoke to the national security advisor about the growing hatred of muslim youth, not just in India but across the world...

The national security adviser appears on screen..

TV REPORT (CONT’D)Muslim youth are being lead in small units from across the state...their education begins in small madrasas in small towns...

As the voice fades away, we see an agitated Purushottam eating and animatedly talking to his family...

PURUSHOTTAMEe muslims..cha eppuduinte...deniki panikiraaru...manadeshanni brashtupattinchentavarakunidrapooranukunta...vaallaki emikaavalo kooda ardam kaadu...

The rest of the family look up from their dinner to look at him...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)choodandi mee andariki ippatikechaala saarlu cheppanu..., muslimulaki dooram ga vuntemanchidi, manam jagrattaga lekapotevallemi cheyyadaniki venakadaru, gurtu pettukondi manaki polavaramlo yem jarigindo..anta vallamoolane

Amma interrupts..

AMMAAvanni ippudu enduku andi...

PURUSHOTTAMmi andarni vallaki kasta dooram gavundamani gurtu chestunna ante

Kavita looks up from her magazine and says non-chalantly..

KAVITABut nana, Shah Rukh Khan laantodudorikithey...pelli chesukovacchukadha...

40.

Purushottam turns back, irritated...Lakshmi intervenes...

LAKSHMI (WHISPERING ANGRILY)Enti, Nanaki inko heart attack isthaava? noorumuyyi inka...

KAVITANuvve normuyyi, ShahRuk Khan gadu, Gauri ani Hindu ammai tho pellichesuko leda?

NAYANAMMAEee gadu geedu eppudunerchukunnara?

LAKSHMIKavitaa!!...avvani high society lo kudurthai...

Purushottam turns back to the TV, Kavita just shrugs her shoulders...Lakshmi is glaring at Kavita, when she suddenly realises Bujji is missing..

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Arrey Bujji ekkadiki vellipoyadu..

At first no one is startled...suddenly it occurs to everyone he is not in the courtyard...everyone leaves their dinner behind and starts looking around the house, things slowly begin to get frantic...

PURUSHOTTAMBujji...reyy...bujji...ekkadaunnavu ra...

KAVITAA banda gaadu inthey...rendunimishaalu emo kallu thippitheymayam ayipothadu...reyy bujji....

Everyone is calling out his name, except for the grandma who continues eating her dinner...

LAKSHMIBujji...ekkada unnavanana...bujji...

Suddenly Amma, notices that the front door is open...

AMMAAyyo a vedava baitikivellipoyadu...

41.

Lakskhmi and father rush to the door...they look out into the street...

17B LAKSHMI’S HOUSE STREET - NIGHT

We can hear music and can see a procession of revellers bringing a deity down the street...lots of people are dancing and the music is a typical theen maar type...

Lakshmi and father notice a small figure at the head of the pandal, dancing...its Bujji...having a great time..the pandalis headed towards the house..

LAKSHMIAyyo ...aa yadavanichoodu...taginoodila ela gentuluvestunnado akkada

PURUSHOTTAM (LAUGHING)ha..ha..ila joker lanti kodukuninenu kannana, nammabudhi kavatledu

Lakshmi leaves the house walking towards the procession...

LAKSHMINuvvu aagu nanna..nenu testaanuvaadini...

As Laksmi approaches the procession we see, someone has lifted little Bujji and is dancing with him. Pushing him up in the air...Lakshmi is startled by this and rushes towards the procession...we also see Chinna leading a dance with a bunch of brat packs on his own...

The procession is a melee of people and Bujji along with his dancing partner have gone deeper into the crowd. Lakshmi is a little frantic...suddenly she see’s Bujji being thrown up in the air...

BUJJIYee..superr...inko saari anna...

Bujji is loving it...We see now that his dancing partner is a drunk Sondu...Lakshmi approaches the constantly moving procession and yells at Sondu...

LAKSHMIhey ..hello.., vadu na tammudu, ala gallo visurutarenti, vadini ilaivvandi

42.

Sondu is either too drunk or cant hear her...he continues holding Bujji and dance..Lakshmi tries to grab Bujji away from him...Sondu gets aggressive and starts frightening Lakshmi by dancing more violently with the kid around his shoulders...Lakshmi is getting upset and desperate to get Bujji out...She tries reaching out for him again...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Hey taagubootu, vadulu vaadini, neeku pillalato ela jagrattagaundalo teleeda..

Just then the procession stops...we notice that the idol is propped onto an auto...Akbar is driving it...having noticed what’s going on..he gets out and pries Bujji out from a drunk Sondu, the music and dancing and fanfare continues unabated...

Akbar hands over Bujji to Lakshmi...apologetic in his eyes. She takes him from his hands gratefully and leaves...Akbar gets back into the auto...watching her leave with Bujji in her arms, he smiles...

As we see Lakshmi leave the procession we can hear her admonish Bujji..

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Yadava, andarini kangarupettavu...ala kothi la dance chesihero anukuntunnava...

BUJJIRepu, sankranti kadha akka...kite egireyyali...

LAKSHMIKites eggreyali...aithe akkadaninnu evaru egaramannaraa idiot...

BUJJIkani chala saradaga vundi akka

LAKSHMIchup...

We watch the procession, Lakshmi’s house and Devarakonda, melt in the moonlight...the sounds dimming slowly...

FADE OUT;

43.

18A. DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - DAY

We can see the maidan is filled with people and all sorts of kite flying activity. Setting is beautiful. The blue sky is littered with kites, there are children on the maidan trying to get their kites airborne...the maidan overlooks the fort. Its sankranti, we also see some makeshift kite shops and customers.

We see little Bujji in a corner of the massive maidan, trying to get his kite off the ground. Its the same yellow kite he found when he entered his house. We see that the kite hasn’t been tied properly, and everytime Bujji tries to get it off the ground, it just comes crashing down. He is getting increasingly frustrated with his efforts.

Bujji’s efforts are being watched by an urchin boy, a couple of years older and clearly more street smart than Bujji, he smiles to himself...the Urchin boy comes upto Bujji..

URCHINarey, neeku yegareyatam raaka potheitu ee...

Bujji looks up startled..

BUJJIaithe nerpistaava...deenni chivaravaruku pattukoova...gaali raagane egarestaanu...

The urchin boy takes offense that he is being asked for assistance...He grabs the kite aggressively from Bujji and walks away...

BUJJI (CONT’D)Arey arey...anna..yakkadikivellipotunnav anna, na kite itchei

Bujji runs up to him, the urchin boy begins playing cat and mouse, shoving the kite around wildly as Bujji tries to get his hands on it...

BUJJI (CONT’D)Eyyyyy...Jagratta, arey arey ala uupaku...chirigipootundi...aa kite naadi...iticheiii...

URCHIN (GETTING AGITATED)sarey raa ‘mirchi dabba’ teesukoraa...teesuko..

44.

Bujji begins screaming and bawling...the Urchin gets frightened by this and runs away, leaving the kite behind. A sobbing Bujji takes his kite back..

He examines the kite closely, see’s that its torn across the edge...tears begin welling down his eyes as he sobs silently.

18B DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - DAY

A hand falls on Bujji’s shoulder..He looks up with tear swept eyes to see a smiling Akbar, the sun lit behind him like an angels halo...

AKBARyera, emaindi ..endukuedusthunnavu...

Bujji shows him the torn kite, his teary eyes wincing at the sun shining above...Akbar takes it from him and has a look at it..

BUJJIIdi inka egaraduuu..

Akbar consoles him..

AKBARcha..cha...yedavaku..ila ra ,asaludinikemaindo chooddam

Akbar takes Bujji to a nearby rock, he examines the kite, showing it to Bujji he says...

AKBAR (CONT’D)ekkuvaemi chiragaleduraa...apudappudu aina chinigitekooda manchidey , daniki inkaegaraali anipistundi...

BUJJI (EYES OPEN)nijangaa...?

AKBARAvunu ...kaani... munduchiniginadaani sariggaantinchaali...

BUJJIavunuu... kani ela ?

45.

Akbar looks around..he finds a food stall nearby...requests and picks up a handful of cooked rice...Bujji watches Akbar fascinatingly as he crushes the rice in his hands, making a soft paste out of it...

BUJJI (CONT’D)Emi chestunnavu anna..?

AKBARChoodaraa

Akbar uses the paste as gum and mends the torn area of the kite. The paste acts as gum, drying quickly and mending the tear...Bujji is happy...

BUJJIYeee!!...baga ayipoyindi!

AKBARAppude kaadu raa...choodu sariggakattaledu...ila kadite kite egaradu..(its tied like a shoelace)

BUJJIOhooo...

AKBARChoodu nuvvu shoe lace sariggakattukoledanukoo padutaavukada...deenni kooda ante raasarigga kattali...

BUJJI (IMPATIENNT)Sarey aithe kattu, kattu..bagakattu....

We see Akbar tying the Kite. Bujji is fascinated by how his hands move in an assured manner, the twine flowing through his fingers like an experienced tailor. Bujji watches on, his mouth open...

AKBARmundu ila loplnunchi bayatakiteeyali...taravaata ilakolavaali...

Akbar lifts the kite up...there is a silent connection between him and the kite we feel...he bends the stem of the kite..the sun dipping in and out, pollen dust hanging in the air...

AKBAR (CONT’D)ippudu etu gattigaa undo choodaali...

46.

BUJJIAnna..ee kite manchidaa kaada?

AKBARchaala manchi kite raa, andukemanatho undi...

Bujji looks at his kite proudly...wanting to get his hands on it..

BUJJIKonalantey..Edi Manchi kite oo elatelustundi anna..

AKBARtelusukovaantey chala unnayi...kaani appudappudu konni kites vetukuntuuvachestayi raa...

BUJJI (WIDEYED)Ee kite naanu vetukkuntuvachindianna, idi maa store room lo kanipinchindi...

AKBARAithe idi neede..

During this time Akbar is giving final touches to the threading, its done...he swings it in the air to test it...

AKBAR (IMPRESSED) (CONT’D)Hmm bagundi raa...

BUJJIPada anna yegareddamu...okkasaaripaiki ellindi ante nenuchoosukuntaanu...

Akbar smiles at him...

AKBARAagu raa...naa charakaa...manjateesukostaanu...

We watch Akbar, take his own charaak and maanja and attach it to this kite...

BUJJIidi nee charakaa naa?

AKBARhmm..(noodding)

47.

BUJJINaadanikikadutunnavante....naakichestunnava?

Akbar smiles..

AKBARErr....sarey

Bujji is ecstatic...

BUJJIYeeeeee....

BUJJI (CONT’D)Pada pada..yegareddamu..yegaredamuanna

AKBARAagaraa..inkoka chinna panimigilindi

BUJJIInka Enti anna...!!!

AKBARee kite evarido andariki teliyalaleda..

BUJJIHaa..telavaali!!!?..elaaa...?

Akbar takes a pen out his pocket and begins to sketch a huge ‘smily’ across the kite, then with a piece of newspaper he attaches a tail, giving it some character..Bujji loves it...

AKBAROk ippudu egaradaaniki ready gaaundi..airport ki veldaamu pada...

BUJJIYeaaaaaaaaa!!!!

CUT TO;

18C DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - DAY

Chinna is holding the kite in his hand, Akbar is a few metres behind, string and charaak in hand.

48.

Bujji’s eyes are gleaming with anticipation...Akbar, we can see is a pro, he is monitoring the tautness of the string, the charaak in his hand and the breeze in his hair, he is looking for that perfect moment...there is an air of anticipation...silence as most sounds are muted...we can hear just the wind and some screeches of children in the background...its like one of the shell shock effects in war movies, where everything is suddenly surreal...we can hear Bujji’s heart pounding...and we see’s Akbar’s eyes, crinkling in concentration ala western cowboy style...

Suddenly there is a gush of wind, its a perfect moment...Akbar yells out to Bujji...

AKBARvadileyiii...!!!

Bujii lets it go beautifully...in a moment the kite is up in the air, his eyes go up in wonder at the sight...silence...and then..

BUJJIYeee..yegurutundiyegurutundi...yegirindi...

We see the kite soaring in the skies. Among many other bigger brighter kites, Bujji’s little yellow one still stands out...

Akbar flies it for bit, getting the course correct...yelling at Bujji to handle the charaak...

AKBARDeel vadulu...deel vadulu...

Bujji happily assists...

18D DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - DAY

Akbar hands over the twine to bujji, bujji happily begins flying the kite by himself, giggling and marvelling.. Suddenly a big fierce looking red kite appears from nowhere, challenging the yellow one...almost like a hawk hovering around a dove...

BUJJIAnna..anna ...mana kite tegipoddianna tegipoddi...edookati cheyyi...

But Akbar is up for the challenge..

49.

AKBARArey basti mein sawaalraa...vaadini vadilediledu...emantaavu raa (bujji)...

Bujji is angry about the confrontation but excited about the challenge...

BUJJISarey anna...chincheyi annachincheyi...

We see that the challengers are the young urchin and some of his older friends from a hillock nearby...we can hear them taunt and tease the yellow kite...

URCHINvacharanaa kodukulu..mana manjhatadaka choopiddamu...

The challenge is on...its a fight to the finish...what begins simply is now a duel of gladiatorial proportions. Small yellow against big bully red. The odds are stacked against the little one...but its heart is brave and it will go down fighting...so between screams and shouts and taunts and curses, the battles rages in the skies...a battle so great, that the rest of the kites and the crowd in the maidan give up their sorties to gang up against each other...

Every roof top in Devarakonda is now watching this with animated wonder...people stop in streets to watch who will win...women drying clothes on roof tops call out to their family to watch the duel...

Devarakonda skies are now blue, yellow and red...an intense to death battle is on...Akbar and Bujji are fighting hard, the Urchins have the upper hand..a couple of near escapes, couple of almost wins, it can go anyway...

From Lakshmi’s courtyard the duel is visible...she looks up from her grocery and other kitchen work to the sky...its a duel which has the town split...who will win...

The up and down battle continues, the confidence of the Urchins is high, they almost have it, the twines are interlinked, you don’t know who is going to come out unscathed...Akbar is doing his best, but so are the urchins, he is pulling frantically at the twine, the charaak going berserk in Bujji’s hands...Bujji is wide eyed, following his masters instructions...egging him on...

The kites are locked...it could go either way...it all depends on timing and who dares...who dares to ‘deel chodd’.Akbar does the dare...

50.

AKBARDeeeeel vadulu...

The charaak is spinning out control, it jumps out of Bujji’s hands...its spinning on the ground...Akbar is jumping, running, covering ground on the maidan...the urchins are jumping from one hillock to another...

Finally...a kite cuts out...its the reds....the Yellows are victorious....Akbar now drenched in sweat, looks at an ecstatic Bujji...they yelp with joy...

AKBAR AND BUJJIYeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....tempesam manamegelichaamu...

They run after the red kite at the same time reeling in their yellow one...the Urchins are cursing..

19 DEVARAKONDA STREETS - DAY

We see Akbar and Bujji chase after the kite, across the town, leaping over people and walls...they are on rooftops, they are on top of vehicles, they are on top of anything, which helps them not loose sight of the red falling kite....

The chase continues into the residential area, roof after roofs, lane after lanes...when finally we see it dip into a home...

Akbar and Bujji who are on a roof, unthinkingly jump into the household and right into a stack of mirchi and haldi,

‘THUMP’ ‘CRASH’ ‘BANG’

to come out looking red and yellow...and very funny. Its Lakshmi’s courtyard...Bujji’s house...Lakshmi is looking up, stunned, so are the Amma’s and Kavita...the kite comes and falls plonk on Bujji’s head. Lakshmi looks at the sight of the duo, stunned silence and then the ladies in the house start cracking up with laughter...

Akbar smiles, a little embarrassed and mutters an excuse and leaves...

AKBARSorry andi....edo,..chooskokunda...

BUJJI (EXCITED)akka akka memu gelisaamuakka...memu gelisaamu...Anne naakosam yegiresaadu..

51.

(MORE)

choodu... ee erra kite... memetempaamu.

We see Akbar leaving through the door, smiling, shaking his head at his own behaviour....we leave Lakshmi looking at the haldi, mirchi stains of his hands and feet on her door and floor...she looks on...smiling...

Meanwhile Bujji has run out of the house, kite in hand he yells at Akbar who is already down the road...

BUJJI (CONT’D)Anna...ippudu idi evarini etukkuntuvachindi..

We see Akbar just turn back and smile at Bujji...

DISSOLVE TO:

20 EXT. TOWN CENTRE DEVARAKONDA - NEXT MORNING

The town centre is a buzz with usual activity. We see Akbar is loading in passengers into his auto, Chinna is yelling out for people to get in.

We see Lakshmi approaching in the distance. She seems to be looking for something. She see’s Akbar and approaches him, feeling a little hesitant, she steps back while other passengers get into his auto. She is waiting for him to notice her. Akbar finally catches her eye.

AKBAROh areymeera...ekkadakainaa..vellala?..

Lakshmi a little uncertainly,

LAKSHMIavunandi... mi auto mallepalli veltunda? post office akkadeykadandi...

AKBAR (DISTRACTED)Arey chinna ..aa goni sanchi painapettaraa...

Akbar notices that Lakshmi is carrying two huge gunny bags which seem to be heavy for her...Akbar takes it from her, even before she can continue talking...

52.

BUJJI (EXCITED) (CONT'D)

AKBAR (CONT’D)enti parvatam mostunnara enti,ituivvandi(he grabs it from her hands and throws it with ease into the auto)...

LAKSHMIErr...thanks...

AKBAR (UN-ATTENTIVE)Ekkandi emi alochistunnaru....

LAKSHMIAithe ee auto mallepalli veltunada...akkada post office..

AKBAR (IMPATIENT)avunandi....adi akkadeuntundi...maname vellali

Saying that, he turns around and gets into the auto. Lakshmi finds a place in the back and sits down gingerly. The auto takes off from the centre..

“VROMMMMM”

CHINNARight....right...

SWISH PAN TO;

We see Babbar, sitting on his beautiful enfield...looking at Lakshmi and the auto ride away from him...His face is not readable, he spits out some gutkha...

21 INT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY - DAY

We see that the auto is filled with all sorts of people, old and young and piled on with goods of every nature, from goats to tomatoes. Lakshmi is a little unsettled with a goat sitting next to her, it seems to have developed a fondness for her chunni, her green chunni is being chomped on by the young goat...Lakshmi tries hard to get it out...meanwhile the rest of the public in the auto is either chatting among themselves or Akbar...

OLD GOAT HERDAreey narasimha, entra nee kooturkipatnam abbai to pelli kudirindianta...katnam Entha itchukuntunnavuenti?

53.

OLD GOAT HERD 2Entha ivvagalugutaanu raa... Naakunna araekaramappacheptaanu...devudu daya vallaoppukunte ..kashtaalu gattu ekkutaayi raa..

AKBARVallu oppukokapothe.....

OLD GOAT HERD 2Entinuvvu anedi?

AKBARAde...neeku annam pette aa okkaaadaranni daarapoosina taravaatakooda mee kooturni vaddante emichesataaru...?

OLD GOAT HERDMunde shani ante...mundala kallakibandam vestaavuraa...

AKBAREntayya..idanta avasaramaa..katnam..vatnamm..haayigaa mee ammayinipreminchi pelli chesukomanicheppu...neeku shani poddi, sthalammiguliddi..

Everyone in the auto start laughing...Lakshmi is amused but impressed...

OLD GOAT HERD 2Chass.Nooru muyyi ..neekemi telusukuturlaki pelicheyatam ante ento...

AKBARadi teleedemo kaani ...Sthalaluamme badento naaku baaga telusulendi....maa tatalaki appatlodevarakonda lo sagaaniki paigasthalalu undevi ..ivvala valluleru..aa sthalaalu levu...nenemoauto toltunnanu..

OLD GOAT HERD 2Edo okatle aina neekendukuraa..mundu naa kooturi pelliaipotundi, adi chaalu...

54.

Akbar shakes his head, knowing this conversation wont lead to anywhere...people are chattering among themselves, about the dowry demand in Devarakonda...the auto hits a ditch, rocking everyone inside violently...Lakshmi lets out a scream, shocking everyone else in the auto...

AKBARMeeru kanapadatam ledu..hello ...venaka..baneunnaru gaa..

Lakshmi is unsure if she is the one being addressed...

OLD GOAT HERDNinne namma..

Lakshmi shouts back...

LAKSHMI (STRESSING OUT)Oh oh...aa..parledu... parledu ..

She looks at the goat still nibbling at her chunni and pulls it out...

OLD WOMAN BANGLE SELLEREnti ra...nuvvu parikshalu malliraasthunnavani vinna...

AKBARAvunavva...

OLD WOMAN BANGLE SELLERNeeku idhantha avarsama ra..chakagapellichesukoni, ee auto baaganadipinchukovachhu kadha...

Lakshmi is listening on interested...

AKBARCorrect e avvaa, kaani, idhi naakuchivari saari...ippudu kooda pass avvaka pothey....chooddaam

OLD WOMAN BANGLE SELLERNuvvu pass avvaalaney korukuntunnara...kaani kashtham e ra...moodusaarlu fail ayyavu... adhi manadevarakonda charitralo ledu raa..

Everyone in the auto start laughing, including Lakshmi...Akbar is red with embarrassment, he see’s her laugh in the rear view mirror...

55.

AKBAROye...nuvvu normuyyi...nenu pass ayyi chupisthaa...

We see the auto come to a halt at another town junction-mallepalli, Chinna is yelling out...

CHINNAMallepalli, right....right...next Sagar...sagar...

Everyone gets out, including Lakshmi...

(the very same people also go against him post CM-panchayat event*)

22 EXT. MALLEPALLI JUNCTION - DAY

We see Lakshmi get out of the auto, the goat still grabbing at her chunni. The goats owner comes and takes it away. She begins to pick out her bags from the auto. We can see that she is struggling under its weight. Akbar notices this and without asking, helps her get it out of the auto.. In the background, we can see a local circus, a small girl is walking a tight rope very precariously..

AKBAR (JOKINGLY)entandi inni saamanlu...uuru vadaliveltunnara enti?

LAKSHMIEmi ledandi...ivi maa...intigalaaayanavi...post office lo vadilesteteesukuntaa nannaru..andukee...

AKBAROh ,..post office aitheikkadinunchi 5 nimishale...sahayamcheyyana...

Lakshmi is hesitant,

LAKSHMIParleduandi..nenu nenu...

She is beginning to buckle and fall off balance because of the weight...

AKBARdeeniki emi ekkuva teesukonulendi..naaku post office deggarakoncham panundi..road aithebagundadu..nadichevellali..

56.

Akbar looking at Chinna, he is already walking on...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Rey Chinna, koncham oil poyyi ra, nenu ippudey mana Sondu gadinikalisi ostha...

LAKSHMI (BEHIND HIM)ayyo meekendu kandi shrama..nenupattikeltaanu lendi...

AKBARcheppulemi arigipoovu lendi, nenuate veltunnanu...panilo paniante...mee kosam prateykangaemcheyatledu..

Lakshmi is confused if he was being rude or not...but Akbar smiles...she giggles...they begin walking to the post office..

23 EXT. POST OFFICE ROAD - DAY

Akbar’s holds onto the two big sacks, while Lakshmi holds on to a smaller one...the duo are silent for a few moments as we see them walking down a narrow road..finally Lakshmi clears her throat..

LAKSHMImonna ratri Bujji gaadi ki help chesinanduku thanks andi... aahadavidilo cheppaleka poyanu..

AKBARbujjigaadu..oo mee tammuda?....muddu ga untadu..

LAKSHMIAa..kaani kothi kaadu...meru Aakite nerpincharanta..inka ratirianta niddaraponivvaledu..aaerrakite gurunchi mee gurunchicheptaane unnadu...

Lakshmi smiles, thinking fondly of her brother...Akbar is silent...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Aithe meeru...degree exams raastunnaranmaata...

Akbar is about to answer when suddenly Babbar appears in his path...

57.

BABBARSalaam Walekum Akbar...

Akbar annoyed to see him, salaams back...

AKBARWaalekum aasalam Babbar bhai...

Lakshmi has a shocked expression when she see’s Akbar doing a salaam back, its a big moment of realisation for her, she never knew he was a muslim...Babbar unseeming of Lakshmi stops them in their stride and asks Akbar...

BABBARarrey gurtundi kada...masjid lo eeshukravaaram...

We can see that Lakshmi’s body language has done a complete 360. She is standing in between two muslim men and is distinctly uncomfortable...unmindful of Babbar, she looks at Akbar seriously and says...

LAKSHMIivvandi ,itu ivvandi..nenu veltaanulendi ikkada nunchi..

AKBARArey...

LAKSHMILedu..ledu ...parvaledu..

Akbar is surprised, he cant understand what’s come over her...Lakshmi takes the bags from his hands forcibly and leaves in a jiffy, Akbar hurriedly says a ‘bye’ to Babbar and catches up with her...

AKBARKhuda hafiz...

BABBARKhuda hafiz...marachipooku Akbar

Babbar turns to look at Akbar catching up with Lakshmi...Babbar’s expression is un-decipherable as he watches Akbar catch up with Lakshmi...

24 POST OFFICE ROAD - DAY

Akbar catches up with her...

58.

AKBARHey hey hey...emayyindi..emijarigindandi!!..hellooo..

Lakshmi doesn’t even turn back...Akbar keeps walking up behind her...thinking she hasn’t heard him..

AKBAR (CONT’D)Enti madam,...emaindi..nenu ate veltunnanu ani cheppanu gaa...

Lakshmi still doesn’t turn back, she seems angry and scared...that Akbar is a muslim...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Hello...madam...

Still no response as she keeps walking...Akbar intuitively realizes something is wrong and decides to stop catching up with her...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Chaa...sarele edo okati

We leave the couple like that, Akbar turns back, shaking his head not being able to comprehend her, while Lakshmi keeps walking briskly towards the post office..

Lakshmi almost falls dropping the bags she is carrying....meanwhile Akbars slippers break into two...each of them annoyed and swearing under their breath

25A INT DEVARAKONDA FORT AKBARS ROOM - NIGHT

We see Akbar’s is trying to study...he is making notes, referring his text book...making more notes...he seems to be a little distracted, thinking for a moment...he closes his eyes...a moment comes back to him...

AKBAR“Salaam valekum Babbar bhai...”

Akbar is reminded of Lakshmi’s face at that particular moment. Something he hadn’t thought of until then. And then it dawns at him...He shakes his head in disgust..

AKBAR (CONT’D)Cha ee hinduvulu...emianukuntaaroento ...nenu naa exams kosamchaduvu koovatam manchidi...

He gets back to his studies with earnest...his wind propelled light bulb bursts, shutting the light out...

59.

AKBAR (CONT’D)Cha!..

25B INT LAKSHMI’S HOUSE - NIGHT

We see Lakshmi preparing some avakai’s, there are raw mangoes around her. The rest of the family are also involved in the process, she seems to be in thought...Her Amma notices she seems a little lost...(flash cut to; when Akbar was behind her, Hello Madam...Madam...)

AMMAEntamma, em alochisthunnavu

LAKSHMIEm ledu amma, repati nunchi manamhotel panulu, avakai panulu full gamodalu pettali...

She gets back to her avakai preparations in earnest....the light bulb in the background flickering, buzzing...

FADE OUT

We see a wide night shot of Devarakonda town, small lights flickering in the distance. There is a power outage, the village goes into darkness, dogs bark, babies cry...and someone yells...

SOMEONERuling party....zindabad!

******** Possibility of a new scene addition here ********

Music fades in.

FADE IN

26 MONTAGE SONG 1

We see the sunrise above the Devarakonda town. People are going about their jobs as usual. We see Akbar make his way through the town on his cycle, delivering newspapers and milk. He does his daily routine

Meanwhile, we see Lakshmi wake up and wake the rest of the house up. She gets herself busy in the kitchen. Kavita puts up a board outside the house saying “curries and avakai”. We see Lakshmi, Amma and Kavita hard at work making the spices and food preparations. Purushottam does the more labour intensive part of the cooking, Bujji is the official taster..

60.

We see Akbar and Chinna washing their auto by the river side. There are other dhobis in the background using the river for washing. We see that while Chinna takes the lead. Akbar sits on the grass by the cheruvu and is pouring through his text books. Chinna is shaking his head, thinking Akbar is crazy.

A makeshift stand has been built by Purushottam outside his house. It serves as a parcel counter for people to come and buy their food. Purushottam takes the position of the cashier, while the rest of the women are busy cooking, with Lakshmi leading the way. The counter is open for business soon. Bujji helps whenever he is not distracted by his kite or a puppy whom he adopts.

We see Akbar plying his auto from the town centre onto the highway, busy dropping off people into various towns. He is seen on the highway dropping and in little towns picking up all sorts of people, building bridges for so many businesses and relationships (can elaborate with examples). We see him with his friends Sondu and Pasha, as busy as they are they meet each in transit on the roads or in dhabas.

The parcel counter is open. People in the town slowly come in, one by one to savor the curries. What starts as one man in a line, soon becomes a steady flow of customers. There is a lot of work to do still. Purushottam has a longing look sometimes. Recollecting his Polavaram. Lakshmi spurs him on.

We see Akbar pickup college students in his auto. We cut to him sitting with some of them by a field, text book in hand asking them for some pointers.

The line at Lakshmi’s house has suddenly trickled down, customers are few to come by. The family is worried by these turn of events. Lakshmi decides to go to the city to sell her avakai.

We see Akbar hanging out with Sondu and Pasha, he seems to be fighting some union problems within the auto community. We see them having a drink. Akbar just watches them.

We see Babbar noticing Akbar and then Lakshmi separately. He still has an undecipherable look in his eyes.

As Akbar zooms through the highway, he see’s Lakshmi along with her dad inspecting some land by the side of the road. He doesn’t give them too much attention and goes about his job. Lakshmi never notices him.

Lakshmi notices Akbar taking a bunch of Shiva bakths, all piled in his auto...she notice him joining them in the revelry...

61.

As Lakshmi dusts the mirchi carpet off on her Dhabha, it gets in Babar’s eye on the street, he winces in pain, looking up at a busy at work Lakshmi on her terrace...

Etc etc, basically showing them working hard towards a better future for themselves, also highliting the aspirations of a small town person.

We also see a shot of Lakshmi finally entering Hyderabad city. With avakai packets in hand, she is trying to sell them door to door and then at retail markets, she isn’t having much success. Also the city is a place she instantly dislikes.

We see Akbar enter the exam hall, pen in hand. He sits down to write his exam nervously. We see he is extremely pensive when writing his exam, sweating and all.

Lots of time lapses...city/country juxtapositions. We see Lakshmi make some new friends within the colony. She develops her own small gang of girls.

Lakshmi and Akbar’s point of views of the city.

Shots of Akbar working on keeping his auto in good shape, engine, oil etc.

Lakshmi buying avakai from an avakai market (kothapet)

We could also show how tough/sadistic Masterji and Babbar are on the auto drivers and how they fleece them off their wages/work load...

Have Masterji’s presence felt in the song, like him looking at akbar solving issues with other auto drivers.

This sequence finally ends with Lakshmi having a really tough time in the city selling her avakai, making her feel hopeless and Akbar going to the college to see that he has failed yet again.

Two dejected souls at crossroads in their lives. The song ends as we see the both of them unknown to each other, arrive at the same bus stand for the trip back to Devarakonda.

Their eyes meet...song ends.

27 EXT. BUS STATION HYDERABAD CITY - EVENING

There is a big crowd at the bus station, buses are constantly coming in and out of terminals. We see several people waiting with bags and other goods. There is a chaotic atmosphere, but its regulated.

62.

Akbar see’s Lakshmi, at first he wants to avoid her and sort of turns away from her line of vision, Lakshmi does pretty much the same thing. There isn’t any sort of acknowledgement between them.

As the last of the bus leaves from the terminal, its pretty obvious that Akbar and Lakshmi are waiting for the one bus which will take them back towards Devarakonda. There is an uneasy distance between them. The bus headed towards Devarakonda arrives. There isn’t too much of a crowd. A few people alight. Lots of seats are empty. Lakshmi takes the front row, while Akbar takes the last. The bus starts off from the city.

As the bus travels, we notice Akbar and Lakshmi continue sitting alone and silent, each one in their own world. The fact that they are together is forgotten for a bit.

The bus stops outside the city limits. The remaining passengers dis-embark. We notice that they are at highway limits. The passengers are waiting for 7 seaters to pick them up. Akbar and Lakshmi again find themselves in the same 7 seater, this time sitting a little more closely to each other. Their mutual discomfort more evident. The 7 seater eventually stops at Mallepally, the last stop.

While the rest of the passengers make their way into the town, Akbar see’s Lakshmi. She is obviously stranded as it seems there aren’t any autos available back to Devarakonda.Akbar watches Lakshmi as she enquires about availabilities of autos. He understands her situation. After some forethought, he comes upto her.

28 EXT. MALLEPALLI JUNCTION - EVENING

The roads have emptied out at the junction, there is a communist bandh. We see comrades shutting down shops, we a couple of autos whiz by even as lakshmi tries to stop them, there is a slight tension in the air, we watch that lakshmiis beginning to feel very vulnerable in what is suddenly a very quiet tension filled atmosphere. We see lakshmi’s eyes searching for an auto in quiet desperation. Lakshmi is still standing by herself at the empty auto stand. Akbar, who has been filling up his auto with some goods while watching Lakshmi, comes upto her..

AKBAR Helluu..arey.. anta bayapadakandi..inka aakalitolenulendi..mimmalni emi tineyanu..

LAKSHMI (ALARMED)Enti....enti meeru Matladedi..

63.

AKBARchoodandi, na auto ikkade undi, iddaram devarakonde vellali, meekuibbandi lekapothe vacheyochu

Lakshmi looks at Akbar, silent, not being able to comprehend what to say next.

LAKSHMIErr...hmm...ledu parvaaledu, nenuvere auto lo veltha..

AKBARParvaledaa..helloo madam..meekurepu poddunavaraku okka auto kanabadadu...kanabadina...adi naadeavutundi..anduke...

Lakshmi continues being silent, trying to contemplate what to do next..

AKBAR (CONT’D)ekkuva aalochinchakandi..naakumeemeeda elantiduraalochanalu(feelinglu) levu...champalane alochanalu koodaledu...

LAKSHMI (STUTTERING)Cha cha adenti..ala endukuanukuntaanu...emi matladutunnarumeeru...

AKBARsalaam walekummadam....gurtundaa..naku munduardhamavvaledu kani... taravataardamaindi, enti meeru aa vishayamgurunchi inka kangaarupadutunnara... marchipondi

Lakshmi is upset that her thoughts and deeds have been interpreted so easily...

LAKSHMIChoodandi, mee auto akkataanikinaaku etuvanti ibbandi ledu...

AKBAR (SMILING)sarey mari ekkandi...(or just acting as if welcome)

Akbar walks past her and gets into his auto in the distance...As she turns to walk towards him...

64.

LAKSHMIEntha?

AKBARIravai!

LAKSHMIKoncham ekkuva kadha?

CUT TO;

29 INT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY - DUSK

We see the auto chugging along the highway. The sun is setting along the horizon, the stars and moon can already been seen. Its a beautiful setting. Akbar is driving on silently, Lakshmi is seated behind him between all the goods, her head a conflict of emotions. She seems to be gathering the will to speak...

LAKSHMI (CAUTIOUSLYavunu meeru city ki endukuvachcharuu...

AKBAR (MOCKINGLY)memmalni psycho laaventapadudaamani

He makes a growling sound..

AKBAR (CONT’D)Grrrrrrrr...raaaarrrrrr

Lakshmi giggles to herself..

LAKSHMILedu serious gaa..!!

AKBARPlease gurtucheyakandi...assalueeroju burra chedipoindi..

Lakshmi immediately relates to him..

LAKSHMINijame andi..aatraffikku..janalu..edo hitech city antaaru...bonda hitech...

Silence...

65.

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)intaki meeru city enduku vellarocheppaledu

Akbar recollects annoyingly...

AKBAR(Sigh..) inka deeniki..naa exam results...

LAKSHMIOh..aithe enti ee saari first class aa..?

AKBAR(Sigh..) leduandi poyindi..

LAKSHMIayyo..

Silence as both of them have nothing to say and Akbar has lost his cheerful mood...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Sorry, anavasaranga mood paaduchesanattunnanu..

AKBARAyyo mee thappemi ledandi.. Naalife inthey. Exam raasthooneyuntaanu..fail authooneyuntaanu..auto naduputhooney untaanu

Long Silence..

AKBAR (CONT’D)Aunu mee sangathi cheppandi..

LAKSHMINaademundi..

Suddenly the auto screeches to a halt. There is a flat tyre...

AKBARCha cha...Ayyoo, puncture ayyindi...

LAKSHMIAyyoo... (play a sudden fear angle for lakshmi)

66.

AKBARemi parvaledu..puncture shop degaaralone undi...padi nimishaalloayyipotundi..manodey

Akbar gets out of the auto and begins pushing it towards the puncture/tea shop. Lakshmi feeling responsible, gets out of the auto and tries to help him, by pushing too.. (Create romantic montague during puncture while tea gets ready in the moonlight. Create conversation when pushing, lakshmi folds her saree, her saree gets greased which she will try to wash off later exposing her nadumu while akbar watches her)

CUT TO;

30 INT PUNCTURE SHOP/TEA SHOP HIHGHWAY - NIGHT

A song is playing on the radio from the film ‘Saptapadi’ - “kulamu needandey”. (May be later in the conversation, he will ask her what she will name her pickle, World Famous pickle, can be used for climax).

While the puncture guy is working on the tires. Akbar and Lakshmi are sipping on some tea. A few stray vehicles pass by. The cup of tea is relaxing for the tired couple.

LAKSHMIaha..tea chala bagundi,asalu ameindulo yemi kalipindo adagali

AKBARaa avunu...

LAKSHMIbadhagaa unda, fail ayyavani...

AKBARissaari chaala kastapaddanu...entotheliyadu...exam centre kivellangaaney anni marchipotaanu...

LAKSHMISame problem here, nobody seems to like my avakai

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Meeru...

AKBARintaki meeru city ki endukuvachaaru?....aa byaaguluemiti..aayakai vaasana vastundi...

67.

Lakshmi shows akbar an avakai packet

LAKSHMIAvakaaye...citylo ammudaamanivellanu...akkada emo competition challa ekuvva...ok pakka emo peddapedda brandlu,..inko pakkapratiokkalu home made picklesee ani anivaale...inka nannu evvarupattinchukuntaaru

AKBARkaani enduku idantaa...meeku parcel centre avi unnayani vinnanu..adi baaney work out avutundi kadha...

LAKSHMIala emi kaadu, oorlo andaru intlo tinataanike ishta padutaaru, ila parcel koney vaallu thakkuvey...

AKBARHmmm....correctee...naa Vanta koodaneney cheskuntaanu

LAKSHMIHmm.. Ante nana garu plan hotel pedtham ani...kaani adhi jarigeeloopu edo okati cheyyali kadha...

AKBARHotel aa...ekkada?

LAKSHMIAde devarakonda kotha highway vundikada akkade pedadamanukuntunnam... kaani aa owner manaki land addikiivvali...chala aduguthunnadu, peddaga edaina modaletey mundukoncham podupu chesukuntemanchidiani... ippatikee ooruvadili vachhi chala kharchuluayyayi..

AKBARAvunu... ooru vadili endukuvachhaaru?

LAKSHMIOh adhi pedda kathale...bore aipothaaru...

AKBARInka time undi, cheppochchuley

68.

But even before Akbar says it okay for her to continue..she does...(Meanwhile Akbar is checking her nadumu)

LAKSHMI(thoughtfully)

Baavuntundi..

Akbar is still checking her out..

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)...memu putti perigindi polavaramlo, akkada ma tatala kalam nundihotel vundedi, ippudu project vachimaa sthalam poyindi,court case lugatta avutunnai,ippatikaithemanadaggara yemi ledu, chinna gacheppalente inte..

AKBAROh....

LAKSHMItaruvata ikkadiki vatcham, e vooripost master garu ma nannakichinnappati friend,anduke ala alaala...

AKBARala ala ..avakaila...

They laugh...

DISSOLVE TO:

31A INT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY - NIGHT

They continue in the auto towards Devarakonda...The night is blue with stars...Lakshmi looks out...

LAKSHMI(romantically)

Amma....enni nakshatralu...enthabaavunnai..

AKBAR(looking at her in the rear view mirror)

avunu avunu

LAKSHMI (CHANGING SUBJECT)Aithe enti ..inkosaari exams raastava..

69.

AKBARHmm..choodamule edo okati...arey mee peru adagatammarchipooyanu...naa peru Akbar...

LAKSHMIOh naaku thelusu, salaam walekumakbar. nenu Lakshmi..

AKBARAa.. Namaste Lakshmi,adechooddaam.. pellichesukuntanemo...emiaalochinchaledu...graduate avudamani korika undedi...kaaniippatikey moodu saarlu fail ayyaka...inka naa valla kaadhemo...

LAKSHMIAdenti naalugu saarlu kaada?...oh Nenu mundu moodu saarlu, ippatithokalisi naalugo saari anikunnanu...

AKBAR (SHEEPISHLY)Ledu ledu, oorollu koncham ekkuvachesi matladutaaru, ee samvatsaramto kalipi moodu sarlu...

Lakhsmi smiles at his attempts at clearing himself...

LAKSHMIinko sari rai tappemundi, nenu kudagraduate ne, anduke nenu jeevithamlo yedainna cheyyagalanane dhairyamnaku vundi

AKBAR (SHOCKED)yenti nijanga. nuvvu graduteaa,heyyy nijama..nijagana

LAKSHMIEnti antha ascharyam...

AKBARledu ledu, kadhu..super, baavundi, inka nuvvu edhaina cheyyochu...life lo

70.

LAKSHMILife lo em cheyochcho naakutheliedu, naku konni badhyataluvunnai,kani nuvvu pass ite nikutappakunda help avutundiAkbar,vadileyyakunda,manasu pettiinko sari rayi

Silence...as Akbar contemplates what Lakshmi says...he turns to her rather dramatically and says...

AKBARAvunu Nee stream enti?

LAKSHMIBcom hons...

AKBARAyyo avunaa...naadi kudaade...naaku help cheyyavaplease...please..nenu neeku ey help kavalannaachestha...please...Commerce, Mathematics parvaledu..kaaniEnglishe koncham kashtam, dantloeppudu fail avuthunna...

Lakshmi doesn’t know how to react...

LAKSHMI (HESITANT)Ledu...sarey, kaani.. antey nenumaa aavakaya panullo busy busy gaunta...time...koncham...kastham

AKBAR (EAGERLY)Arrey, naaku tuition guition emiavasaram le...edo koncham help, anthey...

Lakshmi is thinking, confused, conflicted...

LAKSHMIErr...okay..appudappudu..time unnappudu, tappakunda help chesthaa...

AKBAR (HAPPILY)Thanks lashmi, nijanga...inka okkasaari try chestaa...choodam

Lakshmi nods approvingly, but she’s a little concerned that akbar is constantly looking back at her...

71.

LAKSHMIAa sarey sarey, meeru koncham munduchoosi nadapandi

31B LAKSHMI’S HOUSE LANE - NIGHT

We see the auto enter Devarakonda town...it stops outside a small lane near Lakshmi’s house...

LAKSHMIAapu..aapu..ikkadey aapey..

Akbar is still in the auto...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Nenu ikkadeydigipotha...ikkadnunchi nadichiveltha...

AKBAREnduku inti varaku drop chesestakada...

Lakshmi gets out of the auto

LAKSHMIvaddu vaddu..Akbar nijaniki, ma intlo vallaki muslims ante padadu,mukhyam ga ma nannaki,ilacheptunna ani marola anukovaddu.ippudu nanu intivaruku drop chestevallu yevo prashnalu adugutaaru...

AKBARaina nenu auto driver ne kada, hindu-muslim ani yevaradugutarucheppu

Silence as Lakshmi doesn’t know how to answer that, but Akbar helps by concluding the conversation...

AKBAR (CONT’D)sarle kani... naaku ardhamayyindi

Lakshmi looking very apologetic...

LAKSHMISarey aithey..best of luck...next time kalisinappudu mee exams kosamela chaduvutunnavo cheppu...nenukonni salahaalu istaanu, sareynaa..

72.

(MORE)

Inkoti..manam english loneymaataladadaam , neeku help authundi..

AKBAR (SMILING)Ok madam, we talk in english

LAKSHMI Saree...ok...

AKBAR (IN ENGLISH)You have to give me twenty rupees madam.

LAKSHMI (QUICKLY INTO HER BAG)Yes...ofcourse okay..

AKBARGoodnight Madam...

LAKSHMIGoodnight...

Akbar waits a while as Lakshmi makes her way down the street and then we see the auto start off and Lakshmi make her way into her lane. We can faintly hear Akbar singing, Lakshmi turns back...

AKBAR********************************“Country roads, take me home...”

Lakshmi laughs and walks on...Akbar continues singing...

A light goes off in the neighbourhood, its a power break down, we hear babies crying and dogs barking and some curses...

VOICE IN A HOUSEyevadra adu, ardha ratri apa raatrilekunda english patalupadutunnadu?..pattukondi...

The auto falls silent and chugs along quietly...

CUT TO;

32 EXT. TOWN CENTRE - DAY

(We’l be using the fakir and hindu beggar concept and we can also add the concept of young girl complimenting lakshmi’s outfit)

73.

LAKSHMI (CONT'D)

Its yet another hullabulla of a day in the town. We see Lakshmi and her father make their way through the centre. Purushottam is carrying a bag and a file with documents.

PURUSHOTTAMa sthalam manaki lease kiivvadaniki ooru MLA garini voppistemana pani ipotundamma,ina manampolavaram lo vunnappude MLA garunaku maticharu,inka manaki bank loan ravadame alasyam, highway lo hotel panulanni prarambhinchochu.

LAKSHMIAa MLA, mata meedanilapadutaadantaava nana?...vallaAvasaraala koddimatladutaaru..nammocha.

PURUSHOTTAMkoncham nammochu emoamma...andulonu itanu manavade(read brahmin) ivalti kaalamlorajakeeyaalo brahmalutakkuve...tappakunda, edo okatichestaadule...

LAKSHMIala jarigite manchide nanna, vallaammagari to matladanani cheppavkada, aameki vunna manchitanam lo sagam itaniki vunna mana paniipotundi

PURUSHOTTAMSarey sarey...Pada amma..twaragaveldaamu, 9 gantala appointment ichadu...ippudu mallepalliki bussuDorukutundoledo?

LAKSHMIAaa..dorukutundi nana...

We see that the duo have reached the bus stand in the town centre...They begin waiting for a bus, when an impatient Purushottam notices the busy 7 seaters next to the bus station...

PURUSHOTTAMaina manam auto lo vellipovatchukadamma?

74.

Lakshmi was expecting that, she turns to look in her dads line of vision and surely enough we see Akbar, the lone auto driver, busy getting people into his auto...

LAKSHMILedule nanna,avi challa iruggauntaayi...bus kosame eduru cheddamu

In the background we hear Chinna, yelling away..

CHINNAmallepalli..mallepalliki velle auto idokkate, randi randi

PURUSHOTTAMChoodu choodu, adi malleapallivetundantaa...bussu eppuduvastundoemo...pada talli...

Purushottam takes a reluctant Lakshmi by the hand and they walk towards the auto stand.

33 EXT. AUTO STAND DEVARAKONDA - DAY

Purushottam walks right upto to Chinna and re-affirms..

PURUSHOTTAMBabu e auto mallepalli ke gavelledi.

CHINNAavunandi..yentamandi?..koorchondikurchondi , okka nimasham lo bayalderutam

Purushottam motions her daughter to get in, he takes the front seat right behind where Akbar would sit and Lakshmi saunters towards the back...She meets Akbar’s eye, Akbar is busy loading in goods for the passengers...

He see’s her and immediately acknowledges her with a grin...

AKBARHey...avakai

Lakshmi doesn’t say a word, looks away and sits in the back...Akbar is a little perplexed...just then he hears Purushottam..

PURUSHOTTAMEntamma?..venaka baaganeunda..lekapothe ikkadakivachestaava?...

75.

Lakshmi meeting Akbar in the eye...

LAKSHMIParvaaledu Nana...ikkada bagane undi

Akbar understands the situation and grins back mischievously at her...Lakshmi doesn’t understand him..

They are ready to go...The auto vrooms out...

34 INT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY - DAY

Akbar is in the driving seat, Purushottam is right behind him, he doesn’t have a clear view of his face, right next to him is a panthulu and another old lady. Lakshmi is in the seat behind her father along with some more goats and goat herds. She isn’t exactly too happy about the company...The high on energy today morning Purushottam starts off a conversation...

PURUSHOTTAMEvandi panthulugaru, chethiloprasadam edo unnatlundi, maakuevvaraa?

The old panthulu mutters something under his breath and begins distributing the prasadam to everyone, first Purushottam and then Akbar...Akbar accepts the prasadam like a normal hindu would...Purushottam decides to have a conversation with Akbar now...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)Babu, ee mana mallepalli MLAgurinchi evaina vivaraalu thelusa..

Lakshmi rolls her eyes, wishing her father would shut up and annoyed at the goat already nibbling at her voni...Akbar relishes the idea of talking to Purushottam, his eyes light up and he has a grin which no one can see in the back seat...

AKBARAntey Manchodey andi...manollakosam aithey koncham prathyekangahelp chesthadu...

Purushottam’s eyes light up, Lakshmi is shocked she mouths the word ‘manavaallu’...

PURUSHOTTAMYe ooru babu meedi?

76.

AKBARIdey andi, Devarakonda lo puttiperigaanu.

Purushottam is interested in Akbar, he tries to have a look at his face, but cant because of the position he is in...

PURUSHOTTAMNuvvu auto ney naduputhava, vereyemaina chesthuntaava? Mee nana em chesthuntaru...

AKBARMaa nanna lerandi, chala kalamayindi chanipoyi...

Purushottam is silent, silence and then Akbar continues...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Nenemo degree Final year andi, isaari poyindi...malli raayali

PURUSHOTTAMOh..manchidi babu, chadukovali...eybranch ammaneedi...

AKBARBcom andi...

PURUSHOTTAMBcom aa? Arrey naa koothuru kiB.Com lo aido rank occhindi...

We see Lakhsmi slap her head in annoyance, an old goat herd looks at her quizzicly...

AKBAReesaari kaasta baaga chadivithetappakunda pass ayipothanuandi...anduke eesaari tution koodaveldamu anukuntunnanu...

Purushottam needs only a moment to think before saying...

PURUSHOTTAMArey maa koothuru undi kadandi, evaina doubts kaani help kaanikavalantey maa intiki occhiadagandi.adey mana post master illu undikadha...akkadey memu undedi...

AKBAR (SMILING)Chala thanks andi...

77.

He looks at his still shocked daughter and says,

PURUSHOTTAMvedavadi, mana avakai ammey badulutuitions chepte bagaunnatlundi...

He laughs to himself, looks at the panthulu and spreads his hands out for some more prasadam...The panthulu reluctantly gives it....Purushottam is ready for more conversation...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)ante babu memu polavaram lo undetappudu..

LAKSHMI (INTERRUPTING)Nanna...me sollu aaputhaara...munduee meeka gurinchi edaina cheyyandi, na voni thinesthundi..

Purushottam gets after the goat...the auto reaches Mallepalli..

34A

As passengers disembark, we see Puruhottam asking someone for directions, Lakshmi goes upfront to pay Chinna...Akbar looks at her grinning...

AKBARHi....

LAKSHMI (ANNOYED)Meeru braahmalu eppudu ayyarandi..

AKBAR (SMILING)Poddhuney..

Before Lakhsmi can react, we see the auto zoom off from Mallepalli and father and daughter make their way into the town...

CUT TO;

35 INT/EXT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY

As Akbar makes his way out of the town, he comes across Sondu and Pasha on foot on the highway roads. They flag him down, excited to see him. Akbar gets out of the auto...

78.

AKBARArey beevarse gaallaraa...ekkadachacharaa inni rojulu...

SONDUNee abba nuvekkada chachavube...

PASHAarey ekkada unnavu raa..ekkadamayamaipoyavuraa...

Sondu is in his usual high spirits...

SONDUChal correct time lo dorikavraa..chal party ivvara...party

AKBARParty aa...enduku raa...

SONDUInkenduku bava Fail ayyavukadha...marchipoyaava..chal padainka...

PASHAippatikaina nee chaduvula golaaapuraa...

AKBARParty...fail ayyinanduku...konchamekkuvaindi baammaridi...

SONDUadikaadu maama, city lo kooda adheyfashionu..., naalugu saarlu fail ayyavu ra...inka em kavalijeevithaniki...charithrashrushtinchaavu...chalasaadinchesavu...

AKBARChi nee abba...moodu saarlu bey...

The gang is not willing to listen and push him back into his auto...

PASHAChal chal...lopala naduvu..nuvvuToltaava nenu tolaala..

AKBARArey...endi be idhi

79.

SONDUReady ready..right right...

Sondu starts singing, a twist on a Narayana Murthy?/Basha hit song...

SONDU (CONT’D)nenu auto ...vadini auto vadini...nyayamaina ratuvaadini...(or sings based on earlier conv...”party evura”*)

We hear laughter as the auto gets on the highway...we see it swerve dangerously and loose control a bit, because of Sondu’s antics...

AKBARArey pichoda..chastaamu raa..

From a distance as the auto speeds on the highway, we hear voices..

SONDUEdo oka roju chaavalsinde raa...

PASHAaithe nuvvu chaavuraa..mammalnienduku champutaavu...

AKBARmeeriddaru..chavandi...naaku party tappuddi

The auto is back in control on the road...suddenly we see a lorry heading on towards Akbar’s auto...

AKBAR (CONT’D)chi aadenti raa..inta chinna roadloanta speedgaa vastunnadu...

The lorry seems to heading towards the auto without any break in his speed...

PASHAArey arey vaadiki side icheiraa side icheyandiraa... lekapotheythineysthaadu...

AKBARisthunnaanu ra babu...aadeteesukovatamledu

80.

Akbar manoeuvres the auto so that’s its right at the edge of the road, giving ample space to the lorry speeding unabated towards them...

SONDUAbbey slow ga vellu bey...naakuchaavaalani ledu...

PASHAEdo oka roju chavaali kada raa...

AKBARArrey inka entha slow ra..

We see that even after Akbar has given the lorry speeding towards them space, its still in their line...it continues coming towards them unabated..

AKBAR (CONT’D)meediki vachestunnadu... meedikivachestunnadu...

They decide on evasive action as the lorry continues towards them, just a few mts ahead...Akbar can see the license plate clearly...

AKBAR (CONT’D)PJ..arey a punjab lorryoderaa...

The lorry is going to be on them any second...

PASHAdookandi roooyyy...

Everyone jumps onto the ditch, leaving the auto running on the side, as they fall they notice the lorry guy gives a last minute swerve to miss the auto by inches....he was just playing with them...we cut to the lorry driver, yelping with joy...

The trio look up from the ditch, a little bruised and dis-oriented...Akbar is seething with anger, while Pasha and Sondu are too shocked to say anything...

AKBARnaa koduku dorakaali raa..untadiaadiki...

As Akbar looks on with anger, his friends react...

SONDUpoddu poddune full thagesiuntadu...

81.

PASHAPakkaga Vaadu Yamudueeraa...baagane lorry naduputunnadu..

DISSOLVE TO

36 EXT. PANCHAYAT OFFICE - EVENING

We see that practically all the men in the town have arrived for a meeting. A few several hundred surround 5 men under a banyan tree. Its a town meeting. We see that the crowd that has gathered is already buzzing among themselves..the crowd consists of mainly men, old and young, including Akbar, Pasha and Sondu (who doesn’t seem to want to be there). Among the main 5 heads we notice are Babbar and Masterji, clearly the leaders among the pack of 5. Masterji begins by addressing the crowd..

MASTERJIPeddalu vichesaaru..., oka mukhyamaina prakatana cheddamanipilishanu..

MASTERJI (CONT’D)Mana mukhyya mantri nalgondaprayatana lo bhagangaa renduroojulalo raanunnaru...aragantamana uurulo gaduputaaru

There is an excited buzz within the crowd...the panchayat is pleased with the reaction...people speak up from within the crowd..

OLD MAN IN CROWDAbbo...goppa vishayamee...modatisaari mana uuriki oka mukhya mantriraanunnaru anamaata...

MASTERJInijamee...ayana raavaalani nene swayamugaa..aayana officerlanioppinchanu...

YOUNG MAN IN THE CROWDDeenikantaraa..elections deggarapaddaya...

MAN IN CROWDelectionlu kaadule...eemadya manamallepalli lo factory pettalni edosannahalu chestunnaru andukenemo...lekapote aayana mana oorinieppudu pattinchu koovaali

82.

SONDU (LOUDLY)evadaina enduku raavaalidevarakondaki..??

Masterji gives him an annoyed look, the crowd snickers...

MASTERJIChoodandi, nenu indaakacheppinattugaa..aayanani nene chalakashtapadi (rao rameshimprovisation)..mana uuri maddatuaayanaki undi ani teliya cheddamuanukunna...taravaata taravaataaayana manaki chaalaupayogapadutaadu...

SONDUEvadiki...Antey..ippudu memu em cheyyali...

MASTERJIHmm..akkadike vastunna...naakukontamandi churukaina kurravallukaavali, uuru mottani redu rojullomustaabu cheyalanukuntunna...

There is a buzz in the crowd...

MASTERJI (CONT’D)Meeku gurutu undo ledo...devarakonda CM gaari pattanapadakaani kinda vastundi..andukemanam ante andamuga unnatuchoopidam.sunnalu kottandi,pandiri veyyandi, tubelightlu amarchandi,, veedulusubram cheyandi, roadla meeda muggu, bandu meelalu, mogavaallaki shaving, aadavaallakipattucheeraluaayana bannerlu,cutoutlu-chinnagaacheppalante...ee uuri ni pellikooturilaa mustaapu chesi aayana kimanam gana swagatampalakudam...eemantaaru

SONDUVachhedi CM aa pelli kodukaa

People are laughing in the crowd. Masterji is annoyed.

83.

AKBARKaani Masterji..ikkada andarikipoduna puta panuntundi...rendurojula paatu pani ante..andarirojukooli debbatuntundi...

Masterji is annoyed with Akbar’s comment, there is a murmur of approval from within the crowd...

MASTERJIpanulu maaneyamanicheppatledu...nidralumaanandi...uuru koosam aamatramcheyatleraa

AKBARmeeremi anukoorante oka maatacheptaanu..aayanaki mana uurinibaga choopinchalsinaavasaramemundandi ippudu?

MASTERJIEntra...nee Uddesham?

AKBARante..CM gariki mana vooru ippudelavundo alane choopiddam saar, appuduayanaki manaki kanisa sadupayalukuda levani ardhmaoutundi, kabattiatanu mana vooriki yedannacheyyalani anipinchochu.

Again there is a big murmur of approval from within the crowd...

MASTERJI (IN ANGER)Choodu, ‘kaneesasadupaayalu’gurunchi alochinche baada naadinuvvu chepindi cheyyi...aayana manauuriki vachinappudu maddatunu icchisantoshapedatam mana badyata...emantaaru

AKBARayyo..nenala alochinchanandi..ante...

MASTERJIAlochinchava..nuvva?vinnara...Degree naalugu saarlufail ayyinna Akbar gaaru...inkauuri gurunchi aalochinchadaanikibayuladerarata...

84.

There is scattered laughter in the crowd...Akbar is embarrassed...Akbar mutters under his breath...

AKBARNaalugusaarlu kaadu...moodu saarle

MASTERJIAido saari ela pass avvaloalochinchu...

Babbar speaks now...

BABBARMeeru andaru sahakaristaaraniaashistunnamu...pichi panulu chesimana Masterjigaariki ,panchayat kichadda peru teekandi...cm ikkadikiraataaniki Masterji chaalakashtapaddaru..anduke aayanaki ki..okka saari gattiga chappatlukottandi!!...

There are claps all over and the crowd begins to disperse..Sondu begins a zindabad campaign, mockingly...

SONDUMasterji...zindabad...

CROWDZindabad...

SONDUMasterji chemche gaadiki zindabad...

CROWD“Laughter”

Babbar and Masterji cant figure out who the culprit is...but Babbar’s eyes are on Akbar and co.

Akbar walks out head down, Pasha puts his hands around his shoulders. Sondu with his back turned to the panchayat...

SONDUZindabad...zindabad...

FADE OUT

37A EXT DEVARAKONDA FORT MAIDAN AREA - NIGHT

We see tube lights all across the maidan. There is all kind of random construction work going on across the maidan area.

85.

We can see lots of people even though its night. Some are working on the pandal, while some are just hanging out. There is a total carnival atmosphere. There are also makeshift hawkers, doing brisk business selling palli, tea and cigarettes.

We see that Akbar and co are working on putting up poles and wiring...Sondu is his normal bullshit self...

SONDUe paniki ye na kodukotchidabbulistadu? Devuda nuvvecheppali..rendrojulnunchichesthunnaam, ee paniki aey naakodukocchhi dabbulisthaadura

PASHAe roju ratri nenu late ga velte ma avida nannu batakanivvadu!!

SONDUjanak janak payal baje naa..aaa..aa..aaa

PASHAAaparaa...mee vadina gurunchimaryaada lekunda matladutaavu entiraa...

SONDUentamma..ameki 15 yellakenelatappinchinappudu emaindi raanee maryada...appudu naa deggarakekada booruna vachi yedchavu...

PASHANeneppudu eedavaledu..

SONDUvaddura..ani abadhaloddu.. “reySondu naku chachipovalanundi ra, nannu kapada ra, Sondu yem cheyyalocheppara..” ivanni nuvvumarchipoyavemo kani naku baganegurtunnai

Pasha cant take it anymore and moves to hit him. Akbar who so far been diligently working on the wiring, stops him...

AKBARrey..moosukuni pani cheyyandra, lekapote ratranta ikkadevundalsostundi..

86.

Pasha and Sondu go separate ways...we see children organizing a game of night cricket in the background, someone is trying to fly a kite, it seems like the towns biological clock has turned around...

37B EXT.DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - NIGHT

(Bulb switching on and off at keys points in conversation - concept)

Akbar turns to see Lakshmi walking hand in hand with Bujji and Kavita. Bujji still has his yellow kite with him...he runs along to try to get it to fly, Kavita runs after him..

KAVITArey pilla deyyam agara.. ardharatri nuvvu pitchi veshaleyyaku

Lakshmi see’s Akbar...

LAKSHMIHey hello...chalakashtapadutunnatunnaru...

AKBARHey aavakai..good evening. enti why so night?

LAKSHMIWhy so night kaadu, Why so late in the night.

AKBARAdey adey, night lo late lo night..edo okatley, vadiley

LAKSHMIOh emi ledu ..uurilo hadavi-vidichoodam mani vacha...intlo koodachala ukkaga undi..sarey chelliinka bujjigaaditho saradaga ala challa gaali ki...

AKBAROhh...

LAKSHMIAbba enta veluturu undikada...pagalu laane undi...bayamanipinchaledu...

AKBARbagundi kada..veligipotundi kada

87.

Silence.....and then...

AKBAR (CONT’D)ee uurantaa naamoolane veligipotundi, miru e time lo kuda intadhairyam ga bayatiki ravadanikikaranamaina naku miru thanks cheppukovali..

Lakshmi laughs...

LAKSHMIThank you sir...thank you..

AKBARNo mention

They begin walking..

LAKSHMIAithe chadavatam modalupettara?...meeru vache semester lo malliraayochu anukunta...

AKBARAvunuu...hmm time teliya kundaaipotundi...chadavaalsindi chaalaundi..like always you know

We can see Kavita playing cat and mouse with Bujji in the background...the duo look at that...

LAKSHMI (LAUGHING)abba..ma bujji gadiki inta husharuyekkadi nundi vatchindo ardhamkadu..

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Hey aagu..nenu meetho koopamugaaundaali

AKBARAa...adenti nenuemi chesanu..!!!

LAKSHMI (FAKING ANGER)a roju yenti ma nannato a panikirani matalu..manavallu ginavalluadi...idi...ani..haa

Akbar laughs...

88.

AKBARAyyo..edo saradaaga ala...nenu muslim ante auto nunchidookestaademo ani...uurika ayanakangaaru padakunda...

They both laugh...

LAKSHMIChi chi chi marii maa nanna nuvvuanukunnata kaadu...emaina sarenuvvu abaddam cheppavu...aayanakiteliste chaala badha padtaaru..

AKBARArey ...Enduku telustundi..elatelustundi..telisinaa sare aatimeki nannumarchipotaaru...teliyakoodanivishayam teliyanantavarakuteliyakapothene manchidi...

LAKSHMIAina sarey, abaddam abaddame...

AKBAROppukuntaanu..kaani..choodandi..nenu aayana koturi cheyyi adagatamledu, aayanatho vyapaarampettatledu...deetlo abaddamcheppinattu undochukaani baadapettadam ekkadundi...

Akbar laughs...Lakshmi smiles..Pause...

LAKSHMIHmm..sarele..nijameele..

AKBARHey pelli ante gurthochindi...nakutelisina abbayi vokadunnaduneekaite saraina jodi, mi nanna kiaite pitcha pitcha ga natchestadu, manolle...

They both laugh, but Lakshmi acts like she is interested...

LAKSHMInijanga yevaraina unnara... nakuparichayam cheyyotchu kada

AKBARledu mundu mee naanakikalipista...avunu ekkada aayana...

89.

(MORE)

kooturlani addaratri baaneydairyangaa pampaaru...

LAKSHMILedu aayanaki maameeda chaalanammakam ...nannagaru polavaramvellaru. MLA stalam addekiivvataaniki oppukunnaru kada.. koncham rate ekkuve...anduke edookati chesi dabbulu arrange cheyyataaniki vellaru...

AKBARoo manchidey,aithey mee hotel modati customer nene...

LAKSHMIahaa..manchidi..enta bill chestaaru

AKBARplate meals enta unte ante istaanu..daatlo emundi..

LAKSHMIAlaela oppukuntaamu ...adee modatibooni...mee auto ninda bangaramthevaali, meeru enta iste anta manchi jarugutundi...

Akbar thinks about this...

AKBAREnti eduru katnamaduguthunnaara...enduko okasaariala anipinchindi...

They both start laughing...

LAKSHMIChi ...chi...chi...me muslimsloistharu kadha...(more laughter)

Just then Kavita and Bujji join in...Bujji is excited on seeing Akbar...

BUJJIarey anna..yekkadunnavanna innirojulu, kanipiyyaledu..ippudu nenukite ni super ga yegarestunnatelusa

Akbar is happy seeing him...

90.

AKBAR (CONT'D)

AKBARappude kasta podugayyavu ra, konnirojullo mi akka vallani minchipoyela unnavu

Lakshmi introduces Kavita...

LAKSHMIKavitha...Akbar

AKBARSalaam Walekum Kavitaji

Kavita is wideyed and doesnt know how to react...

KAVITAWaale...err namaste...

BUJJIArrey neeku theliyada...waale kumas-salaam anaali...

Akbar and Lakshmi laugh..Bujji spots an pink candy guy...

BUJJI (CONT’D)Akka...naaku adhi kavali..

Even before she can answer, he pulls her towards it...

Silence...conversation between the two resumes..

LAKSHMIhmm..inka

AKBARinka..

LAKSHMIInka...meeku exams koosam tutionkaavaali...

AKBARTuition kakapoinaa..edo konni bandagurtulu chepte...

LAKSHMIAnte..Preparation appudu edookapaddati alavatu chesukunte chalahelp avutundi...roju emi chadavaaliela chadavali ani time table veskunte parikshalappudu Appuduhadavidi undadu...

91.

AKBARnaa problem adi kaadu lakshmi, exam paper pattukogaaney light aagipothundi, em kanapadadu.english aithe goram, worst

Lakshmi thinks...

LAKSHMIAndukey baabu..model test papers unnaayi. enni ekkuva exams raaste...main exam ante easy aipotundi...

Akbar sighs..

AKBARNaaku ippudu ee uurilo alanti test paperlu evaru tayyaru chesiistaaru?

LAKSHMIAa..edi oka paper ivvu...meeexamski boni chestaanu...

He looks around, finds a poster of the election campaign...he tears it down(make sure tears down the head of the politician) and pulls out his pen and gives it to her...she grabs it and begins to write...

CUT TO;

SONDUarey kottem nenu choostunnadi kalaanijamaa ra? Atu choodu..

Pasha looks up from his work...Sondu is pointing his finger at Akbar and Lakshmi at the far corner of the field.

PASHAAmmo ..love letter raastundaa..enti!?

SONDULove letter endi be..anssalu vaadulove lo eppudu padadu be...emijarutondi akkada...naakuteliyaali..aa pilla evaru raakatthi laa undi...

PASHAaina ammilani choosi enduku raa ala matladutaavu..?

92.

SONDUEnduku raa..ame Naa vadinaaavutunda enti...

PASHAAvunule..vadina aithe tega gauravamichestaavu mari...

SONDUAnte ...ammayini batti alochanalumarthaii...

PASHAEntra nee uddesham..

Sondu still looking at the couple...

SONDUAnte aameni..

PASHAaa aameni?

SONDUNenu ameni entha korukuntunnana.ane daani meeda untundi...

Pasha is on top of Sondu they are wrestling...

PASHAArrey bevaarse gaa..mati undimatladu tunnava...

As the crazy duo lug it out in the foreground, we see Akbar and Lakshmi part ways for the night...

CUT TO;

38 EXT. BY LANES OF DEVARAKONDA - NIGHT

(Use kranthi’s dialogue ‘im falling, im falling’ . Improvise)

Sondu and Pasha totally drunk are being supported by Akbar as they stagger through a lane..

PASHADrohi...peddha drohivi ra nuvvu

AKBAREntra..denigurunchi raa...

93.

PASHAenni savatsaraalu nundi manamfriends undi emi laabam raa...emile

AKBARMeeru emi matladutunnaro naakemiardam kaavatam ledu...

SONDULavvu..nuvvu lavvu lo paddavu kaanimaaku cheppaledu..cha drohivi raanuvvu...

SONDU (CONT’D)Drohiiiiiiii....

AKBARHey aapu...chath nee amma...vaagutuune unnaru ..aapandi..

SONDUChoosaamu raa..

PASHAAmmaitho

SONDUAme Raastundi...

PASHANeeke Love letter

SONDU/PASHADrohiiii....drohiii...

AKBARAmmayi enti , letter enti be...

Akbar realises what they are talking about...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Abbaaa...aavakaaya.lakshmiraa..abba arey monne parichayamayyindi...naa exams ki help chestundi raa... ante..

SONDUAbbaa...appudey tuitionlu koodamodalupettaraa?

Sondu acts all horny, rubbing his hands across Akbar’s shoulders and arms, Akbar is totally repelled by it and shoves Sondu’s hands away...

94.

PASHADrohii...

SONDUMaripoyaavu ra...maripoyaavu...

AKBARChath norumuyyi...inka picchigamatladithey tholu theestha..

SONDUArrey Pasha vadileyi raa...veedigurinchi manam matladiwaste...manam thaagindantaadigipotundi

PASHAAvunu, manam mana gurincheymatladali..

AKBARthanks raa babu...nannuvadhileyandi..

SONDUrey pasha yela vunnavu ra, mi avidela vundi...bugundaa?

Pasha now starts sobbing...

PASHAnenu vodipoyan ra, najeevitam lo nenu fail ra

SONDUOhh...nuvvu kuda fail ayyava..

PASHAAvunu, kaani mana Akbar gadi la kaadhu...nenu life lo fail ayya...

SONDUEmaindi bey...

95.

PASHAinkemavvali ra, na bharya,pillalniyento gopaga choosukundam anukunna, kaani nenu...naa kooturiki manchitandrigaa lenu, naa baryaki manchibarta lenu,kaneesam amma nannakimanchi kodukugaa koodalenu...inkenduku raa ee jeevitamvalla kosam kaaka pothe...waste kada raa...chepparaaSondu..cheppara...

SONDUAvunu correct...nuvvu waste gaadivira...

Pasha begins sobbing uncontrollably. Akbar feels bad for the two of them, both leaning on his shoulders..

SONDU (CONT’D)Nuvvu naa laaga bratakaaliraa...badyatalu levu, amma nannaleru...tamil ammaylu assaleleru..bindas raa nenu...nannu adigevalluleru...chepte vinevalluleru...nuvvu unnavu raa..nuvvuunnavu.....

PASHAAvunu raa mana muggurilo nuvvegoppodivi raa..nuvve great Sondu...nuvvey great...yeraa Akbar.

AKBARAvvunu Sondu gaade great...

SONDUyentha ullasamugaa unnano..enthauthsahamugaa unnano...

PASHASondu ye great, Sondu ye puliraaja...

Akbar is irritated and sad with the both of them...Just then a shadow moves in the lane ahead of them..the trio notice it...its a call girl, waiting for a customer...Pasha’s eyes open..As they walk by her...

PASHA (CONT’D)enti baby,ela unnavu baby, enthababy?...rama chilakamma...premamolakamma...(or improvise ‘hello bro’ song)

96.

He begins dancing, a little out of hand, Sondu watches preplexed, Akbar is annoyed..

AKBARArey pasha...pichipichi gaacheyyaku...itu raa...

The shadow retreats into the darkness with silent curses...as Pasha is twirling around, a little girl appears with a pot of water held by her hips....its Pasha’s daughter, she is still wearing her school dress...

PASHANazneen, nuvva amma.

NAZNEENAvunu nanna,.. Nuvventi ikkada intaraatri puta dance chestunnavu...amma neekosam kagarupadutundi

PASHAina inta ardha ratri nillu endukunanna todukuni veltunnav..

NAZNEENNayanama pampindi, taage neelu ippude vastaayi nanna..ee vishayamevariki teleeyadu...anduke roju e time ki nene vatchi nillutesukeltaa..

Pasha looking at Sondu and Akbar...

PASHACM zindabad..na bujji talli intaratrilo manchi nilla kosam bayatikivatchindi, tandremo full gatagunnappudu...manabratukulanniinteraa..maname great..oorivalluandaru great..

Sondu begins to clap, Pasha begins to cry...he lifts his daughter and kisses her...

PASHA (CONT’D)padara talli, intilkelli podam

Akbar is watching all of this, very moved by everything...Sondu who is feeling a even more depressed after seeing Pasha go home, tells Akbar...

97.

SONDU (IN DESPERATION)Arrey Akbar, special late night show vesthunnaru ra...Mahesh Babucinema, velli maidan lo chooddamu...

AKBARIppuda, intha late aa...

SONDUPlease ra..veldaam ra..

Akbar thinks about it for a moment and says..

AKBARsare nuvvu pada..nenu town centre ki velli wiring choosukonivatchesta

SONDUArey tappakunda vastaavu kada raa..

AKBARPakka raa...15 nimishaaluraa...vachestaanu..nuvvu ellu...

Akbar has been clearly effected with the goings on so far and decides being with his friends is the best he can do...they split from the lane...As Akbar walks away, we see Sondu turn around and stagger towards the theatre...he is talking to himself...

SONDUarey twaraga raa raa..ee chattaoorlo ontariga tiragaleenu..andaruunannu asainchukone valle..tondaragavocheyi raa..

DISSOLVE TO;

(*The Babbar episode where he chances upon Lakhsmi’s window as she is changing. She horrified- shuts off the lights and runs out of the house looking for Akbar---working on it)

39 MAIDAN OPEN AIR THEATRE PROJECTION - NIGHT

We pull back from a huge moving image of an actor on screen. We see very few people at the makeshift open theatre. We see Sondu lying right on the ground, watching the film with possessive passion. There is a death scene on, the mother of the hero is about to die in his arms. Sondu watches with baited breath. For the big moment.

98.

The music is climbing, death is imminent, we close in on Sondu’s rage filled eyes, the screen mother dies.

Pause.

Sondu’s is crying out loud, uncontrollably, as if his own mother just died in his arms...

SONDUoh amma..yekadunnav amma, nannuvokkadine vadili yendukuvellipoyavamma..naku ikkadavundalani ledamma..nannu kuda nidaggarake tisukellipo..ye neku nee kodukante natchada amma..nenupaniki raanani vaadini ani vadilesavamma..nenu nikendukunatchaledamma..cheppamma...

Sondu continues weeping uncontrollably before finally passing out...the rest of the crowd are unaffected...some of the kids react...(they are also in school uniforms)

KIDS IN CROWDEe Kulam takkuvoodni endukuraa... inka uurlo uncharu..

They kick an unconscious Sondu an run away...

AKBARarey evaduraa adi...aapandi!

We pan across to see Akbar watching all of this transfixed. Its been quite a night for him.

(*Lakshmi comes looking for Akbar and asks him to sleep in front of her house for the night. An already disturbed Akbar crashes out and wakes up the next day to a cavalcade of CM convoy’s buzzing around town, he gets up and goes to the maidan straight--CM dialogue might change--working on this)

FADE OUT;

40 EXT. MAIDAN - DAY

We pan down from the scorching hot sun to the podium where the CM and his folk are sitting. The VIP’s have arrived, the entire town is in attendance, we can see media crew hanging around everywhere, mikes, coration,posters,security,crowd,the panchayat folks, all sorts of people jam packed on the maidan. The fort visible in the background....

99.

Nearer to the podium we see Akbar,Pasha,Sondu. Akbar and his friends look visibly jaded from the work and drinks. We see Lakshmi, with Kavita and Bujji in another section of the crowd, people are waiting for someone to speak...suddenly the mike tweaks...

MASTERJIMana priyatama mukhya mantri manauriki vicheyatam manaki chaalagarvakaaranam...andaru gattigachappatlu kottandi...

We hear claps alround, reverberating through the maidan,echoing thru the fort. Its surreal. The CM comes to the mike...

CMdevarakonda gramamstulaina nasodara, sodarimanulaku namaskaram

Applause everywhere..

CM (CONT’D)e roju ilanti charitraka gramannisandarsinchinanduku naku chalaanandam ga vundi..nenu meeku cheppalanukunnadentante, raboyekonni nelallo, e devarakondanimanchi paryataka prantam gaabhivrudhi cheyyalanibhavistunnam...

Applause everywhere, even from Sondu and Pasha...

CM (CONT’D).alage mi voorini choostunte nakuchala mutchataga vundi..vyavasayamabhivrudhi lo vundi, chinnna china vyaparalu chesukuntunnaru, pillalnimanchi schoolalochadivistunnaru..pandagalu, pabbalusampradayabadham gachesukuntunnaru..asalu ikkadanayakulam memu kadu mire nijamainanayakulu..

The CM stops talking, the crowd murmurs. The CM has noticed a hand up in the air, cameras turn to the raised hand, people turn their heads to the raised hand, VIPS on the dias turn to the raised hand. For some reason the raised hand sticks out in the mass on people seated on their haunches on the plain ground....The CM gestures for that person to stand up...

100.

Its Akbar...Lakshmi’s eyes go to him immediately. So does the rest of the towns, including Masterji and Babbar on the dias...

Akbar stand up, not feeling too conscious...cameras and photographers are clicking away, black cat guys tighten their grip around their machine, Masterji clenches his teeth, Babbar pulls at his beard, The CM smilingly asks...

CM (CONT’D)yemanna matladalanukuntunava?Matladu paravaledu..yevarannaataniki mike ivvandi

Someone rustles up a mike from somewhere...and gives it to Akbar...he clears his throat...

CM (CONT’D)Cheppu baabu...

Masterji and Babbar try to dissuade the CM, but he waves them down...

AKBARSir, ila mimmalnimadyalo...aaputunnanu...kshaminchandi, kaani naaku idi inkoupanyasamla maaratam istam leduandi...meru matladutaaru... memuvintaamu...

There is a stir in the crowd and a grimness in the CM’s face...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Oka vela prati samavesham lo, rajakiya naayakle matladutuu..prajalu emo vintuu unte...inkaprajaswamyaniki ardam emuntundisir...

CMNuvvu cheppalanukuntudi sootigaacheppu babu...

AKBARSir mee swagataaniki rendu ratrillunidra maani ikkada lightlu, decorationalu chesaamu... oorantamarchesaamu... endukoteleedu...anduke naaku kooda ikkadamatlade avakasham istaaruanukuntunnanu.

101.

There is muted, scattered laughter...

(*scene to be re-interpreted, aeroplane sound effect, instead this time round entire crowd goes against Akbar, no applause but all round derision for his speech, hoots and cat calls asking him to sit down, someone asks to take away the mike from him, also refer panchayat scene)

AKBAR (CONT’D)Sir mee kantiki kanipinchindi edinijamkaddu sir...meeru vachchedaarilo...godalaki rangulu veesi, veedulu anni subramugaa, pavementlatho, drainage emosakramanga nadustuu...uurantasubramgaa kanipinchuntundi..

CMAaa..avunu..

AKBARKaadu sir, avanni paina painahangulu, kevalam meeruvastunnaraniii...

AKBAR (CONT’D)sir, e roju varaku ye cm kuda ma vooru raledu sir, mottamodati sari miru vatcharu, meeto suitiga gamatladdaniki ma jeevitam lo vatchina voke voka avaksam sir idi, anduke...

CMEmi kaavalo cheppandi...

AKBAREe uuri ni inko tajmahala cheyalanievvaru koorukovatam ledusir...maaku kaavaaalsindisamayaaniki neellu raavatam sir...maa urilo pillalu tho saha nidralumaani neelakoosam eduruchootuntaaru sir...

Akbar is breaking down....there is silence in the air, Lakshmi is looking at Akbar with intensity...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Sir manchi schoolu petandi sir..maapillalu Chaduvu kuntaru..aa chaduvekada sir kulam kanna manavatvammanchidi ani cheppdi..

102.

AKBAR (CONT’D)Sir nenu ratrim pagalu...highwaylapaina auto tholutunnanusir...daanitho paatu b.comchaduvutunnanu..endukantedeenikanna manchi jeetham dorukutundemo ane aasha sir...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Ivvagalugutaara sir ...ikkadaunnavaariandarilo okkate sir...memukashtapadutunnamu ...daani taggatephalitam aashistaamu...Dayachesi maaku oo manchijeevithanni ichi maa aashalunilapettandi...

AKBAR (CONT’D)60 savatsaraalu gadichayi sir manaki swatantram occhi, inka maaurilo aadavallu chembu pattukoniveltunnaru sir roadlapakkaki...enduku sir...eememu meeru anukunnathaga kashtapadatleda andi..chappandi...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Evadiki kaavaali sir tourism...avevo hyderabadlochesukondi...maaku peda kalalu , inka pedda korikalu dani kannapedda avasaraalu unnayi sir...

Silence, as Akbar struggles to get words out...we pan across several silent faces, all looking at Akbar...Sondu gets up....

SONDUAkbar anna...zindabad

Pasha joins in a second...

PASHAAkbar anna...zindabad...

The entire town gets on its feet....Lakshmi is the loudest...

CROWDAkbar bhai Murdabad(add more -vedialogue from crowd)...

103.

Babbar and Masterji get on their feet, rage and embaressmentin their eyes...The CM suddenly leaves being escorted by his security. The CM convoy moves out of the town in a flash to cries from the crowd...

FADE OUT;

41 EXT. PANCHAYAT OFFICE - NIGHT

Akbar is summoned by the panchayat. He is alone, standing in front of 5 heads of the town, including a seething Masterji and a fuming Babbar...Akbar has his head down...

(*include towns people and them asking him to get his bags packing and out of the city, total desertation by the crowd)

MASTERJIEntraa..matitappinda neeku..emicheesavu ivaala?

MASTERJI (CONT’D)naa peranta matti kalipaavu..adiiCM mundu...

MASTERJI (CONT’D)Asalu emi anukuntunnavu...

MASTERJI (CONT’D)hero...anukuntunnava

Babbar motions Masterji to quieten down...

BABBARNuvvu reepu poddunakalla ee uuruvadili veltunnavu...uurilo inka nee avasaram evvariki ledu...ardamayyinda?

MASTERJINee auto talanchetulu ekkada...

He walks upto Akbar and tears open his shirt pocket for the keyes...and continues..

BABBARArdam avutondaa leda...memucheppedi?

BABBAR (CONT’D)Repu podduna namaaztime ki nuvvuoorulo kanipisthey, bokkalu erutha

104.

BABBAR (CONT’D)Nuvvu mana matham vaadivi ani Masterjithopradeyapaddite...ippatiki inkabratukunnavu...

Akbar looks up...

BABBAR (CONT’D)Po bey po, brathuku raa, kaaniedevarakonda lo maathram kaadu.Samajha kya

MASTERJIEe sangati ippude uurantateliyacheya padutundi...Arey ernaakodaka..nuvvu chesinapaniki ivvala uuranta tala dinchukovaalsi vachindi...cha mana uuriki macha techchavu...

MASTERJI (CONT’D)ninnu chapakamunde...naa kantikikanipinchaku

Akbar leaves the office silently...

FADE OUT;

42 EXT. BY LANES OF DEVARAKONDA - NIGHT

We see Chinna driving Akbar’s auto, there is a loudspeaker and microphone attached...a reluctant Chinna is doing his job...

CHINNAandaru vinandi..devarakonda pura prajalaku prakatana..panchayatipeddala adesala prakaram, Mohd.Akbar Kalam ane vyakti ,mana uuriparuvu teesinanduku gaanu voorunundiveliveyadamainadi..repatinunchiatanu devarakonda lo kanipistepanchayati kiteliyacheyavalasindiga manavichestunnamahoooooooo

This message is repeated as the auto makes its way through lane after lane.

105.

A sleeping Lakshmi is woken by the message. Concern shows across her face.

FADE OUT;

42A EXT. AKBARS HOUSE - NIGHT

Akbar standing on the hill listening to chinna’s fading voice. Bulb is flickering.

43A EXT. DEVARAKONDA FORT AKBARS HOUSE - MORNING

As the morning sun makes its way up, we see Lakshmi walking in alone towards Akbars house. We notice that all his belongings have been thrown out.. She see’s him, standing by the edge of the cliff overlooking the town...He hasn’t noticed her and seems to be in deep thought looking at the town below...(*insert dream images from childhood right uptoadulthood when Akbars dad dies--uyyala,learning namaz, father teaching kite flying, going to school, failing and being beaten up, father teaching and frustrated at his non learning aility, going to town on dads cycle (shld mom be non existent always?), people saying salaam to dad and namaskars, Akbar idolising dad---shld i repeat dad sequence earlier too as line??), Akbars mom/dad good times kodak moment??--needs work)

Lakshmi waits for him to turn, waits another moment and puts her hand on his shoulders...he turns, surprised...(*Lakshmi could bring avakai-perugu annam with her, asking him to eat something...to be worked on)

AKBARHey avakai..enti ila...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Emaindi...ikkademi chestunnavu...

LAKSHMIAde..nee gurunchi ratirantaoodarakodutoone unnaru...

AKBARAvunu, ratripoota evvariki nidrakooda lekunda chestunnaru..em chesthaam

Akbar chuckles at his own joke...

106.

LAKSHMIAkbar...nuvvu ala yelajaraganistunnavu...edo oka margamuntundi..vallu ninnu urinunchiellakodataaleru...edookaticheyaali...pada manam vellipanchyat lo matladdaamu

Akbar is silent...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Aina vallu evvaru nee intinunchininnu bayatakigentadaaniki...vallaki aa hakkuledu Akbar..nuvvu ala choostoouuruko koodadu...

AKBARLedule..lakshmi..vallaki hakkuundi...

LAKSHMIandenti ala antunnavu...

AKBARee illu maa nanaki panchyat valluichindi...okapputdu ee kotakiaayane kaapalaa kaasevaallu...aayana pooyaka vallu nannu ikkade undanicharu...ikkadeputti perigaanu lakshmi...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Nenu nadipe auto kooda naasonthamkaadu...Masterji de...

Silence...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Assalu ikkada Naaku antu..emi leedulakshmi...zeero

LAKSHMILedu Akbar adi nijam kaadu...ee urijanamantha nee sontham ..vallaaashalu nee sontham...vaallupichollu... vaallaki emitelusu..neelanti vaadi avasaramundi ikkada...(ee uuriki neelantivaadi avasaram chaala undi)

107.

AKBARilanti neetulu... vinataanikibaagane untaayi,kaani emi panikiraavu...okavela ochina ...ippudaitekaadu..ikkadaithe kaadu...

Lakshmi is frustrated not knowing what to say...when suddenly Pasha and Sondu burst on the scene, panting from having run...

43B AKBARS HOUSE - DAY

Pasha and Sondu are excited...

PASHAArey ekkada chachavuraa...urantavetukutunnamu neekosam

SONDUnenepatinuncho cheptunnaraa...nuvvuikkade untaavani..manode...masjidlountaadu.. akkaduntaadu ani uurantatipputunnadu

AKBAREmaindi raa...enduku ala arustunnaru...

SONDUEntaa?...nee yenkamma tv choodaledabe...nuvvu hero ayyipoyavuraa..nuvvu pedda hero ayyipoyavumama...

AKBAREmi matladutunnavuraa...

PASHAMaakemi paniledaa raa neeto jookuluveyataaniki...raa raa..nenuchoopistaanu kinda choodu roaduvaipu choodu emi kanipistondi,emikanipistondi...

AKBAREnti ...ekkada raa...

Sondu and Pasha are pointing out a path which can be seen faintly from the mountain...Lakshmi is also looking on eagerly...

We see a dozen trucks filled with sand and bricks making their way into Devarakonda...

108.

AKBAR (CONT’D)entra adi..emi jarugutundii...

Lakshmi is searching for an answer too...

SONDUNee yenkamma...mana rashtraprabutvam digochindi raa CM gaadumanchodu tagilaadu...vaadu 500 toilet laki...24 gantala neelasupplyki..cementu isaka pipulupampaadu raa...

SONDU (CONT’D)Atu chooda raa...atu choodu

Akbar cant believe what he is hearing, neither can an ecstatic Lakshmi...they all hug each other...

(*as trucks move in, cut to reactions of Babbar,Masterji and other registered people in panchayat, show graffiti images on walls, as trucks mow past--expressionist/naxal statements----like “we demand from our leaders” “jaago india” etc)

CUT TO;

44 DEVARAKONDA TOWN CENTRE - DAY.

As Akbar makes his way into the town centre along with his friends, he is greeted by hordes of people. Someone lifts him up in the air, the contractor trucks pass into the town with cheers and hoots...people are yelling...

CROWDAkbar bhai zindabad...zindabad...

The crowd lifts him and takes him to the panchayat office...Masterji and Babbar are there, in the background we see still more lorries roll in...

CROWD (CONT’D)Akbar..uuru vadili vellataanikiveelu ledu...ee uurilone undaali...

CROWD (CONT’D)devarakondalone undaali...

The crowd is joyful, loud and vociferous...Masterji and Babbar cant get any words in edgewise...

CROWD (CONT’D)Akbar auto ataniki ivvali..auto ivvali ..auto ivvali...

109.

CROWD (CONT’D)Akbar bhaizindabad...zindabad..zindabad...

Masterji and Babbar have no option but to relent as the mass of crowd has taken over the panchayat office..

BABBARsarey sarey oorukondi oorukondiAkbar ekkadiki vellatledu...

There are cheers all around....Lakshmi looks up at Akbar and he back at her...fighting back tears of joy...its time to celebrate in this town...

45 SONG TWO

A CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS/DREAMS/CONVICTION

THE TOWN IS A RIOT OF COLOURS AND REVELRY. Akbar AND CO ARE IN FULL SWING. CELEBRATION AND COLOUR ALL AROUND.

We see a lot of development work take place across the town. Drains are built, bathrooms and water supply is taken care off. Akbar and gang are supervising all of this...

Full on theen marr dances by Akbar and co.

Akbar also formally introduces his friends to Lakshmi. They bond together and spend time in the town, buying her curries etc.

Pasha’s wife in burkha and Lakshmi seem to hit it off well, spending time buying bangles etc.

It is Idd and there are celebrations in the Muslim neighbourhood. Lakshmi, Bujji and Kavita are part of the festivities...

Lakshmi dresses up like a muslim girl, much to Akbarsamazement. She does an aadab to him...Sondu falls flat on the ground...

Much to the mutual disgust of Babbar and Masterji who have to reluctantly participate in the festivities...

In between all the celebratory activities, Lakhsmi takes time out to coach Akbar for his exams.

We see Babbar checking out Lakshmi...its clear that he is lusting for her...he tries every chance he gets to get her attention...but she ignores him, much to his frustration...

110.

Even Akbar notices Babars attempts, but subtly avoids Lakshmi from getting into his hands...

We see Masterji drinking, watching Naya Daurs chariot race on TV...something seems to be sparking his interest...

We see a shot of Lakshmi talking to her father on the phone, who is in Polavaram...she is talking to him animatedly..

Mostly the song focus’s on the mini transformation that happens in the Orru..

THE SONG ENDS WITH Lakshmi CLEARLY FALLING FOR Akbar. BUT NOT NECESSARILY VICE VERSA.

Auto stunts by akbar. Akbar feted like a hindu god.

Might establish that purushottam’s loans have come through(add somewhere)

INTERMISSION

46 EXT. TEMPLE DEVARAKONDA TOWN - DAY

We watch Lakshmi from a distance. She is finishing a prayer at the temple. Bujji is with her. There is a strong breeze. Very few people are at the deserted temple. The temple itself is very small,very sparse and minimalist. Lakshmi’s bright magenta sari contrasts strongly against the barren brown terrain. (Lakshmi is thinking about why she is fallingin love with Akbar, all kinds of voices and questions in her head).

We see her walk out of the temple, offerings and prasadam in a plastic cover. Bujji is holding her hand spinning a ‘yo-yo’ humming a tune...

We see Lakshmi a little more closely now, we see from her expression that she seems deep in thought, contemplative. Bujji is distracted, the background sounds are muted and we watch her closely, Lakshmi is oblivious to the world around her, she is almost trance like in her fixed gaze at the road below...we can barely hear the background noises as she enters the town...what can be heard are strains of music from the celebration earlier...those sounds, unseen images for us, but not for her head...

Suddenly there is a huge blast from a lorries horn..

LORRY“HOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKK”

111.

Lakshmi is startled awake from her thoughts, she turns to see that Bujji has run off across the road,the environment now suddenly noisy and chaotic...

LAKSHMI (HYSTERICAL)Bujji, ekkadikeltunnavu...edainabandi guddestundi ...assalu itturaa nuvvu...ekkadikeltunnavunuvvu...

Bujji is across the road already...

BUJJI (BACK TO HER)Akbaranna ippude kanipinchadu akka...naa bomma choopinchi ippudevachestaanu akka...

LAKSHMI (IRRITATED)raa ittu...pichchodila parigettaku...

Lakshmi is after him, crossing the busy road, extremely concerned...

We see Bujji make a left into a small lane, Lakshmi immediately loose sight of him, she gets even more frantic and tries to catch up with him...

CUT TO;

47 EXT. MASJID LANE - DAY

Lakshmi is in a Muslim neighbourhood. She is probably seeing it for the time in Devarakonda. Her eyes go up at the architecture, flags, urdu lettering, its a new world all of a sudden. She see’s that the lanes are virtually empty, save for a few men wearing skull caps and children running around merrily.

She is in an environment which isn’t entirely comfortable for her. We hear the muezzin call out for the prayer, we understand that there is a masjid nearby and a prayer is in progress, Lakshmi heads down the lane, cautiously...

LAKSHMI (MUTED)Bujji..arrey ...ekkadunnavunuvvu...bujjiiii...ittu raa raa vedava...

112.

As she heads down the narrow lane, a grand masjid suddenly appears to her left, showing bright as a pearl in the sunlight, Lakshmi is drawn towards it...she nears its walls...through the walls she see’s a world that she has only imagined thus far, there are groups of worshippers bowed down in prayer...

At a far left, Lakshmi can see an emptier space. She see’s Akbar in prayer...in white kurta and pyjamas, in an attire never seen before...and next to him Bujji, mimicking Akbarsevery move, much to the boys delight...its apparent that even Akbar is oblivious to Bujji’s presence...

Lakshmi looks on transfixed...suddenly,

Babbar appears right in front of Lakshmi’s face...

BABBAR Salaam walekum Madam...

Lakshmi is shocked and startled by his appearance, she is desperately mumbling for words, staggering backwards, as Babbar looms towards her..

BABBAR (CONT’D)Enti madam, lift kaavalaa...naabike ekkandi...intivarakudimpestaa...

He points at his enfield sparkling in the sun...Lakshmi staggers back, looking her and there for help...

BABBAR (CONT’D)Kangaaru enduku madam...ikkada meemeda evvadu kaanukoodaveeyaledu...nenu unnanu kada, randi dimpestaanu...

LAKSHMILedu. ledu...parvaaledu..

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Bujjiiii....!!!

Suddenly Bujji appears like the wind...

BUJJI (EXCITEDLY)Akka,akka nenu kooda muslim aipothaippatinunchi..okka saari akkaplease akka...muslim akka...

Lakshmi grabs his hand...

113.

LAKSHMI (STERNLY)Bujji... itturaa tikkaloda..intikipada chepataa..neeku undi ivvala...

...and they run out of the neighbourhood.Babbar looks on, his face undecipherable, he turns back to see Akbar in the masjid, finishing his prayer...

We close in on Babbar’s face...seething in anger..

CUT TO:

48 INT. BABBAR’S MECHANIC/MUTTON SHOP - DAY

We close in on huge pieces of mutton being chopped in a frenzy. We pull back to see a banian clad Babbar, muscles rippling through, slashing through bone and meat with a manic intensity. Its obvious he is taking his rage out on the meat...We can see Masterji in the background, smoking a hookah..

Akbar walks into the shop, Babbar notices him, but still keeps on cutting through the meat...Akbar watches silently waiting to get a word in...the sound of the butcher knife deafening on the wooden stump...

AKBARSalaam Walekum Bhai

Babbar stops his chopping...as we trolley with him, we see him take a seat, Akbar follows him but keeps standing...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Babbar bhai.. Pilichaaranta

BABBAR (IN RAGE)Bhai, evaduraa bhai neeku?arey..bandhalu kalipithe chesinatappu challu tundanukuntunnava...

Silence, As Akbar is watching Babbar...

BABBAR (CONT’D)emanukuntunnavu bee? hero ...aaaa?

AKBARemmaiyindi Babbar bhai..?

114.

BABBAREmainda?..arey nuvvu naaku eppuduugauravam ivvaledu raa...poniley edomanodivani vadilesaa...ee uuru ante maryaada ledu neeku...mee nannameeda gauravam tho.. adi koodapakkanapettaa

Silence, as there is an air of expectancy, workers working behind Babbar in the shop, stop to hear what he has to say...

BABBAR (CONT’D)Kaani mana matam raa..daanni nuvvukallathokkutunte...adi elabaristaanu be..chattanaakodakaa...

Silence...

AKBARmana mataannii....emimatladutunnaru Babbarbhai? naaku ardam kaavatamledu..

Babbar stands up and rushes to meet Akbar face to face, whispering in his ear...

BABBAROka hindu aamayi venakaa padiaameni, ame thammudini masjidkiteesukochi...emanukuntunnavuraa...nee abba jaagiranukuntunnava..?

Silence, as Akbar tries to understand him...

AKBARNijanga meeru emantunnaro naakuardam kaavatledu...

BABBAReevatirra eelakshmi?..unchukunnada?...rojuratri ame intikellostunnavaara...?

Akbar is in a rage, in a flash he takes Babbar by his shoulders, getting ready to smash his fist across his face...his hand is up! his teeth are clenched, his eyes are flaming, his body shaking with fury...Akbar like we have never seen before...

BABBAR (CONT’D)Cheyyi ettemundu aameni emicheyyagalugutaano okkasaariaalochinchu...

115.

Akbar lets go, slightly...

AKBARemi peekutaavu raa...aa emichestaavu..

BABBARVaala ayya manaa muslimlani chaalapremistaadu anta kada?...baganesantoshistaadle vaadi kooturu neetotho padukuntundani teluste...

Akbar looses it, he yells, but keeps his hands to himself...

AKBARnee amma....

BABBARAmma varakuendukuleraaa..ayyavarukechaalle...naaku pooyedi emiledu..nashtam antha aalla ayyade...

Masterji snickers in the background, Akbar calms down a bit, obviously thinking about Babbar’s comments...

AKBARemi kaaval be neeku? nee samasyanaato, magadivaite naatho pettukomadyalo ammayini endukuteesukostaavu yee...neelo magatanamtagginda...

Babbar comes forward as if wanting to strike him..Masterji from the back...

MASTERJIaagu Babbar!...

BABBARnuvvu neeku ochina maryaadarenditini oori avatala issiripadestaanu bey..

AKBAR...nannu ee uurinunchiissirestaava?... janaluoorukuntaaru anukuntunnava?

Babbar starts pacing the room, we can see his gleaming silver enfield in the background...

116.

BABBARAaah..akkaderaa ochina chikkuantha...uriki peda hero ayyikoorchunnavu ...kaani ninnu ooriniunchi elagainatarumuthanu choodu.

AKBARCheyyi raa...cheyyi...emichesukuntaavu cheyyi...

Suddenly Masterji who has been quite all this comes up ahead..

MASTERJI mee iddariki nenu settlement chestha

Silence,

MASTERJI (CONT’D)Auto nadipe teeta ekkuvundi kadaneeku..oka auto pandem eskondira...

AKBAR (PERPLEXED)pandemaa... auto tho naa...picchiekkindaa meeku...pandemdeniki...

MASTERJI (EYES GLEAMING)Mari vaadu vaalla nana tho maatladathaanantunnaadu...oka vela nuvvu gelisthey...memunoorumoosukoni padi untaamu, adinaa maata

Akbar is thinking..

MASTERJI (CONT’D)Kaani nuvvu odipothey nuvvunorumuskuni ee ooru vadilivellipovaali..enti...oppukuntunnava?

117.

Silence as Akbar thinks...angry at the predicament...he closes his eyes thinking hard...images and sounds of Lakhsmi’s father yelling at her come to his mind...images of Lakshmi’s father beating her come to his head...Akbars heart is beating...he can hear sounds of yelling and crying in his head...he see’s images of Lakshmi yelling at Akbar for putting her in this situation...images of Masterji and Babbar laughing, as a humiliated Lakshmi’s family walks out, bags packed from the town...he has an image of himself beating the shit our of Babbar...he opens his eyes...

AKBARPandem ki ok, kaani nenu gelistheymeeru panchayat ki rajinaama ichchishaashwatahamga ooru vadilivellipovali. Inka masterji, meekinda autolanni maa sontham.cheppandi, oppukuntaara!!?

MASTERJIEnti masterji autolaa(improvise)

AKBAREnti dammu ledaa

BABBARRei!! em vaagutunnavuraa...

MASTERJI (INTERRUPTING)Hey babbar aagu. sarey Akbar, maakuok ra, chosukundamu

AKBAREmm..choosukundam...

He turns back once more pointing his finger at the door

AKBAR (STARING AT BABBAR) (CONT’D)Reii inko vishayam, idi mana madyagodava...lakshmi ni indulokithechchaavo..

Silence..

AKBAR (CONT’D)Ikkada jarigina uppandam evarainathappithey, vaadiki maathram kukkachaavu thappadu.

BABBARRRREEEEEYYYYYYYYYY!!

118.

MASTERJIPoraa, po

Babbar is seething in anger, his fists are clenched...Masterji calms him by putting his hands on his shoulders...he turns to one of his assistants,

MASTERJI (CONT’D)ooranta cheppandraa..

(*establish some sort of motivation/pre incident in screenplay, where in auto racing established as a possibility later on)

CUT TO;

49 INT DEVARAKONDA FORT AKBARS ROOM - NIGHT

We can see shilouttes of Akbar and co by the lit window...

SONDUAuto pandemaa,piccha neeku

PASHApichooda, ninnu munchataanikivalledo plan(padakam) esuntaaruraa...

LAKSHMIaina deniki aa chatta pandem...

AKBARChoodu naaku telisi vallanipanchyat nunchi bayatakigentadaaniki idi okkatemargam..okevela nenu geliste ainamana uuriki inka manchijarugutundemo...

LAKSHMIasalu aalantolla maatalu ela nammutunnavu Akbar?

AKBARLedu lakshmi mundu vinnu...vallumunde raajinaamalu raasi okacoverlo peti ready gaunchutaaru...nenu gelisanaventanivaatini mana mla ki ichestaaru...

LAKSHMIAa inka nuvvu oodipothe..?

119.

AKBAREmiledu...

LAKSHMI...maa andaru chevilo puvvu emainakanipistunda...

Silence, as Sondu and Pasha don’t speak, they already know...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)vallu ninnu ee oorinunchiyellakodataaru...antekada..cha

Silence, the answer is clear...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)aina ilanti paniki raanivishayaallo tala doorustaavuenduku...asalu eemi ayyindineeku..pichchi pattinda ...eepandaalu avi kaasi...emi saadiddamanukuntunnavu Akbar...hero avudamuanukuntunava...?

Akbar is a little surprised with Lakshmi’s outburst...

AKBAREdainaa oori manchike kadalakshmi..

LAKSHMIAa avunu..inka nee manchiki? Asalunee gurunchi eppudainaalochinchava...malli emaina ante adi chestaa idi chestaa nantaavu..Nenu elaagaina B.Com pass avvalilakshmi...gurtundaa...anni uttimaatalu...cha...

Sondu and Pasha look at each other, also surprised by Lakshmi’s intensity...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)aina naa pichchi kaakapothe naapanulanni vadilesi..nenu endukuikkada...maa nannani, bussiness ni, aakariki hotelni kooda vadili ninnuchadivinchalanukunnanu kada, baagaaindi ley..tagina shastejarigindi...naaku jaragalsindele...

AKBARKaani lakshmi...

120.

Lakshmi storms out of the house, not allowing anyone to see her breakdown...

Akbar, Pasha and Sondu just look at each other....

CUT TO;

50 DEVARAKONDA TOWN - SUNRISE

FADE IN

The sun rises in Devarakonda town. We see its still early, very few people are out on the street. The town looks like a cosy gaulish village, where everything is peaceful and happy, very idyllic. Missing is the chaos. We see a few newly built outdoor toilets. A tap of free flowing running water!

FADE OUT

FADE IN

And then we see a figure, its Chinna on a cycle. He has a megaphone attached to it and he balances it with difficulty...

CHINNAVinandi vinandi...,irojuAadivaaram, andaru intlo aa telugu seriallu choodatam apesi... vallaatta mamalu, kodallato... mana kotamaidanamlo oka prayeka... kanu vinuerugani oka vinta karyakramaanikihaazarukaavalsindigaa...korutunnamahooo...

We see some people in the town get up, irritated at the early morning announcement.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

We also see Lakshmi’s house, bathed in sunlight. We see Lakshmi is lying on her bed, her eyes open, hearing Chinna speak.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

121.

We see, although not too clearly, someone messing with Akbarsauto. Something like a mini oxygen cylinder is being inserted into the exhaust area.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

We see the fort above where Akbars room is. Its locked.

We see Akbar standing on the edge of the cliff, looking down at his town. His face, expressionless/undecipherable. Even from there we can faintly hear Chinna...

CUT TO;

51 EXT. DEVARAKONDA FORT MAIDAN RACE AREA - DAY

There is a carnival like atmosphere yet again. Albeit more colorful and contrasty than ever before. People are colorful, the grass is greener, the sky is bluer. (contrast to CM day out-where everything must be more blendy)

We see two gleaming 7 seater autos, glistening in the sunshine. People are looking at them in admiration, for a town where the 7 seater is like furniture, this is a re-discovery...little children are getting in and out of the auto, Babbar’s henchmen shoo them away.

We see Akbar standing with Pasha, Akbar is looking for a face in the crowd, he cant seem to find it.

We see Babbar standing with Masterji and co at another end. Babars glistening Enfield still accompanying him.

We see Sondu with a mike in hand, addressing the public in his typical style...

SONDUUri sodari..Oh ladies/gentlemensinka panchayat peddal’s...pratekanga nanuabhimaanincheammayilandariki...namaskaaram...(needs to be very funny)

Babbar and Masterji look up at him annoyed...

122.

SONDU (CONT’D)Ikkadiki vichesinandukukrutagnyatalu, devarakonda charitralo likimpatagga eeduseatarla auto pandaaniki ganaswagatam palukutuu ...maro saari swagatam...

There is innocent eager applause from the assembled crowd. We see Bujji along with Chinna, sitting on top of a rock cheering away..

BUJJI AND CHINNAYeeee Akbar annna....

SONDUBabbar gaaru Akbar gaaru meekutelisinatte ilanti vinuuthanakaryakramamlo palugonendukuopukunnaru...ilanti oppandaanikikaaranam, CM gaaru cheppinattu manaurini oka mukya paryataka kshetramgaa marche modadi prayatnam..deeniki kaaranam aina mana uuripanchayat ki okkasaari gaatigachapatluuu...

SONDU (CONT’D)Mana panchayat peddala chevulakivinapadela...inko saari.inkagattigaa...

Applause...Masterji yells at him..

MASTERJInee vaagudu chaalu inka...stajidigu

SONDUAgandi ..chivarisarigaa mukhyavishayam..nenu cheppochedi emitiante...rajastanu lo onte pandem, kerala vaasulaki boatupandem...mari mana devarukondavaasulaki...??

CROWDmana goppa yedu seaterla auto pandem...

Applause all around..

Akbar and Babbar look at each other, standing next to their autos.

123.

Pasha is joined by his wife in a burkha, he mistakenly puts his arm around the wrong burkha clad woman..to get whacked from behind by his real wife...we also see his daughter, who is laughing at his predicament...

Akbar still cant find the face in his crowd. Babbar looks at his associates, one of them gives a thums up expression.

We can still hear Sondu on the mike (Sondu’s dialogues need to be ad-libbed during dub/shoot*)...Masterji is getting irritated...

MASTERJI (WHISPERING IN HIS EAR)Reyy, Sondu aapumannana...

SONDUidi kala nijamaa ..ippude vachinavaarta...Masterji gaaru ippudeeevandaaniki bahumati koodaprakatinchaaru...Akbar geliste manaBabbar gari sonta enfield bandiAkbarke sontham

Babbar turns to look at Masterji surprised...Masterji irritatingly shrugs his shoulders...Babbar looks up at Sondu with hatred....Sondu see’s that...

SONDU (CONT’D)Babbar bai..okkasaari andarikichetulu uupu..nee goppadanamgurunchi...andaru krutagnyatalucheptunnaru

He waves reluctantly, the crowd applauds...

SONDU (CONT’D)ee pandem nibandanalu chaalasuluvu... iddarideggara mapuuntundi...roaddu poduvunaa pratikilometerki..pasupu jandaaluyegutuntaayi... Vaati prakaaramdevarakonda paata uuru kotta uuru, kachcha roadlu pakka roadluannitini daatukuntu chivarikievaraite ee geethathokkutaado..vade pandaanikidora...

124.

SONDU (CONT’D)Aithe sodara sodarimanulaara...roaddu Pakkana pillalujanda vandanam chestuntejaagratta...mana autolu vallani ekitokkochu...anduke vaalni kotthatoiletlake pampandi uurinisubramugaa unchandi

Someone grabs the phone from Sondu...static noise, as Sondu falls off comically...

Its race time...

52 MAIDAN RACE AREA - DAY

Akbar and Babbar get into their respective autos. Akbar gives one last look at the crowd for her face...nothing. They look at each other...and the little boy, standing innocently in front of them, he is supposed to be the ‘flag off’ guy, except he has no flag...he is holding onto his shorts

Yet the entire crowd comes to a silent buzz, the auto engines are humming, everyone is watching the kid....someone gives him a lollipop...

Waiting, we see his hands get busy, Akbar and Babbar are watching closely...And then his nada on his short gets loose and his shorts coming falling down to his feet to reveal his naked backside to the laughing town people...that’s the flag off...

The autos are off, the race is on.

53A THE RACE - DAY (THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE NEEDS CHOREOGRAPHY AND EXTENSIVE STORY-BOARDING)

The race is on, Akbar races ahead, much to Sondu and Pasha’s delight, Babbar has already lots of ground to cover. The autos are surprisingly fast. They are stripped out to its barest, with just the wire frames visible.

Akbar is leading the way from the fort maidan onto the town by lanes. Chicken and goats run away in fear. Dust and other debri scatter all over.

Babbar is the more aggressive and destructive of the two drivers. We see he smashes his auto into all things possible, from ramming into clothes lines and running over saplings and flowers, Akbar on the other hand uses the turf like an obstacle course, trying to cause as little damage as possible..

125.

From the lanes of the town our men are across the cheruvu, we see there are a small hordes of people perched on hillocks and rocks nearby cheering the squad. We see yellow flags dotted everywhere, some kids are playing with it...

The autos very magnificently splash through the cheruvu, we see Akbars’ face confident, Babbar’s face filled with hatred.

Chinna and Bujji are trying their best to follow on with the action on a luna.

Akbar looks back , grinning to see the lead he has over Babbar. He see’s Babbar disappear behind the rear view mirror, Akbar is alone momentarily.(*flashes of images when Akbar momentarily thinks about what could happen to Lakshmi)

Suddenly he is joined by a grinning Babbar, they are neck to neck, Babbar took a short cut off course...

Chinna and Bujji yell..

CHINNA AND BUJJImosam mosam!

Meanwhile the action continues as the autos leave the town to enter the highway, here its neck to neck, Babbar is increasingly violent, jamming his auto against Akbar any opportunity he gets. Akbar tries to keep his cool and concentration as Babbar’s aggro just keeps intensifying...

There is oncoming traffic, so this course is especially dangerous. There are scattered village folk here and there cheering, suddenly this course suddenly moves to the wheat fields along side the highway, here its a hail of dust and dirt as visibility is extremely difficult...

Suddenly Akbar realises that Babbar is not anywhere next to him, one moment he was neck to neck or just behind and the next moment he completely disappears...noticing that the course flags are still visible ahead, Akbar’s sixth sense makes him brake to a halt...

We see that the auto has braked just a few ‘mm’s’ before a huge ditch... at the bottom of the ditch is a sign that says “khuda hafiz” Akbar.

Akbar’ face is a mixture of relief and anger. He gets back into the auto and continues with the race. From the bushes we see a frustrated Babbar appear, his plan A having not worked...He pulls out a cell phone.

Babbar now appears in Akbar’s mirror..We see that Babbar is trying to align his cell phone with Akbar’s auto.

126.

We see a homing device below Akbar’s auto, its beeping, the trigger is in Babbar’s hands. While the autos are making its way through the course, its not easy for Babbar to align the device properly, its keep moving out of range (this logic needs to be worked on)

In a flash both the autos are back on the highway, its downhill from here, the last leg before the final run through the town and then the maidan.

Akbar is making it difficult for Babbar because he is constantly moving in a zig zag pattern. Heavy traffic is dangerously whizzing by.

Suddenly as Akbar is on a lone stretch of highway, its the PUNJAB lorry headed straight for him. We cut to the Sardar’s face in the lorry...

SARDARMil gaya Andhra chicken curry...

Akbar knows that if he is wedged off the highway it will be curtains for him, Babbar is gaining ground. He grips his steering tight and heads on straight not wavering...we cut to the truck driver...

SARDAR (CONT’D)Aaja aaaja...dekhoonga saaley...

The two vehicles are on a collision course..the huge truck is headed straight to Akbar, Akbar’s eyes are fixated on the truck, his glare and grip unwavering...they are coming in together, a collision is evident...the truck driver face is incredulous, he cant believe he is up for a challenge, he grits his filthy teeth...

SARDAR (CONT’D)Jai Guru nanak, kirpan...keerthan...

AKBAR...Illallah..rasool allah...

The two machines are ‘mm’s’ from colliding, we can see a horrified Babbar right behind...he cant believe what’s about to happen...

The truck skids to the side at the last moment, brake and veering offcourse, we cut to the Sardar’s face, agony and defeat writ large...

SARDARBlooody fucckkkkkkk...

127.

The truck careens offcourse from the highway and into a ditch, Akbar is home free, Babbar who followed right behind screeches and follows the truck into the ditch...VICTORY of a different kind for Akbar...he is jubilant on the battle won...

AKBARYaaaahoooooooooo....

We cut to the ditch, the Sardar is in the auto and Babbar is in the lorry, both looking at each other and cursing...Babbar reaches for his cell phone, the range is still there, he still has a chance of blasting Akbar to glory...we see Akbar ahead in the distance on the highway....

He clicks the ‘press’ button...

From a distance from atop the Sardar’s lorry, we see Akbar’s auto go up in flames...We cut to Babbar grinning....

We cut to Chinna and Bujji following in a luna, they are running parallel on the dirt road closer to the town, witness to the horror...

We see the flaming auto continue out of control in the distance....

We cut back to the maidan...A young urchin has arrived, he yells to the public saying..

URCHINChala pedda pramadam ayyindi...Babbar auto guntalopadindi..bagane unnadu...Akbar auto matram mottam matallo undi...

The crowd is dumbstruck, we cut to Lakshmi...she is in the crowd with her sister...her expression clearly of horror...

(*total grief and tragedy atmosphere, as we hover over the accident area, filled with skid marks, burn outs and oil. Total loomness...total assumption that Akbar is dead at this point---work on scene description)

There is a numbness in the crowd, no one knowing what to do, suddenly...

PASHAHey atu choodanadi..edo auto kanipistundi...

Its Babbar, people can see him make his way into the town. (From where the crowd is there is a vantage view)

128.

Cut to the maidan, Babbar’s auto enters, its chugging and coughing away, as it splutters, its in bad shape-the auto, but Babbar is waving his hand out to the half cheering crowd...there is no sign of Akbar...

Babbar is yards away from the finish line, Lakshmi and co are horrified at whats happening, concern about Akbar on their faces as they begin searching for him...

When suddenly, a soot smoke filled auto being pushed by Akbar enters the frame....someone yells,

SOMEONEAkbar bhaiiiiii......

All heads turn in his direction, everyone can make out a black figure in the distance making its way up...Lakshmi moves in for a closer look...

Sondu grips the mike hard...and resumes his running commentary...He has a megaphone in hand, Chinna and Bujji are behind him...

SONDUAuto padem la modalaina manadevarakonda pandem charitraloparugula pandem gamaripoyindi..mundu veelaniabhinandiddamu

Relief on Lakshmi’s face....

Babbar’s auto has come to a stop from the finish line, he gets off trying to understand how it stopped. He turns to see a black auto and an even Blacker Akbar push the auto past him...

He is too stunned to move, in 48 frames we see Akbar go past him and cross the finish line. Babbar falls down, not believing his fate...

The crowd erupts...Akbar is a hero again...

They lift the soot filled Akbar on their shoulders...his white grinning teeth visible...

Lakshmi has tears of laughter and relief...

Someone plays/radio--“we are the champions”...

(p.s Precise structure of scene,logic and drama to being worked on)

129.

54 THE MAIDAN - EVENING

Akbar and an upset Babbar are at the makeshift podium. The crowd has gathered around them. Suddenly police sirens are heard. Splitting the crowd through the middle the police convoy comprising two highway patrol jeeps arrive at the scene. The cops get off...We see that Chinna, Bujji and the old bullock cart driver are with them...

POLICE OFFICEREvarra Babbar ikkada...

All fingers point at him...

POLICE OFFICER (CONT’D)Constables, arest cheyyandi...

Babbar begins to protest...

BABBARAsalu emaindi... naaku eemiteleedu...

The police officer gives a smack across his face...

POLICE OFFICERAsalu highway police ante emianukuntunnavu..akkada auto pelicheste naaku teliduanukuntunnava...daani sakshyam eepillale kaadu...maa rakshak police kooda anni choosaru...

BABBARKaani ala kadandi...ee Akbar kooda

The constables push him into the vehicle. We see Masterji seated there already, handcuffed...

BABBAR (CONT’D)enti mimmalni koodanaa...

MASTERJIedava naaku call chesi ‘Akbar chachipoyadu’ ani analsina avasaramemi vachindiraa..telivi leedu raaneeku...

We see the police convoy move off, to a cheering crowd...people begin dispersing...Only Akbar, Sondu, Pasha, Chinna, Bujji and Lakshmi are remaining...

130.

55 MAIDAN - EVENING

The gang is sitting on a rock...Akbar is looking at Lakshmi, he is trying to clean himself up...most of the town crowd has left the area...except for a few kids who are playing cricket....

AKBARamma..policlu inta twaraga...asaluela...

SONDUheloo..lakshmi daya valla vallakianta munde telusu

AKBARaavakai..?..nuvvu emi chesavu?

LAKSHMIEmi ledu..edo oka godavaavutundianipinchindi, anduke ninnamedeggara nunchi tinnaga mana MLAgaarini kalisaanu...manolleykada..athaniki nee chettha pandemgurinchi cheppaanu. Tharvathaayaney chooskunnaaru

Akbar looks at Sondu and Pasha...

AKBARGaalinayallara ...Ee vishayam meekumundutinunche telusaabe..?

They nod a ‘yes’...

SONDUNee base lo bomb pedthaadanitheliedu ra baabu..nee luck ranuvvu cheruvu meeda vellaavu, adithussu mandi, nuvvu bussu avvaledu

Everyone starts laughing...

AKBARAyyo..antha jarigindaa...

Sondu and Pasha leave the frame, Akbar looks at Lakshmi...

AKBAR (CUTE-MOCKINGLY) (CONT’D)abba thanks lakshmi..aina enthamundu choopu neeku...chaalatelivaina daanive...

131.

LAKSHMIhello graduate ikkada...marchipoyavaa

Akbar smiles embarrassedly...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)nuvvu ee race ki enduku oppukunnavotelisindi..pasha Sondu motthamchepparu...thanks kaani...nuvvuinta risk tesukovatam adinaakosam...

Akbar just shrugs his shoulders, not knowing what to say...neither does Lakshmi as she feels suddenly awkward...Lakshmi suddenly decides to change the mood.

We see Sondu bringing in the bike towards them...She looks at Akbar and asks

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Ee bandi mallepalli elthunda?

AKBAROfcourse madam

CUT TO;

Akbar and Lakshmi are on the bike. The rest of the gang cheer on...

For the first time Akbar and Lakshmi look like a star couple. Lakshmi is delighted to be sitting behind Akbar. Her hands on his shoulders....

FADE OUT

56 SONG 3, LAKSHMI’S SONG

Its evident Lakshmi’s completely in love with Akbar. While she cannot muster the courage to express herself, Akbar continues to be unaware of her feelings....or maybe he is confused about his own feelings...

We start off with the entire gang, driving in the 7 seater towards the city. We see a milestone reading “Hyderabad 100km”. Pasha with his burkha clad wife, Sondu alone, Akbar and Lakshmi.(maybe Chinna, Bujji?)

The contrast from the clean highways to the rabid city roads is evident. We begin with them being stuck in a massive traffic jam. Irritated the rest of the gang leave to walk ahead, while Akbar is stuck with Lakhshmi.

132.

Golconda Fort, Charminar, Old City, Necklace Road, Tank Bund, Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills etc. The gang visits Central Mall, awed by it and everything they cannot afford; BIG CITY-TOWN PEOPLE, aspirations, people look at them cus of their ‘unfashionable attire’, so everyone hits the changing rooms to look like the city chappies...social declassification important theme/moment.

Lot of ‘people watching’..

The gang gets into an expensive chinese restaurant. All hell and fun happens! (details later)

The next part of the song, lays emphasis on Lakshmi’s time alone with Akbar. Without the rest of the gang, Akbar is helping Lakshmi with the door to door avakai selling. They also check retailers, hoping for a contract..

The city needs to look really evil when juxtaposed with these guys.

A lot of self consciousness entering central mall. Sondu and Pasha checking out all the high fashion girls, their eyes rolling..

Akbar tries entering the CM’s house, guards dont let him. He tries to wave a ‘hi’ from outside.

108 ambulances and political rallies everywhere.

Traffic constables telling them not to enter here and there.

Feeling conscious when they hear a young crowd laugh behind them..

They look at the Gandhi and Budhaa statue. All couples Pasha-wife, Sondu, Akbar-Lakshmi...

1111 Car drives in front. They know its Chiru. They get off their auto and run after it. They bang the windows asking him to roll it down for one glance...

Chiru rolls down his window...and ‘god light’ flashes out...Akbar, Sondu and Pasha are on their knees, feeling like they are in gods presence...Sondu is emotional

Sharing beedi’s with street sellers, buying their wall star paintings and other city memorabilia from street vendors..

Lakshmi spends time helping Akbar prepare for his exams. There are moments when Akbar ‘feels’ for her but disregards it...

133.

Time is also spent with Kavita and Bujji in Devarakonda. Lots of shots of him dropping them off from town centre to Mallepalli.

There is a shot of Akbar showing Lakshmi ‘MARY JANEs card’.

Akbar teaches Lakshmi to drive the seven seater.

The gang stands outside the examination centre. Akbar is writing his exams again. We see him, feeling nervous as usual, not able to write...

He comes out of the exams centre feeling very disappointed..

The song ends during Diwali festivities in Devarakondatown...and old lady puts red bottu and on Akbar’s forehead, Lakshmi smiles looking at him...(*we must establish pre-diwali decoration work happening in the village)

There is an undefinable bond between Akbar and Lakshmi, beyond mere friendship...

Etc etc.....

Song ends with Purushottam, Lakshmi’s father coming back from Polavaram...

57 HIGHWAY TOWARDS DEVARAKONDA - EVENING

We see Purushottam, bags and other luggage material by his side. He is waiting for an auto. He see’s a seven seater pass by, its empty.

PURUSHOTTAMHey auto...aagu.

The auto screeches to a halt. Its Akbar. Before Akbar can react, Chinna has lifted Purushottam’s luggage and dumped it in the back, Purushottam gets in the back, behind Akbar.

We see Akbar, he for some reason feels a little uncomfortable.

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)Devarkonda velthundi kadha bandi?

AKBARAvunu sir, adey last stop..

134.

PURUSHOTTAMHammaya, huff..aa polavaram nunchivachesariki ollantahoonamayindi..inti kelle sarikiinka enni tantaalu padaalsostundo. haayiga snanam cheddaamantey neellukooda undavu..padahaaru gantalupattindi..

Akbar is listening on, not wanting to talk much...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)Hyderbanunchi inko moodugantalu...emi hitectooento...narakam laa tayyaraindi ..aatrasffikku adi...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)chacchananuko..mana devarakonda nee better

AKBARAvunu Sir...

Suddenly Purushottam remembers this auto...

PURUSHOTTAMArrey, auto driver, nuvva, gurthunda nenu ni auto lo mundukoorchuna...

AKBARAa...aa...avunnandi, avunu...

PURUSHOTTAMInka enti viseshalu...nuvvu edo IASexam rasthunavu anavu kadha?

AKBARErr, Bcom sir...

PURUSHOTTAMAaa...Bcom kuda manchide...tharvatha CA kosam try cheyochu emo.

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)Ee rendu neelallo, enti emainaavisheshaalu....Nenu Polavaramkoncham pani meeda vellaanu babu, anthaa devudi daya tho baganeyayyindi.

135.

AKBARPeddha ga emi ledu sir, konnitoilets inka water connection pukka chesaru, meeru intikelli haayigasnanam kooda cheyyochchu. tharavata mana panchayat lo iddaru panikiranivaallu jail kivellaru..inka...antheynandi...

PURUSHOTTAMAmmoo...ammoo...water connectionu, toiletlu, panchayat vaallu jail lo...abboo...devudu anta manchikechesthaadu babu...

AKBARAvunandi devudu manchi kosamechesthaadu...

PURUSHOTTAMInka emi ledu, naa kooturundigurtundaa... dani pellicheseste...nenu sukanga chachipovacchu...

Akbar doesn’t know how to react to that statment..

AKBARChi chi...ademi matall andi...anthabaganey avuthundi...

We see the auto chugging along silently on the highway. Chinna looks up to see Akbar’s face and then Purushottam. He is a little confused by the conversation here...

Purushottam is looking for something in his bag....he finds it...

PURUSHOTTAMIdigo babu, Annavaram prasadam..

Purushottam has his hand out from the back...Akbar reaches out with his left hand...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)Chi, edama cheyyi istaavu...(kudihand ivvu...)

Akbar turns back, to see Purushottam face to face for the first time....His red bottu still prominent on his forehead...

AKBARThanks andi...

136.

PURUSHOTTAMAvunu babu, nenu chepanu kadha, nakuthuru, Bcom hons, papam ippudu nakosam hotel panuluchusukuntundi...edaina doubts unteyintiki vasthoo undu...sarena

AKBARSarey andi...

Akbar drops of Purushottam at his door step...at his door step, Purushottam watches the auto leave..

PURUSHOTTAM (TO HIMSELF)Papam, manchodu...kashtapaditheypaiki vasthadu...

As Purushottam enters the house, behind closed doors we hear shrieks of joy from his daughters and Bujji...

CHILDRENNana.....Nana vachesaarruuu

FADE OUT

58 TOWN BY LANES - DIWALI NIGHT

Fire crackers, bombs and rockets burst into the night sky of Devarakonda. We see the lanes are all brightly lit with lamps and diyas. All houses are beautifully decorated.

Crowds are on the street, vishnu and bhoomi chakras, sparklers all over..excited chatter, laughter everywhere..

We see Akbar with friends. They are having a good time bursting crackers. Pasha taps Akbar’s shoulders, asking him to look back...

He turns to see Lakshmi walking towards him, looking great in a festive saree. Akbar looks on, transfixed. The world around him has gone into low gear, all he can see is Lakshmi approaching him...

Lakshmi snaps her fingers across his face...it shakes him to reality..

AKBAR (SHYLY)hey bagunnavu...ivvala.

LAKSHMI(laughs) thanks. nuvvu kooda baaneyunnavuley...

137.

Akbar looks at himself mockingly,

AKBARabba nenenti...pichodilaauntaaanu..nuvvu matram addiraavu.. e deepavaliki deepalu akkarledu...

Akbar laughs at his ‘joke’, Lakshmi smiles...

LAKSHMIhmm..aithe

AKBARAithe...

They both seem lost for words, emotions and words not coming easily suddenly...but Lakshmi decides to shake the mood..

LAKSHMIrepu results aa

AKBARammo, gurtu cheyyaku

LAKSHMIenduku! Anta baganey avutundile

AKBARlakshmi raasindi nenu, naakutelusu..edo ala ala undi..naakutelisi pootundi...

LAKSHMIOye ee saari neeku tuition ichindinenu...marchipoooku..

AKBARedo raasesaanu lakshmi...kaani eesaari elagaina pass aipovaalilakshmi...chaala avasaram...

LAKSHMItappakunda...adii first class lo...

AKBARLedu lakshmi...naaku jeevithanthamauto naduputu undadam ishtamledu...naaku naa jeevithamlonaakantu o job...career,life chesukoovatam chala avasaram...

LAKSHMIadi avutundi Akbar...

138.

AKBARkaani mundu idi gattu ekkali...

LAKSHMIidi kaakunda kooda jeevitham undiAkbar...

AKBARnaaku maatram ide lakshmi...nenuMaryJaan ani american friend cheppanu kada...

LAKSHMI (CANT HELP FEELING JEALOUS)hmm..cheppavu..

AKBARame tho matladanu ninna...ame koodaade aninidi ...degree aithe undaaliani..ame Udyogam ivvalante..andukelakshmi idi chala avasaram...

LAKSHMIoh aithe ...south africavellipothaava?

AKBARdaani meedey kada naajeevithamantha aadharapadi undi.. nuvvemantaavu..

LAKSHMIante... south africa lone jeevithamundatam gurunchi telidu...kaaniikkada nee avasaram undi Akbar...

AKBARtokkalo avasaram..enti.. Rojoomallepalli mallepalli sagar sagarani aruthusthooney untanu

LAKSHMIaputaava ...

Silence..

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)So south africa?

Akbar nods

AKBARKaani nenu velley mundu nee kosamokkati mathram chesi velthanu

139.

LAKSHMIentiadi?

AKBAR(playing) nenu south africa vellemundu cheyyalsindi...

LAKSHMIAdey, enti?

At this point, Bujji is pestering Akbar...Akbar is looking at Lakshmi’s face with some intensity and melancholy...

BUJJIAnna....rocket kaaludam daaanna..rocket kaluddamu...

AKBARhmmm..sarey aagu vastunnanu...

Akbar is being lead off by Bujji...Lakshmi wants him to finish talking...

LAKSHMIhey aagu ...edo cheptunnavu...vellemundu enti???

Akbar is at a distance now...Bujji is pulling him away...He looks back at her and yells back..

AKBAR“ “

Lakshmi and we cant hear him...a huge bomb goes off and his voice gets muted.

LAKSHMI (YELLING OUT)Entii vinapadaleedu...Akbar deggarikochicheppavaa...

This time she can hear him..

AKBARMee Naana gari tho cheppi, oomanchi kurradini chuusi deggarundipellichestaanu...mana urilo meeollakaruvu emi ledulee...

That sounds like a huge explosion in Lakshmi’s ears...uncontrollable tears just flow from her eyes..

FADE OUT;

140.

59 HIGHWAY LINK ROAD TO CITY - EARLY MORNING

Akbar is alone at the bus stop on the highway. He seems to be about to head for the city...We see Lakshmi running up to join him, her eyes red from crying...

LAKSHMIEntidhi, city ki velthunavvu, adhikuda marks results kosam...cheppochhu kadha...

Lakshmi is out of breath...

AKBARayyo intha poddunne enduku ibbandipettadam ani ante...

AKBAR (CONT’D)hey...nee kallu entierragaa..emaindi niddarapooledaa..

LAKSHMIaa..podunne lechanu kada anduke...

LAKSHMI (CHANGING TOPIC) (CONT’D)okkadive veltavaa...nenuraana..ante nannu rammantevastanu...

AKBARvaddule, asale fail ayyananteedustaanu..adi ammayimundu...vaddule vadileii...

Lakshmi smiles, Akbar seems nervous...

LAKSHMISondu , pasha nanna teesukellochugaa..

AKBARvaalla edurugaa kooda edavatamishtam ledu..(kooda chaala sarlu edchesaanu inkaavasaramledule)

LAKSHMIedustaanu edustaanu..enti pichchaaneeku..antha baganeavutundi...naaku telusulada...pass aipothavu Akbar..

141.

AKBARnaaku pass avalane undilakshmi...fail avutee..nannutakkuvagaa anukoovu kadaa...

LAKSHMIChi adem prashna...

AKBARpanikiraanodini ani anukovukada..

LAKSHMIenti piccha?..nuvvu elaa unnanaakishtam akbar

Lakshmi catches herself saying that...Akbar catches it...

Lakshmi changes the mood...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)nuvvu emianukoonante...okatitypical hindu chestanu ok kada...

AKBARHaaa...

She takes out a thread from her bag...

LAKSHMIIdi tirupati thread...neeku problem leka pothey tie cheyyana? Konchammanchi luck kosam...

AKBARayyo adagaala...

Lakshmi ties the thread for him on his wrist...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Bagundi, friendship band la undi...

LAKSHMIAvunu alagey...friendship band ey..manchi kuda jaruguthundi..

Just then the city bus appears, the conductor whistling frantically asking people to get in...

CONDUCTORRight...right...chalo chalo...

AKBARSarle edokati avuthundile...chalobye...

142.

LAKSHMIBye Akbar, best of luck...

Akbar nods, too nervous to say anything...the bus chugs off...Leaving behind Lakshmi waving to him...Akbar looks out the window waving back...

(*Akbar is troubled by Lakshmi’s imagery, he turns back from his seat to see her still standing, imagery continues right upto the time he goes to pick up his marks)

60 BUS AND CITY MONTAGE

Akbar is sitting in the back of the bus. Just him and his thoughts for company. He looks at the passing scenery behind him. Looks at happy people on the bus. Looks at the thread on his wrist, smiling...

The bus enters the city. Akbar continues people watching. Especially successful call centre youngsters everywhere, he is watching them very closely. You sort of understand what he is thinking.

He looks at happy families and people outside malls.

The bus drops him right outside his university building. The tension is palpable. Akbar is extremely nervous as he gets off. We can see lots of students rush in and out...

Akbar slowly makes his way into the college, heading towards the notice board area, students are whizzing past him. He can see a big herd of students all leaning/pushing to get to the notices on the wall.

Akbar just stops in his stride...not able to take the tension.

He moves to the lawn area, falls on his knees and does a namaaz, his hands up, tirupati thread glistening in the sunlight.

He then moves towards the notice board. Its impossible to make your way through it. People are aggressively pushing and shoving at each other.

Akbar very uncertainly makes his way through the crowd and towards the notice board area...

He is awed by the sheer number of lists everywhere, he begins by putting his finger on the first sheet and starts moving his fingers across, slowly, people behind him keep pushing and shoving, all trying to get their space in front...

143.

Nothing behind him concerns Akbar anymore, he is running his fingers, his eyes transfixed, his lips pursed...line after line after line, he bends and keeps moving and moving to the left as he finishes with one sheet after another...

Its not looking good, he is almost done, just a couple of sheets more. He turns to look how many...

He takes a breath, people are pushing him against the wall, his head hits the notice board. He takes a pause and closes his eyes.

When he opens them...he can see Lakshmi written everywhere...he blinks his eyes...continues running his fingers down the sheet...

He can see only Lakshmi’s name printed everywhere...

He is on the last sheet, his fingers are running down the sheet...

Finally he see’s what he is looking for, the printed matter on the sheet reads “See I told you, you would Pass”-Lakshmi.

In a flash that lettering changes to ‘Mohd. Akbar Kalam-2201977 PASS - FIRST CLASS’.

This is the moment of truth, he turns back, the crowd has disappeared, he can see only Lakshmi waiting for him...

We see an image of a makeshift bus station in the campus-which appears along with Lakshmi waiting for him and then disappears in a flash...

Tears roll down Akbar’s eyes...he mouths in silence...

AKBARLakshmi...

61 SONG 4, AKBARS SONG

Akbar is running out of the campus, running like mad...auto wallahs are yelling out for him, asking if he wants a ride...

He smiles and gets into one, sits like a king...he is headed back home...to Devarakonda...to Lakshmi..he looks at his wrist and kisses it...

Akbar can see Lakshmi everywhere, in city signs and shop stores....traffic Lights say ‘go’, the cops say ‘go get her’

School children say ‘go get her’ ....(concept needs to be worked on)

144.

Akbar gets on the bus to Devarakonda. He is standing at the foot board, watching the scenery...moments spent with Lakshmi keep coming back to him..all of them an affirmation of her love for him...

He is looking out of the window, waiting for the last bus stop to arrive...he finally reaches the stop. Its the same spot from where he got on...

The bus leaves, leaving behind it a trail of red dust...

Music fades out...

62 HIGHWAY BUS STOP - EVENING

He turns around to see if anyone is there, as the dust settles, he see’s Lakshmi, waiting at the bus stand.

She looks up from her book to see him watching her. A smile cuts across her face. Akbar is looking at her...fixed on his ground, not knowing how to proceed...Lakshmi runs towards him excitedly...she’s watching Akbars face intently...

LAKSHMIcheppaledaa...ninnu choostecheppochu..pass aipoyavukada...

Akbar is silent, Lakshmi gets concerned, Akbar’s face is writ large with a conflict of emotions..

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)ayyavukadaa...

AKBARavunu lakshmi...pass aipoyaanu(preferably convey without dialogues)

Lakshmi jumps up, shouting in excitement...

LAKSHMIYeahhhh....

She begins crying, tears of joy running down her face...kaajal is smearing her cheek

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Ayyo emaindi naaku..endukuedustunnanu...chaa...

Lakshmi looks down embarrassed...

145.

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)neno pichidaanni...nenu deyyamlaunnanani anukuntunnavu kada..

Akbar takes lifts her chin up....

AKBARenti piccha?..nuvvu elaa unna naakuishtam avakai

Lakshmi looks up, not believing what she just heard. Akbar’s eyes are saying everything...

THEY HUG AND KISS EACH OTHER, ROUND TROLLEY, SUN SHOWING THROUGH, BACKGROUND MUSIC.

THEY ARE FINALLY ONE.

Song 4 continues...

Among other montages, we also show that Purushottam is opening up the Dabha, cleaning work is being done up in a run down dhabha by the highway...

Akbar and Lakshmi steal moments from that activity too...apart from stealing moments together in their town...(needs more work)

There could be some near hit and misses with Purushottam for the couple..

She could be almost living like a wife with Akbar in his house...cooking rice and feeding him his avakai with her hands...maybe almost making out, till Lakshmi says a firm no...etc etc.

We see him tear up some South Africa documents, including Mary Janes visiting card...they look at classifieds together for job prospects etc...

FADE OUT;

63 AKBARS HOUSE VANTAGE POINT - EVENING

We see the couple sitting on a rock,they can see the entire town below them, their hands across each other. Lakshmi has her head on Akbar’s shoulders, looking very content and peaceful. Same with Akbar. They are looking at the sunset. A slight breeze in the air.(some possibility to add pre-dialogue like “kompatheesi nalugu sarlu pelli cheskovu kada, nannu burkha lo daasipettukovu kada, naa peru lakshmi nunchisaira bhanu ga maarchavu kada, mana intlo pooja sthalamuntundi kada)

146.

LAKSHMINanna yeppatiki oppukoru...

Silence,

AKBAR (FULLY RETRO FILMY TELUGU)Ee ooru vaallu kuda anthey, me nanagaru kuda anthey..evaru manapelliki angeekarincharu lakshmi...

LAKSHMIPelli gurunchi evvaru annaru ippudu

AKBAROh ok ok ok...Evvaru mannaniangeekarincharu lakshmi ..evvarumananni angeekarinchru lakshmi...

They laugh..Akbar stands up, while Lakshmi keeps sitting...

AKBAR (CONTINUES JOKING AROUND) (CONT’D)

Raa...Lakshmi..raa..manamikkadnunchi dookeddamu...mana premani nilabettudaamu...

LAKSHMIAntha scene enduku, nenu endukuchavali...happy ga naaku okabrahmala abbaini vethiki, pellicheyinchu...

Akbar has a mock heart attack...they laugh, and then sit back together cosy in each others company...silence...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Nana assalu oppukoru Akbar...

Silence,

AKBARAvunu thelusu...

LAKSHMIAvunu thelusu antey enti, em cheddaamu cheppu?

Akbar shrugs his shoulders, acting like he doesn’t care...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Chi adenti picchiga, edaina chepu..

147.

AKBARarey aavakay...ekkuvachestunnavu, love declare chesi vaaram kudakaaledu...

They laugh together...

LAKSHMInuvvu nee kullu jokulu..

They snicker and laugh...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Em cheddaam Akbar?

AKBARChoddaam le chooddaam...painoduunnaadley...

LAKSHMIUnnada? yedi Ok saari phone kalipiivvu, matladatha...

Akbar gets up and yells...

AKBAR (DRAMATICALLY)Bhagavanthuda....allah...krishna,rama avunu mee main god evaru? chalamandi unnaru kadha, okasarey...evaru kaaliga ga unteyvaaru koncham kindaki osthara... matladali..urgent..

Laughter... and then silence, mutual sighs...Lakshmi gets up and places her hands across Akbar’s face...

LAKSHMI (CUTELY)Arey bangaram, nuvvu brahmin abbaila putti vundotchu kada..apuudu ye ibbandi vundedi kadu

AKBARmari nuvvu voka manchi muslimammayi la puttundochu kada raaavakai..appudu kuda ye ibbandivundadu

Laughter..

LAKSHMINee vaipu elanti ibbanduluuntaayi...mmee amma naanna koodaleeru(pause)ayyoayyayyo....sorry..sorry Akbar.

148.

AKBAROh paraledu paraledu light...ainapainnunchi arusthunaremo...arreyAkbar em chesavu...ammai tho unnavu, adikuda na inti mundu...

Laughter...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Papam, nana...chalamanchodu...nuvvante chala ishtapadevaadu...ante pelliki oppukuntadoledu teliyadu anuko..

Silence...

LAKSHMIEm cheddaamu Akbar?...

AKBAROka muddu ivvu... konchamalochinchataaniki burrapanicheyyali kada...

Laughter...

LAKSHMIChi po...

Laughter...silence...Akbar looks at Lakshmi seriously this time...

AKBARKaani...ippudu serious gaaduguthunna...ok vela, mee nanaoppukokapothey...antey 99.9 percent ade avuthundi, oppukokapothey...

LAKSHMIOppukokapothey?

AKBARNuvvu naatho vatchesthaava...

Silence, Lakshmi is thinking about the question..

LAKSHMI (SERIOUS)Naa vallani ni vadili raavatamantha telika kaadu Akbar...

AKBARAde le..hmmm

149.

LAKSHMIdaani samadaanam nenu ivvalenemo..

AKBARivvakarledu raa ...

Silence...

LAKSHMIenduku ivvakarledu...

AKBARyendukante..ninnu nee chakkatifamily nundi dooram cheyyalani ledulaxmi..buji,kavita,meeamma,nannamma..yenta manchollu..

LAKSHMIMari Maa nana?

AKBAR (LAUGHING)Ayyayyo ... mee nana kuda...

Silence...

LAKSHMIEm cheddaamu Akbar...naaku bayam gaundi...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)nuvvu lekunda jeevithamalochinchalenu

She begins sobbing...

AKBARArrey edavaku raa...enduku ala edustaavu...ooruko

In between sobs...

LAKSHMINaa kharma, nenu Muslim abbaithoney premalo padaala...

Akbar laughs... Lakshmi continues sobbing...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Atleast edo Kamma, Kapu, Reddyayyuntey, nenu koncham dhairyanganana gari mundu..

She acts it out...

150.

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Nana...nenu ee abbai tho premalopaddaanu...mana kulam kaadu kaani, telugu abbaaye nanna, konchamadjust ayipodamu...

She laughs through her sobs...Akbar’s laughing too, but emotional too...

AKBARSigh...avunu, easy ga undedhi kadhaappudu...cha!...

She looks up...

LAKSHMIEm cheddaam Akbar...

Silence...

AKBARvo pani chei nuvvu intikellibudhist ga maripoya ani cheppu..nenu kudamaripota..saripothundi

Akbar suddenly thinks its a great idea...he gets up and dramatically tells Lakshmi...

AKBAR (GIMME FIVE) (CONT’D)Em super idea Lakshmi...yemanukuntunnav nenante..

Lakshmi gets up to give him a few punches...

LAKSHMICha...asalu ninnu adagatam naadibuddi takkuva....nuvvu okkasaarinaserious avvochukada...

Silence, she is a little angry...Akbar realises he cant joke anymore...

AKBARLakshmi...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Lakshmiii..arey avakai..(like ituchoodu)

She is cross..he takes her face in his hands...

151.

AKBAR (CONT’D)nannu okkasaari aina..mee intikipilichaava?

She looks at him curiously...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Nannu ..naaa friends andariniokasaari piluvubojanaaniki...ayanaki memu muslimani kooda teliyakkarledu...nannuswayamgaa matladani...ayanniedurugaa nilapadi adugutaa..nee cheyyi naa chetlopettamani....vaddu Ani ela antaadochoodam?

AKBAR (CONT’D)nenu ninnu yenta premistunnanocheptanu..ela puvvulo pettichoosukutano cheptanu..nato vunteniku e ibbandi vundadu ani mi nannaanukunentaga chepta..

Lakshmi looks up at him, happily...

LAKSHMInijangaa ala chestaava Akbar...kaani naaku bhayamvesthundi...

AKBARBayam enduku aavakai...nenu unnanukadha....

They both smile and hug each other....

LAKSHMIHey..maa hotel vachche vaarammodalapedutunnamu..ma vooru nundichuttalu kondaru..ikkada nannkitelisina vallu andaruvastunnaru..chala ganamgaachestaamu..ade correct time nannanikalavataaniki

AKBARAvunu...super...hey aavakai, aaroju mutton biryani aithe untundi kada?

LAKSHMImutton endukuraa neeku nee aavakaiunnappudu...

152.

She pulls out of the hug to punch him...we leave them on the rock, the night now out in Devarakonda, stars shining...

We hear a smattering of dialogue from a distance...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Naa kosam nuvvu vegetarian avvavaaAkbar?

AKBARMari naaku ee aavakai eppudutodugaa untundaa?

LAKSHMIEppudu thodugaane untundi...

AKBAR (FADING OUT)Oo.nanna Oppukoka poyinaa...

LAKSHMIAkbar ..odileyi ...cheppanu kada...

AKBARSarey sarey.....

We leave the two loving couple behind, their silhouettes shimmering against the full moonlight.

FADE OUT;

64 NEW HOTEL OPENING - HIGHWAY - DAY

Its the grand hotel opening day. We see a hotel, freshly painted by the highway. Its a typical dhabha, but with an Andhra touch, along with the katiya’s we also see some make shift kobbara chetlu, banana leaves and bandipullu waiting in storage in big baskets. The scene is like a typical Andhra house warming ceremony. We see loads and loads of relatives running up and down helping with set up activities...barking instructions at each other, excitement and tension filled.

We see a cow along with its calf parked at the centre. The cow is happily chewing on all the decorations, Bujji is feeding it cheerfully..

Devotional music is playing on some speakers...kids everywhere...women in brightly coloured pattucheeraeverywhere...

We see the backyard of the dhabha is like a typical Andhra back yard. Large untensils and pots are being put on fire, cooks are toiling away mixing ingredients...

153.

We see Purushottam, in between inviting guests he is also running around the kitchen barking instructions at the cooks, we also see Lakshmi and the rest of the family in the background cooking and cutting vegetables. Lakshmi is also supervising the cooking along with her father...

PURUSHOTTAMArey sambar lo uppu chala thakkuvaundi...Lakshmi koncham choodu...

Lakshmi comes forward to check the taste...

LAKSHMIAunu naana chala thakkuva gaundi...inka koncham veddaamu...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Arrey Kavita aa uppu packet konchampatrra...

Kavita looks like she is getting bored cutting up vegetables, Nainamma is eating some gajar in a corner, Amma is supervising the serving material...

KAVITAAkka...idigo uppu..akka sweetu em chesthunnaamu?

LAKSHMIPayasam...

KAVITAChi...edaina ice cream with chocolate syrup cheyochu kadha...

Lakshmi gives Kavita an irritated look, we see Purushottam go to the backyard, supervising some last minute construction work...he is yelling at them...

PURUSHOTTAMmeeku varam rojula mundu cheppanupoyyi ready cheyyamani..e rojeopening ina meeru ready cheyyaledu..ina inkayentasepavutundi..time ki istara..

LABOUREREm chesthaam sir, meeremo paisaluemo aakari nimisham varaku aapipedataaru...panemo jaldikaavaalantaru...

Purushottam is too mad to continue talking...he moves away...

154.

Meanwhile Kavita catches hold of Bujji..

KAVITAarey pilla dayyam entra adi..papamaa avuki puvvulu thinipistunnavu...ittraa...

BUJJINuvvu noru muyyi, aa dooda taagepaalu koncham teeyagaavutaayi..neeku ardham kaadu...

Kavita hits her head and pulls her brother away from the cow...

Nainamma, eating gajar is meanwhile supervising the painting work outside...she is lecturing the painters..

NAINAMMAarey yedavalla ra..e dikku malinatelugu yekkada nerchukunnarra..

PAINTEREmaindi ammagaaru..

NAINAMMAAdi ‘maa’ rasava, lekapothey ‘ya’ na?

PAINTER (CAUTIOUSLY)Emani undali andi?

NAINAMMA‘Ma’ ani undaali!...

PAINTERmari memu raasindi ade kadamma...

NAINAMMAAa..edookati edavandi...

Nainamma looks at the painter suspiciously...

Purushottam is walking to the edge of the road, taking a break from all the hectic activity, he pulls out a beedi from his pocket and lights it, while doing so he notices his son Bujji, he is bending down and greeting some of the other children, saying...

BUJJIAadab..salaam walekum...

155.

Purushottam finds it curious but Lakshmi joins him, the both turn to look at their hotel..The board of the hotel comes up, its reads... “ MAA OORU HOTEL”

For Purushottam its a proud moment. His eyes well with tears, Lakshmi looks at him, giving him a hug...

We see Kavita running towards them...

KAVITA (SHRIEKING)Nana, nana...kitchen lo pedda Balliundi nana...

Bujji is after her, holding something in his hand...

BUJJIkangaaru padaku Akka, nenu deennipenchukuntaanu le...idi manathoneyuntundi..choodu enta muddugaaundo...idigo shake hand ivvu..

Kavita shrieks...

KAVITAAarrggghhhh...padeyyi danni...naadeggara teesuku raaku..chooducheptunna...aaarrrghh

She runs away from him...Purushottam and Lakshmi laugh...

PURUSHOTTAMakhariki devudu manalni challa gachoosadamma..anni sakramamgajarugutunnai..polavaramlo antaapooyaka malli ila hotel pettagalugutaananianukoledu..bagavantudaa..mallielanti avantraalu raakundachoodu...

Lakshmi is thinking about what her dad said, obviously the subject of Akbar very current in her mind...

LAKSHMIippudu aa vishayaalu endukunanna..antha baagane jarugutondikada...

PURUSHOTTAMmana tala raata ela raasundo manakiteleedu kadamma...ippatikaithey eehotel kattesamu...repu edainaavvochhu...nenu inka entha kalamuntaanamma?

156.

LAKSHMIuuruko nana...enti ee picchimaatalu...

PURUSHOTTAMpitchi matalu kadey..kuturiki pellichesina taruvate tandriga nabadhyata teerinatley

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)Inka taruvaata, nee pellicheseydaaka naaku santhrupthi gaundadu...

LAKSHMINuvvu naa gurinchi enduku kangaarupaduthunavvu nana...

Purushottam changes the mood...

PURUSHOTTAMavunu..manaki sahayam cheyyadanikiyevaro ne snehitulu ne pilitchaannav..yekkadunnaru..vatchara?

LAKSHMIIppatike raavalsindi...darilounduntaaru...

Her eyes search the empty highway....

CUT TO;

65 EXT LAKSHMI’S HOTEL HIGHWAY ROAD - EVENING

We see a seven seater come a to screeching halt on the side of the highway...

One of the relatives at the door announces...

RELATIVE 1Purushottam garu, meeru evarainafactionistulani pilichaara?

Lakshmi and Purushottam rush to the door...

We see Akbar, Sondu and Pasha get out of the auto. Each one of them looking like Rajnikanth in ‘Muthu’, white kurta, white dhoti and sunglasses on Pasha and Sondu. Akbar looks smashing...they walk towards us in 48frames.

157.

We see Lakshmi wide eyed and impressed, Kavita peeps in looking excited, Bujji’s is reminded by Lakshmi to keep his mouth shut...

The dhothi clad trio approaches the hotel....

A busy Purushottam and his wife also turn to see the new guests...

Nainamma stops eating her gajar as she watches with curiosity...

66 LAKSHMI’S HOTEL - EVENING

Lakshmi introduces the trio to her father..

LAKSHMInanna nenu cheppa kada na friends ani..ville..e rojanta manaki help chestaru..vaddinchadam daggaranundi alankarinchey varaku annivalle choosukuntaru

Purushottams eyes go to Akbar right away..

PURUSHOTTAMMeeru...mimmalni?

No one wants to reveal names here, we flash cut to Bujji who is in on this, watching them curiously...

AKBARAuto andi, gurthundi kadha...

Purushottam smiles in re-collection,

PURUSHOTTAMOo avunu..gurtochindigurtochindi......

LAKSHMIitanu voka roju vatchi b.com lo konni lessons gurinchi adigarunanna…naku vilainappudu atanikihelp chesedanni

Purushottam looks at his daughter lost for a second, and then he remembers having made that offer himself..he smiles at the recollection...

PURUSHOTTAMSanthosham babu...mee peru...

158.

Now this is a moment, its obvious that none really want to mislead anymore at this point and as they are about to answer...

A big party of relatives and friends get off a mini van outside, their boisterousness getting Purushottam distracted...they call out to him...

REALTIVE 2Namaskaaram Purushottam garu

RELATIVE 3Puja prarambam ayyinda?

Lakshmi uses this opportunity to get the trio out of there and into another nook in the hotel...

67 INT LAKSHMI’S HOTEL KITCHEN - EVENING

There is a lot of cooking activity in the kitchen, we can see firewood, fire, smoke, spices and big cauldrons and cooks in their banians working on with big spoons...

Lakshmi is with the Akbar, Pasha and Sondu are at a distance checking on the food already...

LAKSHMIuff..nannu mi perlu adiginapudu yemcheyyalo ardham kaledu..kalluchetulu adaledu..asalu..

AKBAR (LAUGHING)naa paristiti kooda anthe...nenu me nanna perulu adugutaarani assaluoohinchaledu

LAKSHMIchi navvu aapu asale tension gaundi...sarey emi cheyyaloalochinchavu kada...

All this while Sondu and Pasha are looking at the couple closely...as Lakshmi and Akbar continue talking in the background...

SONDUrey..mundu vantagadi lo vunnakattulanni datcheyyali ra

PASHASarey baava...next?

159.

SONDUredy ga ambulance ni pilichivunchite better..

PASHASarey nextu.....

SONDUVaadunnaadu choodu

He is pointing to Bujji, who is doing ‘walekum assalam’ to every one of the guests...

SONDU (CONT’D)Vaadini koncham control lo pettaali...choclatlu ready gaunnaya..

PASHAunnayi bawa...

Lakshmi gestures to Sondu and Pasha to come over...

LAKSHMIArrey akkadiki ellipoyaruiddaru?..ikkadiki randi

SONDUyem ledu..e akhari kshanalanimiriddaru prashantam ga gadapalanimemala pakkaki vellamanthey

LAKSHMIayyoo ala jokuleyyoddu..yemcheyyalo Akbar ki telusu..meerupanulanni chesi nanna daggaramanchollanipinchukondi..sare nenuvellali..bank manager taruvata mlakuda vastunnaru..nenu nannatovundali..ayanaki avasaramvuntundi..

Sondu and Pasha, salute Lakshmi..

SONDU/PASHALakshmi akka...zindabad....

They laugh, but Lakshmi splits from the scene...Sondu and Pasha look at Akbar..

SONDU/PASHA (CONT’D)ippudentra...

160.

AKBARarey pani cheyyandra...konchammanchollu anipinchukondraivalainaa...

CUT TO;

68 INT LAKSHMI’S HOTEL - EVENING

Musical Montage:

Our trio get to work. From helping with the last minute painting job to getting some more spices and other ingredients from the market.

From cleaning the hotel to supervising all the last minute labour work.

Basically Akbar and co. give an initially reluctant Purushottam enough confidence to let them take charge while he takes care of the guests.

As the evening draws to a close, the electrical work needs to be done, Akbar is in charge of all the lighting and wiring work, there is chaos and tension as Purushottam and family are hoping for a good turn out on opening day...

We see Akbar on the highway putting up a sign that says “MAAOORU HOTEL” 1 km ahead....meanwhile there is also supervision to be done at the kitchen...

Akbar helps Lakshmi with all the preparations as best he can, their chemistry not yet obvious to others around them...they steal every quiet moment they can get together.

Kavita is running after Bujji all the time. Amma, seems to be getting very impressed with Akbar.

But Nainamma is suspicious of him and his friends and is not finding it very easy to get along.

A puja begins where everyone participates. Akbar is also asked to break a coconut. Kavita is also impressed with him, when he begins scaring out all the balli’s from the backyard..

The incorrigible Sondu, finds time to steal a quick drink, while Pasha finds himself bullied by Kavita into some heavy labour intensive work...

Purushottam takes a break, looks for a match to light his beedi, Akbar offers him a light...

161.

Its 7pm, Akbar is having a tough time fixing the lights, the current doesn’t seem to be coming through. There is darkness in the hotel. Akbar is hard at work, everyone is praying he makes the connections work...

Finally all the lights come to life, cheers everywhere, serial lights outside, all kinds of special decorative lights, the hotel is like a brightly lit oasis in the middle of the dark highway.

The tables and chairs are all set...now everyone is waiting for the customers...

Things quieten down...music fades, we hear crickets and some random vehicles on the highway...but no customers....

Music fades out

DISSOLVE TO:

69 LAKSHMI’S HOTEL HIGHWAY - NIGHT

Lakshmi’s entire family is at the door waiting for someone to turn in....

Silence as no one speaks....vehicle After vehicle just zoom by not stopping...

Everyone is literally out of the door looking into the empty dark highway...hoping for someone to stop....

Sondu tries bullying a motorist to stop...Purushottam and Akbar wont have any of that and let the poor motorist go....

The family begins to get worried now, everything is still and no one is speaking, the cooks in the kitchen are taking a break.

Purushottam finally speaks..

PURUSHOTTAMsarle..yem kadu..mana cheyyalsindimanam chesam..ina modati roje kadayevarostaru…andulo manam anta adrushtavantulamu kadu...manaki a sentiment lu enduku ...chooddaamrepu elaago undikada.

We see Akbar is on the highway, willing in his head for someone to stop...Akbar turns to look at the family waiting by the entrance...he turns to walk back to them when suddenly a volvo zooms by the road, but comes to a screeching halt off screen...

162.

As we hear it reverse, everyone turns to look...the volvobacks its way into the hotel...it has dark windows, so no one can tell how many people are inside...

NAINAMMAYemundi..driver cleaner okkallevachuntaaru...bagane undi modatiberam...

The driver gets out and talks to Akbar...

DRIVERbojanam unda andi..

AKBARayyo undandi..randi randipadandi...

Everyone just expects his cleaner to follow, but in a moment the entire bus empties itself with like fifty people...

The family and Akbar cant believe his eyes...the first customers are in...

Music sets in..

PURUSHOTTAM (YELLING OUT)sardhandi..tables annisardhandi..vaddinche valluvunnara..a..miru velli vallakemkavalo choodandi..yevaru ibbandipadakundadu…vantagadi lo poyyiveligincha mani cheppu

Akbar walks beside an excited Purushottam who puts a hand on his shoulders and says...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)Babu, bagundi..bagundi...chaalabaaga chesaaru

Akbar is touched...its dinner time at the hotel...

As the night progresses, we see Truck after truck, volvoafter volvo stopping by and folks getting out and eating...

It’s way more than anyone could have hoped for...their food is also a hit with lots of satisfied customers.

Akbar throughout plays the role of main steward, much to Purushottam’s delight as he mans the cashiers desk, money is just flowing in...

163.

In between all this chaos and happiness, lots of glances and moments are stolen by Akbar and Lakshmi..

Its almost closing time, the last of the customers are leaving...

The lights outside are coming off, the kitchen is closing down..the workers are leaving, Sondu and Pasha leave as Akbar decides to stay on to help with all the winding up work...

SONDUSarey Akbar, memu vellali, repukoncham pedda berametagilindi,mallepallilo saamanludinchali, nuvvu auto gurunchikangaaru padaku..memu aa lory ekkiveltaamu...

PASHA (TO AKBAR)jaagartha raa..kangaaru padavu kada

The duo hug Akbar...and move on...

Tables and chairs are being put back together...some light dusting is going on...The katiya’s are being put up in the back yard as the family slowly begins to unwind...

The hotel finally shuts shop for the night.

(A confrontation between a released on bail Babbar and Sondu, leading into a violent fight, where he stops Babbar from reaching Akbar is a possibility-juxtaposed with the silent goings on in the dhabha, but am not convinced of its need in the screenplay yet*)

DISSOLVE TO;

70 HOTEL HIGHWAY - MID NIGHT

People are beginning to unwind, Nainamma is asleep on a cot, Kavita has made herself comfortable on another cot, she is reading a book. Amma, is also preparing her bed. They are all sleeping out in the open. Purushottam is speaking to his wife about the day so far...we can hear them chatter in the background as Lakshmi comes upto Akbar, who is standing at the balcony, putting the last of the chairs into the hotel..

LAKSHMIHi...

AKBAROh, anta bagane kada?

164.

LAKSHMIhmm..alispooyanu...nuvvu baagaalisipoyuntaavu kada

AKBARhmm parvaaledu..

LAKSHMIenti veltaava ippudu?

AKBARante nanna gaaritho matlaadali anukunnanu...kaani..

They look back and see Purushottam is making himself comfortable on a makeshift cot in the backyard...we hear him yawn in the semi darkness...we see from their POV the family all settled down in the darkness...

PURUSHOTTAMOh shiva shiva shiva....modati rojuchaala adbutamugaa nadipinchaavuswaami....(he says a prayer lying down)

AMMAKavita...aa lightlu inka enta sepuyesiunchutaave?

KAVITAaagamma, 10 nimishaalu..

We focus back to Lakshmi and Akbar...smiling...

AKBARante ippudu saraina time kaademokada..

LAKSHMInannagaariki chaala nachchiatunnavuAkbar

AKBARnijangaana?

LAKSHMInaaku telusu kada maa nannagaarigurunchi..

Just then we hear Purushottam speak...

165.

PURUSHOTTAMAmma,a abbayyini ikkade padukommanicheppu...inta ratri vellatammanchidi kaadu..enti babuvintunavaa...

Akbar looks at Lakshmi, clearly uncomfortable with the idea...he speaks out from his position to Purushottam...

AKBARparvaaledandi...veltaanu...

PURUSHOTTAMLedu ledu, nuvvu undalsinde, choodakkada mancham vesundi, podunne coffee taagi velduugaani...padandi..andaru padukondiinkaa...

Akbar looks at Lakshmi, she shrugs her shoulders...

LAKSHMIpadukoovachugaa..nashtamemiundi...repu coffe taagutuumatladochemoo...

AKBARIppudu Naaku bhayam esthundi...

Lakshmi giggles..

LAKSHMIabba,, mari chinnapillodilaamatladaku...

We see Lakshmi get the cot and sheets ready for him, his area is a little away from the rest of the family, Akbar makes his bed by the cow and her calf...while Lakshmi takes a cot right between her father and mother...

DISSOLVE TO:

71 LAKSHMI’S HOTEL - NIGHT

Time lapse, night sights and sounds of the now sleeping highway hotel...

In the darkness as the cow and her calf chew on some grass, we see our man Akbar lying on the cot, his eyes open, but sleepy...looking at the stars...

166.

AKBARAllah, repu emi jariginaa eekutumbam naa valle vidipovakundaachoodu..nenu inka emi kooranu, naaku baada kaliginaa parvaaleedu, lakshmi bagunte chaalu,

Just then a shooting star shoots across the sky...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Ledu ledu..ala kaadu devuda, vallananna angeekaaramtho maa pellijarigelaaga kooda cheyyochukada.Nenu non-veg tinatam maanestaanu, maa pillalu kooda valla ishtamainamatham lo untaaru, memante hindu-muslim la undalsinde, pillalainanijamaina hindu-muslim bhai bhai gauntaaru

We see Akbar is actually falling asleep as he is speaking...unknown to him, Lakshmi is nearby with a glass off water....she comes up to his cheek and gives him a kiss...a tear falling from her eye and disappears into the darkness to her bed...

We cut back to Akbar who opens his eyes drowsily, rubbing his cheek...

AKBAR (CONT’D)entiraa baabu...varsham ippuda

He looks up at the skies....and gives a mighty big yawn...

AKBAR (CONT’D)Devuda...shiva shiva shiva...

Time lapse as more sights and sounds of the sleeping family and hotel.(*Akbars watches Lakshmis sleep--fantasy sequence)

Bujji is fast asleep, hugging his Kavita akka tight, Nainamma, is snoring, while Amma is sleeping with a smile on her lips, giggling at a dream...

Purushottam wakes up suddenly, with a fit of coughs, he clears his throat and drinks up all of the water which is by Lakshmi’s side...he smiles fondly at Lakshmi who is fast asleep, as he finishes his glass of water...

He lies down, when he suddenly hears a sound...its Lakshmi, speaking in her sleep...at first its some incoherent murmurs, but then...

167.

LAKSHMInana..inni rojulu meekucheppananduku sorry nanna...nenuatannipremisunnanu...pellichesukuntaanu....mimmalni adagataanike Bayangaaundi...

Purushottam is wide awake looking at his daughter...he is waiting for her to speak again...

LAKSHMI (CONT’D)Nijangaa manchoodu...nana...neekunachutaadu...ammaki nachchutaadu...mana modadi booni atanimoolaane...atanu naaku kaavalinana...chaala manchoodu...

Lakshmi turns to her side and quietens in her sleep...Purushottam is touched and perplexed by the situation....he looks to his side to see a sleeping Akbar in the distance...he looks back at his daughter, his eyes well with tears....he falls back to his cot, his eyes brimming with tears...he looks up at the sky...and whispers..

PURUSHOTTAMDevuda, naa Lakshmi evarnainapremiste vaadu nijangaanebangaaram...vallidariniashirvadinchu..

DISSOLVE TO:

72 HOTEL HIGHWAY - EARLY MORNING

The morning sun shows through the highway stretch. The wheat fields by the hotel are a golden brown, ready for harvest. The sky is a riot of mood oranges...there is a light mist hanging in the air...

We see the hotel, it looks content and happy. We see the family, everyone now cooped up in blankets because of the night chill, there is also the remnants of a bonfire..

(*Lakhsmi’s fantasy as she goes to fetch water in her bottle. She watches him sleeping--and runs back later to cover herself in a blanket--needs to be worked on)

Purushottam is the first to wake up....stretching he first looks at his daughters face, and then at the rest of the family all still purring away in their sleep...

168.

He gets up from his cot, making sure not to waken anyone and tip toes to the front yard, towards a sleeping Akbar...

He tip toes, not wanting to wake him up...He comes up close to have a closer look at his face...we see Akbar, all cooped up, knees to his chest, he didn’t have a blanket for the night...he is all huddled up tight...the cow and calf are sitting around a sleeping Akbar as if protecting him...

The cow looks up at Purushottam, as if questioning his interference...the mother cow lets out a ‘moooo’...Purushottam smiles, looks for a blanket and covers Akbar...

73 HOTEL - MORNING

We see Purushottam get into the shower, he is all excited and is singing to himself as he pours cold water over himself..

PURUSHOTTAMOh shiva shiva shiva...chaalachalla gaa undiivvala....edaina...naa peddakooturiki abbayini choosipettavu...okka roojulo entoichchavu...inkemi koorukuntaanu...

He makes his way out of the outdoor shower, a towel wrapped around his waist, he is still shivering with the cold...he walks up briskly to the puja room, talking to himself..

PURUSHOTTAM (CONT’D)devudaa naa bangaarutallini inkamettinintiki saaganampaali...

Purushottam begins doing a puja, bell and a plate in hand...he begins by thanking the lord...

He then gets up with bell and plate in hand and heads out into the yard...

We hear a muezzin calling out for devotees for a masjid far away...

MUEZZINAllah oh Akbar...allah...

Purushottam who is tip toeing barefeet and shivering is annoyed...

PURUSHOTTAMAbba...poddupodunne endukuarustaaro ento..cha...

169.

Just then he hears a noise in the kitchen...he stops in his stride...he cant seem to understand what that noise was...the muezzin can still be heard from a distance...cursing the call from the masjid and repeatedly saying his prayers, he makes his way into the hotel to check on the noise...he hears it again, its a soft thud and is coming from the kitchen...he gingerly tip toes, walking by the puja room he was just in, as he passes the pooja room, he does another namaskaram...ahead is the kitchen door, he slowly opens it, his other hand still holding the pooja material...

The early morning sun is showing through the shafts in the ventilator...Purushottam looks inwards and see’s a freshly showered in his white kurta and dhoti but with a skull cap, a kneeling Akbar, in silent prayer.

We watch a shocked Purushottam a variety of expressions passing by his face, from shock to surprise to fear and finally to hatred...

He drops the bell and thali...

We cut back to a wide shot of the hotel, the sound of the crash deafening the landscape, the sun now showing brighter...

DISSOLVE TO;

74. LAKSHMIS HOTEL - DAY

When we open on the courtyard, we understand from the families expressions that the yelling, screaming by Purushottam have already been done...

(or we could show silent montage of Purushottam questioning Akbar and Lakshmi, with Akbar earnestly trying to convince Purushottam about the situation, even Lakshmi tries her best, before finally giving up, because Purushottam is adamant, furious and wont have any of it)

We see him standing, now dressed, but his face in disarray, his wife and his mother are also standing, looking equally disheveled. Lakshmi is standing in one corner, her eyes red with tears. Kavita and Bujji are together, hugging each other tight...

We see tears roll down Lakshmi’s eyes. We shift focus to Akbar who is heading, head down to his auto parked by the highway...

We see Purushottam’s eyes also tearing up, but his face is hurt and furious...

170.

Akbar turns back to look at the family watching him, in hurt and anger...he looks down, not having anything to say...he has a slight smile of acceptance..

Lakshmi is taking one long last lingering look at Akbar, and so is Akbar...

He turns and gets on his auto and drives off...

All he can see is an empty stretch of highway in front of him...

We see the auto make its way from hotel and onto the empty road ahead in a high crane shot....

(*we could show a song of separation, where Purushottam notices Lakshmi longing for Akbar, we watch Akbars life begin to take a U-Turn towards town politics. We could show them deal with separation in a mature manner and also Purushottam’s stoics POV of all proceedings....etc)

FADE TO BLACK;

END TITLES ROLL

THE END

171.