Screenplay
INT.AFZAL RESIDENCE.NIGHT
A hand is shown picking up the phone.
Almas acompanied by her best friend.Then her best friend
is shown roaming around in company with a man,shopping
and visiting friends that Almas probably doesn’t like.
Simultaneously a voice from the phone is describing what
her best friend is doing as a v.o
NARRATOR(VOG)
Who says money is not
important.Yes,it absolutely is.
NARRATOR(VOG)
Right market and the right
shopkeeper___and the right
buyer.Everything sells!
INT.OFFICE.DAY
Khursheed is seated in one place steady whereas the
interviewers keep on changing.One of the potential bosses
is Mr.Aazam Afzal.
MR.AAZAM AFZAL
Why have you applied here?
KHURSHEED ALAM
Sir, I studied management for
years in Paris.I have management
experience.
MR.AAZAM AFZAL
Why have you moved back?
KHURSHEED ALAM
yes,I have moved back because my
father is not well so I returned
to Karachi.
MR.AAZAM AFZAL
How long were you abroad?
KHURSHEED ALAM
Yes,I returned after 7
years.Karachi has changed a lot!
MR.AAZAM AFZAL
yes…This is an ever
changing world and in this chainging
world..
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 2.
MR.AAZAM AFZAL (cont’d)
people’s loyalties are also ever
changing…
I’m sure with experience like
this..you must have applied
elsewhere too.
KHURSHEED ALAM
Yes sir, I have but no luck.Either
I’m too overqualified or the job is
too skill specific.
(Khursheed during this
sentence takes off his thick
speciticles)
MR.AAZAM AFZAL
Its true that you are over
qualified even for this..but I like
your honesty.
KHURSHEED ALAM
I didn’t understand!
MR.AAZAM AFZAL Honesty
is a gift that only few
possess…how soon can you join?
INT.COFFEE PARTY.EVENING
The scene opens with piano music already
playing__Peroja’s fingers moving across the
instrument__then Almas is shown in the foreground
greeting guests and talking.
As the young pianist gathers a crowd around her,Almas
finds an excuse to go and speak to Peroja as now she has
demenstrated her power to make the crowd sway to the
magic she played.
Almas is hosting a party where Almas meets a pretty young
girl, a pianist by career Peroja Dastur .Almas giving vibes
of befriending her as they move beyond basic exchange of
information.Almas exhibits her ability to tap into other
people’s personal lives without revealing her own.
Peroja describes her relationship with her beloved for
whom she’s waiting to be bound in marriage.
ALMAS BEGUM
Oh! that was a lovely composition.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 3.
PEROJA DASTUR
Thank you!I composed it with my
fiance in Paris..we used to play
together..me on the piano and he
used to play a violin.
ALMAS BEGUM
Oh! you sheaky girl! You are in a
relationship.
Watches her really sociabl friends pass by,she introduces
Peroja to them.Her voice changes tone as if suddenly very
happy to have found a free gift in a cereal box.
ALMAS BEGUM ladies
and Gentlemen..Look I
discovered a star.She’s a trained
Pianist.
After a small conversation with Almas’s friends Almas
reveals her real reason for coming over and talking to her.
ALMAS BEGUM
I have a business proposition.Play
exclusively at my parties…I will
pay whatever you demand…and
publicity as well!
PEROJA DASTUR
hmm…that’s what I was
l o o k i n g
for..hai..sure,why not!
INT.AFZAL RESIDENCE.NIGHT
Dangling from the ceiling is a Cristal chandelier
shimmering like thousands of stars with the most
magnificent light.The room is full of such magnificent
pieces of art work,wall hangings and sculptures.Seated in
the middle adjacent to two sculptures is a Wedding Picture
of Khursheed and Almas.
Almas is as usual is talking about the hot gossip whereas
Khursheed is lost in his own thoughts__finding a way to
escape this dull marriage based on only the financial
support in order to save his ailing father who has
tragically deceased.With that the internist in marriage
has expired too.
He is now preoccupied with last few memories of his
father and the image of his death.
(memories of his father lying
in the bed are shown,the
weakness in his eyes etc.)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 4.
Almas doesn’t realize that he’s not even listening.He
leaves her alone as an excuse for work.
ALMAS BEGUMEMAR
Oh! at the club today me and my
friends….
Khursheed destracted by something else wants to escape
this conversation and leaves for the office.Almas is left
sitting there by herself.
KHURSHEED ALAM
hmm..excuse me Almas.I have work
left at the office.
INT.PARTY.DAY
Almas meets Peroja at another social party and introduces
her to her friends with the intent of her hitched by
another man.
INT.AFZAL RESIDENCE.NIGHT
Almas is as usual talking about her social gatherings and
Khursheed seems genuinely disinterested in any social
parties and Almas’s interests and starts to behave
awkwardly __such as avoiding Almas and leaving for work
as an excuse to get away from her.
ALMAS BEGUM
Today I went to Husna’s party.It
was a large party,a lot of famous
people were there too and you know
Reeta and her husband as usual
were acting cheaply!___cheap
publicity stunt!..hun!
KHURSHEED ALAM
hmm..
Khursheed while Almas is talking is indulging in the
memories/time spent with his beloved and feels that Almas
and him are a mismatch as a couple.
ALMAS BEGUM
And Pinky wore the same outfit for
the fifth time!poorthing…and still
such a showoff!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 5.
KHURSHEED ALAM
hmm…hmmm…
Khursheed is lost in the memories___thinking of Peroja’s
eyes..a quick glimpse of her beautiful blue eyes is
shown…as if she is smiling with her eyes..as her eyes
speak a thousand words without any words spoken.
Khursheed’s hmm continues and at this very moment he’s
indulging in memories of Peroja to which he smiles and
just gets up and leaves without a word.
EXT.DASTUR RESIDENCE.EVENING
Khursheed’s heart still aches for his lover.He regrets
choosing monetary aid brought by this marriage.He goes
out in search for his beloved.
Khursheed goes to the office completes his work but remains
distracted all the while.He then decides to meet Peroja.As
he gathers his courage he goes to see her at her aunt
and uncle’s place who have long been her guardians.There
he fails to meet her as she’s a working girl.
KHURSHEED ALAM
Goodevening.I’m Khursheed
Alam.Miss.Peroja here?
AUNT
Yes…who Peroja?…aa…she..a
um..wait son.
Peroja’s aunt fixes her glasses,comes closer to hear the
young man and suddenly realizes who this man is and
brings out a visiting card that had a gentleman’s name.He
then confirms if she is married to him,since aunty was
hard of hearing she nods in affirmative.
(Aunty is constantly touching
her ear and coming close to
the young man and is talking
really loudly as if it would
make any difference in hearing
the young man)
AUNT
you can find her at this address.
KHURSHEED ALAM
Has she married?
Aunty nods in affirmative.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 6.
While aunt was talking to Khursheed uncle was busy
praying and as soon as he finished his religious rituals
he comes to the door and but Khursheed had already left.
UNCLE
Who was it?
AUNT
Peroja’s friend.
Khursheed leaves dejected thinking of how Peroja had
promised to stay with him all through their lives.But his
inner conflict blames him of not being loyal to his
Peroja.He cursed himself that he deserves this kind of an
attitude from her.He thought of him as selfish man as he
only desired a job and medication for his ailing
father.His conscience pricked on him day in and day out.
INT.AFZAL RESIDENCE.EVENING
Almas is on the phone calling hysterically to Khursheed’s
office,calling every place he visits for business meetings.
ALMAS BEGUM
Where is Mr.Khursheed?
SECRETARY
Mr.Khursheed is not at the
office.He went out for a
meeting,madam.
ALMAS BEGUM
Where?
SECRETARY
Madam, I don’t know where.
ALMAS BEGUM
You should know where he goes and
why__you are his secretary!
Almas bangs the phone in anger as she doesn’t know her
husband’s whereabouts.
Minutes later..Almas recieves another phone call.
While he’s out of the office searching for Peroja,a voice
from the phone is precisely describing his whereabouts.
Kursheed returns home tired,dejected and
disinterested.Almas seems furious and asks him about what
he did all day trying to extract information from his own
mouth.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 7.
ALMAS BEGUM
Where did you go?…I mean how
was your day?Busy day..I called
several times!
KHURSHEED ALAM
My dear wife,I was busy
working!!
EXT.SOCIAL PARTY
Almas meets Peroja at this party as she’s mesmerized
entertaining the guests with magic of her skill.
Peroja starts off talking about her beloved and how happy
they were.Almas interrupts her and blatantly tells her to
stop dreaming of her beloved as it’s a only by a mere
coincidence that the man she’s describing is her husband
who apparently has the same internists so she should stay
away from him as if he’s her property!
PEROJA DASTUR
Almas.I miss Khursheed’s
company.He’s teriffic at playing
violin..I’ll introduce him to you
as soon as I contact him….I miss
his jokes ..oh! we were soo happy
together..laughing and …
ALMAS BEGUM
I think you should stop dreaming!
Is it just a mere coincidence that
my husband has the same
interests..,It would be better for
you to stay away from my husband!!
PEROJA DASTUR
but…
ALMAS BEGUM
End of discussion
Almas walks off after insulting Peroja.
8
.
INT.RESTAURANT.NIGHT
Khursheed Alam goes for a meeting at a restaurant and a
confirmation of his fears __see Peroja with that man and
the kids.
khursheed backs off.Never persues in meeting Peroja for
the sake of her happiness.
INT.AFZAL RESIDENCE.NIGHT
He plays the violin just so he may enjoy the memories/
time spent with her in order to get over it.While he’s
playing so passionately, Almas is observing him.She
thinks of him as failed and defeated.
Almas sees an opportunity to reconcile and She is all
over him__seducing him.(she is aging and wants a child).
While she is busy seducing him for a child she has also got
him to become Dad’s business partner so as to please and
keep him __thus eliminating the opportunity to leave.__here
we show him signing the deal as a business partner.
With his boss in his office who has a picture of his
daughter Alams in the background.(the two events shown as
quick visual montage) along with that a quick dialogue
will also be exchanged between Mr.Afzal and Almas
regarding his job.
MR.AAZAM AFZAL
Where is Khursheed?
ALMAS BEGUM
Daddy___He’s busy..to get
something great one has to forego
something!
(Almas speaks so whimsically
and knows that her father will
understand what she meant by
that as she is the only
daughter he has)
All that while Almas is talking to Khursheed,he is too
busy indulging in those memories.
(K.A is indulging in memories
of Peroja….eyes will be
shown…them laughing and
possibly playing music
together)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 9.
NARRATOR (VOG)
Taking off as a free bird,yet
accepting a partnership with his
father-in-law.What an irony.
(spoken sarcastically)
EXT.ON THE ROAD.NIGHT
(The road is shown,Peroja walks
out of the frame i.e the side
walk…camera remains still and
we hear a thud and a screaching
sound)…Accident it self is
never shown. (Sound effects
will be used here)
In the meanwhile Peroja is leaving from work one evening
and has an unfortunate accident__by a doctor who’s an eye
specialist who is apparently rushing to the eye clinic
for an operation.
He takes her to the hospital but she dies and later on
find out that she’s an eye Donner.__the eyes are
extracted and preserved.
DR.SADIQUI
Hurry,hurry,take this girl to the
operation theatre.She is bleeding
profusely..and nurse,call Dr.Ali and
inform the girl’s parents
NURSE
Yes Dr.
Dr.Sadiqui sees the girl as the nursing staff take her
into the operating room and realizes who this is.
(This scene is Dr.Sadiqui’s
flash back/a memory of meeting
peroja at Almas’s party__ one of
the admirers in the crowd)
DR.SADIQUI
I am an ardent fan of a piano.And
the tune you played was mesmerising.
PEROJA DASTUR
Thanks.That’s good.My music has done
something good,at least.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 10.
DR.SADIQUI
Oh! I forgot to introduce
myself.I’m Dr.Sadiqui___I’m an eye
specialist.
PEROJA DASTUR
I’m Peroja Dastur___Piano
specialist!
(They both laugh)
DR.SADIQUI
Since I’m an eye specialist..so I
notice eyes and you have a
beautiful pair of eyes.
PEROJA DASTUR
That’s why my eyes shall be
donated after my death.
(Smiling)
DR.SADIQUI
Oh! so you are meeting the right
person.I am an eye
specilist….haha…must keep in
touch before you die
(Laughing/jokingly)
PEROJA DASTUR
Okay….sure!
INT.AFZAL RESIDENCE.EVENING
As time passes by and K.A is still not warming up to
Almas.However, Khursheed has developed a taste for a high
status in the society he still stays and tries to
reconcile as well.Even though he’s still getting over
Peroja.___ He is now a business partner and has some
authority.
Khursheed is getting ready to go out with his wife with
some friends and when he opens a drawer to wear( we see a
collection of watches and there’s a watch that is
evidence of his past__socio economic class i.e lower
middel class) his watch..he choses an expensive brand.
Almas is always besides him and Khursheed is putting a
real effort to listen to what she is saying and answers
back and also tries to laugh at her jokes.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 11.
ALMAS BEGUM
look! she’s wearing the same
dress! again!
K H U R S H E E D
ALAM yes,….she needs
charity!poor soul..haha
(Contrived/fake laugh)
NARRATOR (VOG)
It’s difficult to forego a
luxurious life.
INT.AFZAL RESIDENCE.DAY
As
K.A has stopped playing the violin __keeping on top a
table___the maid come to clean it and gets scolded.
Then he takes the violin and takes it away to play the
tune again as he is reminded of Peroja by the way the
maids eyes sparkle__Khursheed is surprised by the
mesmerizing eyes as they seem familiar.
Khursheed’s fascination with the maid’s eyes increase day
by day__that is new for him as he finds it very odd
attraction and to someone who is not at all worthy of
him.___in some way the maid too reciprocates the gesture
e.g always looking at him while doing her work.
EXT.ROAD.DAY
Khursheed __observes that the maid leaves the house and
spends an ample amount of time elsewhere.(which is
Dastur residence)
Khursheed follows and catches her outside the house and
asks why here__ maid explains that Mis.Dastur’s eyes have
given her a new life and since her aunt and uncle have no
one she is working here as a thanks (maid works here
twice a week for 2 hrs), and weirdly enough Almas Knows
about it.
KHURSHEED ALAM
What are you doing here?
MAID
Sir,I work here.
KHURSHEED ALAM kia
Does Madam know this?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 12.
MAID
yes,she does.
KHURSHEED ALAM
Why here?
MAID
Sir,Their daughter has given me a
new life.They are old and no
matter how much I help them..it is
still less …
(Khursheed is anxious to know and
is getting a little angry)
KHURSHEED ALAM
New life?How?!!
(The maid gets frightened by
Khursheed’s loud voice and
cries as this conversation is
now an investigation)
MAID
Sir,I was blind..and their daughter
has donated her eyes after her
death.And now I can see.
Peroja’s death comes as a shock for Khursheed as his face
turns yellow.
INT.MR.EDWARD’S RESIDENCE.DAY
Khursheed Alam finally finds courage and goes to see the
foreigner as a condolence call__as he thinks she was his
wife___ the American turns out to be one of the
aquentences__he recognizes from Almas’s social circle.
He clarifies then that she was nothing but an employee
and he liked taking her out for dinner with his family as
she would stay there long hours to teach.
KHURSHEED ALAM
I’m Khursheed Alam..your wife’s
friend.
KHURSHEED ALAM
I’m very sorry to know about your
wife’s death.
MR.EDWARD
yes,my wife passed away several
years ago back home…How did you
know Julie?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 13.
(is confused..a condolence
call..years later)
KHURSHEED ALAM
Julie?…No,no I was talking about
Peroja
(Edward smiles a little then
explains)
MR.EDWARD Peroja..oh…you
are mistaken…she was my
employee..my children’s music
teacher…not my wife.There is some
misunderstanding !
KHURSHEED ALAM
Oh! I see…sorry.Its good to meet
you anyways thanks for the
information….bye!
This meeting also clarifies the fact that it was Almas
who introduces him to Peroja.___Khursheed thinks real
hard and arrives at a conclusion that all of this is
Almas’s doing and gets really angry.
(Khursheed now puts 2 and 2
together and now knows that it
was Almas who introduced
Edward to Peroja,it was Almas
who knew about Peroja’s death
and kept it a secret,kept tabs
on him,the partnership in the
business and her seduction
attempt when he had lost all
hope )
These all will be played out as memories in a tight
string of shots
INT.AFZAL RESIDENCE.EVENING
Several months have passed.
(Passage of time will be seen
on the screen in a text form)
Seemingly happy couple with a kid on the way is still the
same but this time Khursheed Alam calls the shots as he
has nothing to lose and may or may not walk out of this
marriage as well as there’s a budding relationship with
the maid remains; as she too indulges in humming the tune
which Khursheed plays on the violin, looking at each
other with affection and smiling.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: 14.
Almas is siliently watching all of this and is
rendered powerless__cannot do anything about it.
(Almas does this action while
taking off her speciticles)
NARRATOR(VOG)
Goods once sold cannot be
returned whether good or
bad.It’s yours!