Black Mask: Khaani Darama Script

Kahaani Script

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RANA

Oh you know about the Puja’s.

VIDYA

I have a Bengali husband remember?

RANA

oh yes. And actually your name..Vidya, is also a very commonBengali name.. Bidya..

VIDYA

(smiles)

I know. But why was Chatterjeecalling you ‘Rana’? Your name tagsays.. Satyoki..

RANA

In Kolkata its like that Mrs.Bagchi. Everyone has 2 names. A ‘daaknaam’. Like I have Rana, whicheveryone calls you by and then youhave the ‘bhalonaam’ which isSatyoki. A more proper name meantfor school, work etc. But more thanoften the colloquial name takesover the proper name in Kolkata.

VIDYA

But Satyoki is a nice name. Anothername for Krishna. The Charioteer ofArjun. He drove Arjun in all thebattles. He was always there by hisside.

RANA

(impressed)

Oh you know the Mahabharata?

VIDYA

Inside out. Arnab’s favorite book.And he made sure it became myfavorite book too..

(pauses)

What does Rana mean?Rana gropes in the dark for a while and turns to Vidya.

RANA

Er.. Don’t know. Nothing I guess.Vidya gives Rana a knowing smile through her tired face.Rana slows down the car. Vidya looks out of the window..

VIDYA

Have we reached the hotel?18.

Rana looks to a building to the right of him. He is a littleunsure..

RANA

I am not sure if its a hotel Mrs.Bagchi?

CUT TO:EXT. MONA LISA GUEST HOUSE - EVENING

2020The dimly lit board of ‘Mona Lisa

GUEST HOUSE

’ invitingtravellers to a very average middle class looking building.Vidya is also a little baffled. Mona Lisa definitely does notlook like a place someone from UK would choose to stay in.

RANA

This is a guest house Mrs. Bagchi.Not a hotel. Are you sure this isthe place?Vidya checks the address printed on the sign board with herown.

VIDYA

The address matches. But I thoughtit was a proper hotel..

RANA

Why would your husband stay in aplace like this?

VIDYA

I don’t know.

CUT TO:INT. MONA LISA GUEST HOUSE - EVENING

2121Bearing a strong resemblance to a human version of a crane, with a neat comb over hiding his bald patch, the manager ofthe guest house does his level best to explain to Vidya..Seeing Vidya.. clearly from abroad.. he clears his throat..composes himself.. and puts on his best English

MONA LISA MANAGER

Your majesty.. I told you..Vidya stops him.

VIDYA

You can call me Vidya.. I am notthe queenThe manager reboots..19.

MONA LISA MANAGER

Bidya madam.. I told you when youcalled me from London, your husbandnever stayed with us.. Look at therecords.. No Arnab Bagchi stayed with us..

VIDYA

How is that possible? He stayedhere. I spoke to him while hestayed here. Everyday when he walked from that door to his Room 15 he spoke to me..The manager does not know. He turns to one of his assistants.

MONA LISA MANAGER

(in Bengali)

How to explain to this mad woman?Rana who has been observing decides to step in.

RANA

Mrs. Bagchi maybe there is some mistake..

VIDYA

No. There is no mistake. He islying to me. Arnab stayed here.Show me your records.The manager reluctantly brings out a tattered exercise bookin which travellers have scribbled their details.

VIDYA (CONT’D)

That?? That is your records?? Thatbook? You don’t have a computer?

MONA LISA MANAGER

Bidya madam computers are in fivestars. This is a guest house. Zerostars.Vidya does not know what to do. She turns to Rana.

VIDYA

I’ll prove it to you. If you walktowards the lift you will see astatue of a peacock.Rana looks and there is a statue of a peacock.

RANA

How did you know?

VIDYA

I don’t. Arnab told me. That is howI know. But nobody believes me.20.

MONA LISA MANAGER

(turning to Rana)

Sir?Vidya explodes.

VIDYA

Why do you keep talking to him? Ishis husband missing? Talk to me.

MONA LISA MANAGER

(in Bengali)

Completely mad. I hope she doesn’tstay here.Vidya turns to the manager.

VIDYA

I want to check in. I want room 15 where my husband stayed.The manager is petrified at the thought.

RANA

Are you sure?

MONA LISA MANAGER

Yes.. are you sure?

VIDYA

I am sure.The manager is about to give Vidya the tattered book forsigning in when he sees Vidya looking sternly at him.. Hegulps.. shuts the book and gives her the key instead.

JUMP CUT TO:INT. MONA LISA GUEST HOUSE - NIGHT

2222

Lobby

The manager calls his staff and instructs them.

MONA LISA MANAGER

(in Bengali)

Stay away from that mad woman. Idon’t want any trouble with thepolice. As if we don’t have enough mad woman in Kolkata to have onefrom London!

CUT TO:

21.

INT. ROOM 15 - NIGHT

2323Vidya sits silently in her room, the fan whirring on top ofher.. looking at the photo of her and Arnab on their weddingday. She starts unpacking.Vidya’s strolley is very meticulously packed. She takes herclothes out and about to place it in the cupboard when sherealizes it is quite dusty.She gets a towel from the toilet and starts cleaning theroom. She appears very finicky about cleanliness.She sets the pillow straight on the bed. Keeps her shoesneatly in one corner.

CUT TO:EXT. KOLKATA - DAWN

2424The sun rises over the Ganges. Empty roads slowly fills up with fast moving traffic.

CUT TO:INT. ROOM 15 - EARLY MORNING

2525Vidya struggles with the hot water tap in her toilet. No water comes out. She tries a couple of times and then givesup.

CUT TO:INT. MONA LISA GUEST HOUSE - DAY

2626

Lobby

The big sign board behind the age old rickety reception deskproudly displays, in faded lettering, the various features ofthe guest house. Ranging from normal rooms to super deluxerooms to RUNNING HOT WATER in each room.Vidya rings the bell on the reception desk. The manager comesout.

MONA LISA MANAGER

Your majes...Good morning Bidya madam?

VIDYA

Its Vidya

MONA LISA MANAGER

I know Bidya Madam 22.

Vidya decides to move on.

VIDYA

There is no hot water in my room.The manager smiles apologetically.

MONA LISA MANAGER

I know.Vidya is surprised.. She points to the board..

VIDYA

You know!! So what is the point ofsaying RUNNING HOT WATER when youdon’t have any?

MONA LISA MANAGER

That? Let me explain madam..

(yells)

BISHNU..A 12 year old boy with the biggest smile come running to thedesk. In his hand is a small portable transistor radiostraight out of the 1970s.

MONA LISA MANAGER (CONT’D)

This is Bishnu madam. Every timeyou need hot water you just shoutBishnu, he will ‘run’ and get your water. Running.. hot.. water. Ourown Bishnu.Bishnu agrees with the biggest smile. Vidya cannot help butbe amused with this unique solution.

VIDYA

Do you know how I can get to CamacStreet?

MONA LISA MANAGER

Of course Madam. You can take a busor a taxi from outside..

(in Bengali)

Bishnu show her where to catch thebus from..Bishnu is all too eager to help.

BISHNU