Between Needs & Desires

Locked 1

Locked {Part : 1.}

There is a police vehicle on Delhi Road. Inspector Hathi Ram Chaudhary Drives it in mid 40 second, with tired, cynical eyes that say she never got his due.

There are no tracks available. But I read on w******p’s junior SUB INSPECTOR IMRAN ANSARI, young and hopeful at 28, nods at him and then went back to the book in his lap. In the back seat - CONSTABLE TOKAS and CONSTABLE BHARTI struggle to stay awake. Hathi ram, you just do it. I did not even get the result of to mines...ANSARI .The head has passed, it will be necessary to prepare the interview and it mean god forbid- spread? ANSARI. So the next year's exam Hathi Ram shakes his head. 

Listen to me... Nothing kept out of the book. Telling about work Ansari smiles and shuts his book. Looks at Hathi Ram with full attention. Answer yes Sir.. That three user hathi ram what is your station? Outer mesh tree... That's the logical text What is there, what insects Murder of the wheel, the wheel of the wheel Die, no one has the difference Fall. Keep doing enquiry No promotion found ANSARI oh that means Lutes Delhi. I need to post...Ashoka Road, Aurangzeb Road...Swara people did not happen the same? Hathiram The case is in beta gavage people, it is the same as it is pressed... 

What will the police invest and what number will earn The WIRELESS in the car spurts to life. A complaint by the shankarpuri judge colony has arrived... The PCR forest nearby is going to be a bit dizzy...Ansari increases the volume. Hathi Ram gigs. The exit from. DELHI SLUMS - NIGET. The constables lead the way, one of them shining a torch light on the dimly lit meandering lanes. Hathi Ram and Ansari follow, while a doq comes after them, barking incessantly. НАТНТ RAM Spring variance, cool fun, no... It is all the people on the earth, where sometimes the worms of the people go and the people on the earth Let's cut out Hathi Ram’s foot lands on something. He stops to look. 

Damn -a turd, remnants of which now stick to his show. A disgusted Hathi Ram tries to. Wipe it away on the side wall. One of the constable turns to look . The other flashes his torch light. An embarrassed Hathi Ram given up and resume his walk. Hathi ram And nelson Arushi link, found out, found in the bridge, found in the bridge, And the police figure out the number of terms above. Understand? ANSARI Sir Is a little bit like this... Hathi ram said. How much time is it working here. ANSARI answer Three months later Hathi ram said Seventeen years in the village i have completed understood..

Voice come Up head in  the darkness They take a turn and reach A cluster of huts. A little crowd gathered outside. And occupying the centistoke. A women with a bleeding head and a drunk man beating her. Both hurling the choicest abuses at each other. An ego type Slum resident spots the police she hurries in their direction. NGO woman in the slum said I have called you sir. See sir How badly he is beating me. He daily beat me like this. The constable try to separate man from the woman.

But man's drunk out of his wits. He just won't let go. Ansari intervenes slaps the man. The drunk man tries to hit Ansari back. The constable let loose their danda.  Thrash the man. The woman Crying and abusing the husband so far now turns around and comes after Ansari and the constables. The slum woman shouted on the Ansari and constable. Hathi ram stands there surveying the scene with the

Boredom of someone who has seen it one time too many. He casts a weary look around. A little crowd of watchers stand or squats around, scratching their balls and smoking their bidis. Tired, hopeless faces, watching the scene with an equal disinterest. A naked kid presumably the fighting couple's howls close by unattend.

Hathi Ram sniffs. Smells something foul. oh- the shoe! 

The disgust returns to his face as he tries to clean it on the ground. But - the damn thing is sticky! O.s., the foul-mouthed woman rages on SLUM WOMAN (O.S.) Your corpses in front of you... Worms will eat you, insects...

Enter in HOTEL UPTOWN  to CORRIDOR and CLOSE ON a cockroach. The antennae gently swing about. only for a short bit though as CRUNCH! A foot comes to land on it. It's a WAITER walking down a long hotel corridor, holding a tray. He stifles a yawn. clearly, it's rather early in the morning. A gaudily dressed WOMAN passes him by in the corridor clearly a hooker. Yeah, it's that kind of a hotel .He checks out her ass before stopping outside a room. Checks the room number on the bill. He hears-AN AGITATED VOICE come from inside the room.

 He hears-AN AGITATED VOICE come from inside the room The waiter gets curious. Brings his ear close to the door. Listens on. I just have to talk to masterji... He is listening for three days, talk to me from masterji...A loud GRUNT comes from inside, like the phone has been angrily cut. The waiter has still got his ear to the door straining to hear further When-the door opens in a FLASH, startling him. The flashy CHAAKU, 25, stands there chip sunglasses, a cigarette dangling from his lips A bad boy cliché. He glares at the awkward waiter, who mumbles a cheap sunglasses bad boy cliché. CURIOUS WAITER order CHAAKU Cancel. 

The waiter wants to protest but Chaaku continues to glare at him from behind the sunglasses. The waiter scurries away Chaaku watches him go. Then turns around to go back in the room, we see stuffed behind the back of his jeans there was a gun. Chaaku walks up to the table on which lies a bright yellow phone. Chaaku picks it up and looks towards the chair on which sits TYAGI, 30 -eyes shut massaging his head with a chilled water bottle. IN Another room. A young man with the eyes of sits whittling away at something with a pen knife. 27 finishes up, we realize a drifter it's a wooden CHOOZA (chick). He checks it from all angles. He seems satisfied with it. INT. BATHROOM -A pretty girl with North eastern features, 22, sits on the commode, peeing. We'll call her CHEENI. Just then - A knock on the door.

She quickly finishes up, pulls up her jeans and opens the door to see - 

Kabir standing there. In his hand - the chooza. He offers it to her.

Cheeni looks at him weirdly. Then takes it, unsure what to make of the gesture.

An awkward moment. Finally broken by - the doorbell.

Kabir opens the door. It’s Chaaku standing there.

CHAAKU lets go

The two look at him. IN the HOTEL UPTOWN - CORRIDOR 

The long, musty corridor. A tube light flickers. The four walk - a bag in the hands of each one of them.

Something odd about the group.

Then they Exit from the HOTEL UPTOWN The four emerge out of the hotel - head towards a parked SUV.

Kabir opens the boot. Just as they are depositing their bags in it -

The curious waiter from earlier comes running with a bill. 

CURIOUS WAITER said the cancel order is not added in the bill. Chaaku turns. Lights up a cigarette while glaring at him -

CHAAKU said this order was cancelled then why this was added in the bill?

CURIOUS WAITER

(protests) the order was ready. that's why!

 CHAAKU so what? We doesn't eat that.

CURIOUS WAITER said I don’t know anything you go and talk to the Manager.

Chaaku moves towards him threateningly but -Tyagi takes out some money and gives it to the waiter.

Chaaku doesn't like it. He turns to stare at Tyagi -Who quietly goes and sits down in the back seat of the SUV. Cheeni joins him there. As Kabir takes the driver’s seat - a grumbling Chaaku jumps up front with him. They drive away. The waiter mumbles angrily as he watches them go.

Then he turns around to go back to the hotel.

We STAY ON THE FRAME. 

Early morning. Not much activity around. But soon enough -

TWO CARS screech to a stop outside the hotel.

7-8 MEN jump out.

And run straight into the hotel. Suddenly - it's all very FRANTIC.

WE STAY ON THE FRAME some more as -

Soon enough, the men come out running - tentatively followed by the nervous waiter.

The waiter points in the direction the SUV carrying the four had gone in. The men scramble back into their two cars and blitz away in that direction.

DELHI ROADS - MOVING CARS The two cars drive like mad on the streets, zipping past vehicles.

The men inside scan the road with desperate eyes. A man in his mid 40s looks like THE LEADER as he orders the driver to -THE LEADER said drive Fast. Finally he spots - an SUV. It’s the one in which the four of them left. THE LEADER (CONT’D) He stand here only you go there.

As the car moves towards the SUV -

The leader unlocks his gun and look at the rest - who too bring their guns out. THE LEADER (CONT’D) said you overtake the car and block the Road. As they move ahead, the leader signals the same to the men in the other car with them - we’re overtaking.

The men nod - got it the SUV:

It drives at an easy pace - they seem to have no inkling. The first car slowly gets closer to them.

Honks. Screeching of brakes. A mini truck comes to a screeching halt right behind, starting a cascading effect of screeching brakes behind it. And in front of their SUV - the jumble of cardan - they're stuck. Kabir panics. Cheeni begins to scream and cry. Chaaku and Tyagi jump out of the SUV.  run to the back of the car. Realize - the boot's locked. Chaaku bangs on the car, screaming -CHAAKU open the DICKEY !They fail to notice that somewhere behind the mini truck that has stopped behind them - is the other car that was chasing them. And four men with guns jump out of it and rush towards the SUV.They men in front: They’re almost at the SUV. And just then, the leader notices -

The media OB van across the divider. And a cameraman trying to get the best possible shot of the action Damn. He can’t believe his f*****g luck. 

THE leader abusing. He SHOUTS OUT at one of his men - THE LEADER (CONT’D) OH god ! OH god !The man turns to look at him. Then follows his gaze. To see - The media van. He too seems unsettled at the sight.

AT THE SUV.They open boot. Chaaku and Tyagi scramble through the luggage. Chaaku notices - the men in front are almost upon them. He makes a dash. The men coming from the front chase him, and so do the ones behind. Then the men realize - too many of them are chasing Chaaku alone while the other three have been left free. Some of the men now turn around and go for the other three. Confusion. Chaos. The leader SHOUTS out at his men in frustration - THE LEADER said carefully no one can shots. Shouts. Honks.

The Camera Man happily shoots it all. AT THE SUV Tyagi - rummaging through his bag. Finds - the gun. But just as he is about to bring it out - Two men come from behind and grab him.

He resists. They pin him down to the ground - face down. Men surround the SUV with Kabir and Cheeni still inside. Cheeni looks from inside the car - The angry men. Their guns pointed at her.

She begins to SHAKE. And SCREAM. The men SHOUT at her - 

MAN WITH GUN said HANDS UP! HANDS UP! She does as told. And so does Kabir. The men open the doors and pull Kabir and Cheeni out at gun point.

ON THE BRIDGE: The traffic jam of jumbled up vehicles. The men chase Chaaku through it. Chaaku jumps over a car hood. The men follow. As the men chase Chaaku, trampling all over car hoods and roofs -Some commuters shoot videos on their mobiles, while others SCREAM -CAR OWNER ON THE BRIDGE bloody dog this is my new car, chaaku’s giving the men a tough time - proving difficult to be caught. But there’re three of them and finally they manage to coordinate between themselves just enough to corner him Right over a car roof.

Chaaku knows his game is up. He suddenly remembers something.

He yanks that bright yellow phone out of his pocket. The men realize what he’s up to. AS Chaaku tries to throw away his phone - The men try to grab his arm. An almost comical sort of a tussle ensues.

The ONLOOKERS watch with excitement as Chaaku suddenly remembers that his other hand is free. He transfers the phone to his free hand and swing it with all his might. And with this everything goes SLO MO - The heads of the onlookers turn and their mouths go wide open as if they’re following the trajectory of a cricket ball going out of the stadium as -The phone COASTS THROUGH in the air. Off the bridge. UNDERWATER SHOT - Looking at the skies. From where the phone comes flying. Right towards the camera. And just before it can hit the waters. TEA STALL-SPLASH! The hit of water. The Drunk Man comes to.

Looks around in confusion. He is on his knees on the ground, right next to the parked police car.

Notices - Hathi Ram staring at him, while sipping his tea. Slowly - realization dawns upon him. He begins to beg. The wireless in the car cackles -VOICE ON WIRELESS (O.S.) on the Jamuna bridge there is a big incident happened. This inform to every PCR Van. Ansari looks at Hathi Ram. Hathi Ram signals - ‘let’s go'. Ansari Said what we can do know . LAWYER ONE  and you’d still have a cashing out option on the five percent equity stake that was to be transferred to you at the completion of five years. As you can see, Singh saab is being more than fair with his revised offer.

Sitting in front of them - SANJEEV MEHRA, 40, sophisticated, charming. But that’s on a good day. At this point - he seems a bit on the edge as he sits next to JAI MALIK, about 40 himself.

SANJEEV I guess I’ll have to repeat what I said in the last meeting - I’m not resigning. I’ve given four years to this damn channel... built it from scratch. And if he thinks he can just throw me out - LAWYER ONE It’s nothing personal, sir. Singh is just going by the performance of the chin-

SANJEEV (cuts him; snaps) Your Singh  can go f**k himself.

Jai looks at Sanjeev sharply. Then glances at the lawyers awkwardly.

JAI, can you give us a few minutes, Rajeev? I’ll send some fresh coffee in the conference room. AS the lawyers sigh and walk out, Jai turns to Sanjeev.

JAI It’s not just the TRPs. Singh knows many more things .Sanjeev looks at him. Jai hesitates before 

JAI. That you’ve been looking for dirt on their Delhi-Sonipat Expressway deal. Sanjeev - rather startled to hear thigh is not the guy you mess with, Sanjeev. Cheeni said Madam I can't do any thing. I am working in shopper's Zone Mall. I am only take a lift from them. Manju Verma slaps her and signals her to start stripping. MANJU VERMA

(into the phone). She throws a look at Cheeni - who still has her clothes on. Manju Verma angrily pulls at her hair and her clothes -

MANJU VERMA shouted on Cheeni and saying to off their clothes. A sobbing Cheeni finally gives in. Tentatively takes off her t-shirt and her jeans. She stands ashamed - trying to cover herself with her arms -While Manju Verma cursorily checks her jeans and t-shirt. MANJU VERMA throws the clothes back at Cheeni.INSEXT. YAMUNA BRIDGE - DAY    

ON a TV as it plays on loop the video of Chaaku's phone being thrown in the Yamuna, complete in super slow mo. glory.

TV REPORTER (V.O.) (off the TV)

Hathi Ram picks it up. And stares at Chaaku’s picture. HATHI RAM said take all four history sheet from the system. Next day. A NEWS SCRIPT lying on the table. In addition to this, We glance at it - “There've been some rumours floating around since this morning. I'm here to tell you that I’m fine...”A tense Sanjeev sits alone, smoking. His eyes go to - the large mirror in front. He stares at himself for a while. Then picks up his phone. Checks his Twitter feed. INSERT TEXT:

@therealpatriot - Really sad 2 hear bout Sanjeev Mehra’s assassination attempt. I mean why stop at attempt #Deathtopresstitutes And the likes. Brutal, like only Twitter can be. Sanjeev stares at the tweets with a tired, defeated look on his face. A knock on the door. Sanjeev looks up. Jai enters, followed by the Executive Producer, KEERTI.

SANJEEVI don’t feel like going on air tonight.Jai looks at Sanjeev’s tense face. Then at the over-flowing ash-tray in front of him.JAI Of course. I understand.

Sanjeev picks up the script.

SANJEEV And we can’t run this. What does Commissioner say on the phone ‘He’ll get back when he has something concrete’. If we run this now and it turns out to be false, we’re going to look like fools. JAI I know. But it’s the top story tonight on every other channel. We don’t want to miss out on it.Hathi Ram Chaudhary, entered and said Sir. Outer Jamuna Thaana. Sanjeev Mehra.

Hathi Ram looks at him with genuine admiration. HATHI RAM

Of course, Sir. We are seeing you in the T.V.. Sanjeev smiles. They sit down. Sanjeev looks at the two shadows - Something unsettling about them. HATHI RAM said you have doubt in any one. Sanjeev shakes his head - unsure.

HATHI RAM (CONT’D)if any property dispute?

SANJEEV says No.

HATHI RAM said or any Old enemy. (nudging in a direction)

Sanjeev looks at him. For a moment he’s tempted to say something - but changes his mind. Shrugs. SANJEEV Part of the job. In JAMUNA PAAR POLICE STATION in NIGHT 

ANSARI Sir Would you come in police station ? HATHI ram said but why? ANSARI said We want a history sheet . We STAY on Hathi Ram’s face for a bit. A grim Ansari leads Hathi Ram on to the lock up while briefing him. ANSARI

Sir he is Vishal Tyagi and Hathoda Tyagi. 

HATHI RAM said who? ANSARI says  Chitrakoot UP most wanted gangster no one can arrest him till know. HATHI RAM which Case?

They reach - the lock up. The three male accused sit on the ground - their backs against the grimy lockup wall. From Hathi Ram’s POV - We start a SLOW TRACK towards Tyagi as-

ANSARI k********g, Ransom, Extortion... (beat)

And paint lees murder. The TRACK stops on a TIGHT of Tyagi. He sits calm as ever - looking straight at us. His cold eyes - not giving away anything. And then - just like how he did earlier - Tyagi eerily spreads his fingers out in front of his face - Four fingers in one, five in another.