Acknowledgements Sadat Hasan Manto, Ismat Chughtai
Abanindranath Tagore Urvashi Bhutaliya
Jaya Chatterjee Subir Kaul
Your daughter? - Yes, sir. She was missing for 6 months
May Allah bless- Fine, fine, it's alright.
Few men left her here and went off.
They spoke of avenging the Noakhali riots
'What are you doing? Listen to me carefully.
Your daughter is still alive. Be thankful for that.
Come, let's go.
Now let us cheer for our country, and repeat after me thrice -
Long live.. - India!
Fatima?
Fatima!
Fatima! My dear!
Fatima? It's your father. I am here. Fatima?
Fatima? Please say something.
This is your father.
Fatima, my dear. Where were you?
I've been looking for you for months. Oh Fatima?
Fatima? Are you OK? Fatima?
Fatima? Fatima!
Fatima?
Why don't you say something? Your mother is waiting for you.
She hasn't seen you for years. She yearns for you
Open the windows.
Let's go back home now.
Why do you lie there like a stone?
Didn't you hear me? Come on, open!
MY dear?
Come now, let's go.
Oh Allah!
How did this happen?
No Women's Land
Good morning, sir.
This way.
Welcome, dear Radcliffe.
Welcome to India
And then, he stormed in, snatched the bronze lamp and ﬂung it away.
The lamp smashed against a stone, & was shattered to pieces!
And the Sun God's image-
What does the Sun God look like?
Like Lord Shiva? - Oh God! Only questions.
'Will you shut up and listen?
So a black stone fell off the wall.
Subhaga cried, "You fool! What did you do? Destroyed the Sun Temple & insulted the Gods?"
Gayeb said, "I don't care about the Gods
Tell me! Whose son am I? Or else-
Whose daughter am I?
Little rascal! Why do you ask so many questions?
Can't you shut up & listen?
Let it be I'll return the book when Professor comes.
You are impossible- Bnuchki!
Go take a bath quickly. Grandma, Begum Jaan is calling us.
I'm in quite a mess, it seems.
Well, I wouldn't disagree
Which is why I would suggest to you, stay away from the hearings.
But surely my Lord, if I'm chairman of a committee, I would need to preside.
There are meetings I've to set up. There are people I've got to meet-
My dear sir. Do you know what this is?
No, my Lord.
It is one list of many prepared by the Separation Council.
Of the administrative assets to be divided between India & Pakistan.
Let's see.
Durries table lamps iron safes..
...cash boxes cycles,
typewriters electrical heaters,
magnifying glasses & many more.
Now Radcliffe, add to that, government officials
the Army, roads
railway lines, bridges,
trees rivers...
You could add the damned Himalayas & the Thar desert for all you know.
I don't comprehend, my Lord.
We're about to cut through a 5000 year old civilisation here, Radcliffe.
And the people are going to be very, very angry.
In light of the impending partition of the land we proudly call India...
...The All India Congress Committee,
would like to submit...
...its modest claims and suggestions...
...for the facilitation of the same
As discussed in our recent sessions...
...we moot a separate proposal to the Congress scheme...
...as previously submitted to your Lordships
This new proposal...
...is to be referred to henceforth as the Congress Plan
And in our view is infinitely fairer to our Muslim brothers.
The largest stake that we claim in a Muslim majority district...
...would be that of Murshidabad.
Which we consider to be- Order, order!
Which we... which we- Order, order!
Which we consider to be of vital importance, Your Lordships
It would be blatantly unfair if...
Khulna, Faridpur & Bakarganj are included as a pan of India
We must also remember that...
...all the jute fields will be on our side...
...while the mills will be in Calcutta
That's why we request you...
...to include Calcutta in Pakistan and-
Order! Order in the court!
What's wrong with you? Bloody whore!
Have you gone mad, you bitch?
The same routine, bloody slut!
Why whore if you're insane?
I'll tell Begum Jaan- Take that!
Bloody dickhead! Didn't I tell you not to touch my breasts?
Dare do that again & I'll castrate your tiny tool!
Hey Golap! Why scream this early in the morning?
Begum Jaan beckons Come fast.
Father or husband?
Or is it the brother?
The father, Begum Jaan.
He deserted her.
Oh my!
My dear! Better get this straight.
All men are assholes.
Remember. All men.
So he deserted you, sweetie?
Huh?
What's your name?
Your name is...
Shabnam
Keep that in mind.
Grandma, take her away.
Give her a bath & get her ready.
Sujan! Get some clothes from the town.
Jui, Golap, Lama. Train her well.
And Mirza,
if any relatives or the police enquire about her,
tell them that Begum Jaan has sheltered her.
So they should stop searching.
Yes Begum Jaan.
Wait, wait, wait!
Come here
Sit. Sit here.
Sit.
It hurt a lot, didn't it, Shabnam?
Shock, huh?
Isn't it Shabnam?
Everything will be fine
Yes. That's better. Grandma-
Take her away.
Come along, my dear.
Cry & scream as much as you want sweetie.
It'll be easier for you to come back
We went to Debiganj Police station as well.
They said it was beyond their jurisdiction.
That's why we came to you Sir- We are also helpless.
It is beyond the jurisdiction of Haldibari Police station...
...outside the town.
The boys are growing up & getting out of control.
The shameless sluts sit there all day. Makes it difficult to pass...
...the way they smoke and swear.
What did you expect, Mr.Ghosh?
Hymn-chanting harlots?
No, no, sir, it's not that.
But as you know, forget caste, creed or character...
They spread deadly diseases.
Even laws of the past couldn't prevent it
Mr.Ghosh, last Saturday at around 9:30 PM...
...where exactly were you?
Well... I mean..
Once a man visited Mullah Naseeruddin.
Said his son is addicted to sugar & needs to be cured
Mulla asked him to come after some time.
And then- 'What are you trying to say, Sir?
I am unable to- Comprehend?
If you don't practice abstinence, how will you preach it?
And what about Khulna?
It has a Hindu majority, right?
Well, yes But as seen from the Congress proposal...
...though they most certainly claim Khulna,
they would happily trade it for the Muslim majority Murshidabad.
And in this way...
...one can maintain a more or less 70:30 ratio...
...between the majority & minority in the 2 countries.
And what about awarding Murshidabad to Pakistan?
That's like awarding Calcutta to Pakistan, my Lord.
Because the river system which feeds this part of Bengal...
...would be totally destroyed if the line enters the area-
Fine, fine Got it.
You are leveraging in the other factors bit...
...in the partition principle.
No.
There is no question...
...of awarding Calcutta to Pakistan.
Or of refusing Congress, Murshidabad.
Hey!
Don't take another step!
Try hurting them if you have the guts!
I, Salim Mirza, promise...
...to kill you all, if you try and pass
Bloody eunuchs!
You call yourselves Muslims?
Stop!
What a fight it was.
Unbelievable!
But our Mirza took them on single handedly.
100 people
Single handedly.
He was a bravehean!
Faced 100 Muslims with just a staff in hand.
They ﬂed.
All of them.
And our Mirza...
...only rested after shepherding them to a camp.
'What a strange country!
What a strange government!
He got fired for killing Muslims.
'What about the Hindus he saved?
Grandma, are killing Hindus and Muslims the same thing?
Frankly my Lord,
I don't have a very good feeling about this.
This is my first visit to this country.
And I have no idea..
...about its religions,
customs, polity and people.
I've had barely 5 weeks...
...to study the topographical demographics-
What has to be done, has to be done, Radcliffe.
And someone had to do it.
Well then, do we declare the line at the assembly tomorrow?
Or do we call in for a press?
Neither.
But my Lord, weren't we in a hurry?
Nehru called thrice
And so did Jinnah
I mean weren't we planning on getting out of here as soon as possible?
Make no mistake, Radcliffe.
We're about to severe the arms of a nation.
And it is going to be one bloody surgery.
We'd want proper anaesthesia, right?
Anaesthesia?
The anaesthesia of Independence
We will declare it a couple of days after...
...the euphoria of 15th August.
(Nehru's Voice) Long years ago...
...we made a tryst with destiny,
and now the time comes...
...when we shall redeem our pledge,
not wholly or in full measure,
but very substantially.
At the stroke of the midnight hour,
when the world sleeps,
...India will awake to life and freedom
A moment comes
which comes but rarely in history,
when we step out from the old to the new,
when an age ends
and when the soul of a nation,
long suppressed, finds utterance
It is fitting that at this solemn moment...
...we take the pledge of dedication...
...to the service of India & her people..
...and to the still larger cause of humanity.
At the dawn of history...
...India started on her unending quest,
and the trackless centuries which are filled with her striving,
and the grandeur of her successes & her failures.
Through good and ill fortunes alike...
...she has never lost sight of that quest...
...or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength
'We end today a period of ill fortunes...
...and India discovers herself again.
Here.
For Bnuchki.
You shouldn't have.
She hasn't even finished the previous book
'Kings & Queens of Rajasthan'
Then, these sweets & fireworks.
Why spend so much?
Don't worry.
What do you think?
This comes from my tuition fees?
The party has a fund for social work.
Begum Jaan...
...today our country gained Independence
Why So glum?
Holidays aren't good for business.
Not a single customer since morning.
Wealthy men spend such days with their families
Not at brothels.
Only drunk farmers and savages
They vomit on the beds, fight...
...and they leave without paying
And the police are the worst.
Begum Jaan, Independence!
After 200 years we are independent of British rule
On such an occasion- All the same for a whore.
Fair, dark, brown or yellow, they're all the same in darkness.
Hindu, Muslim, high caste, low caste.
It's all the same here.
This is like a country where-
Hey! Hey!
Hey you crazy bitch!
Why? Why?
Do you want to burn your face?
Tell me!
Who'll take you then?
You'll become a parasite.
I'll throw you out bitch!
Begum let it be. Don't scold her any more
Come with me - You are spoiling them!
Oh my!
What temper!
Shouldn't we get to have some fun?
Fun doesn't feed. You low caste bitch!
Don't talk about castes. I'm of a lower caste then her.
But even I get angry.
You should leave now, Professor. And don't bring gifts any more.
We don't take favours We pay back to the last penny.
If not money then our bodies- Why are you saying these things?
I come here...
...for the country-
Let the country burn in Hell!
Hindu, Muslim or British, this is a country for men!
How does it matter?
If you have the guts then marry one of these girls.
How did marriage come in to all of this?
Begum Jaan!
Begum Jaan?
Go!
Go for it!
Lazy slut! Just look at him.
How amusing it is my friend
As you accompany Lord Krishna
His love moistens your body
As you accompany Lord Krishna
His love moistens your body
How amusing it is my friend
'What are you doing?
Please don't.
Just go!
Get out!
Look, look.
Professor?
Did you understand?
All Begum Jaan is saying is that...
...our hearts are as valuable as our bodies.
More valuable than...
...sweets and fireworks.
But I think you can afford it.
Well, gentlemen,
shall we resume?
Shall we resume?
Yes
Now for the award of the Bengal Boundary Commission
And we sincerely hope..
...we don't have a North-West Frontier Province kind of a situation.
No, sir.
It's far more complicated than that.
It would be much simpler...
...if we could follow...
...the principles of contiguity...
...as proposed by our party.
And even simpler...
...if we award the entire province of Bengal to Pakistan.
Now, now gentlemen, let's not deviate.
The line.
Oh Father!
I am having to leave home
Oh Father!
That is how the line..
...after going through Dinajpur...
...will pass through the entirely Muslim dominated district of Malda
The line shall then turn South-East...
...down the river Ganges...
...along the boundaries between the districts of...
...Malda and Murshidabad and...
Rajshahi and Nadia
To the point in the North-Western corner...
...of the district of Nadia..
...where the channel of the river Mathabhanga..
...takes off from the river Ganges
Your courtyard is like a mountain,
And the threshold, a foreign country.
Your courtyard is like a mountain,
Sir?
Mr. Ilias is here.
Bring him in
So?
How are you?
Exactly how you all have kept us.
You all?
Oh.
Wow!
'What else?
Mr. Suhrawardy's communally inciting speech in August,
still haunts me
How's your mother?
Kusum? - Good.
Both of them.
Both narrowly escaped being raped.
Sorry lli.
How are you?
Your wife Nazia?
She's not well.
She's dead, actually.
First she was raped.
Then set on fire.
Mom! Oh Mom!
Move! Mom!
Come let's play.
I can't play now. Go play with Banno.
No! I want to play with you.
Oh God!
Tantrums during business hours!
Let go! Grandma take care of her.
My darling girl...
We have so many stories to read
The tales of Hambir, Rana Pratap, Padmini (Kings & Queens)-
I don't want to hear any stories!
I don't like stories where I can't ask questions!
Let's go play-
Hey kid!
Listen up.
Let's go picking wild figs.
Come with me
Koli, take care of her.
Want to see baby pythons?
I don't want to go anywhere!
Just go. I'll take care of her.
Don't cry...
I think I'll leave
Could I have my money back? - Wait, don't go.
Hey! You son of a bitch!
Can't you see that a mother is talking to her child?
Why are you creating a ruckus?
I was just saying-
What were you saying?
Are you getting late? Come to my room
Hey! You sleazy slut!
I've warned you not to steal my customers!
Get lost!
Mom...
Listen to me.
Play with Banno now.
I'll join you later.
No! I want to play with you!
Just stop it!
Begum Jaan will be here any moment now!
Why force her?
Hey you bloody bugger!
Is this a brothel or a playground?
You won't get a single penny back! Just get lost!
But I didn't even touch her.
What is happening here?
Koli, Duli and Lata..
We have customers from Goalpara
See what they need.
Banno, Golap should be done by now.
Check if the room is empty.
Rubina, call Sujan.
Ask him to perform his act.
And Grandma..
...please step inside.
Juthika.. Why can't I play with Mom?
More questions!
You see this uncle here?
Your mother has very important business with him now.
And I have promised that...
...they shall not be disturbed.
If you play now, I shall be proved a liar.
Would you want that?
Rubina! Call Sujan & Shabnam.
All well at office?
I had no idea
I saw it all.
One by one, they- Betel leaf!
Still spits out betel leaf.
Same old Mr. Shyam-
'What about Mr. Johnson?
Sorry, lli.
You were allergic to gulal (coloured powder).
You'd never play Holi.
But we would.
And you'd sneak in to eat Halim and beef.
Right?
That was along time ago.
I don't think our relationship- Fine!
No one will know that we were friends or colleagues.
We shall remain 'enemies'.
People would know us as members of...
the Congress & the Muslim League
We shall do our work.
Then leave
We'll never meet again.
There’s just one problem.
The roots go so deep...
...that- Don't worry.
Believe me..
...It's easy for you to hate me now.
And of course, vice-versa.
Just recollect the atrocities
Have you studied the plan?
Yes
It's a little complicated.
There's a lot of barren land. But that's alright.
I took a preliminary tour.
There'll be a jungle
Let's go. The officers from Haldibari and Debiganj are waiting.
Which side are we on?
India!
According to Mr.Radcliffe's line..
...the border check post will be...
...in between Haldibari & Debiganj town.
The barbed-wire fence will be put up there.
Along the Radcliffe line.
That is how the Indo-Pak border will be determined
We need your help in setting up the fence & check post.
'Will there be riots like in Delhi, Amritsar & Lahore?
Possibly.
But the Muslim League won't take that responsibility.
So the townspeople should cross over now.
Because soon they will need a permit.
There'll be riots.
Mass murder of the minority.
Men shall become animals.
Now a monkey.
Now a tiger!
Let's have an elephant.
Like the one here
Who are you calling an elephant?
Have you seen yourself?
According to Mr.Radcliffe's line..
...that is where the border will pass.
Through that jungle, Mr.Akhtar.
The fence will bend like a river, Rangpur and this side will be India
Whose last station will be Haldibari.
And the other side is Pakistan.
First station will be Debiganj.
In the middle...
...there will be border check posts...
'What's that?
See that, Mr.Sen?
'What's that Shashi?
You find these establishments around town borders...
A Dargah?
Oh no!
It's a brothel. Begum Jaan's brothel.
We'll have to take down the building.
Because Mr. Radcliffe's border will pass through it.
And it is very likely that...
...check posts will be placed there.
Can't we bypass it?
We have to inspect the place.
But why are you so scared?
Hold on Mr.Akhtar. Let me explain.
Begum Jaan, the woman who runs the place..
...Is a total terror.
Loud-mouthed and heavy-handed.
She has very inﬂuential customers
Nawabs, sahibs landlords...
So she doesn't care for the law.
Be careful. Take my hand.
Where is she from?
No one knows her real name.
But I've heard that she's a local.
She went to Varanasi after marriage.
But was soon widowed as a child
And the rest is history.
She was sold to a brothel.
She then escaped to Lucknow.
Where she made it big as a courtesan.
After some years, she returned
And opened her brothel between the towns.
She is protected by the Nawab of Rangpur.
Hence, could pull this off.
The heart can'! accept...
Alas! The heart can'! accept...
...that when the night is done
My beloved doesn't recognize me
Alas!
The heart can'! accept...
This time when you leave
Do wake me up
So that the empty bed beside me
Doesn't cause me heartburn
Don't want to drape myself with the stole of sorrow
The heart can'! accept...
...that when the night is done
My beloved doesn't recognize me
The heart can'! accept...
Alas!
The heart can'! accept...
On a silent evening,
Pushpabati could hear the sound of hooves on the mountain.
Sometimes the songs of an old Jam,
And the sweet voice of the shepherd,
would blow in the winds
Then atop the Vindhya mountains,
at the temple of the Goddess Bhavani,
the puja bell would toll.
Then Pushpabati,
would hide the King's letter in her hair,
wear a saree & worship the Goddess.
In her heart,
she'd pray for the King.
Who's our Goddess?
Who do we pray to?
All my friends have forsaken me
Now my eyes will remain lonely for an eternity
All my friends have forsaken me
Now my eyes will remain lonely for an eternity
Finally have reconciled to the separation from my beloved
Am a stranger to myself, have antagonized the world
At an age when sunshine dims
The heart can'! accept...
According to the map the Radcliffe line passes right through this house
Oh God!
So you're saying that one half of this house is in India,
...& the other in Pakistan.
Seems like the British have played tic-tac-toe with the Partition.
I'm sure they thought through it
So what do we do now?
Evict them. Destroy the house.
Can't put a barbed fence through a courtyard.
Or border check posts beside it.
True
The military as neighbours would be-
How do we..
Proper paperwork.
Eviction notice, govt. officials...
It can't be a sudden invasion
Let's call it a day.
We've to return soon. The fence work will start next month.
'Will you go or not?
I won't.
Are you sure?
Didn't I say I wouldn't?
Fine. Don't have to.
Hey!
Please let's go.
Where to?
This is our home.
This is all we have
Don't you want a family, far away from here?
A family?
My family is here
I don't like it!
What?
Those men who visit you at night.
And then... I hate it!
You bring them to me
I know! But what can I do?
I owe Begum Jaan too much.
Obligations.
Have to do something...
Can'! a pimp fall in love?
'What did you say?
What can'! happen?
Tell me
Nothing.
Tell me!
Love.
What is so funny?
Come on, now in English
Please.
No, I can't.
Please.
Say it.
Say it!
I love you.
He)' 5ujan!
What's the matter?
Why are you crying like a little girl?
Let me go! - I won't.
What happened? - Let me go!
'What happened? - Let me go, you witch!
Let me go!
Let me go, you bloody bitch!
People come and enjoy my wife every night.
Feel like slaughtering them!
Hey!
Do you know what this is?
Breasts.
Flesh.
'With which mothers feed their children.
Do you know what this is?
Vagina.
Like the forehead,
elbow, nose, ear, neck,
just another body part.
It's skin.
Just skin.
Skin of various hues
And do you know what this is?
This is your Rubina
Only this.
Everything else is..
Like Grandma says..
...written in the Gita, your holy text.
Old clothes
Which we change everyday.
A storm is brewing
Let's go.
- Not today.
Stomach ache
Begum Jaan- Hey!
Didn't I say my stomach's aching?
Can't I have an upset tummy?
Drag me & everything comes out.
Golap!
Go inside. Don't be stubborn.
Didn't you hear me?
Move it. I've taken the payment.
Bloody bastard!
I'm very ill.
Please let it be for today.
Feeling feverish.
Same old excuse.
Don'! piss me off during business hours!
I know you're lying!
Waiting to ﬂirt with the Professor, when he comes.
'Will not tolerate this nonsense here-
Why?
Want to keep Professor for yourself?
Excuse me, Begum Jaan. Some officers are here.
'With a government order.
Aunt Rubina!
What's happened'?
Come fast! It's the police!
Greetings Begum Jaan.
All OK?
Greetings
All was OK.
Till I saw your face.
I see.
You have more important faces to meet today.
Please take these dogs away, Mirza
Make sure they don't enter the house
Sure, Begum Jaan
So...
'What's the issue?
Actually we had come to-
Remember what happened the last time you asked for free service
Please don't embarrass me.
We've come for something else.
Duped new fry, is it?
For heaven's sake!
Mind your language.
These gentlemen are important officers from India & Pakistan.
They have a government order.
Not again!
We won't go to the camps to get examined.
Syphilis is a double-edged sword.
Can't service the sahibs for free
We..
...haven't come for that.
We're here with an eviction notice.
What notice?
Let me explain.
You need to vacate the house
Border check posts will be built on this land.
And the Indo-Pak border will pass through this house.
Hey girl, open the door. It's the police!
If it's a raid, don't worry.
A hand-job to Shashi and things will be OK.
Nothing will happen
Bitch, just open the door.
Hold on, bitch! Move!
What happened, bitch?
Some assholes are here saying we need to vacate this place.
Is it that easy, huh?
Are you mad?
Come, let's see who does what. We'll hack them to pieces.
We'll kill them all, come.
The two pieces of paper you are seeing...
These are government notices.
One from Karachi and one from Delhi.
Few months ago...
...a law was passed called 'Boundary Commission Act'.
As a result of which a border between India & Pakistan-
International.
An International border has been created.
As per which...
...we're here to set up the barbed wire fence.
And unfortunately...
...the Radcliffe line passes through your house.
So see, if we have to...
...set up a barbed wire fence, we will need to destroy this house.
So if you could-
Wait, wait!
What is it?
So what you're saying is...
that those who are standing on that side of the courtyard,
are standing in India
And those standing on this side,
are standing in Pakistan?
Yes
Huh?
Yes!
It would be best, if you read the notice yourself.
It's impossible to explain it all.
It's self-explanatory.
Better if you see it for yourself.
Then you'll understand.
Can you read?
Should I read it for you?
Should I?
Unbelievable!
Take a look.
A line through the middle! We're here, they're there!
What's so funny?
Sahib, your Radcliffe seems to be quite a weirdo.
If he had to hack the country like a butcher,
couldn't he have done a better job?
I think we-
Rubina, our butcher Rahim is definitely better.
Ask for the leg, he'll give you just that.
The exact kidney. The precise liver.
Not this amateurish, half-baked division-
I don't think you understand the situation.
Let me explain.
From next week we start work on the...
...fence & check posts along the Indo-Pak border.
Should take around 5 months.
And will ask Hindus & Muslims of 2 border towns, Haldibari & Debiganj...
...to cross the border because...
...after the Partition it is now clear that...
Muslims in India & Hindus in Pakistan...
...will be unsafe
There'll be a migration of men, baggage & cattle
And...
...there'll be Hindu-Muslim riots
So it's advisable-
Have you paid for her?
What?
Money!
Yes. The entire amount.
'Without asking whether she's a Hindu or a Muslim Why?
No. But what does religion have to do-
And Mr.Half-Naked, what is your caste?
I'm a high caste Brahmin
Do you know that the woman you fucked is a low caste untouchable?
Don't you fear being ostracised?
No... I mean-
Do you know that...
...I didn't ask them about their caste either.
They chose a girl, I set the price.
So, what did you gather?
'What is there to gather?
It's the same in all brothels.
My dear sir,
what you are calling a brothel...
...and implying a whore house...
is my country.
My homeland.
We don't have Hindu-Muslims here
No high or low castes
Here it's our bodies
so we have the last word.
And our rules stand
I don't know which India or Pakistan you speak of...
Even the Professor keeps telling me about...
Congress, Muslim League,
Nehru, Jinnah, Karachi, Delhi,
Partition, this that.
But all that is nothing more then gibberish for me
Because who decides what in Delhi, is irrelevant to me.
Because I know only one place.
This bathroom,
this courtyard,
this house,
these lanes these gardens, this country.
Which is there for thousands of years
And if anyone tries to evict us from here,
the only 'Partition' to happen will be that of their limbs from their bodies.
How dare you, bitch!
Down! Down!
Down.
Salim!
Salim
They are guests.
Akhtar.
Whatever could be communicated civilly, has been done
Goodbye, Begum Jaan
You have one month.
One month!
Independence? I don't want it!
Just imagine their audacity!
They're asking Begum Jaan to vacate her house!
'With an ultimatum of one month!
The sheer gall!
Calm down.
No one can do anything about it.
The order has come from high up.
Whatever! How dare they?
Giving me a deadline, huh?
Don't you know people in the Party?
I want those bastards to be transferred within a month!
Do what it takes!
If you need girls I'll arrange If necessary, I'll go myself.
That's not the answer to everything!
It's no use getting angry with them
And one of them belongs to another party.
Anyway"-
...let me see if I can manage a stay order...
...with provisional relocation-
You haven't eaten in a while.
And I don't think you will in some time.
So I was saying..
Why don't you eat a little now?
Send a telegram to Karachi.
The budget needs to increase.
Fencing such a large area as per the map will cost more.
And most importantly, the wood for the border check posts..
Welcome, Mr. Sen.
Thank you.
Sorry Mr.llias I'm a little early.
But not an issue, I'll wait.
Fine I'm nearly done.
Half the wood for the check posts will be provided by the Indian Government.
Make a note of this and file it. - Yes, sir.
And maintain the accounts Please come along
I'll talk to him.
Of course we need to talk.
A government notice isn't enough.
We have to explain.
What's happening with you?
The same.
Funds for construction will come from both sides.
I have informed Delhi.
For now checking lists allocating workers.
More workers are on their way.
I said things might get violent.
There'll be a huge exodus. And that whore house.
Things will definitely get violent.
Tell me something.
Why will people leave their ancestral homes?
The order is for a border. So why should they leave?
Whether it's...
...the Cabinet Mission,
The 3rd June Plan,
or a Border Commission meeting.
Our leaders never imagined this level of migration
Do you know how many people in Punjab were displaced 3 months back?
8 Million.
Official figures
8 Million!
Don't forget it.
If you explain the reason for this to the townsfolk, it should suffice.
'Will that work?
It most definitely will.
When tales of rioting Hindus reach the circumcised buggers of Haldibari-
Circumcised buggers
Islamic zealots.
Muslim fanatics.
Yet a plethora of Tagore-Nazrul concerts.
Bengalis!
Do you remember Uncle Ramen?
Mr.Ghosh's neighbour.
You fell for his daughter. Tutored her.
Kusum.
He had come running to our house
'With his daughter.
I was too afraid to open the door.
He was hacked to pieces
Kusum was raped by an entire neighbourhood
Didn't see it.
But heard it.
Sounded nothing like Nazrul's songs.
Was something else
Smelt it too.
Smelt nothing like halim or biriyani.
Was something else
I'm not short of stories either.
But when they were stripping that night, never imagined your face
I still don't.
You should. You need to.
Imagine my face.
If you're short of stories, I'll lend you some.
But stay with hatred. Stay angry.
Else you can't pull it off.
OK. I'll request people to cross over.
If they don't, will incite them.
That's the last option.
Because dusty, ﬂy-infested bodies of refugees..
...are far better then burnt & rotten corpses.
People must move.
Unbelievable, isn't it? They threatened me in my own house
Threatening me is like threatening Your Highness.
Names?
Some Sen & Ilias
Also the police from Debiganj and Haldibari.
They're just rats.
To kill the cats, one must go to Delhi.
I'll be going this month.
Don't worry. No one will disturb you.
Thank you.
But don't kill them off in anger.
An ouster from job is enough
And you, Your Highness, are royally spoiling the girls with gifts.
You shut shop for me for two days
Sol also need to do certain things.
What are you saying?
This is your house.
The girls are also your slaves
So Your Highness whom should I send today ?
Should I tell Golap ?
Or Rubina?
Or would you like Lata?
Heard there's a new girl.
But couldn't see her on my way in.
Are you hiding something?
No, no.
Actually... that is Shabnam.
May be she was playing so you didn't...
A great tragedy befell her, you know.
That's why her training is incomplete... She is not ready...uninitiated.
Begum! Begum
No one dares to disturb any of you here
Soldiers & Britishers don't stay here for free. I pay your taxes.
I had only asked for one thing in return.
Do you remember?
The Nawab has the first right to a new girl.
Whether she's ripe or not.
Get her ready.
I need to leave early tomorrow.
And Begum...
My gramophone is not working Sol couldn't get it
You are our guardian, Your Highness I would still request you..
- Please don't make me do this... - Don't waste time, Begum
My trip to Delhi will be delayed.
And you know very well...
Can't get it up without music
Go.
No tender words of love
Why do the eyes brim over?
No tender words of love
Why do the eyes brim over?
Night hasn't dawned on me for long
My eyelids get heavy
Polished myself by embracing you
And desire would shine forth
Every breath communicates
An unheard narrative
Polished myself by embracing you
The desire would shine forth
Every breath communicates
An unheard narrative
Any new s?
Bad news
We need to talk.
Go ahead.
No... Not here
It's confidential.
You are too much
I have something to say as well.
Come, play'-
Let me start.
'What's wrong?
I spoke to the Party.
Nothing can be done.
No influence will work. - What?
If this reaches the government,
everything will be in a mess
Before that...
...you should vacate this house.
They have no sympathy.
They ﬂash a government notice- 'Which government?
I govern myself.
Don't you get it? Your life is at risk.
This is an opportunity...
...to start afresh.
Leave it all behind.
This house, your business..
We could leave all this- We?
Err... Actually...
Begum Jaan...
From the very beginning, I...
Standing with doesn't imply sleeping with.
I've always- Helped a lot.
Thank you for that.
But had I known your ulterior motives would've refused it.
Begum Jaan is beyond your reach.
I'm truly...
You know someone is in love with you! Then why?
I wanted to tell you- Hush!
You were there with us in good times
Don't want to be the reason for your bad times
Don't ever come back.
Sahib? - Yes.
Mr.llias is here
Why so late at night?
He has brought an injured man along
It's confidential.
You're too much.
I have something to say as well.
Come, play'-
Let me start.
'What's wrong?
I spoke to the Party.
Nothing can be done.
No influence will work. - What?
If this reaches the government,
everything will be in a mess
Before that...
...you should vacate this house.
They have no sympathy.
They ﬂash a government notice- So what?
Won't you save us?
I can't do anything!
I'm alone against many.
What if we escape? - We?
Begum?
That's what I wanted to tell you.
I can't.
I can't do this to Golap
Golap? Unbelievable!
Don't you know I love you? Then why?
I never- Hush!
You were there with us in good times
Don't want to be the reason for your bad times
Don't ever come back.
Now do you understand what happened that day?
I always wanted you all to be happy.
Especially you.
I fought for you all...
...against the villagers
Against my own Party.
Maybe that's why... I've been exiled from the house
I have to sneak in like a thief...
...to meet you.
I wasn't allowed in with a government notice
I was thrashed when I went with 4 constables.
The Pathan said, he'd beam both of you black & blue.
And then bury you in their courtyard
Construction will stop if they don't vacate in 10 days
I know. My engineers told me.
The problem is that the government... You may leave.
The govt. servants are too scared to go.
And the Nawab of Rangpur protects them
The Nawab's army is at her disposal.
It would be a shame to seek the army's help for this.
Besides, that's not possible.
Too many riots and refugees to handle
We need to...
go to Mekhliganj tomorrow.
Why?
For the solution to this problem.
Not everything can be done legally.
Sometimes you need to go beyond the law.
Got it, Mr.llias?
For you everything hangs between your legs! Bastard!
You're assaulting a policeman.
I came here to help.
You have to vacate In case your girls need any shelter-
And who decides that? Does your mother work here?
You bloody whore!
You aren't very smart, I see
You can't abuse a whore by calling her one
Call her a policeman, and that's an abuse
Salim
Hey!
The King protects us We don't need rats
What can I do for you?
First the introductions.
This is...
...Md.llias, from the Pakistani government.
This is Kabir.
How do I describe him?
He is a..
I run a gang of goons
Name's Kabir.
Can be both a Hindu or a Muslim name.
I wear a Brahmin string & am circumcised.
Have both Hindu scriptures & Muslim skull caps
Never know which side I may have to take in the riot.
Am ready with both.
I'm secular.
Pay & use
What do you want?
Don't want a riot.
There are enough of those anyway.
Need to vacate a house
Between Haldibari & Debiganj.
The whorehouse? I hope your men are done trying.
Once my boys get in-
Don't worry about that.
Just do your job.
And the job description?
Should we scare them? Break bones?
Rape them?
Or should we shoot and stab?
Could also sever breasts disembowel...
Impale them with rods-
The act determines the fee, right?
What? - No, no.
Money's not an issue But don't be brutal.
Few policemen will accompany you
Scare them first.
If that doesn't work, shoot them.
We need groceries.
We're running short on supplies
It's Lata and Sujan's turn.
Can't carry so much alone
I need some help.
I'm a vegetarian. I lack the strength.
Elephants are vegetarian too. But they're beasts of burden
You forgot the important ones.
Cows donkeys and oxen
But for her, elephant is apt.
Coming from someone who used to clean toilets, that's rich!
Can we not discuss toilets while eating?
Banno! - Yes!
Get the meat that was sent from the village.
Here it is.
I want some gravy.
Uncle Salim.
The situation demands..
...that you teach us how to use guns.
The guns your friends had given you...
...are rotting in the corner.
Begum Jaan, please tell him.
The Nawab protects us.
Why should you take up arms?
Water?
You have mail! - Jnui, go get it.
OK - Give me water.
Why isn't the water coming this way?
Go to Hell! - You go to Hell!
Have some more.
When'll you go shopping?
Begum? What happened?
Golap, read it.
What is it?
Golap, what's wrong?
'What's wrong?
Bloody bastards!
What happened?
Good morning, Begum Jaan.
Wasn't the meat good?
I knew Shekhu, your dog, would taste good
Salt and spice fine?
I prepared it myself.
I left Bhalu, your other dog, uncooked.
You can cook and eat him at your leisure
P.S- You will have to vacate the house. Two countries are about to be born.
Regards Kabir.
Uncle Salim!
Have you gone mad?
I doubt Kabir will stop at merely scaring them.
So what?
Is your heart wrenching?
Don't talk like a fool!
I have convinced more people to move then you have
Partition and exodus are required.
'With you all around, riots are unavoidable!
Haven't slept for years.
I'd wake up in the middle of the night.
When I'd hear the sound.
Or remember their faces.
We could pressurize the Nawab and take the help of the army-
Not enough time.
Riots are on the rise.
Think of it this way...
...we're killing a few, to save many.
Think of it as Bakr-Id (Festival of sacrifice).
Bloody cowards! My helpless babies...
Promise me you'll skin them!
And whip them with a whip made out of that skin
What's wrong with your throat? - Shekhu's fur is in there.
You're imagining it.
I'm not.
It's stuck.
You will have to leave.
What? - Times are changing.
I had gone to Delhi.
Everything will be over.
I don't understand what-
King of Junagarh had come to Delhi too.
Nizam of Hyderabad had sent a letter.
Kashmir and Hyderabad have been asked to choose their country.
So what? Kings will remain kings.
They won't.
The Subject will be the King.
Muslim farmers left a cow's cadaver at the Bhawal palace
Delhi and Karachi have the same plan.
All the land shall be taken over by the government very soon.
What about you all?
We'll be reduced to chess pieces
The treasury is not in good shape
I'm selling everything I can
And then you have court cases thanks to relatives.
Listen to the government.
Vacate this house
Am powerless now. Can'! protect you any more.
Salim!
The Nawab is tired. Escort him to his room
He needs rest. - Begum!
He'll be leaving early tomorrow.
Make the arrangements. - You'll die a gruesome death!
At least I won't die a beggar.
I'll die like a queen. - Make sure you die
For they will rape you first and then kill you
Come what may. I won't need a man to protect us.
Your enemy stands in front of you.
Hold it up!
One eye closed!
Aim with your right eye!
What a recoil!
I've gone deaf! - You're fine
Begum Jaan!
Golap, you serpent!
Ungrateful bitch!
Get lost!
Begum Jaan will kill us if she finds out we got Bnuchki along.
Why? It was Juthika's idea.
She's stuck at home all day.
She really misses Shekhu & Bhalu
Bnuchki! - Hurry, Bnuchki!
This way!
That way!
Strange is the bird
Which ﬂies in and out of the cage
If I can catch it
'Will chain it with my mind
How it ﬂies, in and out
Strange is the bird
'Will they kill us? - Shut up!
Bastards seem to have gone that way.
Let's escape through the secret exit.
No. They're coming this way.
You all slip out.
Leaving you here alone? I'd rather die.
Don'! argue. For my sake, ﬂee!
Didn't want to come- Shut up!
Now what will happen? 'Will they kill us all?
See! I told you so! Didn't listen to me as I'm a kid!
Now they'll kill us!
Please don't kill me! Please! Please!
I'm a little girl! Please don't kill me!
For Lord Krishna's sake! Beg of you, don't kill me!
Believe me! I'm innocent!
I beg of you...
I'll really miss you, Sujan.
But then you won't be there.
By then you'll be far away.
Remember that foreigner?
Margaret White.
The one who had come to take photographs for a magazine?
I think I'll ask her to help.
I want our story in newspapers across the country.
'Will all this happen?
Not sure. I know only two things-
I won't leave this house &won't go down without a fight!
Shashi was saying that...
...the pimp's body was found.
In four pieces
Delhi has asked for a progress report.
If news of our illegal procedures,
reach Delhi or Karachi...
...there'll be problems.
The entire world is watching us
The problem will be solved before it's publicized.
And believe me, it'll make no difference.
100 years later when kids will study about the Partition...
...they won't read about us or Begum Jaan.
I know.
History is about kings, not pawns
At most knights & rooks
But that's 100 years later. What about now?
At this moment, I am the King &I am History!
And I have morals! - For now.
But it won't last.
I spoke to Kabir- I can't-
You don't need to do anything
In such violent times, tragedies are common.
Bring the meat!
Set up the brothel... & you all came one by one
Made a living. Business thrived.
Lama, remember how you...
...escaped from the Hindu priests?
How you chased away the Brahmins!
Banno, you cried while menstruating for the first time.
You're embarrassing me...
Koli & Duli came when Muslims set their village ablaze.
It was a stormy night!
Both had high fever.
Both were in delirium
Well, they're still delirious
Shut up bitch! Want me to start?
Poached Lata's customer for a saree, & I'm delirious?
Shut up! Lata, say something.
The land I was born in,
which I left after marriage,
where I returned as a courtesan,
will now be divided into two countries
The tree which housed my marbles
the earth which houses my torn doll...
And this shelter, where we live with heads held high...
...must be vacated to ensure independence for two countries.
You bastards! Fucking swine!
I will not relent!
I don'! need any help!
I can protect my home & my memories myself!
Alone!
But you all should leave.
Where will we go?
Huh?
And why?
Go anywhere! Just leave!
Those after us are beasts!
We're prostitutes opposing the government.
It's not just our lives but our self-respect that-
Self-respect?
Whores with self-respect?
You're a woman, Begum Jaan.
Don't you know that it doesn't matter...
...whether you're a queen or whore? It's a man's world here!
Where will we go?
'Will our families take us back?
They won't.
The high-caste Brahmins will curse during the day & fuck me at night.
Why don't you understand? - There's nothing to understand.
They hacked my Sujan to pieces.
I won't leave till I have my revenge.
Neither will we.
Begum Jaan, this house belongs to us as well.
We all live here.
We know what awaits us outside
We won't leave! We'll fight to death!
Please don't make me move.
Let me wait out my remaining days here.
Even in the midst of gun fire.
But somehow, we need to get Bnuchki & Shabnam out of here.
This is no place for kids So Jnui-
No! Please don't say anything
Bnuchki isn't only my daughter! All of us have raised her.
Either everyone ﬂees with her or no one does!
Why are you so stubborn?
You..
Alright.
Do something...
Leave them at my uncle's place in Kishenganj for now.
Salim - Yes.
You need to deliver an important letter to the city.
To Mr. Bipin, in the local court.
He'll send it to the right place.
I don't think it's wise to leave the house now.
They could attack any time.
You are right.
But this letter is very important too.
Alright.
I'll get the guns out, just in case
I'll deliver the letter tomorrow.
Last minute plans will be executed thus.
That's not a problem. Just don't forget my plan.
Keep your end of the bargain, I'll keep mine.
Greetings Mr. Shashi.
Is everything ready? - Yes.
The police will be on the Debiganj side of the house
Spoke to Mr.Akhtar. They'll be there on time.
Men and weapons are in the car.
If we rat the whores out of their hole, we feast on them all night?
You alright? - Yes.
Written the letter to Begum Jaan as per plan?
Yes. Written everything. Let's go.
Come along.
You left something out!
Finish it off!
Only clients & business & oppression & Professor...
That's all you've written about.
No mention of howl nursed you back to life.
None at all.
Or how I massaged you all night during pregnancy.
Countless days of counselling,
stopping you from committing suicide..
Didn't mention a lot of things.
Fattening a cow for the slaughterhouse is not love.
Ungrateful bitch! - Salim!
Salim
The kid has grown up.
Let her go.
Let's go.
You can go ahead now.
Something's not right.
I feel the same
Guns ready? - Yes.
Cartridges? - Ready.
Let's get everyone.
Give it to me.
Get in.
Better get going. It'll be a strenuous journey.
Sorry.
Wanted to see Begum Jaan die twice. Hence, all this
Just saw it once. 'Will now see it again
But...
...marriage?
Whores don't have husbands They have clients
Grandma, lock your door! - Come with me.
Jnui, escape with Shabnam & Bnuchki through the back-door:
I won't go anywhere! - 'Why not? Gone mad?
Can't leave in such dangerous times!
What about Bnuchki & Shabnam?
Don'! argue! It's been decided!
It hasn't! I can't leave you all for my kid!
She's our kid too!
They can attack at any time!
Stop arguing & escape! They might-
Bastards!
Leave!
Get out!
Face me, you bastards!
Take aim propel“?!
Bastards!
Bastards, will kill you all!
Can't even hold a gun properly!
Bloody fuckers!
You all should switch to their profession.
Bloody bastards!
I'll kill you all!
Scoundrels!
Fuckers!
Won't let you escape!
Where are all these bullets coming from?
Move forward!
Kill them all!
Get more ammunition quick!
What happened? Koli! - Koli! Koli! Koli!
Cowards! Attacking us from behind!
Let her go! Leave her!
Get back Duli! You'll get shot!
Begum Jaan!
Bloody swine!
What's the hurry, sweetheart?
Hey!
Let them go!
Make sure they're safe.
Oh Allah!
Hey!
Welcome, sir.
Were playing Holi for so long Now begins the sacrifice.
Of the Vestal Virgins.
There you go.
The job is done.
Hey!
Uncle Salim!
Oh Allah! Save me!
Sir...
...my boys will have some fun with these refugees.
You mustn't stay.
Won't be able to tolerate it.
As in?
Hey!
Listen, you bloody whores!
No patron will save you!
Where are you going?
They're all mad!
Grandma..
...that story...
...read it out to me
When the darkest, moonless night engulfed the world,
When the Sun & Moon vanished from the overhead sky,
12000 Rajput queens started on their Jauhar (Mass suicide) ceremony.
To protect their honour from the invaders.
Standing in front of a dark tunnel, beside the temple in Chittor,
Queen Padmini started worshipping Agni (Fire God).
"Oh Fire God!
The Holy One, with the Bright Golden Body, come!
Dissipate all darkness with your light!
Oh Fire God! The Ultimate Power, come!
You're strength of the weak & support for the strong!
Oh Terrible One! Dispel our fear!
Destroy our guilt! Give us refuge!
The end of shame & misery, in Your ﬂames!
You're the last Hope! The last Chain of Great Freedom!"
Incantating thus, Queen Padmini went silent.
Suddenly, raising a great furore,
a 1000 happy ﬂames leapt up from within the tunnel!
The dark night was shattered by the light!
Queen Padmini plunged into the pyre with 12000 Rajput women!
The smiling faces &the echoing laughter of Chittor,
turned into ashes in a matter of seconds.
And every Rajput heart, cried out aloud,
"Hail the Pious One!
Hail the Pious One!"
Your call is announced continuously
We heed Your gracious call
Hindus Buddhists, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis,
Muslims & Christians
The Orient & the Occident come together
To the side of Your throne
And weave the garland of love.
Oh! You who bring in the unity of the people
The dispenser of the destiny of India
The way of life is sombre
As it moves through ups & downs
Oh Eternal Charioteer! The wheels of Your chariot
Echo day & night in the path
In the midst of fierce revolution
Your conch shell sounds
You save us from fear & misery
Oh! You who guide the people through torturous path
Victory be to You, the dispenser of the destiny of India
Victory to You!
Victory! Victory! Victory to You!
During the darkest of nights
When the whole country was sick & in swoon
Wakeful remained Your incessant blessings
Through Your lowered but unwinking eyes
Through nightmares & terror
You protected us
Oh affectionate Mother!
Oh! You who have removed the misery of the people
The dispenser of the destiny of India
Victory to You!
Victory! Victory! Victory to You!
The night is over & the sun has risen
Over the hills of the eastern horizon
The birds are singing & a gentle, auspicious breeze
Is pouring the elixir of a new life
By the halo of Your compassion
India that was asleep, is now awakening
We bow down to You!
Victory! Victory! Victory! To You the Supreme King!
The dispenser of the destiny of India
Victory to You!
Victory! Victory! Victory to You!