8 April 2012
This is my debut Bollywood screenplay, inspired by Barack Obama's 'Dreams From My Father'.
RAAHI, a coming of age drama set in the past and present day of the circus, is the story of a young man's discovery about his father's life, and the journey he makes towards self-discovery.
The story begins with a man accepting the Nobel Literature Award in Sweden for his novel 'Two Travellers'. He sets forth to narrate the story of his life. This man is Raahi, a British national, who travelled to India to discover more about his father, who had supposedly died in a car accident before he was born.
Once in Mumbai, Raahi is joined by Mr. Banerjee, his mother's old English teacher. Although a teacher, Mr. Banerjee has aspirations to be a big Bollywood star, in the ilk of Amitabh Bachchan. They both travel to Raahi's grandfather, Kalyanji's house.
Kalyanji informs them of the night Raahi's father, Ishan, died. Ishan is Raahi's biological father. However we discover that Ishan is not Raahi's true father.
Raahi and Mr. Banerjee set off to Kalyan, to Tulsidas Singh Patiala's house. Tulsidas Singh Patiala was a clown who worked at Circus Kalyan, the circus which Raahi's biological father owned. During the construction of the circus in the 1970s, Ishan introduces Kalyanji to his newly appointed accountant, Pathik Mehra.
In the present day, Pathik is missing, having upped and disappeared from his home.
Back in the 1970s, Ishan and a few of his associates travel to Nepal to recruit performers for their circus, one of who was Raahi's mother Charu. Ishan promises her parents that one day she will be the greatest tightrope walker in the world.
After one particular nights show, Pathik sees Ishan giving Charu a generous pay packet. Pathik confronts Ishan, accuses him of having noticed Ishan of being intimate with Charu. Ishan and Pathik fight; Ishan fires Pathik and orders him to leave. As a result of the fight, Ishan begins drinking heavily, and as he is driving away from the circus he crashes his car. Ishan dies.
The news of Ishans death spreads to the rest of the circus performers, including two young boys. Kalyanji determines that the circus must continue. Despite being fired, Tulsidas Singh Patiala persuades Pathik to return to the circus, if only as a spectator.
Once Charus fellow trapeze artists perform their routine, Charu takes to the stage. As she walks along the tightrope, she suddenly falls, hurtling down to the ground at great speed - her fall is however cushioned. A figure from the crowd runs to her aid. It is Pathik. She is rushed to the hospital.
At the hospital, Charu informs Pathik that her fall was no accident. She did it on purpose; with Ishan dead she saw no reason in living. Pathik informs her of Ishan's true character, and that despite promising Charu great wealth in exchange for her hand in marriage, she would have had no real escape from the circus life. Charu motions to her stomach that she is pregnant. Pathik promises to marry her, if only she leaves India to gain an education.
Pathik and Charu get married, with all the circus performers in attendance. Towards the end of the ceremony, Kalyanji hands over a set of keys to Pathik. They are the keys to the circus. Pathik is now in charge.
In the present day, Tulsidas Singh Patiala introduces Raahi and Mr. Banerjee to Siya, his daughter. Raahi is instantly attracted to her. The next day, Tulsidas Singh Patiala reluctantly agrees to take Raahi to the once booming circus, which is now closed down.
Upon arriving at the circus, Tulsidas recalls the first night that they opened. Raahi suggests that they open again, but for one night only. With Tulsidas Singh Patiala being a clown and Siya having performed on the tightrope, they could put on a great show. Tulsidas questions whether they can truly be a success in the 21st century with circuses in decline. Raahi suggests that they add a twist to the show, with the twist being that Amitabh Bachchan, played by Mr. Banerjee, will be in attendance!
This is only a excerpt of my story, if you would like to read more, send me a message!
Raahi • Opuss № I