London Paris New York

'Living With My Brother's Ghost'

Quite a brave subject for a debut feature film?

You can say that.

How do I answer that question.

Someone once told me that I should be true to myself.

And this is the greatest truth of my life.

My brother's death is the reason for my existence.

I was born to fill the void created by his death.

So instead of paying loads of money to a shrink...

I just made a film... simple.

What did your parents have to say about the film?

My father is the producer of the film.

When I showed the film to him he said...

'how can you make a film without songs?'

You have to add an item number.

He is just like that.

- Can I just take that? - No problem.

Sorry, sorry guys.

So where were we?

Okay, you're here in New York for the first time...

what do you think of this city?

That's what I am here to find out.

I share a strange relationship with this city.

I was supposed to come here a few years ago.

I couldn't make it back then. But now that I'm finally here...

I am actually a little nostalgic about this place.

Thanks, Nikhil. It was really nice meeting you.

All the best.

- Thank you. - I am looking forward to your next film.

- Thank you. You're very kind. - Thank you.

- Are we done? - Yes.

Okay.

Hey Nikhil...

So did you come here to see this city or to meet a girl?

Yes, Statue of Liberty.

Tell me all about it over a drink?

I would love to but I have to be somewhere right now.

I'm already late... next time, sorry.

You have just one night, Good luck.

Taxi.

Mr. Chopra...

Mr. Chopra...

Good afternoon Mr. Nikhil Chopra.

Hope you had a good sleep.

We shall be landing in London in a few minutes.

Can I get you something?

Tea? Coffee?

Juice? Milkshake?

Ice cream?

No thanks.

Ma'am, please get back to your seat.

Sorry.

Miss Lalitha Krishnan?

You've missed your London to New York flight.

What do you mean, ' missed the flight'?

Because this flight will be reaching London late...

you've missed the connecting flight.

What rubbish! I have to get to New York on time.

My university begins day after!

You can talk to the ground staff.

They will arrange your accommodation at the airport.

I don't want any accommodation...

I have bought a full fare ticket. You can't treat me like this.

You didn't even say 'Sorry'?

'Sorry'!

Excuse me?

Yeah?

I think you dropped this. Is this yours?

Yeah.

Thanks.

How is the book? Interesting?

Actually... it's about European genocide in Africa,

and how it's a template for the Holocaust.

I guess, you don't read Mills and Boon, and all that stuff.

No way!

I'm a feminist.

Mills and Boon is feminist too.

So, filling the minds of girls with rubbish like...

some tall, dark, handsome guy will come and whisk you away on a white horse...

that is feminism to you?

The purpose of feminism is freedom, right?

Whether it is the freedom to wait for a tall, dark, handsome guy...

or for that matter, for a tall, dark, handsome girl.

So you read Mills and Boon?

When I was a kid, I read a few.

Actually, quite a few. I found them interesting.

Your parents didn't stop you?

Oh no! They saw I was reading books in English...

So they were quite happy actually.

Is this your first time abroad?

Yes! How did you know?

Well... actually, travelling pouch, passport safely in it...

muffler, gloves, this Alaska jacket.

Actually it's summer in London...

I feel cold!

I'm Nikhil, actually.

- What's your name? - I'm Lalitha.

Lalitha.

England is like India's 25th state.

Indians everywhere.

You mean, 29th!

Sorry?

There are 28 states in India. That makes London the 29th, right?

28?

Where did so many states come from?

Don't you have basic knowledge about your country?

It's not that basic, like not knowing the Prime Minister's name or something.

Okay. What's our President's name?

Right, you know... what's his name...

He was also on the news last night...

Fine! Who is the President of the US?

That's not fair.

You all know about George W. Bush...

though he is actually worse than a terrorist.

I manage a youth cell for 'Greater Political Participation Amongst Youth'.

So that young people like us... take an active interest in politics.

I think, young people like us don't take an active interest in politics because...

It is no fun watching 60 year olds tear each others clothes.

But if we don't take an interest, these very 60 year olds will...

destroy our nation and hand it to us.

I'm going to New York University to study politics...

So I can come back and make a difference.

Oh... oh... sorry. I got it!

Abdul Kalam Azad!

Yaay!

I know, I know.

And who's the Vice President?

Tell me.

Are you sneaking in illegal immigrants?

I'm just bringing in spices and pickles.

You get everything here same to same.

When you can buy it with rupees, why waste precious dollars?

I think you should start a corner shop and sell these all in dollars!

Business? I belong to a simple, middle class family and all we can do is, work.

Business is for...

Business is for people like us.

My father is a film producer... he makes films.

If he could have his way, he'd even sell air.

In my family, education is given so much importance... it's not funny.

Both, Aai and Appa are Brahmins.

Aai and Appa? What does that mean?

Aai is a Maharashtrian Brahmin and Appa is a Tamilian Brahmin.

Maha-Tam-Bram!

Sounds like a dramatic television soap opera.

Well, a lot of drama happens at our place.

Really?

I don't understand why do these parents get so dramatic all the time.

Someone said, if you can figure your parents out...

all the answers to life will be revealed to you.

Why do I have a feeling that you are running away from your parents?

What? No.

No big deal.

I am also running away. At full speed!

I call it independence.

Basically you're running away!

Actually, I've been running all my life. But that race was for my parents.

I had to be first in studies, Bharatnatyam, Carnatic music, tennis...

Somewhere along the way, I forgot in which direction I wanted to run.

Still better.

My parents wanted only one thing from me...

that I shouldn't die.

Are you ill?

I had a brother, who died at the age of 16.

It was a motorbike accident. I never met him.

Ever since my parents have been worried...

what if the other son dies too?

How did they allow you to come to London?

Suicide!

What?

Hmm... Sleeping pills.

What are you saying?

Didn't eat them, just scattered them around...

I struck a dead pose with the bottle in my hand.

Hung a 'suicide' note on the door.

Everyone got scared...

and they put me on the first flight and said...

Go son, make your future.

Wow.

I can't believe I just met you and told you my dark and deep secrets.

And I can't believe I just met you and gave you a lecture on politics!

Really, you need to improve your manners Lalitha.

Oh phone booth!

Actually, I missed my flight because of the airline and...

instead of the hotel room, I got them to give me money.

I have a UK visa and my best friend, Rima, lives here.

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