It's Time (My 1st script in the proper format)

This is the 1st script I wrote during my Storygram moviemaking workshop. Will be changing this blog to a mini-repository of my short stories, scripts which might never see the light of the projector. But then who cares :-). Art is nothing but a dream. The best thing about dreams is that realists like me too can afford them.

I have entered characterisation which is not the part of the script format. I had included them here as part of the "Pitching" workshop. I intended this to an imaginary producer if he/she asks more details but more so to the imaginary actors I will have to ensure understand the depth of where the characters are coming :-) rather than just reading out the lines without any connection to the characters. I am a "Director" you see... 

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Characterisation:

Husband: His name is Ramesh Nair. He is 38 years of age. He is working for Goldman Sachs as an Operations Manager for Accounts Payable. He holds an MBA in Finance. He was born in Pallakad and finished his B.Com graduation there. He relocated to Bangalore at the age of 21 with his maternal relatives and started working for a local finance firm. With the BPO Boom in early 2000’s, he was able to get into an MNC. His financial improvements helped him in getting a weekend MBA through TASMAC. As the only son, he was always looked upon as the one who would have to support his parents in their old age. At the age of 31, his parents arranged for his marriage to Shailaja Nair (aged 25). Ramesh was also a prominent member of the Nair Samajam in Bangalore. He also had envisioned his parents to be staying with him though the parents had not yet listened to his request. He was always social and his friends appreciated his easy-going yet responsible and caring nature.

Wife: Her name is Shailaja Nair. She is currently 32 years of age. She has just started working with IBM after a long break of 7 years. Ramesh did not want her to work as he believed that they should start a family soon. Ramesh believed that Shailaja could resume work once Rajesh (6 year old son) was 12 years and can stay alone at home. By then, Ramesh believed that his parents too would start staying with them in Bangalore.

                Shailaja was born in Bangalore though her modest family background ensured that she would not get attracted to the pub culture. Her parents were very religious and vacations would mean visiting different temples. Shailaja too followed the crowd without knowing any real understanding of the norms. At the age of 16, she accidentally got introduced to Osho’s book while trying to brush up some knowledge on Zen. From then on, she started reading only spiritual books. She questioned her parents about meditation but they always replied that prayers and devotion is enough for now and they might meditate later when they are really old. She really loved the “Adwaita” philosophy in Sanathana Dharma. She read as much spiritual books as possible. She read about Arunachala and thought that she should visit that place sometime. Luckily, her classmate in S.Y.B.Com stayed in Arunachala and Shailaja spent a week during Diwali vacations there. Her stay there triggered a big metamorphosis in Shailaja’s outlook. She was drawn to Ramana Maharshi’s spirituality and the hill that was a silent master. She started questioning all the worldly achievements. She had always been brought up as an obedient child. She tried to reason with her parents that she would like to explore the spiritual world. Her parents would shoot her down saying that such pursuits are for one old age. She too started working at an MNC in the finance division and was a very good performer. Her colleagues and friends found her interesting but tried to dissuade her spiritual tendencies. As per her astrology, her parents started to look for a partner for her only after she was 24 years of age. Shailaja tried to dissuade them but they did not pay any heed to her. Shailaja too (as was her natural tendency) then agreed to the marriage.

Shailaja and Ramesh: Ramesh was easy going and very understanding. He only had one condition that their child should be looked after by a parent and not some baby-sitter. He never delved into Shailaja’s frequent visits to the temple or her book list every month. An year into their marriage, they were also blessed with a son whom they named Rajesh. Shailaja’s internal turmoils (her spiritual cravings) rarely surfaced and she found Rajesh (who is a very good human being) little devoid of understanding spirituality. When Rajesh was about 5 years old, Shailaja had also gone for a month long stay in Arunachala. Ramesh was overseas at the time. This was also when Shailaja had a spiritual connect with Krishna who was a spiritual wanderer which led to physical intimacy. Shailaja confessed about this only an year back and but Ramesh was accommodating and understanding about it. Although Ramesh was angry but he considered it some stupid slip-up from Shailaja. Meanwhile, Shailaja was getting more self-assured and drawn towards a spiritual life. 3 months back from today, she had asked for divorce. But Ramesh somehow convinced her to stay on for 3 months and then see how it goes. He used to say that she can do whatever she wants by being his wife and a mother to their child. It’s been 2 months and Shailaja felt she was wasting her time. She had been brooding over the situation and the last 2 days were too much for her with entertaining Ramesh’s friends at home and looking after such social obligations. The calling was getting tougher and tougher to ignore.

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1 INT. MORNING, IN THE BEDROOM

(RAMESH – 38 YEARS ; SHAILAJA – 32 YEARS)

Shailaja is sitting on bed, Husband walks in after a jog.

RAMESH

Hye Sonu, you are up?

Ramesh looks at mirror and brushes his hair.

RAMESH

So, I don’t feel like going to the office. So Boring!!!

Ramesh turns back.

RAMESH

Arrey, what’s up with you?

Do din se notice kar raha hoon.

Kal dinner pe bhi…

SHAILAJA

(Interrupts)

I cant go on with this.

Ramesh rolls his eyes up, leaves a heavy breath and sits next to her.

RAMESH

What… What… are you saying?

SHAILAJA

Its time.

I think… I need a divorce soon. I just can’t…

RAMESH

(Interrupts)

Everything’s going fine. What’s the problem?

SHAILAJA

Nothings fine. I am tired of acting as if it is.

RAMESH

Arrey, I thought we had discussed

Like we will see how it goes for 3 months and then decide.

SHAILAJA

Yes, I know but…

RAMESH

(Interrupts)

It’s been what, 2 months?

SHAILAJA

Time will not make any difference.

Not anymore.

Ramesh shifts and sits facing towards Shailaja.

RAMESH

What is bothering you?

Did I even nag… no.. no… even mention any of your mistakes?

SHAILAJA

Mistakes! Nagging, How long do you think it will go on?

3 months… 6 months… a year…

Chodo bhi… All that does not matter at all.

RAMESH

Doesn’t matter? I am trying my best…

Dropping the kid to the school, cleaning the house, clothes.

You only had to cook.

SHAILAJA

These are very trivial things.

Now how do I explain to you, kya boluu?

RAMESH

I just don’t get you.

Your mistakes and I am the one mending it all.

SHAILAJA

Hmmm… Do you even know me?

Else, you wouldn’t bring that up.

RAMESH

So is it the guilt?

Maine sab maaf kiya tha naa… Or…

SHAILAJA

Or?

RAMESH

Do you need him- love him

SHAILAJA

Argh. Yahi tho main bol rahi hoon

You have no idea about me.

About who I am!

RAMESH

What the hell are you saying?

Not the guy, not the guilt…

Then this sudden bomb…

What is it then?

SHAILAJA

Not about the guy, not about some chores

RAMESH

So some feminist thing.

SHAILAJA

(Shaking her head)

Told you before.

I did not want all this but wasn’t very sure

All this material pursuit, family

Only if I knew it before

Only if I was stronger.

Ramesh brushes his hair with both his hands, leaves a heavy breath through his mouth and shakes his head.

SHAILAJA

Sleeping with someone- Maybe,

Maybe that too was a sign.

I saw Shiva in him.

But I don’t want to live with him.

RAMESH

What?

SHAILAJA

It was some sign, something abstract.

I too cannot comprehend fully.

But even that is not close to what I feel now.

RAMESH

Feel for whom? For what?

SHAILAJA

For Arunachala.

The calling has come.

There is no point in delaying it.

RAMESH

Huh?

SHAILAJA

I need to be with myself.

Meditate. Enough of books.

Need to experience now.

RAMESH

Ohh! That again.

It can be done here also.

Go for those yoga classes you used to go

Or for some meditation classes, whatever?

Have I ever stopped you?

Ramesh tries to hold her hand but she wriggles it out.

RAMESH

When munna grows up and gets married

(slight chuckle)

We both will retire to that place

SHAILAJA

That is not my way.

I cannot wait.

Calling has come, I need to go.

RAMESH

So what will you tell Rajesh?

Should I tell him his mom doesn’t want to be with him?

SHAILAJA

I know I am his mother

But there are bigger truths.

RAMESH

Like what?

SHAILAJA

Finding my Self, the eternal truth as they call it.

When he is old enough,

He might understand.

Maybe not,

But I can’t think about it now.

RAMESH

Oh My God!
I can’t believe you.

Uhh, Uhh,

Hasn’t some saints said that

Realisation is possible as a householder.

SHAILAJA

Maybe, but I can’t confirm.

But this is my calling,

I need to walk on this road.

Can’t look back.

RAMESH

All this stupid books

And those idiot friends from that godforsaken place

They have done this.

What will I do?

What will I tell my parents, friends, neighbours, office?

SHAILAJA

Tell them the truth.

Don’t care how they judge me.

RAMESH

You know what,

How about you go there and stay for some months

You will get bored.

All this enthusiasm might die down.

You will come back.

I will not divorce you now.

SHAILAJA

No, I don’t want to put your life on hold.

Also, I want to finish and cut-off everything.

No more looking into the rear mirror.

RAMESH

Divorce baad mein karenge.

SHAILAJA

(Gets up and stands with her back facing Ramesh)

No. Don’t have any false hopes.

RAMESH

Your parents?

SHAILAJA

Been a good daughter so far.

They can come with me if they want.

RAMESH

And me?

SHAILAJA

You are a good person.

It’s unfair of me to be with you anymore.

I don’t love you at all,

Not as a wife anyways.

Ramesh cries a little

SHAILAJA

There is nothing ahead for us.

You need to accept that soon.

Ramesh looks around. Looks at the window, at Shailaja, at her books and then down.

RAMESH

Wait for a week.

I will call my mother.

Once she is here, hmmm

You move out.

Please adjust till then.

Shailaja looks at him now with a quizzed look.

RAMESH

I still don’t believe it’s over.

Maybe, when we are apart…

You might change you mind.

Who knows?

SHAILAJA

Don’t have such false hopes.

Please…

Ramesh walks out of the door and Shailaja follows him.

RAMESH (v.o.)

Raju, get up.

It’s time.

--THE END--