(Name of Project)

by
(Name of First Writer)

(Based on, If Any)

Revisions by
(Names of Subsequent Writers,
in Order of Work Performed)

Current Revisions by
(Current Writer, date)

Name (of company, if applicable)

Address
Phone Number
 FADE IN

1A. EXT. HIGHWAY ROADS/DEVARAKONDA TOWN - EARLY MORNING

We see shots of the Sagar road highway. As titles roll, the

warm sunshine bakes the countryside gently. Wheat fields,
long empty stretches of highway, blue skies, a milestone
reading Devarakonda 1 KM, the odd early morning traffic,
the shepherd with his flock, small hamlets with empty fires,
an army of piglets scurrying, a tiny rivulet awaiting its
dhobhi, green rolling hills all over...

DISSOLVE TO:

1B. EXT. DEVARAKONDA TOWN - EARLY MORNING

We approach the still asleep town, surrounded by hills on all

sides. Devarakonda is a typical highway town, quaint old
buildings, relics of the past, nizam-hindu kings-the british
raj, merging with present day India, walls whitewashed, doors
colored in contrast, muggu on cemented pavements, the town
centre with a Gandhi statue and banyan tree, an empty school
yard awaiting the hustle bustle, the panchayat office-an old
army barrack, rows of empty 7 seater autos, green and orange
flags on a masjid and temple and in still quiet lanes, a very
contemporary Malgudi setting. Very quaint and calm....

CUT TO:

1C. EXT. DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - EARLY MORNING

We see a pair of 7 seater autos hurtling through the town.

Its very evident that one of the autos has a clear lead,
aggressively and dangerously making its way through the town,
the one behind is struggling to catch up, the race opens into
an open maidan, acres of emptiness ahead, we see the first
auto lead on, leaving a cloud of red dust, from the top we
see it screech to a halt....a man gets out, dressed in a
pathan suit, he waits with his hands folded for the second
auto to finish the crossing line...behind the pathan suit
guy, we see an older man, sitting on a chair, enjoying his
viewpoint....

The other auto finally reaches the finish line....we see the
pathan suit guy and the older gentleman cackle up in laughter
at the sight of the defeated opponent....we hear indistinct
cries of shabhashs and taunting....as we leave the activity
from behind, we see the defeated auto driver, leave with his
head down....
 2.

2. EXT. DEVARAKONDA FORT - EARLY MORNING

The scattered remains of a fort peep through the foliage and

rocks, the view from the fort is magnificent. You feel like,
its YOU and the WORLD below. Amidst this setting we see a
shack, more like an open garage. Nestled among the ruins and
the rocks, we see its actually an old tourist information
office, now a makeshift home to our hero Akbar. We notice
that his terrace setting is actually his version of a roof
penthouse, cupboards, cycles, a study room, all sorts of
antique dust collecting stuff, a picture of the mecca, a
picture of himself with his father (mother conspicuous by her
absence), machine tools, open toilet etc.

We close in on Akbar, stirring awake on his mat, we notice

that he is an averagely built, fair but rugged looking young
man. We see a wind propelled light bulb, still glowing, it
bursts and falls on Akbars text book by his side..As the
waking sun shows on his face, he blinks awake. We watch Akbar
as he rises slowly, a little annoyed seeing his burst light
bulb, his hands go to his face, sitting up on the mat, he
stretches and looks at the sun. Making his way to the cliff
edge, we watch Akbars eyes as he watches the town ahead from
his roof top. His eyes intent on making this a glorious
day...

3. EXT. DEVARAKONDA FORT - EARLY MORNING

This fort is his kingdom. We watch him take a dip in a pond,

iron his clothes, brushing his teeth and shaving at the same
time, he takes a few minutes to leaf through a textbook,
makes a few notes and memorizes a few lines, shoving his
books into his bag, he gets ready for the day. We watch Akbar
say the namaaz, kneeling west on a mat. He takes his cycle
out of the shack, locks the door and makes his way down the
hill and into the town. The wind in his hair and his eyes
looking forward to the day ahead.

Written and directed by Anish Kuruvilla (title card)

4A. EXT DEVARAKONDA TOWN - DAY

The town has now come alive with early morning activities. We
see Akbar make his way hurriedly through the bylanes, dodging
children taking a bath by a pump, pouring out a thin line of
water into fields, even more children taking a dump by the
open drain, men in lungis, hands by their crotches, brushing
their teeth fervently and harried women quarreling near a
water tanker, we hear a voice amidst this chaos as Akbar
wades through the crowd...
 3.

MAN VO
Akbar...ivvala indian express
kaavaali raa...application form
padutundi ...

Akbar waves a 'sure', smiling in acknowledgement. We see him

make his to a parked milk van by the highway and come out
with packets of milk in a bag. As he weaves through the town
centre, we see him stop by news vendors, we see him pick a
big package of dailies, with newspapers and milk in toe, our
man goes about delivering them diligently. We see him make
his way through the town centre and into the bylanes, we
watch him drop off his merchandise in different households.
Akbar is very well known in the neighbourhood, several people
acknowledge his presence, asking questions and getting
answers...we see Akbar interact with people in the town,
moving in and out of their homes with his milk packets and
newspapers....

4B. DEVARAKONDA HOUSES - MORNING

OLD LADY (WORRIEDLY)

Entra..,.ivvala Bandh anta...

AKBAR
aa... evvaru
pattinchukuntaare..telusu kada
neeku...

OLD LADY
Aithe.. pakkurlo gudiki
vellochantaava...evaro swamulawaaru
vastunnaranta..

AKBAR
Oo..bramhandangaa
vellochu...tommidintiki centerlo
unte nenu teesukeltaa...kaani
dabbulu teevatam
marchipokamma...ippatike naaku
padihenu roopaayalu ivvali...

OLD LADY (CUTELY)

Poo raa, ee musalammey deggara
emmtheesukuntao!

AKBAR (SMILING)
Sarrey, sarrey....aithey mee
payasam naaku baaki undi...

CUT TO;
 4.

OLD MAN IN CROWD

Arrey Akbar,ivvala ratri
tirigochetappudu koncham naa kalla
jodlu tesuku raa ra..koncham
ibbandigaa undi...

AKBAR
adagaala tatayya...edi receipt
ichcheyi...happy ga paduko...

CUT TO;

YOUNG GIRL
Akbar bhayya ivvala school
taravaata tuition undi...araganta
late gaa raava saayantram...

AKBAR
nijangaane tuition
unda?..hmmm..undeuntundile..aina
nuvvu inka
chinnapillavi...endukainamanchidi
lategaa vastunnanani ammato kooda
cheppu..leka pothe kangaaru
padutundi..

CUT TO;

YOUNG WOMAN
Akbar entra inta late...aiyanemo
coffee newspaper lenide toiletki
kooda vellaleeru..telusukada
neeku...

AKBAR
Sorry sorry..akka ...repatinunchi
mee aayana time ki bathroom ki
velletattu chesataanule...

Its apparent that Akbar in many ways is a binding force in

the locality and people depend on him for a lot of things. As
he finishes his sortie, we see him weave to the town centre
and towards a factory like shed ala the waterfront, we see
a small horde of 7 seaters and drivers ahead. Akbar
approaches the shed.(these same people whom he delivered to,
will ask him to get out of the town after CM debacle*)

5. EXT/INT THE AUTO SHED - DAY

We see Akbar make his way to the auto shed and park his
cycle. The garage ahead of him looks like an open barn, it is
in actuality a part of a timber depot, cutting huge pieces of
logs. We can hear and see lots of saw dust and other chaos.
 5.

In the shed are auto rickshaws lined up and several auto

drivers ready to start off on their day. The scene is similar
to that of union workers waiting for their boss to turn up
and assign them their jobs. Several auto guys greet Akbar as
he makes his way in. One of his best mates, PASHA, who is a
dark, moustached, slim looking man comes upto Akbar..

PASHA
yendi be inta late? Lucky ga
Masterji inka raledu, kani Babbar
bhai daggara ni gurinchi cover
chesanu, adigite yedu gantala nundi
ikkade vunna ani
cheppu,ardhamainda.

AKBAR
light tisukora..yedo yuddhaniki
veltunnattu yendukanta
bhayapadatav,prati varam atanu
manaki class pikadam, manam vinadam
mamoole kada,
yenduku ra anta tension padatav

PASHA
noru moosukora, yevaraina
vinnarante anavasaram ga leni poni
chikkullo padatav,vudyogam
voodutundane bhayam lekunda poyindi
niku

Akbar is busy checking on the engine of his auto. He checks

to see if the oil level is okay. We notice the rest of the
auto drivers in the background are either standing and
talking or busy tinkering fervently with their
autos...meanwhile,

AKBAR
Abe, eppudu ardam
chesukuntaavuraa..maname vaadi
aadayam raa...
vache 18 gantalu chachi chedi manam
dabbulu sampadincvhi pedatam
vaadiki...vaadi autolu kaadu...

PASHA (HYSTERICAL)
Aapara pichoda, ammo.. neetho nannu
ippudu evvaraina choosarante, naa
udyogam peekestaru...

Pasha is not happy with Akbars attitude, while Akbar shakes

his head at Pashas nervousness. Its obvious from everyones
body language that, the Masterji is someone everyone is a
little wary about.
 6.

AKBAR
poddupodunne entra champutunnavu...
ee roju kooda mee avida tiffin
pettaledaa...

PASHA
normuyyara..ippudu ma avida sangati
yenduku

Suddenly we hear a shout...a lean man is addressing the crowd

in a dramatic fashion,

SONDU (MOCKINGLY IN MYTHOLOGICAL-TELU)

enduku meeranta aadavallalaga
gummugoodi muchatlu
pettukuntunnaru...

Akbar and a bunch of other guys laugh. Sondu, is a poor

replica of Rajnikanth, dark skinned and bushy hair. He is
someone everyone is used to. He is one of them...

SONDU (DRAMATICALLY) (CONTD)

Naamata vini andaram Masterji
raagaane..vanukutuu moorcha podam.
Appudaina aayana aatma ki shanthi
kalugutundemo...

Much to everyones delight he starts dancing the famous song

from Basha...a tape recorder (handled by a Chinna*) is
playing the song in the background...

SONDU (CONTD)
Nenu auto vadini vadini ra...nyaya
maina ratu vadini...

We realise that Sondu is already tipsy* so early in the

morning. The gang of drivers know this, someone in the crowd
remarks...

DRIVER
Arrey, aint ra Sondu,podunne idli
lo beer kalipi tinnava enti..?

We notice that some of the auto drivers are busy gorging on

their tiffins...We see Akbar thinking, turning to Pasha, as
Sondu continues with his antics..

AKBAR
veedu malli modalpettadu raa
baabu...adi ee cinema raa...Balayya
idli lo beer kalpukoni tintaadu...

PASHA (THINKING HARD)

...Laxmi Narasimha IPS!
 7.

AKBAR (HAPPILY)
Aavunu raa nuvvu cheppindi
correctee..

Pasha suddenly realizes he doesn't want to be part of the

fun,

PASHA
Chi nee abba...em aalochistunnavu
raa...vaadu mana kompalu munche
munde piluvu vaadini...

Akbar waves to Pasha to shut up, meanwhile Sondus show is

getting dramatically over the top....the music pauses for a
second....

SONDU (MIMICKING/ACTING LIKE MASTERJI)

...naamulane ivvala meeru rendu
pootala tindi
tinnagalugutunnaru...aavishayam
marchipokandi...

The music continues playing...The drivers are laughing all

over the place, except for Pasha who is looking even more
tense, Akbar is enjoying this tremendously, Suddenly there is
a shout...

VO
Rey Aapandiraa!! Shh..

there is an attentive stir within all of them as someone

approaches from the shadows of the factory, its Masterji
and his troupe behind him, the person everyone has been
waiting for...

6. INT AUTO SHED - DAY

We see all the auto guys disband and stand in a line.

Everyone murmuring to a quiet now. Masterji addresses them.
Masterji is an intense looking, rugged, middle aged marwari,
hes got a sheaf of money in one hand and a pad with notes
on. Hes got an air of distrust and disgust about him. The
auto gang looks on at him nervously...as Masterji speaks, his
voice echoes in the hangar...

MASTERJI (THROUGH HIS TEETH)

Meerandaru chala venaka badi
unnaru...ee varam collectionlalo
chala teda vachindi...

Sondu, standing next to Pasha and Akbar, mutters under his

breath
 8.

SONDU
Arey enni saarlu chepthaadra same
dialogue..alsipodaa?

Pasha, the nervous one agitatedly nudges him to shut up.

PASHA (LOUDISH WHISPER)

$Normuyyi chattanakodaka...

Masterji hearing the commotion, barks, Pasha cringes in

fear...

MASTERJI (WALKING BY THE DRIVERS)

Aapandi ..chattanaa
kodakallaraa...atalugaa undaa..
sarigga vinandi ee vaaram edaina
teeda vachindo..(silence as he
looks at everyone)
Meeru kashta padatledu, naa okko
auto kiraayi vaaraniki 5000
rupayalu...meelo okkadu dantlo
sagam kooda samapadinchatledu..
emi peekutunnarraa andaru...panulu
chestunnara, gaadidelu
kaastunnara...lekapothe urlo
ammayalaki kadupuchesi
pedutunnara...

All the auto guys look at Pasha, who doesn't like the
attention, meanwhile Sondu grabs the opportunity..

SONDU (WHISPERS)
(a portion of the Basha song -
negative version of basha
song)......

We cut to groups of auto drivers looking at each other,

laughing nervously. Masterji hasnt noticed all of this,
meanwhile, Akbar seems unnerved, Pasha looks nervous, while
Sondu seems exasperated...he begins miming Masterjis
dialogue as he continues, he knows exactly what he is going
to say next...

MASTERJI
Nenu mee andarini rodla meeda
nunchi teesukochi udyogaalu
ichanu..naa moolane ivvala meeku
rendu pootala tindi dorukutundi,
...marchipokandi
okkokari auto lo ara litre
nimpundi..ee vaaram evvariki naya
paisa ivvatledu...
(MORE)
 9.
MASTERJI (CONT'D)
mee giraki ee mee auto naduputundi,
udyogaalu
niluputundi..gurtupettukondi...inka
vellochu...

We hear grunts of protests, but generally there is a muted

chorus from the auto drivers..

AUTOGANG
Sarrey sir...

Sondu mockingly,

SONDU
Masterji ki jai! Masterji ki jai!

The rest of the crowd, some of them join in..

AUTO CROWD / SONDU

Masterji, amar rahein! Masterji
amar rahein!

Masterji seems confused by the sudden adulation, not knowing

if it was a genuine outpouring...

MASTERJI
(Rao Rameshs improvised dialogue)

He sniggers and walks away, followed by his troupe...we can

hear staggered laughter in the crowd..

CUT TO:

We see Sondu muttering something to himself, Pasha nervously

wiping his forehead...Akbar is making his way to his auto,
and so is everyone else. Sondu to Akbar and Pasha...

SONDU
panilo vellemundu chai kotti
bayaladeerdaamu raa...

Akbar and Pasha nod in approval....we see a gang of autos

move out of the hanger, some of them pushing the autos out
to save gas...each one hoping for a good profitable day
ahead...

7A. EXT BYLANES AND CHAI KOTTU - DAY

We see the trio walking down a lane towards a chai kottu .An
old melody is playing on the radio somewhere....The trio
reach the chai kottu, continuously blabbering illogical
nonsense*..
 10.

AKBAR
Seenu anna...2/3 chai kottu...
Arey Chiru cinema eppudu release
be?..

SONDU
Naakem thelusu bey, nenu emaina
vaalla intlo panichestunnana?

The duo laugh out loud at their own joke...

AKBAR
Nee yenkamma, neeku nijangaane
ivala pichipattindi

Meanwhile an agitated Pasha...

PASHA (HYTERICALLY)
rey, Masterji daggara vudyogam
vadulikunenta dhairyam naku ledu
ra, na kutumbam mottam na meeda
aadari padi vunnaru, aina varaniki
5,000 rupayalu yela adugutadu ra...

Akbar and Pasha are distracted from their mutual buffoonery

for a moment..

SONDU
nijanga auto to anta dabbu
sampadiste manam e sinugaadi
tokkalo kottu lo thokkalo chai
tagakkarledu

The chai guy looks up at Sondu annoyed..but joins Sondu on

his day dream talk, mesmerised...

SONDU (CONTD)
hayiga,hayiga poddunne lechina
ventane voka andamaina vanta chese
ammayi, china jacket vesukuni,vedi
vedi coffee teesukoni na mancham
daggaraki vatchi mudduga

SONDU (CONTD)
Sondu garu, mee
coffee...aba..abbaa...

Sondu and Akbar laugh, Pasha sighs...we notice that the lane
behind them is very vibrant and busy, little children are
getting ready for school, people are crossing the frame
repeatedly as the day gets on its way....meanwhile,
 11.

PASHA (TO SONDU)

chi, niku baga pitchi pattindi ra,
nuvvu e janmalo maravu

SONDU
yem matladutunnav ra, yenduku
marali ra nenu, nenu matladutunnadi
mana life lo nijala gurinchi

AKBAR
Abba..gurtochindi ...naa final year
exams deggaraki vastunnayiraa, inka
koorchoni chaduvukovaali...

SONDU
Matilenooda, inka aa tokkalo exams
raastunnava raa..enti ippatiki
moodosaari kada?, enni sarlu
dobbinchukuntavuraa?...aina neeku
shankar dada MBBS laga auto Akbar
B.com ani birudistaaru
anukuntunnava enti?...

AKBAR
Chup be, nenu auto driver la
undupotanani evarannaru? jeevitham
lo chala undi raa
cheyyataaniki...firstu ela golaga
ee exams pass ayyipoyi graduation
chetlokocheste..edaina electrical
course chestan raa...arey nijaniki
naaku engineer avvalani undindi
telusaa..
emi lekapote naa sonta garage aithe
pettukuntaanu raa...

Srinu has been listening on to the trios conversation while

attending to other customers...

SRINU CHAI-WALLAH
enduku Akbar ilanti kalalu kani
time waste chesu kuntaavu...naa
maata vini Masterji deggara loan
teesukoni bussiness pettu...

AKBAR
Aa, Avunu aa taravaata atani
deggara banisala
padundaali...samasye
ledu...naakosam Edo okati
chesukovaali.chesukuntaanu...
 12.

SONDU (MOCKINGLY)
Neku malle
neejeevitam..chavu...nuvvu inka
Pasha nannu choosi nerchukondiraa,
Eravai idu vachinaayi..anaadani,
pelli avvaledu, naa sampadana anta
taagudu-vaagudikee...

PASHA (ANGRILY)
ante yentra ni vuddesam, ipudu ma
amma vallani, bharya pillalni road
meeda odeleymantava saale?

SONDU
18 yellaki pelli chesukuni, 15
yellaki mi avidiki kadupu chesi,10
samvatsaralu samsaram gadipesina
niku intakante yem ardhamavutundi
le

PASHA (GETTING EMOTIONAL)

rey..matalu tinnaga rani, roadlu
mida tagutu tirige tagubotu na
kodaka, nikem telusu ra kutumbam to
vunde anandam. Ina niku cheppina
ardham kadu

AKBAR
Koncham meesollu
aapandi...poddupudunne
entra...prashantanga unte Masterji
gaadi 5000 ela sampadinchalo
allochinchochu. isaari aina 3
samvatsaraalanundi baaki unna mana
bonusulu teesukundaamu raa...

SONDU
burralenodiviraa nuvvu...vaadu
manaki bonuslu istaadani inka
nammutunnavu?...avanni Utti maatalu
raa mananni gupetlo
pettukovataaniki...

PASHA
Nuvvu aagara Sondu, Akbar cheppindi
right...5000 sampadiste manaki mana
bonuslu tappakunda istaadu...avi
vachinayante intlo t.v konochu, maa
avida adigi adigi champestondi,
nannakemo kanti opertion, ammaki
vanta saamanlu..inka mana
chinnadaaniki school dress
koniyaali raa
...eesamvatsaramaina...
 13.

AKBAR
Tappakundaa raa..adaina, vaadu
manaki ichinaa ivvakapoyina
manakimaatram ee udyogam avasaram
raa... vaadu adiginattu cheste
manake manchidi...inka vaadideggara
bonuslu ippinche poochi naadi...

SONDU
Entroy? Em chesthavu, cycle chain
tho damkhi isthava enti?

PASHA
Arey Akbar vaadu nijangaane dabbulu
istadantaavaara...vati to intlo
vallaki emi emi konachu ani
alochistene santoshamugaa undi...

Akbar is thinking about what Pasha asked...Sondu picks up

some biscuits shoving it into mouth.....

SONDU
Arey soodi aapara...nuvvu nee
family sentimentlu..edupugottu
daily seriallu choosi choosi
chedipotunnaru..

A noise distracts the trio from their discussion..

(*change context slightly to infer that they have taken loan

from Masterji and are paying back heavy interests)

CUT TO;

7B. EXT BYLANES - DAY

Just then, there is a tumbling noise ahead of the lane. We

see a mini lorry, filled to the brim with all kinds of
household saamaanlu precariously balanced all over it. Like
something out of a fevicol ad. The sight is amusing to look
at. For once the trio, including Pasha giggle at the sight of
the lorry struggling to make its way on the lane, huffing and
puffing like an old railway engine. We see there is a family
cooped inside of it. The trio look at each other intrigued
and amused.

8A. INT MINI LORRY - DAY

By the drivers seat we see a spectacled, worried looking, 52

year old man, PURUSHOTTAM, he seems like he is about to have
a heart attack...
 14.

PURUSHOTTAM
Arey edava, evaduraa neeku licence
ichina chavata, rokallo lo
rubinattu nadapaka pote koncham
mellaga nadapochugaa..

DRIVER
polavaram nundi suutannanu...enti
meeru ishtamainattu matalu
isirestunnaru...meere
choostunnarugaa roadlu entha
daridranga unnayo...nenem
cheyyala..nannu bandi
nadupukonivvandi saar..

Behind his seat are 4 other women, sitting

uncomfortably,tightly packed in, moving constantly with the
truck. The oldest lady among them, the Nayanamma barks..

NAYANAMMA
Narakam narakam, arey edava, elanti
narakaniki teesukochavu raa..ee
chavedo akkade chachevaalamu
gaa...rendu Rojula nundi polavaram
tirigi veldam ani
mottukutunna...aina Ee musali
daanni gurunchi eppudu
aalochinchavu ganakaa....

PURUSHOTTAM (ANGRILY)
amma kasta nuvvu voorukuntava,
asale manam digalsina illu
yekkadundo ardham kaka nenu chastu
vuntenu

NAYANAMMA
Aa avunu raa...polavaram lo mee
nanna kattinchina illu
chinnadaindi... ippudu raaja bhogam
choopinchataaniki...teesukeltunnavu
mari ....naa chaavu akkade
chavanivalsindi raa...ee musali
danni himsa pedutunnavu...

We see that Purushottam is trying really hard to control his

temper. The rest of the three women look at each other in
half amusement and half tiredness. The youngest of them, who
is reading a book, a petite, slightly nerdy, but cute looking
14 year old, KAVITA remarks to her mother...
 15.

KAVITA
Amma bathroom, please naanna ni
ekkadaina aapamani cheppu, nalgu
gantalanundi control chesukoleka
chastunnanu.

The mother, a sweet looking woman, AMMA

AMMA
inkasepu vopika pattu talli, inti
daggariki vachesinatlunnam,yemandi?
Inkentasepandi, daggaraki
vatchesama?

PURUSHOTTAM
Ikkade ekkado annade,mundu evaro
kurralu unnaru, vaallani
adugudaamu.

We see the bus is nearing the chai kotti where the trio is...

NAYANAMMA
Aa avunu adokkate
takkuvaindippudu...lokam mottaniki
nee deggara iddaru pellikaani
kooturlu unaru ani dappu kottuko...
ade le allagaina sambandaalu
vastaayemo, e kurra vedhavalu
voorukuntara, vooranta
cheptaru...ee oorenti..aa pandulu
enti..ekkada choosinaa
ave!!!....vallani choodu appude
songa kaarustunnaru...

We see Akbar and co; and the scurrying pigs from a POV of
Nayanamma...meanwhile,

KAVITA
Nayanamma. Koncham oorukuntaava?
Assale naaku talanoppiga ga undhi,
ee chattha lorry lo kurchoni.

AMMA
Kavita!!...(asking her to watch her
tongue)

NAYANAMMA
Paravaledu le amma, koduke
patinchukovatam ledu inka vaadi
kooturu emi pattinchukuntundi,
naaku tagina shaaste jarugutundi le
amma...
 16.

The mother smiles tiredly at her eldest daughter by the

window, who smiles back. They are used to these complaints.
We see the bus has just approached the chai kottu and
screeches to a halt...

PURUSHOTTAM (TO THE TRIO)

Aapu, babu koncham itu vastaaraa?..

So far the fourth woman on the bus has been quietly listening
to everyone else talk. She is a dark, tall, typically classic
in her beauty, LAKSHMI. (As we see her, we also see spider
seeds floating in the foreground). She has a little boy on
her lap, her youngest brother, 5 year old BUJJI, who was
sleeping until then, stirs awake and stretches...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
Hello, ee town post master Laxman
vaalla intiki etu vellalo koncham
chepthaara?

We see Pasha talk from the window..

PASHA
Itu nunchi thinnuga velli, modati
right theeskondi, adey road lo,
malli thinniga vellandi, a
tharvatha a road lo edama wipu ki
thirigi, full straight velthey
meeku oka borewell
kanipisthundi...daani edurey Laxman
vaalla illu....kaani vaallu ippudu
akkada lerandi, cityki
vellipoyaru...

We see that Purushottam hasnt understood the directions

properly, he asks Pasha again..all this time Sondu is
disinterested in the goings on, sipping on his chai, reading
a paper, while Akbar goes upto the driver and asks him..(can
show total BG atmosphere, need not be shot exclusively -
regarding the following three dialogues)

AKBAR
Ekkad ninchi vasthunaarandi? Meeku
theliyada, ee road koncham lorilaki
kashtam
ganey untundi, mundu
jaagratha...

DRIVER
Maakem thelusu babu, city ki
deggara unna roadlu kooda inta
chattaga untayani...
 17.

AKBAR
Thirigi velletappudu, dindi velle
road teesukondi...adi koncham
baganeuntundi...

Meanwhile Bujji who is on Lakshmis lap, gives out a loud

yawn, exclaiming...

BUJJI
Amma...aakaliga undi...thinadaaniki
emaina undaa?

AMMA
Undara kaasepatlo intiki
cheruthaam...koncham sepu aagu

Meanwhile Purushottam and Pasha are still discussing the

route directions in the background, suddenly Bujjis toy
sunglasses fall out of the window...

BUJJI (YELLING)
Ayyo, na
kalladdalu...padipoyaayi...akka,
teesivvu akka...

Akbar notices this and picks it up, does a mini Rajni thing
with the glasses and hands it over by the window, smiling.
Bujji enjoys that, Akbar notices Lakshmi for the first
time...Lakshmi smiles politely and looks at Bujji saying...

LAKSHMI
Thanks cheppu...

BUJJI
Thanks anna...

Akbar smiles, his eyes shift to Lakshmi and Lakshmis to his.

Just then the truck starts off and dustily moves off ahead...

Bujji sticks his head out of the window...waving bye.

CUT TO;

8B. EXT CHAI KOTTI - DAY

Sondu to the other two...

SONDU
chal re,sollu kottindi chalu
bayalderudam pada

Sondu looks at Akbar, who seems like he is in thought.

 18.

SONDU (CONTD)
Arrey marachipo...aamey naadi...

AKBAR
Chi..eppudu ade aalochistuntava...

SONDU
Ahaa...nuvvu emi aalochistunnavu
amma?...

AKBAR
naaku oo family unte... ilage
saradaga undedi

SONDU (DRAMATICALLY-MOCKINGLY)
Akbar annayaa...Ika memee nee
family anna..

Akbar is looking at Sondu, tiredly annoyed...

SONDU (CONTD)
manamanta voke kutumbam,bharata
desam mana maatru bhoomi,
bharatiyulandaru mana
sodara,sodarimanulu...

PASHA
vokka Sondu gadi vishayam lo tappa!

They look at Pasha, surprised he is joking for a change..The

trio laugh jabber and move on....

9. INT LAKSHMIS HOUSE - DAY

We see a door bang open from inside a house. Purushottam can

be seen at the door step. There is old dust flying all over
the place. He steps cautiously in followed by his wife,
daughters and son. All of them are carrying bags and other
luggage items. The house they have stepped in is a typical
Andhra-Brahmin sort of a household.. There is a courtyard
ahead of them, sun beams through the entire place. It looks
very homely but also dusty. As the entire family trudges in,
Bujji is the first one to shriek in excitement....

BUJJI
Ye!!!..super!!..paatha illu laagane
undi..yeee...!!!

The father is pleased with his sons exclamation..

 19.

NAYANAMMA
Ayyo devudaa...e dummu,dhooli tho
nenu chachipoyetlunnanu

We hear the lorry take off outside. We see the entire family
right in the middle of the courtyard, taking in the place.
Bujji starts running around excitedly...the father looks at
his wife for approval...she nods with a smile and then at his
eldest daughter, who puts her hand on his shoulder and says..

LAKSHMI
chala bagundi nanna....inka baga
chesukovatchu

NAYANAMMA
yente chala bagundi?..ee intiki
shani pattinattundi, tulasi chette
ledu,aina akkada manaki yenni
mokkalu vundevi,asalu e inti vaastu
sarigga ledu...

KAVITA
Amma...nanna...bathroom
ekada...nenu vellali..urgent..

PURUSHOTTAM
Teliyadu amma...meda meeda
choosava?

Bujji is running all over the place...we follow him as the

rest of the family takes in the place, getting their luggage
in...

AMMA
laxman garu yevaro manushulni
pampistanu ani annaru, yevaru
raledenti?

PURUSHOTTAM
Manam vachinatlu
telisundadu.podununchi eduru choosi
vellipoyuntaaru...kaasepatitaravaat
a nene aa centre lo
choosostanule...

Meanwhile in all this hada-vidi...Kavita and Nayanamma find

the bathroom at the same time..

KAVITA
Nannu mundu vellani Nayanamma, naku
koncham urgent ga undi.

Nainamma, very sweetly says,

 20.

NAYANAMMA
Sarey amma...koncham naa byaagu
gummam deggara odhilesaanu...adi
thesukuraava...

Kavita frustratingly goes to get it....Nayanamma meanwhile

makes herself comfortable in the bathroom...meanwhile Amma is
looking at the kitchen, her husband right behind her...

AMMA
Chala rojulanundi avvaru unnatu
leru...bagane pani undi...

Lakshmi enters,

LAKSHMI
Avunu amma, ippude modalettedamu...

Lakshmi finds a cheepiri katta in the corner and immediately

starts dusting the place...Purushottam meanwhile goes to look
for the puja room...he finds the remnants of an idol...and
does a silent namaskaram....suddenly we hear a shriek...

KAVITA (SHRIEKING)
Amma...itu choodamaa, Nayanamma
lopala gadesukundi...aameki telusu
gaa naaku urgent ani..cha eppudu
inte...

Meanwhile Bujji has found an old kite with a string from

somewhere and is busy trying to get it to fly...Purushottam
is going from room to room, opening them up with a bunch of
keys he has...Amma is busy unpacking everyones things in the
courtyard....she yells at Bujji..

AMMA
Kothi la gantuleyadam
aapara...edava..itochi akkaki naaku
sahayam cheyyi...

BUJJI
Oka nimisham amma..e kite ni
testing chesthunna...

Kavita comes rushing towards her dad..

KAVITA
Mee ammani bayataki rammani
cheppu...choodu lopala gadesukoni
koorchundi...

The father sweetly comforts her saying..

 21.

PURUSHOTTAM
vooruko talli, peddame kada mundu
vellani ra

KAVITA
Naa bonda...5 gantala nundi
mottukuntunna..aina nanne tappu
paattu...antele...

Lakshmi comes in, already dusty and sweaty with cheepiri

katta in hand...

LAKSHMI
Osey, akkada inko bathroom unde,
kinda floorlo store room pakkana...

Kavita rushes out...Lakshmi joins her father at the small

balcony...he is looking out silently at the town...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
yenti nanna alochistunnaru, vatchi
naku ammaki kasta help cheyyandi,
inka chala samanlu sardhali

She notices her father looks at little somber...he looks at

her and says...

PURUSHOTTAM
Mana jeevitam malli modatiki
vachinde...kotha uuru, vinta
janaalu.ee vayasu lo inka elanti
kashtaalu choodalsostundo...naalo
inka aa dhairyam ledemo chitti...

Lakshmi takes her father by the shoulder and

says...(lakshmis theme starts, total brisk action and
camerawork)

LAKSHMI
kashtalu entinanna?..asalu Kashtale
lekapote jeevitam deeniki,
..choodu, polavaram uuru vadili
hyderabadki deggara vachamu...mana
business bagavaataniki...ante naana
inka antha manche avutundi...asalu
deeni gurunchi kangaru
padaku...ippudu jarige
daanigurunchi aalochinchu..

Lakshmi begins walking out briskly, gesturing animatedly with

her hands...
 22.

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Annitikanna mundu sampadana..ante
vanta gadi...adi set up
cheyyali...aataravaata ikkadi
janaalani chadavaali..vallu emi
tintaru...valla ruchulu enti
ani...aa taravaata oka chinna
parcel counter petti... uranta mana
adbutamaina ruchula guruchi
telisela cheyyali...

The father follows outside...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Inka undi..vinu...aa highway paina
leasuki teesukunna jaaga
choodali..chosi akkada hotel
nadapataniki emi pettali ela
pettalo..alochinchaali...aa
taravaata market lo manaki
kaavalsina saamagri undo ledo
choodali...

She turns around to him...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Inka..inka hyderabad velli naa
prapancha prakyata rajumundry
avakai ammali...adi ganaka
nadichindante...inka mana sampadana
ki tiruguledu...oka pakka hotel
inko pakka avakai...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
inka mana business kosam yenni
permissions tisukovali, yenta mandi
chetulu tadapalo devudike
teliyali...anduke naa bujji
nanna...inka pani gurunchi
aalochinchu...

She smiles, looking at her father...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Enti ala choostunnavu...ee
vishayaalanni nuvve
nerpinchavu..marchipote gurtu
cheyya mani kooda cheppavu...sarrey
pada, ika pani modalupedadaam...

He smiles, tears in his eyes, feeling proud of his

daughter...suddenly we hear a shriek...we look up to see an
agitated Nayanamma and Kavita, they are both shrieking
simultaneously...talking at the same time....
 23.

NAYANAMMA
Arrey Purushottam ee orru lo neelu
leva? Nenu snanam ela
cheyyali...koncham occhi
aagipoyinaayi...

KAVITA
nanaa nanna ...bathroomlo chaala
ballulu unnayi ...okkasaari raa
nanna..

PURUSHOTTAM
Arey bujji gaa...akka arustondi
ento choodaraa..

He looks at Lakhsmi...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
mee Nayaanama godava ento choosi
vastaanu...

Bujji rushes up to see..meanwhile father and Lakshmi join

Amma in the courtyard...

CUT TO;

BUJJI
yekkadunnayi..choopinchu, vatini
visiri paresta

Kavita points to a balli crawling up the wall...looking

content in its surroundings...Bujji pounces on it...holds it
by its tail and shoves it at his sisters face...

BUJJI (CONTD)
hey choodu yenta mudduga vundo,
ninnu yemanna anda idi, yendukala
aruustav

KAVITA
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....

Meanwhile downstairs...Nayanamma comes to join the rest of

the trio..

NAYANAMMA
ayyoo..nuvvu ni kuturlani adupulo
petuu..ila arustu vunte repu
villani pelli chesulovataaniki
evaru munduki raaru?
 24.

PURUSHOTTAM
Amma, nuvvu velli pooja gadi
saddu..nenu migataa samanlu
saddukuntaanu...

As Nayanamma leaves, we see Lakshmi, her mom and dad lifting

the rest of the luggage from the courtyard...

AMMA
Oka rojanta pattetundi...

Lakshmi looks upstairs towards Kavita who is running after

Bujji...

LAKSHMI
Kavita...jagratta...kinda padtaaru

Kavita is heatedly chasing Bujji who runs upto the terrace...

KAVITA
rey pilla deyyam aagara...nuvvu
chachavu ivala naa chetullo...

Bujji is giggling, as we enter the terrace and watch Kavita

and Bujji play cat and mouse...we leave the household
behind...hearing voices...

LAKSHMI
Kavitaa..aaputaava inka..vanta
modalu pettali kindiki raa...

CUT TO:

10A. EXT DEVARAKONDA TOWN CENTRE - DAY

The town centre is a buzz with daily morning activities. We

can see several 7 seater auto rickshaws lined up, getting
village folk on board, their assistants yelling out
destinations...

AUTO ASSTS
Mallepally...Mallepally....

AUTO ASSTS (CONTD)

Sagar...sagar...sagar...

AUTO ASSTS (CONTD)

City...city...city...

The rest of the area is cackling with sounds and sights. We

see several chicken shops, mutton shops, vegetable vendors,
hair saloons, small hotels...the place is alive with people
and daily business...
 25.

VEGETABLE VENDORS
Vankai20rs...tomata...15rs..randaam
ma... randi...

VEGETABLE VENDORS (CONTD)

Cabbagi...cabbagi...10rs

Every store or shop has their own music playing...there is a

cacophony of film music...but there is a beauty in this
chaos..the beauty of people getting on with their work with
single minded devotion...for survival...

CUT TO;

10B EXT AUTO STAND TOWN CENTRE - DAY

We see a teenage boy running fervently, he is tackling all

the busy activity around him like hurdles in a race. He is
tallish, lanky, very dark, CHINNA. He seems excited about
something...and seems to be searching for someone in the auto
stand, sweating and breathing hard, he finally finds whom he
is looking for, his eyes light up...

CHINNA
Akbar anna....Akbar anna...

Akbar who is just getting ready for the day, wiping his auto
clean, looks up...Chinna comes upto him, breathing hard...

CHINNA (CONTD)
Anna...ekkadikellavu..podunnunchi
vetukuntunna...

AKBAR
Anti bey..emayyedi...ikkada Nee
pani nenu
chestunna...choodu..podunnunchi
ekkada chachavu raa...

CHINNA
Arey undu anna, mundu naa maata
vinu...inka nuvvu dorakavemo ani
bayapaddanu...thello anna..thella
touristollu...darga deggara aapi
pettina...sagar choostaru anta anna
..manchi savari anna...dollarlu
anna...inkavaraina ...choose munde
..pada anna...

Akbars eyes light up...a bunch of tourists is just perfect

for a start in the day..
 26.

AKBAR
Rey...emi kaburu techavu raa..pada
raa..nuvvu cheppinate avute neeko
dollaristaa...

CHINNA
Arey endanna..dollar rate
padipoyindi teliyada neeku...

As Chinna gets on the back...Akbar revs up the engine and

speeds away...

AKBAR
Nee abba, neeku dollar rate
gurunchi ela thelusu be...

CHINNA
podunna neellundaka pothe ..paper
rattukoni elta..pollaniki..he he he

AKBAR
Chi...nee abba...anney vivaraalu
avasaramaa be ...

10C INT AKBARS AUTO TOWN CENTRE - DAY

As Akbar leaves the auto stand...Sondu enquires...

SONDU
Arey savari lekunda..ekkadaki
raa..??

AKBAR
Thellollu raa...pandaga...sagar ki

SONDU
Nee yankamma...enjoy raa..aithe
nuvvu oka quarter baaki naaku
(gesturing with his hands)...nee
auto saripoka pothe naaku call
cheyyi...thella ammayilato
krishnalo dubki kottukunta...

Akbar waves cheerily and the auto speeds off, away from the
town and towards the highway...

10D EXT HIGHWAY LINK ROAD - DAY

As we see the auto speeding towards the dargah..we can hear

voices from within...
 27.

AKBAR
Arey entha mandi unnaarraa?

CHINNA
Chala mandi anna...pichollu
...vallemantunnaro ardam kaaaledu
kaani...mana darga gatekeeper
enlish medium peter kadha
anna...vaadu cheptunnadu...vallaki
India choodalani undanta...adi mana
style lo!!...

Akbar laughs,

AKBAR
addirindiraa...

CHINNA
Ante entanna?...

AKBAR
ante rojantaa mutton biryaani
pandagee raa!!..hmm..

Chinna yelps with delight...

CHINNA
yeee..anna, vallu inka akkade vunte
bagunnu, nuvvu e roju time ki
vatchi vunte e tension vundedi kadu

AKBAR
Nee yenkamma...kangaaru petaku
be...asale tirigi vellataaniki
diesel kooda ledu...

CHINNA
Anna...oka maata cheptha...feel
avvaku...nuvvu, chala cheap
gaadivi...

AKBAR
Rei...nenu nee boss ni ra..
jaagratha...

We see the auto reach the dargah and screech to a halt.

11. EXT DARGAH HIGHWAY LINK - DAY

The dargah is amidst a beautiful setting of banyan trees,

small hills and blue skies. We see a group of tourists,
baking in the sun...Chinna gets off and rushes towards them..
 28.

CHINNA (RUNNING TOWARDS THEM)

Welcome sir...your taxi come
sir...get inside sir.

Akbar follows Chinna who is already getting the group

together..

AKBAR
Arrey Chinna, aagu..ekkuva maatladi
vaallani bhayapettaku
be..nenuvastunnanukada...

Just then he is stopped in his stride by a big, tall, bearded

man, Babbar.

BABBAR
Re Akbar...ekkadaki veltunnavu
raa...chaala rojulu ayyindi masjid
ki vachi...

Akbar is a little nervous of the big guy..we understand from

his expression that he has encountered him several times
before...

AKBAR
Assalaam aalay Kum Babbar bhai...

BABBAR
Walaykum As Salam Akbar...anta
banenaa..?

AKBAR
antha bagane undi Babbar Bhai..edo
nadustundi...

Babbar is as tall as Akbar, but more muscular and very fierce

looking. Through his attire we understand he is a very devout
muslim...

BABBAR
Enti Akbar, anta kashtapadatam
kooda manchidi kaadu...kudha kosam
kooda koncham time
ketaayinchu..enti?

AKBAR
ayyo ala emi kaadu...koncham exams
deggaraki vachinayi..inka auto
tensions meeku teleendemundi...

BABBAR
aithe..thellolakosam masjidki
vachchavaraa..
 29.

AKBAR (TRYING TO BE FUNNY)

Arey pani anna...kadupukosam
anna...thellolu aithe enti
nallaolaithe enti...dabbukaithe
rangu undadu kada anna...

BABBAR
Arey Akbar khudha nee kadupu
nimputaadu. kangaaru padaku. anta
dabbu venaka padatam Manchidi
kaadu...vachche shukravaaram
...masjid lo chinna function(vindu)
undi....vastaavu kada!!

Akbar doesn't want to disappoint him and he also wants to get

past him as soon as possible, his one eye is on his savari..

AKBAR
tappakunda anna alage anna...

BABBAR
Nee sangati teleyadaa...cheyyiche
rakam...asalu mana muslimla izzat
lekunda poyindi...anduke... Qayyum
saab vastunnaru mumbai
nundi...nuvvu tappakunda
raa...sarenaa

AKBAR
Pukka anna...pukka vastaanu.

Akbar seems to feeling restless...he has had several such

lecture filled encounters with Babbar before...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Bayaladertaanu anna...giraak eduru
choostundi...

Babbar moves aside silently..Akbar begins to leave..

AKBAR (CONTD)
Khuda hafiz anna...

BABBAR
Khuda hafiz
Akbar..kanipistaaunduu..mee nanna
antunde vaadu ninnu oka manchi
musalmaan ni chesataanu ani...

We see Akbar rushing to meet the tourists, muttering

something to himself in irritation...
 30.

12. EXT DARGAH TOURISTS - DAY

Akbar makes his way into the crowd which has formed around
Chinna who is already talking away, trying to impress the
crowd...

CHINNA (BROKEN ENGLISH)

You see Krishna river...very
beautiful...then water falls...you
can battalu ippi swimming...I close
eyes, no watching..

Akbar interrupts him..

AKBAR
Good morning gentlemen and ladies,
I am your savari...

We see the crowd is largely a group of young backpackers, a

group of seven. Boys and girls, all youngish..one of them
reaches out her hand to Akbar..

MARY JANE
Hi Akbar, I am MARY JANE and Im
from Dallas...and these are my
friends from Texas Tech.

Akbar is concentrating hard to understand her...

AKBAR
Hello madam...I Akbar
devarakonda..ee chinna also
devarakonda...

Chinna nods excitedly...not understanding whats going on..

MARY JANE
Well Akbar, we have seen Hyderabad
and are not really impressed..what
we want to do is to explore the
countryside outside Hyderabad...so
thats why we are here...

AKBAR
Correct madam...nothing
hyderabad...zero...everything here
only
madam...highwaylu...uuru..manchi
airu and sky..most beautiful
madam..I show u madam..

CHINNA??
koota anna...koota
 31.

AKBAR
Nooru muyyi be...

The rest of the crowd seem to be very impressed with Akbar...

MARY JANE
Alright Akbar...looks like youre
our man...so will you take us out
today...we dont have too much
money to spend..your not gonna
cheat us are you?

AKBAR
No problem madam..no cheating..but
no meter madam..7 seater madam,
special auto..so no meter...i show
you everything..you spend
everything...paisa vasool
madam..guarantee

Akbar is ushering in everyone excitedly..

AKBAR (CONTD)
Inside inside inside....right Right
right...

We watch Babbar watching the auto speed away in front of

him...his face not easy to read...

CUT TO;

13A. SONG 1, NATURES WAY

The tourist gang is enjoying the ride in the auto. Everyone

seems comfortable in the spaces they have created for
themselves...the sun is warm, the skies are blue, there is a
light breeze in the air, the birds are chirping...the setting
is perfect...We see the auto speed across the highway as
Akbar talks animatedly..

CUT TO;

13B EXT LAKSHMIS HOUSE - DAY

We see Purushottam and Lakshmi come out of their house, they

walk through the alleyways and lanes of Devarakonda.
 32.

Taking in the surrounding...Lakhsmis eyes taking in all

things beautiful....little children playing marbles, the
marbles glistening in the sunlight, women in brightly
coloured sarees sieving rice, the rice shimmering in the
sunlight, the wind in her hair, the warm sun glistening on
her cheek...to her everything seems suddenly quite
magical....even the pig with her piglets scurrying about seem
cute, the cow giving milk to her hungry calf....old men at
the centre smoking chuttas, the water being pumped by a
borewell, everyone seems to be glistening in the
sunshine...Purushottam is indistinct in his expression..

PURUSHOTTAM
Lets find out where the vegetable
market is....

Lakshmi gives him a distracted nod....

CUT TO:

13C EXT NAGARJUNA SAGAR - DAY

Akbar is gesticulating and describing the place the best he

can in his broken english...the thella chaps are being
treated to some local fare like, dried fish, pink candy, ice
gola, ganna juice etc.

AKBAR
Best dam of India sir, biggest dam
and best dam of India sir...

The wind is blowing hard and the water is spraying, everyone

is having a good time. Chinna seems to be smitten by one of
the girls.

13C EXT ETHIPOTHALA WATERFALLS - DAY

Everyone is having a great time taking a dip in the lake.

Akbar covers Chinnas eyes from seeing too much of skin.
Everyone stops to eat lunch and some beer. We see Chinna and
Akbar gorge on biryani heartily and shyly.

AKBAR
Best waterfall of India sir,
biggest waterfall and best
waterfall of India madam....

CUT TO:
 33.

13D EXT DEVARAKONDA VEGETABLE MARKET AREA - DAY

We see Purushottam and Lakshmi checking vegetables in the

market. Bright red tomatoes, Green cucumbers, Purple
brinjals, Red carrots, all bright and colorful....we see her
pick up a tomato and bring it to her nose, sniffing it, we
see her check the kothmir, she brings it to her nose, a smile
cuts across her face...we see her begin to negotiate with the
vegetable vendor...a large lady, with a big red bottu and
kind eyes....

LAKSHMI
Yentaki amma?

13E EXT DEVARAKONDA FRUIT MARKET AREA - DAY

Lakshmis eyes are gleaming wide, we see that she is

approaching a mango market yard. Mangoes everywhere....her
eyes warm to its familiarity, a grin cracking her face...her
father notices this...we see Lakshmi bend over to feel the
mangoes in her hands, bringing a plump green one to her nose,
she savors the smell...an ecstasy on her face thats
indescribable...

We see her lips envelope a mango, her teeth biting into it,
her throat groaning in its myriad flavours, her head bent in
admiration, her eyes closed in appreciation...

LAKSHMI
Its perfect...

CUT TO:

13F EXT HIGHWAY TOWARDS DEVARAKONDA - EVENING

The group is taking in the scenery, as the auto chugs along

to Devarakonda, visible on a milestone...Akbar and Chinna
also seem to be taken in by the atmosphere...

The sun is burning down the horizon, the sky is a haze of

colours, grasshoppers are bouncing in fields nearby,shepherd
and cowherds make their way back home...

13G EXT DEVARAKONDA LANES (MUSLIM AREA) - EVENING

Purushottam and Lakhsmi have their hands full with packets of

fruit and vegetables. They are on their way home. Purushottam
notices that they are in a muslim dominated area. His eyes go
over that place...his face a mixture of annoyance and
fear...Lakshmi is intrigued...there are green flags and
bright colours.
 34.

Women in burkha and stalls lit brightly, selling ittar and

bangles...Lakshmis eyes go to those stalls...As she wanders
towards them, Purushottam pulls her away...Lakshmi is taken
by surprise...

PURUSHOTTAM
Manam, valla jollu to
ellakarledu...

LAKSHMI
Kaani...

We see Purushottam leading Lakshmi away...

CUT TO:

We cut to a POV of Babar, who has noticed all of this...His

eyes go to Purushottam and then Lakshmi...and the rest of her
body, we cut back to see his face...his teeth grinding
away...his face unreadable....

13H EXT DEVARAKONDA LANES - EVENING

Lakshmi is a little annoyed that her dad pulled her

away...She pulls her arm away from him...

LAKSHMI
Sarrey nanna...inka meeru intiki
elipondi...meeru ee korikayalu
theesukoni intiki elipondi...amma,
vanta thayar cheyyali...nenu kavita
inka amma kosam konni konnali...

PURUSHOTTAM
Arrey kaani late avutundi...repu
elipovacchu kadha...

LAKSHMI
Nenu padhi nimishaalu lo osthaanu
nana...meeru elandi

Purushottam reluctantly takes the bags from Lakshmi and

leaves....Lakshmi is happy to have her own space for a while,
we see her walk on....we notice her getting into an auto...

We cut to a POV of Babar noticing her....

INSERT

In the distance we see Akbar and gang making their way in the
auto....
 35.

13I EXT MALLEPALLY CENTRE - EVENING

We see Lakshmi at the town centre, she has finished buying

some nightclothes and some other provisions...she is waiting
by the centre for an auto....none seem to be in sight until
Akbar and the tourist gang come in driving past her....

in the rear view Akbar notices her seeming stranded as he

crosses her, having ignored her request for a lift a moment
earlier...he looks at Mary Jane...

AKBAR
We should pick her up, she wont get
any autos at this time....do you
mind?

Mary nods a sure....we see Lakshmi watch, a little

surprised, as Akbars auto makes a U-Turn and screeches to a
halt beside her...we see her enter....

LAKSHMI
Devarakonda?

AKBAR
Nalgu rupaylu amma...

LAKSHMI
Sarrey....

As the auto picks up...Lakshmi settles in her seat, she is

observing the tourist gang and the scenery outside as the sun
begins to set.....we stay with that for a bit....

Suddenly,

13J EXT DEVARAKONDA HIGHWAYS - EVENING

The auto swerves violently to the left, to let a passing

lorry speeding away dangerously on the highway...Akbar
notices its a punjab number plate...Everyone in the auto is
stunned momentarily...

AKBAR
Crazy fool, he could kill
someone...

As the the auto continues to chug along, we notice the

remnants of the speeding lorry ahead. It has taken its toll
on a bullock cart filled with crates of avakai...the cart has
been overturned and the cow pulling it has run away onto a
nearby field, leaving a helpless bullock driver, trying to
get his cow back and recover mangoes rolling on the
highway....
 36.

In a moment Akbar is out of the auto, trying to reign in the

fleeing bull, leaving the cart owner to fend for his
goods...Lakshmi is observing Akbar...

Out on the fields, the sun is setting, Akbars hair is

backlit as he tries to reign in the fleeing bull, he tries
pulling at its harness, Akbar cajoles it, trying to win its
confidence, a true horse whisperer sort of a moment, him
and the cow, both sizing each other up....a bit like a game
of kabbadi match in 48 frames....

Lakshmi watches transfixed....her eyes fixed on Akbar...Mary

Janes eyes are also on Akbar....

and then suddenly Akbar pounces on it, catching it unawares,

he brings the cow to the relieved owner.....

The auto continues on its trip homeward....Lakshmi looks

across her at Akbar, as the rest of the tourist party admire
Lakshmis saree and ear-rings....the sun is setting behind...

13K EXT DEVARAKONDA HIGHWAYS - DUSK

As the auto continues on its sojourn....

MARY JANE
Hey can we stop somewhere for some
tea...

We see the auto stop by a chai kotti on the

highway...Everyone is out on the road, smoking or taking a
sip of chai...Lakshmi gets out but stays by the auto, her
eyes go to Akbar....who is at a distance with Mary Jane...

MARY JANE (CONTD)

We could use someone like you in my
factory in Delhi, if you ever want
to check it out....give me a call,
we have an assistant managers
position open in our electrical
dept.

Akbars eyes light up as Mary Jane takes out her card,

handing it to him....

MARY JANE (CONTD)

You have a degree dont you?

AKBAR
Yes madam,very soon madam...thank
you madam...

Lakshmi watches Akbar shaking Mary Janes hand....

 37.

The auto continues into the town....

DISSOLVE TO:

13L EXT DEVRAKONDA BUS STOP - DUSK

We see Mary Jane and co; say their byes to Akbar and Chinna
and leave by bus....Akbar and Chinna say their byes like
giddy kids, Lakshmi interrupts them, giving him his 4rs and
walks away.....

From the top we see Akbar with his auto at the centre, with
Mary Jane leaving by a bus and Lakshmi making her way into
the town....

She turns to look at Akbar, smiling at herself as she sees

him lift Chinna over his shoulders and make his way into his
auto...

SONG 1 FADES.

FADE OUT.

17A LAKSHMIS HOUSE - NIGHT

We see Lakshmis house from the rooftop. The entire family is

assembled and sitting in the courtyard.

The house looks more tidier. The family is sitting together

and eating dinner. However Purushottam is fiddling with the
TV. We see he has managed to hook up some wires through the
antennae...but the signals are not coming in properly..

PURUSHOTTAM (HITTING THE TV)

Mee Nayanamma laaga...ee t.v. Ki
koodaa...ee ooru nachaledu
anukuntaaa...

LAKSHMI
Nana...boojanaaniki raa...ippudu aa
tv avasarama?

PURUSHOTTAM
Neeku telusu kadha amma, naaku aa
news vinande mudda notloki
digadani...

Suddenly the reception comes through and TV 9 is playing.

Pleased, Purushottam comes back to the dinner area...
 38.

BUJJI
Nana nanna..., cartoon network
pettavaa nana... please.

PURUSHOTTAM
Reyy..undaraa..news tharavatha
pedataale...

The setting is very cosy. The family looks wonderful

together. Kavita is balancing a film magazine and eating at
the same time. Amma is watching the TV intently, while
Nainamma is trying to look up the same magazine of an
irritated Kavita. Lakshmi is watching all of this, and is
smiling contentedly. The full moon is showing through the
courtyard.

LAKSHMI
amma..vantagadilo voka shelf vundi
choosava? Adi naa pachchadi
saamanlaki

AMMA
Sarey sarey

LAKSHMI
Nenu repey market ki velli,
pachchadi ki kavalsinavanni
kontaanu

Kavita looks up from the mag, Nainamma steals it..

KAVITA
Akka, nannu telsukellu, intlo
kurchoni, kurchoni pichekkutondi...

Lakshmi nods in approval...The father is watching the news

attentively...Purushottam still looking at the TV says..

PURUSHOTTAM
repu nuvvu velletappudu nenu kuda
vastanamma, nenu repu bank account
open cheyyali, iddaram kalisi
documents tisukuni veldam

Amma looks up,

AMMA
Emandi, koncham dabbu avasaram
padthundi, intlo inka konni
saamanlu kavali..

NAINAMMA
Inka entha kavali, Polavaram nunchi
motham theesukoni raaleda?
 39.

Amma keeps silent to her comment...Nainamma bickers something

under her breath..

NAINAMMA (CONTD)
yemma mahalaxmi inka na kodukuni
vadlava,andaru kalisi vadi
jeevitanni pindestunnaru.

Lakshmi looks up sternly at her Nainamma..

LAKSHMI
nayanamma ooruko...evariki mood
ledu mee maatalu vinadaniki...

Kavita claps joyfully, pulling the magazine away from the

Nainamma and making a face at her...Purushottam looks back
from the TV to his wife, who is looking at him...he gives her
an old friendly wink...Amma is quietly annoyed..

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
inka Kavitha nuvvu intlo koorchoni
vanta gadi saddu..

KAVITA
adenti..nuvve kada indaka
veldamannavu...amma choodamma,
nana.. evaraina cheppandi nannu
teesukella mani...

AMMA
Yente adi chinnapillalaaga...

LAKSHMI
Amma manaki nillu sarigga ravanta,
bayati nunchi techukovali, anduke
andaru kasta jagartaga nillu
vadandi...

KAVITA
Ayyo nenu thala snanam cheddamu ani
anukunna..chi! Chatta orru
iddi...atleast mana orru lo Godari
undedi...

Everyones attention is distracted by a news report..There is

a news report about a bomb blast in Mumbai...

TV REPORT
The bomb blast yesterday has now
officially taken a toll of 42
lives..the Let has accepted
responsibility for the bombings...

We see images of a bombed area in Mumbai..

 40.

TV REPORT (CONTD)
We spoke to the national security
advisor about the growing hatred of
muslim youth, not just in India but
across the world...

The national security adviser appears on screen..

TV REPORT (CONTD)
Muslim youth are being lead in
small units from across the
state...their education begins in
small madrasas in small towns...

As the voice fades away, we see an agitated Purushottam

eating and animatedly talking to his family...

PURUSHOTTAM
Ee muslims..cha eppudu
inte...deniki paniki
raaru...manadeshanni brashtu
pattinchentavaraku
nidrapooranukunta...vaallaki emi
kaavalo kooda ardam kaadu...

The rest of the family look up from their dinner to look at

him...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
choodandi mee andariki ippatike
chaala saarlu cheppanu...,
muslimulaki dooram ga vunte
manchidi, manam jagrattaga lekapote
vallemi cheyyadaniki venakadaru,
gurtu pettukondi manaki polavaram
lo yem jarigindo..anta valla
moolane

Amma interrupts..

AMMA
Avanni ippudu enduku andi...

PURUSHOTTAM
mi andarni vallaki kasta dooram ga
vundamani gurtu chestunna ante

Kavita looks up from her magazine and says non-chalantly..

KAVITA
But nana, Shah Rukh Khan laantodu
dorikithey...pelli chesukovacchu
kadha...
 41.

Purushottam turns back, irritated...Lakshmi intervenes...

LAKSHMI (WHISPERING ANGRILY)

Enti, Nanaki inko heart attack
isthaava? noorumuyyi inka...

KAVITA
Nuvve normuyyi, ShahRuk Khan gadu,
Gauri ani Hindu ammai tho
pellichesuko leda?

NAYANAMMA
Eee gadu geedu eppudu
nerchukunnara?

LAKSHMI
Kavitaa!!...avvani high society lo
kudurthai...

Purushottam turns back to the TV, Kavita just shrugs her

shoulders...Lakshmi is glaring at Kavita, when she suddenly
realises Bujji is missing..

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Arrey Bujji ekkadiki vellipoyadu..

At first no one is startled...suddenly it occurs to everyone

he is not in the courtyard...everyone leaves their dinner
behind and starts looking around the house, things slowly
begin to get frantic...

PURUSHOTTAM
Bujji...reyy...bujji...ekkada
unnavu ra...

KAVITA
A banda gaadu inthey...rendu
nimishaalu emo kallu thippithey
mayam ayipothadu...reyy bujji....

Everyone is calling out his name, except for the grandma who
continues eating her dinner...

LAKSHMI
Bujji...ekkada unnava
nana...bujji...

Suddenly Amma, notices that the front door is open...

AMMA
Ayyo a vedava baitiki
vellipoyadu...
 42.

Lakskhmi and father rush to the door...they look out into the
street...

17B LAKSHMIS HOUSE STREET - NIGHT

We can hear music and can see a procession of revellers

bringing a deity down the street...lots of people are dancing
and the music is a typical theen maar type...

Lakshmi and father notice a small figure at the head of the

pandal, dancing...its Bujji...having a great time..the pandal
is headed towards the house..

LAKSHMI
Ayyo ...aa yadavani
choodu...taginoodila ela gentulu
vestunnado akkada

PURUSHOTTAM (LAUGHING)
ha..ha..ila joker lanti kodukuni
nenu kannana, nammabudhi kavatledu

Lakshmi leaves the house walking towards the procession...

LAKSHMI
Nuvvu aagu nanna..nenu testaanu
vaadini...

As Laksmi approaches the procession we see, someone has

lifted little Bujji and is dancing with him. Pushing him up
in the air...Lakshmi is startled by this and rushes towards
the procession...we also see Chinna leading a dance with a
bunch of brat packs on his own...

The procession is a melee of people and Bujji along with his

dancing partner have gone deeper into the crowd. Lakshmi is a
little frantic...suddenly she sees Bujji being thrown up in
the air...

BUJJI
Yee..superr...inko saari anna...

Bujji is loving it...We see now that his dancing partner is a

drunk Sondu...Lakshmi approaches the constantly moving
procession and yells at Sondu...

LAKSHMI
hey ..hello.., vadu na tammudu, ala
gallo visurutarenti, vadini ila
ivvandi
 43.

Sondu is either too drunk or cant hear her...he continues

holding Bujji and dance..Lakshmi tries to grab Bujji away
from him...Sondu gets aggressive and starts frightening
Lakshmi by dancing more violently with the kid around his
shoulders...Lakshmi is getting upset and desperate to get
Bujji out...She tries reaching out for him again...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Hey taagubootu, vadulu vaadini,
neeku pillalato ela jagrattaga
undalo teleeda..

Just then the procession stops...we notice that the idol is

propped onto an auto...Akbar is driving it...having noticed
whats going on..he gets out and pries Bujji out from a drunk
Sondu, the music and dancing and fanfare continues
unabated...

Akbar hands over Bujji to Lakshmi...apologetic in his eyes.

She takes him from his hands gratefully and leaves...Akbar
gets back into the auto...watching her leave with Bujji in
her arms, he smiles...

As we see Lakshmi leave the procession we can hear her

admonish Bujji..

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Yadava, andarini kangaru
pettavu...ala kothi la dance chesi
hero anukuntunnava...

BUJJI
Repu, sankranti kadha akka...kite
egireyyali...

LAKSHMI
Kites eggreyali...aithe akkada
ninnu evaru egaramannaraa idiot...

BUJJI
kani chala saradaga vundi akka

LAKSHMI
chup...

We watch the procession, Lakshmis house and Devarakonda,

melt in the moonlight...the sounds dimming slowly...

FADE OUT;
 44.

18A. DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - DAY

We can see the maidan is filled with people and all sorts of
kite flying activity. Setting is beautiful. The blue sky is
littered with kites, there are children on the maidan trying
to get their kites airborne...the maidan overlooks the fort.
Its sankranti, we also see some makeshift kite shops and
customers.

We see little Bujji in a corner of the massive maidan, trying

to get his kite off the ground. Its the same yellow kite he
found when he entered his house. We see that the kite hasnt
been tied properly, and everytime Bujji tries to get it off
the ground, it just comes crashing down. He is getting
increasingly frustrated with his efforts.

Bujjis efforts are being watched by an urchin boy, a couple

of years older and clearly more street smart than Bujji, he
smiles to himself...the Urchin boy comes upto Bujji..

URCHIN
arey, neeku yegareyatam raaka pothe
itu ee...

Bujji looks up startled..

BUJJI
aithe nerpistaava...deenni chivara
varuku pattukoova...gaali raagane
egarestaanu...

The urchin boy takes offense that he is being asked for

assistance...He grabs the kite aggressively from Bujji and
walks away...

BUJJI (CONTD)
Arey arey...anna..yakkadiki
vellipotunnav anna, na kite itchei

Bujji runs up to him, the urchin boy begins playing cat and
mouse, shoving the kite around wildly as Bujji tries to get
his hands on it...

BUJJI (CONTD)
Eyyyyy...Jagratta, arey arey ala
uupaku...chirigipootundi...aa kite
naadi...iticheiii...

URCHIN (GETTING AGITATED)

sarey raa mirchi dabba teesuko
raa...teesuko..
 45.

Bujji begins screaming and bawling...the Urchin gets

frightened by this and runs away, leaving the kite behind. A
sobbing Bujji takes his kite back..

He examines the kite closely, sees that its torn across the
edge...tears begin welling down his eyes as he sobs silently.

18B DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - DAY

A hand falls on Bujjis shoulder..He looks up with tear swept

eyes to see a smiling Akbar, the sun lit behind him like an
angels halo...

AKBAR
yera, emaindi ..enduku
edusthunnavu...

Bujji shows him the torn kite, his teary eyes wincing at the
sun shining above...Akbar takes it from him and has a look at
it..

BUJJI
Idi inka egaraduuu..

Akbar consoles him..

AKBAR
cha..cha...yedavaku..ila ra ,asalu
dinikemaindo chooddam

Akbar takes Bujji to a nearby rock, he examines the kite,

showing it to Bujji he says...

AKBAR (CONTD)
ekkuvaemi chiragaledu
raa...apudappudu aina chinigite
kooda manchidey , daniki inka
egaraali anipistundi...

BUJJI (EYES OPEN)

nijangaa...?

AKBAR
Avunu ...kaani... mundu
chiniginadaani sarigga
antinchaali...

BUJJI
avunuu... kani ela ?
 46.

Akbar looks around..he finds a food stall nearby...requests

and picks up a handful of cooked rice...Bujji watches Akbar
fascinatingly as he crushes the rice in his hands, making a
soft paste out of it...

BUJJI (CONTD)
Emi chestunnavu anna..?

AKBAR
Choodaraa

Akbar uses the paste as gum and mends the torn area of the
kite. The paste acts as gum, drying quickly and mending the
tear...Bujji is happy...

BUJJI
Yeee!!...baga ayipoyindi!

AKBAR
Appude kaadu raa...choodu sarigga
kattaledu...ila kadite kite egaradu
..(its tied like a shoelace)

BUJJI
Ohooo...

AKBAR
Choodu nuvvu shoe lace sarigga
kattukoledanukoo padutaavu
kada...deenni kooda ante raa
sarigga kattali...

BUJJI (IMPATIENNT)
Sarey aithe kattu, kattu..baga
kattu....

We see Akbar tying the Kite. Bujji is fascinated by how his

hands move in an assured manner, the twine flowing through
his fingers like an experienced tailor. Bujji watches on, his
mouth open...

AKBAR
mundu ila loplnunchi bayataki
teeyali...taravaata ila
kolavaali...

Akbar lifts the kite up...there is a silent connection

between him and the kite we feel...he bends the stem of the
kite..the sun dipping in and out, pollen dust hanging in the
air...

AKBAR (CONTD)
ippudu etu gattigaa undo
choodaali...
 47.

BUJJI
Anna..ee kite manchidaa kaada?

AKBAR
chaala manchi kite raa, anduke
manatho undi...

Bujji looks at his kite proudly...wanting to get his hands on

it..

BUJJI
Konalantey..Edi Manchi kite oo ela
telustundi anna..

AKBAR
telusukovaantey chala unnayi
...kaani appudappudu konni kites
vetukuntuuvachestayi raa...

BUJJI (WIDEYED)
Ee kite naanu vetukkuntuvachindi
anna, idi maa store room lo
kanipinchindi...

AKBAR
Aithe idi neede..

During this time Akbar is giving final touches to the

threading, its done...he swings it in the air to test it...

AKBAR (IMPRESSED) (CONTD)

Hmm bagundi raa...

BUJJI
Pada anna yegareddamu...okkasaari
paiki ellindi ante nenu
choosukuntaanu...

Akbar smiles at him...

AKBAR
Aagu raa...naa charakaa...manja
teesukostaanu...

We watch Akbar, take his own charaak and maanja and attach it
to this kite...

BUJJI
idi nee charakaa naa?

AKBAR
hmm..(noodding)
 48.

BUJJI
Naadaniki
kadutunnavante....naakichestunnava?

Akbar smiles..

AKBAR
Err....sarey

Bujji is ecstatic...

BUJJI
Yeeeeee....

BUJJI (CONTD)
Pada pada..yegareddamu..yegaredamu
anna

AKBAR
Aagaraa..inkoka chinna pani
migilindi

BUJJI
Inka Enti anna...!!!

AKBAR
ee kite evarido andariki teliyala
leda..

BUJJI
Haa..telavaali!!!?..elaaa...?

Akbar takes a pen out his pocket and begins to sketch a huge
smily across the kite, then with a piece of newspaper he
attaches a tail, giving it some character..Bujji loves it...

AKBAR
Ok ippudu egaradaaniki ready gaa
undi..airport ki veldaamu pada...

BUJJI
Yeaaaaaaaaa!!!!

CUT TO;

18C DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - DAY

Chinna is holding the kite in his hand, Akbar is a few metres

behind, string and charaak in hand.
 49.

Bujjis eyes are gleaming with anticipation...Akbar, we can

see is a pro, he is monitoring the tautness of the string,
the charaak in his hand and the breeze in his hair, he is
looking for that perfect moment...there is an air of
anticipation...silence as most sounds are muted...we can hear
just the wind and some screeches of children in the
background...its like one of the shell shock effects in war
movies, where everything is suddenly surreal...we can hear
Bujjis heart pounding...and we sees Akbars eyes, crinkling
in concentration ala western cowboy style...

Suddenly there is a gush of wind, its a perfect

moment...Akbar yells out to Bujji...

AKBAR
vadileyiii...!!!

Bujii lets it go beautifully...in a moment the kite is up in

the air, his eyes go up in wonder at the
sight...silence...and then..

BUJJI
Yeee..yegurutundi
yegurutundi...yegirindi...

We see the kite soaring in the skies. Among many other bigger
brighter kites, Bujjis little yellow one still stands out...

Akbar flies it for bit, getting the course correct...yelling

at Bujji to handle the charaak...

AKBAR
Deel vadulu...deel vadulu...

Bujji happily assists...

18D DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - DAY

Akbar hands over the twine to bujji, bujji happily begins

flying the kite by himself, giggling and marvelling..
Suddenly a big fierce looking red kite appears from nowhere,
challenging the yellow one...almost like a hawk hovering
around a dove...

BUJJI
Anna..anna ...mana kite tegipoddi
anna tegipoddi...edookati cheyyi...

But Akbar is up for the challenge..

 50.

AKBAR
Arey basti mein sawaal
raa...vaadini vadiledi
ledu...emantaavu raa (bujji)...

Bujji is angry about the confrontation but excited about the

challenge...

BUJJI
Sarey anna...chincheyi anna
chincheyi...

We see that the challengers are the young urchin and some of
his older friends from a hillock nearby...we can hear them
taunt and tease the yellow kite...

URCHIN
vacharanaa kodukulu..mana manjha
tadaka choopiddamu...

The challenge is on...its a fight to the finish...what begins

simply is now a duel of gladiatorial proportions. Small
yellow against big bully red. The odds are stacked against
the little one...but its heart is brave and it will go down
fighting...so between screams and shouts and taunts and
curses, the battles rages in the skies...a battle so great,
that the rest of the kites and the crowd in the maidan give
up their sorties to gang up against each other...

Every roof top in Devarakonda is now watching this with

animated wonder...people stop in streets to watch who will
win...women drying clothes on roof tops call out to their
family to watch the duel...

Devarakonda skies are now blue, yellow and red...an intense

to death battle is on...Akbar and Bujji are fighting hard,
the Urchins have the upper hand..a couple of near escapes,
couple of almost wins, it can go anyway...

From Lakshmis courtyard the duel is visible...she looks up

from her grocery and other kitchen work to the sky...its a
duel which has the town split...who will win...

The up and down battle continues, the confidence of the

Urchins is high, they almost have it, the twines are
interlinked, you dont know who is going to come out
unscathed...Akbar is doing his best, but so are the urchins,
he is pulling frantically at the twine, the charaak going
berserk in Bujjis hands...Bujji is wide eyed, following his
masters instructions...egging him on...

The kites are locked...it could go either way...it all

depends on timing and who dares...who dares to deel chodd.
Akbar does the dare...
 51.

AKBAR
Deeeeel vadulu...

The charaak is spinning out control, it jumps out of Bujjis

hands...its spinning on the ground...Akbar is jumping,
running, covering ground on the maidan...the urchins are
jumping from one hillock to another...

Finally...a kite cuts out...its the reds....the Yellows are

victorious....Akbar now drenched in sweat, looks at an
ecstatic Bujji...they yelp with joy...

AKBAR AND BUJJI

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....tempesam maname
gelichaamu...

They run after the red kite at the same time reeling in their
yellow one...the Urchins are cursing..

19 DEVARAKONDA STREETS - DAY

We see Akbar and Bujji chase after the kite, across the town,
leaping over people and walls...they are on rooftops, they
are on top of vehicles, they are on top of anything, which
helps them not loose sight of the red falling kite....

The chase continues into the residential area, roof after

roofs, lane after lanes...when finally we see it dip into a
home...

Akbar and Bujji who are on a roof, unthinkingly jump into the
household and right into a stack of mirchi and haldi,

THUMP CRASH BANG

to come out looking red and yellow...and very funny. Its

Lakshmis courtyard...Bujjis house...Lakshmi is looking up,
stunned, so are the Ammas and Kavita...the kite comes and
falls plonk on Bujjis head. Lakshmi looks at the sight of
the duo, stunned silence and then the ladies in the house
start cracking up with laughter...

Akbar smiles, a little embarrassed and mutters an excuse and

leaves...

AKBAR
Sorry andi....edo,..chooskokunda...

BUJJI (EXCITED)
akka akka memu gelisaamu
akka...memu gelisaamu...Anne
naakosam yegiresaadu..
(MORE)
 52.
BUJJI (EXCITED) (CONT'D)
choodu... ee erra kite... meme
tempaamu.

We see Akbar leaving through the door, smiling, shaking his

head at his own behaviour....we leave Lakshmi looking at the
haldi, mirchi stains of his hands and feet on her door and
floor...she looks on...smiling...

Meanwhile Bujji has run out of the house, kite in hand he

yells at Akbar who is already down the road...

BUJJI (CONTD)
Anna...ippudu idi evarini etukkuntu
vachindi..

We see Akbar just turn back and smile at Bujji...

DISSOLVE TO:

20 EXT. TOWN CENTRE DEVARAKONDA - NEXT MORNING

The town centre is a buzz with usual activity. We see Akbar

is loading in passengers into his auto, Chinna is yelling out
for people to get in.

We see Lakshmi approaching in the distance. She seems to be

looking for something. She sees Akbar and approaches him,
feeling a little hesitant, she steps back while other
passengers get into his auto. She is waiting for him to
notice her. Akbar finally catches her eye.

AKBAR
Oh arey
meera...ekkadakainaa..vellala?..

Lakshmi a little uncertainly,

LAKSHMI
avunandi... mi auto mallepalli
veltunda? post office akkadey
kadandi...

AKBAR (DISTRACTED)
Arey chinna ..aa goni sanchi paina
pettaraa...

Akbar notices that Lakshmi is carrying two huge gunny bags

which seem to be heavy for her...Akbar takes it from her,
even before she can continue talking...
 53.

AKBAR (CONTD)
enti parvatam mostunnara enti,itu
ivvandi(he grabs it from her hands
and throws it with ease into the
auto)...

LAKSHMI
Err...thanks...

AKBAR (UN-ATTENTIVE)
Ekkandi emi alochistunnaru....

LAKSHMI
Aithe ee auto mallepalli
veltunada...akkada post office..

AKBAR (IMPATIENT)
avunandi....adi akkade
untundi...maname vellali

Saying that, he turns around and gets into the auto. Lakshmi
finds a place in the back and sits down gingerly. The auto
takes off from the centre..

VROMMMMM

CHINNA
Right....right...

SWISH PAN TO;

We see Babbar, sitting on his beautiful enfield...looking at

Lakshmi and the auto ride away from him...His face is not
readable, he spits out some gutkha...

21 INT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY - DAY

We see that the auto is filled with all sorts of people, old
and young and piled on with goods of every nature, from goats
to tomatoes. Lakshmi is a little unsettled with a goat
sitting next to her, it seems to have developed a fondness
for her chunni, her green chunni is being chomped on by the
young goat...Lakshmi tries hard to get it out...meanwhile the
rest of the public in the auto is either chatting among
themselves or Akbar...

OLD GOAT HERD

Areey narasimha, entra nee kooturki
patnam abbai to pelli kudirindi
anta...katnam Entha itchukuntunnavu
enti?
 54.

OLD GOAT HERD 2

Entha ivvagalugutaanu raa...
Naakunna araekaram
appacheptaanu...devudu daya valla
oppukunte ..kashtaalu gattu ekku
taayi raa..

AKBAR
Vallu oppukokapothe.....

OLD GOAT HERD 2

Entinuvvu anedi?

AKBAR
Ade...neeku annam pette aa okka
aadaranni daarapoosina taravaata
kooda mee kooturni vaddante emi
chesataaru...?

OLD GOAT HERD

Munde shani ante...mundala kallaki
bandam vestaavuraa...

AKBAR
Entayya..idanta avasaramaa..katnam
..vatnamm..haayigaa mee ammayini
preminchi pelli chesukomani
cheppu...neeku shani poddi, sthalam
miguliddi..

Everyone in the auto start laughing...Lakshmi is amused but

impressed...

OLD GOAT HERD 2

Chass.Nooru muyyi ..neekemi telusu
kuturlaki pelicheyatam ante ento...

AKBAR
adi teleedemo kaani ...Sthalalu
amme badento naaku baaga telusu
lendi....maa tatalaki appatlo
devarakonda lo sagaaniki paiga
sthalalu undevi ..ivvala vallu
leru..aa sthalaalu levu...nenemo
auto toltunnanu..

OLD GOAT HERD 2

Edo okatle aina neekenduku
raa..mundu naa kooturi pelli
aipotundi, adi chaalu...
 55.

Akbar shakes his head, knowing this conversation wont lead to

anywhere...people are chattering among themselves, about the
dowry demand in Devarakonda...the auto hits a ditch, rocking
everyone inside violently...Lakshmi lets out a scream,
shocking everyone else in the auto...

AKBAR
Meeru kanapadatam ledu..hello
...venaka..baneunnaru gaa..

Lakshmi is unsure if she is the one being addressed...

OLD GOAT HERD

Ninne namma..

Lakshmi shouts back...

LAKSHMI (STRESSING OUT)

Oh oh...aa..parledu... parledu ..

She looks at the goat still nibbling at her chunni and pulls
it out...

OLD WOMAN BANGLE SELLER

Enti ra...nuvvu parikshalu malli
raasthunnavani vinna...

AKBAR
Avunavva...

OLD WOMAN BANGLE SELLER

Neeku idhantha avarsama ra..chakaga
pellichesukoni, ee auto baaga
nadipinchukovachhu kadha...

Lakshmi is listening on interested...

AKBAR
Correct e avvaa, kaani, idhi naaku
chivari saari...ippudu kooda pass
avvaka pothey....chooddaam

OLD WOMAN BANGLE SELLER

Nuvvu pass avvaalaney korukuntunna
ra...kaani kashtham e ra...moodu
saarlu fail ayyavu... adhi mana
devarakonda charitralo ledu raa..

Everyone in the auto start laughing, including

Lakshmi...Akbar is red with embarrassment, he sees her laugh
in the rear view mirror...
 56.

AKBAR
Oye...nuvvu normuyyi...nenu pass
ayyi chupisthaa...

We see the auto come to a halt at another town junction-

mallepalli, Chinna is yelling out...

CHINNA
Mallepalli, right....right...next
Sagar...sagar...

Everyone gets out, including Lakshmi...

(the very same people also go against him post CM-panchayat

event*)

22 EXT. MALLEPALLI JUNCTION - DAY

We see Lakshmi get out of the auto, the goat still grabbing
at her chunni. The goats owner comes and takes it away. She
begins to pick out her bags from the auto. We can see that
she is struggling under its weight. Akbar notices this and
without asking, helps her get it out of the auto.. In the
background, we can see a local circus, a small girl is
walking a tight rope very precariously..

AKBAR (JOKINGLY)
entandi inni saamanlu...uuru vadali
veltunnara enti?

LAKSHMI
Emi ledandi...ivi maa...intigala
aayanavi...post office lo vadileste
teesukuntaa nannaru..andukee...

AKBAR
Oh ,..post office aithe
ikkadinunchi 5 nimishale...sahayam
cheyyana...

Lakshmi is hesitant,

LAKSHMI
Parleduandi..nenu nenu...

She is beginning to buckle and fall off balance because of

the weight...

AKBAR
deeniki emi ekkuva teesukonu
lendi..naaku post office deggara
koncham panundi..road aithe
bagundadu..nadichevellali..
 57.

Akbar looking at Chinna, he is already walking on...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Rey Chinna, koncham oil poyyi ra,
nenu ippudey mana Sondu gadini
kalisi ostha...

LAKSHMI (BEHIND HIM)

ayyo meekendu kandi shrama..nenu
pattikeltaanu lendi...

AKBAR
cheppulemi arigipoovu lendi, nenu
ate veltunnanu...panilo pani
ante...mee kosam prateykanga
emcheyatledu..

Lakshmi is confused if he was being rude or not...but Akbar

smiles...she giggles...they begin walking to the post
office..

23 EXT. POST OFFICE ROAD - DAY

Akbars holds onto the two big sacks, while Lakshmi holds on
to a smaller one...the duo are silent for a few moments as we
see them walking down a narrow road..finally Lakshmi clears
her throat..

LAKSHMI
monna ratri Bujji gaadi ki help
chesinanduku thanks andi... aa
hadavidilo cheppaleka poyanu..

AKBAR
bujjigaadu..oo mee tammuda?....
muddu ga untadu..

LAKSHMI
Aa..kaani kothi kaadu...meru Aa
kite nerpincharanta..inka ratiri
anta niddaraponivvaledu..aa
errakite gurunchi mee gurunchi
cheptaane unnadu...

Lakshmi smiles, thinking fondly of her brother...Akbar is

silent...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Aithe meeru...degree exams
raastunnaranmaata...

Akbar is about to answer when suddenly Babbar appears in his

path...
 58.

BABBAR
Salaam Walekum Akbar...

Akbar annoyed to see him, salaams back...

AKBAR
Waalekum aasalam Babbar bhai...

Lakshmi has a shocked expression when she sees Akbar doing a

salaam back, its a big moment of realisation for her, she
never knew he was a muslim...Babbar unseeming of Lakshmi
stops them in their stride and asks Akbar...

BABBAR
arrey gurtundi kada...masjid lo ee
shukravaaram...

We can see that Lakshmis body language has done a complete

360. She is standing in between two muslim men and is
distinctly uncomfortable...unmindful of Babbar, she looks at
Akbar seriously and says...

LAKSHMI
ivvandi ,itu ivvandi..nenu veltaanu
lendi ikkada nunchi..

AKBAR
Arey...

LAKSHMI
Ledu..ledu ...parvaledu..

Akbar is surprised, he cant understand whats come over

her...Lakshmi takes the bags from his hands forcibly and
leaves in a jiffy, Akbar hurriedly says a bye to Babbar and
catches up with her...

AKBAR
Khuda hafiz...

BABBAR
Khuda hafiz...marachipooku Akbar

Babbar turns to look at Akbar catching up with

Lakshmi...Babbars expression is un-decipherable as he
watches Akbar catch up with Lakshmi...

24 POST OFFICE ROAD - DAY

Akbar catches up with her...

 59.

AKBAR
Hey hey hey...emayyindi..emi
jarigindandi!!..hellooo..

Lakshmi doesnt even turn back...Akbar keeps walking up

behind her...thinking she hasnt heard him..

AKBAR (CONTD)
Enti madam,...emaindi..nenu ate
veltunnanu ani cheppanu gaa...

Lakshmi still doesnt turn back, she seems angry and

scared...that Akbar is a muslim...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Hello...madam...

Still no response as she keeps walking...Akbar intuitively

realizes something is wrong and decides to stop catching up
with her...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Chaa...sarele edo okati

We leave the couple like that, Akbar turns back, shaking his
head not being able to comprehend her, while Lakshmi keeps
walking briskly towards the post office..

Lakshmi almost falls dropping the bags she is

carrying....meanwhile Akbars slippers break into two...each
of them annoyed and swearing under their breath

25A INT DEVARAKONDA FORT AKBARS ROOM - NIGHT

We see Akbars is trying to study...he is making notes,

referring his text book...making more notes...he seems to be
a little distracted, thinking for a moment...he closes his
eyes...a moment comes back to him...

AKBAR
Salaam valekum Babbar bhai...

Akbar is reminded of Lakshmis face at that particular

moment. Something he hadnt thought of until then. And then
it dawns at him...He shakes his head in disgust..

AKBAR (CONTD)
Cha ee hinduvulu...emianukuntaaro
ento ...nenu naa exams kosam
chaduvu koovatam manchidi...

He gets back to his studies with earnest...his wind propelled

light bulb bursts, shutting the light out...
 60.

AKBAR (CONTD)
Cha!..

25B INT LAKSHMIS HOUSE - NIGHT

We see Lakshmi preparing some avakais, there are raw mangoes

around her. The rest of the family are also involved in the
process, she seems to be in thought...Her Amma notices she
seems a little lost...(flash cut to; when Akbar was behind
her, Hello Madam...Madam...)

AMMA
Entamma, em alochisthunnavu

LAKSHMI
Em ledu amma, repati nunchi manam
hotel panulu, avakai panulu full ga
modalu pettali...

She gets back to her avakai preparations in earnest....the

light bulb in the background flickering, buzzing...

FADE OUT

We see a wide night shot of Devarakonda town, small lights

flickering in the distance. There is a power outage, the
village goes into darkness, dogs bark, babies cry...and
someone yells...

SOMEONE
Ruling party....zindabad!

******** Possibility of a new scene addition here ********

Music fades in.

FADE IN

26 MONTAGE SONG 1

We see the sunrise above the Devarakonda town. People are

going about their jobs as usual. We see Akbar make his way
through the town on his cycle, delivering newspapers and
milk. He does his daily routine

Meanwhile, we see Lakshmi wake up and wake the rest of the

house up. She gets herself busy in the kitchen. Kavita puts
up a board outside the house saying curries and avakai. We
see Lakshmi, Amma and Kavita hard at work making the spices
and food preparations. Purushottam does the more labour
intensive part of the cooking, Bujji is the official taster..
 61.

We see Akbar and Chinna washing their auto by the river side.
There are other dhobis in the background using the river for
washing. We see that while Chinna takes the lead. Akbar sits
on the grass by the cheruvu and is pouring through his text
books. Chinna is shaking his head, thinking Akbar is crazy.

A makeshift stand has been built by Purushottam outside his

house. It serves as a parcel counter for people to come and
buy their food. Purushottam takes the position of the
cashier, while the rest of the women are busy cooking, with
Lakshmi leading the way. The counter is open for business
soon. Bujji helps whenever he is not distracted by his kite
or a puppy whom he adopts.

We see Akbar plying his auto from the town centre onto the
highway, busy dropping off people into various towns. He is
seen on the highway dropping and in little towns picking up
all sorts of people, building bridges for so many businesses
and relationships (can elaborate with examples). We see him
with his friends Sondu and Pasha, as busy as they are they
meet each in transit on the roads or in dhabas.

The parcel counter is open. People in the town slowly come

in, one by one to savor the curries. What starts as one man
in a line, soon becomes a steady flow of customers. There is
a lot of work to do still. Purushottam has a longing look
sometimes. Recollecting his Polavaram. Lakshmi spurs him on.

We see Akbar pickup college students in his auto. We cut to

him sitting with some of them by a field, text book in hand
asking them for some pointers.

The line at Lakshmis house has suddenly trickled down,

customers are few to come by. The family is worried by these
turn of events. Lakshmi decides to go to the city to sell her
avakai.

We see Akbar hanging out with Sondu and Pasha, he seems to be

fighting some union problems within the auto community. We
see them having a drink. Akbar just watches them.

We see Babbar noticing Akbar and then Lakshmi separately. He

still has an undecipherable look in his eyes.

As Akbar zooms through the highway, he sees Lakshmi along

with her dad inspecting some land by the side of the road. He
doesnt give them too much attention and goes about his job.
Lakshmi never notices him.

Lakshmi notices Akbar taking a bunch of Shiva bakths, all

piled in his auto...she notice him joining them in the
revelry...
 62.

As Lakshmi dusts the mirchi carpet off on her Dhabha, it gets

in Babars eye on the street, he winces in pain, looking up
at a busy at work Lakshmi on her terrace...

Etc etc, basically showing them working hard towards a better

future for themselves, also highliting the aspirations of a
small town person.

We also see a shot of Lakshmi finally entering Hyderabad

city. With avakai packets in hand, she is trying to sell them
door to door and then at retail markets, she isnt having
much success. Also the city is a place she instantly
dislikes.

We see Akbar enter the exam hall, pen in hand. He sits down
to write his exam nervously. We see he is extremely pensive
when writing his exam, sweating and all.

Lots of time lapses...city/country juxtapositions. We see

Lakshmi make some new friends within the colony. She develops
her own small gang of girls.

Lakshmi and Akbars point of views of the city.

Shots of Akbar working on keeping his auto in good shape,

engine, oil etc.

Lakshmi buying avakai from an avakai market (kothapet)

We could also show how tough/sadistic Masterji and Babbar are

on the auto drivers and how they fleece them off their
wages/work load...

Have Masterjis presence felt in the song, like him looking

at akbar solving issues with other auto drivers.

This sequence finally ends with Lakshmi having a really tough

time in the city selling her avakai, making her feel hopeless
and Akbar going to the college to see that he has failed yet
again.

Two dejected souls at crossroads in their lives. The song

ends as we see the both of them unknown to each other, arrive
at the same bus stand for the trip back to Devarakonda.

Their eyes meet...song ends.

27 EXT. BUS STATION HYDERABAD CITY - EVENING

There is a big crowd at the bus station, buses are constantly

coming in and out of terminals. We see several people waiting
with bags and other goods. There is a chaotic atmosphere, but
its regulated.
 63.

Akbar sees Lakshmi, at first he wants to avoid her and sort

of turns away from her line of vision, Lakshmi does pretty
much the same thing. There isnt any sort of acknowledgement
between them.

As the last of the bus leaves from the terminal, its pretty
obvious that Akbar and Lakshmi are waiting for the one bus
which will take them back towards Devarakonda. There is an
uneasy distance between them. The bus headed towards
Devarakonda arrives. There isnt too much of a crowd. A few
people alight. Lots of seats are empty. Lakshmi takes the
front row, while Akbar takes the last. The bus starts off
from the city.

As the bus travels, we notice Akbar and Lakshmi continue

sitting alone and silent, each one in their own world. The
fact that they are together is forgotten for a bit.

The bus stops outside the city limits. The remaining

passengers dis-embark. We notice that they are at highway
limits. The passengers are waiting for 7 seaters to pick them
up. Akbar and Lakshmi again find themselves in the same 7
seater, this time sitting a little more closely to each
other. Their mutual discomfort more evident. The 7 seater
eventually stops at Mallepally, the last stop.

While the rest of the passengers make their way into the
town, Akbar sees Lakshmi. She is obviously stranded as it
seems there arent any autos available back to Devarakonda.
Akbar watches Lakshmi as she enquires about availabilities of
autos. He understands her situation. After some forethought,
he comes upto her.

28 EXT. MALLEPALLI JUNCTION - EVENING

The roads have emptied out at the junction, there is a

communist bandh. We see comrades shutting down shops, we a
couple of autos whiz by even as lakshmi tries to stop them,
there is a slight tension in the air, we watch that lakshmi
is beginning to feel very vulnerable in what is suddenly a
very quiet tension filled atmosphere. We see lakshmis eyes
searching for an auto in quiet desperation. Lakshmi is still
standing by herself at the empty auto stand. Akbar, who has
been filling up his auto with some goods while watching
Lakshmi, comes upto her..

AKBAR
Helluu..arey.. anta
bayapadakandi..inka aakalito
lenulendi..mimmalni emi tineyanu..

LAKSHMI (ALARMED)
Enti....enti meeru Matladedi..
 64.

AKBAR
choodandi, na auto ikkade undi,
iddaram devarakonde vellali, meeku
ibbandi lekapothe vacheyochu

Lakshmi looks at Akbar, silent, not being able to comprehend

what to say next.

LAKSHMI
Err...hmm...ledu parvaaledu, nenu
vere auto lo veltha..

AKBAR
Parvaledaa..helloo madam..meeku
repu poddunavaraku okka auto
kanabadadu...kanabadina...adi naade
avutundi..anduke...

Lakshmi continues being silent, trying to contemplate what to

do next..

AKBAR (CONTD)
ekkuva aalochinchakandi..naaku
meemeeda elanti
duraalochanalu(feelinglu)
levu...champalane alochanalu kooda
ledu...

LAKSHMI (STUTTERING)
Cha cha adenti..ala enduku
anukuntaanu...emi matladutunnaru
meeru...

AKBAR
salaam walekum
madam....gurtundaa..naku mundu
ardhamavvaledu kani... taravata
ardamaindi, enti meeru aa vishayam
gurunchi inka kangaaru
padutunnara... marchipondi

Lakshmi is upset that her thoughts and deeds have been

interpreted so easily...

LAKSHMI
Choodandi, mee auto akkataaniki
naaku etuvanti ibbandi ledu...

AKBAR (SMILING)
sarey mari ekkandi...(or just
acting as if welcome)

Akbar walks past her and gets into his auto in the
distance...As she turns to walk towards him...
 65.

LAKSHMI
Entha?

AKBAR
Iravai!

LAKSHMI
Koncham ekkuva kadha?

CUT TO;

29 INT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY - DUSK

We see the auto chugging along the highway. The sun is

setting along the horizon, the stars and moon can already
been seen. Its a beautiful setting. Akbar is driving on
silently, Lakshmi is seated behind him between all the goods,
her head a conflict of emotions. She seems to be gathering
the will to speak...

LAKSHMI (CAUTIOUSLY
avunu meeru city ki enduku
vachcharuu...

AKBAR (MOCKINGLY)
memmalni psycho laa
ventapadudaamani

He makes a growling sound..

AKBAR (CONTD)
Grrrrrrrr...raaaarrrrrr

Lakshmi giggles to herself..

LAKSHMI
Ledu serious gaa..!!

AKBAR
Please gurtucheyakandi...assalu
eeroju burra chedipoindi..

Lakshmi immediately relates to him..

LAKSHMI
Nijame andi..aa
traffikku..janalu..edo hitech city
antaaru...bonda hitech...

Silence...
 66.

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
intaki meeru city enduku vellaro
cheppaledu

Akbar recollects annoyingly...

AKBAR
(Sigh..) inka deeniki..naa exam
results...

LAKSHMI
Oh..aithe enti ee saari first class
aa..?

AKBAR
(Sigh..) leduandi poyindi..

LAKSHMI
ayyo..

Silence as both of them have nothing to say and Akbar has

lost his cheerful mood...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Sorry, anavasaranga mood paadu
chesanattunnanu..

AKBAR
Ayyo mee thappemi ledandi.. Naa
life inthey. Exam raasthooney
untaanu..fail authooney
untaanu..auto naduputhooney untaanu

Long Silence..

AKBAR (CONTD)
Aunu mee sangathi cheppandi..

LAKSHMI
Naademundi..

Suddenly the auto screeches to a halt. There is a flat

tyre...

AKBAR
Cha cha...Ayyoo, puncture
ayyindi...

LAKSHMI
Ayyoo... (play a sudden fear angle
for lakshmi)
 67.

AKBAR
emi parvaledu..puncture shop
degaaralone undi...padi nimishaallo
ayyipotundi..manodey

Akbar gets out of the auto and begins pushing it towards the
puncture/tea shop. Lakshmi feeling responsible, gets out of
the auto and tries to help him, by pushing too.. (Create
romantic montague during puncture while tea gets ready in the
moonlight. Create conversation when pushing, lakshmi folds
her saree, her saree gets greased which she will try to wash
off later exposing her nadumu while akbar watches her)

CUT TO;

30 INT PUNCTURE SHOP/TEA SHOP HIHGHWAY - NIGHT

A song is playing on the radio from the film Saptapadi -

kulamu needandey. (May be later in the conversation, he
will ask her what she will name her pickle, World Famous
pickle, can be used for climax).

While the puncture guy is working on the tires. Akbar and

Lakshmi are sipping on some tea. A few stray vehicles pass
by. The cup of tea is relaxing for the tired couple.

LAKSHMI
aha..tea chala bagundi,asalu ame
indulo yemi kalipindo adagali

AKBAR
aa avunu...

LAKSHMI
badhagaa unda, fail ayyavani...

AKBAR
issaari chaala kastapaddanu...ento
theliyadu...exam centre ki
vellangaaney anni marchipotaanu...

LAKSHMI
Same problem here, nobody seems to
like my avakai

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Meeru...

AKBAR
intaki meeru city ki enduku
vachaaru?....aa byaagulu
emiti..aayakai vaasana vastundi...
 68.

Lakshmi shows akbar an avakai packet

LAKSHMI
Avakaaye...citylo ammudaamani
vellanu...akkada emo competition
challa ekuvva...ok pakka emo pedda
pedda brandlu,..inko pakka
pratiokkalu home made picklesee ani
anivaale...inka nannu evvaru
pattinchukuntaaru

AKBAR
kaani enduku idantaa...meeku parcel
centre avi unnayani vinnanu..adi
baaney work out avutundi kadha...

LAKSHMI
ala emi kaadu, oorlo andaru intlo
tinataanike ishta padutaaru, ila
parcel koney vaallu thakkuvey...

AKBAR
Hmmm....correctee...naa Vanta kooda
neney cheskuntaanu

LAKSHMI
Hmm.. Ante nana garu plan hotel
pedtham ani...kaani adhi jarigee
loopu edo okati cheyyali kadha...

AKBAR
Hotel aa...ekkada?

LAKSHMI
Ade devarakonda kotha highway vundi
kada akkade pedadamanukuntunnam...
kaani aa owner manaki land addiki
ivvali...chala aduguthunnadu,
peddaga edaina modaletey mundu
koncham podupu chesukunte
manchidiani... ippatikee ooru
vadili vachhi chala kharchulu
ayyayi..

AKBAR
Avunu... ooru vadili enduku
vachhaaru?

LAKSHMI
Oh adhi pedda kathale...bore
aipothaaru...

AKBAR
Inka time undi, cheppochchuley
 69.

But even before Akbar says it okay for her to continue..she

does...(Meanwhile Akbar is checking her nadumu)

LAKSHMI
(thoughtfully)
Baavuntundi..

Akbar is still checking her out..

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
...memu putti perigindi polavaram
lo, akkada ma tatala kalam nundi
hotel vundedi, ippudu project vachi
maa sthalam poyindi,court case lu
gatta avutunnai,ippatikaithe
manadaggara yemi ledu, chinna ga
cheppalente inte..

AKBAR
Oh....

LAKSHMI
taruvata ikkadiki vatcham, e voori
post master garu ma nannaki
chinnappati friend,anduke ala ala
ala...

AKBAR
ala ala ..avakaila...

They laugh...

DISSOLVE TO:

31A INT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY - NIGHT

They continue in the auto towards Devarakonda...The night is

blue with stars...Lakshmi looks out...

LAKSHMI
(romantically)
Amma....enni nakshatralu...entha
baavunnai..

AKBAR
(looking at her in the
rear view mirror)
avunu avunu

LAKSHMI (CHANGING SUBJECT)

Aithe enti ..inkosaari exams
raastava..
 70.

AKBAR
Hmm..choodamule edo okati
...
arey mee peru adagatam
marchipooyanu...naa peru Akbar...

LAKSHMI
Oh naaku thelusu, salaam walekum
akbar. nenu Lakshmi..

AKBAR
Aa.. Namaste Lakshmi,ade
chooddaam.. pelli
chesukuntanemo...emi
aalochinchaledu...graduate
avudamani korika undedi...kaani
ippatikey moodu saarlu fail ayyaka
...inka naa valla kaadhemo...

LAKSHMI
Adenti naalugu saarlu kaada?...oh
Nenu mundu moodu saarlu, ippatitho
kalisi naalugo saari anikunnanu...

AKBAR (SHEEPISHLY)
Ledu ledu, oorollu koncham ekkuva
chesi matladutaaru, ee samvatsaram
to kalipi moodu sarlu...

Lakhsmi smiles at his attempts at clearing himself...

LAKSHMI
inko sari rai tappemundi, nenu kuda
graduate ne, anduke nenu jeevitham
lo yedainna cheyyagalanane dhairyam
naku vundi

AKBAR (SHOCKED)
yenti nijanga. nuvvu gradute
aa,heyyy nijama..nijagana

LAKSHMI
Enti antha ascharyam...

AKBAR
ledu ledu, kadhu..super, baavundi,
inka nuvvu edhaina cheyyochu...life
lo
 71.

LAKSHMI
Life lo em cheyochcho naaku
theliedu, naku konni badhyatalu
vunnai,kani nuvvu pass ite niku
tappakunda help avutundi
Akbar,vadileyyakunda,manasu petti
inko sari rayi

Silence...as Akbar contemplates what Lakshmi says...he turns

to her rather dramatically and says...

AKBAR
Avunu Nee stream enti?

LAKSHMI
Bcom hons...

AKBAR
Ayyo avunaa...naadi kuda
ade...naaku help cheyyava
please...please..nenu neeku ey help
kavalannaa
chestha...please...Commerce,
Mathematics parvaledu..kaani
Englishe koncham kashtam, dantlo
eppudu fail avuthunna...

Lakshmi doesnt know how to react...

LAKSHMI (HESITANT)
Ledu...sarey, kaani.. antey nenu
maa aavakaya panullo busy busy ga
unta...time...koncham...kastham

AKBAR (EAGERLY)
Arrey, naaku tuition guition emi
avasaram le...edo koncham help,
anthey...

Lakshmi is thinking, confused, conflicted...

LAKSHMI
Err...okay..appudappudu..time
unnappudu, tappakunda help
chesthaa...

AKBAR (HAPPILY)
Thanks lashmi, nijanga...inka okka
saari try chestaa...choodam

Lakshmi nods approvingly, but shes a little concerned that

akbar is constantly looking back at her...
 72.

LAKSHMI
Aa sarey sarey, meeru koncham mundu
choosi nadapandi

31B LAKSHMIS HOUSE LANE - NIGHT

We see the auto enter Devarakonda town...it stops outside a

small lane near Lakshmis house...

LAKSHMI
Aapu..aapu..ikkadey aapey..

Akbar is still in the auto...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Nenu ikkadey
digipotha...ikkadnunchi nadichi
veltha...

AKBAR
Enduku inti varaku drop chesesta
kada...

Lakshmi gets out of the auto

LAKSHMI
vaddu vaddu..Akbar nijaniki, ma
intlo vallaki muslims ante
padadu,mukhyam ga ma nannaki,ila
cheptunna ani marola anukovaddu.
ippudu nanu intivaruku drop cheste
vallu yevo prashnalu adugutaaru...

AKBAR
aina nenu auto driver ne kada,
hindu-muslim ani yevaradugutaru
cheppu

Silence as Lakshmi doesnt know how to answer that, but Akbar

helps by concluding the conversation...

AKBAR (CONTD)
sarle kani... naaku ardhamayyindi

Lakshmi looking very apologetic...

LAKSHMI
Sarey aithey..best of luck...next
time kalisinappudu mee exams kosam
ela chaduvutunnavo cheppu...nenu
konni salahaalu istaanu, sareynaa..
(MORE)
 73.
LAKSHMI (CONT'D)
Inkoti..manam english loney
maataladadaam , neeku help
authundi..

AKBAR (SMILING)
Ok madam, we talk in english

LAKSHMI
Saree...ok...

AKBAR (IN ENGLISH)

You have to give me twenty rupees
madam.

LAKSHMI (QUICKLY INTO HER BAG)

Yes...ofcourse okay..

AKBAR
Goodnight Madam...

LAKSHMI
Goodnight...

Akbar waits a while as Lakshmi makes her way down the street
and then we see the auto start off and Lakshmi make her way
into her lane. We can faintly hear Akbar singing, Lakshmi
turns back...

AKBAR
********************************
Country roads, take me home...

Lakshmi laughs and walks on...Akbar continues singing...

A light goes off in the neighbourhood, its a power break

down, we hear babies crying and dogs barking and some
curses...

VOICE IN A HOUSE
yevadra adu, ardha ratri apa raatri
lekunda english patalu
padutunnadu?..pattukondi...

The auto falls silent and chugs along quietly...

CUT TO;

32 EXT. TOWN CENTRE - DAY

(Wel be using the fakir and hindu beggar concept and we can
also add the concept of young girl complimenting lakshmis
outfit)
 74.

Its yet another hullabulla of a day in the town. We see

Lakshmi and her father make their way through the centre.
Purushottam is carrying a bag and a file with documents.

PURUSHOTTAM
a sthalam manaki lease ki
ivvadaniki ooru MLA garini voppiste
mana pani ipotundamma,ina manam
polavaram lo vunnappude MLA garu
naku maticharu,inka manaki bank
loan ravadame alasyam, highway lo
hotel panulanni prarambhinchochu.

LAKSHMI
Aa MLA, mata meeda
nilapadutaadantaava nana?...valla
Avasaraala koddi
matladutaaru..nammocha.

PURUSHOTTAM
koncham nammochu emo
amma...andulonu itanu manavade(read
brahmin) ivalti kaalamlo
rajakeeyaalo brahmalu
takkuve...tappakunda, edo okati
chestaadule...

LAKSHMI
ala jarigite manchide nanna, valla
ammagari to matladanani cheppav
kada, aameki vunna manchitanam lo
sagam itaniki vunna mana pani
ipotundi

PURUSHOTTAM
Sarey sarey...Pada amma..twaraga
veldaamu, 9 gantala appointment
ichadu...ippudu mallepalliki bussu
Dorukutundoledo?

LAKSHMI
Aaa..dorukutundi nana...

We see that the duo have reached the bus stand in the town
centre...They begin waiting for a bus, when an impatient
Purushottam notices the busy 7 seaters next to the bus
station...

PURUSHOTTAM
aina manam auto lo vellipovatchu
kadamma?
 75.

Lakshmi was expecting that, she turns to look in her dads

line of vision and surely enough we see Akbar, the lone auto
driver, busy getting people into his auto...

LAKSHMI
Ledule nanna,avi challa irugga
untaayi...bus kosame eduru cheddamu

In the background we hear Chinna, yelling away..

CHINNA
mallepalli..mallepalliki velle auto
idokkate, randi randi

PURUSHOTTAM
Choodu choodu, adi malleapalli
vetundantaa...bussu eppuduvastundo
emo...pada talli...

Purushottam takes a reluctant Lakshmi by the hand and they

walk towards the auto stand.

33 EXT. AUTO STAND DEVARAKONDA - DAY

Purushottam walks right upto to Chinna and re-affirms..

PURUSHOTTAM
Babu e auto mallepalli ke ga
velledi.

CHINNA
avunandi..yentamandi?..koorchondiku
rchondi , okka nimasham lo
bayalderutam

Purushottam motions her daughter to get in, he takes the

front seat right behind where Akbar would sit and Lakshmi
saunters towards the back...She meets Akbars eye, Akbar is
busy loading in goods for the passengers...

He sees her and immediately acknowledges her with a grin...

AKBAR
Hey...avakai

Lakshmi doesnt say a word, looks away and sits in the

back...Akbar is a little perplexed...just then he hears
Purushottam..

PURUSHOTTAM
Entamma?..venaka baagane
unda..lekapothe ikkadaki
vachestaava?...
 76.

Lakshmi meeting Akbar in the eye...

LAKSHMI
Parvaaledu Nana...ikkada bagane
undi

Akbar understands the situation and grins back mischievously

at her...Lakshmi doesnt understand him..

They are ready to go...The auto vrooms out...

34 INT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY - DAY

Akbar is in the driving seat, Purushottam is right behind

him, he doesnt have a clear view of his face, right next to
him is a panthulu and another old lady. Lakshmi is in the
seat behind her father along with some more goats and goat
herds. She isnt exactly too happy about the company...The
high on energy today morning Purushottam starts off a
conversation...

PURUSHOTTAM
Evandi panthulugaru, chethilo
prasadam edo unnatlundi, maaku
evvaraa?

The old panthulu mutters something under his breath and

begins distributing the prasadam to everyone, first
Purushottam and then Akbar...Akbar accepts the prasadam like
a normal hindu would...Purushottam decides to have a
conversation with Akbar now...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
Babu, ee mana mallepalli MLA
gurinchi evaina vivaraalu thelusa..

Lakshmi rolls her eyes, wishing her father would shut up and
annoyed at the goat already nibbling at her voni...Akbar
relishes the idea of talking to Purushottam, his eyes light
up and he has a grin which no one can see in the back seat...

AKBAR
Antey Manchodey andi...manolla
kosam aithey koncham prathyekanga
help chesthadu...

Purushottams eyes light up, Lakshmi is shocked she mouths

the word manavaallu...

PURUSHOTTAM
Ye ooru babu meedi?
 77.

AKBAR
Idey andi, Devarakonda lo putti
perigaanu.

Purushottam is interested in Akbar, he tries to have a look

at his face, but cant because of the position he is in...

PURUSHOTTAM
Nuvvu auto ney naduputhava, verey
emaina chesthuntaava? Mee nana em
chesthuntaru...

AKBAR
Maa nanna lerandi, chala kalam
ayindi chanipoyi...

Purushottam is silent, silence and then Akbar continues...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Nenemo degree Final year andi,
isaari poyindi...malli raayali

PURUSHOTTAM
Oh..manchidi babu, chadukovali...ey
branch ammaneedi...

AKBAR
Bcom andi...

PURUSHOTTAM
Bcom aa? Arrey naa koothuru ki
B.Com lo aido rank occhindi...

We see Lakhsmi slap her head in annoyance, an old goat herd

looks at her quizzicly...

AKBAR
eesaari kaasta baaga chadivithe
tappakunda pass ayipothanu
andi...anduke eesaari tution kooda
veldamu anukuntunnanu...

Purushottam needs only a moment to think before saying...

PURUSHOTTAM
Arey maa koothuru undi kadandi,
evaina doubts kaani help kaani
kavalantey maa intiki occhi
adagandi.
adey mana post master illu undi
kadha...akkadey memu undedi...

AKBAR (SMILING)
Chala thanks andi...
 78.

He looks at his still shocked daughter and says,

PURUSHOTTAM
vedavadi, mana avakai ammey badulu
tuitions chepte bagaunnatlundi...

He laughs to himself, looks at the panthulu and spreads his

hands out for some more prasadam...The panthulu reluctantly
gives it....Purushottam is ready for more conversation...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
ante babu memu polavaram lo
undetappudu..

LAKSHMI (INTERRUPTING)
Nanna...me sollu aaputhaara...mundu
ee meeka gurinchi edaina cheyyandi,
na voni thinesthundi..

Purushottam gets after the goat...the auto reaches

Mallepalli..

34A

As passengers disembark, we see Puruhottam asking someone for

directions, Lakshmi goes upfront to pay Chinna...Akbar looks
at her grinning...

AKBAR
Hi....

LAKSHMI (ANNOYED)
Meeru braahmalu eppudu ayyarandi..

AKBAR (SMILING)
Poddhuney..

Before Lakhsmi can react, we see the auto zoom off from
Mallepalli and father and daughter make their way into the
town...

CUT TO;

35 INT/EXT AKBARS AUTO HIGHWAY

As Akbar makes his way out of the town, he comes across Sondu
and Pasha on foot on the highway roads. They flag him down,
excited to see him. Akbar gets out of the auto...
 79.

AKBAR
Arey beevarse gaallaraa...ekkada
chacharaa inni rojulu...

SONDU
Nee abba nuvekkada chachavube...

PASHA
arey ekkada unnavu raa..ekkada
mayamaipoyavuraa...

Sondu is in his usual high spirits...

SONDU
Chal correct time lo dorikav
raa..chal party ivvara...party

AKBAR
Party aa...enduku raa...

SONDU
Inkenduku bava Fail ayyavu
kadha...marchipoyaava..chal pada
inka...

PASHA
ippatikaina nee chaduvula gola
aapuraa...

AKBAR
Party...fail ayyinanduku...koncham
ekkuvaindi baammaridi...

SONDU
adikaadu maama, city lo kooda adhey
fashionu..., naalugu saarlu fail
ayyavu ra...inka em kavali
jeevithaniki...charithra
shrushtinchaavu...chala
saadinchesavu...

AKBAR
Chi nee abba...moodu saarlu bey...

The gang is not willing to listen and push him back into his
auto...

PASHA
Chal chal...lopala naduvu..nuvvu
Toltaava nenu tolaala..

AKBAR
Arey...endi be idhi
 80.

SONDU
Ready ready..right right...

Sondu starts singing, a twist on a Narayana Murthy?/Basha hit

song...

SONDU (CONTD)
nenu auto ...vadini auto
vadini...nyayamaina ratu
vaadini...(or sings based on
earlier conv...party evura*)

We hear laughter as the auto gets on the highway...we see it

swerve dangerously and loose control a bit, because of
Sondus antics...

AKBAR
Arey pichoda..chastaamu raa..

From a distance as the auto speeds on the highway, we hear

voices..

SONDU
Edo oka roju chaavalsinde raa...

PASHA
aithe nuvvu chaavuraa..mammalni
enduku champutaavu...

AKBAR
meeriddaru..chavandi...naaku party
tappuddi

The auto is back in control on the road...suddenly we see a

lorry heading on towards Akbars auto...

AKBAR (CONTD)
chi aadenti raa..inta chinna roadlo
anta speedgaa vastunnadu...

The lorry seems to heading towards the auto without any break
in his speed...

PASHA
Arey arey vaadiki side icheiraa
side icheyandiraa... lekapothey
thineysthaadu...

AKBAR
isthunnaanu ra babu...aade
teesukovatamledu
 81.

Akbar manoeuvres the auto so thats its right at the edge of

the road, giving ample space to the lorry speeding unabated
towards them...

SONDU
Abbey slow ga vellu bey...naaku
chaavaalani ledu...

PASHA
Edo oka roju chavaali kada raa...

AKBAR
Arrey inka entha slow ra..

We see that even after Akbar has given the lorry speeding
towards them space, its still in their line...it continues
coming towards them unabated..

AKBAR (CONTD)
meediki vachestunnadu... meediki
vachestunnadu...

They decide on evasive action as the lorry continues towards

them, just a few mts ahead...Akbar can see the license plate
clearly...

AKBAR (CONTD)
PJ..arey a punjab lorryoderaa...

The lorry is going to be on them any second...

PASHA
dookandi roooyyy...

Everyone jumps onto the ditch, leaving the auto running on

the side, as they fall they notice the lorry guy gives a last
minute swerve to miss the auto by inches....he was just
playing with them...we cut to the lorry driver, yelping with
joy...

The trio look up from the ditch, a little bruised and dis-
oriented...Akbar is seething with anger, while Pasha and
Sondu are too shocked to say anything...

AKBAR
naa koduku dorakaali raa..untadi
aadiki...

As Akbar looks on with anger, his friends react...

SONDU
poddu poddune full thagesiuntadu...
 82.

PASHA
Pakkaga Vaadu Yamuduee
raa...baagane lorry naduputunnadu..

DISSOLVE TO

36 EXT. PANCHAYAT OFFICE - EVENING

We see that practically all the men in the town have arrived
for a meeting. A few several hundred surround 5 men under a
banyan tree. Its a town meeting. We see that the crowd that
has gathered is already buzzing among themselves..the crowd
consists of mainly men, old and young, including Akbar, Pasha
and Sondu (who doesnt seem to want to be there). Among the
main 5 heads we notice are Babbar and Masterji, clearly the
leaders among the pack of 5. Masterji begins by addressing
the crowd..

MASTERJI
Peddalu vichesaaru..., oka mukhya
maina prakatana cheddamani
pilishanu..

MASTERJI (CONTD)
Mana mukhyya mantri nalgonda
prayatana lo bhagangaa rendu
roojulalo raanunnaru...araganta
mana uurulo gaduputaaru

There is an excited buzz within the crowd...the panchayat is

pleased with the reaction...people speak up from within the
crowd..

OLD MAN IN CROWD

Abbo...goppa vishayamee...modati
saari mana uuriki oka mukhya mantri
raanunnaru anamaata...

MASTERJI
nijamee...ayana raavaalani nene
swayamugaa..aayana officerlani
oppinchanu...

YOUNG MAN IN THE CROWD

Deenikantaraa..elections deggara
paddaya...

MAN IN CROWD
electionlu kaadule...eemadya mana
mallepalli lo factory pettalni edo
sannahalu chestunnaru anduke
nemo...lekapote aayana mana oorini
eppudu pattinchu koovaali
 83.

SONDU (LOUDLY)
evadaina enduku raavaali
devarakondaki..??

Masterji gives him an annoyed look, the crowd snickers...

MASTERJI
Choodandi, nenu indaaka
cheppinattugaa..aayanani nene chala
kashtapadi (rao ramesh
improvisation)..mana uuri maddatu
aayanaki undi ani teliya cheddamu
anukunna...taravaata taravaata
aayana manaki chaala
upayogapadutaadu...

SONDU
Evadiki...Antey..ippudu memu em
cheyyali...

MASTERJI
Hmm..akkadike vastunna...naaku
kontamandi churukaina kurravallu
kaavali, uuru mottani redu rojullo
mustaabu cheyalanukuntunna...

There is a buzz in the crowd...

MASTERJI (CONTD)
Meeku gurutu undo
ledo...devarakonda CM gaari pattana
padakaani kinda vastundi..anduke
manam ante andamuga unnatu
choopidam.
sunnalu kottandi,pandiri veyyandi,
tubelightlu amarchandi,, veedulu
subram cheyandi,
roadla meeda muggu, bandu meelalu,
mogavaallaki shaving, aadavaallaki
pattucheeralu
aayana bannerlu,cutoutlu-chinnagaa
cheppalante...ee uuri ni pelli
kooturilaa mustaapu chesi aayana ki
manam gana swagatam
palakudam...eemantaaru

SONDU
Vachhedi CM aa pelli kodukaa

People are laughing in the crowd. Masterji is annoyed.

 84.

AKBAR
Kaani Masterji..ikkada andariki
poduna puta panuntundi...rendu
rojula paatu pani ante..andari
rojukooli debbatuntundi...

Masterji is annoyed with Akbars comment, there is a murmur

of approval from within the crowd...

MASTERJI
panulu maaneyamani
cheppatledu...nidralu
maanandi...uuru koosam aamatram
cheyatleraa

AKBAR
meeremi anukoorante oka maata
cheptaanu..aayanaki mana uurini
baga choopinchalsina
avasaramemundandi ippudu?

MASTERJI
Entra...nee Uddesham?

AKBAR
ante..CM gariki mana vooru ippudela
vundo alane choopiddam saar, appudu
ayanaki manaki kanisa sadupayalu
kuda levani ardhmaoutundi, kabatti
atanu mana vooriki yedanna
cheyyalani anipinchochu.

Again there is a big murmur of approval from within the

crowd...

MASTERJI (IN ANGER)

Choodu, kaneesasadupaayalu
gurunchi alochinche baada naadi
nuvvu chepindi cheyyi...aayana mana
uuriki vachinappudu maddatunu icchi
santoshapedatam mana badyata
...emantaaru

AKBAR
ayyo..nenala alochinchanandi
..ante...

MASTERJI
Alochinchava..nuvva?
vinnara...Degree naalugu saarlu
fail ayyinna Akbar gaaru...inka
uuri gurunchi aalochinchadaaniki
bayuladerarata...
 85.

There is scattered laughter in the crowd...Akbar is

embarrassed...Akbar mutters under his breath...

AKBAR
Naalugusaarlu kaadu...moodu saarle

MASTERJI
Aido saari ela pass avvalo
alochinchu...

Babbar speaks now...

BABBAR
Meeru andaru sahakaristaarani
aashistunnamu...pichi panulu chesi
mana Masterjigaariki ,panchayat ki
chadda peru teekandi...cm ikkadiki
raataaniki Masterji chaala
kashtapaddaru..anduke aayanaki ki
..okka saari gattiga chappatlu
kottandi!!...

There are claps all over and the crowd begins to

disperse..Sondu begins a zindabad campaign, mockingly...

SONDU
Masterji...zindabad...

CROWD
Zindabad...

SONDU
Masterji chemche gaadiki
zindabad...

CROWD
Laughter

Babbar and Masterji cant figure out who the culprit is...but
Babbars eyes are on Akbar and co.

Akbar walks out head down, Pasha puts his hands around his
shoulders. Sondu with his back turned to the panchayat...

SONDU
Zindabad...zindabad...

FADE OUT

37A EXT DEVARAKONDA FORT MAIDAN AREA - NIGHT

We see tube lights all across the maidan. There is all kind
of random construction work going on across the maidan area.
 86.

We can see lots of people even though its night. Some are
working on the pandal, while some are just hanging out. There
is a total carnival atmosphere. There are also makeshift
hawkers, doing brisk business selling palli, tea and
cigarettes.

We see that Akbar and co are working on putting up poles and

wiring...Sondu is his normal bullshit self...

SONDU
e paniki ye na kodukotchi
dabbulistadu? Devuda nuvve
cheppali..rendrojulnunchi
chesthunnaam, ee paniki aey naa
kodukocchhi dabbulisthaadura

PASHA
e roju ratri nenu late ga velte ma
avida nannu batakanivvadu!!

SONDU
janak janak payal baje naa
..aaa..aa..aaa

PASHA
Aaparaa...mee vadina gurunchi
maryaada lekunda matladutaavu enti
raa...

SONDU
entamma..ameki 15 yellake
nelatappinchinappudu emaindi raa
nee maryada...appudu naa deggarake
kada booruna vachi yedchavu...

PASHA
Neneppudu eedavaledu..

SONDU
vaddura..ani abadhaloddu.. rey
Sondu naku chachipovalanundi ra,
nannu kapada ra, Sondu yem cheyyalo
cheppara.. ivanni nuvvu
marchipoyavemo kani naku bagane
gurtunnai

Pasha cant take it anymore and moves to hit him. Akbar who so
far been diligently working on the wiring, stops him...

AKBAR
rey..moosukuni pani cheyyandra,
lekapote ratranta ikkade
vundalsostundi..
 87.

Pasha and Sondu go separate ways...we see children organizing

a game of night cricket in the background, someone is trying
to fly a kite, it seems like the towns biological clock has
turned around...

37B EXT.DEVARAKONDA MAIDAN - NIGHT

(Bulb switching on and off at keys points in conversation -

concept)

Akbar turns to see Lakshmi walking hand in hand with Bujji

and Kavita. Bujji still has his yellow kite with him...he
runs along to try to get it to fly, Kavita runs after him..

KAVITA
rey pilla deyyam agara.. ardha
ratri nuvvu pitchi veshaleyyaku

Lakshmi sees Akbar...

LAKSHMI
Hey hello...chala
kashtapadutunnatunnaru...

AKBAR
Hey aavakai..good evening. enti why
so night?

LAKSHMI
Why so night kaadu, Why so late in
the night.

AKBAR
Adey adey, night lo late lo
night..edo okatley, vadiley

LAKSHMI
Oh emi ledu ..uurilo hadavi-vidi
choodam mani vacha...intlo kooda
chala ukkaga undi..sarey chelli
inka bujjigaaditho saradaga ala
challa gaali ki...

AKBAR
Ohh...

LAKSHMI
Abba enta veluturu undi
kada...pagalu laane undi...bayam
anipinchaledu...

AKBAR
bagundi kada..veligipotundi kada
 88.

Silence.....and then...

AKBAR (CONTD)
ee uurantaa naamoolane veligi
potundi, miru e time lo kuda inta
dhairyam ga bayatiki ravadaniki
karanamaina naku miru thanks
cheppukovali..

Lakshmi laughs...

LAKSHMI
Thank you sir...thank you..

AKBAR
No mention

They begin walking..

LAKSHMI
Aithe chadavatam modalupettara?
...meeru vache semester lo malli
raayochu anukunta...

AKBAR
Avunuu...hmm time teliya kunda
aipotundi...chadavaalsindi chaala
undi..like always you know

We can see Kavita playing cat and mouse with Bujji in the
background...the duo look at that...

LAKSHMI (LAUGHING)
abba..ma bujji gadiki inta husharu
yekkadi nundi vatchindo ardham
kadu..

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Hey aagu..nenu meetho koopamugaa
undaali

AKBAR
Aa...adenti nenuemi chesanu..!!!

LAKSHMI (FAKING ANGER)

a roju yenti ma nannato a paniki
rani matalu..manavallu ginavallu
adi...idi...ani..haa

Akbar laughs...
 89.

AKBAR
Ayyo..edo saradaaga ala...
nenu muslim ante auto nunchi
dookestaademo ani...uurika ayana
kangaaru padakunda...

They both laugh...

LAKSHMI
Chi chi chi marii maa nanna nuvvu
anukunnata kaadu...emaina sare
nuvvu abaddam cheppavu...aayanaki
teliste chaala badha padtaaru..

AKBAR
Arey ...Enduku telustundi..ela
telustundi..telisinaa sare aa
timeki nannu
marchipotaaru...teliyakoodani
vishayam teliyanantavaraku
teliyakapothene manchidi...

LAKSHMI
Aina sarey, abaddam abaddame...

AKBAR
Oppukuntaanu..kaani..choodandi..nen
u aayana koturi cheyyi adagatam
ledu, aayanatho vyapaaram
pettatledu...deetlo abaddam
cheppinattu undochukaani baada
pettadam ekkadundi...

Akbar laughs...Lakshmi smiles..Pause...

LAKSHMI
Hmm..sarele..nijameele..

AKBAR
Hey pelli ante gurthochindi...naku
telisina abbayi vokadunnadu
neekaite saraina jodi, mi nanna ki
aite pitcha pitcha ga natchestadu,
manolle...

They both laugh, but Lakshmi acts like she is interested...

LAKSHMI
nijanga yevaraina unnara... naku
parichayam cheyyotchu kada

AKBAR
ledu mundu mee naanaki
kalipista...avunu ekkada aayana...
(MORE)
 90.
AKBAR (CONT'D)
kooturlani addaratri baaney
dairyangaa pampaaru...

LAKSHMI
Ledu aayanaki maameeda chaala
nammakam ...nannagaru polavaram
vellaru. MLA stalam addeki
ivvataaniki oppukunnaru kada..
koncham rate ekkuve...anduke edo
okati chesi dabbulu arrange
cheyyataaniki vellaru...

AKBAR
oo manchidey,aithey mee hotel
modati customer nene...

LAKSHMI
ahaa..manchidi..enta bill chestaaru

AKBAR
plate meals enta unte ante
istaanu..daatlo emundi..

LAKSHMI
Alaela oppukuntaamu ...adee modati
booni...mee auto ninda bangaram
thevaali, meeru enta iste anta
manchi jarugutundi...

Akbar thinks about this...

AKBAR
Enti eduru katnam
aduguthunnaara...enduko okasaari
ala anipinchindi...

They both start laughing...

LAKSHMI
Chi ...chi...chi...me muslimslo
istharu kadha...(more laughter)

Just then Kavita and Bujji join in...Bujji is excited on

seeing Akbar...

BUJJI
arey anna..yekkadunnavanna inni
rojulu, kanipiyyaledu..ippudu nenu
kite ni super ga yegarestunna
telusa

Akbar is happy seeing him...

 91.

AKBAR
appude kasta podugayyavu ra, konni
rojullo mi akka vallani minchi
poyela unnavu

Lakshmi introduces Kavita...

LAKSHMI
Kavitha...Akbar

AKBAR
Salaam Walekum Kavitaji

Kavita is wideyed and doesnt know how to react...

KAVITA
Waale...err namaste...

BUJJI
Arrey neeku theliyada...waale kum
as-salaam anaali...

Akbar and Lakshmi laugh..Bujji spots an pink candy guy...

BUJJI (CONTD)
Akka...naaku adhi kavali..

Even before she can answer, he pulls her towards it...

Silence...conversation between the two resumes..

LAKSHMI
hmm..inka

AKBAR
inka..

LAKSHMI
Inka...meeku exams koosam tution
kaavaali...

AKBAR
Tuition kakapoinaa..edo konni banda
gurtulu chepte...

LAKSHMI
Ante..Preparation appudu edooka
paddati alavatu chesukunte chala
help avutundi...roju emi chadavaali
ela chadavali ani time table
veskunte parikshalappudu Appudu
hadavidi undadu...
 92.

AKBAR
naa problem adi kaadu lakshmi,
exam paper pattukogaaney light
aagipothundi, em kanapadadu.
english aithe goram, worst

Lakshmi thinks...

LAKSHMI
Andukey baabu..model test papers
unnaayi. enni ekkuva exams
raaste...main exam ante easy
aipotundi...

Akbar sighs..

AKBAR
Naaku ippudu ee uurilo alanti test
paperlu evaru tayyaru chesi
istaaru?

LAKSHMI
Aa..edi oka paper ivvu...mee
examski boni chestaanu...

He looks around, finds a poster of the election campaign...he

tears it down(make sure tears down the head of the
politician) and pulls out his pen and gives it to her...she
grabs it and begins to write...

CUT TO;

SONDU
arey kottem nenu choostunnadi kalaa
nijamaa ra? Atu choodu..

Pasha looks up from his work...Sondu is pointing his finger

at Akbar and Lakshmi at the far corner of the field.

PASHA
Ammo ..love letter
raastundaa..enti!?

SONDU
Love letter endi be..anssalu vaadu
love lo eppudu padadu be...emi
jarutondi akkada...naaku
teliyaali..aa pilla evaru raa
katthi laa undi...

PASHA
aina ammilani choosi enduku raa ala
matladutaavu..?
 93.

SONDU
Enduku raa..ame Naa vadinaa
avutunda enti...

PASHA
Avunule..vadina aithe tega gauravam
ichestaavu mari...

SONDU
Ante ...ammayini batti alochanalu
marthaii...

PASHA
Entra nee uddesham..

Sondu still looking at the couple...

SONDU
Ante aameni..

PASHA
aa aameni?

SONDU
Nenu ameni entha korukuntunnana.
ane daani meeda untundi...

Pasha is on top of Sondu they are wrestling...

PASHA
Arrey bevaarse gaa..mati undi
matladu tunnava...

As the crazy duo lug it out in the foreground, we see Akbar

and Lakshmi part ways for the night...

CUT TO;

38 EXT. BY LANES OF DEVARAKONDA - NIGHT

(Use kranthis dialogue im falling, im falling . Improvise)

Sondu and Pasha totally drunk are being supported by Akbar as

they stagger through a lane..

PASHA
Drohi...peddha drohivi ra nuvvu

AKBAR
Entra..denigurunchi raa...
 94.

PASHA
enni savatsaraalu nundi manam
friends undi emi laabam raa...emile

AKBAR
Meeru emi matladutunnaro naakemi
ardam kaavatam ledu...

SONDU
Lavvu..nuvvu lavvu lo paddavu kaani
maaku cheppaledu..cha drohivi raa
nuvvu...

SONDU (CONTD)
Drohiiiiiiii....

AKBAR
Hey aapu...chath nee amma
...vaagutuune unnaru ..aapandi..

SONDU
Choosaamu raa..

PASHA
Ammaitho

SONDU
Ame Raastundi...

PASHA
Neeke Love letter

SONDU/PASHA
Drohiiii....drohiii...

AKBAR
Ammayi enti , letter enti be...

Akbar realises what they are talking about...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Abbaaa...aavakaaya.lakshmi
raa..abba arey monne parichayam
ayyindi...naa exams ki help
chestundi raa... ante..

SONDU
Abbaa...appudey tuitionlu kooda
modalupettaraa?

Sondu acts all horny, rubbing his hands across Akbars

shoulders and arms, Akbar is totally repelled by it and
shoves Sondus hands away...
 95.

PASHA
Drohii...

SONDU
Maripoyaavu ra...maripoyaavu...

AKBAR
Chath norumuyyi...inka picchiga
matladithey tholu theestha..

SONDU
Arrey Pasha vadileyi raa...veedi
gurinchi manam matladi
waste...manam thaagindantaa
digipotundi

PASHA
Avunu, manam mana gurinchey
matladali..

AKBAR
thanks raa babu...nannu
vadhileyandi..

SONDU
rey pasha yela vunnavu ra, mi
avidela vundi...bugundaa?

Pasha now starts sobbing...

PASHA
nenu vodipoyan ra, najeevitam lo
nenu fail ra

SONDU
Ohh...nuvvu kuda fail ayyava..

PASHA
Avunu, kaani mana Akbar gadi la
kaadhu...nenu life lo fail ayya...

SONDU
Emaindi bey...
 96.

PASHA
inkemavvali ra, na bharya,pillalni
yento gopaga choosukundam anukunna,
kaani nenu...naa kooturiki manchi
tandrigaa lenu, naa baryaki manchi
barta lenu,kaneesam amma nannaki
manchi kodukugaa kooda
lenu...inkenduku raa ee jeevitam
valla kosam kaaka pothe...waste
kada raa...chepparaa
Sondu..cheppara...

SONDU
Avunu correct...nuvvu waste gaadivi
ra...

Pasha begins sobbing uncontrollably. Akbar feels bad for the

two of them, both leaning on his shoulders..

SONDU (CONTD)
Nuvvu naa laaga bratakaali
raa...badyatalu levu, amma nanna
leru...tamil ammaylu assale
leru..bindas raa nenu...nannu adige
valluleru...chepte vinevallu
leru...nuvvu unnavu raa..nuvvu
unnavu.....

PASHA
Avunu raa mana muggurilo nuvve
goppodivi raa..nuvve great
Sondu...nuvvey great...yeraa Akbar.

AKBAR
Avvunu Sondu gaade great...

SONDU
yentha ullasamugaa unnano..entha
uthsahamugaa unnano...

PASHA
Sondu ye great, Sondu ye
puliraaja...

Akbar is irritated and sad with the both of them...Just then

a shadow moves in the lane ahead of them..the trio notice
it...its a call girl, waiting for a customer...Pashas eyes
open..As they walk by her...

PASHA (CONTD)
enti baby,ela unnavu baby, entha
baby?...rama chilakamma...prema
molakamma...(or improvise hello
bro song)
 97.

He begins dancing, a little out of hand, Sondu watches

preplexed, Akbar is annoyed..

AKBAR
Arey pasha...pichipichi gaa
cheyyaku...itu raa...

The shadow retreats into the darkness with silent curses...as

Pasha is twirling around, a little girl appears with a pot of
water held by her hips....its Pashas daughter, she is still
wearing her school dress...

PASHA
Nazneen, nuvva amma.

NAZNEEN
Avunu nanna,.. Nuvventi ikkada inta
raatri puta dance
chestunnavu...amma neekosam kagaru
padutundi

PASHA
ina inta ardha ratri nillu enduku
nanna todukuni veltunnav..

NAZNEEN
Nayanama pampindi, taage neelu
ippude vastaayi nanna..ee vishayam
evariki teleeyadu...anduke roju e
time ki nene vatchi nillu
tesukeltaa..

Pasha looking at Sondu and Akbar...

PASHA
CM zindabad..na bujji talli inta
ratrilo manchi nilla kosam bayatiki
vatchindi, tandremo full ga
tagunnappudu...manabratukulanni
interaa..maname great..oorivallu
andaru great..

Sondu begins to clap, Pasha begins to cry...he lifts his

daughter and kisses her...

PASHA (CONTD)
padara talli, intilkelli podam

Akbar is watching all of this, very moved by

everything...Sondu who is feeling a even more depressed after
seeing Pasha go home, tells Akbar...
 98.

SONDU (IN DESPERATION)

Arrey Akbar, special late night
show vesthunnaru ra...Mahesh Babu
cinema, velli maidan lo
chooddamu...

AKBAR
Ippuda, intha late aa...

SONDU
Please ra..veldaam ra..

Akbar thinks about it for a moment and says..

AKBAR
sare nuvvu pada..nenu town centre
ki velli wiring choosukoni
vatchesta

SONDU
Arey tappakunda vastaavu kada raa..

AKBAR
Pakka raa...15 nimishaalu
raa...vachestaanu..nuvvu ellu...

Akbar has been clearly effected with the goings on so far and
decides being with his friends is the best he can do...they
split from the lane...As Akbar walks away, we see Sondu turn
around and stagger towards the theatre...he is talking to
himself...

SONDU
arey twaraga raa raa..ee chatta
oorlo ontariga tiragaleenu..andaruu
nannu asainchukone valle..tondaraga
vocheyi raa..

DISSOLVE TO;

(*The Babbar episode where he chances upon Lakhsmis window

as she is changing. She horrified- shuts off the lights and
runs out of the house looking for Akbar---working on it)

39 MAIDAN OPEN AIR THEATRE PROJECTION - NIGHT

We pull back from a huge moving image of an actor on screen.

We see very few people at the makeshift open theatre. We see
Sondu lying right on the ground, watching the film with
possessive passion. There is a death scene on, the mother of
the hero is about to die in his arms. Sondu watches with
baited breath. For the big moment.
 99.

The music is climbing, death is imminent, we close in on

Sondus rage filled eyes, the screen mother dies.

Pause.

Sondus is crying out loud, uncontrollably, as if his own

mother just died in his arms...

SONDU
oh amma..yekadunnav amma, nannu
vokkadine vadili yenduku
vellipoyavamma..naku ikkada
vundalani ledamma..nannu kuda ni
daggarake tisukellipo..ye neku nee
kodukante natchada amma..nenu
paniki raanani vaadini ani
vadilesavamma..nenu nikenduku
natchaledamma..cheppamma...

Sondu continues weeping uncontrollably before finally passing

out...the rest of the crowd are unaffected...some of the kids
react...(they are also in school uniforms)

KIDS IN CROWD
Ee Kulam takkuvoodni endukuraa...
inka uurlo uncharu..

They kick an unconscious Sondu an run away...

AKBAR
arey evaduraa adi...aapandi!

We pan across to see Akbar watching all of this transfixed.

Its been quite a night for him.

(*Lakshmi comes looking for Akbar and asks him to sleep in

front of her house for the night. An already disturbed Akbar
crashes out and wakes up the next day to a cavalcade of CM
convoys buzzing around town, he gets up and goes to the
maidan straight--CM dialogue might change--working on this)

FADE OUT;

40 EXT. MAIDAN - DAY

We pan down from the scorching hot sun to the podium where
the CM and his folk are sitting. The VIPs have arrived, the
entire town is in attendance, we can see media crew hanging
around everywhere, mikes, coration,posters,security,crowd,the
panchayat folks, all sorts of people jam packed on the
maidan. The fort visible in the background....
 100.

Nearer to the podium we see Akbar,Pasha,Sondu. Akbar and his

friends look visibly jaded from the work and drinks. We see
Lakshmi, with Kavita and Bujji in another section of the
crowd, people are waiting for someone to speak...suddenly the
mike tweaks...

MASTERJI
Mana priyatama mukhya mantri mana
uriki vicheyatam manaki chaala
garvakaaranam...andaru gattiga
chappatlu kottandi...

We hear claps alround, reverberating through the

maidan,echoing thru the fort. Its surreal. The CM comes to
the mike...

CM
devarakonda gramamstulaina na
sodara, sodarimanulaku namaskaram

Applause everywhere..

CM (CONTD)
e roju ilanti charitraka gramanni
sandarsinchinanduku naku chala
anandam ga vundi..nenu meeku
cheppalanukunnadentante, raboye
konni nelallo, e devarakondani
manchi paryataka prantam ga
abhivrudhi cheyyalani
bhavistunnam...

Applause everywhere, even from Sondu and Pasha...

CM (CONTD)
.alage mi voorini choostunte naku
chala mutchataga vundi..vyavasayam
abhivrudhi lo vundi, chinnna china
vyaparalu chesukuntunnaru, pillalni
manchi schoolalo
chadivistunnaru..pandagalu, pabbalu
sampradayabadham ga
chesukuntunnaru..asalu ikkada
nayakulam memu kadu mire nijamaina
nayakulu..

The CM stops talking, the crowd murmurs. The CM has noticed a

hand up in the air, cameras turn to the raised hand, people
turn their heads to the raised hand, VIPS on the dias turn to
the raised hand. For some reason the raised hand sticks out
in the mass on people seated on their haunches on the plain
ground....The CM gestures for that person to stand up...
 101.

Its Akbar...Lakshmis eyes go to him immediately. So does the

rest of the towns, including Masterji and Babbar on the
dias...

Akbar stand up, not feeling too conscious...cameras and

photographers are clicking away, black cat guys tighten their
grip around their machine, Masterji clenches his teeth,
Babbar pulls at his beard, The CM smilingly asks...

CM (CONTD)
yemanna matladalanukuntunava?
Matladu paravaledu..yevaranna
ataniki mike ivvandi

Someone rustles up a mike from somewhere...and gives it to

Akbar...he clears his throat...

CM (CONTD)
Cheppu baabu...

Masterji and Babbar try to dissuade the CM, but he waves them
down...

AKBAR
Sir, ila mimmalni
madyalo...aaputunnanu...kshaminchan
di, kaani naaku idi inko
upanyasamla maaratam istam ledu
andi...meru matladutaaru... memu
vintaamu...

There is a stir in the crowd and a grimness in the CMs

face...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Oka vela prati samavesham lo,
rajakiya naayakle matladutuu
..prajalu emo vintuu unte...inka
prajaswamyaniki ardam emuntundi
sir...

CM
Nuvvu cheppalanukuntudi sootigaa
cheppu babu...

AKBAR
Sir mee swagataaniki rendu ratrillu
nidra maani ikkada lightlu,
decorationalu chesaamu... ooranta
marchesaamu... enduko
teleedu...anduke naaku kooda ikkada
matlade avakasham istaaru
anukuntunnanu.
 102.

There is muted, scattered laughter...

(*scene to be re-interpreted, aeroplane sound effect, instead

this time round entire crowd goes against Akbar, no applause
but all round derision for his speech, hoots and cat calls
asking him to sit down, someone asks to take away the mike
from him, also refer panchayat scene)

AKBAR (CONTD)
Sir mee kantiki kanipinchindi edi
nijamkaddu sir...meeru vachche
daarilo...godalaki rangulu veesi,
veedulu anni subramugaa,
pavementlatho, drainage emo
sakramanga nadustuu...uuranta
subramgaa kanipinchuntundi..

CM
Aaa..avunu..

AKBAR
Kaadu sir, avanni paina paina
hangulu, kevalam meeru
vastunnaraniii...

AKBAR (CONTD)
sir, e roju varaku ye cm kuda ma
vooru raledu sir, mottamodati sari
miru vatcharu, meeto suitiga ga
matladdaniki ma jeevitam lo
vatchina voke voka avaksam sir idi,
anduke...

CM
Emi kaavalo cheppandi...

AKBAR
Ee uuri ni inko tajmahala cheyalani
evvaru koorukovatam ledu
sir...maaku kaavaaalsindi
samayaaniki neellu raavatam sir...
maa urilo pillalu tho saha nidralu
maani neelakoosam eduru
chootuntaaru sir...

Akbar is breaking down....there is silence in the air,

Lakshmi is looking at Akbar with intensity...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Sir manchi schoolu petandi sir..maa
pillalu Chaduvu kuntaru..aa chaduve
kada sir kulam kanna manavatvam
manchidi ani cheppdi..
 103.

AKBAR (CONTD)
Sir nenu ratrim pagalu...highwayla
paina auto tholutunnanu
sir...daanitho paatu b.com
chaduvutunnanu..endukante
deenikanna manchi jeetham
dorukutundemo ane aasha sir...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Ivvagalugutaara sir ...ikkada
unnavaariandarilo okkate sir...memu
kashtapadutunnamu ...daani taggate
phalitam aashistaamu...
Dayachesi maaku oo manchi
jeevithanni ichi maa aashalu
nilapettandi...

AKBAR (CONTD)
60 savatsaraalu gadichayi sir
manaki swatantram occhi, inka maa
urilo aadavallu chembu pattukoni
veltunnaru sir
roadlapakkaki...enduku sir...ee
memu meeru anukunnathaga kashta
padatleda andi..chappandi...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Evadiki kaavaali sir
tourism...avevo hyderabadlo
chesukondi...maaku peda kalalu ,
inka pedda korikalu dani kanna
pedda avasaraalu unnayi sir...

Silence, as Akbar struggles to get words out...we pan across

several silent faces, all looking at Akbar...Sondu gets
up....

SONDU
Akbar anna...zindabad

Pasha joins in a second...

PASHA
Akbar anna...zindabad...

The entire town gets on its feet....Lakshmi is the loudest...

CROWD
Akbar bhai Murdabad(add more -ve
dialogue from crowd)...
 104.

Babbar and Masterji get on their feet, rage and embaressment

in their eyes...The CM suddenly leaves being escorted by his
security. The CM convoy moves out of the town in a flash to
cries from the crowd...

FADE OUT;

41 EXT. PANCHAYAT OFFICE - NIGHT

Akbar is summoned by the panchayat. He is alone, standing in

front of 5 heads of the town, including a seething Masterji
and a fuming Babbar...Akbar has his head down...

(*include towns people and them asking him to get his bags
packing and out of the city, total desertation by the crowd)

MASTERJI
Entraa..matitappinda neeku..emi
cheesavu ivaala?

MASTERJI (CONTD)
naa peranta matti kalipaavu..adii
CM mundu...

MASTERJI (CONTD)
Asalu emi anukuntunnavu...

MASTERJI (CONTD)
hero...anukuntunnava

Babbar motions Masterji to quieten down...

BABBAR
Nuvvu reepu poddunakalla ee uuru
vadili veltunnavu...uurilo inka nee
avasaram evvariki ledu...ardam
ayyinda?

MASTERJI
Nee auto talanchetulu ekkada...

He walks upto Akbar and tears open his shirt pocket for the
keyes...and continues..

BABBAR
Ardam avutondaa leda...memu
cheppedi?

BABBAR (CONTD)
Repu podduna namaaztime ki nuvvu
oorulo kanipisthey, bokkalu erutha
 105.

BABBAR (CONTD)
Nuvvu mana matham vaadivi ani
Masterjitho
pradeyapaddite...ippatiki inka
bratukunnavu...

Akbar looks up...

BABBAR (CONTD)
Po bey po, brathuku raa, kaanie
devarakonda lo maathram kaadu.
Samajha kya

MASTERJI
Ee sangati ippude uuranta
teliyacheya padutundi...
Arey ernaakodaka..nuvvu chesina
paniki ivvala uuranta tala
dinchukovaalsi vachindi...
cha mana uuriki macha techchavu...

MASTERJI (CONTD)
ninnu chapakamunde...naa kantiki
kanipinchaku

Akbar leaves the office silently...

FADE OUT;

42 EXT. BY LANES OF DEVARAKONDA - NIGHT

We see Chinna driving Akbars auto, there is a loudspeaker

and microphone attached...a reluctant Chinna is doing his
job...

CHINNA
andaru vinandi..devarakonda pura
prajalaku prakatana..panchayati
peddala adesala prakaram, Mohd.
Akbar Kalam ane vyakti ,mana uuri
paruvu teesinanduku gaanu vooru
nundi
veliveyadamainadi..repatinunchi
atanu devarakonda lo kanipiste
panchayati ki
teliyacheyavalasindiga manavi
chestunnamahoooooooo

This message is repeated as the auto makes its way through

lane after lane.
 106.

A sleeping Lakshmi is woken by the message. Concern shows

across her face.

FADE OUT;

42A EXT. AKBARS HOUSE - NIGHT

Akbar standing on the hill listening to chinnas fading

voice. Bulb is flickering.

43A EXT. DEVARAKONDA FORT AKBARS HOUSE - MORNING

As the morning sun makes its way up, we see Lakshmi walking
in alone towards Akbars house. We notice that all his
belongings have been thrown out.. She sees him, standing by
the edge of the cliff overlooking the town...He hasnt
noticed her and seems to be in deep thought looking at the
town below...(*insert dream images from childhood right upto
adulthood when Akbars dad dies--uyyala,learning namaz, father
teaching kite flying, going to school, failing and being
beaten up, father teaching and frustrated at his non learning
aility, going to town on dads cycle (shld mom be non existent
always?), people saying salaam to dad and namaskars, Akbar
idolising dad---shld i repeat dad sequence earlier too as
line??), Akbars mom/dad good times kodak moment??--needs
work)

Lakshmi waits for him to turn, waits another moment and puts
her hand on his shoulders...he turns, surprised...(*Lakshmi
could bring avakai-perugu annam with her, asking him to eat
something...to be worked on)

AKBAR
Hey avakai..enti ila...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Emaindi...ikkademi chestunnavu...

LAKSHMI
Ade..nee gurunchi ratiranta
oodarakodutoone unnaru...

AKBAR
Avunu, ratripoota evvariki nidra
kooda lekunda chestunnaru..em
chesthaam

Akbar chuckles at his own joke...

 107.

LAKSHMI
Akbar...nuvvu ala yela
jaraganistunnavu...edo oka margam
untundi..vallu ninnu urinunchi
ellakodataaleru...edookati
cheyaali...pada manam velli
panchyat lo matladdaamu

Akbar is silent...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Aina vallu evvaru nee intinunchi
ninnu bayataki
gentadaaniki...vallaki aa hakku
ledu Akbar..nuvvu ala choostoo
uuruko koodadu...

AKBAR
Ledule..lakshmi..vallaki hakku
undi...

LAKSHMI
andenti ala antunnavu...

AKBAR
ee illu maa nanaki panchyat vallu
ichindi...okapputdu ee kotaki
aayane kaapalaa kaase
vaallu...aayana pooyaka vallu
nannu ikkade undanicharu...ikkade
putti perigaanu lakshmi...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Nenu nadipe auto kooda naasontham
kaadu...Masterji de...

Silence...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Assalu ikkada Naaku antu..emi leedu
lakshmi...zeero

LAKSHMI
Ledu Akbar adi nijam kaadu...ee uri
janamantha nee sontham ..valla
aashalu nee sontham...vaallu
pichollu... vaallaki emi
telusu..neelanti vaadi avasaram
undi ikkada...(ee uuriki neelanti
vaadi avasaram chaala undi)
 108.

AKBAR
ilanti neetulu... vinataaniki
baagane untaayi,kaani emi paniki
raavu...okavela ochina ...ippudaite
kaadu..ikkadaithe kaadu...

Lakshmi is frustrated not knowing what to say...when suddenly

Pasha and Sondu burst on the scene, panting from having
run...

43B AKBARS HOUSE - DAY

Pasha and Sondu are excited...

PASHA
Arey ekkada chachavuraa...uranta
vetukutunnamu neekosam

SONDU
nenepatinuncho cheptunnaraa...nuvvu
ikkade untaavani..manode...masjidlo
untaadu.. akkaduntaadu ani uuranta
tipputunnadu

AKBAR
Emaindi raa...enduku ala
arustunnaru...

SONDU
Entaa?...nee yenkamma tv choodaleda
be...nuvvu hero ayyipoyavu
raa..nuvvu pedda hero ayyipoyavu
mama...

AKBAR
Emi matladutunnavuraa...

PASHA
Maakemi paniledaa raa neeto jookulu
veyataaniki...raa raa..nenu
choopistaanu kinda choodu roadu
vaipu choodu emi kanipistondi,emi
kanipistondi...

AKBAR
Enti ...ekkada raa...

Sondu and Pasha are pointing out a path which can be seen
faintly from the mountain...Lakshmi is also looking on
eagerly...

We see a dozen trucks filled with sand and bricks making

their way into Devarakonda...
 109.

AKBAR (CONTD)
entra adi..emi jarugutundii...

Lakshmi is searching for an answer too...

SONDU
Nee yenkamma...mana rashtra
prabutvam digochindi raa CM gaadu
manchodu tagilaadu...vaadu 500
toilet laki...24 gantala neela
supplyki..cementu isaka pipulu
pampaadu raa...

SONDU (CONTD)
Atu chooda raa...atu choodu

Akbar cant believe what he is hearing, neither can an

ecstatic Lakshmi...they all hug each other...

(*as trucks move in, cut to reactions of Babbar,Masterji and

other registered people in panchayat, show graffiti images on
walls, as trucks mow past--expressionist/naxal statements----
like we demand from our leaders jaago india etc)

CUT TO;

44 DEVARAKONDA TOWN CENTRE - DAY.

As Akbar makes his way into the town centre along with his
friends, he is greeted by hordes of people. Someone lifts him
up in the air, the contractor trucks pass into the town with
cheers and hoots...people are yelling...

CROWD
Akbar bhai zindabad...zindabad...

The crowd lifts him and takes him to the panchayat

office...Masterji and Babbar are there, in the background we
see still more lorries roll in...

CROWD (CONTD)
Akbar..uuru vadili vellataaniki
veelu ledu...ee uurilone undaali...

CROWD (CONTD)
devarakondalone undaali...

The crowd is joyful, loud and vociferous...Masterji and

Babbar cant get any words in edgewise...

CROWD (CONTD)
Akbar auto ataniki ivvali..auto
ivvali ..auto ivvali...
 110.

CROWD (CONTD)
Akbar bhai
zindabad...zindabad..zindabad...

Masterji and Babbar have no option but to relent as the mass

of crowd has taken over the panchayat office..

BABBAR
sarey sarey oorukondi oorukondi
Akbar ekkadiki vellatledu...

There are cheers all around....Lakshmi looks up at Akbar and

he back at her...fighting back tears of joy...its time to
celebrate in this town...

45 SONG TWO

A CELEBRATION OF SUCCESS/DREAMS/CONVICTION

THE TOWN IS A RIOT OF COLOURS AND REVELRY. Akbar AND CO ARE

IN FULL SWING. CELEBRATION AND COLOUR ALL AROUND.

We see a lot of development work take place across the town.

Drains are built, bathrooms and water supply is taken care
off. Akbar and gang are supervising all of this...

Full on theen marr dances by Akbar and co.

Akbar also formally introduces his friends to Lakshmi. They

bond together and spend time in the town, buying her curries
etc.

Pashas wife in burkha and Lakshmi seem to hit it off well,

spending time buying bangles etc.

It is Idd and there are celebrations in the Muslim

neighbourhood. Lakshmi, Bujji and Kavita are part of the
festivities...

Lakshmi dresses up like a muslim girl, much to Akbars

amazement. She does an aadab to him...Sondu falls flat on the
ground...

Much to the mutual disgust of Babbar and Masterji who have to

reluctantly participate in the festivities...

In between all the celebratory activities, Lakhsmi takes time

out to coach Akbar for his exams.

We see Babbar checking out Lakshmi...its clear that he is

lusting for her...he tries every chance he gets to get her
attention...but she ignores him, much to his frustration...
 111.

Even Akbar notices Babars attempts, but subtly avoids Lakshmi

from getting into his hands...

We see Masterji drinking, watching Naya Daurs chariot race on

TV...something seems to be sparking his interest...

We see a shot of Lakshmi talking to her father on the phone,

who is in Polavaram...she is talking to him animatedly..

Mostly the song focuss on the mini transformation that

happens in the Orru..

THE SONG ENDS WITH Lakshmi CLEARLY FALLING FOR Akbar. BUT NOT
NECESSARILY VICE VERSA.

Auto stunts by akbar. Akbar feted like a hindu god.

Might establish that purushottams loans have come

through(add somewhere)

INTERMISSION

46 EXT. TEMPLE DEVARAKONDA TOWN - DAY

We watch Lakshmi from a distance. She is finishing a prayer

at the temple. Bujji is with her. There is a strong breeze.
Very few people are at the deserted temple. The temple itself
is very small,very sparse and minimalist. Lakshmis bright
magenta sari contrasts strongly against the barren brown
terrain. (Lakshmi is thinking about why she is fallingin love
with Akbar, all kinds of voices and questions in her head).

We see her walk out of the temple, offerings and prasadam in

a plastic cover. Bujji is holding her hand spinning a yo-yo
humming a tune...

We see Lakshmi a little more closely now, we see from her

expression that she seems deep in thought, contemplative.
Bujji is distracted, the background sounds are muted and we
watch her closely, Lakshmi is oblivious to the world around
her, she is almost trance like in her fixed gaze at the road
below...we can barely hear the background noises as she
enters the town...what can be heard are strains of music from
the celebration earlier...those sounds, unseen images for us,
but not for her head...

Suddenly there is a huge blast from a lorries horn..

LORRY
HOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNKKKK
 112.

Lakshmi is startled awake from her thoughts, she turns to see

that Bujji has run off across the road,the environment now
suddenly noisy and chaotic...

LAKSHMI (HYSTERICAL)
Bujji, ekkadikeltunnavu...edaina
bandi guddestundi ...assalu ittu
raa nuvvu...ekkadikeltunnavu
nuvvu...

Bujji is across the road already...

BUJJI (BACK TO HER)

Akbaranna ippude kanipinchadu akka
...naa bomma choopinchi ippude
vachestaanu akka...

LAKSHMI (IRRITATED)
raa ittu...pichchodila
parigettaku...

Lakshmi is after him, crossing the busy road, extremely

concerned...

We see Bujji make a left into a small lane, Lakshmi

immediately loose sight of him, she gets even more frantic
and tries to catch up with him...

CUT TO;

47 EXT. MASJID LANE - DAY

Lakshmi is in a Muslim neighbourhood. She is probably seeing

it for the time in Devarakonda. Her eyes go up at the
architecture, flags, urdu lettering, its a new world all of a
sudden. She sees that the lanes are virtually empty, save
for a few men wearing skull caps and children running around
merrily.

She is in an environment which isnt entirely comfortable for

her. We hear the muezzin call out for the prayer, we
understand that there is a masjid nearby and a prayer is in
progress, Lakshmi heads down the lane, cautiously...

LAKSHMI (MUTED)
Bujji..arrey ...ekkadunnavu
nuvvu...bujjiiii...
ittu raa raa vedava...
 113.

As she heads down the narrow lane, a grand masjid suddenly

appears to her left, showing bright as a pearl in the
sunlight, Lakshmi is drawn towards it...she nears its
walls...through the walls she sees a world that she has only
imagined thus far, there are groups of worshippers bowed down
in prayer...

At a far left, Lakshmi can see an emptier space. She sees

Akbar in prayer...in white kurta and pyjamas, in an attire
never seen before...and next to him Bujji, mimicking Akbars
every move, much to the boys delight...its apparent that even
Akbar is oblivious to Bujjis presence...

Lakshmi looks on transfixed...suddenly,

Babbar appears right in front of Lakshmis face...

BABBAR
Salaam walekum Madam...

Lakshmi is shocked and startled by his appearance, she is

desperately mumbling for words, staggering backwards, as
Babbar looms towards her..

BABBAR (CONTD)
Enti madam, lift kaavalaa...naa
bike ekkandi...intivaraku
dimpestaa...

He points at his enfield sparkling in the sun...Lakshmi

staggers back, looking her and there for help...

BABBAR (CONTD)
Kangaaru enduku madam...ikkada mee
meda evvadu kaanukooda
veeyaledu...nenu unnanu kada,
randi dimpestaanu...

LAKSHMI
Ledu. ledu...parvaaledu..

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Bujjiiii....!!!

Suddenly Bujji appears like the wind...

BUJJI (EXCITEDLY)
Akka,akka nenu kooda muslim aipotha
ippatinunchi..okka saari akka
please akka...muslim akka...

Lakshmi grabs his hand...

 114.

LAKSHMI (STERNLY)
Bujji... itturaa tikkaloda..intiki
pada chepataa..neeku undi ivvala...

...and they run out of the neighbourhood.Babbar looks on, his

face undecipherable, he turns back to see Akbar in the
masjid, finishing his prayer...

We close in on Babbars face...seething in anger..

CUT TO:

48 INT. BABBARS MECHANIC/MUTTON SHOP - DAY

We close in on huge pieces of mutton being chopped in a

frenzy. We pull back to see a banian clad Babbar, muscles
rippling through, slashing through bone and meat with a manic
intensity. Its obvious he is taking his rage out on the
meat...We can see Masterji in the background, smoking a
hookah..

Akbar walks into the shop, Babbar notices him, but still
keeps on cutting through the meat...Akbar watches silently
waiting to get a word in...the sound of the butcher knife
deafening on the wooden stump...

AKBAR
Salaam Walekum Bhai

Babbar stops his chopping...as we trolley with him, we see

him take a seat, Akbar follows him but keeps standing...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Babbar bhai.. Pilichaaranta

BABBAR (IN RAGE)

Bhai, evaduraa bhai neeku?
arey..bandhalu kalipithe chesina
tappu challu tundanukuntunnava...

Silence, As Akbar is watching Babbar...

BABBAR (CONTD)
emanukuntunnavu bee? hero ...aaaa?

AKBAR
emmaiyindi Babbar bhai..?
 115.

BABBAR
Emainda?..arey nuvvu naaku eppuduu
gauravam ivvaledu raa...poniley edo
manodivani vadilesaa...ee uuru ante
maryaada ledu neeku...mee nanna
meeda gauravam tho.. adi kooda
pakkanapettaa

Silence, as there is an air of expectancy, workers working

behind Babbar in the shop, stop to hear what he has to say...

BABBAR (CONTD)
Kaani mana matam raa..daanni nuvvu
kallathokkutunte...adi ela
baristaanu be..chattanaakodakaa...

Silence...

AKBAR
mana mataannii....emi
matladutunnaru Babbar
bhai? naaku ardam kaavatamledu..

Babbar stands up and rushes to meet Akbar face to face,

whispering in his ear...

BABBAR
Oka hindu aamayi venakaa padi
aameni, ame thammudini masjidki
teesukochi...emanukuntunnavu
raa...nee abba jaagir
anukuntunnava..?

Silence, as Akbar tries to understand him...

AKBAR
Nijanga meeru emantunnaro naaku
ardam kaavatledu...

BABBAR
eevatirra ee
lakshmi?..unchukunnada?...roju
ratri ame intikellostunnavaara...?

Akbar is in a rage, in a flash he takes Babbar by his

shoulders, getting ready to smash his fist across his
face...his hand is up! his teeth are clenched, his eyes are
flaming, his body shaking with fury...Akbar like we have
never seen before...

BABBAR (CONTD)
Cheyyi ettemundu aameni emi
cheyyagalugutaano okkasaari
aalochinchu...
 116.

Akbar lets go, slightly...

AKBAR
emi peekutaavu raa...aa emi
chestaavu..

BABBAR
Vaala ayya manaa muslimlani chaala
premistaadu anta kada?...bagane
santoshistaadle vaadi kooturu neeto
tho padukuntundani teluste...

Akbar looses it, he yells, but keeps his hands to himself...

AKBAR
nee amma....

BABBAR
Amma varaku
endukuleraaa..ayyavaruke
chaalle...naaku pooyedi emi
ledu..nashtam antha aalla ayyade...

Masterji snickers in the background, Akbar calms down a bit,

obviously thinking about Babbars comments...

AKBAR
emi kaaval be neeku? nee samasya
naato, magadivaite naatho pettuko
madyalo ammayini enduku
teesukostaavu yee...neelo magatanam
tagginda...

Babbar comes forward as if wanting to strike him..Masterji

from the back...

MASTERJI
aagu Babbar!...

BABBAR
nuvvu neeku ochina maryaada
renditini oori avatala issiri
padestaanu bey..

AKBAR
...nannu ee uurinunchi
issirestaava?... janalu
oorukuntaaru anukuntunnava?

Babbar starts pacing the room, we can see his gleaming silver
enfield in the background...
 117.

BABBAR
Aaah..akkaderaa ochina chikku
antha...uriki peda hero ayyi
koorchunnavu ...
kaani ninnu ooriniunchi elagaina
tarumuthanu choodu.

AKBAR
Cheyyi raa...cheyyi...emi
chesukuntaavu cheyyi...

Suddenly Masterji who has been quite all this comes up

ahead..

MASTERJI
mee iddariki nenu settlement
chestha

Silence,

MASTERJI (CONTD)
Auto nadipe teeta ekkuvundi kada
neeku..oka auto pandem eskondi
ra...

AKBAR (PERPLEXED)
pandemaa... auto tho
naa...picchiekkindaa meeku...pandem
deniki...

MASTERJI (EYES GLEAMING)

Mari vaadu vaalla nana tho
maatladathaanantunnaadu...oka vela
nuvvu gelisthey...memu
noorumoosukoni padi untaamu, adi
naa maata

Akbar is thinking..

MASTERJI (CONTD)
Kaani nuvvu odipothey nuvvu
norumuskuni ee ooru vadili
vellipovaali..enti
...oppukuntunnava?
 118.

Silence as Akbar thinks...angry at the predicament...he

closes his eyes thinking hard...images and sounds of
Lakhsmis father yelling at her come to his mind...images of
Lakshmis father beating her come to his head...Akbars heart
is beating...he can hear sounds of yelling and crying in his
head...he sees images of Lakshmi yelling at Akbar for
putting her in this situation...images of Masterji and Babbar
laughing, as a humiliated Lakshmis family walks out, bags
packed from the town...he has an image of himself beating the
shit our of Babbar...he opens his eyes...

AKBAR
Pandem ki ok, kaani nenu gelisthey
meeru panchayat ki rajinaama ichchi
shaashwatahamga ooru vadili
vellipovali. Inka masterji, mee
kinda autolanni maa sontham.
cheppandi, oppukuntaara!!?

MASTERJI
Enti masterji autolaa(improvise)

AKBAR
Enti dammu ledaa

BABBAR
Rei!! em vaagutunnavuraa...

MASTERJI (INTERRUPTING)
Hey babbar aagu. sarey Akbar, maaku
ok ra, chosukundamu

AKBAR
Emm..choosukundam...

He turns back once more pointing his finger at the door

AKBAR (STARING AT BABBAR) (CONTD)

Reii inko vishayam, idi mana madya
godava...lakshmi ni induloki
thechchaavo..

Silence..

AKBAR (CONTD)
Ikkada jarigina uppandam evaraina
thappithey, vaadiki maathram kukka
chaavu thappadu.

BABBAR
RRREEEEEYYYYYYYYYY!!
 119.

MASTERJI
Poraa, po

Babbar is seething in anger, his fists are

clenched...Masterji calms him by putting his hands on his
shoulders...he turns to one of his assistants,

MASTERJI (CONTD)
ooranta cheppandraa..

(*establish some sort of motivation/pre incident in

screenplay, where in auto racing established as a possibility
later on)

CUT TO;

49 INT DEVARAKONDA FORT AKBARS ROOM - NIGHT

We can see shilouttes of Akbar and co by the lit window...

SONDU
Auto pandemaa,piccha neeku

PASHA
pichooda, ninnu munchataaniki
valledo plan(padakam) esuntaaru
raa...

LAKSHMI
aina deniki aa chatta pandem...

AKBAR
Choodu naaku telisi vallani
panchyat nunchi bayataki
gentadaaniki idi okkate
margam..okevela nenu geliste aina
mana uuriki inka manchi
jarugutundemo...

LAKSHMI
asalu aalantolla maatalu ela
nammutunnavu Akbar?

AKBAR
Ledu lakshmi mundu vinnu...vallu
munde raajinaamalu raasi oka
coverlo peti ready ga
unchutaaru...nenu gelisanaventani
vaatini mana mla ki ichestaaru...

LAKSHMI
Aa inka nuvvu oodipothe..?
 120.

AKBAR
Emiledu...

LAKSHMI
...maa andaru chevilo puvvu emaina
kanipistunda...

Silence, as Sondu and Pasha dont speak, they already know...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
vallu ninnu ee oorinunchi
yellakodataaru...antekada..cha

Silence, the answer is clear...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
aina ilanti paniki raani
vishayaallo tala doorustaavu
enduku...asalu eemi ayyindi
neeku..pichchi pattinda ...ee
pandaalu avi kaasi...emi saadiddam
anukuntunnavu Akbar...hero avudamu
anukuntunava...?

Akbar is a little surprised with Lakshmis outburst...

AKBAR
Edainaa oori manchike kada
lakshmi..

LAKSHMI
Aa avunu..inka nee manchiki? Asalu
nee gurunchi eppudaina
alochinchava...malli emaina ante
adi chestaa idi chestaa nantaavu..
Nenu elaagaina B.Com pass avvali
lakshmi...gurtundaa...anni utti
maatalu...cha...

Sondu and Pasha look at each other, also surprised by

Lakshmis intensity...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
aina naa pichchi kaakapothe naa
panulanni vadilesi..nenu enduku
ikkada...maa nannani, bussiness ni,
aakariki hotelni kooda vadili ninnu
chadivinchalanukunnanu kada, baaga
aindi ley..tagina shaste
jarigindi...naaku jaragalsindele...

AKBAR
Kaani lakshmi...
 121.

Lakshmi storms out of the house, not allowing anyone to see

her breakdown...

Akbar, Pasha and Sondu just look at each other....

CUT TO;

50 DEVARAKONDA TOWN - SUNRISE

FADE IN

The sun rises in Devarakonda town. We see its still early,

very few people are out on the street. The town looks like a
cosy gaulish village, where everything is peaceful and happy,
very idyllic. Missing is the chaos. We see a few newly built
outdoor toilets. A tap of free flowing running water!

FADE OUT

FADE IN

And then we see a figure, its Chinna on a cycle. He has a

megaphone attached to it and he balances it with
difficulty...

CHINNA
Vinandi vinandi...,iroju
Aadivaaram, andaru intlo aa telugu
seriallu choodatam apesi... valla
atta mamalu, kodallato... mana kota
maidanamlo oka prayeka... kanu vinu
erugani oka vinta karyakramaaniki
haazaru
kaavalsindigaa...korutunnamahooo...

We see some people in the town get up, irritated at the early
morning announcement.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

We also see Lakshmis house, bathed in sunlight. We see

Lakshmi is lying on her bed, her eyes open, hearing Chinna
speak.

FADE OUT

FADE IN
 122.

We see, although not too clearly, someone messing with Akbars

auto. Something like a mini oxygen cylinder is being inserted
into the exhaust area.

FADE OUT

FADE IN

We see the fort above where Akbars room is. Its locked.

We see Akbar standing on the edge of the cliff, looking down

at his town. His face, expressionless/undecipherable. Even
from there we can faintly hear Chinna...

CUT TO;

51 EXT. DEVARAKONDA FORT MAIDAN RACE AREA - DAY

There is a carnival like atmosphere yet again. Albeit more

colorful and contrasty than ever before. People are colorful,
the grass is greener, the sky is bluer. (contrast to CM day
out-where everything must be more blendy)

We see two gleaming 7 seater autos, glistening in the

sunshine. People are looking at them in admiration, for a
town where the 7 seater is like furniture, this is a re-
discovery...little children are getting in and out of the
auto, Babbars henchmen shoo them away.

We see Akbar standing with Pasha, Akbar is looking for a face

in the crowd, he cant seem to find it.

We see Babbar standing with Masterji and co at another end.

Babars glistening Enfield still accompanying him.

We see Sondu with a mike in hand, addressing the public in

his typical style...

SONDU
Uri sodari..Oh ladies/gentlemens
inka panchayat
peddals...pratekanga nanu
abhimaaninche
ammayilandariki...namaskaaram...(ne
eds to be very funny)

Babbar and Masterji look up at him annoyed...

 123.

SONDU (CONTD)
Ikkadiki vichesinanduku
krutagnyatalu, devarakonda
charitralo likimpatagga eedu
seatarla auto pandaaniki gana
swagatam palukutuu ...maro saari
swagatam...

There is innocent eager applause from the assembled crowd. We

see Bujji along with Chinna, sitting on top of a rock
cheering away..

BUJJI AND CHINNA

Yeeee Akbar annna....

SONDU
Babbar gaaru Akbar gaaru meeku
telisinatte ilanti vinuuthana
karyakramamlo palugonenduku
opukunnaru...ilanti oppandaaniki
kaaranam, CM gaaru cheppinattu mana
urini oka mukya paryataka kshetram
gaa marche modadi prayatnam
..deeniki kaaranam aina mana uuri
panchayat ki okkasaari gaatiga
chapatluuu...

SONDU (CONTD)
Mana panchayat peddala chevulaki
vinapadela...inko saari.inka
gattigaa...

Applause...Masterji yells at him..

MASTERJI
nee vaagudu chaalu inka...staji
digu

SONDU
Agandi ..chivarisarigaa mukhya
vishayam..nenu cheppochedi emiti
ante...rajastanu lo onte pandem,
kerala vaasulaki boatu
pandem...mari mana devarukonda
vaasulaki...??

CROWD
mana goppa yedu seaterla auto
pandem...

Applause all around..

Akbar and Babbar look at each other, standing next to their

autos.
 124.

Pasha is joined by his wife in a burkha, he mistakenly puts

his arm around the wrong burkha clad woman..to get whacked
from behind by his real wife...we also see his daughter, who
is laughing at his predicament...

Akbar still cant find the face in his crowd. Babbar looks at
his associates, one of them gives a thums up expression.

We can still hear Sondu on the mike (Sondus dialogues need

to be ad-libbed during dub/shoot*)...Masterji is getting
irritated...

MASTERJI (WHISPERING IN HIS EAR)

Reyy, Sondu aapumannana...

SONDU
idi kala nijamaa ..ippude vachina
vaarta...Masterji gaaru ippude
eevandaaniki bahumati kooda
prakatinchaaru...Akbar geliste mana
Babbar gari sonta enfield bandi
Akbarke sontham

Babbar turns to look at Masterji surprised...Masterji

irritatingly shrugs his shoulders...Babbar looks up at Sondu
with hatred....Sondu sees that...

SONDU (CONTD)
Babbar bai..okkasaari andariki
chetulu uupu..nee goppadanam
gurunchi...andaru krutagnyatalu
cheptunnaru

He waves reluctantly, the crowd applauds...

SONDU (CONTD)
ee pandem nibandanalu chaala
suluvu... iddarideggara mapu
untundi...roaddu poduvunaa prati
kilometerki..pasupu jandaalu
yegutuntaayi... Vaati prakaaram
devarakonda paata uuru kotta uuru,
kachcha roadlu pakka roadlu
annitini daatukuntu chivariki
evaraite ee geetha
thokkutaado..vade pandaaniki
dora...
 125.

SONDU (CONTD)
Aithe sodara sodari
manulaara...roaddu Pakkana pillalu
janda vandanam chestunte
jaagratta...mana autolu vallani eki
tokkochu...anduke vaalni kottha
toiletlake pampandi uurini
subramugaa unchandi

Someone grabs the phone from Sondu...static noise, as Sondu

falls off comically...

Its race time...

52 MAIDAN RACE AREA - DAY

Akbar and Babbar get into their respective autos. Akbar gives
one last look at the crowd for her face...nothing. They look
at each other...and the little boy, standing innocently in
front of them, he is supposed to be the flag off guy,
except he has no flag...he is holding onto his shorts

Yet the entire crowd comes to a silent buzz, the auto engines
are humming, everyone is watching the kid....someone gives
him a lollipop...

Waiting, we see his hands get busy, Akbar and Babbar are
watching closely...And then his nada on his short gets loose
and his shorts coming falling down to his feet to reveal his
naked backside to the laughing town people...thats the flag
off...

The autos are off, the race is on.

53A THE RACE - DAY (THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE NEEDS CHOREOGRAPHY

AND EXTENSIVE STORY-BOARDING)

The race is on, Akbar races ahead, much to Sondu and Pashas
delight, Babbar has already lots of ground to cover. The
autos are surprisingly fast. They are stripped out to its
barest, with just the wire frames visible.

Akbar is leading the way from the fort maidan onto the town
by lanes. Chicken and goats run away in fear. Dust and other
debri scatter all over.

Babbar is the more aggressive and destructive of the two

drivers. We see he smashes his auto into all things possible,
from ramming into clothes lines and running over saplings and
flowers, Akbar on the other hand uses the turf like an
obstacle course, trying to cause as little damage as
possible..
 126.

From the lanes of the town our men are across the cheruvu, we
see there are a small hordes of people perched on hillocks
and rocks nearby cheering the squad. We see yellow flags
dotted everywhere, some kids are playing with it...

The autos very magnificently splash through the cheruvu, we

see Akbars face confident, Babbars face filled with hatred.

Chinna and Bujji are trying their best to follow on with the
action on a luna.

Akbar looks back , grinning to see the lead he has over

Babbar. He sees Babbar disappear behind the rear view
mirror, Akbar is alone momentarily.(*flashes of images when
Akbar momentarily thinks about what could happen to Lakshmi)

Suddenly he is joined by a grinning Babbar, they are neck to

neck, Babbar took a short cut off course...

Chinna and Bujji yell..

CHINNA AND BUJJI

mosam mosam!

Meanwhile the action continues as the autos leave the town to

enter the highway, here its neck to neck, Babbar is
increasingly violent, jamming his auto against Akbar any
opportunity he gets. Akbar tries to keep his cool and
concentration as Babbars aggro just keeps intensifying...

There is oncoming traffic, so this course is especially

dangerous. There are scattered village folk here and there
cheering, suddenly this course suddenly moves to the wheat
fields along side the highway, here its a hail of dust and
dirt as visibility is extremely difficult...

Suddenly Akbar realises that Babbar is not anywhere next to

him, one moment he was neck to neck or just behind and the
next moment he completely disappears...noticing that the
course flags are still visible ahead, Akbars sixth sense
makes him brake to a halt...

We see that the auto has braked just a few mms before a
huge ditch... at the bottom of the ditch is a sign that says
khuda hafiz Akbar.

Akbar face is a mixture of relief and anger. He gets back

into the auto and continues with the race. From the bushes we
see a frustrated Babbar appear, his plan A having not
worked...He pulls out a cell phone.

Babbar now appears in Akbars mirror..We see that Babbar is

trying to align his cell phone with Akbars auto.
 127.

We see a homing device below Akbars auto, its beeping, the

trigger is in Babbars hands. While the autos are making its
way through the course, its not easy for Babbar to align the
device properly, its keep moving out of range (this logic
needs to be worked on)

In a flash both the autos are back on the highway, its

downhill from here, the last leg before the final run through
the town and then the maidan.

Akbar is making it difficult for Babbar because he is

constantly moving in a zig zag pattern. Heavy traffic is
dangerously whizzing by.

Suddenly as Akbar is on a lone stretch of highway, its the

PUNJAB lorry headed straight for him. We cut to the Sardars
face in the lorry...

SARDAR
Mil gaya Andhra chicken curry...

Akbar knows that if he is wedged off the highway it will be

curtains for him, Babbar is gaining ground. He grips his
steering tight and heads on straight not wavering...we cut to
the truck driver...

SARDAR (CONTD)
Aaja aaaja...dekhoonga saaley...

The two vehicles are on a collision course..the huge truck is

headed straight to Akbar, Akbars eyes are fixated on the
truck, his glare and grip unwavering...they are coming in
together, a collision is evident...the truck driver face is
incredulous, he cant believe he is up for a challenge, he
grits his filthy teeth...

SARDAR (CONTD)
Jai Guru nanak,
kirpan...keerthan...

AKBAR
...Illallah..rasool allah...

The two machines are mms from colliding, we can see a

horrified Babbar right behind...he cant believe whats about
to happen...

The truck skids to the side at the last moment, brake and
veering offcourse, we cut to the Sardars face, agony and
defeat writ large...

SARDAR
Blooody fucckkkkkkk...
 128.

The truck careens offcourse from the highway and into a

ditch, Akbar is home free, Babbar who followed right behind
screeches and follows the truck into the ditch...VICTORY of a
different kind for Akbar...he is jubilant on the battle
won...

AKBAR
Yaaaahoooooooooo....

We cut to the ditch, the Sardar is in the auto and Babbar is

in the lorry, both looking at each other and cursing...Babbar
reaches for his cell phone, the range is still there, he
still has a chance of blasting Akbar to glory...we see Akbar
ahead in the distance on the highway....

He clicks the press button...

From a distance from atop the Sardars lorry, we see Akbars

auto go up in flames...We cut to Babbar grinning....

We cut to Chinna and Bujji following in a luna, they are

running parallel on the dirt road closer to the town, witness
to the horror...

We see the flaming auto continue out of control in the

distance....

We cut back to the maidan...A young urchin has arrived, he

yells to the public saying..

URCHIN
Chala pedda pramadam
ayyindi...Babbar auto guntalo
padindi..bagane unnadu...Akbar auto
matram mottam matallo undi...

The crowd is dumbstruck, we cut to Lakshmi...she is in the

crowd with her sister...her expression clearly of horror...

(*total grief and tragedy atmosphere, as we hover over the

accident area, filled with skid marks, burn outs and oil.
Total loomness...total assumption that Akbar is dead at this
point---work on scene description)

There is a numbness in the crowd, no one knowing what to do,

suddenly...

PASHA
Hey atu choodanadi..edo auto
kanipistundi...

Its Babbar, people can see him make his way into the town.
(From where the crowd is there is a vantage view)
 129.

Cut to the maidan, Babbars auto enters, its chugging and

coughing away, as it splutters, its in bad shape-the auto,
but Babbar is waving his hand out to the half cheering
crowd...there is no sign of Akbar...

Babbar is yards away from the finish line, Lakshmi and co are
horrified at whats happening, concern about Akbar on their
faces as they begin searching for him...

When suddenly, a soot smoke filled auto being pushed by Akbar

enters the frame....someone yells,

SOMEONE
Akbar bhaiiiiii......

All heads turn in his direction, everyone can make out a

black figure in the distance making its way up...Lakshmi
moves in for a closer look...

Sondu grips the mike hard...and resumes his running

commentary...He has a megaphone in hand, Chinna and Bujji are
behind him...

SONDU
Auto padem la modalaina mana
devarakonda pandem charitralo
parugula pandem ga
maripoyindi..mundu veelani
abhinandiddamu

Relief on Lakshmis face....

Babbars auto has come to a stop from the finish line, he

gets off trying to understand how it stopped. He turns to see
a black auto and an even Blacker Akbar push the auto past
him...

He is too stunned to move, in 48 frames we see Akbar go past

him and cross the finish line. Babbar falls down, not
believing his fate...

The crowd erupts...Akbar is a hero again...

They lift the soot filled Akbar on their shoulders...his

white grinning teeth visible...

Lakshmi has tears of laughter and relief...

Someone plays/radio--we are the champions...

(p.s Precise structure of scene,logic and drama to being

worked on)
 130.

54 THE MAIDAN - EVENING

Akbar and an upset Babbar are at the makeshift podium. The

crowd has gathered around them. Suddenly police sirens are
heard. Splitting the crowd through the middle the police
convoy comprising two highway patrol jeeps arrive at the
scene. The cops get off...We see that Chinna, Bujji and the
old bullock cart driver are with them...

POLICE OFFICER
Evarra Babbar ikkada...

All fingers point at him...

POLICE OFFICER (CONTD)

Constables, arest cheyyandi...

Babbar begins to protest...

BABBAR
Asalu emaindi... naaku eemi
teleedu...

The police officer gives a smack across his face...

POLICE OFFICER
Asalu highway police ante emi
anukuntunnavu..akkada auto
pelicheste naaku telidu
anukuntunnava...daani sakshyam ee
pillale kaadu...maa rakshak police
kooda anni choosaru...

BABBAR
Kaani ala kadandi...ee Akbar kooda

The constables push him into the vehicle. We see Masterji

seated there already, handcuffed...

BABBAR (CONTD)
enti mimmalni koodanaa...

MASTERJI
edava naaku call chesi Akbar
chachipoyadu ani analsina avasaram
emi vachindiraa..telivi leedu raa
neeku...

We see the police convoy move off, to a cheering

crowd...people begin dispersing...Only Akbar, Sondu, Pasha,
Chinna, Bujji and Lakshmi are remaining...
 131.

55 MAIDAN - EVENING

The gang is sitting on a rock...Akbar is looking at Lakshmi,

he is trying to clean himself up...most of the town crowd has
left the area...except for a few kids who are playing
cricket....

AKBAR
amma..policlu inta twaraga...asalu
ela...

SONDU
heloo..lakshmi daya valla vallaki
anta munde telusu

AKBAR
aavakai..?..nuvvu emi chesavu?

LAKSHMI
Emi ledu..edo oka godavaavutundi
anipinchindi, anduke ninna
medeggara nunchi tinnaga mana MLA
gaarini kalisaanu...manolley
kada..athaniki nee chettha pandem
gurinchi cheppaanu. Tharvatha
ayaney chooskunnaaru

Akbar looks at Sondu and Pasha...

AKBAR
Gaalinayallara ...Ee vishayam meeku
mundutinunche telusaabe..?

They nod a yes...

SONDU
Nee base lo bomb pedthaadani
theliedu ra baabu..nee luck ra
nuvvu cheruvu meeda vellaavu, adi
thussu mandi, nuvvu bussu avvaledu

Everyone starts laughing...

AKBAR
Ayyo..antha jarigindaa...

Sondu and Pasha leave the frame, Akbar looks at Lakshmi...

AKBAR (CUTE-MOCKINGLY) (CONTD)

abba thanks lakshmi..aina entha
mundu choopu neeku...chaala
telivaina daanive...
 132.

LAKSHMI
hello graduate
ikkada...marchipoyavaa

Akbar smiles embarrassedly...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
nuvvu ee race ki enduku oppukunnavo
telisindi..pasha Sondu mottham
chepparu...thanks kaani...nuvvu
inta risk tesukovatam adi
naakosam...

Akbar just shrugs his shoulders, not knowing what to

say...neither does Lakshmi as she feels suddenly
awkward...Lakshmi suddenly decides to change the mood.

We see Sondu bringing in the bike towards them...She looks at

Akbar and asks

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Ee bandi mallepalli elthunda?

AKBAR
Ofcourse madam

CUT TO;

Akbar and Lakshmi are on the bike. The rest of the gang cheer
on...

For the first time Akbar and Lakshmi look like a star couple.
Lakshmi is delighted to be sitting behind Akbar. Her hands on
his shoulders....

FADE OUT

56 SONG 3, LAKSHMIS SONG

Its evident Lakshmis completely in love with Akbar. While

she cannot muster the courage to express herself, Akbar
continues to be unaware of her feelings....or maybe he is
confused about his own feelings...

We start off with the entire gang, driving in the 7 seater

towards the city. We see a milestone reading Hyderabad
100km. Pasha with his burkha clad wife, Sondu alone, Akbar
and Lakshmi.(maybe Chinna, Bujji?)

The contrast from the clean highways to the rabid city roads
is evident. We begin with them being stuck in a massive
traffic jam. Irritated the rest of the gang leave to walk
ahead, while Akbar is stuck with Lakhshmi.
 133.

Golconda Fort, Charminar, Old City, Necklace Road, Tank Bund,

Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills etc. The gang visits Central
Mall, awed by it and everything they cannot afford; BIG CITY-
TOWN PEOPLE, aspirations, people look at them cus of their
unfashionable attire, so everyone hits the changing rooms
to look like the city chappies...social declassification
important theme/moment.

Lot of people watching..

The gang gets into an expensive chinese restaurant. All hell

and fun happens! (details later)

The next part of the song, lays emphasis on Lakshmis time

alone with Akbar. Without the rest of the gang, Akbar is
helping Lakshmi with the door to door avakai selling. They
also check retailers, hoping for a contract..

The city needs to look really evil when juxtaposed with these
guys.

A lot of self consciousness entering central mall. Sondu and

Pasha checking out all the high fashion girls, their eyes
rolling..

Akbar tries entering the CMs house, guards dont let him. He
tries to wave a hi from outside.

108 ambulances and political rallies everywhere.

Traffic constables telling them not to enter here and there.

Feeling conscious when they hear a young crowd laugh behind

them..

They look at the Gandhi and Budhaa statue. All couples Pasha-
wife, Sondu, Akbar-Lakshmi...

1111 Car drives in front. They know its Chiru. They get off
their auto and run after it. They bang the windows asking him
to roll it down for one glance...

Chiru rolls down his window...and god light flashes

out...Akbar, Sondu and Pasha are on their knees, feeling like
they are in gods presence...Sondu is emotional

Sharing beedis with street sellers, buying their wall star

paintings and other city memorabilia from street vendors..

Lakshmi spends time helping Akbar prepare for his exams.

There are moments when Akbar feels for her but disregards
it...
 134.

Time is also spent with Kavita and Bujji in Devarakonda. Lots

of shots of him dropping them off from town centre to
Mallepalli.

There is a shot of Akbar showing Lakshmi MARY JANEs card.

Akbar teaches Lakshmi to drive the seven seater.

The gang stands outside the examination centre. Akbar is

writing his exams again. We see him, feeling nervous as
usual, not able to write...

He comes out of the exams centre feeling very disappointed..

The song ends during Diwali festivities in Devarakonda

town...and old lady puts red bottu and on Akbars forehead,
Lakshmi smiles looking at him...(*we must establish pre-
diwali decoration work happening in the village)

There is an undefinable bond between Akbar and Lakshmi,

beyond mere friendship...

Etc etc.....

Song ends with Purushottam, Lakshmis father coming back from

Polavaram...

57 HIGHWAY TOWARDS DEVARAKONDA - EVENING

We see Purushottam, bags and other luggage material by his

side. He is waiting for an auto. He sees a seven seater pass
by, its empty.

PURUSHOTTAM
Hey auto...aagu.

The auto screeches to a halt. Its Akbar. Before Akbar can

react, Chinna has lifted Purushottams luggage and dumped it
in the back, Purushottam gets in the back, behind Akbar.

We see Akbar, he for some reason feels a little

uncomfortable.

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
Devarkonda velthundi kadha bandi?

AKBAR
Avunu sir, adey last stop..
 135.

PURUSHOTTAM
Hammaya, huff..aa polavaram nunchi
vachesariki ollanta
hoonamayindi..inti kelle sariki
inka enni tantaalu padaalsostundo.
haayiga snanam cheddaamantey neellu
kooda undavu..padahaaru gantalu
pattindi..

Akbar is listening on, not wanting to talk much...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
Hyderbanunchi inko moodu
gantalu...emi hitectoo
ento...narakam laa tayyaraindi ..aa
trasffikku adi...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
chacchananuko..mana devarakonda nee
better

AKBAR
Avunu Sir...

Suddenly Purushottam remembers this auto...

PURUSHOTTAM
Arrey, auto driver, nuvva,
gurthunda nenu ni auto lo mundu
koorchuna...

AKBAR
Aa...aa...avunnandi, avunu...

PURUSHOTTAM
Inka enti viseshalu...nuvvu edo IAS
exam rasthunavu anavu kadha?

AKBAR
Err, Bcom sir...

PURUSHOTTAM
Aaa...Bcom kuda manchi
de...tharvatha CA kosam try
cheyochu emo.

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
Ee rendu neelallo, enti emainaa
visheshaalu....Nenu Polavaram
koncham pani meeda vellaanu babu,
anthaa devudi daya tho baganey
ayyindi.
 136.

AKBAR
Peddha ga emi ledu sir, konni
toilets inka water connection pukka
chesaru, meeru intikelli haayiga
snanam kooda cheyyochchu. tharavata
mana panchayat lo iddaru panikirani
vaallu jail ki
vellaru..inka...antheynandi...

PURUSHOTTAM
Ammoo...ammoo...water connectionu,
toiletlu, panchayat vaallu jail
lo...abboo...devudu anta manchike
chesthaadu babu...

AKBAR
Avunandi devudu manchi kosame
chesthaadu...

PURUSHOTTAM
Inka emi ledu, naa kooturundi
gurtundaa... dani pelli
cheseste...nenu sukanga chachi
povacchu...

Akbar doesnt know how to react to that statment..

AKBAR
Chi chi...ademi matall andi...antha
baganey avuthundi...

We see the auto chugging along silently on the highway.

Chinna looks up to see Akbars face and then Purushottam. He
is a little confused by the conversation here...

Purushottam is looking for something in his bag....he finds

it...

PURUSHOTTAM
Idigo babu, Annavaram prasadam..

Purushottam has his hand out from the back...Akbar reaches

out with his left hand...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
Chi, edama cheyyi istaavu...(kudi
hand ivvu...)

Akbar turns back, to see Purushottam face to face for the

first time....His red bottu still prominent on his
forehead...

AKBAR
Thanks andi...
 137.

PURUSHOTTAM
Avunu babu, nenu chepanu kadha, na
kuthuru, Bcom hons, papam ippudu na
kosam hotel panulu
chusukuntundi...edaina doubts untey
intiki vasthoo undu...sarena

AKBAR
Sarey andi...

Akbar drops of Purushottam at his door step...at his door

step, Purushottam watches the auto leave..

PURUSHOTTAM (TO HIMSELF)

Papam, manchodu...kashtapadithey
paiki vasthadu...

As Purushottam enters the house, behind closed doors we hear

shrieks of joy from his daughters and Bujji...

CHILDREN
Nana.....Nana vachesaarruuu

FADE OUT

58 TOWN BY LANES - DIWALI NIGHT

Fire crackers, bombs and rockets burst into the night sky of
Devarakonda. We see the lanes are all brightly lit with lamps
and diyas. All houses are beautifully decorated.

Crowds are on the street, vishnu and bhoomi chakras,

sparklers all over..excited chatter, laughter everywhere..

We see Akbar with friends. They are having a good time

bursting crackers. Pasha taps Akbars shoulders, asking him
to look back...

He turns to see Lakshmi walking towards him, looking great in

a festive saree. Akbar looks on, transfixed. The world around
him has gone into low gear, all he can see is Lakshmi
approaching him...

Lakshmi snaps her fingers across his face...it shakes him to

reality..

AKBAR (SHYLY)
hey bagunnavu...ivvala.

LAKSHMI
(laughs) thanks. nuvvu kooda baaney
unnavuley...
 138.

Akbar looks at himself mockingly,

AKBAR
abba nenenti...pichodilaa
untaaanu..nuvvu matram addiraavu..
e deepavaliki deepalu akkarledu...

Akbar laughs at his joke, Lakshmi smiles...

LAKSHMI
hmm..aithe

AKBAR
Aithe...

They both seem lost for words, emotions and words not coming
easily suddenly...but Lakshmi decides to shake the mood..

LAKSHMI
repu results aa

AKBAR
ammo, gurtu cheyyaku

LAKSHMI
enduku! Anta baganey avutundile

AKBAR
lakshmi raasindi nenu, naaku
telusu..edo ala ala undi..naaku
telisi pootundi...

LAKSHMI
Oye ee saari neeku tuition ichindi
nenu...marchipoooku..

AKBAR
edo raasesaanu lakshmi...kaani ee
saari elagaina pass aipovaali
lakshmi...chaala avasaram...

LAKSHMI
tappakunda...adii first class lo...

AKBAR
Ledu lakshmi...naaku jeevithantham
auto naduputu undadam ishtam
ledu...naaku naa jeevithamlo
naakantu o job...career,life
chesukoovatam chala avasaram...

LAKSHMI
adi avutundi Akbar...
 139.

AKBAR
kaani mundu idi gattu ekkali...

LAKSHMI
idi kaakunda kooda jeevitham undi
Akbar...

AKBAR
naaku maatram ide lakshmi...nenu
MaryJaan ani american friend
cheppanu kada...

LAKSHMI (CANT HELP FEELING JEALOUS)

hmm..cheppavu..

AKBAR
ame tho matladanu ninna...ame kooda
ade aninidi ...degree aithe undaali
ani..ame Udyogam ivvalante..anduke
lakshmi idi chala avasaram...

LAKSHMI
oh aithe ...south africa
vellipothaava?

AKBAR
daani meedey kada naa
jeevithamantha aadharapadi undi..
nuvvemantaavu..

LAKSHMI
ante... south africa lone jeevitham
undatam gurunchi telidu...kaani
ikkada nee avasaram undi Akbar...

AKBAR
tokkalo avasaram..enti.. Rojoo
mallepalli mallepalli sagar sagar
ani aruthusthooney untanu

LAKSHMI
aputaava ...

Silence..

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
So south africa?

Akbar nods

AKBAR
Kaani nenu velley mundu nee kosam
okkati mathram chesi velthanu
 140.

LAKSHMI
entiadi?

AKBAR
(playing) nenu south africa velle
mundu cheyyalsindi...

LAKSHMI
Adey, enti?

At this point, Bujji is pestering Akbar...Akbar is looking at

Lakshmis face with some intensity and melancholy...

BUJJI
Anna....rocket kaaludam daa
anna..rocket kaluddamu...

AKBAR
hmmm..sarey aagu vastunnanu...

Akbar is being lead off by Bujji...Lakshmi wants him to

finish talking...

LAKSHMI
hey aagu ...edo cheptunnavu...
vellemundu enti???

Akbar is at a distance now...Bujji is pulling him away...He

looks back at her and yells back..

AKBAR

Lakshmi and we cant hear him...a huge bomb goes off and his
voice gets muted.

LAKSHMI (YELLING OUT)

Entii vinapadaleedu...Akbar
deggarikochicheppavaa...

This time she can hear him..

AKBAR
Mee Naana gari tho cheppi, oo
manchi kurradini chuusi deggarundi
pellichestaanu...mana urilo meeolla
karuvu emi ledulee...

That sounds like a huge explosion in Lakshmis

ears...uncontrollable tears just flow from her eyes..

FADE OUT;
 141.

59 HIGHWAY LINK ROAD TO CITY - EARLY MORNING

Akbar is alone at the bus stop on the highway. He seems to be

about to head for the city...We see Lakshmi running up to
join him, her eyes red from crying...

LAKSHMI
Entidhi, city ki velthunavvu, adhi
kuda marks results
kosam...cheppochhu kadha...

Lakshmi is out of breath...

AKBAR
ayyo intha poddunne enduku ibbandi
pettadam ani ante...

AKBAR (CONTD)
hey...nee kallu enti
erragaa..emaindi niddarapooledaa..

LAKSHMI
aa..podunne lechanu kada anduke...

LAKSHMI (CHANGING TOPIC) (CONTD)

okkadive veltavaa...nenu
raana..ante nannu rammante
vastanu...

AKBAR
vaddule, asale fail ayyanante
edustaanu..adi ammayi
mundu...vaddule vadileii...

Lakshmi smiles, Akbar seems nervous...

LAKSHMI
Sondu , pasha nanna teesukellochu
gaa..

AKBAR
vaalla edurugaa kooda edavatam
ishtam ledu..
(kooda chaala sarlu edchesaanu inka
avasaramledule)

LAKSHMI
edustaanu edustaanu..enti pichchaa
neeku..antha bagane
avutundi...naaku telusulada...pass
aipothavu Akbar..
 142.

AKBAR
naaku pass avalane undi
lakshmi...fail avutee..nannu
takkuvagaa anukoovu kadaa...

LAKSHMI
Chi adem prashna...

AKBAR
panikiraanodini ani anukovukada..

LAKSHMI
enti piccha?..nuvvu elaa unna
naakishtam akbar

Lakshmi catches herself saying that...Akbar catches it...

Lakshmi changes the mood...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
nuvvu emianukoonante...okati
typical hindu chestanu ok kada...

AKBAR
Haaa...

She takes out a thread from her bag...

LAKSHMI
Idi tirupati thread...neeku problem
leka pothey tie cheyyana? Koncham
manchi luck kosam...

AKBAR
ayyo adagaala...

Lakshmi ties the thread for him on his wrist...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Bagundi, friendship band la undi...

LAKSHMI
Avunu alagey...friendship band
ey..manchi kuda jaruguthundi..

Just then the city bus appears, the conductor whistling

frantically asking people to get in...

CONDUCTOR
Right...right...chalo chalo...

AKBAR
Sarle edokati avuthundile...chalo
bye...
 143.

LAKSHMI
Bye Akbar, best of luck...

Akbar nods, too nervous to say anything...the bus chugs

off...Leaving behind Lakshmi waving to him...Akbar looks out
the window waving back...

(*Akbar is troubled by Lakshmis imagery, he turns back from

his seat to see her still standing, imagery continues right
upto the time he goes to pick up his marks)

60 BUS AND CITY MONTAGE

Akbar is sitting in the back of the bus. Just him and his
thoughts for company. He looks at the passing scenery behind
him. Looks at happy people on the bus. Looks at the thread on
his wrist, smiling...

The bus enters the city. Akbar continues people watching.

Especially successful call centre youngsters everywhere, he
is watching them very closely. You sort of understand what he
is thinking.

He looks at happy families and people outside malls.

The bus drops him right outside his university building. The
tension is palpable. Akbar is extremely nervous as he gets
off. We can see lots of students rush in and out...

Akbar slowly makes his way into the college, heading towards
the notice board area, students are whizzing past him. He can
see a big herd of students all leaning/pushing to get to the
notices on the wall.

Akbar just stops in his stride...not able to take the

tension.

He moves to the lawn area, falls on his knees and does a

namaaz, his hands up, tirupati thread glistening in the
sunlight.

He then moves towards the notice board. Its impossible to

make your way through it. People are aggressively pushing and
shoving at each other.

Akbar very uncertainly makes his way through the crowd and
towards the notice board area...

He is awed by the sheer number of lists everywhere, he begins

by putting his finger on the first sheet and starts moving
his fingers across, slowly, people behind him keep pushing
and shoving, all trying to get their space in front...
 144.

Nothing behind him concerns Akbar anymore, he is running his

fingers, his eyes transfixed, his lips pursed...line after
line after line, he bends and keeps moving and moving to the
left as he finishes with one sheet after another...

Its not looking good, he is almost done, just a couple of

sheets more. He turns to look how many...

He takes a breath, people are pushing him against the wall,

his head hits the notice board. He takes a pause and closes
his eyes.

When he opens them...he can see Lakshmi written

everywhere...he blinks his eyes...continues running his
fingers down the sheet...

He can see only Lakshmis name printed everywhere...

He is on the last sheet, his fingers are running down the

sheet...

Finally he sees what he is looking for, the printed matter

on the sheet reads See I told you, you would Pass-Lakshmi.

In a flash that lettering changes to Mohd. Akbar Kalam-

2201977 PASS - FIRST CLASS.

This is the moment of truth, he turns back, the crowd has

disappeared, he can see only Lakshmi waiting for him...

We see an image of a makeshift bus station in the campus-

which appears along with Lakshmi waiting for him and then
disappears in a flash...

Tears roll down Akbars eyes...he mouths in silence...

AKBAR
Lakshmi...

61 SONG 4, AKBARS SONG

Akbar is running out of the campus, running like mad...auto

wallahs are yelling out for him, asking if he wants a ride...

He smiles and gets into one, sits like a king...he is headed

back home...to Devarakonda...to Lakshmi..he looks at his
wrist and kisses it...

Akbar can see Lakshmi everywhere, in city signs and shop

stores....traffic Lights say go, the cops say go get her

School children say go get her ....(concept needs to be

worked on)
 145.

Akbar gets on the bus to Devarakonda. He is standing at the

foot board, watching the scenery...moments spent with Lakshmi
keep coming back to him..all of them an affirmation of her
love for him...

He is looking out of the window, waiting for the last bus

stop to arrive...he finally reaches the stop. Its the same
spot from where he got on...

The bus leaves, leaving behind it a trail of red dust...

Music fades out...

62 HIGHWAY BUS STOP - EVENING

He turns around to see if anyone is there, as the dust

settles, he sees Lakshmi, waiting at the bus stand.

She looks up from her book to see him watching her. A smile
cuts across her face. Akbar is looking at her...fixed on his
ground, not knowing how to proceed...Lakshmi runs towards him
excitedly...shes watching Akbars face intently...

LAKSHMI
cheppaledaa...ninnu chooste
cheppochu..pass aipoyavukada...

Akbar is silent, Lakshmi gets concerned, Akbars face is writ

large with a conflict of emotions..

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
ayyavukadaa...

AKBAR
avunu lakshmi...pass
aipoyaanu(preferably convey without
dialogues)

Lakshmi jumps up, shouting in excitement...

LAKSHMI
Yeahhhh....

She begins crying, tears of joy running down her

face...kaajal is smearing her cheek

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Ayyo emaindi naaku..enduku
edustunnanu...chaa...

Lakshmi looks down embarrassed...

 146.

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
neno pichidaanni...nenu deyyamla
unnanani anukuntunnavu kada..

Akbar takes lifts her chin up....

AKBAR
enti piccha?..nuvvu elaa unna naaku
ishtam avakai

Lakshmi looks up, not believing what she just heard. Akbars
eyes are saying everything...

THEY HUG AND KISS EACH OTHER, ROUND TROLLEY, SUN SHOWING
THROUGH, BACKGROUND MUSIC.

THEY ARE FINALLY ONE.

Song 4 continues...

Among other montages, we also show that Purushottam is

opening up the Dabha, cleaning work is being done up in a run
down dhabha by the highway...

Akbar and Lakshmi steal moments from that activity

too...apart from stealing moments together in their
town...(needs more work)

There could be some near hit and misses with Purushottam for
the couple..

She could be almost living like a wife with Akbar in his

house...cooking rice and feeding him his avakai with her
hands...maybe almost making out, till Lakshmi says a firm
no...etc etc.

We see him tear up some South Africa documents, including

Mary Janes visiting card...they look at classifieds together
for job prospects etc...

FADE OUT;

63 AKBARS HOUSE VANTAGE POINT - EVENING

We see the couple sitting on a rock,they can see the entire

town below them, their hands across each other. Lakshmi has
her head on Akbars shoulders, looking very content and
peaceful. Same with Akbar. They are looking at the sunset. A
slight breeze in the air.(some possibility to add pre-
dialogue like kompatheesi nalugu sarlu pelli cheskovu kada,
nannu burkha lo daasipettukovu kada, naa peru lakshmi nunchi
saira bhanu ga maarchavu kada, mana intlo pooja sthalam
untundi kada)
 147.

LAKSHMI
Nanna yeppatiki oppukoru...

Silence,

AKBAR (FULLY RETRO FILMY TELUGU)

Ee ooru vaallu kuda anthey, me nana
garu kuda anthey..evaru mana
pelliki angeekarincharu lakshmi...

LAKSHMI
Pelli gurunchi evvaru annaru ippudu

AKBAR
Oh ok ok ok...Evvaru mannani
angeekarincharu lakshmi ..evvaru
mananni angeekarinchru lakshmi...

They laugh..Akbar stands up, while Lakshmi keeps sitting...

AKBAR (CONTINUES JOKING AROUND)

(CONTD)
Raa...Lakshmi..raa..manam
ikkadnunchi dookeddamu...mana prema
ni nilabettudaamu...

LAKSHMI
Antha scene enduku, nenu enduku
chavali...happy ga naaku oka
brahmala abbaini vethiki, pelli
cheyinchu...

Akbar has a mock heart attack...they laugh, and then sit back
together cosy in each others company...silence...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Nana assalu oppukoru Akbar...

Silence,

AKBAR
Avunu thelusu...

LAKSHMI
Avunu thelusu antey enti, em
cheddaamu cheppu?

Akbar shrugs his shoulders, acting like he doesnt care...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Chi adenti picchiga, edaina chepu..
 148.

AKBAR
arey aavakay...ekkuvachestunnavu,
love declare chesi vaaram kuda
kaaledu...

They laugh together...

LAKSHMI
nuvvu nee kullu jokulu..

They snicker and laugh...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Em cheddaam Akbar?

AKBAR
Choddaam le chooddaam...painodu
unnaadley...

LAKSHMI
Unnada? yedi Ok saari phone kalipi
ivvu, matladatha...

Akbar gets up and yells...

AKBAR (DRAMATICALLY)
Bhagavanthuda....allah...krishna,ra
ma avunu mee main god evaru? chala
mandi unnaru kadha, oka
sarey...evaru kaaliga ga untey
vaaru koncham kindaki osthara...
matladali..urgent..

Laughter... and then silence, mutual sighs...Lakshmi gets up

and places her hands across Akbars face...

LAKSHMI (CUTELY)
Arey bangaram, nuvvu brahmin abbai
la putti vundotchu kada..apuudu ye
ibbandi vundedi kadu

AKBAR
mari nuvvu voka manchi muslim
ammayi la puttundochu kada ra
aavakai..appudu kuda ye ibbandi
vundadu

Laughter..

LAKSHMI
Nee vaipu elanti ibbandulu
untaayi...mmee amma naanna kooda
leeru(pause)ayyo
ayyayyo....sorry..sorry Akbar.
 149.

AKBAR
Oh paraledu paraledu light...aina
painnunchi arusthunaremo...arrey
Akbar em chesavu...ammai tho
unnavu, adikuda na inti mundu...

Laughter...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Papam, nana...chala
manchodu...nuvvante chala ishtapade
vaadu...ante pelliki oppukuntado
ledu teliyadu anuko..

Silence...

LAKSHMI
Em cheddaamu Akbar?...

AKBAR
Oka muddu ivvu... koncham
alochinchataaniki burra
panicheyyali kada...

Laughter...

LAKSHMI
Chi po...

Laughter...silence...Akbar looks at Lakshmi seriously this

time...

AKBAR
Kaani...ippudu serious ga
aduguthunna...ok vela, mee nana
oppukokapothey...antey 99.9 percent
ade avuthundi, oppukokapothey...

LAKSHMI
Oppukokapothey?

AKBAR
Nuvvu naatho vatchesthaava...

Silence, Lakshmi is thinking about the question..

LAKSHMI (SERIOUS)
Naa vallani ni vadili raavatam
antha telika kaadu Akbar...

AKBAR
Ade le..hmmm
 150.

LAKSHMI
daani samadaanam nenu ivvalenemo..

AKBAR
ivvakarledu raa ...

Silence...

LAKSHMI
enduku ivvakarledu...

AKBAR
yendukante..ninnu nee chakkati
family nundi dooram cheyyalani ledu
laxmi..buji,kavita,mee
amma,nannamma..yenta manchollu..

LAKSHMI
Mari Maa nana?

AKBAR (LAUGHING)
Ayyayyo ... mee nana kuda...

Silence...

LAKSHMI
Em cheddaamu Akbar...naaku bayam ga
undi...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
nuvvu lekunda jeevitham
alochinchalenu

She begins sobbing...

AKBAR
Arrey edavaku raa...enduku ala
edustaavu...ooruko

In between sobs...

LAKSHMI
Naa kharma, nenu Muslim abbai
thoney premalo padaala...

Akbar laughs... Lakshmi continues sobbing...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Atleast edo Kamma, Kapu, Reddy
ayyuntey, nenu koncham dhairyanga
nana gari mundu..

She acts it out...

 151.

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Nana...nenu ee abbai tho premalo
paddaanu...mana kulam kaadu kaani,
telugu abbaaye nanna, koncham
adjust ayipodamu...

She laughs through her sobs...Akbars laughing too, but

emotional too...

AKBAR
Sigh...avunu, easy ga undedhi kadha
appudu...cha!...

She looks up...

LAKSHMI
Em cheddaam Akbar...

Silence...

AKBAR
vo pani chei nuvvu intikelli
budhist ga maripoya ani
cheppu..nenu kuda
maripota..saripothundi

Akbar suddenly thinks its a great idea...he gets up and

dramatically tells Lakshmi...

AKBAR (GIMME FIVE) (CONTD)

Em super idea
Lakshmi...yemanukuntunnav nenante..

Lakshmi gets up to give him a few punches...

LAKSHMI
Cha...asalu ninnu adagatam naadi
buddi takkuva....nuvvu okkasaarina
serious avvochukada...

Silence, she is a little angry...Akbar realises he cant joke

anymore...

AKBAR
Lakshmi...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Lakshmiii..arey avakai..(like itu
choodu)

She is cross..he takes her face in his hands...

 152.

AKBAR (CONTD)
nannu okkasaari aina..mee intiki
pilichaava?

She looks at him curiously...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Nannu ..naaa friends andarini
okasaari piluvu
bojanaaniki...ayanaki memu muslim
ani kooda teliyakkarledu...nannu
swayamgaa matladani...ayanni
edurugaa nilapadi adugutaa..nee
cheyyi naa chetlo
pettamani....vaddu Ani ela antaado
choodam?

AKBAR (CONTD)
nenu ninnu yenta premistunnano
cheptanu..ela puvvulo petti
choosukutano cheptanu..nato vunte
niku e ibbandi vundadu ani mi nanna
anukunentaga chepta..

Lakshmi looks up at him, happily...

LAKSHMI
nijangaa ala chestaava
Akbar...kaani naaku bhayam
vesthundi...

AKBAR
Bayam enduku aavakai...nenu unnanu
kadha....

They both smile and hug each other....

LAKSHMI
Hey..maa hotel vachche vaaram
modalapedutunnamu..ma vooru nundi
chuttalu kondaru..ikkada nannki
telisina vallu andaru
vastunnaru..chala ganamgaa
chestaamu..ade correct time nannani
kalavataaniki

AKBAR
Avunu...super...hey aavakai, aaroju
mutton biryani aithe untundi kada?

LAKSHMI
mutton endukuraa neeku nee aavakai
unnappudu...
 153.

She pulls out of the hug to punch him...we leave them on the
rock, the night now out in Devarakonda, stars shining...

We hear a smattering of dialogue from a distance...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Naa kosam nuvvu vegetarian avvavaa
Akbar?

AKBAR
Mari naaku ee aavakai eppudu
todugaa untundaa?

LAKSHMI
Eppudu thodugaane untundi...

AKBAR (FADING OUT)

Oo.nanna Oppukoka poyinaa...

LAKSHMI
Akbar ..odileyi ...cheppanu kada...

AKBAR
Sarey sarey.....

We leave the two loving couple behind, their silhouettes

shimmering against the full moonlight.

FADE OUT;

64 NEW HOTEL OPENING - HIGHWAY - DAY

Its the grand hotel opening day. We see a hotel, freshly

painted by the highway. Its a typical dhabha, but with an
Andhra touch, along with the katiyas we also see some make
shift kobbara chetlu, banana leaves and bandipullu waiting in
storage in big baskets. The scene is like a typical Andhra
house warming ceremony. We see loads and loads of relatives
running up and down helping with set up activities...barking
instructions at each other, excitement and tension filled.

We see a cow along with its calf parked at the centre. The
cow is happily chewing on all the decorations, Bujji is
feeding it cheerfully..

Devotional music is playing on some speakers...kids

everywhere...women in brightly coloured pattucheera
everywhere...

We see the backyard of the dhabha is like a typical Andhra

back yard. Large untensils and pots are being put on fire,
cooks are toiling away mixing ingredients...
 154.

We see Purushottam, in between inviting guests he is also

running around the kitchen barking instructions at the cooks,
we also see Lakshmi and the rest of the family in the
background cooking and cutting vegetables. Lakshmi is also
supervising the cooking along with her father...

PURUSHOTTAM
Arey sambar lo uppu chala thakkuva
undi...Lakshmi koncham choodu...

Lakshmi comes forward to check the taste...

LAKSHMI
Aunu naana chala thakkuva ga
undi...inka koncham veddaamu...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Arrey Kavita aa uppu packet koncham
patrra...

Kavita looks like she is getting bored cutting up vegetables,

Nainamma is eating some gajar in a corner, Amma is
supervising the serving material...

KAVITA
Akka...idigo uppu..
akka sweetu em chesthunnaamu?

LAKSHMI
Payasam...

KAVITA
Chi...edaina ice cream with
chocolate syrup cheyochu kadha...

Lakshmi gives Kavita an irritated look, we see Purushottam go

to the backyard, supervising some last minute construction
work...he is yelling at them...

PURUSHOTTAM
meeku varam rojula mundu cheppanu
poyyi ready cheyyamani..e roje
opening ina meeru ready
cheyyaledu..ina inka
yentasepavutundi..time ki istara..

LABOURER
Em chesthaam sir, meeremo paisalu
emo aakari nimisham varaku aapi
pedataaru...panemo jaldi
kaavaalantaru...

Purushottam is too mad to continue talking...he moves away...

 155.

Meanwhile Kavita catches hold of Bujji..

KAVITA
arey pilla dayyam entra adi..papam
aa avuki puvvulu
thinipistunnavu...ittraa...

BUJJI
Nuvvu noru muyyi, aa dooda taage
paalu koncham teeyaga
avutaayi..neeku ardham kaadu...

Kavita hits her head and pulls her brother away from the
cow...

Nainamma, eating gajar is meanwhile supervising the painting

work outside...she is lecturing the painters..

NAINAMMA
arey yedavalla ra..e dikku malina
telugu yekkada nerchukunnarra..

PAINTER
Emaindi ammagaaru..

NAINAMMA
Adi maa rasava, lekapothey ya
na?

PAINTER (CAUTIOUSLY)
Emani undali andi?

NAINAMMA
Ma ani undaali!...

PAINTER
mari memu raasindi ade kadamma...

NAINAMMA
Aa..edookati edavandi...

Nainamma looks at the painter suspiciously...

Purushottam is walking to the edge of the road, taking a

break from all the hectic activity, he pulls out a beedi from
his pocket and lights it, while doing so he notices his son
Bujji, he is bending down and greeting some of the other
children, saying...

BUJJI
Aadab..salaam walekum...
 156.

Purushottam finds it curious but Lakshmi joins him, the both

turn to look at their hotel..The board of the hotel comes up,
its reads... MAA OORU HOTEL

For Purushottam its a proud moment. His eyes well with tears,
Lakshmi looks at him, giving him a hug...

We see Kavita running towards them...

KAVITA (SHRIEKING)
Nana, nana...kitchen lo pedda Balli
undi nana...

Bujji is after her, holding something in his hand...

BUJJI
kangaaru padaku Akka, nenu deenni
penchukuntaanu le...idi manathoney
untundi..choodu enta muddugaa
undo...idigo shake hand ivvu..

Kavita shrieks...

KAVITA
Aarrggghhhh...padeyyi danni...naa
deggara teesuku raaku..choodu
cheptunna...aaarrrghh

She runs away from him...Purushottam and Lakshmi laugh...

PURUSHOTTAM
akhariki devudu manalni challa ga
choosadamma..anni sakramamga
jarugutunnai..polavaramlo antaa
pooyaka malli ila hotel
pettagalugutaanani
anukoledu..bagavantudaa..malli
elanti avantraalu raakunda
choodu...

Lakshmi is thinking about what her dad said, obviously the

subject of Akbar very current in her mind...

LAKSHMI
ippudu aa vishayaalu enduku
nanna..antha baagane jarugutondi
kada...

PURUSHOTTAM
mana tala raata ela raasundo manaki
teleedu kadamma...ippatikaithey ee
hotel kattesamu...repu edaina
avvochhu...nenu inka entha kalam
untaanamma?
 157.

LAKSHMI
uuruko nana...enti ee picchi
maatalu...

PURUSHOTTAM
pitchi matalu kadey..kuturiki pelli
chesina taruvate tandriga na
badhyata teerinatley

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
Inka taruvaata, nee pelli
cheseydaaka naaku santhrupthi ga
undadu...

LAKSHMI
Nuvvu naa gurinchi enduku kangaaru
paduthunavvu nana...

Purushottam changes the mood...

PURUSHOTTAM
avunu..manaki sahayam cheyyadaniki
yevaro ne snehitulu ne pilitcha
annav..yekkadunnaru..vatchara?

LAKSHMI
Ippatike raavalsindi...darilo
unduntaaru...

Her eyes search the empty highway....

CUT TO;

65 EXT LAKSHMIS HOTEL HIGHWAY ROAD - EVENING

We see a seven seater come a to screeching halt on the side

of the highway...

One of the relatives at the door announces...

RELATIVE 1
Purushottam garu, meeru evaraina
factionistulani pilichaara?

Lakshmi and Purushottam rush to the door...

We see Akbar, Sondu and Pasha get out of the auto. Each one
of them looking like Rajnikanth in Muthu, white kurta,
white dhoti and sunglasses on Pasha and Sondu. Akbar looks
smashing...they walk towards us in 48frames.
 158.

We see Lakshmi wide eyed and impressed, Kavita peeps in

looking excited, Bujjis is reminded by Lakshmi to keep his
mouth shut...

The dhothi clad trio approaches the hotel....

A busy Purushottam and his wife also turn to see the new
guests...

Nainamma stops eating her gajar as she watches with

curiosity...

66 LAKSHMIS HOTEL - EVENING

Lakshmi introduces the trio to her father..

LAKSHMI
nanna nenu cheppa kada na friends
ani..ville..e rojanta manaki help
chestaru..vaddinchadam daggara
nundi alankarinchey varaku anni
valle choosukuntaru

Purushottams eyes go to Akbar right away..

PURUSHOTTAM
Meeru...mimmalni?

No one wants to reveal names here, we flash cut to Bujji who

is in on this, watching them curiously...

AKBAR
Auto andi, gurthundi kadha...

Purushottam smiles in re-collection,

PURUSHOTTAM
Oo avunu..gurtochindi
gurtochindi......

LAKSHMI
itanu voka roju vatchi b.com lo
konni lessons gurinchi adigaru
nannanaku vilainappudu ataniki
help chesedanni

Purushottam looks at his daughter lost for a second, and then

he remembers having made that offer himself..he smiles at the
recollection...

PURUSHOTTAM
Santhosham babu...mee peru...
 159.

Now this is a moment, its obvious that none really want to

mislead anymore at this point and as they are about to
answer...

A big party of relatives and friends get off a mini van

outside, their boisterousness getting Purushottam
distracted...they call out to him...

REALTIVE 2
Namaskaaram Purushottam garu

RELATIVE 3
Puja prarambam ayyinda?

Lakshmi uses this opportunity to get the trio out of there

and into another nook in the hotel...

67 INT LAKSHMIS HOTEL KITCHEN - EVENING

There is a lot of cooking activity in the kitchen, we can see

firewood, fire, smoke, spices and big cauldrons and cooks in
their banians working on with big spoons...

Lakshmi is with the Akbar, Pasha and Sondu are at a distance

checking on the food already...

LAKSHMI
uff..nannu mi perlu adiginapudu yem
cheyyalo ardham kaledu..kallu
chetulu adaledu..asalu..

AKBAR (LAUGHING)
naa paristiti kooda anthe...nenu me
nanna perulu adugutaarani assalu
oohinchaledu

LAKSHMI
chi navvu aapu asale tension ga
undi...sarey emi cheyyalo
alochinchavu kada...

All this while Sondu and Pasha are looking at the couple
closely...as Lakshmi and Akbar continue talking in the
background...

SONDU
rey..mundu vantagadi lo vunna
kattulanni datcheyyali ra

PASHA
Sarey baava...next?
 160.

SONDU
redy ga ambulance ni pilichi
vunchite better..

PASHA
Sarey nextu.....

SONDU
Vaadunnaadu choodu

He is pointing to Bujji, who is doing walekum assalam to

every one of the guests...

SONDU (CONTD)
Vaadini koncham control lo
pettaali...choclatlu ready ga
unnaya..

PASHA
unnayi bawa...

Lakshmi gestures to Sondu and Pasha to come over...

LAKSHMI
Arrey akkadiki ellipoyaru
iddaru?..ikkadiki randi

SONDU
yem ledu..e akhari kshanalani
miriddaru prashantam ga gadapalani
memala pakkaki vellamanthey

LAKSHMI
ayyoo ala jokuleyyoddu..yem
cheyyalo Akbar ki telusu..meeru
panulanni chesi nanna daggara
manchollanipinchukondi..sare nenu
vellali..bank manager taruvata mla
kuda vastunnaru..nenu nannato
vundali..ayanaki avasaram
vuntundi..

Sondu and Pasha, salute Lakshmi..

SONDU/PASHA
Lakshmi akka...zindabad....

They laugh, but Lakshmi splits from the scene...Sondu and

Pasha look at Akbar..

SONDU/PASHA (CONTD)
ippudentra...
 161.

AKBAR
arey pani cheyyandra...koncham
manchollu anipinchukondra
ivalainaa...

CUT TO;

68 INT LAKSHMIS HOTEL - EVENING

Musical Montage:

Our trio get to work. From helping with the last minute
painting job to getting some more spices and other
ingredients from the market.

From cleaning the hotel to supervising all the last minute

labour work.

Basically Akbar and co. give an initially reluctant

Purushottam enough confidence to let them take charge while
he takes care of the guests.

As the evening draws to a close, the electrical work needs to

be done, Akbar is in charge of all the lighting and wiring
work, there is chaos and tension as Purushottam and family
are hoping for a good turn out on opening day...

We see Akbar on the highway putting up a sign that says MAA

OORU HOTEL 1 km ahead....meanwhile there is also supervision
to be done at the kitchen...

Akbar helps Lakshmi with all the preparations as best he can,

their chemistry not yet obvious to others around them...they
steal every quiet moment they can get together.

Kavita is running after Bujji all the time. Amma, seems to be

getting very impressed with Akbar.

But Nainamma is suspicious of him and his friends and is not

finding it very easy to get along.

A puja begins where everyone participates. Akbar is also

asked to break a coconut. Kavita is also impressed with him,
when he begins scaring out all the ballis from the
backyard..

The incorrigible Sondu, finds time to steal a quick drink,

while Pasha finds himself bullied by Kavita into some heavy
labour intensive work...

Purushottam takes a break, looks for a match to light his

beedi, Akbar offers him a light...
 162.

Its 7pm, Akbar is having a tough time fixing the lights, the
current doesnt seem to be coming through. There is darkness
in the hotel. Akbar is hard at work, everyone is praying he
makes the connections work...

Finally all the lights come to life, cheers everywhere,

serial lights outside, all kinds of special decorative
lights, the hotel is like a brightly lit oasis in the middle
of the dark highway.

The tables and chairs are all set...now everyone is waiting

for the customers...

Things quieten down...music fades, we hear crickets and some

random vehicles on the highway...but no customers....

Music fades out

DISSOLVE TO:

69 LAKSHMIS HOTEL HIGHWAY - NIGHT

Lakshmis entire family is at the door waiting for someone to

turn in....

Silence as no one speaks....vehicle After vehicle just zoom

by not stopping...

Everyone is literally out of the door looking into the empty

dark highway...hoping for someone to stop....

Sondu tries bullying a motorist to stop...Purushottam and

Akbar wont have any of that and let the poor motorist go....

The family begins to get worried now, everything is still and

no one is speaking, the cooks in the kitchen are taking a
break.

Purushottam finally speaks..

PURUSHOTTAM
sarle..yem kadu..mana cheyyalsindi
manam chesam..ina modati roje kada
yevarostaruandulo manam anta
adrushtavantulamu kadu...manaki a
sentiment lu enduku ...chooddaam
repu elaago undikada.

We see Akbar is on the highway, willing in his head for

someone to stop...Akbar turns to look at the family waiting
by the entrance...he turns to walk back to them when suddenly
a volvo zooms by the road, but comes to a screeching halt off
screen...
 163.

As we hear it reverse, everyone turns to look...the volvo

backs its way into the hotel...it has dark windows, so no one
can tell how many people are inside...

NAINAMMA
Yemundi..driver cleaner okkalle
vachuntaaru...bagane undi modati
beram...

The driver gets out and talks to Akbar...

DRIVER
bojanam unda andi..

AKBAR
ayyo undandi..randi randi
padandi...

Everyone just expects his cleaner to follow, but in a moment

the entire bus empties itself with like fifty people...

The family and Akbar cant believe his eyes...the first

customers are in...

Music sets in..

PURUSHOTTAM (YELLING OUT)

sardhandi..tables anni
sardhandi..vaddinche vallu
vunnara..a..miru velli vallakem
kavalo choodandi..yevaru ibbandi
padakundaduvantagadi lo poyyi
veligincha mani cheppu

Akbar walks beside an excited Purushottam who puts a hand on

his shoulders and says...

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
Babu, bagundi..bagundi...chaala
baaga chesaaru

Akbar is touched...its dinner time at the hotel...

As the night progresses, we see Truck after truck, volvo

after volvo stopping by and folks getting out and eating...

Its way more than anyone could have hoped for...their food
is also a hit with lots of satisfied customers.

Akbar throughout plays the role of main steward, much to

Purushottams delight as he mans the cashiers desk, money is
just flowing in...
 164.

In between all this chaos and happiness, lots of glances and

moments are stolen by Akbar and Lakshmi..

Its almost closing time, the last of the customers are

leaving...

The lights outside are coming off, the kitchen is closing

down..the workers are leaving, Sondu and Pasha leave as Akbar
decides to stay on to help with all the winding up work...

SONDU
Sarey Akbar, memu vellali, repu
koncham pedda berame
tagilindi,mallepallilo saamanlu
dinchali, nuvvu auto gurunchi
kangaaru padaku..memu aa lory ekki
veltaamu...

PASHA (TO AKBAR)

jaagartha raa..kangaaru padavu kada

The duo hug Akbar...and move on...

Tables and chairs are being put back together...some light

dusting is going on...The katiyas are being put up in the
back yard as the family slowly begins to unwind...

The hotel finally shuts shop for the night.

(A confrontation between a released on bail Babbar and Sondu,

leading into a violent fight, where he stops Babbar from
reaching Akbar is a possibility-juxtaposed with the silent
goings on in the dhabha, but am not convinced of its need in
the screenplay yet*)

DISSOLVE TO;

70 HOTEL HIGHWAY - MID NIGHT

People are beginning to unwind, Nainamma is asleep on a cot,

Kavita has made herself comfortable on another cot, she is
reading a book. Amma, is also preparing her bed. They are all
sleeping out in the open. Purushottam is speaking to his wife
about the day so far...we can hear them chatter in the
background as Lakshmi comes upto Akbar, who is standing at
the balcony, putting the last of the chairs into the hotel..

LAKSHMI
Hi...

AKBAR
Oh, anta bagane kada?
 165.

LAKSHMI
hmm..alispooyanu...nuvvu baaga
alisipoyuntaavu kada

AKBAR
hmm parvaaledu..

LAKSHMI
enti veltaava ippudu?

AKBAR
ante nanna gaaritho matlaadali
anukunnanu...kaani..

They look back and see Purushottam is making himself

comfortable on a makeshift cot in the backyard...we hear him
yawn in the semi darkness...we see from their POV the family
all settled down in the darkness...

PURUSHOTTAM
Oh shiva shiva shiva....modati roju
chaala adbutamugaa nadipinchaavu
swaami....(he says a prayer lying
down)

AMMA
Kavita...aa lightlu inka enta sepu
yesiunchutaave?

KAVITA
aagamma, 10 nimishaalu..

We focus back to Lakshmi and Akbar...smiling...

AKBAR
ante ippudu saraina time kaademo
kada..

LAKSHMI
nannagaariki chaala nachchiatunnavu
Akbar

AKBAR
nijangaana?

LAKSHMI
naaku telusu kada maa nannagaari
gurunchi..

Just then we hear Purushottam speak...

 166.

PURUSHOTTAM
Amma,a abbayyini ikkade padukommani
cheppu...inta ratri vellatam
manchidi kaadu..enti babu
vintunavaa...

Akbar looks at Lakshmi, clearly uncomfortable with the

idea...he speaks out from his position to Purushottam...

AKBAR
parvaaledandi...veltaanu...

PURUSHOTTAM
Ledu ledu, nuvvu undalsinde,
choodakkada mancham vesundi,
podunne coffee taagi velduu
gaani...padandi..andaru padukondi
inkaa...

Akbar looks at Lakshmi, she shrugs her shoulders...

LAKSHMI
padukoovachugaa..nashtamemi
undi...repu coffe taagutuu
matladochemoo...

AKBAR
Ippudu Naaku bhayam esthundi...

Lakshmi giggles..

LAKSHMI
abba,, mari chinnapillodilaa
matladaku...

We see Lakshmi get the cot and sheets ready for him, his area
is a little away from the rest of the family, Akbar makes his
bed by the cow and her calf...while Lakshmi takes a cot right
between her father and mother...

DISSOLVE TO:

71 LAKSHMIS HOTEL - NIGHT

Time lapse, night sights and sounds of the now sleeping

highway hotel...

In the darkness as the cow and her calf chew on some grass,
we see our man Akbar lying on the cot, his eyes open, but
sleepy...looking at the stars...
 167.

AKBAR
Allah, repu emi jariginaa ee
kutumbam naa valle vidipovakundaa
choodu..nenu inka emi kooranu,
naaku baada kaliginaa parvaaleedu,
lakshmi bagunte chaalu,

Just then a shooting star shoots across the sky...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Ledu ledu..ala kaadu devuda, valla
nanna angeekaaramtho maa pelli
jarigelaaga kooda cheyyochukada.
Nenu non-veg tinatam maanestaanu,
maa pillalu kooda valla ishtamaina
matham lo untaaru, memante hindu-
muslim la undalsinde, pillalaina
nijamaina hindu-muslim bhai bhai ga
untaaru

We see Akbar is actually falling asleep as he is

speaking...unknown to him, Lakshmi is nearby with a glass off
water....she comes up to his cheek and gives him a kiss...a
tear falling from her eye and disappears into the darkness to
her bed...

We cut back to Akbar who opens his eyes drowsily, rubbing his
cheek...

AKBAR (CONTD)
entiraa baabu...varsham ippuda

He looks up at the skies....and gives a mighty big yawn...

AKBAR (CONTD)
Devuda...shiva shiva shiva...

Time lapse as more sights and sounds of the sleeping family

and hotel.(*Akbars watches Lakshmis sleep--fantasy sequence)

Bujji is fast asleep, hugging his Kavita akka tight,

Nainamma, is snoring, while Amma is sleeping with a smile on
her lips, giggling at a dream...

Purushottam wakes up suddenly, with a fit of coughs, he

clears his throat and drinks up all of the water which is by
Lakshmis side...he smiles fondly at Lakshmi who is fast
asleep, as he finishes his glass of water...

He lies down, when he suddenly hears a sound...its Lakshmi,

speaking in her sleep...at first its some incoherent murmurs,
but then...
 168.

LAKSHMI
nana..inni rojulu meeku
cheppananduku sorry nanna...nenu
atanni
premisunnanu...pellichesukuntaanu..
..mimmalni adagataanike Bayangaa
undi...

Purushottam is wide awake looking at his daughter...he is

waiting for her to speak again...

LAKSHMI (CONTD)
Nijangaa manchoodu...nana...neeku
nachutaadu...ammaki nachchutaadu
...mana modadi booni atani
moolaane...atanu naaku kaavali
nana...chaala manchoodu...

Lakshmi turns to her side and quietens in her

sleep...Purushottam is touched and perplexed by the
situation....he looks to his side to see a sleeping Akbar in
the distance...he looks back at his daughter, his eyes well
with tears....he falls back to his cot, his eyes brimming
with tears...he looks up at the sky...and whispers..

PURUSHOTTAM
Devuda, naa Lakshmi evarnaina
premiste vaadu nijangaane
bangaaram...vallidarini
ashirvadinchu..

DISSOLVE TO:

72 HOTEL HIGHWAY - EARLY MORNING

The morning sun shows through the highway stretch. The wheat
fields by the hotel are a golden brown, ready for harvest.
The sky is a riot of mood oranges...there is a light mist
hanging in the air...

We see the hotel, it looks content and happy. We see the

family, everyone now cooped up in blankets because of the
night chill, there is also the remnants of a bonfire..

(*Lakhsmis fantasy as she goes to fetch water in her bottle.

She watches him sleeping--and runs back later to cover
herself in a blanket--needs to be worked on)

Purushottam is the first to wake up....stretching he first

looks at his daughters face, and then at the rest of the
family all still purring away in their sleep...
 169.

He gets up from his cot, making sure not to waken anyone and
tip toes to the front yard, towards a sleeping Akbar...

He tip toes, not wanting to wake him up...He comes up close

to have a closer look at his face...we see Akbar, all cooped
up, knees to his chest, he didnt have a blanket for the
night...he is all huddled up tight...the cow and calf are
sitting around a sleeping Akbar as if protecting him...

The cow looks up at Purushottam, as if questioning his

interference...the mother cow lets out a
moooo...Purushottam smiles, looks for a blanket and covers
Akbar...

73 HOTEL - MORNING

We see Purushottam get into the shower, he is all excited and

is singing to himself as he pours cold water over himself..

PURUSHOTTAM
Oh shiva shiva shiva...chaala
challa gaa undi
ivvala....edaina...naa pedda
kooturiki abbayini choosi
pettavu...okka roojulo ento
ichchavu...inkemi koorukuntaanu...

He makes his way out of the outdoor shower, a towel wrapped

around his waist, he is still shivering with the cold...he
walks up briskly to the puja room, talking to himself..

PURUSHOTTAM (CONTD)
devudaa naa bangaarutallini inka
mettinintiki saaganampaali...

Purushottam begins doing a puja, bell and a plate in

hand...he begins by thanking the lord...

He then gets up with bell and plate in hand and heads out
into the yard...

We hear a muezzin calling out for devotees for a masjid far

away...

MUEZZIN
Allah oh Akbar...allah...

Purushottam who is tip toeing barefeet and shivering is

annoyed...

PURUSHOTTAM
Abba...poddupodunne enduku
arustaaro ento..cha...
 170.

Just then he hears a noise in the kitchen...he stops in his

stride...he cant seem to understand what that noise was...the
muezzin can still be heard from a distance...cursing the call
from the masjid and repeatedly saying his prayers, he makes
his way into the hotel to check on the noise...he hears it
again, its a soft thud and is coming from the kitchen...he
gingerly tip toes, walking by the puja room he was just in,
as he passes the pooja room, he does another
namaskaram...ahead is the kitchen door, he slowly opens it,
his other hand still holding the pooja material...

The early morning sun is showing through the shafts in the

ventilator...Purushottam looks inwards and sees a freshly
showered in his white kurta and dhoti but with a skull cap, a
kneeling Akbar, in silent prayer.

We watch a shocked Purushottam a variety of expressions

passing by his face, from shock to surprise to fear and
finally to hatred...

He drops the bell and thali...

We cut back to a wide shot of the hotel, the sound of the

crash deafening the landscape, the sun now showing
brighter...

DISSOLVE TO;

74. LAKSHMIS HOTEL - DAY

When we open on the courtyard, we understand from the

families expressions that the yelling, screaming by
Purushottam have already been done...

(or we could show silent montage of Purushottam questioning

Akbar and Lakshmi, with Akbar earnestly trying to convince
Purushottam about the situation, even Lakshmi tries her best,
before finally giving up, because Purushottam is adamant,
furious and wont have any of it)

We see him standing, now dressed, but his face in disarray,

his wife and his mother are also standing, looking equally
disheveled. Lakshmi is standing in one corner, her eyes red
with tears. Kavita and Bujji are together, hugging each other
tight...

We see tears roll down Lakshmis eyes. We shift focus to

Akbar who is heading, head down to his auto parked by the
highway...

We see Purushottams eyes also tearing up, but his face is

hurt and furious...
 171.

Akbar turns back to look at the family watching him, in hurt

and anger...he looks down, not having anything to say...he
has a slight smile of acceptance..

Lakshmi is taking one long last lingering look at Akbar, and

so is Akbar...

He turns and gets on his auto and drives off...

All he can see is an empty stretch of highway in front of

him...

We see the auto make its way from hotel and onto the empty
road ahead in a high crane shot....

(*we could show a song of separation, where Purushottam

notices Lakshmi longing for Akbar, we watch Akbars life begin
to take a U-Turn towards town politics. We could show them
deal with separation in a mature manner and also
Purushottams stoics POV of all proceedings....etc)

FADE TO BLACK;

END TITLES ROLL

THE END