We
start our movie with some very flashy credits. These are pretty cool. We get an
interesting digital effect that resembles shards of glass passing over scenes of
book signings and press conferences that all seem very positive and happy. (I
tried to get some screens of this effect, but it really needs to be seen in
motion to get an idea of what it looks like. As it is the pictures just look
weird!) From what we gather, Shaukat Vashisht's latest book is a hit, and
everyone in the industry is very pleased with his work. Lots of newspaper
clippings and headlines float past as the concept of how Shaukat's powerful
grasp of language creates truly believable themes and characters is established.
The press applauds his efforts and tell him that they are eagerly awaiting his
next book.
As the credits continue, we see a golden pendulum swinging past, reflecting
an eye in the round weight at the bottom. A typing montage shows us that Shaukat
is hard at work on his next novel. However, this time out the press finds his
book lacking. At a rather harsh press conference they assault his book, and
accuse him of creating "fake" characters and unbelievable story elements.
Shaukat staunchly defends himself against their remarks, and tells them that he
will not give up writing. He believes in his characters, and will not quit. We
cut from an angry Shaukat's face to a messy pile of scraps of paper with "REAL" and "UNREAL"
written on them. They ignite and burn away, revealing our title card.
A
newspaper headline tells us that it is now 2004, and several years have passed
since the nasty reception of the last book. Shaukat and Antara are seen getting
dressed in some nice clothes. He tells her that he is ready, and she assumes he
means for whatever they are gearing up for. He clarifies and says that he is
ready to write again. He pauses for a moment and leans in close to bite a stray
thread off of the shoulder of Antara's dress, while she has a quiet smile on her
face. She asks him what he is going to call the book, and what it will be about.
This triggers an odd reaction in Shaukat, as his expression changes to an almost
irritated look.
Shaukat abruptly changes the subject and begins to angrily complain about how
their servant never seems to get the laundry done correctly. He calls out to
Ramakant to come in the room. Shaukat turns to Antara and complains that no one
seems to have any passion in their work anymore, and will just do what it takes
to get by. Antara tries to calm him down by asking about the book again. He
tells her that there isn't much to say about it just yet, but he's is going to
start writing again today. Antara observes that he hasn't written anything in
two years, which makes Shaukat angry again. He starts grabbing clothes from the
wardrobe and throwing them out onto the bed. Ramakant walks in on this tantrum,
and Shaukat demands to know what he's supposed to wear today. Ramakant just
looks back at him with a confused expression until Shaukat stalks out of the
room past Antara, who has a mildly frustrated look on her face.
Shaukat
goes into his office. We see Shaukat looking around his desk, and he starts to
move things around with an irritated sigh. He stops, and calls out angrily for
Ramakant. Ramakant comes running into the room, where Shaukat demands to know
who has "done this." Ramakant surveys the room until we hear some jewelry
jingling off-screen. A very perky Rajni runs up to stand beside Ramakant and
claim credit for cleaning the office. Ramakant begins to apologize for Rajni and
tells them that it won't happen again. Rajni doesn't understand what she's done
wrong. She says that Antara asked her to come in and clean the office, so she
did. Shaukat tells her that he has things in a specific place for a reason, and
they are not to be moved. Antara apologizes and says that from now on Rajni is
only to sweep and mop the floor - nothing else is to be disturbed. Rajni looks
indignant and doesn't understand what the big deal is, but Antara escorts her
out before she can get herself into any more trouble.
We
cut to the dimly lit and smoke-filled offices of Walrus Publications. Mrs. Bose
takes a call from Shaukat, who is happy to report that he is starting his new
book today. Mrs. Bose doesn't look that enthused about it, and hands the phone
over to her assistant without telling Shaukat. The assistant tells Shaukat that
Mrs. Bose is no longer in the office, and hangs up on him as he is giving her
the message that he called. Shaukat gets angry, then laughs to himself about how
Mrs. Bose has become a liar and doesn't want to talk to him anymore. However,
this rudeness has given him the idea that he was looking for to start his book.
He is going to write a story about a woman.
