- SIX MONTHS AGO - (conch blows)
(priest) In the game of dice,
after losing his brothers,
King Yudhishthira of The Mahabharata
decided to bet his wife, Queen Draupadi.
(temple bell rings)
How could he bet his wife?
Earlier, wives were treated as their husbands' property.
And now?
(priest speaking in background)
(theme music)
What the hell!
(Pooja sniffles)
I'm your husband.
(Pooja gasps)
Pooja.
- Baby, why are you crying? - (Pooja sobbing)
- Look, baby. - (Pooja sobs)
It's always painful the first time.
- Look... - (Pooja sobbing)
I put vermilion on your forehead.
Looks so good on you. Doesn't it?
I tied the nuptial chain around you.
Here, see.
(Pooja sobbing)
And...
We exchanged vows too.
- Forgot your vow? - (continues sobbing)
You're mine in body, mind and soul.
You said body first. Didn't you?
(Pooja whimpers)
Pooja.
Baby, it's my legal right.
I just exercised my right.
Right?
- Now stop crying, baby. - (sobbing continues)
(stammering) I...
What happened?
(choked sobs) I said... no...
- I said no... - (Arun scoffs)
Why keep repeating something that holds no value?
Come on, stop crying.
Let me fix this.
- Nice! - (Pooja sobbing)
Very good.
You raped me, Arun.
(muffled sobs)
Rape?
Pooja, I'm not an outsider.
Oh, hello!
I'm talking to you, Pooja. Hey!
Look at me.
How dare you talk to your husband like that?
(choked sobs)
Huh?
(Pooja whimpers)
Stop crying.
(muffled sobs)
- Pooja! - (sobbing continues)
- Please stop crying, Pooja. - (tense music)
(choked sobs)
- Pooja. - (Pooja continues sobbing)
Pooja!
(choked sobs)
Fine.
You think I raped you. Correct?
- Come on. Up, up, up. - (intense music)
- Get up! - (Pooja sobbing)
You think I raped you? Everyone's still awake.
Go tell them.
Come on.
Tell everyone I raped you.
- Call the police. Go! - Arun...
- Please-- - Get out!
(door slams)
Go to hell!
(gentle music)
(anklets jingling)
(woman) What were you saying, Kamlesh?
Women are not scared of an atom bomb.
What's it going to do anyway?
We'll live and die buried in household chores.
(all) That's true.
Women fear a public spectacle.
We'll choose death over a public spectacle.
You're absolutely right.
(ominous music builds)
Why are you standing at the door? Come inside.
(door latch clicks)
Did you...
Did you say anything to Kamlesh?
Huh?
(ominous music continues)
Mmm-mmm.
Pooja.
Forget it.
It was a mistake.
Don't do it again.
Come.
(dramatic music)
No...
(music fades away)
(clock ticking)
(Vinay) Pinky.
Sleep with your grandma tonight. Come on.
Dad, please.
Today's not Saturday.
Lie down.
Quick.
Come on.
If Pinky saw me massaging your feet, it would be breaking news.
- (Kamlesh laughing) - Right?
You must be very tired.
- You danced like a pro. - (Kamlesh laughing)
"Very, very handsome. Very encouraging."
Wow! Amazing!
So, which one is hurting more?
Right or left foot?
(anklets jingling)
Both?
No worries.
- (Vinay chuckling) - (soft music)
(Kamlesh) I fed sweets to the cows.
Offered prayers to Lord Hanuman.
Observed fasts to please Lord Shiva.
Only then was I blessed with such a husband and in-laws.
But modern girls get it all on a silver platter.
No, I'm not jealous.
I'm just saying Pooja is very lucky.
(tense music builds)
- (water running) - (woman vocalising)
- (dramatic music) - (vocalising continues)
(Pooja sobbing)
(music fades away)
Pooja?
Pooja.
Pooja!
(suspenseful music)
What's wrong?
What are you doing here?
Had a fight with Arun?
What the... Say something.
Pooja?
I want to go home. Please.
(Pooja sniffles)
Please.
(suspenseful music continues)
(tea sizzling)
(Kamlesh) I tried, but couldn't wake anyone up.
And she's not ready to wait.
So I'm going to take her home after the post-wedding ritual.
Father will sort it out later.
I asked her a thousand times.
But how can I help if she doesn't tell me?
Since I'm the only one up, I'm doing what feels right.
She was going to walk home.
So I offered to drop her off.
But not before she performs an important ritual.
(bangles clink)
(slurping tea)
It's not done yet. Needs more time.
(suspenseful music)
(cup clatters)
I'm sorry.
(Kamlesh) Next time, only steel cups for her.
- (bell rings) - (knocks on the door)
Who is it early in the morning?
They just won't stop ringing the bell.
(bell continues to ring)
Pooja?
- (drums beating in distance) - (firecrackers bursting)
- Open the door, Dad. - (bell ringing)
Who is it?
- It's Pooja. - Open the door.
I can't. Her sister-in-law is here too.
- Okay, go change. - (Pooja) Dad, open the door.
Pooja?
(drums beating in distance)
Namaste.
What happened, Kamlesh?
I said no.
What do you mean by "no"?
You got married to him.
You're his wife.
And...
It's just how it is.
It's the same for everyone.
But it shouldn't be like this.
My "no" should mean something.
(Pooja sobbing)
You're at it again.
Saying "no" isn't even an option.
How can a wife say no?
It's an unspoken rule
between married couples.
We got you married yesterday.
And you're back here the very next morning.
God knows what your in-laws must be thinking.
No.
This is not right.
Go back with Kamlesh right now.
No... I won't go back.
(sniffles) Please.
(sombre music)
- My dear. - (Pooja sniffles)
You got married into such a reputable family.
One call from your father-in-law can get your brother a job.
You know everything.
You know our situation.
Understand my situation too, Mom.
Please!
(Pooja sniffles)
Please don't do this to me.
- (sombre music) - (Pooja sobbing)
(sobs) I won't go back.
I won't go back...
Your dad has spoilt you.
Enough of your rebellion.
(sobs) Mom, please...
I'll kill myself.
I swear to God.
(phone ringing)
Just a minute.
Hello.
Where are you?
I'm out for some work.
Tell me where you are.
I... I'll be back soon.
Is Mother up already?
No, Dad is up.
He's writing a poem for Pooja.
Come home fast.
Okay.
(Pooja's mom) I'll serve tea to Kamlesh.
Freshen up and come outside.
Not a word more.
(melancholy music)
(Sukumar) "O, my dear daughter-in-law,
"tell your mother how you're so loved here.
"How you're more valued and respected here.
"O, my dear daughter-in-law.
"Tell her you've made a home out of our house.
"And her little girl has found happiness here.
"O, my dear daughter-in-law.
"Tell her the memories of past may fade just a little.
"For your visits home may not be so frequent now.
"O, my dear daughter-in-law."
How is it?
Superb, Dad.
Wrote it for Pooja.
(dramatic music)
(melancholy music)
(horns blaring)
(phone ringing)
Arun's calling.
Hello.
Is Pooja with you?
Yes.
Where are you wandering around?
Come and help me pack.
- We're going on honeymoon tomorrow. - I'm on my way.
(tense music)
Pull over.
Please pull over.
What's wrong?
I need to... pee. I...
Pull up for a second. Please, please, please.
- Need to take a leak? - Yes.
(giggles)
Not possible.
What do you mean?
Why not?
You're not from America, are you?
It's not a big deal for Indian women to hold it in for hours.
I've got a 14-hour record.
From Lucknow to Haridwar.
Held it in till I got home.
Even had four lemonades on the way.
(Kamlesh chuckles)
I didn't find a single clean toilet.
On top of that, Mother was cracking jokes.
I started crying.
"Stop making me laugh or I'll pee."
The power of an Indian woman's bladder
is unmatched.
- Got it? - I need to pee now.
- I can't hold it in any longer. - Okay.
- Just a minute. - Please stop.
- Let me pull over. - Stop here.
(indistinct chatter)
Hey!
Not that way, Pooja!
MUNICIPAL CORPORATION, LUCKNOW
(suspenseful music)
(dramatic music)
(dramatic music continues)
(chanting prayers)
What happened, dear?
Did you lose something?
(Sukumar) Pooja is missing?
You're the most responsible member of our family.
You've never misplaced a key.
Never lost an umbrella.
But you misplaced your sister-in-law?
Why did Pooja go to her parents'?
She could've gone a few days later.
After the honeymoon.
Or maybe after we woke up.
What was so urgent that she had to rush?
Tell me.
How would I know, Mom?
Who else would?
- Mom, I-- - She was with you, right?
- Then how did she go missing? - (Vinay) Mom, hold on a minute.
- Call someone-- - No.
What will I say to them?
- My daughter-in-law has run away? - Hmpf!
We'll have to find her.
And this better stay between us.
(tense music)
(phone ringing)
Hello.
Where are you?
We've started from where she disappeared.
Where are you?
I'm looking for her too.
Okay.
(indistinct chatter)
We're open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You can bring your kids too.
Inform the others too.
Excuse me.
Let me go. Move!
How can I help?
Pooja is missing.
What?
(tense music)
(indistinct chatter)
Najma, did Pooja come here?
Pooja... No.
Find out where she is.
Sure, I'm on it.
(tense music fades away)
What's this place?
- It's our NGO. - Oh.
If any woman needs help, they can reach out to us.
Domestic squabble.
Sexual violence. Anything.
Why seek help here?
They can just lodge a complaint.
Sexual crimes can be much more complicated.
In fact, they are.
Women's safety is a serious issue.
We've had cases where women attempting suicide
were sexually assaulted.
Women can't even kill themselves without feeling unsafe.
It's always better to stay at home.
What if home becomes unsafe?
(melancholy music)
Sona.
No update on Pooja.
Oh, no!
Make some calls.
(indistinct chatter)
(line ringing)
Pooja's dad had strict rules.
She'd have to be home by 2:00 p.m.
She's a soft girl.
She used to get scared very easily.
I'm sure something terrible has happened.
(phone ringing)
Hello.
Thanks.
We found out where Pooja is.
Thank God!
Speed up.
- Which way? - Turn left.
Move back.
Okay.
Listen.
- Since when do you have this? - What?
"LGTB."
You're a good girl.
But you've gone astray.
Hey, listen.
Give me your details.
I'll find you a good match.
And where are you off to? I'm coming too.
Wait for me!
(sombre music)
Sit.
Hmm.
You can tell me
what happened.
Look.
I know how tough it is to say whatever you're going through.
But all I can say is
stop seeing yourself as an individual.
You'll be scared.
Instead, see yourself as a part of a larger system.
(sombre music continues)
Look around you.
Make allies.
In your family, in the neighbourhood.
Find women you can befriend.
Find women you can confide in.
"A woman's biggest enemy is another woman."
Don't believe all this bullshit.
A woman...
is a woman's greatest strength.
(sombre music continues)
Your sister-in-law is different,
but not a bad person.
Come here.
Shh!
Is it contagious?
No.
(ominous music)
Thank you.
You scared me to death.
What's the matter?
No one leaves home like that. Tell me what's wrong.
Huh?
Pooja.
What's bothering you? Please tell me.
Why did you run away?
Yesterday...
I had a high fever.
Had a bad headache too.
I didn't feel like it.
Your brother-in-law...
What did Arun do?
Tell me.
He raped me.
(dramatic music builds)
(smacks)
(dramatic music intensifies)