OFFICE GRAM PANCHAYAT PHULERA
BRIJ BHUSHAN DUBEY
Oh, come on!
Did the stone just drop out of the sky?
Surely someone saw it happen!
What?
Okay.
Fine, just let me know when you find out.
Yeah, alright!
Come in.
Did the land registration get done?
Bless you.
Give him a laddoo .
So…
did spending the money make you feel more at ease?
More at ease?
This is what Prahlad Cha wanted, so here we are.
Come on, cheer up a bit!
You've secured your child's future.
I am happy.
-I mean, I was thinking-- -What are you saying?
Say out loud that you're happy!
I'm happy.
Say you're happy and try to look like it.
Give me a laddoo now!
-Here. -I'm done.
-Have another one. -I've already had two.
Here's another one.
Hey…
why did you ditch the brace?
I got tired of it hanging on my neck all day long.
You're unbelievable.
Did you figure out who was pelting stones?
No.
No?
Look at that.
Come here, take a look.
Look at that.
Are they fighting?
Seems like it.
Yeah! Sure! How about we just give everything up?
Let's do that!
What are they arguing over?
I will be the next Upa-Pradhan.
You think you can just say it and make it happen?
-Why can't I be Upa-Pradhan? -What have you even done?
You haven't nailed your flag to fly high in the sky either!
Well, I have! And it flies high too!
Where? I don't see it.
I walked right over the Pradhan Ji's pride and installed that toilet seat!
-Do you understand? -Sure, you installed a toilet seat!
Hey, you!
Better not write me off!
Hey, Vinod!
-Hey, Madhav! -What?
Come here!
Come and take this prashad .
Prashad?
What kind of stunt is this now?
They can't be up to something every time, Madhav.
It's just prashad . Let's take it.
This is your problem.
You cave way too soon.
It's not poisoned or anything. Come on, take it.
No. I have diabetes, so I can't eat that.
It's prashad .
What…
Come on.
What prashad is it?
-There was a puja at Vikas'. Here you go. -I see.
Go ahead, take it.
Okay.
What are you gawking at? Come and take one.
No, I'm good.
-Look at him. -Let him be.
I'll give him a bit of mine.
-Okay. -See you.
Greedy goose!
-Look. -I'll teach you a lesson today.
Come on.
Binod is a great guy.
He should be on my side.
Take care of him. Okay?
Why is he sulking like that?
Eat.
What happened?
He must be full.
What did you eat?
Tell him.
Tell him you gobbled up the laddoo Pradhan Ji gave you.
What!
Bhaiya, it was just prashad , so I accepted it.
And you don't babble without purpose!
You've been on my case all morning!
So what if I accepted a laddoo from Pradhan?
Darn it!
Do I need your permission to decide what I eat or don't eat?
"He ate a laddoo ."
But why did you take something from Pradhan?
Bhaiya, it was just one laddoo.
-That's it. -"It was just one laddoo . That's it!"
Bhushan Bhai, that's exactly why you should make me the Upa-Pradhan
when you win the elections.
You can't trust this guy.
Today, it was just a laddoo .
Tomorrow, he might sit with them for a meal.
Who knows!
What can I say?
He lacks good judgment.
Never mind.
Do whatever you want to.
You're bothered that I accepted a laddoo , right?
I'll return the laddoo to him.
How are you even going to return it?
I'll buy one from a shop and give it to him
if I have to.
This dude's got a few screws loose!
Darn it, I don't have any money.
I'll see you later, Aunty.
Goodbye.
Aunty!
Sister!
Is that prashad?
I just want one.
Thank You, God.
What is this prashad for?
It's for the land we bought right by the Phulera bend.
Oh, I see! That's amazing!
Go on.
Aunty!
Good thing I didn't have to spend money on it.
It's a small bat.
Who is your favorite cricketer?
Yuvraj Singh.
Mine is Mahela Jayawardene.
It was Sanath Jayasuriya until yesterday.
It changes with my mood.
Oh, darn it!
Hey, listen to me.
Vikas Bhai!
Binod Bhai, it's a sacred offering. Taking it back wouldn't be appropriate.
Bhai… Sachiv Ji.
Binod Bhai, it's prashad , not a loan. There's no need to return it.
You're not getting it.
A laddoo ended up being more exhausting than a loan.
What do you mean?
Forget about it.
Just accept this, please. Bhai, please take it.
That's wrong. I'm not taking it, man.
You say something.
Dear God…
Did Bhushan say something?
Binod Bhai, stay sharp around him. He could really mess with your head.
His thinking's really narrow.
Unbelievable. He made you return the holy offering!
What kind of sane human does that, sir?
That's why people call him Banrakas.
One laddoo!
He started questioning my loyalty just because I took one laddoo!
Think about it.
Pradhan Ji gave me the laddoo as prashad , so I accepted it.
-Why is that such a big deal? -Darn it!
-That's Bhushan Bhai's flaw. -Yeah.
Someone offered you prashad ,
-and you accepted it. -You took it.
-That's that! -Exactly.
That's common courtesy, sir.
I get you're in the same party, but that doesn't make you anyone's servant.
I don't serve anyone! Not even my father, let alone him!
Will he control who I'm allowed to speak with, what I'm supposed to eat,
or whether I should even breathe?
Not at all.
Who does he think he is?
Look at the top-tier politicians.
Despite their political conflicts,
they continue attending one another's family gatherings.
They absolutely should.
I think you should go as well.
Where?
To Pradhan Ji's for a meal.
There's a meal at Pradhan Ji's?
If there isn't one, we'll arrange it.
A special meal in your honor.
Yes.
Right, sir?
-It will be done. -Yes. It will be done.
Binod Bhai, don't overthink it.
Being in the opposition party doesn't mean Pradhan Ji is your enemy.
Come over to Pradhan Ji's for dinner this evening.
Yes.
Prove to Bhushan Bhai that you understand politics,
and that you do it the right way.
Binod Bhai, we are not…
trying to push you into betraying Bhushan Bhai.
-We personally respect him. -Absolutely.
-What? -That's right.
But he needs to be steered onto the right path.
Look, Binod Bhai,
you're the only one in Phulera capable of this.
Sachiv Ji…
I'll see you at Pradhan Ji's tonight.
Sir…
you and I should just leave this job and jump into politics.
Sounds about right.
I'll be the Pradhan, and you'll be the Upa-Pradhan.
How about a chilled beer?
Come on, man!
Serve them tea.
Yes.
-One second… -Put that phone away and take this!
I'm going.
Give me that.
Sachiv Ji, don't worry.
I'll do my best to ensure he feels welcomed.
Lauki ki sabzi and puri are on the menu. What else do you want?
Right?
Sachiv Ji wanted some sevaiyan . Make that.
I never said I wanted it.
All I said was that sevaiyan pairs well with sabzi and puri .
I didn't…
If you like it so much, you should've made it at the office.
Sir, just puri and sabzi are enough.
Yes, that's enough. When did I ever say it wasn't?
In fact, the first time I came here,
I had puri and sabzi .
I'm melting over here by the gas, and you're busy sniggering!
Step aside. Let me melt for a bit.
No, you go sit with your phone.
Move. I'll make the puris today.
Put your studies aside and take charge of the kitchen.
Seems like Binod Ji has arrived.
He can sit here and eat.
-Try winning him over with your words. -Yes.
Let’s aim to get him to switch parties tonight itself.
And listen…
make sure you suggest he consider switching parties.
Don't go at it headfirst.
Take your time. Ease into it slowly.
-Alright. -Understood? Okay. Come on.
Open the door.
Hey!
-Binod! -Greetings!
-Welcome, Binod Ji. -Come in.
-Come. -How are you?
-I'm good. -Could you please close the door?
No, wait, I'll do it.
-I could have done that. -All good?
All good.
Pradhan Ji, you have such a big house.
You should really think about getting a doorbell.
I've been telling him to do it, but he just won't listen.
Pradhan Ji, since Binod Bhai insists, you must get that doorbell installed.
Yes, now that Binod insists, I really should.
Please come.
Careful.
You guys should have joined us too.
Carry on.
When more people sit down, the wait for the puris gets longer.
That's true.
Piping hot puris coming right up!
Bring it.
Ma'am, serve him more. His plate's almost empty.
There's no way I'd let it go empty.
Aunty, he'll take two more puris .
Binod Bhai's got a solid appetite. He'll easily have a few more.
Here's some lauki.
Bring two more, courtesy of me.
No, Pradhan Ji, I'm full.
Oh, come on.
-Is the sabzi good? -It's delicious!
You should keep visiting.
I might have to switch parties to keep coming here.
So, do it.
That's not what ma'am intended to say.
All she was saying is that being in the opposition doesn't make you an enemy.
-Yes. -That's right.
I was simply saying that you're always welcome to come over for meals.
I'll get more puris .
Yes.
Binod Bhai, you're not eating.
Go on, please eat.
-I'm thirsty, going to drink some water. -Okay.
-What happened? -He wolfed down six puris,
and you guys still haven't said a word to him about switching parties!
What if we bring it up and he just storms off?
But we don't have much time.
He's just about done eating.
How about I make four more puris?
That'll buy us a little time.
He's refusing more puris . He says he's already full.
Call Prahlad and Vikas here.
-What happened? -Just call them.
Okay…
Yes, it's time to bring out the quilts, Prahlad Cha.
That's why I'm wearing this cap.
-Oh, that's excellent! -Prahlad Ji.
-Water? -No, I'm not thirsty.
Can you just…
I'm thirsty now.
Thirsty? Go on.
Eat, Binod Bhai. What are you looking at?
Hey…
Come here, man!
I'm somewhat thirsty too.
-Go on. -I'll go drink some water.
Why is everyone so thirsty in this cold weather, Pradhan Ji?
What can I say? I don't get it. The weather's really strange.
He hasn't uttered a word against Bhushan the whole time.
We'll need him to say something before we can push him against Bhushan.
But he's not saying a thing.
And how much longer can we get him to stay?
-Right. -What should we do?
More puris?
No.
He won't eat any more. He's full.
Well… if we whip up some sevaiyan , he might stick around a bit longer.
Sevaiyan.
There was no need to make sevaiyan , Pradhan Ji.
Now, if we want to serve sevaiyan to Binod,
we've got to make sure it is top-notch, piping hot,
and fresh off the stove.
Yes, but even cold sevaiyan tastes just as good, Pradhan Ji.
True, but it has to be properly chilled.
Not merely cold, but chilled.
-Yes. -That's right.
-Binod… -Yes?
May I ask something?
Sure.
-Answer me honestly. -Ask away.
How did Bhushan get that head injury?
There was a stone-pelting incident.
But…
why are you asking me this, Pradhan Ji?
Just like that.
So…
do you think that I came here
without my party's knowledge
and plan to switch sides?
No…
No, no.
-Yes, Binod? -Bhushan Bhaiya.
I'm over at Pradhan Ji's house.
Hello?
Don't worry.
I'm not here to switch sides.
I just dropped by for dinner.
I hope that's not a problem.
Bhaiya?
Binod…
the post of Upa-Pradhan is off the table for you.
Here's some piping hot sevaiyan .
Say something.
Binod…
you are aware that I'm not a contender for the Upa-Pradhan post.
If Bhabhi wins the election,
Phulera will need a new Upa-Pradhan.
What do you say?
Pradhan of Phulera from the West…
and Upa-Pradhan from the East.
What could be better than this?
Binod Bhai, you're smart.
Reveal the truth about Bhushan's head injury to the villagers.
The election will be a clear victory.
Binod…
the fact that you're staying silent even after such a big opportunity
is a sign of sheer loyalty to your party.
That's really good, son.
I truly admire this trait in you.
If you join our party,
you'll be given all the respect you deserve.
-It's hot… -You'll burn your mouth. It's hot.
I'm poor…
not a traitor.
That was a delightful meal.
I'll take your leave now, Pradhan Ji.
Goodbye.
Binod Ji…
I know for sure
that Bhushan hurt his own head
on purpose.
I too know for sure…
that Pradhan Ji got himself shot.
What are you saying?
That's how it seems.
He shot from the front…
and conveniently, it hit only his shoulder.
Just one bullet.
Who are you kidding, man?
Goodbye.
What?
Why are you all staring at me?
Maybe if I'd died that day,
then you all would've believed
that I wasn't behind it!
I swear on my daughter's life, I didn't get myself shot!
Papa!
Three strong teas, please!
You kept your word, Binod.
I'll remember this.
I've crushed some already.
What was the occasion for handing out laddoos anyway?
Vikas made a land purchase.
What?
Where?
By the Phulera bend.
How did a man earning just 6,000 rupees a month
manage to buy such expensive land?
What?
And that too on the main road? nd?