The Unfiathful : Script

The Unfaithful





INT PREM’S HOUSE NIGHT

CLOSE UP on the face of a man. He has a very sincere face. Has glasses. About 30. Though quite good-looking he has a geeky quality to his face. Slowly camera pulls out to show his full form. He is naked from waist up revealing a rather naturally well-built torso. Sitting at a table taking some notes from a thick book. The book contains figures suggesting it to be of astrophysics, quantum mechanics or some sort of advanced science. A shoveled up bed is seen in the background. A girl is in the bed but only her naked legs are visible initially. Slowly the camera moves past the man’s shoulders and slowly closes in on the girl. She is about 19,out and out sexy, in a red lingerie. He hair is dyed blond. Her face is beautiful , has a red lipstick on. There’s a half-disappointed look on her face.

GIRL
Are we to spend the night like this . . .(with sarcasm) Mr. Chaterjee.

MR. CHATERJEE
No.

Shuts the book. Puts down his pen. Looks at the girl.

MR. CHATERJEE (contd.)
And you can call me Prem.

Gets up.

PREM
Your dad’s a rich man aint he? Alisa. Is that your real name.

ALISA
Yeah ! For the first one. And for the second that’s none of your business.

PREM
Sits down on the bed.
Right. But why do you do this stuff. You get enough pocket money I suppose.

ALISA
I lost all on a bet earlier this month. And next week, its my best friend’s birthday.

Prem crawls up beside Alisa. Undecidedly they touch each other a little.They try to kiss a little but it just does not work out. Suddenly Prem’s eyes falls on a photoframe on the bed-stand. The camera closes in on the photograph. Prem gazes at it with nostalgia. Alisa looks at it. The Camera close in onto the camera. A boy - clearly Prem himself but younger about 20- and a girl is sitting on a horizontal branch of a tree in a green lawn. A big building apparently of a college/school is seen in the back ground.

ALISA (o.s.)
Who’s that? Your wife .

PREM (o.s.)
Yes.( A short pause)… (With a lot of emotion) Riya.

The Camera closes more and more on the photograph until the scene changes to that in the photograph.


EXT. PREM AND RIYA’S COLLEGE CAMPUS DAY

The boy and the girl in the picture sitting on the branch of the tree. The boy has the same sincere yet nerdy face with the same glasses. He’s Prem only younger. About twenty. He’s in jeans and a shirt. The girl beside him is in a boys’ jeans and tee-shirt. She has very short and curly hair and a very naughty and restless face. If not for her sexy feminine features she could have been mistaken for a boy. She puts her arms round Prem and kisses on his cheek.

RIYA
Happy friendship day Puppy.

Hands him an audio cassette. It is the track of Friends.

PREM
Wow.Happy friendship day.

Kisses Riya. Hands her a card. And takes out a friendship band from his pocket and ties it on her hand. Riya is delighted . She gives a sweet smile and they kiss on the lips. (Not a mouth-to-mouth French kiss- a friendly kiss.)
A voice is heard.

VOICE(o.s.)
Hey lovebirds look here.

RIYA(smiling)
We are not lovebirds. We are twins. Like Peas-an’-Carrots (imitating Tom Hank’s style in Forrest Gump).

They look into the camera. SNAP. A photograph is taken. The pose is same as that in the photograph in the first sceene.


INT. COLLEGE AUDITORIUM. DAY GRADUATION DAY CEREMONIES

Many students have gathered . All in black graduation day suits. We can see both Prem and Riya but they are in different groups. An announcer is calling out the names of the graduates in the different streams. Students are going up on the stage for their certificates.

ANNOUNCER
And now for the three toppers. In the field of commerce Mr Anandaroop Bagchi. 1st Class 1st . Congratulations Anadaroop.

A boy walks up on stage to receive the certuficate.

ANNOUNCER
For humanities Riya Dasgupta. 1st class 1st with record marks in Political Sciences. Bravo Riya.

Riya walks up on the stage and receives her certuficate.

ANNOUNCER
And for Science. Prem Chatterjee. 1st class 1st with record marks in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Astrophysics. Cogratulations.

Prem receives his certuficate. As he climbs down the stage he is pulled into an ecstatic hug by Riya. Smiling he takes her in his arms and kisses her deeply on the mouth. She returns the kiss and it goes on and on amidst a chorus of boos ,whistles and claps.


INT. MARRIAGE REGISTRATION OFFICE DAY

Prem and Riya –both looking a little older- sign on the marriage registrar. Prem is clad in a white designer Punjabi and Dhoti, Riya in a Benarasi Saree. Both look good but rather odd and uncomfortable. Especially Riya. She isn’t able to manage herself. The Pallu keeps falling from her head. Four other people are standing in the back. An older man in a suit. With a little grey hairs and a moustache. His face and mannerisms indicates his rather high social status and also his mediocrity. Beside him a simple looking woman in a coloured saree. The couples closeness indicates they are man and wife. On their right is a boy about 18 or 19. He is holding a pair of garlands. To the left of the couple a little removed from them stands another woman in a white saree indicating she is a widow. She has a conservative and strong-willed look on her face. She doesn’t seem very happy with the whole thing. One by one the older man and the two women sign on the registrar.

THE REGISRATION OFFICER
Now you are man and wife. If you’d like to proceed with other rituals.

The woman in the coloured saree hands Prem a small container of Sindur which he puts on Riya’s forehead. Then they exchange garlands. After that Riya hugs the older gentleman and the woman in coloured saree. They hug her tightly as if bidding goodbye. Both of them have tears in their eyes. Then Riya hugs the young boy. He breaks down saying ‘Didi’.( This indicates the couple is Riya’s mom and the boy her brother.)

WOMAN IN COLOURED SAREE(RIYA’S MOM)
Now take your mom-in-law’s blessing.

Riya and Prem bow down to the other woman, who is Prem’s mom. Her coldness suddenly changes to that of love and gentleness. She picks Riya up , kisses her bow and hugs her. Then suddenly she notices Riya’s short hair. The coldness comes back to her and she becomes more rigid.

INT PREM’S HOUSE DAY

Prem’s mom is packing Prem’s clothes in a suit case. Prem is standing near the bed. She has a very angry look on her face.
PREM’S MOM
I don’t understand. You married just yesterday. And today you are going away. To U.S. And she’s flying to Delhi. Is this a marriage.

PREM
Give it a break Ma. We’ve discussed this earlier. Two years is nothing. I have been called to address a seminar on astrophysics. She has been summoned on her first major job. We have our careers. I wanna teach, research. She’s a journalist, loves adventure. If we want to get married we have to do in this way. We can’t expect to spend all our time together. The sooner we get used to it the better.

PREM’S MOM
Why did you marry her in the first place. I could have got you a decent wife who’d would have cooked for you, and looked after you and gone with you anywhere.

Suddenly Riya pops in. She’s in her usual jeans and jacket.

RIYA
We’re getting late.

She departs.

PREM’S MOM
Is that a way for a bou to dress. Why DID you marry that girl. She doesn’t even look like one.

PREM (hurt and angry)
Ma!


INT AIRPORT WAITING ROOM AFTERNOON

A no of people is sitting. Chiefly a Sikh family consisting of Granpas and Grannys and Mummys and Daddies and Uncles and Aunts and kids. The only people other than them are Prem nd Riya who are sitting uncomfortably in one corner trying to get as much closeness possible under the close inspection of a hugely curius Sikh family.
Suddenly an announcement is made regarding departure of a plane . The Sikh family gets up and departs. Prem and Riya look relieved. They look at each other mischief in their eyes.
The camera wanders about the room. Heaving and panting noises are heard. Clothes are strewn all over the floor and on the sofa. The camera finally comes to rest behind the sofa where Prem and Riya are having sex. They are naked except for the different baggage which are comfortably placed in front of them to get Censor approvals.
Suddenly the door flungs open and in come three of the Sikh family. A Granny , a Mom and a kid. The women shriek to find Prem and Riya in that condition. Prem and Riya shriek too. The Sikhs flee from the room , the Mom tugging at the kid who seems unwilling to leave.

KID
O ki karraha hai Mummy?(What are they doing MOM?)


EXT CROWD SCEENE DAY

Some kind of a riot is going on. Crowds are shouting and lighting bonfires and throwing stones. Police is charging with laathis. A press crew has assembled. We find Riya, age 25-26 in the press group. She has a microphone in her hand and a badge on her chest. She is on air.

RIYA(in the microphone to the camera)
..Reporting for NatT.V. Riya Dasgupta. Kolkata.

CAMERAMAN (o.s.)
Shot O. K.

Suddenly Riya’s mobile rings. She picks it up.

RIYA
Hello.

Cut to Scene of Prem in his house. He is sweaty and dirty indicating a journey. Split screen is used to show Prem and Riya talking over the phone.

PREM
Hi Sweetheart. I’m home.

RIYA (eyes moistening)
You’ve come! I couldn’t be at the airport. I am so tied up here.

PREM
I don’t mind. But where are you. I heard some riots are going on in the city. You are not in one, are you ?

RIYA
No Jaan! I am coming home as soon as possible have to go now.

She puts down the mobile. Notices the intensity of the unrest has increased. She looks on both sides unsure what to do. Suddenly a stone hits her on the forehead. Blood rushes down her brow. She holds her head in pain.

INT PREM’S HOUSE NIGHT

Prem sits restlessly on the couch. Glances at the wall clock. It strikes ten.

MOM (disgusted)
She can’t even come home early one day ! You returned home after over a year and she just does not care.

The door bell rings. Riya enters, her head bandaged. She rushes over to Prem and hugs him tight. Tears flow down her eyes. Prem, shocked to see her like that, touches her brow where it is hurt. He too is crying.

PREM
I knew you were in trouble. I knew that.

Prem’s mom look away. Unmoved.

INT PREM’S COLLEGE CLASSROOM DAY

Prem is addressing a group of students. There are weird diagrams on the board. He is giving a lecture.

INT DIFFERENT CLASSROOM DAY
A group of senior students is ragging a bunch of first-years. We find Riya’s brother in the group of seniors.

INT PREM’S CLASSROOM DAY
The class is over. Prem leaves the room.

INT RIYA’S BROTHERS CLASSROOM DAY

RIYA’S BROTHER
Take of your clothes.

INT COLLEGE CORRIDOOR
Prem is walking down the corridor towards the classroom where the juniors are being ragged.

INT RIYA’S BROTHER’S CLASSROOM.
The junior students are standing in their underwear. They are scared and shamed.

RIYA’S BROTHER (smiling nastily)
Those too.

The students almost cry. They prepare to remove their underwear. But suddenly the door flungs open and Prem comes in. He is completely shocked. He looks at Riya’s brother, who looks petrified.

INT PREM’S OFFICE DAY
Riya’s dad Mr. Dasgupta is sitting in a chair facing Prem. He has a tensed look on his face.

MR. DASGUPTA
He’s still a boy. His whole career depends on you. If you take off the charges the College will keep him. If he is rusticated from here where will he go?

PREM
Do you know what Raju did? He made some junior students strip. If I wouldn’t have accidentally gone there he would have stripped them naked.

MR. DASGUPTA
He’s your brother-in-law.

PREM ( a cold look comes across his face)
He’s a criminal.


INT PREM’S BATHROOM PRESENT DAY DAY

The shower runs down. It falls on Prem’s body. He looks tired . He closes his eyes as if to do away with the exhausion. Suddenly a voice is heard.

PREM’S MOM(o.s.)
Prem?

PREM
Ma!

He grabs the towel and hurries out of the bathroom. Its too late. Ma is standing at the door of his bedroom dumbstruck. On the bed Alisa is shown fast asleep. Prem’s mom is shocked. In tears.

INT RIYA’S HOUSE EARLY MORNING

Mr. Dasgupta sits on the couch reading newspaper. A servant hands him a tea and a few papers.

MR. DASGUPTA
Did Riya come home yesterday? (looking at the paper)What are these?

He opens the envelope and reads the paper. His expression is that of shock and anger.

MR. DASGUPTA
Son-of-a-bitch.

We now see the paper. It is a Divorce paper. Suddenly the phone rings. Mr Dasgupta picks it up. Prem’s Mom’s voice is heard from the otherside.

PREM’S MOM (crying)
Its all my fault. I am so sorry. Riya is a very good girl. I didn’t understand my Bouma while she was still with me. O God..

Mr. Dasgupta puts down the phone perplexed. He glances at his watch and walks over to Riya’s room with the papers and knocks.

RIYA(o.s.)
Come in.

Mr. Dasgupta walks into the room. We find Riya she is older than when we previously saw her. About 30. She looks more mature and tired. But her eyes are still alive.

MR. DASGUPTA
Look what the scoundrel has done now.

Hands her the papers. Riya inspects the papers carefully. Her face is expressionless. Mr. Dasgupta seems frightened. He puts his hands on Riya’s shoulder.

RIYA
Its good Prem sent the papers. Or I would have to file for a divorce myself.

Suddenly the bathroom door flings open and a handsome man clad only in towels steps out.

MAN
What’s up Riya?

RIYA (TO MR. DASGUPTA)
This is Vinay. Vinay Agarwal. We work together. It got late tonight and his house is far off. So I asked him to sleep over.

INT PREM’S HOUSE DRAWING ROOM AFTERNOON

Prem is lying on the couch watching T.V. He seems to have lost all hope in life. He has the cassette of friends in his hand. A movie is running on the T.V. “Indecent proposal”. A background voice is heard which declares Prem and Riya to be divorced.
The phone rings Prem picks it up. The screen is split to show Riya on the other side of the phone.

RIYA
Hello.

PREM
Riya! I was just thinking of you. The telepathy thing still works between us.

RIYA
Why did you do this Prem? Why?

PREM
Why do you ask me questions that you already know the answers to?

RIYA
Still. What pleases you to be hated by those you love?

PREM
Do you hate me?

RIYA
But MA..

PREM
At least she does not hate you anymore. She thinks that she had horribly misunderstood you and she is ashamed. What she doesn’t know is that she has always misunderstood everybody.

RIYA
Don’t hurt her Prem. She loves you. Tell her the truth.

PREM
Does she? Why Riya? Did I tell you anything? Did you tell me anything? But we knew didn’t we?

RIYA(voice breaking)
Being good sucks,Prem. Being good sucks.

PREM
What about Papa? Is he mad with me?

RIYA(smiles sarcastically)
No! (sigh). He thinks you are a noble person. When he saw me with Vinay he believed that you made everything up to save my reputation.

PREM (laughs)
Isn’t it strange? When we wanted to be together our parents could not stand us. And now .. when we have separated.. they think that they had misunderstood their Bouma and Jamaibabu.

RIYA (smiling through tears)
I feel sad sometimes. But I am glad you’re still with me.

The movie running on the T.V. is shown. Sceenes from the film “Indecent Proposal”.


PREM
Do you remember those lines we used to say?

RIYA
From “Indecent Proposal” ?

PREM
Hmm.

RIYA
I love you, Prem.

PREM
Still.

RIYA
Always.

They both kiss on the phone.

FADE IN.

ROLL CREDITS.

TITLE TRACK OF “FRIENDS” :

“I’ll be there for you.. Will you be there for me too.”