Story ; Sequence : Characters: Casting:
Year 1913 : The prison of Calcutta shook with fear with the news of arrival of the jailor Patrick Dynes from Delhi. Well-known for his hate India attitude, his heart if ever it existed was filled with sense of superiority complex. He considered India a land of infectious mosquitoes and ill-mannered people who had no culture. This altitude of his prevented him from interacting with Indians as human. He spent nearly ten years of his life as jailor in different jails in India but had no idea what India was out of the wall of his jails or social clubs meant exclusively for English.
It was late at night when the walls of jail were quite. The jailor was in his room, restless. He was tossing in his bed on the first night as jailor in Calcutta jail. Thoughts of his home were troubling him. A mild but soul wrenching notes of flute carried in air reached his disturbed ears. It was soft but was painful. He walked in direction of the sound. It seemed to come from within the walls of jail. He pushed open the window. Indeed the message of free spirit carried on the wings of liberated air was coming from the confined walls of prison. He stood by the window for long. Some how his restless heart took refuge in the painful tunes of flute. He slept peacefully.
Whole episode of the night seemed to vanish from Patrick’s memory the next morning. He went on in his work till late. After dinner, when his servant, Chandu was about to close the window, all of a sudden he remembered that flute and in expectation of its repetition he stopped his Chandu from closing it. Around midnight again the notes of flute filled the air. He listened to it till sleep got over him completely.
Next morning Patrick wanted to inquire about the flutist but again felt it was below his stature to enquire about a convict who was a lowly ‘Indian’. But at night he waited for the tune. This continued for some days. An unknown, unsaid bond was getting weaved between the jailor and the convicted flutist. Even Patrick was ignorant of this fact.
One night Patrick waited and restlessly till morning he was wide awake. The flutist was quite. And so was the dark night. In hottest of his tempers, he rushed to the jail. That day even the minor of offences got harshest of punishments. Till midday it was unbearable, after all who was that convict who played with him? When Chandu came to call him for lunch, he could not help asking who that flutist was who played every night.
Patrick was informed that he was Malli from Patter Ghata. A young man convicted of murder. It came as a shock to Patrick. He was not prepared for it. How come a murderer plays such a soft painful melodious tunes on flute. He asked no more.
That night he asked his window to be kept closed. He hated all criminals. If given authority he would have shot all the murderer on spot. He did not feel the need to give them any second chance after life imprisonment or long wait for death sentence. He was getting irritated. How could he possibly listen to music played by a murderer for last few days? He would never ever wait to it again. That night again melodious tunes of flute knocked at his window. Patrick sat tight, not even moving an inch. But when all of a sudden continuous swell of flute got disrupted, he could not control himself from opening the window. Again flutist played with his heart. However time and again he would stop abruptly to continue later on till at last he played no more.
Next morning a prison doctor was called. Patrick too went with the doctor to see an inmate who had high temperature. He was a well built; sun tanned young man with beautiful grayish eyes and innocent face. He was Malli. He had a smile resting on his face with little overgrown beards. Even in the burning high fever he was smiling and a strange tranquility rested on his face.
Patrick had dealt with hundreds of criminals but never had he seen anyone so innocent and so calm. The purity of his music said the same while it was a fact that he was a murderer. Never before was Patrick ever involved with any inmate but this time somehow he was getting dragged towards this person called Malli. Next moment he got he checked the records. Malli was son of a bonded labourer, who one day very cold bloodedly hacked to death the landlord and his eldest son. When police caught him he was still drenched in blood holding his blood rinsed blade. He was sentenced to death.
After three to four days Patrick sent for him. As a jailor he could take service of any prisoner if found fit. Malli had no objection at all. From next day he kept Patrick’s room clean. And it was at the time of going to bed Patrick would ask him to play him a tune and the same lamenting tales of flute would intoxicate the surrounding. Patrick’s interest in Malli increased day by day. Such purity of tunes could never emerge from heart of a culprit.
One evening, he asked Malli about his act that got him behind the bars. Malli looked distantly seeing the unseeing, he never replied the question. Rather he started saying about the cool mangroves, the first rain of the season and the trembling ripples as the boat moves on when the oar strikes the heart of water. It never occurred to Patrick that whole night went on and he was talking about India. He could not understand why a country infected with mosquitoes, loaded with troubles appeared so beautiful to natives. It was through Malli another facet of India was opening up in front of Patrick. When ever Patrick had time he called for Malli and he would listen to tales of wind, mangroves, moon, flowers and ripples. It was the ripples that Malli said was the source of his music. Even in the confined walls of prison he could hear the ripples made on the river by boat. More he listened to Malli more eager was to know if he indeed killed the landlord and his son in cold blood. Somewhere Patrick knew something was missing.
Next morning was the last dawn that Malli would see. But no trace of anger, fear or frustration came his face. As usual he came to Patrick to clean his room. And after doing his work, as in normal days he began playing his flute. For first time in India and for reasons unknown a drop of tear appeared in the corner of Patrick’s eyes. Again he asked Malli about the crime he did. In reply Malli said, “My story is too big and night too short. I won’t be able to complete it. Let me play Sahib ji, for you, all night“. Whole night he played and Patrick sat motionless.
Next morning all protocols for hanging Malli was almost over. When asked about his last wish Malli seemed a bit reluctant. He said, “Sahib ji, I do not have any more wishes. What I did was … I had to do. Had you been in my place, you too would have done the same. My little flute, knows it and I am sorry for you dear flute that for me you too will be destroyed. I wish I could have saved it. I have no wishes”. Patrick knew what was troubling him; he extended his hand and took the little flute from Malli’s hand. Another innocent heart warming smile escaped from Malli’s lips.
Malli was no more but his tunes were ringing in Patrick’s ears. Malli’s flute was with him. Every night he felt the absence of ripples created by flute. He started learning flute. Two months went in that way. Only two months were left of his service. His leaves were also left untouched. So on advise of his friends he decided to see India.
Patrick was never convinced that he would like to see India. It was his friends who coaxed him to do so. Standing facing the window, he was thinking where to go. Suddenly thought of Malli flashed. He used to talk a lot about his village, Patter Ghata. On an impulse he decided to go to Patter Ghata.
Going by the boat, Patrick could recall Malli saying his inspiration was ‘ripples’. Smiling to himself, he took out Malli’s flute and started playing the same tune.
The landlord, Zamindaar of Patter Ghata Pratap Rai was had been previously informed. He was out there waiting for Patrick’s arrival.
Pratap arranged that Patrick got a luxurious stay. Although his visit was not official but still he was a white; who chose to spend few days at Patter Ghata. He should get the best treatment. It’d also benefit him personally by increasing his fear in hearts of villagers and perhaps a title of “Rai Sahib”.
It was a different kind of experience for Patrick. The boat ride was making him dizzy but then the music of flute floated him on another horizon. For first time, he felt the whispers of nature around.
Once in the village Pratap made sure to provide all sorts of luxuries to Patrick. He had planned every bit in detail, from sight seeing, shikar to ‘nautanki’ of village. Every thing was chalked out in detail. Every meal was more than a feast. Such was the welcome of Patrick that he’d never forget in his life. The household of Pratap looked upon him as hands of God that punished Malli for his ruthless deed of hacking the Zamindar and his eldest son Rajesh. They would time and again rejoice at the thought that Malli was punished rather than regret the fact that their loved ones were not with them. The feeling of suppressing a worthless bonded labourer who dared to rise against them was more predominant than pain for the loss. But Patrick could mark the slightly different approach and attitude of Pratap. He too took part in the lobby that hated downtrodden but somewhere in his eyes Patrick could see a pinch of pain.
As Patrick desired, he went around the village. The kids of village looked at him with awe and elders who knew he was the one who killed Malli, either ignored him completely or just looked at him with much hatred. Patrick never did expect such love for a criminal of such hideous crime. This increased the level of inquisitiveness in him. He wanted to know why was Malli without a trace of guilt? What did he say ‘I had to do … I don’t regret’? Why people here loved him so much? And why does Zamindar family behaved in that way? Many questions were confusing him. His soft corner for Malli again started pushing him to find out the truth. The unexplained bond between him and Malli was getting stronger in the soil of Patter Ghata. He started asking more about Malli from villagers.
The assistant that Pratap had engaged for Patrick to escort him wherever he went reported that Patrick was asking about Malli. Though Pratap had no say in the matter where and with whom Patrick talked, but still he had taken care to avoid any sort of direct interaction between villagers and Patrick. Now when Patrick was getting involved in Malli’s case, he became disturbed. The shadows of past were looming over him.
Pratap was the younger brother of Zamindar who was sent to Calcutta for studies. He had a modern outlook. He never did like the tradition of bonded labour or the height of brutality that his brother the Zamindar afflicted on the poor peasants. Many a times he did talk to him to give them a little better live but of no avail. Every time Zamindar would answer that he was riding a tiger. Since long the tradition of oppression has continued. His father did it, his grandfather did it too and so one day his son too would do it. It was a tradition of oppression that had sowed the seeds of hatred in the hearts of peasants. This hatred was enough for whole lot of villager to burn down a handful of zamindars. But if any thing that stopped them was the fear. The day the zamindars would reduce the amount of fear in the hearts of peasants or they are given equal rights, the hatred in their hearts would bring the dooms day for zamindars. The spring that was long kept under pressure would push back with more vigour if little of pressure were released. So riding a tiger, the zamindars can never afford to release the pressure. Some how all these sermons did not convince Pratap. But he never did argue much. He saw that his brother never did considered the peasants as humans. Although what ever he said if did have a trace of truth, indeed a spring can be dangerous if it pushed back.
Patrick stated meeting the villagers. While the adults were tight lipped, slowly the kids began talking to him. They showed him Malli’s house. It was a small hut, and a middle-aged woman was polishing the floor with mud paste. She looked too miserable, weak, and sick. It came as a shock to Patrick when he learnt that she was Malli’s wife who was in early twenties. All she said was, “After Malli my life is hell. But I am happy what he did.” There was a fire of anger burning in her.
Slowly the way of life of these villagers came in front of Patrick. The tortures of zamindars remained same since years, only name of zamindars’ changed. Although Pratap was not as devilish as his brother was but still he continued the tradition of oppression and fear to continue living. The feeling of genuine pain for these helpless people cropped in his heart. However, he knew he was just a guest visiting Patter Ghata for few days and thought it wise not to mess up with local people and their lives.
Somehow from bits and pieces that he gathered from villagers regarding Malli, it came up to narrate a horrendous story. Malli was a bonded labourer, who found it hard to meet his daily requirements of life. And when he married, his responsibilities grew. Still he never complained. He was always happy. His happiest day was the one when he was informed that he would soon be a father. His happiness was of no limits.
Time flew on. One day Malli’s wife, Gauri asked for a leave. She was in full months. And was not feeling to well. That day was the day when ‘Dhaan’ (paddy) of zamindar was being boiled. It was a lot of work and being a bonded labour’s wife, in a way she was too a bonded labourer. She asked to be excused for a day, but under no circumstances would Zamindar would hear to that. And Zamindar’s eldest son Rajesh, being too cruel and hot-tempered took it to be a lame excuse. He went to her pulled her up by her hair and pushed her towards the big ‘Karhai’ was on fire. She fell on her stomach. Zamindar too was bit taken aback. He never thought his son would be so rash. Still he was zamindar and Rajesh was his son, he ignored the matter and ordered Gauri not to be relieved. He was afraid that if instantaneously Gauri would go home, incident fresh in her mind would bring some troubles. After things cooled off, nothing much would happen.
Things never cooled off. That night Gauri was in much pain. Malli rushed to village Vaid. Vaid walked towards Malli’s house but half way through he was summoned by Zamindar to attend Rajesh who had cut himself on palm while cleaning his gun. Vaid knew that he was needed more at Malli. But Zamindar could never see his son’s cut. Vaid too had no other option. He went to Zamindar. That night Gauri suffered a miscarriage.
It was a shock for Malli. He had seen all cruelties and had suppressed it in his heart, masking it with a smile. That night itself, he took his blade and killed both Zamindar and Rajesh. Pratap at that moment entered the room. Malli ignored him. Pratap was known to be different from others.
Next morning, Patrick was to leave for Calcutta. Pratap came till the bank of the river to see in off. Somehow he felt relived on Patrick’s departure. Patrick too was happy. At last he’d go home and forget all those painful tales he learnt here.
River was carrying him slowly. The ripples created by the boatman’s oar were dancing on surface of water. It was pleasing his senses. He took Malli’s flute and started playing. Half way he asked boat’s man to stop.
Someone tapped Pratap on his shoulder as he was on his way home after seeing Patrick off. He turned. He was surprised to see Patrick standing! He had stretched his hand full and was holding his pistol at Pratap’s forehead. Patrick could hear Malli’s voice “… had you been in my place, you too would have done the same“. Click! His pistol replied ready. And the next second, Patrick looking straight into Pratap’s eyes pulled the trigger.
Patrick Dyen:
He is a man on the verge of retirement. He is an English man. He has a sense of superiority of whites over blacks. Ten long years he spent in India but he was always confined to his jails or to the social gatherings that were exclusively for English.
Back home he has a daughter who is happily married, and a lovely wife. He loves them too much but never does he let that come in his mind purposefully. But in attempt to forget them his remembered them more during the time he stayed in India. Once in a year he used to go to England.
Very stern to outer view but he had a hidden taste. He loved music. In England he played violin. But when he was transferred to India; out of intent dislike about India he never got his violin. He considered the land of infecting mosquitoes worthless to enjoy a high stature thing like music.
Unfortunately during his tenure in India he never met such innocent person in premises of jail as Malli. As such he was fixed to his opinion about moralless people in likely country.
He was stern to his prisoners and at the same time he was a prisoner of his own preconceived notions. He came to conclusion after a long duel with himself on any and every matter but when he made up his mind, it was never easy even for him to change it. Yet he was not totally obstinate. It was only a case of being a bit little fixed about his view.
All his life he did what he felt was right and never cared for consequences. He hated crime and especially those against women. He is a stern man when it comes to law and order. He believes in the fact once a criminal, always a criminal. On top of his priority list was his duties.
Somehow, in his deeper subconscious psychology he saw his daughter’s reflection in them. He respected women and was always courteous and gentle with them, even with wives, sisters or mothers of criminals he hated.
Malli:
He is a young man for 20-22. He is happy go lucky person who takes any circumstance in his stride. He is always smiling. Although he sees all injustices done by zamindar’s family but he ignores it. He is too optimistic who wants to see the bright sunlight in pitch-dark house of tar. He just defers all scopes of conflicts. Villagers take this as his weakness and some take it as a sign of immaturity.
He is a bonded labour. His father and grandfather too were. In-fact the loan taken by the grandfather was still paid by the grandson. The condition of interest was such that once loan was taken can never be repaid. It was the tragedy of the whole peasant community. At the time of the story, in 1913 that was the state of Patter Ghata, a small village of Bengal. It was too interior to be touched by any outside happening. The outlook of Malli was like other villager was limited within the boundary of his village. He had never been out of village except to nearby ‘Haat’ (market), which was held in out skirts of village.
Since childhood he had been brought up with the constant views of elders that zamindar family was a privileged family partly because they are chosen ones of God to rule over the lower ones who had done some sins in their present or past lives. In a way Malli had accepted it as he never complained about it and neither did he ever say that one day every body would be equal or for that matter that one day I’ll be free of bonded labour. Rather he believed and lived in present. He did his work well and just thought about it. He’d always ignore all other questions of future by saying ‘Well, I am bonded labourer and that’s true. They are zamindars we are different and each of us have different set of works which we do’.
But unknown to all, in his heart he was greatly pained by the unequal treatment. He hated cruelty, he was always worst affected by it but chose to think that he was happy as he knew perfectly well that there was no other way out. The force and power of zamindar could not be curbed and he knew no body would back him if he chose to protest on others behalf. Therefore he thought it best to lock all bitterness in his heart and spread as much as happiness as he could.
However all bitterness that was accumulating was taking a shape of great undercurrent of lava that just needed one weak spot to burst out.
Zamindar:
A truly cruel landlord of 35-38, who thought that only he, had the right to live. And what a way to live! He did every and anything to acquire wealth. He got all his pleasure in acquiring wealth and spending it rather lavishly. His interests were wine, silk and hunting.
He was only concerned with the welfare of his family. A small injury to any of his family member he would go insane. He loved his family more than anything else on earth but never believed in showing them. For him it was not meet that zamindar family would also display emotions as ordinary people do. In his view zamindars were humans and others equal to worms.
He saw since his childhood the policy of dominance. His father was too cruel with peasants and he did inherit those trails. He believed it was his right to extract as much as he wanted from peasants. Somehow to cover up all the acts of cruelty, often he would give example of spring and pressure. Peasants were spring kept under pressure for long and if little relaxation was given then it would be dangerous. He knew it too well that it was just an excuse he was giving to himself but still he liked to give himself a benefit of doubt so that he would come clean in court of his conscience.
Adorned in costliest silk, enjoying wine every now and then but careful enough not to get drunk, he enjoyed his time either by making money or by hunting in jungles of ‘Sunderban’. His good qualities were he was fidelite towards his wife and he never did raise up his hands on any women as he did to their counter parts. He was moderately respectful towards the peasant women folk.
Rajesh:
If evil could be reincarnated perhaps he would be Rajesh. He had the worst of the kind of characters that a young man of 18 would have. From his father he had inherited the dominating attitude. He took it to be his birthright to fulfill his wishes even at the cost of injury or death to other peasants. He was arrogant and was friendly with only people of zamindar class.
He was a failure in studies but took to ‘Akhada’ he was too good in fights. Whole village was afraid of him and his skills in fights. However he was of weak psychology. He was always in a way afraid that some day if peasants rise he would lose all he has. And thus he dominated them more and more. He would knowingly injure and try even to kill the ego of the peasants. He was also afraid of his younger uncle Pratap who always talked of equality.
He was brought up in a very confusing environment where one side was his father and on another was his uncle. Although, uncle was the one who had to give in, in arguments it inflicted fear of peasants rise in his heart and made him even more arrogant and cruel.
He never touched alcohol as it was not good for his ‘Akhada’ and his fighting skill but he loved hunting wild animals and any beautiful thing he saw but not with in his reach. He made it sure that the things he liked would be his or else it would be destroyed. He was also of a loose character; who enjoyed timely relationship with girls either by his acting to be in love with her or by force. Needless to add that he had permanent person who would buy girls for his entertainment from some cities too.
Gauri:
She is a girl of 16-18; she was born and brought up in Patter Ghata. She is a lively girl who runs around the village doing some mischief or the other. She was not that friendly with other girls of the village but she has a band of younger boys of 5-7 following her. Her favourite pass times were stealing mangoes, guavas and berries. She is a perfect tomboy, which was rather very unusual at that period of time. Constantly she and her band would get into some sorts of problems with either caretaker of the grooves.
She was a great dreamer. She always lived in her own dreamland when not doing some pranks. It was by some pranks only that she was introduced to Malli.
It so happened that Malli was acting in an open-air pendal play organized by villages in their pass times. At that time she was on a tree watching the play, as girls were not allowed to watch the play from a near distance. She chose her own very spot, to be just above the artist on the tree under which they were acting. She was enjoying herself thoroughly when suddenly a monkey landed on her branch and she landed on ground, pushing Malli away. Once in the secure ground, her mischievous mind could not help challenging the monkey by throwing some stones at him. Revengeful monkey came down and what resulted was a total chaos. It was her first meeting with Malli, although they had seen each other from a distance.
They met and gradually they fell in love. When Gauri married the change that came to her life she took it very elegantly. Now, still mischievous but more mature, caring and loving wife, lover and daughter in law. Still she had a dream, dream that her child would never in a bonded labourer. She never had any idea how that would be possible but nevertheless she was determined to do so.
Pratap:
Young man of 23-25, Pratap faced the most ups and downs in his life. As he opened his eyes in midst of suppression, violence and overpowering of stronger on weaker, he never could identify himself to be one of the family who follows rule of dominance. He felt bad on the pitiable condition of labourers but couldn’t convince himself against the logics that his brother and father gave in favour of what they did. Some times he dreamt of giving equal rights to every one once he sits on the throne of his brother. And this gave him solace. But when he saw the labourers he could never stop himself thinking why all this, when will it end.
From his high school onwards he was sent to Calcutta for studies. It was a tradition in ‘zamindar bardhi’ that at least one boy from a generation would get higher education. Since Pratap was interested in studies and was good at it, he went. His stay at Calcutta further strengthened his dislike against the tyranny of his family. As his studies took much of his time, he couldn’t give more attention to all these thoughts. Whenever he went back to his home in vacations, what he got was frustration.
When he was in XII, he was called home to marry off another zamindar’s daughter, Gayatri. He abided by it. He was too obedient towards his family. After marriage he left his wife at village and went to pursue his study. Now every fortnight he used to come home to meet his wife. His wife was a lovely girl who never knew any trouble in her life. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and brought up in a lavish environment. At her in laws place also she used to just pass time in knitting, gossiping and waiting for her husband. She never understood Pratap’s philosophy of equality but nevertheless, as a good wife listened to everything and forgot it next instance.
Major turn came in his life when he was back at village during his vacation. Sudden shouts made him run towards the ‘baithak’ (study). He was horrified to see Malli slaughtering his brother and nephew. He was too shocked to react. Many questions were banging in his head. Was his brother right in saying, that peasants should never be trusted? He saw a devilish anger, frustration and hatred in Malli’s eyes, the same that his brother often used to say. But at the same time he could also feel pain that prompted Malli to act such. He had now no other way. What Zamindar tried all his life to make him understand was done by a few moments of Zamindar’s gruesome death. Pratap knew that he would be the next person to ride the tiger, if survived that night.
Then onwards, Patter Ghata got a new zamindar, Pratap. All his high philosophy of equality succumbed to the fear of peasants rising. He now was a torturous zamindar, who unlike his brother did not torch the colony to punish a peasant but would make sure to torch his house to punish him.
His conscience indeed questioned him at time but he couldn’t risk his and his families’ life. He became too cruel, but lesser than his brother and too quiet, and withdrawn.
From the first night Patrick heard the flute, soothing and refreshing that took him to the memories of England to his wife Maria and daughter Rachel. This repeated every night till one night it was quiet. His enquire brought the information that the flutist was a murder convict, Malli.
Soon it was found that Malli was sick and for the first time Patrick saw as the doctor attended him. He was amazed to see a murderer with such an innocent face.
Life of Malli in jail is shown. He was loved by all his inmates and was known as a joyous, helpful and a very simple and innocent, hardworking person. But always he lived in his own world, which, was seen, in his eyes.
Patrick orders for Malli. He said Malli that Malli is going to keep his room clean and attend him. He would ask Malli every night to play flute for him. He got interested in Malli and India through Malli’s eyes.
During Patrick’s and Malli’s conversation Malli’s past happy life is shown. His young age, Gauri and his friends group comes to life. He says how he met Gauri and for the first time Patrick laughed quite loudly and next moment. Most important undercurrent aspects of all his stories were, the river, the boat and the ripples. Many a times Patrick asks Malli about the reason why he killed the zamindar and his son. And is he really convict or victim to any conspiracy. But he never speaks of all those. Very cheerfully he goes on serving the otherwise cruel jailor and never thinks of his death sentence.
Malli’s date of hanging comes. Patrick was sad but never let any expression come on his face. Whole night before, he listens to Malli’s flute. When asked of the last wish, Malli avoids it and replies Patrick that he had to do what he did and had Patrick been in his place, he would have done the same.
Patrick misses Malli and learns flute. During last two months on insistence of his friends he decides to see India. As he remembered Malli’s description of his village, Patter Ghata, he prepares to visit the village.
In village Pratap is shown as punishing a peasant who did not pay his rent. Pratap’s men mercilessly beat him. As a person shrieks standing there, Pratap’s men go to beat him too. But Pratap stops them saying to do as they are said. They break peasant’s left hand and while leaving Pratap orders the peasant not to be late next day for work.
Moving towards Patter Ghata by boat Patrick finds the words spoken by Malli true. The ripples created by the boats indeed inspire to create music. He also couldn’t resist playing flute. Boatmen were astonished.
As he stepped to the bank, found the grand welcome by zamindar Pratap. He was given all the benefits and pleasures that can be thought of. Pratap and Patrick sit down at dinner table and after dinner Pratap took Patrick for a walk in his mangroves. As they roamed along a peasant rushes in pleading Pratap to stop his men from taking his son as bonded labourer. But Pratap orders him to repay his loan back in a week or else give his son as bonded labourer. He explains Patrick that he is riding a tiger. Tiger of fear and oppression. If he dismounts, tiger will eat him up. He urges Patrick not to go near the lowly village folks.
One day as Patrick wishes to go round the village, Pratap arranges escorts for him and instructs them secretly to avoid Patrick’s meeting with villagers. But they find themselves helpless, as Patrick never heeds them. But no villagers come to him and either goes away or look at him with hatred. His curiosity makes him ask for Malli here and there but he got no result. Back at home escorts inform disturbed Pratap of Patrick’s inquiry of Malli.
Pratap recalls back the memories of his brother and nephew. The sequence is as flash back. Pratap’s childhood days, Zamindar’s affection towards family and tortures towards villagers, his schooling and college at Calcutta are depicted. The time flies for Pratap amidst books. Back in the village Rajesh is grown up to be young and evil. He never hesitates to punish by burning alive, and lifts any girl he likes from village. He becomes right hand of his father who although doesn’t approve all he did, but relied on him to continue his reign of ‘Zamindari’. In the meantime he gets call from his home for marriage and he obeys. Arrival of Gayatri in his life was a sweet experience.
On subsequent visits he tries to win confidence of children. On bribing one child with a chocolate he gets the address where Malli used to live.
She is in rags and looked in forties although as Malli had said, she should be in mid twenties. She flares in rage as Patrick introduces himself. She never discloses the reason behind Malli’s deed on Patrick’s asking. She never repents Malli’s death and qualifies Malli’s deed as correct and heroic. She laments there is no more Malli for Pratap.
Villagers start talking to Patrick and pieces of Malli’s story began to fit in jigsaw puzzle.
Next morning Patrick was to leave, but that night he couldn’t sleep. He missed Malli’s music. He remembered and visualised the experiences of Malli and his wife, the night of Gauri’s misfortune and Malli’s revenge. He was quite close to cruelty throughout his life but never realized this would look so ghastly when others inflict it. He was happy as his service ended.
Next morning he sets out. Again grand farewell is kept for him but he remains too quite and withdrawn. Pratap is secretly happy that he is going. Patrick goes by boat and on way ripples made him play Malli’s flute as a tribute to ripples in the river and Malli.
Face of Malli, voice of Gauri and plight of villagers came in front of him. Lastly he was surrounded by collage of Malli and Gauri saying whatever Malli did was correct and had there been Patrick in his place, he would have done the same. He remembered Gauri saying they need another Malli.
Pratap returns after bidding bye to Patrick and walks by the riverbank. Somebody taps him on his shoulders. He turns back to see Patrick’s face. Before he could react, Patrick takes his pistol out, points between his eyes, and looks him in his eyes. Pratap is too shocked and confused to react. Patrick takes his time.
Patrick pulls the trigger.
Patrick Dyen : Amitabh Bacchan.
Malli : Hrithik Roshan.
Zamindar : Naseeruddin Shah.
Pratap : Abhishek Bacchan.
Rajesh : Ajay Devgan.
Gauri : Aishwarya Rai.
Gayatri : Simone Singh.
Chandu : Anu Kapoor.
Maria : Helen.
Rachel : Rinkie Khanna.