A Reunion

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women
merely players: they have their exits and their
entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his
acts being seven ages" - Shakespeare

Pranoy Suresh

Vipul Greens, Gurgaon

Ph - 8854937937
Created using Celtx
 2.

INT.HALL OF A HOUSE IN KANNUR - MORNING

The crowing of a cock announces the sun rise in suburbs of a

town in northern Kerala.

Balakrishnan Nambiar is enjoying his morning cup of tea. He

is dressed in the traditional household attire of any
Malayali – Banyan and lungi. BALAN, as he is called, is
sitting in the hall of his simple house sipping his tea while
glancing through the newspaper. A news channel plays on the
television. Balan occasionally shifts his glance from the
newspaper to the T.V sipping the tea all the while.

BALAN
(Reading one of the news from the
paper to himself)
All four members of a drug mafia gang
has been found murdered near Anamudi.
has been murdered near Anamudi. Police
suspects a feud over narcotics to be
the cause of the mass murder. The
prime suspect is SUDHIR KULKARNI alias
SUKUMARAN who is a member of prominent
drug racket.
(talking to himself)
Wow.. great..Killed.. murdered..
raped.. Negative trash ruins the whole
day.. Great way to start the day.
(Shouting out loud to his mother
in the kitchen)
Amme.. One more strong tea

AMMA (V.O)
(Shouting back)
Help yourself..

A news flashes on the television about an international

criminal NASHAR MALIK RABBANNI who is wanted by 13 countries
of the middle eastern and african countries for drug
peddling. Balan views the news with awe.

BALAN
(Talking to himself in awe)
The underworld is so exciting and
intriguing
(Shouting back to Amma)
Do I have any kind of importance in
this family?
(After a pause)
No.. right?..

Suddenly Balan receives a call on his old nokia phone. An

international number flashes on the display.

BALAN
(talking to himself)

Created using Celtx

 3.

International number aanallo.. Hope it

is from the underworld..
(picks up the calls)
Hello.. who is it?

The call is from Joy Mathew, Balan's college mate from BITS
Pilani. He is currently working as a client executive in
London for an MNC

JOY
Hey Balan Man..Landed at Kochi..Where
the hell are you man??

BALAN
Ehh.. Joy?? Ohh my God I forgot..
Today is our reunion right?

JOY
Great man... We busy guys have managed
to arrive from London and Canada. You,
who do not have anything to do except
sleeping all day long have forgotten
about our reunion. Exactly as
expected.. same old asshole..

BALAN
(smiles sheepishly)
Has Anil arrived from Canada?

JOY
No will reach by evening flight

BALAN
O..O..

JOY
What the hell are you waiting for?
Start right now. I'll check into a
hotel nearby. If you start now, you'll
be able to reach Kochi by the time
Anil arrives.

BALAN
I have already started..

JOY
Make it quick..
(cuts the call, smiles and talks
to himself)
The same old Balan.. No change at
all..

BALAN
(shouting to his mother in kitchen)

Created using Celtx

 4.

Mom, I have to go.. will be back in

two days..

AMMA (V.O)
(shouting back)
Just feed the hens before you leave..

BALAN
What the ...? I am late already
(frustratedly pulls his hair)

Created using Celtx

 5.

INT. HOTEL ROOM IN KOCHI- LATE EVENING

Joy is relaxing in his hotel room, surfing the web on his

smartphone. There is a ring at the door. Joy gets up from his
bed with difficulty and opens the door

JOY
(Opens the door and a big smile
appears on his face)

ANIL
Hey man.. long time bro..

JOY
(Hugs ANIL)

Yo man.. It took you so long from

airport? I was about to call you about
the delay.Come on in..

They step into the room and Anil dumps his bags onto the bed
and lets himself fall onto the sofa. He removes his shoes
without untying the laces and throws them in random direction

ANIL
I feeling very nostalgic since the
time I landed. I was looking for a
packet of beedi. That's why I am late.
I am tired of all the so called high
end Panama cigars..
(Takes out the packet of beedi)
Even the labourers today do not
consume this... Had to roam around a
lot to get this..
(A variety of emotions flash on
Anil's face)
Dinesh beedi.. you remember? We used
to jump over the wall in the backyard
of our hostel at midnight without
getting spotted by Warden NAIR to get
this. The best smoke money can buy
cannot replace the high this simple
thing gives you. I am gonna live our
golden college days for the next few
days

JOY
(swallows temptingly)
Light me one before you proceed with
your speech..
(After lighting and taking a puff)
You are right Anil.. This is a special
feeling..

Created using Celtx

 6.

As you said, let's forget everything

and make the best out of the next two
days..
(Makes a drink for both)
just like good old college days..
cheers..

Created using Celtx

 7.

INT.HOTEL ROOM IN KOCHI - NIGHT

Both JOY and ANIL are somewhat inebriated and talking

nonsense. There is a knock on the door. Joy somehow helps
himself to the door and opens the door to find Balan's
smiling face. He hugs Balan and kisses him on the cheek, his
inebriated condition heightening his expression of affection.
Anil also stirs and manages to sit up. Balan and Joy come
inside the room. Anil falls onto Balan's feet.

ANIL
My dear bala.. You are a great soul..
Bless me..
(Balan could only smile at the
dramatics these guys were putting
up)

JOY
Bless me too.. We have changed but you
are the same old simple Balan. No
pretensions, no artificiality.. just
life at it's simplest. Bless us Bala..
bless us..

Balan was enjoying his old friends' dramatic performances.

Suddenly his phone rings. As he gets his phone from his
pocket, his smile disappears and he moves to a corner to
attend the call.

BALAN
(In hindi)
Bolo bhai

VOICE
(In hindi)
Batao kya Kiya jaye..

BALAN
Jaroori hai kya aaj hi maarna?

ANIL suddenly gets alert on hearing the conversation about

killing someone

VOICE
Jaroori hai.. nahi toh hamara kaam
nahi chalega

BALAN
Khatam kar do phir saale Ko..
(This dialogue echoes, background
tune may be added)

There is pin drop silence. Joy is drunk and in semiconscious

state. But Anil has become alert on listening to Balan's
conversation

Created using Celtx

 8.

ANIL
Bala.. who the hell are you guys
butchering?

BALAN
(Smiles wickedly)
Hehe.. You'll get to know ..

Anil frowns at Balan with drooping eyes as Balan smiles at

him wickedly..

FADE OUT

Created using Celtx

 9.

EXT. OUTSIDE OF HOTEL.MORNING

The three of them step out of the hotel after checking out
and are planning to go to Alapuzha.

BALAN
let's get a cab to Alapuzha. It's
horribly hot in May

ANIL
No way man.. Let's travel in bus

BALAN
You'll have to stand all the way.
Buses in this route have heavy rush

JOY
Then so be it. We are fed up of air-
conditioned cabs and luxuries. Now at
least for the next two days we would
like to be simple like you

BALAN
Okay. I always travel in buses. I was
suggesting a cab because I thought you
guys may not be comfortable in a bus.
(pointing in forward direction)
The bus stop is a ten minute walk..
come on.

Created using Celtx

 10.

EXT.BUS STOP.MORNING

As the three of them were waiting at the bus stop sipping tea
from a tea stall, Balan receives a call on his cell phone.
Anil looks at him suspiciously as Balan moves away to attend
the call.

ANIL
(pokes Joy's elbow, his eyes still
fixed on Balan)
You see that?

JOY
Where? Where?

ANIL
Balan moving away from us to attend
the call..

JOY
(losing interest)
So what?

ANIL
why can't he attend the call from
here? why move away? what is he trying
to hide from us?

JOY
Might be something personal..
girlfriend or something. Why are you
getting so suspicious?

ANIL
What personal? What would be such a
great secret which Balan cannot
divulge even to his best friends? You
know what happened yesterday at hotel
room

Joy describes the conversation he overheard yesterday at the

hotel room

JOY
What nonsense? You might have
hallucinated. You were too drunk
yesterday.

ANIL
I was not as drunk as you

JOY
Just chill man. It's your imagination
running wild. You know what? You need

Created using Celtx

 11.

to quit your hectic job and become a

writer as you have always aspired to.
Your imagination is currently being
employed in a fruitless manner.

ANIL is gazing at BALAN talking over the phone at a distance

Created using Celtx

 12.

INT.HOUSEBOAT.AFTERNOON

The three of them settle down in their respective rooms. Anil

and Joy share a room while Balan takes a single room within
the houseboat.

(sound of beer cans popping open)

ANIL, BALAN AND JOY TOGETHER

Cheers !!!

JOY
This is life man..

BALAN
I have told the cook to fry the fishes
with extra spices.. will be arriving
in a moment

They enjoy the trip. The beauty of backwaters and the lush
green lining of foliage on either side of water makes a
beautiful view.

Created using Celtx

 13.

INT.HOUSEBOAT.EVENING

Joy was walking past Balan's room when he suddenly happens to

hear muffled conversation from inside the room.

BALAN
Beende sie alle.. Just do as I say

The door of the room is closed. Joy keeps his ears close to
the door to hear more clearly

BALAN
Send the money right away..
(pause as the other person speaks)

JOY
(to himself)
Balan is talking to someone over phone

BALAN
Denke nicht.. Tote sie alle..

JOY
(to himself)
Which language is this?? Tote si
alle..
(takes out his smart phone and
types these words in google
translate)

Joy lets out a gasp as he reads the translated text. The

translation of german words 'Tote Si Alle' is 'Kill them
all'. Joy looks at the closed door with wide eyes.

(to himself)
So what Anil was talking about is
correct..

BALAN
you know me well.. if you don't get
someone to do it, I'll see to it that
all of them are finished. I don't want
any more trouble.

Joy stands there shocked, gazing at the closed door

Created using Celtx

 14.

INT.HOUSEBOAT.NIGHT

At night all three of them have a leisurely dinner.. Joy and

Anil both look at Balan suspiciously while eating. However
Balan is his usual jovial self

BALAN
What happened? both of you look
worried?

JOY
Nothing.. Some problems back in London

BALAN
Your girlfriend eloped with someone
again?
(laughs out aloud)

Anil also laughs along with Balan. Joy gets irritated at both
of them.

JOY
(sarcastically)
Ha Ha Ha what a joke..

Created using Celtx

 15.

EXT.ALLEPEY MUNNAR HIGHWAY - MORNING

A milestone on the roadside displays 150kms to Munnar as the

vehicle in which the three friends are travelling passes by

The journey may be captured along with a background score

Created using Celtx

 16.

INT.HOTEL ROOM IN MUNNAR - LATE EVENING

JOY
come on guys.. lets fix a drink

BALAN
what the hell? you have no pursuits in
life except drinking? This trip is not
all about drinking every evening.
There are better things to do in life

ANIL
yes you are right Balan

JOY
better things like what?

BALAN
(smiles in his familiar
mischievous manner)
Better things like smoking weed..

The doorbell rings and Balan's face lights up.

BALAN
Wow.. what a timing..

Balan opens the door and in steps a decently dressed person.

He is dressed in jeans and red full sleeve shirt well tucked
in. His demeanor is that of being from a rich background and
holds a sophisticated air about himself, unlike Balan who is
a traditional village simpleton

BALAN
Meet my childhood friend Sukumar..

SUKUMAR
Hey guys.. nice to meet you all..

BALAN
Sukumar presently owns a plantation
business here in Wayanad.
(smiles at Sukumar)
He is no more the poor guy I knew in
childhood. He is a rich businessman
now.

JOY
Come on in.. sit down. Would you like
a drink?

SUKUMAR
(Smiling in embarassment as he
takes a seat)

Created using Celtx

 17.

Don't believe this fool. Only I know

the troubles of running a business
successfully..

BALAN
Did you bring the item I told you to
bring?

Sukumar reaches to his pocket and hands over to Balan what

seems to be a pouch filled with leaves

ANIL
(Suspiciously viewing the item
handed over to Balan)
what plantation do you own here?

SUKUMAR
It is primarily tea and pepper....
and..

ANIL
and??

SUKUMAR
(pointing to the pouch in Balan's
hand)
This

BALAN
(holding the pouch high up in the
air)
guys.. this is the best weed in all of
India.. Idukki Gold..

Joy and Anil stare at Balan with open mouth

BALAN
Sukumar, you got a packet of
cigarette?

Sukumar hands over the packet of cigarettes to Balan

BALAN
just give me 5 mins.. I'll be back
with a joint
(goes into another room)

JOY
Sukumar, isn't this illegal? how do
you manage to evade the law?

SUKUMAR
(lighting a cigarette)

Created using Celtx

 18.

It's money the lawmakers are after.

You give them their share, nothing
matters anymore.

Anil and Joy stare at each other.

Balan returns with a joint in his hand.

BALAN
Give me a light

Sukumar hands over the lighter to Balan

JOY
Bala, you are not as simple and plain
as we thought. You turned out to be
Jayakrishnan from Thoovanathumbikal.

ANIL
Right, we thought you to be a purist.
Now we see you have some tricks up
your sleeves

BALAN
For a person like me these are the
small enjoyments in life. When I get
bored of mom's complaints back at
home, I escape and come here to enjoy
a few days. Luckily Sudhir also
happened to settle down in Munnar.
(holding his joint up)
Hence I am never short of this..

JOY
Now give me a puff..

BALAN
(winking at joy)
Now maybe we can think of fixing a
drink

All of them take rounds smoking the joint and drink whiskey.
(Scenes of merriment)

After a while all are dead stoned and drunk. Joy cannot hold
it anymore and blurts out

JOY
Bala.. You are not anymore the Balan
we knew in college.. Who the bloody
hell are you?

BALAN
(gets alert all of a sudden)
What the ..?

Created using Celtx

 19.

ANIL
Yes.. Joy is right. We happened to
overhear some of your conversations
over phone..
(pointing to Sukumar)
Also how could an innocent guy like
you have connections with this asshole
sitting here? You know all this joint
and stuff are illegal don't you?

SUKUMAR
(in anger)
Mind your words.. else you'll repent

BALAN
Hey cool down guys..
(Turning to Joy and Anil)
What's it that you want to know?

JOY
who were you talking to in German? I
translated your words. You were
talking about killing people.

BALAN
(Expressing difficulty in
recalling, partly due to his
inebriated condition)
when? Ohh.. Ohh.. That..
(laughs out aloud)
Hey Sukumar you see this.. there
cannot be a greater comedy..
(not able to contain his laughter)
You morons!! What you overheard might
be me talking about my poultry
business..

JOY
No you were talking about killing some
people and that too in German.

BALAN
You fool... It was a conversation with
my business partner and friend
Shankaran on killing the hens from the
last lot since one of them died of
infection, which we suspect is the
avian flu..

Joy frowns at Balan..

FLASHBACK TO CONVERSATION

Created using Celtx

 20.

BALAN
There is no point thinking of all
that. You need to hire someone to cull
all the birds from the current lot

SANKARAN (V.O)
We'll face heavy loss baala.. What
about that?

This is when Joy happens to hear the conversation as he was

passing by.

BALAN
(speaking in english)
Beende sie alle.. Just do as I say

SANKARAN (V.O)
I don't think we'll get someone to
kill so many of them. Why don't you
tell that Bengali guy near your home..
what's his name?..Madhu right? to come
and do it. He will do it for a meager
amount. I'll give him his due.

BALAN
Send the money right away..

SANKARAN (V.O)
You are a nice person Bala.. Your
concern for humanity is what I adore.
Töten führt zu großen Verlusten.
(Killing them all will lead us to huge
loss)

BALAN
Denke nicht.. Tote sie alle..

you know me well.. if you don't get

someone to do it, I'll see to it that
all of them are finished. I don't want
any more trouble.

BACK TO PRESENT SCENE

JOY
Why the hell do you have to talk in
German?

BALAN
Both of us are attending German
classes together. We recently planned
to apply for job in Germany. So we
speak in German with each other
whenever possible.
(gets a bit emotional)

Created using Celtx

 21.

All of my friends including you guys

are working outside India and earning
like hell. I am tired of my poverty
and seeing my mom suffer. The poultry
business which I started with Sankaran
recently is also not doing well.

Joy and Anil are touched. They repent doubting Balan.

BALAN
I know when your mood swings even
slightly. I have been noticing the
change in your behaviour since
yesterday.
(turning to Anil)
I know you might also have concerns
about my conversation at the hotel
room at Kochi. It was Madhu. His
uncle's family was coming from
Calcutta to meet him and he wanted to
serve them good homemade biriyani. He
was asking for a full grown chicken
from my farm to cook.
(smiling to himself)
Poor guy.. maybe he is thinking that
his uncle will marry his daughter to
him. Hence he is desperately trying to
please him..

You see..Everybody has his own set of

tensions and worries... It may seem
like a joke for beholders who witness
a person's struggle. But for the
person the problem is real big and he
is trying his best to tackle the
situation with his available
resources.

JOY
Sorry.. forgive us. We doubted you.
You are the most pious and noble soul
I have ever met. How could I even
doubt you?

BALAN
He he.. what is this evil and noble
nonsenses? Aren't all of them are just
mind's play?
(goes into a philosophical mood)
What you perceive as bad and what
society has told you is bad is evil.
And what our society has taught us as
good are virtues. Aren't all these
just prejudices of mind? What is good
for one may be evil for another, just
because his perception is different

Created using Celtx

 22.

Just jumble the letters Santa and

you'll have Satan.
There is no need to live life in
compartments of prejudices. Just live
full on. Let the good and evil
business go to hell. Are you enjoying
life? And are others around you
enjoying as well?? This is all that
matters at the end of the day.
(becomes conscious)
Sorry.. I went into a preaching mode

ANIL
No Balan. Every word you spoke is
true. We may have earned a high paying
job abroad and a good life. But we
still have a lot to learn from you.

SUKUMAR
I envy all of you for the friendships
you share. It has been an eye opener
for me as well...

Regarding the cannabis plantation, I

am already winding up this business.
It is again Balan who made me change
my mind. He usually doesn't encourage
this but this time he called me up to
bring some stuff just to entertain you
guys.

I am here in Idukki to seal this

business and settle everyone once and
for all. I will be returning to my
construction business in Dubai day
after tomorrow.

Joy and Anil look at Balan as he smiles back at them

SUKUMAR
Well now that everything is solved,
let's toast our last pegs to Balan and
his future

The clinking of glasses is followed by the combined shout of

all four of them

CHEERS!!!

Created using Celtx

 23.

EXT.BUS STOP IN MUNNAR - MORNING

Joy and Anil are carrying their packed bags.

JOY
(smiling to cover up his sadness)
So Baala, finally time to go.. We had
a great time.

BALAN
I won't be coming to the airport to
see you off. Don't want to create an
emotional drama at the airport.

ANIL
Sorry about our behaviour

BALAN
Hey.. just let go man..

JOY
We should have planned a longer
vacation.. anyways.. as always.. next
time...

Joy and Anil wave at Balan as their bus starts and leaves.
Balan waves back at them.

Created using Celtx

 24.

EXT.NEAR KOCHI AIRPORT - NOON

Joy and Anil get down near the airport and go to a nearby tea
stall

Anil has taken a seat and is talking to his wife over the
phone, while Joy brings some banana fry (Pazham pori). Anil
continues to talk over the phone while eating and sipping the
tea. Joy is lost in thought as he takes a piece of the banana
fry from the newspaper in which shopkeeper had wrapped it.
Suddenly his gaze falls onto a piece of news in the
newspaper. He takes the crumbled piece of newspaper in his
hand and straightens it out to look at the news in detail.

The news is about a mass murder of four members of a gang

near Anamudi. There was also a black and white picture of the
prime accused SUKUMAR in the murder. Joy gasps in horror as
he sees the picture of Sukumar, who had been drinking in
their company yesterday. He reads through the news

(reading the news to himself)

All four members of a drug mafia gang
has been found murdered near Anamudi.
Police suspects a feud over narcotics
to be the cause of the mass murder.
The prime suspect is SUDHIR KULKARNI
alias SUKUMARAN who is a member of a
prominent drug racket. He is believed
to be the right hand of international
criminal NASHAR MALIK RABBANNI..
(Joy is horrified and dials Balan
on his phone)

JOY
Hello.. Baala.. Where are you?

BALAN
I am on the way back home? What
happened?

JOY
There is a news about Sukumar in the
newspaper.
(looks at the date and edition of
the newspaper)
This is Manorama newspaper dated 23rd
May, the day we arrived.. This Sukumar
is a prime suspect in a mass murder
near Anamudi.

BALAN
What?? are you talking our our
Sukumar?

Created using Celtx

 25.

JOY
Yes. The Sukumar we met yesterday. His
picture is also there in the news. He
is Sudhir Kulkarni alias Sukumaran
Police is on the lookout for him.

BALAN
I can't believe this.. Are you sure?

JOY
Yes Bala yes. If you can get a copy of
this paper read it yourself.

BALAN
My God !!

JOY
Bala I know you are an easy going and
innocent person. But please stay away
from this guy. He is sure to land you
in trouble. If possible please report
at your nearest police station about
this guy. Let us keep our safe
distance from all this illegal
activities.

BALAN
Yes.. you are right.. I'll contact the
police right away. He is a right hand
of some International criminal Nasher
Malik right?

JOY
Yes. He has got international links.
Best stay away from him..

BALAN
Hmmm.. You don't worry. I'll manage
this. See you later

JOY
See you.. Bye
(cuts the phone)

Suddenly he recalls that he did not tell Balan the name of

the criminal Nasher Malik. How did he get to know? If he had
read the news already, why did he act otherwise? Scenes of
Balan's behaviour flashes through his mind.

SCENE 1

Balan's conversation on houseboat

SCENE 2

Created using Celtx

 26.

Balan's speech on how he comes to Munnar once in a while to

smoke weed

SCENE 3

Balan talking about how Santa, if re-arranged becomes Satan

Joy looks at Anil in confusion who is still engaged on his

phone

Created using Celtx

 27.

EXT. KANNUR. ROADSIDE - NOON

Balan cuts the conversation with Joy and looks a bit worried.
Dials another number on his phone

BALAN
Hello Sudhir.. Your mission has been
successful. But I cannot guarantee
your safety here anymore. It's better
you leave for Dubai today itself. I
have arranged for your passport. get
it from Sankaran.

SUKUMAR
Yes sir.. See you at Dubai..

Balan cuts the call and keeps his phone back into his pocket.
He looks up at the hot summer sun blazing down at him.

This heat is becoming unbearable..

As balan walks down the roadway his name - BALAKRISHNAN

NAMBIAR re-arranges to become NASHAR MALIK RABBANNI

Created using Celtx