0:00:12 > 0:00:17SALEEM: 'I was born in the city of Bombay, once upon a time.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24'At the precise instant of India's arrival at Independence,
0:00:24 > 0:00:29'on the stroke of midnight, I tumbled forth into the world.
0:00:32 > 0:00:37'I, Saleem Sinai, was mysteriously handcuffed to history.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40'My destiny, forever chained to my country's.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45'And I couldn't even wipe my own nose at the time.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58'Most of what matters in our lives takes place in our absence.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03'And my life really began on the shore of the Dal Lake in Kashmir...
0:01:03 > 0:01:05'more than 30 years before I was born.'
0:01:09 > 0:01:12'The central feature of my grandfather's anatomy
0:01:12 > 0:01:15'was his magnificent nose.'
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- Doctor Aziz.- Good morning, Ghani Sahib.- Good morning.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Now that our own lady doctor is sick,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43you, Doctor Aziz, get the opportunity and she gets the sack.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45- Big chance for you, young man! - Yes, sir.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47I've heard nice things about you.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Good doctor, Europe-returned. Good family background.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Well, good enough.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55My daughter is not well.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57Do a good job. Make her all right.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59I have many friends in this town.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- And you have a practice to build. Right?- Right.- Right.
0:02:13 > 0:02:14Where is she, your daughter?
0:02:14 > 0:02:16She is standing behind the sheet, like a good girl.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21But, Ghani Sahib, how will I examine her without seeing her?
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Ah, I can see your confusion.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29You Europe-returned chappies forget certain things.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32My daughter is not going to flaunt her body
0:02:32 > 0:02:35under the nose of any Tom, Dick or, for that matter, Aziz.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39You will...specify the portion that you want to examine.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42What does the lady complain of?
0:02:42 > 0:02:45My poor child has terrible, too-dreading, stomach-ache.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49In that case, may I examine her...?
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Yes, Naseem, stomach, pronto.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11- May I?- Yeah, yes, you can.
0:03:11 > 0:03:12Thank you.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Doctor Aziz, my poor child is suffering from constipation.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35- Yes.- No, no.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Don't even think about it.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39There is no question of being permitted to administer an enema.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- No, no. No, no, Ghani Sahib. - No. I said "no"!
0:03:49 > 0:03:50Doctor Aziz!
0:03:58 > 0:03:59Thank you.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Is it...permitted that I touch?
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- Touch away, touch away! Hands of the healer!- Thank you.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21With your permission, please.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- Is it the lady's time of the month? - Yes.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32But then, then... Then there is nothing to worry about.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36- It's, it's, it's all right. - Don't be embarrassed, old chap!
0:04:36 > 0:04:37You're the family doctor now!
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Doctor Aziz...
0:04:59 > 0:05:01she has a headache.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22My goodness, Doctor, what a nose!
0:05:22 > 0:05:24HE LAUGHS
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Yes, it's quite a specimen.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30I agree.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36So, Doctor Aziz.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40Anything else?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42Just one more thing...
0:05:43 > 0:05:46We will be a modern couple.
0:05:46 > 0:05:47Naseem will not wear the veil.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50So, you will allow other men to look at her face?
0:05:51 > 0:05:53Most men, Ghani Sahib, are not beasts.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Most men are also not blind, Doctor Sahib.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18Listen, would you... move a little, please.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Move where? Move how?
0:06:24 > 0:06:25I mean...
0:06:27 > 0:06:28..like, like a woman.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36Who have I married?
0:06:37 > 0:06:39I know you foreign-educated types.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44You do God knows what with those foreign, terrible women,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46and then you expect us to be like them.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Listen, Doctor Sahib,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52husband or no husband,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54I am not the moving type.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57FLUTTERING WINGS
0:06:57 > 0:07:00LOW CONVERSATION IN URDU
0:07:26 > 0:07:29SALEEM: 'In Agra, my grandfather contracted
0:07:29 > 0:07:31'a dangerous form of optimism.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34'It was caused by Mian Abdullah,
0:07:34 > 0:07:36'the hope of all Indian Muslims...
0:07:36 > 0:07:38'who were against the partition of the country
0:07:38 > 0:07:40'into India and Pakistan.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44'A politician with a peacock-feather fan.'
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- We can beat them.- I'm sure.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48We are ready for whatever may come.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50There is talk of dirty deeds.
0:07:50 > 0:07:51Oh, yes?
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- This is Nadir Khan, my secretary. - Nice to meet you, Nadir.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57He has a heightened imagination.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- He's a poet, you see. - Oh, a poet...
0:07:59 > 0:08:03And what poetry! Not a single verse!
0:08:03 > 0:08:04Not a single verb!
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Well, all these ideas seem out of date to me. ..Excuse me, sir.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10All artistic expression is equal,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14poetry, movies, even the old men who use their skill to
0:08:14 > 0:08:16spit out betel-juice and hit a spittoon.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Perhaps I will get you a spittoon, so that you can practice your art.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22How about that, Mian Abdullah?
0:08:23 > 0:08:25These are new ideas. >
0:08:29 > 0:08:30We must leave, Your Highness.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33..Excuse us. Dr Aziz.
0:08:35 > 0:08:36Khuda-hafiz.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41LADIES GIGGLE NEARBY
0:08:51 > 0:08:53TYRES SCREECH
0:08:55 > 0:08:56GUNSHOT, GLASS SMASHES
0:08:58 > 0:09:01MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS
0:09:01 > 0:09:04GUNSHOTS CONTINUE
0:09:04 > 0:09:07TYRES SCREECH
0:09:22 > 0:09:23Mian Sahib?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34TYRES SCREECH IN DISTANCE
0:09:46 > 0:09:49DOGS BARK
0:09:58 > 0:10:01GEESE HONK AND FLAP
0:10:16 > 0:10:17Help me, Doctor Aziz.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20What?
0:10:23 > 0:10:24Please help me.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25Who's this?
0:10:27 > 0:10:29Sorry for the interruption!
0:10:29 > 0:10:30Such an intrusion.
0:10:32 > 0:10:33Nadir?
0:10:33 > 0:10:34I had to hide!
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Is that you, Nadir? What are you...?
0:10:38 > 0:10:40I saw everything, Doctor!
0:10:42 > 0:10:43They killed him.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Assassins shot him like a dog.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- And then they saw me! - Shh. Quiet.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53You have to hide me, Doctor.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54Or I'm a dead man.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01SALEEM: 'At home, Doctor Aadam Aziz found himself surrounded by women.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03'His formidable wife, Naseem,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07'and their three daughters - wise Alia, sweet Mumtaz,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09'and flighty Emerald.'
0:11:09 > 0:11:11He's asked us for our shelter.
0:11:11 > 0:11:12We have no choice.
0:11:20 > 0:11:21Please.
0:11:31 > 0:11:32And spare us your crazy oaths!
0:11:46 > 0:11:50But, Abba, where will we put him?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53We'll sweep him under the carpet.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Like all other problems.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'Sometimes emotions are stirred into food,
0:12:08 > 0:12:10'and become what you feel.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15'And sometimes, people leak into each other,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17'like flavours when you cook.'
0:12:19 > 0:12:23'Mumtaz Aziz, destined to be my mother,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27'took upon herself the duties of caring for the needs of Nadir Khan.'
0:12:51 > 0:12:52You're very good.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01I'm not a brainbox like Alia, or a beauty like Emerald.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08But you are.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Eat, now. Don't let it go cold.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30CAR AND GEESE HONK
0:13:37 > 0:13:39HE TAPS
0:13:45 > 0:13:47FOOTSTEPS APPROACH
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Terrible business, sir. I fully understand your grief.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02But you did know this fellow,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Nadir, secretary to Mian Abdullah?
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- No, I don't think so, no.- Met him at the Rani of Cooch Naheen's
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- on the night of the killing? - Yes, of course...
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Yes, I thought you might be able to shed some light on
0:14:17 > 0:14:19his disappearance. No?
0:14:23 > 0:14:24No.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26And of course these charming young ladies
0:14:26 > 0:14:28of yours have also seen nothing.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31And if we should see something, Major Zulfikar, what should we do?
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Ah. Miss Emerald. Naturally you should inform your father,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37who will then alert me in my office at the military cantonment.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- Yes, of course.- Of course. Thank you so much, Major.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Yes.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43Thank you, Major.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Sir. Ladies.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51Madam.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Did you see that girl, Captain? - Yes, sir.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- That, Captain, is the girl I intend to marry.- Yes, sir.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20'Feeling left out by her self-imposed vow of silence,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24'my grandmother eavesdropped on her daughters' dreams.'
0:15:32 > 0:15:35'She visited Emerald's dreams
0:15:35 > 0:15:38'and found Zulfikar lurking in them.'
0:15:51 > 0:15:53'In Alia's, she saw
0:15:53 > 0:15:58'the successful and handsome businessman, Ahmed Sinai.'
0:16:07 > 0:16:11'And in Mumtaz's, she saw a son.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15'A boy with a cucumber nose, unfortunately.'
0:16:25 > 0:16:30No, tell me a poem - one of yours.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33No, no, you wouldn't like it, OK?
0:16:33 > 0:16:36You must! The best one you ever wrote.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- It's got no rhymes. It's free verse. - Does it at least have a name?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- Yes.- So, what is it?
0:16:49 > 0:16:50Mumtaz.
0:17:12 > 0:17:13Spittoon.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16So that you can practise your art.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18See, I remembered.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21OK, I'm sorry, everyone, but is this really happening?
0:17:21 > 0:17:22They're going to get married and live in the cellar
0:17:22 > 0:17:24and we have to keep the secret?
0:17:24 > 0:17:25For how long?
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Ten years? This is ridiculous.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Please, Emerald. There might still be killers out there.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33- I need some time. - What would Major Zulfikar say?
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Already he wonders, how Nadir survived the shooting.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39If Nadir is innocent he should go to the Major and come clean.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42"If" Nadir is innocent? "If", you say?
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Please, Emerald. Some time, na?
0:17:44 > 0:17:46OK,
0:17:46 > 0:17:47OK.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- Hide on, like a fat worm under the ground.- Emerald...
0:17:53 > 0:17:55SHE GRUNTS
0:18:23 > 0:18:25I'm sorry.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28No. No, it's OK.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31It's OK. It'll come, all right.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34RAIN SHEETS, THUNDER RUMBLES
0:19:02 > 0:19:06'Family history, too, has dietary laws.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09'One is supposed only to swallow the halal parts,
0:19:09 > 0:19:10'drained of blood.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15'But that makes the stories less juicy,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17'and this was a juicy part.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19'So, it must be told.'
0:19:26 > 0:19:28What's going on?
0:19:28 > 0:19:29Abba!
0:19:29 > 0:19:30Move!
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Abba, Abba, please don't tell them anything.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- He's been in this house for far too long!- Abbajan? Please, what's wrong?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39What's wrong? What's wrong you say? I'll tell you what's wrong!
0:19:39 > 0:19:42My daughter tells me she is still a virgin! That's what is wrong.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46I love my husband.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- What?- I love him, Abba.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50The other thing will come, right? It will.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52A marriage should not depend on this thing...
0:19:53 > 0:19:55..but on love.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59This should not have been mentioned.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22GATE OPENS
0:20:22 > 0:20:24SHE WEEPS
0:20:25 > 0:20:27Down there!
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- Weapons out!- No!
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- You'll thank me later, just wait and see.- Stay tight!
0:20:38 > 0:20:39Follow me, boys!
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Women must marry men, not mice.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53So you found your voice.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55Whose crazy fool scheme was this?
0:20:55 > 0:20:57To allow this coward who hides underground
0:20:57 > 0:20:59like a worm, into our home?
0:20:59 > 0:21:02The bird has turned! The worm has flown!
0:21:02 > 0:21:05After all that, he actually got away?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09CARS DRIVE AWAY
0:21:43 > 0:21:44That sweet man.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46SHE SOBS
0:21:46 > 0:21:47He set me free.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59Please look over here, sir.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Big smile!
0:22:04 > 0:22:05Thank you.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09It's a... It's a beautiful wedding, sir, really.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12Most grateful. Damn glad I chose not to charge you
0:22:12 > 0:22:15with harbouring a wanted criminal. Married your daughter instead.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Thank you, sir. Thanks very much.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21HUM OF CONVERSATION, MUSIC PLAYS
0:22:21 > 0:22:24INDISTINCT CONVERSATION
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Go away!
0:22:35 > 0:22:37You know, I've always loved children.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Me too.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43But never had any. My former wife couldn't.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- Oh, I'm sorry. But, you could always still...- Marry again?
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Yes.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Well, if I found the right girl.
0:22:53 > 0:22:58And, if she would have me, if I asked.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Yes?
0:23:04 > 0:23:05Yes.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09And move to Bombay with me.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11We're moving to...?
0:23:13 > 0:23:16I mean, you're moving?
0:23:16 > 0:23:18Safer for a family, no?
0:23:27 > 0:23:31BRASS BAND MUSIC
0:23:31 > 0:23:32THEY PLAY
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Big smile!
0:23:43 > 0:23:46CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS
0:23:46 > 0:23:48TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS, STEAM HISSES
0:23:48 > 0:23:50INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Mumtaz...
0:24:09 > 0:24:10TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
0:24:27 > 0:24:28I've got something for you.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33What? A present?
0:24:33 > 0:24:37Better than that. A new name.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38Amina.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Do you like it?
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Amina?
0:24:44 > 0:24:45Yes.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Nadir and Mumtaz are in the past now.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Better to leave them behind, no?
0:24:57 > 0:25:00A new name for a new beginning...
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Mrs Amina Sinai.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Whatever you say.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15SALEEM: 'Why did she marry him so quickly? For solace?
0:25:15 > 0:25:18'For the children they both wanted so much?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21'My mother Amina Sinai, in her new incarnation,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24'resolved to forget the poet, Nadir,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27'and fall in love with my father, Ahmed Sinai.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30'But love is a rare thing.'
0:25:39 > 0:25:41SCREECHING
0:25:41 > 0:25:45LOUD CLATTERING
0:25:45 > 0:25:47'Our Bombay!
0:25:47 > 0:25:50'Bombay, of which the old tunes sang,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53'# Prima in Indis! Gateway to India!
0:25:53 > 0:25:57'# Star of the East with her face to the West! #
0:25:57 > 0:25:59'Our Bombay!'
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Ah, Mr Methwold.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Mr Sinai. How do you do?
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Very well, and you? My wife.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14CLINKING
0:26:14 > 0:26:16Well, Mr Methwold, I must say,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19the price you're asking for Buckingham Villa, it's...
0:26:19 > 0:26:22It's rather... Well, it's absolutely...
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Ridiculous. Yes, a ridiculously low price.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29We're giving the whole blasted country away, in point of fact.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Hundreds of years of decent, honourable government
0:26:31 > 0:26:33and then all of a sudden, it's up and off.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- You must admit, though, we weren't all bad.- Not at all.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44We built your schools, railway stations, trains, so forth.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53METHWOLD CLEARS THROAT
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I was just telling my wife what a fine man you are!
0:26:56 > 0:26:57Ah!
0:26:57 > 0:26:59- HE CHUCKLES - Hm.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03SINGING NEARBY
0:27:03 > 0:27:05SHE SINGS:
0:27:13 > 0:27:18Look here, Willie, do me a favour, man, will you.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19I've got this terrible headache.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22And if you could nip down to Kemp's Corner
0:27:22 > 0:27:24and ask the chemist to give you some pills.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29Servants are all down with a cold. Otherwise I wouldn't have asked.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Yes, sir. Of course, sir. - Good man.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43SHE CONTINUES:
0:28:01 > 0:28:04My own little transfer of power will also take place
0:28:04 > 0:28:08at midnight on August the 14th, 1947.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12When India rids itself of us...
0:28:13 > 0:28:19Buckingham Villa, will be free of William Methwold. Me.
0:28:19 > 0:28:24And the grass must be sprayed every single night.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25Well, absolutely, Mr Methwold.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Well, as you say in Hindustani,
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- "Sab kuch ticktock hai." "Everything is tickety-boo."- Absolutely.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35And another small detail, Mr Sinai.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Nothing in the house must change until Independence.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43It must be bought complete with its entire contents.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Janum, everything?
0:28:45 > 0:28:49Not even a spoon can be thrown? And this lamp...for two months?
0:28:52 > 0:28:53Well, Mr Sinai?
0:28:53 > 0:28:55Yes, sir, Mr Methwold?
0:28:57 > 0:29:00One other little condition.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03We will take a cocktail here, in the grounds of Buckingham Villa,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06- every evening until my departure from India.- Very well.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22# Goodnight, ladies, goodnight, ladies... #
0:29:22 > 0:29:26This is Wee Willie. Local tramp and his wife, Vanita.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28You'll be seeing a lot of them.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31HE SCATS
0:29:37 > 0:29:42# Farewell, ladies, farewell, ladies
0:29:42 > 0:29:44# Farewell, ladies...
0:29:44 > 0:29:47# We're going, say goodnight... #
0:29:47 > 0:29:49HE SCATS
0:29:51 > 0:29:55# Goodnight, ladies Goodnight, ladies... #
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Sings well, your Wee Willie. Damn silly name, though.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01But you gave it to him.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04So I did. Amongst other things.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12# Goodnight, ladies
0:30:12 > 0:30:14# Goodnight, ladies
0:30:14 > 0:30:17# We're going to leave you now
0:30:17 > 0:30:19# We're going
0:30:19 > 0:30:23# To say goodnight! # SHE RATTLES COINS
0:30:23 > 0:30:25- Very good, Willie. - APPLAUSE
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Wee Willie Winkie is my name, to sing for my supper is my fame.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31I hope you are com-for-table
0:30:31 > 0:30:33or are you come-for-tea?
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Oh, joke! Joke, ladies and ladahs!
0:30:37 > 0:30:38Bottoms up.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- Fix you another one? - How kind. Thank you, Mr Sinai.
0:30:46 > 0:30:47Pretty girl, that.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Must be due around about the same time as you.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Sab kuch ticktock hai.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Everything is indeed tickety-boo.
0:30:58 > 0:30:59Tickety-boo.
0:31:12 > 0:31:13SHE MOANS
0:31:25 > 0:31:29I think, Madame, you are going to have a baby boy.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45LOW CONVERSATION
0:32:04 > 0:32:07Joe! My God!
0:32:10 > 0:32:11What are you doing here?
0:32:13 > 0:32:14You and your politics!
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Is that freedom? Is that justice?
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Against the rich.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39The rich need to become poor, and the poor rich.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- You need money?- No.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46KNOCK AT DOOR, BABY CRIES
0:32:49 > 0:32:51SALEEM: 'Pakistan and India
0:32:51 > 0:32:54'were born washing themselves in one another's blood.'
0:32:55 > 0:32:58The Empire on which the sun never sets.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00'But I will not describe it.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03'I will avert my eyes from the violence.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07'Selfish perhaps, but excusably so in my opinion.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10'After all, one is not born every day.'
0:33:12 > 0:33:18- NEHRU:- Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny.
0:33:18 > 0:33:23And now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge
0:33:23 > 0:33:30'not wholly, or in full measure, but very substantially.'
0:33:30 > 0:33:32SHE GROANS
0:33:39 > 0:33:41SHE MOANS
0:33:51 > 0:33:52Busy night!
0:33:52 > 0:33:54BABIES CRY
0:33:57 > 0:34:00- Joe!- I need to get out of Bombay. They're after me.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12We need to do it now, Mary.
0:34:12 > 0:34:13The real revolution.
0:34:27 > 0:34:28Say you love me.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Say it once.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37At the stroke of the midnight hour,
0:34:37 > 0:34:39'when the world sleeps,
0:34:39 > 0:34:41'India will awake to life and freedom.'
0:34:41 > 0:34:43CHEERING
0:34:43 > 0:34:48'A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history,
0:34:48 > 0:34:52'when we step out from the old to the new.'
0:34:52 > 0:34:56When an age ends, and when the soul of a nation,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59long suppressed, finds utterance.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01SHE SCREAMS
0:35:01 > 0:35:06SALEEM: 'At the precise instant of India's arrival at independence.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10'On the stroke of midnight, as a matter of fact,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12'I tumbled forth into the world.'
0:35:12 > 0:35:14FIREWORKS BOOM
0:35:17 > 0:35:19Vanita?
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Oh, Jesus.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28BABY CRIES
0:35:30 > 0:35:32SHE COOS
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Poor baby.
0:35:38 > 0:35:39Poor thing.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Mommy no more.
0:35:41 > 0:35:42Hmm?
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Oh, Mary, so many babies...
0:35:47 > 0:35:48Give it to me.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Private room number four. Sinai.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55Sinai. Hey?
0:36:21 > 0:36:23SALEEM: 'Two babies in her hands.
0:36:25 > 0:36:26'Two lives in her power.
0:36:28 > 0:36:29'She did it for Joe.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32'Her own private, revolutionary act.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36'"Love me, Joe," was in Mary's mind.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40'And then it was done.'
0:36:41 > 0:36:43OK, Joe?
0:36:46 > 0:36:47WEEPING NEARBY
0:36:47 > 0:36:49HE SOBS
0:36:53 > 0:36:56'When she gave the child of my mother's womb
0:36:56 > 0:36:58'to Wee Willie Winkie,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01'Mary knew she was condemning the rich-born boy
0:37:01 > 0:37:04'to a life of accordions and poverty.'
0:37:07 > 0:37:08Shiva.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13'As Joe had said, let the rich be poor,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16'and the poor, rich.'
0:37:20 > 0:37:21Hi!
0:37:21 > 0:37:23BABY SNEEZES
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Thank you.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31Saleem. Saleem Sinai.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38Look, Janum. Poor fellow, he's got his grandfather's nose!
0:37:38 > 0:37:40Go call the newspapers.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Tell the photographers to come!
0:37:42 > 0:37:43Hm?
0:37:43 > 0:37:46"A charming pose of Baby Saleem Sinai,
0:37:46 > 0:37:50"born on the exact moment of our nation's independence.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53"We shall be watching over your life with the closest attention.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57"It will be in a sense, a mirror of our own.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01"The happy child of the glorious hour!"
0:38:08 > 0:38:10CAMERA CLICKS
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Come, let's go home.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16HORN HONKS
0:38:16 > 0:38:18CHICKENS CLUCK NEARBY
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Joe...! SHE SOBS
0:39:07 > 0:39:11'Mary, unable in her fright. to confess her crime,
0:39:11 > 0:39:13'realised she had been a fool.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16'She cursed herself,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19'but kept her secret.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22'And decided to make amends of a kind...
0:39:23 > 0:39:25'..to a motherless boy.'
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- Mary, isn't it?- Yes.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- From Dr Narlikar's clinic?- Yes.
0:39:36 > 0:39:37Is something the matter?
0:39:37 > 0:39:43No. I just wanted to know if you need any ayah?
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Well, yes, actually I do.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- Come.- Thank you.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Hi.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02First time I saw him I was just done for him.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05SALEEM GURGLES, SINGING NEARBY
0:40:05 > 0:40:07Who has come?
0:40:07 > 0:40:09Winkie... Winkie!
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- Can I come?- Come. - WEE WILLIE SINGS
0:40:17 > 0:40:20# Pale hands I loved
0:40:20 > 0:40:25# Beside the Shahlimar
0:40:25 > 0:40:27# Where are you now... #
0:40:27 > 0:40:31Mary. Please go give him some money.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32Here.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35# Pale hands I loved
0:40:35 > 0:40:39# Beside the Shahlimar
0:40:39 > 0:40:45# Where are you now who lies beneath your spell?
0:40:45 > 0:40:48# Where are you now?
0:40:48 > 0:40:55# Where are you now? #
0:41:06 > 0:41:08SHIVA GURGLES
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Bless you, baby.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26BABY GURGLES, THEY COO
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Come, come.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33- There there. - HE GURGLES
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Saleem. Baba.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39# Anything you want to be
0:41:39 > 0:41:42# You can be
0:41:42 > 0:41:45# You can be...
0:41:45 > 0:41:51# Just what on Earth you want
0:41:51 > 0:41:54# Anything you want to be... #
0:41:54 > 0:41:58SALEEM: 'By our tenth birthday, India and myself
0:41:58 > 0:42:01'were both under a lot of pressure.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04'There was growth, there were gains,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07'there were five-year plans and good exam results.'
0:42:07 > 0:42:11- # Anything you want to... #- Mary, please can you stop singing that.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- # You can be... #- Please, Mary!
0:42:13 > 0:42:17'But there was also. the weight of expectation.'
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- Please, Mary. - # ..What you want. #
0:42:21 > 0:42:24'It was a lot to live up to.'
0:42:28 > 0:42:32Aren't you forgetting something, Saleem? Where's my morning hug?
0:42:32 > 0:42:34Come on!
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Come on. Come on.
0:42:39 > 0:42:40Come on! Yes!
0:42:42 > 0:42:46- Stop it, Abba, it's embarrassing! - Embarrassing?
0:42:46 > 0:42:47- What nonsense!- Ammi!
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Great things in store for you, my son! I love you.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Come.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01- And me Abba? - Yes, you, too, Jamila.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03Jamila, Abba's just joking.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05You want green chutney, baba?
0:43:05 > 0:43:08Yes, sure. Of course.
0:43:08 > 0:43:09What a fine boy!
0:43:09 > 0:43:12See if I care.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14SHE HUMS TO HERSELF
0:43:17 > 0:43:18Jamila!
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Yes, Ammi?
0:43:21 > 0:43:23Coming!
0:43:29 > 0:43:33Hey, Saleem. Suppose it turns out that you're not that special.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Suppose, in the end, you're just normal.
0:43:37 > 0:43:39I know.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42- # Anything you want to be... # - Shut up, stupid.
0:43:44 > 0:43:45# Anything... #
0:43:57 > 0:43:58Begum!
0:44:13 > 0:44:14Frozen.
0:44:14 > 0:44:18Freeze a Muslim's assets they say, and he'll run back to Pakistan.
0:44:18 > 0:44:19Leaving all his wealth behind.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30Something. We have law courts. We have to fight!
0:44:30 > 0:44:33Fight? How? With what?
0:44:33 > 0:44:36They've shoved my balls into an ice bucket.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39- GLASSES CLATTER - No...
0:44:43 > 0:44:45Janum, please.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00'Though some of his assets eventually unfroze,
0:45:00 > 0:45:03'from that moment, my father entered a deep solitude.'
0:45:04 > 0:45:07'And a strange perfume started wafting out
0:45:07 > 0:45:09'from under his study door.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16'Jamila said it was the smell of stale food,
0:45:16 > 0:45:20'but it's my belief that it was the aroma of failure.'
0:45:23 > 0:45:26HE PLAYS ACCORDIAN
0:45:29 > 0:45:32When I say, "doggie", you'll say, "woof, woof".
0:45:32 > 0:45:33What will you say?
0:45:33 > 0:45:34Woof, woof!
0:45:34 > 0:45:37Woof, woof. Woof, woof.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41KIDS SHOUT
0:45:41 > 0:45:44# How much is that doggie in the window?
0:45:44 > 0:45:45Woof! Woof!
0:45:45 > 0:45:48# The one with the waggly tail
0:45:48 > 0:45:51# How much is that doggie in the window?
0:45:51 > 0:45:52Woof! Woof!
0:45:52 > 0:45:57# I do hope that dog is for sale. #
0:46:46 > 0:46:48Saleem, quickly.
0:46:53 > 0:46:54Look there.
0:46:54 > 0:46:58You see it? It's Sputnik.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01Great achievement for Man.
0:47:02 > 0:47:07Listen, Saleem, my achievements have been small,
0:47:07 > 0:47:08my ambitions thwarted.
0:47:09 > 0:47:13But you, my son, yours must be big.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16- Do you understand?- Yes, Abba. HE GRUNTS
0:47:24 > 0:47:26PHONE RINGS
0:47:30 > 0:47:31Hello.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33No. It's the wrong number.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35I told you, this is the wrong number!
0:48:01 > 0:48:04HE SIGHS
0:48:11 > 0:48:13SHE SOBS
0:48:17 > 0:48:18Nadir...
0:48:23 > 0:48:25Nadir...
0:48:31 > 0:48:33Nadir...
0:48:36 > 0:48:39Achoo! VOICES CHATTER
0:48:39 > 0:48:40- DISTORTED:- Who's...? Who's in there?
0:48:40 > 0:48:44Ammi, I swear, I didn't see anything! Wait a minute, Ammi!
0:48:44 > 0:48:45There's noises in my head!
0:48:45 > 0:48:47- Come!- Ammi, I...
0:48:47 > 0:48:49YELLING
0:48:49 > 0:48:52- DISTORTED:- Not one word for one whole day!
0:48:52 > 0:48:55- Ammi, I...- Not one word. - VOICES CHATTER
0:48:57 > 0:48:59- Mary, listen...- Sh!
0:48:59 > 0:49:01Shhh...SHHH!
0:49:01 > 0:49:04VOICES CHATTER
0:49:13 > 0:49:15SILENCE
0:49:20 > 0:49:22VOICES CHATTER
0:49:31 > 0:49:33HE SNORTS, VOICES QUIETEN
0:49:33 > 0:49:36HE SNORTS, VOICES SILENT
0:49:36 > 0:49:39'By the morning, I had discovered that
0:49:39 > 0:49:42'I could somehow control the volume of the voices
0:49:42 > 0:49:44'through my nose!
0:49:44 > 0:49:47'Fear left me, and I was thinking,
0:49:47 > 0:49:51'"Man! This is better than All India Radio!"'
0:49:51 > 0:49:53Ammi, Abba!
0:49:53 > 0:49:56Mary, please can I have your attention?
0:49:56 > 0:49:57HE SNUFFLES
0:49:57 > 0:49:59You have something to tell us?
0:49:59 > 0:50:00An apology, I hope.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03Ammi, something really big has happened finally!
0:50:03 > 0:50:05- But first, please call Abba. - Most certainly not.
0:50:05 > 0:50:06What's going on?
0:50:06 > 0:50:09Abbu, Ammi. I'm hearing voices.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11Voices are speaking to me inside my head.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13I really think that archangels have started to talk to me.
0:50:13 > 0:50:15What's wrong? Has your brain gone raw?
0:50:15 > 0:50:17Are you growing into a madman?
0:50:17 > 0:50:18Oh, Jesus.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20- What is it?- Please.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22Abba?
0:50:25 > 0:50:28- You're hearing voices inside your head?- Yes.
0:50:31 > 0:50:33Still hearing those voices, ha?
0:50:33 > 0:50:35Still hearing the voices?!
0:50:45 > 0:50:47..to avoid repetition.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54- VOICE:- 'Saleem, listen to me!
0:50:54 > 0:50:56'Saleem listen to me!
0:50:56 > 0:50:59'Saleem!
0:50:59 > 0:51:02'Saleem!'
0:51:02 > 0:51:06VOICES CONTINUE, VOLUME INCREASES
0:51:17 > 0:51:20'Listen to me, Saleem. Saleem?'
0:51:21 > 0:51:25Go away! I don't want you!
0:51:26 > 0:51:28Did you see what Abbu did?
0:51:28 > 0:51:30PHONE RINGS
0:51:33 > 0:51:36Hello? No, it's the wrong number.
0:51:40 > 0:51:41When?
0:51:42 > 0:51:43Where?
0:51:46 > 0:51:48I told you, it's the wrong number!
0:52:02 > 0:52:05And now she'll go out by herself.
0:52:11 > 0:52:15'Once upon a time, there was an underground husband...
0:52:15 > 0:52:18'who fled, leaving loving messages of divorce.
0:52:20 > 0:52:22'After a lost decade...
0:52:23 > 0:52:25'..he emerged from goodness-knows-where.'
0:52:29 > 0:52:32'I watched my mother and Nadir Khan.
0:52:34 > 0:52:35'And I saw the kiss.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39'The indirect kiss.'
0:53:25 > 0:53:27I'll be gob-smacked.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36KNOCKING
0:53:36 > 0:53:38Saleem? What on earth are you doing here?
0:53:38 > 0:53:41- Don't talk to me! I hate you! - What's happening, darling?
0:53:41 > 0:53:45You know what's happening! I saw everything. I saw it all.
0:53:45 > 0:53:46I saw what you did!
0:53:46 > 0:53:48What did I do?
0:53:48 > 0:53:50No more of these wrong-number calls, OK, Amma?
0:53:50 > 0:53:51Don't go out to see other men!
0:53:51 > 0:53:54No more of this glass-kissery!
0:53:54 > 0:53:55I hate you!
0:54:06 > 0:54:08HE SOBS
0:54:08 > 0:54:12- VOICE:- 'Saleem! Saleem, listen to me! Saleem!'
0:54:12 > 0:54:14Go away! I told you! VOICES CHATTER
0:54:14 > 0:54:16Get out of my head!
0:54:16 > 0:54:20- 'Saleem!' - VOICES CHATTER
0:54:20 > 0:54:23We're not friends. I don't even know you.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25VOICES SHOUT, HE SOBS
0:54:27 > 0:54:28Never call on this number again.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42Saleem!
0:54:42 > 0:54:44Saleem?
0:54:45 > 0:54:47Saleem, we are your friends.
0:54:47 > 0:54:50We're like you. We were born then, on that night.
0:54:52 > 0:54:54You mean my midnight?
0:54:54 > 0:54:56That midnight?
0:54:56 > 0:54:58Yes, in that first hour.
0:55:00 > 0:55:01All of you?
0:55:01 > 0:55:04- ALL:- Yes, all of us!
0:55:04 > 0:55:06But how can I hear you all?
0:55:07 > 0:55:09How can I see you?
0:55:09 > 0:55:11We all have gifts.
0:55:11 > 0:55:14The closer to midnight our birth-times, the greater our gifts.
0:55:14 > 0:55:16CLUNK! Who's there?
0:55:18 > 0:55:21Saleem and Shiva. Shiva and Saleem.
0:55:22 > 0:55:25Both born on the stroke of midnight...
0:55:26 > 0:55:27Same to same.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32Saleem has the greatest gift of all.
0:55:32 > 0:55:34He's the only one who can bring us all together.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43Aren't you Wee Willie's son? How's your father anyway?
0:55:43 > 0:55:46Talking to yourself? Ammi is right, your brain has really gone raw.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49- Get lost!- See if I care!
0:55:55 > 0:55:56ALL SAY GOODBYE
0:55:56 > 0:55:58Where are you all going? Why you are leaving?
0:55:58 > 0:56:00HE SNUFFLES
0:56:00 > 0:56:01GUNSHOT
0:56:01 > 0:56:04- You'll get better at this. - At what?- This.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15Children of midnight?
0:56:16 > 0:56:18No.
0:56:19 > 0:56:20Midnight's Children.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25REVERENT CHORAL MUSIC
0:57:26 > 0:57:27You see this man?
0:57:28 > 0:57:33This man brought civilisation to savages.
0:57:33 > 0:57:35And he commanded respect.
0:57:35 > 0:57:37How?
0:57:39 > 0:57:40With his...?
0:57:41 > 0:57:47- Sword, sir?- Correct! So, today's subject, human geography.
0:57:47 > 0:57:49Sinai?
0:57:51 > 0:57:52Sir?
0:57:54 > 0:57:57- This is what, Sinai? - Sir, I don't know, sir.
0:57:57 > 0:58:00Ah, you don't know, my friend! Come with me.
0:58:00 > 0:58:03- So, I ask again...- Ah!
0:58:03 > 0:58:07- Do you know what is human geography? - Oh! Sir, please! Sir, please, sir!
0:58:07 > 0:58:08Sh!
0:58:14 > 0:58:18Regard, please, the hideous face of this primitive creature.
0:58:18 > 0:58:19- It reminds you of...? - Sir, the devil, sir!
0:58:19 > 0:58:21Sir, a vegetable, sir!
0:58:21 > 0:58:24A cousin of mine, sir! I don't know which one.
0:58:24 > 0:58:27Silence, sons of baboons! This object here is human geography.
0:58:27 > 0:58:28- How, sir?- Where, sir?
0:58:28 > 0:58:31In the face of this ugly ape, you don't see the whole map of India?
0:58:31 > 0:58:33ALL: No, sir!
0:58:34 > 0:58:37See, the Deccan peninsula hanging down?
0:58:37 > 0:58:39ALL LAUGH
0:58:39 > 0:58:42And the stains! These stains are Pakistan.
0:58:42 > 0:58:45The birthmark on the right is East Pakistan,
0:58:45 > 0:58:48and this horrible stain is where...?
0:58:48 > 0:58:49HE SNORTS
0:58:49 > 0:58:52ALL LAUGH
0:58:57 > 0:59:00- Tell me what you are!- An animal, sir?- Tell me what you are!- ARGGH!
0:59:00 > 0:59:02RENDING
0:59:02 > 0:59:04Er, accidents will happen, Mrs Sinai.
0:59:04 > 0:59:06What's wrong with you, Mr Crusoe?
0:59:06 > 0:59:08I'm here because one of your teachers pulled out a clump of hair
0:59:08 > 0:59:11from my son's scalp and this is what you have to say to me?
0:59:11 > 0:59:12Just shoo! Go!
0:59:19 > 0:59:21Let's have a look, shall we?
0:59:21 > 0:59:22This won't hurt a bit.
0:59:26 > 0:59:28We've a given him a mild sedative.
0:59:28 > 0:59:31It'll make him a little groggy, but it'll help him get better.
0:59:31 > 0:59:33You'll be fine soon, OK?
0:59:33 > 0:59:35By the way...
0:59:36 > 0:59:39Your blood type, A and O? You're sure?
0:59:39 > 0:59:41Yes.
0:59:41 > 0:59:42Why do you ask?
0:59:42 > 0:59:44I... Excuse me.
0:59:49 > 0:59:52You see, he's neither one nor the other.
0:59:52 > 0:59:55You're sure he's your son? Not adopted?
0:59:55 > 0:59:57- Yes, of course, he's our son, Doctor.- Excuse me.
1:00:00 > 1:00:03- I don't understand. - What is there not to understand?
1:00:03 > 1:00:06He's neither one nor the other. Somebody else's blood is involved.
1:00:06 > 1:00:09What?! You're his father.
1:00:09 > 1:00:10He's your son.
1:00:10 > 1:00:12Abba...?
1:00:19 > 1:00:21Look at his face.
1:00:21 > 1:00:22Where am I in the face?
1:00:25 > 1:00:27That bloody nose. I should have known.
1:00:27 > 1:00:30I will not let you say such things about me!
1:00:30 > 1:00:32- I'll kill myself! - SLAPPING, SHE GASPS
1:00:43 > 1:00:44Baba?
1:00:45 > 1:00:46Baba?
1:00:49 > 1:00:53I will make you all the green chutney in the world.
1:01:10 > 1:01:13Excuse me, sir, would you like to have something? Ma'am?
1:01:13 > 1:01:14No, thanks.
1:01:16 > 1:01:18Excuse me, would you like to have something?
1:01:22 > 1:01:24'My blood was wrong.
1:01:24 > 1:01:28'My wrong blood turned my father's love to hate.
1:01:28 > 1:01:31'And though it caused my mother much pain,
1:01:31 > 1:01:32'I was sent away.'
1:02:08 > 1:02:10Ah, Saleem. Righto.
1:02:13 > 1:02:15Let me be clear.
1:02:15 > 1:02:18My sister asked me to take you in, I can't refuse,
1:02:18 > 1:02:20whatever my own personal inclinations may be.
1:02:20 > 1:02:22Welcome.
1:02:22 > 1:02:23Thank you, Emerald Auntie.
1:02:24 > 1:02:28Your cousin Zia will show you the ropes. Zia?
1:02:31 > 1:02:34What did you do to get kicked out?
1:02:34 > 1:02:36I hear you still wet your pants.
1:02:36 > 1:02:37Watch it, snotty!
1:02:51 > 1:02:53- Everything ready, Em? - Yes, darling.
1:02:55 > 1:02:57The time is close now.
1:02:57 > 1:02:58Very well.
1:03:00 > 1:03:03- Discretion is the watchword. - Of course, darling.
1:03:03 > 1:03:06- Dad, what's going on?- Quiet!
1:03:08 > 1:03:11And you, boy. Here on sufferance.
1:03:11 > 1:03:14Don't act smart. Understood?
1:03:14 > 1:03:18- And forget everything you've just heard.- Yes, Uncle Zulfi.
1:03:18 > 1:03:22Yes, sir, General Zulfikar.
1:03:22 > 1:03:24Yes, sir, General Zulfikar.
1:03:24 > 1:03:28"Uncle" is hardly appropriate, given the circs.
1:03:29 > 1:03:32HE SNUFFLES
1:03:38 > 1:03:41Are you there? All of you, are you there?
1:03:41 > 1:03:44- Yes!- Hi, Parvati.
1:03:44 > 1:03:47- Hello, Saleem. - Any new tricks?
1:03:50 > 1:03:52Abracadabra!
1:03:52 > 1:03:54Wow!
1:03:54 > 1:03:56I was born seven seconds after midnight.
1:04:00 > 1:04:03This is too good! We've got to organise ourselves.
1:04:03 > 1:04:05Gangs need bosses, rich kid.
1:04:09 > 1:04:12- It's me that's bringing you all together in my head.- Yeah.
1:04:12 > 1:04:13Everyone does what I say.
1:04:13 > 1:04:14Let Saleem be!
1:04:14 > 1:04:16Hm!
1:04:19 > 1:04:22It's somehow because of this. HE SNUFFLES, KIDS LAUGH
1:04:26 > 1:04:28One thousand and one.
1:04:28 > 1:04:29But...
1:04:29 > 1:04:31Four and 20 are already dead.
1:04:31 > 1:04:33And everyone else?
1:04:33 > 1:04:34Do you know what they can do?
1:04:34 > 1:04:36In Orissa, there is a girl,
1:04:36 > 1:04:39and whoever sees her falls in love with her.
1:04:39 > 1:04:41And you, from Goa!
1:04:41 > 1:04:43You can multiply fish!
1:04:43 > 1:04:46And you, from Kerala! You can step through mirrors...
1:04:46 > 1:04:48and reappear through them wherever you want!
1:04:48 > 1:04:50And you,
1:04:50 > 1:04:52a werewolf from Nilgiri Hills!
1:04:52 > 1:04:55And you from the Vindhyas, you can make yourself bigger and smaller.
1:04:55 > 1:04:57And you can fly.
1:05:00 > 1:05:05So, if we have these gifts, then we must ask why?
1:05:05 > 1:05:06There must be a reason, na?
1:05:06 > 1:05:09I think we should figure it out and dedicate...
1:05:12 > 1:05:14What's the reason that you're rich and I'm poor?
1:05:14 > 1:05:18What's the reason I'm starving, man? I'll tell you.
1:05:18 > 1:05:20You got to get what you can, do what you can with it,
1:05:20 > 1:05:22and then you got to die.
1:05:22 > 1:05:24That's the reason, rich kid!
1:05:24 > 1:05:26And everything else is mother-sleeping wind.
1:05:26 > 1:05:28Stop it, Shiva.
1:05:29 > 1:05:32I'm going to take this gang of freaks over.
1:05:32 > 1:05:36Not without me. Without me, they won't even be able to listen to you.
1:05:36 > 1:05:38Just try and stop me.
1:05:44 > 1:05:46Good evening. Please.
1:05:46 > 1:05:50CAR APPROACHES
1:05:54 > 1:05:55Sir!
1:05:55 > 1:05:58Mr Commander-in-Chief, be welcome in our home.
1:05:58 > 1:06:01- Come, Emerald, no need for such formalities.- Please, come.
1:06:02 > 1:06:04You shouldn't be watching.
1:06:04 > 1:06:05Neither should you.
1:06:06 > 1:06:08HE SNORTS
1:06:11 > 1:06:14Wow! If he's here, then this is something really big.
1:06:14 > 1:06:16Shh!
1:06:16 > 1:06:17What is the meaning of this?
1:06:19 > 1:06:21Perhaps they should be permitted to attend.
1:06:21 > 1:06:23It's their future that we're making after all. Come on.
1:06:23 > 1:06:25Come on, boys.
1:06:26 > 1:06:30Gentlemen, here, in our Pakistan,
1:06:30 > 1:06:32our Land of the Pure,
1:06:32 > 1:06:35there is impurity on every side.
1:06:35 > 1:06:39Tonight, therefore, on my command, we assume control of the State.
1:06:39 > 1:06:40ALL: Hear! Hear!
1:06:40 > 1:06:42Martial Law is imposed with immediate effect.
1:06:42 > 1:06:44The Constitution is abrogated.
1:06:44 > 1:06:47All political parties are abolished.
1:06:47 > 1:06:49- General Zulfikar!- Sir!
1:06:49 > 1:06:51Kindly map out the procedures.
1:06:51 > 1:06:53Sir.
1:06:53 > 1:06:55Zia! Come here.
1:07:00 > 1:07:02You, Saleem. Come up here and help.
1:07:02 > 1:07:04Excuse me.
1:07:07 > 1:07:09At this moment,
1:07:09 > 1:07:13the national radio station has been surrounded by hand-picked units.
1:07:13 > 1:07:17'GUNFIRE, EXPLOSIONS ECHO'
1:07:17 > 1:07:18Loyal armoured units
1:07:18 > 1:07:22are simultaneously seizing control of the airport.
1:07:25 > 1:07:26Key points in the city...
1:07:28 > 1:07:30..are now secure.
1:07:30 > 1:07:32'GUNSHOTS ECHO'
1:07:32 > 1:07:34And finally,
1:07:34 > 1:07:38crack troops have taken charge of the Presidential palace.
1:07:43 > 1:07:46Gentlemen, the day is ours!
1:07:46 > 1:07:49- Pakistan! - ALL TOAST
1:07:49 > 1:07:51Well done, young man.
1:07:53 > 1:07:55FOOTSTEPS RUMBLE
1:08:04 > 1:08:05Mr President.
1:08:06 > 1:08:07You're a lucky man.
1:08:07 > 1:08:09It's only exile for you.
1:08:10 > 1:08:13'"Only exile"?
1:08:13 > 1:08:16'In exile, I learned about power.
1:08:16 > 1:08:18'After all, I had helped to overthrow a government.
1:08:20 > 1:08:22'Also I learned about loneliness.
1:08:24 > 1:08:25'Years with no friends...
1:08:27 > 1:08:28'..except for midnight's children.'
1:08:30 > 1:08:31HE MOANS
1:08:35 > 1:08:37BATS SCREECH
1:08:38 > 1:08:39HE SCREAMS
1:08:42 > 1:08:43That dream again.
1:09:01 > 1:09:03Come, please. All of you.
1:09:03 > 1:09:05HE SNUFFLES
1:09:18 > 1:09:20Now what, cucumber-nose?
1:09:20 > 1:09:22ALL GIGGLE
1:09:22 > 1:09:25Come on, Shiva. It's time for the conference, everyone.
1:09:25 > 1:09:29- Hi! - Ya, not that story again.
1:09:30 > 1:09:34Haven't you worked out that it's the same every time?
1:09:34 > 1:09:35HE SIGHS
1:09:37 > 1:09:39"We must be here for a reason.
1:09:40 > 1:09:43"We're all here for a higher purpose.
1:09:43 > 1:09:46"Maybe...maybe we should just use our powers to help our parents."
1:09:46 > 1:09:48ALL LAUGH
1:09:51 > 1:09:53"No!
1:09:53 > 1:09:56"We must keep it a secret...shh...
1:09:56 > 1:10:01"If they find us, they will come after us and they will KILL US!"
1:10:01 > 1:10:03ALL LAUGH
1:10:03 > 1:10:06Huh? What do you suggest, Mr I'm-Very-Strong(?)
1:10:06 > 1:10:07Parvati.
1:10:07 > 1:10:10- What's your bloody plan? - No, stop!
1:10:11 > 1:10:13Parvati.
1:10:13 > 1:10:15We all have to stay together, na?
1:10:15 > 1:10:17Isn't that right?
1:10:17 > 1:10:20I mean, don't you all see everything else is breaking apart?
1:10:20 > 1:10:25Languages, religions, countries...
1:10:25 > 1:10:28We can show people a new way of being.
1:10:28 > 1:10:29Get up.
1:10:29 > 1:10:31Shiva!
1:10:35 > 1:10:36Now, listen to me.
1:10:39 > 1:10:42Nobody can stop us. Hm?
1:10:47 > 1:10:50We can blind people.
1:10:50 > 1:10:51Make gold.
1:10:51 > 1:10:52Fly.
1:10:53 > 1:10:55Read minds. Do jaadu.
1:10:56 > 1:10:57How will they fight us?
1:11:02 > 1:11:05The world is not ideas, rich kid.
1:11:06 > 1:11:08The world is things.
1:11:10 > 1:11:12If you have things, you have time to dream.
1:11:12 > 1:11:15Hm? If you don't...
1:11:18 > 1:11:20..you fight.
1:11:20 > 1:11:23ALL MURMUR No, Shiva. No, no fighting.
1:11:23 > 1:11:27Look, people aren't things, man.
1:11:27 > 1:11:30People need each other.
1:11:30 > 1:11:34And it's not about flying, or blinding, or gold...or magic!
1:11:34 > 1:11:37- And our powers aren't for fighting. - It's this.
1:11:38 > 1:11:41- Shiva, stop!- You don't understand. They don't care about us!
1:11:41 > 1:11:43No fighting, guys! Please.
1:11:43 > 1:11:44I think Saleem's right!
1:11:45 > 1:11:46We should start a coup!
1:11:46 > 1:11:48No! Enough! No coup!
1:11:48 > 1:11:50- Shut up.- Hey, rich kid!
1:11:50 > 1:11:52ALL YELL
1:11:52 > 1:11:53Agh!
1:11:53 > 1:11:54Shiva!
1:11:54 > 1:11:56Shiva, don't do this. Stop!
1:11:57 > 1:12:00Try to understand, Shiva! Don't do this!
1:12:00 > 1:12:02ALL BAY
1:12:04 > 1:12:05Shh. Shut up!
1:12:07 > 1:12:09How about I finish this right now!
1:12:11 > 1:12:12More?
1:12:12 > 1:12:14No!
1:12:16 > 1:12:19The Midnight's Children conference is hereby dissolved!
1:12:22 > 1:12:23Its constitution is abrogated!
1:12:23 > 1:12:25Its assemblies are suspended! I abolish it!
1:12:25 > 1:12:28SILENCE
1:12:35 > 1:12:39MUSIC PLAYS: Who's Sorry Now? by Connie Francis
1:12:39 > 1:12:41Good morning, General Zulfikar.
1:12:47 > 1:12:49You wanted me, Emerald Auntie?
1:12:49 > 1:12:52How long has it been now, Saleem?
1:12:52 > 1:12:53Quite a long time, you'll agree?
1:12:53 > 1:12:56- Yes.- Such a helpful boy. Love you.
1:13:00 > 1:13:02I told your ma, she must have you back.
1:13:02 > 1:13:05To be fair, she's been on your side all along.
1:13:05 > 1:13:10Your pater wants to make a fresh start here in Pakistan.
1:13:10 > 1:13:15So you'll be joining them at Alia's place, in Karachi.
1:13:18 > 1:13:20Oh! Oh, sorry!
1:13:20 > 1:13:23What are you doing?! Out! Idiot, out of my sight!
1:13:23 > 1:13:24Yes, Emerald Auntie.
1:13:24 > 1:13:26HE SNUFFLES
1:13:32 > 1:13:34Cheerio, Uncle Zulfi!
1:13:35 > 1:13:39TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWS
1:13:45 > 1:13:48INDISTINCT ANNOUNCEMENTS
1:13:54 > 1:13:57STREET BUSTLE
1:14:05 > 1:14:08- Did your auntie feed you properly? - Her food is horrible.
1:14:08 > 1:14:11I missed your cooking so much. Green chutney.
1:14:11 > 1:14:13Oh! Baba...
1:14:15 > 1:14:18She didn't come, Mary?
1:14:18 > 1:14:20She's waiting at home. Let's go.
1:14:21 > 1:14:22Give it to me.
1:14:23 > 1:14:26PIANO RECITAL AND SINGING NEARBY
1:14:55 > 1:14:56My child.
1:14:58 > 1:14:59Ammi.
1:15:04 > 1:15:07Terrible things happen in life and we don't know how.
1:15:08 > 1:15:10Forgive me.
1:15:22 > 1:15:24Be kind to your abba.
1:15:24 > 1:15:27He's not been very happy these days.
1:15:31 > 1:15:34PIANO RECITAL PLAYS
1:15:34 > 1:15:36Hello, Abba.
1:15:51 > 1:15:53Abba. Hi.
1:16:04 > 1:16:06Hi, Saleem.
1:16:06 > 1:16:07Hi.
1:16:08 > 1:16:10- Welcome back.- Thank you.
1:16:13 > 1:16:14Come.
1:16:18 > 1:16:21JAMILA SINGS
1:16:23 > 1:16:25What happened to me, Mary?
1:16:25 > 1:16:26How can my blood be wrong?
1:16:26 > 1:16:28Nothing wrong with your blood.
1:16:29 > 1:16:31It's my mother's fault.
1:16:31 > 1:16:32Don't say that.
1:16:32 > 1:16:33She was with other men.
1:16:33 > 1:16:36- Shut up, baba!- I saw it Mary.
1:16:36 > 1:16:37I saw it all.
1:17:07 > 1:17:09SHE SOBS
1:17:09 > 1:17:11Please, Joe.
1:17:11 > 1:17:12Help me.
1:17:18 > 1:17:21SHE SINGS
1:17:21 > 1:17:24Ah, Jamila the singing star has arrived.
1:17:24 > 1:17:26She sings very well.
1:17:26 > 1:17:28- Thank you, Abba. - You're welcome, darling.
1:17:32 > 1:17:34Five-letter word for "singer".
1:17:38 > 1:17:41- Mary. A little more toast, please. - Ah, "tenor"!
1:17:41 > 1:17:42SHE SNUFFLES
1:17:42 > 1:17:45Sir. Madam.
1:17:45 > 1:17:47Madam, please.
1:17:48 > 1:17:50What's wrong, Mary?
1:17:56 > 1:17:57What happened?
1:18:01 > 1:18:03Baba is not your son.
1:18:03 > 1:18:05He's Winkie and Vanita's son.
1:18:05 > 1:18:06No, he is not.
1:18:07 > 1:18:10Vanita's child's father is not Winkie.
1:18:10 > 1:18:12It's that...that Englishman...
1:18:12 > 1:18:13- Methwold.- Methwold.
1:18:13 > 1:18:17He's gone back to England and poor Vanita, she's dead now.
1:18:17 > 1:18:18She died at midnight.
1:18:18 > 1:18:20I was there, Madam.
1:18:27 > 1:18:29Sorry, Madam.
1:18:38 > 1:18:40Not a nice boy at all.
1:18:41 > 1:18:43I'm sorry, Madam.
1:18:43 > 1:18:45Let the rich be poor... Poor, rich.
1:18:45 > 1:18:46Mary.
1:18:46 > 1:18:48Please, just...
1:18:48 > 1:18:50leave now.
1:18:55 > 1:18:56Baba?
1:18:56 > 1:18:58I love you, baba. Like my own son.
1:18:58 > 1:19:00SHE WHIMPERS
1:19:09 > 1:19:11No! No!
1:19:11 > 1:19:13Stop it, Abba!
1:19:13 > 1:19:14Stop it, Abba!
1:19:17 > 1:19:19Bastard.
1:19:20 > 1:19:22Get him out of my sight before I kill him.
1:19:26 > 1:19:27No.
1:19:28 > 1:19:30What did you say?
1:19:30 > 1:19:32He will not go.
1:19:35 > 1:19:36No!
1:19:37 > 1:19:39Once before you sent him away and I didn't want him to go.
1:19:40 > 1:19:43Love is not just born, it's made!
1:19:43 > 1:19:45He is my child!
1:19:46 > 1:19:47If he goes,
1:19:47 > 1:19:48I'll go.
1:19:56 > 1:19:59'Despite the revelation of the midnight swap,
1:19:59 > 1:20:01'never once did I have any desire
1:20:01 > 1:20:04'to search for the Englishman, Methwold
1:20:04 > 1:20:07'And never once, to my knowledge, did Ammi and Abba set out
1:20:07 > 1:20:10'to look for the true son of their blood.
1:20:12 > 1:20:15'I like to think, that in spite of all the heartache,
1:20:15 > 1:20:17'my parents loved me.'
1:20:17 > 1:20:19CLATTERING, BUBBLING
1:20:19 > 1:20:20Parvati?
1:20:24 > 1:20:25Saleem?
1:20:28 > 1:20:30I know who I am now.
1:20:35 > 1:20:37I'm not my ammi's son.
1:20:40 > 1:20:41What do you mean?
1:20:41 > 1:20:44DISTORTED VOICES
1:20:46 > 1:20:48HE SIGHS
1:20:52 > 1:20:55Then her child is...?
1:20:57 > 1:21:00Saleem, he'll kill you.
1:21:00 > 1:21:01You stole his life.
1:21:03 > 1:21:05He must never know.
1:21:08 > 1:21:10HE SNEEZES
1:21:12 > 1:21:14Excuse me.
1:21:26 > 1:21:29Abba, what are we doing here?
1:21:29 > 1:21:32Abba, why have you brought me here?
1:21:34 > 1:21:37- Come with me, Saleem. - No, I'm not coming.
1:21:37 > 1:21:41- Saleem...- I'm not coming. No! Why am I here?
1:21:42 > 1:21:45Look, can't we just talk about this like grown-ups?
1:21:45 > 1:21:47They mustn't touch my nose, OK. Do you understand?
1:21:47 > 1:21:48- Sit down!- No, no, no.
1:21:48 > 1:21:52You understand, Abba, they mustn't touch my...
1:21:52 > 1:21:54You hear that? You are not to touch my nose! Achoo!
1:21:54 > 1:21:56Abba! Abba!
1:21:56 > 1:21:57Achoo!
1:21:57 > 1:21:59Listen to me. Don't! You don't know what you are doing.
1:21:59 > 1:22:02You can't! Look, look, you cannot touch my nose.
1:22:02 > 1:22:05- It's OK. - Please, don't! You don't know!
1:22:05 > 1:22:07Just be a good fellow and count to ten.
1:22:07 > 1:22:13- Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six... - GAS HISSES
1:22:13 > 1:22:18Five. Four. Three. Two.
1:22:18 > 1:22:21One. That's it.
1:22:23 > 1:22:26DISTANT VOICES
1:22:28 > 1:22:30Saleem?
1:22:38 > 1:22:41SHE SINGS
1:22:47 > 1:22:50SOFT SINGING
1:22:54 > 1:22:56Are you there?
1:22:59 > 1:23:01All of you?
1:23:03 > 1:23:05Parvati?
1:23:08 > 1:23:09Parvati?
1:23:09 > 1:23:11Where are you?
1:23:11 > 1:23:13It's me.
1:23:13 > 1:23:16They've all gone. I can't call them any more.
1:23:16 > 1:23:17Who's gone? Who's Parvati?
1:23:17 > 1:23:21- HE SOBS Everybody!- Saleem. Just relax.
1:23:21 > 1:23:24HE WEEPS
1:23:31 > 1:23:32Jamila?
1:23:32 > 1:23:34- Hey, put that back!- No, no, Jamila.
1:23:36 > 1:23:38I can smell.
1:23:39 > 1:23:43- Through that, you can smell? - Yes, I can smell everything.
1:23:43 > 1:23:45What can you smell?
1:23:45 > 1:23:47I can smell your jasmine.
1:23:49 > 1:23:51I can smell traffic on the street.
1:23:51 > 1:23:52I can smell medicine.
1:23:52 > 1:23:55I can smell other things, like...
1:23:56 > 1:23:58Love.
1:23:59 > 1:24:00Jamila...
1:24:01 > 1:24:03I can smell love.
1:24:05 > 1:24:07Saleem.
1:24:10 > 1:24:12SHE HUMS TO HERSELF
1:24:12 > 1:24:14SHE INHALES
1:24:21 > 1:24:23SHE SINGS
1:24:53 > 1:24:55SONG CONTINUES
1:25:03 > 1:25:07- There's going to be a big war, you know.- Yeah? So?
1:25:07 > 1:25:09"Yeah, so"(?)
1:25:09 > 1:25:12- So which side are we on? - I know which side I'm on.
1:25:12 > 1:25:16You're the one who's confused with your Bombay this, Bombay that.
1:25:16 > 1:25:18- I'm not confused.- Aren't you?
1:25:20 > 1:25:22Oh, maybe.
1:25:33 > 1:25:35REVS MOTOR
1:25:40 > 1:25:42INTRO PLAYS
1:27:11 > 1:27:13SONG ENDS
1:27:13 > 1:27:15APPLAUSE
1:27:23 > 1:27:25War draws closer every minute.
1:27:25 > 1:27:28The Indian enemy rises in strength.
1:27:28 > 1:27:30But we too are strong,
1:27:30 > 1:27:33and beti, your voice will make us stronger.
1:27:33 > 1:27:36It will inspire our soldiers to victory!
1:27:36 > 1:27:39- Pakistan! - ALL CHANT
1:27:49 > 1:27:52'Crazed by the war fought by both the countries
1:27:52 > 1:27:54to which I had belonged,
1:27:54 > 1:27:56'I rode the night streets of Karachi...'
1:27:56 > 1:27:58Stop! Final warning!
1:27:58 > 1:27:59'..looking for death.'
1:28:01 > 1:28:03What are you doing! Bring him! Bring him! Bring him!
1:28:03 > 1:28:06- Because of me, you see! Because of my crime.- What crime?
1:28:06 > 1:28:10- It's nothing, ya. The poor man is cracked.- Easy, easy, OK.
1:28:10 > 1:28:12SHOUTING
1:28:12 > 1:28:16DISTANT EXPLOSIONS
1:28:19 > 1:28:22WHISTLING PROJECTILE
1:28:22 > 1:28:24CRASHING
1:28:24 > 1:28:27GLASS SHATTERS
1:28:27 > 1:28:30FIRE CRACKLES
1:28:44 > 1:28:46Everything is...tickety-boo.
1:28:58 > 1:28:59CLANGING
1:29:03 > 1:29:06RUMBLING
1:29:11 > 1:29:13AIR-RAID SIREN WAILS
1:29:26 > 1:29:29'Most of my family died in that war.
1:29:29 > 1:29:31'I, orphaned, survived.
1:29:32 > 1:29:36'For six years, I slept, brained by a silver spittoon.
1:29:36 > 1:29:38'Wiped clean, remembering nothing.'
1:29:38 > 1:29:41HEARTBEATS THUD
1:29:44 > 1:29:49'After six years, I awoke, and was shipped off to another war.'
1:29:49 > 1:29:50Torch, please.
1:29:51 > 1:29:54'This time, a civil war.'
1:29:54 > 1:29:58Awake, are we? Right on time to get shipped off to East Pakistan.
1:29:58 > 1:30:02'Pakistan's East Wing fighting for its independence against the West.'
1:30:10 > 1:30:12ENGINES ROAR
1:30:22 > 1:30:23Shahid.
1:30:31 > 1:30:33No memory.
1:30:33 > 1:30:36Refuses to talk. All he's good for is sniffing, yeah.
1:30:36 > 1:30:39- He gives me the creeps, ya. - Creeps?
1:30:42 > 1:30:44Nobody's home.
1:30:44 > 1:30:47HE LAUGHS
1:30:47 > 1:30:52ENGINES DRONE
1:30:56 > 1:31:00'In three short weeks, Pakistan had lost half its navy
1:31:00 > 1:31:04'a third of its army, and a quarter of its air force.
1:31:04 > 1:31:08'By the time I tumbled into the war, it was all over.'
1:31:08 > 1:31:12DISTANT PLANE ENGINES
1:31:29 > 1:31:32SINGING
1:31:59 > 1:32:02SALEEM GROANS
1:32:50 > 1:32:52HE GROANS
1:33:56 > 1:33:58General.
1:33:58 > 1:34:00HELICOPTER POWERS DOWN
1:34:06 > 1:34:08Good. That's that.
1:34:09 > 1:34:11I'm sorry for your loss in the battle, Zulfi.
1:34:12 > 1:34:14Thank you, sir.
1:34:15 > 1:34:17Shiva?
1:34:18 > 1:34:21Our most decorated officer. He fought quite a battle.
1:34:21 > 1:34:23Good show, Major.
1:34:23 > 1:34:25Zulfi.
1:34:31 > 1:34:32FANFARE PLAYS
1:34:32 > 1:34:36'When General Zulfikar surrendered to his old friend,
1:34:36 > 1:34:38'General Aurora of India,
1:34:38 > 1:34:41'Pakistan also lost more than half its population,
1:34:41 > 1:34:44'who became citizens of Bangladesh.
1:34:45 > 1:34:49'In those days, all our wars were fights between friends.'
1:34:49 > 1:34:52CHEERING, DRUMMING
1:34:55 > 1:34:58'Magicians had been brought from India to entertain the crowds,
1:34:58 > 1:35:01'and that day, everyone believed in magic.'
1:35:01 > 1:35:03CHEERING, MUSIC PLAYS
1:35:25 > 1:35:27Parvati.
1:35:27 > 1:35:28Parvati.
1:35:28 > 1:35:30Parvati the witch! MUSIC FADES
1:35:30 > 1:35:32Parvati! Parvati!
1:35:32 > 1:35:34Parvati the witch!
1:35:36 > 1:35:37Parvati!
1:35:40 > 1:35:42- Saleem?- "Saleem"?
1:35:44 > 1:35:46Saleem! That's it!
1:35:46 > 1:35:49And I thought I was dreaming the whole thing.
1:35:51 > 1:35:52Come!
1:35:54 > 1:35:57MUSIC PLAYS
1:36:15 > 1:36:17Abracadabra.
1:36:17 > 1:36:19Abracadabra.
1:36:19 > 1:36:21Abracadabra.
1:36:21 > 1:36:25SINGING, BELLS JINGLE
1:36:26 > 1:36:29Hey, you there! Hurry up, they're boarding the plane.
1:36:29 > 1:36:31Sir.
1:36:35 > 1:36:37What's in this?
1:36:37 > 1:36:40Don't disturb her. It's a personal snake.
1:36:40 > 1:36:42HISSING
1:36:42 > 1:36:45- And this one? - It's empty, sir. Take a look.
1:36:47 > 1:36:48Very good.
1:36:48 > 1:36:52- Gather your belongings and board the aircraft.- Is it OK?
1:37:07 > 1:37:11'And so it came to pass that without passport or permit,
1:37:11 > 1:37:16'I returned in Parvati's basket of invisibility to India.
1:37:17 > 1:37:21'My India. The land of my birth.'
1:37:46 > 1:37:47Abracadabra.
1:37:47 > 1:37:50Abracadabra. Abracadabra.
1:38:38 > 1:38:40Saleem?
1:38:49 > 1:38:53LAUGHTER
1:39:20 > 1:39:22Picture Singh-ji?
1:39:22 > 1:39:23- Bye, Saleem.- Bye.
1:39:23 > 1:39:25"Picture Singh.
1:39:25 > 1:39:28"The most charming man in the world.
1:39:28 > 1:39:32"charm your friends with that Eastman Kodak." That's me.
1:39:34 > 1:39:36Captain.
1:39:36 > 1:39:39Parvati is a good girl.
1:39:39 > 1:39:41Very sensible girl.
1:39:42 > 1:39:44But she's an orphan.
1:39:45 > 1:39:48She's your good friend.
1:39:48 > 1:39:51How to take care of her?
1:39:53 > 1:39:56Any idea?
1:40:02 > 1:40:05Picture-ji! HE LAUGHS
1:40:06 > 1:40:08Chai.
1:40:10 > 1:40:11OK.
1:40:21 > 1:40:24MUEZZIN CALL TO PRAYER
1:40:39 > 1:40:40Abracadabra.
1:40:51 > 1:40:54Finally, I have someone who knows my magic is real.
1:40:55 > 1:40:57Why don't you tell the others?
1:41:01 > 1:41:04..magicians who believe in real magic?
1:41:06 > 1:41:08They don't want witches around here.
1:41:10 > 1:41:11Not even Picture Singh?
1:41:15 > 1:41:17Not even Picture Singh.
1:41:39 > 1:41:41Midnight's Children.
1:41:42 > 1:41:44You and me.
1:41:44 > 1:41:45That's something else.
1:42:01 > 1:42:04HE GASPS
1:42:21 > 1:42:23Parvati.
1:42:26 > 1:42:29- Parvati, please, talk to me. - No, you talk to me, Saleem!
1:42:34 > 1:42:36It... It changes.
1:42:40 > 1:42:41I'm sorry.
1:42:45 > 1:42:48Are you too grand for me, huh? Remember I know a secret about you.
1:42:52 > 1:42:55- You haven't told anyone. - I could have.
1:42:55 > 1:42:57I met the other one.
1:42:57 > 1:42:59- "The other one"? - The one you're scared of.
1:43:01 > 1:43:05He was there at the victory parade. The biggest hero of the whole war.
1:43:06 > 1:43:07Your old buddy.
1:43:08 > 1:43:10- You met him?- Yes.
1:43:12 > 1:43:13And you told him.
1:43:14 > 1:43:16No.
1:43:17 > 1:43:19But maybe I should send for him.
1:43:20 > 1:43:22"Send for him"?
1:43:22 > 1:43:24And you think he'll come to you?
1:43:24 > 1:43:25To hell with you!
1:43:43 > 1:43:44No further, Picture-ji.
1:44:15 > 1:44:17Come to me.
1:44:17 > 1:44:18Abracadabra.
1:44:20 > 1:44:22Come to me.
1:44:50 > 1:44:53'Certain ironies must not pass unnoticed,
1:44:53 > 1:44:55'for had not Shiva risen as I fell?
1:44:57 > 1:45:00'Which of us became a slum-dweller, and who was the hero,
1:45:00 > 1:45:03'the most powerful of Midnight's Children?
1:45:04 > 1:45:07'There's nothing like war
1:45:07 > 1:45:09'for the reinvention of lives.'
1:45:13 > 1:45:15Who are you, hmm? Woman?
1:45:16 > 1:45:19- I'm the witch.- Mm-hm.
1:45:20 > 1:45:22Another Midnight's child.
1:45:28 > 1:45:30You.
1:45:30 > 1:45:31I have nothing to say to you.
1:45:33 > 1:45:34I'm leaving.
1:45:34 > 1:45:36Come back to me.
1:45:57 > 1:45:58Hey!
1:46:02 > 1:46:03Saleem.
1:46:08 > 1:46:09Woof woof.
1:46:11 > 1:46:15WEE WILLIE SINGS, ECHOING: '# How much is that doggie in the window?
1:46:15 > 1:46:19'# I do hope that doggie's for sale... # '
1:46:19 > 1:46:21HE GASPS
1:46:45 > 1:46:47'I had many families and no family.
1:46:48 > 1:46:50'There were the parents I never knew who gave me life.
1:46:51 > 1:46:55'And the parents who raised me, whom I lost.
1:46:55 > 1:46:59'And Midnight's Children, who were taken from me for a time.
1:47:00 > 1:47:04'I wandered among them all, and at last I was ready.'
1:47:07 > 1:47:10RAIN SHEETS, KIDS CHATTER
1:47:34 > 1:47:38- I called him because I was angry with you.- I know.
1:47:43 > 1:47:45He left his child with me.
1:47:45 > 1:47:46Parvati.
1:47:48 > 1:47:50Maybe it's not his child.
1:47:50 > 1:47:52What do you mean?
1:47:53 > 1:47:56When we get married, it will be ours.
1:47:57 > 1:47:58What?
1:47:58 > 1:48:00When we get married, it'll be ours.
1:48:02 > 1:48:04SHE LAUGHS
1:48:07 > 1:48:11MUSIC PLAYS
1:49:13 > 1:49:16SHE MOANS
1:49:41 > 1:49:42Your face.
1:49:45 > 1:49:47What about my face now?
1:49:47 > 1:49:48Nothing...
1:49:51 > 1:49:55Parvati, it's so beautiful.
1:50:04 > 1:50:08- TV:- 'June 12, 1975, will be remembered as a historic date.
1:50:08 > 1:50:10'At 2.15 this afternoon
1:50:10 > 1:50:14'the Prime Minister was found guilty of electoral malpractice.
1:50:14 > 1:50:16'From a specially built podium, Mrs Gandhi told
1:50:16 > 1:50:18'the crowd that she was a victim...'
1:50:18 > 1:50:20"Emergency."
1:50:20 > 1:50:23'The word "emergency" was heard for the first time.'
1:50:23 > 1:50:25Saleem!
1:50:25 > 1:50:27SHE GASPS
1:50:27 > 1:50:29'The censorship of the press,
1:50:29 > 1:50:32'arrest of subversive elements,
1:50:32 > 1:50:35'and forced sterilisation.
1:50:35 > 1:50:38'Some things were ending...' BABY CRIES
1:50:38 > 1:50:40'..something was being born.'
1:50:40 > 1:50:41Saleem!
1:50:41 > 1:50:43It's a baby boy!
1:50:43 > 1:50:44SHE SIGHS
1:50:55 > 1:50:59Look at your ears, they're so big!
1:51:00 > 1:51:02Who knows what things you'll hear?
1:51:03 > 1:51:05Aadam.
1:51:05 > 1:51:07Aadam Sinai.
1:51:08 > 1:51:10# Anything you want
1:51:10 > 1:51:14# You can be
1:51:14 > 1:51:16# You can be
1:51:16 > 1:51:19# Just whatever you want. #
1:51:29 > 1:51:32INAUDIBLE
1:51:32 > 1:51:34ENGINE REVS
1:51:38 > 1:51:40SHE SNEEZES
1:51:40 > 1:51:43HE PANTS
1:51:46 > 1:51:50'With the declaration of the Emergency,
1:51:50 > 1:51:54'and the birth of a new, unfree India...
1:51:55 > 1:51:56'..a dark night fell.
1:51:59 > 1:52:03'A continuous midnight that would last...for years.'
1:52:06 > 1:52:09What's happening?
1:52:09 > 1:52:11Where's the daylight? THUNDER RUMBLES
1:52:11 > 1:52:14A curse has come upon us.
1:52:15 > 1:52:17I have never seen such a thing.
1:52:18 > 1:52:20MICE CHITTER
1:52:23 > 1:52:26No doubt about it, Madam.
1:52:26 > 1:52:31Your horoscope clearly states that you are one with the Motherland.
1:52:31 > 1:52:33India is the Prime Minister,
1:52:33 > 1:52:36Prime Minister is India.
1:52:36 > 1:52:39'The Prime Minister wanted as to think of her as "Devi",
1:52:39 > 1:52:42'"The Mother Goddess".
1:52:42 > 1:52:46'Those who would be gods fear all other potential deities.
1:52:48 > 1:52:52'And that's why she hated us. The magical children of midnight.'
1:52:54 > 1:52:59But, Madam, these strange children are a potential pain in the neck.
1:53:01 > 1:53:03It is astrologically proven,
1:53:03 > 1:53:06a threat to the nation, Madam,
1:53:06 > 1:53:09is a threat to the Prime Minister also.
1:53:09 > 1:53:11THUNDER RUMBLES
1:53:15 > 1:53:19SINGING NEARBY
1:53:19 > 1:53:21- Saleem?- Huh?
1:53:21 > 1:53:22- Saleem?- Huh?
1:53:22 > 1:53:24Did you hear that?
1:53:24 > 1:53:26SINGING CONTINUES
1:53:26 > 1:53:29HE SINGS, WIND WHISTLES
1:53:29 > 1:53:31THUNDER RUMBLES
1:53:31 > 1:53:35A civic beautification has been authorised in this sector.
1:53:35 > 1:53:38This slum contains subversive elements, it's an eyesore,
1:53:38 > 1:53:40and a public scandal.
1:53:40 > 1:53:42All persons must vacate immediately!
1:53:51 > 1:53:53SHOUTING, CRASHING
1:54:06 > 1:54:08Parvati! Parvati! Aadam!
1:54:10 > 1:54:15CRASHING, COMMOTION
1:54:18 > 1:54:19Parvati!
1:54:20 > 1:54:22Shiva!
1:54:22 > 1:54:23Rich kid.
1:54:26 > 1:54:27Parvati!
1:54:31 > 1:54:32Shiva!
1:54:32 > 1:54:33Shiva, stop!
1:54:33 > 1:54:35Now tell me where the other children are.
1:54:37 > 1:54:40- Parvati!- Where are they? - Little Aadam! He's your son!
1:54:40 > 1:54:41THUNK!
1:54:55 > 1:54:57AADAM WAILS
1:55:06 > 1:55:08Abracadabra.
1:55:13 > 1:55:16REVVING
1:55:16 > 1:55:18CRASHING
1:55:35 > 1:55:37The Emergency
1:55:37 > 1:55:42was necessary and justified.
1:55:42 > 1:55:44Democracy was under threat.
1:55:44 > 1:55:46It had to be protected.
1:55:46 > 1:55:48APPLAUSE
1:55:48 > 1:55:51THUNDER RUMBLES
1:55:53 > 1:55:55We think you're very dangerous.
1:55:55 > 1:55:57Or what you might be capable of, potentially.
1:55:57 > 1:55:59What you're plotting to do.
1:55:59 > 1:56:02Or might be plotting at a future date.
1:56:02 > 1:56:04We're going to nip you in the bud.
1:56:04 > 1:56:06Cut you off at the source.
1:56:06 > 1:56:09Prevention is better than cure.
1:56:09 > 1:56:10This is an "Emergency."
1:56:10 > 1:56:12Your gang of freaks?
1:56:12 > 1:56:15It will have to be smashed... with your help.
1:56:15 > 1:56:17Of course.
1:56:17 > 1:56:19Names.
1:56:19 > 1:56:20Addresses.
1:56:22 > 1:56:23Physical descriptions.
1:56:23 > 1:56:26Nature of peculiar capabilities.
1:56:26 > 1:56:27All of it.
1:56:29 > 1:56:31Thank you in advance.
1:56:31 > 1:56:32Thank you very much.
1:56:34 > 1:56:35No.
1:56:36 > 1:56:37Never.
1:56:37 > 1:56:39CANE CLATTERS
1:56:39 > 1:56:41Ugh!
1:56:46 > 1:56:48That wasn't too bad, was it?
1:56:48 > 1:56:49Not so bad at all.
1:56:50 > 1:56:52Shiva.
1:56:52 > 1:56:54He's really me.
1:56:56 > 1:56:59You two, out.
1:57:01 > 1:57:02Now!
1:57:14 > 1:57:16Two babies.
1:57:18 > 1:57:20Born together.
1:57:20 > 1:57:24Same place, same time.
1:57:27 > 1:57:29Swapped, see?
1:57:30 > 1:57:32Swapped.
1:57:44 > 1:57:47I stole your life.
1:57:56 > 1:57:57- YOUNG SHIVA, ECHOING:- '..Rich boy.'
1:58:02 > 1:58:05'Saleem and Shiva. Shiva and Saleem.'
1:58:13 > 1:58:16HE GASPS
1:58:26 > 1:58:29SHOUTING NEARBY
1:58:35 > 1:58:37Shiva.
1:58:37 > 1:58:39No! Stop!
1:58:39 > 1:58:40SHOUTING
1:58:55 > 1:58:57Let them go! Let them go! Let them go!
1:59:07 > 1:59:08Forgive me.
1:59:10 > 1:59:13I'm sorry to inform you that we're obliged to operate.
1:59:13 > 1:59:15Operate? What, what... what operation?
1:59:15 > 1:59:17"Sperectomy."
1:59:18 > 1:59:20SALEEM GASPS
1:59:24 > 1:59:25I'm going to take your life away...
1:59:27 > 1:59:29..bit by bit.
1:59:31 > 1:59:32Like you took mine.
1:59:32 > 1:59:36No! Don't! No, stop! Stop!
1:59:36 > 1:59:39Don't do this! Don't do this! HE BANGS
1:59:39 > 1:59:41GAS HISSES, HE COUGHS
1:59:43 > 1:59:45Stop... Stop. Stop...
1:59:47 > 1:59:48Take the pyjama off.
1:59:48 > 1:59:51'The "Emergency", everyone called it.
1:59:51 > 1:59:55'But it was really a betrayal. Her betrayal of her father's dreams.
1:59:57 > 2:00:01'Who were we? We were the promises of independence.'
2:00:02 > 2:00:05WATER SPLASHES
2:00:06 > 2:00:08HE GROANS
2:00:10 > 2:00:13'And like all promises, made to be broken.'
2:00:14 > 2:00:16Vasectomy.
2:00:17 > 2:00:19NEWS REPORT: 'In a stunning upset,
2:00:19 > 2:00:21'the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi has been
2:00:21 > 2:00:24'unceremoniously flung out of office.
2:00:24 > 2:00:27'Sure of a triumph, she called an election,
2:00:27 > 2:00:28'only to have it backfire on her.
2:00:28 > 2:00:31'The Emergency is over.'
2:01:24 > 2:01:28HE LAUGHS
2:01:28 > 2:01:32HE GASPS
2:01:52 > 2:01:56'420 of us stood, blinking in the sunlight.
2:01:58 > 2:02:02'And then dispersed into the healing privacy of the crowds.
2:02:04 > 2:02:06'And what of Shiva?
2:02:06 > 2:02:08'Shiva, who was now a wanted man.'
2:02:08 > 2:02:10TYRES SCREECH, TRUCK HORN BLARES
2:02:13 > 2:02:15CRASHING
2:02:34 > 2:02:37CHILDREN CHATTER
2:03:09 > 2:03:11WATER SPLASHES
2:03:51 > 2:03:53Parvati...?
2:03:55 > 2:03:58Unfortunately, she...
2:04:03 > 2:04:07But, Captain, you have a son.
2:04:08 > 2:04:11Come. Come with me.
2:04:34 > 2:04:37TRAFFIC BUSTLE
2:05:00 > 2:05:02She didn't even use her magic to save her life.
2:05:04 > 2:05:10You see, Picture-ji, Parvati gave up all of that before he was born.
2:05:10 > 2:05:12She didn't give it up.
2:05:13 > 2:05:17I found Aadam in her basket of invisibility.
2:05:17 > 2:05:20The soldiers looked inside and shouted...
2:05:22 > 2:05:23I heard them with my own ears.
2:05:24 > 2:05:26But you saw him?
2:05:26 > 2:05:30I believed in her magic.
2:05:31 > 2:05:34Always knew it was not a trick.
2:05:35 > 2:05:38STREET BUSTLE
2:05:42 > 2:05:46He's a fine child, child of dignity.
2:05:48 > 2:05:51No matter he doesn't speak, but he will,
2:05:51 > 2:05:55when he has something to say.
2:06:05 > 2:06:06Picture-ji...
2:06:06 > 2:06:08This chutney! What's this?
2:06:08 > 2:06:09Where's it from?
2:06:17 > 2:06:19Here, sir.
2:06:21 > 2:06:26Oh! One from famous Braganza Pickles of Bombay.
2:06:29 > 2:06:32Picture-ji, we must go to Bombay.
2:06:32 > 2:06:34Just now?
2:06:37 > 2:06:38Now.
2:06:41 > 2:06:43'Parvati was gone.
2:06:44 > 2:06:47'But in the five-syllable monotony of the wheels,
2:06:47 > 2:06:49'I heard her magic spell.
2:06:49 > 2:06:52'"Abracadabra, abracadabra, abracadabra",
2:06:52 > 2:06:56'sang the wheels, as they bore us back to Bombay.'
2:06:56 > 2:06:58TRAIN HONKS HORN
2:06:58 > 2:07:01CLATTERING
2:07:01 > 2:07:02BEEPING
2:07:12 > 2:07:14Is Mrs Braganza here?
2:07:14 > 2:07:16Yes, but you can't meet with her. Where are you going?
2:07:16 > 2:07:18PHONE RINGS
2:07:18 > 2:07:19Hello?
2:07:32 > 2:07:34Who is it?
2:07:44 > 2:07:45Saleem.
2:07:48 > 2:07:49Oh...
2:07:59 > 2:08:02You've become so thin. Let me kiss you.
2:08:12 > 2:08:15Mary, this is my son, Aadam.
2:08:19 > 2:08:20And Aadam...
2:08:28 > 2:08:29SHE SOBS
2:08:34 > 2:08:36Come here.
2:08:40 > 2:08:42Come, Little Baba, hm?
2:08:46 > 2:08:49FIREWORK HISSES
2:09:07 > 2:09:08PICTURE-JI WHISPERS
2:09:20 > 2:09:22Blow.
2:09:22 > 2:09:23Blow.
2:09:29 > 2:09:31FIREWORKS BOOM
2:09:37 > 2:09:39Happy birthday.
2:09:39 > 2:09:41Bless you.
2:09:47 > 2:09:48Abba...
2:09:51 > 2:09:53He's speaking...!
2:09:53 > 2:09:54Abba...
2:09:54 > 2:09:56Baba...
2:09:57 > 2:09:59He's calling me "father".
2:10:02 > 2:10:04Abracadabra.
2:10:08 > 2:10:09What did you say?
2:10:10 > 2:10:12Abracadabra.
2:10:12 > 2:10:15Another magic child.
2:10:19 > 2:10:21So. A new generation...
2:10:21 > 2:10:23but more careful.
2:10:24 > 2:10:25Tougher.
2:10:27 > 2:10:28Baba?
2:10:31 > 2:10:33Here you go.
2:10:33 > 2:10:38'A child and a country were born at midnight, once upon a time.
2:10:39 > 2:10:42'Great things were expected of us both.
2:10:42 > 2:10:45'The truth has been less glorious than the dream.
2:10:47 > 2:10:50'But we have survived and made our way.
2:10:50 > 2:10:53'And our lives have been, in spite of everything...
2:10:55 > 2:10:56'..acts of love.'
2:10:56 > 2:10:58FIREWORKS WHIZ AND BOOM