Mumbai Diaries (Dhobi Ghat)

New to Mumbai?

Been here five months, but it still feels strange

- Where are you from? - Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh

Malihabad is famous for mangoes. I'm from U.P. too

- Jaunpur. Do you know it? - Yes, I've been there

Come home soon

Look Imran, the famous Marine Drive and up ahead is Chowpatty

People throng this place every day to eat bhel puri, pay bhaji...

I think people come here more for fresh air

which is in short supply

The sea air is so different

it smells of people's desires

Give me two rupees, I'm hungry, please...

Are you shooting?

Take my picture! Please!

It's exactly your kind of flat...

Yes, a gas connection, 24-hour security

Yes, there's water... most of the time

Just take a look

Okay, 6 o'clock

Do you like it, Mr Arun? it'll be perfect after a coat of paint

You're a painter, you'll know what I mean

Think about it. The lease is unlimited

There's the view you wanted of the old city. That's the Aga Khan Tower

The station is nearby...

and you get a private toilet, rare for these buildings

Yes, the kitchen is small, but you're not exactly a chef

What an actor!

I Want to meet him

Johny Lever? I'll introduce you

Shut up!

Ma, if I fail this time, it'll be their fault

He's right, Salim. You illiterate!

Just you wait...

Karim will study and become a top class gentleman

Right, Karim?

Off to work again?

Damn filthy job, that

Why do you do it?

At least I'm not a crook like you

My job is better... right, Aunt?

Don't... stop it!

Idiot

- Shit! - Damn... missed!

What did he think he was doing?

Shai, don't be such the NRI. You know what traffic here is like

I'm so late, man, Pes...

My mum left for the show an hour ago

Nothing important starts in Bombay before 10, love

There's Arun... delightful that he could make it to his own opening

I like the new work. What do you think, Jatin?

I think it's hard to be apolitical when you are referencing the working classes

Ladies and gentlemen...friends...

The artist has decided to make an appearance...

Finally...

Thank you all so much for coming...

and I take great pleasure in presenting 'Building', Arun's new work

And now the part that Arun hates the most...

Arun, please say a few words...

Everybody, T. Arun... Arun, be nice

Well, there's not much to say...

This is a tribute to the people of...

Rajasthan... U. P.

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and elsewhere

who built this city in the hope that someday

they will find a rightful place in it

So, to Bombay...

my muse, my whore, my beloved

- To Bombay - To Bombay

- Fantastic - Thanks, thank you

- We really love your work - Thank you

We'll have a huge painting of yours...

- You know the old style you used to... - Sorry to intrude...

This is going to be a really important show

and I am told your solos are much later

Arun, you have really outdone yourself this time

Miraj Hussain, I need to talk to you

How long does it take to return a phone call?

That bad?

Don't ask...

Thank God for Pesi

- Hi, I'm Arun - Hi... Shai

Guess I thought you looked a bit stricken there

Yeah

So are you an artist too?

No, I am an investment banking consultant

What... something to do with money?

Yes, broadly speaking

Essentially, I study investment trends in South Asian economies

What... here in Bombay?

No, in New York, but...

I've moved here for a bit

Why?

I guess I needed a break from things, you know

a new perspective, some fresh air in my head

- You plan to get that here in Bombay? - Yes...

Well, maybe just a change of scene then

Cool, I could do with a holiday too

Actually, I'm not on holiday. I'm on a sabbatical

Really? What's that supposed to mean?

It means I've received a research grant

to submit a project about small and marginal businesses

and shifts in traditional occupations

Basically, I have to write a few papers

and spend time doing what I love doing most...

taking photographs

Rat... rat...!

Oh... I'm so sorry

I just saw a rat...

I am serious

I'm so sorry

Well, now my show is truly open

Cheers!

Cheers!

Early morning, and everyone's racing against the clock

Look how quickly she cooks her curry

Like she's in a race

Who knows what it'll taste like!

We have a maid. Out here they are called 'bai'

How quickly she does the dishes, cleaning and laundry!

Won't stay an extra minute!

So unlike our Zubeida back home...

who'd insist on staying back, to oil my hair, or a massage

Poor dear... how is she?

You've been up long?

A couple of hours...

- Tea? - I'd love some

Listen, I just helped myself to a shirt that was lying on your chair

because mine was trashed with that wine stain

Yeah, that's fine

Milk and sugar?

Yes, please

I had a lovely time last night

So tell me... do you always live like this... out of boxes?

Moving house...

Really? Why?

Lease has run out...

So you found a new place then, have you?

Yeah

You know, I found your opening last night

to be quite an experience

Are they all like that?

My mom loves these arty do's... she's quite a collector

We have a lot of art at home

In fact, we are running short of walls

Are you hung over?

No

Hey, is something wrong?

No, actually Shai, I'm really...

I'm really sorry about last night...

I mean, I was so drunk and I had no idea...

Hey, what are you sorry about? Don't be sorry

I had a really great time

No, I'm quite a loner and...

I keep to myself and...

and I don't usually do this you know

Hey, it's cool...

I'm glad you don't usually do this

I mean, hey, I don't either...

No, actually what I'm trying to say, Shai is that...

I'm not the relationship kind at all

you know...

and I'm really sorry if I led you into believing...

that this was something more...

something more...

more than just a shag

I'm sorry, Shai, I don't mean to...

Look Shai, what I'm trying to say is that...

Look, I have no idea what's going on in your head right now...

and I'm not sure I want to know

Arun, you know what...

It's cool...

Take care, I'll see you around

Yes, Munna... come in

Any clothes for washing?

Sir...?

No, there's no laundry. I'm moving house

- Can you come there? - Sure, give me the address, I'll find it

Wait

This is the Gateway of India, Bombay's most famous landmark

- Can we go? - Let's take a picture together for Imran

Who will take it?

- Could you take our picture? - Sure

How does this work?

- Point it towards us... can you see us? - Yes, I can

- Done? - Yes

Go, take the camera

Thanks

I guess you are right

I don't know, Pes.....

I really thought he was special

You know... I mean...

we got along so well the night before

Well, it wasn’t just the sex, Pes

Yeah...

Like he was really into me

and he was so intense...

and then, suddenly in the morning...

he was like a completely different person...

hold on a sec...