Damini

There is a higher court than courts of justice

and that is the court of conscience.

It supersedes all other courts.

We present to you our film Damini,

which is based on these words

of Mahatma Gandhi.

No!

No!

No!

Move! Go away!

No… don't!

No!

What happened?

Are you scared?

Yes.

Why are you scared here?

Why?

What is it?

Why isn't anyone here?

They've all gone home.

What?

Yes, they've all gone home.

Would you like to go home, too?

-Yes… -With whom will you go?

-With mom. -Your mom won't be coming here.

She said she will not take you home.

Why were you brought here?

Speak up. Why were you brought here?

They said… I wasn't all right.

-But I'm all right. -Is that so?

Why have you applied color on your arm?

Why have you applied all that?

I didn't do this…

they did. I even have a bruise.

Where is your house?

You can't remember, right?

-I know… -What do you know?

-I'll tell you tomorrow-- -Why tomorrow? Tell me now. Speak up!

-It's far away. -What?

-It's far away. -It's far away?

All right. Prepare to administer the shock treatment.

Where are you dragging me, Dilip? We'll get bored.

Let's go to the hotel and discuss tomorrow's board meeting--

Everything's ready for the meeting. Come on, the show has begun.

What show can we expect here in a place like Nasik?

I'm sure you must've been to the best of shows in Bombay.

You've traveled the whole world.

But this dance will have you spinning!

Oh! Forget it.

I swing without my love How can I forget my promise to him?

I swing without my love How can I forget my promise to him?

I feel like reaching out to the skies

I come flying, bringing the rains with me

I come flying, bringing the rains with me

You live in my heart, my love

I swing without my love How can I forget my promise to him?

I have suffered for years Don't punish me anymore

I can't bear this distance Come into my arms

My eyes always looked for you

You don't know how I spent my days and nights

The roses are blooming There's romance in the air

They bring along a new life Come to me

I swing without my love How can I forget my promise to him?

I swing without my love How can I forget my promise to him?

I feel like reaching out to the skies

I come flying, bringing the rains with me

You live in my heart, my love

I swing without my love How can I forget my promise to him?

My heart pines for you

You make my dreams come alive

My heart pines for you

You make my dreams come alive

I'm so lonely, questions bother me

I'm puzzled so, come to me

I come flying, bringing the rains with me

I come flying, bringing the rains with me

You live in my heart, my love

I swing without my love How can I forget my promise to him?

I feel like reaching out to the skies

-Wow! -She danced well, didn't she?

A beautiful girl, indeed! She was fantastic!

-And what about Aamir? -He's good, too. But she…

Let's meet the girl and congratulate her. Come on!

-Oh, come on! We've got to discuss-- -Forget the meeting.

We must congratulate these newcomers. It boosts their self-confidence.

You come with me. Come on…

Thank you, Mr. Aamir.

You took time out of your busy schedule

-to come to the school's charity program. -Aamir.

-Look over there. -We're very grateful to you.

I am thankful to all of you

for giving me this opportunity.

We work for ourselves every day.

But whenever I get a chance to participate in a charity show like this,

it feels good.

-It gives me peace of mind. -You're very kind.

Thanks a lot, Aamir.

Your appearance had a great effect on the show.

-Otherwise, I, alone-- -Oh, no! Don't say that.

You were the life of the show. You dance very well.

In fact, an artist like you belongs in the film industry.

Yes.

I could talk to some people if you're interested.

Films? No, thank you.

I can't act.

I do a bit of what my teacher taught me, that too, with great difficulty.

And I still end up making mistakes.

I take part in these charity shows whenever there's an opportunity.

I'm happy with this.

That's just how she is.

And that's nice. The way she is.

-May we leave? -Sure.

-Don't you know what to say? -She's coming.

What more should I have said? The show went off well, didn't it?

I swing without my love…

-Hello, Mr. Aamir, Congratulations. -Hello.

-Meet Mr. Shekhar Gupta of Gupta & Sons. -Hello.

-You were fantastic! -Thank you.

I'm an ardent fan of yours.

-I've seen your film Dil 22 times. -I see!

-When will Andaz Apna Apna be released? -Very soon.

-Make it soon, so that-- -Yes.

-Okay, bye. -Bye.

Mr. Gupta, bye.

Did you see--

-All this happens because of you. -Because of me?

Of course! You're such a blabbermouth!

-I am a blabbermouth? -Am I the one then?

-Yes, you are! -You're the one! You are!

-All right. I'm the one. -Devika.

Oh! Birju.

Devika, it's sorted, isn't it? Our--

-Our matter-- -What's sorted?

-Today-- I'm not talking to you. -Why do you ask again?

Haven't I already told you?

-Come on. -So should I…

-What is he talking about? -Never mind.

Shanti!

Dad, how did Shanti…

Let's go. You shouldn't see all this.

Come on.

Damini, get going. Come along, dear.

This is the fate of girls.

They should be married the moment they come of age.

And what did Shanti want to prove by committing suicide?

Won't they get a bad name now?

Her poor father. I met him just the other day.

The poor fellow was complaining that he couldn't arrange for her dowry.

Regardless of how poor a girl's father is,

he won't get his daughter married to a worthless, useless man!

No matter what you say, we have two daughters of marriageable age.

-They're getting older. -As if I don't understand!

I'm not twiddling my thumbs!

You're not the only one who's worried.

Can't you request someone--

All I have to do is grovel now!

Dowry, relations, horoscopes! Everything has to be looked into!

We must look into their family background.

But you're always nagging me!

How many times have I told you to get me some poison so I can kill myself?

I'm the unfortunate mother, after all.

Why should you die? I should die!

I am good-for-nothing, right?

I have fathered those girls, but I can't get them married!

I'll commit suicide, that'll end the story!

You can run the house on the pension. Look after your girls, too.

-I'm leaving with Birju tonight. -With Birju?

Where?

Bombay. A relative of his owns a factory.

-Once we reach there-- -Are you crazy, sister?

How could you let that drunkard mislead you?

What does he know?

But he could change after marriage, right?

I want to give myself a chance in life.

-This isn't a chance but a punishment! -Never mind, a punishment!

It'll at least lessen dad's burden.

I want to live. Won't you help me?

-But, sister-- -Please, little one!

-Write to me, okay. -I will.

She told you last night. Why didn't you tell me?

She hasn't done anything wrong.

She has humiliated us in society!

What society are you talking about?

Has anyone ever stepped forward to help us?

Sure, your Laxminarayan did.

He sympathized with us and sought sister's hand in marriage.

He has two daughters as old as her!

That lecherous old rascal! What a creep!

And Ram Mohan?

He got engaged to sister in everybody's presence

and then just severed it. Why?

Only for a dowry.

Did anyone help? How much you pleaded with him!

Mom even fell at his feet.

No one had anything to say, they just watched the drama unfold.

Darn society! You're worried about such people

who will never do anything for us nor do they think about us.

This is exactly the point.

Things like dowry, horoscopes, relations and society are the reasons

girls end up as spinsters in their homes.