Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan (आँखों की गुस्ताखियाँ)

You know what's the most exciting thing about train travel?

The suspense.

Oh, yes. Wondering, who will I find sitting on the seat across from me today?

A snoring old man, a screeching infant,

or some annoying chap talking loudly on his phone?

With such an air of expectation,

I was once on a train from Delhi to Mussoorie.

Little did I know that my co-passenger

would change my life forever.

How do I travel alone now, Priya?

I can't believe you could be this irresponsible!

Saba relax, your Mussoorie stay is totally sorted.

I don't care that everything's sorted in Mussoorie. You know--

You know very well how important this is for me, man.

Hello? Okay, Priya, And when did you even leave?

I mean, didn't we get on together?

I had to get off before the train departed.

Fine, forget it.

You... You take the next train and you meet me directly there.

Saba, don't worry. I've made a note and kept it on the tray next to you.

You left a note?

Y-You left a note? How am I supposed to read it

when I can't take this off for two weeks now, Priya!

Hello! Priya? Priya, hello?

- Hello? - Could you talk softly, please?

- Are you mad!? - Oh shit!

Oh, oh shit.

I'm so sorry.

- What? - Not you, man!

I'm so sorry!

Priya? Priya!

There's an unknown guy in the compartment as well.

Do you even understand how badly I'm stuck here?

What if he's like a...

I don't know, a creep?

Priya?

Hello?

Hello? Hello?

Priya? Oh shit...

Excuse me?

Can you just redial this last number, please?

Do it yourself.

What if I'm a creep?

Listen, I'm extremely sorry about that.

I really didn't mean it.

But I need your help.

This blindfold, I can't take it off.

So, can you please just dial it, please?

Hey, Kiri, please redial the last number.

No network available.

You don't get network here.

We'll reach Hapur shortly, you'll get network there.

Thanks for helping.

So, why are you roaming around like Gandhari?

I'm... I'm an actor.

Oh, really?

- Yeah. - Wow!

You must be really famous, then.

Not yet, but yeah... very soon.

I'm actually a theatre actor.

I've just been shortlisted for my first film,

where I play the role of a visually impaired girl. So...

In 20 days I have an audition with the director, and

I just want to be 100 percent prepared.

That's why I'm going to Mussoorie.

So I can just be away from everyone and...

learn how to be blind.

Okay, good luck.

I hope your prep gets you towards success.

Thank you.

Can I help you with something?

Uh, no I can help myself.

Oh shit!

Oh shit! Ow... I'm so sorry.

Here, hold this.

I hope nothing got wet?

- My guitar case got wet. - Shit, man!

I'm extremely sorry. I'll call the cleaner right away.

Oh, no! Just sit quietly, please!

We'll be at Hapur soon, I'll call the cleaner myself.

We're at the station, you can make your call. I'll get the cleaner.

You shouldn't have spoken to me like that.

I said sorry. I obviously didn't do it on purpose, did I?

When the lights go out for even a moment, people panic.

So just imagine, how difficult would it be if life were forever dark for you?

Give me something. Spare some change.

Where's your attention, your Bablu tea seller's here.

Strong creamy tea, infused with saffron and cardamom.

Here, brother.

- Friend? - Yes, brother?

- A cup of tea, please. - Yes, brother.

Here, brother.

Thank you.

I was sipping my tea all alone, so I thought I'd get you a cup too.

I don't accept food or drink from strangers on a train.

Me, a stranger?

But I know everything about you.

- Really? - Yeah.

Just what do you know?

I know that...

you're an actor, immersed in your prep, off to Mussoorie.

You're really focused.

But you have one failing.

What?

You don't understand people.

This girl who left you alone and adrift...

you call a friend.

And the guy who got off at the station,

and bought you some excellent ginger tea, you call a stranger.

She's not my friend, she's my manager.

Her stupid boyfriend lives in Frankfurt.

He was pressuring her to get engaged,

- or he'd break up. - Really?

And by the time I sat down,

she just got off the train and now

she's going to Frankfurt to win him back.

God, I've always hated that guy.

By the way,

in your situation, it would be apt to say "Love is blind".

Come on, it's funny. Man, you can laugh!

And here, drink this. You'll feel good.

Yeah.

- Careful. - Thank you.

By the way, I'm known as Jahaan.

I'm Saba Shergill.

- Wow, nice name. - Thanks.

Which of your parents is an artiste?

My dad.

He's actually a known writer-director on the theatre circuit...

But how did you know?

'Saba' is an Urdu word that means cool breeze.

No normal Punjabi family would give you such a name.

You know the meaning of 'Saba'?

Of course I do.

I write songs.

And I listen to songs by artists from all over the world.

So I'm a frequent diver in the ocean of words.

It's so much fun.

Then you'd definitely understand my crazy behavior.

You can relate, artist to artist, right?

What is madness, madam?

Merely a catch-all concept.

Whatever people don't understand, that's madness.

For example...

Everyone eats ice cream in summer.

But how do you explain to people the sheer

delight of having ice cream in the cold of winter?

Bless you.

Can I ask you something?

Uh, yeah.

How do you plan on staying alone in this condition?

No idea. But... I can't back out now.

And if Dad finds out that Priya left, and I'm all alone,

He'll order me to come back.

Fine, I guess...

Have it your way.

What's it like outside, Jahaan?

Ahh...

Outside?

Uh...

There's a fine mist...

Behind which hides a cascade of mountains.

The earth is still wet...

So the rain must have only just stopped.

And the sun's rays are straining themselves through the clouds

to get to us.

Somewhere on this day, a child will see his first rainbow.

You know... I've never seen a rainbow.

I've only found them in movies and books.

And today, when I've got the chance, I can't open my eyes.

Who told you you need eyes to see?

Come here, near the window.

Now try and sense things.

It feels like something's flashing by

really close to the train.

Well done.

Now use the sound to see.

Are we on some kind of a... bridge?

Right answer! You have won five crore rupees!

Yes! I did it! High five!

This has got to be the first time someone's

so happy over losing their sight!

It's the first reward for my dedication.

It means I'm on the right track.

Seems like coming all this way has served you well after all.

So, you never mentioned... why are you going to Mussoorie?

My friend owns a villa in Mussoorie.

I'd stayed there four years ago, and in that time,

I even managed to write a few songs.

But ever since, I've had a dry spell of sorts, so...

I wondered if it was something about that place.

So I decided I'll go there again for two weeks,

and focus entirely on songwriting.

Who knows, fortune may favor me again.

You sound like quite a serious musician.

Sure, all that's missing is a blindfold over my eyes!

Yeah...

Thanks!

What's wrong?

I don't know where I'm supposed to go, or with whom.