Lihaaf: The Quilt

Love just means means sex.

Gone are the days when love was pure .

Now beauty is in its impurity!

Boys in one cage,

and girls caged in another one.

And social caretakers in the middle …

Girls stay single and miserable...

And boys became beasts...

And result is the degeneration of humanity …

And then comes a time when old wounds burst open...

Tea is ready

What’s wrong, baby!

Neeru!

Her milk, quickly

It’s too hot

Do this ... Get me a bowl of water

Good girl!

What happened – who’s there?

Yes inspector, what’s the matter?

Summons ... from the Court

Let me see it

I can’t give it to you

Then, who is the Summons for?

Ismat Chughtai ... call her, please

I’m her husband, you can show it to me

Please, just call her. The Summons is from Lahore

Ismat!

What is it? - Come down, please

He has Summons from Lahore.

Lahore?

Summons, on what grounds?

See for yourself

What have I done that ...

His Majesty issues a court case on me?

This is a charge of obscenity!

I will not sign the Summons. Take it back

See, this is a Government order. You have to accept it

Please take it back

You have to accept it!

Mohsin, look at this

What’s going on here?

A charge of obscenity!

Forcing Summons on me!

Please reason with them

He’s a lawyer

Then he will understand

Obscenity - for which story?

Just read it

Lihaaf (The Quilt)

Listen to me ... This story will ruin you

You really have to accept this

why?

Must you be so obstinate?

I told you before marriage that I am not easy to live with

I won’t accept this Summons

But they can arrest you for refusing

Let them!

You can be jailed

Really?

Yes!

Then what could be better?

I have never seen a jail

And my heart longs to see one!

Inspector, haven’t you brought handcuffs?

Explain it to her!

Listen ...

I will not sign

Ismat!

Trust me, just sign them

Do it!

Pen?

Ismat, you are a mother now

If not for yourself, at least be responsible for your daughter’s sake

Mohsin, it is best you stay quiet

Ismat ...

think coolly

I’ll leave now

What will my brothers think ...

Are you trying to bring disgrace to the family?

You were well aware of my views

I don’t think like other women

I hate that a woman is expected to be shy and coy all the time

It’s suffocating!

I don’t believe that men and women have different expectations

Why did you marry me if you were so worried about your family’s honour?

Look Ismat ...

I know you are a free-thinking woman ...

and I support that

But there is a limit to everything

If somebody is willing to publish my “obscene” stories and waste their ink ...

Ismat!

If you are going to be irresponsible and stubborn like this ...

I’m afraid this marriage won’t last long!

Here ... you are now making headlines

A letter from your father

Tell your wife to write about God if she must

Girls from respectable families aren’t tried in courts

And that too for obscenity

This is all very upsetting

I cooked

Hello

How are you, Manto?

Our stories were published together so far

Now we’re together in court too

Don’t worry

We’ll go together

I’m not worried ...

Shahid, it is the authorities job to hide society’s truths

And if someone shows them a mirror... prosecution

But Ismat won’t be jailed?

Nothing will happen ... they can’t hang a person for this

But Lahore is very cold this time of year, so carry warm clothes

I’ll carry all the warm clothes I own

I think we should thank's His Majesty

We can now vacation together in Lahore

Name?

Pardon?

Name?

Ismat Chughtai

Are you the author of ‘Lihaaf’?

Yes

‘Lihaaf’ is a woman’s revolt against a repressive society

I first saw Begum Jaan at her wedding

She was the world’s most beautiful woman to me

I accept

One wonders where her life began?

When she made the mistake of being born...

or when she married the Nawab to blend with his ornamental furniture

The Nawab?

You start ... he’ll take some time

How are your studies?

Have you finished your readings?

Who are these boys?

Some Nawabs breed pigeons or watch cock-fights

He invests his time looking after young boys

Some needy boys even stay here at the mansion

He also funds their education

God bless his kind heart

Quran recitals

I believed your promises

I waited all night for you...

I trusted a heartless man,

I am ashamed of my feelings

You filled my night with laughter and tears...

and left me restless

Who was it that came to my tomb...

and left me suffering even in my grave!

Where are you going?

I feel suffocated cooped up all day

I could do with some fresh air

The maids will get you what you need

Fresh air doesn’t suit everyone

Beggum was caged, like a bird with no wings...

It was a beautiful prison.

There used to be several guests at palace everyday...

But the Isolation and emptiness of Begum jaan, was killing her slowly...

Why doesn't Nawab divorce me?

Please wear this

The Nawab is hosting some important people for lunch

Burn all those nice clothes

A woman dresses well to please somebody

The Nawab is busy playing with his ‘toys’

He has no time for me

He wouldn’t even notice if I didn’t attend

A verse by the esteemed Mirza Galib

Begum withered away reading romantic novels and emotional stories

There’s no fever

Even her pulse is normal

Nawab Sahib...

If she gets some fresh air, she’ll feel better

Begum keeps complaining about body ache and joints pain

She is too young to get joint pains

You should get her a masseuse

It may make a difference

Sure

Begum Jaan!

Begum Jaan!

I have been asked to rejuvenate you

You won’t find a masseuse like me in this entire town

What happened, Begum Jaan?

Did I do something wrong?

No ... It’s not you ...

No-one has touched in a long time

Your skin is like porcelain

Lord, protect it from the evil eye!

Your fingers are exquisite, Begum!

Greetings

You look much better now

Why do they call these books dirty?

Which books?

These romantic novels ...

Why do they call them dirty?

The ignorant fools!

Seek God with love, not worship

Mom, can’t I just stay here?

No ... all you’ll do is fights with the boys here

I’ll drop you at Begum Jaan’s mansion

She’ll take good care of you

Don’t worry

I’ll be back soon from Agra