Veer-Zaara (वीर-ज़ारा)

One early morning.

Lifting the dark misty veil of the night.

From the pillow of its mountain peak, the sun rose and saw...

The valley is filled with the season of love.

And the branches of memories have sprouted...

...innumerable blossoms of past moments.

Unspoken, unheard yearnings.

Half asleep, half awake. Rubbing its eyes, it watches.

As it flows in wave after wave...

At once new, also the same.

Yes, the very same life which encompasses love and desire.

Meeting and also parting. And a sense...

...that time is flowing like a river, whispering as it flows...

...that the valley is filled with the season of love.

And the branches of memories have sprouted...

...innumerable blossoms of the past moments.

"Why is the wind singing today"

"Why is the wind singing?"

"Why is the season raining colours?"

"My heart wonders what is going to happen today."

"Why is there moonlight in the day?"

"Which way is life moving?"

"My heart wonders what these events foretell."

"Why is the wind singing today?"

"Whose face am I seeing in every flower?"

"Whose face do I see in every flower?"

"Whose unheard voice is in my ears?"

"Whose are these sounds..."

"...vibrating in my dreams?"

"My heart wonders whose arrival is awaited."

"Why is the wind singing..."

Singing, singing..."

'Oh, Allah.'

Today, your dream is coming true, Papa.

Today, your daughter begins her first case.

You devoted your entire life for truth and human rights.

Today, I am taking my first step into the same battlefield.

As always, I'm taking your faith and blessings with me.

Karim Khan, do you know how to cook?

No, sir, the wife cooks.

Better start learning.

Now, women have started doing men's jobs. Never know...

...when you'll have to sleep on an empty stomach.

Now, may I meet the Indian prisoner?

Most certainly. Now, you have the right to, Madam Lawyer.

Come, I'll escort you myself.

That way I'll get to spend a little more time with you.

Shall we?

Excuse me, madam, but you're wasting your time.

This man is here since 22 years, but no one's heard him...

...utter a single word.

We think he is very happy here, never fights, never complains...

...seems like he doesn't want to be free at all.

Freedom is every man's birthright and...

...it's my duty to see that he gets it.

You do your duty and let me do mine.

Hey, 786. Look who's come to meet you.

You imbecile, Madam Lawyer is here, at least greet her.

The State of Pakistan has decided to reopen cases...

...of some Indian prisoners.

So, find your lost voice quickly and start babbling.

This opportunity won't come again.

What did I tell you? - Open the cell.

I want to speak to him in private.

Well, you've signed the papers, what do I care?

Karim Khan, keep an eye on her.

I've done my duty, now it's up to you and...

...your God.

Let's begin with names.

I'm Saamiya Siddique and you are...

Do you want me to call you 786 like the others do?

Your name can't be so unpleasant that you prefer a number to it?

Veer Pratap Singh.

It's ages since you've heard your name, isn't it?

Please talk to me, Veer Pratap Singh. I've come to help you.

22 years ago you remained silent. And no one could defend you.

Today, God is giving you another chance. Talk to me...

...and I promise to get you back to your country.

Please talk to me. Please.

I don't know why you don't want your freedom.

But I want you to know why...

...your freedom is important for me and other girls of this country.

My father fought his entire life for women's empowerment in Pakistan.

But he could not do as much as he wanted to.

Today, after years of hard work, I have earned my first case.

But everyone knows it's impossible to win this case.

They want me to lose...

...so that no woman will tread into this male domain again.

But I'm not going to lose.

I will not let down my father's dream. Or the women of my country.

I just need your help. Talk to me...

Please talk to me.

Talk to me, Veer Pratap Singh.

That's an F16 flying at the speed of 1200mph.

When a plane tears through the skies, plays with the clouds...

...no one but a pilot can understand that feeling.

I can still feel my hands throbbing...

...the blood rushing and the winds lashing...

...when I would take my helicopter...

...into the mountains.

Ahead... left...

Help. Help, help please.

Let's go get them.

Help.

This was me and this was my life.

Squadron Leader Veer Pratap Singh.

A rescue pilot with the Indian Air Force.

I loved my work.

Flying was a childhood fantasy. And saving people's lives...

...was my father's legacy. He was an army officer...

...who gave his life for the country.

I was alone and free.

And I lived every moment as if it were the last.

Little did I know that three days later...

...my life was going to change because of a girl.

A girl who was then sound asleep in Pakistan.

Wake up, Zaara. It's seven o'clock.

Seven. I've never woken up this early...

Whatever has not happened till now...

...will begin from today. Your marriage got fixed yesterday.

Now, you're just a guest here for some time.

Soon, you'll have to go to your husband's house.

Your mother wants you to change your habits.

Wake up every morning at seven, make your own bed.

Then learn cooking from uncle lqbal...

I'm not going to change for anyone.

I am who I am, tell them that.

Oh, your cool attitude won't work anymore.

You're lucky they've chosen you because of your beauty.

I hope your manners won't turn them away.

Or you'll be a spinster for life.

"I am the way I am and I will always be."

"Whether someone is happy, or even if they are unhappy."

"I will never change my style."

"Whether they understand or they don't, I will keep saying."

"I am the way I am and I will always be."

"I am the princess of my feelings and the queen of my mind."

"Why should I wear a veil? If the scarf drops, let it."

"Whether they smile or they pout..."

"It does not bother me if what I say causes a rift."

"I am the way I am and I will always be."

"I have no desire to adorn my palms with henna."

"Or to hear the wedding flute play."

"I have no desire to adorn my palms with henna."

"Or to hear the wedding flute play."

"I am quite happy in my own home, thank you."

"If you can hear me, oh priest, let me clarify."

"I don't know that I will ever agree to marriage."

"I am the way I am and I will always be."

"Whether anybody's happy or upset..."

"...I won't change myself."

"People might agree or they might not, I won't budge."

"I am the way I am and I will always be."

Dr. Yusuf, is everything all right?

Just pray. Now, there's no time to take her to the hospital.

She's repeatedly asking for Zaara.

Yusuf, I'm Zaara's mother but it's Bebe (grandma) who brought her up.

Where is Zaara?

She's gone to the temple to get holy water for Bebe.

I'll break this news to Zaara, no one will say anything to her.

Zaara, is that you?

Yes, Bebe, your Zaara has come and...

...look what she's got for you.

The priest sent special holy water for you and... - I know, little one.

No holy water will help me now. - Bebe...

Since you were a child, you have been chattering non stop.

And I have been listening. Today, I'm going to speak.

And you'll listen.

You know that I've been here ever since the inception of Pakistan.

I was 16 years old when your grandfather left India...

...and he came to Pakistan and he brought me along with him.

Your family, this country has given me lots...

...and I took it all with all my heart.

But today, I've this one last wish... will you fulfil it?

Immerse my ashes in my India, dear.

I may be an orphan, but I am an Indian. That's my only identity.

I told you about Kiritpur, haven't I? For us Sikhs...

...it's a very important pilgrimage.

All my ancestors are there.

Just immerse me there. I will get my refuge.

You'll do this for me?

No.

There's going to be no need to do any such thing.

All our visas to go to Delhi are ready.

You just get well soon. Then we'll both go to your Kiritpur.

And you can pray there to your heart's content.

Now, drink this holy water quickly.

Bebe...

She was here in Pakistan and you in India.

Then how and when did the two of you meet?

Three... three days later...

...and what an unusual meeting it was.

Hurry up. Hurry up.

A bus had toppled over in the mountains.

There were no serious casualties. All passengers were rescued.

And I was on my way down to bring the last girl up.

Pull us up.

It wasn't that I'd never seen a more beautiful girl than her.

But I don't know why I couldn't take my eyes off her.

Her eyes were lowered and she was breathing heavily.