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MERA DESH (MY COUNTRY)
SCRIPT SAMPLE
copyright 2006 by Nayantara Pais-Caputi & Gino Caputi
FADE IN:
A BLACK SCREEN:
TITLE CARD WITH VOICE OVER
FATHER (V.O.)
WANTED: SUITABLE BRIDE, CONVENT EDUCATED, AGE 21-24, FAIR, SLIM, TRADITIONAL, FAMILY VALUES FOR SON IN AMERICA, 29, GREEN CARD HOLDER, HANDSOME, FAIR, SOFTWARE ENGINEER, HIGH EARNER, (RUPEES 75 LAKHS), OWNS TWO BEDROOM CITY DUPLEX, GARAGE, GOOD VIEW. NO BAD HABITS.
FADE IN:
INT. SANDEEP'S CONDO - DAY
A brightly colored sheer curtain flaps in front of an open window, slightly obstructing an attractive view of San Francisco as seen from Potrero Hill.
On the street below, a BMW parks on the opposite side. A COUPLE gets out, goes to the trunk of the car, removes luggage, then heads to the front door of the building with the open window.
TITLE CARD: 'MERA DESH' (MY COUNTRY)
Some thumping and inaudible conversation can be heard as across the room of the sparsely decorated bachelor pad, a front door opens.
SANDEEP (30), tall, slightly geeky, but handsome, dressed in shiny Macy's clothes with perfectly moused hair, enters with his new bride, PRITI (24). Priti wears a salwar kameez and is attractive but seems somewhat dull and shy. Her hair is worn in a long braid.
SANDEEP
Here it is. No place like home.
CUT TO:
Sandeep heaps five jumbo, over-stuffed suitcases into the doorway, three of which have twine tied around them for support.
CUT TO:
Priti proudly opens one of the suitcases, revealing a host of masalas and jars of pickle.
Sandeep chuckles at the sight of the bounty.
SANDEEP (CONT'D)
My goodness!
He then picks up a remote and turns on his enormous plasma screen TV.
CUT TO:
Trying not to show her irritation, Priti pours herself into unpacking as Sandeep watches a sports show. She produces a gift-wrapped package and presents it to her new husband.
Sandeep tears the paper childishly and prizes a brand new kurta pyjama and embroidered waistcoat, folded into a perfect cellophane encased square.
SANDEEP (CONT'D)
Hey! Hey! Very nice. Thank you, Priti.
PRITI
Daddy picked it out for you.
Sandeep nods and sets the packet down on his coffee table and resumes watching television.
Priti picks up the discarded wrapping paper and smooths it out.
EXT. FISHERMAN'S WHARF - DAY
Sandeep and Priti walk down Jefferson street toward Aquatic Park. Priti aimlessly takes photos of the area.
EXT. FORT POINT - DAY
Sandeep asks a tourist to take a picture of Priti and him in front of Golden Gate Bridge.
EXT. HAIGHT STREET - DAY
Priti grabs Sandeep's arm as they step over drug dealers and hippies near Amoeba Music.
EXT. SAN FRANCISCO STREETS - DAY
Sandeep's BMW darts and weaves in and out of traffic, heading up Potrero hill.
EXT. SANDEEP'S BMW - DAY
Priti grips the armrest nervously as Sandeep's BMW soars up the steep grade. She looks back to check their condition.
INT. SANDEEP'S CONDO - BEDROOM - NIGHT
Sandeep works away on his computer. Priti enters the room.
PRITI
Can I e-mail to Mala?
SANDEEP
(staring at the screen)
In a minute.
INT. SANDEEPÕS CONDO - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
Priti fumbles with the remote control, trying to turn the channel on the plasma TV. Static blasts over the speakers, getting louder.
SANDEEP (O.S.)
What's going on out there?
Priti turns off the TV.