A play that I wrote in the second year... Varun Singh won the best actor for this.
Queer As Folk
Adhiraj Singh Panwar
Anmol Singh
Niharika Talwar
Himanshu Gahlaut
Varun Singh
Gaurav Mukherjee
Akshat Gait
Sidhant Gupta
Reporter
SCENE I
CUT…….
People moving out of their positions in climax.
Director: well done people. Am proud of all of You. This will be released next Friday and we’ll have a screening the day after. And, and, and a reporter is also coming for your interviews for the TIME.
Lights off. People assemble in a line. Lights on.
Di: ya welcome, welcome. please take a seat. Yes sir/mam you too. Oh hi. Ya please sit.
(After a pause)
I am pleased to announce that our movie has got a record opening at the box office. Lets see what made the world sit up and take notice. (to the guy at the projector)Yes, lets watch it.
SCENE II
{Mom cleaning around the place, dad reading the newspaper, Tanmay out of the stage.}
(The Phone Rings)
Mom: Tanmay, it’s for you.
Tanmay: Yes ma, coming.
(picks up the call, an emotional outburst, thrilled)
{Parents smile questioningly, look at him)
T(Super excited): Mom, Dad, I got my Visa for New York. Come on, get ready. We have to go shopping. Lots of stuff. The company is sending me out on Saturday. Its Tuesday already. Hurry up.
M: I told you. He will make us proud some day.
D: Ya, ya. Well done son. Come now. (whole sarcastic)Let’s get moving, shall we. We have to go shopping.
T: yes dad. Right there. Let mom get her stuff.
Lights off. T has a bag in hand. Bidding goodbye
T: Sims, don’t worry darling. I’ll be back in no time. Two years is not much anyways.
S: (background) but you know how much I’ll miss you.
T: (I’ll miss you too baby. But its time to go. Give you a call when I reach there. K. love u sims. And I know that u love me too.
T: (to ma)I’ll miss you. (ptcch) Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. I’ll call you as soon as I reach there. You take care ok(gives mom a hug. Touches the feet srk style). (to dad) you too dad(feet again). (horn honking) k I gotta go. My cab’s here.
T ha left. Mom-dad talking
M:he’s just a kid. Will he be strong enough not to stray from his goals?
D: yes he is. He is a grown up now. I remember, when I was his age, I lived all by myself at the academy.
M: I just hope. I’ll miss him so much.
D: hmm (pauses) me too. (takes off specs and wipes eyes)
SCENE III
D: You seem very excited today.
M: Ya. After all it’s my son’s homecoming today. It’s been two years since I saw him last.
D: oh of course! U and your son!
M: oh come off it. You are always after him.
D: It’s not as if I don’t love him. It’s just that I want the best for him. But all that aside, I’m waiting for him eagerly too.
M: Yes should be home any moment now.
(Bell rings)
M: It should be him. (Opens the door, sees gf outside). Yes. How may I help you?
S: Oh hello aunty. (Extends a hand). I’m simran, a friend of Tanmay. he told me he’s coming home today. So I thought I’ll come here myself to meet him. He home yet?
M: Oh hi. No, not yet. But anyways come in. he is Tanmay’s father.
S: Oh hello uncle. I’m simran.
D: Hi simran. I guess you must be a very special friend of Tanmays. Otherwise he didn’t tell anyone else other than us that he is coming. Anyways how are you?
S: I’m fine uncle thank you. How are you?
D: I’m fine too. So what do you do?
M: oh come on! Stop interviewing her retd. Lt. Gen. singhal. What will you have simran?
S: thank you aunty but am fine.
Bell again
(M rushes to the door and opens it. Walks in Tanmay.)
T: hey mom. Hey dad(touches both their feet. Dad gives him an impulsive hug). Oh hi simran. How are you.(simran smiles)
M: oh come on Tanmay. Wash your hands and come to the table. I’ve made your favourite dish.
T: thanks a lot mom. But I really don’t feel like having anything. Simi, oh simran, I’ll talk to you later.
S: ya sure tanmay. You rest. Bbye. Nice meeting you uncle and aunty.
M&D: same here child.
M: he looks a bit worried.
D: I think its because he didn’t expect simran, or simi, to be here.
M: ya but I don’t know exactly.
SCENE IV
[this is the scene where flashback is used]
(adi alone. In the drawing room)
(adi over the phone)
T: … ya I miss you too adi. Wish even you were here. (simran walks in).k I gotta go. Will talk to you later. Ya dude.
S: hi Tanmay.
T: (seeming better than the last scene.)hi simran. Am so sorry that day couldn’t talk to you properly that day. So tell me. Two years is a long time.
S: oh ya. But who was that?
T: (panic) oh nothing. Actually no one. Well, actually just a friend of mine from the states.
S: you sure?
T:oh come on! Are you really suspecting me of any wrong doing?
S: I didn’t say that ____. Anyways I really missed you sweetheart. It was so difficult to be left all alone after 4 years of being with you. Seemed so odd.
T: ya me too.
S: so tell me, did you really miss me or you found someone else there.
Lights off, simi goes off.
The next scenes with adi in a different light if available there. Actually all of adi’s new york scenes.
Background: eight months ago
Bell rings. Tanmay opens the door.
T: yes?
(adi shakes hands)
Aditya: hi, I am aditya.
T: hello sir. Pleased to meet you. Please come in and make yourself comfortable.
A: oh just call me aditya pal. No formalities, ok.
T: sure sir, (corrects himself) aditya.(smiles)
A: first of all I am really sorry I had to schedule this meeting at your apartment.
T: no formalities aditya.
A: ok so… lets get to work(goes to some paper. Three to five second delay).
T: so adi, I think the contract’s done.
A: ya. So whatsay dude. A beer each to celebrate the occasion?
T: I’ll just get them.
(he gets it)
T & A: cheers!
Lights off. Adi off, simi on. Same position as earlier.
Bkgrnd: present day.
T: met someone? No. trust me. Come on.
S:(laughing) joking sugar.
T:(relieved) oh I love you simi.
S:(romantic) I love you too sugar.
Simi’s Phone rings. Simi picks up. Focus on tanmay.
Background:(tanmay’s voice)met someone!
Lights off, past again.
Bell rings.
Tanmay opens the door.
T:(hugs adi) thanks dude. Wait, I’ve got something for you here. Looks good na. I was just reading this article in a magazine that got me confused and so called you.
A: C’mon dude, feel free to speak up.
T: It’s kind of odd adi. I hope you won’t mind.
A: oh not at all. Ohk, do you trust me.
T: more than my life I think.
A: then I would ask you to just trust your trust.
T: it’s just about this article. (Shows it to him)
Adi reads. Frowns
A: I see. What about it.
T: you know this article on homosexuality raised some serious doubts about you and me in my mind. I hope you get me.
A: finally we talk. Actually, I was also off late growing apprehensive about it. But now since its come up, I think I have something to tell you.
They sit
A: actually tanmay, I’m gay. And I do have had a lot of boyfriends.
T: (quiet for a while, blank). You know what dude, i really don’t know what to say now.
Lights off again, simi switches with adi. She’s online.
S: ..oh good good. You in camp area na??Why don’t you come here. Ya florence building. Flat 502.
(disconnects). Tanmay, remember rohit, the guy I met after you left, I just called him here.
T: good.
Bell rings. Tanmay opens the door, shakes hand say hi to each other gets rohit in.
S: tanmay, rohit. Rohit, tanmay.
T: thanx a lot dude. You took care of my girl while I was not here, I don’t know how to thank you.
R: well I know. (background)just leave her alone. Its me whom she loves.
T: really, do let me know.
R: well, for beginners we can just be friends like ceasar and brutus.(and then back stab you?? Good idea heh?)
T: huh??
S: oh forget him. He has a habit of cracking jokes. Though he never admits he’s bad at them
(hahahaha)
phone rings, tanmay’s
T: both of you just chat while I come back.
T off stage
R: so, you still love him.
S: oh c’mon. I do.
R frowns questioningly.
S: well, he seems kinda changed. Dunno what happened to him.
R: well, maybe he is having the same questions.
S: I hope he is not guilty of anything that I don’t know off!
Lights off r and s off astage, adi and t on.
Lights on
Bell rings. Tanmay opens the door.
T: ya adi come in. I think its my time I have something to tell you. You know simran na. (adi nods). Well I was just thinking about her and every time, you came into the picture. I don’t know what this means.
A: I see. So this is your problem.
T: ya, but do you have an answer?
A: well I never told but you but since now you know about my orientation, I had a girlfriend before I turned gay, and I had similar doubts. But you know what my best friend, who eventually turned out to be my boyfriend did.
T: no???
A: well let’s go to your bedroom and I’ll explain it to you.
T: no! can’t do it adi.
A: don’t worry. It will all be fine. Just keep faith.
T: but, but is It justified?
A: oh yes, of course!
They walk off.
Narration: after some time.
They come walking out to the door.
T: adi that was great.
A: ya dude. You’re good.
T: well dude, I love you.(hugs)
Lights off. Simi and rohit on again.
tanmay walks in
R: tanmay, I think I’ll move.
S: ya me too. Rohit can you drop me to my house?
R: oh even I’m going to swargate(i can go to kp after dropping you)
T: ok see you all later.
Tanmay alone
T:yes!! Adi’s coming!! (hums a tune)
Lights off
Scene V
bell rings.
T: hey adi. Nice to see you after so long. Missed you so(ooo) much.how come India suddenly.
A:oh company work. You temme how u doin.
T: ahh fine dude. Well, Good you came. I wanted your help.
A: you know tanmay. I’ve always been there for you.
T: well, its simi. I don’t feel I have that spark with her. But how do I tell her?
A: you have anything to drink?
T: oh am so sorry didn’t even ask you for water.
A: I meant something hard!
T: I’ll just get it for you baby.
He gets it, pours some in mugs.
T: some music. Ya as I was saying…
A:you drink first tanmay. Then we’ll talk.
Tanmay bottoms up. Bottoms up again. Adi forces till he’s drunk.
A: ya now tell me. Whom do you love more. Simi or me.
T: what are you saying baby. Of course it you.
A: problem solved. C’mon now sleep. And we’ll talk tomorrow.
Adi goes. Lights dim
Next morning bell rings.
Tanmay wakes up opens the door.
T: oh morning dude, I guess drank a lot last night.
A: yes you did and answered your problem too.
T: hmm(still sleepy) I don’t get it
A: you said you love me more than simi.
T: really. but what do I do now.
A: that’s for you to decide.
T: how do I tell this to simi. And what about my parents. They wont be able to take this. The society wont accept it.
A: I told you tanmay, its for you to decide. Best of luck.
Adi leaves house.
Tanmay alone.
Sits thinks.
T: I think I know what to do.
Calls up simi
T:hi simi what are you doin…. Ok can you just come over, its kind of urgent…. Ya get rohit too.
Tanmay paces around, bell rings.
Tanmay rushes opens the door.
T: oh I’m so glad you came simi. Come sit. First of all I want you to know that I love you a lot.
S: oh me too. But what happened sweety.
T: ok listen to me very carefully. You asked me that did I meet a girl while in new york. Well, the answer is no.
S: you told me that already. So?
T: well actually I lied. its something about me that I discovered. Well I met a friend there, aditya. Remember the one I was talking to that day?
S: ya so?
T: don’t you get it simi. I love you a lot, but I guess I love him more.
S: wha..???? no…. (starts panicking breaking down.)
T: ya simi. I’m gay.
(mom overhears)(shocked, starts breaking down)
(rohit starts consoling simi)
M: what?? No this cant be true. (goes upto him, starts slapping him unstoppingly, crying). How could you do this, you _______________.
(dad hears the commotion, comes in)
D: what happened neelam? Why are you hitting tanmay. Control yourself.
M: tell your father you wretched soul. What could have possibly gone wrong with your upbringing.
T: (shouts out) oh quiet all of you. Just listen to me.
S: and all this while when I thought you loved me, you really loved a guy?
D: (slaps) did we send you to new york to do this?
T: oh dad, mom, simi calm down and listen to me.
D: you still have got something to say.
T: (loses temper). Yes gen. singhal. I do. Do you want me to be happy or just crave for it throughout my life. (turns to simi) would you have stayed happy with me if I had not told you. Would you be able to live a lie throughout your life?
(adi walks in)
A:..tanmay I think I forgot my cell.. oh I think I’ll come later.
T: no adi. You stay. Everybody, aditya. And I love him.
D: you piece of filth, get out of my house.
T: dad,(calmer) do you want your son to be happy. Dad, he makes me happier than I have always been. With him, I’ve had the sense of fulfillment I had been longing for.
M: but what about the society, our friends.
T: mom It’s legal in Canada. And we would be settling there. As for your friends, just ask yourself who is more important to you?
(Mom and dad consoled)
T: simi am really sorry, but you would really find someone way better who would care a lot for you.
R: simi, come, I’ll drop you home.
S: tanmay, I just want you to be happy.
T: and I just want you to know that I will never forget you, for all the good times we’ve spent together. Let’s go adi.
Lights off. Scene up.
Last scene left where people are sitting and interviews taken. Everybody says one solid line about the movie and the issue.
