Manorama Six Feet Under

Lakhot.

Maybe the name sounds familiar.

It is in the news at least twice a year.

In summer,

when about a 100 people are dead because of the scorching heat wave.

And then in winter, when the cold wave claims another 100 lives.

It's a small town located in the desert…

which has a world of its own.

Who would have thought…

that everything here was about to change.

It is said that creation is preceded by destruction.

It hasn't rained for the past three years.

This town resembled my life.

Dry, withered,

dull and thirsty.

And just like my life…

the construction of the new canal had been discontinued.

Maybe, that's how deserts are born.

Here's a truth about the desert.

Many things are hidden under the surface here.

Often what seems like an illusion turns out to be real,

and what seems real turns out to be an illusion.

Like under the Grey, cloudy sky…

right in the middle of the road…

Yana Gupta is seducing me.

Mr. Satyaveer.

Yes, Mr. Bihari. Do you need something?

New motorcycle?

What do you think?

Did you buy it with a loan or with installments?

Single payment.

-Single payment? -Yes.

Single payment! I thought the same!

Congratulations.

Hey, Babloo pooped his pants again!

-Coming. - Come and help me.

What was Mr. Bihari Lal saying?

Nothing important.

Where's Raju?

He's gone for Geeta's birthday party.

I closed the parlor early today.

Will you have some tea?

No.

Your editor had called and was talking about a deadline.

Also…

your press card has arrived.

Did they publish your story?

Yes, it's on page number 22.

Are you happy?

Come, have a seat.

What happened?

Did the suspension order come through?

This afternoon.

For how long?

Investigation is pending.

You are so gullible.

The entire department accepts bribe.

But you are the only idiot who got caught.

Where's the remote control?

Mom had warned me that

I should've married that boy from Jaipur who own four stores.

But I had to get stuck with a junior engineer in the PWD department.

Why does your press card say, "Surendra Mohan Upadhyay"?

It's my pen name.

Pen name? Why do you need a pen name?

And please go easy on the water.

Your in-laws aren't gifting us a water tanker.

There comes a time in everyone's life,

when you can't recognize yourself in the mirror.

As a kid, I thought I'd be really famous someday.

Not a famous movie star or a detective.

Just a famous writer.

And Manorama is one of my great creation.

My last novel, my first attempt

and my last hope… had failed.

It was the biggest washout in the history of writing.

Only 200 copies were sold.

Where am I a year later?

Neither here nor there.

In the middle of this godforsaken desert

leading a petty, nameless existence…

with petty problems and by taking petty bribes.

Are we going to Rohtak for Diwali or not?

Brij can't go either…

all because of the canal issue.

You know… I think that astrologer was right about you.

What did he say, Papa?

Quiet. Who are you talking about?

Your mother had taken me to see him.

He said that you've been pursuing me since the past life.

Don't try to change the subject. Are we going to Rohtak or not?

We'll have to wait till the inquiry is over.

That means we won't be going.

You promised we'd play snakes and ladders.

I didn't promise you.

Yes, you did.

It must have been Ludo.

Snakes and ladders.

-Ludo. -Okay. Ludo.

-How about tomorrow? -No, that's not fair.

Dear, nothing is fair in life.

We will play tomorrow, okay?

It's all because of your new motorcycle.

It just drew unwanted attention.

And you are acting like a rich man.

Do you ever listen to anybody?

Can we go for a ride on the motorcycle?

Come on, Raju. It's time for bed.

My TV show is about to begin.

Do you know what she said?

If Iravati was so bothered, she wouldn't have gone to Delhi.

I agree. This house has become a hermitage.

Please see it.

-Why don't you write something? -I don't feel like it.

You never feel like it these days.

So you are here, Iravati.

I was talking about your writing.

Is Mr. Satyaveer Randhawa home?

Mr. Satyaveer?

I need to talk to you…

in private.

It's very important.

Okay. Please come in.

This way, please.

Please have a seat.

-Sorry! -No! Please, it's okay.

Excuse me.

Yes, tell me?

Nimmi, keep your voice down. She'll hear you.

I don't care about all that.

Who is she? What does she want?

Nimmi! I don't know. She's a stranger.

She's waiting. I'm going back in.

Please go! Do you need my permission?

-I'm going! -Please go!

I can't see your book anywhere.

I don't have a copy of it.

Not a single copy for yourself?

No.

Please, sit.

Okay.

Your photo is on the back cover of your book.

You look just the same.

Manorama is one of my favorite books.

The protagonist, detective Raghu…

he must be inspired by you, right?

No.

Anyway, he's just a character.

And one can't hire a character but maybe the creator.

I'm sorry but I don't get it.

Have you heard of P. P. Rathore?

Are you talking about the Irrigation Minister?

The erstwhile king of Lakhot?

Have you even met his wife?

I'm Mrs. P. P. Rathore.

And I need your help.

What can I do for you?

It's a sensitive matter.

Please keep that in mind.

Sure.

I think my husband is having an affair.

I need a proof and I want you to get this proof for me.

I want you to follow my husband.

You will catch him red-handed and click his photos.

But, why me?

It's obvious.

It's difficult to find a private detective in this town.

The only person I could think of is the creator of detective Raghu.

That's you.

I will pay you for your services.

10,000 rupees.

Once the job is done, I'll pay 10,000 rupees more.

Is 20,000 rupees enough, Mr. Satyaveer?

Yes.

I've noted down all the relevant details.

When there is no assembly session,

my husband spends his weekends alone at our ancestral home here in Lakhot.

That's the only time

for him to continue with his clandestine activities.

Can I ask you a question?

How come you don't have a copy of your own book?

It's just that…

it reminds me of my failure.

Will you spy on people now?

Are you nuts?

I want to go to Rohtak and not the loony bin in Agra.

You know, I got some great marriage proposals as well.

Great! At least, we'll get to see the Taj Mahal in Agra.

-Down with the… -Irrigation Minister!

-Down with… -P. P. Rathore!

-Long live… -The People's United Party.

-The canal… -Is a death trap.

Down with the canal.

The canal will kill all of us.

-Down with the… -Irrigation Minister!

-Long live… -The People's United Party.

THE REFORMATION PARTY OF INDIA

We agree that the region needs water.

But what will they gain by fleecing poor farmers?

When we all know that there will be no water,