Anil, His Family And Others

Characters: Anil, Shankar(Elder brother), Ravi(Father), Shashi(Mother), Bhanu(Grandpa) and Pooja(Shankar’s wife).

SCENE 1

Anil: Mum, I am going to the office, getting late.

Shashi: Wait, have some breakfast.

Anil: There’s no time, Mum, please let me go. First of all, you sit the whole day at home, doing nothing. I am a businessman- loads of work to do. When I come back at night, I will spend time with you.

Shashi:(crying)Ok, just leave. (Anil leaves).

SCENE 2

(Shashi tells all this to Ravi)

Shashi: Ravi, Do you think whatever Anil said, was right?

Ravi: If we see from one point, he is absolutely correct. Women are good-for-nothing. They have to just look after their family and the home.

Shashi: What a mind-set you have man! I never expected this from you. I hope you understand the importance of women.

(she talks to herself)

I am very sad. My life is an instance of unhappy one. My sons are educated, I am very happy for that. But my parents never sent me to school to study, thinking it a waste of time and money. And here, my ‘FIL’ treats me like a servant and disrespects me. Shankar and my ‘DIL’ are very good by nature. They treat me very good and understand my importance. I hope all others understand.

SCENE 3

(Bhanu asks something for breakfast from Shashi; Anil comes back)

Bhanu: ‘DIL’ Shashi, I want my breakfast. Get it fast, you slow- tortoise!!

Shashi: Sorry, ‘FIL’, Here’s your breakfast.

Bhanu: Whenever I am sitting at my Dining table, I want my breakfast. Did you understand?

Shashi: Yes, FIL, I am extremely sorry.

(Anil enters the scene)

Anil: Hello Grandpa

Bhanu: How are you my love? Why are you so happy? Any good news?

Anil: Yes, Grandpa. I have been offered promotion- with salary raised twice and some shares from the company. The product which was manufactured by me was liked by each and everyone !!

Bhanu: That is very good news Anil!, hearty congratulations.

Shashi: That’s an awesome work, keep it up, I am proud of you!!

Anil: Mum, please you don’t interfere. You don’t know anything about business- so mind your own business.

Bhanu: He’s absolutely correct. Just go to the kitchen!

SCENE 4

(Shashi goes to her room crying; Shankar and Pooja enter)

Shankar: Mum, why are you crying?

Shashi: I think so, it is because of me. I am an illiterate, unlike Pooja.

Shankar: Mum, it’s not your mistake. I am very angry at Anil, Papa and Grandpa. They don’t know the importance of women. You are the one who has given birth to me and Anil.

Pooja: Yes, ‘MIL’, please don’t cry. We will do whatever we can to change their mind-set.

Shankar: Yes, maa, Pooja is right. You go and take rest now.

SCENE 5

(Shashi goes to sleep. Anil had to show another product to the business people. Shankar keeps a fake product in place of the real one. Anil takes the fake one.)

Anil: Bye Grandpa.

Bhanu: All the best Anil. I hope you have a wonderful day.(Anil leaves)

SCENE 6 (Anil and Ravi arrive home. It is dinner time.)

Bhanu: Hey Anil, how was the day?

Anil: It was worst. I showed off a fake product, instead of the genuine one. I felt insulted. My position was seized.

Bhanu: What! I feel very bad for you. Some things in life are low- hanging fruit, while some are not. Come, let’s have dinner and forget the incident.

Ravi: Yes Anil, there’s no problem, let’s eat.

(Shankar and Pooja arrive)

Shankar: There is no dinner today. So, you all have to starve.

Anil: Why should we starve, brother??

Shankar: Because, mum is not there at home.

Anil: Where is she? Tell me the truth.

Shankar: You want to know the truth? Okay, I had exchanged the real product with the fake one; in order to teach you a lesson!!

Anil: how did you have the audacity to do this?, because of you, I felt embarrassed. What a brother you are!

(he resumes insulting Shankar; the latter slapped him)

Shankar: You people are illiterates! Don’t know the importance of a mother, a woman. She has given all of you birth, raised you with loads of difficulties and will always care for you. She gives you food and loves you like anything. Respect her. They are equal to men in all aspects; can do anything.

Anil :I am sorry, brother. The business made me greedy and I never realised mum’s love.

Bhanu: Yes, Shashi always listened to me, and in turn, I should respect her. I am sorry. From now, I will always call her Shashi and not ‘DIL’.

Ravi: Now I realise the importance of women. They can be greater than us; financially as well. I am sorry. Please get her back. We can’t live without her!!

Shankar(to 3 of them): Are you sure that you would never disrespect a women in your life again?

3 of them: of course, please get her.

SCENE 8

Shankar: Amma!!

(Shashi comes back)

Shashi: I waited for this day a lot. Thanks Shankar, I love you! To celebrate this moment, I had gone to a restaurant to get food. You all realized my importance!! I am very happy.

3 of them: Please forgive us( To Shashi)

(Anil and Ravi touch her feet; Bhanu bows his head)

Shashi: Please don’t do this, it’s okay. Let’s eat dinner.

All of them: Now we are a family, United family, Happy family!!

WE STAND UNITED; A HAPPY FAMILY; A PEACEFUL FAMILY