NIGHTMARE

LOGLINE-

 

When Swapan can't figure out the difference between dream and reality, he takes a brave decision to end the confusion.

SYNOPSIS-

Swapan is someone who is a really good partner any girl wishes for. But he is struggling with a disorder in which it is impossible for him to stay in the present moment. He is constantly lost in his dreamy world. And these dreams take a big toll on his personal & marital life. Swapan's psychiatrist tells him a way to treat his disorder. But would Swapan will be able to do such a thing? Even if he does it, would it solve everything or will it make everything worse?

 

 

 

 

 

SCREENPLAY 

 

INT. PENTHOUSE. DAY

DAD (O.S.)

Swapan, Shweta is my only child. Mera koi nahi hai uske siwaay. Yeh sab ab tum dono ka hi hai. Bas tum Shweta ka khayaal rakhna.

SWAPAN (O.S.)

Dad please, don't say these things. 

I can't even imagine myself without Shweta.

As they talk, we roam in a luxury penthouse. Abstract paintings, modern interiors. On a big large couch is sitting a well groomed, handsome man. This is SWAPAN (30). A gorgeously looking girl is sitting next to him. This is SHWETA (27).

SWAPAN (O.S.) (CONT'D) (To Shweta)

You will always be my first priority.

SHWETA (O.S.) Really?

SWAPAN (O.S.) Really.

In front of both is sitting DAD, a usual rich man in his

60's, with a big belly. It's evident that they have a rich taste and it's visible in their appearance.

DAD

Tumse yahin umeed thi. Pandit ji 29 March ka din shubh bata rahe hai.Does it suit you?

Swapan and Shweta look at each other, smiling ear to ear. They both are truly made for each other. Swapan nods in a big YES.

DAD (CONT'D)

Waise, tum logo ne honeymoon ka kya socha hai? How about Iceland? Or maybe Hawaii?

SHWETA

(shyly) )

Dad, please stop it.

DAD

Aree, mujhse kya sharmana-

 

SHWETA Dad please...

Swapan tries to hide his laugh and excitement by covering his face shyly.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. DOCTOR MISHRA'S CABIN. DAY

 

Swapan is sitting in a chair. smiling and hiding his face exactly like before. Something's changed. His personality is the opposite of what we saw earlier. He wears an oversized shirt. This Swapan definitely doesn't believe in grooming. A hand is irritatingly pressing a desk bell, continuously.

The desk is jam-packed with numerous files, cheap porcelain tea cups, small plastic bottles of medicines, and a cheap replica of the human mind.

An old desk nameplate between all this states, "DOCTOR

MISHRA, psychiatrist". The peon enters the office, hearing the bell. The doctor irritatingly nods in, "No". As if it's not for you. Surprisingly, DOCTOR MISHRA and the DAD we met earlier, are the same person.

In front of Doctor is sitting Swapan, who is still lost in his dreams.

DOCTOR MISHRA

(Almost Shouting) SWAPAN...!!! Swapan jumps out of his dream to this world. He looks at his surroundings and realizes that he was dreaming.

SWAPAN Ji...Ji. Doctor!

Doctor takes a moment to put this gently.

DOCTOR MISHRA Tumhari reports aa gayi hai. (BEAT)

Tum par koi bhi dawaai, koi bhi treatment asar hi nahi kar raha!

Swapan is confused and horrified at the same time.

SWAPAN

Matlab... Matlab mai kabhi 

DOCTOR MISHRA -Matlab tumhara dimaag abhi itna unstable hai, ki usse pata hi nahi ke kya sach hai or kya sapna.

From Swapan's POV:

We see Swapan is seeing two different world's at the same time, which are divided like a blurry crack in a mirror. On one side, he sees Shweta's dad in a penthouse and on the other side of the crack, he is seeing Dad as Doctor Mishra.

DOCTOR MISHRA (CONT'D) Samaj paa rahe ho, Mai kya bol raha hu?

Confused Swapan nods in a doubtful yes. Obviously, A lie.

DOCTOR MISHRA (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Dekho, sapne dekhne ki alagalag stage hoti hai. Jaise ek hum sapna dekhte hai, jab hum so rahe hote hai. Ek sapna jab hum, sochte hue apne hi khayaalo me kho jaate hai. Jaise ke day dreaming. Firr aate hai Lucid Dreams. Jisme aapko pata hota hai ke aap sapne me ho, lekin kuch severe cases me aap sapne ki dunia me itna kho jaate ho, ke aapko pata hi nahi chalta ke kya sapna hai, or kya sach!

BEAT.

Swapan looks at doctor, shocked. Trying to collect his words.

SWAPAN 

To abhi kya sach hai or kya sapna? Aap sach hai yaa yeh?

He points out to the other half of the screen, where Shweta's dad is sitting.

Dr. Mishra, in disbelief, slowly looks to his left.

Obviously there is no one.

CLOSE ON: Swapan knows, he shouldn't have said this.

CUT TO:

INT. PENTHOUSE. DAY

Shweta's dad looks at his right. There is no one. He then looks at Swapan, with a dead serious stare. Suddenly he burst out laughing.

DAD

You really are a world class actor, my boy! For a second, you had me.

Confused Swapan tries to laugh, nervously. Not knowing what is real and what is dream.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. DOCTOR MISHRA'S CABIN. DAY

DOCTOR MISHRA

Aree has kya rahe ho bhai... BP hai mujhe. Ek pal to aissa laga jaise bhoot pret dikhne lage hai tumhe.

The smile vanishes off Swapan's face. He looks at his surrounding, which is changed again.

DOCTOR MISHRA (CONT'D) Mujhe lagta hai tumhe kuch din ke liye break lena chahiye.

SWAPAN

Doctor kaam me to waise bhi man nahi lagta... to mai to waise bhi break par hi hu.

DOCTOR MISHRA Sharaab peete ho?

SWAPAN 

Kabhi sungh ke bhi nahi dekhi.

Doctors makes a gesture of smoking joint, instead of cigarette.

SWAPAN (CONT'D) Kabhi haath tak nahi lagaaya in cheezo ko. Abhi lagta hai laga lena chahiye tha.

Doctor is not sure, what to make of Swapan's condition.

 

DOCTOR MISHRA

Mai tumhe kuch dawaaiya de deta hu, jab bhi lage ke sapne me ho, to le lena... We'll exmine you next week again.

CUT TO.

INT. HOSPITAL GALLERY. DAY.

Swapan is standing in the hospital gallery. He stands still for a long time. Lost in dreams. One passerby hits his shoulder in hurry, and Swapan comes to life.

He sees the plastic medicine bottle in his hand. He pops one in his mouth. Finally he comes in present. The medicines seems to be working.

MOTAGE BEGINS: MUSIC CUES IN:

Swapan is standing on a zebra crossing with a dozen people.

The traffic light turns red, pedestrians rushes to cross the road, but Swapan stops in the middle of the road and stands like a statue. The light turns green again and a car honks him. Swapan comes to life. He pops one tablet.

Swapan's face comes out of a swimming pool in a luxury hotel.

MATCH CUT TO:

Swapan takes out his face from a plastic water bucket, in his small washroom, wearing a vest with little holes in it.

Swapan is sitting on a comfy couch with Shweta, watching an English comedy drama.

CUT TO:

Swapan is sitting with his wife KALPANA, watching some soap opera on an old TV. Strangely Kalpana and Shweta are also the same person. She weeps as an emotional moment comes on the screen. Whereas Swapan is spreading a huge smile. Kalpana gets confused as why is he smiling?

Swapan is standing still in a crowd of hundreds. Swapan wakes up, and pops one tablet.

7.

Swapan is with Shweta on a romantic date in five star hotel.

They are holding each other's hand, and looks lost.

CUT TO:

Swapan sits with one hand supporting his chin, smiling. The kulfi in his other hand dripping down, staining his shirt. He suddenly comes to life, irritatingly throws his kulfi and pops down a few tablets.

Swapan pops tablets after tablets at various moments to stay in present.

Swapan loses himself in a public restroom. Tired of his dreams, he opens his tired red eyes super wide, splashing water vigorously. He anxiously pops several tablets altogether. He finally breaks down. People watch him curiously. END OF MONTAGE.

MUSIC FADES.

INT. HOME. DAY

The empty medicine bottle is lying on the ground. Swapan swinging an empty baby cradle. Lost. The toddler is roaming out near the deep stairways, having fun on his own. Kalpana enters the room. She runs to the baby and picks him up.

KALPANA

(Angrily) SWAPAN...!!! Swapan jumps out of his dreamy world.

He instantly frowns seeing Kalpana out of nowhere.

KALPANA (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Ho kya gaya hai tumhe? Kahaan khoye rahte ho?

SWAPAN I   am so sorry Kalpana. Mera dhyaan 

KALPANA

-Dhyaan hi to nahi hai tumhara! 

Abhi khaali jhula de rahe they or BUBBU seediyo ke paas khel raha tha. Agar kuch ho jaata to?

Swapan too is stunned at himself.

.

SWAPAN

I am sorry Kalpana, mujhe bilkul-

KALPANA

-Apne khayaalo ki dunia se bahar niklo Swapan... Sab log pagal bulaane lage hai tumhe.

Swapan, wasn't expecting this from Kalpana.

SWAPAN Or tum? Tum bhi mujhe pagal samajhati ho?

KALPANA

To kya karu mai? Tum wo Swapan ho hi nahi, jisse maine shaadi ki thi. Kyakya sapne dikhaaye they, or ab sirf akele hi sapne dekhte rahte ho. Doodh bolti to chai lekar aate ho, or chaai bolti hu to cheeni.

KALPANA (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Parso underwear me baahar jaa rahe they, or bole ke "let's go to the beach". Aree konsa beach? Galat bus me chad jaate ho, galat train me baith jaate ho, utarna hota hai to yaa to 10 station baad uatrte ho, yaa galat station par utar jaate ho. Hafte bhar pahle to apna hi ghar bhul gaye tum! Mrs. Sethi ke yahaan jaakar let gaye. Or unhi se pooch rahe they ki aap kon hai? Us din mamaji ke sraadh par kissi ne courtesy se pooch liya kya lenge aap? To bole Red Wine and Lasagna. Aree Sraadh ke bhoj pe koi aissi demand karta hai kya?

By now Kalpana's eyes are getting teary, she starts crying.

But continuing her ranting.

KALPANA (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Bathroom me ghanto baithe rahte ho. Us din sex karte time kissi Shweta ka naam le rahe they.

She cries more, uncontrollably now.

(MORE)

(MORE)

KALPANA (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Kabhi kabhi to ek jagah aisse ghoorte rahte ho jaise koi ander aa gya ho tumhaare. Kissi jaadugarni ne kaala jaadu kar diya hai tumhaare upper.

 

Swapan hugs her. Tight. caressing her head.

SWAPAN Are koi jaadugarni ne koi jaaduwaadu nahi kiya hai... kya baat kar rahi ho tum bhi!

KALPANA

Agar aissa hi chalta raha naa... mai bata rahi hu, mai Bubbu ko lekar chali jaaungi.

SWAPAN

Aree Kahin nahi jaa rahi ho tum. Ab se aissa kuch nahi hoga. I promise.

There is a determination in Swapan's eyes.

INT. DOCTOR'S CABIN. DAY

Doctor is sitting in front of Swapan. He is looking at his new reports. Swapan seems anxious to know the new results.

DOCTOR

Tumhari haalat to or bhi bigdati jaa rahi hai, Tum apna treatment-

SWAPAN

(shouts)

-Aree jab se aaya hu tab se yehi bolte jaa rahe hai aap. Haalat bigad rahi hai-haalat bigad rahi hai. Aree Haalat bigad rahi hai to theek kijiye naa. Doctor aap ke main?

Doctor Mishra's lips gets sealed.

SWAPAN (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Kabhi kabhi to lagta ke sapne waali dunia me kissi doctor ke pass chala jaau. Wo bhi aapse achaa doctor hoga!

DOCTOR

Swapan, Aisse himmat haarne se kaam nahi chalega, Thoda patience-

SWAPAN

-Aree Ghanta patience. Office me majaak ban gaya hu mai. Padosi pagal kahne lage hai mujhe... Kalpana ghar chord ke jaane ki baat karti hai.

(MORE)

SWAPAN (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Or aap har hafte do hazaar lekar ek nayi report nikaalte ho, same result ke saath.

BEAT.

Swapan looks away angrily, not looking at doctor. Doctor Mishra takes a moment and speaks.

DOCTOR

Swapan... shayad ek tarika hai, tumhe tumhaare sapno se bahar nikaalne ka. Raambaan nahi hai, lekin ho sakta hai kaam kar jaaye! Experiment kar sakte hai.

SWAPAN 

Kya-kya experiment?

DOCTOR

Mai tumhaare case par research kar raha tha, or mere saamne hu-bahu, bilkul tumhaare jaisa ek case aaya.

Swapan's eye glitters. A light smile sprouts on his face.

DOCTOR (CONT'D) (CONT'D) 80's me Romania ke ek shakas ko hakikat se jyada sapne ki duniya par bharosa hone laga.

DOCTOR (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Ek din usne tang aakar, Sapne me kuch aissa kiya jo wo asal jindgi me kabhi nahi kar paata.

Swapan is super intrigued by now. He is smiling with hope.

SWAPAN 

Kya? Kya kiya usne?

BEAT.

DOCTOR

Wo sapne me sabke saamne nanga rahne laga. Nanga khaana- Nanga peena, Nanga aana, nanga jaana...

Swapan's hopeful expression changes in disgust.

SWAPAN

Aage log mujhe kam pagal samjhte hai, ki aap poora pagal saabit karne me lage ho?

DOCTOR MISHRA Nahi Nahi Nahi... Mai tumhe nanga hone ko nahi bol raha. Mai to sirf yeh bol raha hu ki tum apne sapne me kuch aissa karo jo ki tum apni asal jindgi me kabhi nahi karoge.

SWAPAN Jaise?

DOCTOR

Ab wo to tumhe pata hai naa ke tum apni asal jindgi me kya nahi kar sakte!

Swapan thinks.

DOCTOR (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Kuch unexpected... Kuch aissa jo asli

Swapan kabhi sapne me bhi nahi soch sakta.

EXT. PARK. DAY.

Swapan is sitting alone in a Public garden. People are doing their usual business. Laughing, roaming, enjoying ice-cream.

Swapan sees all of them. Living in the moment. In present.

Suddenly he starts seeing visuals again.

INT. DINNER HALL. NIGHT.

Swapan and Shweta on a dinner date in a five star hotel.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARK. DAY.

Swapan shakes his head to come into present. He sees the people in the park again.

CUT TO:

INT. DINNER HALL. NIGHT.

Swapan takes out a ring from his pocket, Shweta eyes get moist. It's all super romantic.

CUT TO:

12.

EXT. PARK. DAY.

Swapan shakes his head, and hold it tight. He splashes water on his face, to be in present.

CUT TO:

INT. DINNER HALL. NIGHT.

A waiter comes to their table with a beautiful cake. Shweta can't hide her happiness. She is on cloud nine.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARK. DAY.

Swapan holds his head like it's going to burst. His face goes red. He tries to hide his face in his knees. People watch him curiously.

CUT TO:

INT. DINNER HALL. NIGHT.

Swapan takes Shweta's hand and is about to put the ring in her finger. Everyone in the dinner hall, stops what they are doing to see this beautiful proposal. Suddenly Swapan stops. He closes his eyes.

He hears sounds in his head-

KALPANA (V.O.) Agar aissa hi chalta raha to mai Bubbu ko lekar chali jaaungi.

DOCTOR MISHRA (V.O.) Tumhaari haalat to bigadti hi jaa rahi hai.

KALPANA (V.O.) Log pagal bulaane lage hai tumhe.

DOCTOR MISHRA(V.O.) (CONT'D) Ek tarika hai, tumhe tumhaari sapno ki dunia se bahar nikaalne ka.

DOCTOR MISHRA (V.O.) (CONT'D) Apne sapne me kuch aissa karo jo ki tum apni asal jindgi me kabhi nahi karoge...

13.

Finally, Swapan opens his eyes. He is holding Shweta's hand, with a ring in his other hand. Shweta is the happiest person on earth.

SHWETA

Tum phir se apne khayaalo me kho gaye buddhu.

SWAPAN I am Sorry Shweta. I really am.

SHWETA (CONT'D) It's fine, Idiot! This is the happiest day of my-

Suddenly Swapan drops the ring and picks up the knife waiter just bought with the cake, and SLITS Shweta's throat in a split second. A fountain of blood sprays all over the table.

A white miniature couple, on the cake, turns red with the blood. Shweta holds her throat in shock. Tears roll through her shocked eyes.

The whole dinner hall goes in pin-drop silence and watches this horror show. Shweta finally removes her hands off her throat and her lifeless body rests on the chair. Swapan finally cheers in victory.

SWAPAN

YESSSSS. I did it - I did it. I did-

Suddenly Swapan looks at the waiter and stops his celebration.

SWAPAN (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

(To Waiter)

Yaar, tujhe to mai jaanta bhi nahi, tu mere sapne me kya kar raha hai? The waiter stand in front of Swapan freezed.

SWAPAN (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Ohh... Haan! Tumhe kaise pata hoga ke tum mere sapne me ho. Kyoki sapna to mera hai, right?

Everyone stays seated, terrified. Swapan laughs nervously.

Everyone just watches him, without blinking.

SWAPAN (CONT'D) (CONT'D)

(laughs)

Aree tum log nahi samjhoge. This wasI mean this is, my dream.

(MORE)

SWAPAN (CONT'D) (CONT'D) This hotel, this cake, Shweta, all of you, are just in my dream.

BEAT. Everyone stays still, watching Swapan.

SWAPAN (CONT'D) (CONT'D) Abhi yahaan se gayab ho ke dikhaau? Haa? Dekho ab.

Swapan closes his eyes, and opens. NOTHING happens.

Everybody still there, staring at him. He tries again, and again and again.

Tears starts rolling through his eyes, as reality hits him.

This is REALITY. And everything else was a dream.

Still he tries AGAIN... ANDFADE TO BLACK.

INT. POLICE STATION. NIGHT.

Swapan opens his eyes, He is sitting in a small interrogation room, with one constable. One senior inspector enters the room from behind, and takes the seat in front of Swapan.

INSPECTOR

(To Constable) Kuch bola isne.

CONSTABLE Haa saab. Bolta hai...

He stops, and looks at Swapan.

POLICEMAN Bol naa, kya bola?

CONSTABLE Bola ke sapne ki galti hai... (Mockingly) ) Swapandosh.

POLICEMAN Swapandosh!

Constable nods. Inspector stares at the constable, and then suddenly burst out laughing. Constable joins him shortly. Their laughter echoes and the screen fades to black.

FADE OUT.