SUPERSTAR - The Monologue by Suresh George

SUPERSTAR-THE MONOLOGUE

By Suresh George

INT. COMMISIONER’S OFFICE. DUSK1

A extreme close of an OLD LADY’s face in anguish. She looks towards us and has tears filling her eyes. She takes time to speak, searching for appropriate words. As a matter of fact, the major part of the explanation has already been done. She just waits for the right conclusive words to fall off from her chapped anemic lips.

OLD LADYDont have money. Dont have nothing.

(Putting her hands together pleading)

Just justice. Nothing more I ask from you.

(She waits for reaction from the opposite side)

A TOUGH MAN’s hand buds the last remains of a cigarette in to a crystal ash tray with the last specks of fire ash emitting the smoke of nicotine.

The lady wipes her eyes with a wrinkled white kerchief which was kept crumpled in her palm and blows her nose with it.

CUT TO:

INT. DARK BACHELORS ROOM. DUSK2

On black screen, the imprint of the camera view finder with its record blinker on the right corner of the frame. Everything is dark except for out focus movements--VERY VERY VAGUE. Only indistinct voices of probe is heard. Inquisitive mood fills the air. All this are only audible. Nothing can be made out--except for occasional gleam of light in a blind eye and the blurry here and thither movements of what seems to be images human in kind through the breaches of the darkness.

ANONYMOUS VOICE OF A MAN#1 (O.S.)You two check the other room---

ANONYMOUS VOICE OF A MAN #2 (O.S.)Yes Sir.

ANONYMOUS VOICE OF A MAN#1 (O.S.)and you check the back of the house---the bathroom And make sure---you guys don’t leave even one unchecked.

More sounds of boots treading away from us. and one boot sound prominent coming close to us---just a couple of steps.

CUT TO:

INT. AUDITORIUM. NIGHT3

There is jubilation all around and a packed crowd inside the auditorium.

The stage is all set. The flex skin has vibrant colors designed with the words ‘SUPERSTAR-INDIA’S PROMISING ACTOR OF THE YEAR’ On the dais sit the FIVE MEMBER SELECTION JURY waiting to deliver their verdict.

THE ANCHOR, a pretty well dressed freaky chic with her cleavage partially visible is just grinning at the crowd, and at the same time inside her, trying to recollect her order of speech with a scrap in hand.

There are last minute whispers between the jury members.

The CROWD sits in thrilled anticipation.

CUT TO:

INT. AUDITORIUM CORRIDOR. DAY4

PRADEEP, a smart young and handsome man sits on the railing of the corridor. His FRIENDS, may be four or five stand around him. They are cracking jokes and smoking marijuana, all sharing just one joint taking turns. Pradeep frequently looks on to either sides of the corridors if any body is noticing them.

CUT TO:


On black screen, the imprint of the camera view finder with its record blinker on the right corner of the frame continue to roll. Everything is as before except that there is a kind of pseudo momentary silence.

2.

There seems to be no movement of humans in our view through the breaches. Only indistinct voices of men heard in distance.

CUT TO:


THE ANCHOR on stage is in front of the pulpit mike.

THE ANCHOR Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen. I am extremely pleased and thrilled to be on this occasion when the nation has chosen its future star---to entertain them, to be their idol and joy of life in this greatest hunt for the future superstar of this multi-faceted nation. Now I want to remind you that the person who is announced as the one and only gets a cash prize of ONE CRORERUPEES(!) in cash and is entitled to be signed by the leading film producers of India, and who knows even across the seas. According to our respected sponsors, he will enjoy the honorary post of the brand ambassador of various companies, which will be disclosed later. Now may I present Mr. Kishore Malhotra, the chairman of the selection jury to come on stage to say a few words on the great work the participants who were and are now in the fray have done to make this hunt for the superstar a great success. Ladies and Gentlemen ---I’m pleased to welcome Mr. Kishore Malhotra---Chairman of the working jury. Please give him a very very big cheers.

The AUDIENCE burst out into a thunderous applause as KISHORE MALHOTRA a bureaucratic middle aged decent looking chap raises from the front row of the crowd.

CUT TO:

3.


In a room, which is shabby appropriate for the lives of bachelors, we follow the hands of a young man which unloads a vessel from the stove and pours steaming hot coffee to the mug. He picks up the coffee out of the frame---supposed to be tasting it and then closes the vessel with a plate and moves out.

The fingers of the young man who is still anonymous, runs superficial over few cds and picks one from the table rack, near the window with the sunlight beaming through the glass panes.

The cd is played on a cd player and then the soft music swells softly.

The young man with the cup of steaming coffee in his hand walks away from the cd player having his back towards us and is searching for something in his shelf.

We cut close to his hands on search and it picks up a handy cam.

He fixes the camera to the tripod---

Fixes sun guns to the stands on two separate shots.

He moves a rugged single wooden chair to the front of the camera, still his anonymity being maintained---

Puts up a bedspread to the backdrop.

Taking a view from the view finder, we see his partial frontal body approaching the extreme foreground of the camera and reaching out. His action focuses the lens.

The sun guns go on and gleams to our eyes, causing spectrum rings to the lens of the cam.

CUT TO:


The cheering CROWD take time to die down.

KISHORE MALHOTRA waits patiently with a smile and acceptance.

When the applause faints---

4.

KISHORE MALHOTRAGood Evening. It is indeed a pleasure to be here amidst all you enthusiastic guys and it makes me feel so proud to be a part of this great event. If I am not wrong, I think it’s been almost a year and a month from the announcement of this contest till date. I want to take this very opportunity to thank each and everybody who took part in this show to make it a huge success. I can read out direct and indirect names of the delegates, but it would mean very little to the millions of people who are watching us to announce the superstar and in no way do I want to test their patience.

CUT TO:


Viewing through the view finder of the handy camera’s frame, the young man sits on the single wooden chair, trying to adjust his posture to be in the centre of frame as the red record blinker still winks on one corner of the frame. He combs his shabby hair backwards with his fingers and wipes his face for a final time for action.

CUT TO:

INT. AUDITORIUM LOBBY. NIGHT10

PRADEEP is busy signing autographs with YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN crowded around him.

A MAN in his mid forties gazes at him for sometime from the crowd but not wanting his autograph signed.

During his conversation with people in the crowd and signing autographs, Pradeep notices this stranger through the crowd.

PRADEEPDo I know you personally? Or do you want something from me?

5.

The graceful man just gives a charming smile and nods ‘NO’, extending a paper and a pen towards Pradeep for his autograph. Pradeep brushes the curiosity aside, takes it and signs it with a smile.

THE STRANGERGreat days ahead?

PRADEEPYes---just got a call from Yash RajFilms yesterday. Let’s see what the future has for me. I was talking about the results---not yet formally announced

Pradeep Chuckles.

THE STRANGER(With a gracious smile)

Hoping and wishing for the very best.

PRADEEP(Wanting to leave his presence immediately)

Thank you. May I---

THE STRANGER(Giving way politely)

Oh yes please.

Pradeep walks away towards the green room of the auditorium.

INT. GREEN ROOM. NIGHT11

Entering the room, PRADEEP closes the door behind him and moves quickly to the seat in front of the mirror and looks at his face from close range to the mirror and there is a four of blood clot stripes just in his right upper neck below the ear. He tries to cover it with his color buttoning it up.

CUT TO:


PRADEEP with his friends walk into the auditorium and occupy the last row of the auditorium not giving themselves to limelight.

6.

KISHORE MALHOTRA (O.S.)On working day and night the faculty of superstar had taken painstaking trouble, mentally and emotionally to enrich our two finalists, who are the cream of the best this nation could ever look to as future actors and indeed the superstars.

CUT TO:


KATHIR sits on the single wooden chair. He looks straight towards us to the front.

POLICE OFFICER#1(Moving to Kathir’s sides)

Okay, so what the hell is your name, by the way? Ha?

Kathir looks to the moving police officer and with great pride---

KATHIRAntony Balasingam

(With a sarcastic grin to the moving officer in srilankan accent)

And what on heaven is your name?

POLICE OFFICER#2(From the other side)

Thought you were from Tamilnadu!

KATHIR(With a wider sarcastic grin srilankan accent)

I am.(Pointing out to all the guys around with a pacifying smile srilankanaccent)

Just like all of you guys. Pure Tamilarian. Appa Thanjavore. Ammagandy. My dad was a film maniac. Used to take me to a lot of movies--I mean Tamil movies---in talkies--those days it was only touring talkies in the place I lived---nothing like how it is nowadays.

7.

(MORE)

I used to like these guys who speak those ancient language, that was the original my dad told me---notwhat I speak---Not even what you guys speak. All have been adulterated. I loved m.g.r, shivaji, rajini, kamal and all those guys. They were great. They were real heros. Frankly, I think I learnt the language from them---Imean the real language.

(With authority Srilankanaccent)

I always thought that one day I would be here and here I am---having a chat with you guys.

POLICE OFFICER#1So where’s your father now?

KATHIR(In Srilankan accent)

He’s dead--- in the bloody war.

POLICE OFFICER#1Mother?


She’s dead too.

POLICE OFFICER#1What kind of work do you do in Gandy?


Ah, you know---almost everything. This, that. Hotel business. I work everything with my hands---not much of brain work. Makes me sick. When your government supported, I carried guns too.

POLICE OFFICER#2Any family here? Cousins? Brother-in-law, mother-in-law--- anybody at all?


I’m not married, man. Antony is a virgin.

8.

KATHIR (CONT'D)

POLICE OFFICER#2Answer my question.

(Stressing)Do you have anybody here?


No nobody. Everybody’s dead.

POLICE OFFICER#2What do you plan to do here in India, Antony?

KATHIRWell---lot of things. Having addressed that stupid question to me---Say if you---you are wealthy enough to lend me something like 10 lakh rupees, may be one day I could also become like Ambani brothers. Make great business’ work here in this country and I could tip you for festivals too.

Kathir being slapped instantly, which brings rage from deep inside him but controls.

CUT TO:


The chairman of the jury takes a break in his speech and gazes at the audience.

There is a general mode of curiosity amidst the crowd as they sit and wonder of his pause.

KISHORE MALHOTRA continues---

KISHORE MALHOTRA Okay, so what really is acting? This is a question I ask each new acting audition youngster who has been walking into this contest of becoming the superstar at the very begginnig of our sessions. I get every type of answer one can imagine; from "Being someone else", Playing a character," to "Being real". So far no one yet has gotten it right. I ask them next;"WHAT IS A NOVEL?"

9.

(MORE)

After a few hints they eventually say; "A story?" Then I ask; "If a novel is a story, then what is a stage play?" They hesitatingly answer; "A story." "WHAT IS A SCREEN PLAY?" They answer; "A story." And what is a commercial? They answer; "A mini story." "If all these things are stories, then who is telling the story?" "The actor?" "Wrong." "The writer?" "Wrong." "The characters?" "Right". The story is told by the characters and since we, as actors, are portraying---acting as, not like the characters, could we not say that acting is storytelling? The look that comes over their faces when they figure out what acting really is, is classic, it should be photographed. I'll do that one day.

The crowd cackles softly.

CUT TO:


The interrogation continues---

KATHIR has a streak of blood oozing out of his mouth. He dips it with his finger and then feels it between his fingers.

POLICE OFFICER#1Now---have you ever been arrested?


Who? Me? No way. No

POLICE OFFICER#1Anytime to the Mental hospital?

KATHIR(Looks around at everybody and in a serious tone)(In Srilankan accent)

Oh yes. I’m Sitting in one right now.

Smiles sarcastically.

10.

KISHORE MALHOTRA (CONT'D)

POLICE OFFICER#1AIDS, VD, anything? Got it anytime?

Kathir turns to the other officer just behind him on the opposite side and smiles it off

KATHIR(Depicting the police who questioned)(In Srilankan accent)

What the fuck is wrong with this guy, man? Is he trying to pull a fast one on me?

POLICE OFFICER#2Just answer the question, Antony.


Okay. A big NO. Good enough?

POLICE OFFICER#1Drugs?


No. Never. Nothing. Clean slate.

POLICE OFFICER#3(Pushing Kathir’s face with his finger)

Where did you get this scar from ? Got slobbered by a whore?

KATHIR(In Srilankan accent)(Holding his head in the held up position and looking up to the man just above him)

How would I get a scar like that slobbered by a whore?

(Rotating just his eyes on others around in the same head posture, smiling)

Cycle---When I was---say eleven. Hit my face to this metal piece sticking out of the side road. Bled like hell. Guy sitting behind me---worse than me.

11.

(MORE)

You wouldnt believe it was him after that if you would have seen him before that. Ha Ha.

CUT TO:


The CROWD is listening with great interest as the Chairman of the jury continues to speak---

KISHORE MALHOTRA When young actors who come here for audition realize what acting really is and what it's all about, I can see the light come on in their eyes at the simplicity of it. Let it put it more in a nut shell. Acting is Storytelling.

CUT TO:


The POLICE OFFICER pulls his forearm with a tatoo of a scorpion.

POLICE OFFICER#3And this?

KATHIR(Serious)(In Srilankan accent)

Ah, dont bother. That’s the sign of the girl who ditched me.

(Pointing)She is like this---you know.

POLICE OFFICER#3Don’t fuckin’ shit me. We have heard such stories more than once you dirty bastard.

KATHIR looks to the other office with a tough warning of being proved shadowing his face.

POLICE OFFICER#3 (CONT'D)Some kind of code for assassin activities.

POLICE OFFICER#3 (CONT'D)Hey look at me.

12.

KATHIR (CONT'D)

Kathir looks up to the officer.

POLICE OFFICER#3 (CONT'D)You want to tell us about this or get to see the inside of the jail directly from here without fulfilling your childhood wishes of seeing this country for yourself?

Kathir sits up, relaxed---nods his head---


Okay okay. I was working just a person who carried food and that too not now----long back, when you guys were in good terms with each other. I was young then. They see this they let me enter their territory---otherwise ‘No’---unlucky? ---dead. You know what I mean?

POLICE OFFICER#3So carried food--- which needed a mark?

Kathir is grabbed by both hands by silent officers as the officer in charge flares---

POLICE OFFICER#3 (CONT'D)Get him out of here. Don’t want to listen to his crap anymore.

Kathir tries to relieve himself from the hold of the officers.


Let me have a word with this fine inspector or whoever he is. Just one minute please. Just a minute.

The policemen let go for a minute. Kathir sits back on the wooden chair and makes his dress look decent. He looks to the aggressive officer. There is a interference sound from behind him---somewhere behind in the next room, probably the kitchen.

Viewing through the view finder, we notice that there aren’t any officers around him now. He is all alone. He stops, turns around and waits silently if anymore is heard and then there is silence.

13.

He picks up the papers lying on the floor just next to his wooden chair for reference, then puts it back where it lay.

Now surrounded by the officers, he looks back to the police officer being addressed---there is a missing note---and then looks up to the officer---

KATHIR (CONT'D)(In Srilankan accent)

Is this what you call democracy? They tell you all the time what to do, what to think, what to feel---worse than monarchy---worser than communists and damper than dictatorship. Do you want me to be like a sheep? Like all those bureaucrats---9-5 guys---living, yet dead. Feeling, yet numb. Moving, yet crippled.

(Facing all of the officers surrounding him on all sides)

Baaah---Baaah---Baaah---.

POLICE OFFICER#3Get him out of here. Cant hear all what he bull shits.

There is another meddling sounds heard from the same area behind him as before. Now more like the creaking of the opening door.

We go back to view him from the view finder of the camera as we notice suddenly that he is all alone in the wooden chair. There are no officers around him now. He stops his monologue and is silent, turning his head to the sides to hear things clear if that was just an illusion!

Kathir gets up from his seat walks to the back kitchen as we follow his shoulders. He looks around and there is nothing there, nothing has changed from what it was before.

We view him from ATOP now. He has found the backyard door open just as a breach.

We take a view from outside through the breach of the door as he approaches the door and after opening it and looking outside on all sides, shuts it.

We are now back from viewing him ATOP as he closes the door and walks back, re checking everything okay and goes out of the kitchen.

14.

Taking our view through the view finder we see the ‘end search’ title blinking on one corner of the frame as all those off record footage rolling on the cam is wound back to the position where he last lines---

KATHIR(Facing all on all sides)

Baaah---Baaah---Baaah---.

In our eye view, we notice Kathir picking up the papers lying on the floor just beside his wooden chair---recollecting his lines and then suddenly becomes more aggressive.

KATHIR (CONT'D)(In Srilankan accent)

Democratic freedom, my ass---freedom to be corrupt---freedom to extort---.freedom to kill---freedomto make others slaves---freedom to empower them---freedom to vandalize fellow citizen’s rights. You do your fucking duty---work your loads out and still got to listen to dictators of the greatest democracy of the world. I read newspapers. Our tamil papers. I am in touch with all this. Okay---why waste your time and mine. Let me talk about us---We stay there get beaten, killed, robbed and crushed. Nobody is bothered. Oh, yes I am a pure Tamilarian, just like

(Pointing to one:)you---

(To the other:)you ---

(To another:)you---.

(And to all in general:)and You treat us like dogs in camps and keep the language tradition moving---if that is what you guys, our big brother and the greatest democracy of the world believe, should be doing. God bless you guys.

(Stern)Look at me now. I’m not a thief or a criminal.

15.

(MORE)

I am Antony Balasingam, a political refugee from the war torn country of Srilanka who has come here asking for help and that’s all I need-- not what all you want me to be for your petty benefits. I want my human rights now

(Slamming on the wooden chair)

---right now---to be treated as a human being who wants to live a normal life.

POLICE OFFICER#3I don’t believe any of these bastard’s statements. Put him in the refugee camp and do as it is done to anybody who misbehaves.

Two police officers hold him and take him to the door. He holds himself steadfast against their force near the door before he delivers his final lines---


You know something? You can send me anywhere. Here, there, this, that. It doesn’t matter. There’s nothing you can do to me that THOSE bastards back there haven’t done already. Even if you kill me for the crimes I havent done---dont pat yourself that you have achieved ‘coz there starts your days of persecution. I will haunt you with my memories ---with the words I speak---You aint gonna do anything with my ghost. I will live on to be who I believe I am.

Interrupting his narration, the mobile phone chimes. He stops.

Viewing through the view finder, Kathir gets up from his wooden chair and walks to the nearby bed trying to search for his mobile phone. It is somewhere hidden under the rug on his bed. The ring becomes prominent as he digs for it and picks it up. He switches it on.

KATHIR (CONT'D)Hello---

Pause.

16.

KATHIR (CONT'D)

KATHIR (CONT'D)(Over the phone)

Amma? Tell me. Yeah---I am okay. How are you? Your health? Maama---how is he?

Pause. Kathir walks back to the wooden chair and sits.

KATHIR (CONT'D)Yeah---I’m working. Just got a character yesterday. May be it is not very big to brag about but am sure it would really change my future. Yeah---I went for audition. They liked me. Promise---I know. I know.

Cutting close to his face, he is listening and there are rousing tears in his eyes. He wants to keep his face as normal as possible, void of expressing emotions.

KATHIR (CONT'D)Don’t worry about me, Amma. You take care. Wait---wait---let me ask you something. You having your insulin regularly. Aren’t you? Is the lady from the community health centre coming to help you?

Pause.

KATHIR (CONT'D)Ok---how much does she want?

(Soft)Okay..

(Clearing his throat trying to impede his voice with gulping emotions)

I said okay. I will send it as early as possible. Dint I mention to you about this part---okay---nowlisten carefully---go to the neighbor aunt’s house and watch television everyday and one day you will see me there.

Pause to control his sentiments.

KATHIR (CONT'D)Don’t ask me how. You just keep watching. Yeah---I will come home soon.

17.

(MORE)

Amma, I know that I was an irresponsible son to you and I am just working hard to correct it now. Just one more chance to prove why I had been a spoilt brat according to our relatives. I don’t really know on what kind of note you can accept this but---justclose your eyes to the world and trust me for the very last time in life. Okay? Please---Okay? please. Take care of your health. You got to be good for me to be good. Take care. They are calling me for the next take---next take meaning for the shooting---I got to go. Bye. Let me tell you something ma---youwouldnt have to wait any longer for your son to bring you fortune. I think you have had enough. I love you-ma.

Kathir closes the mobile, holds it and looks at it for sometime. The display screen shows ‘Call Ended 00:03:36’. He clicks it and looks aside, throws the mobile back to where he found on the bed and then picks up the papers from his sides on the floor, reads it for a few seconds and then gets up from his wooden chair.

We go back to view from the view finder as Kathir approaches the extreme foreground of the camera.

Taking our view through the view finder ---the record blinker is on.

Kathir looks now straight to the camera. He wants to continue with his lines of rehearsal, but instead breaks down like a child with remnants of those in-between lines of his mother still in his mind. He manages to mutter something to us, though.

KATHIR (CONT'D)SORRY!

Viewing through the viewfinder, we see him cuddled on to the wooden chair and hiding his face in his palm and crying.

There’s another kind of muddle heard again which really brings concern to him. He gets up and moves towards the back kitchen, but before that as if a thought crossing his mind, he stops picks up the rug which was kept for backdrop and throws it on the tripod with the camera in order to hide it but the tripod instead reclines down to the ground.

18.

KATHIR (CONT'D)

Kathir wants to pick it up but then on second thoughts, leaves it like that and moves into the kitchen to check out the strange noises which had quiet often been interrupting his sessions.

Viewing through the viewfinder, on a frame which lies sidewards down and hidden under the rug, the view is now limited as of the first dark shot with only a breach through the rug visible. The tape is rolling with nobody on the wooden chair, no cops around.

And after a brief pause, there is a human mugging sound coming from far behind---tussle---struggle and then it is quiet. There is then a screech of the wooden door opening is heard and then close---very faint, and then silence.

CUT TO:


On black screen, the imprint of the camera view finder with its record blinker on the right corner of the frame. Everything is dark except for out focus movements--VERY VERY VAGUE. Only indistinct voices of probe is heard. Inquisitive mood fills the air. All this are only audible. Nothing can be made out--except for occasional gleam of light in a blind eye and the blurry here and thither movements of what seems to be images human in kind through the breaches of the darkness.





One constable comes close to the foreground of the lens having the tape end warning blinking, picks it up and looks to the camera so close,

ANONYMOUS VOICE OF A MAN#2Sir! Sir! There’s something here.

19.

The frame goes off focus and the battery shuts down to---

BLACK OUT:

INT. JURY HALL. DUSK19

The television emits footage of Kathir in front of the rolling Camera---there’r no police officers there around him, no questions asked--he answers as if asked those questions---the reactions, the imagination, the involvement---include---

KATHIR ON TAPE(In Srilankan Accent)

---right now---to be treated as a human being who wants to live a normal life.

THE FIVE MEMBER SELECTION JURY of the jury in their profile on a long well dressed table having their eyes glued to the television.

KATHIR ON TAPE (O.S.) (CONT'D)You know something? You can send me anywhere. Here, there, this, that. It doesn’t matter.

On screen---

KATHIR ON TAPE (CONT'D)There’s nothing you can do to me that THOSE back there haven’t done already. You guys can’t do anything to me. Even if you kill me for the crimes I havent done---dont pat yourself that you have achieved cozthere starts your days of persecution.

On an old man of the jury---

KATHIR ON TAPE (O.S.) (CONT'D)I will haunt you with my memories ---with the words I speak---You aintgonna do anything with my ghost. I will live on to be who i believe iam.

The mobile chime---

20.

On the middle aged woman of the lady with her eyes filled she mopes her nose with the richly folded up kerchief and then her eyes grow curious as she watches the television screen.

CUT TO:

INT. INVESTIGATION ROOM. NIGHT20

The tape continues to roll on a different screen. The transition is indistinct. Viewing through the view finder of the camera, Kathir gets up from his wooden chair and walks to the nearby bed trying to search for his mobile phone. It is somewhere hidden under the rug on his bed. The ring becomes prominent as he digs for it and picks it up. He switches it on.

KATHIR ON TAPE Hello---

Pause.

KATHIR ON TAPE (CONT'D)(Over the phone)

Amma? Tell me. Yeah---I am okay. How are you? Your health? Maama---how is he?

CUT TO:

INT. JURY HALL. DUSK21

The transition is indistinct.

Frontal view of the four membered jury who sit watching the television screen, emotionally involved.

VOICE OF KATHIR ON TAPE Don’t ask me how. You just keep watching. Yeah---I will come home soon. Amma, I know that I was an irresponsible son to you and I am just working hard to correct it now. Just one more chance to prove why I had been a spoilt brat according to our relatives.

On the television Screen---

21.

KATHIR ON TAPE I don’t really know on what kind of note you can accept this but---justclose your eyes to the world and trust me for the very last time in life. Okay? Please---Okay? please. Take care of your health. You got to be good for me to be good. Take care. They are calling me for the next take---next take meaning for the shooting---I got to go.

There’s a sad smile on the lady jury’s face---

VOICE OF KATHIR ON TAPE Bye. Let me tell you something ma---you wouldnt have to wait any longer for your son to bring you fortune. I think you have had enough. I love you-ma.

CUT TO:

INT. INVESTIGATION ROOM. NIGHT22

On the televison Screen---

Viewing through the viewfinder, we see him cuddled on to the wooden chair and hiding his face in his palm and crying.

There’s another kind of muddle heard again which really brings concern to him. He gets up and moves towards the back kitchen, but before that as if a thought crossing his mind, he stops picks up a rug and throws it on the tripod with the camera and the tripod reclines down to the ground. Kathir wants to pick it up but then on second thoughts, leaves it like that and moves into the kitchen to check out the strange noises which had quiet often been interrupting his sessions.

Viewing through the viewfinder, on a frame which lies sidewards down and hidden under the rug, the view is now limited as of the first dark shot with only a breach through the rug visible. The tape is rolling with nobody on the wooden chair, no cops around. And after a brief pause, there is a human mugging sound coming from far behind---tussle---struggle and then it is quiet. There is then a screech of the wooden door opening is heard and then close---very faint and then silence.

And then---after a long phase of empty frame with nothing unusual happening somebody very vague crosses the frame AND it is not Kathir.

22.

The tape is fast forwarded and the picture on the tape gives no changes to the empty state of presence---

Everything is dark except for out focus movements--VERY VERY VAGUE. Only indistinct voices of probe is heard. Inquisitive mood fills the air. All this are only audible. Nothing can be made out--except for occasional gleam of light in a blind eye and the blurry here and thither movements of what seems to be images human in kind through the breaches of the darkness.





One constable comes close to the foreground of the lens having the tape end warning blinking, picks it up and looks to the camera so close,

ANONYMOUS VOICE OF A MAN#2Sir! Sir! There’s something here.

The frame goes off focus and the battery shuts down to---

BLACK OUT:


The chairman of the jury is in the verge announcing of the much anticipated results.

KISHORE MALHOTRAThe actor must first know the story; knowing the story is the New Age Actor's first responsibility. Notice I did not say "plot"; there is a great difference between story and plot. He must know each event down to the tiniest detail in proper sequence--- all stories have a sequence of events;

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one thing happened first, one thing happened second, etc--- He then must create his character. Stories are told by and through the characters by visualization and by coloring the events with emotions. "ACTING WITHOUT EMOTIONS IS LIKE AN EAGLE WITHOUT WINGS." And on this day of great joy and jubilation on one side---I am proud to say that I have had the privilege to meet Mr. Antony Balasingam, a character I have never met before in a person who had already a beast of an actor inside him, who emoted something he had no hereditary involvement with; but excelled to its max--- what we in the jury of judging you guys, the new talented actors, could least think of or attempt in our entire career. Having said this, there is another sad story along with this. I am extremely grieved to announce that one of our finalists is not here in person to compete for the final rounds as he passed away a couple of days at his residence---most unexpected and unfortunate. We are very unfortunate to have missed his performance in real but had his stunning rehersals on tape taken into consideration which startled each one of us---the way he lived Antony Balasingam. May I request all here to stand as a mark of tribute to Mr. KathiravanThangadurai, who is no more with us---

A young girl stand awe struck hiding her burst out by closing her mouth in utter anguish.

KISHORE MALHOTRA (CONT'D)---but will be remembered to always be the predecessor of acting for these kind of competitions in the future. With Much grief and pride, I announce Mr. KathiravanThangadurai, lovingly called as Kathir by all of us as the Superstar of Acting for the year 2007.

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KISHORE MALHOTRA (CONT'D)

The crowd stands. There are some people reaching for their kerchiefs and others are numb, doing a ritual done to many in the past.

KISHORE MALHOTRA (O.S.) (CONT'D)Let’s remember all that he achieved during this time rehearsing to make it to this level of the competition and thank him for the ghost like inspiration he has left behind for many to come. May his good soul rest in peace.

The crowd of the auditorium uproars into loud applause and outburst of emotions and all on their feet cheer as Pradeep walks out of the auditorium.

FADE OUT.

INT. KATHIR’S HOUSE BACK IN THE VILLAGE. THAT NIGHT24

ON TELEVISION---

NEWS READERThe much awaited SUPER STAR AWARD results are out. And the new superstar for the year 2007 is posthumously awarded to KathiravanThangadurai, who had earlier portrayed a self made imaginary character Antony Balasingam, a arrogant tamil refugee from Srilanka, who is interrogated by the BSF for intruding into Indian soil without official transit papers.

The old lady who first appeared pleading for justice, who now we know as Kathir’s poor mother, sits on the floor leaned on to the frame of the neighbor aunty’s house door.

Tears dribble from her eyes as she wipes it and blows her nose with the tip of her sari. Her eyes are dead and clueless, looking to the television screen and the color shadows are quiet visible on her face.

NEWS READER (O.S.) (CONT'D)He was praised to be the very best of actors India has ever discovered in these kind of competitions.

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Kathiravan was brutally murdered by unidentified men, who the police say is his opponent in the competition, the high profile business family brat, Pradeep Dutt.

The clip of Pradeep fills the television screen.

NEWS READER (O.S.) (CONT'D)The police has taken him into custody and are investigating the reason for murder.

Kathir’s old mother gets up from where she sits and walks out of the house down the street away and away from us into the darkness till there is no trace of her but darkness. As she moves and moves away, the voice of the news reader on television fades away and away till it is indistinct.

NEWS READER (O.S.) (CONT'D)And from early reports, it is said that he was sure that by eradicating Kathiravan, he would---as the finalist get the stardom as the superstar. The case is under investigation. The nation paid rich tribute to Kathiravan Thangaduraifor his great performance as an actor on the evidence tape.

The following part of the self audition tape is played---

KATHIR ON TELEVISIONI will haunt you with my memories ---with the words I speak---You aintgonna do anything with my ghost. I will live on to be who i believe iam.

The music swells up as we cut back to the television, where the golden art engraved frame photograph of Kathir fades in transition from the news reader’s image, surrounded by floral decorations which reads under:

KATHIRAVAN THANGADURAI

(Antony Balasingam)

(1975-2007)

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NEWS READER (O.S.) (CONT'D)

Documents

SUPERSTAR - The Monologue by Suresh George