Susanna's Seven Husbands

by Ruskin Bond

  Tere Liye—montage.

  As Susanna sits in the garden in the cold, having her morning tea, Wasiullah tenderly drapes a shawl around her.

  Wasiullah then carefully ties a scarf around Susanna’s head.

  In the kitchen Susanna stands in the corner as Wasiullah prepares goshtaba for her. He brings in a spoonful to get her approval. She hesitantly takes a bite and smiles. Scooping out a spoonful she too lovingly feeds him a bite.

  At a small Mushaira, as the poet recites a poem, they make eye contact and smile at each other. Things seem to be getting back to normal for the couple.

  Int. Bedroom. Later.

  They are naked in bed. He is necking her with his eyes closed. He opens his eyes and looks at her. A moment later he suddenly slaps her hard.

  Cut to:

  Int. Dining room. Same.

  Bringing Susanna her morning cup of tea, Maggie recoils, mortified at the condition of her face. Saying nothing, she backs away.

  Goonga, across the room, catches her eye. Maggie gestures at him, signalling her horror. He nods, his single good eye flashing with anger.

  Int. Parlour. Later.

  In a corner of the lavishly furnished parlour, Susanna rolls out a prayer rug and faces east.

  She carefully adjusts the folds of her naqab, then begins performing the namaz, her voice low and melodious.

  Int. Bathroom. Later.

  Susanna removes her naqab, drops it in a hamper and slams the lid down. Then she wraps herself in a flowing robe, puts on some lipstick, and exits.

  Int. Bedroom. Night.

  In the corner of the room Wasiullah sits alone with his drink on the table. He caresses his cat as Mehdi Hassan’s ghazal plays on the casette recorder. Susanna enters quietly and walks towards him. He feels her presence, looks at her and smiles with eyes full of alcohol and affection. Susanna smiles back with more affection. Guilt flickers in Wasiullah’s eyes.

  WASIULLAH.

  Susanna drops her robe as Wasiullah looks away. She sits down next to him. She brushes his hair gently; he looks back at her with more love. He goes for his whisky glass but she picks the glass up before him. She takes a sip. Wasiullah smiles gently.

  WASIULLAH.

  She suddenly slaps him hard. He is shocked for a moment but then smiles back. Another hard slap. He smiles with greater compassion this time. He asks for the whisky glass but she takes her hand away, nodding seductively. He tries again but Susanna gets up and begins to walk. Wasiullah follows her, still smiling. She reaches the end of the wall next to the mirror, Wasiullah is now very close to her. She takes a sip from the glass while looking at him invitingly. Wasiullah whispers into her ears.

  Wasiullah raises his eyebrows.

  WASIULLAH.

  As she shakes her head to say that she doesn’t know the answer, he suddenly slaps her hard and whispers in a choking voice.

  WASIULLAH.

  Susanna looks at Wasiullah seductively. He laughs; she giggles.

  The camera pans to the window. Outside, on a snow-covered hill, three figures are visible, toiling with picks and shovels.

  Ext. Hillside. Continuous.

  Bundled up in heavy clothing, working by lantern light, the Goonga, Ghalib and Maggie are digging a grave.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Campfire. Night.

  Arun stares open-mouthed at his three drinking companion.

  ARUN.

  MAGGIE.

  All three laugh.

  ARUN.

  GHALIB.

  They start singing a verse of Wasiullah’s poems while Goonga tries to beat time on a wooden stool.

  Arun, aghast at the devilish nonchalance of his friends, gets up and throws the wooden stool.

  ARUN. !!

  They stop and stare at him.

  ARUN.

  The mood goes somber as Arun stares at Ghalib.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Hillside. Day.

  Slanting sunlight and a cold blue sky.

  The poet’s cat makes its way up a fresh mound of dirt in the gleaming, white snow. It paws the ground, sniffing, and meows.

  Fade to black.

  INTERVAL

  Fade in:

  Super—

  Ext. Race track. Day.

  Thundering hooves flash by as a dozen thoroughbreds gallop to the finish line! A large crowd in the stands is cheering. It’s a close race—but a magnificent bay stallion pulls away and wins by half a length.

  Ext. Winner’s circle. Same.

  The winning rider guides the horse through an applauding throng of well-wishers. The jockey, in colourful red and black silks, lifts his goggles: it’s Goonga.

  In the viewing gallery, Susanna softly smiles, wearing a huge sun hat. At 39, she’s as beautiful as ever.

  Ext. Winner’s circle. Later.

  Susanna poses, holding the reins of the winning horse. Still in the saddle, Goonga flashes a victory grin.

  Susanna signals for Arun to come and stand next to her for the photograph. Over this, the voice of the track announcer:

  ANNOUNCER. The winner’s trophy goes to Qismat. His fourth victory in the last six races.

  Ext. Stage inside the racecourse. Same.

  On stage, the announcer has the microphone.

  ANNOUNCER. Would Qismat’s owner, the lovely Susanna Anna-Marie Johannes, please join me on stage?

  Susanna walks amidst thunderous applause.

  ANNOUNCER. To do the honours, let me call our esteemed guest of honour. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr Nikolai Vronsky, science attaché to the Russian consulate in Madras.

  A big, handsome Russian in his forties walks on to the stage. He takes the trophy and speaks into the microphone.

  VRONSKY. Namaste … I was just told that ‘Qismat’ means destiny, so I thank my ‘Qismat’ for the win.

  VRONSKY. Moreover, I compliment the beautiful and gracious Susanna Johannes, for doing such wonders with her horse. Yes, people, I placed a bet on Qismat and did very well, thank you very much!

  He pats his pockets. Laughter and more applause as he hands the trophy to Susanna and shakes her hand.

  VRONSKY. I am Vronsky … Nikolai Vronsky.

  SUSANNA. This is Anna …

  He looks at her with surprise, still holding her hand.

  VRONSKY. I don’t believe it.

  Susanna smiles flirtatiously.

  SUSANNA. ‘Qismat’ …

  He bends down to kiss her hand. In the crowd, Arun, Goonga and Ghalib look at each other with concern.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Racecourse arena. Later.

  Vronsky and Susanna slowly walk through the racecourse and the crowds.

  VRONSKY. Vronsky! Yes! maishoor

  SUSANNA. Maishoor … What …?

  VRONSKY. (struggling with the words) Maishoor … Famous …

  Susanna laughs at the Russian’s attempt at Hindi.

  SUSANNA Oh! …

  He also smiles.

  VRONSKY. But Anna …

  SUSANNA. Anna Karenina is my favourite character …

  He interrupts her mid-sentence.

  VRONSKY.

  He pulls out a Russian-to-Hindi pocket dictionary. Susanna giggles.

  SUSANNA.

  VRONSKY.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Racecourse parking lot. Continuous.

  They reach the parking lot, where Arun, Goonga and Ghalib are waiting with her car. Goonga nudges Arun to fetch her without delay.

  Arun reaches them.

  ARUN.

  Susanna looks at Arun.

  SUSANNA. Mr Vronsky—meet my little pal here, Arun.

  Vronsky shakes Arun’s hand, but sees Susanna leaving.

  VRONSKY. Hey … Anna …

  Arun whispers to himself at this address made by him.

  ARUN (astonished whisper). Anna …!

  Vronsky catches up.

  VRONSKY.

  Vronsky then pulls out a bundle of cash from his pocket. Susanna laughs aloud.


  SUSANNA. What …?

  He shuts his eyes in irritation.

  VRONSKY. I would like to spend this play money on a nice dinner somewhere …?

  She looks at him and smiles.

  SUSANNA. Sorry, Mr Vronsky. I have some prior engagement.

  She walks further; he follows.

  VRONSKY. I can understand that. Can I at least drop you

  She has reached her car. Ghalib opens the front door for her.

  SUSANNA.

  VRONSKY.

  He looks down at the car. Everyone follows his gaze. The tyre of the car is flat.

  VRONSKY. Amitabh Bachchan … Deewar … Destiny …

  Cut to:

  Ext. Parking lot. Later.

  The big black embassy car with a Russian flag up front leaves with Vronsky and Susanna inside.

  Ghalib, meanwhile, changes the tyre while an angry Goonga gestures for Arun to bend down. Arun refuses.

  ARUN

  Goonga asks again with more authority this time.

  Arun bends down and Goonga smacks him hard on the back of his head.

  Cut to:

  Int. Arun’s room. Night.

  Arun is up late, his nose in a biology textbook. The door opens and Susanna comes in wearing a big white Russian ushanka (fur cap), holding a Vodka bottle in one hand and a big fat Hindi-to-Russian dictionary in the other.

  SUSANNA (in Russian). Good evening …

  Arun looks at her and sighs: ‘Not again.’ Susanna slides the dictionary on top of his biology book and removes the bottle of Campa Cola from his table.

  SUSANNA. no English or Campa Cola—only Russian and Vodka.

  She pours herself some vodka.

  ARUN. Russian

  Susanna raises the glass for a toast.

  SUSANNA (in Russian). Cheers …! Russia Moscow Medical Academy .

  ARUN.

  She gulps the drink from her glass and gives him a peck on his cheek.

  SUSANNA. Nik loves me and I love you … my little Sugar …

  ARUN. Nik!! Moscow Foscow …

  Susanna pours another drink and offers it to Arun.

  SUSANNA.

  ARUN. I hate vodka.

  Susanna smiles mischievously and nods.

  SUSANNA. you are jealous of Russians.

  She laughs and gulps the vodka. Arun tosses the dictionary on to the bed and goes back to his biology book.

  Cut to:

  Int. Susanna’s house. Night.

  A festive dinner is in full swing. Seated at the piano, Vronsky sings the old Hindi film song—Raj Kapoor’s .

  At the bar, Susanna sips vodka as other guests applaud Vronsky’s performance.

  Int. Susanna’s living room. Night.

  SONG: Darling

  A Russian folk dance number. Vronsky and Susanna, dressed as native Russians, dance about while other guests join in. Everyone is high on alcohol.

  Susanna spots Arun coming downstairs and quietly making his way through the living room. She pulls him into the dance.

  Vronksy and Susanna hold his hands and begin to dance in a circle in traditional Russian fashion. The song ends and Arun tries to smile as Susanna hooks her arm around his neck.

  SUSANNA (to Vronksy). Nik … I need to confess something here …

  Vronsky bows down.

  SUSANNA. I am cheating on you …

  Laughter from the guests. Vronsky raises his glass.

  VRONSKY.

  SUSANNA. Seriously … you know … I love him—he is my soulmate …

  More laughter from the gathering.

  VRONSKY.

  Everyone looks at him with questioning eyes.

  VRONSKY. I am burning …

  Everyone laughs.

  VRONSKY. I’ll kill you, Arun.

  Susanna smiles and looks at Arun.

  SUSANNA. He’s going to be your best man at our wedding …

  VRONSKY.

  He holds his hand up against his forehead like an old Hindi film heroine.

  SUSANNA. Arun, you’ll do it, won’t you …?

  Arun blushes.

  ARUN I’ve never been …

  Susanna looks at him with eyes full of affection and alcohol.

  SUSANNA.

  She gives him a long, loving kiss. Whoops and cheers from the gathering. Vronsky laughs his heart out at Arun’s discomfort.

  Suddenly Vronsky’s satellite phone rings. He pats Susanna on the shoulder as he hurries off to take the call.

  VRONSKY. Don’t suck him dead, Anna.

  This gets another laugh. Susanna wanders away, leaving Arun, whose face is red with embarrassment.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Lake pier. Night.

  Vronksy talks to someone in Russian on his satellite phone while standing on the pier. His tone is warm, caring.

  He turns to see Susanna standing there, listening. Vronsky is surprised. He hurriedly finishes his conversation and clicks off the phone.

  VRONSKY. You left all the guests inside alone …?

  SUSANNA.

  VRONSKY. Hmmm … ! Moscow colleague.

  SUSANNA

  Vronsky brushes a lock of her hair away from her forehead.

  VRONSKY.

  SUSANNA. Your last words meant ‘Darling,

  Vronsky looks away. Susanna comes closer.

  SUSANNA. Nik …

  He turns back to her.

  VRONSKY. No …

  SUSANNA. Sure?

  VRONSKY. No …

  They look at each other in silence.

  Cut to:

  Int. Bedroom. Night.

  Vronsky takes out a file emblazoned with a red cross and a warning in Russian: ‘TOP SECRET’. Vronsky hands it to her.

  He looks at her; she raises her eyebrow.

  VRONSKY. Koodankulam

  SUSANNA (whispering). Koodankulam …

  VRONSKY. Yes …

  She unties a ribbon on the secret file and opens it. On the first page the words ‘PROJECT KOODANKULAM’ in big, bold letters. The next page has a diagram of a large and complicated machine. Caption: ‘VVER 1000-Reactor’.

  VRONSKY. We are helping your government—of course, secretly—to set up the development of light water reactor technology in India.

  Susanna goes through the file but can’t make any sense of it.

  SUSANNA. What’s that supposed to mean …?

  Vronsky takes a deep breath, and looks out of the window.

  VRONSKY. Soon your country is going to be a self-sufficient nuclear state.

  The last page of the file has a photograph of Indian scientists, with some Russian delegates and Vronsky.

  SUSANNA. Nik …

  VRONSKY.

  The music of ‘Star News’ from the year 1998 plays on the soundtrack.

  Cut to:

  Int. Living Room. Day.

  The music continues on the TV screen as the headlines are read out by Prannoy Roy.

  The angle widens to capture a football match on the lawn outside the stables.

  Cut to:

  Ext. Ground outside the stables. Day.

  A match between the syces and the stable boys. Arun and Vronsky are duelling in a mean hardcore dribble, but Arun is no match for Vronsky, who tackles him easily.

  Vronsky winks. Arun tries to take the ball, but Vronsky dodges him again.

  Vronksy dodges him. He drives for the goal. He kicks the ball into the goal. He leaps up and slaps a high-five with his teammates. He walks over to the dejected Arun and puts a hand on his shoulder.

  He looks into Arun’s eyes and smiles.

  Cut to:

  Int. Living room. Night.

  Arun, dressed up as a native Russian, dances with Susanna and Vronsky.

  Ext. Campfire. Night.

  The same dance is being performed by Ghalib, Maggie and Goonga. They are also dressed in traditional Russian clothes.

  Russian arrival—montage.

  ARUN (voice-over). India nuclear test successful Hiroshima bomb

  The mus
ic continues into the following visuals. Arun’s aircraft lands at the Moscow airport. Arun travels in a cab on the snowy roads of Moscow.

  Int. Arun’s bathroom. Night.

  The present day. Holding a toothbrush Nandini is staring at her husband, astonished. She speaks with a lot of toothpaste foam in her mouth.

  NANDINI (astonished). That’s how you went to Medical School in Moscow … !

  ARUN. Nik

  NANDANI.

  Arun looks up towards the sky.

  ARUN.

  Int. Moscow Medical Academy—anatomy class. Day.

  Ten corpses, wrapped in cotton shrouds, are stretched out on the lab tables. Arun is one of twenty medical students standing alongside, listening, as a lecturer explains the purpose of the coming dissection (MOS).

  Arun’s gaze drifts down to the body lying before him, with his mouth open.

  ARUN (voice-over).

  Ext. Ukraine. Coffee Shop. Day.

  A group of medical students are having an intellectual discussion in a local coffee shop in a small suburb of the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, with a few medical textbooks spread out on the table.

  Arun is among them. He glances outside, then frowns.

  ARUN (voice-over). seminar trip Ukraine

  At a street corner, Arun see the Vronsky family walking along—a happy bunch.

  He stares in dismay at the kids licking ice-cream cones. Vronsky stands by, holding their mylar balloons as his wife daubs at their faces with Vronsky’s handkerchief.

  Arun snaps a photo with his mobile phone.

  ARUN (voice-over). Vronsky Anna India

  Ext. Chapel. Night.

  CLANG! CLANG! Susanna is ringing the bell again. Six silhouetted women in robes swirl around the chapel, casting ominous shadows as they dance about.

  A close shot of Jesus on the cross shows real tears running down his face.

  Ext. Driveway. Dusk.

  A taxi arrives and Vronsky gets out. Ghalib emerges from the house. Goonga wrestles with two big suitcases up the front steps, muttering incomprehensibly.

  VRONSKY. Anna

  GHALIB. Market going …

  VRONSKY.

  Maggie emerges from inside and takes his briefcase and coat.

  MAGGIE. New wedding gown

  Vronsky is confused. All three suddenly burst into laughter. Vronsky tries to smile but is confused.

  Cut to:

  Int. Living room. Dusk.