Storyline of my First Fictional Film:A First look!Once upon a time in Park Street— “A Tribute”Story: In the first scene, it shows that Anuran Basu, an NRI writer comes to Kolkata,
Fifteen years later, in order to launch his new novel, “Once upon a time in Park Street”, where he writes about his memories on Park Street. Christina, a reporter & a resident of Park Street, visits Basu for an interview. Christina an Anglo Indian, hates Park Street from the core of her heart, calling it a “Devil’s Den”. While interviewing him, Christina asks him, “Why did you plan to pay tribute to Park Street, all of a sudden?”
At this, Basu tells her the following story.
“Arundhuti & Vanessa stays in Park Lane. Vanessa is a final year student of English at St. Xavier’s College, while, Arundhuti has just joined Forum, as a floor manager. They have an age-gap, yet, they are pol pals.
Vanessa comes from an orthodox Christian upbringing, but, due to this huge orthodox pressure from family, she starts living a bohemian life. She simply pays no heed to this orthodoxy. She stays in her own bohemian world, surrounded by music & nightlife at Someplace Else. She wants to break free.
On the other hand, Arundhuti belongs to a liberal family of Menon’s, where she has the liberty to do what ever she thinks well. Yet, she strictly follows the orthodoxy, fears to express her feelings, even to Nirvick, who has a soft corner for her.
Nirvick, an ex- Presidencian too works at Forum as chief stylist. Nirvick has a happy-go-lucky attitude, very friendly guy, who despite being a hard core Bengali loves to attend regular chapel services at Assembly of God Church, in Park Street. Nirvick has already popped up the question to Arundhuti, but, his parent’s are not ready to accept their relationship, because Arundhuti stays in the firangi area of Park street.
They feel that a Park Street tansh can never be their daughter-in-law. Park Street, to them, is an area of Flury’s, nightlife, wine stores, hooligans, & the loitering place for some illiterate Christian brats. How can their bouma be from such a “filthy” place?
Mean while, we discover two old men, visiting The Trinca’s & The Flury’s everyday. Both of them visits the area around evening & keeps on drinking, till wee hours. They hum Bob Dylan numbers, often falls in jhamela with the policemen. They wear torn faded jeans, T-Shirt & one of them carries a guitar along. They are Mike & Kabir. Mike is a Christian & Kabir, a Muslim, yet they became friends some two decades ago, in a wine shop at Park Street. Mike lives in Ripon Street, while Kabir is a vagabond. They have no source of income. Mike’s spouse Nelly teaches at Don Bosco School and, what she earns go into Mike’s wining expenses. Nelly, an extremely good looking lady, can’t understand her hubby. She tries hard to win over Mike, but, Mike hardly listens to her. He’s just crazy about Park Street.
In the posh locality of Salt Lake, there lives Shaman, a college student, who too visits Park Street, everyday for college. But, feels that Park Street is the den of poor Christians. He has a group of friends namely Patrick, Rudi, Natasha, Aniket, who are his college cronies. Everyday, while coming back from college, they chat outside the Park Street metro station, regularly. From Politics, to, Sports they chat over every issue. They roam around Park Street, freely. Yet, Shaman can’t really trust their friends, as they are Park Street Christians. “Bastards, Saala!”
Suddenly, there happens a riot, over the banishment of a Muslim author. The whole Calcutta gets a horrific look. While returning back to his home in Salt Lake, Shaman, a hard core orthodox Muslim boy, saves himself from falling into preys of Muslim rioters, with the help of Aunty Nelly. Who, saves him from the hooligan attacks & gives him shelter at her residence, by effacing out her hubby (Mike)’s insult.
Park Street, saves life of Shaman as well. Park Street has a golden heart & Not all Christians are bastards, realize Shaman, after recovering from this attack by the fellow Muslims.”
Basu pauses here, observing Christina’s sorrowful face. Christina realizes that her Park Street is not only about Christmas parties, or, night outs at Someplace Else. Her Park Street, is a great place to live, having great people like Aunty Nelly, who are ever-ready to help anyone who seeks help.
“Where else would you find this affection?” Christina wonders, while Basu smiles softly & an Anjan Dutt number peeps in from background.
“E sandhyer sahar amaar, je rastay neon ekakar, e rasta boroi purano, rastay amaar chhelebela, ekhan theke swapno dekha, alo adhari restaurant, e Kolkata sholo-ana, E Kolkata 16 amaar…”
