Movie Outing

Film poster

Shekhawat today kickstarted the first movie outing of the season with a trip to Fun Cinemas for a screening of Raazi, starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal. It is a spy thriller set against the Indo-Pak war of 1971 -- a subject close to Shekhawat’s heart given his defence background and from the way he went about persuading people to join him for the show.
So impressed was Bijoy Gupta by Shekhawat’s enthusiasm that he announced outright that it

Gupta and Shekhawat plot their moves

would be a free show, meant exclusively for Big Laaf members. “You needn’t pay for your tickets,” he declared. “Shekhawat is treating you not only to the picture but also to popcorn, tea, cold drinks, snacks... whatever you wish. Don’t miss this opportunity of a life-time!”
It was of course, all in jest. But Gupta and Shekhawat were already making mischief even before we had landed in the Garden early morning. Spotting two “smart women” (Gupta’s words) occupying the bench they normally sit on, Shekhawat prodded Gupta to go speak to them.

Karishma (ext rt) drops by with her dad, Bihari Milwani

“I can speak, but what do I tell them?”
“Just tell them we are going for a movie and would they come with us,” Shekhawat urged.
“Arrey baap re, why do you want to get me beaten up so early in the morning?” Gupta pleaded. “Yes, I can tell them at the most to join us for the exercises.”
“In that case, you better not go. I never knew you are so scared of women. I can jolly well go and tell them to join the Club!”
Shekhawat got up when, according to Gupta, the two women panicked and fled. “They saw an evil looking old man advancing towards them and out of sheer fright, they took to their heels!”
That was not all. Minutes later Arun Patil arrived and sat on the same bench. Oddly enough one of the “smart women” returned and sat on an adjacent bench while Gupta and Shekhawat watched from a distance. It did not take long for Arun Patil to strike a conversation with the woman and once again, Shekhawat advanced in that direction, hoping to get a word edgeways. Instantly the woman got up and walked away.
What transpired between Shekhawat and Gupta during the movie makes for another story. Watch this space.