The Screenplay of “The Stoneman Murders”
As requested by Amanda, Yaatri, Ram and other readers, here is the Screenplay & Dialogues of ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’. I sincerely hope that it is of some help to aspiring filmmakers/scriptwriters attempting to write something in the suspense/thriller or real-life-police-case genre. I feel that one learning that can definitely be obtained from this script is – ‘How to incorporate an ‘item song’ in a script where an item song does not fit at all!’ Though I strongly disagree with the addition of unnecessary songs, sometimes it just can’t be avoided since the producers/distributors simply won’t release the film without it. The reasons for this – I will explain in detail in my next blog. Meanwhile, I hope this one is of some help to you guys.
‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’ Screenplay & Dialogues by Manish Gupta (PDF)
Tags: Screenplay, Script, The Stoneman Murders
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
Thanks Manish! How come the entire script is only 54 pages? For some odd reasons I thought it has to be more than 120 pages (per page is for 1 min scene) is that concept used only in Hollywood?
Regards
Arshad Alam
Amanda is right. At that time, I did not use the Hollywood format in order to save printing cost, photocopying cost and to make the script look thinner. The format I have used is my own, designed specifically to accomodate more matter on one page.
brother the screenplay of lord of the rings was only 117 pages long!
Arshad, a screenplay doesn’t have to be 120 pages, even 90 pages is sufficient for a feature film, and the 1 page = 1 minute forumla isn’t entirely accurate. The Stoneman screenplay doesn’t follow H’wood formating rules, otherwise it would most likely be way over 90 pages.
Wise as always Amanda.
Thx Manish.. aftr reading previous script posted by you this one comes as a second treat…
I will be posting screenplay of ‘D’ very soon. Then the screenplay of ‘DARNA ZAROORI HAI’ for horror writing tips.
Manish, just a couple of queries -
(1) In the climax of the actual film, the tantrik’s face is not revealed, but the voice is clearly that of Satam’s (Vikram Gokhale). I found this to be a fabulous twist. But on Page 54 of the screenplay (climax), this is not mentioned. Was it a twist incorporated later?
(2) The film that I saw ended at the scene mentioned above. However, the screenplay mentions a scene with Sanjay Shelar with his family (20 years later). Was it there in then actual film as well, or did it suffer at the hands of a sleepy projectionist wanting to wrap up thing just a bit early? :-)
@ Abhishek-
The film certainly ends with a shot of Sanjay Shelar with his family 20 years later.Looks like you did suffer at the hands of a sleep projectionist
1) The twist was incorporated later.
2) Yes, due to irresponsible projectionists and theatre managers. I kept screaming at them, even wrote letters to all of them to let the end titles play since our last scene plays along with the end titles. But it is a norm in some theatres that they do not play the end titles.
3) I reported to the producer Bobby Bedi about this. He did not lift a finger to rectify this situation.
4) In fact, in 70 prints the wrong background score had been printed in the last scene. I screamed and screamed at the producer Bobby Bedi to get it rectified. But he did nothing.
5) His view was that these things don’t matter much.
Regardless of these minor ‘last mile’ glitches, Manish – I think it was a terrific film. Bold subject. Realistic execution (except for the item number, of course :-). Was a very pleasant surprise, considering that the film was not really promoted aggressively.
I saw it with my family spanning the age group of 25-55 (including some people who hardly move a muscle watching horror films/thrillers!), but we were all pretty spooked in certain scenes (especially the one where Sanjay is sitting in his car tired after a futile chase of the murderer, and he passes from just behind his car!). More important than any particular scene was the overall atmosphere of the film. Very few films made in India are able to maintain this ‘atmosphere’ consistently. Sarkar, Life in a Metro, Omkara…are a few other ‘atmospheric’ films that come to mind. Films that draw you into their world, and make you feel that you are ‘there’!
Good luck for your next venture…hope you find the right producers to do justice to your talent!
I appreciate your appreciation Abhishek.
Havent seen the film. But that tantrik with Satam’s voice. Why is this a good twist! Shit. this changes everything. If satam is a tantrik then why da hell did he not help kamble!
yes that ruined everything…..
if satam was the tantrik then
1) Why he told sanjay to do parallel investigation though he knows that he will put his all effort.
2) Why he did not save kamble and prove sanjay as the murderer.
Manish Do the director and screenplay writer write the screenplay together. The screenplay looks like the scenes would be shot exactly the way it is depicted in the screenplay (or storyboard). Basically I am thinking the director himself can write the screenplay, cos its his vision
Yes the director can write the script himself. I wrote THE STONEMAN MURDERS myself since I am a writer anyway.
Wow!!
Thanks a lot Manish for posting the Stoneman’s screenplay!! I returned from home today only and found this great news .. going to read it today only
thnax
I posted it because you and some other readers had requested it.
Fabulous construction of events. Well thought of!
Thanks Vinay. Glad that you liked it.
Hi Manish, enjoyed the movie, and am enjoying the screenplay. “Ek Lead mili hai, Chhaya bar jaana padega!” Haha! How to incorporate a song in your movie lesson 1 – dream/flashback sequence. Lesson 2 – Bar dance pe lead.
Was great to meet you (even for a few minutes) last week.
Hi Manish,
I have just downloaded the screen play of Stoneman & will read the same with a lot of entho!!! But pary tell me if the DVD of this movie is released. I stay at Mlore & unfortunately the movie was not in the cinemas there & I would be most interested to own the DVD atleast.
Regards,
Yogesh.V
The dvd has not released.
That is unfortunate!! But why the hell??? And when is it expected to be released. If the release is not happening is there any other source for me to get to watch the movie.
Regards,
Yogesh.V
The DVD is yet to release. It should release soon. Half the world has seen the film on pirated dvds.
Well Buddy,
I shall not commit that sin. But if the original is another Paanch kind of a story then I must trace out a pirated DVD atleast. On a very approx count Indian Film Industry is bringing out not more than 10 ~ 15 movies a year which I would pay to watch & even that goes by us due to the lousy cartel built by a bunch of spine less distributors & gutless Producers. I really sometimes feel if its worth the struggle for you guys. Like in a democracy we get the leaders we deserve, we also get the movies we deserve. Anyway I will wait for the DVD to come & I wish you all the luck. I was reading a response of yours in the blog on why you would not want to post personal details of your life & yes boss, spare me the gory details. If a DVD of an alternate movie takes so long then the frustration you must have under gone to get the movie to the cinemas must have been colossal. God give you guys the enegry to sustian & entertain us!!
Regards,
Yogesh.V
You have understood the situation quite well.
Very useful, Manish. I’ve never read an Indian film script before. I recently completed an action film — set in Mumbai — and is in the process of being read by a director and producer. I’m hoping a Hollywood studio will pick it up eventually and make it because it’s a commercial idea with a strong hook. I’m in Britain, by the way.
Please read the ‘SARKAR’ script that I have posted here on PFC in my previous blog. That will help you more.
Thanks for the reply Manish & Amanda….another question though, I am using Final Draft 7 and sometimes I become impatient when it comes to correct formatting. Does it really matter what kind of formatting you have when you are narrating the script? I will have my first narration on coming Saturday, any advise will be precious..
Regards
Arshad Alam
Formatting does matter if you are presenting a script to be read. 2-3 years back when i wrote ‘STONEMAN’, ‘SARKAR’, etc, the formatting didn’t matter at all. Now it does. Now, I use Final Draft and I type a script in the prescribed Hollywood Warner Bros.format (that you can set in Final Draft as default).
I’d very much like it if you could write some about yourself in your posts too. You putting up your scripts and storyboards is fantastic, informative and really helps out a lot of Indie folks. However, I would like to see the process as an individual, how you are moved by things, what were your obstacles, what is your outlook. You works dont tell much about you as a person and we are eager to know you more from your writing about yourself, your opinions and your general outlook towards life. You seem mystical with your posts being just your “previous works” that gives minimal insight into the filmmaker and the person inside of you. Hope you understand the objectivity of my request.
If aspiring writers/directors hear about how I became a writer and director and the stuff I had to go through, they will probably get discouraged and disheartened. Showing them a piece of released work is the best way to encourage and motivate them (in my opinion).
Also, I don’t think many will be interested in me as an individual.They will be interested in my work.
Hence, the strictly work-focused nature of my blogs.
Thanks for your interest Neeraj.
@Manish
this one’s supercool, thanks a ton for sharing this. And reading your previous comment I don’t have anything but loads of appreciation for the attitude you carry towards cinema & aspiring filmmakers…..
@ Manish dude
you take my heart with this comment of yours. Thats the way to be. When everyone is pouncing upon a chnace to release his struggle story, you showed some diginity.
Great man .. all the best for your future work.
U rock !!
You are embarassing me Yaatri!
Tell us something about the story Manish. How did this concept come to your mind. Did you read about this in the newspaper or had you come accross a story which was related to the superstitious beliefs still being following in the rural areas. How do you go about conceptualizing which character shall be the killer and how to reveal him in the later stages. Just some background about how to construct the screenplay.
I read about this case in THE TIMES OF INDIA. What intrigued me was the fact that the case was never solved and the identity of the ’stoneman’ to this day remains a mystery.
About how to construct a Screenplay, there is no hard-&-fast formula according to me.
But, this is how I go about doing it:
1) I select a subject that i am very excited and intrigued about.
2) I carry out a thorough research on the subject.I collect every available piece of information available on that subject from sources like the internet, books, newspapers, policemen, real people, etc.
3) Then, my imagination takes over.
4) Since my knowledge of the subject is complete, the characters, their motivations and their actions start taking the logical path in my head. The characters assume a life of their own inside my head and on my laptop. One event logically leads to the next event thus creating a chain of events that form a screenplay.
thanks manish for putting this up,just one Q if u can answer ,do u think going to a film institute really helps and as an individual u would have gained from it ,would u advise direction/writer aspirants to go for it and waste their 3 yrs
and can u pls suggest how to actaully construct a screenplay,
Going to a film institute will not help. You will not only waste your time but also your father’s money. I reccomend assisting a director or working with a director in any capacity – as a writer, editor, etc. That will give you hands-on (practical) industry experience which no institute can give you.
I think the answer to this question depends on whether the person answering went to film school. A blanket statement that you waste time at film school is… well, a generalization.
There are great directors who’ve gone to film school and great ones who have not. It all depends on your personality, what you need and what you think you will learn.
And keep in mind, getting a job assisting a director is not easy. Ask the readers here on PFC…
I asked this same question on PFC three years ago.
http://passionforcinema.com/film-school-yes-or-no/
Most said I should not go. But… the reality of assisting a director you respect is completely underestimated.
I just started at NYU in September – http://bit.ly/39Vm8T
I love it so far. But we shall see if it helps me…
Dear Shripriya,
What I meant was it is a waste of time and money going to ‘INDIAN’ film schools since there are no full-fledged film schools in India.
In India, you have ‘Whistling Woods’ which is exorbitantly priced. Then you have ‘FTII’ which sadly suffers from lack of funds and cannot help you become a film-maker. Then there are a few small institutes here and there.
In the US, most film-makers come from film institutes because over there, there are a number of full-fledged film institutes like the one you are studying in.
Studying in a US-based film institute is a good idea. But it will still not really help you become a filmmaker in India. You will still have to assist a director or struggle it out.
Anyway, it will definitely improve your chances. It will also increase your knowledge by leaps and bounds. It will also give you a good student film to show around.
So I wish you all the very best.
Hi Manish,
Actually, your namesake, Manish Acharya graduated from NYU as well and his thesis project was Loins of Punjab.
I think it depends on what you do with film school and in film school. If you make a feature as your thesis project, and it is well-received, you have a good shot of skipping the “assisting” step.
I have nothing against assisting established directors. But many directors are not open to “alternative” candidates (i.e. people with a lot of experience in another field). Hence my choice.
But, as I said, we’ll have to see. Independent film anywhere in the world is a long and lonely road…
No, no Shripriya. I corrected my earlier statement. I was talking about Indian Film Schools not being all that useful. US-based film schools of course teach you a great deal plus you get to make a student film.
Hi Manish,
No worries. I’m not arguing. Just a healthy debate.
Re: the rest of the comments on this thread, I have no idea whether you are a good or bad writer, good or bad director. But that’s somewhat irrelevant. As I said on some other thread on PFC, only say what you would say to the person if you met them face to face.
Clearly there are some here who can’t keep up to those basic human standards. It is probably best to ignore them.
Cheers!
Manish, all your screenplays and films are mediocre at best…You need a booster dose of originality my friend..PFC is quite wary of publicity hungry hacks like you..
Dear Gurtej,
I agree with you. But I would really appreciate it if you could advise me on how I could be better.
For example, when I see a film that I don’t like, I tell the director and the producer that x,y,z is the reason that I personally didn’t like the film.
Similarly, if you can pinpoint in a more precise manner about the numerous flaws in ‘SARKAR’, ‘D’, ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’, etc, it might benefit me.
That was quite harsh Gurtej. What dose of originality are you speaking of! All of Manish’s movies have been original. Publicity hungry hacks? Which movie of his is releasing in recent time that he has to publicise it! He’s doing everyone on PFC a favour by taking time out to put up screenplays, and storyboards. Which other guy has taken such pains, maybe except Vijay.
Even Oz had panned Manish for writing a lot of flop RGV films and even asked him to consider other career options. Thankfully wise counsel prevailed and his post was removed. Whats with you guys!
Manish — way back in 80’s there was an episode on Stoneman in Nukkad TV serial. Since then I was captivated with this story. I’m very much waiting for your DVD release in this part (PST) of the world.
In your earlier Q&A to the Sarkar screenplay you mentioned that you start wirting with short story, “one line order” and then transform it into actual screenplay. Any chance to publish the “one line order” for Sarkar and Stonemans Murders?
Satya
I haven’t saved all those Satya, since those are like rough work that a writer does for himself. However, I will try to dig out some of these if possible from old backup cds that i had made of all my scripts. If i find any, I will post them here.
I vaguely remember that episode. I just couldn’t place that it was in ‘Nukkad’. I think in that, the motive for the killer is that he is putting these poor people out of their misery. Am i right?
Manish –
I bet it was an episode in Nukkad. I’ll search and try to find out any additional details — name, synopsis etc.
Post the “one line order” if you find any.
Thanks.
Hi Gurtej Singh Dhillon!
Normally I don’t reply to any ‘idiotic’ comments but then I don’t want people like Manish to be offended (not that I think he would take your words seriously) and stop sharing the things he cherish the most…now on Manish’s work, as a movie goer you could love it, hate it or ignore it but you don’t have rights to talk about him as a person…!! Oh by the way are you the same guy who won ‘OSCAR’ for his extraordinary movies?? buy a mirror mere dost!!
Regards
Arshad
Arshad, why would anyone want to put up mediocre scripts on this site and then invite aspiring filmmakers to learn from it..? Rather, they should be posted as ‘How NOT to Write a Script’. Filmmakers need to learn from people who actually have something original and fresh to say, rather than the same regurgitated crap that one has seen a zillion times. And no, you don’t have to win an Oscar to call a spade a spade…The least one expects from Manish is the humility to accept that his scripts and films will never be taught at any kind of institution,or gain any artistic merit or critical acclaim, so why go around plugging it like it was the Ten Commandments?
Shripriya is quite right about film schools, they may not be for everyone, but they definitely inculcate a sense of history, art, taste and aesthetics in you, which most Bombay filmmakers sorely lack…
Dear Gurtej,
I used to get 5-6 requests every week for the screenplay of ‘SARKAR’. That’s why i joined PFC and posted the screenplay here so that it becomes available for everyone.
After that, I got numerous requests from PFC readers to upload the ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’ screenplay. Hence I uploaded it.
If my doing so offends you in any manner, I sincerely apologize.
Gurtej is entitled to have an opinion however lousy it is!!!And Manish, you dont have to apologize to every arsehole who has an opinion. No body here calls Manish the author of the Bible but if there are a bunch of people who want to read what Manish has written then why should Gurtej call that plugging. Gurtej, Buddy a piece of advice for you. REad it if you like it or mind your own business!!! I would really like to know your achievements before you behave like the Chief Justice of India.
Regards,
Yogesh.V
A lot of learning, professional learning in particular happens through association. Manish learnt from many a people and he just shared his work with a wider audience. And surely they are far worthy of being posted here coz they happen to be complete projects. Certainly, i rank his contribution to PFC higher than most of the authors. Atleast you know if have a script like this, it can be made into a movie. If Manish is no scorsese or Kubrick, we ain’t Oren Peli(Paranormal Activity) either.
Manish, no you have not offended me…I was merely pointing out that it’s not advisable for film students to ‘learn’ from ANY and EVERY film/script that comes their way…some scripts are better as case studies in HOW NOT to write a script..
And you are wrong in thinking that your personal experiences will discourage aspiring filmmakers. In fact, one of the founders of this site has practically created a huge fan base out of stories of personal tragedy and sacrifice..you are most welcome to join the club..
Dear Gurtej,
The mediocrity of my scripts as pointed out by you and OZ, can be a huge source of inspiration for many aspiring filmmakers on PFC.
Ramu gave me a chance to direct one story of ‘DARNA ZAROORI HAI’ because he liked the clarity with which i had written the script. He decided that no one else could direct it but me. That’s how i became a director.
Bobby Bedi who produced ‘BANDIT QUEEN’, ‘MAQBOOL’,'MANGAL PANDEY’ & ‘FIRE’ read the script of ‘The Stoneman Murders’ just once and he asked me to direct it.
For most readers, this will be an encouragement. I am sure there are many a hidden genius here on this site who will see my scripts and my storyboards and wake up – “if these mediocre or poor scripts/storyboards can get produced, then my stuff is far superior.”
You are talking about Anurag Kashyap. I will never ever indulge in self pity or share my tales of ‘personal tragedy and sacrifice’ to gain sympathy from others. I have no interest in creating a fan base out of that.
You know nothing about me – I have SUFFERED way, way, way more than Anurag has, I have directed two more films – ‘HOSTEL’ (about Ragging-related suicides) and ‘SAAB,CHAI-PAANI?’(starring Om Puri and Sonu Sood). These films have suffered exactly the same fate as ‘PAANCH’. But no one knows about them since I never ever speak about them.
I strongly disbelieve in that ‘DEV DAS’ mode of self-pity. I do not drink, I don’t smoke, I have never touched drugs and i never will. When I am faced with a problem, I grab that problem by the collar and keep punching that problem in its face till it succumbs to me.
I have no interest in joining that CLUB. Thanks a lot for the invitation.
Yogesh, who said anyone had to be the Chief Justice to express an opinion on a cinema Blog ..! LOL, you’re funny.
As far as my credentials go, I’m the Vice President of a company in Los Angeles that buys, sells and distributes film and television content both in the domestic as well as international markets..so I’m probably in a better position than you to evaluate films..
Yogesh, I’d like to know your credentials…Are you (like most readers on this site) presently unemployed and looking for a break in the movie industry??
Amitabh Bachchan was once unemployed and looking for a break in the movie industry!!!(’like most readers on this site’ – as pointed out by you Gurtej.)
Putting down a young guy like Yogesh in this manner is highly inappropriate on your part.
You have commented above – that “most readers on this site are unemployed and looking for a break in the movie industry”. Well, to all you PFC readers out there, I would like to know how many of you share Gurtej’s view.
Manish,
Thanks for your response for Gurtejs remarks. But we really must give this up now!!! Gurtej is suddenly feeling like he is the hottest indiviual in the whole world & the rest are conspiring aganist him!!! I loved your effort on Sarkar & I feel that Big B’s role was superbly written. The Godfather was an awe inspriring movie & to be motivated by that cult classic is no colonial inferiority complex. May be Gurtej living abroad knows a litte more about feeling inferior than us. Still waiting for the DVD & best of luck!!!
Not unemployed… well settled in Chicago… hey Gurtej Singh Dillon … can you list out a few movies and television content passed by you … maybe to pay attention to what you have to say, ll have to check out the content you buy sell and distribute…
Whoever gave you the idea that most of the readers on this are unemployed wannabes ? In my two years on this site I am yet to meet them….most of the wannabes just come and go.
On the contrary most of the readers here are actually people who would love to be part of movie making but are quite happily engaged in other professions.
Vineet, I hope your comment is directed at Gurtej. Your point is exactly the same point that I am trying to make to Gurtej.
To all PFC readers – when you guys reply to this comment, please address your reply to Gurtej.
The comments above by Vineet and PS seem as if they are addressed to me.
yes manish sir… we are talking to Gurtej, my humble request, please DO NOT LOSE YOUR MIND over Gurtej … let him be… its your blog/post, its your space … I request you not to make your personal anger, which unfortunately has been has been provoked up, to take away the spotlight off your post/screenplay… good or bad, if others want to deviate fine… sirjee, at you dont… thanks…
Yes PS, you are right. I did lose my temper. Anyway, thanks for the advice. Cheers.
Mr. Gurtej…who gave you the authority to comment that most of the PFCians are unemployed… as said by Vineet most of guys here are happily engaged in their professions and are following their passion for cinema at PFC…and BTW I am also not unemployed… myself a corporate lawyer in Delhi…
Manish, the first thing that put me off about your work was the derivative nature of ‘Sarkar’, which you have openly admitted was directly lifted from the Godfather. I find the concept of ‘paying homage’ to a director by lifting one of their works deeply disturbing..especially in an Indian context where it simply means you’re not able to let go of your Colonial conditioning. A true homage to originality would be if you created something groundbreaking yourself, instead of rehashing the same old stories a million times..However I realize that the fault probably lies with RGV, the supreme HACK himself.You were just writing on hire..
As far as advice goes, my only recommendation is to watch films by directors like Pasolini, Ozu, Chan Wook, Nic Roeg, Coen brothers, Werner Herzog (and many others) to get a sense of ‘real cinema’, as opposed to the mindless crap that plays in Mumbai theatres..
In the Indian context, some of the folks who write here (Bannerjee, Kashyap, Mishra)…are trying to push the envelope – hats off to them.
Recommended reading : ‘The Medium is the Message’by Marshall Mcluhan, ‘Simulacrum’ by Jean Baudrillard and ‘Herzog on Herzog’
CHEERS! and best of luck in your endeavors..
How many of pasolini’s, chan woo’s movies you buy to distribute in india? are you ready to finance movies for the so called ground breaking scripts in india?
when it comes to paying homage, I would have been delighted if you gave the same lecture to sorcese for the amazing scene by scene homage to infernal affairs.
I have seen ‘FARGO’ by Coen brothers. I hated the film.
My favourite directors are Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Francis Ford Coppola, Tim Burton, Martin Scorcese, Brian Depalma and Alfred Hitchcock.
Most of the ones you have named, I have never even heard of. That is because I am an ignorant mainstream fool and not a great intellectual like you.
Please be kind enough to reccomend some film titles by Pasolini, Ozu, Chan Wook, Nic Roeg & Werner Herzog. I will get those films and watch them.
The comment above was meant for you Gurtej.
Gurtej,
I forgot to mention one more thing. You said “hats off to Sudhir Mishra and others for pushing the envelope…”
Do you know which was Sudhir Sir’s last film?
It was ‘Khoya Khoya Chand’?
Please watch it and then we shall continue this conversation.
Gurtej,
Agreed that the stoneman murders is not a great film or neither its screenplay is brilliant or something.But what you need to understand is that Manish has put it on site just as reference for aspiring scriptwriters and directors.This does not mean that they will think that this is how a thriller film should be written or scenes should be juxtaposed etc. but it will be read as a mere referential point(because most of the people do not even know how to write basic script for a hindi film).They cannot follow the hollywood script format either,as in our industry producers or their chamachas still do not understand simple terminologies and undercurrents etc…and unfortunately these guys give us money to make a film.In that way,Manish is the first director who has posted two of his scripts online.(mind you your Dibaakar,Anurag have written blogs after blogs but have not published a single page of their script till date…isn’t dat encouragin!)Anyways,i hope it wud follow.
And as far as chan wook,herzog,pasolini etc are concerned,they come from a country where independent cinema and aesthetics are encouraged(i aint saying dat dey dun hav to struggle,bt i am saying dere r few producers who still know dat dere was a guy called Godard and there was someone called Bergman).In india?These Benegals and Kauls have made so boring and pseudo films that tomorrow even if an independent filmmaker wants to make a good film,he will have to lick shoes of producers.
So that is the condition of filmmaking in India dost.
At least Manish made Stoneman Murders in such a low budget,he is not great bt at least he is trying it.Anyday bettet than Rab nes and Ghjini.
Hi Gurtej,
Apologies for stretching the conversation (maybe I am enjoying a healthy debate)..as a member of this blog and a person who wants to make movies (& no I am not unemployed and have a decent career:)) I really appreciate Manish’s willingness to share his scripts and the only fear we (read everyone who are writing back to you) have is that a harsh comment from you or some one else might push Manish into reconsidering his kindness. Think of it he is not getting benefited by anyone’s learning, why should he make effort to post his scripts? Why should he even look back at people who are still learning and grabbing an opportunity to interact with a movie maker?
Anyways enough bak bak…here is a few movies you would enjoy….’Brotherhood of war’,'dhram’,Downfall’ & ‘Zara si zindagi’
Regards
Arshad
Hi Manish,
What all projects are you working on currently?
Regards
Arshad
Arshad, it is still in the pipeline. Too early to talk about it.
Manish…Thx for posting this… good reference point.
You are welcome Ravindra. I hope it helps.
hello Manish,
In the above post u’ve mentioned that u lke Christopher Nolan.. hope u have seen trailor of his new film “Inception” its really gr8 and promising.
@ Manish: Totally LOVE your attitude man!! Thanks tons for the scripts and the storyboards, they are of AMPLE help to many many. As someone pointed out you are one of those rare filmakers who is here NOT to promote your film but to help..thats supercool of you. Is Bobby Bedi producing your next film as well?
.
@Gurtej: Hardly any intelligent person will agree with you that Manish should not have put the scripts (ans with many of your other ideas as well)..so my humble suggestion is that dont keep displaying your (lack of) inteligence comment after comment. Better go and watch a film by azu or fizu or whatever.
Thanks Rolf. Feels good to be encouraged (for a change).
Manish, I feel privileged to be able to offer my congratulations to you for making a master piece. You have set an example on how to take a readily available idea (everyone knew about stoneman from newspapers) and turn it into a superb thriller. Brilliant writing man! The chase scences were outstanding and the ending was brilliant. If all Indian writers/directors were as sincere about their craft and as hard working, then we wouldn’t have to copy from Hollywood. My only request — please continue to do good work and please please don’t disappoint like Sujoy Ghosh and others.
Total fake comment :(
Well Yaatri, I would love to hear your personal opinion about the film and the script. After all, I posted it for you amongst other readers.
Manish…etc…the only reason I responded harshly to ‘yogesh’ was because he used some very abusive language, and I was wondering where his animosity came from…And you know I was right..since he hasn’t responded with his credentials, he probably is unemployed and looking for a break..
If he can question my credentials, why cant I question his??
I reiterate my previous statement – best of luck in your endeavors.
Hi Guurtej,
Bro, I really pity the company you are the VP of!!! I mean look at the irony of the situation here – You call most of the readers on this site as unemployed & wannabe film industry aspirants & yet you have all the time in the world to keep stretching an argument which in any case didnt have a logical basis to start with. And I am sorry to disappoint you by not responding early enough. But I unlike you have a career which actually requires some working!!! I am on the site only now & well guess what, you have provoked another reply!!! I would like to address a few points which you have raised in your last attempt to provoke me – One,The animosity – It came from your comments which sounded exactly like what you must be as a person – A pompous ass. Secondly, Your credentials were not questioned by me because net is anyway a place for cart loads of bull shit & there is no way of verifing the chaff from the grain. All I wrote was my opinion on your judgements on Manish as an indiviual.Let people concerned be the judge of what they feel is the document posted. End of it all I just realize one thing – This conversion has gone on for too long & you must actually getting what you intended to do from the beginning. You are provoking people to respond to your taunts & you must be spending some good time reading all the responses you are receiving. Well Hot shot VP God save your company & I really pity people working under you.
P.S. Sorry to disappoint you. But I have a good going career in an MNC & am into movies for the fun of it.
PS – what is ‘ps’?? are you ashamed of who you are?? I have already given my name, profession and occupation…now why dont you do the same?
Also, if you’re ‘well settled in Chicago’…what are you doing on this blog calling Manish ‘Sirjee’? That’s a typically colloquial term used by Mumbai junior artistes to address their superiors…I think you’re bluffing big time.
Gurtej Singh whatever… my reply is solely for the reason that it is inappropriate to be unresponsive to somebody who addresses you…
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name profession occupation… not requrired, every place and situation has certain requirements, and this is definately not a platform where in I need to unnecessarily put these up since , however if you wish to carry the collar tag around, please put up your picture and a link to your biodata wherever you visit…
………
Since you’re eager to put up your credentials, kindly do reply to what I had asked you for, what movies do you buy sell and distribute… maybe if there is any bit of truth in it, if I can share something out of my profession and if needed, I would do so, once again PFC is not the platform for it….
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“Sirjee is blah blah blah ..” you dont sound like some VP either … you sound like some guy who would be interested in picking up unnecessary tiffs for no reason….something absolutely not attributed to a VP unless its your family business that you inhertied…
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picking on the previous note, putting up credentials for no reason and making comments like the first one you made and then also loking for “sirjee” generally are done by gas bags, who got nothing else going on … calling somebody a ‘publicity hack’ and somebody bluffing… you do sound like the real publicity hacks… the Rakhi Sawant kinds… no where close to the so mentioned position of yours.. so well it also looks like you ve been bluffing all this while as well..
…………
Moving one step ahead (since you wanted to assume on my name and kinds) … PS or not… shouldn’t bother you, but since you assumed its cuz I am ashamed, let me also make my assumption that you are a defensive scared person who has no control over his actions, totally dependent upon what he gets including the name bestowed upon him … hide it under the pretence of ‘I love my name’ or any other reason, you are a compromising hag who can do nothing on his own (none of it my thoughts, but just trying to see from the other side the periscope of your ideas)
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Finally back to my credentials or me bluffing to you? you do have high hopes … dont you … you can be the VP (if you say so) or the president of Uganda… go celebrate it in front of your mirror… it does not matter to me in any which ways…you are a nobody and nowhere in any scheme of things for me, for me either bluff to you or put up credentials or offer you a drink, though a response was needed when you would like to distract sombody trying to do something constructive and is open for constructive critisicm … as far as people in PFC site being jobless, seems like for a VP you are pretty much jobless as well to be ‘wasting’ your time here… in your tone you sure sound like are a wannabe struggler trying the Sherlyn Chopra and KRK ways … but thats totally upto you … I dont think I need to fit into your scheme of things as well!
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Rest assured… unless you have something valuable coming in this site… valuable to others or maybe to a jerk like me, whatever it is, you can keep posting your views, I will respond when I see something worth it… and of course I will decide that…
Adios
PS, relax yaar. Forget about all this.
man, this guy is howlarious!! you cant say sirjee if you are settled in Chicago!! if you do, you are junior artist !!
Gurtej, you are natural. You dont get it, but you are.
Manish,
Why did you hate Fargo? Please try- ‘Burn After Reading’ , ‘Raising Arizona’ or ‘No Country for Old Men’ for variety. The Coen brothers are a true inspiration for every writer/director wanting to make it in films without sucking up to the Hollywood moghuls. For the last film mentioned-I’d recommend that you read the book first to see how beautifully the Coen brothers have captured/interpolated the spirit of a non-regular work of fiction.
Manoj, believe me, it is possible not to like Fargo and like every other movie you mentioned in that list of Coen brothers’ movies. I would add even The Big Lebowski and Barton Fink as interesting, quirky movies but I didn’t like Fargo either except for Frances MacDormand..
Manoj, ‘FARGO’ did not appeal to me because it depicted violence, death and brutality in a comic manner which I cannot identify with.
I have witnessed a lot of violence first hand. There is nothing funny about it.
Therefore, I did not like the film. But I am not saying that it is not a good film. I am no one to judge anyone else’s work.
It is considered a great film which it may be for many people in the world. It did not appeal to my personal taste. That’s all.
I have heard that ‘No country for old men’ is good. I plan to watch it soon.
Manish, I take back my words about you being a ‘publicity hungry hack’…you are definitely not that.
Here’s a list of films I highly recommend you watch…however if you didn’t like Fargo, chances are you may not appreciate these either. That is why it is called an ‘acquired taste’, like food, books, wine, art… and generally good taste in anything at all..and no, you DO NOT have to be a ‘great intellectual’ to appreciate the finer things of life..
Walkabout (Nicolas Roeg), Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (Park Chan Wook), Decameron (Pasolini), No Country for Old Men (Coen bros.), Eight and a Half(Fellini),Underground (Emir Kusturica),Wings of Desire (Wim Wenders), 2001 A Space Odyssey and Clockwork Orange (Kubrick), Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Rescue Dawn, Lessons in Darkness (Werner Herzog)…there are many more, but this is probably enough for now..
And if you ever drop by LA, I’ll buy you a drink.
Cheers.
all..And no, you don not
1) I have seen ‘2001 – a Space Odyssey’. I have seen a lot of other Stanley Kubrick movies like ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ (which I loved) and also the ‘Shining’.
2) But I hated ‘a Clockwork Orange’. Maybe it is due to my low IQ level that the film did not make sense to me at all.
3) I will check out all the other movies mentioned by you. I have heard that ‘No country for old men’ is good.
Thanks for the list. Please reccommend more movies to me.
I am currently attending MAMI – Mumbai film festival. I saw some good movies there. But I mostly saw movies there which due to my low IQ level didn’t make sense to me at all.
@roodrow,
Obviously,If you live/stay in the USA-you’re not allowed to say ’sirjee.’Let’s just live with that-shall we?
Aur Gurtej paaji,
Pehle toh aap jhagra karte ho, phir pappi-jhappi?
In the long run, stoicism does count. What anyone who’s followed this trail of comments will remember is Not your acerbity but Manish’s maturity and magnanimity in dealing with the bile. Enough said.
Ranjeet, you’re wrong – In the long run, all that people will remember is the mediocrity of these films…NOT my blog comments.Unless someone invests big money to market and advertise my blog comments…LOL
Yogesh and ‘PS’..you guys obviously have a lot of time on your hands to attack a commenter who wasn’t even addressing them in the first place…My dialogue was with Manish, not with two bluffmasters who are too ashamed to reveal their identities and vocation, but yet will attack anyone else who does…
Manish even said that he would not respond to anyone who doesnt use real names…so why is he encouraging losers like P.S, and the other loser who is so ‘well settled in Chicago’ that he has all the time in the world to abuse commenters who are not speaking to him in the first place…
Gurtej, please stop putting them down yaar. They were just taking up for me. Unlike you, they really liked ‘SARKAR’ like most people in India did. That’s why your comments aggravated them. Please lets discontinue this futile argument and have a more constructive discussion. You didn’t like my work and you reccommended some films for me to watch. I will watch those films. Now that’s constructive. Please keep it that way with the others too. Please. And I would request the others to do the same.
Listing a few genius filmmakers and comparing Manish’ script to them does not make his script mediocre, It just makes it non-genius. Most Indian film scripts are trash (including the most recent big budgeted films Blue, All The Best, London Dreams, Aladdin). Compared to them Manish’ script is brilliant.
Most of the movies recommended by GSD have not worked nor will ever work in the Indian milieu. Manish obviously does not intend to make avant garde european films. Its like asking a bollywood music director to listen to the 5th movement of Symphonie Fantastique in D Minor, when all he wants to do is make a hot selling item song.
The troll is evidently enjoying his 2 minutes of fame with an actual film director, and he will probably boast about this to his grandchildren in the years to come.
And Im not unemployed either.
hi manish how ru? just want 2 know that, how much time it took u 2 write this script?
Navin,
It took me four days to write this script (with the dialogues). Prior to this, I had written ‘D’ in four days (with the dialogues). This is my own record that I haven’t been able to equal since then (leave alone break).
4 days.. just to write the script. May I ask how much time you took from scratch to finish the script.
Time included for research etc. That will be the realistic time taken to write a script
Manish,
Thanks a lot for posting this screenplay!! It’s very kind and extremely helpful of you!! I’ve been reading through it. Admittedly I initially went straight on to read some of the sequences that I really loved from the movie (the Sion subway , Sanjay’s secret kholi smeared with blood etc) but I’m now reading through it systematically. I also plan to rent the DVD again and watch it. I hope this exercise will help me with building a ‘process’ for my writing.
Regarding your last comment above, it might be helpful if you could clarify to all the folks reading this whether the “4 days” was the actual WRITING time taken for the screenplay while the time taken for research , writing the treatment and “thinking” or “ideating” about the story may have probably been much more.
Yaatri, Shailesh,
There was limited research involved on both films – ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’ and ‘D’ since both films were just ‘based’ on true cases. Both films were largely fictional.
1) ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’. It must have taken me just around two hours to read and absorb the entire research (done by my assistants) since it is an unsolved police case and very less info was available apart from the names of the victims, the places where they were killed and the manner in which they were killed.For the rest, I had to use my imagination. Also, since I have made a living out of writing crime movies, a lot of research work on Police procedures was already inside my head.If you have seen the movie THE STONEMAN MURDERS, then you must have seen a MONTAGE of newspaper articles in the opening titles. Those articles were the only research material available on the subject.
2) ‘D’ – This was Dawood Ibrahim’s story, the story of a young Dawood and his rise to becoming the kingpin of Mumbai. Much of this story was already known to me through General Knowledge and through my interactions with Ramu and encounter specialist Daye Nayak. So, there was hardly any research involved. I started writing directly.
Thanks Manish for posting the Screenplay.
Hi Manish,
Thanks for posting one more gem at PFC.
a script in 4 days. manish ur 1 dangerous guy. manish, u wrote the script of the movie ‘D’ coz u wanted 2 or some 1 told u 2 write it.
Navin,
‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’ – i wrote on my own since I got the idea while reading an article in TOI.
‘D’ – Ramu had asked me to write it on an urgent basis. He needed it within a deadline of 7 days (but without the dialogues). This is because UTV was about to pull out of the project. Under such pressure, I wrote it in 4 days with the dialogues.
i mean some times the directors tells the writers that they have a concept in their mind and then they want it written.
a script in 4 days, just can’t imagine how much hard u must have worked on the script.why don’t u write a hell of a script on the foolish maharashtrian politicians. i mean they r so shameless that they keep on introducing their very own family members in the politics, so wat about other people.
Navin, I worked day and night for those four days. I think I didn’t even take a bath!
Manish,
do you sketch your storyboard on your own or get it done by somebody else?
I sketch them myself.
I had an assistant who was also good at sketching. So some storyboards were drawn roughly by me, then finished by him.
The budget of my film was so low that we could not afford a professional storyboard artist.
i read ur reply that, u didn’t took a bath for 4 days. good 2 know that at least some 1 is dedicated 2 his work. manish, i don’t know whether u remember but, once i told u that even i have plenty of concepts, but can’t turn them into 3 hour long story. can u suggest me any exercises that can develop my writing skills?
You can develop your writing skills by:
1) Reading more: Read novels, comics, storybooks, screenplays.
2) Watch more and more movies.
This will expose you more and more to the art of writing. You will pick it up slowly.
Hi Manish. Sorry for sounding very cliche but gr8 movie. I liked STONEMAN MURDERS. KK, Mr. Gokhale and other support staffs absolutely delivered the concept. But 1 complain or missing thing is I was not associated with this gripping concept. Somehow U learn so much watching these kind of movies. Short, Simple and absolutely NO NONSENSE stuff. Sorry if I am sounding too big for my level but “U KNOW UR JOB AND U ARE VERY CLEAR IN DESCRIBING YOUR CONCEPTS AND IDEAS.” Hope/wish/demand that u keep making such nice concepts. Thankyou.
Hi manish, hope you’re well.i was in mexico all of last week, in pre-prod on a film about a serial killer…..i read somewhere that you are planning to do a ‘Kasab’… While the idea is striking, my take on it is that you should avoid common cliches while dealing with a subject like this….let it not be a journalistic dissertation on the events that transpired on that fateful day, rather a psychological character study of the main protagonist. It would be interesting if you were to explore the ‘banality of evil’…how the most ordinary, mundane people can be transformed into mass murdering monsters..
That is what we are trying to do here, but it’s difficult with limited personal info about our protagonist… However, out here we have a vast pool of talented writers, looking to sink their teeth into something like this, so im hoping one of them cracks it.
You see Manish, to do an event by event exposition of 26/11(or my serial killer’s exploits) would be extremely trite and predictable…but to actually get under the skin of the perpetrators, now that is Art..
MANISH SIR..DID YOU NOTICE ONE THING..
GUESS…
OK I TOLD YOU..SIR PLS HAVE A LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF COMMENTS ON YOUR POST..
SIR REALLY YOU ARE AMONG FRONT LINERS ..THERE ARE A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF COMMENTS ON YOUR ARTICLE COMPARE TO ANY ARTICLE ON PAGE NO 3..
SIR BY THE WAY YOU ARE JUST GETTING POPULAR DAY BY DAY BECOZ OF YOUR GOOD NATURE,YOU NEVER HURT ANYBODY..THATS I LIKE THE MOST..
SIR I GO THROUGH YOUR COMMENTS,QUERIES ETC AND BELIEVE ME THAT YOU ARE LIKE A MASHAAL(TORCH) FOR US..YOU ARE NOT ONLY SOLVING OUR DOUBTS AS WELL AS YOU ARE SUPPORTING US..
AS YOU WRITE ON YOUR COMMENT THAT YOU SUFFERED LOT AND YOU WILL NOT DISCUSS IT BECOZ MAY BE IT CAN DEPRESS US..IS SE BADI BAAT AUR KYA HO SKTI HAI..
ANY WAYS MY BEST WISHES TO YOU..I AM SENDING YOU A MAIL PLS SIR REPLY..
Hi Manish
Thanks for the screenplay.
Do you type the Hindi dialogues in English when you are actually writing your screenplays?
Or have you just typed this screenplay out for us for our benefit?
(Might seem a very irrelevant question
, just that i feel weird when I type my native language in English.)
No question is irrelevant. If it were irrelevant, you wouldn’t ask it. I type Hindi language dialogues in the Roman (English) script. This is because the software is in English.
HELLO MANISH SIR,THIS IS DUSHYANT(21),AUTOMOBILE ENGG,SIR I WAS THE BOY WHO WAS CONTINOUSLY ASKING MR ANURAG KASHYAP ADDRESS..I THINK U RECOGNISE ME..
SIR THNKS A TON FOR YOUR GUIDENCE, .THNKS A LOT..
BY THE WAY THIS SCREEN PLAY IS SO INSPIRING AND I LEARN A LOT FROM IT THAT HOW TO CREATE A SUSPENSE TILL LAST..
OK SIR MY BEST WISHES TO YOU REGARDING HOLI AND KARMA NAD HOSTEL..AND I HOPE THAT THE HOSTEL WOULD BE CRITICAALY ACCLAIMED AS GULAL..BECOZ AFTERALL YOU ARE AN ENGINEER AND CERTAINLY YOU HAVE A GREAT EXPERIENCE OF HOSTEL LIFE..
SIR ITS MY REQUEST THAT PLS POST THE SCREEN PLAY OF DARNA JARURI HAI..SO THAT WE CAN LEARN MORE THAN ANY FILM SCHOOL..
SIR U REPLY ALMOST EVERY PERSON..ITS SUCH A GREAT THING..HOPE YOU WILL REPLY MY MAIL ALSO..
SIR I AM SENDING YOU A MAIL ON YOUR MAIL ID IN WHICH I MENTIONED SOME QUERIES,PROBLEMS REGARDING THIS INDUSTRY..I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SOLVE THEM…
REGARDS AND THNKS A TON FOR YARI ROAD..
AND SIR IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE THAN CAN YOU POST SOMETHING RELATED TO YOUR CAREER INTEREST,YOUR STRUGGLE TO GET A BREAK IN RGV FACTORY..SIR IF YOU DO SO ..IT WOULD BE REALLY APPRECIABLE BY ALL OF US…
My story will only discourage and dishearten aspiring film-makers bringing them face to face with the fact as to how hard it is to make it in Bollywood.
Here’s a short story of my struggle:
I am a mechanical engineer. I used to work as a shopfloor engineer in an engineering firm.I realised only after 6 years of working in the engineering field that my heart lies in the creative arts.
But at that time, I hated Hindi films since Hindi cinema was at that time dominated by the likes of Karan Johar, Aditya/Yash Chopra, Sooraj Barjatya, etc. I hated their films. So I went into advertising. I joined an ad agency (PERCEPT ADVERTISING and then later RK SWAMY/BBDO). I began working as a copywriter. My job was to write ad films and radio ads.
That’s about the time when i saw ‘COMPANY’. The film blew my mind and I decided that Ram Gopal Varma is the man I wish to work with. But it wasn’t easy. Because like any established director, he ignored me – a newcomer. But I was persistent. I kept coming to meet him under some pretext or the other. I even chased his car in a rickshaw and I even stalked him!
Finally after a year and a half, he read something I had written. After that, there was no looking back for me. I wrote every film of his from that point onwards – SARKAR, ‘D’, JAMES, DARNA ZAROORI HAI. With DARNA ZAROORI HAI, he initiated me into Direction. I directed one story of the six different stories in the film.
But then, he rejected my story for SARKAR-2, which I had visualized as a prequel rather than a sequel to SARKAR. After that, it became difficult for me to work him. And i ventured out into the market and became an independent director with ‘THE STONEMAN MURDERS’.
Actually my complete story is much longer. But the space here and the patience of the readers is limited. So maybe some other time.
Regards.
[editor note:] comment deleted. Please do not reveal names and addresses of filmmakers on PFC and please avoid writing in CAPS. You are very close to being blacklisted as a stalker of filmmakers. Please refrain from such activities.
ok editor i m sorry,since i was not familiar with your terms and conditions..so i make a mistake..anyways in future it will never happen…
thnks..
but i am gratefull to manish sir,thatswhy i was expressing my views..
but manish sir i am waiting for your reply regarding my queries..pls sir
Dushyant, you have asked me so many questions in that LONG, LONG email and your English is so imperfect that I am completely confused as to what you are actually asking.
hello manish sir,i am sending you a mail in which i mentioned some of my queries in a systematic way..i hope that this type you will be able to understand that what i am asking and what i want to know..
regards