DIALOGUE DRAFT – VIKRAM &
BETAAL
THE MAGICAL MIRROR
SP – 1
Scene 1
EXT. / NIGHT
We open on a blood-red moon. Dark clouds drift across its face.
Suddenly, a flock of bats flies swiftly across the red moon.
CUT TO:
Scene 2
EXT. / NIGHT / CREMATION GROUND
AGHORI 1 + AGHORI 2
We open on the flames of a burning funeral pyre.
Two Aghoris sit beside it, smoking a chillum. Aghori 1 takes a deep drag
and hands the chillum to Aghori 2. Suddenly, he looks up at the sky.
A swarm of bats flies rapidly over their heads.
AGHORI 1:
What is this? A procession of the night creatures over the cremation ground
tonight?
AGHORI 2:
There can be only one sign—their master is about to awaken.
AGHORI 1:
Then the other one won't remain quiet either. He will come looking for him. Their
destinies are bound together. They are destined to meet.
We see the bats descend upon a tree. The sudden attack sends the rest of
the bats flying away.
From the same tree, a faint, whispering voice emerges.
BETAAL (V.O.):
Vikram… you and I make quite a pair.
For you alone, I have woven this web of illusion.
Come… come to me… Ha… ha… ha…
CUT TO:
Scene 3
EXT. / NIGHT / UJJAINI
CHITRALEKHA & BHARTHARI'S ROOM
A series of shots show Vikram getting ready.
He opens an ancient wooden casket, which unfolds and opens from
three or four sides.
Inside, Vikram finds a mystical yantra, five rings, and a thin pen-like
object.
He presses the object.
A tightly rolled map emerges from it.
Just then, his elder brother Bharthari enters and calls out—
BHARTHARI:
VIKRAM!
Vikram turns.
For the first time, we reveal his face.
VIKRAM:
Bhaiyya!
Vikram touches Bharthari's feet. Bharthari takes him by the arms, lifts him
up and embraces him.
BHARTHARI:
Your place is not at my feet, Vikram. It is in my heart. I am proud of you. What
you are doing is for the welfare of Ujjaini. And so, along with my blessings,
the blessings of our ancestors will always be with you. Go forth and be
victorious. Take care of yourself… and return soon.
Vikram smiles.
VIKRAM:
Yes, Bhaiyya. Don't worry. Our ancestors' royal throne will not remain empty
for much longer. I will soon bring it back. Until then, you and Bhabhi
Chitralekha take care of yourselves. I must go.
Vikram leaves.
CUT TO:
EXT. / NIGHT
Vikram rides away on his horse.
CUT TO:
CHITRALEKHA'S ROOM
Chitralekha removes the curtain from a window.
For the first time, we reveal her face.
CHITRALEKHA:
After Yogiraj, now Vikramaditya… my second move has succeeded as well. I have
managed to drive Vikram out of Ujjaini. Vikram, I will erase every trace of you
from Ujjaini. I am Chitralekha.
She draws the curtain closed.
CUT TO:
EXT. / NIGHT
A few passing shots of Vikram riding through the night with his horse.
INTERCUT WITH:
EXT. / NIGHT / FOREST
Something stirs deep inside the jungle.
We build the tension.
As Vikram enters deeper into the forest, the movement around him becomes
faster and more intense.
CUT TO:
Scene 4
EXT. / NIGHT / FOREST
VIKRAMADITYA & YOGIRAJ
Vikram reaches the heart of the forest.
He slowly looks around.
VIKRAMADITYA (V.O.):
This must be the place Yogiraj told me about…
FLASHBACK:
EXT. / NIGHT / YOGIRAJ'S HAVAN
SITE
YOGIRAJ:
Vikram, if you somehow bring him back with you to Ujjaini, understand that no
enemy will ever be able to defeat Ujjaini again. He alone is more powerful than
hundreds of thousands.
FLASHBACK ENDS.
BACK TO PRESENT.
Suddenly, ghosts and demons begin circling above Vikram's head.
PISHACH:
Ha… ha… ha! Why have you come, Vikram? Have you come to take our master away?
Before you can reach him, we, his demon guards, will capture you and take you
to Pishachpuri!
VIKRAMADITYA:
Slaves and guards of your master… I have already seen Pishachpuri. But perhaps
you have never seen Andhernagari. Let me show it to you.
Vikram pulls the mystical yantra from his waist and places it on his palm.
Ancient mantras are inscribed upon it.
Suddenly, the yantra activates.
A powerful force erupts from it, sucking all the ghosts and demons into the
yantra.
Vikram closes it and fastens it back around his waist.
Then he notices that he is standing beside a huge tree.
Something suddenly moves within its branches.
A strange figure slowly slides downward and comes to rest upon a branch.
We reveal BETAAL, hanging upside down from the branch with a
mischievous smile.
BETAAL:
Oh-ho! The brave and mighty warrior of Ujjaini, Vikramaditya, has come to my
humble abode? How fortunate I am that you have graced this forest with your
presence! So, how are you, Vikram? Did you ever get married, or are you still
wandering around as a bachelor? Huh? Ha-ha-ha-ha!
VIKRAMADITYA:
I didn't get married because I was waiting to take you with me in my wedding
procession, Betaal. Without you, my wedding procession would be incomplete.
Come with me to Ujjaini.
Betaal laughs.
BETAAL:
You do love to joke, don't you? But I know who sent you here… and why you want
to take me to Ujjaini. But to do that, you'll have to catch me first.
Come on… catch me if you can!
Vikram moves towards the branch.
The moment he reaches for Betaal, Betaal disappears.
His voice comes from somewhere else.
BETAAL:
Hey! I'm over here! Where did you go, my friend?
Vikram turns.
Betaal is now on another branch.
BETAAL:
Come on… come on!
This time, Vikram doesn't move.
BETAAL:
If you don't come, I'll simply disappear… and your Ujjaini will fall into grave
danger. Think carefully!
Vikram immediately runs towards him.
Betaal disappears again.
This happens two or three times.
Betaal keeps laughing.
BETAAL:
Come on, Vikram! Catch me! Save your Ujjaini! Ha-ha-ha-ha!
Suddenly, Vikram stops and thinks.
He turns as if he is going in one direction.
Betaal instantly shifts to another location.
But Vikram suddenly changes direction and charges towards him.
Before Betaal can react, Vikram grabs him and throws him over his back.
BETAAL:
Well done, Vikram! I applaud your intelligence. You really are clever.
VIKRAM:
This was the only easy way I had to take you with me.
Betaal suddenly places a demonic garland around Vikram's neck.
VIKRAM:
What's this?
BETAAL:
A reward for your cleverness. And you'll soon discover what else it can do.
Ah! That even rhymed!
Listen… you are such a serious warrior, while I am a fun-loving demon. We
shouldn't get bored of each other on the journey, should we? So I'd like to
tell you a story.
It will help pass the time… and entertain us both.
What do you say?
VIKRAMADITYA (V.O.):
I wonder if Betaal is planning some trick…
BETAAL:
Come on, Vikram! Why are you so quiet?
VIKRAMADITYA:
All right. Tell me your story.
BETAAL:
But there's one condition.
VIKRAM:
What condition now?
BETAAL:
If you answer after hearing my story, I will fly straight back to the place
from where you caught me.
VIKRAM:
This time you're the one joking, Betaal. I didn't catch you so I could let you
fly away! And besides, whether I answer or not is entirely up to me, isn't it?
BETAAL:
You're absolutely right, brother. It's your choice. I can only tell you the
story.
So… shall I begin?
VIKRAM:
Why ask when the answer is yes? Go on. Tell me.
BETAAL:
Then let the story begin…
Suddenly, the demonic locket around Vikram's neck flashes brightly and
disappears.
VIKRAMADITYA:
What happened? Your garland has disappeared!
BETAAL:
Forget about the garland and keep walking. Aren't you supposed to take me to
Ujjaini?
Vikram begins walking.
Suddenly, the forest around them starts to wither.
The trees, plants and leaves begin drying up.
Vikram looks around in shock.
VIKRAM:
Betaal! The trees and plants around us… they're withering!
BETAAL:
Well, you're taking the king of this forest away, aren't you? What did you
expect—flowers to rain down from the sky?
Just keep walking… and listen to my story.
You see, there once lived a princess in a kingdom called Roop Nagar.
Her name was Roopmati.
Roop Nagar was a prosperous and wealthy kingdom, and merchants from distant
lands frequently travelled there for trade.
But there was something very strange about the city.
Despite being called Roop Nagar—the City of Beauty—not a single
person living there had ever seen their own reflection in a mirror.
And the strangest thing of all was that the princess of Roop Nagar herself
lived far away from her palace, deep inside a forest.
Isn't that strange?
Why would a princess choose to live in a jungle?
But something even more astonishing happened when a young mirror seller
arrived in one of the villages of Roop Nagar to sell his mirrors…
Scene 5
EXT. / DAY / ROOP NAGAR VILLAGE
MIRROR SELLER, LITTLE GIRL, MOTHER, SOLDIER
We open on the reflection in a mirror.
A little girl looks into it, clapping excitedly.
LITTLE GIRL:
Another girl just like me! Another girl just like me! Look, look! She looks
exactly like me! She's even wearing clothes just like mine!
The mirror seller laughs.
MIRROR SELLER:
Ha-ha-ha! Oh, little one, that isn't another girl. That's you! Yes… look carefully.
That's your own reflection. That's how you look.
Suddenly, the girl's mother rushes over, pulls her away from the mirror and
scolds her.
MOTHER:
Don't you dare look into a mirror again! Come with me. Now!
The mirror seller is stunned.
MIRROR SELLER:
First, the girl behaved as though she had never seen a mirror before. And then
her mother scolded her simply for looking into one. What on earth is going on
in Roop Nagar?
Suddenly, a sword touches his neck.
We reveal a soldier standing behind him, sword in hand.
SOLDIER:
Come with me.
CUT TO:
Scene 6
INT. / DAY / DEEP FOREST
SOLDIER, MIRROR SELLER, PRINCESS ROOPMATI, FEMALE SOLDIERS, MAID
Deep inside the forest, two colourful tents have been pitched. Several
female soldiers stand guard.
The soldier brings the mirror seller to one of the tents.
SOLDIER:
Go inside. And don't come out until our princess gives you permission.
Otherwise, your grave will be dug right here in this forest. Now go!
The soldier pushes the mirror seller inside.
CUT TO:
The mirror seller stumbles into the tent.
A woman's voice comes from behind a curtain.
VOICE:
Do you sell mirrors?
The young mirror seller looks towards the curtain.
MIRROR SELLER:
Yes. And who might you be?
The voice replies from behind the curtain.
VOICE:
I am Princess Roopmati of Roop Nagar. If your mirror shows me looking
beautiful, I will reward you by weighing you against gold coins, mirror seller.
MIRROR SELLER (V.O.):
I was frightened for nothing.
Then, addressing the princess—
MIRROR SELLER:
Princess, if every mirror I make does not praise your beauty, then there is no
point in my remaining in this profession. I shall give it up forever. Just give
me one chance.
ROOPMATI:
Very well. Place the mirror in front of this curtain.
The mirror seller places the mirror before the curtain.
MIRROR SELLER:
There you are, Princess. You gave the order, and the mirror seller has obeyed.
The curtain is pulled aside.
A beautiful maid stands there.
The mirror seller smiles.
MIRROR SELLER:
Wow! What a beautiful face you have! Now look at yourself. See how beautiful
you look! My mirrors never lie.
As he turns towards the mirror to admire the maid's reflection, he suddenly
sees something completely different.
In the mirror is the reflection of a girl with a beard and moustache.
The mirror seller freezes in horror.
He turns around.
MIRROR SELLER:
Wh-who are you?
ROOPMATI:
I am Roopmati, the princess of this kingdom.
She steps forward and looks into the mirror herself.
The moment she sees her reflection, she becomes furious and smashes the
mirror.
ROOPMATI:
You lied when you said your mirrors always show a beautiful face. You will be
punished for this.
CUT TO:
Scene 7
EXT. / DAY / FOREST
MIRROR SELLER, PRINCESS ROOPMATI, SOLDIERS
The mirror seller lies inside a deep pit while two workers shovel earth over
him.
Princess Roopmati stands nearby, her face covered with a veil. Two soldiers
stand beside her.
The mirror seller folds his hands and begs for his life.
MIRROR SELLER:
Princess, what will happen to my mother after I am gone? She has no one except
me. Please, have mercy. Let me go!
ROOPMATI:
You should have thought about that before showing me your worthless mirror.
Bury him.
The soldiers begin rapidly throwing soil into the pit.
Suddenly, the mirror seller gets an idea.
He starts slapping himself several times.
Everyone looks at him in surprise.
MIRROR SELLER:
It is my fault. Knowingly or unknowingly, I was the one who showed you the
wrong mirror. You truly are extraordinarily beautiful, Princess. My second
mirror will definitely reveal your real beauty.
Roopmati stops the soldiers.
ROOPMATI:
Where is this mirror?
MIRROR SELLER:
I only need two days to bring it to you.
ROOPMATI:
Go.
But remember—my soldiers will keep a close watch on you and your mother.
CUT TO:
VIKRAM & BETAAL
BETAAL:
Vikram, beauty is such a strange thing, isn't it? Man or woman, everyone
desires it. By the way, what do you think of me? I'm handsome, aren't I? Tell
me… tell me!
Vikram smiles.
VIKRAM:
Someone once said, Betaal, that a mirror never lies.
Betaal bursts into laughter.
BETAAL:
Ha-ha-ha-ha! Perhaps you simply don't like my handsome face. Never mind. Listen
to the story instead.
You must have heard the old saying—
BETAAL:
“Triya charitram, purushasya bhagyam, devo na janati, kuto manushyah.”
त्रिया चरित्रं,
पुरुषस्य à¤ाग्यं,
देवो न जानाति,
कुतो मनुष्यः।
VIKRAM:
But what does that have to do with the story?
BETAAL:
You'll see. The princess's mind and character are about to change… and so is
the fate of the young man whose life was saved at the very last moment.
But how?
I know you want to find out.
So listen…
Terrified, the mirror seller hurried back home.
CUT TO:
Scene 8
INT. / NIGHT / HUT
MIRROR SELLER, MOTHER
The mirror seller hurriedly gathers his belongings.
MIRROR SELLER:
May God never make anyone cross paths with such a mad princess! She has a
problem with her own face, yet she sentences every mirror seller to death.
Mother, hurry! We have to leave this place.
MOTHER:
You want to run away, son?
MIRROR SELLER:
Not run away, Mother. I want to save our lives—mine and yours.
MOTHER:
But what about all those who come here after us? What will happen to them? Will
the princess keep burying them alive?
SON:
But what can we possibly do for them, Mother?
MOTHER:
Remember this, son—nothing in this world is impossible.
I come from a family of mirror makers. That is why I know there is a mirror
that can show a person exactly as they wish to see themselves.
SON:
What do you mean?
MOTHER:
It is a magical mirror. It understands the desires hidden in a person's heart
and shows them exactly what they want to see.
SON:
But where is this mirror?
MOTHER:
It belongs to three Yakshini sisters.
CUT TO:
Scene 8A
EXT. / JUNGLE / MYSTERIOUS LOCATION
We see a magical place deep inside the forest.
A glowing enchanted mirror stands at its centre.
Within the mirror, we see the reflections of three beautiful Yakshini
sisters.
ELDER SISTER:
I am Mohini.
MIDDLE SISTER:
I am Yogini.
YOUNGEST SISTER:
And I am Sammohini.
CUT TO PRESENT.
Back in the hut, the mother looks at her son.
MOTHER:
You must bring that mirror back at any cost. Only then can the lives of others
be saved.
SON:
All right, Mother. I will bring the mirror.
MOTHER:
But be careful. That mirror is so precious to the three Yakshini sisters that
they constantly weave illusions around it, ensuring that no one can ever reach
it.
CUT TO:
8A – THE THREE YAKSHINIS
The three sisters stand around the magical mirror.
They chant together with mischievous smiles.
THREE YAKSHINIS:
Together, we weave such powerful illusions…
that even the greatest of men lose themselves within this mirror's magic!
The three Yakshinis burst into laughter.
CUT TO:
Scene 9
EXT. / DAY / HUT
MIRROR SELLER, MOTHER
NOTE: Change the mirror seller's costume from the previous
scene to give him a fresh visual appearance for his journey.
Mark the area outside the hut with a distinctive landmark—perhaps
a large crooked tree, a broken stone, or a unique rock formation—so that when
he eventually returns, the audience immediately understands that he has somehow
come back to the same place.
The young mirror seller leaves his hut carrying a cloth bundle tied to a
wooden staff. He takes his mother's blessings before setting off.
A series of passing shots follows his journey.
He walks along dusty forest paths, sometimes opening his bundle to eat,
sometimes resting beneath a tree, and then continuing on his journey.
CUT TO:
Scene 9A-1
EXT. / DAY / HUT
MIRROR SELLER, SOLDIER
A shot of the sun setting.
The mirror seller continues walking, lost in his thoughts.
Suddenly, he stops.
Right in front of him stands his own hut.
He is shocked.
MIRROR SELLER:
What? That's my house!
But how did I get back here?
I left this very place in the morning… and now, at sunset, I've somehow returned
to the same spot.
How is that possible?
Suddenly, he remembers his mother's warning.
MOTHER (V.O.):
Remember, son… the Yakshini sisters weave powerful illusions.
The mirror seller thinks deeply.
MIRROR SELLER:
So that's it! The Yakshini sisters already know that I'm trying to get their
magical mirror.
If I walked straight ahead and ended up back here… then perhaps if I walk
backwards, I'll finally reach them.
Yes… this must be the way to break their illusion.
I have to travel in the opposite direction.
CUT TO:
THE THREE YAKSHINIS
A brief shot of the three Yakshini sisters.
MOHINI:
He's coming.
YOGINI:
Let him come.
SAMMOHINI:
He'll meet the same fate as everyone else.
The three sisters laugh.
CUT TO:
Scene 10
EXT. / DAY / FOREST
MIRROR SELLER, THREE YAKSHINI SISTERS
The young man walks backwards through the forest, following
his own trail in reverse.
The sun begins to set.
Suddenly, he hears the eerie laughter of the Yakshini sisters.
He stops and looks around.
The three Yakshinis suddenly appear before him.
One of them holds the beautiful magical mirror in her
hands.
MIRROR SELLER:
Are you the three Yakshini sisters?
YAKSHINI 1:
You recognised us correctly. We are the three Yakshini sisters.
YAKSHINI 2:
And the mirror you seek is with us.
YAKSHINI 3:
But you will receive this mirror only if you perform a task that makes all
three of us happy rather than angry.
YAKSHINI 2:
This mirror may look small, but the entire world can fit inside it. So
remember—one wrong move could cost you your life.
YAKSHINI 1:
Hurry. We don't have much time. Think carefully. What can you possibly do that
will make all three of us happy?
The young man remembers his mother's warning.
MOTHER (V.O.):
She will try to confuse you with her questions. Whatever you do, think
carefully… otherwise, she will never let you return.
CUT TO PRESENT.
YAKSHINI 2:
And remember—if you call any one of us the most beautiful, the other two may
become angry.
YAKSHINI 1:
And if you falsely praise all three of us, you will remain trapped inside this
mirror forever.
The young man thinks for a moment.
Then he asks—
MIRROR SELLER:
All right. Tell me something first. Which of you is the eldest, which one is
the middle sister, and which one is the youngest?
YAKSHINI 1:
I am the eldest. She is the middle one, and she is the youngest.
Now… solve this little problem.
The young man suddenly walks towards the eldest sister.
He respectfully touches her feet.
Then he kisses the middle sister gently on the forehead.
Finally, he affectionately caresses the youngest sister's cheeks.
The three Yakshinis look at one another, completely puzzled.
THREE YAKSHINIS:
What kind of strange behaviour is this?
INTERCUT WITH:
VIKRAM & BETAAL
BETAAL:
And that brings my story to an end.
Now it's your turn to answer, Vikram.
Tell me… why did that young man behave so strangely with the three Yakshini
sisters?
VIKRAM:
Do I really have to answer, Betaal?
After all, you said that the moment I give you the answer, you'll fly away.
BETAAL:
Oh-ho! You remember that?
VIKRAM:
Of course. So why would I answer?
BETAAL:
To save your head, Vikram!
You know the saying—if the head is safe, a thousand turbans can follow!
Ha-ha-ha-ha!
VIKRAM:
What do you mean?
BETAAL:
Remember the garland I placed around your neck?
That wasn't an ordinary garland, Vikram.
It was a Pishach Bandhan Mala!
FLASHBACK: The demonic garland around Vikram's neck.
BETAAL (V.O.):
And its magic has only one purpose.
If you know the answer and still remain silent… your head will burst into
pieces!
BACK TO PRESENT.
Vikram remains silent.
They are almost out of the Betaal world.
Vikram's face remains tense.
A bead of sweat slowly trickles down beside his ear.
BETAAL:
Come on! Answer me!
Look at you—the condition you're in!
Your head must survive if Ujjaini is to survive.
Remember that!
Quickly, Vikram!
Tell me why the mirror seller behaved so strangely with the three Yakshini
sisters!
Vikram finally speaks.
VIKRAM:
Then listen, Betaal.
The young man used his intelligence to make all three Yakshini sisters happy
at once.
He made them his sisters.
That's why he touched the eldest sister's feet, kissed the middle sister's
forehead and gently caressed the youngest sister's cheeks.
BETAAL:
Absolutely correct!
That's why I always say—you really are very clever!
The Yakshini sisters were pleased with his answer and gave him the magical
mirror.
And when Princess Roopmati finally looked into that mirror, she saw the
beautiful princess she had always believed herself to be deep within her heart.
VISUAL: Roopmati looks into the magical mirror.
Her reflection appears as a radiant, beautiful princess.
For the first time, Roopmati smiles with genuine happiness.
BETAAL:
But there was one little problem…
You answered!
And look what happened!
Suddenly, the entire Betaal world begins to disappear.
The magical forest starts collapsing into darkness.
BETAAL:
That's the difference between you and me.
You speak…
and I disappear!
Ha-ha-ha-ha!
Betaal leaps from Vikram's back and flies towards the same tree from where
he had first appeared.
Vikram immediately runs after him.
VIKRAM:
Stop, Betaal! I won't give up chasing you!
Stop!
BETAAL:
Then come and catch me, Vikram!
Ha-ha-ha-ha!
FREEZE FRAME.
MORAL
“Beauty should live in the heart, not merely in the body. Physical
beauty fades with age, but the beauty of the heart is reflected in a person's
character and actions.”
