Roots and Wings (maru amashung maasha)
- A movie screenplay -

Sada Singh *

ROOTS AND WINGS
Written by
Sada Singh

Title: "Roots and Wings" (maru amashung maasha)
Genre: Comedy-Drama, Slice-of-Life
Setting: A middle-class household in Manipur, India.
Run-time: 2 hours 30 min (divided into three acts).

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ACT 1: The Home That Echoes
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Scene 1: A Picturesque Morning in Manipur (Opening Sequence)

EXT. MANIPUR HILLS - DAWN

The camera pans across the beautiful, mist-covered hills of Manipur. The distant chirping of birds and the faint sound of a pena (traditional Manipuri instrument) fills the air. In the valley below, a modest home comes into view.

INT. FAMILY HOME - KITCHEN - MORNING

Echam’s mother, AMASHA, is bustling around the kitchen, preparing a traditional Manipuri breakfast—steaming chak-hao (black rice) and vegetables.

CAMERA MOVEMENT:

A smooth dolly shot follows her as she stirs, revealing family photographs on the wall—one prominently showing Echam as a child, with his two sisters beside him.
Echam (mid-20s, slender, earnest) enters, rubbing his eyes.

ECHAM
(yawning, playful tone)
Mami, that chak-hao smells like heaven!
AMASHA smiles but says nothing.

SUBTEXT:
Her smile, though warm, carries a hidden layer of tension—there’s something she isn’t saying.
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Scene 2: The Family’s Morning Ritual

EXT. FAMILY HOME - COURTYARD - MORNING

The family gathers outside for breakfast. The camera captures the dynamic:
o AMASHA (the mother) serves everyone, quiet and observant.
o ECHAM’S FATHER (BABA, mid-50s, stern but loving) reading the morning paper.
o ELDEST SISTER, AJI (mid-30s, recently returned home) playing with her child in the corner, her face occasionally clouding with worry.
o SECOND SISTER, INDIRA (late-20s, ambitious and unmarried) scrolling on her phone, half-engaged.

ECHAM
(sly grin, to his father)
So Baba, when am I getting the keys to the car? You know, I have to take Sani (his girlfriend) out on a date someday.

BABA
(frowning)
There’s no petrol today, son. Next time.
INDIRA
(mocking tone)
Or maybe, it’s better if you ride your old bike, right? After all, our parents know how to pamper only daughters, not sons.
CAMERA FOCUS:
Echam’s face—he laughs it off, but there’s a subtle flicker of hurt.
________________________________________

Scene 3: Sub-plot Introduction - Sani’s Boutique

EXT. SANI’S BOUTIQUE - MARKETPLACE - DAY

The camera follows Sani (late 20s, creative, stylish) in her small but thriving boutique shop in the bustling market of Imphal. Bright Manipuri fabrics hang from the walls.
Sani’s friend and co-worker, NEEMA, jokes about Echam.
NEEMA
(grinning)
I bet Echam’s still begging his Baba for the car. When will you marry him and put him out of his misery?
SANI
(chuckling)
Maybe when I have enough money to buy him a car.
SUBTEXT:
Sani, though supportive, also feels the weight of the class difference between her and Echam. She dreams of building something with him but worries about the struggles that may lie ahead.
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ACT 2: Revelations and Responsibilities
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Scene 4: The Tense Property Conversation

INT. FAMILY HOME - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

The family is gathered. It’s late, and the mood is serious. The camera pulls in slowly on Echam’s face as his father begins talking about the family property.
BABA
(to his daughters)
We’ve decided to officially register the property in both of your names. It’s for your future security, you understand?
Echam’s heart drops.
ECHAM
(half-joking, trying to hide the sting)
What about me? I get nothing?
Suddenly, Aji speaks up—her voice sharp.
AJI
(serious tone)
You’re not even our real brother.
CAMERA:
Close-up on Echam’s face, disbelief flashing through his eyes. He chuckles awkwardly, thinking it’s a joke.
ECHAM
(smirking)
Yeah, right. And I’m adopted, aren’t I?
The room falls silent. His mother’s soft voice cuts through.
AMASHA
Yes, son. You are.
SOUND DESIGN:
The sound of a clock ticking slows down, almost distorting as the gravity of the moment sinks in.
ECHAM
(staring into space, quietly)
...What?
He stands, hands shaking, and walks away. His wife follows him silently.
________________________________________

Scene 5: Heartfelt Goodbye

EXT. FAMILY HOME - COURTYARD - MORNING

The next morning, Echam and his wife are ready to leave. They pack their belongings in silence.
His mother, teary-eyed, tries to stop him.
AMASHA
(pleading)
Stay, Echam. Who will eat with me? Who will take care of me?
Echam gently takes her hands.
ECHAM
(teary-eyed, firm but loving)
I’ll come visit you, Mami. I promise. But I can’t stay here anymore.
His sisters try to intervene, but Echam shakes his head and steps out with his wife and daughter.
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Scene 6: Sani’s New Boutique - New Beginnings

EXT. NEW HOME - DAY

A few months later, Echam and Sani bought a small house in a quiet part of town. They are happy. Sani’s boutique is expanding, and she is now selling her designs online.
CAMERA:
A steady-cam shot follows Sani as she proudly displays her latest creation to a customer.
________________________________________

ACT 3: The Call for Help
________________________________________

Scene 7: Family in Crisis

INT. FAMILY HOME - NIGHT

Back at his old home, his sisters’ lives have unravelled. Indira’s husband, RAKESH, is shown drunk, yelling about losing money in bad business decisions. The once peaceful house is now chaotic.
CAMERA:
A handheld shot, slightly shaky, captures the tension as Rakesh knocks over chairs in a fit of rage.
INDIRA
(crying)
I thought you loved me, Rakesh.
RAKESH
(laughing bitterly)
Love? This was always about the house, Indira. And now it’s all gone.
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Scene 8: Echam’s Return

INT. SANI AND ECHAM’S HOME - DAY

His mother visits Echam and pleads with him to help set things right.
AMASHA
(trembling)
I know it’s unfair to ask this of you, but please, my son. The family needs you.
Despite his resolve to never return, Echam can't say no to his mother.
ECHAM
(firm)
I won’t come back to live there, Mami. But I’ll help set things right.
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Scene 9: Redemption and Growth

EXT. OLD FAMILY HOME - COURTYARD - DAY

Echam, with the help of Sani, sets up a business for his sisters. They transform their family home into a boutique and cultural centre, leveraging the unique fabrics and art of Manipur to rebuild the family’s fortune.
CAMERA:
A montage of hard work—Echam fixing up the house, Sani sketching designs, the sisters sewing and preparing orders—set to upbeat Manipuri music.
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Scene 10: A Heartwarming Reunion

INT. NEW FAMILY HOME - NIGHT

Years later, Echam and his family sit down for a quiet dinner. His mother now lives with them, and the house is filled with love and laughter.
ECHAM
(smiling at his daughter)
See, it’s not about where you come from. It’s about where you choose to go.
CAMERA:
The camera pulls back, revealing the simple warmth of a home filled with love and unity.
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THE END
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Brief Summary:

Set against the serene landscape of Manipur, this heartfelt drama follows Echam(Beloved), a young man who grows up in a middle-class family, unaware that he was adopted. While his parents and two elder sisters lead a seemingly normal life, Echam notices subtle differences in how his father treats him compared to his sisters, especially regarding family assets. Despite excelling academically and building a happy life with his wife Sani and daughter, Echam is shocked to learn that he was adopted, which explains the distant behaviour from his father and the family’s decisions regarding inheritance.

This revelation shatters Echam’s sense of belonging, and he leaves the family home, determined to create a life on his terms. As the family descends into chaos due to Indira’s husband mismanaging the family business and assets, Echam is pulled back into the fray when his mother, Aji, begs him to help. Though he refuses to return permanently, Echam fixes the family’s problems, securing their future without rekindling the old wounds.

Ultimately, Echam finds peace in his new life with his wife and child, while his family, especially his mother, comes to terms with his decision. The story is a touching exploration of identity, family bonds, and the complex emotions of love, regret, and acceptance. Through a balance of humour, heartfelt drama, and cultural nuances, the film delivers a poignant yet hopeful message about the nature of family and self-discovery.

Download the entire screenplay in PDF format (121 KB)