Screenplay Genre Help
SMOKES IN SHADOWS
Written by [Your Name]
FADE IN:
EXT. PRANSHU’S HOUSE – EARLY MORNING
A quiet middle-class neighborhood. The sun rises, casting a golden hue. PRANSHU (18,
ambitious, confident, bright student) stands at the gate, suitcase in hand, ready to leave for IIT.
His MOTHER (40s, teary-eyed, proud) adjusts his shirt collar, her face a mix of pride and worry.
His FATHER (45, composed, supportive) places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
FATHER
Beta, college sirf padhai ka nahi, zindagi seekhne ka bhi safar hai. Achhe aur bure, dono tarah
ke log milenge… lekin kis raste pe chalna hai, yeh sirf tum par hai.
Pranshu listens carefully, nodding.
MOTHER
Aur apni sehat ka khayal rakhna. Humare liye sirf tumhari safalta nahi, tumhara theek rehna bhi
zaroori hai.
Pranshu smiles reassuringly.
PRANSHU
Maa, Papa, tension mat lo. Main apna dhyan rakhunga.
His mother hugs him tightly, holding back tears. His father pats his back, proud.
They wave as the car pulls away.
EXT. IIT CAMPUS – DAY
A massive, buzzing campus. Freshers with luggage, seniors guiding them.
Pranshu enters his HOSTEL ROOM, dragging his suitcase. DHAIRYA (18, sharp, disciplined,
supportive) is already inside, setting up his bed. He looks up and smirks.
DHAIRYA
Tum bhi IIT survive karne aaye ho?
PRANSHU
(grinning)
Survive nahi, conquer karna hai bhai.
They shake hands, a solid friendship begins.
Screenplay Genre Help
MONTAGE – PRANSHU’S GOOD PHASE
Lecture Hall – Pranshu and Dhairya in the front row, taking notes.
Library – Late-night study sessions, stacks of books and coffee cups.
Gym – Dhairya pushing Pranshu to do one more rep.
Canteen – Bunking a lecture to enjoy chai and samosas.
EXT. CIGARETTE SHOP – NIGHT
A dimly lit shop near the hostel. SOURAV (20, reckless, carefree) leans against the counter,
cigarette in one hand, beer bottle in the other. His gang laughs loudly, smoke swirling around
them.
Pranshu walks by, slowing down as he observes them. Sourav notices.
SOURAV
Aye IITian, ek sip le na. Chill maar.
Pranshu chuckles but shakes his head and walks away. Dhairya, watching from behind, pats his
shoulder.
DHAIRYA
Bhai, in logo se door reh. Yeh maze ke peeche bhag rahe hain, tu apni life bana raha hai.
Pranshu nods, but something about Sourav’s confidence lingers in his mind.
INT. HOSTEL ROOM – NIGHT
The room is silent except for the ticking clock. Books lie open, but Pranshu isn’t reading. His
phone screen lights up.
SOURAV (TEXT MESSAGE): "One puff, one sip… stress gayab!"
Pranshu stares at the message, hesitates… then grabs his hoodie and steps out.
EXT. CIGARETTE SHOP – NIGHT
Sourav and his gang laugh as Pranshu approaches. Sourav grins and hands him a cigarette.
Pranshu hesitates… then lights up. He takes a deep puff. Smoke fills his lungs.
Dhairya’s voice echoes in his mind—
DHAIRYA (V.O.)
Stress temporary hai, aadat permanent.
Pranshu exhales slowly. A part of him knows he’s crossed a line.
Screenplay Genre Help
MONTAGE – PRANSHU’S DOWNFALL
Parties – Pranshu laughing, drinking recklessly.
Missed lectures – Empty chairs where he and Dhairya used to sit.
Coughing badly – Ignoring it, lighting another cigarette.
Grades dropping – A “D” on his test paper.
Dhairya confronting him – Pranshu avoiding eye contact.
INT. DOCTOR’S OFFICE – DAY
DR. SHAURYA (40s, composed, professional) looks at Pranshu’s medical reports. Pranshu sits
across from him, fidgeting.
DR. SHAURYA
(somber)
Pranshu… tumhe lung cancer ke initial symptoms hain.
The room falls silent. Dhairya, sitting beside him, looks devastated.
PRANSHU
(whispers, shocked)
Par… maine toh bas chhoti si aadat…
DR. SHAURYA
Kabhi kabhi chhoti aadatein, badi tabahi la sakti hain.
Tears fill Pranshu’s eyes.
MONTAGE – PRANSHU’S RECOVERY
Hospital Bed – His mother holds his hand, teary-eyed.
Dhairya beside him – Never leaving his side.
Throwing cigarette packs in the dustbin – A final goodbye.
EXT. COLLEGE CAMPUS – MONTHS LATER
Pranshu, looking healthier, sits on a bench. Dhairya joins him.
DHAIRYA
Bhai, ab bata… kaunsa stress zyada bura tha? Exam ka ya cigarette ka?
Pranshu smirks, looking at the sky.
PRANSHU
(smiling)
Cigarette ka. Aur ab yeh galti kabhi nahi karunga.
Dhairya nods, satisfied.
Pranshu looks ahead, a new determination in his eyes.
PRANSHU
Stress temporary hai, aadat permanent… so choose wisely.
They fist-bump as the camera slowly zooms out.
FADE TO BLACK.
TEXT ON SCREEN:
"Stress temporary hai, aadat permanent... so choose wisely."
FADE OUT.
THE END.
