Title: The Price of Marriage
FADE IN:
EXT. RURAL VILLAGE IN BANGLADESH - DAY
We open on a picturesque rural village in Bangladesh. Lush green rice paddies stretch as far as
the eye can see. A dirt road winds through the village, lined with small mud and tin homes.
Villagers go about their daily activities - women in colorful saris carry water jugs, men lead ox-
drawn carts, children play in the dusty street.
We focus on one modest home at the edge of the village. A sign outside reads "Hossain Family".
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - DAY
Inside the small home, we see 18-year-old NADIA studying at a desk. She wears a simple salwar
kameez and has her long dark hair tied back. Textbooks and papers are spread out before her.
Nadia's mother FATIMA (40s) enters, looking concerned.
FATIMA
Nadia, your father wants to speak with you.
Nadia looks up from her studies, worry crossing her face.
NADIA
Is everything alright, Ma?
FATIMA
(hesitating)
Just come speak with him.
Nadia stands and follows her mother to the main room of their small home.
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - MAIN ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Nadia's father ABDUL (50s) sits in a chair, looking serious. Her younger brother KAMAL (12)
sits on the floor nearby.
ABDUL
Sit down, Nadia.
Nadia takes a seat across from her father, looking nervous.
ABDUL (CONT'D)
A marriage proposal has come for you. From the Ahmed family in the next village. Their son
Rashid is a good boy, 25 years old with a job in the city.
NADIA
(shocked)
But Abba, I'm not ready for marriage. I want to finish school first.
ABDUL
You're 18 now, it's time to think of your future. The Ahmed family is well-respected. This is a
good match for you.
NADIA
Please Abba, let me finish my education. I want to go to university, become a teacher.
FATIMA
(gently)
Beta, your father knows what's best. The Ahmed family can give you a good life.
ABDUL
It's decided. We'll meet with the Ahmed family next week to discuss the details.
Nadia looks down, trying to hold back tears. Kamal watches his sister with concern.
NADIA
(quietly)
Yes, Abba.
Abdul nods, satisfied. Fatima puts a comforting hand on Nadia's shoulder.
FADE TO:
EXT. AHMED FAMILY HOME - DAY
A week later. The Hossain family arrives at the larger, more affluent home of the Ahmed family.
They are greeted warmly by MR. AHMED (60s) and MRS. AHMED (50s).
MR. AHMED
Welcome, welcome! Please come in.
The two families enter the home.
INT. AHMED FAMILY HOME - DAY
The men sit in the main room while the women gather in the kitchen. Nadia sits quietly, stealing
glances at RASHID (25), her prospective groom. He's handsome but seems disinterested in the
proceedings.
MR. AHMED
So, Abdul bhai, we are very pleased with this match. Rashid has a good job at a bank in Dhaka.
He can provide well for Nadia.
ABDUL
Yes, it seems Allah has blessed this union. Nadia is a good girl, very obedient.
MR. AHMED
Excellent. Now, let's discuss the dowry. As you know, a good dowry shows the bride's family's
commitment to the marriage.
Abdul shifts uncomfortably.
ABDUL
Of course. We want to show our respect for your family. What did you have in mind?
MR. AHMED
Well, given Rashid's education and career prospects, we think 500,000 taka is appropriate. Plus
gold jewelry for the bride, of course.
Abdul's eyes widen. He was not expecting such a large amount.
ABDUL
(hesitating)
That's… quite a sum. Perhaps we could discuss a more modest amount?
MR. AHMED
(frowning)
Come now, Abdul. You want the best for your daughter, don't you? This is a small price to pay
for her future security.
Abdul glances at Nadia, who looks down at her hands.
ABDUL
(sighing)
Yes, of course. We'll find a way to manage it.
MR. AHMED
(smiling)
Excellent! Then we have an agreement. We'll start planning the wedding.
The men shake hands. Nadia looks worried.
FADE TO:
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - NIGHT
Later that night. The family sits together, discussing the meeting.
ABDUL
500,000 taka. Plus gold. Where will we get that kind of money?
FATIMA
We could sell some land…
ABDUL
And leave nothing for Kamal's future? No, we'll have to take out loans.
NADIA
Abba, please. This is too much. We don't have to go through with this.
ABDUL
(sharply)
Enough! The agreement is made. We'll find a way.
Nadia falls silent, looking miserable. Kamal watches his family with concern.
FADE TO:
MONTAGE - VARIOUS SCENES
We see a series of scenes showing the family's struggle to gather the dowry:
Abdul meeting with moneylenders, signing papers
Fatima selling her gold jewelry
The family eating meager meals to save money
Nadia giving up her textbooks, unable to continue her studies
Kamal working in the fields instead of going to school
END MONTAGE
FADE TO:
EXT. VILLAGE STREET - DAY
Nadia walks with her friend PRIYA (18). They pass by the local school, watching younger
children enter.
PRIYA
I can't believe you're getting married so soon. And to someone you barely know.
NADIA
(sighing)
It's my duty to my family. They're sacrificing so much for this dowry.
PRIYA
But what about your dreams? Your studies?
NADIA
(sadly)
Dreams don't put food on the table, Priya. This is my reality now.
They continue walking in silence.
FADE TO:
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - DAY
A few weeks later. Abdul sits at the table, looking over papers and bills. His face is drawn with
worry. Fatima enters.
FATIMA
The Ahmed family called. They want to move up the wedding date.
ABDUL
(frustrated)
We barely have half the dowry. How can we move it up?
FATIMA
They say Rashid has a promotion opportunity. They want the wedding done before he starts his
new position.
ABDUL
(sighing)
We have no choice. We'll have to borrow more.
Nadia overhears from the next room, looking guilty and conflicted.
FADE TO:
EXT. VILLAGE MARKETPLACE - DAY
Nadia walks through the busy marketplace with her mother, shopping for wedding supplies.
They stop at a fabric stall.
FATIMA
(holding up a red sari)
This would be beautiful for your wedding day.
NADIA
(distracted)
Yes, it's nice.
FATIMA
(concerned)
Nadia, I know this isn't what you wanted. But try to be happy. The Ahmed family will give you a
good life.
NADIA
Is it worth putting our family in debt for years? Kamal can't even go to school anymore.
FATIMA
(sighing)
This is how things are done, beta. Your father and I had an arranged marriage too. We grew to
love each other.
NADIA
But you didn't have to pay such a high dowry.
FATIMA
Times have changed. The expectations are different now.
They continue shopping in silence.
FADE TO:
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - NIGHT
Late at night. Nadia sits alone, writing in a journal by lamplight. We see tears in her eyes as she
writes.
NADIA (V.O.)
I feel trapped. My family is being crushed by this dowry, and for what? A marriage to a stranger?
Is this all my life is worth?
She closes the journal and looks out the window at the moon.
FADE TO:
EXT. VILLAGE STREET - DAY
The next day. Nadia walks with Kamal, who kicks a soccer ball as they go.
KAMAL
Will you come visit us after you're married, Apu?
NADIA
Of course I will. As often as I can.
KAMAL
(sadly)
It won't be the same without you here.
NADIA
(ruffling his hair)
I'll miss you too, little brother.
They walk in silence for a moment.
KAMAL
Apu, why do girls have to pay dowry? It's not fair.
NADIA
(sighing)
No, it's not fair. But it's tradition. People say it's to help the new couple start their life together.
KAMAL
But it's hurting our family. I heard Abba talking about selling more land.
NADIA
(looking worried)
Don't worry about that, Kamal. Focus on your studies.
KAMAL
(kicking the ball hard)
I can't go to school anymore. Abba says we can't afford it.
Nadia stops walking, shocked by this news.
NADIA
What? When did this happen?
KAMAL
(shrugging)
Last week. Abba says I need to help in the fields now.
Nadia looks devastated by this news.
FADE TO:
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - NIGHT
That night. Nadia confronts her parents.
NADIA
Is it true Kamal can't go to school anymore?
ABDUL
(sighing)
We have no choice, Nadia. We need his help to make ends meet.
NADIA
This isn't right. We're destroying our family's future for this dowry.
FATIMA
Nadia, please understand. This is for your future.
NADIA
At what cost? Kamal's education? Our land? Years of debt?
ABDUL
(angrily)
Enough! This is not for you to question. The decision is made.
Nadia falls silent, but her face shows her inner turmoil.
FADE TO:
EXT. VILLAGE POND - DAY
The next day. Nadia sits by the village pond, lost in thought. Her friend Priya approaches.
PRIYA
There you are. I've been looking for you.
NADIA
(distracted)
Oh, hi Priya.
PRIYA
(sitting beside her)
What's wrong? You look upset.
NADIA
(sighing)
It's this dowry. It's tearing my family apart. Kamal can't even go to school anymore.
PRIYA
(shocked)
What? That's terrible!
NADIA
I don't know what to do. I feel so helpless.
PRIYA
(hesitating)
You know, my cousin in Dhaka… she refused to pay dowry for her marriage.
NADIA
(surprised)
Really? How?
PRIYA
She and her husband agreed it was wrong. They had a simple ceremony without any dowry.
NADIA
I can't imagine my parents agreeing to that. Or the Ahmed family.
PRIYA
It wasn't easy. Some relatives were angry. But they stood their ground.
Nadia ponders this information, a spark of hope in her eyes.
FADE TO:
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - NIGHT
That night. Nadia approaches her father as he sits reading the newspaper.
NADIA
Abba, can I speak with you?
ABDUL
(looking up)
What is it, Nadia?
NADIA
(taking a deep breath)
I've been thinking about the dowry…
ABDUL
(interrupting)
We've discussed this. It's not negotiable.
NADIA
But Abba, please listen. What if we didn't pay a dowry at all?
ABDUL
(shocked)
What? That's impossible. The Ahmed family would never agree.
NADIA
Then maybe they're not the right family for me to marry into.
ABDUL
(angrily)
Nadia! How dare you say such things? Do you want to bring shame on our family?
NADIA
No, Abba. I want to protect our family. This dowry is crushing us.
FATIMA
(entering the room)
What's going on?
ABDUL
Your daughter is talking nonsense about not paying dowry.
FATIMA
(shocked)
Nadia! What will people say?
NADIA
Ma, Abba, please. Just think about it. Is it worth putting our family in debt for years? Taking
Kamal out of school?
Her parents exchange worried glances.
ABDUL
(sighing)
Nadia, I understand your concerns. But this is how things are done. We can't change tradition.
NADIA
But why not? Traditions can change. They should change when they hurt people.
FATIMA
(softly)
She has a point, Abdul. This dowry is a heavy burden.
ABDUL
(frustrated)
What choice do we have? If we refuse, the Ahmed family will cancel the marriage. Nadia's
reputation will be ruined.
NADIA
Then let them cancel it. I'd rather wait for a family who values me for who I am, not for how
much money we can give them.
Her parents look at each other, unsure how to respond.
FADE TO:
EXT. VILLAGE STREET - DAY
The next day. News of Nadia's stance has spread through the village. As she walks down the
street, she overhears whispers and sees people staring.
VILLAGER 1
(whispering)
Did you hear? The Hossain girl is refusing to pay dowry.
VILLAGER 2
How shameful! No one will want to marry her now.
Nadia holds her head high and keeps walking.
FADE TO:
INT. AHMED FAMILY HOME - DAY
Mr. Ahmed paces angrily while Mrs. Ahmed and Rashid sit nearby.
MR. AHMED
No dowry? Who do they think they are?
MRS. AHMED
Perhaps we should reconsider, husband. The girl seems principled.
RASHID
(thoughtfully)
She must be brave to take such a stand.
MR. AHMED
Brave? She's disrespectful! This marriage is off!
FADE TO:
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - DAY
The Hossain family receives the news that the Ahmed family has canceled the marriage.
ABDUL
(sighing heavily)
It's done. The Ahmed family has called off the wedding.
FATIMA
(worried)
Oh no. What will we do now?
NADIA
I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused. But I truly believe this is for the best.
KAMAL
(hugging Nadia)
I'm glad you're not leaving, Apu.
ABDUL
(shaking his head)
Nadia, I hope you understand the consequences of your actions. It may be very difficult to find
another match now.
NADIA
I understand, Abba. But I'd rather wait for a marriage based on mutual respect, not on how much
money we can pay.
FATIMA
(smiling slightly)
Our daughter has become quite wise.
ABDUL
(sighing)
Perhaps. But wisdom doesn't always make life easier.
FADE TO:
MONTAGE - VARIOUS SCENES
We see a series of scenes showing the aftermath of Nadia's decision:
Villagers whispering and pointing as Nadia walks by
Kamal returning to school, looking happy
Abdul looking relieved as he tears up loan papers
Nadia studying hard, preparing for university exams
Fatima proudly watching Nadia help younger girls with their studies
END MONTAGE
FADE TO:
EXT. VILLAGE SCHOOL - DAY
One year later. Nadia stands in front of the village school, now working as a teacher's assistant
while she continues her studies.
NADIA (V.O.)
It hasn't been easy. There are still those who disapprove of my choice. But I know in my heart it
was the right thing to do.
We see her helping young girls with their lessons, a look of fulfillment on her face.
NADIA (V.O.)
I may not have a husband yet, but I have my education, my family's well-being, and my self-
respect. And that's worth more than any dowry.
FADE TO:
INT. HOSSAIN FAMILY HOME - NIGHT
The family sits together for dinner. There's a knock at the door. Abdul goes to answer it.
ABDUL
(surprised)
Rashid? What
