Ashwathama

Gaitonde (background): In 1977, Indira Gandhi's emergence reigned over the country. The government was sterilizing its people. But Bombay...Bombay didn't slow down. Everyone found work here. I benefited from being a Brahmin's son.

Mumbai 1977

Gaitonde walked inside a hotel

SATYANARAYAN SHUKLA UPPER-CASTE HOTEL - PURE VEGETARIAN

Gaitonde (background): Shukla seth, Hindu Hotel. A regular meal for 8 rupees, a deluxe meal for 12 rupees.

Gaitonde enters the kitchen

Gaitonde (background): They used baking soda in rice and fake ghee in dal.

While Gaitonde was removing Rice from the cooker Shukla Seth enters the kitchen and twists Gaitonde's hand and starts twisting his ears

Shukla: Why are you touching rice with your dirty hands? This is a Hindu Hotel!

People dont come here because we serve good food. They come here because everything here is clean and pure. Everyone from cook to waiter belongs to the upper caste.

Gaitonde (background): Religion found business in purity. I made sin a business. Bombay had a booming market for drugs. I wanted to dig in.

Gaitonde was sitting beside a man.

The man: Mandrax, one pill costs 10 rupees. Two for you and eight for Mathu.

Gaitonde takes one pill and tries licking it.

Mathu: Dont lick it, swallow it.

Gaitonde: Ok

Mathu: Mandrax gives you the ultimate kick. The craving for it will grow with every passing day. It's the best business

Gaitonde (background): Mathu taught me how to sell. If the guy had Red eyes and dark circles he would definitely buy Mandrax.

Gaitonde was selling Mandrax to a guy when Shukala seth notices him. Shukla seth rushed out of the shop. He speed walks towards Gaitonde and starts slapping him.

Gaitonde (background): I could have been high on Mandrax or was under a spell. Shukla seth beat me black and blue, but I felt no pain.

Shulka: Bastard! Son of a whore! I told you no bullshit here. Ever since then, I've known that I am Ashwathama.

Later that night. After Shukla seth closes the Hotel.

Gaitonde: Sir you haven't given me my salary.

Shukla: You dont do any work, and then ask for a salary? Work for three more months.

Gaitonde: I haven't gotten anything for two months sir.

Shukla starts his scooter and starts driving it.

Gaitonde: My dickhead boss owned a scooter. But he drove it like it was Isa's red car. I'll tell you about Isa later. I fantasized about that red car. I wanted it.

Gaitonde was again sitting with Mathu. But this time it wasn't Mandrax. Gaitonde was holding a chicken leg piece in his hand.

Gaitonde (background): Mathu told me to be brave. Being brave means becoming a sinner.

Mathu: Eat

Gaitonde takes a small piece of the chicken and takes a small bite.

Mathu: Dont think of it so much. Think of it as a vegetable, not a dead bird. Tip it and eat it like a Jackfruit. Try it.

Gaitonde (background): A chicken bone in a Hindu Hotel can cause more damage than any gangster.