Everybody Says I'm Fine! 2003

The narrative unfolds within a stylish hair salon in Mumbai, where the lives of an elite group of locals intertwine. The salon is owned by Sikander/Xen, Rehaan Engineer, who possesses a remarkable talent: he can connect with his clients on a profound level, even hearing their innermost thoughts while he works. Many of his customers put on a brave face, maintaining a facade of normalcy to mask the turmoil hidden beneath their surfaces.

As the story progresses, we learn about Xen’s tragic past. As a child, he was a mere spectator to the heart-wrenching demise of his parents in a horrifying accident at a recording studio. Alone and unheard, his cries for help fell silent against the soundproof walls as he witnessed flames consume the place he loved. This traumatic experience rendered him emotionally mute, plunging his life into a state of forced silence.

Xen uses his extraordinary ability to assist various clients. One notable case is Tanya, Pooja Bhatt, who falsely projects an image of a wealthy businessman’s wife, traveling abroad with her husband for business trips. Yet, the reality is far more complex: Tanya has been deserted by her husband, who has taken a mistress in London, and she now grapples with displacement, often using visits to the salon to maintain her social standing. One day, while cutting her hair, Xen discovers that she has forgotten her wallet. He expertly navigates the potentially embarrassing situation, charmingly waiving her charges.

Things take a turn when another customer, Misha (Anahita Oberoi), begins to pry into Tanya’s life. After Misha asks Tanya for a ride, she uncovers the truth about Tanya’s living situation, leading to a series of confrontations and revelations that connect the characters in unexpected ways.

As Xen delves deeper, he unearths Misha’s dark secret: her addiction to cocaine and the dire impact it has on children at the orphanage where she works. With deft skill, he discreetly shares this information with Tanya, who confronts Misha about her invasive inquiries.

Additionally, Xen plays a crucial role in the lives of Tina and Bobby, two clients hesitant to express their feelings for one another. Through a clever façade of a new pedicure kit, left waiting awkwardly, Bobby eventually makes a move when Tina enters the salon again, leading to a delightful kiss.

In contrast, Rage (Rahul Bose) is another regular who, despite his flamboyant persona and claims of being selected for a prestigious film role, reveals a much less glamorous truth: he was actually rejected. This façade is reflective of the larger themes of self-deception present in the lives of many clients.

One day, Nikki/Nikita (Koel Purie) arrives at the salon with a request that perplexes Xen—she desires to shed her long, flowing hair. Intrigued yet troubled by her presence, Xen feels a connection but finds himself stymied as he dives into her troubled psyche.

The plot thickens when Mr. Mittal (Boman Irani), a seemingly upstanding businessman, reveals a sordid truth tangled within his thoughts: he’s planning an illicit trip to the Bahamas with his mistress, unbeknownst to his daughter, Nikki. Driven by rage and a desire to protect, Xen confronts Mr. Mittal, leading to a catastrophic confrontation that ends in violence.

In the aftermath of Mr. Mittal’s death, Nikki finds herself crumbling in Xen’s arms, and he becomes engulfed in the chaos of her tortured memories. In the chilling conclusion, as the two share a moment of catharsis, the once-silent Xen awakens the following day, finally able to hear the whispers of life around him. The silence that haunted him is shattered, and in the embrace of Nikki, both characters emerge more complete and profoundly changed.