THE STRONGEST WILL Screenplay by Wahid Malik

FADE IN:
EXT. KASHMIR VILLAGE - MORNING
Snow-covered peaks encircle a tiny peaceful village. Kids are playing cricket in a green field.
AYAAN MIR (10), a reserved child born without hands, observes from afar.
SCENE 1 - THE BALL GAME
KID 1
Ayaan! Catch this!
A ball comes flying towards Ayaan. He attempts trapping it against his body, but it drops.
KID 2 (teasing)
Ha! No hands, no game!
The boys take off, laughing.
Ayaan alone, tears in his eyes.
SCENE 2 - AYAAN'S HOUSE, EVENING
Plain, humble. AMMI (35) puts food beside Ayaan.
AYAAN
Ammi. why did Allah give hands to all people. and not to me?
AMMI (restraining tears, gently)
Because, beta. He gave you something stronger - your mind. and your heart. That's your true strength.
AYAAN (tears shining)
I'll show them, Ammi. Someday.
MONTAGE - AYAAN GROWING UP
- Ayaan writing with his toes.
- Village boys teasing him.
- His mother cheering him on.
- Ayaan reading books under a tree.
SCENE 3 - UNDER THE TREE
AYAAN (18) reads with his toes.
IRFAN BHATT (45), a gentle man, approaches.
IRFAN
Salam, beta. You're here every day.
AYAAN (hesitant)
Salam, sir.
IRFAN
I'm Irfan from RANDS.
We assist people like you. You'll fit in perfectly.
AYAAN (hopeful)
You. can make me something, sir?
IRFAN (smiles)
Not something, beta. Everything.
SCENE 4 - RANDS CENTER, DAY
A shining training center. Differently-abled individuals use equipment, assistive software.
AYAAN (astounded)
All. like me.
IRFAN
And they're unstopbable.
SCENE 5 - TRAINING MONTAGE
- Typing with toes.
- Voice software.
- Practice for exams.
- Studying late nights.
- Motivational speeches.
SCENE 6 - RANDS CENTER, NIGHT
Ayaan throws a book.
AYAAN
It's too difficult, sir! How can a person like me. become an IAS officer?
IRFAN (serious)
Ever seen a dam, beta?
It prevents rivers. But when it breaks - it floods everything.
IRFAN (CONT'D)
Be that flood.
SCENE 7 - UPSC EXAM CENTER, DAY
Ayaan enters. People murmur.
STUDENT 1
Look. no hands.
STUDENT 2
Why is he here?
Ayaan doesn't pay attention to them, uses a special device. Self-confidence on his face.
SCENE 8 - AYAAN'S HOUSE, RESULT DAY
Ayaan and Ammi sit and watch television.
NEWS ANCHOR (ON TV)
Breaking: Ayaan Mir, Kashmir's first differently-abled UPSC topper, AIR 37.
AYAAN (surprised)
Ammi. my name.!
AMMI (tears streaming)
I told you, beta. Will stronger than hands.
They hug.
SCENE 9 - DISTRICT COLLECTOR OFFICE
Ayaan, now IAS OFFICER AYAAN MIR (28), walks into his office.
DC RAJEEV MEHRA (50) greets him.
DC MEHRA
Proud of you, Ayaan.
AYAAN (smiles)
Sir - this is just the beginning.
SCENE 10 - INAUGURATION OF NEW RANDS CENTER
Crowd cheers. Ayaan on stage.
AYAAN (addressing crowd)
When people doubted me. RANDS became my hands.
Now, in my district, no child will feel 'less'.
Not under my watch.
Massive applause.
SCENE 11 - MURAL WALL
A gigantic mural: unseen hands lifting a child.
AYAAN (V.O.)
I did not have hands. but I had a will.
And hearts that kept me up.
FADE OUT
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