1990
Hasari, a farmer, moves his family to Calcutta, is swindled, and becomes a rickshaw puller for crime boss Ghatak, while disillusioned American doctor Max Loeb, saved by Hasari, finds purpose assisting at the City of Joy clinic. Max's former girlfriend leaves him, and he and Joan negotiate with Ghatak and his son Ashoka for clinic expansion, leading to Ashoka's thugs attacking Poomina and Ashoka firing Hasari. Max decides to stay in Calcutta, helps Hasari repair a rickshaw, and together they heroically rescue lepers during a devastating flood, strengthening their bond. Ashoka confronts and severely wounds Hasari, but the community rallies, and Amrita's wedding proceeds, symbolizing hope and resilience.
Save the Cat beat sheet
City of Joy follows two parallel journeys: the Pal family’s desperate flight from rural Bihar and American doctor Max Loeb’s disillusionment in Calcutta.
Open full beat sheetMax Loeb is listed as American doctor. A disillusioned American doctor who finds purpose in the City of Joy. In the parsed data, Max Loeb is connected to 35 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
35 scenes / 15 dialogue linesHasari Pal is listed as Protagonist. A farmer from Bihar who moves his family to Calcutta to survive. In the parsed data, Hasari Pal is connected to 35 scenes, 10 dialogue lines, 10 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
35 scenes / 10 dialogue linesAloka Pal is listed as Hasari's wife. Devoted mother and wife, supportive of her family's struggle. In the parsed data, Aloka Pal is connected to 20 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 27.
20 scenes / 1 dialogue linesJoan Bethel is listed as Clinic administrator. Irish woman running the City of Joy clinic and school. In the parsed data, Joan Bethel is connected to 17 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 15.
17 scenes / 3 dialogue linesManooj Pal is listed as Hasari's son. Young boy, curious and eventually a student. In the parsed data, Manooj Pal is connected to 15 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
15 scenes / 2 dialogue linesShambu Pal is listed as Hasari's son. Youngest son of Hasari. In the parsed data, Shambu Pal is connected to 14 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 2.
14 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAmrita Pal is listed as Hasari's daughter. Eldest daughter of Hasari. In the parsed data, Amrita Pal is connected to 12 scenes, first appearing around scene 1.
12 scenes / 0 dialogue linesAshoka is listed as Antagonist. Vicious son of the local crime boss. In the parsed data, Ashoka is connected to 10 scenes, 2 dialogue lines, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
10 scenes / 2 dialogue linesAnouar is listed as Leper leader. Intelligent and agile leper who leads his community. In the parsed data, Anouar is connected to 10 scenes, first appearing around scene 23.
10 scenes / 0 dialogue linesPoomina is listed as Sex worker. Young woman who becomes a patient and friend of the clinic. In the parsed data, Poomina is connected to 10 scenes, first appearing around scene 11.
10 scenes / 0 dialogue linesRam is listed as Rickshaw puller. Hasari's friend and mentor in the rickshaw trade. In the parsed data, Ram is connected to 8 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 22.
8 scenes / 3 dialogue linesGhatak is listed as Crime boss. Powerful and ruthless controller of the rickshaw trade. In the parsed data, Ghatak is connected to 5 scenes, 3 dialogue lines, 3 text mentions, first appearing around scene 17.
5 scenes / 3 dialogue linesThe Pal family begins their journey from their parched farm in Bihar toward Calcutta.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Manooj Pal, Shambu Pal, Amrita PalThe Pal family says goodbye to Hasari's parents before boarding a bus.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Manooj Pal, Shambu Pal, Amrita Pal, RamMax Loeb disrupts a meditation session, expressing frustration.
Max LoebMax argues with his girlfriend Betsy before leaving.
Max LoebThe Pal family arrives in Calcutta and feels overwhelmed.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Manooj Pal, Shambu Pal, Amrita PalGangooly tricks the Pal family into renting a room that isn't his.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Manooj Pal, Shambu Pal, Amrita PalThe real owner, Binal, discovers the Pal family and kicks them out.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Manooj Pal, Shambu Pal, Amrita PalThe Pals and Arun's family take shelter beneath a billboard, where Hasari vows to improve their lives.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Manooj Pal, Shambu Pal, Amrita PalHasari receives a food handout and is approached by a boy named Rafik.
Hasari PalHasari sells his blood and meets Rafik outside.
Hasari PalMax is visited by Poomina, a young woman sent to his room.
Max Loeb, PoominaMax and Poomina drink at a bar while being watched by thugs.
Max Loeb, Poomina, AshokaMax is attacked by thugs outside the bar.
Max Loeb, AshokaHasari intervenes to stop the beating of Max.
Hasari Pal, Max Loeb, PoominaMax wakes up in the clinic and meets Joan.
Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Hasari PalHasari practices pulling a rickshaw with Ram.
Hasari Pal, Max Loeb, RamHasari and Ram meet the Godfather to ask for a job.
Hasari Pal, Ghatak, Ashoka, RamHasari gets his first passenger.
Hasari Pal, RamMax spots Ashoka and chases him.
Max Loeb, AshokaJoan intervenes when a corrupt policeman stops Max.
Max Loeb, Joan BethelMax and Joan discuss the nature of charity and commitment.
Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Manooj Pal, Shambu PalRam and Hasari discuss their dreams of home while Max interacts with the family.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Ram, Manooj PalAnouar, Said, and Poomina arrive to ask for help with a difficult birth.
Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Anouar, Poomina, Shambu PalMax assists in a breech birth for Meeta with Aloka's help.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Anouar, PoominaMax tries to convince Betsy to stay, but she leaves him.
Max LoebMax and Joan negotiate with the Godfather and Ashoka regarding clinic expansion.
Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Ashoka, Ghatak, PoominaMax plays music while the community relaxes and smokes; Ram asks Max to write a letter to his wife.
Max Loeb, Manooj Pal, Shambu Pal, Ram, Aloka Pal, Hasari PalAnouar and Hasari pick up Max in a rickshaw to take him to the dispensary.
Max Loeb, Anouar, Hasari PalAshoka attacks Poomina in an alleyway.
Poomina, AshokaA violent confrontation occurs between the clinic supporters and Ashoka's thugs.
Aloka Pal, Joan Bethel, Ghatak, Ashoka, Hasari Pal, Max LoebMax treats Poomina's wounds while Hasari watches.
Max Loeb, Aloka Pal, Poomina, Joan Bethel, Hasari PalAshoka fires Hasari and takes his rickshaw.
Ashoka, Hasari PalMax confesses his desire to leave to Joan.
Max Loeb, Joan BethelMax tells Hasari he is leaving.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, RamHasari sells his blood to survive.
Hasari PalMax returns to the clinic after deciding not to leave.
Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Aloka PalAloka bathes at the fountain while Max passes by, greeting her and then meeting Hasari and Ram.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, RamMax treats Poomina's scars while Joan assists; the Goonda arrives to collect rent.
Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Ashoka, PoominaMax finds Hasari and Manooj secretly repairing a rickshaw.
Hasari Pal, Max Loeb, Manooj PalNegotiations for Amrita's marriage continue between Hasari and Mr. Ghosh.
Hasari Pal, Ghatak, Amrita PalHasari works as a rickshaw puller, exhausted and counting his earnings.
Hasari PalMax, Joan, and others try to repair the clinic wall during a flood.
Max Loeb, Joan BethelThe group attempts to rescue lepers from the flooded colony.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Anouar, Manooj PalMax and Hasari rescue lepers from the rising water.
Hasari Pal, Max Loeb, AnouarMax falls into the water and is rescued by Hasari.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, AnouarThe community shares a meal and reflects on Anouar's message.
AnouarMax recovers and shares his past with the Pals.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Manooj Pal, Shambu PalMarriage negotiations continue with more demands.
Hasari Pal, Max Loeb, GhatakAshoka confronts Hasari and Max.
Hasari Pal, Max Loeb, Ashoka, Manooj Pal, Shambu Pal, Amrita PalHasari lies wounded while the community gathers.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Anouar, Manooj PalAmrita's wedding ceremony.
Hasari Pal, Aloka Pal, Max Loeb, Joan Bethel, Anouar, Manooj PalA man's journey to the end of his obligations is a very long road. And you have to remember that you can never give up. We pray that life will bless us, that we will be kings, with possessions and money that we can rule over all around us. But it's a mist; the only thing that makes it possible to endure life is our love, one for the other.
Want you guys to know something. About me. Wanted to be the world's greatest heart surgeon, just one better than my dad. Just one. First time I'm the lead surgeon on a case, the main guy, I choke. Froze.
Oh, I do what I please. You see, my father's dead, I'm in charge now. So you will get off my streets, you will leave my country, and that clinic and school will close.
I understand that you're interested in expanding your clinic and free school, and that you intend to start treating lepers in the City of Joy.
Another few months, I'll be able to pay off the moneylender in my village and go home and open a grocery shop.
Max, I wouldn't ask, but it's an emergency. A pregnancy gone awry. It's a leper. Could you have a look?
I didn't do the best I could! I did what I always do! I shot my big mouth off and did a half-assed job.
I'm going to have to turn it -- the baby. Tell her she has to relax these muscles as much as she can.
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