Screenplay data
Kumail, a Pakistani-American stand-up comedian in Chicago, falls in love with Emily, a white grad student, but keeps their relationship secret from his traditional parents who are arranging his marriage. Emily discovers Kumail's box of potential Pakistani brides and breaks up with him, leaving him to face his family's expectations alone. Shortly after their breakup, Emily is hospitalized with a mysterious illness and placed in a medically induced coma, prompting Kumail to call her estranged parents, Beth and Terry, who arrive to find him by her side. As Emily remains unconscious, Kumail bonds with her parents, navigating their grief and complicated relationship while he grapples with his own feelings and the pressure from his family to pursue an arranged marriage. When Emily finally wakes up, she initially rejects Kumail, but after he performs a one-man show about their experiences, she reconciles with him, and they decide to continue their relationship as Kumail moves to New York to further his comedy career.
Save the Cat beat sheet
Kumail’s journey begins with his stand-up routine and budding romance with Emily, only to be derailed by cultural conflicts and Emily’s sudden illness.
Open full beat sheetKumail Nanjiani is listed as Protagonist / Stand-up Comedian / Uber Driver. Pakistani-American, struggling comedian, lives in Chicago. In the parsed data, Kumail Nanjiani is connected to 70 scenes, 98 dialogue lines, 98 text mentions, first appearing around scene 7.
70 scenes / 98 dialogue linesEmily Gardner is listed as Love Interest / Grad Student. White, psychology student, later becomes Kumail's girlfriend. In the parsed data, Emily Gardner is connected to 24 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 3.
24 scenes / 24 dialogue linesTerry Gardner is listed as Emily's Father. Emily's father, married to Beth. In the parsed data, Terry Gardner is connected to 22 scenes, 54 dialogue lines, 54 text mentions, first appearing around scene 29.
22 scenes / 54 dialogue linesBeth Gardner is listed as Emily's Mother. Emily's mother, married to Terry. In the parsed data, Beth Gardner is connected to 19 scenes, 24 dialogue lines, 24 text mentions, first appearing around scene 31.
19 scenes / 24 dialogue linesChris Jones is listed as Kumail's Roommate / Comedian. Aspiring comedian, roommate of Kumail. In the parsed data, Chris Jones is connected to 11 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 8 text mentions, first appearing around scene 1.
11 scenes / 8 dialogue linesMary is listed as Comedian. Friend of Kumail and Chris. In the parsed data, Mary is connected to 9 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 65.
9 scenes / 1 dialogue linesNaveed Nanjiani is listed as Kumail's Brother. Kumail's brother, married to Fatima. In the parsed data, Naveed Nanjiani is connected to 8 scenes, 4 dialogue lines, 4 text mentions, first appearing around scene 10.
8 scenes / 4 dialogue linesCJ is listed as Comedian. Friend of Kumail and Chris. In the parsed data, CJ is connected to 8 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 65.
8 scenes / 1 dialogue linesAzmat Nanjiani is listed as Kumail's Father. Traditional Pakistani father. In the parsed data, Azmat Nanjiani is connected to 7 scenes, 6 dialogue lines, 6 text mentions, first appearing around scene 47.
7 scenes / 6 dialogue linesSharmeen Nanjiani is listed as Kumail's Mother. Traditional Pakistani mother, obsessed with arranged marriage. In the parsed data, Sharmeen Nanjiani is connected to 6 scenes, 15 dialogue lines, 15 text mentions, first appearing around scene 5.
6 scenes / 15 dialogue linesAndy Dodd is listed as Emcee. Coked-up emcee at the Triple Door. In the parsed data, Andy Dodd is connected to 6 scenes, 9 dialogue lines, 9 text mentions, first appearing around scene 38.
6 scenes / 9 dialogue linesFatima is listed as Naveed's Wife. Naveed's wife. In the parsed data, Fatima is connected to 5 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 2 text mentions, first appearing around scene 34.
5 scenes / 1 dialogue linesKhadija is listed as Arranged Marriage Prospect. Pakistani woman introduced to Kumail by his parents. In the parsed data, Khadija is connected to 4 scenes, 8 dialogue lines, 11 text mentions, first appearing around scene 36.
4 scenes / 8 dialogue linesBob Dalavan is listed as Montreal Comedy Festival Scout. Influential comedy scout. In the parsed data, Bob Dalavan is connected to 4 scenes, 1 dialogue line, 1 text mention, first appearing around scene 19.
4 scenes / 1 dialogue linesKumail arrives at the comedy club, interacts with Chris, Mary, and CJ, and observes the emcee Andy Dodd.
Kumail Nanjiani, Chris Jones, Mary, CJ, Andy DoddKumail performs his set and notices Emily in the audience.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Bob DalavanKumail approaches Emily at the bar after his set.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail and Emily go back to his apartment.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Chris JonesKumail has brunch with his family.
Kumail Nanjiani, Azmat Nanjiani, Sharmeen Nanjiani, Naveed Nanjiani, FatimaEmily meets Kumail backstage after his set; they discuss his performance and his material about Pakistan.
Emily Gardner, Kumail Nanjiani, Chris Jones, Mary, CJEmily wakes up in the middle of the night and tries to leave to use the bathroom, leading to a tense conversation with Kumail.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Chris JonesKumail and Emily sit on the stoop after the bathroom incident.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail watches Naveed struggle at the batting cages.
Naveed Nanjiani, Kumail NanjianiKumail and Naveed eat and discuss Kumail's secret relationship with a white girl.
Naveed Nanjiani, Kumail NanjianiKumail and Emily discuss her past marriage.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerEmily watches Kumail sleep.
Emily Gardner, Kumail NanjianiKumail and Emily shop; Emily asks to meet his parents.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerEmily discovers the cigar box with headshots of Pakistani women, leading to a breakup.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail has dinner with his family and another prospect.
Kumail Nanjiani, Azmat Nanjiani, Sharmeen Nanjiani, Naveed Nanjiani, FatimaKumail talks to CJ about his breakup and career.
Kumail Nanjiani, Chris Jones, Mary, CJKhadija performs a magic trick for Kumail's family.
Kumail Nanjiani, Azmat Nanjiani, Sharmeen Nanjiani, Naveed Nanjiani, Fatima, KhadijaKumail puts Khadija's headshot in the box.
Kumail NanjianiKumail performs stand-up and gets scouted by Bob Dalavan.
Kumail Nanjiani, Bob Dalavan, Chris Jones, MaryKumail receives a call that Emily is in the hospital.
Kumail NanjianiKumail drives to the hospital.
Kumail NanjianiKumail arrives at the hospital.
Kumail NanjianiKumail finds Emily in the ER.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail is told Emily needs to be intubated.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail signs the forms for Emily's procedure.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail calls Emily's parents.
Kumail NanjianiEmily's parents arrive.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerKumail and Emily's parents meet with doctors.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerTerry, Beth, and Kumail wait in the hospital; Terry tells Kumail he can leave.
Terry Gardner, Beth Gardner, Kumail NanjianiKumail discusses Emily's coma with his comedian friends.
Kumail Nanjiani, Mary, Chris Jones, CJKumail returns to the hospital; Beth tells him he does not need to stay.
Terry Gardner, Beth Gardner, Kumail NanjianiKumail eats with Terry and Beth; they discuss 9/11.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerDr. Cunningham informs them that Emily needs surgery.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerKumail's parents host a surprise visit from Khadija and her parents.
Kumail Nanjiani, Azmat Nanjiani, Sharmeen Nanjiani, Naveed Nanjiani, Fatima, KhadijaThe families socialize while Khadija attempts to connect with Kumail.
Kumail Nanjiani, KhadijaKumail breaks off the arranged marriage arrangement with Khadija.
Kumail Nanjiani, KhadijaKumail, Beth, and Terry research medical conditions online.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerDr. Cunningham informs Terry that the biopsy is inconclusive.
Terry Gardner, Andy DoddBeth and Terry argue about moving Emily to a different hospital.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerKumail browses for gifts.
Kumail NanjianiKumail walks with a giant stuffed giraffe.
Kumail NanjianiKumail talks to Nurse Judy about Emily's condition.
Kumail NanjianiKumail invites Terry to stay at his place.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry GardnerKumail and Terry arrive at the apartment.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry GardnerTerry confesses to cheating on Beth.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry GardnerTerry leaves a note and departs.
Kumail NanjianiKumail's parents confront him about Khadija.
Kumail Nanjiani, Chris Jones, Azmat Nanjiani, Sharmeen NanjianiTerry and Beth decide to move Emily.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerKumail has a breakdown at a drive-thru.
Kumail NanjianiKumail realizes he is late for his set.
Kumail NanjianiKumail prepares for his comedy set.
Kumail Nanjiani, Chris Jones, Mary, CJ, Andy Dodd, Bob DalavanKumail performs his set.
Kumail Nanjiani, Bob DalavanKumail talks to the unconscious Emily.
Kumail NanjianiKumail receives a text from Terry.
Kumail NanjianiKumail arrives at the hospital.
Kumail NanjianiKumail watches Emily through the window.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerEmily is awake and recovering.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Andy Dodd, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerDr. Cunningham explains Emily's diagnosis.
Andy Dodd, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerEmily rejects Kumail.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail talks to Terry before leaving.
Kumail Nanjiani, Terry GardnerTerry returns to the room.
Terry GardnerBeth talks to Kumail.
Kumail Nanjiani, Beth GardnerTerry enters Emily's room while Kumail watches from outside; Beth notices Kumail.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerBeth talks to Kumail about Emily's recovery and their future.
Kumail Nanjiani, Beth GardnerMary and CJ convince Kumail to move to New York with them.
Kumail Nanjiani, Chris Jones, Mary, CJA welcome home party for Emily where Kumail arrives to try and win her back.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerKumail tries to reconcile with Emily, but she rejects him.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail confronts his family to demand he not be kicked out.
Kumail Nanjiani, Azmat Nanjiani, Sharmeen Nanjiani, Naveed Nanjiani, FatimaEmily watches Kumail's bad comedy set online; Beth tells her it is time to go home.
Emily Gardner, Beth GardnerKumail performs his one-man show.
Kumail NanjianiEmily tells her parents she is going out for a walk.
Emily Gardner, Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerEmily visits Kumail at his theater.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Naveed NanjianiTerry and Beth prepare for bed.
Terry Gardner, Beth GardnerKumail and Emily talk about his move to New York.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily GardnerKumail prepares to leave for New York; his father brings him food.
Kumail Nanjiani, Chris Jones, Mary, CJ, Azmat NanjianiKumail performs in New York and is surprised by Emily in the audience.
Kumail Nanjiani, Emily Gardner, Mary, CJSo the first time I came to America, I was fourteen and I was just visiting my uncle in New York and it just happened to be Thanksgiving. On my first day in America, my uncle took me to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and I was like, this is every day in America! As advertised. Every day they have a party celebrating Garfield. No day has lived up to that day. So I was lying to my parents, I was telling them I was gonna be a lawyer. And they're very disappointed cause they wanted me to be a doctor. And you guys are like, why didn't you just tell them that you wanted to be a doctor? It's a lie anyway. And I'm like, well it has to be believable. If I told them I want to be a doctor, they'd be like, "bullshit." If I say lawyer, they're like, "oh, ok, that's something." Cause there's a strict hierarchy: doctor, engineer, lawyer, hundreds of jobs, ISIS, then comedian.
Kumail, I'm really glad that you went through this experience, but you have to understand that all that happened while I was asleep. Like you felt one way a few weeks ago and now you're saying you feel the total opposite way and the only thing that's changed is that I was in a coma. Honestly, I look at all of this, and I just think, I can't do it again. I can't be the reason that you don't have a family. It just feels totally different now. And I can't do that again. Do you understand?
Emily has a rare condition called Adult Onset Still's disease. Kumail mentioned Emily's hurt ankle and the swelling still hadn't gone down even after several days in bed, which is strange. Still's disease is when the body thinks healthy tissue is an infection so it tries to fight it. It's like a big biological misunderstanding.
Kumi, you're being selfish. You're not thinking about us. You're not thinking about Khadija. In fact you're not even thinking about that girl that you are in love with. You think American Dream is just about doing whatever you want and not thinking about other people? You're wrong! You are wrong!
I've just been through so many of these appointments and I never have anything in common with the guys. You know when girls at work complain about dating, I just want to body slam them. They have no idea. I don't know. My mom says I'm becoming the bruised apple at the bottom of the apple bucket.
You are still kicked out of the family, but because we did not get a proper chance to say bye to you... Your mother is so angry with you. She is not going to get out of the car. She's not even going to look at you. And I don't believe you kept so much secret from me, your father.
Oh no. Emily should not be moved. The hospital will approve it because it'll get the liability off their hands, but we put her in a coma for a reason. To stabilize her. Moving her could be very dangerous. The infection could spread. Trust me she is fighting. And so are we.
It was the biggest thing they had. I don't even know if she likes giraffes. We never talked about giraffes. Hey, do they know what they're doing? Cause they don't tell us anything. Like, Lyme Disease? You know the girl on The Real World had it? Did you guys look for that?
SlugDB turns parsed screenplays into scene, character, dialogue, trivia, semantic search, Save the Cat, and API-ready analysis.
Use SlugDB when you need screenplay API data, movie dialogue search, character evidence, scene context, or MCP tools without building a scraper first.