The Namesake

Moushumi Mazumdar:
I detest American television.

Moushumi Mazumdar:
Not bad, Mr. Ganguli.

Gogol Ganguli:
I'd say we made a killing, Mrs. Ganguli.

Moushumi Mazumdar:
Oh, hold it, hold it. Ms. Mazumdar is the name.

Ashima A. Ganguli:
...Besides, what kind of a girl is called Max, huh?

Lydia Ratliff:
Maybe it's a boy.

Gogol Ganguli:
So I'm two inches away from her. Her luscious lips part. Just as I'm about to kiss her, she looks at me and she says, "What's your name?"

Marc:
Gogol Ganguli.

Gogol Ganguli:
End of seduction 101.

Gogol Ganguli:
[after being told the origin of his name] Baba, is that what you think of when you think of me? Do I remind you of that night?

Ashoke Ganguli:
Not at all. You remind me of everything that followed. Everyday since then has been a gift... Gogol.

Ashoke Ganguli:
There is something I always wanted to ask you, but never had the courage. All those years ago, why did you say yes to me?

Ashima A. Ganguli:
You were the best of the lot.

Ashoke Ganguli:
Huh?

Ashima A. Ganguli:
Better than the widower with four children or the cartoonist with one arm. I also liked your shoes.

Ashoke Ganguli:
Oh. Oh, okay.

Ashima A. Ganguli:
Hmm, you want me to say "I love you," like the Americans.

Gogol Ganguli:
Who's Pierre? [silence]

Gogol Ganguli:
Are you having an affair? [more silence]

Moushumi Mazumdar:
Maybe it's not enough that we are both Bengali.

Gogol Ganguli:
That's not why I love you.

Ashoke Ganguli:
The camera! It is in the car. All this and no picture, huh? We just have to remember it then. Huh? Will you remember this day, Gogol?

Gogol:
How long do you I to remember it?

Ashoke Ganguli:
[laughing] Ah, remember it always. Remember that you and I made the journey and went together to a place where there was nowhere left to go.

Ashoke Ganguli:
For Gogol Ganguli- The man who gave you his name, from the man who gave you your name.

[first lines]

Man:
Mm, what are you reading?

Ashoke Ganguli:
Hm? "The Overcoat", by Gogol.

Man:
Pack a pillow and a blanket. See the world. You will never regret it.

Ashoke Ganguli:
My grandfather always says that is what books are for. To travel without moving an inch.

Ashoke Ganguli:
You won't believe it. Our rickshaw drivers dress better than professors here.

Ashima A. Ganguli:
He wants to keep Gogol and not Nikhil as his good name. Fine. No big deal.

Ashoke Ganguli:
With a president named Jimmy, there is nothing we can do. As long as our kid is happy, you know.

Gogol Ganguli:
Did you guys know all this stuff about him when you decided to name me? That he was paranoid, suicidal, friendless, depressed?

Ashoke Ganguli:
You forgot to mention that he was also a genius.

Ashoke Ganguli:
Well all came out of Gogol's overcoat. One day you will understand.

Ashima A. Ganguli:
[riding in rickshaw] Why don't you get in my American son? Sonia can sit on my lap. Come on.

Gogol:
No. Because being pulled by another human being is feudal and exploitative, and I don't want to be part of something like that.

Gogol Ganguli:
There are some things you should know. Um, no kissing, no holding hands. My parents are not Lydia and Gerald. I've never seen them touch, let alone anything else.

Ashima A. Ganguli:
You know, by the time I was your age, I had already celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary.

Gogol Ganguli:
This is America, Ma. People have twins when they're 60.

Moushumi Mazumdar:
[wedding night] I've begun to publish under my name. No one would know me. Oh come on, Nikhil. What if somebody ask you to change your name?

Gogol Ganguli:
I already have, remember?

Ashima A. Ganguli:
For 25 years I missed my life in India. And now, I will miss my life here. And all of you, who became my family.

[last lines]

Ashoke Ganguli:
[remembering his father's words] Pack a pillow and blanket. Go, see the world. You will never regret it, Gogol.