Nikhil & Jay

Descriptive Transcript

[Upbeat introduction music]

DESCRIPTION: Two brothers open the front door of their home. The older brother, Nikhil, has brown hair and wears a red hoodie with a dinosaur emblem. The younger brother, Jay, has brown hair and wears a blue-and-green sweater.

NIKHIL: Hi, I'm Nikhil.

JAY: And I'm Jay!

NIKHIL: Here's a little story about where our family's from.

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil pulls down a map. Illustrations of their mother, Amma, and their father, Appa, appear. Amma has brown hair and wears orange glasses. Appa has brown hair and a brown beard.

[singing]

BROTHERS: It starts in South India with Amma, our mom. She caught a plane to England and met our dad, Appa!

DESCRIPTION: Appa and Amma dance side by side while Appa holds a cup of tea. Amma wears a blue top with orange pants. Appa wears a red quarter-zip sweater and blue pants.

BROTHERS [singing]: She loves to dance and he makes the best cuppa!

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay dance together and with their parents.

BROTHERS [singing]: Oh! And then we came along. Oh! And this is our song. Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay! Oh-oh Nikhil and Jay!

[singing]

JAY: Nikhil likes… Missions!

[singing]

NIKHIL: Jay likes… Being loud!

[singing]

BROTHERS: We both love to dream!

DESCRIPTION: Miniature versions of Nikhil and Jay play on a carrom board. The brothers fly through the sky in a rocket ship.

[singing]

BROTHERS: We can shoot a carrom pocket! Yeah, or blast off in a rocket! We make the greatest team.

NIKHIL: Wait.

JAY: What!?

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay hold up a tablet, displaying a video call with their grandparents, Ammamma and Thatha. Ammamma is wearing an orange and blue sari, and Thatha is wearing a beige shirt with glasses hung around his neck. Behind Nikhil and Jay are their other set of grandparents, Jim and Nana. Jim has gray hair and wears a green shirt. He is holding a plate of food. Nana has gray hair and wears a yellow high-visibility jacket. She is holding a crossing guard sign.

[singing]

BROTHERS: There's Ammamma and Thatha! And Jim and Nana! And don't forget Max the cat!

DESCRIPTION: An orange cat licks his paw. The whole family dances together.

[Max meowing]

[singing]

FAMILY: Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay! Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay, Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay, Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay!

[Upbeat music]

[Opening Credits] “BBC”.

[Title] “Nikhil & Jay.”

[Credits continue] “Based on the books by Chitra Soundar.”

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil reads out the episode title.

[Episode title] “Nikhil & Jay and the Boo Contest.”

[Credits continue] “Series Director: Jamie Teehan. Director: Nandita Jain. Written by: Becky Overton.”

DESCRIPTION: Paper bats, ghost bunting, and fake cobwebs decorate the house. Jay jumps out of hiding spots in the hallway.

[Jay giggling]

JAY: Boo! Boo! It's Halloween!

[Jay giggling]

DESCRIPTION: A pair of legs stick out from under a jacket hanging in the hallway.

JAY: Nikhil? Nikhil?

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil pops out from behind the jacket. Jay jumps away with wide eyes.

NIKHIL: Boo!

[Jay gasps]

NIKHIL: Yes! I spooked you, Jay. Huh?

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil looks around, but Jay is gone.

NIKHIL: Jay?

DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, Jay appears. He has a paper bag over his head. A spooky face decorates the bag.

JAY: Ooh!

NIKHIL: Ah!

[Nikhil screaming]

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil steps backward, knocking into Appa. Appa carries a massive pumpkin in his arms.

APPA: Ah!

JAY: Yes! I spooked you back, Nikhil! Whoa! That's the biggest pumpkin ever, ever, ever!

DESCRIPTION: Jay hugs the pumpkin.

APPA: Yep! Stand back. Make way for the king of this year's pumpkin trail.

DESCRIPTION: At night, Amma, Appa, Nikhil, and Jay gather in the backyard. A trail of jack-o-lanterns glows in the grass. The trail leads to Appa’s massive pumpkin, which sits uncarved in the garden.

ALL: Wow! Wow!

JAY: It needs a spooky face!

[Amma chuckling]

AMMA: Like this?

DESCRIPTION: Amma scrunches up her face and makes spooky expressions.

[Amma snarling]

DESCRIPTION: Appa looks at Amma’s spooky faces and jumps fearfully.

[Appa screaming]

[Everyone laughs]

APPA: I can be scary too, you know.

AMMA/ NIKHIL/ JAY: Really?

APPA: Yeah! I came eleventh in the local Pumpkin Boo Contest when I was a lad. One of the best scarers on the street, I'll have you know.

AMMA: And the quickest to get scared.

DESCRIPTION: Amma suddenly makes a spooky expression and jumps at Appa.

AMMA: Bah!

DESCRIPTION: Appa jumps away from her.

[Appa squealing]

[Everyone laughs]

JAY: Pumpkin Boo Contest? That sounds boo-tastic!

[Nikhil gasps]

NIKHIL: We could have our own Pumpkin Boo Contest, Jay!

JAY: Yes! To find out who the spookiest is.

DESCRIPTION: In his imagination, Jay dances through spooky, Halloween-themed crayon drawings. Pumpkins, spindly trees, ghosts, bats, and monsters surround him.

[Jay giggling]

DESCRIPTION: Jay hides behind a patch of pumpkins and scares the monsters.

JAY: Boo!

DESCRIPTION: The monsters jump away.

[Jay laughing]

DESCRIPTION: Jay continues to scare monsters.

JAY: Boo!

DESCRIPTION: Jay mimics a ghost to scare another monster.

[ghost impression]

JAY: Ooh!

DESCRIPTION: More monsters jump away from Jay.

JAY: Boo! Boo! Boo!

DESCRIPTION: In reality, Jay is standing in the garden with his family at night.

JAY: I'm the best scarer ever, ever, ever!

[Jay laughing]

NIKHIL: You haven't won yet, Jay.

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil holds up a notebook. Inside is a table, labelled with drawings of Appa, Amma, Max, Nana, and Jim.

NIKHIL: We have to see who can scare Amma, Appa, Max, and–

DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, Nana jumps behind Appa.

NANA: Cooey!

DESCRIPTION: Appa jumps in fear and covers his face.

APPA: Ah! Mum! Sorry. Didn't see you there.

DESCRIPTION: Then, Jim jumps out from behind Appa.

JIM: Boo!

[Appa screaming]

[Appa whimpering]

DESCRIPTION: Jim scratches the back of his head and smiles nervously. Nana’s crossing guard sign is decorated with a fake cobweb.

JIM: Or you, Jim.

JAY: Nana! Jim! Now, you're here, we can start the Pumpkin Boo Contest!

DESCRIPTION: Jay and Nikhil raise their hands and gesture towards the trail of jack-o-lanterns.

JIM: Oh! Count me in!

NANA: Smashing!

[Nana chuckling]

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay lead Nana, Jim, and Appa through the backyard. They walk past jack-o-lanterns, the gardens, and the shed. Appa taps his fingers together, with his brows furrowed and his eyes wide. Max walks behind the group.

[Appa whimpering]

[Crunching behind Appa]

DESCRIPTION: Appa turns, and a blue-and-yellow armadillo stuffed animal hangs upside down from a tree.

[Armadillo stuffed animal squeaking]

DESCRIPTION: Appa covers his face. His eyes are wide open in fear.

[Appa screaming]

DESCRIPTION: Appa trips backward and bumps into Jim.

APPA: Ah!

[Jim chuckling]

JIM: You all right, lad?

[Appa chuckling]

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay poke their heads out from behind a tree. Nikhil is holding a pencil and his notebook.

NIKHIL: Yes! One boo point to me.

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil marks his point in his notebook.

JAY: Aw. Hmm.

DESCRIPTION: Max walks through the backyard. Suddenly, Jay jumps out behind Max. Jay wears a cardboard box on his head, decorated to look like a dog.

JAY: Woof! Woof! Woof!

DESCRIPTION: Max runs away from Jay and hides behind a pumpkin next to Jim.

MAX: Meow!

[Max meowing]

JIM: Max. You're all right. There's nothing to be scared of.

[Max meowing]

DESCRIPTION: Jay takes off his dog mask and walks over to Nikhil.

JAY: One boo point each!

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil marks Jay’s point in his notebook.

NIKHIL: Oh.

DESCRIPTION: A little bit later, Amma walks through the backyard. A pole pokes her in the back.

AMMA: Nikhil, Jay, I know it's you. Hmm.

DESCRIPTION: When Amma turns around, there is no one there.

AMMA: Huh? Oh.

DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, a dinosaur stuffed animal hangs down from a tree.

[Dinosaur growling]

[Amma screaming]

DESCRIPTION: Amma trips backward and knocks into Appa.

[Appa screaming]

DESCRIPTION: Appa trips backward and knocks into Jim.

JIM: Oh!

[Everyone laughing]

NIKHIL: Yes! Another boo point to me!

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil marks his point in his notebook. Behind him, Jay thinks.

JAY: Hmm.

DESCRIPTION: Later, Nana and Jim are looking at a pumpkin. They see Max’s ears popping out from behind the pumpkin. Nana reaches down to pet Max.

NANA: Aw! Isn't she a cutie!

[Nana giggling]

DESCRIPTION: Just then, Jay quickly turns around the pumpkin. Max is not behind it; instead, the pumpkin has been carved into a cat jack-o-lantern.

[Nana yelps]

NANA: Oh! You got me there, Jay!

JAY: Yes!

[Jay giggling]

DESCRIPTION: Jay and Nikhil look at the notebook.

NIKHIL: Two points each. So, whoever spooks Jim will win.

JAY: But Jim is really hard to spook.

DESCRIPTION: Nana jumps out behind Nikhil and Jay.

NANA: Boo!

[screaming]

NIKHIL and JAY: Nana!

[Nana giggling]

NANA: Smashing trail, boys. Sorry, I can't stay, but I promised I'd help at the local Halloween disco.

DESCRIPTION: Nana dances with her crossing guard sign.

NANA: With my lollipop skills!

[Nikhil and Jay laugh]

DESCRIPTION: Nana walks over to Jim.

NANA: And don't be late, love. I need you there for that first dance.

[Nana giggling]

JIM: Hey. Don't you worry. I've got my disco shoes at the ready!

DESCRIPTION: Max looks at Jim’s yellow disco shoes that sit on the patio chair.

[Jim laughing]

[Max meowing]

[Nana giggling]

NANA: Ta-ta!

DESCRIPTION: Just as Nana is about to leave the backyard, Nikhil and Jay run up to her.

NIKHIL & JAY: Wait! Nana!

NANA: Missing me already?

NIKHIL: No. Well, yes. Do you know how we can spook Jim?

NANA: Oh! That's a tricky one. Hmm. I guess you could try spooky noises!

[Nana howling]

[Brothers giggling]

NANA: Or scary faces.

[Brothers giggling]

NANA: Or find the one thing he's most scared of.

[Brothers gasping]

NIKHIL: What's that?

NANA: I don't know. Tell me when you find out.

[Nana laughing]

DESCRIPTION: Nana leaves the backyard. Max jumps on Jim’s disco shoes and accidentally tips over the patio chair. Appa and Jim are standing together in the garden beside Appa’s massive pumpkin.

[Noise from the backyard]

APPA: Huh?

DESCRIPTION: Appa clutches Jim’s shoulders. Appa’s eyes are wide with fear, but Jim smiles peacefully. Jay hides behind a bush and makes spooky noises.

JAY: Grr!

[Appa screaming]

APPA: What's that?

[Jay howling]

[Jim chuckling]

[Jay howling]

DESCRIPTION: Jim walks around the bush and finds Jay.

JIM: Hey! It's a Jay.

APPA: Ah, knew it.

[Ghost howling]

DESCRIPTION: Appa clings to Jim’s shoulders once again.

[Appa screaming]

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil appears behind them, making ghost noises.

[Nikhil giggling]

JIM: Scary noises don't spook me.

APPA: Or me.

[Appa chuckling nervously]

JIM: But they have made me, uh, need the loo. Won't be long.

DESCRIPTION: Jim runs inside the house.

[Appa whimpering]

NIKHIL: Are you okay, Appa?

APPA: Me? Yeah, totally. Just Halloween always makes me a little jumpy.

DESCRIPTION: Jay pops up behind Appa, holding a jack-o-lantern.

[Appa screaming]

APPA: What with all the scary faces.

NIKHIL and JAY: Scary faces!

NIKHIL: That's what Nana said!

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay run away.

[Appa groaning]

DESCRIPTION: Beside Appa, Amma jumps out of a nearby bush and scares Appa.

AMMA: Bah!

[Appa screaming]

[Amma laughing]

DESCRIPTION: Max jumps out of the bush behind Amma. Amma jumps in fear.

[Amma yelps]

[Max meowing]

DESCRIPTION: Max crosses her arms and winks. Inside the house, Jim comes out of the washroom.

[Toilet flushing, sighing]

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay wait in the hallway, making spooky faces and noises at Jim. Jim does not flinch.

[Nikhil and Jay groaning]

[Jim laughing]

JIM: Sorry, lads, but scary faces don't spook me either.

[Jim laughing]

[Nikhil and Jay sighing]

JAY: Scaring Jim is impossible.

[Nikhil groaning]

NIKHIL: But one of us needs to spook him to win.

DESCRIPTION: Amma’s voice calls out from outside.

[Amma from the distance]

AMMA: Jim! Isn't it disco time?

DESCRIPTION: At the top of the staircase, Jim puts his hands on his head. His eyes widen fearfully, and he pulls on his face.

JIM: Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no, no, no! I'm gonna be late for Nana! Ah!

NIKHIL: Maybe there is one way to scare Jim after all.

DESCRIPTION: In his imagination, Nikhil watches several monsters walk by.

NIKHIL: You won't scare Jim!

[Nikhil giggling]

DESCRIPTION: Nikil sees the armadillo and dinosaur stuffed animals.

[Dinosaur roaring]

NIKHIL: Or you.

[Armadillo squeaking]

NIKHIL: Or you!

DESCRIPTION: Suddenly, Nikhil imagines a clock with Nana’s face and voice holding her crossing guard sign.

[Nana’s alarm ringing]

NIKHIL: Ah!

CLOCK NANA: You're late!

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil’s imagination ends. He is standing with Jay in the hallway.

NIKHIL: Actually, I know how to spook Jim. He's terrified of being late for Nana!

JAY: Yes! Whoo!

DESCRIPTION: Jay and Nikhil run into their bedroom. They both grab a cardboard-and-tape crossing guard sign. Jay and Nikhil both try to take the sign from the other.

NIKHIL: I'm gonna be spooky Nana!

JAY: No! I'm going to be spooky Nana!

[Brothers grunting]

NIKHIL: But! But! We can't both be spooky Nana.

JAY: Or can we?

DESCRIPTION: Jay and Nikhil smile. They hear Jim speaking outside.

JIM [distant]: No! No! No! Oh, where are me disco shoes?

DESCRIPTION: In the backyard, Amma and Appa help Jim look for his yellow disco shoes.

JIM: I need to go now!

DESCRIPTION: Jim finds his shoes behind Appa’s massive pumpkin.

JIM: Oh, found them. Panic over.

[Jim chuckling]

DESCRIPTION: The shadowy figure of Nana is projected onto a tree. She sways back and forth, holding her crossing guard sign. Nikhil and Jay’s voices call out.

NIKHIL and JAY: You're late, Jim!

DESCRIPTION: Jim jumps in fear.

JIM: Oh!

JAY: And don't tell me you've lost your disco shoes.

[Alarm ringing]

DESCRIPTION: Jim falls backward onto the grass. He holds his head in his hands.

JIM: Oh! Nana! I'm late for Nana! Oh, no, no, no!

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay pop out of a nearby bush. They are holding the crossing guard sign and flashlights.

BROTHERS: Yes! Ha-ha! Yay! We spooked you!

JIM: Oh, you did. Good and proper.

[Jim chuckling]

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil takes out his notebook. Jay and Nikhil have equal scores.

NIKHIL: Yay! We're both the best scarers.

JAY: Whoo-whoo!

DESCRIPTION: Later, Amma, Appa, Nikhil, Jay, and Jim gather by the front door. Jim holds his disco shoes and waves goodbye.

NIKHIL & JAY: Bye!

JIM: I'll see you later. Ah!

DESCRIPTION: The front door swings open and reveals Nana standing in the doorway. She frowns and taps her foot.

[Alarm ringing]

DESCRIPTION: Jim jumps backward and into Appa’s arms.

[Jim screaming]

[Everyone laughs]

JIM: Oh. I'm sorry, love. I tried to get there. I did. But there was too much fun and then pumpkins and then me shoes and then–

NANA: Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Don't worry! It was cancelled. The disco lights were broken! I mean, what's a disco without disco lights?

JIM/ APPA/ AMMA: Oh!

DESCRIPTION: Jay holds up his flashlight.

JAY: We've got lights!

APPA: Wahoo! And Nana's got the moves and Jim, the disco shoes.

[Everyone laughing]

DESCRIPTION: Later, everyone is dancing together outside. Appa, Amma, Nana, Jim, Nikhil, and Jay dance around Appa’s massive pumpkin.

[Upbeat music]

BROTHERS: Yeah! Yeah!

[Nikhil and Jay giggling]

DESCRIPTION: Nana approaches Nikhil and Jay.

NANA: I hear you found out what our Jim's scared of. Who knew, hey? Wahoo!

[Nikhil and Jay giggling]

DESCRIPTION: Nana walks back over to Jim.

[Nana laughing]

NANA: You're late, Jim! Boo!

[Alarm ringing]

JIM: Whoa!

DESCRIPTION: Jim trips backward in fear and knocks over the carrom board.

[Carrom crashing]

JIM: Oh, no.

DESCRIPTION: Everyone gathers around and laughs.

[All laughing]

DESCRIPTION: Max falls beside Jim and smiles up at him.

[Max cooing]

[Upbeat music]

[End Credits] “Cast. Nikhil: Shiv Senthilkumar, Jay: Sai Ganesh Nadesan, Amma: Charithra Chandran, Appa: Ben Harris, Mr. Awan: Tez Ilyas, Max: Harriet Carmichael. Casting: Brilliant Casting. Additional Voice Direction: Jessica Hann. Composers: Sidh Solanki & Shridhar Solanki. Lead Storyboard Artist: Rosie Cash. Storyboard Artist: Sophie Osinski. Script Editor: Becky Overton. Produced with funding from the Northern Ireland Screen & Cake. King Banana, Paper Owl Films for BBC. An Albert Certified Production.”