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 hooded sweater 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.

BROTHERS [singing]: 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.

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! Nikhil likes… Missions! Jay likes… Being loud! 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.

BROTHERS [singing]: 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.

BROTHERS [singing]: 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]

FAMILY [singing]: Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay! Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay, Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay, Oh-oh, Nikhil and Jay!

[Introduction music ends]

[Opening credits] “BBC”.

[Title] Nikhil and Jay.

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

DESCRIPTION: Jay reads out the episode title.

[Episode title] “Nikhil & Jay and the Cuppa King.”

[Credits continue] “Series Director: Jamie Teehan. Director: Nandita Jain. Written by: Dilpreet Kaur Walia.”

DESCRIPTION: Appa, Nikhil, and Jay walk up to Mr. Awan’s outdoor shop. The shop is filled with produce, spices, jarred food, and more. Mr. Awan wears yellow glasses, a red shirt, and a blue vest.

[Both giggling]

APPA: Watch out, the Cuppa King has entered the building. Oh, yeah. Time to get all the spices that make the ultimate brew. An Appa cuppa.

[Both laughing]

[Quacking coming from the cash register]

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay walk over to Mr. Awan, where he is nervously pressing on the cash register’s tablet.

[Both gasping]

NIKHIL: Mr. Awan?

JAY: Is there a duck in your tablet?

[Both giggling]

MR. AWAN: And local legend Skater Duck uploaded.

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Awan’s head falls onto the cash register, and he falls asleep. Appa pokes him, and he quickly wakes up again.

[Snoring]

[Gasping]

MR. AWAN: Ah, sorry. Been working on my Awan About Town channel.

BROTHERS: Yay!

BROTHERS [singing]: Ah-ah-ah Awan About Town!

MR. AWAN: Yeah, boys. That's my theme tune.

[Mr. Awan yawning]

MR. AWAN: It's hard work juggling the channel with working in my shop. Must drink tea.

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Awan reaches for his cup of tea, but accidentally grabs a mango instead.

[Grunting]

NIKHIL: I know what you need to wake up.

BOTH: An Appa cuppa!

[Appa chuckling]

APPA: First up, spices.

DESCRIPTION: Appa makes a cup of tea and hands it to Mr. Awan.

APPA: E voila.

[Sniffing]

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Awan takes a sip. His eyes light up, and he smiles.

MR. AWAN: Zing! This cuppa has the power! I can taste the ginger, you know. Oh, I feel so alive!

DESCRIPTION: Mr. Awan dances.

BROTHERS: Appa cuppa! Appa cuppa! Appa cuppa!

MR. AWAN: Zing! You're a local legend. Just like Skater Duck. Oh, you must come on my channel and show everyone how to make your cuppa. Please?

[Appa grumbling]

BROTHERS: Appa, on Mr. Awan's channel?

APPA: I mean, I don't call myself the Cuppa King for nothing, but--

BROTHERS: He'll do it!

DESCRIPTION: Appa scratches the back of his neck and furrows his eyebrows. He smiles nervously.

MR. AWAN: Zing, zing, zing! Brilliant! I'll be over later to film, yeah?

APPA: Film?

NIKHIL: Time to practice!

JAY: Woo-hoo!

DESCRIPTION: Jay and Nikhil drag Appa out of Mr. Awan’s shop. A little while later, Appa stands in the family kitchen. The kitchen has blue walls, orange tile, a couple of plants, and a chalkboard built into the side of the counter. Appa has a mug on the counter, and Nikhil stands in front of the kitchen. Nikhil pretends to film Appa.

NIKHIL: There you go. Take one, action.

APPA: So, you see, not all cuppas taste the same, and that's because everyone uses a unique blend.

DESCRIPTION: Appa picks up a handful of spice jars.

[Appa chuckling]

DESCRIPTION: Just then, Jay runs into the room with the tablet.

JAY: Wait, wait! I wasn't ready! Now, Appa can practice on camera.

NIKHIL: Take one again. Action!

DESCRIPTION: As soon as the camera starts recording, Appa’s eye starts to twitch, his arms move robotically, and he doesn’t speak in full sentences.

[Appa whimpering]

APPA: Cup and water and ginger and in water and cup.

[Chuckling nervously]

NIKHIL: Cut!

APPA: Phew. Right. How did I do?

JAY: Uh, let's keep practicing.

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay’s mom, Amma, walks into the kitchen.

AMMA: Hey, you two.

JAY: Amma, Appa's going to be on Mr. Awan's channel.

DESCRIPTION: Amma nervously looks between the brothers and Appa.

AMMA: You mean he's going to be filmed on camera?

[Dramatic music]

DESCRIPTION: Appa’s eyes widen.

[Appa gulping]

JAY: Yup, and we're helping Appa practice.

[Chuckling]

AMMA: Okay. Good luck.

DESCRIPTION: Amma blows a kiss towards Appa. Jay jumps into the air and catches the kiss before it can reach Appa. Jay pretends to eat the kiss.

JAY: Ah!

[Munching]

APPA: Aw.

[Giggling]

NIKHIL: Come on, Appa, let's start again. Ready? Take two. Action!

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay hold up the tablet and film Appa. Appa massages his face and stares into the distance.

[Grumbling]

DESCRIPTION: Appa’s eyes twitch, his arms move erratically.

NIKHIL: Okay, ready.

APPA: Cup. Water. Ginger.

[Appa grunting]

APPA: Cup. Water. Ginger. Cup. Water.

NIKHIL: Uh, why's he talking like that?

JAY: I don't know, but cut!

[Appa chuckling]

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil and Jay try filming again.

NIKHIL: And take three!

APPA: Cup. Water. Ginger.

[Appa grunting]

APPA: Cup. Water. Ginger.

[Appa grunting]

APPA: Cup. Water. Ginger. Cup. Water. Ginger.

JAY: What is going on with his eyes?

APPA: Cup. Water. Ginger.

NIKHIL: Cut!

APPA: Tea break?

[Appa chuckling]

[Both brothers sighing]

DESCRIPTION: A little while later, a long line of mugs sits on the countertop. Appa is on his knees in the kitchen, rubbing his hands together. His brows are furrowed, and he is staring at the ground. Nikhil has his hand on Appa’s shoulder.

NIKHIL: Okay, ready for another take. This time, just smile like you did before.

APPA: Um…

DESCRIPTION: Appa gives a big smile.

JAY: That's perfect, Appa.

DESCRIPTION: Jay holds up the tablet and films Appa.

[Appa whimpering]

DESCRIPTION: Appa falls onto the ground.

[Appa grunting]

JAY: Are you okay, Appa?

NIKHIL: Don't you want to be on the channel?

DESCRIPTION: Appa sits up and leans against the stove. Nikhil and Jay stand next to him.

APPA: I do, but look how badly the practice is going.

JAY: Sorry, Appa. It's our fault.

NIKHIL: Yeah, we told Mr. Awan you'd do it.

APPA: No, it's not your fault. It's just that I'm worried about letting everyone down. It feels like being thrown into the deep end.

NIKHIL: Aww.

JAY: Poor Appa.

DESCRIPTION: Appa hugs Jay and Nikhil.

APPA: But don't worry. I know that with you two by my side, I'll swim to success.

[Both giggling]

[Jay gasps]

[Upbeat music]

DESCRIPTION: In his imagination, Jay pictures himself wearing arm floaties. He stands in front of human-sized tea mugs and hops inside them. Jay floats on his back in a mug of tea.

[Jay sighs]

[Jay gasping]

JAY: Woo!

DESCRIPTION: Jay jumps out of a trophy.
[Sighing]

JAY: Success!

[Upbeat music ends]

DESCRIPTION: Jay’s dream ends. He stands in the kitchen with Nikhil and Appa. Jay hands Appa a pair of orange arm floaties.

JAY: Here you go.

APPA: Ah, perfect. Arm bands?

JAY: These'll help you swim, Appa.

APPA: Oh, Jay. That's so–

DESCRIPTION: Appa’s eyes water, and he smiles at Jay.

APPA: Thanks, buddy.

DESCRIPTION: Appa puts on the arm floaties. They only fit around his wrists, and he wears them as bracelets.

[Appa grunting]

APPA: Ah, I feel better already.

[All laughing]

[Doorbell ringing]

[All gasping]

DESCRIPTION: Just then, Mr. Awan walks into their house. Mr. Awan has his phone out and is filming.

MR. AWAN: Ay, Cuppa King. Ready for your big moment?

[Appa gasping]

[Appa whimpering]

MR. AWAN: Hah! Nice bracelets. Let's go, boys.

BROTHERS: Uh…

DESCRIPTION: Back in the kitchen, Mr. Awan sets up his phone on a tripod and films Appa. Once again, Appa’s eyes are twitching, his body is stiff and robotic, and he can’t talk in full sentences.

[Appa whimpering]

[Camera beeping]

APPA: G-Ginger. Cup.

MR. AWAN: Hey, what's up with your dad?

BROTHERS: Uh-oh.

JAY: He's doing it again.

NIKHIL: He was fine until we started filming him.

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil holds up his hands and mimes holding a camera. He looks at Appa, who is staring at Mr. Awan’s camera.

APPA: Ginger. Cup. Water. Ooh. Ginger.

[Nikhil gasping]

NIKHIL: It's the camera.

[Jay gasping]

JAY: It turns Appa into a wibbly wobbly robot. We need to help him, Nikhil.

NIKHIL: Hm. We need to stop Appa seeing the camera, but how? Hm.

DESCRIPTION: In his imagination, Nikhil dreams he is in an all-yellow world, covered in black polka dots. Suddenly, a banana, a cheetah, and a butterfly all appear. They are all yellow with black polka dots, so they blend into their surroundings.

[Nikhil gasping]

NIKHIL: Ah, hello.

[Gasping]

[Cheetah yowling]

NIKHIL: Oops. Didn't spot you there. Or you. Sorry. Or you, but why? Hm. I know, it's because everything is hidden. It's camouflage.

[Cheetah meowing]

NIKHIL: That's it!

DESCRIPTION: Back in reality.

NIKHIL: Actually, camouflage is the answer.

JAY: Camo-who?

NIKHIL: Camouflage.

DESCRIPTION: Nikhil points out Max lying on a pillow.

NIKHIL: Look! Our orange cat is sitting in front of an orange cushion. That's camouflage.

[Max yawning]

NIKHIL: So, to help Appa we need to--

BROTHERS: Camouflage the camera!

DESCRIPTION: In the kitchen, Appa wobbles, then runs off towards the washroom.

[Appa stammering]

APPA: Sorry. I drank too much tea!

MR. AWAN: What is– What's up with your dad? He's acting really odd.

JAY: It's the camera.

NIKHIL: But we've got a plan. A camouflage plan.

DESCRIPTION: Jay, Nikhil, and Mr. Awan hide the camera inside of a cereal box while Appa is in the washroom.

NIKHIL: Ta-da! Camera camouflage.

ALL: Yeah!

DESCRIPTION: When Appa returns to the kitchen, he does not see the camera.

MR. AWAN: Here he is. The local legend. Come on, bro. Give us your best Appa cuppa. Just a rehearsal.

APPA: Oh, just a rehearsal? No camera. Sure! Let's do it.

DESCRIPTION: Appa slides behind the camera and begins his tea presentation. He speaks clearly and charismatically, does not stutter, and his body is not stiff.

APPA: Right-tea-oh! Welcome tea lovers from around the world. I'm the Cuppa King, and, today, I'm about to introduce you to the loveliest Appa cuppa.

[Jay gasping]

JAY: It's working! He's not doing the "water, ginger, cup."

[Giggling]

NIKHIL: Yes! The Cuppa King is back.

DESCRIPTION: A little bit later, Appa is stirring a finished cup of tea in a cat mug.

APPA: And that's how you make a perfect Appa cuppa.

[Sipping]

APPA: Zing!

BROTHERS: Well done, Appa!

MR. AWAN: Yes! You smashed that!

DESCRIPTION: Appa nervously rubs the back of his neck.

APPA: Yeah, let's hope I can do it on camera now.

MR. AWAN: There's no need to. We got it all.

BROTHERS: On camera!

APPA: What? But, how?

DESCRIPTION: The brothers hold up the cereal box. A small hole has been cut in the bottom of the box, through which the camera can film.

JAY: It's called camouflage.

NIKHIL: Or camera-flage! Ta-da!

[Appa laughing]

APPA: Genius! I knew I'd be okay with you two by my side. Go team!

[All cheering]

APPA: Or should I say, tea-eam.

[All laughing]

DESCRIPTION: On their tablet, Amma, Appa, Jay, and Nikhil watch Mr. Awan’s Cuppa King video.

APPA [in the video]: And that's how you make a perfect Appa cuppa.

BROTHERS: Woo-hoo! Yay!

AMMA: Well done, boys, and you, too, Cuppa King. Ready for another video?

DESCRIPTION: Amma takes out her phone and holds the camera up to Appa. He jumps off the couch and trips over the carrom board. Nikhil pokes his foot.

[Appa whimpering]

[All gasping]

[Squeaking]

DESCRIPTION: Appa pops up, gives the family a wink, and a thumbs-up.

APPA: Zing!

[Family laughing]

[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.”