CHAPTER – 1

2010: Shimla

Veer Nanda is lost in thoughts.

My elder daughter Priya never gave me a headache over academic choices, but my younger one is a champion in that matter. Pallavi, just turning eighteen in a month’s time stood firm in her decision to pursue acting and in her ambition to become an actress.

Though I appreciate my daughter’s talent and passion I’m not entirely pleased with her choice to make it a career. My wife is angry with me for giving in to Pallavi’s decision but how can I not when my sunshine turned her trusting eyes onto me, silently pleading to give her the freedom to do something she believed in?

I can’t let my daughter down; all my life I’ve taught them to stand up and fight for what they believed in. I just hope my daughters find the right path always and make right choices and learn from their faltered steps.

Pallavi Nanda is the most beloved member of her family. Cinema is her biggest obsession since childhood and somehow even before she knew it, being an actress became the biggest desire of her life. She daydreams herself as a warrior queen fighting her enemy on battlefields, dancing alluringly to hit music, emoting to intense scenes which move audience to tears; she’s a dreamer and goner. She’s someone who would mimic and dance around house to appease her angry mother when she gets up late or irritate her sister lost in medical books by engaging in dialoguebaazi like a full throated drama queen.

 She is a die-hard fan of Pranav Malhotra and finds his journey to becoming an actor as an inspiration. He reins film industry and he rules Pallavi’s heart too; typical teenage celeb-crush. Her teenage mind sees the world with rose tinted glasses but real life and its harsh side is soon going to beckon her.

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As usual Pallavi was going to surf the entertainment section of the newspaper to learn the new gossips in tinsel town when the bold headline on the front page stopped her heart.

                       PRANAV MALHOTRA, NO MORE A BACHELOR!!!!

Mumbai: Pranav Malhotra, the Raging Star of the cine world, the heart-throb, the most sought after bachelor, broke many hearts yesterday night. He got married to Janaki Kashyap, daughter of Rajender Kashyap, and also the new CEO of Kashyap Industries, yesterday in a strictly private function held at his residence. There were very few members from the film field and media was not allowed. This sudden unannounced marriage has come as a surprise to many and news for heart break for his girl fans. Anyways, we wish Mr. & Mrs. Malhotra a Happy Married Life!!!

Just like many teenage fan girls she mourned the news for a few days until her admission at Pune Institute got her going. She concentrated on her dream and worked hard for it. In a guest lecture session, she met Jasmine Elvis, a well acclaimed Cinematographer.  Jasmine is a strong willed lady who made an identity for herself in the film industry with sheer hard work and passion. She was known for her tough nut image within industry since she climbed the ladders of success at a young age. Her interactive sessions excited Pallavi.

Jasmine noticed the fire in Pallavi Nanda and became the much needed morale booster she needed in this field. Though their ideologies were different about most things, and belonged to two different decades by age, their passion for cinema made them bond well. It was Jasmine who recommended Pallavi for her first break in films.

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December 2011, Mumbai

 Suraj Gupta, the renowned Film Director had a project in mind from a long time. Since he couldn’t find his heroine in any existing actresses or new faces he auditioned over the years he had the project on the backburner. However, when Jasmine handed over Pallavi’s portfolio to him he knew he found his lead heroine.

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When Pallavi opened the door, Jasmine took her in a bear hug. It’s almost eight months to Pallavi coming to Mumbai, after completing her studies and she’s staying with Jasmine. Pallavi is juggling between giving auditions and doing some random modelling and ad jigs to sustain like many other movie aspirants.

“Whoa, what’s up?”

“Catch this. Actually you should be giving the treat, but doesn’t matter.”

“But for what?”

“Your final audition”

“What”

“I am just coming from Suraj Gupta’s studio. He loved your portfolio. Want a screen test tomorrow itself. He was waiting for the right heroine to do Bepanaah; a script which he wrote himself. It’s said to be a great love story”.

Pallavi is too stunned to say anything for a while.

Jasmine grinned.

“I know how it feels. Can’t believe it right?”

 “Yes, I can't believe this. It’s huge. Suraj sir....oh my God! Even to be considered by him is a great thing. Even if I don’t get the audition, no big deal”

“Think positive. You will rock it. And yes, to be launched by Suraj sir is luck! And now before you fly high, you have one more reason to be happy”.

“What”

“There is a chance that Pranav Malhotra might be the male lead of the film. He is Suraj sir’s favourite and seems like he was fixed for the role since long time”.

Pallavi didn’t know how to react.

My first film paired opposite my favourite actor, and a launch under such an acclaimed director...dreams does come true.