A film shoot is happening at Mysore
Palace. The lead actress is doing a song shoot in the lawns with backup dancers
when a black Mercedes came to a halt before the gates of the Palace. Security
opened the gates with much difficulty while trying to control the excited crowd
who were here to try and catch a glimpse of their favourite stars. Once before
the reception area, the door opened and Pranav Malhotra stepped out.
Huge roars are heard. Fans
surrounding the Mysore Palace building waved, clapped and cheered with
enthusiasm, while security personnel tried to control them. His bodyguard
guarded him towards the shoot area in the lawns; before moving he turns and waves
at fans with a practiced smile and eyes covered behind aviators.
****************
After taking a shower, he was
contemplating what to order for dinner when his personal number rang. Seeing
the caller ID, he immediately attends the call.
“Hello Sir”
“How are you doing my boy?”
“I am good; anything serious? How is
your health?
“Oh, c'mon Pranav, don’t treat me like
an old man just because I had a cardiac arrest! I'm still young and energetic”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“What is the matter sir?”
“Well, do you remember the story I
discussed with you two years back, the project Bepannah?
“Yes, you decided to keep it on hold
until you get the right talent for the female lead”
“Yes. But now I have got my lead
girl! I want to know whether you are still interested to do the male lead”
“You just have to tell me the needed
dates’ sir”
“Just following the rules in our
industry Pranav; you are no longer that 21 year old boy whom I met 9 years
back! You are a superstar now”.
“Nothing has changed between you and
me. I want you to remember that always”.
“Ha-ha, now that really sounds like a
star issuing orders to the Director”.
Pranav smiled at his mentor’s jibe.
“Just let me know the dates’
sir. I'm doing this project”.
“Ok I will ask Mani to contact your
manager regarding the dates. Will meet you soon then”
“Sure”
**************
Weeks Later
Pranav is always comfortable in Suraj
Gupta’s team since it made him feel like coming back home. However, this time
there’s an exception in the form of producer Shyam Nadir. Though a generous
producer, the man is a reputed womanizer. Dev knew Suraj Gupta required a
person like Nadir to finance this project so was tolerating him. However a good
thing is Viren, his best friend is working as assistant director for the film.
“Who is this new face Viren? Seems
like Suraj sir is very much taken with her”
“Anyone would be; Pallavi is a natural, both
in talent as well as beauty. And she is perfect for the role, came out with
flying colours in her audition. That’s why we didn’t wait for a look test with
you to ensure chemistry. See these are some shots from her screen test”.
Pallavi is dressed in a traditional look
– Kancheevram sari, big red bindi, long luscious hair cascading down her sides
and jewelled in just a tentative smile. But what caught Pranav’s attention was
the innocence pouring out from her chocolate brown eyes. He couldn’t alter his
gaze.
**************
Later in night, when he was relaxing on
the lounge in his home theatre, a pair of chocolate brown eyes
brimming with innocence kept flashing in his mind. He simply couldn’t shake
them off. When Janaki came in to check on him she saw that he was lost in
thoughts.
“Pranav”
For a moment he looked disoriented.
“Am I disturbing?”
“No. Come in”
“You look worn out, had a hectic day?”
Janaki asked as she sat in front of him.
“No just some discussions and final
promotions of the upcoming release”
“I had a busy day as well with 5 major
project meetings at various stages.”
“You should slow down a bit”
“Look who is saying this”, she laughed.
Pranav smiled as well.
“I signed a movie today with Suraj sir”
“That’s great news. When is it
starting?”
“Soon”
They conversed a little more unwinding
with each other after a busy day. But amidst their talks, Janaki didn’t realise
Pranav is getting distracted by a pair of brown eyes.
**************
January 2012, Mumbai
The pooja ceremony of Bepannah coincided with Jasmine’s
birthday. Even though Pallavi is anxious, thrilled, excited and nervous about
her first public event of the film, she kept all those thoughts aside and
accompanied Jasmine to church. Today is one of those rare days when Jasmine
made an appearance in church; that too only to meet her father. Ever since she
reached Mumbai, Pallavi accompanied Jasmine to the church on this special day.
Neither did Jasmine request her presence nor did Maya give an explanation for
joining her. While Jasmine spent some moments of silence with her Dad in the
cemetery, Pallavi knelt down before the altar praying to her Krishna.
Pranav would have forgotten the
importance of this day if not for Janaki. She has as usual reminded him amidst
breakfast to visit St. Thomas Church; but since she had an urgent meeting she
couldn’t accompany him today. Pranav’s father, Kunal Malhotra married Shirley
Fernandez, his classmate against his parents’ wishes soon after completing his
masters. The most envied love affair of their campus turned sour after 4 years
of marriage. Pranav had grown up seeing his parents fighting almost every single
day and that had killed his ideas and hopes about love and marriage at a very
early age. He visited his mom’s grave every year on this day first on his grandmother’s
insistence and after her death because of Janaki. He also paid respect to his
father’s memory on his death anniversary, for he could never decline his grandmother’s
wish. But other than that there was no connection between him and his parents.
As he was leaving after placing flowers
on his mother’s grave he noticed a girl in white coming through the gates of
the cemetery. She seems to be lost in her own world. Her loose hair was flying
in the breeze and her anklet chimed into the silence around.
“Pallavi?”
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