CHAPTER – 11

Pallavi finished the script reading with Suraj Gupta at his office and needless to say she is deeply moved by the story.

“So Pallavi, I would like to see you as my Serena. What do you say?”

“It's a wonderful story Suraj Sir. And Serena is an outstanding character”.

“Is that a yes?”

She didn't know what to say!

I love the story, it’s a dream role and my dates are available. Even if it is not I’ll make it available for Suraj sir. How can I deny him? But Pranav is the male lead....

“I think you need time. Let me know in 2 days maximum”.

“Sure sir. I’ll take your leave then”.

  

Just then Suraj’s mobile beeped with a message.

Dev – I'm in Sir. My manager will contact the producer and discuss the dates. I'm doing this project.

He informed Pallavi that Pranav has given his nod. She assured that she’ll let him know her final decision in 2 days.

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Pallavi finished the shoot for the day and was driving back home. She took to driving whenever she’s confused and wants to clear her mind. Her mind is wheeling around old memories.

Pranav asking her to hold his hand when she was hanging by the cliff......... He had asked her to trust him and she had done just that…………

The way he took care of her after the accident…………………his care, concern and their wonderful moments together far away from the world's eyes…………...

The night when he asked her to accompany him for shopping…………..………how they had roamed around the streets……………………..

How she slipped on the snow glazed pavement and he caught her and their passionate eye lock……...……………their KISS…...……

Her curt words after that….." It would be better if we don't cross our paths again"

She had never really been able to get rid of those memories no matter how much it hurt her to remember it each time!

Do I want to do this film?

Yes!

Will I be able to work with him without messing my mind?

No!  

Do I want to work with him?

........Yes! Maybe one last time!

Am I being selfish?

Yes! 

What does my mind want me to do?

Keep away from Pranav. 

What does my heart want? 

Be near him!

Am I selfish?

Yes!

                                            ************

Article: News India

                        Hottest Couple in Tinsel Town Reunite for ALVIDAA

Mumbai: True to our last Article, Pranav Malhotra and Pallavi Nanda are once again coming together on screen to mesmerise us with their mind blowing chemistry. Viewers are blessed with this opportunity through their mentor Suraj Gupta's next Alvidaa. The shoot is to commence in July. To the questions on why they were never seen together for so long despite their miraculous chemistry, the actors commented that no right project came up for them. Anyways fans are already going gaga over this film. With Suraj Gupta helming the project and this hot onscreen pair coming together, Alvidaa is expected to be a massive hit and has already made audience excited for its release.

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They started the project as planned in July and the shoot is progressing well. Suraj is happy with how the film is shaping up as days went by.

But Pranav is having a hard time. Pallavi is avoiding him to her best ability despite doing this movie opposite him. During shoot, she is professional to the core and lets nothing affect their work; but as soon as Suraj screams pack-up, she walks off to her caravan. She never remained on the sets unnecessarily and always avoided being alone.

But Pranav wanted to rekindle at least the friendship they had. That is the main reason why he gave a nod to this project despite having many other profitable projects lined up. He wanted Pallavi’s presence in his life. But in the last three years, he has realised that they cannot be what they want to be. But that doesn’t mean they have to maintain this ignorance game. He was in a far better head space regarding their equation now and wanted to see if she shared the same thoughts. This shoot is his only opportunity to find out.

Though they didn’t interact much on set, he often caught her stealing glances at him just like he did. She would sit with her sun glasses on and a poker face intact when he’s doing his solo scenes. But he knew her!

When Suraj sir told me about this project, I wasn't sure if Pallavi will act with me. Somewhere I knew that she won't deny her mentor and had secretly wished for her to agree. I’ve obeyed her words and never crossed paths with her after that night. But now, their paths have joined once again. I’m not going to let go of this chance destiny has provided us.

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A song sequence is being shot. The set design is dominated by black and red colour and has a forbidding aura to it. The scene enunciates a lover singing to his lady love the pain he is going through. The song is dramatizing the plight of the lovers who can't join despite their true love.

Pranav is seen holding a guitar in his hand all alone on a slightly uplifted stage. When the music is played and Suraj gives a head up, he slowly begins lip syncing the lyrics. Pallavi in a black transparent sari with no ornaments, minimal makeup and hair left in loose curls walks into the frame. She has her eyes downcast and her face is etched in sorrow. Suraj is sitting before the visuals, a mike in his hand.

 He throws his hand in the air to express his violent sorrow. She runs to him seeing his pain but stops short when he looks into her eyes with hope. She is unable to move further. He extends his hand to touch her face, who is just few feet’s away from him; but she moves away from him ending the shot.

In between the shots, crew is adding the needed changes to the background and music is being repeated in the background while Suraj explains how he is visualising the scene to Pranav and Pallavi. They are planning to take the beginning and end shots of the song sequence today.

Pallavi’s makeup-man pulled a chair for her and indulged in touch up. Pranav also seated himself not far away and his makeup artist also works on his face. His eyes were constantly seeking hers. She can see him through the mirror held in front of her and he is aware of it. They share an eye lock through the mirror. Pallavi averts her gaze. After the touch up she moves up on the stage with him. Choreographer explains the next dance step to them with the help of her assistants who is doing a demo for them. The spot boys are arranging a fire line on the stage. The song will end with the set being ablaze with fire.

“All back to position. All lights off. Red lights alone on. Pranav, Pallavi ready?”

 They nodded.

 “Music on”

The music starts and when they are about to reach the next line; Pranav moves into the middle of the stage and holds his position. He holds her hand, she moves close to him and lean on his shoulders. He holds her in his arms while she continues singing the lyrics denoting anguish with pain, holding their intertwined hands in hers. Somewhere the lyrics and its meaning were pricking them, since it reflected their own emotions to an extent.

They share an eye lock before the camera and she word out the lyrics with a sincere expression which Pranav realised is not just acting!

 Set boys are ready with fire. After taking necessary precautions, the last sequence is being shot where the set will be lit with fire enclosing the lovers amidst it. The song is reaching its crucial part and it seems like Pranav and Pallavi are in a different world of their own. The scenes come to life with an unusual amount of life to it.

 She raises her head slowly and moves back leaving his hand, but looks straight into his eyes with determination and resignation. He looks on as her hands left his, her fingers swept through his; his hand leaned forward to her and his mouth opened in anguish as if to say something to stop her.

Suraj realized they’re improvising. He signals the boys to set fire and soon the whole frame depicts the golden rays of it. She continues singing while twirling amidst the fire while he looks on with a pained expression close to her. Suraj didn’t want to lose the moments so he didn’t ask for cut and made the camera angles adjust to get the best shots. His team worked around Pallavi and Pranav to get whatever they could in a single shot.

Pallavi is crying without the help of glycerine. Tears keep coming out of her eyes as she twirls, Pranav move forward and take her into a bone crushing hug even before he was supposed to. She weeps in his arms holding onto him. He holds her close to his heart concluding the song in an epic manner.

While most of the crew are spell bound by the sheer intensity of the shot and the brilliant performance by Pranav and Pallavi, some do silently snigger and murmur about the gossips around them.

Suraj signalled a spot boy to take them out safely while others concentrated on extinguishing the fire around. The boy tapped Pranav's shoulder essentially bringing them back to their senses. They came out of the embrace.

“Excellent shot sir. You both looked so much in love. This song will be a massive hit”.

Pallavi moved out of the stage without a word. Her assistant came and held her hand to help her off the stage. He followed suit.

“Wonderful shoot. Pallavi you were so natural and Pranav, excellent performance. I liked your improvisations hence felt better to catch it in one shot. Whatever need retakes we can do tomorrow. Now you guys need a break”.

They gave a nod to Suraj and couldn’t resist a glance at each other before heading to their respective caravans.