“Wassup man?” Ashwin said as I opened the door.
“Typing, what else?”
“How much did you write?”
“Not much, three sequences...” I walked back to the writing table to switch off the laptop.
“Not bad...” he said spreading the take-out boxes on the dinner table.
“You wanna read?”
“Yeah... after dinner, come let’s eat.”
“I need a field job, man. Sitting at home is frying me crisp.”
“Hmm... How long do you think you’ll take to complete it?” He said and gobbled a spoonful of rice.
“Dunno, a week may be, max two, why?”
“There is this film happening in BFE and the 1st AD has bolted.” He paused to swallow, “I can put a word for you if you want.”
“Your company? But I thought you said they are not doing anything else... oh fuck... are you quitting?” I looked at him spooked.
“Yep!”
“But why??”
“I told you about the meeting with Rohan Rastogi right?”
“Yeah?”
“His manager called today. Dude’s given me bulk dates for next month.”
“That’s awesome news.”
“I know.”
“But isn’t it a bit unprofessional to dump Divya like that?”
“Dude, I’ve slogged for eleven years.” He paused to drink some water. “Balls I care, it was a choice between my career and their films.”
“Abey, but won’t your producer uncle get a stroke?”
“That is why I’m giving you to him,” he said cheekily.
“What will you tell him?”
“Anything man. I’m getting operated upon, mother’s ill, grandfather died. I’ll think of some believable reason.”
“Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“Come on, you’ll love it there, it’s a romcom and there’s Neera Dutta.” That last part fixed an ear to ear grin on my face.
“Yes, I’ll love it,” I said, more to myself.
“I think you should add extra two days to the schedule,” Rakesh Kapoor said putting the schedule sheet on his desk.
“I have, in fact, going by the number of scenes left to shoot...” I abruptly stopped as Baby, Rocky’s assistant, banged the door open.
“Boss!” She almost screamed.
“God baby, don’t you knock?” he growled.
“E-News, now!” she panted.
“Shit, what happened?” he asked. She cringed in horror. Rocky punched the remote.
“This happened in broad daylight. When the famous film director Divya Rao was with her female friend at Cookies, a regular joint for bollywood celebrities, superstar Neera Dutta stormed in and emptied a whole glass of milkshake on her head.” A reporter of an entertainment channel was jumping with hysteric excitement as if Ranbir Kapoor had asked her to marry him.
“When was this?” Rocky asked Baby with equivalent horror in his voice.
“Today morning.”
“Remember you are watching this exclusively on E-News,” the reporter’s corny bragging continued while the video of Neera emptying the glass on Divya played on loop.
“Call Shreya. find out where Neera is right now.”
“I did. She’s shooting an ad in Mehboob.”
“Get my car.” He began to leave.
“I’ll see you later,” I said and began to gather my things.
“No, you come with me,” he said dialling a number on his phone. “I need someone with me.”
“OK,” I said unsure of how I could help.
“Divya, what the fuck did you do?” Rocky screamed on the phone, as he called for a lift.
“Couldn’t you fucking wait for another month?” I followed him into the lift quietly.
“I’ve got fifty crores running on this movie. I will mince you if anything goes wrong. Drive your sleazy ass to Mehboob right now.” He hung up before any reply came from the other side.
What can you say about a twenty-six-year-old girl with a face of an angel, a deep dimpled smile that got both male and female population of the country weak between their knees, intense dark brown eyes that spoke more than her mouth itself, red luscious lips that could make your heart weep thinking how you’ll never get them, a chiselled micro-maintained body that will make you gawk and drool? Well you don’t say anything, you just shut up and watch. Neera Dutta, the only daughter of legendary filmmaker Ramesh Dutta, was adopted by the whole film fraternity as their own child after his early demise. Rakesh Kapoor was one of them. He launched her in one of his super budgeted films and made sure her debut sky-rocketed her career. It did. I, like the rest of the country, fell instantly in love with her. Her flawless acting had made sure people felt all the emotions she wanted them to feel. Ever since my first encounter with her in the theatre eight years back, I had longed to see her, and now all thanks to Ashwin, I was going to be around her for a whole twenty days. Even though the timing was horribly wrong, I was going to meet her for the first time. My heart skipped a beat as Rocky steered the car into the gates of the studio. Neera was known for being short-tempered, but what cost Divya the milkshake bath was not known. Whatever it was, Rocky prayed it hadn’t cost him his film.
“Shreya baby, how have you been?” Rocky hugged Shreya, Neera’s manager, as soon as he got out of the car.
“I’m good Rocky,” the squeaky voiced Shreya said.
“Where is the kid?”
“She’s inside, come.” Shreya took Rocky’s hand and pulled him inside, he signalled to me to follow.
Rocky’s muscle in the industry was evident going by the silence that struck the shooting floor the moment he stepped in. All the heads turned and followed him as he walked straight up to where Neera was sitting. He patiently stood by her chair as she intently read something on her phone. It was dark and she was sitting with her back to me, so I could barely see her, yet the gravitational force stopped working on my body, making me virtually float in air with happiness. I was hardly a few feet away from the girl who could give half a country a stroke with just her smile.
“Neera?” Shreya said meekly.
“Hmm?” Neera responded
“Rocky...”
“You got a minute for me, kiddo?” Rocky said warmly.
“Shit! How long have you been standing here?” Neera sprung up seeing him.
And I finally got to see her. A single ray of light falling on her face, God. She was a goddess.
“Question is how long can I wait for you,” he said as they hugged.
“Okay, how long can you wait for me?”
“Forever...” he said. She giggled.
“Come, let’s go to my van.”
“No, get done with your work, I’ll wait here.”
She stared at him. “I’m serious go!”
She smiled and left.
An hour later, when she wrapped her part of the shoot, she took Rocky to her van. A few minutes later, Divya arrived in her milkshake-stained shirt and walked straight in. In spite of the noise all around, Neera’s muffled screams could be heard outside the van. I stupidly waited outside, awkwardly smiling at people who stared at me. Shreya saw the E-News reporter rightfully barging in and signalled the security guards to shoo her away. she had already created enough of ruckus.
My phone rang. Rocky.
“Come in.” He said and hung up.
First thing I saw when I entered the van was a red-eyed swollen-faced tearful Neera. I felt like jutting my lower lip out and crying with her. What could have happened to cause her so much distress, I wondered.
“...ask her why she cheated on me with that tramp.” Neera was saying sobbingly.
What the hell does that mean, I thought.
“Look, I know how you feel but...”
“No Rocky. Ask her, right now...” she sobbed.
“OK, Divya, why did you cheat on her?” Rocky asked diligently.
Silence.
“I’m sorry baby.
.. you know we were drifting apart,” Divya said.
“Shut up bitch... I never wanna see your face again,” Neera screamed.
What the bloody fuck! Neera Dutta is a lesbian? No... no... no... can’t be... she had that affair with that hero with what’s-his-name...
My mind started consoling my heart which was crying hysterically. Neera was the superstar who every boy in the country wanted to be with. It was a given that she was unattainable, but even then, there was this juvenile hope in my mind that someday I might. But what I had just discovered shattered my heart into shards.
“I’m sorry it’s gonna screw your film, Rocky, but I swear I’m never talking to her...” Neera was saying. “She broke my heart... I’m not coming back to shoot.”
Rocky stared at me as if asking for help. I shrugged gingerly. Then suddenly his face lit up.
“Don’t, if you don’t want to kid. I have a solution for this,” he took a pause and looked at both of them, “Him.” He pointed at me.
Huh? What? Me? I almost blurted out.
“Arjun will be Divya’s point man for you. Whatever she has to say to you will come to you via him and him only. I promise she’ll never come to talk to you.” I folded my hands and rested my chin on it to keep my jaw from dropping to the floor.
“Boss… but?” Divya muttered. Rocky glared at her in rage.
“He is good chap. He is a film school guy.”
Neera for a fraction of a second looked at me from head to toe.
“Please do this for me, kid. it’s just a matter of twenty days. Please please.” Neera smiled at Rocky's almost begging tone.
“So it’s a yes?” Rocky asked.
“Yes.” Neera croaked.
“I love you, kid.” He hugged her.
“You are on buddy! You better be good!” he whispered to me as we walked out of the van. “Cape Town, here… we… come…”
He heaved a sigh of relief.
42 EXT. Blackrock Castle, Cliff,
Cape Town-Evening 42
We see Heer and Abhay sitting on a wooden bench in the backdrop of the sun setting in the blue waters of the sea. Breeze from the sea is gently ruffling wisps of Heer’s hair. She is distraught about something. Abhay calmly looks at the sunset while he drinks wine directly from the bottle. Both sit in silence.
Abhay
Hey?
(He turns to her)
He is going to be alright, OK?
(Heer’s eyes well up)
You spoke to the doctor yourself,
he said the same thing, didn’t he?
(Heer pulls her legs up and cradles
herself)
There is nothing to worry about baby,
trust me.
(She starts sobbing, Abhay put his arm
around her and consoles her)
Heer
I spent the last ten years hating him for
leaving my mother for another woman, but
I knew he was still there. I can’t
imagine life without him, I’ll never
forgive myself if anything happens
to him.
(She bursts into tears)
“Cut!” Divya screamed to fight the wuthering air on the cliff. “Neera, baby, something is missing.”
She began to walk towards the bench Neera and Kunal were sitting on. I followed her.
“What’s wrong?” Kunal asked.
“I don’t know. It’s just not working, she...” Divya stopped midway seeing Neera walk away. “Oh come on!” she helplessly looked at me.
“Should I?” I asked.
“Please...” she said and walked back to the monitor.
Neera in all that while had walked quite far away from the shooting area. I darted behind her as the sun was setting and we were fast losing light. Fighting the wagging walky and controlling the script papers, I reached the spot where she was standing. The crying had splattered her eyeliner and screwed the makeup, but even then she looked breathtakingly gorgeous in the orange light of the setting sun. If it was up to me, I would have stood there looking at her forever. But as much as I hated to disturb her, I had to take her back.
“Umm... Neera...” I said meekly, She turned to me and before I could say anything else she started walking back to the bench.
“Walking Heer back to the set.” I said in the walky as I walked her back.
The crew hushed to dead silence as she returned to her position next to Kunal.
“Dude, what’s wrong?” Kunal asked me.
“The body language looks awkward, it’s not in sync with the equation Abhay and Heer share.” I said kneeling to level with line of their sight. “May be you can nuzzle on his chest after the lines.” I said to Neera.
“Or you can kiss her hair?” I said authoritatively, both of them stared at me. I wondered if I had overstepped my limits, so I went silent.
“Cool,” Kunal said and smiled. Neera nodded. I ran back to the monitor.
“Are we cool?” Divya asked.
“I hope so...” I replied.
When Neera said she will never talk to Divya again, she meant it quite literally. So after she snubbed Divya on first day of the shoot, Divya for next nineteen days stayed away from her, hence whenever Neera was shooting, I got to run the show. Whether it be rehearsing the lines or explaining the scene or giving her the cues, I got to do it all. Neera left no stone unturned to pick a bone with Divya. Apart from the snubbing while shooting or at dinner tables, Neera began flirting excessively with Kunal which completely fried Divya.
Cape Town on the other hand was treating me extraordinarily well. Warm weather, white sand beaches, unbelievably beautiful blue-watered coastline, traditional African street dancers, live music performing artists, delicious food – there was this permanent festive vibe in the atmosphere that made me smile. Neera’s presence in all that made those twenty days the most memorable days of my life. It was funny how life had changed from minutely following the news reports on Neera’s shooting schedule and then waiting outside studio gates to just get a glimpse of her which I never did, to sitting three feet away and rehearsing lines with her. Finally, the laws of attraction had gotten to work. All those years of slogging seemed to be finally worth it. Taking up this project from Ashwin had turned into the most fulfilling assignment I had ever taken up.
The atmosphere on the set on the last day of shoot reminded me of the final exam day in school, just before summer vacation started. Everyone in the crew was frolicking, anticipating their return to their beloveds. Work was almost over and it was time to return home, but a sudden sadness ran through me as Rocky announced wrap of Neera’s part of the shoot. I knew the amazing time around her was going to end someday but I wished it never did. I stood there heartbroken while the crew clapped and cheered for her. She hugged Rocky and then Kunal. I saw Divya’s face turn red as Kunal’s hands slid down Neera’s back to her butt when he hugged her. Even if you are the one to break-up, it always hurts to see your ex with someone else. In this case, Neera was deliberately screwing with Divya’s mind. She was royally successful, but little did she know that poor Kunal would have to suffer for it.
“Is the horse I asked for here?” Divya asked me.
“Yes.”
“Okay, get it ready, I’ll go get Kunal,” she said and left in a huff.
Rocky had approved of the horse, even though it was a last minute requirement. We had waited three hours for it, but if it was for the betterment of the film, Rocky would have provided her even with a dinosaur if she had asked for one. I knew Divya was up to something since the horse fitted nowhere in the script.
“Are you sure it’ll look nice?” Kunal asked Divya as she walked him to the horse.
“You bet your ass it will,” Divya said boastfully.
“No, I mean it shouldn’t look corny.”
“Dude! You are the newly crowned prince of the industry, just go topless and show them your washboard. The girls will go bonkers,” Divya said.
&n
bsp; Poor guy took the bait. He instantly dropped his shirt and jumped on the horse. For the next forty-five minutes, Divya made him ride the horse in every direction of the sandy beach. When all of the land was covered, she asked him to ride in the choppy waters. The initial smile on his face disappeared in the first fifteen minutes of the ride, leaving behind a pain-stricken face.
“What the hell are you doing Kunal?” Divya screamed on the mike.
“Haven’t you gotten anything good yet?” Kunal said in a pitiable voice. “My balls have started hurting.”
“Almost done… a few more rounds. just keep up the attitude,” Divya said..
From Divya’s face, I could tell she was deriving much pleasure out of his pain. More than half an hour later, when she finally let him get off the horse, he could barely walk.
“That’s for touching her with those sleazy hands.” Divya murmured and a smile appeared on her face.
“Okay people, thank you all for a wonderful shoot. It’s a wrap!” she announced.
The clapping and cheering began.
The wrap party later that night was a glamorous affair. Rocky’s team had booked a three-storeyed club exclusively for the crew. Alcohol, food, music – the basic party ingredients were of premium quality. Rocky had made sure every single member in crew was personally invited. It was his way of thanking the crew for their hard work they put in on the film. After, the initial formal drinks with the heads of departments, Rocky took a bottle of tequila from the bar and joined the technical crew on the dance floor. He had no reservations about their status or class. He danced with the technicians, spot boys, lightmen without being conscious. He hugged them, kissed them, pushed shots down their throats, clicked snaps. It was this grounded and humble attitude of his that people instantly fell in love with. I was glad I got to work with him. He caught my eye and camel-walked towards me.
“Thank you, buddy!” he slurred in his rugged voice as he fixed the bottle to my mouth. “I owe you one,” he said and bear hugged me. He blew a kiss at me as someone from the dance floor held his hand and pulled him away.
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