Chandrakanth raised his eyebrows, startled. He shrugged his wide shoulders as he replied, “Not at all. I was just curious how you worked.”
“How often do you check into your website and Facebook account? I know you must lead a busy life. But...” Ranjini looked at his face boldly, the attraction taking a backseat. She needed to defend her fiefdom.
An amused smile tilted Chandrakanth’s lips, lighting up his eyes. “Often enough! And I must say that your work is impressive. I appreciate the way you’ve been updating the latest information so promptly, keeping the fans engaged. So, when was the last time we gave you a raise?”
Ranjini relaxed on hearing his praise. The beginnings of a frown disappeared as she smiled again. “I am good. There’s no need for a raise right now.”
A servant brought two mugs of coffee and a plateful of Onion Bhajjis on a tray and placed it on the table in front of them. Chandrakanth dismissed the man with a flick of his hand. Taking a mug for himself, he passed the other to Ranjini.
She looked at the film poster printed on the mug. It was his latest release that had come out last month. Smiling widely, she turned to him in excitement, “This looks so good. Do you have more of these?”
“Yeah,” he grimaced, “A dozen different mugs featuring the twelve latest movies that I have worked in.”
“Oh really! What a splendid idea Mr. Chandrakanth! Who...?”
“You think so? It’s like beating my own trumpet. Somehow, I wasn’t keen. But Vivek thought it was a great idea and I went along.” A slight shade of red ran up his neck as Chandrakanth felt embarrassed.
That was so cute! She couldn’t believe that the reigning superstar of Tamil Nadu was feeling awkward about this marketing gimmick. “But it is.” Her mind immediately went into overdrive, throwing up ideas for promotions. “Do you have some to spare? I can set up a contest on your website, with these mugs for prizes. I can...” She took out her smart phone and began to type on it in a hurry.
Chandrakanth was amazed. This was definitely a first—a woman, or anyone for that matter, showing more interest in her work while in his company. He supposed there was a first time for everything. He controlled the sigh that rose up from his chest and said, “I’m sure there are hundreds of those lying around. You can have them all. Conduct a contest or give away the damn things,” he growled, exasperated.
Ranjini nodded absent-mindedly, typing fast with both thumbs, excited with her plan. She wondered if she should discuss it with Chandrakanth or it would be better to talk to Vivek. Over the past couple of years, it had been Vivek who had been the mediator as that’s how things worked in Kollywood—a star’s PA dealing with all his business associates, other than those who were directly involved in filmmaking. After typing out her ideas into her phone, Ranjini saved the information and kept her phone on the table. She picked up her coffee to find that it had grown cold. Grimacing, she put it back on the table and turned her attention to the Bhajjis. She served a few pieces on a plate, adding coconut chutney on the side and sat back to relish her snack, her mind mulling over the contest.
Chandrakanth called out, “Ramesh, bring another cup of coffee, and ask Vivek to come.” It seemed that it would be better to get the mugs out of the way if he wanted her attention back on him.
The servant nodded before leaving. A couple of minutes later, Vivek walked into the hall with two more mugs of coffee. Chandrakanth was startled to note the smile of camaraderie on Ranjini’s face when she looked at Vivek. He immediately recognised the searing jealousy burning within him at their closeness.
Ranjini took the coffee from Vivek with alacrity as she said enthusiastically, “Vivek, I just had this idea for a contest on Chandrakanth’s website. I think...”
Chandrakanth tuned out, holding back the frown that wanted to break out on his forehead. He wasn’t used to being sidelined. Did Ranjini and Vivek have something going? He didn’t care for the idea, biding his time before getting the answer from Vivek.
2
Chandrakanth waited for Vivek to get back to the guesthouse after dropping Ranjini home. He would have opted to do it himself, only he had had another meeting lined up with film producer Amaran and he was too much of a professional to cancel it. It wasn’t too difficult for the actor to conceal the impatience that he felt as he listened to what Amaran was telling him.
“If you like the script, CK sir, we can have the pada poojai for the new film the coming month. Director Murugesan sir has agreed to come on board. We are all eagerly awaiting your nod.”
Chandrakanth looked at the producer who was in his fifties. He had worked on two films with the man and both had turned out to be really good projects with absolutely no hiccups. “I will read through the script, Amaran sir. Give me two days. Vivek will get in touch with you regarding the dates soon after,” said Chandrakanth, giving the man a smile. Why the hell was it taking Vivek so long to get back? He couldn’t stand the idea of his right hand man spending so much time with Ranjini.
Amaran got up after chatting for a few more minutes, not having much else to say as the superstar was yet to read the script. “Thank you CK sir. My man will talk to Vivek. I will take your leave then.”
Chandrakanth gave the man a royal nod, his face unsmiling now. Luckily, Vivek walked in the moment Amaran’s car left the portico. “What took you so long?” asked Chandrakanth without preamble, his gaze laser sharp as it bored into Vivek’s eyes.
Vivek gave his boss and friend a surprised glance, before giving a shrug. “I didn’t know you wanted me back urgently. Ranjini wanted to purchase a few things. I took her to the market before driving her home.”
Chandrakanth had a great rapport with his Man Friday. Not one to share his thoughts easily, he still managed to run most of them by Vivek. The man was a friend as well as his assistant. Deciding to be upfront with him, Chandrakanth asked, “How close are you both?”
Vivek frowned, not understanding. “Close? Who both?”
“You and Ranjini.” Chandrakanth gritted his teeth hard as he spat out the words.
Light dawned on Vivek’s face as he grinned. “We get along very well. I really like her mischievous nature. She has a wonderful sense of humour, you know. I...”
“I don’t know.” Chandrakanth’s eyes turned a fiery brown as he glared at Vivek’s mischievous face.
“Huh?! I don’t think I understand what’s eating you. What are you angry about?” Vivek pretended to look innocent.
Chandrakanth took a deep breath, doing his best to bring down his mounting temper. “I asked you how close you are to Ranjini.” His jaws hurt from clamping them so hard.
“But that’s what I was explaining to you. Now where was I? Oh yeah, she looks beautiful, doesn’t she? And so cheerful too. And she’s truly a professional. Your website...” Vivek stopped, distracted by Ramesh, who had come to announce dinner, before continuing, “Let’s continue this chat over dinner CK. My stomach’s rumbling.”
“Don’t try my patience Vivek.” Chandrakanth’s voice was a ferocious growl now as he began to look menacing, his hands clenched into tight fists. “Answer my question first.”
Vivek grinned, walking up to Chandrakanth to clap him on his shoulder. “I look on Ranjini as a younger sister, bro. You need have no worries on that score.”
“Phew!” Chandrakanth heaved a sigh, his body relaxing slowly, before he gave his friend a soft smile. “Let’s go have dinner.”
Vivek laughed, winking at the other man. “For a minute there, I thought you were going to throw me out in the cold without dinner.”
Unabashed, Chandrakanth gave Vivek a mock glare. “Very funny!”
“How far gone?” Vivek drank from the bowl of mutton paya soup, relishing every drop. It tasted so good in the chilly weather of the hill station.
Chandrakanth raised a dark eyebrow, an arrogant expression on his face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Vivek grinned. “Come on CK. You can tell me. I can see that you
are attracted to Ranjini. I...”
“I plan to marry her.”
Vivek’s jaw dropped as he was lost for words for probably the first time in his life, his eyes gone wide as he stared at Chandrakanth. It was all of two minutes before Vivek was capable of speech again. “You are serious.”
“I am.” Chandrakanth served himself some rice and sambar along with the vegetable curry of potatoes, peas and onions. “Ramesh, can you get me some more fried appalam?” He called out to the servant. He relished every bite of the food he ate, not caring much as he packed in the calories. He managed to remain fit as he ran a minimum of 6 km on most days while also hitting his in-house gym in Chennai at least three days in a week.
The two men didn’t touch on the topic again as they chatted about other things. After dinner, Vivek sat with a gaming console while Chandrakanth got busy with the movie script that had been sent to him by Murugesan, the same film that Amaran planned to produce.
It was past two in the morning when Ranjini got up from her chair in front of her worktable and stretched. She was mighty pleased with herself as she had set up the contest for Chandrakanth’s fans, based on his last twelve films—the idea that had triggered off in her mind when she looked at those mugs at his home. There was a special offer at Vivek’s suggestion, a grand prize for the one who collected a full set of a dozen mugs with different film posters. That prize was to be announced only a week later, once the public began showing interest in the campaign. She planned to set up the social media posts the next day—today, actually, thought Ranjini, grinning to herself.
Meeting Chandrakanth had truly been a revelation. At first sight, Ranjini had gone crazy just looking at the star who had such a powerful aura. Combined with his handsome looks, confident stance and unbeatable acting talent, he was truly a phenomenon. It was obvious that whoever came in contact with Chandrakanth, was definitely touched by his compelling presence.
Ranjini had always been a huge fan, right from the beginning when Chandrakanth appeared in a minuscule role as the hero’s sidekick in his first film. He later had gone on to become bigger than that hero with his hard work, accepting every role that came his way. Looking back, she was surprised that he hadn’t paused to pick and choose what he wanted to portray on the large screen, as many actors tended to do. But it looked like he had been cutting his teeth on every bit that came his way. The man obviously worked 365 days in a year and probably all the 24 hours in a day.
She had simply drooled over the pictures and videos that came her way. Wasn’t she lucky that as his social media consultant and website manager, it was she who got to see most of them before the rest of the public did?!
But all that hadn’t prepared Ranjini for the reality of the man-actor. She had been truly zapped. At least, until he put her back up with his questions. Later, with the idea of the contest taking up space in her mind, she had completely moved into a different zone and forgot to be awed of Chandrakanth.
Thinking back, Ranjini recalled that the actor had suddenly gone quiet in the middle of their conversation. With a small scowl puckering her forehead, she tried to remember when exactly Chandrakanth had stopped talking. Vivek had walked into the drawing room with coffee and that’s when she had turned to him with her contest idea. Ranjini snapped her fingers. The actor had gone silent after that while she and Vivek had jabbered on to their hearts’ content.
Could Chandrakanth have got offended? If he was so pompous, then Ranjini felt she couldn’t like him. That’s when it really struck her. She was attracted to the phenomenon, the superstar, the one who lived in his movies and on the website she had created; the one whom she had attributed a lot of great qualities to. While she didn’t know Chandrakanth, the man.
Ranjini laughed softly, shaking her head to herself. How foolish was that! She had begun to believe in the mirage that, to some extent, she had helped create.
Despite the lateness of the hour, she felt supercharged with her churning thoughts and sense of achievement. She quickly took her phone and sent the contest link to the superstar, not too worried that it was 2.30 am. After all, the marketing was all about him. Ranjini switched off her laptop to go forage in the fridge for a late night snack. Finding a bowl of upma that her mother had made that morning for breakfast, Ranjini transferred it into a microwaveable bowl and kept it to heat before checking her WhatsApp.
She wasn’t too surprised when the double tick refused to change into blue even after ten minutes. She munched her way through the snack, sitting in front of the TV in the living room, not really listening to what the actors were arguing about on the English sitcom. She didn’t know how she managed to get to bed, her memory only of crashing across it, before she was out like the light.
3
Chandrakanth was wide awake at five in the morning. He was used to an early and rigorous schedule. Even though he was supposed to be on a four-day break, he was reading through scripts and holding meetings with producers and directors. No, the Kollywood film fraternity didn’t seem to mind that they had to travel all the way from Chennai to Kotagiri to meet the star. Getting an appointment with him was a big deal nowadays. And they knew that Chandrakanth was a sure bet.
After a quick wash, CK wore a black tracksuit before pulling on thick woollen socks and running shoes. He planned to go jogging.
Mist swirled around the area as he stepped out of the gate, setting off down the road at a slow jog. It was simply beautiful as the greenery revealed itself, only a little bit at a time, as a lazy dawn broke through the wintry weather. After fifteen minutes of jogging, he pulled off the monkey cap that he was wearing and tucked it halfway into the pocket of his track pants.
Without any specific plan in mind, Chandrakanth found himself running in the direction of Ranjini’s home—yeah, he had taken the address from Vivek the earlier night—which was about 8 km away from where his house was.
Another twenty minutes and he was outside the gates of Vrindavan, Ranjini’s cottage. He checked his watch to see that it was not yet seven. Giving a mental shrug, CK decided to knock on the door instead of ringing the bell just in case she was still asleep.
The walk down the 500 m drive was amazingly lovely with an abundance of greenery and colourful flowers on both sides. There was no watchman to stop him as Chandrakanth walked right up to the wooden double door. Just as he was about to lift the brass knocker in his hand, the door opened from inside. A man who appeared to be in his late forties stood there, a look of surprise on his face.
“Aren’t you Superstar Chandrakanth?” asked the man, reverence in his voice.
Chandrakanth gave him a sheepish smile, a hand at the back of his neck. He really didn’t know what he had expected. If Ranjini lived here, so must her family. Why had he imagined that she would be opening the door for him?
“Yes uncle. I…”
“Come in, come in. We’re so honoured. It’s okay. There’s no need to remove your shoes. The house hasn’t been cleaned yet. Please sit down. Parvathi, come and see who has come.” The man spoke without pausing for breath.
In a way, it was good since Chandrakanth didn’t really know what to say, especially since he wasn’t clear who the man was. He looked too young to be Ranjini’s dad.
The man spoke again. “Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Sethuraman, Ranjini’s father.” He turned to the woman who walked in and said, “Come Parvathi. See who is here,” he announced as if referring to Santa Claus who had arrived before Christmas. Returning his gaze to the guest, Sethuraman said, “This is Ranjini’s mother.”
“Is that Superstar Chandrakanth?” Parvathi stared at him, her eyes and mouth wide open. “Welcome, welcome. Please sit down. Let me go get coffee. Varshini, Varshini. Come fast. See who is here. I’ll take only two minutes.” Parvathi, who was an older version of Ranjini, rushed to the back of the house.
Where the hell was Ranjini? And who the heck was Varshini now? Chandrakanth realised that he really didn’t need to say anything, but just nod or
shake his head. The next minute, a very young version of Ranjini arrived on the scene.
“Superstar Chandrakanth!” She shook his hand vigorously, a gamine smile on her face. “This is an absolute surprise. I’m so excited to meet you in the flesh. Wow! Just wow! How do you do? Oh, by the way, I’m Varshini, Ranju’s younger sis.”
CK couldn’t help smiling at the younger girl’s enthusiasm. “Hey, nice to meet you. Where’s your sis?”
“You came to meet her? Oh yeah, I suppose you did. But is she expecting you?” Varshini enquired of him with a frown.
CK shook his head. “Not really. I was out jogging. Was passing by and decided to stop.” He had begun to feel rather foolish by now.
Parvathi walked in with a tray bearing four steaming steel tumblers of coffee, each of them placed in a dabara, a flatter steel vessel, in true South Indian style.
Scorpio Superstar (Written in the Stars Book 1) Page 2