ch-10

Chapter 10: The Lead Role

Suraj sat in the plush conference room of Mythic Productions, his mind racing with anticipation. Today was the day he would meet with the lead actor he had in mind for Bloody Commando. The actor, Aarav Kapoor, was one of the most recognized faces in Bharat's film industry, known for his versatility and commitment to challenging roles. Suraj knew that landing someone of Aarav's caliber for his film could make or break its success.

Kunal Uncle had set up the meeting after some careful negotiations, knowing that the company's financial state couldn't allow for too much luxury. Aarav wasn't just any actor—he was one of the rare talents who could bring depth to a character, and Suraj believed that Bloody Commando needed someone who could breathe life into the role of Arjun.

A knock on the door jolted Suraj from his thoughts, and Aarav entered, dressed in a casual black shirt and jeans, his presence commanding but approachable. He had a quiet intensity about him, something that aligned perfectly with Suraj's vision of Arjun.

"Suraj," Aarav said with a smile, offering his hand. "I've heard a lot about you, especially in the last few weeks."

Suraj stood and shook his hand, feeling the pressure of the moment. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I've been looking forward to this."

They both sat down, the air filled with expectation. Suraj took a deep breath and opened the script of Bloody Commando in front of him. The pages felt heavier than usual today, as if they held all the weight of his dreams and ambitions. For the next hour, he would have to convince one of Bharat's biggest stars that this project was worth his time.

"So," Aarav began, leaning forward slightly, "what makes this character, Arjun, different from the other roles I've taken on? What's his story?"

Suraj smiled, eager to dive into the heart of the script. "Arjun isn't just your typical commando character. He's a man who gave everything for his country—his youth, his strength, his very identity as a soldier. But when he comes home, he's lost the one thing that mattered most to him—his family."

He paused, watching Aarav's expression shift, his interest clearly piqued.

"Arjun left the army because, despite all the battles he fought, he couldn't protect his own mother. That failure haunts him. It eats away at him every single day. He lives a quiet life on the outskirts of the city, trying to leave that past behind. But when a woman shows up at his door, bloody and desperate, with a baby in her arms, he's forced to confront everything he ran from."

Suraj flipped to a particular page in the script and handed it to Aarav. "This scene... it's where Arjun's internal conflict comes to the surface. He's trying to feed the baby, but the ghosts of his past won't leave him alone. And then, the people who hurt the woman show up, and he has no choice but to go back to being the man he used to be. The way he kills them, coldly, methodically—it's like he's a machine. But in his heart, he's breaking, because he doesn't want to be that person anymore."

Aarav nodded, flipping through the script as he listened intently. His eyes were locked on the pages, absorbing the depth of Arjun's character.

"The baby," Suraj continued, "becomes his anchor. Arjun starts to see this child as a second chance—something pure and innocent that he must protect, no matter what. He's lost everything, but this child gives him a reason to fight again. Not as a soldier, but as a protector, as a human."

Aarav looked up, his brow furrowed, and for a moment, Suraj wondered if he had lost him. But then Aarav smiled, a slow, thoughtful grin. "You're not just making an action film here. This is a psychological journey, isn't it? Arjun's not fighting enemies. He's fighting himself."

Suraj's heart raced with excitement. "Exactly! The action is there, but it's not mindless. Every fight, every decision he makes is tied to his personal struggle. He's battling his own demons as much as the people who want to take the baby from him. Arjun is a man torn between his duty to his country and his guilt over failing his family."

Aarav leaned back in his chair, flipping through the script again, nodding slowly. "I have to say, Suraj, this is one of the most interesting characters I've come across in a long time. The emotional weight he carries, the moral ambiguity—there's so much to work with here. It's the kind of role that could challenge me as an actor."

Suraj felt a rush of relief wash over him. Aarav understood. He could see the complexity in Arjun that Suraj had poured into the script. But there was still one question left.

"So," Suraj asked, trying to keep his voice steady, "do you think you'd be interested in playing Arjun?"

Aarav closed the script and looked at Suraj with a thoughtful expression. "I think this could be something special. I'll need to discuss it with my team, but I'm intrigued, Suraj. I'd love to explore this role more."

Suraj's heart soared. This was the first big step toward making his dream a reality.

---

Later that evening, back at the house, Suraj sat down for dinner with Aryan, his mind still buzzing from the meeting with Aarav. Aryan noticed his brother's excitement, though Suraj hadn't shared the details.

"You seem happy today, bhai," Aryan said between bites of his dinner.

Suraj smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Yeah, things are starting to move in the right direction."

Aryan grinned, happy for his brother, though he missed having more time together. He didn't say anything, but Suraj could sense it. He promised himself that once the movie was in production, he would make more time for Aryan. But for now, there was work to be done.

As Aryan went to bed, Suraj returned to his desk, reviewing the day's events. Aarav had been interested in Bloody Commando, but there was still much to be finalized. The budget, the rest of the cast, and the production schedule all needed to be worked out. But with Aarav onboard, the project had gained momentum.

Suraj glanced at the stack of papers on his desk. Ten crores. That was all the company had to fund Bloody Commando and one other film. It wasn't a large budget for an action film, but Suraj believed in his story—and now, so did Aarav. He just had to make it work.

With a deep breath, Suraj began sketching out the next steps. Tomorrow, he would need to meet with Kunal and the rest of the production team to finalize the details. There was no turning back now. The wheels were in motion.

Suraj glanced out the window, the city lights of Mumbai twinkling in the distance. This world, this version of Bharat, was full of opportunities. And for the first time in his life, Suraj felt like he was on the verge of something great.