ch-19

Chapter 19: A Night at the Movies

In front of Shyam Theatre, Swathi enthusiastically pulled her boyfriend, Amar, along, determined to watch the latest film featuring her favorite actor, Arrav Kapoor, which had just been released. Swathi was buzzing with excitement, while Amar trudged along, grumbling about the evening he'd rather spend with his friends.

"Come on, Amar! It's an action movie, not a drama or a romantic film! It's based on an army concept!" Swathi insisted, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Amar, still unconvinced, replied, "Yeah, but a lot of army movies these days feel outdated. They all follow the same template with minimal innovation."

They entered the theatre, checked their seat numbers, and settled into their places as the movie started. The production company name, Mythic Productions, flashed across the screen, followed by the title: Bloody Commando.

The film began within the borders of Bharat, introducing the main character, Arjun, who was training soldiers. He soon received a mission to investigate a tip-off regarding a conspiracy involving nuclear missile testing in a neighboring country.

At first, Amar was reluctant, but as he became engrossed in the visuals and the unfolding story, his curiosity piqued. The movie continued, showcasing Arjun and his team crossing the border to verify the tip, confirming that the threat was real and at an early stage. After returning to base, Arjun informed his superiors and requested a ten-day leave to visit his mother, which was granted.

However, upon arriving home, he was devastated to discover a blood trail leading to his mother's corpse.

As the emotional scene unfolded, both Amar and Swathi felt a wave of sorrow wash over them. Swathi was on the verge of tears, prompting Amar to calm her down, even as he remained skeptical about the movie's direction. Yet, he couldn't deny that his interest was growing.

The story progressed as Arjun searched for clues about what had happened. It turned out to be a robbery gone wrong; the intruders had killed his mother when she tried to stop them from stealing the Param Vir Chakra award he had received for his bravery and sacrifice.

As Arjun submitted evidence to the police and pleaded with them to apprehend the criminals, he found himself frustrated. Instead of taking action, the police began questioning him about tampering with the evidence. Some officers even demanded bribes, igniting Arjun's fury. He couldn't understand how those he was risking his life to protect could be so corrupt.

Amar found himself joining the audience in cheering as Arjun unleashed his pent-up anger on the corrupt officers. To his surprise, he felt a shared sense of satisfaction with Arjun's rage against the system that had failed him.

As the film continued, Arjun began tracking down the criminals and exacting revenge in the most horrific ways. Eventually, he surrendered at the police station and confessed to his crimes. A court-martial followed, resulting in his dishonorable discharge, stripping him of all ranks and honors, and sentencing him to five years in prison, considering his service and merits for the nation.

Amar realized that this was not an ordinary army movie designed merely to make money; it had depth and complexity.

The story jumped ahead eight years, showing Arjun living a secluded life on the outskirts of the city, far removed from the chaos of the world. One day, while listening to music, he was interrupted by a knock at the door. A woman in her thirties, clutching a wounded abdomen and a baby in her arms, pleaded for help.

"Please hide the baby! You can't face them. They're too much to handle!" Her voice trembled with pain.

Arjun helped her sit down and asked what had happened. The woman, growing weaker, urged him to protect the baby before collapsing. Arjun was left in shock, holding the baby as it began to cry.

Amar was now completely absorbed in the movie, captivated by the unexpected turns of the plot.

As Arjun calmed the baby, he reflected on his past—a soldier who once had a sense of duty to protect the nation. The loss of his mother weighed heavily on him, but holding the baby in his arms reignited his sense of responsibility. "Whatever happens, I will protect you," he vowed softly, regaining his purpose.

Karan, an office worker who had come to the movie merely to escape boredom, was now fully invested. "Yeah! Protect the baby!" he shouted, only to receive glares from the audience, causing him to lower his head in embarrassment.

As the movie progressed, Arjun made preparations for the baby's care, boiling milk and checking the temperature. Suddenly, he heard footsteps outside the door. Sensing danger, he sprang into action, fighting off twenty armed men while remaining mindful of the baby's presence, avoiding any noise that might wake it. The intensity of the fight was unlike anything Amar had seen before, and the audience cheered as Arjun fought with fierce determination.

The film continued as Arjun realized that staying in his current location was too dangerous. He decided to head to his friend's house in Delhi. He packed a bag with money needed for travel, prepared to face the unexpected challenges ahead.

As the credits rolled, the audience—including Amar and Swathi—sat in stunned silence, the weight of the film's climax and unanswered questions settling over them. They had been so engrossed in the story that they lost track of time.

As one person in the audience began to clap, others quickly joined in. The applause grew louder, resonating in the theatre, echoing the collective appreciation for the film. After two minutes of sustained clapping, the audience began to rise from their seats, still buzzing with excitement over what they had just witnessed.

As they turned to leave, the screen flickered back to life, capturing their attention once more...