ch-37

The air in the meeting room buzzed with anticipation as Suraj and Kunal sat across from Ansh Rathore, the contract resting on the polished wooden table. Ansh, however, looked far from composed. His hands trembled slightly, and his eyes darted back and forth between the document and Suraj's calm face.

"Are you sure this is real?" Ansh finally managed to ask, his voice barely above a whisper.

Suraj chuckled, pushing the contract closer to him. "It's as real as it gets, Ansh. You've earned this."

The numbers on the contract stared back at Ansh like a dream he never thought possible. Thirty to forty-five lakhs for the Raw's Rampage project alone, with a clause for a 10% increment for two subsequent movies if the series succeeded. But what truly left him dumbfounded was the series budget—fifteen to twenty crores.

"I've never even seen this much money on paper, let alone in real life," Ansh muttered, shaking his head in disbelief. He leaned back in his chair, trying to steady himself. The reality of the moment hit him like a wave, washing over years of struggles and heartbreak.

Kunal, seated next to Suraj, leaned forward with a smile. "Believe it, kid. You're not just signing a contract; you're stepping into a whole new chapter of your life."

Ansh swallowed hard, his mind racing. His voice trembled as he said, "I… I need to say something."

Suraj nodded encouragingly, folding his hands on the table. "Go ahead, Ansh. We're listening."

Ansh's chest rose and fell with deep breaths as he gathered his thoughts. He looked down at his hands, rough and worn from years of odd jobs and relentless auditions. "You don't understand what this means to me," he began. "For years, I've been stuck—trapped in this endless cycle of rejection and humiliation. All because I made the mistake of standing up for myself."

Suraj and Kunal exchanged a curious glance but said nothing, allowing Ansh to continue.

"It was five years ago," Ansh said, his voice heavy with emotion. "I was cast for a major supporting role in a big-budget film. It felt like my breakthrough moment, the kind of opportunity every struggling actor dreams of. But then, on the third day of shooting, the producer's son showed up on set."

He paused, his jaw tightening. "He didn't like me. I don't know if it was the way I spoke or the way I looked, but he decided I didn't belong there. He said something demeaning—something I couldn't ignore. So, I spoke up. I told him to respect people who worked hard, who earned their place. And just like that, I was blacklisted."

Ansh clenched his fists, the memory still fresh and painful. "The next day, my role was gone. They replaced me with someone else overnight. After that, every opportunity I had lined up vanished. Producers stopped returning my calls. Directors who had praised my talent suddenly acted like I didn't exist. I was shadow-banned, and I didn't even know how to fight back."

Suraj leaned forward, his expression serious. "And no one stood up for you?"

Ansh laughed bitterly. "In this industry? Who would risk their career for someone like me? I became untouchable. The only roles I could get were as a mobster, a goon, or an extra. No dialogue, no credit—just a face in the background. But I took them because I had no choice. I had a family to feed."

Kunal, who had seen his fair share of the industry's darker side, sighed deeply. "That's a tough hand to be dealt, kid. But you kept going. That says a lot about you."

Ansh nodded, his voice cracking as he spoke. "I kept going because I couldn't give up. My wife believed in me when no one else did. She took on extra work to support us while I chased what felt like an impossible dream. And my son… he's too young to understand, but I never wanted him to see his father as a failure. I wanted him to be proud of me someday."

Tears welled up in Ansh's eyes, but he wiped them away quickly. "There were days when I thought about quitting, about finding a stable job so I could take the burden off my wife. But every time I thought about giving up, something in me refused to let go. And then, you showed up, Suraj. You handed me that script, and for the first time in years, I felt hope. Real hope."

The room fell silent as Ansh finished speaking, his emotions raw and unfiltered. Suraj took a deep breath, his heart heavy with the weight of Ansh's story.

"I can't change the past, Ansh," Suraj said softly, his voice steady and resolute. "I can't undo the injustice you faced or the struggles you've endured. But I promise you this—I'll do everything in my power to change your future. You've got the talent, and now you've got the platform. Together, we'll make sure the world sees what you're capable of."

Ansh looked at Suraj, his eyes filled with gratitude and determination. "Thank you," he whispered. "Thank you for giving me this chance. I won't let you down."

Suraj smiled, reaching across the table to shake Ansh's hand. "I know you won't."

Kunal clapped his hands together, breaking the emotional tension in the room. "Well, then! Let's get this show on the road. Ansh, sign the contract and officially become Ravan."

With trembling hands, Ansh picked up the pen and signed his name on the dotted line. The weight of years of struggle seemed to lift off his shoulders as he completed the final stroke.

As he set the pen down, Kunal grinned and said, "Welcome to Mythic Productions, Ravan."

The room erupted into applause, and for the first time in a long time, Ansh felt like he truly belonged.

Later, as Suraj walked Ansh out of the office, he placed a hand on the actor's shoulder. "This is just the beginning, Ansh. You're not just playing a character—you're helping build a legacy. And trust me, once the world sees your Ravan, they'll never forget it."

Ansh smiled, a flicker of hope and excitement lighting up his face. "Let's make it unforgettable, Suraj."

As they parted ways, Suraj couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Ansh wasn't just an actor to him; he was a symbol of resilience, proof that talent and determination could overcome even the harshest obstacles.

For Suraj, this wasn't just about making a series—it was about creating something that mattered. And with Ansh as Ravan, he knew they were on the path to something truly extraordinary.

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Author note:-

*If power stones reach 200 by tomorrow evening I will mass release 5 chapter

Its promise 😄

*Support story with Power stones as it gives motivation and encouragement 👍