ch-9

Chapter 9: A World of Wonders

Suraj sat at his desk, laptop open, as he delved deeper into the alternate world he now found himself in. This version of Bharat—Akhand Bharat—was both fascinating and strange to him. The historical differences between this world and the one he remembered were mind-boggling. There was no separation of Bangladesh or Pakistan; no partition had ever occurred here. The vast nation, undivided and unified, stretched from the Himalayas in the north to the southernmost tip of the subcontinent.

He couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. This world… it's Bharat, but so much more. How did history play out differently? The existence of a unified Bharat had significant effects on its politics, culture, and—most importantly for him—its entertainment industry. His curiosity about cinema, one of the few constants across both worlds, drove him to explore this new landscape.

Suraj began researching the highest-grossing films in this alternate Bharat. One movie caught his attention almost immediately: Raktkand. Released in 2003, it was a historical epic, and its box office earnings had crossed a staggering 250 crores. For a movie released five years ago, this was a jaw-dropping figure. It was even more impressive when he considered the year of its release.

"250 crores in 2003?!" Suraj murmured to himself, wide-eyed. That's insane!

In his previous life, films in India took much longer to reach such figures. Back then, even the biggest blockbusters had to rely on international markets to hit similar numbers. But here, Bharat's domestic market alone was vast enough to generate such box office hauls.

He continued to dig deeper into the film industry, fascinated by how different yet familiar everything was. In this version of Bharat, the period film genre seemed to dominate the box office. Historical stories of bravery, sacrifice, and rebellion were widely popular, mirroring the country's proud heritage of resistance against British rule. The people here had embraced their past in a way that India never quite had in his previous life.

Raktkand, as it turned out, was based on the heroic deeds of Chandrashekhar Azad, a revolutionary leader who had led a successful uprising against British forces. The movie was praised for its gritty realism, intense battle scenes, and powerful performances. Directed by a renowned filmmaker named Arvind Deshmukh, Raktkand had set a new benchmark for action-dramas in Bharat.

Intrigued by this success, Suraj started compiling a list of other notable films:

1. Suryavanshi (1999) - A period war film depicting the fictional defense of Bharat's borders during an attempted invasion by a foreign power in the 1800s. It grossed 180 crores and became a cultural phenomenon, inspiring patriotism and unity among its audience.

2. Vande Mataram (2001) - A heartwarming story about the lives of common citizens during the freedom movement, showing how ordinary people became extraordinary fighters for their country. Its relatable story and emotional depth made it a box office hit, earning 200 crores.

3. Agnipath (2005) - An epic about the formation of a united Bharat, with an alternate history where Bhagat Singh became a central figure in shaping the nation. With its powerful political message and grand visuals, it earned a record-breaking 230 crores.

How is this even possible? Suraj thought. The industry here is so much more advanced than I expected.

The numbers left him in awe. In his previous world, Indian cinema had only started reaching these levels in the mid-2010s, with films like Baahubali breaking through the global stage. But here, the box office was thriving even in the early 2000s. This Bharat had a much larger, unified population, and its economy was clearly stronger, which explained the immense box office potential. Cinema wasn't just entertainment here—it was a cultural force, deeply tied to the nation's identity.

Suraj took a moment to reflect. While he was still adapting to the differences in this world, he couldn't help but admire the progress Bharat had made in this timeline. The creative freedom and boldness of filmmakers here allowed them to tackle powerful, nation-defining stories, and the audience had embraced it fully.

If Bloody Commando has a chance to succeed, I need to understand this market even better, Suraj realized. He would have to make sure his film not only resonated with the audience but also aligned with their expectations of patriotism, sacrifice, and heroism.

As Suraj worked on the script for his own film, he couldn't help but compare the opportunities in this world to the ones that had been missing in his previous life. Back in India, making a film like Bloody Commando on a modest budget with a bold, action-packed story would have been challenging. But here, with the right cast, smart budgeting, and careful planning, it was not only possible—it could be the hit that Mythic Productions desperately needed.

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Later that evening, as Aryan returned from school, Suraj was still glued to his laptop, his mind racing with ideas. Aryan didn't disturb him, quietly doing his homework at the dining table. Suraj glanced up, smiling at the sight of his younger brother diligently working.

"You alright, Aryan?" Suraj asked, closing his laptop to take a break.

Aryan looked up, smiling shyly. "Yeah, bhai. Just finishing some homework. You've been really busy lately."

Suraj felt a pang of guilt. He knew Aryan had been feeling a bit lonely lately, with him being so consumed by the film. He ruffled Aryan's hair. "I know, buddy. I'll try to make more time for us, I promise."

Aryan beamed, appreciating his brother's reassurance. The two shared a brief moment of laughter before settling down for dinner. As they ate, Suraj couldn't help but think about the massive world of cinema that lay ahead of him. He was excited, but also aware of the enormous challenges that awaited.

But this is my chance, he reminded himself. In this world, I can finally make the kind of movie I always dreamed of. I just have to do it right.

With renewed determination, Suraj returned to his script later that night. His mind buzzed with possibilities—thoughts of actors, locations, and scenes that could bring Bloody Commando to life. He was ready to take the first step toward making his dream a reality, in a world that was full of both opportunities and surprises.

This was his Bharat now. A world that had the potential to offer him everything he had ever wanted.