ch-49

Suraj sat in his editing suite, staring intently at the timeline on his monitor. The massive undertaking of shooting Ravan's Rampage had come to an end, and now he was fully immersed in post-production. The raw footage, amounting to four hours, had been meticulously edited down to 40 minutes per episode across eight episodes. Each episode was crafted to build on the tension and expand the cinematic universe he had been tirelessly working on. Suraj had poured his heart and soul into every frame, ensuring the storytelling was sharp, engaging, and visually striking.

The next step was perhaps one of the most exciting for him: the music and background score. Suraj was adamant that the soundscape of Ravan's Rampage had to elevate the entire experience. He worked closely with the composer, discussing themes and moods for each episode. The music had to reflect the wolf-like cunning of Ravan, the gritty streets of vintage Mumbai, and the intricate web of underground power that defined the Shadow Vipers.

One session, in particular, stood out as they worked on the score for the climactic episodes. "This needs to sound dangerous," Suraj said, gesturing dramatically. "It should make the audience feel like they're walking a tightrope. A single wrong step, and it's all over." The composer, nodding, layered haunting strings with a deep bassline, creating an unsettling yet compelling sound. Suraj listened to the final piece, his heart racing, and gave his approval.

Next came the logo and the graphic intro for Blood Bound Chronicles, the series that Ravan's Rampage would officially launch. Suraj wanted the introduction to be simple yet powerful, something that would immediately set the tone for the dark, gritty universe.

"Start with a black screen," he instructed the graphics team. "Then show a knife slashing across the screen, blood splattering everywhere. Slowly, the dripping blood should form the words 'Blood Bound Chronicles.' Make the letters jagged, uneven, like they were carved out of flesh."

The team worked tirelessly to bring his vision to life. When Suraj saw the finished intro, a chill ran down his spine. The darkness, the blood, the rawness—it was perfect. He watched it over and over, unable to contain his satisfaction. "This will set the stage," he said to himself. "This is the beginning of something big."

With post-production finally complete, the only thing left was to decide on the series' release platform and the launch date. Suraj had his sights set on Bharat+, the largest OTT platform in the country. He believed the platform's massive reach and reputation for hosting premium content would be the perfect place to introduce his series.

Armed with his proposal, Suraj walked into the Bharat+ headquarters, a sprawling glass-and-steel building in Mumbai. He was confident but knew he had to tread carefully. Securing a deal for an independent series was no easy feat, especially one as ambitious as Ravan's Rampage.

In the boardroom, Suraj presented his vision to a group of executives. He spoke passionately about the story, the cinematic universe he was building, and the potential for the series to resonate with audiences across Bharat. "This isn't just a series," he said. "It's a universe, a saga that will keep viewers hooked and wanting more."

The executives listened, intrigued but skeptical. "What's your proposed model?" one of them finally asked.

Suraj explained his idea: a pay-to-watch model. Viewers would pay a one-time fee of ₹80 to gain lifetime access to the series. "It's affordable," Suraj reasoned. "It lowers the barrier for entry while ensuring that the audience sees value in the content. And with the quality we're delivering, they'll gladly pay for it."

The executives exchanged glances, unsure. "This is a risky model," one of them said. "OTT platforms thrive on subscriptions, not one-time payments. How can we ensure profitability?"

Suraj anticipated this pushback and was ready with his counteroffer. "We'll do profit-sharing. I'll take 95%, and Bharat+ keeps 5%."

The room went silent for a moment. Finally, one of the executives laughed incredulously. "5%? Are you serious? Who agrees to such a split?"

Suraj remained calm. "I'll invest ₹20 lakhs of my own money for advertising on the platform across all regions. That's ₹20 lakhs you don't have to spend. Think of it as a win-win: I handle the marketing, and you provide the platform. You're taking minimal risk."

The executives were visibly surprised. One of them leaned forward. "You're telling us you spent ₹16 crores on producing this series? And now you're willing to invest even more in advertising? Who in their right mind spends that much on an OTT series, especially as an independent producer?"

Suraj smiled. "Someone who believes in their vision. Someone who knows that this is not just a series—it's the start of a legacy. Look, I understand this is unconventional. But trust me, Ravan's Rampage will not just be a series; it'll be a phenomenon. And Bharat+ will be at the forefront of it."

There was a long pause as the executives considered his proposal. Finally, one of them spoke. "Alright, we're in. But if we're taking this risk, we want transparency on every aspect of the marketing and earnings. Deal?"

"Deal," Suraj said without hesitation.

The meeting ended with handshakes, and Suraj walked out of the headquarters feeling a mix of relief and excitement. The release of Raw's Rampage was now within reach.

Back at his office, Suraj gathered his team to share the news. The series would launch on Bharat+ in just a few weeks. As he spoke, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. They had overcome countless challenges—financial constraints, filming in Russia, and the uphill battle of post-production. But now, they were standing on the edge of something incredible.

As the team celebrated, Aryan ran into the room, holding a drawing he had made. "This is for you, Bhaiya," he said, handing it to Suraj. The drawing depicted a wolf—a nod to Ravan's character—and beneath it were the words "Shadow Vipers."

Suraj smiled, ruffling Aryan's hair. "You're the real creative genius here."

With everything falling into place, Suraj knew the hardest part was over. The cinematic universe he had dreamed of was finally coming to life, and the world was about to witness it. But deep down, he also knew this was just the beginning. The road ahead would be long and challenging, but he was ready for it.

For now, though, he allowed himself a moment of peace. The journey had been worth it, and the future looked brighter than ever.

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