ch-12

Chapter 12: Into the Action

Suraj stood on the set, his eyes focused on the camera screen in front of him. It was day one of the Bloody Commando shoot, and the energy on set was electric. The entire crew had been working tirelessly to bring the first few scenes to life. Despite the hustle, there was a surprising calmness to Suraj's demeanor, something that hadn't gone unnoticed by the cast and crew. His confidence radiated from the way he handled the camera, directed the actors, and made minute adjustments to the props.

Everything felt strangely familiar to him, and for good reason. Suraj had already seen this movie unfold in his dreams 30 times—he knew every line of dialogue, every camera angle, and every detail of the action. This was no ordinary movie for him; it was like reliving something he'd already experienced.

"Alright, places everyone!" Suraj called out, his voice steady and authoritative. The crew scrambled to their positions, and Aarav Kapoor, the star of the film, took his mark as Arjun, the ex-army commando. The scene they were about to shoot was an intense one: Arjun would be facing off against a group of thugs in a dark alley, a raw, hand-to-hand combat sequence that set the tone for the entire movie.

"Camera, ready?" Suraj asked, his eyes flicking toward the cinematographer, who gave a nod in return.

"Action!" Suraj's voice rang out.

Aarav moved fluidly through the scene, his fists landing hard on his opponents as they collapsed one by one. The fight choreography was brutal but precise, and Aarav handled it with the grace of a seasoned action star. Suraj watched closely, not just as a director but as someone who had lived through these moments in his dreams. Each punch, each kick—he knew how it was supposed to look, and it was playing out exactly as he had envisioned.

"Cut!" Suraj yelled after the final blow was delivered. He looked around the set, the actors panting and the crew tense as they awaited his reaction. A wide grin spread across his face. "That was perfect. We're moving on to the next scene."

The crew breathed a collective sigh of relief, and there was a ripple of excitement as they realized how smoothly things were progressing. Suraj's vision was clear, his direction precise, and everything was falling into place quicker than anyone had anticipated. This wasn't the work of a novice director, and everyone on set could feel it.

Between takes, Suraj checked his phone. In the short breaks he had, he always made it a point to call Aryan. No matter how busy the schedule, those calls kept him grounded. Today was no different.

"Hey, Aryan," Suraj said as his brother picked up the call. "How was school today?"

Aryan's voice was bright on the other end. "It was good, bhai. We had a science project, and I got an A!"

"That's awesome, kiddo," Suraj said, leaning against one of the set props. "I knew you'd nail it."

"And how's the movie going?" Aryan asked eagerly. Suraj could hear the excitement in his voice.

Suraj smiled. "It's going great. We shot a big action scene today. You're going to love it when you see it."

"I can't wait!" Aryan exclaimed. "But don't work too hard, okay? You need to take care of yourself too."

Suraj's heart warmed at Aryan's concern. "I'll be fine, Aryan. Don't worry about me. You just focus on being good for Kunal Uncle and Anitha Aunty."

After a few more minutes of chatting, Suraj hung up the phone and headed back to the set. There was still a lot of work to be done, but every step felt right. He had an uncanny sense of what to do next, where to move the camera, and how to guide the actors through each scene. The film was progressing quickly—almost too quickly, but Suraj wasn't about to slow down. He was in the zone, completely absorbed in bringing this story to life.

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By the end of the week, the shoot was moving at a pace no one had expected. Suraj's vision for Bloody Commando was coming together, and each day brought them closer to the film he had dreamt of making. Aarav, impressed by Suraj's calm under pressure and his clear understanding of the character, often remarked how easy it was to trust his direction.

One day after wrapping up an intense day of shooting, Aarav approached Suraj. "You know, I've worked with a lot of directors, but there's something about you, man," Aarav said, a hint of curiosity in his tone. "You direct like you've been doing this for years, like you've already lived through this."

Suraj laughed, though inside, the comment struck a chord. "Maybe I just know this story better than anyone else," he said, brushing off the deeper meaning behind Aarav's observation.

Aarav nodded. "Well, whatever it is, it's working. I've never felt more connected to a character than I do with Arjun. This is going to be something special, Suraj."

Suraj's chest swelled with pride. "Thanks, Aarav. That means a lot."

As the days went by, Suraj found himself completely immersed in the production. He directed with a focus and intensity that left the crew in awe. Every scene, every shot, every performance was exactly what he had envisioned. It was as if fate had given him a second chance to fulfill his dream, and he wasn't going to waste it.

But through it all, Aryan remained in the back of his mind. Suraj called him every chance he got, updating him on the progress of the movie and listening to Aryan's stories about school. Their bond remained strong, and though Aryan missed his brother, he never once complained. He understood the weight of what Suraj was trying to accomplish.

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At the end of another long day, Suraj sat alone in his trailer, going over the next day's shoot. He couldn't help but smile. Everything was falling into place. The film was progressing faster than he'd expected, and the crew was fully onboard with his vision. He was living his dream, finally directing the movie he had always wanted to make. It wasn't just about Bloody Commando—it was about reviving Mythic Productions, honoring his parents' legacy, and securing a future for Aryan.

As he closed his eyes, tired but satisfied, Suraj's thoughts drifted back to the rusty theater of his dreams. It had all started there. Now, that dream was becoming a reality.