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ch-34

Suraj was seated in his office at Mythic Productions, flipping through a stack of profiles spread across the large table in the conference room. Beside him, Kunal sat cross-legged, sipping his tea while scrutinizing the headshots of various actors. They were meticulously reviewing potential candidates for the role of Ravan, the enigmatic and multi-faceted protagonist of Raw's Rampage.

Most of the supporting roles had already been cast, but finding the right actor to embody Ravan was proving to be an uphill battle. Suraj had high standards, and rightly so; Ravan was the lynchpin of the Bloodlines Universe, and his portrayal needed to resonate with audiences at a deep level.

"Still nothing?" Kunal asked, glancing at Suraj, who looked more frustrated by the second.

Suraj sighed. "I've met some great actors, Kunal, but every time I mention it's for an OTT series, they hesitate. They love the script but don't want to risk their reputation. In Bharat, OTT content still has a stigma, and people see it as a step down from movies. It's ridiculous."

Kunal nodded. "It's the perception. Most series here are low-budget, poorly written, and lack originality. But you're trying to change that with Raw's Rampage. These guys just don't have the vision to see what you're building."

Suraj leaned back in his chair, exasperated. "And the irony is, I'm offering them a chance to be part of something historic—a cinematic universe that will put Bharat's entertainment industry on the global map. But all they see is the label 'OTT.'"

Just then, Kunal's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and smiled faintly. "Well, we've got another meeting lined up today. Rahul Khanna. Action star, drama specialist, and a guy who's known for his versatility."

Suraj's eyebrows shot up. "Rahul Khanna? The guy from Steel Shadows and Rudra's Legacy?"

Kunal nodded. "That's the one. He's expressed interest in the project, and his assistant set up a meeting with us. He could be the perfect Ravan—charismatic, intense, and experienced."

Suraj checked his watch. "Let's get going, then. We can't afford to lose another day."

---

At the Meeting Venue

Suraj and Kunal arrived at a lavish private set Rahul Khanna often used for his meetings and discussions. The assistant had told them to come at 4 p.m., but now, more than an hour later, there was still no sign of Rahul.

Suraj checked his watch again, his patience thinning. Kunal tried to calm him. "Give it a little more time. He's a big name, and these things happen."

At 5:15 p.m., Suraj called over Rahul's assistant, a young man with an air of arrogance who had been lounging in the corner.

"Excuse me," Suraj said, his voice polite but firm. "We've been waiting for over an hour. Is Mr. Khanna going to join us soon?"

The assistant didn't even bother standing up. He glanced at Suraj with disinterest and shrugged. "Look, Rahul sir is very busy. He doesn't have time for every small-time OTT project out there."

Suraj's jaw tightened. "I don't think you understand the scale of this project. It's not some 'small-time' venture."

The assistant smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Listen, buddy, you're lucky Rahul sir even agreed to consider your script. But let's be real—it's OTT. Nobody cares. If you're in such a hurry, maybe you should just leave."

Kunal stepped forward, looking like he was ready to give the assistant a piece of his mind, but Suraj held up a hand to stop him. He took a deep breath, controlling his anger. "Thank you for your honesty," Suraj said coolly. "But let me tell you something. One day, you and Rahul sir will regret wasting my time today. Mark my words."

Without waiting for a reply, Suraj turned and walked out, Kunal following close behind.

As they exited the set, Suraj muttered under his breath, "This industry needs to learn some humility."

Kunal put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't let it get to you, Suraj. We'll find our Ravan, with or without people like him."

Just as they reached the gate, Suraj stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening.

"Is that...?" he murmured, squinting at someone near the entrance.

Kunal followed his gaze and frowned. "Who are you looking at?"

Standing near a car was a man who exuded a raw, magnetic energy. He was talking animatedly with a crew member, his movements sharp and deliberate. He wasn't conventionally handsome, but his face had a rugged intensity, with sharp cheekbones, piercing eyes, and a certain air of danger about him.

"That's Ansh Rathore," Suraj said, almost in disbelief. "Theatre actor. I saw him in Kaala Desh a few months ago. His performance was electrifying."

Kunal raised an eyebrow. "I've heard of him. He's supposed to be brilliant, but isn't he a bit... unconventional for a lead role?"

Suraj shook his head, his eyes locked on Ansh. "Ravan is unconventional. He's not a typical hero. He's dark, conflicted, and driven by an intense sense of justice. Ansh could be perfect."

Without another word, Suraj strode over to Ansh, who looked up in surprise as he approached.

"Ansh Rathore?" Suraj asked, extending his hand. "I'm Suraj, from Mythic Productions."

Ansh hesitated for a moment, then shook his hand firmly. "I've heard of you. Bloody Commando, right? Congratulations—it's a huge hit."

"Thanks," Suraj said with a smile. "Listen, I won't take up much of your time. I have a script for a series called Raw's Rampage. I think you'd be perfect for the lead role. Would you be interested in reading it?"

Ansh studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Sure. I don't usually get offers for big productions like this, so I'd love to take a look."

Suraj handed him a copy of the script. "Take your time with it. Let me know if you're interested. But trust me, this role could be a game-changer for you."

Ansh glanced at the script, then back at Suraj. "I'll read it tonight. Thanks for thinking of me."

As Suraj walked back to Kunal, he felt a spark of hope reigniting.

"You think he's the one?" Kunal asked.

"I don't know yet," Suraj admitted. "But I have a good feeling about him."

---

Back Home

Later that evening, Suraj returned home to find Aryan eagerly waiting for him in the living room.

"Bhaiya! You're late today," Aryan said, running up to him.

"Sorry, champ. Long day at work," Suraj said, ruffling his hair.

Aryan pouted. "Did you find the hero for your series?"

Suraj chuckled. "Maybe. I met someone interesting today. Let's see how it goes."

They spent the rest of the evening playing board games, with Aryan chattering excitedly about his school day and his plans for the weekend.

"Bhaiya," Aryan said suddenly, "when will I get to visit one of your sets?"

"Soon," Suraj promised. "Once we start filming, you'll be my special guest."

Aryan beamed, and Suraj felt his exhaustion melt away. Moments like these reminded him why he was working so hard—to build something that Aryan could be proud of, to create a legacy that honored their parents' dreams.

As Aryan fell asleep that night, Suraj sat by his bedside, watching his little brother's peaceful face. No matter how many obstacles came his way, Suraj knew he would keep pushing forward. For Aryan, for Mythic Productions, and for the future of Bharat's storytelling.

_________________

Author note:-

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