ch-8

Chapter 8: The Path to Reality

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity at Mythic Productions. Suraj found himself surrounded by stacks of papers, budget estimates, casting notes, and location scouting details. The air inside the company office buzzed with a renewed energy, something that had been missing for a long time. People who had once been unsure of the company's future were now hopeful, eager to see how Bloody Commando would take shape.

Suraj had set a meeting with the key members of the production team to discuss the budget and logistics of the film. As he entered the conference room, he felt the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders. He knew that the entire future of Mythic Productions was riding on this project. The room was filled with familiar faces—people who had worked with his parents, veterans of the industry. Among them sat Kunal, his father's best friend, who had been guiding Suraj since he took over.

"Alright, everyone," Suraj began, placing the script in the center of the table. "We're moving forward with Bloody Commando. I've worked out a preliminary budget, but I want to hear your thoughts."

The team exchanged glances before Kunal spoke up. "Suraj, action films—especially ones with a military theme like this—usually require a hefty budget. How much are we working with?"

Suraj took a deep breath. He had already run the numbers over and over in his head. "Ten crores."

The room fell silent. Ten crores wasn't a lot for an action film. In fact, for the genre, it was almost modest. Action films required elaborate stunts, special effects, and often high-profile actors. But Suraj had faith that they could pull it off.

Kunal frowned slightly. "Ten crores… that's not a lot for what you're envisioning. We'll have to be incredibly strategic with how we use every rupee."

"I know it's not a huge budget," Suraj admitted, "but we can make it work. I've thought about scaling down certain elements—keeping the action scenes intense but focused. No unnecessary explosions or over-the-top special effects. The core of this film is its story and characters."

Another team member, Rajiv, the head of production, nodded. "It's possible, but we'll need to find a balance. Practical effects over CGI, minimal locations, and, of course, casting. We'll need at least one recognizable actor to sell the movie."

Suraj had anticipated this. Casting was going to be crucial. "I've thought about that," he said. "We need someone who's known but not out of reach for our budget. I've shortlisted a few actors who I believe would fit the role of Arjun, the commando."

He pulled out a list of names and passed it around. One name stood out: arrav kapoor. A seasoned actor in Bharat's film industry, arrav was known for his intense performances and had recently made a comeback with a critically acclaimed love drama. He wasn't a top-tier star, but he had a loyal fan base and could bring the kind of gritty realism that Bloody Commando needed.

Kunal glanced at the name and raised an eyebrow. "Arrav kapoor? He's got the talent, no doubt. But do you think he'll work within our budget?"

"I've already reached out to his agent," Suraj replied confidently. "Arrav is interested. He's looking for something challenging, something that can push him back into the mainstream. This film could be that project for him."

The room seemed to relax a little at that news. Rajiv nodded in approval. "If arrav signs on, it'll definitely help with the marketing. He's got the acting chops and the recognition we need."

Kunal still seemed cautious, but he trusted Suraj's instincts. "Alright, Suraj. We'll make it work. But remember, this budget is tight. We can't afford any delays or setbacks."

Suraj nodded. "I understand. I'm going to make sure every aspect of this film is carefully planned. We'll stay within budget."

As the meeting wrapped up, Suraj felt a sense of relief but also a growing sense of responsibility. He had the script, the plan, and soon, the cast. Now it was time to bring everything together.

---

At home, things weren't as smooth. Aryan had noticed how busy Suraj had become over the past few days. He understood that his brother was working hard, but it didn't make the loneliness any easier. Suraj had always been around to help with homework, cook meals, and spend time with him. But now, with the demands of Mythic Productions, Suraj was constantly in meetings or buried in script revisions.

That evening, after sending Aryan off to school in the morning, Suraj sat in front of his computer, working on the final production notes. He barely noticed when Aryan came home from school. Aryan, understanding his brother's workload, quietly went to his room to do his homework without disturbing Suraj. The house felt quieter than usual, with only the soft sounds of the keys tapping under Suraj's fingers.

A couple of hours later, Suraj stretched and stood up, deciding it was time for a break. As he walked out of his office, he noticed Aryan sitting at the dining table, scribbling away at his homework. The sight brought a smile to Suraj's face. His little brother was growing up so fast.

"Hey, Aryan," Suraj called out, ruffling his hair as he passed by.

Aryan looked up and grinned. "You finally finished, bhai?"

"Not quite," Suraj admitted, walking toward the kitchen. "But I needed a break. How about I make us some dinner?"

Aryan's eyes lit up, and he quickly pushed his books aside. "Can I help?"

Suraj chuckled. "Of course. Come on."

As they prepared dinner together, the usual playful banter returned. Aryan was always eager to learn how to cook, and Suraj was happy to teach him. They laughed over small mistakes—Aryan spilling flour all over the counter, or Suraj nearly burning the rotis. But these small moments, these shared laughs, reminded Suraj of what he was fighting for.

After dinner, Aryan went to bed early, tired from school and their cooking adventures. Suraj, though, stayed up a little longer, returning to his script for one final review before calling it a night.

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That night, as he drifted off to sleep, Suraj found himself once again inside the mysterious, rusty theater. The familiar sense of déjà vu washed over him as the projector flickered to life and the story of Bloody Commando played out on the screen.

Fifteen times now, the same story. Every detail was etched into his memory. He had been hooked the first time, but now, the repetition only drove him to complete the film in real life. He knew that until this movie was created, the dreams would keep coming. The theater screen flashed a message, as if answering his unspoken thoughts:

"Until this cinema is created, there will be no next movie."

Suraj awoke with a start, the weight of the dream fresh on his mind. There was no turning back now. Bloody Commando had to be made, and it was up to him to make sure it saw the light of day.

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