4thAugust 2004
The next morning, Arjun was already in his office, going through a notebook filled with rough plans for the production house he was quietly building in his head.
Budget structures. Risk breakdowns. Possible shooting schedules. Contingency margins.
For someone who had only recently taken over theatre operations, he looked unusually focused.
A soft knock came at the door before it opened slightly.
Sunita stepped in.
"Arjun, Mr. Sagar is here. He's waiting at reception. Should I send him in?"
"Yes, please," Arjun replied, closing his notebook. "And could you get two cups of tea for us?"
Sunita folded her arms dramatically.
"Of course. When the boss asks, the universe obeys. Two hot and sweet teas coming right up."
Arjun grinned. "Thank you. You are, as always, the most reliable employee in this entire office. I honestly don't know how we function without you. Also—" he paused for effect, "—you're looking exceptionally elegant today."
Sunita raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. Someone is in a very good mood."
"Pure professionalism," Arjun replied.
"Clearly," she said dryly. "By the way, Mahesh sir asked me to remind you about the Veer-Zaara success party next weekend. Don't pretend you forgot."
Arjun blinked.
"Oh. That."
Sunita smiled knowingly. "Yes. That."
"Right. I will absolutely not forget."
She nodded once. "Good. Because last time you 'forgot,' we missed a distributor dinner and Mahesh sir gave us a lecture on networking."
"That lecture was educational," Arjun said solemnly.
"For one hour," Sunita replied.
With that, she stepped out.
Arjun leaned back in his chair.
Right. The party.
It wasn't being hosted by Yash Raj Films. It was a smaller trade celebration organised by a mid-level distributor who handled multiple territories and had strong exhibitor connections.
Venue: An Andheri banquet hall.
Guest list: Theatre owners, sub-distributors, trade people.
Atmosphere: Half celebration, half business negotiation.
Very 2004.
A minute later, Sunita returned — and behind her stood Sagar Ballary, holding a thick file close to his chest.
"Boss," Sunita announced with unnecessary formality, "Mr. Sagar Ballary."
"Thank you, Sunita."
She gave Arjun a quick look that clearly said behave, and walked back out.
Sagar stepped forward.
"Hi."
"Welcome, Sagar," Arjun said, standing up and offering his hand. "Please, have a seat. I think we have quite a lot to talk about today."
Sagar sat down, placing the file carefully on the table as if it were fragile glass.
"Thanks, Arjun. I'll be honest — I'm a little nervous. This is the first time someone has actually asked me to come and discuss the script properly."
"That's good," Arjun replied calmly. "If you weren't nervous, I would be worried."
Sagar let out a small laugh.
Sunita entered again, placed the tea cups on the table, and left without interrupting.
Arjun leaned forward.
"So. Let's start simple. I've read your concept note. I like the core idea. It's contained, character-driven, and doesn't depend on star power."
Sagar's expression shifted slightly — hopeful, but cautious.
"You really think it works?"
"I think it works if executed correctly," Arjun said. "And I'll be completely honest with you. I'm also looking to enter production. I don't want to start with a loud, expensive, star-driven film. I want something tight. Controlled. Smart."
Sagar studied him for a second.
"I suspected something like that," he admitted. "Usually when someone this young shows interest in a script, it's either blind enthusiasm or secret ambition."
"Which one do I look like?" Arjun asked.
"Dangerously confident," Sagar replied.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Sagar relaxed slightly.
"Most studios," he continued, "either reject it immediately because it's 'too small,' or they tell me to wait. They say they'll get back to me. They never do."
Arjun nodded.
"Because it's not flashy," Arjun said, flipping through a few pages of the script again. "It doesn't scream for attention on a poster. It's the kind of film that relies more on its story and performances than on star power."
Sagar nodded immediately.
"Yes, exactly. It's adapted from Le Dîner de Cons, a French film. But I've reworked it heavily. I've added Indian humor, social situations, and characters that our audience can relate to."
Arjun leaned back in his chair.
"Yeah, I can see that. On the surface it feels like a simple comedy — almost like a family comedy. But underneath that there's something different. The awkward situations, the character interactions… Bollywood doesn't make many films like this."
"That's been my biggest problem," Sagar said with a sigh. "Everyone wants either a big star film or something very loud and commercial. This one sits somewhere in between."
"And that's exactly why it might work," Arjun replied.
Sagar looked at him curiously.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because audiences are smarter than we think," Arjun said. "If the writing is sharp, people talk about it. Word-of-mouth can carry a film much further than expensive promotion."
Sagar smiled faintly.
"That's exactly what I've been trying to explain to producers for six months."
Arjun chuckled.
"Well, maybe they just needed someone younger to believe it first."
They spent the next half hour going through the film in detail.
They talked about:
the main characters and how exaggerated they should bethe apartment setting where most of the film would take placethe pacing of the comedypossible actors who could deliver strong performances without demanding huge salaries
Arjun pointed to one scene in particular.
"This dinner sequence… if this works properly, it could become the highlight of the film."
Sagar's eyes lit up.
"Yes! That's the heart of the story."
"And it also saves money," Arjun added casually. "One location. Mostly dialogue-driven."
Sagar laughed.
"You really do think like a producer."
"Someone has to," Arjun replied.
After discussing the creative side for a while, Arjun finally leaned forward slightly.
"Alright, Sagar. Let's talk about the practical side."
Sagar nodded.
"How much money do you think we'll need to make this happen?"
Arjun added quickly,
"And give me a conservative estimate. This will be my first film, and I'll be investing in it myself. I'm confident in the idea, but I still want to keep the capital under control."
Sagar had clearly thought about this before.
"I've spent a lot of time calculating the budget," he said. "If we stay disciplined, I think we can make the film for around sixty lakhs."
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"That low?"
"Yes," Sagar replied. "Most of the scenes happen in a single flat. We won't need expensive outdoor schedules. The actors won't be demanding huge salaries, and the crew can be kept lean."
He flipped a few pages in the file and showed Arjun a rough budget breakdown.
"Set design, camera equipment, basic production crew, actors' fees, post-production… everything included."
Arjun studied the numbers carefully.
Then he nodded slowly.
"Alright."
Sagar looked up.
"Alright?"
"Yes," Arjun said calmly. "Let's keep the working budget between fifty and sixty lakhs. Absolute cap at sixty."
Sagar leaned forward slightly, surprised.
"You're serious?"
"I'll take care of arranging the money," Arjun continued. "For now, you focus on strengthening the screenplay. Tighten the dialogue, improve the pacing, and make sure the comedy lands properly."
Sagar's face broke into a wide smile.
"Thank you, brother. I'll start working on the revised screenplay immediately."
"Don't rush it," Arjun added. "Make it better, not just faster."
"I will," Sagar said confidently.
They shook hands again.
A few minutes later, Sagar gathered his file and stood up.
"I'll wait for your confirmation once you finalize everything on your side."
"You'll hear from me soon," Arjun replied.
With that, Sagar left the office, leaving Arjun alone in the quiet room.
Arjun leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling for a moment.
Well… that went better than expected.
He tapped the budget sheet lightly on the table.
I remember this film being made for around sixty to eighty lakhs originally. If we manage it carefully, we can probably keep it closer to sixty.
Which makes the risk even smaller.
But convincing Uncle and Aunty properly will be the real challenge.
He was still thinking about it when the office door opened again.
Naina walked in carrying a small tray with two cups of tea.
"You didn't even call me," she said. "Sunita told me you had an important meeting, so I thought I should bring tea myself."
Arjun straightened immediately.
"Aunty, you didn't have to do that."
"Yes, I did," she replied calmly. "Otherwise, you would forget to drink anything until evening."
She placed the tray on the table and looked around.
"So where is this famous director you were meeting?"
"He just left."
Naina sat down in the chair opposite him, placing the tray neatly on the table.
"Sunita told me he brought a very thick file," she said casually.
"That was the script," Arjun replied.
Naina studied him for a moment.
"So you are actually serious about this whole production business idea."
Arjun lifted the tea cup and took a sip before replying.
"What can I say," he said with a grin. "I'm charming enough that people are willing to trust me with their scripts."
Naina gave him a long look.
"Yes, I'm sure that's the reason."
"Confidence is very important in business," Arjun said solemnly.
"Confidence is good," she replied. "Overconfidence is what usually ruins people."
Arjun laughed.
"Relax, Aunty. I'm not planning to bankrupt the family on day one."
Naina shook her head slightly, though she couldn't hide a small smile.
"Just make sure you think carefully about how you're going to convince your uncle," she said. "On the surface he agreed to listen, but I can tell he still has some discomfort about this decision. So you'll have to make him believe in you."
Arjun nodded.
"I know. But I've really thought this through. I've been preparing for this moment for almost six months now."
Naina looked surprised.
"Six months?"
"Yes," Arjun said calmly. "I didn't suddenly wake up one morning and decide to become a producer. I've been studying the industry, the numbers, the risks… everything."
He leaned forward slightly.
"I'm completely ready for it."
Naina watched him carefully.
There was something steady in the way he spoke — something that hadn't been there before.
"That's good to hear," she said softly. "So tell me… what is this famous script about?"
Arjun smiled.
"It's a comedy."
Naina raised an eyebrow.
"That sounds very original."
"Wait," Arjun said quickly. "It's not the typical Bollywood comedy. The whole story happens around a dinner gathering where people bring the most ridiculous person they know… just to laugh at him."
Naina blinked.
"That sounds a little cruel."
"It is," Arjun admitted. "But that's where the humour comes from. The situations keep getting worse and more awkward."
"So basically," Naina said thoughtfully, "a group of people behaving foolishly for two hours."
Arjun grinned.
"Yes. Which makes it very realistic."
Naina laughed softly.
"Well… at least you're honest."
A few minutes later she stood up.
"Alright. Enough film discussion for now. Come home on time tonight — we'll have dinner together."
"Yes, Aunty."
"And don't try to rehearse your speech all evening," she added.
"I don't rehearse speeches."
"You absolutely do."
She walked out before he could protest.
Dinner at the Mehta house was as calm as usual.
Mahesh complained about traffic.
Naina reminded both of them to eat properly.
Arjun was unusually quiet, which both of them noticed.
After dinner, Mahesh moved to the living room with his cup of tea.
Arjun followed him a minute later, carrying the script file.
Mahesh looked at the file first, then at Arjun.
"So," he said slowly, "this must be the famous project."
Arjun nodded.
"Yes, Uncle. I've finalized the script. I want to start my production house journey with this film."
He placed the file on the table.
Mahesh picked it up and flipped through a few pages.
"It's still hard for me to believe you're serious about this," he said.
Arjun leaned back comfortably.
"Of course I'm serious. You're looking at the future biggest producer in Bollywood."
Mahesh looked up immediately.
"Oh really?"
"Yes."
"Should I start asking for autograph now or later?"
"Better take it now," Arjun replied. "Prices will increase once I become famous."
Mahesh shook his head.
"You haven't even made one film yet."
"That's a technical detail."
Mahesh laughed quietly before turning back to the script.
After reading a few pages, his expression became thoughtful.
"Arjun," he said carefully, "are you sure about this? Don't misunderstand me… but I'm not getting a lot of confidence from this script."
Arjun listened without interrupting.
"It feels like just another comedy film," Mahesh continued. "Bollywood releases many of those every year."
Arjun nodded slowly.
"Yes, it is a comedy film," he said. "But the concept is completely different."
Mahesh looked up.
"How?"
"It's not based on slapstick or big stars," Arjun explained. "The entire story is driven by characters and awkward situations. That kind of humour hasn't really been explored much in Bollywood."
Mahesh remained silent.
"The cast will be fresh," Arjun continued. "The budget will be very small. And most importantly, the risk is controlled."
He tapped the script lightly.
"I don't even know if Bollywood has produced many films with a budget this low."
Mahesh leaned back in his chair.
"Low budget doesn't guarantee success."
"I know," Arjun said calmly. "But it reduces the downside."
Mahesh studied him carefully.
"You've really thought about this."
"Yes."
Mahesh sighed.
"You know," he said slowly, "when your father started the theatre business expansion, everyone told him he was taking a risk too."
Arjun didn't say anything.
"But he had one advantage," Mahesh continued. "He had absolute confidence in what he was doing."
He placed the script on the table.
"You sound exactly like him right now."
Arjun smiled slightly.
"I'll take that as a good sign."
Mahesh shook his head.
"I haven't said yes yet."
"But you haven't said no either."
Mahesh looked at him for a moment.
Then he laughed.
"You're learning negotiation very quickly."
"Good teachers," Arjun replied.
Mahesh picked up the script again.
"Alright," he said. "Give me a few days to read this properly."
Arjun nodded.
"That's all I'm asking."
Mahesh pointed at him.
"And if this fails…"
"I know," Arjun said immediately.
"You'll handle the canteen inventory in all five theatres for six months."
Arjun sighed.
"That punishment is too cruel."
Mahesh smiled.
"Then make sure the film works."
6th August 2004
Two days had passed since the dinner conversation about the script.
Arjun had spent most of that time in the office, finishing theatre work and reviewing upcoming film releases. But even while going through files and distributor calls, the same thought kept returning to him.
'Has Uncle finished reading the script?'
'Did he like it… or did he decide the whole idea was too risky?'
That evening, Arjun returned home a little earlier than usual.
The house was calm. The faint smell of tea and evening snacks drifted from the kitchen.
Mahesh was sitting in the living room reading through some papers, while Naina arranged cups on the table.
When Arjun walked in, both of them looked up.
"Ah, the producer has arrived," Mahesh said.
Arjun paused for a moment.
'Producer?'
'That tone could mean approval… or trouble.'
"Uncle… you called?"
"Yes," Mahesh said. "Sit down."
Arjun sat across from them, trying to appear relaxed even though his mind was racing.
Mahesh placed the script file on the table.
"I finished reading the script last night," he said slowly.
Arjun waited.
Mahesh leaned back in his chair.
"And while I was reading it… I also found myself thinking about you."
Arjun looked confused.
"About me?"
Mahesh nodded.
"Don't misunderstand what I'm about to say."
He folded his hands thoughtfully.
"Before the accident… before your parents passed away… you were a completely different person."
Naina glanced at Arjun but remained silent.
Mahesh continued.
"You were spoiled. Most of your time went into partying with friends. You avoided the office like it was some kind of disease."
Arjun lowered his gaze slightly.
'He's not wrong.'
Mahesh wasn't angry. He was simply stating facts.
"We tried many times to bring you into the business," Mahesh said. "Your father asked you, I asked you, even your aunt tried. But you never stayed in the office for more than ten minutes."
Naina nodded.
"That is true," she said gently. "Even tea breaks felt too long for you."
Mahesh continued.
"But after the accident… after your parents passed away… something changed."
He looked at Arjun carefully.
"You started coming to the office on your own. Not just coming — actually working."
"You studied the film schedules."
"You predicted which movies would perform well."
"You helped improve the theatre revenue."
Mahesh shook his head slightly.
"And now you want to start a production house."
He sighed.
"Strangely… I don't feel the impulse to stop you the way I normally would."
Arjun looked up.
Mahesh gave a half smile.
"If this was the old Arjun, I probably would have slapped him and told him to focus on studies."
Naina laughed softly.
"That would definitely have happened."
The room went quiet for a moment.
Mahesh leaned forward.
"I still don't know whether this film will become a hit or not," he said honestly.
"But I do know one thing."
He pointed toward Arjun.
"You are just as stubborn as your father."
Naina smiled.
"Very true."
"And just like him," Mahesh continued, "you're confident in what you believe."
He shook his head slightly.
"It was always frustrating to argue with your father when he had already made up his mind."
He paused.
"And now I'm facing the same problem with you."
Arjun finally exhaled.
'So… he isn't rejecting it.'
"Uncle… thank you," Arjun said quietly. "It really means a lot that you're even willing to consider this."
Naina watched his expression carefully.
"I promise," Arjun continued, "I will do everything I can to make you, Aunty, and my parents proud."
Naina's eyes softened slightly.
Mahesh nodded.
"So," he said, "tell me how you plan to move forward."
Arjun straightened slightly.
"Well… as I mentioned earlier, I have around sixty lakhs in my savings. That should be enough to produce the film itself."
Mahesh listened quietly.
"But we'll also need some setup for the production house," Arjun continued. "A small team, some staff, operational expenses."
He hesitated before finishing the sentence.
"So I was thinking of arranging another fifty lakhs as a loan. Maybe by mortgaging the farmhouse property or my shares in the company."
Mahesh immediately sat upright.
"No."
The word came out sharply.
"You will not do that."
Arjun blinked.
Mahesh continued firmly.
"Those properties are the result of your father's hard work. And those shares… your father built them by working day and night."
His voice softened slightly.
"You are not going to risk them for your first film."
Arjun stayed quiet.
'I expected resistance… but not this much.'
Mahesh took a deep breath.
"Here's what we'll do."
He looked directly at Arjun.
"I will give you fifty lakhs."
Arjun froze.
'What?'
Mahesh continued calmly.
"As starting capital for this production house."
For a moment Arjun couldn't respond.
"But Uncle—"
Mahesh raised his hand.
"Listen first."
He leaned back.
"This company you're running today… the theatres, the reputation… it all came from your father's vision."
He glanced toward Naina.
"My contribution was small compared to his."
Naina nodded softly.
"That is true," she said. "Your father carried most of the responsibility."
Mahesh continued.
"If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't be where I am today."
He looked back at Arjun.
"So if you think of this money as support from me… you are misunderstanding it."
He tapped the table lightly.
"This is simply returning a small part of what your father built."
Arjun felt his throat tighten.
"Uncle, Aunt… thank you," he said quietly. "I promise I will return every rupee."
Mahesh waved the idea away.
"I didn't give it to you as a loan."
"But still—"
"You can repay it," Mahesh said with a faint smile, "by making sure this film doesn't embarrass us."
Naina laughed.
"That is a very reasonable condition."
She looked warmly at Arjun.
"And don't worry too much. Every new journey comes with some risk."
Then she added playfully,
"But remember one thing."
Arjun looked at her.
"If you become a big producer one day…"
She smiled.
"…don't forget the people who fed you dinner while you were planning it."
Arjun laughed.
"That would be impossible."
Mahesh picked up the script again.
"Alright," he said.
"Let's see what kind of producer you become."
Arjun leaned back slightly.
'This is it.'
'The first step has finally begun.
Word Count: 3.45k+
Sorry for the inconsistent releases. I am currently busy with something in my personal life, but I will make sure to finish it and return with daily updates.
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