7th August 2004
The next morning, Arjun went to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs office along with Mahesh and Naina to officially register his production company.
The government building looked exactly how one would expect — slightly crowded, stacks of files everywhere, clerks moving from desk to desk, and people waiting patiently with documents in hand.
Fortunately, Mahesh already knew someone there.
The clerk handling their paperwork was Mohit, an old acquaintance of Mahesh's from years ago.
By the time they arrived, most of the paperwork had already been prepared.
Mohit looked up from his desk as they approached.
"Ah, Mahes," he said, smiling. "You're right on time."
Mahesh shook his hand.
"Good morning, Mohit. Sorry for troubling you with all this paperwork."
"No trouble at all," Mohit replied. "You told me yesterday, so I prepared most of the forms already."
He pushed a file toward Arjun.
"Just a few signatures left."
Arjun leaned forward and started signing where Mohit pointed.
"You need to sign here… here… and here as well," Mohit said, tapping different places on the documents.
Arjun followed the instructions carefully.
Naina watched quietly from the side, occasionally glancing at the forms.
Once the signatures were done, Mohit flipped through the papers again.
"Alright," he said. "Now one important thing."
He looked at Arjun.
"What name do you want for the production company?"
Arjun didn't hesitate.
"I've already decided."
Mahesh and Naina looked at him.
"It will be Mehta Films."
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Naina smiled softly.
"That's a very good name."
Mahesh nodded as well.
"Simple. Strong. Easy to remember."
Mohit wrote it down on the final page.
"Mehta Films Private Limited," he read aloud while filling the form.
Then he looked up again.
"Alright. Let me explain the structure once."
He pointed to the documents.
"The company will be registered as a private limited company."
He turned the page.
"Arjun will hold 90% ownership."
"And Mahesh and Naina together will hold 10% equity."
He looked at Arjun.
"Are you comfortable with that arrangement?"
Arjun nodded immediately.
"Yes, that's perfect."
Mahesh looked at him.
"You don't have to give us shares," he said. "This company is yours."
Arjun shook his head.
"I want it this way."
Naina smiled quietly but didn't say anything.
Mohit closed the file.
"Good."
He stamped the documents and pushed them aside.
"With this, the registration process has officially started."
Arjun leaned forward.
"So how long will it take?"
"Usually around three to four weeks," Mohit said. "Within a month your registration certificate and company license should be ready."
He continued,
"After that, Mehta Films Pvt. Ltd. will legally exist and you can start operations."
Arjun nodded slowly.
There it was.
His production house.
Official.
Mohit added one more thing.
"You'll also need a registered office address for the company."
Mahesh nodded.
"We'll arrange a small office soon."
Mohit smiled.
"Good. Once the paperwork is processed, we'll send all the official documents."
He leaned back in his chair.
"So congratulations, Arjun."
Arjun smiled.
"Thank you, sir."
Mahesh stood up and shook Mohit's hand.
"Thank you for helping us with this. We really appreciate it."
Mohit waved his hand casually.
"Mahesh, we've known each other for years. This is nothing."
Naina added warmly,
"You should come home sometime with your family. It has been a long time since we met."
Mohit laughed.
"I will definitely do that."
Then he looked at Arjun again.
"And best of luck for your new journey."
Arjun nodded.
"Thank you. I hope I'll make good use of this opportunity."
Mohit smiled.
"Just make sure your first film becomes a hit."
Mahesh laughed.
"That's exactly what we're hoping for too."
They exchanged a few more words before leaving the office.
After sorting out the legal documentation for the production house, the Mehta family began discussing the next important step — setting up an office.
At the moment, the headquarters of Mehta Theatres was still located inside the main cinema building in Andheri West. The office worked fine for theatre operations, but with the addition of Mehta Films, it was clear they would soon need a larger and more organised space.
The topic naturally came up again during dinner that night.
Mahesh placed his glasses on the table and said,
"Right now the theatre company has around 3 crore in liquid capital available. That's enough to either construct a decent office building… or buy an existing one."
Arjun looked interested.
"Buying an existing building might be easier," he said. "Construction will take too long."
Mahesh nodded.
"Exactly. Construction means at least a year of waiting. Buying an older building and renovating it could be much faster."
Naina joined the discussion.
"Yes, and areas near Andheri West are still manageable in price compared to places near Film City or the Bandra–Juhu belt," she said.
She continued thoughtfully,
"If we find an older building that is structurally safe but slightly outdated, we can renovate it. Renovation won't take too long."
Mahesh smiled slightly.
"You sound like a real estate consultant."
Naina shrugged.
"I have lived in Mumbai long enough to know property prices."
Arjun laughed.
"That's true. Even auto drivers here know property rates better than bankers."
Mahesh continued,
"My idea is simple. We buy a two- or three-storey building nearby."
He counted on his fingers.
"Ground floor — reception and small office spaces."
"Second floor — headquarters for Mehta Theatres."
"Third floor — Mehta Films office."
Arjun nodded approvingly.
"That actually makes a lot of sense."
Mahesh added,
"Keeping everything close together will make coordination easier."
Naina looked at Arjun.
"And it will stop you from wandering around the city pretending to work."
"I never pretend," Arjun replied seriously.
Mahesh raised an eyebrow.
"Oh really?"
"Yes," Arjun said. "I only pretend to understand half the distributor meetings."
Naina laughed.
"That part we believe."
Mahesh picked up his glass of water.
"Anyway, I'll have some people look around for available buildings. If we find something suitable, we can move quickly."
Arjun nodded.
"Sounds good."
Mahesh looked at him again.
"Also, you should start looking for staff for your production house."
Arjun paused mid-bite.
"Already?"
"Yes," Mahesh said calmly. "At least a production manager and an accountant. Even small films require proper coordination."
Naina added,
"And someone who can keep track of expenses. Film budgets have a strange habit of increasing without permission."
Arjun smiled.
"I'll keep that in mind."
Mahesh leaned back slightly.
"Right now your main focus should be that film."
Arjun nodded.
"Yes. For now I'll focus mostly on the movie."
He continued,
"Alongside that, we should activate our distribution contacts. Once the film is ready, it will make theatre bookings much easier."
Mahesh gave a satisfied nod.
"Good. That's the correct approach."
Then he pointed his spoon at Arjun.
"But remember one thing."
Arjun looked up.
"I don't want your first film to become a flop."
Naina added immediately,
"Yes. Please start your career with success, not embarrassment."
Arjun laughed.
"Don't worry. I'll make sure the film works."
Mahesh reminded him again,
"The total capital we injected into Mehta Films is around one crore."
He spoke in a serious tone now.
"So keep everything under control. You and Sagar are both new. When people are inexperienced, budgets tend to grow unexpectedly."
Arjun nodded seriously.
"I understand."
Then he added with a small grin,
"And if the budget crosses the limit, I'll just reduce my own salary."
Mahesh frowned.
"You're not taking a salary."
Arjun blinked.
"…then I'll reduce someone else's."
Naina shook her head.
"Very inspiring leadership."
Mahesh laughed quietly.
"That's why we need an accountant."
For a moment the conversation slowed, replaced by the comfortable silence of a family finishing dinner together.
Naina stood up and began clearing plates.
"You both keep talking about films and buildings," she said, "but someone has to remember normal things."
Arjun looked up.
"Like what?"
"Like sleeping on time."
Mahesh nodded.
"That is a good point."
Arjun stretched slightly.
"Well, tomorrow I need to meet Sagar again."
Naina pointed at him.
"Good. Just make sure you eat properly and don't start living on tea like the rest of the film industry."
Arjun laughed.
"I'll try."
Mahesh stood up.
"Alright, enough planning for one night."
After some more casual conversation that night, everyone eventually went to sleep.
The next morning, Arjun woke up early and made the first important call of the day.
He dialed Sagar's number.
"Hello, Sagar," Arjun said once the call connected. "Good news. All the registrations are complete. Mehta Films is officially registered now, and we can start moving forward with the film."
There was a brief pause on the other side.
"Really?" Sagar said excitedly. "That's fantastic news, Arjun! I'm really grateful for this opportunity."
"You're welcome," Arjun replied. "Now that everything is official, let's meet at my office and discuss the next steps."
"Of course," Sagar said quickly. "I can be there soon."
"Good," Arjun replied. "Come by 9 a.m. We'll start planning properly."
"Done," Sagar said. "See you soon."
By the time Sagar arrived at the office, Arjun was already inside his cabin with several sheets of paper spread across the table.
Schedules.
Budget estimates.
Possible production timelines.
Sagar walked in and smiled.
"Looks like you've already started running the studio."
Arjun looked up and laughed.
"Not yet. Right now it's just one table and a lot of paperwork."
Sagar sat down across from him.
"So… producer sir," he said jokingly, "where do we start?"
Arjun leaned forward.
"Budget first."
He tapped the paper in front of him.
"I think sixty lakhs should be enough for this film if we manage things carefully."
Sagar nodded.
"That's exactly what I estimated as well."
Arjun continued,
"We should also explore small revenue opportunities like brand integration if it fits naturally. Nothing forced, but even small partnerships can reduce upfront costs."
Sagar thought for a moment.
"That makes sense. Even covering a few expenses like props or locations would help."
Arjun nodded.
"Exactly."
He flipped to another page.
"I've read the final version of the script again. It's looking strong. Now we just need to start execution as soon as possible."
Sagar leaned forward slightly.
"Do you have a timeline in mind?"
Arjun nodded.
"Yes. I'm thinking we should target an early December release."
Sagar raised an eyebrow.
"That soon?"
Arjun explained calmly,
"Think about it. November has several bigger films releasing. But early December is usually quieter. It's after the festival rush and before the Christmas releases."
He tapped the table.
"Less competition. Perfect timing for a small film."
Sagar nodded slowly.
"That actually makes sense."
Arjun looked at him.
"Do you think it's possible to finish production in time?"
Sagar thought carefully before answering.
"If we plan efficiently, yes."
He began outlining the schedule.
"Principal shooting shouldn't take more than twenty to twenty-five days. Most scenes happen in one apartment set."
He continued,
"Post-production will be fairly simple — editing, sound work, and background score. That should take around fifteen to twenty days."
Arjun calculated quickly.
"So if we finish shooting by early November, we'll still have time for marketing."
Sagar nodded.
"Yes, that timeline is realistic."
Arjun smiled slightly.
"Good."
He leaned back.
"For promotions, I don't want to spend too much money."
Sagar agreed immediately.
"This type of film works best through word of mouth."
"Exactly," Arjun said. "We'll focus on small but smart promotions."
Then he flipped to another page.
"Now let's talk about salaries."
Sagar sat up slightly.
"I've decided something," Arjun said. "I'll be the main producer for this film, but I won't take any salary."
Sagar looked surprised.
"That's not necessary."
"It helps keep the budget under control," Arjun replied calmly.
Then he looked at Sagar.
"As for you, I'm offering three lakhs total for directing, writing, and screenplay work."
Sagar laughed.
"Honestly, I would have done it for free."
"That's exactly why I'm paying you," Arjun replied. "Free work usually becomes expensive later."
Sagar smiled.
"Fair point."
Arjun picked up another sheet.
"Now let's move to something more fun."
Sagar leaned forward.
"The title?"
"Yes."
Sagar nodded.
"I've been thinking about that. The whole story revolves around people getting irritated in ridiculous situations."
Arjun waited.
"So I was thinking…" Sagar said slowly.
"Bheja Fry."
Arjun smiled instantly.
"That's perfect."
"Right?"
"It's catchy, funny, and memorable," Arjun said. "Exactly the tone of the film."
He wrote the title on the top of the page.
"Done. The film officially has a name."
Sagar grinned.
"Feels real now."
Arjun nodded.
"Now we move to casting and crew."
Sagar leaned forward again.
"For the main roles we should probably hold open auditions. Fresh actors will suit the story."
"Agreed," Arjun said.
"But we'll need to start assembling the crew as well."
He began listing roles.
"Assistant director."
"Production manager."
"Casting director."
"Line producer."
"Sound team."
Sagar nodded.
"For some assistant roles, we can recruit interns from film colleges."
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"That's actually a good idea."
"Film students are eager to learn," Sagar explained. "And it keeps costs low."
Arjun smiled.
"So we get cheap labour and future professionals at the same time."
Sagar laughed.
"Exactly."
Arjun wrote it down.
"We'll hire freelancers for the key positions like casting director and editor. Interns can handle support work."
Sagar nodded.
"That should work perfectly."
Then he added,
"I've actually already spoken to a few people."
Arjun looked up.
"Oh?"
"Yes," Sagar said. "A cinematographer friend of mine and a costume designer are both interested."
"Are they experienced?" Arjun asked.
"Not big names," Sagar admitted. "But they're talented and willing to work for lower pay because they want the experience."
Arjun nodded thoughtfully.
"That's exactly the kind of team we need."
He smiled.
"A group of hungry people trying to prove themselves."
Sagar leaned back slightly.
"Sounds like the beginning of something interesting."
Arjun looked around the small office for a moment.
Then he said quietly,
"Well… every big studio started somewhere."
He tapped the script on the table.
"And this is our starting point."
"I'll schedule the casting days starting next week," Sagar said while closing his notebook. "So be prepared for a long line of hopeful actors."
Arjun leaned back in his chair.
"How long are we talking about?"
Sagar thought for a moment.
"If word spreads properly, easily two or three hundred people will show up."
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"For one small comedy film?"
Sagar laughed.
"You're new to this industry. If there is even a rumor of a film audition in Mumbai, actors will appear out of thin air."
"That sounds slightly terrifying."
"It should be," Sagar replied. "You'll see people who can cry on command, people who will perform Shakespeare in a comedy audition, and at least ten people who think shouting louder means better acting."
Arjun sighed dramatically.
"Excellent. Exactly the calm and professional environment I was hoping for."
Sagar grinned.
"Welcome to filmmaking."
Arjun glanced at the schedule again.
"So when do we start?"
"I'll begin contacting casting coordinators today," Sagar said. "We'll hold open auditions in about four days."
"Where?"
Sagar looked around the office.
"Not here."
"Why not?"
"Because if three hundred actors show up here, your theatre office will turn into a railway station."
Arjun laughed.
"Good point."
He thought for a moment.
"We can rent a small hall nearby. Somewhere in Andheri."
Sagar nodded.
"That area is perfect anyway. Half the struggling actors in Mumbai already live nearby."
Arjun tapped his pen thoughtfully.
"Also, once we finalize the main cast, we should lock the shooting location quickly."
"Yes," Sagar agreed. "The apartment is crucial."
Arjun leaned forward slightly.
"Then let's rent an apartment for a month," he said. "I think that will be better than building a set. It's cheaper and also easier. We can find a place somewhere with lower rent."
Sagar considered it for a moment.
"That could work," he admitted. "As long as we get permission to shoot there."
"We'll manage that," Arjun said. "I'll look for a suitable apartment."
Sagar nodded.
"In the meantime I'll focus on preparing the casting process."
Arjun tapped his pen thoughtfully.
"Actually, I was thinking about that as well."
Sagar looked up.
"About casting?"
"Yes," Arjun said. "Instead of hiring a casting director right away, maybe we should handle the first round ourselves."
Sagar raised an eyebrow.
"You want to personally watch every audition?"
Arjun nodded.
"I don't want to miss anything. Sometimes good actors get rejected in the early screening. If we use a couple of interns to manage the crowd and paperwork, we can handle the selection ourselves."
Sagar laughed softly.
"That sounds exhausting."
"Maybe," Arjun replied. "But it will help us find the right people."
Sagar shrugged.
"If that's what you want, I won't interfere. You'll have full control over casting."
Then he added jokingly,
"Just remember that you asked for it when three hundred actors show up."
Arjun smiled.
"I'll survive."
Sagar leaned forward.
"Then while you focus on casting, I'll start organizing the creative team."
"Good," Arjun said. "We'll still need an assistant director, production manager, sound crew, and editing team."
Sagar nodded.
"I'll talk to a few people I know. Some are experienced, some are newcomers."
Arjun added,
"Interns are welcome, but make sure the key positions are handled by people who know what they're doing."
"Don't worry," Sagar replied. "I'll balance it."
Arjun stood up and stretched slightly.
"I'll arrange a hall in Andheri for the auditions," he said. "Once I finalize the date, I'll inform you."
"Perfect."
Sagar closed his notebook.
"And I'll begin contacting actors."
Arjun nodded.
"That's all for now."
Sagar stood up.
"Let's meet again next week before the auditions."
"By then," Arjun said, "I'll hopefully have found a location for the apartment."
They shook hands.
"Good luck, producer," Sagar said jokingly.
"Good luck, director," Arjun replied.
A moment later Sagar left the office.
The room became quiet again.
Arjun leaned back in his chair.
'Now I need to focus on finding the apartment location…'
He looked at the script lying on the table.
'Once this film is finished, I can start producing more films every year.'
'India is entering a rapid growth phase. The film industry will grow along with it.'
'If I move correctly now, Mehta Films can expand very quickly.'
He tapped the script lightly.
'But for now… focus on this film.'
He picked up the phone and dialed his uncle.
The call connected after a few seconds.
"Hello, Uncle."
"Yes, Arjun?" Mahesh replied.
"I need some advice."
Mahesh chuckled.
"That already sounds dangerous."
Arjun smiled.
"I'm looking for an apartment to rent for about a month. Somewhere affordable where we can shoot most of the film."
Mahesh thought for a moment.
"For shooting?"
"Yes."
Mahesh replied,
"That shouldn't be too difficult. Many people rent out flats for film shoots in Andheri and Goregaon."
Arjun nodded even though he couldn't see him.
"That's what I was thinking."
Mahesh continued,
"I'll ask a couple of brokers I know. They might find something quickly."
"That would help a lot."
Mahesh then asked casually,
"And how is your director doing?"
"He's preparing the casting process."
Mahesh laughed.
"Good. Just remember — directors always ask for more money once shooting starts."
"I'll keep the producer side strong," Arjun replied.
"Good answer."
They spoke for a few more minutes about the apartment search before ending the call.
11th August 2024
Two days passed quickly.
Between theatre responsibilities and production planning, Arjun barely noticed how fast time moved.
On the third afternoon, Mahesh called him into his office.
"Come here for a minute," Mahesh said.
Arjun walked in.
"You found something?" he asked.
Mahesh nodded.
"Actually, two things."
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"First — the apartment."
Mahesh slid a paper across the desk.
"A 3-bedroom flat in Andheri East. The owner is willing to rent it for one month. He doesn't mind film shooting as long as we handle the furniture carefully."
Arjun scanned the details.
"This looks perfect."
Mahesh smiled.
"I thought so."
Then he leaned back in his chair.
"And the second thing is more interesting."
Arjun looked up.
"What is it?"
Mahesh pulled out another document.
"A four-story commercial building in Andheri West."
Arjun blinked.
"The one we were looking for?"
Mahesh nodded.
"Yes. The owner is in financial trouble and wants to sell quickly."
Arjun leaned forward
"How much he is asking"
"He initially wanted 3cr, but we convinced him for 2.75cr."
"How big is it?"
Mahesh explained,
"Ground floor plus three floors. Good structure. Needs some renovation, but overall it's solid."
Arjun was already imagining the layout.
"Reception on the ground floor…"
"Mehta Theatres office on the second…"
"And Mehta Films headquarters on the third."
Mahesh smiled.
"Exactly."
Arjun looked impressed.
"How much is he asking?"
Mahesh sighed.
"Lower than the market rate. He wants to clear his debts quickly."
Arjun nodded slowly.
"That's actually a good opportunity."
Mahesh folded his arms.
"What do you think?"
Arjun smiled slightly.
"I think we should buy it."
Mahesh laughed.
"That was fast."
"Well," Arjun replied, "we needed an office anyway."
Mahesh nodded.
"Alright. Let's go see the building tomorrow."
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