Bollywood- a place, where every person who dreamed to be an actor wants to belong, a glorious word which attracts a number of struggling actors and actresses but only a few made their way through it.... Sidharth Shukla is among those who successfully made their name in "Bollywood" With a lot of hard work and passion that's what he stated in every interview but no one knows how many sacrifices has he given to be here.... And he doesn't regret it at all, it was his dream, the only dream he ever had... His fans get motivated by his journey or the emotions he faked on screen, everything is a lie in this dark world of Bollywood where your talent comes secondary however what can you do to get, always comes first...
" tumhe har ush cheez ki keemat deni pdti hai jisko tum bhut chahte ho" his father once said to him, and true to his words he paid a huge price...
Standing on his balcony from where one could see the Juhu beach, he is having his favourite possession, the flavour of roasted coffee beans and vanilla hits his nostrils as he brings the glass of old monk near his mouth, the bitter drink quenches his thirst but left the throat burning...he closed his eyes in irritation, hearing his manager voice.
" Are you listening or not??? How could you do this??? You rejected a movie from a big production house..."
" yes!! Is there a problem??" he questioned nonchalantly, making another peg for himself.
" sidharth as much as I wanted to punch your fucking face I can't... Listen it's a golden opportunity for you... They are offering you a huge amount... and you will get more exposure.."
" Tanay the script sucks, how I am supposed to do some stupid, illogical film at this stage of my career, my last two films were disasters," he yelled over the phone.
" See, I did a lot of illogical movies at the start of my career but not now Tanay, I want a good script with a good director, I can't do this shits...." he stated after a while lowering his tonne, he doesn't want to lose him at any cost, he helped him a lot in this path of thorn, he became his family, In this facade of glamourous world.
" Sidharth it been two years since you are rejecting every damn script, what exactly do you want," He asked getting tired of his boss's careless attitude, he refused to do several Ad films as well as big-budget movies.
" khuch aisa Jo dil ko chuee, something which makes me feel good," he said lighting his cigarette.
" Ok but before that I am fixing your meeting with One of the brands which deal in traditional wear"
" Am I supposed to do this??" he asked annoyingly.
" yes because it's my damn duty to keep you alive in the public eye... and doing brand has its own perks..less shoot, more money..." Sidharth smiled hearing him stating facts, doing brands has its own benefits and he truly loves it...he steps inside examining his extraordinary house which might fill with all luxurious furniture but if seen through his eyes it's all empty... Just like him... This silence killing him from inside like a slow poison, he didn't believe in relationships especially after seeing the harsh reality of this place where he always wanted to be but in return this place robbed his peace leaving his empty, bare and void of every emotion... He touched his smiling picture on the wall and chuckled knowing very well the smile on his pretty face was faked for the cameras, he don't even remember the last time he laughed wholeheartedly.
**************
" Mom I don't wanna come to the Diwali party please..." A girl in her early twenties stated roaming behind her mother barefoot.
" wear your slippers, I don't want people to see your cracked heels and for god sake start wearing something classy, your closet is full of unused clothes " Her mother said making her sigh.
" Mom Bollywood parties suck" she voiced out an umpteenth number of times.
" I agree with her" Prashant Mehta, one of the leading businessmen in India agreed with her daughter, his wife glared at him pulling out a chair.
" Shehnaaz you are supposed to work in Bollywood sweetheart, and these parties would help you in future... You can gelled up with people, producers, directors...."
" we are again on the same page... Mom I am not interested, I don't like this profession, and how am I supposed to act when I don't even know which camera I have to look for photographs"
" Nandini just let her be, let her explore...don't impose your thoughts on her" He tried to make his wife understand, Nandini Mehta... One of the top heroines of Bollywood in her time.... people were crazy for her... She gave a number of hits and was the first choice for directors and producers, but after having shehnaaz she was only offered the mother's role of actors...
" Prashant please, you know about your daughter... Woh ek jagah kahan tikti hai aur tumhare kehne par maine ishe chaar saal diye the and she did nothing to prove herself.
" hey mom!! That's not true.. I am a good employee in Dad's company"
" because sweetheart it's your dad company"
" Mom!! People will troll me after seeing my out-of-the-world acting" she stated filling her plate with muffins, Nandini slapped her hand.
" you are not allowed to eat these, just look at girls around yourself, they are so slim, perfect....and ready to join Bollywood parties... I sent a lot of videos but like all time you ignored them"
" Dad!!!!" she winced.
" let my daughter eat whatever she wants to, tumhara bas chlega toh tum ushe bhooka maar dogi"
" you are the best Dad, I love you.." she said running away in her room direction.
" you have to stop taking her side Prashant, I want her to make her name..."
" like yours Nandini, see I understand you are worried about her career but somewhere you are trying to find yourself in her... She is different, I want her to live her life like she wants... Don't pressurize her about anything..."
" and let her ruin her future"
" Not at all sweetheart, her dad is always here for her," he said kissing her temple.
" you are coming na???" she questioned.
" I wanted to..."
" yes!!! Yes make your so-called excuses... She learned all of these from you but tonight I am not letting her run" she declared.
" May god give you the patience to deal with my little hurricane"
*****************
" Sidharth sir look here at your left.... Sir right.... in your centre sir!!!" the paparazzi's voice echoed in his ears as he stands in front of the decorated wall to give them pictures...
" sir ek picture chiye saath mein... Please... Aap waise bhi bhut dino ke baad dikhe hai" he smiled giving them selfies.
" Nandini mam is here!!" one of the paparazzi stated, Sidharth looked in her direction and smiled politely.
"How are you mam??" he asked politely out of courtesy.
" good!! Where were you lost, man??" she questioned, shehnaaz sighed hearing the boring conversation her mother is having with one of the stars... And she knew it was just a starting...
" meet my daughter shehnaaz" Nandini said introducing her to sidharth.
" it's nice to meet you Shehnaaz," he said taking her in a side hug.
" same here Mr Shukla" she replied with a fake smile.
" sir!! Mam!! Ek photo saath me" After a short session of photos they entered inside the party.
*********
" hey I am sorry... I don't know someone is here" sidharth apologised turning back to go.
"It's okay... I am hiding from my mother... Believe me if she ever saw me with plates of rasmalai.. She gonna kill me with her bare hands" he nods unsure how to react, taking out his cigarette holder, he pulls out one..
" you must sit down, the paparazzi are all around the house and if they catch your glimpse of smoking... It's surely gonna made headlines tomorrow" she advised examining him from top to bottom.
" yrr real mein zyada ache lagte ho, films mein toh bas ainway types lagte ho" she stated aloud.
" What??" he asked in confusion, she rolled her eyes keeping the plate aside and closing the small distance between them, she tiptoes and whisper in his ear.
" I said real mein zyada hot aur handsome lagte ho, screens are not doing justice" she complimented him, her lips slightly touching his ear, she smiled filling his hands on her shoulders but the next moment he pushed her slightly.
" just stay within your limit kiddo" he advised giving her a glare which she ignored royally.
Helloooooo everyone... I know I know... I am supposed to update other ongoing stories of mine but I am not able to write after so much effort... In the meantime, I write something fresh and new for all of you guys... Do read it once and tell me in the comments section if you want me to continue with this or not????