Part 2 - The 60-40 Trap: Why Sidharth Malhotra Should Never Do 'Live' Interviews

SETTING: The studio feels smaller now, the air conditioning failing to cool the sweat on Sidharth’s forehead. The "LIVE" light is a pulsing heartbeat. Parineeti is hunched over, her face hidden, the sound of her sobbing filling the expensive microphones.

SIDHARTH: (Bolting upright, waving his arms at the control booth) Rahul! Band kar isse! I said turn it off! Mike off kar, feed cut kar, do it now!

The Director, a thin man in a headset, looks through the glass with a face full of simulated terror. He talks into the talkback mic, his voice shaking.

DIRECTOR: Sid, I... I can't. It’s a direct API stream to the platform. Producer ka approval lagta hai switch off karne ke liye. Digital contracts signed hain, bro.

SIDHARTH: (Voice rising, pacing like a trapped animal) Producer ka approval?! Dude, look at her! She’s having a breakdown on camera! It’s a matter of life and death, the studio is on fire, for God's sake! Do you still want the producer’s approval?!

DIRECTOR: (Meekly) Sorry, Sid... unka phone nahi lag raha. Without the code, if I kill the stream, legal humein kacha chaba jayega.

SIDHARTH: (He looks like he’s about to jump over the desk) Legal ki aisi ki taisi! I’ll pay the fine! Main dekh loonga legal! Just kill the feed before this goes viral!

Suddenly, Parineeti lets out a loud, jagged wail—a sound of pure, unadulterated heartbreak. Sidharth jerks back, the sound hitting him like a physical blow. He drops back down, crouching next to her chair, his voice dropping into a desperate, frantic whisper.

SIDHARTH: Pari... Pari, listen to me. Breathe, okay? Look, I’m making a commitment right here. Live, recorded, whatever. I’ll make it up to you. Next film together—50-50 profit sharing. No, 60-40. You take the 60. I’ll do that indie project of yours, no questions asked. I’ll put it in writing, Pari. Please, bas rona band kar. My heart is actually stopping.

Parineeti’s shoulders continue to heave. Sidharth looks up at the camera, his eyes wide and haunted.

SIDHARTH: (To the lens) Guys, if you’re watching... please, don't clip this. Have some decency.

Suddenly, the sobbing hitches. Her hands shift a fraction. Through a tiny gap between her fingers, one bright, bone-dry eye peeks out. It locks onto his.

SIDHARTH (Squinting, leaning in; a jagged whisper) Pari...? Wait... tu ro rahi hai ya...?

Before he can finish, Parineeti’s hands snap away. Her face is radiant—zero mascara runs, zero redness—just a glowing, predatory grin. She looks at Sidharth’s frozen, horrified face, then pivots to Camera 1.

PARINEETI (A bright, ringing explosion of a laugh) DID YOU GET THAT?! 60-40 profit share! Aur "National TV pe maafi”!

SIDHARTH: (He stays crouched for a long, silent beat, his brain trying to process the shift) ...Kya? Prank tha? The whole time?

DIRECTOR: (Over the speakers, howling) AND CUT! Wrap ho gaya! Sid, tera chehra... hall of fame, bro!

SIDHARTH (Sinking back against the desk; a long, shuddering exhale) Arre yaar...

He lets his head thud against the wood, eyes shut tight.

SIDHARTH Arre yaar, yeh kya tha? My hands are actually shaking. I thought… Pura zindagi aankhon ke saamne flash ho raha tha mera!

PARINEETI: (She leans down, pinching both of his cheeks firmly and shaking his head from side to side with a massive, triumphant grin) Aww, mera bechara Siddo! I knew you were "Clean," but itne shareef aur itne bhola ho... I really didn't expect this! (She laughs, ruffling his perfectly styled hair) 60-40 profit share? Itna darr gaya?

SIDHARTH: (Swatting her hand away weakly, still breathless) Darr nahi gaya tha, I was being a decent human being! You were literally wailing! (He looks at the Director, who is still doubling over with laughter) Aur tum? "Producer ka approval"? Saale, ruko tum... I’m going to make sure your next five shoots have zero catering.

DIRECTOR: (Wiping tears from his eyes) Sorry Sid, script hi aisi thi! But your "Studio on fire" dialogue? Oscar-worthy tha, bro!

SIDHARTH: (Wiping his face, exhausted but finally letting out a real laugh) I hate you, Pari. Dil se hate karta hoon. I’m never doing a "friendly" interview again. (He looks at the camera one last time, pointing a finger) Don't post this. Seriously. Trust me, bro.

[To Be Continued...]