PROLOGUE
He stepped out of the car and waited for his assistant to adjust the umbrella over his head. He let his eyes flit over the crowd milling around him hurriedly, knowing fully well that every single one of them was awaiting his convenience. Clad in Armani from top to bottom, Rishabh Kundra aka RK "THE Superstar" made a singularly impressive figure as he made his way over to the director
Around him people stumbled over each other to get out of his way. It was well known in the industry that as brilliant an actor as RK sir was, he was equally temperamental. There were stories of spot boys getting fired on the spot because the tea they brought was unsweetened and of directors getting their careers ruined because they had dared to dictate to RK. The man was an enigma. He had a reputation for throwing the wildest, grandest parties and for being a gigantic playboy but at the same time was curiously isolated from people. He was hugely popular but had no friends or companions. He lived alone, away from his family in his palatial penthouse apartment and the women in his life kept changing every night. He was admired for his acting prowess, respected for his dedication to his craft and feared because of the man himself
RK sank down into his chair and clicked his fingers at Bittuji who immediately rushed off to call the Director. He opened the script to a much thumbed page and leaned back, his eyes closed, to all appearances and intent dead to the world
"Sir?' the hesitant voice of the Director sounded near him. He gave himself a minute before opening his eyes and zooming in on his target
"Director Saab, Welcome" he drawled out "Please. Have a seat"
The Director lowered himself into a chair, half ready to jump out and run for his life
He was rewarded with a wide cat-like smile. The man in front of him then leaned forward and passed a sheaf of papers, pointing to an area highlighted in green
"Director Saab, I would be grateful to you if you could explain to me why this particular sequence has been added to this scene"
The Director looked down and his heart sank. He had warned the producer, Mehta that RK wouldn't like the addition but the pigheaded idiot had refused to listen to him. He gulped and searched for a way to explain
"Bittuji!" The sudden interruption to his thoughts made him jump
" Come, Come. I was just asking Director Saab about the propriety of introducing an utterly useless item song where I have to dance around a heroine whose name I can't remember at the moment, in an otherwise well executed script but he seems to have developed a sudden case of mutism. Kya hua, Director Saab- gale me kich-kich?"
The Director flushed a little with pleasure. It was well known that RK was a harsh critic. To hear him say "well-executed" was enough to send anyone to the moon, even with an imminent death sentence hanging over him. Fumbling a little he explained
"Sir, the producer called me up yesterday and asked me to include this scene. I did try to protest but he wouldn't listen to me and all he would say was that he wasn't about to take advice from a debutant director like me and that I would do as he said or he would replace me with another director. Sir this is my first break, I..." he broke off, his eyes pleading the star in front of him to understand
RK was silent for a moment before saying
"Bittuji, it seems to be in your fate to negotiate with delusional patients today. Kindly go and tell the man who currently has the privilege of making a film with RK in it this.
Issue number 1- RK understands the fact that the whole world goes crazy when he drops his shirt. However RK has not sold the rights to remove his shirt to any company and does not intend to do so any time in the future. Hence this scene will be scrapped
2nd issue- Any time he thinks of replacing directors because they do not fall in with his fantastical ideas, he might want to think of a replacement for his lead actor too. That is all. Thank You"
Bittuji scurried away to do battle. RK nodded at the young director who scampered away resolving to offer 2 coconuts to Bappa. He leaned back into the chair again knowing fully well that Bittuji would be back soon with an apology from the producer and they could resume shooting in peace. He sighed. He was so bored