It was a busy shoot at the day before his birthday. So busy he even forgot what lies in front of him. His own birthday! But as they say, "an actor's life is not his own once he has a fan following." So true. And fan following of Shaleen Malhotra, was beyond any measure.
That is why he was shooting nonstop! And ironically, it was weekend too. The time for the telecast of his show. He saw the people run here and there holding the white sheets, script papers, decoration items and the juice glasses. Today he saw the people work more and more passionately for the episodes.
But suddenly someone mentioned the date on the sets, and Shaleen's eyes lit up, he hoped somebody would acknowledge. He looked here and there to find someone smiling at him but everyone was busy discussing something or the other related to work! The date was mentioned, as they had to deliver the final episode to the channel so that it could telecast at the right timeslot. But still, there was hope, My birthday still has few hours. Maybe till then, someone will remember. He had many people around him, Behzaad Khan, Ketan Karande, Siddharth Sen, Mrunal Thakur, Shital Shah and Ritu Chauhan and all the production people including the pals from the art group or late shift people, Shaleen was a rockstar amongst them all!! And moreover SANA. She would be planning something definitely.
Shaleen has found a great friend in his co star and was looking forward to this birthday which he would be celebrating away from home, but still in his home, the Arjun sets.
Ooo
It was his birthday today!! He woke up, bathed and wore his favorite shirt! And went to shoot, he even prepared a birthday speech when the people would force him to at least speak something on his birthday! But he reached there to find everything normal! No specialty. At all. He greeted the guard who again gave him same old smile and he went in.
He again looked the people running with some work and the day began. He went to meet his friends and as usual they greeted him casually, no eye gestures, no smiling stealthily as if planning something. Nothing told him that they remembered.
But then he thought everyone was planning to surprise him, so he too played along. After all, getting a surprise on his birthday would be so surprising! Shaleen squealed mentally like a ten year old, as it was his first birthday on the sets!
The day of shoot began, several scenes were lined up, with the writers waiting to discuss the scenes and director-producer, GORKY sir, with his famous camera trying to take a better view or better angle to shoot. They went to the nearby area that was the 'shoot area' for today and shot for all the scenes enthusiastically.
Ooo
They were shooting when the lunch break was announced. They all, behzaad, sid, ketan and sheetal went to near by tea stall to have tea. Ritu was not present, as she had no scenes today. Shaleen looked at his friends sipping tea and coffees when he again examined their body language, to find a hint that they remembered. But still, nothing.
Ooo
It was 8 at night and his show telecasted, Shaleen watched the episode hoping to find something in it but then, how would they show it on the show?! and it ended. Nothing happened till now!! It was 9!!! For god's sake his birthday was going to be over in 3 hours!! Last night he was thinking his birthday was going to start but here see!! Now it was going to get over!!
This was enough! He thought and went out, still the shooting was in progress, groky sir shouting, "lights, camera, action!" And the actors, (friends who he thought would remember his birthday) were busy shooting as a usual day! I mean night!
Doesn't they remember?! He looked and soon gorky sir eyed him, he looked at him, hoping he remembered but his hopes died as he gestured him to come in front of the camera and give a shot!
He huffed and stomped towards the area.
Everyone looked at him, the Shaleen, so playful and a great prankster! That laughed instantly hearing, "cut!" Was so quiet today?! They wondered.
Ooo
Finally they heard the phrase they loved to hear on the sets, as it was not very often that they heard it, "PACK UP!!" said gorky sir taking out his director cap from his head.
And once again shaleen's hopes went up, it was still 11 pm.
He had one hour left!
Maybe they are going to say it now, they will shout a birthday song!! He thought happily.
He was happy and held his breath. But it never came!
The actors scattered in their rooms and vanities and changed their costumes. They came in their casual clothing and big goodbye and left taking their cars.
Gorky sir too took the backpack he carried and the key from his cabin and left giving him a quick bye.
Soon Shaleen was left with nothing but himself.
Now his hopes died.
He too took his key and went to his newly bought car, touched its bonnet hoping it could speak and had a mind to remember his birthday at least and so he could have one, at least one birthday wish! But none.
Ooo
It was 50 minutes ride from the sets to his home. The apartment he lived in. He had a roommate (also the person he considered a dear friend who too forgot his birthday!) Sahil anand! He was busy shooting for an ad and was out of town. Maybe he should have left a message. He quickly went to the landline phone and tapped the message button but the machine said, "you have no new messages!" and his hopes again shattered for the umpteenth time.
"No one remembered my birthday!" he said dejectedly as not even his mom and dad called!!
He then with some tears in his eyes went to sleep with no urge to have food alone on his birthday.
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Will Shaleen have his first birthday wish?
The people he was working with for at least 2 years now, ever remember his birthday?
Will he have his 26th birthday party? Or will this birthday be the harshest to the memory?
Stay tuned for the part 2 and find out what happens..
Ooo
Hey all..
I wrote this OS especially for Shaleen, on his birthday! (but I hope he is not at all sad!)This will be in two parts!
First is above and next would be updated soon. Today or tomorrow.
I know this was a really sad part, but keep on wondering what happens next! Well. Shaleen WILL have his party. But with clock striking twelve already, will it be on his birthday or technically day after his birthday?
Will be revealed soon. Till then keep the comments coming!
MUSKAAN
Hindi TV Shows
Cricket
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