Lady Superstar

C H A P T E R0 1

© SANA SRIIndianForcedNovelette

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     Ranjith, a South Indian Film Star! With a glorious career of more than 25 films across different south Indian languages, I am currently one of the most celebrated commercial heroes in the industry. Unfortunately my last 4 or 5 movies didn’t go well at the box office, especially the last three made huge loss to the producers and received poor comments from the critics. I was criticized for my acting, and they called that I’m going through a sunset in my acting career.

     Even in Social media people started writing that very soon my market and top hero status will be gone. They were right when producers and directors reached out to me for multi starrer subjects, rather than a solo hero movie. However, I was confident that I just needed one hit movie to gain my top hero status back. I decided to be more careful while listening to the scripts from directors, and despite hearing more than 20 scripts, and more than a year since my last release, I didn’t commit myself to a movie.

     Aishwarya my beautiful wife, has always been my support in my ups and downs. She was a popular actress once upon a time. I was going through a similar rough patch back then and paired with Aishwarya for the first time. That movie was a super hit and very soon she became my lucky charm Since then we gave four back to back blockbuster hits. The success of our movies brought us together in our personal life as well, and we are happily married for ten years.

     Rhea, our nine-year-old daughter is studying in a top school in Bangalore. After Rhea’s birth, Aishwarya quits acting, but she is actively into social welfare causes and manages our trust for underprivileged people.

     Today, we are in Goa celebrating my 35th birthday. After a beautiful Candlelight dinner, Aishwarya brought my next movie into our discussion.

“Ranjith, have you decided anything about your next movie. It’s been more than a year already, and it’ll take another year for the release. Do you have any script in mind?”? She asked.

It was not something I would have liked to discuss in my wedding anniversary. Thus, I replied with a disappointment, “No Aishwarya!! I haven’t got any perfect script. I don’t want to take risk again with a half-baked script. You know Santhosh, his last two movies are blockbuster hits and those movie collections are now equal to my movies. One good thriller that I was about to confirm has gone to him, and now I need to look out again for a better script. All that I’m getting is boring commercial scripts which simply doesn’t interest me”.

We both went into an awkward silence which Aishwarya broke after a minute. “I have a solution for you. I have a story that I have in my mind for a while and if that interests you anyway, I will direct your next movie. We can finish the shooting faster and can release it in the next 6 months. I’ll talk to my daddy for financing, so we don’t need to waste time in identifying the Producer. What do you say?”

I gave a puzzled look. “You have a story for me? I didn’t know that!”.

Aishwarya cut me off saying, “Do you at least remember that I studied Film making and always my passion was to direct a film. In fact, I first met Director Ravi only to join as his assistant, he liked my acting skills and felt my looks were suitable for that role. My career path got a diversion from then, but direction was always my dream. If you wish, we will produce the movie as well rather than looking out for a Producer”.

     Aishwarya made up her mind, and it is worse to reject her idea in the beginning itself. I agreed I’ll hear her story once after going back to Chennai.

     Aishwarya took a few days to refine her script, and then she was ready to narrate it to me. Before starting the narration, Aishwarya started with a disclaimer that it’s not an ordinary commercial script, but with a lot of scope for acting and performance, and it’s inspired by many real life stories.

     It is a story about Madhan, who feels himself as a girl in his teenage which was not accepted by his family. He runs away from his family, faces a lot of struggles and discrimination to get a good education and a job. His talent brings him a job in a multinational organization. He completes his ‘Gender Reassignment Surgery’, and fully transform as “Madhumita”. She then slowly convinces her parents, and they accept her as their daughter. Finally, she quits her job and starts an organization to support fellow transgender women and fight for their rights in the society. It’s a story inspired by real life transgender women with whom Aishwarya has interacted. She titled the project as, “Super Woman”.

     The summary Aishwarya explained was too unbearable and confusing for Ranjith. He was expecting something fresh and engaging, but the story is like a social documentary.

Fuming with anger and frustration Ranjith shouted at his wife. “Come on Aishwarya!! Have you decided to end my career altogether or is it some sort of prank? I’m one of the leading actor, and you want me to play a role of a transgender and the story itself is like a documentary. It’s never gonna happen in my life. Now get out of my room and please leave me alone and thanks for spoiling my day”.

Stop screaming and calm down Ranjith. You have just heard an outline and already made assumptions. The real life stories I heard were very hard hitting and compelling which will definitely have a good emotional connect with the audience. All that you want to do is some action movie, which we have seen a lot, and it has become boring now. Before judging the book by its cover, give me some time to explain the whole screenplay. I’m sure you will like it.

“Not needed Aish, I’ve done more than 25 films and by hearing the one line story, I know if a movie will be a hit or not.”

“You are outdated Ranjith. That’s the reason your last 4 script selections have gone wrong and are still struggling for the right script. You have no idea how the world is evolving. LGBTQIA+ community is now being recognized worldwide. A big star like you making this bold attempt will get you a good recognition not just in India at the world level as well. It will definitely win a lot of awards and bring you more fame. Apart from the awards it has strong emotions to connect with our audience. All I need is your belief, support and your time for 6 months and leave the rest to me. I can guarantee that this movie and “YOU” will be celebrated.”

I’m sorry Aishwarya. You know I love you a lot and I trust you in everything. But this sounds very risky, and I am not in a position to take a risk at this point of time in my career. The script sounds very amateur, and I don’t know how you are so confident. Not just me, no actor will like to act as a transgender in his peak career. I’m a mass hero and how do you think audience will accept me as a transgender.

“No worries Ranjith!! Now that you have rejected the script and also called in amateur, I’ll take it as a personal challenge. I’ll pitch it to another top hero, convince him and will direct this movie. My dad will produce the movie for me. You will see the magic it does after the release”. Aishwarya angrily left the room.

     Aishwarya didn’t speak properly for the next two days and I overheard she is speaking with her dad and also other friends in the movie industry. It gave me a feeling that I have overreacted without hearing the full screenplay. I was once up known for my strong acting which got missed as I start to take up on commercial films. Who knows, it could be an answer to those critics who commented on my acting skills.

Moreover, She is my lucky charm as well. I chose to break the silence during dinner, “So Aish, How’s your debut movie plans going on? Looks like you are desperate to do that script”.

“I don’t want to talk to you about that Ranjith. Don’t make me angry again”.

I’m sorry for being overreacting and rude on that day Aish. You are right!! I could have heard the full screenplay before making a decision. Now, Let me correct my mistake. I have my morning free tomorrow and let me hear the full narration if you are okay”.

Aish asked, “Are you sure?”. “Yes, I’m sure. But the screenplay should impress me, and we will discuss the rest afterwards, is that okay?” Aish agreed happily with confidence in her script.

     The next morning, Aishwarya spent two hours narrating the whole story scene by scene. It was a wonderful story and will be a bold and different attempt in the movie industry. I’ve never seen a top actor playing a role of a transgender and transition from male to female. It might suit a new face, but I had doubts if it’ll still work for me and I asked that straight away to her.

Aishwarya, do you really think I can pull that Madhu character off? Why don’t you cast some actress, and it will be more easy for you”?

Aish shook her head negatively, “No Ranjith, it is a perfect example to show my skill as a Director. Casting a female and playing that role is nothing. The challenge is transforming you into Madhu and I love that challenge. Isn’t it more thrilling?? !! “.

“But do you think that you can make me look like a transgender woman. You know well about my physic and how I maintain my looks”.

Don’t underestimate my make-up skills, I have worked as a stylist and costume designer for many of your movies. OK, Let’s do this. Give me 2 hours and I will show you a glimpse of Madhu and if you pass then you need to sign the agreement. Deal?

     I thought of giving it a shot and agreed for the deal and cancelled all my appointments to spend the rest of the day with Aishwarya allowing to show her magic.

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| 1,752 Words || Published On 06/MAY/2023 |

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