Lady Superstar

C H A P T E R0 4

© SANA SRIIndianForcedNovelette

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DELAY IN THE SHOOTING

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     The shooting was about to begin this week! But due to some issues with the readiness of the movie sets, it unexpectedly got postponed at least by three weeks. The art work didn’t turn out as Aishwarya expected, so she wanted them to be reworked completely. Since Aishwarya always gives more attention to details, her decision was not a surprise to me. But for most of the crew members, no one expected her to be so stubborn when it comes to the end results.

     Aishwarya was also deeply upset because to this delay. It was always her dream to direct a movie, so she has become much more involved taking it very seriously, which brought some sudden changes to her attitude. She was always a short-tempered person, but that was only known to her family and close circle of friends. But lately, she has started to become angry and frustrated very easily, even with some senior movie technicians and her assistants.

     I felt that she was under the pressure of directing her debut movie, that too with a challenging script and also a leading actor like me. Also since her father is producing this movie, she worried about making it as profitable as possible.

     One day, all her stress levels reached its boiling point, and she fired our cook, who was working in our home for many years. She was not satisfied with her food recently and without asking anything or anyone, she just asked her to leave the house at once. I came to know about the incident only in the afternoon, when she asked me to order the lunch through online. I was not happy with the way she fired the cook, that too without even thinking about anything.

Furthermore, I straight away showed my disappointment to Aishwarya. “What is this nonsense Aishwarya? Why did you take such a decision in hurry, that too without even consulting me? How can we even manage without a cook? And you know I don’t like online food delivery. Either talk to the old cook and bring her back or find a new cook soon”.

Aishwarya angrily replied. “Don’t I have rights to take my own decision in this house? I didn’t like her cooking and asked her to leave, that’s it. I am very busy right now and don’t have any time to find a new cook. Give me two weeks, and I’ll ask my assistants to find a new cook. I can manage with the outside food, since I will be working anyway, and so do you by having your orders online. If that’s a problem for you, then I have another idea”.

She paused for a second and continued. “Why don’t you take care of the cooking until we find a new cook? Anyway, you know cooking, right? Also, most of your preparation for the movie are over. And now that you are settled in your daily routine, other than pampering yourself with make-up and dressing, what else work do you have? At least, you can spend a couple of hours cooking and stop complaining about everything.” Aishwarya replied.

I sighed in disbelief. “It’s ridiculous Aishwarya! Do you think I’m simply sitting at home and passing time, while dressing prettily and doing make-up? You are forgetting who ‘I am! Keep in mind that, all these things I’m doing are for your movie only. Your very first movie as a “Director”! Do you know how much sacrifice and hard work I’m putting to make your movie successful? I am already doing all these favour to you! But on the other hand, you just simply dismiss the cook for a petty reason and want me to do the cooking. Very nice of you Aishwarya! Very nice!”

Aishwarya doubled her anger! “Just shut up Ranjith! Do you think you are doing favour to me? Now let me remind you! You gave three back to back flop movies and was even struggling to find a director for your next one. While everyone was criticizing your acting, I was the only one kept faith in you and ready to direct this movie. Reality is that, you needed this script badly and not the other way around. All these sacrifice and hard work that you are doing now is to save your ass in the film industry. Mind it!”.

She just blurted and left the room and turned to say something. “Listen Ranjith! I don’t have all the day argue with you. The old cook is gone, and I’ll try to find a new one, soon. In the meantime, you can manage with the online takeaway, or you go cook for yourself. I can manage outside food, and don’t expect me to cook for you”. She said and angrily left the room without waiting for my response.

     I was extremely shocked and stayed silent due to the arrogant reply from Aishwarya. All these things I am undergoing was to keep her happy and make her successful as a film director! But was she thinking that she’s doing me a favour to save me in the movie industry?

     I was deeply hurt and confused by her sharp words and turned to see my reflection in the mirror. The image of the superstar Ranjith is no longer seen in the reflection. The face of a youth icon, superstar and highly paid actor in the industry is replaced with a lady. I was shining with the full makeover that I did just few minutes back. My face looked brighter than ever before. The lips shining with the cherry colour lipstick and lip gloss. The thin eyebrows and perfectly shaped eyes with the eyeliner and mascara made them look much more feminine. I was wearing the stylish Yellow and Red colour designer silk saree, along with a matching ready-made designer blouse, that I bought online last week. The artificial breast forms and the padded panties are exposing my curves and completely hiding the manliness in me.

     Slowly, tears started to fall from my eyes, washing away the eyeliner. I was feeling very much happy with the way things were going for last few days. Along with Aishwarya, I also started to believe that this project will take me to new heights and I started to put my heart in my transformation.

     Without taking my eyes off the mirror, I just sat there in sofa, and didn’t know when I slept. I woke up and realized that an hour already passed. I was feeling hungry, but couldn’t take away the argument that I had with Aishwarya. Furthermore, I was repeating the words that she said about my past three failures and how she came up with this script that will be a perfect role to show my acting level.

     Slowly, I started to think about the other side, and it started to make sense. In the past, Aishwarya hadn’t shown any desire to direct a movie. She was happy with her life and with me. It was my fault, as I didn’t choose the right scripts. Also, I was more careless in my acting, resulting in three back to back flops and losing my top hero status. I was struggling to find the right script and Aishwarya decided to help me in directing this movie.

     If I had chosen the right scripts and gave hits, she wouldn’t have thought about doing this movie with me. Slowly, I started to convince myself it’s all my mistake and there’s nothing wrong with Aishwarya. All these mental pressure she’s taking is because of me. The only way to correct that mistake and make her happy is to give my best in this movie. And also make sure I don’t hurt her any more, I thought.

     It becomes more and more clear to me! It was all my mistake not Aishwarya’s! Thus, I wiped away my tears and made up my mind. I started to feel hungry again and for a moment, thought about ordering online. I scrolled through the app, but couldn’t find anything satisfying. After a minute of thought, I decided to cook myself. After all, I am a decent cook, and I am free anyway, so what’s wrong in cooking? I scolded myself for being so rude to Aishwarya over this silly matter and made her more frustrated.

     I thought of calling Aishwarya and say sorry, but didn’t, since it won’t be the right time to do so, as she will be busy. The best way to apologize is to cook something nice for the dinner, and give it her as a token of saying sorry for my rudeness in the morning.

     I was very happy that my mind is all clear now. I quickly adjusted my saree nicely, corrected the make-up and applied eyeliner. Furthermore, I rushed to the kitchen to see what’s in store and luckily there was some chicken. Aishwarya love Chicken Biriyani, so I decided to prepare the same. Within one hour, hot and spicy chicken biriyani was ready, and it came out really nice.

     I took a snap and then sent that to Aishwarya with a ‘sorry’ note. I was hopeful that it will reduce her anger on me. The rest of the day passed as usual. Aishwarya saw my message but didn’t reply anything. She didn’t return home until I sleep late in the night.

     She was also not around when I woke up in the morning, I went to kitchen to prepare my coffee and found a note of her saying, ‘Thank you. Loved the Chicken Biriyani’ with a smiley. The note from Aishwarya made my day and I happily started to cut vegetables for the breakfast.

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THE REVELATION

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3 Months Before,
Dreamland Pub, Chennai.

Aishwarya is there to celebrate her best childhood friend Manish’s birthday. His father Arun Kumar is a famous film producer and also a best friend of Aishwarya’s father. They studied in the same school and spent a lot of time together in their younger days until Aishwarya gets married and Manish went abroad to study in a film institute.

     He is amazingly talented actor and recognized as an emerging young superstar among the public and film critics. He is hosting his birthday party and also the celebration of his hat-trick blockbuster hits.

     Aishwarya dressed prettily in her designer skirt, enjoyed the party along with a lot of her childhood and movie industry friends. Usually, she skips such midnight parties, but this one is from Manish, whom she is meeting in person after a long time. Also, Ranjith is in US for holiday, so she is alone and got some time to celebrate. After few rounds of drinks along with some nice food, happy selfies with friends and gracing the dance floor, Manish joined her for a chat.

He greeted her with a warm and friendly hug, “Hey Aishu! Thanks for coming to the party! How are you and how is Ranjith doing?”.

Aishwarya responded with a cheerful smile and a handshake, “Hey Manish! Many more happy returns of the day buddy. We are all good. By the way, my hearty congrats on your hat-trick blockbuster. It’s not an easy thing to achieve. I’m very happy for you and you deserve it all.” Aishwarya’s words meant she’s really happy for Manish, despite he is being referred as a direct competition to Ranjith.

She didn’t forget to enquire about his marriage as well. “By the way, when are you going to host your marriage party? Find someone soon. See you are almost my age, and I’m a mom of 10-year-old girl, and you are happily single, hosting parties. I’m jealous of you!”

The marriage topic brought a big smile in his face, “Well, not everyone is so lucky like Ranjith sir, to have a very beautiful and talented wife at the same time!” He said in a teasing way and both of them had a loud laugh.

The friends sat in a corner for a small chat. Manish was happy to meet her after a very long time. “By the way, when are you making your comeback Aishu?? You are young, just in your thirties and these days many popular female actors are doing female centric movies, even after marriage and kids. I’d love to see you in the big screen again”.

Aishwarya replied with a warm smile. “I don’t have any such ideas Manish. You know I’m very busy with family, my café business and my NGO activities. And I don’t even have interest in making a comeback to the film industry.”

Manish became a bit curious, “Okay! I know when you are young, how much you dreamt about your career in the film industry. And more than acting, you wanted to become a Film Maker. It’s surprising that you let your dreams go just like that after the marriage.”

Aishwarya become a bit serious as the conversation turned to her career. “Things are not the same for male and female actors Manish. You guys even after turning 60 acts as heroes and duet with young heroines. My case was different. When the industry come to know I and Ranjith are dating and going to get married, I was completely ignored. Even your papa, Arun uncle also did the same. He promised me a project in his production and later gave the role to a debut heroine. I was really heartbroken at that time, and it still hurts me.” Aishwarya opened up sadly, how she was ignored by the whole film industry.

Manish listened everything and after being quiet for few seconds, he nodded his head in disagreement. “No Aishu! You don’t know the full truth. Trust me, Papa will never do that to you. It was his situation at that time, and he was helpless. He opened it up to me only few years before.”

Aishwarya become more interested, her face showed a lot of questions. “What situation Manish? What are you talking about? What did uncle say to you?”

Manish came near Aishwarya, “Well, this may be shocking for you and also don’t mistaken me. When you and Ranjith started loving each other and decided to marry, Ranjith approached all top producers and said that you will be getting married soon and no longer will act in movies. papa was planning to produce three movies back to back, and he wanted you to be female lead in all of them. One as Ranjith’s pair and two with other actors.”

Manish continued, “Ranjith was in peak of his career, and it was very tough for any producer to get his call sheet during that time. The only condition he made for acting under papa’s production company is that you shouldn’t be acting in any of the three movies as you both will be marrying soon. papa tried to convince him, but he was stubborn and papa had no other way as his call sheet was more important for him.”

Aishwarya was not believing what Manish said. In a slightly angry tone she replied. “No. Stop it Manish! Ranjith will never do like this to me, and I’m sure. I don’t believe any of them you just said.”

Manish calmed down Aishwarya. “Cool down Aishu. I am not framing Ranjith falsely. Papa only said this to me recently. Not only to papa, it was an order from Ranjith to other directors as well, who wanted to cast you in their movies. He threatened they will not get chance to direct him in the future.”

“Why would he do that? For what reason?” Aishwarya questioned still in anger.

“Two simple reasons. When he decided you will be his wife, he didn’t want you to act with any other actor. He was possessive and didn’t want to see any love scenes with them or dancing together in duet songs. Next reason is he thinks you as his lucky charm and didn’t want the luck to go anyway and just keep at his home.” Manish explained.

Manish continued, “There’s one more thing, and it will be even more shocking to you. A famous Producer and Director from Bollywood approached your manager and talked about casting in their high budget movie. It would have been your first Bollywood movie, and it was a blockbuster hit. The manager first told this information to Ranjith. Ranjith bribed the manager and through him, he passed the message to the Bollywood producer that, you are not interested in the opportunity as you are going to be married shortly.”

“He was well aware that if you go to Bollywood you will become a top heroine there, and then you may not agree to marry Ranjith. After all, you are his lucky charm, and he didn’t want you to go away from him. All these are true and papa told this to me few years back. You are my best friend and Ranjith is my favourite actor, I don’t have any motive to lie about him and cause problems with your life.” Manish spoke genuinely.

Aishwarya had a serious face, “Manish. These are very serious allegations against my husband. You are trying to make problem in my marriage life as you see Ranjith as your competition. I know Ranjith consider me as his lucky charm, but there is no way he ruined my career and opportunities. I won’t believe your stories. I’m leaving now. Bye!”

Manish pushed her to sit, “You know me from our childhood. I’ve never ruined anyone’s family or career and I won’t do that to you or Ranjith at all. If I were doing some allegations, I would have done it a long back and I won’t wait until you come to my birthday party. All these things are what papa told me, and you know papa very well and how genuine he is”.

In a reassuring voice he continued, “All these are one side of the coin. I don’t know if Ranjith has a valid reason for his actions. You can either forget what I said here itself or if you decide to dig it further, talk to my papa and also top directors during that time. They don’t have any reason to hide the truth now. They will confirm what happened. Now I’m sorry if what I said made you sad. I didn’t mean to hurt you. Enjoy the rest of the party. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Manish gave a hug to Aishwarya and left to see other guests.

     Aishwarya was silent and left the party in a short while with confused thoughts. Manish has no need to lie about Ranjith, and she also knows him very well. He’s very matured and not a person just to bad mouth about someone. She also couldn’t believe if Ranjith did all these things to terminate her career. She couldn’t sleep the rest of the night and in the morning she decided to confirm what Manish said is true.

     The following morning she called some of the top cinema directors during her time and who are still in touch with her. Accidentally she brought the conversation about her last phase of career and tried to confirm if whatever Manish said about Ranjith is true. And to her disbelief, everyone confirmed the tactics played by Ranjith was true. She also spoke to Manish’s father, and he also confirmed everything done by Ranjith. He apologized to her assured that he will always support her and if she thinks of making a comeback as a director or actor.

     Aishwarya found there is a sense of truth and connectedness in what everyone said. She was shattered and couldn’t believe Ranjith did all this to spoil her career. After doing all these, he married her and lived together for 10 years. Also, he smartly turned her focus onto something else, so she doesn’t think about acting.

     The next few days, she was continuously thinking about the betrayal all the time and developed a strong hate towards Ranjith within herself. Ranjith is still in US, and she didn’t show anything to him personally. Deep down, she decided that she will teach him a lesson and make him repent for his betrayal. Confronting him will not be a good option as he will build some story and justify his behaviour. Divorce is also not an option, as he will just move on and may remarry another Women.

     The whole week Aishwarya thought of a plan and finally she decided on something. She called Manish to her café to talk about her plan.

     As per the plan, she will convince Ranjith to direct his next movie. And in the movie, she will make him portray as a woman. His behaviour and appearance will be altered in a feminine way, so that he will no longer be fit to act as a normal commercial hero in future movies, and his career will be finished.

     Manish was taken aback by Aishwarya’s cunning plan to ruin Ranjith’s career. It seemed like a too much of a punishment for Ranjith. He advised her not to proceed with this plan as it is an impossible one and may spoil their family. Aishwarya detailed the plan on how she will do it step by step. She also was so stubborn that, only this punishment will give her peace and satisfaction. He finally agreed to help her in any way possible, if only this will give her happiness.

     Aishwarya was happy to get Manish’s support. She started to build a master plan to feminize Ranjith both on and off-screen.

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| 3,589 Words || Published On 21/JUN/2023 |

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