Fawad Khan as Sahil Verma

Varun Dhawan as Kulshan Kumar

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               Sahil Verma was Abhimanyu's best friend from Doon School. It was an all boys boarding school in Dehradun. They were classmates who had a ball of time together in school and after. They connected instantly because of their common interest in music and movies. Abhimanyu was more inclined to music with flare to learn instruments quickly and compose songs and music, whereas Sahil was more interested in movies. Sahil always thought Abhimanyu will become an engineer because he was excellent in science and math. There were no quiz competitions, science and math Olympiads that he didn't win. There were no girls in school, or they would swoon over his good looks and also Sahil's. They both were easily the most good looking guys on the campus. Abhimanyu had always been this guy with natural swag and sexy attitude. He didn't try to be that. It was in him and it got women weak on knees. Sahil was always an easy, flexible, relaxed and chilled out guy. After school, Sahil went to college in Mumbai to do BSc, and Abhimanyu to BITS Pilani to do engineering. Abhimanyu dropped out from engineering college to pursue music. After graduation, Sahil too did film making course to pursue his interest in movie making. They both strongly believed in phrase "follow your dreams".

             Sahil knew Abhimanyu kept few secrets from him, but that never came in their way of friendship. He knew a lot about Abhimanyu given he was actually a loner at heart and didn't like to share much especially his pain. He was the only one, he shared things with. He knew of all his sexual escapades and addiction to drugs. There was a time when he too was into it. Talking about girls and sex was a total boy thing since school. The only thing he didn't like about him was how he completely cut off from time to time when he went into his creative zone. He could never understand that, but then he didn't have to be an open book for their friendship to be strong and for them to be there for each other.

       Abhimanyu was in his bedroom when Raina left, and his cell phone rang. He saw his best friend Sahil calling. He took the call and walked out into the terrace wearing a sweat shirt with a hood.

Abhimanyu: Hi! He said yawning stretching his one arm.

Sahil: Saale, New Year is over, or you still in New Year mood?

Abhimanyu: I am always in mood, you know. He said sounding sleepy.

Sahil: So, how many today?

Abhimanyu: Only one, yaar.

Sahil: Really?

Abhimanyu: Yeah! I don't know, girls are no longer interested in coming with me.. He tried to have some fun.

Sahil: Ha ha ha.. He laughed out loud.

Abhimanyu: What?

Sahil: News is that you are not good in bed.

Abhimanyu: Oh, I see! From when? He asked quite amused at what his friend said.

Sahil: After you made the mistake of taking same model four times...

Abhimanyu: So?

Sahil: They say it's all about you. You only care about your pleasure. Manipulate them into giving you x number of BJ's(blow jobs), and never pay heed to what they want or like. You know, you are better off with those call girls, hookers and the one's you pick from bar, and your underground cave. These models and girls from studio talk.

Abhimanyu: And.... it reached your ears. I rarely take technicians working in stu........

Abhimanyu: Wait a minute! You are making this all up. Good...keep going. I am winding. He said cutting himself

Sahil: Okay, I'm making up. They are all dying for their chance to go with you, but what I said, that's true, isn't it?

Abhimanyu: Could be. He said and laughed silently shaking his head.

Sahil: Where are you?

Abhimanyu: Home.

Sahil: But it's not noon yet! You are home early morning, it means only one thing. You went to party last night.

Abhimanyu: Ya, one of those rarest rare nights when I get to unleash my charm, and pick up the best looking girl from the party.

Sahil: Can I get to know the unlucky model who got trapped in the framework of your words last night?

Abhimanyu: Huh, unlucky? You call her unlucky? He asked enjoying his friend's pulling.

Sahil: Can't be lucky if she came home with you.

Abhimanyu: Shimona Dubey. Heard of her?

Sahil: Shimona Dubey! Of course, yes. She was on your radar. Wasn't she?

Abhiamnyu: Yeah, she was. And, now I'm done with her. Strike out from the list. He said sounding happy.

Sahil: So, she is still there, or you sent... her also packing?

Abhimanyu: No, yaar. She is drunk as fuck. I don't think she is gonna be up before afternoon.

Sahil: So, are you not going to tell her to go home? Aren't her four hours up, yet?

Abhimanyu: It's not like how you think. I don't wake them up and say" Hey! Your four hours are up, go to your own house now. I need to do my own things." I don't do that. I am a gentleman, I treat them well. I don't send girls packing if they are asleep. That is only for those who I have tolerated awake for four hours. He smiled.

Sahil: No, you do, but only in more manipulative polite words that make them feel that is the best thing to do on earth, and you are only caring about them.

Abhimanyu: Really? How do you know that? He laughed a little with his mouth closed.

Sahil: I know everything about you.

Sahil: You forgot, you did that in front of me, when I dropped at your place uninformed.

Abhimanyu: Oh, yes! That one time. I remember now.

Sahil: That's why I don't come to your house.

Abhimanyu: Good! You know, I like it that way. That's why, I never throw any parties in my house.

Sahil: You don't throw any party anywhere. Not only that, despite having a great music room in your own house, you never invite your orchestra team to work there. You have another place on rent to work on music with others. Huh!

Sahil: I don't understand, why do you even have one at home then, because all you do at home is sleep with girls. So, on those few nights, you are not in recording studio, you are with some members of your orchestra in your rented place, and other times that most favorite underground cave of yours where crazy crazy party never ends. It's like whenever you walk in, party is on.

Sahil: You say, she is drunk as fuck. What about you? You were not? You are high all the time Abhimanyu. On New Years Eve, you were so drunk that you slept in my house until late afternoon, and then you went to another party that night to get high again. How?

Abhimanyu: I drank, but not as much as her. I know , I had way too much at your place on New Years eve, so I went easy on stuff last night. I controlled myself.

Sahil: You, and controlled? He laughed a little.

Sahil: Kidding me.

Sahil: Anyways which party you went to?

Abhimanyu: Anay Prakash

Sahil: Fuck! Anay Prakash of Tips!

Abhimanyu: Yup!

Sahil: He invited you?

Abhimanyu: Yeah!

Abhimanyu: You know what will happen if Kulshan comes to know that you were partying with Anay.

Abhimanyu: By the way, Anay gave me a much better offer than Kulshan to cut a music album for him.

Sahil: He always does, but you still never take his offer. I so many times told you to , but you always stick to him. Why?

Abhimanyu: Yeah, because I love Kulshan's recording studio, the gear, console, the acoustics, soundproofing and the special sounds we can get in his studio. I don't think there is any better recording studio than his. The way some walls are designed to scatter the sounds to produce different sound effects is amazing.

Sahil: Then, why you complain that he always gives you the slots of night to work in studio, the hours that never get booked?

Abhimanyu: Because that's the truth, but on other hand I do like working in nights than day. It's different, it's more peaceful and the time when the creative juices kick in. I crib, so that he realizes he is being unfair to me by giving me the time slots that don't get him an money, to produce music that will fetch him money.

Sahil: Though you secretly prefer those slots only.

Abhimanyu: Yeah! Because those are so many hours together.

Sahil: Dog you are!

Abhimanyu: Ha Ha. He laughed.

Sahil: Kulshan and I share this love hate relationship. His T-series has given me my so many firsts. He gets a thrill out of making it difficult for me. What he doesn't know is that actually he is giving me what I want. He likes to think I'm all worked up, and I like to let him live in his bubble.

Sahil: Now, he'll really get you worked up.

Abhimanyu: I didn't understand.

Sahil: One bad news, Abhimanyu.

Abhimanyu: What?

Sahil: Sunidhi and Shreya have refused to sing the songs, because Kulshan Kumar was not ready to meet their demands. What he was willing to  pay was below par.

Abhimanyu: I tell you, this Kulshan Kumar of T- series hates me. He never makes things easy for me. Though I have done some good work for him, he always gives me the most unwanted and left over slots in his recording studio.

Sahil: See, you go there now. Now, you are angry. I told you he'll get you worked up.

Sahil: Recording studio is his business. Of course, he will rent out the prime hours to other people first and hours that are not booked to you, because he is the producer of that album. That's called full utilization of recording studio. Any businessman with good sense of business will do that.

Sahil: You tell me, what we do now? I spoke with Kulshan and he is not ready to shell out more. At this payment, I don't think we can get any decent singer for your album.

Abhimanyu: What the fuck! I have worked for a year on the music of this album, with Sunil writing songs for it. We have really worked hard on it.

Sahil: I know, I am only telling how things are.

Abhimanyu: I have someone in my mind. I am not sure if she would sing though.

Sahil: How is she? Good looking?

Abhimanyu: No, kind of ugly, but I can bet her voice has the potential to go places. Anyways, what the fuck has playback singing to do with good looks? When did looks become an important criteria for a singer? We can always have a good looking model in the video for the song.

Sahil: Forget it, then. Kulshan is not ready to pay for any female models and background dancers in videos. He is ready to pay for male models though. He wants female singer only, to feature in the video. I tried to get Sunidhi and Shreya, but now we have lost them, courtesy young and dashing Mr. Kulshan Kumar.

Abhimanyu: What nonsense! He never told me that. His voice expressing shock and disgust.

Sahil: Yeah, that's latest. He is fucking your chances of fucking three three sexy models, and many single background dancers.

Abhimanyu: Oh, C'mon! Shut up!

Sahil: Yeah! He hates how it's not him, but you who these models choose to go home with.

Abhimanyu: Well! I'm giving him my best work and he wants to ruin it with under budget. What fuck!

Sahil: So, where did you find this new talent?

Abhimanyu: Does it even matter now?

Sahil: That drug house, orgy heaven?

Abhimanyu: Anyways she is of no use to us now. Why are we even talking about that?

Sahil: When will you stop going there? Make a new year resolution that you won't go there now onward.

Abhimanyu: Are you kidding me? A new year resolution?

Abhimanyu: What changes in New Year? Nothing. Just a four digit number that lasts 365 days before changing again by a digit or two in one's and sometime's also ten's place. You know it's.... it's my life. That place inspires me.

Sahil: I think that place will kill you someday. I am afraid of losing you, you know?

Abhimanyu: I know.... and I don't know what I would do without a friend like you.

Sahil: And yet you go missing on me whenever you want.

Abhimanyu: You know when I'm making music I just want to be in that zone. I don't like to be disturbed by anyone.

Sahil: And those girls don't disturb you?

Abhimanyu: No, on contrary, they help me. You know, music and girls go along.

Sahil: And I don't help you? Sahil knew he must be smiling on other end.

Abhimanyu: If I were gay, may be. You are a handsome chap. He laughed

Sahil laughed on the other end.

Sahil: Very funny!

Abhimanyu: You are my best friend, my manager. Honestly, you are my right hand. You take care of everything so well, that I can work without worrying about anything. Thank you for always being such a nice friend to me.

Sahil: Chal saale, itna senti hone ki zaroorat nahin. I get paid for it, and I am also an Assisstant Director besides being your manager. Saw "Yahaan Hoon Main" video with Ayushman and Yami, the whole concept and maximum direction is mine. Time is not far when Kulshan Kumar will kick you out, and want me to direct the videos.

Abhimanyu:Ha. Ha. That would be very good. I'll be happy. He said smiling.

Sahil: You are the worst music video director I have ever worked with. You don't take any inputs from anyone. You just do your thing only.

Abhimanyu: That's because the videos I direct have my music; songs by Sunil, who writes on my inputs. I exactly know what's the feel of that video and how that video should look like.

Sahil looked at his watch.

Sahil: OMG! How much we talked today! I had actually called you to tell that I have just transferred the money from your side business into your account.

Sahil: It seems, your side business is doing well.

Abhimanyu: I'm happy. I don't think money is all that, but I don't do it for money.I like doing it.

Sahil: And, what is this side business of yours? Will you ever tell me or it will always be a top secret?

Abhimanyu: Don't know!

Sahil: You call me best friend, and then in another moment you distance me like I'm just anybody.

Abhimanyu swallowed the lump in his throat.

Sahil: What time are you in recording studio?

Abhimanyu: Depends. It could be any number of hours between 11 pm to 5 am.

Sahil: Will try to catch you there sometime.

Abhimanyu: Yeah, bye!

***

             Abhimanyu was working in the recording studio with Sunil, his songwriter, sound engineer, his set of men who played instruments for him. It was a good day work wise. They were able to record some good portion of music on the console before the next party that had booking with the studio arrived. They were walking out of the studio at 5 am when he saw Sahil walking to him.

Sahil: Came to see you. He lightly slapped his back.

Sahil: Will that cigarette ever leave your mouth?

Abhimanyu: Didn't smoke in last three hours.

Sunil smiled.

Sahil: Why are you smiling? He asked Sunil.

Sunil: I thought he went to bathroom to smoke every hour.

Abhimanyu: Can't you keep some secrets? He hit Sunil lightly.

Sahil: Secrets again! Huh!

Abhimanyu: I always have, and it's not like you are unaware.

Abhimanyu: How come you are here?

Sahil: Was assisting Ramesh on a video nearby. So, thought to swing by, and see you.

Abhimanyu: So, you done for the day?

Sahil: No, we have two hours break now.

Abhimanyu: Any good models in your video?

Sahil: No.

Abhimanyu: Come, let's go to your location. Introduce me to them. Sunil giggled.

Sahil: I'm not doing that.

Abhimanyu: Okay, then I 'll come to meet you, and introduce myself to them.

Sunil: Abhimanyu, I'll go. I have some work. I'll see you tomorrow. He said interrupting their conversation.

Abhimanyu: Yeah, bye. Try to rewrite those two songs. They still are not up to mark. They are missing something.

Sunil: I will. He said and walked away to the studio gate.

Abhimanyu: There is a tea stall nearby. Let's walk there.

Abhimanyu: Cigarette? He offered him on way.

Sahil: No, I quit.

He narrowed his eyes and looked at him with folds on his forehead.

Sahil: New Year resolution.

Abhimanyu: Good! Good! He said looking at him.

They reached the stall. Sahil asked for two tea, paid the money and sat on the plastic chairs there, sipping tea from glass. In between sips of tea, Abhimanyu took a puff and blew out a cloud of smoke into the air

Sahil: You were doing cocaine in the bathroom, Right ?

Abhimanyu looked at him and ignored his question.

Sahil: Okay! Don't tell me. Keep secrets. He said as he took a sip of tea.

Sahil: Have you decided who you are going to get to sing the songs?

Abhimanyu: No, not yet. I'll think, I still have some music to record.

Sahil: We should, because locking things will take time.

Sahil: Did you speak to Kulshan?

Abhimanyu: No, you know, I don't speak to him until and unless really required.

Sahil: Yeah, why should you? I am your manager, I must do everything. 

Abhimanyu sensed his friend was off with him.

Abhimanyu: You wanted to know what my side business is. I'll tell you, but not everything.

Abhimanyu: I'm a ghostwriter. Sahil looked at him stunned.

Abhimanyu: I write English songs for which I don't get any credit, but I get credited whatever the amount in my account. Credit goes to someone else. I remain unknown, but my songs become known. Sahil's eyes popped out in shock.

Abhimanyu: I can't tell you all the songs, but I'll tell you one song that I have written and you must have heard. Have you heard "I can't feel my face when I'm with you, but I love it." by artist Meeknd.

Sahil: Yes!

Abhimanyu: That's written by me. Don't ever talk about it to anyone. Not even Preeti.

Sahil: I'll not. You know it.

Sahil: Damn! I can't believe it. Why would you want to do something like that? Aren't what you are doing already enough that you had to do one more thing, and that too get no credit for it. This song has ruled every damn chart, iTunes or Billboard for weeks at number one position. How does it feel?

Abhimanyu: Feels very good!

Sahil: And how does it feel that no one knows that you actually wrote that song.

Abhimanyu: Don't care about that.

Sahil: How can you be happy to be a ghostwriter?

Abhimanyu: At least my work is reaching out there to millions of people. You think I can go and get hired there as a songwriter instantly. No, it will take years and my songs might never see the light of day. This way, at least,  I am doing what I am passionate about, and also other things along with it.

Sahil: How can people like doing things for which they don't get any credit?

Abhimanyu: You will not understand the highs of life. It takes an artist to feel it.

Sahil: So, writing English songs is your favorite of all the things you do. Now, I remember you writing English poems in school.

Abhimanyu: I enjoy all, but to see my songs playing on top all over the world is altogether a different high.

Sahil: But, why don't you give them your account for the money transfer.

Abhimanyu: I might not be famous, but my name is not something that will return 'no results' in google search engine. They should not know who I am from my bank account. I can't thank you enough for creating that account for me.

Sahil: Preeti doesn't even know the password of that account. It's an account opened in her name that only I operate.

Abhimanyu: I know. Thanks.

Sahil: So, Simon is the guy who takes your songs as his songs because he is the one who wrote it.

Abhimanyu: I don't know. We all have Pseudo names. Bank accounts that involve money transfers never belong to the real person. Like I use yours, they might be using someone else's. It could be a chain. There are some people who are like brokers or links between the ghostwriters and known songwriters. It's complex. My other chart buster song " We found love in a hopeless place" was sang by Lihanna and written by Mark. So, I really don't know who will be the owner of my song or the artist who will sing it, but once it's out there, my bank is credited with forty thousand dollars. We don't get royalty, but enough to keep the mouth shut. All the details are discussed beforehand and locked on trust.

Sahil: Congrats on the success of your songs, Abhi!

Abhimanyu: Thank you. He smiled.

Sahil: Abhi, you are bloody talented guy. Just never got your due.

Abhimanyu: My songs are ruling the charts in the world. What are we complaining about? Just because it has someone else's name, it wouldn't change that my work is at the top.

Abhimanyu: We are never talking about it again.

Sahil: Done. This is always going to remain a secret.

Abhimanyu: I trust you with everything.

They both sat quiet for a while sipping hot tea.

Abhimanyu: I don't want my this album to go unnoticed and unrecognized like my last work.

Sahil: I don't think you care about recognition Abhi. Had you, you wouldn't be in this side business.

Abhimanyu: I think so. He said getting up to go.

Sahil: Where are you going?

Abhimanyu: You know, my inspiration center.

Sahil: You go there everyday?

Abhimanyu: Mostly always after my work until noon. Anytime you walk in there you can find a lot of young boys and girls in drugs and orgy. It's much bigger crowd now than earlier when you used to come. Easy place to pick up girls...not just a girl.

Sahil: That's why your songs are about drugs and sex.

Abhimanyu: You got it man. Abhimanyu smiled.

Sahil: Why do you have to use these drugs everyday? He asked feeling sad.

Sahil: Does she still come there?

Abhimanyu: After her marriage four years back, I haven't seen her.

Sahil: I hate her, and hold her responsible for your condition.

Abhimanyu: Why? Why you blame her? If not for her, I don't think I could write so well. My songs wouldn't be on chart. She has actually always helped me, that day and today. I thank her.

He said bye and left. Sahil watched him as he walked away from him.

https://youtu.be/KEI4qSrkPAs

https://youtu.be/tg00YEETFzg