Telugu words in the chapter : Garu - a word used as a suffix to a person's name (e.g. Amar garu) or designation (e.g. minister garu) as a mark of respect.

---***---

"Vicky boy. It's not really that bad. You can do it." Chris tried to convince him.

"Oh! Really? When was the last time I directed a two and half hour long movie with a budget of hundreds of crores that turned out to be critically acclaimed commercial success? Remind me." Vikram was sitting at Chris's home discussing his problems.

"Just because you didn't do it before, doesn't mean that you can't. Remember the Web series you directed three years ago? It was a sensational hit. It fetched you several awards." Chris reminded him.

"That's entirely different. I did it for fun. I didn't have anything to lose. Now I have a production house to answer to if the movie fails to impress people. And I don't think I should do this with the experience of a mere web series."

"What did Latha aunty say?"

"I was prepared to argue with her. But she didn't argue. When I said I can't do this she simply said okay. She said she didn't want to force me. I detected pain in her voice." Vikram was ready to do anything to see her smile. "What should I do Chris? I need an advice."

Chris sighed. "Look. You have always wanted to be a director. I feel you got an opportunity to live your dream. I agree it's a bit too much for a beginner. But I am sure you can handle it. You have a helpful and loyal team. Think about it."

Vikram thought for a while. After the initial shock wore off, it seemed like a very good opportunity. "Okay. I didn't sleep last night. Now let me sleep while you cook breakfast for me. Pancakes please."

"Excuse me! If you want breakfast come and help me in the kitchen." Chris dragged him along.

After the breakfast, Vikram called Latha. "Mom, ask all the important crew members to meet us at our office. It will be like a formal job interview. I will tell them how I am planning to work on this film and show them my web series. I will take up this responsibility only if everyone is impressed."

"Are you absolutely sure?" asked Latha.

"Yes. I must be mad. But yes. I worked on the script and pre-production along with dad. So, I think I have an idea how to handle this project." Vikram assured her.

"Thank you Vicky. Your father will be proud" said Latha.

---***---

The meeting went without any hiccups. Vikram was surprised to see that not just his mother, everyone else wanted him to be the director. He asked them to watch his previous work and give honest feedback before deciding.

"If there is anyone else, who can handle this project better than me, please go ahead and suggest the names." He requested them. He didn't want to be favored just because he was somebody's son. He wanted to earn it.

No one seemed to have any suggestions, because they still followed the age old tradition of the king's son being crowned the next king. They knew Vikram was the best option they had. If the movie failed, they could blame the new director and move on.

Latha and Chris were genuinely happy for Vikram. They vowed to help him in whichever way they could.

It took Latha five days to make the deal with the old production house. "The movie is ours now. Come and sign the papers." She called her son.

He went to his mother's office. It took a lot of time to complete all the formalities. He decided to wait outside while Latha finished all her meetings. He was happy that she got something to keep herself busy.

He greeted all her employees. He heard two people arguing in a corner. "Look here kid. You don't have to attach a picture for everything. Just copy my tweets" said an employee named Mohan.

"No. You work for Latha Productions. You have four films to handle simultaneously. But I have got only one film. I have to work hard."

"Shubha? What are you doing here?" asked Vikram.

"It's big day for us sir. I don't want to miss giving updates about the movie." Shubha answered.

"Sir, this kid is over enthusiastic and irritating to the core" said Mohan.

"Shubha, come with me." Vikram took her outside and asked, "What happened?"

"Sir, I got fifty thousand followers for the movie in just five days. He is just jealous because he can't work like me." She showed him the twitter page.

"Impressive" He remarked.

"When are you going to announce that you are the new director?" She asked him. "There are many rumours floating around."

"I am not worried about the rumours. Ignore them."

"It's not about the rumours sir. It's about the fans. They love you. Most of them are waiting for the big announcement from your side. Won't it be better if you just told them everything?" She hoped he won't get irritated with her questions.

"You are right. It's just that I..." He didn't complete the sentence. He seemed to be in a deep thought. She waited patiently for his answer. "Okay. I don't want any press conference in the current situation. Let's just announce it in the official website and you can post it in the social media accounts."

"Really? Thank you sir. I will go and inform Mohan garu." She left excitedly.

Vikram waited for everyone to gather around. "Vicky. Who is she?" asked his manager, Naresh.

"She handles my social media accounts." He answered.

"Oh! She's the one? Shubha. Right? Don't you think fifty thousand per month is a bit too much? Why don't you give it to any private agency? They will handle it better than her?"

"No. She is the daughter of dad's school friend. She needs this job. I have to help her" said Vikram.

"Okay. So, this is more like charity?" asked Naresh.

"No. Definitely not charity." Vikram was annoyed for some reason. "She is very talented. She's the best for the job."

He helped make the announcement. The news started trending within minutes. His inbox flooded with messages. It's not everyday an actor on the peak of his career decides to direct a film. The news portals started analyzing the possible outcomes of this decision. Some termed it 'huge gamble' while others termed it 'extraordinary dedication'.

"Vicky, you go home. I have some work. I will come in the evening." Latha told him.

He nodded. "Come Shubha. Let's go home."

"It's okay sir. I will travel by public transport." Shubha refused.

"I am not kidnapping you. Okay? You need to stop distrusting people." 

She closed her eyes and sighed. After everything that happened to her, she found it hard to trust people. She sat beside him in the car. "I don't believe this. I am sitting beside a superstar. My friends will be so jealous when they hear this."

She took her phone out of her bag. He expected her to request him for a selfie to make her friends jealous. He even adjusted his hair. But she simply took her earphones and connected it to her phone. 

He was slightly surprised. After several minutes of internal debate, he tapped her shoulder. "Shubha, what are you listening to?"

"Music sir. I love music."

"May I ask you something?"

"Sure sir."

"How can you listen to music when a superstar is sitting next to you?" He asked.

"Er..." She didn't understand. "Am I not allowed to do that?" 

"Nothing like that. People usually talk when they meet filmstars. They say how much they love our movies and proclaim themselves to be our biggest fans and all." 

"How do they know that they are the biggest fans? But you don't worry. I will do no such thing. I won't make you feel uncomfortable." She assured him.

"Thanks." He didn't know if he should feel angry or laugh at her innocence. He chose the third option and kept quiet.

He got a call from Chris. He answered the call. "Hey Chris." Shubha immediately removed her earphones and stared at him as he spoke.

He looked at her questioningly after ending the call. "You are friends with Chris?" She asked.

"Of course I am. Since my schooldays."

"Wow. He is my favourite actor. I am his biggest fan." She said excitedly. "He works so hard. Doesn't he? Amazing transformation for each film. If I ever meet him, I'm sure I'll faint."

He couldn't control his laughter any longer. He burst out laughing. "You are so sweet Subbu."

"Subbu?" She frowned.

"Yes. I have a hair stylist whose name is Shubha. To avoid confusion, I'll call you Subbu." He announced.

"I don't like that name. My friends used to tease me with that name." 

"Really? Then Subbu it is." He emphasized the name. He opened his phone and edited her contact name from 'Shubha Scientist' to 'Subbu'.

They reached home to see his co-star, Nisha, waiting for them.

"Nisha? How are you? What brings you here?" He greeted her and asked her to sit down.

"Vicky, I..." She was unsure how to say it.

"Any problem?"

"Yes."

"What is it?" He understood it was something serious.

"Vicky. I don't think I can be a part of your film. I have to quit." She said, shocking him.

---***---

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