When the Camera Stopped Rolling

Chapter 4

It's been a few months since my last encounter with Ravi. And I'd be happy if it'd stay that way. my blood still boils up when I remember that incident. Why the hell was I so scared. Is it the fact that he might have a gun hidden somewhere in the car and if I don't comply with him he might blow my brains out?

Today I am on set wearing a bathrobe to shoot for a Lux soap commercial. Doing a Lux commercial was quite a bold idea for Indian industry. The shot required me to glide a Lux soap on my neck and hand in a foam filled bathtub. Along with the commercial I was also supposed to pose for some still photos for the posters.

After I was done I went for lunch then I went for another shoot. Shalini was pretty mad at me for not staying in touch with Ravi anymore. But I truly didn't care, he crossed his line that day. My phone suddenly rang bringing me back to the present. It's Shalini. "Hey!" I said.

"Mira, don't tell me you forgot about today's 5:00 pm shoot." Shalini pleas.

"Which shoot?" I ask.

"Fir khabi (Another Time)! The movie you are in!" She screams. Fuck! I looked at my watch to see it was 6 pm.

"Tell them I got caught up for another shoot! I'll be there in half an hour." With that I hung up and rushed towards my car then ordered my driver to drive as fast as he could.

Once I reached the set I saw Shalini looking extremely upset, but I can deal with it later. I rushed towards the director to find him looking furiously at me. "I'm sorry, I had another shoot as well. I'll do my part in a single take I promise." I pleaded. But he looked at me unhinged of everything i just said.

"Talk to the producer, he came all the way to see you work. But you weren't there. He is pissed. We all tried to calm him down. Go to his place quickly, or else he might replace you as well." The director says.

"Alright." With that I sprinted towards my car again and went to the producers bungalow. I got out of the car and rang him door bell. A lady opened up the door, it took me a while to recognise her. She is Jayshree Shukla, she is also an actress a few years older than me. And we were never in good terms. Fuck!

I pushed her aside and got inside the bungalow to see the producer sitting on the couch, looking at me in surprise. "Mira...." He says. He gets up from his seat and walks towards me, "Why didn't you show up at the shoot?" He enquires with an underlying threat.

"I was in another shoot. There were some mistakes on my planner, otherwise I'd have been on time." I say, trying to sound strong.

"Do you know how time and money I lost today because of your mistake?!" He screams at my face, almost making me flinch. "You know what, I'm going to replace you. Jayshree will do it." He states.

"Sir, please don't do it. You know I'm the better match for the role. Please give me one chance." I pleaded to him, trying to control my tears.

Abhishek, the producer looks at me for a while then says, "You should try to convince me harder, Mira."

"What do you mean?" I asked unsure of if he is saying exactly what I think he is saying.

"Don't be a prude, Mira. You know what you need to do sometimes." He smirks. I stepped back immediately as my legs shook at the thought. "Come on, love. If you just let go a little, only sky will be the limit for you." He steps closer. I turned my heels and ran outside the bungalow and inside my car.

"Balram, take me Ravi's office, now." I ordered. Balram nods and drives to Ravi's office. Thoughts raced through my mind. What if I stop getting good films now? What if people in the industry don't like me anymore? What if my fans forget me?