Stunt man to Star director

The grand stage of Bharat National Film Awards glittered with opulence, a perfect reflection of the glamour and prestige the industry often boasted of. Suraj, dressed in a sleek black suit, sat amongst the crème de la crème of Bharat's film fraternity. Aryan accompanied him, his youthful excitement palpable as he whispered, "Bhaiya, I feel like we're already winners, no matter what."

Suraj gave a small smile. He tried to mirror his younger brother's enthusiasm, but deep down, a storm of anticipation and anxiety brewed. Bhool Bhulaiyaa had been nominated for Best Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor—categories Suraj believed they rightfully deserved to win.

As the ceremony unfolded, it became evident that the night was heavily skewed in favor of a particular movie, Vikram Veer, a historical drama produced by Titan Motion Pictures. The movie had failed to make a significant mark at the box office, garnering mediocre reviews from critics and audiences alike. Yet, award after award was being handed to its cast and crew.

Suraj's unease turned to bitterness when the Best Screenplay award was announced. The host opened the envelope with dramatic flair.

"And the award goes to… Vikram Veer! Congratulations to the team!"

The applause echoed through the hall as Suraj clenched his fists under the table. He couldn't believe it. While Vikram Veer had boasted a high-budget production, its story had been criticized for being lackluster and formulaic. In contrast, Bhool Bhulaiyaa had been praised universally for its gripping narrative, tight screenplay, and innovative blending of horror and comedy.

Aryan noticed his brother's reaction and placed a comforting hand on his arm. "Bhaiya, it's just one award. The bigger picture is what matters."

Suraj nodded but remained silent.

---

The night grew longer, and so did Suraj's disappointment. The Best Director category was next, and he couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope.

"And the winner is…"

The host paused, glancing at the audience with a theatrical smirk.

"Vikram Veer! Congratulations to director Anand K. Thakur!"

Suraj leaned back in his chair, his jaw tightening. It was now evident to him that the awards were rigged. Titan Motion Pictures was known for its influence in the industry, often using its resources to manipulate narratives and control outcomes.

The final blow came when Kamal Singh, despite delivering a stellar performance in Bhool Bhulaiyaa, lost the Best Actor award to a lesser-known actor from Vikram Veer. Kamal himself remained composed, but Suraj could see the disappointment in his eyes.

---

After the ceremony, Suraj quietly made his way to the lobby, avoiding most of the industry bigwigs. Aryan followed, sensing his brother's need for space.

"Bhaiya, I know it hurts, but…"

Suraj cut him off, his voice low and measured. "It's not just about losing, Aryan. It's about what this represents. They didn't just deny us; they denied the audience, the people who loved Bhool Bhulaiyaa. This is corruption, plain and simple."

Aryan hesitated before responding. "But what can we do? The system is rigged. It's their game."

Suraj turned to his brother, his eyes fierce with determination. "Then we change the game."

---

Later that night, Suraj sat in his study, replaying the events of the evening in his mind. His thoughts raced, shifting from despair to anger to resolve. He grabbed a notebook and began jotting down ideas.

Mythic Productions won't just be a player in this industry; it'll be a force to reckon with. We'll make movies so undeniable, so powerful, that no one will dare overlook them. And we won't stop there—we'll build a community, an ecosystem, where talent thrives on merit, not influence.

He paused, tapping the pen against the paper. The bitterness of the evening hadn't left him, but it had transformed into something else—fuel.

---

The next morning, Aryan found Suraj already awake, a cup of coffee in hand as he stared at the sunrise.

"You're up early," Aryan said, rubbing his eyes.

Suraj smirked. "Couldn't sleep. Too many ideas."

Aryan sat beside him. "What's the plan?"

Suraj took a sip of his coffee before replying. "We're going to make Mythic Productions untouchable. The kind of place where stories speak louder than connections, where creativity isn't overshadowed by politics."

Aryan grinned. "Sounds like a revolution."

Suraj chuckled. "That's what it'll take."

---

Meanwhile, social media was abuzz with discussions about the awards. Fans of Bhool Bhulaiyaa took to Stargram and Bharat+, expressing their outrage over the film's snub. Hashtags like #JusticeForBhoolBhulaiyaa and #BoycottRiggedAwards trended for hours.

One user wrote, "Bhool Bhulaiyaa was THE movie of the year. Everyone knows it. These awards mean nothing if they can't recognize true talent."

Another commented, "The audience has already decided the real winner. Congrats to Suraj and Kamal for giving us a masterpiece!"

Suraj scrolled through the posts, feeling a bittersweet sense of validation. While the awards might have overlooked them, the audience clearly hadn't.

---

In the days that followed, Titan Motion Pictures launched Vikram Veer on an OTT platform with aggressive marketing, using the awards as a key selling point. While it garnered some initial attention, the lukewarm reception from viewers only highlighted the gap between hype and substance.

In contrast, Bhool Bhulaiyaa continued to thrive on Bharat+, with viewership numbers soaring even months after its release. The film's enduring popularity proved what Suraj had believed all along: a good story will always find its audience.

---

One evening, Kamal Singh visited Suraj at home. They sat on the balcony, enjoying the cool breeze as they reflected on recent events.

"I should be thanking you," Kamal said, raising his glass. "Bhool Bhulaiyaa gave me one of the best roles of my career."

Suraj shook his head. "And I should be thanking you. Your performance elevated the movie to a whole new level."

They clinked glasses, sharing a moment of camaraderie.

"Do you regret it?" Kamal asked after a pause.

"Regret what?"

"Not playing their game. You could've, you know. Mythic Productions could've pushed harder, made the right connections."

Suraj thought for a moment before replying. "No. Because that's not why I'm in this industry. If I wanted to play games, I'd be in a different line of work. I'm here to tell stories. Honest, meaningful stories. And if that means taking the harder path, so be it."

Kamal smiled. "Well said. And for what it's worth, the audience is with you. That's what matters most."

Suraj nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose.

As the night deepened, Suraj couldn't help but think of the road ahead. The awards might have been rigged, but they were just a small part of the bigger picture. Mythic Productions was on the rise, and nothing could stop it now.

Author note:-

:- support the story with power stones for extra chapters and motivation 😁 😁