Aug 27, '08
'Kumar' as he was fondly called, was a 'Director's actor'. He studied the character he would be playing and prepared his own notes but in the end leave it to the Director to derive a good performance from him. He was a favorite with critics too, a rarity.
As he entered the car to reach the location for a shoot, he went in to deep thought. Today he would be shooting some stunt sequences. Until some years ago, such sequences would be done by the ‘dummies’ or ‘duplicates’, as they were called, he reminisced. In the earlier part of his career, he too was wary of doing stunts himself but as some actors began to do them on their own, others too followed suit. And Kumar was no exception. In fact it was this ability to ride with the trend that he could keep pace with the changing times. And continue acting with renewed vigor.
The car inched through the slow moving traffic and he could see the small house by the road. He felt a gush of emotion. That was the house where he lived in his struggling years. Even though he shifted to a new house and then in to this bungalow, he retained this small house. It was in this same house that he met Shrutika, now his wife. She was his immediate neighbor and their frequent meetings soon blossomed in to an ever lasting affair. They married three years later.
Shrutika was by his side through the struggling period and took up a job to support the family so Kumar could focus on his ambition of becoming a star. She was more than the 'Light' in his life, as he would fondly mention in the interviews. She was the 'Light house' that guided him through the complexities of life. There had been threats to Kumar's life over the rights of films and music and Shrutika would urge him to be careful. She suggested they tighten the security around the bungalow and also hire private security guards. But Kumar saw no reason to, as he thought such threats were empty.
The beep of his mobile brought Kumar back to his senses. It was Amrit, his secretary. Amrit had been more than a secretary to Kumar. He was elder to him but more than that, he was also a friend of Kumar's father.
“Yes Amrit jee, I am reaching the location in another one hour…”
“That's the same reason I am calling Kumar, there's a change in the location. I can imagine it's a little troublesome for you but…”
“Not to worry Amrit jee! It's okay… Tell me, where is it going to be now?”
“It's at Malad creek, very close from where it was supposed to be… Remember we shot the song from 'Dilwala' there?”
“Yes of course I remember! That's, right? Ok, will be there soon. Are you also coming?”
“Ya, I am here already! Will wait for you”.
“Ok sir! Bye”.
Kumar heaved a sigh. He was looking forward to today's shoot and was glad to know it wasn't postponed.
Rajeev was a great fan of Kumar and today his dream to see his idol in person would be fulfilled. He waited for his exams to get over, so he could go to Mumbai to his favorite perform. He was in Mumbai since past week and went from one studio to another, to get a glimpse of him but to no avail. Just the other day he came to know that Malad creek was a hot spot for shooting and so he decided to go see if he can locate Kumar there.
As Kumar reached the location, a small crowd had gathered. He was greeted by the unit and as he settled in an armchair, an assistant handed him a cup of coffee and some sheets of paper. He sipped the coffee and began to rehearse the scene.
The first scene required him to come running in to the camera and fall sideways on the ground. After a few retakes, the scene was okayed. Just then, it started to rain. Kumar was rushed to the van standing by. He entered and closed the door behind him.
Rajeev saw some men approaching the van but thinking that they must be some fans of Kumar, mingled with them. Suddenly one of them grabbed hold of him and began to pull him towards a waiting car. He didn't know what was happening and tried to wrestle his way out of their stronghold. He screamed as a hand seized his arm and injected a needle. In about 10 seconds he lost his consciousness.
Sitting atop this dilapidated building, Vijay could view south Mumbai. He had deliberated quite a lot before choosing this under construction structure, to shoot the happenings at Kumar's bungalow. Training his handy cam on the bungalow, he began to shoot the private life of a star. Once these clips get telecast, he would become the star reporter! His mobile rang and he spoke in the cell for over a minute and then switched it off. He didn't need any disturbance hereafter.
It was almost five in the evening, the pale rays of the sun forming designs on the floor. He could clearly see the lawn being watered, a couple of Dogs being taken for a walk, some fans gathered outside the bungalow. The security cabin with armed men guarding the gate and a couple of journalists with their typical nosey gestures.
After a while he could see the white Sedan gliding through the gate of the bungalow. Kumar had returned home. Now Vijay could shoot the star in his private world!
Rajeev tried to open his eyes but couldn't, as he was blindfolded and his hands and legs were tied. He could get a typical smell, that of cow dung. He could also feel dry grass underneath. “Could this place be in Goregaon?” he thought, as most cow sheds were in that area. But what troubled him most was why was he brought here in the first place and by whom? He tried to recall the incidences that led him here but all he could remember was being lifted by some people and getting a shot in the arm. His world went blank after that.
A door opened somewhere close to where he was and he could hear footsteps approaching. Instinctively he tried going backwards but had no strength to do so.
“How are you Kumar?” the man asked.
“We called you many times but you didn't pay heed. You left us with little choice you know?” he continued.
Rajeev wanted to say something but all he could do was murmur.
“Hmm…so you want to say something now, is it?"”
“It's too late to say anything Kumar. Here, sign these papers and no harm would come to your life”. Shoving a bunch of papers and a pen in his hands, he said.
His hands were untied and he signed the papers.
“Good!” The man seemed pleased, much to the relief of Rajeev.
“You can go now but remember one word to the police and…”A voice trailed behind him. He was taken near a railway station and left there to find his own way.
Kumar greeted Rajeev with open arms. He took his hand and led him inside his bungalow. In looks, Rajeev was almost a reflection of Kumar. Same face, same height, same smile. One was reality, the other his representation.
“I have been only enacting what my directors told me. You listened to what your heart told you. In an impulse, you could have easily told them you are not the real Kumar but you used your presence of mind and what's more, even signed the papers as Kumar, so they would believe you and let you go!”
As Altaaf switched the TV on, he could see Kumar merrily enjoying a swim in the pool in his bungalow. His temper rose to uncontrollable levels and he screamed with anger.
“Do you really think these papers are signed by Kumar himself?”
“You idiots! Stupid fools! You will pay for this goof up with your lives!”
“The guy you kidnapped was not Kumar, it was his look alike Rajeev!” saying this, he collapsed in the chair.
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