The ShowOffs - Part 38

Few months passed quickly. The movie was completed as per schedule. Everyone got busy with post production activities. Some scenes were re-shot. Some junior actors were miffed with RK for cutting their scene short. They were negatively publicizing the movie in  every news channel. Sonia's tantrums was getting on his nerve. She wanted him to get things sorted. Once he dealt with them, another problem appeared from nowhere.

The trailer was launched. It got lot of positive response. But certain religious groups weren't happy with the way their culture was portrayed in movie. They demanded ban on the movie. They filed a case against him and others. After months of tackling them in the court, the court passed it's decision that movie would be released after special screening was held for the affected religious groups. 

Before he could hold special screening before the religious group, the certification board created a fuss. They wanted certain pivotal scenes to be removed. RK was miffed. He had put lot of effort getting those scenes shot. He didn't want it to get wasted. After heated discussions, he had to remove because Sonia didn't want any problems in releasing the movie. The special screening took place. Fortunately, religious groups were satisfied with the movie.

Amidst these tensions, Rajbir and Simran were distant from each other. News of their apparent breakup was making rounds in the film world. Rajbir hardly spoke to her after their stormy conversation. They maintained their professional relationship. Their personal relationship was affected gravely. She would immediately go home after their shoot. She maintained her cold exterior in front everyone including Rajbir. At home, she would cry her heart out. But her pain never reduced. It got more painful for her.

With post production in the process, they hardly saw each other. They had to dub their dialogues for certain scenes. They would greet each other with fake pleasantries and smiles. No one could see the pain they were going through. Once the production activities were completed, the promotional activities took place. They appeared together at almost all activities. They arrived hand in hand with false smiles pasted on their lips in front of the public. When they were alone, they acted like strangers. They didn't want to see each other. 

A special screening was held for the movie fraternity by Sonia. RK despised her idea. He had subtly informed her about his displeasure. He felt it was waste of time. But Sonia insisted. He had to bend his head and obey her orders. Everyone from the industry arrived to watch the much anticipated movie. Once the movie was over, they gave false appreciation of talents to impress her. No one was impressed by the movie. They found it as waste of money and talents.  Simran was strolling outside the theatre to get away from crowd and noise inside. She didn't understand the need of such screenings. "Mom and her gimmicks!", she rolled her eyes. Something struck her eyes. She saw Rajbir with his ex girlfriend. They were in deep conversation. She walked close out of inquisitiveness.

(To be continued)