Capítulo 42: shooting and planning
Shooting Begins in Jaisalmer
The first day of shooting progressed seamlessly. Under Arjun's meticulous guidance, each scene was crafted with a delicate balance of suspense and subtlety. As the cameras rolled, Fardeen Khan effortlessly stepped into his role as Rahul, the adventurous leader. His interactions with Konkona's Anika and Rajpal Yadav's Sameer unfolded naturally, their chemistry palpable even during the early takes.
The crew moved swiftly, setting up each shot with precision. The ruined mansion, bathed in a ghostly pale light, looked every bit as haunting as Arjun had envisioned. The art department, led by Aman Kumar, had done an impeccable job. Cobwebs adorned the corners, broken furniture was strategically placed, and the shattered mirrors reflected fragmented images, creating an eerie ambiance.
ARJUN
(leaning towards the monitor, satisfied with the take)
"Perfect. That's exactly the atmosphere we need—the audience should feel the tension before anything even happens."
Despite the early success, Arjun couldn't shake off a sense of responsibility weighing on him. This movie was more than just a continuation of the universe he was building. It was about maintaining momentum and proving that Haunting of Kasauli wasn't a one-time success. Every detail mattered, every performance had to be spot on.
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Back in the Slum: The Youth Volunteers' Event Planning
Hundreds of kilometers away in the slum where Arjun grew up, the youth volunteer office was buzzing with activity. The upcoming New Year's event was generating a lot of excitement. Despite Arjun's absence, his influence and passion had left an indelible mark on the young minds he'd inspired.
The youth volunteers gathered in a makeshift office—a room with cracked walls and a few wooden benches. It was small, but it was filled with dreams and determination. Posters of past community events were tacked up on the walls, each one symbolizing a victory for the people living here.
RAVI, a young volunteer
(raising his hand)
"How about we organize a competition for the children? A drawing competition or maybe a sports event? It'll give the kids a chance to showcase their talent."
There was an immediate murmur of agreement from the others.
PRIYA, another youth leader
(nodding thoughtfully)
"Good idea, Ravi. But we should have something that connects with the theme of Arjun bhaiya's movies. What if we introduce a small storytelling session? The kids could create their own ghost stories, and we could have a prize for the best one."
The suggestion was met with enthusiasm. It was a simple way to celebrate not just the New Year but also to bring people together, tapping into the excitement surrounding Arjun's projects.
SANDEEP, a volunteer who had been part of Arjun's film workshop
(smiling broadly)
"Why don't we also have a short film workshop? We can show the kids how to make a basic film with just their phones. Many of us attended Arjun bhaiya's workshops, and we can pass on what we learned. Let's show them that they can create their own stories, too."
Cheers and applause followed. It was a perfect way to honor Arjun's contributions. Many of the volunteers had been part of his film workshop program, where he'd taught them the basics of filmmaking, encouraging them to use their creativity and voice.
PRIYA
(raising her hand to quiet the room)
"Okay, so we'll have a storytelling competition for the kids and a short film workshop for everyone interested. What about music and food? It's New Year's Eve—we have to make it festive!"
Suggestions poured in. Some spoke of inviting local musicians, while others talked about setting up food stalls with contributions from families in the slum.
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Film Workshop Members Joining the Planning
Many of the volunteers had stayed in touch with Arjun's NGO after attending the film workshops. They had found a passion for storytelling and film, and this event was the perfect opportunity to give back to the community that had nurtured them.
SANDEEP
(speaking to the group)
"We'll also create a short documentary about the event itself—something to show Arjun bhaiya when he gets back. He's always talking about capturing real stories, and this—this is our story. How we come together, how we celebrate."
The room fell silent for a moment, the weight of Sandeep's words resonating with everyone present. This wasn't just an event. It was a testament to the unity and resilience of their community, a way of expressing gratitude to the man who had given them hope and a platform to dream.
PRIYA
(smiling at Sandeep)
"That's a brilliant idea, Sandeep. We'll make sure it's something he'll be proud of."
With roles delegated and responsibilities assigned, the volunteers got to work. The next few weeks would be busy, but they were more than willing to give it their all. Even in Arjun's absence, they could feel his presence guiding them.
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Back on Set: A Visit from Tabu
Later in the afternoon, the atmosphere on set shifted as Tabu arrived. She stepped out of the car gracefully, her eyes scanning the surroundings, already assessing the role she would embody. Arjun walked up to greet her, sensing a new wave of energy sweeping through the crew.
TABU
(soft smile)
"This place… it's hauntingly beautiful. I can see why you chose it."
ARJUN
(nodding)
"Thank you, Tabu ji. We've set up everything for your scene tomorrow. It's going to be intense—the first encounter between your character and the spirit of the Dark One."
Tabu's expression turned serious. She was known for immersing herself completely into her roles, and Arjun knew she would bring the gravitas and emotional depth needed for the tragic queen.
TABU
"I'm ready. Let's make this scene something unforgettable."
As the day drew to a close, Arjun gathered the crew for a quick meeting, outlining the plan for the next few scenes. They would shoot as much as they could with the available actors before Abhishek joined them in fifteen days. It was a tight schedule, but they were determined to make it work.
Arjun's thoughts momentarily drifted to the slum, to the youth volunteers preparing for the New Year's event. He hoped everything was going smoothly. Knowing them, they would make it a success, just like they always did.
ARJUN
(smiling to himself)
"They've got this. I'll be back in time to see it. And by then, we'll have captured some incredible footage."
With a renewed sense of purpose, he turned his focus back to the shoot. The cinematic universe he was building, the community he was supporting, the people who believed in him—it was all coming together.
ARJUN
(addressing the crew with quiet determination)
"Let's make some history."
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