The atmosphere inside Konidela Productions remained lively even after Raman’s successful audition.
Everyone was discussing schedules and production matters when another car slowly stopped outside the office building.
The receptionist immediately walked toward the entrance, and a moment later the glass door gently opened.
Chiranjeevi looked up and smiled.
“Kamal sir.”
Standing at the entrance was Kamal Haasan, dressed in a simple white shirt and cream trousers.
Beside him stood his wife, Sarika, while little Shruthi happily held her father’s hand.
Unlike the adults, she was already looking around the office with sparkling eyes, clearly searching for someone.
The moment she spotted Ram standing near the camera equipment, her face instantly brightened.
“Raaam!”
Before anyone could react, the little girl happily ran toward him.
Ram sighed inwardly.
‘Here she comes again…’
Shruthi stopped right in front of him before proudly placing both hands on her waist.
“I came.”
Ram smiled helplessly.
“I can see that.”
Watching the children, everyone inside the room laughed softly.
Meanwhile, Chiranjeevi walked forward and warmly shook hands with Kamal Haasan.
“Welcome, Kamal.”
“It has been quite some time.”
Kamal smiled.
“I couldn’t refuse after hearing my daughter would be making her first film.”
He then greeted Nagendra Babu and Pawan Kalyan before finally shaking hands with director Hari Babu.
“I’ve heard quite a lot about your script.”
Hari Babu respectfully folded his hands.
“It is an honour to meet you, sir.”
Kamal smiled modestly.
“The honour is mine.”
After exchanging greetings, Kamal walked toward Ram and slowly bent down until he was at the little boy’s height.
A gentle smile appeared on his face as he patted Ram’s head.
“So…”
“Our little fellow is already becoming a movie star.”
Ram scratched his head shyly.
“I’m only trying my best, Uncle.”
Kamal chuckled.
“And somehow you’ve dragged my daughter into films before she even learned proper multiplication.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Shruthi puffed her cheeks.
“I came by myself!”
Kamal laughed before gently patting her head.
“Yes, yes.”
“You volunteered.”
Looking back at Ram, Kamal spoke warmly.
“Jokes aside…”
“I’m truly happy.”
“If the two of you begin your journey together, I hope both of you will continue walking toward greater heights.”
Ram nodded sincerely.
“We’ll work hard.”
“Good.”
Kamal smiled with satisfaction.
Soon everyone gathered around the conference table once again.
Hari Babu placed the screenplay before Kamal and began explaining the overall story.
For nearly twenty minutes, the room remained quiet except for the director’s calm narration.
As the explanation progressed, Kamal’s expression gradually became more interested.
By the time Hari Babu finished…
He slowly closed the script and nodded in appreciation.
“I like it.”
“The story is simple.”
“But emotionally strong.”
“It allows children to behave like children instead of miniature adults.”
Hari Babu smiled gratefully.
“That was exactly my intention.”
Without much hesitation, Kamal looked toward his daughter.
“I have no objection.”
“Shruthi may act in the film.”
Shruthi immediately jumped happily.
“I’m also a heroine now!”
Ram couldn’t help laughing.
“Supporting heroine.”
She immediately glared at him.
“Hmph!”
“I’ll still be more important than you.”
Everyone once again laughed at the children’s innocent argument.
Hari Babu clapped his hands lightly.
“Very well.”
“Let’s begin Shruthi’s audition.”
Unlike Ram’s audition earlier, this time the director wanted to test natural interaction between two children.
He thought for a few moments before speaking.
“Both of you…”
“I’ll give you a simple situation.”
Ram and Shruthi stood side by side.
Hari Babu smiled.
“Imagine both of you are classmates.”
“You’ve been best friends since kindergarten.”
“Today is the last day before summer vacation.”
“Ram has fallen while playing football.”
“Shruthi runs to help him.”
“I don’t need dramatic dialogue.”
“I only want natural emotions.”
“Ready?”
Both children nodded together.
“Camera rolling.”
“Action.”
Ram immediately sat down on the floor, pretending he had fallen.
He rubbed his knee with a slight frown.
Shruthi looked toward him.
For a split second…
She completely forgot everyone around her.
Without waiting for instructions, she hurried toward Ram and knelt beside him.
“Does it hurt?”
Her small voice sounded genuinely worried.
Ram looked up.
“A little.”
Shruthi carefully dusted his shirt with both hands.
“You always run too fast.”
“My Amma told me you’ll get hurt one day.”
Ram smiled sheepishly.
“I forgot.”
She pouted.
“You never listen.”
Then she gently held his hand.
“Come.”
“I’ll take you to the teacher.”
Her expression was so innocent…
So natural…
That nobody felt like they were watching an audition anymore.
Instead…
It felt as though two real childhood friends were talking after a small accident.
Hari Babu quietly observed every little detail.
The concern in Shruthi’s eyes.
The comfortable interaction between the two.
The absence of awkwardness.
It wasn’t acting.
It simply came naturally.
Finally he raised his hand.
“Cut.”
Silence filled the room for several seconds.
Hari Babu slowly smiled.
“Wonderful.”
He looked directly at Shruthi.
“You weren’t pretending.”
Shruthi smiled shyly.
“I didn’t have to pretend.”
Ram is my best friend.”
The innocent answer made even Kamal Haasan laugh.
Hari Babu nodded with satisfaction.
“That honesty is exactly what I wanted.”
Turning toward everyone, he announced confidently,
“My decision is final.”
“Shruthi is officially part of the film.”
Pawan immediately began clapping.
Nagendra Babu followed.
Soon the entire room applauded both children.
Even Chiranjeevi looked genuinely pleased.
“Our little team is complete.”
Hari Babu smiled while making a few notes inside the screenplay.
“I’ll slightly modify the script.”
Everyone became curious.
“The girl’s character won’t simply appear for a few scenes.”
“I’ll expand her role.”
He looked toward the children.
“She’ll become Teja’s closest childhood friend.”
“Her name will be Ananya.”
Hari Babu continued explaining his idea.
“Ananya studies in the same school as Teja.”
“She loves photography because Teja inspires her.”
“Instead of becoming someone who needs saving…”
“She’ll actively help him solve problems.”
Kamal nodded approvingly.
“I like that.”
Hari Babu smiled.
“She’ll discover one important clue before Teja.”
“She’ll secretly help him protect the evidence.”
“And during the climax…”
“She’ll distract the villain long enough for Teja’s plan to work.”
Ram’s eyes brightened.
The role sounded much stronger than before.
Shruthi happily raised both hands.
“I’ll help Ram catch the bad guy!”
Hari Babu laughed.
“Exactly.”
“That is your mission.”
Everyone inside the office could already imagine the chemistry between the two children on screen.
After noting the final casting decisions, Hari Babu closed his file.
“If everything goes according to schedule…”
“We can complete principal photography within one to two months.”
Nagendra Babu checked the calendar before nodding.
“That timeline is manageable.”
The meeting slowly shifted toward production planning while Ram and Shruthi quietly slipped away from the adults.
The two children wandered through the corridors of Konidela Productions, curiously peeking into editing rooms, costume departments and equipment storage.
Every new room fascinated them.
For Ram…
It felt like stepping into the magical world he had only admired from theatre seats in his previous life.
While the adults continued discussing production matters inside the conference room, Ram and Shruthi wandered around the newly established production house like two curious explorers.
Every room fascinated them.
One room contained shelves filled with camera lenses, another stored costumes neatly arranged according to size and color, while another housed bulky lighting equipment that looked enormous in the eyes of two children.
Shruthi pointed toward one of the giant movie lights with sparkling eyes.
“Ram, look!”
“It looks like a tiny sun.”
Ram laughed.
“It definitely feels hotter than one.”
The technician nearby couldn’t help smiling after hearing the children’s conversation.
He patiently explained the purpose of every camera, reflector and microphone, making both children listen with complete attention.
For the first time, Ram truly understood how much effort was hidden behind every movie that reached the theatres.
Meanwhile, back inside the meeting room, the discussion had become much more serious.
Kamal Haasan checked the time on his wristwatch before his assistant hurried inside carrying a cordless telephone.
“Sir.”
“Your office is on the line.”
Kamal excused himself before answering the call.
A few moments later, he let out a helpless smile.
“It seems I have to leave immediately.”
Everyone looked toward him.
“An urgent distribution meeting has been scheduled in Chennai.”
“There are a few pending matters I can’t postpone.”
Chiranjeevi nodded understandingly.
“Work always comes first.”
Kamal smiled before looking toward the garden outside the window where Ram and Shruthi were chasing butterflies.
“My only concern is that little one.”
He pointed toward Shruthi.
“If I take her with me now, she’ll cry all afternoon.”
Everyone laughed knowingly.
Turning toward Chiranjeevi, Kamal spoke warmly.
“Chiru…”
“If you don’t mind, could Shruthi stay with your family until evening?”
“I’ll pick her up later.”
Chiranjeevi smiled immediately.
“You even have to ask?”
“She’s like our own daughter.”
Kamal nodded gratefully.
“I knew you’d say that.”
Before leaving, he walked outside and crouched before Shruthi.
“Appa has some work.”
“You stay here and listen to Uncle Chiranjeevi.”
Shruthi blinked once before nodding obediently.
“Okay.”
“But come soon.”
“I will.”
He kissed her forehead before gently patting Ram’s shoulder.
“Take care of your friend.”
Ram smiled.
“I will, Uncle.”
Satisfied, Kamal waved toward everyone before leaving the production house.
The office suddenly became quieter.
Soon afterward, Nagendra Babu opened a thick folder containing the estimated production expenses.
Hari Babu unconsciously straightened his back.
Although the film had been approved, discussing money always made every director nervous.
Nagendra looked at the documents carefully before speaking.
“We’ve prepared an initial estimate.”
“Casting expenses.”
“Camera rentals.”
“Lighting.”
“Costumes.”
“Film stock.”
“Editing.”
“Music recording.”
“Sound design.”
“Transportation.”
“Catering.”
“Art department.”
“Visual effects.”
“Animation work.”
He paused before looking toward Hari Babu.
“The estimated production cost comes to around fifty lakh rupees.”
Hari Babu widened his eyes.
It was far more generous than he had expected for a children’s film.
Before anyone spoke again, Hari Babu suddenly stood up.
“There is one request.”
Chiranjeevi gestured for him to continue.
Hari Babu took a deep breath.
“I don’t want any director’s remuneration.”
The room immediately became silent.
“Hari Babu…”
“This is your livelihood.”
But the director slowly shook his head.
“No.”
He smiled sincerely.
“This story has stayed with me for almost a year.”
“I’ve protected it despite countless rejections.”
“Now that someone has finally believed in it…”
“I want this film to become my proudest work.”
“My payment…”
“Will be the audience’s appreciation.”
Chiranjeevi looked at him for several moments before standing up.
He extended his hand.
“I respect your decision.”
“But after the film releases…”
“If it succeeds…”
“I’ll personally ensure your hard work is rewarded.”
Hari Babu smiled gratefully before shaking his hand.
“Thank you.”
The atmosphere inside the room became even warmer.
Everyone felt they weren’t simply making another commercial movie.
They were creating something meaningful together.
After the financial discussion concluded, Nagendra turned another page.
“One final topic remains.”
“The release strategy.”
Hari Babu nodded.
“I was thinking of releasing it only in Telugu.”
Pawan agreed.
“That seems safest.”
Just then…
A small voice echoed from the doorway.
“What if…”
Everyone turned around.
Ram stood there with Shruthi beside him.
“What if we release it in more languages?”
The adults exchanged puzzled glances.
Chiranjeevi smiled.
“What do you mean, son?”
Ram walked inside confidently.
“If the story is good…”
“Children everywhere can enjoy it.”
“We should dub it into Telugu…”
“Tamil…”
“Hindi…”
“Kannada…”
“And Malayalam.”
The room instantly fell silent.
Back then…
Releasing children’s films simultaneously in multiple Indian languages was an uncommon idea.
Hari Babu rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“The concept is interesting.”
“But dubbing isn’t easy.”
“The emotions must sound natural.”
“We’ll need talented dubbing artists.”
Nagendra nodded.
“And the lip synchronization must also match properly.”
Pawan added thoughtfully,
“It will increase the budget.”
Ram smiled.
“But it will also increase the audience.”
The simple answer left everyone speechless.
Chiranjeevi slowly leaned back in his chair.
Looking at his son, he couldn’t help wondering how a six-year-old child consistently came up with ideas far beyond his age.
Finally he smiled.
“I think…”
“We should seriously consider it.”
Nagendra nodded.
“If we’re building a production house…”
“We should also think bigger.”
Hari Babu’s hesitation gradually disappeared.
He closed his notebook.
“Then let’s do it.”
“We’ll prepare for multilingual dubbing.”
Everyone in the room smiled.
Without realizing it…
A small production meeting had just planted the seeds for something much larger.
After the discussion concluded, Hari Babu handed the screenplay to Ram.
“You wanted to read it, didn’t you?”
Ram accepted it excitedly.
Shruthi immediately leaned against his shoulder so both of them could read together.
The first few pages introduced the protagonist.
Teja.
A brilliant sixth-grade student.
A child fascinated by photography, electronics, computers, music and robotics.
Instead of spending his free time playing endlessly, he loved inventing gadgets and harmless machines that often left his family laughing in surprise.
As the pages turned, the story gradually became darker.
During a school excursion, Teja unknowingly photographs a murder while capturing beautiful scenery with his camera.
Neither he nor his classmates realize that the photograph contains the face of a ruthless killer.
The evidence soon places Teja in terrible danger.
Ram nodded slowly.
“The suspense builds naturally.”
Hari Babu smiled.
“Exactly.”
“But we’ve also made one important change.”
He pointed toward another page.
“Read this.”
Ram continued reading.
A new character had been added.
Ananya.
Teja’s cheerful childhood friend.
She shared his love for photography and often accompanied him during school projects.
Instead of remaining on the sidelines, she noticed strange movements around the crime scene before anyone else and secretly helped Teja protect the camera film from falling into the villain’s hands.
Later, when danger surrounded them, Ananya bravely risked herself to mislead the villain, buying Teja enough time to activate the traps inside the house.
She wasn’t simply someone waiting to be rescued.
She fought beside him.
Shruthi’s eyes sparkled.
“I like Ananya.”
“She’s brave.”
Hari Babu smiled proudly.
“That’s exactly how I wanted her.”
Ram looked toward the director with genuine admiration.
The changes had made the story even stronger.
It no longer revolved around a single child carrying every burden alone.
Instead…
It became a story of courage, friendship and trust.
Closing the screenplay, Hari Babu looked around the room.
“Tomorrow…”
“Our journey officially begins.”
“Let’s make a film everyone will remember.”
Outside the office windows, the evening sunlight slowly painted the Chennai sky golden.
For the adults…
It was the beginning of an ambitious production.
For Ram and Shruthi…
It was the beginning of two childhood dreams that would one day change Indian cinema forever.
To Be Continued…
Author’s Note:
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