The Protagonist: Raju (Part II)
Raju’s life changed with the entry of a film crew in their dingy abodes which was searching for some talent; slum talent, a life the crew was unaware of. Naturally the Englishmen found the suburbs perfect for shooting and started search for a local talent.
The drunkard father, sensing a chance of minting money, took Raju for audition. His selection was a foregone conclusion because; firstly the role did not demand much and secondly the fan-following he garnered in the slums impressed the Englishmen. The director happily agreed to have Raju, and the slum cheered. Nitty-gritty of the deal was taken care of and our slumdog Raju was set for a cinematic experience.
Raju hardly cared for the money; frankly, he had no idea what money meant. The only thing that mattered in his life now was, “Lights, Camera, Action”. The next 2-3 months Raju spent with the film unit which sometimes would travel to the nearby cities. He cherished every moment spent with these unknown people and thoroughly enjoyed the limited role he had to play.
The father loitered away drunk, in the streets more often; as if he had found a cash cow! But good days never last forever.
Raju’s part was done; he wasn’t an actor with a PR agency or Personal Secretary; role over meant back home and no more shooting. His father’s hopes dashed suddenly, but by creating a ruckus a few thousands were made available to him… enough for few months of desi daru… he hardly cared for anything else.
When suddenly harsh realities of the world came back to Raju; he felt numb. He had thought that life had changed, but it was just a short dream. He stopped going to school as he somehow felt different from the multitude that existed there. A few months with the crew had somehow changed the way he looked at things. He was now not satisfied with the cheers and jeers of his comrades. He was unhappy with his father’s daily habits, unhappy with his mother’s daily hollers and unhappy with their family’s condition.
What can Raju possibly do now? He sat alone thinking about the days gone by, praying that some other crew pop-up… but unfortunately none came calling. The director although promsed to look for some small roles in other movies, maybe forgot his promise. Raju became a lonely soul and people failed to understand. They called him a hero, and that pinched him further. Unable to bear the pain he left home!
Did the Englishmen really change his life? Definitely! But was it for the better or for the worst…I wonder!
The drunkard father, sensing a chance of minting money, took Raju for audition. His selection was a foregone conclusion because; firstly the role did not demand much and secondly the fan-following he garnered in the slums impressed the Englishmen. The director happily agreed to have Raju, and the slum cheered. Nitty-gritty of the deal was taken care of and our slumdog Raju was set for a cinematic experience.
Raju hardly cared for the money; frankly, he had no idea what money meant. The only thing that mattered in his life now was, “Lights, Camera, Action”. The next 2-3 months Raju spent with the film unit which sometimes would travel to the nearby cities. He cherished every moment spent with these unknown people and thoroughly enjoyed the limited role he had to play.
The father loitered away drunk, in the streets more often; as if he had found a cash cow! But good days never last forever.
Raju’s part was done; he wasn’t an actor with a PR agency or Personal Secretary; role over meant back home and no more shooting. His father’s hopes dashed suddenly, but by creating a ruckus a few thousands were made available to him… enough for few months of desi daru… he hardly cared for anything else.
When suddenly harsh realities of the world came back to Raju; he felt numb. He had thought that life had changed, but it was just a short dream. He stopped going to school as he somehow felt different from the multitude that existed there. A few months with the crew had somehow changed the way he looked at things. He was now not satisfied with the cheers and jeers of his comrades. He was unhappy with his father’s daily habits, unhappy with his mother’s daily hollers and unhappy with their family’s condition.
What can Raju possibly do now? He sat alone thinking about the days gone by, praying that some other crew pop-up… but unfortunately none came calling. The director although promsed to look for some small roles in other movies, maybe forgot his promise. Raju became a lonely soul and people failed to understand. They called him a hero, and that pinched him further. Unable to bear the pain he left home!
Did the Englishmen really change his life? Definitely! But was it for the better or for the worst…I wonder!
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