Chapter 80: ch-77
The theatrical journey of Bhool Bhulaiyaa came to an end with a record-breaking ₹125 crores at the box office, solidifying its place as the highest-grossing horror film in Bharat's history. The achievement was a triumph not only for Mythic Productions but also for the industry, which saw the potential of genre-specific movies when paired with unique storytelling. Media outlets across Bharat celebrated the film's success with headlines like:
"Kamal Singh and Mythic Productions Hit the Jackpot with Bhool Bhulaiyaa!"
"125 Crores and Counting: The Horror That Had Bharat Hooked!"
"Suraj Sharma: The Visionary Director Who Brought Horror-Comedy Back to Life!"
Critics applauded the film's balance of mystery, humor, and suspense, and industry analysts acknowledged the calculated gamble taken by Suraj and Kamal Singh. Against the odds, the film had carved out a niche in Bharat's cinematic history.
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One evening, a few days after the theatrical run ended, Kamal Singh invited Suraj to a high-end restaurant in South Mumbai to celebrate the movie's success. The restaurant exuded opulence, with its dim lighting, live jazz music, and elegantly dressed patrons.
Kamal greeted Suraj with his trademark charm. "You've done it, kid," Kamal said with a warm smile as they shook hands.
Suraj smiled back, still humbled by the movie's journey. "We've done it," he corrected.
As they sat down and ordered, Kamal leaned back in his chair, a glass of sparkling water in hand. "You know, Suraj, I've been in this industry for decades, but this film—it was something special. A horror-comedy crossing ₹125 crores? That's unheard of. And I have you to thank for it."
Suraj shook his head. "No, Kamalji. If anything, I should be thanking you. Without your name and performance, this movie wouldn't have reached half the audience it did. I'm eternally grateful."
Kamal laughed softly. "Grateful, huh? Well, if gratitude means giving me a role in every movie you make, I'll take it."
They both laughed, and the conversation shifted to lighter topics—Kamal's early days in the industry, Suraj's vision for his next film, and the unpredictable nature of cinema. As dessert arrived, Kamal pulled out his phone.
"Let's capture this moment," Kamal said, gesturing for Suraj to lean in for a photo.
The photo was simple yet meaningful—two men from different generations of cinema, united by a shared success.
---
Later that night, Suraj returned home with a sense of contentment. Aryan was fast asleep, and the house was quiet. Suraj decided to take a short nap before diving back into his scriptwork.
However, his peace was soon interrupted by a relentless series of sounds:
Ton... ton... ton... ton...
The vibrations and pings from his phone were almost rhythmic, startling Suraj awake. He groggily reached for his phone, blinking at the screen. His notification bar was flooded with alerts from Stargram.
"New follower... New follower... New follower..."
The numbers were rising so fast he could barely keep track. Confused, Suraj sat up. "What in the world is going on?" he muttered.
Hearing the commotion, Aryan shuffled out of his room, rubbing his eyes. "What's with all the noise, bhaiya?"
Suraj turned the phone toward Aryan, who immediately grinned. "Oh, this is huge! Kamal Singh must have tagged you in something."
Suraj raised an eyebrow. "Tagged me? Why would he do that?"
Aryan quickly opened his own phone, navigating to Kamal Singh's Stargram profile. "Here it is!" he exclaimed, showing the screen to Suraj.
On Kamal's profile was a post that had already garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and comments. It featured the photo Kamal had taken at the restaurant, along with several behind-the-scenes pictures from the Bhool Bhulaiyaa shoot. The caption read:
"A film is only as good as the team behind it. Thank you, Suraj, and the entire Mythic Productions family, for trusting me with this incredible project. Here's to many more! Follow Suraj Sharma, the genius behind the vision, for more amazing stories in the future."
Suraj stared at the post, speechless. Aryan laughed, nudging him. "See? That's the power of fandom. Kamalji's fans are loyal, and now they're curious about you."
Suraj shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. The thought of gaining followers had never crossed his mind. For him, it was always about the work, the stories he wanted to tell. But he couldn't deny the power of this newfound visibility.
"I suppose connections are important in this industry," Suraj mused aloud. "And Kamalji—he's more than a connection. He's an ally."
Aryan grinned. "An ally with millions of fans who are now following you. Looks like your next project already has a built-in audience."
Suraj chuckled, leaning back in his chair. He couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude—not just for Kamal's gesture but for the journey that had led him here. From the brink of bankruptcy to breaking records, from navigating an unfamiliar industry to gaining the respect of its biggest star, Suraj knew this was just the beginning.
As the notifications continued to pour in, Suraj opened his Stargram account. His follower count had skyrocketed from a modest 1,200 to over 80,000 in a matter of hours. He scrolled through the comments on Kamal's post, many of which praised the movie and expressed excitement for his future projects.
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The next morning, Aryan couldn't resist teasing him. "So, Mr. Stargram Influencer, what's the plan for your next viral post?"
Suraj rolled his eyes but smiled. "No gimmicks, Aryan. Just good stories. That's all I care about."
Aryan nodded, his expression serious for once. "And that's why people will follow you, bhaiya. Not just because Kamalji tagged you, but because they believe in the stories you tell."
Suraj ruffled Aryan's hair affectionately. "Let's hope you're right."
As Suraj sat down to continue his scriptwork, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The success of Bhool Bhulaiyaa and the unexpected surge in his online following were reminders of the impact stories could have.
The world of cinema in Bharat was vast and filled with opportunities. With Kamal Singh as an ally, Aryan as his constant support, and a growing audience eager to see what he would create next, Suraj was ready to take the next step in his journey.
The power of storytelling, he realized, wasn't just in the films themselves but in the connections they forged—between creators, actors, and audiences alike. And in that moment, Suraj knew he was exactly where he was meant to be.
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Author note:-
:- if power stones reached 150 I would do
Mass release of 5 to 6 chapter
:- support the story with power stones for extra chapters and motivation 😁