ABOUT THE BOOK:-

Manish is a first-time director and co-producer of his passion project called Love in Filmcity, the larger-than-life, musical tribute to romance in Hindi films. His associate director is a New York film school alumnus, Dave. On Dave’s recommendation, Manish decides to sign a debutant actress, Diva / Divya Kulkarni, a dusky-complexion make-up and theater artist, as his lead actress. Her involvement causes a storm within the cast, crew, and media. She starts liking Dave and also gets paired by the media with the lead actor and a second-generation industry star, Rehan Khan. Divya’s boyfriend, Raunak, a Filmcity tour guide and a budding actor, is heartbroken.

With grand sets, soulful legendary music and talented artists, the perfect recipe for a blockbuster film had been made. However, the world comes crashing down owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. The shooting comes to a standstill, and henceforth the cast and crew are mired in endless hurdles. Does the film get completed for a well-deserved release? What is the hurricane around Diva? What are the relationship dynamics among the film members? Does Raunak realize his true love? Love in Filmcity presents to you all a celebration of romance, layered drama and satire while immersing you in the world of filmmaking and the exploration of relationships and love.

Contents

Chapter 1
The Tour
Chapter 2
The Audition
Chapter 3
Dark Room
Chapter 4
Anna
Chapter 5
The Henna Girl
Chapter 6
Rehearsals
Chapter 7
Spaghetti Incident
Chapter 8
Passion Project
Chapter 09
Black Hole

Chapter 10
Script Session
Chapter 11
Muhurat Shot
Chapter 12
News Travels Fast
Chapter 13
Olive
Chapter 14
Smoke and Fire
Chapter 15
Many Eyes?
Chapter 16
Tribute Montage 1
Chapter 17
Calm Before the Storm
Chapter 18
Knock Knock
Chapter 19
It's a Loop
Chapter 20
Cutting through the Chaos
Chapter 21
Inner Turmoil
Chapter 22
Test of Times

Chapter 23
Crisp Trepidation
Chapter 24
Come Back
Chapter 25
Salvation
Chapter 26
Out of the Cocoon
Chapter 27
Dream Alive
Chapter 28
Project Reboot
Chapter 29
The Lead
Chapter 30
Recoup
Chapter 31
Tribute Montage 2
Chapter 32
It Doesn't End
Chapter 33
Take Comfort
Chapter 34
Rules of The Game
Chapter 35
Inner Demons

Chapter 36
Guilt Trip
Chapter 37
Redemption
Chapter 38
The Last Leg
Chapter 39
Trial Show

Prologue:-

A bride dressed in a coral pink lehenga sat amid her cheerful friends. Henna was being applied to her feet and hands. Her eyes were wrinkling at the corners, and small tear droplets were shining against her glowing skin. Her head was so full of happiness and elation. It was surreal for her and she found it difficult to believe that it was finally happening. Her dusky complexion shone as the warm sunshine poured positivity and good luck upon her. All the love she felt exuded from her and she felt immense contentment. She did complete justice to her name; she looked like a pure diva.

Diva’s friends surrounded her and exchanged glances and jokes. Everyone felt light-headed, as if they had entered a trance of sheer joy. Noises of chatter amid the elderly ladies could be heard, while there were some women who were performing traditional folk songs with dholaks. Some of the younger girls sat encircling those women with spoons and plates in their hands to amplify and add to the percussion. A group of adolescent girls was dancing to their hearts' content to the music being played.

All of the clamour kept fading in and out for Diva, as her heartbeat grew loud and fast; she could hear it in her ears. She felt many emotions; inexplicable pleasure with a tinge of sadness and vulnerability. As she stared into oblivion while looking at the henna on her hands, she got lost in memories of her past.

Divya, as she was once known, was sitting on a stool in a huge studio green room. She hurried to finish applying henna on the hands of a top-tier film actress. The actress murmured something, which made Divya slow down and shift her attention to creating an intricate design on her palm. She was working meticulously on the design when she heard a male voice approach her, screaming incoherently. It sent jitters down her body. Before the man could charge at her, he was stopped and soothed by a calm man.

Diva sat there tense until her chain of thoughts was broken by the nudge of her friend. She grounded herself back in reality and attempted to enjoy the moment. She had a bittersweet smile on her face, remembering the man she had immense adulation for.

As the chain of events progressed, Diva was ready to take nuptial vows. She continued to look at her hand, which was now placed in her groom, Raunak’s hand while they were seated for their wedding rituals. She took a deep breath while having a meditative smile on her face. The priest started chanting hymns and mantras. Raunak and Diva sat with their hands tied together.

As the priest finished chanting his mantra, the couple rose. A nuptial knot, tied to their wedding attires connected them. They stood in a stunning dome-shaped mandapa, surrounded by their loved ones.

Diva attired in a crimson red lehenga and Raunak, sporting a cream sherwani, radiated glamour from top to bottom. While Diva’s clothes exhibited her unabashed passion, Raunak’s clothes personified his balance, calmness and subtlety.

Everyone looked joyful for them. Diva and Raunak exchanged looks for comfort. Their eye brimmed with utmost love and gratitude they were experiencing this day and a sense of certainty that everything would turn out to be just fine. Once they broke eye contact, the priest started chanting mantras, gesturing for them to go around the fire. The dear ones showered them with flower petals. It was a spectacle to behold.