Free Bollywood Confidential by Sonia Singh

life.”
    She gripped the arms of her chair. “No one told me about this. Does my agent know? I was never sent a new script.”
    â€œThere is no script as of yet,” Randy said. “I’ll begin working on one after we start shooting.”
    Did she just hear correctly?
    Randy took note of her shocked look. “The story is the least important aspect of the film.”
    â€œAm I still the lead?”
    Randy was about to say something when he paused, andplaced his hand on a piece of paper, pushing it towards her. “Confidentiality agreement. No word of my film can leave this room. If it does, I will have you before the Bombay High Court.”
    Randy Kapoor, who had remade Runaway Bride without permission, was afraid of someone stealing his idea?
    Raveena grabbed the paper and signed her name with a flourish. “I’d like to hear about this new film now.”
    Randy framed his hands as though he were looking through a camera lens. “Picture the Taj Mahal. Who in the world has not heard of it? The Taj is a world wonder and synonymous with India.”
    Yeah, she’d read the guidebook and been there with her parents. “Go on.”
    â€œThe epic of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal is a great love story. When Mumtaz died Shah Jahan threw himself into building the greatest testament to love the world has ever seen.”
    From what Raveena’s dad—a history buff—had told her, Mumtaz Mahal had been a beautiful shy bride, gentle and sweet.
    It wouldn’t be that much of a stretch for Raveena to play her.
    â€œSo, I’m going to play Mumtaz Mahal?”
    â€œWell,” Randy hesitated, “my vision of her. I don’t want to turn this into a romance.”
    He didn’t want to turn the greatest love story ever told into a romantic movie? She waited for him to clarify.
    â€œIn my vision, Mumtaz Mahal is like Xena, the warrior princess. Xena was very popular in India. Instead of coming to Shah Jahan a shy bride, Mumtaz meets him on thebattlefield where she defeats him in hand-to-hand combat. Eventually their hate turns to love. I plan to use Hong Kong–style action sequences.”
    Raveena could feel an ache building in her temples. “Let me get this straight. Mumtaz Mahal is now a warrior-princess who kicks the emperor’s ass and then falls in love with him?”
    Randy nodded excitedly.
    The ache in her temples began to pound. “And what is this ah, movie, going to be called?”
    Randy rubbed his hands gleefully. “ Taj Mahal 3000…Unleashed! ”
    Jesus Christ!
    She needed some Advil.

Chapter 17
    Half an hour later, Raveena found herself at Sahara Studios. She was sitting in the shade of a coconut tree drinking a Thums Up and waiting for the rest of the cast and crew to arrive.
    She’d decided to be positive about Taj Mahal 3000: Unleashed. It was her first shot at a leading role, and she was determined to throw herself whole-heartedly into the project.
    Randy was pacing up and down the walkway blabbing into his cell phone.
    Raveena took another swig and gazed around.
    Sahara Studios was made up of a long dirt drive and several low-slung, one-story whitewashed buildings. Coconut trees were everywhere.
    A door opened in one of the buildings, and a man walked towards them. She recognized him from his picture in the film magazine. The producer of the film.
    Daddy.
    Raveena didn’t know whether it was the suit he wore that reminded her of her father or his gentle yet welcoming smile, but she instantly liked him.
    â€œHow are you beti ?” he asked.
    Beti was the Hindi word for daughter. Raveena was touched and liked him even more.
    â€œI’m fine Mr. Kapoor. Thank you.”
    He shook his head. “No, you must call me Daddy. Everyone does.”
    â€œOkay…Daddy.”
    â€œYour accommodations are good?”
    â€œYes. I’m staying with my uncle.”
    For a moment he looked puzzled. “But