The Greatest Show on TV - Epilogue (final)

In the week that followed, Dev and Gia got married, Amay went back to his usual life and Pia went to chase her dreams.
Alongside, as promised, Amay sent me the tapes of the hidden camera placed in his drawing room, where Amay and Dev had planned the entire thing. You could actually see him purposefully posing with a gleaming smile in a couple of scenes. What a show off.

The more interesting footage came right from Jigar Sinha's house, and Gia and Pia's room. We had bribed the decorators and had placed hidden cameras in various locations in Jigar Sinha's house.

Folks love drama, suspense and mostly romance. Who do you think replaced Amay's bike ;). Must have really spooked the poor guy. Everything had worked perfectly.

This was a directorial wonder. Be it the in-house scenes, the helicopter shots of the romantic horse ride or the suspenseful car chase, or the candid and flirtatious airport scene.

I personally edited all the tapes and produced the pilot episodes of action/adventure/reality drama. I sent it to the gang for their permission and aired it on television. It was an instant hit. Overnight Dev, Pia, Gia and Amay became youth icons.

It's been a year since then. Dev and Gia are happily married, and as for Amay and Pia.. well, it's a bit "complicated", that's what they would say.

As for me, my new reality show is a huge success. Some call it the "Greatest Show" ever. With each week, a new story, a new set of people, and a great real adventure with love, romance, friendship and action.

Some said I had lost the edge, some wrote me off. Now, K is back baby and the small screen magic weaves on.

Based on a true story that might happen in a few years from now ;)

The Greatest Show on TV - The plan

Patna, India 22 nov, 2010

The Vivah mandal (marriage hall) was buzzing with excitement. The Sinha twins were getting married and it was the talk of the town. They were the nieces of Jigar Sinha, the big politician. He had left no stones unturned to make it the biggest event of the year. The best cooks, decorators, musicians. Amidst this fanfare, he had instructed a dedicated team of bodyguards for lookout of any possible surprises. It had to be perfect. After all it was a family affair.

The Sinha daughters were getting married to a brother duo of a local industrialist.

"Gia, do you really want to go ahead with this. After years of courting Dev, can you live with someone else", Pia asked her sis.
"Do i have a choice? You know Mama. He will kill Dev. I think this the best for both of us", Gia replied.

"Memsaab (Ma'm), the make up specialist is here", announced the maid servant who was entrusted the task of getting them ready for the wedding downstairs.

"Hi I am Kaajal. You can call me K. Both of you look wonderful today.
Can i request all the helpers to vacate the room? I like a bit of privacy to focus", I introduced myself to Pia and Gia.

"But mem..", the maid-servant responded.
"No buts. I have already asked Jigar for permission and he has given me his word. Now please leave me to my work", I ordered.

I waited for the helpers to leave and spoke gently to Gia.

"Gia, I am here to help you. Ssh.. Got to be discreet here. Listen carefully, Dev is waiting for you at the backyard. You should move fast. Amay will create a diversion and we will make a quick exit.Can you dress down a bit. Will be easier to move unnoticed".

"But..", Gia was about to speak when I cut her.
"Do you love him? ".
"Yes with all my heart".
"Then.. do it for him then".

"But Pia..I don't want to leave her behind. Don't know how mama will react", Gia asked concerned.

"I will manage sis. You leave. He is waiting. Hurry ", Pia replied.
Gia quickly changed into a pink t and jeans. Washed away all the makeup and wore her glasses.

"I am ready. But the guards are still outside. How do we leave?", Gia asked.
"Just wait for Amay's signal", I replied.

"Who is the in-charge here", a strong voice boomed from outside.
"Hum hain saab (It's me)", replied the head-chief.

"Jigar wants all of you down. Something urgent. Fast. And he is angry, really angry", the voice spoke sternly.

The 3 guards, including the chief rushed downstairs.

That was the signal. I took Gia's hands and rushed down. Luckily Gia looked indistinguishable in her casual outfit. We cautiously reached the courtyard where Dev was waiting.

Gia embraced Dev, and unfortunately I had to break their union.
"Guys, we have to move. It's too risky here. Amay will make his way later to the rendezvous point"

All 3 of us got into the car parked outside the courtyard and made our way to the rendezvous point.

Meanwhile, things were getting complicated near Gia's room.

"Hey Aman or whatever your name is. I have changed my mind. I want to run too. I don't want to get married to a total stranger and waste away the best years of my life. Please take me with you", Pia requested.

"Oh shit. The guards are back. By the way it's Amay not Aman. Well fine, let me think of something", Amay replied.
"Hurry, they are coming upstairs", Pia shouted.

"Relax, Time for Plan B now. Act scared and start rolling some tears", Amay replied pulling out a gun from his coat pocket.

"Guys, guys, guys. She is my hostage now. You shout, she's dead. I have killed many before and I will do it again. Don't make me do this", Amay said sternly to the guards.

"Do what he says. Thats an order. I am too young to die. Please. If something happens to me, Jigar Mama's going to kill you all", Pia shouted, looking at the guards.

"Now you will move in a line and lead us out. No word, no movement. Wear this girl", Amay removed his coat and glasses, and threw it to Pia.

As soon as they reached the entrance of the backyard, Amay locked the gate and instructed the guards not to sound the alarm or call the cops. He obviously knew, it won't work but just in case.

Dev, K and Gia had already left as planned but surprisingly Amay's getaway vehicle, a 100cc Bajaj bike was missing.

"Oh we are fked. Where the hell did the bike go", Amay shouted angrily.
"Why don't we use that", Pia asked pointing at a white horse tied to the nearby fence.

"I have never driven that before. Does it even have breaks?", Amay asked.
"Fret not, I was a champion rider in my college. You are so lucky today man", Pia chuckled at Amay.

So Pia and Amay rode that shaadi ka ghoda(horse) and soon they reached the rendezvous point where everyone was waiting.

"Pia, I was so worried about you. I am so glad you decided to come along", Gia said embracing her younger sister.

"Guys we've got to move. Think we are being followed.Those guards must have sounded the alarm", Amay interrupted.

As soon as Amay said that, dozens of jeeps entered the scene. All of us got into the car and Dev stepped on the gas, maneuvering it through the dark jungle, the rough village roads and muddy fields.

For 40 mins the cat and mouse game continued till we finally reached the airport.
We rushed inside the airport where my assistant was waiting for us.

"Kumar, are the tickets ready?", I asked.
"Yeah ma'm. A ticket to Mumbai for you and 3 to Singapore". The flights are ready for take-off. Please start checking-in"

In the distance, Amay and Pia were bidding their goodbyes.

"You were good, really good today. Thanks to you and K, Gia is happy again", Pia said.
"And you weren't bad either. I didn't know girls could ride horses", Amay replied and
both of them chuckled in union.

"So where to next? Why don't you come and stay with us in Singapore for a while, till things settle down here", Amay asked.

"Nah, I am going back to Bangalore. Have some hotels to renovate, malls to design and hopefully someday I might have my own architectural firms", Pia replied.

"Ma'm we have arranged your travel and stay in Bangalore. Your flight also leaves in 10 mins. Please rush to the check-in counter", Kumar interjected.

"Man Kumar! you always know how to spoil the moments", Amay remarked.
"Thanks Kumar. That was really fast. Really appreciate that", Pia said, thanking Kumar.

"You're welcome ma'm and sorry sir. I will get going", Kumar rushed out of the scene.

"So I guess, it's goodbye then. Will I see you again?", asked Amay.
"Well, of course yes. Do tell Dev to take good care of my sis. Or I am gonna come after you guys and make your lives a living hell. You got that right", Pia remarked with a sly smile.

And our great adventured ended with Pia leaving for Bangalore and the rest to Singapore. I still had some things to finish.

It was about time to stop rolling and in the corner I gently shouted "Cut!".

Read the Final Chapter

The Greatest Show on TV (The premise)

Singapore, 15 nov 2010

"It ain't fair dude. He has always known about us and still he did this to us", Dev shouted as he passed the yellow envelope to Amay.

"what the hell happened mate!
It reads Mr & Mrs Sinha invite you to the auspicious occasion of their daughters....What the fish man, it doesn't Look good. This is serious. What do you plan to do now?" Amay asked.

"I don't know yaar. I cant reach her anywhere. I just hope she hasn't given up on me. You know I cant live without her."

"Dude!", Amay said excitedly. "Are you also thinking what I am thinking".

"Well what?"

"Let us crash the wedding and steal away the bride", Amay said with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"Are you serious?", Dev asked.

"Yup and i think i have the perfect plan for you. We just have 5 days to pull this one off. So listen carefully."

Prev Chapter - Prologue

Next Chapter - the Plan

The Greatest Show on TV (prologue)

"K, our TRP is an all time low, this month. People want something new, refreshing and different. Something which they can relate too. I know you have delivered a lot of winning formulas in the past but this is the last chance I can offer. Else I will have to pull the plug on K studios", Mr Sharma announced.

Things hadn't been going that well for my production house recently. There was a time when our shows were all over the network but the recent wave of slapstick comedies had replaced the dramas. People all over the country were still recovering from the Dalal street crash of 2011, and they just needed no-brainer shows to bring in humor and satire to keep them alive.

I was running out of time. Within 3 weeks I had to produce the pilot episode of a new show that would decide the fate of my studio and the people working in it. And things were looking bad. That's when I received a call from an old friend of mine.

"K! How are you gal, haven't seen you for ages. Care for some coffee in 1600 hours, in our usual place?"
"sure, see you there", i replied.

It had been ages since we last met. Sharp 4 pm, I reached our favorite coffee house and found Amay waiting.

"What's the matter, he asked. You look so pale. Is everything fine?", he asked.
I told him what had happened a while back.

"Hmm, something new, something fresh. I think I have exactly the thing you are looking for. Listen, here is the plan for the Greatest Show Ever on TV".

And this is how our story begins.

The Perfect Wedding (part3)

I took the note from her and gave it a glance.
Dear mom & dad,
Please forgive me. I love Raj and I am going with him. We always intended to get married but i know how much you dislike him and his family. This was last resort. Hope you will forgive us and accept us back one day. Till then good bye
Priya

I immediately signaled mom, dad and the Kumars, and asked them to wait for me in the changing room. I explained the entire situation and asked them to calm down. Then I signaled the panditji, gave him a thousand rupee note and some instructions. 5 mins later accompanied by panditji, i addressed the crowd "ladies and gentleman, there has been a slight miscalculation. The rahus and ketus have changed the path and Panditji has adviced us to push the ceremony to a later date. Its rather unfortunate but who can change gods will". Panditji nodded his head in aknowledgement.

After seeing off the crowd I joined the parents. "So what should we do next, call the police?" Mr Kumar asked. "She couldn't have gone far with that rascal Raja. Always knew he was bad company", Mrs Kumar echoed in

"Mr and Mrs. Kumar, you understand she just followed her heart, right? They were in love and were meant to be together."


"So what will you do now?", mom asked
"I don't think I can stay here any lonter. I am a bit shaken. Thats why I resented the entire idea in the first place. I am going to Hong Kong, will chill out for a few days there and then return to work."

" It's all my fault. I should have never pushed you so hard. Go son, I wont stop you today. I know it must be so hard," mom replied.

"Don't you want to change before you leave. How will you even get a ticket so fast", Dad asked, still upset with everything that had been happening around us.

I gave a quick secretive glance towards my watch and replied "It's just fine, will manage somehow".

I hugged them and rushed to the airport. I could still make it on time.

"Sir your Tickets?", asked the flight attendant in the check-in counter. I opened my bag and produced the ticket.

SG IN 3 Dec/10 8AM SST 10AM IST
IN HK 3 Dec/10 3PM IST 10PM HKT
HK SG 6 Dec/10 4AM HKT 7AM SST

"Thanks Sir. Hope you have a great trip"
In a few metres away, a beautiful couple waved at me from the distance. I waved back at them, and with a great sense of satisfaction, I boarded the plane to HK.

It was a perfectly planned, picture perfect ending.

Prev chapter >

The Perfect Wedding (part2)

The next 2 months were challenging but wonderful. We completed the project on time and it was a huge success. And Mom, as agreed, stayed true to her word.
And then, one fine Friday evening, i received a call that would change my entire life.
"Hi, this is Priya. We have never met before but you mom must have mentioned me to you. We are getting married in 2 weeks, and i thought it would be best to have a conversation with you, before its too late. I have something really important to tell you..."

The next 15 mins I listened to her, and i smiled and finally said, "ready when you are. Lets get it done".

A few days later, mom sent me the entire itinerary, first the engagement ceremony and a week later, the wedding.

A week later, I got down at the Chennai international airport at 7 am. The flight surprisingly reached on time. At the airport I was greeted by a small delegation from the bride's side. Sneha, my future sis in law was leading it.
"Hi jiju, welcome to india". Jiju refers to brother-in-law, and i just smiled and thanked everyone for the warm welcome.

We rushed our way to the 4 star hotel, where the ceremony was planned. I was greeted by mom and dad at the entrance, who were smiling gleefully with pride. Along with them stood Priya's mom and dad, the Kumars . As instructed earlier by mom, i touched their feet and asked for their blessings. Everything seemed so funny, out of a Hindi family drama but i decided to play along. I asked them where Priya was. They informed me, she was getting ready and I should also do the same before the mahurat (auspicious hour) was over.

My mom lead me to the changing room where a group of hair dressers and make up specialists were waiting for me. This was so cool, I thought.

15 mins later, dressed in a cream sherwani suit, i walked down to the ceremony hall, where a reasonable crowd had gathered. I waved to my nephews and nieces, and smiled back at the guests. The stage was set for the engagement but Priya was nowhere to be seen. I kept thinking what I would say her. I could begin with a "Hi, I am Ajay, great to meet you" Or how about, "damn, you look so pretty today, and god am I so lucky to spend the rest of my life with you"..

I was still thinking on those lines when I noticed the uneasiness on Mrs Kumar's face. She had gone to fetch Priya but she had returned alone.

I walked up to her and asked her, "whats the matter aunty, where is Priya? And why do you look so shaken. Please tell me whats the matter".

"Beta, i can't seem to find Priya anywhere. I found this note on her table"..

Prev chapter >

Next chapter >

The Perfect Wedding (part1)

"This is Priya. 5 '8, smart and pretty, holds an MBA in HR. I am sending her photo now. Tell me if you like her. Leave the rest to me".
"Oh mom!, I really don't have time for all this. How many times do I need to say that I have lot more things to worry about now, apart from stupid girls and marriage proposals. I am disconnecting Skype now, if you don't have anything else to talk about."

"Work!, work and work!. Don't you have anything else in life. Look at you. You are entering your 30s, already graying by each day. Who will marry you when you are bald. I am giving you an ultimatum now. If you don't get married withing this year, I am disowning you. Then don't come back saying Mom, I am sorry. Good night".
And mom disconnected the internet call, and peace returned back to my life.

Hi, I am Ajay, and like every smart, intelligent professional, I hate marriage. Marriage is a long term commitment, a risky investment with no guaranteed returns, and an instant end to all the freedom, adventure and excitement, that being single bestows upon the few lucky ones.

What I hate even more are kids. Those round, tiny, messy lot, always crying and wailing anywhere they go and never failing to embarrass their parents in public. Shucks, I hate them so much.

Like every middle class Indian, my parents wanted me to have a world class education and join a high paying MNC. After completing my bachelors, they wanted me to pursue an MBA, which I recently did. Now, finally they thought I was settled enough to start a family life. My mom, especially, had been pressuring me for a year or so, and I had dodged the topic, many a times now. This last warning seemed a bit more serious. Hmm, Priya, the name sounded ok. Qualifications seemed fine. She was a high achiever, an IIM HR grad, a classical dancer, who also loved playing the guitar, and enjoys to do charity work. Her bio-data was perfect. Soon, the picture attachment reached my inbox. I clicked on the file, and browsed through some of the pictures.
Picture seemed to have been shot by a pro, with the perfect light balance, saturation and color contours. C'mon, with a few photoshop tweaks, all the girls in this world would look like Aishwariya Rai. Anyways, Priya had above average looks.

Mrs Priya Ajay Subramanium, would sound just fine, I thought. I dropped a mail to mom saying I would consider and asked her to find out more.

The next evening, Mom called me with a surprise.
"Priya's Mom and Dad have agreed. The Marriage will be in December. They would wish to see you once before that. Can you make it next week? We can start the preparations immediately".

"What! Mom, when did I agree to all this. All I said was I would think and let you know. And anyways, I have only 4 holidays left this year. Sorry, cannot make it."

"Then how will I ever find a girl for you, If you yourself aren't interested."

"Ok, that's it. I have had enough of this. I have an important deliverable in Nobember, and I just have a couple of months left. How about this. Let us have a deal. You chose whichever girl you want me to marry. No questions asked, no forwarding me resumes, no photographs. I don't care how she looks like, what she does or what her favorite tv shows her. You promise not to bother me with any of this stuff till November end. December, I will take a week off for marriage and get married. Will that make you happy?"

"Deal. This is the happiest day of life. Love you", and mom smiled happily and dropped the call.
I knew I might have to regret this, all my life, but it would at least buy me enough time to concentrate on my work. Moreover, which girl would agree to get married with someone, without talking or meeting him in person. I am good, really good as I smiled to myself.

Next chapter >