The hours tick by as you practice your lines, refining your responses until they feel natural. Jay seems satisfied with your progress, but the nervousness lingers. As the night wears on, you find yourself pacing the plush carpet of the suite, the weight of tomorrow's event pressing down on your shoulders. You stop at the window, looking out at the twinkling lights of Mumbai, feeling both incredibly small and incredibly powerful.
"You're doing great, Naveen," Jay says, noticing your restlessness. "Just remember, the story is yours. Tell it with the same conviction you did in that office today."
You nod, taking a deep breath and trying to relax. The lights of the city outside seem to pulse with the rhythm of your racing thoughts. "What if they don't like it?" you murmur. "What if they don't get it?"
Jay looks at you, his expression firm. "They will," he says. "Your story has the power to resonate with people. That's why Ranjit was interested in the first place. Just trust in that." He pauses for a moment before continuing, "And remember, you're not just selling a story; you're selling yourself. They want to see the man behind the words."
With that, he hands you a few press clippings and profiles of successful writers who've made the leap to screenwriting. You spend the rest of the night reading through them, trying to glean any insights into the minds of these literary giants. You find comfort in their humble beginnings, in the struggles they faced before achieving success. It's a reminder that you're not alone in this journey.
The following day dawns bright and early, and you're whisked away to the venue of the press conference. The bustle of activity is overwhelming, with reporters setting up cameras and sound equipment, and stylists and makeup artists buzzing around the place. You're led to a quiet corner to get ready, and the makeup artist gently applies a touch of foundation to hide the dark circles under your eyes.
As the final touches are being applied, Jay gives you a pep talk. "You're going to be amazing, Naveen. Just remember to breathe and speak from the heart."
You nod, trying to take in his words of encouragement. The moment of truth arrives as you're led to the stage, the lights so bright that they form a halo around everything. You squint, trying to make out the sea of faces beyond the glare. The murmur of the crowd grows louder as you take your place beside Ranjit Roy and a few other important-looking individuals.
Ranjit takes the podium first, his voice booming through the speakers. "Ladies and gentlemen," he says, "today is a momentous occasion for us at Roy Productions. We are thrilled to announce our next big project, 'Tri-Ekyam: The One Third', a cinematic adaptation of a brilliant web novel by none other than the young and talented Naveen Kumar!" The audience erupts into applause, and you feel your heart swell with pride and nerves.
As Ranjit speaks about the story's potential and the excitement surrounding the project, you stand by his side, trying to remain composed. You can't help but feel like a fish out of water amidst the glitz and glamour of the Bollywood elite. When he finally introduces you, you step up to the podium, the microphone seemingly amplifying every tremor in your voice.
"Thank you, Ranjit," you begin, your hands gripping the podium tightly. "I'm Naveen Kumar, the author of 'Tri-Ekyam: The One Third'. It's an honor to be here today, and I'm overwhelmed by the response my story has received." You take a deep breath, feeling the eyes of the media upon you. "The world of 'Tri-Ekyam' is one of hope and despair, of love and sacrifice. It's a reflection of the world we live in, and I believe that the messages within the story will resonate with audiences everywhere. And it'll shake the very roots of Bollywood."
The crowd remains silent, hanging on your every word. You can feel the anticipation in the air, the unspoken question of what kind of tale this young writer from a small town has brought to their doorstep. "At its core, 'Tri-Ekyam' is about the human spirit," you continue, your voice growing stronger. "It's about finding the strength within ourselves to stand against the darkest of adversaries, even when the odds seem insurmountable."
A journalist from the front row raises her hand, eager to ask the first question. "Mr. Kumar, can you tell us more about the protagonist, Naman? What makes him so special?"
You take a moment to gather your thoughts, feeling the pressure to articulate your vision. "Naman is an ordinary man thrust into extraordinary circumstances," you reply, your voice steadying. "He's not a hero in the traditional sense; he's flawed, he makes mistakes. But what sets him apart is his unwavering belief in the goodness of humanity, his willingness to fight for what's right even when all seems lost. His journey is one of self-discovery, and his bond with Ekyam, the embodiment of human potential, is the catalyst that transforms him into the leader the world gets. It's a twisted tale of Humans!"
The journalist nods thoughtfully, scribbling notes. Another question is hurled at you from the sea of faces. "What about the romance between Naman and Shreya? Will the film explore their relationship in depth?"
"That's for everybody to find out in the movie." You say with a mischievous smile and sit back.
The journalist laughs and the crowd joins in. Ranjit claps his hands, pleased with the response. "Very well," he says, taking back the podium. "We'll leave the rest of the story's secrets for the film. But know this, the love between Naman and Shreya is not just a side plot. It's the very heart of 'Tri-Ekyam', the beating pulse that drives our hero through the most challenging times." He turns to you, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Naveen, tell them how you envision this love story playing out on the big screen."