Small Story 371.

Story 371: The Bold Venture Rajashree entered the office of the renowned producer Nanjappa to discuss a story he had personally invited her to present. A versatile writer, Rajashree hailed from Nagpur, Maharashtra. After her marriage, she moved to Bengaluru, and within just seven years, she had mastered Kannada. Writing had been her passion since childhood—first in English and Marathi, and now in Kannada. Her stories, filled with strong messages and emotional depth, had captured the hearts of thousands of Kannada readers, a feat many found remarkable. One day, Producer Nanjappa, a veteran of the Sandalwood film industry known for making films rooted in reality and moral values, came across one of her stories in a magazine. Impressed by the clarity of her message and the authenticity of her writing, he decided to bring it to the screen. When Rajashree arrived at his office, the receptionist greeted her politely and asked her to wait. Five minutes later, Nanjappa appeared—a man in his mid-fifties, with a simple demeanor and a warm, smiling face. He greeted her in Kannada and asked if she’d like tea or coffee.Five minutes Rajashree declined, mentioning she had just come from home, and Nanjappa smiled in understanding. The two spoke for over half an hour. Nanjappa was deeply impressed by the way Rajashree narrated the story and her complete involvement in it. He leaned in slightly and asked, "Can you write dialogues too? Tailored to each actor’s role?" "Sure, sir," she replied confidently. "If given the opportunity, I will ensure it reflects the true Kannada flavor." Nanjappa agreed and asked how long she would need to write the dialogues. "One month, maximum," she said. She also requested the list of actors, so she could craft each line accordingly. He gave her the names, requesting complete confidentiality. "Of course, sir," Rajashree said. "I understand the ethics. I will keep everything confidential until the film's release." Exactly a month later, she submitted the completed dialogues. Nanjappa was so impressed with her work that he handed her a cheque for ₹5 lakhs as an advance. But Rajashree respectfully declined. "I will accept my payment only after the film is released." Nanjappa, a man known for his discipline and promptness in paying his team, was moved by her gesture. It only increased his respect for her. Seven months later, the film was released—and it opened to massive crowds on the very first day. Two weeks into its blockbuster run, Nanjappa held a grand press meet. The event was attended by many top film personalities. One well-known director took to the stage and said, “Producer Nanjappa’s belief in good storytelling and powerful dialogues truly shows in this film. This is cinema with a conscience.” After the press meet, Nanjappa handed Rajashree a cheque again—this time a much bigger one—as her share of the film’s success. She had never expected such a reward for her creative contribution. The film’s success proved a timeless truth: good content, delivered with sincerity and meaningful dialogues, always connects with audiences. Most importantly, the film achieved all this without resorting to violence, vulgarity, or sensationalism. Rajashree had proved her mettle. Stories transcend borders—only the language changes. K.Ragavan 17-9-25