Small Story 150.The 150th Picture.

SmallStory 150. The 150th Picture** Ram was watching TV when his phone rang. It was a call from the famous producer, Lingaraju. "Hello, Ram! How are you?" Lingaraju asked. "I'm doing well, Mr. Lingaraju. All are fine at home," Ram replied. "That's good. How’s your family?" Lingaraju inquired. "Everyone's fine," Ram nodded, "What’s going on?" "I’m planning to produce a film with Rakesh Kumar as the lead, and I want a family-oriented subject for his 150th movie. I’ve worked with a lot of commercial scripts, and I want something different this time. You’re well-known for your family scripts, and I’ve seen you win many state and national awards for your work. I recently read your book and was impressed by a story, especially the ending—it was unusual but impactful. I think that could be adapted for the film." "You mean the hero settles with the heroine but without her?" Ram asked. "Yes, exactly! My wife loved it too. Could you expand it into a full film? I think it’ll be a hit. We’ll need strong characters and enough material for a two-hour movie," Lingaraju continued. Ram smiled. "I can develop the story and include songs, 12 to 15 minutes of music. I’m confident this will be a hit for both Rakesh Kumar and your company." "Great! Thank you for agreeing. Please come to my house tomorrow at 12 PM. We’ll discuss the other roles and have lunch. Rakesh Kumar will also be there. My personal chef, Udupi, will prepare your favorite dishes." "Thank you, I’ll be there," Ram responded. As Lingaraju hung up, Vasanthi entered the room. "Congratulations, dear Ram! You're an inspiring author and writer for films," she said with pride. "Thank you for the compliment, Vasanthi," Ram smiled. Later, Ram received a call from his daughter, Chandhini, who was studying in Germany. "Hey, Dad! I saw the news on WhatsApp! Congratulations on writing the story for Rakesh Kumar's 150th film!" she exclaimed. "Thank you, my dear. It’s just the beginning," Ram said with joy. Ram, an automobile engineer by profession, had always harbored a passion for writing. Over the years, he had written 100 books, many of them focused on family-oriented themes, bonding, and faith. His stories had earned him respect in the film industry, and he had written scripts for 10 successful movies. The next day, Ram arrived at Lingaraju's house, where Rakesh Kumar was already waiting. They discussed the project for three hours, covering every detail. Lingaraju pressed Ram to accept an advance cheque, but Ram was hesitant. "I don’t need it right now. I’m just happy to be a part of this project," Ram replied. Lingaraju, known for his reputation and punctual payments, insisted, but Ram respectfully declined. Fifteen days later, Ram handed over the complete story and dialogues. The film went into production and was released two months later. It became a massive success, running for 100 days in theaters. The movie went on to win state and national awards, including accolades for its heartwarming, violence-free family drama. At the award ceremony, Ram thanked producer Lingaraju for believing in his concept and for trusting him with such an important project. He also acknowledged the versatility of Rakesh Kumar, who had brought the character to life. "I strongly believe in the power of meaningful dialogue and storytelling. This success is a result of the director's vision, smart editing, great visual effects, and powerful songs," Ram said with gratitude. The movie not only became a milestone in Rakesh Kumar’s career but also marked a turning point in Ram's journey as a storyteller. K.Ragavan 8-2-25