Book Excerpt: When the raging fire weeps

Author Bio :

A teacher by profession and a publisher of five books including three spec screenplays, a poetry collection and a short story collection, When the raging fire weeps is Sridev Mohan’s entry into the world of novel writing. This debut attempt delves into the making of a gigantic tv series and how the makers of that entertainment spectacle and the series itself get severely affected by the revolting minds of certain people.  

When the raging fire weeps is available on Notion Press, Amazon and Flipkart. 

EXCERPT (from CHAPTER TWO)

2. Action!!

Sprawling over an area of 260 acres, the mammoth sets of The Rhino Emperor’s second season’s various palaces, cities, oceans, arenas etc were meticulously built over a period of almost seven months even between the shooting of the first season. The first season required only around 100 acres; the story was beginning to grow. The second season demanded more space, more than double to be precise. The production design team spend a lot of time with Jaseela in finalising the sets. The most daunting task was creating an artificial lake in the set. In the story, that lake was actually a part of the sea. Jeyopola was attacking a sea facing kingdom. 3 million gallons of water had to be pumped in. Boats were made to row in the lake as a trial which was to continue as an attraction even after the series would stop after season three. The royal hall where Jeyopola sits on the throne was about 70ft in height and 150 ft in diameter and was built on an acre of land. The hall had to have massive pillars, massive windows, a mirror like floor, almost 300 seats etc. The defeated kingdom Chaapikia and other sets were thus literally bone breaking to build.

On to this man-made marvel, the very first dim golden rays flew to in advance and the following rays started to flicker from behind the eastern horizon, notifying the coming of the sun and with it a beautiful morning. Several rays dropped onto the lake providing an ethereal look to the set from a distance. The weather forecast for the day was predicted to be good. It was a good day for the massive trial shoot of the ending scene of S02E01. Around 100 vehicles had already plyed at the parking lot of the Kolaazham Film Development Corporation at 4:00 am as a staggering 500 extras were brought in. All the extras were in awe as they entered the sets of Chaapikia. Of the 500, 200 or so would become the citizens of king Walika’s defeated kingdom. The rest were to transform into the gigantic army of the victor king Jeyopola.

The costume department had to divide their hall into two sections: the citizens and the army. The extras were given detailed instructions in advance as what to do and not to do in the sets of The Rhino Emperor. No mobile phones were allowed once inside the set. The extras had to don their respective attires, wear the required make up, have breakfast at the huge food hall readied, take a dump or pee if necessary and be at their assigned posts by 6:10 am. The trial shoot would commence at sharp 6:30 am. The dressing up and make up began at 4:30 am.

The departments of costumes, make up and stunt were on their toes. The camera and sound departments were getting ready to stand and then run, on their toes. The canteen had begun preparing the food items last night itself, mostly vegetarian, to avoid stomach problems. A huge crowd with upset stomachs had only one possible outcome – disaster. The team, under the able hands of Jaseela wanted to get a real feel of what it would be like to shoot that gigantic scene. Thus it was decided to make this trial shoot just like if they were going for a take. In the director’s hut, Jaseela had finished her bathing and was sipping a black coffee. Jaseela was on the second day of her periods. The trial shoot’s hectic pressure was not enough, the biological side too had to pitch in. She was in great stress but that was not the time to show it outside. It was 5:10. Jaseela didn’t sleep last night. The period. And all those doubts… Whom could she trust? That troubled face of Jonathan during the reading session in Dubai, almost six months ago, was still lingering in Jaseela’s mind. She had doubts. The Rhino Emperor will be sabotaged. And most of all, him walking out…

Jaseela pushed her doubts, body pain and her lover’s sudden desertion away as the major crew members came into her hut and they all joined together to do a last-minute brush up of the trial shoot of the massive ending scene. Jaseela was about to direct 500 people all at once. She let that thought seep in. After the brush up with the crew, Jaseela moved to the royal hall where the main actors were placed. The actor playing the titular role began barraging Jaseela with several severe statements. He was so angry; Jaseela was completely taken aback. She was aware of the issues in his family. But Jaseela had bigger issues to deal with. She was already feeling lonely, now that the person whom she loved the most in this world, had walked out of the set, due to her doubts about the lover’s sincerity.

Jaseela was beginning to crumble. But an intervention from some of the cast cleared the lead actor’s grievances. He was so heaped with remorse; he literally fell at Jaseela’s feet for forgiveness. Some of the crew and cast knew about who was trying to ruin the project. Anyway, who was Jaseela to forgive? She was no god. She needed forgiveness. The person whom she needed now, at this critical day, was not there with her. Jaseela needed that person’s forgiveness… Somehow, Jaseela mustered enough strength to move ahead. 500 extras and about 170 cast and crew were waiting for Jaseela. She had work to do.

The brush up with the actors went well. It was 6:00 am now. Jaseela wanted to pass wind. But she withheld the tendency. She exited the royal hall. The final arrangements were done by 6:10 am. Everyone was prompt. There was no confusion on anyone’s part. Jaseela reached the spot. Once the trial shoot began, Jaseela would be everywhere in the set. She was meticulous. At 6:30 am as she wielded the megaphone and shouted ‘Action’, there was no energy. That typical defiant tone was lacking in spirit. “Where are you my love?”… Jaseela wanted that support badly. The writer/director of one of the biggest television series to ever grace the Indian screens, had faltered her voice once. It wouldn’t happen again… No, she had to gather herself together; now was the time to pick herself up. Jaseela took a deep breath and then through the megaphone she screamed…