Chapter 32: "We Don't Have Much Time

Aman couldn't shake the feeling of unease after reading Nisha's message. Rajeev knew. That could only mean one thing: retaliation. He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing through possible scenarios. Rajeev was not one to play fair, and Aman was certain he would strike hard and fast.

But Aman wasn't about to be caught off guard.

The next morning, Aman arrived at the studio earlier than usual. The set was still quiet, the crew slowly trickling in. He called a meeting with Nisha, Riya, and a few key members of the production team. They gathered in his office, the atmosphere tense.

"We don't have much time," Aman began, pacing the room. "Rajeev knows about Shantanu, and he'll be looking for any weakness in our production. We need to be ahead of him, or we risk everything."

Nisha, ever the strategist, nodded. "I've already tightened security on set. No one gets in or out without being checked. But we need to assume Rajeev has spies on the inside. We have to be careful who we trust."

Aman looked around the room, his eyes lingering on each of his team members. They were all loyal, but loyalty wasn't enough anymore. Not in this battle. "Riya, I need you to stay focused on your performance. The next few scenes are critical, and we can't afford any mistakes."

Riya, looking more determined than ever, nodded. "I won't let you down."

The meeting continued, with each member of the team outlining their strategies for keeping the production on track. But as Aman listened, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing — some crucial piece of the puzzle he hadn't yet uncovered.

---

Later that afternoon, Aman took a moment to walk through the set. The scenes they were filming today were complex, involving multiple actors and intricate choreography. As he watched the crew work, his phone buzzed again.

This time, it was a number he didn't recognize.

"Meet me at the usual place. We need to talk."

Aman frowned. It could be a trap, but something told him this was important. He quickly typed a response, agreeing to meet.

---

The usual place turned out to be a small, dimly lit café on the outskirts of the city. Aman had met with several industry insiders here before, always under the radar, away from the prying eyes of the public.

When he arrived, a man in a gray suit was already waiting. His face was shadowed by the low light, but Aman recognized him immediately — Vikram, a former associate of Rajeev who had recently gone off the radar.

"Aman," Vikram greeted him, gesturing for him to sit. "I didn't think you'd come."

"I didn't have much of a choice," Aman replied, sitting down across from him. "What do you want?"

Vikram glanced around the café, making sure they weren't being overheard. "I've been keeping an eye on Rajeev. He's making moves — big ones. Whatever you're planning, you need to accelerate. He's closer than you think."

Aman's heart raced, but he kept his expression calm. "What kind of moves?"

"New investors," Vikram said quietly. "He's pulling in money from sources even I didn't know about. He's building something big, and it's not just about one film. He's setting up to dominate the entire industry."

Aman's jaw tightened. He had known Rajeev wouldn't back down easily, but this was more than he had anticipated. "Why are you telling me this? You used to work with him."

Vikram's eyes darkened. "I've seen what happens to people who cross Rajeev. I barely got out, and I don't want to see the same thing happen to you."

Aman leaned forward. "What's his next move?"

Vikram hesitated, then finally spoke. "He's planning to sabotage your release. He has people on the inside, people who will make sure your production falls apart before it even gets to the public."

Aman's mind raced. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed made the threat all the more real. "Do you have names?"

Vikram shook his head. "Not yet. But I'm working on it. I'll get them to you as soon as I can."

Aman stood, his mind already calculating his next steps. "I appreciate the warning, Vikram. But you should know — I'm not going down without a fight."

Vikram gave him a grim smile. "I figured as much. Just be careful. Rajeev's playing a different game now, and he's willing to destroy anyone who gets in his way."

---

Back on set, Aman called Nisha immediately. "We need to change the schedule," he said, his voice urgent. "Move up the key scenes. We don't have much time."

Nisha didn't hesitate. "I'll make the arrangements. What happened?"

Aman quickly filled her in on the meeting with Vikram. Nisha's face grew more serious with each word. "So it's true then. Rajeev's going all in."

Aman nodded. "We need to finish before he can make his move. Every day counts now."

Nisha glanced at the set, where the crew was still setting up for the next scene. "I'll get the team working on it immediately. But you should know, Aman — we're not just fighting for this film anymore. This is bigger than us."

Aman met her gaze, his expression hardened by the weight of the battle ahead. "I know. But if Rajeev thinks he can scare us off, he's dead wrong."

---

As the day stretched into night, Aman's resolve only grew stronger. Rajeev had made the first move, but Aman wasn't about to let him win. This was more than just a film or a career — it was about integrity, about standing up against the corruption that had plagued the industry for far too long.

He would finish this movie, no matter what Rajeev threw at him. And when the final credits rolled, it would be Aman Mehra's name that stood victorious.