"No this won't work."
"Good, but not enough."
"Should I add this part? or will it become messed up?."
"Still not good enough."
"May be I should..."
....
...
It's been 2 days since that day. Aside of eating, sleeping and some daily routines, Arjun fully immersed in internet. He had been reading articles, stories, gossips, reviews, comments about Tollywood for 2 full days without taking a break.
Unlike most of the other countries, India in his previous world didn't had an official National Language. Although Hindi was considered as one, it was only popular in some states but not in all. There were 29 states in Previous India, with hundreds of different languages. But only 22 languages were official.
As for the India in this world, there weren't 29 states here but 10 regions apart from one independent capital city.
Similarly, the languages are also different.
Delhi City - Engish language is popular here
Kashmir Region : Kashmiri as it's official language, it's entertainment industry called Kashywood
Himalaya Region, Madhya Pradesh region: Ancient Sanskrit language, Himawood
Bihar Region, Uttar Pradesh region, Rajasthan Region : Hindi language, Bollywood
Tamil Nadu Region : Tamil language, Kollywood
Kerala Region : Malayam language, Mollywood
Telangana Region, Andhra Region : Telugu language, Tollywood.
This world's Indian regions were a lot randomized and simplified than Arjun's previous Earth's India. But the complexity, it still exist.
Except for the times when everyone unite to fight against foreign enemy, the innate rivalry among the regions is still there.
It was not just languages that are different, even traditions, food varieties, cultures, tastes are also different. One thing that is popular in one region might not be as popular in other regions.
The reason why Arjun was so hesitating is precisely because of this.
For his first performance, should he re-create something that was World wide famous?
Or Nation wide famous?
Or Region wide famous?
As he was debating internally, Arjun suddenly a remember a story. A famous story called 'Gajendra Moksham' from the book 'Bhagavatham', one of the sacred books of Hinduism from his previous world.
( My translation ( it might not be that correct, just for reference anyway): Ganjendra Moksha - Liberation of Elephant King; Bhagavatham - The story of the Almighty one.)
Once upon a time, there was a king of Elephants, which was huge and very arrogant. Even when facing Lion, the king of forest, it never showed fear. It was always fearless and unbridled.
One day, it rudely entered into a lake, which was originally a territory of a normal crocodile. It started bathing arrogantly, not at all caring about the small crocodile. Since it's size was only one tenth of Elephant's, the Elephant king completely disregarded it.
Being provoked it's dignity, the crocodile got angry. It bit the Elephant king's leg between it teeth and tightened it's grip, started dragging the Elephant king towards the depth of lake.
The arrogant Elephant king instantly became powerless. It had a strength which was multiple times higher than the small crocodile, but so what? It couldn't muster any of it in the water at all. For days and nights, it struggled desperately. Yet the Elephant king couldn't break free from Crocodile clutches at all.
That was until Great Vishnu, one of the 3 supreme Gods descended personally to save the Elephant king, who was his loyal worshipper.
So no matter how powerful you are outside, you have bow your head to local dragons in their regions.
Arjun's eyes shined as he remembered the story.
Indeed. No matter how famous, how great, how awesome an Oscar film might be, it could never be as popular as a local cinema in that place.
So in the end, Arjun decided to choose something that was very popular in Telangana state from his previous world.
Thankfully, he confirmed that while this Telangana region is a lot randomized than his previous world Telangana State. The tastes of people, basic traditions and beliefs are still same. So Arjun doesn't need to worry if those from his previous world will work here are not.
After careful research and lot of internet surfing, Arjun finally a choose to perform a Comedy skit for the Fest.
There were multiple reasons for him to choose this.
First, his skill in talking is highest, at SR Grade. So he could make more impact on the crowd through Skit than through singing or dancing.
Second, efficiency. Skits are a lot easier to practice. With only 1 week remaining for the Fest, Skits are far better option than others.
Infact, the first and seconds reason were just secondary, the most important reason is Arjun found this world's comedy skits lacking. They were just too lacking.
During the last two days, he watched many skits online. Comparing them to those from his previous world, he couldn't help but feel they were bland.
Take the elephant and ant joke for example: Once an ant and elephant were going on a new scooter. They met with an accidant.The elephant was died but ant was alive. Why?
Because ant was wearing a helmet !
..... Lame, right?
This kind of jokes can make you smile but not make laugh your heart out. Those skits are also similar. They can make you smile but can not make you laugh loudly.
The people of this world are truly pitiful. They never experienced the true comedy skits. The kind of true comedy skit that doesn't had complex dialogues, the kind of ones that doesn't need one to put much thought into, the kind of simple one that can make you laugh you ass out.
Anyway now that he is here, he definitely had to show these people what true comedy is and he had the perfect idea about what to show.
Jabardasth!
The one of a kind comedy show that crowned as best among Telugu shows for more than 5 years. Among the over 1000 skits, the number of hit skits are not small.
Since the time he could perform on the stage is limited, he naturally can't perform all of those skits. So he could only choose best parts from some best skits and assemble them into one super skit.
Honestly Arjun kinda felt embarrassed for using without their creator's consent.
But for the sake of rise of entertainment industry, for the sake Tollywood development, for the sake people's happiness, for the sake of him becoming a world famous- *Ahem for the sake of world peace, he could only grit his teeth and continue for the cause.
"...."
Anyway, after a few hours 'hard work', he finally made a satisfactory script for the skit.
"Now time to recruits the actors for skit."
Arjun thought about it for moment before calling his friend Sri Ram.
The other side quickly answered the call
"Hey dude, Pulihora mixing successful?"
Sri Ram's teasing voice echoed through the phone, making Arjun roll his eyes.
( Note: Pulihora is a south Indian rice speciality. The phrase 'pulihora mixing' is used when teasing someone who tried to flirt with a female.)
"Forget about that.. I got some work for you to do. Bring Pranav and a couple of others to my place. Be fast."
Arjun quickly hung up the phone, not wanting to hear any of the Sri Ram's nonsense.