Negotiations and Casting
**November 2003 – The Office of Vikram Patel**
Arjun sat across from Vikram , the producer of *The Haunting of Kasauli*, in the modern, glass-walled office that overlooked the bustling streets of Mumbai. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as they discussed the future of Arjun's burgeoning cinematic universe. After the remarkable success of *Kasauli*, producers were lining up to collaborate with him, eager to get a piece of the action.
Arjun leaned forward, tapping the printed script of *Whispers of Jaisalmer* that lay on the table between them. **"I'm confident this will be even bigger than Kasauli. With the right cast and marketing, we can make waves at the box office."**
Vikram, a seasoned producer with a keen eye for talent, nodded but retained a skeptical look. **"I agree, but I want to talk numbers first. What are you thinking in terms of box office share?"**
Arjun took a deep breath, knowing this was the crux of their negotiation. **"Instead of the standard director and writer fees, I'd like a percentage of the box office. Given the success of *Kasauli*, I believe I can bring even more viewers to this project."**
#### **Intense Negotiations**
The two engaged in an intense back-and-forth, weighing the potential risks against the promising rewards. Vikram was tough but fair, pushing for a better deal while respecting Arjun's vision and talent.
**"How much are you thinking?"** Vikram asked, scribbling numbers on a notepad.
**"If we can agree on 15% of the box office gross, I believe it reflects my contribution,"** Arjun replied, unwavering in his stance.
After a long pause, Vikram sighed, leaning back in his chair. **"Alright, let's say we agree on that. But I want to cap it at a certain amount to protect the investment. Let's make it a sliding scale—20% if we exceed expectations."**
Arjun smiled, seeing a flicker of agreement in Vikram's eyes. **"That sounds fair. Let's get it in writing."**
#### **Casting and Pre-Production Talks**
With the financial details hashed out, they shifted focus to casting. Arjun had a clear vision for the characters in *Whispers of Jaisalmer*, and he had a specific actor in mind for the role of Aryan—none other than Abhishek Bachchan.
**"I want to approach Abhishek for Aryan. He has the charisma and depth that this character needs,"** Arjun said, his enthusiasm palpable.
**"That's a bold choice,"** Vikram replied, intrigued. **"Have you reached out to him?"**
**"Not yet, but I'll need to get permission soon. I believe he'll resonate with the role,"** Arjun replied, jotting down notes.
They began discussing the other characters that needed casting:
1. **Rahul** – The adventurous lead.
2. **Anika** – The skeptic, a strong female presence.
3. **Sameer** – The comic relief and loyal friend.
4. **Priya** – The empathetic character who connects with the queen.
5. **The Dark One** – The malevolent antagonist, ideally a seasoned actor.
6. **The Queen** – The spirit, requiring a nuanced performance.
**"What about budget?"** Vikram interjected, his eyes narrowing. **"We need to be smart here. You mentioned an 18 crore budget, but let's talk about some cost-cutting measures."**
#### **Budget Discussions and Special Effects**
Arjun nodded, understanding the need to be prudent with finances. **"We can minimize location costs by using a mix of actual forts and sets. I also want to hire some of the NGO members who participated in my filmmaking workshops as interns. Their fresh perspectives can bring authenticity to the project."**
Vikram considered this for a moment. **"Great idea! It not only helps with the budget but also supports the community. What about special effects?"**
**"I'd like to allocate a portion of the budget to create high-quality effects, especially for the supernatural elements. I've worked with a few special effects teams before, and I know they can deliver without breaking the bank."**
Arjun had envisioned sequences that would require ghostly apparitions and desert illusions that would enthrall the audience. **"We can find a balance between practical effects and CGI to keep costs manageable."**
They agreed to set aside a budget for special effects, ensuring that it would not compromise the film's quality.
**"Alright, let's finalize the script and start reaching out to potential cast members,"** Vikram said, the energy in the room shifting towards excitement. **"This could be a game changer."**
Arjun smiled, the weight of the project ahead filling him with a sense of purpose. As they moved forward, he felt invigorated by the possibilities, ready to take his cinematic universe to new heights.