At the production office
With the bulk of the casting discussions well underway, Arjun and his team moved toward locking down the final actors for *Whispers of Jaisalmer*. After meetings, readings, and auditions, it was time to finalize the characters and place the selected interns into their respective crew positions.
#### **Final Cast for *Whispers of Jaisalmer***
1. **Rahul** – The adventurous leader of the group.
- **Actor: Fardeen Khan**
Arjun was impressed with Fardeen's ability to balance excitement and intensity, making him the perfect fit for the role of Rahul. His charm and easy-going presence would make the audience connect with the character right away.
2. **Anika** – The inquisitive friend who questions the mysteries around them.
- **Actor: Konkona Sen Sharma**
Konkona's subtle strength and intelligence were exactly what Arjun envisioned for Anika. She would bring depth to the group dynamic, giving the story more emotional weight.
3. **Sameer** – The comic relief and often the skeptic.
- **Actor: Rajpal Yadav**
With his impeccable comic timing, Rajpal would serve as the much-needed humorous anchor amidst the eerie horror. Arjun was sure that Rajpal's quirks would add layers to Sameer's character.
4. **Priya** – The empathetic friend who has a mysterious connection with the queen.
- **Actor: Ayesha Takia**
Ayesha's fresh face and emotional depth convinced Arjun that she would beautifully portray Priya's compassionate nature, and her connection to the supernatural would be believable.
5. **The Dark One** – The sinister antagonist, a mysterious figure lurking behind the chaos.
- **Actor: Manoj Bajpayee**
Manoj Bajpayee's dark intensity and acting prowess made him the ideal choice for The Dark One. His nuanced performance would bring a menacing and sophisticated villain to life, contrasting well with the group of friends.
6. **The Queen** – The tragic ghostly figure seeking redemption.
- **Actor: Tabu**
Tabu's ability to convey sorrow, mystery, and power made her the natural choice for the role of the queen. Arjun believed she could embody both the ethereal and the haunting in equal measure.
7. **Aryan** – The mysterious hero from the secret cult.
- **Actor: Abhishek Bachchan**
After a thoughtful meeting with Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun was thrilled to cast Abhishek in the role of Aryan. His intense persona and physicality would give Aryan the gravitas needed to lead the group into deeper supernatural territory.
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#### **Selecting Interns from the NGO Film Workshop**
In addition to finalizing the main cast, Arjun turned his focus to the young interns from his NGO filmmaking workshop. His vision of giving back to the community meant offering real-world experience to these students. He wanted them to learn the ins and outs of filmmaking while contributing meaningfully to the project. Each intern would receive a stipend of ₹50,000 for six months of work, making this opportunity both educational and financially supportive for them.
##### **Interns and Their Roles**
1. **Aman Kumar** – **Art Department Assistant**
- Aman showed a natural talent for visual design during the workshop. His sketches and ideas were creative, and Arjun wanted to place him in the art department where he could work on set design, helping to create the intricate, eerie atmosphere needed for the movie.
2. **Riya Sharma** – **Camera Assistant**
- Riya had demonstrated an eye for cinematography, capturing unique angles during the workshop exercises. Arjun decided she would shadow the director of photography and assist with camera operations, learning the technical skills needed to shoot complex scenes.
3. **Farhan Sheikh** – **Production Assistant**
- Farhan was a quick learner and had a natural organizational talent. Arjun felt he would thrive as a production assistant, helping manage the daily operations on set, ensuring that everything ran smoothly.
4. **Priya Menon** – **Costume Design Intern**
- Priya had a keen sense of fashion and history, two key aspects needed for costume design in *Whispers of Jaisalmer*. Arjun placed her under the supervision of the lead costume designer to help with the intricate period costumes for the queen and other characters.
5. **Rohit Patel** – **Assistant Sound Engineer**
- Rohit's interest in sound design during the workshop was evident. Arjun decided to bring him on board to assist the sound engineering team, particularly in capturing the unique sounds of the desert and enhancing the eerie atmosphere of the film.
6. **Sanjana Iyer** – **Assistant to the Director**
- Sanjana, a standout in Arjun's workshop, showed remarkable potential in understanding story flow and pacing. Arjun made her his assistant, giving her a close-up view of how a director manages a big project. She would help with scheduling, keeping track of the script, and taking notes on set.
Each intern was thrilled about the opportunity to be part of the project. They looked up to Arjun not only as a filmmaker but also as a mentor. This experience would provide them with hands-on knowledge, a platform to showcase their talent, and a stepping stone into the competitive world of cinema.
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#### **Budget Discussions and Cost Cutting**
As the pre-production phase was progressing, the discussions about the budget became more detailed. The project's final budget was set at ₹18 crore, and while this gave them enough to ensure high production quality, Arjun and Vikram still wanted to be prudent about spending.
**Vikram:**
*"We're going to need to trim some areas to make sure the bulk of the budget goes into the right places—primarily special effects, the cast, and key locations."*
**Arjun:**
*"I agree. We can cut down on secondary locations, and I think we should focus on practical effects where possible. The haunting atmosphere is key, but we don't need to overdo the CGI."*
The plan was to keep a significant portion of the budget for the desert scenes and the haunting effects, ensuring the supernatural elements were realistic and chilling. For the interior shots, Arjun and Vikram decided to repurpose existing havelis and fort structures in Rajasthan, which would save on building large sets from scratch.
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#### **Meeting the Bachchans**
With everything else in motion, Arjun set up an appointment to meet with both Abhishek and Amitabh Bachchan at their home. He had already explained the character of Aryan to Abhishek during a previous meeting, but this time, he wanted to discuss the role in more detail and show his gratitude to Amitabh Bachchan.
Over a lavish lunch at the Bachchan residence, Arjun began by expressing his deep gratitude for Amitabh Bachchan's support.
**Arjun:**
*"Sir, I can't thank you enough. Your help, your words of encouragement, and your guidance in introducing me to Vikram—it has all been instrumental in getting this film off the ground."*
Amitabh Bachchan, ever gracious, responded with his signature humility.
**Amitabh:**
*"Arjun, your passion and drive are what brought you here. I'm simply glad I could be a small part of your journey. And I must say, I'm excited to see what Abhishek can bring to Aryan."*
Arjun then delved into the character's complexity and the role Aryan would play in connecting the films within the cinematic universe.
**Arjun:**
*"Aryan isn't just another hero—he's the bridge between the supernatural and the mortal world. He has this deep-rooted history with the secret cult, and Abhishek's portrayal of that complexity is crucial. His journey in this film will set the stage for what's to come."*
Abhishek, intrigued by the narrative, nodded as Arjun described the arcs of Aryan, the queen, and the Dark One.
**Abhishek:**
*"I love the layered storytelling you've crafted here. It's something fresh, and I can see how it ties back to *The Haunting of Kasauli*. I'm in. Let's make this happen."*
Arjun left the Bachchan residence with a sense of accomplishment and excitement. His vision was coming to life with a stellar cast, a talented crew, and the backing of industry legends.
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As pre-production moved forward, the final cast was locked, the crew was in place, and the shooting schedule was being finalized. The interns were eager to begin their journey, and Arjun, though feeling the weight of the project's scale, was confident that *Whispers of Jaisalmer* would be the next big step in his cinematic universe.