Time comes to July 20, 1990. Only three days remained.
The atmosphere inside the offices of Vishesh Films had changed completely. Telephones rang continuously from morning till evening. Distributors from Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Punjab, and Ahmedabad called constantly regarding prints and advance bookings. Assistants hurried through corridors carrying files while secretaries struggled to keep up with the endless stream of calls. Mahesh Bhatt barely had time to sit down before another meeting or another telephone interrupted him. Gulshan Kumar, meanwhile, seemed happier with every passing day.
Nobody had expected this level of excitement. After all, Aashiqui did not have established stars. Its biggest star was its music.
The soundtrack had become a sensation across the country. Music shops displayed huge posters of the film and reported extraordinary cassette sales. Customers walked into stores specifically asking for the Aashiqui cassette. Radio Ceylon and Vividh Bharati played the songs repeatedly throughout the day. "Saanson Ki Zaroorat Hai Jaise," "Nazar Ke Saamne," "Dheere Dheere Se Meri Zindagi Mein Aana," and "Jaane Jigar Jaaneman" had become part of everyday life.
Tea stalls played them. Taxi drivers played them. Bus conductors hummed them. Barbershops played them. Even wedding bands had begun practicing the melodies.
The newspapers had begun taking notice. That morning, the Times of India carried a large advertisement.
"Vishesh Films Presents AASHIQUI, Releasing on July 23."
Beside it, an entertainment column praised the phenomenal response to the soundtrack and mentioned Mahesh Bhatt's bold decision to launch four newcomers; Adil Ali, Shah Rukh Khan, Rahul Roy and Anu Aggarwal.
The Indian Express carried another headline.
"Aashiqui Music Creates Waves Before Release."
Trade analysts reported increasing demand for prints after distributors saw the public response to the songs.
Screen magazine featured Mahesh Bhatt on its cover with the headline:
"Can New Faces Match Superhit Music?"
Filmfare published a full-page advertisement featuring the four young actors beneath the title logo.
"The Year's Musical Love Story Arrives July 23."
Even Stardust magazine joined the excitement.
"Mahesh Bhatt Bets On Four Newcomers."
Back home, Meera Sharma Ali had turned newspaper clippings into a daily ritual. Every article was carefully cut and preserved inside a growing folder. Arif Ali teased her constantly with same word's every time.
"You'll soon need another cupboard."
"It's my son's first movie," she replied proudly. "These will become memories."
Though he pretended to remain calm, Arif himself had developed the habit of reading the entertainment pages before the headlines.
One evening, while returning home, Adil stopped at a tea stall. An old cassette player sat on the shelf, and from its worn speakers emerged the familiar voice of Kumar Sanu.
Several customers listened absentmindedly. One middle-aged man remarked happily, "Whoever composed these songs deserves an award."
Another replied, "I don't know the actors, but the music alone is worth the ticket." Adil smiled quietly and finished his tea. Nobody recognized him. And strangely, he liked it.
Later that night, sitting alone in his room, he tried reading his chemistry book. But his eyes repeatedly wandered toward the Aashiqui cassette lying beside the table lamp.
Three days. His first film. His eighteenth birthday. The date that could change everything.
Downstairs, Meera stood before the family shrine praying silently. Arif sat in the living room with the latest issue of Screen magazine open before him. Though he appeared calm, he had already read the same article twice.
Next day, July 21, 1990. The promotional screenings had begun. Journalists, distributors, and exhibitors attended special preview shows organized by Vishesh Films. Throughout the day, Mahesh Bhatt and Gulshan Kumar moved from one meeting to another. The first reactions coming from the industry were encouraging.
"The music is already a winner."
"The audience will love the romance."
"These newcomers have fresh faces."
Whispers of optimism began spreading through the trade circles.
Meanwhile, magazine interviews and newspaper photographs featuring the cast appeared everywhere. Adil found it amusing that people recognized the songs before the faces.
One afternoon, while buying groceries with his mother, he noticed two college girls standing near a cassette shop. One of them excitedly pointed toward the Aashiqui poster.
"I'm definitely watching this movie."
"The songs are too good."
Neither girl recognized the young man standing only a few feet away. Meera smiled knowingly. "You wanted normal life. Enjoy it while it lasts." Adil just smiled.
July 22, 1990 came. One day before release, Liberty Cinema in Bombay looked more festive than it had in years. Giant hand-painted posters of Aashiqui covered the front walls, and bright lights illuminated the entrance. Security guards struggled to control the crowd that had gathered outside since evening. Journalists, photographers, distributors and curious fans waited eagerly as one car after another arrived. Flashbulbs exploded continuously while reporters shouted names and photographers called for one more picture.
Mahesh Bhatt and Gulshan Kumar stood near the entrance welcoming guests personally. Though Aashiqui featured four newcomers, the film's music had already become such a sensation that almost everyone in the industry was curious to watch it before its release.
The first major arrivals drew immediate attention. Music director duo Nadeem and Shravan stepped out of their car and were surrounded by journalists asking about the unprecedented success of the soundtrack. Playback singers Kumar Sanu and Anuradha Paudwal arrived shortly afterward, receiving warm greetings from Gulshan Kumar. Udit Narayan and Nitin Mukesh also attended, smiling as photographers captured their pictures beside the large Aashiqui poster.
Soon, familiar faces from the film industry began arriving one after another. Yash Chopra walked in with his usual elegance, exchanging a warm embrace with Mahesh Bhatt. Rakesh Roshan greeted Gulshan Kumar and joked that half of Bombay had already memorized the songs before the film's release. Subhash Ghai's arrival created another wave of excitement among journalists. Veteran actor Jeetendra entered with a smile, followed by Jackie Shroff, who had become one of the biggest stars of the decade. Anil Kapoor arrived a little later and was immediately surrounded by photographers shouting his name. Even Govinda, whose popularity was growing rapidly, stopped to greet several people before entering the theatre.
The younger generation of actors had also come. Aamir Khan, whose Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak had made him a sensation, greeted Mahesh Bhatt warmly and wished the newcomers success. Salman Khan, fresh from the success of Maine Pyar Kiya, arrived and exchanged jokes with some journalists. Everyone seemed curious about the film whose songs had conquered the country even before release.
Around eight in the evening, another car stopped outside Liberty Cinema. Adil stepped out wearing a simple black suit. Beside him were his parents. For a brief second, he froze as dozens of cameras flashed simultaneously.
"Adil! This side!"
"Look here!"
"Smile!"
The photographers shouted continuously. Meera Sharma Ali looked both overwhelmed and proud. Arif Ali adjusted his glasses and tried to appear calm, though he could not hide the happiness in his eyes.
Soon another car arrived carrying Shah Rukh Khan. He stepped out, looked at the crowd and immediately laughed.
"Brother, these photographers are more frightening than directors," he whispered to Adil.
Adil laughed nervously. "Relax. At least they aren't asking for retakes."
Rahul Roy arrived a few minutes later, looking equally nervous. Since it was his first film as well, he appeared both excited and anxious. Anu Aggarwal greeted everyone with a smile, though even she seemed overwhelmed by the atmosphere.
The four newcomers stood together for photographs. None of them were stars. None of them knew what tomorrow would bring. Yet all four sensed that their lives stood on the edge of something extraordinary.
Inside the theatre, conversations floated through the hall.
"These are Mahesh Bhatt's new actors."
"The songs are already superhits."
"If the picture works, these youngsters will become stars overnight."
"Music toh already blockbuster hai."
As more guests settled into their seats, Mahesh Bhatt moved through the aisles greeting old friends while Gulshan Kumar happily discussed advance bookings with distributors. Excitement filled every corner of Liberty Cinema.
Finally, the lights dimmed.
Conversations stopped.
Silence gradually settled over the hall.
Adil slowly clasped his hands together. Months of hard work, endless retakes, long shooting schedules and countless dreams had led to this moment. Beside him, Shah Rukh sat quietly. Rahul Roy stared at the giant screen while Anu Aggarwal folded her hands nervously.
And then, as the opening titles appeared, eighteen-year-old Adil Ali closed his eyes for a second and silently prayed. He simply prayed that the audience would love the story. Because tomorrow, July 23, 1990. It was his eighteenth birthday. And perhaps, the day his life would change forever.