September 1990 had brought something far more difficult than struggle. It brought him choices.
Ever since Aashiqui had become a phenomenon, scripts had started arriving at the Ali household almost every day. Producers, assistants, directors, and writers seemed to have memorized the address. Arif Ali often joked that they should place a sign outside the house saying, "Film Office." But Adil wasn't in a hurry.
He had lived one life already. He knew that many actors had reached the top with one blockbuster and disappeared just as quickly after making poor choices. So every evening, after returning from college, he locked himself inside his room and patiently went through the scripts one by one.
Most of them were rejected. Some were merely attempts to create another Aashiqui. There were good offers among them such as 'Deewana' which made Shahrukh khan an overnight sensation in his previous life. There were also more like offers Phool aur kante but he didn't choose them. Others had weak stories. He wanted his second step to be stronger than the first.
One evening, Mahesh Bhatt himself came over to narrate a script.
It was Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin.
A road romance between a rich, stubborn girl and a young journalist. It was funny, emotional, and had beautiful songs. Adil listened quietly as Mahesh Bhatt narrated the entire story. When he finished. He looked at Adil's silence, Mahesh smiled.
"You have become a star now. Bigger banners are offering you more money. I won't feel bad if you say no."
Adil smiled back. "How can I say no, sir? You gave me my first film."
Mahesh Bhatt laughed.
"So gratitude is more powerful than money?"
"Not just gratitude," Adil replied. "The script is good." And he meant it.
In his previous life, he remembered Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin very clearly. Originally, Aamir Khan had played the lead opposite Pooja Bhatt. The film had been a major success and with a budget of just ₹1.5 crore, it earned nearly ₹7 crore rupees worldwide. It had memorable songs and tremendous repeat value.
There was no reason to reject it.
A few days later, Adil visited Vishesh Films. Mukesh Bhatt was already there along with Mahesh Bhatt. Pooja Bhatt, who would be making her debut, greeted him shyly.
After some discussions, the contract papers were placed before him. Mahesh Bhatt smiled. "Last year we signed you as a newcomer. This year we are signing a star."
Everyone laughed.
Adil's signing amount was fixed at ₹3 lakh, while his total remuneration for the film would be ₹8 lakh.
By the standards of 1990, it was an excellent amount for a young actor who had just delivered his first blockbuster.
Mahesh shook his hand warmly. "We begin shooting in October."
Adil signed the contract without hesitation. His second film was confirmed.
But another offer had caught his attention.
'Saajan'. Produced by Sudhakar Bokade and directed by Lawrence D'Souza.
Originally, the role of Aman had been intended for Sanjay Dutt. The preparations had already begun with that in mind. But after Aashiqui became a nationwide sensation, everything changed.
The producers had watched Adil's performance carefully. More importantly, audiences had connected deeply with his emotional scenes.
Sudhakar Bokade personally said during one meeting, "People cried with Rahul. They felt his pain. We want that emotional magic."
Lawrence D'Souza agreed. "If Adil plays Aman, the audience will love him."
However, there was a problem. The original story had been written with Sanjay Dutt in mind. Adil's image after Aashiqui was different. He was younger, more romantic, and audiences saw him as the sensitive lover next door. Therefore, Lawrence D'Souza and the writers decided to make several changes to Aman and increase his importance in the story.
Because of these revisions, the film's shooting schedule was pushed to January 1991.
In his previous life, Saajan had been one of the biggest blockbusters of 1991, earning around ₹18 crore worldwide with a budhet of ₹4 crore. Its music had become legendary. Even decades later, songs from the film were remembered.
He also remembered reading somewhere that the film had been completed in just thirty-six days. That made his decision easier. The shooting schedules of both films could be managed comfortably.
In early October, he visited Sudhakar Bokade's office.
Lawrence D'Souza was present. So were music directors Nadeem-Shravan. Madhuri Dixit had already signed the project, while Salman Khan remained attached to play Akash.
Unlike a few months ago, nobody treated Adil like a newcomer anymore. Everyone greeted him with respect.
Lawrence D'Souza handed him the bound script. "We start in January. By then all story changes will be complete."
Sudhakar Bokade smiled. "The audience belongs to you right now. We want that same magic in our film."
His signing amount was fixed at ₹5 lakh, while his total remuneration was set at ₹12 lakh.
It was an amount that would have seemed impossible to imagine just a year earlier. Adil signed the contract. Just like that, two of the biggest films of the coming year had entered his life.
That evening, he returned home carrying two scripts.
Arif Ali adjusted his glasses and looked at the contract. "Two films?"
Adil nodded. "Yes."
His father smiled.
"And after that?"
Adil looked out the window toward the lights of Bombay. He remembered the ordinary man he had been in his previous life. The dreams he had never achieved. The regrets he had carried until death.
And now, at just eighteen years old, he already had one all-time blockbuster behind him and two promising films ahead.
He smiled softly. "We'll see where destiny takes us, Papa."
Outside, Bombay continued its endless rush. But somewhere in the city, preparations had already begun.
In October, Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin would go on floors.
And in January 1991, Saajan would begin shooting with a rewritten story and a new Aman.
Adil Ali had passed his first test. Now he had to prove that Aashiqui had not been luck. He had to prove that he belonged among the biggest stars of the new decade.
________________________________________
Note:
Unfortunately, my contract application has been rejected. While this is disappointing, it has also left me feeling a bit demotivated. Because of this, updates may become irregular, and there is a possibility that this story could be dropped in the future.
I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported this novel so far. Your comments, reviews, power stones, and words of encouragement have meant a lot to me. If you have suggestions or feedback, they are always appreciated.
Thank you for reading and supporting the story. I hope I can continue this journey with you all.
~ Shams X.