The man sat quietly for a moment, holding the vada pav in his hand but not eating it immediately.
There was a long pause.
Then, slowly, he let out a small breath.
"I'm an assistant director," he said finally, his voice calmer now.
That was all he said at first.
Akshatha and the others listened without interrupting.
He looked down at the ground.
"I didn't come here easily," he continued. "Years of work… small jobs… running around sets… learning everything step by step."
A faint bitterness entered his tone.
"I've worked under many people. Helped shape many projects that became successful."
He paused.
"But I was never the one who got credit."
The park felt quieter as he spoke.
"I want to build something of my own," he said firmly. "Not just assist forever. I want to start my own company."
There was honesty in his voice now—not frustration alone, but determination.
"I have stories… ideas… but I don't have the backing, the money, or the right opportunity."
He gave a small, tired smile.
"So when I saw that file today… I thought maybe this is the chance."
"But even that didn't work out."
Silence followed.
Akshatha tilted her head slightly, listening carefully.
In her soft, innocent tone, she asked,
"Uncle… what company do you want to start?"
The man looked at her, slightly surprised by the question.
She continued gently,
"Do you also want to start a TV company like my father? Are you here to see how work happens… to learn and then start your own?"
Her words were simple, but they landed exactly where they needed to.
For a moment, the man didn't respond.
Nagaraju watched silently from behind.
He noticed something subtle.
The way Akshatha was speaking… she wasn't just comforting him.
She was guiding the conversation.
Creating a path for him to open up.
And something else was happening too.
There was a small but visible shift in all three men.
Her father, Nagaraju, was quick to understand intent and direction.
The elder uncle was attentive, practical, always trying to assess what could work.
And now this man—though disappointed—was still sharp enough to think, reflect, and respond to opportunity.
Akshatha was quietly placing them all in the same mental direction.
The assistant director looked up, slightly surprised.
"Starting your own company?" he repeated, still processing it.
At that moment, Akshatha's father gently took the lead in the conversation. He understood the direction Akshatha had subtly created and decided to continue from there.
"Brother," Nagaraju began calmly, "as you know, one has to strive in order to grow."
He paused briefly.
"Whatever the situation, I have some capital in hand. I want to start or invest in this industry."
He looked at the man sincerely.
"In my state, I have worked as an investor before. Now I want to establish something of my own here."
His tone was practical, not emotional.
"So I'm here to observe and understand how the system works."
He gestured slightly around them.
"We are new to this place. Three brothers, together. We want to invest in a company…"
He continued, his voice steady.
"But we need someone with real talent and strong connections in the industry—someone who can lead it."
He looked directly at the assistant director.
"So we are here… in this ocean of talent called Mumbai."
Then he added politely,
"Brother, if you don't mind… can I ask you something more about how this works?"
The assistant director nodded slowly.
"Sure."
Nagaraju continued,
"What exactly is the process? How does one start a company here?"
The man straightened slightly, now more engaged.
"It has to be registered first," he explained. "Then depending on the type of production, you need approvals, connections, budgeting, and a proper team."
Nagaraju listened carefully, absorbing every word.
The assistant director continued,
"It's not just about money. You need the right people, the right story, and timing."
Nagaraju nodded.
"That is exactly why we are here," he said. "To learn first."
He glanced at his brothers.
"Once we understand the system properly… and find the right person…"
He paused, then concluded calmly,
"Then we will begin."
The assistant director took a breath before speaking again.
"Brother, I won't say I'm excellent," he admitted honestly. "But I've worked in this industry from the very bottom."
His voice grew more confident.
"I have solid experience… and a few good connections as well. I just needed some investment—that's why I came to the set today, actually, to meet one of my friends."
He paused briefly.
"He read my story. He knows it has potential. It can hook the audience if executed properly. That's why he was even ready to buy it and use it for his own production."
His tone turned slightly reflective.
"But in this vast ocean of talent… one has to be a little selfish to survive and grow. You have to use opportunities when they come."
Then he looked at Nagaraju directly.
"I think today I met you people at the right time. Maybe this is my chance."
He straightened slightly.
"You need someone to guide and lead the company."
Nagaraju nodded calmly.
"Yes. We need talent who can take it in the right direction."
The assistant director continued, becoming more structured in his thinking.
"It doesn't have to be free. If someone wants to invest, that's fine. If not, their talent itself becomes the investment we expect."
He looked at them carefully.
"we three brothers will be the investors and majority stakeholders. But we will not mistreat the person who joins us."
He added clearly,
"He will also be given a 10% share in the profits. That ensures his own growth."
His voice became firm.
"If he leads the company to success, it will also lead to his own success."
He paused for a moment, then concluded,
"In that structure… the talented person becomes the fourth pillar of the company."
The assistant director looked at the group for a moment, then spoke carefully.
"Brothers…" he began.
"Can I take a little of your time?"
He hesitated slightly, then continued.
"Can I become your fourth partner?"
There was a brief silence.
He quickly raised his hand, as if to clarify before any misunderstanding formed.
"Not for free."
"I have fifty lakhs with me. I am ready to invest it."
He looked directly at Nagaraju.
"When a person invests their own money, they don't treat the work lightly. They take responsibility. They stay committed."
He paused.
"So… can we sit and talk properly? Understand each other clearly?"
His tone was respectful but confident.
"I want to be part of this—not just as a worker, but as a partner."