The Bollywood Academy

Author's Note: It should be obvious, but still to make sure no one complains. This a fictional story, the names of famous Bollywood celebrities might come up here and there. If you don't like that please read something else that suits your taste.

Life was not good for our 20 something protagonist. After shooting up to fame as a child actor, it all went downhill. The traditional Bollywood's system was quickly over run by the Academy of Film and Drama, built by the ever so powerful Bhatt Family. Soon the only actors getting any "work" were Academy trainees. Of course the healthy dash of nepotism survived and the big budget blockbusters still featured the latest Kapoors wanting to try their hand at acting.

But the twist was that they too had to go through the Academy. Sure they got privileges once they got in, but they still had to get it. For an outsider, it just seemed like the cabal had switched from being an open secret to a giant "Fuck you, this is how we do things". Nevertheless, after years of struggle and basically fading into obscurity our poor John finally got his big break. One of the Kapoor bitches who had been a guest star in John's old show sent him an invitation to join. Though skeptical of the gesture, John knew that this was chance. While not sure why he was being helped by this stranger, he couldn't refuse the offer and soon packed his bags and headed to the Coast.

Right the Coast, probably not that important but the Coast was a new town settled south of Mumbai. The Academy was built there by an unknown person, though it has been run by the Bhatt's since the very beginning and there were rumors flowing that Alia might take an early retirement from acting and might transition as the new Dean. Why would the most successful actress of her generation suddenly take a behind the scenes role? Well is that a thread worth pulling on. Maybe some other time.

By the time John reached the Academy it was getting dark and it seemed like all life outside had just stopped. Finding the environment a bit eerie, John quickly took out his phone and called up Bitch Kapoor.

After five attempts, "Haven't I told you, texts only, don't call me. I don't talking on the phone, especially to people like you."

"Well not sure what's crawled up your ass, but you were supposed to meet at the Academy gate an hour ago. You know that, they won't let me in would the invite."

"Fuck you, did you really think I would subject my eyes to that ugly muck of yours. Quite dreaming. The invite is with Rajesh, find that idiot on your own and never, I and mean it, never call me again."

The call disconnected and Johnsigned, she hasn't changed a bit. Why did she even set this up? Even if she's trying to screw me over, how does she even remember me...

"Hey, John right?"

A sweet voice broke his train of though and he turned around.