After receiving the phone call regarding Mahesh Bhatt's upcoming film Aashiqui, Adil Ali's life returned to a familiar cycle. Excitement came and went, but discipline remained. He already knew from his conversation with Shah Rukh Khan that his friend from Fauji had also received an invitation for the audition. During one of their recent phone calls, Shah Rukh had laughed excitedly and joked that destiny seemed determined to throw both of them into the same places. Neither of them knew what the future held, but both understood one thing. Opportunities like these did not come often.
The days leading up to the audition became unusually busy. College life remained as lively as ever. Students still called him "Hero." Girls from other departments often found reasons to pass by his classroom. Some openly tried to become friends with him, while others simply admired him from a distance. Even professors occasionally joked that they expected his autograph before he became too expensive to approach.
Adil accepted all of it with the same calm smile. But once he returned home, everything else disappeared. For the next several days, he practiced harder than ever. Voice modulation, Expressions, Dialogue delivery, Singing, Body language,Even silence. As he haf already seen the movie, He knew about it. So, he practiced everything the movie needed.
Sometimes he would stand before the mirror and rehearse emotional scenes for hours. Other times, he would simply sit quietly and imagine situations. What would heartbreak feel like? What would first love feel like? What would it feel like to lose someone?
One evening, Meera Sharma Ali entered his room carrying tea and found him staring silently out of the window. "What are you doing?" she asked curiously. Adil smiled. "Trying to understand loneliness." He replied. His mother burst out laughing. "You actors really are strange."
Even Arif Ali noticed the extra effort. One night, after watching his son repeat the same scene for nearly an hour, Seeing his son hardwork, he quietly spoke to encourage him. "Remember something." Adil stopped and looked up. "Talent brings opportunities. Preparation keeps them." Adil nodded. He had lived two lives. He understood that better than anyone.
Finally, the day of the audition arrived. As always, he woke before sunrise. Morning exercises, running, voice practice and breakfast. Nothing changed. Important days did not deserve special treatment. After taking blessings from his parents, he headed toward the production office.
Adil arrived at the Audition location, The waiting hall was crowded with aspiring actors. Some looked nervous, while others wore fake confidence. Assistants hurried between rooms carrying files and scripts. Adil quietly observed everyone. Then his eyes stopped. 'Rahul Roy'. He recognized him immediately.
The handsome young man sat calmly in his chair, occasionally glancing at his script. A few seats away sat Anu Aggarwal. Even without makeup or glamour, she possessed a unique elegance and confidence.
Adil couldn't help but smile inwardly. The future lead pair of Aashiqui. And they were all sitting together like ordinary dreamers. Just then, another familiar voice came from behind. Although Adil knew them he didn't went to introduce. As it will be awkward in the current situation.
"Adil!" He turned and saw Shah Rukh Khan waving energetically. Shah Rukh walked over immediately. "So, we're here again," he laughed. Adil smiled, gave him a slight hug and spoke. "It seems destiny likes repeating itself." Shah Rukh grinned. "Hopefully destiny likes us enough to pay us too." Then they both laughed at. After it, They started talking about the audition.
Some time had passed. When the assistant called Shah Rukh's name first. "Wish me luck," Shah Rukh said dramatically. "You'll survive," Adil replied. "Hopefully" Shah Rukh replied as he stood up and headed toward the audition room.
Half an hour later, Shah Rukh Khan walked out, followed by an assistant. Adil wanted to ask him about the audition, but a call interrupted him.
"Adil Ali."
Adil looked toward the assistant standing near Shah Rukh Khan. Arjun gave a subtle confirming gesture, indicating that it was him. The assistant nodded and then told him it was time to go in.
Adil nodded and rose to his feet calmly. As he passed by Shah Rukh Khan, Shah Rukh Khan looked at him and said, "Best of luck."
Adil gave a slight nod in response and stepped into the audition room.
Inside sat several members of the production team. Among them was Mahesh Bhatt himself. The famous filmmaker looked up the moment Adil entered. A faint smile appeared on his face. "So, you're Adil." Adil replied. "Yes, sir."
Mahesh Bhatt nodded. "You know, I specifically added your name to the audition list after watching you in Fauji." Adil remained silent. Mahesh Bhatt leaned forward slightly and continued. "You have a good face. Good eyes. And there was sincerity in your performance." Then he smiled as he looked at Adil. "I hope you don't disappoint me."
Adil smiled politely and answered in ahumbke tone. "I'll try my best, sir." Then one of the assistants handed him a few pages.
Mahesh Bhatt explained the scene. "A young man loves a girl deeply. He's waited years to tell her. But when he finally gathers the courage, he learns she is leaving forever. Don't shout. Don't cry loudly. I want pain. Real pain."
Adil nodded. He closed his eyes. For several seconds, nobody spoke. When he opened them again, his expression had changed. His shoulders relaxed. His eyes softened.
He looked toward an imaginary person standing before him.
"So…" he whispered.
"This is goodbye." His voice was gentle.
Without any anger, without any drama. With only sadness in it. Then a weak smile appeared on his face.
"You know…" He laughed softly.
"I practiced saying so many things." His eyes glistened.
"I imagined this moment a hundred times." His breathing became uneven.
"But now that you're really leaving…" He lowered his gaze.
"I don't know what to say." Silence filled the room.
He looked back up with tears in his eyes. "If you're happy…" His voice cracked slightly. "Then maybe… maybe that's enough."
He smiled sadly. "I'll miss you." And then he simply stood there.
Silent, As if broken and accepting the situation.
Nobody in the room spoke. Even Mahesh Bhatt had stopped looking at the papers. The casting assistant had forgotten to write anything. His performance really touched everyone. Finally, Mahesh Bhatt leaned back and smiled. "Good, Very good".
After it they asked him to perform various scenes. Which he did and they were really amazed by his acting. In thed But a man from the team asked, "Can you sing?" Adil blinked. "Yes, sir." Mahesh Bhatt raised an eyebrow and said."Oh?.Then sing. Let's see that."
Adil thought for a moment. Without hesitation, he softly began singing a few lines from Kishore Kumar's "Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas."
His voice wasn't that of a professional playback singer, but years of training and practice had given him excellent control and emotion.
"Pal pal dil ke paas… tum rehti ho…" The room fell silent once again. He sang only a few lines, enough to convey the emotions behind the lyrics. When he finished, Mahesh Bhatt exchanged surprised glances with the others. "You sing too?" he asked.
"A little, sir. I practice my self." Adil replied. "A little?" Mahesh Bhatt laughed. "Seventeen years old, television actor, and now singer too?" One of the assistants smiled and added. "And he dances as well, sir. It's in his profile." Mahesh Bhatt laughed again. "Interesting, Very interesting."
Then he suddenly stood up and walked closer to Adil. Looking directly into his eyes, he asked quietly, "Tell me honestly. Why do I feel like you've been preparing for this for years?" Adil smiled faintly. "Because I have, sir. I have been since i was a child." For several seconds, Mahesh Bhatt simply stared at him. Then a small smile appeared on his face. "I don't know where you'll end up, son." He handed the script pages back. "But I have a feeling this won't be the last time we meet." Adil thanked everyone respectfully and stepped outside.