EMPEROR: THE COST OF CROWN

15 August 1966.

Nearly 19 years of independence… yet some kings still rule over this country.

India is a land of kings… and someone has to rule it.

The city of Bombay. The birth place of a king whose crown is forged from fear.

The room is dimly lit. Heavy curtains filter the sunlight.

On a sturdy wooden drawer, the morning newspaper lies, headlines screaming:

"An Independence Day in India… but a new fear for every citizen. RASHIL."

Rashil, India’s most feared gangster, sits up slowly. Calm. Collected. Hands reach for the newspaper.

He smiles faintly.

"Daddy! Good morning."

Aryan, 10-ish, confident for his age, steps in.

"Good morning, son." Rashil replies calmly.

Aryan peers at the newspaper, frowning:

"Dad… why is your name there? Are you… a bad man?"

Rashil tilts his head slightly, looks at his son with

controlled intensity.

"Son… the world doesn’t stop for anyone.

If you want something… you stop the world yourself."

Aryan 's mom enters the room, calling Aryan...

"Aryan. Don't disturb your dad...come here."

He walks towards his mom.

Rashil from behind, says..

"Aryan...don't forget this lesson. There's an empire, which is waiting for it's emperor."

-" Who's the 'Emperor' dad?" asks Aryan

“You. But a throne isn’t inherited… it’s taken.

My name will open doors. Your strength will keep them open.”

-"Dad. I promise you...i will be a great emperor."

-"I do believe you."

The telephone nearby rings

Rashil picks up the phone and tells Aryan to walk out of the room.

He answers the call and says..

-"Hello. Who's this?"

-" Rashil..it's me . Daniel. There's a cross gang meeting in two hours. You've to be there."

-" Yes I'll be there soon."

Cuts the call

"Anu! Come here please ." He calls his wife.

-"Coming!" She replies

"Yes Rashil . Tell me."

-" There's a meeting in two hours. I've to leave . So, just take care I'll come back by 9 pm."

-"Ok. Just be calm ..please."

-"Yea. Better they not speak over their damn boundaries."

-" Still...just keep calm."

-"Hmm."

“Empires don’t wait…

they shape the ones who are meant to claim them.