The Cosmic Clues by Manjiri Prabhu

Author:Manjiri Prabhu [Prabhu, Manjiri]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Women private investigators, General, Fiction, Mystery & Detective, Mystery fiction, India, Astrologers, Astrology, Pune (India)
ISBN: 9780440241720
Publisher: Random House of Canada
Published: 2004-09-28T06:00:00+00:00

The September sun was on the horizon, painting the sky in golden-pink shades. There was still plenty of time for the famous Panchgani sunset, but already the glow in the sky was a treat to watch. Sonia's eyes feasted on the golden ball as it tilted over the tableland—the second largest plateau in Asia. Every single time she visited this hill station, she marveled. Panchgani was an idyllic hilly town on the crest of the Sahyadri mountain range, a favorite choice of tourists and also the perfect location for film shootings.

Three large, red-and-blue-striped garden umbrellas were set up on one side. Sonia, along with Jatin, relaxed under one of these, watching sixty people bustle around them. A spot boy approached and served them hot chai in two disposable thermacol cups. Sonia smiled at the shy kid.

“Silence, please!” a voice boomed on the handheld speaker-cone. Chirag Mehta, the Producer and Director of the film titled Ek Paheli (“The Puzzle”), issued crisp orders to his team, and everyone immediately fell into position. The Cameraman on top of the crane, the Light Men with the huge HMI lights, the Makeup Men and junior artists hovering on the sidelines—all ready for action.

“Roll camera!” Chirag bellowed.

The Clapper Boy slipped in front of the camera, clapped the board, and said, “Ek Paheli, sequence 70, scene 3, take 1.”

“Music! Action!” Chirag thundered.

Sonia watched in admiration as Nimisha, the famous actress and her friend, danced with perfect tempo and grace to the music, before a huge, ornate set of a temple. The camera whirred. The Light Men trained the huge reflectors and the lights on the beautiful actress. There was no doubt, Nimisha was a star—in the real sense of the word. Attired in a sequined, traditional blue and gold Bharat Natyam dance sari, her tall willowy body showed off perfect curves. Her personality emanated magic, poise, and vitality. In front of the camera, she positively glowed like a star.

The group on the sidelines watched in rapt silence, appreciation on their faces. Except one face. Jay—the hero of the film—was positioned at the foot of the crane and the expression on his face startled Sonia. He was staring at Nimisha, a long fixed gaze filled with agony and misery. Whatever could cause such intense emotion in the man, Sonia wondered. Was he in love with Nimisha?

“Cut! Perfect!” Chirag boomed, pleased.

Jatin expelled a slow whistle of approval. “Wow! She's good, isn't she?” he whispered.

Sonia agreed. “The best. What perfect rhythm, and she's supple, like a cloth in hand.”

The music was switched off and the shot was okayed. Immediately a flurry of activity commenced, as trolley tracks began to be laid for the next shot. Lights changed position around the set of the temple, and the entire crew, including Chirag and the twelve Light Men, swung into action. The Makeup Man ran to Nimisha to touch up her makeup. The actress patiently allowed her face to be dabbed and puffed, then, smiling, walked towards Sonia and flopped down on the empty chair beside her.

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