That night, his phone didn't stop ringing. Box office reports: opening day — ₹12 crores worldwide. Weekend — ₹45 crores. Week one — a super hit. Week two — blockbuster.

Arjun smiled, touched the old man’s feet, and paid double anyway.

For seven years, Arjun had been a face in the crowd of aspiring Tamil actors. He had done bit roles — a friend who dies in the second half, a villain’s henchman with one line, a junior artist in a rain song. His mother, Meenakshi, never stopped believing. Every morning, she lit a lamp in front of the small Ganesha idol and whispered, "This year, my son will shine."