Mumbai Monsoon

7:30 AM, Dadar Station:

Your attention, please! Train Number 15642 Guwahati Dadar Express has arrived on platform number five.

Shanky just got the first glimpse of the Aamchi Mumbai life through the windows of the train. It's early morning and the platforms are already crowded with thousands of living machines struggling to board the lifelines of Bombay. It's quite interesting to know that Mumbai is the city which never sleeps but is still called the city of dreams. It is true that millions of people land in this city of Mumbai with bucket full of dreams and aspirations while a few are able to convert their aspirations into reality and others keep struggling to find a small place in the biggest city of India.

Shanky boarded a local to his friend's house in Virar. Thanks to the Bollywood movies, the names of the crossing stations were all so familiar. Shanky was having a glimpse of the city while the fast train kept on hopping the suburban stations. He had landed in the city all the way from Shillong with his small backpack with very little luggage and a sea of hope to conquer the singing arena and make his name in the film industry. He just closed his eyes and remembered the cheers of the Capetown restaurant in Shillong where he used to impress the locals along with a few tourists. Shanky was never satisfied with the claps of those few customers of the restaurant and always wanted to make it big and finally last Friday he took the exit call and boarded Dadar Express leaving behind Capetown restaurant to fulfill his dreams.

The next in queue is Shanky. The New Voice Of Mumbai is a great platform for all newcomers. It is a golden opportunity to perform live in front of well-known music directors and playback singers of the industry. The best will be honored with the New Voice of Mumbai crown along with a contract of the album launch. Despite heavy rains, thousands of participants have gathered in the auditorium to showcase their talent in the field of music. Shanky realized the competition level for the first time ever in his life. He was the lone performer in Capetown and was always the best there. People loved his voice and he used to be happy about that. He soon realized that his legs are shaking for the first time before any performance. He tried hard to stand firm while a melodious voice coming out from the audition room distracted him.

"Ek Shararat Hone ko hai,

Ek Qayamat Hone ko hai,

Hosh Humare Khone ko hai,

Humko Mohabbat Hone ko hai"

He just looked through the slim gap of the doors. A girl in a red saree adjusting her hairs while singing so confidently in front of the judges. He was awestruck looking at the beauty of the girl. He was so lost that the judges from inside had to call his name thrice before he could step in the room.

Shanky tried to look confident and was preparing the first few lines of the song he was going to sing. He was about to start but was interrupted by one of his favorite singers who also happened to be a judge of the show.

"Which song are you going to sing?"

"Sir, It is Ajnabee Mujko Itna Bata From The Movie Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha" replied Shanky.

"Ok shoot"

He was again stopped just after two lines and was asked to sing something different, something like a Dance song for parties.

It came as a surprise for Shanky but he still tried hard enough to give his best shot.

"Your voice is quite good but we were expecting a lot more. You need to be more versatile. Go back, practice a lot and come back again next year. All the best. " The members of the jury tried to make the rejection as soft as they could. With a heavy heart, tears in his eyes and disappointment in his face, Shanky boarded the local train to Virar. Standing near the doors and getting almost half wet he just thought - ' Monsoon in Mumbai is so annoying'.

A couple of months passed like this. Shanky went on giving auditions anywhere and everywhere in Bombay and got rejected almost everywhere. A few people showed little interest in his voice but not as much as he would have liked too. It was becoming very hard for him to carry on like this. People back home wanted him to return to Shillong and join their family business.

One fine day while walking back home he saw the poster of the same girl who had given the audition just before him in the New Voice of India contest. Her name was Priti and she had been crowned with the title. Her album was a super hit and she had already earned a name in the industry. Shanky got inspired once again. Though he tried to disagree with his heartbeats a part of his heart was surely falling for the girl. He tuned in to her songs and kept on listening to her voice whole night while enjoying Mumbai Rains and thought - 'Monsoon in Mumbai is so romantic'

He started practicing more and more, tried to grab every opportunity coming to his doors. All efforts went in vain. It was impossible for him to ask for money from his home. He was totally shattered.

There was a Bar in Bandra which used to give young musicians and singers a platform to perform from evening Six to Ten. One just needs to give a small trial and if approved can straight away sing in the podium and earn a few bucks from the audience. Shanky had no other way out. He went an approached the management there. His voice was loved and he was given a chance to perform from the day itself. A new inning started for him. He used to sing three to four songs daily and earned around five hundred a day which was quite good and a savior for him. He doubled his efforts. He used to start the early morning in search of some work in the music industry. In the evenings he was performing in the Bar. Only during the night, he was free for himself and he dedicated that time to listen to the songs of the New Voice of Mumbai.

The city was painted with posters. Mumbai was in search of the New Voice of Mumbai Season 2. The awards were attractive and this time the show was planned to be telecasted live straight after the screening round. Shanky was a little more confident this time and he easily cleared the first round. It was a huge opportunity for him as the next round will go live and for the first time, he will be getting a chance to sing for a larger audience. Another thing he was happy about was that the season 1 winner will a sitting as a judge for the season 2. He will be getting a direct chance to meet his Nightingale too. The D Day came and the stage was set. A good two minutes could change his life forever.

He went inside and was asked to sing. He tried to remain focused but his eyes never agreed with him. He was quite satisfied with his performance and was looking forward to the panel's reaction.

It was One - One for him. While Mr. Atul Nigam found his voice too promising, the famous music director Mr. Nitish Rana had a different view. It was all over to Miss Priti for the final decision.

"How long have you been singing?"

"Some Twelve Years " replied Shanky.

"Are you into regular practice? " asked a curious Priti.

"Yes, I sing for a Bar in Bandra"

"Listen Mr. Shanky, singing in a Bar in front of a few drunk audiences is quite different from singing as a playback lead. There's no doubt that you are having a promising voice but I feel you need to learn a lot before coming back in upcoming seasons. All the best."

The jury concluded with the rejection.

It was drizzling and Shanky was yet not over with the insult and disappointment that he had faced a day before. He had already decided to go back and join his family business leaving his songs in his dairies forever. He was sitting alone in the Marine Drive watching the sea quietly. Mumbai Rains tried hard to hide his tears. A year before during the Monsoon, he had arrived in Mumbai with a lot of dreams and today he is about to leave his dreams and the City of dreams. Monsoon in Mumbai was probably bidding a farewell to him.

"Excuse me, Are you Mr. Shanky?" said a guy in his twenties holding an umbrella.

"Yes, I am" Shanky replied while being surprised to hear his name from an unknown person.

"I watched you singing last night, You were awesome. I was surprised by the results. Most of my friends believe that you deserved to be in the next round" said the guy all at once.

Shanky remained silent. He was hurt from being rejected. He could not say anything.

"There is always a second chance brother. Will you please sing a song for me. I will cherish this for a lifetime." requested the guy.

Shanky was not in a mood but still, he started -

' Aye Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan,

Zara Hatke Zara Bachke Ye hai Bombay Meri Jaan........'

8:00 PM, Dadar Station:

'Your attention, please. Train No. 15643 Dadar Guwahati Express will be departing right time at Eight hours and Twenty Minutes from platform number two.'

Shanky was bidding his last bye to Mumbai and the Mumbai Rains which was sometimes annoying and sometimes romantic for him. The Mumbai Rains which witnessed him getting angry, frustrated, romantic, disappointed and heartbroken. He had developed a great understanding with the Mumbai Rains. It was time to board the train finally.

He lifted his bag and started walking towards the gate of Sleeper Coach number 6 while he heard his voice from somewhere -

'Bekaaron Ke Hain Kayi Kaam Yahan

Zara Hat Ke, Zara Bach Ke, Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan

Aye Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan, Zara Hat Ke, Zara Bach Ke

Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan'

He ignored at first but he was sure it was his own voice. He turned and a small child pointed at him.

"Hey, he is the same guy"

Some ten-twelve people came running towards him before he could realize anything with a video of him singing in Marine Drive.

" Good Evening Mumbai!

Had a hard day with your Boss or your business went for a loss, wife waiting for a fight or your upcoming schedule is tight, this is me RJ Mithun for 93. 9 FM with your favorite show Monsoon Mela live from Dadar Station and guess who is with me???

The Star of Mumbai, The Marine Drive Singer, The boy whose video went viral yesterday and received huge applause in the social media with the video receiving more than 3 million views in less than 24 hours. Shanky is with me and he is leaving Mumbai and Mumbai Monsoon forever. Won't Mumbai stop him? Call us at 5888 9888."

Shanky would have never thought Mumbai Monsoon will bring the biggest gift for him.

All he could sing was -

'Aye Dil Hai Aasaan Jeena Yahan, Suno Mister, Suno Bandhu

Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan'