The Second Audition – Producer's Test

The next morning, I stood in front of the mirror, tying my saree slowly, letting the pallu glide across my chest before leaving it barely draped. I wore a peach transparent saree this time, almost whisper-thin, the fabric clinging to my curves like morning dew. The blouse was sleeveless and snug, pushing up my bust just enough to enhance my silhouette.

I tied the saree even lower than yesterday, the pleats sinking beneath my navel. My deep oval belly button sat exposed, the hollow surrounded by soft, golden skin that shimmered with a hint of coconut oil. Vinay watched silently as I dressed. I caught his eyes in the mirror—conflicted, but unwaveringly by my side.

By 10 AM, we were back at the bungalow studio. The air felt thicker today, heavier with anticipation. Kishore was already waiting, dressed more formally this time.

“Good morning, Isha ma’am. You’re glowing today…” he said, unable to hide his stare. “Sir and Producer Sandeep are inside.”

We entered.

Rajiv greeted us with the same calculating smile, but this time he wasn’t alone. Producer Sandeep was seated on a lounge chair, a man in his late 40s with salt-and-pepper hair and gold-rimmed glasses. He exuded money and authority—his eyes sharp, like someone used to getting what he wants.

As soon as his gaze landed on me, it lingered. His eyes traced my waistline, then slowly moved up to my chest, before finally settling on my face.

“Is this the girl?” he asked Rajiv, his voice calm but firm.

“Yes sir. Isha. Great dancer. Extremely expressive,” Rajiv replied. “And very professional.”

Sandeep stood and walked around me like he was inspecting art. “Turn around, dear,” he said casually, already reaching for his phone, presumably to click a pic.

I turned, brushing my hair forward. My bare back now faced them, waist curved ever so slightly. I heard the phone’s shutter click twice.

“Lovely,” he murmured. “Now let’s see her in action.”

Scene One: The Tease

Rajiv gave me the scene script—a short romantic encounter. I was to play a village girl being flirted with by her lover near a river, teasing, laughing, resisting his touch at first… then giving in.

Sandeep sat back, his legs crossed, ready to observe. Rajiv took the male role himself.

“Camera rolling,” Kishore announced. “And… action!”

Rajiv stepped close to me, pretending to tug playfully at my pallu.

“Arre, what if someone sees us?” I whispered, blushing and twisting my waist away.

He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close. “Let them see. Your smile is worth a thousand stares.”

I turned my face shyly, moving my hand to push him gently—my fingers brushing his chest. He held my waist suddenly, fingers spreading across my bare midriff, his thumb tracing the edge of my navel.

It wasn’t in the script.

I tensed.

But I didn’t stop. I looked away, my eyes wide, my breath catching—channeling both Isha and the shy village girl. My stomach fluttered—not just from acting, but from the warm press of his palm, the way his thumb circled once, slowly, deliberately, around the sensitive rim of my navel.

“Cut!” Kishore called.

Silence.

Sandeep was smiling.

“She reacts beautifully,” he said. “Even her goosebumps are in sync with the emotion.”

Vinay sat in the corner, hands clenched, but his face unreadable.

Scene Two: The Seduction

This scene was more intimate. The actress—me—was to confess her love by leaning on the man’s chest, allowing him to kiss her neck, her waist, even her belly. The idea was to make it look passionate yet artistic.

“Isha,” Rajiv said, stepping closer again. “You’ll need to lie down this time. On that charpai.”

I nodded.

They brought out a traditional woven cot, placing it in the center of the room. I lay down slowly, draping the pallu aside. My waist rose and fell with each breath, bare and vulnerable, the saree barely covering my hips now. My navel was fully visible—open, deep, and glistening faintly under the lights.

Rajiv leaned over me, brushing my cheek with his knuckles.

“Your skin looks like silk,” he murmured, loud enough for the camera.

Then his hand slowly glided down—over my shoulder, then along the curve of my side—before resting just above my hipbone. He leaned down, brushing his lips along my neck, then paused at my navel. His breath hovered there, his lips barely grazing the skin.

I gasped involuntarily.

“Camera… still rolling,” Kishore whispered from the corner.

Rajiv flicked his tongue against my navel, slow and hot. Then again, deeper, this time swirling.

My back arched slightly. My body reacted before I could control it. I closed my eyes, parting my lips just slightly—part in shock, part in character.

Then he stopped.

“Cut!” Kishore finally called.

Post-Audition

Sandeep clapped softly. “Marvelous,” he said. “She has screen presence. And her body reacts beautifully… naturally. A perfect combination of sensuality and control.”

Rajiv added, “You’ve passed, Isha. We’ll sign you for three videos initially. Remuneration starts at ₹30,000 per video. If all goes well, you’ll be our lead face.”

I sat up, trying to fix my saree. My navel still tingled where his tongue had teased me. I looked at Vinay—he was pale but nodded once, slowly. I knew he hadn’t expected it to go this far. Neither had I.

But something inside me had changed.

I wasn’t just a housewife anymore. I was a woman becoming an actress.

And I had just tasted what that journey would really feel like.