Playing for a Role

Ammit Kumar folds a winning hand to let the casting director win. The out-of-work extra goes all out hoping to play a high-stakes hand just right for a role.

A wave of horror shuddered through the film crew. An extra in the scene had spilled chai on the hero’s shirt. The take was ruined.

Amar Prajapati, a.k.a. Ammit Kumar, stood aghast. He would never have done that. If only the casting director had chosen him for the extra role.

Some days he worried he would lose his job as cashier at Jagdamba tiffin house because he spent so much time at casting calls for Hindi films. Other days he relived the memories of roles he had got to play. His favorite was as one of the gamblers in the Marathi remake of The Great Gambler. Sitting expressionless playing cards was what he did best.

The crew milled around waiting for the hero who had stormed off into his vanity. The unfortunate spiller of chai was escorted off the set. Ammit reached for his packet of Wills. His hands touched a pack of cards instead. In a flash he knew what he had to do. He pushed aside the props piled on the table, wiped the table clean, sat down on the chair facing the set, and started shuffling cards.

“Let’s play a few hands while we wait for the hero to calm down.” He suggested nonchalantly. Players joined in and money began to change hands with each game of the three-card Indian poker, teen patti. Curious onlookers began to gather around.

“Last game,” the cameraman called as he dealt the cards, “hero is almost ready for take.”

Sensing the casting director did not have anything better than a high pair, Ammit raised the bet, still playing blind. The other remaining player folded. Fear and uncertainty clouded the casting director’s face as he placed his bet.

Ammit picked up his hand and stared at his cards for an instant. “Fold,’ he said, placing them face down on the table. The relieved casting director threw down his two Jacks triumphantly and started gathering up the winnings. The crowd began to disperse, each person heading for their assigned spot on the set.

“Give me a chance, sir, I can do the role very well. I know natural acting: laugh, cry, anything. I am trained Marathi stage actor, sir. Myself Ammit Kumar.” Ammit said to the casting director in his most respectful voice as he gathered up the cards, pausing casually to reveal his hand.

The casting director’s glance froze for an instant at the straight flush. Then he walked away.

Ammit stood in his best Amitabh Bachchan pose, deadpan eyes following the second hand ticking its way around his black dial 21 jewels Seiko automatic original Japan watch as he waited for his move to unfold.

“Ammit Kumar!” Came the call from the set.