Year: 2003 – July
Location: Mumbai – Zee TV Studios
By mid-2003, Krishna's life had changed more than he could have ever imagined.
He stood inside the Zee TV studio, holding a contract in his hands. The paper felt heavier than it looked—because it carried his future.
The contract clearly mentioned his payment:
₹15,000 per episode.
For a boy who once struggled to buy daily meals, this amount felt unreal.
He signed the papers with steady hands.
The moment the pen left the page, Krishna officially became part of Zee TV's upcoming youth drama—"School Dreams."
"Welcome to the team," the director said with a smile. "You're playing the male lead—Raj Sharma."
Krishna nodded respectfully, trying to control his excitement.
The story was simple yet powerful—school life, friendship, dreams, pressure, and emotions. It was a story every student could relate to.
Shooting began in July 2003.
From the very first day, Krishna impressed everyone on set.
He arrived on time.
He knew his dialogues.
He understood the emotions of every scene.
His natural acting made the director trust him completely.
Soon, the scriptwriters began adding more scenes for his character.
As the episodes started airing, something unexpected happened.
Viewers began noticing him.
Children loved his character.
Teenagers related to his struggles.
Parents appreciated his sincerity.
People began calling him "Raj" instead of Krishna.
His expressions, his dialogue delivery, and his natural charm made the character unforgettable.
Within weeks, the show's popularity increased.
The channel noticed.
Producers were impressed.
And Krishna's importance in the show grew.
Soon, his salary increased from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per episode.
For him, it wasn't just money—it was validation.
With his growing income, Krishna's life slowly transformed.
He shifted from his small rented room to a better apartment in a decent locality.
He bought his first car—nothing luxurious, but it was his own.
He purchased a new mobile phone, one of the latest models available in 2003.
But despite the comfort, he remained grounded.
He never forgot where he came from.
He continued helping people at the orphanage whenever he could.
As his confidence grew, Krishna began contributing creatively to the show.
Sometimes he suggested minor changes in dialogues.
Other times, he proposed small emotional scenes that made the story stronger.
At first, the director hesitated.
But when those scenes worked and TRP increased, the team started listening.
One day, the director said with a smile,
"You don't just act, Krishna. You understand storytelling."
Krishna smiled politely.
Inside, he knew—this was only the beginning.
By the end of 2003, School Dreams had become one of the most watched youth shows on television.
Children, teenagers, and even parents followed it closely.
Krishna's character became a household name.
He received fan letters, interview calls, and brand offers.
The boy who once lived in an orphanage had now become a recognizable face across the country.
That evening, the entire cast and crew gathered for a small celebration organized by the channel.
Laughter filled the room. Music played softly in the background. The atmosphere was warm and proud.
The director raised a glass and said,
"This show succeeded because of teamwork—but one person carried the soul of this story."
He looked at Krishna.
"Thank you for bringing Raj Sharma to life."
Everyone clapped.
Krishna felt shy, yet proud.
This was his first real success.
Later that night, Krishna returned to his rented apartment.
The house was silent.
He placed his bag down, sat on the sofa, and finally allowed himself to breathe.
The journey replayed in his mind—the orphanage, the struggles, the auditions, the long nights of practice.
He looked around the room.
This is not the end, he thought.
This is just the beginning.
He picked up a notebook and wrote down a simple question:
"What should I do next?"
Just two days later, his phone rang again.
"Hello, Krishna?"
"Yes."
"This is Rajat Wedi, creative director at Sunrise Productions."
Krishna straightened.
"We are planning a new youth-based college drama. I've seen your work in School Dreams and I think you'd be perfect for the lead role."
Krishna paused.
"Thank you, sir. I'd love to hear more."
"It's a love story," the man continued. "Youth, emotions, friendship, ambition. Something fresh. We want you as the male lead."
Krishna smiled.
"I'm interested, sir."