Showing posts with label Facts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Facts. Show all posts

Thursday, November 06, 2014

Thanks for the spark, Chetan!

Sooner or later. Or someday, I had to write. At least begin writing. Almost like my life depended on it. As if I had no other options but to write. And I have to mention Chetan Bhagat. The main reason why I thought I’d give writing a shot. I mean, he is so effortless. When you read him, it looks like even I can write. Some inspiring people.

If I meet him one day (if ever I get an opportunity to meet him, that is) I’ll walk up to him and say, ‘Sir, you are the foremost reason why I finally started writing. I mean I have been contemplating to write since many years. But like they say the immediate reason for the initiation of the First World War was the assassination of the Prince of or Second World War was the attack on Poland, mine was because I happened to read one of your books out of the blue. Suddenly. Just like that.’

I am not going to comment on the quality of his writings. No sir. I mean, anyone could be a critic. It’s so easy to sound intelligent at someone else’s expense. To me, he is the man who coxed the writer in me. To draw the chair. Sit. Put the pen to the paper. And write. And thanks to him, I have completed my first movie script. 

Efforts are on. It may or may not make it to the silver screen. But even if it doesn't I’d still be thankful to him.

Next target – to be a published author.

Yes, I have made up my mind to be India’s most loved writer too. May be a little less loved than Chetan Bhagat. But to be loved, still. Thanks Chetan Bhagat. For that little spark you ignited in me.

Thursday, January 02, 2014

What an average Indian citizen want from its government

As ordinary citizens, all we ask for is 

1. A strong control over inflation
2. Prevention of corruption at all levels
3. Food safety for one and all
4. Highly safe country for all its inhabitants
5. Stricter laws to ensure safety for women, especially anti-rape laws
6. Clean drinking water for all citizens

7. Advanced, affordable and accessible healthcare facilities for all citizens of the country
8. Free and ‘qualitative’ education for all - at least up to high school level
9. Better employment opportunities for the youth by fostering and nurturing entrepreneurship
10. Highly advanced common infrastructure
11. Sound and long-lasting roads

12. Highly sound waste management facilities
13. Well laid-out and maintained drainage systems
14. Uninterrupted power supply
15. Justice for all in its true sense of the word. 

And on our part, as responsible citizens of India, we are ready to 

1. Stay loyal to our country
2. Work harder in the professions of our choice – while staying within the law, being responsible for our actions, and making good money through rightful and fair means (working hard on being innovative and creative)
3. Pay taxes
4. Follow the rules and obey the laws
5. Co-operate with the public officials in the discharge of their duties
6. Stop getting corrupted or influencing others to be corrupted
7. Resist injustice from any quarter responsibly
8. Vote - if necessary (personally, I don’t mind being ruled by a dictator or a king or an elected leader as long as all the needs are taken care of)
9. Contribute to the development of society around us and towards the progress of our country using the individual capabilities of each one of us. 

I seriously and positively hope good things will happen in 2014 and in the years to come. As in, I seriously and positively hope for it to happen!!!

Friday, October 25, 2013

On being a writer.

Off course, I like to write. But a writer is not what I want myself to be known as ultimately.

A film maker, who has beautiful, touching and thought provoking stories to tell, that’s how I want myself to be known as. But God, sometimes work in the queerest way. Whenever I selflessly work towards my goal, braving all the odds, fate (God’s ways) push me towards a completely opposite direction – tempting me offering a glimpse of a quicker route to heaven – almost every time with yet another tempting job offer that requires me to write.

It happened in 2007, when I was about to give up my career in advertising, having stepped into movies, as an assistant director. It’s happened time and again ever since. Bringing me lucrative job offers, both in India and abroad. Almost every time when I was cash strapped.

Writing has always stayed with me. And it is the only thing that has kept me floating. I don’t think I can run away from it anymore. I think I should stop. May be I should plan something really big with writing. That would actually get me known as a writer. A book perhaps. And publish it too.

On temptations.

Temptations are but natural. Be it in any kind of relation, one always encounters it at one point or the other. Just because there is a new means of excitement opens up before you, it doesn’t really mean infidelity is the next logical step.

It is up to us whether to accept signals that may or may not come our way. Or, rather send it to a potential receiver. It’s easy to indulge citing totally humane reasons such as a weak heart, or lack of will power. But is that really very difficult to resist them?

Each one of us has a private space we keep to ourselves, come what may. Keep it there, unknown to rest of the world, known only to perhaps the object of your admiration, feel good about ourselves, once in a while. As a sweet memory. Best way to indulge. Without any complications. Whatsoever.

I am not preaching here. Nor am I trying to prove that I have the will power. But whenever I hear someone talking about what’s wrong with a tiny bit of indulgence, I only think how different could we be then from animals?


Sunday, September 15, 2013

On being old.

When people grow older, they start waking up earlier than before. And then complain about a long tiring day. The fact is they mostly are lonely. And have nothing to do. So they have one more long lonely day ahead of them everyday.

Am I complaining? I don't know.

Saturday, December 08, 2012

On being sane...


If someone calls me a kid. I don’t get offended any more. To me it only serves a gentle reminder. I am still sane. I am 33. Going on 34. To-be-dad for the first time in my life. A son. A brother. A husband. A human being. And sane. 

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Paranjsothy - Chennai Diary 3


If you think finding a girl to marry is the most difficult thing, then take it from me, finding the right girl to act in your movie is far more difficult. I’ve had the most tiring experience doing so. Contrary to the popular belief that there are thousands of girls dying to get a chance to act in movies, the actual fact is that not even a single one from this thousand suits ‘all’ the conditions set by your project.

She should look convincing enough for the role, besides being an eye candy. Then in case of a story such as that of ‘Paranjsothy’, the girl not only has to look pretty, but has to have that tenderness, that would make someone want to protect them. A subtle level of sensuousness needs to be there too. Because of the intensity of love in the story.

Now that’s just about how she looks, but that's not all. The girl still has to ‘perform’ in front of the camera. For that the right attitude has to be there. It could be taught. But that would be a highly expensive proposition.

The fee factor - most important of all factors - comes at the very end. Because each artist has to fit into the set budget. Any variation to the set budget could affect the overall equilibrium of the project.

Some of the girls that attended the auditions we conducted were outright funny. Tell them to smile. And they would twist their lips to a neat ‘O’. Tell them to look into the camera. And they would point their chin towards the camera and strain their vision to bypass their nose and finally reach the camera. Ask to them imagine like a girl who has just been proposed to and is expected to give a positive reply. They would pretend having got proposals from at least a thousand young lovelorn young men – given their looks, and finally giving a blank stare at the camera – I also love you. A shake with the head – meaning affirmative – the character she is supposed to speak to, followed by a sheepish grin – to the crew members who are left wondering why they even plan to make a movie in the first place.

Then there are others. The experienced lot – usually one under-production film old - whom we would like to consider for the role as a second option. Second option, because we aren’t getting what we exactly wanted. These girls would audition for the role along with a sales presentation of their talents, and when we call them up to confirm their schedules, they give some of the lamest excuse to back out. The movie requires some intense scenes - I can’t do that. Or, I have committed to another project during the same time – I don’t have the dates available. Or, I don’t know the language – arre! If these were their excuses, why the hell they come to the auditions in the first place? I mean, our very invitation that we mailed to each of them had all the answers to these excuses.

God, help us. Please.

Sunday, January 08, 2012

A simple thing called life...

Let there be no big dreams. Instead get your priorities right, considering what gives you happiness the most. And do it. The ultimate and only philosophy of life. Simply put.

Saturday, November 05, 2011

Looking forward...

Wedding: 9th November, 2011.
Muhurtham: between 9.30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Venue: Marattil Kottaram Bhagavathy Kshethram, Maradu, Kochi, India.

Sunday, October 02, 2011

Oct 2

Somewhere sometime back a great man was born.
Somewhere nearby a little while ago someone close just died on me.

Friday, August 12, 2011

Pearls of wisdom.

Losers look at life like they didn’t lose it at all. Instead, indulge in some ego masturbation and term the time wasted as experience.

Great xxx is like an exciting roller-coaster ride. You start like you just slipped and you need an extra breath to stay balanced. Then you have no idea where it’s going. Soon it feels like you badly want to stop it and don’t know how. Then it stops. And you want more.

Food is good. And tastes like heaven. Especially when you are hungry and your eye balls tend to roll out of their sockets.

And finally, it’s not that I don’t like to drink and drive. I just hate the police that stop me to check the toothpaste I use.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Importance. Of being myself.

I am the child. And the man.
I am the wise. And the fool.
I am the mature. And the immature.
I am the known. And the unknown.
In my efforts to love others around me, I forgot to love myself!!!

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Kerala. Damp. Humid. And unreceptive.

Back home in Kerala. Did they miss me in the last three years? Off course, they did. Why? No one has a clue.

Everyone is still the same as I left them three years ago. Stubborn. Unmoving. And harsh. What are the expectations? Again, no clue.

What have I gained over the years? When I haven't been able to convince my own loved ones, what's the use of having the world at my feet? No clue.

Life's is burning out. A stand hasn't been taken as yet. Bloody hell. But what's the worth of the empire that's been built on the dead bodies of your own blood? Any clue?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Emotions. Plain & simple.

3.30 pm, 29th April, 2011, Dubai, UAE

On 29th March, exactly one month before the immensely discussed Royal Wedding, I was actually walking down the road that led to Westminster Abbey from Buckingham Palace with my friends Vicky and Roshan. Then, even for once, it didn't seem so important to me to be there to witness the mega-event just a month later, and in some strange way, be part of history.

In fact, at that point of time, I was somewhat irritated at all the hoopla that was made of it. All I could think of was to get out of that place at the earliest possible instance. Literally.

But today, as I sat watching the whole ceremony on live TV, I did feel a little sad. May be not for not being there to be watching what almost looked like a beautiful climax to a romantic comedy.

Leaving London for good, shouldn’t be bad after all.

May be it had more to do with the fact that it’s been four years since I met her. And three years into the relationship. And still, she’s there and I am here.

And I miss her. Damn.

Monday, April 04, 2011

Strange are the ways of nature

As I move on in life, I am getting more and more accepted by strangers, who become friends, and friends who become family, who finally become soulmates. But then why is this gap between my blood and me widening constantly? This is more than what I have bargained for...

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

On Tea vs Coffee...

I don't know what's so much special about a proper 'glass' (available at most of the wayside tea stall just anywhere in Kerala - not 'cup', it kills the joy of having tea) of STRONG tea. Strained (well, it could be the most dangerous part - to ask the chap who makes it for you to give it back strained - But I HATE the layer of butter that forms on the top and the white ones that get in along with the milk and swim around all over the glass - they look like dirty white torn linen flowing in muddy water - so straining is a must!) and spotless. With lots of sugar. With may be a packet of biscuits to go with it. To dip in it and let it melt in your mouth. I love it. Mmmmhh...

But then, the tea I make, PATHETIC...! I am just so hopeless at making tea.

So I always take the safest option out. Sippng hot 'cup' of sweet black coffee. Safe. Ya, as in SAFE! But if you add milk to it, well, I'd rather have plain hot water instead.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

On hard times...

When things start going wrong for you. They all do together. One after another. With no particular order. And not necessarily they need to be connected with each other. There should be some science behind it. Only I am not too sure what it is.

Thursday, November 04, 2010

You. Me. And us.

I think about you.
I think about me.
I think about us.
I am refreshed. Happy. And inspired.

Monday, October 25, 2010

On aspirations...

If you really aspire to achieve something, and yet, if it seems unattainable, then just let it be. You will soon find your inner being getting attracted towards it. And in turn, making it happen for you. Very soon.