Monday, April 27, 2009

3 DAYS OF 3 INSPIRING MOVIES

Movie 1: American Gangster
Language: English
Watched on: HBO
Date: April 24, 2009

It started on a Friday night. I switched on my television and rushed to a channel that sported the HBO logo. On the left hand side flashed the seconds which announced that the movie ‘American Gangster’ would begin in 0.00.02 time. Having put aside every thing that could have bothered me, I got hooked to the screen. I was both excited and curious to watch the movie which starred two of my favourite Hollywood stars – Russell Crowe and Denzil Washington. Based on the real life story of once famed gangster Frank Lucas, the movie began subtly on a premise that transported the viewer to an era of realising the American Dream. Lucas is shown walking the streets of America with his boss, mentor and friend. His boss points up to a structure and asks Lucas, “You know what that is? They have planned to call it the McDonald’s”. He suffers a heart attack and the scene shifts to his funeral. Lucas is a silent witness to the people who attend the funeral and crack jokes. Frank Lucas swears that his boss’s death won’t go waste. He hatches a plan to rule the underworld and get bigger than the biggest players. He not only smuggles 100 kgs of heroin into America but feeds the poor, serves them drug and gives them money. He buys a mansion, gets married to the most beautiful woman and manages to take his mother to attend a Sunday mass in the church. The bigger he gets, the more enemies he ends up making. These foes are also from the police fraternity who threaten to expose him if they are not being paid their bribe. Frank Lucas bribes them and also threatens them with dire consequences. Lucas also gets his family into the business. His brothers, cousins, nephews every one becomes a part of his business that in particular deals with drugs. The problem begins when Detective Richie Roberts sets on a trail to nab the drug lords smuggling every thing that is threatening the American future. Performed skilfully by Russell Crowe, Richie Roberts is an every day man going through a divorce, bedding innumerable women, missing his son and yet meeting the twain meet. He carefully creates a team of assault officers who are handpicked by him from clubs, corners and cabarets. They start hunting for the real man who is behind all the drugs smuggled in all the way from Bangkok. The heroin when tested emerges to be of finest quality. The missing link only is the player. Most magnificently in this movie the characters never come face to face until the climax scene is arrives on the screen. The visual encounter happens only after a lot of cat & mouse type chases and guerrilla investigations. In the final scene when Lucas is sure of facing an arrest, there is no exchange of dialogues. And neither is their any bloodbath. Lucas being aware of the crime surrenders; pleads guilty in the court and then he meets up with Detective Richie Roberts in his cell. The picture that Frank Lucas presents to Roberts is not only interesting but is quite a revelation. He ends up exposing the misdeeds of cops, the greasing of hands, the exchange of money and the aftermaths. As a result, tarnished cops are arrested, sent to jail and Lucas too serves a sentence. The movie ends saying how Detective Roberts goes to become an attorney to represent his first client Frank Lucas.

If not masterpiece, this movie is an institution in itself. Directed by Ridley Scott who has in the past offered the Oscar winning Gladiator, the soul stirring Black Hawk Down, the emotionally stronger A Good Year and the riveting Kingdom of Heaven narrates a story which very few are aware about. The movie invited mixed reviews. Many wrote it off following the first show while some stayed with it and even declared it to be Oscar material. As a movie buff, as a creative writer and being a die hard fan of Ridley Scott movies; I loved it to the core. I agree Ridley Scott might have not been able to do justice to the script with some loopholes some visionaries might have pointed it. I enjoyed the movie and so did my mom who rarely stays up with wide open eyes to see something so English. Definitely Detective Richie Roberts character could have been strongly developed. But that is not a deal. As far as a movie entertains you and keeps you glued to the edge of your seat, it is a good movie. I pity those who don’t appreciate a story told so well on the silver screen. The only Indian movie that has managed to come close to a movie of such genre is Ram Gopal Verma’s Company based on the life of real gangster rivalry between Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan. All said and done, American Gangster is a good movie and thoroughly enjoyable by those who love to be told a story at its own pace.
Repeated Views: Recommended Strongly.

Movie 2: The Brave One
Language: English
Watched on: HBO
Date: April 25, 2009

Jodie Foster is a radio presenter who is in love with an Asian doctor played by Naveen Andrews. Most specifically she is in love with a half Muslim half Chirstian guy. Both have spent beautiful times together. Time spent on the bed has been equally memorable. They have a lovely life. David Kirmani (Naveen Andrews) and Erica Brian (Jodie Foster) are about to get married. One evening the duo accompanied their dog go for a stroll at the Central Park. Suddenly they are attacked by some miscreants who have been busy drinking beer and cracking vulgar jokes. David is killed while Erica lands up in the hospital bed. Her entire career is shattered by one event. She loses her confidence and tries hard to bounce back to life. Her producer is apprehensive as to whether Erica would regain her status of being an unparalleled radio producer. Erica fails and then she decides to avenge every thing she had lost. She buys herself a gun and starts wandering the streets of New York in the dead of night. This is a city post the 9/11 incident. The city which was once supposed to be safe, secure and soothing is no more the same. Females can no more walk safely. They are molested, raped and killed. Erica’s insecurity provokes her to fire a shoplifter. Next she kills a bunch of goons in the lonely train she takes from her studio to her apartment. She rescues a girl who has been kidnapped from Las Vegas by a drunkard. Erica goes on a killing spree only to meet up with her fate in the form of a kind hearted Detective Mercer played by the seasoned actor Terrence Howard. Mercer reaches every scene of Erica’s deed an hour later. He sees her at the places the bludgeoning events take place and is yet confused to understand the possibilities of her presence & involvement. In Mercer, Erica finds her alter ego. Mercer too is frustrated. He has gone through a divorce, is amused by the outcome of a system that pardons a criminal and yet compelled to be a part of it. Mercer discovers Erica’s intentions and deeds only when she kills a criminal he had once really thought of killing. They both draw closer and one-by-one, Erica kills the people who had stolen David away from her.

The movie is no brilliant piece of cinema. But the depiction is no less than brilliant. Post 9/11, Americans have gone through the toughest phases of betrayal, deception and lawlessness. The Brave One represents their insecurities in a fictionalised way. Neil Jordan is no phenomenal director I had ever heard about. But the way he has made this movie is thought provoking. The moral of the story is if one commoner makes up his or her mind to bring a change in the society, it is possible. Two such movies in India had succeeded in depicting these quite well. A Wednesday starring Naseeruddin Shah represented the frustration of a common man while Ek Hasina Thi starring Urmila Matondkar revealed the insecurities of a single girl trying to make the twain meet in a distrusted society. Though I don’t recommend a repeated viewing but one time viewing won’t be of big harm.

Movie 3: Khela (The Game)
Language: Bengali
Watched on: Home DVD
Date: April 26, 2009

Rituparna Ghosh is a seasoned director of Bengali cinema. His stories are told authentically. His movies are full of characters which are close to real life people. In the past his masterpieces include Uneeshe April, Dahan, Utsab, Dosar, Chokher Bali, Titli, Antar Mahal and the much acclaimed Raincoat in Hindi. Teaming up once again with Prosenjit Chatterjee this time he ropes in Manisha Koirala to play his wife. Raima Sen plays a fashion designer. The story revolves around a director, his estranged wife, a child artist and a fashion designer. Excepting his usual way of story telling which basically take place indoors, Rituparna chooses to go outdoors. He enlivens the beauty of North Bengal without once flooding them with props. Captured beautifully on celluloid Khela follows a brilliant plot. Prosenjit plays Raja a film director in quest of an innocent looking child to play a young Buddhist monk. One day he spots one gulping delicious phoockas at a roadside vendor. He immediately approaches the child and presents him with the presentation. The child artist whose character is named Abhirup suggests that the director seek the permission of his parents as he is not supposed to speak to strangers. Raja follows suit but the child’s parents make their apprehension up, loud and clear. In no way is Raja willing to make the movie without Abhirup. Raja’s producer friend suggests making a choice from the innumerable photographs they have been receiving ever since the announcement of the movie. A major twist in the story is the brilliance of Abhirup who secretly calls up Raja and expresses his wish to act. The child hatches a plan to get self kidnapped. Leaving behind a letter to his parents, Abirup and Raja escape to North Bengal. The shooting begins. In the midst of every thing during interactions with Abhirup, Raja realises through flashbacks how indifferent he has been to his wife. The fashion designer cannot confine her romantic feelings for Raja to herself. The show stealer is of course the child artist who plays Abhirup. He is bright, brilliant and benevolent.
The bond that he develops with Raja is that of a father and child, a teacher and student, a saint and his follower. High on emotions, the movie is bright with colours. Not a single scene of the movie drags itself. In stead what Rituparna serves on his platter full of award winning movies, Khela departs from his past stories. Raima Sen is a discovery. Manish Koirala satisfies. Prosenjit Chatterjee as Raja is phenomenal. The thick stubble on his face, long hair and low paced dialogues make him seem like a director whose character is very much based on Rituparna himself. The only loophole in the movie is it ends too soon. I was really anxious to see how the parents react after meeting their son Abhirup who was supposed to have been kidnapped but is also the writer of his own story. Abhirup not only ends up shooting for Raja but also reunites him with his estranged wife. Raja confesses to his wife that while directing Abhirup, he realised how unfair he has been to his life partner. Rituparna Ghosh is the kind of director whose films are going on improving. He is the next director to be taken note of after the stalwarts like Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Gautam Ghosh, Aparna Sen, Buddhadeb Das Gupta, Tapan Sinha and Ritwik Ghatak. He is the only one to make Bengali film lovers like me survive and end up asking for more. I recommend Khela to be watched again and again for the sake of the master genius – Rituparna Ghosh.
- vociferous

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Night before… PART 10

After an unbelievable experience, Pritish and Kunal drove quietly back to their office. As Kunal stepped in Rebecca informed him that a parcel and an invitation had arrived for them. Pritish walked in and picked up the parcel that was addressed to him. With the parcel accompanied an invitation card, which read:

Renward & Co.
cordially invites you to an evening of prelude
to our brand new Indian endeavour.

Revel an evening of wine, women and wonders.

Your arrival would be eagerly awaited.

In the event of you not making it to the event,
a friendly call from you can make us feel sufficed.

Date: January 25, 2008
Venue: Hotel Courtyard - Grand Hyatt, Mumbai
Time: 8 p.m. to heaven knows when

R.S.V.P.: Florina Mendonsa 99796 *****

The parcel contained a tailored suit. Pritish was dumbstruck. He looked at his wristwatch to check the date which read January 23, 2008. Before he could say something a loud alarm interrupted Pritish’s sleep. He instantly opened his eyes and looked at his wristwatch which read January 24, 2008 and showed him the time as 11 a.m. Stella had sent him more than 10 sms inquiring about his absence since morning. This was the first time, Pritish had slept so late. Reaching office at around noon, Pritish walked into the Thought Room. The team was anxiously awaiting his arrival. He looked out at the reception area where Rebecca was seated. Her desk was empty with no parcel on it. There was no invitation either. As he settled down on his chair, Pritish looked confusingly at everybody present there. Stella pushed a document towards Pritish which read: SHORT FILM SCRIPT FOR CARIBBEAN CLIENT.

At the end of the script, it was written: Climax yet to be decided.

“Why is this yet to be completed?” asked Pritish.
“You were about to narrate it to us Pritu,” replied Kunal.
“But then what happened?” asked Pritish.
“Nothing…You took a break yesterday and headed home. When I called up, you didn’t reply my calls,” replied Kunal.

Pritish realised what he saw or had experienced was a dream that was an extension of the brainstorming session that he left halfway to take a break. On his drive back home, one thing that kept ringing in his head was the possibility of call centre employees doubling up as escorts. The woman was his interpretation because he still couldn’t get Nilanjana out of his thoughts. But Pritish was sure that he had a script for a killing. In stead of an ad film they can now do a short film that would satisfy the target audience that they don’t have to double up for extra earnings. In stead if they are working in the Caribbean call centre what they can look ahead for is a pay package that can take care of their expenses. Secondly they will not have to speak in an ugly accent for catering to Asia based clients. Rising from his chair, Pritish announced his plan and wished the team to work hard on a communication which in its inception sounded so strong could definitely end up bringing good business to the agency. On the other hand, the Caribbean call centre can end up hiring the right kind of people who can serve them better. Pritish looked at Kunal and smiled. Stella sat impressed. The entire team was gung-ho over the entire discussion. As Pritish went through the script the phone rang. Stella picked up the call to answer Rebecca on the other hand.

“What is it Rebecca?” asked Stella.
“There is a parcel for Mr. Pritish,” replied Rebecca.
“And where has it come from?” asked Stella.
“Renward & Co. and is accompanied with a personalised invitation to be strictly delivered to our boss,” replied Rebecca.

Turning her attention towards Pritish, Stella spoke, “Renward & Co. has sent across to you a parcel.”

Pritish thought over it and simply smiled knowing this time it wasn’t a dream until his thoughts were interrupted by the sms tone on Kunal’s mobile.

Advertising is a tough business. It looks glamorous from the outer. Innumerable people toil behind the walls of an advertising agency. The bigger the agency, the tougher are the tasks. Advertising does pay well but not before challenging the intellect level of a person passionate about this profession. There are numerous unsung heroes who work hard to beat deadlines. Sometimes their thoughts go so berserk they end up mixing professional and personal commitments. This short story is a tribute to the unsung and the renowned heroes of advertising who make ideas look great on print, television and online media.

The Night before… PART 9

Pritish was feeling quite tired. Stella tried calling him twice but he preferred to leave it unanswered. Saturday was over. The Republic Day celebrations were flashed over a million times on television. But Pritish was more interested in the Monday meeting. Sunday fizzled out like the bubble thrown out of a beer bottle. Pritish answered Kunal’s call and confirmed the time of the meeting but requested that they meet a little early in the office before they leave.

On Monday January 28, 2008; Kunal reported to office at dot 8.30 a.m. Pritish was eagerly awaiting his arrival. As Kunal settled in the chair he usually occupied in the Thought Room, Pritish started unfolding the episodes that took place during the night of the party. Kunal was dumbstruck not knowing what to say next.

Pritish and Kunal both reached Gary’s office at Powai by 10.45 a.m. Kunal was not that pleased to meet Gary now. But Pritish wanted to see the person who behaved like an evil the other night. They were both led to a Conference Room that was beautifully decorated with gerbera flowers. Having patiently awaited Gary’s arrival both started looking at their watch. As they were about to place their elbows on the table, the door flung open and entered a tall man suited smartly. He had blue eyes, black hair and with a thin file in his hand. Pritish couldn’t believe what he was seeing and Kunal too was amused about whether this was the man he had stories about. As Pritish shook hands with Gary, he started feeling guilty about a fact he thought he shouldn’t have acquainted with. The person seated in front of them was not the Gary Renward he had met on that night. This Gary was very much different from the Gary he ended up hating. This Gary spoke gently, smiled occasionally and meant only business. Gary kept talking but realised Pritish was lost in his thoughts.

“Mr. Pritish! I hope you aren’t bored of my conversation?” asked Gary.
“Hmmm. No, I mean yes and no. But what happened?” minced Pritish.

He was amused to find Gary addressing him as Pritish and not P2. There was something not at all right with his version of the story and with the person he had met. Everything contradicted the other thing. As the meeting ended Kunal had made his notes. But one person who was still left thinking was none other than Pritish. He couldn’t arrive to a conclusion that who was that Gary Renward he had met. Once again they shook hands, exchanged cards and parted. As Pritish neared the door, Gary patted his back.

“Pritish. I hope you will be attending the party tonight,” asked Gary.
“I have already,” replied Pritish.
“Which party are you talking about Pritish?” inquired Gary.

Kunal too was confused by now. Not letting any one else to further corrupt their thoughts, Kunal and Pritish chose to leave Gary’s office. The lift touched the ground floor of the building. Pritish and Kunal stepped out of the lift to approach the parking lot. Kunal excused himself to attend a call on his mobile phone. As Pritish started walking towards his car a woman came rushing towards his direction. Before he could think the woman had already pushed him side to make it to the lift the door of which was about to close. But before she could make it the door closed and she stood helplessly. Pritish couldn’t believe what had happened. As he bent down to collect the car keys that had fallen out his pocket, he saw the woman approaching him. Once he stood up, he saw this woman standing in front of her draped in a lovely sari making her appear more beautiful than she was.

“I am very sorry sir. I was in a rush,” said the woman.
“Actually I have to attend an interview and I have already run late. I am so sorry, in my rush, I ended up pushing you so hard,” continued the woman gasping for breath.
“It’s alright. Please don’t feel so bothered about that,” said Pritish.
“But I owe you an apology sir. By the way I am Mallika,” said the woman.

The second biggest instalment of shock had struck Pritish. Here was a female who introduced herself as Mallika and was not the same woman he had had a one night stand with. Then who was she. To confirm his doubts, Pritish tried looking at her left arm which was partly got covered by the drape of her sari. To his surprise there was a tattoo which read – LOVE BITES HARD. By the time he could gather his thoughts together to speak to the woman, she turned back and walked straight towards the lift. Kunal joined him later.

“Is something wrong with you Pritu?” asked Kunal.
“That woman!” exclaimed Pritish stretching his hand towards the lift.
“What with that woman?” asked Kunal.
“She was Mal…, forget it!” ended Pritish.

The Night before… PART 8

Mallika’s beauty was indescribable. For the first time, Pritish realised that he was not thinking of Nilanjana. He had already started falling for Mallika. But on the other hand he thought would it be wise enough for him to get intimate with an escort who might also be an escort. For that moment however he didn’t want to think but to act. Having thanked the bar tender for the drinks he had served, Pritish turned his attention to Mallika who was already producing rings of smoke from the cigarette she smoked. The light that ignited the cancer stick pressed between her cherry red lips was a gesture of the bar tender who expected something to happen, between the two customers who for that moment had occupied his mind. Pritish drew himself close to Mallika wanting to take her in his arms. Together they reached the third floor of the Grandy Hyatt and to the room to which Mallika had the key for the night as it was abandoned by her gay guest. Before they could turn that one night into a memorable experience, Mallika looked deep into Pritish’s eyes. All Pritish could see was a tattoo on her left arm which said, “Love Bites Hard”. As the night got wilder, locked in the room Pritish and Mallika had bid adieu to their millions of thoughts.

As the rays of the morning sun pierced through the windows of the hotel room, Pritish was awakened by the door bell that rang. Mallika was nowhere to be seen. Pritish knew such acquaintances had a life span of just one night. There was no point in even inquire about Mallika’s disappearance because hotel staff never involve themselves with the on goings of a client after their hefty bill is taken care about accompanied with fat perks and much more. After having freshened, Pritish headed to the parking lot of Grand Hyatt from where he pulled out his car to head back towards the town. As the clock stuck 11 a.m. Pritish received a call on his cell phone. It was Gary on the other end. Unwillingly he still had to answer the man whom he had ended up hating the last night.

“Yes! Gary. How can I help you?” asked Pritish.
“I hope you enjoyed the party last night and if you don’t mind can we meet up on Monday?” inquired Gary Renward.
“For sure Gary. Kunal too should be back by tomorrow afternoon and he will be joining us to discuss our future course of business,” replied Pritish.

Gary hung up but followed up with an sms saying: “Monday 11 a.m. at my office”

The Night before… PART 7

Pritish’s anger was about to explode when suddenly the lights went off following a technical snag. But within five minutes the entire place automatically lit up. Gary was nowhere to be seen. He had disappeared. Pritish gasped for breath having utilised his energy to criticise Gary and his gory plans. He pushed himself towards the bar. Seated on one of the chairs he asked the bar tender to serve him whisky on the rocks. In one single breath he downed it without the wink of an eye. As he sat there frowning, he once again was interrupted by a pat on his back. With the glass gripped tightly in his palm, he turned round to attempt hitting Gary. Only this time it wasn’t Gary but a female with a slender body, dressed seductively in black and smiling.

“Do you have a light?” inquired the woman.
“I don’t smoke,” replied Pritish.
“What kind of man are you? A non smoker. Hard to believe, easy to rubbish,” replied the woman.
“What’s your name?” questioned Pritish.
“Mallika. And may I ask your name?” replied the woman.
“Pritish. That’s my name” replied Pritish.
“It is very strange to see you sitting alone in a party that is supposed to be full of escorts. Haven’t you helped yourself or your preferences are a little different from the normal guys?” teased Mallika.
“No! I am straight. By the way, who are you and what are you doing in here?” asked Pritish irritatedly.
“I am an escort brought here to entertain a guest who was flown all the way from Alaska,” said Mallika. She continued, “Sadly it turned out he is a gay and I was shown the door.”

Quite amused, Pritish was finally meeting and interacting with an escort face to face. Inquisitively he asked Mallika, “So what happened next?”
“Nothing,” replied Mallika.
“I ended up at this bar asking you for a light and only to feel upset about the fact that you don’t smoke,” continued Mallika.
“So what next?” asked Pritish.
“Let’s see what the night has in stock for both of us. Maybe you would be interested in getting entertained by me?” replied Mallika teasingly to Pritish.

The Night before… PART 6

“I am Gary Renward,” introduced the voice.
Recharging his mind Pritish replied, “It’s my pleasure meeting you Gary. I hope you don’t take an offence for being addressed by your first name?”
“Buddy I never mind being addressed by my first name. In fact I insist that people do so more often. It helps in smoothening relationships – personal and professional as well,” replied Gary with a mischievous smile on his face.
A little later while they continued conversing, Gary was joined by a scantily dressed female. Gary introduced her to Pritish saying, “My date for night”.
Pritish never needed to be explained that she was more than a date. To be precise she was Gary’s mate whose fate was at stake tonight. Foreigners are renowned for their abusing habits on bed. Pritish knew that once they drag an Indian female to their room, they rob her of everything starting from dignity to morality and strip her of everything only to assault sexually night after night.
“I hope you enjoy the party Mr. Pri…,” Gary confused over Pritish’s name.
“Pritish! You can call me Pritu,” remarked Pritish with a warm smile.
“P2 would be fine. Sounds like a processor inside a CPU. P2, enjoy yourself. We have got the finest of wine, hottest of women and miraculous of wonders for our guests to explore,” announced Gary. He introduced Pritish to his partners willing to invest in India and escorted by their dates for night. Instructing a steward to serve Pritish well, Gary disappeared for some while with his escort. He was nowhere to be seen for at least two hours. Pritish knew what he was up to. Finally Gary made his appearance this unescorted. He once again joined Pritish and started discussing his plans referring to the meeting he had with Kunal the other day.
“India is beautiful P2. It is here I realised how understanding women are. We men are nothing compared to their intellect level. I have made up my mind to hire 90% females as my employees and the 10% can be handled by able men,” spoke Gary.
“I appreciate your gesture Gary. In a way you are helping the Indian women achieve their dream to be independent and on their own,” appreciated Pritish.

Thereafter Gary shared with Pritish how he planned to expand the call centre that was already operating from Powai in Mumbai. Gary eyed the women more than having taken interest in talking animatedly over his plans for a call centre based in India with Caribbean roots. After all the invitation had read Revel an evening of wine, women and wonders.

Pritish checked his watch third time in the two hours that he had been at the party. Everywhere that he looked men and women were immersed in the blissful experience of consuming alcohol without a hiccup to bother. Wine was just a metaphor to curtail controversies. Vodka flowed like water, whisky was splashed like lime juice and there was rum, gin and everything else that kept members of both sex busy. Pritish had already started feeling lonely, a little ignored and confused. Once again he was interrupted by Gary who this time came escorted with two females.

“P2! Make your choice,” surprised Gary.
“Excuse me Gary, I fail to interpret your presentation,” exclaimed confusingly to Gary.
“Too perfect of an English to bowl me P2. I said make your choice from these two females. It’s an evening of wine, women and wonders. Don’t you remember?” said Gary.
Pritish was not only surprised but he wondered whether Gary was the same person who had expressed his concern to Kunal over call centre employees choosing to be escorts as a part time career. It was obvious that Gary was himself a part of a nexus between the world he talked about and a world he created to exist. No doubt he was indeed the author of the stories he narrated to the world out there. There were millions who disbelieved him and there were the likes of Kunal who bought his story, too it ahead and made it appear like a fact that was unexplored.

“I think so I should make a move now Gary,” said Pritish.
“Come on P2, be a good boy. Spice up your life,” resisted Gary.
“Gary! Let me tell you I never get fooled by half baked stories. You might have convinced Kunal. After coming here I realise every thing is not what it made you seem like,” yelled Pritish.
“Ok! Now chill your outrage. I leave it up to you whether you want to be entertained by the lady to my right who has her navel pierced or the one to my left who is an expert at playing hide and seek,” replied Gary without a sign of remorse.

The Night before… PART 5

Finally arrived the 25th day of the first month of 2008. Having kept busy with two exhaustive meetings Pritish was feeling a bit giddy. Kunal had already flown to Bangalore that afternoon. Stella sat thinking and reading her favourite Mells & Boons. The Ice Spice creative team kept doing what they enjoyed the most that is of doing nothing and hooked to chatting.

Pritish chose therefore to not make it to the office. The weekend syndrome was fast catching up. He called up Stella and informed of his absence from office. At around 6 p.m. Pritish bathed and shaved the little stubble that had developed on his face. Though he considered getting his hair trimmed a bit, he muted that thought and prepared himself for the party. He had to leave a little early to avoid getting stuck in the traffic. South Mumbai at least doesn’t boast the kind of traffic one gets to feel frustrated about. Besides travelling in his brand new Toyota Corolla to a suburb well explored in the past was much of a risk. Zooming his way through the broad roads, by lanes and the single slum flooded lane that led to the five star hotel Pritish finally was at peace at himself. The Grand Hyatt had been his favourite ever since he acquainted himself with the world of advertising. This is where he had met Nilanjana at a party and their romance had bloomed while dining at the China House restaurant. He had treated innumerable clients at the ‘M’ restaurant. But he was visiting this place after two years. In the mean time, he had preferred the Trident or the Taj over the Hyatt. His dress code being quite identical, he was approached by a concierge and led to The Courtyard which is located exactly behind the main reception zone. The artificial waterfall was well lit and the cone shaped structure was decorated with chilly lights which made it seem livelier. Pritish remembered how Nilanjana had demanded that their reception party be held at this place. A wind of memories swiped over his mind. Nilanjana was no more with him but her thoughts had never left him. He might have bedded budding Bollywood beauties, understudy theatre artists and eager-to-debut-on-the-ramp models but Nilanjana or her thoughts could never be substituted or replaced. She was desirable and addictively beautiful. Over the years while Pritish got busy with Ice Spice Nilanjana had started feeling ignored. They set up a model supplying agency Glam Sham to save their marriage. But things never got even. Lastly Nilanjana fell for a budding male model, bedded him secretly and deserted Pritish in the middle of a night. Pritish had gone as far as Delhi to look out for her but she was nowhere to be found. At her home town in Kolkata her parents shunned Pritish by slamming the door on his face but Nilanjana was still untraceable. Over a time she disappeared like a mystery in the events of time. Pritish was lost in Nilanjana’s thoughts when he was interrupted by a pat on his back.

The Night before… PART 4

Pritish walked out of the Thought Room to find a well dressed man standing in front of him. In his hand the man held a black coloured envelope slightly bigger from the usual ones. It was glossy, shining and accompanied with a black coloured parcel. The words Special Invitation were imprinted in special gold colour.

Pritish inquired about the addresser. To which the person carrying the parcel replied, “This is a personal invitation to you from Mr. Renward. All I am aware of is, it comprises of an invitation card and guessing the weight of this parcel, all I can say is it might be some kind of gift made of heavy cloth.”

Not doubting the man’s brilliance, Pritish accepted it with a thankful gesture and signed on a special folder like confirmation of receipt leaflet. Returning back to the Thought Room, Pritish held the parcel in his left hand and the invitation to his right. Placing the parcel on the centre table, he unpacked the envelope. Inside was laid a card that had the words imprinted in gold:

Renward & Co.
cordially invites you to an evening of prelude
to our brand new Indian endeavour.

Revel an evening of wine, women and wonders.

Your arrival would be eagerly awaited.

In the event of you not making it to the event,
a friendly call from you can make us feel sufficed.

Date: January 25, 2008
Venue: Hotel Courtyard - Grand Hyatt, Mumbai
Time: 8 p.m. to heaven knows when

R.S.V.P.: Lorina Menzes 99796 *****

Turning towards Kunal, Pritish inquired, “Isn’t this our new Caribbean client?”

“But, Of Course!” replied Kunal.
“Where you aware of this party,” inquired Pritish.
“Certainly not,” responded Kunal.

As Kunal finished speaking to Pritish, his residence number flashed on his I-Phone. Excusing himself to attend the call, Kunal spoke - “Yes! Tell me darling. What is it?”
“There is a courier for you. Should I receive it on your behalf?” inquired Rekha, Kunal’s wife of two years.
“Sure. Do it,” replied Kunal.

Realising that the courier was from the same place, Kunal turned to Pritish and informed, “A courier has also arrived at my place.”
“Today being January 23, the party is to be attended day after tomorrow,” said Pritish.
“I can’t make it, Rekha and we are flying to Bangalore to be with her parents,” commented Kunal.
“Do you suggest I go alone or perhaps send some one else?” questioned Pritish.
Looking closely at the invitation Pritish held, Kunal said, “It is a private invitation with a bar code pasted on the rear of the envelope. That means the entry is reserved for only Mr. Pritish Bera. I suggest you attend it.”

The only person to feel uncomfortable over the entire conversation was Stella. She had not taken kindly to the words Revel an evening of wine, women and wonders.
After all the discussions concerned to the party, Pritish once again resumed speaking over the new client that Ice Spice was about to cater to. Having briefed his team, turned to Stella.

Pritish informed Stella, “I wish to attend the party.”
“Do as you wish, why bother me?” pat came a disapproving reply from Stella.
Taken aback, Pritish fired back, “Watch that tone of yours Stella. The next time you do this to me, I shall be replying you in a much sterner way.”
Stella went speechless again.

The Night before… PART 3

Kunal replied, “First and foremost he wants us to work on a powerful communication inviting more and more youngsters to join this call centre.” He further explained to Pritish how the Caribbean envisioned a great endeavour. His only concern Kunal explained to Pritish was of the falling numbers of youngsters making up their minds to join call centres. The media expose on growing numbers of drug abuse, illicit relationships in office and other malpractices in the BPO sector had started discouraging youngsters in hopping on to the bandwagon. Pay package was never a problem but the market was getting flooded with rumours of BPO employees opting for part time escorts (mostly females) or gigolos (toy boys) by sometimes day and sometimes late nights.

After having taken stock of the enlightening conversation Pritish had with Kunal, he glanced at his watch. Ticking 5 minutes remaining to 1 pm, Pritish turned to Kunal who was busy filing back the papers he had taken out some time back.
Pritish asked Kunal, “Would you mind joining me for lunch?”
“No! I am taking Sonia out for lunch. She needs to be made a thing or two understood. I envision her handling the Caribbean account.” said Kunal.
Pritish promptly inquired, “Are you sure she will be able to handle it?”
“Don’t you worry Pritu, Sonia is an MBA and she should learn a thing or two a little faster than we expect from her. I will meet you in the Thought Room.,” signed off Kunal.
Pritish dialled Stella’s extension to inquire about whether she had ordered the lunch for both of them.
“Chicken masala with tandoor roti, I kept it ordered for you dear. Once it arrives shall join you” replied Stella.
After the ordered food arrived Stella joined Pritish. Exchanging a few romantic glances, both wrapped up the lunch to team up again in the Thought Room at sharp 2.30 p.m.
Pritish was impressed to see his team come together with a little bit of higher energy levels. Once again the team settled down to start with the brain storming session. Pritish rose from his chair with a white board marker in his hand. Turning his attention to the team, he began talking.

“All of us are aware that we are about to start serving a new client. It is a Caribbean company that is poised to set up a call centre catering to selected countries. Thankfully guys back here in India will no more have to resort to ugly accents that alienate them from their real self.” said Pritish.

As he breathed a little to continue further, he was interrupted a call on the phone installed at the centre of the table. It was the receptionist on the other end informing Pritish of an important invitation that had arrived by courier.
Pritish frowned, “Why am I supposed to receive a courier? You have been doing it for the past two years ever since you were appointed to illuminate our reception zone.”
“I agree with you Sir! But this seems to be a special invitation that has not arrived through an ordinary courier. It needs to be hand delivered with the concerned person accepting it personally. It is packaged in a special way. If you can just make yourself available for five minutes?” hung up Rebecca.

The Night before… PART 2

And the story begins…

Like every year, the first week of January 2008 was as eventful as the many years bygone. Seated alone in his office, Pritish was anxiously awaiting his team’s arrival on a rather lazy Monday. The first one to make it to the Thought Room was Stella Dolas, Pritish’s secretary and secret squeeze. Thought Room was where the Ice Spice team had over the years cracked many advertising codes. Adjusting her glasses and straightening her short skirt, she settled on the first chair installed on the right hand side of Pritish.
Looking straight into his eyes she apologetically said, “So sorry Pritu; couldn’t make it to your place last night. Simpson is in the town.”
Disallowing himself to look amused, Pritish replied, “I’ve become immune to such excuses. Ask our copywriter to pen a few for your sake. And please don’t mask your sniffing habits by lying about Simpson’s sudden visit.”
Sensing trouble Stella chose to mute her thoughts and voice. The second person to arrive was Kunal Hasti, Pritish’s trusted account head and aide. Over the years Kunal has not only taken Ice Spice to greater heights but also managed to retain an impressive clientele. He never had to apologise to Pritish because he was allowed privileges of supreme nature.
Positioning himself on the first chair installed on the left hand side of Pritish, Kunal opened a file and spoke out, “The weekend has been hectic. While others in our team have been cooling off their heels at a suburban resort, I was stuck with this Caribbean client.” Glancing at Kunal, Pritish inquired, “Any breakthrough?”
Kunal was quick to reply, “Yes! But it took lot of convincing to break the Caribbean cart. He has agreed to appoint us as their agency for their soon to be launched endeavour in India.”
Satisfied and slightly relieved, Pritish turned towards Stella and signalled her to check out where the others were.

“This is Stella. Where are you guys? Pritu is here and I am sure, the team’s absence will not keep him in the best of spirits. Better hurry up and ask the others to accelerate their speed and make it to office at the soonest,” hung up Stella. .
Huddling his way through disarranged chairs, combing his hair with his thin fingers; Parth entered the Thought Room. Before Pritish or Kunal could question his delay, Parth spoke out. “Apologies, apologies, apologies… I should have avoided Tequila. Believe me, I tried my best but I was blackmailed to do a macho act.”
Pritish promptly inquired, “And who is to be blamed for it?”
Parth remained silent.
They were then joined by Sonia Sukhani, the Client Servicing Executive who had not yet learnt to decode a client brief. Pritu’s interaction with Sonia always remained imbalanced like the misaligned wheels of a bouncy bicycle. The two designers Alok Awasthi and Tulika Kentucky entered the Thought Room like conjoined twins separated forcibly. At a glimpse, Pritish could make out how much harder his team had partied over the weekend. Sensing boredom, he postponed the meet and signalled Stella to organise a post lunch brainstorming session.

Followed by Kunal, Pritish entered his cabin. After he positioned himself on his lounge sofa Pritish asked Kunal, “So… how tough was the Caribbean cart?”
To which Kunal gaspingly replied, “As tough as titanium. Only God could have been able to melt/break him.”
Pritish teasingly asked Kunal, “You mean to say in the Almighty’s absence you played God!”
Kunal replied, “Should I consider this as your blackish sense of humour or a comment worth taking note of?” Pritish remained quite. Proceeding to present a first hand account of what transpired between the Caribbean and him, Kunal once again opened his file and said, “This guy plans to set up a call centre in India. Primarily this call centre is supposed to cater as usual to an international clientele. Strangely the countries on his target list are Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Burma, China and New Zealand.”
Taking note of what Kunal has just said Pritish inquired whether the Carribean was setting up the call centre for the first ever time in India.
Kunal replied, “Not exactly… He has a miniscule version of the call centre functioning from a 25 storied apartment located some where in Powai most probably.”
Pritish interrupted, “How many employees are working and any idea about their pay structure!”
Kunal answered, “No idea. It seems it is a small establishment and employs a handful.”
Thinking for over ten minutes Pritish spoke again, “So Kunal. How does this Caribbean friend of ours wants us to help him?”

The Night before… PART 1

A short prologue

Being a creative person may not sound a big deal to the uncreative or to those remotely uninvolved with the world of advertising. But for people like Pritish Bera, it is life. In the last 3 years ever since he has been heading Ice Spice, the ad agency that caters to Bollywood and FMCG sectors; he has never looked back. Life before that for Pritish was nothing less than a prison; overpopulated by insane characters. Pritish had always envisioned himself heading a creative team. Though he started off as a Copywriter; destiny got him tempted to the finer nuances of designing and audio visual media. With 3 short films, 7 documentaries, innumerable ads and one book to his credit; Pritish today is almost a celebrity in the social circles of Mumbai. He is also rumoured to be the most eligible bachelor after having gone through a bitter divorce with his model wife Nilanjana. Together they had also set a modelling agency Glam Sham. Nilanjana is rumoured to have had an affair with a budding model and one fine day she fled Mumbai in the cold of a chilling winter night. The marriage ended after two years of mutual understanding Pritish tolerated with her as a husband.

Pritish presently being alone prefers staying alone, travelling alone, partying alone, dining alone and yes… sleeping alone. Pritish is supposed to be a man of his words. Foresighted, highly creative and generous is what describes Pritish precisely. Though not fond of crowded parties, sometimes it becomes mandatory for him to attend a party or two. And one night he does attend a prestigious party and goes through an experience of a different kind.

Monday, April 20, 2009

REVOLUTION


A revolution doesn’t begin at the wink of an eye. It takes millions of suppressing years for the blood to reach a state of anguished boil. Unaccountable instances of injustice fuel the fire that burns within. Accusations, anarchy and arduous attitudes further complicate the presence of an individual in today’s society. Finally one day, when the individual is torn apart between the rights and wrongs of an ignorable life, he seeks revenge. The time has come for a revolution to begin. 1857 might have been a failure but the 21st century presents innumerable opportunities to emerge winners. Come! Not one but one million, billion & trillion to revolt against the unjust, unruly and the unbelonged. If the opponents carry a gun, don’t just stand guarded with a bamboo baton. Need a gun; buy it, grab it, steal it and surge with unaccountable force. The time has come to reclaim what we have lost in the last 200 years. It is either in this century that we recreate our identity or lie dead without a heart to pound, without a soul to feel and lie dead for another century to arrive and leave us shaken. Wake up! Before it’s too late!

Saturday, April 04, 2009

REUNITING AFTER 7 YEARS


MORE ON THAT AFTER THE EVENT ACTUALLY TAKES PLACE TOMORROW!
EXCITED... WE ARE AND PARTICULARLY I AM. BECAUSE WITH THE PASSAGE OF TIME, WE ALL HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH.... WOWWWW!