I watched and I experienced OCTOBER, irrespective of the flood of reviews,
reactions and response.
I watched and I sensed OCTOBER, with my mother seated beside me.
I watched and I felt OCTOBER… My eyes turned moist. My speech trembled.
My faith in love turned unconquerable.
Thus, I chose to write these four letters; my letters for
OCTOBER.
Letter #1 for October (To Writer, Juhi Chaturvedi)
Dear Juhi,
I was eager to gift my mother something very special on her
65th birthday this year. She celebrates her birthday on April 13.
Like every year, I asked her, if she had something specific on her mind to
receive as a gift. Just like every year, she smiled and said, “I’ve everything
my son. I wish to see you happy. I think as a mother, I can’t ask for a bigger
gift.” Moved emotionally, I stubbornly clung to my wish to gift something
special to her. Then, OCTOBER came by. So beautifully written by you; almost
like poetry in motion. Since I knew, I will be busy with meetings on her
birthday; I booked the tickets for the last show of April 14. Guess what Juhi,
we were seated there at the multiplex, watching OCTOBER unfold in the month of
April. Both of us kept wondering, how could you’ve thought about creating those
two lovely characters of Dan & Shiuli (By the way Shiuli is my mother’s and
my favorite flower. Our garden has a total of three trees. Mom and I too enjoy
collecting those fallen flowers every morning). Coming back to Dan & Shiuli
and their presence in OCTOBER, let me tell you, it was the way you told the
story, which left us speechless. Such a wonderful story. Being a creative
writer myself, I can understand the detail, which went into making us
experience the pathos in this epic love story. I simply love the way, your pen
moved and created an amazing October for us, in the month of April. Trust me,
as I write this letter to you, I am still in tears.
More power to your pen!
Regards,
Purnesh
Letter #2 for October (To Director, Shoojit Sircar)
Dear Shoojit,
The movie ended. The credits rolled. The lights jumped back
to life. My mother and I left our seats and started walking towards the exit. I
was holding her hand tightly so that she didn’t lose her balance on the stairs.
Just a day prior to today (April 14), on the day, you released OCTOBER (April
13), she turned 65. As we held hands, she looked at me. My eyes were moist. I
was yet to recover from the story. I was yet to recover from OCTOBER. I connected
with the movie emotionally and in every single way that you might have wanted
the movie to resonate with the audience. I just wish to ask you one thing
Shoojit – How can you think of a character as selfless as DAN? I wish to ask
you another thing Shoojit – How did you think of making SHIULI walk into our
lives and take control of our lives? Tell me Shoojit. I am still seeking
answers. You are the one, who introduced us to this OCTOBER. Therefore, I
request you to answer my questions. Let me conclude by confessing – I loved
OCTOBER to the core. I loved it because you made this amazing love story come
my way; when I went out seeking love but
realized that the story had never begun and yet, I kept seeking a conclusion
(rather a happy ending). Thank you Shoojit. Just like Dan, you made me find my
purpose in life.
I wish to sign off saying, “You reaffirmed my faith in love.”
Please don’t stop telling us such wonderful stories.
Regards,
Purnesh
Letter #3 for October (To the two miracles, Banita &
Varun)
Dear Shiuli (Banita) & Dan (Varun),
I remember confessing my love to her. We were not even a
breath away from each other. I ended up saying it to her and made it sound like
a normal conversation. But the conversation wasn’t that normal, simple or
forgettable. I know, she heard me. There’s no reason to disbelieve her. She
didn’t deny anything. Neither did she accept everything. Somewhere she made me
realize, we could be great friends. But, I committed that stupid mistake; I
grew possessive about her, I suddenly grew protective about her. I started
taking control of her emotions, her behavior, her conversations; almost
everything. Not for once did I give myself a chance to love her, like her
selflessly. Before the love story could begin, I could sense it was over. Yes,
Shiuli & Dan, it’s over. So I told myself, no more falling in love. And
then, you both came my way. I met you there, in the multiplex. Not for a
moment, I could take my eyes off you. I invested all my senses in your love
story. But, yours is not a love story… yours is a story of love. That is what,
makes the difference. Loads of love to you both; Shiuli & Dan, thank you
for coming my way. I might not endeavor seeking love the way, I went seeking.
You both, made me realize, I should rather allow love to happen.
So Shiuli, next time, when you ask – WHERE IS DAN? I will be
the first one to tell you, where he is.
Love to you both for making me feel in love again and
helping me start to love myself.
Regards,
Purnesh
Letter #4 for October (To the flower, Shiuli)
Dear Shiuli-The Flower,
The next morning, when I or my mother shall come downstairs
to collect you, I will be reminded of OCTOBER again.
Regards,
Purnesh
Conclusion of this post: Love, if selfless by nature…. can create GREATER
WONDERS!
-Virtuous Vociferous | April 14/15 | April Blog-1 | 2018
