MEDITATING UPON A CONVERSATION

This is where it all began

Picking up a thread, from where I had last time, I am writing again.

Yes, the urge to write has always been honest. But, the urge to seek inspiration, I agree has earned some reputation. I won’t wish to still tag it as procrastination. But, the process of writing, as an art form, has definitely slowed down.

Thus days went by. After ‘My letters for October’, I really didn’t write anything much interesting. Today, as I write this piece, I am left with very little choice or no choice at all. My inspiration, this time over too is none other than the man, who created that magical drama on celluloid called OCTOBER. The man, Mr Shoojit Sircar.

I’ve been his fan, ever since his first cinematic presentation of YAHAAN. Yet his imagining of PIKU, PINK and OCTOBER, turned me into a bigger fan of his. Of late, I’ve been spending a lot of time on YouTube; listening to his interviews, watching the making of his movies, discovering him share his experiences & learning. Just then, a post popped up on Instagram. IFTDA (Indian Film & Television Directors’ Association) had put up a poster, which informed about a Masterclass to be conducted on May 19. I knew I had to grab this opportunity.

There I was, seeing and listening to the man himself; Mr Shoojit Sircar (The Storyteller) in conversation with Mr Anjum Rajabali (Another Storyteller) at the ISKCON Auditorium, in Juhu.

Besides sharing some rare gems about how he respects his writer, Mr Shoojit Sircar left me feeling rich with an experience, I can’t define in an ordinary manner. At the same time, he taught me something very important. The learnt lesson is so significant that it made me grow selfish by the time, the seminar ended.

I must confess that Mr Shoojit Sircar put all my inner and outer conflicts to rest. The lesson, I learnt from his conversation, almost magically, took the shape of meditation. I am in no mood to reveal any details of that very special lesson. Instead I am going to turn this learning, this meditation into highest source of inspiration.

This inspiration will lead to something; I haven’t felt before or associated with either. His words were simple but their intent was extraordinary.

Even though, I was eager to present him with the copy of my blog, in appreciation of OCTOBER, I hardly got a chance to meet him in person. But that leaves me with no regrets. There’s always that next time to hope for and the next moment to be a part of.

Suddenly all the excitement, which seemed to have taken a backseat, has returned. Yes, the urge to write has always been honest. Yes, the urge to write will continue being honest.

One person, who made this possible is Mr Shoojit Sircar. If not today, maybe someday very soon, I am going to sit across and convey my heartfelt gratitude to him.

Two amazing storytellers in action

-Virtuous Vociferous | May 20 | May Blog-1 | 2018

MY LETTERS FOR OCTOBER

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 65^th 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