It has been a wonderful experience to be part of the crew that is making the movie based on 'The Men Within'. Shooting started sometime late in April or the first week of May 2010. We had all got a bit into the cricket playing mood thanks to the indoor cricket tournament that we played under the Art Beat Capital banner, (Sumanth was pretty much the star of the show with some sensible batting and bowling that made a big difference and even Mohana Krishna and Sagar turned their arm around in a match), and we were all set for the shooting. The youngsters had a couple of week s of coaching under Baig saab's eye at the ML Jaisimha Indoor Cricket Academy and even played a couple of practice matches. The initial part of the shoot was in All Saints and I went for a few hours with Bro. Joseph one day. My real job was when the cricket shooting began.
Come May 11, the hottest day last summer, and we were all called to the ground. Since we needed a couple more teacher like cricketers Pawan and Suri consented to spare some time. On May 11th then, we played in the blazing hot sun, when it was difficult to even sit in the shade. Sitting beside a highly rated young director like Mohana Krishna under the director's umbrella and watching an accomplished technician like Senthil operating the camera from close range, is a rare privilege and I consider myself lucky for that. And I also realised that this process is at its most interesting at that range.
Each shot was taken meticulously. If Mohan wanted a particular shot in a certain way and was happy with the result, Senthil would always insist gently that they could try another shot and invariably that turned out better. I realised how meticulous the planning has to be in the director's mind. Its almost as if he has seen the entire movie shot by shot in his head and he comes to the shoot and is ready to make it happen. I realised how much clarity one needs to be in the director's seat, how much in control he needs to be since the entire unit is looking to him for directions. Even the cinematogropher, Senthil, is clear in his mind that this is entirely the director's vision and his job is only to enhance his vision. And everything in the set, the shoot does exactly that. It is really amazing that this one person has this hole thing planned out in his head and everyone else helps execute it.
I must mention how amazing it was to see the entire unit function from the first day I went. I realised that there are several departments all working like perfect clockwork so that we are all ready at the location before 7 a.m. and ready to shoot. There is the director and his team of assistants (one chief AD, and a team of several others setting up everything ready for the shoot), the cinematographer and his team of assistants (from the light variation to setting up the tracks, lenses, changing magazines etc), production guys taking care of the needs of all the people on the set, catering guys having everything ready for everyone hot and in good shape whether there are 30 guys or 600, set department, artistes, junior artistes, transportation, costumes (they have to keep everything ready for everyone), the finance guys, the executive producer, the co-producer, and I do not know how many more departments work in tandem. Every one, every single person, is ready by the time the first shot is ready for take at 7 in the morning. And it goes on all day till the director calls 'Pack up' at 630 p.m. at the end of the day.
If the Director is the captain of the ship, the Producer owns the ship, the Executive Producer represents the Producer on location and ensures that the money is well spent and the shooting is going on, the co-Producer ensures that all call sheets are given and the actual shooting is going on. One meets all kinds of people with hope, passion, talent, commitment working like their lives depended on it. I will take you through some of the things I noticed in my time at the sets, people I met, things that happened before I forget.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Article in the Indian Express - August 7, 2010
This article appeared in the New Indian Express on August 7, 2010
Learning Corruption Hands-On At The Political Academy
There is an urgent need to produce good leaders who can lead us into a golden future. Unfortunately there are no institutes to train politicians. Most politicians are born or married into politicians’ families or they have become politicians to escape the law or the tax man. This is not a very scientific method of producing leaders. We need academies like IIMs and IITs, with a proper curriculum, so we produce the best. After all, politics is the most lucrative career, far ahead of crime, and deserves its own academy. And as a responsible citizen, I have done my bit and put together a brief on a politician’s academy (based on news reports that I read).
First, the eligibility criteria. Though all are eligible to become world leaders, including severely challenged minds as we know, only unpolluted minds can apply to this elite academy – i.e. those who are clueless about law, human rights and basic etiquette. Good leaders have a different mindset. If they start respecting things like the law and humans they cannot create chaos in traffic and airports, start scams, wars, and riots, and erect their statues all over, can they? So, unpolluted minds only!
The entrance exam (PAT – Political Aptitude Test) would select candidates who can twist and flout rules to come first– including cheating at the exam. Those with work experience will get first preference of course, if they submit proof (of murder, kidnap, fraud etc). Such candidates are good raw material because they need no further training in breaking objects and bones in the assembly or parliament where they finally land up. They can hit the ground running. They can hit anything.
Since Group Discussions simulate assembly sessions, it literally eliminates several candidates in spite of ambulances and riot police waiting outside. Only the fittest survive for the final interview with the CBI, which is where all politicians worth their salt dream of ending up someday. And only aspirants who handle the interview creatively – from coercing to lying, threatening to bribing, crying to offering sex, get picked.
First year curriculum includes subjects like ‘The Art of Denial’, ‘Fooling the Lie Detector’, ‘Being Irresponsible’ and ‘Cover Up Operations’. During this period, students are trained to deny everything, lie about everything, take no responsibility at all and cover up everything they do. Once these magnificent qualities are in place, aspiring leaders are ready to lead and handle any crises. Second year courses such as ‘Grab The Chair’ (an advanced version of Musical Chairs), ‘Give Clean Chits to Friends’, ‘Loopholes In Law’, ‘Advanced Rioting Methods’, ‘Starting a War’, ‘Crying On Camera‘, ‘Communal Marketing’ etc are aimed at sustaining power.
A special elective on financial planning is included. Part one deals with increasing efficiency - how to accumulate the most money in the shortest time, and Part two with distribution - how to hide millions in a maze of banks and accounts so no one knows. Sometimes even they don’t.
It cannot be all commerce of course. Family values are important. Subjects range from ‘Keeping power within the family’, ‘Benefiting Maximum Number of Family Members’ and ‘Starting off Second Families’. Optional courses include socializing with film personalities, using twitter and facebook, sleeping on the dais without being caught, escaping sting operations, having relationships without making children etc.
The market is huge. Faculty is top class –former Presidents to Businessmen, Bankers to Judges, Crooks to Cops. Placement is assured. Returns are great. The only hitch I can foresee for this wonderful model is that this Academy may never get approval from our leaders. Who would want unnecessary, trained competition?
Learning Corruption Hands-On At The Political Academy
There is an urgent need to produce good leaders who can lead us into a golden future. Unfortunately there are no institutes to train politicians. Most politicians are born or married into politicians’ families or they have become politicians to escape the law or the tax man. This is not a very scientific method of producing leaders. We need academies like IIMs and IITs, with a proper curriculum, so we produce the best. After all, politics is the most lucrative career, far ahead of crime, and deserves its own academy. And as a responsible citizen, I have done my bit and put together a brief on a politician’s academy (based on news reports that I read).
First, the eligibility criteria. Though all are eligible to become world leaders, including severely challenged minds as we know, only unpolluted minds can apply to this elite academy – i.e. those who are clueless about law, human rights and basic etiquette. Good leaders have a different mindset. If they start respecting things like the law and humans they cannot create chaos in traffic and airports, start scams, wars, and riots, and erect their statues all over, can they? So, unpolluted minds only!
The entrance exam (PAT – Political Aptitude Test) would select candidates who can twist and flout rules to come first– including cheating at the exam. Those with work experience will get first preference of course, if they submit proof (of murder, kidnap, fraud etc). Such candidates are good raw material because they need no further training in breaking objects and bones in the assembly or parliament where they finally land up. They can hit the ground running. They can hit anything.
Since Group Discussions simulate assembly sessions, it literally eliminates several candidates in spite of ambulances and riot police waiting outside. Only the fittest survive for the final interview with the CBI, which is where all politicians worth their salt dream of ending up someday. And only aspirants who handle the interview creatively – from coercing to lying, threatening to bribing, crying to offering sex, get picked.
First year curriculum includes subjects like ‘The Art of Denial’, ‘Fooling the Lie Detector’, ‘Being Irresponsible’ and ‘Cover Up Operations’. During this period, students are trained to deny everything, lie about everything, take no responsibility at all and cover up everything they do. Once these magnificent qualities are in place, aspiring leaders are ready to lead and handle any crises. Second year courses such as ‘Grab The Chair’ (an advanced version of Musical Chairs), ‘Give Clean Chits to Friends’, ‘Loopholes In Law’, ‘Advanced Rioting Methods’, ‘Starting a War’, ‘Crying On Camera‘, ‘Communal Marketing’ etc are aimed at sustaining power.
A special elective on financial planning is included. Part one deals with increasing efficiency - how to accumulate the most money in the shortest time, and Part two with distribution - how to hide millions in a maze of banks and accounts so no one knows. Sometimes even they don’t.
It cannot be all commerce of course. Family values are important. Subjects range from ‘Keeping power within the family’, ‘Benefiting Maximum Number of Family Members’ and ‘Starting off Second Families’. Optional courses include socializing with film personalities, using twitter and facebook, sleeping on the dais without being caught, escaping sting operations, having relationships without making children etc.
The market is huge. Faculty is top class –former Presidents to Businessmen, Bankers to Judges, Crooks to Cops. Placement is assured. Returns are great. The only hitch I can foresee for this wonderful model is that this Academy may never get approval from our leaders. Who would want unnecessary, trained competition?
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Top 10 music themes
These are the top 10 music scores, mostly in movies.
1) The Sholay theme
Haunting, hopeful, call of the wild kind of a music. Most memorable during the titles when the jailer is heading to Thakur's house on horseback.
2) Saajan's theme music
Very romantic. I saw the movie in Patna in 1992 and can still remember the tune.
3) Chariots of Fire theme music
Vangelis. Masterpiece. Will make it my all time favourites.
4) James Bond theme music
Unmistakable. Probably the best known theme music in the world.
5) The Godfather's theme music
Very haunting. I heard it much after watching the movie. Very soulful.
6) Love Story theme music
Another of those tunes we have all heard somewhere surely. Wonderful composition.
7) Top Gun theme music
Makes you fly. It's perfect for the movie.
8) Come September theme music
Again, heard this in school. Never knew where it came from. Got the name one day. Then watched the movie. Fantastic.
9) Beverly Hills Cop, Axel F theme music
It was just right for the movie again. Had a cult following.
10) Salaam Bombay theme music
L Subramaniam's music for Salaam Bombay was moving. It was incredibly sad. The violin worked amazing emotions. Still have the entire composition in my head. Takes me back right there. The cover of the cassette, the mood of the movie, listening to it in dim, dark nights. Brilliant.
1) The Sholay theme
Haunting, hopeful, call of the wild kind of a music. Most memorable during the titles when the jailer is heading to Thakur's house on horseback.
2) Saajan's theme music
Very romantic. I saw the movie in Patna in 1992 and can still remember the tune.
3) Chariots of Fire theme music
Vangelis. Masterpiece. Will make it my all time favourites.
4) James Bond theme music
Unmistakable. Probably the best known theme music in the world.
5) The Godfather's theme music
Very haunting. I heard it much after watching the movie. Very soulful.
6) Love Story theme music
Another of those tunes we have all heard somewhere surely. Wonderful composition.
7) Top Gun theme music
Makes you fly. It's perfect for the movie.
8) Come September theme music
Again, heard this in school. Never knew where it came from. Got the name one day. Then watched the movie. Fantastic.
9) Beverly Hills Cop, Axel F theme music
It was just right for the movie again. Had a cult following.
10) Salaam Bombay theme music
L Subramaniam's music for Salaam Bombay was moving. It was incredibly sad. The violin worked amazing emotions. Still have the entire composition in my head. Takes me back right there. The cover of the cassette, the mood of the movie, listening to it in dim, dark nights. Brilliant.
Top 10 Scenes
Let me think this up very quickly - first come, first served.
1) Amitabh dying in Sholay
Not a dry eye in the house. Why did he have to die? And the coin with two similar sides was a master stroke. I win whichever way. Brilliant stuff Salim - Javed.
2) Aamir hitting the six in Lagaan
You know he will do it but you're still rooting for the honest, brave Bhuvan and when he does it, you're elated, flying in ecstasy as if you had done it. That is what an honest effort can do.
3) Amitabh's drunken scene in Amar, Akbar, Anthony
Roll in the aisles my friends, there is nothing else you can do but roll in the aisles at this scene. It's unbelievably funny as he sticks the band aid very considerately on the mirror and blows on it for good effect.
4) Aamir fighting back in Ghulam
Aamir the boxer challenging Sharath Saxena, the local goon to a public fight and much like Mohammed Ali in his famous fight, just not giving up after all the battering, and coming back each time until Sharath Saxena finally gives up.
5) Amitabh locking up the door to the warehouse in Deewaar and throwing away the key
Another master piece by Salim-Javed. Here are the goons waiting for Amitabh and he enters their den, locks it up, throws away the key and challenges them that he will unlock it after kicking their butt. And he stops the villain who is running away from him by opening the door, and opens it himself! Maine kaha tha ki darwaza mein kholoonga!
6) Dharmendra in the water tank scene in Sholay
This scene is hilarious right from the moment Amitabh goes to maushi with the proposal and honestly lists out Dharam's good qualities to maushi. And even as maushi is recovering from her future damaad's good qualities, Amitabh signs off with a cheery 'Tok baat pakki samjhun maushi?'. To undo his friend's efforts, Dharam climbs the water tank and makes his love and angst public to the villagers. 'Yes angrez suicide kyon karte hain?'
7) The athletes carrying their bob sled to finish the race after they fall in Cool Runnings
Coming from nowhere the Jamaican bob sled team shows a few things about playing the game - stick to one another, be true to yourself, give your best shot and believe in one another. And when their rickety bob sled breaks down in a record threatening run, the athletes walk out, lift the broken down bob sled on their shoulders and cross the line to the admiration of their worst critics. Epitomising the spirit of sport, it shows that you earn respect not by winning or losing but by the way you play. Goose pimply stuff and brings a tear to the eye.
8) Killing of Sonny Corleone in The Godfather
Dramatic in the book for the way it is introduced, this scene was brilliantly in the movie as well.
9) Annu Kapoor relieving Sunny Deol of his car, flat in Arjun
In a moment of political opportunism Annu Kapoor relieves Sunny deol, whom they use for their political agenda, of all the stuff they give him - car, house - and brushes him off like a fly. Annu Kapoor is superb in this scene as the ultimate professional, the chameleon who can change his colours in a moment. You just don't know what and whom to believe in anymore.
10) Sanjeev Kumar in the pakoda scene in Angoor
Delightful, as the rest of the movie is. As the identical twin brother of Deepti Naval's sister's husband who is mistakenly caught up in their house, Sanjeev Kumar hatches a plan to mix pakodas with a sedative and escape. Only, he falls for the pakodas, Deepti Naval and sedates himself. Deven Varma singing 'Preetam aan milo' to no effect on his boss, his attempts at trying to get away from his sister in law, Aruna Irani, are hilarious.
11) Sean Connery dying and the railway station scene in 'The Untouchables'
Sean Connery's death in the movie is totally unexpected as he is lured into a trap and shot at a critical juncture in the movie. The big, blustering, wisecracking Irishman's absence takes the soul out of the movie for only the slightest while. And then the classic railway station scene where Andy Garcia takes the shot to take out the villain on the steps, falling cradle with baby and all, is an absolute treat.
Absolutely random!
1) Amitabh dying in Sholay
Not a dry eye in the house. Why did he have to die? And the coin with two similar sides was a master stroke. I win whichever way. Brilliant stuff Salim - Javed.
2) Aamir hitting the six in Lagaan
You know he will do it but you're still rooting for the honest, brave Bhuvan and when he does it, you're elated, flying in ecstasy as if you had done it. That is what an honest effort can do.
3) Amitabh's drunken scene in Amar, Akbar, Anthony
Roll in the aisles my friends, there is nothing else you can do but roll in the aisles at this scene. It's unbelievably funny as he sticks the band aid very considerately on the mirror and blows on it for good effect.
4) Aamir fighting back in Ghulam
Aamir the boxer challenging Sharath Saxena, the local goon to a public fight and much like Mohammed Ali in his famous fight, just not giving up after all the battering, and coming back each time until Sharath Saxena finally gives up.
5) Amitabh locking up the door to the warehouse in Deewaar and throwing away the key
Another master piece by Salim-Javed. Here are the goons waiting for Amitabh and he enters their den, locks it up, throws away the key and challenges them that he will unlock it after kicking their butt. And he stops the villain who is running away from him by opening the door, and opens it himself! Maine kaha tha ki darwaza mein kholoonga!
6) Dharmendra in the water tank scene in Sholay
This scene is hilarious right from the moment Amitabh goes to maushi with the proposal and honestly lists out Dharam's good qualities to maushi. And even as maushi is recovering from her future damaad's good qualities, Amitabh signs off with a cheery 'Tok baat pakki samjhun maushi?'. To undo his friend's efforts, Dharam climbs the water tank and makes his love and angst public to the villagers. 'Yes angrez suicide kyon karte hain?'
7) The athletes carrying their bob sled to finish the race after they fall in Cool Runnings
Coming from nowhere the Jamaican bob sled team shows a few things about playing the game - stick to one another, be true to yourself, give your best shot and believe in one another. And when their rickety bob sled breaks down in a record threatening run, the athletes walk out, lift the broken down bob sled on their shoulders and cross the line to the admiration of their worst critics. Epitomising the spirit of sport, it shows that you earn respect not by winning or losing but by the way you play. Goose pimply stuff and brings a tear to the eye.
8) Killing of Sonny Corleone in The Godfather
Dramatic in the book for the way it is introduced, this scene was brilliantly in the movie as well.
9) Annu Kapoor relieving Sunny Deol of his car, flat in Arjun
In a moment of political opportunism Annu Kapoor relieves Sunny deol, whom they use for their political agenda, of all the stuff they give him - car, house - and brushes him off like a fly. Annu Kapoor is superb in this scene as the ultimate professional, the chameleon who can change his colours in a moment. You just don't know what and whom to believe in anymore.
10) Sanjeev Kumar in the pakoda scene in Angoor
Delightful, as the rest of the movie is. As the identical twin brother of Deepti Naval's sister's husband who is mistakenly caught up in their house, Sanjeev Kumar hatches a plan to mix pakodas with a sedative and escape. Only, he falls for the pakodas, Deepti Naval and sedates himself. Deven Varma singing 'Preetam aan milo' to no effect on his boss, his attempts at trying to get away from his sister in law, Aruna Irani, are hilarious.
11) Sean Connery dying and the railway station scene in 'The Untouchables'
Sean Connery's death in the movie is totally unexpected as he is lured into a trap and shot at a critical juncture in the movie. The big, blustering, wisecracking Irishman's absence takes the soul out of the movie for only the slightest while. And then the classic railway station scene where Andy Garcia takes the shot to take out the villain on the steps, falling cradle with baby and all, is an absolute treat.
Absolutely random!
Top 10 Movie Experiences
I will take a leaf out of Raja's book and start off on my top 10 lists. This list is about the movie experiences, which means that it is not about the movie at all but my experience in the movie for whatever reasons. So all you critics can hold your comments that you're dying to shoot off at me. This is random and in some parts chronological.
1. Towering Inferno
Watched it in Alankar theatre Warangal as a ten year old and my eyes popped out at the drama, the tragedy, the heroics and the fight for survival. That movie got me for sheer scale cause I never saw anything like that before. And it was a second show that my father thoughtfully took us all to, after putting down his foot in the morning when I asked if I could go with my friend's and their family because he thought it would be too scary!
2. Sholay
This multi-starrer got into the veins of a small ten year old from Warangal even at its promotion stage. And when Sholay actually hit the theatres, it was one of the most difficult movies to get tickets to. Somebody had to pull a few strings to get us tickets and all of us kids went in a small car owned by one of Dad's assistants - a car which we named fondly as the 'Sholay car'. I forget the name of the theatre in Hanamkonda but I know where it is, right on the main road to the left as we go to Warangal. We all got scared at Gabbar's theatrics, got shocked when Thakur's shawl fell off, got bored with Jaya Bhaduri and her extreme behavior, got turned on when Helen bumped and grinded her hips, cried when Amitabh died and laughed at Dharmendra's antics. Super movie stuff. Watched it several times and think its still worth a watch.
3. Enter The Dragon
I watched it in a Hyderabad theatre, probably Srinivasa, and can never forget the experience of watching Bruce Lee tear into his opponents with his bare hands. It was so powerful that when I walked out of the theatre I had my fists clenched and would have caused serious damage to anyone who had the stupidity to challenge me then. The final fight amidst the mirrors, with the iron claws, it was sheer adrenalin running through. I haven't felt that powerful ever.
4. Don
The hoardings were full of Amitabh, running full throttle to escape his pursuers. Don was another stylish flick with Amitabh at his very stylish best. It was pacy, racy, full of intrigue and twists and turns until the end as Amitabh runs, dodges, twists and turns his way to fit in with the flow. I watched it several times - five at least. I remember bribing our tailor Ahmed in Hyderabad to take me to the movie a second time in one of those three theatres that stood in a row near Muzzamjahi market - Navrang, I guess. Wonder how Mom let me watch it twice in a week.
5. Abba The Movie
Sometime in 1977 when this movie came to Hyderabad, my sister Chanti and I pestered Bavagaru to take us to the movie. He came riding his scooter an ancient sky blue Allwyn Pushpak from work, and we both went by bus to Patny where he picked us up. We went to Tivoli to watch the movie and life was never the same again - at least for me. I fell in love with Anni Frid promptly, and thought she was incredibly sexy. The Abba music set me up with the huge big world of western music and from then on, I began listening to happy, irreverent, peppy, trendy, angry songs sung by western bands. Thanks Abba!
6. Mr. Boo
When I saw it first in Amaravathi with Mythily, I was still in school. But it was so funny then I remember thinking I'd die of laughing. It was so bad my laughing that I wanted the gags to stop so I could get my breath back. I must have got off the seat at least a couple of times. I saw it again many years later but it was not so funny that time.
7. Shubhalekha
Chiranjeevi and Sumalatha starred in this heartwarming love story of an educated waiter and a well read modern woman who had definite ideas on marriage and dowry. Great music, lovely story and fine memories. For the first time after many years, I was enamoured with the idea of normal, everyday people with honest ideas, living life the best they can, with humour and dignity. Watched it several times including once all by myself Satyam.
8. Geetanjali
Nagarjuna's tragic romance was one of the few movies that I watched several times. Don't know what it did, but it drew me and many other youngsters in those days to watch it again and again. Loved the songs, the romance, the cinematography and the experience. And I remember Chandu did some jugaad with the theatre management at Devi theatre to get us all tickets - we were studying in the University then. And oh, all the girls wore Geetanjali skirts those days and looked very pretty too.
9. Arjun
Another movie of the 80s that got released when we were in college. Sunny Deol's portrayal of a young, unemployed Mumbai youth who takes on the system single handedly with his band of friends remains deeply etched in my mind. It was a pretty realistic depiction of the way things functioned those days and was shot very realistically by Rahul Rawail. The scene where Arjun's friend is murdered in the rain, in a sea of umbrellas, remains in the mind, just as the music is. I remember going to the movie with my pals from the OU Engineering College, Choudary, Sanjay, Ali and Subba Rao and we watched it at Venkataramana.
10. Lagaan
Ashutosh Gowariker and Aamir Khan's 'Lagaan' was a big emotional roller coaster for me. One, for the game of cricket which never found anyone worthy of making a movie remotely as dramatic as the game can be, another for the sheer story telling prowess of the director. It was amazing. I don't remember being on such a ride for many many years - tears, excitement, suspense - even when I knew who was winning in the end. Watched it at Vimal theatre with Shobha and Gunnu.
11. Shiva
Though its supposed to be a top 10 list, I decided to change the rules and add some more. Management prerogative. So I will add Ram Gopal Varma's 'Shiva' to the list because that happened at about the same time and was a Telugu, Hyderabadi version of 'Arjun'. Nagarjuna did what Sunny Deol did wonderfully, underplaying the role well and there were fantastic performances by all, specially Tanikella Bharani. I did not place this movie in the top 10 because I did not remember where I saw it, a prerequisite to be a great movie experience!
1. Towering Inferno
Watched it in Alankar theatre Warangal as a ten year old and my eyes popped out at the drama, the tragedy, the heroics and the fight for survival. That movie got me for sheer scale cause I never saw anything like that before. And it was a second show that my father thoughtfully took us all to, after putting down his foot in the morning when I asked if I could go with my friend's and their family because he thought it would be too scary!
2. Sholay
This multi-starrer got into the veins of a small ten year old from Warangal even at its promotion stage. And when Sholay actually hit the theatres, it was one of the most difficult movies to get tickets to. Somebody had to pull a few strings to get us tickets and all of us kids went in a small car owned by one of Dad's assistants - a car which we named fondly as the 'Sholay car'. I forget the name of the theatre in Hanamkonda but I know where it is, right on the main road to the left as we go to Warangal. We all got scared at Gabbar's theatrics, got shocked when Thakur's shawl fell off, got bored with Jaya Bhaduri and her extreme behavior, got turned on when Helen bumped and grinded her hips, cried when Amitabh died and laughed at Dharmendra's antics. Super movie stuff. Watched it several times and think its still worth a watch.
3. Enter The Dragon
I watched it in a Hyderabad theatre, probably Srinivasa, and can never forget the experience of watching Bruce Lee tear into his opponents with his bare hands. It was so powerful that when I walked out of the theatre I had my fists clenched and would have caused serious damage to anyone who had the stupidity to challenge me then. The final fight amidst the mirrors, with the iron claws, it was sheer adrenalin running through. I haven't felt that powerful ever.
4. Don
The hoardings were full of Amitabh, running full throttle to escape his pursuers. Don was another stylish flick with Amitabh at his very stylish best. It was pacy, racy, full of intrigue and twists and turns until the end as Amitabh runs, dodges, twists and turns his way to fit in with the flow. I watched it several times - five at least. I remember bribing our tailor Ahmed in Hyderabad to take me to the movie a second time in one of those three theatres that stood in a row near Muzzamjahi market - Navrang, I guess. Wonder how Mom let me watch it twice in a week.
5. Abba The Movie
Sometime in 1977 when this movie came to Hyderabad, my sister Chanti and I pestered Bavagaru to take us to the movie. He came riding his scooter an ancient sky blue Allwyn Pushpak from work, and we both went by bus to Patny where he picked us up. We went to Tivoli to watch the movie and life was never the same again - at least for me. I fell in love with Anni Frid promptly, and thought she was incredibly sexy. The Abba music set me up with the huge big world of western music and from then on, I began listening to happy, irreverent, peppy, trendy, angry songs sung by western bands. Thanks Abba!
6. Mr. Boo
When I saw it first in Amaravathi with Mythily, I was still in school. But it was so funny then I remember thinking I'd die of laughing. It was so bad my laughing that I wanted the gags to stop so I could get my breath back. I must have got off the seat at least a couple of times. I saw it again many years later but it was not so funny that time.
7. Shubhalekha
Chiranjeevi and Sumalatha starred in this heartwarming love story of an educated waiter and a well read modern woman who had definite ideas on marriage and dowry. Great music, lovely story and fine memories. For the first time after many years, I was enamoured with the idea of normal, everyday people with honest ideas, living life the best they can, with humour and dignity. Watched it several times including once all by myself Satyam.
8. Geetanjali
Nagarjuna's tragic romance was one of the few movies that I watched several times. Don't know what it did, but it drew me and many other youngsters in those days to watch it again and again. Loved the songs, the romance, the cinematography and the experience. And I remember Chandu did some jugaad with the theatre management at Devi theatre to get us all tickets - we were studying in the University then. And oh, all the girls wore Geetanjali skirts those days and looked very pretty too.
9. Arjun
Another movie of the 80s that got released when we were in college. Sunny Deol's portrayal of a young, unemployed Mumbai youth who takes on the system single handedly with his band of friends remains deeply etched in my mind. It was a pretty realistic depiction of the way things functioned those days and was shot very realistically by Rahul Rawail. The scene where Arjun's friend is murdered in the rain, in a sea of umbrellas, remains in the mind, just as the music is. I remember going to the movie with my pals from the OU Engineering College, Choudary, Sanjay, Ali and Subba Rao and we watched it at Venkataramana.
10. Lagaan
Ashutosh Gowariker and Aamir Khan's 'Lagaan' was a big emotional roller coaster for me. One, for the game of cricket which never found anyone worthy of making a movie remotely as dramatic as the game can be, another for the sheer story telling prowess of the director. It was amazing. I don't remember being on such a ride for many many years - tears, excitement, suspense - even when I knew who was winning in the end. Watched it at Vimal theatre with Shobha and Gunnu.
11. Shiva
Though its supposed to be a top 10 list, I decided to change the rules and add some more. Management prerogative. So I will add Ram Gopal Varma's 'Shiva' to the list because that happened at about the same time and was a Telugu, Hyderabadi version of 'Arjun'. Nagarjuna did what Sunny Deol did wonderfully, underplaying the role well and there were fantastic performances by all, specially Tanikella Bharani. I did not place this movie in the top 10 because I did not remember where I saw it, a prerequisite to be a great movie experience!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Kapil Dev - A True Champion
Vidyuth called me late last night to inform me that Kapil Dev was visiting the MLJaisimha Cricket Academy today and invite me over. Kapil was in town for a lecture at Microsoft later in the day and at Aunty's invitation, he came straight from the airport to the Academy. I went there sharp at 945 in the morning and by then Kapil, who had just arrived, had already got down to the business of talking to the 30 odd young cricketers, watched by an indulgent media contingent.
He looked very fit for his 50 odd years of age and had the same energy about him that one associates with him from all these years. He speaks with an infectious enthusiasm about anything and is a game listener. I listened to his talk with the boys which was wonderful and hope to reproduce most of what I heard.
"The key to success is hard work, he said. There is no substitute for that. And when I mean hard work I mean honest hard work.It is not about how long you were away from home or how long you spent at the academy but about how many balls you bowled, how many balls you faced, how many catches you took, Be honest with yourself and seek to improve."
"At your age - 14 to 18 - you can put in fifteen hours of work. As you go older you learn to conserve your energy for the big moments when you need it. But for now, work hard and long."
"You must desire it with all your heart. And when you desire something with all your heart, things just fall in place. I play golf now and play it with the same enthusiasm that I played cricket. So getting up at 530 in the morning is not a problem at all for me. In fact I don't need an alarm to wake up because I want to be there. I want to play golf. That is what you must also want."
"Get all the basics right. Can you bowl six out swingers in an over. Only after you perfect that basic requirement should you go onto the next variation. But if one ball goes the other way or you are not able to bowl an out swinger as planned it is back to the drawing board. Nothing like practice to make perfect."
"Every time you are in a practice session you must seek to attain what you want to achieve. If you are bowling well on four days then try to bowl well on all six days or seven days. And practice, practice, practice until you become perfect."
"The champion does what the others cannot do. And he prepares himself for that. That is why he can do what others cannot do. When Sachin plays his cover drive it looks like poetry whereas when someone else plays the same cover drive it may not look as good. That is because he has practiced it until he has perfected it."
"You must believe in yourself. That you can do it, that you can achieve whatever you set your mind on. There are lots of people with talent. But very few who can convert talent into performance."
"Question the coach. Apply what he is saying. Apply what you think you should be doing according to your thoughts. See what works for you and use it. I remember my coaches asking me to take a huge leap at the end of my run. I did not agree with that. I figured that if I was in the air longer I would lose momentum and that would reduce my pace drastically. So I decided to take a short leap and keep my legs on the ground for maximum pace. You must also try and use what works best for you."
"The match against Zimbabwe - what was going in my mind? Nothing. I don't think you should have anything in your mind because it clutters the mind. You will lose concentration. If you think of the dressing room then you are there and not on the ground. If you are on the ground be on the ground, if you are at home be at home, if you are eating eat. So all I thought was about the ball and the bat and how they would meet. If I think of anything else I will be in pressure and I will not be able to perform."
"Learn to concentrate. Cricket is a game of concentration just like any other sport. One mistake and you are back. To improve concentration, you must start by developing it in the nets, then while doing all the other things too. Concentrate while eating, while wearing clothes, while studying, while in class, while listening and this becomes a practice. Start practising all these skills with concentration. You have many distractions these days so it is all the more necessary to concentrate harder on what you want."
"When you have a ball in your hand as a medium pacer or as a spinner you must treat it well. You must shine it and keep it in the best condition. You must respect it and only then will it work for you. Shine the ball and it will work wonders for you. Whether you use sweat or saliva, or just shine the ball, I don't care, long as you do not do anything negative or illegal like using vaseline."
"The best batsmen in the world, from Bradman to Gavaskar, Richards to Sachin, they can easily play the fastest of bowlers if they bowl straight but swing bowling will always bother them. That is because a moving target is always difficult to play."
"Whether you play cricket or anything else the idea is to become good people. You must learn to do whatever you do well, with discipline, and that will help you in whatever you are doing."
"Cricket will leave you one day. You will play for twenty or thirty years. But education will always be with you till the end. So study and study well."
"Always question. Never feel shy. It will take you nowhere. Ask and ask and ask."
"Success never comes easy. Practice is out on the field. One who cannot enjoy the sweet smell of sweat will never become a champion."
Kapil combined the basics of cricket to a small group of young cricketers who had not played any grade of cricket with some of the greatest inspirational and motivational techniques to achieve success. And more impressively he combined it with some brilliant philosophy - of excellence, of living a life that is full and meaningful as a human, of respecting the game, the equipment, the environment and obviously the people. I don't think the audience at Microsoft will get anything more than this.
And like a true champion, he gave this small gathering his all, added value to the maximum, made a difference to several people, and left without giving any further quotes to the press. I have said so much, he said, write about it!
The passion, the commitment, the intention was obvious. Kapil Dev is indeed a true champion!
He looked very fit for his 50 odd years of age and had the same energy about him that one associates with him from all these years. He speaks with an infectious enthusiasm about anything and is a game listener. I listened to his talk with the boys which was wonderful and hope to reproduce most of what I heard.
"The key to success is hard work, he said. There is no substitute for that. And when I mean hard work I mean honest hard work.It is not about how long you were away from home or how long you spent at the academy but about how many balls you bowled, how many balls you faced, how many catches you took, Be honest with yourself and seek to improve."
"At your age - 14 to 18 - you can put in fifteen hours of work. As you go older you learn to conserve your energy for the big moments when you need it. But for now, work hard and long."
"You must desire it with all your heart. And when you desire something with all your heart, things just fall in place. I play golf now and play it with the same enthusiasm that I played cricket. So getting up at 530 in the morning is not a problem at all for me. In fact I don't need an alarm to wake up because I want to be there. I want to play golf. That is what you must also want."
"Get all the basics right. Can you bowl six out swingers in an over. Only after you perfect that basic requirement should you go onto the next variation. But if one ball goes the other way or you are not able to bowl an out swinger as planned it is back to the drawing board. Nothing like practice to make perfect."
"Every time you are in a practice session you must seek to attain what you want to achieve. If you are bowling well on four days then try to bowl well on all six days or seven days. And practice, practice, practice until you become perfect."
"The champion does what the others cannot do. And he prepares himself for that. That is why he can do what others cannot do. When Sachin plays his cover drive it looks like poetry whereas when someone else plays the same cover drive it may not look as good. That is because he has practiced it until he has perfected it."
"You must believe in yourself. That you can do it, that you can achieve whatever you set your mind on. There are lots of people with talent. But very few who can convert talent into performance."
"Question the coach. Apply what he is saying. Apply what you think you should be doing according to your thoughts. See what works for you and use it. I remember my coaches asking me to take a huge leap at the end of my run. I did not agree with that. I figured that if I was in the air longer I would lose momentum and that would reduce my pace drastically. So I decided to take a short leap and keep my legs on the ground for maximum pace. You must also try and use what works best for you."
"The match against Zimbabwe - what was going in my mind? Nothing. I don't think you should have anything in your mind because it clutters the mind. You will lose concentration. If you think of the dressing room then you are there and not on the ground. If you are on the ground be on the ground, if you are at home be at home, if you are eating eat. So all I thought was about the ball and the bat and how they would meet. If I think of anything else I will be in pressure and I will not be able to perform."
"Learn to concentrate. Cricket is a game of concentration just like any other sport. One mistake and you are back. To improve concentration, you must start by developing it in the nets, then while doing all the other things too. Concentrate while eating, while wearing clothes, while studying, while in class, while listening and this becomes a practice. Start practising all these skills with concentration. You have many distractions these days so it is all the more necessary to concentrate harder on what you want."
"When you have a ball in your hand as a medium pacer or as a spinner you must treat it well. You must shine it and keep it in the best condition. You must respect it and only then will it work for you. Shine the ball and it will work wonders for you. Whether you use sweat or saliva, or just shine the ball, I don't care, long as you do not do anything negative or illegal like using vaseline."
"The best batsmen in the world, from Bradman to Gavaskar, Richards to Sachin, they can easily play the fastest of bowlers if they bowl straight but swing bowling will always bother them. That is because a moving target is always difficult to play."
"Whether you play cricket or anything else the idea is to become good people. You must learn to do whatever you do well, with discipline, and that will help you in whatever you are doing."
"Cricket will leave you one day. You will play for twenty or thirty years. But education will always be with you till the end. So study and study well."
"Always question. Never feel shy. It will take you nowhere. Ask and ask and ask."
"Success never comes easy. Practice is out on the field. One who cannot enjoy the sweet smell of sweat will never become a champion."
Kapil combined the basics of cricket to a small group of young cricketers who had not played any grade of cricket with some of the greatest inspirational and motivational techniques to achieve success. And more impressively he combined it with some brilliant philosophy - of excellence, of living a life that is full and meaningful as a human, of respecting the game, the equipment, the environment and obviously the people. I don't think the audience at Microsoft will get anything more than this.
And like a true champion, he gave this small gathering his all, added value to the maximum, made a difference to several people, and left without giving any further quotes to the press. I have said so much, he said, write about it!
The passion, the commitment, the intention was obvious. Kapil Dev is indeed a true champion!
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Chance Meeting With Robin Uthappa
The shooting of 'The Men Within' continued this Sunday at Don Bosco. After we did our bit Baig saab and I headed out to the ML Jaisinha Academy where Baig saab said, Robin Uthappa was waiting to do a session with him. I was very impressed. Here was an Indian cricketer willing to go that extra mile to learn from a senior coach even if it meant travelling all the way from Bangalore to Hyderabad and staying at his cost. I was equally impressed with Baig saab's commitment as he headed out to the coaching session without lunch from the shoot, and was going strong even at 230 pm.
Robin was there at the Academy waiting with his friend Steve. Steve had played for Karnataka at all levels save Ranji Trophy, India Under 15 and India Under 19 which is no mean feat. While we finished the niceties and Baig saab and Robin got down to the nets, Baig saab insisted that I spend some time with Steve who he said was a good cricketer who wanted to stop playing cricket and pursue other interests. I sat down for a while discussing the champion's mindset with Steve, sharing some of my experiences and ideas. I told him that we get exactly what we want, and his sudden exclusions from teams inexplicably, certainly warrants a deeper and more honest look within himself to find out what he is not clear about that he stops himself from going to the next level. Steve did listen carefully, he is a very smart and perceptive young man, and appeared to have grasped what I was telling him pretty quickly. We had a very interesting discussion that went on for an hour almost and by the end of it Steve, I hope, re thought his idea of giving up on cricket and pursuing his other passions such as counseling etc.
Robin and Baig saab joined us in between their sessions. Robin also shared his mindset about how he is working on coming back to the national side and performing well for a long time. He also did not comprehend the ups and downs in his career and has decided to give it his best shot, including honing his skills with Baig saab. 'I take only what is good for me,' he says about negative talk and criticism, ' and ignore the rest of the talk'. It makes immense sense to do that we agreed. Robin is very clear about giving his best for his team, willing to take on any challenge in the team's interest, which is his basic philosophy. Steve also said that he played all his cricket with that philosophy all his life. But isn't it better to know when to play a little smarter? It is a classic question - what does one do when faced with a seemingly impossible situation -try to win the game for the team or get some runs for yourself and secure your place. Here were two youngsters who swear that they have always given everything for their team's win (at the cost of their personal scores which really did not matter to them).
I insisted that it is a wonderful philosophy to have and one that every single member of the team must have too. The philosophy is absolutely correct and must never be questioned. If at all anything must be questioned, regarding the ups and downs, it is the other factors. One must look at all factors honestly, find the issue or the limiting belief, and work on it so it does not impede the destiny that is theirs for the taking. The young men listened intently, hopefully stronger in their belief to do everything for whichever team they play for, and bring glory to themselves and their teams, be it RCB, Karnataka or India. I am sure they would have benefited from this session with Baig saab, and would score many runs, take many wickets this season, and enjoy their cricket and entertain audiences for many years to come.
I gifted them both a copy of my book 'The Men Within', wished them well, and left because I needed to go. Baig saab was showing no signs of tiring despite eating no lunch and standing up on the dais all morning, in fact he seemed even more energized with the task at hand, and was putting Robin through the paces with the bowling machine. As Robin went back to his net session, Steve took my number so he could call me. I asked him to call me whenever he needed to talk to me. I told him I'd call him as well when I was in Bangalore. Here's wishing you both many good things Robin and Steve and I know that nothing would please Baig saab more than to see you both perform to your potential. Same here. Good luck and God bless.
Robin was there at the Academy waiting with his friend Steve. Steve had played for Karnataka at all levels save Ranji Trophy, India Under 15 and India Under 19 which is no mean feat. While we finished the niceties and Baig saab and Robin got down to the nets, Baig saab insisted that I spend some time with Steve who he said was a good cricketer who wanted to stop playing cricket and pursue other interests. I sat down for a while discussing the champion's mindset with Steve, sharing some of my experiences and ideas. I told him that we get exactly what we want, and his sudden exclusions from teams inexplicably, certainly warrants a deeper and more honest look within himself to find out what he is not clear about that he stops himself from going to the next level. Steve did listen carefully, he is a very smart and perceptive young man, and appeared to have grasped what I was telling him pretty quickly. We had a very interesting discussion that went on for an hour almost and by the end of it Steve, I hope, re thought his idea of giving up on cricket and pursuing his other passions such as counseling etc.
Robin and Baig saab joined us in between their sessions. Robin also shared his mindset about how he is working on coming back to the national side and performing well for a long time. He also did not comprehend the ups and downs in his career and has decided to give it his best shot, including honing his skills with Baig saab. 'I take only what is good for me,' he says about negative talk and criticism, ' and ignore the rest of the talk'. It makes immense sense to do that we agreed. Robin is very clear about giving his best for his team, willing to take on any challenge in the team's interest, which is his basic philosophy. Steve also said that he played all his cricket with that philosophy all his life. But isn't it better to know when to play a little smarter? It is a classic question - what does one do when faced with a seemingly impossible situation -try to win the game for the team or get some runs for yourself and secure your place. Here were two youngsters who swear that they have always given everything for their team's win (at the cost of their personal scores which really did not matter to them).
I insisted that it is a wonderful philosophy to have and one that every single member of the team must have too. The philosophy is absolutely correct and must never be questioned. If at all anything must be questioned, regarding the ups and downs, it is the other factors. One must look at all factors honestly, find the issue or the limiting belief, and work on it so it does not impede the destiny that is theirs for the taking. The young men listened intently, hopefully stronger in their belief to do everything for whichever team they play for, and bring glory to themselves and their teams, be it RCB, Karnataka or India. I am sure they would have benefited from this session with Baig saab, and would score many runs, take many wickets this season, and enjoy their cricket and entertain audiences for many years to come.
I gifted them both a copy of my book 'The Men Within', wished them well, and left because I needed to go. Baig saab was showing no signs of tiring despite eating no lunch and standing up on the dais all morning, in fact he seemed even more energized with the task at hand, and was putting Robin through the paces with the bowling machine. As Robin went back to his net session, Steve took my number so he could call me. I asked him to call me whenever he needed to talk to me. I told him I'd call him as well when I was in Bangalore. Here's wishing you both many good things Robin and Steve and I know that nothing would please Baig saab more than to see you both perform to your potential. Same here. Good luck and God bless.
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