Only a few celebrities need to be celebrated over..

Link to my new blog on Times of India – http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tiger-trail/entry/only-a-few-celebrities-need-to-be-celebrated-over

Fake China and the real Indian…

Link to my new blog on Times of India – http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tiger-trail/entry/fake-china-and-the-real-indian

‘The Khan’ factor…

First published on Times of India on 27th April 2011 – http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tiger-trail/entry/the-khan-factor

Salman Khan recently declared, “I am not interested in being a superhero. I don’t want to wear my underwear on the outside nor do I want to be bitten by a spider. I prefer being SAL-MAN”. Salman is also supremely confident that he makes a better hero than anybody else as well. It would be interesting to hear Shah Rukh’s or Aamir’s reaction to this statement of utmost impudence. I am not in any way implying that SRK or Aamir are better Actors than Salman but a statement from one Khan always draws interesting reactions from the other Khans.

‘The Khan’ factor

My new blog on Times of India – http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tiger-trail/entry/the-khan-factor

Three plus five equals undercutting?

Marketing tactics in India for movie promotions have been getting rather alarming in the recent past. Every channel showcases the lead pair ( or trio ) judging competitions, giving interviews, speaking non stop about how great the forthcoming movie is . But, what I find perplexing  is inaccurately proclaiming a false verdict regarding the movie status post release. A false propaganda which is steadily increasing and definitions of a “hit” no longer being restricted to BO figures. I must hastily add that this culture has been more prevalent in the south indian regional networks where BO numbers are not very transparent. And with the rest there are more questions being raised about valid BO numbers.

Innovative marketing tactics are important. What Mr Bachchan did for PAA was innovative. He dressed himself up as a school kid with a school bag and a water bottle. We got the idea, we were curious. Then he commented for a cricket match, something that no actor has done before, we wanted more. Then he gave interviews in his “Auro” voice, which made sense as he had spoken that way the entire time in PAA. However, if I saw more of Mr Bachchan as Auro I would have reached saturation point.What Aamir did for “three idiots” in contrast has been bewildering. Why was he running across small towns dressed as an old man and making this into a seven point game? Did his garb have any connection to the movie? Yes, it was different, but what was the connection? It did raise everyone’s curiosity. Then Aamir was followed madly by the press and the rigmarole never did end.Does the promotion have to be so idiotic? Probably so if an “idiotic” movie demands it. Then he wanted to also promote his movie in an army base in Chennai!It is a good thing that the army denied any involvement with this idiocy. It is no laughing matter, really.

Chetan Bhagath the writer of “five point someone” has now woken up suddenly. He is rather peeved that his name was not in the opening credits of  Hirani’s recent release “three idiots” amongst other accusations including that of the movie being based largely ( 70% )on the book with no importance being garnered to him.I gather that the importance is meant only in the financial sense. Is this another marketing campaign? I seriously nod my head in the affirmative. An avid reader of Bhagath’s is bound to watch the movie to compare notes. An avid cinema goer is bound to buy the book to compare notes. It is a win, win situation for both. Is it possible to promote movies and not controversy? It is possible to promote both with the media acting as a fine catalyst and folks like us eating out of their palms.

Here is the letter from Chetan about his stand.

Dear All,

The 3 Idiots story credit issue has been making some noise now. The news is coming out in bits and pieces, and I think it is important I clarify a few things. Yes, clearly, the makers of the film have been unfair and thousands of my readers have been saying so. I am aware of this, and this is not an issue that has ‘just come up’. I’ve been grappling with it for two years, but kept silent about it.

The only reason it has surfaced after the movie’s release is because Five Point Someone has a few million readers, and when you copy a popular story claiming it as ‘original’ and ‘completely different’, people are going to find out. People did, and so did a lot of media journalists.

The case is as simple as the makers claiming the story as their own, and clearly it is not. Pre-release, the makers made press statements like  the movie is only ‘very loosely’, ‘2%-5% inspired by the book’.  After release, those who have read the book and seen the movie (and frankly, I think those are the only people who have the right to comment) find the film to be an adaptation of Five Point Someone. The setting, characters, plotline, dramatic twists and turns, one-liners, theme, message – almost all aspects that make up the story are from FPS. Yes, there are some changes, any adaptation requires that – but it is no way an original story. Leading movie critics have privately admitted to me that the film is 70% the book. Still, don’t take my word for it – go read the book, watch the film.

I, frankly, was shocked to see this. This is because I was also fed ‘this is an original movie’ line a lot. I wanted to see the final script – it was never shown to me. I wanted to see the film before release – it was not shown to me (even though trials had been done for  people).  What’s more, the makers had called me to their office and pressured me several times to withdraw my ‘Based on a novel by’ credit, which was by contract. They told me they’d replace it with something like ‘initiated by’ – a credit that doesn’t exist anywhere in the world. I still told them that if the film is indeed original, I’ll happily withdraw the credit, but somehow the promos don’t tell me so. I asked them to show me the film and they fell silent.

Soon, they started doing media promotions for the film, and kept me completely out of it (you’ll never find me in an interview with them). Crores was poured into publicity on shutting me out and cementing the fact that 3 Idiots is not based on Five Point Someone. However, the book had been read by millions of people and the FPS buzz just did not die down.

Ten days before the release, I was called into their office. They said ‘we should be friends now’. I said I am always up for friendship, and the success of the film is good for me as well. They also said, and I quote verbatim ‘even though this is an original film, we have given you a great credit, right upfront. After all, we love writers and a king should treat another king with respect. You are family’. I believed them.

I called my family before release, and told them all not to expect FPS. I even gave a few interviews where I said don’t expect FPS.

Then I went for the premiere. My family sat in the theatre shocked, as sequence after sequence came from the book. 2%-5% means 3-6 minutes, and I had told my family to look for the few FPS moments and note them. However, there were so many that it became impossible to keep track. The plot line was same – people meet at ragging, the first class with definition of machine, the friends separate, Alok (Raju) moves with Venkat (Chatur), Ryan (Rancho) helps Alok’s father, Alok rejoins group etc etc. From Alok  (Raju) jumping to stealing the papers and calling out from Cherian (Virus’) office – the book came alive on screen. I was surprised and happy that FPS has made it in such a grand way.

However, my family had not spotted my credit in the beginning (there was none) and they were feeling let down. A screenplay associate credit to VVC had a prominent upfront placement. The story credit was not shared with me. And yes, all the office talk of a ‘king treated like king’ was a white lie.

I knew they had played with me, and that ‘based on a novel by’ credit, which they were legally bound to give would be hushed away at the end – with the clear intention of making sure people miss it. And indeed, it came after the junior artists and still photographer of the movie, and zoomed away fast. My own mother missed seeing my name, and for that she cried after seeing the film. I told her it doesn’t matter, as people know FPS. But yes, that hurt me a lot.

I went up to the makers after the premiere, and they said it is a hit so chill and forget about it. I guess I could, but it is hard. Only a writer or a creative person knows how this feels. I am one of the lucky ones that people have read FPS. Imagine the fate of other writers in Bollywood. Anyway, I came home and thanked God for making my story reach so many people.

Upon the film’s release – my mailbox and twitter account, literally became flooded. Fans and readers wrote stunned mails. They had seen the makers’ interviews which had denied FPS links and they missed seeing the credit on screen. I kept quiet, though I did send a message to the makers telling them audience reactions. They did not respond. Soon media journalists saw the film. They called me and said they have to do a story on this as they are on my side. I tried my best to avoid them. However, many have helped me in the past and I can’t avoid their call forever. One HT journalist from Delhi called, and asked me how I felt about the credit. I used one word – I said ‘strange’. And that’s when the news exploded.

This my friends, is the story. Meanwhile, the makers have accused me of seeking fame – when clearly it is the other way round. They’ve taken my story to make fame for themselves, and shut me out of it. I know my readers will spot it immediately. However, the film also reaches millions of other people who do not read books – and they deserve to know who wrote the story. And that is why I am talking about this issue (and I admit for people who’ve read the book, they may wonder it’s so obvious so why I am going on about it).

I hope my explanation helps. I do have a few additional points to make.

1. This has nothing to do with Mr. Aamir Khan – while the makers are fronting him to talk about the issue (as he has the credibility), this is not about him at all. I am a big fan of Aamir and he has made my story reach people. However, he was told by the makers not to read the book, and he hasn’t. Thus, he cannot comment on the issue in a meaningful manner. The media should stop questioning him. When I met him, both of us were told that the movie is original and not the book. He was asked not to read the book – and I wasn’t shown the script. Go figure.
2. I don’t need this kind of fame – It doesn’t do anything for me. Like I said, I am lucky to have channels to express my opinion. Other writers don’t. I can’t tell you how much it hurts when this happens.  Imagine someone takes your child, dresses him up and tells the world it is theirs.  I’ve felt the pain for two years on this issue but I kept silent on it. I can’t help it if millions have read the book and see the movie upon release and spot the issue themselves.
3. I don’t want anything from them – They’ve taken the story credit. Let them keep it. All Bollywood award functions have an award for ‘story’, apart from other categories. They’ll collect it all year around and feel good about it. I didn’t write the story for awards. I wrote it as I felt I had something to say about the education system and the race for grades. I have my fans’ love and I am more than happy with it.
4. The odds – They have an army of people to promote their side of the story, crores of media budgets and are sparing no efforts to bring me down. The only thing I have is my fans, and  the truth. But then, the truth is Krishna, and the Pandavas had only that while there was an army on the other side. Remember who won that battle?

Some people have told me that I should keep silent. I did try to be silent but didn’t work. Also, people say this is how Bollywood works. Sorry, I disagree. Not all Bollywood works like this. There are a lot of good people too. And every event like this helps change things for the better. And that is what I am all about anyway.

I urge you to not believe me at face value. Read the book, see the movie – and like the movie says – think for yourself and decide.

I want to thank the media journalists who are supporting me. Yes, the makers on the other side have a lot of stature – but truth comes above stature – that’s the first rule of journalism. I salute you for having the courage to stick to that. Our country does have free press, and thank God for that.

Like I said, I don’t need anything. Even if I have no more movies made on my stories or nobody wants to read my books and columns, I’ll happily join ISKCON and dedicate my life to Krishna.

But I will not shy away from the truth – ever.

Blessings,

Me

Three idiots who were rather wise..

When one goes into hibernation for a good part of the year and returns to make a movie on an annual basis, expectations are very high. This was the same expectation that I had from Aamir. I expected to see a movie which would bear the Aamir insignia from start to finish, instead I saw a movie that bore the trademark of a “Munnabhai team” , which it was anyway. The medical fraternity from Munnabhai was replaced by a mechanical engineering team and the story revolves around three friends who studied together at the Imperial college of engineering ( ICE ), the bonding that they developed and Rancho’s ( Aamir ) ongoing attempts to change the conventional attitude towards education. Rancho is actually a wonder kid who tops his class with his passion for the subject, the passion slowly but surely culminates into success for Rancho towards the end. More importantly, he teaches his campus friends Quereshi ( R Madhavan ) and Rastogi ( Sharman Joshi ) to be passionate about what they belive in and to follow their hearts. And reminiscent of the “Munnabhai” set up, Rancho falls in love with Sahastrabuddhe’s ( Bomman Irani as ICE Director ) daughter, Pia ( Kareena Kapoor ).

The story commences ten years post ICE days in an Air India flight that Quereshi embarks from Delhi. While the plane is taxiing for take off he receives a call from an ICE batch mate Silencer / Chatur  Ramalingam that Rancho’s ( Aamir ) whereabouts are now known. Quereshi feigning a heart attack gets the AI flight to return back to Delhi and along with Rastogi ( Sharman Joshi ) and Silencer they embark on a journey to find Rancho who dissapeared after graduation. Silencer’s motive to trace Rancho is to establish his present success as a mark of vengeance over a humiliation that he suffered in Rancho’s hands.Chatur Ramalingam is the sacrificial lamb for extreme humor content. Chatur is a Tamilian who had lived in Uganda and has a weak grasp of the hindi language and is the cause for a laughing riot. Chatur competes with Rancho to top the class and dreams of receiving the “anti gravity” ink pen from Shastrabuddhe who rather nonchalantly wishes to give it to a “deserving” student by his terms. Chatur is the brainy, mug potting types who most students get rather irritated with and Chatur tops the list of this” irk” factor for Rancho and his mates. There is a scene when Chatur pays tribute to the Director Sahastrabuddhe’s achievements at ICE with an eloquent speech in hindi. Hilariously, words that are meant to make the Director shine like “chamatkar” is replaced with “balathkar” by the conniving Rancho. This scene is the best in the entire movie in terms of creating a laughing ruckus from all quarters. During this scene not only were the audience at ICE in splits, so were we.

The movie keeps winding back and forth taking us to ICE campus days to the present trail in search of Rancho. The scenes are well blended and there is no scope for boredom as wit and humor blankets most of the story. So much so,  that emotional scenes portraying Rastogi’s poor family living in a hovel with an emaciated father lying on the death bed , while Rastogi’s mother laments over the rising prices of “bhindi” makes you giggle. The songs are light and “zoobie zoobie” reminds us of the talented Kapoor family and the foregone era that she re-portrays. Kareena has shades of “jab we met” in her , she is effusive and charming. Madhavan does full justice to be an integral part of the delightful trio of friends. He is naturally at ease and portrays an innocence synonymous with lovers of the wild life! Sharman moves you with his sincerity especially at the time of his all important campus interview when his candor gets the better of him. Aamir is controlled, without coming across as trying too hard to explain his philosophies of life and  on “teaching”. He is convincing enough to pass off as an Engineering student despite being in his 40s and due credit must be given to his puppy face, ignoring the slight crow’s-feet around his sparkling eyes. He reminds us of the Aamir from “dil chahta hai” days.

Finally Boman  , what a marvelous actor this man his. In my opinion, the best performance in this movie has come from him as Sahastrabuddhe. He looks like a nutty professor, his trousers pulled up to his stomach and propelled upwards with suspenders. He is eccentric , acute in speech and hard-hearted in his approach with the ICE students. His hair is dishevelled and his gait is like that of a Goliath striding in a campus full of rats. His lisp of certain words, his pronunciations that are punctuated with authority and his dialogue delivery are nothing short of exceptional. His acting stands out more than the rest of the cast and he has portrayed Sahastrabuddhe like no one else could have. Hats off to Boman!

Overall, this movie is no Lagaan or TZP, it is the end product of VV Chopra and Hirani per say. It would be disappointing for someone who expected something out of the box from Aamir.  However, the movie is a must watch as it provides entertainment to the hilt. The social message is secondary. 

Cast – Aamir Khan, R Madhavan , Sharman Joshi ,Kareena Kapoor , Boman Irani
Director – Rajkumar Hirani
Rating – 3.5/5

When SRK & Aamir age..

Well, it appears that the mantra for success is old age, progeria , dyslexia and other forms of genetic and chromosome related disorders. The day that PAA was making waves in India and on foreign shores, Dish TV launch a new advert on BT where SRK looks older than Auro ( played by 67 year old Amitabh Bachchan )and growing alarmingly so by the second on the video advert. In the video advertisement he romances a genuinely aging lady played by the graceful Tanvi Aazmi. SRK’s fans do not want to see him age,neither do they want to see him downplay his overtly masculine appearance. SRK, please be yourself and concentrate more on getting some hits this year. Can we get some more originality from you? Stop trailing poor Mr Bachchan, it is not going to work. You tried it with Don and now you are vying for the “who looks the oldest” award? Oh also, brush aside the nasty encounters with macho immigration officers who pulled you up for no fault of their but yours. I believe their only line of questioning was ” Whats your name ” and you said ” my name is kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk..Khan”. Now if one is not sure of his own name, will there not be a doubt? A real life trailer before your next release ” My name is Khan”.

Then we have Aamir Khan playing the grumpy sardar in Tata sky advert, but to his credit the advert is not as fake and in fact he carries this off pretty well. Aamir does not believe in trailing anyone, in fact he does not even leave his trailer at the sets I believe.On the aging matter, the Khans are aging rather rapidly and leaping ahead of time. Making themselves look old, feeble, disoriented need not always work. God forbid what is in store for us when they hit their 70s. Ah, they will become 13 year olds.