Case Studies
NaMo Conversations – My experiments with truth
I was excited, nervous but confident.
HE was soft, suave and smiling.
I noticed – we were both wearing white.
HE was THE charisma for me – a small film producer, who was put on an international platform by God’s magic wand, of which HE created the First spell.
HIS voice was deep, effective but not authoritative.
I had, had aeons of experience with bureaucratic “circus” of Government-O-cracy, and hence my grey cells spelt the right words. Publicity, Positive imagery, Perfect relations on an international platform…
Instead, HE shared stories of his land and people; of compassion and warmth offered over years to each human kind; of his belief in humanity that India offered.
HE obliged me with THE PHOTOGRAPH.
Mating of Creative Genius (es)
His gruff baritone over telecon was humble with a flavour of warmth. I was honoured to be invited into his official chamber in Mumbai that looked an art house. And why not? He was an elegant establishment of Art or Alternate cinema in India.
Punctual with honest simplicity, I was looking at a Film Director that was India’s pride – Shyam Benegal . His room was full of books – on cinema, history and varied others that clearly defined his stature, with innumerable Awards of highest Honor(s) received.
Copyright
INDIA (Government of Gujarat, Doordarshan) & POLAND (NInA, TVP)
Location: Gujarat (Jamnagar & Balachadi) & Warsaw (Poland)
FILM : A LITTLE POLAND IN INDIA
The Beginning was exciting, euphoric and stimulating to my intellectual property (grey cells). I had found a gem in historical connect between India and Poland; a story that was a diamond, yet to be revealed to the world at large. As a filmmaker, it was a perfect set-up for an international co-production, creating bondage of love, compassion and humanity.
Being the first International co-production, it was on my top priority on the list of other productions. To be chosen to do such a unique production from a seed of an idea sown – was a challenge in itself. The story of a War at the other end of a globe, leading to a home at far corner for about 1000 young Polish refugee children – etched a historical and humane connect on my heart.
Crisis Management
The struggle to be in the “good books” of a client; to deliver better than the contract; to meet timelines with an efficient output… these are the perfect dreams of any vendor. Especially when the client is an International brand such as FORD!
Ford decided to launch their new brand Ford Figo in New Delhi, the capital of India. An event for which international coordinators had been flown in from Hong Kong and AAKAAR was playing a miniscule, but an important role. Besides, AAKAAR has a policy that no role is ever small. There was other detailing that we were dealing with, of logistics, of networking to needs of the coordinators – the main job consisted of getting the gift boxes made with blue coverings and FORD LOGO printed – in 5 days!
Luminaries
Facilitating Interviews with Important Personalities
Getting interviews with Luminaries in India is like agreeing to put your hand in a beehive – from the sting to the honey. The first “sting” is felt when one has to find right sources of networking to writing trillions of letters of request for appointment, then the follow-ups till you know each and every voice/road/corner/location/state/country/continent… (you may leave out the last two!!) of the luminaries whereabouts… and then there is the nectar of “sweet honey” of actually getting to be in the auspicious presence of the person –in-person!
Documentary Production
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
An extensive documentary film shoot in India – 6 destinations, limited budget, time constraints – all inclusive with a high demand on quality! The AAKAAR FILMS team sat down and the strategy developed was – sponsorship on stay and air travel, government permissions to shoot heritage locations at no/minimal cost, all interviews – there were 12 interviews with top level actors, directors, academicians and critics spread across 6 destinations in India (North, South, East & West – well, we were asked by the client to show diversity!), all interviews to be fixed one after the other, in line with our travel schedule so that we utilize man hours and days without any break in the journey! Seems impossible?
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