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.
I was mesmerized. And, under a spell and awe of HIM.
But, mind had its own question marks.
Then, came the Film Project – and brought problems as never before! I gasped for breath to keep it going against strangest of odds, as there was no turning back on truth.
While many Government-O-cracy supporters of the project buckled in, saving face, HIS officers lent relentless, non-intrusive support (rarest of rare in Government-O-cracy) through one of the most intense and difficult times in this international co-production film.
HE was criticized, ridiculed and put on a cross by the media and law for project support.
HE stood tall and HIS officers told me to fear none.
HE is NARENDRA MODI.
INDIA, we have HOPE in this MAN.
Isi liye – Ab ki baar, banao MODI Sarkar.
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.
He was in rapt attention to my film A Little Poland in India that had brought us together with a larger vision. He gave my edgy stature respect with due professional diligence, enabling me to babble my magnum vision. Giving inputs in all seriousness made my vision seemed to be gaining a creative structure of reality as I walked out of his office.
Months passed as the vision was still blur. Besides his very busy schedule he always accepted to fit me in whenever I requested. Each time we met, his genius creativity and expert inputs gave me encouragement and kept my vision alive.
More months passed. The positive affirmations of my vision brought in some hope through the positive supportive Polish Institute in Delhi . We met again. This time with his writer – muse Shama Zaidi , who had penned most of Shyam Babu’s (as he is lovingly called in Bollywood) films.
The mating of creative geniuse(s) had begun, with my vision converted on paper by Shama ji with expert inputs given by Shyam Sir. He would patiently bridge to convey my angst to his writer-muse, saving the vision till it was ready in form.
I hold the first copy-right in my humbled hands. The names engraved on it touches my heart and gives wings to my aspiration for a wider canvas.
I have often wondered and questioned – What is it that made a larger than life filmmaker “The” Shyam Benegal accept somewhat unrealistic creative vision of a small-time filmmaker like me? I like to humour myself into thinking that he does see a potential in me with my vision?
This unpretentious humility is what makes Shyam Sir stand firm on his artistic roots, giving the world original inspirational stories of real life-cinema.
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.
Thus was born the first International Co-Production film between India and Poland with a WORKING TITLE (very important issue dear readers: please read further on) placed as – A Little Warsaw in Kathiawar.
WORKING TITLES
As a film-maker, and especially working with the Government in India since aeons, it was a matter of principle that, that a Project Film title is always kept as Working-in-Progress till the film completion. It does not require a rocket science intelligence to decipher that no film title can be final unless it is in the completion stages, with its final creative structure sealed.
The “working title” was kept from an interesting article I had read on the subject – widely displayed online and not protected on copyright, but merely made a good beginning phrase for a CONCEPT note.
The first mistake was committed.
CONCEPT NOTE
A concept note can be easily defined as, “Brief overview of the subject and storyline on which the proposed film is to be made. It is understood that the concept note is developed from a basic research matter on the subject, which may be available through a primary research material. Any suggestions of names are also very basic and shall be finalized only after RESEARCH.”
To be noted: A concept note must include a basic budget sheet for the Government as a funder, as that is the most important document for their consideration.
As always, a 2 to 3 pager concept note was accompanied by a footnote stating names of various authors, writers, periodicals and documents that were available online as well as books that were in my possession as primary research sources. It was well noted that the names of these “researchers & authors” would perhaps be associated (to be read as “not approached/confirmed as yet”).
The second mistake was committed.
RESEARCH
The challenge of funding if wasn’t enough I took it upon myself to write the script of this mega project upon the stress-ed out brain & brawn.
Research has always been my core strength. I have believed that no good subject/project can be developed unless an intensive research exercise is undergone. I have often felt that in the field we operate in, research is done in a very frugal way, thus affecting the script.
As I had always done, an endeavor to meet, discuss and read on the subject led me to research on academicians, researchers, writers and others.
I was to know much later that, this intense passion for research would put me in such a roller-coaster ride that would send my “sparkling” intellect into a tizzy!
My expertise in DOCUMENTATION on interactions, conversations and detailed paperwork were wrapping a layer of protection on the skin that was to burn (later).
The third mistake was committed.
DOCUMENTATION
While the process of funding created an Inbox full of interactive communication with funders, Indian Government were the first to pitch in. Bagged with funding letters, I travelled across continents for further research and funding possibilities.
The process took 8 months of intense hard work of networking, persuasion and goodwill across many bureaucratic desks, laborious documents and sleepless nights.
Success was inevitable. For a Fall.
I was suddenly barraged and forwarded letters of a researcher & writer of the subject (one amongst the many I had met) claiming that, “I was unlawfully using researchers name without permission and using goodwill to get funding, creating false credentials…” – the accusations were shocking and never ending! It did not stop there. Various legal and vicious methodologies were adopted in both countries, tarnishing my image, harassing my process, creating as many hurdles as any human brain could – without a flicker of TRUTH in any!
My only weapons: Grace and Silence.
TRIUMPH of TRUTH
One Year of struggle. One Year of creation. One Year of intense anxiety.
RESULT:
Head held High, Heart in Humbleness, Masters in Knowledge – Gratitude in Grace.
LESSONS in MISTAKES
- Never to use working titles published by any other. Use your grey cells. God has given you enough.
- Register your Titles (even if they are still working) and Concept notes with various associations/agencies/Government in India – even if they are not under “Bollywood, mega budget” film productions that come under strict copyright laws.
- You want me to tell you? Free? Forget it. Move your limbs. Do some research!
- Do not mention any names of writers, authors and any other without their permission, even if they are dead! You never know – the dead may rise like a phoenix and haunt you. For me – I was haunted by a living ghost!
- Do not (underline) meet anyone related to your film subject without prior research on them themselves! The discovery of credentials of many, “appearing normal, but deranged” status may save your skin.
- Do not meet anyone related to the subject without a Dictaphone/recorder. Yes, I am well aware that “people with a creative flow (whatever that means!)” are weak in documentation. So let the conversation be document at least! Since my “creative flow” must be weak (as compared to my strength in documentation) – I was allowed to live through in the court of law & life!
- Do not have “friendly conversations/lunches/tea (& coffee)” based on degrees, paper credentials & smiles of people you meet. They have an ulterior motive termed “friends with benefits only”!
- Do not lose courage and strength in adversity. True? False. Deranged, psycho, unhappy and jealous forms of human minds shake the very ground that you step upon, testing your courage and adversity to the very core.
- Do have a good legal expert on board. Never, never, never sign documents, letters and important mails with a nod of her/his head.
SILENCE and TRUST in GRACE/TRUTH are the only weapons. Create, Sharpen & Use them.
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!
The measurements were given; the coverings made, boxes ordered, and silver printing of the logo finalized… but 5 days & 200 boxes! My vendor (as always) confirmed that I had some problem with my grey cells to commit such a precision quality fabricating job in such few days! Well, days turned into more days, with no nights in-between.
Finally, I had the sample (well, with 100 boxes already in print) in my hands on the third evening (the launch was on the fifth evening) – excited at my expected delivery before deadline, I took the sample (looked beautiful with blue & silver – so I thought!) to the client.
The bombshell dropped!
The logo was slightly bigger than the original logo! In a Logo… even a thread difference… made a big difference!
Where had I gone wrong? Well, the vendor, in his hurry, had committed the disaster. The client was feeling upset and disappointed, BUT… I had made a promise! The delivery would be done. On the fifth morning. I still had 36 hours.
There was not a minute to catch our breath. The covers of the boxes were changed, logo re-printed, more hands hired… and delivery made on 5th day by forenoon!
So, we had smiles, accolades and much cheer in the greenroom.
Another battle had been won.
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!
It does not matter if you are working on a project that involves the country’s best Government departments, where you may assume that the letter containing the masthead of Ashoka’s pillar would weave its magic when you attach it with your covering letter – you are completely off track! The luminaries have to play their power of presence game, and you better toe-the-line.
AAKAAR FILMS has always managed to do the magic – from getting the Honourable Former President of India Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for the Pan African e-Network film to meeting the ‘Amitabh Bachchan of South India’ – Superstar Kamal Hassan for the film Cinema With A Purpose. We managed to trace the link from personal assistants to personal relatives to personal security guards… and the audience happened.
And what an audience… that is why they truly belong to the hearts of masses!!
AAKAAR FILMS team with the former President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
With Superstar – Kamal Hassan
Click here to see more photographs of the AAKAAR FILMS team with various Luminaries.
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 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? – well, AAKAAR did it and the film was sent for the film festival by the client for high quality production!
Watch the resulting films:
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