Are you reading the ‘Signs’ that are meant for you?

It was Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” that first brought the “power of the universe” to my notice sometime in early 2000.

“When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”, the book said.

Shah Rukh Khan of course went on to popularize the lines thereafter in Farah Khan’s 2007 mega block buster Om Shaanti Om…. But prior to ‘The Alchemist’, I had never known of such a notion. A notion that suggests, the universe is out there to help us.

Lately, I have just finished reading “The Celestine Prophecy”. A 1993 book by James Redfield that again talks about the psychological and spiritual ramifications of the human energy and the cosmos on human destiny!

“There are no Co-incidences”, the book says. Everything!... even the most insignificant illogical event happens to us for a reason. We, however, are too preoccupied to see this reason and hence are mostly disconnected with the universe that intends to guide us- all the time!

From the time we were born we have had people to please, exams to pass, admission to obtain, People to please, Job to get, Money to earn, Car to buy, loans to repay, People to please, Bills to pay, Responsibilities to fulfill, etc etc etc… and this is the reality of our lives! But then… is this truly the ‘reality’ of our lives or is it a ‘reality’ we have been told to practice for ourselves because someone else before us did it this way??

Connecting with the universe or being attentive to the signs in no way means you need to lead a nomad’s life! You still have to work hard and be honest and stay sincere and love passionately.

However, if you do manage to separate the wheat from the chaff and live your life at a pace it is intended to… you’ll be surprised how the universe shall reveal itself to you… through signs and messages that are meant exclusively for you.

Having reflected on my life as a whole I was amazed to see how the universe has indeed been guiding me. Certain co-incidences- as I still look at them- I realized were nature’s way to let me know that I was being looked after. Having realized this and thus consciously having been trying to take note of certain recent developments in my life, I cannot help but acknowledge that these “signs” actually… do exist!

It is only up to us now to break away from the rut we have been programmed to call life and be open to read these signs… that have been sent by the universe… for us. 

Hindi Film Titles- The disputes, The arguments and The unfortunate mess.

“What’s in the name?” Juliet asks Romeo in Shakespeare’s classic play Romeo & Juliet.

Well… quiet a bit I would say or nothing at all! Depends entirely on what is at stake!!

In the case of this particular post, I am referring to the name- or title, as it is called- of Hindi feature films.

Today, “Sholay” is not just a word for us; it is an event. HAHK or DDLJ are not four random letters but landmarks that defined a generation.

Hence, the title of a film is the worst nightmare for its makers. If at times, it springs out from the story itself, at times it takes longer to get locked than the entire process of making the film!

It is true, that the success of any film has more to do with its content. However, it is understandably tedious to want to watch or further still fall in love with a film that’s called- “Mulaqaat Pyaar Karne Waalon ki” or something even more morbid!!

Now having known for over years, about the extremely crucial nature of a films title… this is how its sanctity has been treasured by the film industry-

As per norm, a filmmaker registers the title of his feature film with any or all of three primary associations, namely- The Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA), Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP) and the Film & Television Producers Guild!!

But the most horrendous part is… even if the maker has diligently registered his precious title… he has no legal right to it!!!

Meaning, while someone may have taken the pains to conjure up a title and register it with any or all of the above associations, I can make my film, name it that and release it while he frets & fumes!!!

And this is because; all the associations above are NOT statutory authorities and are mere trade associations. As such, owning titles by registering them with these bodies has no legal validity at all!!

 

The right way to do it is by registering your title with the Copyright Board, based in New Delhi.

Now the issue here is not of the legal way or the right way. For an industry that prides itself on calling themselves a “family”, it is hypocritical to be raising legal flags. The grounds at stake here are far more moral than legal, especially when both the parties- the titleholder & seeker- are aware of what is at stake and the very fact that tomorrow they might well have switched sides of the ring!

It thus pains me to see the manner in which the “title disputes”, now a regular feature of the movie business have been handled.

If someone has indeed registered their title you want or even worse has already made a film by the name; leave aside the legal ramifications of the issue. Firstly, initiate a correspondence. All players involved here are aware of the volatile and random nature of the business and will see your point and its validity. The effort needs to be taken by you if you indeed feel the title precious to your story.

I would say, go even to the extent of presenting your synopsis to the holder to make your point. Explain to them the importance of the title to the project. If they are hesitant to release the title, why not ask some suggestions too?

And similarly it is the duty of the titleholder to grant the seeker an audience. To hear out his or her case and consider it. To not insecurity cloud your judgment.

Such an exchange and mutual trust will only strengthen the industry and make it a far more healthier and productive place than it presently is. It is criminal for filmmakers to fabricate emotions for a living but be unable to respect & handle emotions where they matter.

It cannot be a “family” just by calling it so. If it is indeed that, then it needs no court or association. Conscience is good enough an authority to regulate you.

If we indeed succeed in doing so… then this will the biggest story every told. The biggest hit we ever experience.

Amen to that. 

Whatsapp-ening!!! The "Super Affordable" Phenomenon!!

You realize the success or rather the “power” of whatsapp when your parents do not realize you being late for dinner because they are immersed in their cell phone screens… whatsapp-ing!!

You realize it more when- on your contact list- amidst the profile pics of your friends, colleagues, acquaintances, and the people you don’t remember; stare out the- aviator wearing pic of your dhobi, jewelry-decked pic of your maid and the otherwise meek bar waiter posing next to a sports bike!!

And you are further stunned when your technologically challenged Grand Dad who has never held a cell phone in his life… asks you to ‘whatsapp’ a picture, quickly!!

Why has this app taken over our lives like this and cut across all class, age and behavioral strata’s?

It is not ‘simply’ because “whatsapp” gives an impression of being “free”! But more importantly because- the “free” part makes us ‘take to’ a form of communication we are most comfortable with and have inherently preferred for generations- Writing!

Before we adapted ourselves to talking to people in their absence- via the telephone; the written word had always been our preferred form to communicate.

Earlier there were the leaves, tree barks and animal skins we wrote on; later the letters and greeting cards came in; then the email, the sms and BBM took over and now, we have the whatsapp!!

Now, while each of the above modes of communication had a ‘price’ on it, which not everyone could afford; ‘whatsapp’, today is not only affordable but also accessible. Hence, no surprise that it has been latched onto by all!

So what is it about the ‘written form of communication’ that makes us all take to it so naturally??!! I am no psychologist or historian but as a ‘layman’, this is what it must be…

“The written word gives a sense of security and comfort, which we as humans perpetually strive for.

As we write back and forth; we can do so without being as ‘exposed’ as we could be in a verbal or face-to-face conversation. Again, while a face-to-face conversation still gives you more tools to express, a verbal conversation thrives completely on your words and tone!

Below i have stated some pointers as to how we love writing and since whatsapp gives us the guiltless pleasure of affordability, we pleasurably surrender to it.

It Saves Energy-

There is no better relief than convincingly communicating your reactions via a “Yippeee!”, “Supeeerrrrr!!! Or “Oh my God! That is terrible!” via a text than actually having to physically do it and risk being questioned your authenticity because your tone didn’t quiet match up what you felt!!

You can lie-

“I am in a meeting will you ping you once free”.

I don’t need to list here the number of other things you could be doing while this lie goes out!! And what more… it’s FREE…or so it seems!!

That ‘priceless’ moment-

How often have instinctive reactions landed you in a mess of apologies and clarifications??!!

While writing back you get that priceless moment to think, reflect and compose your reaction far better than otherwise is possible- in person or over a call.

The safety of not being given away by your expression or hesitancy in voice is priceless.

Omnipresent-

Not answering a call send out negative vibes. There is something depressing about missed calls. But then… with ‘whatsapp’, you can be suffering a boring meeting and yet react to your close friend, you can be sitting with your parents and planning next nights party… especially since they too would be busy forwarding jokes!

So yeah… There it is. Awesome, ain’t it?

 

Now, if only…

There could be some ‘discreet filter’ to it;

If only people could cultivate some etiquettes of using it. Short forms like- “Sup”- should be banned on ‘whatsapp’. It may mean- “What’s up?” As in “What is happening?” but it is very annoying!!;

If only people would not chat with multiple people at the same time. Finish one conversation and move to the next! Etiquette?;

If only, people would not add you to random groups;

If only there was a polite way of exiting these group without anyone finding out! And lastly,

If only all phones could disable the “Last seen at” option… Life would be bliss!!

But then… who said life is supposed to be bliss? It is supposed to be comfortable and that- “Whatsapp” is!… and it is FREEEEEE!… almost!