“You can fight with man. You can’t fight with God.” –KishanJi. These were the perfect words with which to start the day. As I began work today, the rains of the monsoon season downpoured onto the set. Thank the Lord the shoot was indoors.
I apologize for not blogging for a while. This one will most likely be a bit crammed. I’ve been working for the past two weeks on the set of a film entitled “Paying Guests,” by Mukta Arts Ltd, Subhash Ghai’s film company. I thought I would get settled before actually writing a blog about the work experience. There was a lot of settling to be done. Ready to get down and dirty within the workplace, I learned one has to walk before they run. I spent the last four years crawling, apparently. Because we SU students are all here for four weeks (one without work, one spent adjusting), most of the experience revolves around observations around set. I thought I would loathe it.
However, it has been quite a valuable experience. I was not expecting everyone on a Bollywood set to be as nice as they are. The very first day, Anshuman Jha (Chief Assistant Director) and Prashant, introduced themselves as well as the cinematographer and director of the film. After a couple days of trying to measure light and study lenses more in depth I became jealous of Anshuman, who was interacting heavily with producers, actors, and other staff members. Thus, I realized my desire to direct.
The great thing about “observing the set” is the leniency and flexibility that comes with it. I have been able to shadow the cinematographer, the director, his assistants, as well as lighting crew. Even though I have discovered my focus, I am able to learn about all the different responsibilities on set, from set design to direction, and even acting! While hanging around on set, the actors and actresses have been very friendly. Johnny Lever, Indian comedy genius of whom my father and I are very big fans, spoke to me. I said, “Hi.” He said, “Fiji!” It feels good when people on set remember your name.
One day, I was packing to leave and Vatsal Seth, one of the actors, yells my name and offers to achieve tickets to the “Sex and the City” premiere for some of us. It did not happen, but the offer was genuine. Nice people rock. In addition, I never thought I would get starstruck but Abhishek Bachchan passed me when I was using the phone. He looked me in the eye. Followed by his appearance were Waheeda Rehman and Naseerudin Shah…in one day. I melted when I saw such legends of Bollywood entering Whistling Woods. Of course Rohan (my smile, my DIL!) understands since we turned into 5-yr olds around the model-turned-actress, Celina Jaitley. Whew.
