An iffy prospect
Let’s first get a couple things clear — I’m all for IFFI in Goa, provided it’s done properly and projected in a nice way. And, I’m not an expert on film festivals, the only other festivals that I’ve been to are MAMI and the small festivals in Mumbai. But, I do know how things can be done and what makes sense. IFFI 2006 doesn’t make sense to me at all.
Let’s recap! The inaugural ceremony was tailor-made for Bollywood and for TV viewing. There was nothing about Goa there. The official song lauds Indian cinema and I ask myself and everyone else, isn’t this supposed to be a festival of International films?
Throughout the last few days, I’ve been doing the rounds of Kala Academy and Inox, only to see Bollywood stars walk in amidst media frenzy, some of them aren’t even here to promote a film. Some of the foreign directors and cast and crew have been ignored or given third-rate treatment. What kind of nonsense is this? What are the DFF and ESG thinking? Don’t they know that these people are coming down for the festival? A producer of a Marathi film created a hue and cry about the fact that his director and cast weren’t given a platform before the screening of their movie. Why wasn’t someone informed of their arrival? And why has a company that puts together conferences and other small events in Delhi given the opportunity to manage IFFI this year?
The first year, 360 degrees did a good job, so did Wizcraft the following year. Why give it to a different event team each year. Doesn’t anyone realise the advantages of having one person do it for three or five years at a stretch? Do you even know what that can be like, from so many different aspects, including sponsorship? Is there any criteria when it comes to lobbying for the festival? Do you just have to be in the business or do you have to have years of doing large-scale events, major concerts and more, to qualify? Now, doing a brilliant job has taken on a whole new meaning. In fact, the next time someone tells me I was brilliant at something, I might just cringe in fear. Brilliant Entertainment Network has been anything but brilliant, in fact, I can’t imagine how an incompetent group of individuals can have the gall to call themselves event managers. From the gaudy cheap décor on the streets and the Inox courtyard to the not-so-International events at Caranzalem, it’s all a whole big mess. And the head of Brilliant even had the audacity to claim that the whole Konkani concert was a printing mistake? What an excellent excuse, or should we say a brilliant excuse? They have a haphazard way of doing things and most of the press that they favour has been national media, obviously since they’re not from here. It seems that everybody has vested interests. Is there anyone who loves films and is doing something at the festival?
Getting back to the festival, the country focus is on Argentina, which is a good thing for Latin American cinema. But, where is the Argentinean contingent? They’re here; we met one of the directors and interviewed her. No one else even knew that she was around. There has been a parade of Bollywood stars and starlets, whom we see and hear about all the time. Why is it so important for the press to meet them and not the people who have genuinely come here to promote a film that they spent time making and that they took pains to finish?
Goa is a great place for IFFI but we do need to stop this nonsense and concentrate on what it really is — A film festival. IFFI is not about Sonu Nigam, Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy, Kunal Ganjawala or the others that get on stage and wax eloquent on how they love Goa. Bosh and more bosh! Goa is a great venue, it’s got international acclaim, it’s got an international feel and most importantly, it has the infrastructure. But, none of this has been exploited. Why can’t some of the festival movies be shown on the beaches, instead of Lage Raho Munnabhai and Rang de Basanti. We’re even screening Krissh today. Yes, Krrish! Show some of the regional films instead, even if you can’t screen a Volver. The government needs to realise that everything can’t be turned into a political gimmick. At the end of the day, if IFFI goes away from Goa, the government won’t be blamed, Goa will.
The ESG should have a committee of people who have worked in the entertainment industry, who know how things can be done, who can not only give it an international flavour but a Goan flavour as well. The answer is not in holding it at the convention centre so that you can get more seats, it’s about crowd control, and it’s about quality. One thing’s for sure; the movies at the festival are perhaps the only saving grace of IFFI 2006.
I was standing close to J P Singh, the Chief Secretary of Goa, when he wondering out loud, why IFFI was getting so much bad press. Well, here’s your answer. Don’t make it an over-hyped Bollywood mela, let it be what it is — the International Film Festival of India. Put it there on an international level, get the international directors and actors down, and give them their due. And for crying out loud, send Brilliant back to Delhi and make them start doing birthday parties, they’ll learn a lot. Perhaps in ten years time, we might think about giving them a second chance. Then again…
November 30, Gomantak Times, Goa
When will India play beautiful?
There have been so many stories of great football, skillful goals and heroic exploits throughout the years. Today, football has scaled massive heights, not only is it the world’s favourite game, but in a few places, it rides a close second behind one’s religion. Most of the teams have played their first match in the World Cup and like I predicted a while ago, this is one tournament that is spread wide open. I was surprised to see teams like Netherlands, Sweden and Portugal struggle against smaller opponents; but then again, the first match is always nervy. So far, India hasn’t stood a chance, we haven’t gotten anywhere near the World Cup, except once, 40-odd years ago and even then, we didn’t play.
I happened to chance upon the new Indian football jerseys on the Nike website and they look glorious — classic blue and white! But what’s the use of looking good and not playing well? I’m sure that quite a few officials will have already headed into Germany to catch a few matches. Why not send the players? New Zealand played against Brazil during their practice matches and they’re ranked lower than us in FIFA rankings.
I understand that cricket’s the bigger game and that’s where all the money’s going, but what of the other sports. Yes, there are reports of Sepp Blatter taking interest in Indian football and coming down here soon to set up a few youth programs. Now, while that’s great news, do we really have to wait for him to come down before we realise that we have the talent but not the platform? Or have we already realised that and are just sitting around twiddling our thumbs and waiting for foreign aid. Why should we put our money into it when FIFA might just give us some of their small change? That’s not great attitude! We have the money, but not the proper people in place to take football out there and make it big.
West Bengal, Kerala and Goa, are three of the biggest states that have great football teams, with Maharashtra not that far behind. There are also some really good players from the North-East, proving where the talent pools are. When I grew up in Mumbai, in school and even after that, it was always football and hockey. We played our hearts out, a few of my friends even represented Maharashtra in the Nationals…but there was no future then. Or at least, that’s what we were told. Maybe the future was bleak then, but it certainly isn’t now. Today, kids have more exposure to the different leagues around the world. Every weekend, we have the Premier League, La Liga and more on our TV screens. The FIFA games also teach people about strategy and so on. It’s all there, the aids that help people learn. Now, they need to showcase their talents. Is there even one decent youth program anywhere in India? Perhaps it’s time to start one.
We all support teams like, Brazil, Portugal, France and Spain but wouldn’t it be nice to see India there, even if they don’t play that well at first and struggle to make it? I’m not being pessimistic but I have seen how hard it is for the newcomers at the finals. We all love the game and I personally would love to see my country up there. I want to cheer for them, to see a goal scored and to wear the jersey with pride.
Until then of course, I guess I’m going to have to be content with the rest of the world playing the beautiful game. In the words of Eric Cantona, “Joga Bonito!”
June 14, Gomantak Times, Goa
Seeing the light, in every drop of rain!
I’ve fallen in love, with Goa, all over again. The monsoon is finally here and at long last, I can see it rain for miles on end. The other day, I was sitting at a friend’s place and staring out of the window, watching the rain fall off the branches of the trees close by. It’s such a beautiful sight. Even when I lived in Mumbai, the only time I enjoyed the monsoon was when I hopped onto a train and came here. The smell of wet mud just smells so much better here than in the big city.
Falling in love is not an easy thing. One minute you’re doing what you normally do, the next thing you know, you’re catapulted into a vortex of colour and sound — A kaleidoscope of emotions. Then again, that’s not what I feel about Goa. I would reserve that for a certain someone, wherever she may be. At this time, I’m more inclined towards being footloose and fancy free in the rain.
Goa never felt so good. I would often extoll the virtues of spending a few days here in the rain, to everyone who would want to do something different. I would long for the chance to come here, book a room in a resort on the beach and sit there reading, sipping on something warm or watching a good movie. Experience a different Goa. I can do that now, but then again, I have a day job. Not such a good idea now, especially since after this little piece, my boss is not going to believe me if I call in sick.
Even now, I dream of heading to the beach and walking barefoot in the rain, feeling the wet sand crunch beneath my toes. Standing on an empty shore, the waves crashing down with immense ferocity. In some ways, I’m a child of the wild. Like those people who love to be amongst nature and beautiful things. About two years ago, a few friends and me went out for a holiday. Somewhere between Mumbai and Goa, it was in the middle of two hills and by a beach and we spent two beautiful days there. I remember getting up in the early morning and walking up a hill and just sitting there, taking in the sights. We had so much fun, just squatting on a rocky outcropping and eating lunch, or playing cards in the late evening until dinner. It was a pretty peaceful but short holiday. My only regret was that we didn’t have more time or else we would have just driven down to Goa and had more fun here.
The only scary part about the monsoon in Goa is riding a bike on the wet roads. Drivers still show no mercy for bikers when coming down a slope or overtaking on a straight. The chances of an accident happening are even more now, but the apathy still stands.
On the brighter side, the roads are cleaner and the place has gone quieter, which, in a lot of ways, is a good thing. Though, I strongly feel that as a tourist destination, Goa can do so much more. This season can also be a good time to visit the state and someone should see to it that the wheels are set in motion in this regard. Until then though, I look forward to cantering in soaking wet to work, sipping hot coffee on a damp morning and walking carefree in the sand.
May 31, Gomantak Times, Goa
My memories of midnight…up to the early morning
The last few weekends have been crazy. I’ve had loads of fun, right from the Easter weekend up till last Saturday and I hope the fun never stops. Actually, it never does, in a little lounge in Candolim. It’s one of the newest places in Goa and a party place it is indeed — Vanilla. The name conjures up something peaceful and sweet and if anything else. Come the weekend and the northern half of Goa gears up to head down to Vanilla to get into retro mood. I went there over a month ago for the first time, not knowing too many people there, but now, you see familiar faces and they nod and smile back.
The summer months are hot and sweaty in the day and it turns out to be quite similar at night, but, on the sands of Candolim beach, with the River Princess in the background, you really don’t mind it. I think back to when we used to party in Mumbai, or play for parties where everyone wanted to swing to a different beat, barring the occasional hip-hop or house hit, people love to go retro. It’s fun! Shaking a leg to Madonna, the Bee Gees and some Shakin’ Stevens, who would’ve ever thought that Goa would love it so. When I first came here, a lot of people told me that retro wasn’t ‘in’, even a few Goans in Mumbai were of the opinion that hip-hop and house, trance and rock, that kind of music sells in Goa more than anything else. “Retro? Nah, it won’t work that well.” Well, you tell that to the hundreds of people who jump up and down around me every weekend.
Well, I’ve seen a different side to Goa, in fact, I’ve met a few people who drive down all the way from the South, to party here and get a different vibe. I guess, you never really know how well it will work until you actually go ahead and do it.
It takes me back to my younger days, not that I’m not young now (ahem!) I’d still like to think of myself, in some ways, as an unruly teenager out to live it up. Then I look in the mirror and see a few gray hairs and get a little subdued. But, that’s all behind me now. I’ve found a nice place to feel at home, dance the night away and get nostalgic at the same time. I’ll often turn to a friend and say, “This track, I heard it way back in ……” or perhaps I’ll talk about how often I used to play the track when I was a DJ.
In a track called Mrs Potters Lullaby, Adam Duritz sings, “If dreams are like movies, then memories are films about ghosts.” I’ve made a lot of films then I guess, about ghosts and whatever else. Sometimes, our memories are all we have, sometimes not.
There are a lot of things that I do now, which take me back to the days when I was crazy and wild, long-haired with a care-a-damn attitude. I figure, that part of me never died, because it’s back with a bang! I’m usually the type of guy, who takes a while to get used to something. I like to feel comfortable wherever I am; I like to feel at home. Vanilla’s also one of my favourite flavours of ice cream, but then that’s not what I’m actually talking about. I’m talking about the place where the faces are familiar, the people smile all the time and the music plays all night long, well, for most of it.
I’ve this strong urge to head down to the place during the week sometime, put my feet up and gaze at the stars. It’ll give me a chance to feel the vibe when there are fewer people around. Might even see a different side to the lounge. Then again, I might just get up and cut a rug on the dance floor. Who knows, the place brings out my wild side. Grrrr!
May 3, Gomantak Times, Goa
Loving every minute of the beautiful game!
2006 is football year; actually football year happens every time FIFA hosts the World Cup finals, because there’s no absence of football during the two-month gap between the leagues. We now have the World Cup! And I love every kick, cross, tackle and pass of it, apart from the fact that I don’t own a TV, yet!
If you ask me, I’d rather watch a couple of football games than sit through an entire day or cricket. Not that I hate cricket, but there’s something exciting about football that keeps my eyes glued to the screen. I remember my first proper World Cup — Italia 90. It was the first time that we actually got to watch more than just a few matches. For the 1986 finals, DD (our only hope then) hardly showed too many games apart from the semis and the final (I think). That was when Italy was on a roll, I still remember the match against Argentina in which Italian goalkeeper Walter Zenga finally got beaten, by a chance header by Claudio Canigga. Of course, Argentina suffered in the finals, conceding a penalty (which I still think shouldn’t have happened) and Lothar Mattheus took the cup home to Germany. I was 11 and even though I watched football, played it throughout school, I fell in love with the game.
I’ve never had a favourite team to support though. I somehow can’t do that. Though, I sit and evaluate the bigger teams and decide who is capable of reaching the semis. After that, it’s anybody’s game. Then, I’ll wait till the two teams come through and then I decide which one I want to win. Sounds weird? Well, maybe, to someone who supports one single team throughout, but I have too many players I admire and I love to watch. When it comes to clubs, you’ll find me cheering for Arsenal and Barcelona (both of which might make it to the Champions League finals and then I’ll be in a dilemma all over again).
I’d love to see Brazil win, simply because they would break records. European teams have always won the World Cups in Europe though Brazil is the only team to have won outside their continent (2004). But then again, it’ll be so nice to see Spain, Holland or Argentina come through, something different for a change. Ahh…me and my ‘expert’ opinions! It will be fun though, wouldn’t it? Watching the likes of Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Leo Messi and others battle it out for football supremacy. I’m already making plans — where to watch what. And since the Champions League final isn’t far away either, it’s down to footballing heaven for me. I’ve met many football fans among the tourists that I’ve run into. And even though most of them were English, a few of them actually didn’t fancy England’s chances. I was surprised. Not that I think they’ll win, but they actually outlined their reasons why. And it’s fun discussing football with the people who know how to evaluate tactics and strategy, rather than the many who say, “I think this team’s going to win.” Why? “They’re good!” Eh? And that’s your answer?
If you’re wondering where I’m going with this, stop! I don’t know either… I’m just excited, that’s all. I’ll be in Goa, and the frenzy is going to reach fever pitch in June. What better place to be in India than here, right? That reminds me, anyone got a TV set to lend me? I’m leaning towards a 29-incher with surround sound. I’ll give it back as soon as I buy my dream set, which should be somewhere in 2010. In the meantime, here’s to the football fans of the world (and Goa)… Cheers!
April 19, Gomantak Times, Goa
Prayer for the dying
It was the day of the cricket match that I got a call from a friend of mine. They had a bad experience at the cricket stadium when they went there to watch the match and so they left halfway and came back. They couldn’t even understand why, when they went to the police for help, none was given. Luckily, there was only about Rs 500 in the wallet that was stolen. What was not lucky was the fact that his driving licence and Inland Revenue card, as well as his bank cards were in the wallet, too. Fortunately, he plans to go back to England in less than two weeks, so it won’t be too much of a problem.
I, on the other hand, was sad. Sad because I didn’t have an answer to give them, when they asked me why the police didn’t help. People often wonder out aloud, in my presence, how is it that things like this happen and that we let it pass. I remember a friend who lost his bag once, in a crowded train in Mumbai. He didn’t lament the few books and DVDs, what he did miss was the little present for his girlfriend that he had saved up for months. Ok, so the thieves are heartless. But why are they doing what they’re doing? Has poverty driven people to do these things? Of course it has, and that is just the beginning. Murder, rape, armed robbery and more… All these crimes occur every day of our lives. And we turn a blind eye, until something happens to us. People also wonder, how is it, that road accidents kill people and still there are rash drivers, speed demons and plain old fools who race through the streets, not caring about who they could injure or kill. More often than not, they are the ones who escape with just a few scrapes and bruises while others die, for doing nothing wrong. They were just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
We got lots of letters for the edit page, where Goans wrote in to say they were saddened by the fact that the riots shamed Goa. People were harassed and property was damaged. I don’t think I can recall the last time someone wrote in to say they were shamed by the fact that people are killed everyday, on Goan roads. No one has ever written in to say that they were saddened by the accidents that occur every single day. What are you waiting for? Someone to run down your loved one before you have to get up out of your armchair, the same place where you sit and criticise everything, to protest against this? Look at the stats. Walk up to your nearest police station and ask them to tell you how many people died this month in road accidents. A little kid died a few days ago, along with his father. A truck with its lights off smashed their car. That little kid probably didn’t even know what hit him. That little kid will never be able to grow up, fall in love, play a sport, watch a movie or do anything else. What did that kid ever do to die like that? It could be you. It could be your kid.
I’ve seen everyone in such a hurry to go to wherever they’re going, that they just don’t care who they slow down, how they cross lanes, who they endanger or what they do to get there. They just need to reach point B. I’ve almost been run over by a bus, a truck and a crazy guy in a Scorpio who definitely needs his high-beam shone in his own face, so that he realises what it is to drive like that, not being able to see for about 10 seconds — enough time for one to miss a dog, a pig or a vehicle in their way. And that’s the case with 90 per cent of the cars on the road. If you can’t beat them, join them. Is that what it has come to? Follow the rules no matter what and somewhere down the line things will change. That’s what I’ve always hoped. Now it seems, that it could also kill me. How sad is that?
So, if you ever see someone on a Bullet with his middle finger sticking right at you, switch to low beam on and then say hi. I’ll wave back! April 5, Gomantak Times, Goa
Bring back my chicken to me
I’m usually not the type of person who would give up meat for Lent, come to think of it, I hardly give up anything at Lent (please don’t burn me at the stake, I swear I’ll be good).
But this bird flu scare has got me down. I love eating chicken, cooking it with different marinades, wolfing down my mom’s red chicken curry, which is swear is the best chicken I’ve ever tasted. I’ve had nightmares of me sprouting wings and clucking all throughout the day, my colleagues at work staring at me sideways, all suspicious and conspiring in whispers to pack me off to the nearest madhouse. Whenever I head down to a restaurant and order chicken, people look at me weird, some places don’t even serve chicken anymore. I have eaten chicken in the last week, but it just doesn’t taste the same. Perhaps I’ll sprout wings the next morning, or run around screaming, “The sky is falling, the sky is falling.” I haven’t even seen Chicken Little yet. Perhaps that’s one of the symptoms of bird flu, you feel as if the sky is falling on your head. Perhaps it’s a sign, notice how the bird flu scare happened just when Lent was around the corner? I wonder…
There could have been an elaborate plan in place, some secret society that want to stop us from eating chicken. Or maybe, just maybe, the chickens got fed up and planned this whole thing. We all need a holiday sometime. I can just imagine them, sitting around in this huge coop, hidden from view by a giant sign that advertises fresh chicken (how ironic!). The head, in a deep booming voice (to us, it’s still cluck cluck, just with a little bass effect), says, “We need to go off on a holiday, all hands in favour?” These are the head chicken and roosters of the world, flown in from all over to plan this mass holiday.
There’s Don Teriyacci from Sicily, Xavier ‘the Shah’ Coutinho, the sole Goenkar, Taro Nestte, who didn’t reveal which country he represents, Xi zwan from China and a couple others from Greece and Brazil, a loud red Texan, Conrad Bleu from France (known for his valour during the Frog wars) and an Australian chicken who insisted on beer being served at the meeting. As a result of the beer, there are loud burps throughout.
So the head rooster, simply known as the Phoenix continues, “We are all in agreement, lets create a scare, let the pigs suffer for a while. Lent isn’t the same anymore, I miss my holidays, but now, there are some that don’t abstain for 40 days. Those ungrateful humans.” Don Teriyacci, dressed to the nines in a tux, says in a hoarse voice, “I wanna thank you, for inviting me here. I am old, and my olive oil plantation shall continue flourishing through my children. I would like to spend a few days away. I suggest we go some place quiet. Perhaps we rent a yacht and sail away on the ocean, while the rest can travel the world in peace.”
(Burp!)
And so this meeting continued, and they came up with a holiday destination and planned on diversions and misdirection strategies. And the whole world was scared, held to ransom just because a few old cocks wanted to shun work for a while and rest. So the entire chicken breeding business was stopped till they came back to the helm of the affairs.
But they didn’t count on us; we sculled chickens while they were sipping white wine on a yacht somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. It’s their fault, there were wars while they were away, people and chickens suffered and died. And they slept peacefully. I’m angry, “How could they do this?” I ask, all the while sipping home-made chicken soup.
March 22, Gomantak Times, Goa
