Soon after moving to Bombay, I was walking on a beach and I saw a bunch of kids playing cricket with a tennis ball right next to the sea. How foolish is this, I thought to myself. Sooner or later someone will hit the ball in the sea and then what will these kids do? Balls are expensive. Even in “my” time they used to cost 15 bucks. These weren’t rich kids. I stopped and began watching them, feeling anxious and perhaps waiting for the inevitable moment when the uncle in me will have the opportunity to impart wisdom about avoiding risk and loss.
I didn’t have to wait long. With a shot which would make Jayasurya envious, the gent took a few steps out of the “crease” and sent the ball to the sea.
All of us- me and the kids, saw the ball fall far enough with a plop. I looked at the kids, expecting to witness shock or dejection. I found neither. All of them, almost as if under a spell, started looking at the sea. It took less than 10 seconds. The sea threw the ball back, about ten feet away from where they were playing. They picked up the ball and went back to playing.
I had the good fortune of being invited to hear Askar Naqvi sing Karbala. Powerful, moving performance.
After he finished, people requested Swanand Kirkire, who was also in the audience, to sing. He obliged and sang Baawra Mann.
After he was done, an actor I don’t want to name walked up to him and said- you sing so well, why don’t you sing in the movies? Without blinking and without an iota of sarcasm, Swanand said- so kind of you, I will try.
Sudhir Mishra who was standing right next to him however, was absolutely aghast. Sudhir Mishra: “What do you mean? He is the person who sang the song in the movie also!”
(Now, such things can happen to anyone. I have embarrassed myself a few times, but usually in such a situation, the moment someone points out your gaffe, you stop. This actor however, did not relent.)
Actor: Your movie? Well, I meant that he should sing for “Mainstream Films”
Sudhir : He has sung a song in Three Idiots, how much more mainstream do you want him to get?
Actor: In that case, he should do concerts so that he becomes a recognisable name.
Sudhir: HE DOES CONCERTS ALSO HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND
Actor, Turning to Swanand, who was absolutely quiet through this entire conversation- Anyway, you get in touch with me and I’ll see what I can do for you.
Swanand: Folds Hands
This piece is so beautifully Bombay. It has the sea, the tides, the singers, the actors, the people, the smell, and the movies!
I LOVE THIS!!! Now for someone to offer you a city column