Admirable storytelling

AGKSPEAK

Over the past year, seven months to be exact, there seems to a creative revival of sorts in the world of Hindi cinema. It all began in August 2007, when an extremely unusual movie hit the screens "" Chak De India. It was unusual in so many ways, the story line, the cast, the theme and even the one superstar the film had, played a role quite uncharacteristic for him. But yet, its success was unprecedented, its message "" if you dream it, you can do it "" was embraced unilaterally.

Just as audiences were still relishing the memories of the movie, came another wonderful offering "" Taare Zameen Par. Yet another unusual box office hit. It was a touching tale of parent-child relationships, not what you would classify as a 'Bollywood movie'. But this time around too, the audiences loved it. The 'masses', as they are referred to, lapped it up despite the fact that the usual 'success formula' was missing. It was a story that left most parents including me going back in time to wonder if we really did offer our children what they really deserved and needed. Hot on the heels of TZP came another outstanding movie "" Jodhaa Akbar, envisoned on scales last seen decades ago, perhaps in a Cecil B DeMille extravaganza! To have envisioned, orchestrated and executed such magnificent battle scenes and dance sequences requires directorial skills that can only be defined as extraordinary. Not to mention bringing out a performance from the main lead so outstanding that it will take a long time for it to be matched.

To think that we in India have reached such admirable levels of celluloid storytelling is something which fills me with great pride and hope for the future. This past year has been truly remarkable, and hopefully is a harbinger of great times to come.

What I've learned
A half-truth gets you only half way there!

My exposure to the world of half-truths and white lies began when I was all of 17 years old. I had just received my very first job offer. It was a government job and hence considered desirous even though it was for the post of temporary stenographer at the Court. I had got the job through an employment exchange and went across to pick up my offer letter. A father and son who were waiting there ahead of me from a nearby town called Repalle, instantly befriended me only to tell me their sob story. Greenhorn that I was, I offered my help freely. All they wanted me to do, they said, was for me to exchange my posting for theirs! To do that I needed to submit my refusal letter for this particular choice of posting and automatically the post would go to the son, the second in the queue. Without a moment's hesitation I obliged, only to realise that I was completely conned! That was the first and the last time I let myself be taken in. I have since realised that this tendency of telling white lies is a widespread phenomenon.

In most homes it happens from childhood days "" when a well-intentioned mother attempts to sweet talk her child into doing her bidding! It continues well into adulthood when resumes are inflated and work experiences exaggerated by job-seekers. It constantly amazes me how people can be fooled into thinking that white lies could actually work in their favour.

No doubt, as in the case of resumes and work experiences, it might get you a foot in the door, but all it takes is a short while to prove to the entire company that it was just big talk. Which is why there are sudden, unexplained exits after some very high-profile job switches! Sugar-coating the truth, white lies, half truths, whether for people or for brands, work only till your audience's very first experience of it. Failure to perform can boomerang in the most harmful manner imaginable because very few are forgiving when they realise they have been deceived. Isn't it far more productive to be upfront rather than have yourself and all your efforts unceremoniously shown the door?