Monday, October 5, 2009

Since you asked....

The lady in the pic is an extraordinary person, and I felt honoured to meet her. Prof. Fatima Meer is one of South Africa's most respected intellectuals. She is also one of the last Gandhians left, and had played key role in SA's freedom struggle against apartheid. As you can see she is wheelchair bound and accompanied by a nurse. But her mind is as sharp and strong as ever. When she speaks, her voice booms across the room, and everyone listens in rapt attention. I so enjoyed my time with her. She was gracious enough to present a signed copy of her book to me, which I shall always cherish. I was fortunate to have met such a remarkable person. I hope you can see my face painting clearly. It was beautiful. I'm guessing it is done with rice paste, but it could be something else...
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Here in Goa, the shooting schedule is chaotic and crazy. Last night, I wrapped up my last shot at 3 a.m. This was because of the rain that kept interrupting the shoot. What has impressed me the most is the competence and skill of our technicians. These lighting guys are geniuses when it comes to improvisation and thinking on ones feet. It is a pretty thankless job, besides being a really, really tiring one. God knows how they manage, with virtually no sleep and a lot of heavy stuff to lug around the beach. But the results are worth all the trouble. I wish I could reveal more at this stage. But my lips are sealed...
Madhavan ( Maddy) and Dino Morea have arrived this evening to participate in one episode. I recall meeting Maddy on a Mumbai-London flight two years ago. He'd come across and introduced himself politely and I'd thought what a refreshing change he was from our loud and crude Bollywood brigade. Dino, of course, I have known since his days as a model in Bangalore. He too is well mannered at all times and surprisingly intelligent. There's something old world and adorably charming about movie stars from the South. Just ten days ago I met Karthik , again at the airport. Frankly, I hadn't heard of him... so when he came across to introduce himself, I must have looked a little blank. We got chatting and he told me about his role in Mani Ratnam's Ravana. What a sweet guy.... and so modest!
The weather promises to behave itself tomorrow. If I can get a couple of hours off, I plan to visit Mangeshi Temple, where our family deity resides. It is one ritual I love to observe and I hope the Monsoon God is on my side when I undertake the trip.
I have been clicking lots of pictures in Goa, and shall share once I get back to Mumbai. Meanwhile, my cue sheet tells me I have a make up call at 11pm and the shoot starts at 11 30. What's the bet we are running late and nothing will start till 1 a.m.????
lse...

28 comments:

SG said...

Excellent posts. First time here. Prof. Fatima Meer is a great writer also. Her book, Higher than Hope, an official biography of Nelson Mandela, is very popular all over the world.

Narendra Bendi said...

This is tweet from Dino Morea and it explains why you are there in Goa: Tweeple, goa was hot and sunny when I arrived, feels good to be here. Am here to judge 12 beautiful women for the Kingfisher calender, it's a tough job, guess someones got to do it.

abdul hai said...

I appreciate for your wonderful post

चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...

Hope to know more on that grand old lady Fatima Meer and her book. It real luck to be with the legends of bygone day.

desihabits said...

Really, want to know more about Prof. Fatima Meer!

Sidhusaaheb said...

That's one crazy piece of face painting...Crazier than the young lady's, whose photo you posted earlier.

:D

Another Kiran In NYC said...

You look like a Bengali bride in the facepainting. It is actually really pretty.

Fatima Meer is a legend! You are lucky to meet and greet amazing people and to speak with them as an equal. What a blessing!

Looks like Dino is not quite with the confidentiality clause :)

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

The paint is not that bad. But odd. It is rather accentuating the unflattering aspects.
Dino has given away your secret. Well, there is always some unethical pleasure knowing what is kept as a secret.
When will Mallya come out of his calender fixation? When will he grow up?
In Aladin promotional song, bigb somewhat resembles this baby(the lanky version).

Gajendra said...

karthik was a super star in the tamil film industry in the 80s and 90s

Anonymous said...

Is it AB blog ???

Pooja Rathore said...

About the pic its different and catchy(people will definetly want to give a second look)it suits your face not out of the world but different!This is the first time iam hearing about Fatima meer would like to know more.

The Unsure Ascetic said...

Mam,
This pic that you have posted shows your humility and potrays your respect for intellectuals. You have posed with the demeanour of how a guy like me would be eager to pose with Ms. Shobhaa De.

SUFFIX said...

Nice curvaceous dot design!! Looking great. You met Karthik? he soft spoken person i guess, he was hero during my school days. Back again to screen?

Harish said...

waah waah! mast mast you looking!

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Wow!fatima meer.. i love the elegence and style that our yesteryear activists have... aaj kal ka activists just know how to scream and start PMSing on streets.

the oldies goldies had such creative strategies and slogans.. of them gandhi was the best brand manager
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Shooting! i know it could get a little too crazy, and the reshoots and the "perfect shot" would leave the mighty mighty go tai tai phisss.


Thank Gaad, there are very few who respect the technicians who work hard on sets.And most often put up with naatak-nautanki of pseudo celebs.

***********************************
Southies are smoothies. they are way way well behaved than our northindian brats, (yes in north there are exceptions to the rule, but in south its more like a rule )

Sparkling said...

Looks good :)

Unknown said...

I like your pic.. the onlly issue is Nurse looks extremely unhappy..may b complex or she is missing the face paint... now dino needs a kick in his bum innit ?? lol
don't know much abt Fatima Meer... pls throw some light ...


as always love Gulshan

Anonymous said...

Hi,

Thanks for telling about Prof. Fatima!

I am in unison with you about your opinions on the south Indian stars. They come across as very polite and well-mannered people.

Ravi said...

Hi Shobha,

Like most people I too like your posts and make it a point to read them out of my busy office schedule.

One suggestion: you can change background color of your blog to some environment friendly not-so-bright(like gray or something which consumes less energy) and a color which is soother to eyes.

That way u can help protect environment as well as eyes of readers.

Vishal Pore said...

Nice Painting Mrs.De...

Latha said...

Yes, what you've said about South Indian stars are absolutely correct.
But Shobhaa, anyone would come & introduce oneself to you. You are such a scintillating personality. People may hate you. People may adore you. But nobody can ignore you. (Sorry for the cliche !)

Swatantra said...

Hi,

You are fortunate to meet these people.. Fatima meer is a great person..

Your face paint look nice!!

Madhu said...

Beautiful face painting Ms. De! I loved it for its uniqueness and its ability to pull-out your cheekbones in a super flattering way. Very pretty indeed.

Modesty is such a charming tool. I am glad that Maddy and Karthik have plenty of it.

Gowri said...

Movie stars from the sounth - not "old world" and "charming", but "genuine and grounded."

Shwetha said...

Karthik was a very popular romantic hero back in late eighties and the 90s in Tamil films. He had the boyish/devilish charm of an early SRK and got his first break in Maniratnam's second film called Mouna Raagam (means a silent melody, that starred Revathy as well) It is a beautiful movie with the most emotions and lives of 3 people potrayed artistically. Please do watch the film with sub-titles, you will definitely enjoy it...please please please!

PS: I love your posts (and outfits too), have become a regular visitor the last few months!
Shwetha (Calif)

Unknown said...

As usual nice post. I appreciate your time mgt.......such tight time schedule but you are still posting for us. Wish i cud learn dis n how to maintain yourself soooooo well at this age ;)

Really very lucky that you keep meeting such lovely ppl.....

One day i want to b d first one to post comment...donno when


Regards
movies in Delhi
movies in Bangalore
movies in Cochin

Jean-Pierre said...

I don't know why Prof. Fatima Meer reminds me of the veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas who gave President Bush so much grief she never got called upon again to ask him a question. When President Obama took office, she was somewhat mellow in her questions. But lately, she's turning "nasty" about Afghanistan... Maybe they'll shut her off again... Thanks for introducing "one of the last Gandhians."

Maha said...

nice post....

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