Monday, October 12, 2009

Elephants are us....

Ever tried clambering up an elephant's back with the help of a ladder? No?? Well... I did just that a few hours ago, and trust me, it wasn't either easy or fun. The four remaining Kingfisher models had just finished their gruelling shoots atop the same elephant. The pachyderm was not amused. His mahout was even less so. Beach bums at Varca were having a field day gawking at the bikini clad models perched precariously on the elephant, while Colston, the ace photographer yelled instructions like, " Use your arms.... expressions!! I want to see expressions!" These were the politer ones. The girls gingerly stood up on the elephant's back while he twitched and shifted his weight from one foot to the next , and held impossible poses as the cameras clicked and whirred. Who said modelling is easy? Milind, wearing a hot pink tee and white shorts was adding his own bits of advice - " I want better co-ordination... stretch your spine..." Sure. And risk breaing your neck. One model went for a toss and fell off the elephant's back. Another confessed she was terrified of heights.
My own moment of truth arrived when the director asked whether I'd do the link from the elephant's back, just to experience what the models had gone through. I gamely and foolishly agreed. Huge mistake! Just when I joined Milind (who had already clambered up and made himself perfectly comfortable), the elephant decided he'd had enough of this nonsense and was ready to lumber off. Believe me, this wasn't funny, especially when the angry trumpeting began. My nerves just about held till the shot was canned.... and I swiftly came down to earth! The perky models were really sweet - they cheered my 'feat' spontaneously!
Tonight, one more shall be eliminated. That will leave the three top finalists. I have picked my winner. But one never knows.
I met the elephant as I was making my way back to the room. The guy was thirsty - and how. I watched him drink a few gallons of water before heading back to Ponda from where he'd come. As and when you do get to see the Kingfisher Calendar 2010, you'll recognise the real superstar of the shoot - the jumbo!

20 comments:

obssesor said...

No wonder that you read about elephants going crazy!

Anonymous said...

Once said: I walk like an elephant.

Sameer said...

I am so scared of heights and animals...so riding on top of elephant is out of question...now if Milind is wearing a hot pink tee with white shorts may be I can muster some courage :) Well, I am glad you put yourself in those model's shoes and walked some miles...well, the elephant walked but you got the idea. Looks like you are a kind judge and you sympathize with what these gals are going through. Me likey :)

sameersamudra.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

An elephant ride in the tiger country to watch the tigers and then falling off near a ferocious tiger was experienced by a tourist a few years ago. And she lived to recount the experience.
Your story is quite interesting and a warning to elephant rides. Not to take it for granted.

VikR said...

Hey I watched you on ndtv 'we the people' on Sunday night on Mumbai vs. Bombay debate, I also earlier watched you on the same debate on Devil's Advocate with Karan Thapar. Was disappointed on both accounts, you always seemed to sit on the fence, never take a stand. But at the same time you will accuse and devote endless words on those who do the same. You confuse your readers on various such times, maybe the country needs someone like you to call a spade for a spade (your reach is far more than you realize) - A BIG FAN!

Theyoginme said...

Elephant = Wisdom...you can see it in their eyes.. its a shame these human like beings are being tormented and tortured. I have seen them being hit by their mahouts with sharp metal objects at the back of their heads in Jaipur and most recently at a wild life park in Bangalore. They put a large 40-50 year old who was raggedy and end of his life to give joy rides to tourists. This is cruelty and utterly inhumane.

maglomaniac said...

i guess no job is easy,not even the elephants:)

~Harsha

maglomaniac said...

And shit man,I missed this weeks we the people.
I am so sad.Now whenever you are coming on any show just tell me beforehand,luv 2 hear ur views.

~Harsha

Anonymous said...
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pari said...

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Love-Jihad-racket-VHP-Christian-groups-find-common-cause/articleshow/5117548.cms

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

Glad about your humane emotions for those models, irrespective of professions there is a portion of risk exists!!

I have tried once climbing on Camel, it was like sitting in a shaking tower..ha ha!!

Unknown said...

Hey Shobha,

sounds like a david dhawan movie.. i hope all of this is captured on video n wl b shown :)

Love Gulshan

Anil Kumar said...

While you are having fun with semi nude models sitting over a completely naked elephant for a calendar, China has sent warning bells and opposed PM's visit to Arunachal Pradesh. So far no big deal. What is disgusting is the mute response of Indian leaders that they are disappointed by China's statement.

Jai ho Gyaani Sardar Manmohan Singh ji and his great leadership qualities....Can Rahul baba take over from here???

Anonymous said...

@anil kumar You mean to say india dont have balls to say anything to china!! In any case india cannot do so , there's a very thin margin of peace between 2 nations , while china wanna break it india will try its best to maintain it because if there is war our skies will be lit up by chinese crackers and we are even not as half as powerful and prepared as them , china is trying to provoke india while they are preparing for a full fledged war and trying to surround india from all sides and it has a reason behind it , whenever a country like china which is in a miserable economic and social state (though they try to project somthin else but there are other cities and villages too except , Shanghai and bieging!) and wanna divert the attention of youngsters outside the country . So its better to shut the f$#k up and prepare silently for the worst with the limited resources we have which our govt is tryin to do .
Remember this is not pakistan we're talkin about that we send all our forces and artillery and we'll crush the whole nation within 72hrs .THIS IS GOD DAMM CHINA.....They hold a seat in the UN Security Council+US & Russia are trying to establish diplomatic friendship with china .

So next time before aiming at leadership qualities of the PM of world's largest Democracy having half of its population living without brains ;)( Dont laugh asshole m talking bout u)

If you're having any problem with india's stance , stop shitting around do some work for the country instead of commenting others!

Madhoo...!!! said...

Elephants somtime go crazy... my mom often warns me not to be anywhere near mad elephants... her cousin had a very bad experience with Elephants and their madness...
But, then if the models could get on to Elephant and get clicked... its not just the greatness of Models... its the talent how the Elephant got trained... no choice... it has to do its job... :-)

Anil Kumar said...

@Ashutosh, China has always been ahead of India and has moved ahead manyfolds in last two decades. This is not a SECRET even with someone who passed primary school with great difficulty. And the Chinese deserve their new power because they have better leadership, vision and are ruthless in what they do. Chinese records have been excellent in capturing areas they claim to be theirs...be it chinese taipie, HongKong or Tibet.


India is and WILL always lag behind because there are so many educated bastards like you in this country who bent at the first possible opportunity to lick the balls of those who have power for short term gains.

If you think that sending a strong message from Gyaniji Manmohan Singhji to China will start the war then I can only pity you. In this age of nuclear weapons any country will think 100 times before starting a war with a nuclear country. But if your adorable leader's knee starts shaking to send a strong message then it's a national disgrace. The comment about Rahul baba was sarcastic one. Not sure if you got it or not.

Just to remind you if you are too young to understand how this world works. USA has always been close to Pakistan and stayed away from India. When India conducted nuclear tests, they sent all sorts of threats of isolation to India from international community. But deep inside they knew they can not ignore a nuclear power and within a year they amended all of their own laws and lifted sanctions from India.

If you think by giving a knee jerk response to China the Indian leadership has saved the ASS and the associated assholes of people like you for the immediate future then you are Damn right. But this approach will only encourage China more and eventually they will not spare your ass.

But if you confront them now, they will be more careful about what they say and the life of your ass will increase exponentially.

Sidhusaaheb said...

Poor sweetie!

Of course I meant the jumbo, what did you think?

:D

I hear elephants are among the most intelligent of animals and have a phenomenal memory.

Samindra Das said...

Happy Diwali and A Prosperous New Year to Everyone.

Samindra Das, Mumbai, India, 17.10.2009

Unknown said...

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Work from home India