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Gear up for adventure
PACESETTER Anuja Sachdeva
Anuja loves making and financing movies
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Boxoffice baubles Nearly
120 years ago when the Lumiere Brothers' company Chinematographe screened the first silent film at the Watson Hotel in Bombay, in deference people broke coconut shells and lay prostrate in front of the makeshift screen. This year as we celebrate hundred years of Indian cinema, the one thing that has not changed — despite the technological advances — is the craze for film memorabilia. Posters, vinyl records, photo documentation of films, original movie tickets of classics and a host of other paraphernalia has become a part of the Bollywood legend whose demand is growing by the day. Vintage auction Last year, the Cinefan Cinema Memorabilia Auction at Mumbai broke all records notching up over Rs 65 lakh for such diverse items as the late Shammi Kapoor’s famous scarf from 1961 film Junglee, the pullover from the 1971 movie Andaz, the shehnai from his last film Rockstar (2011) and an exquisite Mont Blanc fountain pen from his personal collection. The auction also saw one of Kishore Kumar’s last unreleased songs recorded just three days before his death, too, being snapped up for Rs 16.60 lakh. Other rare memorabilia included signed black and white pictures of Dev Anand, a turquoise ring worn by Farooq Sheikh in Umrao Jaan and a cricket bat signed by Aamir Khan from his iconic movie Lagaan. These auctions and exhibitions of old film collectibles draw large and appreciative crowds.
Original posters Decades ago when cinema was in its infancy little could the studios and movie moguls have realised that a century later one original poster would fetch much more than what it cost to make the entire movie. Collection of vintage movie souvenirs has become a major hobby worldwide. There are hundreds of fan clubs, books and internet sites discussing, selling and exchanging old movie banners. Vintage posters range in prices varying between Rs 3,000 and Rs 15,000. The rare poster of Rail Ka Dibba (1953) starring Shammi Kapoor and Madhubala fetched Rs 15,000 at a recent auction some time back. The original poster of K. L. Sehgal's Devdas could fetch a price of Rs 50,000.
That retro posters is big business can be gauged from the fact that two of the world's largest auction houses — Sotheby’s and Christie's — have entered the business. Rarest of rare But posters are not the only piece of nostalgia that collectors are after. Wedged between Jama Masjid and Dariba Kalan, Meena Bazaar is an ancient market having shops selling paans, burquas, caps and pictures of famous Islamic religious places. Here shop No 256 is of special significance to many. Shah Music Centre, as the name suggests, is onestop shop for Hindi film music lovers. It houses one of the biggest collections of Hindi film music in the shape of vinyl records. This fascinating collection is owned by Syed Zafar Shah. The man who is acknowledged as the largest private collector of old gramophone records. The shop also has the rarest of rare four inch records, which were invented long before the conventional ones. Back in the 1950s, says Shah, “The 78 rpm cost 12 annas (around Rs. 0.75), a princely sum at that time which could buy you six kilos of meat!”
In Mumbai, a shop in the Mutton Market owned by Wahid Mansoori, stocks up not just music but also posters, original movie tickets, lunch boxes and bags of the 1950s and 1960s decade with pictures of Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar and other stars of that era. Mansoori also displays original advertisements published in newspapers and magazines half a century ago with stars endorsing various brands. There is an ad of Kishore Kumar promoting Brylcream. Then there is Geeta Bali promoting Afghan Snow, a beauty cream. Stamped impressions The Indian government too has chipped in with its tribute. Over the last century, there have been postage stamps honouring all-time great personalities like K. L. Sehgal, Bimal Roy, Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, Balraj Sahni, Geeta Dutt, Madhubala, and many others. The President of India recently issued 50 postage stamps of famous film stars, directors and technicians to mark the century of Indian cinema. Golden era
Adding to the retro movie glitz are a host of modern-day design studios. One can get quirky furniture with film stars or posters painted on them. There are belts, ties and other accessories inspired by movies. The new collection of dresses and kaftans by Delhi’s Wrap Studio has been inspired by Indian cinema. Called the Bolly Tolly Quirky Collection, it includes face prints of superstars past and present that you can wrap around for Rs 4,500 each. High-end design studio Holii has launched a collection of bags and accessories that include the Madhubala bi-fold bag with old Indian motifs for Rs 1,195. It also has the Mumtaz tote which is a combination of white with lemon green zigzags splashed across. This head turner costs Rs 3,595. Indeed, the century of Indian cinema is being celebrated in a myriad ways. Movie buffs are being treated to retrospect of old masters and there are mementoes and remembrances all around. Enthusiastic collectors have their eyes and wallets open for all these movie relics steeped in antiquity.
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Gear up for adventure The good news is that India has plenty of that as well. If you are a sports enthusiast, then the country offers an exciting holiday experience among towering mountains, golden beaches and serene white vistas. From the thrill of sea scuba diving to the rough and tumble of white water rafting, there is adventure all around. You are guaranteed a rush of adrenalin. Skiing, heli-skiing, ice-skating, rappelling, tobogganing, mountaineering and snow-boarding all happen here. Pristine destinations Switzerland, Austria, Canada and the Slav countries are known for their ski slopes and fancy resorts. They all have excellent facilities for the enthusiast but these come for a heavy price. India is probably one of the most inexpensive and naturally pristine sports destinations. All you need is good quality equipment to take on the challenge of adventure sports that nature throws at you. If, for example, you are keen on mountaineering, you will have to invest in a variety of paraphernalia to facilitate your cliff-hanging treks. Even if your target is not the Everest but the first base camp at Kala Pathar, or even the Hanuman Tibba peak in the Pir Panjal range, you will require an appropriate climbing gear for the ascent. Any serious mountaineer will need stuff like a body suit, a jacket with a hood, sturdy climbing shoes, a half helmet, sleeping bag, ropes and chords, as also crampons and ascendors. Besides you would need accessories like anti-glare glasses, powerful torch, basic medicines and a heavy duty backpack to carry the stuff. If you go for high quality gear, you should be prepared to spend around Rs 1.5 lakh. Trekking spots However, if you are not into mountaineering but like to explore nature on foot, you can find some excellent trekking spots in India. Tough hardcore enthusiasts find the Spiti to Ladakh trek challenging and breathtaking. There are several smaller ones like the Gangtok-Lake Gurudongmar or the Kopatty-Coorg treks that will test your streak of adventure. For starters, you must ensure that trekking equipment like backpacks and raincoats are of top quality. You will realise the importance of durable and sturdy gear once you are out in the lap of unpredictable nature. A map of the terrain and a pair of trekking poles may be a good idea for a tough terrain. However, those on a serious trek must remember that mobile phones sometimes might not work in the outdoors so you may have to buy a two-way satellite communicator-cum-navigator. You must also carry a Swiss knife, sunglasses, sun screen cream, and most importantly, take along a mosquito repellent. If you like adrenalin-pumping sports, then you can opt for skiing in Manali or in the slopes of Fagu and Kufri in Himachal or at Auli in Uttarakhand. Here you will require an array of equipment unless, of course, you are hiring it from an adventure sports company. However, if you are hooked to the sport and plan to come again and again, it is best to buy your own equipment like skis, ski boots, thermal inners, a waterproof jacket and pant suit, a waterproof pair of gloves and ski goggles. All of which will cost around Rs 50,000 or more depending upon the brand you are buying. For those who don’t like heights but still crave for an adventurous vacation, go ahead and test the waters. Nothing can be more exhilarating than white river rafting in Rishikesh. Here you will encounter sharp bends and exciting rapids. There are baby patches for the faint hearted but for adventure seekers, there are rough rapids that first hoist you up and then down the steep descent, raft and all, till you come hurtling down in a haze of a white curtain of water. The primary gear required for the sport is obviously a raft. Since there are plenty of rafts that can be obtained on hire, it is not advisable to buy one. Most of the basic equipment, too, comes with the package which includes a life-jacket, helmet, a wet suit, rafting paddle and tie-on sunglasses. The cost of a river rafting package for two to four days ranges between Rs 1,500 and Rs 5,000. Scuba diving and snorkelling If you don’t like the rough and tumble of river rafting, you can always opt for more exotic water sports like scuba diving and snorkelling. The golden sands of Bangaram in the Lakshadweep Islands offer excellent deep sea adventures. Scuba diving here is one of the most thrilling experiences. The milder sport of snorkelling is best done in the Jolly Buoy /Red Skin Islands in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This is an equally exciting water sport as the sea here offers some exotic views of the marine life and coral sea beds. The surf on the beach can be rough, so it is advisable to go with a tour operator who provides the full gear for the sport like a snorkel, a mask, swimming finns and a wet suit. So go ahead, choose your adventure and the equipment to go with it which will make it an experience you will not forget in a lifetime.
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Making a mark in Punjabi cinema Punjabi movies are male-dominated but this gutsy girl is out to blaze a trail as the director- producer of Aashiq Patthey Jasmine Singh Given a chance she would watch every single movie that was ever made, she wants to understand the idea behind every scene, and every cut. Punjabi film director and producer Anuja Sachdeva loves the entire paraphernalia about movie making. The Punjabi film industry hasn’t seen a woman behind the camera, calling shots and at the same time taking note of the expenses. Anuja makes her directorial venture with Aashiq Patthey, releasing towards the end of this year, has figured out the challenges of working in Punjabi film industry, which she thinks can be solved by being professional. Aashiq Patthey is the story of two boys who don’t believe in any work and how they track the richest girl in the college to end their problems. “It is a complete family entertainer and every character is well-etched out with no boring ends,” she asserts confidently. Anuja was last seen in the Hindi film Ajab Ghazab Love as an actor before she found her calling in direction. “I always wanted to be a director and I thought the Punjabi film industry was the best place to show my creativity. It is growing in leaps and bounds and this is the most opportune time to be a part of it,” shares Mumbai-based Anuja. She has acted in many Bollywood films, but her heart lies behind the camera. She just followed her heart. No formal training, sitting in classes to understand cinema, she went ahead and took charge of things. Anuja says, “Punjabi films have an international audience and are getting bigger and better.” She is confident about herself as a director, I have complete faith in the film and I understand what the Punjabi audience wants,” she adds. Anuja has also turned producer and feels it is the real challenge. She laughs, “I wish I had limited myself to being a director.” She says, “When I am taking the shot I am a director, at the same time I am also thinking about finance and production. It is not an easy task,” she quips. As far as crew taking her seriously, she says, “I am sure they think I can’t do much because I am a woman. I know how to extract work from them. I am generally polite and smiling but if things are not moving the way they should, I get upset,” she adds. Anuja knows how to take work from her actors. “As a director, this is my job.” She says, “Bollywood is any day more professional; people understand the value of time, which is missing in Punjab. I think the way the industry is growing they will be able to achieve this as well.” She is reading scripts and wants to direct a Hindi film. “I haven’t said bye to Punjabi films, if I get good offers I’d love to work in Punjab again.”
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Given a chance she would watch every single movie that was ever made, she wants to understand the idea behind every scene, and every cut. Punjabi film director and producer Anuja Sachdeva loves the entire paraphernalia about movie making. The Punjabi film industry hasn’t seen a woman behind the camera, calling shots and at the same time taking note of the expenses.
Over a century later screen idols are still treated no less than gods. However, technology has undergone a magical change. Multi-lens cameras, glasses-free 3D images, laser beams, miniatures sets, surround sound effects, smartphone movies, hitech gadgetry and even multiplexes have turned filmmaking into a marvel of science fiction.
India
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