Producing a Garhwali Film

Satire and Fatkar
Producing a Garhwali Film
Bhishma Kukreti
Manmohan Jakhmola called Madan Mohan Duklan that he got a financer for their dreamt project of a Garhwali film. man Mohan Jakhmola told Madan Duklan that the financer from Canada Mr Aswal wants to meet with project team in Dehradun.
Within hours the project team was before Sanghvi
Financer asked Madan Duklan,” how much is your budget?”
Madan replied,” We Garhwali producers don’t make preplanned budget for our films . We do shootings as per the financer’s pocket.”
Happily financer told,” Very good planning . What about the story? I heard from my friends that story is very important for the films.”
Story writer Kulanand Ghansala answered,” The story is about the progress of Harijan communities in Garhwal that is ‘Utthan of Harijan and is definitely off beat story“
Financer commented,” Oh ! I was not knowing that Garhwali writers are also progressive in thinking who could think on better subjects than Saty Jeet Ray or Shyam Bengal ?”
Manmohan Jakhmola made him understand,” No ! No! We Garhwalis are intelligent but very rarely we use our intelligent in commercial purposes. Do not worry about off beat story “
Financer told looking at Ghansala ,” Yes! We can not afford making film on too much regional subject”
Ghansala replied,” Ok then I have ready stories and screenplays based on Hindi hit films as Shole, Sangam, or Lagan and we will call them Garhwali Sholey, Garhwali Sangam, garhwali lagan or Garhwali Three idiots.”
Financer said,” But those stories are too much Indian. There should be some impression of Garhwali and Garhwal. In my opinion you should write the story mixing the stories of Sholey, Pather Panchali, and stories of Mani Ratnam “
Ghansala confusingly asked,” How come will the atmosphere be Garhwal and garhwali if I mix these stories?”
Instead of financer , Manmohan Jakhmola replied and concluded.” Yar Ghansala Ji! The background is of Garhwal and hills of Garhwal and by that the aroma will automatically of Garhwal. Aswal ji don’t worry .tomorrow is Sunday and Ghansala ji will write complete story and screenplay in one day by mixing all hit films and some of new wave films.”
Financer Aswal asked,” very fine ! then the worry of story is no more . What about music?
Music director Anil Molasi answered,” Madan Duklan has written seven very fine lyrics and all are best example of Garhwali culture and customs. I have perceived the music based on our culture and customs and related to subject but now subject is changed I shall think again ”
Aswal cleared his views,” Yes! Forget about customs and culture .We are making a commercial film and you Garhwalis of Garhwal do not have even little bit sense of commerce. Madan Duklan Ji! You write lyrics based on current Hindi films and Molasi ji ! create music based on Punjabi folk songs, south Indian folk songs and mix with some English films.”
Manmohan summed up,” Don’t worry Madan ji and Molasi ji are expert of mixing all types of creativity. What ever commercial sense will demand Madan Duklan and Anil Molasi will create .
Satisfied by statement of Manmohan, Aswal asked,” what about dialogues?”
Dialogue writer Hemat Bisht answered,” I shall write in pure Garhwali language according to scene an depth of the story.”
Aswal said, ”Oh ! You Garhwalis of Garhwal will never understand the value of commercial mind. Never write dialogues in pure Garhwali . The whole sentence should be in Hindi except verbs of Garhwali.”
Manmohan Jakhmola summed,” Don’t worry. Dialogues will have Hindi words except Garhwali verbs”
Aswal wanted to know,” Who is director?
Madan Duklan replied,” Ramesh Dobriyal and Janak Rawat will direct the film who have directed more than twenty stage plays in Garhwali .”
Aswal remarked,” But film and stage plays are two different medium !”
Madan Duklan said,” Don’t worry sir! You have commercial sense, you will virtually direct the film and but on title , we shall put the name of Ramesh Dobriyal and Janak Rawat .”
Aswal pleasingly said,” Garhwalis are intelligent. That is why within half an hour you all understood my commercial nature. Now deal is final and we shall meet on day after tomorrow with complete story, screenplay, lyrics and music theme”
(Story is based on true incident but names are imaginary . If names tally with real persons, it is just coincidential )

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti , Mumbai, India, 2010