Sunday, 11 June 2017
| No Comments

Questionnaire with Actor Manil Mayank Mishra



So, for this month  instead of any writer, an Actor from Indian Acting fraternity "Manil Mayank Mishra" 


 Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I come from a small town of Uttar Pradesh, Aligarh which boasts of its rich culture, Gothic buildings and a lot of poetry in the air all around. Though my roots go back to a small village near Shahjahanpur, again a small town famous for its colonial history, participation in the freedom struggle and industrial houses. Our family, specifically my parents, has always been known to be contributing, vibrant and vehement in opinion making which includes active public life in Politics and Civil Services.  The legacy includes my Great Great Grandfather who being a Police Sub Inspector in the British forces turned into a revolutionary killed one English official and was later hanged. His mausoleum still exists. I would always want to be known as the son of a great father, great grandfather than being an actor. My abilities can never match those people’s who brought me into this world.

Questionnaire with Actor Manil Mayank Mishra

1.       How did you first get involved in acting, are you an imaginative person?

I didn’t get involved in it per se. The surroundings actually drove me in it. I come from a college in Delhi University (Kirori Mal College) which has vastly contributed to the Indian Cinema and Indian theater. Though I was never involved with Players (the Dramatic Society of our College) as I was heavily into debating, somehow I realize now, that a large part of my heart was into acting. So, interestingly, this too was known to my fellows in Players as well.

Yes, I think my mind allows me to imagine. In fact, everyone is imaginative else the world would be a barren platform of crude realities.  Since I do a lot of poetry as well, I think acting, poetry or writing are just an extension of the imaginative stretch of a beautiful mind. I create, therefore I exist.

2.       What do you find most challenging about your acting?

It's romance, romantic characters and expressing your heart out to someone on stage or on camera. Though my viewers and my co-actresses say I am quite good at it but deep down I know its hard for me to pretend romance. which is why most of the stories and scripts (be it Khushfahamiyaan, Khushfahamiyaan 2, Khushfahamiyaan –Bass Itti  Si and now Khwaab Dum – B – Dum) which I have written and directed as films or on theater are romantic because I really need to know what I don’t know. Isn't it?

3.       What do you do when you are not acting?

Many things, in fact. I can lie on my bed for grazing the ceiling of my rented apartment for hours imagining voluptuous stories and ideas. I read about anything. I can read a book cover to cover like a zillion times if it interests me. I like how the author describes his book rather what’s in it. I drink a lot of coffee. I don’t watch Television or films. I prefer speaking on phone than these WhatsApp messages. I remain connected with people who love me.


4.       Where do you see yourself 6 months or 5 years down the road from now?

Nowhere. I don’t plan things. I think that mother nature has a better understanding of me. My past and my present keep me grossly occupied and I don't think about future. Nature does its best all the time.

5.       How do you keep coming with content for your acting?

As in, there is no particular school of thought of acting I believe in. I take stories, expressions by speaking and interacting with people who otherwise are not connected to me. Strangers in cabs, lorry drivers, couples sitting in a garden, Ice cream seller, lonely men, and women etc.

6.       What’s is the best thing an actor can give to his viewers?

That’s just one, inspiration. If any actor on stage or camera inspires even one man or woman in the audience to be an actor beyond entertainment, I think he has done his job. Anybody can entertain, only a few can make you an entertainer.

7.       Under whom and where you got the training of acting?

None. Nowhere.  With all due respect to the premiere acting schools of the nation, I don’t think acting can be taught but it can always be learned and you don’t need an institute to do that. The world around and people attached are teachers of every day. Plus, barring NSD, FTII, SRFTII and a few more, rest everyone has mushroomed acting institutes as a source of minting huge money.  So, there is no point. Just, rectify the mistakes of your childhood and you will be a great actor. Done deal!

8.       What role would you like to play?

I would definitely wish to play a substantial character of an Army guy or a teacher. Though I have played both, however, I still find my solace in them. I have played a lot of romantic characters but that isn’t where I would call myself an actor. I am bad at romance.

9.       Do you have a preference of theatre or film?

See. I do a very specific type of theatre where we write our stories and don’t perform adaptations etc.. So, any day I would love to work for a theatre which gives you a cinematic feel and film which gives you a theatrical understanding.

10.   Who would be your dream crew?

Haha. That’s tricky but to be truly honest, a female actor who has a plush pronunciation of Urdu, a camera man who knows more than me when I am directing, a male actor who looks good and is respectful to even a spot on the sets and yes, a dedicated guy to me who takes care of my shades and coffee. All I want is my actors should have spent more time in a library than in a gym.

11.   What would you do If you couldn’t act anymore?

That day wouldn’t come because I will die before that.

12.   Any challenges if you have faced in your career?

Many. To top the list, the reluctant producers who don’t want to invest in a new story and don’t want to change the trend. Secondly,  hunting for actors. This Mac Donald generation has literally devastated our fundamentals.

13.   If not an actor, what another profession you would have chosen?

I really never thought about it but yes, if not into acting, I would have been a father to a great son and a beautiful daughter, an Army Captain into Infantry or else teaching Political Science in Delhi University.

14.   Any advice you want to give to the aspiring actors?

Of course,  read good books in the initial years of your childhood, watch less (that in fact is more of ideal parenting). Try getting into some good acting school but if you can't, don’t lose heart, you don’t necessarily need an institute to teach you acting. Run rather than hitting a gym. Try mixing up with someone who doesn’t belong to your society and never ditch in love.


Some Glimpes of Manil’s Acting performances



Monday, 22 May 2017

Forever Just You & Me
| No Comments

Forever Just You & Me




I can’t explain the way I feel for you...
With all my words which I say or actions I do...,
I don't know if you can really see...
That you mean everything to me...,

You're the one I've been looking for...
And now I've got you I won’t look anymore...,
I'd never cheat & would never lie...
Because I don't want what we have to die...,

I hope whenever I see you my heart beats fast...
Like it does now, I hope this feeling lasts...,
I can't imagine wanting to see your face...
Or that being without you will be my better place...,

If I'm upset or feeling alone...
I run to your arms and with you.., I'm at home...,
Happiness and smiles are all that you bring...
I know this is real love, not a school-girl fling...,

I can't wait to spend each day together...
I can't wait till you say me and you is forever...,
I love you, I'll keep saying it so you'll see...
You're my one and only love, it's forever you and me...


Deep

Tuesday, 16 May 2017

BOOK REVIEW - “LOVE THAT FEELS RIGHT BY RAVINDER SINGH”
| No Comments

BOOK REVIEW - “LOVE THAT FEELS RIGHT BY RAVINDER SINGH”




​ Inadvertently I am the one who enjoys reading romance more than any genre for that matter when it comes to reading.

The story revolves around Naina Singhania, a typical Indian rich housewife and Aarav, a gym trainer. Life gets twined when these two meet each other.

Malvika, their common friend saw a spark in them but both were struggling between their desires. Why? Because Naina being married already. Naina is ready to call off her wedding. Not for Aarav but for herself as she feels her love is right.

Malvika who is in a relationship with someone out of her marriage but she has told her husband. The concept is unique and weaved into an engaging story. There are places in the story which will leave you to question yourself how Love knows no limits and rituals. This Love that Feels Right by Ravinder Singh, will shake every belief you’ve ever had about the emotion called Love. The story which would touch millions of hearts. The heartrending love story which drives home the point ‘love is powerful and it will make you do things that you have never done before.’ Indeed the climax was quite interesting with twists and turns as they unfold. For that, you need to read this book.

Now my Positive viewpoints:

The positives of the story are the characters easily identifiable. Even though the narration is again easy to read and allows us to easily go through the entire story, the story sways through various emotions and makes the readers feel along with it. And the author gracefully blends dollops of wisdom throughout the story. Like these lines, He keeps the storyline entirely simple, yet elegantly intersperses it with rich emotions.
Some suggestive points:

Although the narration of the story is good but in my opinion, the explicit descriptions went over the top. However, I was not convinced by several actions of the characters in the book. At times, it felt that they were manipulated to satisfy what author has in his mind. This brings me to another major issue with the book. I simply could not connect with any character. They are plain and monotonous characters who don’t have a life.

Final words:


Overall if asked I would say this is not a fair job done by the author, the book has got very little to offer in that overstretched context. It has his signature explicit descriptions of the intimate moments. Overall I would say...this is not a good job done by Author (Ravinder Singh) … I would give 3 stars to this book.

Saturday, 13 May 2017
| No Comments

जज़्बात...

​


सब भूल जाती हूँ तेरी फिक्र में खुद भी भूल तो..,
नहीं जताती फिर तुझको ए बेख़बर...!

दूर होने लगती हूँ.., जिस पल तुझ से...,
याद तेरी बहुत...,उस पल कसम से आती हमे...!


जो पूछे कभी है...,तुम्हे हमसे मोहब्ब
​​
त कितनी...,
नज़रें चुरा के.., बात बात बनते क्यों हो...!

भुलाए बैठे है...,हम खुद को तेरी मोहब्बत में...,
और तुम ना जाने क्यों...जज़्बात छुपाते हो...!!!

दीप 

Thursday, 11 May 2017
| No Comments

Questionnaire with Bhavya Kaushik



So, for this month  we have a  writer   "Bhavya Kaushik" 



Can you tell us a little about yourself? Your profession and your hobbies!!


Ever since I was a kid, I found it a little hard to fit myself into a “description”. I think I’m at a still point of a moving world. I’m a constellation of these millions of people that are living inside me. I’m a stargazer, a dreamer, a writer – and everything else in between. Writing for me is more than just a passion. It’s a way of living.

I can’t simply go through every notion of life without living. I work as a full-time writer. As hard as it can get sometimes to make others understand – writing can be your full-time job as well. I think I’m one of those fortunate souls who are able to make a fulfilling profession out of something they love.






Questionnaire with Bhavya Kaushik

1.     How did you first get involved in with writing, are you an imaginative person?

I started writing when I was in grade VII when my teacher insisted me to come up with an original piece for a poem recitation competition. The process of it was so cathartic. There was certainly no looking back since then. I started maintaining my blog and my journal ever since. I wrote my first book when I was 18. Even though I didn’t get it published, it made me learn a lot.

My first book was published when I was 22, and the response was overwhelming. After a while, I decided to do this on a full-time basis. I want to make a difference in this world with my words. One day, I think I’ll get there. Regarding imagination – I think I’m an imaginative person. At least I hope so! I think all writers are pretty imaginative. We need a constant source of inspiration to write and our imagination is something that keeps us running.


2.     What do you find most challenging about your writing?

Frankly speaking, nothing at all! If you love writing, then you can never find it challenging. One should be vulnerable while writing their best of pieces. Too often, I see people hiding their own self while writing, which should always be avoided. Writing is such an integral part of me. I don’t know if it is the oxygen or my words that keep me running. I can’t live without it. For me, writing is something as effortless as breathing.



3.      What do you do when you are not writing?

I like to travel – a lot, which helps me see my world from a whole different perspective. I’m a bibliophile. I’m either reading, writing, traveling – or doing all of these things together at times.


4.     Where do you see yourself in the next 6 months, and 5 years down the road?

Writing – hopefully. I think I would have visited a few more places 6 months down the lane. Five years is something! I believe I would outgrow myself as a writer and as an individual by then. I want to create a difference in this world. I think I would be able to take an initial step to make things better for someone else.


5.     How do you keep coming up with material/content for your story?

I keep on reading stuff and always try to stay at the top of my game. I keep myself updated with all the recent activities that happen around us. Most significantly, I try to interact with as many people as I can. I think all of us have a story. We all are bestsellers in ourselves. I never try to write a book or a story. I write characters instead. I believe in depicting unadulterated human emotions, which can never happen if you lay your focus on your story. Always try to write true and honest characters rather than any run of the mill story. It always helps me keep coming up with different genres of writing.


6.     Any specific tips you have for new writers who want to make it big in the world of published books?

You can’t make everyone happy. There is no such thing as perfection. Chances are that you are going to disappoint a few people. There would always be someone who won’t like your work. Keeping your reader’s opinion and perception in mind is one thing, but you can’t simply write to please them. Write for yourself. As long as you are able to satisfy your emotions, nothing else should matter. Keep every constructive review in mind. Try to learn from others authors. But never write to please them. You are not supposed to write for anyone else. You have to do it for yourself – for each and every cell of your being. It is your prerogative.



7.     What’s the best thing a writer can give to his readers?

When we write a book, we give an opportunity to our readers to change their entire life. I think this is the best part about writing. You can create a difference in someone’s life. As a writer, you can give your readers plenty of things. You can inspire them and even help them get better. But most significantly, you can give them hope.

I remember a few years back, I was at an event and a woman came to me to congratulate me for my work. She had a story. I could see her in her eyes. After a while, she told me how she lost her husband earlier that year. I could feel her pain as she narrated the incident. According to her, she was not able to come out of her depression until she read one of my books (The Other Side of The Bed).

“I was not able to say goodbye to him, but your book helped me move on. It gave me the kind of closure I never thought I would get. It gave me a hope to live and I can’t thank you enough for that.”
The moment she said those words, I realized I have made a difference in someone’s life. It was more than what I could have asked for.

8.     A lot of people are interested in writing for the money earning potential. What are some tips for people interesting in making money from writing? What are some realistic expectations in regards to what can be made?

I think writing is an excellent career alternative. It is my bread and butter. I do this for a living and I have never been so happy in my life. Earlier this year, I left my full-time job and I would do it again in a heartbeat. It has been such a life-changing experience for me. I work as a freelancer and there are plenty of sources for me to earn as a writer. Yes, writing books is a big part of it. I would say that you should take it one step at a time.

Rome was not built in a day, right? Don’t just leave what you are doing right away to do this on a full-time basis. Take baby steps and get there in time. I left my job when I was able to make more money from my writing than my corporate profile. It is a very important factor. With writing, the sky is the limit. You can literally earn as much as you want.

9.     What motivates you most in life?

My people are my biggest motivation. I always try to surround myself with my loved ones. My family and friends are one of my major driving forces. They are my biggest inspiration.

10.The majority of the readers tend to take sides due to religion and such other considerations.

It’s quite sad to know that. I strongly believe that writing is a work of art and it can be subjective in nature. No one writes a book to offend anyone. We should read it with an open perspective and not let religion or any other belief hinder our reading experience.


11.What is the story behind the name of your book?

I try to walk an extra mile to come up with exciting names for my books. The Other Side of The Bed is the story of a widower who lost his wife in a serial bombing attack. He found it hard to fall asleep on the other side of the bed, where his wife used to sleep. In a way, the entire novel revolved around that empty side of the bed, which shaped the title.

The Infinite Equinox is the story of a girl who had an “almost” life. She never had a perfect day. It was an equal mix of the good and the bad. Symbolically, every day of her life was an equinox (the time of the year when the night and the day are of an equal duration). So, in a way, her entire life was a recursion of the equinox. An Infinite Equinox, to be precise.

12.What are your views on increasing plagiarism?

I can’t understand the motive of copying someone else’s work. You can’t call yourself a writer if you are not able to generate original and relevant content. It is okay to get inspired from someone else’s work sometimes, but you can’t plagiarize it. It’s wrong on so many levels. Just don’t do it. Be true to who you are. If you are true to yourself, then you don’t need anything else.


Thanks a lot for these thoughtful questions, Dipali. I had a great time answering them and was able to relive my journey as a writer all over again. Thank you, for giving me a moment like this!