The making of the film RHINO and its related jungle adventure.. Part 1

The Book Kaziranga Trail..

The year was around 1987. Mr Amol Palekar had taken over as the Chairman of Children's film Society, India (CFSI).  Mr Gulzar along with TS Narsimanh (of Malgudi Days fame) were the executive council members in Mr Paleker's team. The new chairman like his predecessors was in a hurry to ensure that some good children's film were produced  during his tenure.

Gulzar

Amol Palekar

                                                  As luck would have it, CFSI already had the rights of the book Kaziranga Trail, written by Aroop Kumar Datta & published by Children book Trust . The book was a work of fiction, a thrilling jungle adventure about the one horned Rhino, found in the Kaziranga National Park, Assam. Mr Palekar wanted to start work on the project at the earliest. He chose his Chief assistant Mr Shashank Shankar (son of famous choreographer Mr Sachin shankar) to direct the film. Accordingly Shashank and myself embarked on the location hunting work and left for Guwahati from Mumbai.

Shashank Shankar, Bhrigu Phukkan (Ex Home minister,Assam) & MukeshSharma

  At that time the ruling party  in Assam was  Assam Gana Parishad or AGP headed by Prafulla Kumar Mahanta ,as the CM. The home minister was  Bhrigu Phukkan , who  met us and assured us of all possible help, while we produce the film in Assam.

Manas Wild life sanctuary .......famous for Tigers

                   The film Rhino was to be shot in the Kaziranga  National Park. How ever Shashank was keen to visit Manas (famous for Tigers) wild life sanctuary too.  He felt that a combination of both the locales will do justice to the film. So early one morning we set out for the Manas sanctuary on elephant back.The mahout in front followed by Shshank and myself . The weather was pleasent and we could hear the sounds of peacock, monkeys and birds. We were now  a little deeper into the forest. Suddenly there was complete silence. It was a bit weired. Shashank asked the Mahout "Ye achanak janwaron ki awwazen kyun band ho gayin''? the mahout said "kuch ghabarane ki baat nahi   sahab, Sher Ver hoga."   I retorted "Sher hoga matlab? Ye to phansnewali baat  hai". The mahout was more then relaxed. He made us comfortable. He told us  we are safe, as we are perched high up on the elephant .

Perched safe on elephant's back

 Just as we were adjusting to the new environment, I felt a weight loss in my hip pocket. I had dropped my wallet. It had every thing , our air tickets, monies , Identity card etc. When I told Shashank about it , he was completely foxed. But again our mahout consoled us. "Koi baat nahi shaab, mil jayega. Idhar  kidhar hi gira hoga. Hum log haathi se utarkar dhoonege." Without batting an eyelid Shashank said, "Matlab haathi se utarkar seedhey, Sher ke mooh mein jaayen". But the reassuring approach of the mahout and the lure of finding the wallet, compelled us to get down from the elephant and search for the wallet.

Searching for the wallet

 As we were walking, we heard a sound of rumbling near the shrubs. We looked at the mahout ,"Darne ki koi baat nahi shaab, tiger hai, ye lijiye Sab ka saathi". and he gave a small bamboo stick in our hands. Shashank looked at me as if to ask, if we can shoo away the tiger with this stick. It was like akaash se gire aur khajoor mei atke. I was not sure whether to continue with our search or just abandon it.  And Suddenly all hell broke loose...

THIS IS A GOOD SITUATION TO  GIVE  THE STORY A BREAK
NEXT POST WILL REVEAL IT ALL
TILL THEN..   THE RHINO  SUSPENSE CONTINUES..

Ustad Bismillah khan Born March 21, 1916 – August 21, 2006

Bharat Ratna who came to DD studios at Mumbai

21st March happens to be the Birth Anniversary of  Bharat Ratna Ustad Bismillah Khan, the Shahnai maestro, who hailed from Banaras. He was the third classical musician to be awarded the Bharat Ratna (In 2001) the higest civilian honour in India and gained world wide acclaim for playing the Shehnai for more than eight decades . Upon my invitation he had come to  DD (TV station) at Mumbai.   Khan Sahab was not keeping well, still he came to participate in the Phone in program HELLO DD. He was thrilled to talk to  his friends, fans  and well wishers via DD through the LIVE chat.

Bharat Ratna Late Ustad Bismllah Khan with Mukesh sharma at DD Mumbai

The duration of the program was one hour. As soon as the Live chat was over I handed him his professional fee for participating in the TV show. "You have already connected me to my fans through your network, thats enough for me" said  Bismillah Khan.

Feeling at home

 Since he had come all the way  from Banaras  to take part in the program , I made sure that his cheque was encashed and the monies were given to him before he leaves the TV station. My concern to ensure that he was comfortable and the Live TV show made him happy like a child.

On his death, as an honour, his shehnai was also buried along with him. 

 Ustad sahab died after a couple of months .On his death, as an honour, his shehnai was also buried along with him. He was known for his vision of spreading peace and love through music.  I remember re telecasting the entire recording of Hello DD for the benefit of viewers, his fans and well wishers and paid tributes in my own humble way . 

Destiny played a major role in this reconnect...............

 Its nearly a month since my  last post on this blog. I was away to Delhi  to attend Radio Asia 2011 on behalf of All India Radio.The surprise package of the visit was my meeting with the former Minister of Art and Culture, of Mauritius Mr Parsuramen.  He is now the Director and Head of UNESCO in the Indian Sub continent. I was meeting him and his wife after a decade.  Thanks to my Chip of The Old Blog that I got reconnected with him.

Mrs & Mr Parsuraman 

  He had come back from Sri Lanka after his tour. From the Indira Gandhi  International  Airport -Terminal 3 (truly a world class airport), he drove straight to India International Center,  where we had a quite dinner.  It was an  emotional reunion. In fact destiny had played a major role in this reconnect.

Terminal 3.. ..Truly World class

 Look at the turn of events. I write a blog. This time I pick up  the topic, " First Indo-Mauritius Film Co -production". I had to write about Mr Parsuramen, because he was instrumental in ensuring that the Co Production takes off. I needed his picture. I look for the same on the Internet. I found him with UNESCO in India.  I send him a mail. Within a couple of hours I receive  a call from him from Delhi. After exchanging pleasantries, he asks  my plan to visit Delhi. I was not sure, since I have not been to Delhi for the last 18 months. Still, I promise to meet him at the earliest.

Mr A Parsuramen

                      Within a week I receive a letter from AIR Delhi.  I have been nominated  as a speaker to attend  Radio Asia 2011 conference  from 21st Feb. I call Mr Parsuramen Tell him about about the new development. And the next thing I was boarding a flight for Delhi. Our meeting was fixed for the 23rd Feb 2011 the day Mr Parsuramen returns from Sri Lanka.  

At the UNESCO HOUSE New Delhi

                                                                                            
 I had to share this with you all, since you have been following the Blog very carefully and there has been a long gap since the last post.
But the next post is ready and in the pipeline .
The topic is -  The making of the film RHINO and its related jungle adventures ..


Meanwhile do visit  http://radioasia2011.blogspot.com/ a blog that was created during my visit to Delhi.
It will give you an insight into  the future of Radio world wide.