16th Nov 2014 – 22nd Nov 2014 [Cock in making – Shooting Spree]

 

Sun: Akshay is turning into a good cook. Of all the hobbies which are running in our family this is very different. Most of our ladies are excellent cooks, so we male members never entered kitchen except to steal some ‘Tooks’. But Akshay enters only when he has to do some experiment in cooking.  There was few months phase after Hira has left us to get married and we were without maid for some time. During that period, Akshay had become expert in creating different type of Dosa’s or rolling out good ‘chapaties’.

On this Sunday night, he created an excellent Egg Bhurgee. The trick is to strike proper balance of various ingredients, like Masalas, Eggs, Simla Mirchi, Hing, Lasan, Butter etc. No one from his maternal side or paternal side has worked as cook or even shown some interest in cocking. Expect for my Mama, Chunilal, no male relative comes to my mind, interested in cocking. Akshay in this way is unique. We had tried to accept cocking challenge, in Mahableshwar in year 2012 trip. Lali – Myself – Avi and Akshay all got engrossed and tried some experiments, after that first try, we have given up, except for Akshay.

First Shot of the Day, Location Start of Expressway

Fri: On Thursday, fast track project was finalized by Kashyap. This requires, Shooting, Scripting, Animation, Editing and Narration Recording all to be done before Monday. So on Friday we made two teams. Kashyap – Myself and H1 [Harsheel / Harshad – Dop’s] and Xylo. Other team was made up of Akshay – Tejas – H2 [Harsheel / Harshad – Dop’s] – Joy Cab vehicle with drive. Kashyap & Myself at wheel in Xylo reached Mac-Donald at start of expressway from Mumbai side before sunrise. H1 was sleeping in his car, we woke him up and had breakfast at Mac-D.

Then started a trip of 300 km, crisscrossing expressway, shooting the route, starting at Expressway – Madap [Express City] – back to expressway – Khalapur Toll – Jhambur Project – Back to Expressway – Shomtane Phatta – Back to Expressway – Hinjewadi Road – Back to Expressway – Shomtane Phatta – again back to Expressway – then wrong turn – then U turn – Again at Toll Naka – Shomtane Phatta – NH4 to Dehu Road – Diversion to Chakan – Ending at Wanwadi at 8.30 pm. A nice round trip from 4.15 am to 8.30 pm.

For the first time ever, we used this slip of paper for Six times to crisscross the toll naka exit at Somantane Phatta.
So much so that in the end, toll employee just waved us off.   

We were taking copter shots on all locations. As soon as we assembled the copter, everywhere crowd will gather and wonder what is happening. Once copter took flight, heads will tilt toward sky, pointing fingers. A child like joy will appear on every face. Such is effect of new innovation!

Then we had attached Go Pro camera on Xylo windscreen, for Lapse Shot of the route, as back up plan. This in itself will draw attention. Luckily no authority stopped us and demanded some bribe. During Lunch, we kept car under our view, sitting in restaurant because all the equipment itself was valued more than value of the car. Mark 5D, Go Pro, Copter Cam, Sliders, Tripods, Canon 550, iMac and few additional lens.

Team B was covering the Sample Flats erected at Hingewadi Road, Jhambul & Chakan. Their work was technical, dry and serious job. Like setting lights, deciding angles, setting camera etc. Hard, laborious and tedious. One should be part of such activity to understand how much labor goes in making movies.

  Now my criticism will be less sever, as now I have first hand tiny bit experience of film making. Like 'Gagar Mei Sagar' experience.

by P G Dodeja

18th November 2013 to 23th November 2013. [Bada Ke Badhe Mazee]

Sharat send a message: ‘Catch the Kutch like never before’. A apt message to all CIS members who were going on trip to Bada Gaon, Kutch for shoting of Vineet-Aayushi wedding.

Dhwani in early morning mood at Gandhidham, Day One

This was first major event for Kashyap, so I also joined him. I was to be CIS staff, plus a Tourist and plus a Barati. Ti-Mukhi! I enjoyed myself in all three Avtars. Hands down this was a unique experience, for all of the 450 Baratis in Bada Gaon and 15 professionals shooting the event.

 

Main Entry Point of Bada Gaon

Kachi Community has grown in big way. The result of this progress is that their Gaon’s are turning into dead places, what a paradox! They have become rich and shifted to Mumbai as permanent residance, however they are holding on to ancestral properties, taking good care of the same, but not using those places. Bada Gaon has more the 500 houses, but around 450 houses are closed. Most houses are well painted and maintained, but decorated with Godrej Locks. The oldies of some families come and stay for few months between Oct – Feb. In such place, this Vinit Gala boy had planned his wedding’s 3 days events. Wow! The village does not have any Kirana shop worth its name, only having a small tapir for ‘Pan’ and little snacks. No bread, No Milk, No Mithaiwala, No No No…. Everything has to be planned and arranged from ‘Mandvi’, two hour drive from Bada!

He had great support of his family and friends, so the event turned out better than expected. I can vouch for it, as I heard many positive comments from the returning 'Baratees' who were with us in return journey from Kutch to Bandra for more than 15 hours.

Lets talk about the Jain food.

 

Morning Breakfast without Kheplas!

Jains believe that after sunset food intake should be banned. So the ‘Mahajan Wadi’ where the caterer served us meals, served till 6.0 clock in evening. Food was according to me an excellent selection. We sindhi’s like to eat heavy food like panneers, pastas, Kotfas etc dipped in ghee with lot of spices. No such thing here, food was decent and filling, believe me I enjoyed it. Morning breakfast started at 7.0 clock. Usually it was filling and I treated it as my lunch. Breakfast consisted of one main item’s, along with different sweet every day plus dry snack and Tea or Coffee.

As a precaution, Dhwani has taken one big bag, filled with ‘Bakerwadi’, wafers, 'Chewadas', 'Biscuits' etc, but we never used one item from it! There was no need. Tummy was filed with tasty light and healthy food, atmosphere was pollution free [air as well as noise] and unique experience of attending wedding in gaon, where was time to feel hungry!

by P G Dodeja