Leaving Platform No. 3

Hyderabad is my home town. A flourshing city that was once a little town where I found home. How did it come to be so?

Dad, has a job that requires him to frequently move. I was born in one town, moved all around the country. Made friends, changed schools, changed associations and such. But one thing that remained constant was my Hyderabad connect. It earlier was "my native place". You know, the indian equivalent of a vacation when every summer you go to Nanna-amma's (grandma's) place or as I, called her, Naamma. whether I was in Bangalore or Delhi or Lucknow, Hyderabad was the place to be during vacations. 

However, this little native place became, my permanent home on June 20, 2000. Dad had relocated here. After years of being all over the place, Hyderabad was now going to be the changing point in my life. 

First, I got into a school which was very different from my older schools. This was as Telugu-rooted as it could get. There were different prayers for everyday of the week and did not have a typical school prayer book. I thought I had a basic command over telugu. After all, its my mother tongue! Alas, I found myself at a loss for so many words! I did not know what kind of jokes the kids in class were cracking or what the aaya was telling me. The teachers were more like maternal figures than the typical disciplinarians. I for once found friends who made me lose my inhibitions and let me be. In earlier schools, I hade made friends but they all involuntarily had a time limit to my friendship with them. (Pre-facebook - email times!) These guys had somehow made me want to stay on longer and my wish was granted!! I completed my schooling in the 8th school I had joined. I was now going to attend Junior College here in Hyderabad. And then, my college education too!! 

I have managed to complete my schooling and college education in one city! The same city of Hyderabad. 

I now had friends from the educational institutions I studied in and, remain in contact with. I have memories of Biryani and irani chai. Now when the train pulls away form the station, the reality of me moving is getting stronger.

There are many who are away from home and are living independently. This is not what scares me but the fact that I’ll move away from everyone I have found a personal connection with over the years is going to fade away. Sure, there are opportunities to meet new people and find a new connect. I’ve always known this since I was a kid.

Now, if it were a flight out of town, it would be like a quick as taking off a band aid. And, when it's a train,  as you begin to lose network coverage, you’ll also realize that the contacts on your phone are now going to be long distance calls and you have to “take time” to contact them.

On one hand, I have been looking to further my career prospects and lead an ambitious life and on the other, I want to remain cuccooned in the lovely city of Naa Hyderabad.
Thankfully I do have a Hydie connect in Mumbai. The very friends who inspired me to start this blog! 

Casting Ouch!

Today, I had a revelation. It might be funny to you but it was a scary moment for me. I felt victimized for the first time. But then T was there with me or else I wouldn't have been the same. Ever.


 It was daytime. The office was quiet. The receptionist at the front lobby was typing away. Could be her new status update. I don't know. Through the distant room at the end of a corridor was a room. A room like no other. An old fan was hanging low from the ceiling and the only lighting was of a tube-light shining onto a fake wood table. The man behind the desk was seated in a high back chair. once he turned around to welcome me and my friend T, I got chills running down my spine. He was no ordinary mortal. he was a monster in the garb of one. His paan-stained teeth and his blood shot eyes were proof of his nocturnal ventures around town. He spoke in a flat tone showing no emotion but that of lust. He seemed to be preparing for the kill tonight. For he had found his prey very recently. The prey had innocently walked past us when we entering the lonely corridor. 


We had come to the eerie stake house in search of the glory in Bollywood. But what lies beneath is the murky underbelly of the casting couch in the supposed "training room". The man was a hungry wolf who lusted at the lissome women who became his victims of the nights. And the men who came in were made to bear witness to it all. And maybe even bear the weight of the truth.


This man made a hollow promise. A promise of glamour and stardust. But as long as you were, "Funky" and "promising".  All one had to do was sign up for it and you'd be amongst the many to be loved on screen, who's voices echoed the dark theatres when the male protagonist made his appearance. Yes, you'd be one of the many in a crowd. But this man promised a moment on the spotlight. He was sticking to his word. It would be a moment. And, moment if at all in the spotlight would be as a Junior Artist for an upcoming film. 


And he never let his eyes off of the women in front of him because then he could prey for long in hopes of infamy... I got really nervous. I never thought of myself being in the spotlight for the such leeches. Did I have to come here? And, for what? A summer gig in PR. I thought it should be easy.
Thankfully T was there with me and, I could stay away from it all and leave away into the safety of the city streets where people were busy living the honest life. (In short, we faked a call and ran!) 


Wonder how many are facing this ordeal... in all the starlight cities. The Casting Ouches!!