Movie Shoot

Shooting in progress

We all got to be two-bit actors today. This was for a movie no one had any clue about, even as Jagmohan Papneja had sounded us in advance. Additionally, Shekhawat reminded everyone to be in their best attire and appearance for the shoot.

Shekhawat conducts laughter exercises for the camera

People not belonging to the Club were also invited. Extra caps were kept ready for them if only to give the impression that we were collectively united by a common headgear.
So there we were – nearly 30 of us – nattily dressed, capped, powdered and perfumed, ready for the shoot. The laughter round got over with no sign of the film crew. For the main exercises, Razia Khan stepped in the middle amid grudging noises from the likes of Nahid Khan. Everyone wanted to be in centre-frame for the film. But Razia had no luck. Eventually, during the second laughter round, a young man with a camcorder and a girl walked in.

Jagmohan readies for his shoot

Soon, they were joined by another girl.
Earlier on, Shekhawat had been  invited to conduct this round and sure enough, he was in his elements -- lustily clapping, laughing and jiving for the camera. It listlessly whirred, zoomed and panned… and suddenly it was all over. Or so we thought. For, as the yoga group settled in the China Hut, the actual shoot began. One by one, we were tutored to say, “Mera poora bharosa hai…” (followed by any rubbish) for the benefit of the camera. Without a second thought, we mouthed the line little realizing that we had unwittingly provided valuable sound-bites for stock footage, patently meant for a commercial. Now nothing stops this ‘film unit’ from splicing the clips as an endorsement for any product or service without spending a rupee on studio rentals, actors fees, equipment hire, permissions, etc. Big Laaf has generously provided it all for free.
We wish we can be proved wrong. But till then, don’t be surprised if you see a smiling Monthi Serrao or Yusuf Rassiwala showing up at the end of a TV commercial, plugging a health product, cockroach repellant, skin ointment, detergent, insurance policy, just about anything… with the catch phrase, “Mera poora bharosa hai!” delivered with aplomb and complete conviction.
Bhaswati Bose:
Just a suggestion: If and when there is a shoot involving Big Laaf members by outsiders, we ought to charge them and the money should go to the club fund. This would be a way to generate revenue for the club.
Harish Wadhwa:
Bhaswati-ji, you forgot snacks and chai, which are also a must for the hard work we put in for such shoots. LOL
Monthi Serrao:
I agree with Bhaswati's suggestion. We give our valuable morning time to them and the money should go to BIG LAAF.