Interview: Subroto Bagchi’s Guide for Better Working & Living

By Sailen | Published: October 18, 2010
In Pic: Subroto Bagchi

In Pic: Subroto Bagchi

An innovator in India’s IT industry with a wealth of experience, ranging from 10 years developing Wipro as a global force, to becoming the Vice-Chairman and Gardener at India’s leading software firm, MindTree - Subroto Bagchi’s three books are a testament of his vast knowledge in the professional sphere. The Bagchi collection has a brilliant knack of seeking inspiration and knowledge from unusual sources rather than the stale examples we constantly read about.

There is a personal touch in all his books that gives them an empathetic feel and at the same time never strays away from its priceless didactic influence. He describes himself as an ordinary man looking to achieve extraordinary things, and one can say this is the underlining theme of all his books. Essentially they are ‘tool kits’ for individuals striving to create extraordinary businesses and who strive to be extraordinary professionals. These are three books for people who inspire to not just be good, but rather to be the best in what they look to achieve - both professionally and personally.

In an exclusive interview with Flipkart - MindTree Vice Chairman and Gardener Subroto Bagchi talks about his three books…

Who is Subroto Bagchi and what makes him tick?
To begin with, I’m a person with an ordinary background and I’m very conscious of my beginnings. The Subroto Bagchi I know, is of ordinary birth and with help from other people like him, is trying to build something extraordinary. My whole life is a quest for that. What makes me tick? Being around with people makes me tick, the idea of building a sense of legacy makes me tick, the concept of making an impact which is larger than one’s self, which is disproportionate to one’s current capacity makes me tick.

Can you tell us what exactly your three books are about and how they differ from each other in style and topic?

The High Performance Entrepreneur - Book Cover

On The High Performance Entrepreneur
My first book is ‘The High Performance Entrepreneur’. It was written at the behest of Penguin and it was written for would-be entrepreneurs. Penguin wanted the book to be written in an informal, conversational, narrative style, because they were quite taken by my columns in Business World at the time. They liked the style; where, in a very informal, personal way I used to raise various issues and talk about learning from unusual sources. They were wondering if I would agree to write a book as somebody who is a practitioner, somebody who is not done yet; because many times books get written about companies when they are already successful. The second category of entrepreneurship books you’ll find are written by people who are not entrepreneurs. They wanted an entrepreneur speaking in an informal narrative style, kind of giving the formula away.

Go Kiss The World - Book Cover

On Go Kiss The World
The second book was ‘Go Kiss The World’. While I wrote ‘The High Performance Entrepreneur’, it occurred to me that everybody is not meant to be an entrepreneur. For every great enterprise, you need thousands of professionals, young people who make these organizations succeed. Now where are these people going to come from? Invariably, these people come from hinterland India. The real India is not the metro India. The real India is the India I come from. I was born and brought up in a remote part of Orissa, and I was raised in the tribal districts around Orissa. Even today when I go to hotels, hospitals, banks, any place, you find thousands of young people who had a less than privileged life, who have left everything behind them and come to the big city to work. I believe that sometimes when these people come from their modest background, they kind of stand outside the circle, sometimes they feel they’re missing something. They don’t feel adequate enough. I wanted them to know my personal story, so that they understand when you come from an ordinary background it is an asset - because it gives you simplicity and the power of simplicity is second to none.

The second thing it gives you is innocence. In today’s rapidly changing world, it’s a very important characteristic. If you’re innocent,  you are curious, non-judgmental, then you are able to receive. I wanted these people to be reassured that they can do unusual things if they do it right. So for them, I wrote ‘Go Kiss the World’, trying to look at the life of a professional in the 20s, 30s and 40s.

The 20s are the time when you want to be someone, in your 30s you are that someone and 40s see the journey from who you are to who you are meant to be. So in different phases of your professional life, different professional and personal challenges unfold and this journey has to be handled with a long view of time. Life is precious and everything is connected, though we don’t often realize how small things lead to big things. When you look at the complex web that life is, you need to treat your life with gentleness and with care, you need to understand that you are a means to an end. So, keeping that in mind, ‘Go Kiss the World’ was written; very personal as the title itself is something my mother told me on her deathbed.

The Professional on Flipkart

On The Professional
With ‘The Professional’, it occurred to me that there is a larger need  for a toolkit that young professionals must carry. This is something that was brimming in my mind, even before my first book was written. As I started to see the world through my own eyes, I realized there is a vast difference between professionals in this country and their counterparts anywhere in  the  developed countries. Not to say the counterparts there are better than them, what I’m saying is if you’re a first rate professional, you’re first rate anywhere in the world. But the average in our country is way below their average. And it’s not because of your mettle, but because no one told you how to be better than who you are.

So, I essentially drew lessons by looking around different sectors and put together a toolkit on how to be world-class as a professional. How to actually understand the difference between professional qualification and what it means to be a true professional.

Differences in style:
I think the books are more symbiotic than vastly different. One is about enterprise building, the other is about looking at your own life as an enterprise, and the third book ‘The Professional’ is something that entrepreneurs and young professionals would like to read. At the same time, I think there is bound to be a subtle difference, because I think I have matured as a writer as the books have been published over 5 years. Maybe I’ve matured, maybe I’ve not, but those subtle differences, I think, is for the critics to tap.

There are a plethora of management books regularly published from industry leaders all over the world - how are your books different from the rest and why should we read them?
I think it’s very difficult for me to tell you what the x-factor is in my books. It’s, first of all, a great thing that a lot of practitioners are writing books in India. It started with Kishore Biyani and myself, then Nandan, of course. His book isn’t about business. It is much larger as you’re talking about imagining India which is a much larger canvas. How are my books different? I tried to build a book which has a toolkit of sorts, which is more than just raising an issue or a problem… The learner, practitioner, young manager is probably the wrong word, the young working person, that is the individual I write for. I wouldn’t say my books are profound. I think I’m trying to write books which are very usable, a book that you will read and say, “Oh, this looks like a situation I’ve personally gone through and maybe next time I’ll do it a little differently.”

Similarly, I want young people to say, “Wow! So, I’m not alone. I’m not the only person who currently feels this contradiction, feels disconcerted, feels trapped, feels exuberant, sometimes in a situation that will change the course of my life. What Subroto says here looks familiar.” I want to evoke this feeling.

Primarily, who have been your target audience for your three books?
I essentially write for people who are in the age range of 20-40 and for those who come from the B-towns, the people who come from hinterland India.

In your first book The High Performance Entrepreneur you have laid out the groundwork to build a thriving and successful business - in your opinion what would be the three golden rules to achieve this?
The three imperative things to build a sustainable business - you must have a long view of time. Organization building takes a long time. We’ve been building MindTree for the past 11 years and we’re not half done, not that there is anytime when you can say ‘I’m done.’ But honestly, it takes far longer than many of us would think.

The second very important thing is, to understand And this is where most people have struggled, that an idea is not an enterprise. If  you’ve figured out how to build a particular gizmo, it means you’re an inventor, not necessarily an enterprise builder. The two are vastly different. When I meet young people, , they’re obsessed with the idea of creating a portal or building a gizmo, but if you look at companies like Intel, Apple, Infosys, MindTree or Wipro, they’re not built like that. The entrepreneur is obsessed with the idea of business - the business of business, as I call it, and not just one idea. If you’ve got a great idea, go sell it to someone and move on to your next idea. You should be able to see a family of ideas; you should know that you’re committed to creating something sustainable even if one idea fails.

The third important thing is to have a good set of people to work with. The initial core set of people. Many times a venture capitalist will tell you that he or she rather back an A-team with a B idea, rather than B-team with an A idea. If you’ve got an A-team with a B idea, they will figure it out and fix it. As  I told you, it’s not the idea that makes the enterprise, it’s the people who make the enterprise.

That said, I must tell you, these kinds of questions tend to oversimplify the issue; it isn’t really right to say these are the only answers, everything is situational.

Recession has opened up the opportunity to set up new businesses for young entrepreneurs  - was this something that prompted you to write your first book?
Writing a book is like delivering a baby, though these days it’s fashionable to time your baby to a particular event, but generally your baby comes when your baby comes, so it wasn’t planned that way. Typically, I take a year to write a book, and it just so happens that Penguin came to me at a certain time and at MindTree, we were at that point where we could say there is enough information, enough data, enough conclusion, enough learning to be able to now package it and hold it for the young would-be entrepreneurs out there. It so happened ‘The High Performance Entrepreneur’ got released and the world went into a recession, it was nice because it’s  during times of recession that great enterprises get built.

Again, to build a good company, you have to have a long view of time, so periodic ups and periodic downs should not bother someone. Ashok Soota, chairman and co-Founder of MindTree always says, “The interesting thing is that neither good times, nor bad times last forever and in good times instead of getting carried away one needs to prepare for the bad times. And in bad times one needs to build preparedness for the good times to come back.”

Go Kiss The World is a beautiful name for a title, there is a touching story behind it… can you tell us how you came about naming your second book?
Funnily, it wasn’t I who decided to use the title - when ‘The High Performance Entrepreneur’ was sent to Press; my editor took me by complete surprise and asked “What’s the next book?” I was thinking to myself “Will my first book sell?” At that time my editor, Krishan Chopra, said, “First of all, you have to write the next book for Penguin and it’s time you started now. But irrespective of what is written in the book, the title has to be ‘Go Kiss The World’.”

The story behind that story is that I was invited by IIM in 2004 to deliver the commencement talk, and I was telling myself all these kids are in the self-congratulatory mode and one more boring corporate guy comes and talks about globalisation, the importance of taking your work seriously and making your impact - will these kids even listen to me? So then I thought, why don’t I turn the whole thing on its head and talk to them in the first person and talk to them about my life lessons and life lessons not learned in a MBA school, but life lessons from people who have given me life. So I talked about the lessons I learned from my father and mother and the title of that speech was ‘Go Kiss the World’. Even today, I think, it is one of the most spammed content on the Internet, if you Google it, you’ll find multiple versions of that speech listed - for six years it’s amazing how it’s been kept alive. It developed a life of its own, in India and outside of it, people asked for reprint rights, used for the school curriculum; it went into hundreds  of in-house magazines and was published in full in many major newspapers. So Krishan said, “Write what you want to write, but the title has to be Go Kiss the World.”

In Go Kiss The World - there are several depictions of your experiences with nasty bosses, tell us about one of these experiences and could you tell us how one is able to deal with such a situation?
A lot of young people get overwhelmed very early in their career when they’re put in a tough professional situation, where the situation is perpetrated by someone who is larger than you at that moment and you think this is make or break. One such incident happened in my life where I wanted to quit. A very senior person called me and told me this very fascinating thing, he said, “You know when a little seed sprouts from under a big rock, between the sapling and the rock, the power rests with the rock; at that moment if the sapling tries to push the rock back, it’s not going to happen. The sapling typically grows by circumventing the rock and 15 years after when the sapling has become a full grown tree, where is the rock? The rock is at the feet of the tree.” It’s very important to keep that perspective, but doesn’t mean you should put up with abusive behavior, it doesn’t mean you should live even a moment of issues bordering on harassment and I deal with some of that in The Professional. But on issues which are non-threatening in a personal sense, when you get overwhelmed, think of, are you looking at the rock as the end of the road or should you be focused on growing up.

You did a 10 year stint at Wipro through the late 80s well into the 90s, tell us about your relationship with your then boss - Azim Premji?
He’s a great man; he’s built a business which he inherited from his father. Wipro was started in 1947, so we’re talking about a company which is 60+ years old. Wipro is a company that is globally recognized today. Yes, I worked directly under him; a very charismatic and principled leader, one of a kind. We had our moments of agreements and moments of severe disagreements. But when I look back, I’m proud to say he is one of the handful of people from whom I’ve directly learnt how to deal with contradictions and how to come to a decision when you are dealing with difficult human and corporate situations. How do you choose between the right and the expedient? It was great working with Wipro, because I look at myself as an organization builder and in those 10 years Wipro was growing up from being a domestically focused company to an international brand. I was lucky to have very interesting assignments there.

In your introduction for The Professional you clearly tell the reader exactly how the book is meant to be read - urging the reader to not skip and jump, but rather to read it in the order it is presented; is there a particular reason you felt the need to tell this to your readers?
What happens is that many of us read books, typically management books, a little bit from here and some portions from there; sometimes starting from the back to see the conclusion. ‘The Professional’ is set in a particular way, first it says: Who is a professional? What are the three most critical elements of being a professional? Once that is established, we move into another higher body of knowledge, which is about self-awareness. A professional must be self aware. Then I move on to say what kind of key issues you will face through your 20s, 30s and 40s. How do you move from being an individual professional contributor to a person who can lead and manage, because the complexities become vastly different.  The success factors of a professional in her 20s and 30s are different from those she may need in her 40s. Then the book deals with the imperatives for a new world.

For the last 50-60 years we have created professionals in many different disciplines in India, but the biggest difference between that time and the next 20 years is that Indian professionals would have to play a global game - the world has vastly changed, Internet and free trade has changed the world. So there are certain new world imperatives which must be understood, appreciated and practiced - so the book  goes into that body of knowledge. Finally, the books talk about some of the most unprofessional things that people do, not to create a huge laundry list, but to make people step back for a moment and say, these are stuff that I need to stay away from. Now unless you read the book in that sequence, it is not likely to give you the complete perspective.

In The Professional - you highlight the difference between the true professional versus one who is professionally qualified, what exactly is the difference?
The fundamental difference is that professional qualification and professional experience can make you very competent. Let’s say you are a first rate nephrologist and you do a surgical procedure brilliantly, but you know what? You’re in the kidney racket. So, are you professionally qualified? Of course, you are. Are you being a professional? No, you’re not. The book deals with a situation where Supreme Court lawyers in the  ‘BMW Case’, a famous hit and run case in Delhi, were involved. Where the prosecution lawyer and  defense lawyers colluded. The matter went all the way to the Supreme Court of India and these lawyers, who were representing opposite sides and colluding, were crossing the basic ethical boundary which is taught as Legal 101. If I’m a prosecution lawyer, I can’t be colluding with a defense lawyer. If I’m a defense lawyer, I can’t be doing something which is against the interest of my client. These are people who have represented Prime Ministers of the country. Were they professionally qualified? Absolutely stellar professional qualifications! But were they being professional?

One of the unusual professionals epitomized in your book, is Mr. Mahadeva (a man who has earned respect and recognition for burying unclaimed corpses through his lifetime). How did you go about choosing and researching the true professionals in your book?
Interestingly, unlike many of the management books that come out, which are aided by research teams, I’m my one man research team. What I do continuously, every morning is to look around; observe and absorb.I’m very curious about what’s going on in the world. How did I get to know about Mahadeva? I read about Mahadeva probably 15 years back, reading a small piece somewhere, I filed it in the back of my mind, and I said some day I must find this individual. At that time I was not even contemplating a book, at that time I was  thinking here is a source of profound learning from an unusual source. I believe that the greatest learning in life you’ll get by looking at unusual sources. The usual sources have either been exhausted or everybody will go to the usual sources.

So you go to a Mahadeva or the Cucumber Seller of Chennai. One of my best read columns in Business World was on this man, who sells cucumbers by the roadside - a half naked man who gave me a couple of lessons in professionalism and humility. I’m continuously looking at people from all directions, unusual sources. Once you up your antenna, you’ll find that the sources present themselves and then all I’m doing is I’m filing them up because I’m saying I’m not just a consumer of this information, but I’m a repository. I’m being given this knowledge to go and tell this story. Of course, you can’t be like a camera where I’m insensitive about what I’m filming. That’s where the human being is different from the machine. My intellect, my knowledge, is no good unless I have empathy, inclusion, where I’m saying, “What is it like to be in this person’s shoes?”

With three acclaimed management books to your name, what have you got lined up for your fourth book? Does the thought of writing fiction ever cross your mind?

Children of a Better God - Book CoverAbsolutely not! I think it’s very important for a person to know his limitations. Just because my books sell, tomorrow I’ll say why don’t I compete with Arundhati Roy, Jhumpa Lahiri or Amitav Ghosh - it’s not going to happen. I think these are higher life-forms. My wife, Susmita Bagchi, is a fiction writer; her first English novel has been released. It’s a book called Children of a Better God. She has written 13 books in her mother tongue - Oriya. We have very clear marked lines in the house, for less intelligent, mundane stuff and non-fiction, I’m the departmental head. Fiction she writes and we don’t cross each other’s boundaries.

Currently, what are you reading?

Raghav Bahl's Superpower? - Book CoverAt this time I’m reading Raghav Bahl’s book; Superpower? : The Amazing Race Between China’s Hare And India’s Tortoise. It’s an interesting read that talks about the race between India and China. It talks about the possibilities and the inherent challenges of both these countries. Raghav Bahl is an entrepreneur I admire – he’s the man who founded TV 18 and has channels like CNN IBN and CNBC in India and also publishes for Forbes India. He’s got very interesting perspectives in this book.

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Buy Subroto Bagchi’s The High Performance Entrepreneur (Limited Quantity Autographed Copies) on Flipkart

Buy Subroto Bagchi’s Go Kiss The World (Limited Quantity Autographed Copies) on Flipkart

Buy Subroto Bagchi’s The Professional (Limited Quantity Autographed Copies) on Flipkart

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10 Must-Watch Martin Scorsese Films

By Sailen | Published: October 11, 2010
Martin Scorsese - The Greatest Living American Filmmaker

Martin Scorsese - The Greatest Living American Filmmaker

Hands down, Martin Scorsese is the greatest American filmmaker alive, some would argue the greatest film historian alive, as well. A member of the elite ‘movie brats’ of Hollywood in the 70s, Scorsese is credited with pioneering modern film-making along with the likes of Coppola, Lucas, Spielberg and De Palma. It’s actually hard to believe he hadn’t won an Oscar for over thirty years! If you look at his filmography, with each decade Scorsese has produced at least one truly classic movie. In the 70s it was Taxi Driver, in the 80s it was Raging Bull, in the 90s it was Goodfellas and in the 00’s it was The Departed.

Adding to his genius, this isn’t a filmmaker who typecasts himself, particularly in violent gangster flicks - he has an array of diverse films under his belt; quintessential documentaries on musicians, lush period films that work just as well as a dense book of literature and biopics that shed light on real life personalities like no other. Sharp technique in all facets of film-making with genius story telling and a knack to work on quality scripts with meaty subject matter - Scorsese is your complete movie director. You don’t just watch one of his movies, you watch all his movies.

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1. Taxi Driver (1976): Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel

Taxi Driver (1976) - Image

Taxi Driver (1976)

Taxi Driver is considered to be Scorsese’s first classic hit… following the success of Mean Streets, Taxi Driver marked the first Scorsese movie that was both critically acclaimed and a success in the box office - with a production cost of just over a  million, Taxi Driver pulled in nearly $30 million in profits. It also won Scorsese a Palm D’or at the Cannes Film Festival. Following the story of insomniac Travis Bickle, a slightly deranged (though, with a big heart) Vietnam War veteran who is a night-shift cabbie, the movie works as a social commentary on a number of dark subjects; street crime, prostitution, pedophilia, corruption - all set in a decaying New York City. Taxi Driver boasts a gritty realistic style that reflects on the subject matter, and Robert De Niro, as in all Scorsese movies is on top of his game.

Whether he’s a true vigilante or a complete nutter, Travis Bickle is a cult hero and even though he may terrify with his unpredictable nature, you will find yourself sympathizing with him at the end of it. Let it be said, the ending of this movie is ultra violent and at the same time, nothing short of epic. This is the movie that put both De Niro and Scorsese on the superstar map and is without a doubt, a must watch.

2. Raging Bull (1980): Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Cathy Moriarty

Raging Bull (1980) - DVD Cover

Raging Bull (1980)

Based on the autobiography by Jake LaMotta, Raging Bull proved to be Scorsese’s second masterpiece. Spurred by his go-to actor Robert De Niro to pick up the project, Raging Bull is the violent and tragic biopic of the legendary boxer and former middleweight champion, Jake LaMotta. The movie documents LaMotta’s murky rise as a fighter (a boxer who was able to endure severe beatings from his opponents and still stay on his feet), but also his rapid descent into borderline insanity driven by jealousy and his sadomasochistic temperament that eventually saw him lose his title, his family and his friends in the process.

The movie is shot in black and white, which gives it an authentic feel and the scenes of the fights are brilliantly done with unique first person perspective from right inside the ring. Robert De Niro is at his intense best, not only did he go through vigorous training by LaMotta himself, the actor also put on 30 kgs to portray an aging LaMotta post his boxing days. As a result, De Niro won an Oscar for Best Actor. Raging Bull is a piece of boxing history thanks to its no-holds-barred depiction of LaMotta (which stays extremely true to the original autobiography) - if you’re a big fan of boxing as much as you are a fan of the old school De Niro-Scorsese combination, then don’t miss out on this.

3. Goodfellas (1990): Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Ray Liotta

GoodFellas (1990) - DVD Cover

GoodFellas (1990)

Adapted from ‘Wiseguy’ by Nicholas Pileggi (who also worked on the script with Scorsese), Goodfellas is Martin Scorsese’s epic gangster flick based on real life events, starring Robert De Niro, Ray Liotta and Joe Pesci. Hard hitting and brutally violent, this was Scorsese’s first mafia movie and in many ways marked his ‘coming of age’ as one of America’s finest filmmakers. The movie centers around former wise-guy turned FBI informant Henry Hill and his exploits with an established mafia family of New York City. The movie spans through three decades of mob life, where murder, theft and extortion are just a few of the examples of how the anti-heroes make a living for themselves. It also shows how the drug trade led to the downfall of several gangsters of the time.

Goodfellas has proved to be a blue print for TV shows such as The Sopranos and is considered a cultural masterpiece in its depiction of the American mafia. From a film-making perspective, this is without a doubt one of Scorsese’s finest, showcasing an array of techniques that pioneered modern film-making. There is one ‘long shot’ in particular, where Henry Hill takes his soon-to-be wife on their first date which is especially breathtaking. It’s hard to believe this didn’t win the Oscar for ‘Best Picture’ (losing out to Costner’s Dances with Wolves). It did however win the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ category, for Joe Pesci’s performance as Tommy Devito, based on real-life mobster Thomas DeSimone. Pesci is absolutely first class in this, every time he’s on screen you’ll be hit with a wave of tension and at the same time you’ll find yourself being remotely amused. Good luck stomaching the murder of the character Billy Batts… a classic mafia scene.

4. The Age of Innocence (1993): Daniel Day Lewis, Michelle Pheiffer, Winona Ryder

The Age of Innocence (1993)- DVD Cover

The Age of Innocence (1993)

One usually connects early Scorsese movies with; gangsters, mafia, ultra-violence, profanity and murder etc. Age of Innocence would be the complete anti-thesis of what you would expect from the man. The movie is Scorsese’s epic love-triangle story based on the 1920 novel of the same name by Edith Wharton - this one is for the ladies, Scorsese’s ‘chick flick’, if you will. Set in 19th century New York, the movie tells the story of love and marriage in high society New York through the life of protagonist Newland Archer, played by the swarthy Daniel Day Lewis. Archer’s soon to be wife - the idyllic May Wellan is played by Winona Ryder, while Michelle Pheiffer plays the role of Archer’s vivacious could-be lover, Ellen Olenska. As with most Scorsese period movies - the production in this is immense and equally gorgeous. The acting is as intense as any of Scorsese’s movies and the three main characters in this shine with great chemistry.

5. Casino (1995): Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Sharon Stone

Casino (1995) - VCD Cover

Casino (1995)

This was the second collaboration between Nicholas Pileggi (Wise Guy/Goodfellas) and Martin Scorsese. Based on real life casino man Frank Rosenthal (Sam ‘Ace’ Rothstein), Casino tells the story of how the mafia controlled Las Vegas through the 60s all the way up to the 80s. Just like Goodfellas, the movie is based on true events, though the characters have been renamed. There is also the same brilliant combination of actors with Robert De Niro in the lead and Joe Pesci supporting as a crazy mafioso, along with Scorsese newbie Sharon Stone playing the role of the beautiful yet detestable Ginger Rothstein (De Niro’s onscreen drug addled wife). Stone gives a robust performance in this and as a result was nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars for this role. The movie is virile and extremely violent but might not be Scorsese’s best, that being said, from a technical film making perspective, it’s spot on and the plot is enthralling as you’re given an inside look at the workings of old school casinos. If you like Goodfellas, this definitely has the same feel to it. If you’re a big gambler, then Casino is a must.

6. Kundun (1997): Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Sonam Phuntsok, Robert Lin

Kundun (1997) - DVD Cover

Kundun (1997)

A radiant biopic, Kundun tells the story of the 14th Dalai Lama’s rise as the leader of the Tibetan people, as well as a leader in true spirituality. The movie gives deep focus into his humble childhood, the Chinese invasion of Tibet and his subsequent exile out of Tibet into India as he escaped the murderous hands of the Chinese. Sadly Kundun went completely under the radar for two reasons; Brad Pitt’s ‘Seven Years In Tibet’ was released at the same time and also because the Chinese government did all that it could to prevent its distribution. Nevertheless, the cinematography in this is stunning, depicting the picturesque Tibetan Himalayas beautifully, and is supported with an equally brilliant soundtrack by Phillip Glass. Celebrated movie critic, Roger Ebert was quoted saying: “The film’s visuals and music are rich and inspiring, and like a mass by Bach or a Renaissance church painting, it exists as an aid to worship: It wants to enhance, not question.”

7. The Aviator (2004): Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Alex Baldwin

The Aviator (2004) - DVD Cover

The Aviator (2004)

Based on the life of the remarkable yet aloof maverick - Howard Hughes, The Aviator is one of Scorsese’s most expensive movies. The production in this is simply breathtaking, from the monumental planes to the brilliant costumes and period settings, and one shouldn’t be surprised to know this movie cost over $100 million to be made. Spanning through a career which saw Hughes as a controversial filmmaker, test pilot for quick planes, and finally becoming an owner of an airlines (among other things), The Aviator as a movie is larger than life just like its subject, Howard Hughes. Comic icon Stan Lee summed up the man best when said; “Howard Hughes was one of the most colorful men of our time. He was an inventor, an adventurer, a multi-billionaire, a ladies’ man and finally a nutcase.” This works as a brilliant synopsis for both the movie and the character.

This vivid portrayal of Hughes gives the viewer deep insight into his genius and at the same time depicts his obsessive compulsive disorder extensively. The Aviator also marked DiCaprio’s second movie with Scorsese, and cemented his position as the director’s go-to actor since Robert De Niro. There is also a stand out performance by Cate Blanchett - who plays one of Hughes’ many lovers - the stunning Audrey Hephburn.

9. No Direction Home (2005): Documentary

No Direction Home (2005) - DVD Cover

No Direction Home (2005)

The quintessential documentary/film on Bob Dylan, which sees his rise to fame as the music industry’s leading lyricist and folk singer. No Direction Home chronicles Dylan’s arrival in New York in the early sixties up to the point where he gives up touring following his life threatening motorcycle accident in 1966. There is also heavy focus on Dylan’s controversial switch from acoustic to electric - a time in his career where he was reinventing himself as a rock star, but as a result faced a lot of abuse from folk purists.

No Direction Home as a project took nearly a decade to put together - it is filled with never before seen footage through Dylan’s career, great interviews from a wide variety personalities including Ginsburg and Dylan’s girlfriend during the 60s (the same girl who is famously clutching his arm in The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan album cover) and also includes scenes from his infamous Manchester concert where a fan screamed out “Judas!” as Dylan was about to get into an electric version of ‘Like a Rolling Stone.’

8. The Departed (2006): Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Mark Wahlberg

The Departed (2006) - DVD Cover

The Departed (2006)

After over three decades in Hollywood, it was this movie that finally won Scorsese a long deserved Oscar… The Departed swept the Academy Awards in 2006; with Best Picture, Best Director, Best Film Editing and Best Screenplay. Some will argue that Scorsese’s earlier films; Taxi Driver, Goodfellas and Raging Bull were more deserving, but it has to be said The Departed was worthy of all the accolades. Sporting an all star cast of Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg and Martin Sheen - the movie is a remake of the classic Hong Kong crime thriller Infernal Affairs. Following the plot of two moles, one from the police department infiltrating the mafia and vice versa - The Departed gives you a unique look at the Irish mafia in Boston with a tense cat and mouse theme.

Fast paced, action packed, twists and turns, ridiculous amounts of tension and a stellar performance from all the actors, it’s no surprise The Departed ranks amongst the best in the contemporary crime thriller genre. Stand out performances from DiCaprio, Nicholson and Damon makes this a must watch.

10. Shutter Island (2010): Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley

Shutter Island (2010) - DVD Cover

Shutter Island (2010)

Based on the psychological thriller novel by Dennis Lehane, Scorsese’s Shutter Island has the customary lead role played by Leonardo DiCaprio, with stand out supporting roles from Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley. In Shutter Island, we have the best of everything that is Scorsese with a little twist, he isn’t telling us how great he is, he’s telling us how great Alfred Hitchcock was - as this movie is quite clearly an homage the to late great master of psychological thrillers.

This movie has all components of a classic Scorsese movie, intelligent yet quirky editing techniques, a keen eye for lush rich cinematography matched with a sharp understanding of imagery and colour contrasts. Add a plot line that deals with very dark yet classic themes ranging from the holocaust, infanticide, dementia, treatment of the insane, and you have a true culmination of Hitchcock-Scorsese cinema.

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For the hardcore Scorsese fans who just can’t get enough of his movies, there is a book that you might want to have a look at - Scorsese on Scorsese… a definitive study of Scorsese by himself; “recounting the many battles to get his movies made, his supreme passion for the medium of film itself, and the roots of his long-time creative partnership with actor Robert De Niro.“

It seems appropriate to guide you to his latest television project on HBO - Boardwalk Empire, yet another mafia based series, following the prohibition period of the 1920s in Atlantic City. It’s still airing but if you can get your hands on the episodes, they are well worth a watch. There are also murmurs that he will be joining De Niro on a new movie project in the future and he also has a biopic on Frank Sinatra and a documentary on the late Beatles guitarist George Harrison in the works.

Posted in Our Take, Top 10 Lists | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Interview: Simply Captain Gopinath - An entrepreneur with soul

By Sailen | Published: October 4, 2010

Book Cover - Simply Fly by Captain Gopinath

Simply Fly by Captain Gopinath - The remarkable story of India's truest entrepreneur

Born in a remote village in Karnataka, a prominent officer in the army, an ecologically sharp farmer, India’s leading entrepreneur, independent politician, acclaimed author – this is the man who revolutionized air travel, making it affordable and accessible to everyone in India. To say Captain Gopinath is the whole package would simply be an understatement.

‘Simply Fly’ is a fairly self-explanatory title for a book documenting the birth of India’s first low cost airline, Air Deccan. It’s also the remarkable story of the visionary behind this venture, Captain Gopinath, a pioneer who has given 200% and more in whatever he looks to accomplish. The difference between ‘Simply Fly’ and the rest of your CEO written autobiographies, this isn’t your run of the mill ‘management’ books that lights the way to a quick buck. Instead, this is an inspiring tale of someone who truly believes in making the impossible, possible, with the future of India and it’s development always a driving force. To quote the Captain himself – ‘Simply Fly’ is “the story of new India, the story of possibility, the story of opportunity.”

Captain Gopinath - Image

In Pic: Captain Gopinath

In an exclusive interview with Flipkart – Captain Gopinath talks about his humble beginnings as an army officer and farmer, why he choose to pen down his life, the story of Air Deccan, the need for all of us to find our ‘inner light,’ his relationship with Vijay Mallya, his favourite authors and three books that changed his life…

What makes Captain Gopinath tick?
It’s my love of life and a passion for living intensely. To not lose myself in despair but lose myself in action all the time. Enthusiasm in whatever I do and I plunge into venture head long when it grabs my heart more than my mind.

Who or what gave you the idea to write ‘Simply Fly’?
I use to constantly be giving talks in schools, colleges – IITs, IIMs, convocations, some of the foreign colleges like Wharton.  I would never give a management lecture - I would just tell them what I did, tell them how to be involved with life and how to be passionate about whatever things you do. At the end of it, people would always ask: “Captain, why don’t you write it? So that it encourages people to pursue their dreams and not to give up.” This call became persistent, especially during my senior management lectures in the larger companies. One day I thought instead of just writing a management book with answers, I thought I must write about the joy of entrepreneurship. The joy of building and creating, to help people pursue their dreams. I thought it was important and I had to get it off my chest.

Can you describe what one can learn when they read your book ‘Simply Fly’?
Not to do what I did, but to pursue your own dreams. To forge your own trail, to live life to the hilt and to do things in a manner in which you leave the world a  better place. My book is my story, the story of Air Deccan, the story of new India, the story of possibility, it is the story of opportunity, because there’s no real security in this world and there’s only opportunity. In India today, for anyone who can dream and put his shoulder to the floor, India is all opportunities.  In spite of all the depressing aspects of our politics, bureaucracy and our corruption, in spite of that, my book shows it’s possible to hope, to build, to create and move forward. The way for any of us, young and old is not to be cynical. It is to build in the midst of the desert and to find joy in it.

Air Deccan prided itself in being India’s first low cost carrier offering affordable prices for everyone to fly. Can you tell us why you made it a mission to ensure this was a service available to everyone around the country.
I always felt passionate when I shared my life and my work with the farmers… I felt that there is a great joy in creating and building, especially for the other India.  I’ve never stopped being amazed at the  the zest the farmers have, in spite of all the odds and tragedies they face. Most of them are very stoic and courageous, they’re part of the earth. That’s why I felt we need to create jobs, we need to create businesses where people can get jobs in other India. I felt that today, there is a need for us to make the other India participate in this economic growth. Somehow they’ve been left behind. For me, this gives me an adrenaline rush, to do something in the small towns and villages. That’s when I felt I must link all the unconnected parts of India to the main metros and give a chance to everybody to fly.

What are your personal favourite segments in the book? What did you enjoy writing?
The early days in my village with my father, my days in the army, in that order. And of course, my life on the farm, when I built a farm from a barren piece of land.

Who is your target audience for the book?
Largely the new youth of India. One section of them are fortunate, but have become cynical and critical and spend most of their time in pubs and clubs. They need to be pushed to participate in creating and building. The idle of the rich is the biggest crime. On the other hand, there is also the other section of the youth who are unemployed and uneducated from rural India, who are becoming increasingly resentful and feel justified sometimes in taking up to violence and joining Maoism and Naxalism. To tell them, in spite of all the problems of poverty, there is much to admire about our country.  To not sit back in hatred, but it’s possible to break the shackles, break the kind of oppressive circumstances one is put in and it’s in your hands. Money isn’t everything, it’s energy and enthusiasm that matters most in life. I’m aware that a large segment of this group cannot even read my book, which is why the book has just been signed to be published in various regional languages – Hindi, Tamil, Kannada. I’m also hoping someone makes a movie out of it!

What are some of the important life lessons young readers can take from the book?
Indefatigable energy, inextinguishable optimism, unrelenting enthusiasm.  Throughout my book, you’ll see it was my blind optimism which made me do things – belief in friendship, belief in the goodness of people. It’s because of optimism I rushed headlong into venture after venture. So it’s all about optimism, all about energy and not giving up under any circumstances.  I think persistence is more important than talent, and that’s more important than capital. So the book doesn’t give you specific answers as to how to market, or how to build a company, or how to make money, or how to time the stock market, but it only tells you all the time that you must follow your heart, follow your dreams, build businesses as though you’re going to build forever.

The aviation business is famous for being an industry in which massive losses are incurred and has a reputation for being more of a status symbol than a cash cow for powerful businessmen… what are your thoughts on this perception?
Yeah, I think a lot of people get into the aviation business for the glamor of it. But of course for my case, I took the non-glamorous route of building a low cost airline, going to small towns to hire my employees. We had 500 air hostesses who had all come from regionals and villages. We deliberately relied on these smalls towns to link the other India and give connectivity. For me it was more a kind of religion and I was driven by an evangelical zeal with a clear idea of building a company which can create wealth for everybody who were associated with it and at the same time create a new customer value. It was all about expanding the customer base. I think for anybody who gets into businesses today, you have a great opportunity to build for the other India.

Through your own personal experiences and from the eventual Deccan-Kingfisher buyout, how would you describe your relationship with business tycoon Vijay Mallya? The passage in which you describe your first encounter in ‘Simply Fly,’ was humorous and to the point.
On a personal level, we’re good friends, good family friends. I like him – he’s a very charming man, a very endearing man. But on the business front, we’re poles apart and much to my dismay I discovered it was a wrong marriage.

Your message to young, up and coming entrepreneurs looking to start their own business?
You should not analyze too much… If you have to overcome all obstacles before you start a venture, I don’t think there would be any venture in the world. There’s a point beyond which analysis cannot go. It was Tagore who famously said: “Mind or logic is like a knife or blade, it breeds the hand that uses it.”  There’s only up to a point you can have analysis, after that you must rely on your intuition, that inner light that shines to you alone. Only you know the power of that when you try it. There’s a unique power in each individual. There’s a unique light that shines to each of us and we have to learn to listen to that and follow that inner light. Follow your heart, follow what prompts you.

Advice to CEOs or industry leaders who aren’t writers by profession, but still feel the urge to tell their story?
If you’re writing yourself, I don’t think you should write a preachy book as to how to build a company. Rather you should write in the style of Richard Branson or Sam Walton, where they just wrote what they did. With all the pimples and warts and mistakes, you must write honestly, rather than at the end of every chapter giving lessons on the art of business. You tell the story as truthfully as you can, in a personalized manner, in a story format, where you weave it with your personal life, your childhood, people who inspired you and let people take what they want out of it. Rather than writing a management book as a businessmen if you’re the subject, because this is very subjective and one tends to be partial to their own mistakes. Somebody else must write about your business, it’s better a third party write the analysis of your business strengths and weaknesses, about how good or bad a business you built, or all the mistakes. As far as you’re concerned you just write about what you did and be as honest as you can about your story.

You’ve immersed yourself into many roles over you life – army officer, farmer, entrepreneur and politician – what has been your favourite guise?
I think being a farmer – oh, I loved that. I went through hell and saw heaven in the process. Got into debt like all farmers but got out of it. It was a great part of my life being one with the land.  Also building and creating something out of nothing, creating a new market, creating a new business, it gives me a great adrenaline rush.

Do you have any intentions of writing more – maybe a dive into some fiction? When and what can we expect in your second book?
Maybe a second book will come out on the few things I’ve done that isn’t covered in ‘Simply Fly’.  Right now I’m immersed in my new venture, my Deccan Charter company. Where we’ve just launched three flights a day. Similarly, I’m totally involved in my new logistics venture in which Reliance is invested. I also have a couple of business ideas incubating in my mind to create budget hotels and resorts. Maybe a year down down the line something will come up.

What has the response for ‘Simply Fly’ been like?
It’s overwhelming. Everyday I get emails, letters, phone calls, people who drop into my house wanting to meet me. I get three kinds of letters. One is people who just want to congratulate me and then want me to come and give a talk. There are others who see themselves in me and write saying they’re going through a great problem as an entrepreneur, can they come and discuss solutions with me because they’re in trouble. Third, people come over all the time with a great idea and want me to invest.

Of course there are people who are moved… Recently somebody came home, a very uneducated entrepreneur who owns a biryani hotel… he was selling a plate of biryani for Rs. 1 and on TV was quoted saying “Captain Gopi was my inspiration.” He came home with a painting of mine, flowers and touched my feet and said “You inspired me to be an entrepreneur.” These are very touching stories, but I always tell them, in India today we’re fortunate because in my younger days everybody went to America… Today we’re fortunate to be in a country where there are opportunities everywhere.

Which authors have inspired you to become a writer?
I admire a variety of authors, but largely Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, John Steinbeck, Albert Camus. I’ve always liked the great writers of the past. In terms of Indian authors, RK Narayan has always been a favourite.

Three books that have changed your life and why?
On the business side – the book by Sam Walton on Wal Mart - where he started with a single mom and pop store and went on to build the greatest business in the planet - one man in 50 years. Someone asked him what’s the secret of his success and he said “If you know where you want to go, then keep at it and you’ll get there.” Of course he doesn’t tell you how to build a business, that’s not the idea, you have to discover it yourself… the point is that it’s the single minded passion and dedication, the ’shuradha’ in him. So yeah, Sam Walton’s “Made In America” - it’s a great story of entrepreneurship where he built an empire without having to spend any money himself.

Gandhi’s “The Story Of My Experiments With Truth”, it’s a great book where you realize that it is not your money, your physical strength or duty, but it’s your indomitable will which helps you face life with courage and optimism.

The third would be “The Myth Of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus where you learn that despite all the nihilism and despair of the world, you can find the conviction of will to live with honour, dignity and passion.

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Buy Captain Gopinath’s ‘Simply Fly’(Limited Quantity Autographed Copies) on Flipkart

Read an excerpt from ‘Simply Fly’

Posted in Tête-à-Tête | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Books on Music: Led Zeppelin - The biggest, baddest rock band

By Sailen | Published: October 1, 2010

Led Zeppelin on Flipkart - Image

The Led Zeppelin saga is one that is riddled with myth and legend, as well as its fair share of rumors and fabrication. Led Zeppelin formed when the Beatles and The Rolling Stones were in decline, the freewheelin’ 60s had come to an end and the music industry in the West was ushering in a revolutionary era of sounds and bands influenced by the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton’s Cream. As the 70s rolled on, Led Zeppelin found themselves at the forefront of this revolution of rock music - blues driven, heavier, louder and with mass appeal. They came, they saw and they conquered through an entire decade, pioneering bigger and better live performances that would change lives and releasing a classic discography of essential rock listening that is now a staple within the genre. Led Zeppelin are also responsible for redefining the rocker’s image with a new standard of excess and groupie love, amplifying ’sex, drugs and rock and roll’ to a whole new level, an image that would come to define an entire era of bad ass hair metal bands.

Ever since the tragic death of drummer John Bonham in 1980 and the ‘break up’ of the band that followed, there have been several attempts at biographies documenting the story of the world’s biggest, baddest rock band. Many written by veteran music journalists who have considered the members of the band their friends and one particular bio written by the band’s crooked road manager, Richard Cole - a character who has played a lead role in all the Led Zep myths that have left readers in as much shock as awe. Led Zeppelin biographies must be read with a pinch of salt, because if you were to ask any of the remaining band members if any of these books are accurate, they will vehemently criticize both the authors and the contents of the books. There is yet to be a Led Zeppelin bio that has been fully endorsed by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant and John Paul Jones. Yet, there are two which have been published that seem to do well in drawing a picture of the band and their decade long journey as pioneers of rock and roll.

Hammer of the Gods by Stephen Davis - Image

Hammer of the Gods by Stephen Davis

Hammer of the Gods - The Led Zeppelin Saga by Stephen Davis
Stephen Davis is considered to be a premier biographer of modern bands and musicians. He has documented the lives of Fleetwood Mac, Jim Morrison, Bob Marley, Guns N’ Roses and more, his writings have also featured in Rolling Stone and The New York Times. ‘Hammer of The Gods - The Led Zeppelin Saga’ (the title borrowed from Zep’s ‘Immigrant Song’ - a tune that many consider the first in heavy metal) was probably his most defining moment as a writer. Not only was it the first to shed light on the band (released only 5 years after drummer John Bonham’s death), but also because of its impact on music literature and the industry itself. Love it or hate it, Hammer of the Gods is a definitive rock classic because of the influence it had on a new age of music journalists but also for numerous bands and rock listeners who felt that the Led Zep aura was an epitome of what rock and roll represented.

The book follows a factual, cut and dry depiction of Led Zeppelin and is supported mainly by the recollections of Richard Cole, the band’s long term road manager. This is probably where the book lacks, as a lot of the stories aren’t really supported by the band members directly. If you’re to read about Cole’s character, you will soon realize that he isn’t very reliable and he was at that time quite bitter at the fact that he was ostracized by the band and their legendary manager Peter Grant for being a heroin addict. The band’s lead singer Robert Plant was quoted telling Spin Magazine: “The guy who wrote that book knew nothing about the band. I think he’d hung around us once. He got all his information from a guy  who had a heroin problem who happened to be associated with us.” That being said, Stephen Davis obviously realizes this and while he’s quick to quote Cole as much as he can, he does well to explain that perhaps Cole isn’t the most trustworthy source. Much of the content and quotes from and about the band have been pulled out of extensive research and various readings of interviews from publications during the time Led Zep were at their height - which is great, but Davis would have had a tad bit more credibility if he actually worked closer with the remaining band members.

The highlight of this book is its in depth descriptions of Led Zeppellin’s discography. While the storytelling process behind the band, their formation and exploits is weak, the explanation of their music and how each album was developed is extremely strong. Each of the Zep albums have a story behind it and are brilliantly described in Hammer of the Gods; the band’s spiritual and musical influences, their obsession to not be predictable or classified, Jimmy Page’s unwavering dedication in the studio along with sharp studies of the guitarist’s unique and pioneering production techniques, as well as a sharp study of John Bonham’s uncanny ability behind the drums.

It also highlights Led Zeppelin’s knack to borrow (some would argue steal) from other artist’s music and does well to explain the reasoning behind all the plagiarism accusations the band faced. The book is so detailed in its description of Led Zeppelin’s music, it also tells you the story behind all the albums’ artwork and packaging. For example you learn why the band and their manager insisted Led Zeppelin IV (or as its commonly referred to as ‘the man with sticks’ or ‘ZoSo’) wasn’t given a title, nor did the band’s name appear on it. The irony? It was Led Zep’s best selling album. There is also the reasoning behind their refusal to release singles, much rather having their fans buy their albums, because of their self-belief in their music.

Stephen Davis’ knowledge of Zep’s music is without a doubt expert and just like his descriptions of the albums, his descriptions of their live performances and their legendary tours of America are amazing. Without exaggerating there are times you really do feel like you’re right there watching Jimmy Page shred his guitar and the rest of band doing their thing. Led Zeppelin made a name for themselves on their concerts and their extensive yearly touring of America… it’s where the band would come alive - both in their music and their sordid exploits. It has to be said that to truly understand the Zeppelin story, you must know exactly the impact their live performances had on Americans during the 70s. This book does extremely well in explaining the Led Zep phenomenon in the US among other things.

When Giants Walked The Earth by Mick Wall - Image

When Giants Walked The Earth by Mick Wall

When Giants Walked The Earth by Mick Wall
Mick Wall is a veteran British rock journalist who has worked with magazines such as Mojo and Classic Rock. Wall boasts of close friendships with the remaining band members and the book does well in the quotes department, as the author has obviously interviewed all of them extensively. Where ‘Hammer of the Gods’ is lacking in terms of credible sources, this biography blossoms. Here there is also a more focused creative step in the story telling and we’re given all the funny and shocking anecdotes the band had become infamous for - from the sordid ‘red snapper’ incident, to Bonham’s extensive thrashing of the hotels and bars, all the way up to the band’s bust up at the 1977 festival at the Oakland Coliseum.

Some might also appreciate Wall’s second-person story telling segments that work as flashbacks for all the colorful characters in the Led Zeppelin saga. I personally think it’s a bit cheesy and presumptuous, but it does make for fun reading. There is a merging of creativity and fact in these parts which adds to the history of the band, and it’s highly doubtful that Wall had written it without doing his fair share of research. The sections on the music and touring are also quite good, but definitely not as detailed as Hammer of the Gods. Where this book does shine is in its post-Zeppelin content on the band member’s lives after the breakup.

The parts describing Jimmy Page’s constant yearning for a reunion versus Robert Plant’s rejection of this idea is telling of exactly why Zeppelin never do comeback tours. I especially loved the section where Led Zeppelin’s famous one-off concert at O2 in 2007 is described, in such detailed behind-the-scenes manner… don’t think there are too many books or articles that tell you exactly what and how it happened in regards to legendary 2007 gig in London. Wall is also ridiculously scathing towards Jimmy Page at the end of the book, and while it does make for juicy reading, it seems a little out of place, considering this is the man who is responsible for 99% of the music Led Zeppelin played. A negative of the book, there is far too much focus on Jimmy Page’s fascination with the occult, while some might think this forms the backbone of who Jimmy Page is and what his music represented, I do believe this has been grossly exaggerated in the writings about Led Zep and ‘When Giants Walked the Earth’ falls victim to this.

Gotta say, love the artwork and pictorials in this and I appreciate that there is a sense of familiarity in Wall’s writing.

Flipkart says:
Having read both these books in the same year, it’s tough to say which one is better. I do think Stephen Davis’ ‘Hammer of the Gods’ would probably be my choice, only because of its relevance to rock writing, but also because of its acute detailing of Led Zep’s music. Mick Wall does amazingly well in describing the lives of the band members post the break up following John Bonham’s tragic death and there is definitely a creative flair in the story telling. Plus you have to appreciate the fact that Wall has interviewed all the members quite extensively… though it has to be said, the book probably did cost him his relationship with Jimmy Page.

Both the books give significant focus to the late great Led Zep manager, Peter Grant. Peter Grant was just as much a part of Led Zeppelin as any of the band members. He was the man responsible for bringing them together but also for setting up a new standard in the music industry where he ensured his band was given complete artistic freedom from their label Atlantic. It’s extremely interesting to read about Grant and how he single handedly revolutionized the music industry through his band Led Zeppelin.

It’s also quite funny to read Page’s view on both these biographies; for ‘Hammer of the Gods’ he was quoted saying, “I think I opened [the book] up in the middle somewhere and started to read it, and I just threw it out the window. I was living by a river then, so it actually found its way to the bottom of the sea.” For ‘When the Giants Walked The Earth’ he was quoted saying, “Wall’s just writing a book designed to cash in on something he didn’t have anything to do with. He wasn’t a creative force in Led Zep. I’m at something of a disadvantage because I haven’t chosen to read that book, but I hear it’s totally distorted from people who do know about Led Zeppelin.” Recently, Jimmy Page released an extremely high-end photo autobiography… it’s selling for $700 and unfortunately no, Flipkart doesn’t provide this title.

Personally, it be great to know what are some of the better coffee table books on Led Zeppelin. Do post your recommendations in the comment section, I’ve recently purchased Whole Lotta Led Zeppelin, and am waiting for delivery.

If you’ve been a fan of the music and you love rock journalism - then I would say, definitely purchase both the biographies reviewed in this post… I highly doubt you’ll be disappointed. Also if you feel the need to have their music playing while you do your reading make sure you have these quintessential albums jamming out:

Led Zeppelin - How The West Was Won on Flipkart

Led Zeppelin - How The West Was Won

Led Zeppelin - How the West Was Won - A compilation of Led Zeppelin’s legendary live performances from 1972 in California… it has been described (by Jimmy Page) as Led Zeppelin at their peak and is a far superior alternative to the Song Remains The Same. It’s a must buy for all Zeppelin fans, especially those who want a taste of what their music was like when they performed live. For those who have never experienced a live Led Zep concert, this could be the closest thing to it. The back story behind this, Page’s young lover Lori Maddox (someone you’ll be deeply acquainted with if you read the biographies!) was in attendance during these concerts, and Page was at his best because he was trying to impress her. For all Zeppelin fans, this is sublime to say the least.

Led Zeppelin - Mothership - Image

Led Zeppelin - Mothership

Led Zeppelin - Mothership - A newly remastered Led Zeppelin greatest hits double CD album. Might not carry the same weight as having all the albums in their full form, but works amazingly well for someone who enjoys all the classic, more popular Zeppelin tunes.  The sound quality is absolutely brilliant, remastered by the man himself, Jimmy Page. There is an import version of this that contains a DVD of their greatest performances… might be better looking out for that copy.

Led Zeppelin - BBC Sessions on Flipkart - Image

Led Zeppelin - BBC Sessions

Led Zeppelin: The BBC Sessions - One of my favourite Led Zeppelin albums… recorded when they were young and hungry for success. Disc One contains recordings from various sessions in 1969 (less than a year since the band first formed) and Disc Two contains recordings from their live performance at the Paris Theatre, London, 1971. Besides containing an absolutely mind blowing 18 mins version of ‘Dazed and Confused’, BBC Sessions also has one of Led Zeppelin’s first ever live performances of ‘Stairway to Heaven’… without exaggerating, this is music history in a CD. Well, a double CD.

Posted in Our Take | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Game Review: Codemasters’ International Cricket 2010

By Sailen | Published: September 21, 2010

Codemasters' International Cricket 2010 Game Cover

Codemasters' International Cricket 2010

How many times have you watched Team India in a cricket match and thought, “I can do better than this.” Has there been a time where you’ve questioned Dhoni’s tactics that have invariably led to a massive loss? Well, right here is the perfect opportunity to give cricket fans the chance to step into the skipper’s shoes, albeit on the Playstation 3. Some will remember Codemasters’ Ashes Cricket from last year, boy did it do well in giving us a more playable and more interactive alternative to the extremely weak PC driven EA cricket games we remember from back in the day. A few months back Codemasters released the second edition, and for someone who is longing for a meaty cricket game, it is definitely a must buy.

International Cricket 2010 comes with a lot of interesting updates that makes the cricket gaming experience even more entertaining and definitely more realistic. Wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s more difficult (though the ‘hard’ level is significantly tougher than the same in the Ashes game), but there are a few changes in the game play of the 2010 edition that requires the player to be more assertive compared to its predecessor. Just like Ashes - you’re given a wide variety of stadiums (from Eden Gardens, Lords, the MCG etc), as well as choosing the conditions and state of the pitch. Also, yes, you have all formats of the game - Test, T20 and One Day, along with a variety of tournament choices. There is a marked improvement in the graphics as well, though the commentary aspect of the game is still very basic and extremely repetitive.

Test Cricket on International Cricket 2010

Test Cricket on International Cricket 2010

A highlight in International Cricket 2010 (compared to Ashes) is the variety of camera angles you can pick during play. Besides the standard panoramic view that covers the pitch and the inner circle, you also have a very cool 1st person ‘action cam’ that puts you right behind either the bowler or batsman. The ‘action cam’ is innovative and extremely fun to use - being able to scope the field as a batsman and the ability to pan across the field to see where exactly the ball is while running between wickets. There is also more control on where and with how much power you hit a shot using the ‘action cam’. However, it is also a tad bit more complicated - timing is different compared to the 3rd person view and it’s tougher to make out where the ball is being pitched - both as a batsman and a bowler. Also as a batsman, you can’t really tell how long the bowler’s run up is… which again effects timing.

Batting as viewed through the 'Action Cam'

Batting as viewed through the 'Action Cam'

From a game play perspective - as a batsman you have a lot more control of your shots, where now not only do you have the option to defend, attack and loft on the front, back foot and stepping out of the crease - but you also have the ability to determine exactly how much power you use through the analog thumb stick. This is clever because now you can tap the ball for quick singles and of course, the less power you use, the better timing you have along with less chances of losing your wicket. There are a new range of shots added and the graphics on the highlight reel when you hit a boundary are new and improved. Running between wickets is also quite easy - with simple one touch buttons to call for the second or cancel a run… you can also sprint (when things get tight - though you’re compromising energy in return) and diving and sliding the bat in also works a charm.

Bowling has also been modified with game-play being a little tougher in terms of how you pitch the ball in the perfect spot. You’re given the same options of bowling swing, cuts, reverse swing for the pacers, top spin, arm bowls, leg/off spin (with a doosra option when confidence is high) for the spinners. Speed, accuracy and no balls are determined the same way as in the Ashes edition - with the player hitting the button at just the right time as shown in the power meter, the skill and confidence of the bowler determining how quickly the meter moves. One can’t forget the bugs that were prevalent in spin bowling in the Ashes edition, this has been cleared up and there aren’t any ‘cheap’ chances to get easy wickets. That being said if you execute the yorker perfectly with a quick bowler, it can prove to be quite devastating.

Bowling as viewed through the 'Action Cam'

Bowling as viewed through the 'Action Cam'

Fielding and catching is exactly the same as the Ashes edition and we would argue that Codemasters could have made this a little more hands on - differentiating a catch in the slips versus an outfield catch and simple things like the ability to dive to stop a boundary. A serious bug in the game are the cheeky singles batsmen can take when they defend the ball - it would seem the wicketkeeper’s AI is awful, more often than not he’d rather stand behind the wickets and wait for either the bowler or the fielder to throw him the ball versus getting to the ball himself and running out the batsmen. Also, for some reason, it’s virtually impossible to run out the computer… played the game for over a week and I’m yet to get a wicket via a run out.

Now before you ask - there are only original players from England and Australia. That being said, the rest of the teams (just like the Ashes edition) do have all the players with similar names matched with fitting attributes and skills… Tendulkar is Tenhukar (he’s the best batsman in the game, can spin the ball and rarely drops catches), the captain Dhoni is Dhabi (solid middle order batsman with a lot of power), while Yuvraj is Yusuf Sinha (lots of power and great timing, but lacks consistency) - you get the drift. If you’re anal though, there’s a nifty player editor that allows you to change the facial features, skills and names of all the players. So technically, if you have the time, you can change Tenhukar to Tendulkar and even give Bhajji a turban while you’re at it. Another cool aspect of the player editor option, as you complete more trophy challenges, you are given an abundance of options to change the player’s kit (bats, pads, helmet etc). You’re given a wide range of classic cricketing brands such as Gray Nicolls, Kookaburra, Newbury and more to choose from.

Highlights on International Cricket 2010 Image

Highlights on International Cricket 2010

The Flipkart Verdict
All in all this is a brilliant cricket game and absolutely nothing in the market compares. Game-play is spot on, highly entertaining and quite competitive. There have also been seriously marked improvements from all the chinks and bugs in the Ashes edition of the game. Honestly the fact that you don’t have all the official players is not really a negative, because you have an option to change the names and skills of everyone. For those who are IPL obsessed, there is also a T20 League option and again while the teams and players may not be named accurately, they are all based on the IPL teams. The Bangalore Royal Challengers go by the Aces, while the Mumbai Indians go by the Thunders - all the players might not be named correctly, but the ‘fake’ players are all related to the real players that are part of the particular IPL team - Sachin, Duminy, Pollard, Bravo are all available in the Thunders.

Simple things that you don’t usually think about, such as hawk eye, third umpire replays, wagon wheels for batsmen who cross every 25 runs as well as bowling length reviews between overs are all part of International Cricket 2010. Being a country of cricket loving fanatics, who do nothing but judge for every win and loss - here’s your chance to feel exactly what it’s like to be a cricket player rather than just a spectator, in the highest form of the game, of course in the comfort of your couch. It will certainly make you think twice about hurtling abuse at the Indian cricket team when their batting line up collapses in real life. We did have our reservations about Stuart Broad gracing the cover of the game… but that made smacking him for six sixes in an over even sweeter.

Buy Codemasters’ International Cricket 2010 for the PS3 on Flipkart

Watch the International Cricket 2010 Trailer on YOUTUBE

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The Top 10 Greatest Batman Graphic Novels

By Sailen | Published: September 14, 2010

'Hush' artist Jim Lee's Batman

'Hush' artist Jim Lee's Batman

Here we go, Batman graphic novels. Without tooting my own horn, pretty much got them all (because Flipkart provides all the titles and a hole in the wallet as a result). This isn’t just a hobby, it’s an obsession. Batman, unlike many other super heroes such as Spidey and Superman, is human. He wasn’t bitten by some atomic spider, nor is he an alien from out of space, he’s a man, just like you and me. This is what sets him apart from the other heroes and why many of us can relate to him.

Compared to most super hero graphic novels, I would argue it’s the Batman titles that well and truly sit on top. Drenched in dark themes stemming from Bruce Wayne’s parents being murdered right in front of him, his yearning to turnover a city immersed in crime, conflict shrouded in mystery derived from a capable group of psychotic villains and Batman’s own remarkable detective skills and resiliency to never give up… the Batman graphic novel, to say the least is always a treat. Plus, just like in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight, I can never get enough of appearances made by his diabolical adversary, the Joker. He truly is the ultimate villain and a consummate rival for the Dark Knight.

We’ve put together a list of the Top 10 Greatest Batman Graphic Novels… even if you’re not familiar with the character, but enjoy an intense read with great art, this collection is a good place to start.

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1. Batman: Year One

Cover - Batman Year One

Batman’s origin story and the main source of inspiration behind Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. Written by the legendary Frank Miller of Sin City/300 fame, in my opinion, this is the Batman story you must start with. It follows the birth of Bruce Wayne’s career as Batman, as well as, Jim Gordon’s humble beginnings as a member of Gotham City’s Police Department - told in unique parallel story telling from both characters. David Mazzucchelli’s artwork is subtle and retro, while Frank Miller’s storytelling is realistic and gritty and considering this was released in 1987 - much like all of Frank Miller’s work, it’s way ahead of its time. A definite classic.

2. Batman: The Long Halloween

Cover - Batman: The Long HalloweenThis is one of the longest Batman graphic novels available - a proper opus from the all star combination of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale and is nothing short of brilliant. Jeph is a veteran writer for DC comics and Marvel who worked heavily on the TV show Heroes, while you’ll remember Tim Sale’s artwork also from Heroes. I would go out on a limb and say Tim Sale is one of the best Batman illustrators I’ve come across. In terms of continuity, this is the follow up to Batman: Year One. Set very early in Batman’s career, The Long Halloween explores the relationship between the Dark Knight and Harvey Dent, Gotham’s District Attorney who goes on to become Batman’s dreaded enemy Two Face in the same story.

One could say this is very much an origin story for Harvey Dent/Two Face - add a mysterious plot line based around a serial killer with a panache for picking his victims on holidays, set with a mafioso backdrop and what you have is a very entertaining, very complete Batman graphic novel.

Note: I’ve been forced to purchase this twice, both the collectors set and just a regular copy, due to the fact the copy that comes with the Collector Set hasn’t been bound properly and the pages keep falling out. That being said - the Collector Set comes with two very cool action figures of Batman and the Joker designed by Tim Sale - if that’s a reason to go for a horribly bound copy. It might be a better option going with the more expensive library binding edition of The Long Halloween.

3. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Cover - Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Considered to be THE greatest Batman graphic novel, this was Frank Miller’s first go at the Batman story way back in 1986. Brought in by DC to give Batman a darker edge (especially compared to the campy Batman TV series we remember from the 60s); Miller explores an older, weathered Bruce Wayne who has voluntarily retired as the world’s greatest detective for over a decade, only to make a come back in a time when vigilantism is strongly frowned upon by society and media. Everything you love about the Batman story and the characters driven from it is prevalent in The Dark Knight Returns. Personal highlights would be the ‘final’ battle between Batman and Joker, as well as the portrayal of a very complex relationship between Batman and Superman.

What I find amazing is that even though this is 20 years old, it’s still extremely fresh, which is why it’s no surprise this is consistently considered a classic amongst all comic book lovers. This makes for an excellent Batman epilogue and exceptional conclusion to the Dark Knight’s tale.

Note: Avoid Miller’s 2001 sequel that followed, The Dark Knight Strikes Again. For the love of me, I still don’t understand what it’s about. If you’re OCD about having a complete collection though, it does look pretty on the bookshelf and the artwork is stunning.

4. Batman: The Killing Joke

Cover - Batman: The Killing jokeWritten by Alan Moore (Watchmen, From Hell anyone?) and illustrated by Brian Bolland, brutal would be the only way to describe this Batman story. Take that back, The Killing Joke isn’t a Batman story, it’s actually all about the Joker. Violent, twisted and in many ways quite tragic; if you’re looking for the ultimate Batman vs Joker story, this might be it. In fact it has been labeled as the ‘greatest Joker story ever told’ by many a critic. The basic premise from the Joker’s point of view - everyone has a tendency to tip over into an oblivion of madness due to circumstances beyond our control - in this case, this proves to be the backbone for Joker’s origin and his sordid plan running through the story. We’re also given a savage explanation as to why Commissioner Gordon’s daughter Barbara becomes a paraplegic and is forced to retire her alter ego, Batgirl. Masterful dialogue from the legendary Moore, matched by Bolland’s vibrant artwork, a rare glimpse on the Joker’s origin and it’s no surprise why this is considered one of the greatest graphic novels available.

My only gripe? It’s just not long enough.

5. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

Cover - Arkham Asylum - A Serious House on Serious EarthThis one is for all the readers who enjoy quality artwork… the ones who rate graphic above the novel. Dave McKean’s illustrations are vivid, breathtaking and unreal. You’re not going to see Batman and his various counterparts depicted in such surreal and creative fashion anywhere else.  Grant Morrison’s story is macabre, psychological and anarchic much like the artwork. Here, Batman not only faces a number of his enemies (in their purest most psychotic form) but also faces his own inner demons. Isn’t a vigilante who dresses in a bat outfit and is obsessed with fighting crime just as insane as his counterparts? Besides the underlining plot structure of Arkham Asylum being taken over by the inmates led by the Joker; there are also flashbacks of Arkham Asylum’s history and how it becomes Gotham’s loony bin for the criminally insane - these segments in particular are ridiculously creepy.

If a Batman graphic novel could translate into a ‘grade A’ psychological horror movie, then A Serious House on Serious Earth would be the closest thing to it. Recommended for mature readers and with good reason.

6. Batman: Hush Vol. 1 & 2

Cover - Batman: HushBrought to you by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, in terms of DC getting a legendary writer and equally legendary artist to work together - this really is a match made in heaven. The story is modern and the artwork is a testament to this. Without any exaggeration, Jim Lee has completely outdone himself in Hush. The plot has got a bit of everything; flashbacks of Bruce Wayne’s childhood, the love tangle between Batman and Catwoman, the manner in which Bruce Wayne is perceived by Clark Kent and Lois Lane, a colourful collection of villains drawn to mesmerizing contemporary perfection, twists and turns driven from a constantly plotting mystery villain with extensive knowledge of Batman’s identity and past… in Hush, for once it’s not the Joker who is the center of all attention.

Here we have a modern take and a new villain, this is one of the few Batman graphic novels from the turn of the century that is worth reading both for the art and for the story.

Note: Would recommend you buy the complete edition with both Vol 1 and Vol 2 in one package, versus buying them separately.

7. JLA: Tower of Babel

Cover - JLA: Tower of BabelVery much against superhero team ups and prefer to read about them in their individual form, which is why I was a little hesitant about JLA: Tower of Babel. But this ambiguous study of the Dark Knight is quite a telling tale of his character. Fueled by paranoia, Batman has developed a dossier that spells out his JLA teammate’s Achilles’ heals (out of fear that maybe one of them might turn evil). When Ra’s Al Ghul manages to get his hands on the documents, sh** well and truly hits the fan. Wouldn’t go as far as saying this plot line is genius or the art is ‘mind blowing,’ but it’s certainly entertaining. The climax especially, where the JLA are deciding whether Batman can remain a member or not.

Essentially, this tells us exactly how Batman might handle a situation where he finds himself fighting against his peers. Judging by the events in Tower of Babel, it certainly isn’t pretty, even for the mighty Superman.

8. Batman: Knightfall Pt. 1 & Batman: Knightfall Pt. 2

Cover - Batman: Knightfall Part 1This series is epic. What happens when you pit Batman against a villain who is genuinely stronger than him and extremely clinical (unlike the Joker) in his planning of the Caped Crusader’s downfall? The central villain of Knightfall, Bane, might seem to be all brawn - no brains, but he actually proves to be one of Batman’s most formidable foes. Without spoiling anything, you also have the introduction of Jean Paul Valley, who takes over the cape from Bruce Wayne, as a far more violent, far less forgiving Batman. Gotta say, JPV’s modified Batman suit is very cool as well. This graphic novel is action packed and filled with tragedy, but there is also redemption. For the first time Bruce Wayne as Batman is quite literally broken and for the most part defeated.

9. Batman: The Man Who Laughs

Cover - Batman: The Man Who LaughsThe Man Who Laughs tells the story of Batman’s first encounter with the Joker (before he was even referred to as the Joker) and while admittedly this doesn’t really compare with Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke, it’s definitely a must read, especially if you’re a big fan of the perpetually grinning monster. Gruesome artwork depicting all the cardinal components we relate to the Clown Prince are presented in this; his weapon of choice - the toxic gas which kills, mutilates and adds an eerie smile to his victims (the opening pages are really quite scary), the notion that he never really has a concrete plan but rather has an uncanny ability to thrive in chaos, his inclination to convey his maniacal threats to Gotham via TV broadcasts, his utter disregard for human life and more than anything else the thorough ecstasy he feels when he finds himself head to head with Batman.

However, like the Killing Joke, I would argue that this graphic novel just isn’t long enough, but it would seem DC recognize this and have added a Batman Detective story as a filler for the latest edition.

10. Batman: A Death in the Family

Cover - Batman: A Death in the FamilyA Death in the Family made it on this list for two reasons - the first being, this was the first Batman story where the readers determined a character’s outcome with a rather crass dial-in your verdict a la American Idol. In this case, the character in question is (or rather, was) Jason Todd, the second Robin, who had a reputation for being a brat amongst the hardcore Batman fans. The events in A Death in a Family effect Batman significantly and it becomes a running conflict for the hero in the graphic novels that follow. Essentially, this is the turning point in Batman’s relationship with the Joker, where Batman will no longer hesitate to kill his arch enemy versus repeatedly giving him the beating of his life and dumping him into Arkham.

The second reason, Joker really is in full effect here - crazy vicious with a truly diabolical plan that sees him become the UN Ambassador of Iran while being a nuclear weapon smuggler at the same time. A Death in the Family is a real political roller coaster and given when it was published, a fairly accurate sign of the times. If not to see a bad attitude Robin get his ass beat, it’s also fun to see Superman doing all that he can to stop Batman from killing his worst enemy.

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It’s a bit presumptuous to label this the ‘10 Greatest,’ I do understand all of us have different tastes. Which is why, if you feel I’m missing out on any classic Batman tales, please be sure to plug them in the comment section… would love to get a couple of Batman recommendations from you!

I will take the safe route and say this wasn’t compiled in order of preference, but rather a recommendation in which order one could read these novels without getting overtly confused with back stories and such. I will say that Year One, The Long Halloween, The Dark Knight Returns, Hush and The Killing Joke are my personal favorites.

Also, I feel compelled to add a wild card entry at the end of this… The sequel to The Long Halloween, Batman: Dark Victory, again written by Jeph Loeb and illustrated by Tim Sale is just as brilliant as any of the novels mentioned in this list. If you really like The Long Halloween, chances are you’ll love Dark Victory. It works in the introduction of Dick Grayson and the beginnings of the first Robin. Works really well for the OCD collector, because it really is entertaining and isn’t just a book that will sit there unread.

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Book Review: Cantona - The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair

By Sailen | Published: September 10, 2010

Cantona - The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair

Cantona - The Rebel Who Would Be King by Philippe Auclair

The ‘10-’11 English Premier League season is in full swing and we thought it would be a good idea to recommend football based reading. Who better to start with, than the King himself, cult hero Eric Cantona. Yes, there is a bit of Manchester United partiality, but we’d argue this a book for football fans in general, particularly the ones who enjoy English football.

‘Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King’ takes you back to a time before Cristiano Ronaldo’s overdone step overs and even before Beckham could bend it, a time before Russian tycoons and Saudi sheiks bought out teams and transformed them into crass money-spending powerhouses. Here’s the story of a man who single handedly transformed the Premier League, along with his team Manchester United, purely by playing the game with sheer class and conviction, granted with a fiery temper.

Cantona’s story is a remarkable one, but rarely told accurately - a player who was has been infamous for many things (particularly a certain kung fu kick at an abusing fan), and at the same time a player who has had monumental impact on the game. Described as a temperamental gypsy genius during his years in the French league, jumping from one club to the other for a variety of reasons - including to be closer to the love of his life during his early years as a professional, it goes without saying Cantona was a football player full of character. The story becomes even more fascinating when he eventually finds a stable home in Manchester United, a perfect hunting ground in Old Trafford and a father figure in long standing Red Devil coach Alex Ferguson. More than anything else, it’s a rarity to read about a Frenchman commanding so much respect from Englishmen - as one learns in the book, in the EPL it’s not race that matters, but rather, how well you are able to dominate on the football pitch and Eric Cantona dominated.

Taking you on a wonderful journey where you’re given deep insight into Cantona’s highs and lows through his career as a footballer - the talisman of Manchester United could be regarded as an enigma. There aren’t too many books that depict his life as accurately as this one does. Relationships with his numerous coaches and the teams he played for are supported by various tell-all interviews conducted by the author through the years, there are colourful descriptions of pretty much every goal he’s scored as Auclair has done his fair share of research by watching pretty much every game Cantona has played. The reader is also treated to rare insight behind his exclusion from the French national side during the peak of his career, something which has been a recurring question in the football fan’s mind. It’s been well over a decade since Cantona retired from football and yet he is far from forgotten - he’s a footballer who has left us with many memories.

‘The Rebel Who Would Be King’ is an in depth look into the life of football’s greatest and perhaps most misunderstood player. Sports writing tends be very objective, especially when it isn’t an autobiography… but Philippe Auclair’s biography on Eric Cantona is extremely well researched and also beautiful written. From kung fu kicks to Premier League glory - the long awaited Cantona story is here!

Excerpt from ‘Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King’: Just inside Sunderland’s half, harnessed by Ord and Ball, he (Cantona) set himself free with a stupendous double feint, somehow found McClair, who instantly returned the ball to him, which, still running, he chipped from 18 yards over the head of his former Nimes teammate Lionel Perez. What is extraordinary is that Eric found a way to stop without stopping, slowing down imperceptibly to compose himself and brush the underside of the ball with his bootlaces, sending it to the only spot where the rushing ‘keeper couldn’t reach it. The celebration was almost as memorable as the goal. Eric, affecting a haughty inscrutability, did nothing but straighten his back and puff out his chest, a Roman impersonator savouring his triumph: all that was missing was David Beckham holding the laurels above his shaved head. Then Cantona broke into a beautiful smile, as if to say: ‘Did you see that one? Did you see?’ How could you not love such a player?

Watch the Cantona goal described in the excerpt from the Rebel Who Would Be King

Buy ‘Cantona - The Rebel Who Would Be King’ on Flipkart

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Interview: Calling Anish, Anish Trivedi!

By Sailen | Published: September 8, 2010
Book Cover - Call Me Dan by Anish Trivedi

Call Me Dan by Anish Trivedi - A novel about a non-hero in modern India

Recently chosen by the Hindu as a ‘PrintPick’ in fiction - Anish Trivedi’s debut novel ‘Call Me Dan’ is causing a stir amongst readers and critics alike. Wry, cynical, funny - it tells the tale of modern India through the eyes of call centre employee and seemingly doomed Casanova, Gautam Joshi or as he likes to go by, Daniel - the suave alter ego that he’s able to live vicariously through.

‘Call Me Dan’ is a no-frills portrait of India’s confused Generation Y - where it would seem the age of 30 is now the new 21, and matters of love and success always seem to be up in the air. Gautam Joshi is misanthropic protagonist who mirrors a  generation of young Indian men who lap up professional (and sexual) opportunities that were once not available to their fathers and yet scoff at the fact they’re still living in their father’s home. It is the story of the average Indian Joe coming to terms with the fact that most of us are not cut out to be super stars, but rather, destined to a life of inadequacy.

In the words of the author; “Gautam Joshi is not a wizard, nor a great warrior. But then no one is. Not anymore. He is just a funny man, with funny thoughts, and were he to look at it closely enough for a moment, a funny life. That is who we are. Men and women with flaws, faults and failures. And it is these stories that tell the world about the world in which we live.”* The novel roots itself in a burgeoning lower middle class who welcome the influx of western influence and at the same time grapple with the traditional Indian values they’ve been brought up on.  It’s the new age Indian dichotomy, where a girl is labeled a ‘half naked bar girl’ by her mother because she wears a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and yet, she is also a professional with a respectable job and stable income, who doesn’t rely on an arranged marriage as a future investment prospect.

‘Call Me Dan’ is so authentic in its nuances you can literally smell the thick Bombay air. The choppy dialogue is drenched in sarcasm coupled with hilarious first person commentary, emphasizing racy themes of a modern India flipping the bird at a bygone era and all the people who come from it. Far from pretentious, Trivedi’s style is a class above the run of the mill popcorn literature coming out of India… there probably won’t be a snazzy Bollywood movie adaptation of this, but the book is refreshing because of its conventional subjects and works for perfect easy reading.

Anish Trivedi might not light a path of inspiration or even urge the reader to find ‘true’ love, but he will have you laughing and more importantly empathizing, because in someway or the other, we’ve all been in Gautam’s shoes (maybe not so much his sexcapades as his life in general). And it’s not just Gautam; it’s his sister, his girlfriend, his parents, his drinking buddies, his co workers… these are characters we can well and truly connect with. Stripped down, these characters are essentially us, you and me.

In Pic: Anish Trivedi at Call Me Dan's Mumbai launch - Image

In Pic: Anish Trivedi at Call Me Dan's Mumbai launch

*Excerpt taken from Anish Trivedi’s column “The Everyman” in the August 2010 issue of Elle Magazine

In an exclusive interview with Flipkart - Anish Trivedi discusses his diverse professional background, the emergence of a new India, the western effect on traditional Indian values, three reasons why we should read ‘Call Me Dan,’ the key to finding true love (or not), his decision to write fiction instead of nonfiction and much more…

Wall Street suit, radio jock, TV anchor, media guru - you’re someone with a lot of things to say with a wide variety of experience, but for those who aren’t familiar with you, who is Anish Trivedi?
I guess Anish Trivedi is now someone who does what he enjoys. The experience, whether it was as a partner at a Wall Street investment bank, or as a VJ, has helped in fostering my somewhat jaundiced view of the world. I’m cynical, I’m suspicious, I’m convinced there is no goodness in human nature. But I like being a chronicler of life around me. The characters in my plays, and my novel, ‘Call Me Dan,’ lead lives that are no fantasy, they are as real as the ones we all have, hoping in this slightly imperfect world to find some moments of joy. I guess I am too.

From investment banking to every facet of media - now an acclaimed writer, is there a reason you are constantly reinventing your career path?
Finishing university in the 80’s meant following a career path that was pretty narrow. With degrees in economics and international relations, I went down the banking route, ending up 15 years later as a partner at Oppenheimer on Wall Street. Fortunately there was enough madness in me that let me say, after those 15 years, that I was going to make a hobby a profession. I love radio, always have, so from hosting one of the most listened-to shows on the air at the time, to running a business with my partner, Dipika Roy, that programmes and runs radio stations around the world, I keep that part of me constant. Television was a natural extension, but apart from a stint as a VJ on Channel V’s Mangta Hai, most of the work I’ve done there has been anchoring business shows for CNBC, CNN and PBS.  And of course there’s the writing, whether it’s the columns and articles in publications, or the plays, or now a novel. If it seems like it’ll be fun and it seems like I’ll do it reasonably well, I’ll try it. Of course, since I’m no longer an investment banker, my father thinks I’m unemployed.

Who or what gave you the final push to publish your first novel?
The fact that I bound myself to a contractual obligation and cashed a cheque for an advance! Penguin took a huge bet in commissioning me to write a book without a word being put on paper. I think I started writing a novel 12 years ago, but never got past the first paragraph. Fortunately. Had I actually written that, it would have languished unpublished all these years, and I’d never have sat down to write ‘Call Me Dan’. This time, my editor Prita Maitra, who was then at Penguin, convinced me it was time to try again. She got me to agree, got me to sign a contract, and then waited patiently for a year until I finally started writing.

Three reasons why we should pick up ‘Call Me Dan’ and give it a read.
First, it’s a novel about India today, about a generation that will fuel this country going forward. It’s set in Mumbai, but the story is true of any city. It’s urban life, urban love, in today’s world. And we’re all looking for life and love no matter where we live. Second, it’s a funny book. I didn’t start off trying to write a funny story, I didn’t see this in the humour genre, but it just happens that the protagonist is a funny guy in a funny world, even though at times it seems like it’s falling apart. Third, this is us, you and me. These are people we know, people we like, people we sometimes want to be, sometimes wish we weren’t.

In a nutshell - could you tell us the basic premise of ‘Call Me Dan’?
In a nutshell? Young man looks for love, happiness and a better life in a changing world, a changing society. Just as India is going through a shift economically, culturally and socially, the lives of an entire generation are caught in flux. On the one hand there is the tradition in which we are steeped which still shapes our lives, particularly in our homes and with our families; on the other there is the economic independence that India’s youth now have, something that was never available to their parents, something that empowers them in ways that were never possible; and then there is the change in society around us, where it is socially acceptable for a couple to hold hands and kiss in a crowded bar in the presence of their friends, but not at home in front of their families. Gautam is growing up in this world, and he’s hoping to make the most of it while coping with the change around him.

How much of Gautam’s/Dan’s experiences can you personally relate to… was there someone in particular you had in mind when you developed his character?
I know it’s not supposed to happen in a first novel, that I should have delved into my life to come up with characters and situations, but there is nothing autobiographical in ‘Call Me Dan’. The people, the things they do, the things that happen to them, they’re entirely fictitious. Isn’t that what a novelist is supposed to have? Imagination? Otherwise we’d just push out those first novels that chronicle our lives, and then find we’ve run out things to say.

Call centres have become the setting of choice for the new generation of Indian authors - why do you think this industry continues to fascinate the Indian readership?
‘Call Me Dan’ really has very little to do with the call centre industry. The protagonist works in one, which allows me to give him the duality in some parts of his life, but I think that would have been equally possible had he worked at a bank. It’s about life, not life in a call centre.

One of the main themes in ‘Call Me Dan’ is the amalgamation of western culture in India and the conflict it poses on traditional Indian values - what’s your personal perception of this and it’s effect on the urban Indian? Should we be welcoming of the fact that the new generation would much rather eat a Maharaja Mac in McDonalds over a vada pav from a local street vendor?
I think we give the new generation too little credit for knowing what they want. I think they’re as comfortable eating at a street cart as they are drinking in a bar or having coffee at Costa. The fact that they have both the vada pav and the Maharaja Mac available to them says more for the economic change that we’re witnessing in the country than a social one. The conflict that remains in their lives is the one Gautam faces in ‘Call Me Dan’; of a dichotomy in values in his world. His life is one that includes the occasional one night stand, but his sister should be considering an arranged marriage. His Catholic girlfriend has to contend with constant reminders that her family is most displeased about her dating a Gujarati man. They both are slightly uncomfortable with pre-marital sex, but see nothing wrong in letting their friends know they’re sleeping together. The change that we face is cultural, not commercial.

The arranged marriage vs the one night stand - two very different means to find true love, and another inner conflict (if you will) posed in your book, what’s your personal opinion on the state of finding true love in India. Is it as easy as mommy and daddy finding us the perfect match? Do you think there is a little more to it?
Oh, hell, I’m a firm believer in true love, in love at first sight, in the durability of a commitment made. But then I’m a closet romantic under the cynicism. I think we all look for that one person who is going to make our lives complete, and sometimes life surprises us and actually lets us find her or him. An arranged marriage may well lead to love, certainly some level of affection, but that’s a benefit that isn’t uppermost in most couples’ minds when they enter matrimony because their parents found them a match. And I somehow suspect that the one night stand is more a means to slaking lust than finding true love, unless men and women have changed drastically since I was last anywhere close to that situation. I think love is an absolute. If you find it, it is all you need, all you want. And I think it’s the one thing we should never stop seeking.

Unlike many CEOs and industry leaders who feel the need to pen down their own life stories, or their own philosophies - why did you take the plunge into fiction instead of nonfiction?
I have no illusion that my life is of any interest to a reading public. Nor are my personal philosophies. For me writing about those would be self-indulgence. I’d rather write a book that people want to start, and finish, reading because they get pleasure from it.

Every writer has their own process - what are your quirky habits when you sit down and get writing?
None that you’d consider too quirky. I go for walks while constructing the pages ahead in my mind, then I sit down to write them. But I do like a cigar while I’m writing. It helps me think.

What have been some of the books that have changed your life and why?
When I was young enough to be impressionable, I had a tutor who said to me, “Don’t read good books. Life is too short. Read the best.” Good advice. If you’ve chosen well, every book changes your life in some way.

Which authors have inspired you to become a published writer?
None that I can name, in that sense. There are always words that I will read and wish that I had written them. But if I am to give credit for my writing, it’s not to another author, but to my partner Dipika Roy. She goaded me into writing my first play, worked with me until it worth putting on stage, and then agreed to act in it. She did the same with the next play. And then convinced Prita that I was a good writer and one that Penguin should consider adding to their catalogue.

Are there any Indian authors in particular you think are special?
There are a number of Indian authors whose work I like. But special? I think special is a word you use when you talk about Shakespeare and Steinbeck. I’m a big fan of authors from another age.

Is there any advice you would give budding writers looking to get their story out?
It’s probably a bit early for me to be giving advice, as a first time novelist myself. But I will say this: write for yourself. I began writing weekly columns in newspapers, and found I enjoyed writing, and that I could find a style that appealed to me and to my readers. That led to the plays, and finally to Call Me Dan. None of my writing is thought through with an audience in mind. If it does find readers, that’s terrific. If it finds readers that enjoy it, that’s even better. But you have to love your own work. Unless you do, you’re never going to be any good at it.

~~

Buy ‘Call Me Dan’ on Flipkart

Mumbai Boss’ review of ‘Call Me Dan’ by Deepanjana Pal

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Posted in Tête-à-Tête | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Flipkart Noob Says Hello!

By Sailen | Published: August 31, 2010

You must be wondering, where’s Tapas? Well, I’ve encroached his territory (hopefully not like a bad rash)! Joined Flipkart a couple of days back and what you read about the work environment at the FlipKart HQ is spot on – cool as ice CEOs, a welcoming HR department (it’s not often you get a reply when you email careers@randomcompany.com, or get sent flowers and chocolates on your first day), a cook who serves us hot boondas, idliis, rolls and dosas in the evenings, and yes, a Wii which is being played in full force. Always been a huge fan of reading and books (I like to think the BFA in Literature and Creative Writing attests to to this) – so you can imagine I feel right at home over here.

Thought it would be appropriate to talk about my first experience with Flipkart. I’ve been a comic book/graphic novel collector for about 15 years now (wow, I’m getting old). While availability is decent in India, there have been a fair few titles I had been hounding for, which I was convinced I could only get my hands on from abroad. Around a year back, I noticed a friend raving about the services of Flipkart on Facebook… status message and all. So I thought, let’s give it a try, after all it’s only a click away (versus the hour drive to various bookstores).

Now this might seem a little biased considering I’m now an employee, but the website had me up all night. I kept thinking of as many obscure titles that I could. Graphic novels and books which I would bet my life on I couldn’t find. But what do you know, I found, I found and I found on Flipkart. Batman: The Killing Joke, a title I had been looking for in India for a good three years was officially my first Flipkart purchase. Much to my surprise, they said two weeks and it was at my doorstep bang on time, maybe even earlier. Not a long wait, by all means, considering I’d been looking for it for years. Believe it or not, this was also my first on line purchase in over 5 years, my first in India. So yes, my expectations were low, but wow did they deliver on all fronts. Kept thinking to myself, how do they make money? Big discounts and free shipping - what’s the catch? Essentially, this is a company that has got the formula right.  My few experiences have always been spot on and positive… which is why I was hungry to join the company. This is a service I truly believe in.

Posted in Inside the Cart | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Technoholik Shootout: Indian Online Bookstores Compared

By Tapas | Published: August 12, 2010

While we’ve been busy getting our house in order to accommodate for Movies, Music, Mobiles and Games, The ET Now Technoholik crew have been doing some recce of their own. Someone Ms. Sneha Johari decided to review a few online bookstores in the great Battle of the Online Book Stores in India:

Round One: Design and Usability
Key Takeaway: “We are an awesomely organized excel sheet!” #best-backhand-ever!

Round Two: Collection of Books
Key Takeaway: “Aldous Huxley came through for us. Support Soma.”

Round Three: Transaction & Payment
Key Takeaway: “Cash on delivery!”

Round Four: Packaging & Delivery
Key Takeaway: “72 hour turn-around-time.”

This probably aired sometime last week, and also last evening (possible it was a rerun), because I got a bunch of mails about it. Here are a couple (edited for brevity):

Dear Tapas,

I was watching “Technoholik” on ETNow now. I was very happy to see Flipkart scoring on all fronts as compared to all other related websites. Congratulations on this success.

The first time I happened to see your website, I was in love for it. Today when I heard the anchor use the same words, I somehow felt very proud of myself.

Great once again. Nice to be associated with this website emotionally.

- Milind Agrawal

–X–

This week, ET Now, a business TV channel, conducted a comparision study of three online book stores in India. Flipkart was one of them. I waited with baited breath as I had not even heard of the other two, much less make use of their services. Also, the other online bookstore that I have looked at is *******.com, which did not feature in this TV program.

You must have been thrilled to have been voted No.1. My experience with you certainly makes me agree wholeheartedly. The recent changes you have made on your website in the “Book Details” section, including displaying the Revision Number of the book if it is a textbook, are also very welcome. I was eagerly awaiting those changes and was very pleasantly surprised.

Congratulations, once again. Remain customer-focused, and you’ll reach greater heights.

K.K. Subramanian

Raising a toast to Ms. Sneha Johari and others who contributed in bringing this together, on #technoholik.

And review or otherwise, I salute everyone who makes any of this possible. Every single day.

Posted in Inside the Cart | Tagged , , | 8 Comments