first of all and extremely humble for being invited to this August platform by
being invited to this August platform by
being invited to this August platform by TEDx Chet Carroll University and so made
TEDx Chet Carroll University and so made
TEDx Chet Carroll University and so made Walia
Walia
Walia I would like to introduce myself
I would like to introduce myself
I would like to introduce myself I have Nandita Puri I’m a journalist
I have Nandita Puri I’m a journalist
I have Nandita Puri I’m a journalist writer but most of all 25 years of my
writer but most of all 25 years of my
writer but most of all 25 years of my life I have shared my life with one of
life I have shared my life with one of
life I have shared my life with one of the world’s legendary actors Shri Om
the world’s legendary actors Shri Om
the world’s legendary actors Shri Om Puri so most of the time I am the better
Puri so most of the time I am the better
Puri so most of the time I am the better half of ohm Puri in fact while while I
half of ohm Puri in fact while while I
half of ohm Puri in fact while while I came here just a while ago someone said
came here just a while ago someone said
came here just a while ago someone said this is Nandita Puri so some oh hi yes
this is Nandita Puri so some oh hi yes
this is Nandita Puri so some oh hi yes and what do you do I said I’m a writer
and what do you do I said I’m a writer
and what do you do I said I’m a writer journalist oh and then someone said he
journalist oh and then someone said he
journalist oh and then someone said he is OMGs wife said oh of course
is OMGs wife said oh of course
is OMGs wife said oh of course so that is the that is something I’ve
so that is the that is something I’ve
so that is the that is something I’ve been living with for the last 25 years
been living with for the last 25 years
been living with for the last 25 years despite me being a writer to be known as
despite me being a writer to be known as
despite me being a writer to be known as mrs. Om Puri Puri survived OMGs wife
mrs. Om Puri Puri survived OMGs wife
mrs. Om Puri Puri survived OMGs wife whatever I of course don’t graduate one
whatever I of course don’t graduate one
whatever I of course don’t graduate one bit and I’ve been very honored to have
bit and I’ve been very honored to have
bit and I’ve been very honored to have shared the life with one of the living
shared the life with one of the living
shared the life with one of the living legends in the world but today of course
legends in the world but today of course
legends in the world but today of course I’m going to tell you my story since
I’m going to tell you my story since
I’m going to tell you my story since dead-dead is all about storytelling I’m
dead-dead is all about storytelling I’m
dead-dead is all about storytelling I’m a writer and I’m a storyteller and I’m
a writer and I’m a storyteller and I’m
a writer and I’m a storyteller and I’m going to talk about writing what is
going to talk about writing what is
going to talk about writing what is writing writing everyone says is the
writing writing everyone says is the
writing writing everyone says is the world’s slowest profession and perhaps
world’s slowest profession and perhaps
world’s slowest profession and perhaps the most ill paying profession in fact
the most ill paying profession in fact
the most ill paying profession in fact when my son was small and someone asked
when my son was small and someone asked
when my son was small and someone asked him he must have been about six or seven
him he must have been about six or seven
him he must have been about six or seven what would you or what do you want to be
what would you or what do you want to be
what would you or what do you want to be when you grow up and he said I want to
when you grow up and he said I want to
when you grow up and he said I want to be a good character actor like my father
be a good character actor like my father
be a good character actor like my father so the person said oh but don’t you want
so the person said oh but don’t you want
so the person said oh but don’t you want to be a writer like your mother and he
to be a writer like your mother and he
to be a writer like your mother and he said yeah in my old age selecting is
said yeah in my old age selecting is
said yeah in my old age selecting is normally considered an old-age
normally considered an old-age
normally considered an old-age profession
profession
profession profession which is slow which is not
profession which is slow which is not
profession which is slow which is not pay not whelping and I don’t know
pay not whelping and I don’t know
pay not whelping and I don’t know whether I am qualified enough to talk on
whether I am qualified enough to talk on
whether I am qualified enough to talk on writing because I’ve been a journalist
writing because I’ve been a journalist
writing because I’ve been a journalist for more than 25 years and I am perhaps
for more than 25 years and I am perhaps
for more than 25 years and I am perhaps an unqualified journalist I have not
an unqualified journalist I have not
an unqualified journalist I have not been to a school of journalism I learned
been to a school of journalism I learned
been to a school of journalism I learned on the job and I don’t know whether I’m
on the job and I don’t know whether I’m
on the job and I don’t know whether I’m qualified to speak so I’ll talk about my
qualified to speak so I’ll talk about my
qualified to speak so I’ll talk about my life story
life story
life story so that you can figure out the young
so that you can figure out the young
so that you can figure out the young students that how and where how to take
students that how and where how to take
students that how and where how to take what to take and what to ignore I
what to take and what to ignore I
what to take and what to ignore I started off I’m from Bengal Calcutta I
started off I’m from Bengal Calcutta I
started off I’m from Bengal Calcutta I started out in a very middle-class
started out in a very middle-class
started out in a very middle-class simple academic family not very rich
simple academic family not very rich
simple academic family not very rich obviously and studies was a main main
obviously and studies was a main main
obviously and studies was a main main focus I went to a boarding school and
focus I went to a boarding school and
focus I went to a boarding school and Chandan Nagar which was a former French
Chandan Nagar which was a former French
Chandan Nagar which was a former French colony like Pondicherry so we called it
colony like Pondicherry so we called it
colony like Pondicherry so we called it Shannon ago and French was our second
Shannon ago and French was our second
Shannon ago and French was our second language
language
language after I passed out from school my father
after I passed out from school my father
after I passed out from school my father I lost my father very early when I was
I lost my father very early when I was
I lost my father very early when I was in my early teens
in my early teens
in my early teens and my mother was the central government
and my mother was the central government
and my mother was the central government our you know officer and there was not
our you know officer and there was not
our you know officer and there was not much money to be thrown around so
much money to be thrown around so
much money to be thrown around so obviously I went and did the regular
obviously I went and did the regular
obviously I went and did the regular thing of you know studying doing my
thing of you know studying doing my
thing of you know studying doing my graduation those days no one really went
graduation those days no one really went
graduation those days no one really went into journalism people all became
into journalism people all became
into journalism people all became lawyers engineers teachers doctors you
lawyers engineers teachers doctors you
lawyers engineers teachers doctors you know the more profitable so writing and
know the more profitable so writing and
know the more profitable so writing and journalism was not considered that
journalism was not considered that
journalism was not considered that profitable those days anyway after my
profitable those days anyway after my
profitable those days anyway after my graduation I decided to take a gap year
graduation I decided to take a gap year
graduation I decided to take a gap year between my B and my MA that was the time
between my B and my MA that was the time
between my B and my MA that was the time I ran into a newspaper office in rushed
I ran into a newspaper office in rushed
I ran into a newspaper office in rushed into a newspaper office in Calcutta
into a newspaper office in Calcutta
into a newspaper office in Calcutta called the Telegraph and I went to one
called the Telegraph and I went to one
called the Telegraph and I went to one of my seniors from college who was
of my seniors from college who was
of my seniors from college who was interning there as a sub and I said you
interning there as a sub and I said you
interning there as a sub and I said you know I’m putting in my CV will you
know I’m putting in my CV will you
know I’m putting in my CV will you please take me in as a sub and one of
please take me in as a sub and one of
please take me in as a sub and one of the reasons for interning was they were
the reasons for interning was they were
the reasons for interning was they were paying and this is in the 90s 2500
paying and this is in the 90s 2500
paying and this is in the 90s 2500 rupees per month do
rupees per month do
rupees per month do teach you to train you as well as pay
teach you to train you as well as pay
teach you to train you as well as pay you so I thought that was very exciting
you so I thought that was very exciting
you so I thought that was very exciting my friend who was my senior and I’m ever
my friend who was my senior and I’m ever
my friend who was my senior and I’m ever grateful to her she said yeah I’ll put
grateful to her she said yeah I’ll put
grateful to her she said yeah I’ll put in your CV and you’ll get in but tell me
in your CV and you’ll get in but tell me
in your CV and you’ll get in but tell me seriously do you want to sit in a
seriously do you want to sit in a
seriously do you want to sit in a newspaper office and correct other
newspaper office and correct other
newspaper office and correct other people’s shit for the rest of your life
people’s shit for the rest of your life
people’s shit for the rest of your life because you may be a sub for the next
because you may be a sub for the next
because you may be a sub for the next four years five years or do you want to
four years five years or do you want to
four years five years or do you want to write I said I want a report I want to
write I said I want a report I want to
write I said I want a report I want to write she said do you want to see her
write she said do you want to see her
write she said do you want to see her byline then go and do a story luckily
byline then go and do a story luckily
byline then go and do a story luckily that was a major decision first made
that was a major decision first made
that was a major decision first made your decision I took in my life I said
your decision I took in my life I said
your decision I took in my life I said I’m not going to intern I’m I ran
I’m not going to intern I’m I ran
I’m not going to intern I’m I ran straight into the the editor’s office I
straight into the the editor’s office I
straight into the the editor’s office I came up with some story ideas he was not
came up with some story ideas he was not
came up with some story ideas he was not convinced he gave me some other brief
convinced he gave me some other brief
convinced he gave me some other brief and story ideas and he said go and see
and story ideas and he said go and see
and story ideas and he said go and see let’s see how well you can get this
let’s see how well you can get this
let’s see how well you can get this together so then I went out it was a
together so then I went out it was a
together so then I went out it was a difficult piece it was a difficult
difficult piece it was a difficult
difficult piece it was a difficult interview but I went out did it got back
interview but I went out did it got back
interview but I went out did it got back he didn’t say anything but two weeks
he didn’t say anything but two weeks
he didn’t say anything but two weeks later was published with my byline and
later was published with my byline and
later was published with my byline and that became my greed is car you know
that became my greed is car you know
that became my greed is car you know Cheska lagertha and I wanted to continue
Cheska lagertha and I wanted to continue
Cheska lagertha and I wanted to continue writing reporting writing and see my
writing reporting writing and see my
writing reporting writing and see my byline
byline
byline this went on luckily I learned a lot of
this went on luckily I learned a lot of
this went on luckily I learned a lot of things on the job my editors were you
things on the job my editors were you
things on the job my editors were you know they helped me out and they gave me
know they helped me out and they gave me
know they helped me out and they gave me a lot of feedbacks like once being a
a lot of feedbacks like once being a
a lot of feedbacks like once being a freelance and being too eager I took one
freelance and being too eager I took one
freelance and being too eager I took one article and I so I mean I sold it to the
article and I so I mean I sold it to the
article and I so I mean I sold it to the Telegraph and the same article I went
Telegraph and the same article I went
Telegraph and the same article I went and sold it to the Statesman the two
and sold it to the Statesman the two
and sold it to the Statesman the two rival papers of the city and it came out
rival papers of the city and it came out
rival papers of the city and it came out within two or three days of each other
within two or three days of each other
within two or three days of each other and the editor of The Statesman called
and the editor of The Statesman called
and the editor of The Statesman called me and fired me he said you don’t do
me and fired me he said you don’t do
me and fired me he said you don’t do things like that you either sell it
things like that you either sell it
things like that you either sell it after three weeks four weeks or you
after three weeks four weeks or you
after three weeks four weeks or you changed the whole thing you don’t you
changed the whole thing you don’t you
changed the whole thing you don’t you can’t have you know the same author on
can’t have you know the same author on
can’t have you know the same author on the same subject so these are the little
the same subject so these are the little
the same subject so these are the little things I learned how to go back how to
things I learned how to go back how to
things I learned how to go back how to interview those were the pre-computer
interview those were the pre-computer
interview those were the pre-computer days free Wikipedia days and we were you
days free Wikipedia days and we were you
days free Wikipedia days and we were you know hammering on an old typewriter and
know hammering on an old typewriter and
know hammering on an old typewriter and despite all the difficulties one managed
despite all the difficulties one managed
despite all the difficulties one managed one learnt then of course up in 1991-92
one learnt then of course up in 1991-92
one learnt then of course up in 1991-92 was before most of you were born who a
was before most of you were born who a
was before most of you were born who a city of joy you know the role in Java
city of joy you know the role in Java
city of joy you know the role in Java film which had Patrick Swayze who had
film which had Patrick Swayze who had
film which had Patrick Swayze who had just won an Oscar for dirty dancing so
just won an Oscar for dirty dancing so
just won an Oscar for dirty dancing so he was down and everyone was excited in
he was down and everyone was excited in
he was down and everyone was excited in Calcutta every girl thought he you know
Calcutta every girl thought he you know
Calcutta every girl thought he you know he would love to they would love to
he would love to they would love to
he would love to they would love to would Patrick so I went to Meritor and I
would Patrick so I went to Meritor and I
would Patrick so I went to Meritor and I said can I do a story on Patrick Swayze
said can I do a story on Patrick Swayze
said can I do a story on Patrick Swayze so my editor said no way there are
so my editor said no way there are
so my editor said no way there are others doing more qualified more senior
others doing more qualified more senior
others doing more qualified more senior than you so why don’t you do something
than you so why don’t you do something
than you so why don’t you do something you go and interview on puri and I said
you go and interview on puri and I said
you go and interview on puri and I said home puri of course I’ve seen his films
home puri of course I’ve seen his films
home puri of course I’ve seen his films and I had a lot of regards I said okay I
and I had a lot of regards I said okay I
and I had a lot of regards I said okay I went I you know read up a bit about Om
went I you know read up a bit about Om
went I you know read up a bit about Om Puri I had seen his films I went and
Puri I had seen his films I went and
Puri I had seen his films I went and interviewed him and that ended up in one
interviewed him and that ended up in one
interviewed him and that ended up in one big long interview so that’s you know
big long interview so that’s you know
big long interview so that’s you know where you met and we married and then
where you met and we married and then
where you met and we married and then soon after marriage ohm told me now you
soon after marriage ohm told me now you
soon after marriage ohm told me now you have to decide do you want to continue
have to decide do you want to continue
have to decide do you want to continue journalism because if you’re going to be
journalism because if you’re going to be
journalism because if you’re going to be active journalism if you’re going to be
active journalism if you’re going to be
active journalism if you’re going to be an active journalist you’ll never be
an active journalist you’ll never be
an active journalist you’ll never be able to you know it’d be very difficult
able to you know it’d be very difficult
able to you know it’d be very difficult you won’t be with me won’t be at home
you won’t be with me won’t be at home
you won’t be with me won’t be at home I’m traveling all over the world and
I’m traveling all over the world and
I’m traveling all over the world and tell me I don’t think you’ll be able to
tell me I don’t think you’ll be able to
tell me I don’t think you’ll be able to earn the amount I earn and I said of
earn the amount I earn and I said of
earn the amount I earn and I said of course five years what I earn you’ll
course five years what I earn you’ll
course five years what I earn you’ll probably run in a month so that was the
probably run in a month so that was the
probably run in a month so that was the second decision I made after the first
second decision I made after the first
second decision I made after the first decision to write and not sit and you
decision to write and not sit and you
decision to write and not sit and you know sub the second decision was yes I
know sub the second decision was yes I
know sub the second decision was yes I want to be out and I want to travel with
want to be out and I want to travel with
want to be out and I want to travel with my husband be around have a family and
my husband be around have a family and
my husband be around have a family and things like that and I knew I wouldn’t
things like that and I knew I wouldn’t
things like that and I knew I wouldn’t ever earn as much as you know an actor
ever earn as much as you know an actor
ever earn as much as you know an actor and of course this went on I went all
and of course this went on I went all
and of course this went on I went all over traveled with him he was shooting
over traveled with him he was shooting
over traveled with him he was shooting with Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas
with Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas
with Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas and the major actors you know and Tom
and the major actors you know and Tom
and the major actors you know and Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts so I said I was
Hanks and Julia Roberts so I said I was
Hanks and Julia Roberts so I said I was excited I was travelling but after about
excited I was travelling but after about
excited I was travelling but after about three four months I got a little tired
three four months I got a little tired
three four months I got a little tired of just travelling and being a celebrity
of just travelling and being a celebrity
of just travelling and being a celebrity wife and you know just getting out of
wife and you know just getting out of
wife and you know just getting out of the hotel
the hotel
the hotel you know sitting at the studio watching
you know sitting at the studio watching
you know sitting at the studio watching shoots take after take so I decided I
shoots take after take so I decided I
shoots take after take so I decided I called up my journal my editor and she
called up my journal my editor and she
called up my journal my editor and she in fact called me and she said you’re
in fact called me and she said you’re
in fact called me and she said you’re traveling all over the world and you’re
traveling all over the world and you’re
traveling all over the world and you’re travelling all over India so why don’t
travelling all over India so why don’t
travelling all over India so why don’t you write I said no no no it’s not easy
you write I said no no no it’s not easy
you write I said no no no it’s not easy you know I’m traveling to remote places
you know I’m traveling to remote places
you know I’m traveling to remote places for shooting hissing write about those
for shooting hissing write about those
for shooting hissing write about those places write about the people the arts
places write about the people the arts
places write about the people the arts the crafts so I said yes why not
the crafts so I said yes why not
the crafts so I said yes why not so as I was traveling for the next two
so as I was traveling for the next two
so as I was traveling for the next two years I found an opportunity within the
years I found an opportunity within the
years I found an opportunity within the situation
situation
situation I started drop writing travel pieces
I started drop writing travel pieces
I started drop writing travel pieces travel logs so for two years I did that
travel logs so for two years I did that
travel logs so for two years I did that then one day a very senior editor told
then one day a very senior editor told
then one day a very senior editor told me hey you met Jack Nicholson you met
me hey you met Jack Nicholson you met
me hey you met Jack Nicholson you met Michael Douglas and you met you know all
Michael Douglas and you met you know all
Michael Douglas and you met you know all of them so why don’t you give us
of them so why don’t you give us
of them so why don’t you give us interviews that’ll be like a great scoop
interviews that’ll be like a great scoop
interviews that’ll be like a great scoop I said hello
I said hello
I said hello the first time I met Jack Nicholson and
the first time I met Jack Nicholson and
the first time I met Jack Nicholson and we were having a cup of coffee together
we were having a cup of coffee together
we were having a cup of coffee together and like a very over enthusiastic
and like a very over enthusiastic
and like a very over enthusiastic journalist I said can I do your
journalist I said can I do your
journalist I said can I do your interview he said no so I said that is
interview he said no so I said that is
interview he said no so I said that is the answer you get because they have the
the answer you get because they have the
the answer you get because they have the gamut of publicists and they decide on
gamut of publicists and they decide on
gamut of publicists and they decide on the questions he said who’s telling you
the questions he said who’s telling you
the questions he said who’s telling you to go and interview them just travel
to go and interview them just travel
to go and interview them just travel with them see them observe them and
with them see them observe them and
with them see them observe them and write your viewpoint I thought this was
write your viewpoint I thought this was
write your viewpoint I thought this was very nice brilliant idea without having
very nice brilliant idea without having
very nice brilliant idea without having to take permission it was my viewpoint
to take permission it was my viewpoint
to take permission it was my viewpoint so death that’s when I started writing
so death that’s when I started writing
so death that’s when I started writing on various location shootings various
on various location shootings various
on various location shootings various celebrities and then mid they approached
celebrities and then mid they approached
celebrities and then mid they approached me one of my former editors and in
me one of my former editors and in
me one of my former editors and in between I worked with mock dolly when he
between I worked with mock dolly when he
between I worked with mock dolly when he had left the BBC and he started the
had left the BBC and he started the
had left the BBC and he started the first FM radio and he called me and he
first FM radio and he called me and he
first FM radio and he called me and he said why don’t you because I had earlier
said why don’t you because I had earlier
said why don’t you because I had earlier worked with you Havana Calcutta so he’s
worked with you Havana Calcutta so he’s
worked with you Havana Calcutta so he’s as an artiste so he said why don’t you
as an artiste so he said why don’t you
as an artiste so he said why don’t you come and join us I I did but that was a
come and join us I I did but that was a
come and join us I I did but that was a little boring because it was more a
little boring because it was more a
little boring because it was more a marketing job not a creative job then I
marketing job not a creative job then I
marketing job not a creative job then I joined of course the I joined midday and
joined of course the I joined midday and
joined of course the I joined midday and they had a column I did a weekly column
they had a column I did a weekly column
they had a column I did a weekly column for them on cinema called pot pourri
for them on cinema called pot pourri
for them on cinema called pot pourri upon on my name of course and that
upon on my name of course and that
upon on my name of course and that column went on for eight
column went on for eight
column went on for eight nine years I wrote that column for about
nine years I wrote that column for about
nine years I wrote that column for about eight or nine years and it was more than
eight or nine years and it was more than
eight or nine years and it was more than just writing on cinema gossip stuff like
just writing on cinema gossip stuff like
just writing on cinema gossip stuff like that it was writing in depths of cinema
that it was writing in depths of cinema
that it was writing in depths of cinema the problems in our industry the problem
the problems in our industry the problem
the problems in our industry the problem in European cinema in in Hollywood and
in European cinema in in Hollywood and
in European cinema in in Hollywood and all these places so it was a quite an
all these places so it was a quite an
all these places so it was a quite an eye-opener for me because as I started
eye-opener for me because as I started
eye-opener for me because as I started writing I started reading about cinema
writing I started reading about cinema
writing I started reading about cinema because films were not my subject
because films were not my subject
because films were not my subject earlier so I wrote for about a weekly
earlier so I wrote for about a weekly
earlier so I wrote for about a weekly column for about six eight six seven
column for about six eight six seven
column for about six eight six seven years and it was quite popular
years and it was quite popular
years and it was quite popular I remember one young girl coming and
I remember one young girl coming and
I remember one young girl coming and telling me ma’am I take a local from
telling me ma’am I take a local from
telling me ma’am I take a local from under he took Church gate every day and
under he took Church gate every day and
under he took Church gate every day and I look forward every Friday when I get
I look forward every Friday when I get
I look forward every Friday when I get to read pot pourri and that I think was
to read pot pourri and that I think was
to read pot pourri and that I think was the biggest compliment among you know
the biggest compliment among you know
the biggest compliment among you know others who’ve been saying it’s a very
others who’ve been saying it’s a very
others who’ve been saying it’s a very insightful column but I was writing for
insightful column but I was writing for
insightful column but I was writing for midday I was writing for dining pastor I
midday I was writing for dining pastor I
midday I was writing for dining pastor I was a regular columnist but somewhere I
was a regular columnist but somewhere I
was a regular columnist but somewhere I felt at the end of six seven years I was
felt at the end of six seven years I was
felt at the end of six seven years I was repeating myself and I actually looked
repeating myself and I actually looked
repeating myself and I actually looked at some of my articles and I saw oh my
at some of my articles and I saw oh my
at some of my articles and I saw oh my god I have actually repeated myself and
god I have actually repeated myself and
god I have actually repeated myself and that’s the time I decided that was again
that’s the time I decided that was again
that’s the time I decided that was again another major decision in my life where
another major decision in my life where
another major decision in my life where I decided I have to stop this repetition
I decided I have to stop this repetition
I decided I have to stop this repetition and go on to something new and I always
and go on to something new and I always
and go on to something new and I always wanted to be a writer so I said of
wanted to be a writer so I said of
wanted to be a writer so I said of course goals are Sabich encouraged me
course goals are Sabich encouraged me
course goals are Sabich encouraged me and said you should start writing
and said you should start writing
and said you should start writing writing a novel because you know you
writing a novel because you know you
writing a novel because you know you write in such a warm way so I said okay
write in such a warm way so I said okay
write in such a warm way so I said okay fine so I started her writing a novel
fine so I started her writing a novel
fine so I started her writing a novel and I took a sabbatical from journalism
and I took a sabbatical from journalism
and I took a sabbatical from journalism and when I started writing a novel I got
and when I started writing a novel I got
and when I started writing a novel I got confused because every time my word
confused because every time my word
confused because every time my word limit was 500 or a thousand words and
limit was 500 or a thousand words and
limit was 500 or a thousand words and here I had I could write for as much as
here I had I could write for as much as
here I had I could write for as much as I wanted you know one lakh one lakh
I wanted you know one lakh one lakh
I wanted you know one lakh one lakh fifty thousand and I was very very
fifty thousand and I was very very
fifty thousand and I was very very confused I’d know how to start how to
confused I’d know how to start how to
confused I’d know how to start how to you know go ahead so finally I decided
you know go ahead so finally I decided
you know go ahead so finally I decided to write a collection of short stories I
to write a collection of short stories I
to write a collection of short stories I thought from the pond of five hundred
thought from the pond of five hundred
thought from the pond of five hundred thousand words I jump into a lake before
thousand words I jump into a lake before
thousand words I jump into a lake before jumping in plunging into a river
jumping in plunging into a river
jumping in plunging into a river so I started
so I started
so I started writing short stories and my first
writing short stories and my first
writing short stories and my first collection came out nine on nine it’s
collection came out nine on nine it’s
collection came out nine on nine it’s stories of urban Indian women
stories of urban Indian women
stories of urban Indian women the theme is urban Indian women and nine
the theme is urban Indian women and nine
the theme is urban Indian women and nine short stories and of course I was very
short stories and of course I was very
short stories and of course I was very happy because it was critically
happy because it was critically
happy because it was critically acclaimed one of stories included in the
acclaimed one of stories included in the
acclaimed one of stories included in the society academy of Indian writers but
society academy of Indian writers but
society academy of Indian writers but after that my husband said I went back
after that my husband said I went back
after that my husband said I went back to my novel and my husband said well you
to my novel and my husband said well you
to my novel and my husband said well you keep writing a novel
keep writing a novel
keep writing a novel why don’t you write my biography which
why don’t you write my biography which
why don’t you write my biography which had told me ten years ago but I didn’t
had told me ten years ago but I didn’t
had told me ten years ago but I didn’t want to write because I was not
want to write because I was not
want to write because I was not confident enough to handle the biography
confident enough to handle the biography
confident enough to handle the biography the story of such a a man with so much
the story of such a a man with so much
the story of such a a man with so much of contribution to Indian cinema but I
of contribution to Indian cinema but I
of contribution to Indian cinema but I said okay fine maybe a biography is a
said okay fine maybe a biography is a
said okay fine maybe a biography is a better option than doing a novel right
better option than doing a novel right
better option than doing a novel right now and then of course I had 16 17 years
now and then of course I had 16 17 years
now and then of course I had 16 17 years of as I would say material gathered and
of as I would say material gathered and
of as I would say material gathered and then I you know interviewed people from
then I you know interviewed people from
then I you know interviewed people from all over the world all over India and
all over the world all over India and
all over the world all over India and the OMGs biography unlikely hero was
the OMGs biography unlikely hero was
the OMGs biography unlikely hero was published and I think it was in 2009
published and I think it was in 2009
published and I think it was in 2009 after that I completed my novel which
after that I completed my novel which
after that I completed my novel which was pending for about seven years two
was pending for about seven years two
was pending for about seven years two worlds and that is how I shifted into
worlds and that is how I shifted into
worlds and that is how I shifted into writing into storytelling from being a
writing into storytelling from being a
writing into storytelling from being a journalist and I started enjoying it and
journalist and I started enjoying it and
journalist and I started enjoying it and after that I also wrote a screenplay for
after that I also wrote a screenplay for
after that I also wrote a screenplay for a Bollywood film and I realized that at
a Bollywood film and I realized that at
a Bollywood film and I realized that at the end of the day it is not the genre
the end of the day it is not the genre
the end of the day it is not the genre which is you know you can you need not
which is you know you can you need not
which is you know you can you need not stick to one genre that I am a
stick to one genre that I am a
stick to one genre that I am a journalist I’m a columnist or I’m a
journalist I’m a columnist or I’m a
journalist I’m a columnist or I’m a short storyteller you have to explore if
short storyteller you have to explore if
short storyteller you have to explore if you’re a writer I also did manuscript
you’re a writer I also did manuscript
you’re a writer I also did manuscript editing I also did you know writing for
editing I also did you know writing for
editing I also did you know writing for ad agencies because writing is not the
ad agencies because writing is not the
ad agencies because writing is not the most paying profession I want to tell
most paying profession I want to tell
most paying profession I want to tell you guys that writing is not the most
you guys that writing is not the most
you guys that writing is not the most paying profession it is a very slow
paying profession it is a very slow
paying profession it is a very slow profession but at the same time if there
profession but at the same time if there
profession but at the same time if there is a passion and if you want to write
is a passion and if you want to write
is a passion and if you want to write there is a way you can tell
there is a way you can tell
there is a way you can tell my husband always told young actors who
my husband always told young actors who
my husband always told young actors who came to him that sir I want to be an
came to him that sir I want to be an
came to him that sir I want to be an actor or a director he said good but he
actor or a director he said good but he
actor or a director he said good but he went to the National School of Drama he
went to the National School of Drama he
went to the National School of Drama he went to the film and television
went to the film and television
went to the film and television Institute yet it took him 10 years to
Institute yet it took him 10 years to
Institute yet it took him 10 years to establish himself as an actor before he
establish himself as an actor before he
establish himself as an actor before he could say I’m an actor
could say I’m an actor
could say I’m an actor that was our Guiseppe he came he passed
that was our Guiseppe he came he passed
that was our Guiseppe he came he passed out in 76 the first break he got was 84
out in 76 the first break he got was 84
out in 76 the first break he got was 84 after that before that he taught
after that before that he taught
after that before that he taught movement and speech so he always told
movement and speech so he always told
movement and speech so he always told anyone have a back-up studies
anyone have a back-up studies
anyone have a back-up studies cinematography you know qualify in
cinematography you know qualify in
cinematography you know qualify in editing or special effects a sound so
editing or special effects a sound so
editing or special effects a sound so that even if you don’t get a break as an
that even if you don’t get a break as an
that even if you don’t get a break as an actor or a director you can continue to
actor or a director you can continue to
actor or a director you can continue to work in at films and documentaries and
work in at films and documentaries and
work in at films and documentaries and other films as I you have a
other films as I you have a
other films as I you have a qualification so that you can bank on it
qualification so that you can bank on it
qualification so that you can bank on it so I always say the same writing acting
so I always say the same writing acting
so I always say the same writing acting the very creative of you know areas but
the very creative of you know areas but
the very creative of you know areas but at the same time I don’t have a
at the same time I don’t have a
at the same time I don’t have a qualification I learnt on the job
qualification I learnt on the job
qualification I learnt on the job I still feel journal people who are
I still feel journal people who are
I still feel journal people who are interested in writing whether fiction
interested in writing whether fiction
interested in writing whether fiction nonfiction journalism should undergo a
nonfiction journalism should undergo a
nonfiction journalism should undergo a certain training all actors it’s a
certain training all actors it’s a
certain training all actors it’s a technic it’s a bit of technicality and a
technic it’s a bit of technicality and a
technic it’s a bit of technicality and a lot of creativity and training is a must
lot of creativity and training is a must
lot of creativity and training is a must and I also tell writers apart from that
and I also tell writers apart from that
and I also tell writers apart from that don’t always say I want to be a writer
don’t always say I want to be a writer
don’t always say I want to be a writer do have a backup be a journalist you
do have a backup be a journalist you
do have a backup be a journalist you know do work in an ad agency so that at
know do work in an ad agency so that at
know do work in an ad agency so that at least your home can keep on running
least your home can keep on running
least your home can keep on running otherwise luckily for me
otherwise luckily for me
otherwise luckily for me you have a rich spouse so because I was
you have a rich spouse so because I was
you have a rich spouse so because I was fortunate enough for ohm ji to be there
fortunate enough for ohm ji to be there
fortunate enough for ohm ji to be there and he took care of everything so that I
and he took care of everything so that I
and he took care of everything so that I could put my creative energies to
could put my creative energies to
could put my creative energies to writing that is one of the main things I
writing that is one of the main things I
writing that is one of the main things I want to come but more than anything huh
want to come but more than anything huh
want to come but more than anything huh so after this again of course I’ve just
so after this again of course I’ve just
so after this again of course I’ve just completed my book for the book this is
completed my book for the book this is
completed my book for the book this is on it’s on international child
on it’s on international child
on it’s on international child trafficking and inter-country adoption
trafficking and inter-country adoption
trafficking and inter-country adoption based on a true story and I’ve also
based on a true story and I’ve also
based on a true story and I’ve also written the screenplay of it and we are
written the screenplay of it and we are
written the screenplay of it and we are waiting for its publication
waiting for its publication
waiting for its publication then of course there was another
then of course there was another
then of course there was another decision which I had to you know take
decision which I had to you know take
decision which I had to you know take and that was we lost OMG very tragically
and that was we lost OMG very tragically
and that was we lost OMG very tragically in January and that is the time we
in January and that is the time we
in January and that is the time we started the own pari foundation the own
started the own pari foundation the own
started the own pari foundation the own Pony Foundation was launched at the
Pony Foundation was launched at the
Pony Foundation was launched at the Cannes Film Festival last me and the
Cannes Film Festival last me and the
Cannes Film Festival last me and the main purpose an objective of this
main purpose an objective of this
main purpose an objective of this foundation was to promote young talent
foundation was to promote young talent
foundation was to promote young talent to help young talented theatre students
to help young talented theatre students
to help young talented theatre students film students young filmmakers through
film students young filmmakers through
film students young filmmakers through the grants scholarships and fellowships
the grants scholarships and fellowships
the grants scholarships and fellowships so that they can go ahead and not face
so that they can go ahead and not face
so that they can go ahead and not face difficulties with oMG faced when he was
difficulties with oMG faced when he was
difficulties with oMG faced when he was in the National School of Drama
in the National School of Drama
in the National School of Drama he was extremely poor he started out as
he was extremely poor he started out as
he was extremely poor he started out as a six year old working in a tea stall as
a six year old working in a tea stall as
a six year old working in a tea stall as a cleaner boy to put food on the table
a cleaner boy to put food on the table
a cleaner boy to put food on the table and even an F di when he went to the
and even an F di when he went to the
and even an F di when he went to the film and television Institute it was
film and television Institute it was
film and television Institute it was this is the own Puri Foundation and even
this is the own Puri Foundation and even
this is the own Puri Foundation and even in the FT I the film and television
in the FT I the film and television
in the FT I the film and television Institute he could barely pay his fees
Institute he could barely pay his fees
Institute he could barely pay his fees through until you know his the director
through until you know his the director
through until you know his the director then girish karnad and all helped him
then girish karnad and all helped him
then girish karnad and all helped him out so he didn’t he never wanted any
out so he didn’t he never wanted any
out so he didn’t he never wanted any student to face the same humiliation as
student to face the same humiliation as
student to face the same humiliation as he faced and it is amazing that the man
he faced and it is amazing that the man
he faced and it is amazing that the man who started out as a six year old and
who started out as a six year old and
who started out as a six year old and cleaning a tea stall to put you know
cleaning a tea stall to put you know
cleaning a tea stall to put you know food for the family and the man who
food for the family and the man who
food for the family and the man who didn’t know where his next meal would
didn’t know where his next meal would
didn’t know where his next meal would come from ended up being in the Oscars
come from ended up being in the Oscars
come from ended up being in the Oscars the only Indian actor to be honored in
the only Indian actor to be honored in
the only Indian actor to be honored in the Oscar memoriam so like whom he gave
the Oscar memoriam so like whom he gave
the Oscar memoriam so like whom he gave back to society through his socially
back to society through his socially
back to society through his socially relevant set cinema we would like to
relevant set cinema we would like to
relevant set cinema we would like to through the ohm Puri Foundation give
through the ohm Puri Foundation give
through the ohm Puri Foundation give back to society and also promote another
back to society and also promote another
back to society and also promote another cause which was very close to OMG that
cause which was very close to OMG that
cause which was very close to OMG that was the cause of the farmers he always
was the cause of the farmers he always
was the cause of the farmers he always empathize with the farmers he felt they
empathize with the farmers he felt they
empathize with the farmers he felt they were the backbone of the country so one
were the backbone of the country so one
were the backbone of the country so one of the main causes of the foundation is
of the main causes of the foundation is
of the main causes of the foundation is to help the farming community and
to help the farming community and
to help the farming community and especially to educate
especially to educate
especially to educate the children of the farmers these are
the children of the farmers these are
the children of the farmers these are the four main objectives of the
the four main objectives of the
the four main objectives of the foundation as well as you know taking
foundation as well as you know taking
foundation as well as you know taking his legacy forward through schools
his legacy forward through schools
his legacy forward through schools colleges and universities so these are
colleges and universities so these are
colleges and universities so these are the various so during this is the long
the various so during this is the long
the various so during this is the long journey I’ve been through and I’ve
journey I’ve been through and I’ve
journey I’ve been through and I’ve learned to manipulate my way whenever
learned to manipulate my way whenever
learned to manipulate my way whenever you know I learned on the job I didn’t
you know I learned on the job I didn’t
you know I learned on the job I didn’t go have a formal training and when
go have a formal training and when
go have a formal training and when something you have to learn you have to
something you have to learn you have to
something you have to learn you have to make plans but more than anything
make plans but more than anything
make plans but more than anything writing the arts is not a very money
writing the arts is not a very money
writing the arts is not a very money driven or you know career driven
driven or you know career driven
driven or you know career driven opportunity but at the same time you
opportunity but at the same time you
opportunity but at the same time you have to have a passion I feel if you’re
have to have a passion I feel if you’re
have to have a passion I feel if you’re a gardener you should be a very
a gardener you should be a very
a gardener you should be a very passionate gardener you should
passionate gardener you should
passionate gardener you should passionately tend to plants similarly
passionately tend to plants similarly
passionately tend to plants similarly passion is more important money is
passion is more important money is
passion is more important money is important money is important but to a
important money is important but to a
important money is important but to a point to the point they give you your
point to the point they give you your
point to the point they give you your luxuries I think we should always know
luxuries I think we should always know
luxuries I think we should always know where to cut ourselves off where to
where to cut ourselves off where to
where to cut ourselves off where to enjoy the money we earn where to be
enjoy the money we earn where to be
enjoy the money we earn where to be happy with what we have but more than
happy with what we have but more than
happy with what we have but more than money if you want to be an actor for the
money if you want to be an actor for the
money if you want to be an actor for the sake of you know being in cover pages or
sake of you know being in cover pages or
sake of you know being in cover pages or a car or a fancy house bungalow or you
a car or a fancy house bungalow or you
a car or a fancy house bungalow or you want to be a writer just to you know
want to be a writer just to you know
want to be a writer just to you know that will not help you have to first
that will not help you have to first
that will not help you have to first learn to love your profession you have
learn to love your profession you have
learn to love your profession you have to learn to love writing and then have a
to learn to love writing and then have a
to learn to love writing and then have a backup write and manipulate your way out
backup write and manipulate your way out
backup write and manipulate your way out don’t have a long-term plan you everyone
don’t have a long-term plan you everyone
don’t have a long-term plan you everyone has a plan of course have a long-term
has a plan of course have a long-term
has a plan of course have a long-term plan but don’t be rigid in your plans
plan but don’t be rigid in your plans
plan but don’t be rigid in your plans like today when I was I came for this I
like today when I was I came for this I
like today when I was I came for this I said what am I going to talk I don’t
said what am I going to talk I don’t
said what am I going to talk I don’t want to preach I don’t want to
want to preach I don’t want to
want to preach I don’t want to pontificate but I will tell you through
pontificate but I will tell you through
pontificate but I will tell you through my life story so that if a bit can help
my life story so that if a bit can help
my life story so that if a bit can help somebody good if it doesn’t it’s okay
somebody good if it doesn’t it’s okay
somebody good if it doesn’t it’s okay you can look for inspiration elsewhere
you can look for inspiration elsewhere
you can look for inspiration elsewhere but at the same time the whole idea is
but at the same time the whole idea is
but at the same time the whole idea is to love what you do whether it’s
to love what you do whether it’s
to love what you do whether it’s engineering whether it’s banking whether
engineering whether it’s banking whether
engineering whether it’s banking whether it’s writing just love it just love it
it’s writing just love it just love it
it’s writing just love it just love it don’t have rigid plans have half plans
don’t have rigid plans have half plans
don’t have rigid plans have half plans and
and
and times take wrists take make decisions
times take wrists take make decisions
times take wrists take make decisions which may not go accordingly to the you
which may not go accordingly to the you
which may not go accordingly to the you know the well-worn path but sometimes
know the well-worn path but sometimes
know the well-worn path but sometimes you have to take a risk so that you can
you have to take a risk so that you can
you have to take a risk so that you can achieve a lot and you can fulfill your
achieve a lot and you can fulfill your
achieve a lot and you can fulfill your dreams and I’m sure if you think of
dreams and I’m sure if you think of
dreams and I’m sure if you think of anything if you love anything
anything if you love anything
anything if you love anything passionately you will be able to achieve
passionately you will be able to achieve
passionately you will be able to achieve that
that
that [Applause]
”
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