Satuday, October 6, 2001: Real-live movie-making at Tolliwood! - Film Nagar, Hyderabad, India

Greetings,

Although we got a bit of a late start we were on a city bus up to Jubillee Hills, a "big-house" area before lunch. Ramesh treated me to a great rice meal and then we wandered over to where a crowd was gathering. Sure enough, a scene for a Telegu film was getting organized. A few guys were loading up weights to counter-balance the camera crane and others were positioning lights. It was fairly easy to tell who the actors were, with their made-up faces and bright Hawaii-style clothes. The scene was about a group of people receiving a mobile phone call from a famous person and included some group cheers. The director was doing a great job coaching them and was also acting in the scene. They practiced over and over and refined their presentation until someone decided it was A TAKE. 

Being a foreigner with an interesting story, and Ramesh at my side to do Telegu PR, we were able to get right next to the action where I could get a few video clips of the shooting to share with you. The PeaceBike digital cam was also a hit and the director of the film asked to have a look. Got to meet lots of interesting people including the lead camera-operator's son who treated me to tea! Thanks!

Next we went to another studio where Ramesh's uncle showed us around the sets, including a palace set, a mansion set, a western set as in "cowboys", an ashram set, and a "devil's cave"...the bad guys' hang out. One of the sets was used for a Telegu movie now playing called Student Number One. This was such an "insiders" excursion, and I was so thankful for Ramesh's help in making all the necessary connections for us.

We also visited a friend of Ramesh, Mr. Leslie Watchhorn, the founder of a school there called the Noble School. Although timing wasn't right for a school visit we took a picture, and the students may follow the PeaceBike adventure online.

Ramesh and I headed back, both satisfied with our day's wander.

I spent the rest of the night attempting to do too much in too little time. I wanted to finish up an introduction card in Hindi and Urdu script. I found myself walking from shop to shop asking folks if they wrote Urdu. I finally found a guy but he quickly became too busy to finish. I was also accosted with what I am calling "foreign friend status manipulation" as some drunk guys basically demanded I get into their car and eat with them. Throw in a few Osama Bin Laden jokes to try and get me roused and a power handshake that says "look how hard I can squeeze your hand" rather than "nice to meet you", and I had fallen into a state of silent rage... Walk away and cool off is all I could do, but I did fantasize a bit about trying some of my self-defense techniques out on these guys...but that would have ended things much worse, with multiple negative consequences.

Soon the feelings were left behind, and I got busy saying goodbyes to folks. I realized I knew about 50 people by face and about 10 by name and felt quite thankful for these connections. I finished up a few emails and then packed up the gear 'til quite late. Then a bucket-bath, a chirping cricket hunt, and I hopped into my sleeping sheet under the fan!

Ready to ride! I can hear PeaceHorse One chomping at the brake cables over in the stable as I drift off to sleep.

TAD