AFTC

I was introduced to The Actor Factor Theatre Company (AFTC) by my colleague Mridul in March 2008. His brother Rahul was a part of group. AFTC plays were scheduled for June-August and since I had worked for NSD Mridul asked me to help them with some media contacts. I pitched in to help but soon found myself to be a part of AFTC. We were four of us handling their PR and communications – Mridul, his fiancée (Vrinda), Prasoon (another colleague and Mridul’s pal) and myself. Both Mridul and Vrin had a reason for the association but I was doing it by choice and had nothing in it for myself. I was really impressed with their first production ‘Aakaar’. It only gave me further impetus to put in my sincere effort and contribute in whatever little manner that I could. Our efforts helped in creating the initial buzz and spreading awareness about the group and their plays.

At that time I had a very hectic schedule – office Mon-Fri, MBA classes on weekends, the mock test on Sunday, Soka Gakkai amongst others. Plays were lined up for alternate weekends and that meant a lot of involvement. But I liked it and had no reason to complain. Plus we were doing a good job :)

There was a party to celebrate the success of ‘Aakaar’. I was a little apprehensive initially as I did not know a lot of people but Vrin assured that it would be enjoyable. And seriously what good fun it was! It was easy to gel with everyone. I personally admired Sunit Bhaiya (the President of AFTC) but before that I only knew the serious side of him who was constantly on his toes to get things going. It was good to see him in a light mood, just having fun. All the others parties that I have attended have been absolute fun.

One of my best memories was the press conference (PC) organized by all amateurs. One evening I got a call from Sunit Bhaiya asking if I could see them in Saaket in sometime. It was already past eight but he said it was kind of urgent. I agreed and met them @ Barista in Saaket. Bhaiya told me about their upcoming theatre workshop. Bhaiya had big plans for AFTC and was planning to start a theatre academy. This workshop was the first step towards it. If successful, this was to be followed by a lot of other stuff, which Bhaiya had in mind. But it solely depended on the success of this workshop.

The problem was that the workshop was to start in a week’s time but they only had three registrations so far. We desperately needed people but had no funds for advertisement. A lot had anyway been invested in the preparations and the number for break even was around 20. Plus they had faculty from NSD and other biggies from theatre. The only way out was to create a buzz through news article which could only be done through a PC. Bhaiya said he would get Manoj Bajpai to be there at the conference and talk about the workshop. But we had to ensure we could do it. Even the conference would require funds so they expected results.

Now we had been a part of PCs in office, and had some idea. But organizing a PC from the scratch required strategy and planning. Plus the biggest worry was that Manoj Bajpai’s presence would help us to get the media there but there were high chances of the focus remaining only on Mr. Bajpai and not AFTC and the workshop. This could seriously backfire. At this point we needed good articles talking about the workshop but this was a difficult task knowing the media. Bhaiya said it was our call totally. After a good discussion, we decided to go ahead with it.

We were faced with numerous problems initially. Just around that time I had two other events in office and so it was a tight schedule. Besides, my events were also art based and in some cases there was a fight for space in newspapers. Now both were equally important for me – AFTC for obvious reasons and then in office too they were my clients. So I had to be fair. Vrin and Mridul too were quite busy with stuff in the office. Mridul had no time to breathe. So it was all on me, Vrin and Prasoon.

I remember those couple of days were maddening. And things were taking place in true filmy ishtyle. We were handling it along with our office work and so there was a lot of confusion. The first invite was sent out with a wrong date. Luckily someone noticed it and it was rectified. So a second invite followed asking the media to ignore the first. This was enough to create a misunderstanding so we had to follow it with a phone call. I could not be at both the places at the same time, and skipping anyone seemed impossible. Luckily the next day the client called and asked to meet at 4:30. Since the PC was to start at 6, and my client’s office was at a stone’s throw distance, this was manageable. Phew, I was so relieved :)

However the worst was yet to come. Only on the day of the PC did we realize that there had been a miscommunication. The venue was Café Turtle, Saaket and we thought it was GK. And that’s how the invites were sent. It came as a blow. Media people anyway have their tantrums and this could be suicidal as we had already made a change earlier. Moreover, we were in the office and it was not possible to make calls. Then my colleague told me he would not be accompanying me to the meeting and I would have to go by myself. That was another blow but the only thing on my mind that time was calling the media. What a situation to be in! I called some of them and apologized for the confusion. Rest was left to Vrin & Prasoon.

The venue fiasco was finally sorted out but then for some reason the traffic was real bad that day. It took some journalists more than 2 hours to get to the venue while others had been waiting since long. We were trying to deal with the tantrums and chaos, when I got a call from the office. I had informed them that I would not come back from the meeting and they were okay with this. But my colleague said there was some urgent work and I had to get back to work. I told him it was not possible. But there was a release to be issued and there was no one working on that account. So I had no choice. I could see the PC turning into a huge disaster, but was wrong. Amrita, my colleague and a close buddy knew about the conference and so she agreed to pitch in. I did exchange a couple of heated SMS’s with my colleague but Amrita truly was an angel that day.

We had seen the drama unfold layer by layer and by that time were literally praying that it was enough for a day. Our prayers were heard J Finally everyone arrived. The turnout was great; we had all the leading publications and TV channels. We were slightly concerned about the messaging but I guess with Manoj Bajpai you can be assured. He politely refused to talk about himself and movies and requested the media to keep the discussion limited to the workshop. He told them that they could play a vital role in supporting upcoming talent in theatre and urged them to do so.

The PC was a huge success, both in terms of getting the coverage in leading papers and eventually getting people for the workshop. From what I remember we had about 33 people :)

I have been away from all the happenings for a long time now. But I really miss all of them and the good times spent together – working, partying and having fun! AFTC has its new production "Three" lined up for April 4 and so this is a perfect time  to have written this post. (http://www.actorfactor.net/three_pages/about_the_plays.html)

Wish you all the luck guys. Rock On!!

Joyeeta

Was kind of bored with the monotonous life; thought I’ll take a break and go out for a change. But where and do what? You can’t really come up with ideas here; such a contrast from Delhi where one never falls short on options! In fact there is no need to have a plan, have somewhere to go to. That’s how I was reminded of you and the wacky times spent together.

God! I can’t be so crazy. Do you realize that I am actually writing an entire blog entry on you? I don’t believe myself at times ;) But now that I have thought of it, I might as well go ahead with it. Ok I can tell what exactly you are thinking right now…
“Saali tu kabhi nahi sudhregi na...”
Anyway, I am used to it and so are you I suppose. So I can proceed now!

Know what? Upon looking back, I can now see how we were destined to meet. Why else would I open my yahoo account and check the mail from your dear friend PD :) After that it all happened in the blink of an eye. You were a part of Comma and were soon to be a part of my daily life… at times for two whole days! (Shall come back to it in detail)

You know it; I did not quite like you initially. (Actually not just you. I think that’s the way with me – did not really click with my close pals instantly. Nicky, Amrita, you amongst others) It was that day when you were late and I said you could stay over at my place. Did not know that this would be a frequent affair soon! Bas, that’s how things changed. Spent more time with you, got to know you better and realized we have a lot in common.

Gal, we really have had amazing experiences, they sure do deserve a mention! It was so just so much fun. But the only problem is that there are too many. Can’t recount and jot all of them; this would turn out to be a diary and not a blog. But who cares. It’s my blog after all and I can write whatever I want to. It still won’t be possible to write all of it coz each day there was something happening; also because we spent a lot of time together – 10-12 hours at work daily, and then the frequent night stays at my place. Right from Day 1 you had said you would get clothes and leave them at my place. Bhaiya na bhi tujhe kitni baar bola. But then the LAZY you! Each time you would crib and crib and crib but you did not get them till the last day.

I bet you can’t forget the doggie at my place. God…he was scary. You were so scared of him. Lekin us din raat ko kitna bhagaya than na usne. Pehle se hi green park se bhaag bhaag ke aa rahe the, aur last mein Sandy ne bhi kasar nahi chodi. Bina light ke kaise bhaage the stairs mein. Shit that was a day yah. You wanted to enjoy the ‘cool breeze’ so we stayed back in Green Park after meeting that friend of yours. But then such brilliant ideas occur to you! And the result…those fanatics! Madam where did you get this from? F*** O** We were casual initially but with the kind of impression and message that was sent out UNINTENTIONALLY it did get a little scary. Though my place was just walking distance we had to take an auto to get back. And that too left it outside the main gate and ran home. The icing on the cake was dear Sandy! Huh. I remember we only relieved once we reached the balcony and took a deep breath.

Another similar incident was at Priya’s while watching Rock On! We had not got the tickets. Joyee madam toh itna tayaar hoke aayi thi J Aur jab mera mann ho jayee movie dekhne ka toh phir kya… got the tickets for black and told Nikhil and Mr. JNU that there were no tickets. Had a nice dinner but din know that more drama was to unfold after that. Eeeeuuuu…thinking about it still gives me creeps but cant help laughing also. You were so scared and wanted to call the guards. By the way he was my friend so why were you interrupting ;) The best part was the way we ran as soon as the movie got over.

Movies remind me of much more. I think we have made every movie a wonderful experience with something or the other happening.

• Sarkar Raj – nice comedy! Yah I know you will agree with me on this ;)
• Aamir – Rushed to Nehru Place to watch it but since we were kinda broke, din feel like spending 400 bucks. And so went to Just Parathas instead! Hey hey…phir wahan bhi toh kitna drama hua tha J Remember the police walas and how we were standing along with them. We sure did look like criminals to anyone passing by, not that there were many at that time of night. Lol! And police uncle ne bola, lemme get you girls an auto. But unko dekhke toh saare auto waale dur se hi U-turn maar rahe the. The walk down the drak empty road around midnight was kinda frightening. Finally managed to get an auto and got back home. But the action was not over yet and more was to come the next day.
• Mere Baap Pehle Aap – Just a day b4 we had dropped the plan of watching Aamir coz of the financial crunch, and for what? To watch this shady movie just the next day. The only consoling factor was that we were watching it in Select City Walk. But do you remember how we landed there? Remember we were at Ansal Plaza – had gone to the Vodafone Store as my calls were barred. Who kaam bhi nahi hua tha plus we were both hell bent upon watching Aamir. So we explored various options where it was playing. There was a show at 3Cs in Lajpat and we rushed, only to find that my brother had mistakenly given us the wrong info. Grrhh… only made me more determined to watch it. Oh you had also called Bhaiya there. Was meeting him for the 1st time and what an impression he had of us together (Hey thinking of him reminds me of ‘Pairi pauna’ and the SILENT conversation to check your mobile phone outside A2B) Anyway we decided to go to Saket to watch the movie. But seems like we were no destined to watch that movie. Got no tickets. Was so irritated and just wanted to watch any goddamn movie. And that’s how this movie happened. Bhaiya ko kitna irritate kiya than na! And yes must admit this was a perfect movie to watch after all the confusion and running around. I had fun watching it.
• Hancock – Now if we were both watching a movie, something had to happen. And this time it was just unnecessary commotion. The outcome – despite being present at the theatre, we only saw the movie post-interval. Shit I am barely late for movies. I’m the sort who likes to watch the initial advertisements too. And missing half the movie, that’s just not me. Lekin hum saath the toh gadbad toh honi thi.
• Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na – I think this was one movie where there was no confusion, drama or action. This time it was pre-event (for me) and post-event (for you). And yes I remember it was my ‘no occasion’ treat to you :) Nice movie, nice watch.

Okay, this will surely take more time. There are so many incidents – office and the fun there, the enjoyment in Green Park particularly CCD, the maiden JNU visit and much more. So will continue it in the next post :)

And miss you a lot sweetie. I really really had an amazing time with you. Just absolute fun. Like you said we are both of a similar nature and that's why we clicked. Love you. Keep Rocking!