Jai Arjun Singh, Balaji Vittal and Sharmila Tagore

     On a cold winter morning, with the sun beating down on them, sat Sharmila Tagore and Jai Arjun Singh in conversation with Balaji Vittal. The topic of discussion was the Babumoshai in Bombay, in this case Hrishikesh Mukherjee and the time when Bengal defined Hindi cinema. Mr. Jai recently wrote a book titled "The World of Hrishikesh Mukherjee: The Filmmaker Everyone Loves" where he explores this well known and amazing director who made a total of 43 films during the span of his career. I never knew that some of my favorite films of yesteryear were made by him like Golmaal and Khubsoorat. Some cult films like Anand, Guddi, Namak Haram, Chupke Chupkke, etc are also his creations. He was a man who was a visionary and no one would ever refuse to work with him. A brilliant editor and a talented technician Hrishikesh Mukherjee was able to successfully combine elements of mainstream cinema and art cinema to deliver films which dealt with social causes especially gender relations.

     When you are a book lover...the books become something you live and breathe and the authors of your favorite ones are nothing short of rock-stars. I had a complete fan girl moment today when I went to attend the #TataSteelKalam #KolLitMeet. In anticipation of hearing one of my favorite childhood authors speak aka Mr. Ruskin Bond, I arrived much ahead in time and grabbed a reserved seat not knowing that he was sitting a mere two seats away from me! Imagine my utter surprise when he made his way to the stage in due time. Ah! What joy!!! Now if I could only meet Enid Blyton and Carolyn Keene like this my childhood fantasy would be complete.