Rated PG

Stories to tell. Questions of my own. Answers for one n'all.

[prashantt-guptha]

BOOK RECOMMENDATION

Hope you’re having a safe n’ kind Sunday. Most of the people i know are in my age group or older. And so, the following message from the book above may bring a smile to your face or relief to heart. Though I highly recommend the book, this paragraph in itself must be read:

“My 20’s/30’s were contradictory decades, years when I eliminated conditions and truths that went against my grain. The value in this conservative era was that it safeguarded me from fatal character debits early in my life. It was a time when I was often more concerned with not running red lights than I was with investing in the greenlights. I did what I wanted, Iearned to live. I survived. My forties were a much more affirming decade, years when I started to play offense with truths I had learned and put them into action. An era where I doubled down on what fed me. The value of this liberal age was that it illuminated my most life-endorsing character assets. It was a time when I not only cruised through more greenlights because I had eliminated more red and yellow ones, but a time when I created more greenlights to travel through. A time when past reds and yellows turned green, as old hardships revealed themselves as good fortune, a time when the greenlights beamed brighter because I gave them more power to shine. I did what I needed, I lived to learn. I thrived.”

[prashantt-guptha]

Just a PLANE window

I didnt capture this. But it captured me. Perhaps such an aerial view isnt exactly real (i think, or perhaps it is). But it’s Hollywood, what is real? Only the dreams, not the realities.

[prashantt-guptha]

He has Risen … and so are people!

These past few days, leading upto Easter Sunday, have been days of tremendous spiritual ascension globally. Not only amongst various regions and sub cultures within India, but globally from Christianity to Hinduism to Islam. Including a Full Moon, which I read was supposed to be a Pink Moon? Hardly visible in Mumbai’s nightsky. I settled with a pink Himalayan salt bath.

In the phase of these days, I wonder what the cosmic alignment looks like from NASA’s point of view. I wonder what Earth looks like from Heaven’s point of view. But the POV most intriguing at the moment is that of people and the conversations I seem to be manifesting the last few days. A friend who hadn’t called in ages, messaged to ask if I can be spoken to. Only to ask ‘How are you?’, which led to a 40 minute conversation about happiness, taking it easy, a revelation about a very fake person and having a good feeling about the times ahead. Very dear ones know I’m in the midst of a deep transformation and transition, and the last few months upto the present have been a healing journey out of certain deep mental woes. But the more people I talk to, the more I realize how connected we all are. So I’ve finally started meditating, albeit 15 minutes day and night, and learning a lot from Dr. Joe Dispenza and Neville Goddard. I feel a slight shift, more so, a good feeling about a big one on its way clearing a whole lot of cycles and residue.

But what’s most amazing are the conversations across the board I’m having with people from all walks of life, be it through text or voice, in a dubbing studio for my next film or from the director who came home to narrate the wackiest love story I’ve heard till date. People as young their 30’s/40’s are having senior ‘citizenish’ awakenings of wanting to simplify life, move away from toxic energies, eliminate all things n’ people fake, enjoy the now and realize their own true worth. Many want to get out of Mumbai, but that’s a different story. What explains this shift, I wonder, and isn’t it a beautiful blessing to want to attain the mindset of the things mentioned above? Do you relate to this, and if so, was it a hard phase that pushed you through and to this? You can tell me. Remember I said we’re all connected, walking each other home … 🙏🏻❤️😊

Happy Easter Sunday! 🙌

[prashantt-guptha]

This is FILM APPRECIATION

I took a FILM APPRECIATION class in College. It was one of the rare film/tv courses at my prestigious business school in Manhattan, Baruch College. One would find it odd that such a course could even exist, after all, how do you teach one to appreciate something, let alone FILM? Film history would have been a more apt name. But amongst the many things I learned in the course about Chaplin, Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, concepts like depth of field and mise-en-scene, and of course pioneers and the transition from silent to talkies, one very practical aspect was left out which one could only learn from being on a movie set. The LABOUR OF LOVE that goes into the final product that you comfortably see in theatres or the comforts of your home, now more so within 6 inches of your phone.

All the content you see is made on beautiful sets & locations, and these beautiful sets & locations are born out of rooms full of production equipment. What people see is a final product, normally clutter free and filtered with background sound and songs. But just once if the audience walked onto the set or location of their favorite film and saw/heard the commotion that normally takes place in getting the days work done, they’d be in for a rude awakening. An awakening of how un-glamorous the process is, how much labour, blood n’ sweat goes into making a film of any monetary budget, concept or canvass. Cinema. It’s hard work.

The picture you see is from the location of A NEW CHRISTMAS, an Airbnb house we had taken on rent to lodge and use as a location. And this is my little blog on Film Appreciation.

[prashantt-guptha]

God, Father and Son …

Something about this scene, everytime I watch this movie I wonder what was going on in the head of Al Pacino, taking over Marlon Brando’s ‘chair.’

[prashantt-guptha]

*THIS HAPPENED IN NEW YORK*

This Sunday’s blog is about belief. But since the sign read BELIEVE, we’ll call it that. BELIEVE. Disclaimer: Im still learning to. Am no master at it. Remember, we’re all just walking each other home.

Whilst filming A NEW CHRISTMAS, I checked into the Hotel Pennsylvania at Penn Station, for three to four nights. The Manhattan scenes required I stay close by rather than come in from Long Island via the Long Island Rail Road. Time was money, and we had little of both. Upon entering my room through what looked like a historical passway, I opened the curtain. And what do I see? The sign above, flashing across one of the biggest buildings nearby. I could be wrong, but I think it was the MACY’s store. So many thoughts sprung up in my head as I settled myself to a chair and Chivas on a freezing mid-December night. ‘Believe’ what? Believe that Im gonna be a star, believe in God, or believe in the adventure of having turned Producer with this movie and for a good reason? Or, just believe in the spirit of Christmas, which is what the movie is about, only through the eyes of two vastly different immigrant ethnics. Hence, ‘A NEW’ CHRISTMAS. Well I suppose the sign was there for a reason. I would never have BELIEVED at the time, the the film would go onto 15 film festivals, sell in the US and international territories, have its world premiere at the prestigious HEARTLAND in Indiana and get onto platforms like Amazon and a few others, with great reviews and ratings. I shall continue to believe in the spirit of this movie, and it reaching India soon. Until then, if you’re in the US and say you’ve seen it, I’ll Believe you. If you haven’t, you should. Believe me.

By the way, not all signs will manifest into whatever it is you would like for it to suggest. But hey, it doesn’t hurt to BELIEVE so, right?

[prashantt-guptha]

Faith - Jai Neem Karoli Baba

True Story (of faith and miracles): One year prior to this picture was taken, I had read about a divine master, Neem Karoli Baba, in a book about Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs and later Mark Zuckerberg, were both devoted to him, though neither saw him in flesh. Only in spirit, at his Aashram. Upon reading about Baba, my curiousity kicked in, and immediately met my faith. I had read Baba was a devotee of, or perhaps, an incarnation of our beloved Lord Hanuman, personified in human form. But when I had started reading a lot about Baba’s miracles, one fine day I told him with closed eyes and a prayer, “please do call me to your Aashram.” Baba’s Aashram is in the city of Nainital (in the North of India) and I knew it wouldn’t figure into the places I would go to on a holiday.

And so it happened, Baba performed his miracle, he got me cast in a film that would shoot there. And it may perhaps prove to be one of the best films of my career, once released. The film was completed prior to Covid and throughout the pandemic, it went through a fine phase of post-production, now ready for release. And guess what, Iv sung a beautiful song in it too, my first movie playback. I pray now, ‘Dearly Baba, pls show the film to the world through a deserving release. If you can bring me to your Aashram, you can surely bring the movie to the World. Thank you.”

In the picture, I am at his Aashram on the very next day of being in Nainital, and I sat by where he slept, his blanket and chanted in the same cave many sages have. The place is called Kainchi Dham and it is the divine abode of Neem Karoli Baba. And this year, you will see the movie. I’m calling it. Can you call it too? A prayer for the movie, what say? 🙏🏻

[prashantt-guptha]

Al-righty THEN!

Ya’ll remember the episode in FRIENDS when Joey tried to get his headshot up on the wall of the drycleaners he’d visit? Along with all the other celeb patrons? Oh’ how i’ve tried the same at the local pizzeria in Manhasset, the area I live in New York. 🙈 This is Villa Milano, the best Pizza on Long Island. The Italian owner calls me, ‘ehhh Bollywood,’ because he knows Im an actor. And he’s always saying show me your movies. Next time, i’ll tell him to watch A NEW CHRISTMAS on Amazon now that it’s there for FREE, and hand him over a headshot! I wanna see myself right up there with Al Pacino. 😀

[prashantt-guptha]

Right or Wrong, but what was funny at first?

I respect their apologies. I respect Will Smith’s Oscar speech (one can tell he’s going through a lotttttt). I respect the way Chris Rock maintained his composure after the incident, and I even respect a husband’s sentiments. But what I don’t understand is, why was Will Smith laughing at first? And aren’t there any consequences for such an action? I guess not if both sides don’t pursue it, but a physical assault and personal insult are both wrong and the mutual apologies are respectable. I just don’t get why he was laughing at first!

[prashantt-guptha]

A MUST READ book … !!!

[prashantt-guptha]

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION

You think there should have/could have been a sequel?

[prashantt-guptha]

a good SUNDAY READ!

Be honest, aren’t you also seeking APPROVAL? (a blog on virality)

I’ve now begun to let go and let God! Well, atleast that’s the road I’m on, and it’s a rough path until it gets smooth. It’s just tooooo painful to create and hope for virality, popularity, or a mass impact. As if the acceptance vs rejection battle wasn’t hard enough for an artiste, to develop anxiety and frustration over validation through virality? No way. I mean who am I or you to compare ourselves to THE CREATOR - God Almighty, but imagine Him wanting approval for each of his wonderous creations? No. He does His thing, and lets it go to the people. How about we do our thing and let it go, to Him? Believe me you, the ‘social media audience’ is not at all predictable. Iv now begun to focus on my creativity the same way a great warrior once focused on only the fish’s eye, not the whole fish, let alone the pond. And once I complete and deliver ‘the object of my affection,’ I remind myself with a nudge, that dont you worry - God saw it.

Why am I telling you this? Because regardless of what you do, the need and greed that social media has created can sicken anyone (not just the artist community) with wanting their day in the hay, their right to the bright light, winning at the fame game. Don’t let it get to you. I have a song on Youtube that’s touching 1 million views, whilst some of my videos haven’t crossed a hundred. If my identity or worth were dependant on either, I’d be preparing myself for a bipolar disorder. God forbid.

The inspiration for this blog came from a friend who recently made a music video and asked me, ‘P, plsss tell me how to get it viral, how do I get everyone to see it?’ And it made me feel ‘oh dear, no no, you too, same trap?’ We create something beautiful and then it immediately gets ugly in our heads because it didn’t get the validation we wanted it to. But ask yourself, would you not have created, drawn, sung, performed, or painted if you knew the viewership (not review) of it would be dismal? Pray, for the sake of praying. Create, for the sake of creating. I promise you, my friend(s), both are being heard and seen. Leave the ultimate response to the ultimate creator.

Iv had people block me, and some people unblock closed doors. Iv had some say, remove me from your list, and some say Thank you for always sharing. I’m grateful to them all. Especially to God, and why? He keeps lighting my spirit, filling my pages and expressing my voice. Which means, he saw it, he heard it, he wants more of it. Doesn’t get any more valid n’ viral than that!

I hope you liked this blog. Pls share it 🤣

[prashantt-guptha]

when a GODFATHER met a SMOOTH CRIMINAL

WHAT A PIC!!!!!!!!!! How many of us knew Robert De Niro was on the sets of this classic Michael Jackson music video???

[prashantt-guptha]

A blog about a success story

This blog is the by-product of an exersize as prescribed by my life coach, as a means of reframing my overall outlook of the past. The next sentence starts with the words ‘one of my greatest success stories is’ ….

One of my greatest success stories is having produced a feature film. Though I can write a whole book on the experience as I still have vivid memories of that whole three month period, I’ll sum it up as brief as possible.

“TU” (You) was a Hindi short film I produced and starred in April 2018, and that is what gave birth to the idea of producing a feature. My director Sandeep said, ‘sir if you can make an 18 min movie for Rs. 3 lacs (under $5k), and get it distributed on one of India’s biggest short film platforms, why not make a feature 90 minute feature (4x the length of the short) for just 4x the cost of the short? Somehow, the idea immediately settled well, even though I knew, that low a budget wouldnt be plausible. But it was the birth of a pursuit, and one thing I knew immediately was that I was going to launch my own company in New York and pursue this as an independent American feature, not a Bollywood film. For those who don’t know, ‘independent’ means, without studio backing. I knew the trials and tribulations of making a small Bollywood film. They ensure as best possible it stays small and that cynicism has proven true, as till date I’m pursuing an Indian streaming release. By making an American film, I knew the World is my stage. The US acquired it, as did Australia and Africa, but India wants a star or something in Hindi, both of which are false claims and lousy ways of saying no (not yet). But I’ll break through that and that’ll be another success story. The journey began, and if this was going to be my ‘Hollywood’ debut, it would be shot in New York, center around Christmas, showcase an apt role for me and fit into a budget I’d be able to procure the funds for. And I did. Six investors within 30 days, a solid writer, an affordable and good director from Brooklyn, a Kenyan actress to complete the ethnic equation (tailor made for the role), a great supporting cast and crew, THE BEST CO-PRODUCER, and all the pieces of the puzzle that go into making a film. Within 12 days and nearly 0 degree temp everyday, we made a feature film. As for the budget, I won’t mention that (I’ll save that for a greater publication).

I was now a producer. And my greatest take away as a producer was, play your part as best you can but keep God close. For it is God who taught me that I must also learn the virtue of playing peacemaker, within, and within the team. My second greatest take away, always keep an extra 10% of the budget and 2 more days on hand, the product will be just that much better, and NOT EVERYTHING CAN BE FIXED IN POST(production).

But hey, I sold the film, we’re getting a tax credit, its on Amazon and it went to 15 film festivals. Three years later, it is still being viewed, has great ratings and reviews and still teaching me valuable lessons.

I’d say that’s a success story. Wouldn’t you? A NEW CHRISTMAS gave birth to a new me.

[prashantt-guptha]

THE KASHMIR FILES

When THE KASHMIR FILES was being made, I wondered why I wasn’t cast in it. Natural tendency of an actor, after having worked with Vivek Agnihotri in THE TASHKENT FILES. But after seeing the movie last night, i realized the only suitable role for me in this film was that of an audience member, and I played it naturally well. It came easy to me, because the movie was THAT GOOD. Impactful, hard-hitting, thrilling, informative, engaging, and overall, very well made. Superlative performances, some of the best monologues written in cinema. Haunting background score, phenomenal cinematography and most importantly, A VERY IMPORTANT STORY THAT HAD TO BE TOLD. Just like The Tashkent Files. Five stars and three cheers to the entire team. And Im no journalist or critic. Just an actor, a viewer and admirer. I only wonder which file he’s opening next. 🤔🙌👏

[prashantt-guptha]

I don’t know if we’ll always have Paris. I don’t know if this or that is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. But i do know, I’ll always have CASABLANCA and this beautiful friendship will never end. Have you seen it? Please tell me you’ve seen it. And if you haven’t, please do and then tell me you’ve seen it. And that day, you’ll tell me like never before, ‘Prashantt, i think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.’ This movie is a timeless classic iv been watching almost annually for the last twenty years. I also own its Limited Edition LIFE magazine celebrating its 75 years. Oh, AS TIME GOES BY … of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine! ❤️❤️❤️

[prashantt-guptha]

SUCCESS, reframed!

You all have heard of the concepts of brain fog, dark clouds hovering upon us, pessimism, or straight up ‘the wrong way to look at things’! Many of us look back at moments in our life, or even a great portion of it, and feel like we (or it), was dark, unsuccessful or our low point. And we remind ourselves of it so often through recollection or verbal repetition to others, that we subconsciously end up deeply programming ourselves for more of it. And nothing changes. We think we can get away telling people or ourselves of how hard the past was, without it effecting how our future shape will shape up. And that’s a jolly big folly my friend. If any of you have ever worked with a fitness coach, try a life coach sometime. I’m working with one, someone through a personal referral and extremely flexible and affordable, and one particular approach she taught me has changed my mindset almost as if it went through a laundry ‘tumblr.’ She could guarantee that I was faaaar more successful that Im giving myself credit for, only because I wasnt happy with where exactly I am. How she converted my mindset to a success story, is nothing short of a miracle. Oh’ the magic of journaling, the power of reframing, the importance of recalling each n’ every success of the past on a daily basis and watching how it bleaches out all the dark spots of your failure mindset. If this in anyway applies to you, in whatever way whatsoever, pick a fixed time of the day, grab a journal and pen, and look back to every successful moment as a habit. DAILY. Pen it down. I promise you, if you think you’ve only had ten worthy of mentioning, you’ve actually had like s hundred, but developed amnesia along the way. Start writing, heal your memory, heal your life.