A New Career?
By Rummuser. Filed in Uncategorized |Tags: Acting. Career, Ad films, Film shoots
Ranjan’s good friend and a casting director for many advertising agencies and filming units RD, suddenly threw a googly at me. She had met me casually at home on a couple of occasions and I do not know what made her do that but, Last Wednesday, out of the blue, she asked if I would consider acting in a commercial film.
I was quite taken aback and flattered at the same time. For a lark, I agreed and for the first time ever, had an experience of being an actor for a commercial film.
As I write this, all that I know is that I gave a creditable performance, and that I shall be shortly advised as to whether the scene shot with me will be the one that will be the final chosen one. Till then, I have proved my worth to them and will hence forth be on their roll for roles calling for bald headed, well built senior citizens.
I am not at liberty to tell what product for which the film was shot. I am however allowed to say that it is a fast moving consumer product and is slotted for some big time all India exposure shortly.
The experience was, to say the least weird. I was asked to wait till I was called. I was made to wait in a very comfortable hotel suite and was provided with all possible distractions including some very attractive young ladies also waiting to be called for the shoot.
Just before I was called, one of the older ladies, a middle aged matron, announced to the others, who apparently she knew from earlier shoots, that she was being paired with a gorgeous man for the shoot. I was immediately called to go with her and I thanked her for calling me a gorgeous man and hoped that she was serious about the compliment. Bless her quick wittedness, she oohed and aahed and said indeed she was.
So, the two of us went off for the shoot which took all of five minutes, but the drive to and from the location was longer, more like ten minutes either way. The location was on a park bench under some very tall shady trees and the action, very, ahem, romantic!
The long and short of it is that I am supposed to have made some pocket money, the colour of which, I will see soon and gained an unforgettable experience. I shall keep my readers informed about further developments. Who knows, I may make a new career at this late stage of my life!
Saturday, February 6th 2010 at 22:25 |
Oh, I definitely think you need to watch for it on tv and record it and post it for us to see!
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:53
I shall indeed, if I make the grade.
Saturday, February 6th 2010 at 22:59 |
You old romantic you! Any chance of a loan?
For some reason the mention of a Park bench made me think of this:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcHffTlD8wY
* runs away to hide!
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:53
That was hilarious Grannymar. Thank you for sending it. Mike too seems to have enjoyed the clip.
I don’t need to be a star to extend a loan to you. Just holler whenever you want.
Saturday, February 6th 2010 at 23:00 |
Dear RR Sir:
After reading the “Ranjan’s good friend”, a question came in to my mind “whether there is “good” and “bad” friend. The other one is not your friend but foe or enemy.
Could you please enlighten me?
Thanks n regards,
Guru
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:51
Guru, first you call me RR Sir, which implies that I am your guru then you take the wind out of my sails by punturing my language skills. You caught me there friend. Shall avoid that adjective henceforth. Classic case of Guru learning from Guru!
Ursula Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 17:36
Whilst I understand (from a linguistic/stylistic point of view) Guru’s remark, his answer I do not agree with. First of all: If someone is NOT your friend doesn’t mean they are “foe”; few people have enemies (one should be so lucky). Let’s not forget that grey area in all our lives called ‘aquaintances’, some of whom might become friends some of whom will get lost in time.
Guru, I hope, will accept that, if lucky, there is a ‘best’ friend: The one you can phone at three in the morning when in dire straits. Then there are indeed ‘good’ friends – those you can rely upon come hell or high water, you share a mutual affection with which won’t be easily broken. And then there are ‘bad’ friends – those you are emotionally attached to for reasons unknown since found wanting in many respects. I myself can think of people who may consider me a ‘terrible’ friend at times (for reasons not to be divulged this minute) yet their friend I am, and honoured to be so.
As both you, Ramana, and Guru can tell: I don’t go in for black or white. Rarely in life is there a call for it. And those who do go for extremes usually shoot themselves into the foot.
Good luck with your new career, Ramana. You are certainly photogenic. Considering the wisdom of my above words I shall now contemplate a change of career myself and become a guru. Will I have a following?
U
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 20:35
Ursula, Guru is short for Gurumurthy. If our guru ever becomes a genuine guru, only God can help his sishyas. I often wonder if even HE can do it.
My very dear and good friend Guru, I leave you to respond to this.
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 20:52
Sorry Ursula, I should have answered your question about becoming a guru. Anyone can become a guru. Just put up a shingle on your gatepost reading “Guru Ursula” and bingo, you are one. We in India must have about a hundred million of that type. There is no university to graduate from. The problem usually is in finding sishyas.
Guru Reply:
February 9th, 2010 at 07:30
Hi Ursula:
Thanks.
You can always say such a friend as you described as “close friend” and certainly not “good friend”. There is no single definition of “good friend”.
Had Ramana Sir mentioned here “Ranjan’s close friend” that would have been more appropriate. In my opinion, there can be no “bad friend” as s/he is not your friend at all. I am not an expert. I leave it to the “wisdom of Ursula”.
Saturday, February 6th 2010 at 23:11 |
Very interesting. Best of luck!
The park bench also made me think of the park bench scenes in “Laugh-In.” It was good to see that old clip — funny!
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:49
Thank you Mike. I hope that I make it. It will be interesting indeed.
Saturday, February 6th 2010 at 23:59 |
manan
my son is right beside me and when he saw I am commenting on your blog he insisted on typing his name for you.
Now that I have explained the above, I just want to say that I wait with bated breath for the next exciting episode. My four children and I are all waiting to see you should this venture work out.
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:49
So am I.
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 00:16 |
It sounds like you might have been in a commercial for Cialis. I hope it wasn’t for Viagra.
Now I can say I have an actor on my blog roll.
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:48
Darlene, naughty, naughty. But coming from you with such connections as you have, I am not surprised.
I would not be caught dead promoting Viagra on the small screen!
Yes you may indeed, if my scene gets selected and I hit the screens.
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 00:49 |
Good for you! Please let us know how it turns out.
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:47
Thank you. I have every intention of.
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 08:07 |
Dear RR, what a thrill ! following in the illustrious footsteps of your sister … no doubt you have both the persona and the voice for it; and in recent years filmmakers are constantly on the search for “real” people who carry life’s experience on their face and act naturally, and not merely painted actors. I look fwd. to seeing it.
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:43
Thank you Jai.
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 08:21 |
Wow! A real life film star! Now I will have to go visit you to get an autograph.
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:43
When that happens, yes. You will be most welcome.
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 09:06 |
We always thought you were a shoo-in for famous personalities like Shammi Kapoor and other stalwarts of industry. You will surely create a great demand and your facility with languages will be a great plus point. Send me photos…I will pass it on to my Model Co-ordinator….All the best as the 3 Idiots sing!! Will watch out for the commercial though break time is time away from the TV screen. Love and luck!!
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:42
One step at a time. Let the scene get selected, let me appear on the screen and I shall indeed send you my photographs. Thanks.
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 10:31 |
Good luck with the new career Ramana Sir!
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:41
Thank you Anu.
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 10:35 |
Yo buddy, it will be nice to see you in the TV. Keep us informed.
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 15:40
Let us cross the bridge when we come to it Murphy. I do not know whether I will make the grade yet! If I do, I shall certainly keep my readers informed.
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 15:38 |
So, a star is born. It’ll be Hollywood (or maybe Bollywood) next. Cialis indeed. How about Clarins Male Moisturiser, the secret of that perfect Ramana complexion?
Sunday, February 7th 2010 at 18:32 |
With your new look by letting your hair grow, I think big-big-big bucks are in your future. You should share your new hair look with your fans.
Rummuser Reply:
February 7th, 2010 at 20:28
Mayo, both of us need to be quite patient for the effect to take place. I have just come back from the Bay Area from Conrad and it will take at least a year before my hair grows back to normal length. I got the treatment for both the hair, or what little there was of it on top and alas, my beard too.
Monday, February 8th 2010 at 11:11 |
One thing is sure. if the commercial is foe hair products, then Ramana will be the “before” shot. Great going Ramana-athan! Keep the family tradition going. (I always though you were a shoo-in for Sean Connery!)
PS: Since I failed in producing a comb the last time you visite, so you could recover from what you thought was the mad proffesor look, I’ve bought you a bunch of combs. will courier them to you short-ly.
Rummuser Reply:
February 8th, 2010 at 16:32
Vignesh, Sean Connery is a shoo-in for me! I would rather look like the mad professor than use a whole bunch of combs!
Monday, February 8th 2010 at 22:31 |
Mr.R, I wish you all the best in your new career! Let me know when the commercial is aired. Remember – some of our older actresses are in great shape. You would make an excellent older hero!