The meeting at Deepak the MD of Rapport Events was scheduled for 3;00 PM and our star attraction Raj gave it a miss, he is suffering from fever since last night. Non the less I along with James and Ashish did a brainstorming session on the project and fate of the erotic web series. Deepak was harp with his questions and had a long jam session on the story and the love angle of Rashmi Verma with the author and how she has to be portrayed as being a strong woman who could stand up to men. James with having written the screenplay knew the story and it’s finer points by heart. I Was keen to share my Content Hub experience with Deepak and that how we needed to package the story with a director and some lead actors so that we can get the interest off some OTT platforms and prospective buyers.

Deepak has a small but tastefully done up office, with a secretary who I had a chat with I told her the story of Jack Ma and his secretary that he persuaded her to stay on with him for 16 years and after that when the company hit IPO she became a billionaire. James laughed at that story. But the atmosphere was cordial as we were getting to know each other. Deepak seemed friendly and professional, he would keenly ask questions even giving his bit on the casting of the elating lady, he saw her as a Young Radhika Apte. Names of Rakul Preet and Chunky Pandey’s daughter were thrown around. More fantasy in the air, at least all of us were sure that the budget should be at least 10 lakhs per episode.

I gave a low down of my other books which could be digitally adapted and Deepak promised to read my book and screenplay and pull some strings to get the project moving and trying to pitch it to his known friends and contacts in the industry. We had a 40 min. Meeting and lots of tea and water, but came out cheerful at what and been achieved so far. One more buyer of my book and one more narration of my story. As I move on chugging the web-series  Chu Chu train.

There is a song in my heart and it cries out La la la la Yeh Hei Mumbai Meri Jaan. I have been Criss Crossing the city meeting old friends and new partners, setting up meetings with prospects. I did manage to catch up some girls from the party girls gang and did have lazy shag at my hotel room, with one of the hotties. My skin glows now, all the sex I have been having I guess, But yes I have put on more weight, must be because my body is happy.” You must make a Kurta for me a white Kurta, you are a designer also show us some art, give me a Kurta Gift next time.” I bartered with Payal. Well, she should be happy with what I give her for an hour’s raunchy sex session. She really is a true Mona Home Delivery the sleaze show on ullu.com app. But these girls their makeup, perfumes and dresses they must cost a bomb, Payal is as usual immaculately dressed and always presentable. My OYO room guys are also cool with them I told them I will be having my girlfriend over for the evening, no problem for them only that I have to pay if she stays over in the night which was cool with me.

Now that I am staying here for some time, I started taking my evening walks around the streets and alleys of the Vile Parle area. It is a very residential place with a core local Marathi population, Tehri was green banners of Raj Thackrey asking all Pakistani’s and illegal Bangladeshi’s to get out of Mumbai and leave the state, it was a declaration of war on the minorities. Something that has resonated throughout the country recently. Small shops and eateries which include Idli Dosa joints and tea stalls litter the pavement markets as I strolled past lazy buses and children returning from school. There were a lot of elderly in this area, old past 80 or so women two dozen of them sat on benches and chatted away.

My eye stopped at the natural ice cream outlet the pride of the city and Maratha Manus, I walked in order a Kaju Kishmish and Apricot fruit ice cream. I sat on a bench outside the parlor and eat with great relish.

It was last evening and my man Ashish called up, it was time to head to Oshiwara for some idle banter and smokes with the packaging and strategy man. It was Idli with my old school mate ad then I smoked away the night with Ashish making castles in the area around my web series. Till then it’s me dreaming away my time in Mumbai Meri Jaan.

Celebrated the taste of being in the Maximum city with my mate Ashish and he took me to the perfect spot to have late dinner. Yes! The JIMIS BURGER joint, in Lokhandwala that is where we were headed there for a tasty beef burger and the taste of icy cool Mojito made from fresh orange, my buddy had a lime crush both very tangy and exotic. We spent a long time just photographing our colorful drinks, of orange and purple colors like two school kids. Ashish with his round word plastic glasses looked like a character from a Tim Burton film, now that is his own admission. I think he is more. Like a being from the Tin Tin comics. I took some of my own selfies and was mazed to see how fat and bloated I have become over time, my tummy really falls off and I look now a cross between a Bear and a Kangaroo. Add to that my grey undid and ruffled hairstyle, which is coarse and crooked. I bought some new T-shirts today and they kind of stick to my body making my tummy really stand out. What’s more, I had arrived in a premier American burger joint to stuff my self on a greasy, cheesy beef burger with bun and well-done stake, hand cooked and tossed on a flame grill, pink and red from the inside, smoky and charred brown from the outside. This with tomato sauce and mustard was the main course from both of us.

I forgot to take pictures of I burgers and bun, but did take some snaps of our finished plates after we had had our feast.” If I need to act I have to lose weight, but with the way, I just hogged up the burger I thin losing weight is a distant dream for me.” I told Ashish as I took a deep swing from my icy cool orange drink. There were raw orange slices inside the drink and I squeezed the raw juice out of them which feel into the tangy drink.

“You are lucky you are here in Mumbai at least you get to walk around and are active with your meetings and books, in Delhi, you would be in bed all day and all week just eating and smoking and talking to yourself.’ Ashish lamented at the state of affairs.

“But you see no matter what or who you aspire to be, you will always be yourself, that is a constant and will never change your situation can change but you will lawyers be you, So Tehri is no point wanting to be someone else because that will never happen. The aspiration that’ all an ego game.” I delved into a bit of Philosophy which my learned friend was trying to absorb.’ Yes but that’s a very deep analysis of the whole ego business most people will not be able to grasp that much of a meaning.” Ashish seems impressed. I dived the topic by looking at the menu near my plate and ordered dessert chocolate brownie with ice cream. It was huge and came in a huge brass bowl hot and cold at the same time. I shared it with any dinner buddy, yum yum! What a treat. After a long time a hearty meal and a delightful experience. The inside decor was very American with images and paintings of burgers on the wall the lighting was low and the seating was very comfortable with leather cushions. The staff was curious and helpful, out of all food came on time and the portions were like in America, huge king size.

So if you are single, have a date or just with family and friend do try Jimi’s Burger joint for a complete scrumptious lunch or dinner affair. One of my favorites and I recommend it to all.

Mumbai and I are getting along just fine, yesterday night I went around Juhu and then all the way to Powai in an auto, had a snack at the sea princess and drove back to my hotel when it was almost dawn. Then I dozed off till noon, yes I got up that late not knowing what to do with myself I sent out a few emails answered a few calls and sent some instructions out to my publisher and courier. I have decided to extend my stay in the city for three weeks more, do more meetings look for acting work, the city is growing back on me. I know it will take the time it has been 6 long years a long break from the city and form the industry and profession itself. The only acting I have done in the last six years is a 7-day shoot for Torbaaz with Sanjay Dutt. I have been away fro long, I am rusty but my newfound vocation as an author has bought me back to the city, the need to tell my stories most fo them from personal pain or life experiences. With more persistence and time spent in the city more acting work would also follow, I just need to lose some weight for that.

Ashish has added a new dimension to our web-series project, he is the packaging man, the one who will shell out the first seed money and get the project going making it saleable.  We know that but who will play it. Would it be  Ekta Baby and things became clear here, we would go for MX Player as our platform. Ashish has a good rapport with them and they can be sold to. Pot smoking is not all that we did today, I did stop by at Raj Shandilya office and left a note for him to call back and reply to his mail. He would be our first signing and then we will move to the others in the main cast.

Global Rapport will be pulling the strings as far as packaging the project goes so that OTT platforms can then lap it up.

The project will be of a 10 lakh per episode budget an MX Player Original Series types. Till them, we sat till the wee hours of the night making castles in the air and dreaming further on our projects. The circle is getting made we just need some magic dust or manna from heaven to make the whole thing explode into the reality that we have envisaged. Slowly a pattern and a package are beginning o take shape and above all make sense to us all.

I had just finished my last joint of grace it was past 9;00 in the night and I had searched all afternoon for places to eat in the Vile Parle area, this is my first time living on this side of Mumbai. I use to frequent it often as during my stint in Satyam I way I was posted in Mumbai my office was adjacent to the orchid’s hotel near the airport. I was stationed in an OYO rooms hotel in the East and above all I was hungry. The hop in my steps has been due to the gush of energy the conference and the city of Mumbai have given me. Either that or it must be the pot, and I suspect it is the latter.

I strode out into the street in search of auto to take me to the fam out Gazalee restaurant in Vile Parle East. It is known for its fresh seafood and Goan fish curries, it also has a variety of mutton spicy dishes, all traditional Maharashtrian style with pickle, chutney and white rice. The seating is traditional and very middle and working class. Mostly for families, there were some couples though but mostly large families. A huge blackboard welcomes you near the entry gate of Gazelle. I strode in exhausted by the walk and I was wearing my rubber slippers. The china plates lay on the table with lime and hot water to wash my hands. Waiters dressed in a uniform of yellow shirts and caps took orders as a manager, or a relative of the owner sat at the till collecting money form the bills.

In minutes I had two trays full of ice and salt trust infant of me, one had huge lobsters, others were a tray full of cards and prawns, some still alive and wiggling. The last try was full of large bloated pomfret fish, a delicacy of the region. It is made into a very spicy yellow gravy curry, tangy and tasty. The pomfret curry is done well here, the chosen fish is first selected by the customer and then sliced up and cooked, it is then cooked further in a thick yellow rich gravy giving it a tangy flavor. That was served to me with white rice and brown chutney. I eat and eat the curry was hot and I had to take it one spoon at a time and then gulp some water but I raged to polish of more the half the pomfret curry. The thing that caught my face was kept in the freezer outside the restaurant and that was the famous caramel custard. I gorged on it like a mad man and had two full plates of the dessert. I did take a peek at the menu for next time, I will try the mutton delicacies.

But yes Gaza lee was the beginning of my exploration of Vil.

I was up by 8:30 toady and my first thought was to keep lying on the bed, the day was overcast and cooler than usual, or maybe this is Mumbai and I am used to waking up in Delhi. Got a message from a friend the Delhi Literature Festival has been postponed due to the coronavirus outbreak that has gripped the capital. I got a taste of the virus when I first saw some fellow passengers wearing masks, also at the conference, we had sanitizers everywhere so people could clean their hands and rinse the virus off their skin. So far I am safe at least I don’t have any symptom of being sick, I did feel heavy in the morning that I guess must be my weight, I have put on a bit in the last few months and it is showing.

I got a call from Ashish the man from Pulling strings productions, he had reached there by now. I was still hesitant to get out of bed, “ Maybe I will join you late today reach by 11:00 am it’s the last day of the conference .” I said. I lumbered in the auditorium by 10:30 and got my badge of the day. There were a lot of writers talking today and we went into the nitty-gritty of pitching a project and writing a great script. There was a fireside chat with casting companies and agents alike.

Meet up with the Chocoholic Guy  and showed him his post on my blog, our man was happy with my videos although he complained about the voice-over .” Maybe you can help me sell my books .” I quipped him, his outlet would be a perfect place to show are and sell some of my books especially the erotica genre.

Today I felt the energies were a bit down it was day two and all the bright media honcho’s had already made their presence felt on day one. The crowd was larger and there was also more media presence. But that emanate that much was more relaxed as no one was running towards the mutton dishes. I did meet a few talented scriptwriters who wanted to collaborate with me on building screenplays from my books. That was refreshing though some people remembered me from my acting days and reminisced about old ads of my and how I look so much like Ranveer Shourie. All this a welcome change I am enjoying the cation and networking of the last few days, it has kept busy and given some direction to somewhat purposeless life I have led so far.

I was through my lunch and enjoyed eating the Thandai Soufflé, it was done an early exit from the event me and Ashish were looking to go into the comfort of my OYO room to read and chill throughout the afternoon as we said goodbye to an enriching event where I did learn a lot and got many leads that would help me develop my stories further.

“ You have to see the game, the name of the game is packaging, once you have the story the screenplay then you need a good director and main lead, once you sign them, we just announce the project and platforms will buy it.” Ashish tried to explain his strategy which he had honed over time, being involved in film projects in the past he knew what was required to get the story sold to a platform or to a prospective producer. “ Raj Shandilya will be the director and we can get him on board when we pay him a signing amount, as soon as that is over we get the Rashmi Verma,” I added my bit to the imagination. We Had started indeed webbing the web, that’s something we do often when smoking pot together. We have even cast Ananya Pandey for the lead role and have got Ayushmann Khurana’s brother as one of the other leads. Looks interesting I must say, I have extended my stay in the maximum city for three weeks. Time to do some follow-up matings and try to sell some books. As I said the money is only in selling the rights of the book, not in the sales of the copies, you can never make money just by selling copies, you need to sell rights and value your book content enough.

I new wave of energy has hit me since the conference and now armed with knowledge and leads I can march forward trying to web the web.

As if the content hub festival had not brightened things for me and got my juices going, I was excited to meet so many like-minded people, make friends and discuss my books with writers. I was able to get leads and a direction on how to make a pitch to OTT Platforms and how to structure the pitch. Having a story in a bible and a book form is good but you need a screenplay and dialogues and then a location sketch and character sketch. Well, I have my books and a screenplay so what next. The answers were there as the speakers spoke but I got a very different perspective in selling a web-series project from my learned friend Ashish. He comes from work experience for a large events agency. “ Packaging that is the king once you have the story locked you just need a good competent known director and a couple of good young popular actors, like chunky Pande’s daughter. All is then needed is to launch the project and then buyers will approach you. Whats more do a launch video with the title track .” That was Ashish’s way of doing a project and making people buy it. No sending emails, kicking on production house doors with your book and script. Or sending couriers full of your screenplay to a writers club or a short film production house, hoping someone will put in 2 lakhs to make a short film out of your book at least. To Ashish, it is how you package your story and key content that helps in selling it in the initial state, generating hype and excitement in the market.

You need the first few lakhs to get the project off the ground if it is nicely packaged we can arise over 1 cr. maybe, even more, No need to struggle like a Chola Chap writer pushing paper at producers trying to get your episode to get approved, or running around OTT platforms with your showreels and scratches. Package the story and launch it with a bang title track and dance number. Why not get Remo to choreograph the song from the south and A.R Rehman can do the music. Dreams more dreams tats what it was we were webbing dreams all day.

This was a point highlighted by many experts that just a story and script is not enough you need to get a director and lead actors identified and on board to make the project saleable and for people to invest in it.

Rapport Global is trying to do just that with my book and story how far they will succeed is anyone guesses. But as of now, we need a young known Director on board to make our boat sail.

So it was not unusual for me to wake up late in the morning of the Content  Hub 2020 conference, my friend Ashish landed up to my hotel early in his car, but found me fast asleep the poor fellow called my phone a dozen times and then left for the conference a bit directed. I was a bit jet-lagged with the flight and overslept but was up in a flash past 9:00 am when this time the buzzer rang louder .” Where are you I am at the conference, hurry up tired calling you but you were asleep .” He was excited to attend the 2-day conference and be with the digital media and cinema Mughals at the venue. They got my name horribly wrong in the visitor’s card they called me ANUJ TIKKA, I couldn’t stop and remark,” You got it wrong I am not some chicken tikka masala, I am a person .” As if that was not all, I bumped into old company firms from my radio days in Mumbai. She waste content  I handed her my book. That was a good beginning and I was excited about the event.  I rushed to gift my book to one of the Korean guys who had come to talk about getting Indian stories like Dan-gal to the Korean and Japanese markets. I rushed informant and asked the attendant to gift him my book with his trophy which he took at the end of the talk. There was Ashish the CEO of Netflix India and the fireside chat with the VFX gang was also interesting. But I was itchy and making good contacts, people saw my enthusiasm to promote my book and I had asked a few questions the experts as such. There was this cozy chat Anupama Chopra had with the Viacom CEO. That was the calm our element she looked grace-full and very bright.

I would hover out into the lobby to take coffee breaks and even-aged to do a video and blog post on a gourmet cake making firm by the name of ChocoHolics, I did an interview with the owner as he guided me to cakes shaped like strawberries and one as a BMW car logo, these were custom made designer cakes and sweeties for the elite and for corporate gifting. Well, my reward for all these two big strawberry candies and a huge box of assorted chocolates. Ashish my friend was more attentive and sat through the conference till much time and that as panic as everyone went for the food, I ate less as I generally do on these occasions, but enjoyed the non-vegetarian food. Someone suggested that the guys from Story Tel were looking for erotic content and would be interested in my book/screenplay. I had peoples from production houses like Western Productions, ClapperBoard, AUM Era approach me and showed interest in my books, who I was merrily showing my titles to on amazon. A gentleman approached me to ask about self-publishing and blogging and I gave him a hand of the tutorial. One screenwriter anted to do a screenplay of my next few books and asked me if he could submit his works. My running around and positivity throughout on confidence motivated some prospect producers to approach me and ask in detail about my campus erotic. What more I shook hands and gave my card to the CEO of Netflix. But by the time it was five in the evening I felt exhausted, I even fell a slipped for a few minutes on Ashish’s shoulders. The soup in the evening before we left the venue was just what we wanted and as a grand final, I managed to take a picture outside the cut out announcing the grand event. Ashish waited for the car and I kept narrating the storyline to him of my next book Part Girls,” One day I will get this made into a film of some sort too .” I yelled as I got into the car.

The event had been a good platform and we can meet half a dozen big wings from the industry to push the case for my web series. Till then figures cross what will be the outcome no one knows but I will keep webbing and webbing.

The venue of the content Hub 2020 was indeed auspicious as I used the reach of my blog to convince Manoj Wanwari the owner to let me promote his cakes and exotic designer chocolates on my blog through post and pics. I did a quick interview with him as I munched on strawberry-shaped dark chocolates.

It seems he made a custom made care for the Hiranandani Hospital and then boasted his prized possession a chock late cake made out of chessboard and dark and white chocolate. On display were photographs of his exotic cakes along with dark pista chocolates and sugar-free muffins and cookies. This was a bakers delight and assortments of the highest quality packaged as the French do, all that this was a Mumbai Company. With four full-time chefs and dozen or so staff including people for corporate gifting. Manoj has a full-fledged outlet of Chocoholics in Hiranandani in Powai.

The man was dapperly dressed and showed his art with delight to me. Their muffins and sugar-free cookies, with a cake for weddings and anniversaries, a perfect corporate gift for your HNI clients all complete with super packaging and all the gloss. The hospital cake being the highlight their are cakes six feet long and 150 kgs and he then bragged that he could make a “ Tikku cake the same size as you .” That would be something I thought with a shop at Hiranandani Powai. Customers can also look up their Facebook page and Instagram handle. The name id of the same name Chcohollics@facebook and Chocohollics1234@instagram.

The stall was in front of the registration booths and on the left-hand side of the retrace hall, a very prominent position indeed. I snapped away at the products especially the strawberry chocolates and the chess pieces.

He gifted me with a large box of assorted white and pink chocolates, along with another helping of strawberry chocolates. I mushed at them with full delight and told him,” These are for the blogging services I have rendered .” After all, I had promoted his brand. The man was happy and so was I, can we say that it is the beginning of a new relationship. Chocoholics the brand I promote through my blogs and of course they will find a mention in my Travel food guide Travel Bawarchi. Even better they can be my prospective partners to sell copies of my book. I am sure Rashmi Verma will go well here. The pictures of the stall and the man who says that his wife is the inspiration behind the brand, I found that very touching, he really loves his wife our man and so does he love his cakes and cookies.

My desire to make web-series out of my erotica campus tale now pulls me to Mumbai again it’s as if my heart is tugging at me to do this project and take it further bait at my own pace. I have the paperback version of the book in my hand and a look in my inbox gave me this idea that I should be heading to attend a conference, yes sir a Content Hub 2020 conference for a period of two days from the 4th to 5th of March at the Sahara Star Hotel. How did I come to know of it simple this is a screenwriter association invite and the event is done by indiatelivision.com.

So! What’s so great, well there will be over thirty leading lights go the television Digital OTT and Cinema space. CEO of Dharma Productions, MD Sony Liv, COO Viacom 18, writers of famous web series and movies like Panga and Mirzapur, you name it they are all their giving talks, participating in panel discussions and guiding young content creators independent writers and filmmakers, helping them understand the digital age and the art of making mobile content. It will be a two day all packed affair from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm with breakfast lunch and tea included. 

All this at a ticket price of Rs 3000 by the way SWA members get a 25% discount but you need to have your discount card number with you handy to avail of it.

The mail was inviting and was a perfect getaway for a book writer like me hell-bent on making a web-series and launching it. I have done the groundwork the book the screenplay the music it’s all ready. I have enough reviews and 5 episode graphs to swear by. All I need is to find an OTT platform or channel boss and pull him by the hand and trust my book in his hand. Like hey boss this book I want to make a web-series into and you will help me make it, just need your time to take you through the already prepared screenplay. Maybe take a picture with him and hand him my card. Networking that is why I am going here, to get some prospects and content heads to bite the bullet and buy my story or at least tell me how to go about doing just that.

Buy from me Netflix and Jio and Zee5 make this into an erotic campus tale, do it well with a budget of 50 lakhs or so. This is what you are looking for to get those new viewers. I hope to learn about content creation and educate myself further in the digital OTT space. The room on OYO is booked and so is my ticket to Mumbai. It is going to be a hectic three days in the city. Hope to meet my old prospect production house and appraise them further. So keep reading my trust with destiny as I march forward to make a web series that will blow your mind.