Day 109(a) - Bollywood in Budgee Springs - Chapter 5.3 (672 words)

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Bollywood in Budgee Springs

Chapter 5 (part 3)

“Yes Madam?” Ash indicates that he sees a question from Helen, a member of MoM, who politely enquires.

“Do we have to wear anything special for these auditions?”

“That is a very good question! We do have a wardrobe department, and if you in some specific parts for the film then we may need to fit that one or two of you for that scene, but mostly no, we would like to see you and your life in this beautiful town the way it is, the way you like it now.”

Ash looks towards Charlie who has his hand raised, but with determination in his face that Max sees and tries to head off immediately. “Maybe that's enough questions for now? I think we can let the crew get on with their jobs, they have so much to do before the actors arrive after all.”

There is another hubbub at the mention of actors, though they do not know any of them by name or by sight, the idea that they are famous is in itself enough to titillate the town into the feeling.

Charlie however, years of authority under his belt is undeterred “What’s this movie about exactly?”

Max makes a sign at Ella who disappears quietly out the back door of the Whistle as Ash can sense that this question is somehow more than it appears. He glances at Max and tries to smile reassuringly, wishing someone was there to reassure him as well.

“What’s this movie about? Well that’s a difficult question; it’s a complicated answer too... but it's like most Indian Cinema it is...”

“Probably, far too complicated to go into here and now, so perhaps ...”

“Let the man answer the question, Junior!”

“It’s okay Mr Mayor, I do not mind answering, after all this is their town I’m showing the world, in this movie that is. Let’s see. There are many overlapping plots in the story; there are many deep and intriguing characters and themes. We address all the traditional themes and truisms of Indian cinema and hope to challenge the audience by stretching the boundaries and allowing expression to take on a life of it’s own.”

Ash pauses and looks apologetic to the room who are none the wiser, changing tack to simplify the concept.

“And that is the short version of that answer, but in truth like most things the story, the film and all of us are here to talk about love. It is a love story.”

An audible “ahhh” comes from the room, finally something that makes sense and that people can attach to regardless of any language or cultural barriers.

The Mayor breaths a sigh of relief, louder and more visible than he had intended and is ready to move on to the special gift they had organised for the Director, but Ash has found a theme to which he can speak comfortably.

“We call this style of Film ‘Masala’ at home, which if you translate it to your language means ‘Mixture’, And this expresses how the movie will work and the kind of things you could see, and I guess you will see in the coming days.” Ash rattles off a list of words that to him encapsulate the film, pausing between each one and making them have their own presence. “Love. Honour. Conflict. Family. Patriotism. Romance. Adventure. Tragedy. Hope. Comedy. Pathos. Emotions. Music. Dancing. Singing”.

“Dancing AND singing did you say? Is this a musical?” Charlie is making light of the conversation but is getting that creeping feeling that the town may be getting more than it is bargaining for;

“Oh, we are very good at expressing ourselves and our characters through the medium of .. . Holy Cow!”

Standing in the doorway, the head of a cow with a huge red ribbon wrapped about itself is poking through the double doors, not quite in the Whistle but being held on a leash by a proudly smiling Ella.