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Introducing Vibhu ‘Chabi Wali Pocket Watch’ Puri
In the hype surrounding the controversies relating to the 53rd National Film Awards, the mention of a special jury award to FTII graduate Vibhu Puri’s Chabi Wali Pocket Watch in the Non-Feature category almost went unnoticed. Well, the fact of the matter is, most of the awards in the Non-Feature section go unnoticed by the media these days, as both channels and newspapers concentrate on the top awards in the Feature section.
But Puri’s film, coming after his earlier film Chauras Chand, shows the definite growth of a young filmmaker who is sooner than latter going to be a sensitive director in the Hindi film industry if he holds on to the ideals he has exhibited in both his films.
Chauras Chand, which was part of the Non-Feature Section of the Indian Panorama at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) a few years ago, was on Avtaar Singh Sandu, better known as Pash, who was an underground Punjabi poet whose creations were critical of both the government headed by Indira Gandhi and the Khalistan movement. Sandu was killed by Khalistani extremists in 1988, when he was just 37.
Chabi Wali Pocket Watch is a definite step forward for Puri as a director, from Chauras Chand and Chuuk Chuuk, another short film he made in the interregnum (and which I have not seen).
It has quite high technical standards for a student film, and particularly the exquisite use of light by cinematographer Anay Goswamy helps lend an old-world charm to what is essentially a theme that pays tribute to a world we have almost lost.
Unfortunately seen only by a small section of delegates at its single screening in IFFI in Goa last year, the film, whose name itself conjures up the image of a world gone by, recreates the traditional cultural richness of Old Delhi of yore. Puri has given a large dose of ‘soft-focus’ treatment to the film to lend it a poetic edge, but it is the way he has developed the storyline that gives us the hope of having a sensitive feature filmmaker in our midst soon (“soon”, because he is in the process of starting his own independent feature project).
The film is about Babba, an ageing poet from Old Delhi who writes in Urdu, and who does not publish his writings as he strongly believes that creations from heart need not always be commercialized and that it is not necessary that only writers who are published are good writers. Quite obviously, he is going to die an unknown death, like many talented men (and women) do.
Puri shows maturity beyond his age and experience in the medium in the way he treats a subject that weighs the value of creativity in a world where everything is counted in terms of money.
To drive home his point, Puri has created the character of Pappan, a small-time publisher who is eyeing Babba’s poetry as a means to get rich – by publishing them – and also his daughter Minni. The film ends with Pappan’s realization about the value of art over money.
The film has been India’s official entry to the students Oscars in 2006, and also won the best feature award at the Ibda’a Awards in Dubai and the Special Kodak Award at the 13th International Film School Festival in Lodz (Poland).
Chabi Wali Pocket Watch benefitted from some help from Puri’s contacts in the industry – he is working as associate director to Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s under-production Saawariya - with the likes of Sharmishtha Roy lending a helping hand (she is the art director of the film).
Puri had told me in Goa during IFFI that the film is all about finding one’s own self in the midst of a highly-materialistic world. Hopefully, his cinema in the long run will continue to reflect such concerns with equal sensitivity.
PS: It is quite unfortunate that India is yet to develop a market for short films. As a result, some interesting early work by student filmmakers - many of whom develop to become respected names much later - go unsung and unseen. Cannot there be some kind of initiative through which a bunch of short films can be released for sets of single viewings in theatres, even if they have only limited screenings (like weekend mornings)?
37 Responses to “Introducing Vibhu ‘Chabi Wali Pocket Watch’ Puri”
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Hav heard so much abt this film. but havent seen. Utpal…thnx 4 writing about it. dont know if anyone will agree to screen these films commercially but the filmakers should upload it online. now there are so many ways to make it available to others. dont know why they cant put it on utube for others to c.
YouTube! You must use free distribution platforms like these. I understand that your work of labour has some commercial value but you know very well that we exist in a non existent market for short films, primarily due to zero visibility of short films. We Indians have grown up on a masala diet of Indi cinema with little helpings from “the hollywood” so its difficult to digest a short film. Still want the people to watch your film? Go out and find them! And what better than youtube?! There are loads of young ones, like me, waiting out there… Waiting to be spurred.. and wondering at the same time if its all possible.. Shorts can be just the “push” required. And make that an “Indie short.” - Wow!
That’s nice to hear someone write about short films. Guess we need to have a section exclusively devoted to short films here in this site…I had recenty made a HDV short called “Bomber Briefs”. It’s a 38 minute short and has an interesting take on the “War on Terror”. If interested, you are invited to visit http://www.myspace.com/bomberbriefs to know more. Regards and let’s keep helping us, the future filmmakers. Thanks
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All stars to a very young & intelligent director.
wish him good luck in the future.
Its great to know that people are watching short films….Some of them are better than all the bollywood movies put together…
I happened to watch this film at IFFI and its a brilliantly directed film. Performances are mind blowing…Sharmistha’s art direction is of course a strong point. I still remember the painful notes of sarangi (composed by Mr Mangesh Dhakde) and beautifully written dialogues. Hats off guys….Keep making such good films.
can this movie be shown on PFC? I’m quite interested to put it up here even if for a brief while
have a dvd of this one phoenixnu. it seemed a winner even on paper. looking forward to a lot of good films from you Vibhu and best of luck for your feature.
There is no doubt that film is written and directed brilliantly. Dialogues are short but they convey the message very well and music has acted as soul. Vibhu has once again proved that he is a complete director.
Sandeep Mohan… put the direct link of your movie on YouTube. Found it hard to get the link on your myspace page.
Hey people,
I have been lucky to catch ‘ chauras chand’ & ‘chabiwali pocket watch’ both of Vibhu’s honest attempt to express his deepest love….Love towards poetry.
Poetry not just in the subject but the sketching of his characters, the words spoken by them, the mood created, the music that smoothly trickles in and his visualisation. Simply a brilliant effort which seems just so effortless.
My heartfelt good wishes to a film maker, I am sure will leave a mark of his own and create his own CINEMA.
Lots of Love
Shailey
i have seen this film,and i personally feel it caters to all the aspects required for a good flm..beatifully shot,excellent cinematography,excellent sound track,and very good story,dialoges..thus creating a great audio visual experience…a superb visual treat for people who enjoy good cinema…i feel, vibhu puri is gonna play a very importtant role in the future of indian cinema. keep it vibhu..and all the best……
smriti…so when am i getting the dvd ?? plz…
btw, saw anand gandhi’s film continuum recently…chaitanya has it…damn good one…the first story bhook is so simple and so fucking brillant!!!
Thank you all for such an overwhelming response. I never expected this. Thanks Smriti, yeha you were one of the few ppl to have heard it.
I am glad a people have expressed their wish to see the film.
Screening through net is not something I would particularly recommend for that kills the sound and visual imagery.
But, I would love to show the film to as many people as possible, but I don
Vibhu are you working with Mr. Bhansali now?…have seen your film….he seems a “great” influence on your work….
And Sandeep Mohan were you the guy who also made “36C”…..thought it was a great great great concept….but somewhere execution mein thoda gadbad….keep it going man….your mind runs crazy….am a Fan…if you are the same Sandeep Mohan.
Vibhu, and guys I think it will be a great idea to upload the film here or on you tube…. for people who are unable to make to any screenings.:(
vibhu..agree abt visual n sound quality. but thats the best way to reach evryone. n d quality is not that bad afterall. isnt it ? neway, ur film, ur wish.
dear vasanbala,
yeah i am working with Mr. Bhansali and
I take ur remark as a compliment (or should I start to introspect!!!)
I personally think, my work is primarily influeced by life in old Delhi. Be there and u’ll know what I mean.
Phoenixnu, don mind sendin dvds rather than showing it off the net. :)
i too have heard a lot about this film…won a few awards internationally. was also at cannes if i m not mistaken.
glad someone wrote bout it that has initiated a dialogue on state of shorts in our country
hey vibhu. welcome to pfc.
phoenixnu - maybe pfc mumbai cd hv a short film screening session. i havent seen anand gandhi’s film.
oz,
As more and more budding filmmakers are making to PFC, how about having a section to facilitate sharing shortfilms? Probably on a single youtube username PFC.
Also good to have DVD section for people who prefer good sound/visuals and willing to pay through paypal?
i have seen this film.main kah sakta hoon ki vibhu ki film usi institute ke director ki film se umda aur behatarin hai.bas yhe umeed rahegi ki vibhu apni zameen na choden.kya padh rahe hain vibhu?
Vibhu - wow…great!! will contact u thru mail.
Smriti….ya, lets do. my place is there as long as my landlord doesnt kick me out. before me, he was trying to make his film there. society guys kicked him out…ha ha ha. next weekend ? will ask chaitnya for anand’s film. what say guys ?
the short where the girl is sitting alone in her bathroom I guess with her hair dipped in a tub/bucket full of water…..and the dialogues being in couplets most of the times…that gave me the bhansali feel….The shots have been painfully executed……it does show much care has been taken of the framing and the lighting and the execution of each shot……like take each random frame and you can call it a nice picture. Thats trademark Bhansali for me. Great work by Anay I must say….the girl was also great and getting the OM DarBadar actor again to the screen for a film produced by FTII….some history….All the best Vibhu….
N also if we can get chauras chand….smriti u have ?
I’d love to see the film. Let me know if theres any place in Bbay where I can watch it… floorspace wil do
thanks vasan bala,
i m glad that after so many months n and single screening, u still remeber so much about the film.
Mere liye cinema ke maane hai saaz, alfaaz aur andaaz. Bas aur kuchh nahin! Toh mausiqi aur kahe jaane wala har nukta aur dikhne wala frame mere liye bahut bahut bahut beshkeemati hai.
U pointed out the excat things. I m glad.
As for people who want to see it, i guess our friend Phoenixnu has volunteered to screen it at his place.
So for further details as to when n where, all queries, addressed to him.
Probably I have known Vibhu Better than most of the readers of this article. A lesser known fact is that Vibhu did his BBA from DU and unlike most of us, he went on to pursue his dream of becoming a film maker. I know him from the “Abhivyakti” (The theatre group in College of Business Studies) where he scripted many plays, winning at major college festivals. He’s not changed at all, working with Mr Bhansali would make any student a snob, but the same has skirted him till date. I always tell him, if i had even 1% of his courage to pursue my dreams, i would have beaten Mr Ambani at 28. Way to go, you are an inspiration for me to follow my dreams. P.S. Still awaiting my copy of the movie, personally autographed.
I was under the impression generation that can appreciate sensible cinema is nowhere but after reading all this I’m very happy still there is audience who watches sensible cinema and does’nt forget to appreciate it.
Hey Phoenixnu count me in to watch the film. Pls let me know the venue if u guys r doin the screening in Mumbai.
my mail id - gopiputhran@rediffmail.com
will do gopi…strctly floospace…nothing fancy we can offer…all for passionforcinema…ha ha ha
Dear Utpal,
Wish to publish your article in our News Paper in Gurgaon. Vibhu is a college mate of mine.
Deepak: I think if you use it, you have to give credit to PFC also. What is your newspaper called?
Dear Utpal,
I will give due credit to PFC and your input. The byline will have your name and the source will be the url of PFC.
If thats ok, will go ahead with publishing it.
My newspaper is called Gurgaon Round Up
here’s the plan..sunday(2nd september)…3pm onward…at my place…andheri west.
vibhu…u r getting chauras chnad na ?
smriti…chabi wali pocket watch..pakka ?
chaitanya…will get continuum.
devdutt…hey hwo r u ? can u get amit datt’s triology..ma pa,sha tra gya n the other one.
those who r intersted post ur email adrs, wil mail u my adress. dont know how many of us can fit in one room..but lets c.
n vibhu…my tv is some 10 years old…though the audio video is perftclty fine. hope u dont have problem with that ;-)
Vinay shukla/Gopi…check ur mail.
hi vibhu
i watched ur film today at MIFF and I liked it very much, please lemme know how wud i acquire a copy of the same. I am a cinematography student and felt I can learn lot of things by analyzing each frame of it … i dont know whether u were thr at the festival today … i was interested in meeting u …
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