The gloomy autumn morning after Diwali was all white. Which meant open spaces for shooting the interview would’ve meant washed out backgrounds. People of Delhi NCR were all suggested to remain indoors. Those who hustled on the streets, had pollution masks installed.
We were to meet Christopher C. Doyle at Cyber hub, Gurugram.
He’d taken time out to see us in the middle of two meetings. An hour! Would they let us interview him in the hub? Will we have to change the venue to talk to him. Maybe some nice park in Gurgaon itself.
Cut the assumptions.
Jump to the story.
So,
Next
the taam jhaam (the cameras, tripods and the sound recorder to be specific),
Afterwards I find myself in front of the guard who questions our reason to carry the equipment at the entrance gate.
“We’ve worked all night. We need breakfast bhaiyaaa”
He trusted us.
As I walked in, I called up Mr Doyle.
“Lets meet outside Hard Rock cafe.” We concluded.
We headed straight for HRC. Just outside the Cafe, a grey suited man stood, briefcase in his hand. He greeted me with a smile,
“Hi Mudit!”
“Hello sir. So where do we do the talk?”
Worried we’ll have a crew of guards running at us, if the open spaces of cyber hub were utilised to host the shoot,
We headed for Nando’s and found it completely empty.
Went in, and I asked the manager if we could order something and shoot an interview with a well known author.
The man looked at us from behind the chipotle bottles and said it ain’t possible.
“He’s here with me right now!”
C showed the manager his card and tried to convince this man.
“It’s an opportunity for you guys and the restaurant is still empty.”
“Also I love the ambience… I love Nando’s and don’t mind putting the logo on the videos we create”, I blurted to sell the idea.
The guy gazed at me with a reluctant smile. “I ll check with the authorities.” But…
Waiting for the guy soon felt like a waste of time to both of us.
We shared a look and left our cards.
What would be open?
Don’t know why, I felt a coffee shop might be the best place to pull off a talk,
Starbucks.
But it was no help too.
Same drill.
“NO SCENE WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION.”
OK. even better…
Bookstore!
Crosswords, it was. I made the request while
Christopher, picked up his own book from the bestselling section.
“Could we please do an interview in your premises?” We requested.
“Do you have permission?” replied the manager
“Oh! hey, this is my book…”, C said to the Manager with a warm smile. “How is it doing?”
“Oh sir! Its doing great! Give me a second!” He took a gulp. and Doyle walked back to the section.
It was as if a burst of respect hit him. The manager looked at me in awe.
“You’re with the Author himself?”
“RIGHT NOW?”
I looked back at Mr Doyle to verify his presence to him.
“Yes seems so!”
I’m sure he felt the instantaneous in the situation.
“Please let me make a few calls to figure it out.” He said.
This time, we knew our work was done. This guy was at it.
He made a few calls and came back at me with a smile.
“Sir karlo interview.”
Happy inside, I told him to turn off the music in the store and watch out for extra sound. He was honoured to help.
Checkout Our series of interviews with Christopher C Doyle, covering the insights of his life and writings influences.
Here is the first one in the series!
Here is the second video in the series on his journey, the obstacles that deterred him and his story.
The Third interview covers the power of storytelling. The author explains his understanding around ‘learning & teaching’. He discovers a great way to unleash the potential of a story.