A film buff’s take, ‘Jump Cut’

The book launch of ‘Jump Cut’, a novel by Krishna Sastri Devulapalli (the grandson of well-known lyricist the late Devulapalli Krishna Sastri) saw the author in conversation with filmmaker Indraganti Mohanakrishna and writer Harimohan .

Lamakaan is proving to be a happening place ( in spite of the mosquitoes and long walk to the parking area especially of cars) as increasingly events from film screenings, plays, workshops to book launches are being held here. So much so, at times there are multiple events happening here. The latest one was the launch of Krishna Sastri Devulapalli’s second book Jump Cut published by Harper Collins.

The event, one of the rare ones which began on time was marked by a discussion between the author, writer,-ex cricketer Harimohan Paruvu and filmmaker Indraganti Mohanakrishna. The grandson of Devulapalli Krishna Sastri, the eminent poet and lyricist, Krishna grew up in Chennai and was exposed to films due to his grandfather and father, a cartoonist and a Hollywood film buff. So, it was natural that his second book was set in the backdrop of the film industry!

The discussion essentially focussed on the issue of copyright and plagiarism as the book deals with it. Krishna started off saying there is least respect for Intellectual Property Rights in the country. Plagiarism is in every field and people pass it off by saying we do a remake as a tribute! When a filmmaker goes to a producer to make a Telugu film he is given a Korean DVD to see and remake!

The book was also discussed by the three more in regards to the content and the lead protagonist Ray’s relationship with his father and his atonement. The author’s quirky sense of humour was evident when he read out certain extracts of the book which is peppered liberally with Tamil. When we can have Yeh Dil Maange More as a national slogan why can’t one use Tamil reasoned the author. The event culminated in a Q & A with the audience.