Just to clear any confusion for the western readers of IB, the person "Deepak" -- a typical first name in India -- in the story above doesn't refer to "Deepak Chopra" or his life's story or an allusion in any literary form whatsoever(unless you want to be philosophical about it: All in One. One in All.)

PS: Wikipedia article links to Indian pop culture references like "Dhoni" and "Bunty aur Bubbly." would have helped the wider audience.

What's a Weekly Intent piece supposed to be represent?

Does making fun of a kid, and boasting about it in cliche-ridden, unedited, humourless prose, fit what IB is about?

If this were a dialog between the writer and the kid, and the kid had some way of defending himself, I'd be OK with the writer's self-revelation of spoiled arrogance that is so self-involved it can even spell Bunty aur Babli correctly. But, too bad, the kid is nowhere to be seen...

Quel dommage... matlab, what a pity.

edited:

What's a Weekly Intent piece supposed to represent?

Does making fun of a kid, and boasting about it in cliche-ridden, unedited, humourless prose, fit what IB is about?

If this were a dialog between the writer and the kid, and the kid had some way of defending himself, I'd be OK with the writer's self-revelation of spoiled arrogance that is so self-involved it can't even spell Bunty aur Babli correctly. But, too bad, the kid is nowhere to be seen...

Quel dommage... matlab, what a pity.

"He wanted to be a star, he said, and he would do anything to learn how to go about it. Could we please guide him? The idea that somebody would ask documentary film makers how to become a star was the stupidest idea since America (s)elected Bush,..."

You did give an advice ..."join an acting course"

That makes you what, "dumb" and arrogant like Bush?

Hey Bhaskar:

You are young.. and no one has even heard you name.. even one who is interested in Bollywood.. and really really hope you are not in any way related to Bhupen Hazarika!

If dreaming big without the necessarily wherewithal at the starting line was any barometer.. then the biggest fool and the most stupid person in this entire site would be Deepak Chopra!! And his erstwhile Guru Mahesh Yogi....BY FAR!! He (and Maharishi) thinks and dreams that by bringing together peace-minded people they can change the world. It is impossible to start with.. but ask them the virtue of dreams!

There have been many instances of people who werent half as good but went up through sheer hard work and passion.

Perseverence . PAssion . Focus . Dream . and AUDACITY to dream....

.. are the BASIC ingredients of a great artists. Technical expertise can make you good .. but not great!

So, go back kiddo to you school and get a brushing up.. will you... God knows, who gave you movies to make! One, who cannot handle a dream.. can hardly handle a piece of art!

Shame on you!
Desh
Drishtikone.com

Why are you so critical of this boy? Did someone once squash your dreams? It sounds to me like you are a little too high on your horse, but that is somewhat normal when you are young to be so arrogant. As you get older you will lose some of this arrogance. Until then...oh I don't know I give up...stop reading so much
Jack Kerouac...please.

The (documentary-like)story is thought provoking for its 'cynicism'. It is an interesting commentary on the psyche of the misguided youth in small-town India, and the so called Dhoni phenomena. Brilliant cynical piece indeed!

If the author is half as cynical in real life as he portrays himself here, I would be proud of him. No wonder, Bhaskar is a documentary filmmaker in India.

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@#3 hgquinn

I think the choice of the anglicized spelling "Bubbly" as against "Babli" used in the article is a conscious one by the author.

"Bubbles" of hope are what...Just Bubbles. It describes a cynics view of the feel good movie B&B.

hgquinn writes describes this piece as "cliche-ridden, unedited, humourless prose"

I agree it is cliche-ridden. Unedited? Not sure, this piece is well written for a blogpost. (His resume at LinkedIn shows that he is a Professional writer and was an Editor at HP.) "Humorless prose"? The humor lies in sarcasm.

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@ #5 Desh Kapoor

Well Mr. Kapoor, I really hope you are in no way related to Raj Kapoor, because if you are, you wouldn't attack a young man doing his art film work.

"Shame on you!" Mr. Kapoor for making personal attacks, and your judgmental attitude on a spiritual site.

Deepak and Tuffy speak of imaginary consequences...

Deepak (alt 1): Yes! I won!! My big bhai, your producer, said your arrogance was just an attitude. I'd watched you, and I told him it went deeper. I bet him I could show I was right. If I was wrong, and you were truly kind and encouraging to me, the "hopelessly optimistic street kid", he'd arrange for the funds for another documentary for you to direct. If I was right, no more funds for you, instead he'd pay for me and my friends to go to London for two weeks of fun. He agreed, because without compassion and insight, how can one make a good documentary anyway? Well, you proved me right, I won the bet, and now it's off to London for two weeks, for me and me buds! Dude, all I can say is a very big dhanyawad!

Deepak (alt 2): Hmmmm, just as we feared... This is your friendly business networking Compliance Department undercover rep. I have tested your writing skills in a spontaneously creative situation. Due to overuse of mixed metaphors and cliches, and inadequate dedication to creating a properly-edited product, I will recommend that you take some refresher writing courses. You will have six months to find and attend appropriate remedial classes. Non-timely compliance may result in redaction of certain sections of your profile.

Deepak (alt 3): What did you get out of it, huh? Why was it so funny to you? You laughed, your friends laughed, and now you're dissing me publicly? Do you know why I held Tuffy to my chest, even though it was so hot he was panting like a pagal kutta? Because I could feel his love for me, and his heartbeats helped my heart beat stronger when I faced you shallow guys in that room, with my gifts of drinks and cigarettes, bought with my own hard-earned money. I knew you weren't part of Sanjayji's shoot. My God, how stupid did you think I was, after all? But this was a chance for me. I could see what you were about, even though you were only on the fringes of the industry. I could get experience with rejection. I could prove to myself my courage was real, not made of paper. And I did all that. I feel sorry for you and your friends, you know? You're scared and you don't know it. You're scared that one day you might be begging me for a job. You don't even want me to try, if you discourage me it means less future competition for yourselves. So you mocked me and tested me and laughed and humiliated me. You not only had me act on the spur of the moment, you had me develop my own dialog, and you made fun of that, too! But that's OK. I survived. I have what it takes. I have heart. I have courage. I tried. I worked hard even though I didn't know what I was doing. And I have Tuffy, who loves me no matter what. I feel sorry for your younger brothers and cousins, to have such relations as you.

Tuffy: Ruff! Ruff-ruff-ruffff!! RrrrrrufFFFF!!!

Hey hey nice one hgquinn!

"Brilliant" would be an understatement, generally I tend to overstate.

hi everyone
A good post. I think a lot of kids these days want to make fast bucks ..Its proper that we guide them . If they still have the patience and passion as pointed out by Desh K , they will do well. But so many of these young girls, in their pursuit of stardom have ended up in brothels Mr.Desh Kapoor...Interesting thread
Deepti

"Vanessa", you wouldn't know a properly edited piece of writing if it bit you in the shin. To praise cruelty by labeling it literary cynicism is ... words fail me. To say what I mean, I'd have to use language I don't normally use. To bring up a writer's credentials to defend a piece means there's something to defend, hai na? To try to shame a man of Desh's integrity and humanity is ridiculous.

If the author is worth his salt, he can defend himself.

But the one who needs defending here is the kid who was written about, isn't it.

@11 hgquinn

"To praise cruelty by labeling it literary cynicism"

Strawman #1

"To bring up a writer's credentials to defend a piece means there's something to defend"

Strawman #2

"To try to shame a man of Desh's integrity and humanity is ridiculous."

Strawman #3

"But the one who needs defending here is the kid who was written about, isn't it."

Which you just did! But I wish he had the education and experience to "convey" what you did.

============

Come on people, we are talking of fast changing India, and its many misguided youth, who are victims of make-beleif movie world, which seems to be the only passtime and the center of their universe which distorts the potential for many real dreams in their lives.

Comeon, V, the little kid is entitled to his dreams and to putting his heart and soul into them. Without dreams, would there even be a film industry?

You, as the real strawman, labeling others' words as strawmen arguments, are quite amusing.

More importantly, the kid's story should have been told with compassion and kindness.

"More importantly, the kid's story should have been told with compassion and kindness."

If that's how you feel, I can't really argue against it at the feel good Chopra site.

"the little kid is entitled to his dreams and to putting his heart and soul into them. "

(Ref. #12)"...which distorts the potential for many real dreams in their lives." which includes becoming a "star" actor. I am don't disagree with dreaming to become whatever..., but in how you approach those dreams.

"Without dreams, would there even be a film industry?"

Reminds me of one of my favorite books "Dream Merchants" by Harold Robbins

"The Dream Merchants is an American novel written by Harold Robbins and published in 1949. Set in the early 20th century, the book is a "rags-to-riches" story of a penniless young man who goes to Hollywood and builds a great film studio. A former Universal Studios employee, author Harold Robbins based the main character on Universal's founder, Carl Laemmle."

Harold Robbins tells the story of the central character in the Dream Merchants with "compassion and kindness" Not, that's not his "style."

In the US, there is 1-800-Flowers, which lets you send flowers anywhere by phone or by web. The founder failed at many things before he made his business work. He contends those who are successful are those who bounce back fastest after failure. When he bought out the 800-Flowers name, he was didn't check all the paperwork. He later found he'd also taken on 7 million in old debts. Everyone urged him to declare bankruptcy. His grandmother said, "We don't do it that way." He worked like crazy and paid off the debts. That is what dreams can do. Life itself will teach a young dreamer what he can and can't handle. No need for a relatively privileged older person to make fun of a young dreamer in a public forum.

Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" is a best seller in India, and widely known among college-goers. I hope the young Deepak gets to read the book and get some good advice for his "dreams" in life.

There are several stories like the 1-800-Flowers founder's story in his book. His life story is an inspiration in itself.

From Wiki:

"Napoleon Hill (October 26, 1883–November 8, 1970) was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. His most famous work, Think and Grow Rich, is one of the best-selling books of all time."

"Hill's works examined the power of personal beliefs, and the role they play in personal success. "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve" is one of Hill's hallmark expressions. How achievement actually occurs, and a formula for it that puts success in reach for the average person, were the promise of Hill's books."

"Hill called his success teachings "The Philosophy of Achievement" and he considered freedom, democracy, capitalism, and harmony to be important contributing elements. For without these, Hill demonstrated throughout his writings, personal beliefs are not possible. He contrasted his philosophy with others, and thought Achievement was superior and responsible for the success Americans enjoyed for the better part of two centuries. Fear and selfishness had no part to play in his philosophy, and Hill considered them to be the source of failure for unsuccessful people."

"The secret of Achievement was tantalizingly offered to readers of Think and Grow Rich, and was never named directly as Hill felt discovering it for themselves would provide readers with the most benefit. Hill presented the idea of a "Definite Major Purpose" as a challenge to his readers, to make them ask of themselves "in what do you truly believe?" For according to Hill, 98% of people had no firm beliefs, putting true success firmly out of reach. Hill's numerous books have sold millions of copies, proving that the secret of Achievement is still highly sought-after by modern Americans. Hill dealt with many controversial subjects through his writings including racism, slavery, oppression, failure, revolution, war and poverty. Persevering and then succeeding in spite of these obstacles using the philosophy of Achievement, Hill stated, was the responsibility of every American."

Hill's life and works

According to his official biographer, Hill was born into poverty in a two-room cabin in the town of Pound in rural Wise County, Virginia. His mother died when he was ten years old. His father remarried two years later. At the age of thirteen he began writing as a "mountain reporter" for small-town newspapers. He used his earnings as a reporter to enter law school, but soon had to withdraw for financial reasons. The turning point in his career is considered to have been in 1908 with his assignment, as part of a series of articles about famous men, to interview industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who at the time was one of the most powerful men in the world. Hill discovered that Carnegie believed that the process of success could be elaborated in a simple formula that could be duplicated by the average person. Impressed with Hill, Carnegie commissioned him (without pay and only offering to provide him with letters of reference) to interview over 500 successful men and women, many of them millionaires, in order to discover and publish this formula for success.

As part of his research, Hill interviewed many of the most famous people of the time, including Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, George Eastman, Henry Ford, Elmer Gates, John D. Rockefeller, Charles M. Schwab, F.W. Woolworth, William Wrigley Jr., John Wanamaker, William Jennings Bryan, Joseph Stalin, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Charles Allen Ward and Jennings Randolph. The project lasted over twenty years, during which Hill became an advisor to Carnegie. As a result of these studies, the Philosophy of Achievement was offered as a formula for rags-to-riches success by Hill and Carnegie, published initially in 1928 as a study course called, The Law of Success. The Achievement formula was detailed further and published in home-study courses, including the seventeen-volume "Mental Dynamite" series until 1941.

From 1919 to 1920 Hill was the editor and publisher of Hill's Golden Rule magazine. It was during this time he wrote a letter to Charles F. Haanel in which he praised his book The Master Key System. In the letter he writes: "..I believe I ought to inform you that my present success and the success which has followed my work as President of the Napoleon Hill Institute is due largely to the principles laid down in The Master Key System." In 1930 he published The Ladder to Success. From 1933 to 1936 Hill was an unpaid advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt.

In 1937 Hill distilled the Philosophy of Achievement and produced his most famous work, Think and Grow Rich, which is still in print in several versions, and has sold more than thirty million copies. In 1960, Hill published an abridged version of the book, which for years was the only one generally available. In 2004, Ross Cornwell published Think and Grow Rich!: The Original Version, Restored and Revised (Second Printing 2007), which restored the book to its original content, with slight revisions, and added the first comprehensive endnotes, index, and appendix the book had ever contained. (The Cornwell-Hill "collaboration" resulted from the former's service as editor-in-chief of "Think & Grow Rich Newsletter," published for the Napoleon Hill Foundation.)

In 1939 Hill published How to Sell Your Way through Life, and in 1953 How to Raise Your Own Salary. From 1952 to 1962 he worked with W. Clement Stone of the Combined Insurance Company of America to teach Stone's "Philosophy of Personal Achievement", and to lecture on the "Science of Success". Partly as a result of his work with Stone, in 1960 he published Success Through a Positive Mental Attitude. He died in 1970 in South Carolina, and in 1971 his final work, You Can Work Your Own Miracles, was published posthumously.

Thoughts are things

Hill spent most of his effort on describing to his readers and students the paradox that "thoughts are things". In fact, the subtitle of the introduction chapter of Think and Grow Rich is "The Man Who 'Thought' His Way." The ability of people to share thoughts underpins achievement, and Hill stated that this allows the success-oriented individuals to attract like-minded people in order to accomplish anything. Most of the examples in Think and Grow Rich concern the great difficulty of creating and maintaining like-mindedness, and Hill termed this concept "The Master Mind". Hill's numerous examples of racism, prejudice, war, poverty, discouragement, and fear illustrated the significant barriers that existed in his time (and still exist today) as the road-blocks to Achievement through the coordination of like-minded individuals.

Application of the Golden Rule

Hill stated many times in his writings that the success formula required a complete and total understanding of the spirit of giving. He named this concept "The Golden Rule". Many times he was quoted as saying "There is no such thing as something for nothing". Hill was a devout Christian, and did not see any conflict between his success philosophy and his religious faith. Acquiring the Carnegie Secret of Achievement, Hill said after his own books were in wide circulation, could only be had by those "ready" for it; this meant understanding the entire Philosophy including elements such as the Golden Rule, Faith, and Desire. Once ready, anyone could go on to acquire great wealth as it required only application of the formula.

The Golden Rule concerns the teachings regarding the power of giving. Hill challenges the reader to ask of themselves "what can I truly give to others?". As Step Two in the Six Step "road to riches" described in Think and Grow Rich, this is the critical step in wealth creation that eludes 98% of those who try. To help focus the picture you cannot "give" anything away unless you don't need it anymore, or don't have to pay for it in the first place. Of course, the true interpretation of the Golden Rule is a function called The Success Formula, and is based on the key elements that were present at the birth of the USA itself.

Very interesting material, V.

If thoughts are things, then thoughts and words that attempt to discourage others from trying to reach the stars are potentially murderous to their possible success, isn't it, and therefore a sin against our fellow men and women (and boys and girls).

I think you are a little hard on Bhaskar, Heath, after all he is only a boy, himself.
Arrogance does need challenging, of course. Too, there can be no rising above without challenge. That is the way of the world, to chose the hard way when it all could be so easy with eyes that open at birth.

Vicious circle here somewhere....and a virtuous one.

"Vanessa"

I would hardly call this piece of writing "literary cynicism". Statements like "that's what makes his plan dumb" found in Bhaskar's piece above make it seem much more like this is just a young writer venting non-specific anger through his writing.
Bhaskar definitely has possibility to grow into a good writer, but I would recommend he write about other topics which allow him to demonstrate more complex viewpoints and also that he allow his writing to become less self-conscious b.c. it sounds as if he is trying too hard to "sound cool"--this is all very normal as from his picturre he appears to around 20 yrs. old.