Continuing from the last episode I share another episode involving brand HERO HONDA . It was a life and death situation – hilariously funny in its way. With hindsight I can now appreciate the humour in it.
SO, WE START AT THE END
I was on phone from PALAM AIRPORT sometime in early part of 1991 . Panic written all over my face with my not so confident quivering voice I was almost screaming at MUKUL KANSAL ( my Boss at that time) ‘Mukul, what the fuck you doing at home, your flight is at 715, its already 6:45 and you are at home in Mayor Vihar, what do you think airline will wait for you and what will JAINE ( J Narain) say’
NOW, LET ME SHARE HOW DID THE SITUATION DEVELOP
Now, the situation developed like this.
COLVYN J HARRIS
At HTA, 35 Rani Jhansi Road, I was on Brand HERO HONDA reporting to Mukul Kansal who reported to COLVYN J KARRIS. Hero Honda was launching SLEEK. The creative for the poster (I think by PROYTUSH) was in 20*30 big format. It was also my introduction to 5 colour black and the term BUFFER.
Now the way the situation was developing, Mukhul Kansal was scheduled to take 9:45 AM Delhi- Mumbai Flight to be in time for the Press Conference or Dealer meet in Mumbai. I was to deliver the said poster (to be printed the same night) to him by 8:15 AM at the airport. The poster was being printed at Narayana unit and it took 45 minutes to reach airport from there. Keeping the prescribed 1 hour 30 minute for reporting at airport I must leave Narayana printing unit by 7:30 AM.
The printing had to be delayed to the last night due to delayed shoot. It was not the digital era and the negative was delivered after standard 2 day taken for processing. It was then art worked at 35, Rani Jhansi Road and simultaneously proofed at the unit of Mr Todi at ITO. A somewhat It was taking just-in-time concept to new heights.
DIPANKAR BANERJEE
In that night, DADA ( DIPANKAR BANERJEE) supervised the poster processing at the ITO unit. Late at night after the customary Dada touch of colour correction the positives were taken out at ITO Office. This is after many cups of tea and few EGG PARANTHAS. The positives then physically transported to Narayana unit. We just needed initial run of 10 poster for the event. These were to be printed and force dried under fans for me to be able to deliver them at airport.
It was smooth operation, by the grace of god and extra support by Dada, the poster were dried and ready by 3:00 Am when I hit Narayana plant. It was very in between hour, too early to get to airport. I decided to head home at Paharganj for a change of cloth. At home, I told myself it was OK to lie down for some time and relax, there was enough time to reach airport. That was a wrong decision. I never realised when I dozed off.
SANJEEV KOTNALA 1990
When my eyes opened it was 6:00 AM. I started to panic. I rushed out, woke up my Sardarjee taxiwala and pushed him to hit pedal. There was not much of traffic and Sardarjee being cooperative, I landed at airport at 6:45 AM. Now my searches for Mukul Kansal begin. With me being late, I expected him to be hovering near the entry gate? I could not find him anywhere.
I could see the electronic board saying 0715 Delhi-Mumbai ready for departure. I could hear the last call for passenger being made. I could see Mukul was not there. Then it stuck me, what if he has forgotten or his alarm did not work or his taxi had a failure on way to airport… In that no-mobile era, I pleaded with an airport officer who graciously allowed me to make that one important call. I called Mukul’s home.
His wife picked up phone.
ME: Hi, this is Sanjeev from his team, I am at airport can’t see mukul
Mukul’s wife: But
Me: Listen if he calls ( that was all I could think) tell him I have the posters and I am waiting
Mukul’s wife: But he will reach by 8
Me: Is he crazy he has a 7:15 flight (My worst fear had come true- such an irresponsible boss- and he talks of planning)
Mukul’s wife: (after a deliberate pause ) here speak to him ( I think she did not like anyone asking her if her husband was crazy- so early in the morning)
Me: ‘Mukhul, what the fuck you doing at home, your flight is at 715, its already 6:45 and you are at home in Mayor Vihar, what do you think airline will wait for you and what will JAINE ( J Narain) say
Mukul: I am on a 9:45 flight- so will reach there
Me: You are not on the 7:15 flight
Mukul: No- Now just wait for me at airport
Then I realised I have SELF BUFFERRED myself. I was young and prided myself on timely detailed working. In process, I completely misguided on the importance of a poster at the event buffered for slack time and possibilities.
Since the time this plan was created and timelines discussed with Mukul on his notepad. Mukul had this tough to read handwriting and used the square boxes notepad mostly writing in all caps. I had taken charge and in process told everyone that Mukul was on a 7:15 AM flight toMumbai. Making everyone speed up their part of the process and creating a 2 Hour buffer.
I had spoken it so many times , stressing on the time lines that I convinced even myself to believe that the flight indeed was 7:15 AM. Thus I was completely BUFFERRED.
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FOR MORE SUCH EPISODES CLICK AT THESE LINKS OR SERACH THIS BLOG
● Thank You ● Rain Clause – I ● Lethal Combination ● APPETITE ● Puncture ● Adultery- the moment ● ASSET ● I am Sankar ● The Count ● Introduction ● Time Bomb ● Small Tile ● Shoot Report ● Sardar Khush Hoga ● Shoot At Mud Island ● Kaali Peeli Picture ● Upgrade ● Juhi Effect ● Power Of Punjab ● Out ● Two More ● Eleven Minutes ● The Cherry Win ● The Presentation ● Black Gold ● Continue With Client ● Not Fired ● One Less Decision ● The Ghost Of 35 Rani Jhansi Road Jhandewalaon ● The Problem ● Imported Art Card ● Banyan Tree Agency
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DISCLAIMER (1) I am not too sure if Mukul lived at Mayur Vihaar or Noida, but suffice to say it was quite far. (2) The square note[pad got nothing to do with the story, but I just wanted to refer to it- as that is where I picked up this style of noting down ‘Things to do’ which has now turned into an OCD with me.
