In our life, even small decisions of what we do everyday, who we get along with, what new things to try and where we go, influence our living-style. Moreover, each decision helps us draw a conclusion about what we truly are and tend to be at the end of the day. It was easy-going decision to work as extra in an Indian-Punjabi-Movie being shot in Malaysia – wow, I had fun throughout the day. 

Posted on FaceBook by a fellow and friend of mine “Raj Gill”, I was excited to know I quite met the criteria to to join the crew: Punjabi-wedding-dress, good-looking (there you go, another self-exaggeration, hah!) and of any color. With no hesitation, I gave a call to Raj wondering if I had chance to which he was generous enough saying, “Yeah bro, you will get paid for almost doing nothing”. Who minded the pay, all I excited was to see live-acting, film-making and short-insight of film industry though, which I have always dreamed about.

With all excitement I got up sooner than early, took a shower and made-up myself partly. Driving the train, I was curious enough to meet at least a single Bollywood (A-grade) actor/ actress only to get an autograph, asking about Bollywood and how one feels working in the industry (don’t I sound childish; neh man!) My curiosity instincts made me fantasize film-making in particular and film-industry in general; therefore, I kept thinking how the whole day would go. God, the thinking lasted further for almost 45 minutes as I had to wait for Raj and his friends to drive to the film-location together. Because, they knew the location, na!

First impression of mine was not good one – to be honest. The co-directors (didn’t really recognize their role) seemed unprofessional as two argued on, it did matter looking at extras wearing different costumes. Actually, few had worked for a couple of other days at the same location but for other parts demanded more people, that’s how I happened to join the crew of extras. Aha, I almost forgot the scene I was playing in _it was a Panjabi wedding ceremony and all we had to do was to sit on chairs though with changing settings as if we were attending the wedding. The movie is titled, “Amar, Akber & Anthony”, which is oblivious enough that it is a story of three guys from three different religions. Anyhow, as the setting starting I realized how painstaking film-making is ranging from set-design to camera-work. Everything needed perfect angel, perfect dialogue-delivery and perfect lighting and sound. Each scene had to be shot more than 5 – 7 times from all angels and zooming-feature. 

I did not stick to my chair and moved around taking photos but most of all trying to understand how each crew was contributing his/her part. During the in-door shooting, no extras were needed, but I went in, watched them act and film the scenes. I did not mind the main actresses and actors maybe they would look more attractive when the movie comes out; however, the man playing the role of father seemed to have huge acting experience as he received applause from production team (cameraman, director etc) upon his dialogue-delivery. The support-crew, makeup artists, technicians, light-men had the tougher jobs to do; running to the actors after each shot for ah, lodsa make-up and dress-setting, holding microphones for minutes when actors did not mind ruining director’s dialogues and people doing so many important things which we never happen to know about while watching even a low-budget movie. I don’t tend to be over-kind but I did learn one-thing if not many that each person is important in the world with whatever they are doing. They are at least contributing something positive and good to the society and generation of our time, who shall be recognized even for their least parts. 

I did not will to take auto-graph or take photo with anyone not that I did not like to but I did not want bother them considering their such already stressful work on the set. I acknowledged my decision to join the team for a day worth-spending because deep withing I have always had this desire to visit film-location no matter Bollywood (mind not the language), Lollywood (hmmm!) or the Hollywood (whoa that’ll be like a dream coming true). 

Let me not forget that it was actually my Nowroz (New Year’s) gift to myself. Because it was on March 21, I wanted to try something bold and something I love to do and here I had a chance not to miss at all. I had wonderful day…

Jawad Jahid