The World Beyond

When my script, An Indian Ballad, based on my novel The World Beyond, recently made it to the top 7 finalists in an European competition, I was told that it is an Indian Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending. Yes, it sure is a love story between two people who inhabit two very different worlds, and are yet drawn to each other through a mutual love for music. But it is not just a love story. It is also the story of one of the most beautiful and prosperous cities in the world, which is annihilated in just 3 years and then forgotten.

I've received a lot of feedback and reviews ever since the book was published. Many have even said that it reads like a movie. But this piece which was written just a couple of days back, is unique in that the reader has not only visualised the book as a movie, but has even gone a step further and done the casting. 

Want to know which actors Helen Shan from Malaysia would like to cast as Salim or Ahmed or Chutki? ... Over to you Helen:

Here is something I would like to share about an experience I had … watching KKK’s next movie. The story also gave a major role to our Guru, Jijibua and a little of grown up Nanhi.

When I mean watch, it was a movie that was created in my mind, induced by a wonderful book written by our own Hansa T. Dasgupta “The World Beyond”. A book which gave immense satisfaction of watching what we have all been waiting for, but of course visualization…not real.

It was a book about the struggles of a young patriotic Indian prince and a gentle English girl, fighting for their love in the midst of the war that was going on between the local Indians and the British. It was a lovely story with so much intricate details that it was easy to imagine each and every scene in your mind while you read. Even the battle that was going on went through my brain with such clarity. The costumes, gestures, places, feelings, surrounding air, the moments of the lovers were all described so perfectly that one can’t fail to create a the scene in his or her mind.

There was falling in love at first sight, Kunal kind of romantic moments, Mohan Bhatnagar kind of protective and strong love, pain of separation and all things that lovers from different world would endure. Above all the battle that went on within the prince between his love and his loyalty to his people.

One quote that was said by the prince, which depicted Mohan Bhatnagar very well was when the prince's god mother suggested he had a row of girls waiting for him after he thought she deserted him, was -

“No. She was the love of my life. No one can love me like she did. What we shared was beyond this world.” It totally made me lost in the story.

Apart from the love affair that was going on, there was the painfully depressing battle that was going on. I being a foreigner know very little about what happened between the locals and invaders in India in the 19th century, so reading the minute details given by Hansa made me very disturbed that as I type this my eyes welled. The story did leave me troubled thinking how much sufferings that was felt.

The story has touched me and has also created a loss that I have newly come across. It may probably be due to my nature or otherwise, but it was a great experience for me.

Now, the reason I am writing it here, in our group!!! As I have mentioned earlier the story went on my mind with the people we knew, mainly Kunal Karan Kapoor and Dushyant Wagh. This story momentarily made me forget the wait for KKK’s return and more or less gave the satisfaction of watching him again. After watching KKK in so many expressive moments it was natural that I started seeing him in any emotional scene. Conceiving the scenes in my brain on how KKK would have portrayed that particular scene. Not only him, even Dushyant Wagh’s scenes were rooted in my mind.

Both these actors fell into place perfectly as a prince and his cousin. If only there was such a movie made, I am sure KKK would be the perfect fit for the role of the prince, with his touch of romantic moves and the look of royal blood. The courage we saw in Yudi and Vaasu would very well apprehend the patriotic part of the prince. The thought itself is so overwhelming, can’t imagine the effect if it became true.

A snippet, just imagine Kunal Karan Kapoor in this scene…

“We’ll call it Dooja Jahaan, the world beyond. A world beyond the reach of ordinary human existence. A world created out of love. And only lovers will be allowed in the garden,” Salim said.

Rachael laughed.

He watched her as though hypnotised. Subhaan Allah! Why was she so perfect? Even her laughter was so pleasant, like wind chimes.

“Why are you looking at me like this?” Rachael asked.

“Nothing. Just hoarding memories. They’ll be useful when you get engaged to someone." ...

Salim’s eyes held hers. He continued to look into her eyes as he lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips ...

Thank you so much Helen. I can imagine how much time it must have taken to pen this lovely write-up and I really appreciate it. 

You can order The World Beyond online from Flipkart or from Amazon. 

Hasta la vista guys. I'll be back... And so will Kunal ;) 

Keep smiling friends. Keep ROFLing. Life is Beautiful :)