By Nrsimhananda Das
In the early 90’s, Gopavrndapal prabhu (now B.V. Giri Maharaja) and I were enrolled by HH Bhakti Caru Swami to write the treatments for the first episodes of his opus, “Abhay Charan.” We were roomed together in the Juhu guest house where we were tasked with creating drama from the milestones of Srila Prabhupada’s life. In a month of intense research, discussions, and writing, we somehow squeezed out 18 treatments. I flew to Los Angeles where I gave those treatments to Amala-Bhakta prabhu (now Swami) who had proficiency in screenwriting. He penned the treatments into three-act teleplays of 25 min each. Each of his five episodes had classic, time-proven narrative structures.
The hardcopies of those scripts were couriered back to India where production was getting underway. We didn’t hear anything for a few months until word arrived that the scenes within the teleplays had been sliced and diced to different episodes. We had worked diligently to provide proper structure. Consequently, the three of us politely requested our names be omitted from the credits because we were no longer responsible for the writing which had been drastically altered without consultation. There is a saying that you can have a successful movie with good structure and bad dialogue, but you can’t have one even with good dialogue but bad structure. The same reasoning applies to telling stories or jokes. They must be delivered just right.
The original treatments and script have sat in my file for decades. They are a treasure trove of thoughtful dramatizations. Rather than let them disappear when I do (closing in on 77), I want to honor my colleagues who labored with great effort and sincerity. Both the treatments and scripts are studies in how to make seemingly mundane moments be pieced together seamlessly in order to create dramatic ones.
Filmmaking is the art of storytelling. Some people are naturally endowed with good instincts and techniques, but making good drama can be learned as well. Then the scripts get further enhanced by the creative team. Producers, directors, actors, and talented crew members all contribute to the final product. However, the blueprint of the screenplay sets the standard, and it inspires the professionals to craft a work of art.
So for the purpose of leaving a further legacy in honor of all those who sacrificed their time and energy on the “Abhay Charan” series, I add this yet unseen enterprise to the mix. I have made the writing publicly available on the google doc links below. You are welcome to use them for your own productions of any type.
“You have written to say that a devotee can do anything for Lord Krsna; this is right provided such action is sanctioned directly by Krsna or his bona fide representative. The idea of film making is very good and any propaganda medium can be utilized in Krsna consciousness.” – letter to Damodara prabhuOctober 13, 1967
Your servant, Nrsimhananda das
Director, ISKCON Television, Inc. and
Uplifting Cinema Pvt. Ltd. (Mumbai)
Treatments:
1. Mother’s Passing Away
2. Entering College
3. Independence Meeting
4. Marriage
5. Jagannath Puri
6. Graduation
7. Meeting Bhaktisiddhanta
8. Allahabad
9. Gour Mohan’s Passing Away
10. Parikrama Pt. 1
11. Parikrama Pt. 2
12. Initiation Pt. 1
13. Initiation Pt. 2
14. Bose Pt. 1
15. Bose Pt 2
16. Vishnu Appears
17. Bankruptcy
18. Bombay
https://drive.google.com/file/d/14d28_WUroAfCpvoTFa_SFtzEhOOsSHWx/view?usp=sharing
Scripts:
Episode 1: Transcending Death
Episode 2: Aspiring for Dignity
Episode 3: To Marry or Not to Marry
Episode 4: Discovering Jagannatha Puri
Episode 5: Finding His Guru
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