Endowed with the gift of the gab, and an uncanny knack of striking at the right chord, film-producers really make heyday at the cost of us, poor writer’s pen-brain. Want to know a few of my experiences?

Film Sepoy Ramu’(based on my novel ‘Barale Innu Yamune?) being my first entry to the film-world, I listened to producers talk of crores as I have never listened before, but at the end of the session none the wiser as to how much I would be getting – ‘crores, or paisa?’ “It is an unusual story madam!

I just can’t believe that a person sitting so cosily amidst four walls can write such a book!”He gushed, then added, pausing at the doorway —“I will hash it,  mash it, and cash it”.

He literally did all that, making me feel like Rip Van Winkle when I saw the picture! But I have this to my credit — that I am the one to introduce dreaded dacoits to our placid Bangalore-that too of Chambal valley!

Never can I forget another producer! One evening he and his crew comprising director-cameraman-script writer, even the hero and villain, landed at our house  sending us scurrying for chairs from neighbours.

Prostrating before me, he addressed me as Saraswati and Gayatri, had me reeling stories after stories. And before I knew where I was, had packed up all my books and trooped out with the troupe trotting behind him, depositing a sincere promise of bringing contracts for all the stories next day itself. I am yet to hear from him.

Entry of Bhagavan, popular director (and director of my film Gagana) was dramatic! A tap on the veranda-window, I appeared dishevelled, ladle in hand. Yaru neevu? – I queried  with impatience.

Nanu-Bhagavan, he replied banteringly. “Bhagavan? Descended from Gagana?” I questioned in the same vein opening the door.  Imagine my surprise when the joke proved prophetic for my novel Gagana was launched by them as the next  movie with Anantnag and Khushboo.

And I had an unexpected honour of having full-length ‘namaskaram’ from a ladle-wielding, big-tummied bhatta on the first day of the shooting itself! “Amma, I acted the part of the important role of policeman in your sepoy Ramu,” he said. “I acted so well that I have been promoted as headcook in this film! Do ashirvadam that I become the hero in next one.”

“Were you the one who was escorting Rajkumar – I mean the hero, to the jail?” I enquired, for I had a score to settle.The papers had complained that the writer (myself) had not ended the script well, by allowing the hero out alone with the heroine while the policemen sat comfortably in the police van.

“Supposing the hero had run away?” “Not my fault amma,” he explained. “The director told us that the last scene should be entirely the hero’s, and we should keep out of the way. So we left them to converse-cry.

The cameramen around would not have allowed the hero to escape.” He ended with a chuckle. We all had a good laugh. “How is it you pay the actresses so much and us lekakiyaru so little?” I did ask the producer outright during the shooting. “The actress dances, sings, quarrels, even dies when we command her.

Do you do it?”– Was the answer. I had no answer. The most colourful among the race was a Malayalee producer who came searching for me. Well, this time I was prudent enough to narrate only one story; did not allow him to even touch the book. But, he was so very impressed by the story-line, that he began enacting all the parts!

Seriously wondered why our Kannada directors had missed such a masterpiece and passed the verdict – ‘no good!’ On the whole lot, decided to teach them a lesson by bringing out a second ‘Gone With The Wind’ based on my novel and promised me all the glorious awards in the world! He had arrived when my husband left for office...was still there when he returned...But now where?