BALKI Ideas

He was invited by the Indian Institute of Management Lucknow to present a lecture to the students on how campaigns are planned in an advertising agency. Besides sharing his professional expertise and experiences with the students,he also threw light on the making of his films.

“I had to read out the script to Mr Bachchan just once and he agreed to play a 60 years old in love with a woman half his age. As for Paa,I saw Abhishek talking wisely and his dad behaving like a kid that gave me the idea of reversing the roles,” said the film maker. “We shot extensively in Lucknow because I was assured not to be hounded by the media and also for the intellectual aura the city exudes.”

“It’s not the youth but the middle-aged and elderly people who are cool,” he said,later,during the lecture and his profound statement evoked a thundering applause from the management students. “Youth are full of worries,dreams,aspirations,anxieties,hopes and despair,while those in the 40-60 age group are without a care in the world because they have come to terms with the truth. If an idea appeals to them,it is a success,” he said,dispelling the misconception that all strategies of marketing and business are directed towards the greenhorns.

Screening his company’s various campaigns,including what an idea sir ji! for Idea Telecom,Daag achchhe hain for Surf Excel and Jaago re for Tata Tea,he illustrated how an impression is created by associating a product with an aspect that is way off the mark.