|
Page 3 of 5
Yet Anil’s is a formidable reputation to live up to. He describes himself as “in-your-face, hyper critical and combative”. But as a person he is “just the opposite.” The man weeps bucketfuls in every Hindi movie he sees. And is involved in charitable work.
So
will the real Anil Thakraney please stand up? “I am a recluse, but not by choice,” he says. “People think of me as some sort of a monster, who needs to be kept away from. I am working on changing that image. But yes, I hate parties and social soirees. I prefer being with people who have great integrity.” Maybe he just conforms to the popular belief that a writer’s job is a lonely one at the end of the day… “Not necessarily,” he retorts immediately. “Shobhaa De is someone you’d hardly call lonely, no?” Point taken.
He’s a clear misfit in the media world. Considering his detachment from the ingrained traits of gatekeeping and sychophancy rampant in his profession. “Well, I didn’t really survive in the media, did I?” points out Anil. “ All I have are columns, at the moment. Having said that, I do have great regard for the Mid Day Group… cherish the time I did in that organization.” What about networking... “I don’t think networking works, not for me at least. At the last party I was invited to (and that was three years ago), I saw a media baron flush away a wad of visiting cards he’d picked up that night, in the Taj washroom.”
|
Writing 
