Thursday, November 29, 2012

Engineering Entertainment - There is a story in everyone

This time I am going to tell you a story - of a friendship that has dared to go through hitherto untrodden paths.

Most of us carry wonderful memories of our campus lives and a few fortunate among us retain those friendships even after we leave the campus. But, our circle of friends form the college days may be around four or five, or maximum of ten people. And they tend to dwindle as time pass by...

This story of friendship is unique because it is the friendship of people from the college days. What is so unique about it? You may think - wait a sec! What if I say that these friends passed out of college in the mid 1990s - 1995, to be exact??? Interesting, isn't it? What if I say that these friends are around 50 in number and are currently living in different parts of the world like India, USA, UAE, Singapore and Canada among others??? Not quite what you expected, right? What if I tell you that these friends have now come together to co-produce a movie - yes, you heard it right - a full-fledged feature film!!! Now that sounds interesting, doesn't it?

That is Campus Oaks for you - an entertainment company floated by a group of friends belonging to different batches of an Engineering College in a sleepy village of Palakkad, in Kerala. They were a lively lot who played an active role in the campus activities like campus theatre and other cultural events. They not only learned the nuances of Engineering in those days, but also the basics of theatre and other cultural & literary activities. After leaving the campus to make a living in their chosen arena of work, these friends met with each other regularly and strengthened the ties of friendship. That they succeeded in it is a given fact because most of their life partners are also now friends. Many of us would know how difficult is it to preserve friendship and good relations in these modern times. But these friends proved the age old adage -Where there is a will, there is a way - right!

In spite of the distance that separated them, they managed to keep in touch and keep the flames of friendship alive. No matter what, they met at regular intervals at a place convenient for most - sometimes in India, sometimes abroad. Soon, they realized that they are not happy with just meeting and catching up with each other's lives. The urge to do something creative was too much to ignore and before long, the seeds of Campus Oaks was sown. 

Campus Oaks took a definitive step into reality when it was formally inaugurated in 2010, at the very town where these friends had started their journey together. It was but natural that Palakkad witnessed history being made when this group of engineers proudly presented Campus Oaks to the world. Their passion to do something creative soon led Campus Oaks into the most unpredictable, albeit public face, of entertainment - cinema! 

Two years of trials and tribulations followed when the friends met personalities after personalities to enter into the magic land of cinema. Finally, it was in 2012 that they met up with like minded people and the two groups decided to work towards realizing their long cherished dream of making a feature film. As I write these words, the movie is ready to hit the silver screen - when that magical day would eventually dawn on 21 Dec 2012, it would mark the beginning of new CHAPTERS in the film industry. A unique history would be written in golden letters.  


Befittingly, the movie CHAPTERS, being co-produced by Campus Oaks tells the story of friendships, of life's trials and triumphs; which take place in the everyday lives of people like you and me.  A sincere effort by a bunch of movie lovers, CHAPTERS is one of the most awaited Malayalam movies of the year and the cast and crew of the movie are proud to be a part of it. 

As these friends wait with anticipation, they have already decided to take Campus Oaks to next level by venturing into socially responsible arenas and other cultural events. They have also made a short film called Back of the Beyond which was screened in the Middle East a couple of months ago. 

Campus Oaks stands out as an example to emulate - of friendships that know no boundaries and limitations, of the determination and collective effort and of the inherent goodness in people. 

I hope that many such friendships take birth and prosper and continue to strengthen our beliefs in the beauty of friendship. Here is wishing Campus Oaks and CHAPTERS a wonderful opening in the magic land of Cinema!!! 

11 comments:

© Mubi said...

Nisha, let the friendship rocks... I have seen Back of the Beyond as the editing was done by my friend. All the best wishes for their attempts!!!

Rajesh said...

Well written, Nisha. You have told this story in as engaging a manner as I am sure Chapters itself will unfold. Campus Oaks is truly is a unique 'band of brothers' fairy tale but with all the studied and professional touch that only a bunch of engineers could manage! I am sure that they will begin a new "chapter" which will be just as path breaking and engaging as the one they have written already! Look forward to seeing the movie first day-first show (if possible!) with the co-producer and his family :-)

P.S.: Given my pathological dislike of Facebook, I may not have come across as one of the leading wellwishers of Campus Oaks and Chapters but that belies my high regard and fascination for what this team has pulled off.

ajith said...

This is a wonderful piece of information
Best wishes to Campus Oaks & Chapters

Rahul Bhatia said...

Hope this movie become a path breaker, Nisha:)

Prasanna Raghavan said...

Nisha, Nice to know about such collective efforts coming up from our place. May be I will see it one day. Here (south africa)it is not possible to watch Malayalam films. All the best.

Nisha said...

Thank you Ajithetta! Hope you will be able to watch the movie when you come home to Kerala...

Nisha said...

Thanks Mubi! Glad to know that you have seen Back of Beyond. I shall pass on your wishes to them! Thanks once again!

Nisha said...

Jaji,
Thanks a lot! We all know that we have the support of many people like you and that is the driving force. I shall convey your wishes to the team!

The very knowledge that one has the support of his near and dear ones brings in a lot of confidence and enthusiasm.Thanks once again for providing us unconditional support not only in this venture, but always.

Nisha said...

Thanks a lot Rahul! It is already creating waves in the industry and most of the reviews that we got also tells us that it is one of the best movies that have been released in Malayalam in the recent times.

It is heartening to see that friends from all over, irrespective of the language are supporting us! Very happy indeed!

Nisha said...

Prasannakumari,
I think I am seeing you here the first time. Welcome to Random Thoughts!!!

Thanks a lot for the wishes. Hope you will get to see Chapters one day. Nice to know that even while being so far away from home, you are interested in knowing what is going on here.

Hope to see you again!

Geethakumari said...

nice ,best wishes ok

Of Little Trips and Great Learnings

The other day, we (some staff, volunteers and service users of Mary Seacole House, Liverpool) went on a day trip to Llangollen. This wasn&#...