Tara Bhatnagar

Dearest Deepshikha,
It’s been ages since I last spoke to you and, quite honestly, I feel like I’m beginning to forget you. Not the best thing I say! Ever since your dad got posted to Bikaner in 2006, it’s like you live in a different universe, far, far away from Devanjali and me. Well now that I’ve got down to writing to you, I expect a reply soon … actually, I demand a reply soon!

Four years ago we thought life at school was crazy. Little did we know what the real world was full of, eh? Coming to Bombay was the craziest decision I ever made, and I doubt I’m ever going to really regret it, unless of course, something really, really bad happens. This city is extraordinarily fast and doesn’t ever seem to fall asleep. I thought I’d never want to leave Delhi, but four years in Bombay, and I feel like the city has accepted me as one of their own.

Enough of my crazy babble! How’re uncle and aunty? And Mrinalini? She was a real, 6- year old pest ok. I hope she doesn’t dominate you anymore and bully you into doing things for her. Ishaan has just entered class 12 and is going through the ‘Girls are Nice’ phase. Yikes! These kids grow up so, so fast.

Another reason I thought of writing to you was to share a very special phase in my life and the opportunities it entails. You were around me, in the 11th grade, when I was going through my crazy movie making spree with that tiny, shapeless, box of a camera that I would secretly carry to school. It seemed like a distant dream then, but I can now finally see my dream unfold before my very eyes, and I have to admit, the feeling is exhilarating! I have the most brilliant faculty for Film and every lecture gets me more and more excited about my future plans. I can now, finally, see myself five- years down the line, making documentaries and fulfilling my dream. I could not have asked for a better opportunity to give my dream a shot.

But I miss having you around! It very annoying to not have you around and constantly block my shots by entering the frame with your ‘nautanki.’ As much as I hated it then, I confess I’ve never missed it more. Please plan a short trip to Bombay soon. I am not joking when I tell you- this city will make you fall in love with it! I still walk around like a mesmerized puppy.

That’s all for now dear, I am really going to look forward to a reply from you. Give your family my love and pester them to send you here for a short while. We need to do so much catching up! Keep me posted on your whereabouts lady! Miss you lots!

Lots of love,
Tara