Francis Itty Cora

An ex-private from American military  (also an ardent cannibal) who lost his potency during his sex crimes in Iraq war is searching for his roots in India aided by 3 women in a posh prostitution ring called ‘The school.’ Through their investigations, the historical fact versus fiction story of a cult which originated from the mysterious 15th century Indo-Italian merchant called Francis Itty Cora gradually unfolds.

This is in the vein of an Umberto Eco. Or to quote a more mainstream example, in the vein of Dan Brown. But some times it does get boring when the writer starts indiscriminately dumping all those facts he got from the net. As some one commented, it is not Itty Cora, but Wiki Cora.

To say the least, the it is spicy and a well sold book in recent times. I don’t want to imply that the book sold well because of that. But I didn’t find anything special about this novel either in terms of language or the content except a desperate attempt to shock and impress. There is no grace about it.

Fooling around with genres in scriptwriting

How many writers are out there who can write well in multiple genres? Not many I guess ( may be Jaideep Sahni). But how many of them have really locked on to the genre fit for them from the first script itself? It appears that the usual rule is a period of feeling around with various genres and then success with one genre defining their career (even if they want to write in another genre). In that sense, this phase is about experimentation for me. I know that probably comedy is not my cup of tea. But I am forcibly trying to make myself write a treatment at least. And I am co-writing a fantastical comedy. As some one in a scientific profession, one ought to have proof. Intuitions and gut feelings wont do, however romanticised those notions be. I am hoping that finally the proof that I come up with is not too unpleasant.

I can do thrillers. I have co-written a thriller titled ‘I Am Game’ which generated some opinion and was almost sold. Probably drama I can handle. Trying to prove that by writing a script. Can do action- not much different from thrillers I guess. The same with horror. Can do, but don’t want to, right now. Unless I get a killer concept that is worth the trouble. I really want to write a romantic comedy. I feel that I can do justice to the genre with all the verbal ballistics, something like ‘One fine day’ or ‘As good as it gets.’ Right now trying to find an idea for a romantic comedy or a satire. And I want to write a sci fi project. I know, there is no market here right now. And I don’t have idea that is worth investing time. But I will definitely write one. It is an opportunity to marry philosophy with science. Why should some one else have all the fun?

photo by Esther Gibbons