This story is from May 11, 2011

In pursuit of happiness

Krish Raju Gupta isn't bowed down by his background. A CT chat with the small wonder, who isn���������t afraid to dream big
In pursuit of happiness
The room, if it can be called one, measures somewhere between six feet by seven feet. The two sides are taken up by a television set and other items of daily use.
Stacked between the over-stuffed corners are a school satchel and two badminton racquets betraying some cheer amidst the otherwise drab surroundings.
The high point about the living area is a bed which can be climbed upon only after getting up on a stool.
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And curled up amidst this small set-up is the even smaller figure of Krish Gupta ��������� the little wonder, whose ���������Raju��������� is making a big impact in the festival circuit. Oblivious to the commotion and the cameras around him, the five-year-old continues with his post-school siesta even as his nani, kakima, and ma coax and cajole him to flutter his eyelids open.
Nudged and poked by his family and even suitably lured with promising gifts and gulabjamuns by Taranjit Kaur, the casting director of ���������Raju���������, Krish makes his irritation known and curls up even further. Letting the little star be, mother Sunita Gupta and aunt Rinku Gupta get chatty about Krish���������s journey to ���������Raju���������.
���������Initially, Krish���������s dad was not too keen with the idea. But he eventually relented,��������� says Sunita before adding that her son wants to grow up to be ���������School er sir���������. At this point, Taranjit adds that there was an instant connection when she and Max (Z������hle) first set eyes upon Krish. ���������There was something in his eyes. We had auditioned quite a few kids, but Krish seemed to be tailor-made for the role. Also, we wanted to meet the parents just so we got a backgrounder on the child,��������� she adds.

The ���������bindaas��������� child, however, never had a moment���������s hesitation before taking up the offer. Escorted by his parents to the sets, Krish wasn���������t nervous while delivering his lines. ���������In fact, he and Wotan (Wilke M������hring) ended up becoming fast friends. Language was no barrier. What���������s more, Wotan has a way with children and they both freaked out over football,��������� joins in Taranjit.
By this time, there is some movement on the bed and the little star sits up, ready to soak in all the attention. Gulabjamun in hand, he finds refuge in Taranjit���������s lap before revealing that he misses his old mates. ���������He keeps asking, ���������Abar kobe jabo shoot kortey?������������������ adds Rinku. Answering in monosyllables, little Krish makes it known that he has told all his school friends about his film. ���������Chance mile , toh tum aur films karega?��������� Taranjit lovingly asks him to which he replies, ���������Haan.��������� Ask him if that means Bollywood, Hollywood or Tollywood and Krish makes his choice known, ���������Hollywood���������.
But apna desi bachcha has local favourites too. ���������Jeet��������� is his favourite, while he isn���������t too averse to either Dev or Koel. ���������Oh, he can match his steps fine to the ���������Dhaker tale��������� number. Salman is his Bollywood favourite and so is the ���������Dabangg��������� song,��������� reveals Rinku before adding that he is a steady companion along with his cousin sisters whenever they go to the theatre.
Cartoons are also his cup of tea especially, ���������Doraemon���������. But TV time is strictly monitored as aunt keeps the idiot box locked. Little wonder then that Krish is attached to his books. ���������During shooting, he had no problems catching up on school work as his teachers at Disha Foundation helped him a lot. We never have to tell him to study. He is particular about it,��������� says Sunita. Taranjit too vouches for him, ���������That���������s the reason only three kids from the school won a sponsor to an English medium school. And Krish was one of them.���������
The proud parents, however, want to give Krish complete freedom to choose his profession. ���������We shall try to help him for as long as he wants to study. We have no dreams other than the wish that he grows up to be a nice human being,��������� says his mother and aunt. Film offers too are welcome. ���������Even if an offer comes from Tollywood, we would be happy. The length of the role isn���������t important. What���������s important is that more and more people get to see our kid,��������� adds a dreamy-eyed aunt.
Just then the father returns with some goodies for his guests and the family of eight. Ask him about his initial apprehension and Madanlal, who works at a printing press, says, ���������Bachhe se kaam karwana achha nahi lagta. But only after I realized that the project would do my son good and also took Krish���������s permission did I relent.���������
Taranjit adds that the condition was whatever money his son would get from the project would be kept aside for him only. ���������And Madanlalji had showed me the document of the fixed deposit that he opened in Krish���������s name,��������� she confirms.
As we walked away, leaving the happy faces behind, Krish���������s dad���������s parting shot rings in our ears, ���������My friends at the press are waiting to watch the DVD of ���������Raju���������. And today, we shall watch the DVD at our place.��������� Rinku cuts in, ���������But only after six.���������
Here���������s to the pursuit of happiness.
End of Article
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