While at Mudra Abad, late 80s, I got to work with other offices as well.
Especially Mudra Hyd.
There was this one occasion when a corp film came up - for Novopan Industries, a particle board manufacturer.
Once at Hyd, Bal Deshpande - who headed the Hyd office, put me up at a decent hotel.
After we shot in Hyd, we had to travel to Blore as well.
The evening before, the client invited Bal and me for dinner. At some point, he casually asked where I’d be staying in Blore.
And Bal piped up with Windsor Manor. The famous ITC hotel.
I felt quite chuffed. Clearly, the agency was looking after me.
Next day, I landed in Blore, and Balki and Kumuda came to pick me up on her scooter.
At the Mudra Blore office, I went over to admin to confirm my hotel.
"You're at Berry's Lodge," said the admin chap, without looking up.
"Berry's what?" I protested. "But Bal told the client I'd be at Windsor Manor!"
He looked at me with a smirk. "You don't get to stay at Windsor Manor. That's where AGK stays. You go to Berry's Lodge."
Balki and Kumuda burst out laughing. My face turned crimson.
Berry's Lodge was straight out hell. The receptionist stood behind a desk with no chair.
Not the sort of place I'd stay even if I were paying. Rs 30 for a room was a joke even then.
When I asked about a room, he offered me single or double bed. I asked the difference.
"All rooms have two beds," he said. "If you want single, we draw a curtain between them."
Bathrooms? Not attached. "What's your best room?" I asked in desperation.
"Our suite. It has an attached bathroom. 50 bucks."
I upgraded instantly. The suite was infested with roaches. That evening, I drank myself numb just to cope.
Next morning, I knew what to do. Windsor Manor was off limits - sacred. But Taj West End was nearby.
I walked in and checked in.
Next few days, I lived it up. Room service. Friends. Beer. Felt like I was finally doing business travel right.
Then came checkout. The bill was 20k +. They asked how I'd settle. Cash or card. (I had neither.)
Fearlessly I said the agency would. All the planets aligned, and they dug up an existing arrangement.
I gulped gratefully. More than any goldfish.
I quietly signed the bill, and went back to Abad.
A month later, Swaminathan, the head of admin, stormed into the Creative Dept.
He was waving a paper and screaming “Prathap! Prathap!"
I knew I was in trouble.
"Who the bloody hell asked you to stay at the Taj West End?"
I explained. Bal’s words. Berry's Lodge. Insects. My fear of Windsor Manor.
"You idiot," he said. "Even AGK doesn't stay at the West End, because it's more expensive than Windsor Manor!"
Gosh! Soon my 20k bill became Mudra legend.
Telexes flew. Travel policies were enforced overnight.
Post that, I have stayed at the West End many times. And every time I drove in, an old memory would tickle me.
And I would check in to a smile.
advertising creative copy friday bitm banginthemiddle
This post was originally shared by on Linkedin.