Saturday, October 16, 2010

An Interview With Mukesh.

Being new in the field of journalism I have to compete with established stalwarts and so I attempt the difficult. There have been a lot of reports on Mukesh Ambani’s new house, realising that the building was not an answer to Tolstoys ‘How much land does a man need?’ I sought to get clarifications from Mukesh as to why he spent a billion dollars on 6 people, to build a 27 storey edifice that will house more cars than humans and whose interiors are the dreams of a new breed of Maharajas who have money but no taste.

Getting this interview was no easy task and I will not elaborate how I got in. Initially Mukesh wanted to scream for help but after explaining to him that I was not interested in his blanky or teddy bear we got down to a chat.

Me – Congratulations on your new house. I hear the house warming is on the 28th of October?

Mukesh – Thank you! Yes the housewarming is on the 28th I just cant wait to see everyone’s face when they see what money can buy. It hasn’t been easy building the house you know. Searching for the most expensive stuff is not easy; everyone claims to have the most exclusive goodies but I have seen it in everyone’s house. I have seen Sachin’s and Shahrukh Khan’s house and their interiors and the houses in Bollywood movies; I knew I had to up the ante in kitschiness.

Me – Its heartening to note that you have been inspired by two other 'industry' stalwarts. What is the reason for 160 cars?

Mukesh – I am glad you have asked this. As you know I have three helipads and so will not be using these cars. However, initially the idea was to use each car twice a year and some other cars a little more often. This was my way of showing empathy with the rest of the Mumbaikars who suffer traffic jams etc, however as time is money the idea was canned. However, I plan to start a Taxi service for the rich. We already know about Salman Khan, Nanda and now John Abraham and their accidents, my cars will be as exclusive and expensive as theirs but my drivers wont run-over anyone enroute home. This is also my way of keeping those sleeping on the streets safe from bad drivers.

You may not know but my building is showcasing an answer to the parking problems. The ‘way up’ is the only answer to solve the problems down below. I must let you into a little secret – if ever I face financial crisis I will turn my house into a large parking-lot with added services like amphitheatre, gym etc.

Me – You do think far into the future and that is what has made you so ---

Mukesh – (Interrupting) You are correct when you say I think far into the future. Thinking is not enough; looking into the future is where the money is. We rich have the power to look into the future that is why I built the three helipads even though the Indian Navy is opposed to it. What do you think is the secret of success of the Jindals and the Adani’s (21 July 2010 Mubai Edn Economic Times) of the world? We are able to look into the future and see everything going our way.

Me – What is the story behind naming your house Antilia is it-----

Mukesh (once again interrupting) – It’s my way of showing concern for the future and respect for the past.

Antilia is a mythical island. You are aware that Climate Change is going to submerge many such pieces of land. I would like to ensure that they are not forgotten once they disappear under the sea and therefore have named it after an island - even if mythical.

I don’t know why I am sharing this with you but if you remove the ‘n’ and the ‘I’ from ‘Antilia’ it becomes ‘Atila’. Atilla has deeply affected me – positively at that. Was it greed and lust for power that fueled his conquests? I dont know! But what ever fueled his conquests is awe-inspiring not many can emulate him. I think I have an Attila in me.

Me – Tell me something about your building.

Mukesh (Gleefully) – I bet you are not interested in knowing who the designers are and all that BS?

This building is an ode to India’s and therefore our practices which engine our economic progress.

If you look closely at the building (he hands me a drawing of the building) you will see a series of inbuilt question marks. There have been articles that questioned how I purchased the land for the building and how my industries have grown; others have questioned the social and environmental cost of India’s growth. All these have inspired this building (see below).





I am also deeply concerned with unemployment in India and I have started an initiative through my house that will employ 600, yes 600 people. I would like other rich to follow me in employing people in this manner.

Me – Mukesh is there any advice you would like to give?

Mukesh (with great emotion) – My life is my message; I can’t leave behind anything for future generations because I plan to leave everything for my children.

Its already 4 am and Mukesh wants to get back to sleep, I thank him for his magnanimity in speaking to lil-ol-me, his kindness for not screaming, his generosity in spending a few hours in an interview.

My meeting Mukesh is wishful thinking.