First began shooting Mollywood’s hand painted movie stars couple of years ago for fun! But in the last one year fun turned fad, when happen to see more than 4 – 5 big hand painted hoardings being removed to be replaced by huge flex boards right in front of my eyes. First in this series was a set of pictures of Mohanlal, but there are significant number of other talented heroes and heroines still remaining on our walls and shutters. Here are some of them.
Been walking pass this board for almost a month now, wondering why this crowd whether it be Wednesday or Sunday. Finally like in many cases, my body just walked in quiet unconsciously as if it cant hold the curiosity any more.. what exactly is going inside?
A bunch of people clinched to a set of Televisions, quiet looked like a stock market..finally found some horses running on and off the screens! Ah, Newton’s apple fell on my head..
So that was the discovery of neighbourhood’s most friendliest international crowd with a single aim of off track betting, with some friendliest advise to ‘be careful with photography’!
Here starts a friendly spanish accented conversation with a fatherly figure of 72, Me: So how often do you come here?
Friend: Almost everyday, anytime..How much time can you spend on staring at that television at home.
Me: Do you have so much money to spend on this?
Friend: Ah, I spent 45 years working..I have money in my bank..I spent 30-40$ a day, some days I loose everything..sometime I get 100$ or more..
Me: Women dont come here?
Friend: Which woman would squander their money..haha! yuh..one or two come by once in a while..by the by, you dont start doing this..okay….
Me: laugh..laugh..
Off track betting in NY has been on the verge of closure for many years, wonder where will I get to meet the friendly crowd if its gone ;)
A beautiful mural uncovered from the dark walls below a subway bridge in Queens area during a small research! Click on it to see big!