Gotham Chopra - Author, Producer, Youth Advocate

Gotham Chopra is a multi-media voice on issues of spirituality, culture, and news. As an anchor for Channel One News, an educational news broadcast seen daily by more than 8 million American students, Gotham reported from Israel, Gaza, Egypt, China, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Colombia, Russia, Chechnya, Mexico, Honduras, and all across Europe and the United States. He has interviewed a wide range of Global leaders -- from President Bush to the Dalai Lama to foot soldiers of Osama Bin Laden. Gotham's global assignments have sent him on patrol with anti-militant commando units in war torn Kashmir and had him detained by secret police in China, Iran, and Pakistan. Gotham is the author of Familiar Strangers, a non-fiction and spiritual chronicle of his travels and encounters at the frontlines of areas in conflict and transition. He served as Story Editor on Bulletproof Monk -- a comic book about bullets, monks, gangs, and seekers, and was Executive Producer of the 2003 film version with John Woo. Gotham also wrote Child of the Dawn, a novel published in 1996 and translated into 13 languages internationally, and recorded The Mythical Lover on A Gift of Love -- a recording of sensual poetry by the 13th Century poet Rumi. As co-founder of 5K Entertainment, Gotham wrote, is producing, and will direct the indy feature Swindle. He is also co-creator of K Lounge -- a Kama Sutra bar and lounge in New York City. As co-founder of Chopra Media and a partner in Intent Media (with his father Deepak and Elizabeth director Shekhar Kapur), Gotham is involved in a wide-array of creative media ventures. He is the President of development for Gotham Studios Asia, the largest comic book studio in India, and creative consultant to Current TV, a television network co-founded by former Vice President Al Gore. In 2004, Newsweek called Gotham one of the "most powerful and influential" South Asians worth watching. He continues to speak nationally on issues of youth, spirituality, and conflict resolution, and develops workshops to create a language for young people to bring out the internal and external issues that are important to them.

What was the purpose of creating Intent Media and what are its plans for the future?

Entertainment is moving east. Not just because of the huge population booms and surging middle class in countries like India and China but also because the global market is increasingly finding more familiarity in the types of Asian content coming from the East. Intent was created as a platform to really ride that wave and see if we could be part of its initial emergence. Our goal with Intent has really been to focus in specific sectors and partner with groups to build dynamic opportunities. Hence the birth of Virgin Comics and Animation, which we think, can play a very prominent role in the emergence of India in the character property space.

How do storylines in Indian comic books differ from their American counterparts?

I think Indian and Asian story templates and structures in general are very different than what we are accostommed to in the west. For years, the western hero has been modeled after the man that charts his own destiny, the John Wayne archetype of the guy who forges ahead indiscriminently and carves out his own destiny. In the east our heroes often operate from a place where their fates have been foretold in prophecy. The story then becomes the journey to achievement, the struggle against fate, or the deliverance of it. I think this is increasingly a template that great contemporary films are following: we like to call the Matrix, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter "Asia's greatest films" as they all follow this template.

How did you get involved with Bulletproof Monk, and what surprised you most about working on a mainstream feature film?

I was actually making documentaries for a company called Channel One, traveling around the world to places like Chechnya and Pakistan when I met some guys at a small comic book publishing company in Los Angeles. They already had the title Bulletproof Monk but were really missing the story. They brought me on to help think it out and it just sort of took off. Watching the genesis from comic to big budget film was very educational. Working alongside talents like John Woo and his producing partner Terence Chang was an awesome learning experience. Often the more money that goes into a film, the less creative control there is. So if I would say there was one lesson learned, it'd probably be to keep things tight, emphasize the story and not get too tempted by the promise of big budgets.

Are you still involved with Current TV?

I am. I remain an advisor and on-air contributor to the network and have learned so much from working alongside former Vice President Gore and his partner and co-founder Joel Hyatt. I think what they are doing on television and media in general is revolutionary and I am thrilled to be a part of it.

When does production on Swindle begin and what is the story about?

We're aiming toward the middle of this year but with so much going on, it's definitely a challenge! The story is based around a New York City cab driver who happens to be Indian and finds himself the centerpiece of a heist gone wrong. It's also a portrait of the colorful and cultureful landscape of New York City where the last loyalty left is probably just money. It's the one God every race seems to believe in.

What is the biggest risk you've taken?

That's a tough question. I've tried to stay off the conventional path I suppose. Tried to be more entrepreneurial in some of my work and stayed away from big titles, big salaries, and little freedom. That does create a lot of uncertainty but I've grown comfortable with it and no longer consider it much of a risk. Now i just trust in my own instinct and rely on the Universe to handle the details. For 5 years I served as a war correspondent and reported from places like Chechnya, Gaza, Pakistan, Kashmir, Colombia and other conflicted areas. That was always risky but worth it in terms of what I learned.

Where do you turn for inspiration and to "refuel?"

I am very close with my family - my wife, my parents, sister and her husband and kids. We find great comfort and friendship with each other and have a lot of fun together. In general I try not to take things or life too seriously. That to me is living an inspired life.

How did you find your dharma?

It'd be presumptuous to say that I have. I wake up dissatisfied all the time, frustrated by the way things are going. If I were in my dharma all the time or had found some enlightenment, I suppose there'd be little point to still being around.

Is there a particular book that has had a significant impact on your life?

Probably a few: Herman Hesse's Siddhartha, Rushdie's Midnight's Children, and James Joyce's Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. I respect great writers above all else and those are probably amongst my favorites in terms of inspiring me to pursue the arts, and take the chance at failure, perhaps hoping it'd give me more to write about one day!

What role does spirituality play in your life?

I suppose I consider myself a spiritual person though I'd never really qualify myself as religious. To me, spirituality is a state of being, a domain of awareness that brings some definition to the existential questions that we all ask about our meaning, purpose, adn significance on the planet. I think about these things so guess that makes me spiritual!

What are your favorite technologies or gadgets?

I love my cell phone, my blackberry, my ipods, and lap top. I am behind in terms of not mastering a personal mobile gaming system or some of the other awesome gadgets out there. It's definitely an area I need to catch up to.

Which websites do you visit the most?

I'm a sports and news junkie. So various news sources from ESPN to CNN, Drudge Report, and assorted news blogs like Huffington Post and rediff.com. And most importantly my own Intent Blog!

What would people be surprised to find out about you?

Probably the sports addiction. I am a diehard Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. I live and die by my teams and can go into an emotional tailspin when they lose. It's definitely an area where I could use some spiritual detachment.

What's your preferred method of getting the daily news?

I'm online constantly - checking newsites and blogs, surfing international sites, and even wire service sites pretty regularly.

What dream for the world do you think can be achieved in our lifetime?

Perhaps hitting some critical mass that tells us that if we continue upon our current path -- with our ancient instincts and modern means -- that we will exterminate ourselves. There's too much suffering in the world, too much poverty, inequity, and ecological devastation -- mostly perpetrated by powerful nations that know better. I hope we can realize that collectively and turn that tide. Otherwise maybe our ecosystem will evolve and rid itself of this human experiment gone awry.

(Interview by CThings Editor, Paul Horne)