The Old Monk Lovers

Where does a creative guy who is looking for some strength to counter his struggle & failures which are much more than his success stories will head to after a week’s work? Most probably a bar and especially a shady one where they play Hindi film songs. There he will like to treat himself with something which is classic and liked by the masses. Chances are high that he might end up with the world’s largest selling dark rum i.e. Old Monk.

In my last 2 years in Bombay, I’ve bumped into writers, directors, musicians, fashion designers, cinematographers, entrepreneurs, producers, actors, VO Artists and yes even spot boys.

They all tend to carry an opinion on almost everything from films, music, advertising, books & politics. Above all they are diehard consumers of Pankaj Kapur’s favourite, Gulabo a.k.a. Daaru a.k.a. Alcohol. They have all made me believe in the notion that in this chaotic city, apart from hard work and good luck, you also need a little “Old monk”. So here are some of my analysis of why they say so.  

v  Somehow Old Monk has become the face and the phase of the struggle. It is consumed to run-over bad experiences and to have a good time. It is like a whorehouse where you’d like to visit frequently to just leave behind the past & still make memories.

v  Manufactured by Mohan Meakin Ltd. Old Monk has earned the status of being the most popular drink of the creative lot. Tastes like a virgin, it injects a sudden rush. Even the hangover next morning doesn’t make you feel like some dead body. But the drink commands monopoly because you can get drunk and fall in love with life in just 200 bucks. With Monk, happiness comes cheap

v  One thing which cuts these old monk lovers from this dead society is the crazy dreams they thrive on. Sadly, society doesn’t have dreams, but boring aspiration. From Chetak to Maruti, from Rupa to Jockey. On the other hand these dreamers proudly blabber about “seems-difficult” things to achieve after gulping down 3 pegs of Old Monk. The drink reminds them of their dream, snatches the real men out of them and puts it on the table.

v  A peg of 60ml Old Monk mixed with Thumbs Up, poured over 2 ice cubes makes a perfect drink, a perfect evening & a perfect conversation. A conversation between 2 guys starts with, “Do you drink? Do you like Old monk?”

   

v  The greatness of the drink is such that even when people get over their struggling days they never forget the whore, the drink. Because it was one of the few honest things which came along with them this far, trusted them like a lover. 

Recently an aspiring director shared his first film's script with me. I loved it and after discussing some details he asked me, "Would you like a drink?" and then went ahead and poured Old Monk. 

In a nutshell I’ll say, Old Monk doesn't guarantee you any success. It just makes up your mood and nothing else. And it might give you a couple of friends who like to share their views, thoughts, talents and dreams. People who are least worried what the f*** this world will think of them.

To summarize the greatness of this great drink, I’ll quote the famous dialogue from the cult Andaz Apna Apna, ‘Gum Ka Saathi Rum’. 
Cheers!!

**Please note: This article is not written to put down any other beverage/drink or to propagate the popularity of Old Monk. 
***Above all, the writer talks about alcohol much more than consuming it.