Photo Booth: A Graphic Novel
Encyclopedia
Photo Booth: A Graphic Novel is a single story graphic novel
created by writer Lewis Helfand, artist Sachin Nagar, colourist Prince Varghese, and editors Mark Jones and Aditi Ray. The book was published by Campfire Graphic Novels in November 2010.
and Kismat Konnection
. According to Lewis Helfand, the graphic novel format is just as potent as cinema and music: "Graphic novels are just a different medium, a different way of telling a story. Just like you can get lost in a great song or film, graphic novels can capture your imagination in the same way."
agent who is investigating a new deadly drug flooding the streets of New York City. Through a narrative, the reader is told of Rajani's concerns: that he feels lost, and often wonders if he has chosen the right path in life.
religion. Such symbols are arrows and lightening.
Throughout Photo Booth, there is a concentration on key areas that concern Hinduism
such as dharma
. Within the dual stories of the graphic novel, there is a concentration on Praveer Rajani's dharma in terms of his devotion to his career and family. Praveer must ultimately make a decision as to where his obligation must lie: with his family, or a vendetta that is consuming his life. The idea of ahimsa
, a principal belief of Hinduism, is also addressed within the story. Although consumed with anger and violence, Praveer Rajani will try to obey the idea of nonviolence in resolving an issue from his past. Ahimsa (translated as meaning to do no harm, or avoiding violence), was promoted by the political and ideological leader of India
, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
Graphic novel
A graphic novel is a narrative work in which the story is conveyed to the reader using sequential art in either an experimental design or in a traditional comics format...
created by writer Lewis Helfand, artist Sachin Nagar, colourist Prince Varghese, and editors Mark Jones and Aditi Ray. The book was published by Campfire Graphic Novels in November 2010.
Background
Photo Booth originated when Lewis Helfand, a prolific writer, approached Campfire Graphic Novels with the idea of an Indian romance story set within New York. The plot contains two time zones, one of which is set within 2010 and another set in the year 1990. This method of flashback is in keeping with a popular style of story telling used within the Indian epic known as The Mahabharata. The idea of using Indian characters within a foreign setting is also in keeping with trends in popular Bollywood films such as Chandni Chowk to ChinaChandni Chowk To China
Chandni Chowk to China , shortened as CC2C is a Hindi film which released on 16 January 2009. It is directed by Nikhil Advani and stars Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles, with Hindi cinema veteran Mithun Chakraborty and Hong Kong action cinema veteran Gordon Liu among the co-stars...
and Kismat Konnection
Kismat Konnection
Kismat Konnection is an Indian Bollywood film directed by Aziz Mirza who previously directed films like Yes Boss , Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and Chalte Chalte . The film stars Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan in the lead roles with Juhi Chawla in a supporting role. Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan is...
. According to Lewis Helfand, the graphic novel format is just as potent as cinema and music: "Graphic novels are just a different medium, a different way of telling a story. Just like you can get lost in a great song or film, graphic novels can capture your imagination in the same way."
Plot
The opening section of Photo Booth focuses on Praveer Rajani, an InterpolInterpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
agent who is investigating a new deadly drug flooding the streets of New York City. Through a narrative, the reader is told of Rajani's concerns: that he feels lost, and often wonders if he has chosen the right path in life.
Themes
Within the opening scenes, there are visual symbols connected with the Upanishads: philosophical texts considered to be an early source of HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
religion. Such symbols are arrows and lightening.
Throughout Photo Booth, there is a concentration on key areas that concern Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
such as dharma
Dharma
Dharma means Law or Natural Law and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one's personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu's dharma is affected by the person's age, caste, class, occupation, and gender...
. Within the dual stories of the graphic novel, there is a concentration on Praveer Rajani's dharma in terms of his devotion to his career and family. Praveer must ultimately make a decision as to where his obligation must lie: with his family, or a vendetta that is consuming his life. The idea of ahimsa
Ahimsa
Ahimsa is a term meaning to do no harm . The word is derived from the Sanskrit root hims – to strike; himsa is injury or harm, a-himsa is the opposite of this, i.e. non harming or nonviolence. It is an important tenet of the Indian religions...
, a principal belief of Hinduism, is also addressed within the story. Although consumed with anger and violence, Praveer Rajani will try to obey the idea of nonviolence in resolving an issue from his past. Ahimsa (translated as meaning to do no harm, or avoiding violence), was promoted by the political and ideological leader of India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.