Sanjay Boo

Sanjay Wadhwani: I worked with him in Triton Communications, Mumbai for 3 months in 1996. So gory was the experience that I can’t still remove him entirely out of my mind.

Sanjay is a typical Punjabi, more bluster than substance and raw aggression. He was face was a tanned wheat colour complexion, a narrow face, a Hitler mustache and heavy eyebrows, and the most detestable character formiles around.  He was loud and heartily laugh at his own jokes. People humoured him or kept a safe distance and there was a devilish streak about him.

Sanjay was a womanizer and his jokes to the secretaries were almost an invitation,” The client who came now for a meeting is so fat and I have also seen his wife, who is too obese for words. I wonder how they make it in the night”. The young girls would laugh and by which time his hands would be on their shoulder!!! Sanjay jokes would never rise beyond a candom or the shack.  

How would you know that you have arrived or reached the top position at office? One can measure it on the size of the car or the house but my true index is that you can “shout” at office and others have no recourse but to bear it. Sanjay was the ‘General Manager” and he ruled most vociferously. Unlike Minnie whose only stock weapon at work were a few tantrums, Sanjay was more adept and cunning. He could joke, cajole, browbeat and throw the kitchen-sinker and that too with a devil’s glee.

Sanjay is a case of smart operator getting very lucky. He had no superior “ advertising” skills (I don’t think that he can prepare one strategic document) but he knew how to “present” creative to clients almost theatrically. He was just in his mid- 30s and dressed gaudily; there was almost a touch of comedy. He had just got his Maruti Esteem (in 1996!!!) and the way he flaunted by smoking inside the car as it carried an electronic lighter; he was very much the nouveau rich Punju!! His success in Mumbai can only be ascribed to “Punjabi Pluck”.  

Sanjay got away even from murder as he proudly demonstrated his humour. He recounted his client meeting at Pune to those assembled,” It was late in the evening when I went to pick Dharma up. He was so dark that I couldn’t make out at a distance until he flashed those white teeth of his”. Dharma was much respected media head and this “racist” remark from a Punjabi to a Tamilian is no surprise at all.

A very attractive girl joined my team and Sanjay immediately started to sniff around. I advised her,” Each time you talk to Wadhwani fellow, mention your husband in your conversation”. She was not married but nonetheless kept referring to her non-existent husband and buy her safety.  

I had quite a few well-worshippers in the agency and many would say,” In a client meeting, don’t speak much and never match up to Sanjay. He can swing the axe anytime and you won’t know what hit you”. Luckily he didn’t swing the axe but I nevertheless quit. The agency vibrated of a ruckus murder scene; and my nightmares full of Sanjay pulling the noose down. I have never seen a person so purposely and decisively evil. Sanjay is capable of murder or a rape such was his high octane levels for mischief.

Verdict: Tamas

Lesson to be learnt: Just keep away and no benefit will accrue from such characters.