Did you know these unfinished works of art? | #129

Also, the ORS man of India 😰

Nov 05, 2022

“Can anything be sadder than work left unfinished? Yes, work never begun.” Christina Rossetti

They say that a long journey starts with a single step. But if you cannot complete the journey, you should be happy that at least you started it. The world is littered with attempts at masterpieces that fell short, due to various circumstances.

This week’s newsletter we look at some unfinished works.

Things we learnt this week 🤓

After publishing 23 high-quality stories, Herge wanted to experiment on the 24th one. He sought to explore the world of art and occult sects and instead of his usual exotic set pieces, he set his book in the world of modern art…And then he left us hanging. According to many, Tintin and Alph-art would have been the perfect ending had it been complete, but in some sense it allowed the reader to have the final word. The antagonist of this story Endaddine Akass is said to be based on Osho Rajneesh - someone Herge got to know of a few years before his death. If only he had the ~~Herge~~ urge to finish this story.

The final panel drawn by Herge - Tintin being held at gunpoint by ‘Osho Rajneesh’

If you visit the Qutub Minar complex, chances are that you might have come across the OG vanity project by an Indian ruler. The Alai Minar was being built by Alauddin Khilji and he wanted it to be double the height of Qutub Minar. The construction is said to have started around 1300 CE and stopped around 1316 when only the first floor was ready after the death of the Sultan. All that remains now of a planned grand monument, is a circular mass that is under the shadow of the Qutub. For Alauddin Khilji, it seems the end was high.

We have all loved the characters of Munnabhai and Circuit. It’s a little known fact that Rajkumar Hirani wanted to start filming the 3rd film in the series called ‘Munna Bhai Chale Amerika’. The film went on floors and even had a teaser trailer made. The film was eventually shelved when Sanjay Dutt got convicted and spent time in the Yerawada jail. The film was supposed to be shot in the USA - a no-go area for Sanjay Dutt. Sometimes, works of art are better left unfinished.
Watch it for the plot