What else can I say... Samah hai yeh suhana, koi kisi ka deewana...
Friday, August 22, 2008
Main Toh Mama Ban Gaya!
Siddha and Shweta became proud parents of a beautiful baby girl early in the morning today, the perfect kid sis for Sanam :)
What else can I say... Samah hai yeh suhana, koi kisi ka deewana...
What else can I say... Samah hai yeh suhana, koi kisi ka deewana...
Post No 500!
Ye Ye Ye, I have done it...
Now, I can take a lonnnggggggggg break from this difficult job and enjoy my life!
Now, I can take a lonnnggggggggg break from this difficult job and enjoy my life!
Joke..
OK, here's a joke for you... (for Marathi lovers only :))
A marathi manoos goes to Dharmendra's house for chori. Dharmendra wakes up, and screams, "Kameene...."
Chor goes, "Ho re baba, kameech neto"
lol rofl
A marathi manoos goes to Dharmendra's house for chori. Dharmendra wakes up, and screams, "Kameene...."
Chor goes, "Ho re baba, kameech neto"
lol rofl
Only 2 Left Now...
:)
And the best part is, you can simply add a few posts like these and you can't even be run out :)
And the best part is, you can simply add a few posts like these and you can't even be run out :)
The Good Thing...
...about having your blog is that no one can stop you from writing whatever you want to write there :)
Song of the Week
Mumbai se aaya mera dost, dost ko salaam karo
Raat ko khao peeo, din ko aaram karo...
:)
Raat ko khao peeo, din ko aaram karo...
:)
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The World This Week..
153 killed in Madrid plane crash
60 killed in Pak Taliban attacks
India wins shooting gold, wrestling bronze, and at least a bronze in boxing at the Olympics
India and Sri Lanka tied 1-1 in the 5 match one day series
Critical NSG vote coming up on India's nuclear deal
iPhone being released in India at 3 times the price in the US
In the age of global warming, this year turns out to be the coolest this century
Life goes on
60 killed in Pak Taliban attacks
India wins shooting gold, wrestling bronze, and at least a bronze in boxing at the Olympics
India and Sri Lanka tied 1-1 in the 5 match one day series
Critical NSG vote coming up on India's nuclear deal
iPhone being released in India at 3 times the price in the US
In the age of global warming, this year turns out to be the coolest this century
Life goes on
Monday, August 18, 2008
Calizz
Calizz (Heart in Konkani) is an interesting museum in Siquerim, showcasing life in Goa in the Portuguese era. A pretty large compound hosts a bunch of authentic houses, some originally acquired and maintained, others specially built for the purpose, exhibiting some very interesting artifacts showcasing life from centuries ago... My personal favourite - the Kamasutra toy in Laxmi Bai's house :)
Do check it out when you are in Goa next - rates are a little on the higher side, but definitely worth it!
What To Do When In Goa...
Meditate on the beach
Rescue stranded ships
Dig tunnels
Explore the tunnels
Get rebootedOur Encounter with the Mongoose...
We got to do our own bit of Steve Irwingiri... check out this beautiful mongoose, in two sexy poses...
Please ignore the grainy nature of the photos, these were taken from almost 100 meters away, the guy just refused to let us come close to kiss him! Maybe he wasn't gay... :)
Goa in the Rains
Need I put up any captions? If you haven't seen Goa in the rains, and have been restricting yourself to the sun and the sand, you are missing something beautiful! Take a weekend off, brave the monsoons, and get immersed in a whole new experience...Saturday, August 16, 2008
Movie Review: Bachna Ae Haseeno
OK, let me be blunt here. I didn't have much hopes from this movie, and I went with a pretty open mind, But it was hard to find something I enjoyed :( Given that this was a movie with Deepika in it, that says a lot, I would think!
Let's start with the story. Well, it's a no-brainer, really. It might have well been one of those Kserials - you know, where things just go on and on? Raj (Ranbir) spends the first 30 mins of the movie missing a train, taking a scooter ride (yes, an unabashed take off and tribute to DDLJ), and finally succeeding in kissing the maiden, a very wierdly made up Minissha Lamba, in definitely her worst appearances ever, then breaks her heart. Cut to Mumbai a few years later, and he is living in with and kissing another dame in hot pants, Biapasha Basu, before he ditches her on the day of their marriage and goes to Australia in search gori babes and glory. And then he falls in love with an Indian student-by-day-taxi-driver-by night, Deepika Padukone. After singing and dancing and romancing, she refuses to marry him - she doesn't believe in marriage because she wants to live life on her terms, she's told him that right at the beginning! Suddenly, Ranbir realizes he has to say sorry to those maidens from his past, and then goes in search of them. Minissha is married with two kids, and after getting punched and beaten, he opens her heart to the true love of her husband, again, borrowing heavily from DDLJ, and hoping to trick the audiences into falling in love with this new Raj. Then, off to Mumbai where Radhika has become a top-model Shreya, and loves treating people like dirt. She makes him a condition, serve me as my PA and work hard, if you need my forgiveness. Then follows another 30 mins of silly antics as her PA, before she bursts with her hatred, then inexplicably decides enough is enough, and forgives him. He comes back to Australia, finds a pile of love letters from his Deepika, catches another of her taxi rides, and finally relieves you from the torture.
I don't like Ranbir. He's a fair dancer, but that's pretty much it. He cannot act for nuts, not even simple and easy roles like these! He tries hard to borrow from Raj in DDLJ, but hello, you probably are from a different planet than the King Khan, and it's better you stick to basics first! And yes, throwing away towels and baring your chest might get you a few female fans, but it definitely is not going to be enough! If I were Minissha, I would fire my make up artist and not feel I have redeemed the injustice done to me to some extent. I have nothing against Bipasha, and to be fair to her, she looks good sometimes, and is not too bad at her acting either. Deepika looks good in some scenes, and has her moments, but this is definitely a big let-down after the start she got in OSO. She has a good body but a pretty ordinary face with some hard features which need softer treatment by the camera. In any case, I just hope she has more substance to her than she's exhibited recently - one hit and 3 link ups do not take you to number one, dear! And I really hope you aren't in some holy alliance with your beau, promising to do movies with him and only him! Remember a one-hit wonder called Bhagyashree? And yes, fire your dress designer.
Khuda Jaane is a good number, and is shot in stunningly beautiful locales (cliffs of Dover?), but I wish the dance director had some more steps up his sleeve - just seeing skin gets boring after some time! The title track is OK, the rest is completely forgetable!
Overall, you might want to check it once, especially if you are a die-hard fan of Deepika and want to help her career, but make sure you have good company and some popcorn for all those moments you will wish you had opted for something better...
A second time? He he, you need to do a real good job to convince me!
Let's start with the story. Well, it's a no-brainer, really. It might have well been one of those Kserials - you know, where things just go on and on? Raj (Ranbir) spends the first 30 mins of the movie missing a train, taking a scooter ride (yes, an unabashed take off and tribute to DDLJ), and finally succeeding in kissing the maiden, a very wierdly made up Minissha Lamba, in definitely her worst appearances ever, then breaks her heart. Cut to Mumbai a few years later, and he is living in with and kissing another dame in hot pants, Biapasha Basu, before he ditches her on the day of their marriage and goes to Australia in search gori babes and glory. And then he falls in love with an Indian student-by-day-taxi-driver-by night, Deepika Padukone. After singing and dancing and romancing, she refuses to marry him - she doesn't believe in marriage because she wants to live life on her terms, she's told him that right at the beginning! Suddenly, Ranbir realizes he has to say sorry to those maidens from his past, and then goes in search of them. Minissha is married with two kids, and after getting punched and beaten, he opens her heart to the true love of her husband, again, borrowing heavily from DDLJ, and hoping to trick the audiences into falling in love with this new Raj. Then, off to Mumbai where Radhika has become a top-model Shreya, and loves treating people like dirt. She makes him a condition, serve me as my PA and work hard, if you need my forgiveness. Then follows another 30 mins of silly antics as her PA, before she bursts with her hatred, then inexplicably decides enough is enough, and forgives him. He comes back to Australia, finds a pile of love letters from his Deepika, catches another of her taxi rides, and finally relieves you from the torture.
I don't like Ranbir. He's a fair dancer, but that's pretty much it. He cannot act for nuts, not even simple and easy roles like these! He tries hard to borrow from Raj in DDLJ, but hello, you probably are from a different planet than the King Khan, and it's better you stick to basics first! And yes, throwing away towels and baring your chest might get you a few female fans, but it definitely is not going to be enough! If I were Minissha, I would fire my make up artist and not feel I have redeemed the injustice done to me to some extent. I have nothing against Bipasha, and to be fair to her, she looks good sometimes, and is not too bad at her acting either. Deepika looks good in some scenes, and has her moments, but this is definitely a big let-down after the start she got in OSO. She has a good body but a pretty ordinary face with some hard features which need softer treatment by the camera. In any case, I just hope she has more substance to her than she's exhibited recently - one hit and 3 link ups do not take you to number one, dear! And I really hope you aren't in some holy alliance with your beau, promising to do movies with him and only him! Remember a one-hit wonder called Bhagyashree? And yes, fire your dress designer.
Khuda Jaane is a good number, and is shot in stunningly beautiful locales (cliffs of Dover?), but I wish the dance director had some more steps up his sleeve - just seeing skin gets boring after some time! The title track is OK, the rest is completely forgetable!
Overall, you might want to check it once, especially if you are a die-hard fan of Deepika and want to help her career, but make sure you have good company and some popcorn for all those moments you will wish you had opted for something better...
A second time? He he, you need to do a real good job to convince me!
Movie Review: Singh is King
"Singh is King" is Akshaye Kumar's step in Govinda's world of senseless, loud slapstick comedy, and I am not sure that's the right step to take. I think his fans have enjoyed him a lot more in more subtle roles like Bhool Bhulaiyya and Mirch Masala!
Happy Singh is a small-town sardar, always ready to do good, but causing huge collateral damage in the process (remember Hancock?). Tired of him, the villagers send him on an impossible mission to Australia to get back the village-boy-turned-don Lucky Singh to see his "dying" father, hoping this will get rid of Happy forever. After stumbling and bumbling his way from India to Egypt and then to Australia, Happy somehow ends up becoming the King
himself, and "tranforms" the evil empire into holy do-gooders.
The movie starts with a good-but-could-have-been-much-better Happy-chasing-hen scene, which the director promises is computer animation (with a "no animals were hurt in the shoot" disclaimer), but if I were Maneka, I would be sceptical of that! The marriage song is silly, boring, loud, and definitely avoidable! The movie has it's moments, of course. Some silly but well shot action sequences, breath-taking locales in Egypt and Australia, a beautiful song (Teri Oar Teri Oar wins it hands down), and of course, the oh-so-worth-it Katrina Kaif who truly looks like an Egyptian goddess!
Overall, just about average - although, if you are a Kat fan, you will not regret it!
Happy Singh is a small-town sardar, always ready to do good, but causing huge collateral damage in the process (remember Hancock?). Tired of him, the villagers send him on an impossible mission to Australia to get back the village-boy-turned-don Lucky Singh to see his "dying" father, hoping this will get rid of Happy forever. After stumbling and bumbling his way from India to Egypt and then to Australia, Happy somehow ends up becoming the King
himself, and "tranforms" the evil empire into holy do-gooders.
The movie starts with a good-but-could-have-been-much-better Happy-chasing-hen scene, which the director promises is computer animation (with a "no animals were hurt in the shoot" disclaimer), but if I were Maneka, I would be sceptical of that! The marriage song is silly, boring, loud, and definitely avoidable! The movie has it's moments, of course. Some silly but well shot action sequences, breath-taking locales in Egypt and Australia, a beautiful song (Teri Oar Teri Oar wins it hands down), and of course, the oh-so-worth-it Katrina Kaif who truly looks like an Egyptian goddess!
Overall, just about average - although, if you are a Kat fan, you will not regret it!
The Journey
Our bus trip was awesome. The rain gods were merciful, the roads were clear of landslides
and fallen trees, and we reached pretty decently at 8.30 - after a wonderful sleep... and
some excitement :)
It was around 3.30 am, the bus had stopped for a couple of passengers to take a leak, and I needed it too! I was a few meters behind the bus, enjoying the eerie stillness of the lonely highway punctured by the gentle purring of the idling engine, the fields and the tress billowing in the wind and the gentle rain, enjoying the calm and peace, and wondering how far we were from civilization - when I heard the engine change it's rhythm - the driver had put the bus into gear, and released the brakes. Oh come on, I thought, give me a minute here - and started walking back... then I realised with horror, he didn't remember I was still down there! The thought of spending the night walking down that highway wasn't comforting at all, and I guess that pumped the adrenalin I needed to catch up and hop on!
I wouldn't even have been able to make a call - my cell, for once, was not with me. Not that it would have helped - there was probably no range there anyway. Madhavi and Sanam would have found my berth empty around 8.00 am :)
Next time, I am gonna take the driver along with me!
A few minutes later, we were on the Gaganbavda ghat section. A few days back, the road was closed - courtesy the rain which brought down big boulders crashing onto the road. It's always thrilling here - the hair pin curves, the mists rolling in from the plains below, the rain, the bus headlights trying to pierce the vast darkness of the valley below, the driver straining against the inertial forces, steering the vehicle and it's blissfully unaware and sleeping passengers back on course, in time for the next big curve.
Safely down into the Konkan plains, I finally settled into the cozy upper berth - hugging the pillow tight, wrapping the rug around me, and looking forward to the Goan vacation! Prawns, crabs, the rain... mmmmmmmmmmmm zzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz
and fallen trees, and we reached pretty decently at 8.30 - after a wonderful sleep... and
some excitement :)
It was around 3.30 am, the bus had stopped for a couple of passengers to take a leak, and I needed it too! I was a few meters behind the bus, enjoying the eerie stillness of the lonely highway punctured by the gentle purring of the idling engine, the fields and the tress billowing in the wind and the gentle rain, enjoying the calm and peace, and wondering how far we were from civilization - when I heard the engine change it's rhythm - the driver had put the bus into gear, and released the brakes. Oh come on, I thought, give me a minute here - and started walking back... then I realised with horror, he didn't remember I was still down there! The thought of spending the night walking down that highway wasn't comforting at all, and I guess that pumped the adrenalin I needed to catch up and hop on!
I wouldn't even have been able to make a call - my cell, for once, was not with me. Not that it would have helped - there was probably no range there anyway. Madhavi and Sanam would have found my berth empty around 8.00 am :)
Next time, I am gonna take the driver along with me!
A few minutes later, we were on the Gaganbavda ghat section. A few days back, the road was closed - courtesy the rain which brought down big boulders crashing onto the road. It's always thrilling here - the hair pin curves, the mists rolling in from the plains below, the rain, the bus headlights trying to pierce the vast darkness of the valley below, the driver straining against the inertial forces, steering the vehicle and it's blissfully unaware and sleeping passengers back on course, in time for the next big curve.
Safely down into the Konkan plains, I finally settled into the cozy upper berth - hugging the pillow tight, wrapping the rug around me, and looking forward to the Goan vacation! Prawns, crabs, the rain... mmmmmmmmmmmm zzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz
Friday, August 15, 2008
Taking a Break..
Going to Goa... I promised myself no mails and work, it's just been 3 hours in the bus though - kya karein, Tata Indicom ki jai!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Subah Subah
Another beautiful song playing on TV these days...
subah subah ye kya huva
na jaane kyon ab main hawaayon mein chal raha hoon
nayi subah nayi jagah
nayi tarah se nayi dishaayon mein chal raha hoon
nayi nayi hain meri nazar ya hain nazaarein naye
yaa dekhate khwab main chal raha hoon
subah subah ye kya huva
na jaane kyon ab main hawaayon mein chal raha hoon
nayi subah nayi jagah
nayi tarah se nayi dishaayon mein chal raha hoon
nayi nayi hain meri nazar ya hain nazaarein naye
yaa dekhate khwab main chal raha hoon
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Bear Gryll
Have you watched "Man vs Wild" on Discovery? One of the most exciting reality shows on TV today, Bear takes you on wild escapes from tough situations in nature, showing how to survive in the most difficult and hopeless conditions.
Yes, he has his support crew and I am sure medical help nearby, but it's still scary, deadly and very exciting!
What I like most - the food he finds and eats! From raw fish, to grubs and snakes and spiders and scorpions and lizards, to left-over Zebra meat from a Lion's kill, it's amazing how he can find proteins and energy in the most yucky creatures on earth :) And as for water, well, from his own pee, to water from a dead camel's guts, to fluids from elephant's dung - I wonder if his stomach can actually relish some of the normal food we people eat!
While watching the program over some crabs and fish, Sanam suddenly remarked - this must be how our cat's like is na? Eating raw stuff... lol...
Yes, he has his support crew and I am sure medical help nearby, but it's still scary, deadly and very exciting!
What I like most - the food he finds and eats! From raw fish, to grubs and snakes and spiders and scorpions and lizards, to left-over Zebra meat from a Lion's kill, it's amazing how he can find proteins and energy in the most yucky creatures on earth :) And as for water, well, from his own pee, to water from a dead camel's guts, to fluids from elephant's dung - I wonder if his stomach can actually relish some of the normal food we people eat!
While watching the program over some crabs and fish, Sanam suddenly remarked - this must be how our cat's like is na? Eating raw stuff... lol...
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Religion Anyone?
Times of India, top 3 headlines on the net right now...
120 killed in Naina Devi stampede
37 hurt during Amarnath protests in Jammu
Class 9 student killed fellow inmates in Asaram Ashram
And of course, bombs in Surat and Ahmedabad, terror strikes in Afghanistan, SIMI activists rounded up.. it goes on and on...
We just concluded our year long Arjuna program in Persistent - the three qualities Arjuna had were knowledge, action (a doer), and principles. He knew why he had to what he had to do based on his knowledge and his principles, and he was a man of action. The program was aimed at inculcating these habits in us. But all my life, for me, Arjuna was a fighter in that war called Mahabharat who shared his wife with his brothers! No one told me why. No one told me why I should be like him.
The Mahabharat and the Ramayan are the corner stones of our religion, just as the Bible and the Koran serve their purpose in Christianity and Islam. They all have stories, each with a specific message and meaning put across in a way that can be taught from generation to generation, the smart learnings of wise men who knew the illeterate population would not understand any other way. In fact, the stories were not meant to be analyzed and probed for meaning, they were the guidelines you blindly followed, because you were deemed incapable of understanding why.
Clater, the meaning and the essence have been lost. Literate populations and educated masses have forgotten why religions were created in the first place. We kill in the name of Ram and Allah, we destroy lives and societies, and we do it in the name of religion and god.
Is this what education has made of us?
Happy Friendship Day...
..to all my friends, of all shapes, colors and sizes, of all ethnicity and religions, good and best, old and new, those who talk and those who don't... those who care, and those who stopped, long time back..
Upset With Flickr
Just realised that Flickr has taken off most of my photo albums off the net, keeping only a few latest ones... and now want me to pay 25 USD/year to get them back online! I hate this - first they buy over Yahoo photos, and make me go through a lot of pain to migrate the albums properly, and now they do this extortion business.
I am switching over to Picasa very soon!
I am switching over to Picasa very soon!
India Take Revenge
After a terrible loss in the first test, India have struck back strongly in the Galle test, defeating Sri Lanka by 171 runs on the 4th day, levelling the series 1-1. After Viru set up the stage with an awesome undefeated 201 in the first innings, the bowlers chipped in, Bhajji with a 10 wicket haul and some devastating fast bowling by Ishant in the second innings, ripping through the Lankan top order.
This is the new India I love - fighting back, always optimistic, and ready to stand and deliver when it matters! Cheers!
This is the new India I love - fighting back, always optimistic, and ready to stand and deliver when it matters! Cheers!
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Connecting...
It's amazing how you can have some "friends" with day in and day out, and not be able to connect with them, while on the other hand, you can get back in touch with an uncle's neighbour's daughter from two decades back, and still be able to connect immediately like best friends!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
11.00 pm...
Dad on his laptop checking mails, mom on her laptop checking mails, kiddo on her desktop creating some e-Art and Miyou in her tub, hands tightly crossed over her eyes, stomach taking in the breeze from the fan, peacefully digesting those 3 Pomfret heads...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Mules
Did you know.. mules are the product of a male donkey and a female horse, and mules cannot give birth to other mules!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Let's Do Our Bit..
Pune is reeling under water and power scarcity. Here's how you can do your very significant bit - today and always!
1) Shut off the tap while shaving. Using a tumbler or cup with water works just perfectly for cleaning your razor!
2) Have a bucket bath instead of a shower - showers easily use up 3-4 times the water in a bucket, and sometimes a lot more! That's around 100 buckets per person per month!
3) Use part-flush when possible. Some cisterns have a half-flush options, others usually allow you to pull up the lever manually to stop the flush.
4) Cut down on taking your car for those long drives.
5) Shut off the engine when waiting more than 30 seconds at the signal.
6) Top up the petrol tank when you refuel - a lot of fuel is wasted when you open the tank for refuelling.
7) Do not park in the sun.
8) Drive a decent, steady pace.
9) Do not use the air-conditioning and then take a heavy blanket. Try keep windows open and use a fan, with a light blanket. ACs guzzle energy.
10) Do not keep warm stuff straight into the refrigerator.
11) Keep frozen stuff out to get it to room temperature. Do not take it out a few mins before dinner and then defrost it in the microwave.
12) Do not use the washing machine for part load.
13) Ask the bai not to keep water running while washing utensils. Take a bucket of water, do all the scrubbing, and then do a quick rinse with clean water.
14) Use CFLs.
15) Switch off lights, fans and the TV when not needed.
16) Put off electronic appliances, do not keep them on sleep or hibernate mode.
Together, bit by bit, we can make a difference!
1) Shut off the tap while shaving. Using a tumbler or cup with water works just perfectly for cleaning your razor!
2) Have a bucket bath instead of a shower - showers easily use up 3-4 times the water in a bucket, and sometimes a lot more! That's around 100 buckets per person per month!
3) Use part-flush when possible. Some cisterns have a half-flush options, others usually allow you to pull up the lever manually to stop the flush.
4) Cut down on taking your car for those long drives.
5) Shut off the engine when waiting more than 30 seconds at the signal.
6) Top up the petrol tank when you refuel - a lot of fuel is wasted when you open the tank for refuelling.
7) Do not park in the sun.
8) Drive a decent, steady pace.
9) Do not use the air-conditioning and then take a heavy blanket. Try keep windows open and use a fan, with a light blanket. ACs guzzle energy.
10) Do not keep warm stuff straight into the refrigerator.
11) Keep frozen stuff out to get it to room temperature. Do not take it out a few mins before dinner and then defrost it in the microwave.
12) Do not use the washing machine for part load.
13) Ask the bai not to keep water running while washing utensils. Take a bucket of water, do all the scrubbing, and then do a quick rinse with clean water.
14) Use CFLs.
15) Switch off lights, fans and the TV when not needed.
16) Put off electronic appliances, do not keep them on sleep or hibernate mode.
Together, bit by bit, we can make a difference!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Lalu's Gems
Lol, you had to see this - Lalu's speech in parliament today - total, complete entertainment.. at one point, I guess someone asks him some clarification and Lalu goes, in English... I can translate this in English also, but I do not want to waste time, so I will explain you later... lol.. man, this guy is heights...
Lol...
Lol...
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Dr Singh's Speech
I just had to save this last section of Dr Singh's final speech here for posterity... in the last one week, I have become one of his biggest fans!
The Management and governance of the world’s largest, most diverse and most vibrant democracy is the greatest challenge any person can be entrusted with, in this world. It has been my good fortune that I was entrusted with this challenge over four years ago. I thank with all sincerity the Chairperson of the UPA, the leaders of the Constituent Parties of the UPA and every member of my Party for the faith and trust they reposed in me. I once again recall with gratitude the guidance and support I have received from Shri Jyoti Basu and Sardar Harkishen Singh Surjeet.
I have often said that I am a politician by accident. I have held many diverse responsibilities. I have been a teacher, I have been an official of the Government of India, I have been a member of this greatest of Parliaments, but I have never forgotten my life as a young boy in a distant village. Every day that I have been Prime Minister of India I have tried to remember that the first ten years of my life were spent in a village with no drinking water supply, no electricity, no hospital, no roads and nothing that we today associate with modern living. I had to walk miles to school, I had to study in the dim light of a kerosene oil lamp. This nation gave me the opportunity to ensure that such would not be the life of our children in the foreseeable future.
Sir, my conscience is clear that on every day that I have occupied this high office, I have tried to fulfill the dream of that young boy from that distant village. The greatness of democracy is that we are all birds of passage! We are here today, gone tomorrow! But in the brief time that the people of India entrust us with this responsibility, it is our duty to be honest and sincere in the discharge of these responsibilities. As it is said in our sacred texts, we are responsible for our actions and we must act without coveting the rewards of such action. Whatever I have done in this high office I have done so with a clear conscience and the best interests of my country and our people at heart. I have no other claims to make.
The Management and governance of the world’s largest, most diverse and most vibrant democracy is the greatest challenge any person can be entrusted with, in this world. It has been my good fortune that I was entrusted with this challenge over four years ago. I thank with all sincerity the Chairperson of the UPA, the leaders of the Constituent Parties of the UPA and every member of my Party for the faith and trust they reposed in me. I once again recall with gratitude the guidance and support I have received from Shri Jyoti Basu and Sardar Harkishen Singh Surjeet.
I have often said that I am a politician by accident. I have held many diverse responsibilities. I have been a teacher, I have been an official of the Government of India, I have been a member of this greatest of Parliaments, but I have never forgotten my life as a young boy in a distant village. Every day that I have been Prime Minister of India I have tried to remember that the first ten years of my life were spent in a village with no drinking water supply, no electricity, no hospital, no roads and nothing that we today associate with modern living. I had to walk miles to school, I had to study in the dim light of a kerosene oil lamp. This nation gave me the opportunity to ensure that such would not be the life of our children in the foreseeable future.
Sir, my conscience is clear that on every day that I have occupied this high office, I have tried to fulfill the dream of that young boy from that distant village. The greatness of democracy is that we are all birds of passage! We are here today, gone tomorrow! But in the brief time that the people of India entrust us with this responsibility, it is our duty to be honest and sincere in the discharge of these responsibilities. As it is said in our sacred texts, we are responsible for our actions and we must act without coveting the rewards of such action. Whatever I have done in this high office I have done so with a clear conscience and the best interests of my country and our people at heart. I have no other claims to make.
KyaZoonga.com
OK, we keep hearing about bad service - so I think it's critical that I mention specific cases of good service!
A couple of months back, we bought 5 tickets on KyaZoonga.com for the IPL semi-final, for 2000 each. A couple of days after we had purchased the tickets on my HDFC Netsafe Card, the IPL authorities cut down rates from 2000 to 500! KyaZoonga.com immediately sent mail that the money would be refunded back to the credit card. But hey, I didn't use a real credit card - I had just used a one-time-use-only online card. I was pretty sure that I would not get my money back - that was OK too, after all, we hadn't expected discounts, and we had fairly and squarely purchased tickets at the original price. And we thoroughly enjoyed the match!
You might think this wasn't such a big deal - but remember, there were potentially thousands of customers asking for that refund, and my case was not standard procedure! Imagine my pleasant surprise when I actually got a call from one of the head honchos of KZ, assuring me of all help in resolving the matter. A few days later, I had the full refund amount on a cheque delivered to me at home!
Thanks KZ, you have a fan :)
A couple of months back, we bought 5 tickets on KyaZoonga.com for the IPL semi-final, for 2000 each. A couple of days after we had purchased the tickets on my HDFC Netsafe Card, the IPL authorities cut down rates from 2000 to 500! KyaZoonga.com immediately sent mail that the money would be refunded back to the credit card. But hey, I didn't use a real credit card - I had just used a one-time-use-only online card. I was pretty sure that I would not get my money back - that was OK too, after all, we hadn't expected discounts, and we had fairly and squarely purchased tickets at the original price. And we thoroughly enjoyed the match!
You might think this wasn't such a big deal - but remember, there were potentially thousands of customers asking for that refund, and my case was not standard procedure! Imagine my pleasant surprise when I actually got a call from one of the head honchos of KZ, assuring me of all help in resolving the matter. A few days later, I had the full refund amount on a cheque delivered to me at home!
Thanks KZ, you have a fan :)
Singh is King!
The debate is over, the votes cast, and Singh is King! The UPA got a stunning victory, with 275 for and only 256 against. As I predicted in my earlier post, there were 10 abstentions. Interesting, there was some pretty substantial cross-voting from the BJP, with as many as 7 voting with the government.
I am not an avid follower of national politics, but this last week had me rivetted to the TV... never before has the country seen such a strongly contested debate, spilling over from parliament into every household, courtesy of our dozens of news channels. Irrespective of the lack of morality shown by many over issues like the Aarushi case, one should feel very proud seeing the complete freedom of press enjoyed in India - can such free and open discussions be expected any where else except in the West?
I am still trying to figure out if anyone but the Congress and the UPA allies gained anything out of this nonsense thrust upon the country by the Left! Let's take a quick round up. The Left has shown itself to be completely devoid of any consideration for the country's good, holding the country to ransom for one Mr Karat's ego, and then showing how empty their talks of principles are by aligning with the NDA, who they claimed as their sworn enemies. What about the BJP? What face does it have left? Advani has been completely over shadowed by Mayavati's master strokes, and leaders like Rudy made such a fool of themselves coming up with ridiculous points for arguments, ridiculous predictions, and even more ridiculous accusations against the government. Where were all those other smart leaders - Yashwant Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Vajpayee? The final straw was perhaps the stunt in parliament preventing the PM from making his closing speech, ridiculing the parliament and making a spectacle of their own MPs, later referred to by Amar Singh as political prostitutes. And Mayavati? She actually calls a press conference accusing the NDA of siding with the UPA to make sure the "daughter of a dalit" doesn't become the PM! Jayanti Natarajan perhaps summed it well last night when she said Mayavati was being used by powerful men for their own games and machinations, and would be immediately dumped!
On the other hand, Amar Singh and Mulayam, Lalu, and other UPA leaders closed ranks and rose up like a Phoenix from the ashes of the Left pull out. Sonia showed this government was not a puppet of the Gandhi family, ensuring it was about Manmohan and not Sonia and Rahul. And Dr Singh, well, you are king! Someone who was accused of being a technocrat, not even voted by the people, has shown what an astute politician he is! Many other Congress and UPA leaders also showed their mettle - Kapil Sibal, Praful Patel, Jayanti Natarajan, Digivjay Singh, Pranab Mukherjee - have all proved their worth in countless debates on TV! And the shining star - Somnath Chatterjee. He truly brought respect to the Speaker's chair, conducting the proceedings in the most amazing manner. One only needed to watch the proceedings in parliament for a few minutes to admire and applaud this most respectable politician!
What happens now? The UPA has a clear mandate to move forward, freed from the shackles of the Left, and bolstered by the SP, while the unholy troika of Karat, Advani and Mayavati ensure that whatever opposition existed is broken up into pieces, unsure and confused of what their stand should be! I hope the UPA can now push ahead with all the financial reforms that were being held back by the Left, go ahead and sign the nuclear deal, and of course, make sure the divisive forces in the country and routed in the coming elections, putting India firmly on the path to take it's rightful place at the helm of the world.
I am not an avid follower of national politics, but this last week had me rivetted to the TV... never before has the country seen such a strongly contested debate, spilling over from parliament into every household, courtesy of our dozens of news channels. Irrespective of the lack of morality shown by many over issues like the Aarushi case, one should feel very proud seeing the complete freedom of press enjoyed in India - can such free and open discussions be expected any where else except in the West?
I am still trying to figure out if anyone but the Congress and the UPA allies gained anything out of this nonsense thrust upon the country by the Left! Let's take a quick round up. The Left has shown itself to be completely devoid of any consideration for the country's good, holding the country to ransom for one Mr Karat's ego, and then showing how empty their talks of principles are by aligning with the NDA, who they claimed as their sworn enemies. What about the BJP? What face does it have left? Advani has been completely over shadowed by Mayavati's master strokes, and leaders like Rudy made such a fool of themselves coming up with ridiculous points for arguments, ridiculous predictions, and even more ridiculous accusations against the government. Where were all those other smart leaders - Yashwant Singh, Sushma Swaraj, Vajpayee? The final straw was perhaps the stunt in parliament preventing the PM from making his closing speech, ridiculing the parliament and making a spectacle of their own MPs, later referred to by Amar Singh as political prostitutes. And Mayavati? She actually calls a press conference accusing the NDA of siding with the UPA to make sure the "daughter of a dalit" doesn't become the PM! Jayanti Natarajan perhaps summed it well last night when she said Mayavati was being used by powerful men for their own games and machinations, and would be immediately dumped!
On the other hand, Amar Singh and Mulayam, Lalu, and other UPA leaders closed ranks and rose up like a Phoenix from the ashes of the Left pull out. Sonia showed this government was not a puppet of the Gandhi family, ensuring it was about Manmohan and not Sonia and Rahul. And Dr Singh, well, you are king! Someone who was accused of being a technocrat, not even voted by the people, has shown what an astute politician he is! Many other Congress and UPA leaders also showed their mettle - Kapil Sibal, Praful Patel, Jayanti Natarajan, Digivjay Singh, Pranab Mukherjee - have all proved their worth in countless debates on TV! And the shining star - Somnath Chatterjee. He truly brought respect to the Speaker's chair, conducting the proceedings in the most amazing manner. One only needed to watch the proceedings in parliament for a few minutes to admire and applaud this most respectable politician!
What happens now? The UPA has a clear mandate to move forward, freed from the shackles of the Left, and bolstered by the SP, while the unholy troika of Karat, Advani and Mayavati ensure that whatever opposition existed is broken up into pieces, unsure and confused of what their stand should be! I hope the UPA can now push ahead with all the financial reforms that were being held back by the Left, go ahead and sign the nuclear deal, and of course, make sure the divisive forces in the country and routed in the coming elections, putting India firmly on the path to take it's rightful place at the helm of the world.
The Debate
The final 24 hours of the great Indian nuclear debate... as the government approaches showdown time, the UPA seems confident of making the numbers. One channel predicted 267 against the government, 269 for, and 3 undecided.
Me thinks the government will win with a margin of around 10. Where will that come from? From abstentions. Young, smart MPs from the opposition probably know to put nation over party!
Either way, the PM has earned the respect of this country. His name will go down as one of the strongest PMs we have had, who stood his ground when it mattered the most!
Me thinks the government will win with a margin of around 10. Where will that come from? From abstentions. Young, smart MPs from the opposition probably know to put nation over party!
Either way, the PM has earned the respect of this country. His name will go down as one of the strongest PMs we have had, who stood his ground when it mattered the most!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Once a Sportsman...
Saurav will now be seen in a new role - turning up for a Calcutta football club in a first division league match, to be followed by the I-League. Interestingly, today's paper also carried a pic of Bhutia after scoring a goal for an all-stars team being congratulated by Michael Schumaker - his team mate on the field!
Guess once a sportsman, always a sportsman - and football seems to be a firm favourite!
Guess once a sportsman, always a sportsman - and football seems to be a firm favourite!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Movie Review: You, Me and Hum
Saw a bit of the Kajol-Ajay home production You, Me and Hum the other night. Nothing much to write about, except that I do not like movies designed to make you cry and feel negative about life itself... life's bad enough and I do not need movies like these to make me feel worse!
Aah well, I switched it off once she started losing her memory enough to forget she's already had a baby a few days back...
Aah well, I switched it off once she started losing her memory enough to forget she's already had a baby a few days back...
11 East Street Cafe
I had heard a lot about the new place in town - 11 East Street Cafe, a theme restaurant built to look like a London street, complete with a real, red double decker and shop fronts. I finally got a chance to visit it today, but I must say, it was a pretty big disappointment.
The idea's great, the double decker bus is fantastic. But the rest left a lot to be desired. Bringing the kitchen and service areas out into the "street" is a bad idea - on one hand you can see the shopfronts of London, and right beside it, sweaty Indian cooks toiling over overused mixers and grinders. The roof is a big disappointment too, and having plastic white tarpaulins instead of the blue sky is a definite no-no.
The place was very crowded, and you keep getting jostled by guests as well as waiters. The biggest turn-off for me: smoking.
The service is bad too - twice we were served dishes ordered by someone else, plates were not cleared away quick enough.
The food is OK, but definitely nothing about the crowd, the ambience or the food will make me go back there...
The idea's great, the double decker bus is fantastic. But the rest left a lot to be desired. Bringing the kitchen and service areas out into the "street" is a bad idea - on one hand you can see the shopfronts of London, and right beside it, sweaty Indian cooks toiling over overused mixers and grinders. The roof is a big disappointment too, and having plastic white tarpaulins instead of the blue sky is a definite no-no.
The place was very crowded, and you keep getting jostled by guests as well as waiters. The biggest turn-off for me: smoking.
The service is bad too - twice we were served dishes ordered by someone else, plates were not cleared away quick enough.
The food is OK, but definitely nothing about the crowd, the ambience or the food will make me go back there...
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Movie Review: Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na
JTYJN is the story of two platonic best friends, Jai and Aditi, who call each other Meow and Rats, and don't know they are in love, until they decide to find the "perfect" life partners for each other.
Directed by the very young Abas Tyrewalla, JTYJN is a very refreshing and heart-warming movie, just perfect for today's generations. It's fun, it's clean, and it shows how today's teenagers do not need to smoke, drink or lose control to have fun.
The strength of the movie is undoubtedly in it's characters, and the beautiful expression of feelings. The cast is just perfect, and I cannot think of another movie where I have been touched by so many characters so deeply. Whether it is Aditi's grief behind the death of her pet cat and the happiness when she sees her new kitten, the feelings of possessiveness and jealousy in their eyes when they see their best friend falling in love with someone else, the ecstasy at being reunited, the exchange between Aditi's kid brother and her about how she was always his only friend, every scene touches you deep down in the heart, makes you identify so much with it, that dialogues are sometimes redundant. Fantastic stuff!
The music is catchy and very fun. The title track Tu Bole Main Boluun is picturized as a beautiful video collage of their relationship set against the lilting strains of the seventies Chicago musicals, the DCH-reminiscent Nazrein Milaana Nazrein Churaana superbly showcases the development of Jai's relationship with his new girlfriend and Aditi's exploration of her true feelings for him. Kahin To Hogi Woh will make you sing with joy and sadness at the same time, and is one song you can put on repeat loop and hear over and over again, and never get enough of. Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi is perfect for those times when you feel down and out. Pappu Can't Dance isn't nearly as much in my list of favourites, but it's a fun number and will make you smile. Interestingly, the songs add tremendously to the story, not just "fitting in" somehow - the movie couldn't have been as effective without the songs.
The characters, as I said earlier, are the absolute strength of the movie. I can't say enough about the freshness and the joy exuded by Genelia D'Souza. She's stunningly beautiful, has an awesome wardrobe that brings out the best in her in every shot. Her strength is in her expressions though - and her slightly "different" accent and delivery just adds the icing on the cake. I am totally fida on her. Imran Khan is a stunner. I am definitely not gay, but I just loved the guy. He's sincere, he's handsome, he's cute, and he's good! There are a few scenes where he comes across as slightly raw newcomer, but he is definitely on top of the expectations in most of the movie's difficult scenes. His expressions, dialogue delivery and look is just perfect. What any dad would love his son to be! Watch out for this guy - he will rule Bollywood in the years to come, post SRK :)
The supporting cast is fantastic too! From Aditi and Jai's friend circle (loved one of them - guess who), to the sweet cameo played by Naseeruddin as Jai's father. From Aditi's brother - I loved that character too! - to the crazy pots played by the Khan brothers Sohail and Arbaaz. Jai's girlfriend - stunningly sexy and sweet at the same time, to Aditi's fiance - handsome, strong and very hunky, attractive yet hateable as you get to know him better. Right down to the kitten and the mouse! Nothing could have been cast better.
One of the very best movies I have seen... a must-have for my DVD collection.
Directed by the very young Abas Tyrewalla, JTYJN is a very refreshing and heart-warming movie, just perfect for today's generations. It's fun, it's clean, and it shows how today's teenagers do not need to smoke, drink or lose control to have fun.
The strength of the movie is undoubtedly in it's characters, and the beautiful expression of feelings. The cast is just perfect, and I cannot think of another movie where I have been touched by so many characters so deeply. Whether it is Aditi's grief behind the death of her pet cat and the happiness when she sees her new kitten, the feelings of possessiveness and jealousy in their eyes when they see their best friend falling in love with someone else, the ecstasy at being reunited, the exchange between Aditi's kid brother and her about how she was always his only friend, every scene touches you deep down in the heart, makes you identify so much with it, that dialogues are sometimes redundant. Fantastic stuff!
The music is catchy and very fun. The title track Tu Bole Main Boluun is picturized as a beautiful video collage of their relationship set against the lilting strains of the seventies Chicago musicals, the DCH-reminiscent Nazrein Milaana Nazrein Churaana superbly showcases the development of Jai's relationship with his new girlfriend and Aditi's exploration of her true feelings for him. Kahin To Hogi Woh will make you sing with joy and sadness at the same time, and is one song you can put on repeat loop and hear over and over again, and never get enough of. Kabhi Kabhi Aditi Zindagi is perfect for those times when you feel down and out. Pappu Can't Dance isn't nearly as much in my list of favourites, but it's a fun number and will make you smile. Interestingly, the songs add tremendously to the story, not just "fitting in" somehow - the movie couldn't have been as effective without the songs.
The characters, as I said earlier, are the absolute strength of the movie. I can't say enough about the freshness and the joy exuded by Genelia D'Souza. She's stunningly beautiful, has an awesome wardrobe that brings out the best in her in every shot. Her strength is in her expressions though - and her slightly "different" accent and delivery just adds the icing on the cake. I am totally fida on her. Imran Khan is a stunner. I am definitely not gay, but I just loved the guy. He's sincere, he's handsome, he's cute, and he's good! There are a few scenes where he comes across as slightly raw newcomer, but he is definitely on top of the expectations in most of the movie's difficult scenes. His expressions, dialogue delivery and look is just perfect. What any dad would love his son to be! Watch out for this guy - he will rule Bollywood in the years to come, post SRK :)
The supporting cast is fantastic too! From Aditi and Jai's friend circle (loved one of them - guess who), to the sweet cameo played by Naseeruddin as Jai's father. From Aditi's brother - I loved that character too! - to the crazy pots played by the Khan brothers Sohail and Arbaaz. Jai's girlfriend - stunningly sexy and sweet at the same time, to Aditi's fiance - handsome, strong and very hunky, attractive yet hateable as you get to know him better. Right down to the kitten and the mouse! Nothing could have been cast better.
One of the very best movies I have seen... a must-have for my DVD collection.
Arushi
For 50 days, the media went beserk dissecting 14 year old dead Arushi's "lewd" SMSes, names of her friends and her private life on national TV, how she was seen in a "compromising position" with her servant by her dad, and killed for that "objectionable behaviour", how her dad should be punished, asking viewers for how they think he should be punished for this heinous crime. The UP Police gave interviews. Ekta Kapoor quickly included a new twist in her serial, and housewives lapped up the fare in amazement and enthusiasm, waiting to see what "really happened" in Arushi's dirty life!
Then, he is set free for lack of any evidence, and three of his workers are caught for the crime.
Now, the media will haunt him about how much time he needs to get over his grief, how he spent time in jail missing his daughter and family, how he will move on from here. The police will pass on the buck to some junior officers and make them scapegoats. And the housewives will simply move on to the next soap.
Do we really need to stoop so low for TRPs? Don't dead people have any rights? Don't we have any morality, any sense of what's right and wrong? A dad loses his only daughter - and instead of being his strength and support, we put him in jail, accuse him of murder, then strip his daughter on national TV?
I hope the police, the media, and the audiences take a lesson from this disgusting drama that played out in every Indian home over the last 50 days... for the sake of that poor girl's soul.
Then, he is set free for lack of any evidence, and three of his workers are caught for the crime.
Now, the media will haunt him about how much time he needs to get over his grief, how he spent time in jail missing his daughter and family, how he will move on from here. The police will pass on the buck to some junior officers and make them scapegoats. And the housewives will simply move on to the next soap.
Do we really need to stoop so low for TRPs? Don't dead people have any rights? Don't we have any morality, any sense of what's right and wrong? A dad loses his only daughter - and instead of being his strength and support, we put him in jail, accuse him of murder, then strip his daughter on national TV?
I hope the police, the media, and the audiences take a lesson from this disgusting drama that played out in every Indian home over the last 50 days... for the sake of that poor girl's soul.
Movie Review: Hancock
Hancock (Wills Smith) is a super hero with unimaginable strength, a good heart, but low IQ. He loves to save people and prevent crime, but ends up causing huge collateral damage. People hate him. Which gets him more upset. The cycle continues.
In steps a image consultant, who convinces him to give himself up to the law, so that people actually miss him when crime goes up. He also teaches Hancock to be more careful, more sensitive, and the result is there for all to see - the people love his comeback and he is their hero!
The first half is hilarious, with some very funny moments. Wills is perfect in the role of the super hero with a completely screwed up vision of how he can use his strengths! The second half gets boring though, and can be missed.
Overall, a good hour of entertainment till the interval. After that, it's not worth it.
In steps a image consultant, who convinces him to give himself up to the law, so that people actually miss him when crime goes up. He also teaches Hancock to be more careful, more sensitive, and the result is there for all to see - the people love his comeback and he is their hero!
The first half is hilarious, with some very funny moments. Wills is perfect in the role of the super hero with a completely screwed up vision of how he can use his strengths! The second half gets boring though, and can be missed.
Overall, a good hour of entertainment till the interval. After that, it's not worth it.
Monday, July 07, 2008
Innovative Ideas...
To save water - skip a bath
To save petrol - take long drives on highways, cars burn up less fuel there than in the city
To improve public transport - drive your own car
To save petrol - take long drives on highways, cars burn up less fuel there than in the city
To improve public transport - drive your own car
The Makeover Continues...
Another weekend, another shopping trip... and here's the result...
A simple brown carpet provides the perfect background to the black sofa and coffee table... the colors blending beautifully with the overall earth scheme, the curves contrasting well with the straight lines of the bookcase and the tables...
We just loved these artifacts - they complement each other extremely well, and the yellow on brown flowers add brightness and life to the arrangement.
A simple brown carpet provides the perfect background to the black sofa and coffee table... the colors blending beautifully with the overall earth scheme, the curves contrasting well with the straight lines of the bookcase and the tables...
We just loved these artifacts - they complement each other extremely well, and the yellow on brown flowers add brightness and life to the arrangement.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Movie Review: Checkmate (Marathi)
Checkmate is another nice Marathi movie I enjoyed on the weekend, in a completely different genre from Valu.
The story is based on the three guys, each one having lost a huge amount of money in a chit-fund kinda setup, decide they have to get back the money by hook or by crook. And they get together to set up the game.
Three guys, and one girl, two police officers, a don and his brother, a bank manager. Plots and counter-plots. Strategies and counter-strategies. And some interesting twists and turns. And a good climax. Keeps you guessing and wondering till the very end.
There's even a nice "item song" at the end along with the closing credits... overall, paisa wasool.
The story is based on the three guys, each one having lost a huge amount of money in a chit-fund kinda setup, decide they have to get back the money by hook or by crook. And they get together to set up the game.
Three guys, and one girl, two police officers, a don and his brother, a bank manager. Plots and counter-plots. Strategies and counter-strategies. And some interesting twists and turns. And a good climax. Keeps you guessing and wondering till the very end.
There's even a nice "item song" at the end along with the closing credits... overall, paisa wasool.
Movie Review: Valu (Marathi)
Marathi cinema is coming of age, and there have been some amazing movies in the recent past, including Saatchya Aat Gharaat, Anahat and Bindaasth. Valu (wild bull) adds to that list of must-see movies.
Set in a small village in rural Maharashtra, the story revolves around the community scared of the wild bull (called Durkya, probably because his snorts) and their efforts to capture him with the help of the forest officer (lovingly called Farrest) :)
The story is simple and the movie builds on the simplicity of the characters and their innocense. The excitement about the "daacumentry" coming to the village (the forest officer's brother and his wish to make a documentary on the whole incident sends the village into overdrive!), the planning and execution of the capture, the Sarpanch and his wife, the "other" politician in the village, the "jaanve" (Brahmin) and his ambulatory problems, and really, the bull itself and how it "earns" its reputation, is just so beautifully done!
A couple of hours of pure entertainment and enjoyment, this is an absolute must-see movie!
Unfortunately, you will not really enjoy the movie unless you can understand and follow the dialogues - and no amount of transalation and subtitles can ever make up. This movie has done more to rekindle my interest in this language and this beautiful state than all the stunts by our politicians can ever hope to!
Set in a small village in rural Maharashtra, the story revolves around the community scared of the wild bull (called Durkya, probably because his snorts) and their efforts to capture him with the help of the forest officer (lovingly called Farrest) :)
The story is simple and the movie builds on the simplicity of the characters and their innocense. The excitement about the "daacumentry" coming to the village (the forest officer's brother and his wish to make a documentary on the whole incident sends the village into overdrive!), the planning and execution of the capture, the Sarpanch and his wife, the "other" politician in the village, the "jaanve" (Brahmin) and his ambulatory problems, and really, the bull itself and how it "earns" its reputation, is just so beautifully done!
A couple of hours of pure entertainment and enjoyment, this is an absolute must-see movie!
Unfortunately, you will not really enjoy the movie unless you can understand and follow the dialogues - and no amount of transalation and subtitles can ever make up. This movie has done more to rekindle my interest in this language and this beautiful state than all the stunts by our politicians can ever hope to!
Movie Review: Love Story 2050
What were they thinking when they put in those crores in this movie? I would assume the least they could have done was find a good story writer, a script writer, a director, a music director, an actor, a fight director, a make up artist, I mean.. something at least?
This is one pathetic movie, and the worst part - the movie lasts well over 3 hours 15 mins. That's a LOT of Torture for one weekend!
Harman, the guy whose debut is the reason crores were wasted to make (hopefully) millions of Indians waste hours of their precious time, which could have been invested in building India 2050... oh, forget it... Harman is a HUGE disappointment. He has a plastic face that cannot emote, he makes a hash of emotional scenes, he talks too much in the movie (dialogue writer, word of advice for you: you don't need to keep blabbering to be cute, and you definitely do not have to have guys repeating their age a dozen times in a movie!), and his style statement consists of figure hugging tshirts that show his boobs and all kinds of arm and wrist bandages as accessories, even when he is obviously not hurt!
Priyanka looks terrific - in exactly 7 mins 23 seconds of the movie. In the rest, she looks terrible. Let's not talk more about her hairdo and her clothes. Something's terribly wrong and I do not want to relive those memories, I like her yaar!
Then we have Boman Irani as the mad scientist reborn from "Back to the Future", and I must say, he has done a terrific job copying him, down to the unkempt white hair. Two irritating kids that ask for hugs, Archana Puran Singh in another irritating cameo, some gays, some androids, and of course, some talking robots called Cutie and Boo (it's 2050 remember? We even have flying cars and towering pink skyscrapers, and rock concerts in the sky...) and a masked and hooded Horni.. oops, Hoshi the terrible.
Let's get to the story - Harman is the rich kid whose mom died giving him all the love and pyaar in 10 years, a dad who is too busy for his son, leaving the son with all the money and friends and cars and stuff, but no one to ask him when he will be home, why he is late, whether he had breakfast.. sob sob, such a sad poor 23 year old in search for a hug! He meets Priyanka, who is studying in Australia, and is scheduled to return to wherever she came from (in a metro/subway train!). They meet a couple of times, and for excitement, they steal Mr Winky Dinks... or was that Winky Dicks?.. from a shop. What is that? Come on yaar - that's such an innovative name used by a 23 year old girl for a damn toy thingy you wear as a glove! Appreciate these things, coz there's nothing else to go for! Anyways, they fall in love, they talk nonsense while getting wet in the rain, then they go their different ways, until the dear butterfly brings them back together (of course, he doesn't need luck for that, he has love!), and then, just before she lives up to her promise of "a kiss with her icecream-cold lips", she is killed in an accident.
Worry not, Harman boy gets into his uncle's half-finished time machine - oh, by the way, his lady love has already finished the last of the mathematical equations and set the machine for departure, by then... and goes into the future where he knows his lady love will be reborn and waiting for him. And yes, to make sure you know why she has the same face, scientist uncle makes it clear that if you are reborn without your armaan being poore, you retain your face in the next janam! Does Harman succeed? Of course he does, you silly! He has got his lady love's diary from the past life to help her remember, and then, our 23 year old doesn't need luck, he has love! Of course, there's the minor matter of fighting the hooded Hoshi and his androids and the Harman look-alike, and all that, but for our 23 year old lover boy, or course that's easy - he doesn't need luck, he has love.
Fantastic story, fantastic dialogues - you agree, right?
You know what, I am peace now - I have suffered enough, and this blog has given vent to my feelings. Now I am a 33 year old who doesn't need love, I have luck! Oops, was it the other way around?
This is definitely one movie I can wait until 2050 to check out...
This is one pathetic movie, and the worst part - the movie lasts well over 3 hours 15 mins. That's a LOT of Torture for one weekend!
Harman, the guy whose debut is the reason crores were wasted to make (hopefully) millions of Indians waste hours of their precious time, which could have been invested in building India 2050... oh, forget it... Harman is a HUGE disappointment. He has a plastic face that cannot emote, he makes a hash of emotional scenes, he talks too much in the movie (dialogue writer, word of advice for you: you don't need to keep blabbering to be cute, and you definitely do not have to have guys repeating their age a dozen times in a movie!), and his style statement consists of figure hugging tshirts that show his boobs and all kinds of arm and wrist bandages as accessories, even when he is obviously not hurt!
Priyanka looks terrific - in exactly 7 mins 23 seconds of the movie. In the rest, she looks terrible. Let's not talk more about her hairdo and her clothes. Something's terribly wrong and I do not want to relive those memories, I like her yaar!
Then we have Boman Irani as the mad scientist reborn from "Back to the Future", and I must say, he has done a terrific job copying him, down to the unkempt white hair. Two irritating kids that ask for hugs, Archana Puran Singh in another irritating cameo, some gays, some androids, and of course, some talking robots called Cutie and Boo (it's 2050 remember? We even have flying cars and towering pink skyscrapers, and rock concerts in the sky...) and a masked and hooded Horni.. oops, Hoshi the terrible.
Let's get to the story - Harman is the rich kid whose mom died giving him all the love and pyaar in 10 years, a dad who is too busy for his son, leaving the son with all the money and friends and cars and stuff, but no one to ask him when he will be home, why he is late, whether he had breakfast.. sob sob, such a sad poor 23 year old in search for a hug! He meets Priyanka, who is studying in Australia, and is scheduled to return to wherever she came from (in a metro/subway train!). They meet a couple of times, and for excitement, they steal Mr Winky Dinks... or was that Winky Dicks?.. from a shop. What is that? Come on yaar - that's such an innovative name used by a 23 year old girl for a damn toy thingy you wear as a glove! Appreciate these things, coz there's nothing else to go for! Anyways, they fall in love, they talk nonsense while getting wet in the rain, then they go their different ways, until the dear butterfly brings them back together (of course, he doesn't need luck for that, he has love!), and then, just before she lives up to her promise of "a kiss with her icecream-cold lips", she is killed in an accident.
Worry not, Harman boy gets into his uncle's half-finished time machine - oh, by the way, his lady love has already finished the last of the mathematical equations and set the machine for departure, by then... and goes into the future where he knows his lady love will be reborn and waiting for him. And yes, to make sure you know why she has the same face, scientist uncle makes it clear that if you are reborn without your armaan being poore, you retain your face in the next janam! Does Harman succeed? Of course he does, you silly! He has got his lady love's diary from the past life to help her remember, and then, our 23 year old doesn't need luck, he has love! Of course, there's the minor matter of fighting the hooded Hoshi and his androids and the Harman look-alike, and all that, but for our 23 year old lover boy, or course that's easy - he doesn't need luck, he has love.
Fantastic story, fantastic dialogues - you agree, right?
You know what, I am peace now - I have suffered enough, and this blog has given vent to my feelings. Now I am a 33 year old who doesn't need love, I have luck! Oops, was it the other way around?
This is definitely one movie I can wait until 2050 to check out...
Friday, July 04, 2008
Orange City
I am in Nagpur today, on an official trip... took an Indigo flight from Pune at 430, reaching Nagpur in a beautiful, brand new plane by 530. From the airport, we went straight to the office, an effortless 15 min drive. Spent 3 hours in meetings, and then checked into the Pride, a stone's throw from the airport, before joining the gang over drinks and starters for the next 3 hours.
First impressions of Nagpur - clean, broad, well-maintained. Very well spread out - lots of open space. It's like a city which decided it needed those 6 lane, footpath-lined roads long before the traffic started backing up, as in Pune, for example. Lots of trees and greenery all around.
Of course, looks may be deceptive, and after all, we have barely moved into the heart of the city...
I am not sure I will get much time tomorrow either - we have meetings starting at 9, and our return flight is scheduled for 1120. Maybe next time...
First impressions of Nagpur - clean, broad, well-maintained. Very well spread out - lots of open space. It's like a city which decided it needed those 6 lane, footpath-lined roads long before the traffic started backing up, as in Pune, for example. Lots of trees and greenery all around.
Of course, looks may be deceptive, and after all, we have barely moved into the heart of the city...
I am not sure I will get much time tomorrow either - we have meetings starting at 9, and our return flight is scheduled for 1120. Maybe next time...
Monday, June 30, 2008
Some of the Best Shows...
...are on Travel and Living, and while Indian television degenerates into the senseless and shameless amalgamation of prime time slander of juveniles into endless soaps, T&L will offer you some absolutely wonderful programs that will entertain, excite and educate you at the same time!
Check out Overhauled, a beautiful program where they "steal" an old car from the "victim", then spend a week turning into some of the hottest wheels on the planet. The transformation is amazing, and it's such a joy to see the pride and commitment shown by the team - and the happiness it brings to the lives of the "victims". Just awesome. And you know what's the best part? The hardware that goes into the car, and the companies that provide them, go for subtle or very passive advertising - none of the shamless promotions that could have made such programs a boring extended TV commercial!
Or "While You Were Away" and "Monster House" - transformations of simple abodes into beautiful designer homes. Again, the key principle - do it for someone else, do it quick, and do it beautiful!
It's really all about awesome creativity, and the pure pleasure of doing something for someone else!
For a different flavour, check out the travel shows - from Six Degrees to Lonely Planet, the programs bring you the flavours and experiences of some really beautiful places around the world, in the comfort of your drawing room. The experience is so rich, trust me, at times, I have actually smelt the aromas and smells, and felt the chill and rain on my face!
Or another of my favourites, Amazing Vacation Homes - it's about beautiful houses, in beautiful locations. Such an inspiration! And for the engineering or architecture minded, it's just such a tremendous learning experience!
I wish we had more such shows from India... and yes, NDTV Good Times may just be the channel to track in the future...
Check out Overhauled, a beautiful program where they "steal" an old car from the "victim", then spend a week turning into some of the hottest wheels on the planet. The transformation is amazing, and it's such a joy to see the pride and commitment shown by the team - and the happiness it brings to the lives of the "victims". Just awesome. And you know what's the best part? The hardware that goes into the car, and the companies that provide them, go for subtle or very passive advertising - none of the shamless promotions that could have made such programs a boring extended TV commercial!
Or "While You Were Away" and "Monster House" - transformations of simple abodes into beautiful designer homes. Again, the key principle - do it for someone else, do it quick, and do it beautiful!
It's really all about awesome creativity, and the pure pleasure of doing something for someone else!
For a different flavour, check out the travel shows - from Six Degrees to Lonely Planet, the programs bring you the flavours and experiences of some really beautiful places around the world, in the comfort of your drawing room. The experience is so rich, trust me, at times, I have actually smelt the aromas and smells, and felt the chill and rain on my face!
Or another of my favourites, Amazing Vacation Homes - it's about beautiful houses, in beautiful locations. Such an inspiration! And for the engineering or architecture minded, it's just such a tremendous learning experience!
I wish we had more such shows from India... and yes, NDTV Good Times may just be the channel to track in the future...
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Magic of Minimum
Pune Times ran an article today on the renovation we did at our place, titled, The Magic of Minimum. Do check it out - attached scan looks small, but if you download and magnify it, you should be able to read it!
Movie Review: 26th July at Barista
Based on the Mumbai rain deluge a few years back, all I can say is that the movie is a perfect example of a beautiful idea with terrible execution. The cast, the direction, the dialogues - plain and simple amateurish. I stopped watching after 15 mins.
Don't waste time on it - go to a Barista and catch a good coffee instead!
Don't waste time on it - go to a Barista and catch a good coffee instead!
Movie Review: Made of Honour
Made of Honour is a remake of My Best Friends Wedding, but this time the maid is a very sexy Patrick Dempsey, who decides it's time for him to step in and "steal the bride" Michelle Monaghan, his very platonic friend of 10 years, before she gets married to her Scottish love of 45 days.
The first half is hilarious, definitely worth a dekko. The second half is cheesy, a little boring, and very predictable.
My advice - watch till intermission, then get out - it would have still been worth it!
The first half is hilarious, definitely worth a dekko. The second half is cheesy, a little boring, and very predictable.
My advice - watch till intermission, then get out - it would have still been worth it!
Movie Review: Get Smart
Definitely the best movie I have seen in a long time! "Get Smart" is a very smart spoof on James Bond, but way smarter than the Hot Shots series.
Steve Carell plays an analyst in the CIA who finally gets his chance out in the field, saving the world from the nukes of the Russian group of terrorists called Chaos, along with the very sexy Agent 99 played by Anne Hathaway. Our very own Khali also has a role, though the dialogue writers seem to have forgotten him (for good reason!).
The dialogues are a delight, and will keep you laughing till you fall off the chair.. and surprisingly, some of the action is top notch stuff too! Anne is the icing on the cake...
Definitely a must watch, a couple of times!
Steve Carell plays an analyst in the CIA who finally gets his chance out in the field, saving the world from the nukes of the Russian group of terrorists called Chaos, along with the very sexy Agent 99 played by Anne Hathaway. Our very own Khali also has a role, though the dialogue writers seem to have forgotten him (for good reason!).
The dialogues are a delight, and will keep you laughing till you fall off the chair.. and surprisingly, some of the action is top notch stuff too! Anne is the icing on the cake...
Definitely a must watch, a couple of times!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Change of Scene
We did some renovation of our apartment recently, and though some of the work is yet to be taken to it's conclusion, here's a sneak preview of how it's coming up...
The living room is dominated by the very comfortable sofas that invite you to sink in, and the low diwan by the window, just perfect for that early morning sun-bath. The brown and black color scheme brings earthly warmth into the room, and the soft yellow sheer curtains add a dash of brightness against the brown-brick wall paper against the far wall.
The center table is pretty large, and doubles up as a good place to serve some light snacks or breakfast. We ditched our dining table - it took up a lot of space, and never really got used!
At night, the orange glow from the lamp in the corner really gives a very different character to the room. It's soft dim lighting converts the room into a meditation corner, perfect for relieving the day's stress and tensions!
This is the view from the diwan. The opposite end of the hall has been converted into a study, a place for reading, and working. The comfortable floor sofa can also double up as a couch, and in the extreme case, as a bed! There's enough space for my best books - and some more! And hidden behind the sofa, is my favourite toy - the paper shredder :)
One of the cool artifacts we picked up at Ishanya - I just love this character :)
And this is the SRK corner - along with another of my favourite, the tea cup man!
"Oye, I might look old, but man, can I talk! Try me!"
We got this chap from Mumbai... and yes, it does work!
This is not just a smiling buddha, it's a smiling buddha whose gaze follows you as you move around the room! Almost eerie, until you get the hang of it :)
We also got the basin corner done up - here you see the detailing on the basin - pretty neat, huh?
And finally, the basin corner - the stones and the lamp provide a "natural" look, while the detailing on the mirror provides continuity with the decor in the living room itself.
The living room is dominated by the very comfortable sofas that invite you to sink in, and the low diwan by the window, just perfect for that early morning sun-bath. The brown and black color scheme brings earthly warmth into the room, and the soft yellow sheer curtains add a dash of brightness against the brown-brick wall paper against the far wall.
The center table is pretty large, and doubles up as a good place to serve some light snacks or breakfast. We ditched our dining table - it took up a lot of space, and never really got used!
At night, the orange glow from the lamp in the corner really gives a very different character to the room. It's soft dim lighting converts the room into a meditation corner, perfect for relieving the day's stress and tensions!
This is the view from the diwan. The opposite end of the hall has been converted into a study, a place for reading, and working. The comfortable floor sofa can also double up as a couch, and in the extreme case, as a bed! There's enough space for my best books - and some more! And hidden behind the sofa, is my favourite toy - the paper shredder :)
One of the cool artifacts we picked up at Ishanya - I just love this character :)
And this is the SRK corner - along with another of my favourite, the tea cup man!
"Oye, I might look old, but man, can I talk! Try me!"
We got this chap from Mumbai... and yes, it does work!
This is not just a smiling buddha, it's a smiling buddha whose gaze follows you as you move around the room! Almost eerie, until you get the hang of it :)
We also got the basin corner done up - here you see the detailing on the basin - pretty neat, huh?
And finally, the basin corner - the stones and the lamp provide a "natural" look, while the detailing on the mirror provides continuity with the decor in the living room itself.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Sunday Plan - Updates
Wake up late - done
Do the CEO Portal updates - to be done, not up to work yet!
Read mail - done, to be done
Send some mail - done, to be done
Blog - done, being done, to be done
Do some gandhigiri - clean the spit marks from the staircase walls - done
Clean the car - to be done, carpenter took priority
Get carpenter and get the new mirror and artifacts hanging on the wall - done
Eat fish - to be done, not yet had lunch
Play with cat - done, to be done, cat sleeping now
Do some shopping - to be done
Eat more fish - to be done, of course, can't be done before doing the earlier fish task
Watch TV - to be done, Pogo rules for now
Sleep - to be done, separate from the earlier related task
Do the CEO Portal updates - to be done, not up to work yet!
Read mail - done, to be done
Send some mail - done, to be done
Blog - done, being done, to be done
Do some gandhigiri - clean the spit marks from the staircase walls - done
Clean the car - to be done, carpenter took priority
Get carpenter and get the new mirror and artifacts hanging on the wall - done
Eat fish - to be done, not yet had lunch
Play with cat - done, to be done, cat sleeping now
Do some shopping - to be done
Eat more fish - to be done, of course, can't be done before doing the earlier fish task
Watch TV - to be done, Pogo rules for now
Sleep - to be done, separate from the earlier related task
Sunday Plan
Wake up late
Do the CEO Portal updates
Read mail
Send some mail
Blog
Do some gandhigiri - clean the spit marks from the staircase walls
Clean the car
Get carpenter and get the new mirror and artifacts hanging on the wall
Eat fish
Play with cat
Do some shopping
Eat more fish
Watch TV
Sleep
Do the CEO Portal updates
Read mail
Send some mail
Blog
Do some gandhigiri - clean the spit marks from the staircase walls
Clean the car
Get carpenter and get the new mirror and artifacts hanging on the wall
Eat fish
Play with cat
Do some shopping
Eat more fish
Watch TV
Sleep
Gossip
There was a lady who loved to gossip. After starting off one particularly nasty rumour about the new girl in her village, she was over-taken by a strange sense of guilt, and decided to go meet the village sadhu for advice.
The sadhu gave her a large wad of cotton, and asked her to place a small ball of cotton at the doorstep of each household where she thought the rumour had spread, and come back the next day. The lady went back relieved, and diligently did what she had been asked to.
The next day, she went to meet the sadhu and asked for next steps. Well, he said, now go and collect all the cotton balls you had kept, and get them back to me, and the rumours will be squashed. How can I do that, she protested, all the cotton balls must have been blown around with the wind... how can I possibly find them and get them back?
Exactly, said the sadhu.
The sadhu gave her a large wad of cotton, and asked her to place a small ball of cotton at the doorstep of each household where she thought the rumour had spread, and come back the next day. The lady went back relieved, and diligently did what she had been asked to.
The next day, she went to meet the sadhu and asked for next steps. Well, he said, now go and collect all the cotton balls you had kept, and get them back to me, and the rumours will be squashed. How can I do that, she protested, all the cotton balls must have been blown around with the wind... how can I possibly find them and get them back?
Exactly, said the sadhu.
Movie Review: The Happening
Another Manoj Night Shyamalan offering - this time, it's about trees conspiring against the humans, inflicting some deadly mental illness that disables the self-preserving instinct and makes humans suicidal.
The movie starts off extremely well - the scene with the construction workers jumping off the roof will chill you to the spine. There are a couple other great scenes too, but overall the movie promises more than it delivers. After the initial great start, the story loses strength - there are no twists, and it degenerates into an endless attempt to escape from "the trees"!
The actors add another weak link - the horror and fear rarely come across, and the expressions generally seem to be mocking you for being scared! The exception is the little girl who really has some very special moments in the film.
Don't expect too much, enjoy the good parts, and it'll not be that bad...
The movie starts off extremely well - the scene with the construction workers jumping off the roof will chill you to the spine. There are a couple other great scenes too, but overall the movie promises more than it delivers. After the initial great start, the story loses strength - there are no twists, and it degenerates into an endless attempt to escape from "the trees"!
The actors add another weak link - the horror and fear rarely come across, and the expressions generally seem to be mocking you for being scared! The exception is the little girl who really has some very special moments in the film.
Don't expect too much, enjoy the good parts, and it'll not be that bad...
Water and Laser Show at Ishanya
Yesterday evening, we went for this awesome water and laser show at Ishanya Mall, off AirPort Road. Fantastic stuff, something really different, great for the kids. Did not even attempt to click it on my cell phone camera - just wouldn't have captured the experience. Do check it out - every Thur-Sun at 730 pm.
The mall itself is shaping up beautifully - big, spacious, and some great shopping for anything and everything in interiors! And oh yes, very adeqaute parking!
The mall itself is shaping up beautifully - big, spacious, and some great shopping for anything and everything in interiors! And oh yes, very adeqaute parking!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Movie Review: Rocky Balboa
I missed Rocky Balboa when it came in the theatres earlier this year (no partners to see it with!) but thankfully caught half of it on Star Movies the other day... I must say, it's a beautiful movie, and definitely worth a couple of watches.
It's all about Rocky Balboa's attempt to get his life back on track - culminating with a fight with the existing heavy weight champion, a fight he wins after losing... and while Stallone looks much older than in his next Rambo movie, it's the dialogues that are absolutely captivating!
Life's not about how much you hit, it's about how many hits you can take, and be able to carry on. Such an awesome line to live by...
It's all about Rocky Balboa's attempt to get his life back on track - culminating with a fight with the existing heavy weight champion, a fight he wins after losing... and while Stallone looks much older than in his next Rambo movie, it's the dialogues that are absolutely captivating!
Life's not about how much you hit, it's about how many hits you can take, and be able to carry on. Such an awesome line to live by...
Quote for the Day
I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time. Charles M. Schulz
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Back to 50-50
India beat Pakistan comprehensively by 140 runs in their first encounter of the Kitply tri-nation cup in Bangladesh, after setting a target of 331. Interestingly, the Pakistani coach had gone on record saying he'd like to beat India by 150 runs today :)
Coming after the IPL though, the match seemed too long, too quiet, too boring. And with not even the cheerleaders to bring any excitement... I foresee a quick and early death to this form of cricket.
Coming after the IPL though, the match seemed too long, too quiet, too boring. And with not even the cheerleaders to bring any excitement... I foresee a quick and early death to this form of cricket.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Bin Tere Kya Hai Jeena
Just love his song, the lyrics.. just so, so beautifully expressed...
bin tere kya hai jeena - 2
mere dil ki raani tum
meri khushiyon ka mausam
mere khwaabon ki taaviz
mere sapanon ki tasveer
bin tere kaisi aas
woh jeet ho ya haar
tere sang hai sab kuchh
tu na ho toh bekaar
bin tere kya hai jeena - 2
suni khaali raaten
ruthi feeki baaten
har aahat pe chaaukun
tujhko harsu dekhu
tujhko hardam sochu
tujhko har pal chahu
tere bin toh jeevan mera hai intezaar
bin tere kya hai jeena - 2
tere saath jiye jo pal
kuchh unse nahi badhkar
tere khaatir saans main loon
teri khaatir jeeta hoon
marne ki tamanna bhi
tere saath main rakhta hoon
tu hai jeene ki wajah
kar mera aitbaar
bin tere kya hai jeena...
Is anyone listening? :)
bin tere kya hai jeena - 2
mere dil ki raani tum
meri khushiyon ka mausam
mere khwaabon ki taaviz
mere sapanon ki tasveer
bin tere kaisi aas
woh jeet ho ya haar
tere sang hai sab kuchh
tu na ho toh bekaar
bin tere kya hai jeena - 2
suni khaali raaten
ruthi feeki baaten
har aahat pe chaaukun
tujhko harsu dekhu
tujhko hardam sochu
tujhko har pal chahu
tere bin toh jeevan mera hai intezaar
bin tere kya hai jeena - 2
tere saath jiye jo pal
kuchh unse nahi badhkar
tere khaatir saans main loon
teri khaatir jeeta hoon
marne ki tamanna bhi
tere saath main rakhta hoon
tu hai jeene ki wajah
kar mera aitbaar
bin tere kya hai jeena...
Is anyone listening? :)
Movie Review: Sarkar Raj
RGV finally gets one right. Sarkar Raj may not break records at the box office, but juxtaposed with RGV Ki Aag and other equally forgettable movies, SR is a pretty good effort!
I did not see Sarkar, but I am told it was based on Godfather. I am assuming SR is based on the sequel to Godfather, but one thing's for certain, it's definitely not based on the Thackerays - other than the Maharashtra connection, and maybe the beads in Sarkar's neck, really, it's just the story of dirty politics. The similarity ends there.
Abhishek puts in a tremendous performance, and looks great. Amitabh is very subdued, borrowing from the Godfather, I assume, and maybe that's where he loses out a bit. Ash looks good, finally, and is also subdued most of the time.
The camera angles and tones are interesting, the fixation with close ups brings out the largeness of the characters in the movie. A few scenes are truly masterpieces - watch out for the bombing, the assasination and the final scene between Sarkar and Rau Saaheb. The movie tskes off very well in the first half, loses a bit of steam in the second, has a great climax, then again gets into a needless dialogue before a second, again needless climax.
A little more from the editor's knife, and this movie could have gone much further! Either way, it's worth a dekko.
I did not see Sarkar, but I am told it was based on Godfather. I am assuming SR is based on the sequel to Godfather, but one thing's for certain, it's definitely not based on the Thackerays - other than the Maharashtra connection, and maybe the beads in Sarkar's neck, really, it's just the story of dirty politics. The similarity ends there.
Abhishek puts in a tremendous performance, and looks great. Amitabh is very subdued, borrowing from the Godfather, I assume, and maybe that's where he loses out a bit. Ash looks good, finally, and is also subdued most of the time.
The camera angles and tones are interesting, the fixation with close ups brings out the largeness of the characters in the movie. A few scenes are truly masterpieces - watch out for the bombing, the assasination and the final scene between Sarkar and Rau Saaheb. The movie tskes off very well in the first half, loses a bit of steam in the second, has a great climax, then again gets into a needless dialogue before a second, again needless climax.
A little more from the editor's knife, and this movie could have gone much further! Either way, it's worth a dekko.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Mumbai Experiences in Pics
The beautiful facade of the CST railway station
The Brihanmumbai Mahanagarpalika building
All fresh and ready to go out - this was at Ramesh Kaka's apartment in Prabhadevi.
Outside Tendulkar's - going for lunch!
The awesome crab soup - a must have!
After lunch, at the bar
Interesting ruins just outside Tendulkar's
Calcutta Meetha!
Listen to me, Mr Crow, don't sit on my finger!
The serene Gateway of India
Boss with his henchmen :)
The majestic Taj hotel
Another very interesting building near the Taj
Punjab Kings XI vs Chennai Super Kings
The big day finally arrived - after days of planning, Rakesh, Amruta, Harsha, Anjali and I found ourselves in Mumbai for the second semi-final of the IPL's first edition - Punjab Kings XI led by Yuvray Singh versus Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings!We had expected a lot of sweating and standing, a lot of pushing through crowds, a lot of pain before getting into the stadium. After all, I had been to the India-Sri Lanka match in Goa a few years back, and just getting into the stadium had been a test of endurance and spirit! We were therefore very pleasantly surprised that the Kyazoonga.com counter took less than a min to hand us our tickets after accepting the printout of the online confirmation as proof. There were no crowds. The experience when we reached for the match in the evening was even better. Expecting huge crowds and queues, we had turned up fairly early - even then, inspite of the tight security, finding the right gates and getting inside and finding our seats was as easy as could be!
The atmosphere was electric. Awesome music from SRK's hits and Mumbai's very own lezim beats kept the crowd on their feet throughout the almost two hours before the match began, while the players warmed up on the ground to cheers from the audience.
We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Every ball was applauded and appreciated by the very knowledgeable and sportive crowd. There was a lot of good humour going around, mexican waves, chants, and lots of singing and dancing. The cheerleaders added beautiful color and rhythm and excitement to the atmosphere - probably one of the best things to happen to cricket! I fail to see why anyone would have problems with them! Their energy simply added so much to the long gaps between overs, and after every boundary and every wicket!
Here, you see Makhaya Ntini starting to bowl to Yuvraj Singh. We also saw Pathan's swing bowling, Murali's guile, Gony, Balaji and Piyush, Romesh Pawar's bowling as also his lusty hitting towards the end of the Punjab innings, Dhoni's captaincy, Sreesanth's little spat with Yuvraj, and lots of other exciting players!
The match itself wasn't so exciting - Punjab folded easily for just over 100, and Chennai lost just one wicket before over-hauling the total with a few overs to go. However, the experience will last a life time. The beautiful oval under lights under the dark Mumbai sky, the colorful flannel pyjamas, the white ball, the beautiful, beautiful sound of willow hitting the ball, the sixes sailing over the ropes, the fielders diving and applauding, the crowds chanting, the cheer leaders, the music... every single moment as soaked and enjoyed to the fullest. It was just so surreal.
As as Chennai hit the final runs and the cheerleaders and players ran onto the field to celebrate the victory, I am sure every one of the 50000 odd spectators in the stands felt a little sad that the evening had finally come to an end.
PS: Sorry about the low pic quality - cameras weren't allowed in the stadium, and I had to rely on my cell phone to capture these moments
Monday, June 02, 2008
IPL Flash - Rajasthan Have Won!
In a nail biting finish worthy of the tournament, Tanvir hit the winning runs for Rajasthan Royals off the last ball to win the DLF IPL beating Chennai Super Kings a few seconds back... and while Warne's blue boys jumped and celebrated (with our very own Goan Swapnil Asnodkar having played his part too), it was awesome to see Dhoni's men getting into a huddle, reinforcing the team's unity and belief in themselves inspite of the close defeat... very nice!
It has been a real awesome 40 days or so... and millions of Indians will terribly miss the 7.00 pm blockbuster from tomorrow!
It has been a real awesome 40 days or so... and millions of Indians will terribly miss the 7.00 pm blockbuster from tomorrow!
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Mumbai's Beautiful People
I have always loved Mumbai for it's energy and spirit, and also for it's never say die attitude and the beautiful people. We had ample opportunities to soak into this lovely city's warmth during our trip this weekend. Oh, and do watch out for the next couple blogs for more on this :)
We were on Marine Drive at 12 midnight. We needed to go to Prabhadevi, where we were put up for the night, and five of us stranded without a vehicle. Taxis were waiting for the bigger bucks, from the thousands of cricket enthusiasts streaming out of Wankhede and headed into the suburbs. We were hungry and tired. In any other city, this would be a very unenviable position to be in!
Not in Mumbai. We check with a taxi, who refuses since there are 5 of us and he is allowed to carry only 4... so we take off walking, searching for other taxis, but in vain. Just then the same taxi pulls up... he requests 4 to go into the back seat, so that it gets a little more difficult for any watchful police officer to spot us. He also checks to see if we have our match tickets - says, just in case we get caught, this might make the police be a little lenient. Else, of course, it's a big fine and maybe 3 months of licence suspension for him.
We are hungry, and he offers to stop by at Haji Ali while we eat. Do make it fast, he urges, he needs to go all the way to Malad. We decide not to stop on the way, and ask him to drop us home - he assures us we'll definitely get food, after all this is a Saturday night in Mumbai. He says it's better we go to our area and then look around, since it's well past midnight and we might have problem getting back after food. After all, we seem to be new to the area...
When we get down, he doesn't ask for anything extra - though I tip him another 30 bucks - nothing compared to what he did for us.
We get down, and find a hotel well into closing, and ready to down shutters. However, without a murmur, they give us all the soft drinks and water we need. Patiently listening to our conflicting and varying demands.
Next, we walk the girls to the flat and Rakesh and I catch another taxi. We need food we tell him. He takes us to a joint - it's well past 1.00 am now - yet the energy in that place is amazing. We get our parcel within mins, and get back home in the same taxi... patiently waiting for us to come back.
Not to mention all the people we ask for directions, cars asking us to follow them. Policemen stepping into traffic, letting people cross. Cars stopping by to let you pass.
Love you, Mumbai!
We were on Marine Drive at 12 midnight. We needed to go to Prabhadevi, where we were put up for the night, and five of us stranded without a vehicle. Taxis were waiting for the bigger bucks, from the thousands of cricket enthusiasts streaming out of Wankhede and headed into the suburbs. We were hungry and tired. In any other city, this would be a very unenviable position to be in!
Not in Mumbai. We check with a taxi, who refuses since there are 5 of us and he is allowed to carry only 4... so we take off walking, searching for other taxis, but in vain. Just then the same taxi pulls up... he requests 4 to go into the back seat, so that it gets a little more difficult for any watchful police officer to spot us. He also checks to see if we have our match tickets - says, just in case we get caught, this might make the police be a little lenient. Else, of course, it's a big fine and maybe 3 months of licence suspension for him.
We are hungry, and he offers to stop by at Haji Ali while we eat. Do make it fast, he urges, he needs to go all the way to Malad. We decide not to stop on the way, and ask him to drop us home - he assures us we'll definitely get food, after all this is a Saturday night in Mumbai. He says it's better we go to our area and then look around, since it's well past midnight and we might have problem getting back after food. After all, we seem to be new to the area...
When we get down, he doesn't ask for anything extra - though I tip him another 30 bucks - nothing compared to what he did for us.
We get down, and find a hotel well into closing, and ready to down shutters. However, without a murmur, they give us all the soft drinks and water we need. Patiently listening to our conflicting and varying demands.
Next, we walk the girls to the flat and Rakesh and I catch another taxi. We need food we tell him. He takes us to a joint - it's well past 1.00 am now - yet the energy in that place is amazing. We get our parcel within mins, and get back home in the same taxi... patiently waiting for us to come back.
Not to mention all the people we ask for directions, cars asking us to follow them. Policemen stepping into traffic, letting people cross. Cars stopping by to let you pass.
Love you, Mumbai!
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