After a fantastic debut in Jaane Tu, Imran Khan delivers a knock out punch. Kidnap will leave you stunned, shocked, sometimes terrified, sometimes bending over with laughter. Unfortunately, for the wrong reasons and at the wrong times!
Sanju baba plays a 57.1 billion dollar net worth businessman, with a daughter who's just turned 18 and spends her life in white bikinis swimming alone in the sea. And one day, yes, you guessed it - she gets kidnapped. By someone who doesn't want money, and instead, wants to take revenge by playing games with Sanju baba. The devil is in the details though, and in such a movie, it's everything! And the movie falls completely flat there. The screen play is terrible, the dialogues are very amateurish, and the "tasks" given play out so childishly, it makes you wonder if they employed a story writer at all! The songs are forgotten the moment they get over, and have really been squeezed in, completely messing with the flow of the main plot.
My list of the worst moments in the movie:
1) Sanjay Dutt roaring through Panaji's streets, then onto a ferry, and finally on a train track while going to Panvel station to catch a train!
2) Sanjay Dutt looking at his skimpily clad daughter and going, tum kitni badi ho gayee ho!
3) The introduction of Minissha, her mother and her grandmother
4) The introduction of Imran Khan and the tea cup scene
5) The jail break scene
6) The "I want to have a bath" scene
7) The "confession" scene in front of the lighted cross
8) All the songs
9) The rest of the movie
Imran is a real disappointment. After Jaane Tu, I had predicted this guy had it in him to be the next King Khan, but today I really have to eat my words. He's stony faced, shows neither pain nor anger, and you almost laugh at his attempts to be the cool bad guy. There's not a single scene in which you would want to look at him and like him or hate him - he's just invisible. Sanjay Dutt is getting old, and looks so. The saving grace - a super sexy Minissha Lamba, with her super short skirts, sports bras and white bikinis, she takes all your attention when she's on screen. But frankly, she wasn't good enough reason to purchase those Rs 180 tickets!
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Movie Review: Phoonk
This is a delayed review - but what the heck, I am sure not too many missed it anyway! :)
RGV tries an Exorcist with Phoonk, and only ends up giving us a blow, double meaning intended! There are a couple of moments, but most of it is loud hamming, and some very predictable stuff, reminiscent of the Ramsay's Zee Horror Show. Wonder how much more of this fare will continue getting dished out from the RGV stable...
RGV tries an Exorcist with Phoonk, and only ends up giving us a blow, double meaning intended! There are a couple of moments, but most of it is loud hamming, and some very predictable stuff, reminiscent of the Ramsay's Zee Horror Show. Wonder how much more of this fare will continue getting dished out from the RGV stable...
The Carnage on Wall Street Continues
After Washington Mutual sold off it's banking operations to JP Morgan Chase, and filed for bankruptcy, and with Wachovia also in trouble and looking for buyers, we now have JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America at the top followed by Wells Fargo, our sexy customer, in third spot :)
I just hope the traditional and conservative approach of Wells Fargo takes it through this crisis - I have a lot of my target revenue at stake here!
I just hope the traditional and conservative approach of Wells Fargo takes it through this crisis - I have a lot of my target revenue at stake here!
CYG is coming to Pune!
As Pune gears up for the Commonwealth Youth Games, Shivajinagar, Aundh and Baner is getting a major facelift. The road widening and concreting work is in its final sprint, beautiful signages adorn the sides, footpaths springing up along with saplings and plants in traffic islands, the dividers getting a fresh coat of paint... and the new stadiums in Balewadi standing proud and happy, waiting for the big day, now less than a month away!
Wish you all the best, Pune! Let's rock!
Wish you all the best, Pune! Let's rock!
Paintball
A couple of days back, we had our team quarterly party, and this time, we had decided to do something different: Paintball. A fascinating extreme sport in which you don army fatigues, protective face masks, an air-powered rifle with paintball bullets, and then form teams that take on each other across an obstacle course with the objective of defending your flag while you go for the opposition's.
We all started tentatively, trying to get a hang of the gun and it's firing power and range, getting shot and figuring out how painful it can be, clueless about how to strategize. But as we got into the "league", teams with names like Pink Stockings, Huggies, Bathroom Rockers and Layoff Brothers, finally got their acts together. As bullets whizzed about, we figured out how to defend the flag, how to use the obstacles to our advantage, how to attack in a V formation, instructions ringing out load and clear from the base, urging the troops forward.
And as the battle-bruised veterans finally called it a day after three hours of bloody fighting, one thing was certain - we would all be raring to come back and fight another day!
Highly recommended as a team building event, or simply for fun. However, this is not something for kids... and yes, be prepared for some sweat and grime, and some red and blue bruises if you are shot! I am still carrying mine!
We all started tentatively, trying to get a hang of the gun and it's firing power and range, getting shot and figuring out how painful it can be, clueless about how to strategize. But as we got into the "league", teams with names like Pink Stockings, Huggies, Bathroom Rockers and Layoff Brothers, finally got their acts together. As bullets whizzed about, we figured out how to defend the flag, how to use the obstacles to our advantage, how to attack in a V formation, instructions ringing out load and clear from the base, urging the troops forward.
And as the battle-bruised veterans finally called it a day after three hours of bloody fighting, one thing was certain - we would all be raring to come back and fight another day!
Highly recommended as a team building event, or simply for fun. However, this is not something for kids... and yes, be prepared for some sweat and grime, and some red and blue bruises if you are shot! I am still carrying mine!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Post No 35 :)
This post makes Sept 08 the month with the most posts so far :) Well, yes, I do cheat a little bit with these status posts... but heck, that's the cool thing about being the master of your own blog... anyone with a problem can go fish :)
Chak De, Once More
Saw Chak De, yet again... and thoroughly enjoyed it, yet again! Amazing movie, with an amazing cast, a beautiful script, and some fantastic moments. SRK shows why he is the King - the movie would have probably been a whimper without the passion and energy he brings to the field.
My favourite scenes, in no specific order:
1) His first meeting with the team, when he says, And I am the coach of Indian Women's Hockey Team!
2) The "only one goonda in a team" dialogue
3) The girls and boys teams saluting each other scene
4) The girls' flight to Australia and their first moments there
5) The party, and the girls' entry in those beautiful sarees
6) The scene where he watches the "gora" unfurling the Indian flag
7) The scene at Intermission, just after the fight at MacD when he wears his shades and says, tomorrow, 5.00 am, at the ground!
I remembered last year, when India won the T20 World Cup, and all of us, including Siddha and Shweta went out celebrating over town, the Chak De song blaring full volume from Lisa's speakers... just so awesome!
I can probably go on and on... but one thing's sure, next time I watch it, I will want to blog about it, yet again!
My favourite scenes, in no specific order:
1) His first meeting with the team, when he says, And I am the coach of Indian Women's Hockey Team!
2) The "only one goonda in a team" dialogue
3) The girls and boys teams saluting each other scene
4) The girls' flight to Australia and their first moments there
5) The party, and the girls' entry in those beautiful sarees
6) The scene where he watches the "gora" unfurling the Indian flag
7) The scene at Intermission, just after the fight at MacD when he wears his shades and says, tomorrow, 5.00 am, at the ground!
I remembered last year, when India won the T20 World Cup, and all of us, including Siddha and Shweta went out celebrating over town, the Chak De song blaring full volume from Lisa's speakers... just so awesome!
I can probably go on and on... but one thing's sure, next time I watch it, I will want to blog about it, yet again!
Movie Review: Welcome to Sajjanpur
After being disgusted and shocked out of our wits with a very dark Captivity, we really needed a light, fun movie - and Shyam Benegal's Welcome to Sajjanpur is exactly that. Light hearted, fun and a great way to spend a weekend.
Sajjanpur is a typical village in the new rural India - innocence laced with a dab of modernity, superstitions and illiteracy jostling with PCOs and mobiles, that one motorbike or jeep wading through the herds of cattle and the tring tring of bicycles.
Mahadev (a good-once-again Shreyas Talpade) is one of the few literates in the village. His profession: letter writing, under the shade of a tree beside the post office. From helping the snake charmer find his lost father, to bringing lovers together, Mahadev has a special way with his words and letters - until he meets and falls in love with his primary school sweetheart from two decades back, Kamala (the beautiful Amrita Rao in yet another understated but very commendable role), now married and waiting for her husband who's been working in Mumbai for the last 4 Diwalis. His emotions and feelings start interfering with his profession, his dreams overriding his reason, until one day he finds his true calling.
The strength of the movie is in its simplicity. The humour is good natured and easy, the characters lovable. The village seems an oasis of peace and bountiful existence (especially when compared to the dark cellars of Captivity :)) and will definitely evoke fond memories of that native village you hail from! The characters are interesting, and Ila Arun deserves special mention, along with the amazing Putrurao :) The music too, is simple but beautiful... you won't remember it a few days later, but definitely adds character to the movie!
The only negative for me, were two unnecessary scenes of violence and death... those 2 mins prevent me from recommending this movie strongly as family entertainment! Other than that, I would strongly recommend that you do not miss this one!
Sajjanpur is a typical village in the new rural India - innocence laced with a dab of modernity, superstitions and illiteracy jostling with PCOs and mobiles, that one motorbike or jeep wading through the herds of cattle and the tring tring of bicycles.
Mahadev (a good-once-again Shreyas Talpade) is one of the few literates in the village. His profession: letter writing, under the shade of a tree beside the post office. From helping the snake charmer find his lost father, to bringing lovers together, Mahadev has a special way with his words and letters - until he meets and falls in love with his primary school sweetheart from two decades back, Kamala (the beautiful Amrita Rao in yet another understated but very commendable role), now married and waiting for her husband who's been working in Mumbai for the last 4 Diwalis. His emotions and feelings start interfering with his profession, his dreams overriding his reason, until one day he finds his true calling.
The strength of the movie is in its simplicity. The humour is good natured and easy, the characters lovable. The village seems an oasis of peace and bountiful existence (especially when compared to the dark cellars of Captivity :)) and will definitely evoke fond memories of that native village you hail from! The characters are interesting, and Ila Arun deserves special mention, along with the amazing Putrurao :) The music too, is simple but beautiful... you won't remember it a few days later, but definitely adds character to the movie!
The only negative for me, were two unnecessary scenes of violence and death... those 2 mins prevent me from recommending this movie strongly as family entertainment! Other than that, I would strongly recommend that you do not miss this one!
Movie Review: Captivity
Captivity is a pretty old movie, almost an year old, but just hit Indian theatres this week... with the sexy Elisha Cuthbert in the lead role, this is one of those blood and gore genre of horror movies that will disgust you with scenes of a masked man making a gooey drink of eyeballs and ears and pouring it through a funnel into the mouth of his thrashing victim, and then using a ear bud to wipe off the mess and use it as lipstick! Or how about a dog being blown into shreds dripping on the victims face, or using a wrench to pull off teeth... you get the picture.
Avoid it, unless you are really looking for it. Definitely not for the weak hearted.
Avoid it, unless you are really looking for it. Definitely not for the weak hearted.
Hat-Trick
Hat-trick of movies today :)
Started the day with the blood and gore horror movie Captivity, which really gave us a pretty dark mood. So followed it up with the perfect foil - the light-hearted and fun creation by Shyam Benegal, Welcome to Sajjanpur. And what better way to end a good day than with Chak De?
Actually, we also wanted to catch Hari Puttar, but getting out of the comforts of home later in the evening wasn't as appealing as popping in a DVD and curling up with the cat!
Started the day with the blood and gore horror movie Captivity, which really gave us a pretty dark mood. So followed it up with the perfect foil - the light-hearted and fun creation by Shyam Benegal, Welcome to Sajjanpur. And what better way to end a good day than with Chak De?
Actually, we also wanted to catch Hari Puttar, but getting out of the comforts of home later in the evening wasn't as appealing as popping in a DVD and curling up with the cat!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Morning at E7
Mother cat went for a morning walk today... and the entire machinery got into action. Kittens were shifted out from the bed, fresh new towels (Sanam suddenly realised her favourite pink towel had been called for duty) were laid out, old towels taken for washing... all while the kittens did their best to out do each other in screaming their lungs off...
Fifteen mins later, the chaos had subsided and the maternity ward was calm again.. and then mom came back...
It's just been 3 days, and the kittens are already learning to walk around a bit on their feeble legs and tiny tiny toes... and to push each other out of the way, and climb on top of each other... I wonder why 3 jostle for 1 when there are 8? :)
By the way, current "indications" are that Chocobar is a gonna grow up big and strong, while Mango and Casatta will be pretty and sweet :)
Fifteen mins later, the chaos had subsided and the maternity ward was calm again.. and then mom came back...
It's just been 3 days, and the kittens are already learning to walk around a bit on their feeble legs and tiny tiny toes... and to push each other out of the way, and climb on top of each other... I wonder why 3 jostle for 1 when there are 8? :)
By the way, current "indications" are that Chocobar is a gonna grow up big and strong, while Mango and Casatta will be pretty and sweet :)
I Wish...
...Raj would target corruption instead of Bihari workers
...people would maintain traffic discipline
...Shilpa could be voted out of hosting Big Boss
...kittens and cats could be toilet trained more easily
...there was a 360 km/h bullet train between Pune and Goa
...I could have "masoorche tonak with sungta ani uno" for breakfast today
...people would maintain traffic discipline
...Shilpa could be voted out of hosting Big Boss
...kittens and cats could be toilet trained more easily
...there was a 360 km/h bullet train between Pune and Goa
...I could have "masoorche tonak with sungta ani uno" for breakfast today
Movie Review: The Peacemaker
This review is around a decade late :)
I first saw The Peacemaker in 1996-97 at IIT Bombay's theatre with my friend Merlyn, and then a couple more times, and then again today on HBO. An excellent action movie based on the theft and use of nuclear weapons by terrorists, it's interesting how it's still very much relevant today! George Clooney looks his sexiest best as the decorated US army officer, with a smart and sexy Nicole Kidman for company.
Check out for the dialogue between Clooney and the driver of the van, the interception of the truck on the bridge, and one of the best car chase scenes in Hollywood (the sequence in Ronin comes very close too)... and yes, the scene of the train accident, and the way the mushroom engulfs the farmer and his wife, and the seamless transition into the cold blue of the swimming pool. Very sexy.
I first saw The Peacemaker in 1996-97 at IIT Bombay's theatre with my friend Merlyn, and then a couple more times, and then again today on HBO. An excellent action movie based on the theft and use of nuclear weapons by terrorists, it's interesting how it's still very much relevant today! George Clooney looks his sexiest best as the decorated US army officer, with a smart and sexy Nicole Kidman for company.
Check out for the dialogue between Clooney and the driver of the van, the interception of the truck on the bridge, and one of the best car chase scenes in Hollywood (the sequence in Ronin comes very close too)... and yes, the scene of the train accident, and the way the mushroom engulfs the farmer and his wife, and the seamless transition into the cold blue of the swimming pool. Very sexy.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Unsung Heroes
Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma of the Delhi Police gave up his life today in the line of duty, taking four bullets in his stomach, arm, thigh and shoulder, in an intense encounter that ended with two terrorists killed and one arrested in a crowded locality of Delhi.
The first reaction of the media to the encounter was that it's fake. Until news of the death came in. If the Inspector hadn't died, we would have the media and the public screaming at how the Delhi Police faked an encounter to show success after the blasts. Are we really being fair to those heroes who give up their lives to keep us safe? We had a very safe Ganesh Chaturthi - do the police get credit for that? A hero dies, giving up his life for our safety? How many will remember his name tomorrow? What about those bomb disposal squad members who put their lives in grave danger every time they defuse those bombs?
For the last week, I have heard time and again, how the government needs to do more to stop terror. How the police is helpless, how our intelligence needs to be strengthened. Really? And how do we do that? Scan every nook and corner every minute? Someone suggested we should make sure no one enters through the border? Really? So what's a border? How do we "seal" it? How many thousands of kilometers? It's easy to criticize and make motherhood statements, but are we thinking straight? I am sick of hearing the news anchors screaming - why don't we declare an all out war against the terrorists? When will the government wake up? Damn it, shut up, and stop this drama!
Does it mean we can do nothing, that we will always have to live in fear? No. We can do more. But it will be a long and bloody battle. We need to accept that. We need to be strong, but patient. Governments need to go after the funding for these organizations. We need to strengthen security drills, get more CCTVs, more budget for the police and intelligence agencies. But probably, most of all, we need to be sensitive. We need to make sure our fight against terror doesn't become a fight between two religions or communities! We cannot afford to alienate our people!
The first reaction of the media to the encounter was that it's fake. Until news of the death came in. If the Inspector hadn't died, we would have the media and the public screaming at how the Delhi Police faked an encounter to show success after the blasts. Are we really being fair to those heroes who give up their lives to keep us safe? We had a very safe Ganesh Chaturthi - do the police get credit for that? A hero dies, giving up his life for our safety? How many will remember his name tomorrow? What about those bomb disposal squad members who put their lives in grave danger every time they defuse those bombs?
For the last week, I have heard time and again, how the government needs to do more to stop terror. How the police is helpless, how our intelligence needs to be strengthened. Really? And how do we do that? Scan every nook and corner every minute? Someone suggested we should make sure no one enters through the border? Really? So what's a border? How do we "seal" it? How many thousands of kilometers? It's easy to criticize and make motherhood statements, but are we thinking straight? I am sick of hearing the news anchors screaming - why don't we declare an all out war against the terrorists? When will the government wake up? Damn it, shut up, and stop this drama!
Does it mean we can do nothing, that we will always have to live in fear? No. We can do more. But it will be a long and bloody battle. We need to accept that. We need to be strong, but patient. Governments need to go after the funding for these organizations. We need to strengthen security drills, get more CCTVs, more budget for the police and intelligence agencies. But probably, most of all, we need to be sensitive. We need to make sure our fight against terror doesn't become a fight between two religions or communities! We cannot afford to alienate our people!
Movie Review: You Don't Mess With The Zohan
This typical Adam Sandler movie will have you in spilts with it's outrageous acts and adult humour, but you need to have the taste for that stuff :)
Zohan is an Israeli counter-terror officer, who takes on the Palentinians with his Rajnikant-like skills, until one day he decides enough is enough and comes to the US to chase his real passion - hair styling, with his very own brand of "service"! There are some outrageous dialogues, and some even more outrageous acts. Warning: do not try this at home!
As a bonus, you can feast your eyes on the very beautiful and sexy Emmanuelle Chriqui, a seductive combination of Salma Hayek and Amrita Rao :)
Go enjoy the movie, but keep your kids home!
Zohan is an Israeli counter-terror officer, who takes on the Palentinians with his Rajnikant-like skills, until one day he decides enough is enough and comes to the US to chase his real passion - hair styling, with his very own brand of "service"! There are some outrageous dialogues, and some even more outrageous acts. Warning: do not try this at home!
As a bonus, you can feast your eyes on the very beautiful and sexy Emmanuelle Chriqui, a seductive combination of Salma Hayek and Amrita Rao :)
Go enjoy the movie, but keep your kids home!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Cuties
Here they are.. the three most beautiful kittens in the world :) Miyou transferred them from the tent on the terrace to the "pull out" diwan under Sanam's bunk bed in the morning today, with a little help from me to remind her that she had forgotten one behind! When I picked the third one, man, the way she screamed - that chhotti si jaan packs so much punch :) As I cupped her in my palm and held her against my stomach, she suddenly quietened - searching for dudu :)
It's now time to find names for them... can you help me decide? Some options I have now:
Mango, Chocobar and Casatta - based on their color
Shah, Rukh and Khan - well, no explanations required here!
Amar, Akbar and Anthony - tch, I don't like these names actually
Microsoft, Wells Fargo and Bridgestone - my favourite customers
or simply
Pinky, Sweetie and Munni :)
Oh, I don't know their sex yet.. so... keep that in mind!
It's now time to find names for them... can you help me decide? Some options I have now:
Mango, Chocobar and Casatta - based on their color
Shah, Rukh and Khan - well, no explanations required here!
Amar, Akbar and Anthony - tch, I don't like these names actually
Microsoft, Wells Fargo and Bridgestone - my favourite customers
or simply
Pinky, Sweetie and Munni :)
Oh, I don't know their sex yet.. so... keep that in mind!
Babies :)
Miyou gave birth today to an "as yet unknown and unseen" number of babies :) She's right now inside a tent of wooden planks, a tree trunk, some pots, and some towels, that I build for her against the corner of our terrace, where she had settled down with her litter.
Dying to see the tiny tots, can hear their feeble meows :)
Dying to see the tiny tots, can hear their feeble meows :)
Wall Street Carnage...
A man on Wall Street asked on CNN, why are you the only man smiling here today? Answer: I am just happy to be alive!
After Lehman Brothers, will it be AIG next?
Where will this end?
After Lehman Brothers, will it be AIG next?
Where will this end?
September 1752
Did you know that nothing happened between 3 and 13 September 1752?
In September 1752 the Julian calendar was replaced with the Gregorian calendar in Great Britain and its American colonies. The Julian calendar was 11 days behind the Gregorian calendar, so 14 September got to follow 2 September on the day of the change. The result was that between 3 and 13 September, absolutely nothing happened!
In September 1752 the Julian calendar was replaced with the Gregorian calendar in Great Britain and its American colonies. The Julian calendar was 11 days behind the Gregorian calendar, so 14 September got to follow 2 September on the day of the change. The result was that between 3 and 13 September, absolutely nothing happened!
The US Economy by Mark Faber!
Dr. Marc Faber concluded his monthly bulletin (June 2008) with the following:
The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China. If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car it will go to Germany. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in US. I've been doing my part.
The federal government is sending each of us a $600 rebate. If we spend that money at Wal-Mart, the money goes to China. If we spend it on gasoline it goes to the Arabs. If we buy a computer it will go to India. If we purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. If we purchase a good car it will go to Germany. If we purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan and none of it will help the American economy. The only way to keep that money here at home is to spend it on prostitutes and beer, since these are the only products still produced in US. I've been doing my part.
Worth It
When someone terribly injured and barely conscious finds the energy to get a smile on her face on seeing you, and struggles to say, thanks for coming, it was such a pleasant surprise, and makes a real attempt to touch you... you know it's been worth all the taunts, the snide remarks... you know you have made a real difference to someone!
Help Bihar
In some sense this might be encouraging hoaxes and spam mail, but I thought the cost and irritation it will cost you was worth the possible upside for the flood victims in Bihar.
You just have to answer 4 simple questions at http://www.helpbihar.in, and the sponsors will pay to the NGO http://www.planindia.org/ on your behalf.
And by the way, the answers are:
Patna
Kosi
25 Lakh
Drought
All it takes is a few seconds, and it’s possible nothing will come out of out it, but who knows – it might be worth it!
You just have to answer 4 simple questions at http://www.helpbihar.in, and the sponsors will pay to the NGO http://www.planindia.org/ on your behalf.
And by the way, the answers are:
Patna
Kosi
25 Lakh
Drought
All it takes is a few seconds, and it’s possible nothing will come out of out it, but who knows – it might be worth it!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Wall Street Massacre
Lehman Brothers files for bankruptcy, Bank of America buys a struggling Merill Lynch, and AIG asks for a emergency loan. Could it get any worse for the world's financial markets?
Interestingly, on the same day, crude crashed to a long-time low of less than 100 USD/barrel. The dollar has also risen to more than 46 per rupee, when just a few months back, we were worrying about it going up to around 36!
Makes no sense to me frankly!
Interestingly, on the same day, crude crashed to a long-time low of less than 100 USD/barrel. The dollar has also risen to more than 46 per rupee, when just a few months back, we were worrying about it going up to around 36!
Makes no sense to me frankly!
Chicken Olivali
First, take 4-5 medium sized chicken pieces, and marinate in a large amount of dahi and chicken masala for around 15-20 min. Chop 2 onions and 3 tomatoes. Take a couple of tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, heat it, then brown the onions, add the tomatoes and some ginger-garlic paste and stir for some time. For the extra something that gives my dish it's name, add 7-8 olives with red pepper fillings, and then whip it in the mixer for a few seconds to give a grainy paste. Add back to the kadhai, add salt to taste, and let it simmer for 15-20 mins.
Serve hot and say thanks to me! :)
Serve hot and say thanks to me! :)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Cats Have Eight
Cats have 8 dudus... Sanam just showed me the fourth pair, hidden under the front legs... sigh...
Wear a Helmet, Please!
A personal request from me to all of my readers... please, please drive/ride safely, and for god's sake please wear a helmet, even if it's for a very short distance. I know it's cumbersome and irritating, but it's definitely worth the cost! Trust me!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Want a BMW?
Just buy an apartment in Noida! Yes, saw this ad in the Times of India today... You get a free BMW with every apartment you book!
Movie Review: A Wednesday
There have been many movies on terrorism and bomb blasts, and A Wednesday continues with the theme...
Mumbai's police commissioner Prakash Rathod, played by Anupam Kher, receives a call on his mobile - deliver India's 4 most-wanted terrorists to me, or else... The "controller" - Naseeruddin Shah, a 50-something "common man", operating his hi-tech operation from the terrace of a building under construction.
The police machinery kicks off, desperately playing catch up but the controller is always one step ahead... the terrorists are delivered as demanded, and then the movie takes a very interesting twist!
The action is fast paced, aided by a great sound track, and power packed performances by Anupam and his "officers". Naseeruddin is at his best too, his "bhashan" at the end earning claps from the audience.
A small budget movie, but should do well! A good option this weekend!
Mumbai's police commissioner Prakash Rathod, played by Anupam Kher, receives a call on his mobile - deliver India's 4 most-wanted terrorists to me, or else... The "controller" - Naseeruddin Shah, a 50-something "common man", operating his hi-tech operation from the terrace of a building under construction.
The police machinery kicks off, desperately playing catch up but the controller is always one step ahead... the terrorists are delivered as demanded, and then the movie takes a very interesting twist!
The action is fast paced, aided by a great sound track, and power packed performances by Anupam and his "officers". Naseeruddin is at his best too, his "bhashan" at the end earning claps from the audience.
A small budget movie, but should do well! A good option this weekend!
Movie Review: Righteous Kill
"Righteous Kill" tackles the question of whether encounter killings are justified when the law is helpless in bringing criminals to justice. A powerful cast consisting of Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, though, disappoints - the movie is not recommended. It's slow, the actors look too old to be policemen, and the plot lacks originality, except for a feeble attempt at a twist at the end...
Skip it and you won't regret it.
Skip it and you won't regret it.
Monday, September 08, 2008
Wild Mushrooms
Saw these awesome, huge mushrooms in my garden...
Click on the first pic below to see the beautiful colorations! The second pic is even more interesting. If you click on it to blow it up, you will notice a small plant actually growing through the mushroom's body! As the mushroom expanded, it just left the plant in it's place, easily encircling it and then closing around it!
Click on the first pic below to see the beautiful colorations! The second pic is even more interesting. If you click on it to blow it up, you will notice a small plant actually growing through the mushroom's body! As the mushroom expanded, it just left the plant in it's place, easily encircling it and then closing around it!
The Ritz Classic
If you are ever in Goa, don't miss the Ritz Classic off 18th June Road for some absolutely awesome seafood. The night after Chaturthi, we gorged on a huge plate of crab dry fry, a must-try when you are there. Another fantastic option that you can't miss is squid rava fry. We also had finger licking squid masala, kingfish rava fry, chicken tandoori and a complimentary dish with grilled crab and shark.
Before:
After:
The bill for all that, and soft drinks, for 7 persons: Rs 850!
ps: Britto's in Baga is another great option, try the crab-encrusted prawns!
Before:
After:
The bill for all that, and soft drinks, for 7 persons: Rs 850!
ps: Britto's in Baga is another great option, try the crab-encrusted prawns!
Interesting Signboard
Guess what this means?
Clue: you'll find this as you enter Amrutyog's Pune-Goa sleeper bus...
Clue: you'll find this as you enter Amrutyog's Pune-Goa sleeper bus...
EMRI 108 Launched in Goa
After Gujarat, Uttarakhand and AP, Goa became the 4th state in the country to launch the super-sophisticated integrated emergency response service, with a single emergency number 108, accessible from any land line or mobile service, for police, fire as well as medical emergencies.
Equipped with GPS/GIS systems, and backed by a control center that will take your call and immediately dispatch the closest ambulance to the spot, these ambulances can attend to everything including hypertension, poisoning, drowning and accidents, providing critical care in those initial moments.
Check http://www.emri.in for more details on EMRI and it's work in India.
India, The New-Clear Power!
Finally, the suspense is over! After hectic diplomatic parleys and intense negotiations, India has got the critical NSG waiver in Vienna, signalling it's emergence and acceptance as a world power, dehyphenated from Pakistan forever. Remember, we are the only country in the world for whom, and for whom only, this powerful international body has bent it's rules, the very rules that were framed to stop us after our 1974 nuclear blasts. The US worked overtime on our behalf, signalling a deepening strategic relationship between the world's most powerful democracies...
What does this mean for India? It means access to high tech dual-use technology that will have major implications for our growth in pharma, IT and space research. It will mean access to uranium to fuel our nuclear reactors, and to the latest technology in nuclear plants, enabling our unsatiable quest for power. And interestingly, it means our own internal nuclear fuel supplies can be diverted for making weapons.
So what next? Bush will have to try and push the Indo-US deal in the house, and he has very little time for it. But France and Russia will probably be looking at signing their own deals very soon! After all, there are billions of dollars to be had...
What does this mean for India? It means access to high tech dual-use technology that will have major implications for our growth in pharma, IT and space research. It will mean access to uranium to fuel our nuclear reactors, and to the latest technology in nuclear plants, enabling our unsatiable quest for power. And interestingly, it means our own internal nuclear fuel supplies can be diverted for making weapons.
So what next? Bush will have to try and push the Indo-US deal in the house, and he has very little time for it. But France and Russia will probably be looking at signing their own deals very soon! After all, there are billions of dollars to be had...
Movie Review: Rock On
After Dil Chahata Hai and Don, here's another stunner from Farhan Akhtar, this time as producer, actor and singer!
Rock On is the story of 4 friends and their rock band, Magic, which wins a Channel V talent hunt, before misunderstandings and ego clashes ruins it all for them. A decade later, life brings them back together, giving them another chance at recreating the magic in music. Will they bury their misunderstandings and pull it off? Can they still pull it off, after all these years?
The cast, including Farhan, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny are fantastic, especially Farhan who's really sexy in both his avataars. Prachi Desai makes a decent debut on the big screen, but could have done with subtler make up and a better hair style! The surprise package is Shahana Goswami, as Debbie (Arjun's girlfriend and later, wife). Koel Purie is a bonus :)
The sets are typical Farhaan, contemporary and stylish. The rock shows are extremely well shot, but the real magic is in the music. Rock never sounded so good! The album is a definite must-have. Socha Hai and Tum Ho Toh are two of my absolute favourites, and will get your head swinging to the rhythm as you sing along. Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein is a beautiful rendition of soulful music with a rock base. Awesome! And yes, the songs definitely grow on you...
Overall, a must see 2-3 times :)
Rock On is the story of 4 friends and their rock band, Magic, which wins a Channel V talent hunt, before misunderstandings and ego clashes ruins it all for them. A decade later, life brings them back together, giving them another chance at recreating the magic in music. Will they bury their misunderstandings and pull it off? Can they still pull it off, after all these years?
The cast, including Farhan, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli and Luke Kenny are fantastic, especially Farhan who's really sexy in both his avataars. Prachi Desai makes a decent debut on the big screen, but could have done with subtler make up and a better hair style! The surprise package is Shahana Goswami, as Debbie (Arjun's girlfriend and later, wife). Koel Purie is a bonus :)
The sets are typical Farhaan, contemporary and stylish. The rock shows are extremely well shot, but the real magic is in the music. Rock never sounded so good! The album is a definite must-have. Socha Hai and Tum Ho Toh are two of my absolute favourites, and will get your head swinging to the rhythm as you sing along. Yeh Tumhari Meri Baatein is a beautiful rendition of soulful music with a rock base. Awesome! And yes, the songs definitely grow on you...
Overall, a must see 2-3 times :)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
On Independence Day...
I know most of us tend to be pretty pessimistic about our country, and we tend to have attacks of patriotism only when India wins a T20 match or Abhinav gets a gold medal. And while we do have our problems with infrastructure, poverty and corruption, and every other evil that befalls a 1.1 Billion Third World country like ours, we need to take some time to thank this country and its people for what is awesome – in spite of all the diversity, and the hundreds of languages and dozens of relations, we are still very much united – compared to what’s happening in Eastern Europe, for example. We still have very clean and clear change of governments, our ex-Prime Ministers and Presidents are not killed and hung on lampposts. The day our government wins a trust vote, every TV channel runs excellent, bare-all debates between government and the opposition on one platform. The judiciary and press is still very free and not under government influence. We still have the rights to do dharnas and morchas without the government calling in tanks to quell the mob. Most of us have got very high quality education almost for free all our childhood and adult life.
Let us take this opportunity to ask ourselves, how can we do our little bit for our country? It’s not just that we pay some income tax (which, most of us do, very grudgingly!)
Let us save power and water. Let us do our bits to not litter the streets and our surroundings, let us help in segregating garbage and recycling. Let us plant one tree. Let us not encourage corruption by passing along that fifty rupee note to the hawaldar. Let us respect the traffic lights, and let pedestrians cross safely. Let us encourage our kids to be better social citizens too!
At this age, and in the IT industry, we have the power to do and influence a lot more. Let’s do our bit.
Happy Independence Day!
Let us take this opportunity to ask ourselves, how can we do our little bit for our country? It’s not just that we pay some income tax (which, most of us do, very grudgingly!)
Let us save power and water. Let us do our bits to not litter the streets and our surroundings, let us help in segregating garbage and recycling. Let us plant one tree. Let us not encourage corruption by passing along that fifty rupee note to the hawaldar. Let us respect the traffic lights, and let pedestrians cross safely. Let us encourage our kids to be better social citizens too!
At this age, and in the IT industry, we have the power to do and influence a lot more. Let’s do our bit.
Happy Independence Day!
Aye Dil Hai Mushkil
Rafi - Aye dil hai mushkil, jeena yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
aa ha ha ho ho ho, hee ha haha
humh humm....
Aye dil hai mushkil, jeena yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
Kahin building, kahin tramein, kahin motor, kahin mill
milta hai yahan sab kuchh, ek milta nahi dil
Kahin building, kahin tramein, kahin motor, kahin mill
milta hai yahan sab kuchh, ek milta nahi dil
insaan ka nahi, kahin namo nishan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
ae dil hai mushkil - -
kahin satta kahin patta, kahin chori kahin race
kahin daaka khain faaqa, kahin thokar kahin thes
kahin satta kahin patta, kahin chori kahin race
kahin daaka khain faaqa, kahin thokar kahin thes
bekaaro ke hain, kai kaam yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
ae dil hai mushkil - - -
Beghar ko aawara, yahan kahate hans hans
khud kaate gale sab ke, kahein is ko bizness
Beghar ko aawara, yahan kahate hans hans
khud kaate gale sab ke, kahein is ko bizness
ek cheez ke hain, kai naam yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
ae dil hai mushkil - - -
Geeta Dutt - Bura duniya ko hai kahata, aisa bhola to na ban
jo hai karta woh hai bharta, hai yahan ka yeh chalan
Bura duniya ko hai kahata, aisa bhola to na ban
jo hai karta woh hai bharta, hai yahan ka yeh chalan
dadagiri nahi, chalne ki yahan
yeh hai bombay yeh hai bombai, yeh hai bombai meri jaan
Rafi - Aye dil hai mushkil, jeena yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
Geeta Dutt - Aye dil hai aasan, jeena yahan
suno mister suno bandhu, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
Rafi - Aye dil hai mushkil, jeena yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
aa ha ha ho ho ho, hee ha haha
humh humm....
Aye dil hai mushkil, jeena yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
Kahin building, kahin tramein, kahin motor, kahin mill
milta hai yahan sab kuchh, ek milta nahi dil
Kahin building, kahin tramein, kahin motor, kahin mill
milta hai yahan sab kuchh, ek milta nahi dil
insaan ka nahi, kahin namo nishan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
ae dil hai mushkil - -
kahin satta kahin patta, kahin chori kahin race
kahin daaka khain faaqa, kahin thokar kahin thes
kahin satta kahin patta, kahin chori kahin race
kahin daaka khain faaqa, kahin thokar kahin thes
bekaaro ke hain, kai kaam yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
ae dil hai mushkil - - -
Beghar ko aawara, yahan kahate hans hans
khud kaate gale sab ke, kahein is ko bizness
Beghar ko aawara, yahan kahate hans hans
khud kaate gale sab ke, kahein is ko bizness
ek cheez ke hain, kai naam yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
ae dil hai mushkil - - -
Geeta Dutt - Bura duniya ko hai kahata, aisa bhola to na ban
jo hai karta woh hai bharta, hai yahan ka yeh chalan
Bura duniya ko hai kahata, aisa bhola to na ban
jo hai karta woh hai bharta, hai yahan ka yeh chalan
dadagiri nahi, chalne ki yahan
yeh hai bombay yeh hai bombai, yeh hai bombai meri jaan
Rafi - Aye dil hai mushkil, jeena yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
Geeta Dutt - Aye dil hai aasan, jeena yahan
suno mister suno bandhu, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
Rafi - Aye dil hai mushkil, jeena yahan
jara hat ke jara bach ke, yeh hai bombay meri jaan
Closure
Isn't that what we all look for? Driven by an inherent need to move on, because time waits for no one and life goes on.
My diary (yes, I have a daily account of everything in my life.. all the way back from 1987) and now my blogs, allow me just that. Closure.
My diary (yes, I have a daily account of everything in my life.. all the way back from 1987) and now my blogs, allow me just that. Closure.
Miyou Gets Visitors
Neighbours kid, and her two cousins from Chicago. Wow, exclaimed the little girl, I have never touched a cat before. Check her sponged feet, pointed out the elder one. Will it bite, the 3 year old boy wanted to know, before he realised we had 10 different phones and mobiles in the house. Is that a live phone? he asked, pointing to the instrument lying on the bed.
Movie Review: Mumbai Meri Jaan
This is not a review, this is a tribute to a beautiful movie, undoubtedly the best I have seen and connected with, a work of art that's going to remain with me forever.
Mumbai Meri Jaan is about the people of this beautiful city, whose name has become synonymous with the undying human spirit. Set against the backdrop of the 7/11 train blasts in Mumbai, the movie will connect with every Indian with it's amazing depth and treatment of issues that concern us today - acceptance of corruption, fear of terrorism, religious discord, aspirations of a comfortable life in the US, consumerism, the rapidly deteriorating morality in search of TRPs, and in the midst of all that, the wish to live life happily, borrowing heavily on every little bit that gives us that happiness and security. It's about emotions - joy, fear, suspicion, jealousy, deprivation, achievement, aspirations. It's about everyday lives, it's about the big events and small that touch us, and change us forever. It's about our fight to come to terms with what life throws at us, and our attempt to hit back. Most importantly, it's about achieving closure and moving on.
The train blasts of 7/ll is the core event around which the movie revolves, and is shot brilliantly and will shock you with it's graphic scenes. This is not for the faint-hearted, and definitely not for kids. After the initial blast, when bodies are hurled out of the tain, smashing into track-side signal poles, the scene calms down... a victim gingerly tries to get back on his hands and knees... I still get a shudder when I think about what happens next...
Kay Kay plays Suresh, an unemployed 30-something trying to push his computer hardware supplier business, with an ever-so-deepening suspicion and hatred of Muslims. After the blasts, he is fully convinced that the bunch of Muslims that always frequented their adda (a Muslim-run hotel) are terrorists, following them, trying to nail them down. His prejudices refuse to let him accept that there might be a different angle to it after all. When one of them he's following picks up his girlfriend in a burkha, his friend says, let's go now, he's just meeting his girlfriend. Suresh retorts, how do you know it's a girl? They are trained to walk like this!
Irrfan is a living-by-the-day South Indian roadside tea vendor, whose aspirations and adventures including taking his wife and kid to the mall, and "testing" 10000 rupees-per-bottle perfumes, until one day he is kicked out from the mall, with his crying wife and kid in tow. The fear psychosis in the city provides him the ultimate weapon to hit back - hoax calls. The transformation in him is stunning. He now has the power to hit back at the malls which threw him out. All it takes is one rupee and a phone call. His chest is out, the glint in his eyes says it all. I am the King, and the sky is the limit.
Soha Ali is a prep school bred reporter, who works for one of the countless news channels for whom human tragedy is just a way to get more TRPs. However, when her own fiance is killed in the blasts, she turns from reporter to the reported! Rupali Bani Rudali, screams the program headlines. SMS Y RBR if you agree, and N RBR if you don't! And don't forget to send us your name! Check out the scene where they walk over her reflection in the marble flooring - such a stunningly delivered message. A fitting portrayal of todays Aaj Tak and India TV, I wonder though if it will make any difference to those who take pride in stripping bare a dead 14 year old today in the name of news reporting!
Madhavan plays a rich white-collar professional, with idealism and patriotism running in his blood. He hates plastic, and takes the train. He doesn't want to settle in the US, he prefers paying income tax in India, and doing his bit here. The blast changes it all. He survives luckily, but his friend loses a hand and probably his chance in life. The scene where Madhavan talks to his visiting-from-America guests is so real and replayed in Indian homes millions of times. Remember, by now, Madhavan is preparing himself to move from India, encouraged by pictures of safe and secure havens courtesy Google Earth. And he's looking for reaffirmation and reassurance. When his friend talks about missing those simple pleasures they had in India, Madhavan retorts that things are no longer the same, with bombs and terrorists and everything. Well, 2 small airplanes changed the world, says his American guest. Are you happy, Madhavan asks. Yes, I am good, comes the reply.
And finally Paresh Rawal. A symbol of the countless millions of urban Indians, in search of a life different from their rural beginnings, idealism and morals compromised and then having come to terms with it, a live-and-let-live philosophy that makes you a part of the system which you do not want to fight any more. And even in this despairing situation, he finds reasons to smile.
But time heals, and life brings about moments that change perspectives. Kay Kay overcomes his prejudices, Madhavan his fears and doubts, Irrfan too gets closure, Soha Ali finally refuses to become a story, and Paresh - well, it's too late for him in life to change, but he does have hope to redeem himself back in his village.
And the city moves on.
The cast is absolutely wonderful. Soha Ali Khan proves yet again what a fine actress she is, something her mother will be very proud of. This is one girl who stands way above her peers. The scene in the morgue is simply outstanding. Madhavan's portrayal of the white-collared patriotic Indian upper middle class 30-something whose life is changed by that one event will connect 100% with most of us. I think Kay Kay was a wee bit wasted in a role that did not allow him much, but Irrfan is outstanding as the South Indian roadside tea vendor. The best though, comes from Paresh Rawal as the about-to-retire Mumbai policeman, and he typifies the spirit of the city and it's inhabitant's tryst with destiny to the hilt!
When the closing credits started rolling on the screen to the background score of Aye Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan, the theatre erupted in spontaneous applause, and this was not because India scored that winning goal in the dying moments of Chak De - it was simply because we probably had no other way to stop those tears of emotions, get closure, and get back to life.
Nishikant Kamat, hats off to you, you have given us an absolutely invaluable treasure! And in me, you have a fan for life!
Mumbai Meri Jaan is about the people of this beautiful city, whose name has become synonymous with the undying human spirit. Set against the backdrop of the 7/11 train blasts in Mumbai, the movie will connect with every Indian with it's amazing depth and treatment of issues that concern us today - acceptance of corruption, fear of terrorism, religious discord, aspirations of a comfortable life in the US, consumerism, the rapidly deteriorating morality in search of TRPs, and in the midst of all that, the wish to live life happily, borrowing heavily on every little bit that gives us that happiness and security. It's about emotions - joy, fear, suspicion, jealousy, deprivation, achievement, aspirations. It's about everyday lives, it's about the big events and small that touch us, and change us forever. It's about our fight to come to terms with what life throws at us, and our attempt to hit back. Most importantly, it's about achieving closure and moving on.
The train blasts of 7/ll is the core event around which the movie revolves, and is shot brilliantly and will shock you with it's graphic scenes. This is not for the faint-hearted, and definitely not for kids. After the initial blast, when bodies are hurled out of the tain, smashing into track-side signal poles, the scene calms down... a victim gingerly tries to get back on his hands and knees... I still get a shudder when I think about what happens next...
Kay Kay plays Suresh, an unemployed 30-something trying to push his computer hardware supplier business, with an ever-so-deepening suspicion and hatred of Muslims. After the blasts, he is fully convinced that the bunch of Muslims that always frequented their adda (a Muslim-run hotel) are terrorists, following them, trying to nail them down. His prejudices refuse to let him accept that there might be a different angle to it after all. When one of them he's following picks up his girlfriend in a burkha, his friend says, let's go now, he's just meeting his girlfriend. Suresh retorts, how do you know it's a girl? They are trained to walk like this!
Irrfan is a living-by-the-day South Indian roadside tea vendor, whose aspirations and adventures including taking his wife and kid to the mall, and "testing" 10000 rupees-per-bottle perfumes, until one day he is kicked out from the mall, with his crying wife and kid in tow. The fear psychosis in the city provides him the ultimate weapon to hit back - hoax calls. The transformation in him is stunning. He now has the power to hit back at the malls which threw him out. All it takes is one rupee and a phone call. His chest is out, the glint in his eyes says it all. I am the King, and the sky is the limit.
Soha Ali is a prep school bred reporter, who works for one of the countless news channels for whom human tragedy is just a way to get more TRPs. However, when her own fiance is killed in the blasts, she turns from reporter to the reported! Rupali Bani Rudali, screams the program headlines. SMS Y RBR if you agree, and N RBR if you don't! And don't forget to send us your name! Check out the scene where they walk over her reflection in the marble flooring - such a stunningly delivered message. A fitting portrayal of todays Aaj Tak and India TV, I wonder though if it will make any difference to those who take pride in stripping bare a dead 14 year old today in the name of news reporting!
Madhavan plays a rich white-collar professional, with idealism and patriotism running in his blood. He hates plastic, and takes the train. He doesn't want to settle in the US, he prefers paying income tax in India, and doing his bit here. The blast changes it all. He survives luckily, but his friend loses a hand and probably his chance in life. The scene where Madhavan talks to his visiting-from-America guests is so real and replayed in Indian homes millions of times. Remember, by now, Madhavan is preparing himself to move from India, encouraged by pictures of safe and secure havens courtesy Google Earth. And he's looking for reaffirmation and reassurance. When his friend talks about missing those simple pleasures they had in India, Madhavan retorts that things are no longer the same, with bombs and terrorists and everything. Well, 2 small airplanes changed the world, says his American guest. Are you happy, Madhavan asks. Yes, I am good, comes the reply.
And finally Paresh Rawal. A symbol of the countless millions of urban Indians, in search of a life different from their rural beginnings, idealism and morals compromised and then having come to terms with it, a live-and-let-live philosophy that makes you a part of the system which you do not want to fight any more. And even in this despairing situation, he finds reasons to smile.
But time heals, and life brings about moments that change perspectives. Kay Kay overcomes his prejudices, Madhavan his fears and doubts, Irrfan too gets closure, Soha Ali finally refuses to become a story, and Paresh - well, it's too late for him in life to change, but he does have hope to redeem himself back in his village.
And the city moves on.
The cast is absolutely wonderful. Soha Ali Khan proves yet again what a fine actress she is, something her mother will be very proud of. This is one girl who stands way above her peers. The scene in the morgue is simply outstanding. Madhavan's portrayal of the white-collared patriotic Indian upper middle class 30-something whose life is changed by that one event will connect 100% with most of us. I think Kay Kay was a wee bit wasted in a role that did not allow him much, but Irrfan is outstanding as the South Indian roadside tea vendor. The best though, comes from Paresh Rawal as the about-to-retire Mumbai policeman, and he typifies the spirit of the city and it's inhabitant's tryst with destiny to the hilt!
When the closing credits started rolling on the screen to the background score of Aye Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan, the theatre erupted in spontaneous applause, and this was not because India scored that winning goal in the dying moments of Chak De - it was simply because we probably had no other way to stop those tears of emotions, get closure, and get back to life.
Nishikant Kamat, hats off to you, you have given us an absolutely invaluable treasure! And in me, you have a fan for life!
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...
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