I just want to tell people, especially Amitabh, that how much I appreciate his transformed new personality. For past 4-5 years, he has been very diplomatic in his actions especially in public. It was, in my opinion, over sophistication which has started giving me goose bumps. I am happy to see him reacting to his critics in a more manly manner which he should have done in the first place. Well as they say, it's better late then never. So my congratulations to him for finally taking a stance for matters which affects him and his family.
One of my friend has seen his interview by Barkha Dutt in NDTV over the weekend. This friend of mine is a huge fan of Amitabh and he told me kind of response he presented in that interview was not in imagination 9-10 months back. Since I am not nearly as big fan of Amitabh as my friend, his words proves my theory that Amitabh is not going to let go any more rubbish thrown to him.
Why I am happy could be a mystery for you guys!! I am happy firstly since I like Amitabh as a actor and a statesman. More importantly I am happy because Amitabh is a huge public figure in India. Anything said for him immediately makes headlines in the media. So if he does not respond to these sayings, that presents a bad example for the society. This at least give a message to common people like us that you can't just say anything and avoid the repercussions. In a very minute way, in my little opinion, this builds sort of accountability in the system.
Good going Mr Bacchan, I hope you stay the same not only for yourself but also for a nation admiring you.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
What is the Real Problem with Mr.Ramadoss?
You must have read tonnes of web pages on Mr Health Minister's Bashing, not only for his latest stance on drinking habits of certain people but also for his past references. For the reference of those who have lived in planet marsh the past week, Mr Ramadoss has requested actors and stars not to drink on screen because in his view, this promotes, motivates, drags young generation of India towards the evil habit of drinking.
Variety of opinions have been thrown and I have read quite a few. People like Vir Sanghavi to Amitabh Bacchan have expressed their views in response to Mr Ramadoss plea. They have put forward the views such "Mr Ramadoss's is seeking attention" and "India should be allowed to make their own choices". Honestly, in the response, I did not find anything new and almost found everything is just being repeated or copy/pasted from the response Mr Ramadoss received for his cigarette plea.
One thing is sure, the bashing does not bother Mr Ramadoss, rather he likes it. This is why he keeps on coming with these ideas. What might have crossed Mr Ramadoss mind before the made public his sentiments in this topic? He surely did not think that this opinion would be taken gladly by all and actors would immediately stop drinking on screen. Rather he knew exactly the response he is getting new. So why did he say something he knew that would not be taken positively? He knew there will be uproar. Why would he go though all this trouble?
There could be two reasons behind this. One theory could be that he really wants to improve the health of Indian society by helping the young India. But I doubt this was his intention or he would have not gone to Media. Rather he would have reached his parliament to increase the legal age of drinking to say 25 years. Or he would have told excise minister to ban the liquor all together and sacrifice all the revenue government is getting. Or at least he would have gone to Liquor companies to put a warning sign - "Drinking before age 25 would land you in trouble". He did not do anything like this. So it is safe to assume betterment of India is not his intention.
Only other remaining possibility is that Mr Ramadoss enjoys cheap publicity. He starts loosing sleep when he does not find himself on TV every month. So he starts making such comments on camera which would give him immediate access to the medium which will take him to people. People are keep on falling for his trickery. He has become from "Who is Ramadoss" to "Where is Ramadoss" to "Vow!! Ramadoss again!!". Even Rahul Gandhi would envy him for his popularity even without a supporting surname.
To conclude, there is no problem with our health Minister. He is a rather smart man. Problem is with the system which gives ample platform to people like Ramadoss to gain instant cheap publicity. Problem is with people like us who give lot of space to people like Ramadoss. Perfect response this time from media and other personalities would be no response all together. Alas! This was not the case and I am preparing my self to see Mr Ramadoss to come up with some thing in a month or two.
Variety of opinions have been thrown and I have read quite a few. People like Vir Sanghavi to Amitabh Bacchan have expressed their views in response to Mr Ramadoss plea. They have put forward the views such "Mr Ramadoss's is seeking attention" and "India should be allowed to make their own choices". Honestly, in the response, I did not find anything new and almost found everything is just being repeated or copy/pasted from the response Mr Ramadoss received for his cigarette plea.
One thing is sure, the bashing does not bother Mr Ramadoss, rather he likes it. This is why he keeps on coming with these ideas. What might have crossed Mr Ramadoss mind before the made public his sentiments in this topic? He surely did not think that this opinion would be taken gladly by all and actors would immediately stop drinking on screen. Rather he knew exactly the response he is getting new. So why did he say something he knew that would not be taken positively? He knew there will be uproar. Why would he go though all this trouble?
There could be two reasons behind this. One theory could be that he really wants to improve the health of Indian society by helping the young India. But I doubt this was his intention or he would have not gone to Media. Rather he would have reached his parliament to increase the legal age of drinking to say 25 years. Or he would have told excise minister to ban the liquor all together and sacrifice all the revenue government is getting. Or at least he would have gone to Liquor companies to put a warning sign - "Drinking before age 25 would land you in trouble". He did not do anything like this. So it is safe to assume betterment of India is not his intention.
Only other remaining possibility is that Mr Ramadoss enjoys cheap publicity. He starts loosing sleep when he does not find himself on TV every month. So he starts making such comments on camera which would give him immediate access to the medium which will take him to people. People are keep on falling for his trickery. He has become from "Who is Ramadoss" to "Where is Ramadoss" to "Vow!! Ramadoss again!!". Even Rahul Gandhi would envy him for his popularity even without a supporting surname.
To conclude, there is no problem with our health Minister. He is a rather smart man. Problem is with the system which gives ample platform to people like Ramadoss to gain instant cheap publicity. Problem is with people like us who give lot of space to people like Ramadoss. Perfect response this time from media and other personalities would be no response all together. Alas! This was not the case and I am preparing my self to see Mr Ramadoss to come up with some thing in a month or two.
Monday, June 25, 2007
When I become a weasel!!
If you don't know what a weasel is then I recommend you should stop reading right here, borrow the book " The way of the weasel" from Scott Adams, read the book and then come again on this blog to read the rest of the artile.
Now for the intellectual crowd who managed to reach the second para of this blog, I suggest you should find something else, more important, as with my previous blog history, this is again going to be a tripe that you would mostly want to forget.
Now if you are really a loser who come to this section of the blog, as you could not find any thing "more" important (as I suggested in the second para) then more than anything else, I symphathise with you. But you will be rewarded with the god gifted boredome which I and you share.
Until now in my career, I always complained that I am the biggest victim of the weasles. I have been harassed by weasels in every position being my superior, my collegue or my subordinate. I was beaten by them and I was flushed by them. There was a time when I wanted to retire (I am only 28 BTW, but married) beause I thought jungle is a better place than the corporate.
But only recently I noticed that I am slowly beoming the part(more of portion) of the herd. I like to play with my victims, and someday I will flush them as well. Example of my playfullness with my victim:
Victim: uh-oh..do you know how to submit this job and check the values.
Me: Oh..this is easy..you just need to borrow some tri nitro glycerine and mix this with some soda and then through the stuff to the customer for asking the values.
victim: do you think this will solve the problem.
me: well, it did for Osama.
Then I laugh out bigtime saying I was just kidding and you don't need soda, you can also mix it with simple water. By this time my victim understands that I am not going to help him and he says:
Victim: well thanks!!
Me: glad I could be of some help. If you couldn't find nitroglyerine yourself, just let me know and I will give you some more "explosive" alternates.
My ultimate goal is to coat my self with 100% non penetrative weasle fur so that my only aim (and inentive) for coming to office would be hunting (of my victims).
Now for the intellectual crowd who managed to reach the second para of this blog, I suggest you should find something else, more important, as with my previous blog history, this is again going to be a tripe that you would mostly want to forget.
Now if you are really a loser who come to this section of the blog, as you could not find any thing "more" important (as I suggested in the second para) then more than anything else, I symphathise with you. But you will be rewarded with the god gifted boredome which I and you share.
Until now in my career, I always complained that I am the biggest victim of the weasles. I have been harassed by weasels in every position being my superior, my collegue or my subordinate. I was beaten by them and I was flushed by them. There was a time when I wanted to retire (I am only 28 BTW, but married) beause I thought jungle is a better place than the corporate.
But only recently I noticed that I am slowly beoming the part(more of portion) of the herd. I like to play with my victims, and someday I will flush them as well. Example of my playfullness with my victim:
Victim: uh-oh..do you know how to submit this job and check the values.
Me: Oh..this is easy..you just need to borrow some tri nitro glycerine and mix this with some soda and then through the stuff to the customer for asking the values.
victim: do you think this will solve the problem.
me: well, it did for Osama.
Then I laugh out bigtime saying I was just kidding and you don't need soda, you can also mix it with simple water. By this time my victim understands that I am not going to help him and he says:
Victim: well thanks!!
Me: glad I could be of some help. If you couldn't find nitroglyerine yourself, just let me know and I will give you some more "explosive" alternates.
My ultimate goal is to coat my self with 100% non penetrative weasle fur so that my only aim (and inentive) for coming to office would be hunting (of my victims).
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
I am an idiot
It takes a man to admit that he is an idiot. And I am 120% man simply going by my porn colletion. Just kidding (Not about the porn part but about the 120% part).
It looks like I just don't know the simple PR. This is I am saying by two examples:
A) I did not call Naveen even after hearing about his marriage.
and B) I have not talked to Mandeep for more than, well, couple of times since the time he left indore.
When I analyze the situation, I find that these are the guys (very few of them are there) for whom I care about. These people are my real friends. So question is why I make distance from people who are no longer with me.
I beleive there is no easy answer for this. either this is a basic human nature or this thing is simple embeded into my Character. In later case, if it is true, then I would like to change it. But saying is easier than doing it (My god!! I am the most pathetic blogger in this entire world).
This is my resolution for this year to improve my PR, but I would give a C- to myself on the attempt part. I can just never grow personally or professionally (don't believe me, just answer who is the biggest sucker around you).
So I would say this to end this pathetic piece of monkey crap.....which I call a blog....
SP!!! you idiot!! when you are going to learn anything.
It looks like I just don't know the simple PR. This is I am saying by two examples:
A) I did not call Naveen even after hearing about his marriage.
and B) I have not talked to Mandeep for more than, well, couple of times since the time he left indore.
When I analyze the situation, I find that these are the guys (very few of them are there) for whom I care about. These people are my real friends. So question is why I make distance from people who are no longer with me.
I beleive there is no easy answer for this. either this is a basic human nature or this thing is simple embeded into my Character. In later case, if it is true, then I would like to change it. But saying is easier than doing it (My god!! I am the most pathetic blogger in this entire world).
This is my resolution for this year to improve my PR, but I would give a C- to myself on the attempt part. I can just never grow personally or professionally (don't believe me, just answer who is the biggest sucker around you).
So I would say this to end this pathetic piece of monkey crap.....which I call a blog....
SP!!! you idiot!! when you are going to learn anything.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
I am Back!!
Long has been the moments when this blog was almost like the Narnia. Sad and timid, waiting for it's lords to arrive. Well, not anymore. The master is back and this time he is going to rock this place.
I have been kept so busy with my work that I almost this which is perhaps the only thing I can refer to as my hobby. Work has been in my routine and in my dreams lately but this it the time to change. I just realiazed I have to give my life the same as the life is giving me. Life is there to enjoy and work should be only a part of this routine. Nothing good happens with work-holics.
So this is some bits of my mind, and more will come soon enough.
I have been kept so busy with my work that I almost this which is perhaps the only thing I can refer to as my hobby. Work has been in my routine and in my dreams lately but this it the time to change. I just realiazed I have to give my life the same as the life is giving me. Life is there to enjoy and work should be only a part of this routine. Nothing good happens with work-holics.
So this is some bits of my mind, and more will come soon enough.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Water - Pure and Innocent
I did not see Deepa Mehta's earlier work in the form of Earth and Fire, so I did not know what to expect from this movie. Though I had a understnding of basic story line thanks to propagandist in India and then it's fame to oscar. Though I can not relate the trilogy, if there are any relation at all, but it did not stop me from appreciating a work of fine art.
Water is a story about pre-independance Indian culture. The time was heavily dominated by traditional hindus and their thousand year old customs which may and should not fit in modern society . This tradtionalism had it's share of evils and one of the victims were widows of the society. Deepa has picked specially those widwos who lost their husband in a very early age. This way Deepa has touched, very breifly, the second evil of the then society and that is child marriage. Though I should not deviate from the real theme which is traumatic conditions of the widows.
The story was told with a center charachter named Chuhiya, a 6 year old widow, who lost her husband before knowing or realizing that she was married. Her parents send her to a widow "ashram" where many other widows, from very young to very old, leaves to spend their rest of the life. It is prohibited for them to enjoy life but to treat their life as burden on their own and for the society. What should have been her playing days and making new freinds of her age, Chuhiya meets her companions in the ashram. She meets Kalyani who is the fairest of all and has been give some privilages (like she can keep the long hairs) - but all for wrong reasons. She witnesses the attempt of Narayan, A Gandhi follower, to rescue Kalyani from the misery of a old and traditional society - only to meet a bitter end. She observes the brave attempt of Shakuntala to help Kalyani in escaping the hell. Finally she escapes her fate thanks to Shakuntala and Narayan.
Water, as the metaphore suggests, is pure and innocent. It does not have a will of it's own for most of the part, it just flows along the lines drawn by a traditional society. It requires a force if it has to change it's course.
Some of the scenes in this movies are particularly very touching. One such scene which touched me is when the old widow eats a luddu brought by Chuhiya. The expression and emptiness in her eyes can not be described. She remembers the last time when she had it - unfortunately her wedding time. After that it has become a age old desire to have it one more time., which can not be fullfilled because she was prohibited being a widow. It was a last wish standing between life and escape from this dreadful life. It was one last wish which was worth, if she gets is afterall, to go through all the pains. And once she has it, she has everything in her life and she escapes. It was a "moksha".
Seema Biswas again remineds us she is one of the most under utiliazed, exceptional talent in India. She could have been goddess in Hollywood. She acts naturally. She does not need to speak to convey her emotions. She is brilliant. Lisa Ray looked beautiful. She is not a great actor but she was succeful in portraing a victim of the society. John Abraham is good - he knows his strong bit and does it strongly. One actor I would like mention here is Manorama. The old, small time, evil chachi has been incarnated as madhumati bai. She is brilliant and I hope to see her in more movies.
All in all it's trimuph. We should be ashamed for making such a big fuss on this movie.
Star - 4 out of 5
Recommendation - A must watch. Watch to realise how we made a fool of ourselves by letting Canada taking the credit for such a fine movie.
Water is a story about pre-independance Indian culture. The time was heavily dominated by traditional hindus and their thousand year old customs which may and should not fit in modern society . This tradtionalism had it's share of evils and one of the victims were widows of the society. Deepa has picked specially those widwos who lost their husband in a very early age. This way Deepa has touched, very breifly, the second evil of the then society and that is child marriage. Though I should not deviate from the real theme which is traumatic conditions of the widows.
The story was told with a center charachter named Chuhiya, a 6 year old widow, who lost her husband before knowing or realizing that she was married. Her parents send her to a widow "ashram" where many other widows, from very young to very old, leaves to spend their rest of the life. It is prohibited for them to enjoy life but to treat their life as burden on their own and for the society. What should have been her playing days and making new freinds of her age, Chuhiya meets her companions in the ashram. She meets Kalyani who is the fairest of all and has been give some privilages (like she can keep the long hairs) - but all for wrong reasons. She witnesses the attempt of Narayan, A Gandhi follower, to rescue Kalyani from the misery of a old and traditional society - only to meet a bitter end. She observes the brave attempt of Shakuntala to help Kalyani in escaping the hell. Finally she escapes her fate thanks to Shakuntala and Narayan.
Water, as the metaphore suggests, is pure and innocent. It does not have a will of it's own for most of the part, it just flows along the lines drawn by a traditional society. It requires a force if it has to change it's course.
Some of the scenes in this movies are particularly very touching. One such scene which touched me is when the old widow eats a luddu brought by Chuhiya. The expression and emptiness in her eyes can not be described. She remembers the last time when she had it - unfortunately her wedding time. After that it has become a age old desire to have it one more time., which can not be fullfilled because she was prohibited being a widow. It was a last wish standing between life and escape from this dreadful life. It was one last wish which was worth, if she gets is afterall, to go through all the pains. And once she has it, she has everything in her life and she escapes. It was a "moksha".
Seema Biswas again remineds us she is one of the most under utiliazed, exceptional talent in India. She could have been goddess in Hollywood. She acts naturally. She does not need to speak to convey her emotions. She is brilliant. Lisa Ray looked beautiful. She is not a great actor but she was succeful in portraing a victim of the society. John Abraham is good - he knows his strong bit and does it strongly. One actor I would like mention here is Manorama. The old, small time, evil chachi has been incarnated as madhumati bai. She is brilliant and I hope to see her in more movies.
All in all it's trimuph. We should be ashamed for making such a big fuss on this movie.
Star - 4 out of 5
Recommendation - A must watch. Watch to realise how we made a fool of ourselves by letting Canada taking the credit for such a fine movie.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
Nishabd - Love Knows No Limits
If you are confused with the definition of love then, probably, you should not waste your time in Nishabd - Ram Gopal Verma's new product from the factory. This movie is meant for people who know there can never be a definition for love - simply because it's a feeling which only a heart can perceive. It does not obey any logic and it should not limit in social boundaries.
As it is already well publicized, it is a love story between a 65 year old family man and a 18 year old raving young lady. The story starts when Ritu along with Jiah - her good friend - comes home to spend the holidays. Ritu' father Vijay has a tea estate and he is living a happy a peaceful life with wife. The story takes a turn and Jiah and Vijay ends up attracted to each other.
In my opinion - once Ramu got this idea and seriously thought to give it a shape he had two major problems A) How to develop the romance part between such a odd couple (especially in Indian sense) and B) Once the romance happens then how to build the real story. I will give Ramu 10 out of 10 for both the points. Since plot is already known and well publicized on TV, I can safely reveal some of the finer points.
The build up of this idiosyncratic romance is handled in a excellent manner. It is a challenge to develop the characters before showing that they can romance. I think the challenge lied to typecast the character in such a way that they should look different (yes, you need "different" people for this romance) but not abnormal. Ramu had done this beautifully. You get the sense that this guy and the gal are different from the normal people but never gives a impression of insanity or abnormality. First part of movie was devoted to erect this relationship. It covers all the phases of the romance. They talk to each other a lot, they enjoy the companionship of each other and also they fight like any other couples.
Second half basically deals with post-romance situation. It deals very briefly with the situation of Ritu and Vijay's wife. It shows the trauma of situation for the family of Vijay. But it never deviates from the Situation of Vijay and Jiah, because after all it is their story. More conventional view would be to show how Vijay's family is affected by this relation. However, otherwise, It is rightfully portrait as how the relation between Jiah and Vijay changed because of Vijay's family. Ramu was also successful in bringing the story to an end. Bollowood has a history of getting it tough to end a story. But this time Ramu pressed the button at a perfect time.
Movie also has it's share of some loose ends, especially in first half, mainly in terms of screen play (could have been tighter) and background music (could have been milder and used with more method). It also drags at times in first half and you may look at your watch couple of times. However, second half strikes and make it up for the first half. So don't get exasperated and watch the complete movie.
Jiah has done very well for her first movie. Though I am sure Ramu has a genius of getting best out of his actors. Revathi again reminds us why she is one of the best female actors in the country. Emotions comes naturally to her. But, this movie belongs to Amitabh Bachchan. He has molded into his character (and this is happening after a long long time). He never gives a impression of Amitabh Bachchan but you will always find Vijay on the screen. After watching the movie, I completely agree with Ramu that without Mr AB, this movie was not possible. All in all, this is a very good movie which is different from conventional bollywood movies.It is a bold attempt and needs to be appreciated.
Star : 3.5 out of 5
Recommendation : Watch it for love. If you don't understand it, just watch it for Amitabh Bachchan.
As it is already well publicized, it is a love story between a 65 year old family man and a 18 year old raving young lady. The story starts when Ritu along with Jiah - her good friend - comes home to spend the holidays. Ritu' father Vijay has a tea estate and he is living a happy a peaceful life with wife. The story takes a turn and Jiah and Vijay ends up attracted to each other.
In my opinion - once Ramu got this idea and seriously thought to give it a shape he had two major problems A) How to develop the romance part between such a odd couple (especially in Indian sense) and B) Once the romance happens then how to build the real story. I will give Ramu 10 out of 10 for both the points. Since plot is already known and well publicized on TV, I can safely reveal some of the finer points.
The build up of this idiosyncratic romance is handled in a excellent manner. It is a challenge to develop the characters before showing that they can romance. I think the challenge lied to typecast the character in such a way that they should look different (yes, you need "different" people for this romance) but not abnormal. Ramu had done this beautifully. You get the sense that this guy and the gal are different from the normal people but never gives a impression of insanity or abnormality. First part of movie was devoted to erect this relationship. It covers all the phases of the romance. They talk to each other a lot, they enjoy the companionship of each other and also they fight like any other couples.
Second half basically deals with post-romance situation. It deals very briefly with the situation of Ritu and Vijay's wife. It shows the trauma of situation for the family of Vijay. But it never deviates from the Situation of Vijay and Jiah, because after all it is their story. More conventional view would be to show how Vijay's family is affected by this relation. However, otherwise, It is rightfully portrait as how the relation between Jiah and Vijay changed because of Vijay's family. Ramu was also successful in bringing the story to an end. Bollowood has a history of getting it tough to end a story. But this time Ramu pressed the button at a perfect time.
Movie also has it's share of some loose ends, especially in first half, mainly in terms of screen play (could have been tighter) and background music (could have been milder and used with more method). It also drags at times in first half and you may look at your watch couple of times. However, second half strikes and make it up for the first half. So don't get exasperated and watch the complete movie.
Jiah has done very well for her first movie. Though I am sure Ramu has a genius of getting best out of his actors. Revathi again reminds us why she is one of the best female actors in the country. Emotions comes naturally to her. But, this movie belongs to Amitabh Bachchan. He has molded into his character (and this is happening after a long long time). He never gives a impression of Amitabh Bachchan but you will always find Vijay on the screen. After watching the movie, I completely agree with Ramu that without Mr AB, this movie was not possible. All in all, this is a very good movie which is different from conventional bollywood movies.It is a bold attempt and needs to be appreciated.
Star : 3.5 out of 5
Recommendation : Watch it for love. If you don't understand it, just watch it for Amitabh Bachchan.
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