I was reading Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead for like the nth time, over this long weekend and just had to make a note of this one particular monologue.
Scene –
Steven Mallory misses his appointment with Howard Roark and there is no hear from him for over a week. Roark decides to hunt down Mallory and after inquiring with a great many art dealers, architects and art galleries, tracks down his address. Roark goes to meet Mallory in person. An initially reluctant Mallory puts up a brief and unconvincing “don’t give a damn” appearance before finally giving in to his paranoia. He eventually breaks down without caring for Roark’s presence but it’s a certain plaster plaque of a baby done by Mallory that has Roark murderously angry and wondering, such great talent so criminally ill-treated!! Roark orders Mallory to talk about things that really matter and Mallory, shocked to realize that is exactly what he wants, opens up. Mallory goes to Roark’s office the following day with an impeccable confidence, facing Roark as an equal and an ally for life, the horrendous past not yet forgotten but conveniently put aside.
The dialogue goes as below –
Roark pulled the chair over to the bed and sat down. “Now,” he said, “talk. Talk about the things you really want said. Don't tell me about your family, your childhood, your friends or your feelings. Tell me about the things you think
Mallory looked at him incredulously and whispered: "How did you know that?"
Roark smiled and said nothing.
"How did you know what's been killing me? Slowly, for years, driving me to hate people when I don't want to hate.... Have you felt it, too? Have you seen how your best friends love everything about you -- except the things that count? And your most important is nothing to them, nothing, not even a sound they can recognize. You mean, you want to hear? You want to know what I do and why I do it, you want to know what I think? It's not boring to you? It's important?"
"Go ahead," said Roark.
Then he sat for hours, listening, while Mallory spoke of his work, of the thoughts behind his work, of the thoughts that shaped his life, spoke gluttonously, like a drowning man flung out to shore, getting drunk on huge, clean snatches of air.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Have you seen how your best friends love everything about you -- except the things that count?
I swear to God, had I read Ayn Rand while I was doing B.E, I’d have quit college and gone insane in some terrifically insane sort of a way. I always wondered why I was some kind of a misfit there, and later found the answers neatly compiled in a book that has been on the bestsellers’ list since 1943!! I’ve since been ridiculously glad and relieved that I did not pick Ayn Rand earlier.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Colors...
With my eyes closed shut, I took a deep breath;
Feeling the intoxicating high of the fresh mountain air;
As if inevitable, I slowly blinked and focused,
On the sun’s festive adieu amidst a silent fanfare.
A tinge of buff lined the horizon yonder but soon,
Buff turned orange and then, an angry slash of red;
While the flaming orange ball sank from sight,
Hinting passions and emotions, and of energy far from dead.
While the blue of the sky lost to the raging violent red,
Violet wreaked vengeance on the head above azure sky;
As moments ticked by, after red too lost to violet,
The velvety black ruled; the violet was just a small fry.
And then, just as everything seemed grim and doubtful,
The Heavens lit a million candles, as if answering a prayer;
Started as a tiny twinkle here and a small sparkle there,
The star studded affair came alive, layer after layer.
Like diamonds glittering against a pitch black background,
The sky undoubtedly implied the Heavens up above;
Of Gods and angels, of justice and faith,
Of wise men and virtues, and of unadulterated love.
The bright full moon dazzled over the stars,
As if proclaiming authority over the enchanting sum;
The milky white beams holding the sacred promise,
Of a much much more colorful tomorrow to come…
Monday, August 3, 2009
Memoirs of this year’s Varamahalakshmi habba @ home….
Last Friday (31st July) was the major festival of my household, the Varamahalakshmi vrata. I’d taken a leave from office for the occasion and was eagerly awaiting the celebrations to begin.
The pooja began at about 11.00 am in the morning, with mum and dad in the lead and the newly wedded couple of our family, my cousin bro and sis-in-law!! The pooja went on very well and as usual like every year, till it was time for naivedya. The cooks informed us that there would be a delay of about 10 minutes to get the specially cooked preparations ready. While we were waiting, my music teacher Sharadha ma’am began with “Hiranmayim Lakshmi” and suddenly there was pindrop silence in the hall. It was as if Goddess Lakshmi wanted a complete Sangeetha Seva that day. Sharadha ma’am sang a Purandara dasara devara nama on Naivedya (the cooks brought them in then) after the Mutthuswami Deekshitar’s composition and while the pooja continued, the music renditions went on in the background.
My cousin’s wife Suchitra is a trained singer, dancer and theatre artist at Suchitra Society Banashankari. She gave a concert (almost!) after Sharadha ma’am stopped. The audience was (music having grabbed a greater foothold, I’m using the word “audience”) in tears listening to her rendition of “Keshava Naama” and swayed by her fantastic voice when she sang Purandara Dasara “Enu dhanyaLo Lakumi” and “Bhagyada Lakshmi baaramma”.
By then, it was time for Aarthi when suddenly someone pointed out that I hadn’t sung at all. I promptly started with “Shree Varalakshmi namasthubhyam”, by Deekshitar again. It is a common favorite in the family and everyone including the grand folks, my aunts, uncles and even my father joined me in the chorus. A truly fitting aarthi for the Goddess, it seemed!! :)
Sharadha ma’am gently chided me on singing a normal kriti when there were compositions meant for aarti and sang one. She was impressed by the musical genius that runs in the family and asked me to learn that particular Aarthi kriti so that I could teach all my musically talented and inclined family members. She is a true teacher after all!! All my “attheyaru” assented, what more..
It was almost 2.00 pm by then and the first batch of people went for lunch. A few aunts retained me downstairs and asked me to sing. The concert had barely ended when it began, all over again. While I finished singing Mysore Vasudevaacharya’s “Devi Rame Maamavaabdhi tanaye amba”, my sis-in-law was asked to sing (on public demand I must add, she is the newest addition to our family). Two of my aunts, few cousins and their spouses sang one after the other while I was made to act like a breather, singing while they decide who should sing next I mean.
Sharadha ma’am, who was actually unhappy with me for not attending classes lately, was happy after she heard me sing. She approved when I admitted that I’m out of practice due to genuine time constraint and ordered me to attend classes from the coming week which I’m happily going to oblige.. :D
This impromptu singing paused only late in the evening when the guests started leaving after taking thamboola. Sharadha madam’s favorite student and our musical role model Manjula aunty came home then. She has been an icon like, to Anjana and me since we were barely ten and a close family friend since. She got to know about the unplanned Sangeetha Seva that was going on since morning and was elated. When she sang Mysore Vasudevaachaarya’s “Varalakshmi Namosthuthe” in Gowri manohari and Purandara Dasara “Enu dhanyaLo Lakumi”, those people who were sitting there were in tears and those who were planning to leave came back instead.
An instant after Manjula aunty left, my friend Anjana and her mother arrived. Anjana and I began our music lessons together at the ages of seven and six, respectively. We have performed together at innumerable occasions and have shared a great compatibility, both on stage and off it. And both of us have been regretfully irregular at music since 2003 and sincerely wish to undo the situation soon. Anyways, it had been ages since the last time we sang together and our parents wished to find out if we still complimented each other like before. “Devi Rame” (second time rendition since morning) showed that the spark was very much there. She sang two dasa padas after that, of which one was encored. As usual, our folks reproved us for our sloth and disinterest in music when we are blessed to have such an encouraging musical ambience at home, supporting family members and a guru like Sharadha ma’am who is unlike ordinary music teachers and considered us to be one of the torch bearers of her legacy, like Manjula aunty. It gets embarrassing at times, but that is something we cannot help. Not until we set right the issue at least.
It ended with Purandara dasara “Jayathu Kodanda Raama” which is a beautiful mangala kriti set in the soulful and forgiving Madhyamavathi. This is a personal favorite to everyone who has heard it and speaks of His glory in His ten incarnations.
It was almost 10.30 pm when this “Sangeetha Seva” ended and somehow, everyone who witnessed the turns and events of the whole day agreed that this year’s celebration was, unlike previous years, grander, blessing and of course, entirely musical!!
The pooja began at about 11.00 am in the morning, with mum and dad in the lead and the newly wedded couple of our family, my cousin bro and sis-in-law!! The pooja went on very well and as usual like every year, till it was time for naivedya. The cooks informed us that there would be a delay of about 10 minutes to get the specially cooked preparations ready. While we were waiting, my music teacher Sharadha ma’am began with “Hiranmayim Lakshmi” and suddenly there was pindrop silence in the hall. It was as if Goddess Lakshmi wanted a complete Sangeetha Seva that day. Sharadha ma’am sang a Purandara dasara devara nama on Naivedya (the cooks brought them in then) after the Mutthuswami Deekshitar’s composition and while the pooja continued, the music renditions went on in the background.
My cousin’s wife Suchitra is a trained singer, dancer and theatre artist at Suchitra Society Banashankari. She gave a concert (almost!) after Sharadha ma’am stopped. The audience was (music having grabbed a greater foothold, I’m using the word “audience”) in tears listening to her rendition of “Keshava Naama” and swayed by her fantastic voice when she sang Purandara Dasara “Enu dhanyaLo Lakumi” and “Bhagyada Lakshmi baaramma”.
By then, it was time for Aarthi when suddenly someone pointed out that I hadn’t sung at all. I promptly started with “Shree Varalakshmi namasthubhyam”, by Deekshitar again. It is a common favorite in the family and everyone including the grand folks, my aunts, uncles and even my father joined me in the chorus. A truly fitting aarthi for the Goddess, it seemed!! :)
Sharadha ma’am gently chided me on singing a normal kriti when there were compositions meant for aarti and sang one. She was impressed by the musical genius that runs in the family and asked me to learn that particular Aarthi kriti so that I could teach all my musically talented and inclined family members. She is a true teacher after all!! All my “attheyaru” assented, what more..
It was almost 2.00 pm by then and the first batch of people went for lunch. A few aunts retained me downstairs and asked me to sing. The concert had barely ended when it began, all over again. While I finished singing Mysore Vasudevaacharya’s “Devi Rame Maamavaabdhi tanaye amba”, my sis-in-law was asked to sing (on public demand I must add, she is the newest addition to our family). Two of my aunts, few cousins and their spouses sang one after the other while I was made to act like a breather, singing while they decide who should sing next I mean.
Sharadha ma’am, who was actually unhappy with me for not attending classes lately, was happy after she heard me sing. She approved when I admitted that I’m out of practice due to genuine time constraint and ordered me to attend classes from the coming week which I’m happily going to oblige.. :D
This impromptu singing paused only late in the evening when the guests started leaving after taking thamboola. Sharadha madam’s favorite student and our musical role model Manjula aunty came home then. She has been an icon like, to Anjana and me since we were barely ten and a close family friend since. She got to know about the unplanned Sangeetha Seva that was going on since morning and was elated. When she sang Mysore Vasudevaachaarya’s “Varalakshmi Namosthuthe” in Gowri manohari and Purandara Dasara “Enu dhanyaLo Lakumi”, those people who were sitting there were in tears and those who were planning to leave came back instead.
An instant after Manjula aunty left, my friend Anjana and her mother arrived. Anjana and I began our music lessons together at the ages of seven and six, respectively. We have performed together at innumerable occasions and have shared a great compatibility, both on stage and off it. And both of us have been regretfully irregular at music since 2003 and sincerely wish to undo the situation soon. Anyways, it had been ages since the last time we sang together and our parents wished to find out if we still complimented each other like before. “Devi Rame” (second time rendition since morning) showed that the spark was very much there. She sang two dasa padas after that, of which one was encored. As usual, our folks reproved us for our sloth and disinterest in music when we are blessed to have such an encouraging musical ambience at home, supporting family members and a guru like Sharadha ma’am who is unlike ordinary music teachers and considered us to be one of the torch bearers of her legacy, like Manjula aunty. It gets embarrassing at times, but that is something we cannot help. Not until we set right the issue at least.
It ended with Purandara dasara “Jayathu Kodanda Raama” which is a beautiful mangala kriti set in the soulful and forgiving Madhyamavathi. This is a personal favorite to everyone who has heard it and speaks of His glory in His ten incarnations.
It was almost 10.30 pm when this “Sangeetha Seva” ended and somehow, everyone who witnessed the turns and events of the whole day agreed that this year’s celebration was, unlike previous years, grander, blessing and of course, entirely musical!!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Crushed.. Lol!! ;)
We meet hundreds of people and may be spend time with few tens of those everyday, at work, at home and on the way in between too. We love the company of a few of them, like a few of them, harbor no feelings for a few, tolerate a few and abhor most others. This is common with everyone I’m sure and I want to highlight those few (one at least) who have an intoxicating high on us with their very presence.
I’m not talking of LOVE. Apna Bollywood has given so many varied definitions (most are cheesy to be honest) that I’m now confused and do not personally believe in any of those. Love is something I restrict to books and films, and we’ll leave it at that. As for infatuation, it is this extra strong liking for a friend or an acquaintance (or may be even a celebrity) for some quality of theirs that make us blind to their flaws. We become conscious of our looks and our words. We probably even become jealous if the object of our interest gives a little extra attention to someone else. Infatuation, if mutual and reciprocated, leads to love, so I’m given to believe. But I want to clarify that I’m talking about “crushes”. Not love, not infatuation; just pure, unadulterated crush!!
From my own experiences, (yes, I’ve had many) crush is something to do with the brain cells acting extra weird when perception indicates to the grey matter, the presence of a certain co-specie member in the vicinity. Sometimes mere mention of that particular person suffices!! It is supposed to begin with the onset of adolescence and gradually fade away into sweet memories as we grow older but given the exposure of today’s teens, I cease from emphasizing the “start time”. Lol!
Anyways.. I read a few articles on adolescent psychology, Linda Goodman’s books and even spoke with good friends over the issue, just to understand the phenomenon from a third person’s perspective. After the “toil”, this is what I came to understand.
Having a crush on someone is a very natural happening. It is an indication that our sensory perceptions are functioning perfectly and that we have an innate aesthetic sense. This is when “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder” comes into picture. We are involuntarily attracted towards what we subconsciously believe as beautiful. If its good looks for some, it is intellect for some others. One colleague of mine is a sucker for fair complexioned hunks while her close friend swears (not literally!) by Mills and Boon type tall-dark-handsome hunks.
Whatever it is, not many have escaped the light tickling sensation in the pits of the stomach when that crush smiled. Few felt a floating sensation while talking to their crush and many others (like me) have unwittingly stared till our crush was abashed outright. Crush is actually nothing, but that absolutely something. This is how I can best phrase the most commonly experienced and clichéd sentiment known to human kind!!
All is not lost however, unless you are a girl and you have told a few girl pals about your secret crush on a certain cutie you saw in office and more importantly, you have made them promise to keep it a secret!! The girls solemnly promise and loyally check out the pluses and minuses of that particular guy for their friend’s sake (as if we were planning to elope, god!!) but the moment that guy looks in your direction or even notices your presence, the giggling (a very bad timed, involuntary and inevitable reaction) begins and the cutie runs for cover. You will be lucky if he even considers talking to you afterwards.
Guys are no better either. They genuinely believe that it’s a divine job hooking up a fellow mate with his crush that they will leave no stone unturned in the venture. They go to such great extents that they fail to realize that the girl has seen through their puny plots (many times before too) and is royally freaked out. This friend of mine would cough in his best Hum Aapke Hain Koun imitation to convey to his pal that the crush is in the vicinity.
Girls, even in case of a common crush, DO NOT check out the particular guy together. They might discuss the “sweet things” in the guy and agree that they all have a tender for him but never will they umm, “appreciate” the same guy openly and unitedly. Guys, on the other hand, love to do these same things in a group and all hell breaks lose if a gang of guys are openly “appreciating a babe” in front of a girl pal whose presence has been temporarily (and conveniently) forgotten. Guy pals are very helpful in digging information about a girl pal’s crush, if and only if none of those guys have a crush on this girl in particular. One of my friends had a crush on a colleague and this guy pal of ours went to the extent of adding the crush on office communicator just to get more information. Girl pals can put the Interpol to shame in gathering information about another girl pal’s crush but at the risk of mass broadcast and giggling fits. But nevertheless, it’s all the same..
To end it, Crush is a very common scenario to be experienced and then grown out of. If recorded, it will make a hilarious read, years down the line.
Ok enough of crap now, I’m logging off. Peace!
I’m not talking of LOVE. Apna Bollywood has given so many varied definitions (most are cheesy to be honest) that I’m now confused and do not personally believe in any of those. Love is something I restrict to books and films, and we’ll leave it at that. As for infatuation, it is this extra strong liking for a friend or an acquaintance (or may be even a celebrity) for some quality of theirs that make us blind to their flaws. We become conscious of our looks and our words. We probably even become jealous if the object of our interest gives a little extra attention to someone else. Infatuation, if mutual and reciprocated, leads to love, so I’m given to believe. But I want to clarify that I’m talking about “crushes”. Not love, not infatuation; just pure, unadulterated crush!!
From my own experiences, (yes, I’ve had many) crush is something to do with the brain cells acting extra weird when perception indicates to the grey matter, the presence of a certain co-specie member in the vicinity. Sometimes mere mention of that particular person suffices!! It is supposed to begin with the onset of adolescence and gradually fade away into sweet memories as we grow older but given the exposure of today’s teens, I cease from emphasizing the “start time”. Lol!
Anyways.. I read a few articles on adolescent psychology, Linda Goodman’s books and even spoke with good friends over the issue, just to understand the phenomenon from a third person’s perspective. After the “toil”, this is what I came to understand.
Having a crush on someone is a very natural happening. It is an indication that our sensory perceptions are functioning perfectly and that we have an innate aesthetic sense. This is when “beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder” comes into picture. We are involuntarily attracted towards what we subconsciously believe as beautiful. If its good looks for some, it is intellect for some others. One colleague of mine is a sucker for fair complexioned hunks while her close friend swears (not literally!) by Mills and Boon type tall-dark-handsome hunks.
Whatever it is, not many have escaped the light tickling sensation in the pits of the stomach when that crush smiled. Few felt a floating sensation while talking to their crush and many others (like me) have unwittingly stared till our crush was abashed outright. Crush is actually nothing, but that absolutely something. This is how I can best phrase the most commonly experienced and clichéd sentiment known to human kind!!
All is not lost however, unless you are a girl and you have told a few girl pals about your secret crush on a certain cutie you saw in office and more importantly, you have made them promise to keep it a secret!! The girls solemnly promise and loyally check out the pluses and minuses of that particular guy for their friend’s sake (as if we were planning to elope, god!!) but the moment that guy looks in your direction or even notices your presence, the giggling (a very bad timed, involuntary and inevitable reaction) begins and the cutie runs for cover. You will be lucky if he even considers talking to you afterwards.
Guys are no better either. They genuinely believe that it’s a divine job hooking up a fellow mate with his crush that they will leave no stone unturned in the venture. They go to such great extents that they fail to realize that the girl has seen through their puny plots (many times before too) and is royally freaked out. This friend of mine would cough in his best Hum Aapke Hain Koun imitation to convey to his pal that the crush is in the vicinity.
Girls, even in case of a common crush, DO NOT check out the particular guy together. They might discuss the “sweet things” in the guy and agree that they all have a tender for him but never will they umm, “appreciate” the same guy openly and unitedly. Guys, on the other hand, love to do these same things in a group and all hell breaks lose if a gang of guys are openly “appreciating a babe” in front of a girl pal whose presence has been temporarily (and conveniently) forgotten. Guy pals are very helpful in digging information about a girl pal’s crush, if and only if none of those guys have a crush on this girl in particular. One of my friends had a crush on a colleague and this guy pal of ours went to the extent of adding the crush on office communicator just to get more information. Girl pals can put the Interpol to shame in gathering information about another girl pal’s crush but at the risk of mass broadcast and giggling fits. But nevertheless, it’s all the same..
To end it, Crush is a very common scenario to be experienced and then grown out of. If recorded, it will make a hilarious read, years down the line.
Ok enough of crap now, I’m logging off. Peace!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Movies.. Finally!!
Finally they are coming to a conclusion over the tu-tu-main-main between producers and multiplex owners. God knows if whatever they decide will be a feasible solution, I'm only looking forward to see new Hindi films..
The promos of Love Aaj Kal look fine. Saif, being one the producers, has spent a bomb on one particular TWIST song. No where near Rafi's eternal "Aao twist karen" though. I have always liked namma Bengaluru hudugi Deepika and will see this film surely.
Kambakht Ishq caught my attention thanks to a cameo by Sylvester Stallone. Title track looks and sounds good but "Bebo" is yuck, Kareena's worst performance after Don's "Yeh mera Dil" and Tashan's "Dance maare re". I hate Akshay Kumar and have no love lost for Kareena but if I could bear Tashan, surely I can watch this!! But hey, Kareena in a white mini wedding dress with a tiara looks good.
Since his Ishq Vishq days, I thought Shahid was cute and I saw the terrible Kismat Konnection because I believe and still do, that Shahid is cute!! No matter how brawny he gets or how much he apes the King Khan, he'll remain an eternal cutie is my opinion. Looking forward to Paathshala (opp Complan girl Ayesha Takia) and Kaminey (opp Miss Oomph Priyanka Chopra). Heard there is sizzling chemistry between Shahid and Piggy Chops, almost bordering on sleaze!! But good boy Shahid plays a much adored school teacher in Paathshala.
As much as I hated Chetan Bhagat's Five Point Someone, I will see its movie adaptation Three Idiots because its a film by Ace Khan Aamir, shot at namma IIM-B campus. Aamir will do justice to what ever role he picks, no doubt and he is playing the narrator Hari. Maddy might just pull off playing Alok but Sharman Joshi for Ryan Oberoi?? And Kareena Ka"pooh"r for Neha?? Give me a break!! But still I will watch it..
I saw them first when I was barely eight, and have not stopped looking at them till now!! The film was Baazigar and the scene was SRK coming out of a red sports car. Kajol looked enthralled, though I was ogling more enthralled than Kajol herself!! SRK shakes his head sprinkling sweat all around and Kajol's heart misses a beat, mine stopped beating I confess.. "Zindagi mein kabhie kabhie jeethne ke liye kuch haarna padta hain, aur haar ke jeethne walon ko Baazigar kehte hain!!" Pheeee, pheee, clap, clap, clap... Kajol was merely emoting while I stood trance like, having found my knight in shining armor, my prince charming and the undisputed love of my life!! The whole world agreed that SRK looks best with Kajol than any other leading ladies and I developed a tender for her..
That was just a preface for Karan Johar's next film My Name Is Khan starring SRK and Kajol. Set in the backdrop of the 9/11 massacre, SRK plays an autistic Muslim and Kajol plays his wife, both facing the brunt of being Muslims in a hostile no man's land!! Deviant from KJo's usual family and "gay" themes, this is one of the most awaited films of the year..
Dulha mil gaya is yet another release of my chveetoo SRK this year. Promising to be a laugh riot, this has Sushmita Sen opposite SRK. He might have reached the wrong side of 40 but with his hard acquired six pack abs and his hamming (yeah, u heard me right!!) lover boy act, he still manages to bring most females in 7 to 70yrs range to a swoon.
I hated Hrithik when Kaho Naa Pyaar Hain was released and even more, when it became the year's biggest hit against a SRK's damp squib called Asoka. I called him unprintable names then and even got into fist fights with a few perfidious SRK-fan-turned-Hrithik-fan-recreants!! I hated myself for liking Fiza title track and even more for enjoying Mission Kashmir. Then K3G happened!! The sight of a teary younger brother wooing his big bro to return home softened my heart a bit. I found disastrous mistakes in Koi Mil Gaya (Sound waves traveling in vacuum? Falling in love to prove sanity?) And then Krrish happened. I followed closely Lakshya and waited for Dhoom-2, and unwittingly, the dancing genius had stolen a small place in my heart!!
I liked Jodha Akbar as much as I liked Swades. Umrao Jaan by Rekha was immortal; Ash trying the same became a standing joke!! Amitabh Bachchan as Don created a legend, SRK managed to pull it off but marginally only.. And Akbar's role immortalized to the likes of none other than Prithviraj Kapoor is a challenge to anyone of any caliber, and Hrithik simply dazzled!! Literally..
From Kaho Naa Pyaar Hain to Jodha Akbar, Hrithik has grown at an amazing rate, as an actor, as a dancer and as a dignified member of the film fraternity!! I'm desperately awaiting his biggest release till date, Kites, where he does what he does best, dance!! Yes, Hrithik plays a salsa dance instructor and the movie promises to be a treat for the eyes..
There are a few more releases lined up for this year. Like Priyanka Chopra and Harman Bhaweja starrer "Whats your rashee??" based on a popular gujju play and directed by the very talented Ashutosh Gowariker (who is lately oozing venom against just about everyone). And then there is the ever controversial Ram Gopal Verma's controversial "Rann" which shot to a controversial limelight for having controversially tweaked Jana Gana Mana!! Next is Kapoor Khandaan ka chirag Ranbir starring opposite the gorgeous Katrina Kaif in "Ajab prem ki gazab kahani" and not to forget, the once rocking Salman Khan's very own "Veer" and "Main aur Mrs.Khanna"
There are many, many more small time releases too but not sure if they are all worthy of mention. That irrespective, I solemnly swear I'll watch as many films as I can and whenever possible!! Cheers... :)
The promos of Love Aaj Kal look fine. Saif, being one the producers, has spent a bomb on one particular TWIST song. No where near Rafi's eternal "Aao twist karen" though. I have always liked namma Bengaluru hudugi Deepika and will see this film surely.
Kambakht Ishq caught my attention thanks to a cameo by Sylvester Stallone. Title track looks and sounds good but "Bebo" is yuck, Kareena's worst performance after Don's "Yeh mera Dil" and Tashan's "Dance maare re". I hate Akshay Kumar and have no love lost for Kareena but if I could bear Tashan, surely I can watch this!! But hey, Kareena in a white mini wedding dress with a tiara looks good.
Since his Ishq Vishq days, I thought Shahid was cute and I saw the terrible Kismat Konnection because I believe and still do, that Shahid is cute!! No matter how brawny he gets or how much he apes the King Khan, he'll remain an eternal cutie is my opinion. Looking forward to Paathshala (opp Complan girl Ayesha Takia) and Kaminey (opp Miss Oomph Priyanka Chopra). Heard there is sizzling chemistry between Shahid and Piggy Chops, almost bordering on sleaze!! But good boy Shahid plays a much adored school teacher in Paathshala.
As much as I hated Chetan Bhagat's Five Point Someone, I will see its movie adaptation Three Idiots because its a film by Ace Khan Aamir, shot at namma IIM-B campus. Aamir will do justice to what ever role he picks, no doubt and he is playing the narrator Hari. Maddy might just pull off playing Alok but Sharman Joshi for Ryan Oberoi?? And Kareena Ka"pooh"r for Neha?? Give me a break!! But still I will watch it..
I saw them first when I was barely eight, and have not stopped looking at them till now!! The film was Baazigar and the scene was SRK coming out of a red sports car. Kajol looked enthralled, though I was ogling more enthralled than Kajol herself!! SRK shakes his head sprinkling sweat all around and Kajol's heart misses a beat, mine stopped beating I confess.. "Zindagi mein kabhie kabhie jeethne ke liye kuch haarna padta hain, aur haar ke jeethne walon ko Baazigar kehte hain!!" Pheeee, pheee, clap, clap, clap... Kajol was merely emoting while I stood trance like, having found my knight in shining armor, my prince charming and the undisputed love of my life!! The whole world agreed that SRK looks best with Kajol than any other leading ladies and I developed a tender for her..
That was just a preface for Karan Johar's next film My Name Is Khan starring SRK and Kajol. Set in the backdrop of the 9/11 massacre, SRK plays an autistic Muslim and Kajol plays his wife, both facing the brunt of being Muslims in a hostile no man's land!! Deviant from KJo's usual family and "gay" themes, this is one of the most awaited films of the year..
Dulha mil gaya is yet another release of my chveetoo SRK this year. Promising to be a laugh riot, this has Sushmita Sen opposite SRK. He might have reached the wrong side of 40 but with his hard acquired six pack abs and his hamming (yeah, u heard me right!!) lover boy act, he still manages to bring most females in 7 to 70yrs range to a swoon.
I hated Hrithik when Kaho Naa Pyaar Hain was released and even more, when it became the year's biggest hit against a SRK's damp squib called Asoka. I called him unprintable names then and even got into fist fights with a few perfidious SRK-fan-turned-Hrithik-fan-recreants!! I hated myself for liking Fiza title track and even more for enjoying Mission Kashmir. Then K3G happened!! The sight of a teary younger brother wooing his big bro to return home softened my heart a bit. I found disastrous mistakes in Koi Mil Gaya (Sound waves traveling in vacuum? Falling in love to prove sanity?) And then Krrish happened. I followed closely Lakshya and waited for Dhoom-2, and unwittingly, the dancing genius had stolen a small place in my heart!!
I liked Jodha Akbar as much as I liked Swades. Umrao Jaan by Rekha was immortal; Ash trying the same became a standing joke!! Amitabh Bachchan as Don created a legend, SRK managed to pull it off but marginally only.. And Akbar's role immortalized to the likes of none other than Prithviraj Kapoor is a challenge to anyone of any caliber, and Hrithik simply dazzled!! Literally..
From Kaho Naa Pyaar Hain to Jodha Akbar, Hrithik has grown at an amazing rate, as an actor, as a dancer and as a dignified member of the film fraternity!! I'm desperately awaiting his biggest release till date, Kites, where he does what he does best, dance!! Yes, Hrithik plays a salsa dance instructor and the movie promises to be a treat for the eyes..
There are a few more releases lined up for this year. Like Priyanka Chopra and Harman Bhaweja starrer "Whats your rashee??" based on a popular gujju play and directed by the very talented Ashutosh Gowariker (who is lately oozing venom against just about everyone). And then there is the ever controversial Ram Gopal Verma's controversial "Rann" which shot to a controversial limelight for having controversially tweaked Jana Gana Mana!! Next is Kapoor Khandaan ka chirag Ranbir starring opposite the gorgeous Katrina Kaif in "Ajab prem ki gazab kahani" and not to forget, the once rocking Salman Khan's very own "Veer" and "Main aur Mrs.Khanna"
There are many, many more small time releases too but not sure if they are all worthy of mention. That irrespective, I solemnly swear I'll watch as many films as I can and whenever possible!! Cheers... :)
Monday, May 25, 2009
The rains and I..
With the onset of the rains, the weather of the once Pensioner’s Paradise aka Bangalore has taken a pleasant break from the oppressive summer heat. The mornings now are chilly, afternoons cloudy, evenings windy and nights rainy.
As I entered the excessively air conditioned ODC here in office today morning, I could not help but let out a sigh!! I’m not exactly a sentimentalist but somehow the lovely weather outside forced me to think of something interesting I’d do, rather than unit testing some code here. How awesome it would be to cuddle in a bean bag with a mug of hot chocolate and a good novel while it pours thus, to look out of the window and see the dripping rain water, to watch the trees and plants get fresh and alive from the rain bath, to stand at the door step and feel the splash of rain water on my feet, to feel the mist of rain against my face and the soothing earthy smell that lingers when it rains, to have a thoroughly intellectual discussion on some profound topic with a polymath of sorts and may be even feel at peace with the world!! Lol…
Another thing is that I actually love the rains, in the sense I like playing in the rain. I just need an excuse to dash out when it pours and not return till I’m soaked to the bone!! And that is precisely why I did not need to be asked twice about going for a walk around the Wipro campus while it rained cats and dogs, on the day before yesterday with a friend. We were thoroughly drenched in less than two minutes and what more, my friend went around stopping the people hurrying for cover to slow down and enjoy the downpour. They did look at us like we were some freaks but were decent enough to just smile back and head for cover. Jumping into puddles and splashing the rain water was more fun, given that we were already dripping wet and the water puddles within the campus was clean and not muddy. After about 20 minutes of pure bliss, free of cost I must add, it was time to get into the bus and head homewards. The fun did not end there; we sat in the last seat, yelping every time the bus hit a bumpy patch, giggling when our teeth chattered and last but not the least, playing old hindi sentimental hits like O Saathi Re and all that. The others in our bus (frowning uncles and pouting aunties) are used to such behavior on our part though its not like we would be bothered to stop if at all anyone took offense. Somehow, the weather, the rains and the songs, it was all very becoming!! And that made it worthwhile. While I spoke to my friend later that night, he instantly agreed with me that we should do this fun-in-the-rain thingy again.
This was 2-3 days back now and I must say I have tucked it in as a lovely memory. I probably have a glossed look on my face while composing this blog, given that I’ve been thinking of that day and the rains and the lovely weather today which is just like how it was then and hold on, did someone just say A RAIN DANCE PARTY?????
As I entered the excessively air conditioned ODC here in office today morning, I could not help but let out a sigh!! I’m not exactly a sentimentalist but somehow the lovely weather outside forced me to think of something interesting I’d do, rather than unit testing some code here. How awesome it would be to cuddle in a bean bag with a mug of hot chocolate and a good novel while it pours thus, to look out of the window and see the dripping rain water, to watch the trees and plants get fresh and alive from the rain bath, to stand at the door step and feel the splash of rain water on my feet, to feel the mist of rain against my face and the soothing earthy smell that lingers when it rains, to have a thoroughly intellectual discussion on some profound topic with a polymath of sorts and may be even feel at peace with the world!! Lol…
Another thing is that I actually love the rains, in the sense I like playing in the rain. I just need an excuse to dash out when it pours and not return till I’m soaked to the bone!! And that is precisely why I did not need to be asked twice about going for a walk around the Wipro campus while it rained cats and dogs, on the day before yesterday with a friend. We were thoroughly drenched in less than two minutes and what more, my friend went around stopping the people hurrying for cover to slow down and enjoy the downpour. They did look at us like we were some freaks but were decent enough to just smile back and head for cover. Jumping into puddles and splashing the rain water was more fun, given that we were already dripping wet and the water puddles within the campus was clean and not muddy. After about 20 minutes of pure bliss, free of cost I must add, it was time to get into the bus and head homewards. The fun did not end there; we sat in the last seat, yelping every time the bus hit a bumpy patch, giggling when our teeth chattered and last but not the least, playing old hindi sentimental hits like O Saathi Re and all that. The others in our bus (frowning uncles and pouting aunties) are used to such behavior on our part though its not like we would be bothered to stop if at all anyone took offense. Somehow, the weather, the rains and the songs, it was all very becoming!! And that made it worthwhile. While I spoke to my friend later that night, he instantly agreed with me that we should do this fun-in-the-rain thingy again.
This was 2-3 days back now and I must say I have tucked it in as a lovely memory. I probably have a glossed look on my face while composing this blog, given that I’ve been thinking of that day and the rains and the lovely weather today which is just like how it was then and hold on, did someone just say A RAIN DANCE PARTY?????
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Living up "Atlas Shrugged"
I read Ayn Rand’s magnum opus “Atlas Shrugged” during my final year at college and I have been reading it over and over again, ever since. I’m sure everyone who has read the book faced that “swept off your feet” feeling and I’m no different.
What struck me the most was the way we can relate the on goings around us to the instances depicted in the book. It is as if, we are living the story of the book. And there are various instances around us to enunciate that!!
“Businessmen needing good Washington connections” –
This is well portrayed by the Ambani brothers. While Mukesh Ambani frequently has many a rendezvous with CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, his arch-rival and brother Anil Ambani is known to be particularly close to Samajwadi Party honcho Amar Singh.
“Nat Taggart was issued a notice by a local senator to shelf his transcontinental project” –
Ratan Tata and his Nano project received the exact treatment from the West Bengal government, kudos to the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Bannerjee. But of course, West Bengal’s loss became Gujarat’s gain. Narendra Modi has to be commended for striking gold at the right time. Ashok Kheny’s NICE project and Deve Gowda's subsequent road blocks against the infrastructural development is yet another example.
“The concept of a person’s need being glorified irrespective whether he toils to achieve it” –
The best example for this is something we have been witnessing for over decades in our country now; the reservation policy in our country!! With the passing years, the situation is only deteriorating rather bring about the desired progress. The Constitution, as originally drafted, laid down a percentage of reservation in the public sector for selected backward classes that were historically oppressed and denied opportunity, for a period of ten years, after which the situation was to be reviewed. This period was routinely (and conveniently) extended by our politicos and the idea which was supposed to be for a noble cause has been thoroughly exploited for vote banks with their “vote your caste” mantra, and no revisions were undertaken. A minister can claim “backward” status and benefit from the policy while a starving farmer, ignorant of the opportunity, continues to starve. Azim Premji, Narayan Murthy and their kind have no takers; be it their opposition over expanding reservation, or their idea of having reservation based on economic status.
I’m sure many more instances of this sort can be listed but there is no purpose served by listing out our issues and lamenting. We need to begin the change, to think and to act. I’m loathe to think of what would happen to our country, if God forbid, our very own Atlases choose to shrug. Viewing the situation around, I do wonder if we are heading the John Galt way!!
What struck me the most was the way we can relate the on goings around us to the instances depicted in the book. It is as if, we are living the story of the book. And there are various instances around us to enunciate that!!
“Businessmen needing good Washington connections” –
This is well portrayed by the Ambani brothers. While Mukesh Ambani frequently has many a rendezvous with CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, his arch-rival and brother Anil Ambani is known to be particularly close to Samajwadi Party honcho Amar Singh.
“Nat Taggart was issued a notice by a local senator to shelf his transcontinental project” –
Ratan Tata and his Nano project received the exact treatment from the West Bengal government, kudos to the Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Bannerjee. But of course, West Bengal’s loss became Gujarat’s gain. Narendra Modi has to be commended for striking gold at the right time. Ashok Kheny’s NICE project and Deve Gowda's subsequent road blocks against the infrastructural development is yet another example.
“The concept of a person’s need being glorified irrespective whether he toils to achieve it” –
The best example for this is something we have been witnessing for over decades in our country now; the reservation policy in our country!! With the passing years, the situation is only deteriorating rather bring about the desired progress. The Constitution, as originally drafted, laid down a percentage of reservation in the public sector for selected backward classes that were historically oppressed and denied opportunity, for a period of ten years, after which the situation was to be reviewed. This period was routinely (and conveniently) extended by our politicos and the idea which was supposed to be for a noble cause has been thoroughly exploited for vote banks with their “vote your caste” mantra, and no revisions were undertaken. A minister can claim “backward” status and benefit from the policy while a starving farmer, ignorant of the opportunity, continues to starve. Azim Premji, Narayan Murthy and their kind have no takers; be it their opposition over expanding reservation, or their idea of having reservation based on economic status.
I’m sure many more instances of this sort can be listed but there is no purpose served by listing out our issues and lamenting. We need to begin the change, to think and to act. I’m loathe to think of what would happen to our country, if God forbid, our very own Atlases choose to shrug. Viewing the situation around, I do wonder if we are heading the John Galt way!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
