Shweta Rohira

GIVING AND LIVING

2011-10-04T03:45:00.000-07:00

A story that i came across and want to share with you all " A STORY OF GIVING AND LIVING" A story of a rich Goan landlord who once asked his parish priest - " why does everybody call me stingy when everyone knows that when i die i will leave everything that i have to this church?" the priest said; there was once a pig and a cow in this village. this puzzled the pig. the pig said to the cow, people speak warmly of your good nature and your helpful attitude. they think you are genrous because each day you give them milk, butter and cheese. but what about me? i give them everything i have, i give them the famous goa sausages, bacon and ham. i also provide ingredientsfor sorpotel yet no one likes me. why is that? the priest continued ' do you know what the cow answered? the cow said "perhaps its because i give while i am still living"

MUSIC FOR SOUL

2011-03-27T13:33:00.000-07:00

Music has a healing touch, music is used for relaxation, stress
reduction, pain relief and tapping into one soul. There are variety of
instruments or sounds that can be used for making music a window to
our soul.

So what makes this music “healing music?” or “music for our soul”

Music has a way of stirring our innermost feelings and all our five
senses, it helps us in tapping our inner most potential. Music is a
universal language that has the ability to speak to us deeply and
uniquely.

If you've paid much attention to how you respond to a variety of
music, you may have noticed that some music seems to energize you,
some music can move us to deep pain, or spark a special memory of a
time, place, or a relationship. Some music seems to make you relax,
feel less stressed, and feel happier. And some music fills us with
deep spiritual fulfillment.

Let’s take the movie “Mughal – E – Azam” which has a gorgeous love
theme, the melodious music penetrates to us throughout the movie, and
throughout ourselves with its bitter sweetness, generating the beauty
of love and the tragedy of two lovers and the loss of their love.
Another legendary movie “Gumnaam” wouldnt be the same without its
daunting, low, repetitive sounds that makes you sit on the edge of
your seat waiting for someone to attack from somewhere.

One aspect of “healing” music is to stir our feelings, to help us deal
with our negative emotions like, grief, sadness, anger or other
feelings. By allowing ourselves to feel those feelings, the intensity
will eventually lessen and get released, resulting in us being healed.
When we avoid our feelings within us, whether we are aware of them or
not this is one of the wonderful ways music can be incredibly healing.

When you walk down to a mall, you will see a lot of instrumental Cd’s
how can these instrumental Cd’s be used. They are the best way of
relaxation whether we are aware of it or not, music that's relaxing
tends to slow down our heart rates to about one beat per second. If
we're feeling stressful, angry, anxious, or irritable, our heart rates
tend to increase. Music can actually help our heart rates slow down to
a more relaxing pace, changing our physiology. This phenomenon is what
can help me fall asleep more easily. It's what is found with mainly
meditation tapes or other instrumental music.

There is an unlimited ocean of combination of different music how does
one decide which music is made for their soul. As soul is unique of
each of us it is only we who can truly know which music stirs up our
energy and helps us to heal and balance ourselves. Whenever you listen
to a particular beat or a song and you feel each and every cell of
your body filling with ecstasy that beat or music is your music for
soul.

Papa i want you

2010-08-07T12:35:00.000-07:00

If i could have a lifetime wish

A dream that would come true

I'd pray to god with all my heart for yesterday and you.

a thousand words cant bring you back

I know because i have tried

and neither will a million tears.

I know because i have cried

You left behind my broken heart and happy memories too

I never wanted memories

I only wanted you..........

DAMAGE CONTROL

2009-04-14T01:26:00.000-07:00

Although the ring of money on the box office is fainter than ever before, the seasoned players of Bollywood are finding recession an event they believe should come once in a while!! Surprised? Don’t be! The current slowdown is being seen as a reality check in Bollywood which was long overdue. The world’s second largest film industry is now looking at a more realistic environment, thus making film production cheaper.The current economic outlook has brought some sanity in production budgets, say film industry veterans. Movie making is set to be cheaper by around 30 per cent this year as most of the actors are expected to take a cut in fees or striking innovative pricing deals with their producers which are more variabalised, linked to the outcome of the movie. With the future looking gloomy, producers are now looking at paying a reduced upfront fee or fixed fee to actors. Instead, they will be a given a share in the profits made by the film, as this will lead to 30-40 per cent cut in the fixed fees of all bankable actors,” There are unconfirmed reports that Bollywood actors such as Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan have recently entered into such revenue-sharing arrangements with their producers.A majority of the films made in this year will hit the box office in 2010.In the past few years, the euphoria had led to a overall escalation of costs beyond logical realms. Production, acquisition of talent, and salary costs had shot through the roof defying the logic of return on investment. Stars that were being paid above Rs 20 crore for a movie are now willing to take a 50 per cent cut in their fixed fee.Around 30-40 per cent of planned Bollywood films will not take off this year due to tightening of budgets by corporations, banks and other players, Even if these movies are made, they may not be released as the marketing costs of a movie are on the same lines of producing a movie. Considering that we have double the output of films as compared to Hollywood in a recession time one will have to just wait and watch how low financially the industry will be hit.

BEAUTY - FULL HORROR

2009-03-27T04:42:00.000-07:00

It all started with Urmila Matondkar playing a housewife possessed by a spirit in Ram Gopal Varma's Bhoot. Since then, playing Ghosts has become an interesting act for our Bollywood actresses. The new age Bollywood horror cinema is moving away from blood & gore and towards good performance & better cinematography to create world class spooky effects. But when we talk of horror films, one name which was synonym with this genre is the Ramsays. Much before Ram Gopal Varmas of the industry, entire generations have grown up getting a gory kick from the Ramsay thrillers. They had an undisputed monopoly in Bollywood when it came to scary flicks. The Ramsay brothers domination was nearly total. When most of the film makers were reluctant of making a horror movie, the Ramsays kept churning out the creepy ‘omelette variety of ghost capers' from their production house year after year. From 'Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neechey', 'Darwaza', 'Hotel', 'Purana Mandir' to the only 3D horror film till date – 'Saamri', their quest for chills was incessant. From fear-provoking loonies trying to scare us, to some of the hottest actresses, doing their bit to build a hair-raising experience, bollywood has come a long way. Be it Urmila Matondkar in Bhoot, Vidya Balan in Bhool Bhulaiya, Adah Sharma in 1920 or Kangana Ranaut in Raaz - The Mystery Continues, the face of ghosts in Bollywood movies has certainly evolved. Maybe the hunks will feel left behind soon and start vying for the bhooth slot!!

E(xams) +E(lections) + I(PL) - BOLLYWOOD = March x April

2009-03-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

The exam fever is on!!! Students from class 10 and 12 are bending their backs to prepare for the upcoming board exams. Bollywood too seems to be in exam mode,not wanting to take a chance in these testing times, with very few films releasing and no big-budget film is on the board."March has historically been a lean month. Seldom have big budget movies been released this month. This year, there aren't too many films expected next month too. Distributors are said to be wary of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the forthcoming elections lined up so close to the exam season. The lean season just got leaner!!The current tussle over revenue sharing is not helping the cause. On one side distributors are crying hoarse and on the other the exhibitors (multiplexes) are sticking to their perspective. “The multiplexes are not willing to accept rationalised terms for all films in India like in the rest of the world. In the light of this, the producers-distributors have decided not to market or release any new film set to release April onwards and with the elections and IPL coming, it is going to be tough for theatres”.Amidst all this, last Friday saw the release of three movies -- 13B, Karma Aur Holi and Dhoondte Reh Jaoge. The initial reports are not very encouraging with the response at the ticket counters being lackluster. This trend is expected to continue with the other releases this month. Most of them will have footfalls only in single-screens. The only movie with some hope is 'Aa Dekhen Zara' that has Bipasha Basu in the lead.The industry graph has already taken a dive this year with big budget projects like Chandni Chowk to China, Billu and Delhi-6 tanking on the box-office. Raaz - The Mystery Continues and Dev D have proved once again the unpredictable nature of audience response with their above expectation collections.The films slated for release in March include Gulal, Jai Veeru, Aloo Chat, Firaaq, Ek -- The Power of One, Khalbali -- Fun Unlimited, Barah Anna and Sikandar. But none of these movies have created a hype nor they have got an excellent music response.It looks like the film industry and distributors will have to wait until May for any good omens. Vishal Bhardwaj's Kaminay is tentatively set to release around that period and could be the turning point of the industry’s fortunes. Lets hope that Priyanka Chopra in a de-glam avatar and Shahid Kapir in a double role can do what Chinese, kabotars and barbers could not do!

PIRATES OF ENTERTAINMENT

2009-03-07T01:44:00.000-08:00

We have seen Rajnikant at his invincible best in more movies than we can remember. he dodges knives, bites bullets in his mouth, walks out of blasts unscathed, is pushed from mountain tops and he just dusts his trousers and is back again. Try as they might, they just can't get the better of him.
It seems the Indian piracy industry has taken a few lessons from Rajnikant. Bollywood has met its' nemesis in the Rs 50 pirated DVDs, available freely at bakdas (wooden stalls) at railway stations, market corners and pavement stalls across the country. As if that was not bad enough, the pirates have gone beyond borders with their wares getting stacked up in the Indian – run grocery stores overseas.
According to a trade source, "Every Thursday one can get an un released Bollywood film title along with the last four big releases on a pirated video DVD at Mumbai's Crawford Market, Chennai Burma Bazaar, New Delhi's Palika Bazar and many other grey markets across the country.''
No wonder brands like Moser Baer (who sell official DVDs and VCDs of Bollywood titles for as little as Rs 99 and Rs 49) still suffer losses. It is estimated that 25-30% of theatre and home video Bollywood revenues are lost to piracy each year, thanks to the video pirate whose network is so well-oiled.
Sporadic raids, are conducted in Mumbai on and off - where pirated videos worth Rs 1 crore (approx) are recovered, are relatively few and far in between. The industry would ideally like volcano eruption of such raids to make the piracy model unworkable.
While pegging a figure on the actual amount of money lost to piracy maybe be impossible, according to veteran industry sources, Bollywood loses almost Rs 1500 crore to piracy every year.''
And if you thought the target segment for the piracy was limited to those who find the theatre tickets un affordable, think again. Nor is it that the pirated products have a urban penetration alone.
Bollywood can bring down the percentage of flops by at least 50% if piracy, be it in the form of VDC's, DVD's or internet downloads, is controlled.''
Maybe we can call our own Rajni to fight this battle for us!!

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT FUTURE HOLDS FOR YOU

2009-03-01T11:55:00.000-08:00

There were two best of friends. One of them was hare and the other was crow. Though they were best of friends they were very different from each other. But they always complimented each other. Everyone would admire their friendship. Hare was named Hari and crow was named Kalua. Every day Kalua and Hari would spend their most of the free time together. They would have race among themselves or they would just sit and chit chat. Both were fun loving people. Days were going by one day Hari noticed Kalua was very lost and he realized past few days Kalua would be very lost would be in his own world. Hari felt there was something that was bothering Kalua. Hari when got up in the morning thought that he would go ahead and talk to Kalua today and ask him what the matter was. He asked Kalua to meet him in the evening and both went near the lake. It was around evening. Hari first started with his talks about how his day had past and how he had played pranks on everyone. Then after a while he asked Kalua what the matter was and what is happening with him. Kalua hesitated in the beginning but then let his heart out. Kalua could only tell his feelings to Hari. Kalua told him that he had fallen in love with a tortoise and her name was torty. He told him that he had fallen in love with her walk so slowly so cutely she walks. She always has her head down, the way she blushes and smiles when someone talks, even after having something so heavy on her she never cribs. He told Hari that he had fallen in love with everything about her. Hari was happy for Kalua but was confused that was the problem then so he there and there asked what was the problem then and why is he so worried. Kalua then replied the problem is that I am dark people make fun of my color, people make fun of my voice how can I even think of talking to her so I have decided I will let my feelings be with myself and I will never approach her even to be my friend because what if she rejects. Hari asked Kalua so what if she rejects then at least you tried. Kalua tells Hari that I can live with just admiring her but cannot live with her rejection. Hari at that point just smiles and says you never now what future holds for you my dear friend. They both leave the next day Kalua is sitting down near the tree and looking at torty when she just walks to him and says hi Kalua I have been looking at you since many days and I would love to be your friend would you be mine? Kalua is shocked and this is an opportunity he wouldn’t want to miss he tells torty yes and they both go for a date. Hari is standing beside Kalua when all this happens and is just smiling and thinking to himself like I said you never know what future holds for you.

WHAT'S THE BIG HUE AND CRY ABOUT?

2009-02-24T00:49:00.000-08:00

A leading newspaper recently carried a story that left me amazed. It was a postmortem of how a white director brought the vision of an indian author on global celluloid.Sanjay Gupta (maker of films like Shootout and Kaante), who read Vikas Swarup's book Q&A as soon as it was written in 2005, liked it and decided to make a film based on it. Unfortunately the rights by then had already been sold to the makers of Slumdog.I agreed with Gupta when he stated that this was one of the "biggest losses" of his Bollywood career . But then he went overboard with his victemisque avtaar... "Making the film is one thing and marketing it is another. In Bollywood, we don't have a 20th Century Fox supporting our films, neither do we have the kind of finances they have". I beg to differ on this and I base this on the evolving maturity that Bollywood has witnessed in recent times. We see Indian production houses forging tie ups with global media and entertainment powers corps. Roadside Romeo was backed by Disney, Chandni Chowk to China was made and financed by Warner Bros. (the fact that it was not appreciated is besides the point. Even with 450 galis it made 45 crores in first week).It takes more than the backing of international production houses to make a global success story. Lagaan , TZP. Have proved this maximum. The fact that Boyle's production house Film 4 had "optioned the book" one year before it was even published was the clincher. It shows a finer ear to the ground for opportunities than just financial muscle. Or it could be the 'at the right place at the right time' factor that swung Slumdog into the Boyle kitty.Either ways, its not the end of the world, I hope bollywood becomes more alert in spotting good works of literature rather than crying on spilt milk.

KALUWA AND DALE

2009-02-17T06:14:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was a village called Rampur. The village was facing a famine; it was dry as there was scarcity of water since months. There was no water to grow crops; there was no water for people to live. Thus, everyone left the village and shifted to nearby villages. Otherwise Rampur was once known as the most beautiful village. A village of dreams, it had strong brown hills, beautiful river flowing across it and greenery all over. It was a place like heaven but due to the famine it had become like hell.

But be it heaven or hell there are always couples everywhere. Even here there was a couple, a male crow Kaluwa and a female crow named dale. Kaluwa had got her to Rampur as when he had come here months back he was astonished looking at the place and had decided that he would get his first date to Rampur and so he brought her here. But then when he reached here he was shocked to see the place it didn’t look the same it was totally deserted and was wondering what to do. He couldn’t even tell Dale lets go to another place. He was sad for a while but then took a positive approach to it. He thought that this was a good place for their date as there was no one to disturb them and they could be together.

Things were going well it was a sunny day and it was extremely hot. Kaluwa and Dale were enjoying the date when Dale said that she was extremely thirsty and needed water to drink. She said it was the matter of life and death. Kaluwa didn’t know what to do as there was no water around in Rampur and he couldn’t even say no to Dale as it was their first date and she was asking only for water.
Kaluwa searched the whole of Rampur but he couldn’t find water anywhere. Just then when he was getting upset and coming back to Dale he saw a small jar which was half filled with water. He tried tasting the water to see if it is pure and fit to give dale to drink but he couldn’t. He was all upset and thinking what to do to get the water up to the brim for Dale to drink. Then he got an idea of throwing something in the water so that the water level rises.

He saw pebbles all around but he wanted to put something in the jar that was as pure as his love. When he was searching around the place he saw a pearl necklace and he thought why not break the necklace and put the pearls in the jar and what can be more pure than pearls. He put all of them in the jar and then the water came up to the brim that they could drink it.
Then Kaluwa and Dale drank the water and Dale fell all the more in love with him.

BEAUTY KICKS THE BEAST

2009-02-11T03:02:00.000-08:00

Beauty Kicks the Beast Flexing muscles, swinging a sword or jumping from one building to another is no longer the strong suit for heroes. They are facing a tough challenge from the Bollywood actresses who are increasingly embracing action-oriented roles. And what an aesthetic sight it is to watch the beauties take on the beasts Heroines are no longer satisfied with just dancing around trees or singing in the rain. Be it Aishwarya Rai, Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu, or Katrina Kaif , all are in a bid to compete with action heroes on their turf. "The trend of more heroines taking up action roles itself shows that with the progression of the Hindi film industry, women are wanting to go beyond being a beautiful furniture in the frame" Seema Biswas wielded revolvers in "Bandit Queen", a film-based on dacoit Phoolan Devi, Sushmita Sen gave an action packed performance in "Samay" and Esha Deol's and Aishwarya's racy acts proved a crowd puller for "Dhoom" and "Dhoom 2" respectively. Similarly Priyanka had some action scenes in "Krrish" kicked some real butt in "Drona" and when on to display some macho martial arts in the Don remake; Soha Ali Khan had some action packed scenes in "Khoya Khoya Chand", and kareena added the swowd to the oomph in the Shah Rukh- Kareena starrer Asoka. The list goes on, the theme remains the same. Life always comes in full circle. And so do trends. If you think Bollywood babes' daring deeds are only a recent development, think again! Way back in the 30s when Hindi cinema was just still in its nascent stages, the Australian born actress Nadia graduated from a circus girl to being Bollywood's first actress who could fight the baddies all by herself and convincingly so. She was best known for portraying the masked, cloaked adventuress Hunterwali in 1935. Her movie titles itself gives a clear indication of what her films were like - Hurricane Hansa, Pahadi Kanya, Lady Robinhood, Toofani Tirandaz, Stunt Queen and Tigress to name a few. Looks like the Hunterwali days are back. Our current crop of actresses could give the Fearless Nadia some lessons in bringing feminine grace to cinematic action. These women need no hunky heroes to protect them, they can do it themselves, in style!

MORAL OF THE STORY

2009-02-06T10:01:00.000-08:00

WHERE IT HEADS: - Has Adam Sandler been defanged? "Bedtime Stories" is his first family-friendly comedy, not to mention his first for the Disney banner. But if Sandler can startle us in a dark, obsessive role like "Punch-Drunk Love," he can surprise us here, too. In a modern-day fairy tale about hopes, aspirations and family. The story line is Disney to the core: Skeeter is an underappreciated figure that - like Cinderella - has been misjudged by close relations, then gets a big chance to ascend the social and economic ladder. The stage is then set for a series of wild, mildly amusing and utterly implausible events - including, of course, love. Sandler is playing his usual underachiever, though a tad less angry and a bit more wistful than his raunchier characters. His dad once ran a motel in Hollywood. Alas, he was forced to sell to a germ phobic hotelier. His son now works as a handyman at the high-rise luxury hotel that occupies the spot.When his sister loses her job as a school principal, she pages her brother to share baby-sitting chores with a friend while she goes on a job interview out of state. Having been strangely estranged from his niece and nephew, his only child-minding skill resides in an ability to spin bedtime stories.These are particularly memorable since Sandler channels his career angst into these tales. They range from a medieval castle to the Old West and outer space, but the theme of the peasant who would be a prince is ever present. The hero strives to get a better job and win over a maiden, always besting an opponent that looks suspiciously like the hotel's obsequious manger.Soon the children are contributing to and even editing his stories. (They prefer happy endings.) Then, weirdly, the stories start coming true in real life. Or at least parts of them do. Now if Sandler could just figure out how this happens.
THE RIGHT: - There is one great Sandler moment, when he makes a desperate bid to evoke laughs from the unamused kids, by eating a toothpaste sandwich that comes with the automatic added bonus of not having to brush your teeth afterward. And a trained guinea pig, who plays the children's pet, is the go-to guy for all kinds of silly laughs.
THE WRONG: - But I'll pass on the Cinderella part, where in place of those magical shoes, Skeeter seems to be promising to keep lovingly sticking around 'like the stink on your feet.' Nose clips, please this line could be put in an emotional way.
WHERE SHOULD YOU HEAD: - The overall feeling engendered by "Bedtime Stories" is exactly that -- a story long on imagination and short on logic that brings on smiles and dreams of sugar plums dancing in the head. It winks nicely at parents and smiles broadly to children.

VICTORY - NO CHANCE

2009-02-01T12:47:00.000-08:00

WHERE IT HEADS: - 'Victory' is the story of a father, Ram Shekhawat (Anupam Kher), who saw such an impossible dream for his son! This is also the heroic story of his son Vijay Shekhawat (Harman Baweja) from the small town of Jaisalmer, Vijay Shekhawat becomes India's latest world-class batting sensation and is catapulted to superstardom!
Vijay Shekhawat manages to make it to the team after seven years of struggling. But with these 'good times' comes a sour apple in the form of team manager Andy Singh (Gulshan Grover), under whose influence Vijay goes off track. Name and fame goes to his head, Shekhawat is no longer the simple guy he used to be. Now described as overconfident and immodest, even his father Ram (Anupam Kher), friend Nandini (Amrita Rao) don't think highly of him...
By the time Vijay realizes the error of his ways, it is too late and he finds himself thrown out of the Indian cricket team because of disciplinary reasons. Suddenly the hero of the cricket crazy India becomes a villain in everyone's eyes. His father Ram Shekhawat's dreams are shattered and suffer a paralytic stroke.
Though there are zillion people who love cricket and movies based on cricket as a main theme; there's little doubt that the 'stadium' of masses won't be too impressed with this bat-n-ball fare.
THE RIGHT: - Amrita Rao helps in enhancing the commercial factor... with her ishq vishq pyar-vyar, and among the superfluity of great cricketers, Brett Lee, Sanath Jayasuriya and Ajantha Mendes have screen presence... A flawless performance by Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover though.
THE WRONG: - Harman Baweja looks amateurish performing as a cricketer on the grounds. Perhaps, watching at least couple of real matches could've got him the psychological feel of emotions displayed on the grounds. Though predictable, one would think that Mr. Director would handle a subject such as this one differently, in order to give it an edge and a unique presentation. Unfortunately, he does nothing conjure, and fails in his deliverance. If compared to the likes of other cricket films like 'Lagaan' or 'Iqbal', Victory falls short of anything as outstanding and lacks gleam.
WHERE TO HEAD: - With the resources at Victory's disposal, the movie had great potential, but the makers lost a match on a winning wicket and it is advised that in case you have bought a ticket for the movie then you should too loose it!

LOVED BY ALL

2009-01-31T06:43:00.000-08:00

WHERE DOES IT HEAD: - To a certain extent like Farah Khan (who made Om Shanti Om), Zoya Akhtar too draws upon her insight into the Hindi film industry and gives us a gem called Luck By Chance. This film is an insider's perspectives into Bollywood right from frame one. A ten on ten for the opening credits sequence, which takes you behind the arc lights and the glamour of showbiz. Followed by the credits come Sona (Konkana Sen) who arrives in Bombay with her dreams of becoming a film star. Wide eyed but ambitious, she does whatever it takes, to make it. She lives on her own in a rented residence - a luxury for most in this full of life city and spends her time with a diverse crew of loyal friends whose lives are also intertwined with Bollywood, each one in search of a bigger dream. Vikram (Farhan Akhtar) the protagonist has just moved to the City leaving the comforts of his parents Delhi Home. He is a mover, he is used to getting what he wants and is smart enough to know when to demand it and when to manipulate it. He is young and handsome, and full of promise. Sona begins to enjoy Vikram's attention and affections; they develop a romantic relationship. Rolly (Rishi Kapoor) is a successful though superstitious producer who only works with the biggest stars. He is making a prospective blockbuster launching the nubile Nikki, the 18-year-old daughter of 70's superstar, Neena (Dimple Kapadia). The hero of the film, Zaffar Khan (Hrithik Roshan), is Rolly's favorite superstar. He was launched by Rolly and went on to become a huge draw at the box office. The wheels of fate indeed continue to spin favorably for Vikram, as elsewhere in the industry, havoc spreads on the sets of producer Rolly's new film. Vikram is called in for an audition and uses this opportunity to the fullest. The film is about a slice of Bollywood life, in which luck plays a huge role. Luck By Chance is a current tale set in a world desperate to escape its own reality. THE RIGHT: - The highpoint of the film are its performances. There are some lovely little moments like the star daughter in a super short skin-tight outfit struggling to touch her producer's feet without splitting a closure. But what makes Luck By Chance compelling, is the layers beneath the laughs. Both Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen are complete naturals before the camera, just as Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia prove that vintage never does lose its flavour, does it! The taunts are gentle, the tone is warmhearted, yet firm. It shows that showbiz is a clinically cruel place. This is a world where fortunes change every Friday and as a dance director tells Sona, once you are successful, you belong to no one. This is a world in which privately, even a successful producer like Rolly weeps because a superstar whom he created, won't return his calls.But most importantly, the characters are completely real: lively and flawed, even as the end is bracing

THE WRONG There are parts of Luck by Chance that may not translate to outsiders and in long stretches, the film gets slow and clunky. But, you've got to cruise along patiently, since success and self-identity are things that cannot be attained in a split second. Not in reel or real life.

WHERE TO HEAD: - Watch Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen grow from nobody to somebody in an industry which is harsh, brutal, nasty and non-compromising, and you are sure to get your paisa vasool

BACK TO SQUARE ONE

2009-01-22T07:26:00.000-08:00

“The rein of fear”. No, it is not a new Hollywood caper, it is what 2008 will be remembered as, if at all. While our country was attacked in a blatant and brutal manner, the story of fear within the film industry started much earlier, and that too cloaked in the corporate garb. It was like a alien attack from Mars on the unsuspecting mortals of bollywood. The corporate tentacles moved fast and ruthlessly without caring if any one was crushed or killed. The giants moved around with huge bags stuffed with what seemed to be like endless amounts of money, sharp teeth and a hunger which defied logic.
The hearts, souls and minds of a few stars were the first victim, their hefty demands the price for their loyalty. Money was literally thrown all over without knowing what they were doing, where their money was going and what their money would yield.
“There is a answer for need, but none for greed.”
Over time it was as if a industry which had so far run on passion had suddenly gone blind, lost its senses. Then fate stuck its first blow. Film after film met its doom at the box office. The industry was sent staggering.
As if that was not enough, the global recession, the biggest financial depression since 1929 raised its hood. It was as if a villain had adopted Shar Rukh Khans dialogue and was saying”Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost” The industry had no chance to wake up to the new challenges, effect some kind of damage control. Suddenly the giants were seen reeling and looking for cover. Soon the flow of money stopped and desperate heads of the corporate world were looking for ways out but it was too late. The end of 2008 almost saw the beginning of the end.
It was during this dark hour that two good films brought some light back into the industry. ‘Rab ne bana di jodi’ and ‘Gajini’ released towards the end of 2008 which were very big hits and gave the industry a new lease of life and some reason to rejoice
The worst though is still not behind us. The financial crunch is reaching critical proportions. A large number of films have stopped mid way. New films are not being launched, shooting schedules getting postponed.
It is said that there are some lessons for which one has to pay a price. The price of greed has been paid, hopefully the industry will remember the lesson for the future.

why do we greet with a namaste?

2009-01-05T04:17:00.000-08:00

Indians greet each other with “Namaste”. This welcoming is for all – people younger than us, of our own age, those older than us, friends and even strangers. There are five forms of formal traditional greeting enjoined in the shaastras of which “Namaskaaram” is one. It refers to paying homage as we do today when we greet each other with a namaste.

Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural principle or an act of worship. However there is much more to it than meets the eye. In Sanskrit “Namaha” literally is interpreted as ‘na ma” (not mine). It has a spiritual connotation of reducing one’s ego in the presence of another. The real meeting between people is the meeting of their minds. When we greet another, we do so with namaste, which means “may our minds meet”, it’s a form of extending love and humility. The spiritual meaning is even deeper. The life force, the holiness, the self or the lord in me is the same in all. Recognizing this oneness we salute the holiness in the person we meet. The gesture is often accompanied by words like “Ram Ram”; “Jai Shri Krishnna” ; “Hari Om” etc….indicating the recognition of this holiness.

When we know this significance; our greeting does not remain just a superficial gesture or word but paves the way for a deeper spiritual union with another in an atmosphere of love and respect.

Why Do People Blog?

2008-11-10T00:02:00.000-08:00

It is said, first there was a word and from it the world was bornIn the modern era, first there was the Internet and in that Blogs galore were born is more apt.A blog is the evolved version of a personal diary. Its a space where in a person can write anything, personal thoughts, articles, infotainment, general rambling or even venting out their frustrations at large.With no set format and the freedom to express, the blogger can use the written word in any manner they so choose.Blogging has become a booming new internet phenomenon for the writing community for many reasons. First of all, by definition, it offers writers freedom of speech in a published format for any viewer to read. Any thought, any emotion, any artistic piece can be posted within minutes giving a writer an immediate sense of gratification for their work.A blog promotes a sense that one's words are valuable and meaningful to viewers who often become loyal readers of some bloggers sites.Then there is also a financial angel to it. Especially if a blog attracts eyeballs, it also attracts advertisers willing to pay per click on their banners. Often blogging site offer it's blogger a percentage of this ad revenue.Blogs are a boon for people aspiring to take up serious writing in the future. They help such aspirants gain confidence in their writing skills. Consistent reader interest or viewer traffic to any page is like a proof of concept, an indication of the works potential.It is one thing to sit diligently, in solitude, typing away with perseverance and dedication, one's treasured novel or poem, believing one's work is great, but it is another when readers, people one does not know, actually take the time to read one's work, come back and read the posts regularly, and even take the time to leave a comment.This can do wonders for a writer's belief in their self and their dreams.Beyond the serious writers, a blogging site also offers a platform for people who just want to express their "voice". People who are passionate about something as use the blogs as a tool to get their message across the world.And finally, blogs with their infinite reach are a favourite as a free advertising vehicle. If you have something you are trying to promote on a limited budget, what better way to achieve this than to write a post. This instant reach does not cost the marketers a single penny!So, whatever be your trip in life, it pays to have a blog

GOD V/S BLACK MAGIC

2008-08-14T03:26:00.000-07:00

Magic is supposed to be the use of non visible forces to change the course of events. Some people say White magic is good and black magic is evil. Black magic seeks to do harm, while white magic seeks to hear. White magic is about life and black magic deals with death.The perception of Good and Evil in itself is so relative that all these opinions on good and bad magic end up being only that, subjective opinions.This paradoxical topic is getting.a large canvas this August in the form of two much awaited movies.The first is Phoonk, a story that revolves around an atheist, whose beliefs are challenged when his loved ones encounter strange unexplained forces. His rationale is unable to accept it but it is difficult to ignore these occurrences altogether. The other protagonist of Phoonk is a obsessed devotee whose faith in God is shaken by the traumatic events she has faced.Turn to the other extreme, God Tussi Great Ho has an angry Salman Khan cursing God for making his life miserable only to find, to his astonishment, God appearing before him in human form.Not only that, God endows him with all of his divine powers and challenges Salman to take on the big job and see if he can do it any better. Now it is to be seen if God has more power over the box office or will the devil blow the crowd towards phook.I am not sure about the movies but the box office battle of God v/s Evil will be worth watching

SINGH IS KINNG

2008-08-11T05:52:00.000-07:00

WHERE DOES IT HEAD: - Lakhan Singh aka Lucky (Sonu Sood) is the 'king' of the Australian underworld accompanied by his acquaintances (played by Javed Jaffrey, Neha Dhupia, Manoj Pahwa, Yashpal Sharma, Kamal Chopra and Sudhanshu Pande.) Far away, in a small village in Punjab, where Lucky was born, there exists someone more dishonorable than him - Happy Singh (Akshay Kumar). The village is fed up of his generosity of spirit, which has resulted in a number of hilariously ruinous situations. Out of desperation, they decide to send him to Australia to bring Lucky back to Punjab, as his disgraceful deeds were damaging their image in Australia. They plan this in order to keep Happy out of the village for some time. Happy The happy-go-lucky, taking his charge a bit too seriously, goes on board accompanied by his friend, Tony (Om Puri), who hates Happy for setting up all the plan.The high point of his journey is his when he by chance meets up with Sonia (Katrina Kaif) with whom he falls in love, but upon reaching his destination, things take an uncertain turn as he runs into a series of comic calamities, leaving him penniless. He is fortunate to find warmth, love and affection in an elderly lady (Kirron Kher) who helps him meet Lucky.In a bizarre turn of events, an attempt on Lucky's life is thwarted by a well-intentioned Happy who fights off the attackers by risking his own life. Following the hilarious dispute, Lucky lands up in hospital paralyzed, and Happy, unexpectedly, finds the tables turned on him when he is expected to assume the role of the new 'kinng'!The series of confusion; shocks and comic misunderstandings that ensure eventually result in deliverance and an accidental wedding!
THE RIGHT: - Akshay lights up the screen every time he comes on, it is an out and out Akshay film. Om Puri is seen in a good role and he compliments well with Akshay to give the best moments of “laughter”. The music is loud and vibrant. In true Sardar style and the characters, keeping the Sardar’s in mind. What's appealing is that every actor who is not a sardar carries off the get up so well that it's difficult to distinguish a real Sardar. Five on five to the costume designer who has added color in the movie to go with the vibrant community. Katrina Kaif and Neha Dhupia both offer excellent support in their own way to the film.
THE WRONG: - The first half skims through without a hitch. There are certain flaws that crop up in the second half; the loose editing of two songs, which appear abruptly between scenes and disappear as quickly, and a sub-plot, which could have been done without.
WHERE TO HEAD: - The North Indians are going to go “wah wah” over the new Kinng while the overseas market is sure to gather in a huge turnover. Thus go ahead and watch it as it is an out-and-out entertainer; guaranteed to bring on the laughs.

NONU AND DALU

2008-08-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

People called me keyboard but my husband called me Dalu. Today he is no longer there with me people called him laptop screen but I called him Nonu. But today his place is empty. I remember 5 years back when we both met it was love at first sight. I felt I got married when a chord connected me to him. He and I came alive together we complimented each other perfectly. In five years we never got separated we didn't even argue. In this five years we read beautiful mails together some were funny, some were romantic, some were happy while some were sad. We went through all the emotions. We visited many sites but at times he was burdened with a lot of junk files and I would pray those days that the junk should get cleared from his head as it would trouble him and I couldn't see him in pain. We even traveled far and wide. It would be fun to visit new places regularly. But the memories of my favorite place are Dubai as we had gone there for our honeymoon there. They say life has unexpected turns in the same fashion our beautiful life took unexpected turn when we met with an accident. I got saved but Nonu was hurt. I cried for two days as nobody came to check him he was just blank I knew he was in coma. I was very worried I prayed hard and then god sent our doctor whom people call as computer engineer but even after the necessary treatment Nonu was not completely alright all of a sudden he would start shivering and our master would say oh my god screen is flickering, I tried my best to tell him everything will be fine but he knew he would never be the same he would get sudden blackouts and I would not know what to do. Our doctor had regular visits at our house I would pray day and night I didn't want to loose him but I had learnt the divine has his own rules for us we are just puppets in his hand. Nonu knew that he would have to leave me soon and I would keep telling him what I will do after you I cannot even think of a life without you. He would keep saying that you will not be lonely. I would always think why he says like this did he think that I didn't love him so much that I would die without him. One day he had a sudden black out and then he didn't come back to life. A few days after his death I was sitting with my master and watching a programme on television with my master in that programme they spoke about good spirits becoming an angel and I knew then that my Nonu has become an angel. Suddenly I saw the doctor I wondered when Nonu is not there why is the doctor come again is there anyway that he can get my Nonu back but he himself said that Nonu can never come back what is it that he has got in that box. I heard the doctor saying "sir new screen" I cried to Nonu where are you Nonu how can you let me get attached to somebody else but then I softly heard a whisper saying that its me Nonu and I have chosen this new screen for you so that you are not left alone and he said that he will always be with me as my guiding angel. I replied to him saying that Nonu I don't think so I will be able to accept this new relationship but Nonu in his own way whispered I know Dalu but time is a big healer and I will live with peace in this new world only if I see you smile and for my sake you have to move ahead and tie the knot again. Before I could reply anything divine tied the knot between me and Knot it is now six months I love Raahil but no one can replace my love my feelings for Nonu

THE PARALLAX

2008-07-24T12:29:00.000-07:00

I see you in the distance,
I gaze at you everyday.
If only i had the courage to speak to you,
I wouldnt know what to say.

I see you in the corridor,
your arm grazes mine.
The thought you are so near,
sends shivers down my spine.

I see you with your friends,
and i know we' ll never be.
Thus my heart remains locked forever,
and you hold the key.

I see us walking on the beach
holding hand in hand,
feet sinking in the sand.
I know its just a dream
cause you are far out of reach.

KISMAT KONNECTION NEEDS KORRECTION

2008-07-20T01:12:00.000-07:00

WHERE DOES IT HEAD: - Raj (Shahid Kapoor) was numero uno in academics, sports, dramatics. But four years after winning the best-student-of-the-year trophy from his architectural college, but even after five years is still struggling to find that one big chance to showcase his determination.

It's almost as though some negative kismet (destiny) is following him around because whenever something fine is about to happen, it seems destined to fail.

Desperate to get rid of the bad phase in his life, Raj meets a eccentric oracle, Hasina Bano Jaan (Juhi Chawla). She tells him that soon his stars will change and make everything work in his goodwill; but for all this to happen, Raj has first to find his lucky charm and never let go of it. But she tells him no more, leaving Raj puzzled, trying to figure out what this charm could be.

Suddenly, his life seems to be on the right track. He's managed to impress top builder Sanjeev Gill [Om Puri] into giving him a high-status project. Priya [Vidya Balan] is a tough-decision taking girl with a heart of gold. She is an optimist who is intent on making the world a better.

Raj succeeds in persuading Priya that he's the one who can save her dearly loved Community Centre from destruction. And also opens her eyes to her philandering fiancé (Amit Verma).

Recall Aziz Mirza's movies. In practically all his films, the protagonist is aspiring to make it big in life. There's a constant struggle on both levels, personal and professional. Kismat Konnection is no different.

THE RIGHT: - The characters we watch on screen are significant and relatable, their problems are the type that we've either heard of or experienced ourselves or around us. The love story and the disagreement in the tale also comes across so genuine. Kismat Konnection is primarily a love story that viewers may have visited several times in the past, but let's not forget, romance can never ever go out of fashion. In this movie they have succeeded to an extent in presenting the highs and lows in a relationship with maturity. Pritam's music is ear-pleasing. 'Aai Paapi' and 'Bakhuda Tumhi Ho' are lingering compositions, while Ahmed Khan's choreography in the former takes your breath away. Himani Shivpuri is fantastic and her Punjabi accent will bring the house down. Vishal Malhotra is proficient. Manoj Bohra acts very well. It's a simple, feel-good fare that charms its way into your heart.

THE WRONG: - Its an NRI world of Raj Malhotra who lives in Canada, only among Batra, Gill and Mehras. Everyone speaks Hindi, even if the character is gora. You get the picture. There is only joylessness around here.

The film you may believe is about the rise of this boy, as he takes up tough loans for his first design assignment. All those portions are forgotten somewhere along as well. You then feel this film is probably about a mall coming up that will take away an old-age home. This is a premise from Aziz Mirza's Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman or even Lage Raho Munnabhai.

Kismat Konnection takes its own sweet time to reach the finale Besides, it gets slow-paced as well. But Mirza should've taken care in maintaining its pace and length in the second hour. The film could've easily done away with a number of scenes.
Yet, all said and done, Kismat Konnection is a film that makes you smile and that is its biggest triumph.

WHERE TO HEAD: - Kismat Konnection is a movie with a lot of confusion. So don't spoil your weekend; try your kismat by doing some thing better on the weekend.

PAPPU PAAS HOGAYA SAALA!!!

2008-07-06T23:13:00.000-07:00

WHERE DOES IT HEAD: - Would it be Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak once again was the question among the audience with the arrival of Jaane Tu…. Ya Jaane Na?. Its an another innocent love story in the offering minus with any unnecessary mush, hence going truly with present-day times. It’s just a simple story told differently. Jaane Tu is about a group of friends and their discovery of love. Jai (Imran) and aditi (Genelia) are part of the gang. Each friend represents a type. And yet, no one crouches down to stereotypes. They're all characters with believable shades of grey.
Their friends believe that Jai and Aditi are made for each other, even the parents know it, but Jai and Aditi believe they are just good friends, no more no less. When their parents bring up their marriage they realize everyone has misunderstood their friendship. They set out to find the perfect partner for the other, and that’s where the twist lies. They fall for different people and the inevitable follows or as they say in old Bollywood films “Ek Ladka Aur Ek Ladki Kabhi Dost Nahi Ho Sakte.”
THE RIGHT: The movie is set in the mold of Imtiaz Ali’s socha na tha. Jaane tu deals with the emotional turmoil of a young couple in a breezy, romantic and seemingly truthful manner told in narrative. The realization of love part between Imraan and Genelia is heart touching, their camaderie has some brilliant moments. For instance when Aditi’s Fiance kisses her and Jai is taken aback. The best part is that director Abbas Tyrewalla gives ample scope to all his characters. All the friends have well sketched out parts, there is no overlapping of characters and the screenplay offers enough situations to keep the events of on a high. Scenes between Ratna Pathak Shah, and Nasiruddin Shah (talking from the portait) are hilarious. Arbaaz and Sohail khan’s guest appearance comes with a punch and adds zing to the film. Prateik Babbar is impressive in a small but interesting role. Manjari phadnis deserves a special mention. Imran has been presented like a boy next door and that adds to his appeal. The role fits him sop perfectly hat he breeze through it and Genelia with her spontaneity oozes her charm.
THE WRONG: The first half of the film could have done with better pace as at times the tempo drips but the movie is fantastic overall.
WHERE TO HEAD: Jaane Tu is a must watch for all romantics out there. Its sparkling, refreshing and entertaining. And a tip that it could be an eye opener for many ;-)

KUNAL KOHLI WITH HIS TOHLI

2008-06-29T19:47:00.000-07:00

WHERE DOES IT HEAD: - Thoda Pyaar Thoda Maig makes you nostalgic. It takes you back to the light-hearted, cheerful, feel-good cinema made by directors of caliber like Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It is a movie that puts a smile on your face even if you walked in with a puckered brow. It is a perfect film, so what if it is made from extracts from movies like Mary Poppins, The Sound Of Music and Enchanted. Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic may not be the most unique script, but the sweet and tender moments in this venture raise it to a watchable status. To put a long story short, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is a simple story, well told.
Ranbeer [Saif Ali Khan], a leading entrepreneur, is a loner, not by choice, but because he lost everyone he ever loved. He is now faced with an uncomfortable situation. In a rare and marker court verdict, he is to look after four orphan children Vasisht, Avantika, Aditi and Iqbal. The orphans hate him and want to settle of scores from him. The children do not want to live with a man they hate; he too cannot face them for certain reasons. Their life together is very gloomy. One day, the kids pray to God (Rishi Kapoor), who has the toughest task of all... He needs to make humans learn to live happily ever, just like the fairy tale for help and He does help them. He sends his most playful, childlike, lovable, endearing angel to the rescue, with a task to bring Ranbeer and the kids together. Geeta [Rani Mukherjee] who is the angel comes bicycling down a rainbow... and bursts into Ranbeer's house as the self-proclaimed new nanny and then starts the roller coaster ride of entertaining, emotions, magic and love. It’s a story of an angel who doesn't know what love is, a man who always lost love and four orphans who need love. So its all about love (little love, little magic)
THE RIGHT: - It is filmed in bright, saturated colors with skillfully integrated effects and animated accompaniments, Kunal Kohli’s enjoyable family comedy. Has a enthusiasm and optimism that trump the expectedness of its story. Though feather-light, it manages to engage some substantial matters: the Indian family and nation building. In a musical number set in a museum the angel makes history come alive, showing the kids that India’s past is overture to its great future. And, the film gives the impression to say, that future will be built on strong families. When the businessman dashes a big deal in Los Angeles to guard the children, he becomes stronger and more human. It's the second hour that takes the film to a different level. How Saif bonds with each of them and the turning point, an incident that makes the kids see Saif differently, is simply excellent.
THE WRONG: - it’s a pleasure to watch Rani in a role that does justice to her talent. She's lovable but why is she sporting the same outfit throughout? Ameesha’s character is a stinging point, mainly because her character looks like an add-on as the film could do equally well without her character. Ten minutes into the movie and you know what's up next for the suave biz tycoon Ranbeer Talwar (Saif Ali Khan), who walks out of award ceremonies (of course, with awards) even before his name is actually called out for. But the first half isn't without its share of flaws.
WHERE TO HEAD: - On the whole, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is a simple story told very effectively and efficiently. At the box-office, it may be a slow starter, but should gradually gather momentum with a strong word of mouth. Strangely, for some reason, the film lacks the hype which is usually associated with a biggie. Perhaps, the series of flops the premiere production house [YRF] roiled out, indirectly, took a toll on this movie. But Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic should reverse the trend. It's one of those films you'd enjoy watching with your family, without feeling embarrassed or discomfited. It's sure to put a smile on your face when you exit the cinema hall, which, is a rarity these days!
Go watch it, it is a treat for your entire family, especially the kids!

PAPA....ARE YOU THERE?

2008-06-20T05:08:00.000-07:00

My papa, my love my life,
Without whom I cannot survive.
I know you are there for me,
I can feel but cannot see.
I can feel you around,
I can hear your sound.
Your absence hurts me,
Your angelic presence can't heal my wound.
My eyes were filled with tears,
My life was surrounded with fear.
Just then I saw a ray of light,
It was you, my Angel shining so bright.
I wondered is it really you?
Is my belief false or is it true?
Just then you called out my name,
My heart started hurting, I know you feel the same.
I I asked, till when can I see you?
You smiled and said that depends on your point of view
He said, "I pledge I will be with you till end"
Because I am not only your papa but even your friend

The Lamp Of Knowledge

2008-06-11T12:50:00.000-07:00

In almost every Indian home a lamp is lit daily before the altar of the lord. In some houses it is lit at dawn, in some twice a day and in a few it is maintained continuously. All auspicious functions and moments like daily worship, rituals and festivals and even many social occasions like inaugurations commence with the lighting of the lamp, which is often maintained right through the occasion. But why do we light a lamp? Light symbolizes knowledge, and darkness, ignorance. The lord is the “Knowledge Principle” who is the source, and the illuminator of all knowledge. Hence light is worshipped as the lord himself. Knowledge removes ignorance just as light removes darkness. Also knowledge is an inner wealth by which all outer achievement can be accomplished. Hence we light the lamp to bow down to knowledge. The traditional oil lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit by knowledge, the negative tendencies get slowly exhausted and the ego too finally perishes. The flame of a lamp always burns upwards. Similarly we should acquire knowledge that takes us towards higher ideals.

KHUDA KE LIYE WATCH IT!

2008-06-08T13:42:00.000-07:00

WHERE DOES IT HEAD: - The film is about the difficult situation in which Pakistanis in particular and the Muslims in general are caught up since 9 / 11. This state of affairs is causing a drift not only between the western world and the Muslims but also within the Muslim community. The knowledgeable and modern Muslims are in difficult situation because of their approach towards life and their western attire. They are criticized and harassed by the fundamentalist on the other hand and western world sees them as a potential suspect of terrorism just because of their Muslim names.
The movie revolves around two musician brothers – Mansoor and Sarmad - one of whom transitions into religious extremism and the other falls victim to racial profiling. It portrays an upper middle class family in Lahore with a mix of traditional and broadminded values. The movie plot starts somewhere in pre 9/11 timeframe and ends in late 2002 or 2003. The brothers have their own music group and are shown as beginning to make a mark on the music scene in Pakistan. The younger brother (Sarmad) gets involved in an extremist company whereas the elder brother (Mansoor) moves to Chicago to attend a music school. Two more angles enter the movie where Mansoor gets into a romantic relationship in Chicago and eventually marries a white American and when he is coming back to his house, his neighbor blames him to be a terrorist and Sarmad deceitfully marries his British born and raised cousin. In the latter case, the UK based uncle of the boys, worried by the outlook of his daughter having an affair with a white British, traps her into a visit to Pakistan and sends her into an Afghan village where she is powerfully married. The movie moves into post 9/11 territory when Mansoor is picked up by law enforcement agencies in the middle of the night from his apartment and detained allegedly in an extra constitutional prison and humiliated in all ways. Sarmad on the other hand gets involved in the battle between Taliban, US forces and Northern Alliance.

THE RIGHT: The story is interesting as it handles two major issues – religious extremism and racial profiling - and strings them well. There are other issues also that the movie tries to focus on; condition of women during Taliban days in Afghanistan, the illogical issues of acceptance of music and cultural contextualization of Islam and the way various groups are putting forward their own version of the religion. But overall Shoaib Mansoor (the writer and the director) has been able to put the things from his viewpoint pretty well. The portrayal of most of the characters is good. The acting by almost all the actors is very controlled. Shaan, who played the role of the elder brother Mansoor, plays his role with full solemnity, particularly when he is in detention. Rasheed Naz, who played the fundamental Maulana Tahiri, gives a great performance. The way he handles some dialogues like ‘jab aurat ko pyaar karte hain toh dil se sochte hain par jab allah ko pyaar karna hai to dimaag se sochte hain‘or ‘ye billo ke ghar jaane ka kya matlab hai‘. Shoaib Mansoor does a creditable job in direction.

The depiction of the protagonist family, the village in Afghanistan, the changeover of Sarmad where he is sandwiched in the thought processes of Mansoor and the radical Maulana and the nuances and the layers in the Pakistani society has been done very well. There are no song-only-parts that go on in the background wherever appropriate and that keep the movie on track. The movie was missing a balancing part on religious scholarship until Maulana Wali comes into the picture later in the movie. Up to this point the discussion between what is allowed in religion and what is not was happening between a radical Maulana and novice. Naseeruddin Shah, playing the character Maulana Wali, as expected gives an outstanding performance – arguably the best one in the movie. It is a short cameo but is one of the most important. He is a well known Maulana in Lahore who is invited by the court to give his opinion on religious matters.

The best dialogues in the movie have been written for Maulana Wali and Naseeruddin Shah recites them as good they could be. On Mariam taunting him that it does not matter whether he does his namaz before or after as it is just an exercise, he is amused and politely replies ‘meri ibaadat ko exercise kahne wali ya to bahut pahunchi hui hai ya bahut dukhi hai‘. On issue of dress he says ‘Kaheen aisa to nahi ki ham Abu Jahal bane rahe hain. Kyonki dadhi toh Abu Jahal ke bhi thi or holiya bhi wohi tha.’

THE WRONG -There are though things in the details where one may feel are over-simplified. The two glitches are that of the UK based uncle and American investigator whose actions do not always appear very realistic. There are some glitches like why Maryam did not send the letter to UK earlier which she sends later in the movie? Or why the family was not finding out about their younger son while he was away in Afghanistan? Or why the elder brother Mansoor’s wife did not intimate his family about his arrest in US? Or how the judges or the lawyers in a Muslim country are not aware about the Islamic rights of the girl in a marriage?

WHERE SHOULD YOU HEAD: - The interesting thing about the film is how it connects the activities in three continents unlike the western Indian and Pakistani films based on romantic sagas, dances and songs. Overall it’s an excellent movie. It is an eye opener for me and it has taken me to another realm of understanding how people perceive things differently. For instance how Maulana Tahiri interpreted the teachings of Allah in a different way compared to how Maulana Wali who interpreted the same teaching of Allah in a different way. There was a vast contrast between both the perceptions though the teachings were the same. It ends positively in various ways and has been handled by the director quite well. The last scene has Sarmad (who is back into tradition) and Shershah (in lieu of the Maulana Tahiri) competing for the Azaan. The competition for the mike for who speaks for Islam has been shown to begun!

WHERE STORY COMES ALIVE

2008-06-04T04:42:00.000-07:00

What is entertainment? The roots of the word may surprise you.To entertain literally means, "to hold within" (tain, as in "container", and enter, as in "come in". For centuries, this idea of producing fun using myriad mediums has been the constant companion of humanity. According to me entertainment is when a person tells a story that has blossomed from the seed of an idea in his/her heart. The fruit of this idea might manifest in the form of a movies, a television shows, a play, a musical, a melody... the list is endless. It has the ability to take us to a different world where the artist wants us to witness his creation.Of the various forms of entertainment, films are closest to my heart as they have the potential to create the most colorful of fantasies on a large canvas. Entertainment has come a long way from the mindless fun to intellectual maturity. It is the most powerful force in mass communication. Thus movies like Hazaaron Khwaishain Aisi where the director portrays the political situation in Bihar evokes empathy that news headlines cannot come close to. Company, the underworld saga tore away the gloss of the fast life to reveal the grim realities of the system.Tare Zameen Par was a classic lesson in parenting. Child psychologists could not achieve in numerous parent counseling sessions what Amir conveyed through the story of Ishaan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary).

BABULNATH aka BHOOTNATH

2008-05-13T01:36:00.000-07:00

WHERE DOES IT HEAD: - There’s nothing wrong in making a film targeted for kids as long as you can entertain the kids. Director Vivek Sharma’s Bhootnath merely comes across like a mystified effort - at the end of it, we don’t know who he’s intended the film at. Shahrukh khan, who works on a cruise liner, comes to Goa with his wife Anjali (Juhi Chawla) and son Banku (Aman Siddiqui). They hear stories about the bungalow they have leased for a year, being ghostly, but move in anyway. The father settles his family in and leaves for his job. But the in house spirit Kailash Nath aka Bhootnath (Amitabh Bachchan) doesn’t like anyone living in his bungalow and generally has a affinity to scare people away. Initially, he tries to scare Banku too but after a few failed attempts, they become friends. Trouble starts when his mother finds out that her sons been hanging around with a ghost. Father is summoned back from the cruise and Bhootnath’s son returns too, with his own program. Together, they take care of the spooky problem.
THE RIGHT: - The first half is cute and engaging; it moves at the right direction and in the initial reels, director seems to get it precise. The director captures the companionship between Bhoothnath and the Banku rather well, without which the film would have fallen plane. Exceptional points for making the children act their age. The special effects are first rate. Amitabh bachchan, as usual, is an apex and has carried the motion picture on his shoulders. Juhi Chawla is in the top form. The little boy Aman is natural and the King Khan stands out in his tinnie minnie role.
THE WRONG: - The problem with Bhoothnath is that it’s puzzled about his character. It starts out being a children’s film and at some point, it turns into a sad saga of dukhi father and his nikkema beta just like B.R.Chopra’s Baghban. The other dreary parts are the songs that have been packed in. But what I fail to understand is that if Bhootnath scares people away from the bungalow, where was he lost for two days when Srk was present in the bungalow with his wife Anjali and son Banku helping them to settle the house? Do you think Bhoothnath got scared of Srk and thus came to scare Banku only after his father left for his job : - )
WHERE SHOULD YOU HEAD: - watch it but there is no urgency to rush to the cinema. Wait and rent a DVD and watched the ghost kiddy or daddy flick at home.

D8t's gonna b Gr8

2008-05-11T01:02:00.000-07:00

"What do I wear on a date?" I was asked.
Well, to start with I wear a charming, relaxed smile in my face. No fashion label can give you as much confidence as a pleasing demeanour. But then, cannot only wear that to a date can I? So let's talk about the clothes that go with it.
'Horses for courses' is my mantra for deciding what to don on a date. If it's a classic evening candle light evening with the special someone then it needs to be a formal pinstripes to go well with her elegant evening gown. But then one doesn't do too much of that these days now do we? One has to be ready for the relaxed evenings when the only agenda is to float together aimlessly. Have you tried that? It can be real fun when you know that there is no destination. You enjoy the journey together so much more.
On such occasions comfort gets precedence over vanity. A well worn jeans along with a white cotton t-shirt suits me fine. One can walk on the beach with the legs rolled up, stroll along the promenades of Carter road, letting the breeze flutter the fabric, as it blows her hair or do just about anything. If you are comfortable, it shows on your face.
Then there are those off beat dates when decide to go for a swim under the star filled night. Don't have to wear much for those. The swim is normally followed by a barbeque next to the pool with the towel draped around the shoulders.
Equally off beat are our late evening drives to the nearest village where we sit on the khatiyas of the rustic dhaba and dig into the baajre ki roti and kaali daal. Trendy shorts, comfortable tshirts are my favourite ensemble for such evenings. Shorts on a date, you may ask? Well, if you are unconventional enough to take your date to an outskirt dhaaba, you can get away with anything ;)

Unconditional Love

2008-05-04T00:54:00.000-07:00

"The greatest thing you'll ever learn, is to love and be loved in return." I had heard it somewhere but in this case I am hoping that reel life is aping real life. Hoping that enough people exist who feel this for it to be written and filmed .Love, a striking word, might have a different meaning for everybody. But just try to say the word 'love' aloud. It brings so much of peace and joy to our hearts.From childhood I have been a romantic at heart. I have seen people express their love in so many diverse ways. I realised that love is a very individualistic emotion and it manifests in equally individualistic ways.A love between mother and child; the loving bond between father and daughter; the naughty love between brother and sister; an argumentative love between two friends; an unconditional love between a Guru and a disciple and what would you call a love between a girl and a boy?Is it always supposed to be a impractical love. No I think it can be the love of compassion; love that compliments each other. A love that is not fickle and changes with time...that is what I call love.When I talk about Love it reminds me of a beautiful story of Radha and Krishna, which I heard from my mother in my childhood. For me it is a beautiful version of "Dil To Paagal HAi". When I heard the story I thought can love be so pure?I have seen many Bollywood and Hollywood romantic flicks but I feel this is the most romantic story I have ever heard about true love.Once upon time in the heavenly kingdom, everyone were making fun of Krishna that he is more in love with Radha than his wife Rukmini. They continued telling him that you love her so much that if your disciple is in pain and he chants "radhe radhe" you reach for his help. Krishna,being the eternal charmer that he is, just smiled at all of them. One day when Krishna saw Naradmuni coming in his kingdom, he decided to play a prank on him. As he saw him coming Krishna kept his hand on forehead and cried in pain. Narad was shocked and asked lord "what happened to you my lord?"
Krishna replied " I have a terrible headache" Narad made a confused face and asked "how is that possible that you who help others to get out of pain can suffer from pain yourself?" Krishna looked at Narad without saying a word. Narad lowered his head and said "but lord don't you have a remedy for it?"Krishna smiled a little and told Narad " get me a pinch of mud from the feet on any of my loved ones, mix it in water and give It to me to drink and I will be cured" Narad laughed and said " that's all you need lord, I will give it to right away?"Since everyone knows that Narad loves Krishna till ecstasy he put his hand on his leg to take the mud but then he realised that if he makes Lord Krishna have mud from his feet he will go to hell. So he decided to go to Rukmini as she would be the right person who will give pinch of mud for Krishna.He went to Rukmini and told her the remedy and asked her to help him. Rukmini lowered her head and said " I am sorry Narad but I cannot give pinch of mud from my soul, as Lord Krishna is my husband if I do so then I will lower myself and I will go to hell I will be punished."Narad went to en th number of people but they all had similar replies. He went back to kingdom to Lord Krishna and told " you are the master of universe how will anyone give me a pinch of mud from their feet to mix in water, so that you can drink. They will surely go to hell and will be severely punished if they do so."Krishna acted as if he was in terrible pain but yet smiled and said " you went to en' th number of people, but did you go to my Radha?"Narad replied "No I haven't"Krishna said, "I m in deep pain please do visit her now and tell her I am in pain and that is the only remedy I have which can cure my pain""I will go but I am sure she will have the same reply too", Narad cried
Narad flew to Radha. As he reached the river bank he saw her playing with her friends, she was dressed in simple ghagra choli, her skin radiating. With a heavy heart he went near Radha. She saw him and smiled as she knew there was a reason for Narad to come. The reason was none other than Krishna"What brings you here?" Radha smiledStammering a little he replied "Lord is in pain"She laughs "the one who runs the whole universe and takes the other peoples pain is in pain himself. Anyways but how can I help?"Narad lowers the head and answers "yes! There is a remedy but its quite tough. Lord wants a pinch of mud from the feet of a person who loves him; he has to mix it in water and drink it""That's it? For that you have come travelling all the way" she smiles.Without wasting a minute further, she puts her feet on the wet sand and then fills her fist with the mud on her feet and gives it to Narad. "take this and give it to my Lord and ask him if he needs anything else I am there"Narad flies back to lord Krishna and gives him the mould of mud mixed with water. Lord Krishna drinks it and is Krishna drinks it and in a second is relieved of the pain.Krishna smiles and tells Narad " now you know why I run to my disciples when they say Radha Radhe?""yes my lord I know but I yet want to hear it form you…" "you all love me but yet when I was in pain and I need mud from your feet the first thought that came to everybodies mind was that of personal consequence. But for radha my pain was worst than going to hell."He laughed and said with a natkhat smile. "She never thought of anything at that time except for relieving me of my pain. That is what I mean by unconditional love.When you love somebody there are no conditions. With conditions you are in hell anyways. Heaven and hell both are within us.
We heard these stories in our mythology we see it in our movies but do we believe that in reality such love exist? I do!!Someone somewhere out there loves you unconditionally. When you love somebody, say it! Don't waste time. As every Krishna has their Radha waiting for him, she is just waiting for him to tell her…..As Yash Chopra portrayed so beautifully in "Dil To Paagal Hai": Someone… somewhere… is made for you!I totally agree!!Someone….somewhere ….is waiting for you!