Piece of Cake

"Be careful. Never eat anything given by strangers and if you girls fight again, I will take you to the tallest peak you see and leave you all alone there." The father instructed  his children pointing at the silhouette of foggy mountains in the backdrop. Two sweet little sisters who were always at loggerheads. The eldest one is 9 yrs and the youngest is 7 years old. Going to Tirupathy during the winter vacations  has always been a great ordeal for the family. This year was no different. The month of December is particularly the busiest , with a deluge of devotees offering their prayers to the almighty.  Return journey after 2 days of toil, is another challenge all together.  After a two hour wait for the bus, the family of four managed to get some space to stand in the bus. The bus was overcrowded is literally an understatement. The north east monsoon contributed the raised humidity levels which indirectly resulted in an aroma inside the bus which was a concoction of  human sweat and sandal paste, that was smeared as an ice cool after shave, on  the bald heads of the returning devotees.  The nauseating aroma inside the bus in many ways is a gross injustice to the picturesque natural canvass, the bus meandered through.

"One of the girls can sit with us. We can adjust", said an elderly lady, who was travelling with her husband. They were sitting in a two seater and offered to help the younger couple who were struggling with all their might to hold onto both the girls and still maintain their balance. The mother gave her a thankful smile and let the youngest one to sit with them to the great disappointment of the eldest. The elderly couple, seeing the eagerness of the kid to look outside, made enough space to let the kid sit in the window seat. Eager to watch the world passing by, she rushed to her seat. "Priya, Thank uncle and aunty before you sit there", instructed her mother.  "Thank you very much aunty!"  She positioned herself to get the prime view.

For the next hour the ride was with minimum of fuss. "Would you like to have a peace of cake?" The women offered her a piece of pastry, that had a custard cream topped of with a cherry.  The delicious cake was tempting enough not to refuse. From the corner of her eyes she watched out for her parents, and more importantly her elder sister. They were away from her visibility. So she slowly turned around, keeping her cake down. Her dad was turned the other way, mom's eyes were closed, resting her head on the railing and her sister was happily looking out clutching her mom's hand. She knew this was the opportune moment!! Just to be sure she looked around once again to confirm that all others were not looking at her. She started eating the cake biting off as large a piece as she could. The custard cream and the cherry was delicious and her appetite increased with every bite. In no time she devoured the entire cake.

With a overwhelming sense of satisfaction she continued to look outside. "Priya". He mother called out. She was for a moment frightened. "Come here and let suji sit there for some time. She has been uncomfortable too long." She made her face so sorry and hoped her mother would change her mind. "Come on priya!! Be a good girl and come fast", her father said with a compassionate authority, she could not refuse. She reluctantly walked off, smiling at the elderly couple. Her sister with a triumphant smile, gleefully took over the window seat. Just then, the elderly couple also offered her the very same custard cake. Suji was more forthcoming and directly started eating. "Amma, see suji is eating the cake from that aunty." She said that with a sense of satisfaction of accomplishing a great deed and ratting out on her sister. Her mom burst into a fit of laughter and said "You naughty brat! First wipe your face." To her dismay, Priya realized that she had a beautiful custard cream mustache on her face!!   

Vishwaroopam Review

Vishwaroopam - One of the best tamil action movies

The wish of any creator would be to have a wider audience (Inspite of what my blog title says). The creator would be satisfied when those audience understand his work. But a creator's true triumph lies when his work creates a multitude of interpretations with his audience, sometimes a few which he/she never envisioned personally. Now kamalhasan has achieved that ultimate success as a creator and that very success is the biggest stumbling block for the economic success of his work. Coming back to the actual work, I leave it to the audience to decide if it deserves the opposition its getting.  The movie as such is a stylish action entertainer that is taut with a few really touching moments and a few logical loopholes. But what takes it to a higher level than most of the movies releasing in India is the very obvious touch of the genius Kamal Hasan.

Coming back to the story (Will keep it to the bare minimum), its about a classical dance teacher Vishwanathan alias wiz and his adulterous nuclear oncologist wife Dr . Nirupama.  Its a marriage of convenience for the two, and is on the rocks because of Deepak, Nirupama's Boss.  Viz has his own little league of friends in Ashmita (Andreya), his Kathak student, his uncle (Sekar Kapur) and a British guy named Dawkins. There is Omar (brilliant Rahul Bose) along with Salim, who are the chief antagonists of the movie who want to blow up the entire of New York. Simply put, it is the Cat and Mouse game between Viz and Omar and how one outplays the other. More than the cat and mouse game it is the characterization of the two main characters that keeps the viewers glued to the movie. 

Coming to the performances, Rahul Bose as the chief antagonist is simply brilliant. He is not a typical  villain one finds in any international movie. He is as much humane as any of us. His crooked stance, his interaction with his family, his non-vociferous yet impactful speeches and commands, he really made the role his own. Another brilliant antagonist in a kamal movie following Devar Magan, Kuruthi punal and the most recent virumaandi. Look out for the scene where he cries like a baby after his family's death, but in no time goes out to stop a fight brewing between two of his subordinates. Also the scene where he warns the guy against teaching his son English. Non-Gory yet brilliant.  Kamal, the actor is on the top of his game. As a kathak dancer he blows over all of us. His eyes, mannerisms and dialogue delivery are top notch. But in the second half he looks a bit tired and loses a bit of spark like Kamal the director. Another character that shines is that of Omar's brother Salim. 

Director Kamal overpowers almost everyone in the movie in the first half that is filled with subtle moments.  Watch  out for the scene where kamal plays two youngsters on a swing. I dont think there has been a better representation of the importance of education in Indian cinema. Lack of melodrama is another high point of the first half. Technically the movie is the best to come out of indian cinema. There are lots of blanks in the story telling that leaves it to the viewers' imagination. Cinematography is simply brilliant. Special mention should go to the action choreography. Please watch out for the action sequences, which is possibly one of the best in indian cinema.  The action scenes can be named the anti-mimick of "Tamil Padam". I would watch the first action scene a zillion times and still be blown over by the artistry. Shankar-Eshaan-Loy's music is adequate. 

What brings down the quality of the movie is the second half. Since the movie banked more on the characters and not on the twists in the story line, the second half fizzles out a bit. And there are a few logical loopholes that mares the proceedings. Another drawback is the improper characterization of the smaller roles. None of the smaller characters stand out. Nazar has been wasted in an insignificant role.  Dr . Nirupama's characterization looks caricatured, but not as irritable as asin of dasavatharam. You hardly notice the presence of Andreya. 

So does it deserve to get banned in TN? Absolutely not. Does it show muslims in a poor light? Only those that live in a fantasy world. "Fantasy, abandoned by reason, produces impossible monsters" is what he tries to say. If people are uncomfortable with that, then I am not sure, if I belong to a secular country. Its a must watch for every Tamil Cinema fan.

P.S I watched it in Netherlands!!

Mayan End, Retrospection and New Year Greetings

One of the most anticipated dates in the recent times has to be 21st December 2012, not just for the audacious plausibility associated with this date, but also for becoming a source of inspiration for countless comedians and satirists to show their ingenuity.This must be one of those non-events gathering such a huge anticipation just because people are bored. More than the mayan end, as an Indian what is disturbing is the Rape  and subsequent death of a 23 year old female victim in the capital city. May her soul rest in peace and so do the the soul of people losing their life every 5 minutes in the country due to some form of human neglect or atrocity  As heinous as the crime is, its the response of the general public that is really encouraging even if it borders emotional frenzy. If this emotional outrage converts itself into meaningful change in the attitudes, then all the means will have a semblance of sanity. The fact that it happened in the capital city and media is closely scrutinizing law enforcement means we can at least hope that the criminals would be punished eventually.

But more than the atrocity itself, whats more frightening is the fact that she laid unattended on the road for almost 1 hr without till the police arrived at the scene. There has been no protest against these ppl who were mere spectators. They must also share equal blame. These incidents in the last few days has made me retrospect who I am!

I am that person who has believed that education will bring a change in the mind set of people. I am that person who happily wants everyone other than me, do their duties to perfection. I am the person who is ready to break any existing rule to sate my ends and still scorn at corruption like i am not part of it. It all started from Nehru. Had vallabhai patel been the first PM this would not have happened. Subhash chandra bose should have been our first PM. All my sufferings are because of the past generation's mistake. I have no patience to wait in a line or wait for my turn, but still say that people around are barbaric and impatient. I am that person who thinks system is everything other than me!!

I am the person who says that reservation is bad for the system. Still I enjoy the social and economic benefits  my birth brings to me on a platter. I have no guts to stop my own kin and friends from making references to the origin of the people whom they meet.

I am that pseudo intellectual who has the absolute right opinions on every issue and will have no ears to the opinions that contradict mine. I am still not comfortable with the idea that i am born because two people whom i respect the most, decided to quench their craving for the cardinal pleasure. I need all the euphemisms to describe 'sex' and still am not ready to  talk about it to my parents or my kids. But still songs like munni bhadnam huyi and shiela ki jhawani are the biggest hits. And sunny Leone is a *****, but still she is the most searched person in the indian internet space. Indian men have absolutely no respect for women. It's due to their lack of understanding, immaturity and more importantly because of improper upbringing. 50 % of the parents had no role in this upbringing. it's all just the men. Mahatma Gandhi does not deserve to be father of nation because he was not chaste and slept naked with girls.

I know I have lived midst the god. His name is Sachin. He is god because he is good at something he does. I will either make a person god and will be ready to die for him. Yes sachin is god. Didi is god. Amma is god. Sourav is god. Bala saheb is god. Rajni is god. Yes I can also kill in the name of god.

I have all right intentions but no balls to take an action. Not even to stand up against the driver in a bus who fails to stop the bus long enough for a old couple to get in. Forget the gundas who molest girls. I cant go to the police  because they are all corrupt. All I can do is post messages in facebook, 'like' the emotional outrages of people. As soon as the media get another scam or celebrity wedding, I will forget the 23 year old and will not even know that she is a tip of tip of tip of the ice berg. Yes I strongly believe nothing will save India mainly because no one is ready to change.

Yes I am just another unique indian citizen.

P.S Wish you all a very happy new year. I really wish in 2013 I will be the change, I want to see in the society.

The crisis of faith

It has been exactly 69 hours since we heard the news and 75 hours since they were abducted. Three school students in their late teens were abducted en route to a national math olympiad. Like many other proud parents, we were elated to learn that Rahul was selected to the represent the state at the national math Olympiad. One amongst thirty from a pool of infinite competition is an achievement to savor. But little did we predict what followed. The thoughts of losing a dear one at the heights of personal satisfaction is a feeling that we can seldom understand and comprehend. We were for sure holding up pretty well considering the trauma we were going thru.

There were two other sets of people who were sharing our implausible restlessness. I dont even remember what their names are. We had payed the ransom money in full about 2 hours ago and it was en route to the abductors. A peek at the boys in a two minute video was all that we were privileged to. But since then we had been treated to a concoction of  hope and fear. We were clearly told by the police that paying the ransom money was a big risk. But as parents, thats the only thing we could have done. I could sense the restless ness in my wife's eyes. She silently said a prayer once again for the umpteenth time and slowly rested on my shoulders. Even without the exchange of words, the emotions in the room were flying high. When you envision a future, working hard for it, its instances like this that actually make us wonder if it is worth all the effort we put in.

Interestingly its not only 'hope' that we all shared. A sense of belief in a power thats beyond the realms of human understanding and something that gives a sense of security however trivial and anti- nonchalant it might sound. Most of us live with a hope that, this omnipotent power can magically ward off most of the evils that we encounter. And here each of us were invoking the Almighty's attention in our own way. Every passing minute was like an eternity and the hope of meeting our beloved starting melting away.

In this midst, there started a commotion in the building. I looked at my wife confused and she reciprocated back with the same look. All the officers were getting nervous/excited and started moving here and there. Couple of officers were shouting instructions in their walki-talkies. One of the other concerned parents walked upto to us and said, "Do you have any idea what they are upto? I am not sure if we would be briefed continuously"! "No we also have no idea. I guess we have to wait a bit longer. Lets always hope for the best." By this time the other set of parents also joined us. Three sets of strangers connected by a string of hope and fear. We caught hold of one of the guys in uniform who was  running past us with a bunch of files. "Sir, whats happening. Give us some updates please!!" "I am not sure if I can say anything. But I think you people deserve to know. It seems that the exchange of ransom did not go as planned. There was a shootout between the police and the abductors. The causality is still unlear. I dont know what is the exact situation." I was numb with anxiety. Some how the internal trauma was well disguised in the stoic exterior. I could sense that a couple of people were beginning to lose their composure. I instinctively asked "Do you know anything about the kids. Please tell something!!" After a couple of refusals and he reluctantly said, "One of the boys were caught in the cross fire. We are trying to confirm who exactly it is." Though he tried to be diplomatic, the implications were clear to me. They are trying to identify the dead boy. One of the three is dead.

As this information slowly sunk into us, the glances exchanged started becoming hostile. And so started a deluge of prayers.The supreme power has a task at hand. Thankfully I am not making not that choice and can pray my heart out hoping that he will not pick us. It would be interesting to know the how he makes this choice.

Happy Deepavali!!

Hoping for the good as always!!

A silent solution

Day 3: She was getting in at her usual station.  After only two casual sightings, she has had an impression on me. They way she shows her pass to the person checking, the way she radiates her persona, the subtle smile that she always has in her face, all looks so very poetic for me. Once again when she looked in my direction, our eyes meet and a mutual acknowledging smile followed. The smile and almost everything associated with our so called interaction is a pleasure for me. Though I did try not to embarass her by constantly staring, my self control had been put to its greatest test. After a tough days work this is a welcome relief. and meeting the same person in this busy modern life is as serendipitous as one can hope for. So without too much more thoughts, i just let myself drown in this little fun of mine till she gets down.

Day 5: Today is the day. From Monday till Thursday I was lucky. So if she gets in today, i will definitely have a small chat with her. Possibly we will share this bus journey for long or she she could get out of station the very next week. So with quite a bit of excitement  I was looking at the entrance at her stop. And she did not disappoint me. She came in armed with her smile. She, within a few moments, looked at my direction. And There I was ready to return her complement and smile back. This particular day has been a very good one for me. My work, a call from a good friend and many more small things going my way. Confidence has been building in me for quite sometime. And today for the second time there was another casual eye contact. And another smile. I waved at her, as  her stop was approaching. Another small head nod and she was ready to get down.

I quickly followed her . Still there were quite some people between us. The railway station stop is one of the most busiest in the entire route. I slowly made my way through the deluge of people. she was a few meters away from me now. I got close to her and was almost on par with her. "Hello miss, excuse me", I started. There was absolutely no reaction from here. she kept on going ahead. I tried my luck once again. this time with a stronger tone. No response still. My pride was hurt. I was not sure if I should barge in front of her. The tagline of maturity was weighing heavily on my back. So confused I stood there weighing up my options. She continued with with her brisk walk. As she was about to cross the road, some thing happened with her sandals. She was busy correcting that. A speeding car was approaching her and blaring out its horn. There was absolutely no reaction from her. For a moment I was shocked and was dumbfounded. Thankfully a passerby pulled her off just in time and  I breathed a sigh of relief. She said sorry in a language that was music to my eyes and mind. She apologised to the driver and the person who helped her in what looked like a sign language. I exactly know in what direction I want to walk now.

Barfi - A Review

Barfi - Poetry on Screen

A trailer that gets the people buzzing is always wonderful, but  if the movie fails to live up to the expectations, then its a bigger disappointment. But this is an exception. The movie was better than the trailer. A simple story said in an absorbing manner with a delightful mix of romance, comedy and emotions is a perfect "cocktail". By the time some of you might read this review you would have heard great things about the movie and I can vouch that all of it is true.

The movie tells the story of Barfi (Ranbir kapoor), a deaf and dumb happy go lucky charmer,  from Darjeeling. Set mostly in Darjeeling and Kolkata, his story is narrated by his acquaintances. Named after the his mom's favorite Murphy radio, his name gets transformed to Barfi. He has the knack of being chirpy even in the most serious of situations. And his happiness is epidemic!! We audience, like the rest of the characters, are the gleeful victims. Entering his life is the gorgeous but engaged Shruthi (Illeana), whom he falls for instantly. She is also charmed and falls for him slowly. Their interaction scenes are a delight to watch. But reality strikes and she ends up with the more affluent Ranjeet ( Jishnu Senguptha) leaving Barfi broken.

Then there is Jilmill (Priyanka Chopra), a childhood friend of Barfi, who is mentally challenged and seen as an embarrassment even by her own parents. A twist in the fate makes Barfi kidnap Jilmill and spend more than intended time with her. Jilmill is a complex grown up child who is in awe with Barfi and he also slowly but surely realises that he has been second time lucky in finding love. They move to Kolkata and start afresh. In the mean time they are continuously pursued by a police officer (The brilliant Saurab Shukla).  Another twist in fate, Sruthi enters their life as Mrs Senguptha. What follows is the story of bitter sweet relationship of the three and how this turns their life upside down.

The caste is wonderful starting from the irresistible Ranbir Kapoor. His off screen persona could be under question, but on onscreen he is an absolute delight to watch. With this performance he has left most of his contemporaries trailing in his wake. Then Illeana as Sruthi has given an adequate performance. Her transformation of Shruthi to Mrs Senguptha to Post - Mrs Senguptha (But why should liberated women end up as social workers?? - its getting cliched) is truly wonderful. Just like Mrs.Senguptha Illeana's acting matures throughout the movie. Its a complex character and Illeana does justice to that role. Hopefully bollywood has got its new Dream Girl. Now coming to the actual screen stealer - Priyanka chopra. This has to go down as one of the best performances ever seen in Bollywood and possibly Indian Cinema. One has to watch the movie to really appreciate the beauty of the portrayal of Jillmil. You can run out of superlatives. But Jillmil will stay in your heart for a long time. The supporting cast is wonderful lead by Saurab shukla. Special  mention should also go to person playing Jillmil's caretaker. The ensemble of able actors have delivered a masterful performance.

Anurag Basu comes back after souless Kites with a wonderful story. The attention to the details is absolutely wonderful. Like Barfi learning words (so that i guess a predominantly righthanded ranbir made to write in left), the dyslectic 'B' taught to him by Jillmil, the trams of darjeeling and many more. This is a story that made me think a lot while viewing. This is something of a rarity in Hindi movie where everything  happening on the screen is blared out atleast twice. That leads to the next point that should be applauded. The dialogues for this movie would be as long as this review. Such a strong impression without dialogues is first of a kind in Hindi cinema. The scenes involving Jillmil and Barfi in the second half were shot without a word spoken and viewers are captivated. Pritam comes up with a BGM that stirs our soul. Cinematography capturing Darjeeling is a feast to our eyes. Technically, this movie must be up with the best.

On the downside the first half drags a bit towards intermission, the tortuous chronology of events tests viewers' patience as well as shoddy make up for the characters in their oldage is an eyesore. Also few scenes have the influence of Notebook and Charlie chaplin comedies. These minor irritants are plastered by a wonderful end product on screen. Its a story about inherent goodness of the people in a utopia envisioned by Anurag. After watching the movie many of us will fall in love with falling in love. But lets not carried away as we are not the Ranbirs and illeanas and we dont have puppeteer like anurag making us that charismatic. Like any good poetry just enjoy this journey w/o too many questions and you are sure to get your moneys worth.