Here is my take on “No One Killed Jessica”

Let’s separate the two. The tragedy and the film.

The incident is something that I had followed very closely.  And like half of India I too felt cheated when the accused were let off. I too felt the rage and anger. And I too wanted the criminals to be punished. So seeing it all live on screen brought back all these emotions again. I was watching it more like a documentary or a series of how the events took place.  And yes I did end up with tears in my eyes.

Now coming to the movie – I thought it was a very mediocre affair. Vidya was good, Rani was over the top. Some characters were very good, like the cop. The movie could have been better.  And this is why I say this – Just assume that this movie wasn’t made on a real life incident. Just assume if this same movie was totally fictitious? What if there was no Jessica Lal ever killed. In that case this movie would have fallen flat.

The movie brings forward the obvious. The helplessness of the common man. The power of position and money and its misuse that’s rampant. The movie reminds one of the fact that what a barbaric society this is.   

The idea behind the movie was to portray what had happened in reality and there I think it has done a decent job. It does try and make things larger than life at some places, but then it’s a movie at the end of the day. Go watch it once.

On a separate note, I am quite happy that Shweta won Big Boss. Among all and sundry present there, she was the most decent one. She is quite gritty in her own ways. Independent, single mom, someone who said no to abuse and chucked that joker of a husband out of her life.  Think about it, it was that loud mouth Dolly who played such a crucial role in Shweta’s victory though. The whole bit about Shweta being abused and victimized by Dolly had the nation voting for her. Something similar to what happened with Shilpa Shetty. 

The great Singapore Sale

The great Singapore Sale, where art thou? Come soon and rescue me, for there is a compulsive need to shop and some discounts would do no harm! Yeah, so it’s not like I have landed in Singapore from some god forsaken village which didn’t have the variety or the choice to offer. Bangalore is pretty decent and throw in a couple of trips to Australia, Delhi and Bangkok (remember?? GRIN!!!!!! in between and you can get all you want!!

Which means that there has to be a divine power at play here? Did I sleep too close to the Sophie Kinsella’s confession of a shopaholic? I guess not. So why my lord why, am I behaving like this? I am buying like I am on a vacation to Singapore and will never ever get a chance again in this life time. And it doesn’t help to have ones office at a stone’s throw from the main shopping area. But the madness needs to end, so, today, on this blog I make a promise, 2 more pairs of shoes and no more shopping till Christmas!! Heehaw!!!!!!!!!

And in another news, I loved Guzarish. Period!! Stop complaining people and stop being overly critical. It’s a good movie and Hrithik is awesome. We have become a race of complainers. We need to complain no matter what. Its not perfection that we are looking for, its just the sad pleasure we get in putting things down! Ah, anyways, that’s a lot of gyan from Prof Malhotra!So, did ya watch Guzarish yet?

When did that happen??

Surely while I was sleeping. Coz last I remember I was buying Caramel Popcorns for 20 bucks. And this was in a multiplex, in Pune. Yeah, so it was 5 yrs back, but then, so what?

In these 5 yrs, how can the damn thing costs Rs 85. And I don’t remember a single price point in between.

Which means only one thing – thee should buy thy popcorn on its own. Making a sorry face and then blackmailing husband to get popcorn all the time will result in a state of shock sooner of later.

I almost made a fool of myself at the counter. Took one caramel popcorn and handed over the 100 rupee note. The guy gave me 15 rs back and I dutifully waited to get more change. Some strange expressions and his attempt to serve the guy behind me made me realize that the damn thing was indeed Rs 85. But I still stuck my ground and reiterated that I had only bought 1 popcorn and nothing else. Irritated attendant again told me its 85.

Yeah so I am thinking of filing a complaint somewhere? Who will listen to me?

On a related note – I think Inception is mind blasting! I was dazed. Maybe I am writing this in my dream? Go watch it. I have always liked Leo and now the world appreciates him. Revenge Commeth!!

My new Abode.. (Picture Post)

This post is long overdue. Thanks to T and P for reminding me to do this.
The new home is doing wonders to my system. There is this positive energy about the place which has me all pepped up. Touchwood!!!
There is a lot to be done to do up the place. Right now we have the basic structure in place. I will be gradually doing up the house like I want to. Aman has put a budget freeze on any house expenditure for a while. There is a reason for that too which I will share with you eventually.

Lets start with how the setting sun appears from my balcony!!

The first one is the view from the living room balcony and the second is the view from the bedroom balcony.



This is the drawing room and the dining room (notice the curtains !!!)


That’s the sitting area.. The opening on the left is the kitchen


And this is the master bedroom



And these are my prized paintings!!!

I just realized I have no pictures on the Kitchen and the other bedroom.

So this is where I now live. I know a lot has to be done. My drawing room desperalty needs a new rug and some fancy settees. Those cane chairs are actually meant for the balcony.
But like I said its budget freeze as of now as something big will happen soon!!! Keep guessing!!!

Updated - as an afterthought why don’t you all pick it up as a tag. Its simple, take the reader through a virtual tour of your house!! Give it shot.

Gulal – this ain’t any review

I don’t believe in writing movie reviews. And this post is no different.
All I am trying to do is urge my readers to go watch Gulal.
It’s worth it.

After burning holes in our pockets by buying silk curtains for the new house (that’s dope for another post!!!) Aman and I decided to unwind with some movie. It was already 6 pm and chances of getting tickets for a 7ish movie were dim. Never the less we thought of giving it a try and viola we got the tickets for a 6:30 pm show of Gulal.
After a quick shot of caffeine we went inside the theater only to find that 70 % of the seats were unoccupied. Yes 70% seats were empty in a multiplex, on a Sunday evening in the first week of movie’s release.
Wonder why? Because the movie has no Khan, no cheap humor and no larger than life star cast. The fact that the movie didn’t receive any marketing prior to its release has played such a dominant role in people ignoring it.
So the basic premise of logical thinking holds true – how ever good or bad your product is, it is of utmost importance to position it well.

Anyways, let me not digress. The idea is that although the movie has been low profile and not advertised and marketed much, it still deserves a viewing.

Anurag Kashyap is at his best. And so are Kay Kay Menon and the other guy who plays Ran Sa. (I don’t know his name and no time to Google).
Movie hits you hard. It’s a story of love, treachery, greed, passion, innocence, fear, sadism and power.

Statuary Warning:
The language is abusive so avoid taking children for obvious reasons and parents for you might get uncomfortable, and if you belong to the cadre of viewers who cannot tolerate the swear words then excuse yourselves from watching it.

For others do watch it for the awesome lyrics, mind-blowing performances and astounding story telling!!!

Genda Phool

I don’t have a count of the number of times I have heard this song since morning.
First in the car on my way to office for almost 1 and half hours, and since I reached office this song is playing on my laptop. In a recursive loop, again and again. I am addicted.
Completely.

What a song, if you haven’t heard it till now go grab the music cd of Dilli 6 right away.

Updated to add – I have only darling husband to thank for introducing me to this number, if not for him I would still be living in oblivion. Aman that’s why I love you!!!

Should kids be allowed in movie theaters?

Why, oh why, parents - why do you do this? Why do you get your oh so sweet kids to the movie halls? When you know the kind of energy your child has, when you are aware that your child is incapable of sitting quietly for 2.5 to 3 hours?

I am mighty agitated. Yesterday Aman and I went to watch a movie at the neighborhood multiplex. Fashion to be precise. If you have seen the movie, you would know that it has its share of serious moments.

In the same row as mine there was this family seated and with them they had a small boy not more than 3 years old. This kid was oblivious the fact that one needs to sit quietly in a theater. He was continuously loud and screechy.

My anger is certainly not on the kid. He was obviously unaware of how one behaves in a movie theater. But what were his parents doing? I mean why do parents get small kids to movie halls and if they do why cant they teach them to sit quietly. I mean we all will understand a couple of disturbances here and there but if the kid is on a joy ride through out the duration of the movie then isn’t it the onus of the parents to keep a check?

Let alone keeping a check, the parents yesterday seemed too happy to let the kid have his own share of fun while they watched the movie.

When I couldn’t take it any longer I decided to go talk to the boy’s mom during the interval. With utmost politeness I told her that it would be great if she could ask her son to be a little quieter as it was spoiling the movie for others. And I swear I was polite. She measured me up and down and with a frown said she’ll try. I could sense how much she despised my touching on this topic.

Anyways my request didn’t have much impact. The kid continued his jabber till we exited.

Is it right on part of these parents to spoil the entire movie watching experience for so many people? Shouldn’t parents be more conscious of the surroundings?

Is putting a ban the only way out? Or can parents behave in a more matured manner and keep a check on their little angels?

And I still haven’t seen Rock On…

Yes that’s true. I still haven’t seen the movie. Talk about dependency here. Aman saw the premier show way back while I was in Australia. And the dude is not ready to watch it again. So that leaves me with the option of watching it with friends or watching it alone. I am a sucker for company so obviously watching alone doesn’t work out. As for friends I have made plans more than a couple of times only to cancel it last moment. I think destiny is playing a role here. Maybe the divine forces don’t want me to watch this movie. So what if Arjun Rampal looks absolutely hot and Farhan Akhtar is jaw dropping good looking. Who cares???

And did someone say that “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”. Now why isn’t the universe listening?? I really do want to watch this movie. Please please, someone conspire and make this possible. I would love a surprise from any of my friends reading this.

Can we please ban movie reviews???

It has happened with me so many times now. Before I get a chance to see a movie I have read and heard so many reviews about it already that I am far from forming an opinion. In the interest of all those who love watching movies, all kinds of reviews should be completely banned.
Now you’ll ask if I was forced to read or listen to the review. I wasn’t but I still do as there is no escape. Its on the TV, it’s in the newspaper, it’s on the radio, people blog about it, colleagues discuss it over lunch and coffee. Now how the hell do I escape all this? In my media savvy world ignoring so much noise is practically not possible. I can’t virtually insulate myself.

Case in point – Remember Mithya?? I was keenly waiting for it. And then just before going for the movie I happened to hear what Rajiv Masand had to say. He went all out praising Mithya giving it 4 stars and calling it an answer to everyone who feels Hindi movies are mindless and predictable.
So whoop goes my expectations. And ironically I didn’t find it too great.
No doubt it is an interesting movie, with a brilliant performance by Ranvir Shorey and an exciting plot too. So why was I not all that thrilled after watching it??
The answer is “EXPECTATIONS”. Yes expectations - the mother of all agony. Expectations - that build up as an after effect of these reviews.

Another example is of Jodha Akbar, a movie that received comparatively sad reviews but I liked it. my colleagues hated it and they made it a point to come and tell me so. And as a result throughout watching the movie more of my attention was on being critical about it rather than enjoying it.

Not just these two but many more movie watching experience has been spoiled because of listening to people talk about them. So in the general interest of many more sufferers like myself I plead all the day 1 watchers – zip your mouth and don’t solicit information unless I ask for it.

I essentially dash away from the sight of these reviews but it feels like I am being bombarded with these reviews from all possible directions. Looks like there is no escape. Ahhmmm.