From Dostana to Safar

After watching Dostana, I caught up with this old gem on telly. With the ongoing strikes of TV technicians, there's been a lull in programming regular serials. So channels are now airing movies on their air time

As I watched the movie, I couldn't help comparing it with Dostana. There's 38 years gap between the two. But Safar still outshines.

The plot: Like Dostana, Safar is also a story of friendship. Two young medical students, Neela (Sharmila Tagore) and Avinash (Rajesh Khanna) meet in medical college, become good friends, fall in love, but never confess so in words. Why? Because it was 1970. Neela couldn't have taken the first step. And Avinash is suffering from blood cancer, and he doesn't want Neela to suffer on his behalf. Enters into this picture Shekhar (Feroz Khan), a dashing businessman, who falls for Neela and proposes to her. Avinash convinces Neela to accept the proposal because he wants her to live a comfortable life. However, destiny has something else in store.

Neela gets married to Shekhar but still remains a close, platonic friend to Avinash. This is not taken in good spirit by Shekhar who is battling with his own business troubles. The drama is fueled further when he reads an old letter of Neela, which Avinash had written in Neela's handwriting as a prank. Considering the words in the letter to be true, he asks Neels to marry Avinash and commits suicide. Neela is tried for murder, but found not guilty, while Avinash disappears from her life. What happens? Does Avinash come back to Neela's life? How does she pass her journey (safar) of life? What happens to Avinash?

The movie is beautiful like a fresh dew in the morning, effective in its simple storytelling ability, and touches the heart like a sweet pang.

So finally, what do you say?

Dostana is contrived and basically a fiction for most of us. Be honest. How many open gay couples will you find in real life? How many people get as many choices and second chances as everyone in the movie gets? How can one simply afford the yuppie lifestyle in Miami unless one is born with the silver spoon and a very generous daddy? The movie is an unreal as it comes.

Safar, on the other hand, is too real to be comfortable. How many times we've compromised because we have been asked to think from our head and not heart? Love is a beautiful feeling, but life needs to be comfortable, so how many of us have come up with this choice and chosen life over love? How many women are there whose marriages have not been troubled when they've been too honest with their husbands? How many of us have actually suffered from the pain of losing someone we love? How many times we've felt helpless when the one we love is gone forever and we just stand by helplessly? Life is a journey and we have to travel it, whatever comes

So on that note, I wish you all a very beautiful jeevan ka safar (life journey)

God bless.

Dostana - Fun, frolic and gayness in Miami

Bollywood is pushing the traditional envelope, exploring previously taboo territories. And one such venture is Dostana.

The plot: Sam (Abhishek Bacchhan) and Kunal (John Abraham) are having the time of their life in Miami, with beach romps and one-night stands. What they need to make their life perfect is a nice apartment. They have just one in sight, but the landlady wouldn't lease it to them because she doesn't want two hunky lads to corrupt her sexy niece, Neha (Priyanka Chopra). The two guys decide to pretend as a gay couple. They get the apartment, but also a lot of hilarously misunderstood troubles. However, the biggest trouble is that both fall in love with Neha. Adding to their woes is that Neha's getting cosy with her straight and suave boss (Bobby Deol). How they deal with the situation? How they deal with each other? And with Neha's boss? Does Neha get to know the truth? And what's her reaction? And finally, who gets the girl?

Why this film works:

1. The plot - New story (previously untouched theme in India)
2. Hilarious situations - First half will have you in splits (When Abhishek tells how he met the love of his life John in Venice, when Abhishek and John dirty dance with Boman Irani and the American officer on 'Bidi Jalai Le,' when Abhishek's mom Kiran Kher enters the scene in this revelry and tries to first prevent the situation and finally accepts)
3. John, John, John - When he strips, when he poses, when he smiles, when he looks, when he breathes. Is there anything that guy can do when girls don't scream? I was witness to this banshee-like behavior by a group of girls sitting in the same row who screamed right from the first reel when John entered. Well! What can I say? Bipasha is a lucky girl.
4. Priyanka's hotness - She's one of the very few girls in Bollywood who can carry off skimpy clothes as sexy and classy, which would look vulgar on other women. The girl looks sensational in this movie and she can act. Fantastic job, indeed!
5. Abhishek's comic timing - The actor can tickle your funny bone and how. As for the drool factor, he's smart enough to know his limitation in that department, so he's remained cool and casual. More or less, like a "Bhaiya ji" in the US.

Why this film doesn't work:
1. The plot - Only the young people in metros can appreciate the theme. India is too traditional and family-oriented to broadly accept it. This is not a family movie either. People won't watch it with their parents or in-laws, or children for that matter. The topic is controversial and still unacceptable and even unrecognizable to the majority of people.
2. Editing - The film drags in the end. Though they've tried to make it snappy, but still the drama does seem a bit too much. That's a general problem with comedies, especially from Karan Johar's kitty. All of them have a fantastic opening but in the end somehow the magic is lost. Cases in point - Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kal Ho Na Ho, and the dinosaurial Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. Dostana also has a fantastic opening but the ending is slow.
3. The finale - We Indians love close-ended ends. So who gets the girl, finally? It's everyone's guess. But yes Dostana remains among the three.
4. Message - None, whatsoever. Even not the one related with gays. The film is just a funnily hatched-up plot out of a situation involving gays. But what's the message? If I try hard, I can find only one - Do not lie and avoid embarassing pay-ups. In this case, the guys had to make up for their lies by kissing each other, a scene which will haunt them forever.
5. One time watch - Due to the lack of a message and not a very central theme, it's a one-time watch. Sex jokes at the expense of one community are fun, but they never make memories.

So overall, I would give the movie 3 stars out of 5.
But I would definitely call it a one-time must watch.

Cheers.

Sometimes, you catch up what you missed...only for better!

Terrible times, we're living in today. The continuous spate of bomb blasts in Bangalore (July 25, 2008) and Ahmedabad (July 26, 2008) have shaken me to the core. What a terrible, terrible waste of life!
The most shocking thing is that I'm not surprised today, just saddened and disheartened that the Indian government is not doing enough to combat terrorism. Totally disenchanted with the government and their milk-sop policies in dealing with the perpetrators of these atrocities, I decided to postpone going out this weekend. It's not that I'm scared, but so sad that I didn't feel like going outside.

Just tried out some new recipes at home during dinner. Dinner time means channel browsing. And Sony TV was showing its TV premier of 'Naqaab - The Thriller.'

Started watching it for some diversion, got involved, and was impressed. Here's why:

1. Plot: The story is based in Dubai and involves three primary characters: Sophia (debutante Urvashi Sharma), Karan (Bobby Deol), and Vicky (Akshaye Khanna).

Sophia, a beautiful middle-class girl, believes in earning for her needs by serving in Burger King! Totally besotted with her is a multi-millionaire tycoon, Karan Oberoi, who ironically is not shown working even once. Karan proposes. She accepts.

But wait! Not all is well in the love-birds' paradise. Why else would she be titillated by the attentions of another non-working Romeo, Vicky? Their first meeting is equally bizarre. On a hen's night out with her girlfriends she's persuaded, rather forcibly, by the restuarant owner to pick up a man from the diners for 'one last dance' to celebrate the end of her single life. She chooses Vicky, who was the only one more interested in capturing her on his videocam rather than posing for her. They have one beautiful dance and the third angle in the love story starts.

Now, Vicky pursues Sophia. She refuses at first, and then she gives in. And they have an affair.

2. The twist: Big deal! Yes, it is because it soon becomes apparent that the whole plot is actually engineered by someone. The entire life of the three lovers was being captured on the video cam, unbenown to them. Mysterious phone calls are made to Vicky to honor a "contract?" So what's going on?

To cut the long story short, Karan is none other than an egotistical, callous, materialistic director who's signed up Vicky for a film contract. Vicky is to play the third part in a love triangle, only that the people involved would be real and wouldn't know that their emotions are being captured live by a candid camera. But the deal is murkier than you thought. Nothing is more important than getting the film shot in a 'realistic way,' even if human emotions and feelings are trodden and lives are shattered interim.

3. The end suspense: The movie unfolds in myriad ways, creating a question on what construes on taking 'artistic liberty' and how we just need to justify our ends, whatever the way. But you reap what you sow. Vengeance raises its head and someone is shot. Who? Why? How?

To find out, watch the movie. I'm sure it will keep you engrossed.


4. The inspiration: Like all good suspense movies, this movie has also been "inspired" (read, lifted from scene to scene with minor alterations to suit Indian taste, like song and dance routine) from the 2003 British film dot the i. No big surprises, there. But now you know what to do if you accidentally come across the original version. Don't miss it! I've often found that Indian directors lift stories only from 'good movies.'

5. The cast:

Urvashi Sharma: Good job, could have been better. The key thing she's very easy on eyes---beautiful, translucent skin, fantastic screen presence. However, would advise her to go easy on makeup as she's naturally beautiful and has great complexion.

• Looks: 5/5 (She's a model with a high acceptance level in movies, as she's not reed thin and beanpole tall and has a very pretty face)
• Acting: 2.5/5 (Is her voice real? That's the first question I try to find out when models debut. With time, they do learn to 'act.' But their dialog delivery is usually below par. Good examples are John Abraham, Arjun Rampal, and Sushmita Sen. Bad examples are Milind Soman, Dino Morea, and Bipasha Basu.

2. Bobby Deol: Why, oh why doesn't he experiment with his looks or locks? He's blessed with fantastic cases of both, but he's so boring. I've heard from a friend that he's the best looking guy in Bollywood. Unfortunately, that doesn't get reflected on screen. It would help if he goes for a new haircut. Acting-wise, he's done a good job, but could have been more menacing and manipulative. Something like Arjun Rampal in Om Shanti Om (He was a viper in that movie!).

• Looks: 2.5/5
• Acting: 3/5

3. Akshaye Khanna: When Dil Chahta Hai was released, I fell in love with his looks despite he was partially bald? It suited him so tremendously (if you don't believe me, check it by clicking his name link). This one works, but nothing exceptional. Well, it's his choice!
As for acting, he's amazing. He's easily one of the most under-rated actors in Bollywood. He's expressive, knows when to go over the top and tone it down, and has a fluid face.

• Looks: 2/5
• Acting: 5/5

6. Direction: 2.5/5 (A good effort by the director duo Abbas-Mastan to make an 'inspired, Indianized' version of the original)

7. Music: I only remember 'Ek Din' dance number. Fantastic song. Beautifully choreographed.

• Singer: Javed Ali (5/5)
• Music director: Prittam (3/5 because though this song gets a complete 5, but the rest of the songs have faded from memory. Not a good effort for the album.)
• Lyricist: Sameer (4.5/5)
• Choreography: Beautiful, excellent Salsa number choreographed by Raju Khan (5/5)

With that, I sign off. Happy watching.
Remain safe and sound and in peace and love!

Chao.

Yawn! Another gangster movie from the Factory!

Along with two highly-awaited movies, Kismat Konnection and Dark Knight, released this Friday, another spin-off on gangster, terrorism, etc. has been churned out by Ram Gopal Verma's "Factory"--- Contract.

Haven't watched it, nor planning to. But it made me think about my all-time favorite gangster movies (to read their plots, click the links):

1. The Godfather - Part 1
2. The Godfather - Part 2
3. Taxi Driver
4. Satya
5. Vaastav
6. Deewar
7. Parinda
8. Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin
9. Ardh Satya
10. Shiva

Hope you enjoy the above movies, as I've done. Let me know about your favorites (country, language does not matter, as long as the movie is good!).

The verdict is out! Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na is a blockbuster hit.

The movie is doing stupendous business in India and abroad. But why? What's new about it?

Last week, I managed to catch up with the movie in theatre. Here's my analysis:

1. Theme: Youth, college bonding, teenage love story, comedy, friendship. Pick any.

2. Plot: The same old plot. A group of college friends. The hero and heroine are great buddys, best friends, etc. etc. What they don't realize is that they also love each other. The entire story deals with their growing up, realizing their feelings, and then expressing it to each other.

For more details, visit the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaane_Tu_Ya_Jaane_Na

3. So what's the big deal?

1. Refreshing treatment: Fresh, fresh, fresh! That's what I felt after the movie ended and the credits rolled by. The same old concept is treated in a very zingy manner. No big deal and brouhaha about feelings, emotions, etc. The issues are dealt with as and when they arrive. In fact, the movie doesn't really have a great story, but has a fantastic direction!

2. The Cast:

Newcomers: Cute, bubbly, sporty, spicy, and effervescent.

Veterans: Now I know why the television was best in 80's. Just see how effectively and effortlessly, they've played their unique roles with quirky personalities.

My favorite moments:

• Whenever Savitri Rathore (Jai's mother) interacts with her dead husband's picture, Amar Singh Rathore, who refuses to rest in peace until his son fulfils the three conditions of proving that he's a true man. Their dialogues are hilarious.

• When Aditi's brother (fantastic job done by Prateek Babbar here) pours water on Jai to stop him from singing and then delivers this classic line, "You are not good looking, you don't have any money, and you're a bad singer. Which girl would marry you after you court her with this song?"

• When Aditi and her brother discuss how they drifted apart from being friends to virtual strangers while growing up. When Aditi recognizes the depth and extent of her brother's talent, emotions, and love.

• Aditi's jealousy without realizing why whenever Jai gives attention to his girlfriend, Meghna.

• When Jai realizes he loves Aditi only after he comes to know she's engaged.

• When Aditi realizes she loves Jai but can't do anything about it as she's already engaged.

• When Jai finally beats the violent fiancee of Aditi for abusing her physically.

• When Jai gives his father's soul blissful happiness and endless worry to his mom as he proves he's a man by fufilling three conditions: 1. He beats someone. 2. He rides a horse. 3. He goes to jail. And he does all three only because of his love for Aditi.

The moments are several, the list is limited. So finally, let's have the rating card:

1. Movie plot: 3/5 (same old plot, and maybe too much lovey-dovey. Even teenagers today are more mature than that. The plot is too innocent for the cynical world, but then maybe this is what the doctor actually ordered.)

2. Direction: 5/5 (Fantastic direction. Not even a single thing looked out of place. Excellent job from both the newcomers and veterans (who looked happy and relaxed for a change))

3. Acting: 4.9/5 [Everyone did a stupendous job, then why 4.9? Because one character overacted. She's the cynical air hostess whom Jiggy (Jai's Gujrati friend, who's mostly seen sporting all the outrageous hairstyles ever in his college years - check him on the lower-left corner of the photo above) loves but can't say so. So the group of friends decide to share Jai and Aditi's love story with her. The girl really overacted and how, especially when you compare her with the rest of the newcomers.]

4. Songs: 4/5 (A.R. Rahman has once again proved why he's the boss of all music directors. "Kabhi kabhi Aditi" is the new ringtone of the nation. "Pappu can't dance, saala" is the new disco theme. The other songs are also nice and choreographed beautifully, but alas! do not stay in memory for long.)

4. Should you watch this movie or not?: Definitely yes! No second thoughts about it. It's a must-watch, even if you don't identify with it. Why? Because you were that young and innocent once.

5. In theatre or DVD?: I would say catch it first on theatre. Freshness needs to be treated with respect, and so should be the newcomer cast. One of my friends liked it so much that he's planning to buy its DVD as soon as it's released, so that he can watch it anytime he's depressed. Wouldn't you like to try the same?

That's all for now.

Coming up soon: Reviews of Kismat Connection and Dark Knight

Till then, TC.

Chao.

South Americans make the best soap operas

The competetion between TV channels is getting hotter. To lure viewers who would like more variety on TV, Sahara TV channel started a new channel called Firangi. This channel showcases foreign language serials in Hindi, claiming that they're 'the world's best stories.' Undoubtedly, this is very exciting to all of us who'd like to broaden our horizons.

I've only been able to catch up with the serial 'Second Chance.' A little info about it:

Original serial name: El cuerpo del Deseo

Country of origin: Colombia, United States

Original language: Spanish

Plot: The story features Pedro José Donoso, a wealthy old man in love with a gorgeous younger woman, Isabel Arroyo. He dies suddenly, but returns to Earth through transmigration (the passing of a soul into another body after death), in the body of Salvador Cerinza, a handsome (yet poor) family man. Pedro José searches for everything he lost, uncovering secrets, truths and deceptions. Ultimately, he must set things straight and save those who truly loved him.

Facts to consider before rating the serial:

1. The plot: Not original but very fascinating and familiar. Reincarnation, past life, and karma are household concepts for Hindus, Buddhists, and some eastern philosophies, but very intriguing to the rest of the world.

2. The message: 'You reap what you sow.' It's always exciting to watch people getting their comeuppance for what they did.

3. Joint family: Although people might be going for nuclear families in real life, they love wathcing shenangians of a joint family. Whatever country or culture, family sagas (like Dallas and Dynasty) are all the rage.

4. Good-looking cast: Another common factor in popular soap operas. Be it is Bold & Beautiful, Melrose Place, or Riviera (France), the cast is always jaw-droppingly good-looking. Raises the pulse, true, but needs to be backed up by a good story and believable acting.

5. Well-done histrionics: The key factor here is sustainability. Although most actors start well with their fresh style of acting, something goes horribly wrong when the series stretch for years and years. Either they're bored, or they're simply burned off by going through the same plots (read emotions) again and again.

Ratings of 'Second Chance:'

1. The plot: 6 / 10 (Not original but interesting)

A beautiful young gold-digger marrying a much older man in love with her and deceiving him is always interesting. How the soul of the old man, now in the body of a handsome young farmer, takes revenge makes the plot more riveting.

2. The cast: 10/10 (In looks)

Just check the smoldering good looks and drooling body of Mario Cimarro (the farmer); the sensual and sexy Lorena Rojas (the wife of Don Pedro); and dignified, blue-eyed Andres Garcia (Don Pedro) and you'll know what I mean. These are just some of the main characters, but everyone in the cast is fascinating to look at.

3. The acting: 6/10

I've always found acting in soap operas a little bit over-dramatized. However, still I would say the actors have done a very good job.

4. Should you watch it?: Yes

The serial is directed very well. The story is fluid. The situations are believable, unlike the staple fare where the main characters sleep with 1000 men in incestual relationships and get away with even murder.

5. When and where to catch it?: Check serial slots on Firangi. Or catch it at Sahara TV from 10 PM to 11 PM (Monday to Saturday)

With this, I sign off for today.

Chao and XO

Good movies start from good stories

Movies and books---the two passions in my life---need a good story. Countless bestsellers in books have been successfully made into cinematic legends. Some of my favorites are listed on the right.

"Am I reading a potential blockbuster?" I thought when I read this book recently. Whether it is or not, I will get into that later. Meanwhile, here's why you should read this book, given a chance:

Book name: Gods Behaving Badly

Author: Marie Phillips

Publisher: Vintage Books London

Date of publication: 2008

Theme of the story:

What would you do if you were invited to a tacky TV show hosted by none other than the great Greek god, Apollo? How would you react if you come to know that Aphrodite, the goddess of love, beauty, and sexual rapture, is actually into phone sex? And the goddess Athena, twin sister of Apollo, the great huntress and protector of vulnerable, turns up at your doorstep asking if you need her to walk your dog?

This book captures all the above and even funnier situations involving gods and goddesses from Greek mythology. Even with their rapidly waning powers, their arrogant, spoilt, and vindictive attitude remains deftly stacked. They still delight in having fun at each others' and sometimes mortal's expense. Hence, the name --- Gods Behaving Badly.

The plot in the story:

Apollo is bored in the 21st Century. No one knows him, no one loves him and, for sure, no one worships him. One fine day, when he refuses to indulge a whim of Aphrodite, she decides to punish him by making him fall in love with a girl, who hates him in return.

This girl is Alice, a shy, nervous, meek cleaner. Alice has a crush on Neil, her mousy, geeky, architect friend. However, both would-be lovers still need to draw courage to express their feelings.

Enters in their sweet love story impossibly handome, ruthlessly persistent Apollo. He not only manages to lure Alice into his web, but also draws a wedge between her and Neil. But when everything seems to have turned Apollo's way, Alice rejects him because she opens up to her feelings for Neil. Angry, furious Apollo contrives to punish Alice for her rebuff and manages to get her killed!

Killed??

Yes, that's right! Alice, the heroine, is killed.

• So what happens to Neil?


• What about Apollo? Does he repent what he did?


• And what about Aphrodite? Does she pay the price of taking her revenge from Apollo?


• Will the doomed lovers re-unite? Who will come and save the day?

To find out, read this book.

The price is reasonable (GBP 3.25, INR 273.00)

The book length is reasonable. And it's always fascinating to read about Greek mythology. If you're not a fan, you will undoubtedly become one after reading this.

The final analysis - movie or not?:

Not perhaps a movie, but a short TV series with dark comedy, definitely!

I can picture a family of eccentric gods and goddesses living in a dilapidated mansion, bickering with each other in clipped, sarcastic British accent, coming across wacky plots involving their run-ins with mortals, and escaping somehow with their dignity intact!

What do you think, Ms Phillips?

But till that's done, enjoy reading and dreaming.

XO

Thank God! Some things in life are still free!

Last week I went to the American Center in Connaught Place, Central New Delhi to check out the kinds of cultural programs they offer. I had planned my visit around late afternoon to coincide with the screening of a Hollywood movie that they were show-casing.

Here's my experience of the event:

1. Security check: Of course, whenever something is related with the US, one should always be prepared for a thorough security check. The only difference is that it's more scrupulous, with bags passing through X-ray machine, no liquids allowed, etc. However, the security staff kindly returned our bottles when we asked for them while going out.

2. Library on the first floor: Since it was already late, I couldn't check out the library in detail. I did manage to quickly browse the Fiction section though. To my disappointment, most of the titles were quite old. Regardless, the library is fairly crowded, so it must have a nice collection.

3. Movies for free!: Well, well, well! When we entered the cinema hall, we did not expect the entry to be entirely free! I mean, not even a nominal charge. Amazing! My first thought was that I should have checked the Center earlier when they were screening cult movies like Citizen Kane, All the President's Men, etc. Well, Homeward Bound should also be ok, though it's a kids movie.

4. Theatre or press conference hall?: Inside they have a press-conference hall converted into a theatre with a capacity of about 80-100 seats. The seats are comfortable, though not plush. The AC is still not on, but there must be some natural ventilation. And hang on, they also offer you bottled cold drinks and crisps at the market price of Rs. 15 - 20. To think, when PVR and similar multiplexes charge drinks and crisps at outrageous prices of about 30% higher than the market!

5. Audience: With a cold drink in hand, I decided to check out the audience. Hmmm. Kids movie, but no kids in sight. No wait, there are a couple of ladies with children. A few foreigners. But artists or students of theatre and drama make up the maximum number. It's a totally different crowd from what you see in PVRs. People are here to see the movie, not to be seen.

6. The movie: It's a little late than 3:3o PM when the movie was about to start. The hall is suddenly full. It's Saturday - half-day. So many people from neighbouring offices have ventured inside. The lights are dim and the AC is working now. The movie begins...

It's a Disney classic telling the story of three pets in a family: Chance, a young dog unfamiliar with the world; Shadow, an aging, wise dog; and Sassy, a snobby cat with attitude. Chance belongs to the youngest son, Sassy to the elder daughter, and Shadow to the eldest son. The movie begins with the wedding of the children's mother to a professor who's based in San Francisco. The family moves to San Francisco for a couple of weeks and leave their pets in the care of a friend. But the friend goes out for some work, leaving the pets in charge of a neighbor. The pets now fear that they've been abandoned and Shadow, who's utterly loyal to the eldest boy, decides to walk back home. Chance and Sassy reluctantly follow.

What adventures they go through, how their friendship blossoms, and how they learn about loyalty, love, and respect from each other on that journey is what this story is all about.

It's a 55 minute movie that packages total entertainment for a family. The voices of the pets are done by some well-known names in Hollywood. I know it was Michael J. Fox for Chance.

The movie talks to the child within us. It talks about loyalty and responsibility in a beautifully narrated story shot across panaromic, beautiful Sierras.

7. Overall experience:
1. Budgeted entertainment: Free movie and lots of options to eat delicacies in Connaught Place
2. Proximity: It's the center of Delhi. Convenient to commute on car. If you want to avoid parking headache, just hop on to any bus going to Kasturba Gandhi Marg in Rajiv Chowk. You can also reach through Metro line 3. It's just 5 minutes walk from Barakhamba Road station.
3. Collection: Enjoy the feeling of watching Hollywood classics from the ambience of a cinema hall. You might discuss and analyze the movie over a cup of coffee with the cute, artist guy nearby!

This week, they've screened some animation movie!
Let me check what they're screening next week...

...meanwhile, you take good care of yourself.
Chao!

License to Drive down Memory Lane!

Recently I saw Zee MGM playing the movie 'License to Drive' and I remembered when I saw it first and how...



The year was 1998.

I was preparing for one of my toughest exams - Quantum Chemistry.
While I was lost in the world of theorems and equations, my brother had his own exams in school. So there we were, two worried, exasperated, and really tired souls burning watts of electricity during midnight.


Sometime around 2:15 A.M., we decided to give our tired eyes and brains some rest and have a cup of tea with some telly watching to revive our energy and spirits.


While flicking through channels, we paused at a movie showing a kid going through his driving license test. OK. Wonder Years, another cocky American kid! Let's check it out for 5 minutes before we get off?

But, hey, the kid is funny, the situation is funny, the circumstances are familiar but tickling with their warped sense of humor. It happened to me too, when I was going through the test. Not that bizarre, of course!

So 5 minutes stretched to 15, 30, 60 minutes...till we were rolling around the floor stifling our laughter with our hands, lest the noise travels to our parents' room or neighbors. It was 4 AM in the morning, remember?!

So here are my reasons you should watch this movie:

1. The comedy is cute, funny, and familiar. Situations are bizarre but rocking. There are some superb car-driving scenes (not the Fast & Furious variety) but believable.

2. We all want to return to that age when we were so young and carefree. Imagine...your first crush with the hottest girl in school; when the opinion of your friends mattered more than anyone else's; when they said, "Dude, you're so cool," everything righted in your world; when you were grown up enough to think you could make your own decisions, but still worried about the wrath of your dad when he would find out....Well, this movie transports us back to that time.

3. Fantastic characters played by a brilliant cast. My most memorable chracters:

• Les Anderson - The kid who appears for the driving test and fails (due to his cockiness and over-confidence). However, one request from his high-school crush for a long drive during the night is enough to make him break all the rules and go for a romantic ride with his fair damsel. But little did this knight knew that his adventure would go so horribly wrong - his girlfriend gets drunk and passes out, his nerdy friends nearly get him beaten up, he nearly gets arrested, and his car is hijacked by a drunk driver.
• Mercedes - Heather Graham looks like a Barbie Doll in a silly, frilly pink outfit. Though she's more heavily made up than should be allowed, she still looks like every boy's fantasy. She doesn't have much to do in this movie, but she's very convincing in her role and... did I say pretty?
• Dean - The friend to whom Les brings around the car for some repair work and advice when Mercedes passes out. Dean is hilarious, the ultimate friend who motivates you for every step of self-destruction. The character is brilliantly played by Corey Feldman.
• Mr. and Mrs. Anderson - I simply loved them. Their roles are minor but so believable and absurdly funny. Mr. Anderson gets the shock of his life when he sees the condition of his prized Cadillac. While he was busy threatening Les with every possible repurcussion in the world barring bodily harm, his wife decides to have the baby! But who will save the day and take them to hospital when she wouldn't let go of her husband's hand? Of course, Les!

I suggest you just get your favorite munchkins and rent a DVD on a lazy afternoon and take a small trip down the memory lane!

Happy viewing!

It's Mad, Mad, Mad TV!

It's not always about movies.

My life has a very simple routine. I go to office 5 days a week and return home for dinner, rest, family bonding and entertainment. And like several middle-class houses, I too don't have any option but to switch on the TV channels to see what they've to offer, which can provide some entertainment to me for 2-3 hours before I tuck in for the night. Here's how I've sorted them:

1. Sports channels: The IPL came, conquered, and went, leaving behind a gap. It was a full-toss, total entertainment for a month. Now, I'm on to Euro Football on ESPN. But I'm not religiously following it as IPL. Besides, the timings also are a tad late. Rest, I just hope that India develops other sports besides cricket, so that we can stay awake cheering up for our hockey, athletics, tennis, badminton teams...Amen!

2. News channels:

"Breaking News! Yuvraj is now after Katrina!" - Really a momentous step in my life or that of my country.

"Breaking News! Kareena and Saif in Hum Paanch!" Amazing! How inspiring!

"Breaking News! The world will end in 2016" Really? I better pack up my bags, then.

Sometimes, it's a toss which is weirder? Our so-called news channels which offer 'Breaking News' of the above variety or our endless family dramas? Even if the news is at times interesting and eagerly anticipated, so much brouhaha is made about it - the news remains 'Breaking' even after 4-5 hours. And there are so many commercial breaks in between. You wonder what you are really watching - News with short breaks in between or commercial breaks with short bits and pieces of news in between?

The only sane channels I can think of: BBC and CNN (though not Indian), CNBC, Tez, and Times India. The rest of the channels I'm afraid don't seem to have any fixed format. For example, I know that BBC telecasts news every hour, whether it's 6:30, 7:30, 8:30 AM or PM, but I don't really know about the rest of the channels. Although news channels offer news at prime times, but is that really news or opinions of the same news or discussions.

3. Entertainment channels:

3a. Saas-Bahu dramas: All right! I just can't escape them. I might moan and grumble about them, my family might. But they will be religiouly tuned in at every dinner. If for nothing else, then to just see the latest fashions on clothes, jewelry etc.
Value entertainment? Absolutely not.
Time pass? Certainly, yes.
Tear-jerkers? Are you kidding?
Humor? Yes, if for nothing else, then for sometimes absurdly paths of the storylines.
Eye candy? Definitely. There are some very good-looking guys and girls in them, and some of them can really act too. But usually it's a case of repeating the nice thing too much, endlessly. Like if you admire a star jodi in a serial, then rest assured they will remain star-crossed throughout their lives. They might marry, produce children, even leap up generations but still remain unlucky in love, until a channel boss just wields the baton and asks the producer to wrap up the series.

Which ones to follow? Though I don't watch all of them, I can suggest a few ones which are promising. The storylines are not revolutionary, but at least they seem like stories:

• Hamari Devrani , Bidaai (Star Plus)
• Mata Ki Chowki (Sahara)

I'd like the serials to end in half-an-hour and are humorous and have some nice message. Notable examples are

• FIR and Office Office (Sab TV)
• Baa, Bahu, aur Baby (Star Plus)

3b. Reality shows of songs and dances: Once upon a time, we had a show called Indian Idol which captured the attention of the entire nation. Debates were held on who would win it. Amit Sana or Abhijeet Sawant? Abhijit emerged as the winner, capturing the hearts of the nation. Zee and Star followed the craze, and last year Zee even bested the national obsession of Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi with the winner, battle of gurus reality show of singers. I loved Raja when he sang "Naina das lenge," I cried when Poonam sang "Sabki baratein aayin." I even stayed up to see who would win on the rival Star's reality show.

But now, I just dont' give a damn! To see my point, you just have to tune in every Sunday afternoon. Every channel is hosting their own reality show of singers. It's very sad to see the winners of previous contests once again doing what they are best at - contesting in another reality show of singers, singing old gems of Lata and Rafi, and pleading for votes. Pathetic? It just shows how much credibility these shows have after all with our Bollywood industry. If they were that great, why don't they have their time full of singing new songs? But at least, the reality shows are giving them steady income, giving steady earnings to judges who otherwise just want to take a break from their real jobs of choreography or music direction, and fill up channel coffers.

4. Movie channels:

4a. Hindi movie channels: Every movie channel has one or two films which are its favorite. Cases in point. Zee Cinema loves Rajshri Movies - Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Saath Saath Hain. They religiously repeat it on most Sundays. Set Max, when not broadcasting cricket, loves Gangajal. I have lost the count of how many times I saw that movie on the channel.

Another common factor is that they love Amitabh Bacchhan. Agreed, he's the great Superstar of Hindi cinema and an amazing actor. But we also have other great actors, some in Black & White Classics. No generation can move forward without learning about the greatness of their seniors. So how about showing some classics of Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, Ashok Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, and so on? For some readers, these names might read strange, but hey guys, there was life before Amitabh and Khans also? And a better-preserved, more awe-inspiring star presence? If you don't believe me, then ask your mom and dad or grandparents?

4b. English movie channels: Wonderful so far, with just some issues.

• If only HBO could showcase more of its series like Sex and the City, Rome, or Entourage.
• If only Star Movies could show more lighter movies - it's venturing too much into dark territories.
• If only Sony Pix could check its sound quality. I had to drop out from so many movies because the audio was not lip-synching properly with characters on screen.
• If only Zee MGM could show a wider variety of movies. I love Zee MGM's practice of providing transcripts with the movies. They make me more attuned to the movie, I can follow the movie even if I have to mute it (for example, late at night), and I can improve my pronunciation and understanding of the English diction.

5. Life channels (Discover, National Geographic, etc.): Well, they are great! They are like fresh springs of life-saving water in these oceans of mindless entertainment. But sometimes, their topics are, let's say, less interesting to me. For example, I wouldn't like to know what kind of future weapons would be out there or what are boys toys. But these topics would continue for 1 hour at least. So what do I have to do? Switch on to the mindless entertainment finally, which brings me to the last category below.

6. Music channels: The dumbest category of all. You just have to let your brain go to sleep and watch videos after videos of jhatkas and matkas, new movie trailers, and endless monologues of VJs. This is why I think TV was named 'Idiot Box.' Because the brain cells definitely cry when seeing this endless litany of songs and dances, but they are fantastic to pass away the time for a while. Now, the MTV has come up with some reality shows like the Roadies, Splitsville, etc. to offer a bit of variety. But is that really something I'd like to see? Like a voyeur, I too tuned in at times to watch them, but I was totally disturbed by what I've seen in these shows. So much negativity, bitching, back-biting, and meanness. Do we want our values to really become that twisted to achieve what we want, at any cost, values be damned? I just can't bring myself to see that. Please give me Saas-Bahu anytime. They might be dumb, but at least they're not corrupting my thought process!

With this, I wrap up. Happy telly viewing!

Peace and love. XO

Aamir - just another promising debut or birth of a star?

"Do you know the meaning of Aamir?"

"No."

"Aamir means Leader."

Well, I didn't know that too, till I heard this exchange between the two main characters in the movie. I'm an avid movie watcher, but I'm not into star-worshipping. I believe a movie is not just about a star (my apologies to all the fans of Khans, Roshan, and Kumar), but a combination of the most creative team in the world.

When we pay Rs. 100-150 for a seat in the theatre, most of us want to just escape from our own individual realities to another situation and live that. Here, by 'escape' I don't mean Yash Chopra and Karan Johar's kingdom of fantasia, but another sitation - whether it is a middle-class house in Karol Bagh (Khosla ka Ghonsla), a sea-facing bunglaow of a gangster in Mumbai (Mithya), the rugged landscape of Meerut (Omkara), or the house of an NRI in a suburb in London (Namaste London). I believe in escaping into that world and for two-and-a-half hours.

Last week, I went into one such world---the life of an educated, hard-working man who belongs to a minority class in India. The movie dared to touch some very sensitive issues, but dealt with them so responsibly. It touched on the urban realities of the minority by showing some gritty images, characters, and asking some very sensitive questions, and in the end they showed an end that may be depressing, but very heroic.

Rajeev Khandelwal, whom I just knew as the suave, handsome main character of Ekta Kapoor's 'Kahin To Hoga' fame, played the role of a man caught helplessly in a circumstance beyond his control to perfection. The circumstance here was not very easy to digest. Imagine, you fly all the way from London only to find the life of your family is in the hands of an unknown kidnapper on a phone who has a myriad team of bikers, taxi drivers, restaurant owners, pimps and prostitutes at his disposal. You bloody well do not know what is happening, and why is everyone looking at you as if you committed the crime of the century? Where would you go? Police station? Or the asylum? It's a world totally gone wrong.

That is what I would do; not what Aamir does, running post to post following the unknown kidnapper's directions. But wait? Did I tell you that I want to escape into another situation? Yes, that've what the movie captured brilliantly. After spending half-an-hour in disbelief, I started empathizing with Aamir's sitaution. Maybe, it's something I would do too, to protect my family from a mad, jingoist kidnapper who in the name of a community is threatening my family, who incidentally belongs to the same community. Maybe I too would run scared if I saw a policeman suspecting me just because I made a call to Karachi. Maybe I too would fight, cajole, plead the kidnapper and appeal to his sense of right to get my world right.

And that's the beauty of the movie. Right from the first frame, the film captures some very crucial questions. Some fantastic examples:

• When the custom officer keeps on checking and rechecking Aamir's stuff and an exasperated Aamir retorts, "Would it have made any difference if my name was Amar rather than Aamir?"
• When to expose Aamir to another reality as to how his community lives, the kidnapper exposes him to the squalid bylanes of Mumbai, the unwashed, unhygienic and inhumane condition of public loos.
• When just everything in Aamir's world goes wrong, a prostitute, who's a pitiful example of her profession, helps him. Why? Because he was another human being caught in a helpless situation in an indifferent city.

Rajiv played the lead role to perfection. He was confused, angry, determined, helpless, and in the end heroic. Not to mention, really fit and good-looking as ever. The end captured my interest most of all.

• The kidnapper believes that his puppet has done his due in this psychological warfare and created another jihadi, but the puppet just cuts the string. He chooses to blow himself off rather than killing innocent people on the bus, dealing the kidnapper the most vicious blow of all to his psyche.

The movie starts with the statement, "Who says that a man writes his own fate?"

In the movie, too, when Aamir categorically states, "I write my own fate?" - the kidnapper asks him, "Who's writing it now?"

Definitely, there are times when life is just outside our control. Remember how helpless and futile we feel when we undergo the same travesties. But fate is whimsical, if nothing else --- it gives everyone a chance to make a choice and in the end, the hero makes his decision. So what if he has to die in the process? The control of your life should be in your hands --- and that makes one the ultimate 'leader' or 'Aamir.'

Finally, I'll wrap up this review with the following ratings:

• Storyline - 5/5
• Direction - 4/5 (There were a few moments I found unbelievable, when the hero who is asthamatic, just runs and runs after the taxi that has driven off with his luggage. No one is that fit or has that kind of stamina, especially an asthamatic hero :))
• Music - 3/5 (The songs were pleasing to ears but I don't remember them now after a week)
• Choreography - 4/5 (They gelled in the movie and did not stop its flow)
• Acting of Rajeev Khandelwal - 5/5
• Acting of supporting cast - 5/5 (I would have given 10 because of how real and believable they looked)
• Drool quotient of Rajeev Khandelwal - 5/5 (Handsome, intelligent, speaking eyes, fit body...Need I say more?)
• Should you see this movie on cinema hall or a DVD - Personally, I belive in contributing to the financial upkeep of the products that have been good to me, so I always make a point to watch movies in theatres. However, it's an entirely personal decision. The film does not have any special effects that need to be seen in a hall, so you can just rent a DVD (original, please) and watch it from the comfort of your home. It's totally up to you.

Well, that's all for now.

Peace and Love.

Take care.