'Kabul Express'

Just as the year 2006 comes to an end, I am proud to announce the name of yet another Bollywood movie that has made me sit up and take note of a young director named Kabeer Khan who has made his debut with 'Kabul Express'.
The movie, thankfully, doesn't have the usual trappings of a Bollywood vehicle and deals with a subject which many acclaimed directors wouldn't want to touch with a barge-pole. It is set in the contemporary war-torn Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, portraying the raw wounds that has left the country at strange crossroads, post 9/11 and the ousting of the Taliban regime. The director has already had some experience as a documentary filmmaker and seemingly finds himself at ease exploring the backdrop. Chronicling the experience of a couple of journalists wouldn't have been anything new; but 'Kabul Express' is a landmark Indian film for the deemed travesty and the daring that might irk the average or below-average merited offerings that make moolah. The motley group of characters include an American woman journalist, an Afghan who is a Taliban-hater and a Taliban extremist who is later revealed to be a secret Pakistani commander. The best thing about the movie is the cinematography that stunningly captures the real locales. The heart of the movie also happens to be in the right place, deliberating a politically incorrect realism would have been sheer harakiri for the filmmaker, he is after all backed by the Yash Chopra banner. Far removed from the mindless Yash Chopra romances,
'Kabul Express' is film that would surely find its place amongst this year's top 10 Indian films, alongside other gems like 'Rang De Basanti', 'Being Cyrus', 'Omkara' and 'Khosla Ka Ghosla'.

Movies 2006

As the year 2006 is coming to a close, it is high time to look back at the movies released this year (in Kolkata, India). My personal favorite is the the Rakeysh Mehra film 'Rang De Basanti'. It has now become a phenomenon all over the nation and even in other countries of the world. It has influenced people in a very special way, as it makes them hold a mirror to themselves. Students of schools, colleges & universities have zealously taken up core issues like nationalism, patriotism and selfless political fervour in debates, discussions, seminars and other forums of collective deliberation.

There were many pleasant surprises from Bollywood this year like 'Being Cyrus', 'Khosla Ka Ghosla', 'Omkara', 'Pyar Ke Side-Effects' and 'Lage Raho MunnaBhai' - all of which deserve to be seen and lauded as they offer a refreshing change from the run-of-the-mill entertainers.

Kolkata is Changing

I am a die-hard Kolkatan. I love the city in all its multifaceted splendor and squalor. 

It is indeed fascinating to see this very city of mine changing in front of my own eyes! Sometimes I find it so hard to believe that the exteriors have changed so much. The cityscape is trying hard to keep up with the times. At times there is a discernible shift that is almost desperate.

I don't mind the changes, rather I am glad to see the otherwise laidback Kolkatan waking up to the most sophisticated amenities that most metros of the world boast of. However, I sincerely hope that the heart of Kolkata, that may not exactly be enriched by the milk of kindness but which surely surely beats with an uptempo humane beat, remains as spirited as it always has been. Let the Kolkatans show the world how cool it is to be passionate and energetic when it comes to beating the odds!

Discovering Blogging

Blogging for me is a whole new concept. 
It is fun, I guess, to be able to share my personal take on wide range of subjects. 
Any discovery is fascinating for that matter. 
Let's see where this very new-found fascination leads me!