sakagaze

Feels great to be awarded!

2012-02-13T07:45:00.000-08:00

Thank you, Anirban, for giving sakagaze the award!

It is very kind and generous of you.

You blog is a personal favorite of mine.

I list here 5 of my favorite blogs, including yours (Kolkata Curry).

Here they are:

[The Liebster Blog Award is actually a token of appreciation by fellow bloggers in the global blogosphere.

Do claim your award and share it on your blogs.

Keep up the good work, folks.

Here's what you have to do to claim the award:

Copy and paste the blog award (image) on your blog.

Also link back to the blogger who presented the award to you.

You also can
 Present the Liebster Blog Award to 5 blogs of 200 followers or less who you feel deserve to be noticed.
 Let them know they have been chosen by leaving a comment at their blog to check out your award-giving blog post.

Any other blogger who is reading this can do the above too to show the appreciation to the blogs he / she like the most.]

Whitney, rest in peace!

2012-02-12T01:49:00.000-08:00

Whitney Houston was one of my all-time favorites. My love for her songs and her singing dates back to my school days. I remember being fascinated with her vocal range and power-packed performances. I literally grew up with her songs. Back then I didn't know much about gospel music and gospel-oriented pop music was quite a revelation for me, it opened up a whole new world of music to appreciate and love. I remember listening to the soundtracks of her films, 'The Bodyguard', 'Waiting to Exhale', and 'The Preacher's Wife' again and again. I was easily charmed by the first two films as well, and mostly because of her. I remember watching 'The Bodyguard' and even falling in love with her on-screen character. Later, when I used to read about her troubled marriage and embittered love-life, it would break my heart, but I always believed that she would be able to fight back eventually and emerge triumphant. I cannot believe that she is no more.

Her rendition of "I will always love you" shall always be dear to me. There are several favorite songs of hers that I would keep returning to, and so would all her fans and music-lovers. And they would obviously include: "Greatest love of all", "I have nothing", "I'm every woman", "One moment in time", "I wanna dance with somebody..... with somebody who loves me", "When you believe" (with Mariah Carey), and "Could I have this kiss forever" (with Enrique Iglesias).

Rest in peace, Whitney. You were a diva, and you shall always reign with your songs.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

2012-02-11T07:51:00.000-08:00

Had been hearing about the best-selling series by Stieg Larsson for quite some time, and had then been hearing some of cinephile friends talk excitedly about the Swedish film trilogy, and then came the news of David Fincher - one of my favorite directors - directing the American version of the same, but as luck would have it - or as was evident going by the moral policing and the double standards that prevail in these parts of the world - the film was prevented from reaching the Indian screens because of the graphic content. But, thanks to the internet, I was finally able to see the David Fincher film last night. It was a handsomely rewarding experience. 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' is shocking, disturbing, riveting, thrilling, and highly entertaining.

Rooney Mara deserves the Oscar nomination. She is simply stunning.

'The Descendants' and other winsome films

2012-01-31T01:09:00.000-08:00

It's the awards season once again..... and a gala time for cinebuffs like me. I have been lucky to feast on a really enjoyable movie-fare of late. Not all of them are nominees at awards ceremonies, yet all of them have had something special to have me hooked in the first place, and to have recommended them to my fellow cinema-lovers. Some of these films I caught at the fag end of the last year, and the others have been savoured this month itself. Here they are:

The Descendants

We Need To Talk About Kevin

War Horse

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of The Unicorn

Bedrooms

50/50

The Tree of Life

Moneyball

The Help

The Artist

Bridesmaids

Real Steel

The Ides of March

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Drive

Rio

Puss in Boots

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Wanna Speak vs Don't Wanna Speak

2012-01-24T07:59:00.000-08:00

If you have a chance to express yourself,

to speak your mind, to get listened to,

you should grab it with both arms, grab the chance to speak.

That seems to be the age-old wisdom,

and it's even the street-smart funda that helps

one create a space for oneself, get one noticed and accounted for.

But the big question is: Do we always want to speak?

Do we take refuge in silences, or in partial utterances?

Do we deliberately speak in an ambiguous tone?

Do we obfuscate our communication?

What makes us grapple with the dilemma - To-speak or Not-to-speak?

There are times when I feel

I need to renew my spirit,

gather my strength,

and make myself heard for not only

selfish reasons, but for a greater cause.

But, then I wonder

if it is more important to make some noise,

some flutter, some unrest,

and perhaps some upsets,

than to contemplate,

meditate,

let my mind wander beyond the immediate,

relax, ponder, and come to terms

within.

A small flower, a tiny crystal,

or a seashell can make more sense

than the best of words uttered by us.

Words are, after all, just words.

Things happen all the time,

in silences, and amidst noises,

and even in the cosmic harmony

and divine melodies which need not be

planned or prepared for......

whether I speak or I embalm my

expression in a prolonged silence

I do need to lose, and subsequently,

find myself again and again.

The Year That Was

2012-01-16T02:40:00.000-08:00

2011...... the year that was

It's been more than two weeks into the new year.

Yet, I think it is the right time to look back

into the year that was.

2011 has been good and bad for a lot of things

- for me, personally speaking.

I lost my father last year, and

that's something that's left a deep void, within.

The year was quite traumatic for me at times.

I found it difficult to cope with

many changes on the personal front.

There were a lot of negative feelings

that were generated.

Some spilled over...... some I tried to hold in.

Relationships underwent a sea-change.

However, once I got over the immediacy,

I could understand my feelings better,

I could diffuse some of the tension that had

built up inside of me.

I could even calmly look back

and act sanely.

Well, I know that our feelings, as tools,

can serve us well, only if the crystallize

naturally, and if we have someone to share

them with. The trick is to express ourselves

and be heard...... and it's this very trick

that I fail to master....... maybe I have

been making all the wrong choices all along

and crying my lungs out for help to

all the wrong persons!

Coming to the city of Kolkata,

my city, my El Dorado, the year 2011

was positively special for Mamata Banerjee,

Messi, and Dhanush.

Mamata Banerjee came to power in West Bengal,

and has been ruling the roost, seated at the Writer's

Building, and enjoying the support of Kolkatans

immensely.

Messi and Dhanush won our hearts

with football-fever and music-mania

respectively, like never before.

It was a dream come true for soccer-crazy

Kolkatans when Messi came to the city

to play. I could not be at the Salt Lake Stadium

to witness the game first hand, but the palpable

excitement trickled down no doubt.

Dhanush came to conquer Kolkatans' hearts

at the fag end of the year. His Kolaveri di

had already gripped the entire nation,

and I can say that I have never seen

the people of my city to be so unreasonably

obsessed with a song - a song which has

truly crossed over - not since the Hassan

Jahangir rage, or the Altaf Raja craze,

or, to a lesser extent, the Dayal baba

kala khaba phenomenon.

Numerous spoofs and parodies have

followed. Which reasserts the song's

unique appeal.

Wonder if Coca Cola will laugh louder

or if it'll be Dhanush, for the pic above.

I am yet to see a single Dhanush flick,

but I have to admit that I am too eager

to do so at the earliest opportunity.

Tamil and Telegu flicks

are now screened in Kolkata on a fairly

regular basis, but subtitled prints

are never screened. Alas!

Last year, Kolkata also witnessed

tragedies of great proportions,

the AMRI fire claiming the lives of

helpless patients being the worst.

Early last year, my dad had been admitted

to the same nursing facility and hence

the place has had a special place in my

quota of memories.

In 2011, apart from losing my dad,

a dear one snapped ties with me,

after seven long years of a lovely

relationship.

I also happened to befriend a very

special person. And it is a unique sort

of a bond that I am cherishing, I'm loving

it in all its uniqueness and warmth.

It is this very person who has said

these special words:

Life is like a book, a memoir.....

you experience, you treasure

the special moments, or you

simply disengage yourself from

the difficult ones, and move on.....

It is indeed very hard, and I know that clinging on does not

help at all. I need to find myself and keep moving......

I cannot afford to stand or stoop, hover around or hanker.....

It is indeed very hard, and I know that clinging on does not

help at all. I need to find myself and keep moving......

I cannot afford to stand or stoop, hover around or hanker.....

I need to look at the road ahead......

there are maybe a few paces left of the distant run,

but those paces better be resolute and brisk,

the it's better to be equipped with confidence,

if not luck; may I indulge my foolish zeal if poorly

equipped to take a calculated risk.

Unlike an old acquaintance who simply wishes that I write a new chapter,

have a new beginning, I would even like to look ahead for the joy

of rewriting some old chapters, reinterpreting life, reinterpreting

my dreams, dream anew. I live because I dream, and I dream because

I am still alive. Yes, I am alive to the opportunity of adding on not just new chapters but maybe a new old story, if not a whole new story.

Films Seen in 2011: Top Ten

2011-12-30T23:06:00.000-08:00

1. A Serious Man [2009]

2. The King's Speech [2010]

3. Black Swan [2010]

4. Blue Valentine [2010]

5. The Savages [2007]

6. Kick-Ass [2010]

7. Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries) [2011]

8. That Girl in Yellow Boots [2011]

9. Aami Aadu (Sound of Love) [2011]

10. G**du (Loser) [2010]

The selection and ranking has been based on personal preference

taking into account the 200+ films viewed - be it on the big screen or on video.

Pics courtesy: Google Images

[The year in brackets indicates the year of release and/or making]

Love and Distrust

2011-12-30T02:10:00.000-08:00

I decided to watch 'Love & Distrust' without knowing anything about the movie. I was simply drawn to it because of the stellar cast: Robert Pattinson, James Franco, Sam Worthington, Amy Adams, Robert Downey, Jr......... who wouldn't be impressed? On playing the video did I realize that it was actually a compilation of short films and the names featured on the cover were actually part of not one but diverse short films - the common thread having been captured aptly in the title itself.

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol

2011-12-19T07:04:00.000-08:00

M:I-4 i.e. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is yet another film which delivers exactly what it promises. I have unabashedly been a fan of the franchise from the very first movie in the series that has Tom Cruise, my childhood idol, essaying the role of secret agent Ethan Hunt.

In the first film, Cruise's character was framed for the deaths of his espionage team. It had him fleeing from government assassins, and breaking into the most impenetrable vault of the C.I.A.

Thereafter, he even has to cling to the roof of a speeding train in the climax, and race like a burning fuse until he discovers a shocking truth. In the second film, he has a beautiful partner in Thandie Newton to stop a renegade agent from releasing a new kind of terror. But, it is in the third film, that he faces his deadliest adversary - a sadistic weapons dealer, and he is cornered when his wife is threatened to be eliminated. MI:4 picks up from there and packs up the regular action which the fans of the series love, and Tom Cruise proves that he can still pull punches as one of the most bankable stars of Hollywood.

This time the members of the cast include - apart from Cruise - Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Tom Wilkinson, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Léa Seydoux, Josh Holloway, and our very own Anil Kapoor.

In Memoriam

2011-12-16T01:35:00.000-08:00

Last month, my dad passed away.

It is never easy for a son to write about his dad.

Those who have known my dad

have perhaps known him as the most affable gentleman,

someone gentle, and easygoing,

one who warmed up affectionately to

all and sundry, and had his own special way of showing

them that he cared, empathized and connected with them

with his gentility, and kindness.

On a lighter note, he couldn't have been more different than Peter Reading, the accomplished British poet who also passed away on the seventeenth of last month.

For my readers, I won't prolong this In Memoriam piece, as I am not one who believes that personal grief can be blatantly shared, please forgive my inability.

I would just like to sum up with this verse,

can't acknowledge the poet as he/remains unknown to me,

the feeling is universal, hence sharing here.......

"When we lose someone we love

We learn to trust somehow

That a new life in a brighter place

Is just beginning now....

A place of grace, and peace, and joy,

Beyond all time and sorrow,

Where loving hearts who part today

Will meet again tomorrow."

Tintin - a Spielberg-Jackson spectacle!

2011-11-14T07:17:00.000-08:00

Tintin has finally landed on the silver-screen and has conquered!!!

I saw the film on Children's Day (November 14th). I wasn't supposed to go for the movie that day. But my appointment got cancelled and it so happened that I had to kill time for two hours or so. Hence, I turned up at the South City mall multiplex, Fame, and was lucky to grab the only remaining ticket for the show (the display board was showing Houseful though!), and eventually, the technically resplendent Spielberg-Jackson spectacle hit me!

But there is also a side-story, which I am about to tell.

Let me confess, that very day, I wasn't in a mood for a movie exactly.

Yet I warmed up within minutes, as I grappled with the 3D glasses and found myself next to a kid from class seven who had turned up for the movie all by himself. I hesitated for a while to strike up a conversation with the boy, considering the possible inappropriateness of chatting up, being a rank stranger to him. But he warmed up too easily. I found out that he was from the same school where I had studied. And, like me, he too was a Tintin fan (who isn't?).

The two of us had a whale of a time, marveling at the action-packed, slick escapade that unfolded on screen. We even compared our observations on the theme of comic book versus movie adaptation, and tried to be neutral in our appraisal of the film we were watching. As expected, he - being a today's kid - was a lot more aware of stuff, even the technicalities of the filming process, than I was at his age. Yet, I was happy to note that he retained his basic innocence and was a lovely kid to befriend, my earnest regard for his parents. He talked about his hobbies, school, teachers, and such things, in the intermission.

Actually, we grew quite impatient with the intermission stretching on and on, on top of being inserted at the oddest of moment, in the midst of a delightful action-sequence.

The film ended, we went our ways, saying polite goodbyes. Yet the memory lingers on....... as it felt for a while that I met my own self, my own childhood, in the confines of the theater; my eyes were covered by the 3D glasses; a colorful world emanated, and the added dimension of simple escapist delight filled my senses.

Good and Bad.....

2011-11-03T08:48:00.000-07:00

There's no good or bad in this world;

it's the thinking that makes it so.

What people call SUFFOCATION in a local train

becomes ATMOSPHERE at a night club!

A child, on a farm, sees a plane fly overhead & dreams of flying -

but the pilot, on the plane, sees the farmhouse & dreams of returning home.

That's life!

Pics courtesy: 'The Vampire Diaries'

Happy Halloween! 'The Vampire Diaries'

2011-10-31T02:26:00.000-07:00

Let me admit, this is a special Halloween post.

Today is Halloween, and I seek to celebrate the ghouls & the ghoulish,

and all things supernatural, as they fascinate me since childhood,

for purposes of entertainment, nothing else though......

no serious spooky business here,

but just doffing my hat to the television series which I've been hooked to, of late:

The Vampire Diaries.

Frankly speaking, the series did not quite grab my eyeballs when the First Season was aired.

I thought it catered more to the sensibilities and tastes of the teenagers, and that too mostly the girls, who can't have enough of the love-related complexities along the soap-fodder lines.

I did skip most of the episodes therein. However, as the Second Season started airing (the deferred telecast in India, on Zee Cafe), I revised by initial reservations on the content.

I am not going to delve into the details of the storyline or the numerous sub-plots, because I expect this post to be read and appreciated only by the afficionados of the series. For the uninitiated: It's a supernatural series which primarily is about a high school girl who's loved by two vampire brothers, who are about 150 years old.

The characters go through more than the usual share of thrills and chills that are expected in a tale of this genre. The complications in love take a backseat in the Second Season, thankfully, as it concentrates more on the digressions and the twists & counter twists that involve the heroine's doppelganger and her machinations, and also reveals, purportedly, the main villain.

Elena - the heroine - as well as Katherine, the doppelganger, are played by Nina Dobrev. While the vampire brothers Damon and Stefan are played by Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley respectively. Jeremy, Elena's brother, is played by Steven R. McQueen. Some of the other interesting members of the cast are: Michael Trevino, Zach Roerig, Kat Graham, Matt Davis and Taylor Kinney.

The actors have become hugely popular, endeared by millions of fans worldwide.

Expectedly so, as that is exactly how television makes people famous overnight.

Anyways, today, I'd like to say a few words just about my favorite character from the series: Mason Lockwood, played by Taylor Kinney. In fact, I started watching the series (later I caught up with the earlier episodes online though) because of him.

Mason's character isn't even a pivotal one, though he plays an integral role in the progression & turn of events. Taylor Kinney had, in fact, just a string of guest appearances. Yet, I loved the depth in the character, the potential that had probably been unleashed by the actor and not so much by the script.

When Mason dies in the series, I felt shattered. Well, almost. A case of suspension of pure disbelief, I guess. Ha-ha-ha-ha......

Mason was Tyler's uncle (Tyler being the high school football jock and Elena's friend). He has been described as Tyler's 'cool' uncle; sexy, athletic and with an easygoing charm.

He returns to Mystic Falls (where Elena and his friends live) after seven years. He reveals to Tyler the Lockwood curse, which had been kept a secret from him; he does so after a dramatic confrontation.

Mason flips in an instant if crossed; it struck me as an interesting character trait.

He is in love with Katherine; eager to do anything for her......

.......yet he does not trust her in a blindly. He's torn by his own demons.

Mason genuinely shows concern for his nephew, Tyler.......

.......but he has his own agenda too, which he's focused on.

Truth be told: Mason's a werewolf!

Mason finds himself vulnerable and insecure because of his cursed identity.

He finds in Damon, his biggest enemy...... his nemesis.

After all, vampires & werewolves can't expected to be friends.

A bite from a werewolf can be fatal for a vampire, hence the persecution.

It is Damon who finally captures him and kills him by ripping his heart out.

Surprise, suprise: Mason returns as a ghost in Season Three (it shows how Taylor Kinney cannot be ousted from the series, his fans won't take it lying down..... hahaha) and he is determined to make Damon pay for killing him.

And, spoiler alert for the ones who are yet to catch the goings on in Season Three,

Mason tortures Damon much in a way that he himself had been tortured but he lets him live.

Mason reveals that, among the Lockwood family's dark secrets, was a way to kill an Original vampire. Mason and Damon head to the Lockwood cellar where they break into a hidden part of it. Damon still refuses to trust Mason but when Mason saves him from the vervain spikes that pierce Damon, he tells him that he doesn't care about revenge: he wants redemption and he wants to help Tyler.

Happy Halloween!!!!

'Rockstar' is coming to rock us!

2011-10-24T08:33:00.000-07:00

ROCKSTAR is going to be Ranbir Kapoor's next release.

It's releasing on the 11th of November.

The music from the soundtrack is a rage already.

It stars Ranbir Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Aditi Rao Hyadri & many others.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali, it's the most awaited film of the year.

And Ranbir seems to be banking on it in a big way.

The film boasts of brilliant visuals & A.R.Rahman's fusion score.

The story is supposed to be an emotional-cum-musical journey.

Since August, the promos have been making us expectant in a big way.

I sincerely hope that the film becomes a rewarding experience for all.

Major portions have been shot in Kashmir, at various scenic locations.

The city of Delhi features in a big way too.

The sequence at Nizamuddin Dargah is supposedly an awe-inspiring one.

Many of the costumes worn in the film have been designed by Aki Narula.

The attention to details is likely to contribute majorly to the narrative.

Ranbir too has spared no efforts to become the character.

Nargis Fakhri plays the role of a Kashmiri Pandit girl.

Ranbir himself has admitted that the presence of Nargis in the film is very special.

Mohit Chauhan has lent his voice to several songs of the film.

The soulful lyrics have been penned by Irshad Kamil.

People would want to watch it for all kinds of reasons.

A personal reason for me: Late Shammi Kapoor's final screen appearance.

Can't wait to catch this scene Ron has with the legend.

I wish all the best to the cast & crew of the film. Can't wait to watch it now!

Getting Slushied

2011-10-14T02:17:00.001-07:00

Getting slushied is commonplace for the members of the Glee club, in the popular tele-series 'Glee'. Many might find it irritating how shakes and slushies are randomly thrown at on the Glee guys and girls in the first and the second seasons of the series, but it is indeed a fun way to represent the bullying stereotypes that almost all of us commonly experience in life, in some form or the other.

Bullying is, in fact, a problem all over. Schools are the breeding grounds and the practice is continued with gusto by the bullies in colleges too, and it gets diversified further, and becomes multi-pronged, multi-dimensional and even multi-participative.

I think, 'Glee' raises a fundamental issue and colors it & exaggerates with fun and banter, and packages it with all the ingredients of mass appeal, but the underlying message is never lost.

In the storyline, the Glee club is shown as the most unpopular group, for having dared to go against the grain, by embracing song & dance, and it is largely the alpha-male student population which targets the club with its extreme bullying antics. The slushying sequences, later, have become nothing short of a trademark for the show and have added spunk to its theme of celebrating one's true self by rising above petty opposition, and by winning over the brute forces through a display of sheer talent & histrionics, getting noticed, and gaining acceptance.

Here, Artie, perceived as the 'dork' in the wheelchair, gets slushied badly.......

.....and, yet, he strongly empathizes with the faith: Be Who You Are, Be Proud!

The Nightingale Who Soothes Our Souls Turns 82!

2011-09-28T06:01:00.000-07:00

Today also happens to be the birthday of Lata Mangeshkar,

the Nightingale of India, who has been soothing our souls for all these years.

May she do so in the years to come.

As long as music will exist, her voice shall enthrall us.

Vadhdivasachya Hardik Subhechcha!!!

Happy Birthday, Lata-ji,

we pray for your good health.

Lata-ji is young-at-heart even having turned 82!

Her mellifluous singing charms us through ages.

The legendary singer has sung in more than a thousand films,

and has sung in more than thirty-six languages!

She has about 30,000 songs to her credit,

having started her singing career way back in 1942.

These days, she rarely gives public performances, but her grand appearance in Kolkata, the city of joy, last month at a programme entitled Tagore Forever was really special. She was present along with the illustrious Mangeshkar clan, that included the likes of Asha Bhosle, Usha Mangeshkar, Meena Khadikar (her sisters), Hridaynath Mangeshkar (her brother, an eminent composer).

Happy B'day, Ron!

2011-09-28T00:21:00.000-07:00

It's Ranbir Kapoor's birthday today.

He's one of the hottest celebs in tinsel town.

Here's wishing him all the best in life.

Ron's sure to miles & miles ahead & shine brighter still.

Ron's next release is ROCKSTAR: coming soon!

Facebook mania.....

2011-09-19T08:37:00.000-07:00

Facebook mania........

Is it the new drug? Is it the new addiction for millions?

Are people increasingly interested in boosting self-image?

Even if it is a trumped-up, false image?

The answer: Yes, sadly so.

Falling in love on Facebook is common...... but so is falling out of love.

And the love-hate-love affair with Facebook continues.

What the t-shirt screams above is what many believe steadfastly.

"FACEBOOK makes work fun!"

The funniest statement is made by the following pic:

A Facebook-crazy Chaatwaalah!

[I guess the chaatwaalah chats on FB too..... and why not?]

How to flex the enthu muscle?

2011-08-29T08:47:00.001-07:00

I have often observed that the people who seem to get the most done and appear to be the most successful are those who have an enthusiastic attitude.

Sometimes, the unlimited enthusiasm in a person just baffles and bewilders me.

If there is one thing I think is genuinely worth being envious of is this enthusiasm or high-spiritedness.

There is definitely something very attractive about those who have a zest for life and a real passion about what they do.

People with such enthusiasm send out positive energy that automatically draw people in their direction.

This ability to attract positive energy is why enthusiastic people are more likely to succeed.

So, how do we become enthusiastic? How do we flex our enthu muscle?

I have been told that it's easier than I think.

Well, the key lies in practice. Yes, it just takes practice.

One needs to think of it like exercising a muscle to make it toned and strong. In this case, the best way to build up one's enthusiasm muscle is to find ways to focus on the positive. I I have found it difficult to do especially because I am way too often weighed down by the odds of life. The hardships and the challenges get the better of me, and I feel browbeaten to the core.

But, I have been told that one who is not exactly feeling upbeat due to the harsh realities of the present can try becoming aware of the happy and upbeat things around one, they can surely be found to exist by the natural laws of contrary feelings, and then one has to really start focusing on them. This will help to encourage a positive outlook. And when one becomes positive, he or she is more likely to be energetic and enthusiastic, thereby drawing wonderful energy his or her way.

It seems really a fantastic cycle to be a part of!

It is also beneficial to seek out the company of other enthusiastic people.

Being around those who are positive and enthusiastic is equally stimulating and invigorating. And as this process is contagious, even more beneficial and creative energy comes our way.

As we work toward this goal of enjoying what we do and those we spend time with, we ourselves shall become an enthusiastic example to those around us.

'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan'

2011-08-19T07:48:00.000-07:00

'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan' is the upcoming Yash-Raj Films production.

It is all geared up for release and the promos on air have caught my fancy.

The Yash-Raj Films banner have always been associated with romantic flicks.

Of late, they have even tried to re-invent their brand of romantic films.

Instead of the staple formula, there have been some innovations by them,

many of them helmed by new directors, who have tried to infuse freshness,

there have been a bit of experimenting with the execution too, some of their films have backfired, despite the changes brought about in varying degrees, and a few have emerged winners too.

Much of the story is set in Dehradun, and the portions of the film have been shot there.

There have been widespread rumors that the film is loosely based on the films like 'Dan in Real Life' and 'My Brother's Wife', however, those have been quashed by the makers. The young director has said that his debut directorial venture has actually been inspired by the matrimonial advertisements in the newspapers where people are on the lookout for an ideal Indian woman to get married to. It's reassuring that the film will not be banking on the risqué quotient (very much in display in the Spanish film 'My Brother's Wife') and rather would have all the spice, the masala, that one would normally expect from a mainstream Bollywood offering.

As far as the promotional videos are concerned, they are surely gripping.

The trailers give us a n exuberant, youthful feel.

The last time that the Yash-Raj banner had a winner,

in the light-hearted romantic genre, was 'Band Baaja Baaraat',

and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this one too.

The film has been described as a topsy-turvy tale set amongst upper-middle class families in northern India.

Imran Khan plays the brother to Ali Zafar, and falls in love with the latter's fiancée, played by Katrina Kaif.

But that's just the basic plot-line; the makers have been fiercely guarding the details, as they are expected to do.

Imran Khan, the male protagonist of the film, is now much in demand after the huge success of 'Delhi Belly', which got a terrific response from the young audience, and from the critics.

Imran is hopeful that 'Mere Brother Ki Dulhan', which he has described as a comedy of errors, will strike a chord with the masses.

Ali Zafar, who has a huge fan following as a singer-actor in Pakistan, had done a brilliant comed called 'Tere Bin Laden' last year, and, basking from his success therein, he did not hesitate to sign up as the second male lead after it had reportedly been turned down by Ritesh Deshmukh.

Katrina Kaif has been paired with Imran Khan after their much speculated upon project with director Sanjay Gadhvi failed to take off.

The director, Ali Abbas Zafar, has been working as an assistant with this very production house for a while, with films like 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom', 'Tashan', 'New York', and 'Badmaash Company', and this one marks his writing as well as directorial debut.

The film stars Imran Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ali Zafar, Tara D'Souza and Kanwaljit Singh, and John Abraham reportedly has a cameo appearance.

I sincerely hope that this film lives up to its promise of being a frothy entertainer.

Imran Khan and Katrina Kaif look great as a pair. The songs are super-cool.

Katrina Kaif has donned a rockstar-avatar (in the 'Dhunki' song) for the first time.

The film's writer & director: Ali Abbas Zafar;

Cinematographer: Sudeep Chatterjee; Editor: Ritesh Soni.

And the zany songs have been composed by Sohail Sen.

Certified by the makers: A guarantee of freshness.

The surprise package: Ali Zafar, the singer-turned-actor from Pakistan.

(Info courtesy: Wikipedia; Pics courtesy: Yash Raj Films)

Ani & Bonnie: On Endings and New Beginnings

2011-07-22T08:36:00.000-07:00

Ani: Hello, Bonnie, many of my readers and good friends have been asking me why I haven't been posting one of our chat sessions yet again....

Bonnie: Ani, it's always a pleasure to chat about things closer to our heart, but hearty conversations that would be of general interest have become infrequent, I'm sure your avid readers would understand.

Ani: Well, today, I'd love to broach the subject of endings and closures, they've been weighing heavily on my mind, you know.

Bonnie: Things better come to their logical conclusions, and there's nothing often more logical than an ending. And, I would also add that endings mean new beginnings too, as endings aren't absolute or static in this dynamic world of ours.

Ani: Yes. Things end, and new things come up in their place......

Bonnie: Not only that, newer sides or dimensions to old things or old perceptions also come about. Closures are thus more welcome especially in comparison to things becoming passé.

Ani: I hope my readers aren't baffled by our speaking in circles.....

Bonnie: We aren't..... okay, let me cite all the stuff that randomly come to my mind, the recent Black Wednesday terror attacks in Mumbai, for instance.

Ani: It breaks my heart to talk about it. I had been following the developments closely each night on telly, and been having nightmarish visions as I toss and turn in bed thereafter.....

Bonnie: The dastardly attacks were really so disturbing, they absolutely unsettle any sane person.... but what I was going to say was that after these repeated attacks in Mumbai in the recent past, the Mumbaikars find it hard to control their anger, and frustration....

Ani: Do you think it's going to change their spirit?

Bonnie: Well, it's an end to being appreciative of the phrase 'the resilient spirit of Mumbai', I fear that in it lurks the beginning of their seething rage..... treating the whole exercise of saluting the spirit of Mumbai, by the politicians - and the media - as if it's an attempt to abuse them.

Ani: That may be too harsh to say, but I can sense their grudges against the administration. There is a possibility of generating a democratic ouster of the present government eventually. Maybe, like we did, here, in West Bengal.

That makes me ask for your take on the change of guard in Bengal..... what do you think of the end to the 34 year-old Communist rule?

Bonnie: frankly, it's the end of CPI(M)'s misrule, that was long due, rather overdue, but Mamata Banerjee's innings have begun with a revival of the Communist ethos in a rechristened, hybridized format. How successful, or how productive it would eventually be, is a question that should be kept for the future. I am not sure how the quasi-dictatorial rule of Miss Banerjee, who has the first and the last say in calling the cards as the Trinamool Supremo will resonate in the years to come, at the grassroots, but right now, she has been consolidating the concept of a new beginning, the dream of a new tomorrow, successfully.

Ani: Can't agree more. I would assert that it's a new beginning to her crusade, this time not as the leader of opposition, but as a potential game-changer. Her strategies might paid off well in dethroning the Left government, but her real challenges have just begun. She has to live up to her image as the messiah of the marginalized and the oppressed, and has also to refurbish our state's image as a cherished model of prosperity.

Bonnie: I am reminded of one more topical change; the changes in the city's weather, of late. Have you noticed how the monsoons coming on schedule has become a thing of the past?

Ani: Hahaha...... the weather phenomena have been changing globally, buddy.....

Bonnie: Ya, but Kolkata has been witnessing new heights of erratic weather these days, too little rains, and then too much of it, some new beginning in randomness, unpredictability, whatever!

Ani: You see, mapping the endings or the beginnings at a macro level is one thing, but mapping them at a micro level is so very complex. Isn't it so?

Bonnie: Recently, when Kolkata's BharatLakshmi Studio was being devoured by the flames, or the city's historic New Market was threatened to be engulfed by fire, those too were the signallings of some end, or some beginning that conspiratorially waited at the fringes, but what such things mean to individuals who are associated is something that's hardly pondered over.

Ani: True. Personal or public, big or small, endings and beginnings affect us emotionally, more than anything else.

Bonnie: Some scars are left behind, some heal in good time.

Ani: We heave a sigh of relief when an awaited end comes, we lament only when the end is perceived as untimely.

Bonnie: I am baffled how we choose to turn a blind eye to the ungainly endings that are on their way....

Ani: And the same can be said for the beginnings that we are never geared up for.

Bonnie: That's a lesser evil. You, for example, have a difficulty in dealing with closures.

Ani: Touché! I invite closures too.

Bonnie: You are also frequently visited by the ghosts of your past closures, I know.

Ani: How do you know?

Bonnie: It's obvious. Hahaha.....

Enjoy their visits, at best. Else, ignore them.

All I can say is, do not let them haunt you.

You must reason that all good things do come to an end......

Ani: Hmmm..... What about the end to Harry Potter films? Good or bad?

Bonnie: Thank goodness the film series was more-or-less successfully wrapped up, the cast continuity becomes a mammoth problem.

Ani: And, as far as the creator of the Harry Potter phenomenon, J. K. Rowling is concerned, the fans have been promised 'Pottermore': the promise of more wizarding adventures, the revealing of secrets and much more interactive stuff.

Bonnie: So, there's hope in the world of business and marketing that creates newer elixirs, whereby ends aren't ends for all practical purposes. What say?

Ani: I take it as a positive note, and hereby conclude our conversation for the day. Thanks, for the special chat session.

Bonnie: Mutually pleasurable, Ani.

Best of Hindi Cinema

2011-07-13T02:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a listing of one hundred favorite Hindi films of mine:
[I have tried my level best to order them chronologically, based on the year of release - inadvertent historicity bloopers be excused]

1. Awara (1951)

2. Devdas (1955)

3. Jagte Raho (1956)

4. Naya Daur (1957)

5. Mother India (1957)

6. Do Ankhen Barah Haath (1958)

7. Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)

8. Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)

9. Kanoon (1960)

10. Mughal-e-Azam (1960)

11. Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)

12. Bandini (1963)

13. Yaadein (1964)

14. Guide (1965)

15. Teesri Kasam (1966)

16. Bhuvan Shome (1969)

17. Mera Naam Joker (1970)

18. Anand (1971)

19. Reshma Aur Shera (1972)

20. Pakeezah (1972)

21. Piya Ka Ghar (1972)

22. Saudagar (1973)

23. Achanak (1973)

24. Garm Hava (1973)

25. Ankur (1974)

26. Avishkaar (1974)

27. Deewar (1975)

28. Sholay (1975)

29. Chhoti Si Baat (1975)

30. Mrigaya (1976)

31. Manthan (1976)

32. Kinara (1977)

33. Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977)

34. Bhumika (1977)

35. Kitaab (1977)

36. Gaman (1978)

37. Junoon (1978)

38. Golmaal (1979)

39. Chakra (1981)

40. Chashme Buddoor (1981)

41. Umrao Jaan (1981)

42. Arth (1982)

43. Sadma (1983)

44. Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983)

45. Katha (1983)

46. Mandi (1983)

47. Saaransh (1984)

48. Holi (1984)

49. Party (1984)

50. Utsav (1984)

51. Paar (1984)

52. Mirch Masala (1985)

53. Saagar (1985)

54. Damul (1985)

55. Ijaazat (1987)

56. Yateem (1988)

57. Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro (1989)

58. Raakh (1989)

59. Nazar (1989)

60. Kasba (1990)

61. Prahaar (1991)

62. Rudaali (1993)

63. Maya Memsaab (1993)

64. Bandit Queen (1994)

65. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995)

66. Daayra (1996)

67. Khamoshi: Sangeetmay (1996)

68. Dil Se (1998)

69. 1947: Earth (1998)

70. Satya (1998)

71. Rockford (1999)

72. Hera Pheri (2000)

73. Lagaan (2001)

74. Dil Chahta Hai (2001)

75. Chandni Bar (2001)

76. Jhankaar Beats (2003)

77. Black Friday (2004)

78. Maqbool (2004)

79. Raincoat (2004)

80. Iqbal (2005)

81. Sarkar (2005)

82. Main, Meri Patni... Aur Woh! (2005)

83. Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2005)

84. Rang De Basanti (2006)

85. Kabul Express (2006)

86. Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006)

87. Johnny Gaddaar (2007)

88. Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd (2007)

89. Chak De! India (2007)

90. Jab We Met (2007)

91. Rock On!! (2008)

92. Firaaq (2008)

93. Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na (2008)

94. Wake Up Sid (2009)

95. Dev.D (2009)

96. 3 Idiots (2009)

97. Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009)

98. Love, Sex Aur Dhokha (2010)

99. Udaan (2010)

100. Peepli Live (2010)

"I Am Harry!": A Case of Split Reality? HaHaHa

2011-07-01T07:30:00.000-07:00

Watch it and laugh out loud:-)

Daniel 'Harry Potter' Radcliffe has matured as a fine actor, and is quite interesting to watch and listen to, especially when he shows his funny side, which he does quite often these days.

Happy Birthday, Messi!

2011-06-24T01:47:00.000-07:00

Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi was born on this day, in 1987, in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. Here's wishing him a very happy birthday.

He is currently my favorite footballer, and a football-icon for millions all over the world. Despite being a victim of growth hormone deficiency, Messi has had a stupendous career as a champion footballer.

His playing style and skills with the ball have often made people compare him with the Argentine football legend Diego Maradona. Often called the prince of football, Messi is said to make the football smile. Not only has he achieved unprecedented success, winning almost every personal accolade including the Ballon d'Or, Messi has reaped handsome rewards for FC Barcelona and the national team of Argentina, playing as the forward/winger.

For us Kolkatans, the Messi connect is on an all-time high with the possibility of Messi coming to Kolkata being announced. Messi and his football mates from Argentina are likely to play in a FIFA-sanctioned friendly match with Venezuela, at the Salt Lake Stadium (Yuva Bharati Krirangan) on September 2, this year. Kolkata being a city of football-lovers, the frenzy would be just fantastic.

Gaga-awed & Bieber-ized: Happy World Music Day!

2011-06-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

Happy World Music Day, folks!

Today, I would like to talk about two of the hottest (or should it be coolest? Whatever!) music personalities: Lady Gaga and Justin Bieber.

I know, many would squirm and giggle, but I can't help admit that these two stars are each a phenomenon on their own, and love them (both have won awards and accolades aplenty) or hate them (they are lampooned in the media the most, each having innumerable haters worldwide), you just cannot ignore them.

Lady Gaga shot to fame in 2008 with her debut album and there has been looking back for this singer who thrives on controversies, sensational stage acts and props-laden glam rock numbers that somehow gel well with all sorts of people who cherish rebellion above all else, and love to celebrate non-conventional lifestyles. As far as her music is concerned, it does not make me a huge fan of hers but I salute her spirit; she seems rather upfront - reminds me of Madonna in her heydays. Her avant garde electronic stuff is actually tempting to groove to. And the songs have a certain honesty which is somewhat liberating. Recommended listening (for all those readers of mine who are yet to swing and sway to Lady Gaga's music: "Born this way".

Justin Bieber too was discovered in 2008, on Youtube (of all places!) by his would-be manager and he became a sensation since his debut release in 2009. His popularity reached astronomical heights with every single of his becoming a major hit, biggest ever for a guy his age (Bieber is just seventeen now!) and his sugary sweet pop songs have connected instantly with teenagers (mostly girls though) all over the world. The 3D biopic concert film of Justin's, that released early this year (not in Kolkata though) has become a rage, and Bieber-mania still happens to rule.

My favorite Justin Bieber song: "Never say never" (featuring Jaden Smith).

Happy Birthday, Garfield!

2011-06-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

It's the official birthday of Garfield, the comic-strip cat! It is on this day, June 19, in the year 1978, that this famous fictional cat was 'born', i.e. he first appeared in print. In the eponymous comic-strip, by Jim Davis, he is portrayed as the lasagna-loving lazy cat, owned by Jon Arbuckle, an awkward clumsy geek.

I have already stated in my personal preference earlier that, for me, Garfield is the most favorite of all comic-strips. Hence, this fat, tabby cat with sharp (sometimes nasty) comments is really special for me.

Here's wishing Garfield a vERY hAPPY bIRTHDAY!
May he entertain us all for many, many, .....many years!

A tête-à-tête with Samadarshi

2011-06-08T07:08:00.000-07:00

Samadarshi Dutta is one of the fresh talents that Bangla cinema can boast of. He is an actor who has been consistently doing quality work, and I am proud to present a candid conversation with this actor par excellence.

Even a few months back, I was unfamiliar with your acting.... but after watching you in "Aami Aadu" early this year I was absolutely impressed and have no doubt that you are one of the hottest young talents in Bangla cinema.

Thanks, for the appreciation. I haven't acted in too many films, but I consider myself lucky to be associated with good films.

You had started out with television, didn't you?

Well, I did just one television serial called "Kakhano Megh Kakhano Brishti", and it was a few months' work only, yet it got me some recognition.

True, and many have told me that they know you because of that serial.... people in the film fraternity, also admire you a lot for your very first film, "Ichchhe" that hasn't been released till now.

Yes, people in the industry who have seen "Ichchhe" have all lavished praises on me...... it was indeed a special film, and I acted alongside Sohini Halder, who played my mother, and Bidita Bag, with whom I share a wonderful working chemistry.

Samadarshi, you have had a formal training too, at the FTII, Pune, and it must have been quite an enriching experience, right?

Of course, I was lucky to have had done my stint there, and apart from the grooming and the exposure to the art and craft of cinema, I have made some great friends.

That you are well-versed in acting was evident when I saw "Aami Aadu", and then when I saw you in "Aarohan". You did some acting on stage too, didn't you?

Yes, I did group theatre for some time before moving on to act in films.

But don't you think for Bangla mainstream cinema your grooming and education might be considered a disadvantage? Are you open to all sorts of screen roles?

By Bangla mainstream cinema if one understands a certain kind of copy-paste versions of Telugu or Tamil potboilers, then I might not fit into the so called mould, but I do have enough confidence as an actor that I can act in diverse genres of films.

In "Aarohan", you have had an American accent, you must worked hard.....

I think I did a somewhat okayish job in terms of preparing for it. I also had to acquire the accent of Murshidabad district for "Aami Aadu", if you remember.....

Of course, you had sounded absolutely convincing!

Well, that is what an actor is supposed to do, isn't it? Becoming a character in entirety involves getting the dialect, the body language and the behaviour right.

Very true. By the way, your Hindi diction is good, so, are open to offers from Mumbai?

Mumbai, Chennai..... whichever part of the country beckons me! I'm open to doing films in any regional language whatsoever, and I believe I can pick up the language for the role.

Wow! Is that because you weigh your options cautiously, or find that Tollygunge might not have the right kind of opportunities.....

My first release was an out and out commercial film, "Saathi Aamaar Bondhu Aamaar", and it is not that I'm too proud of that film.... I want to act in films which I can proudly look back upon when I reflect on my work as an actor some years from now.

In that film, you were introduced as Surya..... which was odd......

There are things like that an actor can't do anything about. Interestingly, the first time I had got an offer from Tollygunge, was from the Late Anjan Chowdhury, who wanted to make a film with me, and though it didn't materialise, the fact that he himself had narrated the script is a treasured memory.

Please tell me about your projects at hand.

I have wrapped up the shoot for "Mukti", "Bhooter Bhobisyot", and "Dekha Na Dekha".

In Gautam Halder's "Mukti", you have worked with Raakhee Gulzar, right? How was it working with her?

Yes, I do not have many scenes with her in the film though. She is a stalwart indeed and working with stalwarts give me enough resources and insights which I look forward to implementing in due course. for example, in "Aarohan", I had worked with Soumitro Chattopadhyay and Sandhya Roy, and from them to I got to learn as well. I worked in "Hing Ting Chhawt" which too had Soumitro Chattopadhyay. Thus, my perspective on cinema indirectly got shaped even while I was working.

A personal question, as an actor, do you feel insecure at times?

I'd be lying if I deny; the profession of acting does have its share of insecurity, but I believe in honing my skills and having enough self-confidence and faith in my capability. I am passionate about acting.

When exactly did you sense this passion within, for the first time, you do not come from a family of actors or cinema professionals, do you?

No one in my family have been part of showbiz, my folks are all academically inclined, and have had successful careers.
I remember being stirred by a film shown on television, when I was in high school, I recall the very scene but not the name of the film, and I knew that I had to act! Eventually, getting selected as a student at FTII was a huge turning point for me.

Tell me about the things you indulge in when you aren't acting.

I love watching films. I can boast of an impressive collection of films from around the world on my computer..... hahaha......

What kind of films do you watch?

All kinds..... I love watching world cinema - the classics, for sure, plus works of all the contemporary greats.

You have an eclectic taste in music too..... I know, you play the guitar.....

Well, I do love strumming the guitar. For a while, I had studied tabla, sarod, and violin too.....

That says a lot about you, you love accomplishing things.... hahaha.... but, Samadarshi, I can't help observing how affable you are, without the trappings of a star.

I am not a star, not yet..... I would love to be an actor, an actor who works earnestly..... and by the grace of God, people like me. People who have worked with me, including my co-actors and technicians, and even the spotboys and the chaiwallahs, have endeared me. Somehow, I can connect with people. I love that.

How do you stay fit? Isn't the physicality bit in cinema a fad now?

I am not into beefing up, as is evident, but I do believe working out is important. It is important for an actor to stay fit and healthy, by all means.

You know, I was elated to learn that "Aami Aadu" has bagged both the National Award (for best regional film - Bangla), and the Silver Award at SAARC Film Festival in Colombo. I am sure that you will go places as people will take note of you for your distinctive. May your work speak for itself. I wish you all the best for all your forthcoming projects.

Thank you. I am happy that people love me, and my work.

It was lovely talking to you.
I am sure my readers will enjoy the chat as well.

The skewed lure of 'Dexter'

2011-05-29T02:32:00.000-07:00

Just through with watching the first five seasons of the television series 'Dexter' on Star World.
It is one of the most gripping tele-serials in recent times and has been a huge hit all over the world, and it is impossible to stay indifferent to its charm.
American crime-drama series forms the staple diet of most of the television viewers across the world because, besides being well-produced, well-scripted & well-acted, these tap on the universal craving for an exploration of the darker recesses of human psyche. 'Dexter' goes one step ahead and toys with the saint-sinner tagging and has as the eponymous protagonist a forensic bloodstain pattern analyst for the Miami Metro police department who moonlights as a serial-killer.

In America, the series had debuted in 2006. But here, in India, we have been shown it this year, all the five seasons, back to back, on week-nights, with repeats on weekends. However, most viewers who got hooked to it have made sure that they catch the episodes online, as scenes and dialogues had to filtered for the telecast in the sub-continent, owing to excessive violence and profanity. In fact, the content and the violent images have been the bone of contention for the purists, and for many a social-analyst, not just in these parts of the world but in the West as well.

The first season was largely based on the novel 'Darkly Dreaming Dexter' by Jeff Lindsay, the fisrt of his series of Dexter novels. The subsequent seasons have largely evolved in an independent manner. The key scripting was done by James Manos, Jr. The principal cast features Micahel C. Hall (in the title role), Jennifer Carpenter, James Remar, Lauren Velaz, David Zayas, C. S. Lee, Julie Benz, Erik King, and Desmond Harrington. Also, Margo Martindale, Christian Camargo, Anne Ramsay, Valerie Cruz, Jonny Lee Miller, Jimmy Smits, Keith Carradine, Julia Stiles and John Lithgow are some of the big draws who have had supporting roles or guest appearances.

It is pointless to introduce the plot-line to those who are unaware of this phenomenal series. Yet, here it is, the germ of it all: Dexter is orphaned at the age of three due to the murder of his mother in front of his eyes, and is then adopted by Miami police officer Harry Morgan. After discovering that the young boy has been killing a multitude of neighborhood pets, Harry tells Dexter that he believes the need to kill got into him, and that he believes Dexter's need to kill will only grow. To keep Dexter from killing innocent people and winding up in an electric chair, Harry begins teaching Dexter The Code, whereby his victims must be killers themselves who have killed someone without justifiable cause and will likely do so again. Flashbacks throughout the series show Harry, who died several years before, instructing Dexter on how to fake human behavior, how to cover his tracks after a kill. Dexter has followed The Code religiously to satisfy his Dark Passenger - the name he has assigned to his urge to kill. Like many serial killers, he keeps trophies - before dispatching a wrongdoer, he makes a small incision on their right cheek with a scalpel and collects a blood sample, which he preserves on a blood slide & stores in a box concealed inside his air conditioner. Dexter has a skewed logic that he is in denial of and it is this logic or rationale that actually makes us question what's justified and what's not. Dexter's private life, his being lovelorn, his secrets tumbling out - make interesting viewing, as do his exploits, his kills.

"DELHI BELLY"

2011-05-20T08:40:00.000-07:00

DELHI BELLY
A film that dares to be irreverent & funny..........

Aamir Khan's Delhi Belly is all set for worldwide release on July 1st, 2011.
And, already, there's a huge interest about the film among the critics as well as his fans.
The theatrical teaser promo of Delhi Belly premiered on January 21st, accompanying the screenings of "Dhobi Ghat - Mumbai Diaries", which too was Aamir's home production, and was directed by his wife, Kiran Rao.
With the release date approaching momentum has gathered on the makers' part as well. The film's first look, poster and music have already captured our imagination in the last few days. Delhi Belly is directed by Abhinay Deo, and has been scripted by Akshat Verma. The film has in its cast Imran Khan, Vir Das, Poorna Jagannathan, Kunal Roy Kapoor, Shenaz Treasurywala, Vijay Raaz, and Rahul Pendkalkar.
The music for the film has been scored by Ram Sampat and the lyrics have been penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya.
The cast and the crew have been rather tight-lipped about the film while the filming was on, and post-production work on it continued. Speculations were rife on the content, believed to be catering to the adult audience instead of the conventional family audience.
Originally, the film was supposed to be directed by the Swedish director Robert Nylund, but things didn't quite work out, and then entered Abhinay Deo, who has been associated with numerous ads of repute. Ranbir Kapoor was pencilled in at first, but that too did not work out, and Imran, Aamir's nephew was shortlisted as a cast member.
The film is till date the boldest one that has been produced by Aamir Khan, and Imran himself has said that his character is quite 'colorful' and he'll be seen diving his attention between Poorna Jagannathan and Shehnaz Treasurywala.
It is an irreverent comedy indeed, but Aamir Khan has refuted the claims made by some sections of the media that Delhi Belly is a sex comedy.
In fact, the character played by Imran does not only indulge in two-timing, but his teenage fanbase might be shocked to know that he swears, drinks, has several addictions and is totally lewd and despicable.

The grunge-rock song 'Bhaag D. K. Bose' from the soundtrack of the film has already become a sensation of sorts.

It has caught on with the youth as the latest anthem of rebellion & irreverence.

The song is surely has surely catchy, plus it has weirdly and cleverly twisted a common Bengali name into an expletive. Quite a stunt, I must say!

My Message

2011-05-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

My message to the world,
and to someone in particular.

Be Happy.

Happiness is indeed a strange concoction.

We confuse happiness with so many things.

Happiness or contentment? Which is more desired?

Which carries more weight?

Sometimes, we lie to ourselves, and say

we are happy when we are not.

We fail to be happy, wholesomely.

I would like to quote Carl Sandburg

who, in his poem Snatch of Sliphorn Jazz, asks:

'Are you happy?'

And, then, asserts:

'It's the only
way to be, kid.
Yes, be happy, it's a good nice
way to be.
But not happy-happy, kid, don't
be too doubled-up doggone happy.
It's the doubled-up doggone happy-
happy people . . . bust hard . . . they
do bust hard . . . when they bust.
Be happy, kid, go to it, but not too
doggone happy.'

Sinful Surrender

2011-05-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

My sinful surrender..... my weakness.

Pizzas tempt me endlessly, and I surrender sinfully.....

There's nothing like giving in to the temptation of lip-smacking pizzas....

Served hot and served rich, with fresh cream, or extra cheese....

Enriched by the chicken slices, or a delicious topping of tomatoes and onions...

The golden corn, the mushroom and capsicum and paneer or pepperoni combo.

Remember, pizza tastes best when there's more than just a pair of hands picking up the slices...... and fighting for the last one.

Blogger's Back!

2011-05-14T05:42:00.000-07:00

Finally..... Blogger's back!

It was excruciating for millions of bloggers and blogophiles that Blogger was kept out of access by the site administrators citing maintenance reasons, and hence there could not be any new posts.
Blogging is no longer just a pastime, for hordes of people it is s surefire sign of survival itself.
Old blog-posts could be read of course, but it feels really bothersome when one is prevented from airing one's feelings, views, opinions or insights and sharing them with others here in blogosphere. The delay in fixing their problems was unexpected, and uncalled for. Hence this post is just a celebratory post for the restoration of services on Blogger [blogger.com], their efforts to restore the posts are still on, and normalcy has been promised by the weekend.

"Rio" - a riot of colors, a feast for all!

2011-04-16T02:41:00.000-07:00

"Rio" (directed by Carlos Saldanha, produced by Blue Sky Studios & Twentieth Century Fox Animation) is the latest family animation flick that has hit the screens here in Kolkata, and has won the hearts of young and old alike.
It has been wooing audiences all over the world; naturally, as the film is a real treat, a feast for the eyes and the ears, and a feast for all.

Watching it in theater, in 3D, is so much fun. One should not miss this experience first-hand. Even the skeptical and the cynical ones won't escape the warmth of a film like this. Take it from me, "Rio" is every bit enjoyable, and worth the price of the multiplex ticket. The colorful visuals are simply mind-blowing, and, though the original musical numbers may not be absolute classics by themselves, the music has an infectious energy that will positively have its grip on the audience. 3D animation can be experienced in all its splendor as one watches the computer generated animation that glows lavishly.
The best thing about the film is surely the wackiness that peppers the script. Making the dialogues resonate in more ways than one for the diverse range of viewers is something that's been continually experimented with in animation features in recent times; here, the wit just sizzles perfectly. The birds and other animals and the human characters are equally charming and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. From the nerdy-friendly macaw named Blu (voiced flawlessly by Jesse Eisenberg), the wide range of other feathered beings whom he gets to meet (voiced by a stellar ensemble that includes Anne Hathaway, Jamie Foxx, Jermaine Clement, George Lopez, Will i Am), plus the bulldog Luiz (voiced by Tracy Morgan) to sweet Linda (Blu's companion, voiced by Leslie Mann) and Tulio (the ornithologist voiced by Rodrigo Santoro) - the characters enthrall us for the running time of ninety-six minutes.
No wonder, I found the kids with rolling with laughter, the adults chuckling gleefully, and the youthful romantics swaying to beats of Samba and tapping their feet as the Carnaval unfolded on screen. And my personal 'favorite' connect: the use of the Lionel Richie song 'Say you, say me' and the glib comment thereafter, "Lionel Richie, always works!"

A tête-à-tête with Shoaib Ibrahim

2011-04-09T03:48:00.000-07:00

Shoaib is one of my very first e-friends.
We befriended on Orkut, and now we are pals on Facebook as well, and even though our interactions haven't been too regular in all these years, he has always come across as unassuming, friendly and responsive. He has been pursuing a career in modelling rather seriously, and, to be very honest, his natural charm would easily appeal to anyone who vibes with him. Contrary to the narcissistic froppery and snootiness that some male models are known for, Shoaib is an easy-going lad. Here, for the readers of my blog, I have had a candid chat with him, essentially on his modelling dreams and pursuits:

Hi Shoaib, first, I would like to know about your initiation into modelling..... how did it all start?

My sister, who is also a fashion designer, and my brother ....they both saw the potential in me and encouraged me to get into this and made sure that I had my portfolio done..... that was how it all started.

Tell me, who inspired you?

None other than Salman Khan....

Really? That's interesting.

Ya, I have always looked up to him as my role model... I really like his style, his charisma, his acting, everything about him, and have always wanted to do the same... You can say, I am a die-hard fan of Salman Khan.

Did you have any mentor or guide to help you groom as a professional model?

No, I think you don't need any grooming as such. You develop the spark within, that inner strength of yours on your own.... with your inner confidence you are the one who can actually change yourself.

That's true, but what do you think are the pre-requisites for a successful model, apart from the natural good looks which you are blessed with?

Hard-Work , a positive attitude, focus and patience - these are the key factors for one's success in any field, and modelling is no exception.

Do you love to function more as a ramp-model, or for television commercials or for the print medium, any preferences?

Ohh.... I enjoy all of them so no personal preferences as such.

When you are on your own, what are most comfortable in?

My denims and a cool t-shirt.

That's cool! Buddy, would you say male models have more competition than female models? I mean, are the opportunities less?

Well, I don't think so. As far as I am concerned, I have never felt that kind of insecurity, and I truly believe that one should be his own toughest competitor.

Any personal favorites or idols amongst the male models, who you look up to?

Yeah.... Shawar Ali Bhai.

I think, he has been one of the most successful male models from India, in the league of Milind Soman, Arjun Rampal, Dino Morea, and Zulfi Syed.

True. Plus, he has been around for so long!

Yes. Now, would you like to share some interesting/funny/bizarre experiences as a model?

Every moment in this field is interesting, every shoot, every assignment comes with its own share of excitement.... so, nothing in particular.

Many think that modelling as a career option is not so lucrative despite the quick bucks and the glamour, as the shelf-life of a model is quite small. Would you agree?

Yes, you can say that if you want to limit yourself only to this as a career.

You are quite accomplished even academically, as you are a dentist as well.....

Well, even if one wants to diversify in showbiz, one can easily move into films and television. So, it all depends upon the thinking and the determination of an individual to make it big. This is the way it is ... I mean, one does require to look beyond and move on in life, one should always look for betterment. Hence, to remain in the limelight for a greater span, one cannot afford to limit one's growth as just a model.

I agree. By the way, talking of films, do you find a bias amongst film-directors who are of the view that male models are too vain to emote comfortably in front of the camera?

Actually, I have a different opinion on this. Such a generalization would not be proper. I can tell you that I have seen the perspective vary from individual to individual. I won't say that there's a general reservation on the part of the directors to use model-turned actors.

Finally, tell me what you look forward to achieving in the future, any special dream or aspiration that you'd like to share with my readers?

Hahaha.... my future plan.... rather, my only dream is to get into films and to become successful actor eventually.

Okay.... that's superb! Here's wishing you all the best. May all your dreams come true, and may you have a contented life, buddy.

A Historic Victory!

2011-04-03T01:04:00.000-07:00

It has been a historic win for Team India at the ICC World Cup final in Mumbai. All those who witnessed the match - be it at the stadium or in front of their television sets - shall cherish the euphoric victory against Sri Lanka for the rest of their lives. And the men-in-blue, the champion cricketers who made it happen, shall be revered forever by this cricket crazy nation.
The entire tournament, from start to finish, had been too exciting, but a billion-plus Indians just prayed for the ultimate victory yesterday night. Not that we had been the strugglers, not at all, we lashed out in full force against so many of the top contenders - England, Australia, Pakistan amongst them - and, after the triumphant glory of ousting Pakistani team at the semi-final in Mohali, emerging as World Champions seemed very much possible. Yet, in yesterday's match, after the Lankans managed to score 274 runs, having batted first, we felt the heat.
On hindsight, it seems that the spectators were more under pressure than Dhoni and his teammates. Our captain Dhoni in composure personified, and it is this attitude of his that makes him my personal favorite. Sehwag was dismissed for a duck in the opening over, and Sachin, the Master Blaster, too got out rather early. And this is when the men of mettle - Gautam Gambhir, Dhoni and Yuvraj - batted like heroes and made our win a reality.
At the end of the match, many of our cricketers were too overwhelmed, they were in tears, it was genuinely an emotionally charged moment..... there were celebrities like Rajinikanth and Aamir Khan in the stands, ecstatically cheering, there was absolute frenzy in the air.
Somebody rightly commented that the win was cemented by the huge support garnered by our team as the match was being played in our homeground. However, the same factor could have added pressure and affected our performance had we not put a decent effort to clinch the victory.
The Sri Lankans had batted in glory, especially Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Dilshan and Kulasekara, and Lasith Malinga bowled superbly to get the early wickets.
For Team India, the victory means a lot, it is a boost to the youngsters in the team, and is a fitting farewell to the outgoing coach, Gary Kirsten..... but, above all, it is a tribute to Sachin Tendulkar, whose talents have made Team India battle odds for so many years and, as it is evident that he won't be playing in the next World Cup, this glorious chapter had to be made part of his cricketing career which has otherwise been iconic already.
Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh and others carried Sachin on their shoulders and ran along the boundaries, to the spectators' delight. The teammates must have partied all night.

We have been able to recreate the magic of 1983 (many pointed out that the years 1983 and 2011 have the same calendar! No mean coincidence, huh?) and regained the coveted World Cup after 28 years. Captain Dhoni must be a proud man now, under his captaincy we have emerged as the number one Test team, and now we're the One-Day International champions too.
Here, in Kolkata, the excitement was palpable all along, and just as the match ended the city skyline lit up with fireworks, no one seemed to mind the loud noise of the crackers that were being burst till wee hours of the morning. Kolkata exhibits cricketmania (in fact, any kind of craze) like none else, and Kolkatans came out into the streets in hordes, shouting, singing, dancing, partying, celebrating..... madness all the way, I think even my fellow Kolkatans who aren't cricket-crazy won't mind it for once..... hahaha..... cheers!

Elizabeth Taylor - the legend

2011-03-24T00:51:00.000-07:00

Elizabeth Taylor has passed away yesterday, but she lives and breathes in her films, in all her stunning portrayals, she lives in the hearts of all cine-buffs.

Elizabeth Taylor (February 27, 1932 - March 23, 2011)

(in 'National Velvet')

She was the ultimate Hollywood beauty.

There shall never be another Liz Taylor.

(in, and as, 'Cleopatra')

(with James Dean in 'Giant')

(My favorite screen couple: Liz and Paul Newman)

(with Michael Jackson - may their souls rest in peace)

Happy Birthday, Aamir 'Babloo' Khan!

2011-03-14T01:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to you, Aamir!
This time, you are rocking the small screen with your latest commercial for Tata Sky, where you have become Babloo - the cricket fan who watches cricket in HD clarity and does what can be described as 'remote umpiring'. It is a hilarious of yours, once again. And the commercial is a big hit not only on telly, aired along with the ICC Cricket World Cup telecast, but also on Youtube.

More power to you, Aamir-da...... keep rocking!
Here's wishing you a prosperous year ahead - you are surely going to be busy with your new films - and I wish you all the success for the years to come.

'Hereafter'

2011-03-05T23:14:00.001-08:00

Last night, I saw a film called Hereafter.
It had bagged a nomination at the Oscars this year, for visual effects, and I was keen to check it out earlier, before the Oscars ceremony.
However, it was difficult to come across at the video library.
It hasn't been released in theaters here, in Kolkata, and I do not expect it to get released too. Hereafter is a film by Clint Eastwood. But it is not the kind of film that one would expect from the director. Though, I have to say, that I am quite thrilled by the diverse subjects and genres that Clint Eastwood has explored as a director, and would also like to add that, as an avid follower of his films, I did notice some familiar sub-terrains in all his films, including this one. 'Hereafter' is not an easy film to watch, for most viewers (and that seems to be the reason it has met with a tepid response, especially in America) but watching the film was a handsomely rewarding experience for me.

Hereafter was screened as a 'special presentation' at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, 2010.
The film stars Matt Damon, Cecile de France, Bryce Dallas Howard, Lyndsey Marshal, Thierry Neuvic, Jay Mohr, and the twin brothers Frankie and George McLaren.
It is classified as a supernatural drama, however, that does not say much about the content, with three separate storylines that move as parallels, till the climax, when they are shown to merge.
It delves into something as mysterious and controversial as 'life after death', but it does not get too maudlin or melodramatic on the premise. There have been umpteen films that heighten the drama while skimming the surface of the enigmatic topic. Hereafter is different in that respect. The characters will fascinate you, the situations will move you, and, hence, I'd recommend it to my readers.
I have loved many of the films that Clint Eastwood has directed, and topping the list of my favorites would be Million Dollar Baby, Invictus, A Perfect World, The Bridges of Madison County, Mystic River, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Changeling, Unforgiven, Flags of Our Fathers, and Letters from Iwo Jima. Hereafter may not be the very best of Clint Eastwood, but it would surely feature among the favorite Eastwood films of mine.

It's that time of the year again......

2011-02-07T08:15:00.000-08:00

It's that time of the year again.........

Yes, it's the time for the Oscars!
Here's looking at a few of the films that are amongst the contenders (nominated in one or more categories):

Toy Story 3

True Grit

The Town

Rabbit Hole

The Fighter

The King's Speech

Alice in Wonderland

Black Swan

Winter's Bone

Inception

Blue Valentine

127 Hours

Other films in the list of the nominees in diverse categories - that I have been lucky to see till now - are, namely:

The Social Network
The Kids Are All Right
Tangled
Iron Man 2
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1
&
Salt

Celebrating Arthur Guiterman

2011-01-31T00:44:00.000-08:00

Brief Essay on Man
by Arthur Guiterman

"Aspiring Man, by learned pens
Once classed as Homo sapiens,
Is now, the poor, deluded chap,
Correctly labeled, Homo sap."

Recently, I came across the poetry of Arthur Guiterman, and I couldn't help going gaga over his brilliant social commentaries, so full of humor, and so pithy. I confess that before reading him recently, I hadn't heard of him, so I searched over the Internet and found that Arthur Guiterman was an American poet, born in 1871, and died in 1943. His poems are best known for the modern humor and the easy rhyme that make them so very accessible for readers of all ages. He has talked of modern progress in his poems, and his philosophy branches out from the way of things as they were getting shaped up in the early 20th Century. His rhyming couplets are way too funny.
[Sample these: "First dentistry was painless;
Then bicycles were chainless
.....
Now motor roads are dustless,
The latest steel is rustless,
Our tennis courts are sodless,
Our new religions, godless."
or
"The grizzly bear, whose potent hug,
Was feared by all, is now a rug.
Great Caesar's bust is on the shelf,
And I don't feel so well myself."]
He genuinely needs to be read by you, my friends, if you are unfamiliar with his works. Celebrate his humor. Laugh Out Loud!

When life feels off-kilter.....

2011-01-20T01:13:00.000-08:00

I observe that the ones who are medically of sound body and mind, take being healthy to be such a given, a constant, that they do not spare a thought for the eventuality of being sick, being dependent on others, and realize how preciously gifted one is to remain healthy.
I have to admit that, when one compares one's life to the lives of people who have to struggle under the yoke of disability, ailment or infirmity, and then all of one's petty cares and concerns almost vanish into the thin air.
I certainly want to stress that a lot of our so-called petty cares and concerns grow from selfish exaggerations and false expectations. We need to streamline our wants and desires, and should attempt to declutter our minds. An assertive behaviour helps us gain the most. We should remember that we unless we take care of the overstuffed minds, we shall not be able to give adequate weightage to our relationships. Gratitude, humility, integrity and honesty must be emulated not just because these are virtues that have been celebrated over the ages, these are in-fact time-tested ingredients for a better life.
We should not take the privileges that we enjoy for granted. We should get in touch with our heart's desire, and prevent loneliness, or the feeling of being left out, to grab us all of a sudden. Being alone, being lonesome, becoming a loner - these aren't all the same. We need to rather fasten our grip on life itself, by improving on our stimulation and by nurturing our passion for life! We should initiate by just dealing with all the unresolved emotions, profitably.
If any part of your life feels off-kilter, just think about the ways in which you can restore its natural equilibrium.

Films Seen in 2010: Top Ten - and more

2010-12-30T21:25:00.000-08:00

As the year 2010 comes to a close, here's looking back at all the films seen, be it on television, on home video, or in theaters, and, as per tradition, I offer my readers a selection of the very BEST from amongst them.
The Top Ten films are as follows, ordered according to personal preference:
1) Mr Nobody (2009)

2) A Single Man (2009)

3) Wonder Boys (2000)

4) Udaan (2010)

5) Peepli Live (2010)

6) The Kids Are All Right (2010)

7) The Social Network (2010)

8) Les Roseaux Sauvages / Wild Reeds (1994)

9) The Hurt Locker (2008)

10) The Wings of the Dove (1997)

As I have seen 300 films the whole year, the above listing required some deliberation and some re-appraisals. However, there were so many exceptional and interesting films that comprised my movie viewing experience this year that it would be sinful not to doff my hat to some of those films. Hence, I would love to have them randomly culled from memory. I am sure some of my readers would settle for many of them in their own listings, and I would be more than happy if they do. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them. And, here, they all get a special mention:
Inception,
Normal,
Bolt,
Love Sex Aur Dhokha,
Arekti Premer Galpo/ Just Another Love Story,
Little Children,
Crazy Heart,
Up,
All the King's Men,
An Education,
Good Dick,
The Private Lives of Pippa Lee,
Assassination of a High School President,
Final Destination,
Clerk,
The Freshman,
The Wendell Baker Story,
Abohoman,
Ishqiya,
Havoc,
Dorian Gray,
Breaking the Waves,
The Men Who Stare at Goats,
Alice,
Confessions of a Shopaholic,
My Beautiful Laundrette,
The Time Traveller's Wife,
The Lovely Bones,
Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge,
The Other Boleyn Girl,
Were the World Mine,
Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day,
Alice in Wonderland,
Precious,
Deception,
Elegy,
Well Done Abba,
Can't Think Straight,
The World Unseen,
Little Ashes,
Pankh,
The Japanese Wife,
Romance and Cigarettes,
The Imagination of Doctor Parnassus,
Twelve and Holding,
Mumford,
Creation,
Becoming Jane,
Control,
Bombay Talkie,
the Open Road,
Ambulancen,
G. I. Jane,
Up in the Air,
Last Life in the Universe,
Shutter Island,
Brothers,
Gone Baby Gone,
2046,
Me & Orson Welles,
Donnie Darko,
Blindness,
Room to Rent,
Never Been Kissed,
Shrek Forever After,
The Draughtsman's Contract,
Step Up,
Half Nelson,
The Indian Runner,
Hotel Rwanda,
Exam,
Gerry,
You Can Count on Me,
Rumble Fish,
Penelope,
I Love You Phillip Morris,
It's Complicated,
Rails and Ties,
Grey Gardens,
Newcastle,
Killers,
Tere Bin Laden,
Incendiary,
I've Loved You So Long,
Shukno Lanka,
Pineapple Express,
Athadu,
Coraline,
Greenberg,
My One and Only,
The Brothers Bloom,
Paris, je t'aime/ Paris,
The Informant,
Hollywoodland,
The Boy in Striped Pajamas,
Y Tu Mama Tambien,
Los Abrazos Rotos,
Peacock,
Aashayein,
Lafangey Parindey,
Nowhere Boy,
Bin Jip/ 3 Iron,
Smart People,
The Witches of Eastwick,
Big Bang Love - Juvenile A,
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,
Frozen,
Knight & Day,
Get Him to the Greek,
Bully,
The Dreamers,
The Boys Are Back,
Autograph,
Zwartboek / Black Book,
Eat Pray Love,
Do Dooni Chaar,
Despicable Me,
Mahanagar@Kolkata,
Chatroom,
Angus, Thongs & Perfect Snogging,
The Boat That Rocked,
Fifty Dead Men Walking,
Band Baaja Baaraat,
The Town,
Moner Manush,
Phas Gaye Re Obama,
Marley and Me,
Mirch,
Head-On/ Gegen Die Wand,
and
District 9.
Happy movie viewing in the coming years, friends. Long live cinema, and the magic of cinema!
Wishing all a Happy New Year in advance!

Christmas Merriments

2010-12-25T07:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Kolkata isn't about looking at snowclad
landscapes or singing carols by the fireplace or other such things that the images from the West have always haunted us with..... thanks to umpteen films and books and television specials, but Kolkata dazzles and shines in its own way at Christmas.
The Christmas revelries in Kolkata obviously dates back to the colonial past which still makes the citizens nostalgic about many a good thing that has had Kolkata (then called Calcutta) basking in the Yuletide merriments.

In my childhood, I remember some of the traditional centreposts
of the city's British heritage still being there and, despite makeovers and evolutionary changes, decorated rather regally.
I am talking about Park Street and its string of eateries
on both sides of the street, the New Market, the entire stretch
from Lindsay Street to Esplanade, the shops in front of Tiger cinema and the Grand Hotel, used to thrill me with their aura and splendour.

For a young child, the Christmas merriments used to be simple
yet plentiful.... watching a movie at the Lighthouse cinema,
or at Metro, or New Empire....
feasting on the scrumptious delights....
laying hands on some cherished toy-cars.... the list goes on.
But nothing can beat the joy of me and my sister finding our socks filled with goodies galore on the morning of Christmas.
I do not till date know how my mother - a far cry from one who would happily imbibe a a typically Western custom - made my Dad a co-conspirator to play Santa Claus.
Christmas makes most of us relish the days gone by.

For most people childhood remains the best part of their life,
and most have a lot of memories to cherish, wishing they could
revisit their childhood and re-live those moments.
I, however, am not too fond of my childhood per se,
but I surely do miss the Christmas merriments now.
They seem like oases of hope and promise, from afar.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!~

Natural Highs

2010-12-18T01:06:00.000-08:00

Natural Highs

[I came upon a beautiful piece on some of the things which give us a natural high, and hence thought of sharing the same with my readers, some parts were edited and composed afresh by me.
Think about them one at a time BEFORE going on to the next one...
IT DOES MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD.]

1. Falling in love.
2. Laughing so hard that your face hurts.
3. A hot shower.
4. No queues at the supermarket
5. A special glance.
6. Getting some special mail.
7. Taking a drive on a pretty road.
8. Hearing your favorite song on the radio.
9. Lying in bed listening to the rain outside.
10. Hot towels fresh out of the dryer.
11. Chocolate milkshake (or vanilla or strawberry).
12. A bubble bath.
13. Giggling.
14. A good conversation.
15. The beach.
16. Finding a long-forgotten 100 rupee note in your shirt pocket.
17. Laughing at yourself.
19. Midnight phone calls that last for hours.
20. Running through sprinklers.
21. Laughing for absolutely no reason at all.
22. Having someone tell you that you're a beautiful person.
23. Laughing at an inside joke.
24. Friends.
25. Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you.
26. Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep.
27. First kiss (either the very first or with a new partner).
28. Making new friends or spending time with old ones.
29. Playing with a new puppy/kitten.
30. Having someone play with your hair.
31. Sweet dreams.
32. Hot chocolate.
33. Road trips with friends.
34. Swinging on swings.
35. Making eye contact with a cute stranger.
36. Making chocolate chip cookies.
37. Having your friends send you some homemade cookies.
38. Holding hands with someone you care about.
39. Running into an old friend and realizing that some things never change.
40. Watching someone's expressions as they unwrap a gift from you.
41. Watching the sunrise.
42. Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for one more day.
43. Knowing that somebody misses you.
44. Getting a hug from someone you care about deeply.
45. Knowing you've done the right thing, no matter what others think.

..... that's all friends!
You may add your own contributions to the list and even speak about your not approving of any of the ones featured by me above.
Friends, let's see if we can collectively expand the 'natural highs'.

Let's acknowledge the significance of friends in our lives:
"Friends are the angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly."

A tête-à-tête with Shaiju Mathew

2010-12-03T06:51:00.000-08:00

I was unaware of Shaiju Mathew even a year ago.
An e-friend of mine had first mentioned him and told me that he was too talented and literally inclined and had been contemplating his first novel.
Soon, we became friends on Facebook, and within a few months, he gave me the good news: He was ready with his first book. It was published, and I would be soon able to pick up my copy of the same. My excitement knew no bounds. I was overjoyed to see him promote his book extensively through the excellent online platform that Facebook offered.
His book has met with stupendous success. Shaiju has become a sensation as a budding author. His book, 'Knocked Up' has not only garnered superb sales, but has also received good reviews from many quarters.
So, here, for the readers of my blog, I present a tête-à-tête with this young achiever:

Ani: Hello, Shaiju, I am too keen to find out more about you, now that I have read the book. Please tell me about your literary beginnings. Who have been your early influences?

Shaiju: Well, I started young when I was introduced to the world of books by my elder brother when I was in Class 5. Although as a kid I used to read a lot of comics like Mandrake, Superman, Tintin, Archies, Chacha Choudhary, Amar Chitra Katha etc... but the first novel I read was Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree. Since then at every stage of my life the likings changed from Enid Blyton to Mark Twain, from Famous Five to Hardy boys ...from Shakespeare to English Classics written by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy etc from RK Narayan to Khaled Hosseni...I still like to read magazines and Readers Digest. I still remember when I was a kid my best friend from school used to gift me Sputnik and Misha magazines which he used to subscribe from Russia.

Ani: How inspired and encouraged were you by your parents, and your teachers?

Shaiju: My parents were strictly against me reading novels during my regular school days but they never discouraged me from reading during my holidays and vacations. In fact, my dad used to narrate to me Shakespearean classics when I was just a kid. My English teacher was very particular that everyone in our class should read books to improve our vocabulary and we also had a library period where we used to pick up books from the library for reading.

Ani: 'Knocked Up', your first novel has definitely had some personal impressions, something semi-biographical there? Do you identify in particular with any of the characters?

Shaiju: You see, every writer conciously or subconciously draws parallels or inspiration from his / her life while writing a book. Even I have done the same thing. My book is part fiction and part reality, and, yes, every character in my book is influenced by people around me and Sid's character is somewhat similar to me during my teenage days.

Ani: Sid's cool. I must say, the situations in the tale are naturally funny, and they have been narrated with effortless ease, did you style it in any particular way?

Shaiju: I am an avid reader and, to tell you frankly, if you check out most of the books in stores these days you will only find Chetan Bhagat clones. The same IIM, IIT graduates and their stories. There is no novelty.

Ani: That's very true. Plus, there's an upsurge of a certain kind of young confusion flavored writings.

Shaiju: But, I still cherish the books written by literary greats like Munshi Premchand, Tagore, Mark Twain, Jerome K Jerome, Ruskin Bond, RK Narayan and Sudha Murthy because their language is simple and the narrative is uncomplicated. Such books are rare in the market now. So, 'Knocked Up' is an ode to these literary greats. That doesn't mean I am trying to compare myself with them but I am showing my gratitude to them & also trying to take their legacy ahead by writing simple stories that will connect with people from every walk of life and people from every age group.

Ani: Saiju, you seem to be quite accomplished as an individual with multiple skills and talents. I was genuinely awestruck when I read about you on the blurb. Do you feel privileged?

Shaiju: I definitely think I am God's favourite child and I am blessed that he has bestowed multiple talents on me so that I can entertain others and bring a smile on their face.

Ani: Your debut has been a huge success, the talks are even on for a movie adaptation; does all that mean more pressure for you?

Shaiju: I don't understand the term 'pressure' when it comes to creativity.... because, every artist in this world works towards appreciation of his/her art by the world. For me, success means more and more people liking my work and not on the basis of money generated for my publisher which is last in my agenda. 'Knocked Up' is a success because the story connected with the readers and touched their heart, so in that way I will have pressure on me to deliver another good story, but I am a person who likes to tell a story from the heart the kind that I myself loved reading during my growing up days.

Ani: Very well articulated..... do tell us about your future plans....

Saiju: Currently, I am working on few Hindi movie scripts and also on my next book. Apart from that, I am working towards a new concept in publication industry through Magic Moments which is a One Shop Stop for all aspiring and established writers. We are a group of creative people associated with the cause of writers in India and trying to bring more visibility and respect to fellow authors.

Ani: I feel that Magic Moments has really set out to do some inspiring work in that sense....

Shaiju: You know, authors in India - unlike their counterparts in the West - are a neglected lot. If you would see... most of the authors we have in the market are not full-time authors but they only work part-time, because writing in India doesn't pay well. I am encouraging authors to be business partners with us on individual projects and share profits instead of royalty, and also would want to promote them to the fullest to garner more visibility and recognition, so that people can slowly start taking writing as a full-time career.

Ani: Wow! That's commendable. Writers need not be ashamed of mentioning 'author' on their passports, eh?

Shaiju: I hope this endeavor works out.

Ani: I wish you all the best. In all your endeavors. And, I thank you for sharing your thoughts, in this candid conversation. May God bless you.

♫ Smile♪

2010-11-22T06:53:00.001-08:00

♫ Smile♪
Sanjay Leela Bhansali's latest cinematic offering - Guzaarish - opens with the song 'Smile'. The song is a personal favorite of mine. Hence I warmed up in my plush seat in the auditorium, as the montage showcasing the details of Ethan Mascarenas' daily rigors unfolded on the big screen. Ethan (played brilliantly by Hrithik Roshan), the protagonist, was paralyzed below the neck - the aftermath of an accident fourteen years ago - and his days now consisted of being washed, dressed and fed by his nurse, Sofia (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan).

This is the song:

"Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile with your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just

Light up your face with gladness
Hide every trace of sadness
Although a tear may be ever so near
That's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile

If you just
Smile though your heart is aching
Smile even though its breaking
When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by
If you smile through your fear and sorrow
Smile and maybe tomorrow
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile

that's the time you must keep on trying

Smile, what's the use of crying?
You'll find that life is still worthwhile
If you just smile"

Unable to use his hands to shoo away a fly that lands on his face, Ethan does as the song suggests, and smiles. The smile reveals the incandescent soul of the protagonist, and that of the supremely crafted film that banks on the visuals and the emotions more than any realism in the narration or in the screenplay.
Ethan spreads hope and happiness to others by hosting a radio show called Radio Zindagi and the song 'Smile' is shown being played for the same. Being a quadriplegic, he cannot actually play, hence Sofia does the job of playing the record for him.

The song 'Smile' has been sung in the film by Dominique Cerejo. But, actually, it is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for the 1936 Charlie Chaplin movie Modern Times and was composed by Chaplin himself, while John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954.
In the lyrics, the singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they smile.
'Smile' has become a popular standard since its original use in Chaplin's film.The song was originally sung by Nat King Cole, charted in 1954.
A cover version of the song had also been sung by Cole's daughter, Natalie, on her 1991 album, Unforgettable...With Love.
Singer Michael Jackson recorded the song for his 1995 double album HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I. It was planned to be released as the eighth and final single from the album in 1997 but was canceled days before its release date. Only a few copies from the Netherlands, Germany and South Africa (where the record distribution was started previous to the withdrawal) were saved as the other copies were withdrawn. The remixes on this release have never been released commercially since, but some can also be found on the "Is It Scary" promotional 12" records from the UK.
Michael Jackson's brother, Jermaine Jackson, sang this very song at Michael's memorial service on July 7, 2009, at the Staples Center, Los Angeles.
Jackson had never performed this song live; an HBO special was once planned with the song being performed, but Jackson collapsed during the concert's rehearsals. During the final concerts of his History World Tour, the song was played at the beginning of each concert in memory of Princess Diana. In the documentary 'Living with Michael Jackson', Michael had himself mentioned the song.

[Trivia: Courtesy - Wikipedia, and Google News.
Note: No copyright infringement intended.]

'Bolt' has won my heart!

2010-11-10T07:21:00.000-08:00

Dogs in films aren't new. And dogs in animation films aren't new either. The Disney brand-name itself has had many successful associations with cute and lovable dog characters in the past, yet what makes their animation flick 'Bolt' stand out, and stand tall, is its clever narrative that has been blended beautifully with the picture-perfect animation.

'Bolt' is the story of a small white dog who has spent his entire life on the set of a television series without being aware of that reality. He thinks he is having a normal life, and yet it is just part of a one big act, orchestrated by the studio majors. The eponymous character thinks that he has super-powers - a whole lot of them ranging from super-bar & super-speed to laser vision. When he learns the truth, he is absolutely crushed. And then begins his real and biggest adventure to get back to his owner, co-star, Penny, a young girl with a heart-of -gold. Bolt is joined in his adventure by Mittens, the female alley cat, and Rhino, a TV-obsessed hamster.

The film's voice cast features John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Malcolm McDowell, Susie Essman, Mark Walton, Greg Germann, James Lipton, and Grey Delisle. It is directed by Chris Wiliams and Byron Howard. The original music has been scored by John Powell and the soundtrack has the brilliant track 'Barking at the moon' sung by Jenny Lewis, and also the Miley Cyrus and John Travolta end-credits number 'I thought I lost you'.
This computer generated animation flick has been handsomely produced by Walt Disney Animation Studio, who had released it in theaters in 2008, but I couldn't catch it on the big screen due to poor exhibition schedule (once again for an English-language film) here in Kolkata. I am thankful to my sister for making me watch it eventually.

'Dhobi Ghat' [Mumbai Diaries]

2010-10-25T02:46:00.001-07:00

It is the story of four lives, four characters, and more.... a story that is woven in Mumbai - a city of ever-changing dynamics, yet a city that charms and enthralls all with its unique character, a city that is a mute witness to the harmony and turmoil that binds the people who inhabit or just set foot on its terrains..... and, hence, Mumbai itself is the fifth character in the story.
Shai is an NRI banker who comes to Mumbai to pursue her passion for photography with little focus and understanding of the dynamics of the city. Her path crosses briefly with Arun, a reclusive painter who pushes her away the moment they begin to get close. The two are connected by their dhobi (washerman), Munna, who toils away with the hopes of becoming an actor. And, then, there is Yasmin, the recently married Muslim girl who records her life in Mumbai for her brother back home.

Eagerly waiting for the release of the film.....
For the uninitiated, 'Dhobi Ghat' marks the directorial debut of Kiran Rao, wife of Aamir Khan, and is produced under the prestigious banner of Aamir Khan Productions. It has received rave reviews already, after having been screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival this year. 'Dhobi Ghat' features Pratiek Babbar, alongside Aamir Khan, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra, Danish Hussain, Jehan Manekshaw, Kitu Gidwani, Ashok Varma, Sanjivani Oagle, Aasha Pawar, Babita Sehgal, Rohit Tiwari, Jitendra Shinde, Nafisa Amin Khan and others.
The film's brilliant images have been captured by the promising cinematographer Tushar Kanti Ray, and the film boasts of an original musical score by Oscar-winning Argentine composer Gustavo Santaolalla.
First it was expected to be released in India this winter, however, the release date had then been relegated to the 25th of February, next year. Now, it is likely that the film will release a tad earlier than that, possibly on January 21st, before the cricket World Cup begins. Till then, all us fans have to just make do with catching up on the buzz generated, and feasting our eyes on the scenes. Happy viewing, folks!

aamir khan
presents
dhobi
ghat
(mumbai diaries)
a kiran rao film

munna
loves
shai

shai
loves
arun

arun
loves
yasmin

yasmin
loves
mumbai

munna
shai
arun
love
mumbai

Releasing January 21, 2011

[Pics & promotional material courtesy: Aamir Khan Productions Pvt. Ltd.]

Facebook, Orkut, social networking, and 'the pests'

2010-10-19T02:51:00.000-07:00

There's a new kinda breed.... the Social Networking Pest.
Of late, I have been come into contact with this very kind.
Earlier, on Orkut, it was easy to weed out the ones from amongst the e-friends who seemed to have a different agenda altogether - but, now, on many a socially networking site online, especially on Facebook, these very people are likely to have a brush with the users, and the experience can be anything between mildly unpleasant to grossly obnoxious.
It's an irritating phenomenon - these people just want to get on your nerves in the guise of e-friendship, they want to get unnaturally intimate, they judge you, they pester you like nuts!
You would wonder, 'What have I done to deserve this!'
Omigosh! They try to contact you at every single pretext with the sole objective of disturbing you emotionally, maybe they want you to join them in their psychologically dysfunctional tirades. You are asked all kinds of silly things. Every attempt to ignore them makes them even more desperate. They keep posting ridiculous stuff on your wall, or as messages, mail you spam content, and if, God forbid, they get hold of your cellphone number, they'd bombard you with messages. Do they all suffer from Attention Deficiency Disorder? That's what you'd wonder. You'd try to block these irritating creatures, but such attempts would turn futile as they'd soon be found to resurface under some other garb, on some phoney profile, and, worse still, they might get really nasty and revengeful and even attempt to hack your account.
In the recent past, Facebook has been taking, or trying to take, stringent measures against these pests, many improved features and filters have come up whereby one can have special privacy settings, and there's now a more active supervision by the authorities. I commend them for that. And I hope that we may curb the pest syndrome soon, very soon.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PostScript: Let me inform the ones who do not know me that they are welcome to be my e-friends; in fact, all - but the pests - are welcome to join me on Facebook too. The list of my e-friends on Orkut have become too large and hence I am not very eager to accept new friends there, it becomes difficult to interact with a very large number of friends, you see. Hence, all you have to do to be my e-friend is too click on the link below and send me a friend request, or message me..... e-friendship is healthy, it's an absolute pleasure for me to buzz with you on an array of subjects, just make sure that it isn't inappropriate, crossing the norms of social decorum and courtesy, and that our online exchanges doesn't make either of us uncomfortable in any way.
Anindo Sen

Create Your Badge

Ani & Bonnie: Talking Pujo

2010-10-18T01:23:00.000-07:00

Ani: Shubho Bijaya, buddy.... hope you had good times...

Bonnie: Shubho Bijaya to you too. Ya, the Pujas are fun, no matter what.

Ani: Why the 'no matter what' tag?

Bonnie: Because of the simple reason that different people enjoy it differently.

Ani: That's true. But it is enjoyment that matters, and I think no other festival involves so many people all at once and helps them let down their hair and have fun. People just let go of their stifling routines and enjoy, in the collective spirit.

Bonnie: Oh.... that's a tall order, but yes, more people are seen smiling than not.

Ani: Come on, don't be an exclusivist, you scowl like a cynic!

Bonnie: I know, I may sound cynical, you know that the religion and the dictates might take a backseat here and there.... however, basically, DurgaPujo is all about a certain majoritarianism. It's not as inclusive a festival as we might think it is.

Ani: Hmmmm..... you have gone deep in your analysis.

Bonnie: Ohkkkaay..... won't spoil your mood. So, what exactly do you want me to talk about?

Ani: Look, since childhood, I have never been much into the exhaustive and wholesome celebration of DurgaPujo, and it was much like the accounts of Rituparno Ghosh, where he talks about the innocent questionings and the simultaneous personalized fancies.

Bonnie: But, I thought, you were more like the Chandril of yesteryears (Ekla Pujo Folkla Pujo, remember?)....

Ani: Hahaha..... that was a phase in my adulthood.... the University days.

Bonnie: Speaking of Chandril reminds me of the giant billboards seen this year at major Pujo pandals where he is seen embracing his friends with the toothy grin on his face, all for the lure of lucre, eh... that too for a coconut oil giant!

Ani: That's a way of looking at things, maybe he has evolved. All artistes should, else they might stagnate. Pujo has evolved too, no?

Bonnie: True, DurgaPujo is much more than an annual faith-based ritual now, it's a mammoth social event in Kolkata's calendar. Hence the flow of big money, the corporate giants, the muscle power of the political goons, the hysteria for Pujo themes, the tug-of-war for getting the high-profile celebs for inauguration and even for them showcasing the event as brand-ambassadors.....!

Ani: But don't you think pandal-hopping has become even more difficult a task in general, with the chaotic traffic and the crowding at the big locations?

Bonnie: Absolutely so.... but then, there's the soft option for the unwilling to have a peek at all the big Pujo pandals and the extensive affairs therein right from their drawing rooms, courtesy numerous television channels and their sponsored live broadcasts.

Ani: By the way, what was the latest and most striking feature that came to your notice this year? Let's round up our discussion with that....

Bonnie: Easy-peazy... lemon squeezy... that's an easy one. The most electrifying part of the Pujas is definitely the immersion ceremony, better known as visarjan, or bhaashaan, and this year reached a new high with the disco bhaashaan that beat the immersion blues like crazy..... young guys, often bare-bodied - displaying their well sculpted gym-bred torsos, and gallant girls grooving in a brazen manner on the roads which got converted to mobile discos thanks to strobe lights and what not cruising along gently, right in front of them in a separate lorry, or tempo, blasting the latest remixed tracks at full volume..... unbelievable raw sexuality.... beats the inebriation of intoxicants of other kinds that have been otherwise rampant over the ages.

Ani: Good heavens!

Bonnie: It's not for nothing that Durga Puja has now earned the moniker 'the Rio carnival of the eastern hemisphere'!

Ani: Wow! I thought that the Pujo trends this year had just ranged from the techno-savvy (be it solar lights and bluetooth facilitated, and air-conditioned venues) displays to the umpteen Tagore tributes, but you have narrated a whole new dimension for me.

Thanks, for all the blabber. It was fun chatting up the festive pomp and show. I hope my readers like it too.

Happy Pujo

2010-10-12T09:21:00.000-07:00

It is that time of the year again....

here, in Kolkata, the festive spirit in the air of the city is unmistakable for even the lay visitor.

The entire city is decked up in resplendent colors, and lights.

The energy is simply infectious, the buoyant spirit is too hard to remain indifferent to.

This is the exact time when the city of Kolkata is at its very best, the people go all out and spare no effort to soak in the madness, and they are too eager to get carried away in the revelries.

I wish all my friends and well-wishers happiness and contentment.

May you all light up from within, and may you redeem the darkness that you chance upon.

Happy Pujo

Remembering James Dean

2010-09-30T03:38:00.000-07:00

James Dean died on this very day in 1955.

He lived a short life. But even though he died at the age of 24, after a fatal car-crash, this American actor has become a cultural icon, a cinematic legend, with no parallels.

I was introduced to the works of this genius at an impressionable age, as I was just getting hooked to the magic of classic Hollywood films, thanks to the American Center Library, Kolkata. I can never forget the day, I rushed from college to catch a screening of the James Dean starrer "Rebel Without a Cause". Needless to say, I was mesmerized by Dean's portrayal of teenage angst on screen. I couldn't sleep all night. I kept thinking about the film, and about the protagonist played by Dean. The other two films of his, "East of Eden" and "Giant", I saw thereafter, it wasn't too easy to watch English language films from the Fifties in the late-Nineties, here in Kolkata, as the age of DVDs was yet to arrive..... but I had to see Jimmy Dean on screen, he conveyed exuberant passion like none else! He was the classic bad-boy of Hollywood. He achieved a cult star-status even for the brief 3-4 years that he acted.... he lived life large.... he lived his dream, he instigated us to dream too.

"Dream as if you'll live forever,

live as if you'll die today."

- James Dean

Hollywood, Hundred

2010-09-29T04:08:00.000-07:00

Hollywood has completed one hundred years.....

recently, there was an exhibition of photographs held in Kolkata, commemorating the centenary through an array of rare black and white compositions, with a special emphasis on the stars, and their respective styles, of the golden era of Hollywood.

That reminded me that it was high time to doff my hat to the aura of Hollywood, and I do the same by posting a list of the hundred films from Hollywood, some typically produced by the studios, from a bygone era, and many from the recent past as well, recalling the power and the lure of Hollywood, the magic and romance of the same, some gorgeous ventures backed by the studios, whereas some distributed with the atypical elan that one has come to associate with Hollywood over the years.....

I have to admit the personal bias, and the limitation of personal access, that has gone into the compilation which - for lack of a better term - I'd like to call My Essential Hollywood, recommended viewing for all fellow cine-buffs.....

Starting from Chaplin's 'The Gold Rush' to James Cameron's 'Avatar' (pics on the top, respectively)......

1) The Gold Rush (1925)
2) City Lights (1931)
3) Morning Glory (1933)
4) The 39 Steps (1935)
5) The Informer (1935)
6) Modern Times (1936)
7) The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)
8) Bringing Up Baby (1938)
9) The Wizard of Oz (1939)
10) Stagecoach (1939)
11) Gone With the Wind (1939)
12) Rebecca (1940)
13) The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
14) The Great Dictator (1940)
15) How Green Was My Valley (1941)
16) Casablanca (1942)
17) My Darling Clementine (1946)
18) The Fallen Idol (1948)
19) All About Eve (1950)
20) High Noon (1952)
21) Singin' in the Rain (1952)
22) The Quiet Man (1952)
23) From Here to Eternity (1953)
24) Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
25) The Seven Year Itch (1955)
26) Paths of Glory (1957)
27) The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
28) Vertigo (1958)
29) Ben-Hur (1959)
30) North By Northwest (1959)
31) Psycho (1960)
32) West Side Story (1961)
33) To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
34) My Fair Lady (1964)
35) The Sound of Music (1965)
36) Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
37) Bonny & Clyde (1967)
38) The Graduate (1967)
39) MASH (1970)
40) The Godfather (1972)
41) Jaws (1975)
42) Taxi Driver (1976)
43) Star Wars (1977)
44) Apocalypse Now (1979)
45) Raging Bull (1980)
46) Blade Runner (1982)
47) E. T. - The Extra Terrestrial (1982)
48) Scarface (1983)
49) Back to the Future (1985)
50) The Color Purple (1985)
51) Platoon (1986)
52) The Color of Money (1986)
53) Hannah and her Sisters (1986)
54) The Untouchables (1987)
55) Wall Street (1987)
56) Die Hard (1988)
57) Frantic (1988)
58) Rain Man (1988)
59) The Accused (1988)
60) Sex Lies and Videotape (1989)
61) Casualties of War (1989)
62) When Harry Met Sally (1989)
63) Drugstore Cowboy (1989)
64) Pretty Woman (1990)
65) Goodfellas (1990)
66) Home Alone (1990)
67) The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
68) Thelma and Louise (1991)
69) My Own Private Idaho (1991)
70) Schindler's List (1993)
71) Philadelphia (1993)
72) What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
73) Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
74) Ed Wood (1994)
75) Pulp Fiction (1994)
76) Speed (1994)
77) Forrest Gump (1994)
78) The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
79) 12 Monkeys (1995)
80) Dead Man Walking (1995)
81) Jerry Maguire (1996)
82) Titanic (1997)
83) As Good As It Gets (1997)
84) Donnie Brasco (1997)
85) Boys Don't Cry (1999)
86) Fight Club (1999)
87) Girl, Interrupted (1999)
88) Magnolia (1999)
89) Any Given Sunday (1999)
90) Gladiator (2000)
91) Monsters, Inc. (2001)
92) Adaptation (2002)
93) Mystic River (2003)
94) Cold Mountain (2003)
95) Finding Neverland (2004)
96) Million Dollar Baby (2004)
97) Syriana (2005)
98) Ratatouille (2007)
99) Into the Wild (2007)
100) Avatar (2009)

More on friends and friendship.......

2010-09-28T03:48:00.001-07:00

There's always so much that I have to say on the topic of friendship, it is never enough even when I have already spoken my mind on the same.

I hope my readers do not get bored of my blabber-blabber too.

I have been feeling I need to spend a bit more time on my friendships.

As I make it a point to listen to my intuition, I decided to call a good friend who has been on my mind,

and the first thing he said was that he and his wife had been thinking about me too and were feeling a need to catch up with their friends.

We all had a great laugh at the coincidence, and then we had a lovely chat, catching up on one another's lives.

It was just another reminder to me how valuable my friends are and how important it is to find ways to stay in touch, even when they are far away.

Of course, getting together in person is the best, but isn't always feasible. Nowadays, despite physical distances, there are so many ways to keep in touch that it is actually easy to do so.

In addition to our home phones, we have cell phones to stay in touch from just about anywhere. And there are instant messaging programs that allow us to use the computer to catch up with people we haven't seen in a while. There are even some computer programs that allow us to talk to each other in real time with video!

If one is pressed for time, communicating with one's friends all at once through a social networking site makes it really easy.

Online social networking is a great way to keep up with everyone without having to contact each person separately to find out what they are up to. Many people post pictures, tell stories and relate bits about their family, events, and vacations.

By posting regularly about what we are doing, we can take advantage of this media to let others know what we're up to in our day-to-day life, as well.

And there are always emails or good old-fashioned letters, notes and postcards.

Almost everyone enjoys finding a nice personal note in among the bills and junk mails.

So, I would like to tell all of my friends that, even if you are busy, I encourage you to do whatever you can, suiting your own preferences, to stay in touch with your friends.

I'm sure, by taking advantage of some of the things I just mentioned, you'd be able to enjoy our friendships all the more.

I hope you all will take this opportunity to catch up with someone you haven't heard from in a while.

Why not see who comes to mind?

Rapunzel

2010-09-20T08:47:00.001-07:00

Rapunzel is the age-old fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm.

This classic tale, with all the standard ingredients of a well-told fairy tale has charmed us for generations. But, now, the story is all set to make a re-emergence as a new-age 3D animation film from the Walt Disney Animation Studios as the forthcoming big ticket release, 'Tangled'. It features the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi along with several others.

The original music for the film has been composed by Alan Menken and the lyrics have been penned by Glenn Slater. Slated for a theatrical release this winter, the film is making all animation feature buffs wait in eager anticipation. Hence, a look at the beautiful visuals.

Pics - courtesy: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Purely illustrative. No copyright infringement intended.

GLEE - Unleashing the Inner Loser!

2010-09-01T05:58:00.000-07:00

"Glee" is the brand new show on Star World that has captured

the imagination of the young and old, in India....

and, especially, here, in Kolkata.

"Glee" is in the musical-drama genre, which itself is a new concept for us,

as far as English language television series is concerned.....

yet, it is something that all of us fed the regular dose of Indian films laden with songs and dances are well acquainted with.

We love the drama, we love the excesses, and we love the deeper conflicts resolved in a naturally liberating manner that has an easy charm.

The series is originally aired, in the United States, on Fox, and the first season had started there last September. But, in India, the series is just about to have the first season finale.

We have woken up late, but with a lot of fervor and glee!

A brief intro for the uninitiated:

The plot focuses on a high school show choir (a modern glee club) called New Directions, at the fictional William McKinley High Schoolin Lima, Ohio.

The show, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan, features select music with popular appeal and chart hits. The song covers are essentially sung onscreen by the characters themselves. Choreographed by Zach Woodlee, the show features five to eight production numbers per episode.

There are twelve main roles with star billing. Matthew Morrison plays Will Schuester, a Spanish teacher, who becomes director of the glee club, hoping to restore it to its former glory. Jane Lynch plays Sue Sylvester, head coach of the Cheerios cheerleading squad, and the Glee Club's arch-nemesis. Jayma Mays appears as Emma Pillsbury, the school's mysophobic guidance counselor who has feelings for Will, and Jessalyn Gilsig plays Terri Schuester, Will's wife of five years. Lea Michele plays Rachel Berry, talented star of the glee club who is often bullied by the Cheerios and football players. Cory Monteith plays Finn Hudson, star quarterback of the school's football team who risks alienation by his friends to join the glee club. Also in the club are Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones, a fashion-conscious diva who resents having to sing back-up; Colfer as Kurt Hummel—a gay male soprano; Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams, a guitar player and paraplegic; and Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang, an Asian American student with a fake speech impediment.Mark Salling plays Noah Puck Puckerman, a friend of Finn's on the football team who at first disapproves of Finn joining the glee club, but later joins the glee club himself. Dianna Agron plays Quinn Fabray, Finn's cheerleader girlfriend, who too joins the club later.

Horror Movies - Top Ten

2010-08-31T07:56:00.000-07:00

I have been a horror movie buff since childhood.

Of course, then it was just the simple fun of being treated to spooks and chills, watching monsters and zombies amidst graphic gore and blood-curdling effects....

As a young adult I came to know what the regular horror films churned out by Hollywood actually symbolized, the morality lessons that were coated in metaphors and made enticing for the average American teen. For the pre-pubescent boys and girls, the films were a release of sorts, sometimes establishing the conventional mores, and sometimes helping them grapple with their raging hormones, with all the accompanying confusions & insecurities.

However, I have been exposed to all sorts of horror movies over the years, and the fascination might have waned by degrees, maybe I am more observant of the nuances and the underlying compulsions, maybe I am appreciative of the execution and narration more, yet, the charm has stayed on. I know, I speak for many when I address this love of mine. Hence, I offer for my readers, a list of the ten very best horror films that I have seen over the years, this is yet another compilation based purely on personal preference. I had promised a couple of my friends this listing, and here it is.

My favorite horror films - Top Ten:

pics appearing from top to bottom under the list -

1) The Sixth Sense (1999);

2) The Exorcist (1973);

3) A Tale of Two Sisters/Janghwa, Hongryeon (2003);

4) The Others (2001);

5) Hostel (2006);

6) Psycho (1960);

7) Jaws (1975);

8) Alien (1979);

9) The Omen (1976);

10) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Paris, je t'aime

2010-08-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

Paris, je t'aime [Paris, I love you]
is one of the brilliant collage films that I have ever seen!
I was absolutely thrilled to catch this 2006 film
that has brilliant assemblage of 18 short films
made by eminent directors from across the world.

Paris - as a city - has always intrigued us.
We look up to it principally as a city of love,
passion, art and culture.
The film too explores the city of Paris from
various such perspectives, some known....
some not much explored before.

The directors include Gus van Sant, Christopher Doyle,
Gurinder Chadha, Tom Tykwer, Walter Salles,
Alexander Payne, Alfonso Cuaron, Sylvain Chomet,
Vincenzo Natali, Wes Craven, Nobuhiro Suwa,
Oliver Schmitz, Richard LaGravenese, the Coen Brothers,
and several others.

Each segment of the feature is located and filmed
at the diverse arrondissements (municipal districts
or boroughs) of the city of Paris.
People of diverse cultures, expressing themselves
through diverse sentiments, dimensions and
narratives, albeit brief, can thus be seen and that is
as much an exploration of the city as of the sensibilities
ensconced therein.
I would recommend the film to all my readers and
to the lovers of pure cinema.

Mister Nobody

2010-08-11T05:24:00.000-07:00

Here is a poem, which though not written by me, is something that I would definitely want to share with all my readers:

Mr Nobody
Author: Unknown

I know a funny little man,
As quiet as a mouse,
Who does the mischief that is done
In everybody's house!
There's no one ever sees his face,
And yet we all agree
That every plate we break was cracked
By Mr Nobody

'Tis he who always tears our books,
Who leaves the door ajar,
He pulls the buttons from our shirts,
And scatters pine afar;
That squeaking door will always squeak,
For, prithee, don't you see,
We leave the oiling to be done
By Mr Nobody

The finger marked upon the door
By none of us are made;
We never leave the blind unclosed,
To let the curtains fade.
The ink we never spill; the boots
That lying round you. See
Are not our boots they all belong
To Mr Nobody.

...........................
Needless to say, I loved this poem.
It is simple yet interesting.
And now, I am going to talk about a film that I have just been lucky to catch.

The film is called "Mr. Nobody"
and it is fantastic !

"Mr Nobody" is not an easy film.
It has many layers.
However, it connected with me wonderfully.
For me, it was a complete cinematic experience.
In all its complexity, in the magnificent exploration
of the possibilities that emanate from choices,
the film breathed life to my own thoughts too.
I wnat more and more people to see it.
It is really unfortunate that this 2009 film, by the acclaimed Belgian director Jaco van Dormael, hasn't been released here and it isn't likely that it ever will.
My fellow film-buffs must surely catch it on video.
I would love to exchange notes on it.
It has several points and counterpoints for us to talk about, and hence I refrain from posting a detailed review of the film.

Watch it, folks!

Best Friend

2010-08-09T07:55:00.000-07:00

Who would you call your best friend?

That is a question we often ask ourselves.
And it is a pertinent question.
Recently, most parts of the world celebrated Friendship Day with much fanfare (ranging from exchange of gifts, cards, sweet messages to special celebratory get-together's) and there was no dearth of friends screaming their allegiance, loyalty, trust et cētera.
But do we really value true friendship in these times of confusion and cacophony.
Aren't many of our so called 'deep' bondings actually quite phony?
All of us, at one point or the other, have longed for a best friend, a special someone, irrespective of gender or other broad, or need-based, specifications, with whom we'd share the strongest possible friendship; one who'll go all out to be there for us, in times of crises, big or small; one who will never judge us; one who'll never back-stab or even be critical behind us; one who can be trusted hundred per cent; one who will make us unwind and feel good about ourselves - no matter what.....
ya, it's a tall order.
The cynics will say, 'It's madness!', or at best, 'nothing but a lame romantic notion', or 'a utopian concept that is long past use'!
Maybe they have a point.
But still two friends, of whatever age or sex, can still find so much comfort when they call each other BEST FRIENDS.
I am privileged when a so called e-friend of mine introduced me the other day - when we met for a face to face chat - to a friend of his as "He is Anindo, my best friend!"
It meant a lot to me.
In fact, it meant the world.
As I had been on that day harbouring grudge against a particular back-stabber, and had been thinking that the acceptance of the new word 'unfriending', as opposed to the age old 'befriending' made much sense...... yes, on that very day....... my 'best friend' showed me how a small introduction - comprising just three words - can be so fulfilling.
I am keeping my fingers crossed. May I be able to be worth the tag. May we both live up to it.

The Many KOLKATAs

2010-08-02T02:15:00.001-07:00

Kolkata, my city, is often shown in films or in television serials as a city which is unanimous with many known facets but, interestingly, it is a far more complex and heterogeneous in reality. Often, I feel that there are many Kolkatas, many fringes, many ghettos, many marginalised sections, many strange & unique dimensions that do not get explored enough in popular media.

This year, I saw Kolkata in its renowned and resplendent visuals in Birsa Dasgupta's debut feature film called "033", but did know whether to laud it for its music-video-like appeal or pass it off as yet another glossing over in a picture-postcard-like depiction.
Again, there was this film called "Mahanagar @Kolkata", by Suman Mukherjee, and it was quite a novel approach, though tad more ambitious than able. The film - for a large part - had brilliant depictions of the underbelly, of the marginalised, decadent segments, and I must salute the courage shown by the director to do so. However, the director failed in the third segment (the film being a collage of three distinct segments, loosely tied up as a single narrative) as he tried to go somewhat offbeat in the portrayal of the desperation and despair of the urban yuppies; it came off as false and hollow apart from being show-offish.
I am happy to note that Kolkata has also been captured in many of this year's Bangla releases like "Shukno Lanka", "Le Chhakka", "Clerk" and "Ekti Taarar Khonje" - with mixed results. "Clerk" (reviewed earlier in my blog) scores highest in its depiction, according to my evaluation, in terms of content and style/manner.
May my city be the lensmen's delight ever more. And may the films too go a step further to show the many of its hitherto undiscovered and untapped aspects.

Flotsam & Jetsam

2010-07-29T07:55:00.001-07:00

Isn't it odd how a counselling session throws back things at us?
Things that we least expect....
things which we think are not that important....
things we do not consider as blockades....

This is what a psychological counsellor, dismissively called a shrink, may say:
"I want you to take a few moments to imagine something you really want to happen
and then use your imagination to follow it through in your mind's eye.
What is it you are dreaming about?
Who is involved?
How does it play out?
Now let's think about the direction your imagination took.
Did you focus on the positive aspects of your dream or did you end up
thinking about the things that could go wrong?"

If we find that we had a constructive mental process,
our shrink is likely to say: "My hat goes off to you!"

On the other hand,
if our imagination turns our dream into a disaster,
we are asked to focus on the reason for the same....
why that happened.... without being down on ourselves.

I have been told that so many of us are in the habit
of actually imagining the worst as opposed to the best,
unless our thoughts are directed differently.

It is said that energy flows where the attention goes,
and this is the key to getting positive results in any situation.

When we can visualize exactly what it is that we want,
isn't it such an elusive quest, well, we might streamline our thoughts to the basics, for starters,
hence we fuel the energy of our creation by seeing all the wonderful aspects
of it coming into reality.
We can see ourself experiencing our desire in detail,
imagining the events, sights, smells, and feelings around it.
And, if a negative thought does creep in, we can simply erase it,
replacing it with thoughts of what you want to have happen instead.

In addition to visualizing, other things can help reinforce
the positive outcome we desire.
We might be asked to keep a daily journal and write what we desire
to happen in your life, anytime in the near or distant future.
This is a very good way to keep our focus.
Another technique is to make a picture page with images of what we want,
along with good things that are part of our dream.
We can cut out photos from magazines or draw pictures.
When our little poster is completed, put our page in a place where we will see it frequently, given that we have our own private space of display.
Just seeing these visual suggestions regularly is likely to stimulate our imagination.
By making a point to imagine on a regular basis the positive things we want
to bring our way, we'd draw wonderful things into our life with surprising frequency. Not only we shall experience more success in our life, but you we'll also feel more confident & prepared to meet life's diverse challenges.

Udaan

2010-07-26T09:15:00.000-07:00

kahani khatm hai
ya shuruat hone ko hai
subah nayi hai ye
ya phir raat hone ko hai
aanewala waqt
denge panahein
ya phir se milenge dorahein
khabar kya
kya pata....

Yet another coming of age story? That's what I asked myself when I learnt about this movie called Udaan making waves at the Cannes. As Anurag Kashyap was backing it - he even said that he wished that he had himself come up with this project on his own in the first place - I had to watch it in the very first weekend of its much awaited release here.

I came out of the screening completely overwhelmed. I was absolutely moved by the storytelling, the performances, the visuals, the music simply mesmerised me.

As the film opens we are gripped by Rohan's character and his discomfort. He is the trapped teenager. Battling odds. Of all kinds. He gets chucked out of the high profile boarding school where his disciplinarian dad with an 'I care a damn' air had conveniently had him relegated. Rohan has to come home now, but the saddest part is that neither his home is what it is meant to be, nor his dad make it easy for him to grapple with his self-discovery. Rohan finds a release in the brilliant poems that he composes, and in carving himself out stealthily from the predetermined choking routine of a life. Rohan soon learns that not only has he to actualise his creative aspirations that are obviously threatened opposition and obstacles, but a rebellion against his emotionally blunt, bully of a father is also the toughest to put up undauntedly. The small town milieu of Jamshedpur, the steel town is breathed to life as brilliantly as the flesh and blood characters. Rohan warms up to his much younger step brother, Arjun, and he finally grows up when he feels responsible for Arjun who is in an even more vulnerable state than him.

Debutant director Vikramaditya Motwane, who has penned the screenplay of the film with help from Anurag Kashyap himself, has done a marvellous job.
The edgy feel is bound to get the viewer thoroughly hooked.
Anurag Kashyap deserves a special pat for having produced this little cinematic gem.
The depiction is magical thanks to a wonderful cast and crew. The editing is crisp, the music has a freshness and a sublime feel to it. The camerawork by Mahendra Shetty is exceptionally fluid.

The film, I am sure, will be talked about for many, many years.... by viewers - young and old.

Credits:
The cast includes:
Rajat Barmecha (Rohan), Ronit Roy (Rohan's dad), Ram Kapoor (Rohan's uncle), Aayan Boradia (Arjun), along with Manjot Singh, Anand Tiwari, Raja Hudda, Varun Khettry, Sumant Mastkar, Akshay Sachdev, and Shaunak Sengupta.

Written by: Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap
Cinematography: Mahendra Shetty
Music: Amit Trivedi
Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya
Editing: Dipika Kalra
Production design: Aditya Kanwar
Associate producer: Vikas Bahl
Co-producers: Aarti Bajaj,
Siddharth Roy Kapur,
Deven Khote ,
Zarina Mehta ,
Ronnie Screwvala ,
and Sanjay Singh
Executive producer: Dipa Motwane

Let Udaan (means Flight in Hindi) help us all fly without wings.... let us all take flights of creativity,
let our films be realistic,
let them speak of our real fantasies.... and of brave fights in support of our braver pursuits.
And that applies as much to the protagonists, as the makers.

Goal-Goal-Goal-Goaaaaaaaaaaaaaaal!!!!

2010-07-12T02:38:00.001-07:00

A goal is the only method of scoring in the game of football and the just concluded 2010 FIFA World Cup did leave us Kolkatans, who are known to be crazy about football, yelling "goal-goal-goal" seated in front of our television sets, way past midnight for all this while! And we did get our thrills and chills witnessing the brilliant goals all through the World Cup matches that saw 32 nations fighting for the ultimate honour of emerging the world champions. As much as the exultations, and the ecstatic screams, there were the heavy sighs, the tears and the chuckles too, whenever we witnessed the near misses at scoring the all-important goals.

Like every other World Cup, this time too there were the surprises and the upsets, the controversies and the challenging hurdles, be it for the teams or for individual players, or for the tournament itself. This time the tournament was held in South Africa, the Rainbow Nation - which meant the carnival-like atmosphere at the matches, with the vuvuzela drone making us extra-jubilant or working as an irritant, depending on one's preference. The Jabulani ball that was used in the matches also made headlines as there was much fuss over its unpredictable spin and many blamed it for the deficit of goals.

Our favorite star players like Messi (Argentina), Kaka (Brazil), Rooney (England), Vella (Mexico), Ronaldo (Portugal), and Torres (Spain) couldn't shine to their fullest. They left us fans disappointed. Many of the players seemed jaded, especially after their earlier stints in the various league matches prior to the World Cup.

However, Vincente del Bosque's Spain are deservedly the new world champs.
In the final match, the Euro champions, Spain, beat the Netherlands in the extra-time, with the sole goal being scored by Andrés Iniesta. Iker Casillas, the goalkeeper-captain, and his brilliant teammates David Villa, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Puyol, Ramos, Carlos and all others became the Spaniards-in-our-discussions, as football-mania gripped us completely.

Our hearts bled for the ouster of Brazil, Argentina, France, Italy and England.
Kolkata demonstrated its bias for Brazil and Argentina, as Kolkatans largely seem to be polarized between these to nations that boasted of some of the best skilled footballers.

However, Germany's not making it to the finals was perhaps the biggest setback for us in the later stage.
Thomas Mueller (Germany)being crowned the Best Young Player, and also the winner of the Golden Boot, has made us very happy though.

We were also privileged to witness the rise of several stars who became household names overnight; they include Wesley Sneijder (The Netherlands), Diego Forlan (Uruguay), Gonzalo Higuain (Argentina), Miloslav Klose (Germany), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany), Arjen Robben (The Netherlands), and Lucio (Brazil) to name just a few.

Other than the players, two names that made it big as headline-hoggers were definitely Howard Webb the English referee, at yesterday's final match for his stern stance as the boys in orange went ugly in their tackle tactics,
and, last, but not the least (one of the BIGGEST, in fact!), Paul - the Oracle octopus, its 100 per cent correct predictions with respect to each game and team made it the biggest international celebrity during the World Cup.

Endnote: It pains me to note, just as many of my fellow citizens, that despite our enthusiasm for football we are still rungs below the international standards of football-playing nations; isn't it high time to re-evaluate our goals as we attempt to develop and groom local talents?

Happy Birthday DHONI!

2010-07-07T05:39:00.000-07:00

Mahendra Singh Dhoni
(popularly called Mahi) has always been my favorite
amongst the contemporary Indian cricketers.
Here's wishing him a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
and also a happy married life... as he has tied the knot
with his childhood friend and girlfriend of two years, Sakshi Singh Rawat
just three days back!

And now,
for the readers of my blog, here's
looking at some of the Dhoni facts:

As a youngster, Dhoni excelled in badminton and football
and was selected at district and club level in these sports!
In his student days, he used to be the goalkeeper for his football team
and, as luck would have it, was sent to play cricket for
a local cricket club by his football coach.

Based on his performance at club cricket, Dhoni was picked
for Vinoo Mankad Under-16 Championship Trophy and he performed well.

He debuted for Bihar in 1998-99 season.

Subsequently, was selected to represent India-A in 2004,
as right-handed batsman-cum-wicketkeeper.

Made his India debut against Bangladesh in Dhaka in December 2004,
and, in 2005, against Sri Lanka, he set a world record for the highest score ever by a wicketkeeper.

He became No.1 ODI batsman on 20 April, 2006, replacing Ricky Ponting.

Was named ODI vice-captain of Team India, on tour of England in June 2007
and on September 2, 2007, he equalled Adam Gilchrist’s record
of most dismissals in an ODI (5 catches, 1 stumping).

He became the captain for Team India for the World T20 in Sept 2007,
and with his spirited leadership, boosted India to the ICC World T20 trophy, in South Africa, winning over Pakistan in an intensely fought final.

Mahi made his Test captaincy debut against South Africa in April 2008.

His latest cricketing triumph as the skipper has been
laying hands on the coveted Asia Cup in Sri Lanka, last month.

May he win many more laurels in the days to come.

And here comes more Dhoni trivia:
Dhoni was born in Ranchi, Bihar (now in Jharkhand), and his paternal village is Lvali in the Lamgarha block of the Almora district of Uttarakhand.

He has a sister, Jayanti, and a brother, Narendra.

Dhoni happens to be one of the most popular sports icon in the country whose popularity can only be rivalled by that of Sachin Tendulkar - the 'master-blaster', and Sourav Ganguly, in cricket, Leander Paes in tennis, and Vijender Singh, in boxing.

He has been hailed as a youth icon of the nation, and his flamboyant hairstyle gets special coverage in the tabloids!
Initially, he used to sport long hair, that received a special mention by the then Pak President Pervez Musharraf!

Dhoni has a great camaraderie with almost all his fellow teammates, especially Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, R. P. Singh and Zaheer Khan.

The tabloids went abuzz with the rumors of Dhoni dating actresses Deepika Padukone and Lakshmi Rai in the past, but it seems, in retrospect, that those matches were hardly meant to be.

He loves bikes, much like his current buddy John Abraham, the actor.
He supposedly has a Hummer alongwith the four cars, and 23 high-speed motorcycles, already parked in his garage in Ranchi.

He endorses about 20 brands - from clothes to soft drinks!
No wonder, he was named as one of the highest income-tax payers last year.

He is a self-proclaimed fan of Amitabh Bachchan and Lata Mangeshkar,
apart from his cricketing idols Adam Gilchrist and Sachin Tendulkar.

A renowned dog-lover, Dhoni is too fond of his pets.

Peepli Live

2010-07-02T02:49:00.001-07:00

Whenever Aamir Khan presents a film, it is special.
And, this time, he is here with PEEPLI [Live]
that has been produced by him, under his own banner Aamir Khan Productions.

It is directed by first-time director Anusha Rizvi, who has also penned the screenplay.
Distributed by UTV Motion Pictures, the film is scheduled
to release on August 13, 2010.

It takes a satirical look at the predicament of a poor farmer who creates a media frenzy when, beset with debt, he announces that he will commits suicide so his family can receive government compensation.

It had its first screening at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, a rare honour for an Indian film!
After having been selected for the Competition Section at the Sundance Film Festival, it was picked up by a specialty German distribution company Rapid Eye Movies for a special screening at the last Berlin International Film Festival.

The cast of the film includes Omkar Das Manikpuri, making his film debut, Raghubir Yadav, Nawazuuddin Siddiqui, Shalini Vatsa, Farukh Jaffer and Malaika Shenoy.
The music of the film is composed by Indian Ocean and Mathias Duplessy.
Shankar Raman is the cinematographer for the film, and Hemanti Sarkar the editor.

However, the bad news for the Indian viewers is that, for its Indian release, the film has got an 'A' (adults only) certificate. The makers are unperturbed by the apprehension of limited viewership though; they are supposedly hopeful that the film will find its takers in the niche segment.

Bengaluru buzzzzzzz.......

2010-07-01T08:34:00.000-07:00

The first time I had visited Bengaluru (still people refer to the city by its earlier name - Bangalore; though the acceptance of the English expression 'getting Bangalored' does not have a note of affirmation), I wasn't too ecstatic about the city.
I remember having said to a friend that Bengaluru wasn't inviting enough for me.
The weather, the greenery, the branded retail outlets, the eat-out joints and the shopping malls & arcades seemed to be the only attractions.
On the other hand, the traffic snarls, the overpriced goods & services put me off to a great extent.
Well, recently, when I visited Bengaluru for the second time, I found that most of the earlier plus-es were big enticements for me.
Being a die-hard Kolkatan, maybe my perception was too biased the previous time and I might have been closed to the acceptance of the city myself.
Add to it the fact that I didn't get much of a chance to explore the city.
There was also the nagging strain of being in a relationship that kept me on tenterhooks.
This time, I found Bengaluru to be quite embracing.

Being a diverse city, Bengaluru accepts people from across the country,
offering them a busy and fast life, ambient lounges and pubs, hi-fashion stores, luxurious malls, lush greenery and a pleasant weather as huge bonuses.
Culturally, the city is quite booming, in fact.
There are all kinds of happening things capturing the fancy of the city's enthusiastic population.
The temples, the marketplaces, the parks, the libraries - all are so spic & span and so very functional.
The sprawling roads, flyovers, under-passes offer smooth rides.
The new airport (the last time I had landed at the old airport which ceased to become operational from that night itself) is wonderfully maintained.
The entrance to the airport is lined with a vast space for the visitors to refesh and relax.
Bengaluru comes with a host of infrastructural facilities that is surely welcome for the tourists and the Bagaloreans alike.
I visited the Mantri Square Mall which is just humongous! The sheer luxury of shopping there must be a huge draw for the international visitors too.
I couldn't resist catching a screening of 'Shrek 4 - 3D' at the Inox Insignia auditorium there.

Though I wasn't missing out on the delicacies of Kolkata on this short stay
in Bengaluru, my sister and brother-in-law treated me to the finest food
at Oh! Calcutta and Lazeez Restaurant and I could see why.
For the Bengalis there, it was the gastronomical connect with their home!
Not all roads and nooks & corners are perfectly planned or visually appealing, of course.
Luckily, where I stayed, not much distant from the new airport, it was close to perfection. I was hugely impressed with the location.
The one road in Bengaluru that deserves special mention, however, is: M.G. Road,
it is the nerve-centre of Bengaluru, with shops on one side and on an embankment adjacent to the army grounds a lovely walkaway, shrouded by trees and bougainvillea.
The other special mention that I must make is that of the cool FM radio station of the city - Radio Indigo. It simply rocks!
As does its cool RJ Rohit Barker.
Before ending this post,
I can't help sharing with my readers a much-popular comparison between
Kolkata and Bengaluru.... it's funny....
and hence no attempt to be politically correct... just read and enjoy:
How to know which city you are in
same scenario, different reflexes -
Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along,
then a fourth
and they start arguing about who's right.
You know: You are in Kolkata.

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes...
he writes a software program to stop the fight.
But the fight doesn't stop because of a bug in the program.

That's Bangalore.... oops, Bengaluru!
hahaha..............!!

Zafarnáma

2010-06-30T08:28:00.000-07:00

Who hasn't heard of Ali Zafar?!!!

I am sure, everyone in the subcontinent, clued in on popular culture and music has heard of the Pakistani Prince of Pop - Ali Zafar.

He is equally revered for his talent, in singing and acting (he is a closet painter too!) as for his drop-dead-good-looks!

Born May 18, 1980, in Lahore, Pakistan, Ali Zafar groomed himself as a student of excellence, quite obviously, his parents being University Professors.
Before entering the Pakistani musical scene, Zafar worked as a model for several commercial advertisement besides acting in television. His first hit song was 'Jugnuon se bhar le aanchal...' which became popular with television audiences in Pakistan.

For me, Ali Zafar first registered his presence with the release of his music album Huqa Pani. He was already quite popular in Pakistan, but, here, in India, it was the airing of the music videos from the said album on the music channels that got him immense fame and recognition. Almost overnight, everyone woke up to this good looking young lad, who sings with a natural pop-singer-like charm.

His videos have a sure-fire appeal and the camera seems to love him.
There have been comparisons with Gael Garcia Bernal, the Mexican actor,
as Ali Zafar clearly resembles him from certain angles.

With his boyish looks, Ali Zafar has done all sorts of experimentations as a typical youth icon, and has always added an extra zing to his music videos, which often has a distinctive playful element.

Songs from all his albums, be it 'Huqa Pani' or 'Masty' or 'Aag', have all been lapped up by the yuppie listeners, in both India and Pakistan, and even by the diasporic musiclovers in America, Great Britain and Canada.

Ali Zafar is often unfairly pitted by the media against Atif Aslam, the other young Pakistani singer who has captured the imagination of millions with his soulful ballads, first being part of the band called Jal, and then establishing his solo repertoire, especially doing playback for Indian (Hindi) films. But I would say that instead of silly comparisons, we should be happy listening to both.

He has already bagged many an award, including the Best Male Artist at the MTV Awards in 2008.
Despite having his renown in pop and soft-rock numbers, he has been able to widen his popularity with his tonal variations on a number of folk and Sufi ballads.
His range and versatility became evident at the Coke Studio Sessions where he performed live.

After a prolonged courtship, Ali Zafar got married to his girlfriend Ayesha Fazli, and, very recently, he has become a proud father too.

Zafar's ride to stardom might have been smooth but the gossip-mills love to generate controversies about him, proving once again how popular he is! The worst piece of news that came to the fore was the purported abduction of Zafar and his girlfriend, albeit for just a few hours, as the abductor held them at gunpoint and demanded a large ransom. All was soon well for the couple but the harrowing experience is best forgotten.
Right now, all his fans are awaiting the release of the Bollywood flick "Tere Bin Laden" directed by Abhishek Sharma in which Ali Zafar has acted (he has sung two songs for the film too) - here's wishing him ALL THE BEST!

Orkutting continues......

2010-06-29T02:17:00.000-07:00

Even amidst all the Twitter and Facebook hype & hoopla, Orkut remains the favorite of many an e-friend of mine.
I myself am quite hooked to Orkutting, still.
Orkut has introduced me to e-friendship. And I have been enjoying it to the fullest.
I haven't got bored with the concept (elaborated upon in an earlier post) unlike many of my friends and acquaintances.
I think it all depends on what one seeks from a social networking site....
to find out if a certain social networking site works for them or not.
This post is a tribute to Orkut and the Orkutting phenomenon, which may have morphed into several avatars, but the concept of e-friendship and Orkutting
go hand-in-hand... still.
The site [http://www.orkut.co.in] itself has changed in a major way this month.
Though there were teething problems with all the newness that was intended
by the owners/administrators of the site..... the users were not much in favor of all the privacy controls that were toeing the line of Facebook and other competing social networking sites; within a period of 48 hours Orkut had to switch back to many of the original features instead..... yet, there are the several new features NOW, which have given Orkut a new look (with the user's discretion, of course).
ENDWORD: Orkutting continues; in a major way FOR ME.
In fact, it rocks!

'Malgudi Days' - Revisiting My Favorite Serial

2010-05-19T02:54:00.001-07:00

Malgudi Days remains an all-time favorite television series, of not only me, but I am sure it is so for millions of viewers worldwide. Produced under the banner of Padamrag TV International, by T. S. Narasimhan, and directed by Shankar Nag & Kavitha Lankesh, the series was based on the acclaimed works of the eminent Indian author and novelist R. K. Narayan.
It was originally aired on Doordarshan, way back in 1986.
However, the thirty-nine episodes then telecast became so immensely popular, as evident in the several re-runs (even in the dsatellite channels after they came into being), that the project was revived in 2004, and telecast in 2006. Though the original series had been helmed by Shankar Nag, the revived series was made by Kavita Lankesh as the former had passed away. The series was spun from various stories of R. K. Narayan and many of them were just one episode long. That made the series all the more laudable. The stories - though now part of the Malgudi anthology - were actually taken from the books A Horse and Two Goats, Malgudi Days, Swamy and Friends and Vendor Of Sweets.

Malgudi happens to be a fictitious small town in South India. It has the typical characteristics of any small town or village, and is habituated by timeless characters who could be living anywhere in the world, there is something universally appealing in that; an innocence; a simplicity; a humane depiction of life as such.
The lives of the simple folks of Malgudi has been dealt in an uniquely engaging manner, with delightful humor. The highlight of the series was its specific as well as generic appeal. The characters come alive with their idiosyncrasies, their typicalities, their inconsistencies, and their warmth.
R. K. Narayan drew on his observance of human life to create the magic in his Malgudi tales. And in the transcreation for television it was as much an accomplishment.

I am thankful to Big Home Video who have compiled the entire series in an attractive DVD/VCD box-set for the connoisseurs, and I am thankful to my sister for gifting me the grand opportunity to revisit my favorite tele-series. I am sure that it would be lapped up by all the fans of the series, and would also open up a new vista of entertainment who haven't warmed up to the magic of Malgudi on television. I recall that some years back at Nandan, here, in Kolkata, there was a screening of the segment called 'Swamy & Friends' from the series and the show had an overwhelming response.
The entire series has now been given a new lease of life thanks to the video packaging. We can once again hum the amazing title track that had been composed by L. Vaidyanathan; till date it remains one of the best title scores ever! Sharang Dev was the other composer, he had scored the music for the segment 'Swamy and Friends'. Shot entirely near Agumbe in Shimoga district of Karnataka, the visuals were exceptionally rich in terms of their texturing, as far as as television productions are concerned. The sketches that graced the title cards were done by R. K. Laxman (acclaimed cartoonist, and the brother of the novelist R. K. Narayan). The cast includes Girish Karnad, Vaishali Kasaravalli, Ananth Nag and many other established actors, and has young Manju Nath essaying the role of Swamy.
The DVD pack consists of two DVDS whereas the VCD pack has eighteen discs. The tales that are featured are namely: Swamy and Friends, Vendor of Sweets, Sweets for Angels, Salt & Sawdust, The Antidote, Minister without Portfolio, The Snake Song, Dodu, Sidda, Mandir ka Budda, Chowkidar, Naga, Doctor's Word, Lawley Road, Muni, Dhakiya, Maha Kanjus, Hero, Annamalai, Engine ki Kahani, Iswaran, Govind Singh ki Bhent, 45 Rupaiya, Aaya, Rome ka Moorthy, The Performing Child, Career, Trail of the Green Blazer, Four Rupees, Neighbour's Help, Astrologer's Day, The Gold Belt, Nitya, and The Seventh House.

"Shutter Island": a case of mind-shut

2010-05-02T01:32:00.001-07:00

After a long and eager wait, I was finally able to catch the film "Shutter Island" last night.
Needless to say why I had been eager to see the film. Yet for the uninitiated, let me confess for the umpteenth time that Martin Scorsese happens to be one of my all-time favorite filmmakers, and Leonardo DiCaprio is a favorite actor for whom I have had a huge admiration since I first saw him in "What's Eating Gilber Grape".
But this time, I was having a whole lot of apprehension too...
Recently, on a Bangla television channel, Anjan Dutt, the much acclaimed filmmaker from Kolkata who needs no introduction, has publicly rubbished "Shutter Island" saying that he was so appalled that he could not even sit through it!
After having watched the film, I can easily debunk Anjan Dutt's claims, which now expose him all the more more as a disgruntled creative individual with wrongly channelized gumption.
Incidentally, a few years back I was seated next to Anjan Dutt at a Kolkata multiplex (Inox-Forum) where he came with his son to watch the Clint Eastwood film "Mystic River". I remember, shirking from interacting with him after I found him visually frustrated by the film that unfolded on screen. On the other hand, I loved the film "Mystic River", which is based on the novel penned by Dennis Lehane, who also happens to be the writer of the novel "Shutter Island" which Martin Scorsese has filmed, and I must admit that I loved the same nervous energy and the character-based conflicts that pepper "Shutter Island".

The film "Shutter Island" finds Scorsese collaborating with many of his favorites yet again, from lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio (who has previously worked with him in "Gangs of New York", "The Aviator" and "The Departed"), cinematographer Robert Richardson, film editor Thelma Schoonmaker, and music supervisor Robbie Robertson.

The cast of "Shutter Island" includes, apart from Leonardo DiCaprio, such stupendous talents as Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo, Michelle Williams, Max von Sydow, Emily Mortimer, Elias Koteas, Patricia Clarkson, and Ted Levine.

The story emerging through layers of dread, deception, enigma and intrigue, is actually quite simple.... or so I thought.... however, the story-telling is quite remarkable, to say the least. It would be a shame to divulge the details about the tale, as the emotional jigsaw puzzle that the tale offers to a viewer, ready to uncover and solve, is better not spoiled.
The manner in which the characters are assembled for us viewers makes it a treat to watch, just like all of Scorsese's films. From the very beginning the visuals just grip us completely and make us ready for all the madness and bewilderment that ensues.

Scorsese is the master of invoking suspense and paranoic atmosphere, and here he succeeds brilliantly. The body of the film is richly textured, and, in parts, it even brings back the magic of Alfred Hitchcock. Our fears, our beliefs, our weaknesses, our secrets are often locked up, and in "Shutter Island", a serious viewer can surely
probe such natural tendencies to keep things all wrapped up. But even for a lay viewer, the film holds much charm and thrills that never fail to mesmerize.

The film's title (the book's too) refers to the remote island where apparently a murderess is believed to be hiding after having escaped from a rather strange institutional facility for the criminally insane.

The film can be best classified as a psychological mystery-thriller; much of what is seen and experienced pose questions; the thin line between reality and delusions often gets blurred. Everything is not as it seems.

Ben Kingsley, Mark Ruffalo and Max von Sydow have added a lot of nuance to their characters. Michelle Williams, Patricia Clarkson and Emily Mortimer have fantastic screen presence and they've brought out their best even in the short scenes.
Re-creating the atmospheric tone of the Fifties, and even the flashback scenes that depict the horrors of the Second World War wouldn't have been as difficult and exacting as the portrayal of the paranoia, ranging from the fears about communism to that about brain-washing, which is perceived by the characters. The perfect casting makes that job easier.

The asylum having only one point of entry (since the island’s terra firma sits atop a base of sheer cliff walls) provides much scope for the exquisitely created dark interiors and visual effects. The experiencing of trauma, anxiety and grappling with doubts, distrust and 'disappearance' becomes the leitmotif, and the symbols of loss of sanity effectively embellish the scenario.

I would personally recommend the film to all my readers,
and to all cine-lovers.
Just indulge yourself in the magic of cinema.
Savor the brilliance of a maestro, immerse yourself in the topnotch scenes and the noirish twists, and let's rubbish the trashy criticisms of frustrated cynics, let's just tell them to shut up their big mouths!

Scorched! Scarred!

2010-03-30T02:46:00.000-07:00

Who'd have expected vultures to hover over Park Street?

After all, Park Street has always been the happily-bustling passageway, where business mixes with pleasure, the upscale meets the lowbrow, and where the overall spirit is that of a joyous celebration of life.

But last Tuesday (23rd March, 2010, a day that Kolkatans can never forget!) Stephen Court - the much recognized, much loved, much filmed, much chronicled, historic building on Park Street - was on fire, and a whole week of gloom has kept me and many other Kolkatan stupefied by the tragedy.
The loss has been immense.
Worse has been the post-blaze state of affairs.

As several charred bodies remained trapped under the immense pile of debris,
and the air had the overwhelming stench of burnt organic and inorganic matter,
and carcasses, the site brought nothing but tears to the eyes of all the passersby who might have traversed along the stretches of Park Street a million times on happy occasions; earlier they might have dined, shopped, made merry, or might have been the regular visitors to the cursed building itself, on work purposes, or otherwise.

It was a case of ravaging agony since that fiery summer afternoon, that blasted Tuesday when the fifth and the sixth floors had become a veritable inferno, engulfing people within, trapped men and women jumped to death, some never made their way out, some were soon charred to ashes, a few others may have even struggled with burnt skin and bloodied limbs, wishing death to come soon, while the roof that had caved in, had beams and mesh of wires and concrete sealing the exit for some of the victims, many struggled hard to go the terrace but, alas, the way to it was sealed, and they got scalded alive on the stairway itself, it was hellish!

Stephen Court (named after Arathoon Stephen, mentioned as the lease-holder for the property at 18A Park Street in the city's civic records dating back to World War I) housed residential as well as commercial establishments, and, in spite of a threat of electrical short-circuits and overloading, had been a mute witness to the much practiced flouting of the fire-safety norms.
Like many of the old, and heritage buildings of the city, it was almost a tinderbox awaiting a tragedy to happen anytime. Though the building has been embroiled in ownership tangles, it has never had a registered flat-owners' association to protect the civic rights of the residents. Originally, the building had just three floors, but the fourth floor was added in the 1930s, and in 1984 two more storeys had been added.
The labyrinthine interiors, the offices with plywood partitions and false ceilings, the indiscriminate use of air-conditioners and several other potential-risk factors made it an impossibility for many to come out alive of the burning building.
As per the latest information released, the death toll has been recorded as 43 (decomposed bodies continued to be unearthed till yesterday), many of them may had died of suffocation before the flames reached them.
The blaze in the top floors of the eight-storey commercial and apartment block could not be controlled even after four hours.
For some of the kith & kin of the those who died in the tragedy, the wit for the bodily remains has been yet another unbelievable nightmare. A few of the bodily remains have dual claimants, and only DNA and bone-marrow hold the promise of a solution to the conflict.
The fire in Stephen Court not only snatched away lives, but also jobs of employees working in offices situated on the two top fire-ravaged floors. For some employees getting another job may be a difficult affair as they have suffered serious injuries while jumping off the building to avoid certain death.
As far as the role of the administration is concerned, it has once again revealed nothing but apathy and nonchalance. Serious criticisms have been levelled against the department fire services, against the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, and even the police.
The saddest part in the aftermath of the tragedy has been the exposing of the officials' penchant for passing-the-buck. No one wants to be accountable, shifting of responsibility on others' shoulders seems to be the skill that some men have been specialising in, over the years. It is a known fact that the firefighters were ill-equipped, and ill-prepared for a large scale fire-fighting operation as this one, and had the sky-lift reached in time, several precious lives could have been saved.
But all that has been promised to the anguished people of the city is a committee, one that threatens to conduct just a farcical probe, to look into the lapses if any, along with suggesting of amendments in the existing rules and laws and fire services.
The carrion-feeding vultures are leaving now, and business promises to return like a phoenix from the ashes, but let's pray that the vulture-like corrupt and power-hungry politicians who love to engage themselves in word-games narrowing in on vote-banks be banished from Kolkata's environs,
just as we pray for peace for the lost souls,
may we never forget the lives lost,
we are ashamed,
we are truly tormented.
We have been scarred.

[Pic courtesy: The Hindu; Google Images]

an LSD-esque grandeur

2010-03-22T05:53:00.000-07:00

New age cinema, world cinema, experimental cinema, parallel cinema, offbeat cinema - call it what you may, but we haven't had it this good since last year's "Dev. D".
With as provocative a title as "Love, Sex Aur Dhokha", a movie-goer can well expect to be shocked. It is clearly an 'adults only' film, most would reason from the posters or the promotional stills, but what one would not easily understand is the fact that it is anything but a sleaze-fest!
It is a film that screams out loud to be included in the contemporary classics hall-of-fame. It is absolutely magical as a journey; a journey through the modern, easy to grab, free for all, technology aided back-alleys of voyeurism that makes its presence felt in our daily lives through umpteen scandalous 'breaking news' headlines that are assimilated by the entire household along with our daily dose of tea/coffee, desensitizing coverages of murder and mayhem, and the television-serials. Yet, we take nothing from them. We do not learn the much-needed lessons in sanity and sensitivity, we are the de-classed voyeurs who do not give a damn about our fellow human-being's privacy. "LSD", as a film doesn't get us high on the titillation, instead its success lies in its hitting base with the powerful reality check, without any attempt at sermonizing or moralizing.

There are three stories, incidental for the all-important concept that holds the key to the experimental narrative structure, and three couples therein who are intricately connected to one another. Without giving away much of the clever intermingling of the narratives, it can be said that each of the stories has at its centre a realistic conflict and/or turmoil involving secret recording through hidden camera. The hidden cameras are thus the dynamic protagonists, alive in their own way, revelatory and sensational. The edge film stars no known (or lesser known) actors and is entirely filmed with the digital camera. The quirky, unconventional camera angles, the jerky movements and the documentation-style 'footage' can be unnerving and unsettling for the first five-ten minutes - especially for the normal cine-goer. But the flow of events has an easy grip on our attention thereafter, and the tantalizing tales readily blend with the style or manner of storytelling.
The cast includes Arya Banerjee, Neha Chauhan, Anshuman Jha, Atul Mongia, Amit Sial, Herry Tangdi, Raj Kumar Yadav, and Shruti. The cinematography is by Nikos Andritsakis. Namrata Rao is the film-editor, Mustafa Stationwala is the production designer, and Atul Mongia the casting-director - all of whom deserve a praise. The original music of the film has been composed by Sneha Khanwalkar and Dibakar Banerjee.

Dibakar Banerjee, the creator of the movie "LSD" is a film-director par excellence.
He is the one who has been thumb-nosing at the diktats of Bollywood,
and has been conquering new vistas by daring to go beyond the "what-works-and-what-doesn't" stereotypes.
He has been the real game changer in the world of new-age Indian cinema, with his first two features, "Khosla Ka Ghosla" (it was not only a sleeper hit, but was also a true contemporary classic) and "Oye Lucky Lucky Oye", having been toasted for sheer sheer energy and raw exuberance. With "LSD", he has extended his horizons. I am thrilled beyond delight to have my faith in this new-age film-maker being vindicated. He knows his Delhi (especially the city's underbelly), he knows his craft, he knows how capable he is in executing what he believes in (the confidence makes him unapologetic in his use of cinematic idiom borrowed from world cinema, but very much moulded in his own way!) and my good wishes to him for breaking more barriers and giving us substantial films which enthrall, and thus entertain.

TWEET-mania

2010-03-04T07:37:00.000-08:00

Twitter has been voted last year as the most popular word by Global Language Monitor.
It actually means, as a verb, to utter a succession of tremulous sounds or to talk rapidly of trivial matters. But, of late, it refers to the popular social networking site (http://twitter.com) used by millions worldwide.

In the course of a year, registered Twitter accounts have reportedly grown more than 1,500 per cent and the Twitter team of professionals has grown 500 per cent. In today's times, it is no mean feat!

Apart from the regular, full-time employees working at the Twitter offices, there are thousands of dedicated platform developers who have now created more than 70,000 registered Twitter applications creating variety and utility for all.
I salute the dedicated professionals who have been responsible for the incredible success of the website. My blogpost also is in celebration of the gathering of such individuals this spring at 'Chirp', the first ever official Twitter developer conference.

When I had joined Twitter, I remember doing so out of sheer curiosity. Already it was having a roaring fanbase. I was intrigued by the fact that the highest celebrity status was enjoyed in Twitterdom by Ashton Kutcher, thanks to his outpourings followed by a mindbogglingly wide range of people from all over!

What I like about Twitter:
It is free, like most of the social networking sites that enjoy immense popularity online.
It offers microblogging services, enabling its users to send and read messages known as tweets. For the uninitiated: tweets are the text-based posts (of up to 140 characters); the tweets are displayed on the author's profile page and are delivered to the author's subscribers who are known as followers. Senders can restrict delivery to those in their circle of friends or, by default, allow open access.

Some Interesting Facts About Twitter:

*The 7 billion tweets to date are composed of 104,860,000,000 words!

*This time last year, i.e. in February 2009, adults aged 35-49 years had the largest representation on Twitter – almost 3 million unique visitors from this age group, which is 42 per cent of the entire contributors of Tweets!

*5% of all Twitter accounts create 75% of all tweets; now that is weird, but interesting!

*The cool, new features of note that make Twitter even more attractive are the inclusion of list creation, easy & faster spread information with a retweet button, and an easier way to activate one's mobile phone to work with Twitter over SMS.

*We are also lucky to be offered a new mobile website that looks and works much better on smart phones.

Happy tweet-ing, folks!

Follow me HERE: http://twitter.com/sakagaze