Love Actually
According to Joseph Francis Tribbiani (better known as Joey), actor (extra) ordinaire of Friends fame, " The rule is when two actors are actually doing it off-stage all the sexual tension between them is gone. Okay? So as long as it's hot onstage you got nothing to worry about. It's when the heat goes away, that's when you're in trouble."
Now we don't have to take Joey literally but maybe he has a point. Everyone is amazed at the crackling chemistry between Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor in Imtiaz Ali's Jab We Met. Considering their past screen outings in Fida, 36 China Town and Chup Chup Ke was totally thanda, this film is almost a renaissance of the Shahid- Kareena pairing.
It's difficult to remain objective about Jab We Met. Though the film stands tall on its own merit, the off screen drama of the lead pair's romantic lives somehow takes center stage when you are viewing it or discussing it. I watched the film with a bunch of friends and all of them went "Aw, they are so sweet together. Why did they break up?" Er, well, I must tell you that before the break up stories the same friends (and many more) were of the opinion that Kareena and Shahid don't have 'IT' on screen. So how come they have 'IT' in Jab We Met?
Kareena has a logical explanation for her shifting chemistry meter with her ex. "Contrary to popular belief that Shahid and my pairing didn't work in all our previous films I want to make it clear that before Jab We Met, we were never really paired together. This is the first romantic film we did together so if someone has to judge our chemistry then they should judge it only in this film," she says. It's up to you whether or not you buy Kareena's theory, I'd rather buy Joey's.
It's almost tragicomic. When they were together they didn't have 'IT' and now when they have broken up they've become the newbie poster couple of mint fresh romcom genre of Bollywood today. Sigh!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Someone wrote this for someone I know.... I like it so thought will share....
Wake up to a dream you had
make it real with some one you loved,
Wake up to the feelings you shared,
after all he was not that bad.
Wake up fresh every morning in his arms,
enjoy the warmth n comfort all night.
Wake up to a morning cup from him ,
and ask for more every now and then.
Wake up to the stupid guy,
he makes mistakes all the time,
but he listens to all your advice .
And you can slap him all the time.
Wake up to the kisses behind your ears,
gentle touches all over you,
wake up to the same passion you shared.
And if all this was not enough,
ask him for all you want him to do,
my guess is he will do any thing for you,
Wake up to the old guy, whose life is you.
Wake up please !!!
Wake up to a dream you had
make it real with some one you loved,
Wake up to the feelings you shared,
after all he was not that bad.
Wake up fresh every morning in his arms,
enjoy the warmth n comfort all night.
Wake up to a morning cup from him ,
and ask for more every now and then.
Wake up to the stupid guy,
he makes mistakes all the time,
but he listens to all your advice .
And you can slap him all the time.
Wake up to the kisses behind your ears,
gentle touches all over you,
wake up to the same passion you shared.
And if all this was not enough,
ask him for all you want him to do,
my guess is he will do any thing for you,
Wake up to the old guy, whose life is you.
Wake up please !!!
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Sometimes.....
Sometimes I feel like shouting....
Sometimes I feel like crying....
Sometimes I feel like kicking....
Sometimes I feel like moaning....
Sometimes I feel like whimpering....
Sometimes I feel like fighting....
Sometimes I feel like conquering....
Sometimes I feel like surrendering....
Sometimes I feel like everything....
Sometimes I feel like nothing.
Sometimes I feel like shouting....
Sometimes I feel like crying....
Sometimes I feel like kicking....
Sometimes I feel like moaning....
Sometimes I feel like whimpering....
Sometimes I feel like fighting....
Sometimes I feel like conquering....
Sometimes I feel like surrendering....
Sometimes I feel like everything....
Sometimes I feel like nothing.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
For Sanju sir…
“Hey 29, happy birthday to us,” he said on the phone when he called me on Sunday.
Though his voice lacked his trademark crackle yet it was Sanjay Dutt alright. “I’ve just finished with the puja, how are you celebrating,” he wanted to know.
It was 29th July__ our birthday__ and just like the past few years, Sanju called to wish me. He also wanted to know if I had gone to a particular astrologer that he had recommended to me when we had last met at his Imperial Heights apartment. “Arre, why haven’t you gone till now,” he chided me. “He’s really good. I’ve already told him that you’ll be coming,” he said.
Really, I didn’t want to meet the astrologer but since he has been so insistent I told him that I’d surely make an appointment. This made him happy. “Good. I’m telling you he’s very good. Till now whatever he has predicted for me has come true,” he gushed.
The eternal optimist that he is, he believed anything good that anyone told him. He was pretty kicked about this astrologer because he had predicted that he would be rid of his “terrorist” tag. And since last year, the TADA court acquitted him of terrorism and conspiracy charges in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts; Sanju felt he was on the right track.
As to why he was so insistent that I meet up with the astrologer is because of yet another prediction. “You know what, he has predicted that 2008 is going to be a fantastic year for all those who are born on July 29. He predicts a golden year for us,” he gleefully told me in our last meeting. Seeing the skepticism on my face he joked, “Arre even if it’s a fantastic year for you and not me, I’ll be happy. Kissi ka toh achcha ho. So take that look off your face,” he laughed.
He could joke about it but the spectre of the verdict was always looming over him. All these meetings with astrologers and temple visits proved that he was tensed and apprehensive about his future. Like he had confessed to me once, “There are days when I get up in the middle of the night fretting about my future. And then there are phases when I think things are getting better so I must work a little harder.”
Maybe it was the success of Lage Raho Munnabhai__ a film that catapulted Sanju back in the top bracket___or just an epiphany but Dutt did take a reality check. He dropped anchor in an otherwise windswept life, kicked the bottle and went on a boiled-food-only diet. Gone was the man known for his mercurial temper and skirt chaser reputation. He even made peace with his daughter Trishala, who stays with her aunt in New York. His father, Sunil Dutt’s death was a huge jolt and mellowed him further. That’s when he stopped being the baba that he always was perceived as and became the big brother of the family.
After his acquittal in the TADA court, Sanju was hopeful of getting a lenient verdict in his conviction under the Arms Act. “I’m prepared for the worst. I have to face whatever happens but I have full faith in the judiciary of the country,” he told me on our birthday.
When I asked him what is the best gift he has got for this birthday, he said, “The only gift I want is my freedom. Just pray for me, 29 that I get it. I’ll never ask for anything more.”
Well, the long arm of the law doesn’t usually unwrap a birthday gift.
“Hey 29, happy birthday to us,” he said on the phone when he called me on Sunday.
Though his voice lacked his trademark crackle yet it was Sanjay Dutt alright. “I’ve just finished with the puja, how are you celebrating,” he wanted to know.
It was 29th July__ our birthday__ and just like the past few years, Sanju called to wish me. He also wanted to know if I had gone to a particular astrologer that he had recommended to me when we had last met at his Imperial Heights apartment. “Arre, why haven’t you gone till now,” he chided me. “He’s really good. I’ve already told him that you’ll be coming,” he said.
Really, I didn’t want to meet the astrologer but since he has been so insistent I told him that I’d surely make an appointment. This made him happy. “Good. I’m telling you he’s very good. Till now whatever he has predicted for me has come true,” he gushed.
The eternal optimist that he is, he believed anything good that anyone told him. He was pretty kicked about this astrologer because he had predicted that he would be rid of his “terrorist” tag. And since last year, the TADA court acquitted him of terrorism and conspiracy charges in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts; Sanju felt he was on the right track.
As to why he was so insistent that I meet up with the astrologer is because of yet another prediction. “You know what, he has predicted that 2008 is going to be a fantastic year for all those who are born on July 29. He predicts a golden year for us,” he gleefully told me in our last meeting. Seeing the skepticism on my face he joked, “Arre even if it’s a fantastic year for you and not me, I’ll be happy. Kissi ka toh achcha ho. So take that look off your face,” he laughed.
He could joke about it but the spectre of the verdict was always looming over him. All these meetings with astrologers and temple visits proved that he was tensed and apprehensive about his future. Like he had confessed to me once, “There are days when I get up in the middle of the night fretting about my future. And then there are phases when I think things are getting better so I must work a little harder.”
Maybe it was the success of Lage Raho Munnabhai__ a film that catapulted Sanju back in the top bracket___or just an epiphany but Dutt did take a reality check. He dropped anchor in an otherwise windswept life, kicked the bottle and went on a boiled-food-only diet. Gone was the man known for his mercurial temper and skirt chaser reputation. He even made peace with his daughter Trishala, who stays with her aunt in New York. His father, Sunil Dutt’s death was a huge jolt and mellowed him further. That’s when he stopped being the baba that he always was perceived as and became the big brother of the family.
After his acquittal in the TADA court, Sanju was hopeful of getting a lenient verdict in his conviction under the Arms Act. “I’m prepared for the worst. I have to face whatever happens but I have full faith in the judiciary of the country,” he told me on our birthday.
When I asked him what is the best gift he has got for this birthday, he said, “The only gift I want is my freedom. Just pray for me, 29 that I get it. I’ll never ask for anything more.”
Well, the long arm of the law doesn’t usually unwrap a birthday gift.
Same Difference
Last Sunday I turned 28. That’s two more to go before I reach the magical 30 mark__ a milestone I’m awaiting since I believe that a woman’s life truly begins at 30 which as my mom tells me is the new 20. Anyway since birthdays are all important to me I decided to you know… just list a few lessons I learnt in the year gone by. (Posting this at the risk of getting caustic comments about “my shortcut ways” from The ZS and The TP…ah, well, I can never please them so…what the heck!!!)
I’ve learnt that good friends never call and ask if they can come over, they just arrive unannounced at an ungodly hour with coffee and ice cream.
I’ve learnt that hot chocolate tastes better if you put a dash of coffee in it.
I’ve learnt that whenever I get excited about a new author that I’ve discovered I end up being sorely disappointed with his/her next book.
I’ve learnt that if it takes you apart then that’s not love because love puts you back together.
I’ve learnt that there are two kinds of men: a man’s man and a woman’s man. And I’d rather know a man’s man.
I’ve learnt that if I insert a straightened paper clip into a tiny hole that is located on the front of my computer’s optical drive, I can extract a stuck CD or DVD.
I’ve learnt that I can safely block a few people on my gtalk and be happy.
I’ve learnt that LIGHTHOUSE can’t even make black coffee.
I’ve learnt that people who insist on asking what gift I want for my birthday never give me what I asked for.
I’ve learnt that an eye contact can sometimes speak more than a thousand words.
I’ve learnt that if someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to, it doesn’t mean that they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learnt that I can never lie to my parents.
I’ve learnt that you can never put a premium on people.
I’ve learnt that while men are better at building castles in the air, it takes a woman to build them with brick and mortar.
I’ve learnt that the difference between running a team and ruining it is the ‘I’.
I’ve learnt that a mere mention of the word ‘shopping’ is a cure for my chronic insomnia.
I’ve learnt that while everyone wants to be unique it takes a greater degree of self-assurance and courage to be normal.
Monday, July 09, 2007
One (Not So) Fine Day (Part 1)
I was having one of those ‘So no one told you life was gonna be this ways’ kinda day. My job sucked. The fridge was empty (and so was the bank account). The relentless rains wouldn’t let up. LIGHTHOUSE was in the hospital and The-Man-In-My-Head was giving me the silent treatment. On top of that, I discovered a lizard in my small room and on top of that that, my insomnia was acting up (if insomnia can do that—act up, I mean)!
“Really,” I spoke aloud to The-One-Who-Can-Hear-Me-But-Who-Has-Been-Quiet-For-So-Fudging-Long, “could I please get another life?” Silence from his side too. Great! Now all I needed was a plane crashing in my garden apartment and then I would definitely be on the Hindi news channels.
But every dark something has a silver something and in my case my dear friends The Zing Singh (ha ha!) and his wife, The Tarapur Princess (hee hee ha ha!!) acted as the cloud lining. “Snap out of your crabby mood,” ordered The Zing Singh. (Ha, as if I ever listen to him!) “Come on to the BBQ Nation and we’ll feast on the kebabs,” said The Tarapur Princess.
I really wanted to wallow in my look-at-me-I-am-a-disaster wave. But she did say kebabs, right? So poor little me waded in the liver deep water and reached the appointed place at the appointed time. And what do I see? Mr and Mrs Zing Singh are nowhere in sight, it’s still raining and the fudging place has a waiting line that extends from the slips to the boundary line i.e. if it were a cricket pitch! “How come? Its not even Saturday night,” thundered a hyper mother of three right in my right ear. My reflexes kicked in and I lost my footing. And I fell down----- clothes, bag, specks, hair and all in the leptospirosis friendly rainwater. “Oh ho,” said the smallest one of the hyper pack. (Yeah Oh! and Ho!)
After warding off the helpful waiter who in his well-intentioned eagerness almost pushed me back in the eeky water, I managed to get up. By this time two more families had positioned themselves in the queue. And of course the entire queue and some of the diners were staring at me… and the queue. Now if only they (the diners) wouldn’t do that and instead focused on eating, there would not be a queue but what the heck!
“Look someone’s phone is in the water… and look it’s ringing,” a fellow queue mate’s shriek broke my mental funk. She was right! There was a funny little Nokia thingie in the water blaring Just Chill Chill. Wait a minute! I have the same ring tone… and the same looking phone too. Oh my gosh, that is my phone! And it is ringing! I dipped my hand in the puddle just to hear The Zing and his missus telling me that they are some 20 minutes away and that I must get a table. (Really now!!)
I didn’t expect anything better since in the past Mr and Mrs Zing have famously invited me for lunch and then woken up at five in the evening themselves. The best time to meet them is Saturday night. That’s when The Tarapur Princess is really in form and can (almost) finish a bottle of wine. I just love her when she does that. As does The Zing Singh.
Nyways back to scene, I waited for some 15 minutes or so until the same overeager waiter came up to me and took me (FINALLY) to my seat. Once inside the restaurant I managed to elicit the same response. Everybody (yeah everybody) stared at me. To be fair, I must be looking a sight with wet hair, shoes, bag and clothes. But it would have been polite if I didn’t cause such a stir. But since I wasn’t writing THIS script it wasn’t my place to complain (or swear). So off I went and took my place at the table right in the center of the restaurant and waited for The Zing Singh and The Tarapur Princess. And waited. And waited.
Finally they arrived. The Tarapur Princess looked sheepish while the Zing Singh just wanted to know if the AC was working! I had had it by then and was just about to shout when I saw HIM enter the restaurant. And I stopped. And I watched.
(To be continued)
I was having one of those ‘So no one told you life was gonna be this ways’ kinda day. My job sucked. The fridge was empty (and so was the bank account). The relentless rains wouldn’t let up. LIGHTHOUSE was in the hospital and The-Man-In-My-Head was giving me the silent treatment. On top of that, I discovered a lizard in my small room and on top of that that, my insomnia was acting up (if insomnia can do that—act up, I mean)!
“Really,” I spoke aloud to The-One-Who-Can-Hear-Me-But-Who-Has-Been-Quiet-For-So-Fudging-Long, “could I please get another life?” Silence from his side too. Great! Now all I needed was a plane crashing in my garden apartment and then I would definitely be on the Hindi news channels.
But every dark something has a silver something and in my case my dear friends The Zing Singh (ha ha!) and his wife, The Tarapur Princess (hee hee ha ha!!) acted as the cloud lining. “Snap out of your crabby mood,” ordered The Zing Singh. (Ha, as if I ever listen to him!) “Come on to the BBQ Nation and we’ll feast on the kebabs,” said The Tarapur Princess.
I really wanted to wallow in my look-at-me-I-am-a-disaster wave. But she did say kebabs, right? So poor little me waded in the liver deep water and reached the appointed place at the appointed time. And what do I see? Mr and Mrs Zing Singh are nowhere in sight, it’s still raining and the fudging place has a waiting line that extends from the slips to the boundary line i.e. if it were a cricket pitch! “How come? Its not even Saturday night,” thundered a hyper mother of three right in my right ear. My reflexes kicked in and I lost my footing. And I fell down----- clothes, bag, specks, hair and all in the leptospirosis friendly rainwater. “Oh ho,” said the smallest one of the hyper pack. (Yeah Oh! and Ho!)
After warding off the helpful waiter who in his well-intentioned eagerness almost pushed me back in the eeky water, I managed to get up. By this time two more families had positioned themselves in the queue. And of course the entire queue and some of the diners were staring at me… and the queue. Now if only they (the diners) wouldn’t do that and instead focused on eating, there would not be a queue but what the heck!
“Look someone’s phone is in the water… and look it’s ringing,” a fellow queue mate’s shriek broke my mental funk. She was right! There was a funny little Nokia thingie in the water blaring Just Chill Chill. Wait a minute! I have the same ring tone… and the same looking phone too. Oh my gosh, that is my phone! And it is ringing! I dipped my hand in the puddle just to hear The Zing and his missus telling me that they are some 20 minutes away and that I must get a table. (Really now!!)
I didn’t expect anything better since in the past Mr and Mrs Zing have famously invited me for lunch and then woken up at five in the evening themselves. The best time to meet them is Saturday night. That’s when The Tarapur Princess is really in form and can (almost) finish a bottle of wine. I just love her when she does that. As does The Zing Singh.
Nyways back to scene, I waited for some 15 minutes or so until the same overeager waiter came up to me and took me (FINALLY) to my seat. Once inside the restaurant I managed to elicit the same response. Everybody (yeah everybody) stared at me. To be fair, I must be looking a sight with wet hair, shoes, bag and clothes. But it would have been polite if I didn’t cause such a stir. But since I wasn’t writing THIS script it wasn’t my place to complain (or swear). So off I went and took my place at the table right in the center of the restaurant and waited for The Zing Singh and The Tarapur Princess. And waited. And waited.
Finally they arrived. The Tarapur Princess looked sheepish while the Zing Singh just wanted to know if the AC was working! I had had it by then and was just about to shout when I saw HIM enter the restaurant. And I stopped. And I watched.
(To be continued)
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Tell Me Why
I've some pretty pertinent questions after watching some of the recent films. Maybe the film-makers can enlighten me.
Why don't children in films have names anymore?
The little boy and girl in Ta Ra Rum Pum were referred as Champ and Princess throughout the film even in the most emotionally laden moment of the film when daddy Saif Ali Khan is hurt in a car crash. As for Sexy, the kid in Cheeni Kum, she is totally from another planet. She gives love advice to a 64 year-old man, watches adult movies and what's more even tells the 34-year-old girlfriend of the old man that her beau is sleeping with her, all innocently of course! Guess, director Balki deserves kudos for totally reinventing the role and scope of a child artiste in Hindi films but I would have liked to know her name. I mean, you just cannot have children named Sexy, Princess and Champ. They are not horses and dogs for god sake but children!
Why are so many films being shot in London?
My heart bleeds for Filmcity. Bollywood's best-known shooting ground is facing stiff competition from London. Nearly 40 Bollywood films were shot in London last year and the figures only seem to be on the ascent in 2007. Salaam-e-Ishq, Namastey London, Cheeni Kum have already been there, done that while coming up attractions like Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Goal and Speed are also all London centric. Seeing Salman Khan do Tenu Leke in Trafalgar Square in Salaam-e-Ishq was very nice but why do we have to see Zayed Khan and Tanushree Dutta do the same jig at the same place. Time our film-makers showed us something we haven't seen. Right now, we are suffering from London fatigue.
Why do most of Ram Gopal Varma films have a green hue?
You can't miss it. Ram Gopal Varma has been carpet-bombing the television channels with promos of his version of Sholay. While the world wants to know how Amitabh Bachchan does a Gabbar Singh, I want to know why is the film bathed in green? Ramu did that in the Khallas number in Company also as well as in Naach, Jungle, Shiva and James. Does he have a huge sci-fi fixation or what?
Why is Konkona Sen Sharma always the girl who discovers a gay?
It happened to her in Page 3 and then again in Metro. It's a common Konkona moment now: Konkona enters her boyfriend's house only to find it empty. She looks here and there and then goes in his bedroom or a guest room and finds out that he has been two-timing her and that too with a guy! When it happened in Page 3, it was a novelty but when it happened again to her in Metro it's a yawn. Well to be fair in Metro she also learnt that her boyfriend was two timing her with her boss so maybe it was a double blow but still why only Konkona?
Why is Kangana Ranaut getting stereotyped?
And then there is the Kangana Ranaut specialty. She has done only four films but already she's become a pro at the drunk-depressed-slightly ott-suicidal type. There is a similarity in her roles in Gangster, Woh Lamhe and Metro. All these depressive, suicidal roles must be taking quite a toll on the poor girl's mental health. She needs reinvention and fast.
Why does Upen Patel bare his chest?
Why oh why? He's just three films old and we've already seen too much of Upen Patel's chest. And we are bored. If he's trying to imitate Salman Khan then somebody please tell Upen that Salman started flaunting his chest much after flaunting his acting abilities in Maine Pyar Kiya, Baaghi and others. Upen needs to tone down and keep his shirt on.
I've some pretty pertinent questions after watching some of the recent films. Maybe the film-makers can enlighten me.
Why don't children in films have names anymore?
The little boy and girl in Ta Ra Rum Pum were referred as Champ and Princess throughout the film even in the most emotionally laden moment of the film when daddy Saif Ali Khan is hurt in a car crash. As for Sexy, the kid in Cheeni Kum, she is totally from another planet. She gives love advice to a 64 year-old man, watches adult movies and what's more even tells the 34-year-old girlfriend of the old man that her beau is sleeping with her, all innocently of course! Guess, director Balki deserves kudos for totally reinventing the role and scope of a child artiste in Hindi films but I would have liked to know her name. I mean, you just cannot have children named Sexy, Princess and Champ. They are not horses and dogs for god sake but children!
Why are so many films being shot in London?
My heart bleeds for Filmcity. Bollywood's best-known shooting ground is facing stiff competition from London. Nearly 40 Bollywood films were shot in London last year and the figures only seem to be on the ascent in 2007. Salaam-e-Ishq, Namastey London, Cheeni Kum have already been there, done that while coming up attractions like Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Goal and Speed are also all London centric. Seeing Salman Khan do Tenu Leke in Trafalgar Square in Salaam-e-Ishq was very nice but why do we have to see Zayed Khan and Tanushree Dutta do the same jig at the same place. Time our film-makers showed us something we haven't seen. Right now, we are suffering from London fatigue.
Why do most of Ram Gopal Varma films have a green hue?
You can't miss it. Ram Gopal Varma has been carpet-bombing the television channels with promos of his version of Sholay. While the world wants to know how Amitabh Bachchan does a Gabbar Singh, I want to know why is the film bathed in green? Ramu did that in the Khallas number in Company also as well as in Naach, Jungle, Shiva and James. Does he have a huge sci-fi fixation or what?
Why is Konkona Sen Sharma always the girl who discovers a gay?
It happened to her in Page 3 and then again in Metro. It's a common Konkona moment now: Konkona enters her boyfriend's house only to find it empty. She looks here and there and then goes in his bedroom or a guest room and finds out that he has been two-timing her and that too with a guy! When it happened in Page 3, it was a novelty but when it happened again to her in Metro it's a yawn. Well to be fair in Metro she also learnt that her boyfriend was two timing her with her boss so maybe it was a double blow but still why only Konkona?
Why is Kangana Ranaut getting stereotyped?
And then there is the Kangana Ranaut specialty. She has done only four films but already she's become a pro at the drunk-depressed-slightly ott-suicidal type. There is a similarity in her roles in Gangster, Woh Lamhe and Metro. All these depressive, suicidal roles must be taking quite a toll on the poor girl's mental health. She needs reinvention and fast.
Why does Upen Patel bare his chest?
Why oh why? He's just three films old and we've already seen too much of Upen Patel's chest. And we are bored. If he's trying to imitate Salman Khan then somebody please tell Upen that Salman started flaunting his chest much after flaunting his acting abilities in Maine Pyar Kiya, Baaghi and others. Upen needs to tone down and keep his shirt on.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Confessions, confessions, confessions…this time aboard an-almost-about-to-crash AI 120
However close the bond is, there will come a time in your life especially when you are all grown up and living in another city, that you and your mom will prefer different brands of tea.
I’ve learnt that some men will even fake a heart attack to get out of shopping.
This is for all the women travelers: always carry talcum powder on a trip. You just never know when and for what you might need it. And while you are packing the essentials, do pack the nano and the mac. Familiar gizmos always instill a sense of comfort.
Some beasts remain just that: beasts. No magical kiss from Belle will change them into hunky men. Sigh!
Success is the new name for greed.
Eating out is the new age oral gratification.
When newspaper headlines are dominated by Paris, the heiress turned jail junkie and not the eternal city then you know you are indeed living in troubled times.
Going by the weirdoes I attract, sometimes I feel that the title sucker.com is inscribed on my forehead.
Sometimes a stranger’s smile feels like the very best homecoming.
I think I can live my life in a hotel suite as long as room service, house keeping, laundry and maintenance service are available 24/7.
My secret fantasy: to buy my comfort faded green suede sofa in Marriott’s Reflections bar.
You can play endless rounds of truth or dare but at the end of the day, only one man can make your heart flutter…always.
However close the bond is, there will come a time in your life especially when you are all grown up and living in another city, that you and your mom will prefer different brands of tea.
I’ve learnt that some men will even fake a heart attack to get out of shopping.
This is for all the women travelers: always carry talcum powder on a trip. You just never know when and for what you might need it. And while you are packing the essentials, do pack the nano and the mac. Familiar gizmos always instill a sense of comfort.
Some beasts remain just that: beasts. No magical kiss from Belle will change them into hunky men. Sigh!
Success is the new name for greed.
Eating out is the new age oral gratification.
When newspaper headlines are dominated by Paris, the heiress turned jail junkie and not the eternal city then you know you are indeed living in troubled times.
Going by the weirdoes I attract, sometimes I feel that the title sucker.com is inscribed on my forehead.
Sometimes a stranger’s smile feels like the very best homecoming.
I think I can live my life in a hotel suite as long as room service, house keeping, laundry and maintenance service are available 24/7.
My secret fantasy: to buy my comfort faded green suede sofa in Marriott’s Reflections bar.
You can play endless rounds of truth or dare but at the end of the day, only one man can make your heart flutter…always.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Some more Confessions:
Apparently some people really liked my midair confessions so what the heck, I decided to dole out some more. So....
· Sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s how and when you say it.
· Living is tiring, period.
· Some childhood lessons really live forever. I participated in a debate when I was in class VII. I still remember the topic: Your decision, your happiness. Fourteen years later, I realize the meaning. So who says school isn’t important?
· Read this one somewhere which sums it all up for me: “The trouble is that while few believe they can perform brain surgery, nearly every living soul believes they can write. If only they had the time and opportunity.” Ha, if only!
· Buddha says even your deadliest enemy can’t damage you as much as an unguarded thought. Hmmm.
· Acceptance is the greatest gift you can give yourself.
· The greatest courage is to show up.
· Words express passion. Kissing confirms it.
· Doing nothing sometimes hurts more than doing something. Life doesn’t come with a guarantee, which is just as well, because most guarantees are bullshit.
· After a while, all places look the same.
Apparently some people really liked my midair confessions so what the heck, I decided to dole out some more. So....
· Sometimes it’s not what you say, it’s how and when you say it.
· Living is tiring, period.
· Some childhood lessons really live forever. I participated in a debate when I was in class VII. I still remember the topic: Your decision, your happiness. Fourteen years later, I realize the meaning. So who says school isn’t important?
· Read this one somewhere which sums it all up for me: “The trouble is that while few believe they can perform brain surgery, nearly every living soul believes they can write. If only they had the time and opportunity.” Ha, if only!
· Buddha says even your deadliest enemy can’t damage you as much as an unguarded thought. Hmmm.
· Acceptance is the greatest gift you can give yourself.
· The greatest courage is to show up.
· Words express passion. Kissing confirms it.
· Doing nothing sometimes hurts more than doing something. Life doesn’t come with a guarantee, which is just as well, because most guarantees are bullshit.
· After a while, all places look the same.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Mera Wala Superhero
You can't miss him. Right at this moment, he is doing his superhero-giri at a theatre near you. Fearing Spidey's indestructible super powers at the BO, Bollywood decided to play it safe and refrained from exposing any of its heroes to Spidey's might. Save Gautam Ghosh's passport to the festival circuit, Yatra, there was no mainstream Hindi release last Friday.
Seeing Spidey's clout at the BO set me thinking which of our heroes can play the role that Tobey Maguire has stamped as his own. Sure we do have our own Hrithik Krrish Roshan but what intrigues me is to find out who from our current crop of actors can play the original three super guys: Spiderman, Superman and Batman.
So I spread the word around to a few of my male buddies who have grown up on these superheroes and after much debate, deliberation and guffaws, I managed to pull of some pretty interesting casting decisions.
Bollywood Superman: Akshay Kumar
Because Akshay can easily switch between a geek and a superman type. Translated, he can strike the right balance between being the apple-pie good boy and look equally convincing when bashing the baddies. Also, he has the right profile to carry off the suit and the side parting won't look too bad on him.
Bollywood Spiderman: Saif Ali Khan
Because Spidey needs to be both funny and nerdy. Saif just needs to mix and match his Dil Chahta Hai funny and frothy self with a touch of dark from Omkara. Also, Saif has the right boyish appeal and the body type to pass of as a desi Spidey.
Bollywood Batman: Hrithik Roshan
Because Hrithik is quiet and mysterious just like Batman. And as he showed us in Krrish, with his quiet intensity he can be the extraordinary guy with ordinary powers. Also as seen in Dhoom 2, he can also be quite a master of disguises, which is a Batman specialty.
Phew! That's my super 3. Now I'd like to know which one of our Bollywood heroes make up your list.
You can't miss him. Right at this moment, he is doing his superhero-giri at a theatre near you. Fearing Spidey's indestructible super powers at the BO, Bollywood decided to play it safe and refrained from exposing any of its heroes to Spidey's might. Save Gautam Ghosh's passport to the festival circuit, Yatra, there was no mainstream Hindi release last Friday.
Seeing Spidey's clout at the BO set me thinking which of our heroes can play the role that Tobey Maguire has stamped as his own. Sure we do have our own Hrithik Krrish Roshan but what intrigues me is to find out who from our current crop of actors can play the original three super guys: Spiderman, Superman and Batman.
So I spread the word around to a few of my male buddies who have grown up on these superheroes and after much debate, deliberation and guffaws, I managed to pull of some pretty interesting casting decisions.
Bollywood Superman: Akshay Kumar
Because Akshay can easily switch between a geek and a superman type. Translated, he can strike the right balance between being the apple-pie good boy and look equally convincing when bashing the baddies. Also, he has the right profile to carry off the suit and the side parting won't look too bad on him.
Bollywood Spiderman: Saif Ali Khan
Because Spidey needs to be both funny and nerdy. Saif just needs to mix and match his Dil Chahta Hai funny and frothy self with a touch of dark from Omkara. Also, Saif has the right boyish appeal and the body type to pass of as a desi Spidey.
Bollywood Batman: Hrithik Roshan
Because Hrithik is quiet and mysterious just like Batman. And as he showed us in Krrish, with his quiet intensity he can be the extraordinary guy with ordinary powers. Also as seen in Dhoom 2, he can also be quite a master of disguises, which is a Batman specialty.
Phew! That's my super 3. Now I'd like to know which one of our Bollywood heroes make up your list.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Good Shot
Here are a few of my unforgettable on-screen moments based on some recent releases:
The one with the 7 helicopters and Manhattan skyline: I don't know why the audience rejected Jaan-e-Mann. I quite liked the treatment of the film especially debut director Shirish Kunder's storytelling style through the medium of a song. Yeah, it was quite Broadway and that's what stayed in my mind. But another image just refuse to leave my mind space and that was when 7 helicopters were used to spell out New York. I think it was a fantastic gimmick to depict that the action has shifted to New York. It created an impact and was nothing short of a spectacle. No wonder they call it showbiz with the emphasis on show!!
The one where the Big B plays footsie with Lolita: It was the defining moment of Ram Gopal Varma's Nishabd. A 60-year-old man (Amitabh Bachchan) is having dinner with his wife and his daughter's friend (Jiah Khan). Everything seems routinely normal and polite except the fact that the daughter's friend is an 18-year-old vixen who is naughtily playing footsie with her friend's father who can't control his laughter. Both the protagonists portray just the right balance of sexual tension, awareness, mischief, fear and delight of the forbidden. This one crackles with energy!
The one where Ash n' Abhi are in bed: The mock fight that Abhishek and Aishwarya indulge in that scene in Guru successfully dispelled all those about their thanda on-screen chemistry. The scene adds just the right touch of intimacy, fun and comfort. Everybody in the cinema hall had a smile on their face when the actors were playing this one out.
The one where Rishi Kapoor has the last laugh: The entire rugby sequence in Vipul Shah's Namastey London was masala entertainment at its best. Taking it from where Lagaan left, the scene successfully evoked humour and patriotism. Didn't we all cheer for Akshay and his army to defeat the goras in their game and on their turf? Now that's kitschy! But the
piece de resistance was what followed after. Rishi Kapoor's unbridled laughter at the dinner table when he's reminiscing about the great victory is a great touch. And when Akshay and Katrina join in the laughing binge (the latter does it quite grudgingly) the scene is stamped with that something special.
The one with the pigeon: The scene where a blindfolded Amitabh Bachchan in the garb of Eklavya aims to separate a ghungroo tied to the leg of a flying pigeon is in my opinion the image of the film. The impact, in one word, is breathtaking. Everything works in the scene: the background music, the camerawork, the art direction, the performances and the direction. The dramatic effect of the sequence is made even more riveting when the ghungroo gets stuck on a ledge. Vidhu Vinod Chopra shoots the scene like a ritual especially when Eklavya is required to get into the pool to catch the ghungroo . It's like a painting!
The one where Eiffel Tower was in the background: I love the way Farhan Akhtar shot the introduction sequence of Shah Rukh Khan in Don. The whole attitude of the film was reflected in that little montage when SRK is on the phone, in his cool black car, while the Eiffel Tower is blurred in the background. The message was clear: Paris and Eiffel Tower were just incidental, Don had much more important things to do than moon about the most romantic city of the word. I liked the arrogance and attitude in the shot.
The one with unhinged disco ball: This one makes the mark for its sheer absurdity. I can't recollect the last time I saw a film with a more bizarre climax. Suneel Darshan's Shaka Laka Boom Boom was touted as a desi Amadeus but the film ended up as an unintentional comedy and that too of a pretty low order! I mean, can you imagine a disco ball falling on the protagonist's head as the conclusion of a film? It was hilarious, especially the demon dance in Bobby Deol's mind that followed soon after. People actually write this kind of stuff, shoot it and expect us to enjoy it? Sigh!
The one when Raima's saree came off: This one shot of Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd when Raima Sen's saree comes off when she's on a parachute is symbolic to the core. There she is, the free spirited Bengali housewife enjoying her freedom in the sky without bothering about her saree. And there on the ground, is her conservative Bengali husband ready to burst a blood vessel because he can't bear to watch others see his wife in her petticoat and blouse. The scene brings out the contrasts between the couple so effortlessly. Good fun!
Here are a few of my unforgettable on-screen moments based on some recent releases:
The one with the 7 helicopters and Manhattan skyline: I don't know why the audience rejected Jaan-e-Mann. I quite liked the treatment of the film especially debut director Shirish Kunder's storytelling style through the medium of a song. Yeah, it was quite Broadway and that's what stayed in my mind. But another image just refuse to leave my mind space and that was when 7 helicopters were used to spell out New York. I think it was a fantastic gimmick to depict that the action has shifted to New York. It created an impact and was nothing short of a spectacle. No wonder they call it showbiz with the emphasis on show!!
The one where the Big B plays footsie with Lolita: It was the defining moment of Ram Gopal Varma's Nishabd. A 60-year-old man (Amitabh Bachchan) is having dinner with his wife and his daughter's friend (Jiah Khan). Everything seems routinely normal and polite except the fact that the daughter's friend is an 18-year-old vixen who is naughtily playing footsie with her friend's father who can't control his laughter. Both the protagonists portray just the right balance of sexual tension, awareness, mischief, fear and delight of the forbidden. This one crackles with energy!
The one where Ash n' Abhi are in bed: The mock fight that Abhishek and Aishwarya indulge in that scene in Guru successfully dispelled all those about their thanda on-screen chemistry. The scene adds just the right touch of intimacy, fun and comfort. Everybody in the cinema hall had a smile on their face when the actors were playing this one out.
The one where Rishi Kapoor has the last laugh: The entire rugby sequence in Vipul Shah's Namastey London was masala entertainment at its best. Taking it from where Lagaan left, the scene successfully evoked humour and patriotism. Didn't we all cheer for Akshay and his army to defeat the goras in their game and on their turf? Now that's kitschy! But the
piece de resistance was what followed after. Rishi Kapoor's unbridled laughter at the dinner table when he's reminiscing about the great victory is a great touch. And when Akshay and Katrina join in the laughing binge (the latter does it quite grudgingly) the scene is stamped with that something special.
The one with the pigeon: The scene where a blindfolded Amitabh Bachchan in the garb of Eklavya aims to separate a ghungroo tied to the leg of a flying pigeon is in my opinion the image of the film. The impact, in one word, is breathtaking. Everything works in the scene: the background music, the camerawork, the art direction, the performances and the direction. The dramatic effect of the sequence is made even more riveting when the ghungroo gets stuck on a ledge. Vidhu Vinod Chopra shoots the scene like a ritual especially when Eklavya is required to get into the pool to catch the ghungroo . It's like a painting!
The one where Eiffel Tower was in the background: I love the way Farhan Akhtar shot the introduction sequence of Shah Rukh Khan in Don. The whole attitude of the film was reflected in that little montage when SRK is on the phone, in his cool black car, while the Eiffel Tower is blurred in the background. The message was clear: Paris and Eiffel Tower were just incidental, Don had much more important things to do than moon about the most romantic city of the word. I liked the arrogance and attitude in the shot.
The one with unhinged disco ball: This one makes the mark for its sheer absurdity. I can't recollect the last time I saw a film with a more bizarre climax. Suneel Darshan's Shaka Laka Boom Boom was touted as a desi Amadeus but the film ended up as an unintentional comedy and that too of a pretty low order! I mean, can you imagine a disco ball falling on the protagonist's head as the conclusion of a film? It was hilarious, especially the demon dance in Bobby Deol's mind that followed soon after. People actually write this kind of stuff, shoot it and expect us to enjoy it? Sigh!
The one when Raima's saree came off: This one shot of Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd when Raima Sen's saree comes off when she's on a parachute is symbolic to the core. There she is, the free spirited Bengali housewife enjoying her freedom in the sky without bothering about her saree. And there on the ground, is her conservative Bengali husband ready to burst a blood vessel because he can't bear to watch others see his wife in her petticoat and blouse. The scene brings out the contrasts between the couple so effortlessly. Good fun!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Confessions of an idle mind aboard a very noisy IC 863:
Always pack your comfort tee, pajama or slippers even if you are going away for a day trip.
You can never have the perfect job or the perfect haircut in this lifetime.
If you are a Plus sized woman with a good smile then ‘cute’ is a word you are gonna have to make peace with.
Baby talk is not sexy. Especially in bed.
Younger brother is the only person you can take criticism about your looks (read weight) from.
Indian Airlines will always get delayed.
Love means having to say you are sorry all the time.
Mc Dreamy is a television creation. He does not exist in real life.
You can never outgrow your childhood crush.
If you can’t talk about it, you can’t fight about it and fix it.
Life is not a screenplay.
The wedding vows ‘for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health’ should actually be for parents and children. Face it, only parents are going to love you, have you and hold you for worse, when you are poor and sick!!!
When your first love comes back, you want to call his wife and gloat.
Baileys rocks, vodka is temporary.
A man never takes a woman seriously who lights his cigarette.
If Calvin (of the Hobbes fame) were to meet you in real life (read in the form of a potential boyfriend) you would want to run a 100 miles.
If Mr. Darcy were to meet Elizabeth in today’s time, he would not make the effort. She will prove to be too high maintenance, you see!
Cary Grant is never going to ring your doorbell.
Sometimes life can be described in one word. Especially if that word is coffee.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Bonjour....
I know, I know, its been a while... My adopted parents gave me a good sounding tonite so I know its been more than a while. Well, since I never want to disappoint them, I'm dashing off something I wrote recently. Its about Shah Rukh Khan in his new avatar as the host of KBC. Wrote it for my newspaper but not everyone I know and love reads my paper (come on, guys subscribe now!!!!) so am rehashing it here....
Hope this will make M& S happy!!!
Enjoy....
King and I
'Confident' is now 'pakka', 'lock' turns into 'freeze' while 'I want to hug you' is the new way of saying 'I want to quit'.In case you missed last month's blockbuster television splash, thisrefresher course of the new Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) lingo willcome in handy. After much ado about almost everything, Star Plus served the thirdinstallment of its mega show. And like the earlier versions, this one was also only about the host with the prize money and the contestants serving as mere background noise.
Ah, the host! Since the big announcement of the big change, the big question on everybody's mind was could HE fill the Big B's big shoes?After Monday night's debut, we can safely say that Shah Rukh Khan knows what he's doing out there on the psychedelic sets of Crorepati. Yes, he was slightly nervous (he fiddled way too much with his tie),over eager (massaging the neck muscles of the contestant was not really required) and really excited (after a while, the high fives became a little too much).
And yeah, in the beginning, he was trying too hard: not to be like Bachchan, that is. You could see that he wanted to wring his hands the way Big B did during the opening lap but he restrained himself not to do that. He also refrained from saying the famous, Deviyon aur Sajano instead opting for his own version of Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. But five minutes into the show, SRK settled down quite well and managed to erase the shadow of his predecessor with his unique brand of nonchalance, humour and spontaneity.
If Bachchan made KBC momentous, then SRK has made it more entertaining. If Bachchan's KBC was one hour of good television viewing then SRK's KBC is a big television event, the kind that you can enjoy over a pizza and coke.Amitabh Bachchan is awe-inspiring. His powerful personality and that deep baritone can be quite intimidating if the person in the 'Hot Seat' doesn't know his business. With SRK, there is a comfort zone. He's like the friendly stranger at your neighbourhood Barista with whom you can share a smile. So, the new KBC is much more relaxed.
What works in SRK's favour are his special 'people skills' and his cheekiness. Only SRK can call Gugilla as Gugs. Only he can do an unrehearsed Bengali rap, uncaring whether or not he gets the diction right.In his true blue entertainer avatar, he goes all out to please the gallery. He even makes his sponsors happy. The Computer ji has nowbecome Compaq da (Its not merely a coincidence that SRK endorses Compaq). By giving personal details like, "Sometimes I end up writing Love Shah Rukh on the cheques thinking I'm giving an autograph," he 'smade the show and himself more special and accessible.
However what he needs to do pronto is to cut out the Bluffmaster inspired promo video and do away with the tie or go for one that is better knotted.
Sure, we miss Big B but the King has his own charm. Give him a couple of nights, a couple of weeks and he'll stamp the 9-10 slot as his own.Who knows maybe he'll dance to Chaiya Chaiya on the next show? And won't we like that.
I know, I know, its been a while... My adopted parents gave me a good sounding tonite so I know its been more than a while. Well, since I never want to disappoint them, I'm dashing off something I wrote recently. Its about Shah Rukh Khan in his new avatar as the host of KBC. Wrote it for my newspaper but not everyone I know and love reads my paper (come on, guys subscribe now!!!!) so am rehashing it here....
Hope this will make M& S happy!!!
Enjoy....
King and I
'Confident' is now 'pakka', 'lock' turns into 'freeze' while 'I want to hug you' is the new way of saying 'I want to quit'.In case you missed last month's blockbuster television splash, thisrefresher course of the new Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) lingo willcome in handy. After much ado about almost everything, Star Plus served the thirdinstallment of its mega show. And like the earlier versions, this one was also only about the host with the prize money and the contestants serving as mere background noise.
Ah, the host! Since the big announcement of the big change, the big question on everybody's mind was could HE fill the Big B's big shoes?After Monday night's debut, we can safely say that Shah Rukh Khan knows what he's doing out there on the psychedelic sets of Crorepati. Yes, he was slightly nervous (he fiddled way too much with his tie),over eager (massaging the neck muscles of the contestant was not really required) and really excited (after a while, the high fives became a little too much).
And yeah, in the beginning, he was trying too hard: not to be like Bachchan, that is. You could see that he wanted to wring his hands the way Big B did during the opening lap but he restrained himself not to do that. He also refrained from saying the famous, Deviyon aur Sajano instead opting for his own version of Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls. But five minutes into the show, SRK settled down quite well and managed to erase the shadow of his predecessor with his unique brand of nonchalance, humour and spontaneity.
If Bachchan made KBC momentous, then SRK has made it more entertaining. If Bachchan's KBC was one hour of good television viewing then SRK's KBC is a big television event, the kind that you can enjoy over a pizza and coke.Amitabh Bachchan is awe-inspiring. His powerful personality and that deep baritone can be quite intimidating if the person in the 'Hot Seat' doesn't know his business. With SRK, there is a comfort zone. He's like the friendly stranger at your neighbourhood Barista with whom you can share a smile. So, the new KBC is much more relaxed.
What works in SRK's favour are his special 'people skills' and his cheekiness. Only SRK can call Gugilla as Gugs. Only he can do an unrehearsed Bengali rap, uncaring whether or not he gets the diction right.In his true blue entertainer avatar, he goes all out to please the gallery. He even makes his sponsors happy. The Computer ji has nowbecome Compaq da (Its not merely a coincidence that SRK endorses Compaq). By giving personal details like, "Sometimes I end up writing Love Shah Rukh on the cheques thinking I'm giving an autograph," he 'smade the show and himself more special and accessible.
However what he needs to do pronto is to cut out the Bluffmaster inspired promo video and do away with the tie or go for one that is better knotted.
Sure, we miss Big B but the King has his own charm. Give him a couple of nights, a couple of weeks and he'll stamp the 9-10 slot as his own.Who knows maybe he'll dance to Chaiya Chaiya on the next show? And won't we like that.
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