'All is Well' with 3 Idiots

It is 2.45 am and I'm just back from the show of ‘3 Idiots’ and absolutely loved it…I mean, what’s not to love in the movie, guys! Aamir has done it again and Raju Hirani has also done it yet again. In any case, I love Aamir, I have never been out of love with Madhavan since the first time I saw him on Banegi Apni Baat ;-) Well, I kind of like Sharman (he’s a little goofy but that’s OK). I am also not averse to liking Kareena these days because sometimes she also acts well (inspite of herself!). I loved the fact that the movie did not stick to ‘Five Point Someone’ storyline. I have already forgotten the story in any case. Well, I loved the screenplay, and I loved the perfect proportion of flashbacks and momentum of current story.

I don’t care if Aamir has edited the movie in his favour. I don’t care if the songs don’t really stay with you. I don’t even care if there have been any unexplained loose ends (I did not even notice, even if there were). I just know, after a very, very long time, I did not look at my watch even once during a movie. I just know the movie made me laugh, made me smile, made me go crazy and made me cry as well.

I have seen Avatar, a technical masterpiece, but I slept through quite a bit of it. Ajab Prem ki Gajab Kahani was hilarious in bits, but it was slightly over-the-top and not consistently funny or emotional. It was quite flat in a lot of places. It was OK. I loved Paa, but Wanted was more hilarious than an ‘action’ movie! However, ‘3 Idiots’ is certainly a class apart and gets 5 stars from me. I can watch it over and over again.

What do I say, I love you Aamir :-) You rock!

(all you other people, go and watch the movie. It surely deserves to be a hit!)

Old times sake

I had a true-blue nostalgic time today, and I loved it! It started with listening (and watching) one of my all-time-favourites on YouTube “Mujhe raat din bas muhe” from Sangharsh. Well, it took me to the old times, one song led to another and whoa………I kept listening to songs of those times one after another – from Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahi Title Track to Ae Mere Hamsafar from Qayamat se Qayamat Tak………from Pehli Pehli baar Baliye from Sangharsh to Tere Dar Par Sanam Chale Aaye from Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi….and throw in a Tumse Milke from Parinda..........it was blissful!

Where have those songs gone! We don’t get to listen to Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Sadhna Sargam too often these days. The days of any single singer ruling the Music industry has truly gone, now we have new set of singers in every movie!

I will leave you with one of the most beautiful songs of those times :-)

Tere dar par sanam chale aaye

Tu na aaya to hum chale aaye

Bin tere koi aas bhi na rahi

Itne tarse ke pyaas bhi na rahi

Oh, bin tere koi aas bhi na rahi

Itne tarse ke pyaas bhi na rahi - 2

Ladkhadaaye kadam, chale aaye - 2

Chale aaye, chale aaye

Tere dar par sanam chale aaye

Tu na aaya to hum chale aaye

Dil ko dhadka laga tha pal pal to

Shor sun le na koi paayal ka - 2

Phir bhi teri kasam chale aaye - 2

Chale aaye, chale aaye

Tere dar par sanam chale aaye

Tu na aaya to hum chale aaye

Tere dar par sanam chale aaye

Tu na aaya to hum chale aaye

Yup back for more......just re-discovered Hum Aapke Hain Kaun. I think it was the first movie that made casting entertaining. I can just keep looking at Salman and Madhuri over and over again, and both look absolutely captivating in this movie. Even S.P.Balasubramanium’s voice sounded heaven to me (I never really liked it)! Ended up listening to all the songs. I have never been a Salman Khan fan but he looks so adorable in this, and Madhuri looks lovely and sensuous! Check out songs at YouTube.

Movie Review: Wake Up Sid

Just came back from a show of Wake Up Sid. Well, mmmm I thought it would be one of those hip, cool movies. It is kind of OK but it is very, what shall I say, lukewarm.

I always thought Konkona is a good actress but increasingly she is getting type-casted as the late-20s, frustrated, finding-her-identity-kind of girl. She has become quite repetitive, even her hair and looks have become quite done to death; she really needs a different kind of role. She was good as an independent stand-alone character but then we have seen her do the same thing so many times that it gets kind-of stale. I think the director really should have casted somebody else, to make it look fresh.

So, what I loved about the movie?

• Ranbir was good. He is slowly converting me into a fan. I have never really liked him. People thought he was cute, but I always thought the opposite but in this movie, he certainly looked cute J
• I loooooooooooooooooooved Konkona’s apartment…it was fabulous
• Design Temple has done some fabulous job in Publicity designs and these guys are really good. I have read about them and have been through their website earlier. Really cool Indian designs.
• There were so many similarities I found in Konkona's character and me - like her cosy home (I like to believe that mine is too), her love for books, her ambition to become a writer and most importantly, the way she gets irritated to find her home in mess after coming back from office.
• I absolutely love the song “Iktara”
• I liked the theme of the movie, the way story progressed

What it lacked!

• A high point – there was no “the moment” in the movie. And in any case, you already know what’s going to happen! It needed a certain amount of innovation.
• It was way longer than required
• There were some unwanted characters in the movie, floating around. There were some moments which could have been edited. The director certainly wasted important screen timing in all these.
• The ending was totally filmy and not required, could have been handled differently.

People, don’t let me dissuade you (some critics have given it 4 stars)! Go and decide for yourself. I will give it say 2.5 - 3 stars out of 5 because it is an average movie. It is not a ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, and I have not seen ‘Lakshya’ so cannot comment on that but it surely falls in that genre.

Another day, another thought

There are times when I start thinking about everything in perspective – what I am doing and why I’m doing it, its relevance in my entire life, is it the way I would like my life to go on. One day is no way different than the other day.

And then there are times, when I feel so happy and exhilarated, sometimes with hubby and sometimes while with friends; I just want to pause the moment and capture it fully into my heart. It becomes a moment forever. You know this moment will never come again. I mean life will move on, there will be different moments and may be happier ones, but that one small, beautiful moment will become a part of memories.

I hope I am making sense!

Frankly, every day has its share of accomplishments and disappointments. I’m still struggling to get back to exercising. I am still trying to organize my life better. Good thing is in last couple of days, I have improved quite a lot in my driving. I take every opportunity to hit the road because driving is like any other thing, the more you do it, the better you get at it. I am truly happy about learning something new. Swimming is going to be next. But right now it is so breezy and cool here, I will wait for some more time.

I would also like to work on my language, the way I used to while preparing for MBA entrance exam.

There are so many things to do really, and while you are busy learning things, life is moving on!

Festivities galore

Of late we have been celebrating all festivals with a lot of enthusiasm. We had a great time on Ganesh Chaturthhi, Anant Chaturdashi and also on Dussera (Happy Dussera, by the way!). We make it a point to get together and celebrate with all rituals. The point is what are we going to teach our next generation and in any case, these festivals mean a lot to all of us, have always meant to be great family time.

Last 3 days have been absolute fun. On Saturday, we went to a couple of places to see Durga Puja Pandal. But I must say, it is absolutely nothing to the way it is celebrated in East. Durga Puja reminds me of school days. We would have new clothes and everyday, starting from Saptami, we would be out with friends, gorging on Paani Puris and Chaats. Well, on Saturday, we were also able to catch this cute dance by a few kids in one of the pandals. Later, we had a nice Italian dinner at Soho’s (can’t remember the restaurant’s name though, starts with “T”). The only dish which turned out good was the one that I ordered- Mushrooms tossed in Olive oil with cheese Garlic bread.

Yesterday was good too, we went to watch “Wanted”. No, that was not at all my idea. The guys wanted to see this movie (I don’t know what kind of pleasure guys get in watching gory movies). I would say, “Wanted” was a good comedy, worth watching once. The true Tollywood style action, dance and dialogues, really kept us in splits all the time, and add to that Salman Khan dancing like Prabhu Deva!!! You can’t even imagine what it truly means, unless you watch it yourself. While coming back, we went to eat Momos in Vimannagar.

That was not all, we had to get Marigolds for Dassera. The phoolwalas were quoting such ostentatious price (one garland for 50 bucks!!!), so we just got the flowers and made garlands ourselves. Actually in Maharashtra, the tradition is to deck up your house and vehicles with Marigolds. We have never done this back home, but there’s no harm in it, so we also did all of it. All of us made nice colorful rangolis at our floor and actually got carried away a little bit. At the end of it, our entire floor was covered with rangolis J

So, this weekend was definitely smashing, now waiting for the next one. Though I have a working Saturday, but it isn’t so bad!

Wake Up Sid "Iktara"

Recently I caught this very hummable song from 'Wake Up Sid' on TV: O re mann tu to bawra hai, tu hi jane tu kya sochta hai..........(better known as "iktara"). It is a beautiful rendition by Kavita Seth.

Here's the lyrics:

O re manwa tu to bawra hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai
Tu hi jaane tu kya sochta hai
Baware

Kyun dikhaye sapne tu sote jaagte
Jo barsein sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Nainon ko moond moond
Jo barsein sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond

Kaise main chaloon
Dekh na sakoon
Anjaane raaste

Goonja sa hai koi ektara iktara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara iktara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara iktara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara iktara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara


Sun rahi hoon sudhbudh kho ke
Koi main kahani
Puri kahani hai kya kisi hai pata
Main to kisiki ho ke yeh bhi na jaani
Ruth hai yeh do pal ki ya rahegi sada
Kise hai pata
kise hai pata

Jo barsein sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond
Nainon ko moond moond
Jo barsein sapne boond boond
Nainon ko moond moond

Kaise main chaloon
Dekh na sakoon
Anjaane raaste

Goonja sa hai koi ektara iktara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara iktara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara iktara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara iktara
Goonja sa hai koi ektara

(Source: lyricsmasti.com)

On the Road

The other day when I was riding my scooty, there were quite a few things which left me infuriated. This post is actually an inspiration from that day.

Things which leave me cursing on the road:

• Where there are no dividers, people who drive on the other lane even when there are enough vehicles coming from the opposite sides.
• The sharp, sudden holes surfacing in the middle of the roads (no wonder I have fallen twice, back to back)
• People driving with high beam on.
• Poor street lighting – what are we paying taxes for!
• Some chauvinists, who try to show off that they can drive faster
• The slow pace at which the roads are made, and the fast pace in which it gets deteriorated
• The way autorickshawalas never give proper signal while taking a turn, it would always be sudden, abrupt.

I will surely keep adding my woes (because all the ideas crop up when I am on the road)

Paranoia

It is all so surreal. As if I will wake up one day and all this will go away like a nightmare. Just yesterday I was telling my colleague, I never thought I would see this day in office (90% of the people are in masks by the way). Even a month back if somebody would have said that we would be working at office in masks, I would not have believed it. It brings back stories of ages ago, when villages used to wash out or eaten up by a disease. Our technology has progressed and our diseases have become more complex and even more fatal.

I think the government totally missed out on declaring curfew this weekend. I have seen people moving out of the city on vacations, and it is definitely going to be dangerous. It is good that people from all classes are aware enough to wear masks while venturing into public. But every thing said and done, people are meeting other people, commuting in public transports and there is only so much precaution can you take while going out of home. In fact, there is even greater danger for people at home when some of the members go out daily. We needed a total cut-off, for this weekend atleast.

I had a great day today, for I did not wear a mask in last 24 hours! We did have a small party with a couple of friends, which I was immensely skeptical about, but then I finally let it go! Perhaps media is making me paranoid. Perhaps a little caution and precaution is enough to keep you safe.

Hope this gets over soon!

The Fear Factor

Friendship Day was good and Rakshabandhan was scintillating but Swine Flu has taken daylights out of all of us. Not so long ago, chickenguinea, Bird Flu, SARS….looked like something which happened to other people in other countries. But the ascent of Swine Flu is so palpable. I think 90% of the people on roads are wearing some or the other kind of Masks.

It started with a couple of cases in schools in Pune, then we heard how couple of schools were shut for a few days. Slowly, the disease became rampant, with every school and college closing for 7-10 days. We were still enjoying ourselves. In last 2 days, we are so gripped by the thought of Swine Flu during every waking hour that there is really no respite.

I am giving my driving classes a break for a couple of days. We even started wearing masks at office. These masks are really not the ones which are recommended (N95) but anything is better than nothing. This mask is actually out of stock in all medical shops and people are ordering these from outside. I don’t know when will I be able to lay my hands on those, till then we are all wearing the regular disposable masks. Read more on the right mask here.

The so-called good news is that the vaccine will be out by December in India. If ‘that’ is good news, then what is bad! And hey, right early in the morning, I read this news in Paper and my spirit ebbed like never before. Something needs to be done, and real fast!

Humko Ishq Ne Mara

Today while coming back from office, I found myself singing – ‘Kab se bekraar the sunane ko….’. This song is from a movie called “Humko Ishq ne Mara”.

I remember I was in school then, and we were all crazy about songs of this movie. Right from the popular “Jaadu Hai Ye Naya Naya, Dil hai Deewana…” to the title track "Humko Ishq Ne Mara”, all songs were our favourites for Antakshari.

I vaguely remember it was a college flick about these 3 girls and 3 guys. The name of the cutest guy in the picture (sitting at the centre) was Kiran (in the movie), he is mistaken as a girl and allotted a room with 2 other girls (can you believe that!). Back then it did not feel weird at all! Ah! Teenage………! You can catch all the details about the movie here.

It was a cute, teenage flick. The only lady missing from this poster of the movie is Rakhi Vijan aka Sweety from Hum Paanch. I think this movie came before that serial. You would also notice Amrita Saluja, a common face on the ad scene. She is the “Mummy” in Whirlpool’s ‘Mummy ka Magic Chalega Kya’ campaign. I have not noticed the third actress, Charmy much, though apparently she has done couple of movies in South.

Amongst the guys, only Ashish Chaudhary can be identified more readily. The name of the guy on the right handsie at the back is Huroum Mirza. I think I have seen him somewhere but cannot recall which serial or which movie! The third guy (who is at the centre) has been seen is as latest as the movie ‘Mumbai Salsa’.

A little research showed that the movie was directed by Arjun Sablok of ‘Na Tum Jano Na Hum’ and ‘Neal n Nikky’ fame.

It is strange how a movie or a song opens a box full of fond memories!

Air Brushing

I have been on the Product shoot for the last two days. It is absolutely no fun. I have been bored too death. We were shooting this product in which we needed to enhance the sleekness of the product, we felt that the product was looking fat, and were discussing whether we can ‘enhance’ that sleekness through Photoshop or something.

It suddenly dawned on me, how similar thing would be happening while shooting models or film actor / actresses. In fact, people who are in Media or Communication would know how each and every commercial picture is enhanced and ‘modified’ – that flawless skin, such perfect hair (even a strand of hair gone astray can be corrected)! But sometimes, I think people cross the limit. I remember, I had seen Rani Mukherjee on the Cover Page of a popular women’s magazine. It was clearly visible that the picture was ‘airbrushed’. Rani’s head and body were looking mismatched and she was looking far too thin. Read the article on 'Airbrushing the Photographs.'

It is really unfair for all the innocent people around who don’t know that the perfect picture that they see in glossies is really not the true picture. Many women buy what these magazines try to sell, an unreal picture of perfect beauty!

So, gym can really wait till tomorrow, or may be the day after J

Image Courtesy: Telegraph.co.uk

Pet woes!

With all due respects to all the people who have pets, I am really against the idea. Please people, don’t be judgmental. I have nothing against those poor animals (if I may say so!), they are fine…but only in other people’s homes who are strangers and in homes I do not need to go. I have atleast 2 friends who have Pet dogs. They can be forever assured that I would never give them any surprise visit. I would always call up before landing on their place, that too very discreetly. I tip-toe to their main door, press the bell and hide inside the lift, until I’m completely assured of my safety (the pets locked up safely inside one of the rooms). I do feel sorry for them. In fact, I have even offered that I be locked in a room and let them roam around, but in any case, some distance is essential for my health.

Everyone keeps pestering me and telling me that their darling pet would not do anything. They don’t understand. It does not have to ‘do’ anything to scare me. I am just paranoid about them.

Besides, there is a practical reason why I do not like pets. I cannot stand their hair (I’m talking about dogs and cats) everywhere and on everything around the house. I too feel all lovey-dovey from a distance, but I’m not too keen on playing with them, they jumping all over me.

It is almost like a habit for me now. My friends just have to live with it. Poor guys!

The Weekend that Was!

I don’t know whether this weekend was a good one for me or a real bad one. It is all perceptual you see. So what happened?

• My Weekend started with the rashes on my wrist looking filthier (Yuck!) which did wonders for my spirit.
• I fell from scooty, when I was lost in my day dreams and suddenly got accosted with a big, unexpected pot hole. Good thing is I got minor bruises on my hand and knee, and I also got pampering and TLC from my hubby…so it was not that bad actually. Thankfully, I always wear helmet. I was so mad while coming back at the condition of the road that I hurled a lot of abuses to the Corporation.
• We had great fun watching ‘Hostel’ together with friends on TV. Although a gruesome movie, thankfully, all such scenes were cut.
• Dinner was lavish, for we and our next door friends decided to have it together, so it turned out to be bonanza……hmmmm….. Sumptuous!
• Finally on Sunday morning we went to the Gym. I’m going to be steer clear of weights, because I know I will not be able to be regular. So I just want to stick to cardio. We also planned how we will go cycling once the roads are all done. Dreams!
• We finally saw “Ice Age 3” and I slept somewhere in the middle. It was OK and since I have not seen any of the earlier ones, may be that could be the reason of my boredom.
• I had lofty plans of joining Driving school, but all went into the drain as I hurt my plan and my spirit plummeted to a new low!
• Next 2 days are going to be hectic, as I have to attend Product Shoots and also complete all the follow ups with all the vendors, give some approvals, negotiate some rates…….woooh!
• Pune is really a laid back city in all sense, even the professionalism is a little laid back. When I was in Mumbai, we were trained to be on our toes for whatever Client asked for; in Pune, despite being on the Client side, I have to be on toes with my Vendors (read agencies). People really have some high notions here. The kind of work agencies pass on to Clients would have been unimaginable for us in our ad agency in Mumbai. And after that, they have guts to cross-question us!

I remember, how we had been told that you have to be smarter than the Client. You must know all that is to know about their brand in order to inspire confidence in Client. Ah! Mumbai is definitely in different league when it comes to professionalism!

· Today I tried some fast cooking with my brand new Microwave. It is really quick. You just microwave your veggies for couple of minutes and then sauté. It really saves a lot of time.

· This week is going to be special…..won’t tell right now. Work is going to be as usual. I am looking forward to Rakhi and till now, not sure what to gift the bestest brother in the whole world J

Tag Here!

I really have no clue about this 'tags' business, nevertheless, since Smita has tagged me, here I go!

A – Available/Single? Happily Married :)

B – Best friend? No single Best Friend, couple of very good Friends

C – Cake or Pie? Cake!!!

D – Drink of choice?Tea! Tea! Tea!

E – Essential item you use every day?Vaseline

F – Favorite colour? Fuchsia, Yellow, Red, Black, Blue..............so many of them

G – Gummy Bears Or Worms? Eeeeeks! Neither

H – Hometown?Jamshedpur

I – Indulgence?Books. Hands down!

J – January or February? January :) Hubby's Birth month

K – Kids & their names?What Kids? None

L – Life is incomplete without? Love

M – Marriage date? 3rd December

N – Number of siblings? 1 Big Brother

O – Oranges or Apples? I have equal dislike for both

P – Phobias/Fears? All kinds of insects, all kinds of birds and animals...ya, that includes human beings too

Q – Quote for today? My Quote for everyday: ‘I Know but one Freedom, that is Freedom of the Mind.’

R – Reason to smile? Love, Family, Friends….Life!

S – Season? Panchvan mausam pyaar ka………………..

T – Tag 3 People? Well, let’s see

U – Unknown fact about me? That I'm a cleanliness freak, everything has to be in place, picture-perfect all-the time!

V – Vegetable you don't like? Karela, Lauki

W – Worst habit? That I'm a cleanliness freak, everything has to be in place, picture-perfect all-the time!

X – X-rays you've had? I don't have any X-ray

Y – Your favorite food? Indian home-cooked food

Z – Zodiac sign? Taurus: the Bull

And here's the Award for successfully completing this Tag:

So now, you too have a chance to be a Proud Member of the 'International Bloggers Community'. Here are the Rules:

1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Copy the image above, the rules and the questionnaire in this post.
3. Post this in one or all of your blogs.
4. Answer the four questions following these Rules.
5. Recruit at least seven (7) friends on your Blog Roll by sharing this with them.
6. Come back to BLoGGiSTa iNFo CoRNeR (PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THIS LINK) at http://bloggistame.blogspot.com and leave the URL of your Post in order for you/your Blog to be added to the Master List.
7. Have Fun!

Questions & Your Answers:
1. The person who tagged you: Smita
2. His/her site's title and url: Books, Life and More; URL: http://books-life-n-more.blogspot.com
3. Date when you were tagged: 24th July '09
4. Persons you tagged:

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