Love Stories- Really?

The first time I heard of Nicholas Sparks was in a reference to my story, where the commenter emphatically emphasized to read him to know how to write a love story. Then came the ubiquitous talk of ‘The Notebook’- how it is amongst the finest love stories ever made. Being suffused with romance in Bollywood, I am not a taker of love stories of Hollywood by default. I have enjoyed a few, viz. Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Sleepless in Seattle etc, but in general, their set-ups are too alien, contrived and trite for me to partake on regular basis. Hence, my continued avoidance of these movies, despite their long presence in my hard disk.

Somehow though, within a week, I watched ‘The Notebook’ and ‘A Walk to Remember’. I am still undecided how to put my verdict. Watching with expectation does pull down the excitement. But even considering that aside, I can’t put the movies higher than a certain level in the pedestal. These movies, esp. The Notebook, are too artificial, if the word suits here, to stamp their eternal love sensibilities, they so proudly strive to portray.

The Notebook is a narrative spanning the life-time of the protagonists. They meet in teenage, when their love can just be construed as an infraction bordering on infatuation. But their love, stood over family disapproval, social barriers, war trials etc to unite at the end. The actress suffered with dementia later on, but the man made sure to read her their story to bring her back every day. They died with the hands-clasped and hearts-united setting. A good story indeed, more so for those who haven’t watched these many times.

A Walk to Remember, for me, is a better movie than the above. The lead actor is a dandy fellow, with a coterie of like-minded friends. They have scant respect, in fact, they harbor derision, for a simple unfashionable girl. The boy, however in a series of happenings, falls in love with the girl he earlier avoided. All bliss? But no, again the actress in this movie is befallen with tragedy; she is inflicted with leukemia, and ultimately dies in the end. However, she was able to change her lover’s life for the better. The characters are more believable here, majorly due to their superior acting.

Nicholas’ books, they say, are more cogent with their precise moments of love rendition. The books have that luxury to paint a scene more vividly. The movies have to do that instantly. For me, those moments never came. In the end thus, despite trying to love them, I can’t help not loving them.

Delhi Belly- Loose in its motion

I love you (like I hate you) … Welcome to Delhi Belly, the latest cinematic offering from Aamir Khan Productions. It advertises its tagline – ‘Shit Happens’. Shit indeed happens, that’s why it is! But what if it happens throughout the movie? Nobody would have been prepared, however well-informed, for the volley of cuss words – more pronounced if you watched the movie in Hindi version- coming nonchalantly out of the screen. It is indeed sad that most of the discussion about the movie after its release has, in-a-fit-of-shock, zoomed on its irreverent dialogue-delivery only. The comic capers, story, songs etc are side-shows for a first.

But this is what puts Delhi Belly as an inflection point in Indian cinema. Has it become real? It is dangerous to act either a puritan or a maverick, if he hasn’t attained a strong viewpoint of either theory. I lie in the middle now; hence the movie has reasoned me more than any other in recent times.

I am not a hypocrite, to repeat a self-styled uber-dude’s statement. I myself have been a big giver of slurs-more during college times, and still mouth expletives when reunited with old charmers. I am a watcher of more unmentionables-sexually oriented movies to put in the mildest terms- as every male adult of my age normally happens to be. I am a go-gaga fan of Hollywood equivalents – Wedding Crashers, The Hangover, American Pie etc, where the words and scenes know no bounds. So, why this reservation about Delhi Belly then? Why not speak the reality in cinema too, if it happens around us? Why the cloak of denial?

The answer-reality is best exhibited when hidden. Otherwise there would not been clothes on our bodies and curtains in our bedrooms. The realism plays more relevantly when seen through the context too, here the Indian context. I still believe our current Indian scenario, however Westernized it might be professed by a few believers, is not ready yet to accept these concepts. An antagonistic thought-it might seem, but the fact is we still don’t swear in front of our parents however unabashed our friend-circle is; we still attach importance to non-alcoholism as a virtue however big drinkers we ourselves might be; we still regard girls clad in non-body showing dress as marriageable than ones clothed in miniskirts; we still consider down-to-earth boys more suave than the dandy Casanovas. And now don’t give me the examples of metropolitan cities, girls, boys and families. They don’t represent the whole India, but this mainstream movie does play in the length and breadth of the country-the country which is still illiterate, poor and not emancipated on economic, social and political counts.

It might seem a bit far-fetched to link an adult comedy with Indian deprived social dimensions. But the moot point is will the movie spawn a series of such uninhibited renditions now? Will there be future mainstream movies where the Ranbir Kappors, Kangana Ranauts, Imran Khans, Sonal Chauhans won’t dare a dime explicitly mentioning each others acts and organs, where their topless bodies become the normal movie reels as prevalent in Hollywood, where the debate would be how much and not why this. How real but uncomfortable that would be for the rest of the people of India where movie-watching during dinners or social gatherings is an act of familiar bonding and not only an entertainment? That day has to come; Delhi Belly is just the start. But the day should come when it is destined to be. Delhi Belly is still ahead of its times. But who am I to decide? Take your pick- love it or like it, lap it or thrash it, it’s your choice and vision. But do reason it.

To that point, indeed a big Kudos to the movie for inciting such invigorating opinions from all quarters. Hey! Did I talk anything about the movie though :)

Toy Story 3

Now, what a scorcher this movie is! I happened to watch Toy Story 1,2 and 3 in succession, and it was an overwhelming ride all the way.

The below review posted on IMDB catches it all. Sorry for copying it without permission, but you speak for all of us here buddy....

How in the world did Pixar make adults CRY over TOYS??!

18 June 2010 | by interrealm (Utah) – See all my reviews

The best magic tricks in the world are ones that cannot be unraveled, reverse engineered or dissected to figure out exactly how they are pulled off. This philosophy is doubly applicable to Pixar's "Toy Story 3", the storyline-ending outro of the beloved Toy Story, uh, story.

I feel it relevant somehow to divulge my age, as it somehow validates the powerful emotions evoked throughout the film. I am a 28 year old male, who, fifteen years ago, was fresh into the teen years of supposed adolescence at the release of some weird, 3d animated movie (wait, they can animate with computers?) entitled "Toy Story". This was a pretty bold move, a calculated stroll to the edge of the cliff and a daring leap off into the thin air of creativity and innovation. And it was a hit, ensuring 3d animation a place right alongside (more or less) 2d animation. And naturally, Pixar would be at the forefront, leading the cavalry charge of digital animation ranging from great to gawd-awful.

"Toy Story 3" starts off as comfortably as possible, with our friends Woody and Buzz Lightyear doing what they do the best...playing with Andy in his world of make-believe adventure. We are then treated to some familiar Pixar progression, like abandonment, solidarity, coming back to friends, and the passing of the torch. Clearly, in the eleven years between this point and when "Toy Story 2" wrapped, a computer revolution or four has occurred, allowing a world of unsurpassed clarity, reality and imagination to shine through like never before. TS1's spark is TS2's candle, and that in turn is TS3's blazing sun.

Roll the last fifteen minutes of film. It became clearly obvious that the figurative tables have been turned, because a good number of the adults in the audience (including myself) were sniffling and teary-eyed, while the kids were looking up, likely thinking "jeez mom and dad, they're just toys, get over it".

Wasn't it conventional wisdom that just the kids get emotional over losing plastic playthings? With "Toy Story 3", Pixar has shown us one of the greatest magic tricks in modern showbiz history, likely not to be outdone or duplicated, that we all have very real and deep connections to our childhoods and to the things and people that allowed us as kids to be free, and innocent, and pure, and most importantly, to dream. This, to me, is a life lesson worth remembering, to infinity and beyond.

The Art of Movie-Watching

I have always wondered, why have movies become such a liberating soul for people worldwide, since its inception by Lumiere Brothers at Paris in 1896? It is just a non-real reel of 2/3 hours presented in money-raking way. So, why associate and believe in it? For me, it is more about the inner reflection that movies mirror to me all the time. I get lost, immersed in the screen with the characters, as if it were me out there. I become the movie, for all my wishes, desires, ambitions, grievances etc find their utterances there. So, it is a valuable duration of 2 hours for me, and I leave no stone unturned to make it worth it, for if I watch trash and turbid movies, my association in fact gets lost, which is a dearer price to pay.

First, I ensure that I watch the movies in absolutely good quality, soothing ambience, uncluttered mind, in effect, in a total Eden of conditions. Cinema halls/theatres provide such a typical environment, but not always. Moreover it is not possible to catch older movies there. So, a good-quality DVD print, even though downloaded, works perfect for me. The solitude of night, after my day-scheduled works are over, provide a great time, as my mind is content and relieved of the nagging guilt of preferring movies to the other important works, read studies.

Second, I try to get a briefing, just little, beforehand, about the movie I am about to watch. It could be a review or some comments on IMDB. That helps me to dive into the cinema’s background. I seamlessly flow into the characters then, and till the end of the movie, I am away from the earth zone. If I like the movie, I again review the movie, this time elaborate, in my mind. IMDB discussions also help me a lot there. Plus getting acquainted with the actors/actresses and their other movies augment my knowledge and understanding both. This way the movie sits in/with me for long, and I have often been able to recognize a movie by just watching a second of its scene.

Third, and which is a very recent phenomenon, I have tried to be selective in my choice. In my lifetime, I know, I will be able to watch only a limited number of movies. So, why not watch only the good ones? While the definition of good is very subjective and also temporal, one can reasonably make a list, if one has got enough discerning qualities.

For my selection, I employ my fourth and probably the most important rule. My solemn effort has been to bring variety to my movie-watching, as I believe, of all other factors, this is what brings interest towards a certain kind of movies for the people. A person, who has only watched mushy Bollywood movies, when exposed to real-life expedition movies of Hollywood, finds himself enamoured. Then after some time, he realizes these super-natural movies too are duds. For foreigners, who have some interest in music and drama, Bollywood movies are a soaring lift from reality. Sometimes, people like what they want to watch. So, movies centered on African Civil War, India’s poverty, Muslim countries female torture, Europe’s free-for-all society etc are hit worldwide. It is the ability of the movies to connect with minds of the viewers that makes them great. And for viewers, it comes from providing variety, in genre, language, location etc, to their movie-watching. Rest all talk about movie paragon-touch is drivel. No one can watch Ben Hur, Lawrence of Arabia, Gone with the Wind, and Forrest Gump in succession. It has to be interspersed with an Inception or an Ice Age or a Dark Knight.
If one can add global variety to one’s selection, then it is probably the apotheosis. Each country’s sensibilities are different, but great. And movies provide a great way to feel those. For this, one needs to get used to watching the foreign language movies in dubbed mother-language or with subtitles, though knowing the foreign language won’t do any harm either.

These all have been the key steps of my holy quest towards the art of movie-watching. These are neither universal nor uniform, but knowing me, I know, these are the best for me.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

It has been months since I watched Vicky Cristina Barcelona. But it has failed to get away from me. It still leaves me in knots, cerebrating about the characters and their realities. Seriously it is not such a thought-provoking movie, as has been taken in by me. It is rather landscape-filled, laidback-storied, amorously-laced, emotionally-turbulent tale of a philander and two swooning ladies over him. But the whole idea is very alien to me, may be, the reason why I am still disturbed by the movie.

I should get to the point straightaway. I despise all the characters in the movie, just for their casual and heretic outlook to love and sex in particular, and life in general. How can true love, if that is depicted in the movie, be so loosely attached to sex? Getting laid is not a part, but the be and end of love, as shown in the movie. An old lady, Judy (Patricia Clarkson) has been married with Mark (Kevin Dunn) for last 30 years, but is still shown osculating around with a younger guy. Reason: Mark has proved to be a dunce in emotionally charged love all these years. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) has been in love with Doug (Chris Messina) for the last few years and are about to get married, but one single sexual encounter with Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) has made her question her earlier love and crave for that uninhibited fanciful love so greatly exhibited during that fling. And what to say about Cristina (Scarlet Johansson) who is not sure of her love and partners, and better say, life, and keeps offering them to everyone. Juan Antonio, for me, is the real despicable guy, treating women as bed spreads, and her wife Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) is a true amazon, if you know what this word means. Oh God! They are so messed up and confused. Life can’t be so byzantine, surely.

Yet, I am telling you this, I covet them all. If I have to choose a character that I resemble most, it is Doug then- a simplified, straight-going, reason-believer lad who takes life on face value. But watching the movie also made me wonder about the other side. The uninhibited love is unsure but also unbound. I have not ever delved in an uncontrolled emotional flow, so I can’t fathom what it feels to be like. Isn’t life also or only about exploration and experimentation, of love, sex, life …. What piece of monotone is a straitjacketed life then, even if intellectual, idealistic and pious! It is not an easy question to answer, and has lingered on since man discovered himself. Probably, reason wins more often, but then is also constantly taunted and questioned, intermittently, by the charms of gay abandon.

And I believe, that is what Woody Allen wanted to show, overall, more so at the end, when all the characters moved in their directions in life, as if Barcelona never happened at all. Finally the realities of life hit them, and it was back to square one. What transpired in those flirtatious weeks of Barcelona was not just an occasional holiday sojourn, but a direct Q&A of our ‘mind and heart’s’ ever dueling propensities.

A surely, between the scenes, movie. And I know I won’t be able to stop wondering about it, soon.

A sabbatical of sorts

There could be nothing more frustrating or annoying than giving up on your one-of-the-most likened things. For the last 5-6 months, my blogging had to endure a test of wait amidst all the frentic and sapping schedule of my life. Even after putting a resolve every now and then to get back to it, I was unable to devote much or rather any time to it. And sorrily, I won’t be able to give any time in future too, for at least 4-5 months.

It is all for a greater cause only; but I hope, I will come back more learned, energized and focused then.

So, it is an official sabbatical till then. Hope life continues to cherish all of us!

3 Idiots to My Name is Khan

Oops! Such a long time. The hiatus owed to a lot to the recent activity in my life. So much so that I could watch just one movie in the last two months. Unsurprisingly, it was 3 idiots.

I need not sing hosannas how good the movie is. It has already been hawked to the stale limit now. But one aspect of the movie that has gone unmentioned is how the movie has elucidated the topic of education in such great and aesthetic detail. Earlier the heroes of the movies were all backbenchers and study-loathers, as if mocking studies imparted them the macho to attract the pretty damsels of the class. Nowhere there was an emphasis on how good education creates suave human beings. But 3 Idiots paints this with an added philosophy of how that good education should be like. It is an unfettered ride, evoking some wonderful moments of college life. Only Raju could have made such a film, and only Aamir could have enacted such a rule. Hallelujah.

Moving on, I believe ‘My Name is Khan’ is going to be the next stop. And what a delight it would be to watch it in a theatre in India again. It has been a bloody long time since I watched a Hindi movie on the big silver screen, with the augmented aura of grand landscape suffused with melodious songs. The movie percolates with the environs too inside you. Undoubtedly the movie will have that same bigger-than-life SRK rendition to sprout all feel-good vibes inside you.

The awe and answer of Saw

A great fan of Saw series! I am. Conspicuous it is, as there is an avowed pledge by me of not watching gore and pessimism. But Saw is an exception, and I solicit pardon here.

This infringement though has its roots from the germane fascination that Saw-I had cast on me. That single factor keeps me glued to the next versions. A great thriller Saw-I was, never mind its trend-setting portrayal of death contraptions and methods. I have always related, or tried to relate, the subsequent Saw movies with the first one. Because …. I believe the Saw series will end only by tying with the first movie.

My belied is shaken though as I watch the irrelevant plots in the sequels. Saw VI, in point, added nothing to the story, except extending the series by one more part. It was enjoyable, but certainly you expect more in the storyline.

I am not deflated though. I still believe the missing doctor, who had left the cell with one leg cut in Saw-I, holds definitive answers to the mystery of the story.

Avatar and 2012

Undoubtedly both these films are good. In fact, they are brilliant. I wanted to mention them in the same breath; not only because I watched them within a span of two consecutive days but also because they are the typical supernal ideas - heavily employed in Hollywood - converted into celluloid of mass appeal.

Avatar is more conspicuous of the two due to the return of James Cameron and his high-end use of technology. In the theatre with 3-D screening, the movie seemed to play right out of a real-life disposition –people and their movements, the forests and the strange creatures, the fights with guns and arrows etc. It looked very surreal, but also fulfilling. For the first time, I felt delving into the cinema rather than the opposite way around. To quote one of my friends, for the first time, we saw human beings going to an alien land and also being technologically superior to the aliens. In fact, many firsts coming from this film …. I can transpose it to feel what jig the novelty of Star Wars would have caused when it was released way back in 1977.

2012, on the other hand, is an aggrandized talk of people’s conspiratorial side. It delivers what people want to see. Mayan prophesy of earth’s destruction coming to reality in the most devastating way. People decide to build a ship to survive the last beings of human race; the similarity with Noah’s Ark is substantial. The earth is in shatters but still human treachery and nepotism are on play. The good guys are taken for a ride by the rich and resourceful. The President of the US though stays behind, as also quoted in the movie, as the Captain of the Sinking Ship. The protagonists, playing the commoners, get into the ship through the backdoor. The climax is reached with the literal countdown of the ship’s collision with Mt Everest, and the hero’s underwater effort to avert it. For a change, the Black Actors took the center stage. A perfect potpourri!

And I repeat; I liked them both. But again I repeat; they both had the same worn-out renditions of Hollywood. The aliens, earth’s doom, mass-scale rescue effort, the brewed love in between etc – how many times have we seen them. It is another matter that the above two films defied the monotony, and shaped up as great in the end. But how long will the directors keep mashing the same stuff? Just my concern – as I am fearful of again drifting away from these movies if they are dished in plenty. Sounding cynical amidst the riches, but it is justified if you too look beyond the obvious.

3 Idiots' Songs

It was really the moments played over again. Another Aamir Khan movie’s music album release, and another set of dilated ears. 2001-Lagaan, 2005-Mangal Pandey, 2006- Rang De Basanti and Fanaa, 2007- Taare Zameen Per, 2008 – Ghajini. The music release of all these had been a waited event for me, for they were the harbingers of the actual stuff. Like with all the movies in Hindi cinema, if the music is good, the movie is definitely going to be great.

But to admit truthfully, none of the above music albums had managed to raise my feathers up. On first listen, the songs looked banal, worn-out and placid, not having that extra to create a buzz expected of them. Even the now-campus-theme ‘Paathshala’ had seemed a bit loud and tacky. There were some melodious and to-the-gallery songs like ‘Chaand Sifaarish in Fanaa’ or ‘Guzaarish in Ghajini’, but as a whole, the albums had failed to generate a collective oomph. I remember my colleagues in the hostel promptly changing ‘Ru Baroo’, ‘Waari Waari’ etc whenever I tried to play these songs to impress upon them. To sum it up, the songs were really too arcane or mystic for all of us when they were released. It was only when they were listened again and again, and when their superb films released afterwards augmented their meaning and mood, that these songs attained the great cult status they possess now.

I say it is deja-vu all again. 3 Idiots songs have just been released. And if I would have written this blog a week earlier, I would have really lamented the ineffectiveness of the songs. But now after having listened to them a few times, I do find the songs involving. The songs possess an inherent charm and melody. Barring the blaring ‘Aaal Iss Well’ which I still feel is a badly chosen theme song, the songs are full of message and lilt with the occasion. ‘Give Me the Sunshine’ is an after-word of a college worn-out student; ‘Behti Hawa Sa Tha Who’- a sincere appreciation for the hatke student amongst the streamlined ones; ‘Jaane Nahin’ a rendition of friendly bonds. But the song I like most is the Zoobi Doobi. A masterly work indeed, lyrics and music suiting aptly to the rain-filled sensuality of the song. You have to listen to it:-

Zoobi Doobi

It is typical Bollywood stuff, pulled right from the yesteryears for sounding music to the ears.

Harry Potter - The Magical Realism

I was asked this question once, “Which of the two series you like more – Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings?” My answer was unsurprisingly quick – Harry Potter, of course. He scowled, but he knew he didn’t stand a chance for a debate of any kind.

My infatuation with the wizard boy’s stories is long and keeps on growing every time I imagine them. In my solemn free times, I have replayed the older Harry Potter movies’ scenes in my mind, just to feel good and escape into the world of magic realism. After watching the Half Blood Prince, I feel I am again in a different world now- full of magic, even though surrounded by dark forces.

No, I haven’t read the novels. And I don’t intend to, before I see the full series. I know, no movie can match its provenance. But for me, Harry Potter movies have been interesting enough to delight me on their own. Hopefully reading the novels later can bring both additions and shortcomings of the movies in glare.

Which movie of the series I like the most? It is the ‘Chamber of Secrets’, followed by ‘Half Blood Prince’ and ‘Goblet of Fire’. Which one was the blandest? No guesses, ‘the Order of the Phoenix’, as it would be for most of the cine-watchers.

What do I like most in the movies? Obviously, the characters. Dumbledore is such a profound character. His death (sorry for the spoiler) in ‘Half Blood Prince’ was a heart-rending view for me. The three main characters-Potter, Ron and Hermione are seriously well-delineated ones, and it has been both fun and insight to see their characters grow, both in age and behaviour. Hagrid, Minerva, Snape, Sirius, Lupin etc – all are very relevant, and seem to be part of one big family. But I like, above all, what the characters depict. The good and the bad of the world, and how the struggle between them is always on. The good will ultimately win, no doubt, but how that good develops or should develop is the instilling part. I have always felt a direct pertinence of the stories to the current world.

For many, Harry Potter movies might just be fantasy, but for me, they have been a source of comfort & fun, a mirror of virtues & vices, and also an imparter of goodness & strength. What else do you want from a movie?

Wanted !!!

Leave the Angelina-starrer one. Our own Sallu bhai’s is here. Dhisoom dhisoom …. What a masala flick!

I liked it, to the core. If Prem is sooo sober, Radhey is sooooo stylish. Better make Radhey the benchmark. Tere Naam’s one was brash, brusque and besotted with beauty in the end, but here he is only one – committed to himself. So he doesn’t listen to even himself if he has made a commitment.

More so consider the way he pooh-poohs his lady love, Ayesha Takia in the movie. A real first for me. Not the usual till-my-last-breath suitors and lovers of women. So, change for Bollywood? No. The songs are splashed at will, but you know their arrival time beforehand, courtesy the experience, and you can go out for a wee, a phone or a smoke. And come back to see another baddie being rolled down by our atlas-built hero.

Some of the fight scenes are really damn good. In the train, when he rams the rogue guy into one of the bars, I was thrilled. Omg, I have turned gory! But it was damn good. Didn’t you see how the other guy just jumped out of the train, in fear of that?

Our heroine too is ekdum kamaal. The perfect siti-inviter. Alas, she has got married, but still has the best tanker, sorry the best face, in the tinsel town. The villain though doesn’t look ike the villain. Now-a-days villains too have to do some comedy. Never mind though, he shoots as often as he jests.

So, what then? Go and just watch the movie. It is a perfect paisa wasool. If it doesn’t work for you, don’t come back and shout at me. Probably you still don’t know how to appreciate these cult kinds of movies.

How good was Stanley Kubrick?

The question doesn’t need any answering. He was fabulous, and miles different from and ahead of others. Some, including this review , might consider him second best to Spielberg or Hitchcock, but he is, to me, right at the top.

His last movie, Eyes Wide Shut, was my first of his. I had Computer Networks exam the next day. In the midnight, I just started the movie for a pre-sleep browsing kind of thing. How the next two hours passed, I don’t know. People considered it his worst, but if that is the worst, how good his best was, I wondered. Never mind my lost sleep, my exam too was a scorcher.

Then came, The Shining, A Clockwork Orange, Dr Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket. I was again watching Full Metal Jacket a few days back. This movie didn’t get the accolades it deserved, but of the movies I have seen, none has brought the hidden drama of war as glaringly as this one. Two stories, the first half of the regimental soldiers training life, and the second one of the actual war. There is a pun of futility about war and its hardships through every single shot of the movie. Somehow he managed it. I don’t know how, and I will wonder always.

He is no more, but certainly his charisma remains. I don’t know how I felt like writing about him today, but just that remembrance of excellence brought his name forward. Hope people learn from him, how to be delivering, rather than be showing. Is Tarantino listening?

Shahrukh's detention - whom are we fooling?

Believe me! It’s not about Shahrukh. It is about you and me.

Most of the times we give in to the dictates in the name of practicality, without giving a thought to its rhyme or reason. If Shahrukh let an outburst, it was because it happened to him. And I am writing it here, because it also happened to me.

Last year when I was traveling to India, I overheard two gentlemen talking behind my seat in the Inter-Airport Transfer Bus. They were complaining about the over-frisking done to them and their documents and baggage on account of their being Muslims. I felt sorry, but was also indifferent. More so when one of the guys admitted that somewhere the fault lay with the community also for fomenting these problems in the first place. If they are clean, most probably, it will cause just inconvenience but not injustice to them. Quite right, I nodded. Security comes paramount.

I don’t know how life comes full circle in this world. I am subject to the same kind of counter-feeling each time I travel to US. My dossier gets an automatic red-mark, on account of my passport being an Indian, read South Asian, one. At each security point, I am asked to step aside from the queue, and undergo an extra and grilling security-check. Each time, I feel devastated, and lament the fact that despite all my education and good beliefs, I am not above petty suspicion and that too just because of my colour and region. If the check is random, it is perfectly acceptable, but if it happens 9 out of 10 times and also to your friends, you can’t buy this logic of random search. Nevertheless I gather myself up, and let go the feelings smoothen in the name of the current realities of life. The security officers, bounden by duty, are merely doing their job. Period. So, I didn’t complain even if they put me to Second Immigration Check, ala Shahrukh’s, last week on my current trip.

Shahrukh has come out though, because he is a celebrity. I totally agree with the concept of treating celebrities and common people alike. But, here the point is different. If the same Immigration Officer is treated like that in some another country, say ABC, because some fellow Americans blew up ABC’s dome, I am sure, he would be peeved. He would be angered, despite knowing that it is legal and right in every aspect.

We all feel that, because we all know that in the long run, it is not right. This extra security might create a cocoon, but each such act, creates thousands of anti-American thoughts throughout the world. I am in total awe of USA, as no country can boast of such grand achievements based on the ideals of liberty and democracy. But what about the blinkered view in pursuing those objectives?

The above debate doesn’t lead my anywhere, except re-highlighting the universally known fact of ubiquitous prejudiced and racial profiling. So, the only request to everyone-Shahrukh, me, Immigration Officer, Muslim, American, Indian, ABCian- try switching the place for one day or even one such moment, you will get the gist of everything. You will see the world is not what you see, but what you feel.

Books -> Movies

It felt really good to read a news like this. A book, penned by an Indian author, being made into a movie. It is not the first of a kind, but does show a greater progress in the adaptation of a book into a movie.

However enchanted I am by Bollywood, I can’t condone its irreverent plagiarism. Not that it only copies movies from other film industries, but it also pilfers some original book scripts. To avoid paying royalties, the movie-makers take the stories without even crediting the authors. The point thus is not only about money, but also about a serious lack of encouragement for the writers to come up with good movie-adaptable scripts. For Indian cinema, the biggest challenge is the dearth of concomitant and inventive stories, and there is no other way than to start forming a bond with the writers to purvey it a good supply of stories.

Subhash Ghai has said that he is willing to pay even 1 crore rupees to the person who gives him a really good script. A welcome change. In fact, I am looking forward to the day when a film-making company will strike a deal with a coterie of writers, ala the ADAG group’s with Spielberg. Believe me, many more ‘Slumdog Millionare’s can then be raised based on the ‘Q&A’s.

Why I don't like Western Music?

There are two things that I have been doing in my endeavor to widen my global understanding: eating different cuisines and listening to foreign music. While the former is a very recent activity and should pick up in future, the latter has been absolute disaster. Not that I don’t listen to it. In fact, I was picked on it very early, with its catchy music and foot-tapping rhythm. But as I found out later, that was it which it had to offer to me. I couldn’t move myself to explore the other unobtrusive ones, and whenever I tried, as done recently too, I could not attach myself to it. I couldn’t enjoy it; that sums it all. I feel so alienated, even though I know everything is not meant for everyone. But as my desperation grows, I have been able to identify a few things.

First, I don’t like the preponderance of music over the songs. For me, the delivery of songs is more vital than the media on which it is being delivered. Here the music is so dominant that singing is just an adjunct and perfunctory job. The sweetness of songs is hard to find. Everywhere there is boom boom music blaring out. Sorry for exaggeration, but what else will you call all the clutter of guitar, violin, cembalo etc. And I haven’t mentioned the lyrics yet which is the soul of a song.

Second, now the songs are inextricably related to their videos. Nothing could be more propping for songs, as the visuals lend a real touch to the songs. But what I find is a carnal touch. All the songs videos now are show strips for those famous singers. I am very sexually-liberated and open-minded (at least I think so), but to watch Britney or Kylie gyrating in knickers on a supposedly sweet love-song is revolting. If I have to watch sensuality, I know what to watch and where to go. But hello, songs are different. Why every female singer has to be in half clothes, and every male one with a flattened torso crooning and imaging his half-naked love? Nicole Scherzinger has such a good voice, but she makes it secondary by concentrating on how much skin she is showing. I mean, every singer has to be good-looking first, exposing second, and if he/she sings well, then acceptance is granted. It is really unpalatable for me.

Third reason, which is more eccentric but also correct is that the songs lyrics are not always obvious to me. English is now the back of my palm, but I still can’t understand some accents totally in the songs. Naturally my enthusiasm dies down then. Also I have tried listening to Arabic and Greek music which is great. But for lack of understanding, I can’t hold on for much. I am seriously trying on this front though.

There can be many more reasons, but the real point is to highlight my aversion, and my (may be) short-sightedness. I know I haven’t been helped by my intrinsic disassociation with its cultural background. I also don’t score highly on this kind of music’s knowledge front too. But somehow this is just not coming. I need some serious mentoring. Phew!!! But I will keep trying.

Michael Jackson - a miss in the hit

None so greater than Michael! We will miss you…

I am not going to cry, or even show some sign of moroseness. Michael Jackson was just another brilliant singer for me. In fact, the first one, I came to know of those Western eccentric singers. I am not yet into Western music, and probably never will (God forbid), but if ever there could be some music which I would like to listen to, it has to be MJ’s only. ‘Thriller’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Dangerous’ – these are so profound and catchy, that you forget for a moment everything else. Very few other songs, even if countable, have such attraction for me. No doubt, he was a genius.

But what makes his untimely death even more poignant is that he just failed that genius. I was looking at a younger Michael, barely in his teens, performing with such grace and gravitas that you needn’t look elsewhere to find an inspirational quote in life. He was a felicitous product of time – black, brave and bewitched with music. What else could have he wanted, more so, when he also achieved a copious amount of world fame and money?

That is beyond my ken of world-psychology. And even harder to believe, it afflicts all the famous people of the litany. Britney, Lindsay etc etc. Somehow I feel a commoner’s life is better-off as there is always something to achieve. Michael, probably later on in his life, lost that zeal and love - so vividly exhibited in that dreaming child. Surprisingly not narcissistic, he started loathing himself. Colour change, paedophilia, idiosyncratic behaviors – what else can you say?

The judgement is always irrelevant and inappropriate when done on other’s life. But his life, unfortunately, was related to many. That beholden-to-music child just became another singer, and not in any case role-model for many, including me. Probably he was not meant to be, for he could not find peace even with himself. Fault lies with others who looked up to his genius.

I will miss you MJ, but always with a sorry, for you, others and me.

Angels and Demons! Phew

Why does it happen this way? Full of expectance but distressed in the end. I think I was not expectant, but apprehensive. I knew the movie would be a disappointer, ala Da Vinci Code. But at the end of it, I developed sympathy more than anything else.

I think it is very very difficult to bring out the storyline of a successful novel in the same ethos on the screen. Whichever has managed to do so has done on a non-complex or a graphic story. Angels and Demons is too convoluted a story to narrate in a small timespan. For instance, when Robert Langdon discovers the four pillars/places of Illuminati hideouts, there is no excitement or riddle to savour or extricate. He is too sudden and omniscient to find out everything. We viewers are dragged, rather than involved. Compare this with the canvas of a novel. There is this whole aura of Roman churches set up in our mind, and Bernini, Raphael etc pervade our senses. I had such an incomparable time reading Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. The movies hardly rose to simulate even a moment of that.

The critical pan the movie has received is just, but neglects this deserved sympathy. I don’t know how else the movie could have been made. And spare a thought for Hanks! No, actually he would have made a lot more money with these two movies than with any of his earlier ones. But he has certainly let that superior cinematic sense associated with him drift away a bit. In the late 80’s and 90’s, he was a regular on Best Actor Oscar Nominations (5 in total), but now he is a distant consideration. Hanks, these meaty roles are for more commonplace heroes. We love a Capt John H Miller, Chuck Norland, or Sam Bawdin, more than a harrowing Robert Langdon.

Sarfarosh's ACP

Flashback 10 years.

I along with my friends was waiting expectedly outside the cinema hall for our 9 pm show to commence. The movie had already been a talking point. I as an aping Aamir Khan fan was drooling with the prospect of watching another classic. Finally, the moment arrived and silver screen lit.

A svelte, even if not lean, Aamir Khan as Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ajay Singh Rathore. Unpalatable ... The movie was so tightly integrated and so riveting that this thing became irrelevant in the end. But somewhere it kept on ringing. Not that he was bad, but on first instance, he did look incongruous.

In fact, even his leading lady (Sonali Bendre) in the movie was surprised, when he told her that he was an ACP. She had nonchalantly said, “Agar tum ACP ho to, main Patiala ki rani” (If you are an ACP, then I am the queen of Patiala).

Anyway, this didn’t stop the movie becoming a superhit and classic in its own. And I was indeed bragging about it after the show was over.

On this weekend, I watched it again. Ah! again the brilliance of the movie was brought forth. But again his unfitness too was scratched. I wondered about the efficacy of physique then.

If he had worked out a six-pack like Ghajini’s then, the cast would have looked more real and forever.

He has wished to act in a sequel of Sarfarosh and Andaaz Apna Apna. If the former does come out, I am sure he will don a totally Herculean look this time around. ACP Rathore will be immortal then.

When I met Sally

Sometime back, one of my friends had asked me, “Who is your favourite actor and actress?” Not a very strange and difficult question. Every movie-buff is supposed to have one.

So, I quickly replied, “Aamir Khan in Bollywood and Tom Hanks in Hollywood.”

“Great choice, but what about heroines?”

“Aaa …”, I stammered a bit, but then said disaffectedly,” It was Juhi Chawla earlier, but now-a-days it is …. Actually there are lots of … some sexy ones, some great cuties, some others. In Hollywood, it is Meg Ryan”. My reply was too formal.

He had guessed it by then. Guys don’t have favourite actresses??? Well, don’t get the un-obvious here 

I am actually smitten by some great beauties of cinema. As I told earlier, my childhood fascination was Juhi Chawla. When QSQT had arrived, Aamir and Juhi were the instant heart-throbs of every young suitor. Juhi, in particular, was such a veracious beauty. And even though I was a child, my enchantment with her was sown. It continued till she parted with Aamir, and also faded out of cinema.

As and when I started watching Hollywood movies about 10 years back, I had to decide on my favourite ones there. Tom Hanks was a very natural and obvious candidate. So, one slot ticked. I was watching ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ during one of those days. Poor Hanks, the widower- was narrating his tale of woes and singleness on a radio, and then… there she arrived- Meg Ryan, driving the car, listening to him. I knew it, I knew it. It was proverbial, ‘Love at First Sight’, or ‘Hopelessly in Love’ or the movie’s own ‘Magic Itself’. I had found her. I had found an analogous pair in Hollywood too ….

The whole above story was flashed to me, when I had declaimed my choices before my friend. But somehow it flustered me more. My favourite actress, Meg Ryan? And I have watched only ‘Sleepless in Seattle’, and the famous clippings of her in ‘In the Cut’. Not ideal…

So, I decided to celebrate a ‘Ryan Month’ where I had to watch most of her movies. I started with the easiest pick-‘You’ve Got Mail’. A lovely Hanks and Meg love-drama. She looked quite a part as a small BookShop Owner. Then I moved on to In The Cut, City of Angels, When a Man Loves a Woman, French Kiss. I couldn’t go beyond that, because of lack of time, and also because of overdose of ‘Romance’ and ‘Her’. “She is a doll, but too cheesy and monotonous doll”- I started feeling like that. Anyhow, the most famous one of hers was left- ‘When Harry Met Sally’. Gosh! She was so young then, but utterly toned-down too. It seemed she did the movie without make-up. Her chequered half-pants seemed such an anachronism. By luck or choice, the co-actor was another no-no Billy Crystal. The famous orgasm-screaming scene of hers too looked so fake. It was appalling. Oh my God! I am speaking sacrilege here. The legions of fan of the movie and her will kill me.

But that is how it panned out for me. I know it was surfeit that brought this repulsion or revulsion. But it was also the catharsis of new times. I gave her another chance, but just watching the cleavage-popping poster of her latest movie, “My Mom’s New Boyfriend”, I was estranged for ever. So, I am single again now. But thanks Meg for all those days of blissful fascination with you. Alas! You too went Juhi’s way.