Movie: Manmadan Ambu

I should probably not call my posts about movies, 'reviews' anymore as most often than not, I end up writing only about movies I enjoyed watching. That said, I'm sure you have got a hint of what I'm going to talk about this one.

After a whole lot of nice tweets retweeted by @actormadhavan I made up my already sure mind to go ahead and watch this one. I would have missed this one for no reason, after failing to watching the tremendous Kamal Haasan -Madhavan chemistry in 'Anbae Sivam' on the big screen.

Shot across various regions of Europe including Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Venice, the movie is never short of fantastic locations and beautiful shots. I especially liked the flashback song featuring Kamal and his French wife  picturised very intricately. The whole concept of running through the memories chronologically is amazingly synchronized with the pictures on the screen. I also liked the way the plot progressed till the intermission which ends with a punch.While rest of the movie sequence post intermission sort of mellows down the drama and builds into a loud comedy, it is never out of order. 

Trisha is as beautiful as ever, but her role does not demand much of her acting prowess. I wonder if it's actually difficult to act drunk when sober, because if Maddy isn't drunk in half of the movie he has done an amazing job with it. Kamal makes the movie work. Enough said. Respect for the man.

Through the movie I was thinking Manmadan Ambu was actually Man(Mannar-Kamal) Madan(Madan-Maddy) and Ambu(Trisha). Only after reading online realized that Manmadan Ambu meant cupid's arrow if wikipedia is to be believed.

Before signing out "the cupid's arrow has struck this time right on target", says the cupid man....

Sanju

Image Credit: http://apnews360.com

Dil toh baccha hai Ji

After almost 10 years today I rode a bicycle. It was only for 15 mins but the nostalgia was unparallel.

More so because I got to ride the Hercules MtB, reminding me about the Atlas cycle that I inherited from my cousin which he got from my dad, who got it for his younger brother while he was in class tenth on beginning his professional career.

The pleasure in taking the cycle and peddling away to a nowhere of stupendous importance.

Hatching a plan to find that teenage crush's whereabouts,listening to the heart to go cross country in to the jungle, taking the sister on the saddle seat and what else not.

Why is it that the child in us ceases to exist? Why is it that we worry about living a life rather than just live it?

Little things that we drew energy from, is no longer seen. The human radar I guess keeps getting reprogrammed and takes us away from the child in us.

Need to start living. Dil toh aakhir baccha hai Ji....

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Destined to be here

On the penultimate day of my UAE trip, my uncle and I drove back from Abu-Dhabi to Dubai by 4.30pm with hopes of covering the Mall of Emirates which was rated highly by my uncles.

The journey was very eventful, we took the 'exit' to Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. The whole exit concept was very new to me coming from Bangalore where there are more exits(cross roads) than freeways.
That said our next few minutes was encircling the Yas Marina circuit with roads seeming as good as the racing circuit. I didn't stop to click pics, thanks to the hectic schedule I put myself too.

We headed further to see the mall. This is where the exit, freeway system confused us big time. All the exits were either to the Metro station or some other places and within moments the Burj Khalifa started appearing in front us.

Suddenly, I realised that I hadn't seen the musical fountain which operated only post evenings and we took the exit. Not to be surprised the exit somehow seemed exit to nowhere. After much shuttling about we got to Dubai mall, where the Burj khalifa is erected.

And what waited for me and of course for half a thousand onlookers was one of the most beautifully choreographed musical fountains.

Parkings are another story in these malls I tell you. That we came out of the mall's maze like multistoreyed parking lot with a lot of drive-by would be an understatement.

In the end, all is well that ends well.

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Of a few mixed thoughts

It's raining realty all across. By all the chugging along with my friend here and there for the purpose of his apartment, and all the calls I was getting at home for my uncles apartment, one thing is for sure. Man still yearns for his 'Do Bheega Zameen' be it in whatever shape. Don't know if its due to all the reality shows, lakhs seem like pennies and paisas. I don't know if i might feel the same urge to buy property in case i was working in a city which wasn't my hometown or maybe it's just the fact that we have a home. Looking at the mad rush and all the hustle bustle of life I sometimes feel, I am so lucky to be in the second category. But then, there is this lurking  feeling of 'Am i going to be left out'.

7 months ago, when i was this MBA wanting to be assume consulting positions in an MNC the word consulting had a lofty meaning. 6 months hence this feeling has not changed, but has started assuming different meanings in the professional life. As far as what i know in India consultant is one who charges 8 hours to the client while striving for 12-14 hours a day to complete work that can be done by 2 people in lesser time and doesn't even get to charge the hours spent. It is also dawning at this point in time, that MBA surely helps in one aspect. The grind helps set the platform for the real grinding we face professionally.

Another aspiration of fresh MBA grads are to be in positions of client interfacing roles. And consultants are surely at the forefront of this particular area. Yes, we do meet a lot of people everyday. So what ? A question needs to be asked here by everyone who fits in the above scenario. Am sure everyone knows the answer, and are constantly contemplating towards how best one can depict the same.

"What is different in you that makes people you meet, meet you more often than those others?"

In other news, there is a major facet of human behavior that i want to talk about, but I'll save it for the next post since I'm in a very reactionary mode for me to be rationale about it. Also, after almost close to a year I am taking a vacation which can be considered a real vacation, because essentially all those weekends out of Bangalore didn't qualify. Will write more about this too...

On that note of hoping for a wonderful vacation let me wish you all a wonderful Diwali and hope you all have a terrific time leading upto the new year. In auditing terms, the wishes shall be renewed post the new year.

~Cheers

Sanju

Of cricketing highs

There are few and far instances when absolute thriller of a cricket match presents itself. There are some images that immediately come rushing to my mind.

• Sachin Raising a sandstorm in sharjhah in the mid 90s.
• Javagal Srinath and Anil Kumble taking us to victory someday during navarathri.
• Yuvraj And Kaif put up that magical partnership to shut Naser Hussain up in Lords.
• And of course, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman creating the miracle at the Eden in 2001.

Today when Ishant and Laxman made a game of what seemed to be yet an other procession of sorts, the scenes around me in the usually glum seeming cafeteria were hysterical. 

Thank you VVS, that indeed was Very very special.

A Hmmmm'ble capture

Very recently, captured this video in innovative film city. At the time, I became very contemplative about life, seeing the number of rounds the guys there managed to skate.

While I saw them rising everytime they fell, in life nowadays with so much we crave for, it is so important to only rise and keep rising. Because every fall means an additional step to strenghten the ground below.

But that said, its so very important to have those falls and learn from it by rising quicker and stronger.

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Saying Adieu in style

In our professional lives these days, seeing people leave the organization they work for is not really a big deal. People choose to leave different trails so to say while leaving, experience definitely helps me recollect from the whole lot of mails I've received and the two I've sent in this regard.

Some leave with a mail with full of gratitude that people reading it actually feel if the exiting employee was actually in the same company as they are. While there are others who offload a truckload of hate, disgust and frustration to all the readers while they leave. And then there are others who leave as though they want nobody to know they have left.

Recently I came across a fascinating kind, who in their own way signify their presence in their absence. These are people who with their positive outlook tend to believe that moving on, is an opportunity in the truest sense and possess a great belief that the change is for good. They might be completely wrong in their decision but at the end of the day nobody can belittle the positivity they create.

Farewell said she....

I post this picture of someone's creativity with the intent of only appreciating her(as i was told) thoughtful work of art which left a deep impression on me. Like always, its only my views.

The 31st day of July in 2010

What after this jazzy seeming title?

While the events of the day predominate my thoughts, I am surprised, amazed and satiated with whatever has come out due to some of my efforts.

It all began some day in early June, when I casually talking to my colleague mentioned about holding a convocation ceremony for the graduating class of 2010 from IBS-Bangalore, my alma matter.

The prospect of working on an idea that might come good is so empowering that one never really realizes, how life is infused to it.

Same happened with me too, and with an online survey I set out to understand the views of my batchmates for the same. And with the response I got from my batchmates there was no stopping me.

What followed was a lot of calls, messages and emails, to the college authorities and the support I received from my alma matter, I must say was tremendous.

Cut back to the day, I got all ready with a much needed hair cut and went shopping for that dapper looking jet black suit. Got a nice deal for a change, and nothing on that day could go wrong.

To see 300 of my friends turn up for the day from many parts of India was most satisfying.

The feeling turned unreal when the degrees were given away and the clock already struck 10pm. It was all over.

A big thank you to everyone who supported the cause.

Cheers
Sanjaya KS

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Irony of Mock fire drills

Everytime there is a mock fire drill at workplaces, there is always something in the air. An air of awareness if you are an ERT member, an air of opportunism if you are one of those who wishes to slip away from the scene and most commonly the air which carries Murphy's laws alongwith it.

I saw all kinds today, the ones who planned well to get out of the building, without having to go through the pleasure of climbing down 13 floors thanks to where EY is located in Ub city. Just hope all these smart alecs' know where to run if not what to do, in case of a real fire.

There were also ones who seemed most busy right at the time the activity was planned. For all I know they must have been really busy. It's a different thing though the security team had the last say on the matter before shunting them out of office.

My brains though seemed like it was playing Murphy-Murphy with me. I had very health conciously decided to scale the last 5 floors just 2 hours ago, partly due to the slowly responding elevators and largely due to the heavy lunch post a training session I had. It later dawned on him that we all had 26 stairs* 13 floors worth of descent in the offing.

The sense of excitement that had set in by the formation of lines just like the good old school days was dampened by the unwelcome showers. All the plans of the ERT team were left unfinished. In all this I gladly managed to check out the camera on my new HTC Wildfire and also the Blogger-Droid app that I'm using to publish the post.

Hoping no one has to fight any fires
in future!!!

-Sanju

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ಬೇಡ ಯೆನ್ನಬಲ್ಲಿರಾ

ಮಾತು ಬಲ್ಲವನೇ ಮಹಾಶೂರ, ಆದರೆ ಮಾತು ಬಂದು ಮೌನ ತಾಳುವನೇ ಮಹಾವೀರ. ಜಗವೆಲ್ಲಾ ಹೀಗೆ ಇದ್ದರೆ ಎಷ್ಟು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿರ್ತಿತ್ತು ಅಲ್ವಾ?

ಆದರೆ ತಾಳ್ಮೆಯಿಂದ ನಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳುವವನನ್ನು ಈಗ ಬಲಹೀನನೆಂದು ನೋಡುವ ಸಂಭವಗಳೇ ಹೆಚ್ಚು. ಹೀಗಿರುವಾಗ ಬೇಡ ಅಥವಾ ಇಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು ಹೇಳುವುದು ಅಹಿತಕರವಾದರು ಅನಿವಾರ್ಯವಾಗಿಹೋಗಿದೆ. ಅನೇಕ ಬಾರಿ 'ego' ಅಥವ ಅಹಂ ಇಂದಾಗಿ ನಾವು ಹಲವಾರು ಮಾನಸಿಕ ಯಾತನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬೆಳೆಸ್ಕೊಂದು ಕೊರಗುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಹೀಗಿದ್ದಾಗ ಕೋಪ ಬರುವುದು ಸ್ವಾಭಾವಿಕ. ಆದರೆ ಕೆಲಸದ ಮಧ್ಯೆ ಕೋಪ ಬಂದರೆ, ನಾವು ಮಾಡುವ ಕೆಲಸಕ್ಕೇ ನಷ್ಟ. ಹೀಗೆ ಒಂದು ಘಟನೆಯಿಂದ ನಾನು ಕಲಿತ ಈ ಪಾಠವೇನೆಂದರೆ, ಸರಿಯಾದ ವೇಳೆಯಲ್ಲಿ, ಸರಿಯಾದ 'forum ' ನಲ್ಲಿ ತೋರಿಸುವ ಕೋಪ, ಸದಾ constructive ಆಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಇದಕೆಲ್ಲಾ ಒಂದೇ ಉತ್ತರ, ನಿಮಗೆ ಸರಿ ಇಲ್ಲವೆಂದುದನ್ನು ನೀವು ಮಾಡ ಬೇಡಿ. 
Saying no Is after all not such a bad thing

Of Jiving the marathon

Enthusiasm, anticipation and excitement in the same order is such an integral part of our life. Talk about beating the mundanity of life, and nothing can be better than surprising yourselves by doing something totally unexpected. A couple of things this year which i wouldn't have thought of doing, but for the opportunities. 

Out of nowhere comes this mail at work, asking people to register for the Sunfeast World 10k Marathon, Bangalore. First few weeks at work is always when the employee gets his time, space for self, and I utilized mine to the best by registering to run for supporting EY's cause of 'I run = they learn'. It is not the idea of running that enthused me, but it was about doing something out of an opportunity when it arose.

Until one is actually part of the marathon running in it, the concept of a marathon is usually unclear. The buzz it generates across age groups is tremendous. I can still feel those additional bouts of energy I received in form of the encouragement from people of all age groups ebbing me and all others, on to complete the last stretch which seemed so beyond me.

Bangalore I think should open up for more such and other events like street concerts, street plays, other community connecting initiatives promoted from time to time when parts of the city will be temporarily closed for vehicular traffic from time to time. The feel good factor is really infectious!

So what, if it's just for a day or a half?

Secondly, another thing i have learnt off late is to never say never again. I had this strange pride in telling people that i had two left feet when it had to do something with dance. Though almost all things to be done on stage pulled me in, dance never figured in the list. But since my MBA days this has somehow become something that i have started enjoying, loving maybe. It is all with the mindset, and if you still think you are such a hopeless dancer like i was, then you better have friends like i've had, with a lot of talent & patience. I  simply can't forget the dance performance at our MBA inauguration in the summer of '08.

And this time, summing up all the courage I could from previous experiences, I enrolled to be part of the dance group without nobody coercing, cajoling or scamming me in. This was for a Jive performance for the annual Ernst & Young offsite Party at the Golden Palms Hotel and Spa as a part of the employee talent program.

Since the time of registering to the day of the event, the group had five days to practice along with the professional choreographers who were specially contracted to help us out. First couple of days passed by, with work and illness taking precedence. It seemed so very convenient to slip away from the scene, but i am a stickler for commitments and thus I headed for practice on the third day. For my long legs, the task seemed ever-more daunting on seeing   people dance like they were born with feet only to dance. But the heart always seems to find answers and be assured and then it takes over the mind and its matters.

And it helps when, you find somebody who can just look at you and say, it's ok you're doing all right if not fine. Therein lies the source of inspiration and energy that we all look for and I found mine in my colleague Pooja. From then on, there was not much to look behind/around considering that not many were part of the dance group as yet. It took us some practice sessions in the escalator lobby in office, one session in a dance studio for half an hour and finally lots of impromptu sessions by the swimming pool at the resort to finally tap our feet to the right note.Once in the zone, the task simply became insignificant and the fun aspects took over. 

Wouldn't it be wonderful if could enjoy all other work tasks similarly and accomplish it? Wishful thinking! 

At the end of the day it's a great feeling to be surprised to know what and how much we're capable of. All we need to do is keep pushing!!!

Complexology - The Art of identifying unanswerable questions

Lately, there has been a spate of family functions and attending it, means answering many questions. Primarily when all senior cousins in the family are married and you are next on list.

"So when is yours" they ask? 

Ask any bachelor, he would tell you that this would be one of the most difficult questions he'll ever have to answer. When is it that we actually know the time, the right time. Every time this question poses itself in multifarious ways, there is a new concern and a newer sub-question to address.

As if the larger question was not enough, I was faced with another question. 

"Do you know whom you are going to marry"? 

The question though very straight forward, has a lot of ramifications. Come to think of it, if one knows the answer for this question, the larger question more often than not gets answered. But trouble is when you haven't found the answer for the sub-question, all the questions loom larger and larger. 

Excuse me for the sheer confusion in the post, the topic is to be held responsible.

For all those people, who faced this question and successfully found an answer, I am all ears to your wisdom. And for all other crusaders who seek an answer, my best wishes are with you.

Picture credit: I, me and Myself.

Title Credit: Vikram Belathur

Make way for the Emergency vehicle: But how?

How many times have we all suddenly heard the hooting of an ambulance/emergency vehicle out of nowhere? And as if this incident has the influence of Murphian laws, it happens mostly during the peak hour traffic. I have noticed this consistently for the last four days in Bangalore and my first reaction has always been to make way. But then, we are in Bangalore, where footpaths are considered as an alternative option to roads anytime they are all full. 

So while I want to make way, I'm helpless and so are thousands of others. At this point of time, I always end up thinking about what should be done:

• What would be the options?
• Whether these options are something which is commonly known to everyone on the road with or without a vehicle? 
• Can technology be used in traffic signals like in few western countries. I don't think this will be a viable option considering our traffic sense and maturity.

While I can think of many more questions, I might just miss the point. How do we MAKE WAY ???

From having personally been in the traffic of Bangalore from the past 10 or so years, I can think of these must-do's.

1. Try to move towards left or right corner depending on where the emergency vehicle is.
2. Try passing on the message to the drivers who are ahead in line and ask them to cascade. This is specific in cases of long traffic jams like we have in bangalore.
3. Most often the emergency vehicles take the one-way's. So always be vigilant in such times.
4. Finally Do whatever possible in your capacity to make way for these vehicles.

Just before i post this I also wanted to check out what people think about this on the internet. On Yahoo Answers this was the best answer to the question asked by the asker. 

The law in the US is that all drivers must yield to emergency vehicles by getting out of the way and slowing or stopping in order to allow others in front or behind to follow suit.

On a regular road a driver shouldn't be an obstruction whether moving or not if they are out of the vehicle's path of travel. Oftentimes in heavy traffic, everyone can be limited by space to move to. This leaves the driver having to negotiate around vehicles in order to get through. Presumably, in heavily congested areas, if everyone moves a little over where they can and pays attention to where the path of travel is forming, they can get out of the way, but everyone following the law is required. Dolts who pay no attention to their surroundings and don't hear the siren are in my mind, the worst. They refuse to move out of the way and will block up a vehicle's only means of travel.

At an intersection or stop lights, its the same rule; get out of the way as much as possible, even if its just a few feet, or if you can, move to an area where you can, but be mindful that moving into an intersection could spell confusion once the emergency vehicle has passed and everyone begins to move again. Small moves over to the left or right are the best solution, if that's all you can do. 

When everyone is paying attention and cooperates, emergency vehicles should be able to have safe egress through traffic.

Make Way Please ! And NOW !!!

A trek it is then...

In a recent telephonic interview which lasted for an hour, I was asked a whole lot of questions, I did quite alright but for these 'few' questions. While being grilled on subject matter is quite usual, being grilled on one's hobbies and interests is a little unusual or quite new for me. 

Interviewer(I): Why does your resume not have any information about your hobbies & interests ?

Me(M): Oh! Well....Seems I missed out.[Should i tell him that my placement officer asked me to reduce my resume from 3 pages to 2 pages]

I: So does that mean, you don't have any interests?

M: I certainly do. Trekking, Playing sports both Outdoor and Indoor, Compering, On-Stage performing etc.

I: Oh! Compering? Hmmm , I will give you a word and in the next 5 seconds, you'll have to speak about it for 30 seconds. And do keep in mind, you are supposed to speak something sensible.

M: Alright.

I: 'Real'

M: Ladies and Gentlemen, A very warm welcome to one and all present here, for a different evening. We are amidst real heroes who fought bravely in the face of crisis during the 26/11 terror attacks. 

A little more Blah Blah... and 30 seconds was over

I: 'Security'

M: Security is the most important aspect of today's environment. Be it internal security, external security, or security from an IT perspective. Country and companies are investing huge amounts of money on aspects of Security. 

Somewhere, guess I said something about cloud computing and he interrupted.

I:Good you know about cloud computing too?

M: [....I thought this was becoming a fun session.] Cloud computing is providing virtual computing resources on the internet by adopting a certain subscription model like pay per usage, or prepaid etc.

I: Is that cloud computing? Anyways, never mind.

M: [Shit, Did i just screw this interview?]

I: You mentioned trekking? Where all have you trekked? Are you a professional trekker?

M: Yes, I'm a pro. Have trekked to Sakleshpur, Kodachadri, and a few other spots in Karnataka. Have you heard of them?

I: I am a certified trekker from BMC. Have been to a lot many treks... 

M: [Was there a need to ask that]

I: So tell me, if you have to reach a destination within a stipulated time, What kind of trekking will you adopt? Like will you cover maximum distance at the beginning, or will you take adequate breaks in your stride.

M: Well it would depend, on the terrain and also the weather Sir.

I: Do you know the types of trekking?

M: Sir, Can i revise my answer to 'I am not a professional trekker, you can call me a hobby-based trekker'!

When I actually said that, that's exactly when I was sure that I had screwed the interview big time.

I: Good, we have clocked 50 mins and we are still going strong!

M: Sure Sir!!! [Oh yea.... My ears have turned black-er and are about to burn off.]

While the later details about the interview are irrelevant, the questions regarding trekking, actually reminded me it's been a while since I trekked and should hatch a plan to undertake one. And thus happened Tadiyandamol near Kakkabe, Coorg. Last friday we left Bangalore for Virajpet, to start our trek to the peak of Tadiyandamol on saturday morning.

In the quest of learning some technicalities, let me try to explain the route first and then the terrain. The route, is a mixture of Tar-road for close to 2.5 - 3 kms from the Kaikamba Bus stop till the Palace of Chikkaveeraraajendra. Basically walking on the ghat section roads.

A little further from the palace after walking for close to 1-2 kms, you'll find the trek track which leads you into the jungle. One could call this a jeep track again till a further distance until where the track is motorable. The terrain, is initially a mixture of steep and normal hilly roads, which I could term as easy, of course the perennial question that haunted us was that of 'how much luggage is judicious luggage on the backpacks'? The terrain seemed difficult due to the hot weather which might have gone upto 36 deg at the most. 60% in to the trek, u'll see quite a bit of jungles amidst valleys, on scaling which the peak seems around the corner.

Though our timing for the trek wasn't great in terms of the weather, the experience sure was worth it. After being fully soaked in our own sweat, we were almost at the top when we saw dark clouds engulfing the peak from both sides along with some breath taking views. 

What we also saw in the process was the formation of rain from the rain clouds which seemed to collide from opposite directions with the peak in the centre. The last climb to the peak was amidst rain drops that seemed like it had needles attached to them. As if each one of them had the mandate to treat us acupuncture therapy. 

Whilst all of us could have completed the ascent to the peak, only 4 of us seemed to find the reason to go the distance in the heavy rain. Although this hampered our photo-op, our minds sure got memories that wouldn't be forgotten in a hurry.

Do let me know as to how you liked the post.

One movie I can't get tired of - 2

Like you might have probably guessed I am on a movie diet these days. The movie that I wish to talk about this time is Zakhm, a 1998 classic directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The movie is based on the contentious issue of Hindu and Muslim harmony or must I say dis-harmony in those times.

Movies dealing with such issues, always have a happy ending with the side oppressed getting their dues at the end. The movie deals with story of a mother, who by societal pressures conceals her faith and religion. Her's is a story of selfless love towards her husband-to-be, who fearing for the society fails to marry out of his religion.  It is also a story of a single mother who brings her son up more as a confidant, than a son. It is pure power of story telling which makes the movie gripping and has moments that send shivers right down to the spine. 

While Pooja Bhatt plays the role of the mother, Ajay Devgan plays the role of the protagonist 'son'. Kunal Khemu essays the son's childhood role with remarkable aplomb. Of the few moments that stand out, I recollect some moments that are key to this movie. 

The sensitive scene in which Ajay's mother is offering her 'Namaaz' (prayer) before Ajay wakes up in the morning, is something that has to be seen to be explained. The sheer confusion Mahesh Bhatt succeeds in bringing out in the eyes of the young Kunal Khemu is commendable.

Another scene at the end of the movie, when Ajay wants to fulfill his mother's last wishes of a burial according to her religion about which she has revealed only to her elder son Ajay. He faces communal tensions over the last rites fueled by a Hindu politician with vested interests. For Ajay's dismay, even his brother Anand who has some political aspirations under the corrupt politician wants her last rites to be conducted as per the Hindu religion. The situation transpires further with the politician almost succeeding, but for a push that has Ajay carrying his dead mother in his arm, sends him tumbling towards the ground only to be supported by his younger brother Anand just in time. They come together as if signifying politics of hate becomes irrelevant when it concerns the matters of heart.

Do watch this movie, for the beautiful portrayal of all the characters by everyone involved and some sensitive moments fabulously cinematised.


Image source: Wikipedia

One movie I can't be tired of

Sunday afternoon couldn't have turned any better with DD playing Masoom, this is one movie I can't get tired of watching. While I have no intention of attempting to review this, I was thinking about one of my recent posts titled Books or movies and learnt that the movie Masoom is a screen adaptation of Erich Segal's Man, Woman and Child. I haven't read this book till now, but I have a feeling that I might not read it further too because I am very sure the screen magic can't be experienced on paper in black and white.

There are some thrilling emotions I experience every single time i see this movie. 

The song "Tumse Naaraz nahi Zindagi hairaan hu Mein" penned by the gifted Gulzaar and sung by Anup Ghoshal gives me goosebumps. The song is like a reflection of the plot its characters and the underlying emotion.

The scene when the impeccable Naseeruddin Shah playing the role of DK Malhotra, asks Master. Jugal Hansraj playing the role of his illegal son Rahul, "Kya aapke ke paapa Chashma Pehente hai"[Does your father wear spectacles]? looking at one of the paintings by Rahul and then immediately realizes he himself wears one. DK's expression depicts the complexity of the relation he shares with Rahul, he is the father of a son who doesn't know that who he calls him his uncle is indeed his father. Thats exactly when the second stanza of the song is played in the background making the scene beyond brilliance.

DK's wife Indu played by Shabana Azmi is a character of a woman who has a mother's heart, but her womanhood prevents her from being the foster-mother she can be or wants to be with the song's female version voiced by Lata Mageshkar This dilemma is so sensitively etched out by the Shekhar Kapoor, the director of the film and Gulzaar's music is like icing on the cake.

But the biggest cogs in the wheel is the casting of the kids played by the then Child artists Urmila Matondkar, Jugal Hansraj and Aaradhana. 26 yrs after being made, this movie still has the relevance today and How?

Kudos to the whole team of Masoom. Why don't they make movies like this anymore???

image Source: Harsamay.com

Happy Women's day

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes.

And she can ruin your faith with her casual lies.

And she only reveals what she wants you to see.

She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me.

Oooh, she takes care of herself.

She can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time.

Oooooh, and she never gives out, and she never gives in,

She just changes her mind.

But she'll bring out the best and the worst you can be.

Blame it all on yourself, cause she's always a woman tome.

Hmmmmmm Mmmmmm Hmmmmm Mmmmmm

Lines of a great song by Billy Joel, I wish to dedicate this to each and every woman on the International women's day. May god bless you all with everything you need to pursue whatever you aspire for.

This post is specially dedicated to all ladies whose paths have crossed with mine. The world would definitely have been a boring and a lonely place without You.

A very Happy Women's day!!!

Belur & Halebidu - A photographer's delight

Some pictures of my mini vacation to Belur, Halebidu on way back after visiting Dharmasthala and Kukke Subramanya.

One of the many beautiful pieces of intricate architectural brilliance displayed here.

Go here if you have a day or two to spare, as the divinity of this place can be experienced by not only seeing the kind of work gone in building these timeless monuments but also understanding the historical significance. 

Books or Movies

I am watching Kite Runner while this sudden thought struck me and made me write something while i'm still thinking. I know i'll not be doing justice to any of the three activities involved, viewing the movie, thinking about the thought and writing about it. But i have decided to be unjust for the time being. (ok, i agree it was a bad one!)

Coming back to the topic.. well, again not quite. A friend suddenly pings me and asks if i could do the needful. "Do the needful" Alright you ass, remember you are onsite, hence your request is considered. 

So, thinking about great books made into movies don't always turn out to be great ones like the books. Or for the sake of refining my sentence may I say, they don't have the same emotions we go through in the book.  I remember reading the kite runner in the first week of joining my second company. I couldn't close the pdf file for once until i finished it. Of course open were all other technology documents too. Wow I gushed, 'What a story' !!!

Before the movie began, i told my friend that HBO is playing this particular movie, and he said it's not great, he'd watched it already. But I don't feel so now, when Amir Jan becomes the kite runner for Sohrab, the last scene in the movie. Friend, I somehow like it.

I wonder what all those Harry potter readers might wish to say, consider scores of them have been made into movies. Looking at it now, it's got something to do with averages. Some ordinary books make for great movies while some great ones don't. Also impacting are some parameters like who makes the movie, how s/he does, who plays in it etc.

I guess I should close this post by continuing to wonder what kind of a movie will 'Shantaram' by Gregory David Roberts be made into.

Title-less

Every passing day brings with it absolute-nothings, or many times phenomenal-somethings. My mind tells me that the chances of ending up on either side of things depend majority of times upon luck. But for the other minority, it is the preparedness that matters. Fortune now favors not only the brave but also the prepared.

Until the time my rantings are over... So long !!!