Why ??

Shell shocked I was - when I first read the news on Wednesday morning at work. Since the past 3 days we have been watching the live news over the internet. It was like watching a movie or something - it was too mind numbing to see the terrorist kill the top Indian officials, hijack their cars. shoot at random and take the hotels under siege. It felt horrible to watch it live - it was spine chilling to see twenty something youth firing away at innocent people unflinchingly. I am just numb and speechless and hardly know what to say or feel.

My emotions range from sadness to depression to anger to hatred to pride. There is a nagging sense of loss. I think that we as a country are doing something really wrong. I don't know what - but this should not have happened. It was heart wrenching to see the saga go on and on for more than 60 hours now. I feel really sorry for the people who were a part of the gory attack that happened and all we can say is it will end soon!! Will it - really? Yes, Mumbai will be brought under control soon - but has this really ended? Again, India will adopt a holier than thou attitude and I don't know if that's what it should be doing. We cannot sit waiting for some divine intervention to happen and end this madness. I think it is high time that India takes matters in its own hands.

May all the terrorists who were behind this be killed and I wish they rot in hell. I don't think that I have ever felt so strongly about anything or anyone. But I really pray their end. Watching the Indian security forces fight relentlessly, tirelessly for such a long time fills me up with a sense of pride and also gratefulness. Hats off to all the police force, the army, NSGs, the fire fighters and all the security forces of India who put their lives in the line of fire and did such a great job in cleaning up the whole mess and finishing off the terrorists - also a tribute and salute to all the people who lost their lives in this gory mess. May their souls rest in peace! My condolences to the victims and their families who have been traumatized by this attack.

I don't want to get into what mistakes were made by India in the handling of this terror situation. And sitting here far away from the ground realities, its incredibly unfair to pass judgements. Even as I type these words rescue operations are still on at the Taj where the NSG and the Army is battling it out in Mumbai.

When I started to write this post, I intended it to be a long one - because I felt I had so much to say about the past three days - but somehow the words are eluding me - something of such big magnitude cannot be contained in a mere post. I just hope that justice will be brought!!

-Moi

P.S: Where is Mr. Raj Thakarey - does he realize that the commandos brought in from different parts of the country - they were North Indians and South Indians who are fighting it out for Mumbai - who are ready to lay down their lives so that people in Mumbai can feel safe. I am just tired - I am tired because I have been so angry and my mood has been so volatile for the past 3 days.

"Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where the gun begins!"

This and that!

A black Bond – what next??

Now that Barack Obama has been elected the first African American President of the United States, everybody is swept in the Obamania. Daniel Craig has said that if the world’s most powerful human being is black, it is now time to make history with movies – with a Black Bond. Wow - what next?? Not that I would mind – because I am sure black or white 007 will be eye candy for me J

I am glad that this Obama chapter has reached its end. I will get to watch and catch up on the prime time tv – that I have missed for the last 6 months! Because the Mister watched, heard, read, ate, drank only Obama for the last 6 months so much that even my MIL who's been here for 3 months knows what Obama's schedule for the day is. Understandably the Mister is very sad - he is experiencing withdrawal symptoms!! One more thing I am glad about is I don’t have to watch Keith Olbermann every night – ‘cos God knows I would have puked if he would take another potshot at John McCain – talk about unbiased news channels.

Another high for me this weekend – Hamilton won the Formula One this year – and is the world champion. Me says – he should have won last year but yay!!!

On the last note – Rest in Peace Michael Crichton. The great writer passed away yesterday. The dinosaur man gave us many great science fictions.

- Moi

Face of Hope...!!

At last it has happened – at last it is over. The arduously long 2 year campaign for the Presidential elections ended last night. And what an end! Barack Obama has become the face of hope for this country and the whole world. All the action happened very close to home and it was really awe-inspiring and humbling. And to a moment so historic, it couldn’t quite sink in that the images being beamed across the world came from so close to home. We were at real close quarters to where history happened last night.

Barack Obama has re-defined HOPE.

I watched his victory speech last night and actually had goosebumps listening to him talk...watching the wild cheering crowds, tears glistening in their eyes, nodding and believing what the man was saying. I really felt for a moment that I should have been there at Grant Park just to feel the spirit of the people.

And I could'nt help but wonder, can this ever happen in our country? Will there ever be a leader who can capture the imagination of the people, inspire people and actually make them believe that good things will come. Will there ever be a day when I’d actually want to attend a political rally to hear my leader speak in India. And will I really want to vote for a person for his own merits, not trying to figure out who is the lesser of the bunch of evils? Were Gandhi and Nehru like that, I wonder. Did they manage to galvanize a crowd into action? Will there be a day when a truly truly deserving candidate lead my country? Will the Change sweep over us, ever?

- Moi


Mood of the day: Happy and Hopeful

Song of the day: That's the way it is! - Celine Dion

1 Minute Movie!!

I love Hindi movies – but I think that the 80’s was the worst phase of Indian Cinema aka Bollywood, when movies were made which were mostly family dramas and had really crappy people in the name of actors like Mithun Chakaraborthy, Raj Kiran, Raj Babbar etc

After watching an endless amount of such movies mostly on Doordarshan I think this is a list of the salient points that most of the movies consisted. Most of the movies would contain at least 1 to all of these stereotypes. Read this for those who don’t have the time to see them all.

1. The elderly woman with the saree pallu draped around her head and a big red bindi denotes a chaste pati vrata naari , indulgent mother and wonderful cook who whips up 75 course meals with her smile and pallu intact and without a drop of perspiration. She has witnessed first hand the battle of Mahabharatha and the unfolding of the Ramayan. Preferred background score when she is around: The sweet sound of Bansuri or Flute! Visualise Nirupa Roy – she was the quintessential mom of Bollywood.

2. A frail old man in a kurta pyjama is almost always the father who works hard at the villain’s factory for a pittance. He is a sincere and dedicated worker who sticks to his job even though he has not been paid for the past 72 years! He suffers from a chronic cough that may be used to kill him off if the script demands. Preferred background scores for Pitaji: A mournful violin recital. Visualise A.K Hangal or Shriram Lagoo – they fit the role perfectly.

3. If their daughter is shown plain and with a cherubic character, then she is sure to get raped by the villain so that her brother, the hero has enough ammo to go after the villain. She will commit suicide after she vomits.

4. If the sister is shown wearing short mini skirts and revealing clothes then she is a bad bad girl and will surely fall under the charm of the villain’s sidey and get pregnant. Hearing this father will suffer a heart attack and die leaving the family destitute. The sister will turn a new leaf overnight and wear simple cotton sarees and begins going to the temple morning, evening and night. She will eventually marry the father of her child after the last scene when the Hero beats him up black and blue and is about to crush his head with a rock the size of Mt Abu. She will intervene just before the Hero crushes his head by imploring the Hero to spare the father of her unborn son or crush her too with the ten tonner of a rock. The father of the unborn child is immediately due to a chemical reaction, transformed into a good man who will promptly agree to marry her without a DNA test of the baby.

5. Then there is the hero of the movie, with perfectly black, oiled hair and big sideburns. Wears extremely tight pants and a shirt with the top two buttons open. He is a model son, a model student, a model brother, a model boyfriend – you get the drift. There will definitely be a rakhi scene with a bhai-behen ka pyar song. Visualise Raj Babbar, Mithun Chakraborthy etc

6. A woman in a saree with her eyebrows shaped in a sharp arc is the vixen of the piece. Her make up is harsh so that you don’t mistake her to be the loving mother. And to drive home the point that she is the villainess of the piece, the preferred background scores for her will wear out the cymbals and drums of the background orchestra. Visualise Bindu or Aruna Irani

7. The gal who arrives into the camera frame in slow motion, tossing her hair to some electric music is the Heroine. The Hero instantly falls in love with her. She instantly dislikes him. Then they sing a song picturized around ten International Gardens spanning seven countries. She falls in love with him after the song is over. Then they introduce themselves. Visualise Leena Chandravarkar or Anita Raj (if you know who she is J)

8. The man with the really bad sun glasses and cheap Cigar is the villain! He will sit on a papier-mâché throne in front of a bar with foreign scotch whiskey bottles filled with what looks like weak tea surrounded by a bevy of beauties called Mona, Monica, Ruby and Julie, not necessarily in that order. Visualise Ajit, Pran, Prem Chopra etc

9. The Villain will almost always kidnap the Heroine and keep her captive in a dilapidated fort or some ruined building with time bombs ticking. The fort has huge walls with "Raja loves Rani" and "Jesus saves!" kinda scribbling all over.

10. The hero comes to the rescue of the heroine and beats up the bad guys like no tomorrow. All the desi ghee and makhan ka khana that the mom fed him all these years helps him flex his muscles and fight away everybody.

11. The mother of all battles happen in the last scene when the dilapidated fort is made further bereft of huge rocks that the Hero takes to throw at the Villain and his hired men.

12. The Police arrive at the fag end of the movie without an FIR being filed. This is a miracle of sorts in India and happens only in Hindi movies. They will immediately spot and arrest the baddies from the milling crowd of people beating each other to pulp. Visualise Iftikhar in a jeep with 10 other police people in their Khakhi uniforms.

13. Hero and heroine are immediately beamed up to a marriage pandal where they smile coyly, bedecked, at the camera and the legend “THE END” with flowers in the background.

And the audiences feel genuinely happy it is over!

- Moi

What can you say..??

The Mister glowing over the ipod touch I gave him for his birthday – he is all smiles and checking out the gizmo with alacrity.


Moi: (Trying to get some attention from him) I am happy you liked the gift so much

The Mister (All misty eyed and sincere) : It’s my favorite toy after you!!

Well, what can you say to that ??

Happy Birthday to you Mister!!



Mood of the day: Happy – (its going to be 73 deg today)

Song of the day: Kabhi Kabhi aditi

- Moi

Happy Diwali!!

Its 32 degrees outside and freezing – its already winter – I AM IN DENIAL!!

Its just Tuesday morning and its 3 more days to the weekend – I AM IN DENIAL!!

I have already finished my day's quota of chocolate and its not even 9:00am yet - I AM IN DENIAL!!

Ekdum Happy Diwali to everybody!!

Mood of the day: Phased out
Song of the day: Tu hi tu satrangi re

- Moi

Food for thought!

When a saint and a wordly man met,

each looked at the other,

silent and mocking.

Both laughed at each other.

Each said the same thing:

What have you done to yourself?

- Bharat Thakur

Thinking on these lines - assuming that this is an either/or situation for each of us - I don't know which side of the fence I would be standing on in a few decades.

- Moi

Mood of the day: Busy

Song of the day: Chandni raatein ....

I sky-dived – jumped off a plane from 13,000ft – but I don’t think I will bungee-jump. Nah nah – don’t think I can!

Too scary me thinks!

- Moi

What is the difference between a snowman and a snow-woman?

Ans: SNOWBALLS!!

Muhahahahahaha!!

P.S: In my defense I have eaten too much chocolate today and the sugar got to me!!

Rant!....

Warning: This is a rant post – waited a long time to put this one out!

I am a Maharashtrian gal – and proud of it, brought up in Hyderabad – again proud of it.

I consider myself to be a Hyderabadi as I lived there my whole life before I came to Chicago. I speak fluent Marathi – ok not as great as any Puneri would speak – but I do speak Marathi at home with everybody. I am tired of answering a favorite question from people – Oh you are from Hyd? Do you speak Telegu at home then? (this question is invariably from a marathi speaking person; also notice the tel-e-gu – a maharashtrian can never pronounce it as telugu) In my head I start screaming No! NO! NO! – I speak in Marathi not Telugu – but in reality I politely reply saying that we converse in Marathi at home.

I have been brought up in a land where there were very few marathi families around and I did not have any marathi friends. So in school, I invariably spoke in English. Also, apart from home, I never spoke in Marathi to anybody else as there was no chance to do so. So anybody who was new or a stranger or not family the immediate impulse was to speak in Hindi or English. And this frame of mind has stuck with me. Even as of today I cannot speak in Marathi to a person whom I am meeting for the first time even though I know that person to be a Maharashtrian. I cannot speak in Marathi to people who I am not comfortable with. There are very few people outside of my family with who I converse in Marathi – and I want to tell the world – its not because I have an attitude problem – its not because I am a SNOB – its circumstantial. It’s because of the place I grew up in – it's not because I don’t like speaking in Marathi – I love the language. I have to be comfortable with a person to hit it off in Marathi. I know it does'nt sound too logical, and I agree I am a bit weird, but it takes all kinds to make this world, no?

So next time if a Marathi speaking person finds me replying back in English its because I don’t consider you dear enough or close enough to start speaking in Marathi with. It's not that I am not comfortable speaking Marathi - I am not comfortable speaking it with you!! So stop judging me!

There, I said it and now I am at peace with the world!! :)

-Moi

Mood of the Day: Peaceful
Song of the Day: Padosan teri murgi ko rakhna sambhal – (don’t even ask me which movie!)

10 Fav Literary Characters!

These are a few of my favorite literary characters – not necessarily in any order.

Howard Roark – He is the quintessential hero of the literary world for me. I am a huge Ayn Rand fan and her books have influenced me a great deal. Howard Roark, who is Rand's image of the perfect man, is portrayed as "as man should be", who lives for himself and his own creativity, indifferent to the opinions of others.

Albus Dumbledore – The greatest wizard of all times from the series Harry Potter. This half-moon spectacled wizard is my favorite character from the Harry Potter series and I was devastated when he was killed in the sixth book.

Atticus Finch – This righteous, idealist man influenced me a great deal in my teens when I read To Kill a Mocking Bird

Dominique Francon – When anyone thinks of The Fountainhead they only think of Roark but I think Dominique was an intriguing character and a perfect match for Howard Roark – I adore her character.

Frederick Troterville – “Fatty” from Enid Blyton’s Mystery series – he is the head of the five find outers and is one of my all time favorite Enid Blyton characters

Clarence Threepwood, 9th Earl of Emsworth, Viscount Bosham or Lord Emsworth – This P.G Wodehouse character of Blandings Castle is as adorable as can be. Longing for nothing more than to potter peacefully in the idyllic gardens of Blandings Castle, he frequently faces the unpleasant reality of his domineering sisters and familial duties.

Calvin – Calvin of “Calvin and Hobbes” – one of my favorite comic characters – it is not just a comic strip but I think that Calvin and Hobbes often get pretty philosophical and deep.

Dennis the Menace – I just adore him

Scarlett O’ Hara- She is one of the most richly developed female characters of the time in literature - Selfish, shrewd and vain, Scarlett gets her strong will from her Irish father. Her character is so beautifully etched in the book; she remains one of my favorite literary characters

Sherlock Holmes – I am sure he will make everybody’s list of favorite literary characters. He is someone I grew up reading and remains one of my favorite detectives.

-Moi

Food Coma....!

Have you ever felt that you have eaten so much that your brain has stopped reacting?

Well, it happens all the time with me and I call it Food Coma!! I am in Food Coma right now – just gorged on Chinese food for lunch and am back at my desk pretending to work – and its not working – the pretension I mean!!

-Moi

Song of the day: Alvida - Life in Metro

Mood of the day: Brain freeze

Summer of '08!!

I have had a bad case of blogstipation – writer’s block – lack of inspiration, ideas and time are some of the reasons or rather the excuses for it.

Change is inevitable – I tell to myself. I am not a person averse to change, rather I am a person who does embrace change and looks forward to it. But there are a few apprehensions and doubts that I am sure everybody has to deal with. Especially the kind of career path I have chosen, where I change my workplace faster than the season changes in Chicago, I have to always be ready to jump into new environments and start liking it. Still there is always an uncertainty when I start a new project, will I like the new place as much as the old one? Will I be able to meet more interesting people as I always did before? More often than not I do.

Well, I am in an introspective state of mind, and am trying to condition myself for the change that will happen soon. Anyways, a lot has been happening this summer. This summer was by far my busiest summer in Chicago – what with mom and dad visiting the US of A, and my mil visiting too. So I am glad to say that this summer was spent with my favorite people on this planet – and yes, ‘am loving it!

So many new places visited, some old places re-visited and I thoroughly enjoyed all of it. Experienced a few new things and did a few things that I always loved doing. The Mister took me skydiving for my birthday as a surprise gift. I wanted to do this since a long time – and it’s an experience that cannot be shared or told – you have to do it to feel it. Jumping off a plane from 13,000ft is a mind numbing, exhilarating, adrenaline pumping experience of a lifetime. It leaves you so happy that I told about it to every person that I spoke to for a whole week after I did it. Thinking about it 2 months after I did it – still gets my heart to beat faster.

We took a road trip around the Lake Michigan and drove around 4 states – that was by far the best road trip I have ever taken. It was an amazing weekend. Also went to Seattle to see my sis and bil and stayed with my whole family (except the Mister) and it was one of my memorable trips – Seattle is a great place to visit – really liked it – more about Seattle in a later post.

Re-visited Chicago with family - took them around the place and acted tourist here and fell in love with Chicago all over again. I just can’t get enough of the fireworks this summer – it has been great.

This long weekend we are taking mil to Niagara Falls and DC. So more new places and new experiences. I am really looking forward to the trip – and I just don’t want the summer to end. I am hoping that I will return from the trip with renewed zing and more positive energy. As you can say from the rambling in this post, my mind is in a state of mish-mash – with so much happening all around me. Well, I am looking forward to more and new. Here’s to the summer of ’08!!

Mood of the Day: Thoughtful

Song of the Day: Tujhse naraaz nahi zindagi - Masoom

Calvin and Hobbes for the day:

Ik Onkar: Way to the other world

I was listening to the “Ik Onkar” song from Rang De Basanti today after a long time and researched a little on the meaning of the Punjabi verse.

The entire Sikh religion centres on this Mool Mantar. The Mool Mantar was uttered by the first Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who was born in 1469 AD, in Talwandi, India. The Mool Mantar is also the first text in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs.

Ik Onkar
Sat Naam
Karta Purakh
Nirbhau Nirvair
Akal Murat
Ajuni Saibham
Gurprasad

There is only one God
Truth is his name
He is the creator
He is without fear
He is without hate
He is timeless and without form
He is beyond death, the enlightned one
He can be known by the Guru’s grace.

Subsequent words in the prologue further expand this concept.

Japu
Aad Sach
Jugad Sach
Hai Bhi Sach
Nanak Hosi Bhi Sach

True before creation
True through all ages
True also today
says Nanak,
True He shall eternally be.

This Japu (sloka) further reaffirms the Supremacy of God. Briefly the Japu reiterates the prologue by simply stating that GOD IS.
It is a very simple yet dynamic statement. The dynamics of this Japu is revealed when one realizes that “Truth” is always used as a singular, never a plural. Guru Nanak, in a very simple yet scientific way affirms that only ‘that’ what is constant can be “Truth”. No wonder then, in all known knowledge through various schools of psychology, sciences and philosophy, only God is that permanent and constant entity, hence the only Truth.

Soche Soch Na Hovai Je Sochi Lakh Var
Chupe Chup Na Hovai Je Lai Raha Liv Tar
Bhukhia Bhukh Na Utari Je Banna Puria Bhar
Sahas Sianpa Lakh Hohi Ta Ik Na Chale Nal
Kiv Sachiara Hoiai Kiv Kurai Tute Pal
Hukam Razai Chalna Nanak Likhiya Nal

Thinking does not reach belief, if one thinks a million times
Prolonged silence and meditation does not quieten the mind
Hunger (Greed) cannot be satisfied even with loads of food (wealth)
At the time of death intellectual smartness also stays behind
How can then we realize the Truth and destroy falsehood
Says Nanak live with His Divine Will.

Guru Nanak lays emphasis on living a life based on Truth. Guru Nanak’s Hukam Razai Chalna is placed in the Japuji Sahib as the First Commandment. This commandment implies total surrender of oneself to the Supreme.

Let this verse play on continuous mode when you are alone, just with yourself and put an end to your thoughts and the rest will be taken care of by it.

Mood of the day: Agitated

Calvin and Hobbes moment of the day:

Jodha-Akbar

I watched the movie like 2 weeks ago and I know I am late in writing a review-but life was just too busy these last couple of weeks. So here goes-

I was waiting to watch this Gowariker movie since I heard about it first. I really liked the last two movies of Gowariker and wanted to check out whether he was really a good film-maker or just a flash in the pan. Hrithik Roshan being in the movie was a huge plus – needless to say am a big Hrithik fan. The movie released, the reviews were encouraging. But the duration of the movie was a daunting 3hrs 40mins, I was very dubious and I thought that Hrithik does not have the flair in him to carry off a strong historical figure like Akbar. I went to watch the movie with zero expectations, I was sure I would fall asleep half through the movie.

Well, I am glad to say that I enjoyed the movie every bit. The 3hrs 40mins did not seem too long at all and all the praise should go to Ashutosh Gowariker as a film maker. Also, I loved Hrithik Roshan in the movie. He delivered. He was brilliant as Akbar and gave a stellar performance. He looked like a Greek God. The cinematography was laudable; the sets were rich, extravagant and extremely beautiful. The battle scenes as well as the most tender of the scenes are shot with equal aplomb and detail. The battle scenes though lifted from “Troy” were magnificent. Aishwarya Rai was surprisingly good as Jodha. She looked beautiful as a Rajput princess – and managed to give a decent enough performance.

Rehman’s music and background score as usual are impeccable. Though music is not the main focus of the movie, the background score was an integral part. Only 5 songs – but all the songs were important. Azeem-o-shah was picturised very well. In lamhon ke daaman – has become my favorite now.

The real star of the movie was undoubtedly Gowariker. His sincerity and hard work shows in the movie. It is by no measure a flawless movie, but definitely a laudable effort to capture the magnificence of the Mughal empire. The sets were huge, the jewelry opulent – but never does the focus shift from the intent of the movie. It is not a historical movie – it’s a love story set in the Mughal era. I think it’s all the more hard to depict – because it’s a story between historical characters that was never documented, maybe never even existed. The love story between them is built very delicately. The scenes between them, how their love blossoms, and how they start respecting each other – I found it really cute without being over the top and cheesy! The way it was shown was very fresh, delicate and nuanced and definitely makes you smile. It’s a totally feel-good movie.

All in all, I enjoyed the movie and Gowariker seems to be a very down-to-earth, sincere film maker. I have new found respect for Hrithik Roshan who has the range to play a super hero, a retarted adult, and also Akbar with the same conviction. Kudos!!

-Moi

My heart is pink... !!

I took an online test and here are the results!

Your Heart Is Pink

In relationships, you like to play innocent - even though you aren't. Each time you fall in love, it's like falling for the first time. Your flirting style: Coy Your lucky first date: Picnic in the park Your dream lover: Is both caring and dominant What you bring to relationships: Romance

What Color Heart Do You Have?

I think the results fit me perfectly - especially the last part - what I bring to my relationship - ROMANCE! I hope the right people are reading this post!



-Moi

A-Z of Me!!

Yes, yes I am bored – and yes I am vain and love to talk about myself – so here goes:

A – Articulate, adventurous, adorable

B – Bibliophile; I love books and reading

C – Crazy, cute, curious

D – Dynamic, darling, daring

E – Emotional – though I don’t show it

F – Foodie– I just love food – I will try anything at least once

G – Gutsy; am pretty bold they say!

H – Honest, humble, hard working

I – Independent – fiercely!

J – Umm…Judgmental – just a little though

K – Knowledgeable – I hope!

L – Lucky, lovable, leader

M – Married; yeah and surprisingly it’s been a year already!

N – Naughty, nutty, naive

O – Open minded, obnoxious (at times),

P – Positive, practical, plump, perky

Q – Queen-like J

R – Romantic, rebellious,

S – Shorter than what I would like to be

T – Talkative; I have been blessed with the gift of gab

U – Umm…. Can’t think of anything – does the ‘umm…’ count?

V – Vaidehi, vivacious, verbal

W – Witty

X – Xuberant; I know that’s not how it is spelt, but tell me one adjective that starts with ‘X’

Y – Youthful

Z – zzzzzzz – yes I love sleeping!

-Moi

Saawariya/OSO

Saturday was a movie marathon for me. Watched the matinee show of Saawariya and the evening show of OSO.

Saawariya: Sanjay Leela Bhansali has given a major disaster of a movie. The movie is set in an imaginary town which can be found nowhere on the map, where the whole town is painted blue, the houses and buildings stand by wide canals where gondolas go rowing by, there are fresh water potholes in the shape of jigsaw puzzle. The story of the movie was based on the short story “White Nights”. The story was decent – the execution was terrible. The sets, the grandeur, the opulence overpowered everything and everybody in the movie. If SLB had given half the attention to the characters that he gave to the sets, he could have salvaged the movie. Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor give terrible performances – it is all the directors fault. Sonam Kapoor is tall, dark and handsome; Ranbir Kapoor is fair, dimpled and has a good body – no I did not mix up the hero and the heroine – that’s how they actually are. Everybody has given over the top performances – Sonam Kapoor comes across as delusional – it almost seems as if she making up the character of Imaan and he does not really exist– now that would have actually made an interesting plotline. Ranbir Kapoor imitates Raj Kapoor, and he has been given the tramp look – and he hams terribly. Salman Khan looks scary in the movie – he might have mistaken it to be a horror movie – what with all the blue sets set in the dark – and the heroine wearing long dark robes. The sutradhaar of the movie – Gulabji (Rani Mukherji) – was the only character that the audience could relate with – she did a good job – but her costumes and make up were extremely irritating. If the director is such an aesthetic genius, somebody please explain how can Rani Mukherji and the rest of her clan dancing in colorful chiffon sarees (that are seen on display windows of stores in balanagar), baring their navels look aesthetic. All in all the movie is terrible, the characters never make sense and fail to connect with the audience – SLB attempted to make a fantasy movie – and failed miserably. If SLB called his last movie “Black” he could have definitely called this one “Blue”. In Gulabji’s words – I don’t likes!!

OSO: After watching Saawariya – believe me you will like any movie. I think Saawariya is going to boost OSO’s collections and Farah Khan must be thanking her stars that the movies released on the same date. The movie, as much advertised, is a reincarnation drama along with being a spoof on the 70’s bollywood cinema. The movie is an out and out entertainer. Farah Khan has come a long way since Main Hoon Na – this was a far better movie than Main Hoon Na! The movie does not follow any logic, the director does not display any intellectualism and the story does not hold too many surprises – it is a typical bollywood masala movie, which does not pretend to be otherwise. SRK is lovable in the first half, in the second half he overacts a tad, but is bearable. The first half is set in the 70’s and the scenes related to the-then movies are hilarious. Deepika Padukone looks stunningly beautiful and has good screen presence. Its been a long time since I liked a heroine so much in a movie – she is treat to the eyes. The songs are great and picturized very well. The second half of the movie is ultra-glamorous what with half of the Bollywood stars making an appearance – it is a treat to watch. The movie is not long and boring – it has a few good laughs, good songs, and beautiful faces – a definite entertainer time pass!!

-Moi

Grrrr..........!!

You hardly let me get out of the house.

You never let me wear short skirts and sleeveless tops.

You abuse me till my lips bleed and my skin peels.

You make me want to run far away to my parents.

You make me shiver and huddle up at the thought of you.

I have had enough of you already.

Now I have decided to stand up and fight your brutal ways.

O Chicago Winter! I am going to overcome you this time around!

-Moi