Rang De Basanti

It was the talk of the town. The whole city was whispering about the new movie which had hit the silver screen. The reviews of this movie were everywhere on the internet. Anxiety got the better of me and decided to finally watch this movie in a theatre on a saturday night with my friends. For the first time ever, i returned back a happy man without disappointment. The movie had far exceeded my expectations and left me spellbound.

Never had i seen a movie which has a story rich of history and a message to tell, which i think, has been done in the best possible way. The movie is a mixture of humor, emotions, drama spiced up with wonderful music by A R Rehman, who never ceases to amaze with his musical talents. The cast for the movie comprises of some experienced stars and a few young actors who play a stellar performance. In short, the movie has tit-bits of everything which can be incorporated.

Rang De Basanti is not a patriotic film. It is infact a movie which underlies a relation between the past and the present. While the past showcases about a couple of freedom fighters lying their lives for the freedom of the country, the present is more on the life of youth filled with cynicsm about India's future and corruption evolving from the grassroots of Indian politics.

It all starts when a British citizen reads her grandfather's biography on Indian freedom fighters, and then decides to come to India to shoot a documentary regarding the same. She comes across group of college-mates filled with zeal and spirit. The college-mates are carefree in nature, without any slightest imagination about what their future holds for them. The youngsters are convinced that nobody can propel the country in the right direction. And it took an herculean task for her to convince them to star in the movie which portrays about martyrs who fought for Indian freedom.

But once they begin enacting the lives of the historical characters, comes the transformation about the outlook of the present and the role they can play to change it. The spirit without them arises and realise that until and unless one doesn't contribute to the welfare of the nation, nothing can ever progress. The death of their close friend ignites the anger within them and they throw up a mini revolution against the corrupt politicians whom they consider as the root cause for all the troubles sprouting in India. They take up the initiative by killing the minister responsible for the death of pilots, who lay down their lives for the safety and welfare of the nation. To bring about a mass uprising, they even end up laying their lives to spread the message across the youths in the country.

The music complements each and every part of the movie. The correlations between the past and the present have been done perfectly. To sum up in short, it is a highly entertaining, entralling and and enlightening movie. A must watch movie for all the citizens of India.

Infatuated Football Fanatic

I remember the day when I was asked way back when I was 10 years old “do you know which one is the most preferred and most followed game in the world?” I promptly said “yeah, of course. Cricket!!.” Came back a swift reply in the form of a huge grin. What else would you expect from someone who never had the opportunity to view any other game other than cricket till age of 12? Damn doordarshan (a TV channel in India) never used to air any other game other than cricket, which (without any slightest hesitation in saying) is the most boring game and the most over hyped game I have ever come across. Naah! I am not going to waste my time here talking about it. I would prefer maundering about the game I love the most, FOOTBALL!

The minute you step into the field, you feel the adrenaline rushing through you. The feeling of ecstasy when the ball is at your feet and under your control is just indescribable. The frolic you get when you try to tease the opponents to steal the ball is just awesome. Bewildering them with your dribbling skills and getting the ball past them is just something you would love to do over and over again. Football is such a fast paced game which makes it a fun game to play and watch.

The best part of it is that it makes you involved throughout the game. You feel a part of it, and you have the palpating sensation that you can make something happen. Have you ever seen the delight on the faces of someone who has scored a goal? No dude, its not cause he has scored for his club or country. Its an inner feeling which arouses out of you which makes you jump around with joy. Passion involved in the game is immense. Not only am I talking about the players involved, but also the spectators watching the game. That’s why it’s the most followed game in the world. World Cup is just a few months away. Bhoy! I cant wait, I just cant.

Every weekend, I manage to squeeze some time for this wonderful game with some of my friends. Lack of football fields in our locality is not gonna hinder us from playing. Winning or losing doesn’t matter me a bit. At the end of the day, it just leaves me satisfied and pleased that I have done something what I love doing most, PLAY FOOTBALL!

Book Mania

IF someone would have called me a ‘bookworm’ few weeks back, I probably would have laughed it out. I never used to get along well this books and novels. But with time, my hatred towards books slowly vaporized. Today, you can find me fishing around in landmark or Higginbotham’s searching for novels.

Can’t actually trace from when I did I develop this allergic reaction towards books. Probably it all started during my high school days, when I was like forced to huge voluminous books for my board exams. Before this, I used to visit the library regularly, and was a huge fan of Enid Blyton. Have read almost all her books including the ‘Famous Five’ and ‘Secret Seven’ series.

From then on, I just couldn’t stand novels. Usually used to find it very boring and used to make me feel sleepy. Between times, I did catch hold of a few, tried hard to improve my reading habit, but without any success.

Then one fine day, I paid a visit to the book shop. They had a huge collection ranging from classics to fiction, mystery to current affairs. After frantic exploring through the shop, I ended up buying a John Grisham novel ‘The Partner’. I found the book quite interesting. It revolved about a most wanted man who with his experience with law practices, somehow manages to get rid of all the charges which was imposed on him. With it arose my new passion for reading.

Since then, I have been quite regular to landmark and end up buying at least couple of books per month. Have a collection of books at home, which I am yet to read. ‘Catch 22’, ‘Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy’, ‘The Fountainhead’, Coupled with books by John Grisham and Michael Crichton.

The main cause for me sudden passion towards books would be the rigorous work I do in office. People tend to relax after a long days work. Reading novels gives a soothing feeling at the end of day. Am happy to develop this habit and make sure it never perishes.

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Trivia:
Some people love reading books. Likewise, some like writing blogs. What pleasure does one get by writing blogs? An answer which i myself have been searching for.

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR 2006

Caught in a Web!

Ever felt depressed beyond reprieve?! Ever felt disgusted that nothing is going your way? Have you had the feeling that the last hope left is fading slowly away from you?

The feelings just like when a fly gets trapped in the web of entanglement, and is hopelessly lost. It’s trapped in the middle flapping its wings trying desperately, but in vain to escape from the grasp of the sticky web. It has realized the terrible painstaking truth that in no time it would be engulfed by the jaws of terror, and be its meal. It looks down and senses the hollowness of the future which lies ahead.

Clinging on to the strands, the fly sees a whole vast universe it would have loved to explore. There are other flies and insects which are rambling about searching for fun. It observes how happy they are, who seem so content with their lives. They are hovering around the sweets scattered all along the floor. But are they even thinking of trying to save the poor soul from the jaws of death? Nope, they seem to be busy with the sweets and the sugar. The terrible truths dawns that it’s no longer needed by others. Perhaps it’s not so real to them after all?!!

The case of a trapped fly is no different from the hapless victim who is pouring out this depressing thoughts and feelings. He is stuck right in the middle facing nothing but an empty insensate world out there. He has realized that life is never going to turn out the way you want it to be. It’s already been formulated.

And if you're taking a walk through the garden of life
What do you think you'd expect you would see?
Just like a mirror reflecting the moves of your life
And in the river reflections of me

There are time when I feel I'm afraid for the world
There are times I'm ashamed of us all
When you're floating on all the emotion you feel
And reflecting the good and the bad

Will we ever know what the answer to life really is?
Can you really tell me what life is?
Maybe all the things that you know that are precious to you
Could be swept away by fate's own hand

- Harris (Blood Brothers, Iron Maiden)

Proud Mumbaiite! Proud Indian

I couldn't' stop making this comparison..

inches of rain in new orleans due to hurricane katrina... 18
inches of rain in mumbai (July 27th).... 37.1

population of new orleans... 484,674
population of mumbai.... 12,622,500

deaths in new orleans within 48 hours of katrina...100
deaths in mumbai within 48hours of rain.. 37.

number of people to be evacuated in new orleans... entire city..wohh
number of people evacuated in mumbai...10,000

Cases of shooting and violence in new orleans...Countless
Cases of shooting and violence in mumbai.. NONE

Time taken for US army to reach new orleans... 48hours
Time taken for Indian army and navy to reach mumbai...12hours

status 48hours later...new orleans is still waiting for relief, army and electricty
status 48hours later..mumbai is back on its feet and is business is as usual

USA...world's most developed nation
India...JUST A DEVELOPING NATION..

oopss...did i get the last fact wrong??? Or am I just being proud of being an INDIAN

p.s: received it thru mail. couldnt resist posting it.
a nice blog to revive my dry blogpage :)