Lower the gears

This post is especially addressed to the people of Mumbai, or any other "upbeat" part of the world. See, all of us are too caught up in our pursuit of appraisals, increments and what not. Life is moving at an unbelievable pace and that's probably a good thing, who knows! However, maybe it'd be a good idea to just take a break, breathe perhaps, relax for a second and then get back to gear 5 (or 10, or 15, doesn't matter really).

I myself have been so busy with college, Music, the balancing act; but in the midst of all this, last night I took the time out to indulge in some star gazing with Dad. That's when I realized how much in life we're missing out on because of our "busy work schedules". The little things and the little joys they bring with them are precious. Too precious to be compromised for a life that leaves you with nothing but stress.

Think about it. When was the last time you broke into an unplanned melody on a wide street at an odd hour? I'm really not blaming you if you can't recollect. It's the story of more than one person's life. Blame it on the concrete jungle! Let's figure it out together. For once, let the share market not bother you. Leave the office alone. Don't get it home with you. Forget about the sales. Forget about the deadlines. Forget about the worries. Take a break.

Take a break. Sing a song. Break into a jig. Let your inability to dance not matter. Ask that long time crush of yours out. Who cares what he/she will say? Make yourself a meal. Mix those spices up. Board a local train in the off peak hours (trust me, it feels NICE)! Kick start that long forgotten bike of yours and let the wind rush through your hair. Go to that park. Swing on those swings. Play the Karaoke. Sing loudly and out of tune. Dig your teeth into an ice cream. Let it melt. Ditch the heels. Dump the dress. Wear pyjamas and go for a walk. Bare feet on wet grass. Take a break.

I know this one guy who missed out on a lazy Sunday, a midnight meal, an unplanned date, a memorable movie, a walk by the beach, a long gaze at the sky, a spontaneous song... He was too busy hating everything around him. Please don't be that guy. Smile. Because the best things in life are indeed free :)

Delhi's Belly is on fire... Delhi Belly film review

2011 has been one of the better years for Bollywood in the recent past. There have been some treats for cinema lovers with half of the year to still come. But Delhi Belly, let's just say, takes things to a completely different level! With it, a new era in Bollywood officially begins!

To start with, when I first came across the trailer, I couldn't help but admire how appealing and cult like the Music was. About the film however, I assumed that it would be a random compilation of abuses and double meaning jokes just to get people's attention. Well, I am glad I was wrong, and HOW! The story line is more or less a comedy of errors, replete with contemporary references and extremely realistic settings that urban youth can completely relate to. Not much to talk about the story line per se. So there is this package that needs to be delivered, and a lot of mess occurs as 'passing the parcel' is going on between the stars and the ensemble cast. Anyway, we really needn't veer in that direction. Here's stuff that you need to know- the cinematography is par extraordinaire. While that's almost a given every time the perfectionist Khan is producing a film, but some shots in this one are really breathtaking (albeit gross sometimes, like when they focus on Kunal Roy Kapoo's not so picturesque rear). These brilliant shots are more or less evenly distributed throughout the film. That, coupled with other strong technical aspects, easily ensures critics' liking for the film.

As for the masses, if my judgement is anything to go by, they are totally going to love it with lavish doses of humor through and through. Sparing some remotely lame jokes, most of the humor here is intelligent, boind to captivate urban youth! The actors have all done a great job. Kunal Roy Kapoor's performance totally stands out and this is definitely Imran Khan's best so far (Not like he has a flattering body of work but if anyone was planning to write him off, they surely need to press Ctrl+Z). Poorna Jagannath is convincing as the educated and fun modern woman and Vir Das is his usual funny self. Vijay Raaz shows why he is loved so much as an actor as there is no one else who could have done that kind of justice to the negative role. Shehnaz, I'm afraid doesn't match up tp the rest of the cast's performance but a good show by her too. All of the ensemble cast members also wholly justify their casting.

Let's move on to what, according to me, was the strongest aspect of the film. Got to be honest, the superhit songs had a massive role to play in mounting the film's popularity prior to its release. In the film, however, songs (including the cult hit DK Bose and the hummable Switty) have been sparingly used, mostly in the background. That does nothing to prevent them from standing out. The background score too is a jackpot! Especially the score associated with Vijay Raaaz and his gang, an absolute beauty! If people are meant to get what they deserve, Ram Sampath is going to get so damn big in the coming years... he has been seamlessly respected within musical circles but it was high time he got his due with the masses. And Delhi Belly has done just that. Take a bow, sir!

At this point, I can recollect many scenes that I wish to talk about but some of that might spoil the fun for those who haven't yet seen the film. So my best advice as of now would be, watch the damn film as and when you find the time! It'll be the best 96 minutes ever! WARNING: Not for those who find abusive language offensive. Also, the film has a more Mumbai twang to it rather than Delhi in more ways than one, but who cares? Mumbai and Delhi are going to love the film alike, I am sure!

So go right ahead, watch the film... My verdict: It is the closest to becoming a cult hit amongst the recent crop of films. Irrespective of what the Box Office tells us in the weeks to come, this one will be remembered and talked about for a long, long time; and a huge reason for that is the censor board's unbelievable kindness! Yup, this is a big collection of never seen before stuff and can't be missed at any cost. so Bhaag bhaag and catch the first show that you can (if you haven't already)! I, for one, am surely gonna watch it one more time at least!

Rating: 4/5

The man I wish existed...

Haven't blogged about something in what seems like a long time, but some great Music that I've been listening to lately inspired me to come up with this one. So, I was listening to "Your Song" by Sir Elton John. All over youtube and the internet, in general, people seem to be so concerned about his sexuality, the fact that he's gay. I say, so what if he's gay? Even if he writes all those sweet songs for a man, that's the luckiest man alive! Cos you know what? I'd kill for a guy who would write such songs for me...

And if that guy existed, it wouldn't matter a rotten pig's tail as to how he looked cos he would have to be the most beautiful human being around to come up with something so pure, so serene. Beyond which, everything else ceases to matter. Close friends of mine would swear and tell you with unbelievable conviction that I am scared to fall in love, that I am commitment phobic and all that jazz. To be fair to them and their judgments, maybe that's true. But as per me, the larger truth is that the right guy is almost impossible to find.

As I said, it wouldn't matter how he looked or how he dressed. All that I talk about is a person, who is full of love. Not just for his lover, but for everything and everyone around. Someone who can see and appreciate the beauty that so comprehensively surrounds us, craving to be noticed. Someone who would agree and respect the presence of God in everything that ever existed. But clearly, as you would agree with me, such a person would be a rarity, to say the least.

Guys keep complaining that girls are unreasonably demanding. Maybe it's true. My version, however is that the demands crop up because the more soulful needs are left untouched. Give a girl the love she deserves, and she will give you back more. I am not saying that demanding girls don't exist. They do and will always be around, but got to be fair to the many who wouldn't stop thanking God if they found a guy who loved and respected them for who they were. Cos ultimately, every girl would want a guy who could bring a smile to her face, simply because of the love that he is full of.
The sweetest line ever from "Your Song" to conclude:
I hope you don't mind,
I hope you don't mind,
That I put down in words,
How wonderful life is,
While you're in the world :')

P.S.- Silly, who would mind that? <3

Short of laughs...

The face of Indian Television has undergone a significant change over the past few decades. We, the viewers, have been subjected to the "K" phase, the reality outbreak and the breaking news plague. Over the years, various domestic concepts as well as international formats got moulded into the Indian scenario. We have seen everything from the betis to the mothers to the mothers being exchanged :P However, despite so much experimentation, there is still that one void, especially in comparison to the American and other international telly zones. Where is the regular dose of rib cracking humor? You know, the kind of humor that you can call intelligent, witty, sarcastic... the kind where things are not funny simply because someone can't stop stammering or a fat dhoti clad businessman slips on a banana peel?!

When I think of quality humor on television, various shows come to my mind, only that most of them lead to the mental transcending of borders. Every episode of shows like F.R.I.E.N.D.S., Two and a Half Men, Yes Minister etc, ensures twenty awesomely funny minutes. I can't help but wonder how amazing it'd be if we had some kind of Indian parallel; because come on, it'd be so much funnier and easier to relate to if the cultural context was more oriental. Sure, a lot of the kind of humor we're talking about here would fall flat in a language like Hindi due to the oh so famous "lost in translation" syndrome. However, I'm sure the Indian context will open up a lot more possibilities of humor that suits our social conditioning (obvious, in-your-face done-to-death comedy excluded please!) I do remember some nice comic soaps like "Zabaan Smbhalke" being on air while I was a little kid but now, nothing really. By the way, Pankaj Kapoor is the ultimate :)

Anyhow, it's quite clear what I wish to convey. Although I am skeptical if wry kind of doses of wit would work with the masses in this part of the world, no harm being optimistic given that mentalities and sensibilities are slowly but surely changing (more often for the better, if I may add). So here's hoping that in the years to come, the Indian television arena would boast of some genuinely spine tickling, out of the (cliched humor) box quality comic shows. Let's hope we can have our own funny guys who can match the standards set by the super sarcastic Chandler or the uber awesome Barney a few years down the line. Cheers to the fulfillment of the void yet untreated.