My Tantrumic Life

Millionaire Saga

2009-03-15T11:54:00.003+05:30

You either love it or hate it. That’s the verdict for Slumdog Millionaire. There are no in-betweeners. The fans of the film vouch it’s a brilliant piece, but those who dislike it, claim it’s nothing but a western perception of India.
I, consider myself in the minority. I stand in the in-betweeners slot. It’s not because it's a safe place to be in, but because I don’t think the film deserved the ‘best film’ at the Oscars but it did deserve all its other awards. I wouldn’t call it a brilliant film because it's got its flaws, but I am impressed with sleek narrative.
In my defence, for all those who picked up arms against Danny Boyle for picturing India in its true elements have only one major grouch… that it took an outsider to tell our story. Not once did the Bollywood fraternity warm up to these slum kids, forget tell their story. But here was a white man, who walked in and picked a heartrending story of a small boy and his struggles. The crux of the film is not about poverty, it’s about hope. But we, Indians, suffer from a prosecution complex. We believe the entire world is out to get us. But we've no qualms about aping the West - its style, lifestyle, food and fashion. We draw a line, or claim to be extremely sensitive when the West looks into the lives of the poor as well. We’d rather sweep the poor under the carpet than have the world watch their story. Slumdog Millionaire tells a story about real kids, who we bump into on a daily basis, but who we don’t want to associate with. This is not the real India, some argue. Then what is?
Are Bollywood films an indication of our true Indian culture? For the bigwigs like Big B and Aamir Khan isn’t this a clear indication of the ‘sour-grape’ syndrome? For had their film won an Oscar they would have wanted the media to write stories of glory.
Have any of these Bollywood filmmakers ever told a story about poverty? Realism, my friend, stares at you every time you land in Mumbai. Either side of the road is cramped with huts, some even eating into the public road. Have these actors turned a blind eye? Or do they believe that these poor souls don’t have a right to find themselves into the lives of the West.
This film is not a star-studded affair, as is the case in all Bollywood flicks. And that's exactly what worked in Slumdog’s favour. The children made the film. Unknown, innocent faces came forward to tell a story. Children of the slums, who never dared to dream, walked the red carpet with Hollywood glitterati for the Oscars. We, as Indians, should actually be ashamed that it took a white man to tell the real stories about these kids.
Wake up Bollywood! You need more than sleeky costumes, six-packs, lavish sets, and made-up actors to tell a real story. And unlike in the fairytale land of Bollywood, no one breaks into a song and dance sequence at the drop of a hat. So next time your argument borders on realism. I’d like them to take a look at Indian cinema and point out which film actually portrays our true essence. It’s not the jhatkas and matkas, not the item numbers and choli acts, not revenge and baddies, not love or the lack of it, it’s something much more meaningful, a journey of fun, laughter and hope. And until they learn this lesson, they'll continue to hold ill-will against anyone who dares to tell real stories about the real people.

Tied Down

2006-12-02T01:51:00.002+05:30

We'd be blind to believe that gender inequality ain't prevalent in one of the world's largest democracies - India. In a subtle, yet harsh way, women continue to be silenced. Women might not have to wear a veil and bow down, yet in every word, every inch of their lives, they are reminded to lie low and not threaten the men folk.

We often associate gender inequality with countries like Afghanistan or Pakistan, where women are asked to follow a certain decorum to please the society. However, even in a country like ours, which boastes of secularism, one is baffled to watch how a hidden agenda crushes women, even before she can stand up to voice her feelings.

I fail to comprehend why men are perpetually paranoid that women might take a step ahead of him. One would hope that such male chauvinistic ideas were buried in history. However, its skeletons continue to haunt us, drilling home the fact that we are still tied down despite achieving independence.

You'd think that gender discrimination maybe more prevelant in the villages, where lack of education may forced many to face the whip without letting out a cry, possibly, because they are unaware about their rights. However, it is shocking to witness similar cases in urban India as well, where educated or not, women still feel comfortable to hide behind their veils.

The last few weeks opened two cases, where the women preferred to remain mum, only to cover the evil of a man's doing.

Bharati Yadav is a brave woman no doubt, yet she was forced to succumb to the pressures of her family... to project a truth that wasn't. For aeons, she hid from reality and remained bottled up in the UK. However, when law finally got hold of her, she appeared in court, only to lie. Despite knowing good from bad, she played along not wanting to bring justice to her "friend" Nitish Katara, who was murderer by her own brother. And Katara's only sin was that he loved Bharati.

She might have had her reasons to play along, maybe she'd seen how the system could be manipulated. And maybe she feared the same fate if she'd chosen to fight her own family. Whatever the reasons, her haunting silence cost Katara's mother, her only hope for justice.

Another cursed victim in this fight for justice is Mrs Rahul Mahajan. Despite revealing her bruises from a "broken" marriage for a specific media houses, she was unable to speak up when the media came rushing to her doorstep for a glimpse of the truth.

Understandable that her in-laws are high-profile, but that doesn't give her the levy to lie. She is no different from a woman in the village, who silently faces her husband's beatings without voicing her unhappiness.

At a time, when the law has extended its hands with the Domestic Violence Act. Why are "high-profile" woman like her afraid to seek help? Does law and education not determine a woman's diginity and freedom?

Both Bharati and Shweta are brave, no doubt. They have tried hard to make the world believe a lie. They might believe that their actions saved the sanctity of their families. But no matter how many times they repeat a lie, it doesn't become the truth. And no society can survive on such blatant lies.

It's highly frustrating when educated women shy away from taking responsibilites for their actions and are scared to fight the system. If we all take the backseat and not fight for what is truly ours, then this world would never progress, and we would continue to live in shackles.

Must be the Money!

2006-11-06T18:42:00.001+05:30

I cringe watching ex-cricket captain, Saurav Ganguly, wording reasons why we should support the Indian cricketing wonders. An advertisement that would have definitely raked in some "good" moolah for the sinking star, but has most definitely left him with little or no fans.

At a time, when he is yet to bat his way back to the Indian team, this ad clearly proves his downfall. His insipid, scripted, melodramatic lines in the ad reeks of greed and no goodwill. It only reiterates that money can buy anyone. If he was a self-respecting man, he would not have sold his "ill-timings" for a soft-drink!

It's another thing that even Saurav's prayers didn't work wonders for the Indian team at the ICC championships. In fact, the men in blue know that win or lose, they still have the fizzy drinks to fall back on.

Wonder if "dada" too will give his diminishing career a little more respect and restrain from selling himself again.

Politics of Patriotism

2006-09-07T19:00:00.001+05:30

Ironically, the centenary celebrations of Vande Mataram, the national song that once united our country in our quest for freedom, has been scarred with controversies, creating a religiously divided India.

It looks like the national song has been reduced to a mere political trump card for the next electoral mandate. It's highly deplorable how netahs leave no stone unturned to gain political mileage. Even manipulate our patriotic sentiments.

Contrary to Islamic arguments that our national song hurts their Islamic ideology, the national song is about love for our motherland. The song (read English translation below) is written with no hidden agenda. Here, "Durga" could also mean a metaphor for the almighty and not a "Hindu" god.

Vande Mataram had faced flak from its adaptation as the national song for the same reasons. In fact, our forefathers had worked out a solution then, by adapting only the first two stanzas. However, even that hasn't solved the problem.

Today, it's about political malice and not freedom.

Interestingly, the television media unearthed this political gimmickery by showcasing BJP leaders, who have been stressing the need to make Vande Mataram mandatory, unable to sing along. With mumbbled words, their buffoonery put things in perspective. Forget explaining the meaning of the controversial lines, some didn't even recall the lines!

On another level, it's hurtful that in a secular country like ours, only Muslims seem to be targeted or offended by the song. Does it imply that Christians, Sikhs and other religious communities don't have any sentiments at all or rather don't mind singing praises of another God? Don't get me wrong, I am not propagating a mass religious battle, but only speculating why "religious battles" involve only Hindus and Muslims, and not any other communities. This, my friend is the politics of religion.

Have we become so comfortably dumb, that we are persuaded to believe that Vande Mataram was chosen as our national song, only to create a rift later on? Are we so self-absorbed that we don't question what political parties preach in the name of religion?

Amid all these controversies, I'd like to pause and rewind to my school days, when we dressed in crisp uniforms and sang Vande Mataram in all earnest. We may have been out of tune, but never out of sync with our patriotic pulse. We never questioned its religious connotations. We innocently sang the song, which instilled in us a sense of pride, a sense of unity. We rejoiced the spirit of independence.

I request my Muslim brothers and sisters to kindly refrain from taking sides in this obvious fight for power and respect our forefathers and their sacrifice for freedom.

(Translation by Shree Aurobindo)
Mother, I bow to thee! Rich with thy hurrying streams, bright with orchard gleams, Cool with thy winds of delight, Dark fields waving Mother of might, Mother free.

Glory of moonlight dreams, Over thy branches and lordly streams, Clad in thy blossoming trees, Mother, giver of ease Laughing low and sweet! Mother I kiss thy feet, Speaker sweet and low! Mother, to thee I bow.

Who hath said thou art weak in thy lands When the sword flesh out in the seventy million hands And seventy million voices roar Thy dreadful name from shore to shore? With many strengths who art mighty and stored, To thee I call Mother and Lord! Though who savest, arise and save!

To her I cry who ever her foeman drove Back from plain and Sea And shook herself free.
Thou art wisdom, thou art law, Thou art heart, our soul, our breath Though art love divine, the awe In our hearts that conquers death. Thine the strength that nervs the arm, Thine the beauty, thine the charm. Every image made divine In our temples is but thine.

Thou art Durga, Lady and Queen, With her hands that strike and her swords of sheen, Thou art Lakshmi lotus-throned, And the Muse a hundred-toned, Pure and perfect without peer, Mother lend thine ear, Rich with thy hurrying streams, Bright with thy orchard gleems, Dark of hue O candid-fair

In thy soul, with jewelled hair And thy glorious smile divine, Lovilest of all earthly lands, Showering wealth from well-stored hands! Mother, mother mine! Mother sweet, I bow to thee, Mother great and free!

Say NO to KANK

2006-08-30T18:57:00.002+05:30

When a "reputed" filmmaker takes a shot at extra-marital relationships, you'd wish it was treated with high doses of realism and sensitivity. Alas, this is Bollywood, so kindly avoid expecting miracles. Out here, there are no real stories. There are only teary-eyed Cinderalas who aren't happy with their lovely dresses and kind-hearted prince charmings, and would much rather give it all up for grumpy, tantrumic footballers.

KANK, listed as the "most controversial film" (for whatever reasons), is a convoluted take at "bad" marriages, leaving me with nothing but a bad after-taste.

Even though KANK didn't evoke any expectations, I was willing to endure the long, tiresome ride (with my partner-in-crime, who applauded me for my patience) just to check out Karan-who-can't-direct-Johar's take on bumpy marriages.

KANK (like most Karan Johar films) is filled with truck loads of beautifully-dressed firangs prancing around in lavish sets. But what it lacks is proper character sketches and a strong storyline. One wonders why two individuals stray out of a perfectly normal relationship, which has tonnes of peace, harmony and affection... but minues the over-rated Bollywood concept of "love".

We enter the lives of -- Dev Saran (Shah Rukh Khan as a footballer who gives up his career following an accident) & Rhea (Preity as his obedient yet successful wife); Rishi (Abhishek Bachchan in a rich man's suit) & his wife Maya (Rani as a cleanliness freak-cum-schoolteacher). They each lead very happy lives until Maya is seemingly cajoled into marrying her childhood buddy Rishi after a strange meeting with Dev. Why the bride was sitting in a park is anyone's guess!

The problem unfolds further when Dev meets with an accident following that meeting and is left with a limping football career. This leaves Dev grumpy, irritable and volatile all through. He barks at all-and-sundry, even traumatises his son and accuses his wife of a career more flourishing than his. Wonder if he would have rather starved than wear rich clothes and live in a palatial house and give his son a good life. Dev is self-obsessed and deserves a good thrashing and why anyone in their right senses would fall in love with him is psychotic. However, it's surprising that he doesn't use his wife's resources to undergo a surgery to correct his limp and re-start playing the ball. It seems, he prefers to sulk and irritate the rest of the world.

Meet Maya, another self-absorbed person. She has what most women dream of -- a loving and caring husband, a beautiful house and a seemingly good career. Yet she prefers to howl her way through the film.

Understood that domestic violence needn't be the only reason for people to look outside their marriages, but Karan forgot to provide any real reason here. Dev and Maya's vacuums are their own selfish creations and aren't reason enough to break something as concrete as a marriage. In fact, such self-centred people shouldn't get married in the first place and definitely not attempt it a second time! What Dev finds in the I'll-cry-at-the-drop-of-a-hat Maya and what she finds in the highly-irritable Dev is anyone's guess. It would have been more believable had Rishi and Rhea strayed from their marriages. In fact, they deserve an applause for sticking by their cranky spouses.

It's interesting that Rishi's super-flirtatious dad (Mr Bachchan) is heartbroken to find out about his daughter-in-law's affair even though he has no qualms about sleeping with numerous women, even bring them over to his son's place for a quicke. Is Karan implying that fathers needn't adhere to any moralistic standards? And why should such a fickle-hearted fellow take offence to his bahu's affair?

Looking at performances, Abhishek Bachchan is a rock star. He waltzes through the film with perfection. As for "Pa" Bachchan, he oscillates between the 'over-board' and 'bearable' button. It's a pity to see a talented actress like Kiron Kher being wasted in the film. Preity looks old, unkempt and lacks conviction. Rani should have gone easy on the glycerin. In fact, she's a well-kept puppy, with no ruffled hair, eye-make-up and tear in place. Would have wanted to see more of SRK's screen son , a very likable boy!

The sore point in the film is none other than the King Khan himself. He shrieks, grumbles, whines, makes silly faces and limps through the entire film. It's understandable that life played spoilt-sport with him, but it could have been portrayed in a more subtle way. An angry man need not have to screech all the time, Mr Johar!

In all, KANK is about today's selfish people, their lack of compassion or understanding of each other, their exaggerated concept of happiness and love, and their inability to make an effort to make anything, forget a marriage, work.

The moral, therefore, is - Karan Johar should quit attempting to make "real" cinema and instead drink a lot of coffee!

The Mother Tongue syndrome

2006-08-11T18:34:00.001+05:30

Whether we are in the US, UK, Africa or in our own land... breaking into our native/mother tongue is like an obsession of sorts for Indians. No matter where we are, somehow our sense of solidarity lies in mouthing words in our native language. And even though the language could be alien for many Indians (considering there is a vast ocean of dialects in our land) or others who collect around us, we have no qualms about ignoring our etiquette.

Does it not occur to us that this is extremely rude? The scenario is not uncommon across the globe, but in our country etiquette hits rock bottom. When we find ourselves in an eclectic group, our regional bonds spring up. Irrespective of whether one's Bengali, Tamil, Kannadiga, Punjabi, Marathi, Malayalee or any other, sub-groups are quick to form and obscure-coded-conversations flow. It's funny how this regional solidarity breaks up mostly in front of other communities. Leave them alone and they will speak in English. Making it look like a premeditated effort to prove that it's tough to crack their so-called 'regionalistic' bond.

This regional circus begins with a simple: "Are you a Malayalee (replace region according to situation/people)?" And once the answer is in the affirmative, out comes bizzare-sounding words at a high decibel level (denoting exaggerated happiness!).

I am subjected to this regional jingoism day-in and day-out. Though I have voiced protests by blurting out rude remarks, kicking my table, someone else's table, and even firing killer stares at my co-workers, the language circus continues. There's never a sense of apology only a sense of who-the-hell-are-you-to-tell-us-what-to-do. Followed by excuses -- it's our mother tongue, our culture, so on and so forth.

Well, I wish I could lock these clowns in a box full of "their" own. But considering that's a highly unlikely option. I can only wish for a life minus those weird-sounding, meaningless words and maybe invest in ear plugs!

And here's a word for the annoying bunch -- Speak in a language everyone understands or else, keep your mouth shut. And if you can't control your 'regionalistic' emotions, move to a secluded corner and leave us poor souls out of this mayhem!

I've got an Oscar too!

2006-08-06T17:25:00.001+05:30

Last week, I was awarded (more like gifted) an "Oscar" by my partner-in-crime for what I believe is, an acknowledgment for my stupendous performance as the most perfect, loving partner!!

Meet Oscar, a blueish-reddish-blackish, fishy addition to my little home.

So goodbye to boring days, welcome to Oscar entertaintment - his colourful fins and excellent moves could put even Michael Jackson to shame.

Oscar prefers to rule his little bowl. And, this way I get to have him all to myself, no more fighting for his attention! From his fridge-top base, he keeps a close watch on me.

And whenever I am low or happy or crazy or tantrumic, I know that Oscar will always be there to listen me out!!!

Here's me signing off with a fishy kiss for my beloved OSCAR!

S-M-I-L-E!

2006-08-05T23:36:00.001+05:30

If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours...

We've all heard this line before... but in actuality, how many of us follow it?

I for one, am so caught up in my own world, my own space, that I very rarely make an effort to smile at anyone unless someone smiles at me. I'd never make the first move. Not because I am a snob but because I am lazy by nature and would rather wait for the smile to come my way.

But today, I decided to take a new step. I went ahead and smiled at everyone at work. Some might have thought that I'd gone cuckoo, but what the heck! And surprisingly, the reaction was more positive than cynicism. They all smiled back. And it felt good.

I felt guilty that all the while I blamed others for not putting a smile my way. Not realising that one needs to try to get a smile in return!

Lesson learnt. From now on, I'd make the extra effort to spread happiness and feel a lot happier myself!

Here's a S-M-I-L-I-N-G ME signing off!!! :)

Idli, dosa or diamonds?

2006-08-04T00:01:00.002+05:30

This question is open only to women. Which would you pick first? In all probability, it would be a diamond, unless you have way too many of them and are extremely hungry!

But there's a wet grinder company which claims that women would inevitably pick idlis and dosas over diamonds. Their ad tagline reads - "Who said a diamond is a woman's best friend?" -- plastered below the image of a lady with the happily using the wet-grinder.

I wonder what the ad-makers had in mind when they thought out this tagline.

Are they implying that wet grinders can be women's only best friends? Are they suggesting that we should not waste money on expensive jewellery but remain caged within the four walls of our house, cooking idlis and dosas?

Hell NO! It's time the wet grinder company" did a recheck.

It's not taboo to make idlis and dosas, but NOT at the cost of diamonds!

Arrested Thoughts

2006-07-20T16:35:00.001+05:30

We have been ordered to keep our thoughts and emotions handcuffed. That's what the "Nazi" powerhouse dictates in their languid effort to nab the perpetrators of crime. The blogs are locked up and the public banned from expressing themselves. With our hands tied, and mouths sealed, we are targeted for no crime of ours. An entire community is put on hold. Our voices bottled up.

Blogging, harmful or not, has become a passion and lifestyle for many. Not aimed at destroying the nation, as the government would like to believe. In fact, it's a medium used by millions across the globe to reach out to one another -- discuss, interact, voice opinions and even help eachother.
Is it a crime to blog? Is it a sin to pen one's thoughts and interact with like-minded people?
Like any medium, even blogs could be misused, but punishing an entire community for the offence of some, ain't justifiable. Will we reach a day when we will live with our mouths sealed?

If it's security the government is concerned about, then they must introspect whether this move would in actuality have any effect on terrorist outfits. Do they believe that if blogs are blocked, they will stop communicating with one another, and hence all militant projects would come to a standstill? Is it that simple to curb terrorist activity?

Instead, the government should pull up its socks, beef up security and intensify investigations and catch the militants. A mere ban on blogs won't achieve any miracles.

The Green Revolution

2006-07-04T18:23:00.002+05:30

It's weird how everyone I know has now transmogrified into a small, green dot. Flashing on the computer screen with wacky message lines, it's the newage lingo for 'keeping in touch'.

Meeting up over a cuppa or smsing or even calling eachother has become outdated. In a world of stone faces and no-polite-conversations, we are happy to do away with the humane touch and depend on an arbid string of words. Even e-mail inboxes are left cluttered with absurd forwards. Guess, a green dot is your new link to your world of friends, family, lover, neighbour, boss, etc.

Barring the being-aloof factor, the green dot has become a matter of convenience -- it's quicker, easier, less troublesome and a cheaper stay-in-touch option. And you no longer have to worry about intruding into someone else's space, as the colour of the dot gives you the go-ahead!

So hopefully the green dot will help everyone relink to their loved ones. So go on, keep the communication always green.

I misfired

2006-06-21T16:57:00.001+05:30

Apologises for pushing starlet Rakhi Sawant to the rock bottom, ridiculing her molestation accusations as a baseless, sly publicity stunt. Being a member of the media, I should have been more discerning before passing judgments about such sensitive issues.

However, the images on Aaj Tak opened only one side of the story. They showed, over and over again in true, in-your-face Aaj Tak style, how an 'innocent' kiss at a birthday party was blown out of proportion. With only bare-bodied, gyrating moves to go for Rakhi, one was quick to belittle her.

Much later, disturbing images of the same episode was telecast on CNN-IBN. The inhuman way in which the little-known singer Mika grabbed the item girl for a long smooch is simply outrageous. No woman, dressed skimpily or otherwise, would want a man to treat her in such a filthy way.

That leads to the common notion, which is what I fell prey for as well, that women who wear revealing clothes are game for anything. It's just a 'male chauvinist' way of thinking, I admit. The way a woman dresses does not necessarily imply that they are willing to undress their values and culture.

In a society like ours, women are forced to dress in a certain manner so as not to attract any unwanted male attention. And if they are bold enough to shake away from the norms, they are immediately typecast as 'loose' women.

Does it mean that a woman in a skimpy outfit does not have the right to decide whom she wants to kiss? Looking at Mika's filthy act, in front of the media, one could well imagine how he would ogle at other women/dancers in his troupe behind the cameras. Mika should not be allowed to walk away after committing this crime. He should learn not only to sing tunes to woo women, inorder to sell his album, but learn to respect them in real life as well.

And for all the men out there, the next time you look up a girl's skirt, remember that her heels are just as sharp enough to stab as well!

Yeh Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan

2006-06-13T17:22:00.001+05:30

The breathtaking Marine Drive, rickety yellow taxis, congested locals, greasy vada pavs, rusty bookstalls at Churchgate, shopaholics on Linking Road and picturesque Madh Island, these are just a few images of Mumbai that will always remain etched in my memory.

Having moved to Bangalore, I am physically disconnected from the city. Now I catch glimpses of the city, which was home to me for three years, only through the TV or movie clips.

Like all non-Mumbaikars, the city seemed harsh in the beginning, but soon embraced me into its madhouse environment. With each passing day I developed a strong bond with the city. I soon enjoyed the roller-coaster Mumbai ride and valued the importance of 'living on my own terms'. I, no longer, had to worry about how I dressed or behaved in public "so as not to drawn unwanted attention". There were no more uncomfortable stares or lewd remarks. In Mumbai, it's each to his own.

Here, Shah Rukh Khan and Sanjay Dutt are not Bollywood bigwigs, they are someone you often bump into on the streets, walking their dog, eating bhelpuri, well, going about doing their own thing. They are just about as normal as you are!

Working in the media, like true Page 3 style, it was not rare to share a laugh with Akshay Khanna, Marc Robinson or even Olive's A D Singh. And at each high-funda party, you eventually end up chit-chating with one celeb or another and not stare at them in awe.

I owe a lot to this city. It taught me how to juggle hectic job schedules and yet have a mad circle of friends. At the end of each tiring day, the city infused extra energy for a quick trip down to Leos or a walk with friends on Marine Drive for a cuppa. My strenuous job never bogged me down, cause the city always introduced different ways to help me de-stress. From Jahangir art gallery to Rex theatre to Gateway of India to Strand, the city is always bustling with energy at all times of the day.

Guess that's why there's no another city in India like Mumbai!

A new beginning

2006-06-11T19:19:00.000+05:30

I've moved. Lugged my belongings across to RT Nagar.

Nestled in far, far away land, I suddenly find myself travelling in dirty rickshaws to work. And with escalating petrol prices, I might soon find myself in crowded buses. It's all too sudden and distant for me.

Even though Cox Town introduced me to the harsh realities of life -- villainous landlord, sneaky maids and a sleazy neighbhourhood, I still miss my Cox Town 'home'. I miss the luxury of reaching work in less than 15 minutes. I miss being so close to civilisation and I miss toilets that are easy to flush.

I've always detested change, of any kind. Once I settle in, I am happiest being in my cocoon, even if it means living in hell. Which is why I guess I was happily miserable in a bumpy relationship for nearly seven years! I take the BIG step only when pushed to the edge. Even a trip back home, sees me emotionally drop on the day I have to leave. It's not only because I will be homesick and blah, but also because it means, I have to shift back to a different routine.

For now, I sleep on the floor, on a flithy mattress with no bedcover. It's only been two days, but I find myself disconnected. When I walk in, I quickly scan the rooms, the kitchen, the bathrooms. Guess it will be a while, before I make this new apartment, my home. And I pray it will remain 'home' for a long time to come. Don't want to deal with 'sudden' changes!

Last man "laughing"!

2006-06-07T17:28:00.001+05:30

Pravin Mahajan might be rotting in jail, but the news of his nephew's drug overdose will definitely see the man beaming in esctasy.

Let me stress that I'm not being judgmental about druggies, but I do strongly feel that anyone who breaks the law should be punished. Money power should not disillusion anyone from walking away free.

Images of droopy-eyed Rahul being escorted to the court and back make for interesting TV viewing, but would he ever face the whip for his late-night binge? Incidents like the Apollo hospital turn-around would be repeated, no doubt. In an age where money and power can buy just about anything, I wouldn't place my bet on his execution. Fardeen Khan is a walking example of how you can snif coke and remain unharmed by the law.

I can foresee, not too far from now, images of senior police officials mumbling loop-holes in the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and proclaiming Rahul an "innocent" man. And after that, the BJP will pick up the "honest" boy and groom him into being their next "Lakshman". He would be portrayed as the naive boy who was mislead by a few undesireable elements. The others -- three Nigerians and Sahil -- will be left to face the consequences.

Before I fast-forward, I'd like to rewind just a bit. I wonder, if it's this clout, this misuse of power and money, that irked a man to pump bullets into his brother.

A murderer left in the dark

2006-05-15T18:49:00.001+05:30

Pramod Mahajan died on May 3, 2006.

The media was at its "brilliant best", working round-the-clock to give the suave leader the most deserving tribute. It was a sensational story for the TV channels -- a story about a leader who was shot by his own blood for not giving "enough attention" to his family .

After the death, the media, conveniently forgot about the villian in this gruesome murder.

Even while the news channels were choc-o-block with images of the BJP leader, glorifying his policital career, there were no reports on the killer. Barring one newspaper report, all other media houses ignored Pravin Mahajan.

I don't condone Pravin Mahajan's actions but the media had a duty to present his story as well. In a sensational incident like this one, media shouldn't have taken sides.

Instead of churning numerous visuals of the "situation outside the hospital", doctors mumbling out the death report or party members chanting adoration, they should have done a story on how Pravin reacted to the news of his brother's death or whether Pravin's family attended the funeral.

In a time, where journalists run haywire for "breaking news", we should introspect on the news-worthiness of these reports and not doze off. The media, who are accused innumerable times for short-term memory, should take an initiative to track a story till its very end. And not let the public draw conclusions on their own.

It's high time the media pulled up its socks!

Brand Gandhi

2006-05-11T19:04:00.001+05:30

Move over Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Sania Mirza, make way for the "Gandhi" brigade. The not-so new brand has successfully sweeped over millions across the nation time, and time again.

From, politics to TV polls for youth icons, the Gandhis have pretty much covered every turf. And I bet, if, tomorrow, they start a fashion line, they would give Rohit Bal and Abu Jain-Sandeep Khosla, a run for their money.

I fail to comprehend, how the Gandhis continue to accomplish such adoration. We claim to live in a democracy, yet we secretly find delight in letting a generation rule us even if they have absolutely no qualification.

We might talk about freedom but the truth is that we fancy being tied down in shackles, and enjoy kneeling down in front of our rulers. The raja/maharaja style of rule will continue to cast a shadow on us.

How else do you explain such adulation?

NDTV recently picked out Priyanka for the youth icon. A lady who has nothing to boast of, but a glorifying lineage. What credibility does she have to be nominated as a youth icon? Has she won an election? Worked for the social welfare of the underpriviledged? The only time I see her, is during elections -- dressed in the typical "netah" saree outfit, walking under the scorching sun, hand-in-hand with needy villagers, pretending to show a sign of compassion. Isn't this why we despise politicians? So why are the Gandhi kids any different?

It baffles me that NDTV, which claims to be an objective news channel, plays the craze for the Gandhi tag. Are they illustrating that blood is mightier than the sword? That all it takes to be successful is a celebrated lineage?

Married to a Vadra, the media conviniently underplays her maiden name. For the masses, she's more a Gandhi than a Vadra. Simply because that's her ONLY selling point.

I beg the youth to be more discerning. Don't let shrewd politicians and manipulative media bog you down.

A man who died "two" deaths

2006-05-08T17:17:00.001+05:30

K Suryanarayana's tragic death at the hands of the extremist Taliban militia send shock-waves across the entire nation. But this horrifying act lost significance immediatelty after reports of his "second" wife cropped up.

Instead of condemning the inhumane act and introspecting the reasons how militant outfits have so much power and influence to strike out innocent lives, the focus shifted to a more morale angle.

The victim, suddenly, attained a devil's mask. The death unfolded a family drama -- the first wife attempting suicide on hearing about the "other" woman in her husband's life, the "second" wife wanting a piece of the hefty compensation, the kids (of both the women) left stranded.

The man's credibility was questioned -- How could he have two wives? I don't propogate "double" marriages, not because it doesn't have any legal standing, but because it's a personal decision.

But it's not a new concept in India. We've seen how Bollywood families support twin houses --- Javed Aktar (now married to Shabana Azmi), Salim Khan (now married to Helen), Darmendra (now married to Hema Malini), Boney Kapoor (now married to Sri Devi) and Pankaj Kapoor (now married to Supriya Pathak). Even outside the filmi world, "double" marriages is not unheard of. None of these men have been looked down upon, infact they have huge standing in the society, so why should Suryanarayana be any different.

The media should have been more considerate to Suryanarayana. I think he deserved, at least a little more respect.

Well, his loss was the Taliban's gain! They literally walked away free after committing a gruesome murder.

Serenity

2006-05-05T19:11:00.000+05:30

A November evening on the banks of the river Thames.
*2005

Who the hell is Sonia?

2006-04-26T01:26:00.001+05:30

She's definitely the blue-eyed baby of Indian politics. Sonia Gandhi, may lack experience or even good oratory skills, but her high-profile lineage has placed her on a high pedestal.

In a country, which has mostly seen pot-bellied, white-haired, paan chewing netahs, the suave and well-groomed Sonia had no difficulty grabbing the spotlight.

The "Indian obsession" for the white skin is evident from the amount of print and TV space dedicated to this Italian lady -- anything from a sneeze to a yawn is exaggerated and published.

Recently, I was witness to this blind adoration, when I had to edit one of the many copies that choked our server after BJP general secretary Pramod Mahajan was shot (by his brother). This particular one was about how the President, the Prime Minister, the Vice President, Sonia and Lalu Prasad Yadav had expressed shock at the incident and wished the leader a speedy recovery. But the proposed headline read "Prez, PM, Sonia wish Pramod a speedy recovery".

Sonia deserved more space on the headline than even the Vice President.

Why Sonia found a place in the headline is only proof of her adulation. Never, in the history of Indian politics, has a party president ever received so much acknowledgment. How many of you know who the BJP president is? For the uninitiated, it is Rajnath Singh.

Now looking at things in a different perspective, it wouldn't be incorrect to assume that Dr Manmohan Singh is nothing but a puppet in the hands of Mrs Gandhi.

Anyway, I edited the story, cut Madam Sonia's name from the headline and send it for publishing.

Madam Sonia might continue to ride high on the "Gandhi" tag, but for some sensible people like me, she will never get any undue coverage!

Actors or social workers?!

2006-04-25T17:49:00.001+05:30

We see them everywhere -- from inaugurating stores/restuarants/gyms/beauty parlours/coffee shops, to flashing their superficial smiles while endorsing brands on television or print, to prancing around extravagant sets at weddings/film awards/charity functions. It's extremely hard to ignore the film fraternity.

But when these actors adorn the role of social workers it turns extremely comical. This is because, in most cases, they have very little understanding of the cause and have no clue what to say. They mainly reach the venue, dressed in simple clothes, only to portray an intellecutal look, in an attempt to state there is more to them make-up, chant a few rehearsed lines and rush back to their Bollywood bubble. This five-minute soundbyte will fetch them more publicity than any of their flop films.

The most recent celebrity goof-up was by little-known actor Diya Mirza. Unlike other glamour dolls in the industry, she wanted to be "different" and choose to take a stand on the highly-debated Narmada dam issue. At a function in Rajkot on Sunday, the actor claimed she supported Aamir Khan's stand on the issue.

When told that the dam, if completed, will supply water to lakhs of villagers in Gujarat, she said, "People should also think about the thousands who are getting displaced. Should Gujarat drink water at the cost of thousands of displaced people?" . So is she proposing that people should die of thirst because some villagers can not be displaced? I don't contest that the problem of rehabilitation is a large one (and the government is working on it) but to ridicule the drinking problem of the other villages is deplorable. It just shows that she prefers to take a stand without understanding the problem, but because it is the "in" thing to do.

Aamir's stand in itself is debatable. The actor was seen mumbling his reasons for joining the movement in a recent TV interview . One of his reasons being inspired by his own film Rang De Basanti -- An interesting way to market your film, don't you think? So had there been no Rang De... he would have been relaxing in the comforts of his luxurious homes ignoring the plight of these villagers? His stand would have achieved some level of credibility if he had cited rehabilitation of the villagers displaced by the Sardar Sarovar dam as the ONLY reason.

Most often filmstars use such public protests to either promote their films or book a place on the TV slots and newspapers for their own publicity. Being actors they don't find it tough to make their act, however shallow, just as convincing and genuine for the star-struck public.

But for a few of us who can see black from white. You need to be more believable!

Wanted room-mate

2006-04-20T17:25:00.001+05:30

I have tried everything from word-of-mouth advertising to actually posting an ad on an online portal in pursuit of finding a room-mate. It's been over two weeks now and the uncertainity of not finding one and the thought of moving out of the house is killing me. Since I have exhausted most of my options, I am going to use my blogspot to do the trick for me.

Here goes -- "Wanted "broad-minded" girl to share a two bedroom independent, duplex in Cox Town, Bangalore. Nice tiled bathroom. Big, spacious cupboards. Nice cute kitchen with gas connection. Big terrace over-looking the green military grounds. Rent Rs 5,000 plus deposit Rs 50,000."

Why broad-minded, you may ask? Because I don't want to share the house with a strict, matron-kind, moralistic person. I've suffered my share by staying three-long years in a hostel run by nuns.

In a strange way, I believe it is easier to find a life-partner than a good room-mate. There are millions of matrimonial sites (online and otherwise) to help you zero in on the right person, but when it comes to finding a room-mate, the options are very limited. There are no aunties or uncles, who'd walk upto you at a family gathering talking about a certain, prospective, well-bred person who'd be perfect for you to share the room with! Even the free ads don't help, cause most often people mistake "wanted room-mate" ads as a hidden invitation for "Can I be your friend?".
I pray that the almighty would step in and scan the entire planet to bring home the perfect girl who'd be willing to share this house for something less than a lifetime!

When my room-mate broke the news about her plans to move out, it sort of shattered me, the way, I thought, only a guy could! That's when I realised how dependant we are on our room-mates. You just can't do without them.

Now I walk around my house, dreamingly, wishing that I wouldn't have to leave this place so soon. In a strange way, I have grown attached to the house. It's cute. It's compact. It's the first house I have ever rented. And in no more than four months, I will be forced to move out if I don't find some girl to share it with.

Sigh!

Out here actors have halos!

2006-04-16T17:31:00.001+05:30

In a land of "snake charmers, filthy roads and starving kids", the obsessive admiration for film actors is not shocking at all. The craving for a rich and glamourous lifestyle is understandable, especially if it allows you to dream and escape from the daily struggle to feed one's own stomach.
So it isn't surprising that actors are placed next only to God and in some (rare) cases even attain Godliness, with even temples built in their names. It's often this seemingly harmless obsession that suddenly tranforms into a maddening frenzy when something (anything, seemingly harmful) attacks their stars.

And that's exactly what Bangalore witnessed last Wednesday -- a frenzy that killed eight innocent lives and left many more injured. I do have the utmost respect for Kannada actor Rajkumar and I'm sure he too wouldn't have anticipated how his fans held Bangalore city at ransom for a day.

What I saw in the name of grief was nothing but plain, gruesome murder. From burning down streets, to murdering cops, to forcefully shutting down shops and inconveniencing public, the public resorted to violent means, claiming it was the only way to convey their condolence.

Ironically, the "attackers" were not fans but mere hooligans who went on a rampage to destroy the city. They didn't care about Rajkumar, some may not have even known who he was. But they took advantage of the situation to unleash their inner frustrations, which is evident from the scores of video footage telecast of men jumping on buses, burning down petrol pumps, etc.. You even saw many waving to the cameras and smiling -- showing absolutely no sign of grief.

There were fans among these criminals too but why they reacted in such a brutal way is baffling. Their "beloved" actor died a natural death, he wasn't murdered or tortured or crucified. His health had diminished over the past few months and this was not quite unexpected. But the public reaction reiterated the fact that like Gods, they believe their actors are immortal as well.

In another part of the country, the celeb mania was at its peek as well. Public thronged outside actor Salman Khan's house to celebrate his release from prison. It didn't matter if he had wronged -- shot down a few innocent animals or had run down a few people -- all they did pray for was their star's freedom. They are so blinded by the glitz and glamour of the filmworld that they can't see the wrong. For them, Salman is a real-life hero -- his ways or means could never harm anyone.

Last week's twin incidents has left me disillusioned about actors and their larger-than-life persona and I request the public to be more discerning and sympathetic, at least to their less glamourous, fellow human beings.

Goodbye Sallu Bhai!

2006-04-10T17:33:00.001+06:00

It's definitely a sad day for all Sallu fans. He's been sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment in connection with the 1998 black buck poaching case. Salman, who is facing four poaching cases, was earlier sentenced to one-year imprisonment.

This blue-eyed boy from tinsel town would've never imagined that his Maharaja-ish lifestyle (what with expensive hobbies like hunting) would land him behind bars. Of late, Sallu bhai has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, from the 2002 hit-and-run case, to allegations that he is a girl-friend beater... he is Bollywood's new baddie. A life destroyed by fame and money.

In reel life, he's transformed from a skinny, wood-chopping hero in Maine Pyaar Kiya to the macho, I'll-drop-my-shirt-at-the-drop-of-a-hat hunk in Maine Pyaar Kyon Kiya. And with the years, he's also tucked away millions of hearts.

It ain't surprising that Sallu, like most other stars, believed his stardom could bail him out. Unlike in reel life, Sallu failed to find a god father to rescue him and had to finally bow down to the law.

For people like him, hunting would've been only a mere past-time, it's implications far forgotten. What would've mattered then were are only a few pointless hours of King-size machoism to impress rich friends by putting up the prized trophies that were hunted down. In Sallu's lingo, hunting would have never translated into 'killing'. For him, these animals were only a mere source of entertainment, nothing more... nothing less.

Many may vouch for Sallu's good samaritan status. He's done his share of social work, helped the poor, the old... blah, blah... well, so have other actors -- make-up in place, flashing a plastic smile and posing with dirty, poor boys. And once the "click-click" is over, their good samaritan role ends. Salman is no exception either. Had he been one, he wouldn't have fled after running over one person and injuring four others outside a bakery in Bandra in 2002. Instead, he shamelessly fled the scene and sent his driver back to take the blame. Is this what a human being does?

Even through the bad times, the film fraternity stood by him. They vouched that the actor couldn't harm anyone, intentionally! Some even drew parallels to the high-profile, Jessica Lall murder case -- if the killer could walk away free, then why is Sallu punished? This is true Bollywood logic, if one murder can walk away free then the same loop-holes should free their man as well. This way, they can conveniently rewrite the law for the rich and famous. An endangered animal for them, is no more important than the fly they squash on the wall.

The public, however, is unforgiving. The law should not be different for actors, they cried. So the mighty Sallu bhai has lost any sympathy. He ain't the sole culprit, there are other celebrities waiting in line to face the same whip... With Pataudi facing similar charges, we are yet to see how far and wide the law can reach!

But this judgment has definitely shaken the filmiwallahs. So the next time, they pick up a gun to aim down an animal, their hands will shake at the thought of spending a few years in prison. At least, that would save some innocent animals!

Is casting couch a myth?

2006-04-03T17:02:00.001+06:00

You've probably wondered if there's any truth to all the malicious stories of casting couches. It's ironical that very often we've been exposed to such stories mainly through movies where sleazy directors entice struggling actors about the advantages of "satisfying" them for a meaty role in a film. In fact, Ram Gopal Verma's lead in Naach (played by Antara Mali) faces such perverse advances from a film director who has uncanny resemblance to Subhash Gai.

Despite open talks and discussions about the existance of the casting couch, when these stories attain a realistic picture through the media-eye, the film fraternity conveniently adorns a saintly image and denies that such cheap tricks exist in their profession. Many TV channels have time and again caught actors, directors and such, shamelessly asking for sexual favours in exchange for a large chunk of stardom. We've seen Shakti Kapoor say (on India TV) that everyone from top-notch heroines to freshies are involved in this scam for quick fame. But when the skeletons come out of the closet, the filmwallas hide, blaming the press for shoddy reportage.

In another incident Priti Jain accused film director Madhur Bhandarkar of taking "advantage" of her in turn for roles in his films. But everyone blamed the woman for falsely accusing the "innocent" man. I admit that some of Priti's actions were questionable, but no one failed to investigate the core problem of whether there was any truth to her allegations. Result, the man walked away free.

A recent press clip accused film director Dharmesh Dharshan of making a "pass" at a 22-year-old assistant. Soon after the report hit the newstands, many actors and directors came forward to defend the director and blamed the boy for spreading evil rumours. A popular actor claimed it was all a lie and no one can force a 22-year-old to do anything immoral and such acts do exist only if both parties are "willing". Well, these actors should realise that such acts are forced and the victims often helpless. And the age of the victim has little role to play in the crime.

Often, in such accusations, there are no concrete proof and it's only one man's word against the other. The senior artistes know better to shut up than stick up against a famous director who could ruin his/her film career. They'd prefer to deny its existance rather than save a fellow worker from harassment. Each to his own as no one has the will to save someone!

It's this blind denial that leaves the victims helpless. The victims are eventually transformed into the culprits... with motives of defaming a director for not giving him a specific role.

But unless someone comes out with the truth, we can only 'blindly' watch the fun!

NEVER cheat on your friend

2006-03-31T17:59:00.001+06:00

I know we live in an age where living in is "in", having a child out of wedlock is "cool", wife-swapping is "necessary" and infidelity is a "way of life". But I am still a prude, still very "narrow-minded" and forbid such "new-age" rules, especially if it means to stab a friend in the back.

Yes, friendship is sacred and cheating on one's friend is equivalent to rape or murder. It's a crime of the highest order. If friends fall so low they will even put enemies to shame. Or are they enemies camouflaged as one's friends? Such breach of trust calls for the highest punishment.

I write this blog with a heavy heart. I just checked my mail to see one of the most disturbing pictures. A picture of a 'supposed' friend, with his new-found love, the girl who dumped my best friend. The picture is of the "new" couple, shamelessly posing at another friend's wedding reception.

Shouldn't such men be ostracized? Many may forgive and accept the "new" couple, reasoning (foolishly) that each one to his own and we have no right to impose our values on anyone. Then, by that logic should we pardon all rapists, killers, terrorits and give them the benefit of doubt. Have we become so indifferent that we don't find the need to react to such brutal acts? Am I the ONLY one who has been hurt? Or do we react only if it directly affects us? I ask all those men who have turned a blind eye, would they be okay if he had taken away their girlfriend?

On retrospect, let us accept the argument in favour of the "new" couple -- like they didn't mean to hurt anyone and it was just a cruel game of fate. So will this be justified if the girl (in question) goes on to dump this guy for another friend of his? Where does one draw the line? Shouldn't "the" friend have restrained from having such a relationship when he knew it meant breaking his friend's relationship? The girl (whom I have the least respect for) is not even worth my writing space.

A curse be upon such evil friendships. Don't be fooled my dear "so-called" friend, it would come back to haunt you. It will hit back... in time my "friend"..... in time....

We need more theatre ethics!

2006-03-31T17:56:00.001+06:00

I'm just back after watching one of the most sensitive gay love stories on celluloid. A slow, but moving story of how two cowboys fall in love and struggle to keep it going. Unfortunately I was unable to appreciate Ang Lee's Oscar-winning, picturesque film and was distracted (many a time) by a giggly audience. Some of the intense dialogues of love, heartbreak and passion were lost in a crowd that failed to accept that two men could be actually in love. Both men and women, alike, laughed, giggled and nudged eachother every time the men kissed, made love, hugged or caressed eachother.

It's but obvious that we, Indians, may claim to be open about homosexuality but we haven't matured enough to understand and empathise with the emotions of homosexuals. We would rather ridicule their emotions by laughing and believe that such relationships are fictitious. So while I was straining to listen to some of the most beautifully written dialogues, people sitting around me, chomped their snacks & chatted with their friends on cell-phones.

So why didn't these people just walk out of the hall if they didn't like the film? Is it -- a. because they had no where else to go; b. because they didn't get tickets for another film; or c. they'd watch any film that wins an Oscar. ? Do these people actually come to the theatre to watch films? Or is film watching just another form of socialising? Aren't coffee-shops, restaurants and parks meant for that? On a more serious note, do people read about the film before entering a hall? Well, if they did, then a 'narrow-minded' crowd wouldn't ruin my ride on the Brokeback Moutain.
This is a humble request from an ardent fan of cinema, the next time you go for a film, find out what it's about before venturing into the hall and if you can't then walk out if you don't like/understand a film. Don't sit around and ruin it for people (like me) who genuinely enjoy good cinema.

Mixed Doubles is absolute trash!

2006-03-31T17:55:00.001+06:00

It was definitely the cast that tricked me into watching this film. And what a let-down it was! I would have rather watched Kyunkii on TV than waste my time and money on some 'silly' sex comedy. Firstly I feel that Indian cinema has to go a long way before making fun sex comedy like Something About Mary. This one, however, was a complete turn-off!

The first half deals with Sunil (Ranvir Shorey) and Malati (Konkona Sensharma) living a normal, middle-class lifestyle -- complete with an irritating kid! And for this middle-class family, the washing machine plays a central character -- Malati gives a realistic approach... if not shown cooking, this one is definitely shown cleaning clothes. In fact, most of the conversations occur over a bunch of dirty clothes.

Mixed Doubles then moves to how Sunil wants to sex-up his love life through wife-swapping. How that would spice up anyone's lovelife is beyond me, but that's clearly a 'me' problem. Anyway, moving on. Mixed Doubles may aim to create a realistic approach to wife-swapping but it does not! It starts out perfectly but drops momentum half way through.

Director Rajat Kapoor fails to spice up enough feel for the characters, and more importantly, the issue on wife-swapping. The way Sunil convinces Malati to be part of the whole plan is silly and highly unconvincing. Legendary Naseeruddin Shah is absolutely wasted in the film. Why shove him in a corner is beyond me. As far as the rest of the cast goes, Ranvir is a killer. He's smooth, convincing and a treat to watch. Konkona is average. Koel Purie is convincing. And Rajat continues to play the stone-faced man! It's difficult to wash away the 'child-molester' tag he acquired from Monsoon Wedding. On the whole, it's a complete waste of time and energy.

Like someone rightly said, the moral of the story is 'never rub a woman's back'. Go figure!

'Unconditional love'

2006-03-31T17:54:00.001+06:00

Unconditional love is what sums up my relationship with my dada.

He has been a constant force of support and encouragement throughout my life.He has always been my pillar of strength. And for him, I will always be his 'little girl'.

I remember when I was little, he used to carry me to bed every night. And when I grew as tall as him (or nearly as tall!), he'd walk me to my bedroom (and sometimes even insist on carrying me!). But no matter how tired he was, he never failed to tuck me into bed. Even through bad dreams... one yell and he'd rush to my bedside... stroking me and holding me till I fell asleep in his strong arms, wrapped tightly around me.

Over the years, he's transformed from a strict father to a close confidant.I recall his 'special' punishment for me when I was in school. If ever I lied, he would make me kneel in front of a picture of Jesus Christ (which is placed in our living room) and ask me to pray for forgiveness. This may sound a little weird, but I must admit that it has helped me grow stronger, cemented my faith in God and above all, stressed the importance of truth in my life.

All fathers are protective and mine is not any different. So in school, boys were kept out;) I was banned from even having a telephone conversation with them. But after I moved away from home to pursue my career, my dad accepted my freedom and trusted my judgment in men. He never questioned my friends (whether boy or girl) and accepted them all. I was even given permission for sleep-overs with a couple of old school friends (both boys and girls).

He has showered me with unconditional love and I only hope that I am able to give him at least half of the happiness he has given me....

Zee TV's big fat reality show

2006-03-31T17:52:00.001+06:00

I am no exception when it comes to killing time in front of the telly. And, I admit to enjoy the masala and silly reality shows. From sleazy couple problems to the more recent talent shows, I am entertained watching contestants cry, sing and laugh for a mere TV channel contract coloured with a huge price money. Be it Indian Idol or America's next top model, I am mesmerised by all the hungama or even the lack of it.

However, one reality-talent show struck a sensitive chord inside me.After watching a couple of episodes of Zee TV's Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, one would be reminded of the British colonial rule. Where divide and rule cost our country her independence. The episodes were not only crass, but it glorified the North-South divide, which has widened over the years. It is appalling to note the extent to which TV channels go for getting high TRP ratings. Do they realise that it is violative of people's sentiments?

In one of the final episodes, contestants were pitted against each other based on which part of the country they come from. Compere, Shaan, proudly observed votes divided geographically.
And this too after reports on ULFA's alleged threats to the TV channel, ordering other contestants to bow down in favour of their hometown boy Debojit. The channel should have been more tasteful in formulating rules for the contest.

I hate regionalism and would NEVER waste any money SMSing for this show. Talent shows should at least try to bring to the forefront talented individuals and not create a rift between states. Besides, the show also lacks professionalism. With judges who talk in the most distasteful way and play cheap gimmicks to support their students, this show is a complete disgrace to the genre of stupid, but harmless reality telly.

Zee TV, please buck up. Your team has left me with a bad after-taste!

School friends

2006-03-31T17:49:00.001+06:00

They are for a lifetime... they sure are!

BIRTHDAYS!!

2006-03-31T17:48:00.002+06:00

Initially it's the 'most important' day you wait for the whole year round -- the gifts, the party, the thought of wearing new clothes to school, the food... everything attached to this day is exciting! But as you grow older and (maybe) wiser... the excitement wears off.

Birthdays are no longer fun because of the simple reason that it drills home the point that you are growing older!

At 26, I might still be 'young' but I know that 'old' is soon catching up. Apart from stocking on anti-wrinkle and anti-aging creams, there isn't much I can do now. I simply have to accept that 'I am growing old!!!' I remember beaming with joy when I turned 23, it was a 'cool age!' But since then birthdays have been extremely depressing.

Friends who celebrated my 26th birthday with me had only one thing to say the whole night -- 'You are in your LATE-20s now'. Hmmm... soon... very soon... I'll be 30, then 40.... Maybe the excitement attached with birthdays would attain more meaning then... Maybe this dull point in the graph of life will vanish. Maybe, after I turn 40, I'll be able to enjoy my birthdays again!!!;) I sure wish so...:)

Decisions!

2006-03-31T17:48:00.001+06:00

From the minute we wake up to the minute we go to sleep... there are millions of decisions we have to make. From what to eat for breakfast... to what to wear to work.. to when to slot a particular writing assignment.. to which bus to take... it's a vicious cycle. Every minute accounts for making one decision or another... From the small decisions, we move to the more grilling decisions in life -- 'So... What have you decided to do in life?' -- I can't even count the number of times people have asked me this... 'What have I decided to do?'... Is that all it boils down to? And what if I choose not to decide what to do in life? What if I let life make the decisions? What if I make no plans? What if I take life as it comes? Am I then called a loser? Does living translate only to making decisions?

State of Mind: Confused!

NEVER date your best friend

2006-03-31T17:46:00.001+06:00

Chances are if you guys don't click, you end up losing your best friend.Most people end up making this mistake... even after being adequately warned about the consequences. So why do they end up doing the forbidden? Well, the most obvious reason being -- it's forbidden, so you have to try it out.

Others read the wrong signs -- comfort zone is often misinterpreted as 'he's always been there for me'. What many don't understand is that good friends don't have to transform into good lovers. Once you are in love, the equations change drastically. Your position moves up from a friend to a lover. And with the promotion, your responsibilities increase. This is where most people crack -- unable to tackle the new responsibilities. Simple situations become complicated -- as friends there might have been days when you didn't talk to eachother, but once you start dating, you HAVE to talk everyday... you forget to give enough space to the other person.

We need to be more daring in our love pursuits. And not compromise for a caring hand in our friend.

Go out... look for your perfect partner!

Watch your weight!

2006-03-31T17:44:00.001+06:00

What's this sudden obsession with weight? Everyone you meet today are either following a diet or planning to follow one or discussing which diet plan is the most effective. It's like the world is suddenly filled with fitness freaks.

I remember how when we were in school (which was not so long ago), we'd eat anything and everything that came our way. And no one made us feel guilty about it. But today our body and mind have been conditioned to reject anything remotely fatty. The diet bug has bitten the old and the young alike. Today you hear 11-year-olds discussing how carbs (short for carbohydrates!) make you put on weight!

Some even take to drastic steps like smoking (which apparently cuts down your appetite) to reduce weight. And for the rich, the beauty clinics offer surgeries for instant weight lose. Even super-markets stock fat-free/carb-free products -- everything from milk to cream to pasta!I fail to understand this weight obsession.

Why can't people appreciate the inner beauty? What's the big deal about looking skinny? Maybe it would be a good idea to send these 'weight-obsessed' people to Somalia in exchange for those hundreds who are actually starving. Guess they would appreciate a good meal without checking the fat content!