Chak De!

No musical numbers, No people jumping into any song and dance (terrified of these after the 'Cash' debacle) and for once no romantic angle... 'Chak De India' was a breath of much needed fresh air. In fact it’s a tried and tested path, but, in it, is such a different film.

This is one film that celebrates women power!!! Right from the Haryana ki laundi Komal Chautala to the Rowdy Punjab di puttar Kaur... What was more interesting was the reaction of the crowd to the movie. Take note of the the male bashing scene at McD's... could practically see almost every women in the theatre jumping out of their seats in celebration.

One of the reviews I read said "Chak De! India now running across the US is a commentary on sexism in India"... But is it that really? Rather, the film acknowledges that it is harder for women to choose to play any sport in India, at the same time, Women needn’t be given an easier way out because of the sacrifices or the stereotypes they have represented.

There’s so much I felt while watching the movie. No women discussing clothes, Women with filthy mouths, rough,competitive and in control. These girls are not ficitonal figures. They are touching reminders that one of them might be living right in our own backyard. You don’t relate to the film just because you are a woman. Most the guys I saw the movie with, appreciated the movie because there’s a certain rawness to the whole movie.

For once everyone took an instant liking to the King of Bollywood - He has his fair share of critics (me being one of them) but... this time... underplayed with finesse, Kabir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan become one and the same.

It’s a feel-good movie with some great new actors and a terrific turnaround by a well established star. See it! It has an inspiring message behind it, without being too preachy.

This is a film about team spirit in its truest sense. Just that we need that spirit to fight and speaking of the fighting spirit... the adrenaline rush that the movie evokes led apna Sid and a manikchand chewing family wale uncle to punches...with a prompt "tujhe toh mein bahar dekhta hu" which added the much needed spice to the whole experience... Chak De Sid!

Bhaiya Sion Jayega?

"So where did all that water come from?" That's probably your question.

And it was mine as well as I waded through ankle-deep slimy water towards slumped shadows seeking refuge, from a strong evening shower just around the corner at Laxmi.
"The heavens," some would say but am not quite sure... Oh i can see some of my office mates shaking their head in wonder.... am sure at my sense of humour.... Ah! I know I know... if looks could kill I would have been dead with R, P and N's stares...

Getting back to our wettime story ... Yonder, a taxi had stopped and the spray of the filthy water mushroomed in delight of catching up to the car but before any of us could even get our voices past the music of the raindrops it had vanished.

Priyanka and myself, after a hardly working day, (attempt to murder with another stare) had only enough energy to stretch an arm out and say, 'Bhaiya Sion Jaega?' to which we recieved a prompt 'King Circle mein paani hoga toh wahi ruka dunga" Well, So much for choices... Those are the cabbies for you.... Our saviours.... The taxi lurched and the water took to chase again.

Hide and Seek

As I sit here with everyone else in bed, now seemed as good a time as any to say hello. I had dinner with a friend the other night, and he asked me (again) if I was ever going to take up blogging as a profession. I want to, I really do but the only problem is that when you write for a living, writing on a blog can be real difficult. I say “can be” because I know plenty of writers who maintain glorious blogs; I just don’t know if I can be one of them.

As usual, I have a million different ideas in my head, and I want to write about them all but don't really know if anyone would be interested in reading them as much i would writing them.

An office friend today wasnt too happy with my last post... thought ' it was senti' didnt have the usual spark that my previous posts have had.... and it made me think.... what had happened suddenly... What has triggered off this emotional adventure... Sometimes I think I have a lot to say and just put it up here in words.... but then I realize that it is nothing but a conversation I am having with myself, putting up feelings that I probably never would tell anyone, maybe not even myself. After 26 years, I’ve suddenly realized that I have never listened to myself with even half the care or concern I’ve given others.

Anyway, life is doing fine dear reader (the one who is around). I do not know what value this blog will ever hold for you or for me. For me, It just seems like an elaborate game of hide and seek i play with myself. What about you?

...Pitter Patter...

There is certainly a lot of magic in Mumbai's monsoon. Of course, it is hard to hide away from what we get to normally see, when we snake our way through the working day, lost in our thoughts and memories that plague our mundane daily existence.

But when the rains turn up, like they did today, while walking back home with only my own reflection and the rains for company, it was indeed sheer magic. For most parts I was rediscovering silence. I was rediscovering nothingness. I have a million memories to let go of and thousands of instances to step aside. But strangely, the rain wrapped itself around me not ready to let anything go. There was almost a feeling of mutual acknowledgement, but that’s just my imagination speaking.

Raindrops played tricks on my window panes, The twin towers yonder danced to the tunes of the rains, then fade away in verdant mist, so near and yet so far. I hear a slow sigh of relief expelled by the sky. Finally, an unburdened soul, dark and widespread. It can’t feel, but it does touch you. It can't speak, but it certainly walks with you.