tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-238292892024-03-12T18:34:46.140-07:00Teesu TalkTeesu wants to write...or type!Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-62089550585636847152023-05-02T09:52:00.003-07:002023-05-02T09:54:53.177-07:00<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OdNCA_zxzxfP3s_0jebXQqYcSvgcVJMhkq0YGHKsal4hVlO_zrWhd4j-UQ6eZoFb2rwoDy-bCuUCcOCfn4-KxhHsIZHfhK1c9GnGXFTfdA8MZD_4k9jQ5ciIJjKPk2Td4cqCbvrEeNAAGQeihE_EJWoG0-24TQ6pPSjPItAskjh9qso_rg/s739/image0%20(10).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="739" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OdNCA_zxzxfP3s_0jebXQqYcSvgcVJMhkq0YGHKsal4hVlO_zrWhd4j-UQ6eZoFb2rwoDy-bCuUCcOCfn4-KxhHsIZHfhK1c9GnGXFTfdA8MZD_4k9jQ5ciIJjKPk2Td4cqCbvrEeNAAGQeihE_EJWoG0-24TQ6pPSjPItAskjh9qso_rg/s320/image0%20(10).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #990000; color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Long Post warning. Ponniyin Selvan - Part 2</span></span></div><p></p><span style="background-color: #990000; color: white; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">My take.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Happy to have got tickets on the 4th day of its release. PS2 has been watched. Here’s the thing. For PS1, all those who had read and loved the book(s) were cautioned not to compare movie and book and they ended up having a great experience watching PS1, for the most part.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">With respect to PS2, everyone seems to have forgotten the movie NOT-equal-to book thing and also, I guess there IS a LOT more deviation from the original story. Having not read the books yet, I was in the ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ mode and the experience was pretty close to bliss, I must say. The music was more uplifting in PS2 than PS1 I felt, despite ‘Ponni Nadhi’ being a favourite song of mine. I don’t know if the song ‘Veera Raja Veera’ was meant to cause goosebumps, but it did for me. Tamil blood and all that jazz. </span><img alt="😁" aria-label="😁" class="an1" data-emoji="😁" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/1f601/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /><br style="font-size: small;" /><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">May I say that Vikram must only act in such films and STOP choosing his own scripts (!) </span><img alt="😂" aria-label="😂" class="an1" data-emoji="😂" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/1f602/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /><span style="font-size: small;"> which have mostly been rather abominable starting with Bheema. What a magnificent performer who’s not acted in good-enough films for too long. It’s such a relief to see him in this one. </span><img alt="❤️" aria-label="❤️" class="an1" data-emoji="❤️" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/2764_fe0f/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /><span style="font-size: small;"> He steals every scene he’s in. The other (apart from Actor Karthi) who is his partner in crime in stealing scenes, is Aishwarya Rai. I haven’t ever given her too much attention as a performer because like all the kings and princes who are stupefied by her beauty in PS, in real life too, it’s her beauty that distracts. This role as Nandini has GOT to be the biggest feather in her cap as far as I know.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Someone online weirdly suggested that Nayantara could have been Nandini but er…erm, NO! A resounding NO. First of all, Mani Ratnam aka MR, knows better (!) and second of all, let her emote more first. Sure, she’s pretty and has an amazing screen presence, but I’m sorry that no director has brought out her acting skills to the fullest as yet. I believe she has IT but is largely under-utilised as an actor. Keeping a poker or serious face ain’t no proof of great performance. We’ve all played STATUE as kids, eh. (Granted, we lost to giggles and snorts</span><img alt="🤭" aria-label="🤭" class="an1" data-emoji="🤭" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/1f92d/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /><span style="font-size: small;">)</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Besides, to add to the mind-numbing beauty quotient, the colour of Aishwarya Rai’s eyes enhances the effect. (No, no don’t say contact lens can do it and all). Her countenance in every scene was simply riveting. </span></span><div><span style="background-color: #990000;"><span style="color: white;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialWKJPikIuCFpOJBH8YJRIwrglMD-gUZ6D6QX6pNaGIqTowu0wHTiD6P7uz--HgbLgn3QcKdLO6Aqa3_Ht8-X3yNrsS8cufXs3nKHpAmWzwenT7vTN18jc-8g9uIzTKenMjvjL0OrQHbAg2q0rl2I6thU9w-YH-rgA0M7glRdefTwwQubbA/s414/image1%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="414" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialWKJPikIuCFpOJBH8YJRIwrglMD-gUZ6D6QX6pNaGIqTowu0wHTiD6P7uz--HgbLgn3QcKdLO6Aqa3_Ht8-X3yNrsS8cufXs3nKHpAmWzwenT7vTN18jc-8g9uIzTKenMjvjL0OrQHbAg2q0rl2I6thU9w-YH-rgA0M7glRdefTwwQubbA/s320/image1%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><br style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">I feel that all the actors have FELT their roles in this one. I bet the coach had a lot to do with it (MR). Not everyone can be a Sivaji Ganesan and wear the role of a king or GOD (!) like their first skin — not even second. Today, most folks need help. Well, they’ve apparently got all the help they need and the costumes are super without being over the top, the sets and scenes are stunning without taking away from performances, and the music has truly uplifted the film with the right crescendos at the right moments. The language is also not overwhelming.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Karthi is just getting better and better as an actor and so is Trisha. Jayaram is always a class act in any role.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Performances </span><img alt="✅" aria-label="✅" class="an1" data-emoji="✅" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/2705/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Music </span><img alt="✅" aria-label="✅" class="an1" data-emoji="✅" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/2705/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /><span style="font-size: small;"> - ARR Vaazhga!</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Story </span><img alt="✅" aria-label="✅" class="an1" data-emoji="✅" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/2705/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /><span style="font-size: small;"> as a movie. Blissfully ignorant about movie versus book but let me share that there seem to be plenty of miffed Kalki / PS fans out there. But even they must agree that it’s a good film. The producer must be gungho! Great result.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Fight scenes </span><img alt="✅" aria-label="✅" class="an1" data-emoji="✅" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/2705/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /><span style="font-size: small;"> I dislike violence and gore like yanything, but in a movie like this with a war scene, what to expect if not bloodshed. Even that was tastefully done.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">I’ll be watching it again sometime later.</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">Make of that what you will </span><img alt="😇" aria-label="😇" class="an1" data-emoji="😇" loading="lazy" src="https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/e/notoemoji/15.0/1f607/72.png" style="font-size: small; height: 1.2em; vertical-align: middle; width: 1.2em;" /></span></span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: #990000;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="font-family: arial;">#ps2 #ponniyinselvan #moviereview #personaltake<br style="font-size: small;" /></span>Images Courtesy: Google / somewhere online </span></span></div>Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-31473526610823575942023-03-06T05:16:00.019-08:002023-04-28T01:16:32.477-07:00<p>Vanakkam from Chennaigaga's Co-Founder and Owner. My name is Sujata Tarakesan. Check out the website and brand here: <a href="http://chennaigaga.com">chennaigaga.com</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjuo6TgHEPvvAPOKUAO4YUTquuorO7KpkSOKzuOZ1RhQUpMpTZy-y2NzQQLlifm1WkH0N8rLrNQq_1kb-tv9o_ZWAUwjCByVRcoIrK2b62rG2R3_jCpEGY9FkNAsJou76JV7g3tXxDWAvB34MhrbI_TU1cDc67gjlH2VwGtG8mnWnEUFD9g/s960/mecartoonish%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="776" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjuo6TgHEPvvAPOKUAO4YUTquuorO7KpkSOKzuOZ1RhQUpMpTZy-y2NzQQLlifm1WkH0N8rLrNQq_1kb-tv9o_ZWAUwjCByVRcoIrK2b62rG2R3_jCpEGY9FkNAsJou76JV7g3tXxDWAvB34MhrbI_TU1cDc67gjlH2VwGtG8mnWnEUFD9g/w78-h96/mecartoonish%20(1).JPG" width="78" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">D<span style="text-align: left;">o you know? I have run Chennaigaga for 13 years now. First of all, I cannot believe that <i>I</i> have been at one thing steadfastly for 13 years (which I just wrongly typed as 30 and backspaced the hell up. THAT post is for another time -- in 17 years, to be precise! :))). 😊 </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Before you judge, I make this statement about sticking with this one thing because of the number of setbacks I have faced with it quite single-handedly -- both personally and professionally.</span></div><p></p><p>I have gained a helluva lot of experience, witnessed first-hand the sheer joy of mirroring the customers' happiness, and engaged with thousands of people through these years with Chennaigaga. I have also acquired more knowledge in the zone I work in, empathy towards people and situations, the warm friendship and unconditional support of many of our customers, and a deep understanding of the word 'consequences'. 😂 </p><p>Doing something for the first time which others didn't get around to -- ie, making Chennai themed t-shirts and merchandise thereby providing people with souvenirs they had always wished were available for Chennai city, is the biggest and plumiest feather in my cap. </p><p>I do however, have mixed feelings. I've suffered losses in people, partnerships and money in these 13 years. Some losses are forever while others can and will be replaced. </p><p>Business (micro or macro) changes you as a person. You evolve. And there's no going back after that to who you used to be. And it shows in my eyes, in my face, in my persona. It's time and experience. I have no intention of botoxing my way through anything and so, in a nutshell, I have aged a lot. Especially since Covid hit. That was below the belt. </p><p>This had to be said. I need it out of my system. We were re-christened twice. Each was better. At first, we were The GAGA Shoppe, a multi-branded but predominantly Chennaigaga store in Besant Nagar. And then we were Chennaigaga(R) - The GAGA Shoppe on TTK Road. And THEN, we were the FIRST OFFICIAL CSK SUPERSTORE at the same location. That's the time Life showed us how GOOD it <i>could have been</i> for 12 days before the Covid pandemic shut us and everything else down! Things came to a standstill. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKECHUfRCYz8heSlAYcVRZmNqa30NhV42oqs4Ah3zns8bcNsZrBW6yNesde7Ilxg7Hqh9kPNr6-nYd5jJTjUZoJWu-_FrZftMaeuyDlKEvRE337c8rqbvRmF2Gdr8ho4AGXx7yMsVK660KVm2FXrvQ_zGdgWrKc1Gu43HGIDJcWkB6D3EtA/s3116/IMG_9969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3116" data-original-width="3024" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKECHUfRCYz8heSlAYcVRZmNqa30NhV42oqs4Ah3zns8bcNsZrBW6yNesde7Ilxg7Hqh9kPNr6-nYd5jJTjUZoJWu-_FrZftMaeuyDlKEvRE337c8rqbvRmF2Gdr8ho4AGXx7yMsVK660KVm2FXrvQ_zGdgWrKc1Gu43HGIDJcWkB6D3EtA/w208-h214/IMG_9969.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><p>As for me, after being a bustling individual rushing between motherhood things, home-making, shop-management, people-management, creative concepts, marketing and sales, hearty customer engagements, statutory work and more ... to staring at the ceiling completely lost. During the first Lockdown of 2020, I cooked, cleaned, walked, did what I could online with no scope of daring to dream further. I listened to birds chirping a lot and wondered whether they had chirped before the lockdown also! That's a peek into my urbanised life. I LOVE greenery, the mountains and the ocean and I love gazing at high res pics of all the beautiful birds and animals. I LOVE trees and bushes and shrubs. I always prefer a holiday in the hills, to disconnect from the digital life and daily routines and reconnect with Nature in a purer form. But the lockdown was not the time for that. It raised my anxiety. As SOON as they allowed us to open stores, I dashed out of the house, got the store cleaned up and masked myself and my 2 support staff up and got back to work. It wasn't just about Chennaigaga, I also had to keep the CSK flag flying high. But that just wasn't the year for either CSK or retail in general and so, we had to shut the physical store in December of 2020. The 2021 surge in the deadly pandemic pushed my anxiety to depression. (I know I am not alone in this plunge but this is my post and I am unable to stop myself typing this stuff all out now.) Nothing looked possible. Every effort was blocked. Multiple workshops, gyans from online business Gurus and boosts from close friends to help me sustain Chennaigaga didn't really work. It was me. My spirit had cracked. </p><p>End 2020, when they ripped the name boards off the walls outside the store and pulled the hangers and fittings off the walls inside the store, I had to stand there and supervise and dispose of stuff. Dismantling, disengaging, disconnecting. I had to let my truly well-trained shop staff go. We helped them find alternatives as best as we could, but it was hard. I did put on a brave face using the phrase 'practical decision' a lot, but it was tough. I, who had sat stoic through my beloved father's funeral when I was 22, called upon that weird numbness to get through the process of closing the store down. It was not an old store we were closing. It was in a brand new 'Chennai & CSK' superstore avatar, but the losses were huge (for me as an individual) and so, it had to be a cold, hard decision. One I am not allowed to regret because that was the only practical way forward. I was and am, lucky to have the support of beloved customers, friends and family who helped in different ways and continue to help till date, even as I type this and I hope I do justice to all that unconditional support one day very soon. </p><p>Anyway, that all said, on a deeply personal note, what I love most about Chennaigaga is that I am not bored with it at all. And I'm banking on our customers feeling the same way(!). I love most of the designs we have come up with. I love the way people engage with the brand. I love the way they come back for more. I love their involvement and feedback. I love their patience when we are not being all that we could because of financial difficulties. I love their support and their emotional connect because it helps me carry on in search and hope of a brighter future. There's still so much to be done at Chennaigaga. As a brand, it's only now a teenager. A lot of shaping up and channeling our strengths in greater ways is happily prospected. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhddTTrrvPgEsC7s7MzZm2K-c5cK6D-7cgCidXjjy4wGT5PowL3bDcSFLiJjRnREupnxKY_HCsVxRrLuzVIke7zD2OTIcmK8QE_Ddl-3rXBCD8PNmJZKDtk9zznqHhJBxY01tA7AgSilNn6735QEsaQ1MoS-C6lq7EQuEQigQbSJOm-KUGw/s4096/PICSTEES.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="4096" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhddTTrrvPgEsC7s7MzZm2K-c5cK6D-7cgCidXjjy4wGT5PowL3bDcSFLiJjRnREupnxKY_HCsVxRrLuzVIke7zD2OTIcmK8QE_Ddl-3rXBCD8PNmJZKDtk9zznqHhJBxY01tA7AgSilNn6735QEsaQ1MoS-C6lq7EQuEQigQbSJOm-KUGw/w203-h203/PICSTEES.JPG" width="203" /></a></div><p>All we need is a like-minded investor...or two. </p><p>You may think "Oh, <i>investment</i> -- well, this is <b>The</b> Story of all businesses"? </p><p>Maybe, but we have a wonderful USP, a powerful niche and proof of a rich customer history in our records, as well as 'social proof'. So, this is me telling the Universe that this wholly-woman owned business is going strong in creativity and operations and needs money in funding and reserves to march on, to get bigger and better with super-exciting prospects still hidden up our sleeve. </p><p>Email me at sujata@chennaigaga.com if you would like to be a part of our growth journey in any way.</p><p>Thanks for reading. Check out the website and brand here: <a href="http://chennaigaga.com">chennaigaga.com</a></p>Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-70680142820785170222023-03-06T03:58:00.003-08:002023-03-06T03:58:46.595-08:00Loss of the fundamentals<p>Well, hello and Vanakkam, I am writing this post after quite a few years to indulge in a little rant. I just saw a guy on Linkedin driving and giving gyan on the topic of his choice.</p><p>Unfollowed him just for that. C'mon. Isn't this so very basic? How is it Ok to place your mobile in front of you just because you're in traffic (even if slow-moving) and go on a long monologue which you're recording and announcing so also. </p><p>It's off-putting because it's a distraction at the wheel. Believe me, I am the Queen of being distracted and I love driving and I am not faultless in that department either -- of multi tasking while driving. But at least I wouldn't put it out on a serious platform like Linkedin as though it's alright and would not hamper my judgement at the wheel. Say what you want, but it will! </p><p>Not recommended for a person who wants to put himself or herself 'out there'. </p><p>So that's one unfollow of the day. Keeping it simple and blocking what bothers me. </p><p>Works well. </p><p>That, and posting about it here, of course. </p><p>End rant.</p>Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-70608289028935870652018-03-21T07:22:00.000-07:002018-03-21T07:24:39.541-07:00Throwback cos it's nearly Thursday - my favourite coastersWhen I was young, we had a lot of interesting things at home. My Dad was a collector of unique showpieces and display/household items. He also had an extensive crystal collection. Since I wasn't allowed to touch the breakable stuff like his precious crystal / porcelain collection, I felt free to toy with what was in regular use. Like a couple of coasters.<br />
They were round and light-hearted in design and caption. I remember two of them specifically. One had a :-) Smiley face. The caption was SMILE. IT MAKES PEOPLE WONDER WHAT YOU'RE UP TO.<br />
I caught on to that right away and enjoyed doing it right through my teens (not on purpose perhaps). Whenever i smiled, people did ask why i was smiling, or became uncomfortable. That was fun.<br />
The other coaster I recall, had this caption with a bull caricature: "I'm a bit of a bullshitter myself, but 'YOU' go ahead, I'm listening." For the longest time, I didn't understand what it meant. I didn't know what bullshit meant, didn't dare ask anyone, & it just didn't strike me to check the dictionary I guess. But the then-forbidden word 'shit' in it made it a fun coaster for me, which I enjoyed setting out on the table whenever we had company.<br />
<br />Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-33876032347838034382018-03-17T06:31:00.000-07:002018-03-17T06:31:10.350-07:00SHE did it!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She met him.
She fell in love with him; and he with her. She wanted to spend time with him.
He did too. They were in a romantic relationship. After some time, he began
pulling away. She began pursuing him. He resisted. She persisted. They tried to
work it out. She tried different tactics to save the relationship. He began
slipping away despite that. She was torn to bits. He wouldn’t give in to her
advances. He had fallen out of love with her. She asked. He denied. She begged
and pleaded. He wouldn’t agree to continue their relationship. She became passive-aggressive.
And then she became needy. It didn’t feel right to him. She appealed to his
sympathetic side. He rejected those appeals. She wanted him. He didn’t want
her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She didn’t
want to <i>live</i> without him. He withdrew
completely. He couldn’t handle her any more. He couldn’t tolerate her tears,
persuasion, anger, threats. She followed him around, showing up at his place of
work, his residence, his vehicle; his usual jaunts. He became allergic to the
sight and mention of her. She became increasingly desperate but was unable to
let him go. She was frustrated by his rejection. How <i>could</i> he have loved her so much at first and then turned away so <i>coldly</i> and so <i>finally</i>? She could not accept it. She contemplated being more
forceful in her methods so that he could get her message loud and clear -- that
she was <i>not</i> going to leave him and
that he <i>owed</i> her their relationship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But then, nothing
worked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He would now
have to <i>pay</i> for what he had done to
her. Her broken heart had a high price. She considered disfiguring him, but
that would require much strategic scheming. So she made up her mind. She knew
his whereabouts right through the day having painstakingly stalked him for many
days. She kept her weapon ready in her bag and prowled along his route hoping
to catch him and make him pay for the pain he had caused her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She did it!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The media
erupted at this incident. The <i>men</i>
came all out on their twitter handles and facebook pages condemning not just
her and this incident, but they attacked <i>all</i>
women with vicious words. They broadcasted their hatred for feminism and bashed
all feminists. They alleged that <i>this</i>
was what feminism was about. So <i>why</i>
should feminists have voices? Why should they get <i>any</i> platform to speak and be heard? Why should they even be <i>tolerated</i> in society? These men targeted
each and every feminist they knew and let loose abusive comments. They flirted
with restraining orders and police action in their efforts to validate their
points against feminism. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They snarled
that in the name of feminism, women were getting away with even murder! These
men raged and ranted against womenkind. <i>This</i>
woman should now be punished in the harshest way possible so that all women learn
their lessons and <i>cannot</i> ever, get
away with stalking their lovers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When a man
says <i>no</i>, he means <i>no</i>! A man’s personal space is sacrosanct.
Every gathering, every tea stall, every news channel gave voice for anguished
men to vent their grief. Every small and big injustice by women against men was
discussed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">PS - Pained Script. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Live in
Peace, all you pained, disfigured, once-physically-beautiful ladies. The acid splashed
on you by those vile men destroyed the life you were used to and you had to then
reconcile to a new existence filled with coping mechanisms.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Rest in Peace, all you slayed women. The men who
did you in could not take your NO for an answer. For, those villains did not
even mean to <i>ask</i> you what <i>you</i> wanted. They just meant to grab and
keep what they wanted and when they found they couldn’t do that, they showed
their scant regard for the human in womanhood.</span>Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-29318375170302122372017-09-03T03:20:00.003-07:002017-09-03T03:20:22.614-07:00My chemistry with Chemistry<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I have no recollection of when Chemistry entered my
life. It seemed to have gnawed at me until I simply <i>had</i> to pay attention, and by then, I was in Class 9 and the
teachers seemed to be yelling at us to buck up for the 10<sup>th</sup> standard
Board exams. I remember lurking outside the Chemistry lab, desperately trying
to avoid the teacher’s eagle eye by looking busy either rummaging in my bag for
assorted books & stationery, or bending down to tie my already-tied shoe
laces. Most of 9<sup>th</sup> Standard was spent this way. By the time I
reached Class 10, I was a pro at dodging the Chemistry teacher. I would always
look harassed, busy, distracted and studious all in quick succession, or I
would sidle up to any really good student (most of my friends were ‘good’
students – well academically, anyway) and so, the teacher would think I was
earnest and many times, that was enough for her! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, I was earnest alright. Earnest about not getting
caught because I understood close to nothing about this subject! Looking back
now, I really wonder how I passed the Class 10 feared board exams. The answer
is this. God and the Universe (including faraway stars and galaxies) smiled
down at me and said ‘thou shalt pass the Class 10 exams and leave Chemistry in
peace forever.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And so, when Chemistry exam morning dawned bright
(as it always damn well does on an exam day), I was a nervous bundle of wreck.
I was desperate to pass just so I didn’t have to meet with Chemistry ever
again. I took my place in the lab quivering like a big jelly fish. I couldn’t
meet any one’s eyes in case I broke down in anticipation of not getting my
required result of the experiment. I began the experiment without my usual lack
of focus and went through the steps as though I was a horse with blinders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Being such an abysmally poor student of Chemistry, I
can only recall this much – that my element for the exam was zinc oxide and I
had to get it right by getting green-edged ash on a tissue paper. I only knew
the theory of it having studiously steered clear of all experiments, beakers
and test tubes until that final moment. For Harry Potter fans, let me share with
you, that I was like Neville Longbottom in front of Professor Severus Snape in
Potions, designed for disaster and humiliation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway, as I said, I was smiled upon by the Creator
as well as his Creations like the Universe and what not, because I <i>did</i> get the green-edged ash on the edges
of my tissue paper. I erupted in glee and (I kid you not here) galloped towards
the formidable Chemistry teacher who was lazily lounging on a chair and chatting
with the External Examiner looking supremely relaxed. She looked up startled at
the galloping gooseberry in front of her as I panted and waved my green edged
ash tissue in her face. “Miss, Miss, I got zinc oxide – the correct reaction –
green edged ash!” I huffed and I puffed, and showed her most of my teeth as I
did this and after a shocked pause, she snapped not unkindly, “Ok. But have you
finished writing this out for the exam?” Deflating at once but unable to
contain my relief, I quickly turned tail and shuffled back to my spot to write
out the experiment knowing I had passed and Chemistry and I were getting an
out-of-court hefty divorce settlement on mutual consent and collaboration. It’s
what we call a win-win situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-53068076630974850352017-03-21T04:05:00.000-07:002017-03-21T04:05:08.344-07:00World Sparrow Day <span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Summer afternoons with a tired mom, elderly grandpa and irritable older sister left me lonely…well almost. This is a kuruvi kadhai (sparrow story) on World Sparrow Day. It was the sparrow that kept me fully occupied those humid, boring afternoons. At first, Amma Sparrow built a nest above our big heater in the bathroom. Namma Ooru Summer meant that no heater was ever switched on. So we had bits and pieces of those brown sticks and twigs from the nest regularly falling on our</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> heads. It didn’t help my curly shock of hair one bit. The other problem was that the sparrow eggs were tender and tiny and likely to fall from their perch on the heater. Then, after a couple of eggs were ruined having accidentally rolled out of the nest onto the bathroom floor, the ladies of the house moved the nest carefully to our long, wide verandah. Amma Sparrow didn’t seem to object. Soon we had a few baby fledglings. Those baby sparrows were simply delightful. And they kept me out of the way of the angry Akka, snoozing Thatha and busybee Amma. Two of them managed to gain independence really fast. The 3 rd was a bit slow but tried her best. She became my playmate. There was a drain hole in the floor of the verandah that seemed clogged towards the outlet. It was like a tunnel for the baby sparrow, and am sure she could see the light at the end of it. This baby sparrow couldn’t fly yet but clearly felt ready for some exploration. So, she would try to scuttle into the drain hole. I was terribly worried that she would get stuck there or worse, fall out of the drainhole from the first floor. So, I would put my two fingers in and gently grasp her teeny tail and tug her back out. She would then look a bit confused and again waddle into the hole trying to stuff her tiny body right in before I could catch her tail. But I would always make it in time to tug her back out, tail first, with her expression of resignation still fresh in my mind. I would then happily cradle her soft furry body in my palms before letting her loose to try her luck in the clogged drain hole again. This was our game. It was a never ending one. Rather like this post <span class="_47e3 _5mfr" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 0; margin: 0px 1px; vertical-align: middle;" title="tongue emoticon"><img alt="" aria-hidden="1" class="img" height="16" src="https://www.facebook.com/images/emoji.php/v8/f9f/1/16/1f61b.png" style="border: 0px; vertical-align: -3px;" width="16" /><span aria-hidden="1" class="_7oe" style="display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0px; width: 0px;">:-P</span></span> <br />True story. Love sparrows.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOffcRjrpZUA4f8Z_-FZnNKOm2Bn9ymbDlWp0Phlq0P5tOyRJnJeSrYweR3BOL8pO12WHSHk-MgbcFeoC5p51o6KAEjBzbZ3DY1WOn71A6C7stTpbXuhnmmMQYCgjGr2_GnRu9/s1600/Sparrows-Bird-Bath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOffcRjrpZUA4f8Z_-FZnNKOm2Bn9ymbDlWp0Phlq0P5tOyRJnJeSrYweR3BOL8pO12WHSHk-MgbcFeoC5p51o6KAEjBzbZ3DY1WOn71A6C7stTpbXuhnmmMQYCgjGr2_GnRu9/s320/Sparrows-Bird-Bath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-47423633105276654912013-11-16T04:02:00.002-08:002013-11-16T04:02:38.081-08:00GRR, parents of babies at the movies!I love babies too. They're cute, innocent, cuddly and what not.<br />
<br />
But please don't bring them to a movie theater because there are some souls like me who would like to take a break from routines and sit back and watch a movie in peace in a darkened environment without other unnecessary interruptions.<br />
<br />
This couple in the row before me brought one baby each (don't know whether they were twins or what). The babies' crying got louder and louder, but the parents were adamant not to leave, or take the children out for a breather, or even take turns. Why should I and the others in the theater have to put up with this when we have paid for a chilled-out movie experience and driven 45 minutes one-way for it? The movie was a violent one with a lot of fights. The parents should have known better!<br />
<br />
I did shush them a few times with a general 'shhh' but nothing worked. Hmph.Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-81867284216723589992013-11-15T02:56:00.001-08:002013-11-15T02:56:25.964-08:00MEN!That's it.<br />
<br />
:-PTeesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-28918773493511663242013-11-12T23:01:00.001-08:002013-11-13T09:06:17.882-08:00Rumbumbum Arumbum...AARAMBAM"Keep it simple."<br />
"Make it simple."<br />
"...Simple."<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ajith's (Thala) punch dialogues started off this way. So, am going to keep it simple. Anyway it's a simple plot. And the movie sequences make simpletons out of us. Saying it's Mumbai and then showing us Chennai for it, hmph. That sort of stuff. The simple plot is that an anti-terrorist/bomb squad team loses its officers due to the slipshod quality of the bullet-proof jacket approved by a top cop and politician plus a media person, who all make a lot of money out of it. A surviving member of the bomb squad team -- i.e. our Thala Ajith brings them the gory glory they deserve. Death by various ways. Off a Dubai skyscraper, off few dozen gunshots, off some big bombs, etc.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My dog's name is Rover and the story's over.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Now for the actors (I love this part).<br />
<br />
<br />
AJITH KUMAR as AK i.e. Ashok Kumar in this film -- is the seemingly anti-hero who is in fact just a hero. I dunno about his acting skills, which really, I cannot comment on for some non-specific reason. It ain't bad and it ain't heart-stopping. Because acting is not the point with this guy whose head full of grey hair has been the talk of the town. His mere personality and consequent style is THE point. The fact is... that he isn't a supremely wonderful dancer like Vijay or a six pack hard-working, beautiful-eyed guy like Suriya, for example. He's a guy you and I may like or even find hot if we met him somewhere. He's very believable as a not-that-young guy with his 50 shades of grey hair, healthy body complete with a comfortingly cushiony tummy area, good legs (not that I saw them heheh), wide shoulders, fit arms and an extremely awesome gait. Sophisticated-looking and understated acting. And unlike some odd salutes and ridiculous-mock-ridiculous expressions, AJIT KUMAR'S style is made of one-liners which are each time delivered deadpan with an expressionless voice and just the way he wears his sunglasses, which is rather er, knee-weakening. I went prepared to scoff, and came away blushing. Seriously stylish man this. And I don't think he's acting!! When he got on to that Ducati, the audience roared and my pulse raced. If you're female, you'll know what I mean about this self-assured actor. Am afraid he's hot.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
NAYANTARA is Maya and her relationship with Ajit in the film is rather up-in-the-air (but he did feel her up a few times, so...you never know how many shades of grey were actually there in their relationship). She is smoking hot. Skin, hair, figure, posture, confidence, acting...everything about her clicks. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The babies Arya & Taapsee -- feel sad for Arya, to club him with airhead Taapsee. But they are a pair with one baby-oh baby routine, silly jokes and overall extra silliness. But I guess, that's her part and Arya's cool as the indignant Fat Boy Slim entangled with AJIT and his comic timing is as good as it always is.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ajit's Aarambam (The Beginning). I guess it will fly because of this style icon AJIT KUMAR. If he acts in a film, it's his and nobody else's these days. I believe it now. He's the crutch this film AARAMBAM and its makers lean heavily on and for his part, AJIT KUMAR - Thala, takes it in his stride and sweeps on, as he dons his coolers in a highly believable, everyday style. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
*Sigh*Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-79008227318121836092013-10-21T05:45:00.000-07:002013-10-21T05:45:04.342-07:00Coupla roll-the-eyes moments...The way we live our lives on FB is quite a phenomenon.
And now, Facebook Anthakshari.
Ssshhhhabaaa.
Er, not that I don't enjoy it, but what I find weird is that people are more in a hurry to friend you on FB than in person.
There's this person who sent me a friend request. Now, I don't know her really, but at least I have seen her around and know who she is. For this reason, and mainly because I need more people on board the 'networking' space, I accepted her request. The next day, I saw her at a common friend's place and Zap. No sign of recognition. My tentative smile gave way to a shrug.
Oh well, see ya on FB methinks. ;-)Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-73847316425873015872013-06-24T01:14:00.002-07:002013-06-24T01:14:10.613-07:00Sometimes 'in-your-face'...book."OMG, I just sneezed!"
"I'm unwell...*sniff*"
"I don't like this."
"I don't like that."
"I saw this movie."
"Hey look, my popcorn!"
"Happy *whatever* Day!"
"See this picture of my perfect...
a) family
b) children
c) husband
d) boyfriend
e) holiday
f) pet"
...and so on.
Social networking is not just social networking. It has a lot to do with inflating the ego, broadcasting an opinion, sending subtle and loud messages both to one or more people, talking to self out loud --online, showing off your wit and various other things including photos of yourself and your beloveds'.
Sometimes, it gets to be in-your-face and on-your-nerves. The people (er, your 'freinds', I mean), their thoughts, their opinions, their blah-blahs, their pictures, and everything they are crazy about....it can all drive YOU crazy.
I considered deactivation, but when you're in a business and your thing includes sales of any kind, eegawd, you gotto brave all this and adopt an 'if you can't beat them, join them' mantra.
So I do...so i do.Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-70199067416842786762013-06-14T07:18:00.003-07:002013-06-14T07:18:54.100-07:00After a breakWhat if I cannot write anymore?
This is a thought that has been troubling me for a long time now. Before I actually start writing things that other people might read, thought should post something on my old blog teesutalk.
Why am i calling it old? it's the ONLY blog I've got:-D
Today,something funny happened ...I was driving and spotted a black Volkswagen ahead of me and thought it was my friend's. Painstakingly, I zoomed ahead and manoeuvered into position next to the car all the while trying to check if it was her in the driver's seat. Finally, I got near enough to wave, look at her and catch her attention. I waved wildly and happily beamed at her. In a split second I realised that it was not my friend at all but a stranger -- a very 'zapped' man. The startled guy had a sour-faced woman next to him who I am sure did not break into a smile at this behaviour from me! I quickly shook my hand at them as if to rub off my over-enthusiastic greeting and drove well away.
Chuckling at myself, of course. Good start to a morning, people. Better than the mundane, eh.Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-33447430799860137492012-03-11T08:37:00.002-07:002012-03-11T09:14:40.730-07:00A Tag to drag me out of oblivion?From ummon.wordpress.com<br />A Tag<br />11 Mar<br /><br />1. You must post the rules.<br /><br />2. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post & then create 11 new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.<br /><br />3. Tag 11 people and link to them on your post.<br /><br />4. Let them know you’ve tagged them!<br /><br />ps: or just be lazy, answer my questions, and don’t do anything else :)<br /><br /> <br />AM BEING LAZY PLEASE...CRAWLING OUT AFTER AGES.<br />So here are the 11 questions by Soulsearching who tagged me.<br /> 1. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?<br /><br />To be able to get rid of pain -- any pain: emotional or physical...for anyone and everyone.<br /><br />2. What was your favourite childhood television program?<br /><br />Rocket Robinhood and Spiderman...and He-Man for sure:-)<br /><br />3. Have / had any celebrity crushes ? <br /><br />Karthik then (Agni natshathiram/Mouna Raagam stage), but now, there's just 'admiration-crushes' for quite a few (so i won't go weak at the knees or anything now, just to be clear.) like Kamal Haasan, Prakash Raj, Suriya and Karthi. Others rather temporary!!<br /><br />4. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?<br /><br />The US. To as many places there as I want to.<br /><br />5. Name 1 thing you miss about being a child.<br /><br />Miss the total ignorance and irresponsibility...which I didn't make good-enough use of;-). That and...Firhaven Estate and THE LIFE!<br /><br />6. Name the one comic/book character that you loved the most and why?<br /><br />Rhett Butler (for lack of any other sudden recall) of Gone with the Wind. Quite a 'man'.<br /><br />7. What is the one thing that you are dying to try but haven’t had a chance to do so yet ?<br /><br />Live alone...or rather, quite alone.<br /><br />8. Do you have a role model – someone you want to emulate? Whom do you admire the most?<br /><br />Hmmmm. Nope. Everyone has a flip side(?!)But plenty to learn from plenty of folks. (Hah. How vague is that.)<br /><br />9. What do others make of you? <br /><br />I'm trying not to burden myself with wondering about what others make of me (contrary to what we have been taught to do right through). Introspection ought to do it.<br /><br />10. Have you ever gotten into a fight or punched someone ?<br /><br />There are two memorable fights to mention. One with a friend's then-boyfriend for his boorish behaviour and another with a pervert on a train. Came off good in both those and hence, memorable. Didn't punch either. But no regrets. I can be fierce without getting physical :-D<br /><br />11. For Girls – If you woke up tomorrow to find out you are Brad Pitt, what would be the first thing you’d say upon looking in the mirror???<br /><br />So, I'm Brad Pitt. Should that impress me much? (Shania Twain;-))<br /> <br /><br />HERE Ummon's MY 11 QUESTIONS:<br /><br />1. Name the friend you’ve known longest.<br />Bonny.<br /><br />2. How did you meet?<br />Grew up together from babyhood. So maybe we met first from our respective moms' laps?<br /><br />3. How long have you known him/her?<br />Hah. That would reveal my not-so-young age. Let's just say over 3 decades.<br /><br />4. Name an embarrassing crush, one you would hesitate to accept in public. But will now :)<br />Actually, I won't, even now.:-D<br /><br />5. A man/woman from history you would have proposed to.<br />Any of the hot and handsome South Indian Kings. I'm poor in history as such. So, I cannot remember any name. Hmmm.... but KINGS, mind you.<br /><br />6. Name an international city that you feel is over-rated.<br />Barcelona. Bo-h-oring. (no no not a bad word. It really was boring!)<br /><br />7. An Indian dish that is over-rated.<br />Upma or 'bath' as some say...no, actually, 'Curry'. (whatever THAT means to the Americans. Hmph.)<br /><br />8. What do you think of same sex marriage?<br />To each her own...er, his own. No I mean, their own.:-)<br /><br />9. Reality shows are:……………..<br />Not on my list.<br /><br />10. Designer clothes are:……………<br />Not on my list.<br /><br />11. Illayaraja or A R Rahman?<br />Both, both, both, both. SIMPLY cannot leave either out.Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-30566558026497985832011-04-03T02:11:00.000-07:002011-04-03T02:22:51.403-07:00Another 'you had to be there'Went with a friend and my daughter for the movie 'Siruthai'. Honestly, one of the most stupid films I have watched in a long time. 'Sorry' to Karthi Sivakumar, one of my favourite actors, not for calling this film stupid (nope, it was starkly stupid), but for his having <span style="font-style:italic;">done</span> the film. Why, Karthi, why? Why, Karthi, why? (Twas a double role, you see!)<br /><br />As the film neared the all-popular interval, there were a lot of fighting scenes that disturbed my 6+ kiddo. She kept staring at me Garfield-Jon style face-in-face until I spotted the words I-N-T-E-R-V-A-L appearing on the screen with much relief and shouted "Don't worry, you can relax, <span style="font-weight:bold;">it's the Interval, dee</span>!" The last four words simply rang out and reverberated in that tiny, air-conditioned theatre since the background music suddenly shut off. <br /><br />As I write this, I can see it was definitely a 'you-had-to-be-there' moment. My friend and I laughed so hard (yes, I was embarrassed enough to cover my face with my dupatta) that we could not even get up for ten minutes, and then laughed our way to the popcorn spot.<br /><br />Oh well, best laugh in a long time though so very juvenile.Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-36811174401935891942011-04-03T01:53:00.000-07:002011-04-03T02:11:02.854-07:00What my Guru says...His pearls...<br /><br />*To do business, more than anything, you need common sense.<br /><br />*There is not a single person on earth who thinks he is NOT sensitive.<br /><br />*Don't be woolly about anything.<br /><br />*Prepare, and when you do, be thorough.<br /><br />*If you don't understand anything, ask. Nobody is born knowing everything.<br /><br />"If you were the kind of person happy to spend time doing nothing in particular, attending kitty parties, etc. you would not be sitting in front of me! You have to focus on your family <span style="font-style:italic;">and</span> your work." <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">My personal favourite is the first point above.</span>Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-24120095097176979822010-10-01T06:27:00.000-07:002010-10-01T11:01:05.692-07:00Ada Bosse...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-cISliafymMDXxpoNd9lX2j5F0MiqgExgoP9bnrDuPy4iNHY7b6l0nDslxBCFrEwxY-yU6PE3dwe-mDLi_68WEMO6OkgZVC86ZUGcpzTwUHLU1WLgcsQP86sA2g3d3gTqKar/s1600/arya-santhanam-boss-engira-.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-cISliafymMDXxpoNd9lX2j5F0MiqgExgoP9bnrDuPy4iNHY7b6l0nDslxBCFrEwxY-yU6PE3dwe-mDLi_68WEMO6OkgZVC86ZUGcpzTwUHLU1WLgcsQP86sA2g3d3gTqKar/s320/arya-santhanam-boss-engira-.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523132347007578514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHSJe9jlEVZr_h7lrQRlUdNPGSiDX55bx3C6kqfrdj25FTi81CBHDKZZhcUAVWgXot7flEt31iz-eVylX-jNPJ2FWBmkMhhBb-kEIQFeW9nwEaZtPoQUHnlGjEYbVyqI_pj89/s1600/arynay300.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 289px; height: 293px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHSJe9jlEVZr_h7lrQRlUdNPGSiDX55bx3C6kqfrdj25FTi81CBHDKZZhcUAVWgXot7flEt31iz-eVylX-jNPJ2FWBmkMhhBb-kEIQFeW9nwEaZtPoQUHnlGjEYbVyqI_pj89/s320/arynay300.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523131903288191026" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOQK09-2ybEUO248DZZ6cHKif5BFjimj9CFQd64KSZOUDnnAwJDSLRRU8zaa2NK8GTnR7XQCWXRLDTj5n023j5q1RVqISqV_E2iF6sSp1YA-meiVUZwAuWuhjXGeUSBu9cgKR/s1600/Boss-Engira-Baskaran-Movie-Stills-31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOQK09-2ybEUO248DZZ6cHKif5BFjimj9CFQd64KSZOUDnnAwJDSLRRU8zaa2NK8GTnR7XQCWXRLDTj5n023j5q1RVqISqV_E2iF6sSp1YA-meiVUZwAuWuhjXGeUSBu9cgKR/s320/Boss-Engira-Baskaran-Movie-Stills-31.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523131233046048066" /></a><br /><strong>"BOSS ENGIRA BASKARAN"</strong>(BeB)<br /><br />Heard it wasn't good. Heard it was a bore. It LOOKED somewhat different (from trailers) and seemed rather casual and funny. So, went for it.<br /><br />The usual high as I pull into Sathyam cinemas' parking lot. I really appreciate that theatre. They know movie-lovers and have really gone after their hearts. <br /><br />This film has Arya and Nayantara in the lead, but only after watching it did I realise that it has Arya, Nayantara AND Santhanam (comedian) in the lead! The film begins in a chirpy, simple way...am gathering this is going to be Arya's way of distinguishing himself from the usual stressed-out crowd of filmmakers -- you see, he is also the film's producer with his company 'The Show People'. Good job.<br /><br /><strong>Story:</strong><br /><br />Carefree guy still pursuing a degree with many an arrear meets lecturer on bus whilst enroute to exam hall to write his arrears...and falls in love. Fate has his older brother marrying lecturer's older sis soon after. When guy wants to marry lecturer, his bhabi/manni/anni says no, get 'useful' first. So guy leaves home and starts business with his best friend. Somehow makes it work...almost. Then, lecturer's Dad gets mad, guy's progress notwithstanding, cos guy's best friend has publicly insulted him (the lecturer's Dad)under the influence of alcohol. How guy gets past his girl's Dad's anger is the end.<br /><br /><strong>Arya, the hero</strong><br /><br /><em>Usually...Casually in character</em><br /><br />Arya is an averagely hot 'guy'. Moderately good body for a hero, pretty good for 'just' a guy, casual, good looks with the rugged, half or un-shaven look suiting him, and an actually-not-strong-enough voice for Tamil cinema. Still, overall, he is attractive in his own way.<br /><br />In the film, he delivers comfortably as the happy-go-lucky Bhaskaran alias Boss. Boss is casual and funny from the word go. And 'go' is how the film starts. Arya has managed to stay the hero despite giving a heavy role to comedy-actor Santhanam who plays his best friend. Arya also has a knack of casually stepping into his characters I feel (noticed this across films), so this was a treat in spite of his close-to-dumb expressions. They were quite cute actually and so very believable -- guy next door types. His character too seems real and many can identify with his viewpoints like neither appreciating advice nor advisors! 'He is like that only' describes Baskaran's character well.<br /><br /><br /><strong>Nayanthara</strong><br /><br /><em>Usually...I refer to her as SMUG MUG.</em><br /><br />Nayanthara was a nice, fresh face when she first started. Then she became sloppy, flabby whatever. (Who am I to talk, eh;)) Then she ....PSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST!supposedly had some liposuction thing or whatever and became svelte, and thereafter terribly sought-after. THEN, she acquired what I gleefully refer to as the smug-mug. Annoyingly highly made-up face, a smug smile always in place and so on. Idle thoughts included a temptation to smack the smug mug. Pretty face alright. Hidden behind the mug. So, I was going to see BEB because... I like Arya, looked forward to Santhanam's bits, and IN SPITE of SMUG MUG. <br />Pleasant surprise. <br /><br />She has not only acted well, she is nice looking except for some frightening closeups which, frankly, noone over the age of 23 is able to carry off these days. Her quick, hidden smiles and humourous twitching and affectionate looks are very well done. Happy with smug mug, I say.<br /><br /><strong>Santhanam</strong><br /><br /><em>Modern Day Koundamani</em>, <em>Youngsters' Delight</em>.<br /><br />Santhanam is simply brilliant. His timing, his dialogue delivery and the on screen rapport between Arya and Santhanam is something to talk about. As two friends, they have made the phrase 'Nannben Da' a part of Tamil cinema's popular-dialogues-in-history list. Loved it. <br /><br /><strong>Music and Dance</strong><br /><br />It was fine. Suitable. 'Ada Bosse' is cute, the steps are generally funny throughout all songs, and the costumes acceptable...no, good, actually. <br /><br /><strong>The film:</strong><br /><br />Could have been better TECHNICALLY and scriptically I suppose, but how I laughed. It was a wonderful thing to see a movie so carefree, so upbeat, so conversational and casual. This film had no tension; it aimed to relax, destress and let you guffaw at the Boss' and his friend Nallathambi's antics. The narration was just right. The end could have been better but by then you are in such a great mood, you happily accept that all good things have to come to an end, so who cares <em>how</em>!<br /><br />I laughed so much I coughed and coughed! Actually felt like giving Arya and Santhanam a big hug in appreciation. *sigh* maybe some day :D<br /><br />The supporting actors are ALL very good. Noteworthy that.<br /><br />But this film is just timepass, feel-good, and NOT for those uptight or overly-critical or non-Tamil speaking sorts. It's not for those who look high and low for faults, gab endlessly about scripts, locations, cinematography, costumes yand all. Not for those in pursuit of sophistication. BEB surpasses all that. But you <em>need </em> to KNOW and love Tamil, Tamil cinema and have a sense of humour -- oh, that's very very important, to love this film.<br /><br />Ah, then, enough said about me, eh? ;)<br /><br />:DTeesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-79008406185642209152010-09-05T08:30:00.000-07:002010-09-05T09:57:11.760-07:00Naan Mahan Alla<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2iGGXPffBYK8NcoQeuZaoogksaxtNBkEOD8uhBIjEU8gj7MNxEt10CaeYl9amM7VggOLg8ELQz5MWAoQO6p6hcV2Upuc8Y3mpGUqeDXyPz9DxGbifs7m1q1bfe4O9VmKa6Oe/s1600/karthi.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2iGGXPffBYK8NcoQeuZaoogksaxtNBkEOD8uhBIjEU8gj7MNxEt10CaeYl9amM7VggOLg8ELQz5MWAoQO6p6hcV2Upuc8Y3mpGUqeDXyPz9DxGbifs7m1q1bfe4O9VmKa6Oe/s320/karthi.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513460733479459778" /></a><br /><br />My favourite well-fed hero Karthi(!) takes charge here. The movie begins with some chilling music (great background score from Yuvan Shankar Raja -- Really good.). <br /><br />Then, the story is about a happy-go-lucky guy who generally takes his family for granted and has a good time in life. He falls in love with some random girl (PYT -- Pretty Young Thing for non-MJ fans;)-- Kajal Agarwal)in a playful way and through games young ones play, gets her to fall for him too. <br /><br />Some generally cute and entertaining romantic scenes later, the story unfolds that: Karthi's father in the film(seems like a REALLY nice dad to have) is witness to what was to be a a mere girl-running-away from home with boyfriend and boyfriend's gang of friends. The father is a call taxi driver. Thereafter, the gruesome killing of that girl and her boyfriend by his so-called friends leads to Karthi's father being a key witness to the horrible murders, and therefore a hot target for the gang of college-going, drug-abusing youths. Appalling, I tell you. I only saw this flick for Karthi the actor. <br /><br />It's not a bad film at all except it could have been better taken. Loopholes galore and good guy winning against all odds a tad annoying although in this case, the villains are too villainous for words. Might as well have the hero beating the daylights outta them!<br /><br />After a planned killing of Karthi's father, Karthi realises what life is all about. The scene and song of his father's funeral is very well taken. Cried my eyes out, thank you, and Karthi acts magnificently in some scenes such as these. His character name: Jeeva bugs me. Why oh why is Kollydamnwood obsessed with names like Jeeva, Raja and so on? Can't they have better names? Tamil cinema and the audiences deserve better. *sniff*<br /><br />Didn't find the romance scenes toooo great. In fact liked the comedy played between Karthi, his friends and family MUCH more. Very every-day stuff and nice.<br /><br />Ok, so dad gone, Karthi's eyes are opened and so his arms are flexed. Nice fights. I can't believe I just said that! I usually tune fights out. One dishoom is equal to another. After a long time, we find an interesting fight sequence and captivating turn of events during the final part of the film. <br /><br />The bad boys got what they deserve which is always, ALWAYS nice to know/see. I choose to take the following morals of this film's story and highlight them:-<br /><br />1. If you're a girl, don't run away from home with your boyfriend. Possible gang rape, throat slitting and body-cutting makes it so NOT worth it or ANY romance for that matter. No guy is worth it. BELIEVE me. May as well talk/beg/fight it out with your parents who are not likely to resort to murder...oh, honour killing chilling stories aside. (SERIOUSLY weird world this is getting to be!)<br /><br />2. If you are the boy who is getting his friends' help in taking a girl out of her home, try not to make out with your girlfriend with your friends in the next room. It's disgusting and in this case, tempted them to finish you and your girlfriend off after having their ways with her. SICK.<br /><br />3. If you are going to kill one person, you are likely to kill more (unless you killed one in self defense in the first place. So, please don't kill anyone!!<br /><br />4. If you kill or maim others, you are not likely to come to any good end. None of us is immortal. We are all going to die. Why ensure it WILL be badly? Karma type thing.<br /><br />5. Peer pressure. Stay strong and don't succumb to peer pressure. Today it's that glass of wine or a fad diet*. Tomorrow, it could be anything else.<br /><br />6. Try not to stay pampered by parents. It makes life all that much more difficult when they go away...and parents, try not to be TOO giving. (This is only meant for such GREAT parents. Not for some of those who really need not have bothered reproducing -- a separate post for you soon, dearies!)<br /><br />7. Don't talk on the mobile whilst riding your mobike. True, nothing happened to the actors HERE because film shooting environments are safe;), but something may well happen to YOU.<br /><br />8. Don't forget to observe things and people around you.<br /><br />Okay okay, I KNOW. This is just a movie. But everyone is so pre-occupied with films and actors' ishtyles all over the place that we may as well decide to learn some lessons outta them. The whole youth scene in this film freaked me out. <br /><br />I kind of thought this movie would be like Death Wish. Well, maybe it IS about revenge but Death Wish is MUCH better seen from the revenge and lessons-of-life angles. <br /><br />Karthi carried this film through. Cannot say enough how happy I am that here is an actor / hero who has not succumbed to grazing on carrots and cucumbers in a quest for a concave stomach (read six yucky pack) and puny frame. Keep eating well (The fad diet mention in point no.5 above is for you:D), Karthi. Don't turn metrosexual. Stay man!Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-46737324452152297102010-06-14T00:04:00.000-07:002010-06-14T01:30:46.668-07:00Censoring needs censoring!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafntDuFOlFppBrDii7LZMn2en-uobA-IejCDdhr4TgBmjgCar6e4ZJjyw_CcwKTTk4HKWvEKB6bJPhheiip10O28-D5F_aO6lB0n87hFnvUVC9tjgPkcYOb4iu99-V7vSE7uq/s1600/kandasamy-shriya-vikram-150x150.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafntDuFOlFppBrDii7LZMn2en-uobA-IejCDdhr4TgBmjgCar6e4ZJjyw_CcwKTTk4HKWvEKB6bJPhheiip10O28-D5F_aO6lB0n87hFnvUVC9tjgPkcYOb4iu99-V7vSE7uq/s320/kandasamy-shriya-vikram-150x150.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482535335177138770" /></a><br />I have a bone to pick with the censor board. I admit it may not be their fault alone that it often does <strong>not </strong>look like they know what they are doing... but they DO get to take a call and often, seem to take the wrong ones!<br /><br />Looking at fairly recent releases where the censor board's failed me big time (by me, I mean the common man -- um, ok, the commonwoman)...<br /><br /><strong>Sura</strong><br /><br />Sura for example, has a few scenes dedicated to the topic of suicide. Worse, it has a scene that is explicit on the different ways of committing suicide. This film, with an 'U' certification! Are they MAD? ( a little voice inside my head suggests the BAD word C-word: Corruption!Hmmm. Could it be?)<br /> <br />Once, when I asked the booking guy at the cinemas whether I could bring a child in to one of actor Vijay's films, he almost chortled and said: "M'am, for Vijay-movies, you don't even have to ask. Kids are always there." Sounds finer than it <em>is</em>. <br /><br />How DARE the censor board allow this to happen? This suicide thing was <em>supposed</em> to be comedy -- romance as well as Vadivelu's comical bits, which we all know, draws far more attention than even mere drama! Bad enough we have ONLY skimpily-dressed actresses these days...now OTHER inappropriate stuff too! Do we want our kids to know all about suicide? Or is it that our society is now warped-enough that our kids 'anyway' know all about it and so, it's better to joke about it in the open? A lose-lose situation, people.<br /><br /><strong>Kandhaswamy</strong><br /><br />I really like Vikram in Tamil cinema, OK? But he had given an interview prior to the release of Kandhaswamy and spoken about HOW great the film was for family-viewing and HOW much kids would enjoy watching it.<br /><br />Really? The film had <strong>too much </strong>of Shriya Saran's <strong>too-little </strong>wardrobe. Too much of her pushing herself on to Vikram (in the film I mean;)), and all of it tastelessly done! It got me shuddering to think of what 'family-viewing' must mean these days!<br /><br /><strong>Singam</strong><br /><br />This film had an uncertain U/A certification. Apparently the A was added just because the heroine wore a too-revealing (I mean some 2 degrees more than 'normal') blouse. Hah. BLOUSE, it seems. 'Innerwear' paraded as outwear is more appropriate. Still, in these 'If-you-have-it, flaunt-it' times, what does one expect, eh? And how abou that 30-lakh prostitute (or some other equally-ridiculous figure) on a multi-purpose van dancing to the tunes of the lecherous villain? That's a kid-ok scene is it?<br /><br />Well my point here is, if the censor board is ONLY going to take note of less or more clothes and overlook much else which youngsters OUGHT to be prevented from watching, why do you need a BOARD for it? One guy can just sit up and say 'less', 'more', 'none'(!!) and do the needful...<br /><br />And it's not as if the common man has common sense. For an U/A certification, he will bring his kids, his nephews and his nieces -- perhaps even some neighbours' kids for an U/A certified film. In <em>Singam </em>too, I noticed this boy (couldn't have been more than 6) watching a suicide scene unblinkingly, standing in the aisle.<br /><br />You know what, when I started this post, I was picking a bone with the censor folk. Now, I think it's the parents I am getting to too.<br /><br />Honestly, blood and gore seems a better option than too few clothes for NO good reason, tasteless coming-on of actors to actresses and vice versa, and suicide methods! <br /><br />Is there a way out?<br /><br />Note: Actress Shriya in this pic seems dressed for winter(!) compared to EVERY other outfit she sports in the film. Ugh.Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-47175710482973574422010-06-11T23:28:00.000-07:002010-06-12T08:04:05.253-07:00Suriya or Surya is 'Singam' (Another animal title!) - Teesutalkie / movie review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSJjXqyjKxMOEuO9efh1O1DrLXMo8C0tp6XY4c8_nKyu8P8VdwyMYlADoImFQoBdN2ubgOUW_yaon0fUzOmHofn-Cv1JEUha0JXb_1OKJK4OdaSVv0LQHHgBI60a2ntnIoueg/s1600/singam.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481782744801516994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 394px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSJjXqyjKxMOEuO9efh1O1DrLXMo8C0tp6XY4c8_nKyu8P8VdwyMYlADoImFQoBdN2ubgOUW_yaon0fUzOmHofn-Cv1JEUha0JXb_1OKJK4OdaSVv0LQHHgBI60a2ntnIoueg/s400/singam.jpg" border="0" /></
<br /><div>I was <strong><em>so</em></strong> excited at the prospect of watching Suriya in Singam. What added the 'so' in that first sentence is that I saw him at the hotel Park around the time he was shooting for this film -- in this 'getup', and he looked oh-so-handsome. My I announce that he has the most gorgeous eyes I have ever seen on a man and that I grudge him for keeping his eyes downcast so I couldn't check them out in person when I came to within 3 feet of him at the Park's weird entrance!;)</div>
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<br /><div>The film Singam had the usual cliches -- one roaring lion image appearing often enough instead of Suriya's face, etc. Proper MTR masala types. BY branding the masala, I meant good quality!</div>
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<br /><div>The comedy scenes were comforting thanks to Vivek. However, one or two scenes seemed more Vadivelu' s style than Vivek's. <em>That</em> kind of humour whereas, I normally associate Vivek's style with a cleverer tone overall. </div>
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<br /><div>Prakash Raj as the proverbial villain amazes me with HOW consistent he is in his mannerisms and style of talking. He delivers alright, but is it really so hard to find other actors who could do the trick just for the sake of variety? Just because this guy makes a 'good villain' is hardly enough reason to allow him to repeat himself in EVERY film esp in a negative role.</div>
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<br /><div>Anushka, the tall heroine I was SURE (after Vijay's Vettaikaran) would never be paired with shorter actors, is the heroine for Suriya here. Tall and rather big made, she wore revealing outfits (and I mean a little more revealing than 'normal') that earned the film the U/A certification rather than just 'U'. </div>
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<br /><div><em>Now, I have a bone to pick with the censor board about their general approach to censoring, but that's for another post.</em></div>
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<br /><div>Her expressions aren't bad but she does not really suit Suriya although director Hari has done a cool job of make-believe in this area. </div>
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<br /><div>Suriya. Well, he is a cool actor who, I <em>do </em>think could have won himself a National award or two for his acting in many a scene over many a film in the past say, 5-6 years...but he hasn't. This actor has some expressions down pat. Like the embarrassed one(THE best in the industry), the disappointed one, the angry one, the sarcastic one and the 'I-am-a-wonderful-son' one. Thing is, as I said, he has simply bee-you-ti-ful eyes, but they are also very expressive. So expressive in fact, that he gives himself away in some scenes like the one when confronted with Prakash Raj whose face comes to within one foot of himself. The guy's eyes smile and it makes you think he has a tough time keeping a straight face.</div>
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<br /><div>Alright, alright, you have to be Suriya-crazy to notice these things. Am not QUITE there yet. <em>Who am I kidding, eh?Oh, and the veg puff at Sathyam cinemas this time, was bad.</em></div>
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<br /><div>Now, why on earth did they give Suriya so many gayish, girlie and METROSEXUAL moves in the songs, I <em>want </em>to know. Irritating.</div>
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<br /><div>The songs are not great. Between being distracted by Anushka's outlandish-for-tamil-cinema-height and appreciating Suriya's high-energy, the frivolous song scenes pass.</div>
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<br /><div>The movie is also not boring, thanks to director Hari who ONLY needs to watch out for repeating himself. The films <em>Saamy</em> and <em>Aaru </em>were wonderful and refreshing albeit masalas. Somehow, Singam is not THAT much so.</div>
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<br /><div>I say watch the movie for Suriya. Nothing else is compelling enough in the film.</div>
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<br />Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-34294419342793458762010-06-11T23:16:00.000-07:002010-06-11T23:28:13.170-07:00Teesu talkie?I was just going to write a movie review when I suddenly got a feeling that my blog seems to be more about tags and reviews than my own, you know, 'teesutalk'.<br /><br />Bothers me a bit. But I have to admit, social networking sites take up quite a bit of energy and sharing and so, teesutalk moves to the background. Feeling bad about that. After all, I have plenty to talk about, rave, fondly remember, rant, announce, etc.<br /><br />Besides, have taken up a small venture and taking up a business on any scale uses up a lot of energy!<br /><br />After all this blah-blah, my mind is on my next 2-3 posts and they are all about Tamil cinema and a 'self-taken tag'.<br /><br />What the heck, may as well indulge. Teesu's JUST-talk is just about these now, then.Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-24292550320163957022010-05-30T06:14:00.000-07:002010-05-30T09:29:17.287-07:00Sura - Shark or Dolphin...or both?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIf7K1NjJDo4rvakEPRX55rqMx-2DlCmSDdMVzC_XgYdNCADsgePoqEdHxX_bKu1yKKYAFG3boWxVadUSHRjrbLKHtDzUusg_Q6Os8KDBCG9b9l3L8XJgVg6_CEHViS5F2IO2I/s1600/vijaysura.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477100911528454002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIf7K1NjJDo4rvakEPRX55rqMx-2DlCmSDdMVzC_XgYdNCADsgePoqEdHxX_bKu1yKKYAFG3boWxVadUSHRjrbLKHtDzUusg_Q6Os8KDBCG9b9l3L8XJgVg6_CEHViS5F2IO2I/s320/vijaysura.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Yummma! Yupppa! Podhum daa...<br /><br />With these words, I left the cinema hall after watching Vijay's latest and 50th milestone movie in his film career: SURA. Sura means Shark. I agree. Quite as vicious a film as a shark is <em>said</em> to be.<br /><br />Vijay's opening in the film came as a Dolphin-like stroke supposedly in the ocean. Didn't know sharks did that! Maybe sura also means dolphin. Ok, I can give them that.<br /><br />What I cannot give this film & story, is ANY ounce of appreciation. Vijay is a fisherman, it seems. Pooh. Credibility goes downhill from here! Even Vadivelu's comedy was ...stupid. Only one scene was really funny -- the one with Vadivelu and Venniraadai Moorthy, but teh former spoiled it by repeating the funny act 5-6 times in succession!! Really poor.<br /><br />Vijay. Couldn't he have given some amount of interest to the script he signed for his 50th film?? Disappointing. Boring dialogues but brilliant dancing! That's one thing he always has going for him. Also, he looked healthier in this film than he has in a long time. He just needs another <em>Gillie</em> now and then...and then, he can pull on with more <em>Kuruvis </em>and <em>Vettaikaarans </em>but God forbid he comes out with more <em>Villus </em>& <em>Suras</em>.<br /><br />Tamannah. Really, the girl's OK. Forced to act like a bimbo but am sure I want to thank her for her correct lip-syncing, which is more than I can say for the villain. Aha. The Villain in Sura I THINK is the hero from the family-drama nice-Tamil-film-hit '<em>Aha</em>' that released in...I think 1996-1997. Poor guy. Poor lip syncing / dubbing.<br /><br />The story & presentation is best described as 'thoo-thoo-thuppaaki'. Stupid-O-Stupid.<br /><br />It seems Ilayadhalapathi (what <em>does</em> it mean?) Vijay's movies have slumped into the following super-boring format:<br /><br /><ul><br /><li>Talk of the hero (Vijay), followed by a 'Vijay-opening' scene. </li><br /><li>Song for some made-up victory celebration.</li><br /><li>Some drama usually involving the mother who dotes on son(Vijay) and is the epitome of...home-making / mommying.</li><br /><li>Villain-entry followed by a small triumph from Vijay's side over one of the villain's assistants / small-fry.</li><br /><li>Heroine entry and the weaving of a romance-plot that thins with every film.</li><br /><li>Song: Vijay and heroine. Show-off time for Vijay! </li><br /><li>Some fights, more songs, ill-placed comedy scenes and ...a challenge!</li><br /><li>INTERVAL (habbah!)</li><br /><li>More drama, comedy, fights, songs, fights, fights and fight till the end.</li><br /><li>Vijay wins any fight in the end never mind the number of villains or anything.</li><br /><li>Subham</li></ul><br /><p><em>Sura </em>is best described as a SHARK ATTACK! Stay outta theatres, people. I didn't. That's ONLY because a friend and I like to watch Vijay films even if JUST for the heck of it and not mention that fab vegetable puffs and popcorn (salt AND caramel) at Sathyam cinemas.</p><br /><p>Psssst! BURRRP. The film's bad. </p></div>Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-41766782600094648962010-05-30T06:05:00.001-07:002010-05-30T06:14:01.690-07:00Five compliments I have received...Tag from my tag-guru cuz: <a href="http://www.shyamram.blogspot.com/">http://www.shyamram.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />1. <em><strong>'You have beautiful eyes.' </strong></em><br />Get this occasionally.<br /><br />2. <strong><em>'You are very intelligent.' </em></strong><br />This quite tickles me. I <em>know</em> am CERTAINLY not intelligent <em>enough</em> to be called so.<br /><br />3. <strong><em>'You are multi-talented.' </em></strong><br />Feel it's just a wonderful way some friends have, of telling me I am a fancy jack-of-all trades. Could be, could be.<br /><br />4. <strong><em>'You are a good organizer.' </em></strong><br />I try, I try...and I certainly could / ought to be better!<br /><br />5. <strong><em>'You write well.'</em></strong><br />Honestly, MILES to go before I sleep...miles to go...<br /><br />BUT...<br />am so grateful for the above:-)Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-39091329476288680532010-05-15T03:50:00.000-07:002010-05-15T04:17:20.865-07:00Paiyya<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdXpLxaFKgGc6Cdj-NdU0dRPF2dollvHs8cnLvviBGPZOkH4iiPVIIZgIXz69lfNsr_Zjiwn8xhOcw9uvtqRstg2ilZ0B0MRRhzE5tRTaXa_uAbIlTUcAyb57E55LgP4tcjCC/s1600/paiyya.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471454331166458306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 190px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdXpLxaFKgGc6Cdj-NdU0dRPF2dollvHs8cnLvviBGPZOkH4iiPVIIZgIXz69lfNsr_Zjiwn8xhOcw9uvtqRstg2ilZ0B0MRRhzE5tRTaXa_uAbIlTUcAyb57E55LgP4tcjCC/s320/paiyya.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Was warned a bit about it.<br /><br />Finally went to watch it mostly for the hero Karthi. For the ill-informed, Karthi is an erstwhile assistant of Mani Rathnam's and younger bro of Suriya and the younger son of actor Shivakumar. A few-films-old actor who's pretty good at it. The story, if one has to find one in this film, has this disinterested, <em>supposedly-</em>job-hunting guy being pepped up for an interview by his sister and friends. The first few scenes had cliched dialogues -- a kind of banter between friends that didn't quite cut it. Then, the hero catches sight of, and falls hook, line and sinker for the heroine Tamannah somewhere. This girl by the way, does better Tamil lip-syncing than most other Hindi actresses. Somehow, he ends up driving her as a 'driver' from Bangalore to Mumbai whilst being chased by two separate gangs - one's after him and one's after her. A make-believe story that comes nowehere close to being believable. Pure acting for the sake of acting in the film.<br /><br />First of all, the dubbing. The actors, especially Karthi's sister in the film grates on your Tamizh-loving n Tamizh-speaking nerves with her idiotic rendering of dialogues. Even Milind Soman does a better job.<br /><br />Milind Soman is one villain. A lean, mean, bloody machine. Nothing more, nothing less. The other villain is some 200+ kilo guy who is overflowing out of a jeep. Speaking of villains, there are too many. WHY would one hero beat up some 30 villains single-handedly every half an hour in the film and still be the last man standing, is beyond me. Especially in today's world of supposedly well-informed and brainy audiences.<br /><br />Tamannah. Is Ok. Not too glam, not too simple. Not great at acting, but not bad either. Pleasing enough without IN YOUR face beauty like Ash Rai Bachchan or in-your-face villy-face like Shriya.<br /><br />But the heroine ditching the hero once her job was done ...and him still in love with her after realising it ...(well, the <em>audience </em>realised it, dunno if HE did!) ...and THEN getting royally hit by a steel rod some dozen times...is <strong>painfully absurd</strong>. Then, he wheels around from half-deaddom and attacks all his attackers! Smooth!<br /><br />STUPID.<br /><br />The music was OK, nothing earth shattering, with some surprisingly pleasing steps by the stocky hero. Ahhh. Must dwell on stocky. The guy's not really PLUMP, but quite healthy with the required basic shoulder muscles and leg-lifting, for some good villain-kicking and all. What a refreshing change from the puny souls who are the metrosexual actors of today! Welcome, Karthi. Please don't lose weight!! Some of us like our men healthy and well-fed.<br /><br />Finally, because the film had to end somewhere, Tamannah hugs Karthi. A *sniff sniff* into handkerchief moment. Those three hundred and fifty bucks I will never see again. Waaah.</div>Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23829289.post-66277309378049934812010-05-13T10:29:00.000-07:002010-05-13T10:36:37.398-07:00Innocent or Guilty...for funTag from <a href="http://www.shyamram.blogspot.com/">www.shyamram.blogspot.com</a><br /><br />Rules Go Like This:<br />RULE 1- You can only say Guilty or Innocent.<br />RULE 2- You are not allowed to explain anything unless someone messages you and asks!<br />RULE 3- Copy and paste this into your notes, delete my answers, type in your answers and tag to your friends to answer this.<br /><br />Asked someone to marry you? Innocent<br />Ever kissed someone of the same sex? Innocent<br />Danced on a table in a bar? Innocent<br />Ever told a lie? Guilty<br />Had feelings for someone whom you can’t have? Guilty<br />Kissed a picture? Guilty<br />Slept in until 5 PM? Guilty<br />Fallen asleep at work/school? Guilty<br />Held a snake? Guilty<br />Been suspended from school? Innocent<br />Worked at a fast food restaurant? Innocent<br />Stolen from a store? Innocent<br />Been fired from a job? Innocent<br />Done something you regret? Guilty<br />Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Innocent<br />Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Guilty<br />Kissed in the rain? Innocent<br />Sat on a roof top? Innocent<br />Kissed someone you shouldn’t? Innocent<br />Sang in the shower? Guilty<br />Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? Innocent<br />Shaved your head? Innocent<br />Had a boxing membership? Innocent<br />Made a girlfriend cry? Guilty<br />Been in a band? Guilty<br />Shot a gun? Innocent<br />Donated Blood? Innocent<br />Eaten alligator meat? Innocent<br />Eaten cheesecake? Guilty<br />Still love someone you shouldn’t? Innocent<br />Have/had a tattoo? Innocent<br />Liked someone, but will never tell who? Guilty<br />Been too honest? Guilty<br />Ruined a surprise? Innocent<br />Ate in a restaurant and got so bloated that you couldn’t walk afterward? Guilty<br />Erased someone from your friends list? Guilty<br />Dressed in a woman’s clothes (if you’re a guy) or man’s clothes (if you’re a girl)? Guilty<br />Joined a pageant? Guilty<br />Been told that you’re handsome or beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said? Guilty<br />Had communication with your ex? Innocent<br />Got totally drunk on the night before exam? Innocent<br />Got totally angry that you cried so hard? Guilty.Teesu (very very Indian, very very good)http://www.blogger.com/profile/18121120105725432864noreply@blogger.com2