Five compliments I have received...

Tag from my tag-guru cuz: http://www.shyamram.blogspot.com/

1. 'You have beautiful eyes.'
Get this occasionally.

2. 'You are very intelligent.'
This quite tickles me. I know am CERTAINLY not intelligent enough to be called so.

3. 'You are multi-talented.'
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.

4. 'You are a good organizer.'
I try, I try...and I certainly could / ought to be better!

5. 'You write well.'
Honestly, MILES to go before I sleep...miles to go...

BUT...
am so grateful for the above:-)

Paiyya

Was warned a bit about it.

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, supposedly-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.

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.

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.

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.

But the heroine ditching the hero once her job was done ...and him still in love with her after realising it ...(well, the audience realised it, dunno if HE did!) ...and THEN getting royally hit by a steel rod some dozen times...is painfully absurd. Then, he wheels around from half-deaddom and attacks all his attackers! Smooth!

STUPID.

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.

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.

Innocent or Guilty...for fun

Tag from www.shyamram.blogspot.com

Rules Go Like This:
RULE 1- You can only say Guilty or Innocent.
RULE 2- You are not allowed to explain anything unless someone messages you and asks!
RULE 3- Copy and paste this into your notes, delete my answers, type in your answers and tag to your friends to answer this.

Asked someone to marry you? Innocent
Ever kissed someone of the same sex? Innocent
Danced on a table in a bar? Innocent
Ever told a lie? Guilty
Had feelings for someone whom you can’t have? Guilty
Kissed a picture? Guilty
Slept in until 5 PM? Guilty
Fallen asleep at work/school? Guilty
Held a snake? Guilty
Been suspended from school? Innocent
Worked at a fast food restaurant? Innocent
Stolen from a store? Innocent
Been fired from a job? Innocent
Done something you regret? Guilty
Laughed until something you were drinking came out your nose? Innocent
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Guilty
Kissed in the rain? Innocent
Sat on a roof top? Innocent
Kissed someone you shouldn’t? Innocent
Sang in the shower? Guilty
Been pushed into a pool with all your clothes on? Innocent
Shaved your head? Innocent
Had a boxing membership? Innocent
Made a girlfriend cry? Guilty
Been in a band? Guilty
Shot a gun? Innocent
Donated Blood? Innocent
Eaten alligator meat? Innocent
Eaten cheesecake? Guilty
Still love someone you shouldn’t? Innocent
Have/had a tattoo? Innocent
Liked someone, but will never tell who? Guilty
Been too honest? Guilty
Ruined a surprise? Innocent
Ate in a restaurant and got so bloated that you couldn’t walk afterward? Guilty
Erased someone from your friends list? Guilty
Dressed in a woman’s clothes (if you’re a guy) or man’s clothes (if you’re a girl)? Guilty
Joined a pageant? Guilty
Been told that you’re handsome or beautiful by someone who totally meant what they said? Guilty
Had communication with your ex? Innocent
Got totally drunk on the night before exam? Innocent
Got totally angry that you cried so hard? Guilty.

ARRRGH.

The following words appear a LOT in several gushy-mushy forwards:-

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.

Dance like nobody's watching...

.
.
.
ANNOYING, isn't it? Preachy and sugary at once. Grr.

Songs and people

I associate certain songs with certain people (no specific order!). Whenever I listen to any of the numbers, the associated character springs to mind...


1. Mama (Phil Collins) - Laurinda, schoolfriend, who used to enjoy the song with me and laugh when phil Collins laughed!

2. Mukesh songs - Kumar, cuz, who sings them with aplomb.

3. Another Day in Paradise - Suresh, friend, who sang a memorable solo of it once.

4. Jaane oh Kaise (Hemant Kumar) and so many old, old Hindi songs, really- My Dad (late), who sang a lot, listened as well as taught me some.

5. All songs of a mixed Hindi tape with fun duet songs of the 60s - Hema (who by the way, is hogging the tape many thousands of miles away even as I blog. Hmph.). We used to listen to this tape at Drive-in almost every Sunday evening for a long time, with parents.

6. Sri Rama Chandra Kripalo Bhajamana and few more - Sarasi Athai (late) Taught them to me.

7. Kurai Ondrum Illai - Geetha Manni (older sis-in-law & current music teacher)

8. Om Siva Om (Film: Naan kadavul) - Kannan (other half). Was obsessed with it for a long time until I also started enjoying it.

9. Hard to say I'm Sorry - Anita, friend because of some fight we had some time and this song played by accident. She always looks meaningfully at me when this song comes on!

10. Four Letter Word, Kim ilde I think: Bonny, friend. Used to listen to that mixed hits tape together.

11. Omaria - Nsu, friend. We listened, sang it, and sang it some more until heartily sick of it.

12. The Beatles (some songs) - Usha, friend. Listening together was a pleasure.

13. Moon over Burban Street - Sanju, old friend. He taught me a lot about appreciating western music and a FUN guy.

12. Papa, papa, kadhai kelu - Blogeswari, friend. Did a HILARIOUS version once during college band practices.

13. Aajare - Anu / Radi, cuz. Sang it beautifully many times.

14. Mere Mehboob - Shyam, cuz ;) Cos she would cringe and make other funny faces heh heh, rest is a family secret!

15. Unnai kaanadha kannum kannalla - Mom, sings it well and used to enjoy it so i also grew to love the song.

16. Ennavaley - My brother-in-law SK. Loves this number.

17. Unnai Arindhaal, nee unnai arindhaal - My other BIL Raja. Used to sing it often in passing.

18. Yenna solli yennai chollu(Tenali) - Skandha, nephew, who loved it as a child.

19. Ye Tara, woh tara, har Tara -- No guesses!

20. Y Viva Espagna - My school gang. I have performed this number for them!


Think there are more, but that's it for now;)

6 point Me;)

Tagging from http://ummon.wordpress.com/

This post had me thinking much more than I thought I would...



1. Indebted to somebody for life.

My friend P. She took me under her wing and supported my no-baby-yet cause some years ago. She prepared my household (including cook-appointment!) and gave me innumerable tips before the baby came. Because I was superstitious about not preparing for a newborn before baby's safe birth, she got all the nappies stitched and washed / ironed in advance and handed them over to me once I got back home ...and delivered a whole stock of baby goods including wonderful hand-me-downs from her two daughters.

2. Say ‘Sorry’ to someone.
Among other things(!), am so sorry about being part of a self-righteous lot in 9th standard in school who, without (am sure) understanding the whole situation, 'told tales' to the teachers about a classmate in connection with some boy and she was expelled! Am still woolly about the details. or perhaps, it's more comfortable to be so. Her name's Vidhyalakhsmi. Am just sure, the issue was worth turning a blind eye to instead of taking a moralistic high road! It wasn't even a major moral issue I think...:(

3. Say ‘Thank you’ to someone.
To a wonderful, grand gentleman -- a maritime lawyer and ex-master Mariner Captain A.K. B. who met me, wrote me a much-cherished letter of encouragement and spent hours of his time over many Saturday mornings teaching me the basics of ships and shipping. A 'Thank you' cannot cut it. It's much more...I still turn to him for words of wisdom even if not connected with shipping.

4. A gesture from someone that left me speechless.
At an inappropriate moment, with some oldies watching...a very sober occasion...this guy, a then somewhat friend (now ex-friend) gave me a kiss on my cheek. I had nothing to say. One of the few moments in my life when I was rendered speechless!

Whew. Started this post this morning and it took me all day to think of a speechless moment!!

5. My most cherished possession:
My mobile phone. Very ordinary, nothing fancy, but I get desperate if I can't find it. And, my tiny gold ear-rings which have rivets on them. Not because they are gold, but because my sister gave them to me.

6. A special memory that brings a smile to my face every time I think about it:
My solos -- no, perhaps my first solo flight! All alone and frankly don't think I was fit to fly, but there I was ...flying high and then low and then too high and too low...taking off, going around the airport and landing... three times. That was a first solo moment. I sang 'Dum Maro Dum' on my second round and 'Hare Krishna Hare Ram' saw me almost missing my runway. That took care of my jaunty singing!

:)
But here I am...

Cheers!

Women's Day

I am not on board with Women's Day, Mother's Day, Father's day...and certainly 'off-board' where Valentine's day is concerned.

I just don't get it.

This whole hyping business is crazy. Yet people lap it all up. Not enough to do, eh?

I received quite a few 'Happy Women's Day' messages. Found them irksome and flatly refused to respond to a single one. Anyway, does one day of celebration cut it? It's like a tasty snack thrown in the air that I have leap up and catch! For all the doormat moments, for all that is sacrificed, for all the pain, suffering, putting-down...really. Is it enough? Yes/No? Just a token? Hmph.

And besides, who has to organise these celebrations? Women ...for women.

Downtrodden women aside, how about just treating both sexes the same. Why do women want to be treated special? Aren't we special? Don't we KNOW we are special? In a boring man's world, we rock! Also, if it were a women's world, then it would definitely be quite a boring world too. Why do you think there are two sexes anyway? Both are a real pair(!), that's why. The proof is there for all to see.

In a women-oppressed area like you-know-where-all, is where a Women's Day celebration is most meaningful. Not in fab-gab bustling cities...

Not deluding myself or anything but we are or have become dependent on the men in our lives simply because we WANT it that way. We want men around. Today, this is the truth. For the educated woman anyways. All this empowerment etc. is very nice to hear and talk about, but basically, the whole 'celebrate women's day' concept surely came from a great need to measure up to a man in terms of opportunity, freedom and what not.

So, here's an idea...

Why don't women on women's day feel strong enough to celebrate the men who have truly done women proud, stood up or stood by them through thick and thin, high and low? The man who honestly looks up to his womenfolk, the man who would do anything for his woman, the man who believes in equal opportunity for women...the man who does not expect something from a woman JUST because she is a woman...? (Even like cooking a a three-course meal at the end of a long day for instance). The man who can't understand why a woman should be expected to do that which is not of a man.

These men really need to be felicitated on women's day. Invite me to that party! ;)

Ranting on,
My 'umble opinion: Men sure will add colour to the sorry PINK spectacle (why are women so obviously PINK?Can't we get some fab colours out there, women? Cliched should be out for starters, for a women's day celebration!). Women falling all over themselves and others to give and receive 'awards', gathering in large crowds for Page 3 evenings and being fussed over themselves BY themselves. So tacky nowadays, I tell you.

And why say 'woman achiever'? That itself sounds like it's a surprise that a woman has achieved something.

Bah.

And don't even get me started on Valentine's Day. Whazzat?

Thicken it.

Business.

Is something else.

I gather the word busines comes from being very busy!! A business sure makes one busy. I have, for better or worse, so very recently, entered the world of business. If only in a very small way...but still, business is business.;)

One of the first things I have picked up in just a few months, is that one needs to be thick-skinned to do business of any kind. If you dare to start your own thing, you have to grow those extra layers of skin. No other go.

Especially if you are the 'non-business' type (as I'm sure I was hitherto considered to be), people will look you up and down...and then some. They will gaze shrewdly at you and make some remark or the other. The remarks from such folk may often be encouraging, but not always ring true. Words of caution on the other hand, almost always ring true, but seldom come ...unless from someone very close.

So, mostly, a 'green' businessman/woman must endure many a discouraging word or lack of support and take it in his or her stride.

Therefore, I have thickened my skin as much as I can(!) and am trying to steer well away from 'over-sensitive' as I usually might be accused of being. Not that it all doesn't bother me, but I am TRYING to shrug it off and concentrate on the many, many tasks at hand.

I'm making a serious attempt to focus on being practical.

After all, if I fail, I would be neither the first, nor the last. And if I succeed...well then too, I will be one of the many. So, this brings me back to a memorable lesson I had in school about tennis star Chris Evert who, I understand, was being interviewed for her 'grace-under-pressure' or some such thing. She was heard quoting Rudyard Kipling:"If you can meet both Triumph and Disaster, and treat those two imposters the same..."

I made it a point to understand the depth of these words even then, and I do so admire the meaning even more now.

Yes, business is...something else.

Mirror Mirror on the wall, tell me why?

At the gym I go to and perhaps in many a gym, there are many people who peer endlessly into the mirror.

Did I say peer? I meant pose.

Did I say pose? I meant obsess.

It's a treat for me to watch them flex their ugly, hairy arms, or worse, lift arms overhead whilst on the cross-trainer, or turn head left and right to get both cheeks in view whilst on treadmill, and so on.

I have become expert at recognising mere body-builders and distinguishing them from anguished folks who critically examine themselves all the time in order to check out every last bit of adipose tissue!

I have also become expert at figuring out who is a film actor and so on. The film actors who work out invariably do weird things like:

• sighing deeply and loudly
• making inappropriate noises while lifting weights
• sitting around on other equipment for no reason
• gazing endlessly at own reflection in front of the mirror
• watching various TV channels that show drama of some sort with a crazed, lolling expression
• assuming 'publicly inappropriate' postures whilst working out

And all this useless expertise gained whilst burning calories...HMMMM.

The gym IS a fun place to exercise, I say.

Drinking and Driving

Grey area? Depends on what and how much you drink?

Taboo topic? Makes you uncomfortable?

Consuming alcohol and then driving. People do it all the time. Yet the lorry and cab drivers -- poor souls (moneywise) are the ones who get into trouble the maximum. The others do get into trouble IF they are caught. Else, they think it's OK.

It is shocking if you stop and think about it.

Am completely non-judgemental about the drinking and being merry of course, but driving after? That's often not up for comment. I know people personally, who do drink and drive. They think they can handle it.

Can they? Is it really worth it? That's all I ask.

If they stopped for a minute to consider what will happen if they were to hit someone or something (even an animal) and worse, injure, maim or kill the soul when you have had 1,2,3 drinks and taken the car out...?? Ok, so MAYBE you won't get caught and the poor sould can be written off with a hit-and-run stamp. But are YOU OK to live with yourself after that? Really?

If they say yes, they are real sickos.

If not, maybe they could think about it and plan for the next time they drink -- hire a car or have a teetotaller drive. Bars and pubs do give some importance to designated drivers but no matter, it makes no sense if people roam around saying 'It's OK, I can handle it'.

The truth is, you cannot estimate how potent your drink is, because there are too many variable factors that control your body's and mind's functioning. Often, these, which you really cannot recognise properly, will decide how big an impact the alcohol will have on you for the day. So, it's safe to say that it is a big risk.

Worse, arguments about it being only beer, or only wine, or only one or two drinks, etc. It's rubbish. Alcohol lowers inhibitions. This means it can cause you to not be in control or be controlled. However you understand it.

I do realise there are people who drink and drive because they think they can and are terribly confident about themselves. But it just takes one slip to change your life...and sadly it may change others' lives for the worse.

Absolutely 'decent' people do it. So-called literate, educated, classy, rich, famous, successful, young, old, middle-aged confidence supremos, etc. do it.

What will it take to change this is what I am wondering...

Aayirathil Oruvan -- PAYBACK TIME!

This movie was said to be a fantasy adventure among other things like touching upon the ancient, Chola dynasty.

I went to see it because of a) Karthi (an actor who proved himself in his very first film -- the very rustic Paruthiveeran), b) Because of the hype that it is a never-before Tamil film sort of bullshit and c)The plot seemed to revolve around a guy and 2 girls without the obvious idiotic, mushy, love triangle. I would have thought that when a film of Karthi's came out, I would rush to see it but for some extremely smart reason, I was dragging my feet until a friend actually booked the tickets.

This movie does not really deserve a post because:

• The story was not well-relayed if indeed there was one.
• The makers were trying to achieve something beyond normal expectations but took themselves over-seriously and SERIOUSLY sodhappifyd (messed up) things.
• The gore in this film is of such enormity that after a while, it becomes 'normal'.
• There are too many sickening scenes but as in the above point, one becomes numb after a few such. I shall refrain from describing them since they are WAY below my blog's standards. Deepest basement so far ever seen.
• The dubbing is SHOCKING! String desire to smack Reema Sen's mouth. Learn Tamil, idiot!
• The completely unacceptable way of treating women in today's day and age that is met with not enough attitude from the women (otherwise despicted here as overly-sassy)
• The film clearly had a budget and making time it simply did not deserve!
• The movie revealed that the maker is dark -- he has a VERY dark side to him that needs help.
• I not only want my one hundred and twenty rupees back, I want to claim damages for my time. If big theatres show films, there ought to be a standard. This is BAD.
• Many firsts in Tamil Cinema it seems, but most of the firsts should be corrected to 'Firsts and Lasts!'
• Too much boldness and aroused outrage in me. I like my Thamizh Tamil films. Miss them now after this...*sniff*

Then why am I writing about it? Well, where else can I rant?

Besides, lots was dung. Giving logic a miss like nobody's business. I detested that silly cursing and swearing the two women indulged in. Nope, not how I like my Tamil films...er, would not even tolerate it in English films!

The music was quite good. Different and interesting.

Karthi -- My only solace (since am forced to search for one) was his acting never mind the sicko-ness depicted. Why he chose this movie is beyond me. To be honest, there were some parts that came out well, but, in between the beheading, raping, shooting and killing, these were just scenes you watched dumbly with a slight stir of interest for this guy's sake. HMPH.

Andrea -- delivered I suppose. What I don't know.

Reema Sen -- Her acting has improved tremendously no doubt. But her poor lip movements irked big time. SERIOUS ERROR casting her in the role then.

Parthibhan -- yeah, yeah, ok, the guy can act. Could have chosen a better film is all I have to say.

The director Selvaraghavan...needs help. If you have the misfortune of watching this film, you will get it.

The chilling words 'Thodarum' (Will be continued) at the end are still creeping me out.

Phirrrrrrrrr Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. Grrrrr.

The words 'Mile Sur Mera Tumhara' used to make me jump up and approach the TV beside which I would remain with a lump in my throat for the next six minutes or so, until the video came to an end.

After twenty years perhaps, these same words were mentioned again a couple of days ago, except they had the prefix 'Phir'. Eh? Oh, I see, they were remaking it. Ok. Hmph. If you must, I thought.

I had no inclination to even check it out. I am a firm believer of not-trying-to-recreate-great-things. The re-creation is most likely to fall flat, disappoint and leave you feeling it's worthless and worst, the original suffers because of it. You may end up not even being to enjoy the original because of the bad copy. So, I did not check Phir Mile...out.

This must-not-REcreate motto of mine applies even to day-today stuff like:
1. Great evenings -- romantic or otherwise
2. Great holidays
3. Great moments with beloved folks
4. Great fun enjoyed at say, a great concert...and so on.

And so, I was mumbling about these things and went below surface with my head under the sand, when someone ....dug me out and poked me, I like to think. That is, my immensely talented and resourceful friend http://www.blogeswari.blogspot.com/, who sent me an email about it. I was pulled into this 'Phir Mile' business like the tides on Marina Beach often pull swimming, carefree teenagers to the life beyond(or death, I morbidly mean) . Idiots, by the way, who are continuously warned about the dangers of venturing too far into the sea. Common sense should be a subject in itself in schools now. Is it?

Back to the back.

Anyway, I checked out the old Mile Sur... my enjoyment of it marred by a sense of foreboding. For, sure enough, on Blogeswari's link was also found Phir Mile Sur... Ridiculous lack of creativity in the title itself I say. Remaking (or even remixing) means you gotto follow some rules like:
1. DO stray away from the trodden path
2. Visit path now and then since you dared to copy it
3. Incorporate some pieces from the path since yours isn't an original and you are announcing it so aloud
4. Improve it, or at least, keep things trendy
5. Don't get confused
6. Don't bullshit
7. Originality must be present in abundance
8. Don't try to act 'doubly smart', as a lecturer of mine once threatened a classmate in college.

Anyway.

I was transported to gleedom when I read parts of http://krishashok.wordpress.com/ 's comments on the subject. He was also included in Blogeswari's link although I do read his blog now and then. Especially loved his take-offs on the way the instrument playing-notes are not in sync with the music, Salman Khan's cut-baniyan (ROFL) and Shah Rukh Khan's 'Mitwaa' posture. Oh and his take offs on Shahid Kapoor, Ehsaan of Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy! Only a keen eye like Krishashok's could spot the really unplugged guitar and Sonu Nigam's likeness to himself, or NOT, I mean;). Also, the after-thought inclusion of sportspeople hehe heh. Astute guy, that Krishashok. At this point I want to say that I suspect Krishashok is an IITian or something equally highly-intellectual. A whizman whose posts I am not ashamed to admit, I don't usually fully get ...simply because of his seemingly terribly all-round personality and deft approach to techno-musico-intellecto views and writings that soar like a victorious Batman right over my head.

My mention of the above blog ensures I don't have to waste my energies on Phir Mile Sur...which I found far too obsessed with Bollywood as India perhaps, SADLY, is. Hey! I also get pre-occupied with entertainment be it Hollywood or Bollywood or Tamil cinema (am with Kamal Haasan on this one and refuse to call Tamil cinema 'Kollywood'. (UGH.), but this ...is stupid.

And I would also like to come out and say that I sincerely and truly detest those Bollywood nicknames like SRK (aaaaamaaa.), KJo (what on India was he doing in this Phir Mile...), Akki (pakki!), Lolo (Ek thapad lo!), Bebo (want to smear some jelly-pastry-like thing nicely somewhere)...and not the least, Sallu! Ullu indeed.

Kissing Bollywood's behind bigtime is Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara.

Mile Sur Mera Tumhara (old) = lump in throat despite any level of corniness.
Phir Mile Sur Mera Tumhara= lump on head caused by slapping own forehead.

RIP the magic of Mile Sur...

My words on '3 Idiots'

Guess a lot of people would have watched the film '3 Idiots' by now. Still, I just saw it this morning (yes, a morning show on a Sunday no less, just for Aamir Khan, perhaps) and as usual, would like to throw some opinions around. One of the best things about a blog, by the way.

Three college-going guys played by men in their 30s and 40s! Aamir Khan (40+), Madhavan(maybe 40 + or -) and Sharman Joshi (I suppose 30-35) play the 3 idiots. I guess there are more than 3 idiots involved in this whole cinema experience, eh?;)

Anyway, the movie I read, was based on Chetan Bhagat's book 'Five Point Someone'. I hadn't yet gotten around to seeing the film 10 days ago and so, the moment my foot hit Landmark store's book floor, I pounced on it. After all, a researcher and all that...ahem. (Ok, vetti is the right word!) I enjoyed the book but was prepared, after the tug of war between the 3 Idiots Team and Chetan Bhagat, for the many changes to the book's storyline for the film adaptation. And any way, since when has a movie ever been able to equal a book's power in quite the same way?

Some engineering college with these three idiots and the happenings...are entertaining and interesting. Can even be called an eye-opening o better still, a warning for control-freak parents who may have let their own lives go (or not), and clutch hold of their child's life and career with an alarming grip to the point of strangulation. And if not them, then high-intellect professors who lack compassion and/or an open mind.

Aamir Khan, the actor par excellence, disappoints. Yes, yes, it's lovely to see Aamir on screen as usual and all that good stuff and may I say he wears Tshirts of wonderful hues too! But he has this weird, put-on, 'thiru-thiru' look going, together with some head scratching and shoulder-shrugging that makes you really start to believe he IS an idiot. Slightly demented he looks. Must be a wild attempt for a 40+ guy to pass off for 19.

Er...to be kind, it is not necessary, right?Aamir Khan is Aamir Khan. We don't mind him playing the protagonist in such a wonderful story even is he is being idiotic enough to try and make us accept he is half his age. Fairly small made as such, he looks completely and irrevocably short in this film. Anyway, it was nice to see him hold the fort.

Kareena Kapoor. I cannot bear to say 'Bebo' (Some folks have the 'UGH-est' nicknames.). I admit, I have always been grumpy about her size zero-ness but she acted so well in this film and looks quite wonderful, that I have forgiven her for her 6 miniscule meals and much yoga and other exercises every day.

Madhavan. In some scenes, although his Hindi is quite perfect (and who am I to argue?!), I sort of felt he was speaking in Tamil to someone. Dunno why. But good acting from him as usual and he looks quite nice although without his shirt, he can be allowed to be nothing less than 40 if even that. Take 45... and join a gym quickly I say. Just how far do you think your endearing smile is going to take you? It's already lasted too long. Hmph.

Oh and in this film, you are not going to see girls in skimpy clothes, but guys. Many of them are caught with their pants down (literally and figuratively) in quite a few scenes. You get used to seeing male backsides with various coloured-jetties on them. Big deal, eh?

Sharman Joshi delivers. Nothing more, nothing less. Really good acting all around, really.

Boman Irani suits Hindi films like nothing on earth. He can act up, play it up, play it strict, play it funny and play it lispy as he does here. The lisp on the strict Professor is a nice touch.

Excellent locations and some scenes are truly breathtaking. The dream sequence is thankfully just that even for the actors. The music could truly have been better. Did not haunt or move me one bit although it was not atrocious. Noteworthy is that there is a terrific amount of humour in the film.

The film gives another great message in no uncertain terms lest the audience misses the point: Don't strive for success, strive for excellence...and success will come trotting after. Or that's what I understood!

And then, after al,l it is a Hindi film even if with a great message. So expect the degree of corniness and drama and romance. The lack of fights was nice.

Would recommend you watch it if you haven't already. Thou shalt be entertained and heartened ...in sommme way.

WHOA!

The 'Whoa' was not for the horse Vijay is riding in my previous post, but for the lengthiness of the rant that is the review.

Tsk tsk tsk.

Teesu is a tad vetti me thinks.

;)

Vijay, The Actor...in...The Hunter -- Vettaikaran HMPH!

Vettaikaran Movie review (Only Vijay)

The first movie I ever saw in my LIFE was Vettaikaran. Fascinated, I was four or five when I watched a stealthy MGR circling a wounded lion in the jungle and somehow, instead of claiming his beast, he removes the thorn sticking out of the animal's paw and relieves the lion of its pain. How KIND! I was a goner...for MGR! He was a true hero in my young eyes. (Things change...okay?)

So, I went to today's Vettaikaran movie starring Vijay ('Ilayathalapathy') with faraway thoughts and 'panging' nostalgia.

But...

V for VERY predictable is V for Vijay.

The movie began ...interestingly not with Vijay beating up somebody, but with a very Telugu-mouthed Telugu actor (You know how 'Telugu or Hindi mouths' speak Tamil on screen right? Bit of a money-purse look on their mouths) shooting some bad guy. This Telugu-mouth is a cop and a wonderful, upright, righteous, aggressive encounter specialist at that.

Vijay's intro in the film was...on a horse. For a moment, I was stunned -- were Devar Films back in action? Then, I thought it must have to do with hunting. Vettaikaran and all that. Kings may have hunted on horses, but this looked ridiculous! Anyway, some silly Vijay fightings and savings-of-the-day later, the hero launched into some predictable song. As usual, nepotism puts me off so when Vijay's son (I think it's his son) joins him on screen for the song, it simply...irks. Sidey touch. But perhaps not for the proud papa or a die-hard Vijay fan. Hmph.

After the song and dance about nothing, hero has usual scoldy parents with some terribly boring family humour and leaves for Chennai to become a policeman no less, and to be like Telugu-Mouth mentioned above. Soon he predictably sees the love of his life and proceeds with some over-acting jollu and associated emotions and expressions.

Anyway, the romance picture in Vijay's movies is all about girls who wear less and dance more. This one -- Anushka (weird name) is from Tollywood (hate these tags), is nice-looking and (read 'BUT') is TALL. Anyway you look at it, Tamil cnema ain't the place for her unless far-fetchedly, Tamil movie viewing moves to taller heroines with much-shorter heroes who save them from various artificial elements. Heck, even in supposedly far-ahead Hollywood this has not happened. So, sigh, but bye-bye Anushka even though we DO appreciate the correct Tamil mouthing of dialogues. Really, we do. It's just that Kamal, Surya, Vikram and company cannot bear to look up to you. Am not being mean, it's true. Besides I LIKE Kamal, Vikram and Suriya. Vijay just about managed cos he is taller than the others.

One new angle here is the girl-friend he has (er, no, not Anushka. Apparently *yuck*, she is his 'angel' *Barf*). Platonic and nice relationship and in fact SHE is the one he saves from the bad guys as a GOOD friend-bordering-on-brother...whatever. (am losing interest in this post already! So YOU are excused)

The songs by Vijay Antony are ...enjoyable. I am very very Tamil, and very very happy-to-be, so that's my excuse for liking the songs. The song 'Karikalai''s female playback singer is great and some 'suuuur', 'burr' and 'gurrr' sounds you hear in another song are in fact abbreviated lyrics! Please leave your brains out of this. The song 'Chinna Thamarai' is indeed nice and interesting, with some rap thrown in most incongruously but ...hmmm, quite interestingly. Besides, Vijay startles you with a strong Michael Jackson flavour in this song and looks strangely suddenly-chubby-faced as well! The badly placed wig distracted.

But this is a Vijay film -- so expect to expect strange things...

Dream sequences galore with the strong possibility that the audience may forget to wake up when it is over.

Then the Avengorama story: quickly (!), is that a wannabe cop with inspiration Telugu Mouth comes to Chennai, gets entangled with bad guys and nearly pays dearly for it. Telugu Mouth is actually a badly shattered and blinded encounter supercop who hates life these days. Then hero manages to gain 1,2,3...up on the villain (oh, VERY nice Tamil speaking by Salim Ghouse btw) and his son Chella played by some new, apparently Telugu actor who btw, I have seen work out in my gym and looks every bit the villain he portrays. Hope that look is on purpose! Back to story, the hero loses his best friend who's killed by Salim Ghouse (certainly due to hero's own carelessness, sorry) and avenges this by killing 'Chella'. Salim Ghouse then avenges this by becoming a minister and Vijay then avenges that by ...some twists and turns and Salim's character ends up with a bullet in his pancreas, no less. The bullet might have got his spleen too!

What is Tamil cinema's obsession to have endearing words either spoken by the villain as a refrain or have an endearment as a name for the villain?GRR. And why does this villain seem to say in challenge to Vijay: 'Waada.........WAAAAA!' when in Tamil, it should be 'Vaada.....Vaaaaa!'

Telugu purse-mouth syndrome.

Note: I have absolutely nothing against Telugus but much against Telugu actors badly-mouthing Tamil dialogues in Tamil films, dammit.

Vettaikaran -- The Hunted look in the audience's eyes was indeed caused by this hunter!

His next film should be titled (yes, yes, the big 50th film *snort*) 'YAVM' -- standing for Yet Another Vijay Movie. But then, I suppose I will be watching it after all. Need to be well out of reach of reality sometimes y'know, with some mindless but indeed good dancing thrown in, some gala songs and much masala in the otherwise bland curd rice.

Oh and the script can be by ANYone by the way, as long as it has a generous amount of nonsense and high levels of corniness.

Radio gaga, not RJ gaga but definitely, Blade Shankar gaga!

Chennai has a good number of FM radio channels. I hardly bother with music CDs when I am driving because I have the radio that offers a variety of channels and shows, playing both latest songs as well as the oldie-goldies all the time.

The problem with radio is the whole RJ business!!

Radio Jockeys often do not seem to realise that what we listeners are so NOT interested in is their verbal diarrhea, general blabbering including animal noises in greeting, lengthy intros and bye-byes, or worse, when two RJs go 'dialogueing' -- this is particularly very painful as they seem to exclude us listeners and are on their own trip! 'Play the song, idiot' I say. Tiresome is the word for most RJs.

Oh and also, we listeners, would like them to be useful if at all they must be a part of all radio channels -- announce the songs and relevant stuff, weather predictions, traffic jam infos... and perhaps lace it all with some humour. That's it. And please, RJs, keep it brief!

If there is one guy who keeps things brief (and sadly so!!), it is RJ Shankar of Suryan FM. He is popularly called 'Blade' Shankar because of his show that aruthufies people. Full of 'kadis'/poor jokes (PJs) supposedly, and other trivia.

At a time when people are tending towards Eenglees too much, this guy is amazingly so very steadfastly and appealingly local. He happily lacks the IRRITATING put-on English/Tamil accent that makes you want to smack the RJ on the mouth. Stay 'Thamizha Thamizha' I sayyy! Either speak Tamil or English. Don't be a wannabe-English speaking Tamil RJ.

I have wanted to blog about Blade Shankar for so long. He puts a smile on my face many mornings and sometimes even makes me guffaw. Thought: Driving alone and guffawing to oneself is perhaps not the best sign of sanity! But aana,(!), this guy is super-talented. He has a voice that is so Tamil and so local and ...seems to have a real character to match. His quick wit is now legendary.

And what's more, his 'Blade No.1' show from nine to ten a.m. is also interactive. He invites listeners to call in with kadis/PJs in between songs, and has a quick session at the end called 'Kundakka Mandakka' where he gives out a 'Blade password' for the day which could be: 'Blade number, number Blade, Blade One' or some such -- just a little tongue twister he comes up with everyday. Then, he sits back and has fun at the caller's expense. He has some fun/good rules not the least of which is that he encourages humour that is not allowed to hurt people's sentiments.

He also gets some hilarious, equally whacky callers (not me...yet) who enjoy every minute of his ripping. Some call up and chuckle loudly on air instead of saying the Blade password, others will say their full names for effect or tease Shankar directly, and so on. Shankar in turn will promptly say 'upbeatu' which means 'you have lost' or some witty rejoinder. He clearly seems to enjoy outwitting the caller and sometimes, when the caller wins, he is only grudgingly gracious about it and it is all so natural!

The great thing about him is that not only is the show good (wish it could last longer), but the songs he chooses are also great. Popular numbers. Not like some other shows that go all out to dig out songs that are best forgotten!

Some oho-ahas about Shankar:

1. He does great imitations esp. of Sivaji Ganesan and generally, has a voice with 'character'.
2. He does not slurp and slobber over celebrities he interviews on air.
3. His Tamil is great and local, as Tamil should be spoken -- proper Tamil accent and all, and his English is good enough.
4. Even the way he says 'Yippo saahng varudhu, kellunga kellungua, kettukitteyy irunga!' is a bit comical.
5. The way he trips on callers is great fun.
6. Even if he does not get a response, he can come up with quick retorts to silences.
7. His cricket commentary is laced with his trademark humour.
8. The way he answers riddles put forth to him by his callers -- whether or not he knows the answers, is worth...no, you listen and see what I mean! He can even come up with a 'jodi riddle' to them in context -- out of the blue!
9. He talks to himself too at times -- quite a riot he is.
10. He is up to date and seems genuinely positive.

This guy is clearly out to entertain.

Whether am radio gaga or not, am gaga about Blade Shankar.

Cheers, Blade Shankar, keep it up!

Kekkaren, kekkaren, kettukittey irukkiren!

Lost.

Losing certain relationships ...happens.

Have lost two 'acquaintances' in the last year and one other important relationship since ...it's been quite a few years now. Perhaps because it is December or something, signalling the end of this year -- a year when I feel I have thought much about...well, much, compared to years gone by, here I am posting about some 'thinks'!

The two acquaintances -- yes, they are just that obviously, I was associated with for around 2-3 years. Right from the beginning, there was no real emotional attachment despite a lot of friendliness and so, the loss when it happened was more a very minor disappointment (more in the PERSON than anything else) coupled with some amount of anger for having been 'taken for a ride'. These are people who essentially used and threw. Ok, lesson learned. Continue on paranoid, suspicious mode.

Looking back: -

Acquaintance 1: Was pushy, unfair and ...unfair some more. I am to be blamed of course. You are only a fool if you are willing to be one. Hmph.

Acquaintance 2: Was overly-nice and the MOST pseudo person (could only see this in hindsight for sure, although a suspicion lurked) I have come across till date. Well, at least I was spared this experience for this long.

The other one lost since many years is what I would call an ex-dear-friend. 'Ex' not because I detest her or anything but she is an ex-friend because she is not a friend right now and clearly may not even care if I am alive or dead. That's how I perceive the complete silence or cut-off.

No sweat. I am alive right now!! Why I became 'ex' is known in entirety only to her. Was so curious for the longest time, but time does heal some questions... quite disinterested in that right now in spite of posting about it. I could rant and rave about HOW could she do this to me and AFTER ALL this time, etc. having been friends from smallchildhood, but clearly, she must have huge, valid reasons. Besides, she was beside me during the toughest phase of my life, so I do wish this ex-friend well and am not even very sorry that she is no longer by my side. I miss her sure, as I am certain is vice-versa (so modest, Teesu!!), but...maturity rears its ugly head and belts out into my wax-filled ear 'que sera sera...'

Yes, whatever will be will be. Indeed. Lesson of the year perhaps?

Marley and me

Actually speaking, although this book was highly popular, the subject itself was nothing extra-ordinary. In fact, it was quite disappointing. I mean, my dog Sandy has done far more write-worthy stuff than Marley and I am sure I am not the only dog-owner to think this way. So why was this book popular?

I guess it was because of the open, unrestrained eulogising of the man-dog relationship and the man's best-friend concept.

I did laugh and cry with the book (as I suppose I do with many books!), but the movie was quite a let down. As usual, movies cannot live up to books and the beauty of words, and the pictures they create in your mind. The absolute beauty of books and reading them is, you as a reader, are as responsible for enjoying books as the authors are for penning them. But the movie has to do the entertaining all by itself!

In 'Marley and me', it did not really. But as a tribute to dogs and my own Lab Sandy, I did laugh and cry a bit.

But give me 'An Incredible Journey' any day again. If you are a dog/animal-lover and have not watched it yet (from the late seventies or early eighties I think), now is a good time.

Giggling when you shouldn't

This whole giggling business is said to be reserved for girls, but I don't think so. I do personally know a few guys -- quite manly ones, who join in the giggling fits. Only perhaps, they may not really 'giggle' but indulge in much chuckling. No-control is the key point.

My big sister and I spent much of our fun-childhood times giggling at the silliest, funniest things or at most inappropriate moments but, over the years, having become ahem, mature and all (what IS mature anyway?), we have cut down quite a bit on the inappropriate giggling save for two horribly inappropriate moments which I am about to share.

Recently, at an engagement of a family-friend's daughter, my akka (er, I NEVER call her that cos she has prohibited me from doing so) and I were sitting close to each other. We were chatting fairly normally about this and that through the evening. Then came the formal announcement of the engagement over the loudspeaker. At this point I should mention that our friends are of a different faith and so, we were / are not very familiar with the religious rituals associated with an engagement of theirs. The moment was solemn and after some words about the engagement ceremonies underway, the male voice resonating over the loudspeaker broke into what was a clearly religious chant -- because the voice began reciting some holy words-like stuff. For a while I concentrated on being quiet and listened in all earnestness -- for what reason I now don't know. I mean, I do not know the language, I am not at all the serious or silent types, and I am also not highly religious with respect to my religion leave alone other people's.

I started to try to be good (which I clearly cannot be!) and listen, and this was clearly a big mistake. The words and the way in which they were uttered began to sound terribly, horribly funny. To my horror, bubbling up inside me despite my best attempts to stop it, was a mammoth giggling fit. I thought I should do something to distract myself (second mistake) and so, I looked up only to see my sister looking like a stuffed chicken, all hunched up at the table. Her face was pink and her cheeks began to expaand. Sure signs of the same crazy blood running in both of us and we both gave in simultaneously to the giggling outburst, although we were pretty silent about. But neither of us is anywhere close to petite (HRUMPH) or inconspicuous, and am shamefully sure many people noticed our faux pas. The more we thought about how inappropriate it was, the more we had to giggle ...until she got up and ran out to go to the bathroom for some -- ANY respite, from the giggling. I also got up and followed suit. I could not BEAR to look anybody in the eye. The voice meanwhile continued. The moment we entered the Ladies, we were able to pull ourselves together but only got back to the hall when we were sure we were 'normal' again.

If you think THIS is inappropriate, check the next one out.

The next incident was more than a decade ago. And just to prove that we are not horrible horrible people who giggle at OTHER people as such or without a care for other people's feelings, this incident deserves a mention here. At this point, I have got to say that giggling is NOT something you can always control. Maybe some people can, just the way they can control their urine for extraordinarily long periods. Yes, giggling falls under the same category.

Anyway, this was some SERIOUS business. At least the other giggling fit was at a happy occasion. This was at my father's funeral! Needless to say, we -- my sister, my mother and I, were simply shattered. My dad was an exceptional father and family man. Did I say exceptional? I meant EXCEPTIONAL. Wonderful. Stellar. Therefore it followed that we were heartbroken and sobbing -- my sister and I, sitting just next to his body, er, him. This went on for a bit. Then came...the crow. Yup, you read right. A crow sitting outside the silent, mourning house, cawed loudly just then and not just loudly. He cawed out of pitch repeatedly and it really was ridiculous. Never before then nor after, have I heard one caw that way!! We both spontaneously broke into giggles and immediately shushed ourselves...with 'how inappropriate!' murmured between us only to shrug and tell each other later that our Dad wouldn't really have minded(!!). Laughing is a good thing. Even if at a funeral. Shocking, but...our Dad, so don't judge.;)

The point of this post? To explain away our guilt brought on by our improper conduct caused by a bodily function that cannot be controlled sometimes...for some people anyway.

*Sigh*

Guess then, this too has to be labelled 'Absolutely Vetti'.

Note: Not that we are problem-free people who run around town giggling like maniacs! These are giggling 'fits' termed so for a reason.

Argh. Enough Said Teesu!

Newsreaders or Actors?

When I was young, there were a few regulars on few channels, who would read the news on TV. They were pretty poker faced and barely managed a funny grimace-like little expression by way of a smile at the beginning and end of the news session, with 'Namastes' / 'Vanakkams'. Throughout the news reading, they were most conscientious, barely stuttered or mixed words up, and were basically, classy readers with near-perfect diction and seemed to treat their jobs as newsreaders in the most matter-of-fact, objective way possible. They seemed credible if lacking in a sense of humour.

The first one to change the newsreading business in India, was Prannoy Roy it seems (to me), with his 'The world this week' (I THINK that's what it was). He had a sensible face bordering on 'quite' handsome although with a rather weak voice, but with all this, he still seemed more interesting than the average newsreader. He was different as he seemed to FEEL some of the news he was bringing to us and 'his news' was also interesting.

However, today, you see it all on news channels. Newsreaders themselves are a great source of entertainment. There are even downright comedian-ish newsreaders now. On a more annoying note, some try very hard to please. Pseudo to the core. There are those who pretend to care when actually, all they very obviously care about is delivering hot news and staying ahead of their competitor channels. Many stammer, blabber and interrupt people they ought not to be interrupting. Sure they all have their work cut out for them, probably by their bosses, but I can crib as a viewer, right?Then, there is much eye-rolling and serious-face putting and worse, the long-suffering expression as if the world rested upon his or her shoulders.Hmmm.

Basically, I do so miss the older newsreaders who delivered news as news minus drama which, by the way, was saved for the other programmes. When newstime came, it was time to sit down and catch up on the happenings and so, everybody would drop what they were doing and assemble together to listen with interest.

Now, yes, we get 'nimit to nimit' news which can be useful, but it may well include which bigwig relieved himself where and how many vegetables actress-size-zero ate in one day. Huh, there is news all the time and it includes much rubbish and repeats and so, you need patience to get to 'actual news'.

Generation is gapping I sayyy!