tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84325902682319812272024-03-12T20:06:56.927-07:00CineMagikpoetry etcMagikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.comBlogger208125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-65417064547224786792021-03-17T12:06:00.003-07:002021-03-17T22:40:07.454-07:00 Kuchh le-de ke<p><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Kuchh le-de ke<br /></span><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Keyrun Rao original</span></b></p><p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">Aadhi toh kat gayi ye zindagi<br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">Lagta hai abhi shuru hui hai<br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">Kuchh muskaanein, thode aansoo<br /></span><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: small;">Pata nahin kitni umr bachi hai</span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kuchh le-de ke kaat li abhi tak</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Zindagi ne bahut pyaar diya</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Gehre dost, gehri mohabbat</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jaane iske badle mein kya liya</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Duaon se din shuru hota hai</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Har pal jaadoo sa lagta hai</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Khwaab sa chal raha hai sab</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kabhi thoda darr bhi lagta hai</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><div>Kuchh le-de ke kaat li abhi tak</div><div>Zindagi ne nazmein-daastaan diye</div><div></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Jannat ke kuchh tukde mil gaye</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Utna hi bas hai aaj mere liye</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Aadhi toh kat gayi ye zindagi<br />Lagta hai abhi shuru hui hai<br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pyaar aur izzat aur chaahiye </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Dil ki daulat aaj mili bahut hai</div>Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-69820737004444917492020-07-21T12:42:00.002-07:002020-07-21T12:42:46.448-07:00Sshhhh... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A Keyrun Rao Original<br />
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Sshhh...<br />
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Ab so jaane do mujhko,<br />
Aur shor na karo<br />
Khud apne andar jhaanko,<br />
Aur der na karo<br />
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Waqt thoda tha, jaldi nikal gaya,<br />
Safar mera tha, aarzoo bhi meri<br />
Socha hoga mere liye tumne kuchh<br />
Par shayad yehi dastaan thi meri<br />
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Shor se duur, taaron ke beech,<br />
Apna kona dhoondh raha tha main<br />
Mil gaya ab ek baadal ka kinaara,<br />
Tum sab ko dekh raha hoon main<br />
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Gehri neend aa rahi hai mujhko,<br />
Tum bas aur shor na karo.<br />
Tumhaare andar ab bhi hoon,<br />
Bas thoda sabr toh karo...<br />
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Sshhh...<br />
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Ab so jaane do mujhko,<br />
Aur shor na karo<br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-67202064134810167512020-05-09T02:37:00.000-07:002020-05-09T11:02:47.333-07:00पटरियों पर पड़ी वो रोटियां...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7Q8FMUYHG8/XrZ5IwyUevI/AAAAAAAAHfo/XRYbXGhT7hwfcVl5g9_n8PTpYNcCVlNzACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/aurangabadtrain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="615" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P7Q8FMUYHG8/XrZ5IwyUevI/AAAAAAAAHfo/XRYbXGhT7hwfcVl5g9_n8PTpYNcCVlNzACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/aurangabadtrain.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A Keyrun Rao original<br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">पटरियों पर पड़ी वो बेजान रोटियां</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">जाने कहाँ से चल कर आयीं थीं</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">किसने उस में आंसू-पसीने से</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">चूल्हे पर रख कर प्यार से बनायीं थी?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">पैरों के छालों सी शक्लें थी रोटियों की</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">पानी मांगते-मांगते सब की सब मुरझाई थी</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">हर एक रोटी की अपनी-अपनी तकलीफें</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">और अपने और अपनों की कहानियाँ थीं </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">शायद बहुत थक गयी थीं वो ठंडी रोटियां</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">मंज़िल कहीं भी नज़र में न आयी थी</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">मैली सी थाली में पड़ी पड़ी सांस लेती हुई</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">जाने किसने उन्हें कहाँ से आवाज़ लगाई थी</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">पटरियों पर पड़ी वो बेजान रोटियां</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">जाने कहाँ से चल कर आयीं थीं</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">गठरी से गिर के बिखर कर निराश</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">किस से मदद की गुहार लगायी थी </span></div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-34206056714502581432019-11-20T12:00:00.001-08:002019-11-20T12:00:39.109-08:00KD movie review: Most serious life lessons delivered in the most entertaining way!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqCG-OeNO2w/XdWMBYhSuJI/AAAAAAAAHWY/Yp3RMGuq2pEl66vEb119fHK5qfrqGV_WgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Madhumitas-KD-825.webp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="623" data-original-width="825" height="241" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqCG-OeNO2w/XdWMBYhSuJI/AAAAAAAAHWY/Yp3RMGuq2pEl66vEb119fHK5qfrqGV_WgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Madhumitas-KD-825.webp" width="320" /></a></div>
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Watch the trailer of director <a href="https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/tamil-film-kd-screened-at-asian-american-international-film-festival-packs-in-humour-and-emotional-punches-7081151.html" target="_blank">Madhumita's</a> latest offering, 'KD' a very heartwarming coming of age story of Karuppu Durai, an octogenarian, nicknamed KD by his new bestie, Kutti:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4jWjvf93xtA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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No spoilers here, just a few thoughts I had while and after watching 'KD' at a preview screening. I dedicate this blog to all my little besties, especially a little one who I might not get to meet soon. God bless you all kids who make the world a lovely place filled with smiles and hope. Though I am going to turn 40 next year, all my besties are little boys and girls. At all the parties I attend, I am either blending into the furniture avoiding adult conversation or playing with the host's kids and their little friends. One big reason I connected most with 'KD'.<br />
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The two main protagonists of 'KD' are Karuppu Durai (a dying old man being abandoned by his children) and Kutti (a little boy abandoned by his parents). Kids like things simple - once Kutti befriends Karuppu Durai, he instantly gives him his nickname - KD. A few years ago I was playing with my bestie at his home. He went into his room, got a lump of clay and asked me what could I make with it... I thought for a bit, and replied, "Fish, I can make a fish". I struggled with the clay, and made something that remotely resembled a fish. I asked him what he could make... he took my clay fish, crumpled it and threw it back at me and said, "yeh... potty".<br />
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There's nothing more saddening and liberating than death. Writer-director Madhumita has made such a heartwarming and entertaining film that revolves around this subject, I am envious of her. Little moments of life that make life worth the effort are celebrated in 'KD'. These pointers coming to KD from Kutti's little life experiences make their journey even more special. Don't we all know at least one person who is being an asshole to his ageing parents, waiting for them to kick the bucket, so they can enjoy their inheritance? 'KD' talks to all those ageing parents to seize whatever is left of their lives, and live it to the fullest with unbridled abundance.<br />
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I am proud of my mother-in-law who is living her life the way she wants, with a little help from us - not that she needs it. The beaming smile on her face after her angiography and angioplasty surgery gave me a feeling that she will outlive us, and nothing could make us happier. Despite suffering from numerous ailments, she is always there by our side, rock solid, with her little pink pouch of medicines that she has to have after every meal. Her discipline and love for cinema has kept her afloat and will continue to do so, and I wish to be inspired by her forever. (Cinema fans like my mother-in-law will love 'KD' even more).<br />
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Before I go on and on, listen to this foot-tapping song from 'KD' - it's called 'Tuckulingu'<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NSd_VWT9xXE" width="560"></iframe><br />
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To conclude, I would recommend Madhumita's little gem to the young and old, to all those want to live without dying everyday, and to those who have already embraced death. 'KD' is one of those rare films that could possibly change lives. Also to those who love mutton biriyani and those who are happy with their veg biriyani. One big life lesson is to enjoy every morsel of life so much, that it inspires others to do the same. Seek the small joys, spread happiness with your kind gestures and remember, it's not over, till it is actually over.<br />
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Please go watch 'KD' in the cinemas this weekend (preferably not on an empty stomach)<br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-52360380185406900342019-06-26T12:41:00.000-07:002019-06-26T12:41:31.993-07:00Article 15: Get the fak out of here to watch Ayushmann Khurrana deliver a career best performance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0-qviQa0_g/XRO12eM8cLI/AAAAAAAAHLI/PjGo_QQia3g5Xwfo8YgSDmcJ3ijLncKFACEwYBhgL/s1600/Article_15_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k0-qviQa0_g/XRO12eM8cLI/AAAAAAAAHLI/PjGo_QQia3g5Xwfo8YgSDmcJ3ijLncKFACEwYBhgL/s1600/Article_15_Poster.jpg" /></a></div>
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The headline is not to be forcedly sensational; when you watch Anubhav Sinha's '<b>Article 15</b>' you will get the context - it is too cute to not mention that. I am not going to reveal anything more important than what you can already see in the trailer and what you might have seen or read in the promotional interviews that have been out so far. </div>
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Watch trailer here:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HKOJY0cU63E" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Having just watched the film, I have two important demands to make - first that every citizen of India should have read the Constitution of India before they pass school. Secondly, Article 15 (the film) should be made mandatory viewing for each and every citizen of India. Disclaimer: I haven't read the Constitution of India, and I had no idea what Article 15 was till the trailer of this film came out a few weeks ago. Yes, so far whatever I know, I have learned from the films I have watched.<br />
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Let me tell you guys a little story. Five decades ago, there was a so called "high caste" Brahmin family somewhere in south India. The head of this family was a chief priest at the most revered temple in town, and would earn a living by performing various poojas and havanas for the so called "lower caste" people. There was a family ritual that the young boys of this "high caste" family will have a thread ceremony (janeu) and eventually follow the family tradition and become high priests themselves. Nepotism is not just limited to Bollywood.<br />
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Then a disruptor was born in this family. He had to go through the thread ceremony, and then as a part of the ritual, he would be an assistant to his grandfather during summer holidays and be a part of the poojas and havanas - reciting shlokas and running errands etc. This rogue of a kid who chose science over religion when he was about 15, on one such havana was singing 'I want it that way' (Backstreet Boys) instead of the Gayatri Mantra that he was supposed to chant 108 times under the veil he was given to wear for that holy task.<br />
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Despite what this rogue kid did, the "lower caste" family who were expecting a child after getting the said havana done, had their wish fulfilled. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.<br />
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This has got nothing to do with the truth. May be it does? For me to know, you to guess.<br />
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Just leaving it here that me and Rani don't believe in any religion - we are humanitarians and will remain so for this lifetime. Rather than using our time and money for religious activities, we try to do good things for friends and even those who we might not know at all - ever tried offering water to delivery boys when they come home to deliver whatever you've ordered? Try it once, and please give them water in the same glass that you would have it in - you'll feel great. Each time we do so, the delivery boy first looks stunned and then breaks into a wide smile. <br />
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<b>Review shuru karein kya? First listen to this song:</b><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m6blCId59qc" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Dear friends, <b>AYUSHMANN KHURRANA</b> is the actor / man of this decade and hopefully many more. For a cutesy, lovable and goofy bum to look convincing as a cop tough as a nail and not make a fool out of himself, I can't imagine the internal transformation he must have gone through. He had begun the process with Sriram sir's 'Andhadhun', but his role as Ayan Ranjan in 'Article 15' is a huge beast in comparison. When the trailer had landed, I remember saying that I could never imagine Ayushmann could make me wet my pants with his intensity. Man, he did it in 'Article 15'.<br />
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Kudos to Gaurav Solanki and Anubhav Sinha, the co-writers, and a HUGE hawaai firing for Mr. Sinha, the director, to make a film that hits you at so many levels, as a human, and as a citizen of a so called secular nation. They made a ball-gripping film about news articles that are published in the seventh page of national newspapers - may be not even there, as the film suggests. Caste-based killings and torture are the new normal in our country. Some lynching videos go viral for a a day or two, till the next Dhinchak Pooja captures our collective attention. <br />
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What bothers me the most as a writer these days is that I feel scared of offending the sentiments of some random fungi sitting somewhere digging his or her nose and scrolling through his or her phone. Making a film like 'Article 15' requires balls of steel, each the size of Jupiter, the planet. Mr. Sinha, the country owes you an award and lifetime free supplies of whatever you need, just for having the courage to take this subject from paper to cinema halls nation wide. I want to watch this film with my entire extended family and see their reactions.<br />
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While 'Article 15' ticks all the boxes of being a politically aware film, it also acts as a mirror that has been long missing for us as Indians - it does all this while keeping your heart in your mouth, entertaining you with laughter and tears all throughout. This piece will be incomplete if I don't mention the genius of Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayub, Sayani Gupta and Nasser sir. They, along with Ayushmann give you the best moments of 'Article 15'. Don't waste time and watch this thriller ride which will make you introspect on things that are most relevant in the time we are living in.<br />
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Long live, Bob Dylan... watch the film, you'll know why :)<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q-uxfMHiuek" width="560"></iframe> </div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-41021131739194324012019-03-28T12:51:00.001-07:002019-03-28T14:27:24.884-07:00Super Deluxe review: Life lessons in a magic event at the cinemas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Hn4IvKGmCU/XJ0KWtvGX9I/AAAAAAAAHHA/IHytmxjcEK8gF54Yj56FNRBSR6AmielmgCLcBGAs/s1600/sd.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="158" data-original-width="318" height="158" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Hn4IvKGmCU/XJ0KWtvGX9I/AAAAAAAAHHA/IHytmxjcEK8gF54Yj56FNRBSR6AmielmgCLcBGAs/s320/sd.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Disclaimer 1: Zero spoiler piece<br />
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Disclaimer 2: I used to think I have a really small and simple brain which can barely process calculations of monetary transactions above fifty rupees. This stands changed now onwards.<br />
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Disclaimer 3: I revel in basic dal-chawal meals, this evening I savored a 100-course buffet, and came back content and nourished. I might throw up in some time, but that is all going to be virtually on this blog of mine. In a parallel universe your screen might stink because of the vomit.<br />
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Sample the trailer of Thiagarajan Kumararaja sir's film, 'Super Deluxe':<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3-Xq_Zz3nPA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Last disclaimer: I am not too well-versed in Tamizh cinema, so I might have not cracked all or any of the references or hat tips employed by TK sir. Pardon my ignorance.<br />
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Moving on to the two most important men in 'Super Deluxe' - TK sir and Vijay Sethupathi sir - they deserve all possible awards in all the universes that exist. I think each brain cell of TK sir can contain a universe of their own. The actor that Vijay sir was in this film, his cojones, as a rule must be used as weapons to attack satellites and planets of other galaxies. What a greedy actor, he has sunk his teeth not only into the meat his character offered, he also seems to have relished all the red and white blood cells on the offered meat.<br />
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I don't know why the director chose to start this esoteric film with a Bappi Lahiri tribute, but it really stamped my wrist the way they do at posh night clubs. It felt like I have surrendered to this universe completely unknown to me. I am perhaps one of the few cinephiles who have not savored the brilliance of 'Aaranya Kaandam' yet. Before you jump at me with carrots and dried fruit, I promise to make up for this faux pas. <i>CineMaa Kasam</i>.<br />
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As I mentioned earlier, I am too simple a guy who still can't fathom why Jai dies in Sholay or Tina dies in Mr. India - I still cry while watching these films for the millionth time. After watching 'Super Deluxe,' I am really surprised that I didn't cry even once through out the film. Could it be the genre? Could it be the flawed characters? Could it be that 'Super Deluxe' is four films rolled into one? Too much material to process, and I certainly was too overwhelmed with what I watched. I feel similarly while watching 'Pulp Fiction,' it never ever made me cry.<br />
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Before I go any further, music magician, Yuvan Shankar Raja sir, take a bow. 'Super Deluxe' is one of the few films that reminded me of the heydays of RGV. The way he used to employ music - both songs and BGM - I relived that era gone by in TK sir's genius of a film. As time passes, this creation of Yuvan sir will become a rage and beast of its own, and will spawn fan clubs all over the internet. I have been usually pissed off when the BGM tries to manipulate me while watching films, but the BGM of 'Super Deluxe' is stuff legends are made of.<br />
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So long into a blog, and no mention of Rani? Let me correct that immediately. Long before the movie <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_(film)" target="_blank">Her</a>, Rani came into my life - first we used to chat online, and then we started talking on the phone. These conversations usually began when I reached my favorite watering hole in Yaari Road called Madhuban, and lasted till either of us passed out or fell asleep or the phone battery died. There came a point in this stage of our life when I thought either she was an automated voice planted by my mother, a Russian spy or some prankster employed by my sick friends. I had a deja vu moment while watching '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Deluxe_(film)" target="_blank">Super Deluxe</a>'. <br />
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Getting back to The Film of The Weekend, I have been in love with Samantha since I first saw her in Gautham Menon sir's VTV - I still was till early this evening. I hated Fahadh Faasil since I first watched him in 'Bangalore Days'. Mind you this is my perception of them due to the characters they essay and has nothing to do with them as humans. May be some day I could bond with Fahadh over toddy and fish fry, but wait - I hate fish fry too. Hahahaha. Sorry couldn't resist. This love-hate equation I had with Samantha and Fahadh changed this evening - don't ask me for good or bad.<br />
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Time to wrap, Rani is waiting to read this and approve of this piece. So, parting words:<br />
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<i>To employ the translation of a piece in the trailer of 'Super Deluxe:</i><br />
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<i>"If a man chased by a tiger, has no where to hide & runs and flings himself over a cliff with a tree, if he falls through leaves and branches, grabs a vine, hangs in mid air; if he realizes that the vine is a snake, tiger above, abyss below, a snake coiled around his body. As he lifts his head to curse his life, what if he spots a honey comb? From which a drop of honey, trickles and drips and lands close to his lips... And when death stands above and below & he knows his end is near; if for a split second he goes fuck the tiger, fuck the fall, fuck the snake, fuck them all, and in reckless abandon, if he sticks his tongue out and licks the honey & cries out 'aaaaaahhhh' in bliss..." </i><br />
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This is the guy I want to be.<br />
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Thank you, TK sir, for this "magic event" at the cinemas. Next time you come home, I will kiss your shoelaces, and make boiled water (only thing I can make) for you. It's a promise. Post that please share all your references and tributes you planted in 'Super Deluxe'. </div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-54980988524172247982019-03-22T16:47:00.000-07:002019-03-22T16:47:38.186-07:00Aaj mera dil ubal raha hai...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A humble tribute to <a href="https://www.blogger.com/u/1/%3Ciframe%20width=%22560%22%20height=%22315%22%20src=%22https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGPso7-WWlM%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allow=%22accelerometer;%20autoplay;%20encrypted-media;%20gyroscope;%20picture-in-picture%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E" target="_blank">Gulzar Saab's recent speech</a> I watched/heard.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4hqIHrfxtk/TzK8Iu1PCaI/AAAAAAAAG7E/XiJcAhFoq6AJBcFwKp2RRUvdBwlTauqHQCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/full-moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N4hqIHrfxtk/TzK8Iu1PCaI/AAAAAAAAG7E/XiJcAhFoq6AJBcFwKp2RRUvdBwlTauqHQCPcBGAYYCw/s320/full-moon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Koi diggaj mujhse likhne ko keh raha tha aaj,<br />
Koi mera mooh bhi bandh karna chaahta hai;<br />
Meri baat padh ke mujhe koi maar bhi dega,<br />
Mere dil ke andar ka dil ye mujhe ab keh raha hai...<br />
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Aaj toh mera dil ubal raha hai zor se,<br />
Aanch tez hai, dhuaan bhi toh uth raha hai;<br />
Zubaan kaamp rahi hai meri, mere darr ke maare,<br />
Kya bolooon main, sab theek-thaak nazar aa raha hai.<br />
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Ek baat pe hazaar log naraaz huwe baithe hain,<br />
Sabke jazbaat kyon itney thes khaaye rakkhe hain?<br />
Aaj main phir bhi likhoonga, kisine kaha tha mujhe,<br />
Bataao toh ye samaaj ke thekedaar kahaan baithe hain.<br />
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Dil ka nek banda hoon main, likhna mujhe aata nahin,<br />
Kyon gareebon ki, sarkaar ko kisiki koi parwaah nahin?<br />
Yeh likh toh diya hai maine, darr bhi lag raha hai mujhe,<br />
Main marr bhi jaaoon agar kal, shayad koi badi baat hain...<br />
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Aaj toh mera dil ubal raha hai badi zor se shaayad,<br />
Aanch tez hai, dhuaan kahin se toh uth raha hai yahaan;<br />
Lagta nahin Rani ye sab mujhe aaj raat likhne deti,<br />
Woh meri jaan hai, aur meri pyaari nigehbaan yahaan.<br />
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Aaj toh mera dil bada bade zor se ubal raha hai,<br />
Aanch tez hai, dhuaan seene se bhi uth raha hai;<br />
Dil ki baat poochh loon kya? Gehra mera sawaal hai...<br />
Lagta hai desh ka maamla toh aaj bloody behaal hai.<br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-61751962532323392882019-03-18T14:04:00.000-07:002019-03-18T14:23:01.336-07:00MARD KO DARD NAHIN HOTA review: Underground retro pulp cult stuff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It was my birthday yesterday (technically still today). In my head I am still celebrating it with my lovely wife Rani. She's a an amazing superwoman, and is the best cook ever, perhaps a close second to my mother. Wait, this is not a Rani appreciation post, but let me still just leave this here - I am the luckiest guy in Andheri (West) - no, make that the entire earth, and all its cousin planets.<br />
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The last paragraph was a trick.<br />
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Just like how director <b>Vasan Bala</b> sneaked in all his <b>ginormous</b> love for movies, music & Matunga in an out-and-out action film, I wrote a little love letter to Rani. Hahaha.<br />
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If you scratch the surface of '<b>Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota</b>', you will see what I mean. I have known Vasan for more than a decade now- no, we barely meet, or hang out. He is schooled by Anurag Kashyap, and I lean towards the realms of Yash Chopra, Vishal Bhardwaj & Rajkumar Hirani. I could be totally wrong, but that's my perception of this mad man. What does connect me and Vasan is our mad passion for cinema. I guess we are movie fanatics first, and then film professionals.<br />
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MKDNH is absolute underground retro pulp cult stuff - please first watch the trailer of Vasan's <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8055888/" target="_blank">labour of love</a> here:<br />
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I don't think many of my readers know of my Matunga connection... I was born in Udipi-Manipal, but raised in erstwhile Bombay. Till the 5th standard, I used to go to Holy Family High School, in Chheda Nagar. Before moving to Indore, we had a 1-room-kitchen-nothing-else apartment in Tilak Nagar (Chembur) and it was a ritual for us to visit our relatives who owned an entire building in Matunga. Acharya Products baad mein Google kar lena. Those visits involved us going and pigging out at the joints in and around that vicinity.<br />
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The food at Cafe Madras! Totally worth dying or killing for.<br />
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Story mein abhi tak hero ki entry nahin hui? Okay, here you go -<br />
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<b>Abhimanyu Dassani came across as a worthy inheritor of Hrithik Roshan's legacy. Period.</b> <br />
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I swear to Lord CineIndra, I am not exaggerating - this young boy is going to be one of the busiest actors for the next few years, and will reign the action films' genre. Rani had predicted this way before even Abhimanyu could have imagined. There is something very '<b>Mard</b>' yet very endearing - you know like everyone would wish good things to happen to him. I hated everyone in the film who did nasty things to our Surya of <b>MKDNH</b>. <b>Super Gullu</b>, please go to hell.<br />
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<b>RADHIKA MADAN</b> - The <b>STREE</b> of our <b>Mard</b> is a "<b>PAAO KILO KI PYTHON</b>" - ye Google pe nahin milega, sorry. The blood, sweat and dirt she suffered is on ample display. Radhika is perhaps Bollywood's answer to Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Uma Thurman, Jennifer Garner and the likes. She kicks ass, breaks bones but the moment her hair flies in slow motion, your heart skips a beat. You don't want her to hurt herself.<br />
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Take a break, listen to '<b>Rappan Rappi Rap</b>' now:<br />
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Okay, so let me tell you about the man I hate the most in Andheri (West) tonight - <b>Gulshan Devaiah</b> - he has killed it in more ways than one in <b>MKDNH</b>. Humility be damned, I think I was one of the first to call <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3761132/?ref_=ttfc_fc_cl_t2" target="_blank">Gulshan</a> the new 'Bad Man' of Bollywood, I think this was during the release of 'Shaitan,' or one of his first films. He has a double role in this film, and the characters he is playing here are too extreme opposites - award nominations are inevitable. Congratulations & bouquets in order.<br />
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Okay, so now let me tell you about the man I love the most in Mumbai tonight - Mahesh Manjrekar. Mahesh sir plays the role of Surya's grandfather "Aazoba" and perhaps packs in a career best performance as an actor that will be remembered for ages. I wish one of my grandfathers were a fraction as cool or inspiring or motivating - he talks about sex with his son and grandson, in a clean yet cool fashion. And the hats he wears - what an enviable collection.<br />
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P.S.: We are still talking about the minutest attention to detail we saw this night.<br />
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P.S. 1: Love you, dear Vasan Bala, please keep peddling your dreams. We will keep buying the tickets, you keep entertaining us. It's our little deal, you sasta Sriram Raghavan.<br />
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P.S. 2: Once again, happy birthday to me. HAHAHA.<br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-77720931515424723492019-03-17T07:25:00.000-07:002019-03-17T07:28:39.730-07:00Kirdaar short film - short review: Mukesh Chhabra gives a memorable performance as a struggling theater actor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
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Let me warm you up to this piece by showing you the trailer of <b>Swati Semwal's</b> short film that features my bossman, mentor, elder brother - <b>Mukesh Chhabra</b>.</div>
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In what can perhaps be called as
a delicious twist of role swapping, actor-director Swati Semwal has cast Mukesh
Chhabra, the casting director, the man who has cast her in many films. Semwal’s
short film, ‘Kirdaar’ is the journey of a struggling theater actor, Aman who
commits himself to his role so completely that it isn’t even safe – not for him
or his loving wife, Aditi (played unimaginably brilliantly by Pooja A Gor).<o:p></o:p></div>
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The popular perception of theater
actors is that they will not shy away from going to any length to do justice to
the characters they play. ‘Kirdaar’ is a dangerous extension of the same
thought. Given it’s runtime of less than 20-minutes, the director does a great
job of saying more by showing less. To top it, the performances feel so
heartfelt, one is already rooting for either Aman or Aditi – or even Aashiqa,
the character Aman is essaying.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Given the fact that Chhabra is
the most sought-after casting director in Hindi cinema, agreeing to essay this
twisted character is a really bold step – nowhere close to his or anyone else’s
comfort zone. While watching ‘Kirdaar’ it is evident that Chhabra has
internalized his years of experience of interacting with theater artists of
various backgrounds. Pooja Gor does justice to her role has the wife who is at
the receiving end of her husband’s creative endeavors. <o:p></o:p><br />
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I am really paranoid, if my loving wife, Rani, God forbid, ever had to go through this trauma.</div>
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Director Swati Semwal must be
appreciated for documenting a theater actor’s journey in a way that keeps you
hooked all the way. Director of photography, Syed Tanveer Riaz and the editors
- Jayant H. Verma and Akash Malame have done a great job too. Watching
‘Kirdaar’ might leave you asking for more, but that’s perhaps the biggest
victory of the director and her entire cast and crew. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Watch the full film here:</b></div>
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rcJ33BYsmmA" width="560"></iframe></div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">Also, happy birthday to me! </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-909084043005083422019-03-15T14:21:00.001-07:002019-03-15T15:53:58.971-07:00HAMID movie review: A befitting addition to the legacy of Vishal Bhardwaj's Haider<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f53OTc0Fumk/XIwGxuP4BpI/AAAAAAAAHFY/CbDBmweqLNEkpddogPkJ9A5d2qC90QvYgCLcBGAs/s1600/hamid.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f53OTc0Fumk/XIwGxuP4BpI/AAAAAAAAHFY/CbDBmweqLNEkpddogPkJ9A5d2qC90QvYgCLcBGAs/s320/hamid.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Disclaimer: A dear friend, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4756397/?ref_=ttfc_fc_wr1" target="_blank">Ravinder Randhawa</a>, wrote this film, so cannot be objective or clinical while writing this review - actually I am too emotional at the moment. No spoilers here.<br />
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Let me warm you up to this piece by showing you the trailer here:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AbLtdPmKyL4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Now sample the awesomeness of Ravinder sir here:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f_y7i-0tzbU" width="560"></iframe><br />
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And then here:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/95kwpSLeDsE" width="560"></iframe><br />
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If the second song made you cry, I can understand - the song is like that. Take a break and come back to this piece on director Aijaz Khan's film, 'Hamid,' that has released in theatres this weekend.<br />
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Let me give you an explanation for the headline of this piece - I am an ignoramus, and my worldview comes from the films I watch. For me, Vishal Bhardwaj's '<a href="https://magikcinemagik.blogspot.com/2014/09/haider-who-knew-tragedy-like-this-could.html" target="_blank">Haider</a>' was baptism by fire into what's happening in and around Jammu-Kashmir. Judge me, I don't care. 'Haider' also prepared me as to what to expect from 'Hamid'. A 5-minute standing ovation for all those who ensured that the Kashmiri accented Hindi was spot on, if 'Haider' is the gold standard.<br />
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The opening scene of 'Hamid' planted me deeply into its universe. I think it is devastating to be probed and questioned regarding your identity by random strangers (in the form of army personnel). I don't know why they, both in 'Haider,' and now in 'Hamid,' are shown as cocky, rude blokes who are unhappy in their lives. I know there are and will be exceptions, but mostly that's the scenario. Okay let's get back to little Hamid (the lovable, innocent boy played by Talha Arshad Reshi) and his screwed up paradise.<br />
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Hamid is as influenced by his father, as I am by Gulzar Saab and most of his legendary works. In the beginning we see an old craftsman painstakingly making a boat with a song on his lips - I smiled wide thinking of the blessing every artist has while in the process of creation. All us artists live for moments like these, the fee may be pittance - hundred rupees a month in little Hamid's case - truth be told, not too different from what I make as a writer. <br />
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Little boy Hamid is perhaps the sweetest and purest soul in the realm of the film, his father comes a close second - or vice versa. Hamid's mother (played by a brilliant Rasika Duggal) on the other hand has become cynical and bitter and I hated her from the word go. But what else to expect from a human who has been living in the harshest conditions - both politically and financially. She smiles perhaps once when Allah comes to her rescue via Hamid.<br />
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'<a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7527082/?ref_=nm_flmg_wr_1" target="_blank">Hamid</a>' the film is loaded with metaphors, both sublime and sometimes it feels like how one would after walking into a glass door. The metaphor marathon begins with a metaphor on how the color red suits the Jhelum river and ends with a red on Jhelum but on the hopeful spectrum of emotions. Aijaz's film is an emotional roller coaster, and there's never a dull moment other than few poetic silences. I think I will watch many times over just to soak in all the metaphors.<br />
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I have always been in awe and regard of Ravinder sir's writing, but after watching 'Hamid' my respect for sir shot through the stratosphere - his brilliance, to employ a metaphor, lies somewhere between the sun and the stars. Sir's influences are bigger legends like Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Paash to name just two. His wit and sharpness can be sampled in the first song I shared - '<i>Sursuri ye chaai hai...'</i> and we have been lucky to sample many of his creative endeavors. Some samples here:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GDVwJhC-MBI" width="560"></iframe><br />
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And this one too:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OpH4LxosRoQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
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I had read a saying, "One man's terrorist is another's tourist," or something to that effect. 'Hamid' the film showcases just that in a very poetic, visually delicious and in a very balanced way. In between the terrorists and the tourists, the ones most hurt in the entire scheme of things are the people living in their paradise lost. By now, I think I guess I know why the army personnel are shown as cocky and rude, as they are hated by both, the terrorists and the local citizens.<br />
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The only ones they get love from, they are away from, for most of their working lives. How tragic is that! If you had money to just watch one film this year, please buy that ticket for 'Hamid'.<br />
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Thank me later.<br />
<br />
Love, K.<br />
<br />
Spot Rani in this video:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M5MZOXsCnxg" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-54484119945903036672019-02-17T08:00:00.000-08:002019-02-17T08:00:35.305-08:00Gully Boy review: What a TIME to be at the cinemas!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRW09awe0BU/XGljWBC-jzI/AAAAAAAAHDY/_C4xAaV7F7oA-aNx7obvVlQju3LGiQM5ACLcBGAs/s1600/gb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="615" height="292" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rRW09awe0BU/XGljWBC-jzI/AAAAAAAAHDY/_C4xAaV7F7oA-aNx7obvVlQju3LGiQM5ACLcBGAs/s400/gb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the way back home, after watching Zoya Akhtar's latest masterpiece, 'Gully Boy,' I realized that films set in Bombay have always held a very special place in the centre of my heart. I am talking 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron,' 'Salaam Bombay,' 'Bombay,' 'Satya,' 'Rangeela,' 'Black Friday,' 'Waisa Bhi Hota Hai (Part 2),' Luck By Chance...<br />
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You get the drift? No? Okay -<br />
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<b>I LOVE BOMBAY.</b><br />
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<b>BOMBAY LOVES ME.</b><br />
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<b>WE ARE A HAPPY FAMILY.</b><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HlAOZrst6fQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
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I am a sucker for Bombay, and love stories, so I was already sold the moment the trailer of 'Gully Boy' landed on YouTube. Disclaimer: I am more of a ghazal / Sufi music lover, hence stayed miles away from hip-hop / rap till this 'Gully Boy' song dropped -<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jFGKJBPFdUA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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'Apna time aayega' has been playing on my head since then. What an uplifting song, it can even uplift the uplifted - it should be the morning wake up call for everyone with a dream to chase. Before going any further, I have three words for those who didn't like 'Gully Boy' -<br />
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<b>Go</b>. <b>Fuck</b>. <b>Yourself</b>.<br />
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A little background - I have watched a short film, 'Bombay 70' - and have watched it 70 times or more since then. I knew there was enough material for a feature film in the short film. Cut to about two years later I got to know that Zoya is making a film which is apparently inspired by the same. To be fair, 'Bombay 70' & 'Gully Boy' are two legit legends in their own spaces respectively.<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WmC4elJcICA" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Getting to the point, 'Gully Boy' will be remembered as one of Indian cinema's best - Zoya's best ever - and till this afternoon I thought she couldn't top 'Luck By Chance' in this lifetime. There is a moment in 'Gully Boy' when Murad (Ranveer) goes to Safeena (Alia) to tell her about the best day in his life - it's a very unique setting - my eyes went semi moist, confused if I am happy or sad. This stayed till a little before the interval, when I had started crying profusely.<br />
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Post interval, there was a moment in between Murad & his mother, when my confused eyes got semi moist & stayed till I burst into tears towards the last half hour of the film. My wife Rani, and my mom-in-law get really embarrassed when I cry in cinemas, but I just can't help when tears start flowing. 'Gully Boy' is full of magical moments - in between all the primary and secondary characters - the reason the semi moist eyes remain moist, or a few tears drop, involuntarily.<br />
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Every Murad (artist) needs a Safeena (the mental-lover-leveler) - I thank God, I found my Safeena in Rani. Each time I missed a beat, she got my rhythm back on track. My reasons for connecting with 'Gully Boy' lie in the moments, the sweet kisses, the shy Murad who meets his mentor MC Sher (Siddhant Chaturvedi) or his best friend, Moeen (Vijay Verma), Murad's angry father (Vijay Raaz) and his heartbroken mother (Amruta Subhash). Not to forget the moments shared between Murad and Sky (Kalki). So tempted to watch 'Gully Boy' one more time.<br />
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A juvenile boy I know on Facebook via my wife credited the awesomeness of 'Gully Boy' to Javed Akhtar Saab; I replied, "With due respect to Javed Saab, his only BEST contribution to this film is that he is Zoya's father." I think the sole best contributor to this film over and above the cast and crew can only be this crazy lovely city, I equate with my mother - my Bombay - here destinies are re-written, slumdogs turn millionaires, millionaires flee to Kenya and maximum dreams come true. Basically, the golden nest for nurturing underdog stories.<br />
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P.S. 1: The casting directors (Karan Mally & Nandini Shrikent), cinematographer (Jay Oza) & editor (Nitin Baid) deserve more credit than they would ever get. <br />
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P.S. 2: Safeena and MC Sher deserve films of their own.<br />
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P.S. 3: I will kiss Reema Kagti and Zoya Akhtar's shoelaces whenever I see them in person.<br />
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A short review in the Gully Boy language -<br />
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<b>TOD-PHOD. CHEER-PHAAD. BUM-PHAAD. BHOT HARD. EK NUMBER, BANTAAI.</b><br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-82623942617055193272019-02-16T08:42:00.000-08:002019-02-16T08:42:45.033-08:00Mom & Co.: A web-series that will make you love your mom even more. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxiFnAScBDA/XGg1NIKSIxI/AAAAAAAAHDE/U8ah1xN5SgIIC5yZiA5ecngKrWFY1N0IgCLcBGAs/s1600/1549964451-Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxiFnAScBDA/XGg1NIKSIxI/AAAAAAAAHDE/U8ah1xN5SgIIC5yZiA5ecngKrWFY1N0IgCLcBGAs/s320/1549964451-Mom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I don't usually invest time in web-series, despite the hype surrounding them - it's just takes too much time to eventually find any redemption, and I got to know there are times when even that doesn't happen.<br />
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Disclaimer: As my wife Rani has cast for Mom & Co., you can conveniently say that I am biased to say good things about it, and I wouldn't hold it against you.<br />
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I think that the deepest bonds we make as humans is the one we have with our moms - I call my mom, 'Chintu' - as she is cute as hell and 4 feet something in height.<br />
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Back in the day I used to spell my name as <b>Kiran Rao</b> - when my mom saw the <b>Dhobi Ghaat</b> poster, she thought my first film has released; these days I spell my first name as <b>K E Y R U N</b>. My beginning of my mom story wasn't too happy, but in the last ten years, my Chintu has become my best friend, who I can talk about anything to, without batting an eyelid. I also think that the deepest, strongest and unshakable memories we have as humans, is mom's food.<br />
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My connecting point with director Ashish Ranglani's web-series, 'Mom & Co.' is the mom-son & food-dynamic and I was sold when I first saw the trailer. I am just two episodes into the series, and Neliimaji making a comeback after so many years is still the seasoned performer that she has always been remembered for. <br />
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Sample the trailer here: <br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tPQ85zH-Vr4" width="560"></iframe><br />
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A wise friend told us, there's no point in a wife trying to compete with her husband's mother's cooking - because it is about childhood memories that will almost always tilt the weight on the mom's side. Manoshi, stop grinning. Please watch this beautiful web-series and share your feelings in the comments' section.<br />
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Watch the first episode here:<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xmzkbtxrE-A" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Love you mom, my Chintu. Please be my best friend forever.<br />
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P.S.: Looking forward to the next episodes, hugs to the writers, Shyni Shetty & Aarsh Vora - you make the writers' tribe proud.</div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-85038132167652502642019-01-22T12:13:00.004-08:002019-01-22T12:13:53.355-08:00Dost kam hain mere...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A Keyrun Rao Original<br />
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Mera ek dost hai Ashu, bada paagal sa hai</div>
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Mila nahin hoon us se, pata nahin kyon</div>
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Waqt beet gaya, saal bhi bahut guzar gaye,</div>
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Khushi ab bhi utni hi hai, par jaane kyon?</div>
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Dost kam hain mere, log to kharaab hain,</div>
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Pata nahin kya dhoondhte rehte hain saare,</div>
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Ek dil hai mera, jo hamesha yaad rakhta hai</div>
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Kya baaqi bachey sab log ab kharaab hain?</div>
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Madad maangi maine us se, bina soche samjhe,</div>
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Ashu ne poora kiya mera har woh khwaab</div>
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Do pal ko nahin socha usne, muskaate huwe</div>
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Diya mujhe usne sabse haseen jawaab</div>
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Dost kam hain mere, log to kharaab hain,</div>
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Pata nahin kya dhoondhte rehte hain saare,</div>
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Ek dil hai mera, dhoondhta rehta hai hamesha,</div>
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Hum jaane kyon lagte sab hain itney bechaarey.</div>
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Mera ek dost hai Ashu, bada paagal sa hai,</div>
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Mila nahin hoon us se, par pata nahin kyon;</div>
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Dhadakta rehta hai, mujhse milta rehta hai</div>
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Baatein sab apni hain, apni dhun mein jeeta hai. </div>
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Dost ab kam hain mere, log to kharaab hi hain,</div>
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Pata nahin kya dhoondhte rehte hain saare,</div>
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Matlab ke rishton mein, bematlab sa farishta hai,</div>
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Jaan lo, mera Ashu jo hai, wo sab se achcha hai.</div>
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-26266065021529849362018-10-17T13:33:00.000-07:002018-10-17T14:15:14.266-07:00Badhaai Ho: A cinematic baby worth celebrating<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just got back after watching Amit R. Sharma's film, 'Badhaai Ho'. As usual, not a regular review of the film. I will always remember 2018 for '<a href="https://magikcinemagik.blogspot.com/2018/06/sanju-elder-bro-i-wish-i-had-glad-i-dont.html" target="_blank">Sanju</a>', 'AndhaDhun' & 'Badhaai Ho'.<br />
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Before we go any further, a HUGE shoutout & drumroll to the writers, <b>Akshat Ghildial & Shantanu Shrivastava. </b>You guys make the writers' clan super proud with your super fresh & intelligent writing. You guys have joined the league of <b>Juhi Chaturvedi</b> & <b>Hitesh Kewalya</b> - first ball pe sixer - stadium se baahar!<br />
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The trailer doesn't give away a fraction of the fun that you can expect at the cinemas this weekend. I swear, I am not exaggerating. The trailer gives a mere glimpse of what has happened, and some repercussions of some decisions. <b> </b><br />
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The real fun is not the 'what', it is about 'how' & 'what after' & a tear inducing climax that will soften even the toughest criminals. I personally was sold in the first few minutes because the film is mostly set in the same lane as in Habib Faisal's '<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20101013121403/http://passionforcinema.com:80/do-dooni-chaar-movie-review-touch-ho-gaya-by-god/" target="_blank">Do Dooni Chaar</a>' - my review of <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20101013121403/http://passionforcinema.com:80/do-dooni-chaar-movie-review-touch-ho-gaya-by-god/" target="_blank">DDC</a> brought Rani into my life, so it holds a very special place in my heart. There's something very bitter-sweet about middle-class stories that hits the sweet spot and stays on. Throw in a heartbreak song, and I am sold.<br />
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Though it feels like I have been married to Rani for many lifetimes, but it has only been a few years since we actually got married. For the last two years we have been dodging the most uncomfortable question thrown at us by older relatives, "Badhaai kab hogi?" Badhaai will happen when it has to, but why is it their ONLY concern, I fail to understand. Anyway, I will save that subject for some other time. In this film the announcement of the impending Badhaai is a magical scene.<br />
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It raises such a large question on the moral fibre that we have been made to adhere to. The film has done the job if people go back home thinking about the reasons of the decisions or choices they made in their lives, especially the older lot. The younger lot also have a lot of food for thought. Specifically, the equation they share with their parents. For the first 25 years of my life, I barely spoke to my parents. That changed after Rani came into my life. Now if I haven't spoken to them for a day or sent them WhatsApp messages, my day feels incomplete. You should have seen my parents dance at our wedding - it was a sight to behold.<br />
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<b>THEN there is bro-bonding. </b><br />
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Of late I haven't been on talking terms with my kid bro. So every time there was scene between the brothers, I was weeping. I loved it when the elder brother SLAPS the little one in one scene. I want to do that too! Hahaha. The kid brother in 'Badhaai Ho' is a lovable rascal, like all kid brothers are. It is sad that I can't find the name of the guy who plays that character anywhere online. Shout out, if you know, I will update the piece. Every elder brother deserves a kid bro like him.<br />
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For me Gajraj Rao & Neena Gupta will remain Parents of The Decade, or may be a close second to the Duggals (Rishiji & Neetuji in <a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20101013121403/http://passionforcinema.com:80/do-dooni-chaar-movie-review-touch-ho-gaya-by-god/" target="_blank">DDC</a>). Dadiji of The Century will be shared with Surekha Sikri in Badhaai Ho & Kamlesh Gill (in Vicky Donor).<br />
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Best Actor for me:<br />
<b>Popular category</b> - Ayushmann Khurrana in Badhaai Ho & Ranbir Kapoor in <a href="https://magikcinemagik.blogspot.com/2018/06/sanju-elder-bro-i-wish-i-had-glad-i-dont.html" target="_blank">Sanju</a>. <br />
<b>Critics category</b> - Ayushmann Khurrana in AndhaDhun.<br />
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There I said it. Thank me later. Watch 'Badhaai Ho' this weekend or stop complaining about the quality of Hindi cinema forever.<br />
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<b>Observation</b>: I think Ayushmann Khurrana is the only actor who has two films playing at Chandan, Juhu simultaneously. Correct me if I am wrong. Actually don't bother. Bye.<br />
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Love,<br />
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<b>Magik</b>. </div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-75217888727042898182018-06-29T12:25:00.002-07:002018-06-29T12:37:53.790-07:00Sanju: An elder bro I wish I had, glad I don't.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Disclaimer: This post is not about Sanjay Dutt the person, it's about Rajkumar Hirani's film based on Dutt's life. Though the film is clearly biased, it worked for me.<br />
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Sanjay Dutt's life is the stuff any writer's wet dream is made of. That's also the reason for this post's headline. While watching 'Sanju' the mind oscillates in two directions:<br />
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1) What a roller-coaster of journey this man has survived, it lends to cinema so easily, and in the hands of a magician called Rajkumar Hirani, and an actor like Ranbir Kapoor what's there to not like?<br />
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2) What an assh**e this guy has been most of his life, and unapologetic too. With so much legacy and privilege to bank upon, the least he could do was act (which he did in many films - 'Naam' & 'Vaastav' being my personal favourites).<br />
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Just watch this video:<br />
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If you don't see something endearing and likeable about this guy, then 'Sanju' is not for you. I find this video very funny and for some reason I like Dutt a lot. (Sorry, not open for a debate here) <br />
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Now let's leave the cynicism aside for a while, and allow me to share some thoughts that I had while watching 'Sanju' and for that I will credit the director and RK, the leading man, who made me believe that perhaps Sanju is a nice guy after all. What surprised me the most was the fact that despite knowing almost 95% of Dutt's story that is already in public domain, I was watching the film as if it was something I have never known. Now that's storytelling at its best. Take a bow, Mr. Hirani.<br />
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As much as the director would like us all to believe that 'Sanju' is an exploration of the father-son dynamic, for me it was all about Sanju & his bonding with his best friend Kamlesh. Oh what a role played by Vicky Kaushal - in many scenes I felt Ranbir is feeding off Vicky's awesomeness. There's something about the brother bonding, which resonated inside me. Brothers are usually assh**es, but you can't stop loving them, can you? You just somehow make peace with that fact.<br />
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I have found loving brothers in a few friends, and I take this opportunity to send out random love and jhappis to <a href="https://twitter.com/twitashish" target="_blank">Ashu</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Noble5avage" target="_blank">Deven</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/inder_sagoo" target="_blank">Inder</a>. That's the magic of good films - they make you realise the importance of relationships you normally take for granted. In 'Sanju' there are many moments that bring to fore the things one should NOT do in relationships which matter to you, and you know that they'll be there till you push it to an extreme corner, after which it snaps. Life goes on...<br />
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I feel there is an entire film somewhere in RK & VK's bro-bonding, but let's save that for another day. Coming back to 'Sanju,' I felt that despite the flaws and some gimmicky scenes, there's a lot to take away from it, just as a storyteller. As someone wise had said before, everything that was unique has been written or made, now it is how uniquely you present your story. The same material of Dutt's life in the hands of Anurag Kashyap or Sanjay Gupta could have been dark and edgy, but Raju sir can make farts look like sunshine or rainbows...<br />
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My take away is the fact that in movies, it helps to look at the good, sometimes even in the bad. Not everyone can be Rajkumar Hirani, but his films make the world a better place, at least I feel so. I hope to hear from you all in the comments' section, preferably after you've watched 'Sanju' this weekend. Now eagerly looking forward to Sriram sir's next, 'Andhadhun'.<br />
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That's all for now. Have a great weekend. <br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-64745150689229559512017-11-27T04:56:00.001-08:002017-11-27T05:10:11.572-08:00Tumhari Sulu: Would Sulu be the same without her Ashok? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Greetings after a long time… neither did I watch anything that moved me as much to write home about, nor did anything significant happen that I felt like sharing here. You see, life as a home-bound guy doesn’t offer any major insight or even material to observe and mull over. Having been unwell and lost too much body weight, I prefer to stay indoors, eat my proteins and other nutritious miscellany without complaining much about the tastelessness of it and the pointlessness of life in general.<br />
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Disclaimer: This piece is NOT a review of ‘Tumhari Sulu’ – I am just writing this piece because of the unusualness of the character Ashok who plays the husband of the protagonist Sulochana aka Sulu. I don’t remember meeting a guy like him on celluloid in the recent past, even the distant past. I watched ‘Tumhari Sulu’ last Friday because Rani (my wife) plays the ‘Race Participant No. 1’ in it. My views about the film might be biased, so I refrain from writing about it.<br />
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The character ASHOK is perhaps a new arrival or a re-arrival in the Hindi film scenario but why stop just there? I don’t know anybody in my / our generation who is as unbelievably nice, almost unreal as Ashok – I felt like he has jumped straight out of the collective imagination of all the girls / women I know. As many who have watched the film have concluded, our man Ashok is the text book definition of an ideal man, especially in these troubled times that we are living in.<br />
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I also write this because of the discomfort that I saw on the faces of those male friends / acquaintances who had watched ‘<a href="https://madaboutmoviez.com/2017/11/18/tumhari-sulu-movie-review-truly-heres-a-story-that-can-belong-to-anyone-of-us/" target="_blank">Tumhari Sulu</a>’ and were left visibly uncomfortable (for the lack of a better description) by this guy Ashok they watched on the big screen. While it was easy to celebrate Sulu’s journey from the lemon race track to the RJ console, it was almost impossible to pin down Ashok, his goodness or the fact that he took way too long to even consider quitting his job.<br />
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The scales seem to have tipped in our cinematic Hindi universe – in all these many decades toughest standards were set for women, the men had it easiest. Post ‘Tumhari Sulu’ men have to deal with this aadarsh dreamboat and most of them (including me) are feeling at sea, a turbulent one at that. As I channel my anger towards director Suresh Triveni, I just want someone to tell me that he is a FAKE – one can’t be like him, perhaps can only die trying, best of lucks while at that.<br />
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One thing is for sure - Sulu can NOT be the same without her Ashok. Does this make 'Tumhari Sulu' the sweetest-yet-most-empowering-female-empowerment-fantasy-family-drama ever made? You tell me in the comments; eager to hear from you guys.<br />
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<b>*Main piece ends, personal indulgence begins*</b><br />
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One of the very few times when Ashok came close to being one of us screwed up men was when he got drunk and came home. Even then his demeanor was out of place – while I was expecting him to create a scene and pass out while venting out his frustration, he does what only an imaginary guy like him would. Ashok gets chided by Sulu, lets her wash & wipe his head, and perhaps cries himself to sleep. (Read on ONLY if you've watched the film)<br />
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<b>For my own good, I re-imagined this scene, just to normalize Ashok in my book. This is the bar scene and the precursor to it, as it played out in my head:</b><br />
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Ext. Bandra Station – Eve<br />
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ASHOK has just entered the Bandra station to take a train back to his home at Virar. After the altercation at his workplace, he doesn’t look like his usual calm and composed self. There’s anger in his eyes that one gets to see in spurned suitors or betrayed soldiers. As he tries to make his way into the first class compartment of the Virar fast, he seems like Sunny Deol on a rampage, but somehow fails to get in. While Ashok is waiting for the next train, a book vendor walks up to him and tries to sell him a ‘Rapidex English Speaking Course’ book – he gives the boy his angriest look and scares him away.<br />
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The next train arrives - this time Ashok has upped the ante and channelized his inner Hulk to ensure that he gets inside come what may. Once inside the packed compartment he finds himself standing next to two strapping young Bengali guys discussing their day in their mother tongue. By mistake one of the Bengalis steps on Ashok’s shoe, and that leads to a scuffle. Ashok vents out all the anger he had for his young new Bengali boss on both the Bengali stud boys and blackens their eyes.<br />
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FADE IN.<br />
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Int. Dingy Virar Bar – Night<br />
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ASHOK has seated himself in a comparatively quiet corner at the noisy bar and is waiting for the waiter to show up and take his order. The waiter shows up with a glass of water and inquisitive eyes, trying to size up his next prey. Little does he know that Ashok is a regular at the bar.<br />
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Waiter: Kya leke aaoon sahib?<br />
Ashok: Lagta hai naya aaya hai. Ek Old Monk quarter aur soda…<br />
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Waiter: Baraf kitna sir?<br />
Ashok: (signals for 3 ice cubes with his fingers)<br />
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Just then Ashok’s bar buddy Dharmesh BHATT saunters in as if he owns the place. He hands one of the waiters a Rs.500/- note and orders a large Smirn Off vodka. Bhatt then walks towards Ashok’s table and conveniently plonks himself there.<br />
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Bhatt: Kya Ashok bhau, last Sarurday aaya nai?<br />
Ashok: Bete ka exam tha.<br />
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Bhatt: Itni jaldi exam khatam?<br />
Ashok: Nahin aaj office mein lafda ho gaya… isliye.<br />
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Bhatt: Kya hua? Kaunsa buddha off ho gaya?<br />
Ashok: Ye buddhe log se pehle lagta hai main off ho jaayega.<br />
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Waiter arrives with Bhatt’s drink, places it on the table and leaves. The men clink their glasses and begin their session after ordering some chicken tikka. Ashok lights up a cigarette.<br />
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Bhatt: Saala apna pav bhaaji ka dhandha mast hai…<br />
Ashok: Meri missus boli hai Ola taxi start karneko<br />
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Bhatt: Ye ladies log ka zyaada sun ke nai lene ka bhau.<br />
Ashok: Tum ko to bhau maloom hai na meri…<br />
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Bhatt: Tu ne hi chadha ke rakha hai sar pe.<br />
Ashok: Aisa bhi nahin hai bhau...<br />
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<b>FADE OUT.</b><br />
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Well that was my humble attempt to make Ashok a little bit of a d*&k like most of us men. Can all men be like him? Hell no! Should we try? Hell yes! Will it make the world a better place? Not a single doubt there! To conclude, I hope and pray that every Sulu finds an Ashok to fuel her fantasies, to stand by her in every race that she participates in and most importantly - feel like a 50-50 partner in their businesses (family or otherwise), even when it is actually not. Mr. Suresh Triveni, thank you for gifting us cinema lovers an experience that will always be cherished.<br />
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<b>Love, Magik.</b></div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-53901523999440273712017-07-25T13:16:00.001-07:002017-07-25T13:16:59.659-07:00We are all 'TRAPPED'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Note 1: God forbid what happened to Shaurya (A brilliant Rajkummar Rao) in Vikramaditya Motwane's 'Trapped' ever happen even to my worst enemy. Not that I even have friends to call my own in the first place, but you do get the drift of what I am saying.<br />
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Note 2: Bombay (Mumbai as it is now known as) is not a place that nurtures idiots. You earn your stripes by giving to the city, and in turn you earn your basic rights and other privileges.<br />
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Note 3: I never wanted to watch 'Trapped' - mostly because I am a happy guy talking about why I love the 'Rasam' or 'Garlic Naan' that Rani makes for me, far more than the 'Avial' she has perfected over the years. Eating ants and pigeons? AWAAKTHOOOO. That much anyone can imagine or see from what there is in the trailer already. Who pays to watch such stories? Well, I am one of those who do, if there are no dead insects, pests or birds involved. I even watched '127 Hours' - just saying.<br />
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The thing is that there's a trap - we are all trapped. Neither Bombay needs us, nor does Hindi cinema. Who are we? Why are we here? Is this because we are trapped? Who set the trap? Did we walk into it, perhaps like how Shaurya did in 'Trapped'? Why did Motwane make 'Trapped'? Did he want to liberate himself? Did Rajkummar want to taste blood? Literally or figuratively? I don't know. Should I bother to find out? Not my business, I think.<br />
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Watching 'Trapped' if you are in love with Bombay / Mumbai or the films made here, you will know that it is a HUGE trap. One doesn't even realise when we fall prey. It could be the keys to an empty room, the chance to date an engaged girl who might be getting married in a week or so, the chance to claim a piece of this city, however big or small, as your own or even the privilege that you can expect an answer when you shout your loudest. The most horrific part of being here is that nobody wants to listen to you, as loud as you scream or shout.<br />
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Someone might hear you scream, but that doesn't mean anything - the noise of the city and the collective ones is so loud, he / she might just give up mid way. Most of the people here are tone deaf anyway. Hearing too much of radio does that to anyone of us. Perhaps the only way to drown out the cacophony of a city that doesn't even have the time to sleep. Just in case you do sleep, the sound of your dreams drown out anything else in the vicinity. You might not like this city, but when were you invited here in the first place? You came unannounced, so will be your exit.<br />
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If you don't belong here, neither the city likes you nor do the inhabitants.<br />
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PAV BHAAJI - the smell of it will remain if you have been in this city long enough. If very unfortunate, at worst you will savour the taste of Vada Pav or Dabeli long after you've settled back to the place that you came from, with or without the fortune that you came to make here. Can you shake up the City? Have you screamed loud enough? Did anyone hear you? Do they care? Do they want to see you again? The property guy who conned Shaurya in 'Trapped' knew his lessons way before hand.<br />
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This City has no place for fools. <br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-17519100546982235962017-03-24T11:38:00.000-07:002017-03-25T03:14:22.837-07:00Khoob ladi Anaarkali jo Aarah waali rani thi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This blog is dedicated to a friend I once had some two decades ago. I don't remember his full name, his first name was Suresh and he would proudly introduce himself as 'Sures, Bokaro Steel City se'. He was our roommate, I shared the room with Sures and another friend Nikhil who was a bully who came from a place called Behraich in Uttar Pradesh. While Sures had come to Bombay to learn multimedia, Nikhil was here to start his event management company. The only things common about Sures and Nikhil is that they both worked very hard, and both were hustlers of the highest order. </div>
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Today when I look back, for me they were the reason I never wanted to have anything to do with anybody from up north. I almost used to look down upon people from that region, and used to avoid them like plague. It was a promise I had made to myself - till the time I got to know much after falling in love with Rani, that she was born in Aarah. Much to my horror, Rani one day proudly announced, "<i>Aarah jila ghar ba, kaun baat ka darr ba</i>." Oh yes, Rani works extremely hard, and is a hustler too. Now that the hustling works in my favour, I have made peace with my Rani of Aarah origins.<br />
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If you've been following me on FB / Twitter, you'd know that these days I am extremely cynical about the state of Uttar Pradesh in the last few days. Not too far away from U.P., there's Aarah in Bihar, which seems to be dealing with its own demons. After watching Avinash Das' debut film, 'Anaarkali of Aarah,' I can only say that this place has perhaps been through worse already, or may be not - I am far too disconnected to even distinctly differentiate between UP & Bihar. I recently watched two well made docu-shorts about things that happen in Bihar. It perhaps prepared me for what to expect from 'Anaarkali of Aarah.' Watch the videos here, I think you'd love it too:<br />
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And this:<br />
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One of the highlights of 'Anaarkali of Aarah' is that it grabs you by the cojones and takes you into the lanes and by-lanes of Aarah so deep, that you can smell the shit by the roadside and the smell of the cow dung on the floor. From what I have seen in this film, I swear to God, I will never ever go to anywhere near Aarah or Bahraich. Other than the spirit of the people living there, especially the good ones depicted in the film, I didn't find the place welcoming at all. May be it operates in its own parallel universe, where the bad is good and the ugly is worshiped.<br />
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All this, and I have just begun. Hey wait, all that you need to know about this courageous work of art before deciding to watch the film, can be seen in the trailer:<br />
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Each and every performance in 'Anaarkali of Aarah' is pitch perfect, and will be remembered forever. Special mentions for Pankaj Tripathi, Sanjay Mishra and Ishtiakh Khan. A HUGE shout-out to Rohit Sharma for the spectacular music - if not for the music, the film might have not worked half as much. This is perhaps the strongest film made about women empowerment, and strangely makes 'Pink' fade in comparison. In this film there's no daddy figure to rub in the 'NO MEANS NO' message. Why do you need a daddy, if the daughter is strong enough to convey the message herself?<br />
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FUCK PATRIARCHY!<br />
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<b>P.S.: Dear Swara, may God bless you, and give you more power to portray characters that are so ordinarily extraordinary and insanely empowering, genders be damned.</b> </div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-67792246727843707232017-03-23T00:53:00.002-07:002017-03-23T00:53:31.611-07:00Who will clean up this mess?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Yesterday started off as a normal day - catching up on the news, preparing for the day ahead - you know, the usual. We stay at this lovely apartment, 'Versova Kiran,' at 4 Bungalows, MHADA. The only thing that's not lovely about this place is that it overlooks a micro mini Dharavi. It has been a little more than one year and we have made peace with the fact that they exist. Yesterday noon all of a sudden, two bulldozers, a dozen cops or may be more barged in and razed a major chunk of the allegedly illegal hutments to the ground. It was by far one of the most bizarre visuals I had ever seen. </div>
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Throughout the day we kept a watch on the proceedings, much to our shock. The biggest shocker that struck us was the reaction of the people living there. Other than a group of few loud men and women who were yelling at the cops, the rest seem to be okay about it. As if they were prepared for this day - I don't know if they were warned or not, but they were gathering their belongings and walking around as if it was business as usual. We saw so many of them laughing and recording the visuals on their smart phones. We for sure wouldn't react like that if it had happened to us.<br />
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Another thing that caught our eyes were the belongings of these so-called poor people living in this slum - some had air conditioners, and kitchen equipment which were better than what we have. It made me wonder are they really poor? My wise mother-in-law said that these people have rented out the flats they have been given by the government so that they can live off the rent that they get from there. I found it hard to believe, but I have seen it in some films, so...<br />
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By around 6:00pm the cops and bulldozers were gone, and the people living there had already started piecing their shattered huts back - only that they didn't have roofs, at least not for last night. Basically what we have now is a bigger mess, as they have occupied other half of the road as well. All I am asking is, what will happen next? Will these people be displaced for good? Who will clean up this bigger mess created by whoever came up with this new 'surgical strike' or whatever that was?<br />
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Trust me, it's an ugly visual. Hope sanity is restored soon. <br />
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Will update this blog, and keep y'all posted.<br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-164069311786096272016-10-01T12:58:00.002-07:002016-10-01T13:08:59.036-07:00Mirzya: Celebrating the fragrance of eternal love<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Please note: This is not a review of Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's latest film, 'Mirzya', and there are no spoilers of any sort.<br />
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A round of applause for actors, Harshvardhan Kapoor & Saiyami Kher - 'Mirzya' doesn't seem like their debut film.<br />
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There are two magicians who make this film a thing of beauty, a joy forever: Gulzar Saab & cinematographer, Pawel Dyllus. Needless to say, a hat tip to the director, Mr. Mehra for pulling off a love story in an age when eternal love is a rarity lost somewhere on our digital timelines and limited attention spans.<br />
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As a hopeless romantic, it has been my constant pursuit to understand the phenomena that love is, and it will remain so till I am alive. Thanks to 'Mirzya' I have found some deep insights into the feeling of love, as it celebrates the eternal fragrance of love. The only thing I have always wanted is love - this give and take of love has been the most used currency in my life, to the point that I think that I have never worked for the want of money, or have stopped working if I had a lot.<br />
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It was always the love I felt from the employer (immediate bosses) and the colleagues.<br />
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Give me love, and I will love you right back till death do us apart. For me love is and will always be forever a constant. I discovered my idea of love while watching 'Sadma' as a kid, I still don't know why I cried throughout the entire climax, because I was too young to know anything beyond food and poop. I can only guess that perhaps a love of mine from some other lifetime reached out to me though that gem of a film that 'Sadma' is.<br />
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Later in my life I was filled with the fragrance of love when I watched 'Sagar' - I think I was sold by the fact that love makes you do the craziest of things with no expectations whatsoever. As Gulzar Saab has aptly put, there are only three witnesses of love. Sample this:<br />
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The thing about love is that it gifts us with memories galore, and moments of intense passion, to the point of no redemption. There's a quote, "If you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt - only love." This line resonates throughout 'Mirzya,' and I have felt this too. Those who have been reading my blogs would know about Rani, the love of my life, who went through this trauma, just because I had locked up my heart for the longest time, because I knew I couldn't take another heart break.<br />
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At least not in this lifetime.<br />
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“Doonge dard judaiyan de, kad lende ne jaan…”<br />
[The wounds of separation run deep and take the life out of you]...<br />
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Sadly, this 'Hichki' thing really doesn't let you sleep well.<br />
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If the love is real, it reaches out to the lover through the sheer power of the universe. Rani found me when she was a popular radio jockey at Dubai, at the prime of her career. I was just a rookie writer-day dreamer, with hopes of becoming a filmmaker. I could understand how in 'Mirzya' the lovers reunite even when they have been away for two decades, the two soulmates will reconnect at some point in time, their geographies be damned, with the same passion as before.<br />
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“Gol gol ghoome zameen, aave na jaave kahin…”<br />
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For me, 'Mirzya' highlighted the eternity in love which seems to have lost its relevance in our time. The thing is that though the way we dress and talk must have changed, but the concept of love will always have the same fragrance as ever. <a href="http://m.thehindu.com/features/cinema/mirzya-an-interview-with-gulzar/article9168782.ece" target="_blank">In a recent interview for The Hindu</a>, Gulzar Saab said -<br />
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"The change is in what you wear, the way you live, in your relationships. A different period means a different culture. So your behaviour pattern will also have to be different. Speed has altered; the rhythm of life has changed. There is such a lot of gadgetry. Earlier, it was like someone has gone to the city, there will be no news, close ones will wonder when he will be back. Now you can talk on the phone anywhere, any time, any moment. You fly in planes. When will you come back from abroad? Well today if you tell someone in the morning to come, they can reach by the evening. This is the speed of life. But the speed of a heartbeat is still the same. Dil aaj bhi usi rafter se dhadakta hai [the heart still beats at the same pace]. That is eternal. Aapke aansoo usi rafter se behte hain, nabz waise hi chalti hai [Your tears fall at the same speed, the pulse moves the same way]."<br />
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<b>Dil aaj bhi usi raftaar se dhadakta hai. That is eternal. Aapke aansoo usi raftaar se behte hain, nabz waise hi chalti hai.</b><br />
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I couldn't agree more, Gulzar Saab! </div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-57053828314288255422016-09-28T22:34:00.001-07:002016-09-28T22:34:12.626-07:00Sholay review by a soldier of the Indian Army<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This analogous post may interest the faujis...<br />
Enjoy the perspective...😊<br />
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As part of grooming of Young Officers, a CO showed them Sholay and asked them to write a Review on it......<br />
Here is what a bright Spark wrote......<br />
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General area Ramgarh was under the Command of Thakur Saab. Thakur Saab had no regular army, instead he lead a group of untrained unmotivated farmers, a transport incharge Basanti, as a Runner he had Ramu Kaka.<br />
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This general area Ramgarh faced threat of raids by the Company strength commanded by Gabbar Singh. Gabbar though had a company under his command, yet at any point of time he only had a section strength at his disposal with rest of the men deployed on various missions. As his Scout, he had a well trained Samba who always remembered the count of men. The adm requirements were taken care by Kalia who consumed Namak and Gaali on a regular basis. As recreation activity Gabbar and his troops played troop games and saw cultural items like<br />
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1. Where they shot their men and tested their luck factor and called it Goli 6, Aadmi 3.<br />
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2. Dance performances by Basanti by keeping her love interest a hostage at gunpoint.<br />
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To counter the attack/raids by the troops of Gabbar Singh. Thakur requested for an attachment of Buddy pair from Special Forces who were specially trained with high OQ, named Jai and Veeru. They followed the duties as a buddy pair religiously and on occasions of conflict decided it upon tossing of a coin.<br />
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On the first occasion of interaction between these SF men and the Raid party sent by Gabbana, SF men had taken secure tactical positions in Mutual Support and attained total surprise as the raid party had to retreat without accomplishing their primary task of collection of adm stores forcefully from the people of general area Ramgarh. This retreat hurt Commander Gabbar Singh's ego and as a result he gunned down his three own men while playing the game Goli 6, Aadmi 3. To reply back, Commander Gabbar Singh sent a patrol whose primary task was to find out the strength of the troops employed by Thakur Saab and to make a good attack plan. On observations of the patrol it was decided that a full scale attack be conducted on the Holi day and Commander Gabbar Singh would lead the troops himself, after briefing them. Commander Gabbar Singh's troops attacked general area Ramgarh while the celebrations were going on and there was no one to pass alarm for Stand To, as a result of which Gabbar attained total surprise and had caused chaos among the people of Ramgarh. Because of the high quality of training received by Jai and Veeru and proper employement of Fire and Move tactics the area Ramgarh was saved from major defeat. They fought valiantly in buddy pairs against the 2 sections of Commander Gabbar and prevented any possible loss of life.<br />
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As the mission set by Commander was not successfully accomplished, he decided to take transport incharge Basanti as hostage. A rescue team of 2 was sent by Thakur Saab to rescue Basanti. This lead to a full scale combat between the two troops and the ground became of tactical importance when the two troops got separated by a bridge over the river flowing west to east.<br />
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Due to lack of proper transport, only 1 could go with Basanti back, and on toss of coin it was decided that Veeru would rescue Basanti and get reinforcements and till then Jai would stop the enemy troops from charging further ahead by taking defiladed posn behind a rock. After firing a few rounds, Jai went out of ammunition and due to the unavailability of second line of ammunition the tactical importance of the bridge increased and Jai's primary motive became successful demolition of the bridge, which would deny the enemy any advance. Jai had a grenade at his disposal but the grenade malfunctioned and didn't blast, and only last few rounds left with Jai could have fused the bomb on being accurately fired at. Jai being the marksman could shoot the grenade at the exact point which blasted resulting in complete destruction of the bridge. But in the process Jai was severely injured and upon arrival of Veer u became a martyr succumbed to his injuries. This angered Veeru and he headed towards the area where Commander Gabbar's troops were stationed all alone in full Josh and high Morale. With the help of his zeroed weapon Veeru could make proper use of his ammunitions and hold true the slogan "One Bullet, One Enemy" in every engagement. On successfully killing most of the troops of Gabbar he later had to face the challenge of hand-to-hand combat with the well built Commander. Veeru even won this combat all due to his high morale and his training at Special Forces.<br />
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Lessons learnt are:<br />
With a zeroed weapon, a reliable buddy and proper training any task can be accomplished.<br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-78270377522369620772016-09-06T05:28:00.001-07:002016-09-06T05:28:27.050-07:00Ek khwaab samjha tha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Ek khwaab samjha tha</span><br />
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A Keyrun Rao original</div>
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Khwaab se jaaga hoon main umron baad</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Galti se jisey pyaar samjha tha maine</span><br />
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Dil mera chheel ke gayi hai kuchh aise woh</div>
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Jisey maine apna yaar samjha tha kabhi</div>
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Na jaane ab kahaan kho gayi hai woh</div>
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Aaj toh roney do bahut der tak mujhe </div>
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Aansoo toh ruk bhi nahin rahey hain mere</div>
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Meri saansein baaqi hain ab tak jaane kyon</div>
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Kuchh sunaayi bhi de raha hai tujhe?</div>
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Itne sawaal hain mere, koi toh jawaab do</div>
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Veeraan se din hain mere, andheri si raatein,</div>
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Abhi khatm nahin hui hain hamari baatein,</div>
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Ruk jaao meri palkon mein bas ek raat aur</div>
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Aao hum kucch karein thodi si aur mulaakaatein</div>
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Bas ek khwaab sa samjha tha tujhe,</div>
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Ab thodi si neend ko hum ab roz taraste hain,</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Kahin nahin hai tere jaisa koi khwaab mein mera </div>
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Teri yaadon ke bina, mere naina ab baraste hain </div>
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Khwaab se jaaga hoon main umron baad</div>
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Tujhse milne ko meri rooh kyon tarasti hai,</div>
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Tere jaane ke baad bhi mujh mein qaid hai tu</div>
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Teri muskaan ab bhi meri saanson mein basti hai.</div>
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Ek khwaab sa samjha tha tujhe, jaane kyon?</div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Tujh se bada mera koi sach bhi to hai nahin</div>
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Ek muskaan mujhe de ja kuchch der ke liye</div>
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Us se bada bhi mera koi aaj sach hai hi nahin </div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
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Original song here:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vUCM_0evdQY" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-1820880697782901712016-08-28T01:39:00.000-07:002016-08-28T01:58:11.134-07:00Dear Vishal Dadlani, it's too late to quit!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r8NdHijoMmI/V8Kadqsn0UI/AAAAAAAAF44/VRNDTUhoZbMsn2WzK6FQlHA4h0AOCDSEQCLcB/s1600/h_facebook_1435311354_980x457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r8NdHijoMmI/V8Kadqsn0UI/AAAAAAAAF44/VRNDTUhoZbMsn2WzK6FQlHA4h0AOCDSEQCLcB/s400/h_facebook_1435311354_980x457.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dear Vishal,<br />
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Like millions of your fans, I have been following and loving your work since 'Wo pehli baar,' 'Allah ke bande,' and of course, post 'Jhankaar Beats,' my love for your music was cemented forever. Needless to say, equal credit for the music also goes to your partner-in-crime, Shekhar Ravjiani, as well, but let me save that fanboy story for another day, and immediately get to the point.<br />
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Artists who have a vested interest in mainstream Hindi cinema have been forced to keep mum about their political opinion. Then there is another breed like me, who for the longest time either thought politics was either boring or too uncool to even care a damn. Despite the fact that I am an educated Indian, I still don't have a voter's ID, and I haven't cast a single vote yet - I am 36 years old.<br />
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I know it's a shame, but you, Vishal, shook me up when you first rose up, and voiced your support for AAP. Suddenly you made me realise that it is okay to have an opinion, and it is even better if you stand up for what you think is right. There have been many leaders and legends who have been saying this for ages - the same words of wisdom coming from you, made it relevant for many like me.<br />
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Anybody who has been following your work and thoughts, on and off social media, will know that you are a bloody hardworking guy, who takes time out and stands for anything and anybody that / who stands for what's fair, reasonable, logical and right. You have been the person who has wit, sarcasm, and a sane (sometimes insane) of putting your thoughts across, irrespective of the outcome.<br />
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Your fearlessness has been an inspiration for many like me, who would have otherwise kept shut and go on with their lives. It is all thanks to you that today, I have got to a point where I voice my opinion (on and off social media) and faced the ire of trolls and bhakts, who surprisingly / shockingly existed in my friend list. If not for you and your unique ways to take down your trolls, I wouldn't know how to deal with them - I have learned so much from you.<br />
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When I read that you are biting the dust, and crawling back into the voiceless zone, I felt let down by my hero - seriously let down. You have been giving hope and voice to millions like me, and now MY CLIENT WANTS CELLO TAPE BACK. Fuck you, for leaving us all mid way. I really hope you rethink this decision and continue to be the awesome person that you have been. If you decide to go mute, I am sure I will never cast a vote ever in my life.<br />
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Just a reminder:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1pMaFgoANzk" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-57922873124155053752016-04-16T08:31:00.001-07:002016-04-16T23:04:00.576-07:00FAN: Thank God, Shahrukh Khan still can!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYhq4GFBT9o/VxJS9wrZGaI/AAAAAAAAFvc/6H92nI_T8M44kLLMu7i4BBcXqxe28TQqgCLcB/s1600/fan-upcoming-2016-hindi-film-directed-by-maneesh-sharma-produced-by-aditya-chopra-under-banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYhq4GFBT9o/VxJS9wrZGaI/AAAAAAAAFvc/6H92nI_T8M44kLLMu7i4BBcXqxe28TQqgCLcB/s400/fan-upcoming-2016-hindi-film-directed-by-maneesh-sharma-produced-by-aditya-chopra-under-banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Disclaimer 1: Have been a huge Shahrukh Khan fan, just like many others, who discovered love with him, in Aditya Chopra's DDLJ. <br />
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Disclaimer 2: I still continue to love SRK, despite his films. His last film that I remember watching like a crazy fan was 'Chak De India' - I watched it at Urvashi theatre (Bangalore) seven times back to back, over a crazy weekend. Have lost count of times that I watched it on TV over the years.<br />
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I am few of the lucky SRK fans who watched DDLJ at Maratha Mandir in its 1000th week. It was an evening I will never forget, and like all other good things in life, I only have Rani to thank. Coming back to being a fan of Shahrukh, let me admit I have skipped most of his films post Chak De. India!. I took a leap of faith with Dilwale, but came back embarrassed. The SRK of Chennai Express & Dilwale are not the SRK that I had loved, and still continue to do so.<br />
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I don't know how this works, because an actor should be loved for his films, no? May be it is the thing that they call - connection - mera connection bhi solid hai. Post Chak De, India! I have only waited for his films for the interviews he gave (print and video all included) during the films' promotions. I know he has his justified reasons for doing the kind of films that he has been doing, but please count me out. Since Chennai Express was first announced, I thought that I will have to make do with his interviews and inspiring speeches only.<br />
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Things changed when Fan was announced, and I was privy to a little more info about the film than normal fans (again thanks to Rani). I thought it would be a game-changer for the Shahrukh the actor, that I loved to bits. After watching Maneesh Sharma's Fan, I can only say that, Shahrukh still can act - like the supremely talented guy that he is. To pull off a Guarav Chandna like he did, you have to be a bloody good actor - it's not every actor's cup of tea.<br />
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What do I say about Fan the film? It didn't work for me as a film, but as a fan of SRK, it was an eye-opener. It left my eyes open wide. I could not believe the spectacle that had unfolded in front of me. My Shahrukh had delivered a double whammy, both as Gaurav and as Aryan Khanna too! There is no point nitpicking the flaws of the film, but what I came back with was an actor so flawless, who took jokes at his own superstar image, in a way that only he can, and has been doing all these years.<br />
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As a fan it has always been embarrassing for me when friends poked jokes at most of his recent films, but now onwards, his double role in Fan will be my way to get back at haters. Thankfully I am not even a fraction of a fan like Gaurav in Fan, but I still try & defend him whenever I can, but how long could I keep on talking about Chak De, India!? Mr. Maneesh Sharma and Adi sir, thank you for giving us fans this film. We all owe you this one, big time.<br />
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Now looking forward to Raees & the Imtiaz Ali film.<br />
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Dear Shahrukh Khan, I love you... all over again. <br />
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Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432590268231981227.post-70814343290303633542016-03-20T10:27:00.003-07:002016-03-20T11:24:48.858-07:00Kapoor And Sons: Miss the moments, miss the pictures.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I just turned 35.<br />
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The same day that Shakun Batra's Kapoor And Sons released.<br />
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Date: 18th March, 2016.<br />
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I still feel all of 15.<br />
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Some dispute here, as some friends and relatives think that I have only turned 5, but that's besides the point.<br />
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I just came back home after watching 'Kapoor and Sons,' light hearted and teary eyed.<br />
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Haven't written in a long time, hence sorry for the gap. Have been working too hard trying to make a living by all means legal. Basically writing things that I will never get credit for in this lifetime. No, I am not complaining, I love my job and everything about it - even the portions that I can't take credit for. I love my life the way it is. I might have been happier with a grandpa a-la Chintuji in K.A.S. <br />
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Coming back to Dharma Productions' Kapoor And Sons, I was sold out the day I watched the trailer. To be fair, till about 6 years ago I was the guy who watched 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham,' and cried each time the '<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlThc0_jb3A" target="_blank">brothers on the bench</a>' scene played out - I would cry my eyes out. I have this thing about family bonding, though I have been way too detached to my immediate family most of my life.<br />
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Films like Swarg and Baghbaan have consistently made my cry like a baby waiting to be fed. I cry a lot while watching films, especially when Jai dies in Sholay, or Tina in Mr. India. I am an emotional fool, but I am a shrewd fool, I don't cry very easily. That's the thing about 'Kapoor And Sons,' I held on till perhaps the last hour, and then I cried my eyes out... slowly but copiously.<br />
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I am still an amateur when it comes to family dynamics, though I have been blessed with a perfectly imperfect family. I had convinced myself that my kid brother was an adopted one, years ago. I still don't know how my parents managed to live together all these years. Arranged marriages, I tell you. All this, till I got married to the love of my life, Rani. I suddenly became the elder son.<br />
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I love my kid brother, and I am proud of all his accomplishments - but it always hurt that he was the perfect son that I could never be. I revisited that hurt in Kapoor And Sons. Actually so many scars that I had buried deep down within, years ago, just came tumbling out while watching Rahul and Arjun in Kapoor And Sons. Sometimes I wish all parents had only one child. HAHAHA<br />
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Silly me.<br />
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And then there is this whole thing about being your own person. I am glad we are perhaps the last generation where our career choices will not be governed by those of our parents or relatives' kids. There were very few relatives or friends who had anything to do with me when I had joined the BPO. Even less, when I chose to write for a living. It didn't help that writing pays so less.<br />
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While my cousins had bought apartments and cars, and subsequently had babies, all I had by then were a few boxes of books and DVDs as my material possessions. I had my baggages, just like all those men and women I saw in Kapoor And Sons. We all need to lose our baggages, once in a while - it makes us lose weight, and times can give us wings to fly. We need to fly away from our nests too.<br />
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That is mandatory. Fly away, if only for a bit.<br />
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Let's talk about the moments - only a few of the priceless moments make their way into pictures. This was perhaps the biggest learning from Kapoor And Sons. There are moments that we want to capture and preserve forever, and there are some we are ashamed of, or choose to ignore. I was home last Diwali, and I miss taking a few more pictures with my family. Who knows how long we are here?<br />
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Let me just say that watching Kapoor And Sons was an experience where I spoke to myself more than what the film or the filmmaker spoke to me - or may be that was the genius of Shakun Batra. A story so universal, of all our lives put together in less than three hours. There are some films that need to be preserved for posterity, this one was one such. So many moments, one beautiful picture.<br />
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One family, Kapoor And Sons, since 1921.</div>
Magikhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18016046178111059291noreply@blogger.com1