The day he ceased to be a Mumbaikar!

Guest Writer's [Karthik Visvanathan] post...based on true life incident.

After we said bye to Bush and Amit, we walked towards the central side of dadar station. After getting engrossed in some foot-over-bridge shopping we finally reached the slow platform. It was covered with heads and heads of millions of people.

Me and Santosh glanced at the indicator. There was a 9:25 train to Kurla and 9:50 dadar train to Kalyan.

After looking at the crowd situation, and having a very good estimate of our reduced train catching capabilities since college days, me and santosh safely decided to wait for the dadar local.

But the braveheart, the star, the optimist, the hyderabadi, the software engineer, the tanned guy, Abhijit decided to catch the Kurla local.

And the local came after an excruciating wait of 300 seconds on the crowded platform with varied noises and smells. As the train chugged in, Abhijit frantically tried to get hold of it and tried to get in to the train. Alas! Every single attempt by Abhijit to get within 3 feet of the train was refuted by the mass of people around. He kept trying, like a drowning man in water, like a man stuck in quicksand, like a baby lost from its mother. But still he couldn’t get in. Finally somehow het got 1/4^th mm of his foot in side the train and it started to move.

Abhi realized that he is no longer the dare devil mumbaikar who could hang on to the sides of the train, he is a lazy techie from Hyderabad. Suddenly conscious of his realities he got down from the train and allowed it to pass away, without his bum being on it.

And then like a defeated man, abhi turned towards us with a sheepish grin. He knew, I knew and Santosh knew, that things will never be the same now. Abhi has ceased to be a Mumbaikar. Period.

Mumbaichaat Turns 4 Today

Waha hote toh...udd jaate saale tote

To be honest, I was too biased even before going for this movie. I just loved the director's previous work AAMIR and was ready for yet another masterpiece from this maker. Sadly this is not as good as previous one and luckily this is not as bad either.
To put it in simple word, No one killed Jessica is compromised movie. Not sure, if its economics or to reach larger audience. But this one surely gives you Masala Movie experience. Not that I am complaining!!!
We all know what happened with Jessica Lall so I am straight coming to the things that I liked and those I did not.
Performances - Vidya Balan is top notch with her behenji but definitive taking due justice of her sister's murder. Her transformation from dull and shaken girl in her early 30's to rejected and dejected lady in late 30's is awesome. There is a striking scene in courtroom where she suddenly starts giggling, that's so poignant to show that there is still a dull but little kid inside her. Another moment when she burst on her father for letting Jesica's murder's parents get into their house. One more towards the climax where she broke down at Jesica's grave and says Thanks to Rani. Vidya Balan's Sabrina is undoubtedly superb, those who appreciate subtly would love it.
On the other hand Rani's portrayal of Mira [character largely drawn from Barkha Dutt], a super bitch reporter from NDTV looks too labored. A definite commercial compromise to add little masala to this otherwise docudrama movie.
Both the central characters gets establish in first few moments of the movie and carries the same characteristics throughout the movie.The director gives equal time and chance to both leads to show their talent.
The Third lead is however is most impactful and that is Amit Trivedi's sound. This guy is surely  the NEXT BIG THING in bollywood. His music has it's own soul and that adds to the tension of this movie. I am already crazy about Dilli track and the soulful Dua...is my latest favorite.
The movie has few gripping moments but it never haunts you as AAMIR did [I might be unreasonable comparative but I was expecting way too much :)]
NOKJ is a good masala movie for sure, go with little of expectations and you won't complain!!

Initial Thoughts of 2011

"Bathroom mein pani nahi aa raha" [there is no water in bathroom], these were my first few words on 2011 morning, made me realize that no matter how well you plan, things are bound to happen....in other words Shit Happens!!
2011 surely looks promising, and wishing everyone HAPPY NEW YEAR is just too lame.
Re-posting Cyanide and Happiness's that quite sum up my feelings

P.S. Stop thinking about how I managed without water.