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.

2010- Wrap up

Eehhho!! 2010 is almost over, and I am about to finish one of the lamest year I had. India however has grrreat run in almost every department [sarcastic]. Time to wrap up year in my style...co-relating with 2010 Bollywood releases though many of them I am yet to watch.

WE ARE FAMILY - It's all about loving your family, 2010 is a year of scams, starting with IPL and ending note by 2G Raja, This movie however star all the families involved in Adarsh Society Scam and ofcorse Yeduruppa and Sons.

KNOCK-OUT - Can't think of anyone else than Ashok Chavan, Chavan finally have to give away the MAHA CM Lottery that he got twice.

STRIKER - This is solely starred by Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, unexpectedly 2010 turned out amazingest year for Sachin, he scored 200 in ODIs and completed 50 test centuries and continued proving his GOD status in modern day Cricket.

NA GHAR KE GHAT KE - Not sure how many of you heard about this movie, that was based on Bihari couple in Mumbai. However it perfectly suits to Laloo Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi, they are neither of Central nor of their own Bihar. Many might not agree but Bihar Election 2010 results is very definitive event of this decade.

BADMAASH COMPANY - Pakistan Cricket Board and Pakistani Cricketers...could not think anyone else apt for this title.
LOVE, SEX and DHOKA - My most favorite movie of the year, but here it stars none other than Baba Nithyanand, As per what I saw on youtube, there was NO LOVE but Sex and Dhoka for sure. Still I feel pity about the baba. They are allowed to have sex but surely not the way he did :P

BAND BAJA BARAAT - Shoeb Malik is married, NO he is single, NO he is divorced, Who is Ayesha, did he actually sold video rights to news channel for their wedding ceremony? Sania - Shoeb's wedding was all about band baja and really low on baraat. Finally they are married and we just dont care.

ATHITI TUM KAB JAYOGE - Much against Indian saying of 'Athithi Devo Bhav', Obama's Indian visit turned out to be pain in an ass. 'US president coming to India to explore more job opportunities for Americans' isn't quite rosy picture for Indians. He came, She Danced and they went back. Screwing perfect festive season for Mumbai and promising absolutely nothing for India.

JHOOTA HI SAHI - Lalit Modi is down but certainly not out. IPL scam took India with storm, thanks to more scams to follow Modi is keeping low pro on this list. Jhoota hi Sahi but Modi is kicking some serious ass in legal battle with BCCI.

KHELEN HUM JEE JAN SE - This goes to all the players of Commonwealth Games, yeah at least they put on a great show without any deadline slips. A must mention are Gagan Narang, Somdev and Saina Nehwal.

WELL DONE ABBA - Believe it, this goes to Dhoni, we stayed as number 1 test team in the world and we played like one. Much credit should goes to Dhoni, but WELL DONE is for overtaking Sachin and everyone else in showbiz in endorsement contracts.

GOLMAL - And all the reality show aired this year continued to fake it. Big Boss became more obscene than ever and Rakhi Ka Insaaf broke all the records of how-low-you-can-get-on-TV


PRINCE - As Wikileaks started leaking the great Indian secrets, our Prince of Congress came up with really revolutionary observations, not only that prince charming could not charm bihari elections but also risking  majority of votes now.

ISHQUIYA- Ohh there are many luv storys around but I HATE LUV STORYS, however I can not miss out Shashi Tharoor and Sunanda Pushkar love story. He gave up his ministry, she gave up her share from Cochi franchisee wah! aisa pyar kaha


CLICK - Heard about the movie?? But this year really belongs to Twitter, to bring down Shashi Tharoor and Lalit Modi. That proves that screwing up someone's career is single click away - POST it.

RIGHT YA WRONG - We waited for the verdict for 18 long years, when it came, the entire nation was stand still. Ayodha Verdict came and made me to realize that nothing has changed, still we get equally panic with just a sight of what could possibly happen again. 1/3rd share to each is possibly the smartest decision but alas we are not matured enough to accept it. I am still confused as rest of the nation.

RED ALERT - Naxalism was at it's pick this year, what was more bewildering was the support it has received from scholars such as Arundhati Roy. By the way those who have missed, Red Alert is good movie, in spite Sunil Shetty and Sameera Reddy being in lead roles.

that bring's to the last release of the year. And the TEES MAAR KHAN goes to nothing but Suresh Kalmadi. Now there is enough has been said about him here and everywhere. So my Indian of the year is Suresh Kalmadi.

And there are some striking images of 2010

What a picture!!! Thankfully we got to see many such pics last year. Sachin completing his double ton and keeping his GODhood kicking.



Michelle Obama Doing Koli Dance - Quite enduring

This shocked the nation, BBC released pics of Commonwealth Games Village, something that brought a national shame. One of the lowpoint of CWG 2010



Pathetic publicity gimmick, I still can not bear a site, Akshay Kumar an apologetically shameless with R K Laxman





This is my personal favorite!! look how happy they are
Mumbai Indians had a great run in IPL 3 and specially Bhajji.


Wish to see many more happy pictures in 2011

Happy New Year